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Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
14.12.2017 LISTEN

A lawyer and former board member of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Kojo Graham, has denied that he abused his capacity as a member of the board of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), to award his private company a 15-year contract with the NLA.

According to him, the decision to hire the services of his private company was not a rubber stamp decision by him, but was decided by the entire board together with the procurement authority.

His claim comes on the back of allegations by a group calling itself the Concerned Voters Movement, who accused him of awarding contracts of the NLA to his own company, LOTS Services to the tune of GH89 million Ghana cedis between 2013 and 2017, while serving as an external lawyer for the NLA and at the same time, the Chairman of the entity Tender Committee of the NLA.

Leader of the group, Razak Kojo Poku, said the president must urgently cause an investigation into the matter to ensure the country does not lose money through the dubious contract.

Mr. Razak Poku also alleged that Kojo Graham was peddling falsehood against the current Managing Director of the NLA, Osei-Ameyaw, after the latter tried to cancel the dubious contract.

But speaking on the Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Kojo Graham said although the positions he held may have appeared to be in conflict of interest, there was no conflict of interest.

There could be an appearance of a conflict of interest because of the position that I was an external solicitor and a board member, but you cannot, as a matter of fact, come to a logical conclusion that because I was in these positions, anything that happens amounts to a conflict of interest I never asked to be external solicitor for the NLAThere is absolutely nothing wrong with being a board member and being an external solicitor for the NLA, he said.

Mr. Graham said the selection of his private company (LOTS Services) for a contract with the NLA, was not taken by the board of NLA while he was serving on it, but by the Public Procurement Authority.

The Entity Tender Committee is not a rubber stamp, this is a high-level committee made up of 3 board members, senior directors from the NLA as well as a senior state attorney from the AG's department. In any case, the decision to award contracts are not made by the Chairman of the Entity Tender Committee. It wasn't the NLA Entity Tender Committee that awarded contract to LOTS, the contract was awarded by the Public Procurement Authority, he said.

My interest in LOTS was after NLA contract

Mr. Kojo Graham further denied that, his interest in the LOTS Services, was only after the NLA had signed the contract with the company.

My interest in LOTS Services came in way after the contract had been awarded, he said.

I gave $60,000 loan on humanitarian grounds

It is alleged that Mr. Kojo Graham gave a bribe of $60,000 to the new DirectorGeneral of the NLA, after learning of the latter and the new NLA boards plan to be more stringent in payments to LOTS services.

But according to Mr. Graham, the money was a personal loan which he gave on humanitarian grounds to the new Director General.

We are open to a probe

He said his company was ready to cooperate with state agencies should there be a probe into the case.

He who alleges must prove. Our doors are as open as the heavens, he said.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kojo Graham rubbishes NLA conflict of interest claim appeared first on Ghana News .
The East Dadekotopong Development Trust [EDDT] has described the actions of the Ghana Police to invade and seize its offices as unlawful, unjustifiable and irresponsible

The Trust therefore called on the Police hierarchy to as a matter of urgency conduct an investigation into the unlawful action and bring the perpetrators to book if found culpable.

Addressing newsmen in Accra on Tuesday, the EDDT Executive Secretary, Nii Odoi Yemo, expressed his outfits discontent at the invasion and forceful seizure of their offices as well as eviction of its entire staff by some land guards and vigilante groups on November 16th 2017, without a court order.

The act which according to him was purported to have been carried out under the La Traditional Council was not only barbaric and ridiculous but also unlawful which amounts to contempt of court, considering the pending litigations in the High and Appeal Courts respectively.

The Executive Secretary cautioned the public to be wary of fraudsters and avoid buying lands under the EDDTs jurisdiction from any vigilante or land guard group purporting to be a trustee or doing business on behalf of the EDDT.

He called on all those who have acquired landed properties or own houses with relevant documents from his outfit to remain calm and not give in to any threat or blackmail from the vigilantes and land guards hired by the La Traditional Council.

He disclosed that they have taken prompt steps by filing a certiorari application at the High Court to quash a fraudulent order obtained by some persons from an inferior court while the cases are pending at both the High and Appeal Courts respectively.

The EDDT, Nii Odoi Yemo explained was not established by the La Traditional Council nor has the Council any legitimate right to deal with the lands under the jurisdiction of the Trust. Again, the Council has no mandate to appoint the eight members Board of Trustees of the Trust.

Nii Odoi Yemo further explained that the East Dadekotopong Development Trust [EDDT] was established as a result of a court order in 2002 and was vested with the mandate of administering over the lands situated behind the Ghana International Trade Fair Authority.

He however pointed out that the press briefing was not in reaction to the Defense Ministers announcement that some individuals including former President Mahama have encroached and built on lands belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces.
NPP-USA PRESS RELEASE IN SUPPORT OF NPP-EXTERNAL BRANCHES REJECTION OF THE AD HOC CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (CRC) REPORT ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITIONAL AMENDMENTS.

There have been developments leading to our great traditions plans for a conference in Kumasi this Sunday, December 17, 2017. As you may be aware, on August 26, 2017, during our delegates conference at Cape Coast, we resolved to reconvene at a time convenient to resolve all unresolved issues when we met in Cape Coast. Rather unfortunate, this innocent and harmless venture has been hijacked by the hawks in our great party to push their agenda of exclusion in our party; a position we have been working diligently with our legislature to remove from our body politic. It is inconceivable that a nation like ours would intentionally remove a chunk of its citizenry through machinations of a few with parochial interests.

We are respectfully asking that the party honors its obligations to Diasporas irrespective of their political affiliation to serve this great country of ours devoid of impediments and discrimination. We know the president is in support of an Amendment Bill proposed by Dr Kwaku Asare and his team. We have submitted same to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Attorney General and the minority in parliament. This Bill does not cost this country anything and we see no reason why it should be held for this long without passage.

This unnecessary exclusionary rule has become the basis of our agitation within our party today. We are not here to mention names of past and present government functionaries and parliamentarians who have held travelling documents and served honorably in this country. Mr. Speaker, end the discrimination among Ghanaians today by causing to be passed the proposed Bill to amend Articles 94(2)(a) and 8(2) of the Constitution as well as Section 16 of the Citizenship Act. Our children, grandchildren and future generations who have no hand in where they are born deserve better and Ghana deserves better.

It is universally accepted that provisions of a Constitution regulating its amendment are not merely directory but are mandatory. As such, strict observance of every substantial requirement is essential to the validity of any amendment. Article 18 of NPPs Constitution governs amendments. It requires that

notice of any proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing to the General Secretary not later than 2 months before the National Delegates Conference; (ii) the General Secretary must circulate the proposed amendment to every Regional and Constituency office at least 1 month before the congress; and (iii) at least 2/3 of the delegates at the congress cast their votes in favor of the amendment.

Our first attempt to consider proposed amendments at the Cape Coast National Delegates Conference did not come to fruition because delegates were not given sufficient time to study the proposed amendments.

The pending extraordinary delegates conference was convened to give delegates sufficient time to study the proposals. Our hope was that the lessons of Cape Coast will lead to a process that conforms strictly to the Constitution to avoid additional problems.

It has, therefore, come to us and the entire external branches fraternity as a surprise that the National Council has appointed a 10-person ad hoc Constitutional Review Commission tasked to critically examine the proposed amendments and to make recommendations to guide the debate. Such recommendations have taken the form of whether particular proposals put forth by different groups or persons should be accepted or rejected.

Article 18 is clear that every proposed amendment is to come to the floor for debate unprejudiced by a prior evaluation by any organs of the Party! The notion of an ad hoc CRC recommending accept or reject decisions is entirely alien to the Constitution. We, of course, reject this ad hoc Committee and find its recommendations highly irregular and prejudicial.

We are particularly concerned by the Parliamentary caucuss proposed amendment and ably supported by Eugene Antwi, a former Diasporan from England, which has been endorsed by the ad hoc Constitution Review Committee to the effect that A member shall be disqualified from holding any office or contesting any election in the Party if he or she owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana. This phrase, which has been imported from the 1992 Constitution, is one that serves no useful purpose, is widely misunderstood, is often misapplied, and is used to target only some dual citizens. As a party that believes in equality of opportunities and equal citizenship, we believe we should be at the forefront of repealing this provision from the 1992 Constitution, not importing it into our Constitution.

The NPP-USA prides itself in welcoming all Ghanaians, based in the USA and other territories, to compete for its positions. We have no intention to discriminate among Ghanaians and wish to make it very clear that the passage of this amendment will effectively be a signal that we are no longer welcome in NPP.

Article 1, clause 7 of the NPP Constitution states that one of our aims is to harness the full the human resources of the country. We do not achieve this aim by excluding Ghanaians. We call on our Parliamentary caucus to work with Professor Kwaku Asare who has circulated a proposed bill to amend Articles 94(2)(a) and 8(2) of the Constitution as well as Section 16 of the Citizenship Act.

We are equally disturbed by the contempt with which the ad hoc CRC has dealt with our proposal to be represented on the National Council. The ad hoc CRC has rejected this proposal on grounds that it will create a lot of practical difficulties. What practical problems are created by our nominating someone to serve on the Council? If past presidential candidates belong to the Council, is it too much for the external branches to have a voice at the Council?

As a final matter, we are troubled by the growing incumbent protection plans that are being hatched by the parliamentary caucus. Article 11 governs the selection of our parliamentary candidates. Moreover, it is trite that Article 11 can only be amended by the process specified in Article 18. We, therefore, are at a loss by the recent directive purportedly issued by the National Council that MMDCEs and other regional executives wishing to contest against incumbent NPP MPs should resign their positions 3 years in advance of the general elections. This directive therefore excludes all regional executives and MMDCEs who have not resigned their positions as at December 7, 2016. Not only is this directive unconstitutional, it is clearly counterproductive.

We look forward to debating the proposed amendments at the congress floor and call on all delegates to reject the ad hoc CRC and its recommendations! Every motion should be considered on the floor by the delegates and be voted on as required by our constitutional provisions. Any alien attempts to circumvent the process should be rejected by all democratically minded persons in our great tradition.

NPP-USA without any reservation supports the stands taken by the entire Diaspora membership and entreat our National Party Executives to immediately withdraw this albatross before it degenerates into a serious problem for our party.

Thank you.

NPP-USA INC. COMMUNICATIONS
14.12.2017 LISTEN

My importunate phone calls had gone unanswered.

No texts back and no call from him. I knew then something was wrong.

You know tomorrow is never promised. And no one knows, if there will be another tomorrow or another day. This is why I treat each day as a special gift from my Maker and I see it as a blessing because there are millions out there who couldnt make it now or today. Theyve transitioned to another world unknown to us.

A day runs not on its own. A day never walks alone. A day goes by with a zillion activities from over a billion people scattered on the surface of the planet Earth. As a people we run each day like the ants jockeying to and fro looking for bread and butter.

Our day is packed, bursting with action-- each one pacing to somewhere but obviously to nowhere. Where are we, you want to know? Were certainly on a treadmill. To most of us life is all about us. Its all about me and no one else. We careless and care not about what goes on around us. We dont know our neighbour (s) and if we do, we seldom talk to them or say hello or hi to them.

What happened to my friend Frank?

On Wednesday December 6, 2017 around midday after checking on Mr. Francis Malone (he goes by Frank) a few days and no word from him I went to his house 15 minutes drive away from my residence which is 7.3 miles. My fear had been confirmed Franks condition was bad!

In no time paramedics would arrive.

They came running.

The fire officers were up to the task, the pet control officer was handy (to take care of Franks cat/dog). Franks neighbour Suzie Stevens was there too (she offered to take care of the Dog) and last but not least Sheriff Travis Hoffman who was there with me from beginning to the end.

Without delay Frank was stretched off from his living room where he'd laid in supine way, hauled into a waiting ambulance--- off to the ER centre at Good Sam Hospital in Puyallup, Washington.

I pray he pulls through this. Its a tough battle but hes a strong man. And I trust the good Lord will release upon him His compassionate healing power. I know doctors treat but God heals. I was down there on Thursday and Friday afternoons to see my good friend. He couldnt verbalise. But I saw his laughing eyes when he opened them.

Did I see this coming?

Good night Gordon. I walked to Safeway and almost didnt make it back home. My knees are giving outthe lady on the corner helped me. 

And it seemed to be so bad that the next morning he even struggled to make it to his mail box.

I walked to the mail box. Very hard to do. My knees are giving out, Frank texted in early or mid-November 2017.

Around October this year someone ran into his car and took off. So I suspect that could contribute to his mobility struggle coupled with aging and other health problems.

Frank is an octogenarian white man, stocky and easy going. He lives alone and has no family member in the city he resides. So I took it upon myself to be checking up on him on a day-to day basis. And thank Goodness weve been doing this ritual for so long a time. Weve known each other since 2008. We both worked at Walmart over by South hill mall in Puyallup.

Yes I knew this was quite unusual even though thered been times I hadnt heard from him say two days. But Frank would text or call back when he missed mine and say for example, I forgot to put my phone on a charger. Theres a good one I remember:

I couldnt find my phone this morning. It fell into a cup which I happened to look in laterSo a late greeting.

I also recollect there was a similar case in April and another in early November. I went to his house in both cases. Well I couldnt find my phone for two days. I finally found it this morning. Thats why you didnt hear from me. Good night Gordon. I hope were still friends, he wrote that in April.

Yes we are still friends and well forever remain friends, I replied.

Before the Wednesday, Id texted him and placed a few phone calls but all to no avail. But like as I said earlier that wasnt the first time I had had him not reply my text messages or phone calls right away. Frank had collapsed. His phone was dead. Mr. Malone was home Alone!

See we all need someone to lean on. A friend to check on us, not for money and not for bread and butter because life is like a candle in the wind it doesnt stay longer. I remember several years ago when I stepped out from my room and met my neighbour across me.

Good morning Bro, I said. His response: Whats good about the morning?

He left me openmouthed wondering is that how our world has come up to?

Our whole mind is about money. Thats our number (#1) focus. We dont value life. And we tend to have no idea how much a smile from us can make a big difference in ones life.

Thank God we found Frank not dead but alive.

Sheriff Hoffman (I didnt tell him he shares his last name with my in-laws) not the Sheriff John Brown, Bob Marley and the Wailers featured in his 1973 hit song labeled (Tuff Gong). Sheriff Travis Hoffman # 300 of Pierce County Sheriffs Department is a veteran. Hes been in the service since 1976 (41 years).

Are you the mans friend? he enquired. Yes, Sir, I replied.

Youve a saved a soul, he told me.

Officer Hoffman and I scoured through the building looking for a way to get in. He managed to get one of the windows opened. And I got into the house to have the front door unlocked. Thank you so much Sir for showing up and showing love.

Frank used to have a roommate named Achie. He moved out around May this year. Theyve known each other for decades. Theyre good friends and more or less like siblings. But he has a younger brother called August who lives in Marysville WA. Frank was down there in June this year to celebrate his sister-laws 83rd birthday. And he was back there in July when his brothers wife died.

"I said my goodbyes to her, he told me.

Frank is kind and affable. He speaks so highly of me whenever we run into some of his friends I dont know or havent met. He will tell them: This is Gordon my friend. Hes from Ghana, hes literally genius. And I received such remarks always with humility.

I love his good sense of humor. He told me one story: A little girl was in a line in Safeway. She told her mother I was Santa Claus and I was so excited.

I like to extend my profound gratitude to the nurses, doctors, CNA staffs and everyone at Good Sam who are working tirelessly to save the life of Frank. Thanks a million!
Frank Amoakohene, NUGS President

14.12.2017 LISTEN

In Africa, the youth accounts for 60 percent of all African unemployment (World Bank archives). Almost 11 million of graduates churned out of the over 668 Universities in Africa yearly do not get jobs (British Council Kenya, 2016). And Ghana contributes substantially to these numbers, in many ways.

The latest Ghana Labour Force Survey Report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) estimates Graduate Unemployment rate at 11.5 per cent (in 2015) ; a rise in about 6 per cent since 2012 | 2013 . However, The Graduate Unemployment Association a year ago contested this figure arguing that available statistics points to a substantial increase to about 24 to 28 percent. They ascribed this to the droves of students graduating every year.

Cleary, the percent of GUR in Ghana is galloping and perhaps becoming subjective depending on where one stands. However to the Unemployed, no amount of rhetorical statistics, empty projections and political promises can bring money into their pockets after school neither would these equip them for global competition. After all these stats, it is the Ghanaian undergraduate and the graduated who bear the most brunt.

In discussing the causes and effect of unemployment, one appreciates the many multidisciplinary schools of thoughts and views on the subject. The Institute of Statistics, Social and Economic Research) ISSER adds to the findings with the claim that it may take up to 10 years for a large number of graduates to secure employment due to varied challenges that ranged from the lack of employable skills, unavailability of funding capital for entrepreneurship, poor attitudes of graduates towards job opportunities, as well as the low capacities of industry to absorb the huge numbers ( citifmonline, 2017)

But how reflective are these findings. How representative are they and how daring perhaps daunting have they become that the situation is not improving by the years? Are the right parties who fall victims of GU (graduates and undergraduates in our various Universities) speaking on the issue. If they are, how are sector players and government implementing these measures? We recall that on farmers Day, just us we called on the youth of this country to venture Agribusinesses to Escape Unemployment, government and many other civil societies and industry analysts took similar posture calling for more investments into the Agric sector. But what becomes of these encouragements after all is said?

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) having apprised itself with this national challenge would wishes to go beyond the rhetoric this year even as government, the Ministry and sector players seek to confront the youth of this country.

Chief of the issues includ some 8000 Nurses still at home not posted, Some 2000 School of Hygiene Graduates not posted, Over 2000 Allied Health Professionals Unemployed, over 400 Medical Doctors home without jobs, and over 50,000 Graduates without Jobs.

Students of this country agree with the school of thought that Education is wholistic and hence regardless the numbers churned out every year, they should been (1) better positioned by the education system to (2) be absorbed by into job market less than a year. It is therefore the roles of government, industries and enterprises, ppps, and other sector players to ensure that the youth get ready job market else this country stands to waste the talents and acquired skills of the youth.

The Coalitions of different Unemployed continue to grow in sizes year after year refusing to go extinct. Nothing substantial has changed in the economic lives of these jobless graduates. Same could be said of the undergraduate who is worried about his future after school. Ironically, the trauma of having to complete school without job is one discouraging feeling that kills the same innovation and drive that we preach to the youth.

This year, NUGS wishes to take a different path. We wish to contribute our little quota solve this perennial challenge. The Union would launch a month-long dialogue on Graduate Unemployment in Ghana called The National Dialogue on Graduate Unemployment. The campaign shall take the form of talks, lectures, workshops, projects, debates among few and shall be focused on the issue of unemployment and its workable solutions. The wholistic nature of this national campaign will demand the input, and presence of all sector players whilst students would be at the center of discussion and mentorship and counselling by expert in the job industry.

The outcome of these series of dialogue workshops will further inform the direction of NUGS on how to support government to addressing the issue of youth unemployment.

Finally, we are by this calling on all stakeholders, the Ministry, the Corporate world, Civil Societies to support this National Dialogue on Graduate Unemployment

For Sponsorship or any support, please call the Projects and Programs Secretary, Solomon Ananpansah on 0207262608

Aluta Continua; Victoria Ascerta

Signed

Kabu Nartey

General Secretary

Countersigned

(Leader) Frank Amoakohene

President
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The University Students' Association of Ghana has learnt with grief a loathsome incident that happened on Monday, December 11, 2017 at the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus. A Student who after learning for his examination was butchered on his way back to the residential hall, Autonomy Hall by an unknown gang.

The National Executive Officers of University Students' Association of Ghana(USAG) is saddened by this and share in grief with the victim by name Osei Sampson, his family and the entire University of Education, Winneba Community.

We are solidly behind the school and be informed that, the National Executive Officers have paid a visit to the victim and the school.

USAG as a mother students union for all Universities and University Colleges in Ghana is fearful for the safety of University students of Ghana because of similar incidents such as armed robbery and rape attacks that have happened on University For Development Studies, Wa Campus, University of Ghana, KNUST and other University Campuses.

The recurrence of these attacks obviously informs us about the inadequacy of the collective preparedness of USAG and the Students Representative Councils(SRCs) to face-off those miscreants. Our checks show a zero or little effort, if any of Security Personnel at identified flash points of most of the Universities in Ghana hence exposing students to incessant attacks particularly in the period of revisions and examination.

Should things remain same, University for Development Studies, Wa Campus students are planning of a demonstration against the school authorities while quite a number of students of other Universities (female inclusive) are also contemplating of carrying weapons as part of their obligations for personnel protection - or a situation, where students by themselves, form "Issakaba-like" vigilante groups on campuses because of insecurity. This will be a scenario not befitting a world class university status that Ghana desires to achieve for all universities across the country.

We are therefore calling on Universities Management and all other stakeholders to help put additional measures in place to the already existing ones to curb this insecurity menace that has bedeviled University education in Ghana for long.

We propose that the Universities management should consider replacing the very old men among the security guards with strong young men and women. They should also be cutting down the number of security personnel deployed during day time and unleashing them massively at night at proper locations. There should be a very strict monitoring team to identify and sanction those personnel who famously sleep on duty.

We would like to also urge all our students to move in groups at night, avoid dark alleys and be a check on one another for their own safety.

We are by this also assuring all our constituents that, the insecurity on campuses is a headache to USAG and we ain't relenting until students safety is achieved.

Signed

DOMFEH EMMANUEL

(Press and Information Secretary, USAG)

0249688918

OPPONG KESSE ALBERT

(President, USAG)

0206196956
General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Aseidu Nketia has warned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) that any attempt to remove the chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) Mrs. Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei and her two deputies will undermine Ghanas democratic credentials.

He said if NPP succeeds in removing Charlotte Osei from office, it will be a precedent that allows every political party who comes to power to appoint its own Electoral Commissioner, which is a threat to Ghanas democracy and a way to strengthen Ghanas democracy is to protect the electoral commission from political interference.

Aseidu Nketia, who has described the impeachment of the EC Boss as a sheer hatred and disgrace to democracy, in an interview with Otec news on Wednesday December 13, said the NPP has created impression that Mrs. Charlotte is their enemy, starting from the first day of her appointment and are using any available opportunity to removal her.

what I can see from this matter is that it is big temptation and challenge to NPP if they dont know am telling them because those who wrote the constitution and very country who believes in democracy know that one factor to strengthen democracy is to protect the electoral commission from political interference, again every democracy principle is that the constitution will protect the court from political interference as well as any other independent democratic institution he said.

Chairperson of the EC, Charlotte Osei, and two of her deputies, Georgina Opoku-Amankwah, who is in charge of Corporate Services, and Amadu Sulley, in charge of Operations, on Monday December 11, 2017 appeared before the five-member committee chaired by a Supreme Court Judge for questioning relating to separate petitions filed against them demanding for her impeachment in relation to alleged corruption and mismanagement.

The appearance of the trio before the committee follows the completion of preliminary investigations into their alleged conduct of abuse of power and corruption.

The two deputies are to also answer for their alleged roles in the disappearance of some GHS480,000 from the ECs Endowment Fund, among other allegations.

Mrs. Osei, who was present at the hearing with her lawyer, explained that she has not been officially served with the petition and has therefore written to the presidency to furnish her with a copy of the petition.

If nothing had not happened before, why is the NPP is using the allegations against the EC Chairperson for her removal? NPP has created impression in the country that Mrs. Charlotte Osei is their greatest enemy because we all saw and heard what they did when she was appointed as the EC chairperson, if you like conduct an investigation in Ghana and everybody will tell you that Charlotte Osei is NPP enemy, he said.

So if they dont take care they will leave a legacy that permits every political party that comes to power appoint its own EC boss and so doing we are tarnishing the good image on our electoral body has reached international recognition and respect, he warned.
Unless the Ministry of Health comes to the aid of private Midwives in the Brong Ahafo Region, maternal death will hit the rooftop in a matter of time as drug shortage hits the Maternity Homes due to NHIA inability to pay for their claims.

According to the President of the Brong Ahafo Region branch of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association, for the past nine months, not a single Cedi has been paid out of the claims they submitted to NHIA.

Madam Augustina Ahiaku, the President of the Association said as a result of their predicament, companies that supply them drugs have refused to supply them with much-needed drugs and as a result, pregnant women are sometimes asked to go home because drugs are not available to treat them.

She said what is most worrisome is that many of the midwifery facilities are located in remote areas and so women who visit such facilities where drugs are not available to end up dying.

Speaking to newsmen in an interview on the problems that the Maternity Homes are facing, Madam Dorcas Fordwour who has been in the business for several years said the situation has become so desperate that workers are being laid off in many facilities because operators cannot even break even not to talk of making a profit to pay utilities and salaries of workers.

She said the delay in the payment of claims has affected their work so much so that they are forced to credit drugs for their patients and sometimes rely on banks for loans to pay for drugs.

Madam Dorcas seized the opportunity to appeal to the Gender Minister, Madam Afiko Djaba to use her good offices to impress upon the authorities to expedite action in order to avoid the death of pregnant women who patronize these facilities in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Madam Dorcas who operates one of the oldest midwifery hospitals in the Techiman Municipality said her facility takes care of more than three thousand pregnant women in a month but because of the shortage of drugs, she has to refer some of them to other hospitals.

She also appealed to the First Lady to help them out of their predicament.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has commended Ghana for the strides it has made over the years as an oasis of peace and stability.

For him, the peaceful transfer of power from one government, and for that matter, political party to the other alone, speaks volumes of the peaceful nature of Ghanaians and the stability of the nation.

He made the commendation at a state dinner held in his honour by President Akufo-Addo at the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) Tuesday evening.

Impression

Apart from that, he stated, I am impressed by Ghana's contributions to the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS; and Ghana is also key to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, with President Akufo-Addo acting as an official UN Advocate of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ghana is often named as an exemplary case in Africa not least, in economic terms. We all know that development cooperation may lead to certain improvement specific targeted areas, but as President Akufo-Addo has recognised, with his vision of Ghana beyond aid, that long term success can only be built on a foundation of a strong local economy driven by an ambitious, well-educated and skilled young generation.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was particularly happy about his Ghanaian counterpart's decision to move Ghana beyond aid and charity, stating that we are happy to support Ghana in this endeavour.

Bilaterally, he indicated, We are opening a new chapter of cooperation with the new reforms and investment partnerships that we signed today. I sense a new spirit and optimism in this kind of project.

Concern

Talking about the youth, President Steinmeier said, Young people are our future both at home in Germany and here in Ghana. We owe them our best efforts to create a prosperous future.

When we see thousands of young men and women making a dangerous journey across the Sahara and the Mediterranean, we know that their dreams are being exploited by ruthless criminals and many of them lose their lives.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lamented, Some of Africa's brightest and strongest who are needed here to build a future for Ghana and Africa even end up in the nightmare of modern-day slavery. We cannot let this stand.

Resolution

The German President stressed, We need to do more from both sides; we need to instill hope and create meaningful opportunities for young people locally.

In view of that, he assured, We will also continue to provide the ideas for good proven practices for example in the area of vocational training, which is an important factor in Germany's economic prosperity; and we saw encouraging examples here in Accra.

President Akufo-Addo also applauded the German government for committing about 130 million Euros to support Ghana for the 2009-2011 fiscal year and another commitment of 130 million Euros for the 2013-2015 fiscal years.

Appreciation

I also appreciate the provision of funding to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) operating, as well as support for a number of regional projects in the agriculture, climate, energy, healthcare and waste management sectors, he stressed, not forgetting the 100 million Euros grant given to Ghana.

Going forward, he said, We have decided to turn our back on the old economy, which was dependent on the production and export of raw materials and also dependent on aid.

We want to build a value-added industrial economy and a modernized agriculture which is neither victim nor pawn of the world economic order; we want our relationship to be characterised by increased trade and investment cooperation with Germany.

According to President Akufo-Addo, This is the way to develop healthy relations between our two countries and put Ghana at the high end of the value chain in the global market place and create jobs for the teeming masses of Ghanaians, particularly the youth. Our vision is to build a free prosperous country, a Ghana beyond aid.

Departure

The German President has since left Ghana for his home country.

He was seen off at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) yesterday by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Ghana's Ambassador to Germany, Gina Ama Blay and the German-trained cardiologist specialist, who is now the Minister for Science, Environment, Innovation and Technology, Professor Dr Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent
The neighbourhood of Adeinkpo, also referred to as British Accra, came to life on the morning of Wednesday, November 29 as the Chinery clan gathered to celebrate the 154th anniversary of the birth of their family patriarch  Arthur Robert Chinery of blessed memory.

A full requiem mass was led by Very Rev Cannon Andrew Torgbor of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

A roll call of departed family members was very solemn and candles lit in their memory as some shed tears.

Cecil Owusu Addo, president of the fourth generation of Arthur Chinery's descendants, delivered an address titled 'Chinery: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow'.

In a brief history, Mr Addo stated that the Chinery family entered West Coast of Africa in the year 1859 when Arthur Chinery and his brother David Chinery arrived at Barthurst, Gambia, with a trading firm named Parker Foster & Co.

David Chinery, due to the heavy mortality rate among the Europeans then in West Africa, decided to return home but Arthur Chinery moved eastwards, arriving in Jamestown, Accra of Gold Coast in 1860.

Arthur customarily married Kwama, received by hand of her uncle John Dodoo 'Kremekuku', a prosperous merchant prince and gave birth to Arthur Robert Chinery on November 29, 1863.

Arthur Robert Chinery joined the government service and was placed in the Customs and Excise Department as a supervisor port officer at Accra Port for 25 years.

His office is where the light house now stands. Arthur Robert Chinery, the patriarch of the Chinery family of the Gold Coast (Ghana), was resourceful, sharp-witted and an indefatigable person, a civil servant and later an estate agent with wide experience.

He was a highly respected church leader, trusted by his European and African colleagues and many people.

His motto was 'honesty is the best policy' and by his enterprise and hard work at death, left several houses, namely Alata, Adedenkpo, Korle-Gonno to shelter his issues. He passed away in Accra in 1954.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has gone haywire following the activation of the processes that could lead to the impeachment of Charlotte Osei, chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) and her two deputies.

The NDC has suddenly risen to the defence of the EC boss, at the expense of her two deputies, who were roped into the EC's alleged scandal by Mrs Charlotte Osei.

The three top officials of the EC are facing a probe committee set up by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, following petitions of wrongdoing filed against them.

While Charlotte Osei's petition was initiated by some workers of the commission, the embattled EC chairperson is leading the charge of wrongdoing against her two deputies  Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku-Amankwa  in-charge of Operation and Corporate Service respectively.

Interestingly, the NDC has pitched camp with Charlotte against the two other deputies who were all appointed by John Mahama's administration.

Mrs Charlotte Osei, according to DAILY GUIDE sources, had never had good working relations with the two deputies since she took office in 2015.

Mr Amadu Sulley, according to sources, was even placed on national security radar because the Mahama administration was informed that he was dealing with the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) particularly, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

In what looks like the NDC has more to lose should the EC chairperson be impeached, some of its key elements are even putting their lives on the line to fight for her, saying the whole action is being pushed by the New Patriotic Party government.

There is currently a massive campaign in the media, particularly on social media, by NDC activists in support of the EC chairperson.

Some critics of the opposition party have said the NDC's posture is threatening the work of the committee investigating Charlotte Osei, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku-Amankwa.

Members of the minority NDC in parliament, led by Haruna Iddrisu, are falling over each other in their rabid defence of Charlotte Osei.

An NDC lawyer, Abraham Amaliba, has even gone to the absurd level, threatening war if Mrs. Osei is removed from office.

He said on Accra FM on Tuesday What has the woman done? She has declared election results in your favour and so what again do they want from her that they are using the process to harass her? he quizzed, adding, Where are the CDDs? Where are the OccupyGhanas? If it were to be the NDC government all these people would be speaking by now. Where is Emile Short? Where is Professor Martey? This country will burn and we will see where all of us will be and so they should continue doing it.

On the same Tuesday on Peace FM, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, a vice chairperson of the opposition party and head of NDC election committee, sent a strong warning to President Akufo-Addo not to 'orchestrate' a plot to remove the EC boss.

For the first time, people wanted to throw the supreme law of the land  the constitution  aside because of some parochial interest . . . She's one of the most vilified public officers ever seen in this country in recent times, but I doff my hat for her that she stood very tall in all this and did her work effectively. As we say, the end justifies the means; she's been able to work for a successful election, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo said.

There's no doubt in my mind that what is happening now is more political than anything. And I want to caution President Nana Akufo-Addo to be very, very careful because running a nation is not like leading NPPMy caution is that the Chief Justice, the Presidency, must be careful the way they handle this matter.

.. . I am cautioning the President because this matter is political and I want to say it's political. And there is lack of transparency in the way this is being handled and it is being handled to achieve a certain end. We're also in politics. We know the sort of conspiracies that are going round. And I'm cautioning that they must be very, very careful because some people are alleged to have even met and decided the outcome of this matter before the matter even goes there . . . Let us be careful that we do not politically manipulate this to achieve some certain ends, he added.

In the ensuing heat, Martin Agyei-Mensah Korsah, a deputy minister of Regional Reorganisation and Development, who was the NPP's Director of Election during the 2016 general elections, said the outcome of the impeachment process should bring positive reforms.

Whether the three are impeached or they are cleared, this should lead to a better and reformed commission handling national tasks without fear or favour, Mr Agyei-Mensah Korsah, who had a very long working relationship with the three commissioners, said on Oman FM in Accra yesterday.

The NDC's critics have said that the opposition party should not overlook the scandalous press war that ensued between Ms. Osei on one hand and her deputies on the other, when each directly accused the other of being corrupt or said to have abused their respective offices.
Four students of the Koforidua Technical Institute (KOTECH), have been granted bail after they allegedly attacked students and teachers of the Seventh Day Adventist Senior High School in Koforidua.

The four students, Emmanuel Aduomi, 19; Raymond Oppong, 17; Aseidu John, 19 and Amanor Enoch, 19, were earlier arrested by the New Juaben Municipal Police Command during the said attack.

The attack by the boys from KOTECH, left a female student of the SDA school with head injuries after she was hit with a stone.

Students of KOTECH clashed with police following the arrest of the four students who attacked students and teachers of the SDA school.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Deputy Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Gideon Boateng, said the four students had been attacking students of SDA on several occasions.

Police received a call from the headmistress of the school that they were under attack by some students from KOTECH, apparently the recent attack was the third time in a week, but the teachers on previous occasions tried to mitigate the situation.

The Municipal Police Command quickly moved to the school and subsequently arrested the four students who had injured a female student as a result of the stones they threw into the classrooms, he narrated.

Inspector Boateng added that, the police had begun investigations into what might have triggered the actions of the students from KOTECH.

We have issued the female student with a police medical form to seek immediate medical attention at the hospital, we have also granted the four students police bail as we intensify our investigations.

A teacher at the SDA Senior High School, Bernard Hoyle, expressed his fears over the situation to Citi News.

We are really worried about these attacks because it is not the first time. We have gathered information that students of KOTECH are planning to attack us again next week Thursday when we vacate, so school authorities have decided to hire buses and bring them into the schools compound to convey our travelling students to avoid being attacked on the streets.

When asked by Citi News about plans to ensure the safety of the students, Inspector Gideon Boateng assured that police were in control of the situation.

I must say that if the signals the teachers are picking is true, then I will caution the students of KOTECH to rescind their decision because we will let them know that laws work in Ghana. If a single soul is arrested again he will be prosecuted. I want to assure students of SDA and teachers that the police are on top of issues, and we will make sure they are protected.
Students of the Koforidua Technical School, (KOTEC) in the Eastern region have attacked students of the SDA SHS leading to some injuries.

The Effiduase District Police Commander, DSP Daniel Yaro, has led a team of Police personnel to the school to control the riot.

According to him, everything is under control for now as Police maintain presence and pursue the perpetrators.

The reprisal attack follows a similar incident that occurred Tuesday evening which led to the injury of two students while four (4) other students were arrested.

The incident happened after male students of KOTEC went to SDA SHS to propose love to some female students in the evening which infuriated male students of SDA SHS.

This triggered violent clashes which led to hurling of stones against each other and in the process led to the injury of two students of SDA SHS.

The Headmistress of the School Hilda Yeboah upon hearing the situation called the Effiduase Police who stormed the School and managed to arrest four of the students.

The students have since been granted police enquiry bail while the injured have been treated and discharged.
Government has conceded that the communication on what was later found out to be an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Kumasi Academy was lagging.

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid admitted to conflicting information from the various government officials who had responsibility over the institutions involved, resulting in the panic among the public.

Four students of the second cycle institution died within a week after they fell ill to a strange disease while over 40 others were admitted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital.

Before that, 7 others students had died between April and November, after suffering similar ailment, according to reports.

Failure by health authorities to identify the exact cause of death of the students and communicate same, led to confrontations between school authorities and parents who had gone to the school to demand the release of their children and take them home, with some reading spiritual meanings into the deaths.

Nerves calmed a bit after health officials began administering vaccines to the students to curtail the spread of the disease.

The situation was further complicated by the contradictory statements from the Education and Health Ministries as to whether or not to shut the school down due to the outbreak. While the Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Osei Adutwum announced the school would be closed, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu said the opposite .

After several tests of blood samples, the Ministry confirmed, H1N1 , commonly called Swine Flu was to blame for the deaths at KUMACA.

Speaking Thursday, December 14 on Joy FM, Information Minister confessed that there was differing information from the agencies that were directly concerned.

I agree with you that there was some panic and in the midst of the panic there was some conflicting communication, Mr. Hamid told the host of the Super Morning Show, Kojo Yankson.

He added, however, that the Health Ministry subsequently assumed leadership role which has seen things "straightened up a bit.

Mr. Hamid stated further that government will henceforth adhere strictly to the established protocol in communicating to the public during such situations including how to handle communication regarding the current outbreak of meningitis in some senior high schools across the country.

This includes plans to resource and re-designate the abandoned Ebola Centre in Accra, to serve as the national emergency response centre to deal with such situations.

If today there was a national health crisis, that centre is going to be used to deal with it, the Information Minister assured.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Jerry Tsatro Mordy | Email: [email protected], Twitter: @jerrymordy
I have taken my time to examine the banter between the two former superintendents of Ghana at a certain time in our political history. This issue should not have been an issue of contention, because they could have dealt with each other on the basis common decency.

However, it has become an issue of contention between them and it is getting interesting.

My duty is to analyze, synthesize and leave the rest to your conjecture as always. For the benefit of those who have no idea of the banter between the two former heads of state, I will summarize.

H.E Flt Lt JJ Rawlings has chastised his successor, H.E John Kofi Diawuo Agyekum Kuffuour for which the latter has also responded sharply.

The latter when in government, allowed the interment of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs wife, Madam Fathia Nkrumah in the same dugout as the Osagyefo.

This action, the former believes was characterized by a lack of respect for the sanctity of the Nkrumah legacy and a dent on the sanctity of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.

The latter has rebutted that the formers claim is baseless since he only granted a wish of a dying Fathia to be interred alongside her lovely husband, Kwame Nkrumah (Dr.).

Moving forward, I want to make a disclaimer in order that I am guided in my submission. I am not an Imam and neither am I a Pastor, so I will not discuss this issue on the basis of Religion, however, if necessity dictates that I reference any of the Holy Books, I will do so. And when I do so and misconstrue something, please correct me.

Notwithstanding my own disclaimer, I know in Islam such practices are not allowed, that is, to inhume two people in the same grave, but unfortunately, I am oblivious of the position of Christianity on this so I will leave out Religion in this discussion.

However, I want to discuss this issue on the basis of Sociology since JJR and JAK are espousing SANCTITY and PRINCIPLES respectively.

The former avers that Nkrumahs grave is a sanctum whose sanctity must not be defiled under no circumstances. JJR posits that JAK has defiled the sanctity of the sanctum where Nkrumah lies by allowing another interment in the same grave as Nkrumah.

The latter however, believes that his conscience is clean since he only granted the wish of the dying Ghanas first ever First Lady who wanted to be entombed alone with her husband. The latter believes that he didnt do it on his own volition and that no law has been vitiated.

Based on my own acumen of discernment, suffice it to say that they both have some element of substance in their opinions which cannot be swept under the carpets.

JJR believes that once Nkrumahs graveyard has been declared as a sanctum for Nkrumah only, everybody is estopped from taking action that would/will be contemptuous to that resolve as has JAK done.

Again, JAK has a strong conviction that he has done nothing untoward since no law has been broken. I am sure he even believes that he was rather entrenching the rule of law in Ghana because he swore a Presidential Sacramentum to do good to all manner of persons without discrimination on whatever grounds.

In the final analysis, I wish to state that they both have valid points so like I said ab initio, my objective is to analyze, synthesize and leave the rest to your conjecture. You can tell us what you think.

Thank you.

 Osumanu Abubakar (2017)

 0242782515

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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is expected to take delivery of 10,000 vaccines in the coming days to fight the dreaded H1N1 outbreak that has hit the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti region leading to the death of four persons.

Disclosing the move in an interview on Starr Today, the head of Disease Surveillance at the GHS, Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe explained they decided to take in delivery of 10,000 because the outbreak is a localized one.

H1N1 is not a routine kind of disease that we have in the country. We've made a request to the WHO to provide us with vaccinesWhen you have the H1N1 diagnosis, you'll have to go through the processes to get the vaccines.The H1N1 is a localized outbreak and not a nationwide outbreak that is why we are bringing in 10,000 vaccines, he told host of Starr Today Atiewin Mbilla-Lawson.

Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe's disclosure comes in the wake of reports of a meningitis outbreak at the Bawku Secondary Technical School that has led to the death of a final year student there.

Monitoring the development, Starr News' Upper East regional correspondent Edward Adeti reported that nine other cases have been detected.

He said seven cases out of the figure were recorded at the Bawku Secondary Technical while one was detected at Tempane Senior High School.

They have been admitted at the Bawku Presbyterian hospital.

The report came hours after one person was reported dead from a suspected case of meningitis at Damongo Senior High School in the West Gonja district in the Northern region.

Nine other persons according to reports are also on admission at the Damango District Hospital.

Last Saturday, a student of the Koforidua Secondary Technical School (SECTECH) also died of suspected Meningitis at the Koforidua General Hospital.

22 students of the school are currently being monitored after they came in contact with the deceased student.

Meanwhile, four students of the Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti region have died of an outbreak of H1N1 popularly known as Swine Flu.

On Monday Over 17 students of the St. Martins Secondary School also collapsed in what has been described as examination anxiety.
We members of the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Upper Region has noted with concern the outbreak of meningitis in SHSs in the Upper East Region resulting in the deaths of some students and wish to appeal to the government and for that matter the Ministry of Health to as a matter of urgency take measures that are necessary to contain the menace.

Information coming from our intelligence source and media indicate that the disease has already claimed several lives of students in some of our Senior High schools in the Upper East Region.

The Coalition wishes to throw caution to the Ministry of Health that failure to handle the situation with the enthusiasm and urgency that is expected of it as a key institution could lead to further and more mortalities thus leading to disaffection for public institution which are funded with the tax payers money to save lives.

We have noted with despair the lackadaisical attitude that was shown in the case of the Kumasi Academy case 1 seven months ago and fear that same may aggravate the situation in the Upper East Region on the meningitis case. We strongly believe that if the government and for that matter the Ministry of Health had not gone to sleep on the job the recurrence of what is now known to be H1N1 and which has claimed many lives would never have taken place.

Intelligence has indicated that the recent reports of the occurrence of meningitis which has claimed many lives so far is precipitated by overcrowding in the schools. Our investigations show that most schools in the region have been compelled to run the in-out system of lodging with many students sleeping outside due to overcrowding. This unorthodox arrangements by the affected schools though not any fault of theirs is unthinkable as it comes with a myriad of health menace.

Between October and November this year many schools in the region had had to contend with several deaths of students blamable to the stress many of them especially those already with compromised health statuses were going through. We condemn in uncertain terms governments penchant for explaining away issues of national importance on grounds of political expedience.

We particularly condemn the politicization of the recent report of the issue of overcrowding in our senior by government and call on them to stop trivializing health issues.

Our Suggestions: given the mass negative impact of the disease to the people of the region and for that matter Ghana, we suggest the following for containing and comprehensively managing the situation in order to prevent further mortalities:

Decongest all boarding to avoid the spread of the disease by providing tents or pavilions to shelter students till the rains sets or the conditions are favourable

To avoid further overcrowding of our schools in the next academic year steps should be taken to avoid placing more applicants than the schools can contain and also take measures to ensure that the day-school system is encouraged while the existing ones are fully utilized.

Provide an effective, efficient and reliable emergency response system through the establishment of clinics managed by at least a physician assistant; most schools have student populations of not less than 2000. This puts stress on the already stressed health facilities in the towns or communities in which the schools are sited so in the event of an emergency such facilities cannot provide effective emergency support.

In the absence of a clinic especially for the less populated schools well equipped infirmaries should be provided.

The government should avoid the construction of honeycombed classroom structures which are usually poorly illuminated and also cause poor ventilation and intellectual health challenges.

Schools should be supported in terms of the provision of information materials related to common infectious diseases including meningitis and flu cases and training extended to them so they are in the position to carry out sensitization or awareness creation by themselves

Psychosocial and psychological treatment should always be provided to affected students and staffs as when necessary

Government should be provide or set aside an independent fund to manage epidemics and or disease outbreaks irrespective of their proportions.

Government should stop the politicization of health issues on grounds of political expediency since no disease is respects political colors.

SGND: HON. ASAKYA NOBLE ALASKOMAH

REGIONAL CHAIRMAN
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The HIV/AIDS Coordinator for the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region, Madam Rose Nani, has expressed worry about the low level of awareness creation on HIV/AIDS in recent times despite its continued existence and spread.

She said the media has been very helpful in the early years when the virus broke out but have slacked these days.

According to the Coordinator, the unavailability of funds to embark on media education and advertisement has become a major challenge to increase awareness to fight the spread of the disease.

"Lots of people ask if HIV still exist. They ask because we are unable to push media awareness due to no fund allocation towards that" She said.

This came up during a radio discussion with GBC Sunrise FMs Mohammed Zunurene on Ade Akye Abia Morning Show

She advised Ghanaians to test and know their HIV status so as to benefit from early intervention, should there be the need.

World AIDS Day is celebrated each year on 1st December. The Theme for this years global celebration was "The Right to Health" while that of Ghana was "Know Your Status: Seek Early Treatment".
14.12.2017 LISTEN

As we mark the first anniversary of the 2016 elections which the NDC had its heaviest defeat in the fourth Republic, the defeat that shook the foundation of the NDC. Quite unfortunately, the NDC propaganda communicators, are jumping from radio and television stations and again mounting on political platforms that Ghanaians voted massively for the NPP because they presented lies to the electorate.

The NPP government under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, is on course and delivering on the election promises it made to the people of Ghana. Most of the promises have been delivered.

Free Senior High School (SHS)

Restoration of Teacher and Nursing Training allowances

Established the Zongo Development Fund.

Increased Peacekeeping allowances

Reduction of taxes

Instituted the office of Special Prosecutor

Issuing of the National ID cards, etc.

At the start of 2017 when the NPP took over, the economy was in tatters. The government have turned the economy around and the policies initiated by the government are yielding results and bringing relief to Ghanaians.

The citizens of Ghana are encourage by the achievements chalked just within the first year of President Akufo Addo and the NPP government. Ghanaians are confident that this is the beginning of great things to happen with more development in successive years. We don't have to listen to the NDC, because since they lost the 2016 elections miserably, they have not come into terms with reality. They are hoping and praying that the good policies of the NPP to collapse. Because of corruption, economic mismanagement and the hardship they brought to the good people of Ghana, they were rejected.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is a visionary leader who will surely carry Ghana to economic and political paradise. It is a combination of vision, courage and above all discipline to realise that the possibilities are always there. The people of Ghana have extreme confidence in the President and his team. The NPP is committed to fulfilling the pledge they made to Ghanaians during the 2016 elections campaign. The Party 's campaign promises were not juicy campaign promises.

Alex Tuffour

Communication Director

NPP GERMANY BRANCH
Cameroon's main opposition party on Thursday accused the government of having "militarised" two regions shaken by unrest among the country's anglophone minority.

"The Northwest and Southwest regions are heavily militarised," the head of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Jean Tsomelou, said in an interview with AFP, describing the situation as "worrying."

"We have observed troop movements in both regions. The government has spoken of thousands (of troops) who are in the Southwest and Northwest," he said.

"Abuse has been committed" against local people, he said.

In September and October, "live fire was targeted against people who were simply carrying a message of peace," he charged.

English-speakers account for some 20 percent of the nation's population of 23 million. The minority dates to the emergence of Cameroon in 1960-61 as France and Britain wound down their colonies in west Africa.

Anglophones have long protested against what they perceive to be a bias in favour the French-speaking majority.

Since November 2016, resentment has fed demands for autonomy or a separate state to which the government has responded with a crackdown, including curfews, raids and restrictions on travel.

International monitors say at least 20 and possibly 40 people have been killed since late September.

In turn, separatists have begun an armed campaign, targeting police and soldiers. Ten were killed last month alone, the authorities say.

"We condemn loss of human life on both sides," said Tsomelou, a francophone senator, adding that his party would send a delegations of MPs and senators to the two anglophone regions to urge people to be "calm and wait for a peaceful solution."

He singled out Cameroon's 84-year-old president, Paul Biya, for sharp criticism, saying he "let the situation degenerate" in the two regions in order to justify his crackdown.

"It's a problem that could have been resolved by dialogue," he said.

On December 1, Biya lashed the secessionists as "a band of terrorists" and vowed to carry out every measure "to incapacitate these criminals."
You see, Abraham Amaliba is a man without a constituency even in his own ethnic stronghold of the Bawku enclave of the Upper-East Region in which he was born and raised. And so he can only be fooling himself when he publicly asserts that Ghana will burn, if Mrs. Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), is legitimately removed from office, should the corruption charges brought against her by some EC petitioners be found to bear judicial scrutiny (See Amaliba Should Stop His Nonsense  SefaKayi Kasapafmonline.com / Ghanaweb.com 12/14/17).

Last December, for example, when he massively lost a parliamentary election in the Bawku neighborhood in which he grew up, Mr. Amalibas first reaction, and a gratuitous one, to be certain, was to virulently accuse the voters who righteously denied him their mandate of tribalism. The fact of the matter is that this National Democratic Congress political scam-artist has absolutely no credibility. Amaliba is a fraud; he is only hoping that Mrs. Osei would retain her post at all costs, so that the Mahama Posse could scheme their way back into the Flagstaff House come Election 2020 and then, for his part, back to business as usual guzzling the public dole at the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC), on whose board this desperado sat for some four protracted years.

My concern here, though, is the fact that the leadership of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has yet to call this pathological troglodyte  or caveman  to account. The fact of the matter is that being licensed to practice law in any civilized modern society comes with certain responsibilities, not the least of which is the avoidance of the reckless incitement to violence and hatred. In this instance, the notorious legal team member of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been beating war drums because he clearly seems to believe that Electoral Commissioner Osei was put in charge of the EC by former President John Dramani Mahama with the sole and express objective of rigging elections in favor of the NDC.

Otherwise, Mr. Amaliba would be more focused on the validity or merit of the six allegations that the former Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is expected to shortly answer before Chief Justice Sophia AB Akuffo and the Judicial Council. It is the bounden obligation of the Ghana Bar Association to have Mr. Amalibas membership promptly and summarily suspended and possibly also have the legal license of this warmonger suspended.

Screaming for civil society organizations, pressure groups, think-tanks and prominent Ghanaian citizens like Justice Emile Short and Professor Emmanuel Martey, the retired Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who, by the way, Mr. Amaliba has absolutely no respect for,to step into the fray, clearly indicates the fact that Mr. Amaliba lacks an adequate sense of the workings of the law and has absolutely no right passing himself off as a bar-certified legal practitioner.

If, indeed, Mr. Amaliba is convinced that Mrs. Osei has done absolutely nothing wrong, then the most progressive and wise thing for him to do is for Mr. Amaliba to join Mrs. Oseis legal defense team. As it stands, his rowdy and downright violent behavior is doing more harm to his cause and the defense and integrity of the embattled EC Chair.

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Introduction

A flight booking and travel itinerary are key documentary requirements for a Schengen visa. In this article, we discuss the relevance of these documents in an application for a Schengen visa. Depending on the purpose of your visit, your visa may be refused if you fail to submit either of these documents.

What is a Travel Itinerary?

An itinerary is simply a document that details your travel plans. It usually provides details of hotel bookings, flight arrangements, and daily activities or schedules for the duration of your stay. An itinerary is only required for journeys undertaken for tourism or private purposes. It must usually specify the places you intend to visit by way of schedule of activities.

Article 14(1)(a) of the Visa Code states an applicant for a Schengen visa shall present documents indicating the purpose of the journey. Further, Annex II (A) (3) (b) of the Code states that for journeys undertaken for tourism or personal reasons, the applicant must submit documentation relating to their itinerary. The Visa Code describes itinerary to include confirmation of the booking of an organised trip or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans. Bookings on organised trip or tour guides, and tickets for entry into tourist sites could be submitted as evidence of itinerary.

A key requirement of an itinerary is that it must be plausible. The schedule of activities must be arranged in a manner as to make your plans credible. For example, it may be more reasonable to visit tourist sites that are in close proximity to one another on a particular day, rather than a disjointed schedule of visits that are miles apart from each another and lacks coherence. If your itinerary is implausible or disjointed, this may raise doubts on the credibility of the purpose of your visit and may cause your visa to be refused.

Another requirement is that the duration of the itinerary must be consistent with your travel dates. Specifically, it must be consistent with the travel dates as shown on the visa application form, flight booking, hotel reservation, and travel medical insurance. If your itinerary shows discrepancies with travel dates shown on other documentation, your visa may be refused.

What is a Flight Booking?

A flight booking is a document that shows that you have booked a place on an airline to travel at a future date. It specifies your departure and return dates, and any connecting flights, if applicable. You must submit a flight booking regardless of the purpose of the visit. You can make a flight reservation either by yourself or through an agent.

Article 14(d) of the Visa Code states that an applicant shall present information enabling an assessment of their intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa. And Annex II B (1) of the Visa Code lists reservation of or return or round ticket as one of the documentation that may be submitted in proof of intention to return. A flight booking is therefore a key documentary requirement for a Schengen visa. You must consider this information when making a flight reservation either by yourself or through an agent:

The document must specify your name;

It must clearly show your arrival and departure dates and times;

It must show the flight name and a valid reservation number;

It must show details of any connecting flights;

It is must show a return reservation. A one-way reservation will not meet the requirement.

Your travel dates must be consistent with the dates on your visa application form or other supporting document. If there are discrepancies, this may lead to a refusal;

Do not buy a ticket unless the Embassy specifically requests you to do so.

Conclusion

A Schengen visa is generally a documentary application. However, it is not sufficient to provide documentation merely because they are required. Keeping these details in mind may save you time and unnecessary expense that may result from a refusal.

By Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong

Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on Schengen immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. The writer is an immigration law advisor and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He advises on Ghana, U.S, UK, and Schengen immigration law. He works for Acheampong & Associates, a law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on [email protected] or www.acheampongassociates.com
Ghana, 14th December, 2017 Blue Ocean Investments Limited (Blue Ocean), the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards 2017 Bulk Distribution Company of the Year and Ghanas second biggest bulk distributor of fuels, recently donated to the Kpone Health Centre in Tema.

This formed part of the one-year anniversary celebrations of its depot in Tema Ridge, as a gesture to thank the community for a year of peaceful operations there.

The donation comprised of one 10,000-litre Sintex water tank, as well as three rows of 3-in-1 metal waiting room chairs for the health facility. In addition, Blue Ocean sponsored a weeding exercise of the hospital premises which had been bushy for a long time.

Speaking at the short ceremony held at the Kpone Health Centre premises, Henry Osei, the Deputy General Manager of Blue Ocean thanked the community once more for welcoming Blue Ocean to the Kpone area.

We are grateful to the Kpone Community for welcoming us with open arms when we first started operations here, and living peacefully with us since then. To say thank you alone would not have been enough for us at Blue Ocean. The community has needs, and we are glad to have been able to have met some of them through this, said Mr. Osei.

This gesture was well received by the paramount chief of the Kpone Traditional Area, Nii Tetteh Otu II, also present at the ceremony. He commended Blue Ocean for the gesture, and encouraged the company to continue in this stead.

You have done well for the community. We appreciate this gesture, and will encourage you to continue as such to further deepen our good relationship, said Nii Tetteh Otu II.

Receiving the items on behalf of the facility, Mrs. Charity Awuah-Dake, the Deputy Director of Nursing expressed sincere gratitude to Blue Ocean.

We are sincerely thankful to Blue Ocean Investments for this donation  the water tank alone will go a long way to help address frequent water shortages 2 that we experience. With that said, we are open to even more contributions to help improve this facility to save even more lives, said Mrs. Awuah-Dake.

Blue Ocean Investments has made significant investments in oil storage infrastructure in Ghana. In addition to its state-of-the-art storage facility in Takoradi which stores and distributes gasoline and gasoil, the company owns and operates two storage terminals in Tema storing Aviation fuel, Gasoil and Gasoline, as well as a depot at the Kotoka International Airport that stores Aviation fuel.
The Author

14.12.2017 LISTEN

Gross domestic product (GDP) as used in this paper represents an indicator of the monetary value of all goods and services produced by a nation in a specific time period. GDP represents a strong index of a countrys economic strength - the higher the GDP of a nation, the stronger that countrys economy. The debt in this context refers to public debt owed by a nations central government. It represents both domestic and foreign debt.

Japan remains the third largest and Richest Economy in the world in terms of GDP. America is the first and China is only miles away to overtake America as it remains the fastest growing economy in the country.

Both America and Japan have a very strong economy and also among the Top 10 advanced (Most developed countries in the world) in terms of the Human Development Index as quoted by the World Bank.

Interestingly, these two great economies are currently featuring in the first 20 countries with the Highest Debt to GDP ratio. Japan, the third richest economy in the world tops the first 20 countries with the Highest Debt to GDP ratio. The D/GDP ratio of Japan as at today (2017) is 240.3%. A debt to GDP which is 3times greater than Ghana's D/GDP.

It will interest you to know that, no nation in the world has a higher public debt in relation to GDP than Japan. The nations soaring debt is currently around quadrillion yen, thus, roughly 10.5 trillion US dollars. Again, the total Debt of Japan is larger than the German, French and British economies combined. It is worth noting that, German, British and France remains the 4th, 5th and 6th richest economy respectively in the world (World Bank Report, 2017).

According to the latest World Bank figures, United States GDP as at September 2017 stood at $18 trillion and represents a quarter share of the global economy (24.3%). With about $7 trillion ahead of China, the United States is ranked 12th among the first 20 countries with the highest public debt. The country's public debt to GDP ratio as at September, 2017 stood at 108.14%.

Surprisingly, 4 countries among the top 10 biggest economies in the world (USA, Japan, Italy and France) are also among the top 20 countries with the highest public debt to GDP ratio.

As at September 2017, The World Bank ranked Egypt as the 16th country with the highest public debt to GDP ratio (101.24%) in the world. However, Egypt remains the second biggest economy by GDP in Africa. Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa (IMF, 2016) yet among the top 10 most indebted countries on the African continent. Eight (8) out of the top (10) economies in Africa also features in the top (10) indebted countries in Africa.

As at December, 2016, Ghana was ranked the 86th largest economy in the world (86/194), 14th biggest economy in Africa (14/54) and makes it the 2nd biggest economy in West Africa (2/16). Ghana has a D/GDP of 73.4% and ranked the 8th most Indebted country in Africa. Ghana has accumulated more Debt yet richer in terms of GDP than Ivory-Coast, the world's largest exporter of cocoa beans, and the fourth-largest exporter of goods. Does this give you any clue?

In June, 2010; Forbes ranked Ghana as ninth world's worst economies and categorized Ghana as a typical example of the world's worst-managed economies.

I Quote:

Ghana is a country that shouldn't be poor, but it is. The West African nation's gross domestic product per capita fell 9% last year to $621, ranking it 154th out of 184 countries tracked by the International Monetary Fund, below resource-impoverished Haiti. With a $3 billion trade deficit last year and $4.9 billion in external debt, Ghana is struggling to pay its bills even as it sits on some of the world's biggest reserves of gold and bauxite, as well as considerable amounts of offshore oil

Ghana recorded its highest ever D/GDP in the year 2000. With a D/GDP record of 123.3%, higher than the current D/GDP of America, Singapore and France (Developed countries with the most debt), yet the Countrys GDP grew below 3%. This high D/GDP was drastically reduced to 26.19% in 2006, the lowest GDP in the history of the country and ranked amongst the top 10 countries in the world with the lowest public debt. Perhaps, declaring Ghana as a HIPC nation in 2001 saved Ghana the trouble of repayment and eased the heavy debt burden on the country. With this record of lowest D/GDP, the country recoded a GDP growth rate of 6.12%.

My Point:

Public debt represents a national and government debt which is owed by a nations central government. However, as a government draws its income from its population, government debt is an indirect debt on taxpayers.

Debt owed by countries must significantly correlate with the growth of its economy. If an economy grows, it must grow together with its people. Investing debt in the right projects may yield positive results and create enough proceeds to payback. The Idea and argument against too much borrowing especially in Ghana to me is irrelevant, however, the need to create more value with the borrowed funds is my utmost concern. Ghana needs to be financially discipline and practice prudent economic financial management.

As earlier mentioned, Japan tops all countries with the highest Public Debt to GDP yet among the first three largest economy and most developed countries in the world. Can this same concept of growing an economy through Public Debt be emulated in Ghana? Thus, growing our economy to match the standard of the advance countries like USA, Japan, Italy and France.

Our President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo spoke of growing a Ghanaian Economy beyond AID, yet, the world richest economy currently records a D/GDP of 108.14%. Is Ghana on the Right Path?

Let me conclude by saying that, with the exception of Russia and Saudi Arabia who are ranked 8th and 9th among the first 20 countries in the world with lowest D/GDP ratio, the remaining lower indebted countries are not necessarily economic first-world powers. Perhaps, Saudi Arabia, the 8th country with the lowest D/GDP in the world has maintained this lower Debts due to its high export rates of petroleum and petroleum goods considering the significance of oil in todays world. The country produces enough oil and earns enough revenue to maintain a high GDP and additionally refrain from incurring debt.

Do you think Ghana can grow by depending on the proceeds from its natural resources like Gold, Cocoa, Timber, Bauxite and Oil?

What do you think? Should we Borrow More or Borrow Less?

Note: **Corruption and all other personal interest of politicians are held constant**

The Charts



Source: World Bank, 2017

Written by:

Nana Kwame Nkrumah (MBA, Ch.FE)

Jiangsu University (Ph.D Student)

+8618651400940, [email protected]/[email protected]

People Republic of China
Justice Offei Jr.

14.12.2017 LISTEN

(THE ONLY START-UP ENTREPRENEUR WHO MADE IT TO THE FORTY UNDER 40)

Justice Offei Jr, the petroleum engineering graduate who decided to change the narrative of starting business without money.

At age 24, Justice had a vision of starting his own business, sacrificing his petroleum engineering profession job search to becoming a business entrepreneur. At the point where he needed money to start the business he has proved that only good business idea, passion, persistence driven by purpose is needed to start a business.

Among his Startup businesses, SIKADAN Microcredit (formerly Sikadan Money Lending) was nominated and listed as part of the Ghana Startup Club 100 at the 2nd edition of the Premium Bank Startup Award 2017 in just 2years. His business has been a great good to the communities of Adenta, Madina and environ by providing real time social intervention of giving financial support to local SMEs, market women, individuals and students.

He doesnt just talk business  he lives it. He does more than inspire revolution, he initiates it. He has been the catalyst for change in start-up businesses among the youth across Ghana through expertise in leadership, Strategy, Business Advocacy and Innovation on his social platform and other forums as a keynote speaker.

Justice was the only startup entrepreneur (2-Years) who made it to the Voting Category (Banking & Finance) of the 2017 FORTY Under 40 Awards among prominent and established entrepreneurs namely Dr. Kwabena Duffour II (Unibank Ghana), Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani (Groupe Ideal), Mr Philip Oti-Mensah (OmniBank Ghana), Mrs. Abena Brigidi (Nimed Capital) ,Dr. Edem Bart (Commerz Savings & Loan) and Mr. Ben Adu (Direct Savings & Loan) among many others.

Today, Justice Offei Jr, apart from SIKADAN, is the founder, Director, partner of the Good Samaritan Support (for the needy), AFED (African Economic Dialogue) , Stepklair Shoes and SOKO Bags respectively.

Naturally got his inspiration from his parents and William Essah Koli (Cousin), motivated strongly by the works of Dr. Paa Kwasi Nduom and Vusi Thembekwayo.

A proud, God fearing Ghanaian and graduate of the premier university in Ghana (KNUST) and Labone Senior High. With much experience and Training in Credit risk management, entrepreneurship, Ghana Stock Exchange and engineering, Justice is one of the potential entrepreneurs to make a difference in Africa and investors must keep an eye.

Written by The FORTY Under 40 Awardees

Captured By the FORTY Under 40 Profile Magazines
DAKAR, Senegal, 14th December, 2017,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-A Niyel publication to shine a light on transparency, participation and accountability initiatives in West Africa

While governance experiences are widely dissected and shared worldwide, the West African footprint in Transparency, Participation and Accountability hasn't been very prominent, despite the fact that the region is rich with experiences that would greatly contribute to reflections of the development community at large.

Drawing on an extensive literature review and interviews with over 30 leading organizations as well as government officials and donors agencies from the three countries, Social Change in Ghana, Senegal and Burkina Faso: A hit? A Miss or a Work in Progress is an illustrated report that encapsulates the West Africa's unique take on social change.

"How does change happen? What are the triggers? Can we identify the tipping point? Is there a formula that is replicable? These are questions that all human rights advocates and development actors ask. Civil Society and governments in West Africa offer a unique set of valuable experiences, impactful practices, initiatives, tools and persisting gaps in its attempts to ground a good governance agenda  said Valerie Gnide Traore, Executive Director of Niyel, at the launch of the report in Dakar.

This study casts a light on the efforts that civil society organizations in West Africa and their supporters dedicate to achieving greater social justice. In speaking about the content of the report, Nafissatou Traore, the report's lead author explained, "the report highlights the existing national and regional mechanisms, successful initiatives by government as well as civil society organizations and social movements and finally looks at the persisting challenges to accountability. It features case studies from the three countries and maps out what their process of change and the key elements that contributed to their success."

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation commissioned the report to learn what strengthens accountability between citizens and their governments in West Africa. The report will inform their Global Development and Population Program grantmaking in the region.
Cute Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo, has gotten a very strong question for his fans to answer as he was contacted by a troubled friend who needs urgent help.

John was speechless when one of his friends called him seeking advice on what to do about the two ladies he is dating both from Holland as they will be arriving Ghana at the same time with same flight on same day.

Not to ponder on the question alone, he decided to throw it open to his fans to help out.

In his words, My friend just called me asked me for advice. Hes dating two ladies from Holland and all of them are arriving in Ghana for dec holidays. They will be on the same flight Too. And each one has asked him to pick her up from the airport. What should he do?
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In a bit of synchronicity, Pensions & Investments published a story based on an interview with incoming CalPERS board member Margaret Brown in which she discussed the glaringly obvious reasons why CalPERS plans to hire high-priced private equity middlemen like Blackrock is a bad idea.

I was planning to write on the dodgy outsource private equity scheme today for a different reason: Ive been very tardy in writing up two important stories by Sam Sutton of PE Hub. As well discuss below Sutton reported on how CalPERS has been moving these plans forward out of public view. Not only is this at odds with how CalPERS staff said it intended to proceed at an offsite last July, when they first broached the idea. Advancing this program in private is a violation of Californias Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. CalPERS isnt entitled to shield hot topics from the public just because it feels like it. And the fact that CalPERS is unwilling to have proper public disclosure and decision-making on a plan that flies in the face of industry trends and will hurt beneficiaries by increasing costs, confirms that the staff and board know they cant defend what they are up to.

Background: Why Hiring Pricey Private Equity Middlemen is an Indefensible Idea

If you are up to speed on this issue, skip down to the next bold heading. But this is important background if you are new to this topic or have only a dim recollection of our earlier posts.

CalPERS first introduced the astonishing idea of outsourcing its private equity program to middlemen at a board offsite last July. The presentation included a discussion with experts, all of whom either are in the private equity industry or have financial disincentives to rock the boat; there was no independent viewpoint.

In yet another example of the culture of casual lying that has become institutionalized at CalPERS, staff falsely depicted CalPERS as considering a range of options, including building up an in-house team and doing more co-investments, and said they would come back to the board to brief them with more developed ideas. Instead, as the Sutton articles we will discuss later reveal, rather than look at all options further, staff has moved as quickly as possible with the scheme of outsourcing private equity, and even worse, potentially on a very large scale, when the staff gave the impression in July that even if they went the outsourcing route, only a relatively small portion of the portfolio was up for grabs.

A particularly ugly bit is that CalPERS staff presented BlackRocks Mark Wiseman as an independent expert in July. Less than two months later, Bloomberg reported that CalPERS was negotiating with BlackRock to outsource some or all of its private equity business. This was totally improper on multiple levels: failure to hold further discussions in public (as board member JJ Jelincic has pointed out, this matter is not entitled to state secret treatment, since it is neither an investment nor a personnel matter), failure to appraise and get approval from the board, failure to go through a request for proposal process. This is so corrupt-looking one has to wonder what the real motivations are.

CalPERS sense of entitlement to move forward without board involvement was so strong that when CEO Marcie Frost contacted me in early September just before the Bloomberg story broke to propose an in-person meeting (which I initially accepted but later fell apart due to my insisting any conversation be on the record). When we settled on New York in late September, she mentioned wanting to schedule meetings with BlackRock and Wilshire around the time she would see me. She would not have made that comment if she thought the meetings were controversial, when she should have recognized it as such. BlackRock is not currently a consultant to CalPERS. It is hard to imagine any reason for someone at Frosts level to have wanted to meet with BlackRock save to advance the private equity scheme.

Caught out by Bloomberg, CalPERS then included a Follow Up on Private Equity Business Models as a closed session item, meaning secret from the public, to cover its tracks with the board. Again, there is no legal justification whatsoever to hold discussions of strategy or possible outsourcing in private. As JJ Jelincic said at the time, I have read the agenda item and can see no reason that its in closed session except to save staff from embarrassment.

Weve covered the glaring problems with this outsourcing plan in previous posts, such as CalPERS Board Uncomfortable With Staffs Fire, Aim, Ready Plan to Create Unaccountable Private Equity Vehicle; here is a recap from September:

We described at length in an earlier post what a bad idea this is. It is made even worse by the fact that it is a bait and switch. It is inconsistent with the business models that CalPERS presented to the board at an offsite in July. As we wrote: CalPERS will pay more in fees with BlackRock and there is no reason to expect improved performance. As the former Chief Investment Officer for North Carolina, Andrew Silton, stressed, CalPERS is such a large investor in private equity that is unlikely to achieve better than index-like returns. And its a no-brainer that introducing another intermediary means more fees and costs. BlackRock would effectively be a dedicated fund of funds manager for CalPERS, an approach that is typically used only by small fry, like high net worth individuals and and smaller institutional investors, or for bigger players, to achieve adequate diversification for small, niche-y strategies (say if CalPERS decided to make an allocation to infrastructure in Latin America). It is remarkable to see CalPERS consider outsourcing, since going in the direction of increasing its cost flies in the face of prudent investment management. It also contradicts the approach CalPERS takes in all other strategies in which it invests, where it has a strong focus on expense reduction and manages many of its investments in house because it is cheaper. Private equity expert and board candidate Mike Flaherman estimated that even if CalPERS negotiated heroically that it would pay an additional .20% in fees plus a share of the profits. That means $50 million at a bare minimum versus the roughly $5 million of cost for CalPERS current internal team. Moreover: it is likely that BlackRocks compensation will rise over time, as CalPERS will likely pay a much lower fee for BlackRock to monitor legacy investments made by the CalPERS team compared to the compensation paid for new investments sourced by BlackRock. Over time, the CalPERS-sourced investments will be harvested and replaced by BlackRock-sourced ones, likely leading to large cost increases. To add insult to injury, CalPERS staff failed to tell the board that Mark Wiseman of BlackRock, who staff presented as an independent expert at the July offsite, was very much an interested party. Even if you were to accept the premise that this outsourcing scheme is a good idea, it is also remarkable to see CalPERS considering only one vendor for it, when many firms would likely be interested in managing the program, and on top of that, a firm that has treated CalPERS badly in the past. The Stuy Town deal was controversial internally when it was under consideration, and there were multiple parties who argued that it was a bad deal .Some people directly involved say that BlackRock had made misleading representations in marketing the deal and also treated CalPERS unfairly as it unravelled. Unless BlackRock has somehow made up to CalPERS for the loss, which seems impossible given its magnitude, it is hard to fathom why CalPERS would be willing to do business with an organization that has dealt with them in bad faith in the past.

Browns Criticism of the CalPERS Scheme in Pensions & Investments

Its a good sign that the press is keen to talk to Margaret Brown. Randy Diamonds story, New CalPERS board member leery of private equity takeover, recapped three points Brown made in her chat:

We dont need another layer of fees, said Margaret Brown in a phone interview on the potential hiring of BlackRock. Ms. Brown also questioned the propriety of BlackRocks head of global active equity, Mark Wiseman, participating in a public discussion at a July retreat meeting on the future of the systems private equity program At the time Mr. Wiseman was making public comments, Ms. Brown said she wanted to know whether the negotiations between CalPERS and BlackRock were already underway. Mr. Wiseman did not comment specifically about a relationship between CalPERS and BlackRock at the meeting, centering his remarks on the direct investment private equity model and pitfalls CalPERS might encounter if it tried that direction. We need transparency here, said Ms. Brown She also said that she is concerned that CalPERS has not filled the vacancy of Real Desrochers, managing investment director of private equity at the pension system, who left in April Ms. Brown said leaving the position open can enhance the case to turn over the program to BlackRock because CalPERS can claim it does not have a leader of the program and needs outside help.

CalPERS made a non-substantive comment and BlackRock declined to comment.

CalPERS Has Been Moving Forward in Secret.Which It Wouldnt Be Doing if This Scheme Were Good for Beneficiaries

Sam Sutton published two important articles giving more details on how CalPERS has been working to advance this scheme secretly. In an October 18 article, CalPERS weighs bringing in UC Regents in creation of separate PE entity:

California Public Employees Retirement System is considering partnering with other institutions like UC Board of Regents in its construction of separate entities to invest in private equity, a

document obtained by Buyouts shows. The document, from the closed session of its Sept. 18 board meeting, sketches a number of ideas for creating separate PE investment entities. Among those are partnerships with others like UC Regents, according to the document.

Again, theres no justification for keeping beneficiaries and California taxpayers in the dark, particularly when CalPERS plans to or actually has put out feelers to third parties like UC Regents.

In mid November, PE Hub published CalPERS hopes to have finalists for independent PE platform by early 2018. From Suttons story:

California Public Employees Retirement System is moving forward with plans to bring on an outside firm to manage its $25.9 billion private equity program, internal documents obtained by Buyouts show.. CalPERS sta? plans to introduce the two best candidates to manage the platform to CalPERSs investment committee in the frst quarter. The goal is to launch the new partnership as close to the new fiscal year (July 1, 2018) as possible, the staff presentation says CalPERSs criteria for a potential outside manager includes an ability to commit a material amount of their own capital alongside the investments they select for CalPERS, the sta? presentation says. The ?rm would also have to act as a ?duciary and champion of the systems guidelines on environmental, social and governance issues, as well as sustainability.

Notice how utterly dishonest this is. Contrary to the clear requirements of Californias Bagley Keene Open Meeting Act, the public has been denied the opportunity to review and provide input on this program to enrich the private equity industrial complex further at the expense of CalPERS beneficiaries.

Not only will the costs for this program unquestionably be higher, there is no reason to expect any improved performance. CalPERS is so large that the best it can expect to be is de facto indexer.

Moreover, CalPERS is certain to be unable to get real talent to manage this program, save by taking the time to build an in-house team (Ludovic Phalippou of Oxford says he has qualified former students who would make very good hires for CalPERS, so the idea that CalPERS would not be able to build an internal effort is a myth the current leadership seems desperate to propagate). The false deadline of the next fiscal year looks like a deliberate effort to rule out courses of action that have vastly more upside for CalPERS but would make current management work, something they appear loath to do.

Top tier players like KKR and Silver Lake would not accept, say, a Carlyle managing their funds. The fact that CalPERS is relying on the advice of conflicted consultant Hamilton Lane, whose fund level due diligence consists mainly of cutting and pasting general partner documents, illustrates what a garbage-in, garbage out exercise this is.

Finally, this sorry discussion leaves us with only one reason that CalPERS is moving forward with this dreadful idea: it finds it more expedient to engage in more and more cover-ups, via shielding private equity from scrutiny, rather than grapple with the drivers of its poor performance. That would include first and foremost, addressing the fact that the current Chief Investment Officer Ted Eliopoulos isnt capable of doing the job. This proposed program is thus a hugely costly effort to cover for his shortcomings by dumping the highest-risk but also highest-upside-potential investment on outside parties.

Readers need to rally behind Browns efforts to demand that CalPERS do better. Lets hope for the sake of CalPERS beneficiaries and California taxpayers that she makes real headway.
Yves here. Notice that Costa Rica is served up as an example in this article. Way back in 1997, American Express had designated Costa Rica as one of the countries it identified as sufficiently high income so as to be a target for a local currency card offered via a franchise agreement with a domestic institution (often but not always a bank). 20 years later, the Switzerland of Central America still has limited Internet connectivity, yet is precisely the sort of place that tech titans like Google would like to dominate.

The initiative described in this article reminds me of how the World Bank pushed hard for emerging economies to develop capital markets, for the greater good of Americas investment bankers.

By Burcu Kilic, an expert on legal, economic and political issues. Originally published at openDemocracy

Today, the big tech race is for data extractivism from those yet to be connected in the world  tech companies will use all their power to achieve a global regime in which small nations cannot regulate either data extraction or localisation.

n a few weeks time, trade ministers from 164 countries will gather in Buenos Aires for the 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC11). US President Donald Trump in November issued fresh accusations of unfair treatment towards the US by WTO members, making it virtually impossible for trade ministers to leave the table with any agreement in substantial areas.

To avoid a failure ministerial, some countries see the solution as pushing governments to open a mandate to start conversations that might lead to a negotiation on binding rules for e-commerce and a declaration of the gathering as the digital ministerial. Argentinas MC11 chair, Susana Malcorra, is actively pushing for member states to embrace e-commerce at the WTO, claiming that it is necessary to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots.

It is not very clear what kind of gaps Malcorra is trying to bridge. It surely isnt the connectivity gap or digital divide that is growing between developed and developing countries, seriously impeding digital learning and knowledge in developing countries. In fact, half of humanity is not even connected to the internet, let alone positioned to develop competitive markets or bargain at a multilateral level. Negotiating binding e-commerce rules at the WTO would only widen that gap.

Dangerously, the South Vision of digital trade in the global trade arena is being shaped by a recent alliance of governments and well-known tech-sector lobbyists, in a group called Friends of E-Commerce for Development (FED), including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, and, most recently, China. FED claims that e-commerce is a tool to drive growth, narrow the digital divide, and generate digital solutions for developing and least developed countries.

However, none of the countries in the group (apart from China) is leading or even remotely ready to be in a position to negotiate and push for binding rules on digital trade that will be favorable to them, as their economies are still far away from the technology revolution. For instance, it is perplexing that one of the most fervent defenders of FEDs position is Costa Rica. The countrys economy is based on the export of bananas, coffee, tropical fruits, and low-tech medical instruments, and almost half of its population is offline. Most of the countries in FED are far from being powerful enough to shift negotiations in favor of small players.

U.S.-based tech giants and Chinese Alibaba  so-called GAFA-A  dominate, by far, the future of the digital playing field, including issues such as identification and digital payments, connectivity, and the next generation of logistics solutions. In fact, there is a no-holds-barred ongoing race among these tech giants to consolidate their market share in developing economies, from the race to grow the advertising market to the race to increase online payments.

An e-commerce agenda that claims unprecedented development for the Global South is a Trojan horse move. Beginning negotiations on such topics at this stage  before governments are prepared to understand what is at stake  could lead to devastating results, accelerating liberalization and the consolidation of the power of tech giants to the detriment of local industries, consumers, and citizens. Aware of the increased disparities between North and South, and the data dominance of a tiny group of GAFA-A companies, a group of African nations issued a statement opposing the digital ambitions of the host for MC11. But the political landscape is more complex, with China, the EU, and Russia now supporting the idea of a digital mandate.

Repeating the Same Mistakes?

The relationships of most countries with tech companies are as imbalanced as their relationships with Big Pharma, and there are many parallels to note. Not so long ago, the countries of the Global South faced Big Pharma power in pharmaceutical markets in a similar way. Some developing countries had the same enthusiasm when they negotiated intellectual property rules for the protection of innovation and research and development costs. In reality, those countries were nothing more than users and consumers of that innovation, not the owners or creators. The lessons of negotiating trade issues that lie at the core of public interest issues  in that case, access to medicines  were costly. Human lives and fundamental rights of those who use online services should not be forgotten when addressing the increasingly worrying and unequal relationships with tech power.

The threat before our eyes is similarly complex and equally harmful to the way our societies will be shaped in the coming years. In the past, the Big Pharma race was for patent exclusivity, to eliminate local generic production and keep drug prices high. Today, the Big Tech race is for data extractivism from those who have yet to be connected in the world, and tech companies will use all the power they hold to achieve a global regime in which small nations cannot regulate either data extraction or data localization.

Big Tech is one of the most concentrated and resourceful industries of all time. The bargaining power of developing countries is minimal. Developing countries will basically be granting the right to cultivate small parcels of a land controlled by data lordsunder their rules, their mandate, and their willwith practically no public oversight. The stakes are high. At the core of it is the race to conquer the markets of digital payments and the battle to become the platform where data flows, splitting the territory as old empires did in the past. As the Economist claimed on May 6, 2017: Conflicts over control of oil have scarred the world for decades. No one yet worries that wars will be fought over data. But the data economy has the same potential for confrontation.

If countries from the Global South want to prepare for data wars, they should start thinking about how to reduce the control of Big Tech overhow we communicate, shop, and learn the news, again, over our societies. The solution lies not in making rules for data liberalization, but in devising ways to use the law to reduce Big Techs power and protect consumers and citizens. Finding the balance would take some time and we are going to take that time to find the right balance, we are not ready to lock the future yet.
(As delivered)

Good afternoon.

I am looking forward to meeting the European leaders today especially on a day like this because this is an important day for European defence. And I have welcomed a stronger European defence. I welcome the initiative to strengthen European defence because I believe that will be good for the European Union, for Europe and for NATO.

It can provide more capabilities, more defence spending and fairer burden sharing. But to be sure that we are able to fulfil this potential we have to focus on especially 3 things.

First, there has to be coherence between capability developments of NATO and the EU. We cannot risk ending up with conflicting requirements from EU and from NATO to the same nations.

The second, forces and capabilities developed under EU initiatives have to be available also for NATO because we only have one set of forces.

And thirdly we need the fullest possible involvement of non-EU Allies because they are key to European security. We have to remember that after Brexit next year 80% of NATOs defence expenditures will come from non-EU Allies and that just highlights the importance of complementarity and not competition between NATO and the EU.

It also highlights the importance of strengthening EU-NATO cooperation. I welcome that we have been able to bring NATO-EU cooperation to a new level. And we have agreed on many measures, on hybrid, on cyber, on maritime operations, on Women, Peace and Security, fighting terrorism and many other areas. And I look forward to strengthening this cooperation and President Junker and President Tusk and I have agreed that we will sign a new declaration on NATO-EU cooperation next July on the margins of the NATO Summit.

Q  Secretary General, doesnt Brexit actually weaken the European Union and NATO security provided the budget they spend in it?

A  Brexit will change Britains relationship to the European Union, but Brexit will not change the UKs relationship to NATO. The UK has, again and again, underlined that it will stay in NATO as a committed Ally, and the UK is very important for NATO because, next to the United States, the United Kingdom has the biggest defence budget and is providing key capabilities to NATO and to European security. For me, Brexit just highlights the importance of stronger NATO-EU cooperation, and therefore I welcome that we have been able to lift NATO-EU cooperation up to a new level.

Q  What will change in NATO when there will be a European Defence Force? Will that change the function of NATO?

A  It has been clearly stated from the European leaders, from both the Prime Minister, President, but also from the EU leaders here in Brussels, that stronger European defence is not about establishing competing structures. Its not about duplicating what NATO is doing. Its not about competing with NATO. The aim is to complement NATO, and that is extremely important because NATO is key for European defence. We know that 80% of defence spending will be from non-EU Allies, and 3 of the 4 battlegroups we have in the eastern part of the Alliance are led by non-EU Allies.
(Natural News) Researchers discover that severe emotional distress can damage the heart physically like a heart attack.

At least 3,000 adults in the U.K. suffer from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, colloquially termed as the broken heart syndrome, each year. It is caused by bereavement and severe emotional distress, which stuns and weakens the heart. This causes the left ventricle  one of the main chambers of the heart  to change shape.

The deformed heart looks similar to an octopus pot, or takotsubo in Japanese, which gave the condition its name. Doctors have long presumed that the damage was temporary and would eventually heal over time. (Related: Broken hearts may actually be able to cause death.)

Interestingly, a major project by Swiss researchers last year found that the condition can also be triggered by extreme happiness as well as sorrow.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen have discovered that the condition may cause permanent damage to the heart, similar to a heart attack. Following 37 patients with Takotsubo for two years, they found that the heart damage remained long after the event that first triggered the condition. This was seen through regular ultrasound and MRI scans.

Many of the patients reported becoming tired very easily and were thus unable to do much exercise. The researchers suggest that patients should be offered the same drugs as those whose hearts have been damaged by a heart attack.

Lead researcher Dr. Dana Dawson said that Takotsubo is more common than they initially thought, and that it may actually cause permanent damage to the hearts of the patients. Moreover, the condition is affecting the patients everyday lives with frequent exhaustion and lack of physical activity.

Our research shows that Takotsubo needs to be treated with same urgency as any other heart problem, and that patients may need ongoing treatment for these long-term effects, said Dr. Dawson.

Furthermore, the study suggests that women are more prone to developing this condition than men.

According to Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, Takotsubo is a disease that can affect even healthy people. He added that there is currently no long-term treatment for the condition. This is because medical science has long presumed that patients would make a full recovery.

We once thought the effects of this life-threatening disease were temporary, but now we can see they can continue to affect people for the rest of their lives, said Pearson. This new research shows there are long-term effects on heart health, and suggests we should be treating patients in a similar way to those who are at risk of heart failure.

Scientists are still trying to understand exactly how it occurs and why it can affect some people more than others.

Heal a broken heart with herbs

Herbs have been a natural source of remedy for many ailments. Its no surprise that some herbs are capable of relieving a broken heart. Treat your heart to some of these healing herbs:

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)  This helps strengthen the cardiovascular system, lower your cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy blood pressure. One way to prepare it is to crush its (dried) berries and add a teaspoon of it with some sweetener in a cup of hot water, to sip as tea.

 This helps strengthen the cardiovascular system, lower your cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy blood pressure. One way to prepare it is to crush its (dried) berries and add a teaspoon of it with some sweetener in a cup of hot water, to sip as tea. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)  This herb is most helpful in relieving insomnia and restlessness, that may be caused by intense emotional stress like heartbreak. Add two teaspoons of dried lemon balm, a little bit of sweetener, and lemon juice to a cup of hot water for a flavorful tea.

 This herb is most helpful in relieving insomnia and restlessness, that may be caused by intense emotional stress like heartbreak. Add two teaspoons of dried lemon balm, a little bit of sweetener, and lemon juice to a cup of hot water for a flavorful tea. Rose petals (Rosa rugosa)  The rose has long been a symbol of love, whether romantic (red rose) or platonic (yellow rose). Roses can calm the nerves and soothe physical fatigue. A tablespoon of rose petals and some light-flavored honey mixed in hot water is the perfect mood-lifter.

For more on natural remedies, visit Herbs.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

GlobalNews.ca
(Natural News) Have you ever read a headline that made you do a double-take just because it sounds so outrageous theres no way it could be true?

Im guessing you may have done just that with the headline to this story. I know I did a double take when the editor assigned it.

But yeah, the gist of it is absolutely true: Insane liberals now think its trendy to eat other people.

As noted by The Federalist Papers, it isnt a click-baity thing, either. Its the real deal.

A piece in Wired magazine posits this question: Whats wrong with eating people?  then goes on to extort the virtues of doing so.

Under the category of Food  again, not even making this up  writer Richard Wordsworth, in his Oct. 28 piece, actually suggests that we could all soon be dining on lab-grown celebrity canapes and lightly-seasoned chunks of our loved ones.

But is the world ready for synthesized cannibalism?

Does he really feel its necessary to ask that question and then explore it as a viable option? Yes, apparently so  and sadly, so did Wired magazine. (Related: Lab-grown meat will never feed the world or be commercially viable.)

And amazingly, he couches this ridiculous insanity on the premise that a juicy human burger would be guaranteed cruelty-free because, in the future, human meat will be lab-grown. So you know, no-one gets their leg sawn off for your signature slow-cooked tagine, and no-one even has to die these days.

By no one, do you think hes referring to animals raised for meat? Because if he is, normal people dont refer to them in human terms. Theyre not no-ones because they dont have human identities. Again, theyre animals raised specifically for consumption.

You may not agree with that premise and thats just fine; you certainly are entitled to disagree and eat whatever you want, in whatever manner you wish (personally, around here, we like organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, antibiotic-free food, like many of you as well).

But to suggest that eating even lab-grown human meat over, say, lab-grown beef, pork, chicken, or fish as a better option is just flat-out crazy. Not click-bait crazy, the real deal. Insanity.

In the West, this is a huge taboo, Wordsworth quoted Dr. Bill Schutt, professor of biology and research associate in residence at the American Museum of Natural History.

As the author of Eat Me: A Natural and Unnatural History of Cannibalism, he noted further that our cultural values and morals simply do not align with the suggestion that humans are food.

Especially the medicinal cannibalism that took place relatively recently in Europe. I think it was something that people probably werent particularly proud of, once they discovered that modern medicine had better solutions than eating body parts, he added.

Nevertheless, Wordsworth (and others) are taking the concept of lab-grown human meat  including so-called celebrity cubes, which feature the DNA of, well, celebrities  as a serious alternative down the road.

Dr. Koert Van Mensvoort, director of the Next Nature Network and fellow at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, believes that at some point, some people wont have any problems eating some people.

In general, I think there will be huge reluctance against in vitro human meat, he told Wordsworth. It will be very, very niche. Maybe a very haute-cuisine restaurant will offer this once-in-a-lifetime, special experience for which you pay a lot of money.

Or it could be a ritual: when you get married, you consume a piece of each others meat, just that once. Im not promoting it, I just think its a fascinating conversation to have. The problems are much more social and cultural than technical or medical, he added.

As crazy as all of this sounds, whats even crazier is that these gents appear to believe that U.S. and Western lawmaking bodies wouldnt find ethical problems with this and ban it before it even began.

We can hope. Meantime, Ill take some self-raised, free-range, antibiotic-free chickens with some GMO-and-pesticide-free veggies, please. Hold the humans.

J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target.

Sources include:

Wired.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
The landscape of the beverage market is changing as consumers begin to shun sugar-laden carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) for drinks they perceive as having healthier halos such as coffees, teas, herbal and energy drinks. The coffee and tea market is growing, with flavors, ingredients and functionalities appealing to the conscious consumer who craves new flavors in his or her beverage, but who also desires natural, clean-label drinks.

Trends such as exotic flavorings, cold-brew coffees and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are making their way into the market, and according to a Mintel study, the top three non-alcoholic beverages (carbonated soft drinks, juices and dairy milk) have all shown stagnant or declining sales, while energy drinks and coffee experienced a strong sales growth of 8.7%.

With consumer cravings straying from the conventional path, the cold brew market has a large opportunity for growth. Mintel reported 24% of consumers drink retail-purchased cold brew coffee, and retail sales reached an estimated $7.9 million in 2015, increasing 339% since 2010. But while cold brew sales are up, it is still only a small part in the RTD coffee segment, making up just 0.4% of sales estimated in 2015. This leaves significant opportunity for cold brew innovation.

Cold brew beverages

According to Kip Murphy, marketing manager, Virginia Dare, cold brew coffee is popular among consumers because it offers smoother, less acidic flavors than regular coffee, and its high caffeine level appeals to younger generations.

Nesha Zalensy, technical sales manager, Fiberstar, said brewing coffee at a lower temperature helps avoid developing compounds that cause coffee to turn bitter as it cools, and this helps the coffee maintain flavor throughout its shelf life.

According to Zalensy, manufacturers are adding vegan options to their coffees to provide flavor as well as the clean-label claim that consumers desire. Nut-based and non-dairy milks such as almond, coconut and cashew milks are popular and contribute flavor and creaminess to the beverage.

Zalensy said hibiscus and yerba mate are also popular ingredients to add to iced beverages.

Fruit flavorings

Fruity flavors are being added to both hot and cold beverages on the market, however when it comes to coffee, the coffee fruit itself can provide health benefits as well as flavor.

FutureCeuticals offers coffeberry cascara, coffee fruit granules made from the powerful super fruit itself. According to Andrew Wheeler, the companys director of marketing, The reintroduction of coffee fruit nutrition back into ground and instant coffee provides a bold flavor note and unique and beneficial phytonutrients that are lost during the roasting process.

Wheeler said the companys peer-reviewed dossier demonstrated that the coffee industry was discarding the most unique part of the coffee plant during the coffee-roasting process.

The whole coffee fruit is truly the functional powerhouse, Wheeler said, and the companys coffeeberry cascara can be added to coffee and teas to deliver unique phytonutrients and beneficial antioxidants.

Nitro-infused coffee

A trend that has been introduced to the market is nitrogen-infused coffee. According to Lucas Gonzales, strategic marketing partner of coffee and tea at Kerry Ingredients, consumers are interested in nitro-infused coffee, which is generally cold brewed.

The nitrogen bubbles create a frothy, indulgent texture, bringing out the natural sweetness of coffee, Gonzales said. The smooth taste offered by cold brew coffee and the increased perception of sweetness from the nitrogen bubbles allow less sugar, milk and other enhancers to be added to the beverage, reducing the number of calories, fat and sugar consumed.

Nitrogen-infused coffees provide a smoother, foamy texture and create a mouthfeel similar to some craft beers. Mintel found nitro coffees benefits from retail appealmore than one in 10 coffee consumers would purchase bottled/canned nitro coffee, which increases to approximately one in five Millennials.

Vanillin

A popular additive for both coffees and teas, offered by the company Solvay, is vanillin. Solvay has a variety of vanillin-based ingredients, a product known as a flavoring agent for coffees, teas and functional beverages.

According to Aparna Parikh, head of marketing at Solvay, vanillin provides a creamy texture and smooth mouthfeel, masking off notes of proteins and natural sweeteners such as stevia, vitamins and omega-3s.

Solvays four vanillin ingredients are mainly GMO-free products, derived from rice bran that provide physicochemical properties.

These products allow manufacturers to make the natural claim, and serves as a replacement for vanilla bean and for addressing the need for more natural ingredients, Parikh said.

Teas

Tea consumption has a strong association to good health, and as consumers desire for clean-label, healthy beverages continue to grow, so does the tea market. Mintel reported that over a third if iGens say they would pay more for coffee and tea with added health benefits. This gives the tea market a large opportunity for growth, and allows manufacturers the ability to offer products with these added health benefits.

Noma Khan, research and development (R&D) director of liquid beverages at Kerry Ingredients, said the company offers Wellmune, a natural food and beverage ingredient that enhances the immune system and keeps the body healthy.

At Kerry, there is also a drive to incorporate refreshing fruit flavors such as cherry, coconut and strawberry as well as botanicals such as hibiscus into teas. Ginseng is added to provide flavor as well as to reduce stress, and green coffee extract can be added to beverages for extra caffeine.

Amelia Bay also provides sweet and tropical flavors to tea brands that are conscious of the clean-label craze. You see established products revisiting and revising their ingredient statement to use ingredients that offer a cleaner label, John Harper Crandall, vice president of sales said.

According to Crandall, the company offers functional blends in different flavors including lemongrass and ginger. Both ingredients are antioxidants derived from dark berries, and the fruit flavors also provide functional purposes.

Rikka Cornelia, product manager at BI said the company also turns to herbal ingredients due to their popularity in teas. Cornelia said BI also adds ginger to their teas, providing a sharp taste profile, pomegranate for tartness and turmeric for spice.

Green tea

The market for green tea is smaller than the market for black tea, but it is at the front of growth in the tea category according to Murphy.

Even though consumers find the grassy, green taste of green tea less appealing than the taste of black tea, it does have extraordinary health and weight management benefits he said.

Matcha green tea is derived from a robust, versatile superfood. Aiya America, a matcha green tea manufacturer and distributor, offers various grades of pure green tea powder to be used as an ingredient in a variety of applications.

James Oliveira, Aiya America account sales manager and resident matcha tea expert, said not only is matcha green tea powder popular in smoothies and lattes, but in its powdered form it is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, perfect for all-natural solutions to add both color and nutritionals.

Exotic flavors, proteins and collagen peptides

Not only are fruity flavors invading the tea market, but so are exotic flavors from overseas. Shelia Harte, director of beverages at Bell Flavors & Fragrances, said an influx of Polynesian beverages allow westerners to experience exotic flavors.

I expect the market to see more Polynesian POG (passionfruit-orange-guava) flavor profile in teas, Harte said. Turkish coffee has come across the seas with a strong profile hint of cardamom, but Turkish tea, cultivated in the Black Sea region follows Hartes prediction and provides strong tea flavors with notes of smoke and apricot.

Although these flavor influxes are popular, various companies have been fortifying their beverages with proteins. Vitamins and proteins are now being added to tea to create functional beverages and to provide energy, relaxation, brain support and protein boost, Harte said.

At Kerry, Khan said the company uses plant-based and whey-protein options for their beverages.

Consumers focus on health and wellness contributes to increasing popularity of incorporating ingredients such as nut milks, plant-based proteins and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) into specialty coffee formulations, Khan said. There are a growing number of beverages made with MCTs, which provide consumers with more sustained energy and mental focus.

BI also adds protein to their coffee, and focuses on plant-based ingredients to provide additional nutrition as well as mouthfeel and viscosity Cornelia said.

As for Nitta Gelatin, according to Katie Stevenson, business development manager, companies are looking toward collagen peptides to formulate their teas and coffees.

Theyre linked to benefits relating to the skin, bones, joints and other areas, Stevenson said. Theyre also water soluble, so the opportunities for this ingredient in the beverage industry are vast.

The clean-label trend has made its way into the coffee and tea market, and consumers want to ensure their beverages meet new health standards. Companies are adjusting products to meet a variety of trends, and are providing consumers with fruity, exotic flavors while giving them the desired clean-label beverage.
Acting Mayor London Breed today declined to say whether she plans to run for mayor in a special election scheduled for June following the unexpected death of Mayor Ed Lee.

Breed, who is president of the Board of Supervisors and represents District 5, was named acting mayor after Lee was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and died early Tuesday.

At a news conference Wednesday to announce a gun buyback event in the city on Saturday, Breed said she had not yet thought about whether she will seek the mayor position permanently.

Breed said her primary focus is on assuring residents that the city government will continue to run smoothly during the transition.

"I'm here to focus on the work that we know needs to be done," Breed said. "I'm focused on assuring the public that we will be out there taking care of the city, the buses will run, the potholes will get fixed if you call 311." [[464021073, C]]

Unless the Board of Supervisors votes to appoint someone else as interim mayor, Breed will continue to act as both mayor and supervisor until a June 5 special mayoral election that was called following Lee's death.

Whoever wins that election will serve for the remainder of Lee's term through January 2020.

The next mayoral election had not been expected to take place until November 2019, and the only person who has formally declared plans to run so far is Mark Leno, a former state senator, assemblyman and city supervisor. Others rumored to be considering a run include Breed, Supervisors

Jane Kim and Mark Farrell, Assemblyman David Chiu and City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

However, candidates now only have until Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. to declare their intention to run in the special election, according to city elections officials.

While Breed, who is only the second woman to serve as mayor in San Francisco and the first black woman, declined to state her intentions today,

she did express confidence in her ability to do the job.

A San Francisco native who grew up in public housing and previously worked as executive director of the African American Art & Culture Complex, Breed won election in 2012 and was re-elected in 2016.

She said today that her experiences were unique for someone holding her position.

"I think I'm blessed to have those experiences. I never forget where I came from and I always use those experiences to make sure I make good decisions on behalf of the city," Breed said. "I do feel strongly that I'm qualified and I'm prepared to do this job."

In addition to the mayoral special election, the District 8 seat held by Supervisor Jeff Sheehy will also be on the June 5 ballot. Sheehy, a longtime HIV and AIDS activist and the city's first openly HIV positive supervisor, was appointed by Lee in January following the election of former Supervisor Scott Weiner to a state Senate seat.

According to the elections office, candidates who wish to reduce the cost of filing nomination papers for the offices of mayor or for the District 8 seat have until Dec. 26 to gather signatures of registered voters on a petition in lieu of filing fees.
The Oakland Unified School District's Board of Education passed a multimillion-dollar midyear budget cut despite a vehement protests from teachers, students and school advocates during Wednesday night's meeting.

The district had initially approved a $15 million budget cut but recently revised that to $9 million. District spokesman John Sasaki said that reflects a commitment to the African American Male Achievement Program and the Newcomer Program, both of which garnered broad support during public input from the community.

"The community told us what was important to them," Sasaki said. "We heard them, so we changed the targets. African American Male Achievement specifically is a program we had envisioned cutting more; now we're cutting less."

The Newcomer Program, which helps students who are new to the district and may not have much support from family or other adults, is also a part of that revision.

"Some of them are unaccompanied minors, so we have programs specifically to help them get an education and learn English, but also to connect them with services here in the community that can help them with social workers and housing," Sasaki said.

The Oakland Education Association, the union for OUSD teachers and other district staff, is urging the district to avoid any cuts not immediately necessary to avoid a state takeover of the district's finances.

Instead of cutting funding for teachers and students, the advocacy group Classroom Struggle is urging the district to trim fat by reducing hours and cutting positions for the district's higher-paid administrative personnel.

They're also urging that further cuts be postponed until labor unions and community groups can make a full analysis of the district's budget and create some alternative proposals.

Both groups have scheduled a rally at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater on Lake Merritt Boulevard, across from the Kaiser Convention Center, at 4:45 p.m. before marching to the school board meeting at nearby La Escuelita Elementary School at 314 E. 10th St.
A top Oakland Fire Department official said Wednesday that investigators never determined the cause of the fire at the Ghost Ship warehouse last year that killed 36 people but she thinks it was caused by some type of an electrical problem.

Acting Assistant Fire Marshall Maria Sabatini said in the preliminary hearing for Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena, 47, and creative director Max Harris, 27, on 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the blaze at the warehouse at 1309 31st Ave. on Dec. 2, 2016, "It most likely started with a fault or failure in the electrical system."

Sabatini said, "There were a tremendous amount of items that were electrical in nature," such as cooking materials, extension cords and two refrigerators.

Sabatini also said, "There was an excessive amount of flammable materials in live-work spaces throughout the first floor" at the warehouse, which is where investigators think the fire started.

She said, "The sheer amount of those materials would have contributed significantly" to the fast-spreading fire, which occurred while an estimated 100 to 120 people were attending a music party on the warehouse's second floor.

Sabatini testified that investigators also never pinpointed the exact area where the fire started, but they think it was generally in the northwest corner of the warehouse's first floor.

Prosecutors allege that the warehouse was in violation of several rules under the California Fire Code, such as not having adequate, fire-suppression systems, smoke alarms, exit signs and sprinklers.

Prosecutors also allege that the industrial building wasn't zoned for residential use and that Almena and Harris remodeled the warehouse without going through proper inspection and permitting procedures.

The purpose of the preliminary hearing, which has lasted five days so far, is to determine if there's enough evidence for Almena and Harris to be ordered to stand trial.

It had been expected that the hearing would conclude Wednesday, but defense attorneys delayed the hearing by questioning the qualifications of Oakland Fire Marshal Miguel Trujillo to testify as an expert on California and Oakland fire codes.

Curtis Briggs, one of three attorneys who represent Harris, spent about 20 minutes asking Trujillo about his credentials, asking him detailed questions about what classes he's attended about fire codes, the last time he was certified, how much he paid to be certified and about the legal definition of a warehouse.

Tony Serra, one of two attorneys who represent Almena, complained to Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Horner, who is presiding over the hearing, "There's not an adequate record to make him (Trujillo) a first-time expert" on fire codes.

Horner said he will rule on the issue of whether Trujillo qualifies as an expert on Thursday morning, when the hearing resumes.

During a break in the case Wednesday, Serra said, "It's very difficult to assign culpability to the people who are charged (Almena and Harris) when they (fire officials) don't even know the cause and origin."

Earlier Wednesday, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Whitney Hameth testified that Harris told her after the fire that he knew the warehouse didn't have sprinklers, but he didn't do anything about it.

Hameth said Harris told her, "He was aware they didn't have sprinklers but never thought to ask the landlord to put them in."

Harris' attorneys have sought to downplay his role in running the warehouse, which also was known as the Satya Yuga Collective, but Hameth said Harris described himself as the building's creative director, and in his emails to her, he listed himself as the "Executive Director of the Satya Yuga Art Collective."

Hameth said when she interviewed Harris on Dec. 5, 2016, three days after the fire, he told her that about 100 to 120 people attended a music party on the warehouse's second floor and Ghost Ship leaders blocked off many areas on the building's first floor.

Hameth said Harris said, "The only thing that was open downstairs was the hallway."
Firefighters rescued two people and seven dogs, including five puppies, after a fire broke out at a Newark home on Wednesday, according to the Alameda County Fire Department.

The one-alarm blaze was initially reported 4:41 p.m. at a two-story home on the 6300 block of Potrero Drive.

Firefighters rescued the residents and pets through the home's second-story windows, fire officials said.

They were able to quickly contain the fire to the home's kitchen and fully extinguished it within 15 minutes of arrival.

No injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents and pets, according to fire officials.

A cause for the fire remains under investigation.
1. Yes. The ordinance goes against state law and is not in the best interest of the cities.

2. Yes. At the very least, it should be amended to give police officers some discretion.

3. No. Voters approved the ordinance by large majorities; the councils cant ignore that fact.

4. No. The petition process has to be given a chance to work. Leave the ordinance alone.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the cities should move forward regarding the ordinance.

Vote

View Results
Marin Countys Mission San Rafael Arcangel on Thursday will mark the 200th year since its founding  by recalling a long mixed legacy that includes the mistreatment of Native Americans, wild west-type shootouts and even a financial intervention by William Randolph Hearst.

"It is here where the community grew up," said Father Romulo Vergara who runs the mission, which was founded on Dec. 14, 1817 and became Californias 20th mission.

The congregation of Mission San Rafael Arcangel will plant a pear tree on Thursday at noon to remember the pear trees that were planted by Native Americans. It will hold a procession and a mass at 3:30 on Saturday to mark the anniversary.

The mission site, nestled amid downtown San Rafael, predates pretty much everything in Marin County, save for Native American villages that once dotted the region.

The areas Coast Miwok Indians were initially sent to Mission Dolores for salvation, but were so ravaged by European diseases that Mission San Rafael was founded as a hospital to care for them. It was given full mission status in 1822.

Joe Rosato Jr./NBC Bay Area

The original adobe mission building was knocked down not long before President Abraham Lincoln signed an order calling for Californias missions to be preserved. The small white stucco chapel currently on the site is a replica built in 1949 with an $85,000 gift from newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.

"It was used as an outpost during the time of the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846 by kit Carson and General Fremont," said Theresa Brunner, who has worked at the mission for many years.

Brunner also noted that the missions temporary occupiers mistakenly gunned down one of the areas prominent families who showed up for an unannounced visit.

Author Betty Goerke, who has written extensively about the local Native American tribes, said while canings and beatings were common at Mission Dolores, the padres in charge of Mission San Rafael were more compassionate  even putting the Native Americans in charge of the mission.

"It was a much more relaxed environment here," Goerke said. "The priests were compassionate."

Joe Rosato Jr./NBC Bay Area

The missionaries chose a rebellious Native American  who they called Chief Marin  to lead to the missions Native American population. He became such a force that the county was named for him.

It was during another anniversary celebration 10 years ago that the mission became the site of one of the most unusual instances in recent Catholic-Native American relations.

Visiting Bishop Francis Quinn used the occasion to deliver a surprise apology to Native Americans for their treatment by the Catholic missionaries.

"When he did that, the church was absolutely stunned, we couldnt believe it because it hadnt happened before," Goerke said. "He said we apologize for taking the Indian out of Indian  in other words taking their culture away, taking their spirituality."

Joe Rosato Jr./NBC Bay Area

For this weeks anniversary, Coast Miwok Indians will participate in the festivities, marking a thawing in relations and an acknowledgment of intertwined histories.

Vergara said the mission now reflects the areas changing cultures with masses held in Spanish, Brazilian and even Vietnamese. At its core, the celebration is about beginnings.

"First is the legacy that we have inherited for 200 years, where practically Marin County started," Vergara said.
Starting in 2018, moms and dads working at small companies will be able to spend more time with their new children thanks to a new bill.

Senate Bill 63, which focuses on parental leave, will allow for those parents working at companies with 20 to 49 employees to receive 12 weeks of unpaid leave while they bond with their new baby, adopted or fostered child. Parents working at companies with more than 50 employees are already protected under federal law.

The new bill will impact about 2.7 million California parents, but it only protects parents from losing their jobs. They will have to figure out if they can go 12 weeks without receiving a paycheck.

Some people still call the bill a win for families with new additions.

"As a mom that would mean so much," Gena Payne said. "The first six weeks isn't enough at all for any mom so 12 weeks, that would be really great.

Pam Mathews of San Jose echoed that sentiment, applauding a rule that allows families with new members to stick together for a bit longer.

"I think that anything that can be done that makes it easier for a family to live a normal, good life, I think thats great," she said.

The Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill, calling it a burden on employees.
A roughly 15-hour-long standoff in San Jose came to a dramatic end early Thursday with armed officers taking a wanted felon into custody.

The man was wanted for burglary and possible connections to other crimes, according to police.

The search and standoff started around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday when a San Jose police officer attempted to make contact with a suspicious man in the area of Pocatello Court and Hunken Drive, police said. The suspect then fled to a home in the area of Hunken and Lewis Road, where officers set up a perimeter.



A massive search ensued, and later in the evening officers believed they had the man surrounded inside a home, according to police.

Late Wednesday night, police appeared to deploy flash-bangs as a diversion so they could get an elderly man out of the house. Paramedics arrived at the scene a short time later. But police did not say whether the man or anyone else was injured.

The suspect, however, escaped through the rear of the house and was spotted jumping backyard fences, police said. Officers then surrounded him at Lewis and Durant Street, but at the time, it was not clear if he was inside another home or outdoors.

"Whether or not he actually lives there, what his status is, we believe he's got some kind of connection to that address," San Jose police Lt. Mike King said.

A SWAT team was brought in and was trying to negotiate with the suspect before the standoff came to a close around 3:45 a.m. Officers utilized non-lethal force to detain the man.



Footage from NBC Bay Area's Sky Ranger showed dozens of police cars lining the streets of the neighborhood near Los Lagos Golf Course to set up a perimeter, and several streets in the area were shut down during the standoff.

Resident Ivon Tovar lives inside the cordoned off area and had been waiting since 1 p.m. Wednesday to get home.

"Everyone was kind of worried," she said. "We're like, 'Are we safe here? Should we go?' They just told us we can't be inside our house.

"It's frustrating a bit," Tovar continued, "because we live in a calm neighborhood, and we don't really like seeing stuff like this because one, there's a lot of kids here. Two, it's not often that it happens."
A San Francisco jury Wednesday found police Officer Saqib Aslam guilty of filing a false document, according to prosecutors.

Aslam, who had nine years of experience with the San Francisco Police Department at the time of his arrest, was arrested in April 2016 on suspicion of perjury and filing false documents with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Court records indicate that Aslam, 31, submitted an official document to the SFPD personnel office on June 8, 2012 for filing with the DMV requesting home address confidentiality.

That document identified his two adult brothers as his children in order to mask their addresses, causing them to be made confidential and listed as "San Francisco PD" whenever their information was pulled up by law enforcement.

The false information was not uncovered until the summer of 2015, when another member of the department tipped off investigators.

"The public's trust in law enforcement is of paramount importance," said District Attorney George Gascon. "When that trust is broken, we must work diligently to restore it for the benefit of our community and public safety."

Aslam was convicted Wednesday on one felony count of filing a false document, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors in Pennsylvania moved to hold onto their ability to seek the death penalty against two cousins accused of killing four men that were found buried on a Bucks County, Pennsylvania, farm earlier this year.

The Bucks County prosecutor's office filed Wednesday a notice of aggravating circumstances in the charges against Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Patrick Kratz, according to online court records.

The filings came a day before the cousins pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of murder and corpse abuse in the July slayings on DiNardo's family farm outside New Hope.

DiNardo, of Bensalem, allegedly confessed to authorities that he'd been involved in killing Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Middletown Township; Mark Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg, Montgomery County; Tom Meo, 21, of Plumstead Township; and Jimi Taro Patrick, 19, of Newtown Township.

Kratz, of Philadelphia, faces charges related to three of the slayings.

Prosecutors said capital punishment would be justified because there were multiple murders and the slayings were committed during commission of a felony and drug felonies.

Lawyers have said DiNardo acknowledged his part in the slayings and told authorities where to find the body of the fourth victim in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty. District Attorney Matt Weintraub termed Wednesday's filing as "covering his bases" in case circumstances change.

"We have to make sure we have the right to proceed in seeking the death penalty in case he reneges on his deal," Weintraub said. "Whether he honors his end of the agreement is up to him."

Authorities said in court documents that DiNardo said he lured the four men to the sprawling farm owned by his parents under the guise of marijuana transactions before killing them there. All four were shot and three were set on fire and placed in an oil drum that was buried. The body of Patrick was found in a separate grave after DiNardo told police where to look, authorities said. Kratz is charged in three of the homicides. His lawyer has vowed a vigorous defense.
A group of Massachusetts students launched a social media storm to help a classmate find a cure for a very rare fatal disease.

Students across the North Shore are tweeting the hashtags #WeNeedAnAngelDonor and #RUDuffEnough to help 12-year-old Talia Duff, who suffers from CMT4J, a progressive neurological disease that can be similar to ALS.

The mission that started at her middle school in Ipswich intensified with a tweetstorm Wednesday, which involves tweeting at a number of high-profile celebrities and Twitter accounts, including Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, and the Today Show.



Duff's friends at Ipswich Middle School say they are hoping to find more donor to fund research into a cure by sharing her story online.

This final push on social media is an idea that came out of rival school Hamilton Wenham.

"We figured the best way to do this was to get a massive amount of people to tweet about it all at the same time," Hamilton-Wenham student Amy Thissell said.



Dozens of schools are coming together to tweet for a cure, trying to get the ears of anyone who can help and hoping to make enough noise to save their friend.

Because of the way the disease progresses, the common cold or flu can be devastating.

"Because every day that goes by is just another loss of nerve function," said Talia's mother Jocelyn Duff.



Only 22 people in the world have CMT4J, but Duff's family believes the research can help cure other rare diseases.

Duff's friends and family hope to raise a total of $1 million by the end of December. They've already raised about just over $635,000, according to a website run by Duff's family.

"She actually gave me a big hug and said, 'Its going to be okay mom, isnt it? Its gonna be okay,'" said Jocelyn.

Click here to donate to the cause.
Americans are venting their frustrations with the current political climate by chucking tea into Boston Harbor. Sound familiar?

The Boston Tea Party Museum has been encouraging Americans to send them loose tea leaves to toss into Boston's waters this Saturday as part of its fifth annual re-enactment of the historic act of defiance that preceded the Revolutionary War.

The museum received more than 200 tea submissions as part of the new campaign.

Roughly 30 percent came from people who said they're dissatisfied with today's political climate, museum spokeswoman Stephanie Loeber said.

"I would love to have this tea dumped on the U.S. Congress," wrote Olivia from Waltham in the Boston suburbs.

"I participate in this act of protest to register my resistance to the anti-immigrant, anti-environment and anti-health care policies of Donald J. Trump," wrote Janet of Reading.

Loeber stressed the re-enactment isn't meant to be political: the majority of letters the museum received were nonpolitical, from history buffs to those "just wanting to send in tea to participate."

Joanne from Holliston was among a number of participants who submitted tea in honor of her ancestors. She said her great, great, great, great grandfather participated in the original Tea Party.

Third-graders at Balch Elementary School in Norwood said they were excited to have their tea dumped in the harbor because they're currently learning about colonial America and the events leading up to the Revolution.

"We are so grateful to live in Massachusetts where we can visit so many historical sites from this time period!" the class wrote.

The London-based East India Company even donated more than 200 pounds (90 kilograms) of expired tea for the occasion, Loeber said.

The Boston Tea Party Museum is located near where the actual Tea Party took place on Dec. 16, 1773. It features two replica ships where patrons get to toss fake cargo boxes of tea into the water.

Saturday's commemoration opens with actors recreating the fiery debate at Boston's Old South Meeting House over the unpopular Tea Act of 1773.

A procession led by fife and drummers then marches from the historic meeting house to the nearby waterfront.

There, re-enactors will show how members of the Sons of Liberty -- clad in Native American garb -- boarded East India Company ships moored at the harbor and dumped their valuable haul into the murky waters.

The protest prompted Britain to impose military rule and other sanctions on Massachusetts, galvanizing American opposition to colonial rule.
The Illinois State Board of Elections held its lottery to determine the order in which candidates will appear on the March primary ballot.

In total, eight candidates will be competing in a crowded field, as Democrats vie for the chance to replace Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who will leave office at the end of her current term.

Former Governor Pat Quinn, who joined the race shortly after Madigan announced that she would not seek re-election, will occupy the top spot on the ballot in Marchs primary. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti will be in the second spot, and Scott Drury, who dropped his gubernatorial campaign to run for Attorney General, will be third.

Here is the full list of candidates who will be running on the Democratic side of the primary, which will be held March 20:

Pat Quinn

Renato Mariotti

Scott Drury

Nancy Rotering

Kwame Raul

Jesse Ruiz

Sharon Fairley

Aaron Goldstein

On the Republican side, Erika Harold will be running against Gary Grasso in the primary, with the general election set for Nov. 2018.
Governor Bruce Rauner is under fire Wednesday as a new investigation reveals the details of the deaths of 13 people at a veterans home in downstate Quincy.

Since 2015, 13 people have died from Legionnaires disease, according to a report published by WBEZ this week. According to the report, the outbreaks were caused by deteriorating conditions at the home, and 11 families are suing the state of Illinois for negligence in connection with the outbreaks.

Illinois State Senator Tom Cullerton is filing legislation requesting an immediate audit of the home, and will be calling for a hearing to examine care practices at the facility.

"I'm outraged veterans have died on the governor's watch," Cullerton said.

Now, with Rauners administration under fire for his handling of the situation, several Illinois gubernatorial candidates, including Democratic frontrunner J.B. Pritzker, are calling for an investigation.

The obligation we have to these heroes and their families is sacred, and to have that obligation so thoroughly neglected is an unconscionable moral failing, he said. When a governor does not take charge, people die.

Candidate Daniel Biss also criticized the governor, saying that Rauner failed (veterans) by neglecting to address the outbreak of a wholly preventable disease.

The Rauner administration defended itself Wednesday, saying that they quickly brought in the Centers for Disease Control and followed their recommendations.

According to the WBEZ report, in the summer of 2015 53 residents and staff members at the facility contracted the disease, and ultimately 12 people died. In the summer of 2016, five more people tested positive from the disease, and earlier this year, three more tested positive, with one veteran succumbing to the disease.

After the series of outbreaks, many, including Senator Dick Durbin, are calling for the facility to be shut down until the water system is fully safe. That process could cost up to $500 million.

Legionnaires disease is totally and completely treatable, and its found in places like prisons and third world countries, but here we are talking about a Veterans Home in Illinois, Alderman Gilbert Villegas said.

There are nearly 400 veterans and family members that live in the Quincy home. The state is accepting no legal responsibility, according to court claims in the lawsuit.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith on Wednesday to fill fellow Democrat Al Franken's Senate seat until a special election in November, setting up his longtime and trusted adviser for a potentially bruising 2018 special election.

Smith was widely seen as Dayton's top choice from the moment Franken announced his resignation last week. But her previous decision not to run for governor had raised questions about her appetite for a closely watched and expensive Senate campaign.

Smith said she's in and fully committed.

"I can tell you I shouldn't be underestimated and if I weren't confident I wouldn't be doing this," she said.

It's not clear when Smith will head to Washington. Franken, who resigned under pressure from his own party after he was accused of improper behavior by at least eight women, announced last Thursday that he would resign "in the coming weeks." His office hasn't set a final departure date yet; Smith indicated it would likely be in early January.

Franken said in a statement that Smith will be an "excellent" senator and will work with her on a fast transition.



Smith will be the second Democrat on a path to the Senate in as many days, after Doug Jones' victory in Alabama in Tuesday's special election.

Smith, 59, served as Dayton's trusted chief of staff for four years before ascending to become his No. 2 when his previous lieutenant chose not to join him in seeking a second term in 2014. Dayton has long treated Smith as an equal in the office, and it was that deference that fueled speculation she was being groomed to succeed him.

Her path to politics was unconventional. A native of New Mexico, she graduated from Stanford and earned an MBA from Dartmouth. A marketing job with General Mills brought her to Minnesota, where she eventually started her own marketing and political consulting firm.

She managed Ted Mondale's unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1998, then ran the short-lived 2002 Senate campaign for his dad, former Vice President Walter Mondale. Smith served as chief of staff to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak before eventually taking the same job with Dayton in 2011.

Smith, a soft-spoken, smiling presence at the Capitol, is credited with quiet but key roles in the response to the 2007 bridge collapse in Minneapolis and in the building of a new Vikings stadium. Dayton made her his point person on a massive public-private partnership to work with Mayo Clinic on an ambitious expansion in Rochester.

Next year's race to fill the final two years of Franken's term is certain to be one of the nation's most closely watched and expensive, and Dayton was under pressure from fellow Democrats in Washington to ensure his pick would use the appointment as a springboard for that election.

Meanwhile, Republicans immediately floated former two-term Gov. Tim Pawlenty as a possible candidate, but many others were said to be weighing a race.

Republicans said Dayton's selection of Smith for the seat could upset voters.

"Minnesota voters deserve a senator who will look out for their best interests, not another DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) insider handpicked by Mark Dayton," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Michael McAdams said in a written statement.

And Smith's past work with Planned Parenthood in Minnesota and other Midwestern states, which provides abortions along with other health services, was sure to become a flash point with Republicans on the campaign trail.

Smith, who served as vice president of external affairs, said Planned Parenthood provides critical health care and sexual transmitted disease treatment to "thousands and thousands and thousands of women."

"I'm proud of that work," Smith said.
A ripped bag was not what Kristine Wolfe was hoping to put under the tree for her boyfriend this year, but it's all a UPS worker left behind this week.

"He left it as a present, I guess," the North Haven resident told NBC Connecticut.

UPS said 26-year-old Quintell Suggs was hired as a seasonal driver's helper, but police said he was helping himself to items along the delivery route.

"First day on the job [and he's] going around stealing packages," Wolfe said.

Wolfe was watching from the window on Monday when a UPS worker went to put a new package she had been expecting in her mailbox.

She said it seemed routine until she saw the Suggs walk away with a package that was already inside her mailbox after slipping it inside his shirt.

"I was like, 'He just stole what was in the mailbox from the regular postman'," Wolfe said.

Police said they recovered a $150 Bose speaker Suggs allegedly stole earlier in the day during a drop-off at a business on Republic Drive.

Suggs was charged with two counts of larceny.

UPS said they hire 95,000 workers during the holiday season and Suggs is no longer an employee of the company. They said they are cooperating with the investigation.
State Representatives Geraldo Reyes, of Waterbury, and Minnie Gonzalez, of Hartford, will be going to Puerto Rico this week, but traveling there will be no vacation for them.

Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico, the Connecticut legislators have raising money for the island. In just over two months, theyve reached their goal of $100,000, thanks to the communitys donations.

As the island continues to recover from the disaster left behind by the hurricanes, the two legislators will be on the island, assessing damage and using the money they raised to help buy everyday needs for the many victims left with nothing.

We will actually go and purchase these items and give them to the people of need, said Rep. Reyes.

Gonzalez flies out on Sunday with several generators, while Reyes leaves late Wednesday with 200 pounds worth of items.

Food items, toiletries emergency items and flashlights and such. These are things I will disperse in the southern part of Puerto Rico and pretty much the greater Ponce area, he said.

As those items are being dispersed, a trailer full of donations will follow. Inside are pallets filled with canned food, water and medicine and more.

For the two state representatives who are funding their own travel expenses heading to the island has personal meaning. Reyes is of Puerto Rican decent and Gonzalez was born there and both have family members living in Puerto Rico.

I know its going to be hard. I have two sisters over there and theyve been telling me that Im not going to recognize my town, said Gonzalez.

Ive taken this trip many times, but Im a little anxious of what Ill actually find, said Reyes.

Both plan to come back to Connecticut to speak to legislators about the conditions on the island.

Im planning to bring the experience here and show them how hard it is and how people are suffering over there, said Gonzalez.
The governor has provided several deficit mitigation options to legislative leadership to review to deal with the nearly $208 million current year deficit.

In a letter to the leaders, Gov. Dannel Malloy said his administration is providing the legislature with a menu of choices for their consideration, including expenditure reductions and revenue options.

His office said they total almost $303 million, so legislators could consider selecting among them to balance the budget.

Or, his office said, legislators could take all of the options to put the budget almost $95 million in projected surplus.

The proposal includes increasing the cigarette tax by 25 cents, tripling the tax on cigars to $1.50, and eliminating the minimum bottle pricing on alcoholic beverages. It also proposes raising the hotel tax from 15 to 17 percent, upping the restaurant tax from 6.5 to 7 percent, and taxing nonprescription drugs.

The option that sticks out the most in the proposal is increasing the sales tax from 6.35 to 6.5 percent or 6.9 percent. The former would raise $33.4 million this fiscal year and $98.2 the following year. The latter would raise an additional $81.1 million this fiscal year and $237.2 million the following year.

Another option includes allowing grocery stores to sell wine.

On the spending cut side, options include closing the Old State House and reducing municipal aid funding by $100 million over two years

I understand that these options will be almost universally objectionable, and that there is little appetite among you or your members for making such adjustments to your budget, Malloy wrote. In fact, I agree these changes are difficult and that in better economic times, with a balanced budget, none of us would put them on the table for consideration. However, I have a clear statutory obligation to provide you with a plan to mitigate the deficit. Moreover, I believe we do a disservice to the public when we defer necessary steps and fail to take decisive action, ultimately making the cost to taxpayers and damage to government services even more severe.

The governor was required to provide a deficit mitigation plan to the General Assembly by Dec. 31.

Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding budget options released today by Governor Dannel P. Malloy.

I have received the governors deficit mitigation options and am reviewing the details. At first look, a nearly $200 million tax increase is a nonstarter for our state. Connecticut is suffering deficits due to a sluggish economy created by years of historic tax increases passed by Gov. Malloy and Democrat lawmakers without any thought for how these taxes would hurt our state in the long run. I have serious concerns about many aspects of the governors menu of options, but I will continue to review the full list of choices in detail and look forward to meeting with fellow legislators to outline an appropriate course of action.

I have received the governors deficit mitigation options and am reviewing the details. At first look, a nearly $200 million tax increase is a nonstarter for our state," Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said in a statement. "Connecticut is suffering deficits due to a sluggish economy created by years of historic tax increases passed by Gov. Malloy and Democrat lawmakers without any thought for how these taxes would hurt our state in the long run. I have serious concerns about many aspects of the governors menu of options, but I will continue to review the full list of choices in detail and look forward to meeting with fellow legislators to outline an appropriate course of action.
What to Know Stormy the cow twice escaped from a live nativity in Philly's Old City neighborhood early Thursday.

She made her way on I-95 the first time and a parking garage the second time. Both times the bovine was corralled and returned to her pen.

Stormy is from a farm in the "City of Udderly Love" where she works with students.

Twice in one morning, a cow had to be corralled after escaping from a live nativity scene in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood. By the end of the morning Stormy the cow was out a job.

Stormy darted from the live nativity at Old First Reformed United Church of Christ at 4th and Race Streets around 6:30 a.m. Thursday. The 7-year-old Hereford cow, a Philadelphia native, made its way into a nearby parking structure, where it was corralled in the garage attached to the Wyndham Hotel.

Two times in one morning, Stormy the cow escaped from her enclosure at the live nativity at Old First Reformed United Church of Christ in Philadelphias Old City. The second time she wound up in a nearby parking structure.

Stormy was led with hay down the parking structure and out onto the snowy street. Philadelphia police blocked 4th Street as Stormy was returned to the church, again.

Four hours earlier, the 1,600-pound cow left the nativity and wound up along Interstate 95.[[464116333, R]]

Luckily, one of the Pennsylvania state troopers had the perfect skill set.

"There was a Pennsylvania state trooper with us who owns a horse/cattle ranch in South Jersey," Philadelphia Police Sgt. Tim Devlin said. "He was the one we took the lead from. He's the expert on the topic, he knew how to corral the animal."

Philadelphia and state police eventually boxed in the cow with their cruisers and the trooper used a lasso. They then walked the cow off the highway and put the cow into a horse trailer before returning it to the church. Police later joked that the "Benny Hill" theme must have been playing at the time.

[NATL] Unbelievable Animal Stories: Dog Befriends Abandoned Baby Giraffe

NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal was told Stormy is a show cow based in the "City of Udderly Love" that is used to being near people. She is from the Manatawna farm in Philadelphia's Roxborough neighborhood, affiliated with the Walter B Saul agricultural high school and often works with kids in the 4-H club. She has birthed a handful calves over the years.

She is part of the Christmas tradition at the Old First Reformed United Church of Christ.

TFW you just want to explore the City of Udderly Love but they say youre too big and dont know the traffic laws #stormythecow @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/5MOofN9fCT  Randy Gyllenhaal (@RandyGyllenhaal) December 14, 2017

Once back at the church, Stormy was chomping down on a meal  of course, she did the same thing last time as well.

The Rev. Michael Caine says it looks as if someone tampered with the enclosure before the initial escape. But it was unclear how Stormy escaped the second time.

Stormy the cow has escaped from a live nativity scene in Old City for a second time in a matter of hours.

The church had a plan to prevent a third escape: they replaced Stormy with Ginger, a smaller, more manageable cow that shouldn't be able to get out of the enclosure.

The live creche, featuring a donkey, sheep and goats opened on Dec. 7 and runs through Dec. 27, drawing families taking photos. You can even volunteer to feed the animals.



The humor of the double escape wasn't lost on Philadelphia police. "A cow is loose. Again. No, we can't believe we're tweeting this either," they tweeted with a Star Trek-inspired photo.

If you're in the area of 4th and Market, beware of traffic delays. A cow is loose. Again. No, we can't believe we're tweeting this either. pic.twitter.com/3FW6iHzQws  Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) December 14, 2017

Police even put out this amazing tidbit in a news release: "Police sergeant scours radio logs in an attempt to make sense of what will go down as one of the greatest events in human history."
The Trump administration said Thursday that Iran is violating United Nations resolutions, revealing what the U.S. said was proof Iran was arming Houthi rebels in Yemen, NBC News reported.

Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley spoke while standing before parts of a ballistic missile that she said Iran gave to Houthi rebels in Yemen, who then fired it at an airport in Saudi Arabia last month.

"The weapons might as well have 'Made in Iran' stickers on them," Haley said. "Its ballistic missiles and advanced weapons are turning up in war zones across the region," Haley said at a press conference inside a military hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. took the unusual step of declassifying military equipment that was gathered in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, where a civil war is taking place between Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the elected government.


Alabama's special election for U.S. Senate ended in an upset Tuesday night, as Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore in the deeply conservative state.

Texas has a Senate race in 2018, and it will likely be a different story.

Sen. Ted Cruz remains popular in the Lone Star State and has more than $6 million in his campaign coffers.

Cruz was first elected in 2012, pulling off a major upset in defeating then-Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in a Republican primary runoff. Now, Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, of El Paso, is hoping to pull off an upset of his own. He says he has a straight-forward approach for facing Cruz.

"It is not a sophisticated strategy, and it's as simple and really as old as democracy itself: getting out, getting after it, meeting the people that I want to represent and serve, going to their communities," O'Rourke said.

O'Rourke's campaign is well underway. He is traveling throughout the state and plans to hit all 254 Texas counties. But Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University, does not expect an Alabama-style upset here in Texas.

"Assuming Ted Cruz doesn't make any mistakes in this race, or no serious disqualifying mistakes, he is going to win in the mid-teens probably. O'Rourke is not going to defeat him unless Cruz stumbles," Jillson said.

Last spring, after it appeared O'Rourke was planning to run, Cruz spoke to NBC 5 about the upcoming campaign.

"There is an old phrase that there are two ways to run: scared and unopposed. Until I am the latter, I will continue to be the former, and so I am going to continue to work each and every day to earn the votes, to earn the support of men and women across the state," Cruz said.

On Wednesday, the senator's campaign said they were not concerned that what happened in Alabama would affect this race. His campaign is expected to go into high gear early in the new year.

Cruz has four Republican opponents but none are major names.

"I think what Alabama showed Texas Republican incumbents is that they have got to pay attention, that they have got to run hard, all the way through," Jillson said.
One person has died and two firefighters injured after a fiery crash Thursday morning in Hunt County, authorities say.



Authorities said the crash occurred on Texas 34 at Farm-to-Market Road 2101 shortly before 6 a.m.

According to Lonny Haschel, Texas Department of Safety spokesman, a Cash Volunteer Fire Department truck crashed and flipped onto its side after swerving to avoid a vehicle that pulled out in front of it. The second vehicle crashed and caught fire.



Two firefighters were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered to be life threatening. The driver in the second vehicle was deceased at the scene, Haschel said.



Texas State Troopers were investigating the crash.

No further information was released.
A new NASA study says loss of water from rocks during California's historic drought caused the Sierra Nevada to rise nearly an inch in height from October 2011 to October 2015.

The study also found that in the following two years of increased snow and rain, the rocks in the range regained about half as much water as was lost during the drought and the height of the mountains has fallen about half an inch.

Research leader Donald Argus of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is discussing the study Wednesday at an American Geophysical Union conference in New Orleans.

The study suggests significantly more water was lost from cracks and soil within fractured mountain rock during drought and gained during heavy precipitation than hydrology models show.
NASA and Google have discovered an eighth planet orbiting a star in the Kepler-90 solar system, tying it with our solar system, for the first time, with the highest number of planets.

In a teleconference, the space agency revealed Kepler-90i  a sizzling hot, rocky planet discovered in the Kepler-90 solar system located 2,500 light-years away. According to NASA, it is the smallest of the eight planets and orbits so close to its star that a year passes in just 14 days. The average surface temperature is estimated to be around 800 degrees Fahrenheit, making it very unlikely for life to exist.

NASA explained that the planet was discovered in data from the Kepler Space Telescope by using machine learning from Google.

Machine learning is an approach to artificial intelligence, and demonstrates new ways of analyzing Kepler data, said NASA in their statement.

In the discovery of Kepler-90i, computers learned to identify planets by finding instances in Kepler data where the telescope recorded signals from planets beyond our solar system, known as exoplanets.

The Kepler-90 system is set up like our solar system  small planets located close to their star and big planets far away  but the orbits are more compact. [[464208803, C]]

Although Kepler-90 is the first known star system with eight planets, besides our own, scientists say this wont be the last. Researchers plan to continue using machine learning with sophisticated algorithms in search for more planets in the Kepler database.

But Kepler-90i was not the only thing they discovered. In the Kepler-80 system, an Earth-sized planet was discovered named Kepler-80g.

These results demonstrate the enduring value of Keplers mission, said Jessie Dotson, Keplers project scientist at NASAs Ames Research Center. New ways of looking at the data  such as the early-stage research to apply machine learning algorithms  promises to continue to yield significant advances in our understanding of planetary systems around other stars. [[464210333, C]]
Bail bond agents were captured on video punching, macing and hitting a man wanted for a traffic violation outside a Lauderdale Lakes apartment in footage obtained exclusively by NBC 6.

Back in November, Anthony Hall of Broward County didn't show up for court for having his driver's license revoked. Bail bond agents were sent to his girlfriend's Lauderdale Lakes home to arrest him on November 29th.

A portion of the arrest was captured on a neighbor's cell phone camera.

"It was just insane," said Lara Laign, who captured footage of the arrest.

In the video, two agents with AAA Star Bail Bonds out of Palm Beach County are seen punching Hall, hitting him at least five times with a metal bar and macing him. After Hall is on the ground and in cuffs, an agent is then seen going to a window and smashing it with the metal bar.

"I don't care if you're the baddest person in the world, there's no reason to beat someone while they're on the ground with their hands behind their backs and then break their window, it doesn't make any sense," said Laign.

Hall's attorney said he suffered a broken nose, was treated at a hospital and then taken to jail.

NBC 6 spoke with the two agents over the telephone. The agents said what viewers can't see is what happened two minutes before the recording started. They claim Hall charged at them first, hit them in the face, bit them and resisted arrest.

"I was defending myself," said bail bonds agent Brandon Gaines. "My partner's and my life was in danger. We were dealing with a 265-pound kid that has a criminal past history."

The agents said they used the metal bar to break open the back door of Hall's home after waiting for him to come out for twenty minutes and that at one point, Hall picked up the bar before they got it back.

The agents said they're trying to file battery charges against Hall for punching and biting them. Hall's attorney, Russell Williams, of Williams Hilal Wigand Grande, said he's preparing to file a complaint against the bond company and its agents.

"The video speaks for itself, if you get past the fact he missed court he still has rights in the state of Florida," said Williams.

Hall remains behind bars in Broward County. While he was picked up for not appearing for a traffic violation, he's being held on unrelated charges due to a probation violation.

As for the window, the agents said they're prepared to pay for the damages.

A bondsman with AAA Star Bail Bonds told NBC 6 they hired the agents as a third party and they were defending themselves.
A Miami daycare center attended by two children who died a week apart had no designated area to isolate sick children from healthy ones, according to a Florida Department of Children and Families inspection performed just days before the first child passed away.

The state agency gave the YWCA Carol Glassman Donaldson Child Care Center 30 days to find an "adequately ventilated" area designated for sick kids. The center's director told inspectors that "she is getting the area ready for re-inspection" on Jan. 1, according to the report.

Two days later on Dec. 3, a 22-month-old boy who had been initially diagnosed with pneumonia but later tested positive for pneumococcal meningitis, died. A second child, a 2-year-old boy who also attended the center died on Dec. 10.

The cause of death has not been determined for the second child, and it is not yet known if the child had meningitis.

"The Department of Children and Families does not know whether the deaths are connected or if the deaths are even connected to the daycare themselves," said Jose Galan, with Miami-Dade County's Internal Services Department.

The inspection noted a number of other issues, including "evidence of rodent or vermin infestation," a change of diapers that occurred on a surface that "was not impermeable" and ground cover under playground equipment that was not maintained.

The daycare center remained closed Wednesday as the State Department of Health, DCF, and the YWCA investigated. YWCA officials said all of the facility's children have received medical checkups and were found to be okay, and that the building had been sanitized twice.

"These are our YW babies. Everything that we can do for our children, for our families, for our staff right now is paramount," said Kerry-Ann Royes, executive director of YWCA.

YWCA officials said they notified parents as soon as they got word from the health department and have updated them of developments. They are encouraging parents to be diligent in monitoring their children for any symptoms of the flu.

Symptoms of meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, drowsiness or confusion, nausea, and vomiting. These bacteria are common and are spread from person to person by sneezing and coughing, direct contact with saliva, sputum or nasal mucus of infected people.



"We are devastated by the death of two small children who attended this child care facility and we continue to grieve with their families and loved ones," DCF said in a statement. "DCF is committed to working closely with the Department of Health while we conduct a joint inspection at the Carol Glassman Donaldson Child Care facility in Miami-Dade County."
What to Know The family of Akayed Ullah said it was "outraged by the behavior of law enforcement" following the explosion in a Manhattan subway passage

The family claims law enforcement forced a 4-year-old out into the cold and interrogated another relative without a lawyer present

Ullah, an immigrant from Bangladesh, was the only person seriously injured in the blast during the Monday morning rush hour

The family of the man accused of detonating a pipe bomb in a busy subway corridor near Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal blasted law enforcement's response in the aftermath of the attack.

The family of Akayed Ullah claimed officers forced a 4-year-old girl in the cold and pulled another teenage relative from his high school class and interrogated him without a parent, guardian or attorney present.

In a statement read by Albert Fox Cahn, the legal director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in New York, the family said it was "outraged by the behavior of law enforcement" following the bombing.

"These are not the sorts of actions we expect from our justice system," said Cahn.

He added, "We have every confidence that our justice system will find the truth behind this attack and that we will, in the end, be able to learn what occurred today."

Ullah's family also said it's heartbroken and deeply saddened by the suffering the attack has caused.

Ullah, an immigrant from Bangladesh, was the only person seriously injured in the blast during the Monday morning rush hour that sent commuters scurrying in panic. After the attack, police and federal agents fanned out over his Brooklyn neighborhood in search of evidence in the attack.

A police spokesman said that in an active terror investigation, they need to move quickly to stop any possible follow-up attacks and added that any complaints will be reviewed.
A New York congressman has introduced a bill that would stop people from bringing child sex dolls into the United States.



If enacted, the law would prevent anatomically accurate dolls of young children --often featuring fake eyelashes, wigs, warming devices and cleaning tools -- from being imported and distributed around the country.

The 'CREEPER' Act (Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robot) was introduced Thursday by New York congressman Dan Donovan and 12 other co-sponsors.



The silicone dolls are typically imported from China, Hong Kong and Japan, labeled as mannequins or models to avoid detection in the mail, a press release on the act said.

Child sex dolls resemble children as young as three, and can be customized to feature lifelike facial expressions, including sadness and fear, it said.



Donovan says the dolls act as 'near-real life training' for child sex abusers. The bill says there is a correlation between possession of child sex dolls and robots and use of child pornography.

"During my 20 years as a prosecutor, I put away animals who played out their disgusting fantasies on innocent children.

"What I saw and heard was enough to make anybody sick. Now, as a legislator in Congress, Im introducing a bill to ban the newest outlet for pedophiles: child sex dolls. They dont belong in our communities," he said.

There are currently no laws in the U.S. to prevent the proliferation of child sex dolls, he said.

Stop Abuse Campaign chief operations officer Melanie Blow said she backed the bill, adding that child sexual abused affects one in five American children.

"Child sex dolls and robots that do this are perfectly legal, and that's a problem," she said.

There had been a dramatic rise in the development of talking sex robots powered by artificial intelligence, Foundation for Responsible Robotics co-director Noel Sharkey said.

"The possibility of making anatomically detailed moving robot replicas of specific children for sexual gratification is now here and is surely a step too far."

Original cosponsors of the bill include representatives Peter King (NY-1), Trey Gowdy (SC-4), Rob Bishop (UT-1) Bill Johnson (OH-6), Tom Marino (PA-10), John Rutherford (FL-4), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Don Bacon (NE-2), Chris Stewart (UT-2), Ann Kuster (NH-2) and Kathleen Rice (NY-4).


An investigation is underway after surveillance video captured a man and a woman walking away from the scene of a deadly car crash in the Tacony section of Philadelphia overnight.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Disston Street and Torresdale Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Surveillance video shows a 2003 Toyota Corolla blowing past a stop sign and slamming into a 1999 Toyota Corolla, sending it spinning and crashing through the white picket fence of a home on the northeast corner. The 2003 Corolla then struck an unattended and parked RAM 1500 van.

A 31-year-old man, 27-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were all inside the 1999 Corolla while a man and woman were inside the 2003 Corolla. The crash caused the 33-year-old man, who was a backseat passenger, to be ejected about 30 feet from the older model Corolla onto the front yard of a home. He was taken to Aria Torresdale Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:38 a.m.

The 31-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were also taken to Aria Torresdale and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses told NBC10 they saw the man and woman who were inside the 2003 Corolla moments after the crash.

There was a female passenger in the car that was in the front yard, said Samantha Mabin. She was hysterical about the guy who died.

Witnesses say they called 911 and tried to comfort the injured. They then saw a man who was also in the newer model Corolla walking across the street to lie down. He then went back to the striking vehicle and talked to the woman who was still inside.

She just kept saying, Get my sons book bag. Get my sons book bag. Like they really were eager to get this book bag, said Iris Cintron, another witness.

Witnesses say the woman was bleeding on the left side of her face and she appeared to be dazed.

The gentleman that was with her kept pressuring her to leave the scene, Cintron said. The young lady wasnt even all there. Because she had a head injury.

Surveillance video shows the man and woman walking away from the scene of the crash. One person also appears to have a backpack on.

They left a lot of evidence," said Michelle Torres. A lot of DNA all over the place. They got them on camera.

Police say they found the woman who left the scene of the crash at the hospital about seven hours later. The woman has not been charged however. Police continue to investigate and search for the man who was with her. They also ran plates on the 2003 Toyota and it came back to a home in the Northeast.

Its heartless for a person just to run, Torres said. Not even to check the people who got hurt to see if they were okay.

If you have any information on the crash, please contact Philadelphia police.
SeaWorld San Diego announced plans Thursday to install elevated solar panels at its Aquatica waterpark in Chula Vista.

SeaWorld is partnering with Onyx Renewable Partners L.P. for the project, set to be up and running by the start of the parks 2018 season.

The project will include around 3,780 solar panels which will generate 80 to 90 percent of the parks energy use, in hopes of lowering utility costs. The elevated solar panels will also provide more than 400 shaded parking spots for guests and employees.

SeaWorld said the renewable energy from the sun will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 10,000 metric tons during the solar panel systems lifetime, estimated to last around 20 years. This is equivalent to removing 124 passenger vehicles off the road, according to the company.

SeaWorld said this is important to them because increasing carbon emissions have been linked to ocean acidification and declining coral reefs.

The addition of solar panels that will power almost the entire park is a reminder to our guests of the role we can all play in helping conserve Californias precious natural resources, said Carlos Cuevas, vice president of Aquatica, in a press release.

SeaWorld also plans to invest $2 to $3 million in energy efficiency projects at selected parks next year.
Nurses at the Veterans Administration Healthcare System protested outside the VA's La Jolla Hospital Wednesday, over concerns about under-staffing and patient care problems.

The nurses said VA managers ignore or reject nurses concerns about under-staffing and patient care problems.

VA managers deny those allegations.

At the protest, nurses were demanding staffing changes and better equipment, as well as urging administrators to fix other problems they claim put patients at risk.

The nurses, who are represented by the National Nurses United union, said they are often ignored, punished or bullied when they complain about working conditions.

Instead of fairness, there is favoritism, said Dante Trinidad, a military veteran and registered nurse at the VA hospital in La Jolla. Instead of justice there is bullying. Instead of safety, there is lack of staffing, crippling our ability to succeed."

National Nurses United represents more than 700 nurses and skilled care providers at the San Diego VA.

Union leader Erin McLeod said her colleagues have submitted 285 formal complaints about short staffing, missed rest breaks and broken equipment, in the past three years. McLeod told reporters that management frequently rejects those complaints and concerns, which hurts staff morale.

McLeod said a union-sponsored survey revealed 71 percent of nurses at the local VA have considered quitting in the past year due to lack of support from managers, low pay compared to other local hospitals, and lack of professional respect.

"We're tired of being told to wait, McLeod said. We're tired of being told they're working on it, or they're looking at it, or they're talking about it. Because nothing ever happens."

Another nurse, Xochitl Stockton, said long waits for emergency care put the oldest and frailest patients at risk of death.

"And we end up with veterans that are even sicker, and now harder to bring back to baseline, and then their morale goes even lower," said Stockton.

But VA administrators, who watched the protest from the sidelines, insist they are listening to nurses concerns, and working hard to improve conditions and patient care.

Carmen Conception, Associate Director for patient care services, said the VAs own employee surveys show job satisfaction is good among its nursing staff.

She said 32 additional nurses have been hired this year, and turn-over is the lowest its been in four years.

Conception also said the VA purchases new equipment to help nurses treat their patients. For example, when nurses complained about a lack of vital sign machines, Conception said new machines were deployed, not just in the hospital, but out in the clinics. And these decisions are made collaboratively [with the nursing staff].

Army veteran and VA patient Emmanuel Alvarez, who also watched the protest, said he is impressed with the quality of care, and has never gone unattended in his two months as a patient. He said staffing seems adequate.

"If I call them on the call button, they're quick to respond," Alvarez said.

VA managers said they meet regularly with nurses to hear their concerns and address their problems. But the protesting nurses insisted they need more help, now.

"Sometimes veterans don't get their CAT scans or their MRI in a timely manner, said union leader McLeod. Sometimes medications can be given late. It puts veterans and the nurses at risk."

McLeod said Wednesdays protest was not a bargaining tactic for better wages or shorter work weeks. Unlike civilian hospitals, McLeod said salaries and staffing ratios at VA hospitals are set by the government, and not negotiated by the union.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is catching blame from fellow Republicans for coughing up a safe Senate seat in deep-red Alabama and foisting damaging political advice on President Donald Trump. But in the aftermath of this week's stinging Alabama defeat, Bannon is showing no signs of abandoning his guerrilla war against the GOP establishment.

Bannon wholeheartedly backed Roy Moore, the insurgent conservative who faltered in Tuesday's special election amid allegations that he had preyed on underage girls decades ago. The accusations prompted the national party to withdraw support for its nominee for a while, but Bannon stuck with Moore, headlining rallies for the candidate and convincing Trump to extend a full-throated endorsement.

But when Moore lost on Tuesday, handing the Democrats control of their first Senate seat in Alabama in a generation, Republicans turned on Bannon. The Breitbart News head already had made scores of enemies for declaring a siege on his own party.

"This is a brutal reminder that candidate quality matters regardless of where you are running," said Steven Law, head of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC for Republicans aligned with GOP leadership. "Not only did Steve Bannon cost us a critical Senate seat in one of the most Republican states in the country, but he also dragged the president of the United States into his fiasco."

Bannon's team vowed that its revolution would continue, insisting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should be the one to take the blame.

Bannon's allies dismissed the Alabama loss as little more than a temporary setback that would soon be forgotten. They expect that the Republicans cheering Moore's loss will simply enrage Trump's most loyal supporters nationwide, who already suspected some Republican leaders were trying to undermine the president's agenda.

"They're stomping on the very base they need to turn out for their candidates in the general election in 2018," said Andy Surabian, a senior adviser to the Bannon-backed Great America PAC. He contended that "the average Republican voter across the country is pointing their finger at Mitch McConnell and the Republican establishment."

Bannon's team blamed McConnell for abandoning Moore, though it was a somewhat incongruous argument after Bannon warned McConnell to stay out of Alabama when Moore won the GOP primary. On his Sirius XM radio show Wednesday, Bannon credited Democrats with "out-hustling" the GOP on the ground in Alabama  praise that doubled as a swipe at the lack of Senate Republican campaign committee field staff on the ground in the state.

The fate of Bannon's insurgency may depend on whether he can keep Trump's ear.

In the hours after Moore's loss, Trump was restrained, according to a White House official and an outside adviser not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Some in the West Wing had hoped the loss would prompt Trump to sever ties with Bannon but the president did not seem inclined to take that step, according to the two people.

Since Bannon's exit from the White House in August, he has remained close to the president, speaking to him frequently by phone, offering political advice and reminding Trump of his populist campaign promises. Though he had grown weary of the infighting Bannon initiated in the West Wing, Trump still valued his former strategist, telling allies that he felt that Bannon had a better feel for the president's base than most of his advisers. He also praised Bannon's pugnacious spirit, seeing in his former aide a brawler similar to himself.

Bannon tried to steer Trump toward Moore in the primary but the president, confronted with conflicting advice from his staff, supported incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed to the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became attorney general. But the president was never truly sold on Strange, and publicly worried he had backed the wrong candidate.

After Moore's primary win, an exultant Bannon believed it was the first victory of a GOP civil war and, later, urged the president to endorse Moore even after the sexual harassment allegations surfaced. Trump initially hesitated but then fully embraced Moore over objections from aides and Republican leadership.

Publicly, Trump on Wednesday addressed Moore's loss by acknowledging he "would have liked to have had the seat" in the Senate as he and GOP lawmakers scratch for legislative victories. But Trump also said, in what could be interpreted as a dig at those in the GOP who did not back Moore, that "a lot of Republicans feel differently. They feel very happy about the way it turned out."

Bannon's group indicated they would forge forward with plans to challenge the GOP establishment in Senate races in as many as 10 states, including Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee, though one adviser suggested that a greater effort may be made on recruiting and screening candidates.

But in the hours after the stunning defeat, many Republicans reveled in Bannon's failure.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina argued that Bannon should have called off his guns and simply backed Trump's first choice.

"When it comes to Alabama politics Steve Bannon should have followed President @realDonaldTrump lead in supporting Luther Strange," Graham tweeted. "Trump's instincts on the Alabama race proved to be correct."

And Rep. Peter King, R-NY, declared that Bannon looked "like some disheveled drunk who wandered onto the political stage."

"This is not the type of person we need in politics," King said. "(Bannon) sort of parades himself out there with his weird alt-right views that he has, and to me it's demeaning the whole government and political process. And last night's election was a manifestation of the revulsion by the American people."

Associated Press writer Steve Peoples contributed reporting.
Gov. Larry Hogan has announced new initiatives aimed at boosting job creation.

Hogan made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday.

He says it's an effort to build on legislation approved this year. The law provides incentives for manufacturing companies to create jobs in areas with higher unemployment by providing a tax credit for each new job created. Hogan says in less than six months, nearly 70 manufacturers have filed letters of intent to participate, and 17 have filed official applications that would create about 450 new jobs.

The new legislation will seek to expand the program to additional jurisdictions, including Garrett, Caroline, Kent and Wicomico counties. Hogan said it will allow eligible jurisdictions to select up to three industries in addition to manufacturing where the tax credits could apply.
D.C. police say they have identified an Uber driver wanted for trying to sexually assault a woman blocks away from the U.S. Capitol.

A woman told police a driver she hired stopped his car in the middle of their trip and viciously attacked her about 4 a.m. Sunday on the 400 block of East Capitol Street SE.

The victim told police the man parked his car during the trip and tried to sexually assault her.

When she began yelling, the driver strangled her and punched her multiple times, a police report says. The victim eventually escaped the vehicle, and the suspect left the area in a four-door, dark-colored sedan.

The woman was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

On Wednesday, police said the suspect is 32-year-old Selvin Chocooj, of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Chocooj is described as a Hispanic man who is 5 feet 7 inches and about 165 pounds with a medium build.

A spokesperson for Uber said in a statement that Chocooj was removed from its service on Wednesday as soon as police told the company about the alleged assault. The company was not sure how long Chocooj had been an Uber driver. The spokesperson said Uber is cooperating with police.

Chocooj is wanted for assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse.

Police want anyone who may have information on the case to call them at 202-727-9099.
A new report card from the Center for Financial Literacy at Vermont's Champlain College encourages high schools to stress the importance of personal finance knowledge to their students.

"The call to action is 'do something,'" said John Pelletier of the Center for Financial Literacy.

Pelletier gave F grades to Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island high schools, saying they have no state-mandated exposure to finance topics as graduation requirements.

Maine and New Hampshire did better in the study, scoring Bs for their required classes with personal finance components.

Vermont got a D.

Pelletier said not enough young people understand how a credit score is calculated, why it's important to budget and start saving early, or how compound interest works.

He argues that all of society would benefit if tomorrow's consumers would just learn about those and other related topics.

"Your economy is stronger if we allow people to keep more of what they earn, and either save it or spend, than give it to a financial institution as interest," Pelletier told necn.

He called Utah the best of the best states, for not just requiring personal finance education, but testing students' proficiency and ensuring teachers are well-trained.

Champlain seniors Austin Truax and Cameron Dumont said they have peers who are very worried about their financial futures.

"They have no idea how credit cards work, they don't know how to go about getting a credit card," Truax said of other people his age. "They don't know what a credit score is or anything like that."

"A bunch of my friends who have loans  one of their biggest concerns is how they're going to pay it off and how they're going to find a place to live," Dumont added. "Their biggest goal is finding the best-paying job as opposed to a job that's going to make them happy."

Pelletier said he hopes the report card sparks conversations in state legislatures and elsewhere.

"I could put, I think, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump in the same room, and they would agree that personal finance education is important for our youth, and yet we're not doing it in our classrooms," Pelletier said.

The Center for Financial Literacy noted that pockets of excellence do exist in states that got bad grades. However, Pelletier said towns that focus on finances do so because of dedicated principals, teachers, and community groupsnot because of statewide policies.

Click here to read the full report, called "Is Your State Making the Grade?"
With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, next Friday is expected to be one of the busiest days of the year for long-distance trips.

The federal Transportation Security Administration said it expects a 15 percent spike in air travel at some airports in the days leading up to Christmas, including Vermonts Burlington International Airport.

To cut down on headaches, the TSA is urging people to pre-plan, so they can avoid common travel pitfalls.

One of the TSAs tips pertains to a new rule on electronics.

"Previously, laptops had to come out with carry-on luggage," noted Michael McCarthy of the TSA. "That now has moved to include all larger electronic devices. So anything larger than your smartphone should come out of your bag and be placed into a bin."

The TSA also advised that you not bring wrapped holiday gifts, because officers may need to unwrap them to do an inspection.

And something like a jug of maple syrup or other liquids in amounts greater than 3.4 ounces should be in checked luggage, McCarthy said.

Traveler Barbara Leese was heading home to Washington, D.C. from Burlington Thursday morning.

She first made an unexpected pit stop at the garbage can, choosing to dump a gourmet jelly she couldnt bring on her flight in a carry-on.

"It was too bigit exceeded the ounces. It was nine ounces, and I didnt think," Leese said. "I gave two mustards away also, so it was twenty bucks."

The TSA also said this time of year in particular, travelers should get to the airport at least two hours early, because of the crowds.

"Theyre inexperienced travelers," said Bruce McDonald, the federal security director for the Burlington International Airport. "Theyre traveling to see relatives for the holidays, so they tend to be bundled up, they have lots of gifts, lots of items, so the line tends to go much slower than it would if we had, say, a bunch of business travelers in the mid-week."

If you have a question about an item you plan to bring with you, you can tweet the TSA. Their account is @AskTSA.

You can also ask questions of the TSA on Facebook Messenger. More information on that is available here.
New England politicians were quick to react Thursday to the Federal Communications Commission's vote to unravel sweeping net-neutrality rules that guaranteed equal access to the internet.

"This is an egregious attack on our democracy," independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said on Twitter. "The end of #NetNeutrality protections means that the internet will be for sale to the highest bidder. When our democratic institutions are already in peril, we must do everything we can to stop this decision from taking effect."

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he was "deeply disappointed" by the FCC's decision. "This will make it more difficult for residents & businesses to have fair and equitable access to the internet," he added.

"A free and open internet should be the standard, not something we have to fight for," Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton said. "This ruling sends us down a dangerous path, where a few large corporations can control access to something Americans and small business owners rely on every single day."

"The ONLY people benefitting from the repeal of #NetNeutrality are massive corporations that are already reaping in enormous profits," Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said on Twitter. "They want to end the internet as we know it to create a digital oligarchy that serves the wealthy few."

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, said the decision is "not acceptable," and said she will continue fighting for priorities "that put consumers first and help small businesses innovate and thrive."

Democratic New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said she is "very concerned" by the FCC's decision. "I urge the FCC to reconsider and recommit to upholding the principals of a free and open internet," she said.

Another New Hampshire Democrat, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, said she strongly opposes the result of the vote and will work to restore net neutrality protections.

"The Internet has allowed the proud tradition of American ingenuity and entrepreneurship to reach every corner of the globe," she said. "Its openness has enabled a new generation of New Hampshire innovators to turn a bright idea and a laptop into a business. We cant stand by as the FCC and big corporations steal our right to equal access."

Independent Maine Sen. Angus King called the vote "a monumental mistake."

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, said the FCC "took a wrecking ball to the pillars of freedom and openness upon which the Internet was built." He added that the decision "has been a rushed, cynical and slipshod process that has been fundamentally flawed," and said the FCC has "shown a shocking disregard for the overwhelming input from the public, choosing instead to listen only to those with the deepest pockets."

Democratic Vermont Rep. Peter Welch said the vote is "a disaster for consumers," and said he plans to introduce legislation that will overturn the decision.

U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, said he was "deeply disturbed" by the vote and will continue fighting to change the law and restore net neutrality.

Democratic Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the vote doesn't represent the voices of thousands of residents who told her they want to keep the internet free and open.

"Trump's FCC just ignored millions of Americans who spoke up for internet freedom, and sided with giant corporations," Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern said. "This fight is far from over."
The FBI is looking into allegations that the husband of former Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg sexually assaulted or harassed several men who had business with the Legislature, according to a report in the Boston Globe.

The Globe, which broke the story about the allegations against Bryon Hefner, said the Federal Bureau of Investigations is specifically looking into whether Hefner might have used his relationship with Rosenberg to influence Senate business in return for sexual favors.

"The FBI cannot confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, in keeping with Department of Justice policy," the Boston office of the FBI told NBC Boston Thursday in response to a request for comment.

Hefner's lawyer told the Globe she is not aware of any FBI inquiry.

Rosenberg is on a leave of absence from his responsibilities as Senate president. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has denied any prior knowledge of the allegations against his husband. He also has maintained that Hefner exerted no influence on his actions or decisions as Senate president.

Hefner has also denied the allegations against him.

The Senate Ethics Committee has opened a formal inquiry into the matter. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley have said they are prepared to open a separate, criminal investigation of Hefner if any alleged victims come forward.

Hefner, 30, and Rosenberg, 68, have been a couple since 2008 and were married in 2016.

Their relationship became news back in 2014 after Hefner allegedly mocked outgoing Senate President Therese Murray on Twitter and boasted about his influence in the Legislature. That prompted Rosenberg to reassure his colleagues that he planned to enforce a "firewall" between his personal and professional lives.
A new study indicates a benefit for all young colon cancer patients to have genetic testing. But with more than half exhibiting no family history, will insurers cover the tests?

As doctors grapple with increasing rates of colorectal cancers in young people, new research from the University of Michigan may offer some insight into how the disease developed and how to prevent further cancers.

Researchers found that 20 percent of young people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have an inherited genetic abnormality that predisposes to its development  a percentage exponentially higher than those diagnosed over age 50. More than half of them do not have clinical or family histories that would typically indicate the need for genetic testing.

The study, published in Gastroenterology looked at the results of multigene panel testing from 430 people under the age of 50 who were treated for colorectal cancer at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center between 1998 and 2015.

Genetic testing is usually only recommended for colon cancer patients with a strong family history or with tumors with certain features. This study tested a broader sample of patients and looked at a wider variety of genes than are traditionally tested.

"Usually when someone is diagnosed with cancer, if there's no family history of cancer we think the likelihood of an inherited factor is small," says Elena Stoffel, M.D., MPH, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and director of the Cancer Genetics Clinic at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"But our study suggests that even in the absence of a family history of cancer, the prevalence of inherited factors is so high in young colorectal cancer patients that it makes sense to test everyone, as these heritable alterations can impact their care as well as the care of their family members."

Stoffel says that the new findings illustrate the shortcomings of algorithms currently used to identify patients likely to benefit from genetic testing.

"I think what we're finding is the people we used to test in the past were probably the tip of the iceberg," says Stoffel. "And that there are many other people who may not meet those strict criteria, who are actually at high risk."

Catching up insurance coverage with research results

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

"From a public health standpoint, characterizing the genetic contribution to these often deadly cancers is a vital first step in the design of prevention and screening strategies to identify those at highest risk," says study co-author Laura Rozek, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Nutritional Sciences at U-M's School of Public Health.

But identifying the need for genetic testing is only half the battle. Insurance companies have strict guidelines about who qualifies for genetic testing, usually involving multiple relatives with colon cancer diagnoses spanning two generations.

"Requiring those criteria in young people means that you're going to miss people," says Stoffel. "Missing inherited alterations in young people arguably has a larger impact because of the opportunity to prevent cancers in their at-risk relatives."

The more extensive -; and expensive -; multigene panel testing employed by researchers to cast a wider net and identify more genetic mutations that lead to colorectal cancers is also not covered by many insurers, and can run anywhere from $300 to $2,000 out of pocket for patients.

"We're caught in that time frame between where the technology has advanced to the certain point where our tests are now better than they used to be," says Stoffel. "The insurers are not covering the new technology because they consider it experimental."

Insurance companies require proof that the new technology is better than the old technology, says Stoffel, and there have now been a number of studies published that suggest that if doctors test for more genes, they will find more alterations. The next step is to show how those findings will impact morbidity and mortality.

"I think whenever we see a patient with colorectal cancer we should be asking why did this person develop cancer," says Stoffel. "We know that in most cases it's just plain bad luck, but we always need to look at a patient's family history, and in young people, consideration of the possibility of an inherited condition should always be there even if there is no family history of cancer. With early intervention, we can prevent future cancers in these patients as well as cancers in their relatives."
Luis Ramirez has lived in the U.S. without immigration papers for two decades, but he is more worried about deportation now than ever before.

Ramirez said he and his wife, Luz Cadeo, who is also here illegally, have already made plans in case they are arrested by immigration police: The couple, who live in Lakewood, Calif., would try to find work in their native Mexico while their youngest U.S.-born children, ages 15 and 18, stayed in the U.S. with a relative.

"We are taking it very seriously," Ramirez, who works as a welder, said in Spanish. But, he added, "it's very difficult to explain to [our children] the reality of what could happen."

Immigrant families like Ramirez's are living with heightened fear and uncertainty because of stricter immigration policies and increased enforcement under the Trump administration, according to a report released Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)

The fear, and the stress it creates, is compromising children's health, possibly for the long term, the report said. It is also causing some parents to forgo health care or withdraw from public health programs such as Medicaid, which covers people with low incomes, and Women, Infants and Children, which provides nutritional assistance.

The report, based on focus groups with 100 parents and interviews with 13 pediatricians, found that immigrants across the nation are anxious about being deported and separated from family members. Some parents are reluctant to leave their homes or participate in recreational activities.

This post-election anxiety isn't limited to immigrants without papers, according to the report.

"These feelings of fear and uncertainty extend broadly across different groups of immigrants, including immigrants who are here legally," said Samantha Artiga, director of the disparities policy project at the Kaiser Family Foundation and one of the authors of the report. "They no longer feel like a green card is enough and [believe] that they really need to seek citizenship to feel secure and stable in the country."

Shirley Avalos, a U.S. citizen, said she saw that anxiety in her mother, a legal permanent resident, also known as a green card holder. At one point, her mom couldn't find her green card, and she was scared to drive until she found it. Donald Trump has gone "overboard," said Avalos, who lives east of Los Angeles.

In the interviews, parents and pediatricians reported that immigrant children were suffering from depression, anxiety, stomach ailments and headaches. They also saw children who were having problems eating, sleeping and doing schoolwork. The overall stress could have lifelong consequences for the health of those children, said Lanre Falusi, a pediatrician at Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C., and past president of the local chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"The ongoing, consistent, serious fears and stress that these families are experiencing can have actual physical effects on kids," Falusi said. "Their brains are still developing, so they are particularly sensitive to their environments and their experiences."

While most parents said they were still taking their children to the doctor, the report showed that some families have shifted toward more walk-in visits to avoid having to provide personal information to schedule an appointment.

Ramirez said his family still goes to the doctor when needed, but they try not to give any more personal information than necessary.

Falusi said she has seen a diminished use of health care services firsthand since the 2016 election. "When there are rumors around immigration raids, the parking lots are empty," she said. "The clinics are empty."

To try to help families feel more secure, physicians are posting welcoming signs and stationing bilingual staff out front. They are also reassuring families that their information will be kept confidential.

Both parents and pediatricians also reported that racism, discrimination and bullying  especially toward Muslims and Latinos  had increased since the election.

"The anti-immigrant rhetoric has really emboldened people to be outwardly hateful, and that is damaging for our kids in particular," said Jenny Rejeske, senior health policy analyst at the National Immigration Law Center.

In addition, many aspects of daily life  including everything from driving to seeking jobs  have become more difficult for immigrant families, according to pediatricians and parents. One Latino parent from Boston, for example, said the children used to go to the park but now they spend more time inside for fear of being deported.

Daisy Juarez, 27, who was born in the U.S. and lives in Los Angeles, said the strict immigration policies have affected her entire family, especially her stepfather, a construction worker who is here illegally. Juarez's sister, 10-year-old Amy, said she gets nervous about her dad being arrested by immigration officers. "What if they deport him and I can't see him anymore?" she wondered. "If they deport him, I'm gonna miss him a lot."

While deportations also soared under President Obama, those mostly targeted undocumented immigrants with criminal records, Rejeske said. President Trump has shifted that focus to all immigrants here illegally, regardless of how long they have been in the U.S. or whether they have children who are U.S. citizens, she said.

Trump also has banned travel from certain countries, boosted immigration enforcement and announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides temporary legal status to people brought to the U.S. illegally when they were children.

The two older children of Ramirez and Cadeo are both part of that program, known as DACA. Cadeo said she worries because now authorities have all of their children's information and can easily find and deport them.

The pediatricians, interviewed this fall, were from eight states and the District of Columbia, and they serve immigrant populations. The focus groups were conducted in five languages with parents from 15 countries, including Mexico, Syria, Brazil and Korea. The discussions took place in Chicago; Boston; Bethesda, Md.; and five California cities  Fresno, San Diego, Oakland, Los Angeles and Anaheim.

Many of the parents who participated in the focus groups came to the U.S. after fleeing war and violence in their native countries, said Artiga of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

"They don't have an option to return to their native country and now they are really worried about whether they are going to be able to remain here," Artiga said. "Those individuals are in a really difficult situation."

KHNs coverage in California is supported in part by Blue Shield of California Foundation.
The nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) announced today the start of the first clinical trial of vaginal rings designed to slowly release the antiretroviral (ARV) drug dapivirine over three months to prevent HIV in women. The development of a three-month ring builds on the promise of IPM's one-month dapivirine ring, which is now under regulatory review as the first discreet and long-acting method shown to reduce HIV risk among women.

A three-month ring would increase convenience and reduce annual costs. The results of the Phase 1 trial, known as MTN-036/IPM 047, will inform the design of future clinical studies and a possible regulatory strategy for this next-generation product.

"This study marks an important next step toward providing discreet, long-acting HIV prevention options that women can control themselves," said Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, founder and chief executive officer of IPM. "As long as HIV incidence continues to be alarmingly high among women, IPM will continue developing new and refining existing solutions women can use on their own terms to protect their sexual and reproductive health."

MTN-036/IPM 047 is being conducted by the US National Institutes of Health-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) in collaboration with IPM. The primary objective of the study, being conducted in the United States, is to assess safety and pharmacokinetics (how the body processes the active drug). The study will also collect information on product acceptability and adherence among women in the study. In addition, researchers will monitor for changes in the vaginal microenvironment.

Dr. Annalene Nel, IPM's chief medical officer, said that this is a notable development for women in sub-Saharan Africa, who remain the population group with the highest risk of HIV infection worldwide. "The latest research builds on the findings of two large studies, IPM's Ring Study and the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)'s ASPIRE, which in 2016 reported that the monthly ring safely helps reduce the risk of HIV infection among women who participated in these studies in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe."

Dr. Nel said that the continued research supports findings indicating women are interested in HIV prevention products that act over the course of one month or longer.

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About the study

MTN-036/IPM 047 is taking place at two MTN-affiliated trial sites in the United States, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Bridge HIV, a San Francisco Department of Public Health site affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco. Both sites have begun screening and enrolling participants.

The Phase 1, randomized, three-arm study will assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of long-acting vaginal rings containing different amounts of dapivirine. Approximately 48 healthy, HIV-uninfected women ages 18-45 who are not pregnant will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group will use a vaginal ring designed for three-month use that contains 100 mg dapivirine; one group will use a ring also designed for three-month use that contains 200 mg dapivirine; and for comparison, one group will use the one-month ring containing 25 mg dapivirine.

Participants in the three-month ring groups will not know whether they are using the 100-mg or 200-mg ring, and will use their assigned ring continuously for 13 weeks. Participants in the comparison group know that they are receiving the 25-mg ring, which they insert upon enrollment and then replace at four and eight weeks. All women participating in the study will receive testing and counseling on how to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and receive male condoms and other health services. Results are expected in late 2018.

Women and HIV

Women bear the brunt of the epidemic globally, making up more than half of all adults living with HIV/AIDS. Women are at especially high risk in sub-Saharan Africa, where young women are more than twice as likely to acquire HIV as young men. Currently available HIV prevention tools have not been sufficient to stem the epidemic among women, who urgently need more options.

In addition to the three-month dapivirine ring, IPM is advancing a pipeline of other products designed to help increase efficacy and meet women's varying needs, including a three-month dapivirine-contraceptive ring that recently completed its first Phase I study, led by MTN, with results expected in 2018. IPM is also developing combination products that leverage the potency of multiple ARVs.
Men who have never engaged in sexual intercourse are still at risk for acquiring HPV, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Infectious Diseases by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health.

The study included 87 male virgins between the ages of 18 and 70 from Brazil, Mexico and the U.S. The participants were followed every six months for up to 10 visits between 2005 and 2009. Male virgins who did not have sex during the research period acquired HPV despite never having engaged in penetrative sexual intercourse, although they acquired the virus at about half the rate as those who began having sex during the study period.

"Previous studies have found HPV among female virgins, but this is the first to find it among male virgins. Finding HPV in this population was not entirely surprising, but it reinforces the point that HPV vaccination should not be thought of only in the context of sexual behavior," said Alan Nyitray, Ph.D., corresponding author and assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences at UTHealth School of Public Health.

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Researchers believe that HPV was transmitted to male virgins enrolled in the study through non-penetrative sexual behavior such as hand-to-genital contact or genital-to-genital contact.

Another notable finding of the study was that 28.7 percent of virgins who began having sex during the study period acquired HPV within one year and 45.5 percent acquired it within two years, reflecting the highly infectious nature of the virus.

"These findings highlight the rapid acquisition of HPV after sexual debut among men and thus emphasize the importance of HPV vaccination before sexual debut," said Zhiyue Liu, Ph.D., first author who conducted the study as a research assistant at UTHealth School of Public Health.

HPV can cause cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer and cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis or anus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends girls and boys ages 11 or 12 should get two shots of the HPV vaccine six to twelve months apart. Teen boys and girls who did not start or finish the HPV vaccine series when they were younger should also get vaccinated. It is also recommended that men who have sex with men, including those who identify as gay or bisexual, get vaccinated by age 26. Nyitray added that the vaccine is most effective when the immune system is maturing during puberty, but it is still considered effective through age 26.

Source: https://www.uth.edu/media/story.htm?id=85217227-374b-4bd0-909f-45c55c9a6b10
Despite the fact that their disease may be more severe, a new study shows minorities are less likely than white Americans to see a doctor for psoriasis treatment. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that black, Asian, and other non-Hispanic minorities are about 40 percent less likely to see a dermatologist for psoriasis than whites. Additionally, whites averaged about double the number of doctor's appointments for psoriasis overall compared with non-Hispanic minorities. Rates were similar between white and Hispanic individuals. Researchers published their findings this week in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes skin cells to multiply faster than normal resulting in raised, red patches covered by silvery scales. It occurs most commonly in a symmetrical manner on the scalp, knees, and elbows but can appear anywhere on the body including the face, genitals, nails, and other places. It also has profound effects on health-related quality of life, and in moderate to severe cases, it carries an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death. The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates psoriasis affects about 7.5 million Americans.

"While psoriasis is less common among minorities, previous research has shown their disease can be more severe. Despite that, this study shows minorities are less likely to see a dermatologist for treatment," said the study's senior author Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Dermatology and Epidemiology at Penn.

The study's lead author was Alexander H. Fischer, MD, MPH, who was a medical student at Johns Hopkins University at the time of the research.

The researchers gathered data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the most complete source of data currently available on healthcare utilization, cost, and insurance coverage in the United States. All of the information is self- or caregiver-reported over a series of interviews, and is designed to be representative of the general population. The team used information from 2001 through 2013 and identified 842 psoriasis individuals representing over 1.6 million Americans.

An average of 50.8 percent of whites saw a dermatologist for their psoriasis, compared to just 38.3 percent for non-Hispanic minorities, which include blacks, Asians, native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and others. Among Hispanics, 46.7 percent saw a dermatologist for their psoriasis.

In addition to the rates for dermatological visits, whites also averaged approximately twice as many visits to a doctor overall. Researchers found whites averaged 2.69 visits per year, compared to 1.87 for Hispanics and 1.30 for non-Hispanic minorities. In total, this amounts to over 3 million fewer visits per year for psoriasis among non-Hispanic racial minorities compared with whites.

"When you combine the results of our study with the knowledge that psoriasis severity and quality of life impact suggest a larger burden of psoriasis among minorities, it brings into focus the racial gaps that exist in psoriasis care," Takeshita said.

The researchers say more research is needed to understand what may be contributing to these disparities, and if the gap in medical care is directly contributing to the increased severity of disease among minorities.

"Ultimately, increasing awareness of these disparities is the first step in trying to provide equitable care and improve outcomes for all individuals with psoriasis," Takeshita said.
Is surgery the best option or not, in the case of cancer in the head and neck? As the consequences for speaking and swallowing may be severe, some way of predicting these consequences would help in the decision-making. Performing surgery on a 3D virtual copy of the patient first, will give valuable information, says Technical Medicine PhD student Merijn Eskes of the University of Twente. He did his research in the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital in Amsterdam.

Cancer in the head and neck area, like in the mouth cavity, throat or larynx, is in the top five of cancer types occurring most often. In many cases, the tumor is discovered in a late stage, causing a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Operative removal of the tumor is not always possible, as other vital functions may be affected. In other cases, an operation is possible, but for other reasons not desirable: it will take place at the most visible part of the body and seriously affects the way a patient looks, speaks, chews and swallows. The patient can't imagine how he or she will look after the operation. One surgeon chooses for an operation easier than the other. If the surgeons would have a virtual version of the patient, built up from scans and measurements, they can perform a virtual operation, see the consequences and discuss them with the patient.

In order to develop a 'digital ' of the patient, Merijn Eskes had studied the muscle control in the face. An Electromyogram (EMG) gives information on the muscles and neural control. This is done by placing electrodes on the face, just like the electrodes that are placed on the skull in the case of EEG. By measuring the signals of 16 facial muscles, Eskes is capable of predicting lip movements. He prefers biomechanical models for this: they give better results than models that are merely statistical. Combining the EMG data with the results from X-Ray, MRI and CT, the basics of the 'virtual patient' can be built.

Learned strategies

What complicates things, is that patients behave differently. One patient, for example, will develop compensation strategies without any training, compensating for the lost functionality using other muscles. Another patient doesn't succeed in this at all, even after a lot of training. By using 'inverse modeling', you could use the values you measure now for reconstructing the patterns that a patient learned during his life. In general, this gives far too many solutions. But using the EMG data, this amount of possible solutions is strongly reduced. A truly patient specific model comes closer.

Eskes' research is part of a larger 'Virtual Therapy' project of the Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery Center of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital. Previous projects, also by Technical Medicine students and PhD's of the University of Twente, looked at 3D modeling of the tongue, for example. Eskes' new results are an important step towards a virtual patient. It will take about five years before there is a model that can be used in clinical practice, he predicts.
Researchers at Aalto University, Finland, have developed a biosensor that enables creating a range of new easy-to-use health tests similar to home pregnancy tests. The plasmonic biosensor can detect diseased exosomes even by the naked eye. Exosomes, important indicators of health conditions, are cell-derived vesicles that are present in blood and urine.

A rapid analysis by biosensors helps recognize inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer and other diseases rapidly and start relevant treatments in time. In addition to using discovery in biomedicine, industry may use advanced applications in energy.

Researchers created a new biosensor by depositing plasmonic metaparticles on a black, physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation. A plasmon is a quantum of plasma oscillation. Plasmonic materials have been used for making objects invisible in scientific tests. They efficiently reflect and absorb light. Plasmonic materials are based on the effective polarizabilities of metallic nanostructures.

"It is extraordinary that we can detect diseased exosomes by the naked eye. The conventional plasmonic biosensors are able to detect analytes solely at a molecular level. So far, the naked-eye detection of biosamples has been either rarely considered or unsuccessful", says Professor Mady Elbahri from Aalto University.

Plasmonic dipoles are famous for their strong scattering and absorption. Dr. Shahin Homaeigohar and Moheb Abdealziz from Aalto University explain that the research group has succeeded in demonstrating the as-yet unknown specular reflection and the Brewster effect of ultrafine plasmonic dipoles on a black body host.

"We exploited it as the basis of new design rules to differentiate diseased human serum exosomes from healthy ones in a simple manner with no need to any specialized equipment", says Dr. Abdou Elsharawy from the University of Kiel.

The novel approach enables a simple and cost-effective design of a perfect colored absorber and creation of vivid interference plasmonic colors.

According to Elbahri, there is no need to use of sophisticated fabrication and patterning methods. It enables naked-eye environmental and bulk biodetection of samples with a very minor change of molecular polarizability of even 0.001%.
Brazil has an extremely high rate of mortality from sepsis in intensive care units (ICUs), surpassing even mortality due to stroke and heart attack in ICUs. According to a survey conducted by researchers at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and the Latin American Sepsis Institute (LASI), more than 230,000 adults die from sepsis in ICUs every year. Even more alarmingly, 55.7% of sepsis cases in ICUs end in death.

These numbers are from the first nationwide study of patients with sepsis admitted to ICUs, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The research resulted from a Thematic Project supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP.

Sepsis is triggered by a dysregulated response of the organism in the presence of an infectious agent. The immune system begins to combat not only this agent but also its own body, leading to organ dysfunction. Both community-acquired infections and healthcare-acquired infections can progress to sepsis, accounting for 40% and 60% of cases, respectively.

According to Flavia Machado - a professor in UNIFESP's Department of Anesthesiology, Pain & Intensive Medicine and principal investigator for the research project - several factors explain the alarmingly poor quality of treatment for sepsis in Brazilian ICUs. "Our patients aren't well cared for. Late diagnosis is common, since people delay going to a doctor or hospital, sepsis is detected too late, and treatment is inadequate. As a result, mortality is very high. There are also major procedural problems," she said.

When sepsis is detected early, Machado states, it is relatively easy to treat, basically requiring the administration of antibiotics and fluids, monitoring of the patient in the ICU, and analysis of bacterial culture.

"Vaccination can prevent community-acquired sepsis. Hospital infection-control strategies can prevent part of hospital-acquired sepsis. The measures needed are simple, and their absence shows the healthcare system in question isn't good," Machado added.

A global problem

The incidence of sepsis is a global problem. In May 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO), an arm of the United Nations, passed a resolution on sepsis.

"Today, the UN recognizes sepsis as a world health problem," Machado said. "Here in Brazil, we will soon have a national action plan for sepsis, similar to the national action plan for hospital infection, for example. I believe things will start to change. WHO's member states, including Brazil, will have to take steps to make sure they do."

Low bed availability

The research coordinator emphasized: "Access to the ICU is a key factor in mortality." Machado explained that studies based only on patients treated in ICUs result in mortality rates that vary widely between countries depending on the number of beds available in proportion to the country's total population.

"When bed availability is high, the number of less severe patients admitted to ICUs tends to be high as well, so that mortality is lower. In countries like Brazil, where bed availability is low, especially in the public system, only the most severe patients tend to be admitted to ICUs, and mortality rises," she said.

To avoid exclusion of patients from intensive treatment, the researchers advocate the use of intermediate-care units, arguing that the absence of such units in most Brazilian hospitals may contribute to longer ICU stays and consequently to a higher prevalence of sepsis.

Hospital infection

Another factor that contributes to the prevalence of sepsis is the high frequency of hospital infection due to lack of proper prevention. According to the study, most patients with sepsis had hospital-acquired infections.

According to the study, the low quality of care in regular wards impairs discharge policy as well as hindering basic support for and monitoring of patients with disease of mild to moderate severity. Another possible cause of the high prevalence of sepsis is differences in end-of-life care, including a virtual absence of palliative care.

"End-of-life decisions are infrequent in Brazil, and gaps in communication, scarcity of legal regulation, absence of advanced directives, and cultural and religious beliefs might result in unnecessary efforts to sustain life," the researchers write in the article.

The researchers developed a score to assess resource availability based on eight items required for sepsis treatment. Institutions rated inadequate on six of these eight items correlated with a heightened risk of death from sepsis. The items were lactate sampling, central venous oxygen saturation (blood work), bacterial detection culture, antibiotics, fluids, catheter, central venous pressure monitoring, and vasopressor (noradrenaline) use.

"Note that these are simple items," Machado said. "It's sufficient to administer antibiotics, collect cultures, do a few straightforward tests, give fluids. You don't need sophisticated resources. So our results say a lot about the conditions prevailing in Brazil."

Methodology

To arrive at these results, the researchers divided Brazil's ICUs into 40 strata according to geographic region, city size, and whether the institution was public or private, among other factors. Ultimately the sample comprised 227 institutions and included 15% of Brazil's ICUs.

"We designed a random sample of ICUs nationwide," Machado said. "This was valid because all previous research on sepsis in Brazil - and I'm not aware of any other Brazilian studies with a sample of this kind - entailed asking institutions whether they wanted to take part. The sample was therefore biased, probably comprising only the best institutions, and mortality rates were in the range of 40% rather than the 55.7% we found."

According to the survey findings, while the quality of care varies greatly from one institution to another, the difference between mortality in the public system (56%) and in the private system (55%) was not statistically significant. Adult cases of ICU-treated sepsis are estimated to total 420,000 per year, with 230,000 ending in death.

Recommendations

The findings of the study can help those charged with preparing the national action plan for sepsis, according to Machado. "These data will be an important input for the plan," she said. "We want to do more surveys constructed similarly to this one but covering more segments such as emergency units and pediatric and neonatal ICUs, as well as investigating hospital-acquired infections."
Ask Edith Smith, a proud 103-year-old, about her friends, and she'll give you an earful.

There's Johnetta, 101, whom she's known for 70 years and who has Alzheimer's disease. "I call her every day and just say 'Hi, how are you doing?' She never knows, but she says hi back, and I tease her," Smith said.

There's Katie, 93, whom Smith met during a long teaching career with the Chicago Public Schools. "Every day we have a good conversation. She's still driving and lives in her own house, and she tells me what's going on."

Then there's Rhea, 90, whom Smith visits regularly at a retirement facility. And Mary, 95, who doesn't leave her house anymore, "so I fix her a basket about once a month of jelly and little things I make and send it over by cab." And fellow residents at Smith's Chicago senior community, whom she recognizes with a card and a treat on their birthdays.

"I'm a very friendly person," Smith said, when asked to describe herself.

That may be one reason why this lively centenarian has an extraordinary memory for someone her age, suggests a recent study by researchers at Northwestern University highlighting a notable link between brain health and positive relationships.

For nine years, these experts have been examining "SuperAgers"  men and women over age 80 whose memories are as good  or better  than people 20 to 30 years younger. Every couple of years, the group fills out surveys about their lives and gets a battery of neuropsychological tests, brain scans and a neurological examination, among other evaluations.

"When we started this project, we weren't really sure we could find these individuals," said Emily Rogalski, an associate professor at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine.

But find them they did: Thirty-one older men and women with exceptional memories, mostly from Illinois and surrounding states, are currently participating in the project. "Part of the goal is to characterize them  who are they, what are they like," Rogalski said.

Previous research by the Northwestern group provided tantalizing clues, showing that SuperAgers have distinctive brain features: thicker cortexes, a resistance to age-related atrophy and a larger left anterior cingulate (a part of the brain important to attention and working memory).

But brain structure alone doesn't fully account for SuperAgers' unusual mental acuity, Rogalski suggested. "It's likely there are a number of critical factors that are implicated," she said.

For their new study, the researchers asked 31 SuperAgers and 19 cognitively "normal" older adults to fill out a 42-item questionnaire about their psychological well-being. The SuperAgers stood out in one area: the degree to which they reported having satisfying, warm, trusting relationships. (In other areas, such as having a purpose in life or retaining autonomy, they were much like their "normal" peers.)

"Social relationships are really important" to this group and might play a significant role in preserving their cognition, Rogalski said.

That finding is consistent with other research linking positive relationships to a reduced risk of cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Still, researchers haven't examined how SuperAgers sustain these relationships and whether their experiences might include lessons for others.

Smith, one of the SuperAgers, has plenty of thoughts about that. At her retirement community, she's one of nine people who welcome new residents and try to help make them feel at home. "I have a smile for everybody," she said. "I try to learn someone's name as soon as they come in, and if I see them it's 'Good morning, how do you do?'"

"Many old people, all they do is tell you the same story over and over," she said. "And sometimes, all they do is complain and not show any interest in what you have to say. That's terrible. You have to listen to what people have to say."

Brian Fenwick, administrator of the Bethany Retirement Community where Smith lives, calls Smith a "leader in the community" and explains that "she's very involved. She keeps us in line. She notices what's going on and isn't afraid to speak out."

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Fifteen years ago, Smith became a caregiver for her husband, who passed away in 2013. "All the time he was ill, I was still doing things for me," she recalls. "You cannot drop everything and expect to be able to pick it up. You can't drop your friends and expect them to be there when you're ready."

What she does every day, she said, is "show people I care."

William "Bill" Gurolnick, 86, another SuperAger in the study, realized the value of becoming more demonstrative after he retired from a sales and marketing position in 1999. "Men aren't usually inclined to talk about their feelings, and I was a keep-things-inside kind of person," he explained. "But opening up to other people is one of the things that I learned to do."

With a small group of other men who'd left the work world behind, Gurolnick helped found a men's group, Men Enjoying Leisure, which now has nearly 150 members and has spawned four similar groups in the Chicago suburbs. Every month, the group meets for two hours, including one hour they spend discussing personal issues  divorce, illness, children who can't find jobs, and more.

"We learn people aren't alone in the problems they're dealing with," Gurolnick said, adding that a dozen or so of the men have become good friends.

"Bill is the glue that holds the whole group together," said Buddy Kalish, 80, a member of the group in Northbrook, Ill., a Chicago suburb. "He's very, very caring  the first one to send out a thank-you note, the first one to send out a notice when there's been a death in the family."

Activities are another way of cultivating relationships for Gurolnick. On Mondays, he bikes 20 to 30 miles with more than a dozen older men  many of them from his men's group  followed by lunch. On Tuesdays, he's part of a walking group, followed by coffee. On Wednesdays, he goes to the Wenger Jewish Community Center in Northbrook for two hours of water volleyball. On Thursdays, it's back to the JCC for pickleball, a racquet sport.

"You really get a sense of still being alive," Gurolnick said, when asked what he takes away from these interactions. "You get a sense of not being alone."

Without her best friend, Grayce, whom she's known since high school, and friends who live in her condominium complex, Evelyn Finegan, 88, might have become isolated. Another SuperAger, Finegan is hard of hearing and has macular degeneration in both eyes, but otherwise is astonishingly healthy.

"It's very important to keep up with your friends  to pick up the phone and call," said Finegan, who talks to Grayce almost daily and chats with four other friends from high school on a regular basis.

Today, the staples of Finegan's life are her church; a monthly book club; volunteering at a resale shop in Oak Park, Ill.; socializing with a few people in her building; attending a club of Welsh women; and seeing her daughter, her son-in-law and grandchildren, who live in Oregon, whenever she can.

"It's so nice to spend time with Evelyn," said her upstairs neighbor, June Witzl, 91, who often drives Finegan to doctors' appointments. "She's very kind and very generous. And she tells you what she believes so you really feel like you know her, instead of wondering what's on her mind."

We're eager to hear from readers about questions you'd like answered, problems you've been having with your care and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit khn.org/columnists to submit your requests or tips.

KHN's coverage related to aging and improving care of older adults is supported in part by The John A. Hartford Foundation.
A 'cure' for hemophilia is one step closer, following results of a groundbreaking gene therapy trial led by the NHS in London.

Clinical researchers at Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London have found that over one year on from a single treatment with a gene therapy drug, participants with hemophilia A (the most common type) are showing normal levels of the previously missing protein, and effectively curing them.

A single infusion of the gene therapy drug showed improved levels of the essential blood clotting protein Factor VIII, with 85 per cent of patients achieving normal or near-normal Factor VIII levels even many months after treatment.

The 'transformational' results have particular significance as the first successful gene therapy trial for the hemophilia A.

There are around 2000 people with severe hemophilia A in the UK. A hereditary genetic condition dominantly affecting men, people with severe hemophilia A have virtually none of the protein factor VIII which is essential for blood to clot. It puts those affected at risk of excessive bleeding even from the slightest injury as well as causing spontaneous internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Recurring bleeding into joints can also lead to progressive joint damage and arthritis. The only current treatment involves multiple weekly injections to control and prevent bleeding, but there is no cure.

The trial saw patients across England injected with a copy of the missing gene, which allows their cells to produce the missing clotting factor. Following patients for up to nineteen months, tests show that eleven out of thirteen patients in the trial now have normal or near normal levels of the previously missing factor and all thirteen patients have been able to stop their previously regular treatment.

Professor John Pasi, Hemophilia Centre Director at Barts Health NHS Trust and Professor of Hemostasis and Thrombosis at Queen Mary University of London explained: "We have seen mind-blowing results which have far exceeded our expectations. When we started out we thought it would be a huge achievement to show a five per cent improvement, so to actually be seeing normal or near normal factor levels with dramatic reduction in bleeding is quite simply amazing. We really now have the potential to transform care for people with hemophilia using a single treatment for people who at the moment must inject themselves as often as every other day. It is so exciting."

The team will now hold further tests widening participants globally to include people in the USA, Europe, Africa and South America.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Professor Pasi continued: "Incredibly exciting is the potential for a significant change in how hemophilia is treated globally. A single dose of medication that can so dramatically improve the lives of patients across the world is an amazing prospect."

Professor Jo Martin, President, The Royal College of Pathologists said: "Pathology research is often responsible for ground-breaking developments in diagnoses and treatments that transform the lives of patients.

"What is truly remarkable about this revolutionary new gene therapy are the profound life-changing effects it offers patients with hemophilia. We would like to congratulate College fellow, Professor Pasi, and his team at Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London for their work in creating a simple but transformational treatment for patients."

CASE STUDY

Jake Omer, 29 lives in Billericay and is married with two children, aged 3 years and a baby of 5 weeks. Diagnosed at two years old, he has had frequent injections of factor VIII to prevent bleeds ever since. Before he was treated with the gene therapy, Jake would wake up early before work to inject three times a week as well as injecting whenever he had an injury to stop the bleeding. As a result of of repeated bleeding Jake has arthritis in his ankles. His father is a Turk-Cypriot and as a child he and his family could never travel to visit relatives in case he needed medical care as the facilities wouldn't have been available.

Jake said: "The gene therapy has changed my life. I now have hope for my future. It is incredible to now hope that I can play with my kids, kick a ball around and climb trees well into my kids' teenage years and beyond. The arthritis in my ankles meant I used to worry how far I would be able to walk once I turned 40. At 23 I struggled to run 100m to catch a bus; now at 29 I'm walking two miles every day which I just couldn't have done before having the gene therapy treatment.

"It's really strange to not have to worry about bleeding or swellings. The first time I noticed a difference was about four months after the treatment when I dropped a weight in the gym, bashing my elbow really badly. I started to panic thinking this is going to be really bad, but after icing it that night I woke up and it looked normal. That was the moment I saw proof and knew that the gene therapy had worked."

The five UK trial sites included: The Royal London, Guys and St Thomas', Birmingham, Cambridge and Hampshire hospitals.

Source: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/
Monkeys who catch Zika virus through bites from infected mosquitoes develop infections that look like human Zika cases, and may help researchers understand the many ways Zika can be transmitted.

Researchers at the University of WisconsinMadison infected rhesus macaques at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center with Zika virus one of two ways: by allowing mosquitoes carrying the virus to feed on the monkeys or by injecting virus under the skin, the common method for infecting animals in laboratory studies.

The differences between the resulting infections -; reported today (Dec. 13, 2017) in the journal Nature Communications -; were subtle, but will be useful as scientists continue to learn more about Zika after a high-profile epidemic in the Americas caused grave birth defects.

"It's important in a laboratory setting to understand the difference between mosquito transmission and sexual transmission and needle inoculation," says Matthew Aliota, a UWMadison research professor of pathobiological sciences and one of the authors of the new study. "But better understanding these transmission routes is also important from a broader standpoint in terms of prevention and severity of disease and risk factors involved with certain behavior."

The infection progressed faster in needle-inoculated monkeys -; who had plenty of virus in their blood within two or three days -; than in the mosquito-bitten subjects.

"It's a difference of a couple days to what we call peak viremia," says Dawn Dudley, a UWMadison pathology research scientist. "But we still get robust infection with both methods of inoculation."

Just why the mosquito-borne infection takes longer is unclear, and the mechanics and chemistry of mosquito bites are complicated.

"The biology of the disease probably depends a lot on how the mosquitoes transmit that disease -; mechanically how they do it, and biologically what comes along with the virus when the mosquito bites," says Tom Friedrich, a UWMadison professor of pathobiological sciences.

Mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti, the primary Zika-carrying species of mosquito, make shallow jabs through human skin with their mouthparts until they break open tiny blood vessels. Then they eat.

"Each time it probes, it's spitting into your skin," says Aliota, whose work is funded by the National Institutes of Health. "Ideally for the mosquito, it's going to find and rupture a capillary bed, and cause a hemorrhagic pool just under the skin. And that's when it's going to start ingesting blood and spitting saliva at the same time."

The precise depth of the probing and the effect of the mosquito's saliva -; which keeps blood from coagulating and inhibits the immune response -; are just a few likely factors separating a bite from any other method of Zika transmission.

The researchers found Zika spread nearly as wide in mosquito-infected monkeys as needle-infected animals, though the monkeys who had been bitten were less likely to have the virus invade central nervous system tissues like the eye or brain. Reproductive tract tissues -; of particular interest given the virus's most visible symptoms -; were infected in both groups of animals.

"That reflects what we're seeing epidemiologically in people -; at least in infected adults -; who don't often have evidence of infection in their central nervous system and in their brain," Aliota says.

The researchers brought uninfected mosquitoes back to feed on the monkeys when the animals were near the peak of their infections, but none of the macaques in the study developed an infection virulent enough to pass virus back to the biting mosquitoes.

"One thing we don't understand about Zika virus is whether there's an animal reservoir the virus can survive in, apart from the mosquitoes and humans we're studying," Dudley says. "These rhesus macaques did not seem to generate a high enough viral load to allow infection of a mosquito that could transmit it to another host, but that doesn't mean other non-human primates couldn't do that."
The social stigma surrounding HIV is still strong in many parts of the world. Children living with HIV in Ethiopia are at high risk of receiving inadequate treatment - or no treatment at all - on account of deeply rooted prejudice. The most considerable risk can be found among very small children, who do not receive proper treatment right away.

Ethiopia is one of the 35 countries identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being in particular need of enhanced HIV prevention. More than 90 percent of all people who were recently infected with HIV live in these 35 countries.

Over the past few years, nurse Mulatu Biru Shargie has conducted studies and collected data on how Ethiopian children with HIV are medicated through antiretroviral therapy (ART). The result is presented in his doctoral thesis "Children Diagnosed with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in Ethiopia: The Family Caregivers' Lived Experience and Treatment Outcome".

In his study, Mulatu Biru Shargie monitored some 300 children and the people who had undertaken the responsibility of caring for the children (caregivers). A caregiver is not necessarily the child's parent; it could be a close relative or family friend who assumes responsibility when the biological parents of a child have passed away. The children in the study were 0-14 years old, and had all faced an ART treatment. Mulatu Biru Shargie followed them and their caregivers for two years.

"My goal was to help improve the care of children with HIV who receive ART treatment, by improving the knowledge and understanding of the caregivers' experiences and determining factors for the success of the children's treatment", says Mulatu Biru Shargie.

There are several obstacles to a successful medical treatment for these children. Amongst his results, Mulatu Biru Shargie wants to highlight these in particular:

The main issue when ART treatments of children are not properly implemented is the existing social stigmatization of HIV. The caregiver may feel reluctant to be seen in healthcare contexts associated with HIV, and the prescribed medications for the child risk not being collected. Crucial follow-ups and examinations are missed.

The children who already at the beginning of the study were severely ill, suffered from anemia or were under the age of three were the ones who experienced the most dire consequences of not receiving medication as prescribed.

Simple reminders (through mobile phones, pill dispensers, vibrating timers, etc.) make a big difference in helping the caregiver/child remember to give/take the medicine properly.

The stigma is the hardest part

Early implementation of an ART treatment, and ensuring that young children in fact receive care, is therefore of great importance. In this context, Mulatu Biru Shargie's knowledge can establish a foundation for improved healthcare planning. However, the toughest nut to crack is the stigma. Although awareness of the disease has increased over the last thirty years, and open discrimination and violence against people with HIV has somewhat decreased, prejudice and gossip, as well as being labeled, remain common, according to Mulatu Biru Shargie.

"My studies show that the caregivers were not strong enough to stand up against society's views of people with HIV. Stigmatisation and discrimination are the main obstacles to a successful ART treatment of children and to making them feel good."

A caring and responsible society. Mentally strong and dedicated caregivers. Highly educated and compassionate healthcare staff. A well-organised healthcare system - with zero tolerance for stigmatisation and discrimination among decision-makers. According to Mulatu Biru Shargie, this is the solution for ensuring that children with HIV receive adequate treatment options.

Facts/The study in numbers:

The study included more than 300 children with HIV, as well as 21 of their caregivers. The children who participated were 0-14 years old. After 12 months, the health of 24 of the children had deteriorated due to them not having taken the prescribed medication. Six of these 24 children had died.

In cases where the caregivers themselves received treatment against HIV, there was an increased risk that the children did not receive proper medication during their first treatment week. Mulatu Biru Shargie's explanation for this is that the caregivers in these cases were often the biological parents who did not want to be seen with the child at the same healthcare institution - due to stigma and discrimination. Furthermore, the caregivers sometimes thought that the care offered was poor, which further elevated the child's risk of not receiving proper treatment and medical follow-up.

Execution of the study:

The caregivers were interviewed in depth on two occasions about their experiences during the first two years after the child was diagnosed.

The caregivers were asked to report whenever they neglected to give the child medicine as prescribed. Based on this, the researcher examined the impact of this neglect on the early stages of treatment. Did the child's health deteriorate?

Retrovirus/Antiretroviral therapy:

In a retrovirus, its RNA is converted to DNA. The DNA copy is inserted into the genome of the host cell. Another typical characteristic of retroviruses is their ability to always integrate the viral genome into the genome of the cell. After integration, new copies of the virus RNA are produced, as well as the proteins for which the genes of the virus encode. These are then assembled to form new virus particles. Antiretroviral drugs are used against infections of retroviruses, such as HIV. When HIV is combatted using antiretroviral drugs it also has the effect of strengthening the immune system.
Labels that warn people about the risks of drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) can lower obesity and overweight prevalence, suggests a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study.

The study used computer modeling to simulate daily activities like food and beverage shopping of the populations of three U.S. cities  Baltimore, San Francisco and Philadelphia. It found that warning labels in locations that sell sugary drinks, including grocery and corner stores, reduced both obesity and overweight prevalence in the three cities, declines that the authors say were attributable to the reduced caloric intake. The virtual warning labels contained messaging noting how added sugar contributes to tooth decay, obesity and diabetes.

The findings, which will be published online December 14 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, demonstrates how warning labels can result in modest but statistically significant reductions in sugary drink consumption and obesity and overweight prevalence. Study results show a reduction in obesity prevalence by 1.69% and overweight prevalence by 1.39% in Baltimore, 4.08% and 3.1% in San Francisco and 2.17% and 0.36% in Philadelphia. Variations between cities may be in part due to the different proportion of obese and overweight inhabitants in the cities as well as different distributions of BMI (body mass index), the researchers say. While this intervention has a positive impact on obesity and overweight prevalence, it is not the sole solution to the obesity epidemic, as addressing many other factors is key.

"We found that sugary-drink warning labels may help decrease obesity and overweight prevalence across a wide variety of circumstances," says Bruce Y. Lee, MD, MBA, lead author and executive director of the Bloomberg School's Global Obesity Prevention Center. "A warning label is able to decrease a person's chance of purchasing a sugary beverage by 4%, when nearly half of children cannot read the labels or when many people replace drinking soda with eating more."

Research suggests that sugary-drink consumption contributes to the rising obesity epidemic, especially among children. Sugary drinks can be a source of empty calories, calories that do not provide much nutritional value. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1988-1994 and 1999-2004, daily calories consumed from sugary beverages increased by 20% among 6- to 11-year-olds during those time periods.

Cities have been looking for ways to reduce sugary-drink consumption. In the spring of 2015, San Francisco passed an ordinance mandating the placement of sugary-drink warning labels in locations that sell sugary beverages. Other municipalities, including Baltimore, have considered passing similar ordinances.

For the study, a research team from the Global Obesity Prevention Center and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center developed detailed computational simulation models, called Virtual Populations for Obesity Prevention of three cities: Baltimore, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Like the computer game "SimCity," these models included virtual representations of each person, the combined populations of the three cities and each potential major food and beverage source (e.g., grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores and schools) in the given city.

Over the course of a simulated day, the different virtual people in the models would go about their daily business, periodically stopping at different food and beverage locations. At a given location, a person could either purchase a sugary drink or an alternative unsweetened drink such as water. Data for this model came from various sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and ReferenceUSA.

Experiments then explored the effects of placing warning labels at different locations that sell sugary beverages, such as supermarkets, corner stores and restaurants. Study researchers tested warning labels that would change the virtual customer's decision to purchase a non-sugary beverage instead of a sugary beverage between 4% and 12% of the time. Even when labels were 4% effective, they reduced obesity prevalence by 1.08% in Baltimore. Scenarios reducing the proportion of literate adolescents in Baltimore to 51% continued to demonstrate health benefits  when labels were effective 8% of the time, there was a 0.95% reduction in obesity prevalence. Scenarios also simulated lower label effectiveness among low-income populations and continued to see benefits of the warning label.

Results from the study showed that the implementation of sugary-drink warning labels at all retailers significantly lowered obesity prevalence among adolescents in all three cities.

"This study also highlights the importance of warning label design," says Marie C. Ferguson, MSPH, research associate at the GOPC. "Efforts to increase readability and incorporate memorable visuals may increase warning-label efficacy and ultimately promote an even greater impact."

Results from this study could help policymakers and other decisionmakers understand the potential effects of implementing sugary-drink warning labels. Computer modeling helps to design and test sustainable interventions and policies with the "safety" of a computer before rolling them out in real life, thus saving considerable time, money and effort. Given that a city has a limited budget or are only able to implement the policy in certain locations, results from the study suggest that they ought to target supermarkets. At 8% warning-label efficacy, the intervention implemented only at supermarkets reduced overweight and obesity prevalence by 0.94% in Baltimore, 0.41% in San Francisco and 0.85% in Philadelphia. When the intervention only targets small grocers, the overweight and obesity prevalence reduction is less: 0.73% in Baltimore, 0.29% in San Francisco and 0.57% in Philadelphia.

"A single intervention or single policy is not going to be enough to curb the obesity epidemic or the childhood obesity epidemic," says Lee. "Combinations of different policies and interventions will be necessary. Our results suggest that SSB warning labels could be a helpful part of these combinations."
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Scientists want Cheetahs to be listed as Endangered species

New Delhi : With Cheetahs disappearing in mass, the scientists have raised their voices to list them under endangered species. They say that by listing the cheetahs from vulnerable to endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, more attention and support can be pushed for their existence.

Officially, the cheetahs are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

In a new study, the scientists have raised demands of listing them as endangered yet again. A team of researchers revealed that only 3,577 adult cheetahs are alive in southern Africawithin an area of 789,800 square kilometers across Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The findings from the study have been published in the journal PeerJ.

This is the area with the largest population of free-ranging cheetahs left on Earth, co-author of the study Varsha Vijay of Duke University said in a statement. Knowing how many cheetahs there are and where they occur is crucial for developing suitable conservation management plans for the species.

The researchers estimated that a little more than three thousand more cheetahs could be living in the potential habitat areas.

We know about three and a half thousand cheetahs. There could be twice as many, but we cant prove it, lead author Florian Weise of the U.S.-based conservation group Claws Conservancy told National Geographic news.

50 percent of the listed Cheetahs live inside some form of protected area, such as Kruger National Park in South Africa, the study estimates. The rest fights life in the unprotected lands.

Cheetahs are mainly get killed by humans in a bid to ensure their safety. The future of the cheetah relies heavily on working with farmers who host these big cats on their lands, bearing the heaviest cost of coexistence, said Weise.

Given that the studys population estimate for the cheetah is 11 percent lower than the IUCNs current assessment for the same region, the authors write that the species should be urgently up-listed from Vulnerable to Endangered status. This revision of status could help conservationists create more awareness about the species and open more avenues to fund conservation and population monitoring efforts, they say in the statement.

This study was supported by the National Geographic Societys Big Cats Initiative.
A national and statewide surge in incidents of hate speech following the presidential election has still not tapered off a year later, prompting some Connecticut towns to explore how best to address incidents in their own communities.

The Anti-Defamation League, a watchdog group that tracks incidents of anti-Semitism, released a report last month that showed the number of these types of incidents in the state so far this year are more than double the disturbing number the group reported at this point last year.

Unfortunately, they have not been calming down, said Andy Friedland, assistant director of Connecticuts Anti-Defamation League. (Its still) alarmingly high.

The league receives reports of all types of hate speech incidents, but only tracks data for those that are anti-Semitic, he said.

In the first nine months of this year, there were 1,299 such incidents across the country, 35 of which were in Connecticut. The numbers represent a 67 percent increase nationally and a 106 percent statewide increase over those reported in the same time period last year, Friedland said.

The most common anti-Semitism reports in Connecticut were of vandalism or in-school bullying, he said, adding that the ADL tracks all kinds of incidents  even those that dont rise to the level of a hate crime.

Friedland said its hard to credit the spike to just one factor, but certain public displays of hate speech could provoke an increase in incidents. He pointed out that there was a national 182 percent increase in hate speech immediately following the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va.

When stuff like that is out in the open and people think its part of the political discourse, they think, We can just say these things and thats fair game for an argument or conversation,  Friedland said. Then you have a lot more people calling our office.

An increase in reported incidents also means more calls requesting help from the league as communities figure out how to deal with the issue, Friedland said.

Its really not the measure of a community that incidents like this happen because they do and have happened everywhere, he said. The measure of the community is how they respond.

Marji Lipshez-Shapiro, who leads diversity training as senior associate director with the Connecticut ADL, said a towns most common response to incidents of hate speech is often to hold programs for the schools.

But Lipshez-Shapiro said schools should be treated as just a piece of an overall community conversation, as they were in Ridgefield recently. She led a diversity workshop for 45 of the towns public officials last week.

Ridgefield High School also held an ADL program last week, as it has for several years.

I want it not to be an or students or adults, Lipshez-Shapiro said. I want it to be an and. I think kids have enough wisdom that if we sat around more often with kids and adults we would learn from each other. Its not one-way.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi set up the workshop for town officials after noticing what he called a general undertone of intolerance. There have been at least five incidents of racist graffiti in town over the last 18 months, including swastikas drawn at Ballard Park and at the high school.

Residents and officials in New Milford had a similar response when racist graffiti was found on a restaurant owned by the Thompsons, an interracial family, over the summer.

The New Milford Clergy Association and residents created a community group, recently named New Milford United, to facilitate townwide programs or training about diversity.

One member, Darlene Alvarez-Maddern, who used to work for the ADL, attended the workshop in Ridgefield in the hopes of bringing a similar training to members of the New Milford group.

Alvarez-Maddern said she got involved after noticing that residents didnt seem to realize racism already existed in New Milford. She hopes informing the community about everyday prejudice will spur more people to help prevent such incidents.

Ive lived in New Milford for 20 years and while Im not aware of anything like (the graffiti), I am very much aware of the everyday racism, stereotyping and prejudice that goes on in the community, Alvarez-Maddern said. (The groups hope) is as people become more aware, they would be doing things to help.

Lipshez-Shapiro said another common response after an incident of hate speech is for community leaders to start a more informal anti-hate campaign that involves holding a vigil or posting signs. Both Ridgefield and New Milford held community gatherings or clean-up events following incidents of racist graffiti.

A rare occurrence is for towns to start groups or commission trainings even before incidents of hate speech happen, though some towns have done so, Lipshez-Shapiro said.

One such group, which is no longer active, ran in Danbury for two decades and was started by Barbara Levitt, who now is a member of New Milford United.

The group held trainings for the police department, principals, hospital workers and other members of the community, Levitt said, with the hope that diversity education would help prevent incidents of hate speech.

Although responses and preventative efforts might look different in each town, the most important thing is that they help support the victims of hate speech, Lipshez-Shapiro said.

For the target of any hate incidentwhen they hear about a group of people on their own say not in our town, thats where the healing starts, Lipshez-Shapiro said.

Friedland agreed that the most important thing is that the town responds at all.

Some, he said, can become closed off because they are concerned talking about it could damage the towns reputation or encourage copycats. But while those concerns are often legitimate, the most successful responses are those that start a townwide conversation.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant, Friedland said. The only answer for speech, in this case hateful speech that you disagree with, is more speech  good speech that promotes equality, respect and tolerance to counteract that hateful speech were all fed up with.
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Big cities, college towns and black communities sent a wave of energized voters to cast ballots for Doug Jones, the Democratic Senate candidate, in Alabama on Tuesday. At the same time, many white suburbanites deserted President Trumps choice, Roy S. Moore, and much of the presidents white rural bloc stayed home.

Here are statewide results for the race, compared with the 2016 presidential election.

50 70% Vote share Democrat Republican

Turnout change from 2014 governor race+14% Change in G.O.P. margin from Trump 2016-14 pct. pts. Write-in votes1.7%

There was a discernible write-in vote, but most of the protest against the Republican candidate seemed to be registered in votes for his opponent.

Suburban White Voters

An ominous harbinger for Republicans in future elections came from areas with mostly white voters who have relatively high incomes and higher levels of education. Solidly Trump in 2016, those areas showed far less enthusiasm for the presidents United States Senate candidate one year later and seemed motivated to register their doubts: Turnout was up, and write-ins were high.

These are counties that are at least 75 percent white, and where at least 20 percent of residents have a college degree.

Turnout change from 2014 governor race+18% Change in G.O.P. margin from Trump 201614 pct. pts. Write-in votes2.3%

Big Cities

The most committed voters were in the states larger cities. Residents in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville and Montgomery, which have high populations of black residents and young professionals, turned out in unusually high numbers, and Mr. Jones won more than 60 percent of the vote. Democrats and allied groups ran a widespread, but quiet, turnout campaign, which may have juiced the urban voting.

Here are results from the states four biggest counties.

Turnout change from 2014 governor race+31% Change in G.O.P. margin from Trump 201613 pct. pts. Write-in votes1.8%

Trumps Biggest Supporters

The belt of predominantly white counties that were Mr. Trumps most enthusiastic backers appeared to be the most demoralized: Turnout was down 45 percent from a year ago.

Here are results from counties that voted for Mr. Trump by 80 percent or more.

Turnout change from 2014 governor race5% Change in G.O.P. margin from Trump 20169 pct. pts. Write-in votes1.6%

College Towns

Turnout in college towns was especially high in the Senate race, as was the antipathy toward Mr. Moore. Mr. Trump won Lee County, home to Auburn University, with 58 percent of the vote; Mr. Moore won just 41 percent.

College students dislike Trump intensely, disagree dramatically with the G.O.P. on most or all social issues, and regard Republicans as being from a moon of Jupiter, said Larry J. Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. Over time, this will be deadly to the G.O.P.

These counties are the states youngest, and home to major colleges.

Turnout change from 2014 governor race+24% Change in G.O.P. margin from Trump 201616 pct. pts. Write-in votes1.8%

Black Voters

In overwhelmingly black rural counties, Republican votes went from few to fewer. Turnout was higher than in the 2014 governors election, but did not grow as much as in other areas. These counties are at least 60 percent black.
GLENROCK, Wyo.  No place is more likely than this one to benefit from President Trumps promise to make the United States a dominant energy force in the world, or more likely to be disappointed if the promise is not kept.

A sparsely populated expanse of windswept rolling meadows and sharp bluffs filled with pine trees and the occasional ranch and hay farm, Converse County also has some of the countrys richest resources: the nations third-largest coal mine, its largest uranium production facility, four big wind farms, more than a thousand oil and gas wells, and a large coal-fired power plant.

But diversified in nothing but energy, the county and nearly the entire state of Wyoming are acutely vulnerable to commodity prices. And while oil and coal prices have headed higher of late, they remain far below the levels of recent years, resulting in layoffs and plummeting tax receipts.

For sale signs dot nearly every residential neighborhood as young energy workers have left to seek jobs in healthier labor markets in Colorado and Utah. Occupancy at the Higgins Hotel, a landmark in this town of 2,500, dropped 80 percent between 2014 and 2016, and according to Doug Frank, the owner, this year there has been a slight uptick, but nothing noticeable yet.

Nevertheless, like so many others here, Mr. Frank, who is also mayor of Glenrock, has not lost faith in the president.

The mind-set is huge  it is what is driving the people here, Mayor Frank said while shaking margaritas and his own high-octane concoctions for customers at the Antelope Bar in his hotel. The most amazing thing about his base is the willingness to forgive the cacophony. We see a greater good coming.

The greater good, in the view of local residents from energy executives to roustabouts, depends on slashing environmental regulations, including restrictions on pipeline building that could deliver more Wyoming oil and gas to faraway markets. They applaud the lifting of the moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands. Many approve of Mr. Trumps rejection of the Paris climate accord, and the administrations move to unwind President Barack Obamas Clean Power Plan, which was designed to control power plant emissions.

They express hope that the president can limit oil imports while encouraging more production and exports. The unflinching sentiment may best be expressed by a sticker appearing on the back of some local pickup trucks that says Trump 2017-2025, with the T depicted as a gushing oil well.

My livelihood, taking care of my family, depended on Trumps election, said Bryant Michael, a 27-year-old technician who fills heavy oil-field equipment and trucks with fuel. Unemployed for a year, he was hired in May as drilling began to pick up again.

I think Washington is a main factor in where we get our oil and what we do with it, he said. Somebody was whispering in Obamas ear. Every time theres a Democrat in the White House, theres hardly any work in the oil field.

Converse County, Wyo. CONVERSE U.S. Population 14,191 323 mil. Percentage white 88% 61% Median household income in 2016 $66,700 $55,300 3.9% 4.1% Unemployment rate Mining and energy share of employment 18.3% 0.4% ELECTION RESULTS 2012 2016 79.5% Romney Trump 83.0% Obama 17.2% Clinton 10.0% Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Bureau of Economic Analysis;Dave Leip | By The New York Times

Actually, oil and gas exploration soared during most of the Obama administration before it swooned in the final two years. But Mr. Trumps embrace of coal mining and unfettered energy production is particularly welcome here, since almost everyone is dependent on energy jobs  coal miners and their families, out-of-state oil workers who drill and complete wells, and the business owners and service workers catering to everyone. This is a place that gauges its well-being by the local rig count and, since big-time coal mining began here in the 1970s and 1980s, how often mile-long coal trains pass by.

Things could still be going far better. During the first nine months of the year, coal production at Cloud Peak Energys Antelope Mine, a pillar of the local economy, increased by a fraction of 1 percent over the same period in 2016, a particularly weak year. Employment at the mine peaked in 2015 at 616, and is now around 530  equal to what it was when Mr. Trump was inaugurated  even though the nations coal exports are up this year.

And there has been little regulatory relief so far, energy executives note. The end of the moratorium on leasing on federal lands means more certainty that the Antelope Mine can be extended someday, but that would not make a difference for more than five years into the future, and only if there is greater demand for coal.

But there are some positive signs. Coal prices have risen, along with natural gas, in part because demand is up in South Korea, Japan and parts of Europe. Four large wind farms have been built in recent years, including one completed last fall, and expansions are on the way. But all of them together, according to county officials, employ at most 100 workers full time.

People think Trump is a good guy, so people trust his judgment, said Robert G. Short, a leading Glenrock businessman who is vice chairman of the Converse County commissioners. But he added: Are we going back to where we were? The simple answer is no. Coal is diminished and never will likely come back.

Though few people here say so, the energy workers of Converse County are competing with one another. The hydraulic-fracturing boom is coaxing more natural gas out of the local shale fields, which lowers both gas and coal prices and depresses the attractiveness of nuclear energy. And the growing wind power  helped along by tax incentives enacted at the end of the Obama administration  ultimately eats into the market share of all the other energy sources.

And yet the workers in all the energy sources wistfully see themselves as having common goals and say Mr. Trump may offer the county its last big hope.

A Search for Security

The coal-fired Dave Johnston Power Plant, outside Glenrock, is like a monument to the countys energy legacy. Its giant chimneys and plumes of smoke dominate the skyline by day, while at night it offers a display of colors so bright it looks like a small city from the Rocky Mountain foothills nearby. It is where Shawn Gates is living the Wyoming dream, though he knows it may be ending sooner rather than later.

Since going to work in 2011 at the plant, where his father is also employed, he has worked his way up to become a control room operator and makes more than $40 an hour. With overtime and shift differentials, he has, at 36, acquired a solidly middle-class living. He, his wife and their four children live in a comfortable ranch house with a motorboat and a recreational vehicle in the front yard and a trampoline in the back, along with eight horses.

His 10-year-old son, Guthry, hopes to work in the plant as well, extending the familys foothold there to a fourth generation.

During the presidential campaign last year, Mr. Gates said, job security was on my mind, especially after Hillary Clinton said she was going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business. Now he feels better.

I think my job is fairly secure, he said during a chat at his kitchen table. I dont think it would have been under Hillary. I cant find another job like mine.

But even as he praises Mr. Trumps goals, he sees warning signs. I think he will keep fossil fuels operating and keep E.P.A. within limits, Mr. Gates said, referring to the Environmental Protection Agency. But knitting his brow with concern, he added, Theyre putting all these wind turbines up that are not cost effective, at the taxpayers expense.

Mr. Gatess wife, Jesi, a nurse, said Mr. Trumps election was great for Wyoming, but he can only do so much as one person. She noted that the power plant was tentatively scheduled to be shut down in a decade, adding: That 2027 date definitely looms in your mind. At least my kids will have graduated from high school by then.

Mr. Gates grew up in Glenrock, and worked for a while as a ranch hand, maintained water wells and did some electrical work. On the side, he took online business classes. But he always had energy on his mind  thats what Wyoming is, he said.

When it was time to raise a family, he followed in his fathers footsteps for the steady salary and insurance. He has done well at the plant, moving from the coal yard to his current position as assistant auxiliary operator responsible for the vital task of checking motors and oil levels.

Like many in Converse County, Mr. Gates expresses a strong distrust for Washington and elites in general. You need to clean house of politicians, he said, calling for term limits for Congress.

Even his attitude toward Mr. Trump is not entirely positive: I think hes blunt. I dont think he is dishonest, but I dont think hes 100 percent truthful, either. Still, he said, he got elected, so let him do his job.

Wind Jobs, Coal Attitudes

Woody Ricker, a 38-year-old technician at Duke Energys Top of the World wind farm outside Glenrock, comes at the energy picture from a different perspective. But his views, like those of many wind workers here, are surprisingly similar to those of workers whose jobs rely on coal.

For years, he has been teased by friends for having an Obama job in an area where wind farms are seen as taking business from the coal industry. He also knows that the growth of renewable energy sources in recent years, like the one responsible for his employment, has a lot to do with concerns about climate change.

But Mr. Ricker, like most of his neighbors in and around the town of Douglas, isnt particularly convinced that humans have much impact on climate change.

I am not convinced on what has caused the change in climate, he said. Doing a fix without finding a root cause? I dont see it.

He anticipated the next question. So why am I working in the wind industry? he asked. Im not in it for that. Im in it to produce more American energy, to make it more stable.

Mr. Ricker, who lives with his wife, Stacey, and their three children in a house surrounded by craggy bluffs and sunflowers, fell into the wind business. Having grown up here and studied biology in college, he owned a local construction company with his father until business dried up during the last recession. When some men who came by to look at one of his properties liked his handiwork, they suggested that he apply for a job with their wind contract business.

Needing good health insurance to pay for his daughters hip surgery, he made the switch and eventually went to Duke when the big utility took over operations of the wind farm. At a time when many states and business customers are demanding more clean energy, Mr. Ricker is not worried that Mr. Trump might turn against renewables.

I have had people presume my political leanings because of my job  incorrectly, for the record, he said.

Although Mr. Ricker has no family roots in the energy business  his father was an assistant pastor who was also a cowboy  he relates to fossil fuels as much as he does to wind.

Coal and oil are what keep the value of my house where it is, he said. Im hugely in favor of American energy, and if Im going to pick a state that it will benefit, its Wyoming.

A coal man would not have said it much differently.

I Dont Have to Like Him

Slowly but surely, women are entering the energy work force, and while they tend to be as outspoken as the men, their views sometimes sharply differ.

Pam Graham, a truck driver at the Cloud Peak mine, is a rarity in Converse County. Shes a Democrat who thinks that climate change is no hoax, that the Affordable Care Act should be fixed and not scrapped, and that as for immigration, the idea of building a wall is a stupid thing.

Her choicest words are aimed at Mr. Trumps treatment of women, which she describes as disrespectful. I get tired of the tweeting, she said. And that whole thing with the grabbing of women, thats just nasty.

Those women should have decked him, she said sternly as she steered 240 tons of coal loaded on her Komatsu haul truck through the deep canyons of the strip mine. She quickly smiled, and added with a knowing chuckle, I would have given him a black eye.

But when she cast her ballot, she said, there was no doubt that she would vote for Mr. Trump.

While not an ideological conservative, Ms. Graham looks to the president to bolster the fortunes of Converse County energy, and in the end that was the most important consideration in choosing him over Mrs. Clinton.

I dont have to like him as a person, she explained. I was thinking if she won, in a few years wed probably be out of work. Am I going to find another job that pays $30 an hour?

At 53, Ms. Graham is an avid motorcycle rider who brings a personal style to her job. Theres a view of a coal miner with a black face and dirty fingers, and I dont look like one  I dress up, she said. When I go out to do errands, I like to wear fashionable girlie clothes.

Before she enters her truck cabin for the days first run, she sprays disinfectant on the seats and thoroughly wipes off the dashboard. Im probably a little unconventional, yeah, she said.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ms. Graham came to her job in an unconventional way, though her grandfather worked in the oil and gas business as a tool pusher and her stepfather drove water trucks in the oil field. Local coal mining was still in its infancy when she grew up in Douglas, so after dropping out of junior college, she waited on tables and worked as a bartender. She had a child, divorced and worked as a bank teller and personal loan officer for nearly 12 years.

Tired of banking, she saw an advertisement in the newspaper for coal truck drivers, applied and started working for Cloud Peak. She said the toughest thing about learning the job had been her fear of heights, since a truck cabin is as high off the ground as the roof of a house. I didnt look down from the truck for two years, she said.

Ms. Graham has remarried, to an old high school friend who is a contractor, and she helps take care of five grandchildren. She is one of 61 women employed by the mine. For her, the best thing that Mr. Trump brings is more security.

Before the election, I felt my livelihood was threatened  not just my job, but my way of life, she said. We have a house and a mortgage, and there are 130-some houses on the market around Douglas, so where are we going to go?

She is less than enthusiastic about the presidents performance, but said he was, at least, putting a spotlight on coals importance. Were the redheaded stepchild, she said. People dont understand that if it werent for us, and they turned on the heat, nothing would happen.
Inequality Stalls

Share of global income 25 % 20.4% 20 TOP 1 PERCENT 16.3% 15 10 9.7% 8.0% BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 5 0 80 90 00 10 16 Share of global income 25 % 20.4% 20 TOP 1 PERCENT 16.3% 15 10 9.7% 8.0% BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 5 0 80 90 00 10 16

But heres the bad news: The respite probably wont last. Despite rapid strides among developing economies like China and India, which have been closing the income gap with the worlds richer nations, growing inequality within almost every country will drive a further concentration of income around the globe.

Examining the World Inequality Report  published Thursday by the creators of the World Wealth and Income Database, who include the economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez  it is tempting to see the rising concentration of incomes as some sort of unstoppable force of nature, an economic inevitability driven by globalization and technology. The report finds that the richest 1 percent of humanity reaped 27 percent of the worlds income between 1980 and 2016. The bottom 50 percent, by contrast, got only 12 percent.

Nowhere has the distribution of the pie become more equitable. In China, 15 percent of the income growth since 1980 flowed to the richest 1 percent of Chinese while 13 percent flowed to the bottom half. Even in egalitarian, social-democratic Europe, 1-percenters got 18 percent of the growth in the period. The bottom half got 14 percent. And among the more unequal regions of the world  the United States, say, or Russia  income disparities are reaching levels not before seen in modern history: The bottom half of Americans captured only 3 percent of total growth since 1980. The income of the bottom half of Russians actually shrank.

Diverging Patterns

And yet, a careful examination of the data suggests there is nothing inevitable about untrammelled inequality. Take China and India, developing countries of billion-plus populations playing catch-up to pull themselves out of poverty. Incomes have become much more concentrated in both. But Chinas economic strategy has delivered much more growth at a lower cost in terms of economic disparity. Comparing Europe with the United States and Canada offers similar contrasts.

Share of national income % 30 U.S. and Canada Africa 25 BOTTOM 50% 20.2% 19.9% 20 15 12.6% 12.1% 10 TOP 1% 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 % 30 China Europe 25 19.9% 20 14.8% 15 13.9% 12.5% 10 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 Share of national income 30 % United States and Canada India Europe China 25 BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 21.7% 20.2% 19.9% 20 14.8% 15 14.9% 13.9% 12.6% 12.5% 10 TOP 1 PERCENT 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 Share of national income % 30 China United States and Canada Europe India 25 21.7% BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 20.2% 19.9% 20 14.8% 15 14.9% 13.9% 12.6% 12.5% 10 TOP 1 PERCENT 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16

Policy, it turns out, matters. More aggressive redistribution through taxes and transfers has spared Europe from the acute disparities that Americans have grown used to. Unequal access to education is helping reproduce inequality in the United States down the generations. On the other end of the spectrum of development, Chinas strategy based on low-skill manufacturing for export, and underpinned by aggressive investment in infrastructure, has proven more effective at raising living standards for the bottom half of the population than Indias more inward-looking strategy, which has limited the benefits of globalization to the well-educated elite.

Share of national income 35 % Brazil Middle East 27.8% 30 26.4% 25 TOP 1 PERCENT 20 15 10 12.3% 9.6% BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 35 % India Russia 30 20.2% 25 21.7% 20 15 14.9% 17.0% 10 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 Share of national income 35 % Brazil Russia Middle East Africa 27.8% 30 20.2% 26.4% 25 TOP 1 PERCENT 19.9% 20 15 17.0% 12.1% 10 12.3% 9.6% BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 Share of national income 35 % Brazil Russia Middle East Africa 27.8% 30 26.4% 25 TOP 1 PERCENT 20.2% 19.9% 20 15 17.0% 12.3% 12.1% 10 BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 9.6% 5 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16 80 90 00 10 16

Where is global inequality going? Policy choices  about taxes and education, employment rules and finance regulations  will play a big role in shaping how countries around the world distribute the spoils of growth in the future. But the most powerful force driving the distribution of income on a worldwide scale will be raw economic growth: if economic catch-up by developing nations shrinks the income gap between rich and poor countries faster than inequality increases inside each country, the global disparity of income will narrow.

How World Income Grows

The question is, how fast can developing countries grow in the future? The answer, unfortunately, is not fast enough. If Chinas furious economic growth over the last couple of decades was not enough to bring about a more equitable distribution of income on a global scale, it seems hard to imagine the kind of economic miracle that could shrink the worldwide income gap.

Share of population within income groups in: 1990 100 % 90 United States and Canada Africa 80 70 Share of population 60 China Russia Europe 50 40 Middle East 30 Other Asia 20 Latin America India 10 0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 99.999 Global income groups Higher income (percentiles) Top 1 percent 2016 100 % United States and Canada 90 Africa 80 Latin America 70 Share of population Europe 60 Russia 50 Middle East 40 China 30 20 Other Asia India 10 0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 99.999 Global income groups Higher income (percentiles) Top 1 percent Share of population within income groups in: 1990 100 % 100 % 90 90 Africa United States and Canada 80 80 70 70 Share of population 60 60 China Russia Europe 50 50 40 40 Middle East (Within each global income group) 30 30 Other Asia 20 20 Latin America India 10 10 0 0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 99.999 Higher income Bottom 50 percent Top 1 percent Global income percentiles 2016 100 % 100 % 90 90 United States and Canada Africa 80 80 Latin America 70 70 Share of population 60 60 Europe Russia 50 50 Middle East 40 40 China (Within each global income group) 30 30 20 20 India Other Asia 10 10 0 0 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 99.999 Higher income Bottom 50 percent Top 1 percent Global income percentiles

Chinas economic miracle was an unprecedented feat: in one generation, an unproductive communist nation of farmers transformed itself into a manufacturing export colossus, a giant of capitalism. Since 1980, its share of the worlds income has grown to 19 percent from 3 percent. Its income per person has grown almost 15 times as fast as that of the United States and Canada, and almost 19 times as fast as that of the European Union  to 90 percent of the world average, from 15 percent. Once at the bottom of the worlds income distribution, Chinese are now much more broadly represented across the spectrum of the worlds income.

Chinas rising income was pretty much the only force pushing for a more equitable share of the spoils of growth, holding world inequality down even as the incomes of the worlds biggest earners surged ahead and workers in the industrialized world mostly got stuck. And yet it wasnt enough.

As China has become richer and its growth has slowed, its impact on how the worlds income pie is sliced is likely to be mixed: Once the income of the average Chinese exceeds the world average, China's fast growth will start adding to inequality, rather than mitigating it. And it seems implausible that India and sub-Saharan Africa, today at the bottom of the worlds income distribution, will experience anything in the coming three decades like what China experienced in the last three.

+ 240 % + 220 Income growth 1980 to 2016 + 200 + 180 Real income growth per adult by percentile worldwide + 160 + 140 + 120 + 100 + 80 + 60 + 40 + 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 Higher income Bottom 50 percent 99.999 Global income percentiles Top 1 percent + 240 % Income growth 1980 to 2016 + 220 + 200 Real income growth per adult by percentile worldwide + 180 Top 1 percent captured 27 percent of total growth Bottom 50 percent captured 12 percent of total growth + 160 + 140 + 120 + 100 + 80 + 60 + 40 + 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 99.999 Higher income Bottom 50 percent Global income percentiles Top 1 percent + 240 % + 220 Income growth 1980 to 2016 + 200 Real income growth per adult by percentile worldwide + 180 Top 1 percent captured 27 percent of total growth Bottom 50 percent captured 12 percent of total growth + 160 + 140 + 120 + 100 + 80 + 60 + 40 + 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99 99.9 99.99 99.999 Higher income Bottom 50 percent Global income percentiles Top 1 percent

The Future of Inequality

Will poor countries make sufficient progress relative to their rich peers to bring more balance to the distribution of global income? Or will rising inequality within countries dominate? It depends on three forces: countries economic and population growth, as well as the evolution of inequality within them. The World Inequality Report takes a shot at projecting these forces, drawing from economic forecasts by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, population projections from the United Nations and the evolution of inequality in each country over 36 years. If you care about equity, it doesnt look good.

40,000 euros Global average income 35,000 OVERALL PROJECTIONS Annual income per adult 30,000 25,000 20,000 BOTTOM 50 PERCENT 15,000 Assuming all countries follow: Europes trend Their own trend 5,000 United Statess trend 80 90 00 10 20 30 40 50 40,000 euros 35,000 OVERALL Global average income PROJECTIONS 30,000 Annual income per adult 25,000 20,000 15,000 BOTTOM 50 PERCENT Assuming all countries follow: 10,000 Europes trend Their own trend 5,000 United Statess trend 0 80 90 00 10 20 30 40 50

If the evolution of income inequality in every country remains on the same path it has been since 1980, the plateau in global inequality since 2000 will prove to be but a temporary blip: by 2050, the bottom half of the worlds population will draw only 9 percent of the worlds income, a percentage point less than today. One-percenters at the top, by contrast, will reap 24 percent of the global income pie, up from 21 percent in 2016.

But again, policy matters. Say countries decide to push vigorously back against inequality  as vigorously as the European Union pushed in the 36 years after 1980. In that case, the worlds income gap would even shrink a little: by 2050, the bottom half would get 13 percent of the pie; the share of the top 1 percent would shrink to 19 percent of the worlds income.
Over the past two decades, Republicans have grown increasingly doubtful about climate change, even as Democrats have grown increasingly convinced that its happening and is caused by humans. But recent research published in the journal Climatic Change reveals greater nuance in partisan climate opinions across the country.

Pockets of Republicans, or even a plurality or majority, support some pro-climate issues, said Matto Mildenberger, a professor of political science at the University of California Santa Barbara and lead author on the study. Researchers found variation in Democratic beliefs too, he said, but those findings were less politically relevant because a majority of Democrats tend to accept climate science and support related policies no matter where they live.

The studys maps show how Republican support swings between minority and majority, depending on geography and how questions are posed.

Across the country, most Republicans dont think humans are causing climate change.

Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is caused mostly by human activities 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 31% Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Idaho Wis. N.Y. S.D. Mich. Wyo. R.I. Iowa Conn. Pa. Neb. N.J. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah Md. Nev. W.Va. Colo. Kan. Calif. Va. Ky. Mo. N.C. Okla. Tenn. Ariz. ARK. S.C. N.M. Ga. MISS. ALA. TEXAS LA. Alaska FLA. HAWAII Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is caused mostly by human activities 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 31% Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Idaho Wis. N.Y. S.D. Mich. Wyo. R.I. Iowa Conn. Pa. Neb. N.J. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah Nev. W.Va. Colo. Md. Kan. Calif. Va. Ky. Mo. N.C. Okla. Tenn. Ariz. ARK. S.C. N.M. Ga. MISS. ALA. TEXAS LA. Alaska FLA. HAWAII Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is caused mostly by human activities 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 31% Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is caused mostly by human activities 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 31%

Fewer than a third of registered Republicans nationwide say that climate change is caused mostly by human activities, while nearly half say its mostly due to natural changes in the environment, according to the study, which looked at eight years of opinion data and mapped the results by congressional district.

Being skeptical about global warming has become part of Republican or conservative identity, said Riley E. Dunlap, a professor of environmental sociology at Oklahoma State University who was not involved in the study.

Republicans in the New York City area are about twice as likely to agree that human activities are driving global warming as their counterparts in Montana. But even in New York, barely 50 percent attribute the cause to humans.

Since the election of Donald Trump as president, belief that climate change is human-caused has declined among registered Republican voters, according to another recent poll.

Last month, more than a dozen federal agencies published a major scientific report showing that global warming is largely due to human greenhouse gas emissions.

Yet half of Republicans say that climate change is happening, with strongest support on the coasts and in places where climate effects are now being felt.

Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is happening 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 50% Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Idaho Wis. S.D. N.Y. Mich. Wyo. R.I. Iowa Conn. Pa. Neb. N.J. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah Md. Nev. W.Va. Colo. Va. Kan. Calif. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Okla. Ariz. ARK. S.C. N.M. Ga. MISS. ALA. TEXAS LA. Alaska FLA. HAWAII Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is happening 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 50% Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Idaho Wis. S.D. N.Y. Mich. Wyo. R.I. Iowa Conn. Pa. Neb. N.J. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah Nev. W.Va. Md. Colo. Va. Kan. Calif. Mo. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Okla. Ariz. ARK. S.C. N.M. Ga. MISS. ALA. TEXAS LA. Alaska FLA. HAWAII Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is happening 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 50% Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who say that global warming is happening 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 50%

Climate views at the local level tend to reflect where liberal and moderate Republicans live compared to conservative Republicans, said Patrick J. Egan, a professor of politics and public policy at New York University. So its no surprise that Republicans in major cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York are most likely to say climate change is happening.

But, there are also tantalizing hints that geographic vulnerability to climate change may affect opinion, Professor Egan said.

For example, in south Florida, an area vulnerable to sea level rise and increased risk of extreme weather, an estimated 56 percent of Republicans agree that climate change is happening. A majority of Republicans in both Alaska and Hawaii say the same.

A majority of Republicans say they support policies to mitigate climate change.

Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who agree that we should regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 57% Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Idaho Wis. S.D. N.Y. Mich. Wyo. R.I. Iowa Conn. Pa. Neb. N.J. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah Md. Nev. W.Va. Colo. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Okla. Tenn. Ariz. ARK. S.C. N.M. Ga. MISS. ALA. TEXAS LA. Alaska FLA. HAWAII Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who agree that we should regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 57% Wash. Me. Mont. N.D. Vt. Minn. Ore. N.H. Mass. Idaho Wis. S.D. N.Y. Mich. Wyo. R.I. Iowa Conn. Pa. Neb. N.J. Ohio Ind. Del. Ill. Utah Nev. W.Va. Colo. Md. Kan. Calif. Va. Mo. Ky. N.C. Okla. Tenn. Ariz. ARK. S.C. N.M. Ga. MISS. ALA. TEXAS LA. Alaska FLA. HAWAII Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who agree that we should regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 57% Percentage of Republicans in each congressional district who agree that we should regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant 30% 40 50 60 70 National average: 57%

A majority of Republicans in almost every congressional district support regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant, even when they dont believe those emissions are causing climate change.

That may seem like a paradox, but theres a long history of support among people of all partisan backgrounds for regulating pollution  basic things like clean water and clean air, Professor Egan said. To the extent global warming is framed that way, it raises support for policy interventions more than the abstract concept of climate change.

Despite this majority support, Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, has worked to repeal Obama-era policies regulating power plant emissions. He has also raised questions over whether his agency should be regulating greenhouse gases at all.

Bob Inglis, a former Republican congressman from South Carolina who is working to get others in his party to accept climate change, said that Republicans are often willing to embrace solutions, even if they say they dont believe in climate change.

It doesnt help to point the finger at conservatives and ask, Do you believe? he said. By showing me a solution that fits with my values, Ive got a way to accept the existence of the problem.

Republican support for various policy proposals, nationwide Support Oppose Fund renewable energy research 74% 26 Regulate carbon dioxide as pollutant 57 41 Require 20% renewable energy quota 48 51 Support Oppose Fund renewable energy research 74% 26 Regulate carbon dioxide as pollutant 57 41 Require 20% renew- able energy quota 48 51 Support Oppose Fund renewable energy research 74% 26 Regulate carbon dioxide as pollutant 57 41 Require 20% renewable energy quota 48 51

When it comes to financing renewable energy research, support among Republicans is high: above 75 percent in 15 states, and at least 70 percent in all but Texas and Rhode Island, according to estimates from the recent study.

Still, Profesor Egan cautioned that people may show more support for complex public policy questions in the abstract before specific policy details, and costs, are attached.
Trump: 103 100 LIES/ FALSEHOODS In his first 10 months, Trump told nearly six times as many falsehoods as Obama did during his entire presidency 80 60 40 Obama: 18 20 0 INAUGURATION 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 5 YEARS 6 YEARS 7 YEARS TIME SINCE INAUGURATION Trump: 103 100 LIES/ FALSEHOODS In his first 10 months, Trump told nearly six times as many falsehoods as Obama did during his entire presidency 80 60 40 Obama: 18 20 0 INAUGURATION 2 YEARS 4 YEARS 6 YEARS TIME SINCE INAUGURATION Trump: 103 100 LIES OR FALSEHOODS In his first 10 months, Trump told nearly six times as many falsehoods as Obama did during his entire presidency 80 60 40 Obama: 18 20 0 INAUGURATION 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 5 YEARS 6 YEARS 7 YEARS TIME SINCE INAUGURATION

After we published a list of President Trumps lies this summer, we heard a common response from his supporters. They said, in effect: Yes, but if you made a similar list for previous presidents, it would be just as bad.

Weve set out to make that list. Here, you will find our attempt at a comprehensive catalog of the falsehoods that Barack Obama told while he was president. (We also discuss George W. Bush below, although the lack of real-time fact-checking during his presidency made a comprehensive list impossible.)

We applied the same conservative standard to Obama and Trump, counting only demonstrably and substantially false statements. The result: Trump is unlike any other modern president. He seems virtually indifferent to reality, often saying whatever helps him make the case hes trying to make.

In his first 10 months in office, he has told 103 separate untruths, many of them repeatedly. Obama told 18 over his entire eight-year tenure. Thats an average of about two a year for Obama and about 124 a year for Trump.

Each dot represents one blatant falsehood (repeats are excluded)

Separately, we have updated our earlier list of Trump's lies, which also includes repeated falsehoods. This article counts only distinct falsehoods for both Trump and Obama.

If we had used a less strict standard, Trump would look even worse by comparison. He makes misleading statements and mild exaggerations  about economic statistics, his political opponents and many other subjects  far more often than Obama. We left out any statement that could be plausibly defended even if many people would disagree with the president's interpretation. We also left out modest quantitative errors, such as Trump's frequent imprecision with numbers.

We have used the word lies again here, as we did in our original piece. If anything, though, the word is unfair to Obama and Bush. When they became aware that they had been saying something untrue, they stopped doing it. Obama didnt continue to claim that all Americans would be able to keep their existing health insurance under Obamacare, for example, and Bush changed the way he spoke about Iraqs weapons capability.

Trump is different. When he is caught lying, he will often try to discredit people telling the truth, be they judges, scientists, F.B.I. or C.I.A. officials, journalists or members of Congress. Trump is trying to make truth irrelevant. It is extremely damaging to democracy, and its not an accident. Its core to his political strategy.

As for Obama: His falsehoods tended to be attempts to make his own policies look better or to overstate a problem he was trying to solve. In a few cases, they seemed to be careless exaggerations he avoided repeating.

Over all, Obama rarely told demonstrable untruths as president. And he appears to have become more careful over time. We counted six straight-up falsehoods in his first year in office. Across his entire second four-year term, we counted the same number, six, only one of which came in his final year in office.

In all, we found 18 different bald untruths from Obama during his presidency. Trump told his 18th separate untruth in his third full week in office, and his list keeps growing.

In fact, Trump tells falsehoods about Obama and his administration more often than Obama told falsehoods about all subjects. Since his inauguration, Trump has told 10 separate untruths about Obama, including false allegations of wiretapping and false descriptions of Obamacare. We counted only two falsehoods Obama told about Bush.

President Trump

President Obama

Postscript: George W. Bush

As we mentioned above, it was not possible to create a similar list for George W. Bush, because the various fact-checking groups  whose work we used heavily here  were not operating continuously when he became president, in 2001.

But several sources did try to evaluate some of his claims at the time. Their work suggests that Bush sometimes told falsehoods but was fundamentally different from Trump. Bush instead seems to be somewhere on the pre-Trump presidential spectrum.
Air India rolls out new menu with gourmet meals and trendy appetisers

Human rights of people of Xinjiang should be respected and guaranteed: India

Vistara to be merged with Air India as Tata Group finalises deal with SIA

Air India with 100 passengers on board delayed by 1.5 hours

India

oi-Madhuri

Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijayawada flight was on Wednesday delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard.

Onboard passengers protested and questioned Minister Raju on the delay in the flight. Immediately Minister asked Air India CMD Pradeep Kharola about flight delay reason

''Flight finally took off for Vijayawada after 1.30 hours. Meanwhile, Air India took action against three staffers, who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late,'' said Air India Spokesperson GP Rao.

Meanwhile, Air India suspended three staffers and issued a warning letter to a captain for the delay in reaching the airport late yesterday.

OneIndia News
Bigger effort was needed from Congress to dislodge BJP in Gujarat: Dr Shastri

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The exit polls are out and the BJP is the clear winner in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The Gujarat battle was in fact more closely watched and all exit polls now say that the BJP is the clear winner.

While there may be much for the BJP to rejoice, there is also some soul searching that needs to be done. The headline reads the BJP is retaining Gujarat. The deeper narrative however is that the BJP does not better its performance in the state when compared to 2012 says leading psephologist, Dr Sandeep Shastri.

The Congress has clearly not done enough explains Dr Shastri. To dislodge the BJP which has been in power, clearly a much bigger effort was needed, he says. For one, the Congress did not have a strong local leader on the ground. This was crucial for the Congress in case it had to beat the BJP in Gujarat.

These are all indications that the last mile advantage has gone to the BJP. The Gujarat voter clearly appears to have sided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Somewhere the Gujarat voter thought that they did not want to strike a blow to their Prime Minister who hails from the state, says Dr Shastri.

The Congress on the other hand has not put in enough effort for a recovery. As pointed out earlier, the Congress needed to field a strong face in the state A much bigger effort was needed to dislodge the BJP which has ruled the state for the past 22 years.

One cannot forget the fact that the BJP has been in power in Gujarat for the past 22 years. To dislodge the BJP in the state needed a much bigger effort.

However the BJP will have some soul searching to do as the exit polls suggest that it would retain the state. The exit polls do not indicate that the party would better its performance when compared to 2012, Dr Shastri also says. While the headline is that the BJP is retaining Gujarat, the deeper narrative is that it is not all good news and the party will have some soul searching to do.

OneIndia News
Chhota Shakeel may be with bhai, but the succession battle is killing the D-Syndicate

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

On Wednesday, there were reports that Dawood Ibrahim's most trusted aide Chhota Shakeel had broken away from the D-Syndicate. A day later Shakeel denied the development and said that he is with Dawood.

While a denial from Shakeel was on expected lines, the fact, however, remains that there is a full-fledged succession battle on. The don himself is a depressed man following the decision by his son to turn into a Maulana. He has also been battling several ailments and the intelligence on him suggests that he is not in the pink of health.

There were fissures within the gang for some time now and Shakeel had very often complained about the interference by Dawood's brother Anees. However, Dawood who tried to broker peace always ended up siding with his brother.

The news of the break up was picked up by the IB which listened to the conversations between Shakeel and one operative in Mumbai. Shakeel sounded upset about the recent developments and indicated that he wanted to move on. He also told the operative that he would be shifting to a different area and was getting out of the don's house.

IB officers and also sleuths in the Research and Analysis Wing are taking nothing to chance. They are re-verifying the information. An officer informed that this could also be a ploy to lead us into believing that the gang is falling apart.

This has happened once before in the past and it turned out to be a hoax the officer said. These things are usually done to mislead us and ensure that we are lax, the officer also noted.

However, officials who are in the Dawood files say that there has been a succession battle on for some time within the D-syndicate. While Dawood wants his brother Anees to head operations, many in the gang want Shakeel to take over the reigns. There have been complaints by the gang members about Anees' high handedness. On the other hand, they find Shakeel to be a better person to deal with.

I am with bhai says Chhota Shakeel on rumours of a split

Around 5 years back a similar problem had cropped up. At that time Dawood had indicated that Shakeel would handle the India operations. Anees, on the other hand, was told to handle the international operations. The system was in place for some time, but with Dawood's failing health the row erupted again. Shakeel often complained that despite the territory being marked clearly, Aneed had started interfering in the Indian operations.

An IB official explained that ideally, Dawood would have preferred his son to take over the syndicate. However recent reports and the confession statement of Iqbal Kaskar suggested that his son had turned a Maulana as a result of which Dawood had gone into depression.

OneIndia News
Deadline to extend Aadhaar with mobile extended to March 31: Centre tells SC

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Centre has said that it is willing to postpone the linking of Aadhaar with mobile to March 31. While telling the Supreme Court that it was willing to extend Aadhaar linking with various welfare schemes and also bank accounts to March 31, the Centre sought an interim order on mobiles.

The Centre however made it clear that Aadhaar would continue to be mandatory to open bank accounts.

The submissions were made before a five judge Bench of the Supreme Court which is hearing a batch of petitions seeking to strike down Aadhaar questioning its constitutional validity. On Wednesday the Finance Ministry had issued an order stating that it had extended the deadline to link Aadhaar with bank accounts till March 31.

The decision to extend the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phones was suggested to the Centre by the Supreme Court. The Centre then agree to extend the last date to link mobile to March 31 from the existing February 6.

On Wednesday, the government had issued a Gazette notification amending rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002 (PMLA) by replacing the requirement of submitting "the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number by December 31, 2017" with a provision saying "submit the Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number or Form No. 60, by such date as may be notified by the Central Government".

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, December 14, 2017, 17:04 [IST]
ISI chooses UK for week-long event to mark Geelani's death anniversary, but no one's surprised

ED summons Kashmir separatists Geelani in money laundering case

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Kashmir separatist, S A S Geelani in connection with a money laundering case. The regional office of the ED in Srinagar delivered the summons at Geelani's home in Hyderpora.

The ED wants to question Geelani in connection with a 2002 case in which Income Tax department officials had recovered 10,000 US Dollars from his home.

He was unable to provide an explanation about the source of the cash then. Despite a summons by the IT department in 2003, he had failed to appear. The case has been pending since then.

There is a host of cases that are being probed against the separatists. The ED, IT and the National Investigation Agency are all probing separate cases. The NIA has been probing a terror funding case.

On July 25, another senior separatist leader Shabir Shah was arrested by the ED in connection with over a decade-old terror-financing case. The case dates back to August 2005 in which the Delhi Police's Special Cell had earlier arrested Wani who had then claimed that he gave Rs 2.25 crore to Shah.

OneIndia News
Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

Exit polls: BJP beats anti-incumbency in Gujarat, but cashes on it in Himachal

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

If the prediction by exit polls are to be believed then the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to continue its ruling spree in Gujarat while in Himachal Pradesh the saffron party is likely to wrest power from the Congress.

The BJP, which has been in power in Gujarat for 22-years, is likely to retain the government for the sixth consecutive time. In Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress is in power, the BJP is set to snatch the reins from CM Virbhadra Singh.

ABP-CSDS predicted outright win for BJP in Gujarat with 117 seats, while the Congress is likely to get 64 seats. Gujarat Assembly has 182 seats and the magic number to form a government is 92 seats.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to dump the 'anti-incumbency factor' and win a clear majority in Gujarat, according to Times Now-VMR exit poll. The exit poll predicts that the BJP would win 113 out of the 182 seats in the Gujarat Assembly while the Congress is likely to win 66 seats.

According to C-voter exit poll in Gujarat, the BJP is projected to get 47.4% of the votes versus the Congress' 43.3%. India Today Axis poll has predicted a vote share of 47% for the BJP in Gujarat while it says that Congress may get 42% votes.

SAHARA SAMAY-CNX survey shows that the BJP may get anywhere between 110-120 seats, while the Congress is likely to bag around 65-75 seats.

As per the prediction of Republic-Jan Ki Baat exit poll, BJP may win 108 seats in Gujarat while the Congress could bag 74 seats.

As far as Himachal Pradesh is concerned, the magic number to form the government is 35. Today's Chanakya exit poll for Himachal Pradesh predicts 55 seats for BJP and 13 for Congress.

India Today-Axis My India exit poll projected 47 to 55 seats for BJP, 13 to 20 setas for Congress and 0-2 seats for others in Himachal Pradesh. Overall, the opinion poll projected big win for BJP.

In Himachal Pradesh, News24 exit poll projected win for BJP with 55 seats, while the prediction for Congress is of 13 seats.

It is interesting to note that, psephologist-turned-politician Yogendra Yadav, who had yesterday tweeted that the Congress would win in Gujarat, on Thursday said that exit polls seem to indicate that the BJP has clear edge in Gujarat.

OneIndia News
Fire at basement of Stock Holding Corporation office in Mumbai

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (StockHolding) hereby informs that there has been a fire incident on Monday, December 11, 2017, at around 17.30 hours at its Main Operations office located at SHCIL House, P-51, T.T.C. Industrial Area, MIDC, Mahape, Navi Mumbai - 400710. As soon as the fire alarm was triggered, StockHolding's Security Team swung into action and evacuated the building. The Fire Brigade was called in and firefighting operations are underway.

The fire is restricted to one of the four bays at the basement level of the premises. All major operations, including the Data Centre, are up and running. The repository where the physical documents/records of its wholly owned subsidiary, StockHolding Document Management Services Limited (StockHolding DMS) are stored, have been affected partially. The extent of loss of property/documents is yet to be assessed. There is no injury or loss of life due to this incident.

OneIndia News
Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

Forget politics: These 8 issues will decide outcome of Gujarat elections

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Recommended Video

Gujarat Assembly polls : Deciding factors for win in the poll bound state | Oneindia News

The battle for Gujarat has been a hard fought one. Slurs, allegations and below the belt comments have been hurled during this campaign as both the BJP and Congress look to outdo each other.

However, for the people of Gujarat, these allegations and counter-allegations have made no difference. There are five key issues that the people have voted. These 8 issues will be the ultimate deciding factors in the Gujarat assembly elections.

GST and demonetisation:

The Congress has driven across the message that the note ban and tax reforms have only hurt the people. The BJP has asked the people to look into the long-term gains of these issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly assured the people that only good has come out of these decisions. He spoke about how the country will get richer and how terror funding and black money hoarders have been hurt.

While there is no wave of anti-reform sentiments, the Congress may have just managed to convince a section of people about these two decisions. The trader community is visibly hurt with these decisions and the Congress may have just convinced them.

Development

The Gujarat model has very often been quoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in all his campaigns. The BJP had announced a host of measures just ahead of the elections in Gujarat- the high-speed bullet train and the Ro-Ro ferry just to name a few. In this department, the BJP may just have the upper hand over the Congress.

Economy:

At the start of the campaign, the economic slowdown was a major issue. However, during the course of the campaign fresh data suggesting an improvement in the situation dampened this issue.

A report had stated that "manufacturing growth has predictably - and fortunately - revived to 7% from 1.2%, indicating that some of the GST blues have ebbed, and the process of 'remonetisation' is underway."

Agriculture:

The farmers have complained that they feel cheated due to the debate on increasing Minimum Support Price. The farmers are particularly upset with Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani who has failed to support their needs.

More than 1,483 farmers have died in the state between 2013 and 2015. In 2015 itself, there were over 300 cases of farmer suicides in the western state. According to data, most of these farmers took the ultimate step as they were heavily debt-ridden.

Jobs:

While the development agenda may have struck a chord with the voter, the concern about jobs still remains. A report in the Ahmedabad Mirror had said that several highly qualified people in the state still do not have jobs.

The Congress has said that around 30 lakh youth in the state are still unemployed. BJP chief Amit Shah, however, shot back at Rahul Gandhi and said that people from Amethi were coming to Gujarat for jobs.

Anti-incumbency:

This could be a major factor. The BJP has ruled the state for 22 years. While this is a factor, the issue is that the Congress has not yet been able to project a strong person to lead the state. This could be one of the main factors that the BJP may just get past this problem.

Patidar agitation:

Hardik Patel leading the Patidar agitation has thrown his weight behind the Congress. Patel has been a strong force in the elections and has been successful too. He has drawn huge crowds at his rallies, but the question is whether this will convert to votes.

The Patidars have been the backbone for the BJP since 1995 and the community forms at least 15 percent of the electorate. The Congress has promised reservation for the Patidars. But the point is that it is not constitutionally feasible. There are a good number of Patidars who have also said that reservation is not everything. Water and other important issues is what will determine their vote.

Dalit factor:

Una has been in the news following due to cow vigilante justice. The Congress has using such issues to constantly drive across the point that the BJP is anti-Dalit.

Gujarat Assembly Election in 2007 and 2012 Party Wise (182 Seats) Party Name 2007 2012 Indian National Congress (INC) 59 57 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 117 119 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 3 2 Janata Dal (United) JD(U) 1 1 Gujartat Parivartan Party (GPP) - 2 Independents (IND) 2 1

Interestingly Una which has become central to the Dalit campaign has elected the Congress 9 out of 12 times since 1962.

OneIndia News
Gau Rakshak externed from Nashik for a year moves Bombay HC

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

In probably a first of its kind case, a 'gau rakshak' externed from his home has moved the Bombay High Court. He challenged a decision that externed from the Nashik district for a year.

Macchindra Shirke, 29 says he is an animal lover and has saved thousands of cows. He said that in the order, the police had cited 9 criminal cases including attempt to murder. He said that the charges are baseless and need to be quashed. The Bombay High Court has directed the state government to file an affidavit to this effect while posting the matter for further hearing to January.

In his petition, Shirke said that he is a resident of Malegaon. I have been working for animal welfare for over 12 years now and have been a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Goseva Sangh and the Mukhya Mantri Mitra Abhiyan. I was also associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Gaurakhsa Samiti, Malegaon, he further said.

He alleged that the police had failed to take action as Malegaon has a large population of Muslims. He also said that he had lodged 40 FIRs against persons involved in cow trafficking, smuggling and slaughter. He said that owing to the raids conducted based on his complaints, the beef lobby and some illegal butchers filed false cases against him.

The additional superintendent of police, Malegaon had recommended that Shirke is externed from Nashik for two years from Nashik, Dhulia, Jalgaon, Nandhurbar and Ahmednagar. In August, the sub-divisional magistrate externed him from Nashik for a year and the order was upheld by the divisional commissioner a month later.

OneIndia News
Gujarat Assembly election 2022 to be held in two phases; Polling on December 1, 5; Result on December 8

'Wrong to say we didn't give Congress appointment', says EC

India

oi-Madhuri

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday in response to Congress' allegations said that it is wrong to say that they didn't give the party any appointment or delayed it.

"It is not right to say that we didn't give the Congress an appointment or delayed one. It was sought around 8:15 pm and after consulting with others in the commission, the meeting was granted at 9:15 pm. It's completely wrong to say that we are biased because when the Rajya Sabha polls order was against the BJP, did they complain?"

The remarks comes after Congress alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has violated the model code of conduct.

The Congress had attacked Modi for participating in a "roadshow" in Ranip, Ahmedabad, and alleged that he had violated the model code of conduct for the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017.

Congress also trained its guns on the Election Commission and said it was behaving like a "puppet" of the government and said Chief Election Commissioner Achal Joti was behaving like Modi's "secretary".

"The PM's violations are not seen by the EC. Its action amounts to police saying they have not seen a murder taking place in front of their eyes unless somebody comes up with an FIR." Congress party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said even on Wednesday, the Congress sought an appointment with the Election Commission and was told the panel would meet them on Thursday morning.

"It was only after we threatened to stage a dharna that we were given an appointment at 10.15 at night," he said.

Surjewala also wondered what the Election Commission observers and the staff were doing about Modi's violations.

The Congress party further raised an objection to the Election Commission's notice to party president Rahul Gandhi in the wake of an interview to a TV channel on the last day of the election campaign in Gujarat.

The EC had directed Gujarat's Chief Election Officer BB Swain to file an FIR against channels in the state that telecast Rahul Gandhi's interview. Gandhi, on the other hand, has been asked to explain his actions before 18 December.

Meanwhile, polling for Gujarat's final phase is currently underway and the results will be declared on 18 December.

OneIndia News
Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

Gujarat elections: Amit Shah casts his vote where he was once booth manager

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

A former booth manager of Naranpura constituency, who is now a formidable leader in the party, cast his vote along with his family on Thursday in Ahmedabad. The voter is none other than BJP chief Chief Amit Shah.

In the 80s, Shah was assigned booth manager for the same booth where he cast his vote today. He was accompanied by wife, Sonal, and his son, Jay Shah. In 2012, Shah contested from the same constituency. After casting his vote, Shah said, "The people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model." He then went to a temple with his family members.

Before moving to Naranpura constituency in 2012, Shah was elected as an MLA from Sarkhej in four consecutive elections: 1997 (by-election), 1998, 2002 and 2007.

Naranpura seat came into existence after 2008 delimitation. This is totally urban seat. BJP has fielded Patel Kaushikbhai Jamnadas against Congress candidate Patel Nitinbhai Kantibhai.

Gujarat Assembly Election in 2007 and 2012 Party Wise (182 Seats) Party Name 2007 2012 Indian National Congress (INC) 59 57 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 117 119 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 3 2 Janata Dal (United) JD(U) 1 1 Gujartat Parivartan Party (GPP) - 2 Independents (IND) 2 1

The voting for 93 seats in the second phase for Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 began at 8 am today. The second and final phase of elections will see 93 assembly seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat going to polls. A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to vote.

OneIndia News
Gujarat elections phase 2: How parties fared in these 93 seats in 2012

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

As the polling across 93 assembly seats in Gujarat is underway on Thursday, it is worth look at how these seats in 2012 assembly elections. The BJP's big challenge in this round is to retain Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Gujarat's two megacities that had overwhelmingly backed the party in the last election.

Out of 21 assembly seats of Ahmedabad that are voting today, the BJP had won 17 in 2012 while the Congress could manage just four. In Vadodara, out of 10 seats that are voting today, the BJP had won 9.

In the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections, polling was held in 89 constituencies across Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat on Saturday. 68 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase which was lower than last time's 71.3 percent for the whole of Gujarat.

BJP was way ahead of Congress in these 93 seats in 2012 Of these 93 seats, the Congress won 40 to the BJP' tally of 51 seats in 2012 assembly polls. One seat each was won by the NCP and an Independent Candidate. According to an Indian Express analysis, in Central Gujarat's 40 seats, the average margin was 19,946 votes. The BJP won its 20 seats with an average margin of 25,154 while the Congress won its 18 with an average margin of 15,169. District-wise performance of parties in 2012 in these 93 seats In Ahmedabad and Vadodara, the BJP almost clean swept which paved way for saffron party's massive win in 2012.The BJP had won 26 of the 31 seats from these two districts alone.In North Gujarat's 53 seats, the average victory margin in 2012 was 26,015 votes. The BJP's 32 victories came with an average margin of 32,795, while the Congress won 21 seats with average margin of 15,684 - less than half the BJP average margin. How parties fared in 2012 in 89 seats that went to polls in first phase In 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections, BJP won 64 out of 89 seats that went to polls in the first phase in 2017. Congress managed 21 seats while theGujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) bagged 2 seats. The NCP and the JDU got one seat each.

Swaraj India leader and political expert Yogendra Yadav on Wednesday predicted a major drubbing for the BJP in the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017. Yadav, in his Twitter handle, gave three possible scenarios, all of which predict a win for Congress. In 'Scenario 1', which Yadav terms as 'possible' outcome, the Congress is slated to win 92 seats while the BJP will manage 86 seats. Vote share of both the parties is likely to be 43%.

According to the opinion poll conducted by Axis between September 15 and October 15 in all the 182 constituencies of Gujarat, the BJP was projected to bag between 115-125 seats. Out of the 18,243 respondents sampled by Axis My India, 48 percent said that they would vote for the BJP, while 38 percent said that they would vote for the Congress.

[First phase of Gujarat elections: What happened in these 89 constituencies in 2012 and 2007]

Last week, a News Nation ground zero poll of voters in Gujarat predicted that BJP will win a majority in the state. The News Nation opinion survey's final tally projected that the BJP could win a majority in Gujarat by bagging 141 seats while Congress was projected to get 47 seats.

OneIndia News
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Gujarat polls: Modi, Rahul ask voters to participate in festival of democracy in record numbers

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Gandhinagar, Dec 14: It's time to vote for Gujarat.

On Thursday, people of the western state will vote for the second and final phase of polling for the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017.

The voting for the first phase of polling for the Assembly elections was held on Saturday. On Monday, the results of the Gujarat Assembly polls will be declared along with the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, held on November 9.

Before the crucial voting on Thursday, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi appealed to the voters to come out in record numbers to make the democratic process of elections a successful event.

"Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy," Modi wrote on Twitter.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

Rahul, who tweeted in Hindi as well as in Gujarati, told people that every vote matters in a democracy. "I appeal to the public of Gujarat to vote in a large number for your bright future," stated the 47-year-old new boss of the Congress.

                                      #NavsarjanGujarat  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 14, 2017

In fact, PM Modi will be visiting Gujarat on Thursday to cast his vote from Ahmedabad. Other prominent BJP leaders like Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah too are going to cast their votes during the second phase of polling for the elections.

Gujarat Assembly Election in 2007 and 2012 Party Wise (182 Seats) Party Name 2007 2012 Indian National Congress (INC) 59 57 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 117 119 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 3 2 Janata Dal (United) JD(U) 1 1 Gujartat Parivartan Party (GPP) - 2 Independents (IND) 2 1

This time, both Modi and Rahul have campaigned extensively in Gujarat. While the Congress is attempting to unseat the saffron party from its citadel, Gujarat, the BJP hopes to retain the home turf of Modi with a massive win.

OneIndia News
Gujarat polls: These Kerala artists want the Amulya vote to be used against BJP

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

A bunch of artists mostly from Kerala are camping in Gujarat asking the people to use their invaluable vote to oust the BJP. They do not want to be named and neither do they want into the limelight.

They have put up posters with a boy who resembles the Amul girl. They say to use your Amulya (invaluable) vote to oust the BJP.

During the campaign, they have put out ten theme posters and most of them have gone viral. The group of artists mostly from Kerala say that they are neither Congress workers or supporters. We do not want to be named or do we want to come into the political limelight they also say.

Gujarat is voting in the second phase of the assembly elections today. Over two crore people are voting in today's elections. The fate of 851 candidates contesting the 93 seats across the 14 districts in Gujarat is at stake today.

OneIndia News
'I am with bhai', says Chhota Shakeel on rumours of a split

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

"I am with bhai" was the reaction from Chhota Shakeel on reports of his split with his boss Dawood Ibrahim. "There is no question of me splitting with Dawood and these are all rumours", Shakeel said.

The clarification comes in the wake of reports stating that Shakeel had parted ways with the don in Karachi. It was also said that he had moved out of the Clifton residence in Karachi, where Dawood lives. "I am very much with bhai", Shakeel told Zee Media.

Meanwhile, Intelligence Bureau officials continue to check into the issue. IB officials had said that they are trying to find out if this entire drama was just a ploy to divert attention.

Officials say that there is a succession issue in the D-syndicate. Shakeel's relationship with Dawood's brother Anees has not been the best. Shakeel has often complained to the don about Anees' high-handedness.

OneIndia News
India's first Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari commissioned into Navy

India

oi-Madhuri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated to the nation, the naval submarine INS Kalvari in Mumbai.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and top defence officials were present at the commissioning ceremony.

On the occasion, Modi said Kalvari is an excellent example of 'Make in India' and will boost the Navy's might. Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

It underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment, an official earlier said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess.

INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

It is being built under the Rs 23,652 crore Project-75 at Mazagon Docks in Mumbai, is significant because the Navy currently has just 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines, with just half of them operational at any given time.

The force needs at least 18 conventional submarines. The second one INS Khanderi is slated for delivery by December.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.

OneIndia News
Kerala govt intends to replace Governor as Chancellor of universities through ordinance

DGP Kerala orders FIR against The Kerala Story after TN journalist forwards complaint to CM

Kerala law student's murder: Convict Ameerul Islam gets death sentence

India

oi-Madhuri

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Thursday pronounced the death sentence for Ameerul Islam, a migrant worker from Assam, who had been convicted in Kerala law student's murder and rape case.

The court Tuesday had found Islam guilty under Sections 376 (rape), 302 (murder), 449 (trespassing into house) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC.

The law student was found dead on 28 April 2016, in her house in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district of Kerala at her home by her mother Rajeshwari.

Ameerul Islam was arrested 50 days after the gruesome incident for allegedly murdering a 30-year-old Dalit woman at Perumbavoor in Kerala.

The 23-year-old Islam, hailing from Assam's Nagaon district, was taken into custody from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. He had left Perumbavoor soon after allegedly committing the murder on April 28.

The victim, a law student, hailed from a poor family. She was raped and brutally assaulted using sharp-edged weapons before being murdered at her house on April 28 in 2016.

OneIndia News
"May God bless Gujarat", says PM Modi's mother after casting vote

India

pti-PTI

Ahmedabad, Dec 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben, who is in her 90s, cast her vote on Thursday at a poll booth located at Aryabhatt High School in Gandhinagar. She was accompanied by her younger son Pankaj Modi and other family members.

After casting her vote, the prime minister's mother showed her inked finger to mediapersons outside the poll booth.

"May God bless Gujarat," she told the reporters while emerging out of the poll booth.

She was among the early voters, who also included former chief minister Anandiben Patel. Patel, who is not contesting the election, cast her vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia Assembly constituency, from where she was an MLA. This time, the BJP has fielded Bhupendra Patel from the seat, who is pitted against Congress' Shashikant Patel.

"I am sure that BJP will achieve the target it has set for itself and the party will again form the government. Our candidate will get more votes than what I had got, and the Patidar factor is not going to affect us," Patel told reporters after casting her vote.

The voting for the second and final phase of Gujarat assembly elections is underway today on 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat. After an acrimonious campaign, around 2.22 crore voters would be exercising their franchise today to choose between the two main contenders, the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 851 candidates are in fray for the second phase. The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on December 9, covered 89 seats. The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi. In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 18.

PTI
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Modi, Manmohan fight turns ugly: Awkward namaste, handshake fail to thaw the ice

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Dec 14: When small children fight, elders ask them to kiss and make up. With grown-ups things are a little complicated, as burying the hatchet is not so easy. It becomes more difficult when the two persons at loggerheads with each other are an incumbent Prime Minister and his predecessor.

On Wednesday, when PM Narendra Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh met outside Parliament to attend an event to mark the 2001 Parliament attack anniversary, the whole sombre atmosphere suddenly turned "awkward".

After the recent exchange of barbs between the two politicians, the whole Modi-Manmohan equation has turned bitter and irreparable.

The recent spat between the two was initiated by Modi. The PM alleged that Manmohan was a part of a conspiracy hatched by Pakistan along with several Congress leaders, diplomats, a former army chief and a former Vice President to influence the Gujarat Assembly elections.

Immediately after Modi accused his predecessor of being involved in "anti-national" activities, the otherwise soft-spoken Manmohan issued a strong statement against the PM and demanded an apology from him for the "baseless" allegations.

An apology did not come his way. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) further mounted pressure on the Congress by attacking the world-renowned economist-turned-politician by questioning his integrity as the PM after he allegedly decided not to conduct surgical strikes against Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

The BJP repeated its past charges against Manmohan of being a "silent observer" when the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was involved in a series of scams.

In a way, the BJP instead of pouncing on Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi and his mother and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi sharpened its knife to target Manmohan.

The former PM too has been frequently criticising the Modi government for its failure on the twin economic policies--the demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST)--termed as hasty and anti-people by critics.

So, the 'frontal attack' on Manmohan by Modi during an election rally in Gujarat recently did not surprise many. However, what jolted all is the nature of the allegation pertaining to "treason" against the former PM, who has always maintained integrity and propriety as a politician and an economist.

On Wednesday, when Modi and Manmohan came face to face, they did not ignore each other (that is what generally rivals do, but the two PMs, one incumbent and another former, can't enjoy such luxury in public life). They met and greeted each other with namastes and a handshake.

The stiffness in the body language of both the politicians and dispirited exchange of glances between them during their short meeting was enough to indicate that things have gone horribly wrong between the incumbent PM and his predecessor.

Soon after that "awkward" meeting, a video of Manmohan went viral where he was seen reading out his previous statement against Modi asking for apology over the Pakistan remark.

"I am deeply hurt by the falsehood being spread, everyone knows my track record," said Manmohan.

"Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable," said the 85-year-old Congress leader in the message released to TV stations.

"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said and demanded an apology.

The video statement by Manmohan further angered the BJP. The saffron party used a series of email exchanges to accuse the Gandhi family of interfering in the work of the previous UPA government and reducing then PM Manmohan to "just a titular head."

The ugly quarrel between Modi and Manmohan has taken place at a time when the BJP and the Congress are fighting a bitter fight to win the Gujarat Assembly elections.

It is not that Modi has attacked Manmohan for the first time. The PM often criticises his predecessor for the "mess" that the country has become currently.

Before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the then Gujarat chief minister infamously called the then PM as 'Maun(silent)mohan Singh' for his silence over various scams that rocked the second term of the UPA government at the Centre.

Will the frosty relationship between the two men reach some kind of an agreement in the future after the end of the Gujarat polls? Or was the recent spat between Modi and Manmohan is just a trailer?

Are we going to witness similar showdowns between the incumbent PM and the former PM ahead of the 2019 parliamentary elections?

OneIndia News
Suspended ex-Andaman chief secretary Narain claims was in Delhi on day of alleged rape

Man booked for rape of 12-year-old after video of injured girl surfaces on internet

Man rapes 8-year-old to use her blood for removing obstacles to his marriage

MP: 15-year-old girl gang-rape victim dies in hospital

India

oi-Madhuri

A 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped and set on fire in Sagar's Dewal Village in Madhya Pradesh on 7th December died under treatment at Bundelkhand Medical College.

The victim had suffered over 80 per cent burn injuries and was battling for her life in the Bundelkhand Medical College Hospital.

According to the police, the accused, identified as Raghavendra Sen and Shubham Yadav, entered the victim's house when she was alone and gang-raped her.

Both of them hailed from her village. The accused poured kerosene on her and then set her on fire before fleeing the spot, police said.

The incident comes days after the Madhya Pradesh assembly unanimously approved a bill to award death sentence for convicts of rape and gang-rape cases involving girls below 12 years of age.

OneIndia News
Agreements, disagreements should reflect in debates not in disruptions: Om Birla

Bill to merge 3 MCD polls into one to be introduced in Lok Sabha today

Winter session may be held in new Parliament building

Opposition parties meet to formulate joint strategy for Winter Session

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Opposition leaders on Thursday met to strategise for the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

The Winter Session is set to begin from December 15 to January 5 with a total of 14 working days.

The Congress is bracing to have a debate on the Rafale deal. The party has accused the government of buying the Rafale jets at an inflated cost. It claims that the UPA had negotiated the price at 526.1 crore per plane, while the NDA is now buying at the cost of 1570 crore per plane.

The Opposition parties will also take up farmers distress, GST and Demonetisation.

The session, that usually begins mid-November and ends before Christmas, has been much delayed this year.

Leaders of a large number of opposition parties, including the Congress, NCP, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), RJD, J-K National Conference and the Left parties met in the chamber of the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and discussed key issues to be raised in Parliament.

The government is expected to table 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including a bill providing Muslim women the right to seek maintenance in case of triple talaq.

Another key bill will be granting constitutional status to the backward castes commission. The bill was stalled in the Rajya Sabha by the opposition in the last session.

With both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha likely to be adjourned tomorrow till Monday after paying tributes to their members who passed away during the inter-session period, the results of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh poll results could have a bearing on the session.

The results are scheduled to be announced on Monday.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, December 14, 2017, 23:19 [IST]
Parsi women married outside community can perform last rites in Tower of Silence, SC told

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Valsad Parsi panchayat has decided that it would permit Parsi woman married outside the community to attend the last rites of the deceased in the Tower of Silence. The decision was informed to the Supreme Court by senior advocate, Gopal Subramanium.

The Parsi panchayat had earlier refused permission to Parsi women married outside the community to attend the last rites of a deceased at the Tower of Silence. The court had asked Gopal Subramanium to impress upon the community to take a progressive stand on the matter. He told the court that the head priest of the community was consulted before the decision was taken.

On the last date of hearing the court had held that a woman's religion does not merge with that of her husbands after marriage. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra observed that it was arbitrary that a Parsi man marrying outside the community was not barred from entering the Tower of Silence, but a woman was.

The court also requested the Valsad Zoroastrian Trust to allow a Parsi woman to enter the Tower of Silence to perform the last rites of her parents. Goolrokh Gupta was barred from entering the Tower of Silence by the trust as she had married a Hindu.

The Bench said that marriage does not mean that a woman mortgages herself to her husband. We do not accept the merger principle which was propounded by the Bombay High Court. The Bombay HC had upheld the restraining of the lady from performing the last rites of her parents.

There is no law which bars a woman from entering the Tower of Silence after marrying outside the community, the Bench also said. Shun the rigidity and understand the importance of filial emotions of a child towards her parents, the Bench also observed.

OneIndia News
Places of Worship Act: SC gives more time to Centre to file affidavit by Dec 12

SC approves Centre's proposal of setting up 12 special courts for MP, MLA trials

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Supreme Court on Thursday approved Union Government's proposal to set up 12 special courts to hear 1,581 pending cases against MPs and MLAs.

The Centre had on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it had decided to set up 12 special courts in different parts of the country to dispose of the pending cases.

"As per the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, it is proposed to have 12 special courts with an estimated expenditure of Rs 7.80 crore over a period of one year to dispose of all cases involving political persons," the law ministry said in its affidavit.

The Supreme Court had on November 1 asked the Central Government to constitute Special Courts in lines of fast-track courts for expeditious disposal of cases pending against parliamentarians and MLAs.

The SC had also asked the Centre to apprise it as how much amount would be spent on constituting special courts for cases against MPs and MLAs. The apex court sought 'empirical data' on tainted politicians and wanted to know how many MPs and MLAs have been convicted in criminal cases.

Earlier, the Election Commission told a bench headed by a bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi that it favoured a life term ban on MPs, MLAs from contesting election after being convicted in criminal cases. The existing law disqualifies politicians sentenced to a jail term of two years or more from contesting elections for six years from the date of release from prison.

OneIndia News
Sex determination ads must be blocked: Supreme Court

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to take steps to prevent sex determination advertisements on the internet. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said that an expert committee under the Nodal agency will take appropriate steps so that the mandate of the PNDT Act (Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994) is not violated and the female sex ratio which has fallen in the country shall not further fall down.

The Bench passed this order on a batch of petitions filed by NGO Sabu George and others.

Google, Microsoft and Yahoo informed the court that they would not sponsor any advertisement on pre-natal sex determination tests. They said if we discover something objectionable we will refer it to the nodal officer appointed by the Union Government and remove the contents if the nodal officer asks us to do so.

OneIndia News
Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

Surat: Low turnout in Patidar dominated seats

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Surat district, the epicentre of the Patidar quota agitation, witnessed a low turn out in the phase of poll on Saturday. In the last assembly elections, BJP had won all the five Patidar-dominated seats.

In the Patidar-dominated seats of Kamrej, Surat North, Varachha, Karanj and Katargam, the turnout dropped between 6 per cent and 13 per cent, reported Indian Express.

Reason for the low turnout is not clear. According to a BJP leader from Surat, people who went out of town to attend functions did not return to vote, therefore voting percentage is low. Congress leader of Surat is also shocked at the low turnout of voters in Patidar areas.

In fact, voters in Surat got personalised invitation cards from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Surat, as he wished to improve the voting percentage in the upcoming polls.

Mahendra Patel, the CEO of Surat, took this initiative of sending personalised invitations to attract voters.

"We thought this election is such a huge occasion for democracy, so why not send an invitation to the voters for the same, and hence on behalf of ECI, we would send an invitation card to each family in Surat," Patel told news agency ANI.

OneIndia News
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Why is everyone praying in Gujarat? After Rahul, Modi, Hardik's parents seek gods blessings

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Gandhinagar, Dec 14: Long ago, Mahatma Gandhi had famously said, "Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening."

This Gujarat Assembly election season, "prayer" has truly become the "key" to voters' hearts. Regarding the "bolt" to voters' hearts, we will know about it soon during the election results of the all-important Gujarat polls. The results of the elections will be out on December 18.

Till then, let's pray and join the "bhakti" (devotion) bandwagon of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the family of Hardik Patel, the founder of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

In the last few months, it is the temple tour of Rahul, who was seen hopping from one temple to another in Gujarat before the elections, that caught the attention of all, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which blasted him for promoting soft Hindutva.

PM Modi too visited a couple of temples. The most recent one was when he took a seaplane to pray at Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district on the last day of campaigning for the second phase of polling on Tuesday.

On Thursday, when Gujarat voted for the second and final phase of polling, it was the parents of Hardik, the 24-year-old leader, who was photographed seeking blessing from the almighty.

"Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for the second phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins," tweeted ANI.

Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins pic.twitter.com/YZAaAtMWL6  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

In a way, in Gujarat--adorned with several Hindu temples--all are praying. But actually, it is the voters of the state who should pray the hardest--irrespective of whether they are Hindus, Muslims or Christians--so that they elect the right party and candidates and reject everything that is wrong for them.

Hardik has been branded by the media as the "X factor" in the Gujarat polls. Experts say the 24-year-old leader holds the key to as how the important Patidar community votes this time.

The Patidar community forms 12 percent of the state's population. The community has always been loyal to the BJP. However, after Hardik started his Patidar agitation demanding reservation for the members of the community in government jobs and educational institutions, distance seems to have grown between the saffron party and its former loyalists.

Gujarat Assembly Election in 2007 and 2012 Party Wise (182 Seats) Party Name 2007 2012 Indian National Congress (INC) 59 57 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 117 119 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 3 2 Janata Dal (United) JD(U) 1 1 Gujartat Parivartan Party (GPP) - 2 Independents (IND) 2 1

Recently, Hardik has pledged the community's support to the Congress and appealed to the people to "uproot the BJP". On the day of election results, it would be revealed whose prayers were heard by the Hindu gods.

OneIndia News
Why the IT raids on Bitcoin exchanges in India are crucial

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

On Wednesday, the Income Tax department conducted a series of raids on Bitcoin exchanges around the country. Raids were conducted at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Gurugram.

An IT official informed that the survey was conducted to establish the identity of traders, investors and also the transactions undertaken by them. The IT department is closely watching the market as the cost of a Bitcoin has jumped from Rs 23,000 to Rs 10 lakh after demonetisation.

The Wednesday raid was the first big action by the IT department where Bitcoin exchanges were concerned. With trading in Bitcoins increasing, the IT department is now finding out more about the functioning of these exchanges.

The virtual currency is not regulated in the country. Many bankers across the world have raised concerns about its circulation. The RBI says that Bitcoins are a commodity and not a currency. It needs to be regulated accordingly, the RBI says while also cautioning users, holders and traders.

The big worry is that e-wallets are extremely hard to trace. An Intelligence Bureau report also suggested that terrorists and underworld kingpins such as Dawood Ibrahim have already moved on to Bitcoins. Dawood, in fact, has purchased Bitcoins to the tune of almost Rs 90 crore the report also stated.

Recent investigations conducted by the Delhi police pointed to an extortion racket in which Bitcoins were being used. The IB also says that there are instances of political funding taking place through Bitcoins.

OneIndia News
In UP 166 criminals killed in encounters in past five years: Yogi

Yogiji, where are sweaters for poor students of UP schools to fight harsh winter?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Lucknow, Dec 14: Winter has come with its woes for poor students studying in government schools of Uttar Pradesh.

It is almost mid-December and the little children of UP government schools are still waiting for the arrival of sweaters to help them fight the biting cold.

The minimum temperature in places like Lucknow, the capital city of the northern state under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has already dipped to 10 degrees Celsius making lives of children without warm clothes almost hell.

Every year during winters, the students of government schools in UP are given sweaters by the administration. However, this time the entire process has been delayed.

Talking about how the children without warm clothes are managing to attend their classes, a student studying in a government school in Lucknow told ANI, "The weather is quite cold, but we haven't received sweaters so far. The students who have sweaters they wear them, but those who don't are waiting for the school to provide them sweaters."

Jiyamau, #Luclnow: The weather is quite cold, but we haven't received sweaters so far. Students who have, wear it, but those who don't, are waiting for the school to provide say students #UttarPradesh pic.twitter.com/6JOWYx2HY8  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2017

According to ANI, the Yogi Adityanath government has called a snap bid for procurement of sweaters on December 23 to ensure availability of warm clothes for students at the earliest.

Thus the students, without access to warm clothes, have to wait for more than 10 days before they are given sweaters by their respective schools.

"The distribution of sweaters will start from December 25. We will distribute sweaters among students as and when we get them," a teacher was quoted as saying by ANI.

Uttar Pradesh Government has called a snap bid for procurement of sweaters on December 23 to ensure availability of sweaters. Distribution of sweaters to begin from December 25. Teachers say 'will distribute sweaters among students as and when we get' pic.twitter.com/aBP4niqTZq  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2017

Criticising the delay in distribution of sweaters among the needy children, the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) has called the BJP government in the state "insensitive".

"It's December but still there is no availability of sweaters. Children are falling sick. The BJP government is insensitive," SP leader Rajendra Chaudhary told ANI.

While chief minister Adityanath was busying touring and campaigning in Gujarat as a part of the state Assembly elections till a few days ago, the students in his home state are fighting a lonely battle this winter minus the warm clothes.

OneIndia News
This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how

With the number of anonymous rogues from Pak rising, here's how BSF is beating down the drones

Pakistan cant get over India: See what the Pakistanis searched for on Google

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Recommended Video

Google reveals that in 2017 Pakistan was searching about Indian movies and stars | Oneindia News

Pakistan can't stop thinking of India, can they? Google has revealed that Pakistan had three Indian movies on its list of top five searched words in 2017 apart from other India-originating searches.

Dangal was the third highest searched word in Pakistan in 2017. It may be recalled that the movie did not make it to the theatres in Pakistan.

Pakistan censor board while reviewing the film for release had demanded the removal of scenes that had the Indian flag and the national anthem playing in the background. Amir Khan however refused.

The fourth highest searched word in Pakistan for 2017 was the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees. Raees was banned in Pakistan as well. The film certification board in Pakistan said that the movie portrayed Muslims in poor light.

Among the most searched people in 2017, Pakistan had Rishi Kapoor on the fourth spot. This probably could do with the fact that Rishi Kapoor had tweeted about Pakistan occupied Kashmir where he said we need to accept what is ours and what is theirs. The Kapil Sharma is the second most searched news item in Pakistan.

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by  Graham Pierrepoint



Its something straight out of, say, Isaac Asimov, or even Futurama  the concept of robot police plodding the beat so our long-standing human cops dont have to. The idea of an automaton providing our citizens with security on our streets is perhaps a little bit of a scary thought  particularly if you subscribe to any theories such as Prof Stephen Hawkings thoughts on a potential robot uprising  but the fact of the matter is, weve already seen some AI hit the streets already, albeit in a very specific location and patrolling for a very specific purpose. Like driverless cars, this tech could grow to become colossal overnight and we wont even know it  but for now, a number of office buildings in San Francisco have been employed to help keep premises secure.

Knightscape security robots have hired to helping protect sidewalks outside smart buildings in the area and have been dubbed K9  not unlike the infamous talking robot dog from old episodes of Doctor Who  and theyve been brought forward by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SPCA. The SPCA has allowed their egg-shaped automatons to help shoo homeless people away from their premises  as it is thought that crime related to homeless activity was on the rise in the area. The non-profit organisation brought their cyber coppers into effect in an effort to help the Mission neighborhood  and theyre thought to run on thermal imaging and laser scanning to patrol the streets. You can even hire them for around $7 an hour, which could well be set as a benchmark for robot rights if Prof Hawkings thoughts on an uprising  ever come to fruition.

The SPCA has drawn ire from officials who warn that the firm needs a permit in order for their mobile law enforcers to continue scooting around on the beat  and its thought that they could be fined $1000 if they dont apply for one, or if they continue to let the K9s operate unlicensed. Its a bizarre state of affairs that could really point towards the future were heading for.

Automated security is nothing new, but the idea of public robo coppers is something which will likely not sit well with the more technophobic among us  however, it could be the turning point for advancing robot evolution for years to come. Stay alert  the cyber cops are coming!
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Corporate American Flag - corporateamericanflag.com CorporateAmericanFl ag.com ~ The Corporate American Flag -- 3x5 ft and 2x3 ft Flags -- Company Logos were the stars would be in the USA Flag.

(Image by YouTube, Channel: mapremnityam) Details DMCA



Corporate flag of America

Think about this: Democracy in America, even our so called democracy, could/would be effective if the people were:

Properly informed, not propagandized and indoctrinated and made fearful

Educated to think critically to seek the truth

Vigilant, not accepting insinuations, unverified opinions and talking head "analysis

Skeptical of government, what they say, why they say it, its policies and actions

Have the MSM be owned by the people to inform-not misinform-the people, to serve the peoples interests and not the big corporate interests that own and control all the MSM in America.

And make big money illegal in the electoral process. Publicly fund all elections, local, state and federal.

Then serious problems and issues could be dealt with i.e. climate change, infrastructure in disrepair, fracking halted, high speed rail introduced, break up the big banks, single payer Medicare for all health care legislation be enacted, ending our wars by stopping the funding. None of this can happen the way our "democracy" currently functions.

That's because we don't have democracy in the US. We have a plutocracy, government of, by and for the rich and big corporate interests. They dictate who runs for office, gets elected so their interests are taken care of by the sycophants they underwrite. And why none of the above is seriously addressed.

Big moneyed interests have completely corrupted the electoral process.

There is no real difference between the Democrat and Republican parties. Both are beholden to the big moneyed interests. Both Democrat and Republican National Committees control the debate process. At one time the League of Women Voters controlled the presidential debates but they backed out when the National Committees insisted the debates be limited restricting 3rd party candidates from participating.

The people are not well informed with a MSM owned by the big corporate interests which misinforms the people and is nothing more than an unofficial organ of the state.

Public education has descended into making good consumers of their charges, not educating them to think critically. That was the intent of a liberal arts education. Yet that seems overtaken in favor of teaching for test taking.

As for the peoples interests. They're mostly given lip service by those elected. Dissembling replaces straight talk which now is clearly evidenced by the latest "tax reform" package making its way through Congress which the buffoon in the White House will sign before the Christmas break saying it'll provide new jobs. Sounds like "trickle down economics" without saying as much.

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"Most studies suggest that the use of oral contraceptives is not associated with an overall increase in the risk of developing breast cancer," says the FDA about a popular hormone-based birth control pill. Don't worry ladies----you're in good hands.

But last week a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found otherwise: it revealed a small but significant risk of breast cancer with regular hormonal birth control pills. And, the longer women take them, the higher the risk.

While Pharma, the FDA and the medical establishment collectively plead "Who Knew"----they knew. Almost 50 years ago the breast cancer risks of hormonal birth control pills were exposed by Barbara Seaman in The Doctor's Case Against the Pill and reiterated in her follow-up book The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed on Women.



Pharma, the FDA and Medicine Have Known About Breast Cancer Links to the Pill for Decades

(Image by Martha Rosenberg) Details DMCA



Are we supposed to believe Pharma, the FDA and mainstream medicine did not "know" about the breast cancer risks when hormonal birth control pill labels warn patients to not take the drug if they have "a history of hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer?" and to "tell your healthcare professional if you have a family history of breast cancer or if you have had breast nodules or an abnormal mammogram"?

Breast cancer links with hormonal birth control pills have been known since 1969 but Pharma has always spun them. How? By telling women they will be spared other cancers---- "Oral contraceptive use may provide some protection against... cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the lining of the uterus"----and actually telling them their breast cancer won't be so bad. "Breast cancers diagnosed in current or previous OC [oral contraceptive] users tend to be less clinically advanced than in nonusers."

Even this week, the New York Times assures women their breast cancer-causing hormonal birth control bills are "associated with lower risks of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancer." Is that a joke? Should women have to choose between one cancer and another?

Pharma administering hormones to its female human "lab animals"----Seaman's term---- is not new. Between 1941 and 1971, more than four million pregnant women in the U.S. were given stilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriages, a hormone drug so dangerous it is now illegal to give to women and even illegal to give to food animals.

From the late 1940's until 15 years ago, millions of women were given the drugs Premarin and later Prempro for the "disease" of menopause. In 1975, an FDA panel found a link between Premarin and endometrial cancer, and the NEJM indicted estrogen therapy for increasing the risk of endometrial cancer by at least five times. When women quit Premarin en masse in the 1970s because of its cancerous side effects "There was a sharp downward trend in the incidence of endometrial cancer that paralleled a substantial reduction in prescriptions for replacement estrogens," reported the NEJM in 1979.

Flash forward to the early 2000's when women quit Prempro (the follow-up to Premarin) en masse because of its cancer links and the incidence of breast cancer in the United States fell 7 percent by 2003. It fell 15 percent among women whose tumors were fed by estrogen (contrary to what the Council on Hormone Education asserted.) Ovarian cancer rates also dropped.

It was the first time breast cancer rates had ever fallen significantly, reported the New York Times. According to Peter Ravdin, MD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, it was the largest one-year drop that he could remember. The National Cancer Institute reported a "huge decline in breast cancer incidence" the year women quit HRT. Fourteen thousand women who were expected to get breast cancer didn't, reported researchers, and the largest breast cancer reductions, 11 percent in California, correlated with the highest HRT use. Yes Pharma was giving women cancer.

As with hormonal birth control pills, Pharma told women menopause drugs would lower other cancer risks such as colorectal cancer----as if women should be exposed to any risks at all and would want to "trade" one cancer for another. The Pharma spin machine also told women breast cancer in Prempro users would be easier to treat.

(Article changed on December 13, 2017 at 21:25)

(Article changed on December 14, 2017 at 00:24)

(Article changed on December 14, 2017 at 14:51)
From Mondoweiss

By Ariel Gold and Medea Benjamin

Democrats usually jump at opportunities to counter Trump's reckless and incendiary policies. That is, when the policies don't have to do with the state of Israel.

The origins of the Jerusalem controversy date back to the 1947 UN General Assembly partition dividing Palestine into two states (under protest by the majority Palestinian population living there). Rather than giving Jerusalem either to Israel or Palestine, the UN recommended the city be corpus separatum, a "separated body," administered by the United Nations. The UN's plan was never implemented. Instead, in 1948, Israel ended up with control of the Western half of the city and Jordan held East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In 1967, Israel "unified the city" by occupying the eastern half as well.

Despite numerous UN resolutions calling for Israel to withdraw, Israel has continued to hold the land and take concrete measures to annex it. These actions have included the building of the separation wall to include East Jerusalem within Israel's boundaries, revoking the residency permits of Palestinian Jerusalemites, home demolitions and ongoing settlement growth. A 2017 bill in the Knesset even tried to formally annex 19 settlements surrounding Jerusalem into the Jerusalem municipality. Transportation Minister Israel Katz proudly declared the intent of the legislation as being to "ensure a Jewish majority in the united city and to expand its borders by adding 150,000 residents to the area of a greater Jerusalem."

Israeli anti-settlement group, Peace Now, succeeded in generating enough opposition that its authors watered it down from blatant annexation. The Prime Minister delayed the planned October 2017 vote on it due to lack of support and possible U.S. disapproval. However, if passed, it would still amount to de facto annexation of the 19 settlements.

From 1967 through today, all countries in the world, in accordance with the UN's original plan, have refused to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. U.S. policy had been that the city's status should be not be determined unilaterally but through negotiations. In 1995, the U.S. Congress reversed this position by passing the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which mandated the U.S. be moved from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of Israel. Democratic president Bill Clinton refused to sign the act, saying it "could hinder the peace process" and used the presidential waiver included in the legislation to prevent the embassy move... Following Clinton, all US Presidents have signed waivers every six months, as required by the 1995 act, to keep the US embassy in Tel Aviv because they know the dangerous spark not doing so could ignite in an already volatile Middle East.

Trump's announcement stating that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and directing the State Department to begin moving the embassy sparked protests across the world. In the West Bank and Gaza, where even nonviolent protests are met with military force, the first few days saw at least two Palestinians were killed and almost 800 injured. Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that Friday, killed two and injured at least 25 people, including a six-month-old baby who was placed in critical condition. Whether the baby is still alive or has succumbed to his wounds is unknown.

One would think Democrats would be be jumping at the chance to hammer Trump for his reckless plans and their consequences, pitting us, once again, against the rest of the world and obliterating our credibility to be an honest broker. Instead, most have been, silent or, worse yet, taking credit themselves for Trump actions.

Senator Ben Cardin, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, responded to Trump's actions with the affirmation that "Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel and the location of the U.S. Embassy should reflect this fact."

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer actually bragged after Trump's announcement that he had helped convince Trump to follow through with his campaign promise to move the embassy. "Moving the embassy as soon as possible would appropriately commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification," Schumer said in October 2017. According to international law, however, Jerusalem has spent the past 50 years being occupied, not unified.

Democratic whip Steny Hoyer agreed as well, saying that it was simply "a fact of history that cannot be denied." Representative Engel of New York stated, "this decision is long overdue and helps correct a decades-long indignity." Florida Representative Schultz said "We must work toward a day where the entire world recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel." Representative Deutch, also from Florida, released a joint statement with Republican Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen saying, "There is no debate that the Jewish people have a deep-rooted religious, cultural and historic tie to Jerusalem, and today's decision reaffirms that connection." Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi said "Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish homeland," but added that "in the absence of a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem now may needlessly spark mass protests, fuel tensions, and make it more difficult to reach a durable peace."

Not all democrats have fallen into line behind Trump's decision. The strongest reaction of opposition to Trump's decision has come from the Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs Mark Pocan and Raul M. Grijalva and Peace and Security Task Force Chair Barbara Lee. They released a joint statement. Trump's decision fails "to take into consideration the serious and delicate nature of the situation," said Rep. Grijalva. "President Trump's decision to declare U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, before reaching a finalized peace deal or two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians, hurts future agreements and will create unnecessary tensions and violence in the region," said Rep. Pocan. "Make no mistake," said Representative Lee. "This decision sabotages our diplomatic efforts and makes it even harder to achieve peace." The statement, however, did not have the signatures of the other 72 members of the caucus.

In advance of the announcement Senator Bernie Sanders put out a statement saying, "There's a reason why all past U.S. administrations have avoided making this move, and why leaders from all over the world, including a group of former Israeli ambassadors, have warned Trump against doing it: It would dramatically undermine the prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, and severely, perhaps irreparably, damage the United States' ability to broker that peace."

Senator Dianne Feinstein, penned a letter to in advance of Trump's action. "I urge you to reject calls to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel...The future of Jerusalem is an issue that should be decided by Israel and the Palestinians, not unilaterally by the United States. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- or relocating our embassy to Jerusalem -- will spark violence and embolden extremists on both sides of this debate."

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Tax bill recently passed by the Senate and approved by Reconciliation will generate sequester cuts under the PAYGO program.



Here is Maya MacGuineas writing for The Hill, as quoted by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget:



"The statutory pay-go sequester (as opposed to the Budget Control Act sequester that enforces the discretionary spending limits) requires across the board cuts in non-exempt mandatory spending programs to offset any deficit-increasing legislation that was passed in a given year."



PAYGO requires Congress to administer the cuts as the deficits are incurred. This means the recently passed budget will trigger cuts in:





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book; It's All in Your Head

(Image by Suzanne O'Sullivan) Details DMCA



The last time I went to my gastroenterologist, I sought his long-term prognosis regarding my condition. He assured me that my stomach discomfort was not due to a serious disease and that it would tend to go away as I got older. I feel that way now that I am older and I appreciate his attempt to help me heal by instilling a positive mental attitude in me.

This approach did, in fact, help the process of healing for me. Had he told me otherwise, I believe my symptoms would most likely have gotten worse. This encounter reminds me also of the story of some students who did not do their homework and wanted to get the class cancelled. They thought of a plot that involved telling their teacher how sick he looked. The suggestion "Your face looks pale and you seem to have a cold" was repeated by the students. After a short period of resistance, the teacher finally succumbed to the negativity, allowed himself to feel sick, and cancelled the class. The moral of this story is that there is a remarkable relationship between our mental perception and our bodily reaction to it. That is the central theme of It's All in Your Head, a newly published book by Dr. Suzanne O'Sullivan, a research neurologist from the UK.

I came across this book by luck as I was scrolling down the shelf of the new books in our local library. I could not resist the title It Is All in Your Head. "I wish it was," I whispered to myself. I checked the book out and started reading it. Even though the medical terminology was mind-boggling, I enjoyed reading it. In this book, the author shares her long-term experience with some of her patients who thought they were suffering from serious diseases. Dr. O'Sullivan, however, argues how the result of medical tests showed they had no serious disease but only illness. She believes there is a difference between a disease and an illness. A disease originates from our body, mainly out of our control, whereas an illness is a product of our mind and how we respond to emotional situations, especially more extreme emotional situations.

As a prominent neurologist, Dr. O'Sullivan believes that medicine is not a one hundred percent positive science; it is subject to interpretation and judgment just like other scientific fields. Although doctors primarily rely on medical tests to diagnose a disease, such tests, and the doctors' interpretation of them, may not be perfectly accurate. There is a subjective element in medicine that necessitates obtaining the opinions of multiple physicians or delving into the state of the patient's mind.

It is very possible that sometimes, as Dr. O'Sullivan argues, the symptoms of a disease may disappear for reasons still unknown to the medical profession. Although, some people erroneously call such instances miracles or see them as the result of praying. The author, however, asserts that this unexplained disappearance of symptoms is because what the patient believes to be a disease is not actually a disease; it is an illness. Illness, she explains, determines how humans respond to a disease. The nature of such responses depends on the attitude of the patient, which in turn, is dependent upon many factors, including how the patient handles unexpected incidences and unfortunate events. This is why developing positive attitudes is so helpful; these attitudes produce a placebo effect.

According to Dr. O'Sullivan, human life is defined by more than medical tests and files, and a patient is defined by more than just a series of clinical examinations. A human being is like a sophisticated computer; the body is the hardware and the mind is its operating software that controls its functionality. When we have a disease, we desperately want to get better. Because of our state of mind, we seek treatments that we think will help us to get better and we often do, especially if we trust our doctor and believe in his or her healing aptitude. We may sometimes get better by the power of our mind not medicine, or by the power of positive thinking and the strength of our positive attitudes; this can explain the non-physical causes of what we think is a disease to begin with.

The hardest thing, Dr. O'Sullivan explains, is to tell a patient that he is not suffering from what he believes is a disease. It may be a psychological problem that is, in fact, rooted in his mind. Patients, however, seem to be reluctant to accept this kind of a diagnosis because of the stigma attached to being psychologically ill. It is discomforting for them and sounds even accusatory because they may be thought to be making things up. Physical symptoms with psychological causes may not be unique to certain individuals; they may happen to all of us to varying degrees.

The bodily reactions to emotional incidences, such as fear, anxiety, stress, failure, rejection, are what Dr. O'Sullivan calls psychosomatic. Psychosomatic reactions at an ordinary level are normal and do not indicate any illness. However, if psychosomatic reactions are severe, as is the case for some people, they result in illness that often impairs or alters somatic functions. Instilling positive mental attitudes is an effective way to help these patients with the process of healing. Helping a patient to develop positive attitudes is quite helpful; however, many doctors overlook this simply because they do not either believe in the healing power of positive thinking, or they simply have not mastered the art of doing so.

People react or behave according to what they think. If, for instance, they see a tragic story on TV, they cry. The face may change color in reaction to fear, anger, or embracement. Somatic reactions to such encounters are usually normal and are well understood and studied by doctors. However, these reactions turn to illness if they are extraordinary. Some people's reactions to emotional encounters are so extreme that they may turn into physical disease with no medical explanations. Dr. O'Sullivan believes that ruling out a disease does not mean that the patient does not have an illness. Consequently, knowing this may change the way the patient should be treated, often not by a general medical practitioner, but by a specialist like a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

In summary, if you or a loved one is constantly complaining about having a disease and doctors have offered no diagnosis after performing numerous diagnostic tests or treatments and no physical causes for your disease are found, reading this book can be a helpful resource for understanding yourself. I also add that obtaining information about your medical condition from Internet sources that are so popular nowadays may be counterproductive because I believe medical information must be interpreted by experts, not by medically undereducated individuals, and no two bodies react to the same symptoms in the same way.

Relax; it is comforting to know that often It Is All in Your Head!
By Dave Lindorff







The Pentagon and some of the cars of 23,000 warmakers who work there

(Image by US Govt. DOD) Details DMCA



Okay, somebody has to say this, so it might as well be me.

The American political system exists as it is because of two reasons:

1. The majority of Republican voters are either incredibly ignorant or are simply incredibly selfish, and

2. The majority of Democratic voters are so blinded by their fear of Republicans that they will vote for the most puerile, manipulative, deceitful, greedy and/or feckless candidates, as long as they are Democrats, and will re-elect them even after having been betrayed by them time and time again.

There, I've said it.

Reason number one is why we currently have Donald Trump for president. The man cannot hold a train of thought for the ten or 15 seconds it takes to express it or to type it into a Tweet, lies so often I don't think he even knows when he's doing it half the time, and has no moral core. And yet a third of American voters think he's just great. And even though all his policies are damaging the very people -- the poor, forgotten white working class -- that he likes to highlight as being his main concern, those people, who are now at risk of losing their subsidized health insurance available under Obamacare, their Medicaid, their Supplemental Security Income checks (available to the disabled and to children and young single parents left in need by the death of a working parent/spouse) and the protection against predatory lenders afforded by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), continue to back him, and will likely vote for him in 2020.

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An urgent public forum was held at Revolution Books in New York City on Tuesday, December 5, on the upsurge against sexual abuse and the big questions it raises. The speakers were Fran Luck, founder and executive producer at WBAI of "Joy of Resistance: Multicultural Feminist Radio," and Sunsara Taylor, co-initiator of RefuseFascism.org; a leader on the frontlines of the movement to end pornography and patriarchy: the enslavement and degradation of women; advocate for Bob Avakian's new communism. The moderator was Andy Zee, spokesperson for Revolution Books.

The forum focused on these questions:

What does the outpouring and outcry against sexual abuse tell us about the reality of THIS society?

*How can we (women AND men) push forward this upsurge and maximize its positive effect?

*How does this upsurge relate to the Trump/Pence regime, including its legal attacks on women?

*Can the subjugation and degradation of women really be ended... or what would it take to overcome the oppression of women--and all oppression?
See original here

BY William J. Astore



Trump Has Appointed More Generals in His Cabinet Than Any President Since World War II

(Image by YouTube, Channel: Democracy Now!) Details DMCA



An article yesterday at NBC focusing on Trump and "his" generals got me to thinking on this subject again. Its author, Suzanne Garment, suggests that Trump likes generals as obedient alpha males. They lend him credibility without directly threatening his delicate ego. And there's truth in this.

But I want to focus on other reasons for Trump's preference for generals in high positions. A year ago, I wrote an article for TomDispatch.com on "All the President's Generals." That article focused mainly on the potential impact of these generals on America's foreign policy and domestic culture. As I wrote last December:

Collectively, the team of Mattis, Flynn, and Kelly could not be more symbolic of the ongoing process of subversion of civilian control of the military. With Trump holding their reins, these self-styled warriors will soon take charge of the highest civilian positions overseeing the military of the world's sole superpower. Don't think of this, however, as a "Seven Days in May" scenario in which a hard-headed general mounts a coup against an allegedly soft-hearted president. It's far worse. Who needs a coup when generals are essentially to be given free rein by a president-elect who fancies himself a military expert because, as a teenager, he spent a few years at a military-themed boarding school?

In all of this, Trump represents just the next (giant) step in an ongoing process. His warrior-steeds, his "dream team" of generals, highlight America's striking twenty-first-century embrace of militarism.

I continue to think this is true. Trump is empowering further military adventurism, even as he reinforces military-style solutions to problems. But there are other reasons for Trump's tight and eager embrace of the military.

Basically, by embracing the military and elevating it (while feeding it lots of money), Trump has neutralized it as a rival to his power. Indeed, he is borrowing from the military's authority and standing within our culture to bolster his own.

Recall how Candidate Trump was often quite critical of the U.S. military. He knew more than the generals, he said. Their wars he often called wasteful follies. He was going to win (or end) these wars, he claimed, and hinted that quite a few "loser" generals might be on the receiving end of his infamous "You're fired" line.

You hear none of this today. Trump is at pains to praise the military and his generals. He says they're on a winning path, even in Afghanistan (because of Trump's decisions, naturally). He rewards them with record budgets and unalloyed praise.

And it's working. The military (and the larger national security state) is content with Trump. He's letting them have their way, which is another way of saying Trump is having his way.

In American society today, there aren't too many power centers that truly can challenge Trump. The media he's diminished with all his attacks ("Fake news!"). A Republican Congress remains quietly subservient. Trump is stacking the judiciary with conservative judges to his liking. The Democratic Party remains feckless and divided. Bankers and corporations? Trump has hired the former and given a huge gift to the latter in the latest Republican tax cut for the richest.

When you think about it, the one power center that could challenge Trump is the military-industrial complex: America's fourth branch of government. Yet by hiring so many of its generals and by praising it while passing loads of moola its way, Trump has co-opted its authority and power, attaching it to himself in his role as commander-in-chief.

Trump's last hurdle may be the Robert Mueller investigation into Russian meddling and possible complicity or obstruction by Trump. If Trump gets past this (perhaps even by firing Mueller), is there anyone left with the balls and the authority to stop his ambition and designs as an authoritarian leader?
From Moyers & Company

Co-written by Michael Winship

The Moyers team has been in the fight for net neutrality from the very beginning. Our documentary Net at Risk was perhaps the first on television to alert the nation to the danger of a corporate takeover of the internet. When the mainstream media largely ignored the story, we gave advocates for net neutrality a national hearing. We followed former FCC commissioner Michael Copps and others to unofficial town meetings when the George W. Bush FCC refused to sanction such events. And we celebrated in the public interest when the Obama FCC voted in 2015 to protect and enforce net neutrality.

But every time we think the battle to protect the internet is won, the forces of greed, power and control come right back at us. After he and the Republicans won the 2016 election, Donald Trump appointed Ajit Pai, a former executive from Verizon, to head the FCC. Pai is leading the corporate crusade to overturn net neutrality, doing his best to give Verizon and the other telecommunications giants exactly what they want. It's classic regulatory capture, a government agency capitulating to the very industry it's supposed to oversee, the old fox in the henhouse switch that means death to the chickens.

The crucial FCC vote to reverse the net neutrality rules is Thursday, Dec. 14. There remains time to make your voice heard. Follow the instructions in this link to file comments. Or you can call 1-888-225-5322 or email Chairman Pai at Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov. Twitter: @FCC or @AjitPaiFCC. Facebook: Federal Communications Commission.

You can contact your congressional representatives -- right now, there's little chance that the current House and Senate would pass network neutrality legislation, but they do control the FCC's purse strings. Call your representatives at (202) 224-3121, or email them -- go to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov to track them down.

And you can call the White House: (202) 456-1111. Or write a comment.

For more information on the current state of play, read the piece below by our senior writer, Michael Winship.

-- Bill Moyers

To understand why the internet's in big trouble again, first know this about how Washington works these days:

Donald Trump seems to irradiate and poison everyone who is sucked into his gravitational pull. There's a black hole in residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Attorneys engaged in his defense twist themselves into questionable statements and behaviors as special counsel Robert Mueller's probe draws nearer. Members of Congress surrender their self-esteem and whatever shred of decency they may have left to put forward the plutocrats' agenda, while pandering to Trump's hardcore followers for fear of losing campaign donations or being primaried. Administration officials who are established enough to know better bow in obeisance or vigorously nod their heads in agreement with any dingbat thing the president says.

Mysteriously, some actually appear to enjoy the Kool-Aid; for all the buffoonery, Trump's cave-bear philosophy, such as it is, tends to favor the ideological and theocratic inclinations of people like Vice President Pence and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Others are more manipulative and cynical, using this special moment in American history to hold their noses, take advantage and use the clown show as cover to advance the wish list that corporate America has been mailing to Santa for decades.

In that latter category, place the ambitious current chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai. He was appointed a member of the FCC in 2011, and then named by Trump to take the chair earlier this year. Ever since, Pai has reshaped the commission as a pass-through for the telecommunications giants, giving them virtually everything they want. Acting more like the associate general counsel of Verizon that he once was and less like the government regulator he's supposed to be, Pai quickly began doing his utmost to wipe out whatever rules remain that keep open to citizens the lines of communication essential to a democracy.

Right now, his sights are aimed at net neutrality, the set of protections approved by the FCC in 2015 that keep the big internet service providers (ISPs) like Verizon, Comcast, AT&T and Charter from completely taking over and deciding who can see what on the web, how fast and for how much.

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Quicklink Not Found

Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them.



To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here.


Los Angeles March for Immigrant Rights

(Image by mollyktadams) Details DMCA



Fascism is all too often relegated to the history books.

The word conjures up a period in which civilized societies treated democracy with contempt, engaged in acts of systemic violence, practised extermination and elimination, supported an "apocalyptic populism," suppressed dissent, promoted a hyper-nationalism, displayed contempt for women, embraced militarism as an absolute ideal and insisted on obedience to a self-proclaimed prophet.

But the seeds that produced such fascist horrors have once again sprung to life, returning in new social and political forms.

Today, a culture of fear dominates American society, one marked by massive inequities in wealth and power that not only uphold structures of domination, but also view differences as threats, compassion as weakness and shared responsibilities --if not the common good itself -- as pathology.

Fascist thought is on the rise all over the world, but its most blatant and dangerous manifestation has emerged in the Trump administration.

Fear and the ethos of mass consumerism --coupled with widespread insecurity and ignorance --now drive people into a malignant notion of security, self-inflicted cynicism and into the arms of demagogues like Trump. For too many Americans, critical thinking and hope have given way to emotional bonding and the revival of the discourse of ultra-nationalism and bigotry.

Trump is not Hitler in that he has not created concentration camps, shut down the critical media or rounded up dissidents; moreover, the United States at the current historical moment is not the Weimar Republic.

But in the Trump era, remnants of fascism exist in different shapes and forms and include a celebration of the cult of the leader, systemic racism, the embrace of a toxic macho-populism and state support for ultra-nationalism, racism and the threat of violence against critics.

All of these elements are evident in Trump's rhetoric and policy initiatives.

Trump's corporate brand of neoliberal fascism is highly visible in right-wing policies that favour deregulation, corporate power and the interests of the ultra-rich.

Instead of draining the corporate swamp, Trump has embraced the merging of corporate and political power, and in doing so has turned the state into a battering ram designed to serve the most powerful and wealthiest members of society.

Trump's mode of fascism is a unique product of our times, our commercial culture, and a corporate controlled media, all of which saps the foundations of a viable democracy.

American culture is advertising-saturated and celebrity-based, and has permitted a rich self-promoter to abandon any pretense of civility, accountability or integrity in order to hype, scam and market his way to power.

Call it Fascism, American-Style. It's returned in the shadow of neoliberalism, with its celebration of the market as the template for governing all of society and its concentration of economic and political power in relatively few hands.

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The brouhaha surrounding the tax reform bill is a story in and of itself. Republicans trying to get a man accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls into office just for his vote? Check. Video of elected officials with their righteous anger standing up for the little guys? Check. Handwritten additions to the tax reform at the 11th hour because big business wasn't satisfied with their already extra-large cuts? Check. Senators claiming those of us who aren't inheriting giant chunks of cash are going without because we blow all our money on booze, women and movies? Check.

It's a mess, and if you're not one of the 1 percent (or a multi-million dollar corporation), chances are you're getting a whole lot of nothing.

So how does the bill potentially impact you and your taxes? Here are some major points of interest :

The House bill will allow religious organizations to endorse political candidates, something that was previously illegal under the federal Johnson Amendment. Every religious organization will be able to campaign and fundraise for elections and candidates.

The Senate version cuts taxes on private-jet-related fees, like staffing and maintenance. Great news if you have a private jet!

Both bills allow deductions for unborn babies, which is a step towards legal personhood for fetuses. That's dangerous territory for a lot of women's reproductive issues, like abortion.

The House version has a provision that makes tuition waivers for graduate students taxable income, while the Senate does not. Student loan interest will not be tax deductible. This is a hard hit to graduate students, who may be forced to pursue higher education overseas. Oh, and endowment gains for universities are now taxed, so expect college to get more expensive.

The married couple deduction is going up, but that increase is checked by reducing personal exemptions. Depending on how large your family is, this could be good or bad. Families without children will see an increase in returns, whereas families with two or more children will pay more .

Households who earn less than $75,000 will lose tax cuts by 2027 and will end up paying more.

While freelancers and contractors can still use itemized deductions, teachers who buy supplies for the classroom and civil servants who deduct their equipment will be hit hard by this.

Estate tax, one the hotly contended tax issues, will be removed. This makes inheriting easier and a whole lot less expensive . If you're not in line to inherit $5.5 million or more (which is where the inheritance tax kicks in), it's because you and your family were too busy blowing your money on booze, women and movies, according to Iowa's Senator Grassley.

This tax reform will add $1 trillion to the federal deficit in the next 10 years despite Republican claims. The "balanced" part of this balanced tax bill relies heavily on assumptions that cuts at the top will inspire economic growth (and that economic regulation overhaul will do the rest).

Right now the Republican party is pushing hard to finish their proposals, marry them, and push them through. President Trump has made it clear he wants it to get voted into effect by the end of the year, making the changes relevant to 2018 (and on tax returns filed early 2019). That's breakneck speed for such complicated legislation. Without proper time to weigh the potential consequences of hastily written (and in some cases, handwritten into the margins) tax code on some of the most important things in our lives, like

, all of the expected losses could just be the beginning.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Ambassadors of the traditional kind? Who needs them? Diplomats? What a waste! The State Department? Why bother? Its budget is to be slashed and its senior officials are leaving in droves ever since Donald Trump entered the Oval Office. Under Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, hiring is frozen, which means those officials are generally not being replaced. (Buyouts of $25,000 are being offered to get yet more of them to jump ship.) Dozens of key positions have gone unfilled, while the secretary of state reportedly focuses not on global diplomacy or what, in another age, was called "foreign policy," but on his reorganization (downsizing) of the department and evidently little else. Across the planet, starting with the A's (Australia), American embassies lack ambassadors, including South Korea, a country that has been a focus of the Trump administration. Similarly, at the time of the president's inflammatory Jerusalem announcement, the U.S. had no ambassadors yet in Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia, among other Middle Eastern states. It's quite a tale and it's being covered as the news story it certainly is.

All of this could be seen, however, not just as the foibles of one president surrounded by "his" generals, but as the culmination of a post-9/11 process in which American policymaking has increasingly been militarized. In this context, as the State Department shrinks, don't think this country has no ambassadors across the planet. America's Special Operations forces increasingly act as our "diplomats" globally, training and bolstering allies and attempting to undermine enemies more or less everywhere. We've never seen anything like it and yet, unlike the slashing of the diplomatic corps, it's a story barely noted in the mainstream. Nick Turse has, however, been covering it for TomDispatch in a groundbreaking way since 2011. In these years, he's focused on what should have been seen as one of the major developments of our era: the phenomenal growth and historically unprecedented deployment of this country's special operators in an atmosphere of permanent war in Washington.

In the post-9/11 years, the once "elite" units of the U.S. military, perhaps a few thousand Green Berets and other personnel, have become a force of approximately 70,000. In other words, that secretive crew cocooned inside the U.S. military has grown as large as or larger than the militaries of countries such as Argentina, Canada, Chile, Croatia, South Africa, or Sweden. Now, imagine that those Special Operations forces, as Turse has again been reporting for years, are not only being dispatched to more countries annually than ever before, but to more countries than any nation has ever deployed its military personnel to. Period.

Shouldn't that be a humongous story? We're talking, as Turse points out today, about the deployment of special ops teams or personnel to 149 of the 190 (or so) nations on this planet in 2017. You can, of course, find articles about our special operators in the media, but over the years they've generally tended to read like so many publicity releases for such forces. The story of how our special operators came to be our "diplomats" of choice and the spearhead for American foreign policy and how expanding wars and spreading terror movements were the apparent result of such moves has yet to be told, except at places like TomDispatch. Tom

Donald Trump's First Year Sets Record for U.S. Special Ops

Elite Commandos Deployed to 149 Countries in 2017

By Nick Turse "We don't know exactly where we're at in the world, militarily, and what we're doing," said Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in October. That was in the wake of the combat deaths of four members of the Special Operations forces in the West African nation of Niger. Graham and other senators expressed shock about the deployment, but the global sweep of America's most elite forces is, at best, an open secret. Earlier this year before that same Senate committee -- though Graham was not in attendance -- General Raymond Thomas, the chief of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), offered some clues about the planetwide reach of America's most elite troops. "We operate and fight in every corner of the world," he boasted. "Rather than a mere 'break-glass-in-case-of-war' force, we are now proactively engaged across the 'battle space' of the Geographic Combatant Commands... providing key integrating and enabling capabilities to support their campaigns and operations." In 2017, U.S. Special Operations forces, including Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets, deployed to 149 countries around the world, according to figures provided to TomDispatch by U.S. Special Operations Command. That's about 75% of the nations on the planet and represents a jump from the 138 countries that saw such deployments in 2016 under the Obama administration. It's also a jump of nearly 150% from the last days of George W. Bush's White House. This record-setting number of deployments comes as American commandos are battling a plethora of terror groups in quasi-wars that stretch from Africa and the Middle East to Asia. "Most Americans would be amazed to learn that U.S. Special Operations Forces have been deployed to three quarters of the nations on the planet," observes William Hartung, the director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy. "There is little or no transparency as to what they are doing in these countries and whether their efforts are promoting security or provoking further tension and conflict." Growth Opportunity

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America's elite troops were deployed to 149 nations in 2017, according to U.S. Special Operations Command. The map above displays the locations of 132 of those countries; 129 locations (in blue) were supplied by U.S. Special Operations Command; 3 locations (in red) -- Syria, Yemen and Somalia -- were derived from open-source information. (Nick Turse) "Since 9/11, we expanded the size of our force by almost 75% in order to take on mission-sets that are likely to endure," SOCOM's Thomas told the Senate Armed Services Committee in May. Since 2001, from the pace of operations to their geographic sweep, the activities of U.S. Special Operations forces (SOF) have, in fact, grown in every conceivable way. On any given day, about 8,000 special operators -- from a command numbering roughly 70,000 -- are deployed in approximately 80 countries. "The increase in the use of Special Forces since 9/11 was part of what was then referred to as the Global War on Terror as a way to keep the United States active militarily in areas beyond its two main wars, Iraq and Afghanistan," Hartung told TomDispatch. "The even heavier reliance on Special Forces during the Obama years was part of a strategy of what I think of as 'politically sustainable warfare,' in which the deployment of tens of thousands of troops to a few key theaters of war was replaced by a 'lighter footprint' in more places, using drones, arms sales and training, and Special Forces." The Trump White House has attacked Barack Obama's legacy on nearly all fronts. It has undercut, renounced, or reversed actions of his ranging from trade pacts to financial and environmental regulations to rules that shielded transgender employees from workplace discrimination. When it comes to Special Operations forces, however, the Trump administration has embraced their use in the style of the former president, while upping the ante even further. President Trump has also provided military commanders greater authority to launch attacks in quasi-war zones like Yemen and Somalia. According to Micah Zenko, a national security expert and Whitehead Senior Fellow at the think tank Chatham House, those forces conducted five times as many lethal counterterrorism missions in such non-battlefield countries in the Trump administration's first six months in office as they did during Obama's final six months. A Wide World of War

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From Consortium News



Graffiti on Israel's wall in Bethlehem, West Bank. April 16, 2011.

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Protests have broken out across the Middle East against President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- and Western critics complain that the move adds one more brick in the wall against the prospects for peace.

Professor Francis Boyle, who teaches international law at the University of Illinois College of Law and served as a long-time legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), calls Trump's announcement a "symbolic but still critical step in Israeli designs to control not just Jerusalem, but all of historic Palestine." I spoke with Boyle on Dec. 6.

Dennis Bernstein: What was your initial response to the announcement by President Trump that the United States will be moving its embassy to Jerusalem?

Francis Boyle: It is always a sad day when you know that people are going to die. It is a defeat for the human spirit. In the last intifada [September 2000-February 2005], about 3,000 Palestinians died and 1,000 Israelis. I don't know what will happen this time. The Palestinians have called for "three days of rage." Trump could very well set off a third intifada here.

Dennis Bernstein: Trump says this doesn't get in the way of the US being an honest broker, that the vision is for peace. From the legal perspective, how do you see this?

Francis Boyle: First of all, the United States has never been an honest broker here. I was legal advisor to the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East Peace Negotiations from 1991, when they began, to the signing of Oslo. It was very clear that the United States was always serving as Israel's lawyer. You had Miller, Ross, and Kurtzer, all three American Jews, two of them orthodox.

The Palestinians had to go hat-in-hand to present their case to American Jews. Nothing has changed: We now have Kushner, Greenblatt and Friedman, all three of whom are orthodox Jews. The whole thing has been preposterous from the beginning. We have always been in favor of Israel, using lies, threats and intimidation to force the Palestinians to accept whatever the Israelis are giving them. That is international diplomacy for you, conducted by the United States, not only in the Middle East but all over the world.

Dennis Bernstein: Would you say that what is going on here is not just Israel trying to control Jerusalem but all of Palestine?

Francis Boyle: That has always been Israel's policy. I had a conversation with the chair of the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East peace negotiations. He told me that the Zionists have not changed their position since the Basel Convention of 1897. They want all of Palestine. What is happening now in Jerusalem is a step in that direction.

If you look at the recently leaked so-called peace plan that was presented to [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas in Saudi Arabia, he was basically given an ultimatum to either accept some tiny bantustan or forget it. It is very clear that they want all of Palestine, all of the West Bank, all of Jerusalem. They want the Golan Heights and maybe even some more of Syria.



President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel at the United Nations General Assembly

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Dennis Bernstein: We have revelations now that Jared Kushner, our chief peace negotiator in the Middle East, failed to disclose in ethics filings his role as director of a family foundation that funded Israeli settlements. Do you think that is a problem?

Francis Boyle: Of course, because basically he is aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine.

Dennis Bernstein: Is the United States participating in illegal actions in Israel, or doesn't it matter anymore?

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From Alternet

Trump adviser Stephen Moore finally concedes what we've known all along.





In the halls of Congress on Wednesday, 84 activists from progressive groups were arrested for seeking meetings with their representatives to protest the GOP tax plan.

Among those present was Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, which seeks to protect and expand the earned benefits program. Other participating groups were the Center for Popular Democracy, the Women's March, the Strong Economy for All Coalition, and Hedge Clipper.

Lawson noticed Stephen Moore, the conservative economist and tax-cut evangelist, walking past and pinned him down on camera, forcing him to admit that not everyone in the country is in line for a tax cut as the GOP has promised.

Watch the confrontation:

Lawson: Stephen, do you want to give a standup about the tax bill?

Moore: What is this for?

Lawson: This is for... a bunch of people are being arrested for protesting the tax bill.

Moore: Why are they protesting?

Lawson: They're protesting a handout to billionaires and robbing us. Well, you're not a billionaire, right?

Moore: Haha. I wish I were. I'm trying to be a billionaire.

Lawson: You just flack for them.

Moore: I think everybody should get a tax cut. It would be good for America.

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Evian

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Evian is not just a bottled water company. And the town of Evian-les-Baines in France on the south shore of Lake Geneva is not just a location for luxury hotels. It's also the location where, in July 1938, the first international effort was ever made (or feigned) to alleviate a refugee crisis.

The crisis was the Nazi treatment of Jews. The representatives of 32 nations and 63 organizations (plus some 200 journalists covering the event) were well aware of the Nazis' desire to expel all Jews from Germany and Austria, and somewhat aware that the fate that awaited them if not expelled was death. The decision of the conference was essentially to leave the Jews to their fate. (Only Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic increased their immigration quotas.) The decision to abandon the Jews was driven primarily by anti-Semitism, which was widespread among the diplomats in attendance and among the publics they represented.

These nations were represented at the Evian Conference: Australia, the Argentine Republic, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Italy refused to attend.

Australian delegate T. W. White said, without asking the native people of Australia: "as we have no real racial problem, we are not desirous of importing one."

The dictator of the Dominican Republic viewed Jews as racially desirable, as bringing whiteness to a land with many people of African descent. Land was set aside for 100,000 Jews, but fewer than 1,000 ever arrived.

In The Jewish Trail of Tears The Evian Conference of July 1938, Dennis Ross Laffer concludes that the conference was set up to fail and put on for show. Certainly it was proposed by and chaired by a representative of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt who chose not to make any serious efforts to aid Jewish refugees, before, during, or after the conference.

"Popular support was reflected in various newspapers," writes Laffer. "Foreign correspondent, columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner Anne O'Hare McCormick described the 'heartbreaking' scenes of long lines of Jews seeking visas from U.S. Consulates abroad while 'waiting in suspense' for the outcome of the Evian Conference. She believed that the issue facing America and the world was not how many 'unemployed' could be added to the national rolls of the unemployed. Rather, the world faced a fundamental 'test of civilization.' Could America accept the moral guilt, McCormick asked, if Germany was allowed to continue with its blatant 'policy of extermination' of the Jewish people?"

America chose the moral guilt, although it avoids awareness of it. America's Coast Guard chased a ship of Jewish refugees away from Miami. America's State Department turned down the visa application of Anne Frank's family. America rejected the Wagner-Rogers bill to admit more Jewish and non-Aryan refugees, but passed the Hennings Bill to allow unlimited numbers of British Christian children into the Land of the Free. A June 1938 Gallup poll found that seventy-two percent of Americans believed "we should not allow a larger number of Jewish exiles from Germany into the U.S."

"Hitler responded to the news of the conference by saying essentially that if the other nations would agree to take the Jews, he would help them leave: "I can only hope and expect that the other world, which has such deep sympathy for these criminals [Jews], will at least be generous enough to convert this sympathy into practical aid. We, on our part, are ready to put all these criminals at the disposal of these countries, for all I care, even on luxury ships."

This is how Walter Mondale has described the hope represented by the Evian Conference: "At stake at Evian were both human lives -- and the decency and self-respect of the civilized world. If each nation at Evian had agreed on that day to take in 17,000 Jews at once, every Jew in the Reich could have been saved. As one American observer wrote, 'It is heartbreaking to think of the " desperate human beings " waiting in suspense for what happens at Evian. But the question they underline is not simply humanitarian " it is a test of civilization.'"

Civilization failed.

Of course, with German expansion in the years ahead, the number of Jews and non-Jews subject to murder by the Nazis would grow to much more than 17,000 times 32.

A report suggests that "the fact that the Evian Conference did not pass a resolution condemning the German treatment of Jews was widely used in Nazi propaganda and further emboldened Hitler in his assault on European Jewry leaving them ultimately subject to Hitler's 'Final Solution to the Jewish Question.'" The U.S. Congress also failed to pass such a resolution.

Kristallnacht came in November 1938. And "in his Reichstag speech of January 30, 1939, Hitler used the world's reluctance to absorb Jewish refugees to legitimize the Nazi program of expulsion:

"'It is a shameful spectacle to see how the whole democratic world is oozing sympathy for the poor tormented Jewish people, but remains hard-hearted and obdurate when it comes to aiding them -- which is surely, in view of its attitude, an obvious duty. The arguments that are brought up as excuses for not helping them actually speak for us Germans and Italians. For this is what they say:

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From Alternet

A top election official insists Roy Moore is entitled to a recount. The law says otherwise.

Roy Moore cannot get a recount under state law, a growing chorus of legal scholars said Wednesday, despite what the state's top election official and the Senate candidate himself might have you believe. (Moore told rallygoers Tuesday night that the race is "not over," and that it will "take some time.")

"It looks like Roy Moore cannot request a recount in the Alabama Senate race if the margin is greater than 0.5 percent (there's an automatic recount for the 0.5 percent range)," wrote Rick Hasen, a University of California Irvine law professor and curator of the nation's most influential election law blog. "Last night on CNN, Alabama SOS [Secretary of State] John Merrill got it wrong, saying that Moore could pay for a recount in the larger range. The statute does not allow this for federal offices."

As of midnight Wednesday, Democrat Doug Jones had 671,151 votes to Moore's 650,436 votes, good for a margin of victory of 1.5 percent. The election also included 22,819 write-in votes, which is what Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) suggested Sunday that his fellow Alabama Republicans submit.

Hasen's comments -- which were affirmed by other election lawyers on his listserv -- highlight the latest dubious behavior by high-ranking Alabama officials surrounding the controversial U.S. Senate election.

On Monday, a Montgomery County court issued an order telling Merrill to instruct all county election officials to preserve the digital images of every ballot that is scanned and counted. That involves checking one box on a software window after turning on the scanners. Merrill appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court of Alabama, which reversed the lower court order and undermined any chance of creating a public record for a possible recount. Of course, Alabama officials thought they were helping Roy Moore.

The Supreme Court of Alabama quickly issued its order without hearing from attorneys representing the four Alabama citizens seeking to preserve the ballot images.

"It appears that the court issued its order within minutes after the stay request, without giving the other side a chance for briefing," Hasen blogged. "How could they have had a chance to fairly consider the issue?...It is very disturbing because the AL Supreme Court's order effectively decides the case. The ballot images will be destroyed, even if plaintiffs ultimately win on the merits weeks later. Goes against principles of preserving the status quo."

If that wasn't bad enough, later on Tuesday Merrill told CNN that Moore could pay for a recount, when as Hasen and other election lawyers have noted, the state's election law does not allow a recount unless the victory margin is under 0.5 percent.

"I understand that Merrill may have made an error in the heat of the election (but truly, this is something he should have known going into such a high profile and closely watched election)," Hasen wrote. "But what explains his failure to correct things now? We are moving from a mistake to possibly something else."

Merrill didn't respond to Hasen, but blocked him on his Twitter account Wednesday.

The Washington Post's Philip Bump took a closer look at the preliminary vote results, which have not been officially certified. Before Moore spoke on Tuesday night when he refused to concede, his campaign chairman said there were still uncounted ballots from overseas military personnel.

"To [CNN's Jake] Tapper, Merrill said it would be 'highly unusual and highly unlikely for that number of ballots' -- the 20,715 margin between Jones and Moore -- 'to be outstanding' from service members. It might, however, be enough to draw Moore within 0.5 points, he said," Bump wrote, before debunking that assertion.

"We can be confident, though, that it wouldn't," Bump continued. "As of May 2016, there were only about 8,700 people from Alabama serving in the armed forces. Assuming that's held fairly steady, even 100 percent turnout from that group would account for only about 42 percent of the gap that Moore needs. Even if all of those service members voted and all of them voted for Moore, Jones would still have a lead of 0.9 percentage points. Not enough."

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Converged Infrastructure Market Progresses for Huge Profits During 2017-2027

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Converged infrastructure market is growing rapidly as it reduces the total operating cost of an IT infrastructure and high level of flexibility for enterprises. Converged infrastructure has reduced the load of deploying and managing the networks, storage, servers, and other applications for the data-driven businesses. Converged infrastructure also reduces risk to business by providing high accessibility and consistency, less disruptive upgrades, and a solid platform for disaster recovery. Converged infrastructure solutions allows enterprises to get agility and automation by using tightly-coupled hardware and software product.Converged Infrastructure Market: Drivers and ChallengesThe major driver for converged infrastructure market growth is increasing demand to enhance IT operational efficiency, improve data protection, reduce the IT cost, and aging of traditional data centers. Another driving factor for converged infrastructure market is the cloud-based converged infrastructure solutions which are providing many opportunities for enterprises. Converged Infrastructure helps business innovation for IT enterprises by providing a simplified path to the cloud, where business can experiment with and use a vast and growing array of innovation and specialized software and services.Request for Sample @In contrast to this, due to high cost, limited flexibility, and lack of awareness of converged infrastructure are restraining the converged infrastructure market growth.Converged Infrastructure Market: SegmentationSegmentation on the basis of type:Integrated SystemsCertified Reference SystemsHyper converged SystemsSegmentation on the basis of industry:IT and TelecommunicationsManufacturingTransportation and LogisticsDefense and GovernmentBFSIRetailEnergy and UtilitiesHealthcareOthersRequest for Table of Contents @Converged Infrastructure Market: key playersSome of the key players for Converged infrastructure market are, Cisco System Inc., Dell EMC, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, NetApp, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Symantec, Teradata, VMware, Fujitsu and Hitachi Data SystemConverged Infrastructure Market: Regional OverviewConverged infrastructure Market is currently dominated by North America due to the technological advancements and high usage of cloud platforms.Asia Pacific Converged infrastructure market is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period.Report Overview @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Alfalfa Hay Market Professional Research by Leading Brands (ACX Global, Bailey Farms, Aldahra Fagavi, Grupo Oses, Gruppo Carli) and Forecasts to 2022

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This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAnderson HayACX GlobalBailey FarmsAldahra FagaviGrupo OsesGruppo CarliBorder Valley TradingBarr-AgAlfa TecStandlee HaySacate Pellet MillsOxbow Animal HealthM&C HayAccomazzoHuishan DiaryQiushi Grass IndustryBeijing HDR TradingBeijing Lvtianyuan Ecological FarmModern GrasslandInner Mongolia Dachen AgricultureInner Mongolia HuangYangwa Grass IndustryRequest a sample of this report @By types, the market can be split intoAlfalfa Hay BalesAlfalfa Hay PelletsAlfalfa Hay CubesBy Application, the market can be split intoDairy Cow FeedBeef Cattle & Sheep FeedPig FeedPoultry FeedBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaBrowse Complete Report @Some points from TOC:1 Industry Overview of Alfalfa Hay1.1 Definition and Specifications of Alfalfa Hay1.1.1 Definition of Alfalfa Hay1.1.2 Specifications of Alfalfa Hay1.2 Classification of Alfalfa Hay1.2.1 Alfalfa Hay Bales1.2.2 Alfalfa Hay Pellets1.2.3 Alfalfa Hay Cubes1.3 Applications of Alfalfa Hay1.3.1 Dairy Cow Feed1.3.2 Beef Cattle & Sheep Feed1.3.3 Pig Feed1.3.4 Poultry Feed1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Alfalfa Hay2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Alfalfa Hay2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Alfalfa Hay2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Alfalfa HayPurchase a copy of this report @3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Alfalfa Hay3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Alfalfa Hay Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Alfalfa Hay Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Alfalfa Hay Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Alfalfa Hay Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Alfalfa Hay Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Alfalfa Hay Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Alfalfa Hay Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Alfalfa Hay Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Alfalfa Hay Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Alfalfa Hay Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Alfalfa Hay Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)Contact Information:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Smart Home Appliances Market : Global Forecast over 2024

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Smart home appliances are the class of next-generation connected equipment that are designed to be controlled with the help of commands from a central system or communicate with other appliances in a network and make certain decisions for the owner. The concept of connected devices, which allow the user to manage everyday home appliances, such as ovens, refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc. from any corner of the house, with the use of a mobile computing device, a simple app, and some kind of network that connects the user with the devices, is highly fascinating.Read Report Overview @The promise of added convenience when using these devices, the amount of time saved as compared to when manually operating them, and the reduction in power and energy achieved are some of the major factors leading to the increased popularity of smart home appliances on a global scale. Over the reports forecast period, the market for smart home appliances is projected to flourish.Some of the major product types in the global smart home appliances market that currently have smart connectivity features are washing machines, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, air conditioners, coffee makers, lighting systems, television sets, sound systems, garage doors, hot water systems, and gates.The major connectivity platforms used in the market include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, and Z-Wave.Smart Home Appliances Market: Key Trends and OpportunitiesThe global market for smart home appliances is driven by factors such as the rising adoption of mobile devices and technologically advanced products worldwide; the expanding network of high-speed Internet; the energy-efficient nature of smart home appliances; technological advancements in the fields of connectivity mediums, sensors, microchips, and hardware products; and the declining prices of connectivity modules.As the tech-savvy and connected consumer of the present day becomes more receptive to connected technologies and the new functionalities that the technology is bringing, device manufacturers are also increasingly shifting their focus to the smart appliances segment. Though the prices of these products are currently higher than traditional nonsmart appliances, the market will soon feature economic products as more device manufactures challenge themselves to include connectivity features in their appliances.Smart Home Appliances Market: Region-wise OutlookChina, which is the leading manufacturer of a variety of home appliances, is projected to be the leading market for the smart home appliances over the reports forecast period. The market is also expected to see heightened demand for a variety of smart home appliances and systems from developed regions such as North America and Europe, primarily owing to the technologically advanced infrastructure, high disposable incomes, and easy availability of advanced products in these regions.Demand for smart home appliances is also expected to rise in the developing parts of Asia Pacific owing to strengthening economies and the rising disposable incomes of the people living therein, continuous expansion of high-speed Internet in the regions, the rising commercialization of smart home systems, and the easy availability of these systems in the region.Request to view Sample Report:Smart Home Appliances Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the worlds most prominent consumer electronics companies, such as Whirlpool, Electrolux, GE Appliances, LG, and Samsung, are making their mark in the smart home appliances market by producing smart technology devices. Having shifted their focus from mature businesses like smartphones and televisions, these companies are at an advantage owing to their early entry into the market. The vast growth opportunities in the market have also lured technology giants such as Microsoft, Google, Cisco, Intel, Xiaomi, and Apple, which have either already ventured into or are planning to set foot in the global smart home appliances market soon.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. 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Two-Wheeler Fuel Injection Systems Market trends research and projections for 2017-2024

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Two-Wheeler Fuel Injection Systems Market Share growing rapidly owing to increasing pollution from the vehicles. Currently the carburetor fuel system releases harmful gases which pollutes the environment as well as it consumes ample amount of fuel which increases the cost.Cost saving, and lower fuel consumption are also supporting the industry demand. Two-wheeler fuel injection system market share will enhance the fuel consumption and will also enhance the vehicle performance. When the efficiency of the vehicle will increase, it will simultaneously save the cost, which in turn increase the business to grow.Request Detailed Table of Contents of this Report @Two wheelers are considered unsafe, this is one of the factor which is restraining the industry. The use of carburetor fuel system is polluting the environment as it releases harmful gas which disturbs the balance of the ecosystem. The industry can be segmented as port fuel injections and direct injections. Port fuel injections is commonly used in the vehicle, whereas, the direct injection is latest fuel injection system.The automotive industry is introducing many technological advancements in order to control the emission level and increase fuel efficiency. With the increase in the importance of the clean economy, the government norms are favoring the industry growth over the forecast timeline.North America led by U.S, Mexico and Canada is emerging as potential industry. The government stimulus packages, the rise in the employment rates and the increase in the research and development activities are escalating the two wheeler fuel injection systems market demand over the forecast timeline.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Asia Pacific will witness significant growth due to increase in the number of manufacturers choosing the fuel injection system. Numerous benefits offered for overall enhancement of vehicle performance such as better vehicle mileage, and lower emission will favor the industry demand.The key players in the industry are continental AG, Ducati Energia, Sedemac, and Robert Bosch. With the growing numbers of companies, the competition will further intensify. These companies are working on their R&D to offer technologically sound products for the consumers to gain competitive advantage.Pre-Book This Research Report @Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.4 North Main StreetSelbyville
Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Global Market Top Key Players  Cigna , Aetna , CVS Health (CVS) , Catamaran Corp. , OptumRx and Forecast to 2022

Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market

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Global Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) MarketDescriptionWiseGuyReports.Com adds Global Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 Research To Its Database.This report studies the global Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market, analyzes and researches the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeCignaAetnaCVS Health (CVS)Catamaran Corp.OptumRxExpress Scripts Holding Company (ESRX)UnitedHealth GroupBC/BSMagellan HealthDST SystemsKaiser PermanenteVidalinkMedImpactGet sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoNetwork-Pharmacy Claims ProcessingHome Delivery Pharmacy CareSpecialty Pharmacy CareSpecialty Benefit ManagementBenefit-Design ConsultationDrug Utilization ReviewFormulary ManagementMedical & Drug Data Analysis ServicesOtherMarket segment by Application, Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) can be split intoRetail or Mail-Order PharmaciesSpecialty PharmaciesOnline PharmaciesEnquiry About Report @Table of Contents -Major Key PointsGlobal Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM)1.1 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market Overview1.1.1 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market by Type1.3.1 Network-Pharmacy Claims Processing1.3.2 Home Delivery Pharmacy Care1.3.3 Specialty Pharmacy Care1.3.4 Specialty Benefit Management1.3.5 Benefit-Design Consultation1.3.6 Drug Utilization Review1.3.7 Formulary Management1.3.8 Medical & Drug Data Analysis Services1.3.9 Other1.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Retail or Mail-Order Pharmacies1.4.2 Specialty Pharmacies1.4.3 Online Pharmacies2 Global Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Cigna3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Aetna3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 CVS Health (CVS)3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Catamaran Corp.3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 OptumRx3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Express Scripts Holding Company (ESRX)3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 UnitedHealth Group3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 BC/BS3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments..CONTINUEDAbout UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, Industry research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)
Next Generation Biometrics Market : Global Forecast over 2024

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The identification and security systems deployed across organizations have evolved a great deal in the past few years. Many recent advances introduced in these systems have considerably benefited businesses worldwide in fortifying their security. Next generation biometrics is one such technology that has been witnessing rising demand around the world.Read Report Overview @Biometrics technologies are automated methods used for verifying and authenticating the identity of a person based on behavioral or physical characteristics such as fingerprints, voice patterns, vein and signature patterns, facial patterns, hand measurements, and eye retina and iris. Biometrics has emerged as a popular method of verifying the identity of a person under surveillance. The basic premise of the technology is based on the fact that every person is unique and it is possible to identify him/her by the intrinsic physical or behavioral traits.Next generation biometrics has gained incredible popularity in the last few years, mainly because of the favorable government initiatives adopted globally to restrict illegal entry. The technology has also gained impetus from the introduction of e-passports and its increasing use in criminal identification. Furthermore, the growing use of biometrics in cloud computing and e-commerce solutions is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the global next generation biometrics market.This multi-billion dollar market is anticipated to further gain from the rising applications in the travel and immigration industries. Over the reports forecast period, the market is poised to exhibit an impressive CAGR. The report a comprehensive overview of the next generation biometrics market, presenting insights into the key drivers and restraints impacting the markets growth.Next Generation Biometrics Market: Key Opportunities and ThreatsThe next generation biometrics technology offers a high degree of privacy, accuracy, ease of use, interoperability, and uniformity across the system. The growing awareness about the benefits offered by biometrics has been crucial in driving the market for the technology behind it. Furthermore, biometric technology enables storage of information in the digital format, which is nearly impossible to decipher and reconstruct.Owing to its exceptional features, the next generation biometrics technology finds use across varied applications ranging from health care, government, defense, and border security to commercial security, travel and immigration, and banking and finance. The increasing government funding for deploying biometric technology across various economic sectors has been a major factor boosting the global next generation biometrics market.Despite witnessing widespread application across various sectors, the high cost incurred in deploying the system and the risk of privacy intrusion are a few factors inhibiting the growth of the market. Nevertheless, the increasing use of the technology in ecommerce and cloud computing is estimated to provide considerable growth opportunities for the market.The global next generation biometrics market has been classified on the basis of type into fingerprint recognition, face recognition, iris recognition, voice recognition, palm print recognition, vein recognition, and signature recognition. Based on application, the market has been segmented into banking and finance, government, travel and immigration, defense, government, health care, electronics, commercial security, home security, and other applications. Regionally, the market has been segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World.Request to view Sample Report:Next Generation Biometrics Market: Vendor LandscapeIn order to study the prevailing vendor landscape of the market, the report profiles players operating therein such as Fujitsu Ltd., 3M, Fulcrum Biometrics, and Cross Match Technologies, Inc. Strengths and weaknesses of companies profiled are determined using the SWOT analysis. The analysis also includes the opportunities and threats that these companies may face during the forecast period.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cloud Supply Chain Management Global Market 2017: Key Players  Manhattan Associates, Logility, Kewill, Kinaxis, HighJump, TECSYS, CloudLogix, SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, Infor, JDA Software Group, Descartes Systems Group

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The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Cloud Supply Chain Management industry market by types, applications, players and regions. This report also displays the production, Consumption, revenue, Gross margin, Cost, Gross, market share, CAGR, and Market influencing factors of the Cloud Supply Chain Management industry in USA, EU, China,India, Japan and other regions, and forecast to 2022, from 2017.Market Analysis by PlayersSAP SEOracle CorporationInforJDA Software GroupDescartes Systems GroupManhattan AssociatesLogilityKewillKinaxisHighJumpTECSYSCloudLogixRequest a Sample Report @Market Analysis by Regions:North AmericaEuropeChinaJapanOthersMarket Analysis by Types:Training and ConsultingSupport and MaintenanceManaged ServicesMarket Analysis by Applications:Food and BeverageHealthcare and Life SciencesManufacturingRetail and WholesaleTransportation and LogisticsOthersMake an enquiry of this Report @Table of Content1 Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Overview1.1 Product Overview of Cloud Supply Chain Management1.2 Classification and Application of Cloud Supply Chain Management1.3 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Regional Analysis1.3.1 USA Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.2 Europe Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.3 Japan Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.4 China Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.5 India Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.6 Southeast Asia Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.7 South America Market Present Situation Analysis1.3.8 South Africa Market Present Situation Analysis1.4 Cloud Supply Chain Management Industry Development Factors Analysis1.4.1 Cloud Supply Chain Management Industry Development Opportunities Analysis1.4.2 Cloud Supply Chain Management Industry Development Challenges Analysis1.5 Cloud Supply Chain Management Consumer Behavior Analysis2 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Competitions by Players2.1 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Players2.2 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Players (2016-2017)2.3 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Price (USD/Unit) by Players (2016-2017)2.4 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Gross Margin by Players (2016-2017)3 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Competitions by Types3.1 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Types3.2 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Type (2012-2017)3.3 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2012-2017)3.4 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Gross Margin by Type (2012-2017)3.5 USA Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.6 China Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.7 Europe Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.8 Japan Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.9 India Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.10 Southeast Asia Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.11 South America Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type3.12 South Africa Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Type4 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Competitions by Application4.1 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.2 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Price (USD/Unit) by Application (2012-2017)4.4 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Gross Margin by Application (2012-2017)4.5 USA Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.6 China Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.7 Europe Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.8 Japan Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.9 India Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.10 Southeast Asia Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.11 South America Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application4.12 South Africa Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Application5 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Production Market Analysis by Region5.1 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Production (Unit) and Market Share (%) by Region5.1.1USA Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.2 Europe Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.3 China Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.4 Japan Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.5 India Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.6 Southeast Asia Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.7 South America Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.1.8 South Africa Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Production Present Situation Analysis5.2 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Production Value (Million USD) and Share by Region (2012-2017)5.3 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Price (USD/Unit) by Region (2012-2017)5.4 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Gross Margin by Region (2012-2017)6 Global Cloud Supply Chain Management Sales Market Analysis by Region6.1 USA Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.2 Europe Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.3 China Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.4 Japan Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.5 India Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.6 Southeast Asia Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.7 South America Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation Analysis6.8 South Africa Cloud Supply Chain Management Market Consumption Present Situation AnalysisContinuedPurchase Report @ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Outdoor Fitness Equipment 2017 Global Industry Key Players - PlayCore , Landscape Structures , Kompan, Inc , PlayPower , ELI Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Market

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Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment MarketIn this report, the global Outdoor Fitness Equipment market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingPlayCoreLandscape StructuresKompan, IncPlayPowerELIHendersone.BeckmannSportsPlayChildformsKaiqiABC TeamDYNAMORequest a Sample Report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Outdoor Fitness Equipment in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAction StationHeavyduty SeriesRegular SeriesOthersOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingSchoolsParks & RecreationMilitary Fitness TrainingPlaygroundsFitness TrailsCommunityOthersTo enquire about this report visit @Table of Contents-Key Points CoveredGlobal Outdoor Fitness Equipment Market Research Report 20171 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Outdoor Fitness Equipment1.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Action Station1.2.4 Heavyduty Series1.2.5 Regular Series1.2.6 Others1.3 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Segment by Application1.3.1 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Schools1.3.3 Parks & Recreation1.3.4 Military Fitness Training1.3.5 Playgrounds1.3.6 Fitness Trails1.3.7 Community1.3.8 Others1.4 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Outdoor Fitness Equipment (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)7 Global Outdoor Fitness Equipment Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 PlayCore7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 PlayCore Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Landscape Structures7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Landscape Structures Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Kompan, Inc7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Kompan, Inc Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 PlayPower7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 PlayPower Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 ELI7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 ELI Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Henderson7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Henderson Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 e.Beckmann7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 e.Beckmann Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 SportsPlay7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 SportsPlay Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Childforms7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 Childforms Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Kaiqi7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Outdoor Fitness Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Product A7.10.2.2 Product B7.10.3 Kaiqi Outdoor Fitness Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.11 ABC Team7.12 DYNAMOContinued..Buy Report@Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Pisco Market Set to Witness an Uptick during 2017- 2025

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Market Introduction:Pisco is a traditional drink of Latin America which is yellowish or can say colourless brandy specifically produced by distilling fermented grape juice into a high-proof spirit. Pisco is highly produced in the region of Chile and Peru as an alternative to orujo, a pomace brandy that was being imported from Spain since the 16th century. This practice of producing Pisco domestically in abundant quantity has reduced the volume of alcoholic beverages imported to this region. Ever since the production of pisco started, different variety of grapes were used in order to give the beverage too many different flavors so as the beverage is exported internationally as the market would not accept the wide variety under the same name. For the same reason, the Chilean and the Peruvian governments set standards as to what kind of grapes should be used to make the beverage that could be labelled as a pisco.Request for Report Sample @Market Segmentation:Pisco market is segmented on the basis of source, distribution channel, type and region. On the basis of source, the market is segmented into Peruvian pisco and Chilean pisco. Peruvian pisco is exported in a great quantity throughout the world and is expected to hold a relatively high-value share in the Pisco market. On the basis of distribution channel the market is segmented into supermarket/hypermarket, specialty stores and online stores. Online stores have also contributed significantly to the growth of Pisco market over the forecast period. On the basis of type, the market is segmented on the basis of puro, aromaticas, mosto verde and acholado. Among all these segment puro segment is expected to grow enormously in the coming future, followed by acholado segment.Market Regional Outlook:A regional segment for the market of Pisco is divided into five different regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and MEA. Among these segment, Latin America is expected to have the major market share globally, as it is one of the largest producer and consumer of Pisco. In Asia Pacific region the countries like China and Australia are generating the major revenue. In terms of revenue, Europe is also among the prominent contributor in the Pisco market, as the consumption of alcoholic beverage is quite high in this region.Request for Report TOC @Market Drivers:According to the recent past activities in various regions in the world, it can be concluded that consumption of alcoholic products has become an accompaniment for a number of reasons such as celebrations, commiserations, the end of the working day, and others. In many developed regions such as Europe, Canada, the U.S., alcohol is a socially accepted part of their daily life. Younger population of the world is influenced by their peer group or peer thinking, which is a factor driving growth of alcohol-based market. The gender gap in terms of alcohol consumption is closing as there is increasing acceptance of female drinking in the societal norms.Because of all these factors, people are attracted towards alcoholic products, which is driving growth of the pisco market and this is expected to continue over the forecast period. Moreover, changing lifestyles, influence of social media and internet, increasing social parties, adolescents with high social network influence, greater family incomes, and others have easier access to alcoholic drinks and alcoholic products, which is also driving demand for pisco. The pace at which new technologies are impacting the food and beverage sector is high, and it has become necessary for manufacturers to increase the speed and scale of their R&D efforts. Many flavor manufacturing companies are shifting their R&D activities away from their headquarters. It is expected that focus on R&D will increase over the forecast period, as companies are expected to offer products that are better than its rivals. Manufacturers of pisco products are also focused on the positioning their brands better, to improve its sales.Obtain Report Details @Market Key Players:Some of the key players in Pisco market are Pisco Porton, LLC, Barton Solvents, Inc., La Diablada Pisco, and Machu Pisco among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.Our client success stories feature a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to fast-growing startups. PMRs collaborative environment is committed to building industry-specific solutions by transforming data from multiple streams into a strategic asset.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market Size to reach $143.5 billion by 2023

https://kbvresearch.com/cloud-enterprise-application-software-market/

According to a new report Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market, published by KBV research, the Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market size is expected to reach $143.5 billion by 2023, rising at a market growth of 15% CAGR during the forecast period.The North America market holds the largest market share in Global Manufacturing & Services Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market by Region 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023; growing at a CAGR of 12.9 % during the forecast period.The Europe market is expected to witness a CAGR of 13.9% during (2017  2023) in Global BFSI Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market. Additionally, The Asia Pacific market is expected to witness a CAGR of 17.1% during (2017  2023) in Global Healthcare Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market.The KBV Cardinal Matrix is a visual representation about the key players in the industry. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation and Oracle Corporation are the forerunners in the Cloud Enterprise Application Software market.KBV Cardinal Matrix  Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketCloud Enterprise Application Software Market SizeSource: KBV Research AnalysisThe Customer Relationship Management market holds the largest market share in Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market by Type 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023; growing at a CAGR of 14.2 % during the forecast period. The Web conferencing market is expected to witness a CAGR of 15.9% during (2017  2023). Additionally, The Business Process Management market would attain market value of $10,045.4 million by 2023.Source: KBV Research Analysis, Company Publications and Secondary ResearchFull Report:The market research report has exhaustive quantitative insights providing a clear picture of the market potential in various segments across the globe with country wise analysis in each discussed region. The key impacting factors of the Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market have been discussed in the report with the competition analysis and the elaborated company profiles of Oracle Corporation, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, SAP SE, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Company, QAD, Inc., IFS AB, Infor, Inc., Salesforce, Inc., and Epicor Software Corporation.Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market Size SegmentationBy End UserManufacturing & ServicesBFSIHealthcareRetailGovernmentOil & GasTelecomOther End UserBy TypeCustomer Relationship ManagementSupply Chain ManagementBusiness IntelligenceEnterprise Resource PlanningWeb conferencingContent Management SystemEnterprise Asset ManagementBusiness Process ManagementOthersBy GeographyNorth America Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market SizeUS Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market SizeCanada Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market SizeMexico Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market SizeRest of North America Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market SizeEurope Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketGermany Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketUK Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketFrance Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketRussia Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketSpain Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketItaly Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketRest of Europe Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketAsia Pacific Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketChina Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketJapan Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketIndia Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketSouth Korea Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketSingapore Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketMalaysia Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketRest of Asia Pacific Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketLAMEA Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketBrazil Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketArgentina Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketUAE Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketSaudi Arabia Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketSouth Africa Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketNigeria Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketRest of LAMEA Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketCompanies ProfiledOracle CorporationIBM CorporationMicrosoft CorporationSAP SEHewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) CompanyQAD, Inc.IFS ABInfor, Inc.Salesforce, Inc.Epicor Software CorporationUnique Offerings from KBV ResearchExhaustive coverage of Global Cloud Enterprise Application Software MarketHighest number of market tables and figuresSubscription based model availableGuaranteed best priceAssured post sales research support with 10% customization freeRelated Reports:North America Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market (2017-2023)Europe Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market (2017-2023)Asia Pacific Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market (2017-2023)LAMEA Cloud Enterprise Application Software Market (2017-2023)Knowledge Based Value Research is a global brand and consulting firm serving all kinds of business verticals, government and non-governmental organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. Our motto is to extend our services that will have a lasting impact on our clients who trust us with their business goals.4F  CS  27, Ansal PlazaSector  1, Vaishali  201010Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, IndiaTel: 0120-4968631 / +91-9990696033Email: info@kbvresearch.com
charcoal export in Nigeria

www.charcoalafrica.com

The past few years have been a very challenging one for business and individuals in Nigeria.The unavailability of foreign exchange, coupled with an unprecedented hike in exchange rate has resulted in increased costs across organizations. In reaction to this, there have been massive sacks in various sectors such as oil and gas, banking and business conglomerates; the naira has fallen over 80%. Oil revenues, the mainstay of Nigerias foreign earnings is at its lowest in the last two decades, which has partly led to recession.However, due to these high rates and the struggling economy, great ideas are bornOne of the personal recession exit (reccexit) strategy for cooperation and private individuals is diversification into agro produce export. This has brought a wave of new players to the agro produce export business, particularly charcoal, cashew nut, cocoa among other.This development is a much needed step towards reviving the economy. Produce export is one of our saving grace. This will give rise to large numbers of entrepreneurs, increase employment, improve our GDP, and present a life line to dying companies while offering the much needed opportunity for a favorable balance of payment.Africa has an official charcoal production of 30.6 million tons in 2012, worth approximately USD 9.224.5 billion annually at the point of sale (UNEP,2014). A tonne of charcoal range from 250 dollars to 450 dollars, depending on the types of wood, sizes and other specifications by the importer. Nigeria is Europes biggest charcoal supplier, with Namibia, South Africa, Egypt, and Ivory Coast also exporting to Europe. In total, Africa is responsible for 40% of all European charcoal imports (ITF,2013) and 66% of Global charcoal imports is from Africa.Brazil produces 11% of the world's wood charcoal, the world's largest single contributing country by far, Nigeria produces 8% which makes it second largest exporter of charcoal in the world.In 2004, a total sum of N9.889 billion in form of Negotiable credit certificate (NCCS) was disbursed to 115 exporters from January to September (The Punch, Thursday, April 8, 2004. page 22). More than 10 years ago! That before the tremendous rise in charcoal trade, it is safe to assume the charcoal export industry of today is multi billion dollars industry. However, it will be hypocritical to discuss the scale of exporting success and revenue without addressing the issue of deforestation.A considerable part of African forests have already been lost due to its charcoal export to Europe and the Middle East, thousands of acres is been lost annually to this booming trade. The government have designed numerous policies to address the issue of deforestation, but many still strongly feel the same problem with most government policy is, its disconnection from reality. The policy designers never had a reason to burn single log of wood into charcoal, it becomes complex to write a policy that will adequately affect a sector you know little about. In order to make policies work and sustainable in Nigeria, it is imperative to consider domestic socio-economic and political conditions while integrating lessons drawn from successful policy systems with home grown solutions. In my subsequent article, Ill discuss the strategy to building a sustainable charcoal sector that support communities in generating new jobs, enhancing income generation that in turn helps to create platforms for social development, slow deforestation and climate efforts integration through exploring community-based forest management options and implementing guidelines on sustainable harvesting and production.This uprising have actually brought out the best in us, by encouraging export and developing new business. For many companies and individuals, this charcoal venture is their first foray into the great unknown. Unfortunately, many will make the same mistakes and suffer the same consequences as those who have gone before. International markets are strewn with the carcasses of global adventurers who have ventured and failed. Millions of dollars lost in investment from fraudulent foreign buyers to cunning local dealers or just lack of experience and technical know-how. The reality is , there are hurdles, pitfalls and challenges like any other business. What are entrepreneurs to do to seize the lucrative opportunities before them while avoiding these pitfalls?LEARN: Learn the trade or consult the right people. Avoid mistakes by acquiring vital information and knowledge through learning and consulting, having trusted advisers, who have experiences you can learn from to prevent making the same mistakes beginners make. Your knowledge of the business you are getting into is the substance and the foundation of the business. You will build your business on that knowledge you have. Many failed in the business because they start on wrong or insufficient knowledge.Get DIRTY: Many charcoal exporters who are urban dwellers have little time to spend on their farms to monitor any new development. There are people who hardly visit their production site in a week and even when they do, it will be too late to scrutinize anything in the production. Charcoal export is an international trade with strong emphasis on specifications. Leaving this job to village women and others without proper supervision is a good recipe for failure. Someone must get dirty. You or on your behalf.Start SMALL: Charcoal is a business where demand is not the problem, it is the supply. There are juicy contract here and there from Europe to Middle East. 10 containers a week, 20 containers a month. In a bid to make it big and fast, many exporters will take on more than they can handle financially and technically. They bite more than they can chew. And of course they will crash!In conclusion, as I initially pointed out, this uprising will bring out the best in us. The next set of millionaires will arise from this recession. Money doesnt leave the earth it only changes hands. In my subsequent articles, I will discuss many topics including the modus, charcoal economics and other allied matters.Biola Bhadmus is an agro produce export professional at Librazain enterprises, an agro produce export, services and consulting firm. He graduated with honors in finance, and holds MBA from university of Lagos.librazain EnterprisesLibrazain enterprises is a charcoal , cashew, and cocoa exporting venture, we also offer related services such as logistics and inspection agent.Librazain Enterprises28,0dewale street,alausa ikeja Lagos state.NigeriaZIPCODE 100001Biola@charcoalafrica.com
Sharp and Ingram Micro form Strategic Alliance to address the thinly tapped Air Purifier segment

New Delhi, December 12, 2017: Sharp, the global leader in innovative air purification devices andIngram Micro, the world's largest wholesale technology distributor, today announced their Indiaspecific strategic alliance to further extend exclusive benefits of Sharps Plasmacluster technology tothe vast Indian populace suffering from the perils of respiratory problems. This alliance bringstogether Sharps high end air purification technology with Ingram Micros extensive network of16000 channel partners to address the latent need of certified and proved air purifiers in India.Despite air pollution becoming a yearlong menace, the adoption of air purifiers is still lacking thedesired pace. With 1.2 million deaths being linked to air pollution very year in India, it has becomepertinent that people are made aware about the demons of indoor and outdoor bad air quality.Also, many misconceptions, such as air purifiers with only HEPA filters being the ideal solution, isplaguing the buying decision of consumer. The alliance with Ingram Micro allows Sharp to educatemasses about the prolonged impact of air pollution and how Sharp Air Purifiers equipped withpatented Plasmacluster Technology and True HEPA are the ideal solution to fight this menace.Sharps Plasmacluster technology has already earned accolades when it announced the global salesof 70 million units, the highest in air purifications.The strategic alliance for the air purifier business will help enable consumers to receive the best thatthe Indian air purifier industry has to offer. Under this agreement, Ingram Micro will offer the entirerange of Sharps Air Purifiers, including popular models such as worlds first air purifier withmosquito catcher(FP-FM50E), dehumidifier(DW-E16FA- W), car air purifier(IG-GC2) andportable room purifier (FU-A28E).Mr. Kishalay Ray, President - Sharp Consumer Business said, Our alliance brings two of the worldstrusted technology brands together to bring world class products to consumers across India.Customers will receive Air Purifying solutions certified by 28 global labs and that no Indian sufferingfrom air pollution will remain devoid from accessing our quality products.Together, Sharp and Ingram Micro intend to achieve accelerated adoption of air purifiers with highend purification technology with improved air quality for the entire family. Also, with extensivenetwork of Ingram Micro, Sharp is confident of achieving its target turnover of INR 500cr from its airpurifier business by 2020Mr. Jaishankar Krishnan, Sr. Vice President and Chief Executive Ingram Micro India said, Its aperfect synergy between the two brands in terms of business philosophy and market leadership.Most air purifiers in the market restrict themselves to HEPA, missing the holistic approach neededfor indoor air quality. Our partnership with Sharp will bring global standards of air purification to theIndian consumers.Typically, indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air, Indian consumers must find an immediateremedy with the help of superior technology available in the market. Plasmacluster Technology isthe most effective means of getting impeccable air quality that works by using an electrical dischargeto create both Positive and Negative ions, which are then surrounded in water and then releasedinto the air. This process can clean the air and surface from irritants including dust, fungi, viruses,pollen, smell, gases and mould apart from improving skin texture.About Sharp:Founded in the year 1912, as a private company in Tokyo by Tokuji Hayakawa, SHARP is dedicated toimproving the quality of life through the use of cutting-edge technology with a commitment toinnovation, quality, value, and design. For over 100 years, SHARP, the Japanese giant has designedand offered original products which changed the lifestyle and wellbeing of millions across the world.SHARP Business Systems (India) Limited has a nationwide presence across major India cities, with astrong network of around 500 dealers. Currently the brand has three categories of products in themarket  Purification Products, Digital Multifunction Devices and Professional LCD Monitors. SHARPis the market leader in the Air Purifier segment in India.About Ingram Micro:Ingram Micro helps businesses Realize the Promise of Technology. It delivers a full spectrum ofglobal technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world. Deep expertise intechnology solutions, mobility, cloud, and supply chain solutions enables its business partners tooperate efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Unrivaled agility, deep market insightsand the trust and dependability that come from decades of proven relationships, set Ingram Microapart and ahead.1204, Pearls Omaxe, Netaji Subash place, Pitampura, New Delhi 110034
Global Fortified Wine Market 2017 Key Players -BACARD, & J. Gallo Winery, Gruppo Campari, The Wine Group, Anchor Brewers & Distillers, Atsby Vermouth,..

Fortified Wine Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2620660-2017-2022-fortified-wine-report-on-global-and-united-states-market

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Fortified Wine Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Fortified Wine Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the Fortified Wine market status and outlook of global and United States, from angles of players, regions, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top players in global and United States market, and splits the Fortified Wine market by product type and application/end industries.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Fortified Wine.United States plays an important role in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2016 and will be xx million USD in 2022, with a CAGR of XX.Request Sample Report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share (%) and growth Rate (%) of Fortified Wine in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaThe major players in global and United States Fortified Wine market, includingBACARD& J. Gallo WineryGruppo CampariThe Wine GroupAnchor Brewers & DistillersAtsby VermouthContrattoDolinGanciaImbue CellarsSogevinus Fine WinesSogrape VinhosSymingtonTaylor, Fladgate & YeatmanOn the basis of product, the Fortified Wine market is primarily split intoPort WineSherryVermouthOthersOn the basis on the end users/application, this report coversResidentialRestaurants & HotelsPubsBarsOthersFor further information on this report, visit -Table of Content:2017-2022 Fortified Wine Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications1 Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.2.1 Secondary Sources1.2.2 Primary Sources1.3 Disclaimer2 Fortified Wine Market Overview2.1 Fortified Wine Product Overview2.2 Fortified Wine Market Segment by Type2.2.1 Port Wine2.2.2 Sherry2.2.3 Vermouth2.2.4 Others2.3 Global Fortified Wine Product Segment by Type2.3.1 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Growth (%) by Type (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.3.2 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share (%) by Type (2012-2017)2.3.3 Global Fortified Wine Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Type (2012-2017)2.3.4 Global Fortified Wine Price (USD/L) by Type (2012-2017)2.4 United States Fortified Wine Product Segment by Type2.4.1 United States Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Growth by Type (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.4.2 United States Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.4.3 United States Fortified Wine Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.4.4 United States Fortified Wine Price (USD/L) by Type (2012-2017)3 Fortified Wine Application/End Users3.1 Fortified Wine Segment by Application/End Users3.1.1 Residential3.1.2 Restaurants & Hotels3.1.3 PubsBars3.1.4 Others3.2 Global Fortified Wine Product Segment by Application3.2.1 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and CGAR (%) by Application (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.2.2 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share (%) by Application (2012-2017)3.3 United States Fortified Wine Product Segment by Application3.3.1 United States Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and CGAR (%) by Application (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.3.2 United States Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share (%) by Application (2012-2017)4 Fortified Wine Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1 Global Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1.1 Global Fortified Wine Market Size and CAGR by Regions (2012, 2016 and 2022)4.1.2 North America4.1.3 Asia-Pacific4.1.4 Europe4.1.5 South America4.1.6 Middle East and Africa4.1.7 United States4.2 Global Fortified Wine Sales and Revenue by Regions4.2.1 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.2 Global Fortified Wine Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.3 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.4 North America Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.5 Europe Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.6 Asia-Pacific Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.7 South America Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4.2.8 Middle East and Africa Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.9 United States Fortified Wine Sales (Million L), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/L) and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5 Global Fortified Wine Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers5.1 Global Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)5.2 Global Fortified Wine Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Players (2012-2017)5.3 Global Fortified Wine Average Price (USD/L) by Players (2012-2017)5.4 Global Top Players Fortified Wine Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types5.5 Fortified Wine Market Competitive Situation and Trends5.5.1 Fortified Wine Market Concentration Rate5.5.2 Global Fortified Wine Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 Players5.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion6 United States Fortified Wine Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers6.1 United States Fortified Wine Sales (Million L) and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)6.2 United States Fortified Wine Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Players (2012-2017)6.3 United States Fortified Wine Average Price (USD/L) by Players (2012-2017)6.4 United States Fortified Wine Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 PlayersContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Global Insurance Agency Software Market Overview by Type, Product, Regions, Application and Forecast to 2022

ReportsWeb

http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011295800/sample

http://www.reportsweb.com/global-insurance-agency-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2017-2022

http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW00011295800/buy/3300

Global Insurance Agency Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 newly adds in ReportsWeb.com database. This report covers leading key company profiles with information such as business overview, regional analysis, consumption, revenue and specification.This report studies the global Insurance Agency Software market, analyzes and researches the Insurance Agency Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, like Vertafore, Applied Systems, EZLynx, ACS, ITC, HawkSoft, QQ Solutions, Sapiens/Maximum Processing, Zywave, Xdimensional Tech, Agency Matrix, Jenesis Software, AgencyBloc, AllClients, Impowersoft, Insurance Systems, Buckhill, InsuredHQ and Zhilian Software.Get FREE Sample Copy of this report atMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Cloud-Based and On-Premise. Market segment by Application, Insurance Agency Software can be split into Small Business, Medium-sized Business and Large Business.Access Report Details atTable of Content1 Industry Overview of Insurance Agency Software2 Global Insurance Agency Software Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Vertafore3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Insurance Agency Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Applied Systems3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Insurance Agency Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 EZLynx3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Insurance Agency Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 ACS3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Insurance Agency Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments4 Global Insurance Agency Software Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)5 United States Insurance Agency Software Development Status and Outlook6 EU Insurance Agency Software Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Insurance Agency Software Development Status and Outlook8 China Insurance Agency Software Development Status and Outlook9 India Insurance Agency Software Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Insurance Agency Software Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)12 Insurance Agency Software Market Dynamics13 Market Effect Factors AnalysisPurchase complete report atContact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comOrganization: ReportsWebPhone: +1-646-491-9876ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Asia Pacific Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) Market is Anticipated to Register 5.0% CAGR through 2016 - 2024

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The Asia Pacific piperonyl butoxide (PBO) market has been expected in a report penned by Transparency Market Research (TMR) to hold a moderately consolidated nature during the forecast period 20162024. In 2015, three leading companies, viz. Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Wujiang Shuguang Chemical Co., Ltd., and ENDURA P.IVA, had secured a 38.0% share. Goodwill and long-term contracts could be key elements bearing the dynamics of the market. Protection from instability in the prices of raw materials and their easy access have been prophesied to provide a competitive edge to large-scale companies with integrated operations.Companies such as ENDURA P.IVA could look to fortify their status in the Asia Pacific PBO market by expanding their footprint in lucrative countries such as China and India. Expansion of production capacities and business operations in these two markets has been foreseen to offer ample of opportunities in future. ENDURA P.IVA has also been shaking hands with several India and China-based firms to further its expansion in the market.Anticipated to progress at a stable CAGR of 5.0% between the forecast years, the Asia Pacific PBO market could touch a revenue valuation of US$15.45 mn by the end of 2024 from US$10.02 mn in 2015. With regard to application, the carbamate market has been predicted to take a leading position in the industry after having attained a 39.3% share in 2015. In the same year, China had displayed its dominance in the market with an over 45.0% demand share.Request A Sample Copy Of This Report at:Increasing Pest Infestation Surges Need for Insecticides and PesticidesThe authors of the report have studied the Asia Pacific PBO market to possibly witness a high demand on the back of a surging risk of pest infestation and successive increase in the adoption of insecticides and also pesticides. According to TMR, an approximate quarter share of the total crop production in Asia Pacific is lost every year on account of the damage caused by pests and insects. The need for crop protection chemicals could also see a substantial rise in the coming years due to the exceedingly conducive climatic conditions in the region for insects to grow in.Besides this, the rising demand for insecticides to upkeep food warehouses has been foretold to support the growth of the market.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Affordable Prices of Traditional Insecticides Turn Down DemandConventional insecticides such as organosulfur, benzoylurea, organochlorine, and organophosphate bear a lower pricing than PBO insecticides. This has been prognosticated to delay the demand in the Asia Pacific PBO market since farmers preferably use low-price insecticides that are as effective as their high-price PBO counterparts for eliminating pests. Various complexities involved in the production of PBO could be another reason for a hampered growth of the market in the foreseeable future.However, the towering demand in top Asia Pacific countries such as China, India, and Japan has been envisaged to create growth opportunities for industry players. A noticeably high yield made possible through the application of crop protection chemicals could also help players to rise above the challenges. Emerging economies of Asia Pacific with improper distribution, storage, and infrastructure facilities are facing concerns on the part of food security. Vendors could also cash in on this prospect to increase their sales rate in the Asia Pacific PBO market.About Us  Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others.Contact Us:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Europe Sintering Market will Exhibit a Steady 3.2% CAGR through 2016 - 2024

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Prominent enterprises with global presence such as Sumitomo Corporation, GKN plc., Hoganas A.B., and AMES are domiciled in Europe. This has rendered the Europe sintering market highly competitive. These players together held 20% of the market in 2015, which is indicative of its fragmented vendor landscape. A majority of the leading players in the Europe sintering market have established brand identities. This is a key factor determining their success amidst end users, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a new study.As competition is forecast to get fiercer with time, leading players are focusing on consolidation through strategies collaborations. Besides this, several companies are boosting their plant capacities as they strive for increased profitability. A majority of the key players are supported by a network of well-established suppliers and distribution network. This has an inevitable positive impact on their sales outlook. Despite such strong presence of established players, the market exhibits lucrative prospects for the entry of new players. Factors such as easy access to raw materials and rising applications of sintering have eased entry of new players. In the near future, the competition prevailing in the sintering market in thus expected to get fiercer.Request A Sample Copy Of This Report at:TMR has projected the Europe sintering market to reach US$11.09 bn by the end of 2024. At the start of 2015, the market was valued at US$8.35 bn. If these figures hold true, the Europe sintering market will exhibit a CAGR of 3.2% between 2016 and 2024. By material, the pure iron segment has reported dominance in the market. In 2015, the segment held over 35.7% in the Europe sintering market. Through the course of the forecast period, the segment is expected to retain its dominance. Among countries, Germany held the leading market share of 24.4% in 2015.Application across Diverse Industries to Aid GrowthThe sintering market in Europe is primarily gaining from the increasing demand for sinter-based structural auto parts. These auto parts are more durable, light-weight, and affordable compared to their conventional counterparts. Besides this, the usage of sinter-based components has significantly increased in engines, shafts, chassis, bearings, and different types of valves. Considering the increasing applications, the demand for sinter-based products is steadily spurring in Europe.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Moreover, sintering helps in the manufacturing of superior quality components with peculiar shapes. While at initial phase, the automotive industry accounted for the most demand witnessed in the market, of late industries such as aerospace, construction, and mechanical engineering have realized their use. In the next few years, the market players can therefore expect moderately rising opportunities especially on account of the rising application of sinter-based components across diverse industries.Time Consuming Manufacturing Process Could Hamper GrowthSintering is a time-consuming process, which is a key restraint to its increased uptake. In addition, inadequate availability of systemic techniques to validate the inner-strength of sintered components, make optimizing manufacturing process highly tedious. This could have a negative impact on the overall market. Enactment of stringent regulations to curb harmful emissions has created bottlenecks, thus leading the market towards unwieldy growth trajectory. Nevertheless, with industrial and technological developments in sintering process, industry experts have positive outlook for the Europe sintering market.About Us  Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others.Contact Us:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Sanitary Protection Machine Market is anticipated to expand at highest CAGR from 2021 Global Sanitary Protection Machine Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2021

Sanitary Protection Machine is the equipment to produce sanitary protection. This report mainly covers the machine that used to produce sanitary napkins and panty liner.

Scope of the Report:

This report focuses on the Sanitary Protection Machine in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.



Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers

Fameccanica

Peixin

Joa

GDM

HCH

JWC Machinery

Xingshi

Zuiko

CCS

Hangzhou Loong

Bicma

M.D. Viola

Pine Heart

Browse for the complete Global Sanitary Protection Machine Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2021@ http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/glfr686/global-sanitary-protection-machine-market-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2021

Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers

North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)

Latin America, Middle and Africa



Market Segment by Type, covers

Full Servo Sanitary Protection Machine

Semi Servo Sanitary Protection Machine



Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into

Sanitary Napkins

Sanitary Liner

Get the sample copy of Global Sanitary Protection Machine Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2021@

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There are 13 Chapters to deeply display the global Sanitary Protection Machine market.



Chapter 1, to describe Sanitary Protection Machine Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;



Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Sanitary Protection Machine, with sales, revenue, and price of Sanitary Protection Machine, in 2015 and 2016;



Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2015 and 2016;



Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Sanitary Protection Machine, for each region, from 2011 to 2016;



Chapter 5, 6, 7 and 8, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;



Chapter 9 and 10, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016;



Chapter 11, Sanitary Protection Machine market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2016 to 2021;



Chapter 12 and 13, to describe Sanitary Protection Machine sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, appendix and data source.

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Global Inventory Software Market 2017 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2022

Inventory Software Market

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Inventory Software Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Inventory Software Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the global Inventory Software market, analyzes and researches the Inventory Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeDeskera InventoryNetSuiteBrightpearlDapulseTradeGeckoZoho InventoryInFlow Inventory SoftwareWasp Barcode TechnologiesOrderhiveSAPKCSIThe Answer CompanyClear SpiderTrackViaRequest Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoCloud-Based Inventory SoftwareOn-Premise Inventory SoftwareMarket segment by Application, Inventory Software can be split intoFactoryWholesale and Retail CompanyOthersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit -Table of Content:Global Inventory Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Inventory Software1.1 Inventory Software Market Overview1.1.1 Inventory Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Inventory Software Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Inventory Software Market by Type1.3.1 Cloud-Based Inventory Software1.3.2 On-Premise Inventory Software1.4 Inventory Software Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Factory1.4.2 Wholesale and Retail Company1.4.3 Others2 Global Inventory Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Inventory Software Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Deskera Inventory3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 NetSuite3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Brightpearl3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Dapulse3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 TradeGecko3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Zoho Inventory3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 InFlow Inventory Software3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Wasp Barcode Technologies3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Orderhive3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 SAP3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Inventory Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 KCSI3.12 The Answer Company3.13 Clear Spider3.14 TrackVia4 Global Inventory Software Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Inventory Software Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Inventory Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Inventory Software in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Inventory Software5 United States Inventory Software Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Inventory Software Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Inventory Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Inventory Software Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Inventory Software Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Inventory Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Inventory Software Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Inventory Software Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Inventory Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)8 China Inventory Software Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Inventory Software Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Inventory Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)9 India Inventory Software Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Inventory Software Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Inventory Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)10 Southeast Asia Inventory Software Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Inventory Software Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Inventory Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Inventory Software Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Inventory Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Inventory Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Inventory Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Inventory Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Inventory Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Inventory Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Inventory Software Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Inventory Software Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Inventory Software Market Dynamics12.1 Inventory Software Market Opportunities12.2 Inventory Software Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Inventory Software Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Inventory Software Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding/ConclusionContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Hyper loop Technology Market 2017 Comprehensive Analysis and Key Players: AECOM, Hyperloop One, Dinclix GroundWorks, TransPod, Space Exploration Technologies

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/hyper-loop-technology-market-3282

Market Research Future published a research report on Global Hyper loop Technology Market Research Report- Forecast 2023  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Hyper loop Technology Global Market  OverviewThe Global Hyper loop Technology Market is growing with the rapid pace. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, The global market of hyper loop technology will grow moderately over the forecast period. The market is forecasted to witness slow but steady growth by 2027, which will be a surplus growth at a moderate CAGR during the projected period (2016 -2027).The Hyper Loop Technology Market is driven by the factors such as the rising demand for fastest mode of transportation, increasing demand for cheapest transportation, better infrastructure facilities and technology which is not vulnerable to natural calamities. Furthermore, the increasing industrialization is boosting the growth of the market.On the other hand, lack of awareness, various security issues is one of the major factors likely to pose challenges to the Market Growth. Adversely, some predominant trends such as constantly increasing demand for improved efficiency and performance of connected machines across transportation industries, such as railway, aircraft, and others are certainly going to provide impetus to the market growth of hyper loop technology market.Get Sample of Report @Characterized by the presence of several major well-established players, the global market of hyper loop technology appears to be highly competitive. Well established players incorporate acquisition, collaboration, partnership, expansion, and technology launch in order to gain competitive advantage in this market and to maintain their market position. These Players invest heavily in the R&D to develop a technology that is completely on a different level compared to their competition. These vendors are constantly bringing innovations in the hyper loop technology market, introducing advent hyper loop technology applications to the world. Further, the estimated growth of hyper loop technology market will certainly going to make the industry players and trade partners across the globe to sit pretty in the market.Hyper loop technology offers various advantages such as safety measure, faster mode of transportation, more convenient, lower cost and resistant to earthquakes among others is another concept being associated with the evolution of hyper loop technology. The cutting-edge technologies capabilities to deliver ultra- high-speed ground transportation system propelling the hyper loop technology market growth to the large extent.Key Players:The key players in the global hyper loop technology market include- AECOM (U.S.), Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (US), Hyperloop One (US), Dinclix GroundWorks (India), TransPod Inc. (Canada) and Space Exploration Technologies Corp (U.S.) among others.Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: June 2017 Hyper loop Transportation technologies an American research company signs an agreement with the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) and Hanyang University to develop a full scale hyper loop system known as the Hyper Tube Express within Korea. January, 2017  AECOM had selected to design and build hyper loop test track as part of the SpaceX Hyper loop Pod competitions. The company is delivering high-speed transport which uses a network of low-pressure tubes and air-cushioned pods traveling. Company is manufacturing vacuum-sealed, high-speed proving ground for transport pod prototypes which is widely used in transportation system. Nov 08, 2016  Hyper loop one had taken a major steps towards future of transportation industries in Dubai. The company went into agreement with McKinsey & Co. and the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to move towards next stage of progress in Dubai.Hyper Loop Technology MarketAccording to Market Research Future, market has been segmented into component, type, application and region.On the basis of type, the market has been segmented into passenger and freight. Out of these, passenger type is expected to lead the hyper loop technology market. There are various benefits which are offered in transportation industry. However, hyperloop offers a fastest mode of passenger transport compared to other transportation system such as train, airplan. Also, the cost of hyperloop is comparatively lower than airplanes or bullet train which is expected to attract more population. For instance, this particular mode of transportation will cover Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes.Market Research Future AnalysisThe global hyper loop technology market is expected to grow at a fast pace over the forecast period, 2017-2023. Passenger mode of transportation segment of hyper loop technology is expected to globally drive the market.The market is expected to have higher growth rate over the forecast period, 2017-2023. Middle East region expected to grow at a fast pace over the forecast period, 2017-2023. Countries such as Dubai is expected to grow by 2023. The first hyperloop route is expected to be built between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The reason is attributed to the ongoing development in the construction of hyperloop routes in various regions. Furthermore, high capital investment and support from government is estimated to boost the overall growth of the market.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience Manufacturers Distributors Research firms Consultancy firms Software Developers Vendors Semiconductor Manufacturers End-user sectors Technology InvestorsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Overview  Key Futuristic Trends and Opportunities 2022

Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market

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The Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market on a regional as well as global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market. Sapa Group Schueco Xingfa JMA Wacang YKK AP FENAN Group Alcoa Xinhe Nanping Aluk GroupOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoFlatSlidingOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingResidential UsingCommercial Building UsingBrowse More Insight @Some points from TOC:-1 Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure1.2 Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Flat1.2.4 Sliding1.3 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Segment by Application1.3.1 Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Residential Using1.3.3 Commercial Building Using1.4 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Aluminum Alloy Frame Structure Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017).. ContinuedCheck Discount:About Us:QY Research Reports is your exclusive destination for the entire spectrum of Market Research and Business Solutions. Depending upon the clients, we provide customized as well as syndicated reports. Our market intelligence covers industries like technology, food and beverages, chemical materials, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture, consumer goods, among others. Irrespective of your businesss state as of today, we have a team of industry specific experts who will provide tailor-made market research surveys and solutions. Is the process of researching for your product proving to be a task for you? Or if you are unable to gather sufficient data which you can use to strategize your next move in the market. Whatever your business query might be, with a well-established knowledge and understanding of various businesses, QY Research Reports provide insights that are strategized.Contact Info:JohnEmail- sales@qyresearchreports.us
Asia-Pacific Water Clarifiers Market Research Report Forecast 2017 Analysis and Forecasts to 2022

Water Clarifiers, Water Clarifiers Market, Water Clarifiers Industry

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MarketResearchNest.com adds Asia-Pacific Water Clarifiers Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast To 2022new report to its research database. The report spread across in a 122 pages with table and figures in it.This report studies the Water Clarifier market. A clarifier is generally used to remove solid particulates or suspended solids from liquid for clarification and (or) thickening. Concentrated impurities, discharged from the bottom of the tank are known as sludge, while the particles that float to the surface of the liquid are called scum.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Water Clarifiers in Asia-Pacific market, especially in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, India and Australia. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries/Regions, type and application.Browse full table of contents and data tables atMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversSUEZ (GE), Pentair, Evoqua, Veolia Water, Murugappa, Aquatech International, WesTech Engineering, Ovivo, Hydro International, SAVI, Parkson Corporation, Tonka Water, Monroe Environmental, Envirodyne Systems, Ion Exchange, Jiangsu SanhuanMarket Segment by Countries, coveringChina, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, India, AustraliaMarket Segment by Type, coversRectangular, Circular, OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoMunicipal, Industrial Water Treatment, OthersRequest a sample copy atReasons for Buying this Report:This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a technological growth map over time to understand the industry growth rateIt provides a seven-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segments.The research provides answers to the following key questions:What will be the market size and the growth rate in 2022?What are the key factors driving the United States Water Clarifiers Market?Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the United States Water Clarifiers Market?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the United States Water Clarifiers Market?What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the United States Water Clarifiers Market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the United States Water Clarifiers Market?There are 19 Chapters to deeply display the Asia-Pacific Water Clarifiers market.Chapter 1, to describe Water Clarifiers Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Water Clarifiers, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the Asia-Pacific market by countries, covering China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India and Australia, with sales, price, revenue and market share of Water Clarifiers, for each country, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 to analyze the key countries by manufacturers, Type and Application,covering China,Japan,Korea,Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India and Australia,with sales,revenue and market share by manufacturers,types and application;Chapter 14, Water Clarifiers market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 15, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 16, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 17, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 18 and 19, to describe the research findings and conclusion, appendix, methodology and data sourceOrder a Purchase Report Copy atAbout Us:MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on Asia-Pacific industries, organizations, products, and trends.Contact UsMr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070(U.S)+44-20-3290-4151(U.K)Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Load Balancer Industry Forecast and Revenue by Regions (2017-2022) - Published by MarketResearchNest.com

Load Balancer Trends

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MarketResearchNest.com adds Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Load Balancer Market 2017 Forecast To 2022 new report to its research database. The report spread across in a 116 pages with table and figures in it.This report studies the Load Balancer market. A load balancer is a device that acts as a reverse proxy and distributes network or application traffic across a number of servers.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Load Balancer in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Browse full table of contents and data tables atMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversF5 Networks, Citrix, A10 Networks, Radware, Brocade, Kemp Technologies, Riverbed Technology, Sangfor, Fortinet,Barracuda, Array Networks, Hangzhou DPtech Technologies Co., Ltd.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers40 Gbps TypeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoIT and Telecom, BFSI, Government, OthersGet Request sample copy atReasons for Buying this Report: This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a technological growth map over time to understand the industry growth rate It provides a seven-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments It provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segments.Get Order a Purchase Report Copy atAbout Us:MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on Load Balancer industries, organizations, products, and trends.Contact UsMr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070(U.S)+44-20-3290-4151(U.K)Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Magnesium Hydroxide Paste Market 2017-2022 : Global Industry Size, Share, Growth, Forecasts

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Latest industry research report on: Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Magnesium Hydroxide Paste Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsThe objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the market on the basis of type, application, medical condition, and region. It provides detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the market. This report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments of the key players in terms of market developments, product portfolios, and financials.Acute Renal Failure Market: Industry Size, Share, Growth, Forecasts.Complete Report Details @Magnesium Hydroxide Paste is an aqueous paste of Magnesium Hydroxide. It contains not less than 93.0 percent and not more than 107.0 percent of the labeled amount of magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2], the labeled amount being not less than 28.0 percent and not more than 70.0 percent of magnesium hydroxide.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Magnesium Hydroxide Paste in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Request For Sample Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversUbe MaterialsMartin MariettaKyowa ChemicalAlbemarleRHI GroupICLKonoshima ChemicalRussian Mining ChemicalNedmagSpi PharmaHuberXinyang MineralsLianda ChemicalQinghai BestDeerDandong YungsingWeifang YuandongYantai FR Flame TechnologyQinghai West MagnesiumShanDong LuHua chemicalHellonLianyungang Nippo GroupWanfengMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversChemical Synthesis MethodPhysical MethodMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoEnvironmental Protection IndustryFlame Retardant IndustryPharmaceutical IndustryOther ApplicationsHave Any Query? Ask Our Expert @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Magnesium Hydroxide Paste market.Chapter 1, to describe Magnesium Hydroxide Paste Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Magnesium Hydroxide Paste, with sales, revenue, and price of Magnesium Hydroxide Paste, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Magnesium Hydroxide Paste, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Magnesium Hydroxide Paste market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Magnesium Hydroxide Paste sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Online Jewelry Retail 2017 Global Market Key Players  Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, LVMH, Rajesh Exports, Richemont, Signet Jewelers  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Online Jewelry Retail Market

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Online Jewelry Retail Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Online Jewelry Retail Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report studies the global Online Jewelry Retail market, analyzes and researches the Online Jewelry Retail development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeChow Tai Fook JewelleryLVMHRajesh ExportsRichemontSignet JewelersAurum HoldingBlue NileEmperor Watch & JewelleryGitanjali GemsKeringTitanTiffanyRequest a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoFine JewelryFashion JewelryMarket segment by Application, Online Jewelry Retail can be split intoConsumer (B2C)Business (B2B)This report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industry.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:2017-2022 Online Jewelry Retail Report on Global and Dec 2017 Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications1 Industry Overview of Online Jewelry Retail1.1 Online Jewelry Retail Market Overview1.1.1 Online Jewelry Retail Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Online Jewelry Retail Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Online Jewelry Retail Market by Type1.3.1 Fine Jewelry1.3.2 Fashion Jewelry1.4 Online Jewelry Retail Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Consumer (B2C)1.4.2 Business (B2B)2 Global Online Jewelry Retail Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Online Jewelry Retail Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 LVMH3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Rajesh Exports3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Richemont3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Signet Jewelers3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Aurum Holding3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Blue Nile3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Emperor Watch & Jewellery3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Gitanjali Gems3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Kering3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Online Jewelry Retail Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Titan3.12 TiffanyContinued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Anticipated to Reach CAGR of 14.1% During the Forecast Period

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A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine Warehouse Management Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2024 is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Request to View Sample Report @The emergence of digital technology and expanding application of WMS has led to increased adoption of warehouse management systems. The market for warehouse management systems (WMS) is anticipated to expand at a revenue CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period from 2017 to 2025. The global warehouse management systems market was valued at US$ 1,447.1 Mn in 2016. Warehouse management system (WMS) provides optimization, monitoring and control of complex warehouse and distribution activities such as yard management, dock scheduling, order management, labor management, inventory management, and others in an efficient manner. Hence, growing e-commerce industry and the subsequent adoption of WMS in this sector is expected to drive the warehouse management systems market. Another significant factor supporting the growth of warehouse management systems market is the increasing adoption of BYOD in various industries such as retail, 3PL, health care, and manufacturing among others. This has led to an increasing demand for cloud based warehouse management systems, subsequently driving the warehouse management systems market.Holding Major Share, On-premise Warehouse Management Systems Emerged Dominant in 2016The global warehouse management systems market has been segmented on the basis of component and application. On the basis of the component, the market is segmented into software and services. The software segment in the deployment type segmentation is further divided into on-premise and cloud based warehouse management systems. On-premise and cloud based warehouse management system segments are each further categorized into labor management system, analytics and optimization, and others which includes yard management and 3PL billing. In 2016, on-premise warehouse management systems accounted for maximum share of the warehouse management software market at around 76.3% of the revenue of the overall warehouse management software market. However, cloud based warehouse management software is expected to show sustainable growth during the forecast period due to technological advancements and cost effectiveness as compared to on-premise warehouse management software. Based on the services, the market is segmented into consulting, system integration, and operations and maintenance. In 2016, the maintenance segment held the largest revenue share and is also expected to expand at a highest CAGR during the forecast periodView Detail Report with Table of Content @In terms of various applications, the market is segmented into retail, electronics, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, third party logistics, and others which includes book and publishing, and home improvement. In 2016, the third party logistics (3PL) segment held the largest revenue share of around 27% in the overall warehouse management systems market.Asia Pacific to Offer Lucrative Growth Prospects in Forthcoming YearsGeographically, Europe is the largest market for warehouse management systems. Asia Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period. China, India, Japan, Australia and Indonesia are among the major markets for warehouse management systems in the Asia Pacific region. Through the course of the reports forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to showcase robust opportunities for growth to the market. The rising demand for extended WMS solutions to support in-store inventory, order management, and cloud integration is the chief driver of the warehouse management systems market in Asia Pacific. Besides this, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America are likely to offer substantial growth opportunities to the market in the coming years. The rising retail application in nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia among others on account of the expanding ecommerce market will augment the markets growth in the Middle East and Africa.Some of the major players in the global warehouse management systems market with the significant developments are HighJump Software, Tecsys, Inc., Infor Inc., JDA Software Group, Inc., LogFire Inc., Made4net LLC, Manhattan Associates Inc., Oracle Corporation, Reply, SAP SE, Softeon, Inc., and Synergy Logistics Ltd.Send an Inquiry @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Aluminum Welding Market share research by applications and regions for 2017-2024

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Aluminum Welding Market size will upsurge in forecast time period owing to its extensive usage in automotive, transportation and construction industries. The process is used in various applications to give strength and resistance to products. It contains best mechanical and metallurgical properties, provides less heat input and distortion. Easy application and implementation of the process increases its demand in numerous industries.Increase in demand of automobiles, aluminum welding Market will even witness hike in the forecast period. The process is widely used in automotive manufacturing to provide strong base and durability in the good. Friendly taxation policies including GST in India will further boost industry growth.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Process is increasingly being used for commercial and military aircraft manufacturing. It is used in aircrafts for corrosion protection, provides resistance from harmful UV rays and it even offers good strength to weight and cost ratio.Rise in trucks demand is anticipated to witness a grow of 50% by 2024 due to its high usage in carrying goods and providing effective door to door supply services. Trucks can carry huge amount of cargo in any form as numerous sizes and shapes give them ease of mobility. These noteworthy features of trucks will in turn propel the aluminum welding market share.Increasing population is driving demand for construction projects for various residential and commercial building and has positively impacting aluminum welding market. It provides high electrical and thermal conductivity to the structures. Aluminum is a smooth, bright structure that gives no spark when molded. It is used along with brick, steel and cement in construction material to give strength and durability to buildings.Rising demand for repair and maintenance drives aluminum welding market. Infrastructure industry require repair and maintenance on a regular basis to provide durability and sustainability to the structure. Growing demand for infrastructural development in Asia Pacific will significantly stimulate the aluminum welding market size.Browse Full Research Report On Aluminum Welding Market @Europe is highly flourishing region for product as it manufacturers highest number of trucks in the world. It hosts many big truck manufacturing companies including Mercedes, Invesco and Grebe. Main focus of these companies is on manufacturing good quality product that are efficient, secure and environment friendly. Rising demand and manufacturing of trucks will propel aluminum welding industry development in the region.Japan has most efficient road transport infrastructure due to its world-class technology and advance road connectivity system. Connectivity between countries through road transportation is significant to provide better good transposition mechanism. Growth in the commercial vehicle requirement along with rising population will boost aluminum welding market share in the country.The U.S. will fairly contribute in growth of aluminum welding market in forecast period due to rapidly development of its defense and aerospace sector. Several manufacturers in North America are emphasizing on research and development activities to manufacture tools and generate techniques for easy and efficient process implementation.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Prominent players in aluminum welding market are ESAB, Voestalpine Bohler, Navametal, Air Liquide, Lincoln Electric Company, Gedik, Safra, Sural, Hilarius Haarlem Holland and EWM Hightec.ESAB expanded in Indian market with the purchase of Indian Oxygen Ltd. business in 1991 and Flotech Cutting System Ltd. in 1992, followed by its merger with Maharashtra Weldaids Ltd. in 1994. Its aim of expansion and merger was to strength its presence in India and broaden its product offerings to satisfy growing customer demand. Revenue maximization is another reason for these expansion and merger.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
Big Data Services Market 2017-2021

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Technavio Announces the Publication of its Research Report Global Big Data Services Market 2017-2021.Technavio recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global big data services market: Accenture, Deloitte, Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), SAP, and Teradata.Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: Alteryx, Atos, Attivio, Chartio, Cirro, ClearStory Data, Cloudera, Continuum Analytics, Datameer, DataStax, Doopex, Dell, Enthought, Hortonworks, MAANA, MapR Technologies, MarkLogic, Microsoft, MongoDB, Mu Sigma, Predixion Software, and SAS Institute.Commenting on the report, an analyst from Technavios team said: The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is increasing market consolidation. The consolidation in the global big data services market is increasing as many large enterprise computing vendors are acquiring companies to provide new big data technologies. Large vendors are targeting small companies to expand their business portfolios and are acquiring major pure-play big data vendors.Request for sample copy of this report :According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is growing amount of data. The data volumes are exploding, and more data has been created since 2014 than in the entire previous history. It is estimated that by the year 2020, more than 1.5 megabytes (MB) of new information will be generated every second for every person across the world. Enterprise applications are generating large volumes of data and this will keep continuing throughout the forecast period and beyond. Large volumes of data are being generated from many sources such as the Internet, mobile devices, and social media.Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is adhering to diverse client requirement. Several industries lack policies or frameworks to store all the data, which leads to difficulty in effective performance of big data. This in turn, affects the market penetration of big data service providers as their quality of service deteriorates. Big data service providers need to continuously develop and offer innovative solutions in step with changing customer requirements. This is a complex and cost consuming process as it involves high degrees of uncertainty and failure in understanding the requirements of customers leads to potential loss of time and money.Send an enquiry here :The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.MRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments. We have built a veritable reputation for our commitment to fulfilling our clients' exacting market research solutions. From Fortune 500 companies to SMEs, our clients place their trust in us for reports from verified publishers.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Thermoelectric Modules Market Size, Share - Industry Trend and Forecast to 2022

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Latest industry research report on: Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Thermoelectric Modules Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsThe objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the market on the basis of type, application, medical condition, and region. It provides detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the market. This report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments of the key players in terms of market developments, product portfolios, and financials.Acute Renal Failure Market: Industry Size, Share, Growth, Forecasts.Complete Report Details @This report studies the Thermoelectric Modules market. A thermoelectric (TE) module, also called a thermoelectric cooler or Peltier cooler, is a semiconductor-based electronic component that functions as a small heat pump. By applying a low voltage DC power source to a TEM, heat will be moved through the module from one side to the other. One module face, therefore, will be cooled while the opposite face simultaneously is heated. It is important to note that this phenomenon is fully reversible whereby a change in the polarity of the applied DC voltage will cause heat to be moved in the opposite direction. Consequently, a TEM may be used for both cooling and heating in a given application.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Thermoelectric Modules in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Request For Sample Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversFerrotecLairdKELKMarlowRMTCUIHi-ZTellurexCrystalP&N TechThermonamic ElectronicsKryo ThermWellen TechAMS TechnologiesMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversSingle Stage ModuleMultistage ModuleMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoAutomotiveElectronicsBiomedicalOthersHave Any Query? Ask Our Expert @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Thermoelectric Modules market.Chapter 1, to describe Thermoelectric Modules Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Thermoelectric Modules, with sales, revenue, and price of Thermoelectric Modules, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Thermoelectric Modules, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Thermoelectric Modules market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Thermoelectric Modules sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Provecs Medical Announces Publication of Scientific Review of Gene Therapy in Oncology

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-- Peer-reviewed paper in Human Gene Therapy provides comprehensive overview of using gene therapy to address multiple targets --Hamburg (December 14, 2017) - Provecs Medical GmbH, a cancer immunotherapy company developing novel treatments to modulate the tumor microenvironment, today announced the publication of a review highlighting the use of gene therapy approaches in immuno-oncology to address multiple targets with a single drug. The paper entitled Immuno-Oncology - the Translational Runway for Gene Therapy will appear in the December issue of Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed publication covering all aspects of human gene therapy. The review is already available online atIt is known today that a successful strategy against cancer needs to address multiple targets or pathways of the immune system in parallel to ensure that it recognizes and eliminates tumor cells, said Dr. Frank Schnieders, CEO of Provecs Medical. In past decades, gene therapy research has developed a vast array of technologies not only to transfect all sorts of cells and tissues, ex vivo as well as in vivo, but also to organize, regulate and stabilize the genetic content of the vectors. Gene therapy therefore is the best available toolbox for the targeted delivery of several therapeutic entities to the tumor and its microenvironment. It was our goal to summarize the impact of gene therapy on novel approaches in cancer therapy that may well lead to breakthrough treatments against tumors.Provecs is a pioneer in the tumor gene therapy field and has developed ENVIRO, a unique, patented adenoviral platform for the targeted delivery of up to four biologicals combined in one product. The first product candidate, Immunalon, is expressing three potent immune-modifying signaling proteins - Interleukin-12, Interleukin-2 and CD137 ligand - to turn off tumor-mediated immune suppression and to promote T- cell infiltration of tumors and recognition of cancer cells. These molecules stimulate the activation, proliferation and survival of a synergizing network of tumor-defensive immune cells in both the innate and the adaptive immune system. At present, Immunalon is being developed for the treatment of a wide range of solid cancers. In urinary bladder cancer, it is partnered with Medac Gesellschaft fur klinische Spezialpraparate mbH (Wedel, Germany).###Contact:Company inquiries:Dr. Frank Schnieders, CEOTel. +49 (0)40 4 12 63 26 83schnieders(at)provecs.comMedia Inquiries:akampionDr. Ludger Wess or Ines-Regina ButhTel.: +49 (0)40 88 16 59 64 / +49 (0)30 2363 2768info(at)akampion.comAbout Provecs Medical GmbHProvecs Medical is a private biopharmaceutical company, based in Hamburg (Germany) and specialized in immune-oncology. Based on its multivalent adenoviral ENVIRO technology platform, the company has developed unique solutions to re-program the immunologic barriers in the tumor microenvironment. Provecs has established a comprehensive proof-of-concept platform, named EXVIRO, for ex-vivo therapy simulation in primary human cancer tissues. Immune processes are monitored by big data transcriptome profiling, bioinformatics, and tissue immune imaging technologies. Provecs lead product Immunalon is being developed for the treatment of solid cancers with a focus on urinary bladder cancer.Contact:Provecs MedicalDr. Frank Schnieders, CEOMartinistr. 6420251 HamburgGermanyTel. +49 (0)40 4 12 63 26 83schnieders(at)provecs.comMedia Inquiries:akampionDr. Ludger Wess or Ines-Regina ButhTel.: +49 (0)40 88 16 59 64 / +49 (0)30 2363 2768info(at)akampion.com
Global Take-Home Ice Cream Sales market 2017 Top Players-Haagen-Dazs, Breyer's, Chapman's, Drumstick

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In this report, the global Take-Home Ice Cream market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Take-Home Ice Cream for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaDownload Free Request Sample@Global Take-Home Ice Cream market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Take-Home Ice Cream sales volume, Price (USD/MT), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingHaagen-DazsBreyer'sChapman'sDrumstickRoloBen & Jerry'sParlourSkinny CowDel MonteSundaeOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDairy-Based (Take-Home Ice Cream)Water-Based (Take-Home Ice Cream)On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Take-Home Ice Cream for each application, includingApplication 1Application 2Application 3If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Access Full Report Sample@Table of ContentsGlobal Take-Home Ice Cream Sales Market Report 20171 Take-Home Ice Cream Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Take-Home Ice Cream1.2 Classification of Take-Home Ice Cream by Product Category1.2.1 Global Take-Home Ice Cream Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Take-Home Ice Cream Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Dairy-Based (Take-Home Ice Cream)1.2.4 Water-Based (Take-Home Ice Cream)About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:
Armored Vehicles Upgrade and Retrofit Market 2017 Leading Growth Drivers, Emerging Audience, Segments, Sales, Profits & Analysis

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Market Highlights:As per the MRFR analysis, modernization of military armored vehicles and need for SWaP reduction are the key factor driving the market. The vendors in the market focus on technological innovation in order to improve the size and weight of the vehicle thus controlling the overall ownership cost. Budget cuts and limited customer funding specially in Europe and North America has been the top most restraint of the market which would hamper the market growth in the forecast period.Armoured vehicles such as high-precision weapons, anti-air weapons systems, drones striker helicopters, fighter jets, are used by armed forces (Army, Navy & Air force) during a combat, ambush or war. These vehicles are protected by armour and in many cases armed with weapons. Armoured vehicles provide enormous strength to a countrys army and are used in large numbers by military forces around the world.System and vetronics upgrades and retrofits are less costly than new armored vehicle acquisitions in this era of pressures on defense budgets, Visiongain analysts say, adding that many armored vehicles can serve for many more years than originally planned if given upgrades.The Military Armored Vehicles Upgrade And Retrofit Market is estimated to be a fairly profitable business, however, the government restrictions and regulations limit the number of operators and participants in the military field. Furthermore, the military business is a highly risky, owing to the constant demand and high capital requirements, with a lot of uncertainty, tough technological competition and the need to lobby for contracts. The forecast period (2017-2022) is crucial as many military activities are scheduled to end in this time-period, along with the rise of the new next generation heavy armoured vehicle made for connected warfare by Russia.Get a Sample report @Competitive AnalysisThe Market of Armored Vehicles Upgrade & Retrofit appears to be competitive owing to the presence of numerous well-established players having international and global presence. Innovation, mergers & acquisitions, and brand reinforcement remain the key trends for the leading players. These key players compete based upon pricing, reputation and services. Key Players operating in the market strive to demonstrate capability to build aerostructures like those for high-precision weapons, anti-air weapons systems, drones and the modernization of aviation and armored vehicles, and striker helicopters, and look at bidding for contracts for helicopters and armoured vehicles, besides fighter jets, through different group companies. Vetronics (vehicle electronics) is the most expensive part of the armored vehicle. To reduce the overall ownership cost (including maintenance), Cost Per Mile is new parameter on which vendors are working to bring down maintenance costs, fuel costs, and training and operating costs. They are keen to play an instrumental role in helping the armed forces into a destination for world-class high-tech defence manufacturing. India seems to be an attractive anchorage to these players as they are investing heavily in to expansion or moving their bases to India or other developing economies of APAC. For instance,Armored Vehicles Upgrade & Retrofit Global Market  SegmentsFor the Better understanding of this report the Global Armored Vehicles Upgrade and Retrofit Market has been segmented in to 2 key dynamics.Segmentation By Vehicle Type : Comprises Armored Personnel Carrier, Main Battle Tank, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, and other (Tactical Truck, IFV, LMV)Segmentation By Regions : Comprises Geographical regions - North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit @Regional AnalysisAmericas is the dominant player in the market with a market share of around 42%, and is likely to lead both in terms of sales and CAGR in the forecast period.APAC will grow significantly, followed by EMEA and Americas. Many countries in APAC are undergoing major military vehicles modernization programs. As a result, the military armoured vehicle upgrade and retrofit market is expected to witness a substantial growth during the forecast period. APAC market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 5%We are thankful for the support and assistance Armored Vehicles Upgrade And Retrofit Market Research Report- Forecast to 2021 related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Research of High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market in Global Industry : Share, Trends and Application 2017

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Albany, NY, 14th December : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" globally.The report provides analysis of different drivers that are impacting the global high speed serial switch fabrics market along with restrains and opportunities as per the scope of the report. For each segment (such as product type and application) market analysis is provided.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Additionally taking into consideration all the drivers, an extensive geographical growth analysis is provided for the forecasted period has been provided in the report.The major players in the market have been profiled across five broad geographical regions. The profile include business strategies adopted these players in the automotive polycarbonate glazing market. Further, the report includes market attractiveness analysis of four different automotive glazing application and insights into the market.High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market: Market DynamicsSwitch fabrics concepts have originated in telecommunication industry more than 150 years ago. High speed switched fabric is defined as a switching system that aims at connecting devices together with an objective to support multiple simultaneous data transfers which is basically implemented with a crossbar switch. The data is sent in the form of packets with the help of information contained in the packet header for error detection, identification, correction and routing. Users of high speed switched fabric mainly use serial links owing to the recent advances in the serial data technology.View Complete TOC with tables & Figures @There is a rising demand of signal processing in defense and aerospace application. High speed switch serial fabric networking application is gaining popularity as parallel processing architectures is advancing from the OpenVPX Multiplane Architecture and industry standards. High-performance applications such as electronic warfare, radar and signals intelligence are using this technology for signal processing. In aerospace and defense sector there is a need to move enormous volumes of data as rapidly through their computing solution. Across the globe, the demand of high speed data transfer technology is growing at a rapid space. High speed serial switch fabric systems conform to commercial standards that move data quickly. Moreover, the high speed signal processing eliminates the time and risk associated with new technology system development. With the increasing pressure in defense and commercial arenas it is anticipated that high speed signal processing is expected to drive this product market during the forecast period.There is a growing adoption of networking switch fabrics across the world. The switch fabric in networking means a topology of how a network is connected in a circuit-switched or data network. Current trend of data networking has added more value and pushed the concept in new levels. In addition, switching technology, chip and connectivity are used to join bits in networking fabrics. In some instance, this switch fabrics are used as single switch which is known as switch on a chip.Across the globe, data network were developed due to increasing demand of data network from various end use industry. Companies operating in this market are focusing on innovations in networking fabrics switches which can support end user industries demand. Among others networking high speed serial switch fabrics, ethernet switch has increased its popularity due to increasing usages of high speed data transfer in telecommunication industry and data center.With the obsolescence of traditional data transfer problem, the high speed serial switch fabrics integration is likely to continue to expand the market share during the forecasted period.High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report highlights the various competitive strategies adopted by key players to gain market share. Company profiles include company details, market presence by segment and geography, strategic overview, SWOT analysis and historical revenue. The report also contains details of market share analysis of key players in the market. Major firms operating in the high speed serial switch fabric market are Pentek, Inc. (the U.S), Microsemi Corporation (the U.S), Cisco Systems, Inc. (the U.S), Broadcom Corporation (the U.S), Sierra Wireless (Canada), Curtiss-Wright Corporation (the U.S), Intel Corporation (the U.S), Integrated Device Technology Inc.(the U.S) and Macom (the U.S).The global High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market has been segmented into:Global High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market, by Product TypeLayer SwitchingNetwork Core SwitchingVLAN SwitchingOthersGlobal High Speed Serial Switch Fabrics Market, ApplicationData center consolidationSecurityAudio and Video TransmissionOthersBrowse Report @Global High Speed Serial Switch Fabric Market, by Geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia PacificLatin AmericaMiddle East and AfricaResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
North America Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) Market: Industry Size, Share, Growth, Forecasts to 2022

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Latest industry research report on: North America Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsThe objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the market on the basis of type, application, medical condition, and region. It provides detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the market. This report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments of the key players in terms of market developments, product portfolios, and financials.Acute Renal Failure Market: Industry Size, Share, Growth, Forecasts.Complete Report Details @Corrosion processes are responsible for numerous losses mainly in the industrial scope. It is clear that the best way to combat it is prevention. Among the various methods to avoid or prevent destruction or degradation of metal surface, the corrosion inhibitor is one of the best know methods of corrosion protection and one of the most useful on the industry. Volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCI) are a type of corrosion inhibitor that are used to protect ferrous materials and non ferrous metals against corrosion or oxidation where it is impractical to apply surface treatments.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) in North America market, especially in United States, Canada and Mexico. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries, type and application.Request For Sample Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversCORTECBranopacArmor Protective PackagingOji F-TexDaubert VCIZerustRustxUSTransilwrap (Metpro)Protective Packaging CorporationTechnology PackagingGreen PackagingCVCIKEYSUNMarket Segment by Countries, coveringUnited StatesCanadaMexicoMarket Segment by Type, coversVCI PaperVCI FilmVCI LiquidVCI PowderOtherMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoMetallurgy IndustryAerospace IndustryAutomotive IndustryOil, Gas and Process IndustriesElectronics IndustryHave Any Query? Ask Our Expert @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the North America Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) market.Chapter 1, to describe Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI), with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the North America market by countries, covering United States, Canada and Mexico, with sales, revenue and market share of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI), for each country, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the segment market in United States, Canada and Mexico, by manufacturers, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and market share by manufacturers, types and applications;Chapter 10, Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 11, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 12, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 13, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data sourceAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
New Trends of Fresh Meat Packaging Market with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2026

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To provide in-depth insights, a detailed consumer preference analysis was carried out at each level of the value chain, which includes film convertors, packaging equipment manufacturers, meat producers/co-packers and retailers. Some of the key highlights from the analysis include, preferred packaging technologies for different types of meat products, factors impacting purchasing decision of packaging materials and most commonly used layer types.Get an exclusive sample of this report @Market Value and ForecastThe North America fresh meat packaging market has been estimated to be valued at US$ 1,443.1 Mn in 2015 and is expected to expand at a 2.2% CAGR over the forecast period (20162026).Market DynamicsGrowth of the North America fresh meat packaging market is specifically driven by increasing shelf life of meat products, along with the customised films demand from meat producers. Besides, sustainable benefits of flexible films over rigid packaging formats is further fuelling the market demand for meat packaging market. A key trend defining the market is that of major players focusing towards enhancing their product portfolio and expanding their customer base by entering into strategic mergers and acquisitions. Furthermore, film convertors are also increasingly focused on downgauging and optimisation of packages size to offer eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions to meat producers, co-packers and retailers.Browse Research Report @Market SegmentationTwo individual markets, namely North America film and North America fresh meat packaging were collectively considered to arrive at data regarding the North America fresh meat packaging market. North America fresh meat packaging film market is segmented on the basis of packaging format, meat type, packaging material, layer type and country.Market Segmentation, by Material TypeOn the basis of packaging material, the market is segmented into PE, PVC, BOPP, PA, EVOH, PP and others. In terms of value, EVOH segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Market Segmentation by Layer TypeOn the basis of layer type, the market is segmented into monolayer, 3-layer, 5-layer, 7-layer and 9-layer. Among all layer type segments, 7-layer segment is anticipated to exhibit the highest revenue growth, followed by 5-layer segment over the forecast period.About FMIFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact FMI3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street,London W1B 3HHUnited KingdomT: + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790D: +44 (0) 20 3287 4268Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.com
Retail Digital Transformation Market Report 2017: Rising Impressive Business Opportunities Analysis Forecast by 2022- Size, Shares, Growth, Consumption Analysis, Industry Demand and Forecast To 2022

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A comprehensive analysis of the Global Retail Digital Transformation Market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the Global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting to the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.Retail Digital Transformation Market will grow at a CAGR of +23% during the forecast period 2017-2022Top Key Players:Amazon, Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Limited, and eBay, Inc. were identified to be the top three players in the retail digital transformation market in 2013. Other key players include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Rakuten, Inc., Flipkart Internet Private Limited, Tesco PLC, Snapdeal.com (Jasper Infotech Pvt. Ltd.), Otto Group, and MercadoLibre, Inc.Get Sample Copy of this ReportRising mechanical mindfulness has urged shoppers worldwide to utilize versatile applications and sites to shop on the web. Moreover, aggressive costs and simplicity of route among extensive variety of items by access through sites has expanded the prevalence of web based retailing. Digital transformation in retail segment has empowered suppliers to accomplish multi-channel deals through online marketplaces. Online retail offers comfort and upgraded reach to the dealers over the globe as they would showcase be able to their item offerings to a vast gathering of shoppers over different online stores.According to the research report, the Global market for Retail Digital Transformation Market is witnessing a continual rise in its valuation with the advancement in technologies, which is impacting the consumer behavior and, accordingly, their purchasing patterns to a great extent. In addition to this, the rising penetration of internet and the surge in mobile surfing are anticipated to boost the demand for network management software across the world, states the research report.Know more about this Premium Report:On the basis of geographical regions, the Global Retail Digital Transformation Market is segmented broadly into Latin America, Global, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The Global market is still in its exploratory stage in most of the regions but it holds the promising potential to flourish steadily in coming years. The major companies investing in this market are situated in Canada, U.K., and the US, India, China and some more countries of Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Global are estimated to hold more than half of the market shares, collectively in coming years.This statistical surveying research study presents an all-inclusive evaluation of the worldwide market for network management software, taking various industry parameters, such as the capacity of production, product pricing, demand, supply, and sales dynamics, returns on investments, and the growth rate of the overall market into consideration.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Retail Digital Transformation Market have been presented. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the technology and product type introduced by each of these manufacturers also form a key part of this section of the report.Table of Content:Global Retail Digital Transformation Market Research Report 2017-2022Chapter 1 Retail Digital Transformation Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2017-2022)Chapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2017-2022)Chapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Market Forecast (2017-2022)Chapter 13 AppendixAbout Research n Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(ResearchnReports)
Network Security Market Technological Advancements, Evolving Industry Trends and Insights 2016 - 2024

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Global Network Security Market: OverviewThe global market for network security is witnessing constant growth, thanks to the increasing visualization of servers resulting in the adoption of innovative and new network security solutions. In addition, the rise in the use of network security solutions by medium- and small-sized businesses across the globe is expected to accelerate the development of the overall market in the next few years. The growing demand for workforce mobility, which is projected to offer improved security solutions in order to protect PDAs, laptops, and smart phones from cyber-attacks and malwares is further anticipated to contribute towards the markets growth.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The research study offers a detailed overview of the global network security market, providing information related to the market dynamics, which are likely to impact the growth of the market in the near future. In addition, the growth drivers, barriers, latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in the global market have been highlighted to offer a strong understanding of the market.Global Network Security Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe tremendously rising use of mobile devices and the rising demand for integrated security solutions are some of the important factors that are anticipated to fuel the growth of the global network security market in the next few years. In addition, a significant rise in the regulatory compliance requirements is likely to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the next few years. The growing popularity of Software as a Service-based network security solutions is considered as a major factor encouraging the growth of the overall market.On the flip side, the absence of efficient security solutions and complexity of network infrastructure are estimated to hamper the growth of the global network security market. Additionally, threats arising from open-source network security solutions and technical defects are some of the other factors predicted to inhibit the markets growth in the next few years. Nevertheless, a significant rise in the number of DDoS attacks and the rising number of mergers and acquisitions are estimated to contribute towards the growth of the market.Obtain Report Details @Global Network Security Market: Key SegmentationThe global market for network security can be categorized on the basis of product type into intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IDP), next generation hybrid solutions, low end hybrid solutions, high end hybrid solutions, and virtual private network (VPN) gateways. The increasing need to implement network security, owing to the increasing use of mobile phone is accelerating the market growth. In addition, new products and the rising number of applications are likely to encourage growth in the near future. The share, size, and the projected growth rate of each segment have been included in the scope of the research study.Furthermore, on the basis of geography, the global network security market can be divided into four segments. As per the research study, North America is projected to witness progressive growth throughout the forecast period. Technological advancements in this field and innovations are some of the key factors that are estimated to boost the growth of the network security market in North America in the next few years.Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:The global network security market is predicted to witness progressive growth throughout the forecast period. The growing emphasis on technological developments and new product development are anticipated to offer promising opportunities for market players in the next few years. Some of the leading players operating in the network security market across the globe are Enterasys, WatchGuard, Fortinet Inc., Symantec, Juniper Networks Inc., Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., NFR, Avaya, IBM ISS, Nokia, Alcatel, Assured Digital, CyberGuard, NetScreen, ISS, Lucent, McAfee, Fortress, SonicWall, Network Associates, Cisco Systems Inc., Computer Associates, Nortel, and Intrusion.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
On The Go Packaging Market - Convenience features such as portability, re-usability, and easy handling drives the product packaging trends

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Convenience features such as portability, re-usability, and easy handling drives the product packaging trends in industries including food and beverage, healthcare and personal hygiene, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods. Swift changes in consumer lifestyles, and busy daily routines have resulted in an increase in demand for on the go packaging solution. The food and beverage industry have gained a lot of advantage with the growing application of on the go packaging. Owing to consumers preference for easy and quick consumption of food while they are on the move, the packaging industry is focusing on the go packaging solution to meet the augmented demand for packaged and processed foods. The global on the go packaging market is expected to have a steady growth over the forecast period attributed to the increasing demand for easy usage and consumption of products.Get an exclusive sample of this report @On the Go Packaging Market: Market DynamicsIncreasing consumer preferences for processed foods is the prime factor driving the global on the go packaging market. Growing affinity of the consumers for portability, easy usage, re-usability, and re-closable characteristics is expected to boost the global on the go packaging market. Besides, food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical industry also contributes to the growing demand for on the go packaging market. Medicines such as tablets, syrups, and ointments require re-closable facility which is thereby expected to drive the on the go packaging market. Other industries that contribute to the increasing demand for global on the go packaging market are health care and hygiene products and other consumer goods.The growing trend of retail packaging industry is considered to be a major factor significantly contributing to the escalating demand for global on the packaging market. On the go packaging helps in easy display and easy identifying of retail ready product packs without having to spend much on display costs.Browse Research Report @However, on the go packaging market growth is hindered by few restraints. The most crucial being the contamination of the product especially the processed foods. On the go packaging facilitates easy usage of processed packaged foods which in turn might have high possibilities of getting contaminated.On the go packaging market is segmented on the basis of various packaging types which includes flexible and paperboard packaging. Flexible packaging includes on the go packaging solutions such as convenient closures  snap or flip top closure, zip pouches, re-usable, clamshells and trays, and peel off lids. Paperboard packaging includes on the go packaging solutions such as folding cartons, corrugated boxes, and rigid boxes. These paperboard box packages are mainly used for retail ready products.On the go packaging market is segmented on basis of its industrial applications. Industries include food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and hygiene and other consumer goods. On the go packaging solutions are used mainly for processed foods like meat, frozen foods, juice pouches or cans, health drinks, soft drinks and others. Tablets, syrups, ointments require easy consumption as it can be needed anywhere anytime hence, on the go packaging solution is an essential for pharmaceutical industry. Healthcare and hygiene products include moisturizing lotions, creams, oils, hand sanitizers and others that require easy usage and portability.About FMIFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact FMI3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street,London W1B 3HHUnited KingdomT: + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790D: +44 (0) 20 3287 4268Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.com
Bikini 2017 Global Market Key Players  La perla, RELLECIGA, Beach Bunny Swimwear, Victoria's Secrets, CHANEL  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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Bikini Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Bikini Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report studies Bikini in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringLa perlaRELLECIGABeach Bunny SwimwearVictoria's SecretsSeafollyZimmermannCHANELBillabongMaajiL*SPACEDolce & GabbanaGottexMissoniAnjunaLVHMRequest a Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoNylonSpandexOtherBy Application, the market can be split intoDistributionDirect SellingBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaThis report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industry.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of Bikini1.1 Definition and Specifications of Bikini1.1.1 Definition of Bikini1.1.2 Specifications of Bikini1.2 Classification of Bikini1.2.1 Nylon1.2.2 Spandex1.2.3 Other1.3 Applications of Bikini1.3.1 Distribution1.3.2 Direct Selling1.3.3 Application 31.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Bikini2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Bikini2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Bikini2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Bikini.8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Bikini8.1 La perla8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 La perla 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 La perla 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 RELLECIGA8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 RELLECIGA 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 RELLECIGA 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Beach Bunny Swimwear8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Beach Bunny Swimwear 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Beach Bunny Swimwear 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Victoria's Secrets8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Victoria's Secrets 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Victoria's Secrets 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Seafolly8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Seafolly 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Seafolly 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 Zimmermann8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 Zimmermann 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 Zimmermann 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 CHANEL8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 CHANEL 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 CHANEL 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Billabong8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Billabong 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Billabong 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Maaji8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Maaji 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Maaji 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 L*SPACE8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 L*SPACE 2016 Bikini Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 L*SPACE 2016 Bikini Business Region Distribution AnalysisContinued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Automotive Heat Shield Market Expected To Reach US$25.3 bn by 2024

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"The Latest Research Report Automotive Heat Shield Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Automotive Heat Shield Market: OverviewA vehicles internal combustion engine generates a large amount of heat which can damage the vehicles other components and body work. Moreover heat shields can even increase a vehicles performance by reducing the engines temperature. Thus automotive heat shield finds a major application in a vehicle and forms an integral part of a vehicle. In the automotive heat shields, it is essential for all companies to adhere to the safety standards and regulations set up by the governments of their respective countries. Superior quality of products ensures long term business profitability through increased customer satisfaction. Adherence to the quality standards also creates goodwill and a positive brand image of the company.Automotive Heat Shield Market: Trends and OpportunitiesFactors such as advent of new segment of vehicles (electric and hybrid vehicles) and increasing production of vehicles is mainly driving the growth of automotive heat shield market. The growth of automotive heat shield is complementary to automobile production as it is one of the essential components in a vehicle. Therefore, due to increase in vehicle production; the demand for automotive heat shields is increasing at a considerable rate.Due to the advancement of technology, automotive heat shield manufacturers have been able to bring innovation to their products. Integration and customization of heat shields with advanced technologies has been able to ensure new and innovative heat shielding components for hybrid and electric vehicles. Such new segment of vehicles is going to be largely preferred by the consumers in the coming years because of their eco-friendly, fuel-efficiency and other features. Moreover, the advancement of automotive heat shield technology in standard vehicles such as application of heat shield components inside the vehicle (dashboard and under-carpet area), to prevent heat combustion of engine and air-conditioning unit, has made a positive impact on the overall automobile sector.Get Sample copy of this Report @Automotive Heat Shield Market: Regional OutlookWith increasing number of automotive sales across the globe, there is immense scope and opportunities for the automotive heat shield market. There has been significant rise in the sales growth of automotive based in Asia Pacific mainly in India and China. In the coming years, Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market for automotive heat shields. India, China, and Japan have seen huge industrialization in recent times because of the availability of good natural and human resources. Cheap source of labor, availability of raw materials, good transportation network, and investor-friendly industrial policies are some of the vital factors encouraging global companies to set up industries in these countries of the Asia Pacific region. This in turn is expected to encourage the rise in application of automotive heat shield market in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific.The automotive heat shield market in Rest of the World (RoW) is expected to gain momentum in the next few years. Positive growth in the economies of developing countries coupled with increasing purchasing power of the people are the key factors expected to drive the sales volume of automobiles, thus fueling the growth of automotive heat shields in the emerging markets further. Moreover, a small percentage of hybrid and electric vehicles are already available in the market. The percentage is expected to grow in the coming years because of their eco-friendly use and efficiency. Therefore, with the rise in the number of hybrid and electric vehicles in the automobile market, the application and market for automotive heat shield is set to flourish in the coming years. Electric vehicles can operate efficiently without overheating as compared to hybrid vehicles. However, electric vehicles can run only for a limited distance. Therefore, the penetration of heat shields is much less in electric vehicles than the hybrid ones.Automotive Heat Shield Market: Scope of the StudyThis market research study analyzes the global automotive heat shield market and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD Million) 2015 to 2024. It emphasizes on the drivers and restraints responsible for the growth of the industry and examines their impact during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Moreover, it recognizes the important opportunities for the market expansion in the upcoming years.View Sample PDF @Automotive Heat Shield Market: Key PlayersThe report offers company market share analysis of key industry participants. Major players have been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies and key developments. Leading market players profiled in this report are Federal-Mogul Holding Corporation (U.S.),Autoneum Holding AG (Switzerland), Dana Holding Corporation (U.S.), Lydall Inc.(U.S.),UGN Inc (U.S.), Happich GmbH (Germany), Elringklinger AG (Germany) and Progress-WerkOberkirch AG (Germany).Table of ContentChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report Description1.2 Research Scope1.3 Research MethodologyChapter 2 Executive SummaryChapter 3 Global Overview3.1 Introduction3.2 Key Trend Analysis3.3 Market Dynamics3.3.1 Market Drivers3.3.1.1 Advent of new segment of vehicles (electric and hybrid vehicles)3.3.1.2 Increasing production of vehicles3.3.1.3 Technology and innovation3.3.2 Market Restraints3.3.2.1 Increase in price of raw material3.3.3 Market Opportunities3.3.3.1 Emerging markets of Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW)3.3.3.2 Further developments in automotive heat shield technology3.4 Automotive Heat Shield: Market Attractiveness Analysis3.5 Competitive Landscape3.5.1 Automotive Heat Shield Market: Market Positioning of Key Players3.5.2 Competitive Strategies Adopted by Leading PlayersSend An Enquiry Request @Chapter 4 Global Automotive Heat Shield Market: By Product4.1 Overview4.1.1 Global Automotive Heat Shield Market Revenue Share, By Product, 2016 - 20244.2 Exhaust and Header Wrap4.2.1 Exhaust and Header Wrap Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)4.3 Thermal and Heat Shield Sleeving4.3.1 Thermal and Heat Shield Sleeving Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)4.4 Turbo Heat Shields4.4.1 Turbo Heat Shields Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)4.5 Exhaust Heat Shield Insulation4.5.1 Exhaust Heat Shield Insulation Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)4.6 Heat Shield and Thermal Barriers4.6.1 Heat Shield and Thermal Barriers Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)4.7 Spark Plug Boot Heat Shield4.7.1 Spark Plug Boot Heat Shield Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)4.8 Others4.8.1 Others Market Revenue and Forecast, 2015  2024 (USD Million)Buy Now This Report From Here @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Facial Recognition Market: Boosting CAGR of +15.48% by 2024 with Top Key Players, Growth, Size, Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Forecast till 2024

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The Global Facial Recognition Market report offers a comprehensive insight into the development policies and plans in addition to manufacturing processes and cost structures.The Global Facial Recognition Market accounted for USD 4.1 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 15.48% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic year 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.For In depth Information Get Free Sample Copy of this Report@Key Questions Answered in Global Facial Recognition Market Report:-Our Report offers:- What will the market growth rate, Overview and Analysis by Type of Global Facial Recognition Market in 2024? What are the key factors driving, Analysis by Applications and Countries Global Facial Recognition Market? What are Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, and price analysis of top Vendors Profiles of Global Facial Recognition Market? Who are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Global Facial Recognition Market? Who are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in Global Facial Recognition Market? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin and Market Share What are the Global Facial Recognition Market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Market?Major Market Drivers: Growing surveillance market Increasing government deployment Increasing applications in numerous industry sectors Interoperability concerns Misinterpretation of emotionsRequest for Detailed TOC:Market Definition: Global Facial Recognition MarketFacial Recognition is a biometric process of identifying an individual by capturing images and then comparing it with existing database. Facial recognition uses different biometric techniques for instance, fingerprint, length or width of the nose, shape of the cheekbones. It is widely applicable in homeland security, and military banking, financial services, and insurance, healthcare, retail, and others. Increasing government deployment and increasing applications in numerous industry sectors may act as the major driver in the growth of facial recognition market. On the other side, misinterpretation of emotions may hamper the market.Global Facial Recognition Market, By Geography; Component (Software Tools, Services); Technology (Facial Recognition Software and SDK, Middleware, Databases, Modeling and Restructuring, Analytics Solutions); Use Case; Application Area- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Top Key Players: 3M NEC Technologies India Private Limited Aware, Inc. Safran Animetrics Daon Ayonix corp. Cognitec Systems GmbH KeyLemon Ind. nViso SA. ZKTeco Inc. Aurora Computer Services Limited Crossmatch FaceFirst and others.For more insightful information visit@Customize report of "Global Facial Recognition Market" as per customers requirement also available.Company Share Analysis: Global Facial Recognition MarketThe report for facial recognition market include detailed vendor level analysis for market shares in 2016 for Global, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America specifically. Also impact and development analysis of key vendors is registered in the market and factored on the basis of Vendor Positioning Grid Analysis which measures the vendors strengths and opportunities against present market challenges, measure providers ability to identify or satisfy present market needs, map providers market vision to current and upcoming market dynamics among others. The report also measures technology life line curve and market time line to analyze and do more affective investments.Market Segmentations:Global Facial Recognition Market is segmented on the basis of Component Technology Use Case Application Area GeographyMarket Segmentations in Details:On the basis of Component into software tools, and services.On the basis of Technology, the global facial recognition market is segmented into facial recognition software and SDK, middleware, databases, modeling and restructuring, and analytics solutions.On the basis of Use Case, the global facial recognition market is segmented into emotion recognition, law enforcement, surveillance, and monitoring, and others.On the basis of Application Area, the global facial recognition market is segmented into government, enterprise, and consumer.On the basis of Geography, North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaSpeak to Author of the report @Other ReportGlobal Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Market, By Geography; Offering (Hardware, Software, Services); Structure (Tunnels Bridges, Buildings Utilities, Dams); Technology (Wired Networking Technology, Wireless Technology); Application (Pore Water Pressure, Soil Stresses, Lateral Deformation, Vertical Deformation), End-Users (Building, Infrastructure, Energy, Power, Oil, Gas, Mining)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
Automotive Lubricants Market To Reach US$78.9 bn In 2024 With Growth At A CAGR Of 4.10%

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"The Latest Research Report Automotive Lubricants Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Global Automotive Lubricants Market: OverviewAutomotive lubricants are predominantly used to reduce friction and gain smooth functioning of a vehicle. Examples of automotive lubricant products are engine oil, gear oil, transmission fluid, greases, coolants, bearing oil, brake fluid, etc. Engine oil is estimated to expand at a significant rate during the forecast period due to increasing number of vehicles. Stringent environmental regulations on emissions across the globe is estimated to influence use of synthetic or bio-based lubricants over mineral oil based lubricants. Asia Pacific is likely to have a major share in consumption of automotive lubricants during the forecast period.Global Automotive Lubricants Market: Scope of the StudyThe report estimates and forecasts the automotive lubricants market on the global and regional levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (million tons / kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Bn / US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage.Get Sample copy of this Report @The study includes drivers and restraints for the automotive lubricants market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. It also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market.Further, the report analyzes opportunities in the automotive lubricants market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of automotive lubricants and global average price trend analysis.Global Automotive Lubricants Market: Research MethodologyThe report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the automotive lubricants market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and regions have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for automotive lubricants between 2016 and 2024.Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to, company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.View Sample PDF @In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Global Automotive Lubricants Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the automotive lubricants market by dividing it into product, base oil, vehicle type, distribution channel, and geography segments. The products have been segmented into engine oil, gear oil and transmission fluid. The base oils are segmented into mineral oil, synthetic oil and bio-based oil.Based on the vehicle type, the market is segmented into passenger car (PC), light-weight commercial vehicle (LCV) and heavy-weight commercial vehicle (HCV). The distribution channels are segmented into OEM and aftermarket. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast consumption of automotive lubricants in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Market segmentation includes demand for consumption in all the regions individually.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Royal Dutch Shell plc, ExxonMobil Corporation, BP p.l.c., Chevron Corporation and Others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).The global refinery catalysts market has been segmented as follows:Automotive Lubricants Market  Product AnalysisEngine oilGear oilTransmission fluidAutomotive Lubricants Market  Base oil AnalysisMineral oilSynthetic oilBio-based fluidAutomotive Lubricants Market  Vehicle type AnalysisPassenger car (PC)Light-weight Commercial Vehicle (LCV)Heavy-weight Commercial Vehicle (HCV)Automotive Lubricants Market  Distribution channel AnalysisOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)AftermarketAutomotive Lubricants Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.FranceGermanyItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaSend An Enquiry Request @Table Of Contents1. Preface1.1. Report Scope and Market Segmentation1.2. Research Highlights2. Assumptions and Research Methodology2.1. Assumptions and Acronyms Used2.2. Research Methodology3. Executive Summary3.1. Market Snapshot, Indicative (US$ Bn)3.2. Top 3 Trends4. Market Overview4.1. Product Overview4.2. Market Indicators5. Market Dynamics5.1. Drivers and Restraints Snapshot Analysis5.1.1. Drivers5.1.2. Restraints5.1.3. Opportunities5.2. Global Automotive Lubricants Market Analysis and Forecast5.3. Porters Analysis5.3.1. Threat of Substitutes5.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers5.3.3. Bargaining Power of Suppliers5.3.4. Threat of New Entrants5.3.5. Degree of Competition5.4. Value Chain Analysis5.5. Automotive Lubricants Market OutlookBuy Now This Report From Here @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market Share 2017-2023 LyondellBasell, DuPont, ExxonMobil

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins

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High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market Research 2017A market study "Global High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market" examines the performance of the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market 2017 report includes High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins market Revenue, market Share, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins industry volume, market Trends, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market 2017 : Dow Chemical Company ExxonMobil Formosa Plastics LyondellBasell USI Corporation Chevron Phillips Chemical DuPont INEOS NOVA Chemical Gaoxin Chemical GEO Chemical SCG ChemicalsHigh Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market : By Application Personal Care Industrial Containers and Bottles HouseholdHigh Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market : By Type Adhesive Type HDPE Resin Coating Type HDPE ResinFirstly, the report covers the top High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins industry, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins market revenue worldwide.Finally, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:MarketsResearch.Biz is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@marketsresearch.bizWeb:
Global Hammer Drill Market Size 2017-2023 Metabo, Bosch, Makita, Wurth, Stanley Black & Decker

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Hammer Drill Market Research 2017A market study "Global Hammer Drill Market" examines the performance of the Hammer Drill market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Hammer Drill market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Hammer Drill market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Hammer Drill Market 2017 report includes Hammer Drill market Revenue, market Share, Hammer Drill industry volume, market Trends, Hammer Drill Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Hammer Drill Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Hammer Drill Market 2017 : Bosch Stanley Black & Decker, Inc Metabo Hilti Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd(TTI) Makita TOYA S.A. WurthHammer Drill Market : By Application Construction Industry Decoration Industry Household ApplicationHammer Drill Market : By Type Corded Hammer Drill Cordless Hammer DrillFirstly, the report covers the top Hammer Drill manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Hammer Drill report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Hammer Drill industry, Hammer Drill industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Hammer Drill Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Hammer Drill research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Hammer Drill market revenue worldwide.Finally, Hammer Drill market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:MarketsResearch.Biz is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@marketsresearch.bizWeb:
Global Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Market Share 2017-2023 Konecranes, Hitachi, Columbus McKinnon

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Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Market Research 2017A market study "Global Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Market" examines the performance of the Group Of Crane Electric Hoist market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Group Of Crane Electric Hoist market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Group Of Crane Electric Hoist market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Market 2017 report includes Group Of Crane Electric Hoist market Revenue, market Share, Group Of Crane Electric Hoist industry volume, market Trends, Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Market 2017 : Columbus McKinnon Kito Terex Konecranes Ingersoll Rand TRACTEL PLANETA Hitachi KAWASAKI J.D. NeuhausFirstly, the report covers the top Group Of Crane Electric Hoist manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Group Of Crane Electric Hoist report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Group Of Crane Electric Hoist industry, Group Of Crane Electric Hoist industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Group Of Crane Electric Hoist Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Group Of Crane Electric Hoist research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Group Of Crane Electric Hoist market revenue worldwide.Finally, Group Of Crane Electric Hoist market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:MarketsResearch.Biz is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@marketsresearch.bizWeb:
Global Grille Light Market Size 2017-2023 Imigy Lighting, Rigid, Shenzhen Newbetter Lighting

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Grille Light Market Research 2017A market study "Global Grille Light Market" examines the performance of the Grille Light market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Grille Light market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Grille Light market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Grille Light Market 2017 report includes Grille Light market Revenue, market Share, Grille Light industry volume, market Trends, Grille Light Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Grille Light Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Grille Light Market 2017 : Rigid Industries SpeedTech Lights Ultra Bright Lightz Imigy Lighting China Haichang Shenzhen Newbetter Lighting Hongkong Gold sun lumnaire groupFirstly, the report covers the top Grille Light manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Grille Light report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Grille Light industry, Grille Light industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Grille Light Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Grille Light research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Grille Light market revenue worldwide.Finally, Grille Light market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:MarketsResearch.Biz is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@marketsresearch.bizWeb:
Opportunity Assessment (2017  2027) on Residential Water Treatment Devices Market: APEJ Largest Regional Market for Residential Water Treatment Devices: Global Industry Analysis (2012 - 2016)

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"Residential Water Treatment Devices Market: APEJ Largest Regional Market for Residential Water Treatment Devices: Global Industry Analysis (2012 - 2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017 - 2027)" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.. .Description-' 'The residential water treatment devices market is characterised by its lack of innovation or introduction of new technology for several years. Minimal R&D investment from key stakeholders in the residential water treatment devices market has led to homogenous products being released. Nonetheless, Future Market Insights felt the need to research the residential water treatment devices market in its report titledResidential Water Treatment Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012  2016) and Opportunity Assessment (20172027).. .Get Sample Report @' 'Lack of product differentiation has led to price being the deciding factor in the residential water treatment devices market. Therefore, companies are involved in a brutal price war to introduce low cost products that can successfully penetrate the residential water treatment devices market. Our competition analysis provides the perfect look at this challenging situation. We have profiled a few of the most prominent companies in the residential water treatment devices market. A brief company description, product availability, regional presence, recent developments, and strategies can be expected here. It is possible for readers to conduct an in-depth competition SWOT analysis in this portion of the residential water treatment devices market report. The residential water treatment devices market has been divided into seven geographies with an equal focus on both developed and emerging economies. The developed countries studied are North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Japan, while the emerging economies include APEJ, Latin America, and MEA. Every region has a dedicated chapter that assesses the regional drivers, restraints, opportunities, and threats coupled with an impact analysis. A historical market assessment of the largest countries has been accurately compared and contrasted with the projected growth in the residential water treatment devices market on the basis of the taxonomy. Companies that seek to target only particular segments in the residential water treatment devices market are recommended to refer to this section of the residential water treatment devices market report.  A robust research methodology  The Future Market Insights research methodology has built a strong reputation in the industry because of its inherent capabilities allowing us to maintain a high level of quality and accuracy. The FMI analysts begin their survey with extensive primary and secondary research to gain the required data pertaining to the residential water treatment devices market. A market player list that consists of all the relevant nodes in the value chain is developed and they are interviewed repeatedly, along with industry experts. After all the data is gathered, it is exhaustively scrutinized with the help of advanced company tools to extract all the quantitative and qualitative insights of the residential water treatment devices market. The residential water treatment devices market report begins with the executive summary and introduction sections. The former provides a birds-eye view of the global residential water treatment devices market as well as the analysts opinions and recommendations of the residential water treatment devices market. The recommendations take the form of an approach to be adopted and geographies to focus on with a differentiating strategy to achieve success in the residential water treatment devices market. The introduction section is closely related to the executive summary and has a concise yet comprehensive definition of the residential water treatment devices market.. .More Clear Details get Table of Contents @ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
Iron oxide Pigments Market Expected To Rise At a CAGR of 5.0% between 2017 - 2025

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"The Latest Research Report Iron oxide Pigments Market - Global Industry, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Global Iron oxide Pigments Market: OverviewIron oxide pigments improve the physical and mechanical properties of substrates. They offer properties such as good color strength, heat & light stability, opacity, weather & chemical resistance, and durability to substrates. Iron oxide pigments provides colors to varieties of end user applications and are employed in numerous industries around the globe to provide permanent and stable coloring effects to the substrates. Pigments are also known as colorants, which are insoluble products that can be employed to impart colors to construction materials, paints, inks, plastics, papers, cosmetics, rubbers, concrete blocks, tiles, etc. Growing construction activities, recovering economy in developed countries, and expanding infrastructure programs in combination with growing urbanization in developing economies, are the prime factors responsible for the growing consumption of iron oxide pigments around the globe.Get Sample copy of this Report @Global Iron oxide Pigments Market: Key SegmentsIron oxide pigments can be sub-divided into synthetic and natural iron oxide pigments. Synthetic iron oxide pigments are made from petrochemicals and waste metal ore slurry. Synthetic iron oxide pigments are cheap as compared to organic iron oxide pigments owing to low cost of raw material as well as synthetic iron oxide pigments have good dispersibility, high tinting strength, UV stability, excellent color intensity, and non-toxic properties. Natural iron oxide pigments are costly as compared with its synthetic counterpart owing to high cost of raw material. Natural iron oxide pigments are more durable and have excellent tinting strength as compared with synthetic pigments. Most of the natural iron oxide pigments are employed in paints & coatings and other automotive applications. Synthetic iron oxide pigments are consumed in concretes, mortar, render, paving stones, tiles, laminate flooring, cosmetics, rubber, corrosion paints, industrial paints, architectural paints, and plastic materialsIron oxide pigments are found in various colors and textures to impart coloring and tinting effects to majority of substrates. On the basis of consumption iron oxide pigments are sub-divided into red, yellow, and black colors. Red color iron oxide pigments are consumed in majority followed by yellow and black pigments. These are the basic color pigments and are used in combinations to produce other colors. The most commonly used methods of manufacturing iron oxide pigments includes the Laux process. This process can produce black, red, and yellow colored pigments of iron oxide. Red iron oxide pigments can also be prepared using the copperas process, which entails the calcination of iron sulfate at high temperature.Raw material use for the red iron oxide pigments are the waste slurry of hematite, limonite, and iron hydroxide mineral ores. Growing environmental regulations regarding emissions and soil pollution would restrain the growth of the iron oxide pigments market in the forecasted period. Growing infrastructure projects, increasing demand of iron oxide pigments from automotive industry, and urbanization in developing countries would drive the market for iron oxide pigments around the globe.Global Iron oxide Pigments Market: Scope of the StudyThe report estimates and forecasts the Iron oxide Pigments market on the global and regional levels. The study provides forecast between 2017 and 2025 based on volume (Kilo Tons) & revenue (US$ Mn) with 2016 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments with detailed iron oxide manufacturing process. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage with list of major customers. The study includes drivers and restraints for the Iron oxide Pigments market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the Iron oxide Pigments market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and key trends mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes production scenario of Iron oxide Pigments and global import- export analysis.The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the Iron oxide Pigments market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and regions have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market.View Sample PDF @The study provides a comprehensive view of the Iron oxide Pigments market by dividing it into Iron oxide Pigments by color type, by type, by end-use application, and by geography segments. The Iron oxide Pigments market by color type has been segmented into below red, yellow, black, and other sub-segments. The type segment is divided into synthetic and natural sub segments. The end-use application type segment is divided into construction, paints & coatings, textiles, inks, plastics, and others sub-segments. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends. Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast consumption of Iron oxide Pigments in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Market segmentation includes demand for consumption in all the regions individually.Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to, European Printing Ink Association, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Color Pigments Manufacturers Association, Inc. (CPMA), The European Chemical Industry Council, World Paint & Coatings Industry Association (WPCIA), United States Geological Society (USGS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Companies Mentioned in ReportThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global Iron oxide Pigments market. Key players profiled in the report are Lanxess AG, BASF SE, Huntsman Corporation., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Heubach GmbH, Kronos Worldwide, Inc., Cathay Industries, Hunan Three-ring Pigments Co., Ltd., Tronox Ltd., Applied Minerals Inc., The Earth Pigments Company LLC., Tata Pigments Limited, NUBIOLA, and Titan Kogyo, Ltd. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).The global Iron Oxide Pigments market has been segmented as follows:Iron Oxide Pigments Market  By Color TypeRedYellowBlackOthersIron Oxide Pigments Market  By TypeSyntheticNaturalIron oxide Pigments Market  By End-userConstructionPaints & CoatingsTextilesInksPlasticsOthersIron oxide Pigments Market  By RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRussiaCIS CountriesRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaSend An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1. Preface1.1. Market Definition and Scope1.2. Market Segmentation1.3. Key Research Objectives1.4. Research Highlights2. Assumptions and Research Methodology3. Executive Summary : Global Iron Oxide Pigments Market3.1. Global Iron Oxide Pigments Market Size, US$ Mn, 2016-20254. Market Overview4.1. Introduction4.1.1. Iron Oxide Pigments Market Definition4.1.2. Industry Developments4.2. Key Market Indicators4.3. Market Dynamics4.3.1. Drivers4.3.2. Restraints4.3.3. Opportunity4.4. Porters Five Force Analysis4.5. Value Chain Analysis4.5.1. List of Key Raw Material Suppliers4.5.2. List of Key Manufacturers4.5.3. Pigments Production Process Analysis4.5.4. List of Customers4.5.5. Level of Integration4.6. Raw Material Analysis  Manufacturing/Extraction Process4.7. Regulatory Scenario4.8. SWOT Analysis4.9. List of Key CustomersBuy Now This Report From Here @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Market Status & Forecast 2022 : C.R. Bard, Medtronic, Inc

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "2017-2022 Report on Global and United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Market Status and Forecast by Players, Types and Applications" to its huge collection of research reports.The intensive report here collects alternate points of view having a place with the general Compliant Balloon Catheters market which verbalizes the present-day information and future exposures with reference to the dynamic forces at play. The prime purpose behind the examination report is to offer the endorser with a broad configuration and make available the accommodating substances and records. The quantifiable and testing explanations behind the examination other than executes information on issues, for instance, drivers, shackles, and projections to gage the conceded result of the general Compliant Balloon Catheters market through the cross of the said gage period in the examination report. The report in like course passes on a brief and world class record of the predefined market takes after, which joins two or three events of the veritable obsessions at work which are concentrated to trigger change in the market or may cause any negative impact.Fill the form for an exclusive free sample of this report @This report other than stations into the general Compliant Balloon Catheters market by in a general sense analyzing the thing and industrialized chain of the market. This is required to in like way help in passing on true blue data and information on compound parts of the fitting market, for instance, material identifying with frameworks for the managing body in the standard and general strata, transport and transmission structure, objectives, and clarifications behind premium got for the contributed mean.The major players in global and United States Compliant Balloon Catheters market, including Boston Scientific Corporation, Cardiovascular Systems, Bard Peripheral Vascular (C.R. Bard), Cook Medical (Cook Group), Abbott Laboratories, B. Braun Melsungen AG, C.R. Bard, Cordis Corporation (A Subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Co.), St. Jude Medical, Inc, Medtronic, Inc., Spectranetics International BV, Terumo Corporation.The report uses two or three demonstrated industry examination and entire contraptions. They allow the examination gather pass on a revealed key evaluation of the general Compliant Balloon Catheters market and help endorser and market troupes to be directed regarding theory and business judgments. The wide thinking about the examination gives a market position on an undeniable and moment scale. It gathers significant and discretionary research structures in this manner. The overseers have figured the recorded experiences and rose it from the forward and in this way around change the condition to design a structure for the general Compliant Balloon Catheters market in the years ahead.Table of Contents1 Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.3 DisclaimerAccess the Report and full TOC @2 Compliant Balloon Catheters Market Overview2.1 Compliant Balloon Catheters Product Overview2.2 Compliant Balloon Catheters Market Segment by Type2.3 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Product Segment by Type2.3.1 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Growth (%) by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.3.2 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)2.3.3 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)2.3.4 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2012-2017)2.4 United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Product Segment by Type3 Compliant Balloon Catheters Application/End Users3.1 Compliant Balloon Catheters Segment by Application/End Users3.2 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Product Segment by Application3.2.1 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.2.2 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)3.3 United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Product Segment by Application3.3.1 United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.3.2 United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)4 Compliant Balloon Catheters Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1 Global Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1.1 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Market Size and CAGR by Regions (2012, 2016 and 2022)4.2 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales and Revenue by Regions4.2.1 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.2 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.3 Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.4 North America Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)List of Tables and FiguresTable Research Programs/Design for This ReportFigure Bottom-up and Top-down Approaches for This ReportFigure Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Compliant Balloons Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Figure Global Super Compliant Balloons Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Figure Global Others Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Table Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)Table United States Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)Table Global Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)Table North America Compliant Balloon Catheters Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)About Us:QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Glaucoma Therapeutics Market Share 2017-2023 Pfizer, Allergan, Novartis, Valeant Pharmaceuticals

Glaucoma Therapeutics

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Glaucoma Therapeutics Market Research 2017A market study "Global Glaucoma Therapeutics Market" examines the performance of the Glaucoma Therapeutics market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Glaucoma Therapeutics market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Glaucoma Therapeutics market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Glaucoma Therapeutics Market 2017 report includes Glaucoma Therapeutics market Revenue, market Share, Glaucoma Therapeutics industry volume, market Trends, Glaucoma Therapeutics Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Glaucoma Therapeutics Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Glaucoma Therapeutics Market 2017 : Allergan Merck Novartis Pfizer Santen Pharmaceuticals Valeant Pharmaceuticals Aerie Pharmaceuticals Glaucoma Therapeutics Market : By Application Hospitals Ophthalmic Clinics Ambulatory Surgical CentersGlaucoma Therapeutics Market : By Type Prostaglandins Alpha Agonist Beta Blockers Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor Cholinergic Combined MedicationFirstly, the report covers the top Glaucoma Therapeutics manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Glaucoma Therapeutics report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Glaucoma Therapeutics industry, Glaucoma Therapeutics industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Glaucoma Therapeutics Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Glaucoma Therapeutics research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Glaucoma Therapeutics market revenue worldwide.Finally, Glaucoma Therapeutics market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:MarketsResearch.Biz is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@marketsresearch.bizWeb:
Yachts Charter Market To Reach US$14.987 bn In 2025 With Growth At A CAGR Of 7.2%

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"The Latest Research Report Yachts Charter Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Global Yacht Charter Market: OverviewYachts are motor-driven or sail-driven vessels that are used for primarily for recreational purposes. Yachts available for chartering can be privately owned or can be owned by the companies that lend yachts for chartering. Generally, yachts are big enough to contain a cabin. They can be multihulled or monohulled vessels. Yacht charter is basically renting a yacht for recreation. Yacht owners usually charter their yachts when these are not being used by them. There is a basic difference between a boat and a yacht, the length and expense of the vessels. However, the primary difference is that a boat is essentially a watercraft used for residential, commercial, or recreational purposes whereas a yacht is only associated with recreation and luxury.This report on the global yacht charter market highpoints the present scenario of the market coupled with expected growth of the global yacht charter market during the forecast period. Various social, political, technological and economic factors have been analyzed which are likely to impact the demand of yacht charter in the coming years. An exhaustive study of the market dynamics i.e. global market drivers, restraints and opportunities has been included under the purview of the report.Get Sample copy of this Report @Global Yacht Charter Market: SegmentationThe global yacht charter market has been segmented on the basis of yacht type into sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans yachts. These types are further divided into classic yachts, open yachts and others. Sailing yacht accounted for a maximum share in the global yacht charter market. However, motor yachts are likely to grow at a significant pace owing to many reasons including high occupancy space, ease of use, and availability. On the other hand, open yachts are likely to increase their market share in the coming years.Global Yacht Charter Market: Drivers and TrendsTravelling has become one of the key trends in the recent times. Consumers looking for holidaying nowadays choose their destinations very wisely. As the number of destinations for yacht chartering is increasing at a steady pace, so is the demand for yacht chartering. As consumer preference towards yacht chartering is rising, there is an increasing popularity of charter destinations especially among the young population. Moreover, the growing inclination of corporate consumers for yacht chartering is also on the rise. As businesses and corporate houses look for destinations that are serene and peaceful, yet happening, therefore, they prefer yacht chartering for spending their vacations.Additionally, owing to a shift in lifestyle, sailing destinations have also been observed to break off from the traditional Caribbean and Mediterranean waters to less familiar destinations of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Antarctic. Thus, growing inclination of consumers to explore new destinations and rising number of destinations globally is likely to consequently increase the number of yachts available for charter, thereby boosting the overall yacht charter market.Global Yacht Charter Market: Competitive AnalysisAdditionally, the key players that are operating the yacht charter market have been thoroughly profiled and the competitive landscape is comprehensive of these companies recent developments associated to yacht charters and the divergent business strategies followed by them. To analyze their market positioning further, SWOT analysis for each of the players has been provided. Furthermore, the report includes market attractiveness analysis of the segmentation, by yacht size, for offering a deep insight into the major yacht size that is governing the global yacht charter market.Some of the major players operating in the global yacht charter market include Yachtico, Inc. (U.S.), Zizooboats GmbH (Germany), Boat International Media Ltd.(U.K.) and Charterworld Limited (U.K.). Other players operating in the global market are Burgess (U.K.), Incrediblue Limited (U.K.), Boatbound Inc. (U.S.), Martello Yachting and Company (China), Northrop & Johnson (U.S.), Fairline Yachts Ltd. (U.K.), SuperYacht Logistics (Japan), Fraser Yachts (U.S.) and West Coast Marine Yacht Services Pvt. Ltd. (India) among others.View Sample PDF @The global yacht charter market has been segmented into:Yacht Charter Market, by Yacht TypeSailing YachtsClassic YachtsOpen YachtsOthersMotor YachtsClassic YachtsOpen YachtsOthersCatamaran YachtsClassic YachtsOpen YachtsOthersYacht Charter Market, by Yacht SizeSmallMediumLargeYacht Charter Market, by Consumer TypeCorporateRetailOthersYacht Charter Market, by Geography: The market is broadly segmented on the basis of geography into:North AmericaU.S.Rest of North AmericaEuropeU.K.CroatiaGreeceFranceSpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanThailandMalaysiaAustraliaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaQatarDubaiOmanAfricaRest of Middle East and AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilRest of Latin AmericaSend An Enquiry Request @Table of ContentChapter 1 Preface1.1 Research Scope1.2 Market Segmentation1.3 Research Objectives1.4 Key Questions AnsweredChapter 2 Assumptions and Research Methodology2.1 Report Assumptions2.2 Acronyms Used2.3 Research MethodologyChapter 3 Executive Summary3.1 Global Yacht Charter Market Forecast3.2 Key Trend AnalysisChapter 4 Global Yacht Charter Market: Market Overview4.1 Introduction4.2 Yacht Charter Market Overview4.3 Key Trends Analysis4.4 Drivers and Restraints Snapshot Analysis4.4.1 Drivers4.4.1.1 Ease of Booking Yachts4.4.1.2 Shift in Lifestyle and Growing Number of Yacht Charter Destinations4.4.1.3 Technological Advancements4.4.1.4 Growing Demand for Luxury Yachts4.4.2 Restraints4.4.2.1 High Taxation Rates4.4.2.2 High Pricing During Peak Seasons4.4.2.3 Cyber Security Threats4.4.3 Opportunity Analysis4.4.4 Opportunities4.5 Yacht Charter Market: Competitive Landscape4.6 Market Attractiveness AnalysisBuy Now This Report From Here @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Fruit Juice Powder Market Report 2017 Key Regions with Sales : G G Foods, Socona

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Fruit Juice Powder Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the global Fruit Juice Powder market, compiled by a group of professional market research analysts, aspires to serve as a credible business tool for the stockholders, representing the current scenario of the market as well as future prospects. The report has been produced using proven research methodologies and offers qualitative and quantitative analysis of all major factors that may influence the demand in the global Fruit Juice Powder market. To gauge the potential of smaller aspects of the Fruit Juice Powder market, the report has segmented it on the basis of application, end users, products, services, types, and others, whichever applicable. It also takes stock of the prospects of Fruit Juice Powder market in all important regions across the globe, such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). For each region, the report presents the potential of the Fruit Juice Powder market by assessing their demand percentage, growth prospects, and related government policies.Get Research Summary of the Report:To present a clear study of the revenue available in the global Fruit Juice Powder market, the report carefully segments it into smaller yet significant chunks, such geographically, product type, services and others. The report also provides the values of each of these segments and individual growth rates during the forecast period. The dominant as well as emerging trends have been picked out. With handful of tables, charts, and graphs, the report carries extensive pictorial representation to support its findings.Global Fruit Juice Powder market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Fruit Juice Powder sales volume, Price (USD/MT), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingG G FoodsNanguo FoodstuffMondelz InternationalChunguangSoconaNutra GreenRaj Process Equipments & Systems Pvt LtdOne of the noteworthy feature of the report is the chapter on company profiles, wherein a number of leading vendors have been analyzed in order to understand the competitive landscape existing in the global Fruit Juice Powder market, as well as detect the chances of entry for the new players. In this section, the report picks out the top three and top five companies in Fruit Juice Powder market, and analyzes their recent strategic decisions such as mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, new product announcements, and investment in research and development. For each company, the report provides information such as business sales price, margin, and market share.Table of Contents1 Fruit Juice Powder Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Fruit Juice Powder1.2 Classification of Fruit Juice Powder by Product Category1.2.1 Global Fruit Juice Powder Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Fruit Juice Powder Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.3 Global Fruit Juice Powder Market by Application/End Users1.4 Global Fruit Juice Powder Market by Region1.4.1 Global Fruit Juice Powder Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Fruit Juice Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Fruit Juice Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Fruit Juice Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Fruit Juice Powder (2012-2022)View TOC (table of content) of the Report:2 Global Fruit Juice Powder Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Fruit Juice Powder Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Fruit Juice Powder Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Fruit Juice Powder Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Fruit Juice Powder (Volume and Value) by Type2.3 Global Fruit Juice Powder (Volume and Value) by Region2.4 Global Fruit Juice Powder (Volume) by Application3 United States Fruit Juice Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Fruit Juice Powder Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Fruit Juice Powder Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Fruit Juice Powder Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Fruit Juice Powder Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Fruit Juice Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Fruit Juice Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Fruit Juice Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by ApplicationList of Tables and FiguresFigure Product Picture of Fruit Juice PowderFigure Global Fruit Juice Powder Sales Volume Comparison (K MT) by Type (2012-2022)Figure Global Fruit Juice Powder Sales Volume Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 2016Figure Global Fruit Juice Powder Sales Comparison (K MT) by Application (2012-2022)Figure Global Sales Market Share of Fruit Juice Powder by Application in 2016Figure Global Fruit Juice Powder Market Size (Million USD) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure United States Fruit Juice Powder Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Fruit Juice Powder Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe Fruit Juice Powder Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Fruit Juice Powder Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Fruit Juice Powder Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Fruit Juice Powder Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)About Us:QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market Will Grow At A CAGR Of 5.86% By 2021: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market Will Grow At A CAGR Of 5.86% By 2021: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast" to its huge collection of research reports.Automobile refinish coatings are used to cover up damages, which are caused by external factors such as accidents, climate, road condition, and foreign particles such as stones, debris, and rubble. They are used in automotive repair shops for improving the appearance of the vehicle. Vehicle insurance plays a significant role in driving the demand for automotive refinish coatings. Mandatory insurance while purchasing a new vehicle provides an impetus for the car owner to get the vehicle repaired of any damages.Technavios analysts forecast the global automotive refinish coatings market to grow at a CAGR of 5.86% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global automotive refinish coatings market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Key vendorsAxalta Coating SystemsAkzo NobelBASFPPG industriesThe Sherwin-Williams CompanyOther prominent vendorsCovestroKANSAI PAINTKCCNIPSEA GROUPNOROO Paint & CoatingsTCI PowderThe LubrizolMarket driverIncreased focus on R&D and innovative methods to reduce the cycle timeFor a full, detailed list, view our reportBrowse TOC @Market challengeLack of trained techniciansFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendConsumers preference for more vibrant colors and the use of new materials on vehicles.For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Harmonic Drive Market Size in Global Industry : Overview, Research, Share and Trends 2017

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Albany, NY, 14th December : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Harmonic Drive Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes and RV and RD Reducers: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2018 to 2024" globally.The 2018 study has 230 pages, 141 tables and figures. The leading vendors in the harmonic drive industry have invested in high-quality technology and processes to develop leading edge reducer strain relief gearbox capability.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Other vendors are working to catch up. Harmonic drive market driving forces relate primarily to the implementation of speed reduction capability for robots and wind turbines initially, providing industrial controls that are compelling.The harmonic drive is used in situations where smooth, efficient gear operation is needed. Initial applications are in robotics, aerospace and solar tracking, the materials used in these applications can wear and break if the gearing in a motor is rough. Harmonic gear vendors offer a unique gear tooth profile that optimizes the tooth engagement. Only the high end vendors are able to provide harmonic drives that work, the other units become trash within days.Revenue for harmonic drives was $838 million in 2017, and products are expected to generate revenue of $3.517 billion by 2024. Strong growth is the result of increasing use in industrial robots as they become integrated and able to perform multiple functions sequentially in an automated manner. Harmonic drive reduction gearboxes are presented many new market opportunities from multiple types of applications. The VNTOL aircraft uses the drive reduction to enable vertical takeoff This lifts off like a helicopter and files like an airplane.Demanding applications for the gear box include surgical robots. By application category, there was a substantial year-on-year increase in sales for industrial robots used on production lines for smartphones, tablet devices, household appliances, automobiles, and other products.Sales for semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased due to rising capital investment against a backdrop of increasing demand for industrial equipment, automotive devices, and devices for data centers, among other factors. Sales for flat panel display manufacturing equipment increased due to high levels of investment to expand production capacity for LCD and organic EL panels.View Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Semiconductor liquid crystal production equipment, photovoltaic equipment, optical instruments, precision machine tools and other cutting-edge areas provide target applications.Japan manufactures reliable performance precision gears. Reliable performance of precision gear reducer manufacturing is not yet occurring at scale elsewhere, particularly in China. China with its huge investments in industrial robots would really like to be able to scale manufacture of harmonic drive precision strain wave reducer gearboxes.The market has just begun. Early adopters are the robot manufacturers. Suppliers of the precision gears, Japanese companies, address markets for industrial robots. While the Chinese would like to be the primary suppliers of Harmonic Drive Precision Strain Wave Reducer Gearboxes, it has not happened yet.Harmonic gear reducers are used in aviation, aerospace, energy, navigation, shipbuilding, bionic machinery, commonly used ordnance, machine tools, instruments, electronic equipment, mining and metallurgy, transportation, lifting machinery, petrochemical machinery, textile machinery, agricultural machinery and medical Instruments.Japan's a precision reducer is used in industrial robots and airplane engines, wind turbines and for solar trackers.Companies ProfiledMarket LeadersHarmonic DriveSumitomo Heavy IndustriesBeijing CTKM Harmonic DriveLeaderdriveZhejiang LaifuNidec-ShimpoCone DriveMarket ParticipantsBeijing Harmonic Drive Technology Institute (BHDI)Beijing Zhong Ke Ke Mei Harmonic Drive Limited Liability CompanyChina Harmonic Drive (CHD)Motion Control ProductsNabtescoNidec-ShimpoParker BaysideSuzhou Green Harmonic Drive Technology Co., Ltd.Totel Industry Group / Ningbo Haishu Totel Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.Browse Report @Key TopicsHarmonic DrivePrecision Strain WaveReducer GearboxesRV and RD ReducersIndustrial Robotic DriveResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Model Based Manufacturing Technologies Market: Influential Factors Determining the Trajectory of the Market

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There is a tectonic shift in the global manufacturing vertical, which is rapidly transforming the existing production lines as well as adding more dynamism to them. The trend of data exchange and automation in manufacturing technologies has led to the rise of Industry 4.0, more popularly known as smart factories. Modern day factories follow certain models that allow more efficient, systematic and cost-effective manufacturing. In order to stay competitive, manufacturers are adopting the latest model-based manufacturing technologies.Future Market Insights in its new report projects that the US$ 23,866 Mn global model-based manufacturing technology market is set to register an impressive CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period (2017-2027) to reach a valuation of US$ 53,550 Mn. The arrival of smart manufacturing technologies and cloud-based CAD systems are expected to facilitate the growth of the market over the next couple of years.Obtain Report Details @The FMI report also cites that robust development in RFID-based manufacturing technologies and modernization of oil & gas, food & beverage and few other large scale sectors are benefiting the global model-based manufacturing technologies market. In terms of revenue sales, North America and Europe were the most dominant markets for model-based manufacturing in 2016. Countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany and France are expected to remain key markets for sustainable revenue generation from sales of model-based manufacturing technologies throughout the forecast period.Some of the leading market players such as HCL, Siemens and PTC have a strong base in North America, which is also supporting the markets growth in the region. Meanwhile, a massive growth potential exist in Asia with China, India, and Japan at the forefront. In terms of value, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is projected to be the most attractive market for model-based manufacturing technologies in 2017 and beyond. Market in Japan, on the other hand, is expected to register the highest Y-o-Y growth rates over 2027.Obtain Sample Of Report @Highlights of Report Also Include:Based on software type, manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems will continue to be the most attractive segments of the market over the assessment period.By end-user industry, automotive and oil & gas are expected to account for sizeable value shares of the market between 2017 and 2027. During the same period, industries such as the aerospace and the defence are likely to witness strong Y-o-Y growth rates as well.For market players, emphases will remain on collaboration with software vendors, platform providers, and other OEM companies. To maintain a steady sales growth, agreements on long-term contracts with equipment suppliers will also be crucial. Also, strategies as such are anticipated to help equipment vendors to increase sales revenue and attract new potential customers in emerging markets.FMIs report has profiled some of the top companies operating in the global model-based manufacturing technologies market, which include Aspen Technology Inc, Oracle Corp., SAP SE, Honeywell International, Inc., Ibaset Inc., Autodesk Inc., PTC, Inc., Siemens PLM Software Inc., Rockwell Automation, Inc., Dassault Systemes, Schneider Electric SE, ABB Ltd, Seabrook Technology Group, Vero Software Ltd, Sogeti High Tech SAS, KPIT Technologies Limited, General Electric Company, Statii Ltd, CNC Software, Inc, Cimatron Technologies, Inc.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.FMIs team of over 200 research analysts provides market intelligence at global, regional, and country level. Our analysts are committed to provide independent insights, relying on our cognitive defusion training module, which conditions them to look at data objectively and unbiasedly.ContactFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
GD Rectifiers invests in new Bridgeport VMC 2000 CNC Machine

Bridgeport VMC 2000 CNC Machine

www.gdrectifiers.co.uk

Introducing the newest machine added to GD Rectifiers CNC portfolioToday, GD Rectifiers have added an industry leading Bridgeport V series machine to its already impressive CNC machine portfolio.The machine is a high quality, high specification vertical machining center, manufactured by Bridgeport, the VMC 2000 is a portal frame design offering excellent capacity and rigidity, and having a level of reliability unsurpassed in the industry.Manufactured from quality gray cast iron to the highest standards, the VMC 2000 is packed with features to meet the demands of many sectors of industry. A fully digital machine with a rapid traverse rate of 1,100 inches/min and the fastest acceleration rate of 4 m/sec of any machine in its class, it provides a fast and accurate response to all your machining needs.The Bridgeport V Series Vertical Machining Centres are new generation machines. The machines are fully digital, high- quality machine tool, designed to achieve maximum capacity and performance in the Job Shop, OEM, Aerospace, Automotive and Power Generation Industries and many other manufacturing sectors.The Bridgeport VMC 2000 machine features:- Built in the UK from high-quality, hand scraped grey cast iron- Hardened and ground square tool steel ways on the Z axis and high quality linear roller guides on the X, Y- GE Fanuc 18iMB or Heidenhain iTNC 530 control- GE Fanuc 180iMB or Seimens control options- XYZ travels: 79.7" x 31.8" x 19.8"(2,025mm x 808mm x 502mm)- Table size: 90.6" x 25.6"(2,300mm x 650mm) with 5 T-slots- 1,100 ipm (28 meters/min) rapid feed in x & y axes; 787 ipm (20 meters/min in z-axis- 4 meters sec^2 acceleration- 18 HP (13.5 kW) spindle- 12,000 - 40,000 rpm spindle speed options- 30 tool - twin arm tool changer- HSK63A or Face/Taper contact type spindles- High speed machining software- Thermal compensation- Rigid tapping standard- Complete flood coolant system with swarf wash down- Automatic, centralised lubrication systemGD Rectifiers uses a wide range of CNC machinery used purely for machining heatsinks to bespoke outlines. No matter how complicated your design is, GD Rectifiers are able to skim, drill and tap any heatsink from their range to customised specifications.GD Rectifiers specialise in high quality batch-work with an extremely skilled workforce, experienced in operating complex components in a diverse range of materials including aluminium and mild steel.For further information on GD Rectifiers CNC Machine capabilities please call: 01444 243 452 or email: enquiries@gdrectifiers.co.uk.GD Rectifiers is a Global Manufacturer and Distributor of products, services and solutions to commercial and industrial users of power electronic components.Established in 1964, GD Rectifiers has over 50 years of extensive experience across a large range of markets, specialising in new and current technologies for industrial power control applications. An extensive product offering has built GD Rectifiers exceptional reputation as the go-to power specialist with innovative experience across: Aviation, Automotive, Rail, Medical, Industrial and Electronics markets.GD Rectifiers have extensive experience in the rail industry and are RISQS Qualified.GD Rectifiers is a ISO 9001:2015 registered company that design and develop bespoke power semiconductor assemblies to control voltage, current and frequency for international industrial markets.GD Rectifiers designs and manufactures Selenium and Silicon Rectifiers, Suppressors, Converters, Inverters, Regulators and all other power products for Industrial power control applications. The company distributes state of the art Diodes, Thyristors, IGBTs and MOSFETs from the worlds leading manufacturers including: IXYS, IXYS UK Westcode, Semikron and EDI.GD Rectifiers manufacture an extensive range of power components and assemblies. The company also supplies a wide range of Heat Sinks suitable for Power Semiconductors, LED Lighting and similar applications. GD Rectifiers also offer a repair and replacement service for faulty or ageing Semiconductor Rectifiers, Converters, Inverters and Regulators.GD RectifiersBentley House2 William WayBurgess HillWest SussexRH15 9AG
Australia Automotive Parts Die-Casting Market Report 2017, Trends, Analysis, Share, Estimates and Forecasts to 2022.

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/australia-automotive-parts-die-casting-market-outlook

http://www.strategymrc.com/report/australia-automotive-parts-die-casting-market-outlook

The Australia Automotive Parts Die-Casting report provides an in-depth analysis of the various market segments and its sub-segments.Products Covered: Pressure die-casting Vacuum die-casting Squeeze die-casting Semi-solid die-castingRaw Material Types Covered: Aluminium Zinc Magnesium OthersApplication Types Covered: Body assemblies Engine Parts Transmission parts OthersFor More, Please Visit:The report focuses on current and upcoming market trends such as Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, and Challenges, technological advancements, Porters Five Forces analysis to assess the intensity of competition in the market. The market values are presented in the form of tables and graphs for better interpretation.Market Size EstimationsThe market assessment is made by the core industry experts using our 360 research approach. The data is derived from the most reliable, authenticated data sources and is validated by the industry experts (Primary Research). Both top down and bottom up analysis are implemented to enhance the accuracy of the market figures. The market projections are calculated for the next 8 years using the actual market numbers of previous year as the base value.Company ProfilingThis section provides the overview of the key players that are leading in the industry, covering their business operations, financials, list of products & services, SWOT analysis, major developments such as mergers & acquisitions, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, new product launch, expansions etc.Report Highlights:- Market share assessments for all the mentioned market segments and sub-segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 8 years for all the given segments- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping, mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor More, Please Visit:We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,MD, 20877, USA
Expansion of Automotive Semiconductors Market to Remain Consistent During 2016 - 2024

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15872

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=15872

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/

Increasing safety systems, not only passive safety e.g. seat belts, but mainly by electronic such as air bags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ECS), blind spot detection (BSD), adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane change assist (LCA) among others. These all intelligent functions mentioned above require a semiconductor device to perform their function. The main function of a semiconductor is to conduct electricity easily in one direction among other more specific functions.Regulations regarding safety and emission will drive the market for connected components and devices in the vehicle to ensure monitoring and reporting of vehicle emission complying to the regulations set by the government. They require increasingly powerful semiconductors to ensure that vehicles performance is in compliance. Thus the above reason in turn is helping the market for automotive semiconductors to grow during the forecasted period from 2016  2024.A sample of this report is available upon request @Moreover vehicle standards such as New Car Assessment program (NCAP) that gives safety ratings to new vehicles manufactured as star-ratings, is boosting the car manufacturers to provide more and more electronic components to provide more safety and security systems for the vehicle. Obtaining the highest level of five star rating can act as a strong selling point for the vehicles. Its achievement relies on complex and sophisticated assisted driving systems that require significant semiconductor content for these systems to function.The major drivers of automotive semiconductors market are growing numbers of electronic devices in a car to add passenger safety features and driver assistance systems. Even connected cars concept and other electronic devices present in the car that need to coordinate with the electronic control unit (ECU) are helping the growth of automotive semiconductors market during the forecasted period.For the purpose of detailed analysis, the global automotive semiconductor market can be segmented on the basis of vehicle type, component, application and geography. Based on vehicle type, the market can be bifurcated into passenger car, light commercial vehicle (LCV), heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) and hybrid vehicle. The passenger car segment can be further classified into compact and sub-compact vehicle, sedan, and SUV among others. On the other hand, various components used in automotive semiconductor includes processors, analog ICs, sensors, discrete power and memory. In automotive, different types of semiconductors also finds it application in telematics & infotainment, safety and powertrain. In addition, information regarding current market situation as well as future predictive growth trend of various above mentioned segments is also provided across different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle-East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America.Based on component, the global semiconductor vehicle market is majorly driven by the discrete power segment during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Increasing demand for electrification of the major automobile applications such as powertrain and ABS among others is the most important factor anticipated to accelerate the demand of power components such as IGBT and MOSFET.Again by application, telematics & infotainment segment held the largest market share in 2015. Increasing competition among various vehicle manufacturers to offer better comfort and convenience to their customers is encouraging different automobile manufacturers to use various semiconductor components for telematics and infotainment applications.Geographically, Asia Pacific region is predicted to dominate the automotive semiconductor market during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Rapid technological advancement taking place in the automotive sector in Asia Pacific region in respect of increased safety, reduced fuel consumption and powertrain applications is the primary factor anticipated to drive the demand of semiconductors used in automotive.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the major players operating in the automotive semiconductor market includes Infineon technologies (Germany), NXP Semiconductors N.V. (Netherlands.), Texas Instruments Inc. (U.S.), Toshiba Corporation (Japan.), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany) and ON Semiconductor Corp. (U.S.) among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.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
Battery Electric Bike Market Is Projected To Expand At A Steady CAGR Over The Forecast Period 2022

Battery Electric Bike Market

https://www.qyresearchreports.us/request-sample/global-battery-electric-bike-market-research-report-2017

https://www.qyresearchreports.us/market-analysis/global-battery-electric-bike-market-research-report-2017

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The Global Battery Electric Bike Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Battery Electric Bike Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Battery Electric Bike Market on a regional as well as global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Battery Electric Bike Market. AIMA Yadea Sunra Incalcu Lima BYVIN Lvyuan TAILG Supaq Xiaodao Ebike BodoOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoLead-acid batteryLithium ion batteryOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingDistributionDirect-saleBrowse More Insight @Some points from TOC:-1 Battery Electric Bike Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Battery Electric Bike1.2 Battery Electric Bike Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Battery Electric Bike Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Lead-acid battery1.2.4 Lithium ion battery1.3 Global Battery Electric Bike Segment by Application1.3.1 Battery Electric Bike Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Distribution1.3.3 Direct-sale1.4 Global Battery Electric Bike Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Battery Electric Bike (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Battery Electric Bike Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Battery Electric Bike Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Battery Electric Bike Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Battery Electric Bike Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Battery Electric Bike Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Battery Electric Bike Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Battery Electric Bike Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Battery Electric Bike Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Battery Electric Bike Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Battery Electric Bike Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Battery Electric Bike Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Battery Electric Bike Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Battery Electric Bike Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Battery Electric Bike Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Battery Electric Bike Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Battery Electric Bike Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Battery Electric Bike Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Battery Electric Bike Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Battery Electric Bike Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017).. ContinuedCheck Discount:About Us:QY Research Reports is your exclusive destination for the entire spectrum of Market Research and Business Solutions. Depending upon the clients, we provide customized as well as syndicated reports. Our market intelligence covers industries like technology, food and beverages, chemical materials, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture, consumer goods, among others. Irrespective of your businesss state as of today, we have a team of industry specific experts who will provide tailor-made market research surveys and solutions. Is the process of researching for your product proving to be a task for you? Or if you are unable to gather sufficient data which you can use to strategize your next move in the market. Whatever your business query might be, with a well-established knowledge and understanding of various businesses, QY Research Reports provide insights that are strategized.Contact Info:JohnEmail- sales@qyresearchreports.us
Air Battery Market - Advanced technologies, Global Forecast and Winning Imperatives 2017

https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1400490

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-air-battery-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022-report.html/toc

https://www.researchmoz.us/global-air-battery-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022-report.html

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

https://marketinfo247.wordpress.com/

Albany, NY, 14th December : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Air Battery Detailed Analysis Report 2017-2022" globally.This report mainly introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details. As a Detailed Analysis report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinion in Air Battery industry.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @This report splits Air Battery market by Air Battery Type, which covers the history data information from 2012 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2022.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Major CompaniesPowerZinc (USA)Phinergy (Israel)Beijing AVIC Changli Energy and Technology (China)AguaPower Systems (Japan)SUPER New Power (China)Alcoa (Canada)NEXcell (China)IBM Almaden Reseach CenterChinese Academy of SciencesNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyUniversity of WaterlooView Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Main RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain Product TypeAir Battery Market, by Air Battery TypeAluminiumair BatteryZincair BatteryLithiumair BatteryAir Battery Market, byBrowse Report @Main ApplicationsElectric CarElectronic ProductMilitary ApplicationsOthersResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Cheese Powder 2017 Global Market Key Players  Kraft Heinz Co, Kerry Group Plc, Dairy Farmers of America, Land O'Lakes, Archer-Daniels-Midland Co  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Cheese Powder Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1467274-global-cheese-powder-market-professional-survey-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1467274-global-cheese-powder-market-professional-survey-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1467274

Cheese Powder Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Cheese Powder Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report provides in depth study of Cheese Powder Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Cheese Powder Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report studies Cheese Powder in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringKraft Heinz Co.Kerry Group PlcThornico A/SDairy Farmers of America Inc.Land O'Lakes Inc.Bluegrass Dairy & Food Inc.All American Foods Inc.Aarkay Food Products Ltd.Kanegrade Ltd.Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.Request a Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSwissCheddarMozzarellaParmesanBlueBy Application, the market can be split intoBakery and ConfectionerySweet and Savory SnacksSaucesDressingsDipsCondimentsReady MealsOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of Cheese Powder1.1 Definition and Specifications of Cheese Powder1.1.1 Definition of Cheese Powder1.1.2 Specifications of Cheese Powder1.2 Classification of Cheese Powder1.2.1 Swiss1.2.2 Cheddar1.2.3 Mozzarella1.2.4 Parmesan1.2.5 Blue1.3 Applications of Cheese Powder1.3.1 Bakery and Confectionery1.3.2 Sweet and Savory Snacks1.3.3 Sauces1.3.4 Dressings1.3.5 Dips1.3.6 Condiments1.3.7 Ready Meals1.3.8 Others1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Cheese Powder2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Cheese Powder2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Cheese Powder2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Cheese Powder.8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Cheese Powder8.1 Kraft Heinz Co.8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Kraft Heinz Co. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Kraft Heinz Co. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Kerry Group Plc8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Kerry Group Plc 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Kerry Group Plc 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Thornico A/S8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Thornico A/S 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Thornico A/S 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Dairy Farmers of America Inc.8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Dairy Farmers of America Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Dairy Farmers of America Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Land O'Lakes Inc.8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Land O'Lakes Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Land O'Lakes Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 Bluegrass Dairy & Food Inc.8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 Bluegrass Dairy & Food Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 Bluegrass Dairy & Food Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 All American Foods Inc.8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 All American Foods Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 All American Foods Inc. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Aarkay Food Products Ltd.8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Aarkay Food Products Ltd. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Aarkay Food Products Ltd. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Kanegrade Ltd.8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Kanegrade Ltd. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Kanegrade Ltd. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. 2016 Cheese Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. 2016 Cheese Powder Business Region Distribution AnalysisContinued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Expected To Witness The Highest Growth 2022

Organic Whole Milk Powder Market

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The Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Organic Whole Milk Powder Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Organic Whole Milk Powder Market on a regional as well as global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment. Furthermore, the report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Organic Whole Milk Powder Market.HiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KGVerla (Hyproca)OMSCoProlactal GmbH (ICL)Ingredia SAAurora Foods Dairy Corp.OGNI (GMP Dairy)Hochdorf Swiss NutritionTriballat IngredientsOrganic West MilkRoyal FarmRUMI (Hoogwegt)SunOpta, Inc.NowFoodOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoRegular TypeInstant TypeOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, includingInfant FormulasConfectionsBakery ProductsOtherBrowse More Insight @Some points from TOC:-1 Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Organic Whole Milk Powder1.2 Classification of Organic Whole Milk Powder by Product Category1.2.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Regular Type1.2.4 Instant Type1.3 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Infant Formulas1.3.3 Confections1.3.4 Bakery Products1.3.5 Other1.4 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market by Region1.4.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Organic Whole Milk Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Organic Whole Milk Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Organic Whole Milk Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Organic Whole Milk Powder Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Organic Whole Milk Powder (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Organic Whole Milk Powder (Volume) by Application3 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 China Organic Whole Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Players4.3 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.4 China Organic Whole Milk Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Application .. ContinuedCheck Discount:About Us:QY Research Reports is your exclusive destination for the entire spectrum of Market Research and Business Solutions. Depending upon the clients, we provide customized as well as syndicated reports. Our market intelligence covers industries like technology, food and beverages, chemical materials, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture, consumer goods, among others. Irrespective of your businesss state as of today, we have a team of industry specific experts who will provide tailor-made market research surveys and solutions. Is the process of researching for your product proving to be a task for you? Or if you are unable to gather sufficient data which you can use to strategize your next move in the market. Whatever your business query might be, with a well-established knowledge and understanding of various businesses, QY Research Reports provide insights that are strategized.Contact Info:JohnEmail- sales@qyresearchreports.us
Future Outlook Of Hip Resurfacing Implants Market: Global Industry Analysis, 2012 - 2016 and Forecast, 2017 - 2025

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Future Outlook Of Hip Resurfacing Implants Market: Global Industry Analysis, 2012 - 2016 and Forecast, 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.The comprehensive research report titled Hip Resurfacing Implants Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2025) by Persistence Market Research assists the reader in chalking key growth strategies on the basis of vital insights on every market segment at a global level thus providing the much necessary value addition to gain tempo in the changing dynamics of the global market in the current as well as future market scenario.The report covers a holistic viewpoint of the entire marketGlobal hip resurfacing implants market research report focuses on various developments, trends, opportunities, restraints and drivers that influence the growth of the global market. These aspects are analyzed across key regions of the globe thus portraying a global perspective of the hip resurfacing implants market. The reader can gain detailed understanding of the market dynamics across regions that can assist him/her to plan future moves from a growth perspective. Regions with optimum potential are included in this research study with which possible revenue pockets can be identified. Additionally, the research removes all the biasness giving a realistic shape to the market insights.Unique research process to gather relevant acumenCredibility of the researched data and statistics lie in the uniqueness of the research methodology which ensures higher accuracy. In-depth assessment of the global hip resurfacing implants market is underpinned by an extensive research process that includes both secondary and primary research to obtain relevant numbers. The data collected undergoes several funnels of validation and re-examination at each step, as the research progresses. This ensures delivering value with data having higher degree of accuracy. The expert opinions of the market observers and the domain experts are extrapolated and the triangulation of these enables the analysts to arrive at a much accurate global market statistics.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The research report on global hip resurfacing implants market includes a dedicated section describing competitive scenario. It covers key players and their standing in the global market. The section involves the strategies applied by the key players, their innovations, their product portfolios, developments and product evolutions, their area wise spread and future expansion plans, the mergers and acquisitions taken place, the market shares and revenues of these tier players, financials, key personnel, etc. This intelligence dashboard completes with the inclusion of the analysis of the various aspects of the key competition in the market. Competitive assessment has been done in a systematic way to enable the reader to draw necessary inferences that can be used to gain competitive advantage.Market SegmentationBy Material TypeCobalt Chromium AlloyTin CoatedHybrid Alloy (Cobalt + Titanium)By End UserHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CenterOrthopedic ClinicsBy RegionNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)Middle East and Africa (MEA)Browse TOC @Actionable insights deliveredThe comprehensive research report on global hip resurfacing implants market offers valuable insights with weighted analysis. Every organization has its own integral research team, which strives to gather sufficient research data of the market. Persistence Market Research aims at doing all the heavy lifting by providing unbiased insights which can be actioned by the research team thus supporting in achieving their research milestones. Also, it extends 24x7 analyst support to solve queries regarding the research as the need should be. The report is systematically structured to deliver convenience along with a complete market intelligence package.Table Of Content1. Executive Summary1.1. Market Overview1.2. Market Analysis1.3. PMR Analysis and Recommendations1.4. Wheel of Fortune2. Market Introduction2.1. Market Definition2.2. Market Taxonomy3. Hip Resurfacing Implants Market View Point3.1. Macro-Economic Factors3.2. Opportunity AnalysisAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Trend of Temperature Calibrators Market in Global Industry : Market Analysis, Growth and Status 2017

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Albany, NY, 14th December : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Temperature Calibrators Detailed Analysis Report 2017-2022" globally.This report mainly introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details. As a Detailed Analysis report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinion in Temperature Calibrators industry.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @This report splits Temperature Calibrators market by Options, by Power Type, which covers the history data information from 2012 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2022.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Major CompaniesALIA GROUP INC (USA)ALTEK Industries Corp (USA)AMETEK Sensors, Test & Calibration (USA)AOIP (France)Beamex (Finland)Calex Electronics Limited (UK)CHINO Corporation (Japan)DRUCK & TEMPERATUR Leitenberger GmbH (Germany)echoCONTROL (Italy)Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd (UK)EUROLEC Instrumentation (Ireland)View Complete TOC with tables & Figures @Eurotron Instruments UK ltd (UK)Fluke (USA)GE Measurement & Control (USA)Gometrics, S.L. (Spain)Indumart (Canada)Labfacility Limited (UK)Martel Electronics (USA)Meatest spol. s r.o. (Czech)Michell Instruments (UK)MTP Instruments Inc (Canada)Nagman Instruments & Electronics (P) Ltd. (India)Shanghai Yi Hua V&A Instrument Co., Ltd. (China)SIKA (Germany)Techne Calibration (UK)Tel-Tru Manufacturing (USA)Tempsens (India)TES Corp (China Taiwan)Time Electronics (UK)WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG (Germany)Main RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain Product TypeTemperature Calibrators Market, by OptionsPortableLaboratoryHand-heldCompactOthersTemperature Calibrators Market, by Power TypeDC Power SupplyAC Power SupplyComposite Power SupplyBrowse Report @Main ApplicationsTemperature SensorsInfrared PyrometersElectrical Measuring InstrumentsOhmmeterOther (Power Meter, Surface Probe, Pressure Gauges)ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Advanced Airport Technologies 2017 Global Key Players  Thales ATM S.A., Raytheon Corp., Smiths Detection International, Siemens Airports, Oshkosh Truck Corp. Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022

Advanced Airport Technologies Market

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Advanced Airport Technologies Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Advanced Airport Technologies  Global Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Description:This report studies Advanced Airport Technologies in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringThales ATM S.A.Raytheon Corp.Smiths Detection InternationalSiemens AirportsOshkosh Truck Corp.L-3 Commenications SecurityHitachi,Ltd.ACS Transport Solutions,Inc.Bosch Security Systems,Inc.CISCO Systems,Inc.Honeywell Airport SystemsIERATG Airpoprts,Ltd.Tyco Fire And SecuritySAIC,Inc.Rockwell AutomationQinetiQ,Ltd.SAGO Systems,Inc.Airport Information Systems,Ltd.ARINCGarrett Metal DetectorsKUKA RoboterPassur Truck Corp.Pensher SkytechRequest for Sample Report@Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Advanced Airport Technologies in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IIType IIISplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Advanced Airport Technologies in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3Enquiry before Buying @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Contents:Global Advanced Airport Technologies Market Research Report 20161 Advanced Airport Technologies Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Advanced Airport Technologies1.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Advanced Airport Technologies by Type in 20151.2.2 Type I1.2.3 Type II1.2.4 Type III1.3 Advanced Airport Technologies Segment by Application1.3.1 Advanced Airport Technologies Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.3.4 Application 31.4 Advanced Airport Technologies Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Advanced Airport Technologies (2011-2021)2 Global Advanced Airport Technologies Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Advanced Airport Technologies Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Advanced Airport Technologies Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Advanced Airport Technologies Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Advanced Airport Technologies Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Advanced Airport Technologies Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Advanced Airport Technologies Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion..7 Global Advanced Airport Technologies Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Thales ATM S.A.7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.1.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Type I7.1.2.2 Type II7.1.3 Thales ATM S.A. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Raytheon Corp.7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.2.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Type I7.2.2.2 Type II7.2.3 Raytheon Corp. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Smiths Detection International7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.3.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Type I7.3.2.2 Type II7.3.3 Smiths Detection International Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Siemens Airports7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.4.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Type I7.4.2.2 Type II7.4.3 Siemens Airports Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Oshkosh Truck Corp.7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.5.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Type I7.5.2.2 Type II7.5.3 Oshkosh Truck Corp. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 L-3 Commenications Security7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.6.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Type I7.6.2.2 Type II7.6.3 L-3 Commenications Security Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Hitachi,Ltd.7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.7.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Type I7.7.2.2 Type II7.7.3 Hitachi,Ltd. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 ACS Transport Solutions,Inc.7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.8.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Type I7.8.2.2 Type II7.8.3 ACS Transport Solutions,Inc. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Bosch Security Systems,Inc.7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.9.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Type I7.9.2.2 Type II7.9.3 Bosch Security Systems,Inc. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 CISCO Systems,Inc.7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.10.2 Advanced Airport Technologies Product Type, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Type I7.10.2.2 Type II7.10.3 CISCO Systems,Inc. Advanced Airport Technologies Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.11 Honeywell Airport Systems7.12 IER7.13 ATG Airpoprts,Ltd.7.14 Tyco Fire And Security7.15 SAIC,Inc.7.16 Rockwell Automation7.17 QinetiQ,Ltd.7.18 SAGO Systems,Inc.7.19 Airport Information Systems,Ltd.7.20 ARINC7.21 Garrett Metal Detectors7.22 KUKA Roboter7.23 Passur Truck Corp.7.24 Pensher SkytechContinued..Buy now @Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune  411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042
Pharmaceutical Companies switch to Cloud Email Archiving as a way to Secure and Leverage Email Data

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Pharmaceutical companies are switching over to cloud email archiving as a means to safely and securely store information in an easily accessible manner and in order to manage the growing mail store through the elastic storage available on cloud.The over 100 year old, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (A leading Indian pharmaceutical company with a presence in 75 countries) is one such firm that decided to shift its email archiving operations to the cloud.The pharmaceutical industry is governed by several stringent laws in terms of storage and use of data. There are a number of regulatory and legal requirements to comply with such as US FDA, MHRA UK, WHO etc. While broadly all the mandates are similar, often there are country specific mandates as well, which dictate how an organisation should handle data, both digital and on paper, with audits being a regular part of the business.Typically any pharma company will have at least one audit a month. Which requires it to store historical data, for a period of at least 10 years, in a manner that it is available on demand for audits. Email forms a very important part of this with more than 60% of critical business data being captured in email messages.Mr. Gopal Rangaraj, Head IT, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited says - Email is the backbone of our operations and it's used to gather information, which is related to major business activities spanning across the scientific domains to manufacturing, administration and major customer support functions.A majority of Pharma companies, even today, store email in the traditional manner, which is in premise, on tapes and drives. Managing and retrieving data stored in this manner, is a cumbersome, tentative and slow process.We have over 25TB of email logs and data. Storing emails in the traditional methods of in premise email archival was causing a strain on IT in terms of growing storage, manageability and economic viability. says Mr. Gopal Rangaraj, Head IT, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited.Vaultastic, the cloud email archiving solution from Mithi has helped Alembic Pharma overcome this challenge of retrieving and reproducing data. All mails are now consolidated and stored in a separate operational infrastructure, freeing the company from managing infrastructure and allowing their IT team to focus more on strategic digital initiatives to fuel growth.Mr. Gopal Rangaraj says - With Vaultastics ediscovery function, our teams are able to search for a specific email thread of any communication. The function has helped us in strip searches and discovery of information. What used to take 3-4 days earlier, now takes an hour at the most creating a step jump over what we had.About Vaultastic:Vaultastic is a cloud email archiving solution providing Archival, Compliance, Ediscovery & Backup automation. The solution can archive mail seamlessly from G Suite, Office 365, Zimbra, Microsoft Exchange Server, IBM Notes (Lotus Notes), cPanel, MailEnable, Postmaster and other email solutions. Vaultastic is served from the AWS cloud and provides a data durability of 99.99999999999%.About Mithi Software:Mithi Software, an award winning company, distinguishes itself in providing Cloud Email, Collaboration and Archiving Solutions, which help substantially lower costs & improve productivity. Its software has been adopted by organizations of all sizes and spread across many enterprise segments such as healthcare, R&D establishments, financial services, education, government, BPOs, software, defense, manufacturing, banks, NGOs, Agro industries, logistics, media, Internet Service Providers, infrastructure, retail, energy & power, transportation etc.Company and product links:Mithi Software TechnologiesNachiket Park, Dr. Pai Marg, Baner Road,Pune 411045, IndiaAshok Malaviya+91-982-205-3099ashok@mithi.com
Global Power Equipment Market 2017-2023 Caterpillar, Komatsu, Subaru

Power Equipment Market

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Power Equipment Market Research 2017A market study "Global Power Equipment Market" examines the performance of the Power Equipment market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Power Equipment market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Power Equipment market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Power Equipment Market 2017 report includes Power Equipment market Revenue, market Share, Power Equipment industry volume, market Trends, Power Equipment Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Power Equipment Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Power Equipment Market 2017 :CaterpillarMitsubishi Hitachi Power SystemsMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesKomatsuDoosan Power SystemsDoosan Industrial VehicleSubaruKohler Power SystemsGenerac HoldingsWhisperPower B.V.Perkins EnginesAtlas Copco ABAGCOPower Equipment Market : By ApplicationPower GenerationPower SupplyPower TransmissionPower Equipment Market : By TypePower Supply SystemPower Generation SystemFirstly, the report covers the top Power Equipment manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Power Equipment report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Power Equipment industry, Power Equipment industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Power Equipment Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Power Equipment research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Power Equipment market revenue worldwide.Finally, Power Equipment market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Web:
Jet Bridge Market - Global Industry Development, Technology, Opportunities and Key Players Report 2018-2025 (Thyssenkrupp, Vataple, Adelte, Ameribridge, Shinmaywa, Others)

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Global Jet Bridge Market Report 2017-2025 has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Request Sample Copy is Available atThe report firstly introduced the Jet Bridge basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis. Global Jet Bridge Market competition by top manufacturers with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturers.Global Jet Bridge Market Top Players1. John Bean Technologies Corporation2. Airport Equipment3. Thyssenkrupp AG4. Shinmaywa Industries5. Vataple Group6. Fmt Aircraft Gate Support Systems AB7. Adelte Group S.L.8. Hubner GmbH & Co. KG9. Ameribridge, Inc.10. China International Marine Containers (Group) Company Ltd.Inquire about this Report atObjectives of Jet Bridge Market Report To provide overview of the global Jet Bridge market To analyze and forecast the global Jet Bridge market on the basis of components, application, size and technology To provide market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Jet Bridge market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM), which are later sub-segmented across respective major countries To evaluate market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend To provide exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions To profiles key Jet Bridge players influencing the market along with their SWOT analysis and market strategiesKey Insight of Jet Bridge Market- Historical and Future Market- Supply and Demand- Price and Cost- Drivers and Challenges- Key Vendors- Market Strategies- Industry Value Chain- RegionsComplete Report is Available atContact Us:Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email Id: sales@reportsweb.comAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Sweet Orange Oil Market Key Players, Growth, Analysis, 2016  2024

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Sweet orange oil, sometimes also known as orange oil or orange essential oil, is an essential oil primarily consisting of limonene (up to 93%). It is widely used in aromatherapy and herbal medicines, as it possess several properties such as antiseptic, anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, sweet orange oil is used for treating constipation, gastrointestinal ailments, and ulcers. The oil also exhibits cancer prevention properties. Sweet orange oil has sweet and pleasant aroma, which enlightens mood; hence, it can be used as mood booster. Furthermore, its versatile blending properties make it a safer and organic solvent. Sweet orange oil is obtained from orange, especially orange rind via the cold pressing process. The rich content of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants present in the oil helps in prevention of strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. The oil is also used in food and beverages as a natural preservative and flavoring agent.Download exclusive Sample of this report:Rise in demand for sweet orange oil in the food & beverages industries is a key driver of the sweet orange oil market. Its versatile properties coupled with natural source makes it a perfect ingredient for Ayurveda and homeopathic medicine. Increasing use of sweet orange oil in cosmetics for flavor, preservatives, and skin benefits are also propelling the market. Sturdy growth in food & beverages and cosmetics industries is primarily boosting the demand for sweet orange oil. The body care industry also uses sweet orange oil for stress relieving, massages, vapor therapy, aromatherapy, and other similar procedures. The oil is also generally used as a freshening agent in bath water, cloth freshener, floor cleaner, etc. However, it is known to cause irritation, nausea, inflammation, or in extreme cases dermatitis if used in excess quantities. Furthermore, exposure of sweet orange oil to sunlight (UV rays) leads to oxidation of the oil and may induce photo-toxicity, converting it into a potential toxin. The oil is flammable as well. These factors along with the presence of other alternatives such as Amyris oil, lemon oil, dill oil, and anise oil are key restraints of the sweet orange oil market.Sweet orange oil is used in various applications. Thus, based on end-user, the sweet orange oil market can be segmented into pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, flavor & fragrances, cosmetics, body care, chemical industry, and others. Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics segments are expected to be key end-users of the sweet orange oil market. The flavor & fragrance segment is also anticipated to account for substantial share, as sweet orange oil is primarily used for its flavor and aroma. Based on grade, the sweet orange oil market can be divided into food grade sweet orange oil, pharmaceutical grade sweet orange oil, and others. Food grade sweet orange oil is used in food and beverages to add flavor and color to citrus juices, confectioneries, and other related products. The pharmaceutical grade sweet orange oil is used in the manufacture of medicines and supplements. Other grades are used in insecticides, herbicides, furniture preservatives, etc.Obtain Report Details @In terms of geography, the sweet orange oil market can be segregated into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Europe and North America are the key regions of the for sweet orange oil market, due to the rising demand from food & beverages, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Furthermore, the rise in population and growth in personal and body care industries in countries such as Germany, France, the U.S., and Italy are fuelling the demand for sweet orange oil in Europe and North America. The sweet orange market in Asia Pacific and Latin America is also expanding rapidly due to the increase in standard of living and high consumer spending on personal and body care products in these regions.Prominent players operating in the global sweet orange oil market are Heritage Oils, Aura Cacia, DoTerra, and Mountain Rose Herbs.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Oilfield Roller Chain Market By Top Key Players- Rexnord Corporation,Tsubakimoto Chain,Sugiyama Chain

https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/enquiry/request_sample/12716

https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/report-detail/Oilfield-Roller-Chain-Market

Oilfield Roller Chain Market research report helps to get access to industry data and upcoming trends which will give you avenues to know about the market. This report gives opportunities to go through with industry analysis, share and forecast, Providing brief description about the market size its competitors and product identification.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Oilfield Roller Chain in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest For Free Sample Of The Report @Global Oilfield Roller Chain market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingTimkenRexnord CorporationDaido KogyoTsubakimoto ChainJerehRenoldDiamond ChainRombo (TIDC, Murugappa)Emerson BearingWippermannJoh. Winklhofer BeteiligungsARK Engineering WorksHale BrothersSugiyama ChainHengjiu GroupFordertechnik KentzlerZhejiang Gidi Industrial ChainOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDrive ChainConveyor ChainMulti Strand ChainOtherOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Oilfield Roller Chain for each application, includingHoisting OperationsSucker Rod PumpMud PumpOtherObtain Report Details @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About UsAlltake Market Research is division of the Alltake LLC. that offers premium quality market intelligence, market research, industry analysis reports & forecast data for different domains across the business industry.Alltake Market Research understands the importance of market analysis for any strategy that is implemented in any organization or association. In order to provide the best solution, Alltake Market Research have associated with major organizations within market research and consultancy firm. This portfolio offers market analysis report at one place for different business verticals. Alltake Market Research ensures to offer you with the most reliable and quality market research available.Contact UsAlltake Market Research16192, Coastal Highway Lewes,DE 19958, United StatesUS - 188 8587 9717UK - 4480 0680 0195Email sales@alltakemarketresearch.com
Clear Labels Market : Structure and Overview of Key Market Forces Propelling Market

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The packaging industry globally is witnessing an impressive growth, primarily driven by the changing needs of packaging buyers, trying to serve more consumers by offering customization. The role of packaging and labelling today is not only restricted to preserve and protect the product, but rather communicate brand image and convey information to its large customer base.The format and design of labels is a key marketing tool for marketers in projecting the brand image for the products. One of the most widely used labels serving the purpose for most of the brand owners is clear labels. Clear labels are of the most versatile products as they are now being used in most markets and designed in a variety of ways. Clear labels are more transparent in nature as compared to other form of labels and offer no label look, trend which is gaining traction from various end use industries, looking to offer luxury packaging for their product offerings.Clear labels give the illusion that the print is direct on the container while at the same time, they allow the consumer to have a transparent look at the contents. Clear labels are moisture resistant, making them an exceptional option for product packaging in the food & beverage industry, healthcare and homecare industry that face wet conditions. Clear labels, while growing in popularity is modern and attractive making it a clear winner for labelling of food products.Obtain Report Details @Clear Labels: Market DynamicsThe demand for clear labels is anticipated to witness an above average growth over the forecast period. Clear labels are stickers that can be applied on any packaging as well as sheets and rolls, creating value addition for any business in terms of marketing and branding. Label manufactures are constantly focusing to add innovative offerings to their portfolio, striving to meet the diverse needs from large end use industries.The transparent property of clear labels makes the product visible for consumers, making the product more attractive. Clear labels takes of the pressure of creative packaging and place emphasis on natural quality and appeal which has help to boost the sales of clear labels. In addition to this, clear labels meet the regulations as it enables the inclusion of all regulatory norms and also provide clear visibility of the product its end users.Moreover, the design of clear labels to blend into the containers surface, also enhances the overall packaging for the product, and is one of the key drivers for the global clear labels market. When it comes to bottom line, printing clear labels is more economical than printing directly on the container, as it saves the total shipping cost of transporting the container to and from the printing company.Moreover, customized offering for clear labels with different matte and glossy finishes is the ongoing trend observed in the global clear labels market. Increasing demand of clear labels from the food and beverage industry is one of the key drivers of the global clear labels market. The trend to adapt transparency in packaging is gaining traction and is likely to propel the demand for clear labels in the next half of the decade. Despite growth momentum, high cost of printing on clear labels, lack of awareness amongst end users are some of the challenges faced by the global clear labels market.Request Sample @Clear Labels: Market SegmentationThe clear labels market is segmented on the basis of material, application and printing technology. On the basis of material type, the global clear labels market is segmented into polyester, vinyl, polycarbonate, polypropylene and others. On the basis of application, the global clear labels market is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, homecare, personal care and cosmetics, consumer durables and others.Demand clear labels from food packaging application segment is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities to the global clear labels market in terms of growth prospects. The food and beverage segment in the global clear label market is further sub-segmented into frozen food, snacks, dairy products, bakery & confectionary, microwaveable food products, others and beverages. On the basis of printing technology, the global clear label market is segmented into lithographic printing, flexographic printing, digital printing and others.Clear Label Market: Regional outlookClear label market has been segmented on the basis of region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Among these region, North America and Europe are expected to collectively dominate the market throughout the forecast period.However, many food and beverage companies in Asia Pacific are exploring innovative options to make the product look more attractive, positively impacting the sales of clear labels market. Furthermore, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness maximum CAGR over the forecast period primarily driven by China, Japan and India. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness sluggish growth and over the forecast period.Clear Label Market: Key playersSome of the players in the global clear label market are Consolidated Label Co, Hub Labels, Premier Label Company Inc, and A & S Labels Pvt Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Discover Major Growth Factors To Drive UK Pet Insurance Market in Coming Years

UK Pet Insurance Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2321041-uk-pet-insurance-market-dynamics-and-opportunities-2017

Pune, India, 9th October 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled UK Pet Insurance: Market Dynamics and Opportunities 2017.The report covers comprehensive insight of UK Pet Insurance Market including major market drivers, challenges, investment capabilities, vertical market opportunities and usage issues, future roadmaps. The report also studied the economic conditions, dynamics of the market. The report talks about distribution channel, technology, applications, and regions. The study also provides details about the major challenges going to impact the UK Pet Insurance Market growth in coming years.GET SAMPLE REPORT @As per report study and analysis, the UK Pet insurance GWP grew 7.1% to 1,045m in 2016.The major highlight of report are:Pricing have been relatively well presented before the site, many of the pet providers now see them as an important distribution channel.Insurable Fitbit-style technology is entering a big market of apps and new marketplace sites that start coming into the market.While falling victim to rising medical costs, insurance companies have consistently broken the  1bn in GWP for the first time in 2016 by the polyester insurance market.Pet Insurance the concept is made for people who own the pet. Pet Insurance comes for the medicines, treatment, and illness. In case if the pet is stolen, lost, or death. Pet Insurance majorly cover any problem to the pet. In recent time the money for all pet treatment and medicines is growing. The pet insurance market is growing rapidly.Increasing trend of livelihood, including the size of market, the Pet Insurance Market will grow more in coming year. The sharp rise of GWP has been reintroduced yet, but the market has a lot of potential due to significant increase in the number of claims being sold. The Environmental claims on rising prices have triggered the ongoing economic development of GDP, and result of it Insurance companies improve returns and produce good business.Following List of tables cover in reportTable 1: Pet insurance GWP in the UK.Table 2: UK pet insurance market gross claims incurred.Table 3: UK pet insurance market claims notified.Table 4: Average claims costs in the UK pet insurance market.Table 5: Top 10 conditions for claims in the UK pet insurance market.Table 6: Top 10 most expensive claims in the UK pet insurance market.Table 7: Dog and cat ownership by geographical region.Table 8: UK pet insurance market GWP forecast.The major players cover in the report are RSA, Aviva, NFU Mutual, LV, Allianz, Petplan, Bought By Many, Direct Line, E&L, BNP Paribas.Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Internet of Nano Things Market Growth & New technologies innovation

Internet of Nano Things Market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/839291-2017-2022-internet-of-nano-things-report-on-global-and-united-states-market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/839291-2017-2022-internet-of-nano-things-report-on-global-and-united-states-market

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=839291

https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/839291-2017-2022-internet-of-nano-things-report-on-global-and-united-states-market

HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Internet of Nano Global and United States market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Internet of Nano Global and United States Market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare & Life Science, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Energy & Utilities, Retail, Public Sector & Others], products type [] and various important geographies like United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Internet of Nano Global and United States Market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as CISCO Systems, Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Intel Corporation, Alcatel-Lucent Sa, Gemalto N.V., IBM Corporation, SAP SE, Qualcomm Incorporated, Juniper Networks, Inc., Siemens AG, Schneider Electric, Nano Phones, Nano Cameras, Nano Processors, Nano Sensors, Nano Power System, Nano Memory Cards, Nano Antennas & Receivers & Others. The in-depth information by segments of Internet of Nano Global and United States market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Internet of Nano Global and United States Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Internet of Nano Global and United States Market, some of them listed here are CISCO Systems, Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Intel Corporation, Alcatel-Lucent Sa, Gemalto N.V., IBM Corporation, SAP SE, Qualcomm Incorporated, Juniper Networks, Inc., Siemens AG, Schneider Electric, Nano Phones, Nano Cameras, Nano Processors, Nano Sensors, Nano Power System, Nano Memory Cards, Nano Antennas & Receivers & Others.The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Internet of Nano Global and United States Market (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as . Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare & Life Science, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Energy & Utilities, Retail, Public Sector & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Internet of Nano Global and United States in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @What this Research Study Offers:Internet of Nano Global and United States Market share assessments for the regional and country level segmentsMarket share analysis of the top industry playersStrategic recommendations for the new entrantsMarket forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional marketsMarket Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimationsCompetitive landscaping mapping the key common trendsCompany profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developmentsSupply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsBuy this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Internet of Nano Global and United States Market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Internet of Nano Global and United States , Applications of Internet of Nano Global and United States , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Internet of Nano Global and United States , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America & Middle East and Africa, Internet of Nano Global and United States Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Internet of Nano Global and United States Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Internet of Nano Global and United States ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [], Market Trend by Application [Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare & Life Science, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Energy & Utilities, Retail, Public Sector & Others];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of United States ;Chapter 12, to describe Internet of Nano Global and United States Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Internet of Nano Global and United States sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Global Electrical Fuse Wire Market 2017-2023 ABB, Eaton, General Electric

Electrical Fuse Wire Market

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-electrical-fuse-wire-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022#request_for_sample

http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-electrical-fuse-wire-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

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Electrical Fuse Wire Market Research 2017A market study "Global Electrical Fuse Wire Market" examines the performance of the Electrical Fuse Wire market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Electrical Fuse Wire market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Electrical Fuse Wire market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Electrical Fuse Wire Market 2017 report includes Electrical Fuse Wire market Revenue, market Share, Electrical Fuse Wire industry volume, market Trends, Electrical Fuse Wire Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Electrical Fuse Wire Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Electrical Fuse Wire Market 2017 :ABBS&C Electric CompanyEatonG&W Electric CompanyGeneral ElectricSiemensSchneider ElectricToshibaMitsubishi ElectricBel FuseMersenLittelfuseElectrical Fuse Wire Market : By ApplicationApplication 1Application 2Electrical Fuse Wire Market : By TypeType IType IIFirstly, the report covers the top Electrical Fuse Wire manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Electrical Fuse Wire report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Electrical Fuse Wire industry, Electrical Fuse Wire industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Electrical Fuse Wire Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Electrical Fuse Wire research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Electrical Fuse Wire market revenue worldwide.Finally, Electrical Fuse Wire market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Web:
Perfume Packaging Market : Understanding the Key Product Segments and their Future

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Attractive packaging acts as a stimulating attribute for perfume industry. Perfumes are now available with low concentration of fragrance oils such as eau de cologne and eau fraiche, aiming to increase the number of consumers who use perfumes on a daily basis. Thus, there is an increase in frequency of perfume use, which in turn is expected to create huge demand for perfume packaging in the coming years.Nowadays, younger generation is more aware of personal grooming and are ready to experiment with new brands and products, which in turn makes them feel more confident. Additionally, there is a growing demand for beauty products that the market is flooded with different types of perfumes. Hence, this billion dollar industry is growing at an impressive speed in order to meet the consumer demand.Obtain Report Details @Perfume Packaging Market: Drivers & RestraintsOne of the major factor which is fueling the growth of perfume packaging market is e-retailing. E-retailing facilitates the availability of local and foreign brands through online portals. The key players of perfumes packaging are collaborating with leading e-commerce players or have their own e-commerce sites to seize maximum advantage of e-commerce potential. Changing lifestyle in developing countries brings tremendous opportunities for manufacturers of perfume packaging. Increase in per capita income coupled with consumer spending on luxury grooming products offers a momentum to the growth of overall cosmetics industry, which is further driving the perfume packaging market.Meanwhile, there are a few factors that can act as restraints in the perfume packaging market, like the increasing commercialization of perfume imitations is anticipated to hamper the growth of global perfumes packaging market during the forecast period. In addition, the counterfeit products are available in similar packaging as the original product making it difficult for the consumers to differentiate them from original products. These products are sold at a very low cost compared to the original products.Perfume Packaging Market: SegmentationOn the basis of packaging type, the global perfume packaging market is segmented into,Primary PackagingSecondary PackagingOn the basis of perfume bottles, the global perfume packaging market is segmented into,PlasticsGlassMetalPaper & PaperboardOthersOn the basis of size, the global perfume packaging market is segmented into,SmallMediumlargeRequest Sample @Perfume Packaging Market: Region Wise-OutlookOn the basis of region, perfume packaging finds its market scope in North America, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Europe and North America dominates perfume packaging market, however, Latin America and Asia Pacific regions are expected to be the most promising regions for generating high revenue. Perfume Packaging market is highly controlled in Europe and North America.India and China are the key promising countries driving the perfume packaging market in Asia-Pacific region. Globally, Chinese consumers have maximum share in the growth of luxury goods markets. Chinese consumer spending in foreign regions is more as compared to local spending on luxury products. China is just behind North America in consumer spending, due to strong currency rates as well as rising disposable income. The spending by Japan has also increased due to local consumers as well as the increasing number of Chinese tourists. The currency fluctuations in Europe has led to rise in tourist consumers in the region which further drives the growth for luxury products including perfume industry.Perfume Packaging Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players of perfume packaging market are SGB Packaging, B.I. Packaging, Cosmetics & Perfume Filling & Packaging, Inc., HH Deluxe Packaging, Collcap Packaging Limited, DuPont, Vetroplas and may more.Some of the Chinese manufacturers who are producers of perfume packaging are Guangzhou Jiaming Perfume Packaging Co. ltd., Hangzhou Tianhao Plastic Industry Co., Ltd, Olila Enterprise company limited, Mei Yu Packaging (HK) Industrial Co., Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates Market 2017 - POCO, SHF, Ballard, Dana

Global Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates Market

https://goo.gl/KbK8mm

https://goo.gl/vPzCe6

www.apexmarketreports.com

Apex Market Reports, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates industry, and estimates the future trend of Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportPOCOSHFBallardDanaCellimpactThe market research report explores the Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market globally.Inquire Before Buying @The Global Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates production volume, data pertaining to demand and Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates across the world.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite -
Gift Packaging Market : Clear Understanding of The Competitive Landscape and Key Product Segments

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Over the past decades, the global gift industry witnessed an impressive growth, owing to the expanded customer base along with increasing applications of innovative products at attractive prices. The gift market comprises of corporate gifting as well as personal gifting. Moreover, the gift packaging market experienced a revolution with new product innovations in the food as well as in the non-food segment accompanied by eye-catching packaging.Nowadays non-food gifting are not only restricted to small electronic items, bed sheets but also include gift vouchers, soft toys, artworks, artificial jewelries and many more. At the same time, various product types like cookies, fruit baskets, wine hampers, different types of cheese which comes under the categorization of food gifting for occasions like festivals, birthdays, etc. are also in the trend. The changing lifestyle together with customers ability and willingness to pay for innovative products drove this change in the gift packaging market.Obtain Report Details @Nowadays, wrapping paper are in demand for gifts packaging. Some of the conventional examples of wrapping paper are recycled newspaper, reusable gift wrap, decorative lunch bags, gift box, decorative shopping bags and many more.The new alternatives for gift wrapping are also being introduced, for example, using a decorative handkerchief which also has other application can further fuel the growth in demand for gift packaging market. The gift market is expected to expand with a healthy growth rate of over 10% which in turns growth of the gift packaging market in the near future.Gift Packaging Market: DynamicsThe growing e-commerce in the gifting space is one of the major factor which is expected to drive the demand for the gift packaging market. Big e-commerce companies such as Snapdeal and Amazon play a vital role in fuelling the demand for gift packaging market.Further, increase in per capita income, increasing exposure to global trends is offering impetus to the growth of overall gift industry which in turn is escalating the gift packaging market across the globe. Personal gifting in number of occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, fathers day, and Mothers day is on the rise as the consumers, want uniqueness, different styles and personalization in their gift items, to match their status.Request Sample @In past years, food gifting was limited to the conventional sweets only, but nowadays customers are moving towards consistent quality products with a good taste in attractive packaging, which is a result of growing incidence of adulteration in conventional sweets.Gift Packaging Market: SegmentationOn the basis of packaging type, the global gift packaging market is segmented into,Primary PackagingSecondary PackagingTertiary PackagingOn the basis of product type, the global gift packaging market is segmented into,Gift boxesContainersRibbons & BowsGift SacksGift bagsWrapping paperTissue Paper & ShredsCellophane overwrap & bagsGift card & Money holdersOthersOn the basis of Materials, the global gift packaging market is segmented into,PlasticsPaper & PaperboardMetalsGlassOthersGift Packaging Market: Region Wise OutlookIn terms of geography, the global gift packaging market divided into five regions which includes North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Out of the five regions, Asia pacific represents the largest global gift packaging market, owing to the growth of rising disposable incomes coupled with the widened customer base. In Asia Pacific, developing countries like China and India, are the most lucrative countries for increase in consumer spending and rise in GDP.Gift Packaging Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players of the global gift packaging market are Smurfit kappa Group, Packlyn Ltd, Shenzhen Fuxiang Gifts & Packaging Co. Ltd., Interpak, Ebro Color GmbH, and many more.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Flow Cytometer Reagents Market: Remarkable Expansion USD 8.88 Billion, At CAGR of ~12.0 % by 2023

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Flow cytometer reagents market Analysis by applications, Key Companies, type, end users & Is expected to reach US$ 8.88 billion by 2023, and the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of ~ 12.0 % during the forecast period 2017-2023The global Flow Cytometer Reagents Market is expected to reach US$ 8.88 billion by 2023, and the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of ~ 12.0 % during the forecast period 2017-2023.Flow cytometer reagents are used for calibrating, maintaining, validating and conducting or supporting the experiments. Thus, they are essential for the normal and satisfactory working of the instrument. Calibration reagents are used for validating that the instrument records the values consistent with the actual or real concentration or number of cells. These are proprietary and contain particle concentration in a narrow range. The buffers are used to maintain the pH of the solutions used in flow cytometry. Specificity reagents are used to bind selectively to the sample particles so as to ease detectability.Get a Copy of Sample Report @The market for flow cytometer reagents is rising fast due to increasing use of flow cytometry in pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry, launch of new reagents for specific applications like diagnostics & drug discovery, development of user-friendly & software, growing prevalence of infectious diseases etc. The market restraints are the high cost of the flow cytometer reagents because of the proprietary nature of most reagents and the lack of transparency in the market.A close look at the market reveals that product development is the most attractive strategy which has been exploited by many market players. The high profit margin and returns on investment on the flow cytometer reagents has led to the growth of the market with many large firms entering the market. The growing adoption of flow cytometry techniques in research activities especially drug development has led to growth of the market for flow cytometer reagents. Another important driver has been the increasing adaptation and automation of flow cytometer in diagnostics especially infectious diseases.Key Players in the Global Flow cytometer reagents Market Biocompare Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Miltenyi Biotec BioLegend, Inc. Becton Dickinson and Company Beckman Coulter, Inc. Merck KGaA ImmunoReagents, Inc. Thermo Fisher ScientificSegments:The global flow cytometer reagents market has been segmented on the basis of types, applications, and end users.Based on types, the market has been segmented as the calibration and validation reagents, specificity reagents, supporting reagents, secondary reagents, isotype controls, buffers and others.Based on the applications, the market has been segmented into diagnostics, drug discovery and others.Based on the end users, the market has been segmented as pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, academic and research centers, diagnostic centers and others.Browse Full Report Details @Regional analysis:The Americas account for the significant market share owing to extensive use of medications and high expenditure on the health care. Additionally, the fastest uptake of new technology in the US drives the global flow cytometer reagents market. Also, the concentration of the major research companies and biotechnology sector in the developed countries of this region is adding fuel to the market.Europe is the second largest market in the world due to high industrial and research base.Asia Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly and China and India are likely to lead this market due to fast growing industrial sector during the forecast period.Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE drive the Middle East & African market. The African region is expected to witness a moderate growth owing to poor economic and political conditions and poor healthcare development.Get Discount @The report for Global Flow cytometer reagents market by Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario which includes past and estimated future market size with respect to value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides detail information about and strategies used by top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Flow Cytometer Reagents Market Research Report- Global Forecast till 2023 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Blue-veined Cheese Market Analysis, Share, Trends and Forecast by 2027

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Blue-Veined Cheese: OverviewCheese, originated in southern Italy, a soft dairy product formed by coagulations of the milk protein is a source of Vitamins, Proteins, and Minerals. Blue-veined Cheese has a range of textures, colors, types, flavors and is widely used all over the world. Milk from the sources such as cow, goat, sheep, reindeer, and yak which are ripened with penicillium mold forms Blue-veined cheese. It has characterized features like off white color cheese with green, gray, blue or black spots or veins all over it. The Blue-veined cheese has a tangy flavor with a smooth, soft and creamy texture. Thus Blue-veined cheese does not belong to the vegetarian group.Download exclusive Sample of this report:Blue-Veined Cheese: Drivers and RestraintsBlue veined cheese has a tangy flavor and has various health benefits. This is the main driving force in the Cheese Market. Increasing modernization of food habits, triggered demand for fast food, health awareness of dairy products, technological advancement in milk products are some of the factors which are promoting the growth of Blue-veined cheese market. Blue-veined cheese is an excellent source of desired nutrients and lowers health risk. It contains vitamins, nutrients, Proteins and many such factors which boost memory and immunity system, thereby driving the growth of the market. Moreover, it has other health benefits in weight Loss, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Dental Health, Anti-Cellulite, and Anti-Inflammatory.Moreover, the factors such as increasing cost of milk and dairy products and high fat content in this cheese, are hampering the growth of the market.Blue-veined cheese: Market SegmentationBased on product types, blue-veined cheese market is segmented into:Gorgonzola CheeseRoquefort CheeseStilton CheeseCashel BlueDanabluDanish Blue cheeseOtherObtain Report Details @Based on production types, blue veined cheese segmented into:Processed CheeseNatural CheeseBased on sources, Blue-veined cheese is segmented into:CowGoatSheepReindeerYakBased on textures, blue veined cheese is segmented into:Hard CheeseSemi Hard CheeseSemi-Soft CheeseSoft CheeseBased on Distribution Channels, blue-veined cheese is segmented into:ManufacturerRetail ShopsSpecialty ShopsWholesalersOnline shopsPortalsBlue-veined cheese: Segment OverviewBlue-veined cheese has the accountable share in the cheese market and is segmented in various above categories. The Majority of the Blue-veined cheese is produced by the cow milk. Other sources like sheep, goat, reindeer, yak has the comparatively little share in the production. Depending upon various categories like, production process where blue-veined cheese is produced by enzymes, additives, fresh milk or by bacterial growth. It is available in various shapes and sizes such as pouch, packets, cans, sticks, slices. Various categories in which blue-veined cheese can be used are bakeries, food processing, pizzas, burgers, fast food outlets etc. Considering geographical region, Western Europe- Germany, France, and Italy etc. has a greater share in production and consumption of this cheese.Blue-veined cheese: Regional OverviewThe global Blue-veined cheese market consists of into seven regions, namely Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Western Europe, in terms of revenue generation for this dairy product, is the market leader with Germany having significantly growing share in the production of blue-veined cheese. Other share for the production of Blue-veined cheese in the world are from North America and Eastern Europe. Major importers include Japan, North America, Eastern America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific[6][7][8].Asia-Pacific is emerging as a huge market for the cheese market in the forecasting period focusing majorly on India and China. It has attributed the significant demand for the blue-veined cheese due to changing food habits.Blue-Veined Cheese: Market PlayersFew Market players of the Blue-veined cheese market are ARLA Foods, Fonterra Co-operative Group, Shafts Cheese Company, LLC, WAIMATA CHEESE COMPANY, The Isle of Wight Cheese Company Ltd, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Grafton Village Cheese, Cowgirl Creamery, Vermont Shepherd LLC, and Willow Hill Farm.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Dental Software Market In-Depth Analysis & Global Forecast to 2027

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Market Research Future has a cooked research report on global dental software market. The global dental software market is expected to reach USD 4185.5 Million during the period 2015 to 2027 from USD 1662.1 Million in 2015.Globally Dental Software Market is expected to grow at 8.0% GAGR (2016-2027).The Global Dental Software market is expected to witness high growth in the coming years. The demand for dental software is dignified by the improving process quality, patient satisfaction, additionally speeding up the process for the diagnosis, research, and treatments provided by dental professionals, dental laboratories, dental academic, research institutes, and forensic laboratories.The global market for dental software is dominated by the North American countries, owing to factors such as immense investments in healthcare by government as well as private companies, growing geriatric population and rising unhealthy eating habits that are predominantly responsible for the market growth. In North America, the U.S. acquired major share of about 88.8% in 2015.Increasing incidence of dental disorders is creating immense scope for the dentists resulting high revenue. the pressure on the dental software market is increasing rapidly resulting new developments and emerging need of new software.The market has been segmented as practice management software, patient communication software, treatment planning software, patient education software, dental imaging software which is further segmented as dental image management software and software for dental instruments.Hospitals & clinics are holding the maximum shares for dental software globally, as it is used in various applications from data management to treatment planning. Increase in the arrival rate of dental patients in the clinics and hospitals are giving boost to the hospital and clinic segment to hold and keep more market share.Forecast indicators are categorized into four major heads that are drivers, opportunities, threats, and restraints. There are various factors and opportunities which help the dental software market to grow but there are some factors which are against the market and are hampering the growth and development of the industry as well. The restraints in the dental software market is the complexity of dental software which is not accessible by everyone, and the price of the dental software which is not affordable by all dentists, and dental clinics.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players for Global Dental Software MarketSome of the key players in this market are: Abeldent Inc., Dentimax llc., Carestream Health, Inc, Ace Dental Software, Datacon Dental Systems, Dexis, llc, Gendex Dental System, Henry Schein, Inc, Imageworks Corporation, Open Dental Software Inc, Planmeca Oy, Sirona Dental Systems, Inc, Consult-Pro, Patterson Dental, Medicloud and many others.SegmentationThe global dental software market has been segmented on the basis of types, application, end user, and deployment.Dental Software market has been segmented on the basis of types which comprises of practice management software, patient communication software, treatment planning software, patient education software, and dental imaging software. Whereas on the basis of application the market is segmented into clinical application and administrative. Furthermore on the basis of deployment the market is segmented into on-premise model, web-based/ cloud-based model. On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, academics & research institutes.Key Findings The Dental Software global market is expected to reach $ 4,185.5 Million by 2027 Americas holds the largest market share of 48.35% of Dental Software market globally Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at a fastest CAGR of 8.8% Clinical application segment hold 91.9% market share of global Dental Software market by applicationRegional AnalysisConsidering the global dental software market, there are four main regions North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle & Africa. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle & Africa. The market is estimated at $1,662.1 million in 2015 and expected to reach at $4,185.5 million by 2027 at the rate of 8.0% from 2016-2027.North America holds 48.75% market share of Global Dental software market by application which is expected to reach $1,772.1 million by 2027.The European Dental software market is expected to expand continuously due to rising demand of cosmetic dentistry as well as its increasing awareness of treatment in the countries. The European dental software market expected growth for forecasted period at a CAGR of 8.4%.Globally, Asia Pacific Dental Software market is one of the fastest growing regions. The Asia Pacific market comprises of mainly two regions; Asia market and Pacific market. The Asian market includes countries like Japan, China, India, South Korea and rest of Asia Pacific.In Asia-Pacific there is wide range of opportunities for Dental Software market due to the presence of developing countries. The developing countries in this region are widely adopting newer technologies for ease of work. The Asian dental software market expected to be the fastest growing market at a CAGR of 8.8%Globally, the Middle East & Africa region for Dental Software market is developing with a steady pace, Africa dental software market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3%.Get a Discount @ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Dental Software Market Research Report- Global Forecast till 2027 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Easy Peel Film Packaging Market : Industry Analysis and Detailed Profiles of top Industry Players

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The revenue form the packaging industry sales globally is expected to continue to show strong growth as both increased consumption and demand for consumer goods and food has driven the needs for more sophisticated packaging, such as easy peel film packaging, supported by growing middle class and rising disposable income.Packaging film and even packaging product manufacturers are offering products with additional focus given to the convenience aspect for consumers, ultimately creating profitable market opportunities for companies providing easy peel film packaging. Easy peel film packaging has been one of the most innovative product offering from packaging companies, vastly benefitting the food and beverage industry in a very short span of time.Moreover, easy peel film packaging allows the customer to handle the product safely and with ease and also ensure consumers that the packaging can be separated from the product without leaving any residue and that it can be fully emptied, minimizing the wastage of the content.Obtain Report Details @Easy peel film packaging is also moisture resistant, enhances product quality and also benefits both consumers with convenience and aids manufacturers in relation to its sustainable, and easy disposal nature. In addition, easy peel film packaging is also an economical solution for manufacturers, as it reduces the shipping and logistics cost during transportation, ultimately maximizing the profitability margin of suppliers.Easy Peel Film Packaging: Market DynamicsGrowth in demand for easy peel film packaging is anticipated to remain steady for various reasons. Firstly, the food & beverage industry is constantly striving to offer its products that not only make the packaging attractive but also offers convenience. Secondly, rising investment in product innovation, among packaging film and machinery manufacturers, expansion of production capacity to meet the demand is expected to drive the demand of easy peel film packaging throughout the forecast period.The trend of replacing conventional rigid plastic film with easy peel film packaging has been rather safe and economical option for packaging manufacturers, as they consume relatively less space during inventory and transportation. Moreover, offering customized easy peel films with dimensions and printing options as per the customer requirement is the new trend observed in the global easy peel film packaging market.Easy peel film packaging can be used for various types of plastic containers and cups and leaves no residue behind. The packaging form is non-sticky and perform well with all sorts of temperature. Despite growth opportunities, the manufacturing cost of such packaging is relatively high, resulting into low profitability margins for packaging film suppliers.Easy Peel Film Packaging: Market SegmentationThe global easy peel film packaging market is segmented on the basis of application, material, packaging and region. On the basis of application, the global easy peel film packaging market is segmented into food & beverage, medical application segment, industrial application segment and other consumer products segment.The food and beverage segment is further sub-segmented into seafood products, frozen food, dairy products, bakery & confectionary, microwaveable food products, and beverages. The medical application segment is further sub-segmented as syringes, catheter packaging film and infusion bags.Further the industrial application segment is sub-segmented into toner containers, ink cartridges and other industrial products. The consumer products is further segmented into air fresheners, deodorizers, washing detergents, wet wipes and other consumer products. Demand of easy peel film packaging from food application segment is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities to the global easy peel film packaging market in terms of growth prospects.Request Sample @Easy Peel Film Market: Regional outlookEasy peel film packaging market has been segmented on the basis of region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Among these region, North America and Europe are expected to collectively dominate the market throughout the forecast period.However, many packaging film suppliers and converter companies are investing in Asia Pacific to tap the growing unmet demand and potential, easy peel film packaging offers to packaging film manufacturers in the region.Easy Peel Film Packaging Market: Key playersSome of the key players in the global easy peel film packaging market are J-Film Corporation, Evonik Industries, Mitsui Chemicals, Bemis Company Inc., Shrinath Rotopack Pvt Ltd, Tilak Polypack Pvt Ltd. A majority of easy peel packaging companies are largely headquartered in Europe and North America.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Engineering Services Outsourcing Market by Drivers, Trends, Market Challenge and Forecast To 2020

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Engineering services have been outsourced in recent years on a large scale. However, this time, it is not only to reduce costs but also to bring about innovation in product development. Engineering services are different from other functional outsourcing services due to the nature of complexities involved in various phases of the product development process. Innovation is the key to staying competitive in the marketplace. It is needed for organizations operating in industry verticals such as automotive. The technology landscape in several industry verticals is changing at a rapid pace, which has replaced the legacy system.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:-Americas-APAC-EMEAFor More Information About This Report:Key vendors:-HCL Technologies-Infosys-TCS-Tech Mahindra-WiproOther prominent vendors:-Luxoft-Cyient-Tata Elxsi-QuEST Global-Symphony Teleca-Aricent-Mindtree-Tech Mahindra-GlobalLogic-XchangingMarket driver-Need to support industrial 4.0 revolution-For a full, detailed list, view our reportRequest Sample Copy At:Market Driver:-Issues pertaining to IP ownership-For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket Challenge:-Issues pertaining to IP ownership-For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket Trend:-Emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning-For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire For This Report At:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Clinical Intelligence Market: Strong Expansion CAGR of 12.5% By 2023

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Clinical Intelligence Market Analysis: By Type (CDSS, Quality Improvement), Component (Service, Software), Application (Clinical, RCM), End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Tpas) - Global Forecast till 2023The Global Clinical Intelligence Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.Clinical Intelligence, also known as clinical data analytics, is a blend of technologies involving the use of data analysis to improve healthcare delivery. The data is gathered at the time of delivery of care into the information system and then analyzed to determine the performance indicators that may affect the productivity of a healthcare organization. Analyses of clinical data is useful to know the loopholes in the organizations processes that hinders its growth. Various technologies available for clinical intelligence provide data about the factors contributing to the success of delivery of care.The market for clinical intelligence is expected to grow at an exponential rate owing to an increase in the adoption of healthcare IT, urge of the use of Electronic Heath Records (EHR), rising importance of software solutions in insurance claim processing and fraud detection. Furthermore, increasing number of software companies engaged in healthcare IT and EHR influences the market growth across the globe.High cost of clinical intelligence software solutions may restrain the market growth in developing countries.Get a Copy of Sample Report @Key Players in the Global Clinical Intelligence Market IBM (U.S.) Cerner Corporation (U.S.) Epic Systems Corporation (U.S.) Allscripts (U.S.) QSI Management, LLC (U.S.) General Electric Company (U.S.) eClinicalWorks (U.S.) McKesson Corporation (U.S.) Greenway Health, LLC (U.S.)SegmentsThe global clinical intelligence market is segmented on the basis of type, components, application, and end user.On the basis of type, market is segmented into retrospective performance measures & predictive analytics, performance measurement systems, Clinical decision support (CDSS) System, quality improvement, clinical benchmarking, population health management and others. Quality improvement is further segmented into six sigma. Population health management is further segmented into over-utilization of health services and under-utilization of health services.On the basis of component, the market is segmented into software, hardware, and services.On the basis of application, the market is segmented into Clinical, Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) claim, fraud, supply chain, financial management and others.On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into hospital, clinics, TPAs, and others.Regional Analysis of the Global Clinical Intelligence MarketAmerica is the largest market for clinical intelligence owing to an increasing extensive use of software solutions for healthcare administration and available resources. North America accounts for the largest market share owing the presence of major healthcare IT companies enjoying global presence namely IBM, Allscripts, GE Electric Company and QSI Management, LLC. According to National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, patient engagement EHR functionalities became more prevalent in the U.S. hospitals from 2013 to 2015. Furthermore, the use of Decision Support System is found to be increasing among tertiary care centers in the U.S.Europe is the second largest market for clinical intelligence which is estimated to adopt a steady growth in the near future due rising number of healthcare providers using clinical management softwares and technological advancement in healthcare IT especially EHR and patient engagement platform.In Asia Pacific, the market is expected grow at the fastest rate with factors such as rising demand for healthcare IT, increasing healthcare expenditure and rising number of healthcare software solution providers. Furthermore, increasing burden of diseases and increasing demand for patient records management also boost the market growth during the review period.The Middle East & Africa also show a steady rise in the market owing to low demand for healthcare IT, especially in Africa owing to low healthcare expenditure and need for primary care services.Get Discount @ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Clinical Intelligence Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2023 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Snack Food Packaging Market: Repository of Analysis and Information for Every Facet of the Market

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Snack food is becoming a mainstream trend that has gathered force over time and is considered as one of the most preferred form of commodities, hence snack food packaging should be attractive to buyers in order to gain their attention. Shifting preference of consumers for snack foods into meals are changing how restaurants and packaged food manufacturers market food. Packaged food manufacturers stay on top of their changing preferences and needs, mostly for health, value and quality as well. For instance, nearly 80% of consumers looks for best value productsSnack Food Packaging Market: DynamicsThe growing number of nuclear families coupled with increasing disposable incomes has unwrapped tremendous opportunities for the ready to eat snack foods which in turn driven the growth for the global snack food packaging market in the near future. The opportunity to indulge in exotic flavor options at reasonable prices, convenience and changing consumer lifestyle are the major factors that influence the growth of snack food packaging market.Obtain Report Details @The consumers crave for healthier snack food products and they are unwilling to sacrifice flavor as these are now trends in the overall snack food market. Furthermore, the trend of eating snacks in between meals has led to the tremendous demand for the global snack food packaging market.Branding and product innovation act as a decisive factor which has provided impetus to the global snack food packaging market. Manufacturers emphasis on their product offering in order to suit the taste of the consumers and developing new alternatives to provide to geographic specific demand which has expanded their consumer base.Innovations in the global packaging industry, such as sophisticated packaging products which are made of materials such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP), biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET), and cast polypropylene (CPP) has led manufacturers of snack food packaging market to provide attractive and colorful packs to draw attention to consumers.Snack Food Packaging Market: SegmentationOn the basis of material type, the global snack food packaging market is segmented intoPlasticBOPPPolypropylenePolyethyleneLLDPEPolyesterOthersPaperMetalOthersOn the basis of packaging types, the global snack food packaging market is segmented intoFlexible PackagingRigid PackagingOthersOn the basis of application, the global snack food packaging is segmented into,Bakery SnacksCandy & confectionsSavory SnacksNuts & Dried FruitsOthersOn the basis of end-use, the global snack food packaging market is segmented into,RestaurantsFull service restaurantsQuick service restaurantscateringFood truckRequest Sample @Snack Food Packaging Market: Region wise OutlookIn geography, the global snack food packaging market is divided into majorly five regions such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. In the global snack food packaging market, developed countries of North America like U.S, accounts for largest market share which is attributed to the high consumption of consumers as well as stringent government regulations on the safety and the quality of the snack food products.U.S is considered as a mature market for bakery and snack foods and is projected to grow with around 4% throughout 2016 to 2020 and Europe is considered to be the second largest market in the global snack food packaging market. However, outside of the U.S the opportunity to increase the sales of snack foods is also increasing as well. Asia Pacific is expected to be primarily driven mainly by china, Japan and India in the global snack food packaging market.Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness sluggish growth over the forecast period. In Latin America, Brazil, Mexico and rest of Latin America are expected to create market opportunities for companies involved in the global snack food packaging market.Snack Food Packaging Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players who are engaged in manufacturing snack food packaging are Sonoco Products, Sealed Air Corporation, Graham Packaging Holdings, Bemis Company, American Packaging, Bryce Corporation and many others, Swiss pack private limited and many more.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
High Abuse Shrink Bags Market: Comprehensive Evaluation Of The Market Via In-Depth Qualitative Insights

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Shelf life acts as an essential factor among meat packaging manufacturers while choosing packaging bags and films. High-abuse shrink bags are one such solution to extend the shelf life of fresh meat products by offering advanced innovative and patented technology. High abuse shrink bags are designed for surface pasteurization of meat products inside of the packaging.Nowadays, meat packaging manufacturers are more focusing on the designs of packaging in order to sell their products differently as it is highly dependent on the purchasing decision for a positive impact. Further, this led to the specific requirement of packaging films for meat packaging applications.Raw materials play a major role in packaging films in order to gain popularity among meat packaging manufacturers and retailers in the future. For instance, material like Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH), which is highly used in high abuse shrink bags has properties such as high gas barrier, amazing strength and environmentally friendly as compared to other raw materials.Obtain Report Details @High Abuse Shrink Bags Market: Drivers and RestraintsAccording to the U.S Food and drug administration, sales of fresh meat majorly accounts for about 65% of the overall food sales thus creating ample opportunities for high abuse shrink bags consumption, which in turn driving high abuse shrink bags market. Moreover, the food sector coupled with food service restaurants have shown a promising growth in the recent past years which is fueling the growth of meat packaging as well as the high abuse shrink bags market.Food packaging acts majorly driving the growth of the high abuse shrink bags market as flexible packaging accounts for nearly 50% of the total food packaging market. The rise in prices of meat products can be a major challenge to the global high abuse shrink bags market.High Abuse Shrink Bags Market: Region wise OutlookIn terms of geography, the global high abuse shrink bags market is divided into majorly five regions namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Among these regions, North America and Europe are expected to collectively dominate the global high abuse shrink bags market throughout 2016 to 2024.North America, being the largest producer of meat packaging which is attributed to the huge usage of high abuse shrink bags in the developed countries of North America. However, the trend is gradually picking up the pace in developed markets for the global high abuse shrink bags market.Furthermore, Asia Pacific is expected to be primarily driven mainly by china, Japan and India in the global high abuse shrink bags market. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period. In Latin America, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are expected to create market opportunities for companies involved in the high abuse shrink bags market.Request Sample @High Abuse Shrink Bags Market: SegmentationOn the basis of material type, the global high abuse shrink bags market is segmented intoEthylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA)PolyolefinPolyethylene (PE)Polypropylene (PP)Polyester (PET)Polyamide (PA)Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)On the basis of application type, the global high abuse shrink bags market is segmented intoFresh MeatFrozen Fish and Sea FoodNon gassing CheeseNon-ripening cheeseOthersOn the basis of meat type, the global high abuse shrink bags market is segmented intoBeefVealLambPorkOthersHigh Abuse Shrink Bags Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global high abuse shrink bags market includes Bemis Krehalon UK Ltd., Flexopack, Krehalon Industries B.V., EPACKAGING LLC., TDI PACKSYS LLC, Apex Packaging Corporation, Printpack, Fortune Plastics, Novolex, and Berry Plastics Group Incorporated, Fuji Seal International Incorporated, Inteplast Group Limited and many more.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Taiwanese Defense Industry Revenue, Price and Gross Margin Research Report 2022

Taiwanese Defense Industry Market

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SummaryWiseGuyReports published new report, titled Future of the Taiwanese Defense IndustryThe Future of the Taiwanese Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022, published by Strategic Defence Intelligence, provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Taiwans defense expenditure is expected to register a CAGR of 2.90% during the forecast period to reach US$12.1 billion by 2022Taiwans military expenditure stands at US$10.2 billion in 2017 and is projected to register a CAGR of 2.90% during the forecast period to reach US$12.1 billion by 2022. The main factors driving this growth are the rapid modernization of the countrys armed forces in recent years and the Peoples Republic of Chinas (PRC) assertiveness with regards to territorial claims.The capital expenditure allocation, which stood at an average of 17.9% during the historic period, is estimated to increase at an average of 18.8% over the forecast period, primarily due to the countrys procurement contracts of corvettes, diesel-electric submarines, missile defense systems, and multi-role aircraft. Consequently, revenue expenditure is expected to decrease from an average of 82.1% during the historic period to an average of 81.2% over the forecast period.Defense imports are expected to increase over the forecast periodTaiwanese defense imports witnessed substantial growth over the period 20122016. Imports in 2012 were low due to delayed deliveries by the US, which was under pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC), however, to compensate this; Taiwan started importing engines from Germany. During the forecast period, the US is expected to remain the largest exporter of defense equipment as other countries are reluctant to supply military equipment due to pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). The countrys imports were highest in 2014 due to the procurement of air defense systems, missiles, and aircraft...CONTINUEDWise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Bakery Packaging Market : Granular View of The Market from Various End-Use Segments

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Bakery Packaging Market: IntroductionPackaging plays an important role in attracting customers towards the product offered by the manufacturers. Apart from the aforementioned benefit, packaging is also used for protection during transportation, identification and to aid in differentiation of the competitors products available in the market.Demand for bakery packaging is increasing, owing to the attractiveness of organic, healthy and all natural baked products among consumers, which is expected to create a positive impact on the bakery packaging market. Innovation of new flavors and strong ingredients are expected to fuel sales of bakery products that in turn increases sales revenue of bakery packaging.Obtain Report Details @Bakery Packaging: Market DynamicsThe global bakery packaging market is expected to be driven by increasing sales of bakery products, worldwide. Increase in demand for bakery product is attributed to various factors such as increasing shelf life of ready to eat foods, hectic lifestyles and rapid urbanization. Growth of organized retail is a major factor expected to stimulate demand for bakery packaging, owing to the benefit of increasing the shelf life of the product.Most manufacturers of bakery products are inclined to adopt luxury packaging, especially during the festive seasons to enhance their brand name, as luxury packaging aids customers to recall the particular brand. Flexible plastic is gaining traction in the bakery packaging market due to various properties such as light weight, which is expected to fuel demand for flexible plastic in the near futureRequest Sample @Bakery Packaging Market: Regional outlookIn terms of geography, the global bakery packaging market has been divided into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the global bakery packaging market during the forecast period. The markets in Europe and Latin America are expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period.The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to register rapid growth during the same period, owing to factors such as changing lifestyles of the population in the region. Developing economies such as India and China in Asia Pacific is expected to fuel sales of bakery product in the respective countries. The market in Middle East & Africa is expected to witness slow growth during the forecast period.Bakery Packaging Market: Key playersSome of the key players in the global bakery packaging market are Amcor Limited, Bemis Company, Inc., Smurfit Kappa Group, Mondi, Brow Packaging, Genpak, LLC, Reynolds Group Holdings, Sydney Packaging, WestRock, Benson Box, As Food Packaging and NAPCO. The bakery packaging market is fragmented, owing to the presence of local and various multinational companies.Key players are also emphasizing on mergers and acquisitions of local players to increase the product portfolio and penetrate their business into emerging countries. Additionally, companies are increasing their product line to acquire new customers as well as to retain existing customers.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Food Encapsulation Market Key Players and Production Information analysis with Forecast 2024

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Global Food Encapsulation Market: OverviewThe growing emphasis on increasing product appeal by enhancing flavor, taste, and color is one of the vital factors augmenting the global food encapsulation market. There is a widespread adoption of food encapsulation in industries such as beverages, meat, poultry, and seafood. It is also being increasingly used as encapsulated sweeteners in confectionary items such as candies and chewing gums. Moreover, the growing investments in the research and development of food preservatives are working in favor of the growth of the market.Read Report Overview @This market intelligence report on the global food encapsulation market serves as a reliable business tool for both new as well as existing players. It includes an in-depth analysis of the competitive landscape of the market. It profiles the key players in the market along with their business strategies, market shares, and latest development. It performs SWOT analysis that reveals the potential growth trajectory of each prominent player. It provides a detailed description of the market dynamics and the extent to which they impact the growth.Global Food Encapsulation Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rising consumer preference for healthy and convenient food owing to the increasing health consciousness is projected to have a phenomenal impact on the growth of the global food encapsulation market. Changing lifestyles are leading to a wide diversification in food items and are triggering the demand for processed and ready-made meal, thereby driving the demand for food encapsulation. Moreover, the advent of preservation techniques such as nanoencapsulation and microencapsulation technologies is encouraging the growth of the market.However, these technologies are at their nascent stage and the on-going technological advancements are yet to gain significant traction. This is influencing the growth of the market negatively. Furthermore, the difficulty associated with maintaining the stability of encapsulated food especially during processing and packaging is restraining the growth of the market. On the other hand, emerging economies present immense growth opportunities due to the improving economic conditions and rising government support.Request Report Brochure @Global Food Encapsulation Market: Geographical SegmentationThe key regional markets analyzed in the report are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. North America will account for a large share throughout the forecast period. The high availability of shell materials such as hydrocolloid and emulsions and the presence of a large number of manufacturers are contributing to the growth of the region. However, the market in this region is saturated in nature and is, therefore, expected to exhibit a sluggish growth during the same period.Asia Pacific is poised to progress at a noteworthy CAGR during the same period owing to the increasing demand for processed food and flourishing food and beverage industry. The growth of the region is also fuelled by the rapid urbanization, rising disposable income, improving living standards, particularly in emerging countries including China and India. The growth of Europe can be attributed to the increasing advancements in technologies used in the processed food sector.Global Food Encapsulation Market: Competitive LandscapeThe supply chain of the global food encapsulation market comprises of raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, distributors, government authorities, and end users such as industries and researchers. Key players in the market are increasingly focusing on research and development of new products in order to strengthen their foothold across different regions.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Carnauba Wax Market : Influential Factors Determining the Trajectory of the Market.

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Waxes are extensively used by various end user industries. Natural waxes are obtained through ecological process of biogenesis without any involvement of chemical process. Natural waxes can be derived from plant as well as animal source and represents renewable source of wax. Thereby, gaining traction among wax manufacturers.Carnauba wax is plant based resin wax which is obtained from palm leaves of Copernicia prunifera, found exclusively in Brazil. The wax is attained by beating the dried leaves of palm and then refining it. Carnauba wax is considered to be naturally occurring hardest wax. Due to its durability and high melting point, carnauba wax finds extensive use in various sectors such as cosmetics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals among others.Carnauba wax is consist of various exclusive properties such as it swells when exposed to water, has potential to retain oil and exhibits prominent glossy characteristics differentiating it from other naturally occurring wax. Apart from natural source, carnauba wax can also be obtained organically by filtering the highest quality of untreated carnauba wax.Obtain Report Details @Global Carnauba Wax Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing inclination of consumers towards naturally-derived products is driving the market for carnauba wax. Carnauba wax is hypo allergic in nature and easy to swallow hence finds extensive use in pharmaceutical industry for pills coating. As food & beverage industry is under continuous innovation, product such as carnauba wax that exhibit excellent emulsifying properties and binding capacity for oils, are gaining traction.Moreover, due to its high melting point and glossy characteristics it is becoming a desired natural additive choice among manufacturers of cosmetic industry for manufacturing of lip balms, lipsticks, mascaras among others. Thus, broad spectrum applicability of carnauba wax is propelling the market growth. Moreover, due to its hardness and viscosity modifier properties, it is extensively used as polish wax in automobile industry. Carnauba wax is gaining traction among consumers over the bee wax due to broad base of application hence accelerating the market growth.However, the tropical variety of carnauba wax may cause some side effects such as skin rash, contact dermatitis, inflammation of hair follicle. Thereby, restraining the growth of carnauba wax market. Moreover, owing to less commercialisation, carnauba wax market offers low profitability margins to the manufacturers across the globe.Request Sample @Global Carnauba Wax Market: SegmentationWith widespread applications, carnauba wax is used in the manufacturing of chewing gums, coated chocolates, lip balms, lipsticks, and dental floss, owing to its glossy and stabilizing characteristics. Moreover, due to its hardness characteristics it is extensively used as polish wax for car, furniture and surf board.On the basis of end user, carnauba wax market is segmented into:-Food & BeveragesAutomobilesPersonal CarePharmaceuticalOthersOn the basis of source, carnauba wax market is segmented into:-NaturalOrganicOn the basis of form, carnauba wax market is segmented into:-PowderFlakesPelletGlobal Carnauba Wax Market: Region wise OutlookThe global carnauba wax market is categorised into seven regions, namely, Western Europe, Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), , Japan Latin America and, North America. Brazil accounts for the major share of the market as it is exclusively cultivated in the North-eastern Brazil. Asia pacific region is considered to be prominent segment for growth due to opportunistic investment and manufacturing hub for various industries under which carnauba wax finds extensive use. North America exports its major share of carnauba wax from Brazil.Global Organic Hair Care Market: Key PlayersSome of the prominent players identified in the global carnauba wax market includes:Strahl & Pitsch, Inc.Poth Hille & Co LtdKoster Keunen, LLC.CalwaxKahl GmbH & CO. KGFrank B. Ross Co., Inc.Akrochem CorporationAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Organic LED Market 2017-2023 LG, Osram, Samsung Electronics, Panasonic

Organic LED Market

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Organic LED Market Research 2017A market study "Global Organic LED Market" examines the performance of the Organic LED market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Organic LED market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Organic LED market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Organic LED Market 2017 report includes Organic LED market Revenue, market Share, Organic LED industry volume, market Trends, Organic LED Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Organic LED Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Organic LED Market 2017 :LGKoninklijke PhilipsOsramSamsung ElectronicsPanasonicNovaledAu OptronicsCambridge Display TechnologyUniversal DisplayOrganic LED Market : By ApplicationTelevision and MonitorsSmartphonesNotebooks and TabletsAutomotiveOrganic LED Market : By TypePMOLEDAMOLEDFirstly, the report covers the top Organic LED manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Organic LED report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Organic LED industry, Organic LED industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Organic LED Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Organic LED research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Organic LED market revenue worldwide.Finally, Organic LED market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Web:
Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Global Industry Research Report 2017

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingOmronParkeonScheidt & BachmannXeroxAEPDUCATI EnergiaGenfareGRGBankingICAIERSigmaShanghai HuahongOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoFully AutomaticSemi-AutomaticOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, includingRailway StationSubway StationBus StopAirportTable of ContentsGlobal Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Market Report 20171 Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM)1.2 Classification of Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) by Product Category1.2.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Fully Automatic1.2.4 Semi-Automatic1.3 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Railway Station1.3.3 Subway Station1.3.4 Bus Stop1.3.5 Airport1.4 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market by Region1.4.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume) by Application3 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players4.3 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.4 China Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players5.3 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players6.3 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Passenger Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) Sales Volume and Market Share by ApplicationContinue...About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Function as a Service Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast 2025

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/function-as-a-service-market.html

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Transparency Market Research (TMR) observes that competitive landscape in the global Function as a Service (FaaS) is quite dynamic and has a distinct presence of a few big players. Amazon Web Services Inc., Microsoft Corporation, VMware Inc., and Google Inc. are some of the leading players in the global market. As of 2016, these companies held a whopping share of above 80% in the global market. Research and development and mergers and acquisitions are anticipated to be key strategies of these players in the near future.Read Report Overview @According to the research report, the global FaaS market was valued at US$1230.0 mn in 2016 and is expected to be worth US$4280.0 mn by the end of 2025. Over the forecast period of 2017 and 2025, the global market is expected to progress at a CAGR of 15.3%. Among the various end users, the global FaaS market is likely to be driven by the telecommunications segment in the coming years as it is slated to surge at a CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period. From a geographic point of view, the North America FaaS market is estimated to progress at a steady pace in the near future due to strong adoption of technology in the region. As of 2016, this region held a share of 34.0% in the overall market.Possibility of Server-less Computing Draws Attention to FaaS SolutionsThe global FaaS market has been gaining traction in recent years as the service allows end users to conduct programming, manage and run application along with other functionalities without the need to manage services. Thus, the convenience of a platform that eliminates the requirement of building and maintaining infrastructure in developing and run new applications has augmented the demand for FaaS. The biggest advantage of this service is that has considerable reduced the cost of operations for various organizations. The only cost organizations have to bear is that of resource used during execution, as FaaS allows easy to scale independent services triggered to action by events.Request to view Sample Report:Lack of Flexibility within Cloud Environments to Hamper GrowthDespite the strong market drivers the global FaaS market is being stymied by a few factors. Currently, the key restraint in the global market is the inability of FaaS to move data and applications formats from one cloud environment to the other without any disruptions. This could translate into big losses for companies that save data on multiple cloud environments. Thus, this factor anticipated to be a major restraint for the global market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Led Lighting Controllers Market Growth, Size, Trends and Regional Forecast from 2017-2025

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/20116

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/20116

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/led-lighting-controllers-market.asp

www.persistencemarketresearch.com

The research report on the global LED lighting controllers market states that the global market is projected to soar at a stellar CAGR of 17.4% during the forecast period to reach a valuation of above US$ 5 Bn by 2025 end from a value of around US$ 1,400 Mn in 2017.To understand the various aspects of the global LED lighting controllers market, Persistence Market Research recently conducted a research study on LED controllers across the globe and has presented all insights in a research publication titled LED Lighting Controllers Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2025). Several facets of the global market are analyzed across the key regions of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East and Africa (MEA). This reflects an all-inclusive angle of the research with which a realistic picture of the entire market can be drawn. Weighted market segmentation along with extensive analysis on various segments of the global LED lighting controllers market is presented in a systematic and orderly format.Request Sample Report @Several drivers fuelling the growth of the global LED lighting controllers market include rapid development of smart lighting infrastructure, increased adoption of smart lighting solutions in real estate, increasing partnerships with government authorities, various benefits of LED lighting controllers, growing demand for better lighting infrastructure, increasing lighting projects worldwide, increasing green building projects, rising demand for LED lighting controllers in the night club industry, growing applications of lighting solutions in the healthcare industry, increased government spending on smart city projects, rising inclination towards adoption of smart technology products, growing smart street lighting projects, favorable government initiatives and rising adoption of LED lighting controllers in retail stores.Request to view table of content @Challenges faced by wireless lighting control systems such as high maintenance and periodic battery change, less awareness about modern and smart lighting fixtures, challenges associated with centralized lighting control systems and high installation costs are hindering the growth of the global market for LED lighting controllers.The report includes details on key companies operating in the global market. Profiles of companies such as Hubbell Lighting, Inc., GE Lighting, LLC, OSRAM Licht AG, Royal Philips NV, Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc., Eaton Corporation, Schneider Electric S.E, Honeywell International, Lutron Electronics and CREE, Inc., are included in this research study.Read Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Chocolate Market Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2024

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/chocolate-market.html

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1373

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Global Chocolate Market: OverviewOne of the most consumed and popular food product among consumers across the globe is chocolate. Based on the amount of cocoa employed during preparation, different varieties of chocolates are produced globally. As the global chocolate market is highly driven by the taste preferences of consumers, it is imperative that companies focus on product development and marketing strategies to gain a wider consumer base and capture new markets.Read Report Overview @The report presents an in-depth analysis of the growth trajectory of the global chocolate market along with the principal trends. The study also highlights the factors that are likely to affect the global chocolate market in a positive or negative manner. It also evaluates the prime elements at play in the market. To offer a clear outline of the market, the report utilizes Porters five forces analysis and examines the competitive landscape. It also presents an assessment of the products, key strategies, and shares of the companies operating in the global chocolate market. Information on the degree of entry and exit barriers present in the market has also been provided in the intelligence report.Global Chocolate Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe growth of the global chocolate market is primarily driven by the rising awareness among consumers regarding the health benefits associated with cocoa-rich dark chocolates. This trend is anticipated to boost the popularity of chocolate across the globe. The popularity of dark chocolate is expected to rise over the forthcoming years owing to the fact that it helps in preventing cardiac diseases, in addition to other benefits.The growing disposable income of consumers in developing countries of Asia Pacific is one of the primary reasons behind the mounting demand for chocolates. In countries such as South Korea, Japan, India, and China, the presence of regional brands has stirred the sales of chocolates over the last couple of years. Multinational brands such as Ghirardelli, Mars, Ferrero, and Hersheys have also gained popularity in these countries owing to the changing taste preferences and increasing brand loyalty.The demand for chocolate is at its peak during seasonal and festive occasions. The expanding applications of chocolate is another factor that is likely to positively impact the growth of the global chocolate market. However, fluctuating prices of raw materials, especially cocoa, the instability of its supply, and the political instability in cocoa producing countries are likely to restrain the growth of the market over the next couple of years.Request Report Brochure @Global Chocolate Market: Regional OutlookRegion-wise, the global chocolate market is categorized into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Amidst these, Asia Pacific emerged as one of the leading consumers of chocolates due to the rising influence of Western culture and habits in countries in the region. The success of several international chocolate brands is expected to further intensify the demand for chocolate in the region.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe leading companies operating in the global chocolate market are focusing on product differentiation in terms of taste, flavor, and price to gain a strong hold over the market. Some of the key players are Kraft Foods, Nestle SA, Moonstruck Chocolatier Co., Mars Inc., Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., Ferrero Group, and Hershey Foods Corp.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Word Processing Software Market 2017: TextMaker, Google Docs, Ability Write, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect

Word Processing Software Market 2017

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https://goo.gl/yaST7u

The report entitled Global Word Processing Software market 2017 delivers the comprehensive and in-depth research analysis of the key regional market standing of the Word Processing Software trade on a global level. This report especially focuses on the core regions such as North & South America, Europe, Africa, South & Middle East Asia and Australia and also the key countries like (USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Russia, India, China, South Korea and Japan).Get Sample Copy of Report Here:This Word Processing Software market report state and future prospects of the segment have jointly been examined. Additionally, key methods within the Word Processing Software market that features partnerships, product developments, link-ups, and acquisitions, etc., mentioned. Besides, Upstream raw materials, equipment, and downstream consumers analysis is equally carried out. This extensive research encompasses of market profit, sales, Word Processing Software market revenue, potentials, and challenges also project the growth rate. Producers Analysis and prime Sellers of world Word Processing Software Market 2017:1. Microsoft Word2. WordPerfect3. TextMaker4. Google Docs5. Kingsoft Writer6. Ability Write7. RagTimeEnquiry Here: Word Processing Software Market (Type Analysis):- Linux, Macintosh OS, Microsoft Windows Word Processing Software Market (Application Analysis):- Personal Use, Commercial Use, Industrial UseInitially, The Word Processing Software report covers the marketing research and forecast of Word Processing Software Market on a regional also the world level. The Word Processing Software report is generically divided into six components and each half aims at the summary of the Word Processing Software past, present and future conditions of the market, the feasibility of the investment on many methods and policies. Excluding the classification and definition, the Word Processing Software market report conjointly discusses the analysis crucial and export and explain a comparison of the Word Processing Software market that is targeted at the trends and development.Key Emphasizes the Word Processing Software Market:1. Word Processing Software Market evolution for the regional as well as country level segments.2. Depth Analysis of global market forecasts and outlook for 2022, and forecasting of CAGRs through an expected period.3. In-depth analysis of Types/product and applications.4. Competitive mapping the prevailing key trends.5. Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the Word Processing Software market estimations.6. Analyze the crucial market trends and new evolution technologically in the Word Processing Software Market.After that, This Word Processing Software report deals with the precise info on the selling Channels and novel project investments. So the modern professionals and the mainstream industry rival get the direction of these markets trends as well as regional analysis. This report also supports the new entrants, readers, investors and the established players to set up their plans and decide which segment or sub-segment to invest on so as to reap maximum profits.Finally, In Word Processing Software report key details, methods, and variables are examined and also whole helpful data are combined together for the learning and understanding the key facts related the worldwide Word Processing Software market. The Word Processing Software market share and production price with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated into this report.About Us:Business Worldwide is a trusted brand in the research industry with a capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business Worldwide, we believe in building long-term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive, Software and Aerospace.Contact Us:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803
War on cyber-attacks and digital disruption are high business priorities over next three years

http://resources.ftiecla.com/pulse2017/

www.ftiecla.com

Changing business priorities will see a greater emphasis on cybersecurity and digitalisation of processes over the next three years, according to almost 1000 senior executives in a survey by Financial Times | IE Business School Corporate Learning Alliance.The findings come from this years Corporate Learning Pulse, a major leadership study conducted among C-Suite executives, HR and Learning & Development professionals working across multiple business sectors in China, Denmark, France, GCC, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and UK.While the top three business priorities for 2017 were growth, strategy and financial management, the war on cyber-attacks, and the accelerating impact of digital disruption will bring these issues higher in the list of concerns for senior executives in 2018-20.Top 6 business priorities in 2017:1. Market growth2. Strategy development and execution3. Financial management4. Cybersecurity5. Digital adoption6. Leadership developmentTop 6 business priorities over next three years:1. Market growth2. Strategy development and execution3. Cybersecurity4. Digital adoption5. Leadership development6. Financial managementThe dominant fear for companies citing cybersecurity as one of their top concerns is, unsurprisingly, the potential treat from hackers. For businesses having to face up to the effects of digital disruption, the top issues are the cloud and the growing impact of technology. Here, global differences are revealed in the study: executives in China and the Middle East are twice as likely to put digital adoption among the top three issues they expect to tackle over the next three years, compared to their European and Japanese counterparts.Leadership development in a digital worldThe study also focused on attitudes to leadership development and what executive education can bring to business strategy. The need to improve management abilities, and address staff retention and development, are the highest priorities for corporate learning over the next three years. When asked which elements of digital strategy are most important, an understanding of data and analysis of trends ranked highest among the surveys respondents.There is a clear role here for executive education, according to FT | IE Corporate Learning Alliance. While traditionally it is seen as a route to leadership development, corporate learning can place a stronger focus on real-world business challenges. From the findings of this leadership study, a better understanding of the impact of digital adoption will be higher on the agenda for senior executives over the next three years.The 2017 Corporate Learning Pulse survey is the second in a series of annual surveys of C-suite executives, HR and L&D professionals. The report is available atFinancial Times | IE Business School Corporate Learning Alliance was formed in 2015 in response to growing calls for more flexible, practical, relevant and timely corporate learning. A joint venture of the Financial Times and IE Business School, it brings world-renowned business information and journalism, leading academic faculty and a global network of educators to co-create customised corporate learning and leadership development programmes in multiple languages, to almost any sector, anywhere in the world. Through expert learning frameworks, innovation and technology, it focuses on achieving measurable learning outcomes.Financial Times | IE Business School Corporate Learning AllianceOne Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL, UK+44 (0)20 7873 4248Contact:David Wells, Head of Communications, FT | IE Corporate Learning Alliance, +44 (0)7921 582419; david.wells@ftiecla.com
Bio Based Polyethylene Terephthalate Market to grow over 44.2% CAGR up to 2023

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https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/446

https://goo.gl/J25Qdh

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http://marketnewsforecast.blogspot.com

https://www.gminsights.com/

Bio based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market has been gearing up at a fast pace validated from the commendable industry share record over the recent years. In 2015, the market capacity in terms of volume was almost 496 kilotons and in terms of revenue it surpassed the billion-dollar mark. Statistics depict that the industry is set to attain a phenomenal revenue of USD 13 billion by 2023. Emergence of bioplastics as an alternative to conventional packaging in food and beverage industry has prominently catapulted the bio based PET market expansion.Global sustainable packaging market which worth USD 150 billion in 2015, is slated to hit a revenue of USD 250 billion by 2024, projecting a parallel impact on PET market as well. Alongside, stringent governmental norms which have built an awareness among the consumers about the benefits of using ecofriendly products, has also complemented bio based PET market growth chart.Request for a Sample Copy of this Report@The market is also highly influenced by the growing strategic partnerships between the leading market giants. For instance, Toray and the Coca-Cola company have collaborated with bio-based manufacturing units like Virent and Gevo, with an aim to develop 100% bio-based polyethylene terephthalate.Bio-based PET weighs much less in comparison to its fossil fuel counterparts, as a result of which the bio based PET market demand from automotive industry is surging with each passing year. Leading automotive companies which include Nissan, Toyota, AT&T, have announced to implement bioplastics in their advanced vehicle model, which in turn is expected to positively influence bio based polyethylene terephthalate market penetration on technical grounds. The overall market from technical applications is projected to record a shooting CAGR of 35% over 2016-2023.High shatter resistance and light weight characteristic are the major two factors which are driving bio based PET market demand in manufacturing vehicles interior and exterior parts. The U.S. and the European Commission have set norms and standards to improve the fuel efficiency in vehicles which in a way will leave an impact on the market outlook as well.Inquiry Before Buying of this Report@Bottle packaging applications will also account for a major portion of the bio based PET market share in the coming years. The projection can be grounded on the increasing investments in green technology by BRICS nations. Increasing food and beverage consumption in these regions have boosted sustainable packaging adoption in this belt. Australian Packaging Covenants initiations in promoting sustainable packaging have impelled the global market growth.Overall, bio based PET market from bottling applications is anticipated to experience a revenue record of USD 10.5 billion by the end of 2023. Regionally, Europe will observe a substantial growth from this application domain. As per estimation, Europe bottle packaging applications will grow strikingly at a CAGR of 37% over 2016-2023, with a revenue collection of USD 2.3 billion by 2023.Asia Pacific dominated the global bio based polyethylene industry in 2015, by accounting for more than 32.5% of the industry demand. The increasing consumption of carbonated soft drinks and alcoholic beverages in China and India have widened the application scope of the market in this region. The trend is likely to continue in the coming time frame also. Latin America with Brazil at the growth front will also record tremendous gains in bio based PET market with a forecast CAGR of over 46.5% over the period 2016-2023.Browse Report Summery@The decline in crude oil price trends though is favoring synthetic product based market, however growing consumer awareness about greenhouse gas emissions undoubtedly will allow a profitable road map to the bio based PET industry. As per a report by Global Market Insights, Inc., bio based polyethylene terephthalate market is set to record a striking double digit CAGR of more than 40% over the period of 2016-2023.Major competitors of bio based PET industry include Toray Industries, Teijin Limited, Coca-Cola, Plastipak Holdings, Toyota Tsusho, and M&G Chemicals.Read Our Blog:About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:
Basil Oil Market Segmentation and Company Analysis to 2027

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https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=22397

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Basil oil is obtained from the herb known as Ocimum basilicum. Basil oil is known to be originated from Asia -Pacific Islands but is currently grown all over the world. Basil oil is considered to have several beneficial medicinal properties and is traditionally used to treat common ailments cough, allergies, nervous disorders and headaches. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, basil oil is also used to cure cuts and wounds.Read Report Overview @Furthermore, basil oil has a naturally sweet taste and is widely used as a flavor enhancer in food industries. Basil oil is known to have anti-microbial properties and also finds major applications in applications in cosmetics. It is used in skin treatments for cure of acne and other skin infections. It is also used in various hair care products either directly or in the form of blended oil with other medicinal ingredients.Market Segmentation:The segmentation of basil oil market is done on the basis of type, application, and region.On the basis of type, the market is segmented into holy basil, tropical (exotic) basil and Sweet Linalool Basil. Holy basil is native to India and is commonly referred to as Tulsi and is considered a holy plant with a wide variety of medicinal values. Sweet linalool basil is a relatively non-toxic variant of basil oil and is used extensively in the personal care products. Tropical basil oil is characterized by a strong, camphor like aroma and is used as a rejuvenant and to treat respiratory conditions.Based on the applications, basil oil market can be segmented into food & beverage, cosmetics and personal care products, home care products, therapeutic massage oil, pharmaceutical and other Industrial Applications. Basil oil is used in pharmaceuticals because of its properties which include its use in treatment of arthritis, nervous disorders, use as an anti-depressant, against allergies etc. due to all these medicinal properties, the pharmaceutical segment of basil oil products is expected to grow at a strong rate.Market Regional Outlook:Geographically, the global basil oil market can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East and Africa.Asia Pacific is found to be contributing major revenue of basil oil market both in consumption as well as in production. Due to the advantages and wide applications, the demand of basil oil is found to be increasing in North America which will help in increasing the basil oil products demand in the global market.Request Report Brochure @Market Drivers and Trends:Basil oil is used as a massage oil and is known to reduce inflammation and for the treatment of muscle and joint pains. Basil oil is also used in aromatherapy as it helps in reducing stress. Due to the increasingly hectic lifestyle of people and associated health concerns, there is always an increased demand of stress reducing solutions. This plays a major role in strengthening the basil oil product market globally.Basil oil is used in cosmetic products because of its property to promote hair growth and keeping the skin healthy. Women all over the globe have increased the use of cosmetic products which are natural, herbal and do not cause any harmful side effects. Basil oil in its pure form is free of any harmful chemicals which increase their popularity amongst women and also increases the basil oil product demand. Basil oil products are also used in treatment of respiratory disorders. They are widely used in cough syrups in soothing sore throats. The wide applications of basil oil in pharmaceuticals are one of the major key drivers of basil oil market.Basil oil Market Key Players:Some of the key players in basil oil market are Daulos Organic Products, Organic harvest, La Tourangell, HEALTHAID LIMITED, aKARZ, etc. The increasing popularity of herbal and natural products amongst people has made the market demand of existing players prominent and new players are expected to enter the global basil oil market in near future.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Safeguarding the Digital Vault: An Era of Digi Thieves

Countries across the world are working towards forming a digital economy and shaping its future. Digitization and internet connectivity have become the axis of this transformation. This transformation has also created a challenge for the security community to create a robust framework to ensure that digital vaults of the financial institutions are safe and secure. Security has emerged as the principal requirement for digital financial applications.The financial technology (fintech) industry is thriving globally and has received approximately $17.4 billion in investment last year alone. Data privacy, customer trust, and long-term growth all depend on the security of a financial application. As these applications are accessed from numerous devices and through various channels, financial organisations strive hard to implement a foolproof security systems. The evolution of technology has also witnessed the changing threats and risks like the APT (Advanced Persistent Threats), phishing, botnets and mobile malware, jackpotting attacks etc.According to Jordan Savvides, Head of Information Security, National Bank of Bahrain, We will see more APTs (Advanced Persistent Threats) against the Banking Sector through customized Banking Trojans & Malware by exploiting social engineering & phishing techniques to infect the Banks internal corporate network. These type of cyber-attacks are on-going, highly sophisticated, complex targeted stealth attacks that move under the radar, using lateral movement techniques, which makes it practically impossible for traditional signature based cyber-security controls to detect and prevent.He continued Leveraging new banking channels of communication are important to better serve customers, but keeping pace with emerging technologies and their associated threats are also key challenges. Mobile devices and applications are primary examples of the balance between greater efficiency and new kinds of cyber risks. Some financial institutions struggle in this area, while others find ways to combine usability and security. Cyber threat intelligence reveals that phishing, botnets and mobile malware are rated among the most likely threats faced, and also among the ones with the biggest impact. ATM heists are also on the increase as we see cyber criminals employing jackpotting attacks.Organizations and experts across the globe have made financial security their priority and are working towards tackling these threats. There are certain elements of a secure digital economy and some countries have excelled at creating safe and secure digital economies. There are many factors contributing to a secure digital economy such as resilient internet infrastructure, secure business environment, flexibility of the regulatory environment, and international cooperation. These are just a few among other factors. When we talk about individual countries, I think many Asian countries are doing very well is this area such as Singapore, UAE, South Korea, and Japan. Said Riyad Jazmawi, Head of Information Security, INVESTBANK, JordanThe future of the financial organizations could be bright and the digital economy is no longer just a buzz word, and according to Stephane Nappo, Global Chief Information Security Officer & Board Advisor, Societe Generale IBFS the future of the payments industry would have More beautiful innovation for customers with a powerful, but transparent security.Top CISOs, regional and international security experts would be joining the 2nd edition of the FinSec Summit organised by UMS Conferences on the 05th and 06th of March 2018 in Dubai, UAE to discuss the trending technologies, their impact on the finance sector and the security threats and challenges associated with them. This years speakers include Pillairkulam Parthasarathy, Chief Security Officer & SVP, First Abu Dhabi Bank; Dato Arif Siddiqui, Chief Information Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Malaysia; Benild Joseph, President, Information Systems Security Association, India; Stephane Nappo, Global Chief Information Security Officer & Board Advisor, Societe Generale IBFS; Abdul Manan Qureshi, Vice President, Head of Cyber Resilience, Business Continuity & Crisis Management, Riyad Bank and many more.About UMS Conferences:The wholly owned subsidiary of UMS International a multinational media company and publisher of Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, UMS Conferences is the global leader with several summits, conferences, awards and strategic forums which attracts the world's brightest mind and most influential decision-makers.UMS Conferences presents an extensive portfolio of industry-leading and stimulating summits, conferences, awards and expos around the world. Known for building platforms which create value and deliver an unmatched delegate experience, UMS events offer premium branding as well as networking opportunities for partners.With flagship events like UAE India Economic Forum, Arab IPO Summit, CDO Conclave SME Banking Egypt, New Age Banking Summit, our events attract a high caliber of delegates, speakers and partners, who value the knowledge that our events offer. Aligning with our events is a powerful way to engage with this high profile audience and reinforce your expertise and credibility.Office # 802, Tower ONE, World Trade Centre,Pune 411014, Maharashtra, India.
Environmental Consulting Services Market Key Manufacturers and 2025 Forecasts for Global Industry (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa)

ReportsWeb

http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011293188/sample

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Environmental consulting services plays an important role as they have direct impact on environment and quality of life of individual. The environment consulting is the work performed by the geologist and hydro geologist and they are hired by the commercial, government agencies and industrial to provide approval on the wide variety of environmental problem such as delineation, pollutant, toxic substance and hazardous materials. Environmental consulting service includes multi-disciplined staff of scientist, large number of geologist and engineers and some other specialist such as database manager, field technician, and biologist. This services helps in implementation of environment plans and conduct environmental impact assessment. Business owner needs to follow the industry instruction in order to protect their business and the environment. Environmental consulting service includes some of the benefits such as make better informed decision, protect your interest, better regulatory relationship and ongoing assistance. It is used in various sectors such as oil & gas, chemicals & petrochemicals, manufacturing, power & desalination, automotive and others.Request Sample Copy is Available atOne of the major driving factor fueling the growth of environmental consulting service is increasing demand for advisory services mainly in construction and chemical industries for minimizing the environmental consulting service, increases the need for environmental consulting services. In addition to this there are other factor fueling the growth of environmental consulting services are increasing investment in some of the important segments such as chemical, transportation and oil U& gas, increasing risk of environmental damage due to poor compliance levels, waste minimization, site remediation, environmental management, divarication of services in nuclear power plants such as carbon polluting standard and life cycle assessment and increasing focus by the consumer and by the organization on reducing human impact on the environment. However, the factors hindering the growth of environmental consulting service are poor implementation of regulation, low awareness levels, perception among users and lack of penalties by authorities. Waste management consulting service trailed by the environment management is expected to boost the market over the forecasted period.Environmental consulting services is segmented on the basis of Services which includes Consulting Services, Monitoring & Testing Services and Others. Similarly the market is further segmented on the basis of Application such as Air Resource, Water Resource and Soil Resource and the market is further breakdown as Vertical which includes Oil & Gas, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Manufacturing, Power & Desalination, Automotive and Others.Complete Report is Available atThe market is segmented into major regions that include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The major countries included are considered in the scope of the study such as U.S, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Arabia, UAE, South Africa and Brazil. Some of the key players which dominate environmental consulting services market are AECOM., CH2M HILL, Arcadis N.V., Bechtel Corporation., Amec Foster Wheeler Plc, Golder Associates Ltd., ERM Group, Inc., Tetra Tech, Inc., ANTEA GROUP and MWH Global Inc.The "Global Environmental Consulting Services Market Analysis to 2025" is a specialized and in-depth study of the environmental consulting services industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global environmental consulting services market with detailed market segmentation by service, application, vertical and geography. The global environmental consulting services market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Place a Direct Purchase Order of Employment Screening Services Market atContact Us:Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email Id: sales@reportsweb.comAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Green Packaging Market Evolutionary Reach $207,543 Million By 2022

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Green packaging or sustainable packaging is a term used in manufacturing for materials that have low or negligible impact on the environment. It is energy efficient and uses eco-friendly methods, recycled or biodegradable materials. Global green packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.41% from 2016 to 2022 to reach $207,543 million by 2022 from $132,556 million in 2015.For More Info, Get Sample :Owing to rise in awareness among consumers about their health and hygiene, food and beverage segment has generated highest revenue in 2014. Health care segment is anticipated to witness major boost during the forecast period owing to use of bio-plastics in pharmaceutical industries. Recycled content packaging generated highest revenue owing to increase in demand of reusable package components. Europe has dominated the market in 2014, owing to rise in population of health-conscious consumers coupled with eco-friendly technologies.The report segments the market based on application, packaging type, and geography. By application, it includes food & beverage packaging, personal care packaging, health care packaging, and others. By packaging type, it is subcategorized into recycled content packaging (paper, plastic, metal, glass, and others), reusable packaging (drums, plastic containers, and others), and degradable packaging. Geographically, it is analyzed across North America (U.S., Mexico, and Canada), Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA.Major players profiled in this study are: Amcor Limited E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company Mondi Limited Sealed Air Corporation TetraPak International S.A. Ardagh Group Co. PlastiPak Holdings, Inc. Bemis Company, Inc. Uflex limited ELOPAK AS.KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS This report provides quantitative analysis of the current market and estimations for the key market segments during 20142022 to identify the prevailing market opportunities. Porters Five Forces analysis highlights the external factors that affect the market and related companies. Competitive intelligence helps in understanding the global competitive scenario. Comprehensive analysis of the current and the future trends in the global green packaging market are discussed in this report.Enquire About Report :KEY MARKET SEGMENTSBy Packaging Type Recycled Content Packaging Paper Plastic Metal Glass Others Reusable Packaging Drums Plastic Containers Others Degradable PackagingBy Application Food and Beverage Personal Care Health Care OthersAlso Request For Discount :By Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK Germany France Italy Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China India South Korea Japan Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEA Latin America Middle East AfricaOther companies BASF SE Catalyst Paper Clorox Company Berry Plastics TetraLaval Printpack Inc Ball Corporation Innova Films Ltd Phoenix TechnologiesTable Of Content Chapter: 1 INTRODUCTION Chapter: 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Chapter: 3 MARKET OVERVIEW Chapter: 4 GLOBAL GREEN PACKAGING MARKET, BY APPLICATION Chapter: 5 GLOBAL GREEN PACKAGING MARKET BY PACKAGING TYPE Chapter: 6 WORLD GREEN PACKAGING MARKET , BY GEOGRAPHY Chapter: 7 COMPANY PROFILESAbout UsWe have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell our authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation.Contact UsGlobal Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com
Total Value Of The MEMs Sensor Market Will Grow To $58.7 Billion In 2024 | Bosch, Broadcom, Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, Qorvo, HP

Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMs) Sensors

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMs) Sensors: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2018 to 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.The 2018 study has 312 pages, 135 tables and figures. The leading vendors in the MEMs sensor have invested in high-quality technology and processes to develop leading edge monitoring and digital triggering activation capability.Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology is used in the fabrication of inertial sensors, and particularly accelerometers. MEMS accelerometers are used in diverse markets that implement the digital economy. The reason for their success is low price, small size, high reliability, and low power consumption.MEMS accelerometers are replacing traditional electro-mechanical accelerometers because they offer tactical grade performance. They povide the functionality required to measure motion in three-dimensional space. Digital signal processors calibrates the sensors during runtime. They intelligently convert raw sensor data from multiple sensors. The output from MEMs sensors creates application-specific data.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The total value of the MEMs sensor market is $12.5 billion in 2017, up from $10.35 billion in 2016. Markets grow to $58.7 billion in 2024. Growth is a result of the implementation of the digital economy, IoT, robots, drones, self-driving cars, and artificial intelligence. The digital economy rides on the back of MEMs sensors. This is the new world aspect, everything is monitored and activated digitally.MEMs organic volume growth has been relatively slow as existing motion sensor and traditional end-product markets achieve market saturation. There are new and growing opportunities, including the newer IoT applications that are in the early adopter phase. IoT sensors have yet to gain significant market traction but they will, once units are proven in real life situations of the digital economy, self-driving cars, drones, traffic lights, and smart things.MEMS suppliers have a focus on sensor improvement. Power and performance are being improved.Everything will be connected, said SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son, announcing a ARM processor deal in London. Cows will be connected, chickens will be connected, the sheep will be connected.As a significant market does take root, MEMs sensors face the challenge of generating profit above costs. The companies keep prices low to buy customers and spur demand. MEMs vendors seek to be in businesses where there are millions and billions of units.Companies ProfiledMarket Leaders- Bosch- Broadcom- Texas Instruments- STMicroelectronics- Qorvo- Hewlett Packard- Knowles Electronics- Denso- TDK / InvenSense- Qualcom- PanasonicGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Market Participants- Block Engineering- Cymbet- Infineon- JonDeTech- NaugaNeedles- Rogue Valley Microdevices- Senseair Test & Measurement Carbon Dioxide Sensors- Softbank- Structured Materials Industries- Taiwan Semiconductor- Thorlabs- VectornavKey Topics- MEMs Sensors- Micro-electro-mechanical systems- Digital economy- IoT- Internet of Things- Digital monitoring- Digital triggering activation- Smart devices- Smart cities- Smart drones- Smart agriculture- Self-driving carsAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Teleradiology Market Reach $7,345 Million By 2023

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Teleradiology is the branch of telemedicine, which involves transmission of radiological images and related data from one location to another for diagnostic and consulting purpose. It is an advanced technology that has emerged due to the imbalance between demand and availability of diagnostic services. This is evident from the fact that high demand of radiology services in countries such as U.S., Singapore, and UK, were often unfulfilled owing to dearth of skilled and specialized professionals specific to teleradiology. For instance, in U.S., number of CT scans being performed is on an increase over the years, however, there is a persisting shortage of radiologists in the country. In Singapore, there is a paucity of radiologists for night coverage. In the UK, a radiologist takes 21 days on an average to submit an MRI report. All these challenges were met by teleradiology and thereby led to the growth of tele-based technologies and surge in demand for teleradiology techniques globally. The global teleradiology market accounted for $2,143 million in 2016 and is expected to reach $7,345 million by 2023 with a CAGR of 19.0% from 2017-2023.For More Info, Get Sample :Increase in demand of radiological services owing to high prevalence of chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure, orthopedic injuries propel the growth of the teleradiology market. In addition, high government expenditure on healthcare information (HCIT) sector and rise in focus of key players toward bringing innovation to digital diagnostics further fuels the market. However, low availability of broadband networks, and shortage of skilled radiologists restraints the market. Continuous advancements in medical diagnostic technologies provides lucrative opportunities for the growth of the teleradiology market growth during the forecast period.The report segments the teleradiology market based on imaging techniques, technology, and end user. In terms of imaging techniques, the market is segmented into X-rays, computed tomography (CT), ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear imaging, fluoroscopy, mammography, and others. On the basis of technology, the market is classified into hardware, software, and telecom & networking. The software market is bifurcated into picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and radiology information system (RIS). The telecom & networking market is further divided into web-based and cloud-based teleradiology solutions. Based on end user, the market is categorized into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, and others.By geography, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. North America accounted for the highest share in the teleradiology market in 2016, and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period, owing to the presence of well-established healthcare information technology (HCIT) infrastructure in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to emerge as a lucrative area with maximum growth potential, owing to the rapidly developing healthcare infrastructure, rise in medical tourism, and high prevalence of diseases.The key players of the teleradiology market believe in acquisition and expansion to bring innovation to web-based radiological imaging facilities. For instance, in 2015, Mednax, Inc., acquired Virtual Radiologic Corporation (vRad), a telemedicine company. This acquisition was made by Mednax for growth in teleradiology and the broader telemedicine market.KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS The study provides an in-depth analysis of the global teleradiology market and the current trends and future estimations to elucidate the imminent investment pockets. The report presents quantitative analysis of the market from 2016 to 2023 to enable stakeholders to capitalize on the prevailing market opportunities. Extensive analysis of the market based on product assists to understand the trends in the industry. Key market players and their strategies are thoroughly analyzed to understand the competitive outlook of the industry.Enquire About Report :KEY MARKET SEGMENTSBy imaging Techniques X-rays Computed Tomography (CT) Ultrasounds Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Nuclear imaging Fluoroscopy Mammography OthersBy Technology Hardware Software Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Radiology Information System (RIS) Telecom & Networking Web- Based Tele Radiology Solutions Cloud- Based Tele Radiology SolutionsBy End User Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Diagnostic Centers OthersAlso Request For Discount :By Region North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Taiwan Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEA Brazil Turkey Venezuela Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of LAMEAKEY PLAYERS PROFILED Siemens AG Teleradiology Solutions (TRS) Global Diagnostics Limited. Mednax, Inc. Onrad, Inc. Telediagnostics Services Pvt. Ltd. Everlight Radiology Agfa-Gevaert Group Radisphere National Radiology Group, Inc. Fujifilm Medical Systems, Inc.The other players in the value chain include (profiles not included in the report) Cybernet Medical Corporation Spectra AB Medica Reporting Ltd. Teleradiology Solutions, Inc. Radiology Reporting Online (RRO) NightHawk Radiology, Inc. Sectra Imtec AB StatRad, LLC. Ramasift Inc. Alta Vista TeleradiologyTable Of Content CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 3 MARKET OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4 TELERADIOLOGY MARKET, BY IMAGING TECHNIQUE CHAPTER 5 TELERADIOLOGY MARKET, BY TECHNOLOGY CHAPTER 6 TELERADIOLOGY MARKET, BY END USER CHAPTER 7 TELERADIOLOGY MARKET, BY REGION CHAPTER 8 COMPANY PROFILESAbout UsWe have a large database of quality and precise market research reports that will be very beneficial for your organization. Reports that we sell our authentic in nature and from reputed publishers, hence it can definitely help you with your growth opportunities. Research Beam will always make sure to bring most ethical and high quality reports. We value your relationship with us and look forward for a long term relation.Contact UsGlobal Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com
Automotive Alternator Market Investment Research Report 2025

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Automotive alternators are used in new automobiles to power the electrical system and when the engine is running. An alternator supplies the power to run the vehicle ignition, electronics, and lights and to charge the battery. The alternator is one of the most important components of an automotive charging system that powers the engine.An automotive alternator consist of a number of parts including the alternator rotor, the stator, the output diodes, the diode trio, the voltage regulator, the field current supply and the alternator or a battery light. An automotive charging system comprises of three main components including the voltage regulator, an alternator and the battery.The alternator works with the battery to produce power for the electrical parts of a vehicle, such as the instrument panel and the exterior & interior lights. Alternators generates AC power with the help of an electromagnetism mechanism which is produced through the rotor and stator relationship.The electricity is transmitted into the battery, which provides voltage to run the various electrical systems of the vehicle. There are various types of alternators, which are used in the vehicles depends on the make of the car.Obtain Report Details:Luxury cars and emergency vehicles could have high-output alternators because they have electrical systems that require high amounts of electricity such as video systems and luxurious audio.The automotive alternator market is expected to grow due to the growing production of vehicles across the globe. Additionally, increasing adoption of electricity based vehicles due to various environment issues such as rising CO2 emission that cause air pollution, is expected to increase the demand for automotive alternator market.There are various benefits that automotive alternator offers to the different off-roads and emergency vehicles. For instance, off road vehicles, especially those that carry a large amount of snow plow, can benefit from alternators, since vehicle equipped with a snow plow could require a large output alternator since it produces a large drag on the electrical system.Furthermore, the increasing number of hybrid vehicles is expected to hamper the growth of the automotive starter and alternator market. As, the hybrid vehicles use number of motors that ignite with the help of the combustion engine and eliminates automotive starters and alternators.The rise of high output alternators is expected to bring novel opportunities in the automotive alternator market. High output alternator brings in a lot of advantages over traditional alternators. For instance, emergency vehicles, whether ambulance or police, require high amount of power in the engine.They also need to run large number of devices within the vehicle such as emergency medical systems and flashing lights. In previous times, these vehicles used regular alternators which needed to be replaced quite regularly. A high output alternator can handle high electrical demands and doesnt need to be replaced as often.The automotive alternator market is segmented on the basis of alternator type, vehicle type and region. The automotive alternator market on the basis of type is segmented into salient pole type and cylindrical rotor type. On the basis of vehicle type, the automotive alternator market is segmented into light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles.Obtain Report Details:Geographically, the automotive alternator market is segmented into Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa, Asia-pacific and South America. North America and Europe regions are expected to lead due to the technological advancements with respect to the vehicles alternators and increasing production of vehicles across the region. The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow due to the rapidly expanding automobile sector in the countries such as China and India.Some of the key players in the automotive alternator market are Bosch Auto Parts, DENSO, HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc, Elta Automotive Ltd, Prestolite Electric Inc, Motorcar Parts of America, INC., Remy International Inc. and moreThe report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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 TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Insight Report: Foreign Investments In Emerging Markets Analyzes The Importance And Impact Of Foreign Investments In An Emerging Countrys Economic Growth

Foreign Investments in Emerging Markets

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Foreign Investments in Emerging Markets" to its huge collection of research reports.'Insight Report: Foreign Investments in Emerging Markets' analyzes the importance of foreign investment in developing nations in terms of both economic and infrastructural growth.Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a process of direct investment into production or business in a country by an individual or company of another country, either by buying a company in the target country or by expanding the operations of an existing business. The financial liberalization of emerging economies has assisted insurers in developed markets to establish and solidify their footprints in growing markets.The increasing attractiveness of emerging markets can be attributed to factors such as growth in consumer spending, rising equity market returns, greater policy flexibility and the growing middle classes. Less volatile economic growth in comparison to developed nations has strengthened income levels, encouraging investment in financial solutions to safeguard earnings and asset investments.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report also analyzes the developments in foreign investment in each of the emerging nations, highlighting the current trends in investments, the regulatory landscape for foreign insurance in the insurance industry and examples of notable deals that were initiated and committed.Summary'Insight Report: Foreign Investments in Emerging Markets' analyzes the importance and impact of foreign investments in an emerging countrys economic growth. It provides:An overview of the importance of foreign investment in an emerging economyA regional outlook on the highlights of foreign investment activities in emerging economiesRegulatory dynamics regarding foreign investment in each of the listed emerging countriesNotable foreign investments initiated or committed in particular emerging nations across industries, and also specifically in the insurance industryScopeThis report analyzesThe essence of foreign investment in the economic development of emerging nationsContributions of foreign direct investment to the insurance industryCountry-specific trends on the current state of foreign investmentThe regulatory dynamics in emerging countries associated to foreign investmentDeals announced or completedReasons To BuyBuild an understanding about the importance of foreign investments in emerging countries.Develop an insight into foreign investment trends in emerging countries.Develop an understanding on the regulatory dynamics in each of these countries specific to foreign investment in the insurance industry.Gain a snapshot of the important deals initiated and completed in emerging countries.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Key HighlightsThe financial liberalization of emerging economies has assisted insurers in developed markets to establish and solidify their footprints in growing markets.With slow economic growth in developed countries, multinational companies from across the world have started to expand in emerging nations to benefit from high growth prospects.The current trend has highlighted an increased focus on only mergers and acquisitions (M&As) as a part of cross-border investments.Argentina ranks fourth among South American countries in terms of FDI stock after Brazil, Chile and Colombia, and sixth in terms of FDI inflow.The Chinese insurance industrys fast expansion can be attributed to economic growth, and rises in disposable income and consumer awareness of the benefits of insurance.In March 2017, the Indian government proposed plans to increase FDI for insurance brokers from 49% to 100% to strengthen the distribution network, and improve and attract more funds to the sector.About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Metamaterial Technologies Market Rising at 20% CAGR During 2017-2024

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Global Metamaterial Technologies Market is Projected to grow at 20% CAGR during the period 2017-2024. Metamaterial Technologies Industry research report also provides granular analysis of the market share, Size, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market.Growing need to improve the efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells is expected to drive the metamaterial technologies market in the forecast timeframe as the product has the ability to enhance the absorption capacity of solar cells. Rising demand for clean energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and tidal have led to a mounting necessity to increase the efficiency of solar cells. Many companies and research institutes have developed metamaterial products that can collect and absorb light from all angles and useful spectrums.Metamaterial Technologies Market size will surpass USD 2.5 billion by 2024; as per a new research report.Request a Sample Copy of Global Metamaterial Technologies Market Research Report @The price of solar electricity is almost five times higher than that of coal generated electricity. Most of this cost can be attributed to the silicon layers in the solar cells. Adding a metamaterial thin film coating can reduce the price significantly and will make solar cells more affordable. Global solar PV cell revenue was more than USD 110 billion and is projected to increase at a healthy rate driving the overall metamaterial technologies market in the forecast timeframe.The products ability to control the path of light and achieve negative refractive index has been used by the University of Central Florida (UCF) to create the first successful large-area invisibility cloak in 2014. Military and aerospace industries are on a look out for these types of cloaks and this may provide an incredible opportunity for metamaterial technologies market in future.Technical challenges pertaining to development of practical metamaterial products is a major challenge for manufacturers. A product based on these materials can only be successful if it is smaller and more closely packed than the target radiation wavelength. This requires manufactures to invest on technologies that can dynamically change the properties of such materials. Hence, it may take a few years before prototype products based on these materials are fully commercialized for large scale applications and this may hinder the metamaterial technologies market growth slightly in the forecast timeframe.Enquire Discount on Global Metamaterial Technologies Market Research Report @Metamaterial technologies market product segmentation has five categories including radio & microwave, photonic, terahertz, acoustic, and others. Terahertz segment will likely generate revenue above USD 500 million by 2024. This segment will grow at a healthy rate in the forecast years owing to the product usage in security applications and medical imaging. Acoustic segment is anticipated to gain by a CAGR above 20% till 2024. Product demand for applications in audio systems, soundproofing coatings, thermal insulators, heat exchangers, vibration dampers, sonar technologies, etc. will drive the growth of this segment in the forecast timeframe.Acoustic devices, imaging, communication & radar, and solar are the four major applications in the metamaterial technologies market. Acoustic devices application segment is anticipated to gain by a CAGR above 20% in the forecast years. The segments growth will be augmented by their use in sonar avoidance, architectural acoustics, stealth technology, acoustic hyper lenses, etc. Imaging application segment market share is anticipated to cross one fifth of the total market and it will likely grow by CAGR above 21%. The segments growth will be driven due to its advantages over other materials in medical and industrial imaging.For more information on this report, Please visit at:Europe metamaterial technologies market size will likely exceed USD 600 million by the end of 2024. The regional market will be augmented by increased funding by the European Commission on development and research on metamaterial technologies, mostly in solar and optics applications. Latin America metamaterials market will experience gains due to growing information & technology and telecommunications sector. The region will likely generate revenue above USD 30 million by the end of 2024.Metamaterial technologies market is dominated by American companies like Echodyne, Metamagnetics Inc., Kymeta Corporation, and Evolv Technologies. Other key manufacturers include Alight Technologies, Applied EM Inc., Colossal Storage Corporation, Fractal Antenna Systems, Fianium, Inframat Corporation, Medical Wireless Sensing Ltd., Luminus Devices Inc, Nanosteel Company, Sandvik Materials Technology, and Opalux.Order a copy of this premium research report @Related Reports: -Global Digital Printed Wallpaper Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022Digital printed wallpaper refer to murals are printed by digital style, with ultimate scaleabilty and vast color range. Colors and backgrounds can be tweaked to customer specifications from solid color, wood grain, paint drips to camouflage.Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
Global Automotive Filters Market 2017  By Analyzing the Performance of Various Competitors 2024

Global Automotive Filters Market

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WiseGuyReports published new report, titled Global Automotive Filters MarketMarket OverviewGrowing number of vehicles on road and their mass production, push the government to impose stringent vehicle emission norms to reduce the carbon footprint in environment. In order to fulfill the new requirements automobile manufacturers are spending huge amounts on the advancement of automotive fuel filters to keep fuel emission low. Continuous advancement in automotive filters provides the automobile better operational age, performance and preventive maintenance. For instance, in US there is standardization of vehicle emission knows as phase 3A(2010-16) to increase the fuel efficiency up to 35 miles per gallon and SULEV-II which rates the fuel emission systems. Likewise, there is standardization in India known as BS-IV, BS-V and BS-VI. The stringent regulations and norms from the different governments around the world significantly impact the sales of vehicles as well as filters used in the automobiles. Rising sales of commercial vehicles also significantly driven the growth of global automotive filters market. Asia-pacific region witnessed registration of more than 7 million commercial vehicles in 2015, with China dominated the region with 3.5 million registered commercial vehicles. China is expected to register sales up to 30 million units annually by 2020. Rapidly growing automobile industry is creating huge growth opportunities for automotive filters manufacturers and suppliers.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Market Segmentation By Product Typeo Oil Filtero Air Filtero Fuel Filtero Cabin Air Filter By Vehicle Typeo Commercial Vehicleso Passenger Vehicleso Two-wheelers By End Userso OEMS'so AftermarketGrowth Drivers and ChallengesGrowing number of new vehicles on road and rising aging automobile fleets around the world are the major factors driving the growth of automotive filters market. Growing demand for vehicles and existing automobile fleets raised the demand for automotive filters in both OEMs and aftermarkets. New innovations and technological developments of automotive filters are also providing growth opportunities for automotive filters market. For instance, multi-filtration system are introduced which can capture pollens, particulates and active charcoal. These filters help in reducing the contaminant inside automobile cabin that adversely affect the health of passengers inside the vehicle. Major automotive OEMs such as Volvo, had equipped its cars with multi-filtration system that eliminates the hazardous fine dust from entering the car. Stringent government policies to reduce green house gas mitigation in environment also propelling the growth of automotive fuel filters market.For instance, the Euro Emission Standards in Europe, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in United States are some of the stringent norms implemented in developed regions. However, swelling growth in electric power vehicles has impacted the sales of automotive filters adversely in recent years. In 2016, increased sales of electric vehicles in countries such as Japan, Netherlands, Norway and China inversely impacted the sales of automotive filters in these countries. In 2016, China accounted for the largest market for electric vehicles with total sales of more than 650,000 units followed by the European region with total sales of 645,708 plug-in electric vehicles.Market Size and ForecastGlobal automotive filters market accounted for USD 5.9 billion in 2016 and the market is expected to reach USD 8.6 billion by the end of 2024. Further, the market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% over the forecast period i.e. 2016-2024.Geographically, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share of global automotive filters market in 2016. Asia Pacific automotive filters market revenue accounted for more than 40% of total market and expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.0% from 2016 to 2024. APAC is anticipated to reach USD 3.75 billion by 2024 owing to the rapid growth in automotive sector in emerging countries such as India, China and Japan will significantly contribute automotive filters market growth in Asia Pacific. Europe accounted for over 23% market share of overall automotive filters market. The market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period owing to presence of large number of automobile manufacturers and components suppliers. North America being the mature market for automobiles is expected to drive the growth of automotive filters market at considerable rate. Canada, although being smaller market for passenger cars, showcase significant growth potential with 2 million vehicles sold in 2016.Key Market Players Robert Bosch GmbHo Synopsiso Business Strategyo Product Portfolioo SWOT Analysis Toyota Boshoku Cummins Inc., Freudenberg & Co. KG Hengst SE & Co. KG Donaldson Dynamics Clarcor Inc ACDelco Inc. Mahle GmbH Mann+Hummel ALCO filters Denso Corporation Purofil Auto Pvt. Ltd Hollingsworth & Vose Co. Inc. Donaldson Company Inc Valeo..CONTINUEDWise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Venous Stents Market Industry : Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Growth, Market Status, 2017-2025

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Venous Stents Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Venous Stents Market: OverviewThis report on the Global Venous Stents market analyzes the current and future scenario of the global market. Rise in private and public funding for R&D of novel venous stents, increase in prevalence of chronic venous occlusion & other symptomatic venous disorders and their improved diagnosis are boosting the growth of the Global Venous Stents market. Improved access to the deep long veins located in the iliac and femoral portion of the body, and availability of well-qualified interventional cardiologists in the developed countries are some of the factors expected to drive the growth of Global Venous Stents market during the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The venous stents report comprises an elaborate executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments. It also provides information and data analysis of the global market with respect to the segments based on technology, application, disease indication, and geography. A detailed qualitative analysis of drivers and restraints, and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. Additionally, the section comprises exhaustive mapping of all the products & companies operating in the global venous stents market, to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. An overview of critical venous diseases such as May-Thurner Syndrome and Post Thrombotic Syndrome in terms of their prevalence, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment options are provided. A brief snapshot of ongoing clinical trials in the U.S. is also provided for better understanding of venous stents scenario in the U.S. This report also provides market attractiveness and its analysis in terms of geography and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the Global Venous Stents market.Global Venous Stents Market: SegmentationBased on the technology, the Venous Stents market has been segmented into Iliac vein Stent Technology, Wallstent Technology, and Others. Iliac Vein Stent Technology is considered to be a leading segment of Venous Stents market, owing to the improved access to the deep veins of iliac area. It is expected to continue to dominate the market in terms of revenue by 2025, which is attributed to the increasing investments by key players for the development of venous stents. The market size and forecast for each of these segments have been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year.Make an Enquiry about TOC @Based on disease indication, the global Venous Stents market is segmented into 5 major segments, which are Chronic Deep Vein Thrombosis, Post Thrombotic Syndrome, May-Thurner Syndrome, Hemodialysis/Arteriovenous Fistulae, and Others. Other disease segment comprised of venous anastomosis, restenosis, and venous occlusions among others. The others segment is anticipated to lead the market during the forecast period, owing to the government participation in the control of venous disorders, and research grants by public & private players to promote the R&D of innovative venous stents.Global Venous Stents Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global Venous Stents has been categorized into five major regions and the key countries in the respective region: North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (India, China, Australia, and Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America) and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Israel, and Rest of Middle East & Africa).Global Venous Stents Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also profiles major players in the Global Venous Stents based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report include Boston Scientific Corporation, C. R. Bard, Inc., Jotec GmBH, Veniti, Inc., Gore Medical, Cook Medical, and Optimed Medizinische Instrumente GmBH.About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.us
Consumer Electronics Industry Revenue, Price and Gross Margin Research Report 2020

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Growing awareness about the benefits of electronic devices will also be a key factor strongly supporting the market growth. Rising popularity of the connected homes concept is likely to push the demand for smart home devices over the forecast period. Smart mobile devices, kitchen appliances, HVAC systems, and intelligent security systems will especially gain traction within the next few years. With rising government support to digitalization of a variety of services, the market is likely to witness surging promotion and adoption of consumer electronics. Moreover, technological advancements and consistent R&D leading to new product launches will boost the market growth during the forecast period.Relatively lower technological awareness among consumers in developing regions and higher costs of electronic devices currently available in the market may collectively continue to create a barrier to the growth of the global consumer electronics market. Recently identified quality issues and technological hazards, especially in smartphones, also play a key role in restricting adoption of smart consumer devices on a global level.Request Sample Report @By device type, the global consumer electronics market is segmented into consumer electronic device, wearable device, and smart home device. The three key categories are further sub-segmented. Among these, the consumer electronic device segment will remain dominant with over 97% share of the global market by the end of the forecast period. On the other hand, the smart home device segment is poised to expand at the fastest CAGR through the forecast period. This segment will, however, continue to attract the maximum revenues from smartphones sub-segment, followed by PCs sub-segment.Based on region, the global consumer electronics market is classified as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, and MEA. APEJ is anticipated to retain dominance with over 31% market value share by 2020 end. While North America followed by Europe, will be the next major markets, APEJ market is foreseen to witness the fastest CAGR.Request to view table of content @Persistence Market Research indicates staggering growth prospects for the global consumer electronics market. The market is expected to approach a value of US$ 1,712.9 Bn by 2016 end, which may raise at a CAGR of 15.4% over the next four years. Smartphones will remain the dominant consumer electronics product type, whereas Asia Pacific will continue to be the leading region over 2016-2020.The middle-class population is increasing worldwide, since the past few years. Moreover, urban consumers have been indicating a shift in lifestyle. Growing preference for usage of electronic devices in daily chores is primarily driving the market for consumer electronics. Soaring Internet penetration and increasing disposable income are allowing consumers to use multiple electronic devices. This will continue to fuel the market growth over the next few years. Rapid adoption within a short span from their inception is a prominent factor indicating the potential of wearable electronics adoption.Read Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
ROADM WSS Component Market - Projection Of Each Major Segment Over The Forecast Period

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ROADM is a system that allows flexible, precise, and remote selection of wavelengths transiting a given intermediate node on network for dropping or adding. ROADM components allow access to any wavelength passing through node. This can be done for adding or modifying the data before transmitting to the next node. ROADM components also allows interconnection of multiple intersecting networks at optical level preventing the expense and complexity of OEO conversions to setting up interconnection.Obtain Report Details @The key factor contributing to growth of ROADM WSS component market is the growing demand for dynamic ROADMs. Global market is also experiencing an upsurge in the demand for adoption of wavelength selective switches (WSS) enabled ROADMs. However, product cost and quality are some of the major challenges faced by this industry that can hinder its growth rate. Growth of WSS market slowed down during past few months as a result of excessive supply chain inventory; however, this market is expected to resume growth in the near future as a result of surging demand for technologically improved components.Market SegmentationBased on ProductPLC Based ROADMsBlocker Based ROADMsWavelength Selective Switches (WSS)Edge ROADMs (ER)Based on ApplicationDegree Two NodeDegree Three NodeMultiple Degree NodeThis research report analyzes this market based on its market segments and major geographies likeNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificRest of the WorldThis report includes complete analysis of current market trends, industry growth drivers, market restraints, market structure, and market predictions for near future. Report also includes analysis of Porters five force model, technological developments in this market, and detailed company profiles of top market players. This report provides evaluation of micro and macro factors essential for existing market players and new entrants with value chain analysis.Request a PDF Sample for this Research Report @Some of the key players dominating this market are AC Photonics Inc., Active Optical MEMS Inc., Aegis Lightwave Inc., Agiltron Inc., Alliance Fiber Optic Products, ANdevices, AOC Technologies, Auxora Inc., Avanex Corporation, Avo Photonics, Capella Photonics, Clarendon Photonics, CoAdna Photonics, Corning, Corrigent, Cube Optics AG, DiCon Fiberoptics, DuPont Photonics Technologies, Emit Technology Co. Ltd., Enablence Technologies, Engana Pty. Ltd., Fibernett Co. Ltd., Finisar Corporation, Kamelian, Lambda Optical Systems, LightComm Technology, LIGHTCONNECT Inc, Lightwaves2020 Inc., Lynx Photonic Networks, Mahi Networks, Metconnex, NeoPhotonics, Network Photonics, O-Net Communications Ltd., Oplink Communications Inc., Optium Technologies, Optoplex, OpTun Inc., SDO Communications Corp., Shenzhen Hi-Optel Technology Co. Ltd., Silicon Light Machines, Sinclair Manufacturing Company, SpectraSwitch, Stratos International Inc., TeraXion Inc., The Fibers Inc., Valdor Fiber Optics, Xerox, and others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendationsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
North America Ignition Interlock Devices Market : Granular View of The Market from Various End-Use Segments

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) announces the release of its latest report titled North America Market Study on Ignition Interlock Devices: Increasing Incidences of DUI to Catalyze IID Demand in North America . According to the report, the North America ignition interlock devices market has been estimated to account for US$ 35.1 Mn by 2015 end and is expected to reach US$ 48.8 Mn by 2021 at CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.In this report, the market has been segmented on the basis of technology, end use, and country. Each country is further segmented on the basis of technology and end-use.By technology, the market is segmented into two types, i.e., fuel cell technology and semiconductor technology. The fuel cell technology segment has been estimated to dominate the North America ignition interlock devices market, with the revenue share of 96.2% by 2015 end. This growth can be attributed to alcohol-specific judgment offered by fuel cell technology, high accuracy, calibration stability, and durability.Request Sample Report @In terms of end use, ignition interlock devices market in North America is classified as compliance segment and commercial segment. Compliance segment includes users of ignition interlock devices who are convicted in DUI incidences. Compliance segment has been estimated to account for approximately 97.3% of the total market revenue by 2015 end and is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. The commercial segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 2% in terms of value during the forecast period.In North America market, the semiconductor technology segment has been estimated to account for a miniscule share of 3.8% by 2015 end and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 1.4% during the forecast period owing to economical pricing as compared to fuel cell technology.Ignition interlock devices North America market is mainly driven by stringent NHTSA regulation against drunk driving, voluntary use of ignition interlock devices by commercial fleet owners as a preventive measure against drunk driving, reduction in driving license suspension period of convicted driver using of ignition interlock devices, state ignition interlock programs etc.Request to view table of content @Involvement of social organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) or Fathers Against Drunk Driving (FADD) has been contributing significantly to increased demand for ignition interlock devices in North America.However, launch of inbuilt ignition interlock systems by OEMs such as Volvo, or introduction of newer technologies  such as Sober Steering Companys sensor technology which allows driver to confirm sobriety by placing a hand on a sensor pad attached to the dashboard or steering wheel  could pose a major threat to growth of the overall ignition interlock devices market. Social awkwardness caused while using a device in public could also pose as a restraint.Country-wise, the U.S. has been estimated to dominate the North America ignition interlock devices market by 2015 end and is expected to expand at CAGR of 6.8% in terms of volume during the forecast period. This can mainly attribute to ignition interlock programs in each state in the U.S.Key market players are focusing on offering added features such as sleep mode (to save vehicle battery power), GPS tracker, real-time monitoring, and camera in ignition interlock device to enable efficient and accurate monitoring. Companies primarily promote their product through tie-ups with DUI attorneys, referral programs, and involvement with social organizations. Key market players in the North America ignition interlock device market include Smartstart Inc., Lifesafer Inc., Alcohol Countermeasure Systems,Read Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Electronic Stability Control System Market Global Research Report 2017 Analysis & Forecast to 2023

Electronic Stability Control System Market 2017

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Electronic Stability Control System Market 2017Global Electronic Stability Control System Market Information Report, By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicle and Heavy Commercial Vehicle), By Drive Type (Rear Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive, and All Wheel Drive), and By Region - Forecast To 2023Market Synopsis of Global Electronic Stability Control System MarketElectronic stability control systems considerably enhance stability and control in vehicles in critical situations. These systems use computer control for individual wheel brakes to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle during extreme movements. This is done by keeping the vehicle headed in the direction the driver is steering even when the vehicle nears or reaches the limits of road traction. ESC is therefore expected to have a substantial positive effect on road safety. Electronic stability control systems have a variety of names, including Dynamic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, StabiliTrak, and Advance Trac.Hence, global automotive electronic stability control systems market is expected to grow at 8.9% CAGR during the forecast period.The prominent players in the electronic stability control system market include Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Johnson Electric. (Hong Kong), TRW Automotive Holdings (U.S.), Continental AG (Germany), Delphi Automotive (U.K.), Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. (Japan), Autoliv Inc. (Sweden), Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd (Japan), WABCO Holdings Inc. (U.S.), and Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Japan),.Request For Sample Report @Geographically, the global electronic stability control system market has been divided as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. North America, of all the regions, has accounted for the largest market share, in 2016, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Increasing production of technologically advanced vehicle, and growing investment in R&D in automotive industry, are driving the growth of the market in North America. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the increasing automotive manufacturing activities. Increasing disposable income among individuals and the rising demand for luxury vehicles, are also fueling the market growth. China is the major market in Asia Pacific region. It has emerged as one of the leading markets for electric cars in terms of sales. And as per government reforms, the country has planned to ban the sales of all the petrol and diesel vehicles by 2019. However, the demand for electric car is expected to rise in the future, which will also increase the market growth. Moreover, Japan, Singapore and South Korea governments, are also planning to take such initiatives.For the purpose of this study, the global electronic stability control systems market has been segmented by vehicle type, and by drive type. By vehicle type, the market has been segmented as passenger car, light commercial vehicle and heavy commercial vehicles of which passenger cars account the largest market followed by LMV and HMV. The passenger vehicle, which essentially carries many passengers, accounts for almost 66% of the global vehicle production. With the rise in income levels, the passenger vehicle segment has witnessed a significant rise in production and sales. Light commercial vehicle segment is the second largest segment in terms of value. A commercial vehicle is basically a motor vehicle utilized for the purpose of transporting goods or paid passengers. Light commercial vehicles include pickup trucks, and vans. On the basis of drive type, the market has been segmented as rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, and all-wheel drive. The rear wheel drive segment dominates the drive type segment of the market. The all-wheel drive segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Rise in both production of all-wheel drive vehicles and safety concerns among the consumers in North America and Europe, are driving the demand of this segment.The report for Global Electronic Stability Control System Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Complete Report Details @Table of Contents1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodology3 Market Dynamics4 Global Electronic Stability Control System Market, By Vehicle Type5 Global Electronic Stability Control System Market, By Drive Type6 Regional Market Analysis7 Competitive AnalysisContinued.About Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have the prime objective to provide optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies depending on products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments enables our clients to know more consequently do more, which gives them answer for their each and every important question. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industryCONTACT US:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
US Haircare Market Size, Trends and Forecasts (2017-2021)

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"The Report US Haircare Market Size, Trends and Forecasts (2017-2021) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"This industry profile helps to gain an insight into the evolution of the industry and competitive dynamics prevalent in the market. It discusses the significant developments in the industry and analyzes the key trends and issues. The profile provides inputs in strategic business planning of industry professionals.This profile is of immense help to management consultants, analysts, market research organizations and corporate advisors.View Report @The objective and scope of various sections of our industry profile has been discussed below.Industry SnapshotThis section gives a holistic overview of the industry. It starts with defining the market and goes on to give historical and current market size figures. It also clearly illustrates the major segments of the market which would be discussed later on in the report.Industry AnalysisIt involves a comprehensive analysis of the industry and its market segments. This section discusses the key developments that have taken place in the industry. It also identifies and analyzes the driving factors and challenges of the industry. A description of the regulatory structure tells us about the major regulatory bodies, laws and government policies.Get Sample Copy Of This ReportCountry AnalysisThis section presents the key facts & figures of the country. It also discusses the political environment and the macroeconomic indicators. It analyzes government stability and economic growth of the country.Competitor AssessmentThis section compares the major competitors in the industry. The Competitors At-a-Glance is aimed at giving an overview of the competitive landscape in the industry.Company ProfilesThe major companies are profiled in this section. For each company, business description is given followed by financial highlights and recent developments.Industry OutlookThis section presents the outlook of the industry. The projections help us in evaluating the future of the industry. It gives an insight into the investment opportunities present in the sector.Send An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1. US Haircare Market Snapshot1.1 Industry Definition1.2 SIC Classification1.3 Haircare Market Overview1.4 Haircare Market Segments2. US Haircare Industry Analysis2.1 Industry Developments2.2 Regulatory Structure2.3 Market Drivers2.4 Key Issues3. Country Analysis3.1 Key Facts3.2 Political Environment3.3 Macro-economic Indicators4. US Haircare Market Competition Assessment4.1 Competitive Scenario4.2 Competitors At-a-Glance4.3 Sales and Earnings Analysis5. Company Profiles of Leading Players6. US Haircare Market ForecastMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Global Lingerie Market Likely To Touch Value of Worth US$55.83 bn by the End of 2024

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A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine Lingerie Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Request to View Sample Report @Lingerie market has been growing at a steady rate over the past few years as lingerie is considered to be a necessity to every woman across the globe. The dependency on lingerie for functional as we as for fashion purposes has been propelling the growth of the market in recent years. Owing to these reasons, the report states that the global lingerie market was valued at US$33.18 bn in 2015 and is expected to be worth US$55.83 bn by the end of 2024. The global market is estimated to rise at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period of 2016 and 2024 due to various growth drivers that have been carefully studied in this research report.Availability of Broad Product Range to Fuel Growth of Lingerie MarketThe global lingerie market is expected to grow at a steady pace due to the wide availability of these products. Today, lingerie can be bought online as well as through retail stores. With the help of accurate size charts and description lingerie can be purchased through online shopping with the option of exchanging or returning it if it does not fit. Thus, the convenience of shopping has also boosted the growth of the global market. Analysts state that the broad product range that suits every budget has also lured in bigger consumer base in the global lingerie market. Furthermore, continuous efforts to improve the materials used for making various types of lingerie, research and development, and strong branding have all favored the growth of the global market in recent years.On the basis of product types, the global lingerie market is segmented into bra, knickers and panties, loungewear, shape wear and others. The report indicates that the bra segment holds the biggest share in the global market due to its indispensable usage. The knickers and panties segment too is expected to make a significant contribution to the overall market as these are considered essential items of an attire as well.View Detail Report with Table of Content @On the basis of distribution channel, the market is segmented into channel into online stores and storefront. Online stores dominated the global lingerie market in 2015 as they offer convenience, varieties, wide range of discounts, offers, and coupons. Online stores are gaining importance due to penetration of internet that provides a strong platform to the customers to make easy purchases. Further, the due to the rapid penetration of premium range of smart phones among the young population is expected to drive the e-commerce segment thereby promoting online retail.Store front refer to shopping within supermarkets and hypermarkets and departmental and convenience stores. The emergence of online shopping and e-commerce is going to weigh down on this segment in both developing as well as developed countries. However, the adult female population that is not yet familiar with using technology for making purchases is expected to drive this segment in the coming years. A strong presence of a fashion-conscious female population is expected to drive this regional market in the near future.Europe to Lead Global Market with Presence of Fashion-conscious ConsumersIn terms of geography, the global lingerie market sprawls over regions such as Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Analysts project that Europe is expected to lead the global lingerie market in the coming few years.The key players operating in the global lingerie market are Jockey International Inc., Wisconsin, Hanes, Groupe Chantelle, LVMH, L Brands Inc., MAS Holdings Limited, Ann Summers, Marks and Spencer, and PVH Corporation among others.Send an Inquiry @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Explored in latest research Cold Seal Adhesives Market Size & Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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The report analyzes and presents an overview of "Cold Seal Adhesives Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" worldwide.The main objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the global Cold Seal Adhesives market on the basis of types of applications, major sectors, deployment models, organization size, and regions. The report contains an analysis of the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges). It aims to strategically analyze the micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market. The report attempts to forecast the market size for 5 major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. It contains key vendor profiles and comprehensively analyzes their core competencies. The report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments, including partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the market.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @An adhesive is a material that is used to bond two surfaces together. It is a non-metallic material that connects two surfaces/substrates with adhesive and cohesive forces. Adhesive forces are employed to keep the adhesive as well as substrate together, while cohesive forces maintain the molecular attraction within the adhesive. Cold seal is a sealing process implemented by an application of pressure at room temperature with usage of no heat or minimal heat. Cold seal adhesives are water-based emulsion polymers that form a strong bond at room temperature with the least pressure. They are special category of pressure-sensitive adhesive. They are also referred as self-seal or cohesive seals. Cold seal adhesives are manufactured using a composition of copolymers and natural rubber latex. Such composition exhibits enhanced properties such as excellent printability, low odor, aggressive tack or low tack, product resistance, and longer shelf life.The global cold seal adhesives market is primarily driven by the increase in demand for packaging in food and bakery, hygiene, and medical industries. Cold seal adhesives offer properties such as aroma retention and heat insulation; therefore, demand for cold seal adhesives has been increasing. Rise in consumption of cold seal adhesives in the printing industry is expected to fuel the market. Cold seal adhesives are employed in branding and labelling of goods due to their excellent printing ability. Furthermore, increase in per capita income and rise in awareness about health care are boosting the cold seal adhesives market in developing economies. New emerging applications and increasing demand for lightweight products are estimated to provide lucrative opportunities for the cold seal adhesives market. However, volatility in feedstock prices and implementation of regulations against volatile organic compounds are likely to hamper the cold seal adhesives market.In terms of application, the cold seal adhesives market can be divided into envelopes, seal bags, bandages, wrappers, labels, and others. The wrappers segment holds significant share of the cold seal adhesives market, owing to excellent shear stability for good coat-ability. Cold seal adhesives are primarily used for packaging purpose. They are used in bandages due to their characteristic of easy cleaning up process as compared to natural latex products.View Report @Based on end-use industry, the cold seal adhesives market can be segmented into food and bakery, hygiene, medical, and others. Cold seal adhesives are widely used in the food and bakery industry owing to their rapid adhering and peeling properties. They are used for snack food packaging, frozen food packaging, and confectionary packaging in order to retain the food bearing properties and ensure longer shelf life. Cold seal adhesives are also designed for packaging heat-sensitive food items such as candies, ice creams, and chocolates. The hygiene segment accounts for key share of the cold seal adhesives market due to the increase in demand for protective packaging.In terms of geography, the cold seal adhesives market can be segregated into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand rapidly due to the rise in consumption of packaged food in countries such as China, Japan, and India. North America and Europe also hold significant share of the market owing to the increase in awareness about health and environment.Key players operating in the global cold seal adhesives market include The Dow Chemical Company, Henkel Corporation, Valpac Inc., Bostik Smart Adhesives, and Ashland Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request For Enquiry @ The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Check Discount @Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Explored in latest research Coal Liquefaction Market Size & Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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The report analyzes and presents an overview of "Coal Liquefaction Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" worldwide.The main objective of this report is to define, describe, and forecast the global Coal Liquefaction market on the basis of types of applications, major sectors, deployment models, organization size, and regions. The report contains an analysis of the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges). It aims to strategically analyze the micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market. The report attempts to forecast the market size for 5 major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. It contains key vendor profiles and comprehensively analyzes their core competencies. The report also tracks and analyzes competitive developments, including partnerships, collaborations, acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the market.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Large quantities of coal deposits are available around the globe. Thus, global demand for energy could be met by the usage of coal. The process of converting coal into liquid hydrocarbons such as petrochemicals and liquid fuels is termed as coal liquefaction. The key purpose of coal liquefaction lies in generation and production of synthetic oil, which is a partial substitute resource for aromatic hydrocarbons. They are used as a feedstock used in organic chemical industry. Commercialization of coal liquefaction has been taking place across the globe in order to meet the rising demand for energy.The coal liquefaction market can be segmented based on type of liquefaction process, application, by-product, and region. Specific liquefaction processes are of two categories: direct coal liquefaction (DCL) and indirect coal liquefaction (ICL). Direct coal liquefaction process is based on approaches such as pyrolysis, carbonization, and hydrogenation. Indirect coal liquefaction occurs in multiple phases, which primarily produce syngas. It is then further modified to obtain liquid hydrocarbons. Byproducts obtained from liquefaction processes include lubricants, alternative liquid fuels, synthetic wax, chemical feedstock, and ultra clean diesel. Syngas generated through the Fischer Tropsch (F-T) technique is used in chemicals, wax, power generation, and biofuels. The methanol to gasification (MTG) technique is usually employed for manufacturing LPG from coal in industrial scale that can be utilized in modified transportation vehicles and heating and cooking processes. Newer technologies and advancements are being introduced for efficient and effective coal liquefaction processes.Coal liquefaction provides various benefits. It helps reduce dependency of energy on import of oil and gas. In terms of power generation, coal liquefaction is considered less expensive. Infrastructure and logistical requirements for processing and transportation of coal are lower than that for other fossil fuels such as oil and gas. By-products obtained after several processes of coal liquefaction are higher in number. Coal liquefaction, if processed systematically, is expected to lower environments hazards.View Report @ The coal liquefaction market also has certain restraints. These include environmental pollution if coal is burned in the atmosphere. Coal liquefaction may cause health problems and optimum air quality issues if handled inappropriately. Risk associated with soil and water contamination in the process of coal liquefaction is high. High capital investment in setting up liquefaction plants and technology implementation are also hampering the coal liquefaction market.In terms of region, owing to technological advancements and geological characteristics of North America, surplus amounts of coal mining is leading to an increase in demand for coal liquefaction market. Countries in Asia Pacific such as India, China, Japan, and Australia produce high quality and surplus amount of coal. The market for coal liquefaction in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand significantly in the near future. Countries in Europe such as the U.K. and Germany have increased coal mining. This is likely to boost the coal liquefaction market in the region. Demand for coal liquefaction is expected to increase substantially in Mexico in Latin America. Demand for coal liquefaction is also anticipated to rise in Africa, especially in South Africa, due to the increase in coal mining activities.Key players operating in the coal liquefaction market include Chevron Corporation, Pall Corporation, Shenhua Group, Yankuang Company, and Jincheng Anthracite Mining Group.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request For Enquiry @ The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Check Discount @Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact usMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
LVDT Sensors Market - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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HTF MI recently broadcasted a new study in its database that highlights the in-depth market analysis with future prospects of LVDT Sensors market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, industry executives and other key people get ready-to-access and self analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. Some of the key players mentioned in this research are Honeywell, LORD MicroStrain, Texas Instruments, OMEGA Engineering, TE Connectivity, Applied Measurements, RDP Electronics, Keyence, Micro-Epsilon, Omni Instruments & Active Sensors.Get customization & check discount for report @The research covers the current market size of the Global LVDT Sensors market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also covers various types of segmentation such as by geography [United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea & Taiwan], by product /end user type [AC LVDTs, DC LVDTs & Spring Loaded LVDTs / Gageheads], by applications [Automotive, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer Electronics, Medical Equipments, Industrial Equipments & Other] in overall market. The in-depth information by segments of LVDT Sensors market helps monitor performance & make critical decisions for growth and profitability. It provides information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global LVDT Sensors Market.This study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of Global LVDT Sensors Market, some of them are Honeywell, LORD MicroStrain, Texas Instruments, OMEGA Engineering, TE Connectivity, Applied Measurements, RDP Electronics, Keyence, Micro-Epsilon, Omni Instruments & Active Sensors. The market competition is constantly growing higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new vendor entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global LVDT Sensors (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as AC LVDTs, DC LVDTs & Spring Loaded LVDTs / GageheadsMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022AC LVDTs xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%DC LVDTs xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Spring Loaded LVDTs / Gageheads xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application such as Automotive, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer Electronics, Medical Equipments, Industrial Equipments & Other with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global LVDT Sensors (Thousands Units) by Application (2017-2022)Market Segment by Application 2012 2017 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CAGR (%)(2017-2022)Automotive xx xx xx xx% xx%Aerospace & Defence xx xx xx xx% xx%Consumer Electronics xx xx xx xx% xx%Medical Equipments xx xx xx xx% xx%Industrial Equipments xx xx xx xx% xx%Other xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of LVDT Sensors in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2017 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2017-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%EU xx xx xx xx% xx%China xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx%South Korea xx xx xx xx% xx%Taiwan xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global LVDT Sensors Market Research Report 2017What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global LVDT Sensors marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global LVDT Sensors market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global LVDT Sensors market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global LVDT Sensors market?Buy PDF version of this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global LVDT Sensors market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of LVDT Sensors , Applications of LVDT Sensors , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of LVDT Sensors , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea & Taiwan, LVDT Sensors Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the LVDT Sensors Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of LVDT Sensors ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [AC LVDTs, DC LVDTs & Spring Loaded LVDTs / Gageheads], Market Trend by Application [Automotive, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer Electronics, Medical Equipments, Industrial Equipments & Other];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of LVDT Sensors ;Chapter 12, to describe LVDT Sensors Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe LVDT Sensors sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get Access to sample pages @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report globalresearch and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunitiesbut to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depthand breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality.Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides ourclients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast inevery industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish theirGoals & Objectives.HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Global Hydroxycarbamide Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

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"The Report Global Hydroxycarbamide Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Hydroxycarbamide MarketHydroxycarbamide, also known as hydroxyurea, is a medication used in sickle-cell disease, chronic myelogenous leukemia, cervical cancer, and polycythemia vera. In sickle-cell disease it decreases the number of attacks. It is taken by mouth.Get Sample copy of this Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Hydroxycarbamide in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversBristol Myers SquibbTaj PharmaBeijing Jialin PharmaQilu PharmaceuticalTeva PharmaCiplaZydus CadilaUnited BiotechPar PharmaKhandelwal LaboratoriesAlkem (Cytomed)Samarth PharmaVHB Life SciencesMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)View Report @Market Segment by Type, coversCapsuleTabletMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoSickle Cell DiseaseCancerOtherThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Hydroxycarbamide market.Chapter 1, to describe Hydroxycarbamide Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Hydroxycarbamide, with sales, revenue, and price of Hydroxycarbamide, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Hydroxycarbamide, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Hydroxycarbamide market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Hydroxycarbamide sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceSend An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Hydroxycarbamide Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Capsule1.2.2 Tablet1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Sickle Cell Disease1.3.2 Cancer1.3.3 Other1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Bristol Myers Squibb2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Bristol Myers Squibb Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Taj Pharma2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Taj Pharma Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Beijing Jialin Pharma2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Beijing Jialin Pharma Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Qilu Pharmaceutical2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Qilu Pharmaceutical Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 Teva Pharma2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Teva Pharma Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 Cipla2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Cipla Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Zydus Cadila2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Zydus Cadila Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8 United Biotech2.8.1 Business Overview2.8.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 United Biotech Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.9 Par Pharma2.9.1 Business Overview2.9.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.9.2.1 Type 12.9.2.2 Type 22.9.3 Par Pharma Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.10 Khandelwal Laboratories2.10.1 Business Overview2.10.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.10.2.1 Type 12.10.2.2 Type 22.10.3 Khandelwal Laboratories Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.11 Alkem (Cytomed)2.11.1 Business Overview2.11.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.11.2.1 Type 12.11.2.2 Type 22.11.3 Alkem (Cytomed) Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.12 Samarth Pharma2.12.1 Business Overview2.12.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.12.2.1 Type 12.12.2.2 Type 22.12.3 Samarth Pharma Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.13 VHB Life Sciences2.13.1 Business Overview2.13.2 Hydroxycarbamide Type and Applications2.13.2.1 Type 12.13.2.2 Type 22.13.3 VHB Life Sciences Hydroxycarbamide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)Buy Now @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Autoimmune Drugs Market  Drivers, Opportunities, Trends & Forecasts: 20172022

Autoimmune Drugs Market

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HTF MI recently broadcasted a new study in its database that highlights the in-depth market analysis with future prospects of Autoimmune Drugs market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, industry executives and other key people get ready-to-access and self analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. Some of the key players mentioned in this research are AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Amgen, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, AstraZeneca, GSK, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Antares Pharma, UCB (Belgium), Acorda Therapeutics, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Can-Fite BioPharma, Baxter, Daiichi Sankyo & Sandoz.Get customization & check discount for report @The research covers the current market size of the Global Autoimmune Drugs market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data. It also covers various types of segmentation such as by geography [United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia], by product /end user type [TNF Inhibitors, IL Blockers, COX Inhibitors & Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitors], by applications [Hospitals, Clinics & Other] in overall market. The in-depth information by segments of Autoimmune Drugs market helps monitor performance & make critical decisions for growth and profitability. It provides information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Autoimmune Drugs Market.This study also contains company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of various international, regional, and local vendors of Global Autoimmune Drugs Market, some of them are AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Amgen, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, AstraZeneca, GSK, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Antares Pharma, UCB (Belgium), Acorda Therapeutics, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Can-Fite BioPharma, Baxter, Daiichi Sankyo & Sandoz. The market competition is constantly growing higher with the rise in technological innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Moreover, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new vendor entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Autoimmune Drugs (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as TNF Inhibitors, IL Blockers, COX Inhibitors & Phosphodiesterase Type 4 InhibitorsMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022TNF Inhibitors xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%IL Blockers xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%COX Inhibitors xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitors xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application such as Hospitals, Clinics & Other with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global Autoimmune Drugs (Thousands Units) by Application (2017-2022)Market Segment by Application 2012 2017 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CAGR (%)(2017-2022)Hospitals xx xx xx xx% xx%Clinics xx xx xx xx% xx%Other xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Autoimmune Drugs in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2017 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2017-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%EU xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx%China xx xx xx xx% xx%India xx xx xx xx% xx%Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Key questions answered in this report - Global Autoimmune Drugs Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate beWhat are the key market trendsWhat is driving Global Autoimmune Drugs marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global Autoimmune Drugs market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Autoimmune Drugs market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Autoimmune Drugs market?Buy PDF version of this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Autoimmune Drugs market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Autoimmune Drugs , Applications of Autoimmune Drugs , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Autoimmune Drugs , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, Autoimmune Drugs Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Autoimmune Drugs Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Autoimmune Drugs ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [TNF Inhibitors, IL Blockers, COX Inhibitors & Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitors], Market Trend by Application [Hospitals, Clinics & Other];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Autoimmune Drugs ;Chapter 12, to describe Autoimmune Drugs Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Autoimmune Drugs sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get Access to sample pages @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report globalresearch and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunitiesbut to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depthand breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality.Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides ourclients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast inevery industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish theirGoals & Objectives.HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Single Phase Transformer Market to Flourish with an Impressive CAGR During 2024

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A transformer is a static electro-magnetic electrical device which operates on Faradays law of electromagnetism by converting electrical energy from one value to another. Single phase transformers are electrical devices which transfer energy between circuits through electromagnetic induction. This type of transformer generally consists of two electrical coils of wire, known as primary winding and secondary winding. The windings of these transformers are enclosed in pressurized and sealed tanks, and are air-cooled. Moreover, it provides safety against leakage and fire, and also reduces health and environmental concerns. Single phase transformers can withstand moisture and have better short circuit strength and impulse compared to liquid filled transformers. This type of devices are widely used in industrial as well as domestic segments.The key driving factors for Single Phase Transformer Market are increasing demand for electricity worldwide and extensive applicability of these transformers in distribution of electricity. Rapid industrialization in emerging countries coupled with rapid expansion of electricity transmission network globally is likely to fuel the growth of the market for single phase transformers. Moreover, these transformers have various safety advantages over liquid-filled transformers. Thus, single phase transformers are largely used in mining, marine, oil & gas and other industries, which have specific voltage requirements, owing to importance of fire safety in these sectors. Considering all these factors, the market for single phase transformers is expected to witness strong growth during the forecast period. However, factors such as high cost of these devices and lack of government investment in grid stability are restraining the market growth to some extent.Request to view ToC of Report -Single phase transformer market can be broadly classified on the basis of voltage, technology, applications and geography. By voltage, the market is segmented into low voltage and medium voltage. The low voltage segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market by 2024. Low voltage transformers are very efficient and reduces the risk of electric shock, thereby providing protection to the user. The market is divided by technology into VPI single phase transformer and cast resin single phase transformer. Moreover, these transformers have different application areas including commercial and industrial among others. The industrial application segment is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. The major reason is attributed to increasing development of electricity distribution network in industrial sectors. By geography, the single phase transformer market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Currently Asia Pacific is dominating the market for single phase transformer in terms of revenue, followed by North America and Europe. The major reason is attributed to increasing government investments and development of long-distance projects in Asia Pacific. Countries such as Japan and China among others are continuously focused on investing significant amounts for the expansion of this market. Moreover, Latin America and Africa are also anticipated to enhance investments in power sector in the future, which in turn is likely to fuel the growth of single phase transformer market. The rate of industrialization is also high in South Africa and Brazil and many power infrastructure development projects are being planned in these regions of the world. In addition, power distribution and transmission infrastructure is also expanding in the Middle East. Huge investments are being made by the government of Saudi Arabia and Iran among others. Developing economies such as China, India, Russia, Brazil and South-Africa are likely to be attractive market for single phase transformers.Request to view Brochure of Report -Top players in this market are ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Hammond Power Solution Inc. (Canada), General Electric (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), Jinpan International Ltd.(China), Schneider Electric (France), Eaton Corporation (Ireland), TBEA Transformer Industrial Group (China), Voltamp Transformer Ltd.(India) and Crompton Graves Ltd. (India).About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
North America Solar Shading Systems Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

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"The Report North America Solar Shading Systems Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Solar Shading Systems MarketThis report studies the Solar Shading Systems market, Solar Shading Systems is Shading against solar heat gain is the most readily applicable and flexible method of cooling and can be applied in all climate types in which the suns influence is significant, and to almost all modern buildings irrespective of latitude. The key to good daylighting and thermal performance lies in the design of the building envelope. Shading devices can be an integral part of the envelope, and thus influence thermal and daylighting performance. They may be located at the external or internal face of the facade, or within double- and triple- glazed window or curtain wall systems. In each case solar radiation is prevented, wholly or partly, from entering the building. By intercepting solar radiation before it reaches the building, external devices are the most. They include motors to control the shades.Get Sample copy of this Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Solar Shading Systems in North America market, especially in United States, Canada and Mexico. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversHunter DouglasLutronKawneerWaremaDraperEFCO CorporationQMotionRainier IndustriesC/S CorporateUnicel ArchitecturalSkycoLevoluxPerfection Architectural SystemsInsolrollAltexLouvoliteMarket Segment by Countries, coveringUnited StatesCanadaMexicoMarket Segment by Type, coversFabric Solar Shading SystemsAluminum Solar Shading SystemsView Report @Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoPublic Building Shade SystemsResidential Building Shade FacilitiesThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the North America Solar Shading Systems market.Chapter 1, to describe Solar Shading Systems Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Solar Shading Systems, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the North America market by countries, covering United States, Canada and Mexico, with sales, revenue and market share of Solar Shading Systems, for each country, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the segment market in United States, Canada and Mexico, by manufacturers, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and market share by manufacturers, types and applications;Chapter 10, Solar Shading Systems market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 11, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 12, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 13, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Solar Shading Systems Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data sourceSend An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Solar Shading Systems Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Fabric Solar Shading Systems1.2.2 Aluminum Solar Shading Systems1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Public Building Shade Systems1.3.2 Residential Building Shade Facilities1.4 Market Analysis by Countries1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Mexico Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Canada Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Hunter Douglas2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Hunter Douglas Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 Hunter Douglas News2.2 Lutron2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Lutron Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.4 Business Overview2.2.5 Lutron News2.3 Kawneer2.3.1 Profile2.3.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Kawneer Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.4 Business Overview2.3.5 Kawneer News2.4 Warema2.4.1 Profile2.4.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Warema Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.4 Business Overview2.4.5 Warema News2.5 Draper2.5.1 Profile2.5.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Draper Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5.4 Business Overview2.5.5 Draper News2.6 EFCO Corporation2.6.1 Profile2.6.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 EFCO Corporation Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6.4 Business Overview2.6.5 EFCO Corporation News2.7 QMotion2.7.1 Profile2.7.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 QMotion Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7.4 Business Overview2.7.5 QMotion News2.8 Rainier Industries2.8.1 Profile2.8.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 Rainier Industries Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8.4 Business Overview2.8.5 Rainier Industries News2.9 C/S Corporate2.9.1 Profile2.9.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.9.2.1 Type 12.9.2.2 Type 22.9.3 C/S Corporate Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.9.4 Business Overview2.9.5 C/S Corporate News2.10 Unicel Architectural2.10.1 Profile2.10.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.10.2.1 Type 12.10.2.2 Type 22.10.3 Unicel Architectural Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.10.4 Business Overview2.10.5 Unicel Architectural News2.11 Skyco2.11.1 Profile2.11.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.11.2.1 Type 12.11.2.2 Type 22.11.3 Skyco Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.11.4 Business Overview2.11.5 Skyco News2.12 Levolux2.12.1 Profile2.12.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.12.2.1 Type 12.12.2.2 Type 22.12.3 Levolux Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.12.4 Business Overview2.12.5 Levolux News2.13 Perfection Architectural Systems2.13.1 Profile2.13.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.13.2.1 Type 12.13.2.2 Type 22.13.3 Perfection Architectural Systems Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.13.4 Business Overview2.13.5 Perfection Architectural Systems News2.14 Insolroll2.14.1 Profile2.14.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.14.2.1 Type 12.14.2.2 Type 22.14.3 Insolroll Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.14.4 Business Overview2.14.5 Insolroll News2.15 Altex2.15.1 Profile2.15.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.15.2.1 Type 1.2.2 Type 22.15.3 Altex Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.15.4 Business Overview2.15.5 Altex News2.16 Louvolite2.16.1 Profile2.16.2 Solar Shading Systems Type and Applications2.16.2.1 Type 12.16.2.2 Type 22.16.3 Louvolite Solar Shading Systems Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.16.4 Business Overview2.16.5 Louvolite NewsBuy Now @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
North America Sun Care Products Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

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"The Report North America Sun Care Products Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About North America Sun Care Products MarketThis report studies the Sun Care Products market, including three distinct groups based on function: sun protection products, self-tanning products and after sun products. Self-tanners were the driving force behind the growth in sun care products.Get Sample copy of this Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Sun Care Products in North America market, especially in United States, Canada and Mexico. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversJohnson & JohnsonL'OrealProctor & GambleRevlonUnileverShiseidoEstee LauderBeiersdorfAvon ProductsClarins GroupCotyLotus HerbalsAmwayEdgewell Personal CareOtherMarket Segment by Countries, coveringUnited StatesCanadaMexicoMarket Segment by Type, coversSun Protection ProductsAfter-Sun ProductsSelf-Tanning ProductsMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoGeneral PeopleChildren and Pregnant WomenThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the North America Sun Care Products market.View Report @Chapter 1, to describe Sun Care Products Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Sun Care Products, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the North America market by countries, covering United States, Canada and Mexico, with sales, revenue and market share of Sun Care Products, for each country, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the segment market in United States, Canada and Mexico, by manufacturers, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and market share by manufacturers, types and applications;Chapter 10, Sun Care Products market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 11, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 12, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 13, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Sun Care Products Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data sourceSend An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Sun Care Products Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Sun Protection Products1.2.2 After-Sun Products1.2.3 Self-Tanning Products1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 General People1.3.2 Children and Pregnant Women1.4 Market Analysis by Countries1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Mexico Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Canada Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Johnson & Johnson2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Johnson & Johnson Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 Johnson & Johnson News2.2 L'Oreal2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 L'Oreal Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.4 Business Overview2.2.5 L'Oreal News2.3 Proctor & Gamble2.3.1 Profile2.3.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Proctor & Gamble Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.4 Business Overview2.3.5 Proctor & Gamble News2.4 Revlon2.4.1 Profile2.4.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Revlon Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.4 Business Overview2.4.5 Revlon News2.5 Unilever2.5.1 Profile2.5.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Unilever Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5.4 Business Overview2.5.5 Unilever News2.6 Shiseido2.6.1 Profile2.6.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Shiseido Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6.4 Business Overview2.6.5 Shiseido News2.7 Estee Lauder2.7.1 Profile2.7.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Estee Lauder Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7.4 Business Overview2.7.5 Estee Lauder News2.8 Beiersdorf2.8.1 Profile2.8.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 Beiersdorf Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8.4 Business Overview2.8.5 Beiersdorf News2.9 Avon Products2.9.1 Profile2.9.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.9.2.1 Type 12.9.2.2 Type 22.9.3 Avon Products Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.9.4 Business Overview2.9.5 Avon Products News2.10 Clarins Group2.10.1 Profile2.10.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.10.2.1 Type 12.10.2.2 Type 22.10.3 Clarins Group Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.10.4 Business Overview2.10.5 Clarins Group News2.11 Coty2.11.1 Profile2.11.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.11.2.1 Type 12.11.2.2 Type 22.11.3 Coty Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.11.4 Business Overview2.11.5 Coty News2.12 Lotus Herbals2.12.1 Profile2.12.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.12.2.1 Type 12.12.2.2 Type 22.12.3 Lotus Herbals Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.12.4 Business Overview2.12.5 Lotus Herbals News2.13 Amway2.13.1 Profile2.13.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.13.2.1 Type 12.13.2.2 Type 22.13.3 Amway Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.13.4 Business Overview2.13.5 Amway News2.14 Edgewell Personal Care2.14.1 Profile2.14.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.14.2.1 Type 12.14.2.2 Type 22.14.3 Edgewell Personal Care Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.14.4 Business Overview2.14.5 Edgewell Personal Care News2.15 Other2.15.1 Profile2.15.2 Sun Care Products Type and Applications2.15.2.1 Type 1.2.2 Type 22.15.3 Other Sun Care Products Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.15.4 Business Overview2.15.5 Other NewsBuy Now @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Diamond Semiconductor Substrates Market to Remain Lucrative During 2024

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A diamond is the hardest material on earth, and has long-since been recognized for its beauty as a gemstone. The major producing countries include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, Botswana, Russia and South Africa. The two types of diamond semiconductor substrates available in The Global Diamond Semiconductor Substrates Market are natural and synthetic. One of the major factors for this segment will be the rising usage of diamonds in sectors such as electronics, healthcare and construction among others. The other factors boosting the market are low cost of synthetic diamond as compared to natural diamond. In addition, identification of new applications in semiconductor and electronics industry is anticipated to act as an opportunity for the diamond semiconductor substrates market for the near future.Based on types, the diamond semiconductor substrates market is segmented into natural and synthetic. In 2015, the synthetic segment expected to be the most important market and anticipated to be the same during the forecast period. The major factor driving the market is large number of industrial applications. Some of the other factors are usage of synthetic diamond in different industries such as chip production, construction, mining activities, oil and gas industries, in surgeries and stone polishing and cutting. Thus, the specific increase in these activities has lead to an increase in the demand for the diamond semiconductor substrates market. The synthetic diamond is used in research services and for extremely rough tasks such as polishing and cutting. However, complex manufacturing process is the restraining factor for diamond semiconductor substrates market in the forecast period.Request to view ToC of Report -Based on the various applications, the diamond semiconductor substrates market is segmented into healthcare, consumer electronics, construction & mining, electronics and others. In 2015, the consumer electronics segment anticipated to be the foremost market. There are numerous major factors boosting the diamond semiconductor substrates market such as growing adoption of diamond semiconductor substrates in jewelry making. In addition, rising research and development activity to deliver better products in the forecast period is other factor driving the market for diamond semiconductor substrates market. However, the time consumed for making synthetic diamonds is expected to hinder the expansion of this diamond semiconductor substrates market during the forecast period of 2016  2024.Based on the regions, the diamond semiconductor substrates market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). Asia Pacific holds the major market share followed by North America. In addition, North America is the second largest market for diamond semiconductor substrates market followed by Europe and Rest of the World. China and India are the key contributors to the diamond semiconductor substrates market in Asia Pacific. Diamond semiconductor substrates is high in Asia Pacific is due to identification of new applications of synthetic diamond in electronics and semiconductor industry. However, the market for diamond semiconductor substrates has seen the growth in product improvement from companies like Pure Grown Diamonds, Applied Diamond Inc., Washington Diamonds Corporation, Element Six, and ILJIN among others nearly one hundred others company. Furthermore, opening manufacturing plants in rising country of Asia Pacific such as India, Japan and Korea among others will also give output on higher returns on investments this in turn driving the market for diamond semiconductor substrates market.Request to view Brochure of Report -Some of the important players in the diamond semiconductor substrates market includes are Applied Diamond Inc (The U.S.), Pure Grown Diamonds (The U.S.) and Element Six (Luxembourg). These top players are aiming to penetrate increasing economies and are adopting various methods to drive their market share. Some of the others players are New Diamond Technology LLC (The U.S.), Scio Diamond Technology Corporation (United States), Washington Diamonds Corporation (The U.S.) and ILJIN Diamond Co., Ltd (Korea) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Powder Bed Fusion Market Estimated to Experience a Hike in Growth by 2025

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Additive manufacturing is a unique process which manufactures parts directly from a digital 3D blueprint. It uses a layering approach to building up materials step by step. It is also known as 3D printing and can be effectively utilised to produce dense metallic parts with a high degree of precision. It has the advantages of part customization, complexity, consolidation and light building material. It is of great importance in the aerospace, defence, automobile manufacturing, and oil & gas industries. The powder bed fusion market is one part of the overall metal 3D printing processes, the other being Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology. In this method, each powder bed layer is selectively fused together by using laser or electron beams. It includes Direct Metal Laser sintering (DMLS), Selective heat sintering (SHS), Selective laser sintering (SLS), and Electron beam melting (EBM) and Selective laser melting (SLM). All these processes involve spreading the powder material over various layers. They can use any powder based materials, but commonly used examples are Nylon, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Cobalt Chrome, Steel, and Aluminium.3D printing in the powder bed fusion market is most suited for places where there are low volume and high geometric complexity. With increasing technology and decreasing cost, though, the powder bed fusion market is only likely to grow. Some of the drivers include the greater complexity of devices required in a faster time period. Powder bed fusion manufacturing allows more complex designs with a lighter building material. This can allow rapid prototyping, vital in industries like aerospace, defence and even the automobile industry. It is also vital in cost and weight reduction, which can dramatically improve cost savings over the lifetime of the product. These cost-savings can also be passed onto consumers, benefiting both them and manufacturers. It has also made significant inroads in the medical and oil & gas industries. It is used to build medical instrumentation like guides to assist proper surgical placement, medical implants like hip joints and external prostheses like hands. Thus, the booming aerospace industry worldwide along with the ageing population requiring medical devices can be considered the two main drivers of the powder bed fusion market.Request Sample Report @Substantial progress has been made in the powder bed fusion market, however, some challenges still remain. Reduction in cost will benefit any industry and the price of the powder bed fusion equipment is still prohibitively high. Performance in terms of speed, process control and accuracy will also go a long way in boosting adoption of devices sold in the powder bed fusion market. In-process quality control, monitoring and closed loop control systems will also help to improve the consistency, reliability and uniformity of the equipment. Greater speed in building the machines, designing more complex variations and reducing assembly line requirements could also widen the scope of the powder bed fusion market in the years to come.Request to view table of content @The powder bed fusion process finds widespread application in the aerospace, medical and oil & gas industries. Therefore, the powder bed fusion market will have the greatest growth opportunities in those regions where these respective industries are dominant. For the aerospace & medical industries, the main regions to target include the U.S, the E.U, China, Japan and India. The Middle East accounts for 3/5th of global crude oil production, so manufacturers would be well-advised to not ignore this dynamic region either. Hence, there is great growth potential for the powder bed fusion market across the world.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 market segments such as geographies, types and applications.Read Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Presence Sensors Market Poised to Expand at a Robust Pace Over 2025

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Presence sensing devices or presence sensors are press brake safety devices. The operator holds one end of the metal sheet of the work piece whereas the other end is being made in the die. In case a foreign object is detected, the sensor will initiate the retraction process or stop the ram motion and his protects the employee or the operator. They are the most effective safeguards for clutch presses. In case of any interruptions in the sensing field, they automatically initiate to stop the machine process. They are commonly called as light curtains which uses the photoelectric sensing concept. The light curtains use an array of infrared beams around the machines to form a perimeter. When the beams are interrupted, a kill switch is activated which stops the machine until the perimeter is reset. There are various types of presence sensors, namely, photoelectric (optical sensing), electromechanical, radiofrequency (capacitance), pullback, safety trip controls (safety tripod, pressure sensitive body bar and safety tripwire), restraint (holdback), two hand trip, gate and two hand control.Presence Sensors Market: Advantages as Probable Reasons for GrowthThere are many advantages of various types of presence sensors. The photoelectric sensors can be used by several operators, they are simple to use, additional adjustments are not needed and provide better protection. The electromechanical type sensors allow convenient access at the point of operation. The radiofrequency or capacitance type sensors and also photoelectric sensors allow free operator movement. The pullback devices, typically used on machines which have stroking action, remove the need for auxiliary batteries in the danger zone. The restraint or holdback type presence sensing devices are advantageous with respect to mechanical failure; there is very low or negligible mechanical failure risk when using this type of sensing device. Other advantages include simplicity in use and no barrier to hand feeding.Request Sample Report @Presence Sensors Market: Disadvantages / Limitations Posing Big Challenges to GrowthThe disadvantages associated with different types of sensors makes it vital to choose the right type of sensor for the respective application. Photoelectric sensors face limitations such as they fail to protect in case of mechanical failures and could only be used on machines which can be stopped easily. The radiofrequency type sensors involve several adjustments like adjustments relate to sensitivity of antennae; improper adjustments will cause incorrect sensing. The pullback type sensors limit the operator movement, require regular maintenance and detailed inspections frequently and obstruct workspace of operators in some cases. The safety trip control sensing devices protect the operator alone, they require special fixtures, all their controls need to be activated manually and they need new machine break. Moreover, the presence sensors cannot be installed on machines that employ full revolution clutches. Improperly installed presence sensors can cause machine accidents. Hence proper installation should be as per the standards given by the machine regulatory bodies. Such limitations challenge the growth of the presence sensors market.Presence Sensors Market: ApplicationsThe presence sensors find their applications in various industries such as packaging, machinery, material handling, food industry and transportation industry.Request to view table of content @Presence Sensors Market: CompaniesThe manufacturers of presence sensors include Omron, Rockwell Automation, CP Electronics, Schneider Electric, Steinel, Optex and Ms Sedco.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 market segments such as geographies, types and applications.The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Read Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Market Projected to Gain Significant Value by 2024

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During the final stages of development in a semiconductor, silicon wafer, logic board and memory are wrapped in a supporting case that prevents corrosion and physical damage of the chips that are to be connected to the circuit board. This process is known as packaging in a semiconductor industry. Packaging has evolved during the last ten years from chip-scale package, system in package and package on package to wafer-level package, 2.5D integrated circuits to 3D integrated circuits.The major challenge of an integrated-circuit (IC) manufacturer is that changes in wafer sizes and node migrations are slowing down even as capital expenditures are increasing. One way to preserve their edge of the manufacturers on their circuits high performance, small size and low costs is to incorporate newer chip-packaging options such as 3-D integrated circuits (3.0DICs) and 2.5-D integrated circuits (2.5DICs) into their production processes. These advanced-packaging technologies, which are still in their infant stage, promise lower power consumption and greater chip connectivity compared with traditional packaging configurations. Application memory and processor chip manufactured using advanced packaging solutions such as 2.5D and 3D technologies is about two to three times faster and 30 to 40 percent smaller than chip based packaging using older technologies. These advanced packaging technologies is dependent upon various factors such as thriving demand for low end tablets, smart phones and wearables and other consumer goods.Request to view ToC of Report -The need of the hour is compact, flexible and scalable ICs that allow for design changes at minimal cost. There is an increasing focus of the industry on SoC technologies which are migrating to 40nm and 28 nm process technologies. According to industry sources, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm and MediaTek are migrating to 28nm process and this adds complexity to the chip design and development. Thus reduction of board space and miniaturization electrical and thermal performance improvement, cost reduction and simplification of logistic for OEMs of devise has led towards the development of advanced packaging technologies in semiconductor devices.Existing 2-D IC (2.0DIC) wafer-level and flip-chip technologies have shown a robust growth during the last five years and are been used for many main-stream applications, generally used in high end smart phones and tablets which should meet power management and stringent size requirements. Emerging 3.0DIC and 2.5DIC packaging technologies extends the wafer-level and flip-chip packaging technologies by adding multiple dies to stacked up vertically together through the use of through silicon via (TSV) technology and interposers. This technology allows the manufacturers to pack more functionality in a single chip without increasing its size.The major drivers influencing The Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Market globally is miniaturization of electronic devices and proper thermal dissipation has led towards the growth of advanced semiconductor packaging technologies during the forecast period from 2016  2024.Some of the major restraints of the advanced semiconductor packaging market globally are high adoption time by different electronic devices manufactures and the high cost associated with its manufacturing.Request to view Brochure of Report -The advanced semiconductor packaging market can be distinguished by technology type and application type. In the technology outlook, there are generally two types; through silicon via (TSV), and interposer technology. The application type segment can be bifurcated into consumer electronics, industrial, and memory products.Asia Pacific being the largest semiconductor manufacturer globally also posses the largest market for advanced semiconductor packaging industry. Moreover huge demand for electronic devices from Asia pacific region due to its low labor cost and cheap raw material availability has led towards the growth of advanced semiconductor packaging market in this region. North America led the second largest market for advanced semiconductor packaging market followed by Europe and West of the World.The major players in this industry are Texas Instruments (U.S.), Infineon Technologies (Germany), Nordson Corporation (U.S.), KLA  Tencor (U.S.), Amkor United States (U.S.), and ASE Group (Taiwan) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Polycaprolactone Market will Register a CAGR of 9.5% through 2026

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Growing production of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has led to an upsurge in demand for polycaprolactone globally. In addition, surge in demand for TPU in range of industries such as automotive, medical device and construction industry is projected to impact the global market growth of polycaprolactone. Transparency Market Research states that the global polycaprolactone market is projected to reflect a CAGR of 9.5% over the forecast period, 2017-2026.polycaprolactone marketFactors Fuelling the Global Market GrowthGrowth of the global polycaprolactone market is mainly bound to various macro-economic and micro-economic factor. Increasing demand for production of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has revved up demand for polycaprolactone in the global market. As TPU is increasingly used in range of industries such as automotive, construction and packaging and healthcare. Insulation to high abrasion and high elasticity is projected to boost sales of the polycaprolactone among TPU manufacturers significantly. In addition, polycaprolactone has high resistance degree to grease and oil, due to which this polymer is highly preferred over other biodegradable polymers such as polylactide (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates.Application of polycaprolactone in range of medical devices such as drug delivery system has continued to pose robust challenges such as slow pace of degradation and low load bearing characteristics. Moreover, approval by the FDA to use polycaprolactone in particular applications such as drug delivery and sutures will continue to impact the global market growth positively. Demand for polyurethane continues to remain high in the healthcare industry attributed to growing need for general purpose tubing, wound dressing, hospital bedding, injection-molded devices and surgical drapes. In order to reduce the cost of polycaprolactone, researchers are increasingly focusing on developing innovative solutions and techniques. Surge in production of plastics, filament and 3D printer extruder will continue to increase demand for polycaprolactone pellets in globally. Preference for polycaprolactone is projected to remain high attributed to comparatively low prices than nanosphere and microsphere.Request For Report Sample:Growing need for noise barriers in the commercial industry and highways will continue to rev up demand for polycaprolactone globally. As the need for noise resistance persists in the residential and commercial industry, builders are mainly opting for rigid polyurethane foams during construction. Application of polyurethane further enables conservation of the natural resources and preservation of environment. Enhanced insulation features, durability, strength-to-weight ratios and versatility is further likely to fuel sales of polycaprolactone. Furthermore, application of polyurethane allows designing flexibility during the process of remodeling the new homes and projects. Such factors continues to rev up demand for polycaprolactone in the global market during the forecast period.Demand for polycaprolactone is further bound to growing need to encapsulate and seal the microelectronic components that are pressure sensitive. With the growing need for resistance against extreme temperature in electronic component, manufacturers are mainly opting for polyurethane that is produced with the polycaprolactone polymer. Tear and abrasion resistance is projected to rev up demand to incorporate the rigid polyurethane foams as an insulator. Increasing demand to insulate the boats from extreme temperature and noise will rev up sales of the polyurethane, which in turn is projected to impact global market growth.Sales of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Product to Remain HighWith the growing need for manufacturing various products, demand for polycaprolactone pellets form continue to increase. Based on product type, the pellet segment is projected to generate significant revenue, recording more than US$ 40 Mn by 2017-end. However, the nanosphere form segment is projected to witness the fastest growth in the global market during the forecast period. In terms of revenue, the thermoplastic polyurethane application type segment is projected to witness a robust revenue growth, accounting for more than US$ 30 Mn by 2026-end. During the forecast period, the dental implantation application type segment is projected to reflect the highest CAGR.Request For Report Brochure:Market PlayersMajor players in the global market of polycaprolactone are Daicel Corporation, Perstorp Holdings A.B., Corbion, Shenzen Esun, BASF SE, Shenzhen Polymtek Biomaterial, Haihang Industries Co., Ltd., Polysciences, Inc. and Durect Corporation.About USTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact USState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Website:Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Back End Line Semiconductor Equipment Market to Discern Magnified Growth During 2024

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Back End of Line Semi-Conductor Equipment is the second part of semiconductor devices where single devices such as capacitors, transistors and resistors, among others are interconnected by wires on wafer which are made by pure silicon and metal layers to form required electrical circuits. Common metal that forms layers are aluminum interconnect and copper interconnect. Back end of the line in semiconductor equipments is started when the wafer gets deposited by the first layer of metal. Back end of line consists of metal levels, insulating layers (dielectrics), and bonding sites for chip to package connections. In back end of the line the formation of interconnect wires, contacts (pads), and dielectric structures takes place. Ten metal layers or more are added in back end of the line stage in semiconductor electronics.Steps of back end of line includes silicidation of the polysilicon region, drain regions and source, addition of dielectric and its processing, making holes in PMD in order to make contacts in them, adding the first metal layer, addition of second dielectric, connection of lower metal with higher metal by making vias through dielectric and passivation layer addition in order to protect the micro chip. Back end of the line semiconductor equipment market can be segmented by product type into CVD, coater developer, CMP, metal etching, PVD, wet station and stepper. The stepper market dominated the overall back end of the line semiconductor equipment market with more than 40% of the total market share in 2015. In terms of end-user, the global back end of the line semiconductor equipment market is segregated into memory, foundry and integrated device manufacturers (IDM). Foundry held the largest market share in 2015 and accounted close to 60% of the market share.Request to view ToC of Report -Major drivers driving the global back end of the line semi conductor equipments includes increasing demand for advanced packaging technologies and flip chips. With rising use of smart packaging technologies use of the same has also increased among consumers. In addition, increasing technological functionalities in mobile devices is a major driver driving the global back end of the line semi conductor equipments market. Increase in the number of advanced consumer electronic equipments is also a major driver driving the global market. Major restraints faced by the global back end of line semi conductor equipment market includes availability of few vendors in the global market which makes availability of the equipments a challenge and also increases cost. In addition, high investment by the end user is a major restraint towards market growth for companies in their initial stages. Proliferation of advanced semiconductor devices is acting as a big opportunity to the global back end of the line semi conductor equipment market. In addition, increased use of semiconductor memory devices also acts as a good opportunity of the global market. Growing application of IoT is also a major opportunity of the global back end of the line semiconductor equipment market.In terms of geography, the back end of the line semiconductor equipments global market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Asia Pacific is the largest market accounting to more than 50% of the market share of the back end of the line semiconductor equipment global market. With the presence of large number of manufacturers in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan is the major region of dominance of this region in the global back end of the line semiconductor equipment market.Request to view Brochure of Report -Major players of the global back end of the line semiconductor equipments include Applied Materials (California, U.S), ASML (Veldhoven, Netherlands), KLA-Tencor (California, U.S), Lam Research (California, U.S), Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Kyoto, Japan), Hitachi Global (Tokyo, Japan), Nikon Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) and Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) (Tokyo, Japan) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Bulk Acoustic Wave Filters Market to Discern Magnified Growth During 2024

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Increasing usage of tablets and smartphones are one of the key reasons behind the growing demand for Bulk- Acoustic-Wave Filters Market globally. The growing proliferation of smart gadgets is fueling the market for BAW filters market across different regions. The market is segmented into by type into solid mounted bulk acoustic resonators and thin-film bulk acoustic resonator or FBAR. The market has been segmented into by application which includes smartphones, Wi-Fi hotspots, tablets, USB sticks among others. The market by geography has been segmented into, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa and South America.With rising research activities in the field of Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) devices, the application of BAW filters are growing in the high-end industrial, military and consumer wireless application segments. Different types of materials and substrates have been used for BAW filters with the demand more driven by general fabrication constraints and economics. The rising demand for advanced wireless technology, for instance LTE, has made the application of new RF features mandatory in tablets and smartphones. Therefore, the growing shipments of the smart gadgets such as smartphones and tablets segments over the forecast period, 2015 - 2024 is anticipated to create a rapid demand for bulk-acoustic-wave (BAW) filters owing to their growing proliferation of LTE/4G networks and compatibility with frequencies of higher bandwidth. Furthermore, BAW filters have a small form factor and deliver improved and advanced performances which primarily lead to its augmented adoption in the near future.Request to view ToC of Report -The growing application of automation technology across automotive field is one of the prime factors behind the spurring growth of for bulk-acoustic-wave (BAW) filters globally. Major automobile companies such as Audi, Mercedes and Toyota are investing huge amount in research and development for better application of latest technologies to cope up with the consumer demand. The demand for many embedded semiconductor chips is increasing in order to carry out various functions which include car display and navigation, infotainment, GPS, collision detection technology, driving automation and anti-lock braking systems. The major automobile companies primarily focus on research and development activities for better market penetration in terms of product upgradation.Bulk-Acoustic-Wave (BAW) filters also helps in establishing a mobile connection with network to ensure an optimum driving experience. The growing demand for connected vehicles is fueling the market for BAW filters globally. In addition, the growing demand for semiconductor components such as RF filters is boosting the market for BAW filters over the forecast period.BAW filter require complicated fabrication methods. Hence, they are expensive in comparison with compare to SAW filters. Moreover, BAW filters generally have sharper frequency responses and hence it is known for its sharp filtering effect on RF signal. BAW filters can implement lattice filters.Request to view Brochure of Report -North America and Asia Pacific is dominating the Bulk-Acoustic-Wave (BAW) filters market worldwide. Rapid usage of smartphones and tablets and other smart electronic devices in economies such the U.S., Japan, China, South Korea, Brazil and India are expected to witness positive growth over the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. With increasing advancement in the consumer electronic field, the application of BAW filters is increasing the mobile communication devices. There are various applications of BAW filters which include data transfer (Bluetooth, WLAN), cellular mobile systems (GSM, UMTS, CDMA) and satellite communications.Research and development along with merger and acquisitions and partnership agreements are some of the prime business strategies adopted by the companies operating in this industry in order to strengthen its presence globally. Avago Technologies (The U.S.), Qorvo (The U.S.), TDK (Tokyo, Japan), Skywork Solutions (The U.S.), Akoustis Technologies (The U.S.) among others are some of the major players operating in the Bulk-Acoustic-Wave (BAW) filters market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Dot Matrix Display Market Size Estimated to Observe Significant Growth by 2024

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Dot-Matrix Display is primarily a display device which helps in displaying information on clocks, machines, railway departure indicators and many other devices which generally require a simple display device with limited resolution. A 2-dimensional patterned array is known as a dot matrix, which is primarily used to show symbols, numerical, images and characters. Almost every sort of advanced technology primarily applies the dot matrices for display of data or information which includes televisions, printers, clocks, smartphones and computers. Furthermore, it is also used in textiles with knitting, weaving and sewing. The market is segmented into by size which includes 12816 (Two lined), 12832 (Four lined), 12864 (Eight lined) among others. The market has been bifurcated into by application which includes smartphones, computers, televisions, medical monitors, printers, and clocks among others. The market by geography has been segmented into, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa and South America.With rising research activities in the field of dot  matrix display devices, the application of dot-matrix displays are growing in the medical devices, consumer electronics application segments.Request to view ToC of Report -The display primarily comprises of a dot matrix of mechanical indicators or lights sorted in a rectangular configuration (mostly rectangular but other different shapes are also possible) such that by switching on or off selected lights, graphics or texts can be displayed. Moreover, a dot matrix controller primarily transforms instructions from a particular processor into definite signals which generally turns off or on lights in the matrix so that the desired display is generated. Display devices are electrically operated and have developed from electromechanical systems primarily for text display. Furthermore, primarily all sort of electronic devices are capable of full-motion 3D color graphic displays. With rising technological advancement, the market for dot  matrix display is anticipated to witness positive growth over the forecast period from 2016  2024. Furthermore, With the advent of microelectronic and microprocessors devices, many more individual pixels (picture elements) could be combine into one display device, allowing video and graphic displays.Seven-segment indicator or seven-segment display (SSD) is generally a form of electronic display device which primarily helps in displaying decimal numerals. This is an easy alternative option to the complicated dot matrix displays. This display technology is primarily used in electronics meters, calculators, digital clocks and monitors among others. Rising demand for advance gadgets and latest devices is fueling the market for dot-matrix displays globally. Major global companies are focusing on new technology development through research for better display quality and market penetration. With the growing demand for high definition smartphones, calculators and monitors, the application of dot-matrix displays is on high rise. Furthermore, rising demand for high definition televisions with latest display technology is also contributing in the positive growth of this market and is expected to fuel its demand in near future.Request to view Brochure of Report -North America and Asia Pacific is leading the market for dot-matrix display Market globally. Rising demand for smartphones, laptops, computes, calculators, tablets, digital clocks and other smart electronic devices in economies such the U.S., Germany, U.K. Japan, China, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, U.A.E and India are expected to witness positive growth over the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. With growing advancement in the consumer electronics, industrial, commercial and medical field, the application of dot-matrix display is rising rapidly.Company acquisition, merger, strategic business alliances and partnership agreements are some of the major business strategies apart from research and development is adopted by the companies operating in this industry in order to strengthen its presence globally. Avago Technologies (The U.S.), Halma Plc (U.K.), Ligitek (Taiwan), Cree, Inc. (The U.S.), OSRAM (Germany), Digi-Key Corporation (The U.S.) among others are some of the prime players operating in the dot-matrix display market globally.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Usb Devices Market Growth Set to Surge Significantly during 2024

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USB, short for universal serial bus, is an industry standard that defines the cable, connector, and communication protocols stated for connection, communication, and power supply between computers and other electronic devices. USB effectively replaced a variety of earlier interfaces such as serial and parallel ports as well as separate power chargers for portable devices. Another notable feature is the multitude of transfer modes it facilitates, which supports controlled, continuous, bulk, and isochronous transfers. They allow consumers to connect up to 127 devices, either directly or through the use of a USB hub. Moreover, these devices are much faster since they support data transfer rates of 12 Mbps for disk drives and other high-speed throughput and 1.5 Mbps for devices which need less bandwidth. Important benefits which have encouraged their mass adoption over the years include the ease with which they can be used, portability, convenience, widespread compatibility, higher read and write speed, interoperability across all platforms, and improvements in security in the form of password protection or encryption/decryption.The USB Device Market has been experiencing massive expansion in the recent years owing to the technologys numerous applications, ease of development, and manufacturing of custom products. Also, demand for better connectivity performance between electronic devices and advanced peripherals is boosting the sales of USB devices. In terms of technological advancements, the recent revision of USB standard USB 3.0 facilitates faster transfer rates, superior power management capabilities, and higher maximum bus power which has been a prominent contributing factor to this markets success. However, security issues and difficulties in replacing old USB standards with new ones is limiting the market. Several developments in this field and emerging markets in Asia are introducing new opportunities for industry participants/ manufacturers. Moreover, the launch of USB 3.1 standard and the ever-increasing need for wireless USB devices in the automotive industry are expected to drive the market in the future.Request to View ToC of Report -The global USB devices market is segmented based on its device standard type into the USB 1.0, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 categories. Among these, USB 3.0 standard is dominating the market driven by its capability to provide data transfer rates of 1.25 Gbps to a maximum of 5 Gbps, which is over 10 times faster than the 480 Mbps speed offered by USB 2.0. Applications of the USB device include computer peripherals, laptops, mass storage devices, cameras, telephones, audio devices, and others. In terms of geography, the global market is distributed over Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Among these, Europe leads the market, due to the mounting demand for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication modules in the automotive telematics segment caused by telematics initiatives undertaken by OEM automakers and government-led programs in the region. Asia Pacific is predicted to experience swift growth in the next few years as well, due to the steady economic growth, escalating consumption of computing devices, proliferation of smartphones and tablets, and adoption of USB devices for storing, transferring, and sharing content in the region, particularly China and India.Request to View Brochure of Report -The global USB device market is highly competitive in nature and marked with the presence of several international and domestic key players. Top companies include Corsair Memory, Inc., ADATA Technology Co., Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Development Company, SanDisk Corporation, Kingston Technology Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Samsung Corporation, Micron Consumer Products Group Inc., Verbatim Americas LLC, Imation Corporation, and Transcend Information Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Wireless Connectivity Market Growth Set to Surge Significantly during 2024

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Wireless connectivity is a technique used by homes, communication networks, and enterprise connections to reduce complex cable networks across buildings. Wireless connectivity equipment is deep rooted in many electrical device markets. WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS are becoming universal for certain devices such as smart phones and mobile phones. Besides this, wireless connectivity is also required in applications in Internet of Things (IoT), ranging from control devices and gateways to cloud. Wireless connectivity is used by IoT devices to enable an access point through which communication and data transfer between two devices can take place. Collaborations and partnerships is one of the major trends in The Wireless Connectivity Market. For instance, partnerships between ZigBee and other organizations such as EnOcean GmbH are anticipated to drive the self-powered energy harvesting internet-of-things devices in areas such as building automation and home automation.Major factors driving the global wireless connectivity market include rise in adoption of IoT and cloud computing, increase in demand for smart phones and other wireless technology devices such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and WiFi, growth in connectivity of the Internet, and escalation of demand for low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks.However, lack of uniform communication principles is hampering the wireless connectivity market. Additionally, the intervention with other electromagnetic sources, layered structure, and physical object are also the key factors that adversely affect the evolution of wireless connectivity technology. Consequently, these factors act as restraints for the wireless connectivity market. Key challenges for the global wireless connectivity market include requirement of enhanced security of information and concession among features such as power consumption, data rates, and range for numerous wireless technologies.Request to View ToC of Report -Increase in need for cross domain applications could open up new opportunities for the wireless connectivity market. Additionally, rise in government subsidies for the development of IoT provided by countries such as India, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Korea is also estimated to offer new opportunities to the wireless connectivity market.The wireless connectivity market in Asia Pacific is in its promising stage; the region is projected to be among the major adopters of wireless connectivity devices. Rise in inclination of consumers toward advanced technological products is likely to boost the wireless connectivity market in Asia Pacific in the near future. Furthermore, government initiatives by countries such as Japan, China, India, and South Korea in the field of electronics and semiconductors are providing lucrative opportunities for electronics and semiconductor industries across Asia Pacific.North America consists of technologically advanced countries such as Canada and the U.S. The U.S. and Canada offer vast potential for the application of Internet of Things. This is expected to propel the market for wireless connectivity technologies. In turn, this is anticipated to augment the wireless connectivity market in the region.The global wireless connectivity market can be segmented in terms of technology and application. Based on technology, the wireless connectivity market can be segmented into WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, EnOcean, cellular technologies, and others. Based on application, the wireless connectivity market can be segmented into health care, wearable devices, automotive and transportation, and consumer electronics. Among these, the wearable devices segment is estimated to expand significantly during the forecast period owing to factors such as proliferation of IoT and rise in adoption of smart watches and activity trackers.Request to View Brochure of Report -Key players operating in the global wireless connectivity market include Qualcomm Incorporated, Intel Corporation, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Texas Instruments Inc., Nexcom International Co., Ltd., Stmicroelectronics N.V., Mediatek Inc., Enocean GmbH, Atmel Corporation, and Cypress Semiconductor Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Smart Sim Market Size to Expand Significantly by the End of 2024

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Smart SIM is an advanced version of the subscriber identification module (SIM). SIM is an integrated circuit used for managing the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and the key related to this number. SIM is used to authenticate and identify subscribers on mobile devices. Smart SIM cards are primarily used with global system for mobiles (GSM) phones. Code division multiple access (CDMA) phones use smart SIM cards for the new long-term evolution (LTE) service. Demand for smart SIM cards has increased tremendously, due to the growing adoption of smart phones worldwide. Smart SIM provides increased storage space, which also increases the size of phone book. With 64 KB of storage space, customers are able to store more phone numbers in their smart SIM cards. These cards can be used with all mobile phones that support the SIM toolkit technology. Using smart SIM cards, customers can easily activate the international calling functionality. Some smart SIM cards are available with a pre-activated international roaming functionality.Growth in the number of international travelers and globalized business activities are anticipated to drive the global smart SIM market during the forecast period.Furthermore, smart SIM cards are helpful in allowing banking transactions in a secured environment. These simplified transactions are protected with the help of personal identification number (PIN) and personal unblocking key (PUK). These codes help in establishing a secured connection with banks. Smart SIM cards are light in weight and have higher processing speed as compared to traditional smart cards. The encryption option available with smart SIM cards helps in secured storage of passwords and user identification codes.Request to View ToC of Report -Phone banking activities have increased recently due to smart SIMs, as these SIM cards enable customers to pay their bills from their bank account through phone. Easy installation and packaging of the smart SIM has enabled the customers to use it in three different forms viz. regular SIM, micro SIM, and nano SIM. Regular SIM is the largest SIM by size, while micro SIM and nano SIM are integrated in regular SIM. These SIM cards can be easily detached from each other and joined again. This flexibility helps the customers use a single SIM card in three variants in accordance with the mobile phone and the services they want to avail.Smart SIM cards can be used with data cards or specialty devices such as iPad. Smart SIM cards enable multi-operator agreements through a single card. This provides access to a large network of mobile virtual network operators (MVNO). In case of network outages, devices are quickly transferred to a different network having better connectivity. Due to the automated data connection detection and re-connection, devices are easily protected against data connection termination. The global smart SIM market has been divided into five geographic segments viz. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Asia Pacific is anticipated to generate high demand for the smart SIM market with a growing smartphone subscriber base. However, managing all adapters of SIM cards can be difficult for customers, as they can easily get misplaced due to their small size. Biodegradable SIM manufacturing technology provides substantial opportunities for growth of the smart SIM market. New, paper-based SIM cards have evolved recently. These are made of recyclable and biodegradable wood fibers so as to maintain the environment clean with the reduced carbon footprint.Request to View Brochure of Report -Major players operating in the global smart SIM market include Oasis Smart SIM, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Group plc, Tata DoCoMo, Idea Cellular, Telefonica UK Limited, Sierra Wireless, Orange, Altel Communications Sdn Bhd, Oberthur Technologies, and Babilon-Mobile.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Semantic Knowledge Graphing Market Set to Surge Significantly During 2017 - 2025

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A knowledge graph is a knowledge base utilised by Google to optimise its search engine results with semantic-search information taken from many sources. It was added to Googles search engine in 2012 with the initial rollout in its home market, the United States. The Semantic Knowledge Graph market aims at extracting and presenting the knowledge of a specific domain automatically from a group of documents representative of that domain. The representation encodes the semantic relationship between different words, phrases and concepts such that those relationships can expose new information about the interrelationships between all entities in that domain.The semantic knowledge graphing market has numerous applications like being used to discover related terms within a domain, explain multiple meanings of a similar phrase, boost semantic search by expanding user queries to related keywords/ phrases, and identifying trending topics among time-series data. It can also build a recommendation engine based on content, perform data cleansing by scoring each item according to relevance, summarise documents by judging the importance of each phrase and entity within the document and do a predictive analysis of time-series data.Request Sample Report @Semantic Knowledge Graphing Market DriversA key driver of the semantic knowledge graphing market is the sheer volume of data available on search engines. According to Internet Live Stats, there are approximately 1.11 billion websites live as of 2016 with hundreds more being added every minute. It can be extremely challenging for website owners to reach their target market or even customers to find the exact data they are looking for. Semantic knowledge graphs can act as the backbone of any information architecture, enabling entity-centric views on information, data, products, suppliers, employees, locations and research topics. Semantic graphs not only retrieve what is required but also provide the interrelations between the various objects, even if not stated in explicit terms. They thus help in converting unorganized data into useful information.The second driver of the semantic knowledge graphing market is the occasional personalization of information required. For e.g. - Some drugs might have regulatory aspects, a unique therapeutic character and an entirely different meaning to product managers or salespeople. At a given time, an individual might only require a certain aspect of information which is relevant in that particular situation. This personalised information processing requires a semantic layer on top of the data layer, particularly when the information is stored in different forms and scattered in several different repositories. Semantic knowledge graph engines can link similar content and documents related to one another in a highly precise manner.Request to view table of content @Semantic Knowledge Graphing Market RestraintsCurrent semantic knowledge graphs rely on traditional machine learning methods. Thus, their results are not reusable by algorithms and neither can humans easily interpret them. The amount of information being added to the World Wide Web daily is beyond the realm of imagination. Semantic knowledge graphing is not evolving anywhere near as rapidly as required.Semantic Knowledge Graphing Market Key RegionsChina currently has the worlds largest online population, followed by the U.S. which makes these two countries the largest semantic knowledge graphing markets. India is expected to outpace the U.S within this decade and should be a key focus for companies offering semantic knowledge graphs.Semantic Knowledge Graphing Market Key Market PlayersSome companies in the semantic knowledge graphing markets are Microsoft Bings Satori Knowledge Base, Yandex's Object Answer, LinkedIn's Knowledge Graph and Googles Knowledge Graph.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 market segments such as geographies, types and applications.Read Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Market for Fuel Dispensers Expected to Touch Value of US$2.26 bn by the End of 2024

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A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine Fuel Dispensers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Request to View Sample Report @The increasing urbanization across the world has been the motive power for the significant growth of the global fuel dispenser market over the past few years. The rising need for various types of fuels, such as petrol, diesel, and CNG, thanks to the growing demand for vehicles, fueled by the rising disposable income of consumers and the change in their living standard, acts as another important growth driver for this market. Over the coming years, the boom in the shale gas industry, new discoveries in oil, gas and other fuels, and the technological advancements in fuel dispensers are likely to propel this market substantially.In 2015, the global market for fuel dispensers stood at US$1.83 bn. Progressing at a CAGR of 2.40% between 2016 and 2024, the markets opportunity is likely to touch US$2.26 bn by the end of 2024. In terms of shipment volume, the worldwide market is estimated to cross 295,521 units over the same time period.Asia Pacific to Carry on as Market LeaderEurope, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific are considered as the key regional markets for fuel dispensers across the world. In 2015, Asia Pacific accounted for a share of more than 45% in the overall market, acquiring the lead. The increasing urbanization, together with infrastructural developments are the key drivers behind the rise of the market for fuel dispensers in this region.View Detail Report with Table of Content @China has been the leading domestic market in Asia Pacific, being a prominent producer as well as consumer of fuel dispensers in the world. The rising population and the increasing trend of owning a vehicle have been boosting the demand for fuel dispensers in China. Over the coming years, India and the ASEAN countries are projected to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the manufacturers of fuel dispensers in Asia Pacific, leading to a notable rise in this regional market. Europe, North America, and other regions are also anticipated to exhibit a steady rise in their respective fuel dispenser market in the years to come.Demand for Electronic Flow Meter to Increase RemarkablyThe two main types of flow meters available in the global fuel dispenser market are mechanical flow meter and electronic flow meter. The demand for electronic flow meter has been higher than the mechanical one, thanks to its accuracy, stability, and reliability. Analysts expect this demand to increase exponentially at a CAGR of 2.50% between 2016 and 2024, ensuring the dominance of electronic flow meters on this market in the near future.Even in terms of volume, electronic flow meters have a greater share in this market, which is likely to remain high over the forthcoming years, expanding at a CAGR of 2.0% from 2016 to 2024.Some of the leading fuel dispenser vendors across the world are Zhejiang Lanfeng Machine Co. Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Tominaga Mfg. Co., Tokheim Group S.A.S, Tatsuno Corp., Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH, Piusi S.p.A., Neotec, Korea EnE Co. Ltd., Gilbarco Inc., Bennett Pump Co., and Beijing Sanki Petroleum Technology Co. Ltd.Send an Inquiry @About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Global Rice Milk Market 2017 Industry Key Players -Pacific Foods, Vitasoy, WhiteWave Foods, DREAM, Costco Wholesale, Fine Japan, Ecoideas,..

Rice Milk Market

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Rice Milk Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Rice Milk Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Rice Milk in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Rice Milk market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingPacific FoodsVitasoyWhiteWave FoodsDREAMCostco WholesaleFine JapanEcoideasSunOptaFreedom FoodsPure HarvestRequest Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBy FlavorPlain Rice MilkFlavoured Rice MilkType IIOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingSupermarkets and HypermarketsHealth Food StoresConvenience StoresOtherIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit -Table of Content:Global Rice Milk Market Research Report 20171 Rice Milk Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Rice Milk1.2 Rice Milk Segment By Flavor1.2.1 Global Rice Milk Production and CAGR (%) Comparison By Flavor (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Rice Milk Production Market Share By Flavor (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Plain Rice Milk1.2.4 Flavoured Rice Milk1.3 Global Rice Milk Segment by Application1.3.1 Rice Milk Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets1.3.3 Health Food Stores1.3.4 Convenience Stores1.3.5 Other1.4 Global Rice Milk Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Rice Milk Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Rice Milk (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Rice Milk Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Rice Milk Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Rice Milk Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Rice Milk Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Rice Milk Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Rice Milk Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Rice Milk Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Rice Milk Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Rice Milk Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Rice Milk Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Rice Milk Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Rice Milk Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Rice Milk Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Rice Milk Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Rice Milk Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Rice Milk Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Rice Milk Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Rice Milk Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Rice Milk Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Rice Milk Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Rice Milk Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Rice Milk Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Rice Milk Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Rice Milk Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Rice Milk Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Rice Milk Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Rice Milk Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Rice Milk Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Rice Milk Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global Rice Milk Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Rice Milk Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Rice Milk Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Argentina: Market Consolidation Paired with Converged Multiplay Services to Intensify Competition in Telecom Markets

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"Argentina: Market Consolidation Paired with Converged Multiplay Services to Intensify Competition in Telecom Markets", a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Argentina today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2022. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.The Argentina telecom market will generate $10.6bn in service revenue in 2017, 5.1% less than the previous year. In local currency terms, it will expand by 8.2%.For more information about this report atThe Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following--Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Argentina compared with other countries in the region.-Economic, demographic and political context in Argentina.-The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.-A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data markets.-Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2017 to 2022.-The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.vIn-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.-Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in the Argentina telecommunications markets.Scope-Revenue from voice services is on the decline in the 2017-2022 period. Fixed and mobile data services revenue will grow at a CAGR of 3.2%, driven by the growing coverage of 4G LTE and the expansion of fiber networks. In fact, LTE networks reached more than 154 cities in 2016.-The 3G family of technologies will have the largest share of the market in Argentina in 2017. We expect LTE subscriptions will take over 3G by 2020.-We expect broadband lines to reach 11.0m by year-end 2022, for a population penetration of 24.2%, owing to operators' initiatives to offer more attractive pricing packages and the expansion of their fixed broadband coverage to rural areas in line with the government's National Broadband Strategy.Request a sample copy atReasons to buy-This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Argentina's telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.-Accompanying GlobalData's Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Argentina's mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.-With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.-The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Argentina's telecommunications markets.-The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Argentina.Companies MentionedClaroMovistarTelecom ArgentinaCablevisionDirecTVTelecentroSupercanalPersonalTelefonica ArgentinaTelpinInquire for Report atAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Europe Motorized Quadricycles Market to Cross US$ 456.9 Mn by 2027

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In Europe, motorized quadricycles continue to be an attractive vehicle segment, especially among urbanites. Many consumers in European countries such as Germany, France and the UK, among others, are opting for electric quadricycle over compact cars. In addition to this, car rental companies in Europe are providing motorized quadricycles on rent and promoting their use in the regions automobile market. Persistence Market Researchs latest report on Europes motorized quadricycle market reveals that such factors will bolster the markets growth, which is expected to reach US$ 456.9 Mn by registering global sales of over 37,000 units towards the end of 2027.A sample of this report is available upon request @The report, titled Motorized Quadricycles Market: Europe Industry Analysis 20122016 and Forecast 20172027, also projects that the European market for motorized quadricycles, which is likely to be valued at US$ 268.3 Mn by 2017-end, will soar at a steady CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. However, the markets growth in terms of volume is expected to subpar, representing a 3.9% CAGR over the forecast period. Key factors restraining the growth of Europes motorized quadricycle market include:Technical and economic limitations: Despite the various advantages that the motorized quadricycles offer, many customers feel reluctant to buy a motorized quadricycle due to their high costs.High emission levels: With regards to transition to higher emission levels, the existing regulatory scenario in European countries creates a point of concern for quadricycle manufacturers, who are already combating at the pricing front.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Sub-A segment cars: Demand for low cost, Sub-A segment cars  micro cars that are filling the space between a quadricycle and a compact passenger car  is gaining traction in countries such as France.The report expects that Europes motorized quadricycles market will witness sizeable growth in France, Germany and Russia. Among European countries, France is estimated to remain dominant over the forecast period owing to increasing demand for eco-friendly small size vehicles and stringent government regulations. U.K.s motorized quadricycle market, meanwhile, is estimated witness high growth opportunities, owing to rising efforts taken by domestic manufacturers and low penetration of motorized quadricycles in its auto-markets.By product-type, the light quadricycles segment is estimated to represent dominant market share through 2027. Around 88% of Europes motorized quadricycle revenues in 2017 are expected to be accounted by light-weight quadricycles. Demand for electric motorized quadricycles, however, is expected to be lesser than that of motorized quadricycles equipped with conventional fuel motors. By the end of 2027, over 68% of Europes motorized quadricycles revenues will be accounted by quadricycles operating on conventional fuels. The report also profiles leading players in Europes motorized quadricycle market, which include Renault SA, Bajaj Auto Ltd., Automobile CHATNET, Ligier Group, Aixam-Mega, Tecno Meccanica Imola SpA, Grecav Auto Srl.You can now buy a single user license of the report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Combined Charging System Market Dynamics, Forecast, Analysis and Supply Demand 2017  2027

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In todays scenario, energy efficiency is on high demand, boosted by a foremost concern with climatic changes and by the increasing fuel prices in region that have a significant dependency on imported fossil fuels. A large amount of oil consumption is dependent upon the transportation sector and large portion is used by street vehicles. The transportation sector is going to increase their share in worlds oil consumption by more than 50% by 2030. Regarding to this concern, the demand for electric vehicles is increasing day-by-day, which will support the demand for combined charging system.The combined charging system includes connector and inlet combination as well as control functions. These manages the communication between EV charging point and electric vehicle. Combined charging system (CSS) deliver high voltage direct current via special electrical connector derived from SAE J1772 (IEC Type 2) and (IEC Type 1) connector. Connector geometries are available for Type 2 (Europe) and Type 1 (North America). These system are developed by leading manufacturers and are used by large number of electric vehicles. For instance, the European Commission (EU) identified use of Type 2 (CCS) charging system in line with IEC 62196 as a uniform standard throughout European countries. Many of the manufacturers support the demand for combined charging system.Request for TOC @Combined Charging System Market: DynamicsGrowing demand of electric vehicles coupled with strong support from main car manufacturers (ACEA to combo standard and Japanese manufacturers to CHAdeMO) are expected to drive the demand for combined charging systems. Moreover, advanced technology of this system which help to charge electric vehicle in less than thirty minutes will drive the demand of combines charging systems. However, relative high cost of this system (installation and operation of charging points) will restraint the growth of the market in future. Also, customers preference towards fuel vehicle over electric vehicle would hamper the demand for combined charging system.Combined Charging System Market: Outlook/TrendThe MEA region have adopted the European standard type 2 connector for AC charging; on the other hand, the introduction of a combined charging system is still being debated. In terms of DC charging, CHAdeMO charging stations are being installed. North America and Europe also have their own fast Combined Charger System (CCS) and standards. This type of charging station is supported by majority of car manufacturers, such as Chrysler, BMW, VW, GM, Daimler, Porsche, Audi and Ford. Since 2013, the vehicles with CCS standard using fast DC charging capability, have been on road from a way long back.Make an Enquiry @Electric vehicles are currently seen by many countries as a way forward preferred choice for public transport. Factors such as addressing climate concern, such as in electric vehicles, may help to overcome the problems with energy security and dependence on traditional fuel. The governments are providing subsidies to support the manufacturers to establish their plants in their region. Moreover, the government and OEMs are investing in infrastructure to install charging station in their country. For instance, Nissan is growing efforts to install charging station, which will help the customers to charge their vehicles free of cost. With the aforementioned reasons, the demand for combined charging system will increase in the near future.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.FMIs team of over 200 research analysts provides market intelligence at global, regional, and country level. Our analysts are committed to provide independent insights, relying on our cognitive defusion training module, which conditions them to look at data objectively and unbiasedly.Contact UsFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb:
Metamaterial Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2017  2027

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Metamaterial Market: IntroductionMetamaterial is an engineered material designed to attain properties that are not found in nature. Metamaterials are made of multiple composite materials such as metals, plastics, etc. fashioned in repeating patterns. These artificially structured composite exhibits exotic and unique properties such as electromagnetic properties, compared with traditional composites found in nature. Superior electromechanical properties makes it idle material for various applications in telecommunication industry. Metamaterial also find a significant application in several end-use verticals such as, medical, automotive, consumer electronics, optics, aerospace and energy & power. Different types of materials are used for different applications depending upon the properties required by the end use verticals.Metamaterial show exceptional physical properties such as, negative permittivity & permeability and negative index of refraction have attracted significant research and development activities. The significance of metamaterial is that it can affect waves of electromagnetic radiation or sound and allowing engineers to manipulate wave propagation by modifying unit cells in different ways. With the advancement of technologies and increasing application of consumable electronics and growth of telecommunication industry the metamaterial market is expected to be a lucrative market having a significant growth over the forecast period.Request for TOC @Metamaterial Market: Market DynamicsMetamaterial finds a wide range of usage in aerospace, automotive and telecommunication industry, with the progressive growth of this industries the global metamaterial market is expected to witness growth at a rapid pace. Rise in wireless communication services attributing in the increasing demand of antenna, an integral component of smartphone and satellite communication equipment, is expected to be one of the key factor for the growth of metamaterial market. Owing to superior electromagnetic properties the metamaterial finds a potential usage in navigation, absorbers, sensors and spectroscopy, such applications are expected to drive the growth of metamaterial market at a rapid pace. Moreover, increase in demand for clean energy sources such a solar, wind and tidal energy is also expected to drive the demand of metamaterial.In addition, metamaterial is also used in medical industries for various purpose such sensors and imaging devices, also research and development is going on for development of innovative products to help doctors to serve and treat the patients in an effective and easy manner. Several applications of metamaterial applications are still in research and development stage like, clocking devices, seismic protection, etc. Though there is still a long way from the commercialization of these products, limitation of technologies and knowledge is expected to be one of the constraining factor for the growth of metamaterial market.Make an Enquiry @Metamaterial Market: Regional OutlookNorth America is expected to dominate the metamaterial market with high growth rate over the forecast period driven by the increase in demand from aerospace and defense industry. Asia Pacific is expected to have high demand of metamaterial attributed by growing electronics and telecommunication industry driven by increasing investment by foreign investors and improving lifestyle in the region.Moreover, increasing investment for development and strengthening of Navy by various nation such as, India and China, is expected to boost the metamaterial market in Asia Pacific region. Europe is expected to have steady growth of metamaterial market driven by growing power sector and automotive industry with increasing demand of advanced materials.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.FMIs team of over 200 research analysts provides market intelligence at global, regional, and country level. Our analysts are committed to provide independent insights, relying on our cognitive defusion training module, which conditions them to look at data objectively and unbiasedly.Contact UsFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email:sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb:
Recombinant Factor C Assay Market - Global Industry Growth, Trends and Forecast

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Recombinant Factor C Assay Market  Global Industry Growth, Trends and ForecastRecombinant factor C assay is a type of pyrogen test that determines the presence of endotoxin substances. Recombinant factor C assay is a new alternative to various endotoxin tests such as limulus amebocyte lysate test. Recombinant factor C is the first component in the horseshoe crab clotting cascade that is activated by endotoxin. Recombinant factor C assay is activated by endotoxin binding, which results in the generation of flurogenic compounds. Pyrogens are substances that cause fever after administering an injection. Increase in body ache and body temperature are harmful reactions caused due to injection of pyrogens in the body. Drug manufacturers employ a process of recombinant factor C assay to determine if the manufactured vaccine or drug is likely to cause fever on administration. Various countries are focused on preventing infectious diseases to reduce the associated health care costs, this in turn is expected to increase the demand for health care facilities. Moreover, governments are focusing on pyrogen-free medical devices and pharmaceuticals for patients.Download Brochure@Factors such as elimination of false-positive glucan reactions, no animal are used for testing, and predictable and reliable assay performance are the factors driving the recombinant factor C assay market during the forecast period. Globally increasing health care awareness, growing number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and shifting focus of patients toward the treatment of chronic and lifestyle diseases is propelling the recombinant factor C assay market. Increasing research & development activities in the health care industry, rise in the number of new drug approvals, and growing incidences of chronic diseases are boosting the market. Increasing production of cosmetic products supports the expansion of the recombinant factor C assay market owing to the cosmetic products need to be tested for pyrogens. Increasing inclination toward animal-free detection tests, rising government initiatives for the prevention of diseases to curb health care costs, and rise in pharmaceutical outsourcing are projected to boost the demand for recombinant factor C testing. However, high entry barrier for new market entrants and small players are some of the restraining factors of the global recombinant factor C assay market.The global recombinant factor C assay market can be segmented based on product type, end-user, and region. In terms of product type, the market can be categorized into routine assay, inhibition/enhancement (INH/ENH), reference standard endotoxin/ control standard endotoxin (RSE/CSE), and initial qualification (INT. QUAL). Based on end-user, the market can be divided into pharmaceuticals industry, biotechnology industry, medical devices industry, and others.Geographically, the recombinant factor C assay market can be divided into Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, North America, and Middle East & Africa. North America accounted for a dominant share of the market in 2016 due to the presence of key players in the region,, rising technological advancements in research & development activities, and growing health care awareness. Europe was the second most dominant region in 2016 owing to company initiatives. In September 2016, Merck joined DiViNe Projecta European consortium of six companies that work to address challenges faced in the development, manufacturing process, and delivery of vaccines. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand during the forecast period owing to increasing focus of key companies to expand their presence in the region, to meet growing demand. Moreover, increasing government initiatives for health care awareness in the region also boosts the market. Rising patient population diagnosed with chronic diseases in the Asia Pacific region propels the market in the region. The market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa is anticipated to expand during the forecast period owing to increasing government initiatives.Browse Report@Key players operating in the global recombinant factor C assay market include Hyglos GmbH, Lonza, and Hawaii Biotech Inc.About Us:-Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact Us:-State Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Indonesia Midstream Oil and Gas Industry Outlook to 2022

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ReportsWeb.com published Oil and Gas Market from its database. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market."Indonesia Midstream Oil and Gas Industry Outlook to 2022-Market Forecasts for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Oil Storage, Pipelines and Gas Processing", is a comprehensive report on midstream oil and gas industry in Indonesia. The report provides details such as name, type, operational status and operator for all active and planned (new build) LNG terminals, oil storage terminals, major trunk pipelines and gas processing plants in Indonesia till 2022. Further, the report also offers recent developments, financial deals as well as latest contracts awarded in the country's midstream sector.For more information about this report atScope:--Updated information related to all active and planned LNG terminals, oil storage terminals, major trunk pipelines and gas processing plants in the country, including operator and equity details-Key mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, private equity and initial public offerings in the country's midstream oil and gas industry, where available-Latest developments, financial deals and awarded contracts related to midstream oil and gas industry in the countryReasons to buy:--Gain a strong understanding of the country's energy sector and midstream oil and gas industry-Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of capacity data-Assess your competitor's major LNG terminals, oil storage terminals, major trunk pipelines and gas processing plants in the country-Analyze the latest developments, financial deals and awarded contracts related to the country's midstream oil and gas industry-Understand the country's financial deals landscape by analyzing how competitors are financed, and the mergers and partnerships that have shaped the marketRequest a sample copy atTable of Content:-1. Table of Contents 11.1. List of Tables 41.2. List of Figures 62. Introduction 72.1. What is This Report About-72.2. Market Definition 73. Indonesia LNG Industry 93.1. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction 93.1.1. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction, Key Data 93.1.2. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction, Overview 93.1.3. Indonesia LNG Industry, Total Liquefaction Capacity 93.2. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction Capacity by Company 113.3. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction Capacity by Terminal 123.4. Indonesia LNG Industry, Asset Details 133.4.1. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction Active Asset Details 133.4.2. Indonesia LNG Industry, Liquefaction Planned Asset Details 213.5. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification 233.5.1. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification, Key Data 233.6. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification, Overview 233.6.1. Indonesia LNG Industry, Total Regasification Capacity 233.7. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification Capacity by Major Companies 253.8. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification Capacity by Terminal 263.9. Indonesia LNG Industry, Asset Details 273.9.1. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification Active Asset Details 273.9.2. Indonesia LNG Industry, Regasification Planned Asset Details 314. Indonesia Oil Storage Industry 395. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry 2415.1. Indonesia Oil Pipelines 2415.1.1. Indonesia Oil Pipelines, Key Data 2415.1.2. Indonesia Oil Pipelines, Overview 2415.2. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Crude Oil Pipeline Length by Major Companies 2425.3. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Crude Oil Pipelines 2445.4. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Petroleum Products Pipeline Length by Company 2445.5. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Petroleum Products Pipelines 2455.6. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Oil Pipelines Asset Details 2465.6.1. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Oil Pipelines Active Asset Details 2465.6.2. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Oil Pipelines Planned Asset Details 2755.7. Indonesia Gas Pipelines 2795.7.1. Indonesia Gas Pipelines, Key Data 2795.7.2. Indonesia Gas Pipelines, Overview 2795.8. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Natural Gas Pipeline Length by Major Companies 2795.9. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Natural Gas Pipelines 2815.10. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Gas Pipelines Asset Details 2855.10.1. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Gas Pipelines Active Asset Details 2855.10.2. Indonesia Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry, Gas Pipelines Planned Asset Details 3306. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry 3566.1. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Key Data 3566.2. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Overview 3566.3. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Gas Processing Capacity by Major Companies 3566.4. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Processing Plant number by Facility Type 3586.5. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Capacity Contribution of Various Provinces 3596.6. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Active Gas Processing Capacity 3606.7. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Planned Gas Processing Capacity 3616.8. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Asset Details 3626.8.1. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Active Asset Details 3626.8.2. Indonesia Gas Processing Industry, Planned Asset Details 3727. Recent Contracts 3787.1. Detailed Contract Summary 3787.1.1. Awarded Contracts 3788. Financial Deals Landscape 3878.1. Detailed Deal Summary 3878.1.1. Partnerships 3878.1.2. Asset Transactions 3889. Recent Developments 3919.1. Other Significant Developments 3919.1.1. Dec 21, 2016: Indonesia's Donggi-Senoro LNG Terminal To Export 31 Cargoes In 2017 3919.2. New Contracts Announcements 3919.2.1. Apr 05, 2017: McConnell Dowell wins BP LNG Tangguh Expansion projct from Saipem Indonesia 3919.2.2. Apr 05, 2017: Mcconnell Dowell Awarded LNG Marine Works On Tangguh Expansion Project 3929.2.3. Jan 31, 2017: Marubeni Corporation to Enter into Power Purchase Agreement for Jawa 1 Gas-Fired IPP Project in Indonesia 3939.2.4. Jan 16, 2017: PaxOcean Zhoushan To Build FSRU For Indonesia's Bali LNG Project 3939.2.5. Dec 06, 2016: PT Australasia LNG Indonesia Selects Arup To Develop LNG Terminal 3949.2.6. Oct 19, 2016: KBR to provide pre-FEED study for Indonesian LNG regas project 3949.2.7. Aug 16, 2016: Premier Oil Selects PT Vetcogra For Decommissioning Work In Indonesia 3959.2.8. Aug 05, 2016: Chiyoda Awarded EPC Contract For Tangguh Expansion Project In Indonesia 39510. Appendix 397Inquire for Report atAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Wealth in Indonesia Market 2017By Identifying the Key Market Segments and Key players holding market share

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Summary"Wealth in Indonesia: HNW Investors 2017" analyzes the investment preferences and portfolio allocation of Indonesian HNW investors. The report is based on our proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.HNW investors have predominately accumulated their wealth through business interests, with property and manufacturing key wealth generators. Investors show strong demand for advisory mandates, but a significant proportion of wealth remains unmanaged. Defensive investments dominate the average portfolio, and while this is not expected to change we do forecast a decrease in demand for cash, while demand for fixed income is expected to rise. Tax planning is most sought after, but demand for pension and financial planning is on the rise.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Specifically the report -- Profiles the average Indonesian HNW investor in terms of their demographics and analyzes the expat opportunity in Indonesia.- Analyzes which wealth management mandates are preferred among Indonesian HNW investors and how demand will develop looking forward.- Examines the allocation of Indonesian HNW investors portfolios into different asset classes and how this is expected to develop in the future.- Analyzes product and service demand among Indonesian HNW investors.Scope- Indonesian HNW individuals tend to be older than their regional peers.- The expat opportunity is less developed than in Asia Pacific, but wealth managers reaching out to HNW expats from South Korea or Singapore will find them to be a lucrative target market.- The countrys HNW investors engage multiple wealth management firms, which is symptomatic of a relatively underdeveloped and risk-averse wealth market.- A lack of expertise and time are the top drivers for Indonesian HNW investors to seek professional advice, while non-financial investments are the main reason they self-direct.- HNW demand for equity, fixed income, and alternatives is forecast to rise over the next 12 months, while demand for cash and near-cash products is expected to decrease.- A multi-service strategy - encompassing tax, financial, and pension planning - is becoming increasingly important as demand for these services is on the rise.Reasons to buy- Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth.- Give your marketing strategies the edge required and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors drivers for seeking investment advice vs self-directing.- Tailor your investment product portfolio to match current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals.- Develop your proposition to match the product and service demand expressed by Indonesian HNW investors and react proactively to forecasted changes in demand.Table of Content: Key Points1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 31.1. Entrepreneurship is the leading generator of HNW wealth 31.2. Key findings 31.3. Critical success factors 32. PROFILING THE INDONESIAN HNW INVESTOR 92.1. Indonesian HNW investors skew heavily towards males and are typically older than their Asia Pacific peers 92.1.1. The majority of Indonesian HNWs are family business owners and entrepreneurs 102.1.2. A lower proportion of Indonesian HNW individuals are directors or chairmen 112.1.3. The majority of Indonesian HNW investors have established their fortunes in either property or manufacturing 122.2. Expats form a small proportion of the overall HNW population 132.2.1. The number of HNW expats in Indonesia is below the Asia Pacific average 132.2.1. Most HNW expats are from South Korea or Singapore 153. INDONESIAN HNW INVESTMENT STYLE PREFERENCES 163.1. Indonesian HNW investors use several wealth management firms to save them time and to benefit from their expertise 16ContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Jug Shaped Bottles Market to receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2025

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The global market for jug shaped bottles is characterized by packaging manufacturers catering to custom needs of consumer brands. Consumer brands across industries are looking for new designs in packaging in order to grab consumer attention. Consumer markets are witnessing intensive competition on retail shelves wherein the visual appeal of the packaging plays a decisive role in the product being brought by customers.Jug shaped bottles are design modifications implemented in regular packaging bottles in order to make them visually attractive. Jug shaped bottles are commonly made of glass material. However, with extensive availability of cheaper polymers such as PET and HDPE, jug shaped bottles market offer immense opportunities for the supply of plastic jug shaped bottles.Browse Premium Industry Research Report with Analysis:The market is also expected to witness jug shaped bottles being manufactured from non-petroleum based biodegradable polymers. Plastic oriented packaging manufacturers are seeking new ways to meet the sustainability objectives of their clients.Global Jug Shaped Bottles Market: Market DynamicsThe global market for jug shaped bottle caters to specific market segments such as food and beverages, personal care and toiletries. Majority of the products sold in food and beverages market are sold through retail channels. The design of the bottle modelled after a jug enhances the attractive appeal of the jug shaped bottle on the retail shelves. Jug shaped bottles with handle provide consumers with the ease and convenience to access the content within the bottle. Jug shaped bottle also offer multiple serving of the content as the packaging made of glass and rigid plastics are durable in nature.Jug shaped bottle manufacturers are supplying jug shaped bottles made of clay in order to present an exclusive product offering to premium brands. Clay jug shaped bottles are given antique look to suit the brand image of the clients. Jug shaped bottles are anticipated to stay niche packaging formats that are preferred by specific market segments.Jug shaped bottles are preferred by consumers not only for its attractive features, but also for its reusability. Jug shaped bottles made of glass and rigid plastics are reused for household purposes.Attractive design, reusability and high utility among users are key factors driving the global jug shaped bottles market. Nevertheless, the global market for jug shaped bottles is expected to generate noticeable growth prospects in limited application areas.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical industry insights:Manufacturers of jug shaped bottles are anticipated to consistently innovate in terms of bottle designs and functionalities in order sustain the preference among niche market segments.Global Jug Shaped Bottles Market: Market SegmentationThe global Jug Shaped Bottles market is segmented as per material type and by application type.As per the material type, the global jug shaped bottles market is segmented intoGlassPlasticClayAs per the application type, the global jug shaped bottles market is segmented intoFood and BeveragesVinegarAlternative DairyDairy ProductsOthersPersonal CareHomecare and ToiletriesOthersGlobal Jug Shaped Bottles Market: Regional OutlookGeographically the global jug shaped bottles market is segmented into 7 key regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, and Middle East and Africa (MEA).The global market for jug shaped bottles is characterized by presence of small players primarily restricted to domestic markets. Different regional market feature products that are characteristically different from products in other geographic markets. China market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness considerable supply capabilities for the global jug shaped bottles market. The demand for jug shaped bottles is expected to be contributed from MEA and Europe region for considerable presence of luxury market segments.About UsTransparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700Albany NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453E-mail: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Chinas Military and Civil Aviation Investments Make it Critical in APEJ Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Market

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Air travel has taken off in APEJ like never before, spurred on by rising affluence and a greater disposable income amongst consumers in this dynamic region. This is anticipated to require additional ground support equipment ensuring that the aircraft ground support equipment market grows at a healthy rate for the foreseeable future. Future Market Insights in its upcoming report titled Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012 - 2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017 - 2027) predicts that the aircraft ground support equipment market could record a robust CAGR of 6.5%.Equipment  Aircraft Service Segment Key in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe aircraft service segment had a market share of more than half by equipment type in the aircraft ground support equipment market at the end of 2017 and is projected to grow this share by 30 BPS going forward. This is largely at the expense of cargo loading and passenger service. Aircraft service segment is greatly benefited by the high cost of different products such as aircraft tractors, de-icing, and fire fighting vehicles that explains its dominance in the aircraft ground support equipment market.Request Report Sample@Power  Electric Power Provides Spark in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe electric segment is the most popular in the aircraft ground support equipment market and has seen rapid adoption in airport buses, de-icing vehicles, and aircraft tractors because of its reliability, support, and battery performance. Furthermore, advanced infrastructure in a number of airports in Europe and the US has led to electric chargers becoming commonplace fuelling the growth of the electric power segment in the aircraft ground support equipment market. The electric power segment is expected to cross a value of more than US$ 7.5 billion by end 2027, larger than the non-electric and hybrid segments combined.Region  APEJ to Double Market Share in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketIn terms of value, APEJ is predicted to double its market share during the course of the decadal study. Explosive growth in passenger traffic in China and India is largely responsible for this with the former contributing to the bulk of it. In addition to this, open sky agreements such as that recently signed between India and Japan should further the prospects of the APEJ aircraft ground support equipment market.Ownership  Rental Gaining Popularity in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe rental/lease segment is gaining greater acceptance in the aircraft ground support equipment market because of the high cost associated with it. There is a definite shift in focus of airline companies and airport management towards rental ownership as this saves capital, resources, and time. The rental/ lease segment is estimated to witness a CAGR of 7% for the forecast period.Application  Defence Unlikely to Topple Commercial Segment in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe commercial segment holds a lions share in the aircraft ground support equipment market by application and is on track to lose 70 BPS till 2027. However, it has a two-third share of the market in 2017 on account of substantial movement of commercial aircraft, requiring evermore aircraft ground support equipment units. An incremental dollar opportunity of approx. US$ 4.8 billion from 2017 to 2027 makes the commercial segment large enough for all stakeholders in the aircraft ground support equipment market.Competition Dashboard in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment MarketThe companies profiled in the report are JBT Corporation, ALVEST Group, Air T, Alberth Aviation Ltd., Cavotec SA, Clyde Machines Inc., Textron, Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co., China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Kalmar Motor AB, HYDRO Systems KG, Nepean Engineering & Innovation Pty Ltd., Tronair, Lektro, Charlatte Of America Inc., Schopf Maschinenbau GmbH, Mulag Fahrzeugwerk Heinz Wossner GmbH, Mallaghan Engineering Limited, SEMMCO, and DENGE Airport Equipment.Visit For TOC@Important TakeawaysAPEJ has immense potential in the long-term because of skyrocketing passenger traffic and companies would do well to focus their attention on this continent. Western companies should shift their production bases there to take advantage of lower cost coupled with manufacturing expertise. Companies must develop efficient products that have minimal maintenance and innovations in power technologies could provide the necessary breakthroughs.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Wearable Computer Market 2017 Industry Key Players -Honeywell, Epson, Pebble, LG, Fitbit, ZIH Corp, AbleNet, Intel, Vuzix, Zebra,..

Wearable Computer Market

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Wearable Computer Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Wearable Computer Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Wearable Computer in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanGlobal Wearable Computer market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingHoneywellEpsonPebbleLGFitbitZIH CorpAbleNetIntelVuzixZebraRequest Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoHeadset ComputerHand RingOthersOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingBusiness ManagementMedical MonitoringPersonal ConsumptionMilitaryIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit -Table of Content:Global Wearable Computer Market Research Report 20171 Wearable Computer Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Wearable Computer1.2 Wearable Computer Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Wearable Computer Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Wearable Computer Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Headset Computer1.2.4 Hand Ring1.2.5 Others1.3 Global Wearable Computer Segment by Application1.3.1 Wearable Computer Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Business Management1.3.3 Medical Monitoring1.3.4 Personal Consumption1.3.5 Military1.4 Global Wearable Computer Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Wearable Computer Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Wearable Computer (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Wearable Computer Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Wearable Computer Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Wearable Computer Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Wearable Computer Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Wearable Computer Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Wearable Computer Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Wearable Computer Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Wearable Computer Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Wearable Computer Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Wearable Computer Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Wearable Computer Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Wearable Computer Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Wearable Computer Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Wearable Computer Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Wearable Computer Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 United States Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 EU Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 South Korea Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 Taiwan Wearable Computer Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Wearable Computer Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Wearable Computer Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 United States Wearable Computer Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 EU Wearable Computer Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Wearable Computer Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Wearable Computer Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 South Korea Wearable Computer Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 Taiwan Wearable Computer Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Wearable Computer Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Wearable Computer Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Wearable Computer Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Wearable Computer Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Wearable Computer Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global Wearable Computer Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Wearable Computer Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Wearable Computer Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Raffia Tapes Market Industry trends, competitive landscape, company profiles and forecast 2025

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Raffia tapes are high strength packaging solution for strapping, tying and sealing functions implemented in industrial, construction and transport operations. Raffia tapes are easily available, cheaper packaging solution for securing products together or for weaving packaging systems made of fabrics. Manufacturers of raffia tapes often reinforce them with polymers in order to enhance the surface characteristics. Raffia tapes are supplied in range of different colors including natural brown, white, black, green, red, blue, etc. Growing significance of packaging in industry wide supply chain and logistics functions have provided packaging manufacturers to offer products such as raffia tapes to effectively cater to their clients operating in logistics and supply chain industry.Browse Premium Industry Research Report with Analysis:Raffia tapes are multi-layer in structure, wherein a polypropylene (PP) raffia film is applied with a layer of water based acrylic adhesive. PP raffia tapes offer transparent features for coating cartons used in shipping of goods.Global Raffia Tapes Market: Market DynamicsCarton sealing has emerged as the key application segment for PP or BOPP raffia tapes. The global raffia tapes market is driven by market opportunities in agricultural, general industrial and building and construction applications. Sealing cartons or boxes, strapping small boxes together in a stack or splicing of flat packaging formats has led to incremental prospects for raffia tapes market. Raffia tapes are preferred by market players for its characteristics to provide convenient yet cheaper solutions for supply chain and logistics functions.Global Raffia Tapes Market: Market SegmentationThe global raffia tapes market is segmented based on product type, application type and by end use industries. As per product type raffia tapes are segmented into natural brown raffia tapes, white raffia tapes, clear raffia tapes and other colors. According to application type raffia tapes are segmented into strapping, splicing, carton sealing, box sealing and others. As per end use industries raffia tapes are segmented into shipping and logistics, food and beverages, building and construction, health care and pharmaceuticals, electrical and electronics, automotive, general industrial and agriculture.In developing nations the use of raffia tapes for packaging application into agriculture has gained considerable importance as raffia tapes offer convenient and effective packaging solution for shipping, storage and transportation of agricultural produce, agricultural stock, seeds, fodder, etc.Flexible packaging including fodder bags, jute bags, cartons and boxes are strapped or secured together during the transportation process. Raffia tapes provide effective solution to such agricultural packaging functions.Global Raffia Tapes Market: Regional OutlookGeographically the global raffia tapes market is segmented into 5 key regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa (MEA).Regions with health agricultural and manufacturing sector along with considerable growth opportunities in allied industries has prominent applications for raffia tapes. Developed as well developing countries have shown sizable opportunities for raffia tapes market in their domestic markets.The Asia Pacific region is key exporting region in the global raffia tapes market. The market in India and China has noticeable concentration of raffia tapes manufacturers. Raffia tapes manufacturers in India and China have export capabilities to supply in regions including Middles East, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Latin America.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical industry insights:The consumption of raffia tapes for packaging application in agricultural as well as building and construction has gained prominence in European countries. European companies operating in supply and logistics are heavily importing from raffia tape manufacturers in Asia Pacific region.Global Raffia Tapes Market: Key PlayersSome of the players operating into the raffia tapes market include Shenzhen Aimtack Tape Co., Ltd, Jiangxi Longtai New Material Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang Hangteng Import And Export Trade Co., Ltd., Zhenjiang Rongfa Plastic Products Co., Ltd., Suzhou Enable Adhesive Material Technology Co., Ltd., Huzhou Nanxun Sunjoy Textile Co., Ltd., Luk Plastcon Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700Albany NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453E-mail: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Wireless Tower Market in Europe: MNO Regulatory Requirements and Debt Burdens Create Opportunities for Tower Companies

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"Wireless Tower Market in Europe: MNO Regulatory Requirements and Debt Burdens Create Opportunities for Tower Companies", a new Telecom Insider Report by Publisher offers a thorough study of the wireless tower market in the European region. The first section of this report explains the major sources of wireless capacity and the different radio access nodes used to offer wireless coverage. The report then provides an assessment of the European wireless tower market with a focus on selected markets in the region. The report includes an in-depth examination of the key factors driving and inhibiting wireless tower activity in Europe. We then present case studies that analyze the wireless tower markets in the UK, Italy and Romania. The report concludes with a summary of key findings and a set of recommendations.Mobile network operators (MNOs) have invested heavily in setting up wireless tower infrastructure, resulting in high financial burdens. With declining ARPS and pressure to invest in network quality and LTE roll-outs, MNOs are looking to divest their tower infrastructure in order to reduce capex and debt. This has emerged as an opportunity for third-party tower companies (towercos) in recent years.For more information about this report:Report Scope:- In Europe, a growing LTE subscriber base and the increasing adoption of mobile video traffic driven applications over LTE-enabled smartphones is providing fuel for wireless tower market growth. It is, however, also resulting in substantial pressure being placed on operators to increase the number of wireless tower sites.- Until recently, the majority of wireless tower sites were owned and managed by MNOs, however this scenario is changing due to the increase in divestments of tower infrastructure by these operators. MNOs are either selling their tower infrastructure to independent towercos or creating independent entities to manage the tower infrastructure.- There are a variety of challenges faced by the key players in the European wireless tower market, which include complex permitting processes, site acquisition, environmental regulations and lower ARPU and population density in rural areas.Reasons to buy:- This report examines the wireless tower market in the European region, in order to enable new tower companies to align their product offerings. The report also provides analysis of tower market structure along with drivers and inhibitors influencing the region with a focus on the region's major markets, including France, Italy, Romania, UK, Spain, Germany and Russia among others.- Helps executives build proactive, profitable growth strategies by offering comprehensive and relevant analysis of growing opportunities in the European wireless tower market, regulatory framework, competitive environment and best practices of the existing operators.- The case studies focus on the drivers and inhibitors within three leading tower markets in the region including the Telco strategies being pursued in these markets to drive business, which can be beneficial to local players or prospective market entrants.- By understanding the interests and positions of the main stakeholders in the wireless tower market (including independent tower companies, MNOs, end users and regulators), telecom professionals and operators can develop strategies and increase their participation in the growing tower market.Request Sample Copy atCompanies Mentioned:TelefonicaDeutsche TelekomVodafoneOrangeSFRBouyguesTelecomWindHutchisonBT, 3T-MobileCellnexFPS TowersTDSINWITArqivaWireless Infrastructure GroupTelxiusOmega TowersDeutsche FunkturmTable of Contents:List of exhibits 4Executive summary 7Section 1: Introduction 8Section 2: Wireless towers market in Europe 11Operator-owned vs. towerco-owned towers 12Wireless tower count 13Section 3: Wireless towers in Europe 14Drivers 16Inhibitors 20Outlook 25Section 4: Case studies 27UK 28Italy 30Romania 32Conclusions: Key findings and recommendations 33Appendix: Acronyms and Definitions 36Inquire for Report atAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) Global Industry Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021) | Glori Energy Inc., DuPont, Titan Oil Recovery, Chemiphase, Genome prairie, ConcoPhilips

Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) Market: Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021) By Metabolic Products (Biomass Formation, Bio-Surfactants, Bio-Polymers, Bio-Solvents, Organic Acids, Bio- Gases, Bio-emulsifiers, Hydrocarbon Metabolism), By Applications (Interfacial Tension Reduction, Emulsification and De-Emulsification, Selective Plugging & Wettability Alteration, Gas production, Biodegradation):By Location of Application (Offshore & Onshore), By Region (North America, South & Cent" to its huge collection of research reports.Aging Oil and Gas Infrastructure, Rise in offshore drilling activities, Need for alternative technologies, Economic & Environmental Factors, Lower Crude Oil Prices, CO2 Reducing Emission Policies & Rise in Demand for Fuel, are the basic reasons behind increased demands for the Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market.China has high exporting capacity for Natural Gas as well as is world's largest net importer of petroleum and other liquids, in part because of China's rising oil consumption. This has made Asia Pacific market for MEOR to grow during 2016-2021. Similarly MEOR Market for Middle East & Africa comprises of Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Angola, as their most demanding nations for oil and gas owing to their high consumption demand for energy due to high industrial and manufacturing sector. North America has been able to maintain its high market for MEOR owing to its numerous MEOR field trials & projects especially in United States and Canada.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report speaks about the offshore and onshore allocation of the market share wherein rise in the offshore explorations in MEOR at Norway, Malaysia and United States would drive the market in the offshore oil and gas industry. Moreover, the percentage share of the onshore market is anticipated to decline but would still be higher than offshore market until the year 2021. But stringent government regulations regarding oil & gas leaks, lower credibility and obstacles in production via MEOR is one of the biggest restraints faced by this industry. Aging Oil and Gas Infrastructure, Need for alternative technologies, Lower Crude Oil Prices & Rise in Demand for Fuel has surged the need for more Exploration & Production (E&P) activities that is further driving the market for Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery. With the high demand for energy in the nations across the globe, there has been an increase in exploration activities leading to growth in the market for Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market.According to recently published Azoth Analytics report Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market: Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021), Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 17.37% during 2016 2021F, on account of increased activities in exploration and production activities in the oil and gas sector along with rise in number MEOR projects and field trails in various nations across the globe.Decline in crude oil prices have brought some major economic benefits for nations which has re-structured the oil and gas industry and the market for Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery. North American market has been a dominating region during 2016-2021E because of an extensive MEOR project & field trials implementation followed by Europe while Asia Pacific will have the highest CAGR along with Middle East & Africa. The oil and gas industry in North American market holds the highest share by region having a -1.26 % CAGR from 2011-2015 followed by European Market and Middle East & African Market, respectively.According to Azoth Analytics research report, Global Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market: Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021), Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of over ~17.37% during 2016E 2021F. On the basis of market segment, the market has been segmented into three categories namely By Metabolic Product, By Application, By Location of Application and By Regions. Few of the leading companies operating Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Market are Glori Energy Inc., DuPont, Titan Oil Recovery, Chemiphase, Genome prairie, ConcoPhilips, BP, Stat Oil, Shell, Gulf Energy LLC.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Scope of the ReportThe report provides coverage:By Metabolic ProductsBiomass FormationBio-SurfactantsBio-PolymersBio-SolventsOrganic AcidsBio- GasesBio-emulsifiersHydrocarbon MetabolismBy ApplicationInterfacial tension reductionEmulsification and de-emulsificationSelective pluggingWettability alterationGas productionBiodegradationBy Location of ApplicationOnshoreOffshoreBy RegionNorth AmericaSouth & Central AmericaAsia PacificEuropeMiddle East & AfricaBy CountryUnited StatesCanadaVenezuelaMexicoOmanKuwaitSaudi ArabiaAngolaRussiaChinaAustraliaAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Eye Massager: Health & Personal Care By Industry Analysis 2017; Popular Trends & Product Reviews and Ratings

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A comprehensive analysis of the Global Eye Massagers Market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.Top Key Vendors:BreoKAONaipoNekteckRENPHOGet Sample Copy of this Report @It explains a detailed outline of the Eye Massagers Market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions, and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea of the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing is discussed in order to help the client understand the future market position.According to the research report, the global market for Eye Massagers Market is witnessing a continual rise in its valuation with the advancement in technologies, which is impacting the consumer behavior and, accordingly, their purchasing patterns to a great extent. In addition to this, the rising penetration of internet and the surge in mobile surfing are anticipated to boost the demand for network management software across the world, states the research report.Know more about this Premium Report:On the basis of geographical regions, the Global Eye Massagers Market is segmented broadly into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The global market is still in its exploratory stage in most of the regions but it holds the promising potential to flourish steadily in coming years. The major companies investing in this market are situated in Canada, U.K., and the US, India, China and some more countries of Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe are estimated to hold more than half of the market shares, collectively in coming years.This statistical surveying research study presents an all-inclusive evaluation of the worldwide market for network management software, taking various industry parameters, such as the capacity of production, product pricing, demand, supply, and sales dynamics, returns on investments, and the growth rate of the overall market into consideration.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Eye Massagers Market have been presented. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the technology and product type introduced by each of these manufacturers also form a key part of this section of the report.Table of ContentsThe Global Eye Massagers Market Research Report 20171 Eye Massagers Market Overview2 Global Eye Massagers Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Eye Massagers Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Eye Massagers Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)5 Global Eye Massagers Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Eye Massagers Market Analysis by Application7 Global Eye Massagers Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Eye Massagers Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Eye Massagers Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixAbout QYReports:We at QYReports, a leading market research report publisher cater to more than 4,000 prestigious clients worldwide meeting their customized research requirements in terms of market data size and its application. Our list of customers includes renowned Chinese companies multinational companies, SMEs and private equity firms. Our business study covers a market size of over 30 industries offering you accurate, in depth and reliable market insight, industry analysis and structure. We specialize in forecasts needed for investing in an and execution of a new project globally and in Chinese markets.Contact:The Work Lab,FC Road, Pune, MH, India411016
Reinsurance in US Industry 2017- By Plan Future Business Decisions Using the Forecast Figures

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Synopsis'Reinsurance in the US, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the US reinsurance segment.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the US economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the US insurance industry.The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Summary'Reinsurance in the US, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the US reinsurance segment, including: An outlook of the US reinsurance segment A comprehensive overview of the US economy and demographics Detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the US insurance industry The competitive landscape in the US reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in the US: It provides historical values for the US reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period. It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the US reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020. It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in the US, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects. It analyzes various natural and man-made hazards and their impact on the US insurance industryReasons to Buy Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the US reinsurance segment, and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the US reinsurance segment. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories. Gain insights into key regulations governing the US insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key Highlights Demand for reinsurance capital increased during the review period, particularly in the property and casualty lines. . US multi-peril, US-named storms and hurricanes, and US earthquakes accounted for 53.1% of catastrophe bonds outstanding as of November 2016 . The top 10 reinsurers globally, accounted for 83.1% of the total life and non-life gross reinsurance premium in 2016. Reinsurance plays a critical role in the US property catastrophe market.Table of Content: Key Points1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Reinsurance Outlook4.1 Reinsurance Segment Size, 201120204.1.1 Total reinsurance premium accepted4.2 Reinsurance Segment Size by Premium Ceded, 201120205 Competitive Landscape5.1 Company Profiles5.1.1 National Indemnity Company  company overview5.1.2 Munich Reinsurance America  company overview5.1.3 QBE North America  company overview5.1.4 XL Reinsurance America Inc.  company overview5.1.5 Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation  company overview6 Natural and Man-made Hazards6.1 Storm6.2 Flooding6.3 Wildfires6.4 Earthquakes6.5 Exposure7 Definition and Methodology7.1 Definitions7.2 MethodologyContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
automotive wires market is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period (20172027)

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The global automotive wires market is estimated to be valued at US$ 9,781.6 Mn in terms of value and 1,700,440 MT in terms of volume by 2017 end. According to the newly published report titled Automotive Wires Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012  2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017  2027) by Future Market Insights, the global automotive wires market is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period (20172027) to reach a value of US$ 17,481.7 Mn by 2027 end. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% (by volume) over the forecast period and reach a volume of 2,826,309 MT by 2027 end. The market players are targeting APEJ as their key sales region. China is expected to remain a highly opportunistic market over the forecast period in terms of the overall demand of automotive wires. The growth in the automobile production will boost the automotive wires market in the near coming years.Request Report Sample@Global Automotive Wires Market- DriversIncrease in technological advancements and components of vehicle infrastructure in automotive fleetIncrease in demand for commercial vehicles, increase in capacity utilizationGrowth in the European automotive industry to fuel the demand of automotive wiresIncreased tariffs on aging cards leads to change in consumer behavior to opt for a new vehicleEmergence of innovative, high- quality and cost effective products and increase in R & D activitiesPresence of key automotive wire & cable manufacturers along with OEM playersGrowing investments in vehicle & component manufacturingGlobal Automotive Wires Market- Forecast by Material TypeOn the basis of material type, the global automotive market is segmented into copper, aluminium and others such as nickel. The copper segment is further sub-segmented intoOxygenic Copper, Pure Copper, (Oxygen Free), Copper Silver (CuAg), Copper Magnesium (CuMg) and Copper Tin (CuSn). Aluminium & Copper both will gain significant BPS over the forecast period. Increasing demand for pure copper and copper magnesium are expected to witness significant growth across key the automotive wire material type. In terms of volume, Copper and Aluminum are expected to grow and become 1.66x and 2.14x, respectively, between 2017 and 2027. Incremental opportunity registered by the Copper material segment will contribute a lions share to the overall incremental $ opportunity registered by the material segment.Global Automotive Wires Market- Forecast by Vehicle TypeVehicle type segment consists of conventional fuel vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. Conventional fuel vehicles are further sub-segmented into passengers vehicle and commercial vehicles. In terms of value and volume, conventional fuel vehicles are expected to hold the majority share in the global automotive wires market. Passenger cars in conventional fuel vehicles are expected to remain dominant and hold maximum market share during the forecast period.Global Automotive Wires Market- Forecast by ApplicationApplication segment includes chassis and safety, body and heating ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC). Chassis and safety segment is sub-segmented into conventional chassis, semi-forward chassis and full-forward chassis. Body segment includes sub-segments such as facia, roof, door and window, seat and interior. By application, chassis & safety is projected to hold major share in terms of value share in the global market over the forecast period. Chassis & safety segment is estimated to be valued at US $ 4084.7Mn by 2017 end and is expected to increase to US$ 6970.1 Mn by end of the forecast period while growing at a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period.Global Automotive Wires Market- Forecast by RegionSeven regions have been covered in this report, such as North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, APEJ, Japan and MEA. APEJ is expected to dominate the global automotive wires market in 2027, accounting for 57.5% followed by North America and Western Europe. In terms of innovation, China is estimated to remain the center for the production and consumption of automotive wires. The market is largely influenced by investments in the Asia Pacific region. New establishments in APEJ will impact the growth of automotive wires. Western Europe and North America are cumulatively expected to account for around 21.3% value share in the total global Automotive Wires market by 2027 end.Visit For TOC@Global Automotive Wires Market- Key PlayersLEONI AG, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Fujikura Ltd., Delphi Automotive Plc., PKC Group, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Yazaki Corporation, General Cable, Lear Corporation, Draka (Subsidiary of Prysmian Group), Samvardhana Motherson Group, Allied Wire & Cable, Inc., Coroplast Fritz Muller GmbH & Co. KG., Kromberg & Schubert, Acome, Yura Corporation, and Kyungshin Corporation are some of the companies that are operating in the global automation wires market.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
The Technological Future of Financial Management Software Market Opportunity, Growth and Forecast By End-use Industry 2017-2022

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A comprehensive analysis of the Global Financial Management Software Market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done on the past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. This report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive scenario of the Global market. The report further projects the size and valuation of the global market in the coming forecast period. The report also presents a thorough qualitative and quantitative data affecting the projected impact of these factors on markets future growth prospects.Top Key Vendors:SAP, Infor, Tyler Technologies, SAS, Intacct, Microsoft, FinancialForce, The Balance, Syspro, Oracle, NetSuite, Banktivity, CountAbout, Mvelopes, Moneyspire, YNABGet Sample Copy of this Report @It explains a detailed outline of the Financial Management Software Market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions, and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea of the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing is discussed in order to help the client understand the future market position.According to the research report, the global market for Financial Management Software Market is witnessing a continual rise in its valuation with the advancement in technologies, which is impacting the consumer behavior and, accordingly, their purchasing patterns to a great extent. In addition to this, the rising penetration of internet and the surge in mobile surfing are anticipated to boost the demand for network management software across the world, states the research report.Know more about this Premium Report:On the basis of geographical regions, the Global Financial Management Software Market is segmented broadly into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The global market is still in its exploratory stage in most of the regions but it holds the promising potential to flourish steadily in coming years. The major companies investing in this market are situated in Canada, U.K., and the US, India, China and some more countries of Asia Pacific region. Consequently, Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe are estimated to hold more than half of the market shares, collectively in coming years.This statistical surveying research study presents an all-inclusive evaluation of the worldwide market for network management software, taking various industry parameters, such as the capacity of production, product pricing, demand, supply, and sales dynamics, returns on investments, and the growth rate of the overall market into consideration.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Financial Management Software Market have been presented. These manufacturers have been analyzed in terms of their manufacturing base, basic information, and competitors. In addition, the technology and product type introduced by each of these manufacturers also form a key part of this section of the report.Table of ContentsThe Global Financial Management Software Market Research Report 20171 Financial Management Software Market Overview2 Global Financial Management Software Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Financial Management Software Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Financial Management Software Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)5 Global Financial Management Software Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Financial Management Software Market Analysis by Application7 Global Financial Management Software Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Financial Management Software Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Financial Management Software Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixAbout QYReports:We at QYReports, a leading market research report publisher cater to more than 4,000 prestigious clients worldwide meeting their customized research requirements in terms of market data size and its application. Our list of customers includes renowned Chinese companies multinational companies, SMEs and private equity firms. Our business study covers a market size of over 30 industries offering you accurate, in depth and reliable market insight, industry analysis and structure. We specialize in forecasts needed for investing in an and execution of a new project globally and in Chinese markets.Contact:The Work Lab,FC Road, Pune, MH, India411016
Automotive Ultra capacitor Market to Incur Rapid Extension During 2016 - 2024

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Automotive ultra-capacitors is one of the major energy sources that delivers quick bursts of energy during peak power demands. Automotive ultra-capacitor chief usage is augment vehicle performance by improving fuel economy and reducing harmful emissions thus extend longevity of vehicles. Apart from conventional applications, ultra-capacitor also include board net stabilization, and in acceleration systems. Ultra capacitors are efficient than batteries as they enable higher power to the engine as compared to only batteries. However to improve fuel economy, a combination of ultra-capacitors and batteries is generally used to start and ignite system at lower voltage regulation. However, automotive ultra-capacitors long last as they store energy in an electric field which lets them to discharge and charge quickly allowing them to survive high number of discharge and charge cycles, as opposed to batteries which involve electrochemical reaction.Request For Report Sample:Market DynamicsRising fuel prices, new fuel regulation and escalating demand for fuel efficient vehicles are one of the key drivers that are expected to boost the demand of ultra-capacitors. With proliferation in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles, the demand for ultra-capacitors is anticipated to grow significantly. Likewise, the surge in the production of start-stop system based vehicles is expected to rise owing to enhanced application of ultra-capacitor. With advanced application in technologies such as e-turbo and active suspension the growth in the sales of ultra-capacitors is anticipated to sustain. Although ultra-capacitors improve vehicle performance they are yet to be adopted for all automobile owing to presence of lead acid, lithium ion batteries which have higher energy density and are relatively cheaper.Market Segmentation:Automotive Ultra-capacitor market can be segmented on the basis of application asBrake RegenerationStart-stop operationAutomotive Ultra-capacitor market can be segmented on the basis of hybrid electric vehicle Type asFull hybridMild hybridAlso the Automotive Ultra-capacitor market can be segmented on the sales channelOEMAftermarketRegional Outlook:The automotive ultra-capacitor market can also be segmented on the basis of region as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), Japan and Middle East and Africa. Western Europe is one of the largest market for automotive ultra-capacitors, followed U.S. owing to strong demand of hybrid and electric vehicles in the regions However, the automotive ultra-capacitor market in Europe and US is relatively mature. APEJ is one of the attractive regions for automotive ultra-capacitor manufacturers owing to strong demand of hybrid based vehicle especially from China and India. The region is anticipated to create significant opportunities in terms of ultra-capacitor sales due to evolving demand for micro-hybrid vehicles. Japan automotive ultra-capacitor market is expected to exhibit double digit growth owing to escalating demand for hybrid and electric vehicle. Followed by Japan, Latin America and MEA automobile market are expected to create significant opportunities for automotive ultra-capacitors manufacturers.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Key players:Some of the key vendors identified in the global automotive capacitors market are Maxwell Technologies, Nesscap Ultracapacitors, Skeleton Technologies, ELNA America Inc., Ioxus Inc, LS Mtron, Yunasko, Panasonic, among many othersAbout 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:
Analysis of Armor Material Market in Global Industry : Key players Royal Tencate NV, Akzo Nobel, DSM NV, 3M Ceradyne, Inc., E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Research and Forecast 2017-2025

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Armor Material Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.About armor materialArmor design and application is a science rather than an organized branch of engineering. A variance in 1Kg or less in the weight of a vest can mean the difference between life and death. A soldier could carry extra food, water, or additional ammunition with a variance in weight of armor. Depending on the manufacturer, the ballistic panels in bullet proof vests can be made with different materials.Market Structure:The global armor material market can be segmented based on material, end-user, areas of application, and region. In terms of material, the armor material market can be classified into ceramics, fiberglass, para-aramid, polyethylene, metals & alloys, and others. The materials utilized in the manufacture of armor vary from company to company. Ceramic materials have low density, high hardness, high elastic modulus, good comprehensive strength, and sufficient flexure.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The most important aspect of ceramic material that makes it suitable for armor is the strong covalent bonding between constituents such as oxygen, beryllium, carbon, boron, aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. Para-aramids are a class of synthetic fibers with high heat resistance and strength. Polyethylene with ultra-high molecular weight is another common material for armors. They are commonly known as UHMWPE, composed of extremely long polyethylene chains. Metals & alloys include steel and other heavy materials. They are heavy, bulky, and in most cases ineffective as compared to other materials. Since, metals and alloys are cheaply available, it is widely used in making body armors for vehicle and personnel. The para-aramid material segment is estimated to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to its inherent flexibility and light weight.In terms of end-user, the armor material market can be divided into personnel and vehicle. Military vehicles are commonly armored to withstand the impact of bullets, shrapnel, and missiles. The common material utilized for vehicle armor is steel and other heavy metals. Personnel armor is a protective coating for military, police, bodyguards, security guards, and high priority personnel. The personnel segment holds a major share of the armor material market due to its wide usage among military personnel.In terms of areas of application, the armor material market can be segregated into military, police, aerospace, security guards, and others. The military segment holds a major share of the armor material market, and is expanding at a significant CAGR due to the increase in number of military personnel globally.Make an Enquiry about TOC @In terms of region, the armor material market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America holds a prominent share of the market followed by Europe, due to the rise in homeland security and military personnel in the region. The market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a rapid pace due to increasing military up-grade programs and defense budgets.Key Developments:Several companies are involved in developing materials used in body armors. The companies are competing aggressively to develop the lightest and most robust materials possible. DuPont has been developing armor materials for more than 40 years. The companys brand fiber Kevlar was the first lightweight material identified for usage in armors. It was first developed in 1965. Kevlar has high strength, low weight and is also resistant to chemicals and cuts. Honeywell has been developing materials for armors and currently, offers materials such as Spectra Shield, Gold Flex, and Gold Shield. Akzo Nobel introduced its first armor material in 1972. The armor was made of para-aramid material and was known as Twaron. The company claims that their patented Microfilament technology allows maximum energy absorption at minimum weights, improving flexibility and comfort.Key Players:Key players operating in armor materials market are Honeywell International Inc., Royal Tencate NV, Akzo Nobel, DSM NV, 3M Ceradyne, Inc., E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Morgan Advanced Materials, JPS Composite Materials, and CPS Technologies Corp.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.us
Emulsion Polymers Market to register a healthy CAGR for the forecast period, 2017-2027

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Introduction: Emulsion Polymers MarketEmulsion polymers is a polymer produced through monomer, water and emulsion of surfactant. The common type of emulsion polymer are oil-in- water, all the emulsion polymers have molecular weights which may results in fast polymerization. Surfactant plays a vital role in the manufacturing of emulsion polymer for particle nucleation, stabilization and to increase the life of the product. However, there extra presence may lead to adverse effects on the final product. All the emulsion polymers are belongs to green products which may lead to eco -friendly products of coatings, paints and many more. The application of emulsion polymers are for improving the quality of heat sensitivity, self-repairing abilities of paints and coatings during manufacturing.Market Dynamics: Emulsion Polymers MarketEmulsion polymers is expected to thrive the demand in terms of value and volume in between the forecast period. Market is expected to gain traction in near future owning to some key drivers such as, fruitful growth in paints and coatings market, swiftly growing paper and paperboards demand in end use customers as well as government stringent regulations all these factors are expected to contribute the growth of the emulsion polymer market in the forecast period. Along with these key factors strong growth in adhesives market is also expected to increase sales of emulsion polymers, while enhanced output of quality coated paper is expected to support demand for styrene-butadiene. The awareness towards the use of bio based emulsion polymers is expected to witness strong opportunity for the emulsion polymer manufacturers. The major key factors which is expected to hamper the market growth is the fluctuating raw materials prices. On the basis of application, acrylic is expected to dominate the emulsion polymer market and is expected to gain more than one third market in terms of value and volume. The demand for the acrylic polymers are increased due to its strong durability and wide range of end use applications.Request Report Sample@On the basis of geographical region, Asia pacific is expected to create significant incremental $ opportunity in the emulsion polymer market. China is anticipated to witness for one third of market value share in terms of value and volume. The fastest growth is projected for India in Asia Pacific emulsion polymer market, gains is expected to fueled by growth in the production of paper, adhesives, high quality coating, especially in the emerging economies of AsiaMarket Segmentation: Emulsion Polymers MarketEmulsion polymers market is segmented on the basis of material type, packaging type, product type and end usersOn the basis of product type, emulsion polymers market segmented asStyrene Butadiene LatexVinyl Acetate PolymersAcrylicsOthersOn the basis of application the emulsion polymers market segmented asAdhesivesPaints & CoatingsPaper & PaperboardsInksTextileOthersRegional Outlook: Emulsion Polymers MarketGlobally, North America and Western Europe is anticipated to dominate the market over the forecast period owing to growing a polymer industry. Emulsion polymer is the mature market and gain in the market is expected from a rebound in construction and manufacturing activities. As well as from the adoption of the stringent regulations. However, key manufacturers are planning to ramp up their investments and set up their production hubs in APAC to hit the increasing necessities of markets in the region. Furthermore, APAC is anticipated to be primarily driven by China and India. Middle East & Africa and Latin America are projected to witness for sluggish steady growth over the forecast period. Latin America countries such as Mexico and Brazil are expected to represent significant incremental $ opportunity in between the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in the emulsion polymers market areBASFThe DOW Chemical CompanyDIC CorporationAsahi KaseiWacker ChemieStyronOmnova SolutionsCelanese CorporationDex-Vin Polymers Private LimitedDolphin Floats Pvt LtdPolychemApcotex Industries LimitedVisen Industries LimitedGellner Industrial, LLCScott Bader Speciality PolymersAbout Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and IndiaContact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Motorcycle Rental Market 2017 Industry Key Players -Motoroads, Adriatic Moto Tours, WheelStreet, Wicked Ride, EagleRider,..

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Motorcycle Rental Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Motorcycle Rental Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies the global Motorcycle Rental market, analyzes and researches the Motorcycle Rental development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeMotoroadsAdriatic Moto ToursWheelStreetWicked RideEagleRider...Request Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Motorcycle Rental can be split intoLuxury MotorcycleCommonly MotorcycleMarket segment by Application, Motorcycle Rental can be split intoMotorcycle TourismCommuterFor further information on this report, visit -Table of Content:Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Motorcycle Rental1.1 Motorcycle Rental Market Overview1.1.1 Motorcycle Rental Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Motorcycle Rental Market by Type1.3.1 Luxury Motorcycle1.3.2 Commonly Motorcycle1.4 Motorcycle Rental Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Motorcycle Tourism1.4.2 Commuter2 Global Motorcycle Rental Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Motorcycle Rental Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Motoroads3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Motorcycle Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Adriatic Moto Tours3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Motorcycle Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 WheelStreet3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Motorcycle Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Wicked Ride3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Motorcycle Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 EagleRider3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Motorcycle Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments4 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Motorcycle Rental in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Motorcycle Rental5 United States Motorcycle Rental Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Motorcycle Rental Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Motorcycle Rental Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Motorcycle Rental Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)7 Japan Motorcycle Rental Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Motorcycle Rental Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)8 China Motorcycle Rental Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Motorcycle Rental Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)9 India Motorcycle Rental Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Motorcycle Rental Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)10 Southeast Asia Motorcycle Rental Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Motorcycle Rental Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Motorcycle Rental Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Motorcycle Rental Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Motorcycle Rental Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Motorcycle Rental Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Motorcycle Rental Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Motorcycle Rental Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Motorcycle Rental Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Motorcycle Rental Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Motorcycle Rental Market Dynamics12.1 Motorcycle Rental Market Opportunities12.2 Motorcycle Rental Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Motorcycle Rental Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Motorcycle Rental Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding/ConclusionContinuousBuy this Report @Contact Us:Norah Trentsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US); +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042
Acrylic Emulsions Market Analysis, Trends, Forecast, 2017-2027

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Introduction: Acrylic Emulsions MarketAcrylic are the esters of acrylic acid and are formed from the reaction between acrylic acid and alcohol whereas emulsion are the colloidal suspension of a fluid in another fluid primarily in oil and water. Pure acrylic emulsions are broadly used in the preparation of a number of end-use products. Which includes architectural coatings, building materials, industrial coatings, glass-fiber secondary binders for tissues and veils. Water borne acrylic emulsions creates high performance coatings for various end use industries such as, printing ink, paper making and many more. Recently manufacturers are focusing on to provide advance technologies for the acrylic emulsions market as they providing more advanced formaldehyde free technologies or self -cross linking and also to focus on raw material selection for the acrylic emulsions. Properties of the acrylic emulsions plays a key role in the improvement of the quality such as it provides better coalescing properties than others. Growing responsiveness in regard with the hostile effects of VOC emissions, which is a primarily present in the solvent based goods, this has increased the demand for acrylic emulsion.Market Dynamics: Acrylic Emulsions MarketAcrylic emulsion market is expected to gain traction in between the forecast period. Significant application of the acrylic emulsion boosting the market demand such as, its application in both water based and solvent based emulsions, growing disposable incomes has lead the consumers to spend noticeably high sums on superior quality paints and coatings, which is in-turn boosting the demand for acrylic emulsions in coatings and paints in the global market. Besides this, recovery of the infrastructural development and construction sector across many economies is also supporting the growth of the global acrylic emulsions marketRequest Report Sample@The only restraint hampering the market growth is the increasing usage of polyurethane dispersions in coating applications which has relatively cheap price as compared to acrylic emulsions and may possible to as a substitute in the near future. On the basis of product type, Polymer & copolymer is expected to be the significant growing segment in the acrylic emulsions market owing to its growing usage in nonwoven hygiene related products. Manufacturers have strong opportunity to gain maximum revenue share from the acrylic emulsion market. On the basis of the geographical region, Asia pacific is expected to grow with the healthy CAGR over the forecast period, China and India are the key contributor for the growth of acrylic emulsions market, China is expected to represent significant incremental dollar opportunity in between the forecast period followed by the India and Japan.Market Segmentation: Acrylic Emulsions MarketAcrylic emulsions market is segmented on the basis of product type and applicationOn the basis of product type, acrylic emulsions market segmented asPure AcrylicPolymer & Co-polymerOn the basis of application the acrylic emulsions market segmented asPaints & CoatingsConstruction AdditivesAdhesives & SealantsPaper CoatingsOthersRegional Outlook: Drum Liners MarketGlobally, North America projected for the lucrative market share in terms of revenue in the global acrylic emulsions market by the end of 2017, owing to the renovation activities being started in the North American countries.Rising economic growth, convenience of cheap labor, growing foreign investments, are some of the key factors expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Increasing demand from countries such as China, India, and Malaysia are expected to boost the demand of the market in the Asia-Pacific region. In the emerging markets, such as in Latin America, the coatings application is expected to drive the acrylic emulsions market owing to growing consumer awareness, government stringent regulations.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in the acrylic emulsions market areBASFAshlandThe DOW Chemical CompanyLubrizol CorporationB. FullerArkema GroupSynthomer PlcCelanese CorporationKAMSONS CHEMICALS PVT. LTD.,Pexichem Private LimitedAstra Chem Tech Private LimitedK. CHEMPRO INDIA PVT LTDJesons Industries Pvt LtdAbout Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Cresols (Ortho-Cresols, Meta-Cresols, and Para-Cresols) Market to Witness Exponential Growth by 2026

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Cresols is an aromatic organic compound and obtained from coal tar or petroleum as a mixture of three stereoisomers i.e. Ortho Cresols, Meta Cresols and Para Cresols. It is generally referred as tricresol or cresolic acid and very toxic in nature. It is a strong dermal irritant and on inhalation by human, it may cause serious hazards such as dryness, nasal constriction, and throat irritation among others. However it is widely used for variety of applications such as disinfectants, antiseptics, preservative and agrochemicals among others.Ortho, Meta and Para cresol are stereoisomers and commercially manufactured as phenol derivatives. There are two well-known manufacturing processes of cresol i.e. methylation of phenol using methanol and sulfonation of toluene, followed by hydrolysis. However manufacturing of cresol from toluene is industrially preferred route. It is appeared either as liquid or in solid form with sweet and phenolic odor. Cresol mixture is industrially preferred preservative, solvent, disinfectant and wood preservative. Meta cresol is for manufacturing of herbicides, insecticides, antioxidants, photographic chemicals and explosive. While para cresol is majorly used for manufacturing of antioxidants, dyes and fragrance chemicals. Ortho cresol has found great application as chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical intermediate, disinfectants and solvent.Request For Report Sample:Cresols Market: Market DynamicsAverage price of cresol is subjected to change with geographies and does not follow volume to revenue ration in each individual geographies. Growing demand for specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals intermediates and industrial lubricants is expected to drive global consumption of cresols. The growing demand for antioxidants and preservatives is another accelerator for global market of cresols. Sustainability of the global cresols market is majorly depends on price and availability of raw materials. However alarming government regulations on use of cresols for certain applications such as in cosmetics and hair and dye products may restrain the overall consumption of cresols across the globe.Cresols is an aromatic organic compound and obtained from coal tar or petroleum as a mixture of three stereoisomers i.e. Ortho Cresols, Meta Cresols and Para Cresols. It is generally referred as tricresol or cresolic acid and very toxic in nature. It is a strong dermal irritant and on inhalation by human, it may cause serious hazards such as dryness, nasal constriction, and throat irritation among others. However it is widely used for variety of applications such as disinfectants, antiseptics, preservative and agrochemicals among others.Ortho, Meta and Para cresol are stereoisomers and commercially manufactured as phenol derivatives. There are two well-known manufacturing processes of cresol i.e. methylation of phenol using methanol and sulfonation of toluene, followed by hydrolysis. However manufacturing of cresol from toluene is industrially preferred route. It is appeared either as liquid or in solid form with sweet and phenolic odor. Cresol mixture is industrially preferred preservative, solvent, disinfectant and wood preservative. Meta cresol is for manufacturing of herbicides, insecticides, antioxidants, photographic chemicals and explosive. While para cresol is majorly used for manufacturing of antioxidants, dyes and fragrance chemicals. Ortho cresol has found great application as chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical intermediate, disinfectants and solvent.Cresols Market: Market DynamicsAverage price of cresol is subjected to change with geographies and does not follow volume to revenue ration in each individual geographies. Growing demand for specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals intermediates and industrial lubricants is expected to drive global consumption of cresols. The growing demand for antioxidants and preservatives is another accelerator for global market of cresols. Sustainability of the global cresols market is majorly depends on price and availability of raw materials. However alarming government regulations on use of cresols for certain applications such as in cosmetics and hair and dye products may restrain the overall consumption of cresols across the globe.Cresols is an aromatic organic compound and obtained from coal tar or petroleum as a mixture of three stereoisomers i.e. Ortho Cresols, Meta Cresols and Para Cresols. It is generally referred as tricresol or cresolic acid and very toxic in nature. It is a strong dermal irritant and on inhalation by human, it may cause serious hazards such as dryness, nasal constriction, and throat irritation among others. However it is widely used for variety of applications such as disinfectants, antiseptics, preservative and agrochemicals among others.Ortho, Meta and Para cresol are stereoisomers and commercially manufactured as phenol derivatives. There are two well-known manufacturing processes of cresol i.e. methylation of phenol using methanol and sulfonation of toluene, followed by hydrolysis. However manufacturing of cresol from toluene is industrially preferred route. It is appeared either as liquid or in solid form with sweet and phenolic odor. Cresol mixture is industrially preferred preservative, solvent, disinfectant and wood preservative. Meta cresol is for manufacturing of herbicides, insecticides, antioxidants, photographic chemicals and explosive. While para cresol is majorly used for manufacturing of antioxidants, dyes and fragrance chemicals. Ortho cresol has found great application as chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical intermediate, disinfectants and solvent.Cresols Market: Market DynamicsAverage price of cresol is subjected to change with geographies and does not follow volume to revenue ration in each individual geographies. Growing demand for specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals intermediates and industrial lubricants is expected to drive global consumption of cresols. The growing demand for antioxidants and preservatives is another accelerator for global market of cresols. Sustainability of the global cresols market is majorly depends on price and availability of raw materials. However alarming government regulations on use of cresols for certain applications such as in cosmetics and hair and dye products may restrain the overall consumption of cresols across the globe.Major consumers of cresols are China, U.S., Western Europe and Japan and collectively accounted for more than 60% of total world consumption in 2015. China is the largest market in Asia-Pacific followed by India in 2016, and is expected to grow rapidly in the near future. Owing to cresols value added applications such as solvent, disinfectant and preservative, it is expected that the consumption of cresol will grow steadily especially in China and India. This is primarily because of expansion of end-use industries such as rubber and plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes and chemicals in Asia Pacific. U.S. and Western Europe are two leading consumer of cresolic acid and consumption of cresol by this two geographies is expected to grow steadily at a CAGR of 3.0% till 2020.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Cresols Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global cresols market are as follow as;Atul LimitedSasol PhenolicsMitsui Chemicals Inc.Dakota Gasification CompanyNanjing Datang Chemical Co., Ltd.Saudi Basic Industries CorporationSokolovska Uhelna, Pravni Nastupce, a.s.Rutgers Chemicals GmbHC-Chem Co., Ltd.Lanxess AGAbout 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:
Luxury Hotels 2017 Global Key Players - Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Rezidor Market Analysis and Forecast to 2020

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Pune, India, 14th December 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled The Global Luxury Hotels Market to 2020.SummaryThe global luxury hotel market continued to expand in 2015, supported by growing tourism and a rise in affluent leisure and business travelers. Rising disposable incomes in areas China and India, the presence of rich corporate culture, and a growth in the number of international events are expected to drive the growth in future. China is the largest market for luxury hotels with room supply of 337,212 in 2015, followed by the US and Mexico, while Saudi Arabia was the fastest growing market at a CAGR of 12.5%. With the exception of Turkey, no European countries made into top-10 list in 2015. In terms of occupancy rate, Asian countries led the race with Japan (93.6% in 2015) at the top, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore. Egypt (US$317 in 2015) topped the list in terms of RevPAR, followed by Hong Kong and France.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Key Findings- In 2015, Thailand was the fastest-growing market in terms of number of guests received in luxury hotels in the Asia-Pacific. After registering a steep decline in international arrivals in 2014 following the political unrest in the country, Thailands inbound tourism posted strong growth in 2015, as there was stability in the political domain. Inbound trips grew by 20% in 2015. Thailand is also the second-largest market in terms of luxury room supply in Asia.- Considering the rise of the tourism in Asia-Pacific, hoteliers are planning to expand in the region. According to United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), overall, the region saw 277 million international arrivals in 2015 and 9% growth in the first four months of 2016. This growth has led the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Plc to plan expansions in the region by adding new luxury hotel chains, either by developing its own brand or by acquiring a competitor. IHG is considered the third largest hotel operator in Asia after Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. and Accor SA, in terms of the number of rooms, with a total capacity of almost 128,000 rooms.- Turkey, the only European market among the top-10 list is expected to record a huge fall in occupancy rates. Occupancy in luxury hotels decreased from 54.3% in 2015 to 47.5% in 2016 due to a decline in international arrivals as the country witnessed a series of terror attacks, rising security concerns after the Arab Spring, and the ongoing crisis in Syria.Companies mentionedInterContinental Hotel Group PlcShangri-La Asia LimitedStarwood Hotels & Resorts WorldwideHyatt Hotels CorporationRaffles Hotels & ResortsAnantara HotelsResorts & SpasRezidor ...SynopsisThe Global Luxury Hotels Market To 2020  provides detailed information on global luxury hotels industry, analyzing market data and providing insights.- Historic and forecast revenue of global luxury hotels market covering 40 countries- Detailed analysis, region-wise (Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa),of luxury hotels' key performance indicators such as the number of hotel establishments, number of rooms, occupancy rate, room nights available, room nights occupied, average room revenue per available room, average room revenue per occupied room, average total revenue per available room, total room revenues, total non-room revenues, total revenues, and number of guests for the historic (20112015) and forecast periods (20162020)- Brief analysis of global luxury hotels market and the present scenario- Detailed analysis of the markets trends in key luxury hotels marketsReasons to Buy- Make strategic business decisions using historic and forecast market data related to global luxury hotels industry- Understand the demand-side dynamics within the industry to identify key market trends and growth opportunitiesTable of Content: Key Points1 Global Luxury Hotel Market - Key Trends and Issues2 Global Luxury Hotels - Deals3 Global Luxury Hotels KPIs - the Americas4 Global Luxury Hotels KPIs - Asia-Pacific4.1 Asia-Pacific - number of luxury hotel establishments (2011-2020)5 Global Luxury Hotels KPIs - EuropeContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Forecast on Regenerative Braking Systems Market for the Period (2014-2020)

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Increasing demand for fuel efficient vehicles, increasing efforts for mitigation of carbon emissions and rising cost of fuels, are pushing the Automakers to seek for development of energy efficient systems. This changing dynamics has significantly led to developments in regenerative braking systems market. Nowadays, energy recovery systems in vehicles are increasingly getting employed in passenger as well as commercial vehicles to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicular emissions.As a result for the need of better fuel-economy the regenerative braking systems market has evolved, which is gaining a significant growth in global automotive industry because of energy saving application.Nowadays, regenerative braking systems have become an important feature in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In these type of vehicles, regenerative braking systems are used to generate electricity by convertingmomentum loss during application of brakes. The amount of recoverable energy depends upon the vehicle speed and stopping pattern, 5% to 20% of transmitted energy can be saved by using regenerative braking systems. This energy is then transferred to on-board auxiliaries or comfort functions such as climate control. This energy can also be stored as electricity and then returned to the drive train during acceleration or whenever required. This energy can either be stored in batteries or banks of super capacitors. The energy saving features are one among the latent drivers of regenerative braking systems market.Request For Report Sample@The factors driving the growth of global regenerative braking systems market are growing concern for controlling vehicular emission, rising fuel cost and growing concern for advance technology. Although, factors such as increased overall cost of car and maintenance are the major challenges.The global regenerative braking systems market is geographically segmented intosevenkey regions which are, North America, South America,Eastern Europe, Western Europe,Asia Pacific, Japan andMiddle East & Africa. As of 2013, North America dominates the overall global regenerative braking systems market value, followed by Asia Pacific, Europe and others. Asia Pacific is projected to register a significant CAGR for the forecast period in global regenerative braking systems market. This growth is fuelled by increasing penetration rate of hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in regions like Japan, South Korea and China.Growing concern for controlling vehicular emission in Europe region is also expected to drive the growth of global regenerative braking systems market for forecast period.On the basis of passenger vehicle type, the regenerative braking systemsmarket is segmented into three sub-segments, which are, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The hybrid vehicle sub-segment of global regenerative braking systems market is the predominant in terms of market value dueincreasing adoption of hybrid vehicles in regions like North America and Europe. The hybrid vehicle passenger sub-segment is forecast to have higher growth rate in regenerative braking systems market, followed by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in the global regenerative braking systems market include Continental AG, Delphi Automotive PLC, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch GMBH and TRW automotive. Acquisitions and mergers are key strategies adopted by major companies to expand their geographical presence and market share in global regenerative braking systems market along with an enhanced customer base.In future, deployment of advanced regenerative braking systems with more efficiency and less prone to energy loss during transmission will provide a completive edge for automotive OEMs.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: http.futuremarketinsights.com
Global Multiphase Pumps Market Size Development Trends, Competitive Landscape and Key Regions 2022

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Market Study Report Add New Global Multiphase Pumps Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 to its research database presenting a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. The report spread across 117 pages with table and figures in it.Multiphase Pumps that can handle the complete production from a well (oil, natural gas, water and sand, for example) without needing to separate or process the production stream near or at the wellhead. This reduces the cost associated with the surface facilities. Using multiphase pumps allows development of remote locations or previously uneconomical fields.Additionally, since the surface equipment, including separators, heater-treaters, dehydrators and pipes, is reduced, the impact on the environment is also reduced. Multiphase pumps can handle high gas volumes as well as the slugging and different flow regimes associated with multiphase production. Multiphase pumps include twin-screw pumps, piston pumps and helicoaxial pumps.Get Sample Copy of this Report:Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Global Multiphase Pumps Market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers:ITT Bornemann, Leistritz, Sulzer, Flowserve, Schlumberger, NOV, Netzsch, HMS, Colfax, Seepex.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa).Market Segment by Type, covers:Twin screw, Helico-axial, Progressing Cavity, Others.Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Onshore, OffshoreGet Discount on this Report:There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Multiphase Pumps market.Chapter 1, to describe Multiphase Pumps Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Multiphase Pumps, with sales, revenue, and price of Multiphase Pumps, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Multiphase Pumps, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Multiphase Pumps market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Multiphase Pumps sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get More Details On this Report:Related Report:EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Variable Capacity Pumps Market Report 2017In this report, the EMEA Variable Capacity Pumps market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study ReportThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:News:
Waste To Energy Market Forecast and Analysis by Future Market Insights 2014-2020

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Waste to energy (WTE) is the process of utilizing waste to generate energy or electricity. Various technologies are used to generate energy from waste source such as, municipal domestic waste. Energy generated from the process can be in form of electricity, fuel or heat.The WTE management is considered as a vital part of the waste disposal infrastructure of any nation as it also comes under renewable energy sources. Waste to energy market refers to electricity generated with utilization of waste resources.Rapid change in consumption pattern and lifestyle of the population, along with migration of people towards urban areas are triggering urban waste accumulation, hence demanding a better infrastructure for its safe disposal and reuse.Various corporate or energy producing companies have ventured into waste to energy market by deploying their facilities. Types of waste that can be used in the waste to energy market include utilization of semi solid waste discharged from the industrial plants, liquid waste like domestic sewage and gaseous waste produced in refinery.Request For Report Sample@Waste to energy market can be segmented on the basis of technology used, viz. thermal and biological. Thermal technology can be further bifurcated on the basis of oxygen used in the process, combustion (excess oxygen), gasification (partial oxygen) and pyrolysis (no oxygen). Biological process can be used in a process where anaerobic decomposition of the solid waste is required. In Asia pacific, incineration is the most commonly used technology in waste to energy market. Incineration cuts the cost required in the transportation of waste to landfills. There has been a noticeable rise in the production of industrial and municipal waste, demanding innovation in existing waste to energy management technologies.Necessity to maintain balance between the three Es that is, saving the Environment, Economic development and Energy independence can clearly explain the need of waste management thus driving growth in waste to energy market. Companies are adopting aforementioned technologies to reduce discharge of waste material and generate confined energy in parallel. For instance, General Motors through its renaissance center and landfill-free sites has been able to eliminate over 10 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2013.Waste to energy management supports nation to conserve energy resources and earn carbon credits, which can be further used to gain profit via carbon credit trading. Additionally, converting a waste into a beneficial product will leadto an economic development of a country by turning a liability into an asset. China is considered as one of the forerunnersin waste to energy market.Asia pacific waste to energy market is expected to grow two folds by 2020 with promising CAGR. Japan primarily dominates waste to energy market in Asia pacific, owing to its increasing waste to energy technology adoption. Rapid growth of residential and industrial wastes in China and India,and supports by government to endorse sustainable energy generation are anticipated to drive the regional waste to energy market.Rapid rise in industrial and domestic wastes are provoking governments across the region to support energy production from waste, positively impacting the growth of waste to energy market. Also strong shift towards the renewable resources from coal, decreasing carbon footprints is driving the waste to energy market. Rise in economic development is anticipated to lead to the increase in the municipal domestic waste and hence will drive the demand of waste to energy market.Various developing nations have implemented landfills, due to its less implementation cost. This can be an inhibitor for waste to energy market, as methane gas is emitted from the landfill. Industries playing an active role in the economic development of the nation are energetically using WTE technologies.Visit For TOC@Regional key players in waste to energy market includeThe Babcock & Wilcox Company, China Everbright International Limited, Xcel Energy, Suez Environment S.A, Waste Management Inc., C&G Environmental Protection Holdings Ltd., Veolia Environment and Foster Wheeler AG.Waste to energy market is expected to grow significantly in Asia pacific region. India, China and Japan will be the boon for the growth of the nation in the forecasted year duration.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACTFuture Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: http.futuremarketinsights.com
Factors Driving the Mining Explosives Sales Market in Coming Years

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Mining Explosives Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The report here talks about unmistakable parts of the Mining Explosives market which clarifies the future and present estimations of the market concerning the examples in play. The standard purpose behind the examination is to legitimize the events in the Mining Explosives market by giving peruser accommodating and appropriate bits of information on the particulars of the market for the future degree of improvement and available prospects at the present circumstance with the Mining Explosives market. The factual studying creation furthermore oversees highlights, for instance, drivers, confinements, and prospects to gauge the aftereffect of the market in the midst of the guess time span determined in the report.Get Report Sample and Customization:This report moreover dives significant into the Mining Explosives market by critically measuring the age and mechanical chain of the adapting market. This will besides help in duplicating exact proof and bits of knowledge on a few segments of the specific market, for example, information identifying with game plans of the organization in the nearby and overall level, create and course structure, delivering limit, mass sold, and benefits earned among others.The examination other than gives an exhaustive examination of the key areas communicated in the report for the Mining Explosives market. For every region, the report verbalizes the assortment of extension as of not long ago and clearing on what providers can do to ensure accomplishment in the coming years. The exploration report will in like manner be deficient without an escalated examination of the shipper scene of the Mining Explosives market, which incorporates the measurable information focuses, activities and originations of the pioneers in the Mining Explosives market.Table of Contents1 Mining Explosives Market Overview11.1 Product Overview and Scope of Mining Explosives11.2 Mining Explosives Segment by Types11.2.1 Global Mining Explosives Production (K MT) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)11.2.2 Global Mining Explosives Production Market Share (%) by Types in 201621.2.3 Ammonium Nitrate Explosives (Powder)31.2.4 ANFO31.2.5 Emulsion Explosive41.3 Global Mining Explosives Segment by Applications51.3.1 Global Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)51.3.2 Coal Mining61.3.3 Quarrying and Nonmetal Mining61.3.4 Metal Mining71.4 Global Mining Explosives Market by Regions (2012-2022)81.4.1 Global Mining Explosives Market Size and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Regions (2012-2022)81.4.2 North America Mining Explosives Status and Prospect (2012-2022)9Access the full Report TOC in Detail @2 Global Mining Explosives Market Competition by Manufacturers172.1 Global Mining Explosives Capacity Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)172.1.1 Global Mining Explosives Capacity (K MT) and Share (%) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)172.1.2 Global Mining Explosives Production (K MT) and Share (%) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)202.2 Global Mining Explosives Revenue (Million USD) and Share (%) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)232.3 Global Mining Explosives Average Price (USD/MT) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)262.4 Manufacturers Mining Explosives Manufacturing Base Distribution Sales Area282.5 Mining Explosives Market Competitive Situation and Trends292.5.1 Mining Explosives Market Concentration Rate292.5.2 Mining Explosives Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers292.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions Expansion303 Global Mining Explosives Production by Regions (2012-2017)323.1 Global Mining Explosives Capacity (K MT) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)323.2 Global Mining Explosives Production (K MT) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)343.3 Global Mining Explosives Revenue and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)363.4 Global Mining Explosives Capacity Production (K MT) Revenue (Million USD) Price (USD/MT) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)383.5 North America Mining Explosives Production (2012-2017)393.5.1 North America Mining Explosives Production (K MT) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)393.5.2 North America Mining Explosives Capacity Production (K MT) Revenue (Million USD) Price (USD/MT) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)403.6 Europe Mining Explosives Production (2012-2017)413.6.1 Europe Mining Explosives Production (K MT) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)413.6.2 Europe Mining Explosives Capacity Production (K MT) Revenue (Million USD) Price (USD/MT) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)413.7 China Mining Explosives Production (2012-2017)424 Global Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) by Regions (2012-2017)494.1 Global Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) by Regions (2012-2017)494.2 North America Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)514.3 Europe Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)524.4 China Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)534.5 Australia Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)544.6 South America Mining Explosives Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)55QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Market for Refrigerated Display Cases Expected to Touch Value of US$19.69 bn by 2020

MRRSE

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https://www.mrrse.com/refrigerated-display-cases-chilled-rooms-market

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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 Refrigerated Display Cases, Beverage Refrigerators and Dispensers, and Chilled Rooms Market Get Free Sample Report @Growing retail network and food industry, rise in consumer spending coupled with the development of improved and technologically advanced refrigeration systems is influencing the way refrigerated display cases and chilled rooms are being adopted across the food and beverage and retail industries. The biomedical sector too is experiencing an increased usage of sophisticated display cases with critical temperature control features.The research report on Refrigerated Display Cases (RDCs) and chilled rooms market provides an in-depth analysis of the global market with a cross-sectional view of different segments categorized on the basis of product type and product design. The RDCs product type segmentation includes plug-in and remote RDCs, while product design segmentation includes vertical, horizontal, and others (hybrid/semi-vertical). Based on type, chilled rooms market is classified into walk-in cooler rooms, walk-in freezers rooms and walk-in hybrid rooms. The report provides an insight into the growth trend during the period 2014 to 2020, with regional breakdown into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). The analysis covers the market estimates in terms of revenue and forecast for the period 2014 to 2020.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Apart from the market size estimates and growth forecasts, this report provides a review of market dynamics, highlighting the impact of various factors affecting market growth. These factors are appropriately categorized into market drivers, growth challenges (restraints) and opportunities. A detailed qualitative analysis of the market supply chain (Value chain analysis), competitive scenario (Porters five forces analysis), and market attractiveness analysis further provides a strategic review of the market for helping in making informed business decisions.The study includes competitive profiling of key market players. It comprises company and financial overview, business strategies adopted by them, and their recent developments. Major companies included in this report are ISA Italy S.r.l., Frigoglass, Metalfrio Solutions S.A., Beverage-Air Corporation, Daikin Industries, Ltd., United Technologies Corporation (Climate, Controls and Security Unit  Carrier), Dover Corporation, Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Hussmann International, Inc., and Lennox International Inc. Information on the research and development activities, new product launches, and upcoming technologies is also included in the report.Send an Enquiry @Market Segmentation:Global Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Market, by Product TypeRefrigerated Display CasesChilled RoomsBeverage RefrigeratorsDispensers/FountainsGlobal Refrigerated Display Cases (RDCs) Market, By Product DesignVerticalHorizontalOthers (hybrid/semi-vertical)Global Refrigerated Display Cases (RDCs) Market, By Product TypePlug-inRemoteGlobal Chilled Rooms Market, By Product TypeWalk-in cooler roomsWalk-in freezers roomsWalk-in hybrid roomsGlobal Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Market, By GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificRest of the WorldCheck Discount @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
DCI Named Global Leader in Mobile and App Marketing Space by Clutch

www.dotcominfoway.com/blog/dot-com-infoway-the-global-leader-in-mobile-and-app-marketing

Worlds leading B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm, Clutch, has recently announced Dot Com Infoway (DCI) as one of the Global Leaders in Mobile and App Marketing in its list of Global Leaders in Digital Marketing and Design for 2017.Clutch has listed Global Leaders for the year under sixteen categories including SEO companies, SEO Consultants, PPC, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Inbound Marketing, Mobile and App Marketing, Digital Strategy, and so on.The Washington D.C based research firm scoured the global digital marketing and design arena and evaluated sores of players based on several service delivery parameters, especially verified client feedback.DCI offers end-to-end mobile app and game marketing services that includes app analysis and optimization, launch and pre-launch strategies, social media promotions, ASO and boosting app revenues. The company offers comprehensive services tailored to suit iPhone & iPad apps, Android apps, mobile games and Wearable apps.We are delighted to be recognized as the Global Leader in Mobile and App marketing space by Clutch. The listing is a recognition of our unflinching determination to provide the best growth to our clients mobile apps, says Venkatesh C. R., MD & CEO, DCI.With the latest recognition from Clutch, DCI is even better poised to offer its mobile and app marketing services to new markets across the globe.For information click here ttps://About Dot Com Infoway:DCI provides 360 App & Web solutions that turn your ideas into world-class products and help you reach your target customer. DCI has been a leader in creating user-centric and functional business & marketing solutions ever since 2000.We at DCI manage all your IT and marketing needs, so you can just focus on your core business. DCI's services start right from the concept stage to span business consultation, market research, product development, multi-platform marketing and spreads through server and customer support activities.Plot No 3, Vaigai Colony I FloorAnna NagarMadurai - 625020Tamil NaduIndia
Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Market Size and Trends Study Released by Top Publisher at QYResearchReports

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for Process Analytical Technology (PAT) is being molded by different factors and a complete assessment of those have been furnished in the report. The report begins with a brief description of the product and then goes onto study the various growth drivers and restraints in the market. Apart from that, the report also banks upon historical and current data to understand the trajectory of the market, its current and future size, and the pace at which it would expand in the years to come.The study on the global market for Process Analytical Technology (PAT) applies market-leading analytical tools, namely SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces to understand the prevalent opportunities and threats awaiting players. Such tools also helps it to throw light on the bargaining power of buyers and suppliers and how big a challenge substitutes and new entrants pose. All of these enable it to comprehend the degree of competition in the market.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @In order to stay ahead of the curve in an ever changing, always-on business environment, companies need to chart pertinent marketing strategies. The report offers them with just the information, facts, and figures on the global market for Process Analytical Technology (PAT) so that they can take timely, useful decisions. The report is a repository of information on the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) market.The report also scrutinizes the macro-fundamentals such as the recent-most international and domestic policies affecting the dynamics of the global market for Process Analytical Technology (PAT). It segments the market depending upon different parameters such as applications, products, and regions. Factors shaping the growth in the different segments have been examined thoroughly and attractiveness and drawbacks of each segment has been discussed so as to enable players to bet carefully on the market.Table of ContentsGlobal Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)1.1 Definition and Specifications of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)1.1.1 Definition of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)1.1.2 Specifications of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)1.2 Classification of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)1.2.1 Spectroscopy1.2.2 Molecular Spectroscopy1.2.3 Mass Spectrometry1.2.4 Atomic Spectroscopy1.2.5 Chromatography1.2.6 Liquid Chromatography1.2.7 Gas Chromatography1.2.8 Others1.3 Applications of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)1.3.1 Pharmaceutical Manufacturers1.3.2 Biopharmaceutical Manufacturers1.3.3 Contract Research and Manufacturing OrganizationsRead Complete Table of Content @2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Process Analytical Technology (PAT)3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price AnalysisQYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Adherence Monitoring Cap Market  Detailed Analysis and Forecast upto 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.Request Sample Copy of the Report @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:B2BB2CAdherence 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.Request TOC of the Report @Adherence Monitoring Cap market: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified in the global Adherence Monitoring Cap market areWestRock CompanyetectRxVitality, Inc.Vitality, Inc.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 UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Point of care technology Market Global Key Players 2023 : Abbott , Johnson & Johnson Services, Siemens AG , PTS Diagnostics And More

Point of care technology Market

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The report for Point of care technology Market of Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance.The Global Point of Care Technology Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period 2017-2023.Point of care technology is termed as a time when clinicians deliver healthcare products and services to patients. Point of care technology includes diagnostics, devices for documentation, and others. Point of care documentation devices smooth the workflow, reduces errors in a clinical tasks including diagnostics, medication prescribing, and medication administration, which will indirectly boost the growth of the market. Moreover, increasing prevalence of the diseases and rising research and development facilities. Furthermore, rising healthcare expenditure, and increasing awareness among the people regarding the point of care diagnostics products, are some of the factors that are expected to fuel the market growth. On the other hand, higher cost of the point of care technology is may affect the growth of the market negatively during the forecasted period. Moreover, development in the diagnosis of patients with chronic diseases, for instance, diabetes, and growing medical technology are likely to increase the growth of the market. In point of care technology, it provides ease of diagnosis where the patient is seen at home. The point of care testing devices in the healthcare focuses on quality rather than test volume, which is expected to boost the growth of the market over the review period.Complexity of documentation in the point of care technology may hinder the growth of the market during the forecasted period.Major Players in Point of care technology Market Are Abbott (U.S.), Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.(U.S.), Techno MedicaCo., Ltd. (Japan), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland), Siemens AG (Germany), Alere Inc. (U.S.), Instrumentation Laboratory (U.S.), PTS Diagnostics (U.S.), Nova Biomedical (U.S.), Beckman Coulter, Inc. (U.S.) BD (U.S.), Quidel Corporation (U.S), Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (U.S).Get Sample Reports @SegmentationThe global point of care technology is segmented by type of products, and end users. On the basis of type of product, it is segmented into glucose testing, cardiac markers, HbA1c testing, and coagulation, and others. On the basis of end users, it is segmented into clinics, hospital, home care, ambulatory care, and others.Regional AnalysisThe global point of care technology market consists of four regions: the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.The Americas accounts for a significant share of the global point of care technology market as a result of the presence of huge & increasing patient population base and the largest producer and consumer of medical devices. Similarly, the demand for medical devices in Europe is expected to increase growth of the market positively. Europe holds the second position in the global market, which is followed by Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific may experience the growth owing to the presence of abundant opportunities for medical device manufacturers. For instance, healthcare services revenue is increasing rapidly, especially, in India and China, which is predicated to result in a large number of new hospital construction projects.Whereas, the Middle East & Africa holds the least share in the global point of care technology market on account of poor economic condition and less development in healthcare infrastructure.Table Of Contents1 Report Prologue2 Market Introduction2.1 Introduction2.2 Scope Of Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions & Limitations2.4.1 Assumptions2.4.2 Limitations3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 RestraintsContinuedApply for Discount@About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comMRFR has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.Our Research Analysts are eager to share their knowledge and assist you in refining market research parameters, choosing right market studies, and evaluating both the market scope and the research methodologies of varied segments.We bridge the gap between our clients and their clients by identifying and decoding just the target group, while generating leads with the highest accuracy.Years of research into diverse fields of work has ingrained within us, a proficiency so distinguished that our industry-specific specialists identify with your business ideas and feel the pulse of your challenges and opportunities. This enables us for providing assistance, through our consulting and strategic consulting services, in informed managerial decision making. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industries, WantStats Research and Media often conducts industrial visits for its research analysts. Relevant inputs from various established market participants, help our clients make significant contribution in respective markets are a huge motivation for all of us to endlessly furnish quality. We depend greatly on profound insights into complex realms of our study.Pune, India
Global Motorcycle Braking System Market to Grow at a CAGR of 5.63% to 2021

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MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Motorcycle Braking System Market 2017-2021 new report to its research database. The report spread across 71 pages with table and figures in it.Research analysts forecast the global motorcycle braking system market to grow at a CAGR of 5.63% during the period 2017-2021.About Motorcycle Braking SystemBrake is a mechanical device that stops a moving system. It works based on the first law of thermodynamics. Braking system plays a prime role in motorcycles in terms of safety, and each motorcycle has a braking system each in front and rear wheel. The market for braking systems has evolved significantly in the past decades. Motorcycle braking system is categorized into two types: disc brake and drum brake. The motorcycle braking system market has been segmented based on the type of motorcycles such as commuter, mid-weight, and heavy weight motorcycles.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global motorcycle braking system market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.Browse full table of contents and data tables atThe market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEATechnavio's report, Global Motorcycle Braking System Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Technavio recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global motorcycle braking system market: Bosch, Continental, Brembo, and ZF Friedrichshafen.Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: Brakes India, BWI Group, Delphi Automotive, and Galfer USA.Commenting on the report, an analyst from Research team said: One trend in the market is development of automatic braking system. Automatic braking system combines sensors and brake controls to prevent high-speed collisions. It is designed to prevent collisions and reduce the speed of the motorcycle before it hits something. It works by relying on inputs from other sensors such as lasers and radars, which help in determining the obstacles in the path of the vehicle.Order a Purchase Report Copy atAccording to the report, one driver in the market is safety benefits of ABS in motorcycles. Earlier, the primary factors that influenced customer buying behavior were price, fuel consumption, and reliability. But in the past few years, customers have started focusing more on safety and performance of vehicles. Stability of motorcycles is a major concern that threatens the safety of riders. Motorcycles often destabilize when the application of brakes is too hard, thus locking the front or the rear wheels. The sudden locking may cause the vehicle to overturn or slide. To prevent this, motorcycles are being equipped with ABS system to improve riders' safety.Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is high costs associated with ABS systems for low-powered motorcycles. Though ABS system is considered as a safety measure in many vehicles, the cost incurred during its installation in low-powered motorcycles poses a major threat to its adoption. It also involves high maintenance costs. Also, the sensors used to avoid locking of wheels are very expensive and incur high replacement costs. Currently, many automobiles are integrated with these ABS systems, but its penetration is low in low-powered vehicles due to its expensive nature.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Enquiry before Buying atAbout:MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on industries, organizations, products, and trends.ContactMr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070(U.S)+44-20-3290-4151(U.K)Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Commercial Aircraft Angle Of Attack Sensors Market to grow at a CAGR of 6.45% during 2017-2021: Garmin, Honeywell International, Rockwell Collins, Thales, Transdigm, and United Technologies Corporation

Commercial Aircraft Angle Of Attack Sensors Market

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MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Commercial Aircraft Angle Of Attack Sensors Market 2017-2021 new report to its research database. The report spread across 67 pages with table and figures in it.Research analysts forecast the global commercial aircraft angle of attack sensors market to grow at a CAGR of 6.45% during the period 2017-2021.About Commercial Aircraft Angle of Attack SensorsThe angle of attack (AoA) is the angle formed by the flight path and the chord of the airfoil of an aircraft. It is one of the important parameters considered while understanding airplane handling and performance. Moreover, an aircraft wing has a limited range of AoA over which it can perform effectively because the lift is a function of speed, wing area, air density, and AoA. At a given airspeed, the increase in lift occurs with an increase in AoA of the wing. Thus, at the same airspeed, a heavy aircraft of the same configuration should fly with a wider AoA than a lighter one.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global commercial aircraft angle of attack sensors market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.Browse full table of contents and data tables atThe market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEATechnavio's report, Global Commercial Aircraft Angle of Attack Sensors Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Technavio recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global commercial aircraft angle of attack sensors market: Garmin, Honeywell International, Rockwell Collins, Thales, Transdigm, and United Technologies Corporation (UTC).Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: AMETEK and Dynon Avionics.Commenting on the report, an analyst from Research team said: One trend in the market is emergence of sensor fusion technology. Sensor systems are gaining importance in new-generation aircraft. Collective information regarding load, temperature, pressure, and strain can provide detailed information on the health of aircraft components and indicate the defects in an early stage.Order a Purchase Report Copy atAccording to the report, one driver in the market is growing demand for procurement of newer generation aircraft. Technological advancements in the aerospace industry have led to the development of fuel-efficient aircraft with decreased noise and carbon emission. Commercial aircraft manufacturers are facing high demand from airline operators for new-generation aircraft as these offer low-operational cost benefits. This demand will likely increase due to the growth in air travel in key countries such as China, India, Russia, and the US. The year-over-year growth in air traffic also essentialized the introduction of new aircraft to facilitate the demand. As all aircraft should be equipped with an AoA sensors, the market is expected to grow parallelly with an increase in demand.Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is delay in aircraft delivery. The aviation industry is growing with increasing technological advancements and enhanced systems. Manufacturers of aircraft and component suppliers are under great pressure to meet the increased demand and rapid delivery times within budget constraints. Moreover, these factors have an impact on the quality. Major airlines are increasing their orders for new aircraft to cater to the increase in passenger traffic. Emerging economies such as the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and APAC are growing rapidly. This results in the development of new cities that requires greater mobility solutions such as air travel.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Key questions answered in this report: What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be; What are the key market trends; What is driving this market; What are the challenges to market growth; Who are the key vendors in this market space; What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors; What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors;Enquiry before Buying atAbout us:MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on industries, organizations, products, and trends.ContactMr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070(U.S)+44-20-3290-4151(U.K)Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Automotive Wiper Motors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2022

Automotive Wiper Motors, Automotive Wiper Motors Market, Automotive Wiper Motors Industry

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MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Automotive Wiper Motors Market 2017-2021 new report to its research database. The report spread across 96 pages with table and figures in it.Research analysts forecast the global automotive wiper motors market to grow at a CAGR of 3.13% during the period 2017-2021.About Automotive Wiper MotorsA wiper motor is an essential part of a wiper system, which is an electromechanical component. The windshield wiper is the most widely and commonly used accessory used in the automotive industry. It is used to clean vehicle windshields for the driver to have a clear, unobstructed view of the road. The electric wiper motor moves back and forth and sweeps debris, water, and snow from the windshield. The windshield wiper motor powers the wipers that clean the windshield. A linkage is used to convert the rotational output of the windshield wiper motor into the to-and-fro motion of the wiper blades.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global automotive wiper motors market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.Browse full table of contents and data tables atThe market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEATechnavio's report, Global Automotive Wiper Motors Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Technavio recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global automotive wiper motors market: ACDelco, Bosch, DENSO, MABUCHI MOTOR, and Valeo.Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: AM Equipment, ASMO, Cardone Industries, Johnson Electric, Magneti Marelli, and Trico.Commenting on the report, an analyst from Research team said: One trend in the market is growing auto component imports by European auto manufacturers. In 2016, 94.3 million units of vehicles were produced globally, with Europe having a market share of 23.46%. Europe showed the largest growth and Germany was the largest vehicle manufacturer in Europe. The Czech Republic and Poland also showed high growth rates within the sector.Order a Purchase Report Copy atAccording to the report, one driver in the market is emerging demand for rain sensing wiper system. The automotive industry is experiencing a growth in demand for rain sensing wipers. These wiper units have rain sensors, which automatically start operating on sensing rain. The rain sensing windshield wiper technology uses the principle of total internal reflection. The amount of light returning to the sensor is dependent on the amount of water on the windshield. The reduced amount of light returning to the sensor during downpour automatically switches on the wipers. Additionally, the sensor also controls the speed of the wipers according to the intensity of the rain.Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is low profitability due to highly competitive and un-organized market. The automotive and automotive component industries are witnessing lower margins mainly due to the intense competition that has been building up since 1986. The increasing share of Japanese automakers in the market poses a stiff competition for the US automotive industry. Such a highly competitive scenario makes it challenging for companies to raise their product prices even though the raw material prices are high. A small increase in input prices due to the high operating leverage adversely affects the margins by a significant percentage. The automotive industry is highly cyclical and mature. Consumers focus on vehicle prices, comfort, performance, style, and fuel economy.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Enquiry before Buying atAbout:MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on industries, organizations, products, and trends.ContactMr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070(U.S)+44-20-3290-4151(U.K)Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Tray Erectors Market - A cutting-edge technology,industry survey and new business opportunities 2025

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Tray erectors build and designs, wide ranges of trays, boxes that are tailored for customers demands. Tray erectors are used for making trays, by folding corrugated paperboards and applying adhesives on the corners. Stain retaining feature of tray erectors differentiates it from other packaging machinery. The high operational speed of tray erectors further extends its application in the market. Tray erectors are operator friendly, they provide easy loading and unloading of the blanks. They provide extra strength to the material by interlocking sides of the trays and safeguarding the edges. Tray erectors are highly flexible with sizes. they can easily change their dimension. Thus, this feature enhances its applications. Tray erectors provide tray forming solution for food, dairy products and beverage industry.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Global Tray erectors market: Market dynamicsGlobal tray erectors market is driven by the food industry. Trays and boxes produced by the tray erectors are widely used for exporting fruits and vegetables. Tray erectors formed trays have inbuilt strength, that is required for exporting goods so as to avoid degradation during transit. This factor is a key driving factor for tray erectors market. High reliability and high efficiency of tray erectors proportionally increase the productivity of the plant. This is a fueling factor for tray erectors market. With the advancement in technology, automatic tray erectors are replacing semi-automatic tray erectors in the market.Automatic tray erectors eliminate the extra labour cost included for insertion of blanks. Additional output during the replenishment of blanks further increases production capacity of the plant. Trays are often sealed by using cheap hot melt adhesive through try erectors, this reduces extra cost. Tray erectors can quickly produce trays of different styles, designs, and different sizes, this feature further drives global tray erectors market. Trays often face faults in joints, these are automatically detected by the fault indicators displays. This feature of the tray erectors market increases the output of the machinery, and reduced extra time wasted during the inspection.Global Tray erectors market: Market segmentationOn the basis of applications the global tray erectors market is segmented as:Food industryDairy productsBeverage industryOn the basis of automation, the global tray erectors market is segmented as:Automatic Tray erectorsSemi-Automatic Tray erectorsBrowse Market Research Report @On the basis of feeding material, in the machine global tray erectors market is segmented as:CorrugatedCarton traysSolid boardsGlobal Tray erectors market: Regional overviewGlobal Tray erectors market is segmented into seven regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) and Japan. North America tray erectors market shows continuous growth during the forecast period, as manufacturers in the region are relying on exporting food and dairy products, which requires packaging products and proportionally packaging machinery. Europe tray erectors manufacturers are focusing towards biodegradable packaging products, and corrugated blanks used for producing trays are biodegradable in nature which is a fueling factor for trays erectors market in the region. Also, rising demand for packaging consumable and non-consumable products is raising the demand for tray erectors in Europe region. Asia Pacific region shows a high requirement for tray erectors, as consumers spending is increasing for the food and dairy products, so local manufacturers over this region are using tray erectors for packaging their products and meeting the required regional demand. Due to the high consumption rate of packing products, global tray erectors manufacturers are focusing towards investing in Asia Pacific market. MEA region shows great opportunities for global tray erecters manufacturers as there is less competition from local manufacturers.Global Tray erectors market: Key PlayersSome of the key players of global tray erectors market are Pro Mach, Boix Europe B.V, Smurfit Kappa Group, Bradman Lake Group, Combi Packaging, LLC, B+ Equipment, Linkx Systems Ltd etc.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Printed PET Bottles Market - New Tech Developments and Industry advancements to watch out for 2025

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In recent few years, bottles are considered to be one of the most important packaging product. As a result of this bottles made from PET are getting extensive demand over the forecast period. PET bottles are 100% recyclable which makes it the most preference plastic material for manufacturing bottles. Printed PET bottles are nowadays getting increase in the preferences by consumers due to several advantages such as impact resistance, high tensile strength, chemical resistance and high rigidity. PET bottles market is also getting traction as an alternative for glass and metal bottles. The acceptance of green plastic in recent years is driving the growth for PET bottles market. Printed PET bottles market is getting extensive growth due to consumers preference for aesthetic and luxury products in recent times.For more information on this report, fill the form @Global Printed PET Bottles - Market Dynamics:In recent years, printed PET bottles market have seen noticeable growth in the usage for beverages packaging. Some of the countries across the globe are promoting the usage of biodegradable and recyclable plastic material for packaging which is leading to growth of PET bottles market. In addition, the cost effective printed PET bottles are gaining significant benefits by attracting large number of consumers. Furthermore, the increasing demand for plastic bottles for carbonated drinks are driving the market for printed PET bottles over the forecast period. Even cold fill and hot fill technology which increase the shelf life of the product are increasing the growth of PET bottles used for beverage packaging.Global Printed PET Bottles - Market Segmentation:The global printed PET bottles market can be segmented by the printing technology, by ink type, and by end user base.On the basis of printing technology, the global printed PET bottles market is segmented into -Digital printingElectrophotographyInkjetOffset printingFlexography printingGravure printingScreen printingOthers (Letterpress, etc.)On the basis of ink type, the global printed PET bottles market is segmented into -Water BasedUV BasedOthers (Solvent Based, etc.)On the basis of end use, the global printed PET bottles market is segmented into -Food & BeveragesPerfume & FragrancesPersonal Care & CosmeticsPharmaceuticalsChemicalOthersBrowse Market Research Report @Global Printed PET Bottles Market  Regional Overview:The global printed PET bottles market can be divided into seven major regions which are as follows -North AmericaMiddle East & AfricaWestern EuropeAsia-Pacific excluding JapanLatin AmericaEastern EuropeJapanThe printed PET bottles market in North America region are to remain supreme for the highest revenue growth as compared to markets in other regions. Printed PET bottles market in India and China are expected to have considerable growth in terms of revenue. Furthermore, the growth of printed PET bottles market in other parts of Asia Pacific is expected to be driven by increasing per capita disposable income and spending power among consumers in countries in this region. The market for Latin America would also have a presence for printed PET bottles and is expected to grow at a notable rate. The printed PET bottles market in the MEA region is expected to witness a significant increase in revenue contribution from sales in GCC countries and South Africa.Global Printed PET Bottles Market  Key players:Few of the key players in the printed PET bottles market are Amcor Limited, Gerresheimer AG, CCL Industries, Inc., Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, Berry Plastic Group Inc, Klockner Pentaplast GmbH & Co. KG, GTX Hanex Plastic Sp. z o.o., Masterchem, etc.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Commercial Aircraft Carbon Brakes Market to grow at a CAGR of 11.55% during 2017-2021: Honeywell International, Meggitt, Safran, and UNITED TECHNOLOGIES

Commercial Aircraft Carbon Brakes

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MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Commercial Aircraft Carbon Brakes Market 2017-2021 new report to its research database. The report spread across 67 pages with table and figures in it.Research analysts forecast the global commercial aircraft carbon brakes market to grow at a CAGR of 11.55% during the period 2017-2021.About Commercial Aircraft Carbon BrakesAircraft brakes systems are an integral part of aircraft landing gear systems that support the weight of the entire aircraft during landing and ground operations. The design of landing gears is highly proportional to the size of an aircraft. Aircraft braking system comprises disk brakes that can be operated pneumatically or hydraulically. Mostly, there are two types of brakes used in commercial aircraft: steel brakes and carbon brakes. Carbon brakes became operational in the 1980s, and since then, most commercial airlines have preferred using this type of brakes over steel brakes due to their lighter weight and longer endurance attributes. However, carbon brakes are much costlier than conventional steel brakes.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global commercial aircraft carbon brakes market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.Browse full table of contents and data tables atThe market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEATechnavio's report, Global Commercial Aircraft Carbon Brakes Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Technavio recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global commercial aircraft carbon brakes market: Honeywell International, Meggitt, Safran, and UNITED TECHNOLOGIES.Commenting on the report, an analyst from Research team said: One trend in the market is preference for electric taxing system. With the growing concerns over high carbon dioxide emission levels worldwide, the aviation industry is proceeding toward green aircraft taxiing systems. The operation of aircraft taxiing involves the movement of aircraft on the ground under its own power, which requires a significant amount of fuel. An Airbus A320 aircraft consumes approximately 600 liters of fuel during taxiing for an average of 3.5 hours a day.Order a Purchase Report Copy atAccording to the report, one driver in the market is increased preference for reducing operational and maintenance costs of airlines. The reduction in operational and maintenance costs can become vital for airlines in terms of enhancing their overall revenue. Airlines have been undertaking various innovative approaches to deter the increasing cost of aviation operations. In line with that, airlines are also opting for new-generation aircraft that can help in the reduction in overall operating and maintenance costs. As the number of operating fleets are rising with every passing year, the specifications for ensuring adequate safety standards are also becoming more complex.Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is technical constraints in operating carbon brakes. Owing to their advantageous features, carbon brakes are being commonly used in the aviation industry. Such brakes are lighter in weight than the conventional steel brakes, as well as feature superior heat-absorbing capacities. However, there are certain limitations that can reduce the adoption of carbon brakes. The entire production and integration process of carbon brakes is much more expensive than steel brakes. The manufacturing of such brakes involves complex stages that can delay the delivery cycle of brakes. Also, the initial cost association for manufacture and overhauling carbon brakes is higher than its counterparts.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Key questions answered in this report: What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be; What are the key market trends; What is driving this market; What are the challenges to market growth; Who are the key vendors in this market space; What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors; What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors;Enquiry before Buying atAbout us:MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on industries, organizations, products, and trends.ContactMr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070(U.S)+44-20-3290-4151(U.K)Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Global Remote Diagnostics Market: Stringent Vehicular Emission Norms Boosts Growth, says TMR

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Players in the global remote diagnostics market are raising the competition bar through product differentiation and after-sales support and service to customers, notes a new publication by Transparency Market Research (TMR). Among them, Robert Bosch GmbH, Continental AG, OnStar LLC, Mercedes-Benz, Magneti Marelli S.p.A., Delphi Automotive plc, Softing AG, Voxx International Corporation, and Vector Informatik are a few key companies.A report by Transparency Market Research forecasts the global remote diagnostics market to register an impressive 14.8% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. If the figure holds true, the markets valuation of US$12.88 bn in 2016 is expected to reach US$42.04 bn by 2025.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Depending upon application, the global remote diagnostics market can be segmented into roadside assistance, vehicle tracking, state alert, crash notification, and training assistance. Of these, in 2016, the segment of roadside assistance stood as the leading contributor in terms of revenue. Increasing demand for safety and security features of vehicles is the key factor stirring growth of roadside assistance segment.Early Adoption of Technology Propels North America MarketThe segments of the remote diagnostics market in terms of vehicle type are commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. Of the two, passenger vehicles led the market in 2016 revenue-wise.The key geographical segments into which the global remote diagnostics market is divided are North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Europe, and Latin America. North America powered by the U.S. led the market in 2016 in terms of revenue due to early adoption of technology.Vehicle Safety Regulations Stokes GrowthAt the forefront of driving growth in the global remote diagnostics market are strict regulations for emissions and fuel economy across the world. Government agencies issue emission standards in order to curb hazardous vehicular emissions. This is where remote monitoring systems are useful to monitor carbon and other harmful gases emitted from vehicles. In 2011, the U.S President announced an agreement with key automakers to double fuel efficiency to nearly double to 54.5 m.p.g, by means of which motorists can save fuel costs up to US$1.7 trillion over the lifespan of vehicles. While vehicular emission standards are region specific, the use of remote vehicle diagnostics ensures that vehicles discharge particulate matter within permissible limits. This factor is likely to greatly influence the remote diagnostic market during the forecast period.Browse Market Research Report @Additionally, demand for remote vehicle diagnostics solutions is on the rise as part of technological advancement of the automotive industry. Connectivity technologies that are used in remote diagnostic solutions include Bluetooth, 3G/4G, and GPS.Another significant growth driver of the market is increasing demand for safety and security and awareness about vehicle diagnostics. This is because consumers in developed and developing countries are opting for remote diagnostics systems for four service areas, which are GPS navigation, wireless safety communication, integrated hands free cell phones, and automatic driving assistance systems. Moreover, increasing safety standards in place by governments is also responsible for the increased use of remote diagnostic systems.Concerns of Vehicle Hacking Crimps GrowthDespite several driving factors, there are several factors restraining the growth of remote diagnostic market. The key among them is concern related to data security. This is because modern vehicles are equipped with hi-tech devices to observe the status of the vehicle at all times. However, this poses risk of vehicle hacking using computer-generated information with respect to vehicle functionality and driver information.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Brand Frames with Accurate Perspective - Dart Design Gruppe starts Cooperation with Eyewear Manufacturer Luxottica

For Luxottica Germany, Dart Design Gruppe creates exclusive brand frames e.g. for Oakley, Ray-Ban and Emporio Armani.

www.d-art-design.de

A new retail cooperation brings together Dart Design Gruppe with the Italian eyewear manufacturer Luxottica for the first time. For Luxottica Germany, the creatives from Neuss design exclusive brand frames for the companys proprietary brands Oakley, Ray-Ban and Vogue Eyewear as well as the license brand Emporio Armani.Made of durable aluminium, the four differnt presentation frames shine in a high-end look and are at the same time both light and robust. With varied sizes and flexible rear wall systems designers react to the request for individual scalability and diverse uses. The lit presentation frames improve both the brand visibility as well as the brand perception at the optician, generate more attention and offer customers more orientation.This results in permanent Branded Customization: The eyewear brand frames create a sensorial tangibility for the brands in the salesroom and provide customers with a special shopping experience  at already more than 70 opticians in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Luxottica Germany GmbH is a subsidiary of the Italian Luxottica Group, the worldwide most successful manufacturer of glasses and sunglasses with presence in 130 countries and more than 73000 employees.Facts and figuresProject: Brand Frames 2017Customer: Luxottica Fashion Brillen Vertriebs-GmbHDesign: Dart Design Gruppe GmbHLocations: DACH countriesImage materialWe will be happy to provide you with high resolution image material for the purpose of topic-related reporting. Please send your enquiry to: pr@d-art-design.de.The naming of the copyright holder is binding when images are used: Dart Design Gruppe/ Olaf Rohl.Dart Design Gruppe is one of the leading spatial communication agencies in Germany and has been an expert for multi-sensual brand experience for over 25 years. The holder of numerous international design awards, Dart Design Gruppe designs brand and experience spaces for customers such as 3M, adidas, Amtico, Britax, C.H. Beck, Deutsche Telekom, Electrolux, Gabor, Grafe und Unzer, Grundig, Henkel, innogy, Kanzan, Lloyd, MFI, Norske Skog, Panasonic, Parador, Philips, Reebok, RWE, Schuco, Turck, Wurth and Zaha Hadid.Dart Design Gruppe GmbHThomas Kutz (Senior Corporate Communications)Haus am Pegel | Am Zollhafen 5 | 41460 Neuss | GermanyFon: +49 (0)2131 - 40 30 7 - 32pr@d-art-design.de |
Electric Cars Market Size & Analysis  Forecasts To 2025

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REPORT DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC CARS MARKETElectric Cars Market InsightsThe electric cars market is anticipated to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period on account of the increasing demand for low emission automotive. The preferences for vehicles which reduce the burden on fossil fuels and provide efficient performance are expected to drive the demand for electric vehicles over the coming years.The low cost operation and maintenance cost of electric cars as compared to diesel or petrol driven passenger cars is projected to boost demand over the forecast period. Emission of harmful gases from IC engine based vehicles has resulted in deterioration of environmental conditions which has prompted the need to develop environment-friendly cars.Electric Cars Market: Type InsightsOn the basis of type, the electric cars market is segmented into Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). Plug-in hybrid electric cars are projected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period on account of high growth recorded in public charging infrastructure development.The implementation of stringent regulations pertaining to vehicles emission control in the North American, European, and Asian countries is projected to positively impact demand for battery electric cars. However, the risk of drainage of battery and lack of alternate fuel source may hamper market growth over the coming years.Electric Cars Market: Vehicle Type InsightsOn the basis of vehicle type, the electric cars market is segmented into Sedan, SUV, Hatchback, and others. The demand for electric SUVs is projected to occupy the largest share by 2025. Companies such as Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi, and BMW have invested in developing SUVs rather than sedans as their first range of electric vehicles.Request for a sample copy of the Electric Cars Market report at:Electric Cars Market: Regional InsightsThe demand for electric cars in Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR over the coming years. China, India, South Korea, and Japan are expected to offer attractive opportunities for the growth of the electric cars market.China is one of the largest consumers of electric cars in the world on account of favorable government regulations implemented on purchase of EVs. The Chinese government has announced the construction of more than 12,000 charging stations by 2020. The availability of appropriate charging infrastructure is expected to positively impact market growth over the coming years.The European region is expected to occupy a significant portion of the market on account of the increasing consumption observed in countries such as Norway, the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Germany, among others. After China, the U.S. is one of the largest consumers of electric cars. Canada is also expected to generate growing opportunities in the North America electric passenger cars market.Electric Cars Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the major players in the electric cars market include BMW Group, Toyota Motor Corporation, Tesla, Nissan Motor Corporation, General Motors, Audi AG, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, BYD Company Motors, Kia Motors, Energica Motor Company S.P.A., Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., and Renault Motors.In September 2017, BMW Group announced that it will introduce 25 electric vehicles by 2025, out of which 12 will be full electric cars. In December 2017, Toyota Motor Corp. announced its partnership with Panasonic Corp. for the production of batteries to be used in electric cars. In December 2017, Volvo Car Corp. announced that it will sell only electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars in India from 2019. Such strategic initiatives taken up by various companies demonstrate the future growth potential of the electric passenger cars market.Catch our annual research partnership services at :Were constantly identifying and analysing high growth markets and revenue pockets. In consultation with various industry experts, our team of highly-skilled industry analysts study these markets through sophisticated tools and fail-safe, industry-approved methodologies.Name: Global Market Estimates Research & Business ConsultantsAddress: A-9, Silver Croft CHSL, Mumbai:400064, IndiaContact No,: +91 9146632316Email Address: sales@globalmarketestimates.com
Aluminum-Extruded Products Market is having high CAGR of 6% by 2023, Alcoa Inc., Century Aluminum Company, Rio Tinto PLC

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Market ScenarioAluminum-extrusion is the process of transforming aluminum alloy into objects with a definite cross-sectional profile. The aluminium-extruded products offer strength and stability, especially when alloyed with other metals.The major driver for the growth of the aluminum-extruded products market can be attributed directly with properties of the aluminum metal. Aluminum-extruded products are used for a range of purposes by many end user companies such as construction, automotive, internal space stations, electronics and others. The aluminium-extruded products are preferred for the manufacturing of light weight and durable products of various end-use industries, thereby driving the growth of the market. However, the growth of this market can be restrained by the huge initial capital investment required for the manufacturing of the aluminum-extruded products.The aluminum-extruded products Market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 6 % during the period 2017 to 2023.Regional AnalysisThe Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the aluminum-extruded products market owing to the increasing industrialization and urbanization. The rapid growth of various industries such as automotive, construction, aerospace and mass transport is expected to contribute to the growth of the Asia-Pacific region. The large scope of foreign direct investment in developing nations of the region are also expected to contribute to the growth of the aluminum-extruded products market in the region.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe key players of aluminum-extruded products market are Alcoa Inc. (U.S.), Aluminum Bahrain B.S.C. (Bahrain), Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (China), Bhp Billiton Ltd. (Australia), Century Aluminum Company (U.S.), China Hongquiao Group Limited (China), Hindalco Industries Limited (India), Norsk Hydro ASA (Norway), Rio Tinto PLC (U.K.) and United Company RUSAL (Russia).Intended Audience Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Aluminum-Extruded Products Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Browse report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Detailed Analysis of Global Compactors Market, forecast, Analysis, Size, Share, Key Players

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/compactors-market-2740

Market Scenario:The compactor is a machine that compacts the layers of various materials and reduces the thickness of the respective layer by reducing the air voids. Rapid growth in infrastructure and construction activities across the globe are the key factors driving the growth of the compactors market. The introduction of stringent regulatory policies, is also fuelling the demand of this market. On other hand, high manufacturing cost of compactor may hamper the growth of the global compactors market. Global Compactors market is expected to grow at CAGR of 3% by 2022.Regional Analysis:North America region dominates the global compactors market. Recovery of the residential housing sector in this region is a significant factor that spurs the demand of the market in North America region. Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at fastest pace during the forecast period. Rapid growth in urbanization and industrialization in Asia-Pacific region, ultimately drive the demand of the market.Request a sample @Key Players:The key players of global compactors market are Terra Compactor Wheel Corporation (U.S.), Caterpillar Inc., (U.S.), BOMAG GmbH (Germany), Marcel Equipment Limited (Canada), HJ Industries (U.S), Humdinger Equipment Ltd. (U.S), G.G. Compactors Limited. (U.K.), Hamm AG (Germany), Sakai America, (U.S.), and MBW Incorporated (U.S).Intended Audience Manufacturing Industries Distributer & Supplier companies consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information: Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Compactors Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Browse report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
World Analysis of Material Handling Equipment Market shows Growth of 7.5% CAGR by the year of 2023

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Market Scenario:Material handling equipment is equipment used for the movement, storage and protection of goods in all industries for manufacturing and distribution.The major driver for the growth of the Material Handling Equipment Market is the increasing automation across manufacturing industries. The constantly increasing pressure for optimization of resources and raw materials consumption, is driving the use of Material Handling Equipment Market. The other factors driving the growth of the Material Handling Equipment Market are constant innovation in technology, up gradation of the manufacturing plants and the expansion of the manufacturing base in developing nations.The Material Handling Equipment Market is expected to grow at CAGR of ~7.5% during the period 2017 to 2023.Regional Analysis:The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow significantly in the global power quality equipment market. The growth of the Asia-Pacific region in the Material Handling Equipment Market can be attributed to the booming industrial sector in the region and the safety concerns at workplaces, especially in industries such as automotive, food & beverage and metal & heavy industries. Material handling equipment also facilitate the distribution and production of materials majorly in the e-commerce industry, thereby leading to the growth of the material handling equipment market in the region.Request a sample @Key Players:The key players of Material Handling Equipment Market are Liebherr Group (Switzerland), KION Group AG (Germany), Jungheinrich AG (Germany), Viastore Systems GmbH (Germany), Eisenmann AG (Germany), Columbus McKinnon Corporation (U.S.), Crown Equipment Corporation (U.S.), Hytrol Conveyor Co., Inc. (U.S.), Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. (China) and Toyota Industries Corporation (Japan).Intended Audience: Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis: Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information: Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis: Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information: Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Material Handling Equipment Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Browse report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting ServicesContact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
continuously growing Market of Dental Prosthetics with 5.5% CAGR by 2023 and Major Manufactured Profile Analysis

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The Global Dental Prosthetics Market has been evaluated as moderately growing market and it is expected that the market will continue to grow similarly in the near future. Dentistry is one of the oldest medical profession and it became more defined and professional after 1700s. Dental prosthetics is also known as prosthodontics. Dental prosthetics are used for replacement of missing or damaged teeth. This replacement either temporary or permanent according to need. Growing overall population and increasing demand for dental care treatments are leading the growth for the dental prosthetics market. Rapidly increasing aging population is another important driver for the dental prosthetics market, because after certain age, elderly people may face some dental problems and it is necessary to take some dental treatments. Increasing consumer awareness is major driver for the growth of the market. Cosmetic dentistry is one of the niche sub segment of dentistry and is growing rapidly. Consumers are becoming more conscious about oral health and appearance for which they are opting for cosmetic dentistry. Dental prosthetics manufacturers are spending huge money on R&D to develop new and innovative product for the market which is causing competition among the companies. Growing dental tourism is a key factor for the growth of the market. Increasing per capita income, increasing expenditure, and growing middle class population are driving the growth for the dental prosthetics market. Hospitals are also providing advance facilities to the patients which is helping them to attract more number of patients. Dental Prosthetics Market was around US$ 3882.4 million in 2016 and it is expected to reach US$ 5659.4 million by 2023 at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period.Request for sample report atKey FindingsThe Dental Prosthetics global market is expected to reach $ 5659.4 million by 2023.Dental bridges segment holds the largest share of the market.North America holds the largest market share of around 38.4% of global dental prosthetics market.Globally, Asia-Pacific are expected to be fastest growing region and are anticipated to grow at the rate of ~6.3% during the forecast period.Global Dental Prosthetics Market Players:There are plenty of large and small market players which operate in this market all over the globe. Henry Schein, Inc. (US), DENTSPLY Sirona (US), 3M (US), Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), Zimmer Biomet (US), Nobel Biocare (Part of Danaher corporation) (US), Ivoclar Vivadent AG (Liechtenstein), Osstem Prosthetics (South Korea), Planmeca OY (Finland), CAMLOG Biotechnologies AG (Switzerland)Regional Analysis:Considering the global scenario of the market, North America region is believed to be the largest market for Dental Prosthetics. Moreover the European market is also growing and second largest market for Dental Prosthetics. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow at fast rate in the market of Dental Prosthetics during the forecasted period. Middle East and Africa is likely to have a limited but steady growth in the market.Dental Prosthetics market has been segmented on the basis of type which comprises of denture, crown, bridges, veneer, abutment, inlays. On the basis of type of material it is segmented into Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), Metal, All ceramic, and others. On the basis of End User it is segmented into Dental Hospitals & Clinics, Dental Research Laboratories.Browse Complete Report atConsidering the global scenario of the market, North America region is believed to be the largest market for Dental Prosthetics. Moreover the European market is also growing and second largest market for Dental Prosthetics. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow at fast rate in the Dental Prosthetics during the forecasted period. Middle East and Africa is likely to have a limited but steady growth in the market.The report for Dental Prosthetics Market of Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides detail information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different markets segments and regionsContact:About usAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: Akash.Anand@Marketresearchfuture.ComWeb:
Uterine Fibroid Market Ready To Reach at 3.24 CAGR by 2022

Uterine Fibroid Market

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The Worldwide Uterine Fibroid market Research Report provides detailed analysis of the key regional market status of the Healthcare Industry. The Uterine Fibroids Market is expected to reach USD 39,993.2 million by the end of the forecasted period and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.24%.Uterine Fibroids are the abnormal growth that gets developed inside or on the wall of a womans uterus. These are also known as leiomyoma or myomas. These are noncancerous growths that cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding between or during the menstrual cycle, pain in pelvis or lower back, increased menstrual cramping, swelling enlargement of the abdomen. Increasing prevalence due to heredity and rising number of treatments to cure this disease has fuelled the growth of this market.Key Players for U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market:Some of the key players in this market are: AstraZeneca (England), Cook Medical Inc. (US), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), GE Healthcare (U.K.), AbbVie Inc. (U.S.), Hologic (U.S.), and others.Key Finding The U.S. Uterine Fibroid market and is expected to reach USD 39,993.2 million by 2022. By Type, Intramural Fibroids holds the largest market share of U.S. uterine fibroid market and is expected to reach USD 14,972.5 million by 2022. By Treatment, hysterectomy holds the largest market share of U.S. uterine fibroid market and is expected to reach USD 8,042.3 million by 2022.Get Sample copy @Segments:U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market has been segmented on the basis of type which comprises of Subserosal Fibroids, Intramural Fibroids, Submucosal Fibroids and others. On the basis of diagnosis the market is segmented into Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners, Computed tomography (CT), Ultrasounds and others. On the basis of treatment the market is segmented into Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound, Myolysis, Endometrial Ablation, Hysterectomy and Myomectomy.Study Objectives U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market:provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, provide insights about factors affecting the market growth, analyse the market based on various factors - price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa, provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size, volume, average selling price and future prospective, provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market, track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments U.S.Regional Analysis of U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market:The U.S. market for uterine fibroids is growing steadily. The market for uterine fibroids is growing with the CAGR of 3.24% during the forecast period from 2016-2022. California, Texas, Florida, New York are some of the states which are estimated to have highest prevalence of uterine fibroids.Get Discount @TABLE OF CONTENTS1 INTRODUCTION1.1.1 Prevalence Of The Uterine Fibroids In U.S. 82 SCOPE OF STUDY2.1 Research Objective 102.2 Assumptions & Limitations 102.2.1 Assumptions 102.2.2 Limitations 102.3 Market Structure 113 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3.1 Primary Research 133.2 Secondary Research 134 U.S. UTERINE FIBROID MARKET4.1 Introduction 154.2 U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, By Type 174.3 U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, By Diagnosis 194.4 U.S. Uterine Fibroid Market, By Treatment 21ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comMRFR has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.Our Research Analysts are eager to share their knowledge and assist you in refining market research parameters, choosing right market studies, and evaluating both the market scope and the research methodologies of varied segments.We bridge the gap between our clients and their clients by identifying and decoding just the target group, while generating leads with the highest accuracy.Years of research into diverse fields of work has ingrained within us, a proficiency so distinguished that our industry-specific specialists identify with your business ideas and feel the pulse of your challenges and opportunities. This enables us for providing assistance, through our consulting and strategic consulting services, in informed managerial decision making. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industries, WantStats Research and Media often conducts industrial visits for its research analysts. Relevant inputs from various established market participants, help our clients make significant contribution in respective markets are a huge motivation for all of us to endlessly furnish quality. We depend greatly on profound insights into complex realms of our study.Pune, India
Tissue Transglutaminase Test Market Synopsis and Highlights, Key Findings, Major Companies Analysis and Forecast to 2023

Tissue Transglutaminase Test Market

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The Worldwide Tissue Transglutaminase Test Market Research Report provides detailed analysis of the key regional market status of the Healthcare Industry. The Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~17.5% during the forecast period. The tissue transglutaminase (tTG) testing is used for the diagnosis of certain autoimmune diseases, which is mostly restricted to celiac disease. In celiac disease, gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats) is seen as a foreign invader and in response to it the body mounts an immune response to its enacting enzyme known as transglutaminase (which restricts the proteolysis of the glutin). tTG enzyme gets attacked by the (tTG) IgA and (tTG) IgG. For diagnostic purposes (tTG) IgA is exploited more frequently than the tTG (IgG) as tTG (IgG).Increasing prevalence of celiac disease drives the growth of the market. According to the World Gastroenterology Organization in 2016, 1% of the total population in western countries was diagnosed with the celiac diseases and the prevalence have substantially increased across the globe. According to Celiac Disease Foundation in 2016, hospitalization have increased by 600% from 1998 to 2013.TG testing Market Key Players: Some of key players profiled in the report are Quest Diagnostics Incorporated., SQI Diagnostics, Trinity Biotech, ZEDIRA GmbH, Demeditec Diagnostics GmbH, ARUP Laboratories, Cell Science Systems, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Celimmune, LLC., and others.Get Sample Copy @Increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases mainly celiac disease, increasing geriatric global pool, and increasing investments healthcare drives the market growth. Low healthcare expenditure in developing regions, costs considerations, false positive diagnosis in geriatric population marked due to conditions such as diarrhoea, etc. likely to affect the market growth negatively.SegmentationThe global tissue transglutaminase testing market has been segmented on the basis types and end users.Based on types, the market has been segmented into serological, biopsy testing, and others. The serological testing is sub-segmented into tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody- IgA, serum and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody- IgG, serum.Based on the end users, the market has been segmented as hospitals & clinics, homecare, research organizations, and others.Regional AnalysisThe Americas account for a significant market share owing to extensive use of medications and high expenditure on the health care. Additionally, the fastest uptake of new technology in the US drives the global tTG testing market. Additionally, concentration of major research companies and research organizations in the developed countries of this region boost the market growth.Europe is the second largest market in the world due to high income and healthcare penetration.Asia Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly. China and India are likely to lead this market due to fast growing healthcare sector during the forecast period.Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are estimated to drive the Middle East & African market. The African region is expected to witness a moderate growth owing to poor economic and political conditions and poor healthcare development.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread over 80 pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content (TOC) & market synopsis on global tissue transglutaminase testing market research report  Forecast till 2023.Table of Contents1. Report Prologue2. Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations2.3 Market Structure2.4. Market Segmentation3. Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size Estimation3.5 Forecast ModelContinuedGet Discount @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comMRFR has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.Our Research Analysts are eager to share their knowledge and assist you in refining market research parameters, choosing right market studies, and evaluating both the market scope and the research methodologies of varied segments.We bridge the gap between our clients and their clients by identifying and decoding just the target group, while generating leads with the highest accuracy.Years of research into diverse fields of work has ingrained within us, a proficiency so distinguished that our industry-specific specialists identify with your business ideas and feel the pulse of your challenges and opportunities. This enables us for providing assistance, through our consulting and strategic consulting services, in informed managerial decision making. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industries, WantStats Research and Media often conducts industrial visits for its research analysts. Relevant inputs from various established market participants, help our clients make significant contribution in respective markets are a huge motivation for all of us to endlessly furnish quality. We depend greatly on profound insights into complex realms of our study.Pune, India
Microsofts Bing search engine and Cortana digital assistant might not change that much from day to day, but behind the scenes theyre getting smarterintegrating factual insights from more sources, including the opinions of Reddit users.

At an AI-focused event in San Francisco, Microsoft showed off a number of improvements, all geared towards increasing the intelligence of Bing, Cortana, and Microsoft Office.

Why this matters: Calling out some of these behind-the-scenes upgrades helps Microsoft demonstrate its unique attributes, and thus relevance, among the competing AI-based platforms of Amazon, Apple, and Google.

Microsoft Bing already lets you comparison shop for similar items across the web. Now you can isolate an object in a photo and shop for it.

Bing: Widening the search with Reddit

Within Bing, Microsoft said its working to provide multiple sources of information per queryfor example, is cholesterol bad?to reflect multiple perspectives. Or, say a question is about a celebrity; Bing might source information the celebrity supplied in a Ask Me Anything session on Reddit.com in addition to a standard bio. Microsoft also showed off a click to explore page, where Bing might suggest a series of related terms to help fine-tune or broaden the search.

Microsoft Seeking out an answer on Reddit highlights the divide between fact and opinion that Bing hopes to bridge.

In some ways, Microsofts approach sounds like an attempt to bridge the divide between fact and opinioneasy when the question is, Is the new Star Wars movie good? but trickier with a question like, Is climate change real?

As Bing, we want to provide the best results from the overall web, Jordi Ribas, Microsofts corporate vice president in charge of AI products, said in a statement. Often people are seeking answers that go beyond something that is a mathematical equation. We want to be able to frame those opinions and articulate them in a way thats also balanced and objective.

Microsoft More comprehensive searches across the whole of Reddit are also possible.

Microsoft also debuted what it called the Perspective Engine, where Bing will attempt to interpret and provide context for otherwise meaningless numbers. Asking for and receiving the size of Pakistan, for example, might not mean anything to a user when expressed in square miles. But when its size is displayed as about twice the size of California, U.S. users get it.

Now Microsoft is trying to apply that to other measurements, so that calories, for example, might also be expressed as something like minutes of running.

Cortana: What do I really need to know?

With Cortana, the AI assistant built into Windows 10 (as well as the Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker), Microsoft is trying to coalesce the mountains of data you accumulate each day into something more useful. For example, theres no way that an Invoke could read all of your email to youit would simply take too long. So Microsofts working to have Cortana read your email behind the scenes, and either summarize or surface the emailsfrom both Outlook and Gmailthat might be most important to you.

Microsoft Microsofts Android launcher app, Microsoft Launcher, will be the engine that powers Cheetah Mobiles own launcher app, Cheetah Launcher.

Microsoft also plans to push what it calls skills chaining, where if Cortana is used to book tickets to an event, the assistant will encourage you to add it to your Calendar, too. That sounds a bit like the upcoming Sets, where Windows will link apps, such as Outlook and Calendar, within a single window.

Office: Making spreadsheets shine with machine learning

Finally, theres Microsoft Office, where existing technologies like Designer help users create their own PowerPoint documents, and words can be highlighted and clicked to bring up a sidebar with more information, powered by Bing. On Wednesday, Microsoft released a preview of Office Insights, a technology that applies machine learning to suggest pivot tables and charts showing trends based upon your data.

To this Microsoft plans to add new technologies such as Tap in Word, which will take a Delve-like approach of digging through relevant documents to find an appropriate chart or graph.

Microsoft also announced plans to release a tool that highlights action items in email and gives you options for responding quickly on the go, similar to Googles Inbox app.

To enable these new features, youll have to allow Microsoft to read your email, your calendar, and other facets of your digital life, of course. The goal is that your PC will, over time, get smarterand youll have to do less to take advantage of it.
Bystanders rescue man from truck driven into Charlevoix's Round Lake

Several bystanders helped save the life of the driver who ended up in Round Lake in a Nov. 11 incident.
Patagonias Moab presentation was as chill as they come. We formed a rough circle, with the clothes and gear laying on the ground in the center, talked details for fifteen minutes and that was it. An hour later we were at the trailhead of Captain Ahab, where Patagonias climbing contingent were already dots on the rock, a few pitches up the Tombstone - the dominant wall across the road.



It was an off-day for me. Clear skies and cool October temperatures failed to breathe life into my legs, but suffering up some climbs was small price to pedal one perfect day in paradise aboard one of my favorite bikes (Pivot Switchblade, thank you Poison Spider). Buoyed by some of the best technical singletrack on the planet and surrounded by Patagonias high-spirited group, I enjoyed my best-ever, worst day on the bike.





Our guide, Poison Spider mechanic Aaron Lindberg, said that the route used to be traveled by trucks hauling uranium during Moabs mining boom.

It was an easy out and back - twenty miles of rolling dirt road that traversed along the base of towering rust-colored cliffs above Lockhart basin. Our guide, Poison Spider mechanic Aaron Lindberg, said that

It was an easy out and back - twenty miles of rolling dirt road that traversed along the base of towering rust-colored cliffs above Lockhart basin. Our guide, Poison Spider mechanic Aaron Lindberg, said that





Over dinner the night before,



I like that. Preservation is rarely spoken in the context of inclusiveness. A lot of people must agree. Reportedly, Bears Ears earned more support from US citizens and tribal nations than any National Monument since Teddy Roosevelt created the first in 1906. It was hard to imagine then, that only a month after my visit, our President would slice Bears Ears to pieces and feed them to the Governor of Utah.

We ate lunch on a ledge of chocolate colored stone near the turnaround point, which offered me a chance to digest the rainbow of pastel-washed buttes that stretched to the horizon. Enfolded in the canyons below them are some of the deserts most closely guarded secrets, and those of the Native Americans who once thrived here. On the trek back, I noticed a rock cairn marking a path that descended into a promising drainage. It had been a while since I felt this hungry to explore.Over dinner the night before, Conservation Lands Foundation s Charlotte Overby said to remember that Federal land belongs to us. When we discover a place like Bears Ears, when we make it into a National Monument, were saying, Hey, this is an outstanding place. Lets keep it the way it is for the next people who visit. We dont add anything. We dont take anything away. Ranchers can still ranch, existing mines, businesses and residents can still continue on. Monument status offers users more freedom than any other form of protection we have.I like that. Preservation is rarely spoken in the context of inclusiveness. A lot of people must agree. Reportedly, Bears Ears earned more support from US citizens and tribal nations than any National Monument since Teddy Roosevelt created the first in 1906. It was hard to imagine then, that only a month after my visit, our President would slice Bears Ears to pieces and feed them to the Governor of Utah.

BLM map of the original Bears Ears National Monument boundary.

I was recently invited to ride in Moab, Utah. The folks at Patagonia were going to demo some of their 2018 mountain bike range and, Oh, by the way, wed like to take you on a tour of Bears Ears National Monument while you are there.Ill rarely pass up a chance to revisit Moab. I was more excited, though, to experience Bears Ears and the Lockhart Basin. Ive studied the place from the air and from distant vantage points, but I had never been on the ground there. This was an easy decision.Id ridden bikes with the Patagonia crew before. Its a different experience. Everyone, it seems, crosses between sports, so you may be following a Bikram Yoga instructor up a sandy climb, or the guy who gave you a fist bump for cleaning a dicey boulder drop could have recently returned from a first ascent in the Himalaya. Ive listened to a lot of hubris about living the adventure. It turns out that those who actually do, are a humble group  and many of them can shred.We caravaned fifty miles South, down Highway 191 to Montecello, where we bunked up at Four Corners School of Outdoor Education. Patagonia has been a staunch supporter of National Monuments in the Southwest, so we would spend the second half of our trip exploring Bears Ears National Moment - andlearn why it has fallen into the cross-hairs of this countrys current President. If you're curious, Ive since done a fair bit of research on the subject and found this article to be the best assessment of the conflict as it stands.Again, the climbers were up and gone before we had our bikes loaded in the trucks. Bears Ears is too large to see in a month, much less in a day. We descended into the canyons to sample the North end of the Monument above the Indian Creek climbing zone, where the landscape abruptly opens wide with 40-mile vistas to the North and West.the route used to be traveled by trucks hauling uranium during Moabs mining boom. Lindberg pointed to a thin green layer mid-way up the cliffs. Thats where it all is. The dinosaurs are in that layer too.Dismantling Bears Ears, and nearby Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monuments was the result of a pissing match between past and present presidential administrations, and it was a trophy, ceremoniously delivered to the country's Western Sates, which contend that the Federal government should not own or control lands with their boundaries.While that may look great on paper, the reality is that this country's leaders didn't figure out that setting aside large tracts of common land may have been a wise idea until the Western half was being occupied. Federally owned lands in western states are hugely disproportional to those in the East, but the benefits cannot be argued. The West has a proliferation of National Parks, unparalleled recreational freedom, and abundant habitat protections. Pull up Google maps and compare those opportunities in states east of the Mississippi, where, from their inception, almost every acre of land was parceled to private ownership and municipal governments.Every state has archaeological and natural wonders that exist nowhere else, and every state has been guilty of trashing one or more of them at some point - most often to exploit resources. Ironic then, that it was the States (Congress) that created the Antiquities Act, which Teddy Roosevelt then employed to proclaim the first National Monument as a means to federally protect ancient Native American dwellings from wholesale looting, because the State of Colorado did not.Anasazi didn't erect their dwellings in the alcoves of North Carolina. There are no manatees swimming in Utah's Great Salt Lake. No redwood forests grow in Texas, and there is nothing like Bears Ears where I live in San Diego - which makes me glad that fifteen out of the sixteen presidents who have wielded the power of the Antiquities Act, did so as a quick and decisive method to place such treasures in trust for our entire nation. One president did not, and I'm certain that if Teddy Roosevelt were here to comment, he would call him a looter, not a leader.
Andy Lee Defeats Martin Finger in WSOP Sydney High Roller for $273,600

December 14, 2017 Kim Yuhl Contributor

The $20,000 buy-in High Roller event was an obvious favorite among players at the World Series of Poker Circuit Sydney. The two-day event attracted local and international poker talent to The Star Poker Room in hopes of claiming the top prize of $273,600.

Day 1 Highlights

Day 1 saw 36 buy-ins, which included several re-entries.

As you would expect in a high-roller, the field was littered with accomplished players. On hand, there was recently crowned WSOP Sydney $5k Champion, Brendon Rubie, German poker pro Martin Finger with over $7 million in career earnings, local talent Andy Lee, who has been a constant presence during the series making a few final tables already, and crowd-favorite Tolly Sakellariou who is clearly on a roll after winning his seat in a $1,100 satellite the night before.

While Sakellariou spent most of the Day 1 as chip leader, it was Lee who made a late day surge by dominating play to build a massive stack and take his place at the top the leaderboard. It was Lee's elimination of Malaysian Christopher Soyza and Lithuanian Dominykas Karmazinas in the same hand the put Lee in the position to do real damage on Day 2.

It took 10 hours of play before a final table was reached, concluding play for the day. The last nine would return for Day 2 but wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed a paycheck, as only the top four players will earn a portion of the $608,000 prize pool.

Final Table Lineup

Seat Player Chips 1 Michael Addamo 35,500 2 Martin Finger 328,500 3 David Wang 48,500 4 Kahle Burns 80,000 5 Tolly Sakellariou 287,500 6 Michael O'Grady 111,000 7 Xiangxiang Ni 84,000 8 Brendon Rubie 118,000 9 Andy Lee 518,500

Knowing that five players are going to go home empty-handed, chips made their way around the table as players were trying to secure a cash. With fourth place awarding $60,800, the difference is worth fighting for.

The eliminations of Michael Addamo, Xiangxiang Ni, Kahle Burns, and Brendon Rubie in ninth to sixth place respectively, set up a substantial bubble.

It was Michael O'Grady who earned the unenviable distinction of the bubble boy when his failed to hold against Finger's . It looked good for O'Grady on the flop, but the on the turn sealed O'Grady's fate, and he left the tournament empty-handed.

After the money was reached, play sped up significantly, and just a few minutes later the tournament lost another player. David Wang, who started the day as the second short stack, moved all in over the 11,000 raise of Finger. Finger made the call with , and Wang showed . The board paired Finger's king on the turn, sending Wang to the rail in fourth place with $60,800.

Sakellariou was the next to fall after moving all in with and finding a caller in Lee with . Sakellariou could not improve, and Lee continued to build his chip stack. Sakellariou finished the tournament in third place earning $91,200 for his stellar play over the past two days.

Sakellariou's elimination set up an exciting heads-up battle between Lee and Finger.

With Lee (1,005,500) holding nearly a 2:1 lead over Finger (607,000), you would expect a quick match. But that wasn't the case, as Finger, an experienced heads-up player fought to stay in it.

Finger's stack would go up and down over the next few hours. At one point he was down to just over 100,000 in chips. But he maintained his patience and climbed back up, eventually getting to over 700,000.

However, after over five hours of heads-up play, Finger found himself all in with against the of Lee. Finger saw the bad news when the flop was dealt. And his hopes were dashed on the turn leaving the river to finalize his runner-up finish. Finger walked away from the tournament with $182,400.

And that left local Andy Lee as the last man standing. Lee, who has been having a great WSOP Sydney series and his most successful year of his career is your 2017 WSOP Sydney High Roller Champion.

"I seem to be doing really well in Star Poker Tournaments lately," Lee continued. "I guess I am just lucky in my home state!"

When asked about the lengthy heads-up battle, Lee told the Star Poker Live Reporting Team, "That was the longest heads-up battle I have ever played in my life. Martin (Finger) is a very good player, so it was very tough."

Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Andy Lee $273,600 2 Martin Finger $182,400 3 Tolly Sakellariou $91,200 4 David Wang $60,800

There's Still Time to Get in On the Action

The 2017 WSOP Sydney Circuit might be winding down, but there are still some popular events on the schedule. The tournament series is being held through December 18, 2017, and the schedule can be found on the StarPoker website.
A crowd-sourcing platform which tackles sexual harassment and abuse has won Peace Direct's Women-led Peace-building Award 2017. Red Dot Foundation (Safecity), founded by Elsa Marie D'Silva, uses data of reported abuse in public places to highlight hotspots, and to help influence policy-makers.

Elsa Marie started Safecity as a response to the Delhi gang rape in 2012. Through encouraging women to report incidents of sexual assault or harassment, anonymously if they wish, the data is collected then collated to produce maps and trends of abuse hotspots. The process itself helps empower women and the maps are influencing policy-making at a local level. Safecity is now the largest crowd map of sexual abuse in India, Kenya, Cameroon and Nepal. Elsa Marie is a visiting fellow on the FCO-funded Gurukul fellowship programme, which is being hosted by the DPIR.

Read more about the annual Peace-building Awards and the work of the Red Dot Foundation (Safecity) here: https://www.peacedirect.org/tomorrows-peacebuilders-awards-2017-meet-winners/
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a surprise visit to a Russian military base in Syria, stood before troops Monday, December 11 and ordered the military command to proceed with the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. Two days later, he asked the Duma to take contradictory action. Putins visit to the Russian military base Khmeimim followed Russias announcement of victory over the Islamic State in Syria.

Two days after his order, Putin requested from the nations Parliament approval for a significant expansion of Russias military presence in Syria, namely in the Naval base in Tartus.

The agreement between the governments of Russia and Syria would allow the Russian Naval presence to continue for 49 years, automatically renewed every 25 years. It allows eleven Russian Navy vessels, including nuclear powered vessels to be based at Tartus.

Russia will continue to maintain a significant military presence in Syria, despite the announcement, said Matti Suomenaro, an analyst for the Institute for the Study of War in Washington, DC, referring to Putins withdrawal announcement. Russia regularly uses these partial withdrawals to rotate out redundant capabilities while bringing in units better suited for the next phase of Russian operations in Syria. The announcement nonetheless also serves to help bolster Putins image domestically in Russia ahead of the upcoming Presidential elections scheduled for March 2018.

Some of the Russian media reported on Putins order with a sense of pride, highlighting an ongoing Kremlin narrative that Russia was invited to Syria by the Assad regime purportedly to fight terrorists.

I feel somewhat ashamed [for the Americans] to even comment. We know who won. The world knows who brought the victory. And when somebody wants to cling to someone else's glory  that is also obvious, Valentina Matvienko, Putins close ally and the Speaker of Russias Council of Federation  the upper House of the Parliament said on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 commenting on the U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement of the defeat of Islamic State.

Matvienko also revealed what she said was a state secret.

Putin personally took command over Russian military operation in Syria. This is his personal victory and his great personal achievement, she said, adding that even rivals had to admit Putins Middle East visit as triumphant.

Among the recent claims Polygraph.info reviewed:  that the United States and the coalition have indiscriminately targeted civilians, blocked humanitarian aid to a key refugee camp, protected terrorists from Russian troops, and, in a violation of international law , refused to leave despite the fact that there are no terrorists anymore in Syria because ISs destroyed by Russia, these and others were debunked.

Regarding the Naval base, Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Parliament [State Duma] announced less than an hour after Putins request that the Presidents proposal will be approved before the end of 2017.

The chairman of the Parliaments Committee of Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky announced his Committees unconditional support of the proposed legislation and recommended its approval.
During a televised annual news conference on December 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the United States violated and "de facto" left the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) amid ongoing propaganda campaign in the United States to exit the treaty de jure.

Responding to a question, Putin stated: We are now hearing talk about problems with the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles. It appears that conditions are being created, and the appropriate information is being promoted for a possible U.S. withdrawal from this Treaty, as well, all the more so as Washington has already withdrawn from it de facto. The United States is trying to reproach and accuse us of something, but what exactly has it accomplished? It has deployed systems, allegedly ABM systems, in Romania.

He argued that it is easy to replace the defensive Aegis missiles, built originally to intercept a shipboard attack and now adapted for land use, with intermediate-range missiles. This would violate the INF treaty and, by implication, threaten Russias security.

Under the Treaty, the United States and Russia are required to eliminate and permanently forswear nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles of specified ranges. Considered a major milestone in the international security framework that reduced threats of surprise and preemptive attack, the INF provided for the destruction of some 2,692 intermediate-range nuclear-armed missiles. The destroyed systems reportedly included the Soviet SS-20, the American Pershing II, and an American ground-launched cruise missile.

The United States and Russia have accused each other of violating the treaty on multiple occasions. Besides the deployment of Aegis interceptors, Moscow points to the U.S. drone program as an example of the treaty violations and has on numerous occasions claimed that the United States has failed to present evidence and specific examples of Moscows own violations.

In a series of latest declarations on the issue, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made this statement a day prior to Putins news conference: I would like to remind that the Americans do not present a single scrap of evidence for their allegations [against Russia]. They simply cannot present it because such evidence fundamentally does not exist.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov similarly dismissed the allegations of violations, stating last March: There have been no violations on our part. The U.S. claims otherwise, without providing any specific information that could be verified in order to clarify the situation.

Contrary to the statements by the high-ranking Russian officials, U.S. officials have not acted to leave the treaty, though some have called for withdrawal.

Moreover, the United States has detailed the allegations of Russias violations numerous times.

According to the Arms Control Association, in 2014 the U.S. State Department alleged in a report Russias violations of the treaty not to possess, produce, or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 km to 5,500 km, or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles. The department reportedly repeated its allegations in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

In 2015, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Brian McKeon in his statement on the issue to the U.S. Congress stated that the evidence of Russias violations was conclusive, adding that Russia has tested this ground-based system well into the ranges covered by the treaty.

We are talking about a real system and not a potential capability, he stressed, referring to a Russian cruise missile that U.S. officials dubbed the SSC-X-8. Russia tested it in 2014, and allegedly deployed one of the two missile battalions at a test site near Volgograd.

Speaking on Russias alleged violations, NATOs Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti stated in March 2017 that Russias fielding of a conventional/nuclear dual-capable system banned under the treaty creates a mismatch in escalatory options with the West.

However, in his July testimony, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Paul J. Selva stated that the Russian system, which allegedly violates the treaty, does not provide Russia with a special military advantage given the location of the specific missiles and deployment.

Thomas Karako, International Security Program and Director of the Missile Defense Project at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, wrote in 2014 that both the Russian and the U.S. press had provided reports covering Russias alleged violations.

On the basis of extensive classified information and confirmation by the Departments of State and Defense, the House of Representatives in May declared Russia in material breach of the treaty, he wrote, quoting former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer suggesting Russias INF missile tests were part of a disturbing pattern of disregard for international agreements.

Referencing 2013 report by STRATCOM and the Joint Chiefs examining a U.S. capability gap under the INF, Karako argues that Washington needs to consider its options if the treaty lapses in 2021 in order to address threats from intermediate-range systems of Iran, North Korea, and China, and Russia. Such options, he specified, include deployments of improved Army Tactical Missile Systems, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, as well as the Vertical Launch Systems.

On the other hand, Russia accuses the United States of violating the treaty by deploying the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, a component of a missile defense system capable of launching offensive missiles. Russia further alleges that the United States has relied on banned missiles in its missile defense tests while contending some of its armed drones represent banned cruise missiles.

However, U.S. officials argue that the INF allows systems created only for intercepting objects not located on the surface of the earth, such as the Aegis missile system.

Vladimir Leontiev, deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministrys non-proliferation and arms control department, said in June that threatening actions by the U.S. in the context of the INF treaty would lead to counter-measures by Russia to restore the military balance.

A November article in the Arms Control Today quoted Putin as saying that Russia might be tempted to break the treaty if it did not have its air- and sea-based missiles matching U.S. capabilities. The INF, it notes, left both countries free to deploy air- and sea-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers, a range the INF covers for the land-based missiles.

The article quotes Putin warning of an immediate and reciprocal response if the United States withdraws from the treaty: You can see how effective the Kalibr missiles are, from the Mediterranean Sea, from the Caspian Sea, from the air or from submarines, whatever you wish, he said. Besides Kalibr, with an operational range of 1,400 kilometers, we have other airborne missile systems, very powerful ones with an operational range of 4,500 kilometers.

The article notes that some Republican lawmakers, including Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), reportedly advocate for the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty and that, according to U.S. officials, the United States provided some specifics of Russias violations of the treaty in November 2016. This came weeks after Putin criticized Washington for refusing to specify its allegations.

On December 8, 2017, the U.S. Department of State issued a statement underscoring U.S. firm commitment to the INF Treaty but emphasizing that it seeks Russias return to compliance and that it cannot stand still while Russia develops systems that are violating the treaty.

While the United States will continue to pursue a diplomatic solution, we are now pursuing economic and military measures intended to induce the Russian Federation to return to compliance. This includes a review of military concepts and options, including options for conventional, ground-launched, intermediate-range missile systems, which would enable the United States to defend ourselves and our allies, should the Russian Federation not return to compliance. This step will not violate our INF Treaty obligations, it said. It added that Washington is ready to stop its activities if Russia complies with the INF fully and verifiably.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 36F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 36F. Winds light and variable.
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Adama Technologies Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Las Vegas, Nevada (FSCWire) - Adama Technologies Corp. (OTC Pink:ADAC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Adama Technologies Corp Announces Details Regarding New Digital Currency PartnershipTo 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 Adama Technologies Corp., 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/Adama Technologies Corp.Source: Adama Technologies Corp. (OTC Pink: ADAC)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Adama Technologies Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Alliance Mining Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Alliance Mining Corp. (TSX Venture:ALM). has issued a press release with the following headline:Alliance Mining Hires Investor Relations ManagerTo 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 Alliance Mining Corp., 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/Alliance Mining Corp.Source: Alliance Mining Corp. (TSX Venture: ALM, ISIN: CA01863P1080)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 8:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Alliance Mining Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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Global Fragrance Ingredients Market was worth USD 14.57 billion in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 5.6%, to reach USD 19.13 billion by 2021.

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The Fragrance Ingredients market is showing immense potential in the mentioned forecast period. The market continues to grow with the increase in demand for personal as well as other consumer products. The trend gained momentum after the regulation, REACH was legislated in the European Union.View Full Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-fragrance-ingredients-market-2275/ Fragrances are an explicit mixture of natural as well as synthetic ingredients. A single perfume might contain as low as dozen to as high as hundreds of ingredients or aroma chemicals in minute but calibrated amounts. These ingredients are used in products such as fine fragrances, cosmetics, soaps, detergents etc.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-fragrance-ingredients-market-2275/request-sample The Industry has been experiencing a rise in the demand for natural fragrance ingredients lately, thus gaining interest from various companies in the market. Other major factors drivers for the fragrance ingredients market include, increasing demand for cleaning products, changing consumer preferences, significant advancement in technology. On the other hand, the market faces some restraints and challenges as well, which include compliance with quality and regulatory standards, expensive research and development. Concerns related to Synthetic product has also been one of the factors holding down the market from climbing to its actual potential.Inquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-fragrance-ingredients-market-2275/inquire The Global market for Fragrance Ingredients is segmented on the basis of type and application. Based on type the market is segmented into essentials oils and aroma chemicals, which are further fragmented into Orange, Mentha Arvensis, Eucalyptus, Cedar wood, Citronella and Terpenes, benzenoids, Musk Chemicals respectively. Based on Application the segmentation is done under Cosmetics & toiletries, Fine Fragrances, Soaps & Detergents. The essential oils account for largest market share under segmentation by type and have a market share of almost twice as that of aroma chemicals. Based on application the market is led by soaps and detergents, while on the other hand cosmetics and toiletries are expected to show the highest growth rate in the coming years. On the basis of geography, the global market is analysed under various regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The Fragrance Ingredients market was dominated by Europe, with the overall market share of over 30% globally. Europe was followed by North America and Asia-Pacific. Latin America is predicted to grow at a rapid pace in the coming few years, due to the rise in annual disposable income and change in consumers preference.Some of the major companies leading the global market share include BASF SE, Firmenich International SA, Frutarom Industries Ltd., Givaudan SA, International Flavors and Fragrances Inc., Mane SA, Robertet SA, Symrise AG, T. Hasegawa Co. Ltd., Takasago International Corp.Market Segmentation1 Type1.1 Introduction1.2 Essential Oils1.3 Arora Chemicals1.4 Others2 Application2.1 Introduction2.2 Cosmetics & toiletries2.2 Fine Fragrances2.3 Soap & Detergants2.4 Other ApplicationsScope of the Report Regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untapped Segment-level analysis in terms of technology, component, and type along with market size forecasts and estimations to detect key areas of industry growth in detail Identification of key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) in the market and their impact on shifting market dynamics Study of the effect of exogenous and endogenous factors that affect the global market; which includes broadly demographic, economics, and political, among other macro-environmental factors presented in an extensive PESTLE Analysis Study the micro environment factors that determine the overall profitability of an Industry, using Porters five forces analysis for analysing the level of competition and business strategy development A comprehensive list of key market players along with their product portfolio, current strategic interests, key financial information, legal issues, SWOT analysis and analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment Competitive landscape analysis listing out the mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies An executive summary, abridging the entire report in such a way that decision-making personnel can rapidly become acquainted with background information, concise analysis and main conclusions Expertly devised analyst overview along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketAbout Us:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and sksillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions.
Global Silage Additives Market was worth $480 million in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 3.85%, to reach $579.79 million by 2021.

Market Data Forecast

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-14 12:21:41

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Silage additives have been used to increase the ensiling procedure with successive enhancements in animal performance. Its advantages have created an opportunity for Silage Additives Market.Silage additives are essential in animal nutrition as they are worth to increase silage quality and regulate the conservation process so that by the time of nurturing it has maintained as many of the nutrients existing in the original fresh forage as possible. That in turn enhances the animal performance and fitness; consequently, refining the yield and value of food from animal origin. Silage additive thus help make superior forage into good quality silage.View Full Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-silage-additives-market-1384/ The demand for meat has accelerated due to the continuous increase in population, lifestyle variations, and cultural inclinations. Industrialization of animals and meat production is driving factor of the market. Increase in demand for animal protein all around the globe has applied pressure on livestock farmers for better quality and quantity. This condition has created an opportunity for silage additive producers. However, less efficiency of silage additives in comparison with other additives is likely to obstruct the growth of the market.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-silage-additives-market-1384/request-sample Global market for Silage additives is segmented by type Inoculants, Acids and Organic acid salts, Enzymes, Adsorbents and Chemical Inhibitors. Based on application the market is bifurcated into cereal crops, legumes and other application types. Cereal crops segment is further divided amongst Corn, Barley, Oats, Wheat and Sorghum. Legumes are sub segmented into Peas, Fababbeans, Alfalfa and Clover. Ornamental Grass and Canola are other application types of silage additives. Inoculants have the major market share among the Silage Additives material type and is predicted to grow with the growing demand for silage additives in the livestock industry.Inquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-silage-additives-market-1384/inquire Geographically the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle-East and Africa. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market in silage additives during the forecast period. The Guidelines from Government in this region to decrease imports of meat & escalate home production and funding to livestock farmers is projected to give increase to livestock industry.Some of the main silage additives market players are BASF SE (Germany), ADDCON (Germany), Novozymes A/S (Denmark), DSM N.V. (The Netherlands), Cargill Inc. (U.S.), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Selko Feed Additives (The Netherlands), Volac International Limited (U.K.), Schaumann BioEnergy GmbH (Germany) and CHR. Hansen Holdings A/S (Denmark).Market Segmentation1 By Type1.1 Inoculants1.2 Acids and Organic acid salts1.3 Enzymes1.4 Adsorbents1.5 Chemical Inhibitors2 By Application2.1 Cereal Crops2.2 Legumes2.3 Other ApplicationsScope of the Report Regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untapped Segment-level analysis in terms of technology, component, and type along with market size forecasts and estimations to detect key areas of industry growth in detail Identification of key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) in the market and their impact on shifting market dynamics Study of the effect of exogenous and endogenous factors that affect the global market; which includes broadly demographic, economics, and political, among other macro-environmental factors presented in an extensive PESTLE Analysis Study the micro environment factors that determine the overall profitability of an Industry, using Porters five forces analysis for analysing the level of competition and business strategy development A comprehensive list of key market players along with their product portfolio, current strategic interests, key financial information, legal issues, SWOT analysis and analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment Competitive landscape analysis listing out the mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies An executive summary, abridging the entire report in such a way that decision-making personnel can rapidly become acquainted with background information, concise analysis and main conclusions Expertly devised analyst overview along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketAbout Us:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and sksillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions.
Global Venous Thromboembolism Treatment Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-14 14:48:22

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Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead Marketing+1-866-598-1553

The venous thromboembolism treatment market is growing at a significant CAGR due to increase in geriatric population. Rise in the government expenditure, increase in the incidence of venous thromboembolism are fuelling the venous thromboembolism treatment market. Furthermore, increase in surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacements that are risk factors for venous thromboembolism conditions, growing patient awareness venous thromboembolism conditions expected to boost the venous thromboembolism treatment market growth over the forecast period. However, high cost of deep vein thrombosis treatment, high unmet needs of currently available treatment procedures, and adverse effects associated with drugs hinder the growth of venous thromboembolism treatment market. Similarly, stringent regulatory approvals, the presence of alternatives treatments such as thrombectomy and percutaneous techniques are hindering the growth of venous thromboembolism treatment market over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @The venous thromboembolism treatment market is segmented on the basis of drug type, disease type, and distribution channelBased on drug type, venous thromboembolism treatment market is segmented into the following: Factor Xa inhibitors Thrombolytic therapy Plasminogen activators Fondaparinux Dabigatran WarfarinBased on disease type, the venous thromboembolism treatment market is segmented into the following: Deep vein thrombosis Pulmonary embolismBased on distribution channel, the venous thromboembolism treatment market is segmented into the following: Hospital pharmacies Online Pharmacies Retail pharmaciesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @The growth of venous thromboembolism treatment market is due to rise in prevalence of venous thromboembolism (According to the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc.(ISTH) , approximately 10 Mn cases of venous thromboembolism occur annually). The most commonly adopted strategies by industry players include new product launches with technological innovations, new product approvals, acquisitions & mergers, agreements, and collaborations to capture significant venous thromboembolism treatment market share. For instance, in March 2017, The Apex trial reported that extended use of betrixaban beyond the parenteral prophylaxis with enoxaparin reduces the venous thromboembolism incidence among the patients. Similarly, in May 2011, Eliquis (apixaban) approved In Europe for preventing venous thromboembolism after elective knee or hip replacement. Also, in January 2015, Bayer forms the collaboration with academic and governmental institutions for Rivaroxaban study in patients with a recent embolic stroke of undetermined source.Need more information about this report @Geographically, venous thromboembolism treatment market has been segmented into following regions Viz. North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. North America anticipated to hold the largest share in the venous thromboembolism treatment market owing to increase in the incidence (According to U.S. International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc. (ISTH) there are around 100,000 to 300,000 venous thromboembolism related deaths reported annually) and prevalence rate, rise in demand for advanced treatments, and increase in aging population in the North America region. Moreover, rise in healthcare expenditure, growing awareness regarding the disease and treatments, and increase in prevalence rate in the Europe region drives the venous thromboembolism treatment market over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is a key region for venous thromboembolism treatment market due to increase in the government expenditure and healthcare infrastructure. However, high cost of the venous thromboembolism treatment, and low awareness regarding venous thromboembolism treatment among key stakeholders are the key factors hindering the venous thromboembolism treatment market growth in Latin America and Middle East and Africa regions.Some of the players in venous thromboembolism treatment market are Sanofi (France), Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. (Japan) , Bristol Myers Squibb (U.S.), Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.), AbbVie Inc. (U.S.), Merck & Co. (U.S.), Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan), Sawai Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (U.S.), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Wockhardt Ltd (India), Bayer AG (Germany), and Dupont (U.S.) to name a few.Get access to full summary @Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Jackpotjoy PLC--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---London, England (FSCWire) - Jackpotjoy PLC (LSE:JPJ). has issued a press release with the following headline:Jackpotjoy Completion of Debt FacilityTo 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 Jackpotjoy PLC, 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/Jackpotjoy PLCSource: Jackpotjoy PLC (LSE: JPJ, ISIN: GB00BZ14BX56, OTC Bulletin Board: JKPTF)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 11:54 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Jackpotjoy PLC and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Kings Bay Resources Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver BC. (FSCWire) - Kings Bay Resources Corp. (TSX Venture:KBG). has issued a press release with the following headline:Kings Bay Samples 6.07% Cu, 0.12% Cobalt and 28.7 ppm Silver at Trump Island Copper-Cobalt Project in NewfoundlandTo 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 Kings Bay Resources Corp., 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/Kings Bay Resources Corp.Source: Kings Bay Resources Corp. (TSX Venture: KBG)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 8:20 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Kings Bay Resources Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Lithium Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Elko, Nevada (FSCWire) - Lithium Corp. (OTCQB:LTUM). has issued a press release with the following headline:Lithium Corporation Provides an Update on Its Goodsprings Cobalt PropertiesTo 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 Lithium Corp., 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/Lithium Corp.Source: Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LTUM, ISIN: A0YJFZ, WKN: US5368041076)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 8:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Lithium Corp. 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.)
North America Soy Beverages Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-14 07:09:16

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The North America Soy Beverages Market was worth USD 1.82 billion in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 5.6%, to reach USD 2.40 billion by 2021. Soybean-based foods, apart from being a whole source of protein, also comprise other important nutrients, such as fiber, B vitamins and Omega3 fatty acids. All these nutrients play an imperative role in the growth of infants, fetal growth in pregnant women, and provide various other benefits for children and adults alike.Soy beverages are used up because of the increased availability of soy, and the scientific truths that prove the many health benefits of the beans; including lowering blood cholesterol and reducing the risk of certain cancers. Additionally, soy beverages are disbursed as a replacement for lesser-healthy drinks because of their nutrition.View full report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-soy-beverages-market-3708/ The North America Soy Beverages market is driven by factors including the rising health consciousness, as an alternative to meat and other animal products, in the developing and developed regions of the world. However, recent studies on the harmful effects of soy and its derivatives are hindering the growth of the market.The North America Soy Beverages market is segmented on the basis of product type and by region. On the basis of product type, the market is distributed among soy milk and yogurt smoothies. Based on Distribution Channel, the market is segmented into Supermarket/hypermarket, Retail stores, online stores and others.The North America market has been geographically segmented into segmented into US and Canada. The North American region holds the major stake in the aggregate income of Global Soy Beverages market in 2016 because of noteworthy growth in consumption, brought about by established distribution channels.Download free sample @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-soy-beverages-market-3708/request-sample The major players operating in the North America Soy drinks industry include Silk, Organic Valley, Kikkoman Pearl Soy Milk. West Soy, Eden Foods, Zen Soy, Trader Joes, Jaffe Bros. Natural Foods and Devansoy.Market Segmentation1)Product Type Introduction Soy Milk Yogurt Smoothies Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Product Type Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Product Typpe Market Share Analysis, By Product Type2)By Distribution Channel Introduction Supermarket/hypermarket Retail stores Online Stores Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Distribution Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Distribution Market Share Analysis, By Distribution ChannelInquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-soy-beverages-market-3708/inquire Scope of the report: Regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untapped Segment-level analysis in terms of technology, component, and type along with market size forecasts and estimations to detect key areas of industry growth in detail Identification of key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) in the market and their impact on shifting market dynamics Study of the effect of exogenous and endogenous factors that affect the north america market; which includes broadly demographic, economics, and political, among other macro-environmental factors presented in an extensive PESTLE Analysis Study the micro environment factors that determine the overall profitability of an Industry, using Porters five forces analysis for analysing the level of competition and business strategy development A comprehensive list of key market players along with their product portfolio, current strategic interests, key financial information, legal issues, SWOT analysis and analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment Competitive landscape analysis listing out the mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies An executive summary, abridging the entire report in such a way that decision-making personnel can rapidly become acquainted with background information, concise analysis and main conclusions Expertly devised analyst overview along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the market
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Renforth Resources Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE:RFR). has issued a press release with the following headline:Renforth Completes Four Drillholes at Parbec to DateTo 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 Renforth Resources Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Renforth Resources Inc.Source: Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE: RFR)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 8:47 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Renforth Resources Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-14 15:03:48

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Drastic reduction of total RBC count is called as anaemia. It is also defined as inability of carrying the appropriate amounts of oxygen by blood. Sickle cell diseases are the type of blood disorders which are genetically inherited. Sickle-cell anaemia is the common type of SCD in which sickle shaped cell is formed. Generally sickle cell disease starts taking shape at early age i.e., within a year after birth which leads to several health issues like attacks of pain which is also called as sickle-cell crisis, limbs swelling, bacterial infections etc. Chronic pain can be developed along with the age. Sickle-cell diseases arises when an individual inherited by abnormal copies of Hg gene from the each parent.Sickle cell disease treatment market is driven by the increasing prevalence of sickle cell anaemia in the developed, developing as well as under developed economies. In addition to this unmet needs are highly available, rise in product pipelines for the treatment of SCD is anticipated to pose great demand for the market. Sickle cell disease treatment market is propelled by rising support by the regulatory bodies and government in the form of investments, fast track approvals for the discovery of newer treatments. Sickle cell anaemia treatment market is restrained by slow adoption of treatments due to the cost associated with it, the absence of a permanent cure for this disease and complications associated with treatment.A sample of this report is available upon request @Sickle Cell Diseases Treatment Market is segmented on the basis of disease type, therapy, drug class, distribution channel, and geography.On the basis of disease type, the global sickle cell disease market treatment is segmented as: Sickle beta thalassemia Sickle hemoglobin C disease Sickle cell anemia OthersOn the basis of therapy, the global sickle cell disease treatment market is segmented as: Bone Marrow Transplant Blood Transfusion Gene TherapyOn the basis of the drug class, the global sickle cell disease treatment market is segmented as: Antibiotics Analgesics Antimetabolite (Hydroxyurea) OthersOn the basis of the distribution channel, the global sickle cell disease treatment market is segmented as: Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies OthersTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Burgeoning prevalence of sickle cell disease has expected to drive the market. As per Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016, about 100,000 individuals in U.S. are affected by the sickle cell diseases. Black or the African Americans are commonly more susceptible to sickle cell diseases. One in thirteen babies who belongs to the black race are born with SCDs. Researchers has moved ahead to treat SCD by antibiotics to genome level. Researchers from the Stanford School of Medicine corrected the genes successfully which are carrying gene for SCD and transplanted them with the healthy cells. With the help of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat technique (CRISPR), researchers has replaced the SCD cell genes with one which doesnt carry those genes. In 2016, Infosys has donated USD 1.11 million for the stem cell research to develop gene therapies for the disorders like haemophilia and sickle cell disease.Need more information about this report @Based on the geographical regions, global sickle cell diseases treatment market is segmented into Latin America, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. North America is dominating the sickle cell anaemia treatment market due to the increase in activities in R&D, high accessibility of developed healthcare infrastructure, and high reimbursement policies are attributing for the growth of the SCD treatment market in the region. Owing to the high prevalence rate of disease in Asia pacific and African regions is favouring the growth of SCD treatment market. Asia-Pacific is one of the speedy growing market due to the funding of the various industry players for stem cell researchSome of the sickle cell disease treatment providers are Biogen (U.S.), Gamida Cell (Israel), Genetix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (U.S.), Sangamo Biosciences (U.S.), Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (U.S.), Acceleron Pharma (U.S.), Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. (U.S.), Emmaus Medical, Inc. (U.S.), Novartis AG (Switzerland) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (U.S.).Get access to full summary @Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-14 14:17:15

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SEOUL, KOREA, Dec 11, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Suprema, Inc., a leading global provider of biometrics and security technologies, today announced that the company has been recognized as one of the top 50 largest security company in A&S's 2017 Security 50 rankings. In this year's rankings, Suprema moved up in its ranking from 31st to 30th with its 2016 annual revenue of US$66.2 million. Since 2011, Suprema has been ranked in Security 50 for 7 consecutive years and is the only dedicated biometrics company in 2016 rankings.The Security 50 from A&S magazine is an annual rankings of publicly listed physical security manufacturers around the globe solely based on their financial performance (sales revenue). On the rankings, companies' businesses range from biometrics, access control, video surveillance, alarms and integrated security solutions.In the 2017 Security 50 rankings, Suprema is the only dedicated biometrics company among the 'Access Control Product Group', and Suprema ranked 4th in Access Control rankings after multi-nationals including Assa Abloy, Allegion and Nedap."We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the key player in security industry by listing our name on the prestigious 2017 Security 50 rankings. This is an incredible reflection of overarching vision and innovations of Suprema's technology, products and solutions. When it comes to biometrics, the market focus is shifting from technological advances to user convenience while user acceptance is rapidly growing with widespread of biometrics-enabled smartphones."As credential management and interoperability are becoming more important, we will put more effort into better delivering identity management solutions while maintaining the best-available biometric technologies over the competition," said Brian Song, CEO at Suprema.About Security 50Security 50, conducted by a&s International, is one of the most comprehensive and influential reports in the industry that ranks the top security manufacturers in the world. The annual Security 50 ranking is based upon product sales revenue, gross profit, and profit margin during the previous fiscal year. To find out the full list of 2017 Security 50 Rankings, please visit https://goo.gl/81fQev About Suprema Inc.Suprema is a leading global provider of biometrics and security technology. By combining world renowned biometric algorithms with superior engineering, Suprema continually designs and develops industry leading products and solutions. Suprema's extensive range of portfolio includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, fingerprint live scanners, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint modules. Suprema has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries and is one of the world's Top 50 security company in its turnover (ranked in A&S's Security 50, 2010-2017). For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com Contact:Andy AhnHead of Marketing, Suprema Inc.Email: andyahn@ suprema.co.kr Source: Suprema Inc.Topic: Press release summarySectors: Security/BiometricsFrom the Asia Corporate News NetworkCopyright  2017 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Wi2Wi Corporation--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Wi2Wi Corporation (TSX Venture:YTY). has issued a press release with the following headline:Wi2Wi Announces Its Eleventh New Product This YearTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Wi2Wi Corporation, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Wi2Wi CorporationSource: Wi2Wi Corporation (TSX Venture: YTY, WKN: A1KCTZ, ISIN: CA9774862085, OTC Bulletin Board: ISEYF)Date: December 14, 2017Time: 9:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Wi2Wi Corporation and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
Three government agencies have been enmeshed in a controversial withdrawal of $27.9 million and another $13.5 million from a $350 million Eurobond domiciled with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA.

The fund was given to the Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company, NBET, by the Federal Government in 2013 as shareholder contribution to shore up its capitalisation and provide assurance to investors that the company is credit worthy.

NBET deposited the fund to NSIA in 2013.

Allegations of withdrawals from the funds first emanated when Dino Melaye, Kogi West, accused the Power Ministry of squandering up to $35 million of the funds on projects not appropriated for.

The Senate had mandated its committee on Public Accounts to look into the allegations.

Speaking before the committee on Wednesday, Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer, NSIA, confirmed that the fund is still in NSIA custody.

The 350 million funds in question which were given to NBET by federal government is in the custody of NSIA. We have an investment agreement between ourselves and NBET which spells out how we manage those funds on their behalf.

These funds were not meant for the use in trading, it was meant for via instruction from FG to be handed over to the NSIA to invest on their behalf.

She explained that the fund currently stands at about $380 million having accrued a $30 million interest from which NBET have withdrawn $13.5 million.

I can give an estimation of the amount. We were given 350 million in 2013 to manage and till date there is a balance of about 380 million principal plus accrued interest. Last year, there was a drawing of $13.5 million for payment of interest for the Eurobond. There was a request from NBET which we honoured and which they handed over to the DMO to pay the Eurobond.

She added that NSIA will return the fund by next year when it would have matured.

The lawmakers, however, frown at the withdrawal of $13.5 million from the fund and the perceived lopsided agreement between NBET and NSIA.

The chairman of the committee, Matthew Uroghide said, Since the money is with you, it is you that is trading with the money and you get your interest out of which you pay interest to NBET. You trade with it and then pay them an agreed interest, not even minding whatever NBET or federal government has to pay the original lenders of the money.

Mrs. Ojekwe-Onyejeli responded that there is an investment management agreement between NBET and NSIA which sets out the terms of the paynents and they are following it.

The committee requested for details of the agreement, copy of letter authorising payment of $13.5m from NBET, and a copy of Eurobond Agreement from the Debt Management Office, DMO.

On the $27.9 million paid to General Electric for the AFAM 3 fast power project, Mrs. Ojekwe-Onyejeli told the senators that the fund was quoted to be advance payment according to information provided to NSIA.

She was unable to answer questions on breakdown of spending.

Loius Edozion, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power was unable to answer questions on why the $27.9 million was withdrawn despite not being budgeted in 2017.

The fund was not appropriated, he responded to Mr. Uroghides query. The total cost of the project is $186 million. The entire cost of the project was conceived as an investment. It was to be ultimately put in the hands of private investors. To get it going, the financial arrangement with General Electric was that they will finance 85 per cent over a period of five years; and the investor, which began as the federal government, will finance 15 per cent. The intention was always to provide that 15 per cent as an investment and thereafter recover it from investors.

Mr. Edozin was not able to provide the total sum Nigeria will spend on the project and what the $27.9 million already paid constitutes in the 15 per cent obligation.

The senators were also not satisfied with the illegal withdrawal, the fact that General Electric which has an 85 per cent obligation in the project hasnt spent its fund, yet received $27.9 million; and the countrys inability to maximally utilise the loan which will expire by 2018.

The lawmakers demanded the NSIA, DMO, and NBET provide detailed information as to agreements and withdrawals from the fund by December 18.

Documents requested include: details of the agreement between NBET and NSIA, copy of letter authorising payment of $13.5 million from NBET, Eurobond agreement by DMO, and details of agreement between power ministry and General Electric on the AFAM 3 fast power project.
Israel announced the closure of its Gaza border crossings on Thursday in response to what it says has been daily rocket fire from the enclave over the past week since U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The crossings being closed, Kerem Shalom and Erez, are the only two on the Israeli border left with Gaza.

Kerem Shalom is the crossing point where goods and supplies are brought into Gaza. Erez is the point where people cross. Shutting the two points effectively cuts off Gaza from the rest of the world by land, save for its small Egyptian border, which is generally closed. Gaza is also under a naval blockade by the Israeli navy.

The situation in the region has become increasingly heated since Mr. Trump announced last week the United States recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will eventually move its embassy to the holy city.

In Instanbul on Wednesday, a summit of more than 50 Muslim countries condemned Mr. Trumps move and called on the world to recognise East Jerusalem, captured by Israel along with the West Bank in a 1967 war, as the capital of Palestine.

Other than Israel, the international community has universally condemned the U.S. move.

Leading a chorus of contempt at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit, Turkeys President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called Israel a terror state, and said Mr. Trumps move was legitimising Israels terror acts.
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russias contacts with representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump before the 2016 Presidential election were a worldwide practice, noting that U.S. reaction looked like a spy mania.

Our ambassador was accused of having met with someone. Its a universal practice when diplomatic representatives, when even members of the government meet with all the candidates and their teams, discuss some issues, prospects for development, seek to understand what will some or other people do if they come to power, how to react to this.

Why did someone see something extraordinary there, and why does it all have to turn into some kind of spy mania? Putin said at the annual news conference.

Putin said that some in the U.S. are trying to delegitimise the work of Trump, not realising that they are causing damage to the country.

All this was made up by the people who are in opposition to Trump in order to give his work an illegitimate character, Putin said at his annual press conference when commenting on possible contacts between Trumps team members with Russia.

The president noted that such accusations seemed strange to him as they harm people in the United States above all.

And for me its even strange, Im telling you quite frankly, because its done as if without understanding that the people who do this damage the domestic political state of the country, bleeding dry the capabilities of the elected head of state.

This means that they treat the voters who voted for him disrespectfully, Putin said.

He said Russia and the U.S. could work more effectively on many issues if they joined efforts.

There are many things that we could do more effectively than we have been doing up to this moment, in the interests of our citizens, if we joined efforts, Putin said.

The president said that he was hoping for the normalization of relations.

I am expecting that we will be able to normalize our relations, in the interests of US and Russian citizens, and will keep developing, overcoming threats to both of us.

They are well-known: terrorism, the fight for the environment, economy, the fight against the spread of weapons of mass destruction, overcoming crises in various regions of the world, including the Middle East, the North Korean problem, Putin said. (Sputnik/NAN)
At least half of the worlds population cannot afford essential health services even as a large number of households are being pushed daily into poverty each year, indicates a new report from the World Bank and World Health Organisation, WHO.

In demographics, the global population is the total number of humans currently living. The world population was estimated to have reached 7.6 billion as at October 2017. The United Nations estimates it will further increase to 11.2 billion by the year 2100.

A press statement released by the international health agency on Wednesday also said even for those who can afford to pay for these services, about 800 million of them spend at least 10 per cent of their household budgets on health expenses for themselves, a sick child or family member.

The report shows that for almost 100 million people, these expenses are high enough to push them into extreme poverty, forcing them to survive on just $1.90 or less a day.

This is in relation to findings released in the Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2017 Global Monitoring Report, which was simultaneously published in Lancet Global Health.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO said it is completely unacceptable that half of the world still lacks coverage for the most essential health services.

A solution exists: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) allows everyone to obtain the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship, he said.

World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim said the report makes it clear that if nations are serious, not just about better health outcomes, but also about ending poverty, they must urgently scale up efforts on universal health coverage.

Investments in health, and more generally investments in people, are critical to build human capital and enable sustainable and inclusive economic growth. But the system is broken: we need a fundamental shift in the way we mobilise resources for health and human capital, especially at the country level. We are working on many fronts to help countries spend more and more effectively on people, and increase their progress towards universal health coverage, he said.

Though progress was recorded in some countries, the report says, progress is uneven.

The report shows that the 21st century has seen an increase in the number of people able to obtain some key health services. These services include, immunisation and family planning, as well as antiretroviral treatment for HIV and insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria.

In addition, the report adds that fewer people are now being tipped into extreme poverty, than at the turn of the century.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the report is a key point of discussion at the global Universal Health Coverage Forum 2017, currently taking place in Tokyo, Japan.

The Forum is cosponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), UHC2030, the leading global movement advocating for UHC, UNICEF, the World Bank, and WHO.

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake are attending the event, in addition to heads of state and ministers from over 30 countries including the Nigerian minister of health, Isaac Adewole.

According to the report, there are wide gaps in the availability of services in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.

WHO stated that the challenge is more in affluent regions such as Eastern Asia, Latin America and Europe, where a growing number of people are spending at least 10 per cent of their household budgets on out-of-pocket health expenses.

For example, only 17 per cent of mothers and children in the poorest fifth of households in low- and lower-middle income countries received at least six of seven basic maternal and child health interventions, compared to 74 per cent for the wealthiest fifth of households, the report stated.

Nigeria is identified as one of those countries where many citizens cannot obtain essential health services and have to pay through their nose to obtain medical care.

According to Mr. Adewole, who spoke during the fifth World Universal Health Coverage Day in Abuja, he said though UHC is enshrined in the nations constitution, the government has a statutory role to ensure all citizens irrespective of the geographical divide have access to affordable and needed health services in an equitable manner.

Mr. Adewole said though Nigeria did not commit to UHC until 2014, the government has since been making efforts in achieving the UHC standard.

As part of our efforts, we are working tirelessly on improving the functionality of the primary health care systems by making functional at least one PHC facility per ward, scaling 10,000 functional PHC facilities over the next few years as they are the gateway to preventive care in Nigeria, he said.

However, the efforts are yet to yield desired results as the National Health Act, which is part of the plans aimed at achieving UHC is yet to be implemented though the National Assembly has promised to provide for it in the 2018 budget.

The Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme, which is also meant to reduce out of pocket spending has also not been effective with only about five per cent of Nigerians are covered under the scheme. The scheme as structured at present does not cover those within the state or private sector.

Furthermore, there are still some health services that are as well not covered under the health insurance scheme, meaning that enrolees still have to pay out of their pockets to obtain these.
Two Nigerians are among 50 finalists shortlisted for the 2018 Global Teacher Prize.

The winner, which will be announced March next year in Dubai, will receive $1 million prize money for being an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession, according to the information posted on the Global Teacher Prize website.

The shortlisted Nigerian teachers are Itodo Anthony and Ayodele Odeogbola of the Gateway Excel College Otukpa, Benue State, and the Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State, respectively.

The prize, which is considered the Nobel Prize for teaching, is sponsored by the Varkey Foundation, a non-profit organisation with interest in the education of underprivileged children around the world.

The prize serves to underline the importance of educators and the fact that, throughout the world, their efforts deserve to be recognised and celebrated, says the organisers of the prize.

It seeks to acknowledge the impacts of the very best teachers  not only on their students but on the communities around them.

The organisers said that one of the shortlisted Nigerians, Mr. Anthony, founded a community-based organisation for youths  New Frontiers Youth Forum  in May 2017 and used it to raise young leaders who in turn would act as the agent of positive change within the community.

This October, The Forum commissioned a community library. The community had no library where students and others could study in comfort or have access to resources they could afford, the organisers said.

They said further of him: At the beginning of his career, in a small rural school in Nigeria, not many people understood why Anthony would get a masters degree from a UK university and end up teaching in a village for peanuts.

But this was part of his mission  to elevate the teaching profession to a place of pride, to say with his own life that the profession is a noble one whose value is not tied to how much we earn. Today, the same people who mocked his decision to teach especially in a rural area are publicly celebrating his and his students successes.

When he teaches in class he tries to introduce positive values from other parts of the world to broaden their view of life. When he told them that in some European countries a woman gets half the property at divorce, it shocked them, coming from a culture where gender inequality is grave and women can actually be kicked out of their husbands homes at will.

So he preaches the virtues of justice, institutional soundness, community service, value creation, among others that are elements from other cultures that can help create an ideal value system in Nigerian youth.

An obviously elated Mr. Anthony reacted to his shortlisting thus, in a post he put up on Facebook, Wednesday: As a Top 50 finalist, a teacher becomes a part of the prestigious Varkey Teacher Ambassadors programme, which has the Top 50 finalists from the past three editions as members.

For me this is one of the biggest attractions of the prize, the opportunity to share a platform with over 200 of the worlds finest teachers, to learn and share best practices.

Top 50 was my primary target and I achieved that.

In the past three editions of this prize no Nigerian teacher made Top 50 and that was pretty unsettling for me, seeing how Kenyan teachers dominated African representation. This year we are two Nigerians, me and my friend Odeogbola Ay. I am happy were changing the narrative and opening the path for other Nigerian teachers, he said.
The Federal Government on Thursday reaffirmed its One China policy as part of its drive to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The Federal Government made this known in a circular dispatched to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja on Thursday.

The circular read in part: As part of governments drive to strengthen and deepen bilateral relationships with China, it has become imperative to reaffirm Nigerias position on the (One China Policy).

According to the circular, for clarity, the Federal Government recognises that Beijing remains the only seat of the government representing the whole China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory.

The circular further stated that in effect, the Federal Government does not recognise Taiwan as an independent territory.

According to the circular, Mr President has directed that the term Republic of China (Taiwan) shall not be used in official communications and pronouncement.

And all official and private trips by government officials to Taiwan must be cleared by the SGF.

In the circular, the government is also reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade relations between Nigeria and Taiwan and its outcome will be communicated in due course.

According to the circular, all MDAs are enjoined to bring the contents of this circular to the notice of all concerned for immediate compliance. (NAN)
Governors from Nigerias 36 states have approved the withdrawal of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account by the federal government to be used in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east.

This was revealed by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting of the National Economic Council which held inside the council chamber of the Presidential Villa Abuja.

The meeting was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr. Obaseki said the approval was announced during the 83rd NEC meeting by the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari.

The Governor of Gombe State, who spoke earlier, said the Excess Crude Account had a balance of $2.317 billion as at December 13, 2017.

Details later
The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday said there was no street fight between EFCC and two security agencies: Nigeria Intelligence Agency, NIA, and the State Security Service, SSS.

Mr. Magus stance was in response to comments by chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee constituted to investigate the face-off, Francis Alimikhena.

Mr. Alimikhena while insisting that the hearing be held in presence of journalists had referred to the face-off among the agencies as street fight.

There is nothing hidden because they fought in the street, he said They fought dirty and Nigerian people will like to know what led to that fight. What happened in that dirty fight, I dont think its something we should hide from the public. For me, I would prefer that we do this openly for Nigerians to see. Its a shame on all of us for sister security agencies to be fighting dirty in the street. Which means we dont have spirit de corps. For them to fight in the public then they should tell us what led to that fight.

The senator was the only one among the five committee members who wanted the hearing made public.

Mr. Magu, however, did not wait for the commencement of the closed-door session before venting his dissatisfaction at the senators choice of words.

The EFCC boss told the senator that the EFCC never engaged in street fight but went out to carry out its constitutional duty.

Mr. Chairman, I really dont know. There was no street fight, there was no dirty fight. We did not fight anybody. So, the reference to street fight dirty fight, I dont think its proper sir. There was never a street fight. My men went there, they were not allowed to execute the due warrant of arrest and the search warrant.

The senator did not respond to his comments.

The lawmakers then agreed to hold the hearing behind closed door.

The committee also agreed to hold separate hearing for each of the agencies, starting with the EFCC, before inviting the three to a final hearing.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the incident last month as NIA and SSS officials prevented the EFCC operatives from arresting Ita Ekpeyong, ex-head of the SSS; and Ayodele Oke, ex-head of the NIA.
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, on Wednesday presented to the Executive Council of the Federation for approval the controversial $2.7 billion (about N827 billion) gas pipeline contract he accused the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, of awarding two months ago.

Mr. Kachikwu told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting in Abuja that the Council approved a memo for the award of the pipeline contract he earlier said was awarded by Mr. Baru to a Chinese firm.

The contract is for the installation of the new Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK, gas pipelines under a public-private partnership basis.

Nigerians first heard of the contract after a memo by Mr. Kachikwu dated August 30, 2017 to President Muhammadu Buhari was leaked to the media.

In the memo, Mr. Kachikwu accused Mr. Baru of insubordination and of breaching contracting process in awarding the contract.

He said Mr. Baru refused to involve him, as the chairman designate of the NNPC Board and minister in charge of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in the processes of the award of the contract. He also said the board of the NNPC was not carried along.

But on Wednesday, Mr. Kachikwu said he presented the contract to FEC for approval again to correct the infringement of due process by the initial approval.

The controversy that followed the revelation of friction between the two most powerful figures in the countrys oil and gas industry raised tension that threatened the stability of the Nigerian economy.

When the two officials later met at the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja made a show of reconciliation by embracing before media cameras and pledging to work together for the overall interest of the industry, Nigerians thought the issues had been resolved.

But Mr. Kachikwus decision on Wednesday to present the same contract to FEC for approval triggered fresh public curiosity.

He told correspondents that the meeting, presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, approved his memo for the award of the controversial contract.

When completed, he said, the project would allow holistic movement of gas from the southern corridor to the northern hinterlands for increased gas utilization and power generation.

We presently have trapped power, trapped gas, all in the southern corridors that is going nowhere because of lack of infrastructure. So, that contract has now been awarded, he told the journalists.

But, remember that was partially done. This is a contract that has lasted over 13 years. So we got approval for that today (Wednesday), and so that is going forward very nicely, he said.

Asked why he had to present the contract again to FEC for approval, Mr. Kachikwu told PREMIUM TIMES it was to correct the irregularity he pointed out in his leaked memo to the President.

What I wrote to the President in my memo, which was presented to FEC, was to remind him that these were some of the contracts he had already approved, Mr. Kachikwu said.

What I complained about was about due process not being following in the initial approvals, obtained without seeking my concurrence or input.

The due process is that before contracts go to FEC, they should go first to the Board of the company, in this case NNPC, to give everyone the opportunity to make their inputs, he explained.

He said before he took the latest memo to FEC, he had followed due process, by taking the details back to the Board, briefed members and obtained their buy-in.

What I did was an inverse approval process, which is post-the-fact, by taking it to the Board before the FEC. After the NNPC Tenders Board, the right thing to do should be for the contracts to go to the minister, who should even have an input before the Tenders Board finishes its work.

But because the contract value exceeds the $20 million threshold, the minister has the obligation to take it back to the other Board members for them to review it. Whatever is their opinion would be included in the recommendation by the minister to the President, to guide his decision.

Based on the Presidents input as the full Minister, then the contract would go to FEC. That is the due process of how things should be done, he said.

Mr. Kachikwu said at the point he wrote to the president in October, approval had already been given, without his involvement in the process and without the input of everyone who should contribute to the process.

The minister, who said he was reluctant to talk about the issue again, said he agreed to speak with PREMIUM TIMES to afford Nigerians the full benefit of what happened.

I dont want to go through the whole controversy again. It took a lot out of everybody. We managed to calm things down. All what I did was to correct the wrong in the process inversely by taking it to the Board members to enable them be aware of it and make their inputs, he said.

When contacted for his reaction, NNPC spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu, said he preferred not to comment on the issue, since all parties in the controversy had since learnt their lessons and moved on to allow everyone focus on the bigger picture of ensuring a stable growth of the oil and gas industry and the economy.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kachikwu said apart from the AKK pipeline contract, the FEC also awarded a contract to a consortium for the Odidi Pipeline Project from Warri and the Southern marshlands, to move about 364 million cubic meters of additional gas to be produced through the Niger Delta, to be fed into the AKK pipeline.

He said the contacts were all part of the governments gas gathering system.

So the two contracts taken together, basically will boost gas delivery in Nigeria, for power generation and for the first time begin to take very definitive steps towards the movement of Nigeria from being a crude oil nation into a gas environment, he said.
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, has assured governors of Nigerias 36 states that the ongoing fuel scarcity will end in 48 hours.

Mr. Kachikwu gave the assurance on Thursday while briefing members of the National Economic Council, NEC, comprising the governors and some ministers.

The NEC is chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who also chaired the 83rd meeting of the council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obasaki, said, The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources assured council that within the next 48hours fuel supply will be restored nationwide because there is enough fuel in our strategic reserves and the ministry has released fuel from these reserves and it expects distribution will reach all parts of the country within the next 48hours.

Mr. Kachikwu had also assured the Federal Executive Council, FEC, last week Wednesday that the crisis would be over by last weekend.

PREMIUM TIMES checks on Monday showed that instead of abating, the crisis was increasing.

However, similar checks on Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja showed the situation has improved and there were very few vehicles on queue in most of the filling stations visited.

Mr. Obaseki also announced that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who also briefed the NEC, informed them that in order to have an alliance with states, his office has decided to organise a retreat for Secretaries to State Governments, SSGs.

He said the retreat will hold from the December 18 to 19.

The SGF implored all governors to ensure that all SSGs attend this retreat, he said.

Mr. Obaseki had also earlier announced that the NEC resolved through the chairman of the governors forum, Abdulaziz Yari, to support the efforts of the Federal Government in the area of security.

He said governors are pleased with the achievements that have been made till date in the fight against insurgency particularly in the North-east.

The governors have given permission to the federal government to spend the sum of $1billion dollars in the fight against insurgency, he said.

MONEY IN ACCOUNTS

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, said the NEC received update on the forensic audit of revenue that accrued into the federation account up to 2015.

He said as a follow up to the report which was submitted last month, Council was informed that KPMG is still conducting the audit of the Nigerian Customs Service and the Nigerian Communication Commission. Hopefully by January 2018, these audits will be concluded and the report will be submitted to the council.

Mr. Dankwambo said the council was also informed by the Accountant General of the Federation that the balance in the Natural Resource Development Fund Account as at December 13, 2017 stands at N106.984 billion.

The accountant general of the federation also informed council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account as at 13th December 2017 stands at $2.317 billion.

Update of the current balance of the stabilisation fund account was also reported by the Accountant General of the Federation which as at 13th of December 2017 stands at N7.78billion, he said.

The Gombe governor also said the update received on budget support facility granted to states was reported to the council and that for the months of June, July and August, states have been paid while the Federal Ministry of Finance is working on the payment of Septembers budget support.

Mr. Dankwambo in response to inquiries said the agreement is that states are supported once monies shared during Federation Accounts Allocations Committee, is less that N600 billion.

He also said amount received by states range from N800 million to N1.1 billion.

Mr. Dankwambo said the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, informed council that the budget support facility to states is also based on certain conditions as agreed under the fiscal responsibility plan.

He, however, said the minister complained that most states are yet to comply and added that non-compliance will make her ministry stop any further loans to be given to states that do not comply.
Men of the Nigerian Prisons Service Armed Squad unit, Lagos State Command in the early hours of Wednesday prevented a suspect, Chizoba Okoye, standing trial for several cases of kidnappings at Ebute-Meta Magistrate Court in Lagos from making a bold escape.

The incident happened after the case was adjourned and the escort team was leading him to the holding cell in the court premises.

Thinking he could escape the watchful eyes of the armed guards, Mr. Okoye suddenly took to his heels defiling verbal warnings and warning shots from the armed men. As he continued in his flight and attempting to scale the fence to freedom, he was immobilised by shots from the armed personnel and subsequently arrested. Unfortunately he lost his life on the way to the hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, the controller of prisons, Lagos State Command, Tunde Ladipo has ordered an investigation into the incident and reassured the public of adequate security cover in all prison formations in the state.

While thanking members of sister security organisations for their continuous support, he appealed to members of the public to volunteer useful information that could assist security agencies in ridding the state of criminal elements.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed 3: p.m on Wednesday to decide on a bail application by Maryam Sanda, who is facing trial over the murder of former PDP chairmans son, Biliyaminu Halliru.

Mr. Halliru was allegedly killed by Maryam, his wife of two years in November at their residence located at number 4, Pakali Close, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

She had been arraigned on a charge of homicide in November, but the prosecution, the Nigeria Police amended the charge on December 4 to include Mrs. Sandas mother, Maimuna Aliyu, her brother, Aliyu Sanda, and their house-help, Sadiya Aminu.

According to the two-count charge filed pursuant to sections 221 and 167 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Penal Code respectively, Mrs. Sanda is accused in the first charge of allegedly stabbing Bilyaminu multiple times with the aim of killing him. The offence is punishable by death.

Count two of the charge indicts the three other accused persons of being accomplices to the crime by allegedly cleaning off the blood of Mr. Haliru from the crime scene, in an attempt to conceal evidence from appropriate authorities.

After pleading not guilty to the crime, the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, urged the court to grant the first defendant bail on the grounds that the defence had been able to show that she will not jump bail.

According to Mr. Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a medical certificate tendered before the court shows that the first defendant had a medical condition that necessitates her care at a reputable hospital.

Mr. Daudu added that Mrs. Sanda has an eight-month old baby requiring motherly care and attention, hence admitting her to bail would help save the child from unwarranted inconveniences.

He also also argued that contrary to the provisions of the Penal Code, the ACJA presumes a person innocent until proven guilty. The lawyer also contended that the sections of the ACJA dealing with bail allows a person bail, if he will not jump bail. It only allows discretion of the court.

Reacting to the submissions of Mr. Daudu, the prosecution lawyer, James Idachaba, said they had filed a counter affidavit and a written address in response to the bail application.

He said the law does not impose any duty on the prosecution when it comes to the issue of bail. The duty of convincing the court lies solely with the applicant for bail and at the discretion of the court, Mr. Idachaba said; stressing that the court should exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously.

Regarding the issue of baby, my heart goes out to the innocent baby. But the law is clear and we cannot use that as a ground, Mr. Idachaba added.

Speaking about the other defendants, Mr. Idachaba acknowledged the fact they have enjoyed administrative bail, but added that haven being brought to the court, their bail application is strictly at the discretion of the court.

The judge, Yusuf Halilu, asked the prosecution to clarify whether he was against the bail application of the second to fourth defendant or not.

Mr. Idachaba responded saying the view of the prosecution is that the defendants should all remain in custody pending the determination of their trial.

The court adjourned the matter till 3: p.m for ruling on the bail application.
The Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it is cheaper to prevent corruption than to fight it.

Mr. Magu said this on Thursday during the Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Programme organised for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and Aviation Sector Workers Abuja.

He said that section six of the EFCC Act required the commission to, in addition to its enforcement responsibilities, take measures to prevent economic and financial crimes.

Mr. Magu explained that part of such preventive measures was an aggressive sensitisation campaign, public enlightenment and education in both public and private sectors.

The essence, according to him, is to improve workplace consciousness of corruption and its corrosive effects and encourage workers to embrace them.

The EFCC alone couldnt fight and win the war against corruption in Nigeria.

I would like to seize this opportunity to remind us that, corruption affects all of us.

We must resolve to fight it to a standstill in line with President Muhammadu Buharis admonition to us that, If we don`t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

We must not allow that to happen, for the sake of our children and the unborn generation.

Mr. Magu said that the airport, as the most important gateway into the country, was strategic in many ways.

He said that since airport was foreigners first contact with Nigeria, the impression they formed about the country would be largely informed by the conduct of aviation professionals.

According to Mr. Magu, this is why the conduct of aviation professionals is key to the efforts at national rebirth, especially the critical economic mandate of attracting foreign direct investment into the economy.

He enjoined aviation workers to erase practices, attitudes and behaviours that could cast a slur on the nations reputation, thereby making Nigeria an unattractive destination for both tourists and investors.

The EFCC boss called on the management of FAAN to put screening and monitoring systems in place to ensure that airport staff delivered service to the best international practices.

As things stand, except we delude ourselves, we cannot deny that the twin evil of corruption and poor infrastructure have blighted our aviation industry.

Our presence here today is to bring the message of anti-corruption to the management and staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other aviation workers.

In recent times, many cases of corruption have been reported in the sector, ranging from misuse of funds, bribery, extortion to abuse of authority by officials at the airports.

The implication of this is the compelling need to strengthen our key integrity systems by consciously eliminating practices that promote corrupt tendencies in the public sectors.

It is gratifying that FAAN has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to ensure transparency, accountability and good ethical practices, he said.

Mr. Magu, while commending the management of FAAN for the steps taken to prevent corruption, also advised the staff to familiarise themselves with the EFCC Act and other laws affecting their duties.

He said that the Commission was determined more than ever before to rid all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of all forms of fraudulent activities.

According to him, FAAN in collaboration with the EFCC, can fight corruption effectively.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, commended EFCC for the initiative to take anti-corruption campaign to the airport, saying that the airport was the best choice.

Mr. Dunoma said that FAAN was determined to collaborate with EFCC in the fight against corruption especially in the aviation sector.

He also called on the agency to sustain the sensitisation campaign by ensuring that all the airports in the country were covered as well as training of intelligence unit of aviation security on anti-corruption.

Mr. Dunoma urged the participants to pay attention to the presentation by the EFCC to help equip them to support actively in the fight against corruption.

(NAN)
The alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bomb blast, Charles Okah, on Wednesday closed his case after presenting six witness in his trial for alleged terrorist attack.

Mr. Okah and Nwabueze Obi were charged with the offence by the State Security Service, SSS.

The charges followed a bomb blast that disrupted Nigerias Independence Day activities at the Eagle Square in Abuja attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The SSS accused Mr. Okah of being behind the bomb blast, which killed over a dozen people and wounded many. His elder brother, Henry, is in prison in South Africa after being convicted of terrorism.

The SSS had also accused the defendants of treasonable offences, stressing that the attack was targeted at former President Jonathan.

The terrorism charge was, however, struck out by Justice Gabriel Kolawole who ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case of treasonable offences against the defendants.

The court, however, agreed with the submission of the prosecution that the defendants were linked to funds used for the purpose of terrorism.

The defendants had made a no-case-submission after the prosecution closed its case in January but were compelled to present their witnesses after the court decided that they have a case to answer.

After presenting their last witness, counsel to the second defendant, O. O. Etim, informed the court that the defence had closed their case.

Subsequently the court adjourned the matter till January 24 for counsel to submit their written addresses before final determination of the matter.

Mr. Okah is a younger brother to Henry Okah, leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND. The elder Okah was convicted in South Africa for terrorism-related offences.
Nigeria has demanded an immediate restructuring and expansion of the UN Security Council to correct the injustices meted out against Africa in the composition of the prestigious 15-member body.

Nigerias position was delivered by Babatunde Nurudeen, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS at the UN General Assembly Debate on Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council.

The Security Council is UNs most powerful principal organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, accepting new members to the UN and approving any changes to the UN Charter.

Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorisation of military action. It is also the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

Mr. Nurudeen regretted that 72 years after its formation, Africa continued to be marginalised in the representation on the prestigious body in spite of its ability and capacity.

He stressed that a reformed council would entail a restructuring and expansion of its membership to take account of, inter-alia, the increased membership of UN and the need to reflect the interests of all the constituent regions.

The Nigerian envoy said: Nigeria and other emerging nations continue to demonstrate the capacity to add value to the work, of all the organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.

For that reason, we must now commit ourselves to accelerating the long-overdue reforms of the Security Council. This will no doubt make the Council more equitable, more inclusive and more effective.

Russia, UK, France, China, and U.S. serve as the bodys only five permanent members that can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.

Mr. Nurudeen stressed: Nigeria believes that a reformed Security Council with expanded permanent membership would benefit from the unique experiences and capacities that regional representatives could bring to bear on its work.

Nigeria has always expressed its support for the advancement of the intergovernmental negotiations process in an open, inclusive and transparent manner.

The Nigerian envoy re-affirmed Nigerias very strong adherence to the Common African Union Position on the entire subject of Security Council reform.

That is important in order to correct the historical injustice done to the continent and its continued marginalisation over so many years.

For that reason, we wish to underscore the overriding need to ensure that the interests of Africa continue to be advanced and safeguarded.

African States have offered a coherent, practical and persuasive blueprint for the Councils reform.

We have come up with a common position, which asserts the right of our continent that has for so long been marginalised, and we recognise the legitimate aspirations of other regions to be fully represented in the Council.

According to him, the clear objective of the reform process is based on the sovereign equality of all Member States and on the need to adhere to the principles of democratisation and inclusiveness in the UN.

It is undoubtedly a worthwhile process. Therefore, we must muster the desired will that can lead to the achievement of a reformed Security Council sooner rather than indefinitely, Mr. Nurudeen said. (NAN)
Major streets of Abuja were on Thursday adorned with campaign posters endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for reelection in 2019.

The posters were pasted on structures located on major streets as well as bus shelters.

The posters also has the picture of Comrade Felix Ubokan, with the words:  We endorse you for 2019: Courtesy: Niger Delta Youths, Women and Security Movement For Buhari/Osinbajo.

The posters are coming less than 24 hours after a former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu, said he had absolute confidence and was exceedingly proud of the excellent job, Professor Osinbajo is doing as Vice President of Nigeria.

Mr. Tinubus statement was in reaction to speculation that he may be picked by Mr. Buhari as his running mate in 2019.

The APC national leader said a report to that effect by SUN newspaper is a classic case of utterly and irredeemably-fake news.

Mr. Osinbajo has so far not made any comment regarding the 2019 election or his fate if the president chooses to seek re-election.

That, however, is not the case with Mr. Buhari.

He has so far tacitly shown on two occasions that he may be seeking reelection in 2019.

Addressing a group of Nigerians resident in Cote D Ivoire two weeks ago, Mr. Buhari said he arrived the meeting late because he had to wait for the two governors in his entourage, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi states.

This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the company of the president, I think that will be another vote for me in the future, Mr. Buhari said.

Mr. Tinubu also accompanied him on that trip.

Mr. Buhari while in Kano last week also revealed that he may re-contest.

At a State Banquet in his honour, the president said, I know the elections (2019). If they are to be free and fair, if it is a question of numbers, if it is a question of allowing people to make their choice, then I think the people of Kano are in my pocket.

I am overwhelmed by the reception the people of Kano offered to me. This has indicated that I can still win an election in Kano. The people of Kano are aware of the tremendous job we did on security and agriculture.
An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has refused an application for bail by Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of former Peoples Democratic Party chairman.

Mrs. Sanda is facing trial on allegations of culpable homicide for the allegedly killing her husband, Biliyanu Bello, in November.

She is accused alongside her mother, Maimuna Aliyu; her brother Aliyu Sanda; and her house help, Sadiya Aminu. The others were alleged to have conspired with her.

Mrs. Sandas lawyer, Joseph Daudu, had asked the court to grant his client bail on the grounds that she (Maryam) had submitted a medical certificate showing that she was in need of health care which could not be provided at the detention facility.

Mr. Daudu cited section 161 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, which deals with exceptional cases and prayed the court to consider the health condition of the first defendant and her eight month old baby who would require constant motherly care.

In his response to the application, Justice Yusuf Halilu said although the section cited by Mr. Daudu relates to exceptional situation, the case presented in court did not prove to be so exceptional.

The judge further said that although the issue of bail is at the discretion of the court, three factors are most important in deciding the bail of an applicant in court.

Although Section 36 (5) of the Constitution presumes an accused person innocent. However in circumstances such as this, the judges discretion shall be exercised judicially and judiciously.

The nature of the charge, the evidence before the court and the punishment likely if the suspect is found guilty are the most important ingredients.

I have gone through the arguments of counsel for the defence and that of the prosecution as well as section 161 (2) of the ACJA relied upon by Daudu with regards to exceptional cases.

However there must be cogent evidence to show that the sickness the first defendant is suffering from is that which cannot be taken care of within the medical facility. It is not enough to include a medical certificate. Effort must be made to show that the defendant cannot be treated in the medical facility at the detention camp.

I have seen from where I am which is close to the duck that the first defendant is strong enough. The first defendant who has been inside the duck for over an hour is very strong.

On the whole I am not favourably disposed to granting the first defendant bail. My discretion in her favour is hereby withheld, Mr. Halilu said.

The judge however granted the other defendants conditional bail.

With respect to the other defendants, the offence with which they are charged is a bailable one. The learned counsel submitted that they brought themselves to court this morning. That they would not jump bail.

The prosecution had submitted that they were granted administrational bail. But when the court prompted further, he said that they should be kept in custody.

Bail is not meant to punish defendants, the judge said adding that the three defendants would be granted bail with the following conditions:

The defendants shall produce two sureties with evidence of residence within the centre of Abuja: they shall deposit their travel documents in court. The two sureties shall deposit documents for their landed properties to the registrar of the court.

The case was adjourned to February 5, 6 and 7.
The national chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Sani, has said the party is prepared to make sacrifice that would ensure the enthronement of a new democratic culture in the country.

He stated this at the launch of the partys online membership registration on Thursday in Abuja, and said the step was targeted at registering youth across the country as members.

Current political developments in our country indicate that we are gradually sliding into hopelessness and disintegration.

This is obviously not the Nigeria that Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo founded.

The ADP offers all Nigerians a credible alternative platform upon which they can pursue the ideals of a new nation in accordance with the vision of our founding founders.

We are prepared to make the sacrifice for a new Nigeria, he said.

According to Mr. Sani, the partys online membership registration project is in line with its determination to effectively mobilise Nigerians across the federation for participation in the country`s democratic process.

He added that the project would afford Nigerians in the 774 local government areas of the country and in the diaspora unhindered opportunity to register anywhere and anytime.

The chairman explained that this was critical to make them proud members and owners of the ADP, saying that they could register by visiting the partys website.

Let all Nigerians, both as individuals and as groups globally, be involved and not be isolated politically since it is all about us and how we can take back our beloved country.

Through this project, we are handing over ADP, the only credible alternative political platform, to Nigerians for the emergence of a new leadership class with uncommon commitment to nation-building, he said.

He described the ADP as a child of necessity born out of the urgent need to salvage the country from years of misrule.

Mr. Sani, however, noted that Nigeria was presently at crossroads, with power generation at its lowest ebb and unemployment on the increase.

He added that jobs were being lost daily across the states because most companies now operated below installed capacities.

He stressed that all hands must be on deck to rebuild the country and salvage it from collapse, and called on all to join the party ahead of 2019 general elections.

The ADP is the new vehicle which we must board to navigate a new future for the present and future generations of our people. I welcome you on board, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by representatives of market women, labour and student unions, among others. (NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after participating at the One Planet summit in Paris, France.

The presidents aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, at about 4:35 p.m. where he was received by senior government officials including his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Bello.

While in Paris, President Buhari had appealed to the international community to support Nigerias commitment to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

Mr. Buhari told participants that Nigeria could not implement its Nationally Determined Contributions without adequate financial, technical and capacity building support from developed nations.

He said Nigeria had already ratified the Paris Agreement in May 2017 but its Nationally Determined Contributions to reduce emission by 20 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2030 could not be attained alone.

According to him, the country is not under illusion of the challenges it is facing, having just come out of recession.

The summit with the theme Climate Change Financing, was attended by over 60 heads of state and governments, as well as representatives of non-governmental and private organisations.(NAN)
The electoral commission, INEC, has registered 21 new parties.

This was made known in a statement by May Agbmuche-Mbu.

The new registrations bring the total number of parties in Nigeria to 67.

Read the INEC statement below.

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION



PRESS STATEMENT

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its usual weekly meeting today and took decisions on the registration of new political parties, the findings on the allegation of double registration by the Governor of Kogi State and the outstanding Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election.

REGISTRATION OF NEW POLITICAL PARTIES

The following associations have fulfilled the Constitutional requirements for registration as political parties:

S/No. Name of Political Party Acronym 1. All Blending Party ABP 2. All Grassroots Alliance AGA 3. Alliance for New Nigeria ANN 4. Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party ANRP 5. Coalition for Change C4C 6. Freedom and Justice Party FJP 7 Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria GDPN 8. Justice Must Prevail Party JMPP 9. Legacy Party of Nigeria LPN 10 Mass Action Joint Alliance MAJA 11. Modern Democratic Party MDP 12 National Interest Party NIP 13. National Rescue Mission NRM 14. New Progressive Movement NPM 15. Nigeria Democratic Congress Party NDCP 16. Peoples Alliance for National Development and Liberty PANDEL 17. Peoples Trust PT 18. Providence Peoples Congress PPC 19. Re-Build Nigeria Party RBNP 20. Restoration Party of Nigeria RP 21. Sustainable National Party SNP

With this development, the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria is now 67.
A judge at an High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, Alkali Gana, on Wednesday sentenced one Yahaya Umar, a middle aged man, who was found guilty of raping a 13-year-old female internally displaced person, IDP, to 14 years behind bars.

Mr. Umar, a reportedly unrepentant paedophile, ran into trouble waters on September 21, 2016 when he lured the victim, Hajja Ibrahim, from the camp to a hotel room where he forcefully had sex with her.

Her case is just one amongst hundreds of such that happen in the nearly 30 IDP camps dotting the state.

Concerned parents and officials at Abbaganaram IDP camp reported the matter to police and Mr. Umar was arrested and arraigned.

The charge sheet reads, That you Yahaya Umar (male), on or about 21st September 2016 at about 1900 hours at railway quarters Maiduguri , within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed rape on one Hajja Ibrahim of IDPs camp Abaganaram primary school , in that you forcefully had sexual intercourse with her and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 283 of the penal code laws of Borno State.

Mr. Umar pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

He told the court that he did not take the girl to the Rainbow hotel where the alleged rape occurred but only helped a girl wandering at night by taking her to his home and giving her shelter till the next day.

But the prosecuting counsel disagreed and invited five witnesses to testify against him. Copious evidence and exhibits were tendered.

Mr Umar was the only witness in his defence.

All the testimonies and evidence of witnesses as well as the defence were examined by the trial judge, who described Mr. Umar as a predator of minors.

In his ruling after the testimonies, the judge pronounced Mr. Umar guilty as charged.

I believe the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses . They impressed me as witness of truth. Accused person in his defence stated that the victim wanted a place to stay hence he took her to his house and harboured her until the following day.

You can tell this type of information to the marines. It is a matter of common knowledge that there is curfew in Maiduguri and everybody is expected to be at home before 10 p.m.

The court is at a loss why the accused person should carry the young girl to his house. He is not a truthful witness. I have watched his demeanor in the witness box. He did not impress me as witness of truth.

I disbelieve his testimony.

The judge said the court is of the opinion that the prosecution has proved its case beyond any iota of doubt.

I find him guilty as charged and hereby proceed to convict him. Predators of minors should beware, they do not deserve any clemency. The convict has committed a heinous crime. He does not deserve any sympathy knowing the conditions the IDPs are going through.

But the judge did not conclude his ruling without a word of caution to parents who are IDPs.

Parents and guardians should desist from compromising or condoning any abuse against their wards. He is sentenced to maximum prison term of 14 years with hard labour, he ruled.

The court had also called on security agents to beam their attention on activities going on in hotels and motels following the revelation of the prosecuting witness.

According to a UNICEF report, at least one underaged girl is raped everyday in most IDP camps by a fellow male IDP or officials managing their camps.

Borno and Yobe State governments recently had to refute reports exposing how rape, forced prostitution and officials engaging in seduction of underaged teenagers were rampant in the camps, without checks by the authorities.
The military command in Borno State has confirmed the attack on troops location in Mainok village on Wednesday night saying casualties were recorded on both sides.

PREMIUM TIMES broke the news of the attack while it was ongoing on Wednesday.

The spokesman of the Theatre Command and Control Centre, Onyema Nwachukwu, said the situation has been put under control after troops gallantly repelled the attackers.

Mr. Nwachukwu, a colonel, who responded to PREMIUM TIMES request on the incident could not give exact details on the damage caused by the attack. He promised to provide detail when such information is clearly made available.

Our troops had a fierce encounter with elements of the Boko Haram terrorists yesterday night at Mainok in Kaga LGA, his text message read.

There were casualty on both sides, and troops have been reinforced and we are in control of the area, he added.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES gathered from relatives of some of the villagers in Mainok that the insurgents came to attack the military base in Mainok.

According to the source, the attackers reportedly told the villagers not to panic as they (villagers) were not their target but the military.

I just called someone in Mainok and he said the attack was on the army base. They came from the direction of Maiduguri and passed through the town telling people not to panic or run away because they are not out to attack them but the army base. But for the obvious fear of unknown, the civilians fled to bushes. May Allah protect them, the source who wished not to be named said.

A police officer in Mainok also informed PREMIUM TIMES via phone that an air force jet had to be deployed to assist the ground troops before the attack was effectively repelled. The police source also said he could not give details on the casualty.

I know that many of the Boko Haram terrorists were killed and two of their vehicles were also destroyed but I dont have knowledge on the exact figure on casualties,said the police officer, who also craved anonymity.
A petrol tanker was engulfed by fire at a Conoil filling station, along the airport road in Abuja on Wednesday evening.

The tanker was said to be offloading fuel at about 5:55 p.m. when the fire started.

The fire was eventually put out at about 7:10 p.m. by fire service officials.

Speaking on the possible cause of the fire, an official of the fire services, Gidado Ismail, said,

Probably there was high temperature while discharging the fuel.

There are no casualties and the building is safe. It is only the fuel and the tanker that was affected.

Also speaking on the possible cause of the fire, Tunde Kabiru, the Divisional Police Officer at Lugbe police station said, What we heard was that Conoil tanker came to discharge fuel and suddenly there was a fire outbreak from the underground tank.

A petrol attendant at the filling station said the petrol tanker had been there for two weeks and the fire outbreak happened in the process of discharging the fuel.

The mouth that connected the hose and underground tank started leaking, suddenly the underground tank caught fire, the attendant said.

The attendant explained that although a tanker can only spend a maximum of two days at the station, the particular tanker was short of about 2000 litres and therefore the station could not discharge its content.

We cannot collect the fuel if the litres are not complete and a driver cannot move if he is not discharged of the product he is carrying.

We did not have fuel today so we decided to discharge the truck by emptying the fuel into our tank before the incident happened.

The driver of the tanker ran away when he was told to move the tanker away after it caught fire, the attendant said.

The manager of the filling station declined comment when contacted.

I cannot say anything now, I dont know what to say, the manager said.
Constituents of Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State have expressed mixed reactions to the continued suspension of their representative in the House of Representatives.

A former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, was suspended by the House for 180 legislative days September last year after he accused its leadership of padding the 2016 Budget and other acts of financial malpractice.

The sanction lapsed on September 30 but the House said he cannot resume until he tenders public apology to the House, a condition which the embattled legislator has refused to meet.

Mr. Jibrins ordeal began after he was stripped of the chairmanship of the prestigious committee following the outbreak of 2016 Budget padding scandal.

He had then publicly accused the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, and three other principal officers of culpability for the alleged budget padding.

The other three he accused are the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; and the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor.

Mr. Jibrin and some members of his constituency are challenging his suspension in court and their lack of having representation in the House,but the case has lingered at the Federal High Court and the stalemate prolonged.

In separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES, some of the constituents randomly selected by this newspaper said the suspension has taken longer than necessary and urged the House to allow their representative to return to his duties.

Others, however, said it is better that Mr. Jibrin vacates the seat to allow for a bye election.

Although I am aware that this same matter is before a court, we want our member to be allowed to resume his legislative duties,Umar Dakatsale of Bebeji local government area told Premium Times last week.

Today, we the people of his constituency are the ones losing out because we dont have any federal presence, which ordinarily our legislator would have worked hard to bring through his effort and presentation of motions.

Similarly, another constituent, Habibu Barde, said the constituency has been shortchanged by not having a representative, saying the people are not happy about the development.

He called on the leadership of the House to bring the matter to a close and allow Mr. Jibrin resume his duties.

Expressing a contrary view, however, another constituent, Adamu Tiga accused Mr. Jibrin of irresponsibility, alleging that he had dragged the constituency into disrepute.

Can you imagine somebody that was elected to give his people good representation fighting everybody, making unguarded remarks against people in the National Assembly?

Jibrin accused all the legislators of being thieves and said he was given money and he was ready to return the money, but why hasnt he returned the money? Mr. Tiga queried.

He suggested that Mr. Jibrin should vacate the seat and allow for a fresh election.

We want this person Jibril Abdulmuminu Kofa to completely vacate that seat and allow for a fresh election because he has failed his people.Instead of working hard for the good of his constituency he ended up fighting everybody.

A former All Progressives Congress Chairman in Bebeji local government area, Sani Ranka, declined to comment on the issue because of the case in court but said he no longer had m or support for Mr. Jibrin.

A senior advocate of Nigeria, Hassan Liman, also said he could not comment on the issue. He, however, said suspension of a member is allowed by the standing rule of the House of Representatives.

Suspension of a member of the National Assembly is governed by the standing rule of the House. If any member commits acts that violates the standing rule or does anything that will bring the house to ridicule, they have the power to suspend him for a reasonable period of time, Mr. Liman said.

But that should be after going through necessary investigations and the allegations had been confirmed.

He however said the punishment envisaged in legislatures standing rule was not the kind of suspension being applied in the Nigerian Legislature.

Mr. Liman added that since Mr. Jibrin has served out the 180 legislative days for which he was suspended, he should be able to return to the House and resume his legislative functions.

If you are suspended for 180 legislative days and you refuse to come back to the house after your suspension then your constituency can say you are no longer pursuing their interest, the senior wig added.

He said it would be in the best interest of Mr. Jibrin to do whatever he has to do to resume at the House, even if he is still determined to pursue his legal battle.

He was elected to represent a section of the country and he doesnt know when the legal battle will end.
An aide to the Akwa Ibom governor has accused Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari of abandoning the people to economic hardship and fuel crisis, while according more care to his cows.

Filling stations across Akwa Ibom, for instance, now sell fuel at N170 against the government approved price of N145.

Governor Udom Emmanuels media aide, Essien Ndueso, on Thursday posted on Facebook, photos of Mr. Buharis recent visit to his ranch in Daura. He said of the photos, Today, we are in an administration that cows fare better than human beings.

Apparently mocking the president, Mr. Ndueso said, If the cost of grass were to increase, or if anyone were to temper with the comfort of these cows, I am sure Baba would come back and take urgent actions.

Today fuel is N180 and those who earn their wages monthly from worshipping Baba on Facebook are also suffering the same fate, he said.

The governors aide, who also criticised the human rights community in the state for not speaking up against the increase in fuel price, dared a well-known Buhari supporter in the state, Imaobong Akpan, to lead a campaign against the increase.

But Ms. Akpan reacted by asking Governor Emmanuel to call his aide to order.

This is a president that has been the most magnanimous to the welfare of Nigerians, and specifically the governors through the regular and timely release of budget support funds, Paris club refunds, and other social intervention funds meant to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, of which Gov Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Essiens boss is a major beneficiary, she told PREMIUM TIMES, Thursday.

It is on record that Mr. President has been very kind to the people of Akwa Ibom State through the various appointments and other strategic partnerships meant to grow the economy of Akwa Ibom.

The fuel crisis in the country is traceable to deliberate sabotage which I believe the government is addressing and therefore should not be politicised, she said.
Less than 24 hours after gunmen suspected to be pirates attacked a local boat along the Sangana- Igbemotoru route, another attack which killed a boat operator was reported on Thursday.

The victim of the latest attack is a former chairman of the Akassa unit of the Nigeria Maritime Workers Union simply identified as Suku.

The chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigeria Maritime Workers Union, Lloyd Sese, who confirmed the incident said that frequent attacks by pirates had adversely affected socio-economic activities in the coastal communities in Bayelsa.

He described the death of the former union leader as regrettable and a painful loss to the labour movement in Bayelsa.

He called on security agencies to intensify security patrol on the waterways as the menace is on the increase

It was gathered that the suspected pirates attacked the passenger boat heading to Yenagoa from Akassa in Brass along Okobotuo, Lagos camp at about 6:30 a.m, Thursday.

Community sources who witnessed the incident from a distance said that the suspected pirates, who shot sporadically to scare the passengers, left the scene without robbing the passengers after noticing that someone has been shot dead.

The Bayelsa Police Commisioner had on Wednesday assured that the command had taken steps to ensure the safety of citizens following directives from the Inspector General of Police.

At least five persons, in the past two weeks, have been shot dead while a female journalist survived a shooting incident in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.
The police in Akwa Ibom State say 67 people suspected to be cult members have been arrested in the state within the past one month.

The police spokesperson in the state, Bala Elkana, said the arrests were made at various locations across the state.

Several arms and ammunition were recovered and the suspects charged to court, Mr. Elkana, a deputy superintendent, said in a statement issued on Thursday.

On 7/12/2017 Operatives of Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested one Miracle Joseph Etukudoh m, aged 20 years old, of Effiat Offot village in Uyo Local Government Area, who is the gang leader of a notorious armed robbery syndicate specialized in robbing people of their GSM phones, handbags, monies and other personal effects around Uyo and environ, the police spokesperson said about the latest arrests.

During the course of investigation, three other gang members were arrested and one locally made pistol was recovered in the house of one Uko Effiong Edem m of Ikot Oduot village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

Other items recovered from the suspects include: wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, different types of GSM phones snatched from people, female handbags, electronic devices suspected to be stolen. They all confessed belonging to Redskin cult, he said.

Akwa Ibom is currently contending with cultism and cult-related violence.

Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket have been identified as worst affected local government areas in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Zubairu Muazu, has vowed to rid the state of cultism and other crimes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has said it is yet to receive a copy of the recent court judgement on the Anambra central senatorial election.

INEC had scheduled a re-run election for January 13, 2018 to fill the vacant seat, following a judgement by the appeal court.

However, a federal high court ruled on Wednesday that Obiora Okonkwo of the PDP be sworn in as senator for the zone.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES via telephone, INEC spokesperson, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed that he is aware of the ruling but said the commission is yet to get a copy of to judgement to study and make a decision whether to go ahead with the re-run election or not.

The seat has been vacant since 2015 after the sack of Uche Ekwunife by the election tribunal. Ms. Ekwunife had earlier been declared winner of the election by INEC.

However following the judgement by the Federal High Court on Wednesday in Abuja, ordering the return of Obiora Okonkwo as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDPs candidate in Anambra State, as the duly elected member of the district in 2015, a twist was added to the legal tussle.

The suit was filed by Mr. Okonkwo, who was aggrieved that he was denied the slot even though he won the party primaries.

The courts judgement delivered by presiding judge, John Tsoho, granted the complainants request.

Mr. Oyekanmi said, of course we are aware of (ruling) but we havent received a copy of the courts order. I am not sure the commission has details. We need to see the judgement to know if its enough to alter our decision, he said.

INEC later released a stement on Thursday evening restating this stance.

It will be recalled that following the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Commission announced that the outstanding election to fill the vacant seat for the Anambra Central Senatorial District would take place on 13th January 2018. However, the attention of the Commission has been drawn to the judgement of the Federal High Abuja on the issue, delivered on 13thDecember 2017. The Commission has applied for the Certified True Copy of the judgement to enable us take a decision, May Agbmuche-Mbu, National Commissioner of INEC said.
A former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, failed to appear before a federal judge on Thursday despite the court issuing a warrant for his arrest ten days ago.

Instead, Mr. Nnamani through his lawyer, Shamsudeen Abubakar, filed an application urging the court to decline jurisdiction in the trial.

Mr. Nnamani, who was governor for eight years, was first arraigned shortly after the expiration of his tenure in 2007 on 10 counts of money laundering amounting to N5.3 billion.

The former governor and his aide, Sunday Anyaogu, were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside their companies: Raonbownet (Nig) Ltd; Hillgate (Nig) Ltd; Cosmo FM; Capital City Automobile (Nig) Ltd; Renaissance University Teaching Hospital; and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

But ten years after, and having three judges handling the case at various times, trial is yet to commence; although the companies arraigned alongside the first and second defendants had all pleaded guilty in 2015.

At the last court sitting on December 4, Mr. Abubakar told Chuka Obiozor, the fourth judge to preside over the trial, that his client had undergone a heart surgery in the United States and could not attend the trial.

The judge, furious over the protracted duration of the trial, ignored the information and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Messrs Nnamani and Anyaogu.

On Thursday, Mr. Anyaogu appeared before the judge but his principal remained elusive.

Mr. Abubakar then informed the court he had filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try his client.

The defence lawyer told the court that the application was brought pursuant to sections 6(6) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

He also pleaded with the court to withdraw the bench warrant issued against Mr. Anyaogu whom he said came to court voluntarily.

He told the court that the second defendant was not aware that the matter would come up at the last adjourned date, and that when he informed him he made himself available before the court.

Responding to Mr. Nnamanis application, Kelvin Uzozie, counsel to the EFCC, told the court he had just been served the defendants application which contained issues of law.

He requested for a short adjournment to enable the EFCC respond to the application.

Ruling on the application, Justice Obiozor, adjourned the matter till January 19, for hearing and determination of Mr. Nnamanis application, as well take the plea of the accused persons.

The judge, while withdrawing the arrest warrant for Mr. Anyaogu, insisted the one for Mr. Nnamani remained effective.
The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday described three of his predecessors as architects of the state who contributed immensely its transformation.

Mr. Ambode made this known while naming a recreational park after the three former governors in Ikeja, the stage capital.

The park, located at Alausa in Ikeja, was named after former military administrator of the state, Mobolaji Johnson; first civilian governor, Lateef Jakande, and Bola Tinubu, who governed the state between 1999 and 2007.

The park, now called JJT Park (Johnson, Jakande, Tinubu Park) is located opposite the House of Assembly and sits on a piece of land measuring about 21,880 square metres with two waterfalls, a childrens playground and free wi-fi for the residents.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Ambode said the park was so named in honour of the trio, who he said worked tirelessly for the emergence of Lagos as one of the most prominent city-states in Africa.

Messers Johnson, Jakande and Tinubu made sterling contributions during their tenures, Mr. Ambode said, adding that their achievements would remain indelible.

One of the hallmarks of any progressive society is to always recognise and reward the efforts of heroes, who contribute to the growth of that society, he said.

In the case of Lagos State, we have so many heroes who toiled and laid a solid foundation for the state we enjoy today.

Today, we are here to celebrate and honour three past governors of our dear state who were outstanding in their contributions to the development of Lagos State. These eminent Lagosians are some of the very few brave men who stood to be counted on the side of justice and even by their performances while in office have written their names in gold for future generations.

The roles played by Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, the first governor and Military Administrator of the state; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governor and architect of modern Lagos, can never be forgotten. They are the true legends of our state, and architects of the Lagos we are proud of today.

Mr. Ambode explained that Mr. Johnson built the 60.7-kilometre Lagos-Badagry Expressway linking Nigeria with other countries in the West African sub-region; the Itokin Bridge, linking Epe and Ikorodu; the Eko Bridge and a network of roads and bridges that opened up the new Lagos.

Mr. Jakande, he added, introduced masses-oriented programme in the education, housing and health sectors, adding that he also established new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and built over 30,000 housing units in different parts of the state for low income earners.

He described Mr. Tinubu as the architect of modern Lagos, saying his tenure witnessed the development of a blueprint for the future development of the state and which successive administrations have continued to build upon and actualise today.

One of the remarkable achievements of Asiwaju Tinubus administration was the reform of the state tax administration system, which resulted in Lagos attaining the status of the most viable and self-sustaining state in Nigeria, he explained.

He also made huge investments in education and initiated new roads, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state.

Asiwaju also established the institutional framework which ensured that the state was properly and efficiently run. It was under Asiwajus government that institutions like LIRS, LAMATA, LASTMA and many others came into existence.

Mr. Ambode presented plaques to the former governors through their representatives, adding that the Lagos government was pleased to honour them while they are alive.

Mr. Johnson was the first military administrator of Lagos State. Mr. Jakande, on his part, governed Lagos between 1979 and 1983, and his government was reputed to have recorded successes in different areas of human development despite limited resources.

Mr. Tinubu, the national leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, on his part, was Lagos governor after the military handed over power to the civilians in 1999.

He governed between 1999 and 2007 after winning his re-election bid in 2003. He was succeeded by the Nigerias current minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola who governed between 2007 and 2015 and handed over power to the incumbent.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would need the full support of its members in the South-west to effectively execute its plan to regain political power in 2019, chairman of the partys National Reconciliation Committee, NRC, and Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has said.

The committee was in the South-west to discuss the issues that were thrown up by the last convention which produced the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee, NWC.

A statement issued on Thursday by Mr. Dicksons Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, said the governor stated this when he led the reconciliation committee on a visit to the former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, in Lagos.

Mr. Dickson who commended Mr. Daniel, a chairmanship aspirant in the December 9, 2017 convention of the party, said that the PDP would need the support and the wise counsel of Mr. Daniel and other leaders in the South-west to succeed in its objectives.

He also pleaded with Mr. Daniel to sustain continuous participation in the affairs of the party.

Mr. Dickson said, We come with greetings from the leadership of the party that you consolidated, the party that you served as governor for eight years.

We are here to thank you and to remind you that you are still a pillar of our party, in your state, in the South-west, and across Nigeria. The party is relying on your wise counsel.

You and your colleagues woke up our party when you went round the entire country to campaign. Our party, the PDP, is a viable political platform.

We are here to discuss the issues that have arisen as a result of the convention. The party holds you, Ogun State, and the South-west Zone in very high esteem. Moving forward, we rely on your support, guidance of leaders like you to succeed. We look forward to your active robust participation in the affairs of the PDP going forward.

Mr. Daniel in his response, said it was too late for leaders of the PDP of his status to contemplate leaving the party.

He assured his guests that the PDP in the South-west would do everything to ensure the success of the party in 2019.

Mr. Daniel said that while it was true that grievous mistakes and wrong assumptions which should have been avoided were made, he was experienced enough to know the nature of struggle for power, which he said, was not a tea party.

He commended Mr. Dickson for the maturity and for making the sacrifice to lead the team to the South-west a few days after the convention.

From bottom of my heart, I really want to thank you for your commendable efforts and for the strength of this powerful delegation; for you to have decided to leave whatever you were doing to embark on this mission of reconciliation after the convention, even within a few days, is something quite commendable.

And I want you to be rest assured that we will do everything that is humanly possible to make sure that our party, the PDP, succeeds. There are no doubt that there are issues. Of course the issues are usually expected when you have this kind of struggle.

I also know that grievous mistakes have been made, and assumptions that ordinary shouldnt have happened have happened. But we also are sufficiently experienced to appreciate that the struggle for power is not a tea party. And quite a number of people in the process play anyhow whether fair or foul.

But I think the responsibility of our party and of leadership is what you have demonstrated. That when we do have challenges, rather than sit back, and brood over our challenges, you have stood up to do whatever to do what is expected.

I am not even so sure that the ruling party, the APC has such capacity.

Most importantly, you can be assured that on my part, for eight years I flew the flag of the PDP, and of course if you look at my forehead, the only thing you will see there is PDP.

Earlier, the committee had visited former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja, who said that the PDP had a great chance to recapture power in all the states and even at the national level.

He assured the committee that the PDP in the South-west would work in harmony in the overall interest of the party.

Mr. Ladoja also said the South-west PDP had accepted the outcome of the convention.

According to him, the convention provided the opportunity for the zone to learn its lesson as it has realised that it could speak with one voice.
As the Ekiti State governorship race gathers momentum, pressure is mounting on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, to join the contention for the top job.

Mr. Fayemi was governor of the state from 2010 to 2014. He lost his bid to return for second term to incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Mr. Fayemi is now eligible to contest the governorship seat to serve for only one term of four years.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the pressure is coming from his supporters and those who had participated in his government while serving as governor of the state.

The request for him to run is in spite of his indictment by a probe panel set up by the current Ekiti government. PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday reported how the panel indicted Mr. Fayemi of allegedly mis-managing billions of naira of state funds. The former governor, who refused to appear before the panel, had denied the allegations and alleged persecution.

On Monday, a group of his loyalists from Ekiti State wrote him a letter urging him to join the race and seek the nomination of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to become the next governor of the state. The group said his legacies were being destroyed by the current administration.

The group which goes by the name Just Keep Following Group , JKFG, said the call was based on the enviable track record in governance recorded by Fayemi while on the saddle between 2010 and 2014.

Members of the group claimed they had carried out a survey in all the senatorial districts of the state and had found that the people still love and cherish Mr. Fayemis leadership.

The Just Keep Following Group is hereby inviting you to contest the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State, the letter addressed to Fayemi stated.

Our move to formally invite you is borne out of the fact that the people of Ekiti State in their present deplorable condition having tasted your performance between 2010 and 2014 are requesting that you formally show interest to contest the 2018 election.

We have carried out a strategic survey in all the three senatorial districts of the state and we have discovered that the people of the state still love and cherish your leadership.

Your eight-point agenda while you were in the saddle tremendously impacted the lives of the people of the state vis a vis: health, education, social security, youth empowerment, tourism, infrastructural development.

Mr. Fayemis spokesperson, Yinka Oyebode, confirmed the influx of letters and appeals from citizens of the state for the minister to contest the coming election.

According to him, the letter by JKFG was not the first. He said several groups had been writing and calling both from Ekiti and in Abuja, urging the minister to join the race.

Such moves are welcome because it is their right to make such calls, said Mr. Oyebode.

The minister is humbled by the calls and show of support; and acknowledges them.

He will definitely consider the letters and calls he has been receiving and take a position on it; but what position he would take is what I cannot tell you right now.

A former governor, Segun Oni, has already indicated his interested to run in the election on the platform of the APC.
For several hours on Thursday, vehicular traffic into the University of Lagos was grounded as non-teaching staff unions locked the two gates into the institution in protest of non-payment of their entitlements by the federal government.

At a point, tempers flared after the recently appointed Vice Chancellor of the university, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a professor, led a group of people to break the padlocks used in locking the universitys main gate.

Kehinde Ajibade, the Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union in the university, described Mr. Ogundipes action as highly disappointing.

Our union is a stakeholder in the university system, Mr. Ajibade said while addressing union members afterward.

The vice chancellor is not for academic alone, he is for both academic and non-academic members of the university. Ive never seen a place where a VC breaks the keys used in locking gates.

Mr. Ajibade accused the vice chancellor of conniving with the federal government to cheat them.

The universitys media office did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how the N23 billion the federal government disbursed to Nigerian universities to settle earned allowances and arrears was shared among 24 universities.

Three of the four unions in the universities  the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU; and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT  are accusing the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, of short-changing them in the sharing of the money.

A document seen by this newspaper showed that out of the N23 billion that was approved, the university lecturers got N18.38 billion while N4.61 billion was given to the non-teaching staff.

In protest, the three unions announced a strike to begin on December 3.

(In) time past, when federal government release emolument funds, which is personnel costs, to each school they dont tag it that this one belongs to ASUU, this one belongs to non-teaching, they send it directly to the school and the school pays the staff appropriately, Mr. Ajibade told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview.

In 2013, when the first tranche of the money, N30 billion was paid, during the PDP government, they released the money to the school and the school shared the money with the understanding of the union. But this time around, ASUU has taken over the Ministry of Finance, N18 billion was given to ASUU while N4 billion was given to the three unions, this is an act of injustice. How do you want us to share it?

So the government has committed this blunder.

Mr. Ajibade said since the government had given a huge chunk of the released funds to the university lecturers, they should provide another money for the other three non-teaching unions.

What they could have done is to release the money to each institution and give directives that all the institutions should meet their unions and share the money appropriately.

So now it is the federal government that is causing the problem now and the national body of the three unions, SSANU NASU, and NAAT have declared an indefinite and total strike. No going back.

Until they pay us our money, we are not going to resume, until we receive alert, the university system nationwide will be grounded. We want to know who is the owner of the university, whether its the academic or the non-teaching. If they can teach the students without the services of the non-teaching, they should go ahead.
Police authorities have dismissed Ayo Famodimu, the policeman who shot and killed a commercial driver, Olabode Ojo, in Oye Ekiti on Tuesday over his refusal to give a N50 bribe.

The Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, said the officer was dismissed after undergoing an orderly room trial and was afterward arraigned in court on Thursday.

He said police officers are trained to protect lives and property and not to kill civilians.

He (Famodimu) has already been dismissed and as I am talking to you now, he is an ex-policeman. The case is now in court and we have handed everything over to court to decide his fate, the police spokesman said.

We did not train him to go and kill law-abiding citizens, we trained him to safeguard lives and property. Any of his ilk that goes against the law will face the music.

Mr. Famodimu was arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates Court and was charged for murder.

The police inspector and prosecutor, Johnson Okunade, brought a remand order to the court. He said there was cause to order the remand of the accused in custody for a reasonable length of time.

Mr. Okunade said the accused was suspected to have committed the offence of the murder of a driver, Olabode Ojo, and attempted murder of Azeez Ayodimeji.

The offence, according to him, was punishable under Sections 319 and 324 of Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

He said the accused person committed the offence while in possession of offensive weapons and was arrested with exhibits and was identified by witnesses.

The defence counsel, Sunday Ochayi, did not oppose the remand order but said the order was an aftermath of negligence.

Mr. Ochayi described the defendant as a police officer who was negligent in line of his duty, asking for adjournment to enable him study the case file.

The Chief Magistrate, Adesoji Adegboye, ordered the remand of the accused person in prison custody and adjourned the case to December 28 for mention.
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.




RYE, N.Y., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- What dining trends can we expect next year? Publications around the world are busy making their predictions  including Virtuoso Life, the luxury travel magazine, which thinks that local flavors, meal sharing and simplicity will be hot in 2018.

Travelers looking to indulge in these tasty trends can join one of Insight's many premium journeys to Europe, where local flavors, meal sharing and simplicity have long been part of each itinerary. For years Insight has been ahead of the curve when it comes to epicurean experiences; in fact, Insight was recently awarded "Best Travel Company for Foodies" in the TravelAge West WAVE Awards.

Insight's immersive dining experiences let guests discover countries and cultures through their taste buds: farmers and fishermen show guests how food is harvested then serve it up in Farm-to-Table meals; chefs demonstrate how a few simple ingredients can be turned into delicious masterpieces during hands-on cooking classes; and locals invite guests into their homes for home-cooked meals during Dine-at-Home evenings. In 2018 guests will also be able to share meals with local hosts and other travelers thanks to Insight's new partnership with VizEat, the global meal-sharing platform.

"Insight Vacations' delicious dining experiences are a true highlight of our journeys," said Phil Cappelli, president of Insight Vacations. "These authentic meals and excursions are specially curated so travelers not only enjoy a beautifully prepared dish, but also learn the culture and history behind it, and enjoy wonderful companionship the whole way through."

Here are 10 of Insight's many exceptional foodie offerings:

Oyster Tasting in Croatia : During the 'Country Roads of Croatia ' journey, travelers accompany Tomislav to his floating barges and watch him harvest oysters straight from the sea. They then sample the freshly shucked mollusks with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of crisp local wine. Innovative and Locally Sourced Dishes at Ireland's Iconic Ashford Castle: On the 'Irish Elegance' itinerary, travelers dine at the magnificent 800-year-old Ashford Castle where creative cooking and local ingredients reign supreme. An apres-dinner walk around the stunning grounds provides the perfect end to the meal. "Dine-at-Home" Dinner in Sarajevo : On the 'Eastern Capitals and the Dalmatian Riviera' journey, guests are invited into a Sarajevan family's home for a Dine-at-Home dinner. They'll savor authentic Bosnian cuisine and hear inspirational stories about the beautiful city's resilient people, rich culture, and wonderful traditions. Pasta Making with Chef Lorenzo in Orvieto, Italy : At a restaurant in the medieval heart of Orvieto, guests on the 'European Dream' journey learn how to make fresh pasta by hand during a live cooking demonstration by Chef Lorenzo Polegri . His passion for Italian cuisine comes through as guests savor the delicious flavors he creates. Introduction to Greek Cooking in Olympia : While on the 'Treasures of Greece and the Islands' itinerary, guests join a local chef for an entertaining cooking demonstration, then savor regional Greek specialties in a fun-filled, flavorful dinner. The Art of Strudel-Making in Budapest : On the 'Easy Pace Budapest, Vienna and Prague ' journey guests visit a traditional strudel house and see pastry chefs at work stretching the dough and readying the fillings, then enjoy a delectable taste of this famous delicacy paired with rich, aromatic coffee. Traditional Basque Pintxos in San Sebastian, Spain : On the ' Mediterranean Journey' guests wander through San Sebastian's Old Town, the hub of the town's social life, then enjoy some of the best pintxos in the region. This Basque gastronomic staple is similar to tapas and pairs well with the local Txakoli wine. Cornish Coast Experience in Britain : Guests visit a Cornish fishing village during the 'Best of Britain ' journey and enjoy a Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner at the edge of Dartmoor National Park that includes fresh, locally sourced seafood. Paella Demonstration in Valencia, Spain : Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. While on the 'Highlights of Spain ' journey, guests meet the chef at a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn the traditional recipe for paella during a cooking demonstration. Next they savor the delicious flavors of this classic dish with a glass of sangria during a Highlight Dinner. Dine-At-Home in Portugal : On the 'Country Roads of Portugal ' trip guests journey through rolling, vine-laden hills to Quinta de Marrocos, home of the Sequeira family. There they learn about the family's passion for wine making, and join them for a farm-to-table dinner of food freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients and served with wine from the estate.

Travelers can save 10% with Insight's Early Payment Discount on featured 2018 European journeys by booking and paying in full by January 11, 2018.*

For reservations, contact your favorite travel agent,

call Insight Vacations at 1-888-680-1241, or visit www.insightvacations.com

Join the conversation on social media using our hashtag #INSIGHTMOMENTS.

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*Applies only to tours featuring "Early Payment Discount" in the price panel  see the new 2018 Europe Premium Escorted Journeys Brochure. Valid on new bookings only and must be booked by January 11, 2018. A $200 deposit is required within three days of booking and full payment is due by January 11, 2018. This offer may be withdrawn at any time. Trip prices and dates are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Note prices displayed reflect available discounted rates (i.e. Early Payment Discount, Red Hot Deal). All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however is subject to change, so please confirm all details at time of booking.

About Insight Vacations

As a global leader in premium escorted travel, Insight Vacations has been crafting magical journeys for almost 40 years that embody The Art of Traveling in Style. Through meticulous planning, detailed preparation and boundless passion, Insight's collection of award-winning itineraries showcases the most outstanding destinations in Europe and North America. Guided by a highly-skilled Travel Director, guests can look forward to traveling in smaller groups, savoring authentic dining and enjoying a range of immersive Insight Experiences. To find out more, visit insightvacations.com

About The TreadRight Foundation

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's (TTC) family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. Founded by Brett Tollman, Chief Executive, TTC, to date TreadRight has supported more than 40 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. As an official Diamond Sponsor of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, TTC is dedicated to bringing the industry together with a shared goal of benefiting local communities and the environment. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at TreadRight.org.

Insight Vacations is a member of the family-owned The Travel Corporation (TTC) and is renowned and trusted for its outstanding quality, service, value, reliability and financial stability.

SOURCE Insight Vacations

Related Links

http://www.insightvacations.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Recurly, Inc., the enterprise-grade subscription management platform, and Adyen, the payments company powering global commerce, today announced that they have joined forces to fuel international expansion for subscription businesses. Through a new integration, subscription businesses can increase worldwide revenue opportunities with a comprehensive range of payment options tailored for global audiences.

Innovative retailers are pushing into new business models to better connect with their community and create a repeat shopping experience associated with their brand, ultimately unlocking new revenue streams. Today's fastest-growing businesses are harnessing the power of subscription commerce to deliver predictable revenue, gain critical market insights and optimize revenue. Recurly and Adyen provide the flexibility to efficiently scale one-time and recurring payments for subscribers around the world, delivering the best local payment method for multiple markets.

"Subscription businesses can differentiate themselves on the global stage by delivering frictionless experiences with a variety of payment options," said Kamran Zaki, North America President, Adyen. "Our integration with Recurly helps subscription businesses provide seamless and secure payment experiences and increase revenue opportunities worldwide."

The Recurly and Adyen integration highlights the wide scope of Adyen's global reach and the power of the Recurly platform. With this integration, Recurly and Adyen make it easy for subscription businesses to accept a wide variety of international payment types resulting in greatly improved conversions at checkout.

"Global subscription businesses require a payment processing partner equipped to handle the unique requirements of cross-border commerce," said Dan Burkhart, CEO, Recurly. "The Recurly and Adyen partnership provides a distinctive set of capabilities for subscription businesses to rapidly expand their offerings outside the continental U.S. market."

About Recurly

Recurly, Inc. delivers enterprise-grade subscription management to thousands of SaaS, media, mobile, consumer goods, productivity and publishing businesses worldwide. Businesses like Sling Media, JibJab Media, Asana, and HubSpot depend on Recurly's ability to cut through the complexity of subscription management to drive recurring revenue growth. Since its launch in 2010, Recurly has deployed subscription billing for thousands of companies in 32 countries, making it the most trusted pure play provider of subscription management services. Recurly, Inc. is PCI-DSS Level 1, SAS 70 / SSAE 16 Compliant. For more information, visit http://recurly.com.

About Adyen

Adyen is the payments platform of choice for the world's leading companies. The only provider of a modern end-to-end infrastructure connecting directly to Visa, MasterCard, and consumers' globally preferred payment methods, Adyen delivers frictionless payments across online, mobile, and in-store. With offices all around the world, Adyen serves more than 4,500 businesses, including 8 of the 10 largest U.S. Internet companies. Customers include Facebook, Uber, Netflix, Spotify and L'Oreal.

PR Contacts:

John Moore, Zeno Group for Recurly

[email protected]

+1 (215) 657-4971

Dave Pedersen

[email protected]

+1 (415) 515-9925

SOURCE Recurly, Inc.

Related Links

http://recurly.com


SANTIAGO, Chile, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AES Gener S.A. (" AES Gener " or the " Company ") today announced:

early results of the previously announced cash tender offers (as amended, the " Amended Tender Offers ") to purchase the outstanding senior notes of AES Gener, listed in the table below (collectively, the " Notes "), for an amended maximum aggregate purchase price of up to U.S. $341,047,018 , excluding accrued and unpaid interest (such purchase price, subject to increase by AES Gener, the " Aggregate Maximum Purchase Price ");

") to purchase the outstanding senior notes of AES Gener, listed in the table below (collectively, the " "), for an amended maximum aggregate purchase price of up to U.S. , excluding accrued and unpaid interest (such purchase price, subject to increase by AES Gener, the " "); an increase in the Aggregate Maximum Purchase Price from U.S. $245,000,000 to U.S. $341,047,018 , excluding accrued and unpaid interest;

to U.S. , excluding accrued and unpaid interest; an increase in the Tender Cap for the 5.000% Senior Notes due 2025 from U.S. $175,000,000 to U.S. $223,622,018 , excluding accrued and unpaid interest;

to U.S. , excluding accrued and unpaid interest; an increase in the Tender Cap for the 5.250% Senior Notes due 2021 from U.S. $110,000,000 to U.S. $117,425,000 , excluding accrued and unpaid interest, resulting in a proration factor of 51.8%; and

to U.S. , excluding accrued and unpaid interest, resulting in a proration factor of 51.8%; and an amendment to the date in which AES Gener intends to purchase the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) before the Early Tender Time (as defined below) from December 15, 2017 to December 20, 2017 (the " Early Settlement Date ").

This announcement amends AES Gener's Offer to Purchase, dated November 30, 2017 (as amended, the " Offer to Purchase "). Other than the amendments described above, all terms and conditions in the Offer to Purchase remain unchanged.

According to information received from Global Bondholder Services Corporation (" GBSC "), the Tender and Information Agent for the Amended Tender Offers, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 13, 2017 (that date and time, the " Early Tender Time "), AES Gener had received valid tenders from holders of the Notes as outlined in the table below.

Title of

Notes CUSIP and ISIN

Numbers Amended Tender

Cap (U.S. $)(1) Acceptance

Priority Level Principal

Amount

Tendered (U.S. $) Principal

Amount

which AES Gener intends to

accept

(U.S. $) Total

Consideration

per U.S.

$1,000.00(2) Tender Offer

Consideration

per U.S.

$1,000.00(3) 5.000%

Senior

Notes due

2025 CUSIP: 00105DAE5 /

P0607LAB9; ISIN:

US00105DAE58 /

USP0607LAB91 U.S.$ 223,622,018 1 U.S.$ 217,637,000 U.S.$ 217,637,000 U.S.$

1,027.50 U.S.$

997.50 5.250%

Senior

Notes due

2021 CUSIP: 00105DAC9 /

P0607JAE8; ISIN:

US00105DAC92 /

USP0607JAE84 U.S.$ 117,425,000 2 U.S.$ 212,641,000 U.S.$ 110,000,000 U.S.$

1,067.50 U.S.$

1,037.50

__________

(1) The Tender Caps apply to the aggregate purchase price, excluding accrued and unpaid interest, of the applicable series of Notes. (2) The amounts, which exclude accrued and unpaid interest, will be paid per U.S.$1,000.00 on the Early Settlement Date (defined below). (3) Holders who tender Notes after the Early Tender Time will receive only the Tender Offer Consideration per U.S.$1,000.00 and no Early Tender Premium (defined below). All amounts exclude accrued and unpaid interest.



The deadline for holders to validly withdraw tenders of Notes has passed. Accordingly, Notes that were tendered before the Early Tender Time and any additional Notes that are tendered at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 28, 2017 (the " Expiration Date ") may not be withdrawn, except in the limited circumstances described in the Offer to Purchase.

The Amended Tender Offers are subject to the conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the Amended Tender Offers described in the AES Gener's Offer to Purchase having been either satisfied or waived by AES Gener, AES Gener intends to accept for purchase all of the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) before the Early Tender Time, subject, in each case, to the Tender Cap for each applicable series of Notes. These Notes will be purchased on the Early Settlement Date.

Payments for the Notes purchased will include accrued and unpaid interest from and including the last interest payment date applicable to the relevant series of Notes up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date (as such term is defined in the Offer to Purchase). Holders of Notes that were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Amended Tender Offers will receive the applicable Total Consideration (as set forth in the table above) for such series, which includes the early tender premium of U.S.$30.00 for each series of Notes as set forth in the Offer to Purchase (the " Early Tender Premium ").

The Tender Offers were oversubscribed as of the Early Tender Time. Accordingly, AES Gener will not accept for purchase any additional Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time. As the Tender Offers were oversubscribed, Notes that have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Early Tender Time will be accepted for purchase in priority to other Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time even if such Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time have a higher acceptance priority level than Notes tendered prior to the Early Tender Time. The acceptance priority levels are specified in the table above and on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase in the column entitled "Acceptance Priority Level" (the " Acceptance Priority Levels "), with 1 being the higher Acceptance Priority Level and 2 being the lower Acceptance Priority Level.

Full details of the terms and conditions of the Amended Tender Offers are set forth in the Offer to Purchase, which is available from GBSC.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (" Citigroup ") and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. (" SMBC Nikko ") are the Dealer Managers in the Amended Tender Offers. Persons with questions regarding the Amended Tender Offers should contact Citigroup at (toll free) (800) 558-3745 or (collect) (212) 723-6106, or SMBC Nikko at (toll free) (888) 868-6856 or (collect) (212) 224-5417. Requests for the Offer to Purchase should be directed to GBSC at (toll free) (866) 794-2200 or (collect) (212) 430-3774.

None of the Company, its board of directors, its officers, the dealer managers, the depositary, the tender and information agent or the trustees with respect to the Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, makes any recommendation that holders tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the principal amount of their Notes, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make such a recommendation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender their Notes and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender.

This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any Notes or any other securities. The Amended Tender Offers are being made solely pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase. The Amended Tender Offers are not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. The Offer to Purchase does not constitute an offer to purchase in Chile or to any resident of Chile, except as permitted by applicable Chilean law.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates about future events and financial trends, which affect or may affect the Company's businesses and results of operations. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about the Amended Tender Offers, including whether the Amended Tender Offers are consummated in whole or in part. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, these statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to the Company. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and the Company's future results may differ materially from those expressed in these estimates and forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

SOURCE AES Gener S.A.
ROHNERT PARK, Calif., Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For some people, defaulting on their federal student loans may feel inevitable. For others, it may be a choice. While that choice may be fruitful (though still not advised) in other industries when bankruptcy or settlement becomes an option, strategically defaulting backfires for federal student loan borrowers. Therefore, Ameritech Financial, a document preparation company that helps borrowers apply for federal repayment plans, urges, and helps, federal student loan borrowers to take steps to prevent default or get out of default to improve their future financial outlook.

Federal student loans are different from debt in other industries in two key ways: they are nearly impossible to discharge through bankruptcy and they are not subject to a statute of limitations. In most cases, student loans can only be discharged if the borrower can prove undue hardship, which is difficult to prove considering not all courts use the same test. Therefore, discharge through bankruptcy is not a reliable option. Also, collectors can pursue defaulted federal student loans until fully collected, so settlement is all but impossible.

"There's really no reason to intentionally default on federal student loans," said Tom Knickerbocker, Executive Vice President at Ameritech Financial. "Instead, borrowers should do everything they can to avoid defaulting for the good of their financial future."

Without the possibility to discharge the debt in bankruptcy or settle for a lower amount, borrowers who default are stuck with bad credit, potential wage garnishment and tax refund offsets  which the federal government can do without permission  and few options.

Recently, politicians have been introducing legislation to ease the burden of student debt on borrowers  such as a bill to loosen the requirements for student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy. However, some researchers worry that would have the opposite of the intended result: it would increase defaults instead of decreasing them.

Instead of relying on new legislation to change the student loan landscape, Ameritech Financial suggests that borrowers focus on their own situation. Borrowers who are in default will have to get out of default by either doing default rehabilitation, which can only be done once, or consolidating their loans and starting over. Borrowers who are at risk for defaulting should look into repayment options, including those that base monthly payments on income and family size. Ameritech Financial helps borrowers with both courses of action, specializing in helping borrowers apply for repayment plans that will decrease their chances of defaulting again.

"To those people who may be facing massive student debt and weighing their options, please don't consider ignoring the debt as one of them," said Knickerbocker. "There are federal repayment plans that help the least equipped deal with their debt, so don't despair. At Ameritech Financial, we help borrowers decide which plan they fit into and then we hold their hands in filling out paperwork and applying for it."

About Ameritech Financial

Ameritech Financial is a private company located in Rohnert Park, California. Ameritech Financial has already helped thousands of people with financial analysis and student loan document preparation for federal student loan repayment programs offered through the Department of Education.

Ameritech Financial is a member of the Association for Student Loan Relief (AFSLR), and each representative on the phone has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Ameritech Financial prides itself on its exceptional Customer Service.

Contact

To learn more about Ameritech Financial, please contact:

Ameritech Financial

5789 State Farm Drive #265

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

1-800-792-8621

[email protected]

Related Links

Ameritech Financial home page

SOURCE Ameritech Financial

Related Links

https://ameritechfinancial.com


ALBANY, New York, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

As competition grows strong in the global antibacterial drugs, the leading players are finding it more convenience to collaborate with rivals to expand their product offering as well regional footprint worldwide. In a new study, Transparency Market Research (TMR) has identified Bayer AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (GSK), Merck & Co., Inc., AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Novartis Ag, and Allergen Plc as some of the most prominent enterprises operating in the global antibacterial drugs market. To gain a competitive edge, Pfizer signed an agreement with AstraZeneca in August 2016. This collaboration was intended to acquire the commercialization and development rights of late-stage small molecule anti-infective business. Besides this, the market witnessed several other partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions aimed at catapulting businesses to the forefront of the global antibacterial drugs market.

View Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/antibacterial-drugs-market.html

Despite strategies toyed by businesses to gain traction, the subpar pace of growth is unlikely to change for the global antibacterial drugs market. According to TMR, the global market is likely to exhibit a CAGR of 1.5% between 2017 and 2025. Given the growth pace, the market is expected to reach US$51,447.6 mn by the end of 2025, from US$45,325.0 mn in 2016. While North America held dominance in the global antibacterial drugs market in 2016, TMR forecasts sluggish growth for the region through the forecast period. In terms of drug-class, the B-lactam segment led the market in 2016.

Request to View Sample Copy of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1567

Antibacterial Drugs Market Witnesses Threat from Looming Patent Expiries

The rising population of aged people, escalating number of bacterial strains, which are multidrug resistant, and the rising demand for effective yet affordable antibacterial drugs will give the market considerable boost over the forecast period. In addition, TMR predicts the global antibacterial drugs market to gain significantly from the increasing incidence of infectious diseases. It is also likely to gain from the rising demand for innovative molecules. Despite the aforementioned growth prospects, the advent of genetic drugs for antibacterial activities threatens the overall market. The looming patent expiries are also identified as key factors restraining the market. Furthermore, the research and development activities conducted in the field is insufficient as per many experts. This could pose significant threat to the overall antibacterial drugs market in the coming years.

Request Antibacterial Drugs Market Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1567

Opportunities Prevalent in Emerging Nations to Boost Growth in Near Future

In the coming years, the market is likely to gain from factors such as the improved efficacy, fewer side effects, and reduced time of action. In addition, opportunities prevalent across emerging nations will enable the global antibacterial drugs market stay afloat during the forecast period. According to TMR, the market will gain considerable traction in emerging nations such as India and China.

Request to view table of content @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/1567

In the last few years, several synthesis inhibitors have gone off-patent, which has made TMR predict that several of the drugs under clinical trial could be approved in the coming years. The likelihood of benefiting from the commercialization of drug-resistant infections treatment is also rising. Despite the influx of novel protein synthesis inhibitors, vaccines will remain the class of drugs contributing the most revenue toward the global antibacterial drugs market. These factors will enable growth in the global antibacterial drugs market in the coming years.

Global Antibacterial Drugs Market Report is available @ US$ 5795

About TMR

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

Contact

Transparency Market Research

State Tower

90 State Street,

Suite 700,

Albany NY - 12207

United States

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: [email protected]



Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

TMR Blog: http://www.theglobalhealthnews.com/



SOURCE Transparency Market Research
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Our solar system now is tied for most number of planets around a single star, with the recent discovery of an eighth planet circling Kepler-90, a Sun-like star 2,545 light years from Earth. The planet was discovered in data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope.

With the discovery of an eighth planet, the Kepler-90 system is the first to tie with our solar system in number of planets. Credit: NASA/Wendy Stenzel

The newly-discovered Kepler-90i  a sizzling hot, rocky planet that orbits its star once every 14.4 days  was found using machine learning from Google. Machine learning is an approach to artificial intelligence in which computers "learn." In this case, computers learned to identify planets by finding in Kepler data instances where the telescope recorded signals from planets beyond our solar system, known as exoplanets.

NASA will host a Reddit Ask Me Anything at 3 p.m. EST today on this discovery.

"Just as we expected, there are exciting discoveries lurking in our archived Kepler data, waiting for the right tool or technology to unearth them," said Paul Hertz, director of NASA's Astrophysics Division in Washington. "This finding shows that our data will be a treasure trove available to innovative researchers for years to come."

The discovery came about after researchers Christopher Shallue and Andrew Vanderburg trained a computer to learn how to identify exoplanets in the light readings recorded by Kepler  the miniscule change in brightness captured when a planet passed in front of, or transited, a star. Inspired by the way neurons connect in the human brain, this artificial "neural network" sifted through Kepler data and found weak transit signals from a previously-missed eighth planet orbiting Kepler-90, in the constellation Draco.

While machine learning has previously been used in searches of the Kepler database, this research demonstrates that neural networks are a promising tool in finding some of the weakest signals of distant worlds.

Other planetary systems probably hold more promise for life than Kepler-90. About 30 percent larger than Earth, Kepler-90i is so close to its star that its average surface temperature is believed to exceed 800 degrees Fahrenheit, on par with Mercury. Its outermost planet, Kepler-90h, orbits at a similar distance to its star as Earth does to the Sun.

"The Kepler-90 star system is like a mini version of our solar system. You have small planets inside and big planets outside, but everything is scrunched in much closer," said Vanderburg, a NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow and astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin.

Shallue, a senior software engineer with Google's research team Google AI, came up with the idea to apply a neural network to Kepler data. He became interested in exoplanet discovery after learning that astronomy, like other branches of science, is rapidly being inundated with data as the technology for data collection from space advances.

"In my spare time, I started googling for 'finding exoplanets with large data sets' and found out about the Kepler mission and the huge data set available," said Shallue. "Machine learning really shines in situations where there is so much data that humans can't search it for themselves."

Kepler's four-year dataset consists of 35,000 possible planetary signals. Automated tests, and sometimes human eyes, are used to verify the most promising signals in the data. However, the weakest signals often are missed using these methods. Shallue and Vanderburg thought there could be more interesting exoplanet discoveries faintly lurking in the data.

First, they trained the neural network to identify transiting exoplanets using a set of 15,000 previously-vetted signals from the Kepler exoplanet catalogue. In the test set, the neural network correctly identified true planets and false positives 96 percent of the time. Then, with the neural network having "learned" to detect the pattern of a transiting exoplanet, the researchers directed their model to search for weaker signals in 670 star systems that already had multiple known planets. Their assumption was that multiple-planet systems would be the best places to look for more exoplanets.

"We got lots of false positives of planets, but also potentially more real planets," said Vanderburg. "It's like sifting through rocks to find jewels. If you have a finer sieve then you will catch more rocks but you might catch more jewels, as well."

Kepler-90i wasn't the only jewel this neural network sifted out. In the Kepler-80 system, they found a sixth planet. This one, the Earth-sized Kepler-80g, and four of its neighboring planets form what is called a resonant chain  where planets are locked by their mutual gravity in a rhythmic orbital dance. The result is an extremely stable system, similar to the seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system.

Their research paper reporting these findings has been accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal. Shallue and Vanderburg plan to apply their neural network to Kepler's full set of more than 150,000 stars.

Kepler has produced an unprecedented data set for exoplanet hunting. After gazing at one patch of space for four years, the spacecraft now is operating on an extended mission and switches its field of view every 80 days.

"These results demonstrate the enduring value of Kepler's mission," said Jessie Dotson, Kepler's project scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. "New ways of looking at the data  such as this early-stage research to apply machine learning algorithms  promises to continue to yield significant advances in our understanding of planetary systems around other stars. I'm sure there are more firsts in the data waiting for people to find them."

Ames manages the Kepler and K2 missions for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, managed Kepler mission development. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation operates the flight system with support from the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. This work was performed through the Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowship Program executed by the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute.

For more information on this announcement, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/mediaresources

For more information about the Kepler mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/kepler

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AudioEye, Inc. (OTCQB: AEYE) ("AudioEye" or the "Company"), the leader in cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) digital content accessibility solutions, today, announced the promotion of Lonny Sternberg to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO).

"Lonny has been key to our success. We are thrilled for him to have the opportunity to grow within our company and into this critical position," said Todd Bankofier, CEO of AudioEye. "With the company expanding operations in multiple areas, it is imperative we have the right leadership and expertise. Lonny has demonstrated superior acumen in building crucial infrastructure for our growing company during his three years with AudioEye. It is with great pleasure that we elevate him to this new role so he can continue to provide meaningful contributions to our company and team."

Sternberg will begin in his new role as COO on January 1, 2018.

About Lonny Sternberg

Lonny Sternberg is an accomplished operations leader with proven success in private and public sectors. Mr. Sternberg's expertise spans nearly two decades maximizing operational efficiencies, program development and strategic planning.

Prior to joining AudioEye in 2014 and serving as the Vice President of Operations, Lonny led Sales and Marketing initiatives for a leading Arizona-based Business Technology Solutions Company. During his tenure, Mr. Sternberg led a team of Sales, Marketing, and Sales Engineering professionals, while working alongside the company's Chief Financial Officer and Founders.

Earlier in his career, Lonny served as a Senior Operations Leader in a private family business that became a market leader and one of the most successful small businesses in Southern Arizona. In his tenure, Lonny led over 80 employees spanning customer relations, distribution, procurement and finance departments.

Lonny is a Cum Laude graduate from the University of Arizona.

About AudioEye, Inc.

AudioEye's software enables every enterprise, from corporations to government agencies, to make their content more consumable through technology.

More accessible. More usable. More people.

AudioEye's common stock trades on the OTCQB under the symbol "AEYE." The Company maintains offices in Tucson, Atlanta and Washington D.C. For more information about AudioEye and its online accessibility solutions, please visit https://www.audioeye.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release about AudioEye's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe", "anticipate", "should", "intend", "plan", "will", "expects", "estimates", "projects", "positioned", "strategy", "outlook" and similar words. You should read the statements that contain these types of words carefully. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the risk that the Company's bookings, revenue and gross profit will not increase as currently expected or at all, the risk that the Company's cash position will not improve or will worsen, and the risk that the Company's current capitalization plan will not provide the Company with sufficient cash to address its current or future needs or will otherwise not be successful. There may be events in the future that AudioEye is not able to predict accurately or over which AudioEye has no control. Other risks are described more fully in AudioEye's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements reflect management's analysis as of the date of this press release and AudioEye urges you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. AudioEye does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or uncertainties after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

For Further information, please contact:

Matt Kreps, Darrow Associates Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (214) 597-8200

Todd Bankofier, AudioEye Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (520) 308-6140

SOURCE AudioEye, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.audioeye.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bankers Capital International and BCI LifeSciences LLC today announced a cooperative agreement, focused on the life sciences industry. Under the plan, Bankers Capital International and BCI LifeSciences will leverage their respective networks and knowledge base to provide life science companies with executive-level consultancy, strategic planning assistance, and access to institutional capital, worldwide. The companies will operate as correspondents through their mutual corporate headquarters in New York City.

Commenting on the announcement, R. Douglas Hulse, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of BCI LifeSciences said: "My team and I have a long history of advising large and small companies in the life sciences industry. We have assisted numerous companies to develop and advance their strategic growth plan, and we have helped to commercialize many technologies and products around the world. Our association with Bankers Capital International will now provide our clients with access to institutional capital and merger or acquisition partners, globally. Gordon and I think that today's announcement marks a quantum expansion of the overall services and consultancy that we can provide our clients."

Todd M. DeMatteo, Senior Executive Director of Bankers Capital International, added: "Our clients engage us based on our knowledge, deal creativity and reach. BCI LifeSciences is a perfect extension of our capabilities and strengths, and we are a perfect continuation of their consulting and advisory services. The combination of our bankers with the expertise of Doug's and Gordon's advisers provides a seamless and compelling talent pool for clients in the life sciences industry."

About Bankers Capital International

Bankers Capital International is a boutique investment bank, headquartered in New York City, focused on multiple sectors in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The firm advises middle-market clients on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, management buy-outs, capital raises, restructurings, turnarounds, and strategic planning. Bankers Capital International is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The firm is also a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

About BCI LifeSciences LLC

BCI LifeSciences LLC is an advisory firm, comprised of distinguished senior level executives from the life sciences industry. Its team members have advanced operating and transaction experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and clinical diagnostics, and its principals have been founders, chairmen, presidents, CEOs and COOs of large multi-national organizations and emerging healthcare companies in the United States and abroad. BCI LifeSciences has extensive experience advising companies and management teams in the life sciences industry from startups to multinationals, worldwide.

About R. Douglas Hulse

Mr. Hulse is the Chief Executive Officer, co-founder and an equity member of BCI LifeSciences LLC. He is also a member of the Company's Board of Managers. Mr. Hulse has over 40 years of origination and operations experience, building and commercializing new businesses. He was a Founder of The Sage Group, a consultancy company focused on biopharmaceuticals, and has held senior level executive positions with a number of multinational and startup companies including: Hemispherx Biopharma, Enzon, Inc., i-STAT Corporation, Sunstone, Inc., Envirometrics and Polycyclose Technologies, SDTX Technologies, Engelhard Industries, Halcon/SD Group. He led negotiations for many of the joint ventures with ARCO Chemical that formed Oxirane Corporation, a $1 billion petrochemical company. Mr. Hulse is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University in Chemistry and holds Masters Degrees in Chemical Engineering Practice and Industrial Management from MIT.

About Gordon V. Ramseier

Mr. Ramseier is the President, co-founder and an equity member of BCI LifeSciences LLC. He has over 40 years of origination and operations experience, building and commercializing new technologies. He was a Founder of The Sage Group and has held senior level executive positions with a number of companies in the life sciences industry, including: OncoTherapeutics, ImmuneTech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later Dura Pharmaceuticals), the Healthcare Industries Practice of Booz, Allen & Hamilton, G.D. Searle, and Pfizer Laboratories. Mr. Ramseier received his M.B.A. (with distinction) from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College and his B.S. in Chemistry from Washington & Lee University.

For More Information:

Bankers Capital International

BCI LifeSciences LLC

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.bankerscapitalinternational.com

www.bcilifescienceadvisors.com

SOURCE Bankers Capital International

Related Links

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LAS VEGAS, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bittrex, the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange for traders who demand lightning fast trade execution, stable wallets, and industry-best security practices, announced the addition of three new senior executives to support and enhance the company's exponential growth and increasing influence in the cryptocurrency community.

With extensive experience in cybersecurity and compliance in both the public and private sectors, all three executives fit Bittrex's unique security-first approach and its mission to provide individuals and businesses with a world class platform they can trust to buy and sell cutting-edge cryptocurrencies and digital tokens.

"Our mission is to develop the most trusted cryptocurrency exchange in the world, and we believe the breadth of experience that these individuals bring will be critical to achieving that goal," said CEO Bill Shihara. "They will drive our enduring commitment to foster a secure and regulated trading environment that creates more opportunities for blockchain technology and the future of finance and security."

See Wall Street Journal op-ed from CSO Kiran Raj and CCEO John Roth here.

Chief Strategy Officer Kiran Raj

Kiran Raj will drive Bittrex's strategic vision and will be responsible for developing, communicating, and executing that vision through initiatives related to core business priorities.

Kiran Raj has worked at the intersection of technology, security and law for nearly two decades. Formerly a partner at the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers and the Deputy General Counsel of the Homeland Security Department, he has worked directly with leaders of corporate America. He held a similar role at the Justice Department as senior counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, where he advised the department's senior leadership on significant issues and managed policy matters related to cybersecurity and national security.

Prior to entering the legal field, Raj was a lead program manager at Microsoft where he managed and supervised a large team of program managers to develop applications to secure customer networks. He was also responsible for developing and deploying software that improved the security, compatibility, and application experience of the Windows operating system.

Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer John Roth

John Roth will take the lead in advancing Bittrex's core mission to ensure that the company remains in compliance with the evolving legal landscape in order to offer the most secure and reliable service to our customers.

Before joining Bittrex, Roth served as Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more than three years.

Roth worked in the federal government for over three decades, including 25 years at the Department of Justice. Roth worked as a prosecutor at the Justice Department, including serving as chief of staff to the Deputy Attorney General and as section chief of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section among other senior roles in the Criminal Division. Roth capped his Justice Department tenure as the lead representative on the Financial Action Task Force, an intergovernmental organization fighting against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Roth also served in a senior capacity for the congressionally chartered 9/11 Commission and helped to compile a monograph on terrorist financing for the commission's final report.

Chief Operating Officer Jim Waschak

Jim Waschak will lead the business, technical operations and administrative functions required for Bittrex to continue to evolve during this stage of rapid growth.

Jim is joining Bittrex after 12 years at Amazon, most recently serving as Director of Information Security and CISO for Amazon's Worldwide Consumer Organization. During his tenure at Amazon, Jim has held key roles including leading Amazon's Corporate IT Infrastructure and associated Sourcing, Contracts and Global Support. Jim also led Amazon's Global Payments Infrastructure, Data Security, Technical Operations and Vendor Management.

Prior to Amazon, Jim worked for seven years at as a Director at Capital One, leading teams and critical areas such as Credit Card Processing and Online Account Servicing.

About Bittrex

Built and operated in the U.S., Bittrex is the next generation crypto-trading platform created by security professionals. Bittrex's mission is to deliver the fastest, most secure trading platform and provide a world class experience to buy and sell cutting-edge cryptocurrencies and digital tokens.

Press Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Bittrex

Related Links

https://bittrex.com


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Browse 160 market data Tables and 46 Figures spread through 181 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Blood Glucose Monitoring System"

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/blood-glucose-monitoring-system-market-14912252.html



Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

The key factors driving the growth of this market include rising prevalence of diabetic population, and increasing innovative product launches resulting in increased adoption amongst patients.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=14912252

By product, the self-monitoring blood glucose systems segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market in 2017

On the basis of product, the blood glucose monitoring system market is segmented into self-monitoring blood glucose systems and continuous glucose monitoring systems. In 2017, the self-monitoring blood glucose system segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global market. The large share of this segment can be primarily attributed to product enhancements resulting in improved accuracy and requirement of less blood sample, and their high adoption in emerging markets.

By testing site, the fingertip testing segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market in 2017

On the basis of testing site, the blood glucose monitoring system market is segmented into fingertip testing and alternate site testing. In 2017, the fingertip testing segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global market. The large share of this segment can be primarily attributed to accuracy and high reliability on fingertip testing.

By patient care setting, the self/home care segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market in 2017

On the basis of patient care setting, the blood glucose monitoring system market is segmented into self/home care and hospital & clinics. In 2017, self/home care segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global market. The large share of this segment can be primarily attributed to factors such as growing diabetic population, and increasing preference for less invasive technologies that can be used at home.

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=14912252

By application, the type 2 diabetes segment is estimated to dominate the market in 2017

Based on application, the market is segmented into type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. The type 2 diabetes segment is expected to command the largest share of the blood glucose monitoring system market in 2017. The large share of this segment can be attributed to increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes, and increasing product launches to enhance patient comfort.

North America to dominate the market in 2017

In 2017, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the blood glucose monitoring system market, followed by Europe. Factors such as a favorable reimbursements, awareness programs, rising FDA approvals in the US, and rising prevalence of diabetes in the US and Canada are contributing to the large share of North America.

Market Players:

The key players in the global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market are Roche (Switzerland), Abbott (US), LifeScan (US), Ascensia (Switzerland), Medtronic (Ireland), Dexcom (US), Ypsomed (Switzerland), B. Braun (Germany), Nipro (Japan), Sanofi (France), ARKRAY (Japan), Prodigy Diabetes Care (US), ACON Laboratories (US), and Nova Biomedical (US).

Browse Related Reports

Point-of-Care Diagnostics Market by Products (Glucose, Cardiometabolic Monitoring, & Infectious Disease Testing Kits, Cardiac & Tumor Markers), End Users (Home, Hospitals, Ambulatory Care), Over-the- Counter & Prescription Based - Global Forecast to 2021

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/point-of-care-diagnostic-market-106829185.html

Diabetes Care Devices Market in Brazil, Russia, India & China (BRIC) by Product (Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Meters, Continuous Glucose Monitors, Testing Strips, Lancets, Insulin Pumps, Insulin Pens, Insulin Syringes) - Forecast to 2020

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/diabetes-care-375.html

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten experts from global strategic advisory and expert consulting firm Berkeley Research Group were highlighted in Who's Who Legal's 2018 Arbitration 2018: Expert Witness Analysis, which recognizes practitioners internationally for the quality of their testimony in arbitration proceedings.

BRG UK Chairman Richard Boulton was among the top three Thought Leaders for Europe. He is described as "'extremely impressive' and receives plaudits from widespread sources who describe him as 'a top testifying expert.'"

In the United States, BRG Chairman and Principal Executive Officer David J. Teece, Boston-based Managing Director Bala G. Dharan and Denver-based Director Anamaria Popescu were recognized as leading arbitration experts.

Mustafa Hadi is "internationally recognised as one of the key figures in the Hong Kong arbitration space, particularly for shareholder and JV disputes. He combines exceptional technical proficiency in valuation and damages matters with an engaging and credible presence in oral testimony."

Jonathan Humphrey, head of disputes and international arbitration in Australia and Southeast Asia, "is an esteemed expert in relation to the quantification of damages and lost profits and is active in arbitrations across a range of sectors and industries."

Dubai-based Managing Director Michael Kenyon "draws high praise for his outstanding expertise in construction disputes and damage analysis, areas in which he is considered a leading expert witness."

Three London-based managing directors were also highlighted: David Saunders, a valuations and damages expert, who has frequently provided oral testimony; London office leader Daniel Ryan, who "draws wide-ranging endorsements from sources who highlight his outstanding expertise in competition disputes and valuation matters" and Heiko Ziehms, who is an "esteemed specialist in complex accounting matters and enjoys an excellent reputation for his work on related disputes."

About Berkeley Research Group, LLC

Berkeley Research Group, LLC (www.thinkbrg.com) is a leading global strategic advisory and expert consulting firm that provides independent advice, data analytics, valuation, authoritative studies, expert testimony, investigations, transaction advisory, restructuring services, regulatory and dispute consulting to Fortune 500 corporations, financial institutions, major law firms and regulatory bodies around the world. BRG experts and consultants combine intellectual rigor with practical, real-world experience and an in-depth understanding of industries and markets. Their expertise spans economics and finance, data analytics and statistics, and public policy in many of the major sectors of our economy, including healthcare, banking, information technology, energy, construction and real estate. BRG is headquartered in Emeryville, California, with offices across the United States and in Asia, Australia, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.

SOURCE Berkeley Research Group

Related Links

http://www.thinkbrg.com


OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cal/OSHA has cited three contractors $147,315 for safety violations after investigating the collapse of a temporary mold (formwork) and vertical shoring at an Oakland construction site that sent 13 workers to the hospital.

On May 26, workers at 3039 Broadway, a 435-unit mixed-use project, were pouring concrete into elevated formwork when the shoring system supporting the formwork collapsed. The workers fell some 20 feet along with freshly poured concrete, reinforcing steel, timber framework, and tools and equipment. One worker's injuries required surgery.

"Significant safety lapses caused injuries that could have been much worse if the workers hadn't landed in freshly poured concrete," said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. "Employers must identify, evaluate and correct unsafe working conditions and follow all requirements to prevent employee injuries and illnesses."

Cal/OSHA's investigation found that the formwork and vertical shoring system that collapsed were not properly designed, installed or inspected. Cal/OSHA issued serious and serious accident-related citations to subcontractors Largo Concrete, Inc. and N.M.N. Construction, Inc. for $73,365 and $70,320, respectively, for failure to ensure that the formwork and vertical shoring were designed to safely withstand all intended loads, failure to have calculations and drawings approved by a California registered civil engineer as required for vertical shoring over 14 feet tall, and failure to ensure the shoring supports were erected on a level and stable base. General citations were issued to general contractor Johnstone Moyer, Inc. for $3,630 in proposed penalties.

Cal/OSHA addresses safety requirements for concrete construction and vertical shoring in its Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry.

Cal/OSHA, officially known as the Department of Industrial Relations' (DIR's) Division of Occupational Safety and Health, helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their safety and health programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services. Cal/OSHA has also published a wealth of helpful guides for employers and workers.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers' Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Members of the press may contact Peter Melton or Lucas Brown at 510-286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR's press releases or other departmental updates.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR's Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR

https://twitter.com/CA_DIR

http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR

http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1





SOURCE Cal/OSHA
The team was inspired by their desire to find solutions to clean their local waterway of Jamaica Bay. Comprising an area almost equal to that of Manhattan, Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that consists of numerous islands, a labyrinth of waterways, meadowlands, and two freshwater ponds. This rich ecosystem provides vital habitat for hundreds of migratory bird species and is an integral part of the larger, regional ecosystem.

Canon hosted the Kingsborough team members in their Melville headquarters earlier this year, giving the students a tour of the showroom and a chance to learn about Canon BioMedical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., focused on biomedical research and healthcare by developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative technologies and solutions. Brian McNally, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Strategic Marketing & Communications with Canon BioMedical, discussed the latest genotyping solutions. "It was great being able to meet with these students who are engaging in a global community, harnessing the potential of synthetic biology to solve local issues," said McNally. "Their passion for their work was apparent."

During their visit, the students took notice of Canon's corporate philosophy of Kyosei, which translates to 'All people, regardless of culture, custom, language or ethnicity, living and working together for the common good.' This resonated with their goals of not only improving their local and global environment, but also engaging and educating the community about ecology and sustainability. "The Kyosei corporate philosophy was a gratifying surpriseIt's reassuring to see a company engaged in social responsibility on a global scale, and I'm thrilled that our goals align," said student Wendy Zhao.

"Kingsborough is the only community college to have ever earned a bronze medal in this competition," said Devin Cameneras, team mentor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. "Our result helps to challenge assumptions about what community college students are capable of and what they can achieve."

"We were excited to support this team in the iGEM competition, especially when we saw how their project aligned with Canon's focus on environmental initiatives," said Andrea Rai, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships in Canon Solutions America's Enterprise Managed Services Division (EMSD).

Strategic alliances have become the foundation of EMSD's engagements with higher education clients. To assist in this effort, the Higher Education Advisory Team (HEAT) was created to conduct primary research on industry trends and to focus on opportunities to create positive impacts on student experience, institutional strength, and the communities surrounding its customers.

About Kingsborough Community College

Founded in 1963 as part of the City University of New York (CUNY), Kingsborough Community College remains firmly committed to its mission of "providing both liberal arts and career education[and] to promoting student learning and development as well as strengthening and serving its diverse community."

Named one of the leading community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, Kingsborough has also earned national recognition for its creative and effective use of learning communities, for the large number of degrees it confers, for the high percentage of graduates who continue their studies, and for the innovative programs that draw thousands of non-traditional students to its campus every year. The college has articulation agreements with most City University and State University senior colleges, and transfer agreements with several private colleges in the region. More than 70% of Kingsborough graduates go on to pursue a baccalaureate degree.



About Canon Solutions America, Inc.

Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. With the technology offerings of the Canon and Oce brands, Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs through high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, N.Y. and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com.

About iGEM

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration. This is done through the fostering of an open, cooperative community and friendly competition.

iGEM's main program is the iGEM Competition. The iGEM competition gives students the opportunity to push the boundaries of Synthetic Biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world. Made up of primarily university level students, multidisciplinary teams work together to design, build, test, and measure a system of their own design using interchangeable biological parts and standard molecular biology techniques. Every year nearly 6,000 people dedicate themselves to iGEM, and then come together in the fall to present their work and compete at the annual Jamboree. In 2017 iGEM introduced the After iGEM program. After iGEM supports our 30,000+ member community and international network of academics and industry professionals beyond the competition. After iGEM provides engagement opportunities within iGEM, in synthetic biology, and in the global community. For more information, visit igem.org.

Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. Oce is a registered trademark of Oce-Technologies B.V. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.



 2017 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Canon Solutions America, Inc. Website: Editorial Contact: http://csa.canon.com Conor Febos For sales info/customer support: 631-330-4109 1-844-443-INFO (4636) [email protected]

SOURCE Canon Solutions America, Inc.

Related Links

https://csa.canon.com


After reviewing the current literature, Sunnybrook decided that monitoring with capnography resulted in safer patient care. Capnography monitoring provides an early indicator of patient deterioration, which can be crucial in averting adverse events and patient deaths. Capnography monitoring, says Ms. McArthur, is monitoring in "real time. With pulse oximetry, there is a delay, which could be up to a minute in healthy patients. So, that's a significant sort of time that is delayed that reaction could happen."

"Having the monitor can let you know the patient's status sooner," explains Ms. McArthur, "for example, if they're getting into respiratory problems, the nurses can intervene much quicker." As a result, since implementing capnography monitoring, Ms. McArthur says that she is "not aware of any patients receiving reversal or any escalation of care with a rapid response team."

To read a transcript of the interview with Ms. McArthur, please click here.

The podcast may be viewed on the PPAHS YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety

Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to promote safer clinical practices and standards for patients through collaboration among healthcare experts, professionals, scientific researchers, and others, to improve healthcare delivery. For more information, please go to www.ppahs.org.

SOURCE Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety

Related Links

http://www.ppahs.org


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Carbone Smolan Agency (CSA), the premier branding and design agency in the law firm space, recently unveiled the new corporate identity for Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP (Kramer Levin). The new identity was announced as part of a firmwide initiative that included reimagining the firm's brand strategy, communications design, and digital presence.

Kramer Levin exterior signage.

The new "KL Mark" is the foundation for Kramer Levin's new logo and visual system, which incorporates the initials of the firm's common name. This marks a noteworthy shift for branding in the legal and professional services industry, given that other logos in the field typically consist of pure wordmarks -- partner names set in a typeface. While symbols are infrequently used in the space, recent research suggests that symbols have been shown to create greater emotional commitment to the brand by both customers and employees.

Design for the identity, anchored in the strategy work by consultant Clarity Group, reflects Kramer Levin's core brand characteristics of "proactive," "creative," and "pragmatic." The accompanying rich visual system supports the dynamic mark in a way that creates distinct and ownable brand experiences for Kramer Levin across environmental, digital, and communications applications. The new brand is made even more distinctive with a color palette unusual for the legal space and an expressive, full-color portrait style for attorney headshots.

Paul Pierson, Managing Partner at CSA, comments: "By addressing the corporate identity head on and looking outside of category for opportunities to push the brand, CSA has helped Kramer Levin embrace the opportunities that a distinct visual brand can offer -- something long known and leveraged by top professional services companies and consumer brands."

The identity launch comes as part of an unprecedented comprehensive brand overhaul, which included a full redesign of their website and digital presence. The new corporate website, developed in partnership with technology specialist Rubenstein Technology Group, adopts a user-centric approach to content, featuring simplified navigation and information architecture, a modernized search function, responsive design that scales across devices, and a series of browsing tools and tabs that create more "snackable" content.

Jennifer Manton, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, at Kramer Levin comments: "It was important that we addressed the full brand ecosystem as part of a singular initiative. Kramer Levin has evolved as a firm dramatically since its founding over 50 years ago, and it was critical that our brand reflected who we are today across all media, and especially on the website. The brand is a central function of the digital experience, so we started there."

Kramer Levin, with its brand transformation, has ushered in a new era for the firm and set the bar for the legal industry at large.

About CSA

Carbone Smolan Agency (CSA) is the premier branding and design agency in the law firm space. For over 15 years, CSA has set the pace for digital marketing and branding by bringing innovative user experiences, deep brand strategy, and world-class design to the top law firms in the world such as Latham & Watkins, Cravath, White & Case, and Sullivan & Cromwell. In addition, during the agency's more than 40 years in business CSA has built an international reputation creating outstanding brand programs for top-tier clients, including The Louvre, Boston Consulting Group, Tapestry, Credit Suisse, MoMA, Dale Carnegie, and W Hotels.

www.carbonesmolan.com

About Kramer Levin

Kramer Levin provides its clients proactive, creative and pragmatic solutions that address today's most challenging legal issues. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Silicon Valley and Paris and fosters a strong culture of involvement in public and community service. For more information, visit www.kramerlevin.com.

Contact:

Dave Weinberger

212-807-0011

[email protected]

SOURCE Carbone Smolan Agency

Related Links

https://www.carbonesmolan.com


CHICAGO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the 30th year of the Free Rides program, MillerCoors is once again helping consumers enjoy New Year's Eve in Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN; and Phoenix. Since its inception, the Free Rides program has provided more than 5.5 million people with free, alternative transportation options, across 26 communities.

Miller Lite Coors Light logo. (PRNewsFoto/MillerCoors)

"As a company, MillerCoors is proud of the awareness it's built through the Free Rides Program in asking consumers to enjoy the holidays responsibly for 30 years," said Diane Wagner, alcohol responsibility manager for MillerCoors. "Not only is MillerCoors encouraging consumers to plan ahead, but it is also providing free and discounted options for a safe ride home."

Through continued partnerships with local transit companies and distributors, the Free Rides program provides residents and visitors with safe and free transportation alternatives during the holidays and local events. The program has earned the support of state and local law enforcement agencies in the markets where Free Rides are offered. In addition to Free Rides on public transportation, MillerCoors has partnered with Uber since 2015 to offer consumers discounted rides in more than 100 markets.

"MillerCoors Free Rides program has been an integral part in the fight against drunk driving in cities across the country," said Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. "Its investment in impaired driving prevention helps thousands of people enjoy New Year's Eve safely and responsibly."

MillerCoors aims to implement impactful programs to prevent drunk driving in every market where beer is sold as part of the 2025 Global Goals MillerCoors developed in partnership with Molson Coors. Designated driver and safe ride programs like New Year's Eve Free Rides are critical components of meeting these goals.

For more information, visit MillerLiteFreeRides.com or CoorsLightFreeRides.com.

About MillerCoors

Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders, steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company brew national favorites such as Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Coors Light and Coors Banquet. MillerCoors also proudly offers beers such as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company, founded in 1995. Beyond beer, MillerCoors operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using fresh-pressed American juice, and offers pioneering brands such as the Redd's franchise, Smith & Forge Hard Cider and Henry's Hard Sodas. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, is the home to craft brewers Hop Valley Brewing, Revolver Brewing, Saint Archer Brewing Company and the Terrapin Beer Company. Tenth and Blake also imports world-renowned beers such as Italy's Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the Czech Republic's Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands' Grolsch. MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company, has an uncompromising dedication to quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter at @MillerCoors.

SOURCE MillerCoors
Chengdu IFS and Paris Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee signed their international parthership agreement in May to advance in-depth exchange in art, culture, commerce and joint tourism promotion. As a prelude to a new phase of cooperation in 2018, OPERATION PANDA echoed Chengdu's ongoing "Romantic Rive Gauche, French Christmas". Through this partnership, the people of these two cities are experiencing a special Christmas with unique features, as well as facilitating the delivery and exchange of fine arts and culture.

Operation Panda Program:

* From December 1st 2017 to January 7th 2018, sales of Panda plush toys will be organized at the Saint-Germain des Pres Christmas market. 100% of the profits will be donated to the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in central Paris.

* On 13th December, French artist Richard Orlinski unveiled an artwork specially created for Operation Panda, symbolizing the friendship and values at the core of this new international partnership. The art work will then embark on a journey: from December 13th 2017 to January 7th 2018, it will be exhibited at the Christmas market; from January to May 2018, it will be exhibited at ZooParc de Beauval; and in June 2018, the art work will take part in the 2018 Parcours Saint-Germain, before being donated to the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital.

* Jinjiang District, Chengdu and Paris Saint-Germain-des-Pres: Two Rive Gauches Bridged by Culture and Art

With a population of 16 million, Chengdu boasts rich investment opportunities and an ideal development environment, making this vibrant city a key global trade hub. As Chengdu's core district, Jinjiang is a prosperous business area with a long history and serves as the bellwether of Chengdu's expansion and development.

"Chengdu is the new fashion, cultural and economic capital of China: it is surprisingly attractive. Its relaxed and elegant lifestyle is very close to the Rive Gauche spirit of Paris. This collaboration will allow us to better value the rich cultures of our two peoples. Their 1,000-years-long stories, delicate balance between fashion and lifestyle, and the parallel history of Jinjiang and Saint Germain deserve to be celebrated, and I truly rejoice in this new friendship," said Monique Mouroux, General Secretary of the Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee.

"As a popular destination and Western China's leading urban complex, Chengdu IFS is spearheading the promotion of international fashion and arts - so it was natural for us to partner with the Saint Germain Committee and the 6th District Government of Paris to implement our international cooperation. We hope these cultural events will allow the French people to discover a city which is not known well enough, yet has exceptional cultural and economic attractiveness," added Christina Hau, General Manager of Operations, Wharf China Estates Limited.

These events are the first step and will lay a solid foundation for the two cities' long-term partnership. In 2018, the two sides will promote exchange and cooperation by forging an artistic bond, with plans to launch a series of themed events entitled "City Hallmarks 2018: Art Invigorating Two Cities". Artists from Sichuan province will participate in the Parcours Art Festival at Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and in turn Chengdu IFS will embrace the concept and spirit of Parcours by creating the Chengdu Parcours Art Festival. In addition, Chengdu IFS and the China edition of T Magazine by New York Times co-host the second edition of the International Style Conference, an event featuring in-depth, international dialogue. Both events are designed to promote a common space for art exchange between Chengdu and Paris's Saint Germain des Pres, deepening the mutual understanding of residents of these two great cities.

About Chengdu IFS

As the first of five IFS projects in which Wharf (Holdings), Chengdu International Finance Square (Chengdu IFS) has became the most sophisticated cosmopolitan city complex in Western China. The project is located in the central business district of Hongxing Road, a prime location in Chengdu, where the city's two most prosperous main roads (Hongxing Road and Dacisi Road) intersect. It is an urban complex with a total construction area of over 760,000 square-meters, including a 210,000 square-meter flagship shopping center, a 291,000 square-meter Grade A office building, the Niccolo with 230 guest rooms, and the IFS Residences - upscale serviced residences covering 76,000 square-meters. Chengdu IFS, due to its global leading architectural design, won the VIVA Design & Development award presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in 2016, thus ranking Chengdu IFS as one of the first Chinese commercial real estate projects with a top global honor.

The Chengdu IFS flagship shopping centre contains over 600 brands, more than 100 of which are appearing in Chengdu or Southwest China for the first time. As the most upscale and international one-stop shopping center in Western China, Chengdu IFS gathers numerous international top fashion brands, jewelry & watch shops, fashion and garment brands, children's clothing and supplies, a Lane Crawford Department Store, the Ice & Joy skating rink, the UA IMAX movie theater, and moreover, features numerous restaurants and a Global Food Court, offering consumers an international and diversified experience without needing to leave the city. Chengdu IFS will always adhere to the Innovative - Fabulous - Sharing concept, and continue to inject new vigor into the city.

About Paris Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee

The Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee is an association of traders and local residents which aims to maintain the cultural traditions and prestige of the region. It has hosted many events and initiatives, including Christmas lighting decorations; Christmas markets; contemporary artistic trail - Le Parcours Saint-Germain;the Saint-Germain-des-Pres Jazz Festival; charity organization Red Cross - Children's Voice; blood donation drives, a charity sale of panda plush toys  Operation Panda  at Necker Hospital; and the One Book, One Coffee literature festival, which includes two awards, Le Prix de Flore and Le Prix des Deux-Magots. It has also held food festivals including Saint-Germain Gourmand. The Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee has partnerships with international counterparts including Soho in New York and Chengdu International Finance Square.

The committee will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2018.

For more information about Chengdu IFS, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]

Official WeChat: Service Account: ChengduIFS Subscription Account: cdifsmall

Official Weibo: @Chengdu IFS

Official website: www.cdifs.cn

SOURCE Chengdu IFS

Related Links

http://www.cdifs.cn


Wuxia movies are among China's most famous cultural icons besides kung fu, which refers to Chinese martial arts in the real world. Wuxia movies look so impressive and so real to foreign audience that some of them even confuse the fictional world with the real one, believing all Chinese are adept at kung fu.

Here is good news for the overseas fans of wuxia movies. One of China's most influential wuxia writers, Louis Cha, also known by his pen name Jin Yong, will see his epic novel "The Legends of the Condor Heroes" translated into English and published in Europe and the United States next year. The story is a part of his Condor trilogy, regarded as China's answer to "The Lord of the Rings".

Guo Jing is the main character of the story. In his early life, he travelled around to learn various martial arts with the aim to get revenge on the enemy who killed his father. Yet, after being involved in various adventures, he learned that a true hero has to serve the nation and the people, and not focus on himself.

The story is set against a real historical background, although most of its plots are fictional. There are nearly 100 characters specializing in different martial arts and using them to pursue different goals, some for romance, some for wealth, some for power, and some for the good of the nation and the people. The novel enjoys a high reputation for its creativity, breadth and depth.

Yet, despite the popularity in Chinese-speaking regions, these novels are known only to a small group of foreign readers due to the language barrier.

The U.S.-based Quartz website recently listed some of the terms difficult to translate in the novels. For example, the term "jianghu" literally means "rivers and lakes," but in wuxia novels, it means people who live in a world parallel to conventional society, one that operates by its own laws and code of ethics.

The term "jianghu" is frequently used in wuxia stories as a core concept. Besides this term, there are many other fascinating, sometimes even bewildering names for martial arts styles. They combine to make the translation of the novels a daunting task.

In the eyes of foreigners, wuxia stories are impressive and fascinating, probably because of the wonderful Chinese kung fu scenes and an air of mystery. In fact, there are some differences between the Chinese heroes and Western superheroes in this regard  the former's excellent capabilities and skills are not the result of nature, but rather of nurture persistently cultivated under given social circumstances. Therefore, the Chinese heroes convey a uniquely extraordinary free style and easy manner.

Wuxia literally means martial heroes. As a phrase in Chinese, it contains two parts of meaning, in which "wu" literally means martial or armed and "xia" refers to a virtuous and chivalrous hero. Joined together, it conveys the idea that a martial hero should be excellent in both martial skills and moral character, with a high sense of loyalty, honesty and integrity. The philosophic elements constitute an important part of the Chinese martial arts culture and have become a spiritual ethos for both ancient Chinese martial heroes and contemporary kung fu practitioners to follow and advocate. And this is considered far more important than martial skills.

To go back on topic: Obviously, not every Chinese can be a kung fu master. However, every Chinese has high regard for the codes of conduct embodied in the wuxia culture, such as punishing evildoers and encouraging people to do good, and being honest, faithful and kindhearted. With the Chinese wuxia literature landing in the European and American markets, the colorful world of Chinese martial heroes is expected to be understood and recognized by people all over the world.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

Chinese wuxia novel to go West

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2017-12/14/content_50103352.htm

About China.org.cn

Founded in 2000, China Internet Information Center (China.org.cn/China.com.cn) is a key state news website under the auspices of the State Council Information Office, and is managed by China International Publishing Group. We provide round-the-clock news service in ten languages. With users from more than 200 countries and regions, we have become China's leading multi-lingual news outlet introducing the country to the outside world.

We are one of the country's authoritative outlets for government press releases and are authorized to cover various major events. "Live Webcast" is our online webcasting service to present State Council Information Office press conferences in both Chinese and English languages. We are reputed for timely and accurate delivery of news and information, and wide interactions with audiences. In addition, we are authorized to publish and live broadcast major events and press conferences of ministries, local government agencies and institutions as well as enterprises.



In the era of mobile internet, we endeavor to create an array of products for mobile devices headed by the multilingual WAP platform and the mobile APP. We also use Chinese and international social media to publish information for different user groups.

In the future, CIIC will continue to offer authoritative information about China, tell China's stories, voice China's opinions, and introduce a vivid, panoramic and multicultural China to the world through multi-language, multi-media and multi-platforms.



SOURCE China.org.cn
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Clifford Beaumont have highlighted that with Bitcoins recent surge demonstrating the most impressive rally this week, consolidating above the $17,000 level, some investors and analysts are concerned about a potential "bubble-like" valuation.

Yao Jiang Head of Research for Asia-Pacific at Clifford Beaumont said: "Bitcoin is definitely an impressive phenomenon. Everyone is talking about it this year, many of them saying it is a bubble. I cannot have a specific position, but I'm afraid Bitcoin is different from old economic concepts."

Since the beginning of this year, Clifford Beaumont's research and analysis department has said that Bitcoin quotation has increased by 17 times, which is an astronomical performance even compared to the most volatile stocks out there. In January 2017, investors could buy one Bitcoin for around $1,000, while last week, the price crossed $18,000, setting a record peak.

Patrick Morris, Head of Corporate Trading at Clifford Beaumont, showed a moderate position: "I don't know where it will end, but as much as you and I are talking, it's going to be the biggest bubble and it will collapse. I'm sure it will collapse, but will it happen in the next month or two or three, who knows?"

"In the end, I think the position of regulators from advanced economies like the US and the EU will be decisive for Bitcoin's fate," he added.

Bitcoin price received much support on the news that Chicago-based CME Group Inc, the largest futures market operator, is ready to launch Bitcoin futures.

However, Bitcoin futures contracts have already debuted on Cboe Global Market Inc.'s exchange. Some investors expect that once Bitcoin gets into these big marketplaces, its volatility will slow down.

About: Clifford Beaumont is an independently owned provider of financial planning services and comprehensive wealth solutions.

SOURCE Clifford Beaumont
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CollegeVine, a national online provider of student mentoring and college admissions guidance for high schoolers and their families, announced today the expansion of its pro bono program in partnership with Jefferson Dollars for Scholars for Jefferson Parish Public School students attending Haynes Academy, Patrick Taylor Science & Technology, and Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson County Louisiana, offering one-on-one near peer mentorship and college admissions advising to select high school students.

"Even during our founding days when we were working out of our dorm rooms, we always thought it was important to work with students who didn't have the financial means to use a college advisor," said Johan Zhang, co-founder and head of marketing, CollegeVine. "We believe that access to quality guidance should be a basic right for all students in this country. We're excited to take the next step in recognizing that vision."

Through the pilot program, Jefferson Parish Public School seniors will work directly with CollegeVine mentors who have recently navigated the admissions process firsthand, representing more than 20 different majors and diverse backgrounds. By leveraging the myCollegeVine technology platform, mentors work with students to complete the college application process from beginning to end, including creating a school list, crafting college essays, and comparing options when college offers are made.

"CollegeVine has been such a help through my college application process. As a first generation applicant, I had no idea what I was getting myself into," said Jefferson Parish Public School senior, Kennedy Andarae. "Luckily my advisor has helped me through each step with such patience and kindness."

"We're on a mission to level the college admissions playing field for families of all socioeconomic backgrounds and we're happy to expand our momentum with Jefferson Parish Public School," said Zack Perkins, co-founder and business development lead, CollegeVine. "Helping students whose families do not have the means to use a college advisor or other guidance services is at the core of who we are."

In addition to its pilot program with high schools, CollegeVine recently announced the fifth iteration of its CollegeVine Pro Bono Scholarship , which aims to provide its college admissions guidance services to individual ambitious students who, due to one circumstance or another, might not have access to expert admissions counseling. In past years the program has helped students gain acceptance and scholarships to colleges such as Harvard, Princeton, Caltech, and more.

About CollegeVine

CollegeVine is a leading provider of one-on- one mentorship, academic and test prep tutoring, and college applications guidance. The company features an expansive network of near-peer advisors at the nation's top universitiestheir experience representing more than 20 different majors, substantial extracurricular activities and far-ranging success. For more information, visit www.collegevine.com.

SOURCE CollegeVine

Related Links

http://www.collegevine.com


FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MEDHOST, a provider of innovative healthcare solutions is pleased to announce that Mt. San Rafael, a critical access rural hospital in Trinidad, Colorado has met the requirements to successfully attest for Meaningful Use Stage 3 objectives in 2017. The facility is expected to be one of the first in the country to attest for Stage 3 when The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) starts accepting attestations in January 2018.*

Mt. San Rafael is expected to be one of the first in the country to attest for Stage 3 when attestations begin

Mt. San Rafael utilizes MEDHOST's suite of 2015 Edition Meaningful Use certified products,1 which includes MEDHOST Clinicals, MEDHOST Financials, Business Intelligence Solution, Patient Portal, and YourCareEverywhere Consumer Engagement Solution.

Meaningful Use Stage 3 was always optional in 2017 and was scheduled to become required for hospitals starting in 2018. In September, CMS delayed the required start until January 2019. Despite the opportunity to delay Stage 3 implementation, Mount San Rafael stayed committed to meeting Stage 3 objectives in 2017 providing encouragement to other hospitals who are just starting to implement the new technology and workflows.

"The state of the digital transformation of Mt. San Rafael Hospital over the past few years has been truly humbling and amazing, Mt. San Rafael has worked hard to be ready to attest in January 2018 for Meaningful Use Stage 3, and I am very proud of our continued commitment to meeting regulatory requirements early," said Michael Archuleta, Director of Information Technology Services and HIPAA & Information Security Officer at Mt. San Rafael Hospital. "Meeting Meaningful Use is challenging and takes overwhelming commitment from the entire organization. Workflow redesign, clinical documentation improvement, and training are just the beginning, and using the system in a meaningful way throughout the organization is the key to success in providing exceptional quality and safety of patient care. Commitment from the Mt. San Rafael Board of Directors and Administration combined with the strong collaboration with physicians, nurses, clinical staff, Information Technology Services, and our business partnership with MEDHOST have made Mt. San Rafael Hospital a leader in utilizing technology to improve care in our community. We are very proud to have met all Meaningful Stage 3 requirements that are necessary for attestation."

"Earlier this year, MEDHOST was one of the first to certify their products for 2015 Edition for use with Meaningful Use Stage 3. MEDHOST customers have always been dedicated to meeting the requirements for Meaningful Use," said Steve Starkey, Executive Vice President Product at MEDHOST. "Their willingness to be early adopters and put the appropriate time into these initiatives is a key to their success. MEDHOST is proud to have a partner like Mt. San Rafael who is showing hospitals throughout the country that Stage 3 is achievable."

About MEDHOST

MEDHOST is a provider of market-leading enterprise, departmental and healthcare engagement solutions to more than 1,000 healthcare facilities. Our integrated product portfolio includes extensive inpatient and clinical solutions, as well as a robust health and wellness consumer engagement platform. Our broad offering of hosting, outsourcing, and marketing services are generating notable operational improvements and changing how facilities engage with their community. MEDHOST delivers value by enabling hospitals of all types and all sizes to better manage the business of healthcare across the care continuum while meeting evolving regulatory requirements.

About Mt. San Rafael

Mt. San Rafael Hospital is a 25-bed critical access facility serving the medical and surgical needs of Trinidad, Colorado, residents and the surrounding areas. Our vision is to be recognized as the healthcare provider of choice for Trinidad and the surrounding areas and as a model for rural healthcare and wellness in partnership with our communities.

1MEDHOST Enterprise 2017 R1, The Business Intelligence v5.2, MEDHOST EDIS 2017 R1 and YourCareUniverse V8.0 products are ONC 2015 Edition-compliant and have been certified by an ONC-ACB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For a complete review of the EHR certification and accompanying "Cost and Limitations" document, visit https://www.medhost.com/who-we-are/regulatory-compliance.html

*Dependent on successful attestation with CMS

The YourCareCommunity Health Portal and YourCareEverywhere are offerings of YourCareUniverse, Inc., a MEDHOST company.

Connect with MEDHOST on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Contact:

Samra Khan

MEDHOST, Inc.

615.761.2119

[email protected]

SOURCE MEDHOST

Related Links

http://www.medhost.com


DENVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BrokenHealthcare.org ("BrokenHealthcare"), a not-for-profit organization formed to use innovative strategies to force positive change in the U.S. healthcare system, announced today that a robust measure mandating healthcare price transparency has been submitted to Colorado's Legislative Council. This is the first step towards putting the measure on the November 2018 ballot, enabling the voters of Colorado to decide this issue for themselves. The measure is designed as a model for state legislation around the country. In Colorado, the ballot initiative's Proponents are BrokenHealthcare Founder, David Silverstein and businessman Andrew Graham. A parallel measure is being drafted by Representative Mike Foote for the Colorado State Legislature to consider. It is the hope of all involved that the legislature succeeds and the ballot initiative becomes unnecessary.

"There is no other marketplace where consumers have so little price information before purchasing a product or service," said Silverstein. "The U.S. spends more than any other nation on healthcare, and has the worst healthcare outcomes of any economically stable nation. That has to change. Price transparency is a critical first step towards fixing our broken system."

The bill requires hospitals and other healthcare facilities ("providers") to publish their "chargemasters," their full lists of non-discounted charges for supplies and services. They will also be compelled to indicate whether or not their charges can be negotiated. Both facilities and physicians will need to disclose which insurance plans they accept. And, under the law, insurance companies ("payers") will be required to show their members how hospital payments and patient reimbursement rates are calculated.

"This is not a bi-partisan initiative," said Silverstein, who is also CEO of Lean Methods Group, a strategic consulting firm. "Healthcare price transparency is a NON-PARTISAN issue. We are all healthcare consumers who deserve a strong, functional healthcare system. We look forward to helping Colorado lead the way on this critical national issue."

The complete draft measure can be found here. Silverstein will be holding "open house" office hours for anyone who would like to discuss the measure on December 19th 9a-2p and December 28th 9a-5p. Address is 555 17th Street -- Suite 400, Denver, CO. More information can be found at brokenhealthcare.org.

SOURCE BrokenHealthcare.org

Related Links

http://brokenhealthcare.org/


HASSELT, Belgium, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Complix, a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of transformative Cell Penetrating Alphabody (CPAB) based oncology therapeutics announces that it has been awarded a 0.5 million grant (approximately USD$0.6 million) from the Flanders government through the Flemish Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).

The grant will allow Complix to further develop its CPAB platform, which can generate CPABs based therapeutics with the unique ability to act on targets located inside the cytosol and the nucleus of human cancer cells. The grant will specifically focus on the development of CPABs addressing targets within the nucleus of cancer cells.

CPABs are a revolutionary class of small proteins that can enter tumor cells and selectively modulate intracellular protein-to-protein interactions, which play a key role in the initiation and progression of a broad range of cancers. CPABs act with great precision and high affinity on intracellular targets through combining the advantages of antibodies with the cell penetrating ability of small chemicals. This allows CPABs to act on targets that are considered "intractable" by current drug formats.

Complix has generated pre-clinical proof of concept data, which demonstrates that CPABs can penetrate cancer cells and act on targets within the cytosolic space to induce a therapeutic effect (induce apoptosis and death of the cancer cells). Recent studies have also demonstrated that it can design and create CPABs that can penetrate the nucleus of cancer cells.

As the control center of the cell, the nucleus contains multiple regulatory proteins which are essential to cancer growth and so represents a rich repository of important targets for Complix' CPABs.

"We are extremely pleased to have received this grant from the VLAIO, which will allow us to further develop our pipeline of novel CPABs addressing important intranuclear oncology targets. We are confident that by designing CPABs to modulate these targets we will be able to create a new class of therapeutics capable of delivering a significant improvement in cancer therapy," said Yvonne McGrath, CSO of Complix.

About Complix

Complix is a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of transformative Cell Penetrating Alphabody[TM] (CPAB) based therapeutics against a number of cutting-edge and challenging intracellular targets, that play an important role in oncology. Complix is able to design and generate CPABs that can address targets both in the cytosol and the nucleus of the cancer cell. CPABs act with great precision and high affinity on targets that are considered "intractable" by current drug formats, such as antibodies or small chemicals.

Complix has an ongoing strategic collaboration with Merck & Co to develop novel CPAB based therapeutics against two selected intracellular cancer targets. Under the terms of this collaboration, which was recently expanded, Complix is eligible to receive up to $280 million in upfront and development and regulatory milestones as well as tiered mid-single digit royalties on global sales revenues.

As a pioneer in intracellular targeting, Complix aims to develop a collection of first-in-class therapeutics with the potential to cure severe diseases with high unmet medical need.

Complix NV (Belgium) and its affiliate Complix SA (Luxembourg) have established a strong intellectual property position protecting the Alphabody platform and its emerging product portfolio through the filing of multiple broad patent applications. Since its foundation in 2008, Complix has raised more than 27 million through several rounds of venture financing.

Contacts:

Complix NV

Dr. Yvonne McGrath, CSO

+32-9-261-69-40



www.complix.com

SOURCE Complix
CALGARY, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Mr. Nadeem Velani, Canadian Pacific's (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, will address the CIBC 21st Annual Whistler Institutional Investor Conference on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 8:35 a.m. pacific time in Whistler, BC.

CP will provide access to a live audio webcast of Mr. Velani's remarks at investor.cpr.ca. A replay will also be available following the conclusion of the event.

About Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

Related Links

http://www.cpr.ca


LONDON, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The last time that profitability in the metallurgical coal industry was this high, the industry's majors were racing one another to spend billions of dollars to increase production capacity.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/536199/CRU_Logo.jpg )



Exporting companies have earned average margins of 42% in the last twelve months, according to CRU's Metallurgical Coal Cost Model. Today, however, they are largely reluctant to develop new projects. While this approach may be wise, high prices will create opportunities for junior project developers to increase the value of their portfolios and, potentially, bring new supply to the market.

Higher 'hurdle' rates for coal projects

An important consideration for those involved in the market is the extent to which supply will increase in response to higher price levels. The chart below shows our estimate that seaborne supply will increase by 15 Mt in 2017, therefore, we can say that the industry has responded thus far. However, in the six years following the previous spell of >40% margins, a cumulative 110 Mt of seaborne supply was added to the market and this contributed heavily to the sharp downturn in the market during the years 2012-2015.

Read the full story: http://bit.ly/Anti-coal-mining-cycle

Read more about CRU: http://bit.ly/About_CRU

About CRU

CRU offers unrivalled business intelligence on the global metals, mining and fertilizer industries through market analysis, price assessments, consultancy and events.

Since our foundation by Robert Perlman in 1969, we have consistently invested in primary research and robust methodologies, and developed expert teams in key locations worldwide, including in hard-to-reach markets such as China.

CRU employs over 260 experts and has more than 10 offices around the world, in Europe, the Americas, China, Asia and Australia - our office in Beijing opened in 2004.

When facing critical business decisions, you can rely on our first-hand knowledge to give you a complete view of a commodity market. And you can engage with our experts directly, for the full picture and a personalised response.

CRU - big enough to deliver a high quality service, small enough to care about all of our customers.

SOURCE CRU
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) today announced that its Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) business division is expanding its footprint with the opening of a new office facility in Tampa, Florida. The new location allows Cubic to further support the U.S. military with critical military Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) technology solutions ensuring safe and effective execution of their missions. Cubic's Tampa office will be under the leadership of Lawrence Hollister, executive director of Cubic Mission Solutions.

"We are pleased to announce the expansion of our presence in the Tampa, Florida region," said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. "Our ability to support customers in key locations, such as Tampa, further demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class service and effective C4ISR technologies to ensure our customers' mission success."

Cubic's Tampa office is primarily responsible for a number of key communications and intelligence programs across multiple combatant commands and subordinate units across the globe. For the Tampa region specifically, Cubic supports current and future C4ISR programs for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Central Command (CENTCOM), Transportation Command (TRANSSCOM) and Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The Tampa location also serves as an extension of Cubic's C4ISR Centers of Excellence and will be an addition to the company's proven and successful customer-centric facilities in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Cubic Mission Solutions specializes in integrating C4ISR technologies, products and solutions for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions.

About Cubic Corporation

Cubic is a market-leading, technology provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services to create intelligent travel solutions for transportation authorities and operators. Cubic Mission Solutions provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. Cubic Global Defense is a leading provider of live, virtual, constructive and game-based training solutions, special operations and intelligence for the U.S. and allied forces. For more information about Cubic, please visit the company's website at www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp.

SOURCE Cubic Corporation

Related Links

http://www.cubic.com


The Curisium platform uses cutting-edge blockchain and secure computation technologies to allow payers, providers, and life science companies to efficiently and securely engage in innovative, patient-centric value-based contracts. Nearly a third of the payments in the $3T US healthcare market are already tied to some form of innovative payment model; Curisium aims to transform healthcare by disrupting existing frameworks and enabling scalable value-based care contracting at the individual patient level.

"Payers, providers, and life science companies are increasingly entering into various forms of innovative contracts," said Peter Kim, co-founder and CEO of Curisium. "However, effective implementation today is hampered by costly logistics, lack of trust, and difficulty verifying patient-level outcomes."

"Curisium's platform, by enabling outcome verification at the patient level, while automating the payment side, has the potential to rapidly accelerate the breadth and depth of innovative contracting arrangements," said Bill Geary, co-founder and Partner at Flare Capital. "We're thrilled to be an investor partner with the Curisium founding team having successfully backed them before, and are impressed with their deep industry and technology insights and capabilities."

"There is no mechanism today to effectively define or share patient health states," added Milind Kamkolkar, Chief Data Officer at Sanofi. "With the Curisium platform, we now have a trusted version of health records that will get better over time, and the industry can finally start to discover, maintain and improve patient health."

Greg Papadopoulos, Venture Partner at NEA and former CTO of Sun Microsystems, noted "Healthcare data are siloed, and there is a reluctance to share due to fundamental distrust among its custodians. Curisium's platform tackles this logjam with unique cryptographic guarantees around its data access."

Both Kamkolkar and Papadopoulos have joined Curisium's inaugural Industry Advisory Board.

"Blockchain technology has tremendous potential and there is a huge opportunity to implement this application within the healthcare industry," stated Mohamad Makhzoumi, General Partner at NEA and Head of Healthcare Services. "We are thrilled to partner with the Curisium team as they pioneer blockchain for healthcare in a pragmatic, market-driven way, that addresses pain points across trust, security, and payment logistics."

To learn more about Curisium, please visit www.curisium.com.

About Curisium

Curisium is a healthcare technology and services company based in Manhattan Beach, CA that provides scalable innovative contracting solutions with its blockchain-based platform. Founded by seasoned healthcare technology executives, Curisium provides tailored solutions for payers, providers, and life science companies to enter into patient-centric, secure and efficient innovative contracting arrangements. For more information, please visit www.curisium.com.

About Flare Capital Partners

Flare Capital is a team of proven healthcare technology venture capital investors known for their strategic industry resources, insight and total commitment to the success of its entrepreneurs. Flare Capital raised one of the healthcare industry's largest dedicated venture capital funds focused exclusively on early stage and emerging growth investments in healthcare technology innovation and is privileged to closely partner with founders and management. Investments include Aetion, Bright Health, Circulation, ClearDATA, Curisium, Evolent Health, HealthReveal, HealthVerity, Iora Health, VisitPay and Welltok. Learn more at www.flarecapital.com.

About NEA

New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a global venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs build transformational businesses across multiple stages, sectors and geographies. With more than $20 billion in cumulative committed capital since the firm's founding in 1977, NEA invests in technology and healthcare companies at all stages in a company's lifecycle, from seed stage through IPO. The firm's long track record of successful investing includes more than 210 portfolio company IPOs and more than 360 acquisitions. For additional information, visit www.nea.com .

About Shuttle Fund

Shuttle is a global investment fund focused on disruptive blockchain-based technologies. Decentralized blockchain technologies are redefining the way people and business interact, and Shuttle has a successful track record of investing into and advising fundamentally disruptive blockchain-based platforms across multiple domains. For more information, visit www.shuttlefund.com.

About Sanofi Ventures

Sanofi Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Sanofi. Sanofi Ventures invests in early-stage biotech and digital health companies with innovative ideas and transformative new products and technologies that are of strategic interest to Sanofi. Among these areas are rare diseases, vaccines, potential cures in other core areas of Sanofi's business footprint, and digital health solutions. For more information, visit www.sanofiventures.com.

About Green Bay Ventures

Green Bay Ventures (GBV) is a San Francisco based venture capital firm investing at the intersection of technology and large markets including manufacturing, energy, transportation, logistics, real estate and telecommunications. GBV focuses on a small number of high conviction opportunities and works side-by-side with a select group of visionary entrepreneurs to create breakthrough technologies and transform industries. For more information, visit www.greenbayventures.com.

SOURCE Curisium

Related Links

http://www.curisium.com


BOSTON and SANTIAGO, Chile, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With an average height of 13 feet and weight of nearly 14 tons, the moai of Rapa Nui on Easter Island are among the most remarkable achievements in the world. Carved by, and in honor of, the ancestors and leaders of the Rapa Nui people (the native Polynesian inhabitants of Easter Island) the moai have stood on the island for more than 800 years and have endured the ravages of both natural and manmade threats. Today, the almost 900 moai  and the giant stone platforms, called ahu, that many of them stand on  have been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Beginning this month, the moai of Rapa Nui will be digitally preserved and protected through a collaboration by CyArk, a nonprofit organization that digitally records, archives and helps preserve world heritage sites, and Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), the global leader in storage and information management services. With this collaboration  the first in South America  these monuments to the heritage and culture of the Rapa Nui will live on digitally, archived and available for generations to come as part of CyArk and Iron Mountain's ongoing commitment to preserving world heritage sites.

This week, a team CyArk will travel to Easter Island to begin the digital capture process to scan the moai, ahu and other endangered archeological sites on the island using 3-D laser and photogrammetry. Those scans, once captured, will be then be rendered by CyArk's technology team into 3-D imagery that enables the preservation teams at Rapa Nui to better protect and preserve these treasures while also making them virtually accessible to people around the world. Copies of those scans will also preserved on data backup tapes and stored in Iron Mountain's highly secure underground storage location in Pennsylvania.

"The moai of Rapa Nui are among some of the most remarkable and dramatic monuments in the world, evoking awe and wonder," said John Ristevksi, CEO, CyArk. "They stand as incredible testaments to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the Rapa Nui people, who managed to carve, transport and erect these massive statues without the benefit of modern technology. Yet, while they have endured since the 12th century, much like other heritage sites they find themselves endangered by the forces of nature and time. With the completion of this project, we will have a record of these monuments for generations to come, no matter what the future holds."

Iron Mountain is the sole corporate sponsor of the project through its Living Legacy Initiative, which provides funding and in-kind data storage and protection services to preservation organizations like CyArk. Since 2012, Iron Mountain has supported CyArk's mission to preserve 500 world heritage sites in five years. To date, CyArk has digitally preserved more than 200 sites on all seven continents, including recent projects in Canada (Toronto's Fort York, 2017) Taiwan (Lukang Longshan Temple, 2016) and Berlin (Brandenburg Gate, 2015), among others.

"Our support of CyArk and projects like Rapa Nui are the expression of Iron Mountain's philanthropic focus on, and commitment to, preserving our shared cultural heritage," said Ary Acuna, country manager for Iron Mountain Chile. "Every day, all over the world, we serve as the trusted guardian for our customers' most precious assets, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our Living Legacy Initiative enables Iron Mountain to extend that trust into the communities where we live and work all over the globe, helping to ensure that our shared heritage remains preserved and protected for generations to come."

About CyArk

CyArk is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 to digitally record, archive and share the world's cultural heritage and ensure that these places continue to inspire wonder and curiosity for decades to come. Since inception we have recorded over 200 monuments on all seven continents. We assist those who work to manage and preserve these sites by providing engineering drawings and detailed maps to assist in critical conservation work and active management. We archive the data using state of the art processes to ensure that this data continues to be available in a disaster recovery scenario, tomorrow or decades in the future. And we strive to share this data in powerful ways, including truly immersive experiences that convey the power of these places, transporting users that may never have a chance to experience them and inspiring others to make the journey.

About Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is the global leader in storage and information management services. Trusted by more than 230,000 organizations around the world, Iron Mountain's real estate network comprises more than 85 million square feet across more than 1,400 facilities in 53 countries dedicated to protecting and preserving what matters most for its customers. Iron Mountain's solutions portfolio includes records management, data management, document management, data centers, art storage and logistics, and secure shredding, helping organizations to lower storage costs, comply with regulations, recover from disaster, and better use their information. Founded in 1951, Iron Mountain stores and protects billions of information assets, including critical business documents, electronic information, medical data and cultural and historical artifacts. Visit www.ironmountain.com for more information.

For more information:

Elizabeth Lee Christian T. Potts CyArk Iron Mountain Incorporated 408-373-7842 617-535-8721 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Iron Mountain Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.ironmountain.com


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of its annual investor and analyst meeting to be held in New York City, Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) (the "Company") initiated its 2018 outlook. The Company anticipates that 2018 diluted net earnings per share will be in the range of $3.50 to $3.60.

2018 non-GAAP adjusted diluted net earnings per share is anticipated to be in the range of $4.25 to $4.35, which assumes non-GAAP core revenue growth between 3.5% and 4%.

Thomas P. Joyce, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our 2017 performance, delivering core growth acceleration, solid operating margin expansion, and double-digit earnings growth. Our most recent larger acquisitions  Cepheid, Pall and Nobel  continue to perform well and have improved meaningfully as part of Danaher. In addition, this year's strong cash flow performance positions us well for future capital deployment."

Joyce continued, "Looking ahead, we remain focused on building a better, stronger Danaher and see significant growth and margin opportunities across our portfolio. With the Danaher Business System as our foundation, we believe that our balanced approach to creating long-term shareholder value will enable us to outperform in 2018 and beyond."

Danaher will host a live video webcast of its investor and analyst meeting today, December 14, 2017, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET and concluding at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET. The video webcast will be available on the Investors section of Danaher's website, www.danaher.com, under the heading "Events & Presentations." A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

ABOUT DANAHER

Danaher is a global science and technology innovator committed to helping its customers solve complex challenges and improving quality of life around the world. Its family of world class brands has leadership positions in some of the most demanding and attractive industries, including health care, environmental and industrial. With more than 20 operating companies, Danaher's globally diverse team of over 62,000 associates is united by a common culture and operating system, the Danaher Business System. For more information, please visit www.danaher.com.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this earnings release also contains non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in the supplemental reconciliation schedule attached.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical, including the statements regarding the Company's anticipated 2017 financial performance, forecasted 2018 financial performance, positioning for future capital deployment, future growth and margin opportunities, outperformance in 2018 and beyond and any other statements regarding events or developments that we believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, deterioration of or instability in the economy, the markets we serve and the financial markets, contractions or growth rates and cyclicality of markets we serve, competition, our ability to develop and successfully market new products and technologies and expand into new markets, the potential for improper conduct by our employees, agents or business partners, our compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including regulations relating to medical devices and the health care industry), our ability to effectively address cost reductions and other changes in the health care industry, our ability to successfully identify, consummate and integrate appropriate acquisitions and successfully complete divestitures and other dispositions, our ability to integrate the recent acquisitions of Pall Corporation and Cepheid and achieve the anticipated benefits of such transactions, contingent liabilities relating to acquisitions and divestitures (including tax-related and other contingent liabilities relating to the distributions of each of Fortive Corporation and our communications business), security breaches or other disruptions of our information technology systems or violations of data privacy laws, the impact of our restructuring activities on our ability to grow, risks relating to potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, currency exchange rates, tax audits and changes in our tax rate and income tax liabilities, changes in tax laws applicable to multinational companies, litigation and other contingent liabilities including intellectual property and environmental, health and safety matters, the rights of the United States government to use, disclose and license certain intellectual property we license if we fail to commercialize it, risks relating to product, service or software defects, product liability and recalls, risks relating to product manufacturing, the impact of our debt obligations on our operations and liquidity, our relationships with and the performance of our channel partners, uncertainties relating to collaboration arrangements with third parties, commodity costs and surcharges, our ability to adjust purchases and manufacturing capacity to reflect market conditions, reliance on sole sources of supply, the impact of deregulation on demand for our products and services, labor matters, international economic, political, legal, compliance and business factors (including the impact of the UK's decision to leave the EU), disruptions relating to man-made and natural disasters, and pension plan costs. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in our SEC filings, including our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2017. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and except to the extent required by applicable law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

Danaher Corporation Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted Forecasted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations









Year Ending December 31, 2018









Low End of Guidance Range

High End of Guidance

Range

Forecasted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations

(GAAP) 1



$ 3.50

$ 3.60



Pretax amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets



0.95 A 0.95 A

Tax effect of all adjustments reflected above



(0.20) B (0.20) B Forecasted Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations (Non-GAAP) 1



$ 4.25

$ 4.35

















1 The forward-looking estimates set forth above do not reflect future gains and charges that are inherently difficult to predict and estimate due to their unknown timing, effect and/or significance, such as certain future gains or losses on the sale of investments, acquisition or divestiture-related gains or charges and discrete tax items.







A Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets as quantified below ($ in millions) (only the pretax amounts set forth below are reflected in the amortization line item above):







Year Ending































December 31,

2018 E





























Pretax $ 671





























After-tax 530





























































B This line item reflects the aggregate tax effect of all nontax adjustments reflected in the table above. In addition, the footnote above indicates the after-tax amount of each individual adjustment item. Danaher estimates the tax effect of the adjustment items identified in the reconciliation schedule above by applying Danaher's overall estimated effective tax rate to the pretax amount, unless the nature of the item and/or the tax jurisdiction in which the item has been recorded requires application of a specific tax rate or tax treatment, in which case the tax effect of such item is estimated by applying such specific tax rate or tax treatment.

SOURCE Danaher Corporation

Related Links

http://www.danaher.com


The Inglewood Community Art Contest will be open to Los Angeles area high school students between grades 9 through 12. Students are highly encouraged to explore their creativity in their submission. The winner of the contest will receive a cash prize of $200 as well as art supply sets and a trophy to commemorate their achievement. The event will be held in the heart of Inglewood, California at Inglewood Library. Submissions are currently being accepted with the deadline to enter being January 15 th , 2018.

As with all DBLTV events, this is a community-based occasion with all members of the community encouraged to attend and lend support to both students and parents alike. In addition to the award ceremony DBLTV will be introducing a new coloring book by Jay'ton Davis titled Colored Only.

DBLTV is proud to be a beacon in the community and promises to continue delivering guidance to the youth. DBLTV is slated to release Mr. President Marks highly anticipated financial literacy guide, Gain the American Dream, as well as Family Values by Ju'Mond Norman.

Mr. President Marks

DBL Tycoon Vision

(310) 908-1512

[email protected]

SOURCE DBLTV

Related Links

http://dbltv.tv


DALLAS, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A press release and video were issued today by an organization called Animal Recovery Mission ("ARM") falsely stating that Dean Foods Company owns or controls McArthur Farms, a Florida dairy farm. We want to make it clear that Dean Foods does not own or control any dairy farms. We proudly own the McArthur Dairy brand and dairy processing plant located in Miami. We purchased the farm's processing plant in 1980 and kept the name and logo for our local milk brand, which is likely contributing to any confusion. Dean Foods has no ownership interest and is in no way involved in the management of McArthur Farms.

Any queries regarding McArthur Farms should be directed to McArthur Farms or the Southeast Milk Cooperative.

However, we are still very engaged in the animal welfare issues highlighted in ARM's video because McArthur Farms is part of the Southeast Milk Cooperative ("SMI") and is consequently in our milk supply. Dean Foods is appalled at the behaviors shown in the video released by ARM. We believe that providing for the health and welfare of dairy cows is the right thing to do, and we expect all farmers to ensure their animals are being cared for and handled according to sound animal welfare principles. We acknowledge that SMI is taking proactive steps with their members to address animal welfare on their farms.

[email protected]

SOURCE Dean Foods Company

Related Links

http://www.deanfoods.com


SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO, one of the world's largest automotive technology, systems and components suppliers, has acquired Holland, Mich.-based InfiniteKey, Inc., along with several key patents and R&D resources. The acquisition provides foundational pieces to developing phone-as-a-key technology and increases DENSO's lead in developing and deploying smartphone-based automotive access, a critical component of the company's strategy to create a future with frictionless mobility. This type of technology will become increasingly important for automakers, as ridesharing and driverless services progress beyond the need for keys.

"When we consider the future of mobility, the customer experience is always at the forefront of our design. Eliminating the need for physical keys will create a headache-free experience for car owners, and ridesharing and driverless services users," said Bill Foy, senior vice president of Engineering, DENSO International America. "This acquisition brings us one step closer to making this experience a reality and advancing vehicle access technologies."

InfiniteKey has developed advanced techniques for microlocating smartphones relative to vehicles using standard Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This technology allows automakers to rely on phones as passive keys, in the same way they rely upon dedicated passive key fobs today. Unlike key fobs, however, phones as passive key systems enable a broad range of mobility services, such as ridesharing and driverless services.

"This acquisition demonstrates DENSO's aggressive approach to supporting startups and technologies we view as significantly valuable for the future of the transportation industry," said Tony Cannestra, director of Corporate Ventures, DENSO International America. "Whether it's through direct investment or acquisition, DENSO will find a way to support and partner with companies to help transform mobility."

Kevin Virta, CEO of InfiniteKey, expressed his team's enthusiasm for joining forces with DENSO. "Becoming part of DENSO, with its global reach and world-class engineering, means our phone-as-a-key technology can reach the broadest possible penetration in the automotive market," said Virta. "We are looking forward to making significant contributions to DENSO's efforts to lead the way in automotive technologies of the future."

InfiniteKey has been acquired by DENSO International America, DENSO's North American regional headquarters, and is now a satellite office. DENSO completed its transaction of InfiniteKey in October 2017. Terms were not disclosed.

About DENSO in North America

DENSO is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. With its North American headquarters located in Southfield, Michigan, DENSO employs more than 23,000 people at 28 consolidated subsidiaries and 4 affiliates across the North American region. Of these, 25 are manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs more than 17,000 people in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. DENSO's North



American consolidated sales totaled US$9.6 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. For more information, go to www.denso.com/us-ca/en. Connect with DENSO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DENSOinNorthAmerica.

DENSO Worldwide

DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, totaled US$40.4 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 8.8 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.denso.com, or visit our media website at www.denso.com/global/en/news/media-center/

SOURCE DENSO

Related Links

http://www.denso.com


SANTA MONICA, Calif. and ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Edmunds, the leading car shopping and information platform, and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the producer of CES, the global stage for innovation, today announced a new automotive technology awards program for CES 2018. The Edmunds CES Tech Driven Awards will honor the automakers, vehicles and technologies poised to revolutionize the automotive industry.

"The automotive and technology industries converge at CES, with more and more automakers using the show as a platform to debut their most transformative ideas and breakthrough new features," said Edmunds' CEO Avi Steinlauf. "It is the perfect place to celebrate automotive innovation and we're thrilled to be teaming up with CTA to debut the Tech Driven awards at CES."

The Tech Driven awards program honors innovation in six categories:

Most Innovative Automaker

Most Innovative Car of the Year

Most Innovative Truck of the Year

Most Innovative SUV of the Year

Most Innovative Driver Assist Feature

Most Innovative Infotainment System

An additional Hackomotive Award will be awarded on-site to the exhibitor with the most exciting, forward-thinking new product, technology or concept vehicle debuted at CES.

"As the world's leading technology event, we are excited to work with Edmunds, the leading voice for auto shoppers and the automotive industry, to recognize breakthrough innovations in auto tech," said CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Our vehicles have become a centerpiece of our tech-connected lives. CES is where you can see how automakers and suppliers are leading the way in introducing exciting new innovations that will completely transform our definition of mobility."

The winners of the Tech Driven Awards will be announced on January 4, 2018, with the Hackomotive Award to be awarded on-site in Las Vegas on January 11, 2018. Winners must be officially affiliated with CES and will be chosen by a panel of Edmunds' automotive experts and editors.

About Edmunds

Edmunds is the leading car information and shopping platform, helping millions of visitors each month find their perfect car. With products such as Edmunds Your Price, Your Lease and Used+, shoppers can buy smarter with instant, upfront prices for cars and trucks currently for sale at more than 13,000 dealer franchises across the U.S. Edmunds' in-house team of unbiased car-shopping experts provide industry-leading vehicle reviews and shopping tips, and the company also has a 20-year-old forums community of car shoppers and enthusiasts, where members can get shopping advice and learn what others are buying and leasing cars for. The company is regarded as one of America's best workplaces by Fortune and Great Place to Work. Edmunds is based in Santa Monica, California, and has a satellite office in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

About CTA

About CES:

CES is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years-the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at CES.tech and on social.

About Consumer Technology Association:

Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is the trade association representing the $321 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, which supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs. More than 2,200 companies  80 percent are small businesses and startups; others are among the world's best known brands  enjoy the benefits of CTA membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CTA also owns and produces CES  the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA's industry services.

CONTACT:

Leah Polk

Sr. Manager, Public Relations

[email protected]

310-309-4900

http://edmunds.com/press

SOURCE Edmunds

Related Links

https://www.edmunds.com


ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Employee confidence in the broader business environment increased for the sixth consecutive quarter and has now reached its highest point since 2010, according to CEB, now Gartner. In contrast, discretionary effort  how hard the average employee is working  has hit an all-time low.

New data from the CEB Global Talent Monitor showed that global employee confidence in the economy in Q3 2017 reached 54.7, nearly a 1 percent increase over last quarter. In addition to feeling confident about the economy, employees' perceptions of available job opportunities increased at the global level and hit a three-and-a-half-year high. However, this has not translated into more job seeking, which remains steady. In fact, employees' intent to stay in their current job increased for the second quarter in a row  just over 1 percent globally.

While this might seem like good news for employers, the decline in discretionary effort is troubling. In Q3 2017, employees reporting a high willingness to go above and beyond their assigned duties was 16 percent; in Q3 2013 this number was 20 percent. Though a 4 percent decrease might not seem impactful, it means that since 2013, one out of five of a company's hardest working employees is no longer working as hard as they used to nor putting in additional effort.

"In today's labor market, employees are not concerned about losing their job or their company underperforming," said Brian Kropp, HR practice leader at CEB, now Gartner. "In addition, they feel there is a lack of opportunity to move up within their organizations, and thus very little incentive to work harder than they must. This lack of motivation is of course problematic for organizations, but also likely explains a significant part of the productivity drag we're seeing in several economies."

Employers Must Act

With more employees planning to stay in their current roles, and decreasing their levels of effort at work, employers must take measures to ensure that they maintain productivity and the bottom line. To do this, leaders should consider the following:

Understand the unique situation at your organization. Are employees putting in less effort? How bad is the problem and what are the consequences for the company? Help engage and train managers. Given their proximity to employees, it is critical that managers learn how to coach employees in a way that improves performance in order to turn around this negative discretionary effort trend. Consider different alternatives. In addition to managers, organizations need to leverage team members to generate peer-to-peer strategies for coaching and recognition.

"To counter the complacency employees are demonstrating in their careers, organizations will need to find ways to incentivize employees and help them stay motivated," added Kropp.

Global Talent Monitor data is drawn from the larger CEB Global Labor Market Survey which is made up of more than 22,000 employees in 40 countries. The survey is conducted quarterly and is reflective of market conditions during the quarter preceding publication. Visit www.cebglobal.com/talentmonitor to learn more and compare talent data from around the world.

About CEB, Now Gartner

Leading organizations worldwide rely on CEB services to harness their untapped potential and grow. Now offered by Gartner, CEB best practices and technology solutions equip clients with the intelligence to effectively manage talent, customers, and operations. More information is available at gartner.com/ceb.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's leading research and advisory company. The company helps business leaders across all major functions in every industry and enterprise size with the objective insights they need to make the right decisions. Gartner's comprehensive suite of services delivers strategic advice and proven best practices to help clients succeed in their mission-critical priorities. Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has more than 15,000 associates serving clients in 11,000 enterprises in 100 countries. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.

SOURCE CEB
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Fernhill Corporation. (OTC PINK: FERN)

Fernhill Corporation proudly announces a $400K USD purchase order received from U.K. Based Totally Sun Powered Limited to design and build an off-grid backup power supply system for bitcoin mining. These systems will be designed to provide bitcoin mining servers with a backup system that will incorporate fail safe capabilities.

The initial presented purchase order will consist of 10 units with a budgeted cost of $40K USD per unit. These units will be designed and built utilizing the Fernhill solar and battery storage systems.

CEO Adam Kovacevic states, "We are thrilled to receive this initial purchase order from UK based Totally Sun Powered Limited. We will immediately begin designing a turnkey battery backup and power generation solution that can be integrated into hardware currently dedicated for bitcoin mining operations. This purchase order will mark our entry into the bitcoin mining server space where we believe that there is a growing demand for these types off-grid power requirements."

"We want to position ourselves as a leader in providing services and solutions for the backup power requirements in bitcoin mining operations. We believe that our backup power storage and generation solutions can crosspollinate into several other emerging markets where advanced off grid backup solutions are needed," CEO Adam Kovacevic concludes.

About Fernhill Corporation

Incorporated in Nevada with operations in North America, Fernhill Corporation is currently focused on development, acquisitions and or partnerships in energy based sectored businesses. Fernhill Corporations core products are based in alternative powered products in the renewable energy and technology sectors. The Fernhill corporate asset base will be established by its current and future patent applications.

Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Fernhill Corporation
CAMP HILL, Pa., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection store at the Capital City Mall, Camp Hill, will host a special scotch tasting with Laphroaig Malt Master Simon Brooking from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Brooking traces his roots back to the 13th Century and the Celtic Earls of Atholl. A well-known and award-winning expert on Scotch whisky, he has worked for many of the leading Scotch distilleries, learning the art and science of distilling from the world's foremost master distillers and blenders. For more than 15 years, Brooking has led thousands of Scotch whisky tastings for consumers, bartenders, and social organizations. Both informative and entertaining, his presentations have made him an in-demand speaker and spokesman.

Brooking will offer samples of the following scotches to those 21 years of age and older:

Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old (Code 4569)  $49.99

Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Select (Code 36931)  $54.99

Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Cairdeas Madeira Cask 2016 (Code 36959)  $74.99

Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Lore (Code 75033)  $124.99

He will also sign pre-purchased bottles, answer customers' questions, and share stories, history, and interesting facts about his company's products.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits  totaling $15.8 billion since the agency's inception  are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn M. Kelly, 717.783.8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Related Links

http://www.lcb.pa.gov


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

NRG Metals Inc. ("NRG" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NGZ) (OTCQB: NRGMF) (Frankfurt OGPN), is pleased to announce the completion of the first drill hole at the Salar Escondido Lithium Project, Catamarca Province, Argentina. The hole was drilled to a depth of 307 meters due to hole conditions The hole bottomed in brine and the brine target remains open at depth.

At a depth of 210 meters the hole was converted from core drilling to tricone rotary drilling due to challenging drilling conditions. Now that the hole has been terminated, the interval from 307 to 210 meters will be sampled using either a double packer or bailer system, depending upon the conditions in the hole.

Consistent with the Company's geophysical data and geological model, the target zone of sediments saturated with brine that could contain lithium was intersected at 140 meters, and has continued to the completed depth of 307 meters with the brine zone target open below that depth. Recent sampling in the interval from 183 to 198 meters returned an average of 229 mg/liter lithium as reported in the Company's press release dated December 7, 2017. Onsite quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) was supervised by Mr. William Feyerabend, a Certified Professional Geologist and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Feyerabend supervised and approves the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this press release.

Adrian Hobkirk, CEO of NRG Metals Inc. commented, "We are very excited that we have a lithium saturated brine confirmed near the top of the target zone at Salar Escondido and the fact that the brine zone now appears to be very thick. Given that our current drilling bottoms in brine and is open at depth is very encouraging highlighting the substantial size potential of the salar. We look forward to reporting the sampling in progress and continuing the exploration at Salar Escondido to fully assess and delineate this discovery."

The Salar Escondido is a large basin, roughly 20 by 40 kilometers in size, which is mostly covered by a series of overlapping alluvial fans. NRG's technical team believes that a large salar with an area of at least 700 km[2] had developed in the basin approximately two million years ago. After the salar was formed, it was buried by coalescing alluvial fans, and it is thus considered to be a "paleo-salar," hence the name Salar Escondido, which means "hidden salar" in Spanish.

About NRG Metals Inc.

NRG Metals Inc. is an exploration stage company focused on the advancement of lithium brine projects in Argentina. In addition to the Salar Escondido lithium project, the Company is evaluating the 3,287 hectare Hombre Muerto North lithium project ("HMN") in the province of Salta. HMN is located at the northern end of the prolific Hombre Muerto Salar, adjacent to FMC's producing Fenix mine and Galaxy Resources' Sal de Vida development stage project. The Company has filed an Environmental Impact Study and applied for permits to drill HMN, and approval is pending. A National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101) technical report on HMN was filed on SEDAR on October 16, 2017.

The Company currently has approximately 105 million shares issued and outstanding, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol NGZ, on the OTCQB Market under the symbol, NRGMF, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol, OGPN.

On behalf of the board of directors of NRG Metals Inc.:

Adrian F.C. Hobkirk

President and C.E.O.



The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed the content of this news release and therefore does not accept responsibility or liability for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release.

This news release contains certain "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The transaction described in this news release is subject to a variety of conditions and risks which include but are not limited to: regulatory approval, shareholder approval, market conditions, legal due diligence for claim validity, financing, political risk, security risks at the property locations and other risks. As such, the reader is cautioned that there can be no guarantee that this transaction will complete as described in this news release. We seek safe harbour.

T: Investors / Shareholders Call 855-415-8100 / Direct to Adrian Hobkirk +1-714-316-3272, E:[email protected]



W:http://www.nrgmetalsinc.com

SOURCE NRG Metals Inc.
DENVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- FourPoint Energy, LLC announced today a new equity financing and the closing of a strategic upstream and midstream acquisition in the Anadarko Basin. Quantum Energy Partners has agreed to invest $489 million in common equity in FourPoint making it one of the largest unit holders. Existing equity holders have also invested an additional $36 million bringing the total of new equity raised to $525 million. Funds managed by GSO Capital Partners LP ("GSO") together with Quantum are now controlling members. "This new equity provides significant liquidity for the company to continue to grow through strategic acquisitions in the Anadarko and Permian Basins while executing on our active drilling program in the Anadarko Basin," said George Solich, President and CEO of FourPoint.

"Pro forma with the closing of this new equity and existing debt capacity, FourPoint has in excess of $900 million in liquidity for future growth," remarked Tad Herz, Executive Vice President and CFO of FourPoint.

"We are excited about partnering with George Solich and the FourPoint management team. We believe they have built an impressive company over the last few years and demonstrated the increased profitability and potential of the Western Anadarko Basin through their strong emphasis on technical and operating excellence. We look forward to partnering with the existing investors to help the company execute on its strategic objectives," said Dheeraj Verma, President of Quantum Energy Partners.

"FourPoint has used the market downturn to build a world class team and the market leading position in the Western Anadarko Basin. We are thrilled to have Quantum as a partner in the business and look forward to working together in the years ahead," said Dwight Scott, Senior Managing Director and President of GSO.

Simultaneous with this new financing, FourPoint has closed the acquisition of jointly owned properties in Wheeler and Hemphill Counties, Texas from an undisclosed seller for $188 million after customary closing adjustments. These assets include over 800 wells of which 610 will be operated by FourPoint. "Once we integrate these upstream and midstream assets into our already robust Anadarko position, FourPoint is poised to accelerate its drilling program exploiting 21 separate targets over more than 6,000 feet of column on our over 2 million gross acre footprint," said Kamil Tazi, Executive Vice President and COO.

This acquisition adds existing production, upside acreage, and control of a fully integrated midstream system to FourPoint's leading position in the Western Anadarko Basin. Pro forma, FourPoint will operate over 530 Mmcfed, control 300 miles of pipe, and have over 10,000 upside locations over its predominantly HBP acreage. Fueled by a prolific inventory of diverse stacked targets, FourPoint remains active in the Western Anadarko Basin with five rigs drilling standard length lateral wells. With the recent passage of the Oklahoma Energy Jobs Act of 2017 that allows for drilling long lateral horizontal wells in non-shale formations, FourPoint anticipates the use of long lateral development will make the basin's drilling economics among the best in the lower 48. The planned drilling will also employ the use of the latest drilling and completion technologies that have somewhat lagged in comparison to other basins employing more stages and bigger fracs.

The debt and equity securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About FourPoint Energy

FourPoint Energy is a privately held acquisition, exploration and production company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Join our team at FourPointEnergy.com.

About Quantum Energy Partners

Founded in 1998, Quantum Energy Partners is a leading provider of private equity capital to the global energy industry, having managed together with its affiliates more than $15 billion in equity commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumep.com. For investor relations, please contact Michael Dalton at (713) 452-2000.

Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisor and Andrews Kurth LLP acted as legal advisor to FourPoint Energy in connection with the transaction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements based on FourPoint Energy's current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may include words such as "believes," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "intends" or similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations (i) that the acquisition will close on the anticipated closing date or at all, (ii) as to the productivity of the acquired assets, and (iii) with respect to the realization of operating efficiencies and synergies from the combined assets. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

CONTACT:

Emily Rundles FourPoint Energy, LLC

303.945.8307

SOURCE FourPoint Energy, LLC

Related Links

http://www.fourpointenergy.com


CLEVELAND, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In December 2017, Deere purchased Germany's Wirtgen Group, a $3 billion manufacturer of heavy construction equipment. Freedonia Group analyst Gleb Mytko discusses the implications: "Deere's purchase of Wirtgen Group is significant for a number of reasons. With this acquisition, Deere will become one of the world's top five manufacturers of construction machinery. The company will also add road building equipment to its product portfolio, complementing its existing construction equipment offering."

The purchase will allow Deere to strengthen its position in a number of important emerging markets around the world and expand its global distribution network as well. The addition of Wirtgen adds factories for Deere in Germany, Brazil, China, and India.

Wirtgen is a leading manufacturer of high-end road construction equipment. Road building has outperformed other segments of the construction industry because of major infrastructure projects around the world, adding to the appeal of the Wirtgen Group. Wirtgen Group's product portfolio includes mixers, pavers, compaction machines, cold milling machines, and other road construction equipment. These products are sold around the world under the WIRTGEN, VOGELE, HAMM, KLEEMANN, and BENNINGHOVEN brand names.

The study, Global Construction Machinery, 6th Edition, written by Mytko, forecasts construction machinery to increase 9.6% per year through 2021 to $250 billion.

More information regarding the study can be found here: https://www.freedoniagroup.com/industry-study/global-construction-machinery-market-by-product-6th-edition-3539.htm

About The Freedonia Group  The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is a leading international industrial research company publishing more than 100 studies annually. Since 1985 we have provided research to customers ranging in size from global conglomerates to one-person consulting firms. More than 90% of the industrial companies in the Fortune 500 use Freedonia Group research to help with their strategic planning. Each study includes product and market analyses and forecasts, in-depth discussions of important industry trends, and market share information. Studies can be purchased at www.freedoniagroup.com and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

Press Contact:

Corinne Gangloff

+1 440.684.9600

[email protected]

SOURCE The Freedonia Group

Related Links

http://www.freedoniagroup.com


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Future Farm Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Future Farm") (CSE: FFT) (OTCQB: FFRMF) is pleased to announce that it has hired George Groccia as a Project Manager consultant to oversee the Company's many projects in different stages of development.

Mr. Groccia is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist with a track record of helping businesses grow to their fullest potential. Having earned his MA at Golden Gate University, Mr. Groccia applied his craft as a consultant with Bearing Point, liaising with top executives within Phillips Life Sciences division. A career entrepreneur, Mr. Groccia grew a local business to gain national relevance in the hospitality sector guiding the profitable sale of his company. Passionate about the social and political climate in Boston, Mr. Groccia helped lay the foundation for Boston's first all women ride-share company called Chariot For Women, where it finally came to be known as Safr.

In addition to project management services, Mr. Groccia will also provide Future Farm with organizational and structural support and make recommendations for culture identification and growth.

"We are very pleased to have Mr. Groccia on board," says William Gildea, Future Farm's CEO and Chairman. "Future Farm has many projects in different stages of development and George's skill set is neatly aligned with our needs for maintaining project oversight and accountability."

"I am excited about the opportunity to work with Future Farm," says Mr. Groccia. "I look forward to helping the Company establish best practices and organizational structure for each of its projects."

As previously announced, the Company has raised $1.4 Million through the voluntary conversion of both its $0.35 and $0.37 warrants. Shareholders who have participated in the Company's two offerings in 2017 and have not yet exercised their right to convert the warrants into FFT common stock may still purchase shares at the exercise price of $0.35 or $0.37 per share. The $0.35 per share warrants will expire and be worthless after January 11, 2018. The $0.37 per share warrants will expire and be worthless after March 7, 2018.

Shareholders wishing to exercise their warrants are asked to contact the Company prior to December 20, 2017 by following the instructions below:

Enquiries by email:

Belinda Tyldesley at [email protected]

Original Warrant Exercise Forms and payment by way of certified cheque or bank draft payable to "Future Farm Technologies Inc." should be delivered to #510-580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V63 3B6 or by wire transfer in Canadian funds to Future Farm Technologies Inc. Wire instructions will be provided upon request.

On behalf of the Board,

Future Farm Technologies Inc.

William Gildea, CEO & Chairman

About Future Farm

Future Farm Technologies Inc. is a Canadian company with projects throughout North America including California, Florida and Maryland. The Company's business model includes developing and acquiring technologies that will position it as a leader in the evolution of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for the global production of various types of plants, with a focus on cannabis. Future Farm provides scalable, indoor CEA systems that utilize minimal land, water and energy regardless of climate, location or time of year and are customized to grow an abundance of crops close to consumers, therefore minimizing food miles and its impact to the environment. The Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license to use a patented vertical farming technology that, when compared to traditional plant production methods, generates yields up to 10 times greater per square foot of land. The contained system provides many other benefits including 90% less water, fertilizer and land used, less travel costs, seed to sale security, scalability, consistency due to year-round production, cost control, product safety and purity by eliminating environmental variability. The Company also utilizes a leading cannabis oil extraction technology, which enables the Company to process 20lbs/hour of cannabis plant to yield approximately 908 grams/hour of oil.

The Company is also in the business of designing and distributing LED lighting solutions utilizing the COB and MCOB technology. The Company is focused on delivering cost efficient lighting to North America via advanced e-commerce sites the Company owns and operates. LEDCanada.com, which caters to B2B customers, is a supplier of the newest and highest demand LED solutions. The Company also owns and operates COBGrowlights.com, which caters to both large and small agriculture green houses and controlled cultivation centers.

The Company recently acquired the exclusive right to use a patented, augmented reality (AR) technology in the cannabis industry. As described in more detail above, the Company has decided to spin this asset off to its shareholders.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

For further information, contact:

William Gildea,

Director,

+1-617-834-9467





SOURCE Future Farm Technologies Inc.
"Giving back to the communities in which we live and work is a strong part of our company culture here at Combined Insurance," said Melanie Lundberg, Assistant Vice President of Talent Management and Corporate Communications at Combined Insurance. "When I look back on our year at Combined Insurance, I am proud of how we have given backboth in funding and volunteer time, as well as the organizations that we chose to partner with. It feels good to know that we made a positive difference in the community."

This year, Combined Insurance partnered with more than 15 Chicago-based and national charitable organizations, providing both volunteer and financial support including, American Cancer Society, JDRF, USO of Illinois, Luke's Wings, Heartland Alliance and OneSight.

As a Top Military Friendly Employer for seven consecutive years, the company demonstrated its continued commitment to supporting U.S. veterans and military servicemen and women by donating $50,000 to two military-related charitable organizationsLuke's Wings and the Fisher House Foundation. This is a contribution that Combined Insurance has donated annually as part of their Operation Veteran GiveBack program.

Another military/veteran-focused charity that the company has committed to in 2017 is the USO of Illinois through the following:

In May 2017 , approximately 20 employees served dinner to service members and their families at the USO Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, Ill.

, approximately 20 employees served dinner to service members and their families at the USO Great Lakes Naval Base in In September, the annual Combined Insurance charity golf outing raised $19,500 which was donated to the USO of Illinois .

which was donated to the USO of . Employees put together 100 care packages to send to deployed service members.

Bob Wiedower , Vice President of Sales Development and Military Programs at Combined Insurance, is presently serving on the board of directors for the USO of Illinois .

Additionally, Combined Insurance has given back in 2017 to a variety of organizations, such as:

Granting the gift of sight by partnering with OneSight to help thousands of children and individuals who lack access to vision care.

Fundraising and sponsoring over $16,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society and their mission to free the world from cancer.

to benefit the American Cancer Society and their mission to free the world from cancer. Giving back to Latino-focused charitable organizations and communities, including Casa Central, a Hispanic-serving social service agency in Chicagoland and Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), a national non-profit committed to the advancement and development of Latino professionals.

Donating iPads to help organizations who would benefit from additional technology 50 iPads were donated to Heartland Alliance's Financial Literacy Program. Additionally, iPads were gifted to programs who serve children and adults with developmental disabilities at Gigi's Playhouse and SEDOL Foundation.

Combined Insurance founder and noted philanthropist, W. Clement Stone, donated more than $275 million to civic groups, mental health, and other charitable organizations during his lifetimein efforts to "make the world a better place."

To learn more about Combined Insurance, visit their website at combinedinsurance.com.

About Combined Insurance

Combined Insurance Company of America (Chicago, Ill.) is a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health, and life insurance products and a Chubb company. With a tradition of nearly 100 years of success, Combined Insurance is committed to making the world of supplemental insurance easy to understand. The company has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and is one of Ward's Top 50 Performing Life-Health Insurance Companies. Combined Insurance is also a 2018 Top 10 Military Friendly Employer named by G.I. Jobs Magazinemarking the seventh consecutive year on the Top 10 employer list and fourth consecutive year in the Top 5. In New York, products are underwritten by Combined Life Insurance Company of New York (Latham, N.Y.). For more information, please visit combinedinsurance.com.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com.

SOURCE Combined Insurance

Related Links

http://www.combinedinsurance.com


NEW YORK, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

A new report published by Persistence Market Research titled "Art and Sculpture Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012 to 2016) and Forecast (2017-2025)" tracks the growth of the global art and sculpture market for the eight year period 2017 - 2025. The market is segmented by product type, sales channel, end user and region. According to the report forecast, the global art and sculpture market was valued at US$ 8,640.0 Mn in 2016 and is projected to reach US$ 24,632.1 Mn by 2025 end. The market is expected to witness high revenue growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to an increased awareness about art products as an investment and not just another decorative piece.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )



Global Art and Sculpture Market: Important Facts

It is difficult to predict the direction of the global market, as there are several macroeconomic factors that could have an impact on the market in the coming years

There is a great risk of business in regions such as U.S, Brazil and Germany , which could impact the global market

and , which could impact the global market The art and sculpture market witnesses strong demand for best quality art and collectibles

36% of the 400 private bankers and wealth advisors suggested that there will be increasing client demand for servicing this particular asset class

The total number of ultra-wealthy individuals is predicted to rise by 41% to 263,500 by 2025. The predicted growth rate varies widely on a regional basis, and the emerging economies are leading the way. A growing demand for quality art pieces can be expected from this class of the population.

Request a PDF Sample for this Research Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/20695

Global Art and Sculpture Market: Forecast by Product Type

Product type segment is classified into artifacts that include manuscripts, decorative art pieces, and others. The sculpture segment holds a high market share and is estimated to grow significantly during the forecast period. Sculptures are typically sold along with paintings and this is increasing the customer base for sculptures.

Global Art and Sculpture Market: Forecast by Sales Channel Type

On the basis of sales channel type, the global art and sculpture market is segmented into auction houses, dealers, retail outlets, and individual sales. Dealers segment is sub-segmented into galleries, art fairs and online sales, while individual sales segment is further segmented into artist's studio and others that includes consumer-to-consumer and advisors. Revenue growth and market share of the dealers segment is expected to remain high during the study period.

Global Art and Sculpture Market: Forecast by End User

Private collectors, museums (local and international), real estate developers, interior designers, residential individual buyers and other professionals (art authenticators, restorers, and conservators) are some of the end users of art and sculptures. Most of the regions in the world are influenced by the U.S. perspective of art and sculpture and are either moving or changing their perspective for art. This has enhanced the significance for private collectors, thereby boosting market share of this segment.

Browse Research Release at: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/mediarelease/art-and-sculpture-market.asp

Global Art and Sculpture Market: Forecast by Region

Five regions such as North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC and MEA have been covered in this report. In terms of value, North America market is projected to be the most attractive regional market for art and sculpture during the forecast period. The Europe art and sculpture market is anticipated to register steady increase in Y-o-Y growth rates throughout the forecast period. In terms of value, Europe is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period.

Global Art and Sculpture Market: Competition Tracking

This report provides detailed profiles of the key market players such as Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonham's 1793 Limited, Phillips Auctioneers LLC, China Guardian Auctions Co Ltd., Frith sculpture, Sculptured arts studio, WorldArtCommunity, Pundole's, Bid & Hammer, and AstaGuru.

Popular Research Reports by PMR:

Shoe Care Market : https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/shoe-care-market.asp

https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/shoe-care-market.asp Costume Jewelry Market:https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/us-costume-jewelry-market.asp

About Us

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

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SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
DETROIT, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Global Automotive Composite Leaf Springs Market by Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Light Commercial Vehicle, Medium- & Heavy-Duty Vehicle, and Others), by Installation Type (Transversal and Longitudinal), by Location Type (Front and Rear), by Manufacturing Process Type (Compression Molding, High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding, and Prepreg Layup), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2017-2022.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160831/402975LOGO )



This market report, from Stratview Research, studies the composite leaf springs market in the global automotive industry over the trend & forecast period of 2011 to 2022. The report provides detailed insights on the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

Composite Leaf Springs Market in the Global Automotive Industry: Highlights

As per Stratview Research, the global automotive composite leaf springs market is likely to offer an excellent growth of 10% CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2022 and reach an estimated $72.3 million in 2022, which offers an opportunity to the composites industry players to align themselves with the market growth.

There are several factors bolstering the growth of composite leaf springs in the global automotive industry. The author of the report cited increasing automobile production and increasing demand for lightweight leaf springs to achieve stringent government regulations in many countries, such as CAFE Standards, as the major growth drivers of the composite leaf springs market in the automotive industry.

Based on vehicle type, light commercial vehicle (LCV) is the expected to remain the growth engine of the global composite leaf springs market during the forecast period. Pick-Up, Van, and SUVs are the major LCV types that are using composite leaf springs at either transversal or longitudinal position, depending on requirement, vehicle design type, etc.

Register here for a free sample of the 240-page report.

As per the study, transversal installation dominates the global automotive composite leaf springs market driven by higher usage in the passenger cars and LCVs, however, longitudinal installation type is likely to witness the highest growth during the forecast period, owing to higher use in medium-& heavy-duty commercial vehicles (M&HCV) segment and increasing use in LCVs.

Research findings suggest that compression molding is expected to remain the most dominant manufacturing process in the global automotive composite leaf springs market during the forecast period. However, High Pressure-Resin Transfer Molding (HP-RTM) is likely to experience the highest growth during the same period, driven by the shorter parts cycle time.

In terms of region, Europe will continue to remain the largest market for composite leaf springs over the next five years, driven by increasing usage in LCVs and passenger cars. Asia-Pacific is a relatively small market for composite leaf springs, but is expected to experience the highest growth during the same period.

The global market for composite leaf springs is relatively smaller and highly consolidated. The top three composite leaf spring manufacturers are Liteflex LLC, IFC Composite, and Benteler-SGL. New product development, capacity expansion, and process optimization are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the automotive composite leaf springs market and has segmented the market in five ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. The following are the five ways in which the market is segmented:

Global Composite Leaf Spring Market in the Automotive Industry by Vehicle Type:

Passenger Car (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Light Commercial Vehicles (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Medium & Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Global Composite Leaf Spring Market in the Automotive Industry by Installation Type:

Transversal (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Longitudinal (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Global Composite Leaf Spring Market in the Automotive Industry by Manufacturing Process:

Compression Molding Process

Prepreg Layup Process

Other Processes

Global Composite Leaf Spring Market in the Automotive Industry by Location:

Front Leaf Spring (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Rear Leaf Spring (Regional Analysis: NA, Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Global Leaf Spring Market in the Automotive Industry by Region:

North America (Country Analysis: the USA and Others)

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , Sweden , Italy , Russia , and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , South Korea , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the automotive industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

Click Here for Other Reports from Stratview Research in the Automotive & Transportation Industry

Related premium market reports in the automotive industry are:

Global Automotive Composite Suspension Components Market by Component Type by Vehicle Type, by Manufacturing Process, and by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2017-2022

Global Automotive Leaf Springs Market by Vehicle Type, by Spring Type, by Material Type, by Manufacturing Process, by Location, and by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2016-2021

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.



For enquiries,

Contact:

Ritesh Gandecha

Stratview Research

E-mail: [email protected]

US Direct: +1-313-307-4176



SOURCE Stratview Research
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Napatech, the leading provider of reconfigurable computing platforms, announced a successful partnership integration with MayStreet, a provider of advanced market access and data analytics technology. The joint solution, deployed for a proprietary trading firm, combined Napatech's FPGA-based SmartNIC and Pandion recording software with MayStreet's high-precision data monitoring solutions. It provided the unique opportunity to use ultra-high-quality, network-level data capture for research data set generation, real-time risk monitoring, latency measurement and compliance functions.

Some key considerations for choosing the Napatech-MayStreet solution were:

Easy integration into existing workflow: In today's high-frequency markets, high-precision packet capture is a necessity for all market participants, but most of the solutions available in the market require a commitment to an expensive and opaque technology stack around packet capture, data storage, data access and analytics. With the Napatech-MayStreet solution, the customer didn't have to replace its existing systems, reducing the time-to-deployment by a factor of five.

In today's high-frequency markets, high-precision packet capture is a necessity for all market participants, but most of the solutions available in the market require a commitment to an expensive and opaque technology stack around packet capture, data storage, data access and analytics. With the Napatech-MayStreet solution, the customer didn't have to replace its existing systems, reducing the time-to-deployment by a factor of five. Enhanced capital markets opportunities: The combined solution offers trading firms the ability to capture, retain and monitor all data for a variety of use cases like market data and order entry monitoring, latency measurement and regulatory compliance. Being able to address many challenging and important requirements quickly and cost-effectively is important in this highly competitive environment.

The combined solution offers trading firms the ability to capture, retain and monitor all data for a variety of use cases like market data and order entry monitoring, latency measurement and regulatory compliance. Being able to address many challenging and important requirements quickly and cost-effectively is important in this highly competitive environment. Cost and flexibility: Napatech's products were easily deployed in a standard, open server platform from Dell, dramatically altering the costs compared to alternative solutions based on siloed hardware systems. Moreover, the solution's integration with the cloud saves storage costs and provides shorter access times to historical data sets.

Patrick Flannery, CEO of MayStreet, said: "Napatech has the best capture hardware available. With Pandion, we get four ports of perfect data capture, GPS time stamps and low form factor. By choosing Napatech's offering, we get a complete solution in small, medium and large options distributed through major resellers. All of this makes deploying Napatech for firms of any size an easy proposition."

Jarrod J.S. Siket, CMO of Napatech, said: "Financial services firms must attain full packet capture to comply with regulations. In an industry where transparency is key, zero packet loss enables complete visibility, and that is what our FPGA-based packet capture technology provides. The combination of Napatech and MayStreet allows firms to bridge the gap between high-quality network data capture and actionable insight."

About Napatech

Napatech helps companies to reimagine their business by bringing hyperscale computing benefits to IT organizations of every size. We enhance open and standard virtualized servers to boost innovation and release valuable computing resources that improve services and increase revenue. Our reconfigurable computing platform is based on a broad set of FPGA software for leading IT compute, network and security applications that are supported on a wide array of FPGA hardware designs. Additional information is available at: www.napatech.com.

About MayStreet

MayStreet is the next generation capital markets platform delivering low-latency connectivity, high-precision data and sophisticated analytics to banks, broker dealers, investment managers and exchanges. Our cloud-based platform provides unique, high-quality datasets, analytics and monitoring tools to help answer complex questions about contemporary markets.

No Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to, business conditions, trends in the industry and markets, global economic and geopolitical conditions, macro-economic factors, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in Napatech's reports. The matter discussed in this release is based on current expectations and maybe subject to change. Napatech will not necessarily update this information. For details, visit us at www.napatech.com.

Media Investor Relations Shannon Tierney, Nadel Phelan Christina Bastius Thomsen +1.831.440.2409 +45.2363.8844 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Napatech

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare insurers finally cracked the code this year on how to gain real time insights into member health, thanks to a technology platform from population health management company HealthBI. This portends nothing less than the practice of true preventative health, long a holy grail for bending the healthcare cost curve, but impossible to achieve by analyzing months-old claims data. As such, payers snatched up the platform to give to the providers under their networkadvancing the platform into 62,000 clinical sites and securing a 95 percent provider adoption rate.

That's an increase of 57,000 sites. It also makes the HealthBI platform the most widely used, payer-driven care management and coordination system for population health management today. The platform is now deployed across 50 states.

"What we're really creating is the 'future state' for payers and providers to work under risk contractsto work together to cut waste and overutilization from our national health bill and steer entire populations toward healthier outcomes," observed Scott McFarland, president, HealthBI.

The company's flagship care management and coordination platform is provided to physicians and clinicians by healthcare payers, and connects all care teams in a single virtual setting. From this same platform, care team members can view the patient's current healthcare activity and collaborate together on care plans.

Much of this effort can qualify providers for financial incentives under their risk-based contracts. To that end, HealthBI also focuses on making it simple for providers to certify for these incentives.

In one significant example, the company launched a "Continuity of Care Document" or "CCD" engine this year that extracts related data from a provider's EMR/EHR into the HealthBI platform. The company also founded a Contact Center to further support providers in documenting their quality effortsa program that has proven so successful, HealthBI will be doubling it by mid-2018.

McFarland added that all of these milestones have essentially moved the company to a distinctly different stage.

"Given the huge leap in clinical sites, our year-over-year revenue growth, and the fact that our customer family now includes two of the top three health plans in the nation, HealthBI is clearly no longer a start-up. We're a successful early stage company that is shaping a dynamic and growing model of healthcare," McFarland said.

Trendspotting for 2018: Payers expanding risk contracts, integrated care takes off

The writing is on the wall: our healthcare billand the health of Americans--has reached levels that can no longer sustain the old fee-for-service model. To that end, value-based reimbursement no longer hinges on government healthcare policy, even if it was ushered in by the Affordable Care Act.

"Payers will continue to expand risk contracts in 2017 that reward providers for improving health outcomes; an objective far easier to meet with technology that enables a current view of patient health," weighed in Koorosh Yasami, founder and chief strategy officer of HealthBI, and himself a former executive with healthcare payer giant UnitedHealth Group.

As an example of a problem HealthBI is solving, Yasamai noted the expensive overutilization of the emergency department.

"If I know a patient is out of the hospital within 24 hours, I can bring that patient in for follow up care that prevents a costly readmission. But if I don't have that timely insight, if I'm relying instead on sifting through 90 days of claims databy that point, the patient has returned to the hospital two or three times," he explained.

HealthBI has built its entire technology strategy around overcoming these barriers, drawing on its dual payer industry and data integration expertise to create a single and collaborative setting for proactive care management.

The company's care management and coordination platform also facilitates another growing trendthe integration of physical and behavioral healthcare. HealthBI customers like Community Partners and Partners in Recovery use the platform to significantly reduce overutilization of ED and acute care services by members with behavioral health issuesand replace with more appropriate primary care services.

McFarland concluded by underscoring the importance of creating risk contracts that are achievable for more providers to meet in the coming year.

"One thing for certain is that more of the risk is going to be pushed down to providers. With this in mind, payers will be expected to give the providers in their network reliable, simple tools to take this risk on. This trend will only grow stronger in 2018 and will certainly shape product development here at HealthBI," McFarland said.

Members of the media can access a photo of McFarland here and of Yasami here.

About HealthBI

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, HealthBI was created by a team of industry leaders and physicians to fill the need for tools that enable health care payers and providers to reduce admissions and readmissions, automate care transition and improved value-based care performance and HEDIS outcomes. Today, the company's care management and care coordination platform for population health management is the most widely deployed in the nationused in over 60,000 clinical sites across 50 states. HealthBI customers have reported results that span from a 25 percent decrease in 30 day re-admits to a nearly 300 percent improvement in closing gaps in patient care. To learn more about HealthBI, visit healthbi.com and follow HealthBI on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Janard

Amendola Communications for HealthBI

[email protected]

704.418.9874

SOURCE HealthBI

Related Links

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PARIS, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

HEC Paris has just launched its Private Equity Value Creation Hall of Fame which will feature Private Equity Funds who have generated exceptional level of value to their investors, the so-called LPs.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160921/410458LOGO )



All funds from vintages since 2000 (included), classified as "Buyout" focused funds in the database maintained by industry-leading data provider preqin can be considered possible members.

The first inductee is the 2000-vintage fourth fund by San Francisco-based Hellman and Friedman. The fund raised $2.2 billion and by the time it was fully liquidated had returned a net multiple of 2.8x to investors.

The Hall of Fame is an initiative of HEC Paris Professor Oliver Gottschalg, associate professor of strategy at HEC Paris and co-founder of its Private eEquity Observatory research centre. Gottschalg and his team screened data on realized returns for 2,500 funds and rapidly reduced them to a handful of exceptional funds that came close to the qualifying criteria for the Hall of Fame.

He said, "I realized that it is not obvious from the outside to spot the 'best of the best' of all PE funds of all time and that this information would be useful for investors and for the asset class in general. It would demonstrate how strongly value creating private equity as an asset class and a governance structure can be - countering some of the widespread criticism that private equity only levers up equity and rides macro trends. It would also give investors some idea about which GPs had been at the top of this 'game' over the past 20 years."

To qualify for the HEC Private Equity Value Creation Hall of Fame, a Private Equity fund must meet the following three criteria:

at least $2 billion in cash-on-cash alpha gain, i.e. overall returns in excess of the stock market;

in cash-on-cash alpha gain, i.e. overall returns in excess of the stock market; "PERACS Alpha", i.e. annualized returns in excess of the stock market, of at least 15 percent per annum;

at least 2x cash-on-cash multiple.

Through these criteria, heavy emphasis is placed on value creation in excess of public market equivalent returns, which are a proxy for the "opportunity cost" of an LP's PE investment.

The assessment of value creation is based on cash-on cash net value creation based on cash flows from- and to the LPs after deduction of any deal-level or fund-level fees (including carry and management fees), ignoring the remaining net-asset-value.

The funds featured in the HEC Private Equity Value Creation Hall of Fame should be substantial in terms of the scale of value creation, so a requirement in terms of a total amount of "Alpha Dollars" of value generated has been included. This helps eliminate cases in which performance may have been driven by one or a few individual highly successful deals.

In order to verify the data, thousands of PE funds will be screened annually based on commercially available cash flow information on them, using the preqin cash flow database as the primary source of data.

About HEC Paris:

Specializing in management education and research, HEC Paris offers a complete and unique range of educational training to tomorrow's decision-makers: the Grande Ecole program, Specialized Masters, MSc, Summer School, MBA, Executive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive MBA, Doctorate and a wide range of executive and executive programs.

Created in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris, a founding member of the Universite Paris-Saclay, brings 138 full-time professors, more than 4,400 students and 8,000 executives and managers to its Campus each year.

SOURCE HEC Paris
HENDERSON, Nev., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Final Exit Network announces "Dying in the Americas 2018," a conference devoted to re-imagining the future of dying with the objective of a peaceful death for everyone, scheduled March 21 - March 25, 2018 in the peaceful setting of the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Henderson, Nevada, in the foothills outside of Las Vegas. The program is open to academics, health care professionals, physicians, nurses, geriatric, social workers, Thanatologists, hospice and nursing facility personnel, palliative care specialists, insurance and government professionals, and those specifically interested in improving the quality of the dying experience for both the patient and family.

Internist Zubin Damania, M.D., better known as ZDoggMD Caitlin Doughty, mortician and author

Speakers from Canada, the U.S., and Latin America, who will focus on several key questions:

What are the best practices for a peaceful death currently available in the Americas? How can we make sure that everyone has access to the most appropriate care? What improvements can be made in medical training, protocols, and best practices?

Keynote speakers:

Internist Zubin Damania, M.D., better known as ZDoggMD, is a Stanford-trained hospitalist enlisted by one of the dotcom industry's leading titans to re-think and reinvent public health care. ZDoggMD has created hundreds of YouTube videos attracting more than 20 million views. One of his most-shared videos is Ain't The Way To Die, based on the Eminem and Rihanna song Love The Way You Lie. ZDoggMD's version dramatically and unforgettably illustrates the importance of Advance Directives in an emergency medical situation.

Caitlin Doughty, Los Angeles mortician and author, is the founder of the death acceptance collective The Order of the Good Death. Her most recent book, the New York Times bestseller From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death, describes her trek around the globe to discover how other cultures care for the dead. Nearly 360,000 subscribers follow her mesmerizing, funny and eye-opening Ask A Mortician series on YouTube.

The roster also includes medical professionals who are re-thinking the dying process: Canadian activist Shanaaz Gokool, CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, and Dr. James Downar, a Critical Care and Palliative Care Physician with the University Health Network and Sinai Health System Toronto, will describe the quiet revolution since the Canadian Supreme Court decision in Carter vs. Canada. Dr. Stefanie Green will talk about her remarkable journey from OBGYN to her profound experience in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), now supported throughout the Canadian health care system. Among the many other speakers are law professor and bioethicist Thaddeus Pope, PhD; UCLA professor Taimie Bryant, PhD, JD, and Robert Rivas, JD, who will speak about U.S. First Amendment rights; Thanatologist John Abraham, a retired Episcopal priest and author of "How to Have the Death You Want"; and Dr. Aroop Mangalik, physician and author of "Dealing with Doctors, Denial and Death."

Reduced-rate registration ends January 14, and full registration ends February 14, 2018. There will be no onsite registration. Space is limited. For more information, visit www.finalexitnetwork.org or contact Julia Hanway at 866-654-9156, [email protected].

SOURCE Final Exit Network

Related Links

http://www.finalexitnetwork.org


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FD.io ("Fido"), relentlessly focused on data IO speed and efficiency supporting the creation of high-performance, flexible, and scalable software-defined infrastructures, today announced Huawei as the newest Platinum member. Huawei's upgrade from Gold to Platinum demonstrates both the project's and Huawei's commitment to pursuing faster, more open and innovative software-based packet processing.

FD.io offers the software-defined infrastructure developer community a landing site with multiple projects fostering innovations in software-based packet processing toward the creation of high-throughput, low-latency, and resource-efficient IO services suitable to many architectures (x86, ARM, and PowerPC) and deployment environments (bare metal, VM, container). Created to address gaps that exist in the open networking stack to deliver dynamic data plane services for dynamic computing environments such as cloud, containers, and network functions virtualization (NFV), the design of FD.io is hardware, kernel, and deployment (bare metal, VM, container) agnostic.

"As a leading contributor to FD.io already, Huawei's upgraded Platinum membership brings additional resources and innovation to the project," said Chenxi Wang, FD.io Board Member and VP, Network Strategy and Ecosystem, Huawei. "One of our focuses is to build a sound ecosystem with our community partners in order to enable Cloud Native Networking, and we truly believe that community collaboration will drive FD.io to a new level."

Huawei's Platinum upgrade comes following the project's recent Mini Summit, co-located with CloudNativeCon + KubeCon North America, held in Austin, Texas, on December 5. Slides and video content from the eventwhich included presentations from FD.io community experts on related projects, use cases, capabilities, tools, and integration between FD.io and other open source communitieswill be available in the coming weeks via the FD.io website.

To learn more about FD.io or how to participate, please visit https://fd.io.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Driven by responsible operations, ongoing innovation, and open collaboration, it has established a competitive ICT portfolio of end-to-end solutions in telecom and enterprise networks, devices, and cloud computing. Its ICT solutions, products, and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population. With more than 170,000 employees, Huawei is committed to enabling the future information society, and building a Better Connected World.

About FD.io

The Fast Data Project (FD.io) "Fido" is a collaborative open source project that aims to establish a high-performance IO services framework for dynamic computing environments. The FD.io community includes Network IO, Packet Processing, and Dataplane Management Agents fostering innovations in software based packet processing towards the creation of high-throughput, low-latency, and resource-ecient IO services suitable to many architectures (x86, Arm, and PowerPC) and deployment environments (bare metal, VM, container). FD.io is hosted by at The Linux Foundation. Linux Foundation projects are independently funded software projects that harness the power of collaborative development to fuel innovation across industries and ecosystems. www.linuxfoundation.org

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Additional Resources

About FD.io

About the Technology

Join the Community

Upcoming Events

Media Contact

Jill Lovato

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE FD.io

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NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Mortgage Group, a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States, announced today it provided loan facilities to finance two multifamily properties for the same sponsor. The properties are located in Virginia and Maryland and the total Hunt Mortgage Group Investment is $22.84 million.

"This is the third and fourth deals we have closed recently for this sponsor," commented Steven Cox, Managing Director at Hunt Mortgage Group. "The borrowers are seasoned, quality multifamily commercial real estate and multifamily investors. We were pleased to partner with them again on these deals."

The properties include:

Trellis at Lees Mill Apartments. Located at 308 Charles Street in Newport News, Virginia , Trellis at Lees Mill Apartments is 176-unit garden-sty apartment community that has a total of 12 buildings. Hunt Mortgage Group provided a $10.4 million conventional multifamily loan to secure the acquisition of this property. The loan term is 12-years with four-years of interest only.



The previous owner spent more than $500,000 in capital improvement in the property over the past three years. Projects have included repairs to building exteriors, HVAC and water heater replacement, appliance replacement and cabinet and flooring replacement. Property amenities include an outdoor pool, onsite laundry, and playground.





Located at 308 Charles Street in , Trellis at Lees Mill Apartments is 176-unit garden-sty apartment community that has a total of 12 buildings. Hunt Mortgage Group provided a conventional multifamily loan to secure the acquisition of this property. The loan term is 12-years with four-years of interest only. The previous owner spent more than in capital improvement in the property over the past three years. Projects have included repairs to building exteriors, HVAC and water heater replacement, appliance replacement and cabinet and flooring replacement. Property amenities include an outdoor pool, onsite laundry, and playground. Hickory Hill Apartments. Hunt Mortgage Group provided a $12.44 million loan to refinance Hickory Hill Apartments, a 162unit apartment community comprised of nine, one to three-story buildings and a clubhouse/office building. The property is located in Frederick, Maryland , was developed in 1981 and is situated on a 9.074 acre parcel of land. The property offers 306 parking spaces. The loan term is 12-years with 5-years of interest only.



Over the past three years, the owner has renovated the basketball court striping, installed new balconies and railings and completed new parking striping. Complex amenities include a swimming pool and clubhouse, basketball courts, a playground, and BBQ area.

About Hunt Mortgage Group

Hunt Mortgage Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hunt Companies, Inc., is a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States. The Company finances all types of commercial real estate: multifamily properties (including small balance), affordable housing, office, retail, manufactured housing, healthcare/senior living, industrial, and self-storage facilities. It offers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD/FHA in addition to its own Proprietary loan products. Since inception, the Company has structured more than $21 billion of loans and today maintains a servicing portfolio of more than $13.4 billion. Headquartered in New York City, Hunt Mortgage Group has 222 professionals in 24 locations throughout the United States. To learn more, visit www.huntmortgagegroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Brent Feigenbaum

Hunt Mortgage Group

212-317-5730

[email protected]



Pam Flores

773-218-9260

[email protected]

SOURCE Hunt Mortgage Group

Related Links

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- IBM Q Network to explore practical applications of quantum computing for business and science with JPMorgan Chase, Daimler AG, Samsung, JSR Corporation, Barclays, Hitachi Metals, Honda, Nagase, Keio University, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oxford University and University of Melbourne

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the first clients to tap into its IBM Q early-access commercial quantum computing systems to explore practical applications important to business and science. They include: JPMorgan Chase, Daimler AG, Samsung, JSR Corporation, Barclays, Hitachi Metals, Honda, Nagase, Keio University, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oxford University and University of Melbourne.

An IBM quantum scientist walks across the IBM Q computation center at the TJ Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY. The new center houses IBMs most advanced quantum computers, accessed via IBM Cloud by IBM Q Network clients. The clients from Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, and national research labs, hailing from across the globe, are collaborating with IBM to advance quantum computing, exploring practical applications for business and science. (Photo by Connie Zhou)

These 12 initial organizations join the newly formed IBM Q Network, a collaboration of leading Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions and national research labs working directly with IBM to advance quantum computing. The IBM Q Network will also foster a growing quantum computing ecosystem based on IBM's open source quantum software and developer tools.

The IBM Q Network provides organizations with quantum expertise and resources, and cloud-based access to the most advanced and scalable universal quantum computing systems available, starting with a 20 qubit IBM Q system. IBM also recently built and measured the first working 50 qubit prototype processor. IBM anticipates that access to this prototype will be offered to IBM Q Network participants in the next generation IBM Q system.

"IBM sees the next few years as the dawn of the commercial quantum era  a formative period when quantum computing technology and its early use cases develop rapidly. The IBM Q Network will serve as a vehicle to make quantum computing more accessible to businesses and organizations through access to the most advanced IBM Q systems and quantum ecosystem," said Dario Gil, vice president of AI and IBM Q, IBM Research. "Working closely with our clients, together we can begin to explore the ways big and small quantum computing can address previously unsolvable problems applicable to industries such as financial services, automotive or chemistry. There will be a shared focus on discovering areas of quantum advantage that may lead to commercial, intellectual and societal benefit in the future."

IBM Q Network Explores Practical Quantum Applications for Industry

Organizations will work directly with IBM scientists, engineers and consultants to pioneer quantum computing for specific industries and have direct cloud-based access to IBM Q systems. Each of the IBM Q Network Partners below will explore a broad set of potential applications of quantum computing in their industry that could provide a quantum advantage  demonstrations of real-world problems that may be solved faster or more efficiently with a quantum computer than with a classical computer.

JPMorgan Chase will be the premier global financial services partner with IBM, focusing on use cases for quantum computing applicable to the financial industry including trading strategies, portfolio optimization, asset pricing and risk analysis.

Daimler AG will work with IBM to advance the potential use cases of quantum computing for the automotive and transportation industry. Some areas of research include finding and developing new materials for automotive application through quantum chemistry, complex optimization problems such as for manufacturing processes or vehicle routing for fleet logistics or autonomous/self-driving cars, and the intersection of quantum and machine learning to enhance the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

Samsung , working closely with IBM, will explore a variety of use cases where quantum computing may impact the future of the semiconductor and electronics industry.

JSR Corporation , a leading chemical and materials company, will explore how quantum computing can improve materials for electronics, environmental and energy applications.

"As a leader in financial services technology, JPMorgan Chase is excited to collaborate with IBM Research in exploring how quantum computing may impact the industry," said Lori Beer, CIO, JPMorgan Chase. "Joining the IBM Q Network allows us to bring our technologists alongside IBM's researchers and leverage cutting-edge quantum systems to learn about how we may be able to apply these technologies in the future."

"The intelligently connected car of the future requires computing capabilities not available today," says Ola Kallenius, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "We believe that quantum computing could be a crucial element in creating sustainable and highly efficient mobility."

"Samsung is excited to work with IBM to explore how quantum computing may impact semiconductor, display and IT industries," said Seongjun Park, Ph.D, Vice President at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology. "By joining the IBM Q Network and having access to quantum systems and world-class expertise, we hope to take part in unveiling the unexplored potential of quantum computing and pave a road forward for future commercial applications."

"JSR is excited to join the IBM Q Network to explore how quantum computing may impact the materials industry and address chemical challenges that are beyond the reach of today's classical computing," said Nobu Koshiba, President of JSR Corporation. "Working with IBM, JSR scientists will focus on computational chemistry and pave a road forward for potential commercial applications."

Also, IBM Q Network Members Barclays, Hitachi Metals, Honda and Nagase will build their knowledge of general approaches to quantum computing and begin to investigate potential use cases for their industries of finance, materials, automotive and chemistry respectively.

IBM Q Network Establishes Global Hubs for Quantum Research, Education and Broader Industrial Collaboration

IBM will establish regional hubs across four continents to increase access to quantum systems and advance research, which are critical for accelerated learning, skills development and implementation of quantum computing. These IBM Q Network Hubs will broadly enable their industry and research collaborators to have online use of IBM Q systems and engage in joint development work to explore quantum computing. The planned locations for the hubs are at IBM Research, Keio University in Japan, Oak Ridge National Lab in the United States, Oxford University in the United Kingdom and the University of Melbourne in Australia.

"Keio University is excited and truly honored to be selected as the only IBM Q hub in Japan," said Prof. Kohei Itoh, the Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University. "We are looking forward to performing state-of-the-art quantum computing research using IBM Q and guiding member companies of the hub to develop mission-oriented quantum software that will help their businesses."

"Providing access to real quantum computing hardware is fundamental to accelerating the development of applications and programs important to UT-Battelle, LLC., the managing and operating contractor at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)," said Jeff Nichols, Associate Laboratory Director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "Establishing ORNL as a hub of the IBM Q Network would again demonstrate that UT-Battelle is at the forefront of innovation, enabled by the world's most advanced computational systems, and will continue to drive transformational advancements in science and research."

"I am delighted with this new collaboration with IBM. Working with one of the world's leading information technology companies to develop new applications for a quantum computer will enhance Oxford's and the UK's capability in quantum technology, by providing a unique resource for the Oxford-led Networked Quantum Information Technologies Hub," said Prof. Ian Walmsley, Hooke Professor of Experimental Physics, Director of the Networked Quantum Information Technologies (NQIT) Hub and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Oxford University. "NQIT's emulator program will work with IBM to convene scientists, engineers and industrial researchers and developers across a wider range of fields, from simulating new molecules to enhancing artificial intelligence to show how quantum computers can dramatically transform their ideas and businesses."

"We are excited to work with IBM to explore how quantum computing could benefit Australian industry and education and address new computational challenges," said Professor Jim McCluskey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Melbourne. "By becoming an IBM Q Network hub and having access to advanced quantum systems, it will allow our scientists to develop knowledge for quantum solutions applicable to industry problems in Mining, Energy and Finance."

IBM Fosters Growing Quantum Ecosystem

Through the publicly available IBM Q Experience, over 60,000 users have run more than 1.7M quantum experiments and generated over 35 third-party research publications using the world's first series of quantum computers available openly on the web. The IBM Q Experience enables registered users to connect to IBM's quantum processors via the IBM Cloud, to run algorithms and experiments, work with the individual quantum bits, and explore tutorials and simulations around what might be possible with quantum computing. Developers also have access to IBM's open quantum software development kit, QISKit, to create and run quantum computing programs.

Enabling high quality academic research is one of the core principles of the IBM Q Experience, and now registered academic users can leverage the IBM Q Experience for a deeper research collaboration. Professors and researchers will find customized tools designed to accelerate and differentiate their work including preferred queue access to IBM's quantum processors, the ability to link and tag their research to the IBM Q Experience, and channels to request new features and functionalities. Users have registered from over 1500 universities, 300 high schools, and 300 private institutions worldwide, many of whom are accessing the IBM Q Experience as part of their formal education.

The IBM Q Experience will also play a significant role in an initiative IBM is undertaking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. IBM will support MIT in producing a leading edge, comprehensive curriculum for executives, engineers, scientists and researchers to understand and leverage the upcoming quantum computing revolution. The first courses are anticipated to go online in the first half of 2018 via the edX platform. The curriculum will include a set of MIT created massive open online courses (MOOCs) that will be offered both for free and for a fee to learners who desire an MIT issued certificate of completion. The curriculum will also include a comprehensive professional development curriculum (MIT ProX courses). These latter courses will include online labs on quantum computing, which will utilize the public IBM Q Experiencequantum computers.

In addition to supporting the quantum curriculum, IBM has started working with MIT to explore the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning as part of the recently launched MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. Together, IBM and MIT scientists are investigating the "Physics of AI", which involves new research into AI hardware materials, devices and architectures. Focus areas include using AI to help characterize and improve quantum devices, and researching the use of quantum computing to optimize and speed up machine-learning algorithms and other AI applications.

IBM Research is announcing a series of prizes for professors, lecturers and students who use the IBM Q Experience and QISKit in the classroom or for their research. Awards will be made available for developing open source course materials for a lecture series; building Jupyter Notebook tutorials with QISKit; contributing specific code modules to the open source QISKit SDK and to students who publish a scientific paper that makes use of QISKit. For details visit https://qe-awards.mybluemix.net.

IBM Introduces IBM Q Consulting

IBM is also introducing IBM Q Consulting, which brings together consultants, scientists and industry experts to help clients envision new business value through the application of quantum computing technology, and provide clients with customized roadmaps to help them become quantum ready. With access to cutting-edge mathematics and engineering, IBM's quantum consultants and developers are applying their expertise to complex business problems. IBM Q Consulting is focusing initially in logistics and modeling use cases in industries such as mining, banking, life sciences and electronics. Clients can engage IBM Q Consulting immediately.

About IBM Q

IBM Q is an industry-first initiative to build commercial universal quantum computing systems for business and science applications. For more information about IBM's quantum computing efforts, please visit www.ibm.com/ibmq.

Media Contact

Christine Vu

IBM Media Relations  Research

[email protected]

914-945-2755

IBM Q Network, IBM Q, IBM Q Experience, QISKit and IBM Q Consulting are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

SOURCE IBM

Related Links

http://www.ibm.com


SAN FRANCISCO and SOLINGEN, Germany, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Instana, the first monitoring solution to apply both automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to fully automate all aspects of application performance management (APM), today announced it has raised a $20 million Series B investment led by Accel, with participation from existing investor Target Partners. This brings the company's total funding to $27 million to date. The funding will be used to grow the company's ability to fulfill the demand from across global markets and expand the development of its products.

Companies are increasingly relying on container and cloud technologies to deploy highly dynamic software applications, which require new management solutions. Since its inception, Instana has received strong interest from enterprises worldwide that have become frustrated with the limitations of current solutions' abilities to keep up with the high rate of application change, visualize containerized environments, understand performance and analyze impact.

Through innovations in real-time analysis and the application of AI, Instana has delivered a solution that represents the new era of APM monitoring designed from the ground up to work in modern application environments. By facilitating high speed agile development and operations, Instana is leading the way into the next-generation of management tools, enabling IT to deliver services more quickly and efficiently, and better manage business-critical applications in containerized environments.

The APM market grew 13% in 2016, according to Gartner Market Share Analysis: Performance Analysis Software, Worldwide, 2016. * As enterprise businesses continue to rapidly adopt cloud technologies and with the wave of IoT firmly on the horizon, the APM industry is expected to reach $5.6 billion by 2020, Gartner reported in Forecast: Enterprise Software Markets, Worldwide, 2014-2021, 1Q17 Update.**

"Since our incubation in Germany, Instana focused on delivering to the needs of monitoring today's modern dynamic application environments," said Mirko Novakovic, Instana founder and CEO. "By providing a unique AI-powered solution, we've succeeded in driving rapid customer adoption, having been deployed at nearly 100 enterprise customers globally in just 10 months. The addition of Accel to our existing investor, Target Partners, is another strong endorsement; their guidance and support will be critical as Instana continues to scale, mature and succeed."

Instana's customers are large organizations across multiple industries, including financial services, healthcare, retail, communications and cloud-based service providers such as Edmunds.com, Sixt, iOFFICE, Audi, Trusted Shops and ClearScore. Instana recently announced intelligent analysis of AWS products and AI-powered health management of the increasingly ubiquitous container orchestration platform, Kubernetes.

"Through the use of Instana's AI powered monitoring solution, Audi's DevOps team was given immediate and precise visibility into our new containerized fast data platform," said Florian Schwensfeier, Audi Executive of Development car2x, Dataplatform and Dataanalytics. "Instana's unique solution is allowing our teams to rapidly deliver next generation services to our consumers and confidently deliver them with high quality."

"Across industries, businesses large and small continue to make application monitoring and engineering for speed top priorities. Instana's solution delivers the capabilities organizations need to accelerate the development of customized software to optimize and grow their business. Highly-technical and knowledgeable experts with decades of experience in the APM market, the Instana team collectively shares a vision of what is needed to manage the performance of today's dynamic applications," said Harry Nelis, Partner, Accel, who will join the board. "We look forward to partnering closely with Instana to help drive further growth."

"Instana's founders had a global vision from inception of how to effectively manage today's dynamic applications. This vision combines core research and R&D capabilities from the team in Germany with an experienced sales and marketing team in Silicon Valley. Through this holistic approach, the company addresses the key requirements of global enterprises seeking to leverage dynamic applications as part of their business growth strategy. We could not be happier with the market's response to Instana," said Target Partners co-founder and partner Dr. Berthold von Freyberg.

* Gartner Market Share Analysis: Performance Analysis Software, Worldwide, 2016, Federico De Silva, June 2, 2017.

** Forecast: Enterprise Software Markets, Worldwide, 2014-2021, 1Q17 Update, March 20, 2017.

About Instana:

As the leading provider of Application Performance Management solutions for containerized microservice applications, Instana applies automation and artificial intelligence to deliver the visibility needed to effectively manage the performance of today's dynamic applications across the DevOps lifecycle. Founded by application monitoring veterans, Instana provides AI-powered APM to help organizations deliver high performance applications today and in the future. Visit us at https://instana.com to learn more.

About Accel

Accel is a leading venture capital firm that invests in people and their companies from the earliest days through all phases of private company growth. Atlassian, Algolia, Avito, Cloudera, Crowdstrike, Deliveroo, DJI, Dropbox, Etsy, Facebook, Flipkart, Funding Circle, Kayak, QlikTech, Slack, Spotify, Supercell and WorldRemit are among the companies the firm has backed over the past 30 years. The firm seeks to understand entrepreneurs as individuals, appreciate their originality and play to their strengths. Because greatness doesn't have a stereotype. For more, visit www.accel.com, www.facebook.com/accel or www.twitter.com/accel.

About Target

With 300 million under management, Target Partners is one of the leading early-stage venture capital firms in Germany. Target Partners invests in new startup and early-stage companies, and supports them with venture capital during their build-out and expansion phases. With many years of experience as managers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, the team at Target Partners supports entrepreneurs in developing and marketing products and services, building organizations, raising money and taking companies public in Europe and the United States.

For more details: www.targetpartners.de, follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/targetpartners or Facebook: facebook.com/targetpartners.

Media Contacts:

Instana:

Cinthia Portugal

Guyer Group

[email protected]

+1 206 619 8183

Accel:

Josephine Salm

Sepia Communications

[email protected]

+44 7776377478

Target Partners:

Stefan Zacher

Sprachperlen GmbH

[email protected]

+49 89 411 53 199

SOURCE Instana

Related Links

http://www.accel.com


TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Charles Brindamour, Chief Executive Officer of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) today announced changes to the roles and responsibilities of members of the company's leadership team, effective January 1, 2018.

"With consumer expectations changing at an accelerated pace and our recent entry into the U.S. market we are better positioning ourselves to adapt to our new North American scope, accelerate our customer driven transformation, optimize our distribution of services to Canadians across all channels and build on our outstanding talent," said Charles Brindamour, CEO.

Building on his deep knowledge of all distribution channels and disruptive mindset, Louis Gagnon currently President, Service and Distribution will become President of Canadian Operations, overseeing all channels in addition to Personal and Commercial Lines and our Marketing operations.

Leveraging his extensive knowledge of specialty lines and proven track record of execution, as recently announced, Mike Miller continues as President of U.S. Operations and North American Specialty Lines.

Building on his considerable knowledge of claims, IT, data and large operations, Mathieu Lamy will become Chief Operating Officer for IFC, with North American accountability for Claims, Technology, Intact Lab and Data Lab, Ventures and People operations.

Louis Gagnon, Mike Miller and Mathieu Lamy will report to Charles Brindamour.

Jean-Francois Blais currently President of Intact Insurance will be retiring from Intact, following a considerable contribution to the business. He joined the company six years ago through the AXA Canada acquisition, playing a pivotal role in the successful transition of employees and brokers.

"I would like to acknowledge and thank Jean-Francois Blais for his contributions over the past six years. He has made a strong impact in the broker network and played a pivotal role in the development of Intact Insurance," added Charles Brindamour.

About Intact Financial Corporation

Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is the largest provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada and a leading provider of specialty insurance in North America, with close to $10 billion in total annual premiums. The Company has over 13,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than five million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada and the U.S. In Canada, Intact distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through a wide network of brokers, including its wholly-owned subsidiary BrokerLink, and directly to consumers through belairdirect. In the U.S., OneBeacon Insurance Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary, provides specialty insurance products through independent agencies, brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies.

SOURCE Intact Financial Corporation

Related Links

http://www.intactcf.com


OXFORD, England, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Namilumab exclusive worldwide licen c e granted by Takeda

Awarded 1.35 million grant by Innovate UK to support phase II proof-of-concept study

Highly experienced management team; co-founded by serial entrepreneur Bryan Morton

Izana Bioscience ("Izana" or "the Company") launches today as a new clinical-stage translational medicine company. Izana is initially focused on the development of namilumab (IZN-101) in ankylosing spondylitis, and has entered into an exclusive worldwide licence agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) for the right to develop, manufacture and commercialise the product in all indications. As part of the licence agreement, Takeda has taken a strategic equity stake in Izana.

Izana is well funded, and is backed by a team of highly experienced pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, led by Professor Bryan Morton CBE. The Company has also been awarded a grant of 1.35 million by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK, to support a phase II proof-of-concept study in ankylosing spondylitis, a debilitating arthritic disease of the spine that is estimated to affect over four million people in major markets worldwide.

Bryan Morton, Chairman of Izana, said: "The launch of Izana is truly exciting, both for the Company and the wider UK life sciences sector, as we build a new UK-based translational medicine business focused on bringing innovative science to market. We are delighted that the novelty of our approach has already been recognised by Innovate UK, and Takeda has trusted us to progress this promising antibody, initially in the greatly underserved indication of ankylosing spondylitis. Working with world-leading experts at Oxford University Hospitals, we look forward to moving our lead product into phase II testing in the near future, as we work to translate world-class science into a world-leading business."

Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford, & Chairman of the UK Life Sciences Industrial Strategy Board, said: "I am excited at the launch of Izana Bioscience, which has the potential to become a great exemplar of the UK Life Sciences Industrial Strategy that we published at the end of August. Bringing together a great UK team, collaborating with the NHS and leading UK scientists, and with support from Innovate UK, Izana is showcasing true innovation to benefit patients."

Namilumab

Namilumab is a human monoclonal antibody targeting granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The antibody has demonstrated efficacy in a phase II proof of concept trial conducted in over 100 rheumatoid arthritis patients, and has been well tolerated in previous clinical studies. Research published recently in Nature Communications* by Oxford University scientists indicate GM-CSF is a highly promising target for ankylosing spondylitis therapeutics. Takeda has granted Izana a licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise Namilumab worldwide and for any indication, further to its right to sublicense under its licence agreement with Amgen.

Innovate UK grant

Izana's namilumab clinical development plans are supported by a 1.35 million grant from Innovate UK. The Company intends to conduct a phase II proof-of-concept study in ankylosing spondylitis. Izana plans to initiate the study in approximately 30 patients in the first half of 2018.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and can lead to severe chronic pain and long-term disability. In advanced cases, new bone can form causing sections of the spine to fuse. The condition is estimated to affect over four million people in major markets worldwide. Treatment options are limited for more advanced disease, with over half not responding to, or not achieving remission with, mainstay anti-TNF antibody therapies. The treatment market in major countries is predicted to reach over $5 billion by 2020.

Management team

Izana was founded by a team of experienced pharmaceutical industry entrepreneurs and clinicians. The team is led by Chairman Professor Bryan Morton CBE.

Bryan Morton - Chairman

Bryan is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years' experience of the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, he was founder and CEO of EUSA Pharma, which was acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2012 for $700 million. Prior to EUSA, he founded Zeneus Pharma, which he sold to Cephalon for $360 million.

Dr Someit Sidhu - Chief Executive Officer

Prior to his role as Chief Executive of Izana, Someit worked for McKinsey & Company in its Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products division. Previously, he practised medicine in cardiology and general surgery following his graduation from the University of Oxford Medical School.

Dr Tim Corn - Chief Medical Officer

Tim was formally Chief Medical Officer, International at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Prior to this, he was CMO at EUSA Pharma and Zeneus Pharma, having held senior clinical and regulatory positions at Merck, GlaxoWellcome and the UK Medicines Control Agency. During his career he has steered over 20 products to approval in the US and EU.

Contacts

Dr Someit Sidhu Rob Budge Chief Executive Officer RJB Communications Izana Bioscience +44 (0) 1865 760969 +44 (0) 7706 732212 +44 (0) 7710 741241 http://www.izanabio.com

*Nat Commun 2017 Nov 15;8(1):1510. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01771-2.

SOURCE Izana Bioscience
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of all pharmaceuticals prescribed in the United States in 2017 were generic, totaling sales $197 billion. But don't expect the exact same scenario for biosimilars, often compared to generics for biopharmaceuticals (though they are not the same). So says Kalorama Information, a New York City-based healthcare market research firm. Similar savings for biosimilars, the firm says may not be possible, however, due to the complexity of certain biopharmaceuticals. Nonetheless the firm's new market research study Biosimilars: Global Market and Trend Analysis indicates there will still be a healthy market as a handful of generic companies are willing to risk lower profits at first to lead the charge into biosimilar development. The top biopharmaceuticals with generics already marketed or underway are included in the report.

According to the report, the success of generic drugs has come from the fact that In the past, successful chemical generics have met four conditions  profit margins, simple and patent-free formulations, and very little promotion needed. Biosimilars won't meet all those conditions.

"Only the first  potential for market size and profit margins is met by biosimilars," said Melissa Elder, analyst for Kalorama Information and author of the report. "With the others, there are hurdles for biopharmaceuticals that are not present for chemical drugs."

Elder said the two types of agents are scientifically different in most cases. Although some biologic drugs, such as human growth hormone and insulin, are well characterized, others are not well understood and lack well-established markers for providing efficacy. As a result, the initial investment in biosimilars is larger and takes longer to recoup compared with the investment in mainstream generic drugs. Compared with chemical drugs, upfront costs are high for building complex manufacturing sites for biopharmaceuticals. Small companies often have had to rely on contract research organizations, such as universities. Promotion will still be necessary in early stages of U.S. biosimilars to convince markets.

"Nevertheless, a larger potential market may offset increased manufacturing costs, given that the market for biopharmaceutical products is young and growing," Elder said.

These differences in generic history, the report says, make the current situation very unlike that of the 1980s when chemical generics came to market. In the late 1980s, the science of how to design, manufacture, process, and test a generic version of a chemical drug was far more advanced than today's outlook for biotech products.

Virtually all biotherapeutic agents on the market are biopharmaceuticals, which is simply any medically useful drug whose manufacture involves microorganisms or substances that living organisms produce. Most biopharmaceuticals are recombinant  that is, produced by genetic engineering. Insulin was among the earliest recombinant drugs. When a biopharmaceutical is developed, the company will typically apply for a patent, which is a grant for exclusive manufacturing rights. This is the primary means by which the developer of the drug can recover the investment cost for development of the biopharmaceutical. The patent laws in the United States and Europe differ somewhat on the requirements for a patent; the European requirements are perceived as more difficult to satisfy. The total number of patents granted for biopharmaceuticals has risen significantly since the 1970s. Within the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exerts strict control over the commercial distribution of a pharmaceutical product, including biopharmaceuticals. Approval can require several years of clinical trials, including trials with human volunteers. Even after the drug is released, it will still be monitored for performance and safety risks. Biopharmaceuticals are created through fermentation, recombinant DNA technology, and other bioprocesses. Biosimilars are close copies of these biodrugs designed to treat same condition.

Biosimilars: Global Market and Trend Analysis contains information on pharmaceuticals that have expired patents and projections of biopharmaceuticals under possible biosimilar threat. Market projections for categories and regional markets for biosimilars are included.

About Kalorama Information

Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased through Kalorama's website and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog on our company website.

Press Contact:

Bruce Carlson

212 807 2262

[email protected]

SOURCE Kalorama Information
NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP (www.kaplanfox.com) has filed a class action suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Qudian Inc. ("Qudian" or the "Company") (NYSE: QD), certain of its senior officers, directors, and underwriters.

The complaint alleges that Defendants violated Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. The complaint is brought on behalf of all persons who purchased Qudian American Depository Shares ("ADS") in the Company's October 17, 2017 initial public offering ("Offering") under or traceable to an Amended Registration Statement filed with the SEC on Form F-1/A on October 13, 2017 and a Prospectus filed with the SEC on October 17, 2017 (collectively the "Registration Statement") (the "Class"). In the Offering, 37.5 million Qudian ADSs were sold at $24.00 per share for gross proceeds of $900 million.

The complaint further alleges that the Registration Statement made representations "concerning the Company's risks concerning security breaches and unauthorized access to its customers confidential information" and that these representations "were untrue statements of material facts and omitted material facts necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading, because the Registration Statement did not disclose that, at the time of the Offering, the Company's security measures for protecting its customers' confidential information had been breached or the Company had experienced unauthorized access to its customers confidential information, exposing the Company to liability related to the loss of the information, litigation and negative publicity."

On December 13, 2017, Qudian ADSs closed at $13.98 per share, or more than 41% below the IPO price of $24 per share.

If you are a member of the proposed Class, you may move the court no later than February 12, 2018 to serve as a lead plaintiff for the proposed Class. You need not seek to become a lead plaintiff in order to share in any possible recovery.

Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of the proposed Class and is represented by Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP (www.kaplanfox.com). Our firm, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Jersey, has decades of experience in prosecuting investor class actions and actions involving violations of the Federal securities laws.

If you have any questions about this Notice, the action, your rights, or your interests, please e-mail attorneys Jeff Campisi ([email protected]), or Larry King ([email protected]), or contact them by phone, regular mail, or fax:

Jeffrey P. Campisi

KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP

850 Third Avenue, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Toll-Free Telephone: (800) 290-1952

Telephone: (212) 687-1980

Fax: (212) 687-7714

E-mail address: [email protected]

Laurence D. King

KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP

350 Sansome Street, Suite 400

San Francisco, CA 94104

Telephone: (415) 772-4700

Fax: (415) 772-4707

E-mail address: [email protected]

SOURCE Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP

Related Links

http://www.kaplanfox.com


As part of its security awareness training, KnowBe4 simulates a phishing attack on a client's organization to gain a baseline percentage of employees likely to fall victim to such an attack. KnowBe4 offers automated and interactive web-based training programs using the world's most extensive library of security awareness training contentincluding videos, games, newsletters, interactive modules, and posters that improves employees' Phish-prone percentage. Clients have unlimited use of KnowBe4's hundreds of phishing templates to test employees on a regular, ongoing basis to help keep security top of mind.

"After 'testing' a company's employees, KnowBe4 provides detailed reporting on employees' actions to help organizations determine further training requirements," states Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst, Danielle VanZandt. "KnowBe4 seeks to identify and target its trainingthinking like a hackerfor the benefit of organizations; helping minimize security risks."

KnowBe4 also offers solutions that clients can use on their own, including:

Automated Security Awareness Program (ASAP): This tool is a free online tool that allows IT admins to customize their own training program through a questionnaire they fill out regarding their organization. The tool then offers relevant training suggestions.

Email Exposure Check Pro (EEC) conducts a deep web search on the email addresses of an organization that are publicly available to detect the most at risk employees.

Social Engineering Indicators: This solution helps employees recognize red flags in simulated phishing emails.

Second Chance flags questionable links within an email or attachment, lets employees know, and asks if they wish to proceed anyway.

AIDA is a machine learning artificial intelligence platform that works as a chatbot and simulates ways that an attacker engages people through different channels.

Smart Groups is a feature that allows clients to upgrade the security level of each employee, utilizing rules-driven phishing template deployment.

Content Variation: The company understands that content is an essential aspect of information retention; therefore, it creates materials in various forms for clients, ranging from extremely corporate-friendly and "safe" to more edgy styles using humor.

KnowBe4's platform can help organizations cut employees' tendency to fall for phishing scams from an average of 16% to just 1.2% over the course of one year. "It is this type of proven success that accounts for the company's 300% year-over-year growth rate and positions the company well moving into the future," said VanZandt.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that demonstrates excellence in implementing strategies that proactively create value for its customers with a focus on improving the return on the investment that customers make in its services or products. The award recognizes the company's unique focus on augmenting the value that its customers receive, beyond simply good customer service, leading to improved customer retention and customer base expansion.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, provider of the world's most popular integrated new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 14,000 organizations worldwide. Founded by data- and IT-security expert Stu Sjouwerman, with backing from Elephant Partners and Goldman Sachs Growth Equity, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to security awareness training. Kevin Mitnick, internationally recognized computer-security expert and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design KnowBe4's training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Thousands of organizations leverage KnowBe4 to train their workforce to make smarter security decisions and create a human firewall as an effective last line of defense.

KnowBe4 is ranked #231 on the 2017 Inc. 500 list, #70 on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500 and #6 in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500. KnowBe4 is headquartered in Tampa Bay, Florida with European offices in London and Amsterdam. For more info, visit http://www.knowbe4.com and follow Stu on Twitter at @StuAllard.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Claudia Toscano

P: 210.477.8417

F: 210.348.1003

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Related Links

http://www.frost.com


Growth driven by client-focused investments in technology, innovative services, alliances and hiring

Record high revenues for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 of US$26.40 billion

Revenue growth for FY2017 of 5% (in local currencies) driven by strong growth across Audit, Tax and Advisory services

Growth in all three regions (Americas, ASPAC and EMA)

KPMG invested more than US$1 billion this year in a multi-year program focused on new technology, innovation and developing new services and solutions

this year in a multi-year program focused on new technology, innovation and developing new services and solutions More than 37,000 new graduates and other entry-level professionals hired, with the total workforce growing to a record-high of 197,263 people.

KPMG network achieves gender parity for new hires, and an increase to 28% women in partner promotions across our 10 largest countries.

LONDON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - KPMG International today announced record aggregated network revenues of US$26.40 billion for the fiscal year ending 30 September 2017 (FY17), representing a 5% increase in local currency terms on FY16.

"The KPMG network grew strongly while continuing to transform to meet the rapidly changing demands of clients. We are making significant, strategic investments across Audit, Tax and Advisory in technology and innovative services where clients are facing their greatest challenges and disruption. As an example, KPMG firms have built leading positions in cyber security, data & analytics (D&A) and digital transformation services, bringing together leading edge technology with world-class business expertise to offer a higher level of capabilities to clients in these critical areas," said Bill Thomas, Chairman, KPMG International.

"We remain committed to meeting our public interest responsibility and continuously improving the quality of the vital work performed for clients and capital markets. The Value of Audit and Responsible Tax forums held by KPMG around the world are powerful examples of KPMG bringing together key stakeholders to discuss our profession's most complex challenges and opportunities."

KPMG firms grew across all three geographic regions:

Americas revenues increased by 4.4%, with Tax growing by 6.7%.

Asia Pacific delivered strong growth with revenues increasing by 8.1%, with Advisory growing by 15.0%.

delivered strong growth with revenues increasing by 8.1%, with Advisory growing by 15.0%. Europe , Middle East and Africa (EMA, including India ) revenues increased by 4.0%.

Investing for future growth

"KPMG is continuing with a multi-year global investment program and this year invested more than US$1 billion in new services, technology, alliances and acquisitions, focused particularly on D&A, strategy, cyber security, digital labor and audit. This represents our most exciting, data-driven investment in the network and is transforming our technology capability and our operating model," said Bill Thomas. "Like KPMG's clients around the world, we're focused on harnessing the power of digital transformation to improve efficiency, innovation and quality."

Growth in business lines  Audit, Tax and Advisory

Audit

Total Audit revenues for the year were up by 3.1% to US$10.39 billion, building on last year's exceptional growth of 4.5%.

KPMG firms continued to win a number of significant audit appointments, particularly in Europe, where the impact of the second full year of EU audit reforms continues to drive increased movement of audit engagements.

"We remain dedicated to continuously improving audit quality by making quality the focus of everything we do. We are doing this through innovation, investing in our smart audit platform  KPMG Clara  our methodology and most importantly our people. KPMG continues to invest in new audit technology and innovation through a several hundred million dollar, multi-year, investment program. KPMG Clara now offers an automated, agile, intelligent and scalable platform for KPMG Audit professionals, bringing powerful D&A and technology capabilities together in one interface and allowing clients real-time information arising from the audit process and communication with the audit team. Through our alliance with Microsoft we are working to move aspects of KPMG Clara onto Microsoft's Azure cloud platform in certain markets, which will further enhance audit quality as well as improving efficiency," said Bill O'Mara, KPMG International's Global Head of Audit.

Tax

Tax revenues grew 5.9% over the previous year, to US$5.83 billion, driven by high demand for tax compliance services, as well as international and M&A related services, in all three regions.

"Once a highly-technical specialist capability, tax has risen on the corporate agenda. Meanwhile, the role of the tax function itself is evolving, particularly due to advancements in technology and data and analytics, highlighting new opportunities for tax departments to provide value to their organizations and beyond. Increasingly complex national and international requirements in key areas such as indirect tax, immigration, and supply chains have fueled demand for technology-enabled tax services and this is something KPMG is equipped to provide," said Jane McCormick, KPMG International's Global Head of Tax.

Advisory

Advisory revenues grew by 6.0% to US$10.18 billion, reflecting increased demand for expertise and deep industry knowledge to help clients better manage their risks, as well as plan and execute their strategy to drive growth. Investments in solutions drove strong double-digit revenue growth in Strategy services and emerging technologies such as Cyber. Particularly strong growth was seen in Asia Pacific, where Advisory revenues increased by 15%, with double-digit growth across the largest firms, including a 29% increase in China.

"The intersection between business consulting and technology is now very strong. Projects often start with a conversation with a client about a business challenge they are facing, then evolve to where new solutions with embedded technology can be developed drawing on our industry expertise, technology capability and alliances. We've focused on becoming more agile, and the speed at which we develop solutions and get them to market has increased dramatically over the past 2 years," said Mark A Goodburn, KPMG International's Global Head of Advisory.

A workforce of extraordinary talent

In FY17, the KPMG network remained a leading choice for talent, with the global workforce growing by more than 4% to 197,263 people, the highest number of individuals ever employed across the network. More than 37,000 new graduates and other entry-level professionals joined KPMG, and in our 10 largest countries we promoted more than 450 people to partner in our most recent partner class, and in FY17 we admitted more than 250 experienced hire partners across our network.

Within our leadership ranks, gender diversity continues to rise across the network. In the 10 largest countries, 28% of KPMG's latest class of partner promotions were women, and women now make up 47% of the KPMG network's workforce.

KPMG is investing significant time and resource to equip its people with digital transformation skills. As an example, KPMG in the US broke ground on a US$400 million learning, development and innovation facility in Orlando, Florida, US in mid-2017. KPMG is also working with leading universities to help educate and provide opportunities to the next generation of accounting professionals, developing the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program to prepare professionals for the rapid advance of technologies that are changing the landscape of the accounting profession.

"KPMG's inclusive culture helps ensure that teams reflect the diversity of skills, backgrounds, experiences and thought expected by clients. We encourage our people to see the world through many different perspectives. We empower our people to be themselves and respect others  it's core to our values and what we believe in," said Susan Ferrier, KPMG International's Global Head of People, Performance and Culture.

KPMG member firms around the world are putting those beliefs into practice through their support for and involvement across a broad spectrum of diversity organizations and communities including Women Corporate Directors, the largest global network of women Board members, and KPMG's global citizenship priority of lifelong learning.

KPMG has been recognized as a leader in the drive toward inclusion in the workplace, including:

2017 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity (US)

2017 Best-of-the-Best Corporation for Inclusion by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC) (US)

Business in the Community (BITC) announced KPMG in the UK in the Best Employer for Race list, and awarded the firm the Workplace Equality Award for Recruitment (UK)

Winner of the 2017 Queen's Award for Enterprise in the inaugural category of 'Promoting Opportunity' for its work on social mobility (UK)

The Times Top 50 Employers for Women for the 7th consecutive year (UK)

Silver Tier award for 2017 and a Bronze Tier award for the 2016 Australian Workplace Equality Index recognizing workplace support for LGBTI people ( Australia )

) KPMG was recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 2017 ( Canada )

) 2016/17 Life At Work Awards Honouree, to recognize and celebrate employers with leading workplace strategies that champion I&D ( Malaysia ).

Our priority of citizenship

KPMG has a corporate citizenship strategy that is central to our identity that supports and reinforces our values and our purpose. KPMG member firms encourage partners and staff to engage with their local communities to inspire confidence and empower change. Over the past 12 months the KPMG network and KPMG people have invested more than US$105 million in local communities, and KPMG people have contributed 500,000 hours supporting communities, which includes more than 100,000 hours of pro-bono professional services.

KPMG firms across the world continued their commitment to lifelong learning. To date, KPMG has distributed more than 3 million books worldwide through KPMG's Family for Literacy (KFFL), and is a proud supporter of Junior Achievement, Enactus, One Young World and WE Charity, among others.

Other FY17 highlights

KPMG member firms serve 84% of Global Fortune 500 companies.

KPMG's alliances with market leaders like IBM, Microsoft and Oracle further extended the breadth of technology-based offerings for clients around the world.

The Forrester Wave: Information Security Consulting Services, Q3 2017 has ranked the KPMG network as a leader in Information Security Consulting Services.

Notes to editors:

Combined revenues of KPMG member firms by region (US$ billion)

Regions Current Prior Local growth

(%) US$ growth

(%) Americas 10.48 10.02 4.4% 4.6% Asia Pacific 4.42 4.06 8.1% 8.9% EMA 11.50 11.34 4.0% 1.4% Total 26.40 25.42 4.8% 3.9%

Functions Current Prior Local growth

(%) US$ growth

(%) Audit 10.39 10.12 3.1% 2.7% Tax 5.83 5.56 5.9% 4.9% Advisory 10.18 9.74 6.0% 4.5% Total 26.40 25.42 4.8% 3.9%

The following global reports have also been issued by KPMG International today:

KPMG International Annual Review

The International Annual Review reflects on our record of achievement over the past fiscal year, demonstrating the insights and expertise of KPMG professionals and the unrelenting focus on acting with integrity and quality in everything we do.

KPMG International Transparency Report

This report provides insights and details on how we continually strive to enhance audit quality, which is a direct reflection of the KPMG network's unwavering commitment to audit quality, an integral element of our business and culture.

About KPMG International

KPMG is a global network of professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 154 countries and have 197,263 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

The financial information set forth represents combined information of the separate KPMG member firms that perform professional services for clients. The information is combined here solely for presentation purposes. KPMG International performs no services for clients nor, concomitantly, generates any client revenue.

Headcount figures are expressed as FTE (full-time equivalent) and are based on average headcount for the financial year.

SOURCE KPMG International
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cigarette smoking by teens continued to decline in 2017, according to today's Monitoring the Future survey results. Only 5.4 percent of teenagers in grades eight, 10 and 12 reported smoking a cigarette in the past 30 days, down from 5.9 percent in 2016. This underscores the importance of well-funded and well-executed public education campaigns targeted to today's teens, such as truth, which prevented more than 300,000 U.S. youth and young adults from becoming smokers during 2015-2016.

Promising data from the report revealed that for the first time ever, past 30-day cigarette prevalence for 12th-grade students is under 10 percent  a milestone achievement. The same age group also saw declines for smokeless, large cigars and hookah use. This progress is another step in the right direction, but is offset by the simultaneous increase in past 30-day use of flavored little cigars and regular little cigars. Easier accessibility and lower prices for little cigars, along with highly appealing fruit and alcoholic beverage flavors such as pina colada, make these products particularly alluring to young people who may not understand that they are as equally harmful as cigarettes.

As it pertains to the acceptability of light or social smoking among young people, it is concerning that harm perceptions of smoking 1-5 cigarettes a day has decreased among 8th and 10th graders. This remains an important education objective as the Surgeon General has stated that there is no safe level of cigarette smoking.

Despite the drop in youth smoking rates, it is disappointing that vaping has increased after a year of decline. The growth and normalization of vaping to consume any substance (nicotine, flavors, or marijuana) is concerning. It is also difficult to interpret the survey data because of inconsistencies year-over-year. Self-reported data on whether a vape product contains nicotine or just flavors is unreliable given that many young people do not purchase their own vape products and, until August 2018, there are no labeling requirements indicating that a product contains nicotine. Data from Nielsen indicate that 99 percent of e-cigarette products sold at monitored U.S. stores in 2015 contain nicotine1. Vaping clouds the picture, literally and figuratively, because young people may not know what they are inhaling. For example, a new, rapidly growing electronic nicotine device called JUUL has become extremely popular among teens. Research from Truth Initiative shows that 25 percent of 15-24-year-old JUUL users do not identify their behavior as vaping, instead referring to it as "JUULing." Furthermore, our research shows that 37 percent of teen and young adult JUUL users are uncertain whether the product contains nicotine when, in fact, all marketed versions of JUUL do contain nicotine.

The likely understatement of nicotine consumption via a vaping device, along with the fact that vaping is being used by 3.6 percent of teens to consume marijuana, is concerning and suggests that vaping is being normalized as a drug delivery system. And, regardless of delivery method, there is simply no place for tobacco, nicotine or other drugs that can impact brain development in the lives of teenagers.

The rise in use of non-traditional tobacco products documented by the survey, as well as increases in little cigar usage among older teens, should be all the motivation the Food and Drug Administration needs to finish the process they started in 2016 and fully regulate all tobacco products on a rapid timetable instead of the current delay that will postpone cigar regulation until 2021 and e-cigarettes until 2022.

The University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future study tracks trends in substance use among students in 12th, 10th and 8th grades. Each year, the national study surveys 40,000 to 50,000 students in about 400 public and private secondary schools throughout the United States.

About Truth Initiative

Truth Initiative is a national public health organization that is inspiring tobacco-free lives and building a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco. The truth about tobacco and the tobacco industry are at the heart of our proven-effective and nationally recognized truth public education campaign, our rigorous and scientific research and policy studies, and our innovative community and youth engagement programs supporting populations at high risk of using tobacco. The Washington, D.C.,-based organization, formerly known as Legacy, was established and funded through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. To learn more about how Truth Initiative speaks, seeks and spreads the truth about tobacco, visit truthinitiative.org.

1 Based on unit sales data from January 11, 2015, to December 12, 2015, from The Nielsen Company for convenience stores; supermarkets; mass merchandisers; drug, club, and dollar stores; and Department of Defense commissaries. The data did not include purchases from tobacco specialty shops, "vape shops," or online sources.

SOURCE Truth Initiative

Related Links

http://truthinitiative.org


DENVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker, the leading marketing automation platform for marijuana dispensaries and brands, today announced it secured $8 million in Series A funding, bringing its total amount of capital raised to $11.75 million, making it one of the most funded companies in the cannabis space.

Led by Poseidon Asset Management, a VC firm that specializes in cannabis, this round will help fuel Baker's continued growth, particularly in Washington and California. Baker recently acquired Seattle-based Grassworks, the industry's second largest CRM platform, and is increasing its presence there with a new office. The company also plans to open an office in Los Angeles in 2018 to support its expected growth in California, as that market adds adult use.

"We've built the industry's leading CRM product, and now we're truly focused on providing a platform to allow Baker and our partners to offer best-of-breed solutions to our massive retail network. Our products help dispensaries make more money, which is why we've experienced such tremendous growth this year," said Joel Milton, CEO of Baker. "This funding will allow us to continue to execute on our platform strategy, and help all of our clients grow their businesses -- including those in California gearing up for adult use."

The Denver-based software company has a unique data-driven approach that helps dispensaries leverage their brands to keep their customers happy and loyal, and increase revenue almost immediately. With its recent acquisition, Baker's software is being used by more than 700 dispensaries in 16 states. This year alone, the company grew its staff from 18 to more than 50 full time employees, making Baker one of the largest tech companies in the industry.

Other investors to participate in Baker's Series A include cannabis the VC firms Panther Opportunity Fund and Phyto Partners, as well as participation from other previous investors.

"Baker has continued to grow at an impressive rate, and is breaking away from the pack in a big way," said Morgan Paxhia, Co-founder and Managing Director at Poseidon Asset Management. "Unlike anyone else in the space, the team continues to cultivate and craft unique solutions for its customers and scale at a remarkable rate. I'm thrilled to be a part of a company that is truly transforming the industry."

For more information about Baker, please visit www.trybaker.com.

About Baker:

Baker is a Denver-based customer engagement and marketing automation platform for Cannabis dispensaries and brands. With their data-driven approach to turn anonymous visitors into repeat customers, Baker's smart products include personalized messaging, loyalty, and online shopping. The industry-leading platform is described as the perfect recipe for a successful dispensary, with results to prove it: on average Baker clients see a 40% boost in average order size, and a 300% ROI in just six weeks. Founded in 2014, the company graduated from notable startup accelerator 500 Startups, and is already powering the Cannabis retail experience for more than 750 dispensaries and over 1.2M of their customers. Investors include Michael Lazerow, Base Ventures, XG Ventures, Poseidon Asset Management, Phyto Partners, The founders of Outside Lands, and others.

SOURCE Baker

Related Links

http://www.trybaker.com


KONO Smart's patent-pending Decor-snap covers change the way the traditional thermostat looks with interchangeable decorative face plate accessories. The thermostat comes standard with a sleek, on-trend black stainless cover but can be enhanced with different options to match any room. Choose from five colors including, Hibiscus Red, Sea Green and Deep Blue, plus a paintable cover option  each cover is sold separately so homeowners can easily select the best color choice for their room. The thermostat's intuitive control is easy to use with its simple knob or it can be managed with the LUX mobile app from anywhere. The LUX Home and Away Aware feature automatically adjusts the temperature to a personally selected preference when leaving or entering the home for effortless savings. With KONO Smart, homeowners can truly personalize their comfort, design and savings.

"Most smart device purchases are driven by price, value and ease of use. KONO Smart is the trifecta of smart thermostats, and we've also focused on design," said Rob Munin CEO of LUX Products. "The KONO Smart's simple knob interface, coupled with its sleek design, high-end finishes and on-the-mark features, offers homeowners a smart solution to their home comfort that is easy to use and great to look at. We've gone beyond affordability; we've added the element of personalization with our Decor-snap covers in a range of designer color options that give a never before seen look to the home thermostat."

In addition, KONO Smart offers a Smart Tips feature as part of its LUX App that automatically sends seasonal tips to homeowners on ways to help save energy. The Smart Tips feature offers general tips as well as proactive suggestions based on the user's behavior on how to best save money and be more energy efficient. These year-round recommendations help manage the wallet as well as energy usage.

Pricing and Availability

LUX KONO Smart is available immediately for just $149. It can be purchased at your local Home Depot store or at www.luxproducts.com.

About LUX Products Corporation

LUX Products is an innovator in home comfort. The company continues to revolutionize how the thermostat is used in the home through innovative product design and forward-thinking mobile services. Through its rich heritage in designing and manufacturing innovative products and services, LUX leads the industry with a wide variety of superbly designed, feature-appropriate, reliable thermostats for every home and budget. With more than 100 years of experience, first delivering reliable timing devices and 30 plus years of home comfort control products, LUX is one of the largest brands of thermostats with over 15 million thermostats installed. Its products have been noted by well-regarded consumer influencers and its smart products are compatible with home automation technologies like Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. To learn more about LUX Products, visit www.LUXProducts.com.

SOURCE LUX Products

Related Links

http://www.LUXProducts.com


HOUSTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A small Houston-area hospital scored a significant win against an insurance company in a reimbursement dispute when a state district judge issued a summary judgment in favor of the hospital.

Apollo Hospital, located in The Woodlands and now called Texienne Hospital Systems, alleged that Universal American Insurance Corp. improperly denied millions of dollars in claims submitted for services Apollo provided to members of Universal American's insurance plans.

The insurer contended that it could deny claims based on a flat-rate arrangement called "capitation" between Universal American and an affiliate of Apollo Hospital. Harris County District Judge Mike Engelhart agreed with Apollo, ruling that the insurance company could not deny claims on that basis.

"This is an indisputable victory for our client," said Apollo Hospital's lawyer, Ashish Mahendru of the Houston commercial litigation firm Mahendru P.C. "Insurance companies, in their never-ending effort to save money, cannot put patient care at risk by throwing medical providers under the bus when it comes to reimbursement."

Also representing Apollo Hospital was Mahendru P.C. lawyer Darren Braun. Apollo filed suit after Universal American refused to reimburse the hospital at the agreed-upon rate of 100 percent of the "Medicare allowable payment." Instead, the insurance company denied over $10 million in claims, based on a years-old capitation arrangement that Universal American had with a primary care practice loosely affiliated with Apollo.

Mr. Mahendru and Mr. Braun successfully argued that the contract had no bearing on Apollo Hospital, which was governed by a completely new and separate contract containing specific reimbursement provisions. Judge Engelhart agreed, issuing the summary judgment on Nov. 17, 2017.

The lawsuit is Texienne Hospital Systems, L.P., v. Universal American Corp., et al., Case No. 2017-08003 in Harris County's 151st District Court.

Mahendru P.C. is a boutique commercial litigation firm whose attorneys are known for their tenacity, intelligence and experience. Founded in 2001, the firm has a simple philosophy: Your problem is our problem. We adopt it, understand it and solve it. Our objective is to resolve every case in the best, fastest and most cost-efficient manner possible. To learn more, visit http://www.thelitigationgroup.com/.

Contact Information:

Kit Frieden

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Mahendru P.C.

Related Links

http://www.thelitigationgroup.com


The technique combines the results from consumer behavior analysis with multidimensional data to guide the optimization of stock strategies in retailing, precise advertising service, lowering costs of production, supply and marketing, increase overall ROI and promote rapid business growth.

MaLogic is a tech-based consulting business company co-founded by Eliza Wong, former CEO of Synovate Greater China, and Royce Yuen, former Ogilvy HK Chairman.

Founded by Wu Minghui in 2006, Miaozhen Systems has realized great business success through geographical expansion, acquisitions and strategic investments. Miaozhen devotes itself to promote the development of data and technology in marketing and provide advertisers with integrated solutions based on data technology and marketing strategies, and enable enterprises to realize data-driven growth.

"We are extremely pleased to team up with Miaozhen which is a proven industry leader," said Eliza Wong, Co-CEO of MaLogic. "We will be co-developing some exciting IP products that are intended to empower clients to fully leverage the latest technology for more effective business and marketing management."

"MaLogic is a company made up of outstanding leaders with abundant industry experience: our vision is to be the driving force of data and technology in marketing field leveraging our combined advantages." said Wu Minghui, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Miaozhen Systems.

About MaLogic

MaLogic is a professional services firm with a mission to help companies and executives to enhance performance and create value. It focuses on market insights and intelligence, advance brand management, big data analytics and customer experience strategies.

The MaLogic management is a group of like-minded professionals who are proven industry leaders in their respective domains. With diverse knowledge and experience, MaLogic delivers customized solutions to corporations which are confronting fresh challenges in this rapidly changing market environment.

About Miaozhen Systems

Founded in 2006, Miaozhen Systems is the leading third-party marketing data technology company in China, concentrating on more efficient corporate marketing based on the objective data and innovative technology solutions.

Clients cover more than 2,000 brands in the FMCG, daily chemical, catering, pharmaceutical, automotive, energy, electricity and other industries. With more than 65% market share, Miaozhen places emphasis on continuous innovation and it is also the major contributor for national advertising standards in China.

Miaozhen Systems provides a total digital marketing solution Miaozhen Marketing Cloud, which integrates ad tracking, budget optimization, insight, DMP, programmatic advertising service and marketing automation, to help clients improve their returns on investment.

Contact Miaozhen[email protected]

SOURCE Miaozhen Systems
DALLAS, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced that Peter Darby, AIA, LEED, AP, has joined the firm as the Architecture Practice Lead for the state of Texas. In this role, Mr. Darby is responsible for leading a team of architects to deliver all aspects of building design for clients across the state.

"Development in the state of Texas continues at a rapid pace, so the addition of Peter to lead our Architecture Practice enables our team to more competitively compete for significant architecture project opportunities," said Juan Contreras, P.E., Regional Director for Michael Baker International's Gulf Coast Region. "Peter's leadership, combined with his ability to manage key relationships, will help showcase how We Make a Difference for our clients."

Based in Michael Baker's Dallas office, Mr. Darby brings more than 23 years of experience as an architect to the role, including the planning and design of transportation, transit and aviation projects. Throughout his career, his project experience includes commercial, core and shell, mixed-use developments, including office, residential, retail, interiors and parking facilities, higher education, transit and urban design master planning components. He has provided expertise with federal requirements for physical security, access security, cyber-security, sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) and blast protection for United States Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security.

Most recently, Mr. Darby worked with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) on the D2 alignment thru downtown Dallas, Trinity River Park, Historic Preservation Task Force for the City of Dallas, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) CityMap on the proposed solution to align with communities on urban issues.

Mr. Darby is an active participant in the architectural community and a member of the board of directors for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dallas Chapter. He is also an active member of the Greater Dallas Planning Council (GDPC), Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Congress for New Urbanism (CNU).

Mr. Darby earned his Master's Degree in Design Studies from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture and Urban Studies from Virginia Tech University.

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading global provider of engineering and consulting services, which include planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life-cycle support services as well as information technology and communications services and solutions. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions in support of U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients. Michael Baker International has more than 6,000 employees in more than 90 locations across the U.S. and internationally. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com.

SOURCE Michael Baker International

Related Links

http://www.mbakerintl.com


SECAUCUS, N.J., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Microexcel, Inc., a global provider of technology solutions and services, has launched three bundled packages for Application Management Services (AMS) in support of SAP SuccessFactors Cloud. The packages offer predictability in cost, scalability of support, and confidence to customers in knowing their investment in SAP SuccessFactors Cloud is being optimized.

As an SAP Gold partner, Microexcel has a dedicated Center of Excellence for SAP SuccessFactors and HR Information Systems. From the experience of working with many global customers for the deployment of their SAP SuccessFactors Cloud solutions, Microexcel was able to assess the commonality of services and levels of support that customers were asking for. While custom programs are always an option, Microexcel customers can now take advantage of the cost savings of bundled packages. Whether customers need help in managing the frequent software releases or expanding the functionality or footprint of the solution, bundled packages are easy to leverage and are convenient for budgeting purposes.

"While we offer three different AMS packages for SAP SuccessFactors, our packages are highly flexible in that we offer roll over hours with all three packages, along with other benefits," states Abe Iruegas, SAP Leader for Microexcel. "Many of our customers were looking for similar types of support so we decided to bundle our most common programs and also offer cost savings to alternative support offered by either SAP or other partners."

The three different packages offered are:

Base  benefits customers that just need day-to-day application management to ensure the system is supporting HR functions properly

 benefits customers that just need day-to-day application management to ensure the system is supporting HR functions properly Comfort  best for customers that need the base support as well as additional help in operating their SAP SuccessFactors environments that may include release management, implementation of new releases and enhancements, integration, among other services

 best for customers that need the base support as well as additional help in operating their SAP SuccessFactors environments that may include release management, implementation of new releases and enhancements, integration, among other services Priority  best suited for customers that require not only smooth operations of their platform, but also performance and stability enhancement and extended functional consulting support

For customers that require additional types of services and support, customized programs can be created to ensure the right plan is in place. For complete details of the SAP SuccessFactors AMS packages offered, please visit http://www.microexcel.com/SFAMS/ or email us at [email protected].

About Microexcel Inc.

Microexcel Inc., is a global leader in providing innovative and comprehensive software solutions and services. Founded in 2001, Microexcel merges people and technology to deliver the most value and return on investment for customers. With headquarters in Secaucus, NJ, and offices worldwide, Microexcel provides full services and support to clients in the areas of Custom Software Development, Microsoft, SAP, Quality Assurance and Testing, IT Infrastructure, Open Source/Liferay, Staffing, and Interactive Services. Microexcel is ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 certified and is also a New York and New Jersey state Certified Minority Owned Business Enterprise.

For more information, please visit http://www.microexcel.com/.

SOURCE Microexcel
SAO PAULO, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Minerva Luxembourg S.A. ("Minerva Luxembourg"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minerva S.A. ("Minerva"), today announced the early tender date results in connection with HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.'s (the "Offeror") previously announced offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") any and all of Minerva Luxembourg's outstanding 7.75% Notes due 2023 (the "Notes"). The Notes are guaranteed by Minerva.

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase dated November 30, 2017 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Offer to Purchase") and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Letter of Transmittal" and together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Offer Documents").

The early tender date for the Tender Offer occurred at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 13, 2017 (the "Early Tender Date"). Minerva Luxembourg has been advised that, as of the Early Tender Date, (i) U.S.$198,042,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, or approximately 79.19% of the outstanding Notes, had been validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer. All Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date will be eligible to receive the Total Consideration (as defined below), which includes the Early Tender Payment (as defined below), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the early settlement date for the Notes (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Early Settlement Date is expected to occur on or about December 14, 2017.

The "Total Consideration" for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be U.S.$1,046.50. The Total Consideration includes an early tender payment (the "Early Tender Payment") equal to U.S.$30.00 for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date. Holders who tender Notes after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will not be entitled to receive the Early Tender Payment and will therefore be entitled to receive, for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered, U.S.$1,016.50 (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), which amount is equal to the Total Consideration less the Early Tender Payment.

Holders who have not yet tendered their Notes have until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 28, 2017, unless extended by the Offeror (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Date") to tender their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. Any holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date will not be entitled to receive the Early Tender Payment and will therefore be entitled to receive only the Tender Offer Consideration, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the final settlement date.

Minerva Luxembourg has consented to the Offeror making the Tender Offer described in the Offer Documents. Minerva Luxembourg is not making the Tender Offer. It is intended that the Notes purchased by the Offeror pursuant to the Tender Offer at the Early Settlement Date will be exchanged by the Offeror to Minerva Luxembourg for a portion of a new issuance of notes in an international capital markets offering.

The obligation of the Offeror to purchase Notes in the Tender Offer is conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer Documents, including a new financing condition as described in the Offer Documents. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon the tender of any minimum principal amount of Notes. The Offeror has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the Tender Offer at any time. The Offeror reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any tenders of Notes for any reason. The Offeror is making the Tender Offer only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so.

Copies of the Offer Documents are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Tender Offer (the "Information Agent"). Requests for copies of the Offer Documents should be directed to the Information Agent at +1 (800) 290-6429 (toll free), +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or [email protected].

Banco Bradesco BBI S.A. ("Bradesco BBI"), BB Securities Limited ("BB Securities"), HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. ("HSBC"), Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. ("Itau") and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") are acting as Dealer Managers in connection with the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to Bradesco BBI, BB Securities, HSBC, Itau, or Merrill Lynch at their respective telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of each of the Offer Documents.

Neither the Offer Documents nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer Documents or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase. The Tender Offer is being made solely by the Offeror pursuant to the Offer Documents. The Tender Offer is not being made to, nor will the Offeror accept any tenders of Notes from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

Minerva S.A.

Media Contact: Edison Ticle de Andrade Melo e Souza Filho

Phone: + 5511 3074 2444 / + 5517 3321 3355

Fax: + 5517 3323 3041

Email: [email protected]

NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the terms of the Tender Offer. These statements are merely projections and as such are based exclusively on management's expectations for Minerva, the business of the Offeror and Minerva and the proposed transactions discussed herein. These forward-looking statements depend materially on changes in market conditions, government regulations, pressures from competitors and the performance of the industry and the Brazilian economy, among other factors, many of which are outside Minerva's control or ability to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Minerva disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Minerva Luxembourg S.A.
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Webroot, the Smarter Cybersecurity company, revealed the results of a new global survey, "Game Changers: AI and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity." The results reveal that 95 percent of IT security professionals say machine learning is a critical component in a cybersecurity strategy.

Conducted in conjunction with Wakefield Research, the study also demonstrates the attitudes among cybersecurity professionals toward security spending priorities, as well as the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in their information security strategy and cyber defense. The survey is part of the company's Quarterly Threat Trends newsletter focusing on security trends and predictions for 2018.

Explore the Results: Game Changers: AI and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity

Key Findings:

The U.S. is an early adopter of AI for cybersecurity and 87 percent of U.S. cybersecurity professionals report their organizations are currently using AI as part of their cybersecurity strategy.

as part of their cybersecurity strategy. Three quarters of cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. believe, within the next three years, their company will not be able to safeguard digital assets without AI .

. Overall, 99 percent of U.S. cybersecurity professionals believe AI overall could improve their organization's cybersecurity . Drilling down, respondents detailed using AI for time-critical threat detection tasks, such as identifying threats that would have otherwise been missed and reducing false positive rates.

. Drilling down, respondents detailed using AI for time-critical threat detection tasks, such as identifying threats that would have otherwise been missed and reducing false positive rates. The majority of cybersecurity professionals (91 percent) are concerned about hackers using AI against companies in cyberattacks.

in cyberattacks. AI will show up in future budgets  97 percent of cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. report their organization has plans to increase budget for AI and machine learning tools or solutions within the next three years.

Key Quote:

Hal Lonas, Chief Technology Officer, Webroot

"There is no doubt about AI being the future of security as the sheer volume of threats is becoming very difficult to track by humans alone. We stress to organizations the importance of a contextual view of threats that also incorporates visibility and data points from networks, endpoints, and human threat researchers to derive the most accurate cyber risk assessment. As the results reveal, AI is here to stay and it will have a large impact on security strategies moving forward."

Tips for Organizations to incorporate AI / Machine learning technologies:

Hire and develop AI/machine learning experts  These technologies cannot replace a human. The use of machines and algorithms requires human training and oversight. The machines must be taught what is bad, what is good, and when to flag unknown threats to humans.

 These technologies cannot replace a human. The use of machines and algorithms requires human training and oversight. The machines must be taught what is bad, what is good, and when to flag unknown threats to humans. Think outside the box  Cybercriminals are beginning to use AI and machine learning to develop even more advanced threats. As they continue to innovate, it takes more creativity to stay ahead of them. Let the machines solve the simpler problems, so human experts have more time to think of new ways to solve problems and identify threats.

 Cybercriminals are beginning to use AI and machine learning to develop even more advanced threats. As they continue to innovate, it takes more creativity to stay ahead of them. Let the machines solve the simpler problems, so human experts have more time to think of new ways to solve problems and identify threats. Learn from your mistakes  Organizations need to accept that, at some point, their systems will be compromised. Rather than viewing this as a net-negative, organizations can learn from breaches by identifying and analyzing normal and abnormal network behavior across their entire business, thereby gaining a greater understanding of threats and how to respond.

 Organizations need to accept that, at some point, their systems will be compromised. Rather than viewing this as a net-negative, organizations can learn from breaches by identifying and analyzing normal and abnormal network behavior across their entire business, thereby gaining a greater understanding of threats and how to respond. Automate  Deploy advanced AI and machine learning-based technologies to automate policy enforcement, block malicious files and inbound malicious IPs, and protect against sophisticated phishing attacks and malicious websites. Machine learning won't replace human intelligence, but can be used to automate and speed up security operations and repetitive tasks.

Additional Resources:

Report Methodology:

Commissioned by Webroot in conjunction with Wakefield Research, the survey was conducted among 400 cybersecurity professionals at companies with 100 or more employees in the U.S. (200 respondents) and Japan (200 respondents), between October 30 and November 6, 2017.

About Webroot

Webroot was the first to harness the cloud and artificial intelligence to protect businesses and individuals against cyber threats. We provide the number one security solution for managed service providers and small businesses, who rely on Webroot for endpoint protection, network protection, and security awareness training. Webroot BrightCloud Threat Intelligence Services are used by market leading companies like Cisco, F5 Networks, Citrix, Aruba, Palo Alto Networks, A10 Networks, and more. Leveraging the power of machine learning to protect millions of businesses and individuals, Webroot secures the connected world. Headquartered in Colorado, Webroot operates globally across North America, Europe, and Asia. Discover Smarter Cybersecurity solutions at webroot.com.

Social Media: Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook

2017 Webroot Inc. All rights reserved. Webroot, SecureAnywhere, Webroot SecureAnywhere, Webroot BrightCloud, BrightCloud, and Smarter Cybersecurity are trademarks or registered trademarks of Webroot Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Webroot

Related Links

https://www.webroot.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Life imitates art. Reports spread internationally this week about the small village of Ringaskiddy, County Cork, in Ireland, whose residents are complaining that the fumes from the nearby Viagra plant are causing the men and dogs in town to have raging erections. For the last two years, "Love in Kilnerry," a feature comedy from Archway Pictures, has been in production about that very thing.

actor, James Patrick Nelson, screenshot

Elderly residents of a small remote town panic when the Environmental Protection Agency announces that mandatory changes to their chemical plant could cause an extreme increase in their sexual libido. The town sheriff struggles to maintain order and decency but mayhem ensues.  "Love In Kilnerry" IMDb.com

The screenplay has already won half a dozen awards from various screenwriting and film festivals. The producers are currently shopping the movie with distributors and talking with investors about completing post-production. The trailers can be seen at www.LoveInKilnerry.com and on the IMDb.com.

Originally written as a play that takes place in Kilnerry (fictional town), County Donegal, writer/producer Daniel Keith workshopped it at Manhattan Theater Club in New York City for a year in front of audiences with various actors. When the decision to turn it into a screenplay was made, it was Americanized to take place in Kilnerry, New Hampshire (i.e. Portsmouth, NH).

"I wanted to make a storybook movie my grandmother or people of all ages would think was funny," says Daniel Keith. "A story like this has never been done before. We had incredible theater and film actors that were hysterical. We shot in 500-year-old churches, people's homes from the 17th century, lobster boats at sea, mountains, cobblestone streets and had hundreds of extras. It's so beautiful and heartwarming."

Independent films have been increasing their success rate the past few years as the Asian market allows more and more American films in. "Moonlight" took home the Oscar last year and several independents are pinned to take it home again this year.

"I think audiences are getting tired of remakes, sequels, prequels and spin-offs. They're realizing there are thousands of writers out there with very originals ideas and are hungry enough to make big concepts on smaller budgets. 'Love In Kilnerry' really has some universal themes about love, sex and getting older that could exist in any culture. It's been really exciting watching this thing blossom," said Daniel Keith.

Archway Pictures

[email protected]

917-498-9511

New York, NY

www.ArchwayPictures.com

Related Images

image1.png

Nude Priest Bike Ride

image2.png

Residents of Kilnerry

image3.png

Sheriff dancing out at sea

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Residents Dancing

Related Video

https://vimeo.com/228152664

SOURCE Archway Pictures

Related Links

http://www.ArchwayPictures.com


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three crew members who have been living and working aboard the International Space Station returned to Earth on Thursday, landing in Kazakhstan after opening a new chapter in the scientific capability of humanity's premier microgravity laboratory.

Expedition 53 Commander Randy Bresnik of NASA and Flight Engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency) and Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos landed at 3:37 a.m. EST (2:37 p.m. Kazakhstan time) southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan.

Together, the Expedition 53 crew members contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, as well as Earth and other physical sciences aboard the orbiting laboratory. Their time aboard marked the first long-term increase in crew size on the U.S. segment of the International Space Station from three to four, allowing NASA to maximize time dedicated to research on the station.

Highlights from the research conducted while they were aboard include investigations of microgravity's effect on the antibiotic resistance of E. coli, a bacterial pathogen responsible for urinary tract infection in humans and animals; growing larger versions of an important protein implicated in Parkinson's disease; and delivering a new instrument to address fundamental science questions on the origins and history of cosmic rays.

The trio also welcomed three cargo spacecraft delivering several tons of supplies and research experiments. Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft arrived at station in November as the company's eighth commercial resupply mission. One Russian ISS Progress cargo craft docked to the station in October. And a SpaceX Dragon completed its commercial resupply mission to station in August, the company's twelfth resupply mission.

During his time on the orbital complex, Bresnik ventured outside the confines of the space station for three spacewalks. Along with NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba, Bresnik lead a trio of spacewalks to replace one of two latching end effectors on the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2. They also spent time lubricating the newly replaced Canadarm2 end effector and replacing cameras on the left side of the station's truss and the right side of the station's U.S. Destiny laboratory.

Ryazanskiy conducted one spacewalk with fellow cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin in August to deploy several nanosatellites, collect research samples, and perform structural maintenance.

The Expedition 54 crew continues operating the station, with Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos in command. Along with crewmates Mark Vende Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA, the three-person crew will operate the station until the arrival of three new crew members on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Scott Tingle of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), are scheduled to launch Sunday, Dec. 17 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. NASA Television will broadcast the launch and docking.

Get breaking news, images and features from the station on Instagram and Twitter:

http://instagram.com/iss

and

http://www.twitter.com/Space_Station

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Communications Commission today announced a rollback of net neutrality rules, sparking a swift rebuke from the nation's 1.3 million Realtors.

"The internet as we know it today is a fair and open platform that puts everyone on a level playing field," said National Association of Realtors President Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor from Columbia, Missouri and CEO of RE/MAX Boone Realty. "FCC's rollback of the Open Internet Order will mean higher costs and slower service for millions of American consumers and businesses. Realtors have strong concerns about what that might mean for the way consumers search for homes online and real estate is transacted."

The FCC's Open Internet Order went into effect in 2015. The rule required that broadband networks remain free of restrictions on content and platforms, while treating all content that flows through the network equally. What that means is internet service providers aren't allowed to block, throttle or discriminate against internet traffic, such as streaming video or drone photography, among other applications.

Earlier this year, however, the FCC announced that it would reconsider those rules.

Realtors raised concerns with formal comments to the agency in July that a rollback of net neutrality rules could raise costs on business owners, like real estate professionals, who make heavy use of technology and online platforms. In particular, NAR noted that paid-prioritization models and other anti-competitive practices could put small businesses at a significant disadvantage. For example, NAR said, larger companies could pay for internet fast lanes that deliver content to consumers faster on some websites than from others.

NAR believes consumers would suffer from downgraded services across the internet in such a scenario. At the same time, small businesses that either couldn't pay the new fee or couldn't negotiate such an arrangement for themselves would face a significant competitive disadvantage, losing customers to faster websites.

Mendenhall says that the majority of Realtors operate small businesses, with typically no more than two principals, and that NAR will fight for its membership on this issue with the hope that net neutrality rules will be reinstated.

"The last thing small businesses need today is additional costs and competitive disadvantages that put them on the defensive," Mendenhall said. "This isn't just an issue for Silicon Valley or large telecommunications shops. This is a main street concern that affects businesses and consumers across the country. We intend to make our voice heard on this important issue."

The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.nar.realtor. This and other news releases are posted in the newsroom under the "About NAR" tab.

SOURCE National Association of Realtors

Related Links

http://www.realtor.org


The 3,000 square foot training center offers a suite of advanced manufacturing programs geared towards local employers and job seekers alike. This is the first training center the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) has operated to meet the needs of an industry with a growing skills gap and shortage of middle skilled workers.

"We're really here to provide the training for employers and for employers to talk to us and tell us what they need," said Demetria "Lynn" Strickland, Executive Director of AJAC. The six programs AJAC will offer include orientation and screening for job seekers, pre-apprenticeship for advanced manufacturing, entry-level and advanced apprenticeships for incumbent workers, short-term training for local employers and master mentorship courses to skill-up our current mentors on the shop floor.

"Kent's manufacturing and industrial economy is bustling, but employers are struggling to find qualified and skilled employees," said Ben Wolters, Economic Development Director for the City of Kent. "Having AJAC open up a training facility convenient to both Kent's diverse group of advanced manufacturers and its growing population of job seekers will help ensure Kent's manufacturers continue to thrive and our residents continue to see new career opportunities."

Equipment students will learn on includes a computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) HAAS VF2, manual knee mills, step shear and box and pan brake, three wire feed welding units, prusa four-color 3D printer, inspection tools, and a full-service classroom.

Through the Port of Seattle's Economic Development Partnership Program, the City of Kent allocated funds as an investment for job creation.

"The Port of Seattle is a proud sponsor of the Advanced Manufacturing Prep Training Center in Kent," said Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. "Projects like this are exactly what we had in mind when we created our Economic Development Grants, so that we can partner with cities like Kent in order to bring jobs and economic growth to our region."

Manufacturing jobs continue to grow, with over 31,000 added in November 2017. The problem many employers face is vacant positions due to unqualified workers. Vocational facilities can truly make an impact on local communities to create sustainable jobs, higher wages and low unemployment rates regionally.

CONTACT: Aaron Ferrell, 206-456-8858, [email protected]

SOURCE The Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC)
LONDON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE) today announced that its report of drilling rig status and contract information has been updated as of December 14, 2017. The report, titled "Fleet Status Report," can be found on the Company's Website www.noblecorp.com, under the "Investor Relations" section of the Website.

About Noble Corporation plc

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 28 offshore drilling units, consisting of 14 drillships and semisubmersibles and 14 jackups, focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble is a public limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 08354954 and registered office at Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place, London, W1J 8AJ England. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.

SOURCE Noble Corporation

Related Links

http://www.noblecorp.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian, the airline awarded the World's Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline and Airline of the Year 2017 distinctions, today announced it will launch four new routes from the United States to Europe: New York City/JFK and Los Angeles to Madrid, Spain; New York City/JFK to Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Los Angeles to Milan, Italy. Norwegian will be the only airline operating year-round nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Madrid and Milan.

Norwegian now offers 61 nonstop transatlantic routes to 16 European destinations. The airline now offers nonstop year-round routes to more European destinations from both the greater New York City area and Los Angeles, respectively.

To support the continuous growth at Los Angeles International Airport, Norwegian will open its fourth American crew base with 150 cabin crewmembers during the first quarter of 2018. The airline already has four crew bases for cabin crew and pilots in the U.S. With more U.S.-based cabin crew than any other airline, Norwegian is also the only foreign airline recruiting American pilots to be based in the U.S.

"2017 has been a year of exponential growth for Norwegian in the United States. Next year, we will continue our vigorous expansion and we plan to make three of Europe's most exciting cities so much more affordable and easier to reach for American travelers. We are not slowing down our quest to provide Americans with low fares and a high-quality onboard experience. Americans have enjoyed our service so much that Norwegian was one of the world's most awarded airlines in 2017," said Bjrn Kjos, Norwegian's Chief Executive Officer.

Norwegian also announced it has acquired an additional 28 weekly slots at London Gatwick Airport from summer 2018. The take-off and landing slots, purchased from Small Planet Airlines, will allow Norwegian to plan for continued growth at Gatwick, including to the U.S. Planning work is now underway to allocate the new acquired slots, and will be announced at a later stage.

The world's fastest-growing airline launched 25 new routes from the U.S. in 2017, and has announced 11 new transatlantic routes for 2018 for a total of 67 routes  61 of which are transatlantic. Norwegian operates one of the world's youngest fleets, and these four new routes will be operated by brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Madrid-Barajas Airport will launch on July 18, 2018, and operate three times per week. Service to Amsterdam's Schipol Airport will launch on May 7, 2018, and will operate four times per week.

Service from Los Angeles International Airport to Madrid will launch on July 16, 2018, and will operate four times per week. Service to Milan-Malpensa Airport will launch on June 18, 2018, and will also operate four times per week.

Economy launch fares to Amsterdam and Madrid from New York City start as low as $199 and $229 one-way, respectively, including taxes; fares from Los Angeles to both Madrid and Milan start from $229 one-way, including taxes. The lowest fares in Norwegian's Premium Cabin to Amsterdam and Madrid from New York City start at $619 and $649, respectively, one-way including taxes; Premium fares from Los Angeles to Madrid and Milan start at $729 and $739, respectively, one-way including taxes. Premium service includes a dedicated check-in counter, additional luggage allowance, fast track security, lounge access, priority boarding, sleeper seats, all meals and drinks.

All fares are now available for sale on Norwegian's website. Additionally, the website's low fare calendar displays the lowest available fares to all of Norwegian's destinations. Passengers on all of Norwegian's routes are eligible to join Norwegian Reward, the airline's loyalty program and can earn CashPoints every time they fly, stay at a hotel or rent a car.

Overall, Norwegian now offers 61 transatlantic flights from 13 U.S. airports to Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well six routes to the French Caribbean, totaling 67 routes out of the United States. Upcoming launches from the U.S. include: Oakland/San Francisco to Rome (February 6, 2018); New York/Newark to Paris (February 28); Chicago to London (March 25); Austin to London (March 27); Denver to Paris (April 9); Oakland/San Francisco to Paris (April 10), Boston to Paris (May 2); New York/JFK to Amsterdam (May 7); Los Angeles to Milan (June 18); Los Angeles to Madrid (July 16); and New York/JFK to Madrid (July 18).

About Norwegian

Norwegian is the world's sixth largest low-cost airline and carried 30 million passengers in 2016. The airline operates more than 500 routes to more than 150 destinations in Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Thailand, Caribbean and the U.S. Norwegian has a fleet of 145 aircraft, with an average age of 3.6 years, making it one of the world's youngest fleets. Norwegian was named the Most Fuel-Efficient Airline on Transatlantic Routes by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Norwegian was named the World's Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline by the renowned SkyTrax World Airline Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and for the fifth consecutive year, named Europe's Best Low-Cost Airline. Norwegian employs 7,000 people. The airline offers 74 nonstop routes from the U.S. to Europe and the French Caribbean. Follow @Fly_Norwegian on Twitter, join the discussion on Facebook and keep up with our adventures on Instagram. For more information on Norwegian and its network, visit norwegian.com.

Media Contact

Anders Lindstrom Norwegian US Corporate Communications [email protected] [email protected] 954 648 2989



SOURCE Norwegian

Related Links

https://www.norwegian.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ogury, the mobile data platform that provides the most comprehensive view of mobile-user behavior globally, is today enhancing its targeting capabilities with the launch of a cutting-edge solution for brands and marketers. This new solution combines human intelligence and machine learning in the planning and implementation of mobile advertising campaigns, delivering audience targeting of unparalleled accuracy at scale.

It works in three interconnected steps: learn, optimize, share.

Learn: It starts by learning criteria at the start of a client's campaign - such as the brand website data - to learn from users' qualified traffic. Ogury's proprietary algorithm, called Lituus, comes into play by learning from the qualified traffic of the chosen websites and identifying both the discriminant and similar attributes amongst users. After studying this, Lituus builds a targeting matrix composed of hundreds of different criteria.

Optimize during the campaign: Lituus inputs and learns continuously throughout the duration of the campaign to constantly exclude the lower-performing criteria and upweight impressions from the higher-performing criteria. It also takes into account conditions such as optimal time of day, publishers, device models, connectivity and localization. This is all achieved using Ogury's device-level first-party behavioral data, which provides insight into users' apps installed, apps usage and mobile web browsing. This level of mobile insight is unique in depth, recency and accuracy, and not available through any other network or data platform.

Share the findings with clients: At the end of the campaign, a "targeting performance" section is included within the campaign report, offering a comprehensive view of the best- and worst-performing combinations of targeting criteria, websites visited, apps owned and apps used by the audience of the campaigns. This provides the customer with a transparent data set that is based on actual learnings from the campaign, as opposed to the "black box" data collection approach that is currently widely used in the industry. These learnings can then be applied to the next campaign and for strategic audience planning.

Commenting on the effectiveness of this new solution, Christophe Thibault, Chief Algorithm Officer, Ogury said:

"Ogury's new targeting solution offers higher performance at a bigger scale and with increased transparency. Its highly automated process also means minimal human input, which not only saves time during the campaign setup phase but also allows better targeting. In the first applications of this new machine learning approach, we have observed up to 50 percent drops in user bounce rate in cost-per-click campaigns and up to 16 percent increases in video completion rates in cost-per-view campaigns over human targeting alone."

Ford, one of the world's leading automotive brands and a beta tester of Ogury's new mobile targeting solution, has already achieved outstanding results for a pre-launch campaign promoting the new Ford Fiesta in France, using the new machine learning-based solution.

Commenting on the success of the mobile advertising campaign, Celine Armitage, Communications Director, Ford France, said:

"Along with delivering excellent results, Ogury has equipped us with a list of very useful criteria showing what performed best for future targeting. We have already reused this for the main launch campaign of the Fiesta and it has allowed us to optimize results from the start. In comparison to the bounce rate on the Fiesta redirection page at the start of the re-launch campaign, we have achieved a decrease in bounce rate of 13 points."

About Ogury

Ogury is the mobile data platform that provides the most comprehensive view of mobile-user behavior globally. It is the only data specialist offering omniscient mobile intelligence, a true and complete picture of the user journey on mobile devices  in-app and mobile web. Ogury collects raw data signals from mobile devices, after explicit user consent, and translates them into meaningful data with proprietary machine learning technology. Ogury has device-level first-party behavioral data, apps installed, apps usage and browsing, which is unique in depth, recency and accuracy, and not available anywhere else. Its proprietary technology, integrated within thousands of apps, enables Ogury to build over 400 million mobile-user profiles across more than 120 countries. By harnessing the power of this unique insight, it delivers unrivaled monetization, ad targeting, analytics and CRM solutions for advertisers and publishers that greatly enhance the mobile consumer experience. Founded in 2014, Ogury has international offices in London, New York, Paris, Milan, Rome, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit and Madrid, and works with all major media agencies, along with the world's leading premium brands and publishers. For more information visit www.ogury.com.

Media Contact:

Charity Renfro | Ogury, Marketing Manager

[email protected]

Related Links

Ogury Website

SOURCE Ogury
BOSTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, As You Sow, Boston Common Asset Management, and The Investor Environmental Health Network (IEHN) released a 2017 special edition of the Disclosing the Facts (DTF) scorecard. While the annual DTF scorecard has historically addressed oil and gas company management of environmental and community risks from hydraulic fracturing operations, this year's special edition focuses on the critical risk of methane emissions  a potent contributor to global climate change -- and how companies are managing methane reductions. DTF 2017 finds a striking range of differences among the 28 companies' methane management disclosures.

"This year's report reflects rising investor concern that excessive methane emissions from oil and gas operations will undercut the potential net climate benefit of substituting natural gas for coal, especially in decarbonizing energy markets," said Steven Heim, Managing Director at Boston Common Asset Management, LLC. "Investors are increasing focus on carbon risk, shown clearly by majority shareholder votes this year calling for 2 degree scenario reporting."

The oil and gas industry is the largest source of methane emissions in the U.S . The International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook 2017 contends that methane emissions from the oil and gas value chain are among the cheapest to abate of all anthropogenic emissions. Reducing methane emissions in the near term presents an important opportunity to slow the rate of global warming.

DTF 2017 found six companies were especially strong performers in implementing and disclosing best methane reduction practices: Apache, BHP, and Southwestern Energy each earned 12 of 13 possible points. Shell, ConocoPhillips, and Hess earned 11 points each. Exxon Mobil also improved its methane reduction program and disclosures this year, following a 2017 shareholder proposal filed by As You Sow. Chevron, however, is a laggard in methane disclosures, earning only 2 points. It is joined by other laggard companies Cabot Oil & Gas and Encana with 0 points each; and Continental Resources, EQT, QEP Resources, and Whiting Petroleum at 1 point each.

Importantly, the oil and gas industry, even after consistently strong resistance to regulation, recognizes the need to address methane leaks to help reduce the risk of catastrophic climate change," said Danielle Fugere, President of As You Sow. The American Petroleum Institute announced last week the formation of an environmental partnership of 26 companies, including many of the top U.S. natural gas producers, to cut methane leaks from wells and other U.S. onshore production sources. This announcement came despite the Trump Administration's backing away from methane regulation. In November, large international oil and gas companies including Exxon Mobil, signed up to "guiding principles" for cutting methane emissions. These are in addition to voluntary commitments announced in 2014 and 2016 by Apache, BHP, Hess, and Southwestern Energy as founding members of the ONE Future Coalition.

"While providing insufficient company-specific reporting, these actions indicate a recognition that the oil and gas industry must address readily controllable methane emissions associated with its product," said Dr. Richard Liroff, Executive Director of the Investor Environmental Health Network. "As our scorecard demonstrates, there are sharp differences among companies in how well they disclose their concrete actions to reduce methane emissions. Those companies taking effective action will reduce their carbon risk, a key consideration for investors."

Disclosing the Facts: Transparency and Risk in Methane Emissions provides clarity for investors and companies on key actions companies should be taking to reduce methane emissions -- and the disclosures necessary to help investors understand which companies are taking effective action.

See DisclosingtheFacts.org for full report and results.

As You Sow is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies. See our resolutions here.

Boston Common Asset Management, LLC is a global sustainable investment firm dedicated to generating competitive financial returns and meaningful improvements in corporate performance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

The Investor Environmental Health Network (IEHN) (http://www.iehn.org) is a collaborative partnership of investment managers and advisors concerned about the impact of corporate practices on environmental health.

The information in this document should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact: Cyrus Nemati - (510) 735-8157, [email protected]

Author Contacts: Danielle Fugere - (510) 735-8141, [email protected]

Steven Heim - (617) 785-9527, [email protected]

Richard Liroff - (703) 532-2929, [email protected]

SOURCE As You Sow

Related Links

http://www.asyousow.org


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympusat Inc., one of the largest independent media companies specializing in the ownership, distribution, production and technical services of Spanish and English-language networks, announced that in association with Signal Media's Moolt and My Planet Networks, Premier Sponsors of a live performance by Latin music icon Elvis Crespo at the opening night party of the 2018 NATPE Miami Marketplace & Conference.

To celebrate NATPE's 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, Olympusat in partnership with Signal Media's networks Moolt and My Planet will kick-off the event welcoming TV and media professionals to a night of tropical dance, delicious appetizers and refreshments, featuring an exciting performance from one of the biggest names in Latin music, Elvis Crespo. The festivities will take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at the poolside of the exclusive Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST.

"We are thrilled to partner with Moolt and My Planet, Premier Sponsors of NATPE's Opening Night Party. Both networks offer an incredible amount of top-notch international content never-before-seen in the region, produced in multiple locations around the world," stated Carlos Lopez, VP of Marketing and Communications at Olympusat. "We are looking forward to a great evening among some of the most influential names in the TV and media industry; NATPE's opening night party is considered a must-attend networking event, and what better way to treat our guest than by offering a world-class performance by the king of merengue Elvis Crespo."

Highly renowned in the Latin music industry, Elvis Crespo it's been a fan-favorite around the world since the mid-90s. The event will mark the 20th anniversary of his hit single Suavemente, the song that launched to international success.

Elvis Crespo' mastery of merengue and tropical sounds, in addition to his ability to reach the top of the charts, has also earned him multiple accolades, including Billboard Award for Best Male Tropical/Salsa Album of the Year in 1999, the Grammy for best Merengue Performance in 1999, the Latin Grammy for Best Merengue Album in 2005 and the Premio Lo Nuestro for Merengue Artist of the Year in 2012.

To learn more about Olympusat's industry-leading efforts, please visit olympusat.com.

Olympusat - Editorial Contact:

Jesus Pinango

561-249-5228

[email protected]

SOURCE Olympusat, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.olympusat.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scientists have taken a significant step forward in efforts to harness our own white blood cells to fight deadly cancers. A pilot study, funded by Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, in partnership with New York Blood Center (NYBC), has successfully demonstrated that white blood cells can be removed, genetically modified and reinserted into cancer patients. This holds potential to fight cancers that standard therapy has failed to treat. The next step is to duplicate this finding in multiple patients.

Montefiore holds the investigational new drug application from the FDA to test the safety and feasibility of the therapy. Working with the National Cancer Institute-designated Albert Einstein Cancer Center, the trial kicked off this summer.

The goal of the pilot study is to enroll five patients and confirm the feasibility, and safety of the therapy for solid tumors, such as breast cancer, sarcomas and lung cancer.

Eligibility for the trial requires highly specific criteria:

A hereditary marker, found in only 20 percent of Montefiore's patient population Tumors expressing the NY ESO-1 protein, which is found in 30 percent of all solid tumors Advanced metastatic cancer which has failed to respond to standard therapy

It's all about the blood, so NYBC plays a critical role:

"We isolate a person's blood cells and grow them in the lab with a virus that inserts new DNA into the blood cells," says Amanda Marchiando, PhD, MPH, Cellular Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Scientist at New York Blood Center. "This reprograms the cells to recognize the NY ESO-1 protein on a patient's tumors and attack it."

Once newly engineered cells are created in the NYBC, patients' bodies will be prepared for a cell transfusion. This will include one week of chemotherapy at Montefiore to wipe out many of the remaining white blood cells. The clean slate allows the new and improved cells, which are delivered through an IV-bag in 20 minutes, to become the first in line to attack the cancer. Immunotherapy is also given to make the re-engineered cells even stronger.

"We are optimistic that this therapy could become a viable option for people with cancer who are running out of options," says principal investigator Ira Braunschweig, M.D., director, Stem Cell Transplantation and clinical program director, Hematologic Malignancies, Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Einstein.

This scientific development builds off the research of Dr. Steven Rosenberg of the National Cancer Institute.

"Though the main goal of the phase one pilot study is making sure the treatment is safe, we always hope that our patients will be better than they were before they walked through our doors," says Katia Papalezova, M.D., surgical oncologist, Department of Surgery and director, Melanoma and Soft Tissue Tumors, co-director, IL-2 program, Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and Associate Professor of Surgery, Einstein, one of the lead clinical investigators. "It is gratifying to be on the frontlines of scientific research that has the potential to help so many people."

About Montefiore Health System

Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 11 hospitals, including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and close to 200 outpatient care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE Montefiore Health System

Related Links

http://www.montefiore.org


ATLANTA, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today PGi, the world's largest dedicated provider of collaboration solutions, announced that GlobalMeet audio conferencing integrates with Skype for Business Server environments, unlocking new functionality for Skype users without requiring additional hardware purchases. GlobalMeet for Skype Server allows workers inside and outside of an enterprise to join a Skype meeting directly from a desk or mobile phone with adoption and support provided by PGi's global customer care team, alleviating the burden of Skype help desk support from IT teams.

What You Need to Know:

GlobalMeet seamlessly integrates with Skype for Business Server and is already deployed with several PGi customers. GlobalMeet for Skype Server allows:

Full functionality : For customers who want to diversify their existing service provider mix, PGi manages all global network and carrier requirements so enterprise IT teams can focus less on day-to-day management of bandwidth to accommodate audio conferencing traffic;

: For customers who want to diversify their existing service provider mix, PGi manages all global network and carrier requirements so enterprise IT teams can focus less on day-to-day management of bandwidth to accommodate audio conferencing traffic; Better Value : IT pros know that SIP connection charges can often represent 'hidden fees'. PGi's Skype Server solution can help mitigate those costs by extending the capabilities of our customers' investments with simplified, straight-forward consumption-based pricing instead of plans based on bandwidth or pools;

: IT pros know that SIP connection charges can often represent 'hidden fees'. PGi's Skype Server solution can help mitigate those costs by extending the capabilities of our customers' investments with simplified, straight-forward consumption-based pricing instead of plans based on bandwidth or pools; Support for every Skype user : Users are supported by PGi's award-winning, global customer service organization backed by 24/7 technical assistance with local assistance in up to 10 languages so IT teams can outsource support questions and help desk functionality to PGi;

: Users are supported by PGi's award-winning, global customer service organization backed by 24/7 technical assistance with local assistance in up to 10 languages so IT teams can outsource support questions and help desk functionality to PGi; Unified experience : Whether users connect via GlobalMeet or via Skype, the user interface is the same which drives better adoption across an organization;

: Whether users connect via GlobalMeet or via Skype, the user interface is the same which drives better adoption across an organization; Everywhere access : Global coverage with 160+ access points, across 60+ countries, from more than 40 carriers; and

: Global coverage with 160+ access points, across 60+ countries, from more than 40 carriers; and Technical deployment support: PGi consulting services including diagnostic checks on your Skype for Business network, full reporting capabilities, network assessment and optional health checks to ensure there is no packet loss while eliminating global network and audio carrier management.

"Technology investments are a significant capital expenditure for enterprises today," said Pat Harper, CTO, PGi. "GlobalMeet for Skype Server doesn't require new on premise hardware as our plug-in carries over the open internet, making it cost-effective and easy to deploy. This new offering gives users a better Skype experience and extends the longevity of existing investments for IT teams to create better business value."

Frost & Sullivan Principal Analyst, Rob Arnold stated, "PGi's new premise-based offering for Skype for Business Server will help enterprises get the most from their investments. Today, we see millions of dollars of unrealized technology potential within investments made by enterprises. PGi's GlobalMeet integration will help close that gap for the IT professional."

PGi's simple and supported audio conferencing technology is compatible with all versions of Skype for Business Server and Lync Server 2013. Learn more about our GlobalMeet for Skype for Business Server offering today.

All trademarks referred to in this release are the property of their respective owners.

About Premiere Global Services, Inc.  PGi

PGi is the world's largest dedicated provider of collaboration software and services. For more than 25 years, our broad portfolio of products has served the end-to-end collaboration needs of enterprises. Accessible anywhere, anytime and on any device, PGi's award-winning collaboration solutions drive productivity and teamwork for approximately 45,000 customers around the world. To learn more, visit us at pgi.com.

Media Contact:

Kayla Reed

PGi, Senior Manager, External & Internal Communications

E [email protected] | P +1 404.234.9487

SOURCE PGi

Related Links

http://www.pgi.com


SEATTLE and NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PitchBook, the premier data provider for the private and public markets, today unveiled its stand-alone performance measurement product, PitchBook Benchmarks. Leveraging a differentiated data collection process, PitchBook Benchmarks can provide unparalleled transparency into the underlying fund performance metrics and returns data used to construct each individual benchmark. This enhanced level of granularity is impossible to achieve with traditional benchmarking products, which report data on an aggregate basis due to contractual restrictions. With PitchBook Benchmarks, Limited Partners (LPs) are empowered to make more informed asset allocation decisions, while General Partners (GPs) can more accurately gauge and report the performance of their past and active funds. In addition, PitchBook Benchmarks are delivered in both PDF and Excel formats to provide flexible functionality and a streamlined workflow.

The PitchBook Benchmarks PDF and Excel data packs are available for download here.

In recent years, LPs have enjoyed an unprecedented amount of capital distributed back to them from both private equity and venture capital managers. Subsequently, much of that capital has been recycled back into the asset class with GPs across both strategies experiencing near-record levels of fundraising activity. As the private capital markets have attracted ample interest, the number of active managers across private equity and venture has roughly doubled since 2006. Given this growth, LPs have an unprecedented need for rigorous and transparent performance benchmark products to guide capital allocation decisions amongst the plethora of available managers and strategies. Furthermore, GPs need the ability to access that same rigor and transparency to gauge and assess their performance against the growing number of firms they compete with for LP capital.

PitchBook Benchmarks were developed to address the need for deeper transparency as well as enhanced functionality within the tools clients use to measure performance. Traditional benchmark products report data on an aggregated basis due to contractual restrictions that limit their ability to showcase fund-level details. PitchBook's unique data collection process is free of any such restrictions and thus, able to provide the underlying fund details and returns data that constitute each featured benchmark. Beginning with the nearly 10,000 fund vehicles PitchBook currently has returns information for, PitchBook analysts employ a rigorous five-step research process to qualify the LP reports used to calculate each individual benchmark. This process allows PitchBook to provide the most objective, reliable and consistently accurate performance data. Additionally, PitchBook developed its benchmarks with utility top of mind. Users are able to access PitchBook Benchmarks in both PDF and Excel formats, enabling the easy re-construction and use of data in any other performance measurement models.

"There are more managers investing across private equity and venture today than we've really ever seen. So inherently, LPs are faced with a significant challenge in terms of finding and selecting outperforming managers in a crowded market," said Adley Bowden, VP of research and analysis at PitchBook. "Our benchmarks offer a two-fold competitive advantage for both LPs and GPs  not only can our customers access the underlying funds and returns data that constitute our high-level benchmarks, but also we've placed an emphasis on delivering that data in the most flexible and easy-to-use fashion."

This new data offering is the latest in a series of Platform updates and dataset expansions made by PitchBook this year, underscoring the company's commitment to providing a comprehensive view of the flow of capital across private and public markets. Since the start of 2017, PitchBook has added 266,000 private company financials to PitchBook Mobile as well as 171,000 new European companies with financials to the PitchBook Platform. Most recently, PitchBook announced a new integration with Morningstar, increasing the PitchBook Platform's public financial coverage by more than 300%. The addition of PitchBook Benchmarks in the company's product portfolio will further advance PitchBook's positioning as the most comprehensive private and public financial market data provider.

For more information about PitchBook Benchmarks, click here.

About PitchBook

PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data on the entire venture capital, private equity and M&A landscapeincluding public and private companies, investors, funds, investments, exits and people. The company's data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York and London and serves more than 13,000 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary.

Press Contacts

Bailey Fox and Nick McDonald

PR Managers

[email protected]

+1 206.823.3022

SOURCE PitchBook

Related Links

http://www.pitchbook.com


ALPHARETTA, Ga., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier Surfaces, one of the top countertop fabricators in the Southeast, announced today it has partnered with four companies to expand and improve its offerings to customers nationwide. The companies are: Granite Source, Princess Marble & Granite, Solid Surfaces and Top Master.

As a cohesive organization with a larger footprint, Premier Surfaces will now have the ability to give customers access to greater product offerings and more efficient timelines, while continuing to offer the world-class service it is known for.

"We didn't pull these four companies out of a hat when deciding who we wanted to add to our portfolio," said Eric Tryon, CEO, Clio Holdings & founder, Premier Surfaces. "They represent the very best in the industry, and we knew uniting them would be a boon for everyone involved."

Through this move, Premier Surfaces will increase its presence to 17 locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast. By rebranding all of the companies under one name, Premier Surfaces can streamline the buying process and simplify offerings for customers by giving them the one-stop shop they crave.

"New investments in technology from Clio Holdings, as well as enhanced resources and the guidance of a larger company, will make it easier for our customers to get the product they want, in a timely fashion, without having to bounce back-and-forth between the brands they want to work with," added Tryon. "Plus, it makes us a more efficient company, overall."

The announcement is part of a larger move by Clio Holdings to unite the top countertop suppliers and fabricators and bring out the best the industry has to offer.

About Premier Surfaces

Premier Surfaces has 17 locations located throughout the country, built upon a desire to offer customers the best solution for their countertop fabrication needs. By utilizing increased investments in technology and enhanced resources, as well as greater product offerings, Premier Surfaces will continue to offer an outstanding end-to-end customer experience. For more information, please visit: www.premiersurfaces.com.

About Clio Holdings

Formed in 2016, Clio Holdings is the parent company for a constellation of brands that include the top countertop and specialty surfaces suppliers and fabricators in the nation. The company was conceived as a way to bring together the best elements of the industry and combine them with resources and strategic guidance of a larger business. For more information, please visit www.clioholdings.com.

SOURCE Premier Surfaces

Related Links

http://www.premiersurfaces.com


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently proposed regulations designed to shield protected classes of employees against workplace discrimination in California could ensnare a wide swath of unsuspecting businesses, including small enterprises that are owned and operated by some of the groups that the proposed regulations are trying to protect, warns veteran labor and employment attorney Brian Inamine in an expert analysis column that appeared in legal publication Law360 on December 11.

Brian Inamine

The proposed regulations are likely to be implemented by the state's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), an agency charged with enforcing California's civil rights laws. They appear to apply to any company with five or more employees that's headquartered or doing business in California, so a New York City business that's hiring for a California-based position, for example, would apparently be subject to the rules, he writes in the column, Proposed Calif. Anti-Discrimination Regs Cast A Wide Net.

The column notes that one of the most important characteristics of the new anti-discrimination regulations is the expansion of the term "national origin." Employees and job applicants who believe they have been unfairly treated in hiring or promotion, or experienced on-the-job harassment and other forms of discrimination due to their national origin will now be protected by anti-discrimination rules whether they were born in the U.S. or in another country.

Discrimination due to national origin will also encompass such perceived national-origin traits as language and accent, as well as memberships and associations with people or organizations that are based on national origin, he notes. Besides broadening the definition of national origin discrimination, the proposed DFEH regulations will apply to unauthorized as well as authorized workers, Inamine writes. These expanded definitions and broader applications mean that the pool of potential victimsand future plaintiffswill be vastly larger.

The proposed regulations aim to provide protection for minority, foreign-born and foreign-heritage workers, but they may have unintended consequences, Inamine says. For example, the owners or founders of many ethnic restaurants and other small businesses in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other California cities are often part of a closely knit culture and tend to hire from the local community. If the new regulations are adopted, what happens when a Caucasian who only speaks English is turned down for a job in a Koreatown restaurant where all the employees speak Korean as a primary language?

His advice: Be proactive and ensure that HR and other managers, especially those involved in the interview and hiring processes, are aware of the proposed regulations. And although they do not address the issue of a company's responsibility for the actions of an outside recruiting agency or other third party that violates the statutes, to be on the safe side companies may wish to raise the issue of compliance before retaining an employment agency.

The specifics of the regulations are still being hammered out, but the final version will likely be similar to  or even more stringent than the version that has been released. In the meantime, employers may wish to consult their legal advisers and review their existing policies to see how closely they comply with the proposed regulations. Once the final rules are issued, the policies and documentation should be re-examined and amended if necessary, writes Inamine.

California typically leads when it comes to anti-discrimination and personal freedom legislation, so the latest proposals are likely to be mirrored, at least to some extent, by other states, he adds. Consequently, companies across the nation may want to monitor California's experience with the new National Origin Discrimination regulations, since similar legislation or regulations are likely to pop up in their own backyard.

The full column is available to Law360 subscribers at: https://www.law360.com/employment/articles/989543/proposed-calif-anti-discrimination-regs-cast-a-wide-net-.

About LeClairRyan

As a trusted advisor, LeClairRyan provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and litigation. In this role, the firm applies its knowledge, insight and skill to help clients achieve their business objectives while managing and minimizing their legal risks, difficulties and expenses. With offices from coast to coast, the firm represents a wide variety of clients nationwide. For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA : Veteran labor and employment attorney Brian Inamine is available as resource for your articles on employment discrimination and other labor and employment law topics.

Press Contacts: At Parness & Associates Public Relations, Bill Parness, (732) 290-0121, [email protected] or Lisa Kreda, [email protected]

SOURCE LeClairRyan

Related Links

https://www.leclairryan.com


Chris Larson, president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, said, "Known to millions of Christians as simply 'R.C.,' Dr. Sproul was used of the Lord to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God in all its fullness. He loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this moment, we feel the loss of a pastor, a teacher, a leader, a brother-in-Christ, a friend. But we know that R.C. now sees the object of his faith, the risen Christ."

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, chairman of the board and a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow, said, "Of all the adjectives that can and should be used to describe Dr. R.C. Sproul's life and ministry, the one that most comes to my mind is faithful. Our loss is great, but so is our comfort. R.C. has entered into peace in the presence of his Savior."

Robert Charles Sproul was born February 13, 1939, in Pittsburgh. Dr. Sproul attended Westminster College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the Free University of Amsterdam and also received several honorary degrees. He founded Ligonier Ministries in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. The study center was modeled in some ways after Francis Schaeffer's L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland. Very quickly, demand grew for Dr. Sproul's teachings and the ministry's other educational resources, necessitating a move to new facilities in Orlando, Fla., in 1984.

After a private burial, a public memorial service will be held at Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Fla., on December 20, 2017, at 2 p.m. The service will also be streamed live online at RCSproul.com . In lieu of flowers, cards, and letters, donations may be sent to Ligonier Ministries or Saint Andrew's Chapel.

R.C. Sproulbeloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, leader, faithful and kind man of Godis survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Vesta Voorhis; their two children, Sherrie Dorotiak and Robert Craig Sproul; eleven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visit RCSproul.com/press for additional details and all media materials, including high-resolution, downloadable photos; video; and graphics. Inquiries from the public should be directed to 407-333-4244 or RCSproul.com.

About Ligonier Ministries

Ligonier Ministries exists to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God in all its fullness to as many people as possible. To that end, Ligonier's outreach today is manifold and worldwide. Prior to Dr. Sproul's passing, he and the board designated teaching fellows to continue and help lead Ligonier's work of discipleship that Dr. Sproul began more than forty years ago. These teaching fellows are Drs. Sinclair B. Ferguson, W. Robert Godfrey, Steven J. Lawson, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Stephen J. Nichols, Burk Parsons, and Derek W.H. Thomas. Ligonier publishes Renewing Your Mind broadcasts, the Reformation Study Bible, Tabletalk magazine, books through the Reformation Trust Publishing division, and hundreds of teaching series. The ministry also offers an undergraduate degree program through Reformation Bible College. In addition, Ligonier hosts national and regional conferences, provides an online learning community through Ligonier Connect, streams twenty-four-hour Christian Internet radio through RefNet, pursues numerous translation efforts in other countries, and makes available thousands of unique educational resources online at Ligonier.org.

SOURCE Ligonier Ministries

Related Links

http://www.ligonier.org


SAN DIEGO and NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reliant Funding, a leading small business finance company, announced its Founder and CEO, Adam Stettner, has been accepted into the Forbes Finance Council, an invitation-only community for executives in accounting, financial planning, wealth and asset management and investment firms.

Stettner joins other Forbes Finance Council members, who are hand-selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought leadership articles on industry-related topics for publishing on Forbes.com.

Forbes Councils combines an innovative, high-touch approach to community management perfected by the team behind Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) with the extensive resources and global reach of Forbes.

"I'm honored to be accepted by the Forbes Finance Council," said Stettner. "I look forward to new networking opportunities and strengthening Reliant's leadership role within our industry." Stettner is also a board member of the Small Business Finance Association and was recently named a finalist for EY's Entrepreneur of the Year, among other noted awards and acknowledgments.

Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, says, "We are honored to welcome Adam Stettner into the community. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry, creating a vetted, social capital-driven network that helps every member make an even greater impact on the business world."

About Reliant Funding

Headquartered in San Diego with offices in New York, Reliant Funding provides customized, short-term funding to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. It was recognized for five consecutive years by Inc. Magazine among the 1000 fastest growing privately held companies in America. For more information about Reliant Funding visit: https://www.reliantfunding.com/.

Media Contact

Sara Prince

[email protected]

About Forbes Councils

Forbes partnered with the founders of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to launch Forbes Councils, invitation-only communities for world-class business professionals in a variety of industries. Members, who are hand-selected by each Council's community team, receive personalized introductions to each other based on specific needs and gain access to a wide range of business benefits and services, including best-in-class concierge teams, personalized connections, peer-to-peer learning, a business services marketplace and the opportunity to share thought leadership content on Forbes.com. For information about Forbes Finance Council visit https://forbesfinancecouncil.com/.

SOURCE Reliant Funding

Related Links

http://www.reliantfunding.com


FAIRFAX, Va., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI), Mid America Regional Information Systems (MARIS) in Missouri, Northern Nevada Regional MLS, State-Wide Multiple Listing Service in Rhode Island, and Hawaii Information Service (HIS) have all signed multiyear agreements to deliver Remine's real estate intelligence platform to their members.

"The MARIS Board of Directors jumped at the chance to provide our members with the powerful prospecting tools that Remine offers," said Katie Otto, Vice President Member Services of MARIS. "The easy to use intuitive heat maps combined with the predictive analytics provide agents with tools that we have not previously been able to offer through the MLS. We are excited to see the opportunities that Remine creates for agents in the market!"

"Like HIS, Remine knows the value of public records, and has found a way to combine them with other datasets to provide insights into which markets and homes are primed to sell," said Faith Geronimo, President & CEO of HIS. "We're excited to be able to put the power of Remine's solution in the hands of our members, providing them with new opportunities and new business."

"We're looking forward to introducing Remine to our membership and joining the ranks of leading MLSs across the country who are already taking advantage of the actionable intelligence tools that the platform offers," said Mindy Lane, President of State-Wide Multiple Listing Service.

"We are proud and excited to be partnering with Remine. The Remine product will continue to support our mission to deliver leading edge technology to all our members. Remine will enhance our membership's ability to engage with buyers and sellers in a high tech, high touch platform," said Gene Millman, CEO of Northern Nevada Regional MLS.

Jim Speer, Sr. Vice President of MLSLI said, "Remine uses MLSLI data to provide our participants with a business tool that uses science to create new business opportunities for them. This vendor fits perfectly with our organizations commitment to providing stellar information systems and services that enhance the Subscriber's ability to achieve professional success."

Mark Schacknies, CFO & Co-Founder of Remine said, "We are passionate about putting opportunities on a map and providing Agents with actionable intelligence to grow their business. We are excited to work closely with these forward-thinking MLS partners that share our vision of empowering Agents with modern tools."

About Remine

Remine is a real estate intelligence platform for Agents, that is delivered exclusively through the MLS. The platform analyzes property records, transactional history, consumer data and delivers actionable insights on an intuitive user interface. Many of the nation's largest MLSs representing more than 500,000 Realtors have signed up for Remine. Visit Remine.com or call 855-217-0171.

About Hawaii Information Service

Hawaii Information Service (HIS) is a Honolulu real estate technology company with more than a quarter century of experience in providing real estate data, analysis, and marketing services. HIS is known for REsearch, the first parcel based Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system in the nation which also features fully-integrated public records information, and the company has also built a reputation for expertise in compiling, validating, and analyzing public records data. HIS offers a variety of additional services, ranging from traditional to online marketing, web application development, database and data management, and systems integration, to customers ranging from national companies to local government agencies, financial institutions, professional services providers, and small businesses.

About Mid America Regional Information Systems:

Mid America Regional Information Systems (MARIS) provides the regional multiple listing service for St. Louis REALTORS, St. Charles REALTORS, Jefferson County, Franklin County, East Central, South Central, Pulaski County, Lebanon and Mineral Area Boards of REALTORS, REALTOR Association of Southern Illinois, Greater Gateway Association of REALTORS, and Southeast Missouri REALTORS.

About State-Wide Multiple Listing Service

Since 1972, State-Wide Multiple Listing Service has facilitated the exchange of listing information among real estate professionals through state-of-the-art technology and tools. A subsidiary of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, State-Wide MLS serves the entire state of RI, as well as bordering CT and MA.

State-Wide MLS is the only MLS in the U.S. that covers an entire state border to border. Its members have the unique ability to market their listings on RILiving.com, Rhode Island's most comprehensive online consumer resource for accurate and timely real estate information.

About Northern Nevada Regional MLS

Incorporated in 2003, Reno-based NNRMLS provides services to REALTORS across northern Nevada including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, Lake Tahoe, Yerington, Dayton, Fernley and Fallon. NNRMLS provides the platform for a robust real estate marketplace, facilitating over $3.6 billion in closed transactions by the Membership in 2016. NNRMLS prides itself on offering premium customer service and leading-edge technology to over 3,200 Members; supporting them, in turn, as they offer their knowledge, experience and professionalism in service to the home buying and selling public.

About The Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc.

The Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc. (MLSLI) is a computerized network of more than 2,500 cooperating real estate offices, located across Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn. Within this service, thousands of professional REALTORS, both owner brokers and their sales associates, share listing and sale information, and cooperate to serve the buying and selling public. MLSLI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Long Island Board of REALTORS, Inc.

SOURCE Remine

Related Links

http://www.remine.com


ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

American Energy Partners, Inc. (OTC: AEPT) (the "Company", "American Energy" or "AEPT"), a diversified energy company, announces John Pippy has joined its Board of Directors.

Mr. Pippy brings over 20 years' experience in international and domestic government and corporate relations while serving as a Pennsylvania State Representative, Pennsylvania State Senator and most recently as the past CEO of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance; a trade association representing hundreds of companies in the multi-billion dollar Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Industry. Mr. Pippy also brings 25 years of military leadership and organizational expertise having commanded multiple units deployed overseas in a theater of combat operations as well as within the United States.

Mr. Pippy has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from West Point, NY, a Masters in International Relations from Irish American University, Dublin, Ireland and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA.

"I am excited to join the board of AEPT and I look forward to working with this impressive team as they grow this organization's clean energy operations while continuing to cultivate a corporate philosophy that emphasizes the importance of sustainable environmental stewardship," said Mr. Pippy.

American Energy Partners, Inc. (AEPT)



AEPT and its group of companies focus on providing solutions in markets where energy production and water meet technology. Collectively, the subsidiaries are engaged in the energy sector as well as the design, construction and operation of regional water treatment facilities that serve the industrial, energy and government sectors.

Hydration Corporation of PA, LLC ("HCPA") is engaged in the businesses of water exploration, water augmentation, and the treatment of impacted waters. Notably, its intellectual property delivers one of the highest energy yields from a broad range of water-bearing assets, with one of the lowest capital expenditures of any other known water processes. American Energy Solutions, LLC ("AES") provides treatment technologies that contribute to HCPA's business model of low-cost treatment and distribution. As a provider of design, this subsidiary is capable of repeatable and synergistic services across the value chain. Gilbert Oil & Gas Company ("GOG") is leveraging broad industry valuation experience to source drilling, operating, and partnership opportunities in the upstream oil and gas space. It is positioned to become a strong customer of AEPT's other subsidiaries while providing them with the foundation to attract other customers and enter new markets.

For additional information, visit: http://americanenergy-inc.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements, particularly as related to, among other things, the business plans of AEPT, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding AEPT's financial position and business strategy. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "may result," "are expected to," "will continue," "anticipates," "expects," "estimate," "project," "indicate," "could," "potentially," "should," "believe," "think", "considers" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements fall within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. AEPT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. AEPT does not undertake, and AEPT specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement. Actual results may differ materially from AEPT's expectations and estimates.

Company Contact:

[email protected]

+1-610-217-3275



SOURCE American Energy Partners, Inc.
MIAMI, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Rich Cigars, Inc. (OTC Pink: RCGR), ("Company" or "Rich Cigars"), announced today that it has filed to change its name to 'Intercontinental Technology, Inc.' in order to reflect a change in the Company's direction and overall strategy.

Richard Davis, current President, stated, "The Company underwent a change of control as documented in its filing with the SEC per an 'Information Statement' filed December 12th. As a result of this change, the Company has become a holding company with subsidiaries in fields unrelated to our traditional business, which is being phased out." He added, "New management of the Company is presently being appointed and will oversee a new strategic direction which is twofold: the acquisition, development and marketing of proprietary patented products that are readily marketable internationally, and at the same time, its entry into the business of cryptocurrency mining by our ownership and operation of multiple cryptocurrency mining machines.

In the coming weeks, we will be making several announcements pertaining to this new direction, including the announcement of the name change in our FINRA and OTC Markets' listing, and a change in trading symbol. We believe we are embarking on an exciting shift that going forward will have a significant positive impact on overall shareholder value."

About Intercontinental Technology, Inc. (formerly Rich Cigars, Inc.)

The Company was original formed as Rich Cigars, Inc. a Florida corporation, in order to distribute, brand and market tobacco products. As a result of the November 2017 change of control, the Company has been renamed "Intercontinental Technology, Inc.", became a Colorado corporation, and became a holding company for new subsidiary operations.

Intercontinental Technology, Inc. is forming subsidiaries to invest in (1) the development and multinational marketing of proprietary patent-protected products, and (2) the development of a unique cryptocurrency mining business for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies which will operate on a 24/7 basis.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include any that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate", "project", "intend", "forecast", "anticipate", "plan", "planning", "expect", "believe", "likely", "should", "could", "would", "may" or similar words or expressions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results and financial position to differ materially from those in such statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Company's ability to grow. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted and any reported should not be considered an indication of future performance. Potential risks and uncertainties include the Company's operating history and resources, economic, competitive, and equity market conditions.

Contact:

Rich Cigars, Inc.

+1(214)702-8775



SOURCE Rich Cigars, Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS and ATLANTA, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rimidi, a digital health company that provides software and clinical analytics for chronic disease management, and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), a leader in diabetes care for more than 90 years, are coming together to develop provider-focused tools that will integrate personalized solutions for people who use insulin to manage their diabetes, the companies announced today. Rimidi will integrate its diabetes management software platform with Lilly's integrated insulin management system in development.

The non-exclusive agreement between Rimidi and Lilly will strive to make diabetes management easier for approximately 30 million Americans with diabetes and the health care providers who care for them by helping people use insulin more effectively while optimizing diabetes management within the normal clinical workflow.

"Diabetes management is a collaborative effort between people with diabetes and their healthcare providers. With the right support they can achieve better results together," said Lucienne Ide, MD, PhD and CEO of Rimidi. "We are proud to partner with Lilly to facilitate personalized management of diabetes. This is a 'better together' story."

Rimidi's platform helps clinicians personalize care by leveraging the individual characteristics and clinical histories of people with diabetes to identify individuals who may benefit from specific management approaches. Lilly's integrated insulin management system combines a connected insulin pen with glucose-sensing technologies (e.g., glucose meter, CGM) and software applications to deliver personalized insulin dose recommendations. Data from these devices and apps will flow back to physicians to truly connect care.

"To make diabetes management easier, we need to enable and empower people with diabetes to use insulin more effectively," said Marie Schiller, vice president, Connected Care and site head, Cambridge Innovation Center. "Our partnership with Rimidi is one step in making this vision a reality. Diabetes is a challenge for patients and can be tough for physicians to treat. Connected care may be able to reduce many of these burdens, allowing physicians to focus on the most important clinical decisions and improving outcomes."

Rimidi's diabetes management platform runs on top of leading electronic medical records systems, providing a seamless workflow experience for clinicians at the point of care. Rimidi's understanding of clinical workflow enables primary care providers to leverage analytics and expert systems, such as Lilly's integrated insulin management system, to improve care for specific patient populations.

Lilly's integrated insulin management system, comprised of cloud-based analytics, patient engagement solutions and connected devices, is one of two platforms being developed by Lilly for the Connected Diabetes Ecosystem, which is being designed to make diabetes management easier by enabling people to use insulin more effectively. The other is an automated insulin delivery system, which is a hybrid closed-loop platform that uses connected devices to automate insulin dosing.

Both platforms within the Ecosystem are currently in development, and some clinical trials have started. In conjunction with a variety of partners, including Rimidi, Lilly is working to make these platforms available to patients within two to three years, pending FDA approval or clearance.

About Diabetes

Approximately 30 million Americans1 and an estimated 425 million adults worldwide have diabetes.2 Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, accounting for an estimated 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States.1 Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not properly produce or use the hormone insulin.

About Rimidi

Rimidi is an Atlanta-based, woman-led digital health company bringing to market data analytics and disease management solutions. Its flagship product, Diabetes+Me, is a software solution focused on empowering quality diabetes care for healthcare organizations, providers, and people living with diabetes. For more information, visit Rimidi-Serious Hope for Healthcare.

About Lilly Diabetes

Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research, collaboration and quality manufacturing, we strive to make life better for people affected by diabetes. We offer a wide range of therapies and a continued determination to provide real solutionsfrom medicines and technologies to support programs and more. For the latest updates, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes and Facebook: LillyDiabetesUS.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that met real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and www.lilly.com/newsroom/social-channels.

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the potential of provider-focused tools, including automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and integrated insulin management systems for the management and treatment of diabetes, and reflects Lilly's current beliefs. However, as with any medical device, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of development and commercialization. Among other things, there is no guarantee that Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the collaboration, that the collaboration will yield commercially successful products on the anticipated timeline or at all. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

P-LLY

12/2017 Lilly USA, LLC 2017. All rights reserved.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2017. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf. November 2017 . International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edn, 2017. Available at: http://www.diabetesatlas.org/. November 2017 .

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company; Rimidi

Related Links

http://www.lilly.com


"It's a pleasure to welcome Bob to our team," said Hamilton Underwriting Limited Chief Executive Officer Dermot O'Donohoe. "With Lloyd's' approval to add excess casualty to our portfolio in 2018, it's great to have the benefit of Bob's significant experience and expertise as we enter this class of business.

"Bob will be working with Hamilton Re Chief Underwriting Officer Casualty Insurance, Steve Hartwig, and his team to source business in the London market. Steve and Bob's outreach will be complementary, underwriting to a maximum capacity of $25 million in London and $50 million in Bermuda.

"With an expected improvement in rates, terms and conditions, it's timely for Bob to join us as Hamilton expands its leadership in this market segment."

Mr. Patten joins Hamilton Underwriting Limited from Novae Insurance where he also held the position of Head of Casualty. Prior to that, he was employed for eight years at Aspen Insurance in a number of senior positions, the last being Head of International P&C. Mr. Patten's almost 40 years of industry experience includes appointments at XL Europe Ltd., Starr Excess and the Dublin and Bermuda-based operations of what is now Chubb Limited (formerly ACE Group of Companies).

About Hamilton Underwriting Limited

Hamilton Underwriting Limited is the Lloyd's managing agency of Hamilton Insurance Group ("Hamilton"), the Bermuda-based holding company for insurance and reinsurance operations in Bermuda, the US and at Lloyd's. Hamilton leverages analytics and research to create underwriting and investment value for its clients and shareholders. For more information, please visit www.hamiltongroup.com | Twitter: @HamiltonInsures | LinkedIn: Hamilton-Insurance-Group.

Media contact:

Wendy Davis Johnson

Chief Communications & Culture Officer

[email protected]

+1 (441) 405-5240

SOURCE Hamilton Underwriting Limited
CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While it's typical for about 50 to 55 percent of the total amount of money raised during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign is collected during the two weeks just preceding Christmas, there is concern among the leadership of The Western Pennsylvania Division regarding whether or not the goal of $2,730,000 will be met this year. "With currently being at only 42 percent of the overall goal, and about $79K down from the same period last year, reaching our goal this year is going to require a big outpouring of support from the community between now and Christmas," said Major Deborah Sedlar, the Western PA Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army. "However, I have faith in the generosity of Western Pennsylvanians. When times are tough for their neighbors, I've witnessed the caring nature and sense of community demonstrated by our area's residents in many situations in the past."

Literally hundreds of thousands of Western Pennsylvanians are assisted by The Salvation Army each year during times of crisis. The programs and services provided, not only at Christmas but throughout the year, and funded in large part by the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. "When you drop money in a Salvation Army Kettle in your community, that money is used in your community for your neighbors in need," reminded Major Tom Lyle, The Salvation Army's Allegheny County Coordinator. "I'm asking area residents and businesses alike to please give what they can, including their prayers. The Braddock and Pittsburgh Westside Salvation Army locations in the Pittsburgh area are furthest behind their goals at 22 percent and 38 percent of their respective goals." He added. Other areas in the division currently at less than 30 percent of their goal include Bradford, Franklin, Greenville, New Castle, Punxsutawney and Warren.

If you don't pass by an iconic red kettle, you can give online at: wpa.salvationarmy.org or redkettlereason.org. To help even more, individuals, corporations, clubs, service organizations, and even school classrooms are all being encouraged to set-up their own online kettles. For more information on how to set up an online kettle, please contact Divisional Director of Fundraising, Lauren Brant at 412.446.1644 or [email protected].

Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 129 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org The Salvation Army  doing the most good for the most people in the most need.

SOURCE The Salvation Army Western PA Division

Related Links

http://www.wpa.salvationarmy.org/


TULSA, Okla., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Samson Resources II, LLC ("Samson" or the "Company") announced today that it has executed an agreement to divest all of its Wamsutter assets, located in Carbon and Sweetwater Counties of Wyoming, which are considered non-core to the Company's portfolio. The Wamsutter assets were sold for a total cash purchase price of $34.0 MM to an undisclosed buyer. The effective date of the transaction will be January 1, 2018, and closing is expected to occur prior to January 15, 2018.

The Wamsutter assets currently produce approximately 9.0 MMcfe/day, net to Samson's interest, from a total of 106 producing wells. The sale includes all of Samson's interest in ~11,300 net acres and associated surface facilities. The sale equates to $3,700 per flowing Mcfe or $3,000 per net acre.

Joseph Mills, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samson, commented, "This sale represents another important step in Samson's portfolio management and divesting of non-core assets while focusing on our core assets in the Powder River and Green River Basins of Wyoming. The proceeds of this sale will be used to partially fund our 2018 drilling program and allow us to capitalize on our robust drilling opportunities." Mills further stated, "Samson is well ahead of its business plan, since emerging from bankruptcy on March 1, 2017, to establishing a strong balance sheet and a solid base of premium assets."

Samson is a privately held onshore exploration and production company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this press release, all statements that are not purely historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," plan," "estimate," intend," "potential" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available business, economic, financial and other information and reflect management's current beliefs, expectations and views with respect to future developments and their potential effects on Samson. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect Samson and its business. Samson's actual actions and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements due to a variety of factors, including (a) the ability of Samson to perform well and compete effectively, (b) the impact of restrictions in Samson's Senior Credit Facility on its ability to make capital investments and pursue strategic growth opportunities, (c) the ability of Samson to continue to attract and retain qualified employees, and (d) other risks and uncertainties as disclosed by Samson in the future. Samson assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or actual outcomes.

SOURCE Samson Resources II, LLC
NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The M&A Advisor is proud to announce that Samuel J. Gerdano is the recipient of the 2018 M&A Advisor Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Gerdano is to be honored, for his significant contribution to the bankruptcy and restructuring industry, at the 12th Annual Turnaround Awards Gala on Wednesday March 21, 2018 at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, FL.

Samuel J. Gerdano was 36 when he joined the American Bankruptcy Institute in May 1991 as its executive director. In more than a quarter century of his leadership, ABI membership grew from less than 3,000 to more than 13,000, and became the most respected voice in the insolvency space.

ABI's thought leadership has grown during his tenure with Mr. Gerdano serving as editor-in-chief of the ABI Journal and Law Review. An expert on bankruptcy-related matters, author of numerous articles on bankruptcy, he also appears regularly as a presenter or panelist at U.S. and international events.

Mr. Gerdano has played an integral role in every major bankruptcy policy change since 1985, including as the principal architect of Chapter 12 of the Code. From 1985 to 1991, he was the chief legal counsel to Senator Charles E. Grassley and staff director for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice.

Mr. Gerdano is admitted to practice in the Federal and local courts of DC and the U.S. Supreme Court, a Fellow in the selective American College of Bankruptcy in 2001, active in the Association of Continuing Legal Education Administrators, the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy and as a Director and Executive Committee member of the Alexandria (Va) Chamber of Commerce, where he was named a 2017 Board Member of the Year.

"We are honored to present Samuel Gerdano with the 2018 M&A Advisor Lifetime Achievement Award," stated David Fergusson, President and Co-CEO of The M&A Advisor. "In addition to the experience and vision that Mr. Gerdano brought to the American Bankruptcy Institute, Sam has tirelessly championed, for over 25 years, the advancement of our industry through his dedication to ongoing research and study, engagement with all industry stakeholders, and the representation of the Institute's work to the courts and our governments."

A native of central New York, Mr. Gerdano is a 1983 honors graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law and received a B.A. in journalism, magna cum laude, also from Syracuse, in 1977.

With the presentation of The 2018 M&A Advisor Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Gerdano joins a notable and exclusive community of industry leaders who have preceded him as lifetime and leadership award winners, including Wilbur L. Ross, Jack Butler, Robert "Steve" Miller, Harvey R. Miller, J. Scott Victor, Timothy Coleman, William Repko, Corinne Ball, Barry Ridings, Tom Lauria, Van Conway and Sheila Smith.

_______________________________________________________

The M&A Advisor was founded in 1998 to offer insights and intelligence on mergers and acquisitions through the industry's leading publication. Today, the firm is recognized as the world's premier "think tank" and leadership organization for M&A, restructuring and financing professionals, providing a range of integrated services including: M&A Advisor Forums and Summits; M&A Advisor Market Intelligence; MandA.TV.; M&A Advisor Live; M&A Advisor Awards; and M&A Advisor Connects. For additional information about The M&A Advisor's leadership services visit www.maadvisor.com.

To learn about the 12th Annual Turnaround Awards Gala and the 2018 Distressed Investing Summit, CLICK HERE.

SOURCE The M&A Advisor

Related Links

http://www.maadvisor.com


LONDON, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Saveco executives were celebrating this week after winning two prestigious titles in the 2017 Business Worldwide Magazine (BWM) Global Corporate Excellence Awards.

Noor Faisal Al-Qatami scooped up the awards for 'Best CEO | Supermarket Industry MENA' and 'Most Innovative CEO of the Year - Kuwait'. The awards seek to identify and honour the most respected companies and their C-level executives, while recognising and rewarding outstanding success, innovation and ethics across international business and finance communities.

Noor Faisal Al-Qatami's achievements would have been notable in any country or industry, but the fact that she's become a successful business woman in one of the world's richest Arab states has set her head and shoulders above her competitors.

Noor has almost single handedly conquered the Kuwaiti hypermarket, turning the industry on its head with her own unique and international perspective. She has demonstrated that persistence, patience and optimism pay off and that dreams can be achieved, no matter how challenging the environment. Her tenacity and entrepreneurship have turned Saveco into a household name in the Middle East in just three years- a considerable achievement.

Her first store, Saveco Al Rai opened in 2014 and now serves a target market of 80% Kuwaitis and 20% high earning ex-pats. She's since opened two more stores in her native Kuwait and plans to expand to Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and eventually Saudi Arabia.

Not content with staying in one area, she's also set up Healthy Foods- a distribution company focused on delivering healthy nutritious options including gluten-free and lactose-free items - to supermarkets and gyms across the region. Today she employs more than 750 staff, but that figure is set to grow even more over the coming years.

Despite her success, Noor did not set out to carve a career in the supermarket sector. After graduating from America's Boston University, she co-founded Business Expansion International with George Naddaff- AKA the franchise king- and Robert Grayson of Limited brand/Victoria's Secret. Her time in the US led her to notice the disparity between grocery shopping there and in her homeland of Kuwait, which inspired her to do something about it.

Noor puts her success down to making shopping in Kuwait a pleasurable experience. "I made it my mission to make shopping not just bearable but enjoyable. Our stores include restaurants, juice bars, bakeries, children's play areas and many other shop-in-shops. We also offer higher hygiene standards than hospitals and are the only retail company in Kuwait who have been awarded both ISO Certifications - ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2005".

You can find out more about Saveco at www.saveco.com

An article on the company can also be found on BWM website

https://www.bwmonline.com/2017/12/03/kuwaiti-supermarket-saveco-checks-out-on-top/

About Business Worldwide Magazine

Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enables an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes of CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few.

www.bwmonline.com

Contact

David Jones

Awards Department

E: [email protected]





W: www.bwmonline.com

SOURCE Business Worldwide Magazine
SeaQuench Ale has been designed to be the most thirst-quenching beverage ever made by Dogfish Head. It's a fat-free, low-carb beverage at only 9g per serving, while comparatively, most sodas have about 39g, the average energy drink has approx. 29g, and popular mixers like cranberry juice, grapefruit juice and pineapple juice, can weigh in at over 30g of carbs per 1 cup serving. Enjoying a SeaQuench Ale in moderation is a significantly less caloric and less carb-rich option than sugary drink cocktails, smoothies or sodas. If you love margaritas, minerally Pinot Gris or even crisp light lagers you will be smitten by SeaQuench.

A mash-up of three famously sessionable beer styles combined in sequence - Kolsch, Gose and Berlinerweiss - SeaQuench Ale is a session sour brewed to commemorate (and disintegrate) the 500th anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot aka the "German Beer Purity Law". Sam Calagione, founder and CEO of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery described the conception of the beer, "For SeaQuench Ale, we set out with two goals. First, to make an intensely approachable and flavorful lower calorie, lower carb, true indie craft beer. Second, to objectively design the most thirst-quenching beer Dogfish has ever made as one that active-lifestyle beer fans will enjoy."

According to a number of leading media outlets, the mission Calagione set out to achieve has been accomplished. National online and print media sources have raised a glass to SeaQuench Ale celebrating the beer as an industry leading, consumer preferred low-cal beverage in the marketplace loaded with goodness and packed with flavor.

Men's Health named SeaQuench Ale " the best low-calorie beer of 2017 " and they also claim it "may be the world's most thirst-slaying beer ."

named SeaQuench Ale " " and they also claim it ." USA Today claims " SeaQuench Ale's use of sea salts not only enhances taste, but also infuses minerals "

claims " " Brewbound named SeaQuench Ale the " 2017 Beer Product of the Year. "

named SeaQuench Ale the " " The Washington Post states that SeaQuench Ale is " a thirst-quenching beer that doesn't fit neatly into any category ..."

states that SeaQuench Ale is " ..." Sports Illustrated says that "It has about 10 times the amount of sodium as rival active-lifestyle brand Michelob Ultra (100 milligrams per 12 ounces, compared to 11), and its average mineral content, which includes other electrolytes like potassium, is about three times that of Michelob Ultra, and twice as much as Gatorade."

For more information about SeaQuench Ale and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery visit dogfish.com.

Dogfish Head:

Dogfish Head has proudly been focused on brewing beers with culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened as the smallest American craft brewery 22 years ago. Dogfish Head has grown into a top-20 craft brewery and has won numerous awards throughout the years including Wine Enthusiast's 2015 Brewery of the Year and the James Beard Foundation Award for 2017 Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional. It is a 250+ coworker company based in Delaware with Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, an off-centered brewpub and distillery, Chesapeake & Maine, a geographically enamored seafood restaurant, Dogfish Inn, a beer-themed inn on the harbor and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and distillery featuring a tasting room and food truck. Dogfish Head supports the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, the definitive icon for American craft breweries to identify themselves to be independently-owned and carries the torch of transparency, brewing innovation and the freedom of choice originally forged by brewing community pioneers. Dogfish Head currently sells beer in 37 states and Washington D.C. and will expand into additional states in 2018. For more information, visit www.dogfish.com , Facebook: @dogfishheadbeer, Twitter: @dogfishbeer, and Instagram: dogfishhead.

Media Contact:

Heather Kenton

[email protected]

SOURCE Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Related Links

https://www.dogfish.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that Marvin L. Segel, Board Chairman & Founder of New York City-based, Segel Vision, LLC, in association with StarShop, (a celebrity driven shopping App on more than 55 Million devices around the world), has withdrawn his company's offer to make an equity purchase of the operational subsidiary of the multi-broadcast shopping channel, Evine, owned by Evine Live, Inc., a publicly-traded company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Segel Vision was prepared to acquire all of Evine's assets, while preserving its existing tax credits. However, according to Jim Morrison, StarShop's CEO, "After three attempts to present an offer to negotiate a transaction valued at $175 Million Total Enterprise Value, (which in essence, equaled an offer at $2.66 per share), all of which were rebuffed by Evine's Board, Marvin will be investing elsewhere."

To assist in the acquisition of Evine, Segel Vision had retained The Lucas Group, a strategy consulting and private equity investment firm headquartered in New York.

Segel Vision has four proprietary online technology partnerships that will change the face of home shopping as we all know it. Additionally, Segel Vision has created and will soon officially release the only shopping channel of its kind (broadcast and Internet combined), in Spanish, called TuStarShop, in affiliation with TuVisionCanal.com; an Hispanic social video platform.

About Segel Vision, LLC:

Headquartered in New York, NY, SEGEL VISION, LLC, is the brainchild of Marvin L. Segel, a 25-year veteran in the broadcast shopping industry, building some of the biggest brands on television. StarShop's mission is to reboot shopping by using "Six-Screen Shopping" to create video content with an exciting combination of proprietary technology, YouTubers and celebrities. StarShop's executive team includes Jim Morrison, the past president of L'Oreal USA with nine acquisitions to his name, as well as Philip Gabbard, the co-founder of Tu Vision Canal, the Spanish version of YouTube.

SOURCE Segel Vision, LLC
ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A joint venture between Shopoff Realty Investments and Argosy Real Estate Partners announced today that its proposal for the East South Street project has been approved by the City of Anaheim Planning Commission. The project involves demolishing an industrial site at 901 E. South St. in Anaheim and re-entitling the property for 546 residential units in its place. This will be Shopoff's third land development in the city of Anaheim.

Situated on 20.56 acres of land, the project will include: 314 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment units; 160 attached, for-sale single-family homes ranging from two to four bedrooms; and 72 detached, for-sale single-family homes with three bedrooms.

"This project serves as an opportunity for our firm to develop high quality residential housing in a growing submarket in Southern California," said Shopoff Realty Investments Chief Executive Officer William Shopoff. "The pent-up demand for multifamily product in the area positions the asset for long-term growth."

The property, which is located in the Anaheim Colony area, is strategically located less than one mile from the Anaheim Packing District, offering residents walking access to a communal gathering place with more than 20 artisan eateries.

John Santry, executive vice president of Shopoff Realty Investments' Land Division added, "The overall community will feature high-quality amenities, including multiple swimming pools, a spa and clubhouse, a fitness center, dog run, outdoor seating, barbeque areas, a playground, roof top decks and private balconies as well as patios."

About Shopoff Realty Investments

Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 25-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties and the entitlement of land assets. The 25-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame. For additional information, please visit www.shopoff.com or call (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

About Argosy Real Estate Partners

Argosy Real Estate Partners specializes in opportunistic investing in multifamily, commercial, lodging and residential opportunities throughout the United States. Argosy partners with experienced operating partners to create value through the acquisition, development, repositioning, and/or recapitalization of real estate assets. For additional information please visit www.argosyrealestatepartners.com.

Disclosures

This is not an offering to buy or sell any securities. Such offer may only be made through the offerings memorandum to qualified purchasers. Any investment in Shopoff Realty Investments programs involves substantial risks and is suitable only for investors who have no need for liquidity and who can bear the loss of their entire investment. There is no assurance that any strategy will succeed to meet its investment objectives. Securities offered through Shopoff Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, 2 Park Plaza, Suite 1120, Irvine, CA 92614, (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

Contact:

Jill Swartz

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.5172, ext. 701

[email protected]

SOURCE Shopoff Realty Investments
MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WidePoint Corporation (NYSE: WYY), a leading provider of Trusted Mobility Management (TM2) specializing in Telecommunications Lifecycle Management (TLM) and Cybersecurity solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Silent Circle, a pioneer in enterprise-class mobile security, privacy and compliance solutions. The two companies are currently delivering joint security solutions based on Silent Circle's secure mobile communications suite to high-profile U.S. federal agencies through WidePoint's Cellular Wireless Management Services (CWMS) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

WidePoint has been enabling government agencies and commercial enterprises to deploy fully compliant TLM and Identity Management (IdM) solutions in accordance with government-mandated regulations for more than 20 years. Underscoring its reputation as a trusted solutions provider, WidePoint recently announced new multimillion-dollar contract awards and renewals with numerous U.S. federal agencies.

Silent Circle's products are deployed in hundreds of the most demanding network environments worldwide including leading Fortune 100 accounts and government agencies. Integrating mobility, encryption, security and privacy, Silent Circle's fundamentally different technology sets the standard for enterprise privacy and security.

Mr. Jin Kang, Chief Executive Officer of WidePoint Corporation, stated, "WidePoint's next-generation Trusted Mobility Management (TM2) solutions uniquely address the convergence of two high-growth markets: mobile communications and security. We are continuing to team with strategic partners to broaden our capabilities. With proven expertise in both disciplines based on enterprise-scale deployments around the world, Silent Circle exemplifies the ideal partner for us."

Silent Circle CEO Gregg Smith noted, "With WidePoint, we are offering our world-class secure mobile communications platform to meet the exacting demands of government and enterprise. We're already jointly delivering strategic solutions to major accounts, and look forward to further collaboration and success."

About WidePoint

WidePoint Corporation (NYSE: WYY) is a leading provider of technology-based management solutions including telecom management, mobile management, access management and identity management. For more information, visit www.widepoint.com

About Silent Circle

Silent Circle's enterprise-scale secure mobile communications solutions are deployed in hundreds of the most demanding networking environments worldwide, including the Fortune 100 and government agencies in 100+ countries. Delivered through a game-changing mobile ecosystem of software and services, the company's award-winning product family comprises: Silent Phone, a secure calling and messaging application; Blackphone, a hardened, secure handset; Silent World, a secure way to communicate globally outside of the Silent Phone network; and Silent Manager, a web-based administrative console for managing users. Company founders include former Navy SEAL and security expert Mike Janke; Internet Hall of Famer Phil Zimmermann, developer of Silent Circle's ZRTP cryptography protocol and co-founder of PGP Corporation; and Jon Callas, creator of Apple's whole disk encryption software and also a PGP Corporation co-founder. Silent Circle is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. www.silentcircle.com.

For More Information:

Brett Mass or Dave Fore

Hayden IR

(206) 395-2711

[email protected]

SOURCE WidePoint Corporation

Related Links

http://www.silentcircle.com


SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sorenson Media, a leading technology provider of addressability and TV measurement solutions, announced recognition of their workplace culture in Utah with two awards. Sorenson Media was honored for both the Salt Lake Tribune Top Workplaces as the No. 10 small company, and Utah Business' Best Companies to Work For.

Utah Business' Best Companies to Work For program is designed to reward organizations that go above and beyond to create engaging and rewarding workplaces for their employees. Utah Business conducts anonymous surveys with the workforces of participating companies, covering elements such as benefits and pay, fairness and opportunities, corporate culture, internal communication and employee pride.

Instead of basing scores on perks like free lunches and corporate trips, the Salt Lake Tribune Top Workplaces program highlights companies that inspire and empower employees. Results are compiled from employee surveys.

"Enthusiasm, camaraderie and respect are core to Sorenson Media's culture, which leads to a rewarding and fulfilling environment for our people," said Marcus Liassides, CEO of Sorenson Media. "We have been honored multiple times this year with growth and employee happiness awards, which truly reflects the passion behind the people who work here."

This year saw Sorenson Media recognized multiple times with coveted corporate awards. In June, it made Inc.'s Best Workplaces for 2017, determined from an employee survey on company culture and benefits. In August, the company ranked on Mountain West Capital Network's Utah 100, naming them as one of the fastest growing companies in the state.

Sorenson Media currently has more than 300 employees with offices in Utah, Colorado, New York, Wales and Korea.

About Sorenson Media

Founded in 1995, Sorenson Media provides trusted solutions to the broadcast television industry and is an innovator in next generation television--the fusing of the power and scale of broadcast TV with the data and addressability of digital. Using the capabilities of internet-connected devices to deliver addressability, interactivity, and measurement, Sorenson Media's Spark platform provides broadcasters and advertisers with a complete toolkit to enable, enhance, and improve the TV content and advertising viewing experience. For more information, visit www.sorensonmedia.com and follow us on Twitter, @sorensonmedia.

Media Contacts

Megan Herrick

Sorenson Media

(801) 831-4663

[email protected]

Roger Johnson

Method Communications

(801) 461-9781

[email protected]

SOURCE Sorenson Media

Related Links

http://www.sorensonmedia.com


SPRINGFIELD, Va., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategy and Management Services, Inc. (SAMS) announced today that it has been awarded a one-year contract with three option years for the Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) Construction and Facilities Management Office (CFMO). SAMS will deliver comprehensive project management and civil engineering support services while working in tandem with other team members in the Facilities Management Office. The team will plan for current and future needs of the Rhode Island National Guard, in regard to facilities and training sites.

SAMS' team will also manage the preparation of project documentation, project design technical support, and provide bid period assistance and construction observation. SAMS' overall goal is to ensure that the CFMO achieves its mission of providing state-of-the-art, community-based, installations and training sites that are able to be leveraged by the Army and the State. SAMS will also confirm that all actions facilitate communications, operations, training, and equipment sustainment to support the deployment of required forces and other assigned State and Federal missions.

"SAMS understands the significant mission of the National Guard CFMO," said Staci L. Redmon, President and CEO at SAMS. "Our team is eager to continue our strong relationship with the National Guard by providing them with enhanced, innovative project management and civil engineering solutions to save them time and ensure mission success in all facilities management projects."

About SAMS

Founded in 2008, Strategy and Management Services, Inc. (SAMS) is an award-winning, SBA 8(a) program participant, verified SDVOSB, EDWOSB, SBA-certified SDB small business, Commonwealth of Virginia SWaM and WBENC-certified company. It provides Back Office Support and Building Services for federal agencies, state and local governments and commercial entities who want the high-quality services of a top-tier company with the "high-touch" of a client-focused small business. For more information, please visit http://getsamsnow.com.

SOURCE Strategy and Management Services, Inc. (SAMS)
Kevin Dougherty to spearhead new Innovation & Partnership role, and Jacques Goulet to join the company as President, Sun Life Financial Canada

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Dean Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF), today announced two leadership changes in Canada that support the acceleration of the company's Client 2020 strategy. The following appointments are effective January 15, 2018:

Kevin Dougherty, currently President, Sun Life Financial Canada, will become Executive Vice-President, Innovation and Partnerships. In this newly created role, Kevin will focus exclusively on accelerating growth through innovation and critical organizational capabilities. He will be responsible for:

Digital Health Solutions  a new business launched in late 2016 to help Canadians access the latest in digital capabilities and innovations to take care of their health and well-being.





 a new business launched in late 2016 to help Canadians access the latest in digital capabilities and innovations to take care of their health and well-being. Insurance Research Lab  which seeks new approaches to insurance underwriting and related innovations by identifying potential external partners with new technologies and working closely with Sun Life businesses around the globe to test, learn and commercialize them.





 which seeks new approaches to insurance underwriting and related innovations by identifying potential external partners with new technologies and working closely with Sun Life businesses around the globe to test, learn and commercialize them. External Innovation Partnerships - through Sun Life's existing relationships including Plug and Play, MaRS Discovery District, and the Vector Institute, as well as developing new partnerships.





- through Sun Life's existing relationships including Plug and Play, MaRS Discovery District, and the Vector Institute, as well as developing new partnerships. Accelerating data analytics capabilities and use of Artificial Intelligence in Sun Life's operations and business models. This includes developing, coordination and sharing best practices and use cases across the company.





in Sun Life's operations and business models. This includes developing, coordination and sharing best practices and use cases across the company. Reinsurance business - management and coordinating Sun Life's use of reinsurance globally, and the engagement of our reinsurance partners in product and underwriting innovation.

"Kevin has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to create new business models where none existed, and to rally Sun Life leaders to collaborate across boundaries, as one unified team," said Dean Connor, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial. "Putting a leader of Kevin's calibre against our innovation and partnership agenda speaks to our commitment to creating meaningful differentiation in the marketplace, and for Clients," Connor added.

Jacques Goulet will be appointed President, Sun Life Financial Canada. Jacques is joining Sun Life Financial from Mercer, where he is President, Health and Wealth, with responsibility for the firm's global retirement, health, investment consulting, and investment management businesses. These businesses generate over US$3.6 billion of revenue, serving clients in over 100 countries around the globe.

As President, Sun Life Financial Canada, Jacques will be responsible for the company's group benefits, group retirement services, individual wealth, insurance and investment management businesses in Canada.

"Jacques is known as a transformational leader with global experience. His track record for developing strong teams, driving business growth, and raising the bar on Client outcomes will serve our Canadian businesses well as we strive to extend our leadership position," said Connor.

Jacques hails from Shawinigan, Quebec, and following graduation from Concordia University in 1987 he started his career at Mercer in Toronto. He qualified as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries, and after 10 years of consulting and leadership roles in Canada, he became CEO of Mercer France. Subsequently, he oversaw Mercer's European retirement business. In 2011, he moved to New York to assume a growing set of North American and global responsibilities. Jacques and his family will relocate back to Canada.

Kevin and Jacques will report to Dean Connor and be members of the Executive Team, which also includes:

Claude Accum , President, Sun Life Financial Asia

, President, Sun Life Financial Asia Dan Fishbein , President, Sun Life Financial U.S.

, President, Sun Life Financial U.S. Steve Peacher , President, Sun Life Investment Management

, President, Sun Life Investment Management Carrie Blair , Executive Vice-President, Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer

, Executive Vice-President, Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer Linda Dougherty , Executive Vice-President, Corporate Strategy and Global Marketing

, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Strategy and Global Marketing Colm Freyne , Executive Vice-President & Chief Risk Officer

, Executive Vice-President & Chief Risk Officer Melissa Kennedy , Executive Vice-President, Chief Legal Officer & Public Affairs

, Executive Vice-President, Chief Legal Officer & Public Affairs Mark Saunders , Executive Vice-President & Chief Information Officer

, Executive Vice-President & Chief Information Officer Kevin Strain , Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer

Current biographies and photographs of Sun Life's Executive Team are available here: www.sunlife.com/leadershipteam

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $934 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com .

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Media Relations Contact:

Simon Townsend

Vice-President

Corporate Communications

T. 416-204-3810

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Greg Dilworth

Vice-President

Investor Relations

T. 416-979-6230

[email protected]

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sunlife.com


WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SXWorks, a subsidiary of SoundExchange, today announced it has developed technology to help music publishers identify musical works that have been licensed under compulsory mechanical licenses with the U.S. Copyright Office as "address unknown" by music users. "Address Unknown" filings allow music users to license mechanical rights to a musical work in those cases where registration records or other public records of the Copyright Office do not identify the copyright owner.

The database, NOI LOOKUP, will be made available to registered music publishers free of charge on the sx-works.com website beginning in January 2018.

To date, more than 57 million "address unknown" filings of intent to use musical works have been submitted to the Copyright Office. The filings are made available by the Copyright Office in separate compressed files, which makes searching the records individually a daunting, if not impossible, task for most publishers. SXWorks has addressed this challenge by indexing all the filings and making the results available to publishers in a comprehensive, searchable database. Music publishers will be able to search NOI submissions via a simple web-based interface to determine whether digital services are using their musical works, thereby providing publishers with the information necessary to claim unpaid mechanical royalties for the use of their works. SXWorks will launch new premium capabilities to the NOI LOOKUP service in 2018.

The database will be the first tool designed to allow music publishers to quickly and easily search "address unknown" filings for uses of their works.

"We have found a way to address a significant challenge publishers face with the existing compulsory mechanical licensing regime," said Michael Huppe, Chairman of the Board of SXWorks. "Our NOI LOOKUP will give music publishers unprecedented visibility into NOI filings made at the U.S. Copyright Office and provide publishers with an opportunity to claim unpaid mechanical royalties from services."

When the Copyright Office amended the process for licensees to file "notices of intention" to use songs under the Section 115 mechanical statutory license, it also allowed services to make bulk electronic filings. In their bulk filings, services have claimed they are unable to locate rights owners to license statutory mechanical rights, and the filings allow services to use the music provided they properly notify the Copyright Office through the NOI process.

To learn more about SXWorks' NOI LOOKUP, view this video that demonstrates the new service.

About SXWorks

SXWorks is a subsidiary of SoundExchange created with the May 2017 acquisition of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA). SXWorks provides global administration services to music publishers to support multiple licensing configurations. CMRRA represents music publishers and administers the majority of songs recorded, sold and broadcast in Canada. For more information, visit http://sx-works.com/

SOURCE SXWorks

Related Links

http://sx-works.com


Thales is committed to accelerating the digital transformation across all areas of advanced technology, enabling its customers to make the right decisions in real time. To support its customers' big ambitions, Thales has invested more than 1 billion over the last three years in key digital technologies, including the internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Key points

Creation of a Digital Business Unit regrouping Thales's main digital businesses and expertise to support its customers' big ambitions

David Jones appointed Senior Vice-President, Digital Business Unit, Thales, effective on 8 December 2017

appointed Senior Vice-President, Digital Business Unit, Thales, effective on Olivier Flous appointed Vice-President Digital Transformation & Digital Factory since July 2017

Cindy Provin appointed Chief Executive Officer of Thales eSecurity, effective on 1 January 2018

appointed Chief Executive Officer of Thales eSecurity, effective on Faizel Lakhani appointed Chief Executive Officer of Guavus, effective since October 2017 .

Today, Thales strengthens its leadership team to drive digital transformation.

David Jones joins Thales as Senior Vice-President, Digital Business Unit, effective as of 8 December 2017. With 25 years' experience leading innovative, enterprise software startups, as well as market leading companies like Cisco, HP and Iron Mountain, David is one of the foremost experts in digital transformation in the San Francisco Bay Area. He will bring his expertise in highly differentiated, digital offerings to accelerate the adoption of the Thales digital portfolio and drive digital transformation within Thales.

During his extensive career, David has worked with innovative, market leading companies to bring to market new digital technologies, improve operating results and expand their product portfolios. David joins Thales from HPE where he was Senior Vice President of the Security & Information Governance Business Unit.

Olivier Flous, Vice-President Digital Transformation & Digital Factory, is in charge since July 2017 of accelerating the Group's digital transformation and that of all its customers through the Digital Factory. This structure is in charge of steering and supporting the Group's Digital Transformation through the development of new digital products for all activities, a start-up incubator and a Digital Academy. The Digital Factory brings together the best experts in key digital technologies to serve Thales's customers in its five core markets: aerospace, space, ground transportation, defence and security.

Cindy Provin is appointed Chief Executive Officer, Thales eSecurity, with effect from 1 January 2018. Cindy has a long and proven track record within the organisation. She has been responsible for leading and directing a high growth, profitable data security organization in her roles as President of Thales eSecurity, Inc. and Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for Thales eSecurity. Over the course of this career, she was instrumental in driving Thales eSecurity's position as a world leader in data security and its market leading position in hardware security modules and encryption. In her new role, Cindy will be responsible for leading a world-class organization, delivering a portfolio of security solutions, to protect data wherever it is created, shared or stored as customers digitally transform their organizations.

Faizel Lakhani joins Thales as Guavus Chief Executive Officer. Effective as of October 2017, he joins the Group's newly acquired real-time, big data analytics business. This appointment reaffirms Thales's commitment to digital transformation by delivering better intelligence to customers to help them make critical decisions, mastering every decisive moment. Mr. Lakhani brings extensive expertise in pioneering big data to the business as he has decades of experience in network intelligence, enterprise services, digital analytics and Internet of Things applications. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Lakhani served in several senior executive roles for leading network intelligence innovators and Fortune 1000 companies. Guavus will continue to bring machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions to the world's largest service providers and extend these innovative solutions to industrial markets.

About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 64,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of 14.9 billion in 2016. With over 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.

Links : Thales Group

Download HD photos

@thalesgroup

SOURCE Thales
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Melora  one of New Zealand's preeminent manuka honey brands is gaining distribution in the U.S. this month in select retailers in California, Hawaii and Arizona.

"We are thrilled to bring Melora's premium manuka honey to our American friends," said Karl Gradon, CEO at New Zealand Manuka Group. "In a category that has been subject to misleading activity claims, the Melora brand offers a guarantee on quality, purity, and responsible harvesting practices, underscoring the most healing properties of the manuka superplant. With Melora, US consumers can feel confident toward an investment in good health."

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native "super plant" manuka bush. Research shows  when ingested  manuka honey can help with stomach problems such as H.Pylori (in-vitro) which also links with internal health and wellbeing benefits. Additionally, more research is emerging on manuka's prebiotic role in promoting beneficial bacteria and gut health.

When applied topically, manuka honey has been shown to have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant properties. Manuka honey is a natural humectant for beauty and skin wellbeing - and has been used for its wound healing, acne care and skin infection-fighting capacities. Crucially, there are no reported cases of bacteria developing resistance to honey, nor can manuka or other honey resistance be generated in the laboratory.

"Quality manuka has been termed the 'Swiss Army Knife' of internal and external wellness. It's a pantry 'must-have,'" added Gradon. "We hope to inspire people to live healthier lives through the powerful healing properties of our manuka products."

The UMF grading system appraises natural markers found in manuka honey and assures purity and quality. As part of the UMF Honey Association testing process, every batch of honey must go through a series of additional checks and supporting programs to ensure adherence to the highest standards in authenticity, quality and safety. All UMF license holders are independently audited to meet stringent standards in terms of production, manufacturing, sampling and handling. The UMF quality trademark is an indication to consumers that they are buying the best, 100% natural, unadulterated manuka honey.

Particularly unique to Melora is its partnership with landowners. Understanding the need for landowners to receive a fair return for the use of their land by beekeepers, Melora created an open agreement between the landowners, beekeepers and processing company. This agreement ensures all parties receive a fair share of the profits from all honey sold. This was the first time any business had ever recognized the support of the landowners in this industry.

Available in select Costco stores in UMF 5+ and/or UMF 10+. For more information, go to: www.meloralife.com

ABOUT MELORA

The Melora manuka story began with Phil and Sharan Caskey, back in the mid 1990's, with a vision to have the traditional Maori knowledge of the manuka plant recognized as an important and worthwhile resource for world health. Working alongside the University of Waikato in 2000, and a medical device company in the UK, Phil Caskey co-created and registered the first manuka honey wound care dressing in the world. It wasn't till then the real qualities and unique benefits of manuka honey were first discovered, and introduced to the world.

Media Contact:

Erinn Lynch

[email protected]

805-570-0990

SOURCE Melora

Related Links

http://www.melora.co.nz


HOUSTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TheBestSchools.org, a leading online publication for ranking schools and degree programs, has now published its fully revised ranking of "100 Best Online Colleges for 20182019."

https://thebestschools.org/rankings/best-online-colleges/

100 Best Online Colleges for 2018-2019

This ranking of the top, accredited, nonprofit, online colleges and universities is based on extensive research and familiarity with American online education. In formulating this ranking, factors examined include academic excellence, scholarly strength of faculty, online teaching methods, tuition costs, reputation, awards, regional accreditation, financial aid, and range of degree programs offered.

"With this extensive list of one hundred schools, prospective students looking for an alternative to the traditional on-campus experience can find an outstanding accredited college or university with an online degree program to fit their schedule and budget," says Dan Edelen, marketing director for TheBestSchools.org. "To simplify the search for students, the web page includes filters for costs, states, and regions, helping students to pinpoint the information most pertinent to their needs. In addition, the page lists additional links to both honorable mention schools and to the top online colleges in each state."

TheBestSchools.org is delighted to spotlight the outstanding achievements of administrators, faculty, and staff who have dedicated themselves to making their colleges and universities the pinnacle of online education in America.

TheBestSchools.org is a leader in school rankings  K12, college, postgraduate, online, and on-campus  providing millions of prospective students with the information they need to find the right school for them. TheBestSchools.org is an educational website whose staff and advisory board believe learning transforms lives for the better and should be a lifelong pursuit.

Contact:

Dan Edelen

Marketing Director

TheBestSchools.org

[email protected]

(513) 601-8202

SOURCE TheBestSchools.org

Related Links

https://thebestschools.org


MIAMI, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Toron, Inc. (OTC Pink: TRON) provided its stockholders today with a corporate update.

Toron, Inc.'s President Rene Ortiz Morentin announces that iMedScan Corp is negotiating an agreement to facilitate a Blockchain Application to manage iMedScan's HealthCare Technology Applications. Mr. Ortiz Morentin stated that iMedScan Blockchain technology will enable:

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND STORAGE

A document sharing platform that would facilitate the exchange and processing of confidential documents. The process will include an online portal/mobile application where users can login and securely upload sensitive documents to be shared with their clients. This platform will allow iMedScan to seamlessly add more clients to the network and start exchanging confidential documents with them using private and/or public keys. Specifically, the iMedScan application has two customer contract forms for recurring revenue, e.g. Acuant corporation cloud based contract and iMedScan contract for monthly recurring revenue contract which will be digitized in its blockchain application. iMedScan has a contract with various equipment leasing companies for the lease of the ATM machines at the healthcare facilities. The lease application, approval and funding can be facilitated in the blockchain digitized and confidential environment for the safety of the customer privacy and pertinent financial and credit information. iMedScan has contracts for insurance to insure the leased equipment. The blockchain application will provide direct insurance underwriting securely with the insurance carrier to bind the insurance through a digitized and automated process upon approval of the lease.

PATIENT RECORD PRIVACY

Technology has been falling behind on secure, immutable technologies to keep safe the most important information of all: identity. The healthcare industry has been suffering the most from this, receiving threats from hackers to destroy or alter digital identities. iMedScan will build its patient database using an immutable distributed ledger to keep digital identities out of the hands of anybody but the healthcare facility itself. iMedScan will be one of the few healthcare technology companies launching a secure and digitized application for the storage and distribution of healthcare related patient records and financial information.

ICO/TOKEN LAUNCH

iMedScan recognizes the necessity at this early stage of its release of its application of having a solid financial and legal infrastructure to facilitate a high level of growth. Mr. Ortiz Morentin stated the company feels blockchain technology is certainly the future of business in today's technology age and we are proud to facilitate this transition.

Lastly, iMedScan is in discussion of utilizing an ICO or potentially a Token Launch to raise additional funds for the company in order to adequately launch a marketing platform for its iMedScan application. The Company is revamping its website, http://www.imedscan.com, to reflect the blockchain technology and expects it will be released live in the first quarter of 2018.

UPDATE ON INMED GROUP, INC.

On October 27, 2017, the Company provided InMed Group with the required deposit to secure the Letter of Intent.

The Company has not engaged any Investor Relations group nor is the Company aware of any form of market awareness program to date. The Company monitors public bulleting boards to ensure, to the best of its ability, that there is no erroneous information disseminated.

Statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although Toron, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, Toron, Inc. is unable to give any assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the company's ability to meet the conditions necessary to, among other matters, obtain a public listing on a major national exchange.

SOURCE Toron, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.imedscan.com


WAYNE, N.J., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Details for the Toys"R"Us, Inc. third quarter 2017 earnings conference call are provided below. On the call, the company's leadership team will discuss the financial results of Toys"R"Us, Inc. and Toys"R"Us  Delaware, Inc. at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017.

Participation in this call is open to the public. Participants should dial-in 15 minutes in advance, using the following:

U.S. Dial-In Number: (855) 687-5546

International Dial-In Number: (786) 800-3917

Conference ID: 2789417

More information is available at https://www.toysrusinc.com/investors/events.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 881 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in 840 international stores and over 265 licensed stores in 38 countries and jurisdictions. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com, the company provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Toys"R"Us, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, NJ, and has nearly 65,000 employees worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Over the past three decades, the Company has given more than $100 million in product donations to children's charities. Since 1992, the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund, a public charity affiliated with Toys"R"Us, Inc., has also donated more than $130 million in grants. For more information, visit Toysrusinc.com or follow @ToysRUsNews on Twitter.

SOURCE Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.toysrusinc.com


TSX, NYSE American

Symbol: TMQ

VANCOUVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX, NYSE-MKT: TMQ) ("Trilogy" or "Trilogy Metals") is pleased to announce that South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32) ("South32") has committed to fund the US$10 million 2018 program and budget for the Bornite Project. The funds, which represent the second tranche of US$10 million, maintains the Option Agreement (see below) in good standing, and will be transferred before January 31, 2018. The 2018 program will include in-fill and off-set drilling to better define and expand the high grade copper resources at Bornite. The 2018 Program was recently approved by the joint Trilogy-South32 Technical Committee.

Trilogy Metals recently completed the first US$10 million exploration drill program at Bornite that was funded by South32. The 2017 program had been previously approved by the joint Technical Committee and was focused on drilling the extensions of mineralization last drilled by the Company in 2013. Results of this year's exploration program at the Bornite Project were released by Trilogy Metals on September 18, 2017 (https://Trilogy PR Sep 18 2017) and December 4, 2017 (https://Trilogy PR Dec 4 2017). The 2017 drilling program doubled the size of the known mineralized footprint and continues to demonstrate that the high-grade Bornite copper resource system is open to further expansion.

Agreement

On April 10, 2017 Trilogy announced it had entered into an agreement with South32 whereby Trilogy has granted South32 an option to form a 50/50 joint venture with respect to Trilogy's Alaskan assets, known collectively as the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP"), which includes the Arctic and Bornite Projects, the Exploration and Option to Lease Agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. ("NANA"), and the remainder of Trilogy's state mining claims along the 100km volcanogenic massive sulphide belt. South32 must contribute a minimum of US$10 million each year, for a maximum of 3 years, to keep the option in good standing ("Initial Funding"). South32 may exercise its option at any time to form the 50/50 joint venture ("JV"). To subscribe for 50% of the JV, South32 will contribute a minimum of US$150 million, plus any amounts Trilogy spends at the Arctic Project over the initial three years to a maximum of US$5 million per year (the "Subscription Price"), less an amount of the Initial Funding contributed by South32 (https://Trilogy PR April 10 2017).

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most- prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, the future operating or financial performance of the Company, interpretation of drill results, planned expenditures and the anticipated activity at the UKMP Projects, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2016 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Bornite Technical Report have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource and reserve information contained therein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth in this press release or the Bornite Technical Report may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.trilogymetals.com


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Capping off its 20th anniversary year, Viking (www.vikingcruises.com) today celebrated new accolades from Cruise Critic, the world's largest online cruise resource. In its 10th annual Editors' Picks Awards, Cruise Critic honored Viking with five awards, more than any other river or ocean cruise line. Viking was recognized in the river and luxury ocean categories, with awards that point to key differentiating factors for the brand: Best for First-Timers, Best Enrichment, Best Shore Excursions, Best Spa and Best Value for Money. The full list of Editors' Picks Awards can be viewed on Cruise Critic here.

"For 20 years we have helped our guests explore the cultures of the world in comfort, at a price that includes more amenities and a better value than any other cruise line. It is an honor to have the editors of Cruise Critic recognize what makes Viking different in the travel industry," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "In a single year, we have been named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line, the #1 River Cruise Line, and we have dominated both Cruise Critic's Editors' Picks and Cruisers' Choice Awards. As we begin another new year that will see us launch new river and ocean ships, as well as cruise itineraries around the world, we look forward to even more travelers experiencing the 'Viking Difference.'"

Cruise Critic Editors' Picks

The Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards are chosen by Cruise Critic's international team of editors, based on the lines and ships they feel best represent excellence in each of the designated categories. In ranking Viking in the top spot for five different awards, Cruise Critic's editors commented with the following:

Best for First-Timers  River: "With its vast fleet of Longships, Viking has the most choice of cruising dates in Europe and beyond, and offers many of the features that have become the hallmark of river cruising, such as beer and wine at lunch and dinner, an included shore excursion at each port, onboard enrichment sessions, free Wi-Fi and alternative terrace dining."

Best Enrichment  River: "Viking remains committed to creating journeys that immerse passengers in the culture, history and cuisine of destinations when they're onboard. The 'Culture Curriculum' program showcases music and dance performances, cooking demonstrations and guest lectures. One day cruisers might be watching a glass-blowing demonstration and the next, learning how to paint like Van Gogh or tasting Dutch cheese."

Best Shore Excursions  River: "Drawing a page from their successful ocean cruises, Viking has added moreoptions to the usual city walking tours and bus trips. Local Life excursions might visit a local market on a culinary tour, while Working World tours help passengers understand the local economy. Privileged Access tours give small groups of people a special experience, such as a winery tour with a princess."

Best Spa  Luxury: "Viking's spa [onboard its ocean cruise ships] is beautifully appointed, uniquely designed and wonderfully relaxing. The spa offers a Nordic experience, which combines a variety of hot and cold treatments, as well as a massive thalassotherapy pool, ceramic lounge chairs and peaceful changing rooms. Best of all, the spa complex is free to all passengers. Viking has set the bar high; its ocean ships offer the best spa at sea."

[onboard its ocean cruise ships] Best Value for Money  Luxury: "You get a lot for your money with Viking  drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, one tour in every port, thermal spa access and meals in main and specialty restaurant venues. But more than fare inclusions, Viking cruisers benefit from smartly designed cabins; gorgeous top-deck, all-weather hangouts; and destination-intensive itineraries. That's what we call value!"

Viking's Awards in 2017

This week's announcement from Cruise Critic rounds out an impressive year of accolades for Viking. Earlier this fall, Viking was voted the Best River Cruise Line by Conde Nast Traveler in the publication's 2017 Readers' Choice Awards, and in the summer, Viking was named the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2017 World's Best Awards. Town & Country named Viking's ocean cruises "Best for Design" and "Best Overall, Contemporary Luxury" in the magazine's recent Cruise Awards. It also named Viking's river cruises "Best for Suites" and "Best for Design." And Viking's ocean ships won the top two placements in nearly every category where they were eligible in Cruise Critic's 2017 Cruisers' Choice Awards, including "Best Overall" and "Best for First-Timers."

The Viking Difference

Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. Onboard, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. All-veranda ships mean that guests experience every day with a new, expansive vista. With the most al fresco dining at sea, featuring regional cuisines and always-available American classics, Viking's guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences onshore and onboard. And only The Viking Way brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

In addition, Viking Inclusive Value provides a small ship experience and no nickel-and-diming  with every cruise fare including an exterior stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; Wi-Fi; and coffee, tea and bottled water available 24 hours a day. Viking's ocean guests also enjoy additional complimentary amenities, including: alternative restaurant dining, self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.

Booking Details

From now through December 31, 2017, Viking is offering U.S. residents 2-for-1 cruise fares on select 2018 ocean and river cruise itineraries, with additional savings on international air. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.

About Viking

Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia and is now celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017 as the leader in river and small ship ocean cruising. Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" as an alternative to mainstream cruises. In its first two years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016 and 2017 "World's Best" Awards. Viking currently operates a fleet of 63 vessels, offering scenic cruising on rivers and oceans around the world. By 2022 the company will operate eight 930-guest ocean cruise ships and will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2017 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.

SOURCE Viking

Related Links

https://www.vikingcruises.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today VironIT became a member of Belarus Hi-Tech Park, one of the leading organizations among innovative IT clusters in Central and Eastern Europe.

Belarus Hi-Tech Park is a virtual hi-tech park that ensures favorable business conditions for tech companies, facilitates their growth and offers economic incentives for investors. 91.5 percent of the software produced in the Park account for exports with 40.2 percent being sold to USA and Canada, 46.7 percent  to the European countries and 10.7 percent  to Russia and the CIS countries.

Today the cluster involves 180 tech resident companies. Every year a new success story takes place in HTP: World of Tanks, Viber, Apalon and MSQRD.

As an HTP resident, company VironIT is exempt from all corporate taxes, including VAT and profit tax, as well as customs duties. Individual income tax has a fixed rate of 9 percent for the employees of VironIT. It allows providing a company's customers with the most reliable prices and terms.

VironIT is an international software development company established in 2004. The company provides comprehensive services including development of mobile applications, web-oriented applications, business software solutions, as well as software integration and updating, support, and maintenance of software applications. VironIT has carried out 500 projects to 300 high-profile companies in eHealth, Sports, Banking, Retail, Marketing, Gaming and other industries.

To learn more about the software development company, VironIT please visit https://vironit.com.

SOURCE VironIT

Related Links

http://vironit.com


Based out of the Company's Phoenix, Arizona office, Senior Vice Presidents Jim Pierson and Keaton Merrell led the team in arranging the debt for Globe Corporation ("Globe"). The loan for one property, 101 Corporate Center, served as acquisition financing and the remaining two were refinances. Debt for the two industrial warehouses, 8990 South Kyrene Road and Riverside Commerce Park, was consolidated into a single loan structure. Each of the three long-term, fixed-rate loans were closed at favorable rates with three separate life insurance companies.

Director, President, and Co-CEO of Globe Corporation, George Getz, commented, "The total loan process with Jim and Keaton was outstanding; they marketed our loans to multiple capital sources and provided Globe with the best financing available in the market."

Mr. Pierson commented, "We were honored to win this portfolio assignment from Globe, as they are great friends and valued clients. This portfolio was a unique assignment; each property and loan structure was distinct, yet we were able to arrange financing options to address the future business plans of Globe Corporation."

Phoenix and Tempe are ideal markets for both industrial and office properties, thanks to above-average job growth, and strong absorption. Scottsdale, located within the most populous county in Arizona, is an established, upscale area with beautiful scenery that draws employees, families, and tourists alike.

The portfolio comprises a total of 709,033 square feet of rentable space. Each property is well-located within their respective markets, near major thoroughfares and amenities such as retail and restaurants. The assets also enjoy close proximity to major employers, such as Farmers Insurance, Honor Health, General Dynamics, Northern Trust, State Farm, Vanguard, Mayo Clinic, and CVS.

As one of Fortune's Fastest Growing Companies, Walker & Dunlop continues to expand across the United States and is dedicated to increasing the presence of its Capital Markets platform. The acquisitions of certain assets from George Elkins Mortgage Banking Company in November 2016 and Deerwood Real Estate Capital in February 2017 have contributed to a significant increase in the Company's brokered loan originations. In the first three quarters of 2017, the Capital Markets team closed a record $5.2 billion in total brokered volume, up 22 percent from the full-year 2016 figure.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate services and finance companies in the United States providing financing and investment sales to owners of multifamily and commercial properties. Walker & Dunlop, which is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, has over 600 professionals in 28 offices across the nation with an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

About Globe Corporation

Founded in 1901, Globe Corporation is currently managed by fourth generation members of the Getz family. With a rich history that spans many different industriescoal distribution, manufacturing, ranching and commercial bankingGlobe Corporation today is a diversified investment company with offices in Scottsdale, AZ and Deerfield, IL, whose primary responsibilities are the stewardship and oversight of the Getz family assets.

SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.walkerdunlop.com


"We're happy to recognize great engines in luxury cars, but we're thrilled to see so many high-volume automakers whose vehicles are more affordable for average Americans delivering truly outstanding powertrains," said Drew Winter, WardsAuto's senior content director.

"And we certainly didn't set out to find four electrified drivetrains to honor this year," Winter added. "These four belong on our list because they are extremely efficient while at the same time fun to drive."

This year's winners:

150-kW Electric Propulsion System (Chevrolet Bolt EV)

3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6/PHEV (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid)

2.7L Twin Turbo DOHC V-6 (Ford F-150)

5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)

130-kW Fuel Cell/Electric Propulsion System (Honda Clarity)

2.0L VTEC Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. (Honda Civic Type R)

3.0L Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Infiniti Q50)

2.0L Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. (Jaguar XF)

3.3L Turbocharged DOHC V-6 ( Kia Stinger )

) 2.5L Atkinson DOHC 4-Cyl./HEV (Toyota Camry Hybrid)

Since 1995, the Wards 10 Best Engines competition has recognized outstanding engines and electrified propulsion systems, as well as the technology and engineering behind them. All new or significantly improved powertrains, as well as last year's ten returning winners were eligible. Vehicles must have a base price no higher than $63,000.

Editors score each powertrain based on horsepower, torque, comparative specs, noise attenuation, observed fuel economy and the application of new technology.

The winning automakers will be honored January 17 at a WardsAuto ceremony in Detroit during the North American International Auto Show.

The full feature on the Wards 10 Best Engines winners for 2018 is posted on WardsAuto.com. Profiles of the winning engines, judges roundtable discussion videos, and additional commentaries on other engines considered for the list will appear on WardsAuto in the coming days and weeks.

About WardsAuto

WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of automotive insights and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 90 years. WardsAuto provides a forward-looking perspective on all aspects of the automotive business, from the tech center to the plant floor to the showroom. Its services include the premium WardsAuto.com resource and suite of customizable data reporting tools, the WardsAuto Interiors and WardsAuto Outlook Conferences, and digital newsletters and magazines. Subscribe to WardsAuto and attend its events by visiting http://www.wardsauto.com.

ABOUT INFORMA

WardsAuto is part of Informa, the international business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events group. Informa serves commercial, professional and academic communities, helping them connect and learn, and creating and providing access to content and intelligence that helps people and businesses work smarter and make better decisions faster.

Informa employs over 7,500 people in more than 20 countries in North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

Media Contact

Chris Lamphear

Director of Marketing

WardsAuto

248 799 2658

[email protected]

SOURCE WardsAuto

Related Links

http://wardsauto.com


ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to consumer satisfaction among Georgia's managed Medicaid members, WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) is the top-rated, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) 2017  2018 Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings.

NCQA reported WellCare of Georgia was rated 4 out of 5 for consumer satisfaction and 3.5 out of 5 overall in NCQA's Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 20172018, making WellCare the state's top-rated managed care organization for member satisfaction.

These quality measures are especially important to help improve health outcomes. Research indicates patients who are satisfied with their physician relationship tend to utilize more preventive care services and screenings.

"Member satisfaction among the Medicaid population is crucial because patients are more likely to manage chronic health conditions and reduce unhealthy behaviors when they have positive relationships with their physicians," said Sonya Nelson, president, WellCare of Georgia. "Because our primary care physicians have done an exceptional job in building patient relationships and offering helpful, manageable ways for members to improve their health, we're seeing improvements in health outcomes."

An August 2016 report from Health Affairs noted that among lower-income patients, trust and respect were their primary concern in the healthcare system. Many reported the issue they were most passionate about was distrust of healthcare workers and a sense that they were seen as "less-than" by medical providers.

WellCare employs more than 80 field-based care associates serving 159 counties across the state who help members manage their health conditions and can provide in-home visits or help members overcome social or economic barriers to care by connecting members to needed social services such as food, transportation or housing.

"Our care management and advocacy teams are making vital improvements in our members' lives. Many families struggle with social or economic barriers to care that put them at a disadvantage when it comes to living a healthy life. By helping families navigate these challenges, WellCare removes major roadblocks to better health. We look forward to continuing to help our members in Georgia live better, healthier lives," said Nelson.

As of Sept. 30, 2017, WellCare serves approximately 498,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids plan members, 46,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 20,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how WellCare cares for Georgians, watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.

About NCQA Ratings

NCQA ratings are based on three types of quality measures: measures of clinical quality from NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS); measures of consumer satisfaction using Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS); and results from NCQA's review of a health plan's health quality processes (i.e., performance on NCQA accreditation standards). NCQA rates health plans that report quality information publicly.

For a more detailed review of the latest NCQA health insurance plan ratings report, visit: http://healthinsuranceratings.ncqa.org/2017/search/Medicaid/GA.

About NCQA

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations and recognizes clinicians in key clinical areas. NCQA's HEDIS is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA's Web site (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 4.3 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2017. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.wellcare.com


SANDY, Utah, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Consensus, a Utah-based enterprise SaaS (software-as-a-service) startup that drives B2B sales through Buyer Enablement, announced today they have fully adopted a FlexPlace work environment that allows team members to work and collaborate from anywhere.

The change to being a fully remote company began when Brian Zurcher, VP of Client Success, planned to move to Saint George, UT in 2016 and asked if he could keep his job and work remotely.

"We decided to give it go," said Garin Hess, Founder and CEO. "What happened surprised us. Brian was so much more productive and effective working remotely from home that we began to wonder if we would see similar gains if we all started working from home a few days."

Zurcher confirmed that perception, saying, "I found I'm able to get a lot more done because there aren't the constant interruptions about non-work things. We used to work in this large open office environment which turns out was really counterproductive for me. But it took moving out of the office to recognize how much it impacted my ability to get things done."

Early this year the company began asking employees to work from home two days a week then back in the office for three days, monitoring results to see how the change might affect productivity.

"We were worried that productivity might drop for some reason," said Geoff Beckstrom, VP of Operations. "So we watched results like a hawk and were shocked to see that productivity went up across the board."

Beckstrom says that running a remote team necessitates focusing on results rather than overseeing the methods as closely.

"We field concerns from company stakeholders because we're bucking the tradition of having to work in an office and people who haven't tried it think that it's impossible to get as much done," said Hess. "But the opposite is true."

Since the move Consensus has brought on team members in Europe, Mexico, and other parts of the United States. The Utah locals still get together in person once a week in co-working spaces and pipe everyone else in remotely via video for the weekly all hands.

"We love getting together, but it's also great to have the flexibility to more easily integrate work, family, and life. I've never enjoyed my job more or got more accomplished," said Rex Galbraith, VP of Sales.

Indeed, Consensus exceeded their Q3 sales target by 145% and became GAAP profitable in Q3 of 2017. Hess and Galbraith attribute at least some of this success to the new FlexPlace model.

Consensus is backed by Peak Ventures, CEB Ventures, Riverside Acceleration Capital, and other notable angel investors such as Nobu Mutaguchi and Scott Frazier.

About Consensus

CONSENSUS is a SaaS application that accelerates B2B sales by driving agreement across stakeholders in the buying group. Our interactive demo automation solution personalizes video and documents so each stakeholder automatically learns about your solution in the most relevant way. Our Demolytics dashboard helps you discover and engage the entire buying group by gathering analytics and tracking what's important to them, what they watched, and who they shared it with. This drives agreement and gets to a purchase decision much faster than traditional sales methods. Clients have cut their sales cycles by 68% and jumped close rates by 44%.

SOURCE Consensus

Related Links

http://www.goconsensus.com


SHANGHAI and SAN DIEGO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics (2269.HK), a leading global open-access biologics technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, and Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. (Phanes), an innovative drug discovery company based in San Diego, announced today that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to form a strategic biologics development and manufacturing partnership.

Under the partnership, WuXi Biologics will be the exclusive clinical manufacturer for multiple biologics molecules for Phanes worldwide. WuXi Biologics will also be Phanes' preferred partner to manufacture potential new products.

Dr. Ming Wang, President and CEO of Phanes Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, "We are an innovative drug discovery company with a robust pipeline and need access to top notch CMC (Chemistry, Manufacture, Control) capabilities to quickly advance our lead molecules. We are very glad to partner with WuXi Biologics; they have a remarkable CMC capability and good track record in delivering high quality GMP materials. Their biologics CMC platform is a perfect match for us. This will allow us to continue to focus on what we do best  building innovation in research stage. We look forward to a productive partnership."

"We are honored to enable global innovative biotechnology companies such as Phanes Therapeutics to expedite their biologics molecules into the clinic," said Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics. "Through our global quality and integrated biologics platform, we strive to make life-saving biologics more affordable and available to global patients."

About Phanes Therapeutics

Phanes Therapeutics is a biotech company with a portfolio in metabolic complications and oncology. It was founded by former Janssen/J&J Vice President Ming Wang, PhD, MBA. The company focuses exclusively on biologics drug discovery with multiple first-in-class molecules in its pipeline. For more information on Phanes, please visit www.phanesthera.com.

About WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics, a Hong Kong-listed company, is the only open-access biologics technology platform in the world offering end-to-end solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop and manufacture biologics from concept to commercial manufacturing. Our company history and achievements demonstrate our commitment to providing a truly ONE-stop service offering and value proposition to our global clients. For more information on WuXi Biologics, please visit www.wuxibiologics.com.

SOURCE WuXi Biologics
In the last decade, investors have rushed to the burgeoning purpose-built-student-accommodation (PBSA) sector opening new private halls in emergent locations throughout the UK with extra facilities such as gyms and private cinemas. Luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate has been at the heart of this growing market for the past 6

[]
At the end of the third quarter, Stefan Giesemann, Senior Vice President of the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, has stated in the analysis of the German hotel investment market that the increase of the prices is due to the fact that Asian first-time buyers sound out territory to occupy

Photos: Le Meridien Frankfurt



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The Fletchers Balwyn-headquartered real estate agency has been fined $880,000 for underquoting on 22 properties in 2015, the strongest penalty ever for the outlawed practice in Victoria.

Justice Bernard Murphy said the size of the punishment ought deter other agencies from similar behaviour, which he described as widespread.

The 22 offences took place after Bradley Brown, the agency's chief executive officer, sent an email in 2014 to group sales staff informing them that Consumer Affairs had written to Fletchers seeking documents. He advised them to stay on top of their quote range, that in a rising market there was danger in underquoting and that Fletchers faced risks of large fines and bad press.

Fletcher and Parker (Balwyn) Pty Ltd was fined $40,000 for each underquoted property by sales representatives in its Canterbury and Blackburn offices in 2015.

At the time of the contravening conduct the maximum penalty for each contravention was $1.1 million.

Its leading agent Tim Heavyside was "involved" in 15 of Fletchers 22 contraventions, the judgement noted.

The Fletcher agency began in the then newly developing suburb of North Balwyn in the late 1930s.

The $880,000 penalty was reportedly more than double the commission it made from the sales, costing around one third of the companys recent annual profit.

The Federal Court's Justice Murphy highlighted one sale where the seller of a Balwyn North property asked her agent why her house was marketed between $1.1 million and $1.2 million when the agency estimated it would sell for between $1.5 million and $1.65 million.

She was told the quote was low because it brings in a broader market range and "people with a low budget will often come up, and it will also catch the people with bigger budgets as well.

The agency had a cavalier attitude to its responsibilities, Justice Murphy said. The evidence included the quote of the week at one 2015 sales meeting as market the f out of it and then underquote the shit out of it  good vendor management."

A sales agent Michael Richardson went as far as to acknowledge that if [Fletchers] tell a buyer what (the vendor) actually want it destroys the campaign.

Cristina Fotia, part of the sales team at Fletchers, sent an email to Blackburn office staff which included statements that: A wise man once taught me when I first started real estate Quote them low watch them go and Safe to say we are doing a good job at it!!;

One of the properties Fletchers sold was a three-bedroom house in Dorene Court, Vermont South (below). It sold for $1.6 million in September 2015 after first hitting the market with an advertised guide of $900,000-plus.

Another property in Monash Street, Box Hill South, sold for $1.731 million in May 2015 after being advertised for $1.1 million-plus (below). Fletchers advertised the property online on real.estate.com.au, in the Weekly Review magazine and in the Places magazine with a price quote of $1.1 million plus.

In the authority Fletchers based the estimated commission payable on the Box Hill South sale prices of $1.65 million and $1.75 million. Jacqui Versteegen, a member of the Fletchers sales team, sent an email to Fletchers sales and marketing group regarding the Monash Street Property and provided a price guide POA (over $1.350M).

Michael Richardson, an employed sales agent and auctioneer in the Fletchers sales team, advised the Monash Street vendor that senior staff from Fletchers Canterbury office believed potential buyers should be provided a price quote of $1.25 million plus.

Richardson said that buyers in Surrey Hills had been adding on $200,000-300,000 to an advertised sale price and that at a quoted price of $1.25 million plus Fletchers wanted buyers to think $1.45 million/$1.55 million. Mr Richardson said that was the best way to get a record price. He said that he wanted six bidders that were willing to bid strongly around that mark and the competition would push the price up.

Fletchers admitted misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to the sale of 22 properties in 2015, being properties situated at:

(a) 6 Monash Street, Box Hill South;

(b) 2 Troy Court, Forest Hill;

(c) 8/842 Toorak Road, Hawthorn East;

(d) 9 Marina Street, Vermont;

(e) 3 Gunyah Road, Blackburn North;

(f) 8 Polydor Place, Blackburn North;

(g) 34 Moona Street, Burwood East;

(h) 38 Bentley Street, Surrey Hills;

(i) 9 Dorene Court, Vermont South;

(j) 3/12 Arcadia Street, Box Hill South;

(k) 4 Kitchener Street, Box Hill South;

(l) 3/43 Glen Ebor Avenue, Blackburn;

(m) 54 Linda Avenue, Box Hill North;

(n) 46 Barter Crescent, Forest Hill;

(o) 20 Gordon Crescent, Blackburn;

(p) 307 Station Street, Box Hill South;

(q) 2/15 Olympiad Crescent, Box Hill North;

(r) 1/445 Mitcham Road, Mitcham;

(s) 45 Tannock Street, Balwyn North;

(t) 87 Stevenson Street, Kew;

(u) 18 Lynden Street, Camberwell; and

(v) 3/12 Charlotte Street, Blackburn South.

Victorian Consumer Affairs has agreed not to proceed in relation to Fletchers conduct in respect to the sale of three properties, situated at 33 Gray Street, Doncaster, 10/8 The Avenue, Windsor and 2 Bermuda Drive, Blackburn South.

The underquoting took place before new price guidance rules were introduced by the Victorian Government.
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Stevens Buildings in Millers Point, the first residential apartment building to be constructed in New South Wales, has fetched $10.05 million in its auction through Property New South Wales.

The Windmill Street building, designed by architect Joseph Alexander Kethel, comprises 11 apartments with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Garrison Church and Observatory Hill.

There are nine one bedroom apartments and two two bedroom apartments, with open balconies to each level. The ground floor apartments have their own courtyards.

It was built in 1900 as a boarding house on the site of the former Live and Let Live Hotel.'

The property (above) was marketed by Savills agents Rob Lowe and David Hickey in conjunction with Sotheby's.

They had a $9 million to $9.5 million guide for its auction, with it sold in one line.

An entire row of period terrace duplexes has also been sold off by Property NSW on behalf of Family and Community Services as part of the Millers Point sales programme to fund social housing.

The building, 74-80a High Street, comprises eight two-bedroom period terrace duplexes divided into two blocks each comprising four apartments on a 539 sqm island site.

74-80a High Street (below) was expected to fetch about $8 million to $8.5 million, and sold at $9.8 million.

The block is one of a group of early twentieth century workmens apartments built by the Sydney Harbour Trust in the early 1900s.

There is scope to transform the apartments to their original condition, subject to Conservation Management Plan (CMP).
The listed real estate and financial services group, The Agency Group, formerly known as Ausnet, has agreed to buy another estate agency with some $3 million sought via a shareholder capital raising.

It announced the $950,000 extended tranche deal with another Perth-based company, ServTech Global, which is trading at 2 cents.

The Agency, trading at just under 2 cents, has the aim of having 600 sales representatives within three years.

It has indicated its intention to buy the Sell Lease Property agency which has 210 agents and an $8 million annual revenue, reflecting $38,000 per current agent.

It will pay up to $950,000 for the acquisition of three businesses from the Western Australia-based proptech disrupter ServTech which floated earlier this year with Perth investors Keith and Patricia Scudds the biggest shareholders.

Sell Lease Property has around half its agents in WA having recently expanded onto the east coast, where it has 45 agents in Queensland and 25 in Victoria. The company does not have suburban real estate offices.

The Agency says after the deal it will have 280 agents across Australia generating 120 sales every month worth $80 million.

Unlike other real estate franchise groups which take some of the agent's commission, Sell Lease Property (SLP) allowed its agents to keep all their commission in exchange for using ServTech's Angel Platform, an online system which handles all the back-office paperwork at a cost of $700 per transaction.

The ServTech company was founded by real estate entrepreneur Brett Quinn and was chaired by former Fortescue mining executive Nick Cernotta, who recently stepped down. Bert Mondello is the new chairman.

Last month ServTech announced a convertible loan facility with Ausnet after a detailed strategic review of its business including its operating costs and cash burn.

"The impact one of changing market conditions resulted in slower than expected revenue growth which resulted in an unacceptably high and unsustainable rate of cash burn," its ASX listed shareholders were told. Shareholders were told Ausnet had agreed to actively oversee an ongoing strategic review of the business plan and technology associated with Sell Lease Property, plus assist with growth strategies and national rollout, identify and implement strategic synergies with its associated companies, where appropriate as well as provide the Company with significant management and marketing expertise.
Purplebricks sold around 2200 homes in its first 14 months of operations in Australia.

It represented $1.1 billion of residential real estate sales.

The UK fixed fee company has disclosed the sales as part of its latest interim results to its London shareholders.

Its revenue from its Australian business rose to 6.8 million ($11.9 million) for the six months to October 31, up from 400,000 in the prior corresponding period, after it had been trading for two months.

However, Australian interim losses more than doubled to 5.1 million amid high staff turnover as the company marketing was ramped up especially on 7Mate and 9Gem television.

Purplebricks now has 105 estate agents who charge an average fixed-fee of $5282, put from $4500 for private treaty offerings.

Its Australian website has 1348 properties currently for sale, claiming its marketing makes the property available to "millions of buyers."

It has eight listings for sale priced above $2.5 million.
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The Pardee RAND Graduate School (PardeeRAND.edu) is home to the only Ph.D. and M.Phil. programs offered at an independent public policy research organizationthe RAND Corporation.
Indias current regulatory framework, which limits direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasters to three-year satellite capacity contracts, hinders the growth of the sector, claims Asian industry body CASBAA.





Speaking at India Satcom 2017 in New Delhi, chairman of the regional pay-TV association, Joe Welch, (pictured) said: The single most crucial measure the Government could take ... would be to create conducive conditions for both the satellite operators and the broadcasters to be able to enter into long-term service agreements.Striking long-term commercial deals in a marketplace that is less Government-constrained would help increase business certainty for all the stakeholders, he added.While acknowledging the Indian Governments moves to ease the regulatory framework for the countrys power and infrastructure sectors, Welch said the key to ... realisation of the Prime Ministers vision of taking India up to a top-50 ranking (in ease of doing business) lies in improving business conditions in other sectors of the economy, specifically for satellite communications and broadcasting Satellite services are also important in achieving Prime Minister Modis Digital India project, said CASBAA. Satellite services can help deliver broadband connectivity to rural India, where cable or other methods of delivery may pose logistic and financial challenges, Welch said.CASBAA is also calling for the development of a private sector Indian space industry; the opening of the teleport industry to foreign direct investment; and the establishment of clear timelines and benchmarks for licensing actions by Government agencies.
Like Christmas and Hanukkah, Kwanzaa has a large and devoted following. Here are five things that you should know about the upcoming holiday.
Israels discriminatory restrictions of movement tear families apart and force spouses to raise children without extended family or without the stability of having two parents consistently in the house.
Monrovia set for semistate battle with Lawrenceburg. Here's what to know.

Here's all the information you need to know before Friday's IHSAA semi-state football showdown between Monrovia and Lawrenceburg.
BRUSSELS -- European Union leaders have agreed to extend economic sanctions against Russia for six months over Moscow's aggressive actions in Ukraine.

The decision, announced on December 14 at an EU summit, will extend current restrictions against Moscow until July 2018.

The EU measures, which mainly target the Russian banking and energy sectors, were first imposed in the summer of 2014 and have been extended every six months since then.

The EU, along with the United States, imposed the sanctions in retaliation for Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014 and for its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed more than 10,300 people since it began in April 2014.

EU diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, told RFE/RL on December 8 that French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would recommend at the EU summit that the sanctions be extended a further six months.

Merkel said afterwards the leaders met that they "had a very intense discussion on the question of prolonging sanctions" and all agreed that more progress was needed carrying out the peace process outlined in the 2015 Minsk agreement.

"We have prevented an escalation, but we have not enough progress in order to remove the sanctions," Merkel said. "But we all agree that we must do everything to move on with the Minsk process."

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hailed the EU decision to extend the sanctions.

"[It is] an important political decision by the leaders of the European Union to continue economic sanctions against Russia for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity and unwillingness to stop hybrid aggression against our country," Poroshenko wrote on his official Facebook page.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak, dpa, and Reuters
A top British lawmaker has accused Facebook of failing to thoroughly investigate whether Russia attempted to influence last year's vote to leave the European Union after the social media giant said it found only three suspicious advertisements.

Damian Collins, chairman of the British Parliament's culture and media committee, said on December 13 that Facebook limited its investigation to only one source of advertisements: the Internet Research Agency, a St. Petersburg facility that U.S. intelligence agencies have said was the troll farm the Russian government used to influence last year's U.S. presidential election.

"It would appear that no work has been done by Facebook to look for other fake accounts and pages that could be linked to Russian-backed agencies and which were active during the EU referendum, as I requested," Collins said.

He repeated his request for Facebook to conduct a comprehensive search for any adverts and pages paid for or set up by Russian-linked accounts that were active before and during the June 23, 2016 vote to leave the EU, which passed by a narrow margin.

Facebook disputed Collins' characterization of its search, saying it took his request "very seriously."

In a letter to Britain's Electoral Commission, Facebook said it found 470 accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency, and said the agency had spent only 97 cents on three ads seen by British audiences during the Brexit campaign.

Facebook said each of the three ads actually were targeted to U.S. audiences and concerned immigration, not the referendum on whether Britain should pull out of the EU. It estimated that the ads delivered "approximately 200 impressions to U.K. viewers over four days in May 2016."

The issue of immigration was an important one in the British vote as well as the U.S. presidential election in November 2016.

British citizens who voted to exit the EU and U.S. citizens who voted to elect Donald Trump as president frequently cited competition for jobs from immigrants and the payment of welfare benefits to immigrants as reasons for their choice.

Researchers have said the Internet Research Agency employs hundreds of people to post content on such socially divisive issues as immigration on social media in what appears to be a Kremlin strategy to foment discord in the West.

Some of the Russian ads and posts that Facebook said earlier this year reached as many as 126 million American users during the presidential campaign carried messages linking immigrants to crime and lost jobs.

Russia denies meddling in Brexit or the U.S. election.

While Facebook said it found little evidence of Russian efforts to influence the Brexit vote on its network, the media giant said Russian operatives spent $100,000 on advertising aimed at influencing the U.S. presidential election.

The New York Times reported on December 13 that another soon-to-be-released study by the Oxford Internet Institute investigating whether Russian operatives used Twitter and YouTube to try to influence the Brexit vote also found little evidence of meddling.

The author of that study, Oxford Professor Philip Howard, told the Times that "Russian activity during Brexit seems to have been minimal... The real source of misinformation about the Brexit debate was homegrown."

The Times said Russia's English-language Sputnik and RT media outlets were very active during the Brexit campaign, however, pushing the agenda of British parties calling for an exit from the bloc.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and the New York Times
QARAGHANDY, Kazakhstan -- The company ArcelorMittal Temirtau (AMT) has filed a lawsuit against hundreds of striking workers who have been underground since December 11 at coal mines in central Kazakhstan, demanding wage increases.

Court officials in the town of Shakhtinsk in Qaraghandy region told RFE/RL that they received the lawsuit on December 14.

AMT, a unit of global metals giant ArcelorMittal, wants the court to rule that the ongoing strike and the activities of the miners' union are illegal, the officials said.

Meanwhile, colleagues of the striking miners told RFE/RL that more than 700 workers remain underground in several mines in Shakhtinsk.

On December 12, Kazakh Labor Minister Tamara Duisenova said there were 684 miners underground. And regional authorities said early on December 13 that 154 of them agreed to come up after the regional governor, Erlan Qoshanov, met with them underground.

However, the miners' colleagues and supporters say that only a few miners decided to get out of the mines due to health problems.

Supporters Above Ground

Miners who are above ground have been supporting those who remain below, supplying them with food and water. Family members have also brought clothes and other supplies.

The regional governors office said that representatives of the miners and their union have been in talks with the local authorities and officials of ArcelorMittal Temirtau.

The region's authorities and AMT said on December 13 that AMT chief Paramjit Kahlon called on the striking miners to come out of the mines, saying that "the halt of the mines' operations and unsanctioned remaining underground are not ways to solve the problem."

AMT officials earlier told RFE/RL that the miners' main issue was that they wanted their salaries to be doubled and that new contracts had been drafted that meet this demand.

The company said in September that it was negotiating a new collective agreement with steelworkers' and miners' unions and planned to sign it before the end of the year.

The miners also want fully paid sick leave and for the retirement age to be set at 50. Other demands include safety improvements and new or upgraded equipment and machinery in the mines.

AMT operates eight coal mines in resource-rich Kazakhstan and produced about 4 million tons of steel in 2016.

Last month, copper miners near the city of Zhezqazghan in the same region also refused to come out of a mine, demanding salary increases and better benefits.

They came to the surface after their employer, KazakhMys, agreed to meet some of their demands.

Critics of authoritarian President Nursultan Nazarbaev accuse his government of applying illegal pressure on labor unions since protests in 2011 by oil workers in western Kazakhstan.

After months of demonstrations, at least 14 protesters were killed by police in the oil town of Zhanaozen on December 16 and 17, 2011.
A prosecutor in Kosovo has withdrawn his bid to a Pristina court to allow the extradition of a Turkish citizen allegedly linked to a U.S.-based cleric Ankara blames for orchestrating a failed coup last year.

During a December 14 hearing, prosecutor Ali Rexha told the judge that Turkish authorities had not provided enough evidence against Ugur Toksoy to justify their extradition request.

Rexha told reporters after the court session that he repeatedly asked the Turkish Embassy to provide more evidence but did not receive any.

He said the prosecution might file a new request later if there was new evidence.

Toksoy welcomed the prosecutor's decision, saying: "Today here I saw justice. I am very happy."

His lawyer, Adem Vokshi, said that "if Turkey had proof about him, they would have sent it by now."

There was no immediate reaction from the Turkish Embassy in Pristina.

Toksoy, a teacher, was arrested in October at the request of Turkish prosecutors who accused him of being linked to Fethullah Gulen, who the Turkish government blames for ordering a July 2016 attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Toksoy rejects the allegation, and Gulen himself denies involvement in the failed coup.

The court in Pristina in October heard that Toksoy worked in Kosovo for the nongovernmental organization Atmosfera, which runs a school in the city of Prizren.

Turkey has pressured dozens of countries to clamp down on any groups linked with Gulen, whose religious and social movement operates around 2,000 educational institutions in about 160 countries.

With reporting by Reuters and Balkan Insight
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
Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual extended press conference on December 14 did little to dispel opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's reputation as the Lord Voldemort of Russian officialdom.

Putin never uttered Navalny's name but alluded to him several times, including as among "those individuals that you mentioned."

The anticorruption crusader has long appeared to be He Who Must Not Be Named in the country's tightly managed political landscape. The reluctance of Russian officials to utter Navalny's name is widely seen as a bid to avoid conferring official legitimacy on the Kremlin's most prominent political foe.

Instead, they have danced around his name with various descriptors, many of which refer to Navalny's financial-crimes convictions that he calls politically motivated and that will likely stymie his bid to challenge Putin in the March 2018 presidential election.

Putin kept this up during his Moscow press conference. Television personality Ksenia Sobchak -- herself a presidential hopeful who said she attended "as a journalist" because she had no hope to debate Putin before the election -- asked Putin in part about Navalny and his inability to get on the ballot.

Putin responded by comparing Russian opposition activists to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, a Putin nemesis who served as a governor in Ukraine and who has spearheaded recent antigovernment protests in Kyiv. But the Saakashvili reference was clearly directed squarely at Navalny.

"Do you really want to have dozens of Saakashvilis running around our squares?" Putin said. "The people you named are Saakashvilis of the Russian edition."

After likening the Kyiv rallies to the Occupy Wall Street movement in the United States, Putin said those protests, which hit U.S. cities in 2011, were "comprised of" -- in another allusion to Navalny -- local "Saakashvilis or those you mentioned."

Navalny, who has published numerous investigations of alleged corruption by Russia's rich and powerful, joked on Twitter following Putin's comments: "I'm adding 'the people you named' to my collection of 'words used to avoid saying Navalny.'"

Other Russian-language Twitter users riffed on the long-standing joke likening Navalny to Voldemort in British author J.K. Rowling's series of Harry Potter novels, whose characters refer to the dreaded villain with monikers like He Who Must Not Be Named and You Know Who.

"Navalny is the Voldemort of our time," one Twitter user wrote.

When previously asked about Navalny, Putin has called the opposition leader "this gentleman" and "the defendant you mentioned."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has referred to Navalny as "the above-mentioned citizen" and the "convicted citizen," while Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has referred to him as a "political loser" and someone with "concrete political goals."

Navalny has publicly clashed with Sobchak over her presidential run, which is widely seen as helping the Kremlin by lending a veneer of true competition to the ballot. But he praised her question to Putin, who worked under her father, former St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak, in the 1990s.

"I have to say, Ksenia did a great gob. She formulated her question clearly," Navalny wrote.

While Putin appears averse to saying Navalny's name publicly, U.S. journalist Alec Luhn -- who covers Russia for the British newspaper The Telegraph -- said on Twitter in 2013 that the Russian leader actually did so when he specifically asked him about the matter.
2 Max Penson sits for a self portrait. The photographer was born in what is today Belarus in 1893, but fled anti-Semitic violence there after the outbreak of World War I to settle in what would become Uzbekistan.
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At his annual press conference, held in Moscow on December 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election as "fantasies" intended to undermine Donald Trump's credibility. Putin said meetings between Russian diplomats and U.S. campaign officials are "accepted practice." (Reuters)
MOSCOW -- Fish.

The issues raised by journalists at President Vladimir Putin's hours-long press conference were predictably eclectic, ranging from his upcoming reelection campaign to the war in Ukraine; from the economy to GPS trackers on cows.

But it was one man's emotionally charged question about fish that stole the show at a sometimes surreal but generally humdrum event that saw Russian journalists occasionally applauding the president and at one point jeering a Ukrainian colleague.

Over two hours into the proceedings, Mikhail Zub's long, impassioned question about fish processing drew on extraordinarily detailed industry statistics and culminated in a call to the president to create the conditions for cheaper consumer fish prices. The monologue and accompanying question were made all the more memorable by its juxtaposition with one of the few genuinely tough questions of the day.

Just moments before, Ekho Moskvy deputy chief editor Tatyana Felgengauer, who was recently attacked in her newsroom by a knife-wielding intruder, had asked why Kremlin allies and the opposition are treated entirely differently in the eyes of the law.

Citing a string of resonant cases, she noted how a key witness in the murder of slain opposition politician Boris Nemtsov has not been questioned by police and state oil-company chief executive Igor Sechin last month was able to repeatedly ignore court summonses to testify at a major corruption trial.

She contrasted that with the jailing of the brother of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and the charges against a Moscow theater's prominent, opposition-minded artistic director, as well as a string of cases of Russians being jailed for sharing posts on social networks.

Although the question received a ripple of applause, Putin rejected outright the notion of "different legal realities," quickly declining to go into most of the cases, which he passed off as a matter for Russia's courts.

Now Let's Talk Fish

Enter Zub, who was given the microphone after being picked out of the crowd by Putin.

The gray-haired Zub, in a smart suit and casting himself as a journalist for the publication Consumer, thanked Putin for the government's "systemic approach" to fish exports and for a congress in 2015 in which he said fish were recognized as a "national treasure."

But, moving along with dismay, he noted perceived "contradictions" in the fish industry, becoming increasingly worked up as he spoke over the course of four minutes.

Referencing highly obscure regulations and official resolutions governing the fish-processing sector, Zub asked about limits imposed on fishing investor quotas for processing companies.

He then reached beneath his seat to produce a 400-page tome that he had brought to flesh out his question.

Next, he confessed theatrically that he was not a journalist but actually chairman of the board of directors of a Murmansk fish factory and therefore an interloper at the conference.

As Putin replied that "that is bad," Zub grew louder and more emotional, agreeing that it was "bad." Finally, as the audience began to clap at the surreal episode, he shouted: "Fish costs 300 rubles! Fish should cost the same as chicken! Why are we tormenting people?"

"Do what you like with me! Yes, I came here illegally!" he shouted, before sitting down to a hall full of applause.

In response, Putin politely joked he would avoid the details of the fishing industry so as not to bore the audience.

A Fishy Performance?

Some Russians on social media praised Zub but suggested his appearance looked like a setup, considering the great difficulties journalists endure getting past security and asking questions.

"Well done.... But it's a bit suspicious.... He made it in not as a journalist.... And managed to ask a question.... Doubly lucky?? Hmm.... Really lucky?!?"

One Twitter user posted video of Zub's question, writing: "The real hero of the press conference. BRAVO!"

Meanwhile, elsewhere on Twitter, Felgengauer was posting a photograph of her face after receiving Putin's seemingly evasive reply to her question with the caption: "My face when I'm told that everyone is equal before the law and let the courts decide."
Since its seizure of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Russia has used a statute criminalizing public calls for separatism to jail at least a half dozen people for criticizing that land grab. It appears presidential hopeful Ksenia Sobchak, who has voiced similar dissent, wont be added to that list.

Sobchak, a journalist and TV personality whose father was President Vladimir Putins political mentor, has stirred controversy by saying Crimea is legally part of Ukraine and calling the referendum staged to justify its annexation a sham.

But while prosecutors looked into complaints about Sobchak, whose candidacy is seen by many as Kremlin-sanctioned window dressing for a March 2018 election Putin is all but assured of winning, few Russian political watchers believe she will face any legal repercussions.

That skepticism appears to be well-founded.

Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) has concluded that Sobchaks statement that "Crimea is Ukrainian" did not constitute a call for separatism, the BBCs Russian Service cited a source familiar with the matter as saying this week.

The RBK news agency later confirmed that determination with Communist lawmaker Valery Rashkin, who had submitted a request for an inquiry into Sobchaks comments on Crimea to the FSB and federal prosecutors.

Others who have publicly rejected Russias claim to Crimea and criticized its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine have been less fortunate.

Since 2014, Russian authorities have convicted at least 10 people for public statements that authorities interpreted as calls for "actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity," according to data from Russias Supreme Court and a review of news reports. At least six of these convictions are related to public statements about Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for the separatists.

Other criminal probes and formal investigations have been launched on the same charge, including that of Suleiman Kadyrov, who went on trial this week in Crimea for allegedly reposting a pro-Ukrainian video on social media and writing: Crimea is Ukraine -- always was, always will be. He denies the charge.

Heres a look at how Russia has cracked down on critics of its expansionism in Ukraine using the law on separatism that came into force in May 2014.

 Darya Polyudova

Polyudova in August 2014 became the first person in Russia to be charged under the separatism law. She was prosecuted for social-media posts calling for the "federalization" of Russias southern Kuban Krai. She says she was merely trolling the Kremlin over its calls to federalize regions in eastern Ukraine partially controlled by Russia-backed separatists.

She was convicted in 2015 on the separatism charge and of propagating extremism, receiving a two-year prison sentence.

Declared a prisoner of conscience by the Russian rights group Memorial, Polyudova was released from prison in October.

 Andrei Bubeyev

Bubeyev, an engineer from the western city of Tver, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison in May 2016 after being convicted of separatism and extremism for reposting material about Crimea on social media. The material in question was an article by publicist Boris Stomakhin that had earlier been deemed "extremist" and a threat to Russia's "territorial integrity."

The piece -- titled Crimea Is Ukraine! -- argued that Russia had illegally annexed the peninsula and that it should be returned to Ukraine. He was also charged for reposting an image of a hand squeezing a tube of toothpaste with the caption: Squeeze Russia out of yourself. Bubeyev had previously been convicted of posting hate speech online and illegal possession of ammunition.

He was released in August and reportedly left the country along with his wife.

 Ilmi Umerov

Umerov, a deputy chairman of the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatars elected representative body, was convicted by a court in Russian-controlled Crimea in September and sentenced to two years in prison. The basis for the separatism charge was a 2016 interview with the Crimean Tatar TV channel ATR in which he said: Russia must be forced to leave Crimea and the Donbas.

Umerov, whose conviction was denounced by rights groups and Western governments, said the translation of the interview into Russian from Tatar was poorly done and distorted his remarks. Umerov and fellow Crimean Tatar leader Akhtem Chiygoz were unexpectedly released from custody in late October and traveled to Turkey.

 Mykola Semena

A court in Crimea in September convicted RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena on a separatism charge and handed him a 2 1/2-year suspended sentence in a case condemned by rights groups and Western governments as part of a broader crackdown on dissent. The charge stemmed from an article Semena wrote for RFE/RL's Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities) website in 2015 that criticized Russias seizure of Crimea and expressed support for a blockade of the territory initiated by Ukrainian activists.

The Kremlin-installed authorities in Crimea alleged that the article called for violating Russias territorial integrity. Semena rejected the charge, noting that the status of the peninsula "is in dispute."

 Aleksei Moroshkin

Moroshkin, an activist from the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, was found guilty of separatism in November 2015 based on social-media posts in which he called for the creation of a Urals People's Republic, echoing Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine who call the areas they control "people's republics." His lawyer and mother said he, like Polyudova, was merely trolling Russias backing of the separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Moroshkin says he fought alongside those separatist forces but later became disillusioned and began supporting Kyiv in the conflict.

His conviction was later cleared after he was deemed mentally unstable, and he was forcibly committed to a psychiatric hospital. He was released in June after a court ruled that he poses no threat to society.

 Rafis Kashapov

Kashapov, the head of a nongovernmental organization in Russias oil-rich region of Tatarstan, was convicted of separatism and hate speech in September 2015 and given a three-year prison sentence. The charges were based on several articles posted on social media in 2014 that criticized Russias seizure of Crimea and treatment of Crimean Tatars, as well as its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The articles included titles such as Crimea And Ukraine Will Be Liberated From The Occupiers and Defend Ukraine And The Entire Turkic World.

The respected Moscow-based SOVA Center, which tracks extremism cases and is not shy about calling out alleged hate speech when it sees it, said it found nothing illegal in the articles. Kashapov, who says the case against him was politically motivated, filed a complaint against the verdict with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
A Russian court has rejected a claim by German conglomerate Siemens that the sale of power turbines that were delivered to Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimea region was invalid.

The Moscow Arbitration Court rejected a reversal of the deal in a December 14 ruling, about four months after the same court denied a request by Siemens to seize the gas turbines and to ban their installation ahead of preliminary hearings.

Siemens lodged a lawsuit against Russian state firm Technopromexport in July, after it emerged that four turbines sent to a power plant in Russia ended up in Crimea.

The transfer of the equipment to Crimea contravened European Union sanctions imposed after Russia's illegal annexation of the Black Sea peninsula in March 2014.

The turbines, manufactured in Russia by a joint project involving Siemens, were sold to Technopromexport in 2015.

The Munich-based conglomerate said the equipment was to be installed at a plant in Taman, in southern Russia, and that the Russian company breached contract conditions by sending them to Crimea.

Russian authorities and Rostec, Technopromexport's owner, insisted that the turbines were transferred to Crimea legally.

In August, the EU widened sanctions against Russian companies and persons, including Technopromeksport, in response to the transfer of the turbines to Crimea.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the decision an "unfriendly and unjustified" step.

Moscow needs the turbines for two Crimean power plants in order to ensure a stable power supply for Crimeas residents.

The region used to rely on the Ukrainian power grid but is now dependent on Russian electricity.

With reporting by Reuters, TASS, and Interfax
Turkmenistan has a population of some 5 million people. Turkmenistan also has the fourth-largest natural-gas reserves in the world.

The small population and the large amount of gas led Turkmenistan's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, to predict after its 1991 independence that Turkmenistan would become a second Kuwait and everybody would be driving Mercedes.

Instead, Turkmenistan is facing its second straight year of shortages of basic foods as winter approaches.

RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, spoke with people around Turkmenistan in the days leading up to December 12, the day in 1995 that the UN officially recognized Turkmenistan as a neutral country.

The situation they described is far from a second Kuwait.

A reminder: We are withholding the names of people who spoke with Azatlyk because the Turkmen government doesn't like RFE/RL and makes life difficult for people who speak with us.

One man told Azatlyk that the price of a cheap churek (the round bread of the region) weighing 450 to 500 grams in the northern Dashoguz Province was normally 1 manat ($0.28) but that since the start of December the price has risen to 1.40 manats.

Azatlyk heard that the price of similar bread in the western Balkan Province recently rose from 1 manat to 1.5 manats.

The situation is the same in the south-central Mary Province.

In the capital, Ashgabat, one woman said the price of imported chicken legs at state stores was 8 manats per kilogram, but she said there was a 1-kilogram limit for customers. There was no limit in private stores, the woman said, but the price is 10 manats per kilogram.

Eggs are also reportedly in short supply in Ashgabat.

One man said the price of good quality bread in Ashgabat had gone from 2 manats in early December to 3.5 manats by Neutrality Day.

Azatlyk reported about the shortage of flour in Mary and the southern Ahal provinces in late November when the price of good quality flour went from 50 to 100 manats per 50-kilogram sack and a sack of fair-quality flour jumped from 44 manats to 90.

The sudden, drastic increase seemingly led to hoarding and by December 1 flour was in short supply around the country and is now apparently the cause of the increase in the price of bread.

The situation appears not to have reached the point it did last December when people were putting their names on lists to be notified when sugar or cooking oil arrived at local stores.

But in late 2016, the problems with food shortages started with flour.

Food shortages and high prices for basic goods are not the only recent signs of Turkmenistan's economic decay.



In November, Azatlyk reported on impending cuts in the oil and gas sector, the backbone of the country's economy. Significantly, many of the personnel slated for layoffs were involved in drilling and maintaining wells -- a possible indicator that Turkmenistan already has more gas and oil than it can sell.

But Azatlyk reported on December 13 that there will be cuts in law enforcement agencies. A person in the eastern Lebap Province who knows about the cuts said: "In January 2018, they will cut some 1,000 police."

Another source in Lebap confirmed the coming reduction in the Lebap branch of the Interior Ministry but said it was not yet clear how many police officers would be laid off.

This source said the reductions would be imposed throughout the country and added some police officers say the department for fighting crime might be eliminated altogether.

And there are reports that a 30 percent reduction of state employees across the board is coming after the New Year.

Also, the black market value of the manat has dropped from around 5 or 6 to $1 at the start of 2017 to more than 10 manats to $1 as of early December, though the official rate remains 3.5 manats to $1, as it has been since February 2015.

For some two years now, Qishloq Ovozi has concluded tales of Turkmenistan's economic woes by pointing out there was not much hope Turkmenistan's economy would pick up and noting that the government was running out of options.

There are now two rays of hope breaking through Turkmenistan's dark economic clouds.

The first was President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov making reference to the use of the Stabilization Fund to help with the successful implementation of social and economic programs in 2018. (Thank you @A_Melikishvili)

Qishloq Ovozi has already looked at the Stabilization Fund.

Berdymukhammedov used billions of dollars that Niyazov had deposited in foreign banks to create the fund, and there are suspicions Berdymukhammedov has added many billions of dollars more, siphoned off from gas sales.

No one in Turkmenistan talks about the fund, leaving some to speculate Berdymukhammedov might be keeping it all for himself.

The fact that Berdymukhammedov said he is actually using the money for its stated purpose, to augment Turkmenistan's 2018 budget, could be seen as a sign of how desperate Turkmenistan's economic situation has become.

There is also a breakthrough in the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Reportedly, it will clear the way for Turkmenistan to finally build the Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP) and send some 30 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe.

Until the convention on the Caspian Sea's legal status is signed, it is still unclear whether the TCP can really be built without Russia and Iran objecting, as they have for two decades.

But even the possibility the TCP might finally be realized would give Berdymukhammedov something to hold out to Turkmenistan's population, the promise that tomorrow might be better than today.

At the moment, though, such a tomorrow seems a long way off as Turkmenistan's people stock up on all the basic goods they can obtain ahead of what many see as another year of shortages.

Azatlyk Director Farruh Yusupov contributed to this report. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced he will run for reelection as an independent in March, defended U.S. President Donald Trump against allegations that his campaign colluded with Moscow, and accused the United States of violating a key nuclear arms control treaty in remarks at a marathon press conference in the Kremlin.

Speaking before some 1,600 Russian and foreign journalists for almost four hours on December 14, Putin also took aim at Aleksei Navalny, a would-be candidate officials say will be barred from the presidential ballot because of a criminal conviction he contends was politically motivated. Without mentioning one of his fiercest critics by name, Putin suggested that Navalny is out to destabilize Russia and foment unrest.

The televised press conference has been a regular tradition of Putin's tenure, one of a series of high-profile set-piece events he uses to burnish his image, reassure Russians that they are in good hands, and send signals to Washington, the West, and the rest of the world.

This year's version is likely to be one of his last major public appearances before an election that appears certain to hand him six more years in power.

He took the stage in a Kremlin auditorium just after noon as flattering photographs showing him meeting with world leaders, playing sports, and posing on trips to the Russian wilderness flashed on the big screen behind him.

FACEBOOK LIVE-BLOG: Reactions to and analysis of Putin's press conference as it happened

Asked at the start why he decided to run fur a fourth term in the March 18 election, Putin suggested that he wanted to improve Russians' lives. He said that the authorities must focus on increasing the incomes of Russian citizens, and that it is crucial to make improvements in infrastructure, education, and health care -- and later added that most taxes will not be raised before the end of 2018.

Putin used the press conference to announce that he will run as an independent candidate rather than being nominated by the Kremlin-controlled United Russia party, which dominates government nationwide but is less popular than he is.

Putin said he was "counting on broad support from citizens" in the election and hopes for backing from more than one party. He said the opposition lacks a strong candidate and that most of his political rivals make a lot of noise but have little to offer the country -- a claim he has made repeatedly in the past.

Russia needs a "flexible" and competitive political system, said Putin, whom critics accuse of rolling back democracy and using law enforcement, courts, and other methods to quash dissent and sideline potential rivals over about 18 years in power as president or prime minister.

Asked about Navalny, Putin likened him to Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who is now an opposition leader in Ukraine, and said: "Do you want such [people] to destabilize the situation in this country...for us to have attempts at coup d'etats?"

"We've been through all that before," Putin said, adding that "the absolute majority of Russian citizens do not want this." He pointedly avoided saying Navalny's name, calling him a "convicted individual" -- a reference to two financial-crimes convictions that Navalny contends were engineered by the Kremlin to discredit him and keep him out of electoral politics.

The 2017 press conference is Putin's 13th since he first became president in 2000. As in the past, the journalists were a mix of foreign correspondents and Russian reporters who looked like supplicants, many holding up signs with their questions topics in hopes of being called on. One Russian journalist introduced a question about Putin's order for a partial withdrawal of military forces from war-ravaged Syria but saying that his trip there on December 11 looked "really cool."

Domestic Issues

The first hour was dominated by domestic issues, and Putin peppered his answers with statistics in an an apparent attempt to show that life in Russia is improving and problems are being addressed.

The 2017 press conference is Putin's 13th since he first became president in 2000. He traditionally responds to a broad range of questions on topics ranging from the economy and international relations to light queries about his personal tastes.

He took questions about matters including kindergartens, forest preservation, the cost of land, and what critics say is a recent campaign by the state that is undermining minority cultures by sidelining the languages spoken by ethnic groups such as Tatars, Chuvash, and Bashkirs.

In one of several shifts to foreign policy issues, Putin asserted that allegations of collusion between associates of Trump and Russia during and after the U.S. presidential campaign were "invented by people who are opposed to Trump in order to make his work illegitimate."

It was the latest of Putin's many denials in the wake of an assessment by U.S. intelligence officials in January that he ordered an "influence campaign" using cyberattacks, fake news, and other methods to interfere in an election in which the Kremlin favored Trump over his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, who had signaled she would be tough on Russia after its aggressive actions in Ukraine.

Putin said he believes that Trump, who indicated during the campaign that he wanted to mend badly strained ties with Russia, has been prevented from doing so.

Putiin cast U.S. investigations into alleged Russian interference and possible collusion by the Trump campaign as the result of infighting that has "inflicted damage to the domestic political situation" in the United States and showed a "lack of respect for voters" who chose Trump. He also said Trump has notched significant achievements as president, pointing to growing markets, and said he hopes U.S.-Russian ties will recover.

Arms-Control Pact

Putin also repeated Russia's accusation that the United States has violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), saying that Washington has "de facto" quit the key Soviet-era arms control pact. Russia's claim is a response to U.S. allegations that Russia has developed a missile that violates the treaty.

Putin said that Russia did not plan to withdraw from arms-control treaties, but will develop its military without being drawn into a budget-draining arms race -- again echoing remarks he has made before.

At the same time, in what seemed to be an attempt to show that Russia needs to fund the military, possibly at the expense of social spending, he made a dark joke about a boy whose family is killed by marauders after he trades a naval dagger that was kept at home for an expensive watch, leaving them defenseless.

Amid global tension over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests, Putin warned the United States against using force against North Korea, saying the consequences would be "catastrophic." He repeated Russian accusations that the United States had "provoked" Pyongyang but voiced hope that the Russia and the United States can work together to neutralize the threat posed by North Korea.

Ukraine Conflict

Repeating long-standing Russian positions on the conflict between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 10,300 people, Putin said the effectiveness of the 2015 Minsk peace accord has been "low" and blamed Kyiv, asserting that the Ukrainian government is dragging its feet on several aspects of implementation including prisoner exchanges and legislation.

He repeated the claim that the "primary cause" of events in Ukraine since 2014, when Moscow seized the Crimean Peninsula and threw its backing behind separatists in the east, was what he called a "coup d'etat" in Kyiv that February.

Ukraine and Western countries reject that narrative, saying that Russia unleashed aggression after Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned power and fled amid massive protests that erupted following his decision to scrap plans for a pact with the European Union.

Putin criticized the governments of countries including Ukraine, the United States, and Poland. But he trained his most vehement disdain on Mikheil Saakashvili, who was Georgia's president when Russia fought a five-day war against the South Caucasus country in 2008 and is now a prominent opposition politician in Ukraine, where he faces what he calls absurd charges of abetting a "criminal group" led by Yanukovych.

"I think what Saakashvili is doing is a spit in the face of the Georgian and Ukrainian people," Putin said. "How do you still tolerate that? Saakashvili was president of a sovereign Georgian state. And now he is running around in Kyiv and shouting that he is a Ukrainian."

The press conference lasted about three hours and 40 minutes. In December 2016, Putin answered 50 questions in a press conference that lasted three hours and 53 minutes. His longest appearance was four hours and 39 minutes in 2008.

INFOGRAPHIC: A Fine One To Talk: Measuring Putin's Marathon Press Conferences (click to view)

In addition to his end-of-the-year press conference, Putin also does the annual, lavishly produced Direct Line call-in show, in which he responds to questions posed by average Russians. This year, Direct Line was held on June 15.

Putin also presents an annual state-of-the-nation address to parliament. That speech, which usually takes place around December 1, has been postponed this year and, according to unconfirmed reports, will be given in February 2018 -- just weeks before the election.

Putin, 65, removed some of the suspense surrounding his press conference earlier this month when he confirmed that he would seek a fourth term in that election. Putin, 65, has been president or prime minister since 1999. Given Russia's strictly controlled political environment and heavily managed elections, analysts believe he is all but certain to be declared the winner.

Turnout Worries

But the Kremlin could be worried that turnout for the pallid election might be low and cast doubt on the legitimacy of Putin's continued rule. The independent Levada Center polling agency has predicted turnout for the vote will be 53 percent.

In what was widely seen as a ploy to boost turnout, the date of the election was moved to the fourth anniversary of the date on which he signed a treaty that Moscow claims made Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula part of Russia. Russia's takeover of Crimea brought international condemnation on Moscow but was popular among Putin's supporters.

Opposition leader and anticorruption activist Aleksei Navalny has been barred by the authorities from participating in the election because of a felony fraud conviction that he dismisses as politically motivated.

Other declared candidates include Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, liberal Grigory Yavlinsky, business ombudsman Boris Titov, and television personality and journalist Ksenia Sobchak, a journalist and TV personality who was among the reporters at the press conference on December 14 and asked Putin why Navalny was not being allowed to run.

Sobchak described the hurdles that Navalny had faced and said that she had encountered numerous problems since she announced her own presidential bid, adding, "People understand that being an opposition [politician] means ending up being killed, or jailed, or something of the kind."

Levada's polls put support for Putin at 61 percent, followed by 8 percent for Zhirinovsky, 6 percent for Zyuganov, and 1 percent or less for the others.

This year's press conference came shortly after Putin traveled to Syria to declare Moscow's military intervention there a success and order a partial withdrawal of Russian forces that have given crucial backing to President Bashar al-Assad's government in a devastating war.

It also followed the December 5 decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Russia from participating in the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea after investigations revealed evidence of a massive, state-supported doping violations system that severely tainted the 2014 Sochi Olympics, which was a key prestige event for Putin.

Putin, who has denied state involvement in Russian doping despite the evidence, accused the United States of manipulating evidence from the main whistle-blower on doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Grigory Rodchenkov.

He claimed that Rodchenkov, the former director of Russia's anti-doping laboratory who is under witness protection after fleeing to the United States last year, is "under the control" of U.S. agencies including the FBI.

Putin suggested with a smirk that Rodchenkov had been drugged, saying, "What they are doping him with to make him say what they need to hear?"

Putin also weighed in on the trial of former Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev, who is charged with taking a $2 million bribe in a sting operation involving Igor Sechin, the CEO of state oil giant Rosneft and is seen as one of Putin's closest allies.

Sechin flaunted his power by declining to appear in court and testify as a witness despite being summoned four times.

Putin said that Sechin's failure to testify was not illegal but seemed to suggest he was displeased, saying that the Rosneft chief "could have come" to the trial.

The judge is scheduled to deliver a verdict on December 15.

With reporting by Merhat Sharipzhan, Robert Coalson, Steve Gutterman, Interfax, TASS, RIA Novosti, AP, and Reuters
U.S. and Russian air force jets have had a tense midair encounter in eastern Syria, with the Americans firing flares and deploying chaff in an effort to persuade the Russian jets to leave, the Pentagon says.

Russia's Defense Ministry on December 14 confirmed the confrontation near the Euphrates River, which took place a day earlier, and that the Americans had fired flares to "hinder the Russian jets."

The incident is the latest encounter between the two countries' air forces, who have been operating often in close proximity in Syrian airspace.

The Pentagon said in a statement that two Russian Su-25 fighters flew through an unofficial line along the river and F-22A Raptors launched warning flares and deployed chaff -- used to distract potential incoming missiles.

The flares were fired "in close proximity" to the Russian aircraft and the U.S. pilots also radioed the Russians multiple times on an emergency channel telling them to leave, the Pentagon said.

The Russian ministry said the Su-25 jets remained on the west side of the Euphrates -- as stipulated by an agreement reached with the Americans last month. The ministry said the U.S. jets left the region after another Russian jet, a Su-35C, arrived.

U.S. and Russian commanders have a dedicated hot line, in an effort to prevent the danger of outright hostilities between the military forces, which nominally share a common enemy -- Islamic State (IS) militants.

In fact, however, Russia's military has sought to bolster the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, while U.S. forces have backed antigovernment rebels and Kurdish and Arab militias that have battled IS fighters.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a visit to a Syrian air base that Russian forces had largely accomplished their goal in the country and ordered the beginning of a withdrawal.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Tajik authorities to immediately release prominent journalist Hairullo Mirsaidov and drop all charges against him.

"In a place where free media and critical voices are nearly non-existent, journalists like Mirsaidov should be recognized for the important work they do, not locked up on bogus charges," the New York-based media watchdogs Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney said in a statement on December 13.

Mirsaidov was charged on December 8 with embezzlement, forgery, false reporting to police, and inciting ethnic and religious hatred and sent to pretrial detention.

The charges carry a penalty of 21 years in jail.

The journalists father, Khabibullo Mirsaidov, told RFE/RL that his son denied the accusations.

Mirsaidov was initially detained in his native city of Khujand on December 5, weeks after he published an open letter to President Emomali Rahmon, Prosecutor-General Yusuf Rahmon, and Sughd regional governor Abdurahmon Qodiri, asking them to crack down on corrupt local authorities.

Mirsaidov said that local officials who helped him secure budget funds for an improvisational comedy team to travel to Moscow to compete on a program called KVN demanded a $1,000 bribe, which he said he refused to pay.

Mirsaidov, 39, is a former correspondent of the Dushanbe-based Asia-Plus news agency and Germany's Deutsche Welle radio.

Earlier on December 13, CPJ published a report saying that the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide had hit another new record.

In its annual survey of journalists in jail, the group found 262 journalists behind bars around the world in relation to their work, a new record after a historic high of 259 last year.

The census only accounted for journalists in government custody on December 1, not those imprisoned and released throughout the year or those who have disappeared or are being held captive by nonstate groups.

With reporting by RFE/RLs Tajik Service


UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has urged Russia to convince the Syrian government to reach a peace deal to end the nearly seven-year-old war.

De Mistura, speaking on Swiss television station RTS on December 13, said failure to make peace quickly through United Nations mediation could lead to "a fragmentation of Syria."

Russian President Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit to Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria on December 11 declared that the work of Russian forces was largely done following the defeat of what he called "the most battle-hardened group of international terrorists."

With Russia signalling its hopes to conclude involvement in the Syrian conflict, De Mistura said Putin must "convince the [Syrian] government that there is no time to lose... You can think you win territory militarily but you have to win the peace.

"And to win the peace, you have to have the courage to push the government to accept that there has to be a new constitution and new elections, through the United Nations," he said.

The nearly seven-year civil war in Syria has killed over 340,000 people and driven more than 11 million from their homes.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have largely ended in failure over the opposition's demand that President Bashar al-Assad leave power, and the latest round due to end on December 14 in Geneva appears to be no exception.

Assad refuses to go, and recently has claimed he is close to military victory in the war, though his troops control only about 55 percent of Syria's territory after some recent gains.

The Kremlin first launched air strikes in Syria in September 2015 in its biggest Middle East intervention in decades, turning the tide of the conflict in Assad's favor.

Putin, like Assad, has portrayed their alliance as close to military victory, and Russia has insisted that Assad should be able to run for re-election during any political transition period negotiated by the UN.

Russia has offered to host a separate venue for peace negotiations. A parallel process organized by Moscow, fellow Syria ally Iran, and rebel-backer Turkey, has had limited success establishing cease-fires and is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.

But De Mistura in the TV interview said that a lasting political settlement accepted by all sides can only be negotiated through the UN.

As in previous rounds of negotiations, the UN envoy in recent days has conducted shuttle diplomacy between the opposition delegation and the Syrian government delegation led by chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari.

No direct talks between the two sides occurred.

"The opposition told me clearly when they arrived here, and again yesterday and this morning too, that they are ready to meet the government right away to have a hard, difficult discussion," De Mistura said.

"The government is not ready, it has said it is not ready to meet the opposition. That is regrettable but diplomacy has many means," he said.

A senior Western diplomat told Reuters that the government has been refusing to negotiate over a new constitution and elections.

"Clearly they did not have any intention to engage in this political process. And clearly they are not under sufficient pressure to do so," the diplomat told Reuters. "The clear impression is the regime wants to avoid the UN-led political process at any cost."

With reporting by AFP and Reuters


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.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan made a major breakthrough by resolving most of the issues related to a decades-long border dispute earlier this year.

Now comes the hard part: hammering out the last and most contentious points by year's end.

Just over 200 kilometers of unresolved border stands in the way of ending a tug-of-war that stems from the divide-and-conquer rule of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Bridging the differences means tackling the biggest sticking points: five small exclaves and the complex problems associated with them that have spurred riots, detentions, shootings, and killings in recent years.

To accomplish this, the two sides are exploring unconventional solutions, including the exchange of territory or possibly moving nationals from the exclaves they have called home for centuries.

Soviet-Made Problem

The border problems were caused by the actions of Soviet officials nearly a century ago, when between 1924 and 1927 they established the twisting, haphazard borders that effectively divided the frontiers of Central Asia but often irrationally separated Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and Tajiks living in the vast Ferghana Valley.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 ended the era of no borders and free passage between the five Central Asian states as the authoritarian governments that emerged began marking the borders and tightened control of the movement of goods and people.

Tit-for-tat actions in recent years by Uzbek and Kyrgyz officials on the border often led to shootings and other violence.

After deadly bombings in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, in 1999, fears of Islamic terrorists entering the country led Uzbekistan to construct a fence and ditch arrangement along much of its border with Kyrgyzstan in the Ferghana Valley.

It even laid land mines in the summer of 2000 along several parts of the border, which led to people and livestock being killed and injured.

But after decades of stalemate on border issues under Uzbek President Islam Karimov, progress came after his death last year when his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoev, and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Almazbek Atambaev, inked an agreement in October to demarcate some 85 percent of the countries' nearly 1,300-kilometer frontier.

"During the era of Karimov, the feeling was not really to resolve it, especially on the Uzbek side," explains Chinara Esengul, an independent expert on international relations based in Bishkek. "But now, [under Mirziyoev], Uzbekistan does not want isolation. The new president wants to make sure the trade and industrial potential [of the country] will be fully realized and, therefore, it needs more open borders."

The bilateral border agreement was seen as cause for celebration.

"Both the Kyrgyz and Uzbek people have been waiting for this historic day for more than 20 years," Atambaev said at the time.

With few economic or diplomatic achievements to show for his six-year term in office that ended on November 24, Atambaev appears to be trying to leave a lasting legacy by resolving Uzbekistan's border problems.

But while Mirziyoev and Atambaev managed to resolve the comparatively easy disputes along the unmarked Uzbek-Kyrgyz border, the last approximately 15 percent involves five tricky ethnic exclaves.

The Kyrgyz governments special envoy on border issues, Kurbanbai Iskandarov, told RFE/RL that there are still 36 sectors along the border that are disputed, in the Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions -- the areas where the exclaves are located.

The exclaves of Sokh, Shohimardan, Jani-Ayil (Halmiyon), and Chon Qora/Qalacha are areas of Uzbekistan that are surrounded by Kyrgyz territory. The Uzbek citizens who live there must, in many cases, pass through Kyrgyz border posts in order to leave the exclaves.

Conflicts between border guards and locals have flared up several times in Sokh -- a 350-square-kilometer exclave that is home to more than 50,000 Uzbek citizens. These often result in border and road closings by Kyrgyz officials that lead to shortages of goods which, in turn, are often followed by riots and violence.

Within Uzbekistan is the de-facto Kyrgyz exclave of Barak, a village that only has about 75 Kyrgyz citizens living on its 230 hectares.

Barak once had several hundred residents, but a slow trickle of people has been leaving the exclave for Kyrgyzstan proper. Nurkanbek Ashyrov, the head of Barak, says there are only eight students left in its school.

Kyrgyz and Uzbek officials have said they want to swiftly finalize these remaining border issues, calling for a final resolution by the end of 2017 -- a goal that will be difficult to realize.

"Political will is what matters most, and President Mirziyoev seems to exude it at the moment. So there are reasons to expect progress," says Nick Megoran, a geographer at Newcastle University in the U.K. who has researched the Uzbek-Kyrgyz borderlands since 1995.

Trading Territory...

There are two primary ways for officials in Tashkent and Bishkek to resolve the exclave issue, says analyst Esengul.

One option would involve Uzbekistan giving the territory within its two exclaves to Kyrgyzstan in exchange for a similar amount of Kyrgyz territory somewhere along the border. Such a trade would almost certainly include Barak.

Kyrgyzstan set a precedent in ceding territory when it agreed to give tens of thousands of acres in the Khan-Tengri Mountains and the Uzbenku-Kuush Gorge to China in 1999 to resolve a border dispute with Beijing.

And small bits of land have already been swapped by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan under the deal signed by Mirziyoev and Atambaev this autumn.

"There are places that on the map are part of Uzbekistan but our people live there, and there are also places that are ours but Uzbek people live there," Mamasaly Akhmamatov, the first deputy governor of Jalal-Abad Province, said in September. "We took 476 square hectares of land and gave [Uzbekistan] 241 square hectares."

He added that 643 kilometers of his provinces border with Uzbekistan has already been demarcated, leaving only 80 kilometers remaining to be decided upon.

There have been several border adjustments and territorial exchanges between former Soviet republics since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, including when Lithuania ceded its Pagiriai enclave to Belarus in the mid-1990s after Minsk agreed to trade Vilnius a small amount of territory along the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.

But any such territorial exchange in Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan must also consider the feelings of the people living on the territory that will be traded.

"Exclaves present the same legal and technical issues as standard boundaries but are much more complicated because issues of mobility and the provision of services and utilities," says Megoran.

Several other sticky issues emerge in land swaps: Would the residents of the exchanged land agree to take the citizenship of the new country they suddenly find themselves living in?

Ultimately, there are no intrinsically good or bad boundaries, only good or bad relations between states."

Or would Uzbek citizens in Sokh, for example, want to move to Uzbekistan -- and would they demand compensation to do so?

"Sokh (50,000 people) and Shohimardon (some 5,000 people) are large exclaves, so population size is a complicating factor," says Megoran, who called the moving of populations a "drastic option" that would lead to the "uprooting of communities and the breaking of the historic ties to place that are so important for Central Asians."

Megoran adds that "territorial exchanges have been reasonably successful on the Arabian Peninsula, but unlike the Ferghana Valley [of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan], those [land swaps] were not densely populated or cultivated areas, so disruption was minimal."

"[An] exchange [of territory] would not be taken easily by the people living in the community [that was traded]," suggests Esengul. "They will say: This is the land of our ancestors. Weve been here for so many centuries."

The exclave of Shohimardan has special significance to Uzbeks because it is where famous author, poet, and scholar Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi was stoned to death in 1929.

Esengul adds that Uzbek officials "would need to convince [Uzbek citizens in a swapped territory] to move out. They would have to find some good land [in Uzbekistan] to offer them so they would move."

...And Creating Corridors

A second option would be the creation of land corridors going from the mother country to the exclaves -- and giving that land to those countries.

Such a solution would still involve trading territory, but far less than would be swapped in turning over the exclaves themselves -- and far fewer people and communities would be affected.

But forming corridors with usable roads and removing the need to pass through border crossings would also create complications.

"Creating corridors of land [to the exclaves] creates newer issues of delimitation, policing, and access through and around territories for the enclaving state," Megoran explains.

A Third Way?

Megoran suggests there is a third option, something that, ironically, hasnt existed since the Soviet era: fully free and open borders.

Its a solution used successfully by Belgium and the Netherlands to solve a problem created by 24 tiny exclaves along their border.

"The best example is the Baarle-Hertog enclaves in the Belgian-Dutch borderlands," he says. "Here [allowing complete] freedom of movement [for both Belgians and Dutch citizens] ensures peaceful and cooperative interactions between the two communities. So there has been no need to exchange territories or create corridors."

Such a development in Central Asia would require many changes and much stronger interstate relations.

It is no coincidence that Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations are currently at an all-time high and border issues are being resolved.

President Mirziyoev summed up the warm feelings in Bishkek in September when he said that "these borders should be turned into the borders of friendship."

Those words are in stark contrast to Kyrgyz-Kazakh ties, which have hit rock bottom in recent months and led to Kazakh officials virtually blocking their country's border with Kyrgyzstan.

"Ultimately," Megoran concludes, "there are no intrinsically good or bad boundaries, only good or bad relations between states."

Perhaps Mirziyoev already understands this concept.

During a meeting in Tashkent with new Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov on December 14, the Uzbek president seemed to speak in favor of moving toward the "third option" in the future.

"We should not have borders [with Kyrgyzstan] and we should go forward on a completely different level," he said.
His body was decomposing in the hallway of the home. The woman has mental health issues and hadnt accepted his death. She did not report the death but is not being treated as a suspect in relation to the mans death. Police had determined the mans death was not suspicious because he was known with serious health condition. Recent hot weather has made it difficult for a forensic pathologist who examined the mans body to pin-point how long he had been deceased.



Police at the Australian home

The woman was taken to the Peel Health Campus for assessment. No charges have been laid. Police placed a bio-hazard warning on the house. An autopsy will be done to determine how the man died and a report for the Coroner will be prepared. Detectives will be offered counseil after they attended the grisly death scene. These cases can stay with you. But its the nature of policing and we have to move on fairly quickly, one of them said. There were not declarations of the neighbors for the moment.
The Delhi Government has approved cover of 100 percent costs on treatment of victims of road accidents. This accident victim scheme was chaired at the State Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, presided over by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while health minister Satyender Jain briefed the media on its passing.

Till date, accident, burns and acid victims are offered free treatment at Government hospitals, but the Delhi Government has now approved free treatment even at private hospitals. Many times it is seen that private hospitals refuse to admit the accident victim as they feel they are poor. Valuable time is spent trying to locate a government hospital in the vicinity of the accident and the victims life hangs in a balance. This scenario will now change as the Delhi Government will foot the entire bill incurred on treatment of accident victims that also includes burns and acid attacks.

The proposal for this scheme has been in the works since August 2016 ever since road accident victim in Delhis Subhash Nagar bled to death because he was not given any medical assistance in the needed hour. The move is aimed at saving lives during this golden hour be it in road accident, fire or acid attacks. Jain has stated that the Cabinet has approved this scheme and affirmed that the Delhi Government will bear the treatment cost both at government and private hospitals.

Jain also revealed that 8,000 accidents occur on Delhi roads each year which affects 15,000-20,000 persons while 1,600 people die each year due to road accidents. In January this year, AAP Government has also announced a scheme called the Good Samaritan Policy. Rs.2,000 would be paid as reward to be paid to those who come to the help of accident victims to remove them to hospitals during the golden hour and they will also be given a certificate of appreciation.

India registers highest number of road accident related deaths in the world. More than 400 people die on Indian roads every day due to accidents.

Such a move by Delhi Govt is much appreciated. This will not only offer timely attention to the victim, but will also provide a hassle free experience to the citizens. Hopefully, other states of India too follow this, which will help reduce in number of road accident related deaths in the country.
Earlier this year, Tata Motors announced that they had bagged a huge order from Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a JV which has been setup under the Ministry of Power. This huge order will see Tata Motors deliver 10,000 units of electric cars to EESL, which will be used by the Government of India.

Today, Tata Motors delivered the first Tigor electric car to state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors handed over the keys of the Tigor EVs to Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL, accompanied by the senior management teams from both the companies.

Commenting on the occasion, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said, This initiative of the Government of India to procure 10,000 electric vehicles is a bold step in terms of promoting green & sustainable transport solutions. We, at Tata Motors are extremely proud to be part of this project and are supportive of the Governments transformational vision of auto electrification in India. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. This tender has effectively paved way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the vision of the Government.

Tata Tigor EV is a full electric, zero emission StyleBack that comes with a stunning, break-free and revolutionary design, set to build on the existing Passenger Vehicles portfolio of Tata Motors. Specific to the EESL order, the Tigor EV will be delivered in three trim variants  Base, Premium and High and will be available in Pearlescent White colour with blue decals. Over the basic requirements of the tender, the Tigor EV, across the variants, would have FATC (Fully Automatic AC) to provide maximum comfort to its occupants. Equipped with a single speed, automatic transmission, the Tigor EV will also allow the customers to enjoy the driving experience, maximized efficiency and seamless acceleration. The electric drive systems for the Tigor EV is developed and supplied by Electra EV  a company established to develop and supply electric drive systems for the automotive sector.

Tata Motors had qualified as L1 bidder in the midst of stiff competition and won the tender floated by EESL in September 2017. For phase 1, Tata Motors is required to deliver 250 Tigor EVs, for which it has received a LoA. Tata Motors is committed to the Governments vision for electric vehicles by 2030 and will work in a collaborative manner to facilitate faster adoption of electric vehicles and to build a sustainable future for India.
Skoda Auto India ends 2017 with 17,438 cars sold, up 30% from CY 2016. (2016). Skoda Rapid sales volume provides the biggest boost to overall sales. Introduction of Skoda Kodiaq, Octavia, and Octavia RS strengthen brand appeal.

Commenting on the strong business performance, Mr. Ashutosh Dixit, Director  Marketing, Sales and Services, SKODA AUTO India said, We have concluded the year well and are very happy with our performance in 2017. This 30% growth underscores the fact that we are optimally positioned with our current model range in India; the improved business performance reflects a well devised strategy that is in moving in the right direction for us. With the SKODA KODIAQ, we successfully launched a true game changer in October last year. The large SUV already represents an important pillar of SKODAs development in India. We are very optimistic with our SUV strategy for India. Skoda Auto India will continue to push ahead with its model offensive campaign in 2018.

Skoda India deliveries increased a whopping 43% in November up at 1,400 units from 1,000 sold in November 2016. For October sales were up at 7.7% with 1,600 cars delivered, up from 1,500 units sold in October 2016. Sales increase for September 2017 stood at 37% at 1,600 units up from 1100 units delivered in September 2016.

For Sept, Oct, and Nov, Skoda India sales stand at 4600 units up from 3,600 units for the same three months last year up 22%. For the year 2017 (Jan  Nov), Skoda sales are reported at 15,400 units, up from 12,000 units sold through January  November 2016.

For the year thus far, Skoda India growth stands at 28.33%. At the end of Q3 2017, Skoda India announced sales growth of 29% for the year. By our calculation that number stood at 30.5%. For 2017, Skoda India has set a sales target of 34% growth and that would imply sales of 2500 units in December 2017.

Helping Skoda India achieve new heights in sales, are their new launches like the Rapid, Octavia, Superb and the might Kodiaq. All these cars of theirs have found good response in the market. This in spite of passenger vehicle sales having been at stake in recent times owing to constant policy change related to GST, and cess requirement.

Earlier this year Tata Motors and Skoda call off their proposed partnership. Skoda is still up for such opportunities with other entities. The focus is to build low cost cars ( entry level car platform) in a cost effective manner for a price sensitive market like India, and this requires an increased level of localisation. Volkswagens MQB A0 platform continues to be explored for the same project. Proposed changes in the Indian auto industry mandates stricter engine emission, and crash-test norms by April 2020.


U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Litigation Release No. 24013 / December 14, 2017 Securities and Exchange Commission v. Ray C. Davis and Behavioral Recognition Systems, Inc., n/k/a Giant Gray, Inc., No. 17-cv-03774 (S.D. Tex. filed Dec. 14, 2017) Houston Technology Company, Former CEO Charged with Defrauding Investors The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Houston technology company and its former CEO with fraudulently raising approximately $28 million from investors and then diverting more than $7.8 million of those proceeds for the former CEO's personal benefit. According to the SEC's complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Houston, Behavioral Recognition Systems, Inc. (BRS) and CEO Ray C. Davis, solicited over $28 million from hundreds of investors through repeated lies, such as that investor funds would only be used for working capital and BRS only paid Davis a nominal salary. In reality, as the complaint alleges, BRS and Davis secretly diverted millions of dollars of investor money for Davis's personal use, including to purchase ancient jewelry, gold, and other artifacts and to fund Davis's and his wife's joint bank account. BRS and Davis allegedly covered their tracks using fake invoices in the names of two shell companies Davis controlled, the Blackstone Group, Inc. and Afcon Communications, Inc., purportedly for services they provided to BRS. Davis also allegedly invented a fake company and used fictitious invoices in that company's name to cause BRS to send payments to an antiques broker for Davis's personal purchases.A The invoices listed a purported address for the company in Australia; however the address was for an Australian cemetery where an individual is buried with the name of the fake company. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas today unsealed criminal charges against Davis. The SEC's complaint charges BRS and Davis with violating Sections 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, BRS with violating Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act, and Davis with violating Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) under the Exchange Act and aiding and abetting BRS' violations of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions and disgorgement of allegedly ill-gotten monetary gains plus interest from BRS and Davis, and a civil penalty from Davis. The SEC also names the Blackstone Group, Afcon and Davis' wife, Debra Davis, as relief defendants for the purpose of recovering investor proceeds. The SEC's investigation was conducted by George Bagnall, Jonathan Carr, Joseph Griffin, Bertram Braganza, and Donato Furlano. It was supervised by Stacy Bogert, Peter Rosario, and Antonia Chion. The litigation will be led by Gregory Bockin and supervised by Cheryl Crumpton. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. SEC Complaint https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2017/lr24013.htm

Modified: 12/14/2017
Back home at Southold, first Black director aims to broaden reach

Sarah Taylor performed in "The Nutcracker" as a girl and now as a "party parent." She's trying to get more kids exposed to ballet.
To the Moon!

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

On Dec. 11, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the Space Policy Directive 1, ordering NASA to return astronauts to the moon ahead of crewed missions to Mars and beyond. See the moment in photos here. [Read our reaction roundup by experts] This Photo: On the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 17 mission, President Donald Trump addresses the press in the Roosevelt room of the White House about the importance of returning to the moon. Trump's Space Policy Directive 1 calls for a return to human exploration of the moon as a foundation for future missions to Mars.

Lunar Goals

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

Standing with Vice President Mike Pence, members of the Senate, Congress, NASA and commercial space companies, President Trump speaks to the press. Pence leads the National Space Council, which met in October 2017 and recommended the moon as the next destination for American astronauts.

The Next Step

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

Vice President Pence talks to the press on Dec. 11 with (from the left) President Trump, Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, astronaut Peggy Whitson and astronaut Christina Koch, to the right. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison "Jack" Schmitt also attended the ceremony.

Admiring Lunar Specimen

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

Former astronaut Jack Schmitt and Ivanka Trump admire a sample from the moon, collected by Schmitt during the Apollo 17 mission, which landed on the moon in December 1972.

Drawn Back

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

A close-up of the moon rock brought back to Earth by astronaut Jack Schmitt during Apollo 17, the final mission of the Apollo Program, is displayed during the ceremony as President Trump signs the Space Policy Directive - 1, instructing NASA to return to the moon.

A Call to Action

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

With the Space Policy Directive 1, President Trump tasked NASA to "lead an innovative space exploration program to send American astronauts back to the Moon, and eventually Mars," according to White House spokesman Hogan Gidley.

Inspiring Children

Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty

After signing the SPD-1, President Trump holds an astronaut toy given to him by Apollo 17 astronaut Jack Schmitt.

Making It Official

Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty

President Trump displays the Space Policy Directive 1, a signed document charging NASA with returning the U.S. to the moon and eventually Mars and other destinations across the solar system.

A Proud Moment

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

In the Roosevelt room in the White House, President Trump signs the Space Policy Directive 1, directing NASA to return to the moon, and eventually Mars, using an inventive space exploration program.

Support from the Crewmembers

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Following President Trump's signing of the Space Policy Directive -1, astronaut Peggy Whitson and Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin talk with Vice President Pence. The ceremony also honors the anniversary of the Apollo 17 mission.
Beloved "Star Wars" robots wouldn't fare too well in the real-life desert, according to an analysis in the journal Science Robotics  but they may be onto something with their iconic beeping communication.

The new monthly column by Texas A&M University roboticist Robin Murphy took as its first subject the beloved droids R2-D2 and BB-8, rolling robots that play a major role in "Star Wars."

Murphy asked Dan Goldman, a physicist at Georgia Tech, whether a spherical robot like BB-8 would be able to move around over rough terrain like sand  and "he just started giggling hysterically," Murphy told Space.com. ['Star Wars' Droids That Already Exist]

Goldman described buying one of Sphero's remote-control BB-8 toys as soon as the movie came out, to set up in his lab and test robot locomotion over a variety of granular materials.

"They run sand[fish] lizards through there, they run snakes, salamanders, the whole thing," Murphy said, referring to types of moving robots. "And they put BB-8 in there, and they gave it a little ramp with plywood, and it rolled in, and then  thwump! Just buried itself into the sand. And then they tried it again  it was a repeatable experiment. The only variation would be that occasionally it would stop so suddenly the head would fly off, which is kind of fun."

(And the whole idea of BB-8's head being able to reattach itself, she added, is equally dubious.)

"There's a reason you don't see a lot of animals with wheels," Murphy said. BB-8's rollable body "is fun  I love it. But it's not what you'd actually do on those desert planets that they keep winding up on."

Instead, the best-suited robots for that terrain generally use tank-like tracks, Murphy said. Legged robots work, too, but they're harder to coordinate. Scientists like Goldman and Howie Choset, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, experiment with more exotic, animal-inspired robots: Sandfish lizards, which dive and swim through sand like water, serve as an inspiration, as do snakes and scorpions.

For more general-purpose locomotion, Murphy said that robots with a combination of treads and tracks, with flippers to help the robot climb stairs and get over obstacles, is one promising possibility. Legged robots are also good at navigating uneven terrain  although, again, the control mechanism has to be much more complex.

In her article, Murphy cited one case where BB-8 and R2-D2's creators might be on to something: the beeps and whistles they use to communicate. Both robots look very alien, but use their beeps, whistles and body language to convey instantly recognizable thoughts and moods.

Researchers studying robots' interactions with children and adults have found that that type of communication makes people more comfortable with them; distinctive sounds and body language are how humans are used to interacting with each other nonverbally, as well as with animals.

"It's a subconscious expectation," Murphy said. "Part of our brain can deal with the fact that the robot's not doing it, but the other part's like, 'No, it's kind of alive, I want it to behave the way a dog would, the way a person would!'"

The "Star Wars" droid BB-8 (or at least its remote-control alter ego) is trapped in a sand-like substance during a lab experiment at Georgia Tech. (Image credit: Yasemin Ozkan Aydin/Daniel I. Goldman/Georgia Tech)

Another benefit is that nonverbal robots don't give the wrong impression of how intelligent they are. "One of the nice things about beeps and whistles is that you know that the robot isn't trying to talk, too, at a superhigh level," Murphy said. "It's not overstating its capabilities  'I'm paying attention, but I'm really not fully your peer intelligence.'"

Although they might not navigate well in real life, "Star Wars" robots like R2-D2 particularly stood out in science fiction because they didn't look like an animal or person in a suit.

R2-D2 "looked very, very mechanical, and very engineered for a specific purpose," Murphy said. "You weren't entirely always sure, in the movie, what the purpose was, but it looked like form was following function." For C-3PO, the robot's humanoid form made sense: It was a protocol droid intended for communicating with humans. "But it was really great to see something that's there to do repairs and help out didn't have to look like a humanoid, and that was part of the charm."

Since R2-D2's debut in 1977, "Star Wars" has displayed a rich ecosystem of robot forms. Murphy could think of only one that they hadn't tried yet.

"I think one of the coolest robot styles that they've not looked at doing is the 'Big Hero' style, the soft robot, where you're using the inflatable and conformable surfaces," Murphy said. "I think that's about the only one that they've missed in the 'Star Wars' universe.

Murphy discusses robotic principles through the lens of science fiction on the blog Robotics Through Science Fiction, and she wrote a book with the same name that will be coming out soon from MIT Press. And then there's her monthly column in Science Robotics.

"Next month, in honor of 'Pacific Rim' coming out again [its sequel premieres in March], it's going to be about exoskeletons," Murphy said. "Would we really build a huge, large machine that takes two people to be telepathically connected to [control]?"

"It turns out  exoskeletons are very useful for rehabilitation, other things like that, " she added. "We're using it as a bridge to think about robotics in a fun way."

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Rainer Weiss (center, seated) poses with members of the MIT LIGO team. Peter Fritschel is seated on the far right. Weiss was honored, along with Barry Barish and Kip Thorne from the California Institute of Technology, with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for detecting gravitational waves.

BROOKLYN, N.Y.  A dedicated scientist engaged an audience of college students and local leaders  including the president of New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority  on the emerging field of gravitational wave astronomy.

Peter Fritschel, the evening's honored guest, was part of the team at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that made the groundbreaking 2015 detection of gravitational wavesfrom a binary black-hole merger.

He was there to discuss the detection of a collision so formidable, "the power that was emitted by the source at the very peak was just enormous, four times 10 to the 49 watts  49 zeros after," Fritschel said at the lecture Nov. 30. "That peak power [was] more power than all of the visible light in the universe at that time. So, in a very brief instance of time, this source outshone everything else in the universe." [Gravitational Waves: Ripples in Space-Time]

Peter Fritschel, the 2017 Lynford lecture speaker, gave an introduction to gravitational wave physics at New York University on Nov. 30. (Image credit: MIT/NYU)

Jeffrey Lynford, namesake of the annual Lynford Lecture Series at the New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering, welcomed Fritschel, who is senior research scientist at the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research at MIT, to give this year's talk. A representative of New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo also joined the speakers.

Lynford highlighted Fritschel's 25-year contribution to gravitational-wave detection  Fritschel's dedication to the topic goes back as far as his early career dissertation, entitled, "Techniques for Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Detectors," Lynford said.

It was at this moment that Lynford told the college audience that to "get the right mentor" was one of the most important choices a student could make. In fact, he added, one of Fritschel's mentors at MIT was Rainer "Rai" Weiss, one of the three 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics laureates.

Lynford was full of humor; he told New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority President Pat Foye, who was also in attendance, that he couldn't leave without first listening to the audience share complaints about subway train delays. And Lynford, a former investment banker, followed up an introduction on black hole mergers with, "I come from a long line of mergers, between banks, pharmaceutical companies, but between black holes? That's a different kind  and we're all very interested to hear."

Using laser beams, scientists have detected the physical distortions caused by passing gravitational waves. See how the LIGO observatory hunts gravitational waves in this Space.com infographic (Image credit: By Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

"I'm regularly tasked with briefing the governor on what I would call 'complicated projects' and nuanced ideas," said Lindsey Boylan, chief of staff at Empire State Development  New York state's economic-development arm  after Lynford's opening remarks. She, too, evoked the theme of mentorship by sharing that in order to comprehend the lecture topic well enough to introduce it, she had reached out to her former college professor in general relativity.

"The first-ever Lynford lecture, the inaugural event of what would become such an important event here in Brooklyn, took place in 1998," said Boylan. "The public official who introduced that lecture was none other than the late Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York. He spoke in the same auditorium where we find ourselves today."

See more

The topic at that first lecture was string theory, addressed by Ed Witten, currently based at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ. "Professor Witten posited his hope that, one day, [the] space-time continuum would ripple in such a way [that] these two theories of the universe [quantum physics and relativity] could be brought together in one unified theorem. Today, we have that evidence"  gravitational waves.

Boylan added that there is "certainly an unintended symmetry of my being here this evening on behalf of Gov. Andrew Cuomo 20 years after his father stood in this very room. We've come full circle in such a meaningful way.  I'm here to send the governor's good wishes on behalf of big, groundbreaking ideas and advancing them in the state of New York." [How Gravitational Waves and 'Multi-Messenger' Research Will Change Astronomy]

Fritschel's lecture was a 101 on gravitational-wave astronomy, beginning with the landmark Feb. 12, 2016, headline that, for the first time ever, an instrument had made a direct detection of gravitational waves.

He touched on the two essential pillars of his team's work, which are the three laws of motion and the universal law of gravity that Sir Isaac Newton developed and the notion of space-time and the theory of relativity by Albert Einstein.

Fritschel brought up recent key events that led up to this new age of astronomy, such as the discovery of the first black hole in 1971 and the first indirect detection of gravitational waves at the Arecibo Observatoryin 1974.

An artist's depiction of two merging black holes. (Image credit: LIGO/Caltech/MIT/Sonoma State (Aurore Simonnet))

Following his clear introduction, Fritschel added that the curious discovery also offered a more practical way of studying the universe. "[G]ravitational waves basically go straight through the Earth; they don't get impeded by the mass in between from where they're originally emitted to us. So, very unlike observations with telescopes that look at light, where the things that are in-between us and the original source will block the light, gravitational waves are just gonna go right through. So that's a very nice feature of using gravitational waves to study the universe."

Fritschel said the discovery of gravitational waves resulted from the collaborative effort of thousands of people, and he shared what excited him in particular about LIGO's success.

"For me, being the instrumentalist, the biggest thing is actually  wow!  The machines that we designed ... actually do work, so for me that's one of the biggest accomplishments."

Follow Doris Elin Salazar on Twitter @salazar_elin. Follow us@Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
NEW ORLEANS  The dwarf planet Ceres' famous bright spots suggest that the gray, crater-laden world is surprisingly active, a new study reports.

Ceres' bright patches may overlie pools of salty water, which could be the remnants of an ancient, subsurface ocean, study team members said.

"It's possible there is still brine coming up to the surface," lead author Nathan Stein, a planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, told Space.com. "It's certainly intriguing." [Awesome Ceres Photos by NASA's Dawn Spacecraft]

Stein and his team categorized the more than 300 bright patches on Ceres' surface into four groups, while planetary geologist Lynnae Quick, of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., examined what could be driving the spots' differences. Along with Carol Raymond, the deputy principal investigator for NASA's Dawn mission, which has been orbiting Ceres since March 2015, the pair presented their results here at the American Geophysical Union meeting on Tuesday (Dec. 12).

Ceres' Oxo Crater is unique because of the relatively large "slump" in its crater rim. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA/PSI)

Ceres' shiny spots

As Dawn approached Ceres in the spring of 2015, the spacecraft spotted a handful of bright glints on the dwarf planet's surface. Further investigation revealed a wealth of spots made of salts stretching across the planet, almost all of them in or around craters. Variations in the spots' appearance have helped scientists better understand how they may have formed.

Stein found that the most reflective material on Ceres tends to lie at the bottom of craters. Some of the first spots identified sit on the floor of 57-mile-wide (92 kilometers) Occator Crater, which hosts two prominent bright areas, Cerealia Facula in the center and Vinalia Faculae to the east. Cerealia Faculae is a collection of the brightest material on Ceres, spread over a 6-mile-wide (10 km) pit with a small dome in its center. Vinalia Faculae is fainter and slightly less reflective.

A view of the bright spots of the dwaf planet Ceres' Occator Crater. Cerealia Facula lies in the middle, while Vinalia Faculae is off to the right. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)

Another type of Ceres bright material perches on the rims of craters, streaking downward. More common than the material on the floor, this stuff was most likely exposed by objects that crashed into Ceres. The third class of material, spread around the edges of craters, was probably ejected by impactors, the researchers determined.

The "lonely mountain" Ahuna Mons, with bright spots on its flanks, is in a class by itself. The only big peak on Ceres, it has no clear connection with a crater. Instead, scientists think Ahuna Mons is most likely a cryovolcano, created by the accumulation of flowing ice.

Freshly exposed material is bright, but, over millions of years, the spots slowly mix with the dark material that covers the surface of Ceres. In the past, thousands of brightly gleaming spots may have speckled the dwarf planet, the researchers said. [What Would It Be Like to Live on Ceres?]

The new study will appear in the journal Icarus.

Ceres' 21-mile-wide (34 kilometers) Haulani Crater shows evidence of landslides from its rim. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)

Shaken Ceres soda

The source of the bright spots was a question that plagued Quick. Although the spots could have formed via several different means, the team members believe they most likely originated from pockets of brine beneath the surface  the remnants of a liquid layer in the past.

"We believe these bright spots are a sign that Ceres once had a global ocean," Quick said. In fact, she suggested that the activity that is happening on the dwarf planet may also be occurring on a larger scale on the icy moons of the outer solar system, such as Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's satellite Enceladus.

If this interpretation is correct, Ceres' ocean slowly froze out over time, leaving behind what Stein called "discrete pockets of brines." Scientists suspect these are isolated pools rather than a complete liquid layer, because the bright spots themselves are discontinuous, he explained. "Not every new crater exposes [brines]," Stein said.

Ceres lonely mountain, Ahuna Mons, is seen in this simulated perspective view, which exaggerates elevation by a factor of two. The view was made using enhanced-color images from NASA's Dawn spacecraft. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)

As the briny liquid cooled and began to freeze, the expanding ice pushed the liquid up, Quick said. In many cases, brines could have been pushed to the surface through a network of fractures. Another option is that impactors "squeezed and pinched" these pockets, she said, creating pressure that shoved material upward.

Things get even more interesting when the salty liquid pops out from underground, onto Ceres' airless surface.

"When brines get to the surface, they are going to want to fountain or boil," Quick said. She compared the process to a shaken soda can after it's been opened. Such spewing soda is caused by interacting gases that make the liquid expand or fountain up and out.

"We believe that when brines get to the surface on Ceres, that's what happening," she said.

When the material is thin, it may spew outward in an arc, splashing icy particles around the surface. This could explain some of the diffuse groupings of spots, Quick said.

This map from NASA's Dawn mission shows locations of bright material on the dwarf planet Ceres. There are more than 300 bright areas, called "faculae," on Ceres. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA/PSI/Caltech)

Thicker, icy lava may have created the superbright Cerealia Facula, the researchers said. As the material seeped through cracks to the surface, it likely formed a dome. The outermost layers froze into an icy shield that insulated the frigid lava beneath. New bright spots formed on the surface as cracks or ruptures allowed material to fountain outward.

Ahuna Mons most likely took this process to extremes, piling icy lava on top of itself to create its towering heights. Nicks in the surface allowed material to boil out, creating the icy spots visible on the mountain's flanks today.

According to Stein, the majority of Ceres' bright spots are young, no more than a few tens of millions of years old. (Keep in mind that the solar system itself is a whopping 4.5 billion years old.) That could mean that Ceres is still active today, he said.

"Ceres really isn't a dead world," Stein said. "As Dawn continues its mission, we're going to continue to try to characterize and understand in more detail how these bright deposits formed."

Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Three International Space Station crewmembers from Russia, Italy and the United States are back on Earth, having landed after five months aboard the orbiting outpost.

Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy, Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency (ESA) and astronaut Randy Bresnik of NASA touched down on Russia's Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft on Thursday (Dec. 14), landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan at 3:37 a.m. EST (0837 GMT; 2:37 p.m. local Kazakh time).

Russian recovery forces, along with personnel from both NASA and ESA, were ready for the crew at the landing site and helped Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik emerge from the small Soyuz descent capsule. The three were provided brief medical checks as they began readjusting to gravity. [Space Station Photos: Expedition 53 Mission Crew in Orbit]

The Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft is seen landing on the snow-covered steppe of Kazakhstan on Dec. 14, 2017. (Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik's journey home began three hours before their landing with the undocking of their Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft from the space station's Rassvet module at 12:14 a.m. (0514 GMT). Their departure marked an official end to Expedition 53, the complex's 53rd crewed mission since November 2000.

"We've had an amazing expedition," said Bresnik during a brief a change-of-command ceremony on Wednesday. "On a personal note, it's been an honor and a privilege to serve with you guys."

Soyuz MS-05 crewmembers Sergey Ryazanskiy, Paolo Nespoli and Randy Bresnik are seen after landing on Dec. 14, 2017. (Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls via collectSPACE.com)

Cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and NASA astronauts Mark Vende Hei and Joe Acaba, who arrived at the space station on Sept. 12 and served as members of the Expedition 53 crew under Bresnik's command, remain onboard the outpost.

"Expedition 53 is finishing up, leaving ISS in a better state than it was, but guess what? It's going to be turned over to you guys and your eminently capable hands," said Bresnik to Misurkin, Vande Hei and Acaba. "It is going to go to new heights, and I look forward to seeing that."

"I look forward to the Expedition 53 reunion  in 20 years, on Mars," Bresnik added with a smile.

Three more Expedition 54 members  Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos, Scott Tingle of NASA and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)  are scheduled to launch to the space station on Sunday (Dec. 17) and arrive two days later.

Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik's landing concludes their 139 days in space since they launched together from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 28. During their shared time in orbit, the three crewmates took part in and supported hundreds of investigations in the physical and life sciences.

As Expedition 52 crew members, Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik were in place to see the Aug. 21 "Great American Solar Eclipse," which spanned the continental U.S. on the planet below. The crew documented the cosmic alignment, sending back imagery of the moon's umbra moving across the Earth's horizon.

Ryazanskiy performed one extravehicular activity (EVA, or spacewalk), the fourth of his cosmonaut career, to deploy nanosatellites in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the launch of the first Sputnik satellite and to collect samples from outside the space station.

The grandson of a Soviet-era rocket scientist, Ryazanskiy, 43, now has two spaceflights to his record, including a 166-day stay on the space station in 2014. He has now logged 306 days off the planet.

Bresnik conducted three EVAs, bringing his career total to five, helping to swap out a latching end effector "hand" on the Canadarm2 robotic arm and install new cameras.

Bresnik, 50, is the grandson of Amelia Earhart's authorized photographer. A veteran of a space shuttle Atlantis mission in 2009 (STS-129), he's now spent 150 days in Earth orbit.

Nespoli, 60, is to date the oldest professional astronaut to reside aboard the space station. In the course of his "Vita" (Italian for "Life," and the acronym for Vitality, Innovation, Technology and Ability) ESA mission, he spoke with Pope Francis and was the first to contribute content to Wikipedia from space.

Nespoli has now logged 313 days in space over his three missions, including a 2007 flight aboard shuttle Discovery (STS-120) and a prior expedition aboard the space station.

Now back on Earth, the three Soyuz MS-05 crewmates will return to their respective agencies after a brief welcome ceremony in the Kazakh town of Karaganda. Ryazanskiy will be flown back to Star City, outside of Moscow; Bresnik and Nespoli will return on a NASA jet to Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Soyuz MS-05 was the 51st Soyuz to fly to the International Space Station. It traveled a total of 58.8 million miles (94.7 million kilometers) over the course of 2,224 orbits of Earth.
The discovery of an eighth planet around the star Kepler-90 marks the first time a star system has been found to have the same number of planets as our own solar system. NASA unveiled the discovery Dec. 14, 2017.

Our solar system is not alone atop the planet-harboring heap anymore.

Scientists have discovered another world orbiting the star Kepler-90, bringing that system's tally of confirmed planets to eight  the same number as in Earth's solar system (at least according to the International Astronomical Union, which stripped Pluto of its "ninth planet" status back in 2006).

That's one more than the previous extrasolar record, which had been held jointly by Kepler-90 and the TRAPPIST-1 system. [Images: Discovery of 8th Planet in Kepler-90 System with Google AI]

The research team found the new planet, known as Kepler-90i  as well as another world in a different system  after analyzing archival data from NASA's Kepler mission using Google machine-learning techniques.

"Just as we expected, there are exciting discoveries lurking in our archived Kepler data, waiting for the right tool or technology to unearth them," Paul Hertz, director of NASA's Astrophysics Division in Washington, D.C., said in a statement. "This finding shows that our data will be a treasure trove available to innovative researchers for years to come."

The Kepler space telescope launched in March 2009. During its four-year original mission, the spacecraft scanned 150,000 stars continuously, searching for the tiny brightness dips caused by planets crossing the stars' faces. In 2014, Kepler shifted to a second mission known as K2, during which it hunts for exoplanets on a more limited basis but also makes a variety of other observations.

This planet-hunting work has been incredibly successful. To date, Kepler has discovered more than 2,500 confirmed alien worlds  about two-thirds of all known planets beyond our solar system  as well as more than 2,000 "candidates" that await confirmation by follow-up observations or analysis. (The vast majority of these finds have come from the original-mission observations; the K2 confirmed-planet tally stands at 184.)

But the two new discoveries suggest that many more alien worlds may lurk undiscovered in Kepler's data sets.

The alien planet Kepler-90i, which orbits the star Kepler-90 2,545 light-years from Earth, is seen in this illustration from a NASA video. Kepler-90i is the eighth planet found around its parent star. (Image credit: NASA)

Researchers Christopher Shallue and Andrew Vanderburg  a senior software engineer with Google AI and an astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin, respectively  trained a computer to recognize weak, as-yet-unnoticed exoplanet signals in Kepler data. The duo used a machine-learning approach, basing it on the networks of neurons that populate the human brain.

"In my spare time, I started googling for finding exoplanets with large data sets and found out about the Kepler mission and the huge data set available," Shallue said in the same statement. "Machine learning really shines in situations where there is so much data that humans can't search it for themselves."

The scientists tested their software on 15,000 previously vetted Kepler signals, including both confirmed detections and false positives. Shallue and Vanderburg found that the artificial neural network identified such signals correctly 96 percent of the time. [Gallery: A World of Kepler Planets]

So the researchers directed the network to search for additional weak signals in 670 star systems already known to host multiple planets, reasoning that such systems had a good chance of hosting additional, undiscovered worlds.

The eight known exoplanets of the Kepler-90 star system mirrors the arrangement of our own solar system, with smaller planets closer to the parent star and larger worlds further away. NASA unveiled the discovery of the eighth known planet in the system, Kepler-90i, on Dec. 14, 2017. (Image credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel)

And they found two such planets, including Kepler-90i, which lies about 2,545 light-years from Earth. Kepler-90i is probably rocky, like Earth, and it's the third world out from its star, which is a bit hotter than our sun. But the similarities with our home planet probably end there: Kepler-90i completes one orbit every 14.4 Earth days and is therefore probably much too hot to host life. Indeed, average surface temperatures on the planet probably hover around 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius), Vanderburg said.

And the Kepler-90 system is far from an exact simulacrum of our own. Though its inner planets are rocky and outer ones are gaseous, this system is much more compact than our solar system  all eight Kepler-90 worlds are closer to their star than Earth is to the sun, the researchers said.

These planets may have migrated inward, toward their host star, over time, they added. But the current configuration, strange as it may seem to us, appears to be relatively stable, Vanderburg said.

The star may host even more planets, he added.

"There's a lot of unexplored real estate in the Kepler-90 system, and it would almost be surprising to me if there weren't any more planets around this star," Vanderburg said during a news conference today (Dec. 14).

The other newfound world, known as Kepler-80g, is the sixth planet known in its system, which is centered around a dwarf star that lies about 1,160 light-years from the sun. Again, this extrasolar system is quite compact; Kepler-80g also takes about two Earth weeks to complete one orbit.

Such work is probably just the beginning for machine-learning exoplanet discovery; Shallue and Vanderburg intend to apply their techniques to Keplerf's entire data set.

"These results demonstrate the enduring value of Keplers mission," Kepler project scientist Jessie Dotson, of NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, said in the same statement.

"New ways of looking at the data  such as this early-stage research to apply machine learning algorithms  promises to continue to yield significant advances in our understanding of planetary systems around other stars," Dotson added. "I'm sure there are more firsts in the data waiting for people to find them."

The new study has been accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
M ining business Lonmin, which was spun out of Londons Lonrho empire, found a way out of its debt hole on Thursday as it backed a 285 million takeover.

The worlds third-biggest platinum producer is set to be bought by fellow South African firm and precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater.

The proposed deal ends the misery for long-suffering shareholders, who have grown weary of Lonmins frequent cash calls.

The company recently delayed its annual results amid fears it was close to breaching lending agreements. Lonmin shareholders will get 0.967 new Sibanye-Stillwater shares for each share held, leaving them with around 11.3% of the enlarged group. Analysts said the tie-up should help remove surplus ounces out of the depressed platinum market, although it may be subject to some competition concerns. Lonmin shares, which used to trade on the FTSE 100, rose 14.6p, or 23%, to 78.3p.

The top flight index was 13.17 points lower at 7483.34, with other mining stocks including Rio Tinto and Randgold Resources up by more than 1%.

Distribution and outsourcing firm Bunzl was one of the biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 as its latest trading update failed to shake off share price concerns about Amazons recent move into business services. Bunzl, which operates in the food service, grocery and cleaning and hygiene sectors, said trading has been consistent with expectations in October, with revenues for the year likely to be up about 15%.

Shares have fallen 14% since early November and were down 29p to 2020p today.

Educational publisher Pearson was 3.5p lower at 746.5p as analysts at Liberum expressed concern about the potential impact of rival Cengages launch of a Netflix-style subscription service for US students.

Liberum descried the implications as potentially seismic, with aggressive price deflation likely to be the next move in US Higher Education publishing. It said: The strategy is a bold one. Pearson, on the other hand is increasingly looking like a laggard. Its initiatives are tame by comparison.

Pearson shares were 3.5p cheaper at 746.5p, but Liberum has a Sell rating and target price of 330p.

Structural steel specialist Severfield rose another 3.4p, or 5%, to 75.48p as it announced a contract on the recently announced new Google headquarters in Kings Cross. Severfield will provide 15,900 tonnes of steelwork services for the 11-storey building.

Dominos Pizza advanced 11.4p, or 3%, to 333.7p after announcing it will strengthen its position in Iceland through the acquisition of a further 44.3% shareholding in Dominos Iceland for 26.7 million.
T his says everything about the mesmerising manure fire that is 2017: When the alien invasion began in earnest this week, we barely even noticed. True, astronomers have not yet officially identified the interstellar body which is passing through our solar system as alien technology  theyre currently listening out for electromagnetic signals  but just look at it. Oumuamua, as it was named by the University of Hawaii researchers back in October, is not a typical comet. Instead, its got a suspiciously aerodynamic form; thin, smooth-ish and about the length of 40 London buses back to back. Id wager its also just as full of strange life-forms.

The timing of this alien fly-by is also interesting. Last time E.T. tried to get in touch was 40 years ago, when the still Wow! signal, reckoned to originate from the constellation Sagittarius, was recorded by Ohio State Universitys Big Ear radio telescope. The world might have been more excited about this unprecedented and still unexplained event were it not 1977, a year dominated by another intergalactic phenomenon you might have heard of; the original theatrical release of Star Wars. This weekend The Last Jedi, aka Star Wars Episode VIII, is released worldwide and it seems, once again, were distracted.

Ill spare you my contrarian stance on the movie franchise juggernaut. Its not for me, but I dont begrudge anyone else their escapist pleasures. Still, even those most in thrall to the Force must see that Oumuamua is offering us space opera on a far grander scale than anything George Lucas or his latter-day disciples could dream up.

And now that most of popular culture is squarely aimed at eight-year-olds (if youre not off to see The Last Jedi, youre probably raving about Paddington 2), grown-ups need their own kind of space  the space to think  more than ever. Seeking distraction from Earths problems by starring at screens is understandable but staring up at stars is better.

Lost interstellar asteroid enters solar system and baffles scientists

Does Donald Trump appreciate our need to contemplate the unfathomable vastness of the universe? On Monday, the US President signed a new policy directive, setting in motion missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars. He may well be motivated by other concerns  such as sticking two fingers up at Chinas space programme, for instance  but here too is proof of the transcendent glory of space exploration.

It can take the raw material of humanitys worst instincts  petty one-upmanship, jingoistic war-mongering, futile aggression  and transform it into us at our best  international co-operation, scientific endeavour, Taraji P. Henson in Hidden Figures.

So, my fellow Earthlings, as a superior life form gazes down from the observation deck of Oumuamua and wonders WTF are these idiots up to?!, perhaps its time to admit that only the benevolent interference of our alien overlords can save us now. In the meantime, lets work out what were going to say when that awkwardly inevitable Take me to your leader request comes in. Maybe Mary Berry is available?

An ode to a fellow reformed raver

Remember Lily Allen 2014? She was the one always in and out of Chiltern Firehouse, passed out behind the speakers at a music festival or feuding with other female pop stars. Lily Allen 2018, though? All different.

Allens first new music release for three years introduces us to a woman whos put her wild partying behind her but still isnt ashamed of who she used to be.

In fact, Trigger Bang is something of an ode to that special sort of contentment that only the reformed raver understands.

Thats why I cant hang with the cool gang, sings Allen in her reassuringly wry tone.

Everyones a trigger bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.

Simultaneously, Allens Twitter feed reveals her to be living FOMO-free and fabulous: Im watching the Crown ALL day, she tweeted shortly after the singles official release.

Theres more to come on why Allen feels she was a drunk mess circa 2013, and how rapper Giggs (who guests on Trigger Bang) helped her rediscover her creativity; her memoir is out next year.

For now, though, lets just be grateful for this seasonal reminder that sobriety doesnt have to be sanctimonious. It might just be the right decision for you.

Sweet home Alabama

In March 1965, Nina Simone sang Mississippi Goddam at the civil rights march on Montgomery, Alabama. Her song condemned the racist politics of the American South. Alabamas gotten me so upset, she sang, Tennessee made me lose my rest. Now Alabama has rejected Roy Moores run for Senate, mainly thanks to African-American voters exercising the rights the South once denied them. Alabama, God bless!

* In a scientific breakthrough that shames Mondays Huntingtons news, researcher declare that the most unpopular Quality Street chocs (coconut eclair) are also the ones most likely to turn up in the 750g Christmas tub. But would you really want an all-Purple Ones Christmas? No. You want a confectionary collection thats a metaphor for miserable family Christmasses: a mix of garishly outfitted, ill-matched individuals no one enjoys except the kids. And yet we persist with it every year.
T oday the Grenfell Tower fire has been remembered at St Pauls Cathedral, in solemn and dignified respect for the 71 people who died. That perhaps most were Muslims or foreign-born is neither here nor there. This is how London remembers its dead.

Every death is a tragedy to those who mourn. When death is collective  be it through terrorism, accident or negligence  we feel the need to mourn collectively. But at this point we tread warily. The ceremony at St Pauls, with political leaders and the royal family summoned to attend, renders it virtually a state occasion. This gives it priority over the 2005 London terrorist killings, the Kings Cross fire or the Clapham rail crash.

Grenfell is already the most politicised disaster in recent London history. No one meant anyone to die. The issue is causation and possible negligence and, if proven, responsibility for negligence. As yet there has been neither an inquiry report nor an inquest.

That is why holding the St Pauls service today, just six months after the fire and during a controversial public inquiry, was surely a mistake. It has meant telling the ruling party on Kensington council not to attend  as if already guilty  but extending invitations to the Labour opposition. If the cathedral really could not handle political sensitivities, it should at least have awaited the anniversary.

Human sympathy is easily smothered by other peoples agendas, by a clamour for guilt, revenge, political retribution and finding heads to roll. Ever since Grenfell the horror and sympathy for the victims have been fighting a losing battle with those who, for whatever motives, have plunged into the melee. Posters demanded not justice but a political lynching.

As a Kensington local, I briefly helped with the Grenfell relief effort. There was something deeply uncomfortable about the rubber-necking crowds surging around the site. Equally uncomfortable was the mini-riot outside Kensington Town Hall, and the day of rage accusing councillors of murder. It was evidently not organised by locals, and Justice4Grenfell had to be disowned by the Grenfell residents. They formed the officially recognised Grenfell United.

Grenfell Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral - In pictures 1 /46 Grenfell Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral - In pictures The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service held at St Paul's Cathedral Getty Images Mourners leave after attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Adele teary eyed and emotional sitting next to Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan during the the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral BBC Maria Jafari bereaved daughter, speaking at Grenfell Tower memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral BBC Mourners hold white roses at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral BBC rince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA A banner at Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Guests arriving at Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott arriving Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA A woman appears emotional as she leaves the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn People gather on the steps after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn The Duchess of Cambridge leaves St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire REUTERS Adele leaves St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Alan Davidson/SilverHub The Duke and Duchess (left) of Cambridge and Prince Harry (2nd left) attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Theresa May arriving at Grenfell Tower Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the Grenfell public inquiry arrives at Grenfell Tower Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Former footballer Les Ferdinand arrives PA Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry (behind) attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA The Duchess of Cambridge arrives Jeremy Selwyn Armed policewoman at Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn People arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Guests arriving at Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Reuters Mourners arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Reuters Grenfell survivors and bereaved familly members attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service held at St Paul's Cathedral Getty Images Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Mourners arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Reuters Jeremy Corbyn with a mourner at the Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Members of the public gather outside St Paul's Cathedral ahead of the Grenfell Tower national memorial service Getty Images

Political carpet-bagging was probably inevitable from the moment the question over the towers cladding was raised. It seemed irrelevant that similar cladding, and a no less casual approach to fire safety, applied to other blocks across the country, owned by Labour as well as Tory councils. Informed of serious shortcomings in its fire safety, Labour Camden instantly evacuated some of its tower blocks. Yet Jeremy Corbyn exploited Grenfell to the full in his party conference speech. Suppose it had been Islington?

I was told by a relief worker at the site that the fastest charities on the scene were also the most discreet, the Muslim ones. The reason was similar to the difficulty the authorities had in identifying victims and survivors, that no one really knew who occupied many of the flats. Grenfell was typical of such social housing in all major cities. Immigrant groups soon form their own sub-letting networks and close communities. Forty Grenfell families were believed to be Moroccan, supported after the fire by the Al-Hasaniya charity.

In Grenfell this has complicated the task of allocating new housing to survivors. Some were not on tenancy lists and thus had limited claims to rehousing within Kensington. Some were multi-occupying, and wanted multiple new homes. Others did not like what they were offered and preferred to wait for their choice.

Others again wanted to stay close to friends in north Kensington but not while the tower was still up. All deserve sympathy but meeting every demand has not been easy, least of all when Theresa May insisted that they all be rehoused within three weeks, a complete impossibility.

Grenfell Tower timeline: What has happened in the last six months?

Handling the families is one thing. Finding out how such a building could be reconstructed is another. Somewhere in the maze of council, management company, lead contractors, sub-contractors and inspectors, something went terribly wrong. This is more important than finding someone to blame, as if revenge was an answer to every question. As one of the clamour of inquiry QCs said this week, his clients needed a restoration of their human dignity  this cannot be a mere conversation between lawyers.

That is now the risk. The inquiry was always in danger of becoming a show trial. Whitehall was peculiarly insensitive to appoint an individual, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who was bound to arouse class antagonisms. Politicisation also tends to a bias towards victim-centred judgment rather than impartial justice. The inquiry has allowed multiple lawyers for different groups of victims, survivors and residents. This is a recipe for delay and massive expense, like the Saville inquiry in Northern Ireland. It will surely be wrong if more is spent on lawyers than on victims.

The country needs to know what went wrong at Grenfell, and fast. Already the date for an interim report has slipped beyond next Easter. The suspicion is that legal process will smother the clear need for speed. Thirty-one million documents have been amassed, 187 officials have been involved, across 4,000 lines of inquiry. Consequent interviews are predicted not to start until a year from now. This is judicial bureaucracy  not quick, urgent answers to questions. Survivors need their dignity and closure. The rest of the country needs to know what went wrong. Those who want to play the politics of blame can do so when the report is published.

Meanwhile, it is outrageous that the blackened hulk of Grenfell tower is still standing. It should be pulled down.
I t gave me no pleasure to vote against the Government last night in the vote requiring Parliament to have the final say on the Brexit agreement  especially when it ended up losing the vote. But I felt in principle that I had to do so. And the principle is that control has to come back to Parliament on Brexit. When it comes to approving the final deal, the British Parliament should have the same rights as the European parliament.

Specifically, the amendment I voted for said that no secondary legislation (which has far less scrutiny in Westminster) to effect our withdrawal from the EU should be implemented before Parliament has approved the withdrawal agreement via an Act of Parliament.

Much of the rhetoric around Brexit has been about Britain taking back control; well, this amendment was to return control to Westminster. It was about the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. Thats something we should all support.

The frustrating aspect of last nights defeat for the Government was that it was unnecessary. It is difficult to see why it couldnt have accepted the amendment supported by me and other Conservative colleagues. It has been around since September.

Unfortunately, the Government didnt really engage with our objections until far too late when it conceded, via a written statement, the principle of the amendment just 17 minutes before the vote. Many MPs including me felt that wasnt enough. Given the importance of this principle we thought that it should be properly written down in the EU Withdrawal Bill to avoid problems.

Nicky Morgan / PA

There will be another vote next week, on an amendment as to whether Britain will leave the EU on March 20, 2019. We want the Government not to move the amendment about the date. As we saw last week, negotiations arent always completed on time so having an exit date could be unhelpful.

PM suffers humiliating Brexit vote defeat

What this is really about is democracy, one of the fundamental British values. Its one of those things we take for granted until it is challenged. Its about being able to agree to disagree, to debate, to ask questions, to scrutinise, to vote  its what our House of Commons does so well.

I shall continue to hold ministers to account and ask the Government questions. And let me assure you, confident ministers, such as the Prime Minister and David Davis, are quite happy to accept that challenge. Scrutinising this crucial legislation to make it better isnt disloyalty: its what MPs should be doing and what my constituents expect. Its what democracy is about.

Nicky Morgan is the Conservative MP for Loughborough
F or many millennials, our first encounter with contraception was staring down the barrel  so to speak  of a banana or a cucumber, wrestling to fit a condom around it.

In my PSHE class, circa 2003, the unenlightened (male) teacher was so furious that hed been asked to teach us about sex (his usual remit was Latin) that he left us to our own devices. I pocketed the banana and left the condom, unwrapped, on the desk. The sexual revolution this was not.

It all sounds a bit Carry On, not to mention analogue: indeed, millennial women prefer to use an app. This week, a study reports the number of British women using the Natural Cycles app increased from 5,000 last year to 125,000 this year; the apps users tend to be women in their late 20s.

Natural Cycles is essentially the rhythm method, 2.0: the app tracks changes in body temperature and reports when sex will or wont get you pregnant. Crucially, pill-use has dropped.

Meanwhile, unlike a class of wild teens (or my Latin teacher), were not squeamish about talking about it all. On weekends, as after-dinner talk gets looser, girl talk often turns to contraception: patch, pill or app? And while my mum would be horrified, Im not surprised that the app is so popular  my generation is zealous about the quantified self movement.

Whether its breakfast, or a 5k, we input the stats and survey the data. Natural Cycles doesnt feel reckless, but data-led.

Plus, women in their late 20s and early 30s are in an interim zone. Where once contraception was about stopping pregnancy at all costs, now theres an interest in fertility that acknowledges the desire to have children at some point  if not right now. In one group of friends, half of us might be using the app for very different ends.

This time, it definitely feels like a sexual revolution.



Feminism is the word, for this year and more

The present is female: Merriam-Webster has crowned feminism as its word of the year. The prize is based on the words runaway success online  searches for feminism are up 70 per cent on 2016, kicking off in January as women marched across the world to protest a President who thinks nothing of grabbing them indelicately.

There was a reported spike in February when Trump pundit KellyAnne Conway declared she didnt consider herself a feminist, and again as the #MeToo movement galloped around the world. Cultural moments including the haunting Handmaids Tale and Big Little Lies also boosted the stats.

This year has certainly felt like a watershed moment: a year in which women found their voices, and then used them, loudly, to call other women to arms. Moreover, tentatively, theres a solidarity that had been missing before - the sisterhood is taking on its aggressors as a team. Lets make feminism the word of 2018, too.

McHygge needs a wee dram or two

Hygge, the Danish lifestyle trend for all things cosy and snug (also: smug) has a tartan pretender. VisitScotland is pushing cosagach as the hygge of 2018, in the hope that cosiness will line its coffers. With tranquil seascapes, vast open spaces and warm and welcoming pubs, Scotland is perfect for your wellbeing, says VisitScotland.

I grew up in Glasgow, though my abiding memory of Scotlands seascapes and open spaces is being lost during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition on the wettest weekend of the year. Gloss over wilderness and go big on pubs, VisitScotland: a wee dram or three surpasses cosiness  and its far less smug.



Ill stick to Secret Santa, George

George Clooneys friend Rande Gerber has revealed that the Hollywood star once gifted 14 of his closest friends $1 million dollars apiece. Clooney also, reportedly, paid off their taxes for the year.

It makes Santa look like Scrooge; incidentally, imagine hed given it to them in Bitcoin. In mobster style, each friend was presented with a suitcase, stuffed with green.

This weekend, my friends and I will exchange Secret Santa presents.

Weve set a limit of 15, which  if I present it in the smallest denominations  might just about fill a wallet.



Teen spirit will surely ruin Macrons mobile scheme

Macrons mission continues: the countrys education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, announced this week that France will ban mobile phones in schools from September. Blanquer hopes doing so it will stop cyberbullying and encourage outdoor play, rather than les enfants spending break times pawing at touchscreens.

It might  though if my memories of school holidays stand up, French teenagers are wilful by nature. On the beach, while I read Harry Potter, they slouched in the dunes smoking roll-ups and laughing  frankly, probably at me. I imagine theyll treat le Presidents measures with similar nonchalant disrespect. Vive la portable.


P olitical leaders today rallied behind the Evening Standards Christmas Appeal to help feed hungry schoolchildren.

For the Government, Education Secretary Justine Greening said donations would make a real difference to the prospects of needy youngsters.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised the Felix Projects Help A Hungry Child campaign, which readers can support via our appeal. He said he had himself seen how it created healthy meals from food that would have gone to waste, adding: It is so important to encourage community action like this.

Sir Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: I commend the Felix Project for the part they are playing in making sure Londons children are getting a proper meal.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said community action is vital / EPA

The campaign is tackling food poverty, which affects some 70,000 London children. Together with partner charity the Felix Project, we aim to ensure children in schools in deprived areas have access to sufficient food.

Market stalls are being set up in 120 schools giving out healthy, free food, which children can take home to their families and cook for dinner. Ms Greening said: I welcome the work of the Felix Project, which is helping support those families who need it the most, and would encourage everyone to get behind their Help A Hungry Child project. Your donations will make a real difference to the lives of children.

Help a Hungry Child: The Evening Standard campaign with The Felix Project

Ms Greening said her aim was that no child should go hungry. Already, some 1.1 million children get free school meals, and the Government is investing 26 million in breakfast clubs. Mr Corbyn said: Hunger and poverty prevent children from reaching their potential, affecting concentration at school and leading to illness and disease. It cannot be right that in one of the worlds richest countries, four million children live in poverty.

There is clearly enough food to go round; I have seen the vanloads of produce turned into healthy meals by the Felix Project instead of being thrown away. I am delighted to give this campaign my support, as I did last year.

Sir Vince Cable pitching in at the Evening Standard's telethon to raise funds for the Felix Project / NIGEL HOWARD

Sir Vince said: Britain in 2017 should not be a place where children are going to bed hungry. We must end the scandalous situation  tackling this must be a national priority. The first Felix stall in Stanhope primary in Greenford has been a huge success. Children collect produce in paper bags at the end of the day. The food, delivered by Felix Project vans, is donated by supermarkets, wholesalers and other suppliers and would otherwise have gone to waste.

In two years the campaign aims to reach 50,000 children. Every 1 donated will guarantee a primary school pupil and their family food for a nutritious meal. Every 500 will allow a new school to enrol in the programme. The cash raised will also support Felixs partners in London. A star-studded telethon last week helped the appeal smash through the 500,000 barrier.

How to donate to our Christmas appeal:

Call  08000 639281 (freephone)

Text  FELIX 5 TO 70700

Tap  www.standard.co.uk/helpahungrychild

Post  Freepost HELP A HUNGRY CHILD
W elcome to the special Theatre Awards edition of ES Magazine.

I write, a little delicate but happy, after a long and liquid night celebrating another triumphant year for the London stage at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Reflecting through the bleary-eyed prism of the morning after, we could not have chosen a more fitting venue. Drury Lane is not only one of Londons more beautiful theatres, it is reputedly its most haunted. First built on its present site in 1663, the theatres location is also the oldest in continuous use.

Glenda Jackson has not been in continuous theatrical use, it is true, thanks to her lengthy stint on the Labour backbenches  although thanks are hardly due to a career diversion that robbed the stage of one of its greatest performers for a quarter of a century.

Co-hosts of the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Evgeny Lebedev in Gucci, DAME Anna Wintour in custom Margiela, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen

You can no more take politics out of the theatre, as Abraham Lincoln would agree, than remove the theatre from politics. Having Lin-Manuel Miranda co-hosting the awards with Dame Anna Wintour, Cate Blanchett and myself drove this home. Lin-Manuels thrillingly original Broadway smash, Hamilton: An American Musical, uses hip-hop to bring Alexander Hamilton alive to audiences for whom that Founding Father is barely an echo from the turbulent early American political era of the late 18th century.

Like everyone else, I cant wait to see it at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Keira Knightley in Valentino

We are living through a turbulent political era ourselves. At the end of a year marked by divisions, racial and otherwise, one of the evenings highlights for me was the absurdly multitalented Arinze Kene singing A Change is Gonna Come. In dark and gloomy days, we look to the artistic world for light and hope. Arinzes exquisite version of Sam Cookes hauntingly hopeful 1964 civil rights ballad supplied it.

Compere of the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Burberry

The London stage is not immune to controversy as our sensational compere Phoebe Waller-Bridge referenced with a hilarious barrage of oblique and not so oblique jokes. Many a true word is spoken in jest. There, too, as the angelically devilish Phoebe predicted to raucous cheers, change is gonna come.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge stands up for sexual harassment victims in searing Evening Standard Theatre Awards speech

But some things never change. One is the inexhaustible stream of spectacular new talent that flows on to the London stage. We will be seeing much more of Tom Glynn-Carney, who recalled in his speech that a couple of years ago he watched the ceremony from the upper circle as a drama student. Tom deservedly won the Emerging Talent Award for his portrayal of an embryonic IRA rebel in The Ferryman, Jez Butterworths epic, set in rural Armagh in 1981 when the affairs of Northern Ireland were such a political headache for Downing Street. Thank heavens thats a thing of the past.

Winner of the Milton Shulman Award for Best Director SAM MENDES in Prada and presenter of the award HELEN McCRORY in Roksanda

Two other precious constants are the eternal genius of Shakespeare and the timeless brilliance of Glenda Jackson. While you cannot take the politics out of theatre, this politician did take herself out of politics, and returned to the theatre in Deborah Warners production of King Lear on the London stage.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017 highlights

Delighted as I was that Jez and Sam Mendes won for Best Play and Best Director respectively on a glorious night for The Ferryman, and indeed by all of the awards, none gave me purer pleasure than Glenda taking Best Actress for her unforgettably bold gender-busting performance as the crazy, paranoid old ruler raging against the treachery of ingrates.

Winner of Best Actor in partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group ANDREW GARFIELD in Gucci

Unthinkably, this was her very first Evening Standard Theatre Award. In fact, in an acceptance speech confirming brevity to be the soul of wit, she claimed she has never once had a good notice from the newspaper as either actor or MP. Glenda, I hope this goes some way in making up for that, and in healing at least one division that persisted too long.
A ndrew Garfield found himself crying three times during the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

The most awkward moment came just before he won the Best Actor award for his performance as Prior Walter in Tony Kushners Aids-era state-of-the-cosmos drama, Angels in America. There was this wonderful actor who came on and sang A Change is Gonna Come, says Garfield, 34. I was so deep inside my own head, and seeing this man have this Sam Cooke song work its way through him Well, it captured something of what Garfield sees as the essence of performance itself. It all feels like spiritual reaching for me.

We are talking the day after the awards over rooibos tea at Electric House on Portobello Road. The Swedish actor Noomi Rapace happens to be sitting at the table opposite; the pair of them exchange greetings. Garfield is dressed for a hangover, in sweatshirt and jeans. If his conversation is a little floaty, he explains, its because he was up until 5am, partying with assorted thespians at the Theatre Awards after-after-party. I find it pretty overwhelming being in any social situation that involves more than five people, to be honest, he explains. But outside of my closest friends and family, the theatre world is the place where I feel I most belong. Its the most welcoming community that Ive ever experienced.

There is something inherently funny about Garfield, and I mean that in a positive way. More like in a cosmic way. He has this fourth wall-puncturing thing going on that makes everything feel a bit absurd, not least the whole business of us sitting here talking to one another (Why are actors interviewed so much? There are plenty of other people who have more important things to say). Weve had the pleasure once before, last year in Hollywood, when he spent quite a bit of our interview chasing a fly around a rooftop, quoting the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. He is earnest, giggly, not-quite-what-you-expect; his heroes are Mahatma Gandhi and Kendrick Lamar.

With his best Actor Statue at the ES Theatre Awards

Over the course of our conversation his constant self-questioning and acute self-awareness gives the impression that his career is not a series of professional decisions made with agents, producers, artistic directors, lawyers, etc in London, LA and New York, so much as an unfolding existential crisis.

Still. What an existential crisis. It has already taken in an Oscar nomination (Hacksaw Ridge, 2016), a multi-million dollar superhero franchise (The Amazing Spider-Man, 2012-14), a lavishly praised Broadway run (Death of a Salesman, 2012) plus searching, stirring performances in Never Let Me Go (2010), The Social Network (2010), Silence (2016) and most recently Breathe, which opened this years BFI London Film Festival. Plus the recent announcement that the National Theatre production of Angels in America will transfer to New York next year. Baz Bamigboye, one of the judges for this years Evening Standard Theatre Awards, praised Garfield like this: We cant forget his call to arms, just as we cant forget the blazing intelligence and raw emotion Garfield invested in the role. For Garfield, this was both the culmination of his career  and the biggest existential crisis of them all.

Angels in America, subtitled A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, originally premiered in San Francisco in 1991 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993. Garfield got to know the playwright, Kushner, personally in 2012 when he was in Death of a Salesman on Broadway. That production was directed by Mike Nichols, who had also directed the landmark HBO adaptation of Angels in America back in 2002-2003. It so happened that Garfield had worn out the DVD while he was at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in the early 2000s. I watched it over and over with my drama school friends. That and Eddie Murphys Delirious.

Garfield was born in LA to a Jewish-American lampshade salesman and a working-class English mother, but moved back to Surrey when he was three and was educated here, at the (private) City of London Freemens School for boys. He grew up loving hip-hop and skateboarding and remains close to his old school friends. I was raised by parents with a very soulful perspective on the world and an inherent understanding that every human being has inherent worth and value. Thats a very privileged perspective that not everyone is given.

with Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley in Never Let Me Go (Searc/Dna/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

When Kushner phoned him up and asked him if he fancied playing the role of Prior, the opportunity seemed too good to miss  he did have some reservations about playing a gay character as a heterosexual male but says he felt reassured by Kushners endorsement. I read it out loud for a day in Los Angeles with some actor friends and spent the day weeping. I really feel its the best play of the last however many decades, perhaps even the last century. It helped that Marianne Elliott was directing the play (one of the most caring and generous people I know) with a dream cast, too, including Denise Gough, Nathan Lane and Russell Tovey. He considers the National his home theatre, having appeared in a couple of productions there early in his career (Burn/Chatroom / Citizenship and The Overwhelming). Back then, he spent his downtime skating in the Undercroft. I used to be able to kick-flip the Southbank seven steps  but Im far too old now. If I attempted that now it would be broken bones. Besides, there wasnt exactly a lot of downtime during the three-month rehearsal period or the four-month run.

Kushners epic takes in two separate plays, running to seven and three-quarter hours in total, and Prior is supremely challenging to play, both technically (its not easy being magnetically charismatic while also dying in bed) and emotionally (Prior must go to an extremely raw and unsympathetic place before reaching a state of grace). I didnt consider how hard it would be, says Garfield. When I started, it was bliss. But about halfway through, I realised how difficult it was to sustain. Everyones in a spiritual emergency in that play. Even though were playing make-believe, your body doesnt know its not real. I reached burnout halfway through. Halfway through the run, he found himself lying in bed at home until the absolute last moment, unable to face going through it all again. Id be dragged to the theatre kicking and screaming on some occasions. I have a tendency to the dramatic and I have a tendency towards the pathetic. There was a scary dissonance. I had felt, intellectually and viscerally, that this is as good as it gets. So, for that to be worn out of me, I felt guilty and ashamed. Its never going to get better than this and here I am not wanting to do it.

Garfield on stage in Burn, alongside Naomi Bentley

He thinks now that those crisis shows, painful as they were, were the best ones. There was a surrender of self. Thats spiritual practice, as far as I understand it: its the basis of a fast, or a vision quest, or any of this plant medicine stuff thats becoming very popular with people. Ego death. The aim is to get out of the way. This is a common theme with Garfield. I couldnt help but notice that when he collected the award, he referred to the play as a little bit like an acid trip. He also disclosed last year that he had spent a very amusing day with some old friends eating hash brownies at Disneyland. (I really recommend it! he beams.) Drugs he muses. The word has such a stigma. I can only really take substances if its a ritual. I mean, weed, I can smoke because its just nice. But with hallucinogens, I have to do it in a very conscious way in a place where I feel free and safe and can have a freak out if I want to. I want to be able to express my insights.

Acting is not so different. Thats what makes it so beguiling and so addictive. You get to be bigger than what you are. You get to hold more than you. You get this divine dissatisfaction. Naturally, this might not be your experience if youre appearing in car insurance adverts or pantomimes. But Garfield has a particular feeling for spiritual roles. In the film Hacksaw Ridge (his Oscar-nominated role) he played a real-life Seventh-day Adventist who served as an army medic in the Battle of Okinawa. In Martin Scorseses Silence, he played a Portuguese missionary in Japan. And Prior is visited by angels and ghosts until he eventually becomes a prophet. I guess Im doing a dissertation. It calls to me and I call to it. I dont think thats going to change either  I think Im in it for that.

Star turn: Andrew Garfield as Prior Walter with Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Belize in Angels in America / Helen Maybanks

He is exquisitely sensitive of the debate that surrounded his taking on the role as a heterosexual actor. I suggest to Garfield that it would be nice to think that anyone should be able to play anyone. I agree, he says, but it might be naive of us: I mean youre a white, heterosexual male, are you not? Whats being revealed to me is that now is a moment for listening rather than talking. He feels the shame of our shared English imperial past on a deep level and starts to talk about Les Blancs, Lorraine Hansberrys colonial drama, which was revived at the National Theatre last year. Danny Sapani was the anchor of this piece, this powerhouse of a black British actor, dignity personified. Its all about white colonialism and how Africa has been deeply wounded by us. Afterwards, I said to Danny: I know this is really weird and pretentious, but humour me. I have this impulse to kneel in front of you and kiss your feet and say Im sorry. Can I just do that, as a ritual? What did Danny Sapani say? He was like: Yeah, do it. He laughs. It wasnt bulls***. It was a sincere impulse. Thats theatre. If the work is deep enough and the writer has transformed themselves through the writing, then theyve got medicine for you to make your own transformation.

You can see why he might want a few months off. The leaves have started to fall. This is the time to hibernate and be fallow and in that reflective pose. He recently bought his first home not far from Hampstead Heath and has been doing a little windswept wandering in between his promotional duties for Breathe alongside Claire Foy. Shes one of the best actors Ive worked with. Its so wonderful when someone gets recognition and external validation when theyre able to deal with it.

Lights, camera, action: Garfield with Claire Foy in this years Breathe / REX/Shutterstock

He will spend the early part of next year performing Angels on Broadway (Theres still this part of me that says, You have no business doing this. You have no right). And after that? Hes not entirely sure. It will be different, though. I know that. I feel like Im in the embryonic phase of a new cycle. Ive been single-minded for the last 12 years or so. And last night was sort of the culmination. Its time to think about other things now.

For all his earnest questing, it has clearly taken a steely determination to get where he is today. It took ambition, yes. I have been incredibly ambitious. But my ambition will now go towards something else. I think it might go towards how to live rather than how to work. If you know what I mean. Im not sure I do: does he mean hed like to find romance? Ah, but he shuts that down fairly rapidly. (I have no interest in talking about that in public.) I realise, too, that I havent asked him about Spider-Man.

Soldier on: Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge / Creek/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Oh thats great, he says. I think the less airtime Spider-Man gets, the better. For everyone involved. Its so interesting how that always has to come up. He does, however, lend a kind word to his former girlfriend, Emma Stone, who won the Best Actress Oscar for La La Land earlier this year. It was beautiful to see someone you love being acknowledged like that. I was so pleased for her.

But no, it seems he means something a bit like Priors last lines in the play: The great work begins.

Theres been a need in me to reach a certain place. A real drive. And it exhausted me. I feel like Ive exhausted this version of myself. Now I want to smell the roses.
T he name of Richard Davies rum brand, Neptune, came to him in a dream.

I woke at 3am in the throes of kicking around brand names, and frantically began googling, finding associations between the Roman god of the sea and rum, including videos of guys pouring it overboard as appeasement. I was amazed such an obvious name for a rum hadnt been used. The glow of his phone having disturbed his wife, Davies spent the remainder of the night in the spare room.

A massive believer in destiny, the horse breeder and former hot air balloon pilot approached fourth-generation rum master, Richard Seale, of Barbados distillery Foursquare. Foursquare is a flag bearer for total honesty to the extent Seale has been known to carry sugar-testing kits to dip-test other peoples rums for purity.

Every three months, Neptune releases 2,500 Italian flint glass bottles of bourbon barrel-matured, Christmas cake-scented organic rum, using beautifully soft British spring water from an undisclosed source to gently tame it from 63 per cent to 40 per cent. Fortunately, capacity may be increased when the rum explosion Davies anticipates occurs. Compared to gin, which is basically boring, flavoured vodka derived from a base chemical, rum is very honest. Theres romance in distilling in a loving way, something from, lets face it, squashed sugar cane.

Douglas Blyde

Although a young business, Neptune, pitched against 6,000 bottles from other brands, took gold in Hong Kongs China Wine & Spirits Awards and silver at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition since launching early this year.

I peer at the back label. Disregard the god of the oceans at your peril, it reads. If you do get wave-tossed and thrown on shore, may a bottle Neptune be washed up beside you!

(29.99, masterofmalt.com)
T heres an apocryphal scene in Ink where budding photographer Beverley Goodway meets his potential boss, editor Larry Lamb (played by Richard Coyle), in a greasy spoon cafe.

Beverley turned out to be a bloke  not the girl Lamb had been expecting  and his previous experience was confined to photographing bodies in a morgue.

Lamb was desperately hiring staff for a new newspaper, one that he had to produce a first edition of within days. Goodway, a shy young man, asks what kind of pictures he would be taking, and Lamb replies: Women.

Not f***ing naked: Jesus he continues. Just like bras and pants and stuff, the usual. Tasteful. We might be planning to slaughter a great many sacred cows but no ones going to go that far. This is f***ing England, after all.

Janet Street Porter with her PA Ginny Allport

A year later, the stunningly successful soaraway Sun launched Page 3 girls and nipples at breakfast. Rupert Murdochs attack on what he saw as a prudish and patronising British establishment was complete. My career in Fleet Street started at the same time as that of Murdoch, on a lowly rung on the ladder as a fashion writer and columnist on the Daily Mail. Those early years in Fleet Street were a tough learning curve, with blokes setting the agenda and hard-boiled womens editors (like The Suns Joyce Hopkirk) fighting for more space for female-orientated stories, while at the same time encountering rampant sexism in the office. By the time I came to edit The Independent on Sunday in 1999, things were very different, but back in the 1960s it was the Stone Age for equal rights. Women were window dressing and provided frothy content.

In Ink, the office secretary, Diana, writes the horoscopes, while Hopkirk is determined to drag the men into the 20th century, telling them that as much as were happy to run the usual rubbish about recipes and clothes, we also want to talk about sex. Because, and I really dont want to unsettle anyone or anything, but, well, women masturbate. She then adds: Fact is, theres a difference between plastering pretty girls all over your rag as a sex object and recognising that women objectively enjoy sex. Her editor, Lamb, agrees but asks if sex could be described (just for now, as he put it) as love.

Drinks on us: Janet Street-Porter with 1970s madam Cynthia Payne in 1981 / Alan Davidson

Did the birth of the tabloid Sun in 1969 signal the start of the decline of the British media? The Sun was certainly a game-changer and Fleet Street has never been the same. Ink brilliantly captures the moment when a mouthy upstart from Australia  Bertie Carvel plays Murdoch  decided to take on the establishment that ran the British newspaper industry, and in the process, transformed our culture in a way that some still find offensive. In 1969, Murdoch bought the ailing Sun from the owners of the Mirror Group for just 800,000 (about a pound a reader) and launched it in direct competition with the Daily Mirror, even copying the colours of the masthead. The Sun was brash and frequently outrageous, with sport and real people the stars. Murdoch claimed that The Sun told the stories ordinary folk wanted to read, not what the bosses thought they should. This viewpoint placed him at war with rivals like the Daily Express and the Daily Mail from the outset and by the time The Sun printed pictures of topless women (using their first anniversary as an excuse) a year later, he was considered the enemy by Middle England, most MPs and feminists. This febrile atmosphere of the new era kicking The Establishment up the arse formed the background to my budding career as a young, ambitious journalist.

Shirley Conran was womens editor of the Daily Mail and gave me a job as deputy fashion editor in March 1969. Id left architectural college just 18 months before and had been working on a teenage magazine. I was not conventional Fleet Street material. My normal work wear consisted of knitted shorts topped off with a green fur jacket and knee-high emerald green suede boots with red platforms. I reported for work at the Mails offices off Fleet Street to discover that Shirley was working from home  she never returned to the building. The fashion editor, Sandy Fawkes, former wife of Wally Fawkes, the jazz musician and cartoonist, taught me how to survive in this male-dominated world where the men laying out the news pages wore white nylon shirts with horrible vests underneath. Ink brought back so many memories of the sheer maleness of those Fleet Street offices, where the day was divided into a regular routine and most of the women were either secretaries or simperers, with the odd battleaxe who dared to challenge the male supremacy.

Press gang: a scene from Ink

It also accurately shows how Murdoch realised that readers wanted to be entertained, didnt care whether the horoscope was true or not, and loved reading about someone elses problems. Hence the rise of agony aunts, which allowed newspapers to talk in detail about sex and relationships under the guise of help. The Sun used readers (or human interest stories) to connect with their readers. As Murdoch says in Ink: Get the readers to become the storytellers: call in with the news, their own lives, let them bring it to us rather than us chasing them. The change affected all the other papers. The letters pages were extended, every paper had horoscopes and personal stories. Famous people told their stories, their triumphs and their tragedies. Broadsheet newspapers were costly to produce and people wanted newspapers that were a convenient size for travelling to work.

Unlike today, the newspaper offices were literally next door to each other, with the composing rooms in the building. Giant lorries would trundle in, delivering rolls of newsprint to the presses each morning. And the drinking was legendary. Ink shows how the pub was where people got hired, fired and ratted on their colleagues. I often popped in to El Vino on Fleet Street at 1pm, where women were banned from buying their own drinks. I sat in the back room sipping champagne with Sandy Fawkes, Philip Hope-Wallace, The Guardians opera critic, and Derek Marks, editor of the Daily Express. Mid-afternoon emergencies were discussed over a beer, and on Fridays wed file our copy and head to Soho for lunch at Wheelers, followed by hours of boozing with Francis Bacon in the Colony Room, then an early evening glass of wine in the French House on Dean Street. If I were still standing, Id visit Gerrys drinking club where Jeffrey Bernard would be holding court.

Boardroom blitz: Janet Street-Porter at the Daily Express in 1979;

After two years on the Mail and another two on the Evening Standard, I decided my liver could take no more. I did a deal with The Observer to write features for its colour magazine and my photographer husband and I went to live in California for a year, sending stories home. When I left the Evening Standard, the men in the composing room banged me out with the metal plates, just like the scene in Ink.

Post-Sun, weve seen the rise of reality television and fake news. Murdoch turned our polite media world on its head. Carvel gives a mesmeric performance as the edgy, driven outsider, who took a massive gamble and  against all the odds  succeeded. Britains print media would never be the same again.
F iona Boyd-Armstrong and her husband David opened Northern Irelands first craft distillery at Rademon Estate in Co Down, where they produce the award-winning Shortcross Gin as well as offering tours.

Here Fiona, pictured below with David, shares her tips for finding the best of Northern Ireland's fantastic food and drink.

Where are some of your favourite places to eat in Northern Ireland?

I live and work in Crossgar, a small village in Co Down. Within five miles of our home and distillery, were lucky to have Balloo House and the Bull & Ram. Theyre both just fabulous, warm and cosy.

What do you think are some of the best foods produced in Northern Ireland today?

We have so many, but my current favourites have to be the ingenious Mash Direct, Broughgammon goat, and Wee Cows, Big Beef. I also love Passion Preserved Sunchoke Relish  its so moreish, you will almost want to lick the jar.

Whats your favourite pub or bar  and your go-to drink?

I love the Harp Bar in Belfast for its live music and great banter, or dressing up and going to Berts Jazz Bar, above, for killer cocktails.

Obviously, I do love my gin, so my go-to drink has to be my Shortcross Gin with elderflower tonic  its perfect every time. For country pubs, I really love The Bushmills Inn in Co Antrim, and also The Smugglers Table, in Killyleagh, Co Down. It does amazing food. Its quite a little unknown spot  I think the locals arent really telling people about it!

Do you have a favourite place for brunch?

When I have the time, I love long, leisurely brunches. My favourite spots are Brunels in Newcastle, Co Down, and Hadskis in Belfast.

If you could only eat one meal in Northern Ireland, what would it be?

This is such a hard question, as I am such a foodie. I would start off with Walter Ewings smoked salmon, left  its beautiful, it just melts in your mouth. Then for the main course I would have Peter Hannans Himalayan salt-aged beef, and dessert would have to be cheese by Mikes Fancy Cheese Co.

In your opinion, what is a quintessential dish from Northern Ireland?

I think a full cooked breakfast, better known as an Ulster Fry, with soda and potato bread. You also have to try fifteens (a traybake), Tayto cheese and onion crisps and good old champ (mashed potato with spring onion).

Which chefs do you most admire?

I think what Danni Barry, above, is doing is amazing, and I cant wait to try her new restaurant, Clenaghans, in Aghalee, Co Antrim. She used to work in Deanes Eipic, Belfast and is Northern Irelands only female Michelin-starred chef. We have so many great chefs who all champion locally sourced food, including Niall McKenna and Michael Deane.

For more, visit ireland.com/northernireland
A family will enjoy a first Christmas at home with its youngest member after he spent last festive season in intensive care.

Noah Maguire was born in October last year with oesophageal atresia, a birth defect which prevents food from reaching the stomach, because of a gap in the oesophagus.

The condition affects about one in every 3,000 newborns, and Noah had a rare form where the gap between the oesophagus and stomach is too long to be connected by standard surgery.

For his first four weeks Noah was fed by a tube into his stomach so that he could grow enough to undergo the more complicated operation required.

Professor Mark Davenport, a specialist in newborn surgery, then used a segment of Noahs small intestine to connect his stomach and throat at Kings College Hospital in Denmark Hill.

Family Christmas: Noah and elder brother Luke with parents Tony and Jane Maguire

The surgery was an alternative to moving the stomach up to meet the oesophagus, which would have been more straightforward but can cause discomfort in later life.

After the operation Noah was too unwell to return home, so his parents, Tony and Jane Maguire, and elder brother Luke, then three, spent 12 and a half weeks at Ronald McDonald House in Camberwell.

The charity  which has 14 Houses in the UK including four in London  provides parents of children in hospital with free accommodation nearby.

Mr Maguire, 33, described Professor Davenport, his surgical team and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Kings as world class.

But he added: Every hour in the hospital feels like a day, so much happens every minute, its draining.

We really cant thank the Ronald McDonald House enough; they went out of their way to make everything easier. Luke called the Ronald McDonald House our little house in London, even though it had 24 bedrooms.

This year the family will be at home in Thurrock.

Although Noah has recovered well, he faces ongoing problems because the area of intestine that connects his stomach and throat does not contract as a normal oesophagus would.

Since going home he has visited hospital four times for small procedures to widen the new oesophagus, but his family said he is thriving.

Mr Maguire explained that because Noah has difficulty swallowing Christmas dinner will be blended to within an inch of its life, so that he can have a little bit.

He added: Just to look at him now and not have all the tubes and wires is incredible Its not until you experience something like this, where you all want to be together but cant, that you understand Christmas.
L ondoners can build a new and better way of life from the Grenfell tragedy, the national memorial service at St Pauls Cathedral was told today.

The Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Dr Graham Tomlin, appealed to millions of people to reach out so Grenfell is not just a symbol of sorrow, grief or injustice for decades to come but also a turning point when London learnt to listen and love.

More than 1,500 people attended todays service, around half of who were bereaved families and survivors, with hundreds more from the wider community, emergency services and volunteers.

It was being held to remember those who died, to show solidarity with the bereaved and survivors, and to thank the emergency services, the recovery teams, community response, public support, and volunteers.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive for the service

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan were among the dignitaries.

Grenfell Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral - In pictures 1 /46 Grenfell Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral - In pictures The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service held at St Paul's Cathedral Getty Images Mourners leave after attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral AFP/Getty Images Adele teary eyed and emotional sitting next to Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan during the the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral BBC Maria Jafari bereaved daughter, speaking at Grenfell Tower memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral BBC Mourners hold white roses at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral BBC rince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA A banner at Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Guests arriving at Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott arriving Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA A woman appears emotional as she leaves the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn People gather on the steps after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn The Duchess of Cambridge leaves St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire REUTERS Adele leaves St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Alan Davidson/SilverHub The Duke and Duchess (left) of Cambridge and Prince Harry (2nd left) attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Theresa May arriving at Grenfell Tower Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the Grenfell public inquiry arrives at Grenfell Tower Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Former footballer Les Ferdinand arrives PA Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry (behind) attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA The Duchess of Cambridge arrives Jeremy Selwyn Armed policewoman at Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn People arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire PA Guests arriving at Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Reuters Mourners arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Reuters Grenfell survivors and bereaved familly members attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service held at St Paul's Cathedral Getty Images Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Mourners arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire Reuters Jeremy Corbyn with a mourner at the Grenfell Tower Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral Jeremy Selwyn Members of the public gather outside St Paul's Cathedral ahead of the Grenfell Tower national memorial service Getty Images

Prime Minister Theresa May arrived for the service and entered St Paul's through a side door.

Theresa May arriving this morning for the service at St Paul's to remember the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy / Jeremy Selwyn

In a powerful and moving address to a packed St Pauls, Dr Tomlin said: My hope, my prayer is that today we will pledge ourselves to change  from a city where we didnt listen, where we didnt hear the cries of our neighbours because we were too wrapped up in our own interests and prosperity, to create a new type of life together, where we are turned not inwards to ourselves, but outwards towards each other...

Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott arriving the memorial / Jeremy Selwyn

In years to come, our hope is that the name of Grenfell will not just be known as a symbol of sorrow, grief or injustice, but a symbol of the time we learnt a new and better way - to listen and to love.

The truth behind how such an inferno could happen in one of the richest capitals on earth will emerge from the public inquiry into the scandal, he hoped, with the findings bringing justice to open the door to true reconciliation to heal divides now so clearly exposed in the city.

A group of firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service / PA

He added: Today we remember with sorrow, grief, tears. And we pledge that those we have lost will not be forgotten...

Nothing can remove the memory of that night.

Firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service / Jeremy Selwyn

Yet my hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future, a vision of a city where we lose our self-obsession and listen and learn from places and people that we wouldnt normally think of reaching out to.

Six months ago, fire ripped through the 24-storey tower block in North Kensington, claiming 71 lives.

Monument of tragedy: The charred shell of Grenfell Tower today

The buildings charred remains still stand as a stark reminder on the London landscape of the horror of that night and of the social divisions in the capital, with its huge wealth cheek-by-jowl with deprived communities.

A close-up of the Grenfell Tower today / Jeremy Selwyn

Karim Mussilhy, whose uncle Hesham Rahman, 57, died after fire engulfed his flat on the 20th floor, said: It is time to unite and pull together and that is exactly what we are all doing.

We are channelling the frustration and anger into improving things.

The service is the first time all the families have been together. Its all very moving and brings it all back. Of course we want justice but today is a time to focus on the positives.

Ben Gabbitas lost close friend Sheila in the fire.

The 48-year-old said healing would take a long time and that the service and people's faith is an important part of what's getting them through.

Mr Gabbitas said he had been immediately struck by the way the tragedy touched the nation, praising the almost immediate spontaneous, visceral response of people wishing to help.

He said: Another unifying force was the presence of the sovereign, which seemed almost immediate again in terms of they hardly needed to be consulted.

I think the nation at that point appreciated her being present, and particularly William and Harry, and I think that was a unifying force of which there were no politicians who managed that.

Maria Jafari bereaved daughter, speaking at Grenfell Tower memorial service / BBC

The royals' numerous visits to the community since the fire formed a thread which has led to their presence at the service, he said, adding: That is wonderful that there is recognition at that level, and as I said it was one of the only unifying forces and at these times I guess we are more thankful we have a royal family and its place within our society.

Samia Badani, one of the leaders of the community aid team Angels for Grenfell, added: I was dreading waking up today with all the terrible memories. But out of adversity the community had been strong.

We all feel a bit guilty and not having been able to help the victims as fire tore through the building. Now we must do something positive while putting pressure on their authorities to accept their responsibilities.

The St Pauls service was being screened at the Notting Hill Methodist Church which has been a focus for the community in their mourning.

It included a specially-commissioned banner incorporating the Grenfell Heart on display and music by the Ebony Steel Band, the Portobello Road Salvation Army Band, an Islamic girls choir from the Al Sadiq and Al Zahra Schools, and the St Pauls Cathedral Choir.

A pre-recorded sound montage of feelings and views from people from the Grenfell community was played.

Clarrie Mendy, whose cousin Mary Mendy and her daughter Khadija died in the fire, helped shape the multi-faith service.

She said she had asked for the event to be held at St Paul's Cathedral, exactly six months after the fire, and that she hoped the names of the 53 adults and 18 children who died would be read out as a mark of respect and recognition.

Bereaved family members at today's service (Gareth Fuller/PA ) / Gareth Fuller/PA

I hope there's words that will just echo and resonate, and say, 'yes, there is empathy, there is humanity, there is hope for the world', because I think this service is the platform that can really start to change humanity depending on the right words and - it's a church, people of God - how they convey the message to mankind."

I hope I'm just not hoping for too much, but I am expecting a lot from this service, especially words of healing, and of truth.

Following the service this morning, bereaved families and survivors were due to leave the cathedral together in silence, holding white roses.

Jeremy Selwyn

Dr Tomlin stressed that far too many Grenfell survivors were still living in hotels and in a kind of limbo, with just over 40 families in permanent new homes as Christmas approaches.

He also told how out of the unimaginable tragedy, the city saw something extraordinary with the flood of offers of help, including from a six-year-old boy, Alfie Lindsey, who turned up with his father with his pocket money tin, with around 60, that he wanted to donate to one of the Grenfell families.

Bereaved family members at today's service (Gareth Fuller/PA ) / Gareth Fuller/PA

The bishop also highlighted that there are still so many unresolved issues and questions, which the public inquiry, chaired by retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick, and a huge police investigation are seeking to answer.

Mayor Mr Khan said: Survivors are still grieving and traumatised, many will still be homeless this Christmas, and the community remains frustrated and angry  and justifiably so.

I share their anger and will continue to fight to ensure that they get justice as quickly as possible.

There were emotional scenes at St Paul's today / AFP/Getty Images

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington & Chelsea council, was not present at the service after some families said they did not want the town hall to attend in an official capacity.

She said: It is only right that we respect the wishes of those involved in the service.

We hope to rebuild trust, but we understand that we have a long way to go.

The council instead marked the occasion with a minutes silence at 11am at the town hall in High Street Kensington.

Hundreds of police officers have been involved in the widespread probe into the Grenfell fire, including into the towers renovation with cladding, and it has already taken more than 1,000 statements and seized in excess of 2,500 exhibits.
A teenager from London drowned at a Scottish beauty spot as he tried to rescue a friend from strong currents around a waterfall, an inquest heard.

Ali Ahmed, 19, who was on his first holiday with friends, leapt in to save his struggling friend but was dragged under the water himself.

He and the group had been warned about the currents when they arrived at the Falls of Bruar, near Blair Atholl in Perthshire.

One of the group, 19-year-old Zein Shivli Khalifa, told Poplar coroners court they had been told about three-metre-deep waters in a cave at the waterfall before they got in to swim.

Mr Khalifa and Mr Ahmed went in the water first before getting out and urging a friend to jump in too. As soon as he jumped, he went under, said Mr Khalifa. He swam back up and as soon as he swam up he realised the current was pushing him towards the cave and he started panicking.

Mr Khalifa and Mr Ahmed both went after their friend and pulled him to safety, but Mr Ahmed, a fast food worker from East Ham, was sucked into the cave by the current.

Mr Khalifa told the inquest: I was trying to swim out and our friends said, whats happened, wheres Ali?  Ali thought both of us were drowning so he was trying to help us and I think the current pushed him into the cave or something.

This is the point [at which] they were shouting, Ali is drowning.

Mr Khalifa said he tried to pull Mr Ahmed out but he was unresponsive. I went inside trying to help him, I grabbed on to him but he was not saying anything, he said.

Emergency services also tried to save Mr Ahmed but decided it was too dangerous to go after him. Divers recovered his body the next day.

Ruling the death on July 13 an accident, Coroner Mary Hassell said: All of the evidence points in the direction Ali was out swimming with his friends, having a good time, and was pulled underwater by a current.

In spite of very strenuous efforts of his friends to save him, which were very nearly successful, he succumbed to the cold and fatigue of swimming against the current and he was drowned as a consequence.

She added that Mr Khalifa was terribly brave for going after [his] friend. Mr Khalifa, who met Mr Ahmed in primary school, told Tuesdays inquest he was a good friend who spent a lot of time caring for his mother.

He said he was a very curious person generally in life and added: His personality was about making sure if he was going to buy food and his friend didnt have money, he would rather his friend eat than he eat.
M embers of the Royal Family and the prime minister will join families of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire later today for a memorial at St Paul's Cathedral six months on from the disaster.

About 1,500 people are invited to the service, including the bereaved, survivors and many of the emergency workers who scaled the tower and helped saved peoples' lives.

Joining them are the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The service, beginning at 11am, will remember the 71 people who died in the 14 June fire.

The memorial will take place later today at St Paul's Cathedral / PA Wire/PA Images

A bereaved relative said the service will be an opportunity for "words of healing and truth."

Clarrie Mendy, whose cousin Mary Mendy and her daughter Khadija died in the fire, has been helping shape the multi-faith service, which will focus on remembering the 71 victims of the June 14 tower block blaze.

She said she had asked for the event to be held at St Paul's Cathedral, exactly six months after the fire, and that she hoped the names of the 53 adults and 18 children who died would be read out as a mark of respect and recognition.

Ms Mendy told the Press Association: "I think a lot of people are anticipating and looking forward to this service at St Paul's. I know there's a lot of expectations. I know there's a lot of diversity from your normal tradition.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will attend the service / Getty Images

"I just hope this service resonates with people, with the hunger people have spiritually.

"A lot of people, right now there's no trust in the Government, a lot of people have more faith and trust in their religion."

She went on: "I just hope it measures up to everybody's expectations and people will ... a lot of family will find healing from the messages, the sermons, and I hope it's soul-enriching.

"I hope there's words that will just echo and resonate, and say, 'yes, there is empathy, there is humanity, there is hope for the world', because I think this service is the platform that can really start to change humanity depending on the right words and - it's a church, people of god - how they convey the message to mankind.

"I hope I'm just not hoping for too much, but I am expecting a lot from this service, especially words of healing, and of truth."

More than 1,500 people are thought to be attending - around half of which are bereaved families and survivors while the other half includes members of the wider community, volunteers and first responders.

The multi-faith service will include messages of support for the bereaved, offering strength and hope for the future "for those of all faiths and none".

A banner with the Grenfell Heart will be displayed in the domed building, while the Ebony Steel Band, the Portobello Road Salvation Army Band, an Islamic girls' choir from the Al Sadiq and Al Zahra Schools, and the St Paul's Cathedral Choir will perform.

A pre-recorded sound montage of anonymous voices from the Grenfell community will also be played.

Following the service, at 11am on Thursday, bereaved families and survivors will leave the cathedral together in silence, holding white roses.

Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid are some of the politicians who will be attending the memorial.

Also present will be the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Ben Gabbitas, whose close friend and confidante Sheila died in the fire, hailed the royals' presence as a constant strand of support through the uncertainty of the past six months.

The 48-year-old said healing would take a long time and that "the service and people's faith is an important part of what's getting them through".

Mr Gabbitas said he had been immediately struck by the way the tragedy touched the nation, praising the "almost immediate spontaneous, visceral response of people wishing to help".

He said: "Another unifying force was the presence of the sovereign, which seemed almost immediate again in terms of they hardly needed to be consulted.

"I think the nation at that point appreciated her being present, and particularly William and Harry, and I think that was a unifying force of which there were no politicians who managed that."

The royals' numerous visits to the community since the fire formed a thread which has led to their presence at the service, he said, adding: "That is wonderful that there is recognition at that level, and as I said it was one of the only unifying forces and at these times I guess we are more thankful we have a royal family and its place within our society."

RBKC leader Elizabeth Campbell will not be present after some families said they did not want the council to attend in an official capacity.

She said: "It is only right that we respect the wishes of those involved in the service.

"It is being held for the people who lost everything on that terrible night six months ago, and it is in memory of those who tragically lost their lives.

"I want them to know that we will be thinking of them. We hope to rebuild trust, but we understand that we have a long way to go."

The council will instead mark the occasion with a minute's silence at 11am at the town hall in High Street Kensington.
O ne of Britains leading historians today urged Londoners to seek out the capitals hidden architectural gems.

Bettany Hughes, who is presenting a series of films on antiquity for the BBC, highlighted a manor house in Ealing, an arts venue in Soho and a Roman temple under a city office block as places with fascinating but little-known stories.

She said: Im a Londoner, I love London, and I spend time walking around here just looking at all the buildings.

The Temple of Mithras below the Bloomberg building is incredible. It is this 1,700-year-old temple preserved underneath one of the largest financial buildings in the city. I love the juxtaposition of what you can get in London.

Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing has been hailed a hidden gem

Another must-visit is Pitzhanger Manor House. It is a beautiful building, designed by Sir John Soane. He used to walk out there two times a week, and J M W Turner went there to fish and to do sketches.

She praised the House of St Barnabas in Soho, saying: I launched my Helen of Troy book there, appropriately, as it was in the 19th century a house for waifs and strays of the turbid sea of humanity, including fallen women.

Now it is not only an exquisite architectural gem but home to an amazing charity that helps bring people, including the homeless, back into employment.

Soho's House of St Barnabas Room has been praised / Alamy Stock Photo

Other sites include Chandos Mausoleum, at St Lawrences Church near Canons Park Tube station in the borough of Harrow. The Grade I listed structure, with a stunning baroque interior, was built in 1735.

Leighton House, a fantasy home in Holland Park that belonged to Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, is where the historian goes to sit and think. St Mary Magdalene church in Paddington, designed by Victorian architect G E Street, is singled out for its neo-Gothic architecture.

Hughes is vice-president of the National Churches Trust, a charity dedicated to maintaining church buildings of historic, architectural and community value.

This week she joined figures including Michael Palin, Huw Edwards, Bill Bryson and Prince Nicholas von Preussen of Prussia at a carol service at St Giles-in-the-Fields in Denmark Street in aid of the trust.

She said churches were works of art in themselves, adding: Churches represent the lives, customs and ambitions, the hopes and fears of centuries worth of men and women. They are time capsules. But they also give us the chance to get the community together.

Her new film on Bacchus, examining excess and ecstasy, is being filmed in Cyprus and will air in 2018. Her show Venus Uncovered, produced by SandStone Global, is out on BBC iPlayer.
T en London boroughs will be able to get 50,000 grants from City Hall to create their own creative quarters after a successful pilot scheme in Tottenham.

The creative enterprise zones will offer affordable workspaces and business rate relief to artists and new businesses with the intention of boosting jobs and the local economy.

A test project in Tottenham, north London saw creative industries growing by 127 per cent in the past five years, according to City Hall.

Mayor Sadiq Khan, said: Our creative industries make a huge contribution to Londons reputation as an open, creative and diverse city and this success is largely thanks to our wealth of creative talent.

We cannot afford to lose our artists and creative businesses - they power our economy and bring people together across communities. Too often artists and small businesses find themselves priced out of the very city they help bring to life.

Creative enterprise zones are a bold new initiative for London and will help to secure our future as a cultural capital.

Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons, said: The creative workforce is our biggest asset in London but it is under more pressure than ever. Pay is low, intellectual property is under threat and its hard to break in. Londons creative community is often the advance party, setting up studios in disused warehouses and venues in railway arches  breathing life into unloved neighbourhoods and increasing land values along the way.

But this model is no longer sustainable - the cheap space is running out and creative communities are pushed out by impossible prices. The real trick is to build balanced neighbourhoods, with creative talent in the mix long-term. Creative Enterprise Zones will do just that.
O ne of the Tory rebels who helped inflict the embarrassing defeat on Theresa May said the backbench revolt was avoidable.

Stephen Hammond said there was dismay on both sides that the situation ended as it did, with 11 Tories rebelling in the Prime Ministers first significant Commons defeat.

The Wimbledon MP was sacked as Conservative vice-chairman after backing the rebel amendment calling for Parliament to be guaranteed a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal.

I think, frankly, last night was avoidable and there is dismay on all sides that it got where it did, Mr Hammond told BBC Radio 4s Today.

Facing a revolt: Theresa May / AFP/Getty Images

Defending the amendment, he said: During the campaign last year I thought one of the key tenets of the campaign was that Parliament had sovereignty what we did last night was to ensure that  not giving great new powers to ministers, not saying that Parliament cant have a say, but saying that Parliament can have a say.

He added: Nothing that happened yesterday stops Brexit, nothing that happened yesterday actually undermines the Prime Minister.

PM suffers humiliating Brexit vote defeat

It emerged that tempers frayed between Tory rebels and Government loyalists in the aftermath of the vote.Former minister Andrew Percy said there were words after a band of Tory rebels gathered for a celebratory drink in a tearoom at Parliament.

Mr Percy said: I told them to pipe down because theres people sitting there having a quiet drink and they are all cheering and clapping and I dont think that was appropriate.

I dont think them swilling a lot of booze  because they were quite merry  is an appropriate thing.

However, Anna Soubry, one of the rebel MPs, denied claims published online that they had been quaffing champagne, saying: Nobody drank champagne, not on these benches.

Tensions spilled over into this morning when Conservative MPs pointedly stood up and left their table when a leading Tory Remainer arrived to have breakfast.


T heresa May was today warned she faces a second and much bigger defeat next week when MPs vote on her attempt to fix the Brexit date in law.

It left Downing Street in a dilemma over whether to back down or risk being humiliated on an amendment the Prime Minister personally introduced in a blaze of publicity a month ago.

There were signs of recriminations between No 10 and party whips last night after the Government suffered its first Commons defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Eleven Conservatives backed a cross-party amendment giving Parliament control over the exit terms next year.

Theresa May: The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels today / PA

A last-moment minor concession failed to buy off the rebels, leading to accusations from some MPs that No 10 miscalculated by leaving the olive branch too late.

Others said it was the fault of the whips for underestimating the number of rebels.

Mrs May was hoping tensions would ease after a summit in Brussels, starting this afternoon, which is due to sign off the deal she struck last week paving the way for a vital two-year transition period plus opening trade talks.

The votes being tallied in the Commons last night - as Theresa May was handed a humiliating defeat on Brexit

Government sources told the Standard that the rebels will not have the whip suspended but are likely to be rebuked by Chief Whip Julian Smith.

The leader of last nights revolt, former attorney general Dominic Grieve, told the Standard he had no regrets: I am sorry that I had to rebel but it was necessary because Clause 9 was wholly unsatisfactory and would have undermined Parliaments role in Brexit.

His ally, former business minister Anna Soubry, said the Government would be wise to withdraw next weeks amendment on fixing the date: If it is put to a vote I would expect the Government to have even more difficulty than they had last night.

PM suffers humiliating Brexit vote defeat

MPs expressed incredulity that talks between ministers and the rebels were suddenly called off last week, which implied either No 10 or Mr Smith misjudged the mood.

Mrs May herself unveiled the amendment to fix the Brexit date as March 29, 2019. A No 10 source said: There is no change in the Government position regarding that amendment.

But a senior rebel said some of the Tory MPs who abstained last night were planning to join the rebels if the amendment went ahead, adding: They are facing a much bigger vote than the one last night.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt played down the defeat, saying it would not derail the Brexit process.

I dont think it should be a surprise that in a hung Parliament, Parliament wants to reassert its right to scrutinise the process, he told Radio 4s Today programme.

He paid tribute to Mrs May for getting a fantastic agreement from Brussels.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for a Christmas truce over Brexit. Justin Welby called for a ceasefire on the use of insults, personalised attacks and pejorative terms.

His intervention came after Tory MP Nadine Dorries accused rebel colleague Dominic Grieve of treachery and said rebels should be deselected.
E uropean leaders have given the go-ahead for the second round of Brexit negotiations to begin.

EU chief Donald Tusk announced on Friday that the next round of negotiations will start after "sufficient progress" had been made - in a tweet where he personally congratulated PM Theresa May.

It comes after Theresa May was applauded by fellow leaders in Brussels on Thursday, where she stressed her desire to get on with shaping a deep and special future partnership.

Mrs May reassured EU leaders that she is still on course to deliver Brexit despite suffering her first Commons loss on Wednesday.

But the leaders of the 27 remaining member states are set to approve guidelines which would set a slow timetable for talks on trade.

Follow our live coverage of Friday's events here:
M Ps were today celebrating 'taking back control of Brexit' after Theresa May was dealt a humiliating House of Commons defeat in a key vote on the withdrawal process.

The Prime Minister is to travel to a critical European Union summit later today with her authority diminished after 11 Tory rebels defeated the Government to ensure a "meaningful vote" on the final terms of Britain's withdrawal deal.

MPs today proclaimed Parliament had "taken back control" of the Brexit process in a significant blow to Mrs May.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the result: "Victory for democracy in Parliament tonight. Londoners & Brits across the country voted against an extreme Tory hard Brexit - the government must now listen," he wrote online.

Follow the latest developments on Brexit LIVE here

MP Nicky Morgan wrote: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process."

A packed House of Commons voted on the bill. / AFP/Getty Images

The Prime Minister is now facing the prospect that the vote may have damaged the confidence of EU leaders in her authority to conduct Brexit negotiations as they prepare to rubber-stamp a move forward to trade talks.

During the Commons vote, rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve told the Government it was "too late" as ministers made last-minute concessions in an attempt to head off the revolt.

The government was defeated by a margin of four votes, losing 309 to 305 in tense scenes.

Theresa May's Government was handed a humiliating defeat on key element of the Brexit process / AFP/Getty Images

It means MPs and peers will be given more control over the Government's implementation of the withdrawal agreement, as ministers will have to pass a statute, which can be amended, before it takes effect.

Mrs May attempted to reassert authority by sacking Tory vice chair and Brexit rebel Stephen Hammond.

She could now face questions about the vote's implications at a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday, who she will urge to begin trade talks as quickly as possible.

The European Commission's assessment that "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues to move Brexit negotiations on to their second phase gave the PM a huge boost just last week.

And the EU27 are expected to green-light phase two when they meet in Mrs May's absence on the second day of their two-day summit in Brussels on Friday.

But the political capital she has built up was dealt a damaging blow by Thursday's vote, which led to bitter recriminations in the Conservative Party, with 11 MPs joining opposition parties in backing the amendment, and a handful of others abstaining.

The European Parliament's chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt tweeted: "British Parliament takes back control. European and British Parliament together will decide on the final agreement. Interests of the citizens will prevail over narrow party politics. A good day for democracy."

Backers of a "soft" Brexit, including Tory rebels Nicky Morgan and Anna Soubry, also hailed the result.

Ms Morgan tweeted: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who will be cheered by the fact that only two of his own Brexiteer MPs rebelled to back the Government, said: "This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Mr Grieve said he had no option but to push his amendment to a vote because the Bill gave "intransigent" ministers "the biggest Henry VIII power ever conferred on Government" with no justification.

The former attorney general evoked Winston Churchill during the debate, telling the Commons: "There's a time for everybody to stand up and be counted" and stressing he put "the country before the party".

He said his amendment would not stop Brexit but the vote provoked a furious backlash from Leavers.

Tory Nadine Dorries called for the deselection of rebel Tories for "undermining the PM", while accusing Mr Grieve of "treachery".

But rebel Tory Sarah Wollaston hit back on Twitter, saying: "Get over yourself Nadine."

In dramatic scenes in the Commons, Tory rebels shouted "too late" as justice minister Dominic Raab outlined his concession and Government whips buzzed around the chamber in an attempt to win over rebel MPs.

As the division was called, would-be rebel Vicky Ford appeared to be wavering between division lobbies before being ushered towards the Government side by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Brexiteer MP James Cleverly.

Earlier, Ms Soubry revealed she had found a woman MP "upset and shaken" on Tuesday evening after a whip tried to persuade her not to revolt.

Downing Street said it would "respect the will of MPs" but a Government spokeswoman suggested it may seek to amend the Bill during later stages of its passage through Parliament.

In a further setback, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned progress at the Brussels summit may not mean an immediate start to the trade talks which Mrs May is seeking.

Mr Barnier told MEPs the European Council would initially concentrate on the terms of a transition to the post-Brexit relationship, while he would focus on turning last Friday's deal into a legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement.

A leaked draft of a text to be considered by the EU27 leaders on Friday suggests that trade talks may not start until after a subsequent summit in March, when a further set of guidelines will be produced.
T heresa May is heading to Brussels for an EU Summit just hours after suffering a humiliating House of Commons defeat in a key Brexit vote.

MPs proclaimed Parliament had taken back control of Brexit on Wednesday night after securing a meaningful vote on the terms of the UKs final EU withdrawal agreement.

In a night of high drama, 11 Conservative MPs voted against the Governments wishes to let ministers retain control - resulting in a 309-304 victory for amendment 7.

One of the rebels, Stephen Hammond, was sacked by Mrs May as Conservative vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote as she attempted to wrestle back control.

A packed House of Commons voted on the bill / AFP/Getty Images

Jeremy Corbyn said it was a humiliating loss of authority for the Prime Minister on the eve of the European Council meeting.

He added: "Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Unless it is overturned, MPs will get to vote on the final Brexit deal reached with the EU before it is ratified.

The Prime Minister will hope it does not damage the confidence of EU leaders in her authority to conduct Brexit negotiations as they prepare to rubber-stamp a move forward to trade talks.

She could face questions about the vote's implications at a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders on Thursday, who she will urge to begin trade talks as quickly as possible.

Theresa May and husband Philip attend The Sun Military Awards following the vote / Getty Images

The European Commission's assessment that "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues to move Brexit negotiations on to their second phase gave Mrs May a huge boost just last week.

But the EU's chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt said it was a good day for democracy following the Commons vote.

He tweeted: "British Parliament takes back control. European and British Parliament together will decide on the final agreement. Interests of the citizens will prevail over narrow party politics."

Backers of a "soft" Brexit, including Tory rebels Nicky Morgan and Anna Soubry, also hailed the result.

Ms Morgan tweeted: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process".

Dominic Grieve, who tabled the amendment, said he had no option but to push it to a vote because the Bill gave "intransigent" ministers "the biggest Henry VIII power ever conferred on Government" with no justification.

The former attorney general evoked Winston Churchill during the debate, telling the Commons: "There's a time for everybody to stand up and be counted" and stressing he put "the country before the party".

He said his amendment would not stop Brexit but the vote provoked a furious backlash from Leavers.

Tory Nadine Dorries called for the deselection of rebel Tories for "undermining the PM", while accusing Mr Grieve of "treachery".

But rebel Tory Sarah Wollaston hit back on Twitter, saying: "Get over yourself Nadine."

In dramatic scenes in the Commons, Tory rebels shouted "too late" as justice minister Dominic Raab outlined his concession and Government whips buzzed around the chamber in an attempt to win over rebel MPs.

As the division was called, would-be rebel Vicky Ford appeared to be wavering between division lobbies before being ushered towards the Government side by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Brexiteer MP James Cleverly.

Downing Street said it would "respect the will of MPs" but a Government spokeswoman suggested it may seek to amend the Bill during later stages of its passage through Parliament.
M ore than 20 flood alerts have been issued in the UK as snow starts to thaw following days of freezing weather.

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales issued 27 alerts across a swathe of the England and Wales, warning residents to be prepared.

On Friday most places will experience a mix of sunshine and wintry showers, with further snow possible in the west, according to the Met Office.

A fresh yellow weather warning for ice will be in place in parts of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales from 5pm.

This blog is currently paused but check back soon for more weather updates.
T heresa May suffered a humiliating Commons defeat after the majority MPs backed an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill with the help of 11 Tory rebels.

In a night of high drama, the Prime Minister was struck by a damaging blow to her already diminished authority as rebels rallied around Dominic Grieve to back his attempt to ensure MPs have a "meaningful vote" on the withdrawal deal.

READ OUR LIVE COVERAGE HERE

Eleven Conservatives backed a cross-party amendment giving Parliament control over the exit terms next year.

But who are those who sparked the humiliating result?

Dominic Grieve

Dominic Grieve tabled the amendment that was voted through on Wednesday / PA

Theresa Mays former cabinet colleague, Dominic Grieve, 61, was the backbencher behind the inflammatory amendment.

The Remainer was first elected MP for Beaconsfield in 1997, and says that MPs should sign off on the final deal for parliamentary sovereignty to be truly upheld.

The former attorney general tabled 19 amendments in total to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

One Conservative member of Parliament, speaking anonymously to Bloomberg, described Mr Grieve as the most important man in Britain on Brexit.

Heidi Allen

MP Heidi Allen is an outspoken presence in Parliament, who said she would quit the Tories if Jacob Rees-Mogg was made leader / PA

MP for Cambridgeshire Heidi Allen has been an outspoken presence in Parliament since she was elected at the 2015 general election.

While the backbencher voted to trigger Article 50, she told constituents in an article on her website that did not mean she is reconciled to the result.

She has made headlines for criticising the Conservatives deal with the DUP, threatening to leave the Party if Jacob Rees-Mogg was appointed leader and predicting the Prime Minister would be gone in six months.

She said the result of the vote will ensure Parliament can do its job.

Ken Clarke

Outspoken: Ken Clarke has been among the Tories' most high-profile Europhiles / PA

Tory veteran Ken Clarke, MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, was the only Tory MP to vote against the triggering of Article 50.

The staunch Remainer and former chancellor has been an advocate of Britains EU membership for many years.

He has denied trying to block the progress of Brexit.

Mr Clarke told MPs: "It's not a question, I may say to my desperately paranoid eurosceptic friends, that somehow I am trying in some surreptitious Remainer way to put a spoke in the wheels of the fast progress of the UK towards a destination to which we are going.

"They don't know what Leave means, nobody discussed what Leave meant when we were having the referendum."

Nicky Morgan

Nicky Morgan: 'Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process' / AFP

Chairperson of the treasury select committee Nicky Morgan holds a powerful parliamentary watchdog role.

The former education secretary was among 15 MPs named Brexit Mutineers by the Daily Telegraph in November when she was thought to be planning to vote against the Government on a Brexit date amendment.

She claimed she was proud to be a Mutineer and believed voting for the amendment could tie the hands of negotiators.

After the vote was made, Ms Morgan wrote: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process."

Anna Soubry

Rock the boat: "Mutinous" Tory MP Anna Soubry / AFP/Getty Images

MP for Broxtowe since 2010, Anna Soubry is among the most outspoken Tory Reamainers.

The former business minister has openly backed staying in the EU single market and customs union.

She warned that if not for the latest amendment to the Brexit bill, Parliament would be "effectively a rubber stamp on a done deal".

Tweeting after the vote, Ms Soubry wrote: Govt has many ministers (including whips) who were serial rebels especially on EU. Compared with Mutineers - who are consistent loyalists.

Sarah Wollaston

MP Sarah Wollaston abandoned the Leave campaign over concerns about Vote Leave's claims on the NHS / PA Archive/PA Images

Health select committee chair Sarah Wollaston abandoned the Leave campaign after she voiced concerns about Vote Leaves claim that Britain contributes more than 350 million a week to the EU.

MP for Totnes, Dr Wollaston tweeted that she was Proud to #TakeBackControl of our Parliament after the vote on Wednesday.

She told BBC Radio Devon on Thursday, according to the Plymouth Herald: Its not about stopping Brexit, its about giving control back to Parliament to get the right deal.

Sometimes Parliament has to put its foot down and say no.

Bob Neill

Bob Neill said in November he had "no desire to thwart the will of the people". / PA Archive/PA Images

MP for Bromley and Chislehurst Bob Neill voted against Government for the first time in February.

He responded to being branded a Mutineer in November by saying: My colleagues and I have no desire to thwart the will of the people.

While many of us have made no secret of the fact we believe Brexit to be an error, we respect the result of the referendum and now want to see an orderly departure.

Stephen Hammond

Stephen Hammond has been sacked from his position in the Conservative party / PA Archive/PA Images

Party vice chairman Stephen Hammond was sacked by the Prime Minister in the aftermath of the vote.

Before the news broke, the former transport minister and Wimbledon MP said the rebels had been prepared to work with the Government to ensure a meaningful vote.

He told Sky News: "It's disappointing, it gives me no pleasure to vote against the Government but I've made it very clear that for me, this was a point of principle and just occasionally in one's life one has to put principle before party.

"I know that sounds pompous but I've never done it before."

Read Mr Hammond's chat with the Standard here.

Oliver Heald

MP Oliver Heald campaigned to Remain in the European Union / PA Archive/PA Images

MP for North East Hertfordshire Sir Oliver Heald campaigned to Remain in the European Union. He said to be in the EU makes us better-off, safer, and stronger and argued for the single market."

The former justice minister was in charge of Brexit negotiations in the Channel Islands before he was fired by Theresa May in June.

Jonathan Djanogly

Jonathan Djanogly: Withdrawal Bill 'will impede our ability to negotiate a clean exit' / PA Archive/PA Images

Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon, said the vote was about ensuring that our nations future is discussed by Parliament and not just implemented by an unchecked Executive.

He previously spoke to the Hunts Post about concerns over flaws within the Withdrawal Brill, saying it will impede our ability to negotiate a clean exit and a decent new arrangement with the EU post our leaving.

He also denied being a Remainer after he landed on the front cover of the Telegraph with the Mutineers.

In a tweet on Wednesday he said: In leaving the EU, surely we should all wish to bolster Parliamentary democracy rather than diminish it through overwhelming HenryVIII powers #Brexit #Article7

Antoinette Sandbach

Taking back control: MP for Eddisbury Antoinette Sandbach

MP for Eddisbury for two years, Antoinette Sandbach sits on the energy and business strategy committee.

Speaking on the "meaningful vote" debate, she said: "I don't want the Government to push it to a vote, I would like them to accept that amendment.

"Taking back control was taking back control to Parliament and not to the executive, to Government."
B ermuda is set to ban same-sex marriage just seven months after it was legalised on the British island territory.

The Senate approved the Domestic Partnership Act by an 8-3 vote on Wednesday after the House of Assembly had approved it 24-10 on Friday.

Under the new legislation, same-sex couples will only be allowed domestic partnerships.

A Supreme Court ruling in May had made same-sex marriages legal in Bermuda amid opposition on the socially conservative island.

Opponents of the new legislation said it would be unprecedented to strip the right to same-sex marriage after it had been granted in a jurisdiction and that global reaction could hurt the tourism industry.

They said it would be discriminatory because same-sex couples would have only the option of domestic partnerships while opposite-sex couples could choose between marriage or a domestic partnership.

"This bill in its simplest forms strips away rights from human beings," opposition senator Nandi Outerbridge said before the vote.

Ruling party senator Crystal Casesar defended the bill, saying it would codify the rights of domestic partners, something the Supreme Court did not do in its ruling, and that it acknowledged the reality of public opinion on the island.

"Society largely does not support same-sex marriage nor is it prepared to accept it at this time," she said.
S targazers across the UK have braved the early morning cold in a bid to witness the spectacular Geminids meteor shower.

The annual display of hundreds of shooting stars peaked at around 6.30am in the UK, with crowds gathering in Londons open spaces hoping to secure the clearest view.

The Geminids is known around the world as one of the most spectacular celestial events with stargazers spotting up to 120 stars every hour.

Meteors were spotted in the sky above central London, although experts had warned the clearest display would be witnessed in the countryside.

The shower is visible around the world, and NASA has been live-streaming it from its observatory in Huntsville, Alabama.

The organisation also shared a stunning image of the shower on Twitter, telling people: "Heads up, right now! The annual Geminids Meteor Shower is here!"

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The Geminids meteor shower is one of the few displays that comes around every year.

People took to social media to report seeing meteors flying through the night sky, with some attempting to photograph the spectacle.

The shower is caused by '3200 Phaethon', a Palladium asteroid which spits shooting stars from its surface.

As Phaethon orbits around the Earth each year, its debris falls into our atmosphere, appearing as colourful meteors across the sky.

A meteor captured flying through the sky in Belarus / EPA

Dr Morgan Hollis, of the Royal Astronomical Society, told The Independent: "People in the countryside will have the best view.

The brightest meteor showers can have up to 100 meteors an hour, or possibly more.
H arvey Weinstein has spoken out to deny claims he repeatedly sexually harassed and threatened actress Salma Hayek.

The disgraced movie producer was accused of turning up at the actress hotel room and asking her to shower with him, give him a massage and urging her to let him perform a sex act on her.

She alleged that at one point he told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't."

However, Weinstein, 65, issued a strong denial over the claims made by Ms Hayek.

Harvey Weinstein is being investigated by police over alleged sexual harassment / PA

He has previously only issued a blanket statement in which he unequivocally denies any allegations of non-consensual sex made against him.

Writing in the New York Times, Ms Hayek described Weinstein as a "monster", claiming she was persistently harassed by him while filming the Frida Kahlo biopic Frida.

However, Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein said the disgraced producer said  all of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate.

She told the BBC: Mr Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female co-star and he was not there for the filming.

"All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."

Harvey Weinstein (John Phillips/Getty Images) / Getty Images

In the article, the 51-year-old wrote: "Harvey Weinstein was a passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster.

"For years, he was my monster."

She said she had been thrilled when Weinstein agreed to pay for the rights of the work she had developed for the film Frida, writing: "He had taken a chance on me - a nobody. He had said yes.

"Little did I know it would become my turn to say no.

"No to opening the door to him at all hours of the night, hotel after hotel, location after location, where he would show up unexpectedly, including one location where I was doing a movie he wasn't even involved with.

"No to me taking a shower with him.

"No to letting him watch me take a shower.

"No to letting him give me a massage.

"No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage.

"No to letting him give me oral sex.

"No to my getting naked with another woman.

Ms Hayek went on to claim Weinstein threatened to shut down production on Frida unless she agreed to a sex scene with Ashley Judd.

Weinstein is being investigated by police in London and the US over allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment, all of which he denies.
T he Ministry of Defence has denied claims that the Argentine submarine that went missing with 44 crew members on board was being "chased" by a Royal Navy helicopter.

The claim was made by the sister of one of the sailors on board, who said she received a "strange" message from her brother Roberto Daniel Medina in the days before the vessel lost communication.

The second sub-officer is alleged to have sent her a Whatsapp message saying the ARA San Juan submarine was being tracked by a Royal Navy helicopter close to the Falkland Islands, Ms Media told Argentina's La Gaceta newspaper.

He told her: "On Monday an English helicopter was looking for us, and yesterday the Chileans, there has been a lot going on."

Ms Medina said she is making the message public so that it can be included in an investigation by federal judge Marta Yanez.

But an MoD spokesman said today: "This story is completely untrue."

The San Juan was last heard from on November 15 after disappearing about 300 miles from Argentina's southern coast following a battery failure.

Despite an multinational search to find the submarine and its crew, the vessel is yet to be found and its crew are feared dead. Experts said the crew only had enough oxygen to last up to 10 days if the submarine remained intact under the sea.
N ASA's Kepler spacecraft has discovered a whole solar system similar to Earth's with a family of eight planets.

The US space agency gave the fascinating and much-anticipated update on its Kepler spacecraft planet-hunting mission on Thursday.

For the first time in history, humans have now discovered a solar system with just as many planets as our own, the expert astronomers revealed.

The family of eight exo-planets - meaning planets outside our solar system - orbit the Kepler-90 star, which looks similar to our sun but is 2,545 light years from Earth.

"Today Kepler confirms stars can have large families of planets just like our solar system," NASA said in the press conference.

NASAs Kepler Space Telescope has gazed at more than 150,000 stars. ( NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel) / NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel

Like our solar system, the planets follow a pattern, with the biggest planets positioned nearer to the star. It is possible the Kepler-90 star may have even more planets in its orbit.

"We have may only scratched the surface," NASA added, suggesting there may be more solar systems filled with planets elsewhere in the universe.

The major breakthrough was made with the help of Googles artificial intelligence technology, which taught computers how to analyse the data sent down from the telescope and spot new planets.

When machines discovered an eighth planet orbiting the Kepler-90 star, called Kepler 90i, it meant finally scientists had discovered a solar system equal in size to our own.

The Kepler-90 planets: The eight planets circling the Kepler-90 star. (NASA) / NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel

Kepler 90i is a sizzling, hot, rocky planet that orbits its star every 14.4 days, NASA said.

The Kepler-90 star system is like a mini version of our solar system," said NASA's Andrew Vanderburg, an astronomer at the University of Texas. "You have small planets inside and big planets outside, but everything is scrunched in much closer."

The pattern of the planets in our solar system means bigger planets are formed further away from the star in a cooler orbit, where water and ice can stay solid and clump together.

A comparison of the distance of Kepler-90 planets to their star and our sun. / NASA/Ames Research Center/Wendy Stenzel

This same order is seen around the Kepler-90 star and could be evidence a similar phenomenon is happening there.

NASA's Kepler space telescope was launched in 2009 to hunt for Earth-sized planets in other solar systems, known as exo-planets.

Thanks to the spacecrafts groundbreaking research, scientists now believe there may be at least one planet orbiting every star in our night sky.

Scientists working on the mission have so far discovered 21 Earth-sized planets orbiting in the habitable zones of their stars.

An artist's impression of one Earth-sized planet circling a star known as Kepler-452b. / NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle

Thursday's announcement was made jointly by Paul Hertz, Andrew Vanderburg and Jessie Dotson from NASA and Christopher Shallue of Google.

The Kepler observatory completed its first mission in 2012 and went on to spend an extra year collecting more data.

Amazing NASA Space Images - In pictures 1 /81 Amazing NASA Space Images - In pictures A lack hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way black hole is called Sagittarius A*, near the border of Sagittarius and Scorpius constellations. It is 4 million times more massive than our sun. The image was made by eight synchronized radio telescopes around the world Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration via AP Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 NASA This 1969 photograph of the eclipse of the sun was taken with a 16mm motion picture camera from the Apollo 12 spacecraft during its trans-Earth journey home from the moon. The fascinating view was created when the Earth moved directly between the sun and the Apollo 12 spacecraft NASA Astronaut Bruce McCandless II photographed 320 ft from the Space Shuttle Challenger during the first untethered EVA, made possible by his nitrogen jet propelled backpack (Manned Manuevering Unit or MMU) in 1984 NASA The brilliant tapestry of young stars flaring to life resemble a glittering fireworks display in the 25th anniversary NASA Hubble Space Telescope image NASA Space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2011. This lift off is the last in the 30-year-old shuttle program Getty Images The first teklevision image of Earth from a weather satellite taken by the TIROS-1 satellite in 1960 NASA The Echo 2 satellite in 1960. Once the balloon was launched into orbit, a prerecorded message from President Dwight Eisenhower was transmitted from California and heard with clarity in New Jersey NASA The original seven Mercury astronauts and pioneers in human space exsploration pose in their silver spacesuits in 1961 NASA President John F. Kennedy calls for a moon landing in 1961 durning Congress NASA Astronaut John Glenn climbs into his Friendship 7 space capsule in the Atlas rocket in 1962. Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth NASA A close-up view of an astronaut's bootprint in the lunar soil, photographed with a 70mm lunar surface camera during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity (EVA) on the moon in 1969 NASA Man's first landing on the Moon. Lunar Module, "Eagle," touched down gently on the Sea of Tranquility on the east side of the Moon. Astronauts Edwin Aldrin and Neil Armstrong wre the first men to walk on the Moon in 1969 NASA After an 8 month voyage to Mars, Mariner 4 makes the first flyby of the Mars (the red planet) in 1965 and became the first spacecraft to take close-up photographs of another planet NASA Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot on the Gemini-Titan 4 spaceflight, is shown during his egress from the spacecraft. His face is covered by a shaded visor to protect him from the unfiltered rays of the sun. White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. He remained outside the spacecraft for 21 minutes during the third revolution of the Gemini-4 mission in 1965 NASA The X-15 completed 199 flights to the edge of space from 1959-1968. Neil Armstrong was one of it's budding young pilots NASA Earthrise over the moon from Apollo 8 in 1968 NASA American astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins lift off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in the mammoth-sized Saturn V rocket on their way to the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. saluting the US flag on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 lunar mission in 1969 NASA Home View of Moon limb with Earth on the horizon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission NASA Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin laugh with President Richard Nixon aboard the USS Hornet in 1969 Richard Nixon Foundation via Getty Images Lunar mission Astronaut John W. Young, commander of the Apollo 16 lunar landing mission, leaps from the lunar surface as he salutes the United States flag at the Descartes landing site during the first Apollo 16 extravehicular activity (EVA) in 1972 NASA First image of Viking 1's foot plantid on martian soil foot in 1976 NASA The first ever long distance image of the Earth and Moon together. The image photograph was taken by Voyager 1 in 1977 NASA A dramatic view of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and its surroundings in 1979 NASA The first space shuttle launch Columbia lifts off in 1981 NASA Astronaut Sally Ride on the flight deck of the space shuttle Challenger in 1983. She became the first American woman in space NASA One of the most celebrated images taken by the Hubble called 'Pillars of Creation' NASA Space shuttle Challenger destructs after lift off in 1973 NASA NASA's Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard ESA's SOHO spacecraft took this image of a huge, handle-shaped prominence in 1999. Prominences are huge clouds of relatively cool dense plasma suspended in the Sun's hot, thin corona NASA Trailing a column of flame and smoke that dwarfs it, Space Shuttle Endeavour leaps into the clear blue Florida sky on mission STS-99 in 2000 Space Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower as it roars into space on mission STS-106 after a perfect on-time launch in 2000 NASA 2004 The deepest view of 10,000 galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope called the Hubble Ultra Field Deep (2004) NASA 2005 A new view of the Eagle Nebula, one of the two largest and sharpest images Hubble Space Telescope has ever taken (2005) NASA International Space Station pictured by the crew of Atlantis in 2008 NASA The rim of Gale Crater is visible in the distance, through the dusty haze, in this view of NASA's Curiosity rover of a sloping hillside on Mount Sharp NASA Taken on June 03, 2008 and released by NASA on June 4, 2008 shows US space shuttle Discovery Mission Specialist Michael Fossum being photographed by US Mission Specialist Ronald Garan (reflected in Fossum's face shield) as they work outside The International Space Station during the first of three planned space walks. AFP/Getty Images In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, NASA's Great Observatories -- Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory -- have produced a matched trio of images of the central region of our Milky Way NASA A striking black and white image showing the detail of the planet Saturn NASA This majestic false-color image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows 'mountains' where stars are born. These towering pillars of cool gas and dust are illuminated at their tips with light from warm embryonic stars NASA The space shuttle Atlantis is seen over the Bahamas in 2011 prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station NASA Aurora Australis, seen from a point over the southeast Tasman Sea near southern New Zealand. in 2011 NASA NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 32 flight engineer, appears to touch the bright sun during the mission's third session of extravehicular activity (EVA). During the six-hour, 28-minute spacewalk in 2012 NASA Behold one of the more stunningly detailed images of the Earth yet created. This Blue Marble Earth montage, created from photographs taken by the VIIRS instrument in 2012 on board the Suomi NPP satellite, shows many stunning details of our home planet NASA Numerous recognizable features appear in this detailed view of London, photographed by an Expedition 10 crew member on the International Space Station (ISS). The most striking visual features are green open spaces such as Regent's Park, Hyde Park and St. James's Park east of Buckingham Palace NASA International Space Station image of London at night NASA This image of Tropical Storm Anna taken from the International Space Station in 2015 NASA Pluto's haze layer and its blue colour, taken by the New Horizons Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC) in 2015 NASA NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, dark, narrow streaks on the slopes of Hale Crater are inferred to be formed by seasonal flow of water on surface of present-day Mars. These dark features on the slopes are called "recurring slope lineae" or RSL NASA Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 49 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016 NASA The moon rises in low Earth orbit by NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik from the International Space Station in 2017 NASA Hurricane Harvey is pictured off the coast of Texas in 2017 NASA The International Space Station continues its orbit around the Earth as Expedition 50 astronauts captured this night image of sparkling cities and a sliver of daylight framing the northern hemisphere in 2017 This composite image made from a series of 2018 photos shows a self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover in the Gale Crater NASA US. National Parks From Space. Mt Saint Helen's looking spectacular from above NASA SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it lifts off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in 2018 NASA NASA's Juno spacecraft captures Jupiter's southern hemisphere, as the spacecraft performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter in 2018 NASA The stunning iamge was shared on social media by astronaut Paolo Nespoli NASA The Bailey's Beads effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun during the total solar eclipse NASA The Moon is seen passing in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse from Ross Lake, Northern Cascades National Park, Washington NASA Swirling cloud belts and tumultuous vortices within Jupiter's northern hemisphere picture taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft as it performed it's 13th flypast. Juno was about 9,600 miles (15,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops. NASA

Since 2014, it has been on its latest mission called K2, which continues to search for planets orbiting other stars in habitable zones where liquid water could exist.

It has learned that there are three types of exoplanets: gas giants, hot-super-Earths in short period orbits and ice giants. Scientists working on Kepler are now looking to find terrestrial planets  meaning half to twice the size of Earth.

One of its most exciting discoveries was in 2015 when scientists noticed a singular star with a strange brightness which would sometimes dip for days on end.

In February, astronomers at Liverpool John Moores University said three planets which could support life were discovered in a solar system just 39 light years from Earth.

Earlier this week scientists said a huge object passing Earth at 196,000 mph could be an alien spacecraft.

The bizarre cigar-shaped object was thought to be an interstellar asteroid but its shape and speed has led some experts to suggest it could actually be a sign of intelligent life.
T wo people have died after a shooter opened fire at a university campus in Pennsylvania.

The incident is believed to be a murder-suicide involving a university employee and her estranged husband, according to reports in the US media.

Shots were heard at the Penn State satellite campus near Pittsburgh just before 4pm (9pm GMT).

A police officer reportedly found the food services worker and her estranged husband dead beside her car after hearing the shots and screaming.

Officials said that no students were involved and that there is "no threat at this time".

A woman was reportedly shot by her estranged husband in the campus car park / AP

"The situation is under control," a Pennsylvania State Police officer told local reporters.

He added: "We do believe this was a murder-suicide. This is not an active shooter situation. There is no threat to the public at this time."

About 650 students attends the Penn State Beaver campus, which was closed for the day following the shooting.

The students received an email from campus chancellor Jennifer Cushman informing them that an investigation into the shooting was under way.

It read: "There was a tragic act of violence at Penn State Beaver this afternoon which did not involve students. Our thoughts are with all who have been affected.

"Please know that the threat has ended, and that your safety and security remain our number one priority. Our campus police are vigilant, please avoid the student union building and food services area until further notice."

It continued: "A police investigation is underway and additional details will be released as they become available.

"We understand this is a traumatic event for our campus community."
F or older children, the publishing sensation of the year, Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls (Particular Books, 20, Amazon, Buy it now ), by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, is a series of uplifting stories of feminist role models suitable for little girls. What struck me was the resemblance to the collection of saints stories I had as a child, with precisely the same edifying and didactic purpose.

These secular saints include Malala Yousafzai (whom I am afraid my daughter took against on account of her liking school so much), Hatshepsut of Egypt, the Saudi girl who took to driving in defiance of unspecified religious authorities and, er, Margaret Thatcher, whose biog seems to have been written with gritted teeth. Im not sure rebel is the word for impeccable cultural conformism.

I am sorry to say that my daughters preferred reading this season was a little book called Christmas Dinner of Souls by Ross Montgomery (Faber, 6.58, Buy it now ), about a secret society whose members despise children, happiness and Christmas and who compete to tell the most gruesome tales they know. She loved it.

Its hardly worth mentioning David Walliamss Bad Dad (Harper Collins, 6, Buy it now ), on the basis that his fans, who are legion, will have it. But its funny and poignant about a boy and his loving but ill-starred dad, a Top Gear racing driver with a wooden leg (theres a nice Italian Job scene) who falls into poverty and crime after mother leaves home to live with Mr Big. Given Walliamss own story, the ending is rather moving. Oh, and theres a happy ending for the lesbians. Just saying.

Same goes for the latest Tom Gates, Epic Adventure (Scholastic, 7, Buy it now ), and the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway (Book 12) (Penguin, 5, Buy it now ) by Jeff Kinnear; these series are so popular they need no support from mere reviewers, other than to observe that theyre really funny: inspired doodling.

Chris Riddell is a marvel  his exquisite line drawings are extraordinarily delicate and idiosyncratic. Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony (Macmillan, 8.99, Buy it now ), like others involving his heroine Ada Goth, features a series of merciless puns, in this case on the life and works of Lord Byron (Adas dad writes about Don Jumpy, an amorous mouse). Theres something here for the knowing adult reader as well as the child. Genius.

David Almonds book about a curious angel, Skellig, was a sensation. Hes returned to the angel theme with an altogether different book for younger readers, The Tale of Angelino Brown (Walker, 8, Buy it now ), about a little flatulent angel who falls to earth into a bus drivers pocket and gets adopted by him and his warm-hearted wife, Betty. This is classy whimsy  ditto the illustrations by Alex T Smith. Its wonderfully remote from the social media age  what would actually happen to an angel who turned up in a modern school is that hed be on YouTube in minutes.

The Night of Wishes by Michael Ende (NYRB Childrens, 11.99, Buy it now ) is a curiously old-fashioned fable about two sorcerers apprentices, a cat and a raven, whose patrons are doing their utmost to wreak environmental and economic havoc on the world before they are claimed by Beelzebub. The German author is keen to alert young minds to the perils of capitalist exploitation: this little story is engagingly fantastical.

Twenty-two years after the first instalment of His Dark Materials, notable for including the death of God, Philip Pullman has returned to the world of Lyras Oxford with the first instalment of a trilogy called The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage (David Fickling Books, 10, Buy it now ). Here Lyra, his heroine, is a baby raised by nuns. Pullman is an interesting phenomenon: as a storyteller, hes tells a cracking tale  this is a fabulously self-indulgent flight of fantasy set in Fifties England  but the metaphysics under his work remain incomprehensible.

Norse myths have been quite a thing in childrens fiction lately; now the splendid Kevin Crossley Holland has returned to the originals with Norse Myths (Walker, 8, Buy it now ). Its very good.

Frances Hardinges new novel, A Skinful of Shadows (Macmillan, 8, Buy it now ), is an extraordinary fantastic adventure set in the English Civil War in which a young girl returns to her fathers home to find she shares the family capacity to play host to several other souls within her body. Its a tricky concept to carry off but she does it convincingly, and with a sense of period. A feat.

The last of Jonathan Strouds fabulous Lockwood and Co series was a cue for the usual fight between me and my son as to which of us could read it first. The Empty Grave (Penguin, 7.43, Buy it now ) is a terrific read, bringing to a conclusion a series based on the premise that London is victim to a plague of ghosts, with our four heroes a kind of teenage spectral Rentokil. Quite, quite, brilliant.
A ctress Salma Hayek has claimed Harvey Weinstein repeatedly sexually harassed her and at one point threatened to kill her.

Writing in the New York Times, she said the disgraced Hollywood producer would arrive at her hotel room during the night asking to shower with her, receive a massage or let him perform a sex act on her.

She alleged that at one point he told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't."

In the latest of a series of allegations against Weinstein, she described him as a "monster", claiming she was persistently harassed by him while filming the Frida Kahlo biopic Frida.

Weinstein, 65, has "unequivocally denied" all allegations of non-consensual sex through a representative.

Harvey Weinstein has denied all allegations of sexual harassment / AP

In the article, Hayek, 51, wrote: "Harvey Weinstein was a passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster.

"For years, he was my monster."

Hayek said she had been thrilled when Weinstein agreed to pay for the rights of the work she had developed for the film Frida, writing: "He had taken a chance on me - a nobody. He had said yes.

"Little did I know it would become my turn to say no.

"No to opening the door to him at all hours of the night, hotel after hotel, location after location, where he would show up unexpectedly, including one location where I was doing a movie he wasn't even involved with.

"No to me taking a shower with him.

"No to letting him watch me take a shower.

"No to letting him give me a massage.

"No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage.

"No to letting him give me oral sex.

"No to my getting naked with another woman.

Hayek went on to claim Weinstein threatened to shut down production on Frida unless she agreed to a sex scene with Ashley Judd.

Weinstein is being investigated by police in London and the US over allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment, all of which he denies.
S tormzy and Idris Elba played Father Christmas as they dished out presents to children at an east London hospital.

The famous duo donned the iconic red outfit and white beard as they spent the day at Whipps Cross and Newham hospitals.

The pair made their way around the wards and posed for selfies with the patients as they handed out some early Christmas presents.

They also grabbed several staff members for a photo opportunity in their festive get ups before fooling around in the play area with an 'elf'.

Special delivery: Idris Elba poses with an elf and a patient / Derek Duncan

Elba, who hails from Newham, said he wanted to bring a smile to the children who are unwell.

He said: I always wanted to give back in this way, to Childrens Hospitals.

Say cheese: Stormzy brings some festive cheer to the nurses / Derek Duncan

With a 15-year-old daughter and three-year-old son myself, I can only imagine the anguish and maybe even fear these children and their parents are experiencing.

This visit was just a moment for me to hopefully bring a smile to the children who are unwell, in hospital and away from the comfort of their homes during the Christmas period.

The pair are good friends and recently enjoyed a night out together at a Christmas party at Kadies Cocktail Bar & Club in London where they were joined by their girlfriend's.
S tar Wars actress Gwendoline Christie has revealed an avid fan once pushed their phone under the door of her toilet cubicle to ask for a selfie.

Speaking during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show to promote new film The Last Jedi, Christie explained that she was horrified by the encounter.

I was once followed into a bathroom and as I sat down in the stall a hand with a phone came under the door and a disembodied voice said Selfie?, she told Norton.

I was horrified and replied No thank you! Im really not sure what they wanted in terms of image!

Group shot: Graham Norton with Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Gwendoline Christie and Sam Smith / PA

Christie was joined by her co-stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill who revealed it took him 'weeks to decide' whether or not to return to the sci-fi franchise.

He said: When George [Lucas] invited Carrie [Fisher] and me to lunch my wife said, I bet they are doing another film, and I just laughed.

Star Wars superfans attend midnight screening of The Last Jedi

When he did offer us the film, Carrie said, Im in within seconds but I kept my poker face and it took me weeks to decide. I was interested but terrified at the same time because its so big.

He also paid tribute to Fisher, who died late last year, saying: It hit us all so hard. I am not sure I have gone through all the grieving yet.

You want to grieve in private but everyone wants to talk about her because she belonged to the world. She was just so wonderful.

This week also saw a live performance by Sam Smith.

The Graham Norton Show airs Friday, December 15 at 10.35pm on BBC One.
S tar Wars actor Mark Hamill was reportedly asked to appear on Im A Celebrity but refused because it involved "leaving the house".

While discussing an interview hed done with the star, Good Morning Britain host Richard Arnold revealed that hehad been asked to the ITV reality show "a couple of times".

He told his co-presenters Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Ben Shepherd: He was on great form, a little bit jet-lagged much like myself coming from Aus and I mentioned Im A Celebrity.

And he said Oh Ive been offered that show a couple of times and he said to them Do I have to leave the house for it? Thats kind of the deal right?

John Boyega has crazy snow-struck journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere

In the interview itself, Hamill blasted Star Wars fans who had given away the ending on social media.

He said: Why do people do that? I dont block people, on Twitter, even hate tweets, sometimes I like them to mess with their heads. But two tweets just came out and gave away the ending.

Star Wars - In pictures 1 /66 Star Wars - In pictures Daisy Ridley as Rey in 'StarWars: The Last Jedi' (2017) Harrison Ford as Han Solo in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) Darth Vader in 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) Anthony Daniels pictured as C-3PO, Carrie Fisher as Leia, Jabba the Hutt with Michael Carter as Bib Fortuna in 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) Guido with Harrison Forad as Han Solo in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) C-3PO and R2-D2 in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) Death Star in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) 'Star Wars: A New Hope' (1977) Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo in 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker with Yoda in 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) Jason Wingreen voiced Boba Fett in 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' (1983) Erik Bauersfeld as Admiral Ackbar in 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' (1983) Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' (1983) REwan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi in 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' (1999) Jar Jar Binks in 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' (1999) Ray Park as Darth Maul in 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' (1999) Keira Knightley in 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' (1999) Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in 'Star Wars: Attack of the Clones' (2002) Natalie Portman as Senator Padme Amidala in 'Star Wars: Attack of the Clones' (2002) Samuel L Jackson as Mace Windu in 'Star Wars: Attack of the Clones' (2002) Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' (2005) Yoda in 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' (2005) Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker transformes into Darth Vadar in 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' (2005) Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi with Yoda in 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' (2005) Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala with Anthony Daniels as C-3PO in 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' (2005) Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Natalie Portman as Padm Amidala and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' (2005) Daisy Ridley as Rey and John Boyega as Finn in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015) Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Harrison Ford as Han Solo in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015) Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna, Felicity Jones, Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen in 'Star Wars: Rogue One' (2016) Stormtroopers in 'Star Wars: Rogue One' (2016) Darh Vader in 'Star Wars: Rogue One' (2016) Cast members and co-directors of the Han Solo "Star Wars" spin-off pose for a photo, from bottom left, co-director Christopher Miller, Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, co-director Phil Lord and Donald Glover. The Walt Disney Co. announced on 21 February 2017, that shooting has begun at London's Pinewood Studios Baze Malbus as Jiang Wen in 'Star Wars: Rogue One' (2016) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars: The Last JedI' (2017) LucasFilm John Boyega as Finn battling Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma in 'Star Wars: The Last JedI' (2017) Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in 'Star Wars: The Last JedI' (2017) LucasFilm John Boyega as Finn in 'Star Wars: The Last JedI' (2017) Prince Harry meets Chewbacca during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios near Iver Heath, west of London in 2016 Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge smiles at BB-8 droid during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Yoda goes on display at The STAR WARS Identities: The Exhibition at The O2 in London, which features over 200 props, models, costumes and artwork from the original films Micheal Clarke The STAR WARS Identities: The Exhibition opens at The O2 in London, featuring over 200 props, models, costumes and artwork from the original films Craig Gunn/PA A San Diego police officer takes a second look at an attendee's Star Wars Tusken Raider costume while patrolling the convention floor during opening day of Comic-Con International in San Diego, California Mike Blake/Reuters The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William tries a light sabre against his brother Prince Harry during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios near Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images John Boyega attends the World Premiere of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' in Hollywood Kevin Winter/Getty Images R2-D2 and C-3PO attend the World Premiere of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' in Hollywood Jesse Grant/Getty George Lucas attends the Star Wars Celebration day on 13 April 2017 in Orlando, Florida Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images

And I thought is it because they have this power for a limited amount of time? I just dont understand why anyone would do that.

His comments come after presenter holly Willoughby accidentally let slip a crucial plot point during an interview with Hamills co-star John Boyega.

Visibly shocked, the actor scolded her for her mistake, saying: Oh Holly. Holly, Holly. You cant tell the fans exactly what happens!

Good Morning Britain continues weekdays at 6am on ITV.
T he Apprentices James White and Sarah Lynn have survived the shows notoriously gruelling interviews stage to make it through to the final.

Meanwhile Elizabeth McKenna, Joanna Jarjue and Michaela Wain just missed out after failing to impress in their meetings with Lord Sugars trusted associates.

McKenna was told by the mogul that her business was too small scale.

Elizabeth, youve got three florist shops and you make a modest profit and the backbone of the economy of this country is made up of people like you. But you know Im interested in big business and at this stage I cant see the scaling up. So, it is with regret  youre fired! he said.

Group shot: The last five candidates before the interview stage / BBC/Freemantle Media

His reason for firing Jarjue was her lack of knowledge about the fashion industry as exposed in her interview with Claude Littner earlier in show.

I cant go into business with somebody who has no knowledge of the market at all, Lord Sugar commented.

And as for Bolton lass Wain, her other businesses made the mogul question her commitment to joining forces with him.

But Michaela, this business has got to be 100% with me and I dont want you being de-focused somewhere else, he told her.

Finalist: James White / BBC

In Sundays final White and Lynn will be tasked with project managing the departed candidates to one last win.

The successful leader will receive a 250,000 investment from Lord Sugar, not to mention the benefit of his business guidance.

The Apprentice continues Sunday, December 17 at 9pm.
T he American version of The Great British Bake Off has been cancelled mid-season amid accusations of sexual misconduct made against judge, Johnny Iuzzini.

Speaking to Variety, a representative of US broadcaster ABC confirmed that the remaining episodes of The Great American Baking Show, which also star Paul Hollywood, will no longer be aired.

In light of allegations that recently came to our attention, ABC has ended its relationship with Johnny Iuzzini and will not be airing the remainder of The Great American Baking Show episodes, the spokesperson told the publication.

ABC takes matters such as those described in the allegations very seriously and has come to the conclusion that they violate our standards of conduct. This seasons winner will be announced at a later date.

New Yorker Iuzzini, who is a well-known pastry chef, has been accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour by four former employees of the restaurant Jean-Georges in an article on Mic.

He denies all allegations, but apologised to those who felt hurt in a statement to the publication.

It read: I am shattered and heartbroken at the thought that any of my actions left members of my team feeling hurt or degraded. More importantly, I am deeply sorry to those who felt hurt.

The Great British Bake Off 2017 - The Contestants 1 /17 The Great British Bake Off 2017 - The Contestants Meet the line-up Prue Leigh and Paul Hollywood will judge this year's batch of hopefuls Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4 Television/PA Wire Kate, 29, from Merseyside A health and safety inspector from Merseyside, Kate also dabbles in blacksmithing, furniture restoration and yoga. She also loves the outdoors. When she's indoors though, indulging in her love of baking, she is a fan of "old-fashioned" baking techniques. She taught herself to bake when she began to grow her own vegetables two years ago PA Sophie, 33, from Surrey A former Officer in the Royal Artillery, Sophie did not discover her talent for baking until she volunteered to make a friend's birthday cake. The psychology graduate, who lives in Surrey with her boyfriend and a cat named Loki, has also developed a passion for patisserie. When she is not baking, Sophie enjoys track cycling, rowing, teaching military boot camps and is also training to be a stuntwoman. PA Flo, 71, from Merseyside Flo is retired and the oldest amateur contestant to appear on Bake Off to date. She was one of 11 children and was raised in Huyton, Liverpool. She met her late husband Richard when she was 21 years old and working at a sausage factory. Following Richard's death two years ago, her son Stephen encouraged her to take up baking. She bakes treats for his restaurant when she's not baking for the family - or 'having a boogie' with friends. PA Peter, 52, from Essex Born in Brixton originally, IT programme manager Peter had a well-travelled youth. He lived in Nigeria from the age of seven and moved back to the United Kingdom when he was 24. He has a wife, Tito and two children - Temi and Toni. He was bitten by the baking bug eight years ago when he started making his own bread. He reckons one of his specialities is making a melt-in-your-mouth Macaron, which is based on a recipe from French pastry maestro Pierre Hermes. When he's not kneading dough he loves running on the beach, spinning, playing chess and badminton PA Tom, 29, from Edinburgh Architect Tom lives in Edinburgh with his partner David, where he can often be found making fresh shortbread for family and friends. Baking has always been a huge part of family life for Tom and his siblings, who were taught to bake by their mother, a home economics teacher. The family cherishes recipe books passed down by grandparents from both sides of the family PA Steven, 34, from Hertfordshire Despite having a background in marketing, Steven's heart lies in the kitchen. His mum, Judi, has been his cooking mentor. He cooks and bakes all of his own food and has lost an impressive five stone thanks to his own home-cooking. He likes putting a twist on recipes from his mum's old cookbooks PA James, 46, from Essex James describes himself as a bald, baking banker - but his friends say he looks more like a bank robber than a banker. He was taught to bake by his father more than 40 years ago and grows his own fruit and vegetables to incorporate into his recipes. James lives in Essex with his wife Ann, sons Oliver and Ethan and their three chickens: Sparkles, Superman and Jeff PA Chris, 50, from Bristol A software developer who loves the science behind baking and developing quirky flavour combinations. He is a cancer survivor and passionate about helping other people whose lives have been affected by cancer. He is married (his wife's name is Catherine), and he loves sailing, travelling (especially visiting bakeries) and writing PA Stacey, 42, from Hertfordshire Former school teacher Stacey has fond memories of helping her grandmother make bread and butter pudding when she was a little girl, but it was during university that she really started to bake seriously. Stacey likes to incorporate her Jewish heritage into her baking, with a traditional homemade Challah with every Friday night dinner PA Julia, 32, from West Sussex Julia has spent three years honing her baking prowess so she could enter Bake Off. She is originally from Kemerovo, Siberia. She met her husband Matt while on holiday in Turkey as a 17-year-old. PA Liam, 19, from North London Hackney-born Liam has been baking for four years and is fondly known as the 'Cake Boy' amongst his university friends. He believes that baking is a universal language that can bring people together from all walks of life, and he wants to make it acceptable amongst his peers and the younger generation PA Yan, 46, from North London Hong Kong-born Yan moved to the UK with her family when she was two. She started to bake seriously 10 years ago when she found herself in between 24 hour shifts, working as a molecular biologist for the NHS. Currently working as a laboratory research scientist, Yan now lives in north London with her wife, Marian and cat Kacey. PA

Nonetheless, I must take responsibility if any of the members of my team felt uncomfortable by my words or actions, regardless of my intent or recollection. I must hear that what the women making the accusations are telling me and recognize I caused pain.

I have strived to be a good mentor over the course of my career, and I now understand that I failed some people. To me, that is unacceptable.
A n NHS app that enables patients to communicate directly with their GP is to be rolled out across London within a year.

The NHS Online app was launched in Bexley last month under a national initiative to modernise the way patients interact with the health service.

Doctors are optimistic about making it available in the capitals 31 other clinical commissioning groups by the end of 2018, but admit it will be challenging.

It is one of several planned advances in the use of digital technology across Londons 1,400 GP surgeries. These include the early stages of using artificial intelligence  where computers make decisions to help diagnose a condition and provide medical advice.

9 health apps you have to download 1 /12 9 health apps you have to download Bupa Boost (free  use code forliving2017) A unique app to improve health and wellbeing. It sets nutrition, mindfulness, fitness and relaxation goals. Compete with others and try team challenges. bupaboost.com Freeletics Nutrition Coach (free) This is a hassle-free healthy eating app with recipes designed to meet your goals, from losing weight to building muscle. It also offers customised meal plans. freeletics.com Runkeeper (free) Whether walking or running, this app offers everything from tracking routes and setting challenges for you, to comparing pace and session times. It will sync with your music library as well. runkeeper.com SleepBot (free) A smart alarm clock app which uses soothing soundtracks to wake you from your lightest sleep phase, after working out your personal sleep patterns by recording your movements during the night. mysleepbot.com Hydro Coach (free) Not only will this app remind you to top up your daily water intake, it also enables you to keep track of how much youve sipped already  and suggests how much you may need. hydracoach.co.uk Sleep Cycle (free) Using the iPhone motion monitor, this app records movement during the night from underneath your pillow to chart your patterns of shallow and deep sleep, and calculate slumber quality. sleepcycle.com Daily Yoga (free) Work your way through more than 500 yoga poses with clear instructions or choose one of the 100-plus classes complete with background music. Duration and intensity can be tailored to suit. dailyyoga.com MyFitnessPal (free) An online calorie counter to help you lose weight. The database of items allows you to build a food diary, and you can input exercise to help calculate the calories youre consuming and burning. myfitnesspal.com Buddhify (4.99) With more than 80 guided meditation exercises for all levels, this is designed to help calm your mood and improve mindfulness all day. It has tracks for on-the-go listening, working and travelling. buddhify.com

The NHS Online app enables patients to book a GP appointment, order repeat prescriptions, access health records, indicate preferences for organ donation and get help with managing chronic conditions. It allows patients to email their local practice and get a response from a GP within 24 hours. Prescriptions can be issued or a phone call or visit to the surgery arranged.

Dr Jonty Heaversedge of NHS England said: This will always be just one way of accessing services. The most important thing is that 100 per cent of the population has the ability to use this technology should they wish to.

Another app, NHS 111, is due to be extended Londonwide by the end of 2018. It is for emergency help or advice where the condition is not life-threatening. It has been trialled in Camden, Islington, Haringey, Enfield and Barnet.

Unlike the GP at Hand app launched by private firm Babylon, NHS Online does not yet offer video consultations. However, unlike Babylon, users do not have to deregister from their local GP.
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In early November the U.S. Navy received its first production model MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance UAV. A second one will arrive by the end of 2017 and another 17 by 2021. The production MQ-4Cs join the squadrons already created to use them. For example in October 2016 the navy declared its first MQ-4C squadron, VUP (Unmanned Patrol Squadron) 19 operational even though the squadron only had access to the three MQ-4C prototypes and three RQ-4s configured as Tritons. VUP 19 began forming at the end of 2013 on the east coast of the United States (Jacksonville Florida), where it will handle MQ-4C operations over the Atlantic. Each VUP squadron has about 130 personnel, including UAV operators and maintenance personnel. The MQ-4C carries a lot of electronics, including a new sense and avoid system so that the UAV can operate in commercial airspace and alongside other military aircraft, including the P-8A manned reconnaissance aircraft.

A second squadron is being formed on the west coast (Point Mugu California) to cover the eastern Pacific. Three more will be based in Kadena, Japan, Sigonella, Italy and the Pacific island of Guam (Andersen Air Force Base). VUP 19 will be operating four UAVs in 2018 and another VUP will begin operations each year after that until all five are available by 2022. At that point each VUP will receive more MQ-4Cs until they each have eight or more and are able to maintain at least four of them operational at all times and thus provide 24/7 surveillance where needed in their region. Each VUP will eventually have at least 12 MQ-4Cs so that some can also be sent overseas as needed.

Before that happens some MQ-4Cs will be flown to the new VUPs as needed for training or operations. Australia is planning to buy seven MQ-4Cs to complement its P-8As and other manned maritime surveillance aircraft. India and Britain are watching all this unfold before they place an order. There is no question that the MQ-4Cs can perform and developmental models have spent enough time in the air to determine that the NQ-4Cs will suffer about four UAVs lost per 100,000 flight hours. That will improve over time but it has already improved quite a lot since the original RQ-4 Global Hawk entered service.

The navy now plans to buy 70 Tritons and 117 P-8As Poseidons manned jet aircraft to replace 250 prop driven P-3Cs maritime surveillance aircraft. This replacement program is supposed to be complete before 2030. The new surveillance aircraft provide more information over a wider area and do it more quickly.

Since 2008 the navy only had six RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs available to develop modifications and upgrades needed to turn the RQ-4 into a maritime patrol aircraft. These modified RQ-4Bs have flown over 13,000 hours for the navy since the first one arrived in 2008. In early 2013 the first prototype model of the MQ-4C took off and began its flight testing. Two more followed, one paid for by the manufacturer. The MQ-4C Triton was different in that it had additional protection against salt damage and a set of sensors optimized for monitoring water rather than land. The flight control software was also tweaked to adapt the UAV so that was better able to spend most of its time navigating across the high seas.

Even before the RQ-4 adaptation process was complete one of the six navy RQ-4Bs was put in service on an experimental basis. In 2009, the first year of testing consisted of 60 flights and over 1,000 hours in the air by one of the navy RQ-4Bs. The flights were over land and sea areas, even though the UAV sensors are designed mainly to perform maritime reconnaissance. In 2012 a navy RQ-4B began operating with a carrier task force at sea. Circling above the task force at 22,500 meters (70,000 feet), the UAV monitored sea traffic off the Iranian coast and the Straits of Hormuz. Anything suspicious was checked out by carrier, land based aircraft, or nearby warships. The RQ-4B could a 24 hour sortie every three days. The brief tests with the fleet were a success and the first production MQ-4C was delivered in late 2012.

The Navy is buying the MQ-4C for over $60 million each. The MQ-4C has a wingspan of 42.2 meters (131 feet) and is 15.5 meters (48 feet) long. Range is over 22,000 kilometers and cruising speed is 650 kilometers an hour. The MQ-4C is based on the RQ-4B Global Hawk which entered service in 2006. At 13 tons the Global Hawk is the size of a commuter airliner (like the Embraer ERJ 145) but costs nearly twice as much. Global Hawk can be equipped with much more powerful and expensive sensors, which more than double the cost of the aircraft. These "spy satellite quality" sensors (especially AESA radar) are usually worth the expense because they enable the UAV, flying at over 20,000 meters (62,000 feet), to get a sharp picture of all the territory it can see from that altitude. The B version is a lot more reliable. Early A models tended to fail and crash at the rate of once every thousand flight hours.

The MQ-4C is seen as the ultimate replacement for all manned maritime patrol aircraft, at least once it is equipped with more anti-submarine sensors and weapons. The P-8A will probably be the last manned naval search aircraft. Some countries are using satellite communications to put the sensor operators who staff manned patrol aircraft on the ground. Some nations propose sending aircraft like the P-3 or P-8 aloft with just their flight crews, not all the system operators and having all the other gear operated from the ground. This enables the aircraft to stay in the air longer and carry more equipment.
Officials from the G5 Sahel (the semi-desert area between the Sahara and the jungle) Joint Force countries (Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) met in France with their five primary sponsors (France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) to discuss financing and other forms of support. The G5 force consists of 5,000 troops from Sahel member nations with the sponsors providing equipment, trainers and about half a billion dollars to pay for maintenance, supplies, base upgrades and so on. The Americans are contributing $60 million (so far) and the rest is expected to come from European nations. The G5 Force has already carried out some operations by the end of 2017 but wants to be a lot more active in 2018.

What was unusual about this meeting is the presence of Saudi Arabia and the UAE (United Arab Emirates) who rarely support counter-terrorism operations as partners with Western nations and going after Sunni Islamic extremists. Not only did the two Arab states pledge over $150 million to the G5 force but their media, particularly Saudi media, are now condemning Sunni Islamic terrorist attacks on non-Moslems in the G5 Sahel countries.

The G5 Force is seen as a necessary response to the spread of Islamic terrorist activity in the Sahel. In Mali the Islamic terrorism is spreading from the north to central Mali, mainly because Islamic terrorist smuggling routes but also because of the endemic friction between the Fulani tribes of central Mali and just about every other group they come into contact with. Like the Tuareg up north, the Fulani are a minority (about 14 percent of the population) and seen as outsiders by many other Mali tribes. There are some twenty million Fulani living in the Sahel and some of those in northern Nigeria have become involved in Islamic terrorism via the local Boko Haram. News of that spread to other Fulani in the region and created a response. There are over two million Fulani in Mali and the name of a recently formed Islamic terror group in the central Mali (FLM for Macina Liberation Front) openly identifies with the Fulani (Macina are the local branch of the Fulani).

FLM became active in early 2015 and claimed responsibility for a growing number of attacks since. It started out with calls for Fulani people to live according to strict Islamic rules. That in turn led to violence against tribal and village leaders who opposed this. That escalated to attacks on businesses and government facilities. FLM is composed mostly of young Fulani men and is associated with the older al Qaeda affiliate Ansar Dine. Although most Malians are Moslem, few want anything to do with Islamic terrorism and Boko Haram was seen as a major mistake and not welcome at all in Mali. Not so for the Fulani, whose violence in Nigeria was mostly against farmers, who were largely Christian. In Mali the Fulani clashed with farmers who were largely Moslem. Land and cattle were always important but Islamic terrorism, especially when it dominates a lucrative business (smuggling drugs, weapons and people) and welcomes recruits who know how to move around.

The Fulani have always seen themselves as a people apart, an attitude common with the nomadic peoples of the Sahel. The Fulani believe they originally migrated from North Africa and the Middle East. Fulani have lighter skin, thinner lips and straighter hair than other black Africans in sub-Saharan Africa and are also Moslem. Most sub-Saharan Africans are Christian or follow ancient local religions but in Mali nearly everyone is Moslem. Fulani have also been involved with smuggling for a long time, in large part because many are still nomadic and the Fulani dont really believe in borders. Al Qaeda continues to thrive in central and north Africa because the Islamic terrorists have taken over a lot of the smuggling operations and been attracting many Fulani recruits.

Fulani in general were the biggest supporters of the new JNIM (Jamaah Nusrah al Islam wal Muslimin, or Group for the support of Islam and Moslems) that was formed in early 2017. In part this was a reaction to the growing threat from ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) which is hostile to everyone who is not ISIL and will attack or recruit from the JNIM members AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), Ansar Dine, FLM and al Mourabitoun (an al Qaeda splinter group). Another reason for merger was to make it easier to pool resources (including information and advice) and coordinate with other Islamic terror groups in the area. This reduces friction and needless feuding. Making a coalition like this work is always difficult, especially considering the importance of ethnic differences. The FLM is Fulani while the other groups are largely Tuareg, Arab and some are largely foreigners. Note that JNIM did not absorb all of AQIM or al Mourabitoun, just local groups that had long been identified with al Qaeda. Al Mourabitoun is believed to have largely rejoined al Qaeda. Internal politics for Islamic terror groups is a lot messier than these religious zealots like to admit. Thats mainly because each group believes they are uniquely qualified to be the supreme leader of all Islam. Coping with this aspect of Islamic radicalism has proved burdensome and ultimately becomes a major reason for Islamic terror movements to fail and fade away (via desertion and other forms of self-destruction). The new JNIM is more heavily influenced by its Fulani component and that is another reason for more attacks in central Mali, which has long been the scene of conflict with Fulanis.

The Danger Zone

The UN is eager to get additional support for counter-terrorism and peacekeeping in the Sahel. Mali is a special case because it has become the most dangerous peacekeeping operation in Africa. Since 2013 nearly a hundred peacekeepers have died in Mali. Most of these deaths occurred in the north, where there has been l0ts of violence since (and before) the peacekeepers arrived in early 2013. The peacekeepers are mainly African and the action in Mali creates a casualty rate more than double the rate for peacekeepers worldwide. The main reason for all this violence is money. Most AQIM Smuggling routes move through Mali and while locals can usually be bribed to look the other way the foreign peacekeepers and counter-terror units tend to refuse or resist bribes and that causes friction. Meanwhile all those foreign troops make it easier (or at least safer) for foreign aid donors to monitor where their aid is going and that makes it more difficult for local officials to plunder the foreign aid. Such widespread corruption has always been a source of general discontent among all Malians. All this has turned landlocked Mali into something of a hotspot.

December 10, 2017: In the north (outside Timbuktu) AQIM gunmen clashed with a local Tuareg militia, leaving six of the Tuareg dead. While some Tuareg are willing to take the bribe to allow AQIM smugglers to pass, many do not and AQIM does not always take the hint that an alternate route should be used.

December 8, 2017: In central Mali five men installing fiber optic cable for a Chinese telecom company were kidnapped and later murdered. Four of the dead were from Mali while the other was from Togo.

The UN agreed to let its 13,000 strong Mali peacekeeping force cooperate with the new G5 Sahel Force. The UN needs all the help it can get and found working with the 4,000 French Sahel counter-terror operation useful, especially since nearly all those troops were French and had access to more air support and air transport.

November 29, 2017: In the far north, on the Algerian border, Algerian troops finding another batch of weapons and ammunition hidden by smugglers before movement into Mali or further north into populated areas of Algeria. This year the flow has been increasingly into Mali and this is the second such batch of weapons found near the border this month. The smugglers have to be more careful because of increased Algerian patrols along its southern borders and increased surveillance by French led counter-terror forces in northern Mali and similar areas to the east and west.

November 28, 2017: In the southwest, on the border with Guinea, local gold miners from both countries fought for two days over control of newly discovered gold deposits that extend across the border. The fighting lasted two days and left 17 dead (most of them from Mali). A similar border skirmish occurred in 2015 when three Mali miners were killed.

November 24, 2017: In the east (Menaka on the Niger border) Islamic terrorists ambushed a patrol and killed three peacekeepers from Niger and a Mali soldier. Three of the attackers were killed before the rest fled. Later in the day Islamic terrorists attacked a peacekeeper convoy in central Mali (Mopti) with a roadside bomb and RPG rockets, killing one of the peacekeepers (from Burkina Faso) guarding the convoy and wounding several others.
TICKERS: NXE

Source: Streetwise Reports (12/14/17)

David Talbot, an analyst with Eight Capital, outlined recent drill results from this energy company's flagship asset.



In an Dec. 11 research note, Talbot wrote that NexGen Energy Ltd. (NXE:TSX; NXE:NYSE.MKT) had announced the findings from 21 holes of summer infill drilling at Arrow and among them were "the best assay results to date from the A3 shear."

A highlight hole, AR-17-147c3, showed 3.7% over 60 meters (60m), including 6.51% over 33m and 17.68% over 6m between depths of 597m and 657.5m. Generally, the A3 shear results "fall within," "confirm" and expand "slightly" the high-grade resource area, noted Talbot. "While somewhat expected, these results should help increase resource confidence from Inferred to Indicated upon the next resource estimate."

Drilling was successful, too, in filling some of the mineralization gaps to the southwest and northeast, Talbot said. "Mineralization isn't quite as strong in these areas, but zones remain relatively wide, suggesting ample hydrothermal fluid flow," he added. Further, the A3 shear remains open at depth.

Modest resource increases like these only minimally affect NexGen's stock, Talbot pointed out, because the Arrow deposit has a "+300 million pound U3O8 deposit already defined."

What has impacted the company's share price, asserted Talbot, is the recent upswing in the uranium price on the news that Kazakhstan will cut production by 20% between 2018 and 2020. The boosted uranium price, in turn, has caused the stocks of uranium firms like NexGen, "larger market cap names with longer time horizons," to increase. "We believe this trend will continue as NexGen becomes one of the sector's go-to names," said Talbot, adding that the company's market cap has surpassed $1.1 billion.

Eight Capital has a Buy rating and a CA$6.10 per share target price on NexGen Energy. The stock is trading now around $3.51/share.

Want to read more Energy Report articles like this? Sign up for our free e-newsletter, and you'll learn when new articles have been published. To see a list of recent articles and interviews with industry analysts and commentators, visit our Streetwise Interviews page.

Disclosure:

1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: NexGen Energy. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers.

4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article.

Additional disclosures about the sources cited in this article
TICKERS: GFG; GFGSF

Source: Streetwise Reports (12/14/17)

Craig Stanley, an analyst with Eight Capital, took a look at the terms and potential of this mining company's prospective transactions in Ontario.



A Dec. 12 Eight Capital research note indicated that GFG Resources Inc. (GFG:TSX.V; GFGSF:OTCQB) entered into agreements to acquire three mining projects, for a total of 560 kilometers squared (560 km2) of mineral rights west of Timmins, Ontario, which analyst Craig Stanley described as "one of the most gold-endowed regions on the planet." The assets are Rapier Gold's (RPR:TSX.V) Pen, Probe Metals Inc.'s (PRB:TSX.V) West Porcupine and Osisko Mining's (OSK:TSX) Swayze.

Stanley concluded that "once the acquisitions close, GFG Resources will hold nearly 700 km2 of highly prospective, district-scale gold properties in tier one mining jurisdictions (Wyoming and Ontario)." He added that despite the projects being early stage, they are "positive for the company as they offer prospective, easily accessible ground that can be explored year-round."

As for the acquisition of Rapier Gold and its 19,000-hectare Pen project, the price is 15 million (15M) shares, or CA$0.08 per Rapier share based on GFG's price at market close on Dec. 7, 2017, Stanley noted. Thirty-four holes totaling 8,330 meters (8,330m) have been drilled at Pen, none deeper than 310m.

Regarding the West Porcupine deal, the price is 6.5M shares, or an implied ~$3.5M, reported Stanley. Twelve holes have been drilled on the property, which consists of two blocks that span about 245 km2 and flank Pen on the east and west.

In terms of Swayze, the transaction cost is 1.1M shares, or an implied ~$600,000, Stanley wrote. No drilling has been done at Swayze, but induced polarization and magnetic surveys have. The project is 40 km east of Goldcorp Inc.'s (G:TSX; GG:NYSE) Borden project.

The research note also relayed that GFG Resources announced a nonbrokered private placement to raise up to $7M. It consists of "$2M in flow-through common shares at $0.55/share and $5M at $0.50/unit (one common share and one-half of a warrant with each whole warrant exercisable at $0.75 for 24 months)," Stanley explained.

With respect to upcoming catalysts, results from 23 holes drilled at the Rattlesnake project are expected and, subsequently in H1/18, an initial resource estimate. GFG Resources hopes to commence drilling on the newly acquired properties as early as Q2/18. "Management has budgeted $2.5M for Rattlesnake Hills and $2M for the Ontario projects in 2018," the analyst added.

Eight Capital has a target price for GFG Resources of CA$1.60. The stock is currently trading at around CA$0.50.

Want to read more Gold Report articles like this? Sign up for our free e-newsletter, and you'll learn when new articles have been published. To see a list of recent articles and interviews with industry analysts and commentators, visit our Streetwise Interviews page.

Disclosure:

1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: GFG Resources Inc. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers.

4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. As of the date of this article/interview, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of GFG Resources Inc., a company mentioned in this article.

Additional disclosures about the sources cited in this article
More than 39 people have been killed and over 80 others wounded as Saudi fighter jets step up airstrikes against the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other cities.

Early on Wednesday, Saudi jets targeted the headquarters of Yemens military police in the Shuaub district of Sanaa, killing 39 people and injuring 80 others, according to reports by Reuters and the Yemeni al-Masirah TV.

The al-Masirah report said the aircraft had carried out seven rounds of bombings against the facility. It identified some of the casualties as prisoners held as part of criminal investigations.

Separately, Saudi planes pounded Sahar District in the northwestern Yemeni province of Saada, injuring four civilians. One of the casualties later died of the injuries.

A Saudi strike also hit a vehicle in Maqbanah District of the southwestern Yemeni province of Taizz, leaving 11 people dead.

The kingdom and a group of its allies have been bombing Yemen since 2015 to put its former Riyadh-friendly government back in the saddle. More than 12,000 have died since the war began.

Now, more than eight million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation, making the country the scene of, what the UN calls, the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called last Sunday for an end to the stupid war, which has also the firm backing of the United States and Britain.

Saudi still choking up Yemen ports

Meanwhile, the head of the US governments aid agency said on Tuesday that there were no signs that a Saudi blockade of the ports had eased to let in aid consignments.

Unfortunately, I cant tell you there has been an easing of the blockade, said USAID administrator Mark Green.

He said he was deeply concerned on so many fronts about the crisis in Yemen, but in particular the failure to get fuel into the country so people have access to clean water.

That means a number of communities are either without clean water or will be very shortly, and in both cases that is a terrible concern from the cholera perspective and the survival perspective, he added.

A rampant cholera outbreak, exacerbated by the devastation of the country's health infrastructure, has killed more than 2,000 in Yemen.
Cambridge students at large seem to care less about politics outside the Anglosphere. No question, there is a lot currently going on in the politics of the US and the UK, but there are equally important political issues around the world and we should pay attention to them.

For example, why is relatively no one worried about Germany? After the elections this September there are 92 members in the Bundestag representing the far-right AfD party (this should sound extremely worrying to everyone familiar with, you know, history) and Angela Merkel hasnt been able to build up a working coalition ever since. Both of these events are extraordinary in the compromise-based and fairly centrist world of German politics.

This is important even from a British point of view, after all, Germany is the largest economy in the EU, Angela Merkel is the most influential European politician (sorry Macron fans), and Britain is supposed to make a trade deal with the EU. (Except when that deal would violate the interests of a hard-right party with a support of 0.5%, of course.)

However, even outside the British perspective, whether the fourth largest economy in the world has a coalition to form a cabinet or not is an important question  so why arent people concerned with it? Why is it more important that same-sex couples can marry in Australia than in Austria? (The Guardian, a primary news source to many left- or liberal-leaning students, failed to report on the latter entirely.)

Of course, these comparisons arent entirely fair  after all, the Guardian has an Australian edition, it is only natural that they will have news on Australia  but it is quite telling that a newspaper that cherishes marriage equality doesnt report on an event that would be praised as historic in a country that speaks English. Mind you, were talking about Austria, a country which is certainly not the most underrepresented in the English-speaking media.

Of course, situation goes even worse when leaving the fairly well-known ground of European politics to, say, the Middle East or Africa.

The question arises, why should we care whether same-sex couples are allowed to marry in foreign countries? Cambridge students will soon become members of the political, intellectual and economic elite in a disproportionate number. Until this is the case (even if it shouldnt be) being interested only in American, Australian and British politics is not far better than being a Little Englander.

Again, this is true even beyond issues of global justice, not that it isnt especially important that you take two countries of equal interest as equally interesting, even if one of them doesnt speak your language. If you think Britain should be a true global player, you cant achieve that by being concerned only about American politics, special relationship or no.

No question, many Cambridge students know a great deal about international politics. But not enough  people emerge here as members of the elite (and, lets be frank, often thats why they come here) and Britain should have a political elite more deserving its status.
The Linux Foundation on Monday introduced the Community Data License Agreement, a new framework for sharing large sets of data required for research, collaborative learning and other purposes.

CDLAs will allow both individuals and groups to share data sets in the same way they share open source software code, the foundation said.

As systems require data to learn and evolve, no one organization can build, maintain and source all data required, noted Mike Dolan, VP of strategic programs at The Linux Foundation.

Data communities are forming around artificial intelligence and machine learning use cases, autonomous systems, and connected civil infrastructure, he told LinuxInsider. The CDLA license agreements enable sharing data openly, embodying best practices learned over decades of sharing source code.

The agreement could help foster an increase in data sharing across a variety of industries, supporting collaboration in climate modeling, automotive safety, energy consumption, building permit processes, water use management and other functions.

Uniform Guidelines

The agreement calls for two main sets of licenses, which are designed to help data contributors and consumers work with a uniform set of guidelines that clarify the rules of the road and mitigate risks.

The Sharing license encourages contributions of data to the community. The Permissive license does not require any additional sharing of data.

Among the commercial and creative implications of the licenses:

Data producers can be more specific regarding what recipients can do with data. Data producers can choose between the Sharing and Permissive licenses, depending on which model better aligns with their needs. Either type of license gives them greater clarity of agreement terms, and provides greater protection from liability and warranties.

Licenses allow communities to share data on equal terms that balance out the needs of data users and producers. Data communities can add their own rules and requirements for curating data, particularly involving personally identifiable information.

A data user looking for information that will be used for training on an artificial intelligence system or for another use will have access to data shared under a known license model that has terms that are clearly spelled out.

The agreements are agnostic with regard to data privacy, and it will be up to publishers and curators of data to create their own governance structure, taking into account applicable laws.

Higher Learning

The agreement comes at a time when technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence are capable of analyzing data sets in ways that previously were not possible. The licensing agreements provide a framework to make data repositories uniform enough to allow accurate and replicable analysis.

The critical issues for deep learning are verification and transparency  and is the training replicable? said Paul Teich, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Organizations often share data in order to allow other groups to try to replicate their results, he told LinuxInsider. In addition, organizations might publish data sets speculatively for other groups to process  and potentially pick a vendor for advanced analytics, depending on how well different algorithms worked on a particular data set.

The new Community Data License from The Linux Foundation reflects the growing importance of information as a resource for big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

In essence, data provides the fuel required for processes, including teaching systems to accurately perform complex functions and analyze ongoing occurrences, he told LinuxInsider.

Rising Demand

There has been a surge in the level of interest in data sets in recent years, noted Mark Radcliffe, global chair of the FOSS Global Practice Group at DLA Piper.

For example, connected cars can provide a wealth of data, including GPS, miles per hour and music playlist information, he told LinuxInsider. Internet of Things devices could provide information like boiler temperatures, or wind speeds from wind farms.

CDLAs will encourage a more uniform process for sharing such data.

These license agreements [could be] very, very helpful, Radcliffe said, because in many cases people are doing this on an ad hoc basis.

The legal protection available for data is very fragmented and very uncertain, he pointed out. Its not an area that has had [much] case law involved. In many cases you have a very uncertain background in which to work.

The Open Transport Partnership, which is backed by the World Bank, has been working since 2016 to collect GPS streams in order to research traffic congestion, particularly during peak commute times.

The partnership launched an effort last year with a number of organizations, including the World Resources Institute, the National Association of City Transportation Officials, ride-sharing firms like Grab and Easy Taxi, open mapping firm Mapzen, data platforms like MDrive, and other firms.

The World Bank collaborated with Grab, with backing from the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund, to use anonymized GPS data from 500,000 Grab drivers to map out peak congestion times in Manila. The program was scheduled to expand to other countries like Brazil, Malaysia and Columbia.
Kenji Gjovig is VP of partnerships and business development at Content Analytics.

In this exclusive interview, Gjovig offers his insights on managing the customer experience through effective content management.

Content Analytics VPKenji Gjovig

CRM Buyer: What is content management, and what is the key to doing it effectively?

Kenji Gjovig:

Content management is all about making sure that [a product] item page has all of the information that a customer needs to buy an item or have a good experience with it afterwards.

What goes into content management varies between retailers. A content management system has the ability to set up new items, post images and video, and create a robust title and detailed item description.

Ratings and reviews are really important, and also elements like size charts and product comparison guides that will help [customers] learn how to use the item and feel good about it.

You have to have all of the information on the screen. These enhanced content elements promote the best customer experience.

CRM Buyer: What are some common mistakes you see in the way companies manage their content, and how can these mistakes be avoided?

Gjovig:

The biggest mistake we see is when a brand sees content management as an exercise in just checking the box. They treat it as a spectrum of bad versus good content. Theres a huge spectrum of good and bad content, and the biggest mistake we see is when retailers dont deliver a good customer experience.

CRM Buyer: What is the relationship between managing content effectively and delivering a good customer experience?

Gjovig:

I think theyre directly tied together. If I dont have good content in my item pages, its going to be a terrible customer experience. If theres a great description but no reviews, thats not good.

If Im searching for further information, and there arent good images, Im not likely to make a purchase. Lets say its food or consumables. I see the food, but I dont know the ingredients. Theres a high correlation between more content and good content.

CRM: What are your recommendations for creating a good customer experience?

Gjovig:

Items have to have good attributes and good description, so the algorithms work well. If a customer types in televisions on a retailer site, the search algorithm has to be able to serve up the best item for them, so the best analytics tools identify a lot of search options.

If you think about brick-and-mortar stores, the way we might find a product is walking down the aisles. Were physically and visually finding products. In e-commerce, it has to be all done virtually, and it has to be served up to us. If theres not good content on the pages, the algorithm cant serve up the right products, and that affects the customer experience.

CRM Buyer: What is content health, and how can it best be measured or evaluated?

Gjovig:

Content health is an objective measurement of something that is fairly subjective. We have an algorithm that identifies good or bad content. We measure all of the parameters and assign scores to each of these, and we evaluate individual item pages at scale. Were doing it across tens of millions of item pages across the Internet.

We then measure the quality of content based on objective measures. If Im a particular brand, and Im managing my content, I want to make sure that my brand is doing well compared to other brands on other websites. We look at things both in a vacuum and more strategically, relative to other brands and retailers.

CRM Buyer: How is the field of content management evolving and changing? Whats in the future for content management?

Gjovig:

The way I would describe it is that there is chum in the water, and all of a sudden the sharks are coming. Thats whats going on now. Every brand and every manufacturer is thinking about how they go to market in e-commerce, and retailers are thinking about e-commerce differently.

When Amazon bought Whole Foods, every grocery store in the country paid attention. E-commerce is the only growing channel, and its growing at double-digits. Everyone is trying to find a good content management system.

The best ones are those that give both the analytics and the ability to go fix problems. The demand for precise, real-time analytics is increasing, because e-commerce is growing. The need for data and assortment is only going to be more, which means the analytics will need to get better and better.

CRM Buyer: How is content changing and evolving?

Gjovig:

The old form of user-generated content is that you submit a question, and the next day someone replies. The next generation is that you get the question answered immediately.

I would say that virtual reality is also on the horizon. You can imagine a future when everyone has a VR device, allowing you to interact with products. When I bought a playset, they had a video that had the camera going around the object 360 degrees.

With VR, you can do things at scale, so you can give the customer a more interactive experience, a virtual view, or a tour of products. Were going to see technology that will provide more interactive experience, giving the customer a better experience in the moment of the shopping experience.
Amazon on Wednesday began shipping its latest smart home product, a security camera that works with its Alexa personal assistant and Echo speakers.

The Amazon Cloud Cam allows customers to live-stream activity inside their home 24/7. It features 1080p full HD resolution, two-way audio for communicating with family members or pets, night vision technology, and sophisticated algorithms that use machine learning to figure out if the stranger entering your house is the building super or a possible burglar.

The smart cam, which retails for US$119.99, is incorporated into Amazon Key, which raised a ruckus upon its introduction late last month. The system allows drivers to open the doors of Prime members who want to have packages left inside their homes.

Delivery Watch

Customers using the Amazon Key program will need a compatible smart lock from Yale or Kwikset that allows delivery drivers to enter the home during a specified delivery time window. Users can watch as the driver opens the door, sets the delivery inside, and closes the door.

Amazon plans to coordinate the secure home entry system with more than 1,200 different service and delivery companies, including Merry Maids and Rover.com dog walkers.

Intelligent home security devices are likely to disrupt the traditional home security monitoring industry over the next few years, said Andrew Howard, chief technology officer at Kudelski Security.

Paying for remote physical security monitoring may soon be a relic of the past, as consumers can save money and often receive better service while maintaining the same piece of mind with many of the same home security devices being offered by companies like Amazon and Google, he told TechNewsWorld.

The Amazon Cloud Cam uses the Alexa voice technology to connect with smart speakers like the Echo Show and Echo Spot, as well as Amazon Fire TV devices and Fire tablets, to let users see who is inside or entering their home.

Users can watch the video feed from anywhere in the home using one of those devices, or they can watch remotely on their mobile devices using an iOS or Android app. When users are away from home, the Cloud Cam can be set up to send notifications to their phones, alerting them when motion is detected.

For an additional subscription, Amazon will support additional cameras in the home and provide increased storage and unlimited downloads. The subscription also allows for person detection, a way to flag human activity inside the home.

The machine learning technology can tell when the motion is caused by something expected, like a pet, or by something unexpected  like an intruder.

There is a growing market for automated home security cameras, with more than 90 different makers around the world shipping about 10,000 units per year, noted Blake Kozak, principal analyst for smart home and security technology at IHS Markit.

The market in the U.S. is currently estimated to be worth about $460 million, and has grown about 13 percent from a year ago, he told TechNewsWorld.

Amazon introduced the Cloud Cam as a way to build out its home automation ecosystem, Kozak said. Given the companys expanding grocery business and the $13 billion acquisition of Whole Foods, this likely is just the beginning of the process.

Thats really going to really let Amazon deliver a more customized home experience, he said.

Featured Rivals

Rival devices from Nest and other firms offer higher-end technology than the Amazon Cloud Cam. For example, the Nest Cam IQ includes SuperSight technology, a 4K sensor with HDR, close-up tracking, familiar face alerts with a NestAware subscription, noise cancellation and echo suppression.

Integration with Google Home is slated for this winter, and the company plans to introduce Nest Hello video doorbells by 2018.

Nest recently introduced the Nest Secure alarm system, which includes motion detectors, voice control, and optional remote security monitoring.

Despite the increasing activity, the smart home cameras impact on the home security market likely will be limited until the devices capabilities expand, suggested William Malik, vice president for infrastructure strategies at Trend Micro.

Amazons weakness in the home security market is the absence of a real person to speak with, he told TechNewsWorld.

Intrusive Tech

Despite the increasing interest in these devices, privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the risk to consumers  who might lose control over their private information  versus the benefit of having these devices in their home.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center two years ago asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Alexa voice technology, and asked the Department of Justice whether such listening devices violated provisions of federal wiretapping laws. Some privacy advocates feared Alexa was monitoring users everyday activities.

A lot of tech experts are expressing serious skepticism about [Internet of Things] in the home, Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told TechNewsWorld. The benefits are overstated, and the risks are substantial.
When it comes to search engines, Bing still stands in the shadow of Google. But Microsoft says that one-third of US desktop searches are carried out on its product. Now, the company is improving Bing, as well as Cortana and Office 365, by adding some new, AI-powered features.

At an AI-focused event in San Francisco, Microsoft revealed Bing's new Intelligent Search, Intelligent Image Search and Conversational Search features.

When searching for certain topics, Bing will now show up multiple viewpoints from different sources. When asking if a certain food is unhealthy, for example, it will bring up more than one perspective. And thanks to a partnership with Reddit, some of the results might come from the aggregation site's posts and AMAs.

"As Bing, we want to provide the best results from the overall web," said Jordi Ribas, Microsoft's corporate vice president in charge of AI products, in a statement. "Often people are seeking answers that go beyond something that is a mathematical equation. We want to be able to frame those opinions and articulate them in a way that's also balanced and objective."

Intelligent Image search, as the name suggests, lets people search for something within an image. Using a photo of someone wearing a certain dress or piece of jewelry, you'll be able search for that particular item by hitting a "search within image" button.

Microsoft also showed off its "Perspective Engine," which can provide context to certain answers. Asking the size of a country will show the answer in square miles, but might also add that it's the same size as Texas. And finding out the calorie count of certain foods could also reveal how long it would take to burn them off.

Cortana is also getting an AI boost. The digital assistant will be able to check your emails from Outlook, Gmail, and others, and provide a summary of the ones it thinks are most important. Microsoft's "skill chaining," meanwhile, offers suggestions based on certain actions. If you book a movie ticket, you'll be prompted to "get a ride," and then "add event to calendar."

Even Office 365 is getting an extra AI infusion. Microsoft showed a preview of Office Insights, which uses machine learning to analyze Excel spreadsheets and suggest charts or pivot tables based on the data. There's also the Word Acronyms tool that helps people understand common acronyms used by their workplaces, and Tap, which can search through documents to find appropriate charts or graphs.
Telecom giant AT&T has started testing a new internet distribution service in a small area within the state of Georgia and in an unnamed location overseas. Called Project AirGig, it uses pre-existing power lines to deliver high-speed connections to customers.

AirGig, a first-of-its-kind system that AT&T unveiled last year, could eventually deliver speeds of well over 1 gigabit per second via a millimeter wave (mmWave) sent along power lines---not through them---using plastic antennae. As the infrastructure is already in place, there would be no need to build new towers or lay new cables.

The trials are being carried out in rural areas where standard connections can be spotty at best, but the company said it could potentially be used in suburbs and cities, too. Best of all, trained engineers could install the antennae in just a few minutes.

"We are looking forward to begin testing the possibilities of AT&T Labs' invention for customers and utility companies," said Andre Fuetsch, president of AT&T Labs and chief technology officer. "AT&T is focused on delivering a gigabit-per-second speed everywhere we can with our wired and wireless technologies. Project AirGig represents a key invention in our 5G Evolution approach."

AT&T didn't say where other trials might take place, but it did talk about expanding the current tests in the near future. These will evaluate how the technology holds up during extreme weather conditions such as snow, heavy rain, and high winds.

There's no word on when Project AirGig might get a wider rollout. There are several hurdles to overcome before that happens, such as reaching agreements with hundreds of energy companies to use their power lines.
People are calling their strike the "Red Cup Rebellion" and handing out red Starbucks Workers United cups to customers. | Read More
Honda Civic Type R and Clarity Fuel Cell Powertrains Awarded 2018 Wards 10 Best Engines

Dec 14, 2017 - TORRANCE, Calif.; Setting the bar from performance to long range zero-emission vehicles, Honda was honored with two 2018 Wards 10 Best Engines awards for the Civic Type R 2.0-liter turbo and Clarity Fuel Cell powertrains. The models were recognized for their horsepower, torque, technology, observed fuel economy, relative competitiveness and noise characteristics. Having two advanced powertrains named to the Wards 10 Best Engines list demonstrates the prowess of Honda engineering that meets the needs and lifestyles of a diverse range of customers.

The Civic Type R features the most powerful engine ever offered in a Honda production vehicle in America. The Type R's 2.0-liter DOHC VTEC Turbo direct-injected powerplant advances performance on multiple fronts with a peak output of 306 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm1. The Civic Type R is the absolute pinnacle of Civic performance, and ranks as the fastest Honda production automobile ever offered in America, with a track top speed of approximately 170 mph.

Technological innovations to the Clarity Fuel Cell created a hydrogen-powered fuel cell stack 33 percent more compact than its predecessor with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to the outgoing Honda FCX Clarity. The more compact fuel cell and integrated powertrain, comparable in size to a V-6 engine, now fits entirely under the hood of the sedan, allowing for a more spacious cabin with seating for five passengers. The Clarity Fuel Cell features a class-leading driving range rating for zero-emission vehicles with its EPA range rating of 366 miles2.

1 SAE net.

2 Based on 2017 EPA ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe and driving range will vary based on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, powertrain condition, and other factors.
AUTO LAB TALK RADIO LIVE FROM NYC SATURDAY MORNING! 7-9 AM December 16, 2017







Auto Lab Talk Radio

The Auto Lab Radio Show LIVE every Saturday 7 to 9 AM On New York City's WNYM Radio AM 970 and Streamed Worldwide On The Auto Channel

This Weeks Show Broadcast Date: December 16, 2017

Car Question or Concern? Call Toll Free 888-692-7234

Auto Lab is a 28 year old interactive automotive-focused New York area radio call-in show hosted by Professor Harold Wolchok. Each week a cadre of experienced hands-on automotive experts are in-studio with advice for the New York area's 12 million people, providing listeners with honest, practical and street-smart car repair and buying advice.

Auto Lab is also about the automotive industry, its history, and its culture, presenting the ideas and advice of leading college faculty, authors, and automotive practitioners in a relaxed, conversational interactive format.

Listeners can hear the past 18 years of archived Auto Lab shows as simulcast on www.theautochannel.com.

Listen - Auto Lab Page (Includes Audio-on-Demand Archives, Auto Programs at Community College Database, Guests Pictures

This Weeks Show: December 16, 2017

IN STUDIO: Auto Lab's Real World Experts Answer Your Questions; Discuss: Repairs, Second Opinions, Regular Maintenance, How To's, Safety, Used and New Car Buying, Ombudsmen Suggestions

Harold Bendell - Major Auto

Fred Bordoff - Bronx Community College Automotive Technology Department-CUNY

Tim Cacace - Master Mechanix Auto Repairs

Libby Demarco-Broadway Sunoco AAA NJ

David Goldsmith - Urban Classics Auto Repairs AAA NY

Jerry Pastore-D & J Diagnostic

Johanna Pastore-D & J Diagnostic

Joanne Porcelli, Esq

Michael Porcelli - Auto Mobile Services

Nicholas Prague- MTA and Rockland Community College, SUNY

Broadcast Date: December 16, 2017;

Auto Lab Correspondents Remote Interviews: Featuring Auto Safety News, New Car Reviews, Technology and Latest Auto World Information That Will Effect You!

Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England

IF IT IS PERFECT MAKE IT AGAIN BUT BETTER

John Russell Senior Correspondent

HYUNDAI IONIQ HYBRID

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Because no two paths to parenthood look the same, the Cuts How I Got This Baby invites parents to share their stories. Want to share yours? Email gotbaby@thecut.com and tell us a bit about how you became a parent.

Photo: H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStoc/Getty Images

Lori pictured herself as a mother from the time she was very young. But she never imagined what she calls the fairy-tale family, with a husband and a house in the suburbs. During a brief marriage in her late 20s, she did think about trying to have a baby with her then-husband; now, shes grateful that didnt work out. She discusses what made her decide to pursue motherhood in her 40s, her experience adopting a baby from Russia, having a child with health issues as a single parent, and what she hopes will always be true about her relationship with her son.

On dreaming of motherhood. Always, motherhood was my dream. Ever since I can remember. Motherhood was the only thing I knew that I wanted for sure. I didnt dream about being married. I always just thought about being a mother.

I did get married at 28. That marriage was very short-lived. I did think about getting pregnant to bring us closer, to make that marriage better. Thank goodness I didnt, because that would have been a mistake. We ended up getting divorced after two years. Ever since then, Ive tried various relationships but I think Im a better mother than a girlfriend or a partner.

On an unplanned pregnancy. When I was in college, I had a miscarriage. Thats when I found out I had endometriosis, and I was told it was unclear if I would ever be able to get pregnant again. It was kind of always on my mind after that  getting pregnant as soon as possible. Thats basically what the doctors told me to do, after I miscarried.

On realizing what she wanted most. After my divorce, my desire to become a mom was still there. I felt like a huge failure. I kind of knew, before we got married, that it wasnt an ideal situation. I just thought, you reach a certain age and you get married. So thats what I did. But we werent right for each other. I felt like a failure because I knew I shouldnt have gotten married, but I did anyway.

I still never had the dream of being a wife and being a homemaker. I knew I wanted to be a mother, but I just never had the traditional dream of getting married, living in the suburbs. It never occurred to me that could be my life. My childhood wasnt particularly happy; my parents werent a great example of a good marriage. A fairy-tale life was never part of my consciousness.

I did fall in love, after my marriage ended. For various reasons, those relationships didnt work out. One relationship ended right before 9/11. Right after that, I decided to get off my butt and think about adoption. 9/11 affected me greatly. I just remember thinking, You dont know whats going to happen. Life is finite. You need to make things happen for yourself that you want to have happen. I started to wonder what my regrets would be if I died tomorrow. The only thing I could really think of was that Id always wanted to be a mother.

This was something I talked about with family and friends, and with a therapist. Some people were very supportive. Other people thought I was crazy because I was single  that it was crazy, that it would be too hard, that I couldnt do it by myself. I just didnt really listen to anyone. I thought, Im 42. I have a house, a pretty successful career. It felt like the only thing that was missing.

On making her desire concrete. I started off by going to the doctor to see if there was any chance of me being artificially inseminated. I did want to go through the experience of pregnancy, but they pretty much told me that ship had already sailed.

Then one day, my therapist said to me, Why dont you just do it? Why dont you start looking into adoption? I remember that moment: I just looked at her and thought, Why not? I called up an agency, went in to talk to them, and the rest happened very quickly. My son was home with me after about nine months.

On adopting a baby from overseas. At that time, you could still adopt a baby from Russia as a single parent. They were very welcoming to American parents, even single ones. (American parents, single or coupled, cant adopt Russian kids anymore.) I started pursuing the adoption of a Russian child. There were a lot of kids up for adoption at the time. I dont know what the situation is now.

After starting the approval process and getting accepted, the agency will start to email pictures of prospective children. One day in July, I got that first email: They had a girl and a boy, and told me a little about each of them. I freaked out. I felt like, Oh my god, Im not ready. This is too quick. I told them to give me a little more time.

The next week, they sent me another email, with a little boy. It turned out he was my son. Later, I realized that it was the same little boy as the original email. I think a lot of people get flustered at the initial contact, so agencies try again. Id always wanted a boy. He was 15 months old.

All I knew was his age, a bit about his health, and about five or six pictures. To this day, Im not quite sure if I got the right pictures  the baby in the pictures has blue eyes. My sons eyes are brown. But I said yes, and we started making arrangements for me to go to Russia. It was a four-day trip, and I was traveling three out of the four days. My son was in an orphanage in Siberia  you fly to Moscow, then its another five hours to get to Siberia.

When I got to the orphanage, I was taken to a huge room. Then the baby was brought to me. Then they left us alone, for about an hour. Youre expected to say yes or no after that hour.

He cried for the first 45 minutes. Then I took him over to a window with a ledge, and we looked out at all the kids playing outside. There were so many children. I just started telling him things in English  what his room would be like, how I had two cats. He finally stopped crying. We sat down, and he fell asleep in my arms.

To him, I was someone who smelled different, who spoke a different language. I knew I had to be very patient. Of course, after the hour, I said yes, that I wanted him.

On formalizing the adoption. Then I went back home. I went back two or three weeks later, this time with my sister. I stayed for a week and a half this time, because I needed a visa and a passport for the baby and to formally adopt my son. I went in front of a court  a big room, with about 20 women sitting around the perimeter. They asked me questions in Russian; I would answer in English through a translator.

My son had some health issues, the severity of which I knew maybe 40 percent before we got back to the States. The women asked me how I felt about the health issues, and whether I was nervous about them. The question was basically: Why do you want him, when he has health issues? My response was that they made me want him more. I knew that I could help him, because I had excellent insurance. Everyone started crying when I said that.

After you make your case, you leave your room and go to another room, where there are other parents from America waiting to see if theyve been approved. You wait there with them for a lightbulb to go on. Once the lightbulb goes on, you head back into the room, and they tell you if you can become a parent. They told me yes.

We spent a bit more time in Siberia, in a hotel. I felt lucky my sister was there, because she has a daughter of her own. He just loved her. When she played with him, he started laughing and smiling right away. Still, the two of us had a bond immediately. There was no car seat, so when I held him in the car as we drove away from the orphanage he was tense at first. Then he relaxed into me. That first night, he slept in a crib next to my bed. I held his hand the whole night.

He was very hungry; hed cry and scream as soon as he saw food. It made me sad  hed been very well taken care of at the orphanage, but he just didnt have enough food. He was small for his age. After wed finished in Siberia, we went to Moscow for about a week, to get our paperwork in order. Then we got on a plane and went home.

Thinking about it now, Im not sure how I got through the days of getting on a plane, going to Russia. I dont know how I got the strength to do all of that. But you do what you have to do, and thats what being a parent is all about.

On tackling health issues as a single parent. Once we were in the States, I found out about more of his health issues. We spent a lot of time working on those, some of which were fairly serious. Doing this as a single parent was very difficult. It was so very hard. I was off of work for a few months, and it felt like we spent the whole time going from doctor to doctor. Every doctor would recommend seeing a different doctor. It was very rough, but we were lucky; we had some really excellent providers. Its another time where I knew I had to do whatever I could to make him as whole as I could make him.

His health got a lot better after the first couple of years. He had nine different surgeries in those first few years. He was a very brave, strong boy, who taught me a lot about being brave. Ive never had a lot of health problems myself, so I had a lot to learn.

At the time, I worked at a bank. Id known the person who hired me for about 20 years. He and the company were extremely supportive of me. They helped me with insurance claims. When I needed time off, I was given time off, and I had a fairly flexible work schedule. I am forever thankful to that company for what they did for me. I dont know that Id have been able to be as successful in helping my son if I hadnt worked for such a flexible company.

I have one sister who lived very close at the time, and another sister who lived about an hour away. Theyre both older than me, and were kind of in different life stages. But they were very supportive of me. I also have a really great brother-in-law, who would listen to me for hours on the phone and help me make decisions about my son when I didnt know quite what to do. And there were a lot of times when I didnt know quite what to do. Without him, I dont know what I would have done.

On explaining her sons origin story. Since I brought him home, I would tell him things like, You werent in my belly. You were in your birth mothers belly. I dont know how much he understood that, as a toddler. I would tell him that there was a mommy who wanted a baby, and that a baby and a mommy came together. There were a few times when he was 7 or 8 when he expressed a lot of sadness about not having a dad, when he was thinking about his birth mother and father a lot. That always gave me kind of a twinge, when my kid would bring it up. But I also realized that it was a perfectly natural thing for him to wonder about.

I just wanted to be as honest as possible with him. I would tell him, You know, it really stinks that you dont know your birth parents, that these are your circumstances. My son is 15 now, and I think he realizes the ways that hes lucky. But when he was 7 or 8, I dont think he could think that way. He just wanted to know why he didnt have a dad like other kids. Thats always been hard. Hes had my brother-in-law and friends whove been in his life, but its not the same as a dad.

On her relationship with her son. After adopting a baby on my own, I really think that people who have that dream should just do it. A lot of things about being a parent make you exhausted. But when your kid does something and you realize that something youve tried to teach him has gotten through, or when you see our kid do something like hold a door open for an older person, or anything nice at all  that makes the rest of it go away. Those are the things you remember. Those are the things that make your life, I think.

My son and I have had lots of challenges, not just with his health. Weve had behavioral and psychological challenges as well, and were still dealing with things. Hes a wonderful kid who sometimes makes mistakes. I have to try to guide him. Were very close, and I hope we always will be. My son and I, thats my longest relationship. None of my other relationships have even come close to being that long. Hes the love of my life.
Dan Johnson. Photo: Timothy D. Easley/AP

A Kentucky lawmaker accused of sexual assault appears to have committed suicide. According to local authorities, Republican state representative Dan Johnson shot himself on a bridge in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, early Wednesday evening. WDRB reports that police officers went looking for Johnson after he made a Facebook post indicating that he intended to take his own life.

Rep. Dan Johnson posted this Facebook message before he committed suicide pic.twitter.com/AhndFfqnXn  Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) December 14, 2017

Johnsons death came two days after the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an investigation detailing the claim that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in 2013. According to the alleged victim, the assault took place at the Heart of Fire City Church, where she was having a sleepover with Johnsons daughter. The woman said that Johnson, a preacher at the church, drunkenly woke her up and proceeded to kiss her, grope her, and put his finger in her vagina. He told her shed like it. She said no, she didnt. She pleaded with him: go away, go away, the KCIR reported. Eventually, he did. She and her parents informed the police of the attack, but nothing ever came of it.

Following calls for his resignation, Johnson told reporters, This allegation concerning this lady, this young girl, absolutely has no merit, these are unfounded accusations, totally. This is an assault on all real people, he added. Theres no perfect people and you get into office and all of sudden political hacks come against you and start accusing you after youre in office.

The KCIR report also linked Johnson to two arson incidents and suggested that he had lied under oath. Additionally, it questioned why Kentuckys political leaders hadnt done more to prevent his election after he was found to have made racist Facebook posts.
Activists are planning to step up protests over government policy that allows Nestle Waters Canada to extract more than a billion litres of water on expired permits in rural Ontario. (The Canadian Press/Richard Buchan)

A Lot of Societal Angst Over Ontario Nestle Permit Deal, Says Water Watchdog

Ontario allowing Nestle to extract water on expired permits; BC still waiting on permits to kick in

Activists are planning to step up protests over a deal that has allowed Nestle Waters Canada to extract more than a billion litres of water on expired permits for over a year in rural Ontario.

The issue has already sparked heated protests, with activists vowing to make the phasing out of commercial water extraction a provincial election issue next spring.

Last month, protesters gathered at a controversial Nestle well site in Centre Wellington, near Guelph. The Middlebrook well had been sought after by the local community for its own needs and the town placed an anonymous bid on the property, but the Swiss bottled water giant had a previous conditional offer on it and when learning of the local bid, exercised its right of first refusal and purchased the well.

This has caused concern that the Middlebrook wellthe only new source of clean drinking water in the expanding municipalitycould eventually be depleted for local consumption.

We had 120 people march up a country road on a cold, windy day to the Nestle plant, and were going to have more of that because people have had enough and more people are taking action than beforetheres a lot of societal angst over this, said Mike Nagy, a board member of Wellington Water Watchers.

Although the Ontario government issued a pause on new permits with a two-year moratorium that ends in January 2019, it is allowing bottled water companies to take up to 7.6 million litres of groundwater per day on expired permits, giving them time to update renewal applications to reflect new rules.

Nestle operates at two other sites in rural Ontario in what Nagy calls the Nestle Triangle. One site is located in Erin, 80 kilometres southwest of Toronto, where the water bottler can pump 1.1 million litres per day under expired permits, and the other is in Aberfoyle, south of Guelph, where it is allowed 3.6 million litres a day.

The company has yet to take water from the Middlebrook well, and activists are hoping it will never have the chance to do so.

Public protest pushed the Ontario government to not only temporarily halt issuing new permits but also to raise the fee from a mere $3.71 per million litres of groundwater to almost $504 per million litres.

However, Nagy said the higher fees dont go far enough and locals consider the price still far too low. He said Wellington Water Watchers and others are calling for a stop to commercial water extraction altogether, fearing Nestle will go ahead on pumping the allowed 1.6 million litres a day at the Middlebrook site as soon as it gets the permits.

We want action now and not for the province to wait for after the election when the two-year moratorium is up. We have a campaign underway with 40,000 to 50,000 postcards and emails sent to Premier Wynnes office, which is asking for the phasing out of the bottled water industry in 10 years, he said.

Nagy commended Wynne for verbal support in publicly questioning the environmental impact that consumption of bottled water has in Ontario, where Statistics Canada reported one out of five people drink primarily bottled water even with clean tap water readily available.

But he said the government isnt acting fast enough considering how badly Centre Wellington needs the water in the short term. Towns in the Wellington area are expanding fast, and the population growth along with droughts that hit the area in recent years means the towns need the groundwater more than ever, Nagy said.

Environmental damage

Water advocate Emma Lui with the Council of Canadians said theres evidence of environmental damage left behind by Nestle between 2011 and 2015, and the aquifers where Nestle operates in Ontario and British Columbia fell by 1.5 metres, while at the same time the company increased water extraction by 33 percent.

But Nestle denies those claims, saying in a statement that sustainability is very crucial in all the companys operations and that it carefully monitors all data and cooperates with all levels of government and the community to ensure water remains intact for future generations. The company said that based on many years of extensive hydrogeological and environmental monitoring, there is no scientific evidence of declining groundwater levels or negative impacts to the local aquifer.

We have a full-time hydrologist who manages over 130 monitoring points in Ontario, Jennifer Kerr, corporate affairs director with Nestle Waters Canada, said in an email.

We have always shared our data with our stakeholders, including both provincial and municipal governments, conservation authorities, First Nations, and universities.

The Township of Centre Wellington released a report in September of 2015 stating it currently has a healthy water supply.

Nagy, however, condemns Nestle for falsely selling itself as a sustainable brand, noting that the monitoring of its wells is mandated by law.

Ontarios Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change says it takes protecting the provinces water supply very seriously.

Ontario has among the strongest water-taking protections in Canada. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change reviewed our water-taking rules and made significant changes to further protect our groundwater, spokesman Gary Wheeler wrote in an email.

Wheeler said Nestle and other water bottlers are operating within their legal rights to pump water under expired permits since under the Ontario Water Resources Act a permit can remain in force past its expiry date if an application to renew it is submitted. Nestle said it originally applied for the renewal of both the Aberfoyle and Erin permits more than 90 days before their expiry, but added it is amending its applications in light of the new requirements.

In B.C., protest boiled over in 2015 when a drought hit the province and water restrictions were in place in many municipalities including in Hope, where Nestle operates a wellbut Nestle was allowed to continue extracting water. The company pays just a $2.25 fee per million litres of water extracted in B.C.

Lui notes that Nestle continues to pump water in Hope without any permits, as it is not required to submit an application until March 2019.

Jared Gnam is a freelance reporter based in Vancouver. He broke into the world of journalism covering the Stanley Cup Riot in 2011.
A four-ship formation of F-22 Raptors from the 94th Fighter Squadron and 1st Fighter Wing fly in formation over the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

American Fighter Jets Head-Butt Russian Planes Over Syria: Reports

U.S. fighter jets intercepted two Russian planes in Syria, a defense official said on Thursday, Dec. 14.

American F-22 jets fired flares after going across the front of the Russian planes, known as head-butting, and its meant to send a warning, the official told Fox News.

The incident occurred Wednesday near the Euphrates River in Syria, the official said.

The Russian fighter planes were flying east of the de-confliction line thats designed to separate American and Russian jets, defense officials told CNN.

A Russian Su-35 jet was also involved in the encounter along with two Russian Su-25 close air support planes. It lasted several minutes in all, an official told CNN.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command later confirmed the incident. The Su-25 planes were promptly intercepted by two F-22A Raptors providing air cover for partner ground forces conducting operations to defeat ISIS, Air Forces Central Command spokesman Lt. Col. Damien Pickart told the network.

One Su-25 flew close enough to an F-22A that it had to aggressively maneuver to avoid a midair collision, he told CNN and added: during the incident, a Russian Su-35 also flew across the river and was shadowed closely by one of the F-22As.

Pickart said that Russian planes have violated several agreements.

In early November we verbally agreed through de-confliction channels that the Russians would remain west of the Euphrates River, and the coalition would operate to the east. Since agreeing to this de-confliction arrangement, the Russians have flown into our airspace on the east side of the river 6-8 times per day, or approximately 10% of the Russian and Syrian flights, Pickart said.

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War veterans and local residents watch Chinese leader Xi Jinping give an address at the 19th National Congress on television, at a bookstore in Shenyang City in China's northeastern Liaoning Province on October 18, 2017.(STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Anti-Corruption Campaign in China Steamrolls On, Targeting Officials in Northeastern Region

Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign has felled another high-level official.

On Dec. 12, the Chinese Communist Partys anti-corruption agency announced that Zhang Jiehui, a high-ranking cadre in the Hebei provincial rubber-stamp legislature, is being investigated for seriously violating Party discipline, an oft-used euphemism for corruption.

As deputy head of the local National Peoples Congress Standing Committee (within the Partys convoluted bureaucracy, Standing Committee usually signifies the most powerful body within a Party organ), Zhang is considered to be a tiger, or top-level official.

He is the third such tiger to be taken down since this years important Party leadership transition, the 19th National Congress, took place in October. After Party leader Xi Jinping consolidated his power and appointed a new head for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Zhao Leji, to continue carrying out his campaign, many speculated as to whether Zhao could keep the momentum going.

Prior to the 19th National Congress, Caixin, a Chinese business publication, counted 96 tigers who had been sentenced since Xi took power in 2012.

The Liaoning Gang

The investigation into Zhang reveals that the CCDI has their targets set on officials with influence in Chinas northeastern Hebei and Liaoning provinces.

After all, Zhang was close colleagues with several high officials in both provinces who are also currently under investigation. Zhang was born in Liaoning and spent most of his career there, serving high positions in Panjin and Anshan cities.

On Nov. 23, the CCDI announced that Liaoning vice governor Liu Qiang was being investigated, making him the second tiger to be taken down.

Liaoning is known to be occupied territory of officials belonging to the Partys opposing factionmaking them Xis political enemies. Loyal to former Party leader Jiang Zemin, several big tigers in the Jiang faction began their political careers there. The Partys former security czar, Zhou Yongkang, was in charge of the lucrative Liaohe oil fields and served as mayor of Panjin City. Meanwhile, former Chongqing City party boss Bo Xilai once served as Liaoning governor and Dalian City mayor. Former member of the Partys most powerful body, the Politburo Standing Committee, Li Changchun, was vice-governor, and former top general Xu Caihou, rose in military ranks while stationed in the region. All but Li, who retired in 2013, have since been purged by Xis anti-corruption campaign.

Meanwhile, Zhang was close to the Hebei party boss, Zhou Benshun, who in turn had worked under Zhou Yongkang (no relation) when the latter was head of Chinas security apparatus.

The CCDIs latest move indicates they are closing in on any remaining Jiang influence in the region.

Zhangs Crimes

Zhangs prior transgressions may point to the reasons he got in trouble. Last December, while serving as Hebei vice governor, he allowed a steel company, An Feng, to begin a project before it obtained approval. Zhang was censured by the State Council and received a warning. At the beginning of this year, Zhang resigned from his vice governor position.

Two major explosions took place during Zhangs tenure, which may have tarnished his record in the Partys eyes. In 2014, a firecracker warehouse in Ningjin County exploded, causing at least 15 deaths, according to official reports. In 2015, a chemical plant operated by the Kailuan Group in Tangshan City exploded, resulting in one death and twelve missing.

Chinese media also reported that Zhang mishandled assets in Hebei state-owned firms.

In related news, Sun Zhengcai, a top tiger who was once considered next-in-line to head the Party after Xi, has been arrested and will be prosecuted in court, according to an announcement by the Partys top prosecuting body, the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate on Dec. 11. Sun was named a co-conspirator along with Bo, Zhou, Xu, and other Jiang faction officials in attempting to stage a coup against the leadership.

Zhang Dun and Xu Menger contributed to this report.
A man, woman and baby were dead found at 8900 block on Indian Avenue, Jacksonville after a Christmas tree caught fire. Police said foul play is suspected. (Screenshot via Google Maps)

Baby, Two Adults Die After Christmas Tree Catches Fire in Florida Home

A man, woman, and their baby have been found dead in a Florida home after a Christmas tree caught on fire on the evening of Tuesday, Dec 12, police said.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department were called before 8:30 p.m. to a home on 8900 block of India Avenue, south of the Arlington Expressway, reported CBS.

Layer of crime scene tape just came down. Can see investigators taking photos of house pic.twitter.com/5hE8qDwfdY  Cole Heath (@ColeANjax) December 13, 2017

Crime scene investigators appear to have left home. I dont see fire damage to front-exterior of the home. pic.twitter.com/FngQs56GWY  Cole Heath (@ColeANjax) December 13, 2017

Firefighters found three bodies and a burned Christmas tree after forcing entry into the home.

Authorities suspect foul play in the deaths of the three people, but police could not say what evidence leads them to believe that, reported the news station.

(There is an) adult male, adult female and toddler dead. We suspect foul play but the investigation is in its early stages and we dont have much information at this point, Sgt. David Smith told CBS.

#JSO Homicide Unit is on scene working three people deceased including a small child, in the 8900 block of India Avenue. Foul play is suspected at this time. #JAX #Jacksonville  Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) December 13, 2017

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office has not released the identities of the victims. However, people who claim to be the relatives of the victims were gathered outside the home.

We have no idea. The door was locked. We have no idea what happened, just that theyre no longer with us, one relative told CBS.

The great-grandfather of the youngest victim confirmed that it was his great-granddaughter, Arielle, her 19-year-old mother, Ariyan Johnson, and her 20-year-old father, Quasean Trotter, who were in the house on Tuesday night, reported CBS.

EXCLUSIVE- Ariyan Johnsons grandfather: Two weeks ago, I just held my great-granddaughter in my hand, here. And to just imagine that shes gone from me, my world is crashing right now. Catch his interview at 5 on @ActionNewsJax. pic.twitter.com/d5tjT7gN5J  Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 13, 2017

Great grandfather of the youngest victim confirms this is little Arielle who was sadly found dead after a reported house fire. Jso suspects foul play. Her mom also died. pic.twitter.com/Q5cw7oXGjI  Cole Heath (@ColeANjax) December 13, 2017

JSO Homicide investigation at 8000 block of India Ave Woodland Acres media briefing at 10:20 pic.twitter.com/Mc1kyooHRx  Ben Becker (@BenBeckerANjax) December 13, 2017

Ariyan Johnson, 19, posted this video with Quasean Trotter, 20, to #Facebook Sunday. She added the caption: "People let me tell you about my best friend." Police say them- and their toddler- were found dead in their burning #Jacksonville home last night. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/IGFPsZLvPl  Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 13, 2017

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From NTD
Brazen Thief Steals 66 Pound Treadmill Meant for Man Battling Cancer

A brazen thief stole a treadmill meant for a Missouri man battling cancer during broad daylight and in plain sight of a home security camera.

The camera is not well-hidden at all, Matt Elwonger told WDAF. Its right in plain sight, and she didnt care at all. She just came right up and took it.

Elwonger ordered the treadmill for his dad who is going through chemotherapy as he battles bladder cancer. The doctors ordered him to keep moving.



Matt Elwongers father (R) is battling bladder cancer

I worked really hard to get that for my dad, Elwonger said. My brother even, a joint present from me and my brother. We all worked really hard to get it.

The bulky 66-pound package sat on a porch before a young woman wearing only socks on her feet, dark pants, and a blue hoodie carried it away.

Elwonger posted the footage from the surveillance camera on Facebook with a plea for help. Tens of thousands of people were shocked to see the theft and the video quickly went viral.

It hasnt even been online for 24 hours, and its been shared like 33,000 times, Elwonger said.

When I watched her carry it out, I thought, How heavy can that be? So I looked it up. The shipping weight on Amazon is 66 pounds, Elwonger told WDAF. It just looks like furniture or something.

She opened it, and it wasnt what she wanted so she just threw it out in the street, Elwonger said about the thief.

People who heard about the story online offered to donate gym equipment of their own. One woman from the area saw the Facebook post and happened to drive by the box as it lay in the middle of the street.

The woman brought the box to a FedEx location and Elwonger came to pick it up on Wednesday, Dec. 13. He thanks the woman and everyone who offered their support.

After a few bumps along the way, the box is now finally at its destination. Elwonger said that he assembled the treadmill and everything works fine.

Elwonger filed a police report. The thief has not yet been identified.

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From NTD.tv
British Model Who Claims She was Kidnapped in Italy Was In On It the Whole Time, Says Captor

The man accused of kidnapping a British model in Italy and holding her captive in a remote village for six days says that it was all a big plot, and that the woman was in on it the whole time.

Lukasz Herba, 30, said through his lawyer that British model Chloe Ayling planned the plot with him to make a name for herself, adding that the pair had met in Paris to discuss the plot.

He says the kidnap was a fabrication. They planned it together so she would become famous, his lawyer, Katia Kolakowska, told the Mirror.

There is evidence the two had an existing relationship.

A post shared by Chloe Ayling (@chloeayling) on May 2, 2016 at 4:00pm PDT

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, a Milan court tossed out this argument, The Sun reported.

A judge at the Corte dAssises in Milan also rejected an application by Herbas lawyer to force Ayling to travel to Italy to be questioned in the court, the Daily Mail reports.

However, Herbas brother, Michal, could be extradited to Italy, a Westminster Magistrates Court ruled in September.

Ayling said she was drugged, kidnapped, and stuffed into a suitcase in Italy on July 11 after being invited to a fake modeling shoot by one of her alleged captors.

Michal is accused of conspiring with Herba to kidnap the 20-year-old mother-of-one.

Ayling claimed her captors were part of an online organization called Black Death and were going to sell her for sex on the darknet if her agent failed to pay a ransom of $300,000 (270,000).

She was allegedly kept captive until Herba found out she had a 2-year-old son.

Great day shooting in the rain with the talented @the.banker ? A post shared by Chloe Ayling (@chloeayling) on Feb 22, 2015 at 11:39am PST

But questions have cropped up over her account of events.

A shopkeeper in the town where she was allegedly held said she saw Ayling and Herba laughing and joking together while shopping.

On Good Morning Britain, she responded to questions from Piers Morgan about her time in captivity by saying she was not joking and laughing as the shopkeeper described, and that she didnt try to escape because she thought her captors would track her down and kill her if she did.

Both British and Italian media have questioned how her captors allegedly injected her in the arm with ketamine, a horse tranquilizer, at the time of her abduction as she was wearing a thick leather jacket at the time.

Wow thank you so much for 100k followers! Love you all ? Cap by @questlifestyle A post shared by Chloe Ayling (@chloeayling) on Jan 17, 2017 at 8:08am PST

And responding to allegations that she went to breakfast with Herba before he released her at the British consulate in Milan, she said she saw him as her savior. It was the Romanians, she said, who were her real captors. No Romanian suspects have yet been found.

She reportedly told Italian police that the shoes and tracksuit she was wearing when released were given to her before she left the house, but when they asked her why she was seen by a shopkeeper buying the shoes, she admitted she had gone out to buy the shoes. Police asked her why she lied, she broke down in tears, saying, I dont have a reasonable explanation, according to The Sun. When Morgan grilled her about why she lied to police about shoe shopping with Herba, she said she didnt lie, but merely brushed it off.

Unless you were in my position and went through what I went through, no one can tell me how I should have behaved with a kidnapper, or how I should be reacting now, she told him.

Now she has signed with a London-based agency to give talks about her experience for money, and is reportedly going to write a tell-all book about her experience titled Six Days, which is set to be released next spring.

Michal Herbas lawyer, George Hepburne Scott, said in September there was a real risk that the entire case is a sham, according to the BBC.

This case has a unique set of anomalies which might lead to the conclusion that the Italian authorities have been duped and that their process has been abused, he said.

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From NTD.tv
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to dignitaries and members of the Invictus Team Australia Squad at the official launch at Admiralty House on June 7, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Toby Zerna/Pool/Getty Images)

China Phobia Label Is Absurd, Says Australian PM

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said it is absurd how he has been labeled China phobic by his opposition as Sydney prepares to hold an important by-election.

Turnbull has defended himself after Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Bill Shorten said he had China phobia and ALP candidate in the Bennelong by-election, Kristina Keneally, said the PM was fueling suspicions of Asian Australians.

The political name calling comes in the wake of concerns over interference by Chinas ruling Communist Party in Australian affairs which resulted in the federal government recently introducing tougher foreign interference laws.

The name calling also follows the resignation of ALP senator Sam Dastyari who resigned this week due to media reports over his alleged links with political donor Huang Xiangmo, a wealthy Chinese property developer with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

.@billshortenmp: @TurnbullMalcolm would be well-advised now to hop off the China-phobia horse and get on with the business of growing opportunities for Australians. MORE: https://t.co/h2PkHqtZOK pic.twitter.com/xWTUFRYHm1  Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 12, 2017

Such inferences have also been made as the Sydney electoral area of Bennelong  where Chinese Australians make up 20 percent of the voters  is to have a crucial by-election this Saturday.

Turnbull said his political oppositions claims were desperate and absurd, citing his own familys links with Chinese in Australia through his daughter-in-law, Yvonne Wang, reported The Australian.

To suggest that somebody whose granddaughter is one of those one million Australians of Chinese ancestry is anything other than a friend of Chinese people is absurd, completely absurd, Turnbull said.

It just shows you how desperate they are.

The prime minister said it was unimaginable to think of his country without its Australians of Chinese ancestry.

We are the most successful multicultural society in the world, Turnbull said.

Our ties with China are strong, and they are stronger all the time and they are basically built by people-to-people links and family links, he said.

.@pwafork: This isn't about China, this is about @samdastyari, and I think Bennelong voters will see through this risible attempt by @KKeneally to flip the issue. MORE: https://t.co/haVQVYb0zp #Credlin pic.twitter.com/ic4BKF3xuk  Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 11, 2017

Turnbull told the broadsheet newspaper that the by-election would be a tough but vital fight.

The polls are very tight, it is a tight race. Weve always said that, he said.

There is a very high cost in voting Labor in Bennelong because if Labor were to win in Bennelong, then Bill Shorten would become very close to becoming prime minister.

The latest newspoll shows a 50-50 split in two-party preferred votes, reported SBS.

Stand up

Last week, Turnbull said he will not back away from standing up for his countrys interests following criticism from Beijing over earlier comments made about reports of Chinese interference in Australias affairs.

Turnbull rejected criticism from Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang who said he was pandering to irresponsible reports by some Australian media. A day earlier, Turnbull said he had taken seriously media reports of Chinese meddling in Australian politics and the broader community.

We are strongly dissatisfied with those remarks and [have] lodged stern representations with the Australian side, said Geng. In response to Gengs comments, Turnbull said he would stand up for Australians.

Australia's ambassador to China has been summoned to the Chinese Foreign Ministry to discuss proposed new laws to stop foreign countries trying to influence our politics. More: https://t.co/SIDts2R8oJ #7News pic.twitter.com/NxD38tsQYL  7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) December 13, 2017

Open Letter

Turnbulls China-phobia denial comes as an open letter in Chinese has been doing the rounds on social media calling upon Chinese Australians not to vote for his partys candidate, John Alexander.

Fairfax Media said that the author of the letter is unknown but it has been shared by Yan Zehua, an Australian citizen who lives in Sydney. The report said that Yan is the vice president of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, an organization associated with the United Front Work Department  a political lobbying and propaganda agency for the Chinese Communist Party.

Huang , the property developer at the center of the headline-grabbing donation scandal that brought down Dastyari, was until recently the president of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.

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From NTD
China is the worlds biggest thief of intellectual property, with 87 percent of all counterfeit goods that enter the United States coming from China. (Dragon Images/Shutterstock)

Chinese Regime Laying Siege to US Semiconductor Industry

Theft of intellectual property, the forced transfer of technology, and the purchase of distressed companies are helping build China's semiconductor industry

At the heart of the modern economy is the semiconductor, and the United States is the world leader in producing the tiny microchips. Now China is seeking by fair means and foul to challenge Americas preeminence.

A courtroom in San Jose, California, is the latest battleground in this ongoing industrial war. On Nov. 30, four former engineers at Applied Materials Inc., an American firm that supplies equipment and software for manufacturing semiconductor chips, were indicted for stealing chip designs from the company and attempting to use them to set up a Chinese startup, according to Bloomberg.

The four menLiang Chen, Donald Olgado, Hsu Weiyung, and Robert Ewalddownloaded data, including more than 16,000 drawings, from the companys internal engineering database. The stolen information also included details about the high-volume manufacture of semiconductor wafers used in powering flat-screen televisions and smartphones.

They were arraigned on Dec. 15, and if convicted, could face up to 10 years in federal prison.

Zero Sum Activities

Chips power everything from electronic gadgets like cellphones and computers, to military weapons like ballistic missiles and satellites. The demand for chips with high computing power has only increased with the need to support fast-growing tech industries, such as cloud computing and cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

Chips are made by turning wafers of silicon substrate into integrated circuits. Manufacturing the current generation of more powerful chips requires high-tech processes that are highly guarded secrets of companies such as Intel, IBM, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, and Samsung.

One of the covert techniques is to subject U.S. tech companies operating in China to security reviews.

The U.S. Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, an advisory group, issued a report titled Ensuring Long-Term U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors, in January, just before then-U.S. President Barack Obama left office.

The report warned of Chinas zero-sum activities to advance its own semiconductor industry, including stealing intellectual property both covertly and overtly. One of the covert techniques is to subject U.S. tech companies operating in China to security reviews, which the report says can be used to gain access to detailed knowledge of semiconductor technologies. Another Chinese tactic is forcing the transfer of technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market, according to the report.

Last but not least, the report pointed out that Chinese companies, with the states funding, collude to lower the value of foreign companies that they wish to acquire, using tactical business decisions, before buying those companies when their stock prices plummet.

These tactics are part of a long-standing Chinese regime strategy of stealing intellectual property. According to a 2017 report by the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, China is still the worlds biggest thief of intellectual property, with 87 percent of all counterfeit goods that enter the United States coming from China.

AMEC

China currently lags behind the United States and many other countries in manufacturing more advanced chips. Its semiconductor foundries are still 1 1/2 generations behind the most cutting-edge processing technology.

Yet, as the report points out, China plans to be at an advanced world-level [semiconductor capability] in all major segments of the industry by 2030.

Currently, the country lacks tier-one semiconductor equipment firms, which are companies that supply equipment directly to equipment manufacturers, but it does have a tier-two company called Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. (AMEC).

The report failed to mention how AMEC came to be in the first place. The companys founder and CEO, Gerald Zhiyao Yin, who earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles, used to be the senior vice president of Applied Materials, in charge of the companys plasma etching department.

Yin contributed 86 patents while working at Applied, according to a Dec. 6 report by Chinas news portal Tencent. He later quit his job and returned to China, taking with him a group of more than 30 senior engineers to establish AMEC. Today, the companys main products are ion etching machines and MOCVD systems. Both devices are essential for chip production.

According to multiple Chinese media reports, Yin once gave the following as his reason for coming to the United States: I have only studied so far so that one day I might return to my motherland, to allow Chinese chips to have a place in the world.

Court Battles

AMEC was able to manufacture advanced etching machines as early as 2008, a move that resulted in patent lawsuits from Applied Materials and Lam Research Corp., a supplier of semiconductor processing equipment headquartered in Fremont, California. According to the online electronics industry magazine EE Times, in January 2010, AMEC and Applied Materials settled all litigation, following a lawsuit filed by Applied accusing AMEC of misappropriation of trade secrets. Lams case was dismissed.

In January 2011, a Chinese court rejected Lams appeal of a January 2009 lower court decision that had dismissed a patent infringement lawsuit regarding one of AMECs etching machines. Chinese courts are notorious for protecting Chinese companies.

Todays chips are getting smaller and smaller in size. One reason for this is the shrinking size of electronic gadgets. Another is the need for greater computing power; smaller chips come with greater power and efficiency.

In June, IBM, in partnership with Samsung and GlobalFoundries, announced that it had developed a process for building 5-nanometer chips. According to IBM, these latest chips will be 40 percent faster than todays chips. If running at the same speed as todays chips, the new chips will save 75 percent in power.

Just a few months earlier, in April, AMEC announced its own breakthroughs in the 5-nanometer chip production process, with plans to roll out a new 5-nanometer etching tool by the end of this year.

On Dec. 11, AMEC scored another court victory, according to DigiTimes, a newspaper focused on the IT industry and headquartered in Taipei. A high court in Chinas Fujian Province ordered an injunction against a subsidiary of Veeco, a maker of semiconductor process equipment based in New York and operating in Shanghai. The injunction halted the company from importing, manufacturing, and selling three models of its MOCVD sets, thus barring a key product of an AMEC competitor from the Chinese market.

Correction:

A previous version of this article misstated the date when four former engineers at Applied Materials Inc. were indicted for stealing chip designs. The date was Nov. 30, 2017. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
First Lady Melania Trump makes Christmas decorations with children in the State Dining Room as she tours holiday decorations at the White House in Washington, DC, Nov. 27, 2017. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Christmas Is a Time for Giving Back, Says Melania Trump

Americas first lady Melania Trump said she hopes the giving spirit witnessed when Americans banded together in the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey will continue over the Christmas season and into the New Year.

Mrs. Trump made her comments while supporting a drive for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program at military base in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

On a personal note, as my first year as first lady comes to an end, I have had the privilege to witness the spirit and resilience of so many people in our country, Mrs. Trump said, reported AP.

After this years devastating hurricane season, I hope everyone watching at home will consider giving back through programs like Toys for Tots, she said.

Great day with military families at @JBABdc as we sorted toys for children. Thank you to @ToysForTots_USA for all that you do for kids across the country. Merry #Christmas! pic.twitter.com/SdZdxGEMu9  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 13, 2017

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during in the months leading up to Christmas to be gifted to less fortunate children.

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, says the programs website.

Established in 1947, the charity has since distributed over 530 million toys to over 244 million less fortunate children, the website says.

GOOD TIDINGS: At a U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots event in Washington, DC, first lady Melania Trump met with children and challenged Americans to embrace the holiday spirit for the good of others. "It's about family, service and gratitude," she said. https://t.co/KR4bsLGuVY pic.twitter.com/zC82SEkhQL  World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) December 13, 2017

Pitching in

During her visit to the programs activity at the base, Mrs. Trump recalled what she witnessed as communities in parts of Americas south rebuilt in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Ive seen people from all over our great nation pitch in to help those who lost everything, and I want to challenge people to continue with that giving spirit over Christmas and in the New Year, she said.

It is my hope that during this holiday season people will remember it is not about gifts. It is about family, service and gratitude. We must continue to look out for and help each other.

I was so grateful at the opportunity to spend time with the children and their families yesterday, and want to thank the medical staff @Childrenshealth for their lifesaving work. pic.twitter.com/dkQvUM3RMl  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 8, 2017

Last week Mrs. Trump  with second lady Karen Pence  visited several communities in Texas that were badly hit by Hurricane Harvey.

The first lady had earlier made a number of visits to Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico with her husband, President Donald Trump, to show support to communities devastated by the hurricane in late August.

The effects of the hurricane season are still being felt & residents still need our help. As Christmas & the New Year approach, I encourage people to lend time volunteering or providing financial support to those still in need. pic.twitter.com/uUkmVUNH8n  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 10, 2017

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The Argentine submarine ARA San Juan, S-42, docked before a mission. The sub has been missing since Nov. 15. (en.wikipedia.org)

Crewman of Lost Argentine Submarine Sent Strange Message to Family Before Vanishing

Before the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan disappeared on Nov. 15 with 44 onboard, one of the sailors sent an unusual message to his family.

On Monday an English helicopter was looking for us and yesterday the Chileans. There is a lot of movement there, the second sub-officer, Roberto Daniel Medina, wrote on Nov. 4, according to his sister, Jesica Medina.

Roberto told his ten brothers and his sister that he was close to the Falkland Islands and was to return home at the beginning of December, Jesica told Argentine newspaper La Gaceta.

It was that weird message in which he told us a British helicopter and a Chilean ship were looking for them, but unfortunately we did not continue with that conversation, stopped here. That was the last message, Jesica said.

The Argentine Navy previously reported an explosion was detected in the area where the submarine disappeared. Even if it survived the explosion, the submarine only had oxygen supplies to last 10 days underwater.

The search for the submarine continues, but is already at a stage incompatible with human life, Argentine Navy Admiral Marcelo Srur told Argentine radio Mitre.

The last communications from the submarine came on Nov. 15 between 1 a.m. and 7:36 a.m. The vessels commander reported water leaked into the ventilation system through the subs snorkel, reached a battery connection tray in the prow, and caused a short-circuit and the beginning of a fire, or smoke without flame, said Enrique Balbi, Argentine Navy spokesman, Fox reported.

The captain later reported that the incident had been contained by using an alternative battery circuit, according to an Argentine spokesperson.

Jesica wasnt sure what Roberto meant by his comments about a British helicopter and a Chilean ship, but said other families also received messages. I think were not the only family that has something like that, I think there are a lot of them, she said.

Jesica said she didnt present the messages before because she didnt feel capable but decided to come forward after discussions with her brothers and her parents.

A UK Royal Navy spokesman said Jesicas story is completely untrue adding that Britain doesnt have any anti-submarine helicopters based in the Falklands, the Mirror reported.

The United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Peru, South Africa, Uruguay, and the UK have sent ships or planes to aid in the search for ARA San Juan.

The German-built submarine was commissioned in 1985 and got a $12 million retrofitting in 2014.

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A homeless man begs for small change on the streets of Manchester on Dec. 11, 2017. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Deporting EU Rough Sleepers Is Illegal, High Court Rules

The UK governments policy of deporting rough sleepers from EU countries was ruled illegal by the High Court today.

Mrs Justice Lang said that the policy, which was introduced by the Home Office last year, was discriminatory and did not comply with EU laws.

The ruling follows a challenge by campaigners on behalf of three EU citizens, who were threatened with deportation from Britain because they were sleeping rough.

The two Polish men and one Latvian man faced being kicked out of the country when they were found on the street by immigration officers last year, the Independent reported.

BREAKING: The High Court has ruled that a Home Office policy of removing EU citizens sleeping rough in the UK is unlawful and must be stopped. #homeless #breaking  Frankie McCamley (@Frankie_Mack) December 14, 2017

Lang said that being homeless was not a justfied reason for less favourable treatment, even if accompanied by begging, drinking or other nuisances.

There has been a significant increase in rough sleepers of all nationalities, she said in the judgement.

She added, The policy discriminated unlawfully against EEA nationals and rough sleepers.

The policy equated rough sleeping as an abuse of EU citizens rights of freedom of movement. Campaigners have said that the measure has affected hundreds of people from the European Economic Area sleeping rough in the UK.

The claimants were represented by lawyers Deighton Pierce Glynn on behalf of the Aire Centre that campaigns for rights under European law.

#EU rough sleeper judgment: Mrs Justice Lang holds past & current @HomeOffice_RBLX policies are unlawful, discriminatory & amount to systematic verification. Rough sleeping not an abuse of EU law. Thx to @dpg_law @BlackstoneChbrs for representing .@AIRECentre in our intervention  Matthew Evans (@Mr_Matt_Evans) December 14, 2017

The rounding up of EU rough sleepers who have not committed any offences and who then face being detained creates a climate of fear, the legal firm said, according to Cetusnews. The Home Offices desire to create a hostile environment for foreign nationals has been dealt a significant blow by this ruling.

The Home Office has said that they will not be appealing the judgement.

We are disappointed by todays judgment, a Home Office spokesperson said to the newspaper. However, we respect the courts findings and will not be appealing.

We will consider carefully what steps are necessary to ensure we reflect the judgment in future enforcement.

According to The Times, homelessness in the UK is rising sharply, despite a government pledge to halve street homelessness by 2027. The paper said that figures from the charity, the Chain database show that there were 8,108 rough sleepers in 2016-17 in London compared with 3,017 in 2007-08.

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Deputy Sheriffs 2 Young Sons Die in Pennsylvania House Fire

A tragedy took place in a Pennsylvania home just weeks before the Christmas holidays.

The two young sons of deputy sheriff Bryan Lukens were killed by a house fire on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 13. Lukens works for the sheriffs office in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The two victims were identified as 11-year-old Bryan Jr. and 6-year-old Parker, according to the sheriffs office.

Our office is devastated to learn about this tragedy, Montgomery County Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lukens family as they grieve their losses.

The post has been inundated with messages of condolences and prayers for Lukens family.

Police said a fire swept through the home at 5:30 a.m. According to Fox News, the bodies of the boys were found on the second floor of their house located in Schwenksville.

Lukens was sent to the Lehigh Valley Hospital with burn injuries but was expected to be released on Wednesday, according to the Facebook post from the department. His wife, Tracy Lukens, and 9-year-old daughter Sofia were safely released from another hospital as well.

The familys dogs were killed in the blaze as well. Authorities are continuing to investigate what happened, according to a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend.

Lukens, an Iraq War veteran made every effort to save his wife, three children, and dogsbut was only able to resue his wife and daughter, according to the GoFundMe page.

The page, set up just a day ago, has already garnered over $185,000 out of the $250k goal. The money will be used to help the family start anew.

As of this publication on Thursday, Dec. 14, there were no further details on the cause of the fire.

According to NBC Philadelphia, the flames burned through parts of the home. In total it took around 30 minutes to bring the fire under control

Please pray, pray for this family, especially now around the holidays.  This is a horrible tragedy, neighbor Kim Munsell, who witnessed the flames from the home, told NBC Philadelphia.

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US President Donald Trump, surrounded by military officials and members of Congress, including Vice President Mike Pence (R) and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (L), signs H.R. 2810, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, during a signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, Dec. 12, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Federal Budget Talks Intensify as Parties Diverge on Spending Priorities

Congress faces pressure to reach a budget deal before Christmas

WASHINGTONWith only a couple of weeks left before the end of the year, pressure is mounting for lawmakers to strike a budget deal. After passing a two-week spending patch on Dec. 8, Congress has little time to come up with a permanent solution to keep the government running.

The last budget deal, signed two years ago by President Barack Obama, ended in September, paving the way for automatic spending caps to take effect. In order to increase spending, congressional leaders need to reach a deal to raise budget caps and avoid a government shutdown.

President Donald Trump signed a two-week funding bill on Dec. 8. The short-term measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), maintains current funding for federal operations and keeps the government open through Dec. 22. The CR has allowed extra time for House and Senate leaders to continue negotiating on defense and non-defense discretionary spending levels for the 2018 fiscal year.

There are a lot of little disagreements, said Marc Goldwein, senior policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), a bipartisan organization.

These include minor issues, like funding Obamacare cost-sharing subsidies and a solution for the Dreamers.

But the main disagreement is over the budget numbers. Both parties agree that they want to spend more than what the current law allows. So they need to negotiate how to do that.

Now Congress must finish the job by eliminating the defense sequester and passing a clean appropriations bill.  President Donald Trump

Republicans want to boost military spending, while providing a lower increase in non-defense accounts. Democrats, by contrast, demand parity between defense and nondefense discretionary spending.

According to CRFB, federal debt relative to gross domestic product (GDP) has grown dramatically and is now higher than at any other time apart from 1946, just after World War II.

According to Goldwein, the tax reform bill and spending increases will raise the debt further, and hence, any increases in discretionary spending should be fully paid for.

Defense Spending

Trump signed a $700 billion defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2018 on Dec. 12. Both houses of Congress passed the bill with strong bipartisan support in November.

The 2018 NDAA would authorize a nearly $626 billion base budget, which exceeds the $549 billion spending cap thats currently in place under the 2011 Budget Control Act.

The NDAA increases the size of the American Armed Forces for the first time in seven years, Trump said at the signing ceremony at the White House on Dec. 12.

It provides our military service members with their largest pay increase in eight years, he added.

In addition to the base budget, the defense bill authorizes roughly $66 billion for special war funding, also known as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding. The OCO fund is used in military operations against the ISIS terrorist group.

It authorizes funding for our continued campaign to obliterate ISIS, Trump said. Weve won in Syria, weve won in Iraq. But they spread to other areas, and were getting them as fast as they spread.

To meet the defense-spending target, Congress needs a budget deal to lift the statutory cap.

Now Congress must finish the job by eliminating the defense sequester and passing a clean appropriations bill, Trump said. We need our military. Its got to be perfecto.

Defense has suffered a disproportionate share of spending cuts in previous years, as a result of automatic cuts to federal government spending, known as sequestration. About half of these cuts hit the defense budget, according to experts.

Democrats Push for Parity

Trump urged Democrats in Congress to drop their government shutdown threats.

According to Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a deal can be reached if the budget protects the principle of parity and increases defense and nondefense funding by equal amounts.

We need resources for a strong national defense, but we also need a strong domestic budget, Pelosi said during a press conference on Capitol Hill on Dec 7.

Pelosi said the domestic budget included spending for Homeland Security, anti-terrorism activities of the Justice Department, Veterans Affairs, and the State Department. Thats a third of the domestic budget, but is a security function, she said.

According to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, there is a legitimate need to prioritize military spending, but it should not come in exchange for more deficit spending.

The need for parity is a myth created to justify greater spending, wrote Justin Bogie, a senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, in a report.

It wrongly assumes that there is a parity of importance between government programs.

Demand for parity is one of the sticking points in negotiations, since Trump wants to offset the increase in defense spending by cuts to domestic programs.

Solution for Dreamers

Democrats are pushing for a legislative solution to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program before the end of the year, which is another hurdle in the budget talks.

After Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act in 2010, Obama introduced DACA through an executive order in 2012 as a temporary measure to give people renewable, two-year work authorization and deportation immunity. It involved nearly 800,000 individualsreferred to as Dreamerswho had entered the United States illegally as children.

Democrats are demanding a solution for Dreamers as a precondition for supporting a budget deal.

We will not leave here without a DACA fix, Pelosi said.

The White House, however, wants to keep DACA and immigration talks out of the budget deal.

In return for granting some legal status to the DACA recipients, Trump earlier outlined his priorities for border security and immigration reform.

The president wants to make sure that we have responsible immigration reform, including a border wall and other things that weve laid out in those priorities and those principles, said White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Dec. 7.

Reaching a Deal

Congress has a very tight window, with only a week left to resolve the issues and reach a deal before the Dec. 22 deadline.

Meanwhile, Republicans are grappling with reconciling differences between the House and Senate tax plans. They want to send a tax reform bill to the presidents desk by Christmas.

Despite mounting pressure, Goldwein is confident that Congress will eventually come up with a solution.

I dont think they are going to shut down the government, he said.

The spending bill will need 60 votes to pass the Senate, and Republicans will soon hold only 51 seats, after Democrat Doug Jones, who just won the special election in Alabama for the seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions, is seated after the first of the year.

If Congress fails to meet the deadline, lawmakers can avoid a shutdown with another short-term spending bill.

They can keep kicking the can down the road as much as they want, Goldwein said.
A girl went to the doctor with a puffy-looking eye, but it turned out to be much more serious than just pink eye or conjunctivitis.

Doctors first thought it was a routine eye infection and then later realized it was an invasive tumor.

Gaylene Robson, the mother, said she knew something wasnt right when her daughters left eyelid turned red and puffy. Prescribed antibiotics did nothing to reduce the swelling, forcing the family to take the girl to an ophthamologist, according to MailOnline.

The girl, Stella, then was rushed to the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne for a CT scan, revealing that she had a tumor growing between her eye and brain.

The tumor was growing into the orbital bone, the bone that surrounds the eye  it was roughly 1.5 centimetres and shaped like a bell, mother Gaylene Robson told MailOnline.

The tumor would require immediate treatment. The girl then underwent surgery to remove the growth.

Stella was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare disease. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, its a disorder in which excess immune system cells called Langerhans cells build up in the body. It adds: Many researchers now consider Langerhans cell histiocytosis to be a form of cancer, but this classification remains controversial.

A surgeon was able to remove the growth with no damage to her brain or tissue. But she then had to undergo 12 weeks of intensive chemotherapy.

It was quite a little roller-coaster for her, shed be emotional and hungry and tired, then shed recover for a week and then it would be time to get back in and have another lot of treatment, Robson said.

But after a year, she was cleared of the disease and has a 20 percent chance of recurrence.

The words cancer, tumour, didnt mean anything to (Stella), to an adult its a conversation stopper, but she just takes it in her stride, her dad told the Geelong Advertiser.

Its not technically a cancer, its either active or deactive, youre not in remission, Robson said. Shell have to have scans every three months for the next few years and hopefully when shes in year 5 we can go to annual scans.

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Grandfather Said School Took Three Days to Show Him Childs Suicide Note

A grandfather from Yazoo City, Mississippi, was shocked to learn that it took an elementary school three days to inform him about a suicide note written by his grandson at school.

McDaniel Gatson, the boys grandfather and guardian, said a teacher at McCoy Elementary School found the note on Monday, Dec. 11, reported MS News. He was only informed about it on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Three days from him, we hadnt heard about our grandson writing a suicide letter, Gatson told the news station.

The boys grandfather said he had gone to the school to speak to the school principal, Dr. Chano, about another incident where his grandson, 10, was kicked in the groin at school and threatened with murder. Thats when he was told about the letter.

Gatson was outraged that the school delayed telling him about the suicide note. His grandson had written that he would kill himself if the bullying didnt stop. Gatson then asked the principal why he wasnt informed immediately about it.

He said, We was testing Tuesday. Okay. You take testing over a life? It could have been a conversation about burying my grandson, Gatson said.

Gaston said he wanted people to be aware of the bullying problem at the school.

Yazoo City School District Superintendent Darron Edwards said they are currently investigating the incident and will take administrative action if what Gatson said is true, reported the news station.

The school districts police chief also said when a bullying form is filled out, authorities will hold a conference with the parents of all the parties involved and the children are given a warning about the bullying. If it continues, criminal charges could be filed.

A Connection Between Bullying and Suicide

According to a study conducted in 2008 by the Yale School of Medicine, there is an apparent connection between being bullied and suicide in children.

While there is no definitive evidence that bullying makes kids more likely to kill themselves, now that we see theres a likely association, we can act on it and try to prevent it, said Young-Shin Kim, an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicines Child Study Center.

The research analyzed 37 studies that examined bullying and suicide among children and adolescents the United States, Canada, several European countries (including the United Kingdom and Germany), South Korea, Japan, and South Africa.

Some of the studies found bullying victims were two to nine times more likely to report suicidal thoughts than other children.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, Stopbullying.gov, said most youths who have been bullied do not entertain thoughts of suicide or engage in suicidal behavior.

Although kids who are bullied are at risk of suicide, bullying alone is not the cause. Many issues contribute to suicide risk, including depression, problems at home, and trauma history, the website reads. This risk can be increased further when these kids are not supported by parents, peers, and schools.

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Jurors Recommend Death Penalty in Slaying of 8-Year-Old California Boy Gabriel Fernandez

A California jury has recommended the death penalty against a man who was convicted the slaying of an 8-year-old boy from Palmdale, it was reported Wednesday.

Isauro Aguirre was convicted of murder and torture in the case. His girlfriends son, Gabriel Fernandez, was the victim.

He was found guilty last month of first-degree murder and also guilty in the special circumstance allegation of murder involving the infliction of torture.

When posed with the choice of recommending life in prison or the death penalty, jurors chose the death penalty on Wednesday, ABC7 in Los Angeles reported. The penalty phase began on Monday, and it took jurors two days to render their decision.

The official sentencing is slated for March for Aguirre, a former security guard said according to a KTLA report.

Its just really sad, one juror told the ABC affiliate. Its a heartbreaking story. You just never think something like that can even happen. The things I heard  its just unimaginable.

Prosecutors alleged, during the trial, that Aguirre carried out abuse over a long period of time. The boys mother, Pearl Fernandez, also allegedly partook.

Gabrial died in 2013. Pearl Fernandez will be tried separately.

Doctor describes injuries to Gabriel Fernandez's body, testifies he was determined brain dead https://t.co/0cMjjxxVau  ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) October 27, 2017

William Adams, a consultant who spent more than 20 years working for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, told the jury that he thought Aguirre was more likely to be prey than predator if he got prison time, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

Prosecutors have also alleged that four county social workers were negligent in the boys case, CBS LA reported. They have filed charges of child abuse and falsifying records against those workers.

There is nothing worse in our society than a grown man murdering and torturing an innocent little boy, Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami told the panel of jurors. Death was likely a merciful end to Gabriels pain and suffering, the prosecutor said.

One of Aguirres attorneys, John Alan, however, argued that the death penalty is not required for even the most heinous crime and added that jurors have to make a personal, moral decision.

He also said there was testimony from Aguirres co-workers, saying he showed compassion, empathy, gentleness, kindness, respectfulness and patience in dealing with the elderly at a facility in Woodland Hills.

I dont think well ever truly understand how that person gentle, kind, patient, respectful  came to commit this horrific crime, he continued.

Alan said, I believe that the answer, at least in part, lies where Isauros life intersected with Pearls. He claimed Pearl Fernandez was violent, abusive and neglected her children even before she met Isauro. Even her own family considered her a danger to her children.

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Man Arrested in 1989 Rape and Murder of Washington State Teenager

New DNA evidence has helped to potentially solve a 30-year-old murder case in Washington state.

Evidence sourced from a drinking cup has led to the arrest of the alleged perpetrator of a 1989 rape and murder of a teenage girl.

Police announced the arrest of 50-year-old Timothy Forrest Bass on suspicion of murder, kidnapping, and rape, according to Fox News.

Hes been a suspect for several years, but he was not a suspect when the crime occurred, Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said at a news conference, according to Fox.

Eighteen-year-old Mandy Stavik was last seen jogging with her familys dog on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1989, in Deming, east of Bellingham.

The dog returned home several hours later, but Mandy did not, the sheriffs office said.

Stavik was found three days later, naked in a river. She had been raped, according to authorities at the time.

Biggest Case Ever

I think this is about the biggest case ever in Whatcom County, said Sheriff Elfo at the news conference.

Timothy Bass was a neighbor of Stavik. It was only when a co-worker gave police a cup with his DNA on it that they could finally connect him to the murder, reported Fox.

Deputies forwarded DNA samples from Mr. Bass to the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory, who reported that this DNA matched DNA recovered from Mandys body in 1989, Elfo said.

Bass has no criminal convictions in Washington, although court records obtained by The Bellingham Herald show that his wife alleged physical and verbal abuse against him in 2010.

Q13 Fox quoted a local man, Max Zender, who was just 7 years old when the murder took place as saying it left the town very devastated.

Anytime something tragic happens in a small town area, it affects everybody, he said.

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Man Arrested in Connection With Toddlers Death

A man has been charged with the murder of a 2-year-old boy in Manchester, New Hampshire.

32-year-old Mark Heath was arrested on Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, according to reports.

Heath was set to appear in court in Manchester on Thursday. It has now emerged that Heath waived his arraignment and he is now being held on bail, according to necn.

The boy, Jacob Pelletier, was found unconscious at Howe Street at around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, ABC affiliate WMTW reported. He was rushed to Elliot Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

An autopsy showed that the boy had died from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen.

Heath lived with Jacob in a second-floor apartment on Howe Street, where Jacobs mother also lived. Family members say Heath is the boyfriend of toddlers mother.

#Manchester Police have arrested Mark Heath, for second degree murder of 2yr #JacobPelletier. Heath lives in 2nd apt where police found Jacob unresponsive Monday. pic.twitter.com/uNqpQqQeXH  Susan Tran (@susantran) December 14, 2017

Neighbor Eric Landry, who lives on the first floor, described Jacob as adorable to NBC.

He was an absolute adorable little child. Very, very outgoing, very, very bright, he said.

I cant wrap my head around it, he added, speaking with CBS. Its why, thats really the biggest question is why would somebody do that.

A fundraising page was set up by Michelle Keeley, a friend of Jacobs grandmother, to raise money for the babys funeral costs.

His death is ruled suspicious, this family needs some answers and Jacob needs justice. Lets share this and give this baby and family some peace during this tragic time, she wrote, in the latest update.

JUST IN: NH AG and @mht_nh_police announce arrest in death of 2-year-old Jacob Pelletier. Mark Heath, 32, who lived at same address, charged with 2 counts of 2nd degree murder. Boy's death was caused by "blunt force trauma to his abdomen." pic.twitter.com/dnfi2pNzks  J.D. Enright (@jdenright) December 14, 2017

Friends and family expressed their sympathy on the fundraising page.

Heather  my hearts breaks for you and your family. Jacob is safe now and will never be forgotten. Much love to you all, wrote Laura Marchand.

This child was about 2 and a half years old, its almost Christmas, and to see a toddler to be injured in that way, causing his death, is just heartbreaking, Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan Morrell told WMUR 9.

Police are not commenting on the relationship between Heath and the child. The case continues to be investigated.

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Three people face charges after allegedly throwing a man off the Shelton/Derby Bridge on Thanksgiving morning. One of the three faced a judge in court in Derby, Co., on Dec. 12, 2017. (Shelton Police)

Man Who Intervenes in Domestic Argument Gets Thrown Off a Bridge

A man who thought he was doing the right thing by trying to break up a fight between another man and his girlfriend, ended up getting thrown off a bridge, plunging 45 feet.

The incident took place on Thanksgiving morning, on a bridge over the Housatonic River between Derby and Shelton, Connecticut, reported WFSB.

Gregory Rottjer, 25, Matthew Dorso, 27, and Jennifer Hannum, 22, face a range of charges in connection with an act that nearly cost the Monroe man his life.

According to investigators, Rottjer had been arguing with his girlfriend, Hannum, while on the bridge, WFSB reports. The 30-year-old victim, who was not named, and his brother were in the vicinity and asked whether the woman was alright.

The victim reportedly told Rottjer to chill out and then tried to disengage and leave the scene.

According to court documents, He got involved telling him to leave her alonestated the man became aggressive toward him and they began to fight.

During the altercation, in which Dorso also became involved, Rottjer threw the man off the bridge and into the icy water below.

Rottjer, Dorso and Hannum then fled the scene, while emergency crews arrived to rescue the victim, who was found on his back, in the icy water.

According to reports, the victim sustained serious injuries, from which he has not yet fully recovered.

Parts of the incident were captured on cell phone video. Police said that before being shoved off the bridge, the victim can be seen in the video retreating with his hands in the air, with Rottjer in aggressive pursuit. Nearby surveillance video was also entered as evidence in the case, which was presented to Rottjer, who then reportedly admitted to the act.

I did it. I threw him over the bridge, Rottjer allegedly told police, according to WFSB.

A man is thrown 45 feet from bridge after intervening in couple's fight. READ MORE HERE: https://t.co/mpZdwqTwQJ pic.twitter.com/0Q2ncXtzpb  Meghan Carr (@Meghan59News) December 13, 2017

In the course of the investigation, Hannum allegedly lied to the police, claiming to have no knowledge about the incident. Police told WFSB reporters the trio met the following day and conspired to conceal the facts.

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, Rottjer was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, and first-degree reckless endangerment, the station reports. The Derby Superior Court judge ordered Rottjer held on a $250,000 bond.

Dorso was charged with third-degree assault and released without bond. Hannum was charged with interfering with an officer and released on $1,000 bond.

A Dec. 22 court date has been set for Dorso and Hannum.

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Man Who Led Police in Long Car Chase Gets Arrested Again

A male suspect in Oklahoma City, who led police on a lengthy, high-speed car chase back in Novemberwas arrested again in December.

Brenton Hager, 25, made headlines last month after stealing a vehicle and leading police on a three-hour car chase through Oklahoma City and Moore. Now he is in jail for the second timeand for the similar crime of theft.

In the November incident, officers eventually caught up with Hager after he crashed into a farm pond. Officers then used a taser and took him into custody.

Hager was arrested again on Thursday, Dec. 14 at the 6410 Northwest Expressway. This time for hiding stolen property and being in possession of a stolen vehicle, according to CBS affiliate News9.

Hager stole the vehicle days ago on Tuesday. He stole it from an apartment complex located in the 3100 block of NW 140 in Oklahoma City.

Police said on Tuesday the owner of the vehicle, a man who was unnamed, called police around 8 a.m to report that his vehicle had been stolen. He told police he started his car but had to go back to his apartment to get something. When he came back, his car was gone, Fox25 reported.

Hager was arrested this time for receiving, possessing, concealing, selling, and attempting to dispose of a stolen vehicle, according to NBC affiliate KFOR-TV. He was found with the stolen vehicle.

No further information has been released about Hagers charges.

Hagers aunt, Ashley Rodriguez, told KFOR in November that he had been released from jail about a year ago from other charges.

She said that at one point in his life, Hager had been in a maximum security prison and described how he was filled with angst whenever his family would visit.

Rodriguez told KFOR that his troubled life all started back when he was around 18 he became addicted to drugs.

Its not an excuse but, 100 percent, the drugs. It really takes your soul and you become a completely different person, Rodriguez said.

Court records show that he was sentenced on drug charges in 2014 and 2015.

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Hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners march at a parade in Washington, D.C. calling for an end to the persecution in China, on July 20, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

More Than 800 Falun Gong Practitioners in China Sentenced to Prison Unjustly for Their Faith

Chinas judicial system is opaque and arbitrary, but especially so when it comes to the cases of Falun Gong practitioners who are arrested and charged simply for their faith.

In October, 76 year-old Falun Gong practitioner Liu Xiyong was called to the Jinzhou District Court in Liaoning Province for the opening session of his trial. The court had told Lius daughter a sentencing would not be given just yet. The session ended that day without a verdict.

But on Nov. 10, Liu was called to court again. This time, the court handed a notice with his sentence: three years in prison. The document was dated Sept. 19, but Liu did not know of it until he saw the notice in his hands.

More than 800 Falun Gong practitioners like Liu have been sentenced to prison this year, according to recent statistics released by Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that tracks the persecution in China, although all such numbers are likely to be low, due to the difficulty of getting information out of China.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient spiritual discipline that was introduced to the public in China in 1992. The discipline consists of slow, meditative exercises and moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Believing that the popularity of Falun Gonga state survey in 1999 estimated that there were more than 70 million practitioners, while the practitioners in China said the number was over 100 millionwas a threat to the Partys atheist ideology, former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin launched a nationwide persecution. Millions have been thrown into prisons, brainwashing centers, and labor camps, with the goal of forcing them to abandon their faith, according to estimates by the official press office for Falun Gong, the Falun Dafa Information Center.

This year, 3,659 have been abducted by police, while 7,209 have experienced harassment from local authorities, according to Minghui. The local 610 office, a Gestapo-like Party organization established with the sole purpose of executing the persecution, often works in secrecy with the local Zhengfa wei, or Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, to charge Falun Gong practitioners with vaguely-defined crimes. Under its former head Zhou Yongkang, the commission gained almost unbridled power to arrest, detain, and sentence Falun Gong practitioners.

Liaoning, Shandong, Hebei, Heilongjiang, and Jilin Provinces had the most number of sentencings.

Illegal Detention, Harsh Sentence

There are many cases of injustice. Tianjin resident Yang Hong and his wife Jiang Yahui were abducted from their home in March 2015 by nearly two dozen local security forces, according to Minghui.org. They were illegally detained without trial at the Tianjin Nankai District Detention Center for two and one-half years. In August this year, their family received notice that both were sentenced to six years in prison, without a court-determined verdict. In January 2016, the Nankai District Court had opened a court session for Yang and Jiang, but no sentence was issued at the time.

Sentencing Without Notice

This kind of secret sentencing also happened to Si Deli, an arts professor and Falun Gong practitioner in Henan Province. Local authorities had detained him since March 2016 because he filed a legal complaint with the CCPs highest prosecuting body, the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate, against former CCP leader Jiang Zemin for his crimes committed in persecuting Falun Gong.

On June 2016, Si was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, according to Minghui.org. Si appealed his sentence to a higher court.

In August 2017, without a court session, or notifying Sis lawyer and family, the Xinyang City Middle Court issued a notice saying Sis original sentencing stands.

According to the Procuratorates own rules, Si is innocent, as in April 2017, it issued a notice on its website stating that citizens can file complaints against national-level CCP officials.

Sis lawyer told Minghui.org that his sentencing was arranged under the auspices of the local 610 and Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission offices.

Si was once detained for 12 years, where he was often beaten with electric batons.

Gao Jing contributed to this report.
Mother Forces Son to Undergo Constant Medical Procedures in Deadly Form of Child Abuse

A Texas boy has been to the hospital 323 times and has had 13 major surgeries, but according to his father, nothing was ever wrong with him.

Doctors and Child Protective Services officials now agree with Ryan Crawford, the man trying to get his son back after the boys mother subjected him to numerous unnecessary medical treatments, WFAA reported. Ever since the child was born, the boys mother, Kaylene Bowen-Wright, has told medical professionals he was unwell.

At various times since his birth, Christopher Bowen has faced various invasive medical procedures from imagined illnesses. He has had a feeding tube attached to his small intestines, hes used a wheelchair, and been in hospice. Her father and medical professional say it was all unnecessary. His mother also claimed he had cancer and a rare disease. She also said he suffered from seizures, which doctors were unable to detect, according to the WFAA report.

There has been a long-standing concern for possible medical child abuse by many providers; however, as in the case, this type of abuse is insidious and hard to pinpoint, Dr. Michelle Thomas wrote in a 2015 report to CPS, via WFAA.

Treatment for some of the supposed illnesses resulted in Christopher having real illnesses. He has had to go into intensive care multiple times for blood infections related to medical treatment he received, WFAA reported.

Investigators think Kaylene Bowen-Wright has a mental condition called Munchausen syndrome by proxy. According to Web MD, Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of child abuse where a caregiver makes up illnesses or even induces illnesses in the child themselves. It is considered one of the most deadly forms of child abuse, according to WFAA.

I just hate that someone took advantage of him, his own mother, said Ryan Crawford in a video interview by WFAA.

Christopher Bowen, now 8 years old, lives in a foster home, but only after years of court battles on the part of his father. He finally convinced judges something was not right about the way Christophers mother was treating him. The 34-year-old mother was arraigned on Dec. 6, and remains in prison for injury to a child with serious bodily injury, according to the Star-Telegram.

She was always saying Christopher was sick. Every single week. Every single month, Crawford said, via the Star-Telegram. She would always say, Somethings wrong. He has this. He has that. 

Crawford believes the mother was able to get away with the ruse for years, eventually claiming Christopher was near death, before he was able to convince the courts there was a problem.

No medical information that I ever had, or any doctors ever had, said that Christopher was dying or said he had some kind of severe illness or disease. She was just able to fool all of the court system and fundraisers, and government assistance, said Crawford via the Star-Telegram.

CW 33 shows a video clip of a fundraiser in 2014 where children are riding bikes for what is claimed to be a $30,000 yearly medical bill for Christopher. Bowen-Wright is interviewed in the clip about the extremely rare illness that she claims Christopher has. The local fire department and other members of the community can be seen partaking in the event. In the video clip Christopher climbs in and out of a wheelchair and at various times has a breathing tube in his nose.

Bowen-Wright told investigators she doesnt work so that she can take care of Christopher. She was living off of government assistance. She also said she receives disability funds for Christopher, according to WFAA. A GoFundMe page and a YouCaring page show supposed fundraising efforts for Christopher. Crawford believes money was a motivation for his former girlfriend to put their son through the ordeal.

Obviously, she was living life for free and off my son, he said to WFAA.

Crawford said that over the years he has tried to tell judges that the boy does not need all the medical procedures he is going through, but judges never believed him. Instead, a Dallas judged blocked Crawford from seeing his son in 2012, after he told the judge he didnt believe the boy was dying.

Every time I went to court, they made me feel like I was the worst human ever, said Crawford via the Star-Ledger.

The judge stated that I needed to accept that my son was dying, he told WFAA.

He believes its because judges are predisposed to believing the mother in a family dispute. Only eight years later was he vindicated with the arrest of his former girlfriend and the removal of Christopher, along with two other children, from her custody, WFAA reported.

Knowing that your son is being injured but you cant do anything about it is the worst pain, Crawford said via video to WFAA.

Crawford is now fighting to get his child home with him. He said the courts have denied his requests to take his son out of foster care.

Out of everything that has happened, the worst thing you can do is put my children in foster care with strangers, he said to WFAA. I need my son in my life and my son needs me in [his] life.

From NTD.tv

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Naked Man Jumps onto Moving Truck in Virginia

A man crashed his car before he went on a rampage in Virginia on Tuesday, Dec. 12, and the entire incident was captured in a video.

Fairfax County Police say that Jose Gonzalez Flores, 32, was taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation. Officials arent sure if he had a medical crisis or was under the influence of drugs, it was reported.

Fairfax police said officers obtained warrants for two counts of felony hit and run, throwing an object at a moving vehicle, destruction of property, assault and battery, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana, The Loudon Times-Mirror reported. The outstanding warrants wont be served until Gonzalez Flores is released from the hospital.

He was involved in an accident at around 4 p.m. before he started assaulting one of the drivers involved in the crash.

UPDATE: Officers were called to a three-vehicle crash reported near Rt. 28 and Frying Pan Road around 3:30 p.m. Callers reported a naked man running from the scene. He has been found by officers and is being assessed by medical personnel. pic.twitter.com/X4PVO862Gz  Fairfax Co. Police (@fairfaxpolice) December 12, 2017

Later, Flores ran to the side of the road and took off his clothes and ran into traffic before smashing a window. Temperatures were frigidin the 20s.

A witness told NBC Washington that he attempted to stab the roof of a truck with a knife.

Truck driver Adam Allen said he saw Flores lock eyes with him. Allens dog, Emma, then got agitated.

He looked at me, and she started barking. He hopped up on the passenger side, tried to open the door. When he couldnt get in, he punched a window and shattered it with his fist, Allen said.

UPDATE: The man who caused widespread traffic delays on Sully Road near Dulles International Airport yesterday has been identified as Jose Gonzalez Flores, 32, of Sterling. #nakedman pic.twitter.com/0sGYLYNwoN  Tisha Lewis FOX 5 DC (@TishaLewis) December 13, 2017

Allen said the man shouted Hi-ya! as if he were doing karate before breaking the window, the NBC affiliate reported.

The dogs face was cut with glass when the window shattered. An EMT then helped the dog.

When the EMTs were cleaning out her eye, they said she shut it just in time, Allen said.

Allen said the man hung onto his tractor-trailer. Got up to 30 miles per hour before he finally let go, Allen said. It was like out of a movie almost, he added.

NAKED MAN ON RT. 28: Behind the headlines- Nina Johns saw Jose Gonzalez Flores wandering on the highway without any clothes on, from just feet away. Now police are trying to unravel how this happened. #naked #commute #highway #investigation https://t.co/y7Hgtxfqy0  Richard Reeve (@abc7Richard) December 14, 2017

JUST IN: Police identify man who stripped naked on Virginia roadway after he crashed car, assaulted driver as 32-year-old Jose Gonzalez Flores of Sterling. https://t.co/gP8L7QcGcz pic.twitter.com/sHpqpXRDtx  ABC 7 News  WJLA (@ABC7News) December 13, 2017

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Members of the Port Authority Police Counter Terrorism unit patrol the subway corridor, at the New York Port Authority subway station near the site of an attempted detonation the day before, during the morning rush in New York City, U.S. December 12, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

New York Charges Times Square Bomb Suspect; Bangladesh Questions Wife

DHAKA/NEW YORKNew York officials on Tuesday said they charged a Bangladeshi man with terrorism, accusing him of setting off a pipe bomb a day earlier in a crowded Manhattan commuter hub, as investigators in his home country questioned his wife.

Akayed Ullah, 27, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, supporting an act of terrorism, and making a terroristic threat under New York state law, the New York Police Department said, adding U.S. authorities may also bring federal charges.

Investigators in Bangladesh were questioning Ullahs wife, according to two officials who declined to be identified as they were not permitted to discuss the matter publicly. They did not provide details on the questioning, but said the couple have a six-month-old baby boy.

We have found his wife and in-laws in Dhaka. We are interviewing them, one of the police officials told Reuters.

New York police say Ullah set off a pipe bomb in an underground corridor of the subway system that connects Times Square to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at rush hour on Monday morning, injuring himself and three others.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called it an attempted terrorist attack, and U.S. officials said it appeared to be a rare if not unprecedented attempt at suicide bombing on U.S. soil.

A New Yotk City Police (NYPD) K-9 unit stands in the subway corridor, at the New York Port Authority subway station near the site of an attempted detonation the day before, during the morning rush in New York City, U.S. December 12, 2017. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

Ullah survived with burns and lacerations and was taken to hospital in police custody. The three bystanders sustained minor injuries.

The NYPD and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were conducting the investigation in conjunction with other agencies through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and were asking the public for any information about the suspect.

Authorities in Bangladesh began to track down Ullahs family soon after news of the attack broke and they first found a cousin, said a third official, Mahiuddin Mahmud.

We learned from his cousin that he had a wife and a baby in Bangladesh, Mahmud said.

The cousin, Emdad Ullah, told Reuters that Ullah and his family originally lived in the Chittagong region in southern Bangladesh, but had moved to the capital, Dhaka, years ago.

Port Authority bombing suspect Akayed Ullah (Reuters TV)

Ullah married a Bangladeshi woman about two years ago and she lived in Dhaka, the cousin said, adding that he was educated in Bangladesh before he moved to the United States.

Bangladeshs police chief had told Reuters on Monday that Ullah had no criminal record in his home country, which he last visited in September.

Ullah lived with his mother, sister and two brothers in Brooklyn and was a green card holder, said Shameem Ahsan, consul general of Bangladesh in New York.

A U.S. enforcement official familiar with the investigation into Mondays attack said officers had found evidence that Ullah had watched Islamic State propaganda on the internet.

SEE IT: The moment the bomb went off underground near the #PortAuthority. Read more about the suspect: https://t.co/rJSzrRTrY4 pic.twitter.com/aksYcSdmzh  CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) December 11, 2017

IMMIGRATION REFORM

Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack.

A terrorist is a terrorist irrespective of his or her ethnicity or religion, and must be brought to justice, the government said in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the attack emphasized the need for U.S. immigration reforms.

America must fix its lax immigration system, which allows far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to access our country, he said in a statement.

The president also criticized the visa program that allowed Ullah to enter the United States in 2011 because he had family members already in the country, saying such family visas are incompatible with national security.

H.T. Imam, a political adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said he believed the attack would have no negative impact on relations with the United States.

The U.S. government is well informed about the Bangladesh governments attitude regarding terror activities, Imam said.

The U.S. Supreme Court last week handed a victory to Trump by allowing his latest travel ban, targeting people from six Muslim-majority countries, to go into full effect even as legal challenges continued in lower courts.

The ban covers people from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen seeking to enter the United States. Trump has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism by Islamist militants.

Bangladesh is not among the countries impacted by the ban.
Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park. The park is dotted with geysers and hot springs fueled by subterranean volcanic activity. (commons.wikimedia.org)

No Yellowstone Super-Eruption Likely in Our Lifetime, Geologist States

Despite the excitement generated by a somewhat sensationalized research paper released in October, the denizens of North America are not about to be buried beneath an ocean of lava, one geologist claims.

Hopefully, that helps everyone sleep a little easier.

Everyone in the field of volcanology recognizes that there is a gigantic volcano underneath Yellowstone National Park, one which, when it periodically erupts, spreads enough lava to fill the Grand Canyon and enough ash to bring on a global winter which might last for decades, wiping out most life.

In October of this year, The New York Times published an article outlining the latest findings of Arizona State University geologist Hannah Shamloo, which claimed that such a super-eruption could be imminentgeologically speaking.

Imminent in geological terms can mean decades, or several centuries. Geologists are used to measuring time in ten-thousand-year chunks.

But everyday readers saw the article and inferred that it might be time to stock up on canned goods.

To make matters worse, researchers at Bristols Schools of Earth Sciences and Mathematics in the UK estimated how often the largest explosive super-eruptions happen. Their research showed super-eruptions might happen nine times more frequently than most geologists had believed.

Professor Jonathan Rougier told The Mirror, The previous estimate, made in 2004, was that super-eruptions occurred on average every 45 to 714 thousand years, comfortably longer than our civilization.

But in our paper just published, we re-estimate this range as 5.2 to 48 thousand years, with a best guess value of 17 thousand years.

Rumors of an impending volcanic disaster spread across the U.S. border. Canadian Jackquie Ringstad was planning a vacation trip to Yellowstone to marvel at the natural beauty when a friend told her to cancel the trip to avoid the natural disaster.

When we decided to come down here we were talking to some people, Ringstad told NBC Montana. One of the fellas was like You cant go to Yellowstone, theres this big volcano underneath it and its going to blow up!'

Sorry, But the Apocalypse Will Be Delayed

Geologist Jeff Hungerford works at Yellowstone National Park, and if anything were happening, he would have the inside scoop.

His take on the matter?

The volcano is not going to erupt anytime soon; however, we definitely have stories saying otherwise, Hungerford told NBC. They usually dont spin them in the right direction.

What is the right direction? Well, the stories could mention that even the most alarmist experts admit that there would be decades of warning signs before a major eruptionand those warning signs would definitely be noticed.

The Yellowstone area is the most monitored volcanic system in the world, said Seismologist Mike Stickney, with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.

We would likely see years to decades of anomalous activity at Yellowstone before any kind of a significant eruption, Stickney added.

No one is downplaying the extent of the damage a super-eruption would cause. The Yellowstone super-volcano has erupted three times in the past 2.1 million years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The least of these eruptions was 2,500 times more powerful than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The strongest was almost triple that.

What scientists like Jeff Hungerford want people to realize is that even the paper covered by the New York Times, which recently resurrected the super-volcano panic, stated clearly that there would be decades of increasing seismic activity before any sort of major volcanic event.

Hopefully, voices like Hungerfords can be heard above the sensationalist din predicting imminent devastation. Yellowstone National Park saw a record number of visitors in 2016.

Are you afraid of a super-volcano eruption? Do you think Yellowstone is due to erupt soon? Post your comments below.

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From NTD.tv
North Korean students use a public phone after school on May 6, 2004 in Pyongyang, North Korea. Landlines have been shut down in North Korea, possibly due to a leaked phone director. While cell phone usage is prevalent in the capital, landlines are used by budget conscious merchants and state-owned companies, many officials and businesses are struggling to communicate. (Pool/Getty Images)

North Korea Cuts Phones, Hunts Down Phone Books, After Directory Leaked

North Korea has cut landlines nationwide, possibly due to a phone book that escaped the country.

According to Daily NK, the regime ordered the shutdown in order to change its phone number system.

The news outlet says that residents and officials are responding with open frustration as phone service is disrupted.

Telephone service was once limited to senior officials in Pyongyang, but access was expanded to citizens in the outer provinces by the early 2000s. Merchants are especially dependent on telephone service for conducting business in the markets North Korea started to allow in the 2010s.

North Koreans get limited cell phone service but those living near the border can rely on smuggled Chinese cell phones and nearby cell towers across the border to make calls outside the country, an action which can bring serious consequences, according to Amnesty International.

The current reshuffling of landline phone numbers appears linked to an official phone directory that was smuggled out of the country last summer.

Landline telephone services in Pyongyang and elsewhere have been suspended since the authorities began working on changing the phone number system. Merchant activity has been disrupted, of course, but even government offices have been hurt by the move. a source in Pyongyang told the news outlet on Dec. 11.

The directory, according to an earlier report by Daily NK, was an internal government phone book with numbers for various officials and departments, including security desks.

The leaked phone book sparked arrests of people along the border suspected of smuggling phone books. Though other countries generally make the same information publicly available, the directories are classified as sensitive documents in the communist state.

The current shutdown has affected North Koreas fledgling business community as merchants scramble to find cell phone numbers for contacts and clients.

Many are feeling uneasy now, because in the markets in South Pyongan Province, we have not been able to contact other merchants in the Pyongsong market, said the source.

North Korean merchants prefer the cheaper fees of landlines, said the source.

This has really caused us a lot of problems.

State-owned companies are also complaining, and demanding landlines be restored quickly due to the higher cost of cell phones.

North Koreas relatively slow handling of such situations has caused fears it could take six months for service to be restored, reported Daily NK.

Staff within the communications department tasked with conducting the switch are asking how anyone can expect them to work hard on the project when there is a lack of funding. People want a new policy from the government instead of waiting around forever like this, a source from North Hamgyong told the outlet.

In October, North Korean authorities tried to deal with leaked phone directories by seizing directories across the country after one individual was arrested for smuggling a phone book across the border into China, reported Daily NK.

After arresting a man for smuggling a phone directory into China, the government launched a massive campaign to collect the remaining books, explaining that it was due to scumbags who want to sell them for profit to South Korea,' a source in Pyongyang told the outlet on Oct. 25.

The communist regime also ordered all major administrative, party, and judicial departments to return their directories.

The leaked phone book was around 500 pages thick and was published in 2003, said the source. It contains numbers for all department officials and security desks across the country.

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NY Doctor Accused of Spiking Drink With Abortion Pill

A doctor from Rochester, New York, is being accused of spiking his girlfriends drink with an abortion pill, causing her to lose her baby, ABC7 reported.

After dating for three years of dating Brook Fiske, Sikander Imran moved from Rochester to Arlington, Virginia, for a job when Fiske informed him about her pregnancy.

He didnt want to have a baby so he tried to talk me into having an abortion which I didnt want to do. Doctor accused of spiking a woman's drink with an abortion pill https://t.co/3G472HZPjN pic.twitter.com/yFOnvvdFTp  Crime Watch Daily (@CrimeWatchDaily) December 14, 2017

He didnt want to have a baby so he tried to talk me into having an abortion which I didnt want to do, Fiske told ABC7 this week. I felt very betrayed and devastated.

When she went to Virginia to visit Imran, she was 17 weeks pregnant.

Fiske then said he poisoned her with the pill during their encounter at that time.

Doctor accused of spiking womans drink with abortion pill https://t.co/pitl5AVie1 via @wfla  K. L. Phan (@DokiDahlin) December 14, 2017

When I was drinking my tea in the evening, I got to the bottom of the cup, there was a gritty substance in there. When I looked at it, I could tell that it was a pill that had been ground up, she told WROC-TV.

Hours later, she started having contractions.

He immediately started crying and said that he was a horrible person and that he had done what I thought he did, Fiske told the station.

Fiske was then sent to Virginia Hospital Center and went into labor before losing the child. The pill Misoprostol was found in her system.

According to the nurse at the hospital its 200 milligrams to induce labor. So he gave me 800, Fiske told ABC7.

Imran was arrested in May and was charged with illegal cause of abortion, according to the New York Daily News. His trial is slated for March 12.

And while youre here 

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One World Trade Center's spire is shown lit in French flags colors of white, blue and red in solidarity with France after tonight's terror attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015 in New York City. On Dec. 11, 2017, New York Gov. Cuomo ordered the spire be lit in red, white, and blue in response to that day's terror attack in New York City (Daniel Pierce Wright/Getty Images)

NYC Terror Incidents Demand Police-Community Unity

As a response to the Dec. 11 terror incident in a tunnel between two of New York Citys busiest subway stations, the spire of One World Trade Center was illuminated that evening in red, white, and blue.

The brilliance on the spire of the 1,776-foot-tall skyscraper was a statement that Americas freedom, liberty, and patriotism will stand eternal.

These pillars of our democracy will not be undermined and our courage will overcome all trials.

The colors of our flag illuminated on One World Trade Center also remind us of the dedication of all who protect us, and all community members who assist and appreciate our public servants.

Read More Terrorism Prevention Requires PoliceCommunity Collaboration

All who responded to the recent terror incident, and to all terror incidents in New York City, including the Port Authority Police Department, NYPD, FDNY, and FBI deserve the gratitude and continual cooperation of all community members.

New York and all of America must remain vigilant. The current climate of terror is a reality and we must refuse to allow it to undercut our way of life. Rather, any attempt to sabotage Americas cherished values must inspire a deeper commitment to forging iron-clad unity with our police, first responders, private security professionals, and all community members.

Terror Attacks in NYC: A Snapshot

In order to inspire our continued resolve, built on the principles of leadership, vigilance, and collaboration, it is important to understand that New York City is, and will remain for the foreseeable future, a target for terror.

Read More Terrorism Demands Police-Community Unity

Although dozens of attempts have been thwarted, here is a snapshot of incidents that must inspire us to have our eyes wide open:

Dec. 11, 2017: an improvised, unsophisticated, and defective bombing via a pipe-bomb attached to a mans body detonated during the height of the morning commute. The incident injured four people in a congested underground passageway used by subway commuters at Manhattans Port Authority Bus Terminal. The incident wrecked havoc in one of Americas busiest transportation hubs and in one of the most busiest sections of New York City. According to a complaint filed after the attack, the bomber faces federal terrorism charges.

Oct. 31: a truck attack on Manhattans West Side Highway Bike Path killed eight people and injured a dozen. The attack occurred in the shadow of the World Trade Center by an individual driving a rental truck. He used the vehicle as a ramming device hitting innocent people along at least ten blocks of the bike path. The attacker also purposefully swerved the vehicle into a school bus carrying children.

Sept. 17, 2016: a pressure cooker bomb detonated on West 23rd Street in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood. The detonation caused shrapnel and broken glass to injure thirty people. The attack resulted in convictions on charges that included using a weapon of mass destruction and bombing a public place. Immediately after the verdict, Joon H. Kim, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York stated, Todays verdict is a victory for New York City, a victory for America in its fight against terror, and a victory for all who believe in the cause of justice.

Oct. 23, 2014: a terrorist charged at four uniformed NYPD officers in Queens with an 18-inch metal hatchet. Two of the officers were struck, one in the arm, and one in the head causing traumatic brain injuries. After spending more than a year in rehabilitation with numerous surgeries, Officer Kenneth Healey heroically returned to work on Dec. 18, 2015. His return was greeted by the tumultuous applause of his NYPD colleagues.

May 1, 2010: an attempted home-made bomb in a car in Times Square failed to detonate. In court papers, prosecutors wrote that if the bomb had detonated, the lives of numerous residents and visitors would have been lost and countless others would have been forever traumatized. A vigilant street vendor alerted the NYPD after seeing smoke coming from a SUV.

May 6, 2008: a pipe-bomb detonated outside a U.S. Armed Forces recruitment office in Times Square. Although the explosion shattered the office window and door, no one was injured.

Sept. 11, 2001: more than 2,700 people were killed by the 9/11 terror attacks when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center. The attack was a pivotal moment in American history that forever defined the critical importance of police-community unity, terrorism awareness, security management, and emergency preparedness.

Feb. 26, 1993: a bomb exploded in a truck parked by terrorists in the garage beneath the World Trade Center. The explosion killed six people and injured over 1,000.

Final Reflections

America must continue to forge partnerships between law enforcement, first responders, security professionals, our military, and all members of the community. This unity of effort is critical for protecting our homeland from terrorism.

This unity of effort must be exemplified through public-private partnerships and enhancing our culture of security awareness. The mantra of If you see something, say something must also inspire us to remain vigilant and to continually improve security in our infrastructure, facilities, workplaces, schools, communities, houses of worship, and campuses.

The Neigborhood Policing initiative of the NYPD, addressed in my Sept. 15, 2017, article for The Epoch Times titled Neighborhood Policing Illuminates NYPD Mission must also be intensified. Neigborhood Policing enhances unity between the police and the public. This unity is critical for reporting warning signs of a homegrown, lone wolf radicalized threat which is challenging to detect.

In my Dec. 10, 2015 article for The Epoch Times titled Mass Shootings Americas Public Health Crisis, principles of security countermeasures for safeguarding our nation are cited. These principles that are essential to active shooter awareness, prevention and response are also applicable to terrorism. These countermeasures must be utilized to harden targets and include police-community public safety initiatives, board-certified security vulnerability assessments, background checks and investigations, training and certification programs, warning sign awareness and intervention, physical security, personnel security, procedural security, and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity includes leadership from the highest levels of our government to prevent use of the Internet to radicalize or to instruct individuals on making bombs and attack methods.

Read More NYPD Counterterrorism: Protecting New York City

America will not be deterred from protecting our homeland and safeguarding our people. We must enhance our unity of effort, bolster our security awareness, and apply immediate lessons learned to terrorism consequences. America must also continually harden its targets, especially soft targets.

Our countrys dedication to a continual collaboration of our police and communities will be the heart of protecting New York City and our nation. This dedication is critical to safeguarding our way of life and deserves our full force dedication.

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America. Bove is a recipient of the FBI Directors Community Leadership Award for combating crime and violence and is a former confidant of the New York Yankees. His newest book is Listen to Their Cries. For more information, see www.vincentbove.com

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Ohio Police Ask for Help for 9 Children After Mom Dies of Overdose Before Christmas

Two veteran Ohio police officers were so moved when they discovered the lifeless body of a mother in front of her nine children that they have spent days trying to help in every way they can.

The kids, all 9 of them, have just lost their mother to a tragic death and right before Christmas on top of that, the Middletown Division of Police wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

Two officers from the department responded to a call of an unresponsive female on Wednesday evening, Dec. 13. The arrived to find the mom deceased in front of her children.

The mother was accompanied by her supposed friends before her death.

Not only did they leave her to die, but they stole her money as well and told the kids they were leaving to go buy a 2-liter of soda, the Middletown cops wrote.

The officers were so moved by the scene that they got the rest of the department involved in helping the children.

It has disturbed us so much that its time for us to make a difference, the police wrote. Their father is a hard worker, he has tried to make ends meet but its a vicious cycle.

The Middletown police are now asking anyone who can donate items or funds to pitch in.

We will take anything you are willing to donate. We need clothing desperately, we need coats, blankets, food, a stove, a refrigerator, we even need ornaments for the Christmas tree we just took to them and of course toys, Middletown police wrote. The kids range in age from 14 to 1.

The children are girls ages 14, 5, 3 and 1; and boys ages 13, 11, 10, 6 and 2.

This family has touched our hearts and we want to help them, the police department wrote. Its not about our Facebook page, its not about Likes, its about pure human compassion.

The chief of the department made a $200 donation to the family and is now challenging others to pitch in as well.

Hundreds of people left comments just three hours after the message was posted pledging clothes, a refrigerator, cash, blankets, gifts, toys, and food, among other donations.

Im going to bring Christmas decorations and clothes and more, Melissa Frances Reams commented. How tragic just awful my prayers go out to all involved.

Wow this is so sad. You know its rough when veteran officers are affected so greatly, Donya Tucker commented. We will bring something down tomorrow to help this family. Thank God the children have a good father because this is going to be hard for them all.

The post was shared more than 3,000 times in 3 hours.

People who would like to help are encouraged to bring items directly to the Middletown Division of Police at One Donham Plaza, Middletown, Ohio 45042.

People who would like to make a cash donation can do so at the Butler Heritage Federal Credit Union at 660 N. University Blvd., Middletown, Ohio, using the account name KINDNESS FOR SANDERS FAMILY.

Support The Epoch Times. Share this article.

From NTD.tv
Australia's Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann speaks during a press conference in Sydney in this file image. Cormann received donations from Chinese Communist Party-linked businessman Huang Xiangmo. (William West/AFP/Getty Images)

Other Australian Politicians Defend Dealings With Pro-Beijing Donor

Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has denied any wrong doing in receiving donations from the same wealthy Chinese businessman linked to opposition senator Sam Dastyari who resigned on Tuesday over his links to Beijing.

Disclosure documents discovered by the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) reveal that Mathias Cormann received a AU$20,000 (US$15,330) donation from property developer Huang Xiangmo who reportedly has links to Chinas ruling Communist Party.

The donation was used for Cormanns election campaign, reported the national broadcaster.

Speaking on the same day that Australian Labor Party (ALP) senator Dastyari resigned, Cormann said that he followed all legal requirements in relation to the donation.

All of those donations are lawful and declared, Cormann said, reported the ABC.

As far as the Liberal Party donations are concerned they are lawfully received and declared consistent with our disclosure rules.

Unlike the U.S. and many other nations, foreigners have been allowed to donate to a political party in Australia. Now the government is introducing new laws banning foreign financial donations as part of its foreign interference reforms.

According to an analysis by the Melbourne Law School Dollars and Democracy Database provided to The New Daily, political donations with links to mainland China represented 79.3 percent of all foreign donations in Australia. Between 2000-2016, Chinese nationals and entities donated over AU$12.6 million (US$9.5 million) to the Australian political process, the analysis said.

Watch: Australia's prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announces a ban on foreign political donations and forces lobbyists working for foreign entities to register https://t.co/pJ1kX9d0D1 pic.twitter.com/TtrpWPbe1w  Financial Times (@FT) December 5, 2017

Meeting Huang

Cormann said he had met Huang who has been photographed with many Australian political leaders.

I have met many Australians, including many people around Australia, including that particular gentleman, he said.

Cormann insisted there was no evidence of the coalition  the Liberal Party and the Nationals who currently run government  being influenced.

Let me be very clear that the Turnbull Government and every single member of the Turnbull Government stands up for our national interest, unlike former senator Sam Dastyari, Cormann said.

Liberal politicians, such as Social Services Minister Christian Porter, say the difference between them and Dastyari is how the money was used.

Porter told the ABC that Huang gave money to both sides of politics but he said Dastyari used money received to pay bills and expenses, not as a campaign donation.

Money was forwarded from the businessman to Senator Dastyari to pay personal expenses  these were monies to pay legal bills and travel expenses, Porter said.

There will be both sides of politics who have received donations from the individual in question, but the essential issue with Senator Dastyari is that it wasnt a donation, it was a personal gift.

Huangs company, Yuhu Group, disclosed donations to other Liberal Party figures last year, such as the electorates of Christopher Pyne and Michael Sukkar.

.@corybernardi: 'People give hundreds of thousands of dollars in political donations because they expect an outcome. There are question marks galore including how the government suddenly wanted to impose the China extradition treaty. It's fishy.' pic.twitter.com/yAHYpyAbTK  Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 12, 2017

Fall From Grace

Last year, Dastyari first resigned from a frontbench position after it became known that he had a legal bill paid by Huangs Yuhu Group. He also admitted he asked a Chinese government-linked group to pay a personal travel debt of AU$1,670 (US$1,280), reported the BBC.

There were several other controversies as well.

More recently, the media said the 34-year-old senator allegedly advised Huang that his phone was likely being tapped by intelligence services, including those of the U.S. government. Dastyari denied these claims first made in Fairfax.

Multiple reports followed over Dastyaris further links with Huang and reports of acts in line with Beijing policy. Dastyari received negative press over a the content of a 2016 speech that he gave where he backed Beijings aggressive moves in the South China Sea went public. His comments, made while standing next to Huang, were the complete opposite of his partys and the countrys stance on the issue.

More recently he reportedly pressured his own partys foreign affairs spokeswoman, Tanya Plibersek, not to see a democracy activist in Hong Kong, reported Fairfax on Monday. Dastyari denied these claims as well.

Warning From ASIO



An earlier report by Fairfax Media said that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) in October 2015 warned the countrys three main political parties about Beijings interference in Australian politics using considerable financial donations.

During the briefings, the head of ASIO Duncan Lewis reportedly told party officials that the countrys security service was alarmed about Huangs murky ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Fairfax stated that since the 2015 ASIO briefing, the ALP has taken AU$141,000 (US$107,000) in donations from companies and associates linked to Huang. The coalition parties had also reportedly taken money. The Liberal Party took AU$122,960 (US$93,500) and the Nationals AU$15,000 (US$11,400) from those suspect sources.

On Tuesday, the ABC reported that Huang paid AU$55,000 (US$42,170) to have lunch with ALP leader Bill Shorten on October 5, 2015. The donation was made on Oct. 20 and the next day Shorten dropped his opposition to the China-Australia trade deal, reported the national broadcaster. Shorten has rejected the suggestion that Huangs donation had any influence on his decision.

Former general secretary of the ALP Eric Roozendaal is now the chief executive of Huangs Yuhu Group while former NSW deputy premier Andrew Stoner of the National Party was employed as a part-time adviser in 2015, reported Fairfax. When Roozendaal retired from politics in 2013, a friend of Huangs, Ernest Wong, was catapulted into Roozendaals Upper House seat, reported the ABC.

Huang and the United Front

As for Huang, he is currently keeping a low profile. Last month he resigned as head of Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China, a group which has several members contesting in local council elections, reported The Australian.

China experts say the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China is a part of the CCPs United Front strategy of drawing in overseas Chinese to support its causes, reported the paper.

Steve Tsang, professor of Contemporary Chinese Studies at Nottingham University in the UK, described to The Australian how Beijing uses such organizations.

There are organizations in many countries that like to present themselves as NGOs or independent institutions but work very closely with the Chinese authorities in order to promote certain policies or views of the Chinese government, Tsang said.

I think we have to recognize that the Chinese government still employs what the Communist Party calls one of its magic weapons, known as the United Front, effectively, he said.

This is a way of engaging with others to ensure they mostly support Chinas position or at least be persuaded to be neutral about it.

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From NTD
Police Eject Racist-Ranting Woman from Starbucks

An unidentified woman visiting a Starbucks in Walnut Creek, California, was escorted out by police officers on Sunday, Dec. 10, after allegedly verbally attacking a pair of customers speaking Korean, SFGate reports.

Parts of the incident were caught on camera by one of the victims and since posting on Facebook, the video has generated some online buzz.

A Facebook commenter self-identified as Kimberly Kelly posted I am so very sorry you experienced such awful rudeness, bigotry and hate.

Annie An, an international college student from South Korea, was at the establishment with English tutor Sean Lee, according to a KRON report, and the pair were reviewing some of Ans schoolwork.

The unidentified woman was sitting nearby.

Out of nowhere, we didnt provoke her, we were just minding our own business, said Lee to reporters.

The woman reportedly scolded An after Lee said something to her in Korean.

As she was heading to get her coffee, this lady screamed at her, dont you dare say that again. She was berating my student for talking in Korean, and proceeded to demand that all immigrants speak English, Lee posted on Facebook.

An began recording the incident.

I dont wanna hear your language. I dont want to hear it, says the unidentified woman on camera.

I have the freedom to use my own language, responds An.

Especially not Oriental, I hate it, the woman said later in the recording.

Lee said he was shocked by the womans attitude and that he had never experienced anything like this before.

This was actually my first time interacting with someone like this and thats why I was even more surprised, Lee said, I see videos like this online, I see it on the news, but its not something I would ever imagine happening to me or anybody I know.

Two Starbucks baristas intervened.

Im sorry, theyre allowed to speak their language, one of the baristas is heard saying on the recording.

If you can sit and be quiet, fine, but I dont wanna hear your language. I dont wanna hear it, the identified woman says.

If you dont want to hear it theyre welcome to be here, theyre doing nothing wrong, youre the one causing an issue, the Starbucks employee says.

The baristas then called the police, who escorted the woman out of the establishment.

Police reportedly said the woman once again berated An as she was being led out of the coffee house.

The video has been viewed over 800,000 times, and has received many comments very supportive of Lee and his student.

A commenter self-identified as Julie Christi posted: I am so sorry this happened to you. Please know that we welcome and cherish all of our bright, brilliant international students here.

Another, Charmaine Stavedahl, stated: I liked that you gave her a choice in a calm manner re. calling the police, and she didnt take it. Under her anger is such fear, in the aftermath maybe you can find some compassion, but it is so very hard to do. I think you handled it well. Logical consequences for her bad behavior.

Lee told KRON he hopes to use the incident to spread awareness overcome bigotry.

Hopefully, this leads to even more conversations and initiatives, posted Lee.

Asked about his attitude towards the unidentified woman, Lee says told reporters that he is not resentful and would wish for her to recognize the incident as a good opportunity to explore the different cultures around herself.

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Police: Grinch Admits to Burning Down Christmas Tree in Mesa, Arizona

An Arizona man was arrested after police said he admitted to burning a Christmas tree in the center of Mesa, Arizona, on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

The Mesa fire and police departments responded to a fire in the downtown, and when they arrived, they saw the tree already engulfed in flames, 3TV/CBS 5 reported.

Police searched the area and located 34-year-old Samuel Antone Johnson, who police said admitted to starting the fire with a book of matches.

His motive for doing so is not clear.

Johnson was booked for one count of arson and one count of criminal damage.

While fire crews were able to extinguish the fire completely, the tree was too burned to salvage.

But rather than let this dampen the citys holiday spirit, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce started a fundraiser to replace the tree, and a temporary one has already been brought in.

Christmas is still on for the City of Mesa. New temporary tree being brought in now. #azfamily pic.twitter.com/gCXfFgUTrx  Lauren Reimer (@LaurenReimerTV) December 13, 2017

We are replacing the Merry Main Street Christmas tree, which sustained heavy fire damage this morning. #MerryMainStreet will go on with a live tree! Thanks to @MesaChamber for fundraising. Details ? https://t.co/vThY4VL5zA  City of Mesa, Arizona (@MesaAzgov) December 13, 2017

While this news is devastating, it certainly wont diminish Mesas holiday spirit, Mesa Mayor John Giles said in a press release. The City is working on activating the site for this weekend including a live tree.

The tree was part of a Merry Main Street in the downtown that Giles brought back three years ago, according to the chamber. When the tree was introduced in 2015, it cost $40,000.

With this mornings loss of that tree, a gathering spot on Merry Main isnt so merry, chamber President Sally Harrison said in a release. At the Chamber, we like to say, The World Belongs to Those Who Show Up. We know the Mesa community will show up and we appreciate you.

From NTD.tv

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Police said Christopher Seth admitted to stealing packages from porches of homes throughout Boulder County. (Boulder County Sheriff's Office)

Porch Pirate Busted for Stealing $6,000 in Packages Off Boulder, Colorado, Porches

An accused serial porch pirate busted by Boulder, Colorado, police on Friday, Dec. 8, faces felony charges for plundering packages worth over $6,000 from doorsteps.

According to the Daily Camera, an arrest affidavit states that Christopher Seth, 22, was spotted by witnesses taking a package off a porch in Boulder, Colorado, then getting into a vehicle with another individual inside and fleeing the scene.

The box reportedly contained $200 worth of socks from REI.

Police tracked the vehicle and apprehended the Erie man, who according to KDVR admitted that he would drive around looking for packages lingering on porches, while his girlfriend remained inside the car as a lookout.

A search of the suspects apartment revealed 44 items police think were stolen from doorsteps, CBS reports, including a Droid Star Wars Kit ($100), Dr. Martens womens boots ($135), Petzl climbing equipment ($520), and a bedframe ($200). A complete list of items has been provided by investigators and is posted at the bottom of this article.

Boulder police told CBS theyre trying to match the stolen goods with their rightful owners, but that those efforts are hampered by missing shipping labels and packaging material.

Seth has been charged with felony theft and could spend up to three years in prison, KDVR reported, and his past criminal history includes a DUI and a pending indecent exposure case.

He has been released on a $1,000 bond and is required to attend a status conference on Jan. 3.

More deliveries ahead of Christmas means more packages on doorsteps, making similar crimes more likely.

Another alleged porch pirate David Ramirez of San Antonio, Texas. was caught by police on Wednesday, Dec. 13, and accused of stealing thousands of dollars in packages and other items, according to a KENS5 report.

Investigators said he stole items worth $3,000-$4,000 from victims across the city.

So police are warning residents to take steps to avoid falling victim to this type of crime.

The Ames Police Department issued this tongue-in-cheek video advisory on Dec. 8, containing a series of useful tips.

In the video, police suggest residents monitor the tracking on packages and sign up for delivery alerts. Those who know they wont be home when the package is delivered are advised to consider having packages delivered to their workplace or having them held at the delivery companys location.

Below is a complete list of stolen items found in Seths apartment, according to CBS. Investigators noted that not all items on various packing slips were recovered.

Giro blue bike helmet $80 Food 52 Silverware $100 Shampoo $100 Hat rack $30 Droid Starwars Kit $100 Dr. Martins Womens Boots $135 Steve Madden Womens Boots $135 Louis Etcie Womens Boots $100 What do you Meme $16 Top Greener wall power outlet $50 Ergobaby doll carrier $25 Petzl ice climbing equipment $520 Air Jordans $100 Phillips automated lights $70 Google Voice $80 Roku Ultra $100 Xbox Ghost Recon $50 Xbox1 $300 Laguiole Knifes $400 Onelink smoke/carbon detector $300 Deep Sea Sand Art $20 Miraclegro Aero Garsen $100 MSR Elixr 3 $300 Gregory Stout 75 $200 Garmin Forerunner 735XT $350 Pacman Arcade $20 Samsung State Hard Drive $300 Assorted Dog Toys $20 Redken Shampoo $200 Redken Shampoo $200 Naipo Shiatsu Pillow $50 Penzey Cinnamon $5 Arcteryx Parka $700 Arcteryx Bag $100 Parador kids robe $25 Colorado Post Cards $5 Green Shirt $20 Sateen Pillowcases $20 Bronze Platter $50 Darn Tough Socks $200 The Girl with 7 Names $20 Womens Shirt $25 Camelback Water bottle $10 Bedframe $200

And you, too, can help take the Grinch down a notch this holiday season and share this article far and wide on social media.

Make sure these great tips reach as many people as possible!
Police stand guard near the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal, the site of a pipe bomb explosion, in New York on Dec. 11, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Renewed Push for Immigration Reform After NYC Terror Attack

Administration officials urge Congress to implement a merit-based immigration system

WASHINGTONThe Trump administration is doubling down on its push to end chain migration after a failed terror attack in New York on Dec. 11.

Chain migration occurs when a person immigrates to the United States and in turn sponsors other relatives to join him or her. Those relatives, in turn, can sponsor people, and so on, indefinitely.

The alleged terrorist, Akayed Ullah, a 27-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, came to the United States after his uncle won a green card through the diversity visa lottery program. The uncle brought his sister, who in turn brought the then-20-year-old Ullah.

The lottery system and chain migrationwere going to end them fast, President Donald Trump said on Dec. 12, a day after the attack.

At 7:20 a.m. on Dec. 11, Ullah allegedly detonated a homemade bomb he was wearing in a busy Midtown Manhattan underground subway walkway. He sustained burns and wounds to his body, while three other people sustained minor injuries.

Ullah has been charged with five federal crimes, including criminal possession of a weapon, supporting an act of terrorism, and making a terroristic threat, the New York City Police Department announced Dec. 12.

Joon Kim, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Ullah allegedly chose the time and location to maximize human casualties.

[He] came with a hate-filled heart and an evil purpose: to murder as many innocent human beings as he could and to blow himself up in the processall in support of a vicious terrorist cause, said Kim, at a news conference on Dec. 12.

Kim said Ullah began researching how to build bombs about a year ago and had been planning this attack for several weeks.

He also admitted that he had been inspired by ISIS to carry out his attack, Kim said, adding that Ullah was radicalized online, starting as far back as 2014.

The attack was the second in as many months in New York City, pushing chain migration and the diversity visa lottery to the forefront of the immigration debate.

The earlier attack was carried out by Uzbek national Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, who mowed down bicyclists with a truck, killing eight and injuring 11 before being shot by police. Saipov won a green card from the diversity visa lottery and had since been the primary contact person for 23 other immigrants, according to comments by Trump on Nov. 1.

Trumps immigration priorities include replacing family-based (or chain) migration with a merit-based system and to eliminate the diversity visa lottery completely.

Trump said in a statement after the latest attack that extended-family chain migration is incompatible with national security.

The terrible harm that this flawed system inflicts on Americas security and economy has long been clear, he said.

Family-Based Migration

Francis Cissna, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said Americas immigration system has two principal components: family-based or employment-based.

About 72 percent of the 1 million people who obtained green cards in 2015 came based on a family connection, Cissna said. About 6 percent came based on employment or a job offer. The rest were refugees, asylees, or in other minor categories. So you can see the immigration system is heavily weighted towards family migration, Cissna said at a White House press briefing on Dec. 12.

More than 50 percent of family-based migrants are immediate family members of U.S. citizens, such as spouses or children, Cissna said. However, other family-based categories exist that allow extended family members to gain green cards. These include sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, spouses of green card holders, unmarried sons and daughters of green card holders, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens and their children.

So the suspect in yesterdays bombing came in under the most extreme, remote possible family-based connection that you could have under current U.S. immigration lawthat being the child of the sibling of a U.S. citizen, Cissna said.

Diversity Visa Lottery

The visa lottery gives out 50,000 green cards each year to participants from countries that had a low immigration rate to the United States in the previous five years.

Cissna said there are several problems with the visa lottery.

First, because the criteria are so low, either you have no education at all and very little skills, or you have a minimum of education and no skills at all. And because its a lottery, pretty much anybody on the planet who is from a qualifying country can take advantage of this, Cissna said.

The State Departments Inspector General Office warned in 2003 that the program was rife with fraud and could be exploited by terrorists. The Government Accountability Office echoed the warning in 2007.

Thats a sad fact of that program. For that reason, regardless of when the person became radicalized, I just want that door shut, because its a vulnerability. Its been recognized for 15 years, Cissna said.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said more than 1 million people have entered the United States from terror-based countries, making it difficult to identify lone-wolf attackers and those who have been radicalized.

Since 9/11, the Department of Justice has prosecuted more than 500 people for terrorism-related offenses, Sessions said. And preliminary figures suggest that nearly 75 percent of those defendants were foreign-born.

Merit-Based System

Trump has stated his preference for a merit-based immigration system, in which immigrant visas such as green cards are issued based on a points system.

More points are given to people with higher education, younger people, those with better English fluency, and those who have skills that the United States needs. Both Canada and Australia have merit-based systems.

Todays attempted mass murder attack in New York Citythe second terror attack in New York in the last two monthsonce again highlights the urgent need for Congress to enact legislative reforms to protect the American people, Trump said in a statement on Dec. 11.

America must fix its lax immigration system, which allows far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to access our country.

Cissna said his agency is looking at what it can do without congressional support to reduce the number of family-based categories.

If you look at temporary visa categories, yes, theres a lot of things that we can do and that were going to do, for example, to increase protections of American workers, he said.

In the green card domain, its a little harder. Congress has kind of occupied that field a little more densely than it has in the temporary visa area. But there could be  some things that we could do to clarify how these categories are administered.

Trump has said that Congress needs to address his immigration priorities in any deal that includes an amnesty for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients.

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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) speaks to reporters at the Capitol on July 13, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Sen. John McCain Hospitalized Due to Brain Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Arizona Sen. John McCain was hospitalized on Wednesday afternoon due to the side effects of his cancer treatment.

McCain, a Republican, was admitted to the Walter Reed Hospital for normal side effects of his treatments, his office said in a statement.

As ever, he remains grateful to his physicians for their excellent care, and his friends and supporters for their encouragement and good wishes, the statement said.

Hes receiving treatment for glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and he was diagnosed with the illness in July. Sen. McCain looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible, the statement continued.

After his diagnosis, the six-term senator returned to the U.S. Capitol after Labor Day and has maintained a regular senate work schedule as he continues treatment, according to AZCentral.

This week, McCain, 80, has not been able to vote in the Senate, and he didnt attend a White House ceremony with President Donald Trump, NBC reported.

I am more energetic, and more engaged, as a result of this because I know that Ive got to do everything I can to serve this country while I can, McCain said during a 60 Minutes interview in September.

McCain on his prognosis: Some say 3%, some say 14%. You know, it's it's a very poor prognosis. #60Minutes #50yearsof60 pic.twitter.com/EOvLKPZIxl  60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 25, 2017

In the interview, he described the cancer as very, very serious.

In the meantime, during his treatment, McCain also suffered an Achilles tendon tear, forcing him to wear a walking boot.

Senator McCain was treated at Walter Reed Medical Center over the weekend for a minor tear in his right Achilles tendon, as well as for other normal and non-life-threatening side effects of cancer therapy, McCains office said in a written statement at the time.

In November, however, McCain came under fire after he was seen with his walking boot was on a different foot.

He claimed to switch it to his left foot to give it a break, The Hill reported.

Mother, father & puppy of the bride in beautiful Cornville #Arizona yesterday! pic.twitter.com/sd3rsye1OV  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 22, 2017

Y'all don't hear me. Why is John McCain's boot on another foot. Stop with that mirror crap. Wake up people. pic.twitter.com/A3NCjk1bnp  Melting Pot+++ AfroCon (@kdlewis04) November 23, 2017

After the question was posed, his office gave an explanation on Twitter.

Thank you for your support & best wishes. My left leg was doing extra work to compensate for the boot, so I'm giving it a break. I still hate wearing this boot, but it won't slow us down from frying 7 turkeys today!  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 23, 2017

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Shooting Reported at Penn State University-Beaver Campus

At least two people were shot and killed at the Pennsylvania State University Beaver campus in western Pennsylvania on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 13, according to local reports.

Shots fired near Bistro. Situation is contained. We will remain on lockdown until further notice. Authorities responding, Penn State Beaver tweeted.

01PSU AlertBR: Shots fired near Bistro. Situation is contained. We will remain on lockdown until further notice. Authorities responding.  Penn State Beaver (@PennStateBeaver) December 13, 2017

CBS Pittsburgh, citing police, reported that the shooting is being investigated as a murder-suicide.

Officials say a campus employee was fatally shot near her car by her estranged husband. He then shot and killed himself.

WPXI reported that the employee worked at the campus cafeteria.

Police said that her husband arrived there, and after they fought, he pulled a gun and shot her before turning the weapon on himself, WPXI reported.

NEW: Photo from the scene on Penn State Beaver's campus where a shooting has been reported. https://t.co/tBpAK2cEvZ pic.twitter.com/WIfHc2fCsr  WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@WTAE) December 13, 2017

The incident was reported before 4 p.m. local time in the campus food service area near the student union, campus spokeswoman April Johnston-Smith told CBS.

No students were involved.

The campus was closed on Wednesday, and ambulances were spotted arriving.

The campus is located about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Emergency crews are at Penn State Beaver campus this afternoon after a reported shooting. No details are being released yet. pic.twitter.com/tSkOzrrI4U  Kate Malongowski (@BCTkate) December 13, 2017

01PSU AlertBR: Campus has been closed for until further notice.  Penn State Beaver (@PennStateBeaver) December 13, 2017

01PSU AlertBR: Shots fired near Bistro. Situation is contained. We will remain on lockdown until further notice. Authorities responding.  Penn State Beaver (@PennStateBeaver) December 13, 2017

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Suicide Bomber Attacks Police Academy in Somalias Capital, at Least 3 Killed

MOGADISHUA suicide bomber in police uniform blew himself up inside a police training camp in Somalias capital Mogadishu on Thursday, killing at least three police officers, an official said.

So far we can confirm that three had died. The death toll may rise, Mohamed Hussein, a police major, told Reuters.

BREAKING: Huge explosion heard in #Mogadishu  Live From Somalia (@Tuuryare_Africa) December 14, 2017

BREAKING: An explosion was reported at the police academy in Mogadishu, Local media reports that bomber detonated suicide vest during rehearsal parade at Mogadishu's main police academy. Deaths and wounds feared -Officials #Somalia  Somalia- latest news (@MunaserMohamed) December 14, 2017

Pay attention to Somalia, which has one of the biggest territories still under jihadist sway. My column from Mogadishu https://t.co/4W6QDivhR6  Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) December 13, 2017

By Abdi Sheikh
This undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 23, 2017 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (2nd L) visiting the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science at an undisclosed location. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

The Dangerous Appetites of North Koreas Dictator

North Koreas rotund leader inherited his fathers tyrannical appetite, with a love for expensive champagne and women that have little choice but do as he wants.

Few men have gotten close to Kim Jong Un and lived to tell of it outside North Korea.

But one man did, and hes made a living out of sharing his insights on North Koreas supreme leader.

Chef Kenji Fujimoto, an assumed name, was one of the few people that successfully predicted the younger Kim would take over the family dictatorship from his father Kim Jong Il.

Conventional wisdom had it that older half-brother Kim Jong-nam was next in line for the throne, which may be why Jong-nam was assassinated, purportedly at the hands of North Korea agents, at a Malaysian airport earlier this year.

When control of the North Korean communist regime passed to youngest son Kim Jong Un at the end of 2011, Chef Fujimotos stock went up and he became one of the few recognized experts on North Koreas ruling millennial.

Fujimoto was the preceding North Korean dictators personal sushi chef from 1988 to 2001 and one of the few people to ever see the Kim family up close and leave the country. His books on his time in North Korea recount jet ski races against the deceased dictator and meeting the current Kim when he was just seven years old.

Fujimoto now makes money from his three books and paid interviews and television appearances where he offers insight into the leaderships of North Korea.

According to Fujimoto, the current Kim loves expensive Cristal champagne, which he used to drink during dinners with his father, a man of extravagant tastes.

Fujimoto told the Independent that Kim consumes mass quantities of the expensive beverage.

For a few years a rumor has circulated that Kim Jong Un has a fetish for swiss cheese, but with reports citing reports, the sourcing appears circular.

The root of widespread claims the current dictator got gout from eating too much cheese are to be based largely on his weight gain, a limp he had for some time, and the fact he sent envoys to France to try and enroll North Korean cooks in cheese making courses to improve the countrys ability to make fine cheeses, reported the Mirror.

The director of National Dairy Industry College, Veronique Drouet, told the newspaper that the college politely but firmly declined the request.

The Kim family has a known history of luxurious appetites.

Kims father, Kim Jong Il, would dispatch Fujimoto to China, Japan and other places for ingredients and cigarettes, spending a fortune to obtain items ranging from Indian tuna to rice cakes.

Even common foods took unusual preparation for the former leader.

With respect to rice, before cooking it a waiter and a kitchen staff member would inspect it grain by grain. Chipped and defective grains were extracted; only those with perfect form were presented, Fujimoto wrote for the Atlantic in 2004.

During one of the elder Kims frequent banquets, Fujimoto claims he ordered five dancers to take off their clothes.

They could not object to their Dear Leaders orders. In awkward embarrassment they stripped down and continued their performance in the nude, wrote Fujimoto.

He then ordered his cabinet staff to join them but warned them that if they touched the dancers they would be regarded as thieves.

Fujimoto, who received luxury gifts such as two Mercedez Benz cars from the now-deceased Kim, lived in fear of crossing the regime and finding himself executed. The fear prompted him to trick his former boss into sending him to Japan to procure a sea urchin, a favored delicacy, in 2001.

When Fujimoto landed in his homeland, he stayed there.

But the chef has returned to North Korea since his departure, once at the formal invitation of Kim Jong Un in 2012 and again in 2016 where he went to a dinner with him.

After his 2016 trip, Fujimoto told South Korean network KBS , Kim came to the dinner with six attractive women and drank expensive Bordeaux wine.

Kim boasted of drinking 10 bottles of Bordeaux in one night days earlier, said Fujimoto.
Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., speaks during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Nov. 29, 2017 in New York City. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

US Said It will Reveal how Iran Dishonored Nuclear Agreement

The United States will reveal irrefutable evidence that Iran knowingly dishonored its international obligations over its nuclear program.

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will hold a press briefing on Thursday to highlight recent findings in the UNs 2231 Implementation Report.

During the briefing, Ambassador Haley will offer irrefutable evidence that Iran has deliberately violated its international obligations and has tried and failed to cover up these violations, said a statement by the U.S. Mission to the U.N. on Wednesday.

She will outline Irans ongoing destabilizing activities in the Middle East region and elsewhere in the world, it said.

The press briefing will be held in Washington D.C.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 endorsed the Obama-negotiated Iran nuclear agreement which called upon Iran not to partake in any activity associated with ballistic missiles for eight years, reported ABC News.

Haleys scheduled briefing will be held a month before the Jan. 13 deadline when President Donald Trump needs to certify whether or not Iran has honored the deal and also agree on whether to prolong a waiver on sanctions.

"Irans missile launches should be a call to action. When a rogue regime starts w/ ballistic missiles, we'll soon have another N.Korea." pic.twitter.com/Bce0zCjRVv  Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) October 18, 2017

Trump has long been a strong critic of the deal made in 2015.

The nuclear deal threw Irans dictatorship a political and economic lifeline, providing urgently needed relief from the intense domestic pressure the sanctions had created, Trump said Oct. 13 in a statement to the press. It also gave the regime an immediate financial boost and over $100 billion dollars its government could use to fund terrorism, he said.

The regime also received a massive cash settlement of $1.7 billion from the United States, a large portion of which was physically loaded onto an airplane and flown into Iran.

"Iran hides behind its assertion of technical compliance w/the nuclear deal, while it brazenly violates the other limits.."

Amb. @NikkiHaley pic.twitter.com/xvHgx7d1cT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2017

Trump also said Tehran has not fulfilled its obligations.

[The] Iranian regime has committed multiple violations of the agreement. For example, on two separate occasions, they have exceeded the limit of 130 metric tons of heavy water. Until recently, the Iranian regime has also failed to meet our expectations in its operation of advanced centrifuges, he said.

The Iranian regime has also intimidated international inspectors into not using the full inspection authorities that the agreement calls for.

Iranian officials and military leaders have repeatedly claimed they will not allow inspectors onto military sites, even though the international community suspects some of those sites were part of Irans clandestine nuclear weapons program.

There are also many people who believe that Iran is dealing with North Korea, he said.

Trump declared his decision not to certify Irans compliance on Oct. 13, prompting a 60-day period for the U.S. Congress to elect whether to reimpose sanctions lifted under the deal. That period ended Tuesday, Dec. 12, and Congress decided not to act, reported ABC News.

Today, I announced our strategy to confront the Iranian regimes hostile actions and to ensure that they never acquire a nuclear weapon. pic.twitter.com/N4ISdjuEdC  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2017

Among incidents in the report, which Haley is expected to build upon during the briefing, are details regarding Irans ballistic missile tests and its alleged transfer of missiles and arms. It is also expected that Haley will point out Irans support of Houthi fighters in Yemen.

Iran has said its nuclear program is non-military in nature.

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From NTD
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber drops bombs in this undated file photo. (U.S. Air Force/Getty Images)

US B-52 Bombers Drop Record Munitions Load on Taliban Drug Labs

Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers have delivered a record-setting load of ordnance on Taliban opium factories in Afghanistan, an Air Force general announced on Dec. 12.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch held a video teleconference from Kabul, Afghanistan, on Dec. 12 in which he discussed the success the United States has had with its new Afghanistan strategy, which includes attacking the Talibans drug labs.

Briefing reporters from Kabul, Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch says under new authorities given by Trump, US aircraft has taken out out 25 drug labs in Afghanistan in 3 weeks, destroying $16 million of Taliban's drug money  Vera Bergengruen (@VeraMBergen) December 12, 2017

On November 20th, General Nicholson discussed the opening salvo of airstrikes against the Talibans opium and heroin enterprise in northern Helmand, Bunch began. Today, Id like to update you on what the Afghans and we have been able to accomplish in only three short weeks.

Since the beginning of this campaign, we have eliminated 25 narcotics processing labs from the Taliban inventory, he continued.

This equates to almost $80 million of drug money eliminated from the kingpins pockets while denying over $16 million of direct revenue to their Taliban partners. Keep in mind that this is the first time we have persistently used our airpower in this interdiction role, he said

Bunch then mentioned almost in passing that a new version of the venerable B-52 bomber had been used for the first time.

So, weve used so far, weve used B-52s with their new conventional rotary launcher. Of note, it was the single most, largest number of precision munitions ever dropped from a B-52, he said.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Damien Pickart elaborated in an interview with the Washington Examiner.

B-52s from 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flying out of the Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, were used in the strike, Pickart reported.

He explained that these were the first B-52s fitted with what the Air Force calls the conventional rotary launcher (CRL). This device lets the aircraft to carry eight additional precision-guided munitions (PGM) in their internal weapon bays.

Combined with PGMs carried on the wing pylons, the CRL allowed the B-52 to carry more PGMs than any previous mission. These guided munitions allowed us to effectively destroy the targets while mitigating the risk of collateral damage and civilian casualties, Pickart told the Washington Examiner.

This marks the first time the CRL has been used in a major operation, Pickart concluded.

New Strategy for an Old War

After 16 years of stalemate, President Trump announced a new direction in Afghanistan on Aug. 21.

The militarys new Afghanistan strategy is more active than reactive and focuses on cutting off the Taliban from funds.

Using air power, we have been able to target the Taliban in their so-called safe zones, command and control nodes, illicit revenue-generating ventures, and their logistical networks, Bunch explained.

Bunch explained that the Talibans annual budget was between $300 million and $500 million a year. Two hundred million of that comes from the drug trade, and the vast majority of the drug labs are in northern Helmand Province, he said.

We targeted there to disrupt their revenue, to prevent their ability to reset or refit over the winter, he stated.

We will continue to target them and disrupt them wherever we find them, he said.

Another emphasis is on arming and enabling the Afghan army and air force to take on more of the combat.

Our number one priority here is to continue to build the capacity of the Afghan defense forces, Bunch told a reporter.

Were doubling the size of the Afghan special operations forces, were tripling the size of the Afghan air force, the two most lethal components and those units continue to conduct operations, he said.

With the air interdiction campaign, we are able to go after the Talibans support structure, whereas before we could only strike essentially in defense of the ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces ) forces that were in contact with the enemy, Bunch continued.

Now were able to go after their weapons cache sites, their revenue generation, their C2 nodes. All the areas where they thought they were safe and they are no longer so. That is our new strategy going forward and its definitely been a game-changer and the Taliban is definitely feeling it, he said.

From NTD.tv

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Noem tells NYT former President Trump doesn't offer 'best chance' for GOP

In an interview with The New York Times, Gov. Kristi Noem spoke about her reservations about former President Donald Trump announcing his bid for re-election.
OTTAWAA senior member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus office is being investigated for multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Claude-Eric Gagne, deputy director of operations for the Prime Ministers Office, confirmed Wednesday evening that he is the subject of the investigation  although the specific allegations remain unclear. Quebec broadcaster TVA reported Wednesday evening that multiple women have accused Gagne of inappropriate behaviour.

I am taking this situation seriously and I offered my full and complete co-operation to the investigator, Gagne told the Star, adding that he challenges the veracity of the allegations.

Please understand that in the meantime, I will not make any other comments so as not to undermine this process I have agreed to participate in.

Gagne was an influential member of Trudeaus 2015 election team, serving as chief organizer in Quebec. Before that, he was an aide to several provincial Liberal politicians in Quebec, according to his LinkedIn profile.

As Trudeau staffed his office after his 2015 victory, Quebec media reports noted Gagne was one of the few staffers from Quebec with an influential position in the prime ministers extended inner circle.

In a statement Wednesday evening, the PMO said it takes the allegations extremely seriously.

In this case, an investigation was immediately triggered with the assistance of an independent investigator and the individual in question went on leave, pending the outcome, said the statement, attributed to communications director Kate Purchase.

The PMO declined to provide further details in order to protect the integrity of the process and ensure fairness for the parties.

Trudeau has shown little tolerance for allegations of impropriety or inappropriate behaviour, even before taking office in 2015.

In 2014, Trudeau booted Liberal MPs Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti from his caucus for alleged personal misconduct. The allegations were later revealed to be complaints from two female New Democrat MPs that were sexual in nature.

Look, folks, its 2014, Trudeau said at the time. Its time that (the House of Commons), like other workplaces across the country, had a process whereby these issues can be aired and dealt with.

With files from Bruce Campion-Smith

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Canadas spy service has settled a multimillion-dollar lawsuit with five intelligence officers and analysts who claimed they faced years of discrimination because they were gay, Muslim or Black.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service posted a comment from director David Vigneault on the agencys website Thursday afternoon, stating that the agreement had been reached with the help of a mediator.

The settlement is in the best interest of all those concerned, Vigneault wrote. The complexity of the ever-evolving threat environment requires that all CSIS employees are equipped to give their best. As such, I strongly believe in leading an organization where each employee promotes a workplace which is free from harassment and conducive to the equitable treatment of all individuals.

CSIS did not release the terms of the settlement, saying they are confidential.

Toronto lawyer John Phillips, who represented the five employees, said he could not comment on the case.

The $35-million lawsuit, launched in July, was a rare public airing of internal complaints at one of Canadas most secretive organizations and contained detailed allegations about managers who openly espoused Islamophobic, racist and homophobic views.

Some of the most damning claims concerned emails allegedly sent by managers to Toronto intelligence officer Alex." (The five employees and managers are identified by pseudonyms as identifying a spy can be considered an offence under Canadas Security of Information Act.)

Alex, is gay and has a Muslim partner. According to the statement of claim, one email allegedly sent in October 2015 stated: Careful your Muslim in-laws dont behead you in your sleep for being homo.

Vigneault, who had only been appointed director a few weeks before the lawsuit was launched, responded quickly to the allegations.

As the Star reported in October, he invited the five employees to a lengthy meeting to hear the allegations first-hand. He also released a statement acknowledging that his agency suffers from a workplace climate of retribution, favouritism, bullying and other problems, which he said is categorically unacceptable in a high-functioning, professional organization.

Read more:

Head of spy agency CSIS admits retribution, favouritism, bullying in workplace

Judge slams Ottawa for delays over $35-million CSIS lawsuit alleging workplace Islamophobia, racism and homophobia

Five CSIS employees are accusing the spy agency of Islamophobia, racism and homophobia in a $35-million lawsuit

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Citing sales drops ranging from 5 to 52 per cent, anxious King St. merchants want city hall to suspend the King St. pilot project on evenings and weekends  or cancel it altogether.

The problem is real, Tony Elenis, chief executive of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association, said of sagging foot traffic and revenues for King St. West eateries since the year-long transit experiment, restricting vehicle traffic between Bathurst and Jarvis Sts., launched Nov. 12.

The most vibrant street in Canada is no longer vibrant.

Elenis helped organize a city hall meeting last week in which more than a dozen business owners and other stakeholders, who are also facing the new $14 minimum wage Jan. 1, raised the alarm with Mayor John Tory and Joe Cressy, city councillor for much of the 2.6-km-long strip of King.

He also initiated an email survey so business owners could describe impacts, good or bad, since the changes, including no on-street parking and drivers compelled to turn right off King at most major intersections, that have speeded up streetcar trips.

Share Your Thoughts!

Preliminary results have 92 per cent of respondents  about two-thirds of them restaurant owners  reporting sales drops of between 5 and 52 per cent over the same period last year. Thirty-six per cent say they have laid people off, while 60 per cent say they have shaved between 10 and 20 operating hours a week.

Ninety-seven per cent disapprove of the pilot, while 90 per cent want it to end immediately, according to the survey that will be finalized and released next week.

Elenis says Tory and Cressy took their concerns seriously, including a request to restore normal traffic and parking after 7 p.m. and on weekends.

We did commit to the mayor that well wait for his follow-up meeting in January, Elenis said. We understand the aim of the pilot, but its very hard to keep business owners patient when theyre losing money every day in what is supposed to be one of their busiest times.

The Star visited restaurants along the strip east of John St. mid-afternoon Wednesday. Every owner and employee interviewed cited unusual dips in sales and frequently empty sidewalks that, even in chilly weather, used to be more bustling.

Asked why, most guessed that people are confused by the new rules and scared off by media stories about offending motorists getting $110 tickets with the possibility of two demerit points.

I have friends who are unaware of what part you cant go in between, so I think they just boycott it altogether, said Andrew Hall, bar manager at District Eatery at 303 King St. West. The winter is always a bit quieter than summer, but since the pilot project the late-night crowd and the in-between-lunch-and-dinner crowd has definitely suffered.

Hall wasnt sure about suspending the pilot on nights and weekends, though, saying that might confuse people more.

Manna Au, co-owner of nearby Pearl King eatery, said she is seeing less cars, less people walking on the street and less sales.

She wondered if removing King on-street parking spots, without restricting vehicles, could have sped up streetcars without scaring away customers.

Fred Luk said weekend lunch trade at Freds Not Here restaurant is down 35 per cent, which he blames on no parking on King. He has also seen a surge in last-minute reservation cancellations from customers stuck in traffic and worried they wont find parking. There are parking lots on nearby streets.

This is a mixed-use neighbourhood, where people used to park and stroll, Luk said. The pilot is not a balanced policy and has failed miserably on one of the three objectives  support business and economic prosperity.

In an interview, Cressy did not dispute that some businesses are suffering and noted the city is taking immediate steps.

Discounted parking at nearby Green P lots is coming, along with a public realm activation program to lure pedestrians. Advertising will assure people they can still drive a short distance on King, if needed, and access nearby parking. The city will highlight 17 pilot-area restaurants participating in the Winterlicious fixed-price meal promotion in January.

City transportation staff are looking at merchants suggestions, including time options for the pilot, and will report back.

Weve asked staff to look at those options, but weve said to the (merchant) group Dont expect this to change tomorrow, a complete overhaul of the pilot, Cressy said. You need to give us time to look at it, but were not waiting a year.

Its early going and any time you change a street, in the first few weeks there is going to be a huge shift. We need to make sure we are deliberate and guided by research... The pilot is a success for transit, but we need to ensure the system getting people in and out of the core also supports local business.

In an email, Tory spokesman Don Peat said the mayor supports the King St. pilot project because King St. wasnt working for anyone. This is about trying to move the 65,000-plus transit riders who use our busiest surface transit route in a better way.

Tory is monitoring business impacts and awaits point-of-sale data, early in 2018, to help show what is happening, Peat said.

We know there will be changes to the pilot along the way. The mayor will be looking to city staff to advise on any changes.

Correction  Dec. 15 2017: This article was updated from a previous version that incorrectly stated the range of the sales drop experienced by King St. businesses.

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A 45-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing his wife.

Jayanthy Seevaratnam, 46, was found by emergency personnel near 50 Empringham Dr., in Malvern on Tuesday afternoon, Toronto police said.

She had unspecified severe trauma, police said in a news release Thursday. Paramedics rushed her to hospital, where she later died. An autopsy found that her death was the result of multiple injuries.

Police said her husband was arrested the same day.

Kathirgamanatha Suppiah faces one count of second-degree murder.

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Its been one year since Soleiman Faqiri, a 30-year-old mentally ill man, died in a Lindsay Ont. jail after a three-hour-long confrontation with correctional officers. His body was found with 50 bruises, all the result of blunt force trauma.

Faqiri, who suffered from schizophrenia, was in jail for 11 days. He was waiting for a mental health assessment, facing charges of assault and uttering threats.

On Friday afternoon, the Faqiri family will visit the snow-clad grounds of the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Ajax, Ont. In the shadow of leafless trees they will say a prayer for their son and brother. They will tell him they love him, that they miss him, that life hasnt been the same for the last 365 days.

They will reaffirm their promise: We will continue to fight for you.

One year ago, his grave was marked by a mound of dirt covered by red roses, vibrant on a snowy day. Today, theres a headstone with his name written in bold golden letters.

Weve spent an entire year without him physically, said Yusuf, his older brother, but with him internally.

The Faqiris have been battling for accountability and transparency since the day Soleiman died. One year on, the family is asking the same questions.

Why was Soleiman killed while in government care?

Why was he found with 50 physical injuries on his body?

Why havent any of the guards been held accountable for the three-hour long confrontation that was caught on a video they still havent seen?

Why is the government so afraid to tell us the truth? asks Soleimans father, Ghulam.

Last week, the family and their lawyers were denied their request for information detailing the final moments before Faqiri died

The refusal came a month after the Kawartha Lakes Police Service said that no criminal charges would be laid in Faqiris death. The family received the news in an email, 11 months after hearing that Soleimans death was a complex case still under investigation.

It is very difficult to not feel like the family is being stone-walled, said Edward Marrocco, the familys lawyer. There is no reason for the family to have no window into whats happened, to have no information from the institution, no information from the police.

Spokespeople for Kawartha Lakes Police Service and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services responded to the Stars inquiries for this story by stating their responses havent changed from what theyve previously said.

The police are awaiting the outcome of a ministry-led investigation and cant release any information to the family. The Ministry wasnt able to comment due to an ongoing coroners inquest, which was announced in November.

Whatever happened in the Central East Correctional Centre is going to come out, said Marrocco, Theres so many other ways this could be handled. Its the shutting out of the family thats so unnecessary.

The Faqiri family, he said, would have been happy to attend any meeting disclosing any communication from the police or the ministry. They just didnt offer it.

The system that we are taught to trust has betrayed my family, said Sohrab, the middle brother. It continues to lack the transparency that is every Canadians right.

On Friday, the family and the Justice for Soli campaign  a group of Ontario university students seeking justice for Faqiri  are organizing a vigil at Yonge and Dundas square to mark the one year anniversary of Soleimans death. There, they will place a picture of Soleiman on the ground, on which 50 people will place 50 white roses to mark the 50 bruises on his dead body.

His only sister will read a poem that shes written to mark the moment: I am no longer strong/Tears will never cease/I am rose with out thorns/Delicate/Without protection.

Community members like activist Desmond Cole, Imam Yasin Dwyer, and Rabia Khedr, CEO of DEEN Support Services, an advocacy organization for people living with disability, will stand with the family on Friday.

When no justice is given to a family like this, who kept an open heart, who gives the police an opportunity to bring about accountability that faith in the system is in many cases never going to come back, Said Cole. And thats representative of what happens to entire communities.

None of these things are happening in isolation, said Cole, who believes that Faqiris death is part of a troubling pattern of behavior in provincial prisons. If the government wanted to hold people responsible for these deaths accountable, it could. It is actively choosing not to.

In two weeks, the family would have celebrated Faqiris 31st birthday like they always do. Theyd go for dinner where hed make jokes and tease his four siblings.

Wed just be another family, said Yusuf, crying as he does every time he remembers his brother, the familys gentle giant.

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A parliamentary committee has recommended Ottawa repeal a provision in the law that bans people with disabilities and excessive health needs from immigrating to Canada.

In a groundbreaking report on the controversial practice, the standing committee on citizenship and immigration said the excessive medical demand clause goes against the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and is out of touch with Canadian values.

However, those who pose risks to public health and public safety should still be barred from being admitted to Canada, said the committee report, released Wednesday.

Our immigration laws unjustifiably violate human rights of certain would-be newcomers to Canada and this is inconsistent with the modern values Canadians associate with contemporary human rights protections, said the committee in a 76-page report.

Canadians value diversity and inclusiveness and it should be mindful of all the abilities and contributions of its citizens, newcomers and potential immigrants as it moves forward with reviewing the medical inadmissibility.

The recommendation was applauded by rights groups who have criticized what they call discriminatory treatment against people with disabilities.

I have seen how the application of this provision has caused a great deal of hardship over the years. This provision has been a barrier to family reunification for many Canadian families, said Toronto immigration lawyer Lorne Waldman. It has also prevented many qualified immigrants from settling in Canada.

Under the medical inadmissibility provision of the immigration law, which does not apply to refugees, medical demand is found to be excessive if it exceeds the average annual health care costs for a Canadian, which is currently estimated at $6,655 a year.

In 2016, there were 21 exemptions issued to overcome medical inadmissibility out of 995 applications deemed inadmissible, according to the Immigration Department. The main conditions included chronic kidney problems, intellectual disability, developmental delays, autism and being HIV-positive.

Advocates for foreign caregivers said some 150 foreign caregivers were denied permanent residence in 2014 alone because a dependant child was deemed medically inadmissible. Temporary foreign worker Mercedes Benitez, for example, was slapped with a medical inadmissibility opinion this year because her 18-year-old son is developmentally delayed.

Denying permanent residency to entire families was never fair or just, thousands of people have suffered under this law already and hundreds of families are waiting to be reunited. There is no time for delay. It is time to repeal this law, said Anna Malla of Torontos Caregivers Action Centre.

Immigration officials said the total number of medical inadmissibility cases amount to about 0.2 per cent of all applications (or between 900 to 1,000 individuals), representing savings of at least $135 million over five years  or 0.1 per cent of all provincial and territorial health spending in 2015.

Although the law allows exemptions at the discretion of immigration officials, they are determined on a case-by-case basis and applicants must prove the disabled individual would not cause excessive burden on Canadian taxpayers and they have a solid mitigation plan to care for the person.

It is easy for MPs on the committee to say this is a good idea because it is the provinces that pay for the health care, said Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees, which supports the repeal. The recommendation is significant because its moving the dial further than what the expectations are.

Admitting immigrants with excessive medical demands is a polarizing issue and even provinces fail to come to consensus on this issue.

During the public hearings by the standing committee, the Saskatchewan government insisted that the current policy is the best option for ensuring that Canadians continue to have timely and quality access to health, education and social services.

Others like Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut said the excessive demand provision is unfair and unjust considering immigrant applicants long-term contributions to Canada.

Canadas immigration system needs to ensure that Canada continues to attract the brightest and best newcomers to this country, said MP Rob Oliphant, chair of the committee. If (renowned physicist) Stephen Hawking wanted to immigrate to Canada, he would not be allowed under the current provision of the law. This is not what Canadians want.

The report also recommended Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen continue consultations with provinces regarding the implementations of the repeal. This is not for permission, but for consultation, said Oliphant.

Although Hussen has yet to officially respond to the parliamentary report, he has said the law has to be changed because its against the governments policies to move toward an accessibility agenda.

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What ails Ontario health care today can be summed up in two words: Hallway medicine.

Across the province, doctors and nurses are relying on hallways to handle the overflow from overcrowded patient wards. Its no way to run a hospital and its no way to practice medicine.

Health care isnt just a health issue. Its a political issue.

The Ontario Hospital Association is clamouring, as one might expect, for help. In the practiced language of alarmist lobbyists, the OHA warned this week that the system is on the brink of yet another capacity crisis.

To their credit, hospitals havent cried wolf in a while. In recent years the OHA had the good sense to acknowledge that more money should flow to longer-term care as a long-term solution.

Their goal was to get so-called bed blockers out of the way  shifting them into affordable and effective chronic care, long-term care and home care as a way to free up far more costly acute-care beds. The Liberal government proclaimed a similar objective.

But turning around a $54 billion health-care system is never easy  nor fast. When youre rebalancing that many billions of dollars its easy to lose equilibrium  and momentum.

Pent-up patient demand that took years to build up cant be tamped down anytime soon, not after years of government restraint over health spending. Added to the mix is what looks like the worst season for influenza in recent memory, clogging local hospital beds (get your flu shot now!).

The challenge is exacerbated in Brampton by a fast-growing population. But that excuse doesnt hold in outlying communities, where populations are declining while aging, suggesting that even when the problem is more predictable it is no less intractable.

Complaints on the hospital floor are finding an echo on the floor of the legislature. And will gain traction on the campaign trail in next springs election.

Give Ontarios New Democratic Party credit for jumping on the issue more than a year ago, well before it hit the headlines. Now, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is trying to generate fresh headlines in regional newspapers by touring the hardest-hit communities  from Toronto to Hamilton, Brampton, London, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and beyond  often with her local MPP or NDP candidate in tow.

The party has made it a priority in part because it is paying attention to union allies who have acted as an early warning system, feeding information from nurses, orderlies, and other caregivers on the frontlines. NDP researchers have also been demanding numbers on wait lists and clamouring for more spending to redress the issue.

The Liberal government counters that hospital spending wasnt cut  it continued to increase, but only by bending the curve to a lower, slower, more sustainable rate of growth. Mindful of the looming pressure points, the health ministry bankrolled a Band-Aid solution this year by reopening two mothballed Toronto hospitals. Extra beds are also going to Brampton Civic Hospital and other hot spots across the province.

The problem is that longer-term care hasnt grown fast enough in the short term, nor has home care or community care. Yet it would be wrong to pretend these pressures are new, or worse than ever before.

In truth, the health-care crunch is a perennial problem in this province, going back decades to the old Tory dynasty of then-premier Bill Davis, which was pummelled across the province for cutting back on hospitals. If we have learned anything over the years, it is surely that better health care is about more than merely money  it is about spending smarter by reducing pointless procedures and reallocating to more promising approaches.

The NDP has identified a problem, but implementing the solution  and getting the mix right  is the painful part for any party in power. Reopening old hospitals stabilizes the system, but builds in more instability going forward. We need to unblock the bed blockers so that patients in need dont have to depend on hallway medicine.

Spending more on acute-care beds is only a short-term solution. In the long term, as economists like to say, we are all dead. But long-term care, buttressed by community care and home care, can breathe new life into an ailing system. Until those other elements of the health-care system are fixed, hospitals will continue to be burdened by bed blockers  no matter how efficient any emergency department tries to be.

This issue may be a perennial, but so are elections. While health care is almost never a vote-determining issue at the ballot box, it has a way of gaining traction and creating static on the campaign trail.

Politicians know that. So do hospital lobbyists. Well soon find out how voters think about what ails the system, and who has the remedies.

Martin Regg Cohn's political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca, Twitter: @reggcohn

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BRUSSELSU.S. President Donald Trump routinely invokes the phrase fake news as a rhetorical cudgel to undermine opponents, rally his political base and attempt to discredit a mainstream American media that is aggressively investigating his presidency.

Following Trumps example, many of the worlds autocrats and dictators are taking a shine to it, too.

When Amnesty International released a report about prison deaths in Syria, the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, retorted that we are living in a fake-news era. President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, who is steadily rolling back democracy in his country, blamed the global media for lots of false versions, lots of lies, saying this is what we call fake news today.

In Myanmar, where international observers accuse the military of conducting a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya Muslims, a security official told The New York Times that there is no such thing as Rohingya, adding: It is fake news. In Russia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, told a CNN reporter to stop spreading lies and fake news. Her ministry now uses a big digital red stamp, FAKE, on its website to label news stories it dislikes.

Around the world, authoritarians, populists and other political leaders have seized on the phrase fake news as a tool with which to attack their critics and, in some cases, to deliberately undermine the institutions of democracy. In countries where press freedom is restricted or under considerable threat  including Russia, China, Turkey, Libya, Poland, Hungary, Thailand, Somalia and others  political leaders have invoked fake news as justification for beating back media scrutiny.

Just this week, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, Peoples Daily, used Trumps words to undercut critical media coverage of an increasingly authoritarian Beijing.

If the president of the United States claims that his nations leading media outlets are a stain on America, the paper wrote, then negative news about China and other countries should be taken with a grain of salt, since it is likely that bias and political agendas are distorting the real picture.

Not quite a year into his presidency, Trump has shaken the global status quo, with his America First ethos, his disdain for global trade and multilateral treaties, and his testy relationships with many traditional allies (and seemingly warm embrace of many traditional rivals). But the presidents mantra of fake news stirs different concerns among many foreign politicians and analysts, who fear it erodes public confidence in democratic institutions at a time when populism and authoritarianism are returning in many regions.

Trump doesnt only talk about fake news, but attacks the media as fake news, and thats an attack on the free press, said Marietje Schaake, a Dutch member of the European Parliament who focuses on human rights and the digital landscape. As the leader of a country that traditionally defends human rights, thats very serious, and of course it has a major impact worldwide.

Richard Javad Heydarian, a political scientist at De La Salle University in Manila and the author of a book on President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, said that American soft power, long rooted in advocacy of democracy, was in a state of total collapse, allowing strongman leaders such as Duterte greater leeway to ignore democratic norms.

With Trump in power, no one is talking about human rights, only fake news, and thats great for Duterte, he said. They both see themselves as populists facing a conspiracy of liberal elites. They think they are victims of fake news.

The problem, of course, is that fake news is a real problem, especially on social media. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia used fake news reports as part of an effort to interfere in the 2016 presidential election on behalf of Trump. The presence of fake news in the globalized stream of media content helps blur the line with traditional, fact-based news.

How much the fake-news epithet has damaged journalism, however, is difficult to say, given the pre-existing difficulties of doing untrammeled reporting in countries where the media is already under the thumb of the state and where journalists have been murdered or imprisoned, not simply insulted or mocked. There is little question that social media, with its huge reach and its vulnerability to bots and manipulation, has helped to amplify criticism from political leaders and undermine trust in traditional journalism.

Trump has succeeded in building an alternative reality separate from the mainstream medias efforts at democratic, rational politics, said John Lloyd, a senior research fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. Of course journalists make mistakes, but those errors are amplified by the charge of fake news,  he said. The mainstream media is portrayed as the tool of an arrogant, out-of-touch elite, who use that tool to keep down the marginalized.

The fake-news narrative also complicates the work of democracy advocates in countries where democracy is already under assault. Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, said that the sad irony is that Trumps greatest harm to human rights may not be his infatuation with abusive strongmen but his undermining of the fact-based discourse that is essential for reining them in.

He added: In countries where the judicial system is unable or unwilling to enforce rights  most countries  the human rights movements main tool is to investigate and publicize official misconduct. Autocrats go to great lengths to avoid that shaming, because it tends to delegitimize them before their public and their peers.

Some analysts say Trumps success at creating an alternative reality and disparaging an adversarial media both copies and augments the tactics of Russias president, Vladimir Putin, noting that Putins propagandists create a barrage of fake facts on politically sensitive topics such as the conflict in Ukraine in order to sow public cynicism and uncertainty. Russia and China also create positive fake news on social media to inspire patriotism at home.

People accept these versions or are confused by them, unclear as to what is correct, said Lloyd, author of The Power and the Story: The Global Battle for News and Information. Putin above all has grasped this and uses it against his enemies. The concept of fake news is used to tar any uncomfortable fact.

Other governments have also embraced the phrase, especially to attack media outlets that Trump constantly disparages. One glaring example came in Libya, after CNN aired video showing a migrant being auctioned as a slave. Libyan leaders responded by using Trumps attacks against CNN to try to cast doubt on the networks report.

Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, who was put in charge of the occupied country by the Vietnamese army more than 30 years ago, shut down The Cambodia Daily and jailed journalists and recently banned the opposition party. Now he also has focused his attacks on Western media for writing about issues from corruption and repression to sex trafficking. I would like to send a message to the president that your attack on CNN is right, Hun Sen said in August. American media is very bad.

Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, embroiled in a scandal in which billions of dollars disappeared from the state investment fund, repeatedly calls accusations against him fake news, including what he called a well-known foreign newspaper, presumably a reference to The Wall Street Journal, which has reported on the disappearance of the funds. Trump once called Najib his favourite prime minister. He also has hailed his great relationship with Duterte, the Philippine president, who has blamed fake news for coverage of his war on drug traffickers, which has killed thousands of Filipinos, many without trial.

Many media organizations are now introducing features to verify facts for readers. In France, Le Mondes Decodex was launched in January as part of the fact-checking section of its website. In Britain, the BBC is starting a project to help secondary school pupils to identify real news and filter out fake or false information.

But it is a different matter when the president of the United States is the source, Schaake said. There is significant damage to the credibility of the United States as the defender of human rights and democratic principles, of which press freedom is one of the pillars, she said.

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BANGKOK  International aid group Doctors Without Borders said its field survey has found at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed between August and September in a crackdown by Burmas security forces.

The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said in a statement made available Thursday that it conducted the survey in refugee camps in Bangladesh. It estimated that at least 9,000 Rohingya had died of various causes in Burmas Rakhine state between Aug. 25 and Sept. 24, and that more than 70 per cent of the deaths were the result of violence.

According to MSF, the dead included at least 730 children younger than 5.

Read more:

Two journalists arrested in Burma over government documents, reports say

Canadians donate $12.5M towards Rohingya refugee crisis, government to match funds: Bibeau

Editorial: Tougher measures needed to stop campaign of terror against Rohingya

More than 630,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Burma into Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing.

The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest clearance operations by (Burma) security forces in the last week of August, MSF medical director Sidney Wong said in a statement.

She said the findings were staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member dead as a result of violence and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.

MSF said that among children below the age of 5, more than 59 per cent who were killed during that period were reportedly shot, 15 per cent burnt to death in their homes, 7 per cent beaten to death and 2 per cent died due to landmine blasts.

The rape of Rohingya women by Burma's security forces has been sweeping and methodical, the Associated Press found in interviews with 29 women and girls who fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. (The Associated Press)

Burmas Information Ministry has said that 400 people died following attacks by a militant Rohingya group on police posts on Aug. 25. It said most of the 400 were extremist terrorists who died during military clearance operations.

International aid and rights groups have accused the military of arson, killings and rapes of Rohingya villagers. Burma authorities have blamed Rohingya militants for the violence.

More than 1 million ethnic Rohingya Muslims have lived in Burma for generations. They have been stripped of their citizenship, denied almost all rights and labelled stateless.

Since Burmas military conducted operations against the Rohingya in Rakhine state, the civilian government has barred most journalists, international observers and humanitarian aid workers from independently travelling to the region.

MSF said the number of deaths is likely to be an underestimation as we have not surveyed all refugee resettlements in Bangladesh and because the surveys dont account for the families who never made it out of (Burma).

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PARISA regional train hit a school bus on a crossing in southern France Thursday, killing four children and critically injuring 11 other people on the bus, the French interior ministry said.

Photos from the scene tweeted by a local television station showed the train derailed and the bus shorn in half  with first responders gathered around.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who flew to the scene of the accident Thursday night, said that authorities still dont know what led to the accident on the crossing in Millas, some 15 kilometres west of Perpignan, close to the border with Spain.

Philippe said that the circumstances of this terrible drama are still undetermined.

He confirmed that two inquiries are underway into the shocking accident that left four children dead, and injured twenty others  including 11 seriously.

Frances SNCF national rail authority said witnesses described the crossing gates as functioning properly. Regional President Carole Delga told broadcaster France-Info that it appears that there was no mechanical problem at this crossing.

However, the head of the regional administration, Philippe Vignes, told reporters that investigators would examine whether everything worked properly and also look into reports that batteries in the automatic gate system had recently been stolen.

He said seven of the injured and some of the dead had not been identified by late Thursday.

Some 70 firefighters, 10 emergency ambulances and four helicopters responded to the crash.

The school bus was transporting children home from the Christian Bourquin school in the small village of Millas. It was carrying around 20 children aged between 11 and 15, the local authority said.

Psychological help is being offered in a local sports hall from Friday morning.

An SNCF official told The Associated Press that the train was carrying 25 people including passengers and crew and all are accounted for and being offered psychological care. The official added that that train normally travels at 80 kilometres per hour at that location.

Several witnesses said the barrier was down at the time of the crash, the official said. She said the people on the train were totally shocked.

Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne and Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer planned to speak to children at the school Friday.

France is in mourning, Blanquer said on Twitter.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: All my thoughts go to the victims of this terrible accident and their families. The government is fully mobilized to give them emergency help.

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BERLINHundreds of Holocaust survivors participated in the third candle lighting of Hanukkah in Berlin, Jerusalem and New York on Thursday  part of a tribute to survivors worldwide that was organized by the Jewish Claims Conference.

In Berlin, three survivors lit candles after sundown at the citys Jewish community centre, while in Israel some 300 Holocaust survivors attended the candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray.

In New York, survivors and their families were set to come together at the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan. All three events were part of the International Holocaust Survivors Night, which was held for the first time this year under the auspices of the Claims Conference.

Assia Gorban, a 84-year-old survivor in Berlin, said it was pure joy for her to light one of the candles and sing Hanukkah songs in the company of a rabbi and more than a dozen other survivors, most of the from the former Soviet Union.

I understand very well that the Germany of today is not the Germany of the past, Gorban said, referring to the 1940s when the country was ruled by Adolf Hitlers National Socialists, who murdered more than 6 million European Jews.

Gorban, who immigrated to Germany in 1992, was born in western Ukraine and spent several months of her childhood in a Nazi-run concentration camp before she managed to flee with her mother and lived under false identity until the end of World War II.

Despite all the hardship she went through, Gorban said, she had a fulfilling life, worked for many years as a teacher and is now enjoying her life in Berlin with her son, three granddaughters and one great-grandson all living close by.

My life has been a beautiful life, the energetic woman said with a big smile. Im nearly 85 years, but I still feel so young  honestly, my heart is like that of one who is only 40 years old.

In Jerusalem, Rabbi David Grossman lit a candle at the Western Wall in the company of survivors and officials from event-organizers Claims Conference.

Who dreamt in those dark times when this damned one (Hitler) wanted to do: Judenrein  to clean the world of the Jewish people, he said. And here you have the privilege to stand in the holiest place for the Jewish people and that says that the Jewish people lives on.

More than 400,000 Holocaust survivors are still alive, living in Israel, the United States and all over the world.

The Claims Conference, a group that cares for Holocaust survivors and remembers the victims that perished, said it wants from now on to dedicate the third night of the Jewish holiday to Holocaust survivors in honour of their re-emergence from darkness into light.

Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-night celebration which commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC after its desecration by a pagan ruler. Jews around the world celebrate it by lighting candles and eating fried food like jelly doughnuts or potato pancakes.

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.The man accused of driving into a crowd protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville faces a new charge of first-degree murder after a court hearing Thursday in which prosecutors presented surveillance video and other evidence against him.

Prosecutors announced at the start of a preliminary hearing for James Alex Fields that they were seeking to upgrade the second-degree murder charge he previously faced in the Aug. 12 collision in Charlottesville that left 32-year-old Heather Heyer dead and dozens injured. The judge agreed to that and ruled there is probable cause for all charges against Fields to proceed.

Fields case will now be presented to a grand jury for an indictment.

Read more:

James Alex Fields Jr., man accused of ramming car into Charlottesville protesters, previously accused of beating mother

Charlottesville victims mother urges supporters to channel anger into righteous action

Social media helps expose white nationalists at Charlottesville rally

Authorities say the 20-year-old, described by a former teacher as having a keen interest in Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler, drove his speeding car into a group of counterprotesters the day of the Unite the Right rally that drew hundreds of white nationalist from around the country. The attack came after the rally in this Virginia college town had descended into chaos  with violent brawling between attendees and counterdemonstrators  and authorities had forced the crowd to disband.

Surveillance footage from a Virginia State Police helicopter, played by prosecutors in court, captured the moment of impact by the car and the cursing of the startled troopers on board. The video then showed the car as it reversed, drove away and eventually pulled over. The helicopter had been monitoring the violence, and prosecutors questioned Charlottesville Police Det. Steven Young about the video as it played.

Another surveillance video from a restaurant showed the car head slowly in what Young testified was the direction of the counterprotesters, who were not in view of the camera. The car reversed before speeding forward into the frame again.

After that footage, a man in the crowd angrily shouted an expletive and cried out, Take me out. He and several others left the courtroom.

Fields, of Maumee, Ohio, sat quietly in a striped jumpsuit with his hands cuffed during the hearing.

His attorney Denise Lunsford did not present evidence or make any arguments at the hearing, although she did cross-examine the detective.

Twitter user Brennan Gilmore posted this video, which allegedly shows a vehicle driving into a crowd of anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. This video has been edited to remove strong language. (Twitter)

Fields was photographed hours before the attack with a shield bearing the emblem of Vanguard America, one of the hate groups that took part in the rally, although the group denied any association with him.

A former teacher, Derek Weimer, has said Fields was fascinated in high school with Nazism, idolized Adolf Hitler, and had been singled out by officials at his Union, Kentucky, school for deeply held, radical convictions on race.

During her cross-examination of Young, Lunsford asked if searches of Fields computer, phone or social media revealed any evidence that he was part of Vanguard America or any other white nationalist group. Young said, No.

Young also testified that he was among the first officers to respond to the scene where Fields pulled over. No weapon was found in the car, he testified.

Lunsford asked the detective what Fields said as he was being detained.

Young responded that Fields said he was sorry and asked if people were OK. When Fields was told someone had died, he appeared shocked and sobbed, Young said.

Young said authorities had identified 36 victims of the car attack, including Heyer  a number higher than officials have previously given. Some have significant injuries and are wheelchair bound, Young said.

Charlottesville General District Court Judge Robert Downer Jr. also presided over preliminary hearings Thursday for three other defendants. Charged in cases related to the August rally are Richard Preston, who is accused of firing a gun, and Jacob Goodwin and Alex Ramos, who are accused in an attack on a man in a parking garage that was captured in photos and video that went viral.

The judge certified the charges against all three men. All those cases will also head to a grand jury.

Jason Kessler, the main organizer of the Unite the Right rally, was in court for the hearings. When he arrived Thursday, a small crowd of angry protesters outside the courthouse chanted, Blood on your hands.

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As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump complained that the greeting Merry Christmas had fallen out of vogue. People would be saying it again once he took office, he promised.

And youd hear the greeting more in department stores, too. He has said that repeatedly since occupying the Oval Office.

Youre going to be saying Merry Christmas again, he pledged during a speech to the Heritage Foundation on Oct. 17.

Read more: Trump wished country Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays at tree lighting, making good on campaign promise

But the presidents enthusiasm for the greeting isnt as widely shared as he may think.

Today, fully half of the U.S. public (52 per cent) says a business choice of holiday greeting does not matter to them, according results of a survey released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center.

In other words, Merry Christmas is fine, but Happy holidays will do.

Many surveyed agreed that the religious aspects of Christmas are not as prominent in American culture as in the past, but very few were bothered by this. Nine in 10 adults said they celebrate Christmas in some way.

The survey was conducted by telephone a few weeks ago, among a representative sample of 1,503 adults nationwide, Pew said. Among other notable findings:

Fifty-five per cent of American adults said they celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, down from 59 per cent in 2013.

The number of Americans who believe no religious displays, such as nativity scenes, should be permitted on government property, has grown from 20 per cent to 26 per cent since 2014.

When it comes to the biblical story of Jesus birth, fewer Americans see it as historically accurate, though the number remains significant:

Sixty-six per cent of Americans believe Jesus was born to a virgin, compared to 73 per cent in 2014.

Sixty-eight per cent say wise men, guided by a star, brought gifts for the infant Jesus, compared to 75 per cent in 2014.

Seventy-five per cent believe baby Jesus was laid in a manger, compared to 81 per cent in 2014.

Sixty-seven per cent believe an angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds, compared to 74 per cent in 2014.

Three-quarters of Republicans believe in those four parts of the Christmas narrative, the survey said, compared to 47 per cent of Democrats.

The accounts of Jesus birth are found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and they differ. While an increasing number of Americans doubt some of the historical details, it doesnt mean they doubt their theological truth.

Pew said nones  people who identify as atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular  recorded the sharpest decline in belief in the nativity narratives.

Despite the changes in attitudes, Trumps push for Merry Christmas, plays well with his political base.

About half of those who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party express a preference for hearing merry Christmas from stores and businesses, the survey said.

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In our modern era of hyper-partisan, divisive political affairs, Canadians might be forgiven for believing that politics in this country have been on a slow descent over the last generation. It is hard to remember that things were far worse one hundred years ago, as Canadians marched to the polls during the great wartime election of Dec. 17, 1917.

The election took place in the worst year of the First World War. The campaign took place at a time that is impossible to imagine today.

More than 10,000 Canadians had already died that year at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Passchendaele alone. The Bolshevik Revolution was unfolding in Russia and everyone knew the war was about to get much worse. It was beginning to look like the war to end all wars would never end at all. Then, two weeks before the election, Halifax was almost completely destroyed in a massive explosion.

All across the country English and French Canadians angrily debated the issue of conscription with the English demanding full participation in what they were calling Canadas War. French Canadians responded that Canadas army could do its job with volunteers. For them, the war had little to do with Canada and that English Canada had no right to ask for more sacrifice while language rights were being suppressed in Ontario schools. Riots broke out across Quebec all through the summer of 1917.

To win, Conservative Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden descended to political tactics that seem almost impossible to imagine  let alone tolerate  today. He asked Sir Wilfrid Laurier to join a Unionist government in order to avoid an election. Laurier turned down the offer of a coalition, so Borden chose another path to victory.

In September 1917, the Conservative government passed two laws which effectively rearranged who could vote in the upcoming election.

First, the Military Voters Act enfranchised all British subjects in the Canadian military regardless of their age, as well as any non-Canadian serving in the armed forces. Second, the Wartime Elections Act gave the vote to Canadian women, but only to those who had a close relative in the military. Most French-Canadian women were thus not allowed to vote. Immigrants who had come from countries now at war with Canada since 1902 were also disenfranchised. With these two laws, Borden engineered an election victory.

Normally it is the people choosing the government; in 1917 it was the government who chose the people.

Borden got his wish and a Union Government was formed with Liberals from provinces across the country except Quebec. The effect was divisive. In Quebec, the Liberals appeared to dominate hearts and headlines. Conversely, Borden and the Unionists barely campaigned in Quebec and instead campaigned against Quebec  the foul blot on Canada. All across the country Canadians were told that a victory for Laurier and the Liberals would be a victory for the Kaiser.

The campaign was fought on the issue of conscription but it was decided on the basis of identity. Eighty-six per cent of eligible voters marched to the polling stations. It was a rate never seen before or again equaled in the history of this nation, driven by voting women in English Canada. Borden had his victory  but the country was split right down the middle.

Quebecs sense of isolation within Canada was complete. Three weeks later, a member of the Quebec Legislative Assembly stated that Quebec would be disposed to accept the breaking of the Confederation Pact of 1867 if, in the other provinces, it is believed that she is an obstacle to the union, progress and development of Canada. It was the first time Quebec separation was debated in the legislature. The symbolism of the motion is still with us a hundred years later.

The 1917 election was the last victory for the idea of a British Canada. Borden and his supporters were determined to win at any cost even if he had to rally all British Canadians  both men and women  against French Canadians, foreigners, slackers, and anyone else not fully supporting conscription.

The Union Government won the election, and, emboldened by a sweeping victory delivered by the majority ethnic group of English Canadians, pushed through conscription over the opposition of the non-British population.

The Union proved artificial. Canada never endured a moment so marked by rancour and violence and never before or after did the country come so close to the brink of destruction.

The 1917 election dissolved the two-party domination of Canadian politics. In its time, it was interpreted as both the justified victory of a bipartisan effort to transcend politics and to unite the country. Since then it has been recast as an object lesson that, in politics, the ends do not always justify the means.

That Canada survived was a political miracle. It is a testament to the strong bonds that had been created over the previous 50 years: links of economics, culture, and civil society that were able to withstand a divisive vote on the very legitimacy of the country.

Patrice Dutil is Professor of Politics and Public Administration and David MacKenzie is Professor of History at Ryerson University. They recently published Embattled Nation: Canadas Wartime Election of 1917.

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The main criticism of Donald Trumps declaration recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has been that it threatens to provoke Muslim rage in response.

Commentators have fixated on the prospect of Muslim violence, while continuing to overlook the decades of actualized violence endured by Palestinians (Christian and Muslim). They focus on the inflammation, while neglecting the injury that produces it.

Israels annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967 violated a cardinal rule in international law: the prohibition on acquiring territory through military force, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The UN Security Council has stated that Israels efforts to alter the status of Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

In 1980, the Security Council called on all states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem  an expression of the general principle that no state should accord legitimacy to situations created through serious breaches of international law.

This is the fundamental problem with Trumps Jerusalem declaration: not that it risks igniting Muslim passions, but that it brazenly torches basic norms of international justice.

And yet, Canadian media has routinely failed to mention the essential fact that Israels annexation of East Jerusalem is illegal (and not simply unrecognized by most of the international community).

There is no better way to gauge whether grievances, demands, or one sides facts are valid than by testing their validity against the rules and standards of international law, note foreign policy scholar Howard Friel and international law professor Richard Falk. The overwhelming tendency in media to ignore international law pre-empts any assessment of the legality of Israels policies in the Palestinian territories  prejudicing coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict to the detriment of Palestinian rights and a comprehensive peace.

Under international law, Israels main obligation as an occupying power is to protect the Palestinian communities under its power. But instead of protecting Palestinians, Israel has steadily dispossessed them.

According to Bimkom, an organization of Israeli planners and architects, Israels planning and development policy in [Jerusalem] aims at ensuring a Jewish majority in the city by designating the vast majority of available areas in East Jerusalem for the Jewish population.

Israel has revoked the residency permits of more than 14,000 Palestinian Jerusalemites since 1967, expelling Palestinians from a city their families have inhabited for centuries. Only 13 per cent of land in East Jerusalem is allocated for Palestinian neighbourhoods; 35 per cent has been confiscated for Israeli settlements, which now house more than 200,000 settlers.

Since 2004, Israel has demolished more than 700 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, leaving more than 2,500 people homeless. At least 120 Palestinian institutions have been shut down by Israel in Jerusalem since 1967, including kindergartens, charities, and the Arab Studies Society.

Israeli, Palestinian, and international human rights organizations have meticulously documented the progressive erasure of Palestinians from Jerusalem. But this reality has received little coverage or analysis in Canadian media. While Canadians have been shown copious photos of Palestinians engaged in angry protest over the last few days, we see few images of the regular abuses that Palestinians experience under occupation.

Because the reality of what Israel is doing is only occasionally glimpsed, when violence breaks out many people around the world assume this is just the reaction of Palestinians who will never accept Israels existence, observes veteran journalist John Lyons, former Middle East correspondent for The Australian.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza: a milestone that attracted minimal attention in Canadian media. And even in this scarce coverage, Palestinian perspectives have been marginalized. A CBC Radio retrospective on the Six-Day War that initiated the occupation, for example, featured four Israeli interviewees  but not even one Palestinian.

Palestinians are rendered almost invisible, except when they reinforce stereotypes of Muslim irrationality and irascibility  while the reasons for Palestinians anger, frustration, and despair remain hidden from sight.

It is easy to blur the truth with a simple linguistic trick: start your story from Secondly, writes Palestinian poet Mourid Barghouti, in his memoir I Saw Ramallah. Start your story with Secondly, and the arrows of the [Indigenous peoples] are the original criminals and the guns of the white men are entirely the victim  It is enough to start the story with Secondly, for my grandmother, Umm Ata, to become the criminal and Ariel Sharon her victim.

As long as we start with Secondly, we cannot arrive at justice or peace.

Azeezah Kanji is a legal analyst, and writes in the Star every other Thursday.

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It has been only 13 months since Donald Trump was elected to the U.S. presidency, just 11 since he took possession of the White House.

For many (perhaps most) Americans, and certainly for the rest of the world, it has been a horrifying journey. Decency was tossed aside. Recklessness became the norm. Crass self-interest ruled. The United States flirted with authoritarianism and bigotry of all kinds.

Suddenly, from the most unlikely state in the union, comes a message that it need not be like this. That the trends unleashed by Trumpism are not unstoppable. That a fundamentally decent country may be able, in the end, to find its way back from the shame of the past year. And that one day, perhaps not too far off, Americans and others will be able to look back on the current era and shake their heads in wonder that it ever got that bad.

Alabama voters narrow rejection of the appalling Roy Moore as a candidate for the U.S. Senate feels, for the moment at least, like a genuine turning point. If not the beginning of the end for Trumpism, then just perhaps the end of the beginning.

Before Tuesdays vote, it seemed that for Trumps fabled base there was no limit to what sort of behaviour they would abide or what lies they would swallow. Reason or even conventional notions of morality had little impact on the presidents hold over his core supporters. And his opponents appeared confused and disheartened, unable to rally effectively against him.

In Alabama, though, enough of Trumps supporters refused to follow his plea to send Moore to Washington despite the credible accusations of child molestation dogging the candidate and his decades-long track record of unabashed bigotry against Black people, Muslims, gay people almost anyone different and vulnerable.

Just as important, opponents of Trumpism rallied strongly against Moore. Black voters, in particular, turned out in record numbers. Enough decent white voters joined them to deny him a ticket to the Senate  a previously unthinkable outcome for a Republican running state-wide in deepest-red Alabama.

Among other things, this was a stinging defeat for the particular brand of politics practised by Trumps former adviser and sometime political whisperer, Steve Bannon.

Bannon is out to burn down the political establishment  the Republican party as well as the Democrats  in the name of populism and American nationalism, and Moore was his man. Alabama voters exposed the severe limitations of Bannonism, to the great benefit of American political life. Republicans will not so quickly run in fear before him.

This is an awful lot to put on one narrowly decided election in one state. In the short run it will shift the balance in the U.S. Senate by a single vote, leaving Republicans with just a one-vote majority. It will be harder for them to get controversial measures like their tax reform package passed. But it also means they will not have to deal with the embarrassment of having an accused child molester in their ranks.

So the vote cuts both ways for Republicans, and political strategists will parse the outcome for weeks to come.

But the outcome in Alabama breaks the spell of Trump and the Republicans who have excused, condoned and encouraged his excesses. They have been handed a clear defeat and their opponents can now see a potential path toward a post-Trump future.

The Alabama vote showed that with tenacious grass-roots organization an extremist can be beaten on his home turf. And it follows defeats for Republicans last month in New Jersey and Virginia, where suburban voters turned against the party as it surrendered its soul to Trump.

There will now be much speculation about next years congressional elections, with Democrats hoping to break the Republicans grip on Congress.

Much of this will be wishful thinking, but it will be built on an important truth. If Trump-style politics can be halted in Alabama, of all places, there is real hope for all of America. Redemption, it turns out, is possible after all.

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Changing a regime for changes sake, Cohn, Dec. 12

Martin Regg Cohn dismisses Conservative Leader Patrick Browns carbon plan as change for the sake of change. In fact, much like the Liberal governments green-energy fiasco, we should be cutting our losses before more damage is done.

Before the Liberal cap and trade plan becomes yet another expensive boondoggle, we would be wise to objectively review whats gone on in Europe. The aptly named European Trading Scheme (ETS) has been active for 12 years and is now undergoing serious reform  an acknowledgement of its failure to have any meaningful effect on reducing CO2 emissions. It remains to be seen if the reforms will have the desired impact.

Cap and trade is so complex that its virtually impossible to grasp the complete picture and, not surprisingly, its easy to get it wrong. If the cap is not high enough, it becomes a bureaucratic process that accomplishes nothing. If too many carbon credits are on the market, the price of these allowances plummets and companies lose the incentive to reduce emissions. This was one of the primary factors in the failure of the ETS.

The worst element of cap and trade might be the direction of all revenues into so-called green projects. These are projects that should be funded through responsible prioritization of tax revenues  but instead, theyll be used to buy votes with more government programs  creating a sleight-of-hand fiscal imbalance. The complexity of the Cap and Trade market  as already demonstrated in Europe  is ripe for manipulation, if not outright corruption.

Brown proposes a revenue-neutral carbon tax. If the revenues dont go back to the people, its a tax grab. If the tax is not visible, it will not do the job thats intended: to curb the use of emission-laden products. If lower-income people dont get more of the refund, it will be unfair. If we must have a carbon tax, Browns approach is a far more transparent and equitable alternative.

Don Mustill, Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, renewable generation, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity. It also engages in the wholesale of electricity to municipalities, electric cooperative utilities, and load-serving entities. This segment serves approximately 8.2 million customers in 6 states in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States covering a service territory of approximately 91,000 square miles; and owns approximately 50,259 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segment distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation natural gas customers; and owns, operates, and invests in pipeline transmission and natural gas storage facilities. It has approximately 1.6 million customers, including 1.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as 550,000 customers in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. The Commercial Renewables segment acquires, owns, develops, builds, and operates wind and solar renewable generation projects, including nonregulated renewable energy and energy storage services to utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and corporate customers. It has 23 wind, 178 solar, and 2 battery storage facilities, as well as 71 fuel cell locations with a capacity of 3,554 MW across 22 states. The company was formerly known as Duke Energy Holding Corp. and changed its name to Duke Energy Corporation in April 2005. The company was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Timken Company designs, manufactures, and manages engineered bearings and power transmission products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Mobile Industries and Process Industries. The Mobile Industries segment offers a portfolio of bearings, seals, and lubrication devices and systems, as well as power transmission components, engineered chains, augers, belts, couplings, clutches, brakes, and related products and maintenance services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users of off-highway equipment for the agricultural, construction, mining, outdoor power equipment, and power sports markets; and on-highway vehicles, including passenger cars, light trucks, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks, as well as rail cars and locomotives. It also provides power transmission systems and flight-critical components for civil and military aircraft, which include bearings, rotor-head assemblies, helicopter transmission systems, turbine engine components, gears, and housings. This segment sells its parts through a network of authorized automotive and heavy-truck distributors to individual end-users, equipment owners, operators, and maintenance shops. The Process Industries segment provides industrial bearings and assemblies; power transmission components, such as gears and gearboxes; and linear motion products, couplings, seals, lubricants, chains, belts, and related products and services to OEMs and end-users in various industries. It also offers aftermarket sales and service needs through a network of authorized industrial distributors; and repair and service for bearings and gearboxes, as well as electric motor rewind, repair, and services to end-users. The company offers its products under the Timken, Philadelphia Gear, Drives, Cone Drive, Rollon, Lovejoy, Diamond, BEKA, and Groeneveld brands. The Timken Company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio.
How many steps will it take to walk off Thanksgiving dinner?

Study: You'd need to walk nearly 80,000 steps to walk off the calories associated with the 10 most popular Thanksgiving Day dishes.
It's all over. Today (Dec. 14), the FCC commissioners voted 3 to 2 to overturn Obama-era net neutrality regulations, which help maintain a free, open Internet. Now, internet service providers will be free to selectively block or slow down content from websites and services they don't like (or that don't pay them). They are only required by law to disclose such blockings or slowings.

(Image credit: Lead Image Credit: Steve Heap / Shutterstock)

Back in 2015, the FCC reclassified broadband ISPs as "common carriers," which placed them in the same category as land-line telephone providers and gave the government agency greater authority to police the activities of ISPs and make sure that broadband ISPs cannot discriminate for or against any type of traffic. The vote today reversed that decision, putting broadband back into the "entertainment" category. It also deliberately weakened the FCC's own regulatory powers, handing enforcement of many of the remaining rules to the FTC.



Consumers are about to be cast in "The Purge: Internet Anarchy," in which a small group of powerful executives decide what you can see, hear and read online. Anti net-neutrality Crusaders such as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a former Verizon executive, claim that any kind of regulation stifles innovation. In November, Pai said the 2015 rule changes "depressed investment in building and expanding broadband networks and deterred innovation" and that, under this proposal, "the federal government will stop micromanaging the Internet."



But Pai's argument is operating on dial-up in a 5G world. The real innovation online doesn't come from ISPs, who have been providing consumers with plenty of bandwidth despite net neutrality rules, but from companies that use the internet to deliver information and services. Google and Netflix changed the world because they were able to reach billions of people without paying for an ISP protection racket.

If bandwidth providers start charging your internet-based company an access fee just to have your website appear to their customers, the next Google won't be able to get off the ground. Pai argues that, because ISPs didn't impose pay-to-play policies prior to the 2015 regulations, that they can be counted on to do the right thing now. That's like saying that we should close the local health department and fire all its inspectors since none of the restaurants has been caught spreading salmonella lately.

The real losers here aren't big corporations such as Microsoft or Google or small startups, but end users who will face restrictions on the content and services they can consume. Here are five freedoms that may have died, along with net neutrality.

1. Freedom of the Press

If you wanted to start an international media company 25 years ago, you couldn't do it on your own. The barriers to entry  getting access to a printing press and developing the complex infrastructure to distribute your work  were huge. With the open Internet, however, anyone can start a news site and publish articles or videos without worrying about whether people can read them.

Without net neutrality, ISPs can block or slow down news sites for any reason, be it commercial or ideological. For example, Comcast could block NYTimes.com or slow it to a crawl because the online newspaper published an op-ed in favor of net neutrality or even reported something negative about the company.

Optimum Online, which operates primarily in the New York area, could decide to block your access to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer online because that publication wouldn't pay a fee to be carried. If every ISP charges content providers fees for reaching its customers, many publishers will simply decide that certain markets aren't worth reaching. If you're running a local business in Illinois, you probably wouldn't pay the kickback to have your site appear to users in Texas.

The most important question raised by net neutrality is not "should the government regulate the Internet" but "should a dozen ISPs be allowed to control thousands of other companies?"



The most important question raised by net neutrality is not "should the government regulate the Internet" but "should a dozen ISPs be allowed to control thousands of other companies?"

2. Free and Fair Elections

The large ISPs already have a major influence on politics, with Verizon alone spending $53 million on campaign donations and lobbying between 2010 and 2014. However, without net neutrality, there's nothing to stop the ISPs from influencing elections even more directly. Your broadband provider could block the website of one candidate while speeding up that of another.

An ISP could even censor the sites for political action committees that support a viewpoint or candidate it opposes. Back in 2007, Verizon initially refused to send out text messages from a pro-abortion rights group, but backed down under pressure. What if AT&T decides one day that it opposes capital punishment so much that it blocks prodeathpenalty.com and the site of any gubernatorial candidates that support the practice?

MORE: Net Neutrality Won't Save the Internet. Competition Will

Activists of any stripe should be concerned about their right to publish content that an ISP might disagree with. In 2005, Canadian ISP Telus blocked the site of a labor group that encouraged its workers to strike.

Even more insidiously, ISPs can selectively block government websites that provide voter information such as polling locations and registration forms. If they succeeded in lowering voter turnout in certain areas, that could change the course of an election.

3. Freedom of Association

You always talk to your mom on Skype, but then your ISP signs an exclusive deal to make Google Hangouts its only allowed chat service. Meanwhile, Mom's ISP on the other side of the country serves Hangouts at unusable speeds, but gives Skype its fast lane. This scenario may sound crazy, but without any legal constraint, your ISP has every incentive to swing priority access deals with some messaging services while blocking others.

(Image credit: Image Credit: Steve Heap / Shutterstock)

There's already a precedent for blocking messaging clients in the world of wireless broadband. Back in 2009, AT&T blocked iPhones from making Skype calls on its mobile network, but relented under pressure from the FCC. In 2012, the company also blocked Apple FaceTime on the iPhone.

Of course, you and your mom can always talk on old-fashioned landline phones if you both still have them. Unlike broadband providers, wired phone services are defined as common carriers and are legally obligated to accept calls from anyone. VoIP services such as Vonage are exempt, as are cell phone carriers.

4. Freedom to Start a Business

If you decide to open up a restaurant in town and a street gang demands money not to destroy your place "Last Dragon"-style, you'd call the police. But if your business lives on the Internet, you could have as many as a dozen different ISPs in the U.S. shaking you down and, without net neutrality, no recourse against them.

MORE: How Much Internet Speed Should You Really Pay For?

The most important question raised by net neutrality is not "should the government regulate the Internet" but "should a dozen ISPs be allowed to control thousands of other companies?"

Whether you're trying to start the next Netflix or you're a mommy blogger eking out a living on ad revenue, you could be forced to pay broadband providers in order to reach their customers. If you can't pay, providers could slow your site or service down to the point that nobody wants to use it.

5. Freedom of Choice

You like to do all your shoe shopping at Zappos, but your ISP has an exclusive clothing deal with Walmart, so it slows down Zappos.com so badly that each page takes a minute to load and you get timeout messages when submitting your credit card information. You might be determined enough to keep visiting your favorite online shoe store despite these roadblocks, but most people won't bother.

You've been using Gmail as your primary email address for years, but your ISP decides to slow down that service and speed up Microsoft's Outlook.com instead. How long will you stick with the slow email over the fast one?

In a world where ISPs can slow down or outright block whatever services they like, your freedom to choose everything from your email client to your online university could disappear.

Lead Image Credit: Steve Heap / Shutterstock
Leading global oil services company Petrofac said its engineering unit has won a $160-million contract from the Basra Oil Company (BOC), formerly known as the South Oil Company, based in southern Iraq.



The contract, awarded to Petrofacs Engineering and Production Services (EPS) division, is for BOCs Iraq crude oil export expansion project (ICOEEP). Petrofac has a five-year record as the incumbent operations and maintenance service provider.



The facility, which is responsible for a significant proportion of Iraqs oil exports, is located 60 km offshore the Al Fao Peninsula in southern Iraq. It comprises a central metering and manifold platform and four single point moorings which facilitate the loading of crude oil on to awaiting tankers.



In addition, Petrofac is responsible for almost 300 km of subsea pipelines, 1,800 m of subsea hose infrastructure and a marine spread comprising 14 vessels.



Mani Rajapathy, the managing director for Petrofacs EPS East, said: "We are delighted to continue with our role in support of this key crude export facility. Since the start of our involvement in 2012, we have exported more than 2.2 billion barrels of oil while retaining an impeccable safety record."



"We have also remained focused on adding value for our client through the deployment of innovative and differentiated solutions," he stated.



Ihsan Ismaael, the director-general of BOC, said: "Petrofac is a key partner for us. The team has supported us over the last five years to significantly increase export from the ICOEEP facility and we look forward to continuing our relationship into 2019."



Petrofac announced yesterday the winning of another major contract from BP, worth $800 million, for the Phase Two central processing facility, CPF, at the Khazzan Phase 2, Ghazeer, gas development in Oman.



The company has major operational centres in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, where it is currently working on the closing stages of the $500 million SARB3 offshore development project and the development of artificial islands for the offshore Upper Zakum field.-TradeArabia News Service
A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain) was recently invited to tour the Gulf Aluminum Rolling Mill Company (Garmco) plant in northern Sitra, to discuss cooperation and future plans.



Mohamed Essa Ebrahim, Garmco acting chief executive officer, welcomed AmCham members and provided them with an overview of the companys growth, future plans, and the way it benefited from the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in opening the US market for its products, said a statement.



Ebrahim said: Our company is pleased to showcase its plant and its contribution to Bahrains economy and US-Bahrain bilateral trade.



The companys new expansion which will soon be fully operational re-melt plant will increase its production while saving us energy and resources, he said.



The US is an important market for us and we are pleased to have AmCham members who come from different sectors to visit us today to learn about Bahrains aluminium industry and hear about our FTA success story, he added.



H Delano Roosevelt, AmCham vice president, said: We are honoured to have this unique opportunity to meet the executive leadership team at Garmco and learn about an important industry in Bahrain.



The purpose of AmChams plant tours is to better know and understand the industries in Bahrain and the related business opportunities for both in Bahrain and in the US, he said.



We are committed to supporting businesses, large and small, in using and benefiting from the FTA, he added.



The US is Garmcos largest export market outside of the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, currently receiving about 40 per cent of Garmcos manufactured products.



Garmco strategically ships and stores stocks of core products from the Bahrain mill at the Baltimore Maryland, Houston Texas, and Long Beach California, facilitating convenient just-in-time delivery to customers. Garmco also partners with a US university for research and development.



Aluminium is the top export from Bahrain to the US. In 2016, $406 million worth of aluminium was exported to the US, up from $293 million in 2015. The companys rolled aluminium coils are a significant part of this increasing and important export, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
The WTOs Eleventh Ministerial Conference has drawn to a close, capping a busy week of talks which saw members only able to endorse limited substantive outcomes at the multilateral level.

The last day also saw large groups of members confirm plans to conduct more structured work among themselves on e-commerce, investment facilitation, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

We knew that progress here would require a leap in members positions, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said at the closing ceremony on Wednesday, which started a few hours behind schedule as members sparred over final items. Our work will go on after Buenos Aires. We cant deliver at every ministerial.

He also urged members to remember that multilateralism is not always about getting what you want, but the best outcome that all can accept. Pursuing the former, he warned, is a recipe for failure, while noting that announcements from various large group coalitions on new issues shows an outbreak of dynamism in other areas.

Ministers were unable to reach consensus on a ministerial declaration, despite multiple drafts being circulated during the day in an effort to bridge remaining gaps. Sources said areas of disagreement including how and whether to reference the Doha Round and aspects of the 2015 Nairobi ministerial declaration, among others. Instead, ministerial conference chair Susana Malcorra issued a summary of the weeks discussions under her own responsibility.

Fisheries: Prepping for 2019

The Ministerial Decision on Fisheries endorsed on Wednesday was ultimately structured around two main paragraphs, as expected on Tuesday evening. The two paragraphs direct members to continue talks with a view to adopting a deal by 2019, which is the year of the next ministerial conference and one year before a UN deadline under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to discipline subsidies to overcapacity and overfishing and eliminate those to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

These future negotiations would build from a text circulated on 5 December with working documents on IUU fishing, overfished stocks, overcapacity, capacity-enhancing subsidies, and overfishing; notifications and transparency; and special and differential treatment, reflecting the negotiating work and different proposals from the Geneva process prior to the ministerial.

Malcorra told members at the closing ceremony that Buenos Aires, without a shadow of doubt, will be remembered as a conference where the negotiations were seriously launched on fisheries, noting the level of activity and the decision to continue building on that work with a 2019 target was more action than the issue had seen in years.

Several WTO members who were advocating for an interim deal on disciplining subsidies at least to IUU fishing expressed frustration that these efforts failed to bear fruit.

All WTO members have to face a simple fact: we failed to achieve all our objectives, and did not achieve any multilateral outcome. The sad reality is that we did not even agree to stop subsidising illegal fishing, said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom in a statement issued at the days close.

Agriculture, development talks stumble

Ministers failed to agree consensus language on future work on agriculture, following US objections to a draft text which delegates had said was initially agreed mid-morning. Sources told Bridges that the US had objected to three main areas.

Firstly, they had opposed a clause referring to special and differential treatment for developing countries, such as longer implementation periods for less onerous commitments. Secondly, the US said it cannot accept references to paragraphs 30 and 31 of the 2015 Nairobi ministerial declaration, which recognise WTO members disagree on reaffirming the 2001 Doha negotiating mandates, but also recorded members commitment to advance talks on remaining Doha issues, including agricultural domestic support, market access, and export competition.

Thirdly, the US reportedly opposed the idea of dedicated negotiating tracks on public food stockholding and the special safeguard mechanism, arguing that the mandate for future work should be Article XX of the Agreement on Agriculture, which commits countries to continuing the reform process begun under the Uruguay Round.

The US had reportedly also opposed explicit mention of cotton negotiations  a clause added during the day after the C-4 group of West African countries opposed its omission in an earlier text.

A version of the draft text for a ministerial decision circulated Wednesday morning would have committed members to focus their work on the impact of WTO rules on development, through case studies, workshops, and sharing best practices. These would draw on the issues raised by the G90 coalition, made up of the African Group; African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group; and Least Developed Country (LDC) group.

The earlier submission from the G90 prioritises 10 proposals, eight of which were raised in older discussions and two newer ones on technology transfer and LDC accession. Among the roadblocks were divides on the issue of differentiation, and opposition from the US given concerns over how development issues have evolved. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had openly criticised in the opening plenary the nature of of the current understanding of development in the global trade club, saying earlier this week that it cannot sustain a situation in which new rules can only apply to the few, and that others will be given a pass in the name of self-proclaimed development status.

We have come a long way in rationalising the original proposal by bringing the number of proposals down to 10, commented an African trade diplomat. A developed country trade delegate told Bridges that developed countries sought to understand more concretely barriers facing developing countries, therefore demanding new approaches and evidence from the ground.

Coalitions set to move forward on new issues

A series of joint ministerial statements were finalised on Wednesday by different coalitions of WTO members, specifically on the areas of electronic commerce; micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); investment facilitation; and domestic regulation in services.

Over the past week, multilateral talks on e-commerce had focused on next steps for an existing e-commerce work programme, as well as the renewal of long-standing moratoriums on duties on electronic transmissions and non-violation and situation complaints under the WTOs intellectual property rules.

Early in the day, sources said that the moratorium renewal talks appeared to have failed, amid reported opposition from India and Indonesia, only for officials to craft a deal in the ministerials final hours to renew both moratoriums for two more years.

On the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, the ministerial decision on e-commerce both renews the electronic transmissions duties moratorium and says that members will endeavour to reinvigorate our work and instruct the General Council to hold periodic reviews over the coming two years and report back to the next ministerial.

A coalition of WTO members numbering some 70 countries, counting EU member states individually, confirmed on Wednesday that they would be starting exploratory work together toward future WTO negotiations on trade-related aspects of electronic commerce, with plans to hold a first meeting early in the new year. The statement said that the work would be open to any interested members, and will be without prejudice to participants positions on future negotiations.

The group includes economies of varying sizes and development levels, including among others Australia, Japan, Singapore, the US, the EU, Costa Rica, Australia, and Russia.

[E-commerce] is a great leveller. It provides opportunities, for businesses and individuals to engage in global trade in a structured and meaningful way, said Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo to reporters, explaining the widespread interest in these e-commerce discussions.

The US Trade Representative praised the outcome in a public statement issued Wednesday evening, suggesting approaches like these could play a valuable role in the global trade club.

The launch of this initiative marks a significant milestone, with a large group of countries now working together to move forward in this important area within the WTO. Initiatives like this among like-minded countries offer a positive way forward for the WTO in the future, said Lighthizer.

Another joint Joint Ministerial Statement on MSMEs on MSMEs was released with the support of 87 countries, counting the EUs members individually. The statement announced an informal work programme on the subject, aiming to look at various issues of relevance to MSMEs, including among others slashing trade costs and improving access to trade finance. Along with pledging to keep the group open to all interested participants and report back regularly in WTO forums, such as heads of delegation, the General Council, and future ministerials, they also said they would keep working at setting up a multilateral working group at the organisation. They would not, however, be aiming to launch negotiations, officials said.

On domestic regulation in services, around 60 countries have signed on to a joint ministerial statement, reiterating their commitment to advancing negotiations on the basis of recent proposals as well as those that emerge in future WTO talks, while calling for an intensification of work. They also make reference to a separate communication that captures some of the different proposals on domestic regulation from the past year and notes their proponents.

A large group of countries comprising both developed and developing countries have also agreed and endorsed a joint statement to start structured discussions with the aim of developing a multilateral framework on investment facilitation.

We recognise the dynamic links between investment, trade and development in todays global economy, reads the joint statement, which also articulates the need for global international cooperation in order to foster a more transparent, efficient, and predictable environment to facilitate cross-border investment and outlines what such a framework

Moreover, the statement specifies that the multilateral framework will not deal with market access, investment protection, or dispute settlement. Investment facilitation does not deal with those issues, but rather is about steps such as information sharing or making investment measures more predictable.

All together, the 70 countries which support this initiative represent 70 percent of global trade, officials said.

We will expand that consensus, said Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe to reporters. Osakwe serves as Nigerias chief trade negotiator.

South Sudan to begin accession process

The country of South Sudan is now set to begin formal talks to join the WTO, after members agreed to establish an accession working party. The nations request for observer status was first initiated in December 2012, and moving forward on accession talks was discussed at the level of heads of delegations during the conference.

Members welcomed the conflict-affected and fragile states move to join the global trade club, though the process will require complex talks at both bilateral and multilateral levels to determine accession terms. Experts have noted that such a process can be challenging for resource-constrained countries with limited capacity, given the significant domestic reforms also involved.

MC11 Closing Ceremony, 13 December 2017

Remarks by DG Azevedo

What we've seen over the last three days is the hard grind of multilateralism. 164 members working together, engaging and debating.

We have made important progress in some areas. In most of them it did not prove possible.

Members did not manage to agree final, substantive agreements this time.

Anyone who has been following the debate in Geneva would know that progress on the longstanding issues was always going to be difficult.

We knew progress here would require a leap in members' positions. We didn't see that.

So our work will go on after Buenos Aires.

We can't deliver at every ministerial. It's not every time that ministers meet that they are going to be able to strike deals of the magnitude of what we achieved in Bali and Nairobi.

But that doesnt diminish the disappointment that we feel.

Despite our best efforts we could not meet the deadline on public stockholding. It's not the first deadline we miss  but it is still disappointing.

We could not even agree on more detailed programmes in many areas. And I know that for many, especially the proponents, the disappointment is particularly bitter.

We worked hard in all areas. We couldn't have asked any more of our excellent facilitators  and I offer once again my sincere thanks for their dedication.

Development and inclusiveness must remain at the heart of our work. They certainly remain at the core of my priorities in everything we do.

If we are not improving the lives of the poorest or giving the smallest a chance to compete, we are not doing our jobs.

So in taking this work forward, I think we need to do some real soul searching.

Some important progress has been made.

We have gained a greater understanding of each other's positions and concerns. We should acknowledge that.

And, importantly we should note that members remain committed to continuing and intensifying work in all of the areas that we have been discussing this week.

We have decisions on:

the e-commerce work programme and moratorium

the moratorium on TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints

the work programme on small economies

the creation of the working party on the accession for South Sudan  setting them on the road to membership.

And we have the decision on fisheries subsidies.

Of course we wanted to go further, but this is progress.

For the first time, the membership has committed itself to achieving SDG target 14.6 and to fulfilling this commitment by MC12. Members also re-committed to providing the information about their subsidy programmes that is critical to completing the negotiations. And they agreed to build on the intensive work that has taken place over the past year.

People want to get back to work and make further progress to meet the new deadline. But even here, mindsets will need to change if we are to advance.

We have also seen an outbreak of dynamism in other areas. It seems that Buenos Aires has in fact breathed fresh air into some parts of the organization.

Some large groups of members have come together to advance issues of interest to them and to the global economy. These groups are not just notable for their numbers, but for the diversity of the members involved: developed, developing and least-developed.

It is for these members to pursue conversations such as this as they see fit. But, as with every element of our work, I would urge members to remain open and welcome any member who wants to join the conversation at any time. We should always be seeking to advance a conversation that reaches the whole membership.

The fact that this is happening shows that people see this organization as a place where they can advance issues that are of importance to them and to their economies.

This dynamism is clearly reflected in the huge interest we are seeing from all our stakeholders.

One test for whether we're doing a good job is whether constituencies are paying attention. In Buenos Aires we saw more interaction, more interest from other stakeholders than we have for some time.

So, we must be doing something right.

The Business Forum, organized here in Buenos Aires by Argentina's Ministry of Production, was the first such event ever held alongside a WTO ministerial conference. It signals a step change in this engagement.

I've also been impressed by the sheer number and quality of the side events that have taken place in the margins of the Ministerial Conference.

In addition, at a challenging time, this Conference started with an overwhelming show of political support for the organization.

The signing of the Presidential Declaration in support of the WTO at the opening ceremony sent a forceful message about the importance of the trading system.

And this seemed to extend across the membership.

In the plenary hall we heard repeated, clear, strong support for the system. What's disappointing is that this support did not translate into action.

If we really all support the WTO, if we really do, we have to bear in mind that multilateralism doesn't mean that we get what we want. It means we get what is possible.

It's not compatible to expect multilateralism to work and at the same time to expect to walk out with everything you wanted. This is a recipe for failure.

If we prize the system, we have to come knowing that we'll need to make compromises. Sometimes painful compromises.

This element can be improved at the WTO.

On that point we were lacking.

I have no doubt that some of the issues we were facing could have been managed if we had shown the flexibility that we need to make the system work.

Once again I stress  the system is not perfect. But it is the best we have. And we are all going to regret very deeply should it ever cease to function.

From what I saw here in Buenos Aires, we have the seed of an organization which can work better. An organization that can be vibrant, flexible and nimble.

But for that to happen, we all have to believe in that vision.

We are one step closer to this goal today. And one of the chief reasons for that is Susana.

Not only has she worked tirelessly over the last year to get us to this point, she has also managed the running of the conference in an extremely competent manner. With her efforts to promote political dialogue she has forced members to confront some of the issues that I have just mentioned.

I am profoundly thankful for that. I hope we will take this forward. As you have said, Susana: there is life after Buenos Aires.

And while you're enjoying that life, I wanted to give you a reminder of our work here  this ceremonial gavel.

May you continue to wield it with the wisdom you have shown this week!

Thank you all.
Featured tweets on MC11 dynamics, outcomes:

@sdonnan: Theres an alternative narrative emerging this morning [Wednesday] at WTO MC11. Just had someone make case to me that we are entering a new era of plurilateralism at the WTO. Most concrete thing happening here is statements by groups of countries on ecommerce, investment and micro SMEs.

@USTradeRep: Congratulations to DG @WTODGAZEVEDO and Minister @SusanaMalcorra on a successful MC11. The new direction of the WTO is set: improving trade through sectoral agreements by like-minded countries.

@MalmstromEU: The @WTO MC11 Ministerial meeting was a lost opportunity. It failed to achieve any multilateral outcome. My statement to delegates:

@WTODGAZEVEDO: The WTO faces challenges, no doubt. But from what I saw here, we have the seed of an organization which can work better. An organization that can be vibrant, flexible and nimble. Lets continue working to that end:

@Kiptoock: Today, on the sidelines of WTO MC11 meetings in Buernos Aires, I led Kenya team in holding a bilateral trade meeting with South Africa delegation led by Ms Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter (Chief Trade Negotiator). We discussed matters of mutual interest.

ICTSD commentary on the WTO Ministerial outcomes: In landmark move, country coalitions set plans to advance on new issues

We knew that progress here would require a leap in members positions, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said at the closing ceremony on Wednesday, which started a few hours behind schedule as members sparred over final items. Our work will go on after Buenos Aires. We cant deliver at every ministerial. He also urged members to remember that multilateralism is not always about getting what you want, but the best outcome that all can accept. Pursuing the former, he warned, is a recipe for failure, while noting that announcements from various large group coalitions on new issues shows an outbreak of dynamism in other areas. Ministers were unable to reach consensus on a ministerial declaration, despite multiple drafts being circulated during the day in an effort to bridge remaining gaps. Sources said areas of disagreement including how and whether to reference the Doha Round and aspects of the 2015 Nairobi ministerial declaration, among others. Instead, ministerial conference chair Susana Malcorra issued a summary of the weeks discussions under her own responsibility.

Global civil society reactions to end of WTO Ministerial Conference

The WTO ministerial conference in Buenos Aires concluded without a formal statement, reflecting the deep divide between poorer countries who have demanded that WTO members deliver on their promises to address outstanding development issues and richer countries that sought to leave those promises behind and move on with negotiations on rules of commercial interest to them. Please find below reactions from members of the 80 civil society representatives from 34 countries in Buenos Aires as part of the Our World Is Not For Sale network delegation. [OWINFS final statement, pdf]

Kenyas trade in agricultural exports hampered by pesticide residue (KBC)

Speaking in a side event on Trade in Food and Agricultural Products, Pesticide Maximum Residue Limits, Mohamed said Kenya, Uganda and the US will now spearhead efforts in addressing challenges facing farmers in addressing trade relate MRL gaps. She states we are calling for voluntary actions by individual Members and institutions to increase the capacity and efficiency in setting international standards to address the need for more MRLs set on minor crops. [Kenya sponsors accession of South Sudan to WTO]

Peter Draper: Trade, inclusiveness, inequality and the WTO  a South African perspective on a complex debate (GEGAfrica)

Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement signature of MoU to launch the negotiations (GoM)

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China, to launch the negotiations for the Mauritius  China Free Trade Agreement. The MoU was signed on 12 December during the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires. Mauritius-China comprehensive FTA will cover trade in goods, trade in services, investment and economic cooperation as recommended in the Joint Feasibility Study concluded in May 2017.

Watch the growth of trade country-level data availability in TCdata360 (World Bank Blogs)

In the next few blogs well explore our data gaps to identify any patterns we can find within the context of the TCdata360 platform  which countries and regions throw up surprises, which topics are better covered than others, which datasets and indicators grow more fashionable when, and the like. In this first blog, well look at data availability at the country level. TCdata360 classifies its data into four high-level topics: Innovation, Investment, Sectors, and Trade (plus Economy). Well be looking at the indicators and datasets under these 4 topics for this whole blog series.

Unified action needed in Central Africa to defuse regional tensions, Security Council told (UN)

Despite some positive developments in Central Africa, the overall situation still required concerted action at all levels to address socio-political tensions, economic difficulties and abuses by armed groups, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative to the region told the Security Council on Wednesday. Francois Lounceny Fall, Head of UNOCA, introducing the Secretary-Generals latest report, said the organization was facilitating the search for a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts. Mr Fall welcomed advancements in regional integration, particularly the free movement of persons achieved by the establishment of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community zone. UNOCA was supporting that schema as well as capacitybuilding in mediation, early warning collaboration with civil society and gender mainstreaming for the secretariat of the Economic Community of Central African States.

PIDA Model Law for infrastructure development in Africa endorsed at 2017 PIDA Week

The law is expected to be adopted by African Heads of State at their January Summit, after which the ECA and its partner in this project, NEPAD, will help countries to domesticate the law to fit their needs. Meanwhile, delegates also agreed that Africa should up its game in mobilizing domestic resources to fund the complete implementation of five selected projects and promote the maximal use of local content within the beneficiary countries and regions. The five projects are the Central Corridor (Dar es Salaam to Chalinze Toll Road), Kinshasa-Brazzaville Road and Railway Bridge, Ethiopia-Sudan Power Interconnector, Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya Power Connection and the Batoka Hydropower Plant. In their final communique delegates recommended that for Africa to build on progress made through the implementation of PIDA PAP, there was need for some strategic focus on a number of things. This includes fast tracking the assessment of the PIDA mid-term review and engaging the preparation of the PIDA PAP 2 (2020-2030) with an updated list of the priority projects; promote integrated corridor development using data-driven decision-making models to prioritise projects for commercial viability and promote the setting up of legal frameworks and instruments for corridor management.

Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project (AfDB)

The Project has three components (i) Capacity building for trade facilitation and corridor coordination, (ii) Technical assistance for value chains and economic clusters development and (iii) Project management. It will be implemented over 48 months, starting December, 2017. Needs Assessment (pdf): Despite its strategic importance, development of the Lobito Corridor has progressed haphazardly. There is weak cross-border coordination in the planning and development of physical infrastructure while soft issues have not been tackled in tandem. For instance, construction of the road to the border with Angola is nearing completion on the Zambia side, yet no agreement exists regarding border facilities and procedures. In 2017, Zambia opened a Customs post at Jimbe border and has earmarked it for upgrading to a OSBP but no similar arrangements are in place on the Angola side. While business activities are booming along the Corridor in the mining, agricultural and retail sectors (e.g. Shoprite, SPAR, Hypermarket, Choppies in Zambia, and Shoprite and Kero in Angola), local SMEs have failed to tap into the opportunities due to capacity constraints including lack of business skills, inability to comply with product standards, and lack of access to information on market opportunities. Therefore, there is a need to promote participation of local SMEs, which are left outside the loop, to participate in value chains and economic clusters and profitable trade along the Corridor. [Feasibility study on the extension of the Cameroon-Chad Railway Line: appraisal report]

Mauritius: Addressing inequality through more equitable labor markets (World Bank)

The report is structured as follows. Chapter one sets the stage by presenting stylized facts on the trends in household income inequality between 2001 and 2015, comparing these trends with trends in consumption inequality, and identifying the main culprit behind the rapidly rising inequality in household incomes, that is, household labor income. Chapter two supplies a set of descriptive trends of the two groups of factors, namely, household demographics and labor market forces, that contribute to changes in household labor income and follows up with a decomposition exercise on changes in household labor income between 2001 and 2015.Because the analysis indicates that an unequal increase in female labor force participation and rising inequality in individual earnings are among the main contributors to the expanding inequality in household labor income, Chapter three takes a deep dive into the issue of gender inequality in the labor market. Chapter four resumes the main analysis of the drivers of increasing inequality in individual earnings.

World Inequality Report 2018: executive summary (pdf, World Inequality Lab)

The World Inequality Report 2018 relies on a cutting-edge methodology to measure income and wealth inequality in a systematic and transparent manner. By developing this report, the World Inequality Lab seeks to fill a democratic gap and to equip various actors of society with the necessary facts to engage in informed public debates on inequality. In recent decades, income inequality has increased in nearly all countries, but at different speeds, suggesting that institutions and policies matter in shaping inequality. Since 1980, income inequality has increased rapidly in North America, China, India, and Russia. Inequality has grown moderately in Europe (Figure E2a). From a broad historical perspective, this increase in inequality marks the end of a postwar egalitaria regime which took different forms in these regions. There are exceptions to the general pattern. In the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and Brazil, income inequality has remained relatively stable, at extremely high levels (Figure E2b). Having never gone through the postwar egalitarian regime, these regions set the world inequality frontier. [Thomas Piketty says the US is setting a bad example on inequality for the world]

37% of the Indian workforce will be in new job roles by 2022: report (LiveMint)

By 2022, 37% of the Indian workforce would be employed in new job roles, according to the Future of Jobs report commissioned jointly by Ficci-Nasscom with EY. The report provides insights into the future of jobs and vision of change for the job market in India by 2022. According to the report, exponential technologies in advanced markets are expected to improve productivity by 15-20% in the next five years, while 60-65% of the Indian workforce in the IT-BPM sector would be deployed in jobs that have radically changed skill sets, followed by 55-60% in BFSI and 50-55% in the automotive sector.

One Planet Summit: joint IDFC-MDB statement (AfDB)

Extracts: Redirect financial flows in support of transitions towards low-carbon and climate resilient sustainable development. Building on what is already being done, this will increase the overall amount or share of finance that goes towards climate action. Support the development of enabling policy and regulatory environments, at both national and sub-national levels, in conjunction with the private sector and civil society, while remaining focused on the most vulnerable populations. IDFC members and MDBs will continue to deepen this work and increase country-level coordination between institutions.
Shower or tub? In the building industry it is a big question, for all the wrong reasons.

It's hard being a TreeHugger sometimes. We write about green living and building, go to conferences, promote energy efficiency and Net Zero and PassiveHouse and think that we are getting somewhere convincing the building industry that energy and carbon and water actually matter, and then I read Builder Magazine on The Great Bathroom Debate: Shower or Tub?

In this lengthy article, Kathleen Brown talks to people in the industry; she talks to "builders and designers on both sides of the aisle to see if showers or tubs are more in demand these days." Some like the tub as a place to relax; others like large showers with multiple heads. The future appears to be a happy medium of both -- big "wet environments."

[Designer] Jordan loves the progressive nature of the shower-tub combination because it meets the needs of older millennials like herself, who enjoy the practicality of a shower but are also starting families. Bathtime is playtime for young kids, says [designer] Thee, especially in a space that can contain epic handheld-showerhead water fights.

Nowhere in the entire article did it mention a word of what used to be the driver in this discussion: water and energy use. In fact, these "wet environments" appear to be designed to use more water and energy (and real estate) than ever before. So perhaps it is time to revisit the issue.

1. Water consumption

 Alliance for Water Efficiency

Of course, the water consumption in a shower is proportional to the length of a shower, whereas a bath uses a fixed amount of water. But according to the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the average shower is 8.2 minutes, meaning that someone using a modern shower head is probably using half as much water as someone using a full bathtub of water.

2. Energy consumption

Interestingly almost none of the sites looking at the shower vs bath question discuss the energy used to heat the water. That's probably because it is all over the map; where I live, the water is really cold when it comes into the house, whereas in the south, it is warm. I did the math here in US figures for a 45 gallon bath:

Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0

As noted before, a shower will use half as much. Given that in the USA a kilowatt/hour produces an average of a pound of CO2, this all adds up. And it doesn't include the energy used to clean and pump all that water, which according to the Guardian, is as much as 60 percent of the energy bill in some cities and "more than 290m metric tons of carbon dioxide (equal to the annual emissions of 53m cars) each year."

So here it is 2017 and the Great Bathroom Debate takes place without a mention of this until the second last sentence, which notes that "several designers are keeping their eyes peeled for bathroom designs that are more health- and eco-conscious, perhaps including an exercise area, aromatherapy, and more resourceful shower fixtures."

So many people in the design and construction business are concerned about the fact that our buildings produce 39 percent of the CO2 emissions in the USA. And yet there is not a peep about it in a Hanley Wood magazine, the same company that runs Greenbuild and promotes green building. That's a missed opportunity.

Where do you stand in the great bathroom debate?

I must admit that I love a bath, especially in winter after a long day standing on my feet. What do you do?

Bath or shower? Which do you use?
My husband and I will be traveling to Jamaica for the first time in March and will be staying at Cocolapalm. Does anyone know if there is a fitness center near the resort that my husband might be able to use? If so, any idea on how much it costs? I am a power walker and plan to take full advantage of the beach every morning as I do when traveling to other warm destinations.
You will get nothing in Kakadu for your accom budget especially if it around Easter which is end of March.

Katherine has more to offer as it is a town and you may get some decent accom in the Beagle - clean , and good value.

Anbinik in kakadu has bush bungalows for 105 per night low season, no aircon only a fan. If it was me I would need aircon as its far too humid and hot to sleep well. We never / rarely camp in the wet season for that reason.

Mercure croc at jabiru you may get a good rate on a site like booking.com

Or you could try aurora kakadu
The State of WA is so huge, there is so much you can explore just using a normal car which would save you $$$. There are plenty of good sealed roads to some very interesting, remote areas.

With 12 days in August for WA, you could easily do a road trip north to some places like Exmouth/Ningaloo Marine Park, Karijini National Park and Denham/Monkey Mia/Shark Bay Heritage Region. There are plenty of online itineraries for these places.

Try starting your research with Exmouth and maybe take it from there:
Re: What to do on a 16 hour layover in NYC?

1. Re: What to do on a 16 hour layover in NYC?

You've posted in the NY State forum. Your questions will get more attention if you repost in the New York City forum.

Upon arrival, if your airline can't/won't, check any luggage in one of the storage places at JFK (T1, T4, or T8 https://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-shops-restaurants-services.html )

There is a (free within the airport) Airtrain for changing terminals if needed https://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-airtrain.html The Airtrain also provides connections to the pubic transit system.

With that much time I'd be inclined to take the E train to the Times Square area and then work your way downtown. http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html Especially if this is a first visit, but depends on what else you may wish to see.

Edited: 4 years ago
Hi

We are crossing from Hekou in China to Lou Cai in Vietnam. This is only for Max 2 weeks then in to Laos by land crossing for 3 weeks then back to HMC to fly on to Indonesia. My hope was to get a free visa then get a month one when we return after Laos is this an option or should we get a multientry 2 month visa if there is such a thing. I cannot find much info on the free visas for UK citizens, only 1 artical about it being possible to use them for land crossings and no information about how to get one. Do you just turn up and ask for it?

Many thanks for reading this even if you don't know the answer Garfield.
Regualrs on the forum often mentioned a golden rule - always stay at the place your international flight leaves from. Cancellation and Delays are not uncommen in Vietnam.

if you just fly to Bangkok and you stay there, it is ok, as you can easily get another flight. However, if this is your flight home to Norway and you miss the flight it can be very expensive.

And 4 hours is not a lot, as you have to wait for your luggage, head to the International Terminal (ok...that is just a 5 minute walk), checking in (closes an hour ebfore flight) and then security and passport control. If the flight from Danang is delayed by 2 hours, it can be very very tight.

So it has nothing to do with Tet, just with the current situations with domestic flights.
Visa on Arrival Vietnam- Have you had any issues at arrival?

Visa on Arrival Vietnam- Have you had any issues at arrival?

I am traveling with my wife and 2 kids to Vietnam in January and I am looking at the different options for Visas (multiple entry as we will go to Singapore as well). The embassy is the more expensive option and VOA seems to be the less complicated and less expensive option.

I find contradictory information online about the VOA and I am concerns that we would not be able to enter at SGN.

Have anyone recently used VOA and how has their experience been?
Hi all,

First to apologise to all if I will be asking a question which I am sure has been asked before but I just dont seem to find the right answer.

Family of 4, 7 and 5 year olds and travelling to Japan in April 2018. Staying in Tokyo for 6 days and off to Kyoto for another 6 days. Arriving to Narita and staying at one of the Disneys resorts (still not booked).

I was wondering is it worth booking JRT passess for us. I have estimated it would cost us $800 for 7 day pass. we will be only travelling around Tokyo and 1 way bullet train to Kyoto. Can we purchase Shinkasen ticket when in Tokyo? Can we purchase metro/subway tickets on the spot or as a day passes? If travelling to Kyoto on Shinkasen and staying at Disney, what would be the nearest station to board on the train? We will be having 3 suitcases. Any recommendations?

Thanks
The least expensive way to get into Manhattan is to take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station ($5 fee) and then catch the subway (E Train) Manhattan-bound from there. Subway rides currently cost $2.75 per ride (regardless of distance). If you take the E train, it would take you to the 5th Avenue/53rd Street station, which is very close to Rockefeller Center. You could then opt to walk to Times Square as it's only a 10 minute walk. Edit: Total train trip would be about an hour and 15 minutes from JFK.

It would likely be faster to take a taxi into Manhattan at that hour than trains, but more expensive, probably in the $60 range ($52 flat fee + tolls, about $8).

Have a great trip!

Edited: 4 years ago
"We are trying to decide which Hyatt is better"

There is only one Hyatt hotel in Jamaica. The marketing department has assigned two names to two sections of one hotel. Ziva is the name of the family section and Zilara is the name of the adults only section. The two sections share most, but not all, of the facilities of the hotel. This includes restaurants, bars, beach, spa, etc.

"Should we book the Mobey Club?"

That mainly depends on when you arrive in Jamaica (the hour of the day you arrive at the airport). During peak times of the day you might want to consider it, but at other times of the day it is a waste of your money.
Is your company in need of the most reliable and efficient best Best Jasmine Tea s in the market? Your good luck led you to the ideal situation, so congratulations! You are in the best possible place. By eliminating the need to read through dozens of Best Jasmine Tea reviews, we are saving you time and stress.

Many customers find it difficult to decide which Best Jasmine Tea product to buy. The dilemma is brought about by the many types of Best Jasmine Tea in the market. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a clear understanding of how you may choose the most suitable Best Jasmine Tea available in the market.
- Secretary of Humanitarian and Disaster Affairs in Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM), Amos Ledaa Olempaka, quit his position on December 13

- Olempaka highlighted the recent selection of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)as the basis for making his decision branding it discriminatory

- The former secretary took the decision on behalf of his people in protest of unfulfilled promises and negligence by ODM

In a letter addressed to ODM's CEO on Wednesday December 13, Amos Olempaka, gave notice of his withdrawal expressing lack of motivation and disregard as part of the reasons why he chose to throw in the towel.

Amos served as the secretary in charge of Humanitarian and Disasters Affairs in ODMs National Executive Committee (NEC).

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

I felt my personal and communitys steady and unwavering support to the party has not been appreciated since 2007. The promises made to me and the community have never been fulfilled." Olempaka wrote in the letter seen by TUKO.co.ke

READ ALSO: Uhuru amwambia Raila Odinga kungoja 2022 kufanya mazungumzo na Ruto

According to Olempaka the list of EALA nominations are tainted with discrimination. Photo:Nation

A disgruntled Olempaka highlighted the recent list of EALA nominations as sufficient ground for deciding to leave the ODM party.

The National Super Alliance (NASA) put forth Raila Odingas brother Oburu Odinga and Kalonzo Musyokas son, Kennedy Musyoka, NASA CEO Norman Magaya and Fatuma Ali as nominees.

The recent EALA nomination is a good indication of being unfairly and rudely ignored. A frustrated Olempaka disclosed.

READ ALSO: Railas wife names people behind postponement of controversial swearing-in

Olempaka stepped out of ODM citing negligence. Photo:Citizen

NASA has been plagued with internal wrangles with the opposition facing an acid test following the successful reelection and swearing-in of Uhuru Kenyatta as president.

As previously reported by TUKO.co.ke, The Political Party Tribunal stopped Parliament from electing NASA candidates to the East African Legislative Assembly(EALA)

The tribunal s chairperson Kyalo Mbobu on Wednesday, December 13 gave temporary orders to the National Assembly that halted NASA nominees who sought positions in EALA.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
In this episode of Morning Edition, many have expressed concern over the path of some of our
Russian-backed militants launched 30 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the ATO area in Donbas in last day.

This is reported by the ATO Headquarters press center.

The enemy violated ceasefire in ATO area 30 times over the past day. As a result of the enemy shelling, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, and one soldier was wounded, the statement reads.

In Luhansk direction, illegal armed formations used grenade launchers to fire at Ukrainian positions near Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) and Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk).

In Donetsk direction, the tensest situation was observed near Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), where Russian-backed militants opened fire from 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and machine guns. Militants also used infantry weapons to launch attacks on the defenders of Butovka coal mine (11.4km north-west of Donetsk), Pisky(12km north-west of Donetsk) and Kamyanka (62km south of Donetsk).

In Mariupol direction, the enemy used small arms to fire at ATO troops near Hranitne (57km south of Donetsk).

ish
Strengthening of the security capabilities and development of the Armed Forces based on the best achievements, first of all of NATO, are very important issues for Ukraine.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov said this during a speech at the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, the press service of the NSDC reported.

"Eastern borders of Ukraine are the advanced frontiers of European security, therefore strengthening of our security capabilities and the development of the Armed Forces are ongoing at different levels, based on the best achievements, first of all of NATO, as well as based on the combat experience of recent years," Turchynov said.

The NSDC secretary states that our state is ready for further expansion and deepening of cooperation with NATO and the Alliance countries on a bilateral basis. These includes, in particular: the granting by NATO states of export licenses for the supply of military goods to Ukraine, including those of lethal action; the participation of foreign partners in modernizing the existing types or joint creation of new types of weapons and equipment for arming the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the use of technologies and components of Western producers; achievement by Ukrainian enterprises of the Alliance standards of manufacturing defense products to participate in projects on satisfying the needs of the armed forces of NATO member states; providing consulting and advisory services on the use of offset mechanisms; protection of intellectual property; the establishment of a center for the certification of weapons and military equipment manufactured by Ukrainian enterprises in accordance with the NATO standards; investing in the development of the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex, etc.

"Ukraine has been and remains NATO's reliable partner. The development of special partnership relations will strengthen our common security, and the future membership of Ukraine in the Alliance will be a guarantee of peace and stability in Eastern Europe and the Euro-Atlantic space as a whole," Turchynov summed up.
The cooperation with European institutions enables Ukraine to receive financial and technical assistance for thermal modernization of residential buildings.

Vice Prime Minister  Minister for Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadiy Zubko stated this at a press conference at Ukrinform.

We have financial support from the European Union, the German government. In early December, an agreement was signed with the European Commission on granting EUR 100 million for the Energy Efficiency Fund for modernization," Zubko said.

He added that cooperation is foreseen for a period of 5 years.

"Apart from funds, we have technical, advisory and methodological support. Apart from the energy saving credits, the government next year allocates 1.6 billion for thermal modernization activities (for the Energy Efficiency Fund)," Zubko said.

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The Committee on Migration of the Council of Europe calls on the Russian authorities to cease all financial and military support to the illegal armed groups in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, ensure the respect for human rights in Crimea and ensure unhindered access of the international organizations to Crimea.

This is stated in the draft resolution adopted by the Committee on Wednesday.

"The adopted text calls on Russian authorities to cease all financial and military support to the illegal armed groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk region, ensure the respect of human rights and security of all the people living in annexed Crimea and ensure unhindered access to annexed Crimea to international organisations ," the document reads.

The draft resolution was adopted on the basis of the report prepared by MP Egidijus Vareikis (Lithuania, EPP/CD).

The Committee called on all member states to use their joint political efforts to put an end to this conflict and the sufferings of the civil population. All sides of the war should release and exchange all prisoners of war and people captured during the war, respect the civilian nature of infrastructure and ensure the protection of civilians and their full access to essential services.

"The Ukrainian authorities should bring the Criminal Code in line with the provisions of international humanitarian law, adopt legislation on humanitarian demining actions and revise the law on humanitarian assistance to facilitate the procedure of delivery of humanitarian assistance to the war affected territories," the Committee stressed.

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Ukraine counts on further deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation with Latvia at all levels.

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy stated this during a meeting with President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis, the parliaments press service reports.

"Our countries are developing dynamic cooperation in various fields, there is an active political cooperation, there are very close and friendly relations between us," he said.

Parubiy thanked Vejonis for an opportunity for Ukrainian soldiers to undergo rehabilitation and stressed that international support is very important for Ukraine.

Also, when informing about the progress of reforms being carried out in Ukraine, Parubiy noted that despite the destabilization of the situation, Ukraine is firmly following a path of reforms.

Vejonis noted that "Latvia will remain a sincere friend of Ukraine, always supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and a strong and peaceful Ukraine is important not only for the countries of the Baltic region, but also for Europe and the world.

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Canada should strengthen its cooperation with Ukraine in the fight against corruption.

This is stated in a report prepared by the Canadian Parliament's Standing Committee on National Defense entitled "Canada's Support to Ukraine in Crisis and Armed Conflict," which was made available to Ukrinform.

"We recommend that the Government of Canada facilitate stronger parliament-to-parliament relations including possible assistance in the development of anti-corruption mechanisms, institutions, and training as requested by Ukrainian officials," the report said.

In order to combat corruption, the MPs also called for the development of civil society in Ukraine. "We recommend that the Government of Canada assist with the development of relations and open dialogue between the Ukrainian Government and civil society groups and assist with capacity building for civil society groups, especially in confronting corruption," noted in the report.

According to the Standing Committee on National Defense, Canada should also focus on promotion of gender equality in Ukraine. "We recommend that the Government of Canada expand Canadas support for gender equality promotion through the Canadian Development Program in Ukraine, existing United Nations programs, and women, peace and security initiatives," the report reads.

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Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Inara Murniece states that the Latvian side supports sanctions against the Russian Federation.

She said this during a meeting with Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy in Riga on December 13, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

"We believe that sanctions cannot be eased before any progress is made," the speaker of the Saeima noted.

According to her, during the presidency of the EU Council, Latvia supported the solidarity of the European countries in the issue of sanctions.

"The issue of sanctions will remain very important in the future. And it is still important for Ukraine to clearly inform the European partners about the process of reforms in the country," she stressed.

The speaker of the Latvian parliament says that the issue of Ukraine is an important aspect of the relationship between NATO and Russia, and she expresses hope that the Ukrainian issue will be discussed at the next NATO summit.

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Political Director of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleksiy Makeyev visited Ottawa this week. Ukrinform asked him about the results of the visit.

Q: Oleksiy Serhiyovych, several high-level visits were made from Ukraine to Canada this year, and each of them focused on certain aspects of our relations. What topics did you raise during your stay in Ottawa?

A: During two days I had a number of meetings at the Foreign Ministry. I thanked Canada for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian reforms, as well as our struggle with the Russian aggressor. In addition, I emphasized the importance of the launch of the Free Trade Agreement. I could not help but mention that next year Canada is taking over presidency of the G7, and we very much hope that it will take a leading position in uniting the international community in helping Ukraine. It is extremely important that G7 continue to be such a "driver" in the world's supporting Ukraine and reacting to Russian aggression.

Q: Do we see Canada as a unifying factor in cementing the position of all states with respect to Ukraine?

A: By itself, the institution of the G7 presidency envisages setting a certain pace and outlining priorities. We expect Canada to play a leading role here.

Q: One of the main tasks of your visit to Canada was to participate in a parliamentary conference on reviewing Ottawa's policy on Eastern Europe, in particular, on the example of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. What do you think about this event? Did you succeed in bringing the necessary messages?

A: It's better to ask the organizers of this conference whether it was possible to reach out. But I can say that, on the one hand, it is easy to work in Canada, because the country knows perfectly well what human rights and international law are. We should not forget that Ukrainians were of great importance in the formation of Canada. However, it is important that everyone in this country understand why the Canadian government supports Ukraine. So far, this message may not have reached all Canadians. Therefore, our joint task with our colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government in general is to talk about this and to make Ukraine even more understandable and close to Canadians.

Q: Is it felt now that someone is trying to argue that there's "fatigue" from Ukraine in Canada?

A: There can be no fatigue from Ukraine at all. It is possible in one form or another from the activities of a particular parliamentarian or government, but fatigue from the fact that people are struggling for their freedom is impossible. This only causes respect and a sense of solidarity with such people. Otherwise, the position would be very unusual for a democratic society like Canadian one.

Q: If we summarize your conversations with local interlocutors, will Canada continue to take an active part in supporting Ukraine in the future?

A: I'm absolutely sure of that.

Oleksiy Makeyev participated in a conference on the review of Eastern European policy on the example of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. The event was held in the Canadian parliament under the supervision of Robert Nault, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. The political director of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine was in the forefront of the Western democratic world, defending its values in the fight against aggressive Russia. He also called on the participants to remember dozens of Ukrainian political prisoners illegally detained in Russia and recall at each meeting with the Russian leadership that all hostages should be released. "My message is clear. Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are struggling for their own future, as democratic states belonging to Western civilization. No matter what you do, remember that on the eastern flank of the democratic world there are peoples that are struggling for the whole West," Makeyev said.

Maksym Nalyvaiko, Ottawa
Russias invasion of Ukraine is something we cannot accept.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said this at the Atlantic Council Forum in Washington DC, the Voice of America reported.

"Its one thing for countries to choose sides in conflicts  Russia wanted to choose the side of Bashar al-Assad, and we chose not to, but when you invade another country and take their territory that cannot be left to stay on. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is unacceptable," the U.S. Secretary of State stressed.

He also adds that the sanctions imposed on Russia will not be lifted until Russias invasion of Ukraine is resolved and Ukraines territorial integrity is returned.

According to him, the cessation of violence in Eastern Ukraine is the most urgent issue.

He describes how US diplomatic efforts led by Kurt Volker, the US special representative for Ukraine, are working to resolve the logjam in Eastern Ukraine. He called for both Russian and Ukraine to fulfill their obligations under the Minsk agreements intended to end the violence in Eastern Ukraine.

He also stresses that the issue of Crimea has not been removed from the agenda.

"We will return to the issue of Crimea. I know that Putin made it clear that this issue is not on the table for discussion, but it will be at some point," Tillerson said.

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The United States is concerned about the pace of reforms in Ukraine.

First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko informed this on Facebook following the meetings in Washington.

"There is a concern about certain internal processes in Ukraine and the pace of reforms. Our partners expect Ukraine to take responsibility and fulfill its obligation," Gerashchenko noted.

At the same time, she stressed that "nobody mixes together assistance in the security sector and assistance in carrying out reforms".

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Ukraine and Poland have to strive for the truth in terms of history, but so as to build a bridge of friendship between the two countries, rather than reopen old sores, Polish President Andrzej Duda has said.

He said this at a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kharkiv on Wednesday, December 13, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"In the context of history, we must take care to strive for the truth at all costs and make sure that lies don't cast a shadow on relations between our countries, and above all between our peoples," Duda said.

He added that the presidents of both countries had agreed not to carry out regular perpetuation related to the periods preceding the Second World War, in its course and immediately after it, which are not based on scientifically proven evidence.

"I mean first of all exhumations. This is a very important element. Today I addressed Mr. President with a very clear appeal that we must return the consent to exhumation both on the other and this side of the border so that in each case perpetuation could be carried out after research," Duda said.

In this context, he said that it was very sad to hear about the cases of destruction of monuments, because it affects the feelings of those whose relatives perished. "But I am also worried about the fact that through perpetuation they falsify history and create the facts that were not in history," he said.

Duda called on politicians to be moderate in their speeches and not to act emotionally, "because it's complicated."

"In order to build the future, we must strive to approach this calmly and move to the truth, but in such a way that, through this truth, we could build a bridge of friendship between our peoples, rather than reopen old sores and destroy what has been built up so far," he said.

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Washington is worried by the sharp deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Donbas due to the shelling by pro-Russian forces of a territory with civilian infrastructure facilities.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert announced this at a briefing on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"There are continued attacks against civilian infrastructure projects in Donetsk. It's sad that we have to address this once again," Nauert said.

She said that the situation in eastern Ukraine was not improving.

"The United States continues to be deeply concerned by the escalating violence and the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine," Nauert said.

At the same time, she recalled that back in November, the Department of State had already expressed concern about shelling near a vital water filtration plant in Donetsk.

"The plant remains under threat, and now a nearby coke factory has also taken fire by Russian-led forces," Nauert said.

She said that together, the filtration plant and this coke factory help provide drinking water, electricity, and central heating to approximately 345,000 people. In this regard, she said that threatening water supplies and also home heating in the dead of winter was simply unconscionable.

"Russian-led forces should immediately withdraw from their new positions surrounding the water treatment plant. We again call on Russia to stop artillery and rocket attacks against Ukrainian civilian areas and to honor the ceasefire called for in the Minsk agreements," Nauert said.

She also said that the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine "is one of the worst it has been now in three years and it is deteriorating."

"We call on Russia to take immediate steps to resolve the humanitarian crisis by withdrawing its forces and agreeing to a robust UN peacekeeping mission," Nauert said.

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Olha Hryb, the sister of 19-year-old Ukrainian Pavlo Hryb, who was imprisoned in Russia for political motives, has written an open letter to the Council of Europe.

The text of the letter was posted by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the Council of Europe on its website.

She points in her letter to the crimes committed by the Russian regime against her brother and other Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars.

"For more than 110 days my brother is kept in illegal detention in SIZO (preliminary detention facility) No. 5 of the city of Krasnodar in the Russian Federation. He is the youngest Ukrainian prisoner of the Kremlin, Oleg Sentsov, Olexandr Kolchenko, Roman Sushchenko and many others among them His only fault was that through social networks he openly condemned the annexation of Crimea and the war started by Russia in eastern Ukraine," she writes.

Olha Hryb said that his brother's fundamental rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights are brutally violated every day.

"Pavlo is not allowed to take medications that are vital to his health, forbidden to communicate in his own language and to see his family," she says.

She appeals to member states of the Council of Europe on issues related to illegal activities of the Kremlin.

"Do we want to live in a world where Russian special services hunt for teens and apply Stalinist terror practices to them? Are we going to turn blind eye to the fact that representatives of the whole nation are being persecuted because of ethnic origin, as is the case with the Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea? Are we going to agree that authoritarian regimes use people as hostages in geopolitical games? Are we really ready to exchange values for economic interests?" Olha Hryb said.

She also added that "the European Convention on Human Rights stipulates that everyone has the right to liberty and security of person and cannot be arbitrary arrested." She recalled that "member states of the Council of Europe agreed to fulfil these and other legally binding treaty norms right after the end of the Second World War which nearly destroyed the European civilization."

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Troublemakers can interpret as much as they want, but the language article of the Ukrainian education law remains unchanged.

International experts do not have specific claims to the language article of Ukraine's education law and do not require any changes to it. And this is the main victory for Ukraine. Yes, the authoritative jury hinted at certain organizational failures in the work with national minorities and formulated remarks that can be resolved in the working order.

The document contains a number of recommendations for Ukraine, but, at the same time, believes that the rights of the Hungarian minority and other minorities of the titular nations of the EU member states can be respected without amending Article 7 of the law, that is, the one in which the language of instruction is established, and around which all disputes were underway.

Of course, it was not necessary to expect that Hungary, which opposed this provision more than anyone else, will change its rhetoric and retreat claims to Ukraine. Also, nobody expected that the Russian aggressor would be pleased with cautious warnings of Europeans regarding the possible imbalance in the educational rights of the Russian minority, which does not belong to the official languages of the EU.

Hungary, for example, was in a hurry to state that the Venice Commission in its decision supported their side. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said: "The decision of the Venice Commission, which was published today, is 'absolutely unambiguous,' and the proposals contained therein cannot be interpreted ambiguously." According to Szijjarto, it is clear from the document that "the right decision" is the introduction of amendments to the contradictory Article 7 of the education law.

On the whole, the Government of Hungary formulated three expectations from the Ukrainian authorities: not to restrict already existing rights (let us remind you that knowledge of the state language is not a right, but a citizen's duty, therefore nobody selects, restricts, and manipulates anything!) , negotiate with national minorities in Ukraine, and fully implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

In general, the Government of Hungary formulated three expectations from the Ukrainian authorities - not to restrict already existing rights (knowledge of the state language is not a right, but a citizen's duty), negotiate with national minorities in Ukraine, and fully implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, in turn, politely asked Hungary to refrain from freely interpreting the recommendations of the Venice Commission and not to politicize and use the Ukrainian education reform for a different genre of speculation and confrontation.

Mykola Skyba, an expert of the independent analytical center of the Ukrainian Institute for the Future:

We have, let's say so, the relative diplomatic success of Ukraine. I would not dare to call this decision by the Venice Commission a significant victory, taking into account the context of its adoption. The need for an examination of the education law was the result of a loud diplomatic scandal, first of all, on the part of Hungary. Of course, the demands of the Hungarian side were hypertrophied, and this was noticeable. They stemmed from the internal political situation in this country, where we see in fact the monopoly of one political party that is trying to mobilize the electorate in every way possible and find it in the territory of other states where the ethnic Hungarian minority resides.

There's really significant work of our diplomats behind the formulations of the Venice Commission. As far as I know, the fight was underway in the commission in the last days for the content of every sentence, for every word. For example, is it necessary to use "should" or "must"? And so on. One can say that the decision is generally favorable for Ukraine. It allows, with minimal losses, to get out of the trap into which, honestly, individual deputies drove the entire country with their political decisions.

It is also necessary to understand that the controversial language article in the education law is a framework article, and therefore it has a huge amount of tasks and practical steps. Therefore, we are advised to extend the term of the transitional provisions of the law. It is clear that even those three years that we established for ourselves are not realistic for the transition to a new language model, especially given the peculiarities of one or another language of national minorities. It is difficult to immediately find in Ukraine a sufficient number of specialists, teachers, who would have good command, for example, of Ukrainian and Hungarian (or Romanian). This is difficult, and therefore it was necessary from the very beginning to take care of the resources necessary for implementation. For example, the introduction of a standard in education requires a series of "related" decisions, in particular, in terminology. A translation is not enough here, but it is necessary to coordinate all the nuances of the conceptual apparatus in one language or another. In order to ensure bilingual education, all curricula should be identical, in two equivalent versions, and submitted in accordance with the concept of the New Ukrainian School.

Iryna Kohut, an expert of the CEDOS Center (formerly known as the Center for Society Research):

- The question is what goals we set by adopting the law on education with such a language provision. If the goal was to maximize the integration of children of national minorities in our society, say, increasing the proportion of those graduates who continue education in Ukraine and are employed here, then this is one thing. If we aim to change the language regime in a country that is suffering from aggression (in particular, on this basis) and try to strengthen the lost status of the state Ukrainian language in this way, then this is another goal. Unfortunately, in our society there is no single understanding that in this issue is a priority.

The Venice Commission said that the main load on the interpretation of this article would lie on the future law on general secondary education. Therefore, we must now carefully look at what the Education and Science Ministry offers and consider its proposals almost under a microscope. The main thing is to understand what will be offered for the practical implementation of the language norm, how successful and effective the mechanism will be. It is logical to expect that specific solutions will be worked out in the process of consulting with the public, especially with representatives of national minorities. This, in principle, is part of the recommendations of the commission. That is, further legislative work will show us whether we really took advantage of these recommendations and whether we got the result of that victory, which is currently mentioned by top Ukrainian officials.

The commission has clearly indicated to Ukrainian officials that laws relating to the interests of interested parties and large groups of the population should be discussed in advance. The adoption of such language norms should be accompanied by consultations, and it is important that this commission's remarks are not lost in future decisions of our government.

Oksana Polischuk, Kyiv
Experts on indigenous minorities and Vietnam War veterans will meet in North Carolina early next year to discuss challenges facing the Montagnard highland community in the United States and Southeast Asia.

The one-day conference will be held Feb. 3 at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in Wilmington N.C., organizers said.

During the Vietnam War, the Montagnards  a term used to call a member of any various hill-dwelling people of Southeast Asia, especially those inhabiting the highlands of Vietnam  often worked with the U.S. military.

We owe them a debt of gratitude, said Peter Maguire, an American author and historian who is helping organize the forum through his Fainting Robin Foundation. They, particularly with the American Special Forces ... They saved a lot of American lives.

Maguire said the Montagnards were betrayed and abandoned by Washington policy-makers after U.S. forces departed South Vietnam in 1975.

Some 15,000 Montagnards were resettled in the 1990s and 2000s in North Carolina.

"The resettlement of our persecuted allies in North Carolina was a remarkable group effort that drew together people who rarely mix, much less get along, he said. Although this effort was very little, very late, it serves as a solemn reminder to Americans of the price paid by those who take us at our word.

Steve Parker, executive director of Friends of the Central Highlands in the US, a North Carolina-based non-profit organization, said Montagnards living in the United States tended to have a lower socio-economic status than other Asian-Americans.

Generally, they are fairly industrious people, Parker said. They work hard They dont generally have problem finding jobs.

He explained the work they tend to find in the U.S. is not well-compensated.

Some of the Montagnards still believe that they might be able to lead a resurrection for freedom in their home country, according to Parker.

There are a couple of small political movements that are still hoping that the United States will arm them and send them back to fight a war of liberation for central highlands, Parker said in a recent phone interview. Ive tried to tell them that probably this is not going to happen and they would be better off devoting their resources for some other causes. They are very stubborn and they believe long enough that they can make this happen.

The conference will also discuss unwritten language, ancient history, and devastating effects of the Vietnam War on the hill tribes, especially the Bunong, a minority people from eastern part of Cambodia.

Theres been a big loss of land and that really disrupts the community ties, said linguist Becky Butler from the University of North Carolina, who will be speaking at the forum. And when those are disrupted that greatly affects the ability of older people in the community to pass on the language to younger people and that really affect economic opportunity which nowadays is the big driver for language shift because younger people know that if they want to succeed. If they want an opportunity theyve got to learn a more dominant language, a Khmer or Vietnamese or in the United States, English. So thats probably the number one driver for their language loss.

Other panelists scheduled to participate, Maguire said, include members of the Jarai hill tribe, linguist Sylvain Vogel, journalist Kevin Doyle and filmmaker and SE Asia researcher Sara Colm.

Plaing Sin, a Bunong native in Cambodia, said that living conditions of the people in his community has been severely affected since the loss of forest and wildlife. Younger generation doesnt want to speak their language.

Our language is losing gradually, said Plaing Sin, reached recently by phone. The younger generation like to speak Khmer and dont want to speak our language. They dont want to wear traditional clothes anymore. Even dressing up for an art performance makes them feel embarrassed.

Butler believed the conference can demonstrate a value of indigenous languages, which the government and political entities potentially can recognize, and then begin investing in the well-being of an often marginalized people.

Its to the benefit of a nation if they can preserve as much diversity as possible, Butler said.
10 Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL), chairman of Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific at the U.S. House of Representatives, and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) discussed at the open hearing on Cambodia's Descent: Policies to Support Democracy and Human Rights on Tuesday December 12, 2017 at the Rayburn House Office Building. (Sreng Leakhena/VOA Khmer)
U.S. congressmen on Tuesday held a hearing to assess new ways to apply sanctions on the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen over its crackdown on the opposition, media and civil society.

In the hearing, led by Ted Yoho, a Republican representing Florida, new measures including targeting officials, corporations, freezing assets and placing prohibitions on garment imports were discussed.

Three witnesses appeared at the hearing: Kem Monovithya, the daughter of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Partys jailed president, Kem Sokha; Olivia Enos, a policy analyst at the Asian Studies Center of the Heritage Foundation; and Kenneth Wollack, president of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

The witnesses testified on a wide range of issues, seeking intervention from the U.S. government to pressure Phnom Penh to reverse its crackdown.

Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican representing California, asked the witnesses for a list of specific corporations, individuals, and their bank accounts that could be targeted by sanctions.

Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Cal), said it was time that Washington approached U.S. businesses and the European Union and Japan.

If we decide to forego the special access to US market that any company buying garments from Cambodia can immediately void this contract, and so we can put that in the matter of law.

Yoho said: Hun Sen, the sitting Prime Minister, has been in power for more than 30 years, and has no intentions of relinquishing power. In the face of strengthening support for the opposition, it seems Hun Sen has decided that if he can no longer dominate the polls even in a rigged election system, he will retain power through force.

Hun Sen has accused the United States of plotting with the now banned CNRP to overthrow him but has not provided evidence to support their claim, which Washington has denied.

On Thursday, the U.S. announced it was cutting some $1.8 million in aid to the countrys National Election Committee (NEC), a move Hun Sen claimed was intended to kill off democracy in Cambodia.

Wollack of the NDI told the hearing that supporting the NEC would not be appropriate, but that some support for election observation could still be justified.

There are groups that are monitoring the process, reporting on the process I think support for those activities are important because it doesnt necessarily legitimize the process but it helps groups share information about the process not only to the Cambodian people, but the international community as well, he said.

Even authoritarian leaders somehow want to go through an election process because they believe some legitimacy would be inferred upon the victor otherwise why have elections at all and just rule by decree, he added.

Monovithya, Sokhas daughter, suggested the United States continue its support for election observation

So I wish to leave this opportunity to the Cambodian people to consider how to let the international community know about their will and what the Cambodian people want. Because the world now is yearning to know from the Cambodian people.
Making no secret of her desire to move on with Brexit talks, British Prime Minister Theresa May won applause from EU leaders Thursday for efforts so far in agreeing to an outline of divorce terms.

A day after she suffered a defeat in parliament in London over her blueprint for quitting the European Union, May told her peers over dinner in Brussels that she was on course to deliver Brexit.

Offering her reassurance that they would formally endorse on Friday the launch of a second phase of negotiations on a free-trade pact and an initial transition period to it, leaders responded to May's remarks by clapping and congratulating her.

She told them that her priority was agreeing on a transition period after Britain leaves in March 2019 to offer businesses certainty. And she again urged the other 27 nations to speed up the talks to unravel more than 40 years of union and open discussion of trade relations, which she sees as crucial for a smooth exit.

A British government official said the prime minister made "no secret of wanting to move on to the next phase and to approach it with ambition and creativity."

"I believe this is in the best interests of the UK and the European Union," she told the EU leaders. "A particular priority should be agreement on the implementation period so we can bring greater certainty to businesses in the UK and across the 27."

Congratulations from Merkel

Officials said German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated May on bringing the negotiations last week to the stage of "sufficient progress" that will enable leaders to accept opening the next phase of talks.

May got applause and congratulations from leaders around the table because she will not be present when they take the decision to start talks on a transition period and a future trade deal late on Friday morning.

The chairman of EU leaders, Donald Tusk, will update May on Friday on the results of the leaders' talks on Brexit in a phone call, officials said.

May, weakened after losing her Conservative Party's majority in a June election, has so far carried her divided government and party with her as she negotiated the first phase of talks on how much Britain should pay to leave the EU, the border with Ireland and the status of EU citizens in Britain.

But the second, more decisive phase of the negotiations will further test her authority by exposing the deep rifts among her top team of ministers over what Britain should become after Brexit.

Acknowledging the tough talks ahead, Tusk said that only the unity displayed so far would deliver a good deal as discussions moved to trade  an issue on which the member states have different interests.

"I have no doubt that the real test of our unity will be the second phase of Brexit talks," Tusk told reporters.

May's team was upbeat.

"Look at what's been achieved so far. The deal on phase one, which many commentators said couldn't be done, has been done," the British government official said.

"Look at the language from the other European leaders today. ... All the signals from them are that they are looking forward to continuing to negotiate with the prime minister."

Hurdles

The EU is willing to start talks next month on a roughly two-year transition period to ease Britain out after March 2019 but wants more detail from London on what it wants before it will open trade negotiations next March.

The deal almost fell apart last week when May's Northern Irish allies rejected an initial agreement for fear that a promise to protect a free border with EU member Ireland could separate the region from the rest of the UK.

After days of often fraught diplomacy, May rescued the deal to meet the EU's requirements for "sufficient progress," but the last-minute wobble by the Democratic Unionist Party, which she depends on in Parliament to get laws passed, and the defeat in Parliament on Wednesday underlined the struggles she faces.

"I'm disappointed with the amendment," she told reporters as she arrived at the summit. "But the EU withdrawal bill is making good progress through the House of Commons and we're on course to deliver on Brexit."

May's success so far has won her some respite at home from political infighting between enthusiasts and skeptics of Brexit in her ruling party, and has reduced the prospect of a disorderly departure from the bloc.

At the summit, she was again keen to show that Britain was an active member of the bloc, committing to staying in the Erasmus student exchange program until the end of 2020 and taking part in discussions on the bloc's plan for closer defense cooperation.

Over dinner, leaders were also discussing responses to the migration crisis from Africa and the Middle East, and lingering deep divisions over how to share the load.

They confirmed a rollover of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis and reaffirmed their opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Nebraskas main anti-pipeline group is trying to rally opposition to the TransCanada Corps Keystone XL projects recently approved route through the state, tracking down landowners it says were not given a voice in the regulatory process.

If it succeeds, Bold Nebraska could throw up new roadblocks to the controversial project to move Canadian oil to U.S. refineries, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, by pressing regulators to revisit TransCanadas application, or by suing if they refuse.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission issued an approval for Keystone XL to pass through the state in late November, removing the last big regulatory obstacle for the long-delayed project. But the commissions approval was not for the route TransCanada had singled out in its application, but for an alternative that shifts it closer to an existing pipeline right-of-way that affects scores of new landowners.

Bold Nebraska

Jane Kleeb, the head of Bold Nebraska, which has been fighting the pipeline for years, held the first of a series of meetings with these new landowners Wednesday.

We hope to begin the education process with landowners so they understand this is a lifetime easement for a one-time payment, she told Reuters. We aim to engage at least 20 percent of the new landowners in the legal landowner group.

About 75 landowners and other citizens crammed the meeting in the community center in the small college town of Seward to meet with Kleeb and other pipeline opponents.

Lee Gloystein said he was not happy upon learning that the approved route would go thought his familys farm. Its been in our family since the 1800s, he said. And we dont want it to be disturbed or the water to be disturbed.

Bold Nebraska already has about 100 landowners who live along the pipelines original proposed route signed up against Keystone XL. They include a number of ranchers and farmers worried that spills could pollute their land and the massive Ogallala Aquifer, a source of drinking water and irrigation for a large swath of the central United States.

Jim Carlson, a landowner whose Holt County farm is on the original Keystone XL route, told those at Wednesdays meeting that he initially was happy the route would cross his land because he could profit from selling TransCanada an easement. But he said he changed his mind after studying the potential environmental harm from a spill. Be careful what you wish for, he said.

Controversial pipeline

The project has been a lightning rod of controversy since it was proposed a decade ago, with environmentalists making it a symbol of their broader fight against fossil fuels and global warming.

TransCanada says the pipeline would be good for the economy and could be run safely. The company said it had about 90 percent support among landowners for the proposed route, but had not yet negotiated support along the approved route.

TransCanada would need to use eminent domain law to gain access to land for which it could not reach an agreement.

Demonstrating opposition along the approved route could add heft to anti-pipeline efforts. Lawyers for opponents of the line argued at a hearing Tuesday that Nebraska regulators had no authority to approve the alternative path, and was only allowed to rule on the proposed route.

TransCanada seeks to head off challenges

TransCanada, meanwhile, requested that the public service commission allow it to amend its application retroactively to head off legal challenges. The commission is considering TransCanadas request.

Trump handed TransCanada a federal permit for the 1,180-mile (1,899-km) pipeline in March, reversing a decision by former President Barack Obama in 2015 to block it on environmental grounds.
Amid reports of violent clashes that have led to at least 15 deaths, the Ethiopian government has partially blocked internet access to its citizens, suppressing information about the exact scope of the violence and the response of federal security forces.

Ethiopians have been unable to reliably reach Twitter and Facebook since Tuesday, and other services may also be affected. Restricting internet access is a common tactic for the government when protests break out and security forces crack down.

The government has justified such action in the past as a response to unverified reports and rumors, noting that social media become flooded with unconfirmed claims and misinformation when violence erupts. But blocking internet access also makes it more difficult for citizens to assemble peacefully or monitor whats happening on the ground.

Full control

Unlike most nations, which have multiple internet service providers (ISPs), Ethiopias sole ISP, Ethio Telecom, has almost full control over internet access in the country. To block traffic to and from certain websites, or even shut down access altogether, the government needs only to coordinate with Ethio Telecom, a state-owned company. In contrast, it would require the cooperation of more than 2,600 ISPs to shut down internet access in the United States.

Ethiopia is one of 61 countries with only one or two ISPs, according to a 2012 report by Dyn, a company focused on internet traffic and data management. Countries with few ISPs face the severe risk of an internet disconnection, according to Dyn, because these providers often are state-owned, making it easy for repressive governments to control and monitor access.

But even when a government shuts down the internet, information can trickle in and out of a country via dial-up connections on international phone lines and satellite links.

In the case of a partial shutdown in which a government blocks access to certain websites and services, citizens can still gain access to blocked content via proxies and virtual private networks (VPNs). These tools use encrypted intermediary connections to acquire access to blocked sites. Rather than connect to Twitter directly, for example, a citizen would connect to a server thats still accessible and then request the blocked content.

The Addis Standard, an English-language website with extensive coverage critical of the government, has servers in Orlando, Florida, enabling it to stay active, even in the midst of crackdowns.

Legal enforcement

The Ethiopian government has given itself legal authority to maintain its technological monopoly. In 2012, the government issued a proclamation outlawing the formation of any new ISPs or bypassing of any existing communications infrastructures.

That keeps control in the hands of Ethio Telecom, now the largest telecom operator in Africa, according to its website.

Ethio Telecom is the sole provider of telephone services and internet in Ethiopia, and it is traditionally seen as a government cash cow, said Mohammed Ademo, a freelance journalist and the founder and editor of Opride.com, a news site that highlights opposition voices. That gives the government a financial incentive to prevent privatization, in addition to the political power it can wield with full control over the countrys communications infrastructure.

Some observers have questioned whether government efforts to control information accomplish their intended purpose.

Soleyana S. Gebremichael is a human rights advocate and former lawyer. When protests broke out across Ethiopia in the summer of 2016, she raised doubts about the effectiveness of a 48-hour outage.

With or without the internet, people already had the urgency of going out to protest and then presenting their question and petitioning the government, Gebremichael said.

Range of tactics

Partial or full internet blackouts in Ethiopia have become routine in recent years, and outages dont coincide only with unrest. Earlier this year, the government restricted mobile internet access during a national exam period to discourage cheating.

Analysts say the government employs a range of tactics to stifle dissent with technology, including the use of electronic surveillance to spy on dissidents, journalists and other perceived enemies. Earlier this month, a Canadian research group concluded that agencies in the Ethiopian government monitored dozens of people around the world with sophisticated spyware that provides full access to remote computers.

Last year, a joint report by the Open Observatory of Network Interference and Amnesty International concluded that the Ethiopian government was deploying Deep Packet Inspection technology, a powerful tool that facilitates mass surveillance and censorship.
English hospital officials said Wednesday that a baby born with her heart outside her body had survived three surgeries to mend her condition.

Glenfield Hospital in Leicester said Vanellope Hope Wilkins was born in late November with her heart growing on the outside of her body. The unusual condition is called ectopia cordis.

She underwent the first surgery to put her heart back inside her body within in an hour of her birth.

Dr. Nick Moore said the baby was in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit.

Only eight babies in 1 million are born with ectopia cordis. The vast majority are stillborn or die within three days.

Cardiologists said they didn't know of another case in Britain in which a baby had survived this condition. Several babies have survived the surgery in the United States, including Audrina Cardenas, who was born in Texas in 2012.

The English baby's parents, Naomi Findlay and Dean Wilkins, told BBC news that they named their daughter after a character in the Disney movie Wreck-It Ralph.

"Vanellope in the film is a real fighter and at the end turns into a princess, so we thought it was fitting," Findlay said.
The government of Burundi says a recently launched referendum campaign is aimed at strengthening and advancing the countrys laws after more than two years of political violence. But some experts say the government wants to use the referendum campaign to legitimize its rule.

The Burundi government has launched a referendum campaign to change the constitution. The government insists its move is to strengthen current laws and improve others.

Agathon Rwasa, vice president of the National Assembly and a former presidential candidate, says the president wants to stay in power beyond 2020.

'Til this very minute, the so-called project of amendment of the constitution has been concealed, and I wonder why? Since a constitutional matter is a national one why should President (Pierre) Nkurunziza hide it till this moment. But for the time being it seems that they are in haste, for what purpose I dont know. All that we can see its clear that Nkurunziza is aiming at remaining in the office for life, said Rwasa.

The government says the draft has about 300 clauses that will be subject to a referendum in 2018.

President Pierre Nkurunziza's deputy spokesman, Alain Diomede, said the controversy surrounding term limits is one of them.

That has also been thought of because it was very controversial in 2015 because people interpreted some articles of the constitution differently. This time is very clear that term limits cannot be more than two, it means you can only have one term, renewed once. Another thing is its plans to have a term of seven years, not five years, like it was in the 2005 constitution, he said.

The 2005 constitution and Arusha peace agreement brought an end to Burundis long civil war, which claimed the lives of more than 300,000 people.

Some critics still question the manner in which Nkurunziza contested and won the 2015 elections. His opponents accuse him of violating the constitution and argue the president was not supposed to run in that election.

Attempts to hold talks to end the political crisis have failed several times after the government refused to negotiate with opposition groups they accuse of initiating violence in the country.

It is estimated more than 2,000 people have lost their lives, and more than 300,000 have fled the country since 2015.

Mustafa Ali, a security and conflict resolution expert, said Nkurunziza wants to use the referendum to legitimize his rule.

If many people vote and the majority vote that he continues staying, it's legitimate. The problem with that legitimacy is, and knowing of many African countries, is that that legitimacy could as well be bought because he is going to use monies that he and his close handlers have looted from the Burundi people to buy their loyalty," said Ali.

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Nkurunziza's favor so that he could run again. He argued in his first term in 2005 that he was elected by parliament, not by voters.

The government says the electoral commission has been given the green light to prepare for the referendum and it will have six months to do so.
California's seemingly endless cycle of wildfires is prompting authorities to make plans to set more "controlled burns" to thin forests choked with dead trees and withered underbrush that serve as kindling to feed monster blazes that force entire communities to flee, destroy homes and take lives.

Fighting wildfires that burn out of control is extremely expensive and even when authorities make mammoth efforts to put out the blazes, they can still cause expensive property and infrastructure losses when the flames reach populated areas. In October, thousands of California homes burned and 44 people died from wildfires in the state's most renowned wine region north of San Francisco.

This week, while a fire northwest of Los Angeles still raged after destroying more than 700 homes, the U.S. Forest Service and the state fire agency warned that the threat will remain high even after that blaze is put out because of an estimated 129 million trees that died in California over the last year from drought and beetle infestation.

"It's fuel just waiting to go up in flames," said Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The agencies are planning more aggressive use of so-called prescribed burns, when fire prevention experts identify areas with bone dry "surface fuels" and send in crews to burn it or clear it away using chain saws and heavy equipment.

The state since July 1 has burned 13 square miles (37 square kilometers) of surface fuels such as dry needles, leaves and bark that accumulated over the years and can easily ignite, turning forests into powder kegs, Berlant said. That's more than double the amount cleared three years ago.

The goal for 2018 is to burn at least 31 square miles (80 square kilometers) and for the clearing crews to clean up another 31 square miles. To protect population centers, state and local authorities are also increasing inspections to make sure residential and commercial property owners are maintaining cleared spaces required by law between their properties and forestland.

But the 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) that would be cleared is far smaller than the 1,560 square miles (4,040 kilometers) of land that have been burned by California's wildfires so far this year.

The fire prevention measures will save money in the long run when compared to the huge costs of fighting fires  especially those near communities because so many aircraft and firefighters are rushed in to protect property and lives. The cost over just 11 days to fight the largest wildfire in the Los Angeles-area this month reached $74.7 million on Thursday and was still going up.

Risk involved

Mike De Lasaux, a forester with the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the state ideally would burn hundreds of square miles of land with surface fuels annually, but he praised any efforts to reduce dangerously overgrown forests. The current plan moved forward following a recent agreement between state and federal agencies along with environmental, logging and recreational interests.

De Lasaux estimated the risk of the controlled burns running wild and burning homes at less than 2 percent.

But some have turned catastrophic, including a 2000 fire set by U.S. Park Service officials in New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument. High winds whipped the blaze and flames raced through the community of Los Alamos  home to Los Alamos National Laboratory, a nuclear facility and the birthplace of the atomic bomb. More than 400 families lost their homes.

A 2012 burn set by the Colorado State Forest Service southwest of Denver ignited a 6-square-mile (16-square kilometer) wildfire that killed three people and damaged or destroyed more than two dozen homes. Colorado suspended prescribed burns by state agencies for five years and the ban was lifted in October.

Pros, cons

Opponents of the burns by authorities contend the fires release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, put lives and property at risk, and kill wildlife and old trees that may never grow back. They also question their efficiency because the wildfires are on the rise even though controlled burns have increased.

"Well it's been policy for decades and we still have catastrophic fires worse than ever," said Arthur Firstenberg, a member of the New Mexico-based anti-controlled burn group Once A Forest.

De Lasaux counters that controlled fires produce significantly less smoke than wildfires like the one currently burning in California's heavily populated Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, "destroying all growth in its path" and prompting warnings about unhealthy air.

California officials only send out crews to conduct controlled burns when conditions are considered safe so that fires won't go out of control, Berlant said. That means weather conditions with cooler temperatures, high humidity and calm winds, he said.

"Any time there's cooler temperatures we try to get our crews out there," he said. "What we get is a low-intensity fire that's not going to burn everything in its path  just the grass and ground fuels. It leaves bigger trees safe."
Cameroon's main opposition party on Thursday accused the government of having "militarized" two regions shaken by unrest among the country's anglophone minority.

"The Northwest and Southwest regions are heavily militarized," the head of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Jean Tsomelou, said in an interview with AFP, describing the situation as "worrying."

"We have observed troop movements in both regions. The government has spoken of thousands [of troops] who are in the Southwest and Northwest," he said.

"Abuse has been committed" against local people, he said.

In September and October, "live fire was targeted against people who were simply carrying a message of peace," he charged.

English-speakers account for some 20 percent of the nation's population of 23 million. The minority dates to the emergence of Cameroon in 1960-61 as France and Britain wound down their colonies in west Africa.

Anglophones have long protested against what they perceive to be a bias in favor the French-speaking majority.

Since November 2016, resentment has fed demands for autonomy or a separate state to which the government has responded with a crackdown, including curfews, raids and restrictions on travel.

International monitors say at least 20 and possibly 40 people have been killed since late September.

In turn, separatists have begun an armed campaign, targeting police and soldiers. Ten were killed last month alone, the authorities say.

"We condemn loss of human life on both sides," said Tsomelou, a francophone senator, adding that his party would send a delegations of MPs and senators to the two anglophone regions to urge people to be "calm and wait for a peaceful solution."

He singled out Cameroon's 84-year-old president, Paul Biya, for sharp criticism, saying he "let the situation degenerate" in the two regions in order to justify his crackdown.

"It's a problem that could have been resolved by dialogue," he said.

On December 1, Biya lashed the secessionists as "a band of terrorists" and vowed to carry out every measure "to incapacitate these criminals."
China submitted an official protest with the United States Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a measure that could result in U.S. naval warships visiting self-ruled Taiwan.

Trump signed into law Tuesday defense budget legislation that authorizes the possibility of mutual visits by naval ships between Taiwan and the U.S. Should any such visits occur, they would be the first since the U.S. severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 and established relations with China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters in Beijing that while sections of the law pertaining to Taiwan were not legally binding, they violate the "One China" policy and "constitute an interference in China's internal affairs."

Lu Kang added Beijing is opposed to any official exchanges, military contact or arms sales between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Tensions in the region escalated in recent days after a senior Chinese diplomat warned that Beijing would invade Taiwan if any U.S. warships visited Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

Chinese warplanes carried out patrols around Taiwan on Tuesday, with Chinese state media showing images of bombers armed with cruise missiles.

Taiwan's presidential spokesman, Alex Huang, told reporters in Taiwan on Wednesday the defense ministry responded immediately to the patrols. Huang said Taiwan "can ensure there are no concerns at all about national security, and people can rest assured."

Taiwan's well-equipped military is armed with mostly U.S. weapons but has been pushing for more advanced weaponry in response to what it sees as a growing threat from China. The U.S. is obligated by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

Relations between China and Taiwan have deteriorated since the leader of Taiwan's independence-leading Democratic Progressive Party, Tsai Ing-wen, won presidential elections in 2016.

China believes Tsai wants to declare formal independence, a move Beijing would vehemently oppose.

Taiwan separated from China in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War. While Taiwan considers itself a sovereign country, it has never formally declared independence.

Beijing maintains Taiwan is Chinese territory and has said it will be brought back under Chinese control.
3 Hindu saints stand in a queue to casts their votes at a polling station during the last phase of Gujarat state assembly election on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India.
Egyptian lawyers say a prominent activist and opposition figure has been sentenced to three years over his criticism of the government's decision to transfer control over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.



Defense lawyers Zyad el-Elaimy and Ahmed Fawzy said in Facebook posts on Wednesday that Islam Marei had been held in pre-trial detention since his June arrest. Charges against him included funding terrorism and inciting violence.



They say the sentence was passed on Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear if Marei, who is a member of the small opposition Social Democratic Party, will appeal his three-year sentence.



The 2016 Egyptian-Saudi accord to hand the Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia has drawn wide public criticism and triggered rare protests in Egypt.



President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi ratified the accord in June.
The United Nations says humanitarian needs in refugee camps in Cameroon are increasing, exceeding the means available to take care of the growing number of refugees. But some of the refugees have empowered themselves by making use of resources around them to earn a living for their families. At Gado refugee camp in eastern Cameroon, 200 refugee women have developed a fish pond by a river and are supplying fish not only to people in need in the camp but to surrounding villages.



More than a hundred women sing here on the side of a river at Gado near the United Nations refugee camp. It is a day of harvest and many refugees have come to buy. Among the fish farmers is 31-year-old Christine Mboula, a Central African Refugee who has been living in the camp for two years. Her laughs are indicative of how happy she is to raise money from the sale of the fish and then carry some of her catch home for her family.

Mboula says she has come to the river to collect and sell fish so as to help her family. She says the activity has kept them going.

Christine says she had been jobless and poor and could not take care of her three children. She lost her husband in the fighting in C.A.R. and relied on food aid from the United Nations, which she says was never enough.

Boniface Nyado, head of the World Food Program office in the eastern Cameroon town of Bertoua says the inland fish aquaculture program was started in the area in June 2017 by the World Food Program to attend to the needs of C.A.R. refugees and their host communities.

He says they initiated the project when they noticed that the locality had high fishing potential and at the same time there was insufficient food and a deficit in protein needed by the host communities and refugees. He says they brought groups of 200 refugees and host community members who work in the fishing area for six months, harvest and sell the fish and then create their own fish ponds to help them raise revenue and protein.

The refugees and host community members receive business training, emphasizing savings and loan best practices, technical support that includes how to produce low-cost fish food pellets, and other innovative ideas from the World Food Program.

The host communities are involved in efforts to stop any potential conflict that may arise from using water and other resources.

The W.F.P. says the savings and loan program in Gado is part of a new response to the massive displacement of people from C.A.R. to Cameroon and the effects it has on host communities.

Barely 1,000 C.A.R. refugees were here at Gado at the beginning of 2017. Today, close to 25,000 people are seeking refuge and trying to survive as tensions in the central African state continue.

Allegra Baiocchi, resident coordinator of the UN system in Cameroon says the aquaculture program was initiated to support the refugees and empower them rather than have them be dependent on resources that are overstretched and slow to come.

"Our response is underfunded. We need to remember the refugees population and the impact this has on the host communities and we need to do more," she said. "Overall, the humanitarian response in Cameroon is 40 percent funded. When it comes to refugees, that figure comes down to 20 percent. There is not more we can do with 20 percent of the funding. After three years, what the people are asking us is to give them more long term support. To start putting them on the path of recovery and of development."

The United Nations raised only $148 million of the 390 million dollars it needed up to the end of last September. The UN says by January, the needs of the refugees will increase to 498 million dollars.

C.A.R. plunged into turmoil in 2013 when the government of the majority Christian nation was overthrown by Muslim rebels, setting off a wave of sectarian fighting.

Christians, fearing reprisal attacks from the Muslim ex-rebels who controlled Central African Republic, fled for safety.

At least two-point-two million are finding it difficult to feed themselves and in May of this year, the U.N. refugee agency said that there were more than 500,000 internally displaced persons in the country.
Syrian government negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari accused its opposition, backed by Western countries and Saudi Arabia, of sabotaging a round of U.N.-led peace talks that ended in Geneva on Thursday without any results.

He said Damascus did not want the talks to fail but the opposition had put down a precondition last month by concluding a conference known as "Riyadh 2" with a declaration that President Bashar al-Assad had no role in Syria's political transition.

"The Riyadh 2 Communique is blackmail of the Geneva process," Ja'afari told reporters.



"Those who drew up the Riyadh 2 statement were the ones who sabotaged this round. I mean by that the other side. I mean the Saudis and the Saudi handlers themselves who are the Western countries. They do not want the Geneva process to succeed."

Ja'afari said that the Syrian delegation at the Geneva talks had engaged seriously in the round, which he said had focused on counter-terrorism.

The mediator of the talks, U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, used a television interview on Wednesday to urge Russia to convince its ally Assad of the need to clinch a peace deal to end the nearly seven-year-old war.



Ja'afari said that Russia was its ally but that de Mistura had made an "error" in the interview with Swiss television channel RTS. His mandate as facilitator of the talks would be reviewed in the light of his report to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, Ja'afari said.

"Nobody can exert pressure on us," Ja'afari told reporters. "We have allies, we have friends, we have people on the ground fighting with us. Therefore what the special envoy may mistakenly say does not reflect our relationship with our allies.

Although the Geneva process has made almost no progress, there was some hope at the start of the round that de Mistura would succeed in getting the two sides to meet, rather than shuttling between them.

But Ja'afari ruled that out while the opposition stuck to its Riyadh statement, and dismissed a question about what he might say if he were to meet the opposition face-to-face at a possible Syria meeting in Sochi early in 2018, which Russia is trying to organize.

"We are politicians, we don't work in science fiction," he said.


A severed foot washed up on the shores of Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, the 13th in a string of severed feet discovered in the city over the past decade.

The sneaker-clad foot was discovered by a man walking his dog. The foot is in the custody of coroner Andy Watson, who has been investigating the mystery of the severed extremities since the first one was found in 2007. Of the past dozen feet, eight have been identified as belonging to six people.

In recent interviews, Watson said there was no evidence of foul play in any of the cases in which the body part was identified. He said that limbs can naturally separate from a body when it is submerged in the ocean.

Nevertheless, conspiracy theories abound. Pranksters have even taken to planting animal feet in sneakers on the beach.

Meanwhile, Watson continues to search for the owners of the remaining unidentified feet.
Indonesias constitutional court has rejected a petition that would criminalize all consensual sexual relations outside of marriage.

Thursdays 5-4 ruling was a victory for gay rights activists, who feared the petition targeted the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community for persecution. The petition was filed by a conservative group, the Family Love Alliance, which was seeking a change in Indonesian law that would apply the definition of adultery to all Indonesians, regardless of their marital status.

The court ruled that the legislature, and not the court, had the authority to change the countrys laws. Under current Indonesian law, sex is only illegal if it involves a minor.

Indonesias LGBT community has been the target of a growing hostility that threatens the worlds largest Muslim-majority countrys reputation for tolerance and moderation. Conservative government officials and religious groups have made harsh anti-gay statements, and police have raided gay-themed parties and clubs and charged them under Indonesias tough anti-pornography laws.

Two young men were caned in the semiautonomous province of Aceh after a group of vigilantes broke into their home and caught them having sex. Homosexuality is banned in Aceh, which observes Sharia law.
The commander of Iraq's biggest Shi'ite Muslim paramilitary group told its fighters on Thursday to take their orders from the national military and cut their ties with the group's political wing.

Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Iran-backed Badr Organization, also called on the group's fighters to withdraw from the cities under their control.

The move paves the way for Amiri to stand in parliamentary elections on May 12.

Participation in the election by members of Iraq's Iran-backed Shi'ite paramilitaries, collectively known as Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), has been hotly debated in Iraq. PMF members cannot run for office unless they formally resign their posts.

Amiri is the second commander to issue such a call in as many days. He called on those in charge of his armed wing to cut their ties with the group's political party, which holds 22 seats in the Iraqi parliament.

"I also call on all my brothers, the commanders of various formations, to clear cities of all signs of militarization," he said in a speech.

Badr, which says it is loyal to both Iraq and Iran, is the biggest group within the PMF, which fought alongside security forces against Islamic State.

Sunni Muslims and Kurds have called on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who declared victory over Islamic State last week, to disarm the PMF, which they say are responsible for widespread abuses.

The PMF were officially made part of the Iraqi security establishment by law and formally answer to Abadi in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Abadi has said the state should have a monopoly on the legitimate use of arms.

Qais al-Khazali, head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, announced a similar move on Wednesday when he said he would place his fighters under Abadi's command. The fighters and their political wing were now separate entities, he said.

Powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr set out conditions on Monday for his followers to give the government the weapons they used to fight Islamic State.

Iran-backed Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, which has about 10,000 fighters and is one of the most important militias in Iraq, said last month it would give any heavy weapons it had to the military once Islamic State was defeated.
After a contentious election campaign, Democrat Doug Jones says he hopes Republican Roy Moore will do the right thing by conceding the special election for a U.S. Senate seat in the southern state of Alabama.

Jones won Tuesdays election 49.9 percent to 48.4 percent, and followed with a pledge of unity Wednesday, saying its a time for healing and a time for reaching out.

Moore released a video message saying the final count of military and provisional ballots is not complete and that his campaign is waiting for the results to be certified by the Alabama secretary of state. That process is expected to be completed in about two weeks.

Jones margin of victory exceeded the half percentage point threshold mandating a recount in Alabama elections. State Republican chairman Terry Lathan signaled in a statement Wednesday he did not support a recount.

Lathan said Republicans are deeply disappointed in the outcome, but that the contest has ended.

Rebuke for Trump

Jones, a former federal prosecutor, is the first Democrat to win a Senate seat representing Alabama since 1992.

His win was a major rebuke for U.S. President Donald Trump, who had supported Moore, a state supreme court justice who had twice been tossed off the court for failing to adhere to federal court rulings and had recently faced allegations from women who accused him of sexual misconduct four decades ago when they were in their teens and he was in his early 30s.

Trump congratulated Jones, but also claimed he knew all along that Moore would not win the election because the deck was stacked against him!

Moore has denied the allegations against him and referred to them again in his video Wednesday night.

Immorality sweeps over our land. Even our political process has been affected with baseless and false allegations which have become more relevant than the true issues which affect our country, Moore said.

Senate numbers

When Jones officially joins the 100-member Senate in January, the Republican majority will shrink from 52-48 to 51-49 and make it tougher for Trump to win approval for his legislative agenda.

A leading Republican lawmaker, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, told VOA the lesson Republicans should take from the election is that flawed candidates lose.

In a Twitter comment, Trump said the reason he originally had endorsed Senator Luther Strange in a Republican primary election against Moore is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election. I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!

In another assessment, Trump said, If last nights election proved anything, it proved that we need to put up GREAT Republican candidates to increase the razor thin margins in both the House and Senate.

Some GOP opposition

Numerous key Republican figures, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan and two former presidential candidates, Senator John McCain and Mitt Romney, all to no avail urged Moore to drop out of the race after two women, now in their 50s, accused Moore of molesting them when they were teenagers.

Several Republican lawmakers said they would have launched an effort to expel him from the Senate had he won. Moores defeat ended the likelihood that Republicans would have had to constantly answer questions about the allegations against him.

WATCH: Jones Win in Alabama Senate Race Could Signal a Democratic Wave in 2018

Exit polls showed Jones winning by huge margins over Moore from African-American voters and white liberals, while also capturing some Republicans voters disturbed by sexual misconduct allegations against Moore. The Republican won wide support from Republican Party faithful and evangelical Christians drawn to Moores frequent biblical references at his campaign rallies.

Jones will serve the remaining three years of the term of the Senate seat once held by Jeff Sessions, who resigned to join Trumps Cabinet as attorney general, the countrys top law enforcement position.

Mike Bowman contributed to this report.
The national political landscape appears to have shifted in the wake of Tuesday's Senate election victory by Democrat Doug Jones in Republican Alabama. Jones defeated controversial Republican candidate Roy Moore, who had the backing of President Donald Trump. In the wake of Jones' victory, Democrats are more confident about success in next year's congressional midterm elections, and Republicans are looking for a way to rebound. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more from Washington.
Mexican Senate committees on Wednesday approved a controversial security bill that human rights groups say risks granting excessive power to the armed forces in their already checkered role in combating organized crime in the country.

The bill, which enjoys some cross-party support between conservatives and centrists, will now pass to the floor of the upper house of Congress for discussion and possible approval late Wednesday or Thursday morning.

The Law of Internal Security aims to regulate the armed forces role in combating drug cartels, a conflict which has claimed more than 100,000 lives in the last decade.

Senate committees approved the bill Wednesday, a senate spokesman said. Lawmakers who support the bill say it will set out clear rules that limit the use of soldiers to fight crime.

Rights groups have strongly attacked the bill, saying it prioritizes the militarys role in fighting the gangs over improving the police, and could open the door to greater abuses and impunity by the armed forces.

The military has been embroiled in multiple human rights scandals including extrajudicial killings of gang members and the disappearance of 43 students near one of its bases in 2014.

The United Nations, Amnesty International and Mexican human rights organizations have all criticized the bill.

This law should not be approved quickly, it puts liberties at risk by giving more power to the armed forces without designing controls and counterweights, said Santiago Aguirre from the Miguel Agustin Pro Center for Human Rights.

Last week, President Enrique Pena Nieto asked lawmakers to include civil societys views in their discussion of the bill, which sparked attempts by protesters to bar access to the upper house of Congress when it reached the Senate.
There could soon be a major change in what Americans see on the internet after federal regulators voted Thursday to scrap traditional "net neutrality" rules.

Thursday's 3-2 vote by the Federal Communications Commission went along party lines, with Republican members voting to end the regulations and Democrats dissenting.

Individual states will also be barred from enacting their own rules governing the internet.

Net neutrality has been the norm since the internet was created more than 30 years ago. The FCC under former President Barack Obama formalized net neutrality rules in 2015.

The idea of net neutrality is for giant internet providers to treat all content equally. The Obama-era rules prevented them from giving preferential treatment to their own services and blocking and slowing down content from rivals.

Consumer groups and internet companies like net neutrality.

But FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, said the internet needs what he calls a "light touch" instead of what he believes is unnecessary government regulation.

WATCH: What is 'net neutrality'?

"Prior to 2015, before these regulations were imposed, we had a free and open internet," Pai told NBC ahead of the vote. "That is the future as well under a light touch, market-based approach. Consumers benefit, entrepreneurs benefit. Everybody in the internet economy is better off with a market-based approach."

But Democratic FCC member Mignon Clyburn said the FCC was "handing the keys to the internet" to a "handful of multibillion-dollar corporations."

British engineer Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web, said this week that getting rid of net neutrality rules meant internet service providers "will have the power to decide which websites you can access and at what speed each will load. In other words, they'll be able to decide which companies succeed online, which voices are heard  and which are silenced."

Officials in several states, including New York and Washington, said they would challenge the new rules in court.

Ken Bredemeier contributed to this report.
Nigerian state governors approved on Thursday the release of $1 billion from a foreign reserves account to the government to fight Boko Haram, the governor of Edo state said.

The money comes from the account which holds foreign reserves from excess earnings from sales of crude oil.

"We are pleased with the federal government achievements in the insurgency war and in that vein state governors have approved that the sum of $1 billion be taken from the excess crude account by the federal government to fight the insurgency war to its conclusion," Godwin Obaseki, Edo state governor, told reporters after a meeting of Nigeria's national economic council.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed for the first time to place liaison officers at each others military headquarters for better security coordination, and Islamabad is awaiting a formal response from Kabul to its proposal for opening a wide-ranging bilateral dialogue.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal, at his weekly news conference on Thursday, discussed the rare progress in a relationship traditionally plagued by suspicion and mistrust.

He revealed the proposal entitled Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Solidarity - or APAPS - was shared with Afghan officials on November 25. The document offers a comprehensive plan for constructive and meaningful engagement between the two countries through working groups in areas of politics, economy, military, intelligence sharing and refugee issues, explained the spokesman.

A formal reply from the government of Afghanistan in this context is awaited, said Faisal. He added that the proposal was floated in early October following a meeting between Pakistani military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul.

While the Afghan government has not yet publicly discussed the Pakistani proposal, Faisal welcomed Ghanis recently published comments in which the Afghan leader acknowledged receiving the document and indicating it could provide a basis for bilateral dialogue.

The spokesman also credited Bajwas visit for groundbreaking talks between top military commanders of the two countries hosted by Pakistan on November 30.

During that meeting the two sides agreed to place liaison officers at each others army headquarters and also establish ground coordination centers, or GCCs, Faisal added.

Mutual allegations, mistrust

Afghanistan and Pakistan share a nearly 2,600 kilometer, largely porous border and frequently accuse each other of not preventing militant terrorist activities on their respective soils.

The allegations and counter allegations have led to the deterioration of bilateral relations, causing mutual acrimony and tension, and undermining economic and trade cooperation.

While Kabul says Taliban sanctuaries on Pakistani soil prolong the war in Afghanistan, officials in Islamabad allege anti-Pakistan militants are using bases in Afghan border areas to plan terrorist attacks in the country.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Faisal again expressed concerns about the growing influence of the Islamic State terrorist group across the Afghan border. More than 43 percent of Afghan territory is either out of Kabuls control or is contested, the spokesman said, citing a recent report by the U.S. government agency, SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction).

Such places in Afghanistan have been instrumental in attracting terrorist groups from all over the world. The presence of such groups not only pose a threat to the security and stability of Afghanistan, but also undermine the security of its neighbors and the region as a whole, Faisal noted.

The spokesman also said Islamabad has not yet decided whether to extend the stay of more than 3 million Afghans in Pakistan, including documented refugees and illegal economic migrants.

The validity of the current proof of residence cards is due to expire on December 31, 2017. The government is contemplating all options to extend the validity of the cards or not. So far, no decision has been made, he said.

Pakistan blames the refugee population for serving as havens for members of the Afghan Taliban and anti-state militants within the country. Foreign Ministry officials say that without repatriating the displaced families to Afghanistan and strengthening border controls on the Afghan side, terrorist infiltration will keep causing mutual tension.
Pakistans Peshawar High Court on Wednesday ruled that Ehsanullah Ehsan, the former spokesman of U.S.-designated terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), be kept in captivity.

The ruling came after concerns that Pakistani authorities might release Ehsan as part of a deal with TTPs commander. The court asked the state to continue the investigation of Ehsan.

In a detailed response to the court, the government said it would continue to keep him under custody and investigation.

Ehsan was captured by Pakistani authorities in April. The government has reportedly been questioning him about TTP.

The Provincial Court issued its verdict following a petition filed by a resident of Peshawar who lost his son in the 2014 Army Public School massacre that claimed more than 130 lives, mostly children.

TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. Ehsan was the groups spokesman at the time.

Who is Ehsan?

Liaqat Ali, commonly known as Ehsanullah Ehsan, hails from the Mohmand Agency of the northwestern tribal region of Pakistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan.

Ehsan reportedly joined TTP during college in 2008, where his role was to be the groups mouthpiece for the Mohmand Agency. He subsequently became TTPs main spokesman.

When a faction of TTP parted ways with the terrorist organization and established Jammat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) in 2014, Ehsan became that newly created groups spokesman.

Jammat-ul-Ahrar has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Lahore Park during Easter last year that killed at least 70 people, the majority of them Christians.

JuA also claimed responsibility for a series of deadly bombings across Pakistan earlier this year.

The United States placed Jammat-ul-Ahrar on a list of specially designated global terrorist organizations last year.

Blame game

In April 2017, Pakistan's military announced the capture of Ehsan.

At the time, the military declared the arrest of Ehsan  who was allegedly operating out of the northwestern tribal region  to be a major success in the countrys counterterrorism efforts.

In a confession recorded on video and released shortly after his arrest, Ehsan is heard revealing that Tehreek-e-Taliban and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar have connections with Afghan and Indian spy agencies.

Ehsan accused Afghanistan and India of supporting TTP and JuA in their terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil.

Both Kabul and New Delhi denied Ehsans allegations and accused Islamabad of orchestrating Ehsans confession in an effort to shift the blame of militancy to Afghanistan and India.

A senior Afghan security official told Reuters in April that Ehsans comments are just a planned distraction by Pakistan, which is accused of providing safe havens to the Afghan Taliban on its soil.

Pakistan has always been pushing this narrative of being a victim of terrorism, while the fact is it sponsors and supports terrorist activities in Afghanistan and India," the Afghan security official said.

Now, Pakistan is under enormous pressure from the international community to crack down on extremists, and it is trying to evade responsibility by playing victim once again, he added.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will delay an upcoming Middle East trip by a few days in case a tie-breaking vote is needed from him for tax cut legislation in Congress, a senior White House official said on Thursday.

Pence will now leave some time on Tuesday on a trip that will begin with a visit to Cairo for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, the official said.

He had initially planned to leave late on Saturday.

As vice president, Pence can cast a tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate, and with a close vote expected along party lines on the tax legislation, it was decided to keep him in the country just in case. Republican Senator John McCain, who is fighting brain cancer, was in hospital on Wednesday.

"We don't expect his vote to be needed but we dont want the scenario where he's on the other side of the world and we have to come back," the official said.

Pence is set to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in Jerusalem.

Pence's press secretary, Alyssa Farah, said that during the trip, Pence would reaffirm the U.S. commitment to U.S. allies in the Middle East and to working together with them in the fight against Islamist militants.

"He looks forward to having constructive conversations with both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Sissi to reaffirm President Trump's commitment to our partners in the region and to its future," she said in a statement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to meet with Pence in protest of President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
A spokesman for the Kremlin told Russian state-owned media Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin had prepared "from dawn till dusk" for his annual news conference scheduled for Thursday.

Putin's appearance is usually broadcast live on three Russian television channels and three radio networks. Topics range from international developments to questions about the president's personal life.

Likely topics this year are Putin's announcement Monday that a significant portion of Russian troops in Syria would be allowed to return home. He has also announced that he will run for re-election next year, which could make him the longest-serving Russian leader since Josef Stalin.

State-owned Russian media Tass reports that last year's news conference drew a record 1,437 reporters, both foreign and domestic.

Ukraine issue

One reporter expected to be there is Ukraine's Roman Tsymbalyuk, who since 2014 has been asking Putin about Russia's military involvement in Ukraine.

Wearing brightly colored clothing to attract the facilitators holding the microphones, Tsymbalyuk in 2015 managed to get Putin to admit that some Russian operatives on the Crimean Peninsula were military advisers sent by Moscow, not just volunteer fighters as the government had previously said.

Tsymbalyuk told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Wednesday that he was frustrated that his questions hadn't done more to change the situation in his native Ukraine. But he said he would be in attendance Thursday, prepared with a question about ceding Ukraine's eastern border back to the control of the Kyiv government.

He also said his expectations were not high, because over the years, Putin has been consistent in one aspect.

"He will answer however he wants," Tsymbalyuk told Radio Free Europe. "You can't win in this argument."
The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia announced Thursday that they plan to spend around 35 million euros ($41 million) to beef up European Union borders as they come under pressure for refusing to accept refugee quotas.



Hungary in particular was hit hard in 2015 when tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and other migrants traveled north on foot out of Greece and through its territory looking for shelter in richer northern Europe. Prime Minister Viktor Orban even ordered the construction of a border fence to keep migrants out.



Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said their contribution will help save European funds and that "if we will see good projects in the future, first of all projects that are effective, we are ready to spend even more money because we really want to show solidarity."



Orban said the money will defend the EU's borders with the outside world and will also contribute to EU work in Libya, which many migrants leave for Europe.



The countries  known as the Visegrad Four  have been slammed for failing to show solidarity with Greece and Italy, and some see the border funding move as a cynical ploy to avoid the refugee quotas. The issue is high on the agenda of a two-day EU summit in Brussels starting Thursday.



After more than 1 million refugees entered Europe in 2015 alone, the EU introduced a refugee sharing plan to help out overwhelmed Greece and Italy, where most migrants have been landing.



The four voted against quotas, but were legally bound to accept refugees as the decision was made by a majority vote. Hungary and Poland have taken no refugees. The Czech Republic has accepted 12.



"Quotas do not work, they are ineffective," Fico said. "The decision on quotas really divided the European Union."



Disagreement over the way to manage Europe's migrant challenge has created distrust between EU neighbors, and fueled anti-migrant parties across Europe.



Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni said the pledge of help from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia ``confirms the validity of the policies we are developing.''



European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose services drew up the quota plan and have defended it in court, welcomed the funding move.



"This is proof that the Visegrad Four countries are fully aligned when it comes to solidarity with Italy and with others, so for once I am a happy man," he said.
Doctors Without Borders says at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a brutal army crackdown on Rohingya rebels.

The Geneva-based international aid group, commonly known by its French acronym MSF (Medecins Sans Frontieres), says Thursday it came up with its estimate after conducting a survey of several Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. The group says its estimated death toll includes at least 730 children younger than 5.

Myanmars military has been accused of launching a scorched earth campaign against Rohingya villages in northwestern Rakhine state in August, in response to attacks on Myanmar police outposts. The campaign led to a mass exodus of 600,000 Rohingyas into neighboring Bangladesh, who told human rights groups of serious atrocities committed by government security forces, including random shootings, rapes and burning down homes and entire villages.

MSF medical director Sidney Wong said the groups findings were staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.

The United Nations has described the reported actions carried out by Myanmar forces as a textbook case of ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar officials say 400 people were killed during the first months of the crackdown, most of them terrorists.

The Rohingya minority has been denied citizenship and other rights in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, which views them as immigrants from Bangladesh, even though many families have lived in Myanmar for generations.
Paul Ryan may be in his final term as speaker of the US House of Representatives and could leave Congress by the end of 2018, Politico reported Thursday, in a report that could set off a scramble for a successor.



The news outlet cited several people who know Ryan, including fellow lawmakers, congressional aides, conservative intellectuals and party lobbyists, saying they did not expect him to remain in Congress beyond 2018.



Asked directly after a Thursday press conference whether he would be stepping down soon, Ryan said, "I'm not ... no."



A spokeswoman for Ryan's office, AshLee Strong, called the report "pure speculation."



"As the speaker himself said today, he's not going anywhere any time soon," she added.



But the report appeared to heighten the conjecture about the Wisconsin lawmaker's future.



Ryan, 47, made no secret about his hesitation in taking the top congressional job in 2015, after his predecessor John Boehner abruptly announced he was retiring when he faced a revolt from right-wing conservatives.



He also spoke out critically against Donald Trump during the presidential race.



But Ryan has developed a better-than-expected relationship with Trump, and has worked with him on several landmark issues including health care and the current big legislative push, tax reform.



The White House made it clear Trump wants Ryan to stay.



"The president did speak to the speaker not too long ago, and made sure that the speaker knew very clearly, in no uncertain terms, that if the news was true he was very unhappy about it," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.



It is not known whether Ryan would run for his congressional seat in next November's mid-term elections. But should he announce his departure well ahead of time, it would dramatically diminish his deal-making leverage and his ability to raise money for the party.



"Ryan's preference has become clear: He would like to serve through Election Day 2018 and retire ahead of the next Congress," Politico reported.



Some Republicans in Congress were already anticipating a leadership battle.



"Brace yourselves for the mother of all barn cleanings," tweeted House conservative Thomas Massie, who has been a thorn in the Republican leadership's side.
U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold, the target of sexual harassment allegations, will not seek re-election in 2018, according to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

"I think he's making the right decision to retire," Ryan said Thursday on Capitol Hill. "There are new stories that are very disconcerting."

The Texas Republican lawmaker has denied engaging in any inappropriate behavior and has said he plans to stay in office for the remainder of his term.

Farenthold is the fourth lawmaker whose career has been derailed in the last two weeks because of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Last week, two Democratic lawmakers, Senator Al Franken and Congressman John Conyers, resigned over such allegations. Republican lawmaker Trent Franks was forced out by Speaker Ryan after a staffer complained Franks offered her $5 million to carry his child as a surrogate.

With $84,000 in taxpayer money, Farenthold settled a lawsuit that was filed in 2014 by Lauren Greene, a former communications director in Farenthold's office, who alleged Farenthold sexually harassed her and dismissed her shortly after complaining of working in a hostile environment. When he settled the case in 2015, Farenthold denied he engaged in inappropriate behavior.

Word of Farenthold's decision not to seek re-election comes as the House Ethics Committee expands an investigation into his behavior toward Greene and allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior from other former staff members.

More than a dozen women have renewed charges first made last year that President Donald Trump sexually harassed them before he entered the White House, prompting 50 female congresswomen to call earlier this week for an investigation or that he resign. Six senators, five Democrats and one independent, called for Trump's resignation this week in the face of the allegations.
A minority rights group has released a new report on the worlds minorities and indigenous peoples and says stronger rights protection, not walls and travel bans, are the only effective and sustainable response to the millions of people displaced around the world.

London-based Minority Rights Group International says that as the worlds leaders prepare to sign global compacts on refugees and migration next year, the rights of the displaced will be subjugated by the rush by most states to emphasize border control, said Carl Soderbergh, director of policy and communications. In a news release, Soderbergh said those most likely to get lost in the shuffle will be minorities and indigenous peoples.

The report is focused on the discrimination the group says is often behind displacement, when minorities and indigenous peoples are among those most likely to be driven from their homes during violent conflict or extremist leadership.

Listing examples, the report notes that in Myanmar, an estimated 600,000 Rohingya Muslims were forced to flee the country in 2017 because of a military crackdown on their ethnic group, and their exclusion from a 35-year-old list of state-defined ethnicities. United Nations officials have described the crackdown as ethnic cleansing.

In Iraq, the Kurdish Yazidis have been targeted for violence and displacement, the report says, as well as the Muslim minority in the Central African Republic.

The report goes on to say that climate change and land rights violations have driven indigenous populations off their lands in Colombia, and mining and industrial developments in India are affecting 60 million people, most of them tribal people or Dalits, a caste once considered untouchable.

The report says the status of displaced people as minority or indigenous may affect the level of consideration they get from aid officials, as well as the degree of welcome they receive from host communities.

Soderbergh said governments must urgently address racism and discrimination as not just a root cause of displacement, but also a contributing factor of exploitation during transit and a barrier to integration upon arrival in a new community.

Simply put, Soderbergh said, less restrictions, more protections.
South Africas powerful ruling party is coming together at a time when it has never been more divided. Starting Saturday, 5,000 delegates of the African National Congress will meet in Johannesburg to anoint a successor to party leader and president Jacob Zuma.

For years Zuma wallowed in serious, mounting corruption allegations, and just this week was hit with a stinging blow when the High Court in Pretoria censured him for trying to evade corruption investigations. As a result of that and other scandals, Zumas status has deeply divided the party, with some top party officials openly calling for him to step down as president.



Two figures are officially in the running to replace Zuma as leader of the African National Congress: Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a party stalwart and experienced diplomat who was once, for 16 years, married to Zuma. But others may emerge when voting begins during the weekend. The ANC has won a majority in every national poll since the beginning of democracy in 1994, meaning the new leader is likely to be a strong presidential candidate in 2019.

VOA has spoken to analysts and experts, and the only thing they have agreed on is this: Anything can happen here. Analyst Ebrahim Fakir says he thinks such uncertainty is a sign of political maturity. He refused to bet on a winner.

If I knew, Id be sailing on the Caribbean, he said, with a laugh. And the uncertainty and the fluidity of it is part of the democratic process. So I think we should accept that because its a democratic process, because democracy is about contestation, democracy is about competition, because you have competing visions, you have competing candidates, you have competing individuals, the context is fluid, the outcome is uncertain, and thats how it is in a democracy.

Presidents Pick: A good or a bad thing?

In the past week, South African courts have struck serious blows against the president, ruling against Zuma for his actions in challenging recommendations from the nations former anti-corruption czar over his alleged corrupt activities. Zuma supports Dlamini-Zuma, and that, says analyst Ralph Mathekga, could cut two ways.

Whoever is being supported or anointed by President Jacob Zuma to lead the ANC, one way or another, it will contribute in some form to the extension of his legacy, he said. So members of the ANC will have to reflect on that. The court hearing, from that point of view, would certainly be negative for him. But I do think that upon a very closer observation as to what is happening within the party, there is already a narrative that is said to ignore such kind of decision as the court decision against President Jacob Zuma. 

Mathekga also refused to predict a winner, but said that in a way, the leadership contest is only one of the ANCs worries. The conference has yet to begin, and already, some analysts are predicting that this party schism might cause the event to collapse entirely. Mathekga says the ANC needs to try to avoid that.

If the ANC cannot hold a conference properly and elect a leader in a free, fair and open manner, he said, it will be quite difficult to trust the ANC to do the same thing within the country.
The U.N. Secretary General's Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng is defending the performance of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

Dieng told South Sudan in Focus that there is a need to educate South Sudanese citizens on the mandate of the UNMISS, a 12,000-member U.N. peacekeeping force authorized by the U.N. Security Council to protect civilians following an outbreak of deadly violence in South Sudans capital in December 2013.

The U.N. diplomat insisted that peacekeepers serving under UNMISS have saved the lives of thousands of civilians trapped in Juba and other towns during fighting between South Sudan army and rebels of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement in opposition (SPLM IO) loyal to former first vice president Riek Machar.



"UNMISS is neither an intervention, nor an interposition force. It can only operate with the consent of the host government," he said.



Responsibility to protect



Dieng said the government of South Sudan should cooperate with UNMISS to allow the men and women in the blue helmets to discharge U.N. Security Council resolution 2327 (2016) that calls on the warring parties to return to the peace process and empowers UNMISS to use necessary tools to protect civilians.

He said the sole responsibility to protect civilians lies with the government of South Sudan, adding that in the event a state fails to protect its civil population, such state should seek assistance from the international community, neighbors and the region to discharge its role of civilian protection.



"It is in this context that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, the United Nations, the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) and the international community at large, are assisting South Sudan to end the conflict and protect its citizens, he said.



However Dieng said if a state is unwilling to protect its citizens and the state is complicit in committing crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing, the international community has the responsibility to protect civilians.



The head of UNMISS, David Shearer, has in the past echoed frustrations from aid agencies who accused the government and rebels of blocking humanitarian workers from reaching families in desperate need of food, health and shelter.



"It is important that the [South Sudan] government guarantees free movement of the peacekeepers and cooperate to enable the development of the additional 4,000 U.N.'s Regional Protection Force (RPF). You cannot blame the U.N. on the ground; they have been doing what they can," he said.

Hybrid court



The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) established the Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan as part of its response to the December 2013 crisis in the country and recommended the formation of a hybrid court. U.N. Special Adviser Dieng visited Yei River State in November 2016 and warned of a potential genocide in South Sudan.



"Therefore what is needed today is to make sure that the victims of this conflict in South Sudan get legal redress, he said.

Dieng said the IGADs High Level Revitalization Forum, scheduled to meet next week in Addis Ababa, should pressure the African Union to expedite the formation of the hybrid court as required in the August 2015 peace deal. The court is expected to try individuals who committed crimes during the four years of conflict in South Sudan.

"I should say that [the] African Union has done a lot. But unless the government of South Sudan accepts to cooperate for the implementation of the hybrid court, it will be difficult, he said.



Dieng added the African Union should start documenting, collecting and preserving evidence of crimes committed during South Sudans four years of conflict.

"When I got in Yei [town], I was moved to hear a testimony about an old woman of 84 years, old lady who was raped. I mean, this cannot be tolerated, Dieng exclaimed.

The Troika has issued a warning to warring parties to negotiate in good faith at IGAD's much anticipated High Level Revitalization Forum in Addis Ababa.


Three astronauts returned to Earth on Thursday after nearly six months aboard the International Space Station, landing on the snow-covered steppes outside of a remote town in Kazakhstan.



A Russian Soyuz capsule with NASA's Randy Bresnik, Russia's Sergey Ryazanskiy and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency descended under a red-and-white parachute and landed on schedule at 2:37 p.m. local time (0837 GMT; 3:37 a.m. EST).



The three were pulled out of the capsule within 20 minutes and appeared to be in good condition.



Bresnik, Ryazansky and Nespoli spent 139 days aboard the orbiting space laboratory. The trio who arrived at the station in July contributed to hundreds of scientific experiments and performed several spacewalks.



They left behind Alexander Misurkin, commander of the crew, and two Americans, Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei.

During their stay at the station, the crew had a phone call with Pope Francis who talked with them about Dante's verses and Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince.



Bresnik, a U.S. Marine who flew combat missions during the Iraq war, told the pope what strikes him is that in space there are no borders, there is no conflict, it's just peaceful.



Kentucky-born Bresnik also celebrated Thanksgiving in space, feasting on pouches of turkey with his colleagues.

The space station will go back to a six-member crew when NASA's Scott Tingle, Russia's Anton Shkaplerov and Japan's Norishige Kanai take off from Kazakhstan on Sunday.
Hours after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson caught worldwide attention Tuesday, appearing to strike a different tone toward North Korea, saying were ready to have the first meeting without preconditions, the White House issued a statement putting a damper on any hopes of a possible diplomatic opening.

The presidents views on North Korea have not changed. North Korea is acting in an unsafe way, not only toward Japan, China and South Korea, but the entire world. North Koreas actions are not good for anyone and certainly not good for North Korea, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

On Wednesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert denied there was a shift in U.S. policy toward North Korea.

The secretary was not creating any new policy. Our policy remains exactly the same as it was, the very same policy that we have talked about in this room for months and months now. First and foremost, diplomacy is our top priority, Nauert told reporters.

Period of quiet

She said Tillerson and the White House agree that now is not the right time to talk to North Korea, noting that Tillerson had gone on to say Tuesday that serious talks could happen only after a period of quiet, without further nuclear and missile tests.

North Korea has conducted a series of ballistic missile tests in recent months, including one in November that Pyongyang claims could now put the entire U.S. mainland within its range.

Nauert stressed that the goal of the U.S. and its international coalition of allies is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which North Korea strongly rejects.

China was quick to welcome Tillersons comments offering talks with North Korea without preconditions, which came as South Korean President Moon Jae-in began a four-day state visit to China.

Speaking at a regular press briefing Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing welcomes all efforts to ease tensions and promote dialogue.

China has put forward a double suspension or freeze for freeze proposal that would require North Korea to halt all ballistic missile and nuclear tests and the United States and South Korea to halt all military exercises.

We hope that the United States and North Korea can meet each other halfway and take meaningful steps on dialogue and contact, Lu said.

Russia also welcomed Tillersons perceived overture.

Russian support

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Russian news agency Interfax: Naturally, we support this approach. We believe that it is the only possible correct approach.

Ryabkov added, however, that Russia would like to see practical actions follow such statements.

During his remarks Tuesday, Tillerson had made clear that diplomacy could be successful only because the U.S. military was fully prepared to act if diplomacy failed.

I will continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops, Tillerson said. Im going to be confident that were going to be successful, but Im also confident [Defense Secretary Jim] Mattis will be successful if it ends up being his turn.

Late Wednesday, the State Department announced that Tillerson would participate in a U.N. Security Council ministerial-level briefing on nonproliferation and North Korea on Friday in New York City.

Secretary Tillerson will reiterate that the United States and the international community will not stand by while North Korea continues to develop nuclear and missile capabilities that openly threaten international peace and security, the statement said. Tillerson will continue to call on all member states to work together and maintain maximum pressure on the DPRK in order to compel North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Tillerson will also meet with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Friday.
At the doors of the Syrian capital, children with wrinkled faces and arms like sticks are going hungry because President Bashar Assad's forces, supported by Russia and Iran, are blocking trucks filled with humanitarian relief.



As the government and its opponents wrap up another fruitless round of talks in Geneva, humanitarian officials warn that conditions outside Damascus have reached crisis levels, with the government maintaining a siege on the Eastern Ghouta suburbs that has trapped close to 400,000 people without enough food, fuel or medicine for the winter.



They say patients with empty stomachs and kidney failure are dying in their beds while waiting for evacuation to hospitals just minutes away.



The fighting in Syria's nearly seven-year war has tapered off in many areas since local cease-fires took hold, but the suffering in Eastern Ghouta - Damascus' once fertile hinterland, now cut off from the world - has only gotten worse.



According to the U.N., roughly one in eight children are malnourished in Eastern Ghouta, a shocking jump from one in 50 in May.



A top U.N. humanitarian official for Syria, Jan Egeland, said last week the government is refusing to allow convoys in. It has also refused to approve a list of nearly 500 people urgently needing medical evacuation.



We have people here who are only eating a meal every two or three days, Ismael Yasin, a member of Eastern Ghouta's local council told The Associated Press via Skype. People's faces are turning yellow from hunger.



The siege cast a cloud over the eighth round of U.N.-sponsored talks in Geneva, which concluded Thursday without any results. The head of the opposition's delegation, Nasr Hariri, said the impasse on Eastern Ghouta reflected the international community's shame, impotence, and dereliction.



It's shameful that we have to go into negotiations so that they [the government] give us some loaves of bread,'' said Hariri.



Surrender or starve

The U.N. envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, called the Eastern Ghouta blockade and others like it a medieval approach to war. Amnesty International said last month that the government's use of sieges against civilians - a tactic it called surrender or starve - was a crime against humanity.



But the tactic has proven brutally effective for the government, which in the last two years has managed to recapture a constellation of towns around Damascus using the same playbook. In Zabadani and Daraya, the government executed its strategy so completely that it managed to completely depopulate the two towns, which had a combined population of about 100,000 people before the war.



The government has followed the same strategy to restore its authority over the cities of Aleppo and Homs. The government denies besieging opposition areas, saying the militants, whom it refers to as terrorists, withhold aid.



At least three rebel factions still claim a presence in Eastern Ghouta, and send shells whistling into the capital on a daily basis.

In mid-November, a powerful faction called Ahrar al-Sham captured parts of a military base in the region, prompting the government to respond with waves of airstrikes and shelling that killed over 200 civilians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Ahrar al-Sham said it attacked the base in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.



Shortages have gotten so dire that residents are eating out of the trash and parents are skipping meals so their children can eat, Jakob Kern, the World Food Program's top official in Syria, told The Associated Press.



They look exhausted, they look tired, and there is this despair in their eyes, said Kern, who entered Eastern Ghouta with one of the few aid convoys the government has allowed in recent weeks.



The convoys have provided just a trickle of relief - supplies for tens of thousands of people that will last only a month or less, at a time when hundreds of thousands are in need.



Resorting to animal fodder

Photos from Eastern Ghouta show children gaunt with hunger, their skin wrinkled and aged. Mothers are not producing milk to feed their infants, and baby formula is too scarce and expensive for most families to afford. Driven by desperation, some residents are trying to eat animal fodder.



Since at least 2015, there have been Syrians dying every winter of starvation and other medical ailments made worse by the bitter cold. Families in besieged areas, as well as camps for the displaced, burn furniture, plastics, and even the doorframes and roof supports of their homes to cook and stay warm, as the cost of fuel has soared far beyond reach for most.



Much of the country, including the hilly terrain around Damascus, sees freezing rain and snow in the winter months.



Egeland said last week that 12 people have died waiting for medical evacuation from Eastern Ghouta. They were on a U.N.-drawn list first submitted six months ago that has yet to be approved by the government, and now contains 494 names. The U.N.'s children agency said Sunday that 137 children require immediate evacuation for conditions that include kidney failure, severe malnutrition and conflict wounds.



Egeland, in pointed remarks in Geneva, placed full blame on the government for impeding aid shipments across the country.



Eastern Ghouta saw large protests in the early days of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising against Assad. Government forces surrounded the area in 2013, but for most of the last four years, they turned a blind eye to tunnels and above-ground smuggling. Activists say local commanders made huge sums of money from checkpoint bribes, and traders got rich selling to a captive market. Patches of farmland also provided some food.



The government tightened the noose this year, closing the tunnels and nearly all the crossings. Food in Eastern Ghouta at one point was up to 85 times more expensive than in Damascus, just a few minutes' drive away, according to the WFP.



We need for the siege to be lifted, said Anas al-Dimashqi, a local media activist. Not just in front of the cameras, as the government does every now and then.


Thousands of Romanians paid their last respects to beloved former king Michael, who died last week aged 96, in front of his coffin at the Royal Palace in Bucharest on Thursday.



Michael, who had been one of the last surviving World War II leaders, passed away in Switzerland following a battle with leukemia on December 5.



Carrying flowers and candles, people of all ages waited in line for hours before bowing in front of the coffin, which was covered in the regal coat of arms, in the palace's throne room.



"We took the train this morning and came with all our love and all our heart to pay a final tribute" to the king, Mariana Bolches, who traveled 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the southeastern city of Constanta, told AFP.



"I lived all my childhood in a building near the Royal Palace. My walk to school passed by here and I came across the king many times. I loved it so much," said Teodor Banu, with tears in his eyes.



Since the king's death, Bucharest's palace  now home to a museum  has become a place of pilgrimage for many Romanians.



"I particularly appreciated his modesty, his nobility ... and especially his extraordinary patriotism," said Andreea Ileana, 50, with a large bouquet of flowers in her hands.



The former king's body, which returned from Switzerland this week, will be laid to rest at a grand state funeral on Saturday.



Michael, a descendant of the German Hohenzollern dynasty, ruled Romania twice, from 1927-1930 and then from 1940-1947, when he led a coup that ousted marshal Ion Antonescu and saw Bucharest join the allied forces against Hitler.



But the postwar communist government ended the monarchy in the Balkan country and Michael was forced to abdicate and go into exile in December 1947.



Stripped of his citizenship, he eventually settled in Switzerland, where he earned a modest living as an aircraft mechanic and farmer.



He finally returned to Romania in 2002.
Since taking Indian nationality six months ago, events organizer Lobsang Wangyal is relaxed when he travels abroad. Time-consuming exit permits and extra scrutiny at airports that Tibetan refugees routinely face are a distant memory.

As he wheels in his bags to catch a flight to Bangkok at the New Delhi airport, he recalls the hassle, the time and the money spent trying to get travel documents and answer embarrassing questions at airports.

Then from the big queue I will be brought on the side for questioning. It feels very strange, not nice, as if I have done something wrong, he said.

Wangyal petitioned the court and got an Indian passport after the Delhi High Court directed authorities to give citizenship to Tibetans born in India between 1950 and 1987 as per the law. Those born after 1987 must have an Indian parent.

Following the court ruling, some Tibetans, like Wangyal, are opting for Indian nationality.

Debate among exiles

But this has led to a spirited debate in the approximately 100,000 exile community: Could this weaken the decades-long campaign led by the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for more autonomy from China?

India has the worlds largest Tibetan community that has lived as stateless refugees for decades. It has helped keep the international spotlight on the Tibetan struggle and built sympathy for their cause in Western countries.

And despite little progress, it remains a top priority for the community that lives in Tibetan settlements scattered across the country.

Never we leave free Tibet, free Tibet protest in our mind, in our heart. That our land is there, said Karten Tsering, head of the Residents Association in a Tibetan settlement in New Delhi.

The Dalai Lama has stopped demanding independence and wants genuine autonomy for people in Tibet and called for the preservation of Tibetan culture.

In Tibetan colonies in India, where Tibetan heritage is zealously guarded, monks light lamps at Buddhist temples, Tibetans old and young come to turn the prayer wheel, students are taught the Tibetan language in schools and the Dalai Lama is deeply revered by young and old.

An individual choice

But taking Indian nationality means the refugees, who have registration certificates, must move out of Tibetan settlements, according to Indian government regulations. That has raised concerns that this will loosen their links to their identity and heritage.

Tsering said taking an Indian passport is an individual choice, but personally he does not feel the need for Indian citizenship and found it easy to settle in India.

In India there is not any bar, not any restriction to do anything what we want, he said.

But as many young Tibetans in India accept that returning to Tibet is becoming a distant dream, there is a growing need to feel more rooted and not to continue living as stateless people. They want access to bank loans, to government jobs, to travel out of the country freely  rights that citizenship brings.

Wangyal, whose parents fled Tibet as teenagers, said taking Indian nationality does not mean he is betraying the Tibetan struggle. He simply accepts the reality that India is the only home he has ever known.

My heart says very much I am Tibetan, but at the same time my upbringing has so much Indian influence because I was born in India. So Hindi is my second language. I love rice and daal (lentils) so much, as much as I love momos and thukpa, the noodle soup, he said.

How to get a passport? It is one of the big debates among younger Tibetans, many of whom say they dont want to continue living in limbo.

Tenzin Paldon, a 23-year-old undergraduate student at Delhi University, longs to get citizenship, although she is not eligible. She wants to give wings to her dreams, to get exposure to the world, maybe to migrate, but without a passport, we feel stuck, she said.

India has been good to the Tibetans, she says. But at the same time it is difficult to get opportunities in an already crowded country.

If I can go to America, I can do work, I can do a job, I can do anything I want, freedom I guess. It will make our life easier, she said.

But she agonizes over a decision that some think amounts to giving up on the idea of returning to their homeland.

Going against him is moral issue inside us, not for all the people, she said. I dont know. Inside us we have this issue going  between my brain and my heart.
European Union leaders extended tough economic sanctions leveled at Russia over the country's role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The decision, announced Thursday at an EU summit, will extend current restrictions against Moscow until July 2018.

"EU united on roll-over of economic sanctions on Russia," European Council President Donald Tusk posted on Twitter.

The sanctions, which target the financial, energy and defense industries and limit Russian access to EU markets, were first imposed in the summer of 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. They have been extended every six months since then.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko welcomed the extension.

"[It is] an important political decision by the leaders of the European Union to continue economic sanctions against Russia for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity and unwillingness to stop hybrid aggression against our country," Poroshenko wrote on his official Facebook page.

The EU has tied lifting the sanctions to Moscow implementing the Minsk peace agreement, which calls for an unconditional cease-fire and for both sides to pull heavy weapons from the frontlines in eastern Ukraine. The agreement, which was drafted in late 2014 and then re-worked in early 2015, has been violated almost daily.
Two U.S. warplanes intercepted two Russian jets over a part of Syria they were not supposed to be operating in, the Pentagon said Thursday.

At one point during Wednesday's incident, the American F-22 Raptor stealth fighters deployed radar and infrared countermeasures to try to persuade the Russian Su-25s to leave the area, and one U.S. pilot had to "aggressively maneuver" to avoid a midair collision, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said.

The Russian fighters had flown into airspace controlled by the U.S.-led coalition that is fighting the Islamic State group in Syria, crossing onto the east side of the Euphrates River near Albu Kamal.

They "were promptly intercepted by two F-22A Raptors providing air cover for partner ground forces conducting operations to defeat ISIS," Pahon said.

"The F-22s conducted multiple maneuvers to persuade the Su-25s to depart our deconflicted airspace, including the release of chaff and flares in close proximity to the Russian aircraft and placing multiple calls on the emergency channel to convey to the Russian pilots that they needed to depart the area," he added.

The incident lasted approximately 40 minutes before the Russian aircraft flew to the west side of the river.

During and following the encounter, coalition leaders contacted Russian officers on a special hotline to try to calm the situation and avert a "strategic miscalculation," Pahon said.

The Pentagon said that in early November the U.S. verbally agreed with Moscow that the Russians would keep west of the Euphrates and the coalition would stay east.

"Since agreeing to this deconfliction arrangement, the Russians have flown into our airspace on the east side of the river six to eight times per day, or approximately 10 percent of the Russian and Syrian flights," Pahon said.

"It's become increasingly tough for our pilots to discern whether Russian pilots' actions are deliberate or if these are just honest mistakes," Pahon said.

Albu Kamal was IS's last urban stronghold in Syria. The army retook it last month.
A senior U.S. official said Thursday that Washington has "undeniable" evidence that Iran is illegally supplying weapons to rebels in Yemen as part of a "pattern" of bad behavior in the region.

"In this warehouse is concrete evidence of illegal Iranian weapons proliferation, gathered from direct military attacks on our partners in the region," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told a news conference at a military base in Washington.

WATCH: US: 'Undeniable' Evidence Iran Illegally Arming Yemen Rebels

Haley made her presentation standing in front of large pieces of debris she said were from a short-range missile recently fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen into Saudi Arabia that struck a civilian airport. She said the U.S. would invite Congress and members of the U.N. Security Council to inspect the debris.

"All of these weapons include parts made in Iran, some by Iran's government-run defense industry; all are proof that Iran is defying the international community," Haley said. "And not just one time. This evidence demonstrates a pattern of behavior in which Iran sows conflict and extremism in direct violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions."

She said the missile debris is on loan from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Those two Gulf Arab nations are leading a coalition that has been conducting airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen for nearly four years after they ousted the country's legitimate president. The coalition has also maintained a lengthy blockade on Yemen's air and seaports, hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of starving civilians and putting the country at risk of widespread famine.

"The evidence is undeniable," Haley said, "The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it."

Haley faulted the nuclear deal agreed to in 2015 by the six major powers with Tehran, saying Iran has "hidden behind it," and that "these are the things they are doing while we are all looking the other way."

Iran's U.N. Mission put out a statement immediately after Haley's news conference dismissing the allegations as "unfounded and, at the same time, irresponsible, provocative and destructive."

U.N. report

Haley also welcomed a December 8 report from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal. It includes detailed information from several member states, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, on weapons they have seized that were apparently headed for Yemen. The Saudis also provided debris from missiles and other military hardware that had been launched from Yemen and landed in Saudi territory.

Guterres said his office is still analyzing the information collected and drew no firm conclusions on the origin of the weapons.

In the report, the U.N. chief also urged the United States to maintain its commitments under the nuclear agreement and "consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps." He also called on Iran to "carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan."

Next steps

Haley said Washington would take a new approach to dealing with the global threat posed by Iran and not just focus on the nuclear deal.

"Our new strategy was prompted by the undeniable fact that the Iranian regime's behavior is growing worse," she said. "The nuclear deal has done nothing to moderate the regime's conduct in other areas."

She said she would seek support in the U.N. Security Council and that the president would work with Congress.

"You will see us build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what they are doing," Haley said. "We are not going to sit back and not watch this; we are going to turn around and not only be aggressive about it, we are going to be forceful about it and we are going to let the international community know what a threat this actually is."
The U.S. has urged Thailand to downgrade diplomatic and trade ties with North Korea, a senior Thai official said Thursday after meeting with an American envoy, as the Trump administration pushes ahead with a global campaign to further isolate the nuclear-armed pariah state.

General Wanlop Rugsanoah, secretary-general of Thailand's National Security Council, told AFP the request was made during his meeting with U.S. special envoy for North Korea Joseph Yun, who arrived in Bangkok Wednesday evening for a two-day trip to the kingdom.

"The US asked Thailand to put more pressure on North Korea, put more trade and diplomatic pressure," Wanlop said after his sit-down with Yun in Bangkok.

He stressed that Bangkok had already significantly reduced its trade volume with Pyongyang  down to around $1.5 million a year  and would curtail visas to North Korean citizens.

Thailand, one of America's oldest allies in the region, is one of several Southeast Asian countries to host a North Korean embassy, and once enjoyed valuable economic ties with the reclusive regime.

But the U.N. and the U,S. have increasingly leaned on regional leaders to do more to squeeze North Korea as international sanctions have not resulted in Pyongyang halting its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests.

Yun's visit is part of a December 11-15 trip to Asia  including a stop in Japan  "to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign following the DPRK's latest ballistic missile test," the US State Department said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

The US embassy in Bangkok confirmed Yun's meeting with the National Security Council chief took place but declined to provide more details on the discussion.

Wanlop insisted there were no meetings planned between American and North Korean officials in Thailand.

In August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stopped in Bangkok to pressure the government to crack down on North Korean shell companies that use the Thai capital as a trading hub.

Thailand said this week it had drastically slashed trade with North Korea this year, down 94 percent compared with 2016.

Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said "there will be no export or import of goods between Thailand and North Korea" by the end of 2017.

Peaceful dialogue



Outside of Southeast Asia, Washington has focused most on Beijing to counter Pyongyang, urging the North's longtime ally and economic lifeline to rein in leader Kim Jong-Un and his nuclear program.

China has accepted a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang but has so far resisted calls to shut a crude oil pipeline considered crucial to North Korea's economy.

However, some of the sanctions are starting to bite.

The U.N. Security Council had ordered countries to stop providing guest work permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test in September.

The ban impacts an estimated 100,000 North Koreans who send some $500 million in wages back to the regime.

U,S. President Donald Trump's administration has swung back-and-forth between contradicting approaches to the crisis on the Korean peninsula, with Tillerson adopting a more diplomatic attitude amid fiery threats from the White House.

On Wednesday, the State Department said the U.S. position on North Korea has not changed despite Tillerson's comments that he would be willing to talk to the North without preconditions.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said in a statement that Yun emphasized that the US still wants to resolve tensions with North Korea through peaceful dialogue.

In his meeting with Yun, Thailand's deputy foreign minister reiterated the government's intention "to see peace and happiness return to the Korean peninsula", the statement said.
A significant quantity of weapons supplied by Western and Gulf states to opposition factions battling the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian conflict were transferred to the Islamic State, according to a study funded by the European Union and Germanys foreign ministry.

The leakage of the supplies significantly augmented the quantity and quality of weapons available to IS forces -- in numbers far beyond those that would have been available to the group through battlefield capture alone, according to Weapons of the Islamic State, a 202-page study released Wednesday.

Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a Britain-based organization that monitors the movement and diversion of weapons in conflict zones, produced the study.

The acquisition of weapons by the Islamic State group is classic blowback - 1980s Afghanistan replayed in Syria, says CARs executive director James Bevan. He adds, Time and again, states that seek to accomplish short-term political objectives supply weapons to groups over whom they exert little-to-no control. These weapons often gravitate to the most organized and effective rebel and insurgent forces.

CAR researchers say they had the full cooperation of national governments and manufacturers for their three-year investigation, which involved sending teams to cover an unbroken arc of territory extending from the northern Syrian city of Kobane to the south of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Western governments furnished lists of brokers and shippers, as well as serial numbers of the exported weapons and ammunition.

That, CAR researchers say, shows the governments' determination to curb the supply of weapons and associated materiel to unauthorized users. The report notes the governments and manufacturers were not acting unlawfully when dispatching arms and ammunition to the Syrian insurgents, there was no international arms embargo in effect.

Armories looted

CAR field researchers analyzed more than 40,000 items recovered from IS forces between 2014 and 2017. Many of the items originated in shipments that ran into the thousands. IS seized large quantities of weapons in Syria from retreating Assad forces and were able to loot government arsenals.

And in Iraq, there was a large-scale capture of weapons by IS in 2014 as the governments security forces fell back rapidly in the face of the terror groups blitz in Northwest Iraq and Mosul.

But the fact IS often acquired weapons supplied by outside powers within weeks and months of their delivery to opposition factions is less well recognized, says CAR in its study.

It remains unclear how IS secured the weaponry supplied by foreign powers to Syrian rebel groups: some could have been captured or sold by recipient militias, says a European official. Rebel fighters say some weaponry was shared or bartered with jihadist factions which subsequently joined IS.

Western media outlets, including VOA, did report from the frontlines from 2013 onwards that Western and Gulf-supplied weapons were being traded, transferred and sold by opposition fighters and commanders to jihadist groups such as al Qaida affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and IS.

In 2013, a senior German diplomat told VOA his government and several other European Union governments were resisting an Anglo-French push for the West to increase the flow of weapons to Syrian rebels for fear the equipment could fall into the hands of jihadist groups.

Those fears were shared by U.S. officials. President Barack Obama refused constant appeals from the rebels and Gulf states of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to increase arms supplies dramatically. Obama also declined to give the insurgents anti-aircraft missiles, fearing the consequences if any fell into jihadist hands, officials told VOA in 2014 and 2015.

Obama officials put in place various mechanisms to try to track weapons supplied to opposition factions and with TOW missiles they would only provide re-supplies when evidence had been offered by rebel units to show how they had used the missiles. But without military observers, there was an element of trust involved. Video evidence could be doctored, officials admitted to VOA during the conflict.

According to CAR, the arms that fell into the hands had serious impact on the battlefield, and continue to pose a significant threat, especially anti-armor weapons such as the BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles.

The report states, "The weapon was manufactured in the EU, sold to the United States, supplied to a party in the Syrian conflict, transferred to IS forces in Iraq, and documented by a CAR field investigation team following its recovery from IS forces. The full chain of transactions occurred within two months of the weapons dispatch from the factory.

Many countries involved

Russia and China manufactured more than 50 percent of the weapons and ammunition held by IS forces, CAR calculates. Those arms were captured from Syrian or Iraqi forces.

Former Warsaw Pact countries that are now EU Member States manufactured a significant proportion of the remaining materiel (more than 30 percent of weapons and 20 percent of ammunition).

CAR researchers note: Nearly 40 percent of ... anti-armor rockets deployed by IS forces in Iraq were produced in the past four years. ... EU Member States produced nearly 20 percent of these post-2014-manufactured rockets ... a fact that sits uncomfortably with the EUs parallel efforts to degrade the groups capacity to wage war and terrorism and to mitigate the international effects of the Syrian conflict.

CAR also documented ammunition that came from Eastern European states, exported to the United States and then dispatched to Somalia. Researchers also found matching lot numbers among IS rockets documented by CAR in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

Identical weapons deployed by IS forces in Syria, had previously been spotted in circulation with armed groups in South Sudan, supplied illicitly by the Sudanese government.

Also, A LibyaSyria weapon pipeline has operated since at least 2012 say CAR researchers, but they add that the precise transfer mechanics are unclear.
Zimbabwes new foreign affairs minister says that the southern African nation will not allow the West to dictate its policies and that no country had a monopoly on how diplomacy should be conducted.

In a hurriedly called address to diplomats accredited in Zimbabwe, new Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo said there are no angels that should dictate any countrys foreign policy.

The address was delivered after Zimbabwes opposition and civic leaders testified Tuesday before the U.S. Congress and asked the international community to push Harare to ensure free and fair elections.

Moyo said President Emmerson Mnangagwas government, which came to power last month with the backing of the army, had started reaching out to Western countries like the United States and Britain to normalize relations strained under former president Robert Mugabes administration.

We seek therefore an honest, respectful and forthright dialogue that lets go [of] the past and explores and pursues mutual beneficial economic opportunities. We must respect one another and, of course, we are not going to be lecturing anyone, nor do we expect the vice versa. Our rapprochement will thus be characterized by new vibrant trade and economic relations, Moyo said.

The former general said Zimbabwe would respect all trade agreements the previous administration had reneged on. He said he looked forward to countries like Brazil, China, Russia and India to continue assisting Zimbabwe as it negotiates with the West, which imposed sanctions on some ruling Zanu PF officials in 2002, following reports of election rigging and human rights abuses.



Without mentioning any country by name, Moyo said An egocentric pursuit of foreign policy will be both blind and defeatist. In pursuit of common goals we cherish sincere and respectful discourse. Issues such as human rights, gender, disarmament and development should not be really contentious or even accusatory, because we should be cognizant at all times that there are no angels or devils in this common endeavor as we all fall short one way or the other. But what matters is, we are determined and principled and spirited to deal with those issues.

Moyo said Zimbabwes next elections, expected by mid-2018, would be free, fair, transparent and violence-free.

But the director of the International Commission of Jurists in Africa, Arnold Tsunga, says a lot has to be done for that to happen.

The expectation as understood by the International Commission of Jurists is that the new government needs to do everything that it can to create a basis on which there can be free, fair and credible elections in the next eight months, so that there can be a full return to civilian authority. ... So there are a number of steps that need to be done including the harmonization of the electoral laws [to make them] fully complaint with the 2013 constitution.

Members of the International Commission of Jurists have been in Zimbabwe assessing the human rights situation in the country.


Some United States lawmakers and a top Department of State official have urged Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa to address atrocities of the 1980s committed by the countrys North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade, which left more than 20,000 supporters of the then opposition Zapu party led by Joshua Nkomo dead and thousands maimed and displaced.

Republican Senator Jake Flake, Senator Cory Booker of the Democratic party and Stephanie Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Director of the Bureau of African Affairs in the U.S Department of State, made the remarks during and after a Congressional hearing on Zimbabwe conducted by the Congressional Committee on Foreign Relations.

Booker said President Mnangagwa should address the Fifth Brigade atrocities to ensure peace prevails in Zimbabwe.

The new government of Zimbabwe and the international community must address the yet unanswered calls for justice and accountability for the victims of past horrific atrocities reportedly committed by members of the now in government perpetrators of the brutal cleansing of political opposition in Matabeleland and the Midlands in the 1980s in which 20,000 people were killed still have not been held accountable after all these years.

Thousands of Zimbabweans still live with physical and psychological wounds of the atrocities.

Flake echoed Bookers sentiments, noting that Mnangagwa is believed to be associated with the killings. Then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe between 1983 and 1987 deployed the Fifth Brigade in Matabeleland and Midlands, which were Nkomos strongholds, claiming that his government was fighting against dissidents that were killing innocent civilians. At least 20,000 people were allegedly killed in the atrocities.

According to Sullivan, thats one of the reasons USA officials are handling the Zimbabwean crisis with an open mind.

We are engaging with the new government with an open mind. Its not enough to say its a new government so therefore none of the sanctions or restrictions that were previously in place should apply. We will continue to look for signs of implementation, for example, the election that is coming up theres months and months preparation they need to be up to that and we will be interested to see an openness or invitation to send outside observers potentially as part of a group that will be led by an eminent African. And these are things that we need to happen very soon.

Some members of the Congressional panel on the future of Zimbabwe, including human rights activist Dewa Mavhinga and Tendai Biti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party, urged Mnangagwas government to allow people living in the diaspora to vote in the next elections.

Biti said Zimbabwes constitution allows the countrys citizens living in various countries to take part in national elections.

The diaspora has a right to vote. So, we are insisting that we cant disenfranchise the millions of Zimbabweans that are in the diaspora. In the past there has been a serious resistance by the government, by the authorities against enfranchising people in the diaspora the major argument and the major unsubstantiated premise is being that people in the diaspora are deemed to be in the opposition. But thats neither here nor there.

Speaking about revamping Zimbabwe, author and journalist Peter Godwin told the meeting that there is need for developed nations to entice Mnangagwa to implement tangible reforms through setting up a fund for the southern African nation.

Various people who spoke at the Congressional hearing on Zimbabwe said there is little hope that Mnangagwa will transform the country into a democratic state as he is associated with former President Robert Mugabe, who devastated the nation following 37 years of his iron fist rule.
The political landscape in the United States looks a bit different in the wake of Tuesday's Senate election victory by Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama.

In an outcome few could have imagined several weeks ago, Jones defeated controversial Republican candidate Roy Moore, who had the backing of President Donald Trump. In the wake of Jones' victory, Democrats are more confident about success in next year's congressional midterm elections, and Republicans are looking for a way to rebound.

Late Tuesday, Jones paid tribute to the voters and staffers who supported him in his longshot victory over Moore. "This campaign has been about common courtesy and decency and making sure everyone in this state, regardless of which ZIP code you live in, is going to get a fair shake in life!" he told supporters.

Republicans split on Moore

Moore was unable to overcome allegations of sexual misconduct stemming back decades involving several women who were teenagers at the time while Moore was in his 30s.

Moore stopped short of conceding the race, however, saying, "We have been painted in an unfavorable and unfaithful light. We have been put in a hole, if you will, and it reminds me of a [Bible] passage in Psalms 40, 'I waited patiently for the Lord.' That is what we have got to do."

Moore had the full backing of the president in the final days of the campaign after Trump initially held back his endorsement in the wake of the allegations against Moore.

Trump: I wanted the seat

The president responded Wednesday to questions at the White House about the Alabama race and said that he had hoped for a different result.

"I wish we would have gotten the seat. A lot of Republicans feel differently. They are very happy with the way it turned out," he said. "But as the leader of the party, I would have liked to have the seat. I want to endorse the people who are running."

Jones won in large part because of a strong Democratic turnout, especially by African-Americans. Moore was hurt by a depressed Republican turnout and a write-in campaign that drained away votes.

Democrats also saw similarities between the Jones victory and Democratic wins last month in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, which could portend a successful midterm congressional campaign in 2018.

"So you put all that together  the base being energized, millennials overwhelmingly Democratic, suburbs swinging back to the Democrats  and it means that things are looking good for us," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York told reporters at the Capitol.

'A wave building'?

Jones' victory in a heavily Republican state like Alabama is sure to send political shockwaves around the country as both parties look ahead to next year's elections.

And some Republicans are growing increasingly concerned that Trump's weak national approval rating fueled Democratic energy in the recent elections. In one new survey from Quinnipiac University, Trump's approval rating bumped up slightly to 37 percent. Another new poll from Monmouth University, however, had the president down at 32 percent, a drop of eight points from its last survey in September.

In addition to Alabama, the recent Democratic statewide wins in Virginia and New Jersey have energized Democrats, according to several analysts.

"If I were running Republican campaigns for Senate, for the House, for governor, for state legislature, I would be really, really worried because there appears to be a wave building and it has a giant 'D' on it  'D' for 'Democrat,' " University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said via Skype.

Governing becomes harder

Experts see the Democratic victory in Alabama not only as a rejection of Moore as a flawed candidate but also as a setback for Trump.

He defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in Alabama by a margin of 62 to 34 percent in the 2016 election. However, exit polls from Tuesday's race found that Alabama voters were deadlocked on Trump's job performance, with 48 percent approving and the same percentage disapproving.

Jones will now serve out the remaining two years of the term of Jeff Sessions, who left the Senate to serve as Trump's attorney general. Republicans will now have to push through their agenda with one Senate seat fewer in a body that is already sharply divided.

"We see that Republicans, once Jones is seated, will now have a 51- instead of a 52-seat majority in the Senate, and we have seen time and again, over the course of the year, that they have trouble governing with just 52 seats. Those challenges won't get easier when they lose one of those senators," said analyst Molly Reynolds at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

As if to counter the Democrats' good news on Wednesday, House and Senate Republican leaders said they had now agreed on a final version of a tax reform bill, a key campaign promise made by the president.

Republicans hope to iron out final differences in House and Senate versions of the tax cut bill, have it passed by both chambers and signed into law by the president in the next few weeks.
Zimbabwe's political parties want to give voters another two months to sign up for next year's election after political turmoil disrupted the registration

process, an opposition official said.

The ruling party and opposition groups asked the electoral authorities to extend next week's voter registration deadline into February, said Douglas Mwonzora, the secretary general of the Movement for Democratic Change.

The army forced former president Robert Mugabe out of office last month, ousting the only leader the country has known since independence.

"The military coup disturbed a lot of things. During that period, many potential voters did not go out to register because there was serious political uncertainty in the country," said Mwonzora, who also co-chairs an inter-party group monitoring voter registration.

"So after taking all this into account we realized that we need to extend the registration exercise. If we don't we will see voter apathy next year," he added.

Zimbabwe started registering voters in September. But its Electoral Commision said on Tuesday just over 4 million voters out of a target of 7 million had signed up, eight days before the deadline to end the process.

Part of the problem, said Mwonzora, was that thousands of potential voters  who are classified as aliens because their parents are from other countries in southern Africa  have only been able to register since last week, after a court ruling.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from Mugabe, will be running to keep the job in the presidential and parliamentary elections due to take place by July.
Some Zimbabweans and Americans are concerned that President Emmerson Mnangagwas government may fail to live up to expectations with indications that it may, instead, be more oppressive than the ousted president Robert Mugabes government.

Most of the concerns stem from the presence of the military on the streets in most urban areas and Mnangagwas links to the former president.

Tendai Biti of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party says the militarys involvement in Zimbabwean politics is worrying millions of people in the country.

Biti says electoral reforms are key in ensuring that Zimbabwe transitions to a democratic state.

He believes that there should be honest engagements between the Mnangagwa and Donald Trump administration, which will benefit Zimbabweans and Americans.

The United States imposed targeted sanctions on former President Robert Mugabe and his colleagues following claims of electoral fraud and violation of human rights. Stephanie Sullivan of the U.S Department of State, says the United States is not shifting its engagements with Zimbabwe following the removal of Mugabe from power.

Sullivan says U.S wants Zimbabwe to conduct free and fair elections in order to transform the nations harsh economic and political situation.

Congressmen Senator Jake Flake, concurs, noting that there are serious concerns over Mnangagwas government links with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Flake notes that only free and fair elections will shape future relations between USA and Zimbabwe.

But Zanu PF activist Frenk Guni has dismissed these concerns, saying a lot is happening right now in Zimbabwe under Mnangagwas government.

Guni says security forces are set to leave the streets when they have accomplished their mission.

The U.S Congress held a meeting on Zimbabwe on Tuesday focusing on the future of the country following the removal of Mugabe from office by the army in conjunction with the ruling Zanu PF party.
U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a backlash after posting an insulting tweet about a Democratic senator from New York. Kirsten Gillibrand said Tuesday that the president is trying to silence her calls for his resignation following allegations by women claming that Trump harassed them sexually.
President Trump has singled out Ireland for its extraordinarily low corporate tax rate, making the case that the United States must overhaul its own tax code to win back American investment and jobs.

For too long, our tax code has incentivized companies to leave our country in search of lower taxes, Trump said late last month. Many, many companies, theyre going to Ireland. Theyre going all over.

But Irish government officials, accountants and highly skilled workers say the U.S. tax overhaul poses little threat to Ireland, a preferred European home for the United States top tech and pharmaceutical companies for a generation. They expect American companies to keep investing unabated in Ireland, with little incentive to move back to the United States.

The Emerald Isles collective shrug when faced with the prospect of a lower U.S. corporate rate underscores why many experts are forecasting that the GOP tax plan will do little to alter the forces that drive American industry overseas. If anything, some argue, U.S. moves could make Ireland an even more attractive landing spot for members of the Fortune 500 in Europe.

The GOP tax plan moved closer to becoming law Wednesday after Republican negotiators in the House and Senate agreed on how to reconcile most of their differences. The goal is to send legislation to Trump next week.

[Republicans reach compromise tax plan, expanding tax cuts for the wealthy]

The plan seeks to unlock the potential of $2.6 trillion that U.S. corporations have built up offshore for decades, many of them waiting for the United States to lower its unusually high rate of 35 percent on corporate profits. While most developed countries already tax the global profits of their homegrown companies, the United States long has allowed its multinationals to keep their income earned overseas and tax it only if they bring the funds home.

The proposed changes would slash the tax rate on U.S.-generated corporate profits to 21 percent, much more in line with international norms, and would slap immediate tax assessments on stockpiled overseas wealth, with a roughly 14.5 percent levy that would have to be paid within eight years. Future overseas profits would face a new rule requiring companies to pay a minimum of 10 percent on global profits, a measure that could take a slice from the money mountains sheltered in zero-tax Caribbean havens. As the theory goes, no longer able to avoid tax anywhere, U.S. corporate giants would feel liberated to invest those foreign gains on home soil.

But skeptics say the GOP tax bill is unlikely to change corporations calculus about where they invest their money  for two basic reasons.

Why go home?

The first is that companies already have plenty of cash in the United States but may be choosing not to invest it because, according to many metrics, the U.S. economy is already near full capacity. So they will look for opportunities to invest abroad.

The second is that lawmakers have crafted the tax overhaul in ways that still create many incentives for keeping money abroad, particularly in places such as Ireland, which taxes companies at a rate of just 12.5 percent and admits foreign workers much more easily than the United States does  a particular attraction to firms looking for high-skill workers.

Tech workers taking lunch breaks on Dublins Silicon Docks, so named because of the cluster of top U.S. social media and software companies lining the Grand Canal, articulate Irelands appeal in a cacophony of languages. Here, workers are recruited seamlessly from throughout the 28-nation European Union, their entry requiring no work visas and meriting no hostility to immigrant labor.

Facebook workers, munching burritos on the waterside, chortled at the notion that their operations might relocate to the United States, given the need to keep expanding their sales and support teams from inside the E.U.s single market.

Every week, the list of new openings grows. We cannot hire people quickly enough, said Jan, a Danish worker for Facebook  which, like Twitter, Google and LinkedIn, established its European headquarters on Dublins Southside, within a mile of all the others.

This idea that Trump will somehow change the rules, and Facebook will be forced to airlift us to America, is not the real world, said Jan, who declined to give his last name because he did not have his employers permission to speak to the media. He provides support to Facebook clients in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, German and Dutch. My job doesnt even exist in America, he said. It belongs in Europe.

Facebook plans to expand its 2,200-strong Dublin workforce to 3,000 next year. Facebook and Google are actively seeking more Dublin space, while LinkedIn and Twitter have just moved into glitzy new Irish headquarters. They are among the most high-profile of more than 700 U.S. multinational corporations in Ireland that employ 150,000 people and generate more than 20 percent of the nations economy, according to the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.

Martin Shanahan, chief executive of IDA Ireland, the government agency tasked with securing foreign investment, said that American companies are being guided by market principles, trying to acquire talent, trying to build global teams. The GOP tax plan would leave companies free to use the capital wherever they want it.

Back in the United States, tax experts say the bills proposal to start collecting at least 10 percent in tax on businesses foreign profits could prove to be a mirage  and even create incentives to send more capital abroad.

Unlike a 2016 corporate tax proposal by President Barack Obama, the GOP plan would calculate that minimum tax on a global basis, not in individual countries. This could allow companies to keep stashing money in havens such as zero-tax Bermuda as long as they pay substantially more than 10 percent in other countries, such as France (33 percent) or even Ireland.

And the bill also leaves wide open the opportunity for U.S. companies to invest in new plants and facilities abroad. Such expenses will be deductible on advantageous terms that can be used to reduce the supposed 10 percent minimum tax, experts say, potentially making foreign operations more lucrative than their U.S. counterparts facing a 21 percent U.S. corporate tax rate.

As a result of those provisions, said Victor Fleischer, director of tax law programs at the University of San Diego School of Law, companies are still incentivized to locate factories and jobs in places that have a tax rate lower than the proposed U.S. rate of 21 percent. That includes not just Ireland but also Canada, Britain, much of Eastern Europe and Hong Kong.

Many companies acknowledge that they are not planning to invest more with their overseas funds. When Bank of America Merrill Lynch surveyed more than 300 top U.S. companies this summer about their plans, 65 percent said that any money they brought back to the United States would be used to pay down debt. The next most popular move was to buy back their own stock to drive up its value.

The United States is already at low unemployment, said Rebecca Kysar, an international tax expert at Brooklyn Law School. Doing a corporate rate cut at this time . . . is unlikely to result in a lot of job and wage growth in the United States.

The Trump administration and congressional Republicans dispute those views.

We know for a fact that the studies show us [if] you lower the corporate tax rate, workers benefit, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said Tuesday. Think about if we dont do this and we keep the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world. We will have more companies leaving U.S. shores. . . . We will see more jobs going overseas.

A new boon possible

Ironically, Ireland  the only developed country Trump has singled out by name as undermining American competitiveness with its tax code  may turn out to be a winner if the tax plan takes effect.

Ireland has been criticized for years by political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic as a place where companies can deploy controversial tactics to avoid taxes.

After a string of U.S. drug companies switched their corporate headquarters to Ireland to reduce their tax bills in mergers with firms based in the country, the Obama administration in 2016 stepped in to stop Pfizer from doing the same tax inversion maneuver by blocking a merger with Dublin-headquartered Allergan.

Months later, E.U. competition authorities  who had spent two years investigating Irelands tax treatment of Apple  ordered the tech giant to pay Ireland more than $15 billion in uncollected taxes dating to 1991. Apple has been in the southwest city of Cork since 1980 and employs more than 6,000 employees there.

Ireland joined Apple in appealing that judgment  even though receipt of such a vast sum could, in theory, allow the country to build 20 hospitals  arguing that the main country that should be taxing Apples overseas profits is the United States. A new U.S. foreign tax would aid Irelands case and reinforce its image as a keen recruiter for foreign investment, experts say.

The Trump plan to make U.S. multinationals pay a minimum rate of tax on overseas holdings will take some of the pressure off Ireland to act like the tax policeman of the world, said Joe Tynan, who directs the 500-strong corporate tax team at PwC Ireland. The E.U.s been arguing that nobody has been taxing them properly. Well they will be now.

And Michael Mundaca, co-director of Ernst & Youngs U.S. tax department and a former top tax official in the Obama administration, said that Ireland could benefit in other ways. With the U.S. corporate rates drop to 21 percent, European countries with similar or higher rates will prove to be less attractive, making Ireland an even more popular choice for E.U. operations. Ireland may be thinking, Hey, our advantage of having a lower tax rate just became even more important to U.S. companies,  Mundaca said.

Privately, Irish leaders of American subsidiaries seem to be focused on saying nothing that might inspire a Trump tweet frenzy in their direction.

While the careers site of every U.S. multinational corporation in Ireland testifies to the thriving recruitment of techies, creatives and linguists from throughout the E.U. and beyond, the chief executives at some of these Irish offshoots say that they are not keen to spotlight rapid growth.

We cant be seen to be taking a single job out of the United States, given the climate there, said one managing director of the Irish office of a leading American financial firm dedicated to servicing U.S. clients, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivities of Ireland taking U.S. jobs or money.

We keep hiring. Quietly.

Long reported from Washington.
Pilar Cabeza de Vaca, 64, is head of school at the Madeira School, a private boarding school in McLean, Va. A headhunter in her native Ecuador told her she would fail at teaching internationally because she was divorced, had an odd name and was too short.

Madeira is this Washington institution, with their own ways of doing things for decades. You were brought in a few years ago presumably, correct me if Im wrong, to kick some butt.

My predecessor was here for 22 years, an iconic head of school. I think the decision to hire me was because I was so different from her. Im a change agent. We used to have a four-day week. Wednesdays were the days when the girls went off to internships. So what we did was change those internships to be five weeks of sustained work. Ninth grade is more preparation. They get digital citizenship, public speaking, small talk  which we never taught before, but now were finding we have to because students are used to texting all the time.

Did you have a moment when you were a teenager when you realized the world is huge?

I grew up in Ecuador, and I went to the American school in Quito. [I went] to college [at Bryn Mawr College], being the exotic international student from this country that, back in the 70s, you wouldnt hear much about. Where youre located geographically definitely shapes how you view the world.

What do you wish had been different about your education?

That Id taken more advantage of the moment and not taken it for granted. In my class of 108 seniors, I was one of three girls that got a college education outside the country. The majority of my classmates either went to finishing school or they just left high school and married shortly thereafter. From the Ecuadoran perspective, the U.S. in the 70s was a den of iniquity.

Tell me about the coup days.

I grew up under all kinds of dictatorships. The house where I grew up was catty-corner from a big military school. I could watch from my window as governments were thrown out. I remember their driving in black limousines and leaving on bicycles, because everything was confiscated. There were times when you had so many protests on the street that school was canceled.

You work with adolescents. My high school principal was Mrs. Butz, and some of us never got over that. You also urge bilingualism. Have you ever witnessed an aha moment, when [a student] realizes what your name means?

I announce it! When I first introduce myself to a new crowd I say, Im Pilar Cabeza de Vaca and I am the head of school, and in case you speak Spanish, Im also the head of a cow.

More Just Asking

For stories, features such as Date Lab, Gene Weingarten and more, visit WP Magazine.

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President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro talk during a game between the Cuban national baseball team and Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Devil Rays in March 2016 in Havana. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Dec. 17, 2014 "The Cold War died Wednesday. Its death was foretold, yet somehow it still came as a shock," Manuel Roig-Franzia wrote in The Washington Post the day President Barack Obama announced a move to normalize relations with Cuba. The announcement was the culmination of more than a year of talks between the two countries. Karen Tumulty and Anne Gearan wrote the same day that Obama's decision aligned "with a growing sentiment that current Cuba policy has become counterproductive." Under the new policy, embassies were opened in both countries, and Americans could travel more easily to Cuba. Obama himself visited, the first sitting president to do so in 88 years. After Donald Trump was elected president, however, the United States reversed course. In June, Trump announced he was "canceling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba" and cited the Castro regime's history of human rights abuses. Under Trump, the new embassies have remained open, but travel restrictions have tightened. In May, the United States expelled two Cuban diplomats after an alleged sonic attack on U.S. Embassy staff in Havana. In October, the State Department announced it was expelling 15 Cuban diplomats. The Cuban government has denied having anything to do with the suspected attacks in Havana.


Armie Hammer, left, plays Oliver and Timothee Chalamet is Elio in Call Me by Your Name. (Sony Pictures Classics) )

Dont believe what you might have heard about Call Me by Your Name.

Adapted by screenwriter James Ivory from a 2007 novel by Andre Aciman, the sexy new film  a coming-of-age story of first love that has already racked up multiple awards  has been criticized in some quarters for its central relationship, a summer tryst between Elio (Timothee Chalamet), a 17-year-old boy, and Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old man.

It is criticism that Italian director Luca Guadagnino, whose credits include I Am Love and A Bigger Splash, feels misses the films larger point about the importance of an unexpected f-word: family. That theme is best embodied by Elios preternaturally tolerant father, played by Michael Stuhlbarg, who is likely to receive an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

In a recent phone call from Italy, the 45-year-old filmmaker elaborated on the movies true meaning, why he doesnt like acting and why he loves The Lone Ranger.

Q: Among the Oscar front-runners, Call Me by Your Name, which takes place in Italy in the 1980s, is notable for its lack of social engagement. Does it exist in a little bubble of escapism?

A: That's a great question, and it deserves a thoughtful answer. I'm a cinephile. One thing I have learned from the great Hollywood canon is that from many films that could be considered escapist, we can nevertheless take away a sense of transformation. Take, for example, Walt Disney's [1940] "Pinocchio." That movie came out during a severe time period, when Europe was inflamed and America was just staring to understand how to intervene. Why is a movie about a puppet who becomes a real boy such a great ethical proposition? Because Disney was able to create forms that made our imagination vivid. There was no need to say "Hitler" out loud. I totally deny and refuse that "Call Me by Your Name" is a movie that takes place in a vacuum.

Q: What is it about?

A: The most surprising thing for me is human behavior. I like our fragilities  whether conscious or unconscious  our weakness, our failures and triumphs. I've always been interested in telling stories about the ways we can both empower and crush one another. I have had always the privilege of working with fantastic performers who were not shy, and who were happy to jump from the rooftop with me and to dive deep into whatever was lying below.

[Review: Call Me by Your Name is among the best movies of the year.]

Q: In what way did they jump off the roof?

A: People can decide for themselves after they've seen the film, but ultimately by allowing the camera to observe the interior of their souls. I don't like acting. They didn't lie to the camera. The actors and the characters were blurred into one organism.

Q: Chalamet had already been hired when you took over the direction from screenwriter James Ivory. But explain your decision to cast Hammer, for whom youve had a long-standing admiration, dating back to The Lone Ranger. Some might say thats not a great calling card.

A: They're wrong. "The Lone Ranger" is a great, wonderful, buoyant, intoxicating old-fashioned film. Gore Verbinski is a great director. It was an unlucky movie. I think it's a movie that will be rediscovered. Armie Hammer brings with him, of course, a great charm, but I also see in everything he does  "J. Edgar," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "The Social Network"  one hundred things happening in his face at once. When I first met him, six years ago, I felt that there was something in him, a sort of inner turmoil in his own self, that could be a great force to dig out. I think I was right

Q: Theres a rich and specific sense of place to all your films, expressed not just through landscape but also architecture. How important is that?

A: Going back to your first question: We don't live in a bubble, we live in a space. We are who we are because of the relationship between us, the physical space we inhabit and the other persons in that space. I'm interested in that friction. I'm not interested in drama. In theater, you can have a great rendition of "Hamlet" on a bare stage with no props, just using the words of Shakespeare. In cinema, that's not what you should try for.



Director Luca Guadagnino on the set of Call Me by Your Name. (Luca Campri/Sony Pictures Classics) )

Q: In light of the current scandals about sexual harassment and sexual abuse of minors, how do you respond to the discomfort with your films central relationship?

A: The percentage of criticism that has come from those who have seen the film, related to what you just said, I would say is 1 percent. The best answer I can give is: Go and see the film, and judge for yourself whether the sexuality is uncomfortable. Having said that, there was a great review of the film by Anthony Lane in the New Yorker that said, in effect, that this movie is the antidote to the climate in which we are living, a climate in which power is a weapon used to crush other people and to exert the violence of your impulses. "Call Me by Your Name" is about consensual desire, discovery and a completely un-power-related relationship.

Q: The bond between Elio and his father is key. Is their relationship more significant than the sexual one?

A: Absolutely, yes. Familial bonds are central to this film. This is a movie for families and about family. It's about the transmission of knowledge, whether through actual conversation or unspoken behavior. In the movie, you see the way the parents cast their gaze upon this boy, the way they welcome Oliver into the house, the way other people come and go without knocking. When Elio starts wearing the Star of David around his neck, as an expression of his Jewishness, you see in the way his mother caresses his neck that she is, without saying anything, saying everything.

Q: Your films are very beautiful, but youve said you despise beauty. What do you mean?

A: Think of the German architect Albert Speer, during the Nazi regime. His buildings were beautiful, but what were they signifiers of? I am interested in the beauty that lies in our actions. I'm thinking of the scene in which Elio is watching Oliver dancing. We are in a dingy club. It's not a beautiful place. Elio is a normal-looking boy, in normal-looking clothes.



Timothee Chalamet, left, Michael Stuhlbarg and Armie Hammer in Call Me by Your Name. (Sony Pictures Classics) )

Q: But isnt Elio beautiful?

A: He becomes beautiful. You are mistaking youth for beauty. The transport of his desire for Oliver is so deep that you can see beyond the physicality of the actor, beyond his age and into the depth of the character. That's the kind of beauty I'm interested in.

Q: Theres a notorious scene in the film  and in the book  in which Elio uses a peach for sexual gratification. Do you have any special interest in the taboo?

A: I love the concept of the taboo, but I don't think "Call Me by Your Name" is about that. I can talk to you for hours about the great canon of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima, who relentlessly investigated the taboo through "In the Realm of the Senses," "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" or, tellingly, his last movie, "Taboo."

Q: Your next film is a remake of the Italian horror classic Suspiria. What did you mean when you described it as the opposite of Call Me by Your Name?

A: I can't stress this enough: "Call Me by Your Name" is about family. "Suspiria" is about a terrible mother, in a psychoanalytical sense. In "Suspiria," we investigate the ultimate, terminal consequences of a terrible mother.

Call Me by Your Name (R, 132 minutes). At area theaters.


The 50-foot illuminated cross at the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, Colombia, seems to float. (Joshua Morin/For The Washington Post)

Guests, welcome to my home.

With more poetry than precision, our guide Johamn Bohorquez introduced himself to his morning tour. Instead of the door to a home, we stood in front of the dimly lit entrance to a mine shaft, ready to begin a mile-long walk through a mountain of salt.

Hollowed out of the middle of this mountain and 600 feet below our feet lay our destination: the magnificent Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, one of the most popular tourist and pilgrimage sites in Colombia, where as many as 3,000 Catholic faithful gather each Sunday for religious services in a former salt mine.

The lively group ready to follow Bohorquez into the gloom represented two families, one American, one Colombian, about to be united by marriage. In four days, my youngest son, Drew, would marry Bogota native Diana Moreno Ochoa. Determined to enjoy as much of Colombia as we could, 19 family members and friends had made the 32-mile trip north from Bogota, in a rented bus, to the picturesque town of Zipaquira and its Catedral de Sal.

Bohorquez led us through a turnstile and down into the darkness. Every few feet, thick metal beams, covered with a heavy layer of protective red paint, ran up from the floor and overhead and then down to the floor on the other side of the wide passageway. Eucalyptus logs lay across these metal arches; together, they held back the mountain 10 feet above our heads.

For about 100 feet, small floodlights embedded in the floor next to the walls set the crimson-red arches ablaze in the dim light. The effect was striking, if not a bit unnerving: The entrance to the Salt Cathedral looked more like the gateway to hell than a pathway to heaven.

[We took a family trip to the capital of a notorious former drug cartel]

Further down, no bracing is needed; the salt has fused into solid rock known to geologists as halite, or rock salt, Bohorquez tells us.



Thick metal beams, coated in protective red paint, line a passageway at the entrance. (Joshua Morin/For The Washington Post)

The passageway slopes down past a series of room-size chambers where miners had dug out salt rock on either side of the tunnel. We are following the Way of the Cross. For three years, 127 artists and craftspeople from in and around Bogota labored to repurpose 14 of these cavities into rough-hewed devotional chapels. Each chamber represents a key event that occurred on the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took to his crucifixion.

Some of the most famous Colombian artists are represented in the cathedral. Among my favorite pieces was a charming figure of a baby Jesus who had clearly been working out (See the six-pack? Bohorquez chuckled) and a six-ton sandstone statue carved by Miguel Sopo Duque that depicts Jesus being taken down from the cross by Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathea. All three figures have indigenous features.

The salt lick

My visitors, come here, Bohorquez said. This is the first station made in this cathedral. In this chamber, polished blocks of solid rock salt, each the size of a small filing cabinet, faced a carved salt cross. These objects are called in situ prayer stools, he said. A shallow bench had been carved into blocks so that faithful Catholics could kneel and rest their hands on the top of the stools.

My guests, if you want to taste this, you can do it, Bohorquez said.

I rose to the challenge. Pushing aside thoughts of how many others had placed their tongues on this rock, I leaned down and licked one of the salt blocks. The intensity of the taste surprised me.

Bohorquez said that the salt that I had just tasted was 135 million years old, a relic of the vast Tethys Ocean that once covered this area.





The indigenous Muisca people first discovered these salt deposits more than six centuries ago. Spanish conquistadors searching for El Dorado in the 16th century stumbled across the salt mountain. Instead of a city of gold, they discovered a city of salt, Luis Alfonso Rodriguez Valbuena, Zipaquiras personable mayor, said during a brief interview in his office.

Successions of adventurers, plunderers and entrepreneurs followed. Salt from these mines paid the bills for the military campaigns of the liberators Simon Bolivar and Antonio Narino, who brought independence to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, Rodriguez said.

Today, the salt mountain finances roads and parks. The mayor said his city now owns the Salt Cathedral complex. In the past year, 600,000 people visited the 79-acre cathedral park, which is now the main source of government revenue for this city of 124,000.

A miners prayer

The story of the Salt Cathedral begins in the 1930s. Miners carved out a makeshift chapel in the mine tunnel. There, they prayed for their safety each day before starting work.

From that humble beginning arose the first cathedral, consecrated in 1954 as a shrine to the patron saint of local miners, the Virgin of the Rosary of Guasa. The cathedral shared space with a working salt mine, with predictably calamitous results. Years of blasting, jackhammering and drilling weakened the cathedral walls, forcing authorities to close it in 1992 before the whole thing came crashing down.

A government company, dipping into $1 million in public and private funds, built a new cathedral in a deeper level of the mine that had been exhausted. This cathedral opened for services and for visitors in 1995. (Truth in labeling: The Salt Cathedral is not a true cathedral, as it is not the seat of a bishop.)

It still shares the mountain with a working salt mine located several hundred feet below the sanctuary complex. Today, water has replaced dynamite as the salt miners tool of choice. A freshwater bath dissolves the halite; the resulting brine is pumped to the surface and the salt is removed through evaporation.

Thats not to say that the latest version of the cathedral is forever. In one chamber Bohorquez points to a triangle formed by the heads of three bolts drilled into the ground.

[What a Trip: Coming home to Bogota]

The space between these bolts is carefully monitored. Researchers found that the weight of the mountain is closing the cathedral in on itself at a rate of six millimeters a year, he said.

The grand illusion

We walk deeper into the old mine. To our right, a steep set of stairs descends down a dark side tunnel. The place here is called the Penitent Stairs,  and is an exit from the main cathedral, Bohorquez said. When you go up the stairs and feel tired and exhausted, that means you have many, many sins.

A short way down, the Way of the Cross ends. We have reached our destination: the vast central nave of the Catedral de Sal.



By studying the distance between these bolt heads, researchers determined that the salt mountain is compressing the cathedral in on itself at a rate of six millimeters a year. (Joshua Morin/For The Washington Post)

My guests, this beautiful place is the cupola or dome of the cathedral, Bohorquez said. The chamber, more than 250 feet deep and 30 feet wide, soars more than 70 feet above our heads.

The rough walls are partially bathed in purplish-blue light. Our guide directs our attention to the front of the nave, where a glowing, 50-foot-tall cross seems to float in space before the dark rock wall. But its no salt-mine miracle. The cross is chiseled into the wall. Concealed lighting illuminates the recessed channels. You see it as three dimensions [but the effect is] created by the lights, Bohorquez said.

Our group reluctantly leaves the central nave to begin the long walk to the surface. Off to the right, the Penitent Stairs ascend sharply into the gloom, daring me to test the condition of my body and the state of my soul.

I am gasping for breath when I reach the top. Apparently, both body and soul are lacking.

Morin is a writer based in the District. Find him on Twitter: @richmorin.

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When you fly, almost nothing about your luggage makes sense.

Think about it. Why, for example, does baggage have to be black? Why are overhead bins so small? Why do ramp workers throw your checked luggage around? Why do Transportation Security Administration agents rifle through your belongings even though they have high-tech scanners? Why does the first checked bag cost $25, but the second one costs $35? Why dont airlines refund your checked luggage fee when they lose your luggage?

Whoa! Slow down, cowboy. Once you know the answers, youll understand that in an industry that doesnt always use logic to make decisions, luggage may make the most sense.

Why do suitcases have to be black? There's no rule that says airline baggage must be black, but stand at the carousel after your next flight and you can be forgiven for thinking so. The challenge is being able to tell your black bag from someone else's, a problem I addressed in a recent column. "Have you ever seen what happens to a white piece of luggage that's been checked?" asks Chris Seahorn, vice president of marketing at eBags. Don't you love it when someone answers a question with a question? But fair point. Scuffs and dirt aren't as visible on a darker bag. By the way, other colors are available. UGObags, a line of customizable luggage, offers three colors of luggage, 10 different trim colors and a huge imprint area for printing pictures of your kids, pets or favorite place to travel. "We still sell mostly black bags," admits Robert Weinberg, UGObags' managing director.

Why are overhead bins so small? That might be an optical illusion. Some manufacturers are actually creating larger bins. In 2014, for example, Airbus introduced a new pivoting overhead stowage option for the A320 aircraft that offers up to 60 percent more room. So why do they seem so small? Passengers have their theories. "People store their big bags there because they don't want to be charged for checking them," says S.L. Wisenberg, a frequent flier and author who lives in Chicago. In other words, skyrocketing fees for checked luggage incentivize the stuffing of more bags into the overheads.

Why do ramp workers throw your checked luggage around? They're in a hurry. A 2010 study at the University of California at Berkeley, commissioned by the Federal Aviation Administration, estimated that delays cost the airline industry $32.9 billion per year, of which $16.7 billion is borne by passengers. Every minute counts when passengers and baggage are being loaded and the plane is being restocked. Tossing the bag can shave seconds from aircraft turnaround time.

Passengers can sense the urgency, too. Airlines make money in the air, not on the ground, says Suzanne Wolko, a vice president at a Philadelphia financial services company and frequent air traveler, so time is lost money. Okay, but do they have to be so rough with our suitcases? No, they dont, but that proverbial game of hot potato on the ramp sure looks like fun  and it keeps luggage manufacturers in business.

Why do TSA agents rifle through your belongings even though they have high-tech scanners? Those fancy machines don't pick up every anomaly, says Matt Pinsker, a former TSA employee who now teaches criminal justice and homeland-security law at Virginia Commonwealth University. "There are certain materials and methods that can trick the sensors," he says. "Other times, the sensors are not as good as people would like to believe and simply can't distinguish certain objects, or an innocent object in luggage can appear potentially dangerous in the imperfect pictures created by TSA equipment." One thing you can count on is that courtesy card the TSA leaves in your checked bag, letting you know that it opened your luggage and rifled through it for your own safety.

Why does the first checked bag cost $25, but the second one costs $35? That makes no sense, at least from a passenger's perspective. Wouldn't you discount the second piece of luggage? (And it gets worse. Bag No. 3 is sometimes $150, and the fourth one costs an eye-popping $200.) But from an airline's point of view, this pricing is totally logical. "The airline is trying to save space," explains Scott Niekelski, an import manager at the National Luggage Dealers Association. Fewer passenger bags in the cargo hold means that an airline can carry more cargo, which is generally more profitable. And even if they don't sell that space, they save on fuel consumption because the plane weighs less. In other words, airlines want your checked bags  just not too many of them.

If an airline loses your luggage, why doesn't it refund the checked baggage fee? They do, but it's not automatic. Under a law passed in 2016, the Transportation Department must create a new regulation that would require an airline to offer an automatic refund if your bag isn't delivered within 12 hours of arrival of a domestic flight, or within 15 hours of arrival of an international flight. You'd still have to notify the airline of the lost bag  that part, alas, can't be automated. Trouble is, the regulation-shy department hasn't created that rule yet. And so, unless you ask for a refund of that $25 or $35 or, heaven forbid, $100, you'll never get it.

If you think about it, luggage is probably the most easily explained part of your flight  at least when compared with truly incomprehensible phenomena like ticket pricing, frequent-flier programs or airline employee morale. Maybe, just maybe, these answers will help you pack lighter and smarter the next time you travel, and save you a few bucks in luggage fees, too.
Virginia state Del. Timothy D. Hugo (R-Fairfax) prevailed in the first of four scheduled election recounts that will determine which party holds power in the House of Delegates, leaving Democrats to stake their hopes on the remaining races, whose outcomes will be determined next week.

After Democrat Donte Tanner gained a net of seven votes, Hugos lead dropped to 99 votes at the end of a two-day recount inside Fairfax Countys Circuit Court that, despite the high stakes, went smoothly.

[Virginia is holding four recounts of House races. Heres how they work]

A Democratic sweep in November left Republicans with a 51-49 majority in the House, infusing extra tension into the mostly tedious process of recounting the elections that were too close to call.

Roughly 30,000 ballots from both Fairfax and Prince William counties were recounted in the 40th District race. In the end, the results showed Tanner gaining a total of 14 votes and Hugo gaining seven.

As I said during the campaign, win or lose, we want to make sure that every lawful vote is counted and this process has ensured just that, Hugo, chair of the House Republican caucus, said in a statement.

Tanner said he accepted the results and praised election workers for a thorough job.

It was a fair race; it was a hard-fought race, he said. Im glad we got to go through this experience.

The outcome leaves two more opportunities for Democrats to tip the House in their favor, and a somewhat long-shot chance for Republicans to pick up another seat.

A recount for the closest election, in the Newport News area, is scheduled for Tuesday. There, Del. David Yancey (R) holds a 10-vote advantage over Democrat Shelly Simonds in the 94th District.

Later next week, recounts will be held in the 28th District, where Republican Bob Thomas leads Democrat Joshua Cole by 82 votes; and in the Richmond areas 68th District, where Democrat Dawn Adams leads Del. G. Manoli Loupassi by 336 votes.

House Minority Leader Del. David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville) said the closer margins in the 94th and 28th districts make it more likely Democrats will prevail.

"We have two more shots," Toscano said, noting Democrats have also asked a federal judge to order a new election in the 28th District because of errors that led 147 voters to cast ballots in the wrong race.

Toscano called the Republican-driven recount in Loupassis 68th District race a real stretch because of the large vote margin held by Adams.

M. Kirkland Cox (Colonial Heights), who will be House speaker should Republicans maintain control, said the party is preparing for the next legislative session as if that will be the case.

Thursdays result confirmed what we have known since November, Cox said in a statement.

With partisan fervor high in Richmond, the Fairfax recount was an exercise in civility.

Roughly 40 poll workers sat side-by-side inside two courthouse jury rooms, sorting through stacks of ballots and looking for any signs of mistakes while observers from each party hovered nearby to monitor the process.

Others fed the ballots that appeared to be problem-free into scanning machines.

When the last ballot was scanned, several election workers and observers applauded.

As they prepared to leave the courthouse, a few cheerfully predicted more recounts ahead in the years to come as some districts in Northern Virginia become increasingly purple.

See you next time! one election worker called out to Stephen M. Hunt, a member of the Fairfax electoral board.
MARYLAND

Infant in car seat is

struck by vehicle

An infant sitting in a car seat was struck by a vehicle Wednesday after a caregiver put the car seat down on the ground at a parking lot in Gaithersburg, officials said.

The infant was transported to a hospital but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries, according to a Twitter message from Pete Piringer, a spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

The incident happened around 10 a.m. at the Toys R Us on North Frederick Avenue. It was not clear how or why the vehicle struck the child in the car seat.

 Dana Hedgpeth

Police check possible

human remains

Prince Georges County police were investigating possible human remains found Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area of Capitol Heights.

Authorities were conducting a death investigation in the 5400 block of Sheriff Road, police said in a Twitter message.

THE REGION

FBI says it will

release video, later

The FBI says it will release the in-car video that captured the fatal shooting of Bijan Ghaisar by U.S. Park Police officers last month, but only at the conclusion of specific investigative actions, so as not to prejudice the ongoing investigation.

Ghaisar, 25, was shot Nov. 17 as he sat in the drivers seat of his Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Fort Hunt area of Fairfax County. He died on Nov. 27. His family said he was unarmed and was shot three times in the head.

The Park Police have not explained why Ghaisar was shot, or who shot him, and they turned the investigation over to the FBI. The Fairfax Board of Supervisors sent a letter to the FBI last week seeking the release of information about the killing, and the video, as soon as possible. Fairfax police had joined a pursuit of Ghaisar after he left a traffic accident, and one of their in-car cameras recorded the incident.

Andrew W. Vale, assistant director of the FBIs Washington Field Office, said in a letter dated Dec. 11 that the FBI is committed to transparency in the case, but that the premature release of this video risks a fair, impartial and unbiased investigation.

VIRGINIA

Fairfax police believe

a coyote killed a dog

Fairfax County police said in a statement Tuesday that a dog was believed to have been killed overnight Sunday in a suspected coyote attack.

The site of the suspected attack was the 7000 block of Bradley Circle in Annandale, the police said.

Both before and after the suspected attack, police said, an animal had been seen nearby that matched the description of a coyote.

 Martin Weil
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Wednesday proposed expanding a state tax break for manufacturers that create new jobs, calling for lawmakers to extend the credits to more industries and jurisdictions.

Hogans plan, which he will introduce during the 2018 legislative session, builds upon a measure he signed this year to boost employment in the state.

The existing program provides manufacturing businesses in eight high-unemployment jurisdictions with relief from state sales taxes, along with property and income taxes, if they add at least five jobs and provide workers with skills training. Manufacturers in four other counties qualify solely for income-tax credits if they create at least 10 jobs.

Hogans proposal would tweak the program, providing the full slate of tax breaks to all 12 jurisdictions while allowing them to apply the tax relief to three additional industries of their choices.

The governor said his plan would help the state create an environment of economic opportunity for every Marylander, and to accelerate growth in some of the sectors where Maryland already leads.

Counties in Western Maryland may want to incentivize companies in logisistics and distribution; counties on the Eastern Shore may want to provide incentives to grow various types of agri-business, Hogan said.

Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Vice Chair Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), who is running for governor in 2018, said Hogans proposal could have negative consequences for the state.

I would want to see what the impact on revenues are going to be, he said. With the Republicans in Congress about to cut the corporate income tax, I dont know that this is the moment to be giving away more to companies, when we may not be able to afford providing health care to children.

Madaleno noted the governor unveiled his proposal on the same day the state Board of Revenue Estimates announced state revenues for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 combined are projected to be $62 million below the level previously forecast.

Hogan said 70 manufacturers have notified the state that they plan to use the existing tax-relief program, potentially creating thousands of jobs. He said 17 companies that have already filed official applications could create about 450 new jobs in places such as Baltimore City, Prince Georges County, Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

The governor also announced Wednesday that his administration would launch a $33 million partnership with the University System of Maryland to increase the number of degrees awarded in science, technology, engineering and math.

Additionally, he said the state would team up with Johns Hopkins University to create another cell-therapy manufacturing center in Baltimore.
A District employee who has conducted mental evaluations on hundreds of criminal defendants as a forensic psychologist has been removed from that role after concerns surfaced about her educational qualifications, according to city officials.

Officials with the Districts Department of Health said Reston N. Bell was not qualified to conduct the assessments without the help or review of a supervisor. The city said it had mistakenly granted Bell, who was hired in 2016, a license to practice psychology, but this month the license was downgraded to psychology associate.

Although Bell has a masters degree in psychology and a doctorate in education, she does not have a PhD in psychology, which led to the downgrade.

Bells situation prompted the Council for Court Excellence, a nonprofit that advocates for improving the citys criminal justice system, to raise concerns about the hundreds of defendants Bell had evaluated. Forensic psychologists help the court determine if arrestees are competent to stand trial or require treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital, the citys public psychiatric hospital.

Based on the qualifications of Dr. Bell, it is possible that, based on her recommendations to the court, defendants may have been inappropriately sent to Saint Elizabeths, released to the community for outpatient restoration, or released without any recommendation for treatment at all, the council wrote in a Dec. 8 letter to D.C. auditor Kathleen Patterson.

The council also wrote that it had additional concerns that many, if not all, of the evaluations she conducted throughout her tenure at (Department of Behavioral Health) have put the criminal cases associated with those evaluations at risk for review by the courts.

It is unclear whether prosecutors or defense attorneys will seek to challenge any decisions based on Bells assessments.

In a letter to Patterson on Wednesday, Tanya A. Royster, director of the Department of Behavioral Health, defended Bells work and said her agency hired Bell only after the city licensed her as a psychologist.

We take your concerns seriously, but after reviewing the matter we do not agree that Dr. Bell did anything wrong or that her reports were not well-qualified and supported expert opinions when rendered, Royster wrote.

The agency said Bell has been reassigned to other duties because the department does not have enough psychologists to supervise her during criminal evaluations.

Bell did not respond to emails seeking comment. Phyllis Jones, a spokeswoman for the department who said she was speaking on behalf of Bell, said Bell declined to comment because the matter was a personnel issue.

The questions regarding Bells assessments come amid ongoing tensions between D.C. Superior Court judges and the behavioral health agency over how the city handles defendants who may suffer from mental illness. The Department of Behavioral Health also oversees St. Elizabeths Hospital.

In recent months, judges have criticized the agency for what they say is a failure to examine, in a timely manner, criminal defendants who are suspected of mental illness. Judges have highlighted a case in which a defendant reporting for a psychological examination was turned away because the agency did not have a qualified psychologist available and said other defendants have been held too long in jail despite court orders that they be taken to St. Elizabeths for treatment.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton C. Lee raised the issue during a Thursday hearing, questioning whether reassigning Bell would result in delays in court-ordered mental evaluations.

This is a nightmare waiting to happen, Lee said. Dr. Bell is a new fire in putting out fire after fire. I want to see something internally to address these issues rather than someone outside of DBH bringing it to your attention.

Andrew J. Saindon, senior assistant attorney general for the District, said he believes the city will be able to keep up with needed evaluations and added that there are plans to hire more psychologists. He also said there are plans toexpand the bed space at St. Elizabeths.

We believe we can meet the demands, Saindon said.

[Judges criticize District agency for treatment of arrestees with mental illness]

Bell was one of two full-time employees who examined criminal defendants on behalf of D.C. Superior Court. In past years, there have been as many as four people tasked with that job.

Laura E. Hankins, general counsel for the Districts Public Defender Service, said her agency was concerned about Bell but also believes that there are larger problems with the behavioral health agencys ability to keep up with the needs of defendants.

Anyone tasked with conducting forensic competence screenings should have the proper qualifications, clinical skills and licensure. The insufficient number of qualified forensic psychologists has resulted in defendants being turned away after arriving at their scheduled appointments and in court cases being continued, Hankins said.

She said her agency believes that there is a larger problem of DBHs callous disregard for the disruption their delays and unavailability cause to the lives of particularly vulnerable defendants and to the Court.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys Office, which oversees the prosecution of most criminal cases in the District, declined to comment.

Tom Lalley, a spokesman for the Districts Department of Health, said the District granted Bell a psychologist license in October 2015 in error. The District hired Bell as a forensic psychologist a year later at a salary of $90,254, officials said.

Lalley said the city looked into Bells qualifications in November after it received information about her education and training. Officials declined to elaborate.

Lalley said Bell previously worked as a clinical psychologist and a school psychologist in Virginia, including for Fairfax County Public Schools and the George Mason University Center for Psychological Services.
Prince George's County police charged Raekwon Dixon, 22, with making a bomb threat at the energy plant he works at in Brandywine. (Prince George's County police department)

Prince Georges County police charged a 22-year-old man with making a bomb threat last week against a power plant where he worked in Brandywine, officials said.

Authorities charged Raekwon Dixon, of the 2900 block of Brinkley Road, with making a false statement regarding a destructive device, making a threat of mass violence and making a bomb threat, county police said in a statement.

On December 8, the Keys Energy Plant evacuated the facility on North Keys Road about 7:30 p.m. after a supervisor received a text message that said six bombs were set to detonate that night, police said.

The county police Homeland Security Division and the Arson/Bomb Task Force were called to investigate and identified Dixon as a suspect, officials said. Police did not say how they determined Dixon was a suspect and did not release details of the evidence against him.

Investigators searched his home and police said they found no explosive materials.

Authorities arrested Dixon on Tuesday, police said.

Even if the originator of a threat has no intention to cause harm to anyone, he or she could still face extensive criminal charges, said Acting Major Zachary Olare of the Homeland Security Division.
A Maryland man pleaded guilty Thursday to sexual abuse committed while working as a massage therapist in Northwest Washington.

[Massage therapist arrested after alleged sexual assault in D.C.]

Habtamu Gebreslassie, 24, of Silver Spring, was arrested in September after sexually assaulting a woman while giving her a massage at Massage Envy in the 4900 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia said in a statement.

Gebreslassie, who was a licensed D.C. massage therapist, also attempted to engage in a sexual act with a client at that location in August, and engaged in unwanted sexual contact with a client at another massage establishment in Dupont Circle in June, federal prosecutors said.

On Thursday, Gebreslassie pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse of a patient or client, attempted first-degree sexual abuse of a patient or client, and misdemeanor sexual abuse.

Gebreslassie, who has been in custody since his arrest, faces up to 60 months in prison and will have to register as a sex offender for life, prosecutors said. He is due in court for sentencing in February.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 18: Then D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier comforts a grieving mother at the crime scene where her son was shot and killed Tuesday on the front lawn of St. Luke Catholic Church on East Capitol Street Southeast in Washington Tuesday, August 18, 2015. (J. Lawler Duggan/For The Washington Post)

Two suspects were arrested Wednesday in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old who was gunned down two years ago on the front lawn of a Catholic Church during a summer crime wave in which the Districts homicide count spiked.

The victim, Amari Jenkins, was one of three people killed in separate shootings on a single afternoon in the District on Aug. 18, 2015, during a series of deadly attacks that had a new mayor and her then Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier speeding from crime scene to crime scene to address the violence.

The suspects were identified as Rondell McLeod, 24, Joseph Antonio, 27, were each charged with first-degree murder while armed. Police said both men live in Northeast. Authorities had no comment about a possible motive.

The suspects could make initial appearances in D.C. Superior Court later Thursday, when additional information about the case would be revealed.

[Three shot on single afternoon in 2015 angers mayor, police chief]

Little was learned of the victim Jenkins, of Southeast, who was shot about 12:10 p.m. His body, lying under a sheet near a statue of Jesus outside St. Luke Roman Catholic Church in the 4900 block of East Capitol Street SE, became a symbol for a dangerous summer that drove the homicide count to 162, the highest since 2008.

It was a 35 percent increase over 2014 and raised concerns the District was returning to patterns of violence not seen for years.

The number of homicides dropped to 135 in 2016 and stands at 109 so far this year. Jenkins relatives descended to the scene and broke down in the street, several wailing as they were consoled by Lanier. Tensions were high at the scene.

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), was in her first year in office during the outbreak of violence. Lanier retired in the fall of 2016.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn dangled a $9 billion carrot Wednesday in front of more than 100 companies potentially interested in adding express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway, Interstate 270 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Its amazing, Rahn quipped to more than 320 highway engineers, designers and builders in a ballroom at the BWI Airport Marriott in Linthicum. You can get a lot of attention when you put a nine in front of a B.

Officially, the Maryland Department of Transportations industry forum was intended to provide companies more details about the plan to add four toll lanes each to some of the Washington regions most traffic-clogged highways. But as Maryland officials eyed the ballroom filled with business executives tapping on laptops and jotting notes, they also saw potential. It seems Marylands proposal to build $7.6 billion of the toll lanes via a public-private partnership has prompted a slew of firms to at least consider competing for the job.

State officials say it would be the biggest partnership of its kind in the United States, and several attendees said Maryland has one of the most massive projects up for grabs in the highway construction industry.

I dont want to just do something, Rahn told the crowd. I want to do something that delivers a wow for traffic relief.

[Idea of adding toll lanes to Maryland highways has hit barriers before]

One big unknown: the cost of the tolls. After the meeting, Rahn said he was aware variable rates on toll lanes that opened last week on part of Interstate 66 in Northern Virginia had soared to as high as $40.

Obviously, that caught my attention, Rahn said.

[No one has to pay a toll. Virginia transportation chief defends high tolls on I-66]

However, he noted the I-66 toll has since peaked at about $14. He said Maryland will know the range of toll rates on its highways just before it chooses a winning proposal. Like Northern Virginias toll lanes, there will be no limit on how high tolls could go to keep traffic moving.

Clearly an exorbitant toll means people wont use it, Rahn said after the meeting.  . . . These toll operators understand they need to provide a reasonable toll to have adequate users.

The regular lanes will remain free.

The state is seeking a team of companies to design the lanes, finance their construction, build them and operate them long-term in exchange for collecting the toll revenue. The public-private partnership will be used to add toll lanes to Marylands 42 miles of the Beltway and 34 miles of I-270 between the Beltway and Frederick.

The state plans to finance and build the 29 miles of toll lanes on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which are estimated to cost $1.47 billion, assuming the federal government agrees to transfer it to the state.

The state is not expecting to pay anything on the Beltway or I-270 projects, Rahn said.

State officials said they plan to solicit proposals in 2019 and select a winner in 2020.

[Montgomery leaders ask for more transit in state tolling plan]

Rahn said the state will leave details of the design to bidders in hopes of receiving the most creative ideas. Maryland officials said proposals also will be judged on how the teams plan to build the lanes quickly, keep traffic moving during construction and limit impacts on adjacent homes and businesses.

Between MDOTs presentations, the ballroom buzzed with people exchanging business cards and chatting in small groups. Some attendees said companies were feeling each other out, sizing up possible bid partners and competitors. Maryland officials said the event drew company representatives from across the United States and the world, including Australia, Spain and Denmark.

Normally at these events, you know everyone in the room. This time, I barely know a quarter, said John Huchrowski, of Prime AE Group, a Baltimore engineering firm. Its brought out the big guns.

Simon Reutersward, a project manager in a local office of the Swedish construction giant Skanska, said his company is considering whether to compete for the project.

Asked to put the potential contract into perspective, he said, For any company in this room it would be a big deal, absolutely, very big. You can see the attention its getting. Its quite remarkable.
Virginias House majority leader said this week he would like to help Metro in the legislative session that starts next month, but only if there are rigorous reforms to restrain labor costs and ensure safety.

The comments by Del. M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) underline the political and legislative challenges that face Gov. Terry McAuliffes plan to provide dedicated funding for Metro. The outgoing Democratic governor is expected to announce his financing proposal Monday when he releases his final budget.

Cox said his caucus would prefer to support Metro via federal legislation recently proposed by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.). Comstocks bill would increase Virginias contribution to Metro by $25 million a year, which is much less than the transit agencys request for about $150 million from the state as its share of the money needed to maintain safety and reliability.

Comstocks bill is a more practical way for Republicans to get to the money piece, Cox said Tuesday at a meeting of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce.

Cox is in line to be House speaker, pending results of recounts following last months election. Even if the Democrats win enough recounts to gain control of the chamber, Cox could still wield considerable power as minority leader.

[McAuliffe says Virginia has done its part to fix Metro and needs Maryland and D.C. to step up.]

In a separate development, top local elected officials on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments failed to agree Wednesday on a long-term plan for funding the agency despite nearly a year of formal discussions aimed at reaching a consensus.

The division on COGs board of directors pits the District against Virginia and Maryland. The Districts representatives, led by D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), insisted that a uniform, regionwide tax should provide the additional $500 million a year that Metro says it needs.

Virginia and Maryland said that each jurisdiction and the federal government should pay an equal share, deciding for themselves how to raise the money. At a meeting of 25 COG board members, the two states representatives easily outvoted the Districts to approve a resolution endorsing Maryland and Virginias position.

COG resolutions are not legally binding and serve primarily to demonstrate regional intent. As a result, the failure to achieve consensus highlights the regions inability to speak with a unified voice on the key question of how to pay for Metro.

[Rep. Comstocks bill would give Metro more federal money in exchange for reform board and controls on labor costs.]

Im disappointed that the District did not join in, said Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D), who led the Metro Strategy Group formed in January to seek accord.

This is not the end of the process, Bulova said. Were in the middle, really, of bringing the region together on deciding on more funding and then deciding how it will be allocated.

The debate over Metro will enter a new phase with McAuliffes plan for a dedicated revenue source. The Virginia governor has not provided details, except to say that it will come with two conditions: that the District and Maryland provide comparable funding, and that Metro adopt a five-member reform board as recommended in a recent study by former U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood.

McAuliffe steps down as governor next month at the end of a four-year term, when he will hand off the Metro effort to fellow Democrat and ally, Gov.-elect Ralph Northam.

Cox acknowledged that Metro is  a very valuable system, but made clear his party wants enforceable restrictions on labor costs and other changes.

Wed like to do something for Metro, he said. The key thing for a lot of our people is the reform components have to be in place.

He said that he and other GOP legislators have not been real happy with the safety record, have not been real happy with the labor costs . . . exorbitant overtime pay, etc.

[LaHood report on Metro urges dedicated funding, bus fare hike, trim in pension costs.]

Cox repeatedly praised the Comstock bill, which would weaken workers pension guarantees, cap overtime pay and freeze Metros personnel-related expenses for five years.

It would set up a reform board, similar to LaHoods, but with authority to unilaterally revise labor agreements.

The provisions targeting labor have so far led Democrats in Northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs to shy away from backing the Comstock bill  a lack of support that hurts its chances.

The Comstock bill would increase the annual federal subsidy to Metro from $150 million to $225 million, on condition that Virginia, Maryland and the District continue to provide matching funds. That means Virginia would increase its match from $50 million a year to $75 million, as part of a total increase in federal and local subsidies of $150 million a year.

Cox appeared to think that would be sufficient. But the Metro board, COG and other stakeholders including business and labor leaders have all endorsed General Manager Paul J. Wiedefelds request for an additional $500 million a year to make up for decades of underinvestment.

In the COG discussions, a main point of contention has been how to share the burden of providing the additional funding.

Until this month, Virginia and Maryland jurisdictions have supported using an existing formula under which the District pays 35.7 percent of capital costs, Maryland pays 33.4 percent and Virginia pays 30.9 percent. The formula, which dates to Metros founding 40 years ago, is recalculated regularly to take into account changes in population, ridership and the addition of stations.

But the District has pushed for a uniform regional tax  such as a sales tax  to pay for Metros additional needs. The city said it is penalized by the existing formula, because the District pays more than Virginia and Maryland even though it has a smaller population and tax base.

In response, Bulova proposed a compromise under which each of the three jurisdictions, and the federal government, would contribute equal shares of $125 million a year.

But Mendelson said that, too, was unfair, because the District has only 15 percent of the regions population. He and others also expressed doubt that the federal government would contribute the extra $125 million, so the actual burden on each of the three local jurisdictions would be larger.
Corey Stewart holds a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. Stewart is running to unseat Sen. Tim Kaine (D) in 2018. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Roy Moores defeat in ruby-red Alabama may spell trouble for Virginia Republican Senate hopefuls Corey Stewart and E.W. Jackson, both of whom, like Moore, have pursued platforms far from the partys establishment wing.

Both Virginia hopefuls entered the Republican primary campaigning to the right of fellow GOP candidates: Stewart as a self-professed mini Donald Trump who has voiced support for Confederate statues and Jackson a firebrand preacher who has called gay people ill.

After the results were tallied in Alabama  first-time candidate Doug Jones bested Moore by more than 20,000 votes  Stewart, who had stumped for Moore, sounded off against GOP leaders who he said "colluded" with Republicans to undermine the former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

Jackson, an African American minister, tweeted: The black vote did not turn out against Roy Moore because of the sex scandal, but because of alleged racially insensitive remarks & perceived disdain for black voters.

But experts say such attention-grabbing statements dont represent a version of the Republican Party that can topple Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) next year.



E.W. Jackson is seen in November 2013 as he conceded the Virginia lieutenant governors race. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

They cite Ed Gillespies June primary win over Stewart for the gubernatorial nomination and the way Virginia voters repudiated President Trump by handing the governors office to Democrat Ralph Northam by a 9-point margin.

Extremist messaging is problematic in Virginia, but its even problematic in Alabama, said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. Of Virginia, he said: An evangelical message or a nativist-focused message might get you a nomination, but itll be toxic in a general election.

The Virginia GOPs craving for a not-so-extreme candidate could be why Del. Nick Freitas (Culpeper), an Army veteran and tea party-style conservative, is picking up early buzz as an alternative to Stewart.

An hour after the results in Alabama came in, Freitas chose to post on Facebook about a youth counseling program and not the election. He did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday.

The results in Alabama, as well as the outcome of the most recent Virginia election, may prove to be a moderating factor.

Jackson is beginning to rebrand himself as tolerant.

In a 2012 interview with the group Americans for Truth about Homosexuality, which has been called a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Jackson called gay people "perverted" and "very sick people psychologically and mentally and emotionally." Later in the same interview he called homosexuality a "horrible sin" that "poisons culture" and "destroys families."

However, on Tuesday, Jackson told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he should not have taken that tone.

I regret using any words that hurt people or that make people think I hate them, or that make people think I look down on them, he said.

Like Stewart, Jackson said he still opposes same-sex marriage but wont be openly hostile to gay and transgender people, whom he said he would physically fight for if he saw them being bullied.

We may be in this alternative universe between now and the June primary where E.W. Jackson is a moderate candidate in the field of Republicans running to take on Tim Kaine, said Quentin Kidd, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University.

Yet, earlier this week Jackson suggested Stewart had "some dealings" with the Muslim Brotherhood  a jab Stewart labeled vintage Jackson.

Hes a crackpot, Stewart said in a phone interview Wednesday from Alabama. Hes getting even crazier.

Stewart said Democrats would not let Jackson off the hook despite his attempts to moderate his comments on gay and transgender people  and neither would he.

Stewart shows no signs of backing off his self-described anti-politically correct soapbox.

In a minute-long video on Facebook shortly after the results came in, Stewart promised to never surrender to the Republican establishment, which colluded together with the Democrats to undermine Judge Moore and will follow suit in his race next year.

Its the classic David and Goliath scenario, he said in an interview Wednesday. Ive got a slingshot, Im just looking for the right stone.
MINNESOTA

Lieutenant governor

to fill Frankens seat

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) on Wednesday announced his intention to appoint Lt. Gov. Tina F. Smith, his former chief of staff, to fill the seat expected to be vacated by Sen. Al Franken (D)  and she plans to run for election in November to finish out the term.

I am resolved to do everything I can to move Minnesota forward, Smith said at a news conference in St. Paul, Minn.

She promised to serve in the progressive tradition of others who have held the seat, including Sens. Paul Wellstone, Eugene McCarthy and Walter Mondale, to make a better, more inclusive and just future for all of us.

Smith will be the 22nd female senator in the 115th Congress.

A New Mexico native, graduate of Stanford University and former vice president of a regional Planned Parenthood, Smith has long been a rising star in Minnesota politics.

She served as chief of staff for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak before managing his failed bid for governor in 2010. Smith later helped Daytons successful campaign and became his chief of staff when he won. She was elected lieutenant governor in 2014.

Franken, who has faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment, announced last week that he would resign his office in the coming weeks but has not set a date. Smith said she expected to take office in early January.

 Ed OKeefe and Michael Scherer

UTAH

Sect leader sentenced to prison for fraud

A former polygamous sect leader was sentenced Wednesday to nearly five years in prison for his role in carrying out an elaborate food stamp fraud scheme and for escaping home confinement while awaiting trial.

The sentencing of Lyle Jeffs closes the book on a government bust that took years to investigate, culminating in 2016 with fraud and money laundering charges against him and 10 other group members.

Jeffs was accused of being the ring leader of a scheme that diverted $11 million in food stamp benefits to a communal storehouse and front companies over several years.

Jeffs is a member of the Mormon offshoot group based on the Utah-Arizona border known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or FLDS. Jeffs 57, is the brother of sects imprisoned president, Warren Jeffs.

 Associated Press
Navigating Aging focuses on medical issues and advice associated with aging and end-of-life care, helping America's 45 million seniors and their families navigate the health care system.

To contact Judith Graham with a question or comment, click here.

Join the Navigating Aging Facebook Group.

Ask Edith Smith, a proud 103-year-old, about her friends, and shell give you an earful.

Theres Johnetta, 101, whom shes known for 70 years and who has Alzheimers disease. I call her every day and just say Hi, how are you doing? She never knows, but she says hi back, and I tease her, Smith said.

Theres Katie, 93, whom Smith met during a long teaching career with the Chicago Public Schools. Every day we have a good conversation. Shes still driving and lives in her own house, and she tells me whats going on.

Then theres Rhea, 90, whom Smith visits regularly at a retirement facility. And Mary, 95, who doesnt leave her house anymore, so I fix her a basket about once a month of jelly and little things I make and send it over by cab. And fellow residents at Smiths Chicago senior community, whom she recognizes with a card and a treat on their birthdays.

This Kaiser Health News story can be republished for free (details).

Im a very friendly person, Smith said, when asked to describe herself.

That may be one reason why this lively centenarian has an extraordinary memory for someone her age, suggests a recent study by researchers at Northwestern University highlighting a notable link between brain health and positive relationships.

For nine years, these experts have been examining SuperAgers  men and women over age 80 whose memories are as good  or better  than people 20 to 30 years younger. Every couple of years, the group fills out surveys about their lives and gets a battery of neuropsychological tests, brain scans and a neurological examination, among other evaluations.

"When we started this project, we weren't really sure we could find these individuals," said Emily Rogalski, an associate professor at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine.

But find them they did: Thirty-one older men and women with exceptional memories, mostly from Illinois and surrounding states, are currently participating in the project. Part of the goal is to characterize them  who are they, what are they like, Rogalski said.

Previous research by the Northwestern group provided tantalizing clues, showing that SuperAgers have distinctive brain features: thicker cortexes, a resistance to age-related atrophy and a larger left anterior cingulate (a part of the brain important to attention and working memory).

But brain structure alone doesnt fully account for SuperAgers unusual mental acuity, Rogalski suggested. Its likely there are a number of critical factors that are implicated, she said.

Subscribe to KHNs free Morning Briefing.

For their new study, the researchers asked 31 SuperAgers and 19 cognitively normal older adults to fill out a 42-item questionnaire about their psychological well-being. The SuperAgers stood out in one area: the degree to which they reported having satisfying, warm, trusting relationships. (In other areas, such as having a purpose in life or retaining autonomy, they were much like their normal peers.)

Social relationships are really important to this group and might play a significant role in preserving their cognition, Rogalski said.

That finding is consistent with other research linking positive relationships to a reduced risk of cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Still, researchers haven't examined how SuperAgers sustain these relationships and whether their experiences might include lessons for others.

Smith, one of the SuperAgers, has plenty of thoughts about that. At her retirement community, shes one of nine people who welcome new residents and try to help make them feel at home. I have a smile for everybody, she said. I try to learn someones name as soon as they come in, and if I see them its Good morning, how do you do?

Many old people, all they do is tell you the same story over and over, she said. And sometimes, all they do is complain and not show any interest in what you have to say. Thats terrible. You have to listen to what people have to say.

Brian Fenwick, administrator of the Bethany Retirement Community where Smith lives, calls Smith a leader in the community and explains that shes very involved. She keeps us in line. She notices whats going on and isnt afraid to speak out.

Fifteen years ago, Smith became a caregiver for her husband, who passed away in 2013. All the time he was ill, I was still doing things for me, she recalls. You cannot drop everything and expect to be able to pick it up. You cant drop your friends and expect them to be there when youre ready.

What she does every day, she said, is show people I care.

Straight From The Patients Mouth: Videos Can Clearly State Your End-Of-Life Wishes

How Older Patients Can Dodge Pitfalls Entrenched In Health Care System

Learning To Advance The Positives Of Aging

William Bill Gurolnick, 86, another SuperAger in the study, realized the value of becoming more demonstrative after he retired from a sales and marketing position in 1999. Men arent usually inclined to talk about their feelings, and I was a keep-things-inside kind of person, he explained. But opening up to other people is one of the things that I learned to do.

With a small group of other men whod left the work world behind, Gurolnick helped found a mens group, Men Enjoying Leisure, which now has nearly 150 members and has spawned four similar groups in the Chicago suburbs. Every month, the group meets for two hours, including one hour they spend discussing personal issues  divorce, illness, children who cant find jobs, and more.

We learn people arent alone in the problems theyre dealing with, Gurolnick said, adding that a dozen or so of the men have become good friends.

Bill is the glue that holds the whole group together, said Buddy Kalish, 80, a member of the group in Northbrook, Ill., a Chicago suburb. Hes very, very caring  the first one to send out a thank-you note, the first one to send out a notice when theres been a death in the family.

Activities are another way of cultivating relationships for Gurolnick. On Mondays, he bikes 20 to 30 miles with more than a dozen older men  many of them from his mens group  followed by lunch. On Tuesdays, hes part of a walking group, followed by coffee. On Wednesdays, he goes to the Wenger Jewish Community Center in Northbrook for two hours of water volleyball. On Thursdays, its back to the JCC for pickleball, a racquet sport.

You really get a sense of still being alive, Gurolnick said, when asked what he takes away from these interactions. You get a sense of not being alone.

Without her best friend, Grayce, whom shes known since high school, and friends who live in her condominium complex, Evelyn Finegan, 88, might have become isolated. Another SuperAger, Finegan is hard of hearing and has macular degeneration in both eyes, but otherwise is astonishingly healthy.

Its very important to keep up with your friends  to pick up the phone and call, said Finegan, who talks to Grayce almost daily and chats with four other friends from high school on a regular basis.

Today, the staples of Finegans life are her church; a monthly book club; volunteering at a resale shop in Oak Park, Ill.; socializing with a few people in her building; attending a club of Welsh women; and seeing her daughter, her son-in-law and grandchildren, who live in Oregon, whenever she can.

Its so nice to spend time with Evelyn, said her upstairs neighbor, June Witzl, 91, who often drives Finegan to doctors appointments. Shes very kind and very generous. And she tells you what she believes so you really feel like you know her, instead of wondering whats on her mind.

We're eager to hear from readers about questions you'd like answered, problems you've been having with your care and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit khn.org/columnists to submit your requests or tips.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
When President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, it came with a regulatory change intended to make it easier for people to get care. The declaration allows for doctors to prescribe addiction medicine virtually, without ever seeing the patient in person.

In Indiana, this kind of virtual visit has been legal since early 2017. But among a dozen addiction specialists in Indiana contacted by a reporter, just one had heard of doctors using telemedicine for opioid addiction treatment: Dr. Jay Joshi.

At Joshi's practice, Prestige Clinics in Munster, Ind., a telemedicine consultation takes place in what looks like a standard exam room with a computer. On Tuesdays, Joshi's patients have video chats with a psychologist who lives 140 miles away.

Elizabeth Hall is one of those patients. The only issue I really had with it was [that] it would freeze, which is kind of inconvenient and a little bit awkward, she said. When it freezes youre like, What do I do? Just sit here and stare at the lady?

But she said she appreciates the counseling. Shes a former nurses assistant and has been going to Joshi for back pain and to treat a heroin addiction for about a year.

Subscribe to KHNs free Morning Briefing.

Im in a good place, you know? she said. Im not doing nothing I shouldnt be doing. Im not lying to nobody. Im not sneaking around. Plus, I have a baby. Im really busy!

To get her insurer to cover her addiction medicine, Hall has to prove shes engaged in counseling. Local counselors are hard to find. By having a telepsychologist available, Joshi helps patients clear that hurdle.

Halls insurance also requires urine tests for drug use to keep covering her medication. But she failed her latest urine test  she had used drugs the previous week. Joshi asked Hall to talk to the telepsychologist about the relapse.

I know you know that I havent done anything since last week, and I told them Im not doing nothing no more. I cant screw up my life, Hall said.

Because of the failed test, her insurance may refuse to pay for Suboxone, her addiction medication. Joshis staff may need to intervene with the insurer by phone to keep Halls treatment covered. Its one of those situations where shes not taking any other controlled substance, Joshi said. Were seeing her every two weeks. Shes participating in the counseling. Its just one thing.

Hall said, Ive been doing really good, its just, you know, its hard.

This is why Joshi requires in-person visits  to begin and maintain his patients Suboxone prescriptions. He prefers to see these patients every two weeks and will even arrange transportation before going too long without seeing them.

Occasionally hell prescribe Suboxone remotely, but typically only for a refill once or twice during a patients treatment. Seeing the patient in person is critical to their treatment, he said.

Youre not going to get a good system of health care for primary care in these high-risk areas unless you invest time and energy into these patients, he said.

The face-to-face interaction establishes trust, allows him to pick up on body language. Plus, its hard to do a urine drug test screen remotely and be sure that the sample actually belongs to the patient. A proper screen lets him know if his patients are taking their medication, instead of selling it.

He asked Hall if she mentioned her recent drug use to the counselor.

I really dont remember if I talked to her about it or not, she said. Joshi said to make sure she comes in for her next counseling session.

Joshi said he has a lot of conversations that arent billable.

Thats partly why there is a shortage of addiction treatment doctors, said Dr. Emily Zarse. She runs the addiction treatment program at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis.

Telemedicine is a great idea in theory, but it doesnt fix the workforce shortage problem, she said.

Insurance billing takes up a lot of time and so do the complexities of addiction treatment, she said.

There is one area where Zarse thinks telemedicine would be helpful  as a tool to train providers. That takes one experts time for a couple of hours a week, maybe, and you can reach 10, 15, 20 people all at one time, she said.

In fact, Zarse plans to launch a course to train Indiana doctors to treat addiction. In January, she'll learn more about how to do it, from Project Echo, a resource for clinicians seeking virtual training tools. Zarse envisions a place where doctors from around the state can call in to video chat and walk through cases with trained psychiatrists like herself.

This story is part of a partnership that includes WFYI,Side Effects Public, NPR and Kaiser Health News.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Abortion rights activists stand in protest on Wednesday in the Ohio Senate chamber in Columbus after passage of a bill banning abortions in cases of a Down syndrome diagnosis. (Julie Carr Smyth/AP)

Lawmakers in Ohio took steps this week to bar abortions when they are sought because a fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, one of more than a dozen abortion restrictions passed in the state in recent years.

The state legislature approved the bill Wednesday, sending it to Gov. John Kasich (R), who has not said explicitly whether he plans to sign it. He is a staunch abortion opponent, and earlier this year he called a prohibition on abortion in cases of the genetic disorder appropriate.

If the bill is enacted, Ohio would become the latest state to try to stop women from aborting fetuses when they discover through prenatal testing that they have a chromosomal defect. Similar laws have been passed in North Dakota, Indiana and Louisiana, though the latter two have been blocked by the courts.

The issue of abortion in the case of genetic disorders is particularly fraught because of recent advances in prenatal testing. Down syndrome, which occurs when a person has an extra 21st chromosome and causes cognitive delays and other problems, can now be predicted through a blood test as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. A firm diagnosis usually requires more-invasive follow-up testing.

[Perspective: People with Down syndrome are happy. Why are we trying to eliminate them?]



Ohio Gov. John Kasich R) has not said whether he will sign the bill. (Aaron Josefczyk/Reuters)

Disability groups have been divided over state-level bans such as the one in Ohio, with many national organizations staying out of the conversation. Some disability rights activists favor the bans, saying the country is on a slippery slope toward eugenics. Others argue that abortion bans do nothing to improve the lives of those living with disabilities and infringe on womens rights.

The Ohio measure is different from others because it focuses solely on Down syndrome vs. other medical concerns. Doctors who knowingly violate the ban would face losing their medical licenses and could serve jail time. Women seeking the terminations, however, would not be punished.

In Ohio, the vote drew cheers from antiabortion activists, who say it is wrong to abort a child simply because he or she has a genetic defect. Every Ohioan deserves the right to life, no matter how many chromosomes they have, Michael Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, said in a statement.

Angela Boblitt, an antiabortion activist who has a 4-year-old child with Down syndrome and runs an adoption agency, said in an interview that she was pleased with the vote  because it will protect children like her daughter Lucy and it advances the antiabortion cause.

I just think its a part of the puzzle to us coming toward seeing an end to abortion, Boblitt said. And we definitely do feel that aborting a child because of a medical diagnosis is discriminatory.

[One sibling had Down syndrome, the other didnt. They both graduated, and now theyre off to college.]

Abortion rights groups urged Kasich to veto the measure. They called the bill a desperate attempt to further restrict abortion in a state that has seen some 18 abortion restrictions enacted since Kasich took office in 2011. They also contend it will interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.

This encourages women to withhold information from their doctors, and it prevents them from having open and honest conversations to be able to make the most-informed decision, said Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union. It is all the more clear that [lawmakers] will try anything to push abortion out of reach for women in the state.

If Kasich signs the measure, the ACLU probably will sue to block it, arguing that it is an unconstitutional ban on a procedure that has been legal nationally since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

Leesha Thrower, a communications professor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College who supports abortion rights, said she was outraged by the vote. The mother of a 6-year-old with Down syndrome, she said that lawmakers were simply using her daughters condition as an excuse to curb womens reproductive freedom.

If politicians were really concerned with Down syndrome, the things wed be talking about are access to health care, independent living, opportunities for children when they graduate high school, she said. Wed be talking about companies that should be hiring children with Down syndrome.

Alarm about abortion of fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome spiked during the summer after a widely viewed CBS News report showed that women in Iceland had all but stopped giving birth to babies with Down syndrome, thanks to mandatory prenatal testing and liberal abortion laws.

Antiabortion groups seized on the report as a cautionary tale for the United States.

Although reliable statistics in the United States are scant, advocates for children with Down syndrome say a prenatal diagnosis often leads to abortion. Approximately 6,000 babies are born annually with the disorder, according to the National Down Syndrome Society, and many of them go on to get married, live independently and hold down jobs.
BRITAIN

Lawmakers vote for final say on Brexit deal

British lawmakers upended Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit plans on Wednesday by voting to give Parliament the final say on any exit agreement the government reaches with the European Union.

The House of Commons voted 309 to 305 to insert Parliament in the strained Brexit process, dealing a blow to Mays already fragile authority.

Several lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party sided with the opposition to insist that any withdrawal deal with the E.U. require an act of Parliament to take effect  essentially giving lawmakers a veto on Brexit.

The vote was on an amendment to the E.U. Withdrawal Bill, the governments flagship piece of Brexit legislation. The bill would convert about 12,000 E.U. laws into British statute on the day the United Kingdom leaves the bloc in March 2019.

If the amendment survives a final vote on the bill, it would not have a direct effect on Britains talks with the E.U. However, it could reinforce perceptions that May lacks authority.

Earlier Wednesday, E.U. chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there will be no turning back for Britain on commitments made in an initial divorce deal between the two, after his U.K. counterpart insisted that it was merely a statement of intent.

The initial deal involved the maintenance of a transparent border between E.U. member Ireland and the U.K.s Northern Ireland, as well as citizens rights.

E.U. leaders open a two-day summit on Brexit on Thursday.

 Associated Press

CONGO

12 sentenced to life for gang rapes of children

In a groundbreaking trial in a country where sexual violence is rampant and perpetrators often go unpunished, a military court in eastern Congo on Wednesday sentenced 12 militia members to life in prison for the gang rapes of dozens of children as young as 11 months old and for murder.

The court convicted provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike of organizing the violence, which began in 2013 and continued for years. Young girls were raped as part of the militia members superstitious belief that it would make them impervious to bullets, a United Nations report said this year.

The court awarded $5,000 to each victim of sexual violence and $15,000 to the families of those killed for criticizing the militias actions.

Batumikes immunity as a legislator was waived so he could stand trial.

 Associated Press

RWANDA

Report accuses France of role in 1994 genocide

A report commissioned by Rwandas government accuses France of supplying weapons and protection to the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide, in which more than 800,000 people were killed, deepening a feud between the East African country and its former benefactor.

The report by a U.S. law firm cites evidence that purports to show French complicity before, during and after the genocide by ethnic Hutu extremists against ethnic Tutsi and some Hutu moderates. French officials provided sanctuary to some genocide suspects and have obstructed attempts to bring them to justice, the report says.

The French Foreign Ministry said France is fully committed to prosecuting those who took part in the genocide. It said the French legal system has convicted several people over the slaughter and was examining several more cases.

 Associated Press

Airstrikes kill 23 in Yemen: Suspected Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen have killed at least 23 people and wounded dozens in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, according to rebel officials and witnesses. The strikes targeted a rebel camp. The Saudi-led coalition has intensified its campaign against the Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, since they killed former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, their onetime ally, last week. The coalition has been fighting the Iran-backed Houthis since 2015.

U.S. Marine chopper part injures Okinawa schoolboy: Japanese officials said a boy was injured on the island prefecture of Okinawa when a metal window frame fell from a U.S. military helicopter. The officials said the frame fell from a CH-53 transport helicopter and landed on a school playground, leaving the boy with minor arm injuries. The school is next to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The Marines said the frame was part of an emergency exit on the aircraft. Last week, a part of another U.S. military helicopter fell on a nearby kindergarten roof, but no one was injured.

 From news services
Josh Rogin's Dec. 11 op-ed, "A new stealth threat from China," should be a wake-up call to every country  not just the United States. I've lectured officials from all over China and the world on corruption and rule-of-law issues for more than 20 years. Until recently, some appeared to at least be listening to a growing democratic global drumbeat.

However, my most recent lecture to the Chinese was startling. It became clear, early on, that these officials were mainly interested in learning how to influence congressional staff and university students without getting into legal trouble. As Mr. Rogin rightly noted, this is unfortunately all too easy within our legal framework.

While Russia poses similar threats, as we are quickly learning, we must keep another eye focused on an even more dangerous, shrouded and globally influential sophisticated threat. Is anyone in Congress or the Trump administration awake?

Keith Henderson, Washington

The writer is a former senior rule of law and anti-corruption adviser at USAID and an adjunct professor at American Universitys Washington College of Law.

It's extremely troubling that "A new stealth threat from China" magnifies China's influence in the United States. It's equally troubling that the Trump administration is ceding the field to China in the energy sector. This administration has embraced the fossil fuel industry at every turn. It has turned away from the renewable energy sources that would prevent the environmental and health effects of mining and drilling, improve national security, and mitigate the climate change contributing to intense hurricanes, floods and fires. Meanwhile, China surges ahead in development of renewable technologies, spurning coal to build vast solar and wind farms, and it has become the world's leading exporter of solar and wind technologies.

It pains me to watch the United States pass up economic growth and jobs as China surpasses us and gains economic power in the world. Instead of doubling down on the dirty, dangerous and finite energy sources of the past, the United States should move toward renewables. The best way to accomplish that quickly is a market-based solution that prices carbon and puts money in the pockets of U.S. citizens so we can use the free markets China lacks to boost renewables, create jobs and compete with China.

Sally Kelly, Chevy Chase
A woman holds up a sign outside the U.S. Capitol in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Dec. 5. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Tim Cook is chief executive of Apple. Charles Koch is chairman and chief executive of Koch Industries.

The holidays are upon us, and families across the United States are coming together to celebrate. Yet for about 690,000 of our neighbors, colleagues and friends, this holiday season is marked by uncertainty and fear.

These are the "dreamers"  children of undocumented immigrants who are working, in countless ways, to make the United States stronger. Unless Congress acts, this holiday season might be the last one the dreamers get to spend in the country they love and call home.

We must do better. The United States is at its best when all people are free to pursue their dreams. Our country has enjoyed unparalleled success by welcoming people from around the world who seek to make a better life for themselves and their families, no matter what their backgrounds. It is our differences that help us to learn from each other, to challenge our old ways of thinking and to discover innovative solutions that benefit us all. To advance that prosperity and build an even stronger future, each successive generation  including, today, our own  must show the courage to embrace that diversity and to do what is right.

We have no illusions about how difficult it can be to get things done in Washington, and we know that people of good faith disagree about aspects of immigration policy. If ever there were an occasion to come together to help people improve their lives, this is it. By acting now to ensure that dreamers can realize their potential by continuing to contribute to our country, Congress can reaffirm this essential American ideal.

This is a political, economic and moral imperative. The sooner Congress resolves this situation  on a permanent basis  the sooner dreamers can seize the opportunity to plan their lives and develop their talents.

This extraordinary set of circumstances has brought the two of us together as co-authors. We are business leaders who sometimes differ on the issues of the day. Yet, on a question as straightforward as this one, we are firmly aligned.

As a matter of both policy and principle, we strongly agree that Congress must act before the end of the year to bring certainty and security to the lives of dreamers. Delay is not an option. Too many peoples futures hang in the balance.

Both of our companies are fortunate to have dreamers on our teams. We know from experience that the success of our businesses depends on having employees with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It fuels creativity, broadens knowledge and helps drive innovation. For our nation to maximize progress and prosperity, we need more, not fewer, talented people at the table.

Another foundation of our countrys success is our consistent and equal application of the law. In a free nation, individuals must be able to trust that when our government makes a promise, it is kept. Having laws that are reliable is what gives people the confidence to plan their futures and to invest in their businesses, their communities and themselves.

The United States should not hold hard-working, patriotic people hostage to the debate over immigration  or, worse, expel them because we have yet to resolve a complex national argument. Most Americans agree. In fact, more than 8 in 10 Americans support a straightforward solution to allow dreamers to stay.

No society can truly flourish when a significant portion of its people feel threatened or unable to fulfill their potential. Nor can it prosper by excluding those who want to make positive contributions. This isnt just a noble principle; its a basic fact, borne out through our national history.

Dreamers are doing their part. They have shown great faith in the United States by coming forward, subjecting themselves to background checks, and submitting personal and biometric data.

Now, the rest of us need to do our part. Congress should act quickly, ideally before years end, to ensure that these decent people can work and stay and dream in the United States. As a nation, we must show that the dreamers faith in our word and goodwill was not misplaced. And we should make clear that the United States welcomes their contributions as part of our national life.
Andrew C. McCarthy is a former federal prosecutor and a contributing editor at National Review.

As he explores possible Trump campaign collusion in Russias election interference, is special counsel Robert S. Mueller III running an impartial investigation?

That this is a fair question to ask is itself troubling. Our justice system strives to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Sure, we pounce when we detect actual corruption. But the rule of law requires that the public integrity of law enforcement be safeguarded. It is not enough to be fair. Things must appear fair  even more so when a special counsel, appointed precisely to avoid the appearance of bias, is concerned.

In Mueller's case, there are various grounds for worry. Mueller's investigation was triggered when former FBI director James B. Comey, no fan of the president who dismissed him, leaked a memo of a meeting with President Trump. Comey admitted hoping this revelation would lead to appointment of a special counsel.

Furthermore, the investigative team Mueller has assembled includes Democratic donors and supporters, including one lawyer who represented the Clinton Foundation and one who represented a subject in the Hillary Clinton email investigation. This month, moreover, it came to light that two members of the team, who had also worked on the Clinton email investigation, were having an extramarital affair and exchanged text messages expressing partisan political views  favoring Clinton and depicting Trump as "loathsome."

Worse, in one August 2016 text, one of them, FBI agent Peter Strzok, asserted that the FBI "can't take that risk" that Trump could be elected, equating some unspecified action against this seemingly unlikely possibility to "an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you're 40." Dismayingly, this text, which crosses the line between political banter and tainted law enforcement, refers to a meeting in the office of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, then (and now) the bureau's No. 2 official. While not as weighty, legitimate questions have been raised about McCabe's own objectivity, his wife's state Senate campaign having been lavishly funded by groups tied to Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), a Clinton insider.

On the positive side, Mueller immediately removed Strzok from the case after the texts came to light. (The other texter, FBI lawyer Lisa Page, had already left the team.) Further, a critical metric of Mueller's tenure is how he has performed. To date, he has brought three sets of charges: an indictment against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates and two false-statements cases, against Michael Flynn (fleetingly Trump's national security adviser) and George Papadopoulos (a minor Trump campaign adviser). None of these cases bears on the 2016 election or suggests any wrongdoing on Trump's part.

Thus, while there is cause for concern, the results Mueller has produced so far appear free of political taint. And at least in the matter of Strzok, Mueller was scrupulous about removing what was, at the least, the appearance of impropriety.

That appearance is not established by mere expression of political opinion or activism. I was a federal prosecutor in New York for many years, and I was not shy about sharing my conservative political views. Nor were my colleagues  my best friends in the office were liberal Democrats. But it was understood that our politics were checked at the door.

It is required, though, that they remain ever-mindful that the appearance of fairness is as important as the reality. That doesnt mean opinionated investigators must bow out of politically fraught cases. But they should grasp what makes a case so fraught and remove themselves if particular views they hold could undermine an investigation.

Personally, I am not much alarmed that several of Mueller's staffers have anti-Trump political views. But as more evidence emerges, I have become increasingly disturbed about whether those views will taint perception of the Mueller investigation, particularly in the case of Andrew Weissmann, a key Mueller deputy. A gifted career Justice Department lawyer, Weissmann sent former acting attorney general Sally Yates an effusive email shortly after Yates was fired for insubordinately defying Trump on enforcement of the so-called travel ban. The obstruction aspect of Mueller's investigation calls for an objective evaluation of how much independence law-enforcement officials have from the chief executive. Weissmann's lauding of Yates suggests he is not objective on this point.

For Trump, the best outcome is that he leaves Mueller in place and is exonerated. For Mueller, the best outcome is that the public accepts the integrity of whatever decisions he makes. In that regard, I began with the belief that Mueller was a superb choice whose well-earned reputation for personal integrity would be critical. I still think so, but Ive been shaken by his puzzling insensitivity to the imperative that his staff be, and be seen as, driven by evidence, not anti-Trump bias.

Just as Mueller would not have recruited Strzok had he known of the texts, one imagines he would have passed on Weissmann had he known of his email paean to Yates. Removing Weissmann, just as Mueller removed Strzok, would be a reassuring course correction.
SPECIAL COUNSEL Robert S. Mueller III began his investigation of Russian election interference to bipartisan praise. Both Democrats and Republicans lauded the former FBI director as the ideal candidate to conduct a politically tricky investigation with rigor and honesty. Yet as Mr. Mueller's probe has continued, allies of President Trump have turned to attacking a man whose integrity and credibility they had previously considered unimpeachable. There is no basis for their criticisms.

Republicans charge that Mr. Mueller's team is hopelessly biased against Mr. Trump. Top Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, they note, attended Hillary Clinton's election-night party in November 2016. He also wrote to former acting attorney general Sally Yates after Mr. Trump dismissed her, lauding her decision not to defend the first iteration of Mr. Trump's travel ban.

Then there is Peter Strzok, an FBI agent removed from Mr. Mueller's probe after the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General discovered that Mr. Strzok had sent text messages critical of Mr. Trump while investigating Ms. Clinton's use of a private email server. The messages exchanged by Mr. Strzok and Lisa Page, a fellow FBI employee, express crude opinions of Mr. Trump and other political figures. Mr. Strzok certainly exercised poor judgment. But the material that has so far been made public shows no sign that Mr. Strzok's work on the investigation was influenced by political bias.

Neither Mr. Weissmanns nor Mr. Strzoks activities should cast doubt on Mr. Muellers investigation. Federal agents and prosecutors are not forbidden from holding political beliefs or giving campaign donations. The measure of their integrity is whether those beliefs infect their work, and there is no evidence that happened in either Mr. Strzoks or Mr. Weissmanns case.

Mr. Mueller's decision to remove Mr. Strzok from his team after learning of the text messages should be heartening to those concerned for the investigation's fairness. And Mr. Strzok's conduct is already the subject of an ongoing internal probe into the Justice Department's handling of the Clinton email investigation. When its work is complete, the Office of the Inspector General should release as much of its report as possible to give the public a full accounting of any misconduct. The inspector general and the Justice Department should also clarify the circumstances behind the department's unusual public release of Mr. Strzok's messages in the midst of an ongoing investigation.

Some supporters of Mr. Trump have returned to their calls to appoint a second special counsel to investigate Ms. Clinton or the Justice Department itself. But none have pointed to any factual basis for such an investigation, which would require a showing of a possible crime.

Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein gave a vote of confidence to the special counsel's work before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, affirming Mr. Mueller's integrity and clarifying that he has seen no reason to remove him from office. We are glad to see Mr. Rosenstein stand firm in support of the special counsel he appointed despite the onslaught of partisan attacks. In doing so, he is upholding no less than the rule of law.
A Marine pauses on Sept. 11, 2016, at one of the pools at the National September 11 Memorial after a morning commemoration ceremony for the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Rachel Brand is associate attorney general.

As the recent event in New York and other attacks around the globe have shown, we face a constant threat from terrorists. The dedicated men and women in our intelligence community and law enforcement work tirelessly to identify and prevent such attacks.

But their ability to protect Americans is at risk. One of our most effective foreign intelligence tools  Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act  is set to expire at the end of the year if Congress does not act.

Initially enacted in 2008 and reauthorized in 2012, both times with broad bipartisan support, Section 702 is a critical national security tool with undisputed value. It has prevented multiple terrorist attacks, including an al-Qaeda plot to detonate explosives in the New York subway. Similarly, communications collected under Section 702 exposed the plans of an Islamic State network to attack members of our military abroad. Based on these and other examples, many of whose details remain classified, the nonpartisan Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, on which I served, unanimously found that Section 702 has been valuable and effective in protecting the nation's security.

Congress is working on legislation to reauthorize Section 702, but some of the proposed amendments, though well-intentioned efforts to protect Americans privacy, would dramatically limit the ability of the intelligence community agencies  particularly the FBI  to uncover plots and prevent attacks. These amendments reflect fundamental misconceptions about how the provision works.

Most important, Section 702 does not allow the government to target Americans for surveillance, nor does it allow bulk collection of communications. Targets must be foreigners located outside the United States. And the government cannot target just any foreigner; there must be reason to believe that the foreigners communications will reveal foreign intelligence information. If an American is emailing with a lawful foreign target, the government can collect only emails with that target  not any of the Americans other emails.

Although the FBI receives data from only a tiny percentage (less than 5 percent) of Section 702 targets, and only when it relates to an ongoing national security investigation, bills pending in Congress would limit the FBI's ability to "query" this data during an investigation. A query is just a way of electronically looking through information the FBI already lawfully possesses in its databases; it does not collect any new information. It is a routine and minimally invasive tool that investigators use, particularly in the early stages of an investigation in response to a tip or a lead, to determine what the government already knows about a person before going out to collect other information.

For example, if someone phoned in a tip about a person who rented a truck under suspicious circumstances, the FBI would quickly query its databases to determine what information it already has about the person  including Section 702 information, which could reveal whether the person was in contact with foreign terrorists.

Many of the proposed amendments, which would make it more difficult for one FBI agent to know what other FBI agents or other intelligence agencies know, hark back to the "wall" that prevented information-sharing before 9/11. The 9/11 Commission's report explained how this wall  another well-intentioned effort to protect privacy  kept different parts of the government from sharing information about two of the individuals who eventually became the hijackers. After the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, an independent review commission again found that well-intentioned failures to share information kept the government from preventing the attack.

We cannot afford to make the same mistake again. To keep us safe, our intelligence agencies must be able to connect the dots between the various pieces of information the government already lawfully possesses. In reauthorizing Section 702, Congress must not forget the lessons we learned from 9/11.
Regarding the Dec. 10 Metro article "Cities search for 'missing middle' housing to retain millennials":

The lack of affordable housing in the District, especially in Northwest, is certainly a serious and vexing economic and moral issue. But I think there is more to the story. I am a baby boomer who was born in the District and raised in Bethesda (where my parents moved in 1950 when I was 20 months old), moved into the city immediately upon becoming employed after graduate school and bought my U Street-corridor condominium 30 years ago. My experience indicates that the phenomenon of young adults leaving the city is not new and, in fact, preceded todays sky-high prices by decades.

In the 1970s, I had a huge circle of friends living in Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, the Kalorama Triangle and other nearby areas. They had mostly relocated from other parts of the country to work for the federal government or one of the many D.C.-based nonprofits. Over the years, those who did not leave the area altogether relocated to the Maryland or Virginia suburbs upon marrying and having a child or two, usually for access to good public schools.

So perhaps its not surprising that todays young adults are not going to stay in the District for a lifetime.

And another thing: One womans revitalization is anothers gentrification.

Ronnie J. Kweller, Washington
President Trump enters the Grand Foyer of the White House before making remarks on tax reform Wednesday. Despite a GOP loss in Alabama on Tuesday, officials say the president was largely in good spirits. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

Shortly after Democrat Doug Jones wrested back one of Alabamas solidly Republican U.S. Senate seats for the first time in more than two decades, President Trump offered an optimistic and forward-looking assessment on Twitter, congratulating Jones on his hard fought victory.

But by Wednesday morning, as Trump watched the unflattering portrait of the loss unfold on television, the president grew piqued at the notion that he, somehow, was responsible.

I won Alabama, and I would have won Alabama again, Trump said, according to a senior administration official.

He told advisers that he didnt want the results to be seen as a referendum on him and asked if he still had a solid base of support in the state. He also questioned Wednesday if he had made the right decision and if Sen. Luther Strange  the Republican he grudgingly endorsed who went on to lose the partys primary  could have beaten Jones in the general election.

But inside the West Wing, Joness upset victory left some of Trumps top advisers worried about both the 2018 midterm elections and the presidents low popularity, and accelerated an ongoing discussion about restructuring the White House political operation.

This portrait of the White House after the Alabama loss comes from 20 senior officials, aides, lawmakers, and outsider advisers and confidants, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer a more candid assessment.

The president himself spread the blame. He faulted his former chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, for selling him what one outside adviser described as a bill of goods in urging him to support Roy Moore, and he faulted Moore himself for being an abysmal candidate.

In the lead-up to Tuesday night, he had also groused about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), saying he had been too aggressive in trying to push out Moore.

But the president, White House officials said, was in largely good spirits  surprisingly so, some thought  throughout the day. He called Jones to offer him congratulations and discuss areas where the two could work together.

He also spent much of the day in preplanned briefings and meetings about the Republican tax plan and was excited about his afternoon speech extolling the plan  which helped shift his focus away from the Alabama loss.

Exit polls Tuesday in Alabama, which Trump won handily last year, showed him at 48 percent approval. One adviser said Trump on Wednesday dismissed his poll results in Alabama and nationwide by saying they were fake and instead talked about his accomplishments.

Nonetheless, some in Trumps orbit said they expected to see adjustments in the coming weeks.

1 of 76 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Doug Jones defeats Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate seat from Alabama View Photos Republican Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, faced off against Democrat Doug Jones in a special election. Caption Republican Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, faced off against Democrat Doug Jones in a special election. Jabin Botsford Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

Even before Tuesdays upset loss, the White House had been engaged in an ongoing internal discussion about beefing up its political operation, led by political director Bill Stepien.

Stepiens reputation within the West Wing is mixed. Some believe he is unqualified for the job. Others say he is capable and liked by Chief of Staff John F. Kelly but entered the post without the power or clout to execute his vision.

And Kelly, while respected, lacks the background and experience to play the role of Karl Rove for George W. Bush or David Axelrod for Barack Obama, and Trump does not trust his political instincts, aides said.

A senior administration official, however, argued that Trump often acts as his own senior strategist and the White House doesnt necessarily need an official political cranium.

The White House is especially aware that the president faces a more daunting political task, in part because the outside groups designed to support him have been noticeably ineffective. The goal is to create a political brain trust that is more sustained, more organized, more nuanced, a senior administration official said.

One option being considered is bringing on an additional senior adviser who could serve as the White Houses top political strategist. Stepien is unlikely to be fired, but Rick Dearborn, a deputy chief of staff whose portfolio also touches on the political operation, is expected to be reassigned to the Commerce Department, officials said. Recently, Dearborn has met with top Commerce officials about his likely new job.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders rejected the notion that any future staff changes to the political shop indicate dissatisfaction. This is something that is normal and would be expected in any White House as we move closer to the midterm elections, to beef up the political operation, she said. This is not a reflection of shortcomings of the current political office.

Yet people close to the White House pointed to the appearance by Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) on CNNs State of the Union two days before the election as an example of the challenges the political operation is facing. Shelby said he wasnt voting for Moore because Alabama deserves better, but the political shop  which had not been checking in with him  received no warning.

In two tweets Tuesday night, Tony Fabrizio, a pollster on Trumps campaign, wrote that the president needs to get better political advisers.

This disaster could have been avoided, Fabrizio wrote on Twitter, adding later that there does need to be a recognition of the lousy political advice @POTUS has been getting and it needs to change. The future of @POTUS agenda depends on it!

The West Wing found itself divided as the Senate race in Alabama finally reached its unexpected conclusion Tuesday night. Though some in the West Wing faulted McConnell for too aggressively trying to push Moore from the race, others  including the president  were angry with Bannon, who had pushed Trump to support Moore on the promise that he could win.

Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.) said he had gotten lots of feedback from White House aides after saying Bannon looks like some disheveled drunk who wandered on to the political stage.

They say, keep it up, let him have it, King said.

Andy Surabian, a political operative in Bannons orbit, argued that Bannon had never been a huge fan of Moore but was simply determined to use the race to make McConnell a potential albatross in Republican primaries. People close to Trump said that they expect his anger at his former chief strategist will subside and that the president is likely to continue speaking with him.

Team Mitch successfully delivered this race to a liberal Democrat and so they won the battle, but in the end, we will win the war, Surabian said.

Vice President Pence had initially encouraged Trump to support Strange in the partys primary, but he stayed away from the race after Strange lost. One person who spoke with the vice president said he was glad to steer clear of the Senate contest, especially after the allegations against Moore of sexual misbehavior emerged; another person close to Pence said he didnt see much strategic gain to be had in getting involved.

The Republican National Committee and the White House also found themselves at odds. Though the committee had withdrawn its support for Moore after the accusations emerged, initially with the blessing of the White House, chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was given virtually no notice before Trump endorsed Moore.

She was especially distressed at the process, when the White House forced the RNC back into the race, but accepted their prerogative to do so. She told Trump that she didnt think there was any reason for him to get back involved with Moore  and that the decision could hurt him.

But on Wednesday, at least, Trump seemed like a man who had accepted the results and was prepared to move forward.

Wish we would have gotten the seat, Trump said during a brief appearance before reporters at the White House. A lot of Republicans feel differently. Theyre very happy with the way it turned out.

But, he concluded, I would have, as the leader of the party, I would have liked to have had the seat.
Vice President Pence delayed his trip to the Middle East and Germany this weekend and will remaining in Washington for a few extra days in case he is needed to cast a tiebreaking vote on Republican tax legislation, his spokeswoman said Thursday.

Pence was originally scheduled to depart late Saturday for a trip to Egypt, Israel and Germany. He now plans to leave Tuesday, arriving in Egypt on Wednesday for a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi.

Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate and are desperate to push through their tax plan  which, if successful, would mark President Trumps only major legislative achievement this year  before the holiday break.

On Wednesday, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is battling brain cancer, was hospitalized for side effects of his treatment, making the Republicans already razor-thin margin even more precarious. The vice president can cast a deciding vote in the case of a tie in the Senate, and Pence has already done so several times this year.

Alyssa Farah, Pences press secretary, said in a statement Thursday that Republicans were so close to passing their tax legislation and the vice president decided to remain in Washington as a precaution.

Yesterday the White House informed Senate Leadership that due to the historic nature of the vote in the Senate on tax cuts for millions of Americans, the Vice President would stay to preside over the vote. Farah said. The Vice President will then travel to Egypt and Israel, where hell reaffirm the United States commitment to its allies in the Middle East and to working cooperatively to defeat radicalism.

She added that Pence looks forward to having constructive conversations with both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President [al-Sissi] to reaffirm President Trumps commitment to our partners in the region and to its future.

On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced he would not meet with Pence on his trip to the Middle East, in response to Trumps decision earlier this month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

That decision  which also included eventually moving the U.S. Embassy there  also sparked widespread opposition among Christians in the Middle East and complicated another aspect of Pence's trip. The pope of the Egyptian Coptic church, who leads the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East, also canceled his planned meeting in Cairo with the vice president.

[Trump plan to move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem angers Middle East Christians]

Though the White House had originally said part of the trip was intended to check in on Middle East Christians, Pence is now no longer scheduled to meet with a Middle East Christian representative. His stop in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, where he was to visit the Church of the Nativity, has also been canceled.

Pence was initially scheduled to visit Israel first but flipped the order of his trip to make Cairo his first stop. The change was made, an administration official said, because in the wake of the Jerusalem decision, the vice president felt it was important to address the entire Muslim and Arab world  and Egypt was a natural venue.

World and domestic events have intruded upon Pences travels before. In April, North Korea attempted a missile launch while the vice president was en route to Asia for a 10-day trip through the region. Pence called the failed launch a provocation when he arrived in Seoul the next day. He visited the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea during his trip.

In July, the vice president arrived in Tallinn, Estonia, for a 3 -day trip intended to reassure the United States' Baltic allies of the administration's commitment to their security and NATO on the eve of Trump's expected signing of broad sanctions against Russia. And a month later, Pence's planned visit to South America coincided with turmoil in Venezuela after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's autocratic government seized power and cracked down on dissent.

At the time, Trump had alarmed countries in the region by threatening military action, and Pence found himself trying to smooth over the president's remarks, saying the administration's preference was for "a peaceable solution."

His trip also came in the wake of a violent confrontation at a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville that left one woman dead and sparked a national controversy and discussion about race after Trump said both sides were to blame.

Nearly 2,000 miles from Washington, in Cartagena, Colombia, Pence was forced to respond to his boss's latest controversy, again thrusting him into the role of Trump's global translator.

Loveday Morris in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Voters file in to vote after standing in a long line that leads out the doors of the Beulah Baptist Church polling station in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

DeJuana Thompson spent Alabama's election night at a party where "I Voted" stickers were the price of entry  one more bash for Woke Vote, an organization that had spent $400,000 to turn out young black voters. Thompson, a Birmingham native, had joined Woke Vote's get-out-the-vote drive when it looked impossible for Democrat Doug Jones to win.

On Tuesday, surrounded by cheering black voters, Thompson watched Jones pull it off.

I was without words, Thompson said. It was reminiscent of the night we elected Obama. People did not believe it could happen, and then, suddenly, it did.

The Alabama race, like last months elections in Virginia, saw Democrats outperform expectations and polling thanks to a surge of nonwhite voters. A year that began with hand-wringing over President Trumps victory ended with routs and upsets powered by the partys most loyal supporters. Democrats in Alabama and elsewhere spent Wednesday thanking black voters  and studying what had been so successful in getting them to the polls.

Let me be clear: We won in Alabama and Virginia because black women led us to victory, said Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez. Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and we cant take that for granted. Period.

1 of 76 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Doug Jones defeats Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate seat from Alabama View Photos Republican Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, faced off against Democrat Doug Jones in a special election. Caption Republican Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, faced off against Democrat Doug Jones in a special election. Jabin Botsford Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

Now, Perez and other Democrats said, they have a road map to follow in next years midterm elections, where they hope to make gains in battlegrounds with large nonwhite populations, including Nevada, Arizona and even Texas.

[Howell Heflin, Doug Jones and Jeff Sessions: An Alabama Senate seats ironic history]

Perez highlighted the DNCs quiet strategy in Alabama, a $1 million investment in millennial and black voter turnout that was not advertised until the election was won. That was just one of the efforts that paid off for Democrats in Alabama, where new third-party groups including Woke Vote and BlackPAC engaged in weeks of voter persuasion and targeted messages.

They are underneath the radar, and thats why they work so beautifully, said Cornell Belcher, a pollster for Barack Obamas presidential campaigns who has warned Democrats that younger black voters feel taken for granted. They didnt just come in at the end and treat black voters like get-out-the-vote targets. They treated them like persuadable voters. They actually engaged on the top issue for African American voters, which is criminal justice reform. And they didnt dance around the issue of police brutality.

Everything came together in Alabama, from the unique appeal of Jones  a man who had prosecuted Klansmen and served on the board of Birminghams Civil Rights Institute  to Moores gaffes about slavery and felon voter rights restoration. On Election Day, voter turnout in Alabamas black belt was as high as 75 percent of normal presidential election turnout. In Moores largely white strongholds, turnout plunged below 45 percent of that norm.

[One wide-open question about Doug Jones: What kind of senator will he be?]

Democrats opportunities had largely come from Moore, who never recovered from allegations of improper sexual conduct with teenage girls. But even Jones supporters described Alabamas Democratic Party as hollowed out, decimated by losses under Obama and the subsequent gerrymandering of state and federal legislative districts.

The opportunity to stop yet another Republican win proved irresistible. Bridget Jones, a 51-year-old Realtor in Montgomery, said that shed voted against the good old boys crew, and believed Jones when he said Alabama would hurt its image if it let Moore into the Senate.

Just sit back and wait, Jones said. I think were going to look like a better state for those who looked at us as backward.

Joness margin depended not just on engaged voters, but on black voters who might have sat out other elections. Laquana Jackson, who had moved to Montgomery from Brooklyn, had been skeptical about Alabama but gave Jones a chance.

I feel defeated at some points, but I still have to try, she said. Its been one way for so long, for so many years.

Community organizer T. Marie King brought her mother to Charles A. Brown Elementary School in Birmingham to vote for Jones. During the campaign, King had spoken out on what she saw as Joness failure to connect with black voters on policy.

I obviously know what he did to prosecute white supremacists years ago, but I dont know what he has done for the black community lately, she said after dropping her mother off at the polling place.

But King wanted Jones to win, certain that he would be a better choice for black Alabamians than Moore  a man like Trump, she said, in his desire to drive the country backward. In interviews at Kings polling place, two dozen black voters said they did not feel inspired to show up for Jones, who they felt did not aggressively pursue their vote. They were moved to wait in line  some for hours  to keep Moore from winning.

Getting black voters to that point had taken some work. Joness campaign deployed some traditional methods of turning out black voters, fully funding the turnout operation run by Joe Reed, who leads the states Alabama Democratic Conference. It had supplemented that with a tough, direct ad campaign that sometimes drew criticism. A piece of direct mail that showed a black man raising his eyebrow asked if a black man would ever get away with what Moore was accused of  a message that was condemned by both Fox News and the liberal-leaning black news site the Root.

According to Reed, all of it worked.

Of course black folk cant get away with what white folks get away with! he said. Hell, I could name 10 or 12 more things that black folks would get in trouble for but white folks can get away with.

What was ignored in some coverage of the mailer was its contents  a series of attacks on Moores civil rights record. The Jones campaign, the first in Alabama to put together a winning coalition of black voters and white liberals and moderates since the 1990s, did not concentrate on converting conservative former Democrats.

That message was recognizable to Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who started his electoral career by courting black voters to win office in Richmond. A friend of Jones for years, he kept in touch with the campaign, and was reassured at times that the campaign was doing what was necessary to activate the Democratic base.

Democrats worried about that, in part, because black political strategists had demanded they do more. In May, a number of black female Democrats, led by Glynda Carr, published an open letter to Perez and the DNC, warning that people like them had been ignored.

We have voted and organized our communities with little support or investment from the Democratic Party for voter mobilization efforts, the women wrote. Black women voters are the very foundation to a winning coalition, yet most Black voters feel like the Democrats take them for granted.

Perez met with the women in June, but according to Carr, just as important was the flowering of independent black political organizations that ran their own voter persuasion campaigns. As in Virginia, BlackPAC worked somewhat under the radar to message to black voters. Woke Vote, focusing on college campuses, knocked on thousands of doors.

You dont need to put all your eggs into the DNC basket, said Carr. We need more of these organizations, and we need them to scale up. Because when you organize a black woman, she doesnt come by herself. She brings her house, her block, her church, and her sorority.

On social media, starting Tuesday night, black political strategists celebrated the belated attention that the turnout operations were getting  a change, at last, from coverage of frustrated Trump voters. And on Wednesday, at his first news conference as Alabamas senator-elect, Jones ribbed some members of the media for missing the black vote. Asked how his campaign turned out Alabamas nonwhite voters, the Democrat asked why so many people thought he couldnt.

I didnt read all you folks in the national media with that criticism, Jones said, because I knew you were wrong.

Kayla Epstein in Montgomery, Ala., contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
A congressman under scrutiny for allegations that he sexually harassed female staff members and created a hostile work environment announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection next year.

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.), who settled a complaint with his former communications director but denied wrongdoing in the case, plans to serve out the rest of his term but will not seek reelection in 2018, he announced Thursday in a video posted to Facebook. His decision makes him the sixth lawmaker to fall over allegations of misconduct as Congress grapples with how to address what some aides have described as a culture of inappropriate behavior on Capitol Hill.

Farenthold, who represents the 27th Congressional District along the Texas Gulf Coast, including Corpus Christi, apologized Thursday in the five-minute video.

I allowed a workplace culture to take root in my office that was too permissive and decidedly unprofessional, he said, carefully reading a prepared statement. It accommodated destructive gossip, offhand comments, off-color jokes . . . and I allowed the personal stress of the job to manifest itself in angry outbursts.

The announcement came the morning after the Nevada Independent published new allegations of inappropriate behavior by Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nev.). The freshman congressman, once considered a rising star in Nevada politics, has refused to step down amid calls from party leaders.



House Speaker Paul D. Ryan R-Wis.) administers the House oath of office to Rep. Blake Farenthold R-Tex.) during a mock swearing-in ceremony in January. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Farenthold continued to deny charges from his former communications director, Lauren Greene, who accused him of making sexually inappropriate comments designed to gauge whether she was interested in an extramarital relationship. And he stated his belief that he broke no laws.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said he supported Farentholds decision, citing disconcerting new accounts of his behavior toward staff members.

I think hes making the right decision to retire, Ryan said Thursday at a news conference. I think hes made the right decision that hes going to be leaving Congress.

Ryan and other congressional leaders have faced pressure to take a hard line against the growing list of lawmakers accused of inappropriate behavior. Last week, Ryan successfully urged Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) to resign immediately after allegations that Franks had asked two female staff members to bear a child for him as a surrogate.

[Trent Franks offered $5 million to aide to bear his child, resigns amid inquiry]

On Thursday, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, also said he supports Farentholds decision.

Congress must work harder to hold ourselves to a higher standard, which is why the House took action to ensure this body is a safe and constructive workplace for all, Stivers said in a statement. However, there is still more work to be done.

Stivers added that he is confident that the party will retain Farentholds seat in next years midterm elections.

Farentholds pending retirement comes after voters rejected Republican nominee Roy Moore in a special Senate election in Alabama on Tuesday night. Moore allegedly pursued romantic relationships with teenage girls, including a 14-year-old, while in his 30s. His loss was a major victory for Democrats, putting the party one seat closer to regaining its Senate majority.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) renewed her calls Thursday for Kihuen to step aside, in light of the Nevada Independent report.

He wants to go through the ethics process. That is his right to do, she said at a news conference. Ive asked for him to resign. Ive asked for him to resign right from the start.

Late Wednesday, the Las Vegas-based news website published the anonymous account of a female lobbyist who said Kihuen made unwanted sexual advances toward her from 2013 to 2015 when he was a state senator. The woman said that the two never dated but that Kihuen touched her thighs and buttocks without consent and sent her hundreds of suggestive text messages, which the Independent reviewed.

Kihuen, who has said he would welcome a House ethics investigation of the allegations, told the Independent that he would not comment on his dating relationships as a state legislator.

Farenthold stood firm in the face of unflattering news stories and an investigation by the House Ethics Committee before choosing to retire.

In her 2014 lawsuit, Greene said another Farenthold aide told her that the lawmaker admitted to having sexual fantasies and wet dreams about her, a claim he has denied. She was fired for complaining, she alleged.

Greenes allegations reentered the news this month when the Committee on House Administration revealed that a House office had settled a complaint of sexual harassment for $84,000 in 2014. The Washington Post and other news outlets confirmed that it was Farentholds settlement with Greene.

Although the terms of the agreement prevent Greene from speaking about Farentholds behavior, she said last month that pursuing legal action has had professional repercussions.

I was told this would be career suicide, she said in an interview with CNN. As soon as I decided to do this, I had to come to the conclusion that D.C. was no longer going to be in the cards.

CNN also reported Wednesday that another former aide, Michael Rekola, approached the Ethics Committee with allegations that Farenthold was verbally abusive and sexually demeaning to aides.

Greenes attorney, Les Alderman, said Greene is heartened by the fact that other former employees are coming forward with their accounts.

She is further encouraged that individual voices are eliciting real change, Alderman said in an emailed statement. Our country is experiencing a real reckoning, and she looks on todays decision as a step in the right direction.

A spokesman for the Texas secretary of state said Farenthold missed the deadline to withdraw from his districts primary race, so his name is likely to remain on the ballot.

Barring any challenge to the candidates application before the mail-in ballots go out in late January, his name will still be on the ballot for the March 6 Primary, Sam Taylor wrote in an email.

Allegations of misconduct on Capitol Hill have spurred debate over how to change the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) to better protect congressional employees in the workplace and when they file complaints.

In a letter Thursday, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) urged Senate leaders to support such changes and to increase funding for anti-harassment training.

Across the Capitol, Committee on House Administration Chairman Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) plans to release draft legislation next week to address concerns about the CAA, a spokeswoman for the committee said Thursday.

Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Ed OKeefe and Kimberly Kindy contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
Democrat Doug Jones debuted Wednesday as the next senator from Alabama by sidestepping highly charged topics, steering clear of criticism  and leaving wide open the question of what kind of lawmaker he will be.

Jones, who will narrow the Republican majority in the Senate to 51 to 49 when he is sworn in, will arrive in Washington in the next few weeks with unusual influence for a freshman member of the party out of power. Democrats are looking to strengthen their clout to block Republican legislation they oppose. Republicans are hoping for a moderate partner across the aisle to keep their agenda on track.

And Jones will face his own considerations: whether to support the liberal policies of the party that helped elect him in Tuesdays dramatic upset over Republican Roy Moore in Alabama or to tack to the center or even to the right to prepare for what is likely to be a difficult reelection contest in three years in one of the most conservative states in the country.

In a wide-ranging, 42-minute news conference here Wednesday, Jones was vague about what his strategy would be. The people of Alabama expect me to do the right thing and vote for the people of Alabama, he said.

One priority Jones identified was reauthorizing the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which expired Sept. 30. Id like to be a part of that, if its not done very soon, he said.

View Graphic Why Jones won: Moore missed Trumps standard in every Alabama county

He did not join calls by some Democratic senators for President Trump to resign amid allegations of sexual harassment, which the president has denied. Im not going to go there, he said.

Instead, Jones went out of his way to avoid hostilities with Trump, who had criticized him sharply while campaigning for Moore in the closing days of the campaign. Jones also recounted that Trump had extended an olive branch, inviting him to the White House in a phone call that Jones described as gracious.

Jones is a former federal prosecutor best known for prosecuting two Ku Klux Klan members who bombed a black church in Birmingham in 1963, killing four girls. In some key respects, he sounds more like a standard Democrat than an Alabama centrist. On abortion, Joness views are in line with those of many Democratic leaders. He has voiced support for current laws and not for a change that some conservatives have embraced, to ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Jones is also open to more gun control regulations and has voiced concerns about the GOP tax plan.

Jones said he had not yet spoken to Moore, who had refused to concede a race with a victory margin of fewer than 2 percentage points.

Allegations of sexual misconduct surrounded Moore in the closing weeks of the campaign. Do the right thing, Roy, Jones said, when asked what he would say to Moore if he were watching. Its time that we heal.

A Moore spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In Washington, Senate Democrats urged Republican leaders to pump the brakes on their tax bill until Jones is seated  a demand that neither Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) nor Trump heeded.

I think its very important for the country to get a vote next week, Trump said.

Jones offered an inconclusive appraisal of the Democratic strategy, noting that there are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to certifying the election and seating him. Jones said he spoke to McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday.

Jones also spoke to Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), whom he called a longtime friend.

The Democrat was boosted to victory Tuesday by a supercharged Democratic voter base activated in large measure by an army of out-of-state supporters. He will need to retain the support of the states many liberal-leaning voters and African Americans who appear increasingly repulsed by the GOP agenda, as well as the support of the national activists who assisted him.

Yet Jones could become a pivotal swing vote who would stand to gain politically by sometimes siding with Republicans. He faces a reelection contest in 2020, a presidential year, when turnout among the states many conservative voters is typically high.

Inevitably, Jones will have to make difficult decisions in the coming years that risk angering one side or the other.

If anything, he got elected as an Alabama Democrat, not as a Washington Democrat. Theyve got to understand there is a difference, said Sen. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.), a fellow red-state Democrat. If he comes, he has to be true to Alabama and understand they want common sense.

Democrats held up Jones as a model for success in the midterm elections. And Jones said he wanted to change Alabamas laws to make it easier to vote, a move long championed by Democrats in the face of restrictive measures Republicans have pushed.

Even as Jones cozied up to Republican figures, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Thomas Perez, said the way Jones won is exactly the way Democrats can win everywhere.

Perez said the DNC spent about $1 million to help Jones below the radar. The money went toward turning out African Americans and millennials, he said.

Exit poll data showed that strong turnout from black voters was a major factor in Joness victory. He said at his news conference Wednesday that he would like to see Alabama ease its voter laws, which are among the strictest in the nation and which critics argue disproportionately hurt African Americans.

Id like to make it easier for people to exercise their right to vote. And I think we can do that over the course of time, Jones said.

After Joness win, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Cory Gardner (Colo.) issued a statement saying he hoped Jones would do the right thing for Alabama and vote with Senate Republicans.

Jones laughed off Gardners comment, saying, I would expect a Republican to say that, and for Democrats to do the same.

A senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk candidly, expressed cautious optimism that being up for reelection in 2020 will make Jones a moderate figure the West Wing can work with.

Running for Senate was something Jones, 63, had always had in the back of his mind. He got a taste of it years ago working as staff counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee for Howell Heflin, Alabamas last Democratic senator.

Howell Heflin, Doug Jones and Jeff Sessions: An Alabama Senate seats ironic history

It just all seemed like the right time and the right place and the right moment in my life to do it, he said in a late October interview with The Washington Post.

On Tuesday, Jones's long-shot bet to snatch away a Republican-held seat in the heart of the conservative Deep South paid off. As it turned out, he was in the right place at the right time  a candidate lifted to victory in large measure by a series of twists and turns on the GOP side.

A September primary win by Moore, a polarizing former state judge, ruined plans by Senate GOP leaders to boost to victory Republican Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed to the seat after Trump named Jeff Sessions to be his attorney general. Then Moore came up against accusations first reported by The Post in November that he made unwanted sexual advances toward teenage girls as young as 14 when he was in his 30s. The controversy catapulted Jones into serious contention.

On Wednesday, Jones said he didn't know whether he would have won had the women not come forward.

Shelby, who waged a vocal campaign against Moore and urged Republicans to write in someone else, as he did, said he spoke with Jones on Wednesday morning. Jones aggressively spotlighted Shelbys opposition to Moore toward the end of his campaign, as he tried to persuade Republicans not to vote for their nominee.

Now, Shelby is hoping Jones doesnt veer too far to the left.

Im hoping hell be a common-sense Democrat, he said.

Weigel reported from Washington. Elise Viebeck, Robert Costa and Ashley Parker in Washington contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives in Brussels on Thursday for the first day of a European Union summit. Leaders are to vote Friday on moving to the second stage of Brexit negotiations. (John Thys/AFP/Getty Images)

European leaders were ready Thursday to give a green light to a crucial new stage of Britain's negotiations to leave the European Union, as fresh divisions in London highlighted the challenge Prime Minister Theresa May faces selling any deal to her country.

A humiliating parliamentary vote on the eve of the E.U. summit underlined May's weakness as she prepared for initial trade talks with the bloc. Pro-E.U. members of May's Conservative Party joined forces with the opposition Wednesday to override their leader's wishes by giving lawmakers a vote on the final Brexit deal.

The move followed an interim agreement, announced last week, in which May capitulated on the European Unions key demands about how much money Britain will owe as it leaves, the rights of the 3 million E.U. citizens in Britain, and the blocs desire for an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

[Britain and E.U. reach divorce deal to move on to new phase in Brexit talks]

The commitments were so wide-ranging that British negotiators struggled to explain how they would hold to them and also deliver on Mays vows to ultimately have a full split from the E.U.

As May entered the meeting with E.U. ministers on a drizzly Brussels afternoon, she sought to put a brave face on the parliamentary vote, which she lost 309 to 305.

Im disappointed, she said of the lawmakers rebellion, but added: Were on course to deliver Brexit. Were on course to deliver on the vote of the British people.

European leaders have threatened that if Britains Parliament rejects the Brexit deal agreed to last week by the May government, the E.U. will not be in a mood to renegotiate. Brussels officials were unsettled by comments last weekend by Brexit Secretary David Davis, who said the deal was only a statement of intent rather than something binding.

Still, most heads of state indicated Thursday that they planned to approve moving on to the next stage in the second day of meetings Friday.

Daviss dismissive remarks made clear that resolution of many thorny issues has been postponed rather than finalized.

Such statements cause concern, said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

An eyebrow was raised here and there because of that comment, Rutte said as he entered the summit locale. But I think it makes it more necessary to have as soon as possible that deal of last Friday in legally binding text, so that we cannot have a misunderstanding on what was exactly agreed.

European leaders plan to find a way to David Davis-proof the agreement, said a senior E.U. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules to brief reporters before the summit.

The joint report is a binding document, not an exercise in sleight of hand to enable us to move on to the second phase, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani told lawmakers Thursday.

There was also a flurry of worry over whether Mays government would stick to its promise to keep open the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which might require Britain to adopt rules and regulations nearly identical to those in force now.

Irish leaders have made clear that an open border is a red line for them, and they have been backed by the 26 other remaining E.U. nations.

Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, told Sky News, I have absolute confidence and trust in the prime minister and the British government that they will stand by the political agreement that was made last week.

[This is why Irish politicians are frustrated with the U.K.s Brexit negotiations]

But it remained unclear whether the full implication of May's commitment had filtered into Britain's political consciousness. The prime minister has separately promised that there will be no special E.U. regime for Northern Ireland that could create a split with the British mainland  and that Britain will enjoy expansive new opportunities to forge an independent trade policy with the rest of the world.

The commitments do not appear to fully add up, given that an open border with Ireland would force British regulations and policies to be closely aligned with those of the European Union. European diplomats involved in the negotiations said ahead of this weeks summit that they saw some contradictions, but they said that was Mays domestic political problem to solve, not theirs.

You could imagine a situation in which the rules are more or less identical after Britain leaves, said Fabian Zuleeg, the head of the European Policy Center, a Brussels-based think tank. But, he said, the whole purpose of Brexit was to have policy divergence.

No matter how the Irish issue is resolved, Britains freedom to follow a path independent of Europe seems likely to be postponed, with trade talks between the two sides stretching on for years. For now, Britain increasingly appears headed for a state of limbo after its formal exit, in which it will be subject to E.U. rules and payment obligations without having a role in decision-making as the trade deal is worked out.

Some E.U. leaders already are worried that the unusual degree of unity among the remaining 27 member countries in the first stage of talks with Britain will fall apart in the trade discussions, given nations competing interests. It is likely that disagreements would only impede a deal rather than improve Londons bargaining power, because European countries each hold a veto on the overall bargain.

The real test of our unity will be the second phase of Brexit talks, the European Councils president, Donald Tusk, said Thursday.

Booth reported from London. Karla Adam in London contributed to this report.

Read more:

Rising alarm in Britain over Russian meddling in Brexit vote

The U.K. is in Brexit trouble. It cant decide whether to be closer to the E.U. or to the U.S.

Opinion: Brexit has brought the Irish problem back

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
More than 1,500 people attended a commemorative service at Londons St. Pauls Cathedral on Thursday marking six months since the deadly Grenfell Tower fire. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool/Reuters)

Marking six months since the deadliest fire in modern British history, members of the royal family attended a service Thursday that commemorated the 71 dead but also underscored the lingering hardships and questions since the Grenfell Tower apartment building was engulfed in flames.

More than 100 families remain in temporary accommodations after the June 14 blaze, and some survivors and neighborhood residents worry that their concerns may not be given adequate attention in the official inquiry into the tragedy.

Fire-safety measures remain an issue, and appeals continue for authorities to get rid of the type of flammable exterior material that is thought to have contributed to the fast-moving Grenfell inferno. Some residents of the 24-story building were left trapped high above the street.

In the weeks after the fire, the government tested cladding on high-rise buildings across the country; 262 failed. Thousands of people are still living in structures confirmed to be at risk.

The Grenfell fire occurred in one of Britains richest boroughs  Kensington and Chelsea  and highlighted the stark contrast between the wealthy and occupants of lower-grade housing in the neighborhood.



Mourners hold white roses and photos of some of the 71 victims of the fire as they left St. Pauls. (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)

More than 1,500 people attended the six-month memorial service at St. Pauls Cathedral in central London, including British Prime Minister Theresa May, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry.

[Months later, London police give a full accounting of the dead]

Some in the congregation, many of them weeping, clutched pictures of loved ones lost in the fire, which started in the kitchen of a fourth-floor apartment and quickly enveloped the high-rise. Fifty-three adults and 18 children died.

At one point during the service, voice recordings of those who escaped were played.

I smelled smoke, but I assumed it was  my mum always has a little candle, so I went to blow out the candle, said one male voice.

Windows broke. Things were falling to the floor. And then, in the space of six minutes, the fire had already reached six floors above, said a female survivor.

A total of 111 families are still living in emergency accommodations, including hotels. According to the Kensington and Chelsea Council, 45 households have moved into permanent homes and 54 into temporary housing. Another 49 families have accepted offers of permanent housing but have yet to move.



Prince Harry, at left, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William were among the mourners at the memorial service. (Pool/Reuters)

We have an army of 300 staff working around the clock, Elizabeth Campbell, the leader of the Kensington and Chelsea Council, said in a statement.

The council came under intense criticism for ignoring complaints from Grenfell residents before the fire about fire-safety concerns, including a lack of sprinklers.

Emotions remain so raw that some of the Grenfell families said they did not want council representatives at Thursdays service. Campbell, who was elected to head the council after the fire, did not attend.

I want them to know that we will be thinking of them, she said. We hope to rebuild trust, but we understand that we have a long way to go.

[Britains housing crisis looms large as Grenfell fire survivors reckon with whats next]

Reflecting the diversity of Grenfell Tower, the multifaith memorial service included a moving song performed by the Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools girls choir and a piece played on an oud, a lutelike instrument common in southwestern Asia and North Africa. At the end of the service, children from schools near Grenfell Tower scattered green hearts  a symbol of the fire  in memory of the dead.

This week, the first hearings were held in a government-ordered public inquiry into the blaze. The probe has come under criticism from survivors and locals who are concerned that their voices are not being given the prominence they deserve.

Ahmed Chellat, 60, was at the procedural hearings this week. His brother- and sister-in-law and their three children died in the fire.

Its still devastating, he said.

Chellat said that he hoped the inquiry could find out the truth and prevent it from happening again but that he wanted to see someone from the community on the inquirys advisory panel.

We really need someone from the social housing point of view, the ethnic background point of view, to put our issues across, he said. Social housing is another term for affordable housing.

David Lammy, a Labour Party lawmaker who lost a friend in the fire, tweeted Thursday that survivors and family members "must be at the heart of the inquiry."

A separate criminal investigation is underway that could take more than a year to complete. Londons Metropolitan Police has said it will consider individual and corporate manslaughter charges.

On Thursday night, as has happened on the 14th of every month since the fire, people walked silently around the streets near Grenfell Tower in a tribute to the dead.

The tower, now a charred block that dominates the local skyline, is being covered by white sheeting, floor by floor. No decision has been made about the buildings future.

Read more

What the Grenfell Tower fire tells us about Londons housing crisis

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Turkey, a country with which Moscow is forging closer ties amid tensions between Ankara and Washington. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, one of the administrations most uncompromising critics of Russia, said last week that the Kremlins meddling in elections in the United States and Europe is part of an active threat of a recently resurgent Russia.

This week, national security adviser H.R. McMaster tore into Russia for pioneering new generation warfare involving campaigns of subversion and disinformation and propaganda to pit Americans against each other and destabilize democracies.

The remarks by two key members of the Trump administrations national security team reflect a growing concern that Russia is expanding its influence around the world at a time when the Western pillars of Europe and the United States are focused on their own domestic problems.

Against that backdrop, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is about to launch a two-year analysis of Russias activist foreign and military policies, called The Return of Global Russia: A Reassessment of the Kremlins International Agenda. The project aims to spotlight ways in which the Kremlins influence has spread far beyond Russias immediate neighbors and is rooted in countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Obviously, the Russian role in the U.S. election and what Rex Tillerson referred to as the use of hybrid warfare has generated much attention in the wake of Ukraine and the events around the election, said Andrew Weiss, who oversees Carnegies research on Russia and Eurasia. What needs to be assessed is seeing the broader level of Russian foreign policy ventures. Its our ambition to see what patterns emerge, and how its likely to evolve.

Russias alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election, a matter being investigated by congressional committees and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, grew out of suspicions in Russia that it was itself under siege.

According to Weiss and Paul Stronski, a fellow in Carnegies Russian and Eurasia Program, the Kremlin thought that mass protests in Moscow in 2012 were propelled by Western efforts to promote democracy in Russia, and ultimately to bring about regime change. Two years later, Russia annexed Crimea and bolstered pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Weiss and Stronksi say Moscow is trying to systematically undermine democracies such as the United States and alliances like the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It has set about making deals and offering financial aid to friendly governments and interfering in countries that it perceives as adversaries. Depending on the region, it can find markets for Russian military equipment, unchain Moscow from the isolation imposed by sanctions over its intervention in Ukraine or simply be a thorn in the side of one of its chief adversaries, Washington.

[The Soviet Union fought the Cold War in Nicaragua. Now Putins Russia is back.]

In the past year alone, Russia has provided debt relief and wheat to the embattled Maduro government in Venezuela and has built facilities in Nicaragua to train Central American forces to combat drug trafficking.

In the Middle East, besides sending warplanes that helped the Syrian government beat back Islamic State militants and anti-government rebels, it has forged a partnership with a warlord in Libya and conducted joint military exercises with Egypt. Last month, it signed a preliminary agreement for Russian warplanes to use Egyptian air bases.

In Africa, it has deals to build nuclear power plants in Ghana and Nigeria, while plans to build the plants in South Africa have stalled amid controversy over Moscows role in the country.

Meanwhile, Russian interference is suspected not only in the United States, but also in several countries across Europe, including France, Germany, Britain and Spain. In many cases, the primary tools are social media and state-run Russian news outlets, such as RT and Sputnik, that push pro-Kremlin views.

Recently, questions have been raised about whether Russia is preparing to spread disinformation in advance of the 2018 elections in Mexico  an allegation rebutted in Sputnik Mundo, which interviewed a Mexican sociologist who labeled the fears groundless and laughable.

Some of it may be obnoxious behavior just to wag their finger at the United States and amplify anti-American sentiment in the Mexican body politic, Weiss said. But at the same time, as seen in the U.S. election, a small investment can have a big impact and take on a life of its own.

The Carnegie project intends to examine the scope of Russias activities abroad, which Weiss in an initial analysis co-written by Stronski said is designed to compensate for lackluster socioeconomic conditions at home.

The project aims to analyze how Russias tactics are evolving, identify which operations may be more annoyance than menace and examine which pose major threats to the West.

We will try to determine where this matters to our interests and where it doesnt, Stronski said. We pose a lot of questions that we dont have clear answers to yet. Over a two-year period, we want to get a better sense of the economic, security, political and economic threats Russia may pose and come up with policy guidance. We need to not just look backwards, but at how theyre adapting.
The Trump administration is planning to offset the steep cost of a Mexico border wall by instructing the Department of Homeland Security to cut spending on surveillance technology and freeze the pay of federal officers in the 2019 fiscal year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Democratic staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The report, which the staffers said was based on information provided to them by "a whistleblower" in late November, said the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) told DHS to boost its projected spending on border wall construction for the 2019 fiscal year to $1.6 billion, an amount that would be "$700 million more than the Department's original budget request."

The $1.6 billion would be used to build additional physical barriers in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, the borders busiest sector for illegal immigration. To offset some of the costs, OMB instructed DHS to decrease its funding request for border security technology and equipment by nearly $175 million, the report said.

OMB acknowledged that reductions to RVSS technology are necessary to offset the costs of Presidential priorities,  the report said.

The cuts include a 50 percent spending reduction on Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS), the network of video cameras Border Patrol agents rely on heavily to monitor illegal border traffic. The mobile cameras have infrared technology that allows them to track smugglers and illegal border-crossers at night.

When [Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.] visited the border earlier this year, she was told by many of the folks she spoke with along the front lines that technology needs were their highest priority, not a border wall, said Drew Pusateri, a spokesman for the Senate committees Democratic minority. So its a concern to see technology funding reprogrammed for wall funding that wasnt even requested by the department itself, he said.

DHS was also told to strike tens of millions in requests for the boats, helicopters, dirigibles, planes and other equipment that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses to detect and track low-flying aircraft, smugglers vessels and illegal traffic along the border.

Tyler Houlton, a DHS spokesman, declined to comment on the report. It is clear that the President is committed to securing the borders and supporting the men and women of DHS, he said.

But according to the Senate report, the White House rejected DHSs request to increase pay for civilian law enforcement officers, including CBP inspectors at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border that are short thousands of officers.

President Trump has ordered DHS to put 5,000 additional agents along the border, despite latest immigration statistics showing that arrests of illegal migrants are at their lowest point since 1971. Trump has also called for 10,000 more immigration enforcement officers to boost DHS's ability to arrest and deport foreigners living illegally in the United States.

[Arrests along the Mexico border drop sharply under Trump]

DHS officials have insisted they will not lower standards to meet the presidents hiring targets. But freezing DHS officer pay could undermine that effort, and according to the report, OMB instructed DHS to hire 1,000 more new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents than DHS actually requested, raising the total of new law enforcement personnel ICE must hire in FY 2019 from 1,000 to 2,000.

The spending disagreements outlined in the report were marked not for public release and do not necessarily indicate what the final funding levels will be. But the Senate report said they reflect early indications of Trumps priorities for border security funding.

Additionally, it provides information on the needs of DHS as developed by the agency itself, independent of White House involvement, the report said.
Some of the festive cheer was missing last weekend at a public Christmas tree lighting near the site where Christians believe an angel proclaimed Christ's birth to local shepherds.

Our oppressors have decided to deprive us from the joy of Christmas, Patriarch Michel Sabbah, the former archbishop and Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, told the crowd in the town of Beit Sahour in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Mr. Trump told us clearly Jerusalem is not yours.

The Trump administrations decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and move the U.S. Embassy there has provoked widespread opposition among Christians across the Middle East. When Vice President Pence arrives next week on a trip touted as a chance to check on the regions persecuted Christians, he will be facing an awkward backlash.

[Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israeli capital in reversal of U.S. policy]

The pope of the Egyptian Coptic Church, who leads the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East, has called off a scheduled meeting with Pence in Cairo. The Chaldean Church in Iraq warned this week that the White House move on Jerusalem risks sparking regional violence and extremism and demanded that the Trump administration respect U.N. resolutions on the city.



Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, left, said he rejected a meeting scheduled for later this month with Vice President Pence. Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, right, head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, announced that he would also reschedule his meeting with Pence. (Khaled Elfiqi/European Pressphoto Agency-EFE)

In the West Bank city of Bethlehem, which is about 12 percent Christian and is a scheduled stop on Pences tour, religious leaders turned off the citys Christmas tree lights last week to protest the White House announcement.

In the city, the writing is on the wall: Mr PENCE you are not welcome, someone has scrawled in red spray paint on the 26-foot-high concrete Israeli security barrier that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem.

On Sunday, demonstrators staged a sit-in outside the Church of the Nativity, built on the site thought to be the birthplace of Jesus. We will not receive Mr. Pence here, said Saleh Bandak, a Bethlehem-born Christian politician who attended Sundays protest.

While the news has been badly received among Christian communities in the Middle East, the move was in part a political gesture aimed at Christians: white evangelical voters, who backed Trump overwhelmingly in last years presidential election. American evangelical Christians  who believe that the right of the Jews to Jerusalem is enshrined in the Bible and that their presence there will usher in Judgment Day  were a powerful lobbying force behind the decision.

Palestinian Christians complain that Christian evangelicals support of Israel doesnt take into consideration the rights and needs of Christians in the homeland of their religion.

This is where it all started, said the Rev. Mitri Raheb, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem. The Bible originated in Palestine, not in the Bible Belt, but people in the Bible Belt read the Bible in a way that really makes our lives difficult.

[The many casualties of Trumps Jerusalem move]

Trump received about 80 percent of the white evangelical vote, according to exit polls, more than any other recent Republican presidential candidate.

His campaign had recognized the importance of the evangelical vote by picking Pence, then Indiana governor, as Trumps running mate. A self-described Catholic evangelical, Pence helped energize and turn out that constituency.

The White House recognition of Jerusalem went ahead despite warnings from Pope Francis; the archbishop of Canterbury, who heads the Church of England and is a leader for Anglicans worldwide; and the heads and patriarchs of various churches in Jerusalem. Egypts Coptic Church said the decision had disregarded the feelings of millions of Arabs.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his meeting with the vice president following the decision, making it unclear whether Pence will still visit Bethlehem on a tour that was meant to include Jerusalem, the West Bank and Egypt. A spokeswoman for Pence said she could not share details of changes to his schedule at this time.

The White House has repeatedly said it is seeking to better protect Christians in the Middle East. Christians are estimated to make up less than 2 percent of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza, a shrinking but influential minority. Most are Greek Orthodox, but they also include Catholics, Lutherans and Anglicans. The evangelical community is a tiny minority.

When they talk about Christian minorities in danger, they talk about Iraq and other regions where ISIS is the threat, Raheb said, referring to Islamic State militants. They never, ever address the issue of Palestinian Christians under Israeli occupation.

Pence has been a longtime proponent of the embassy move and hinted at Trumps decision in a speech the week before the announcement. In a video message to Republicans in Israel in October, Pence described Jerusalem as the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that only Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem can ensure freedom of access to the citys holy sites, sacred to Jews, Christian and Muslims. Jews were expelled from Jerusalems Old City in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and synagogues were ransacked and destroyed. During that same war, many Palestinian Christians fled or were expelled from areas now under Israeli control; like other displaced Palestinians, they are denied the right to return.

In reaction to Trumps announcement, Netanyahu said there would be no change whatsoever to the status quo of the holy sites.

Israel will always ensure freedom of worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, he said. As evidence of the protection it affords Christians, Israel has pointed to the increasing size of its Christian minority and the shrinking size of that in the Palestinian territories. Palestinians say it is largely the trials of living under occupation that are driving their Christian population away.

Raheb notes that there is no freedom of access to Jerusalem for Christian and Muslim men under 55 and women under 50 living in the West Bank, who both need to obtain a permit to visit.

Our mere existence as Christians here is inconvenient as it means this conflict cant be framed as a religious war between Jews and Muslims, said Raheb. Its not about religion. Its a political conflict over land and resources.

The Rev. Jamal Khader, the parish priest for a Catholic congregation of 500 families in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said he fears that the White House will inflame sectarianism between Christians and Muslims and give extremists an excuse to attack Christians. In making the White House announcement in front of a Christmas tree, Trump framed it as a declaration by the Christian West aimed at the Muslim world, Khader said.

We are trying to convince people, especially Christians, to avoid violence, he said. But Im worried. How can I convince young people to react in a nonviolent way?

[In Jerusalem, Trumps speech sparks scenes of joy, outrage]

There have been regular clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters in the wake of Trumps declaration, with violence erupting in Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron and other West Bank towns, in addition to the Gaza Strip.

Trump said his announcement didnt mean the United States was taking a position on whether Israel ultimately had sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, but Palestinians were not reassured.

Of course everyone is upset about it. This is a political issue, said Theophilos III, the patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, which he called a city for the whole world, two people and three religions.

But evangelical Trump supporters have gushed with praise for the decision. We and the millions of Christians we represent will never forget your courageous act, Christians United for Israel said in a full-page ad in The Washington Post on Sunday thanking Trump.

Anne Gearan in Washington, Ruth Eglash in Jerusalem, Mustafa Salim in Baghdad and Heba Farouk Mahfouz in Cairo contributed to this report.

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/12/2017 (1800 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The last thing Manitobans want to find under the mistletoe this holiday season is the kissing bug.

Medical experts are encouraging Manitobans who are from specific south and central American countries to get tested for Chagas disease following a case study on a Winnipeg family diagnosed with the disease. An account of the family was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal earlier this month.

A bite from the bug that carries the parasite and is found in Argentina, Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Paraguay, can cause swelling, nausea, fevers and coughing, or no symptoms at all, said Dr. Pierre Plourde, a medical officer at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

SUPPLIED KISSING BUGA bite from the bug, which typically carries the parasite is found in Argentina, Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Paraguay, can leave swelling, cause nausea, fevers and coughing, or no symptoms at all. Thats according to Dr. Pierre Plourde, a medical officer at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).

It likes to feed around moist areas, around your face, close to the eye where theres tears and the mouth area, so it likes to feed around the head and the face in the middle of the night, he said.

Its sort of like youve been kissed by the bug.

Anyone whos bitten by the bug, or whose mother was bitten prior or during pregnancy, is at risk of heart failure years after the triatominaes kiss even if they now live in Canada.

Plourde estimates up to 10,000 Canadians have the disease, thousands having contracted it from a bite while around 150 have likely contracted the disease genetically.

Most of them probably have no idea because the infection, initially, doesnt cause much of a disease, Plourde said. You dont realize you have it until 10, 20, 30 years down the road, the parasite gets a hold of your heart.

In a press release published Wednesday, Plourde said the disease affects around one in four people who have contracted it at some point in their lifetime.

The kissing bug transfers a parasite to humans by excreting when they bite. The tropical medical expert said that when the bites scratched, the parasite enters the bloodstream and makes its way to the heart muscle.

Plourde was one of the case study authorsalongside Kamran Kadkhoda, a clinical microbiologist from Winnipegs Cadham Provincial Laboratory, and Dr. Momar Ndao, head of the National Reference Centre for Parasitology in Montrealwho describes an immigrant mother who grew up in Paraguay and Bolivia passed along Chagas disease to three of her children born in Canada. None of the children experienced symptoms.

One son found out he tested positive when he was rejected upon trying to donate blood in 2010the year Canadian Blood Services started testing for Chagas antibodies.

Were seeing more and more and more people being rejected from blood donation because theyre Chagas positive, said Plourde. And in my practice, every single one of those people either comes from South or Central America, they either immigrated to Canada from there or theyre bornthat was the case of this family with three adults.

He said the mother mustve been very highly infected with the parasite during pregnancy because its not typical for all children to be infected.

The chance of a mother transmitting the disease to a baby is only about five per cent on average but can be as high as 30 per cent, he added.

Plourde said the WRHA is specifically encouraging physicians to test patients in southern Manitoba because theres a number of immigrants from South American countries who grew up there or worked as missionaries.

The first test is a simple Chagas antibody test. If a patient is positive, Plourde said, they are referred to a specialist for further care, which can include various treatments.

The treatment is a little complicated and its hard to access in Canada due to the rarity of it, he said.

He said physicians have to make a special request to Health Canada to get the drug.

Depending on which drug, its 60 to 90 days, so yeah, its pretty arduoustwo or three months of a drug that causes lots of side effects, he said.

Plourde said the longer the infection is left untreated; the more damage it can cause. He added cure rates are higher in children because the treatments work better at a younger age.

The management of Chagas disease requires lifelong evaluation, according to the case study.

Patients who test positive are required to get a heart check-up once a year.

Theres no vaccine or prevention pills at present, so Plourde said sleeping under a bed net in listed countries is the best way to prevent the disease.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/12/2017 (1800 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Senators are urging the federal government hit the brakes on its controversial tax changes, while echoing Manitobas calls to take a longer, comprehensive reform of Canadas labyrinthine tax laws.

Instead, the Liberals released more details Wednesday on a proposal that will take effect Jan. 1, amid continuing anger from the small-business community.

There was never a clear indication as to what perceived problem the federal government was trying to address with these measures, said Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press Senator Anne Cools, Senator Percy Mockler, Senator Elizabeth Marshall of the Senate Committee on National Finance host a press conference on the findings of its report on the federal governments proposed changes to the Income Tax Act in Ottawa, Wednesday.

For the business community, this appeared to be a case of a solution in search of a problem.

The chamber was among dozens of groups who testified to the Senate finance committee this fall.

On Wednesday, that committee published its report, after speaking with 138 witnesses at 30 meetings across the country, including a Nov. 9 meeting in Winnipeg.

The report recommends the government shelve its reform and instead take a comprehensive dive at clarifying Canadas sprawling tax law, as other countries have done.

The income tax act is a mammoth, huge thing; it is also a strange animal, so its something that has to be approach with great care, great knowledge and great tenacity, Sen. Anne Cools told reporters Wednesday.

If the Liberals still proceed, the committee said they should at least wait until 2019, so business owners can better understand the new rules and modify their business plans.

Conservative Sen. Percy Mockler said the committee reached an inescapable conclusion theres too much uncertainty and too much confusion to push through a tax change by next month.

Yet on Wednesday, the Liberals announced a tweak to a proposal that would tighten existing rules that enable small-business owners to lower their tax burden, by distributing earnings among family members who do not make significant contributions to their companies  a practice known as income sprinkling.

Its the governments latest adjustment to its overall tax-reform package, following an onslaught of complaints from doctors, lawyers, accountants, tax experts, farmers, premiers and even some Liberal backbenchers.

That criticism prompted the Senate to approve a cross-country tour for its finance committee.

In Winnipeg, the committee heard from provincial Finance Minister Cameron Friesen, who said Ottawa should more or less repeat the 1960s Royal Commission on Taxation, which spanned four years.

What is truly required, if were going to embark on this path, is an independent tax-reform commission one that has the resources sufficient to take on a comprehensive examination of who we are as Canadians, Friesen told the committee.

Remillard agreed, saying anything short of a thought-out, in-depth reform will backfire on Manitoba businesses. The current tax structure, before these proposals, was operating well.

The Senate committee consists of five Conservatives, five independents and two Independent Liberals  two Quebec senators appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to support the call for the whole tax plan to be withdrawn.

Though no Manitobans sit on the finance committee, Saskatchewan Sen. Raynell Andreychuk said the tax changes are especially important for the Prairie provinces.

She says provinces such as Manitoba are building economies that dont rely too heavily on commodity prices, largely due to small businesses.

That this is where the jobs and the growth are, she said in an interview. A lot of the value-added stuff were doing are done by the small guy who works in his company; they are the backbone.

Andreychuk said farms and small businesses are allowed to share their tax burden because they drive economic growth. Its not equal. When youre running a small business, its risk; it involves your whole family. And the tax system was built on that.

She gave the example of farmers saving for post-secondary education, so their children can use technology to sell higher-cost, processed goods.

Thats why were competitive now, around the world. Weve learned a lot about agriculture and all the spin-off industries that agriculture supports.

The Liberals insist Wednesdays changes will clarify income-sprinkling rules, by spelling out a reasonableness test to assess whether a relative has made meaningful contributions or investments into the family business.

Trudeau said the modified income-sprinkling proposal would only have an impact on three per cent of all small businesses in Canada  and even those affected would still be able to continue sprinkling their income, as long as its for legitimate reasons.

For example, the adult son of a doctor or farmer would have to work for at least 20 hours per week, or about 1,000 hours per year, in order for the parent to sprinkle income on their son and thus lower the tax rate.

A coalition of industry associations, including a national group representing small- and medium-sized businesses, has criticized Ottawa for waiting until a couple of weeks before the end of the year to provide clarity on the tax changes, which will take effect Jan. 1.

Remillard said hes still not clear on how the changes will work, and suspects the changes are driven by the federal deficit.

The political and business-sector backlash over Bill Morneaus suite of tax proposals, which he released in the middle of the summer, dogged the federal finance minister for months.

In hope of soothing its critics, the government announced in October it would abandon an element of the income-sprinkling proposal that would have limited access to the lifetime capital gains exemption. Morneau said he made the change to avoid unintended negative impacts on the intergenerational transfer of family businesses, such as farms.

Morneau said the goal of the change was to enable small-business owners to sock away money inside their corporations for future business-related needs, while still targeting wealthy people who use their corporate structures purely as a way to reduce their taxes.

Andreychuk said the changes to how doctors are taxed could have implications for rural health care in Manitoba, with doctors eyeing better lower taxes abroad.

She recalled people crying during the committee testimonies. (During the Senates travels, transcripts of their meetings are available, but not audio or video recordings.)

People were in tears saying, Im not a tax cheat, and I dont want to do the wrong thing Jan. 1; I want to follow the laws but I dont know what the rules are,' she recalled. The way that they attacked it have left such a bad taste in everyones mouth.

The government will release draft legislation as part of next years budget.

 with files from The Canadian Press

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/12/2017 (1799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After launching an overhaul of Winnipegs hospital system this year, the Progressive Conservative government will turn its attention to rural Manitoba in 2018.

Premier Brian Pallister gave few details at a year-end news conference on Thursday, saying Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen would have more to say on the subject in the not-too-distant future.

However, it appears the government plans to adopt a more centralized approach that will see some small hospitals repurposed as personal care homes  or some other type of health facility. The emphasis will be on better equipped regional centres and more mobile staff, Pallister said.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Im 25 years in public life and youre not going to get the rough edges off of me," Pallister said.

The premier defended the governments decision earlier this year to eliminate some rural ambulance stations outside of Winnipeg in favour of beefing up the number of paramedic crews that are on duty at any one time.

Health care is not just bricks and mortar. Health care is the availability of the professionals when you have a heart attack on your farm and you need somebody there, he said, adding that most rural Manitobans understand that.

Proximity to a regional centre where you can get a variety of services and better care  this is how most rural Manitobans view health care now.

Goertzen issued a statement late Thursday saying that Shared Health, a new organization responsible for identifying provincewide efficiencies, would develop a new clinical and preventative health services plan that would include a review of rural health services and planning. It expects to provide the analysis to the government late next spring.

(Meanwhile, Goertzen also said that a long-awaited report from the provinces Wait Times Reduction Task Force will be released next week. The report is to address waits for emergency care as well as for certain priority procedures, such as hip and knee replacements.)

Pallister said Manitoba is behind other provinces, such as Saskatchewan, in tackling rural hospital rationalization.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallister holds a year-end news conference in his office Thursday.

He said some facilities have already stopped accepting patients but theyve not officially been closed. There have been hospitals decommissioning in Manitoba for the last number of years  (just) not announced.

Meanwhile, Pallister said the PCs have not abandoned a promise to fast-track construction of 1,200 personal care home beds in Manitoba. Progress has been slow as the government has insisted that project proponents build facilities for far less money than was allowed in the past.

Even if the target is achieved, it may not be enough to meet the needs of an ever-rising number of elderly Manitobans who need care, the premier said. We also know that part of the solution is better care available for people to stay in their own home, too, he said.

At the news conference, which lasted about 50 minutes, Pallister answered questions on several other topics, including his slow recovery from a hiking mishap in New Mexico last month.

He defended his governments refusal to sign onto a federal-provincial deal  approved by every other province  that would have given it more than three-quarters of the tax revenue from legalized marijuana. He said 150 per cent would be better, quite frankly.

The provinces are going to do the heavy lifting in establishing a system to deal with recreational cannabis use, Pallister said. Youre talking about a massive risk for a questionable outcome with assured cost consequences and questionable revenue. And the provinces are being asked to take on those risks, he said.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Pallister: "Im going to tell you what I think and Ill continue to do that and I wont stop.

Asked what share of cannabis tax revenues might be passed on to municipalities, Pallister was non-committal. He said the province will conduct an analysis of their costs at the appropriate time.

Ive got a great reputation for working with municipal governments effectively. Thats not going to change, he told reporters.

The premier said the government would soon announce how it will spend revenues obtained from a new carbon tax to be instituted next year. He said the government is still receiving advice from Manitobans on what portion will be devoted to green infrastructure, how much will be spent on initiatives to combat climate change and how much will go back to households.

While he had previously indicated that such information would be available long before now, he said the process took longer because we listened (to Manitobans) longer.

Pallister said he remains firmly committed to lowering the provincial sales tax to seven per cent from eight by the end of his first term  even if he has to use borrowed money to do it. He also said the PCs are on track to eliminate the provincial deficit within eight years of taking over government.

Asked about the prognosis for his injured arm, the premier replied: Not good. He said the limb is broken in four places  although its not expected to require surgery. He suffered a setback recently when he fell on it, he said.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS I care about (Johanna Hurme) and she cares about me, and that is, in the final analysis, more important than the screw up," said Pallister.

Suffice to say, its not a simple break. But its starting to heal, he added.

Pallister said he is expecting to travel to his vacation home in Costa Rica next week and return early in the new year. It will be the first time hes visited the Central American property since January.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/12/2017 (1799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The recent release of the JFK files led to a surge of media coverage about the Kennedy assassination and its aftermath.

But its not like public interest has ever really abated. On any day of the week, visit Dealey Plaza, the downtown Dallas site of the assassination. Youll see curious tourists, sleuths trying to figure out what really happened and others who dont agree about how it happened.

In some ways, its still Nov. 22, 1963.

Jim Altgens / The Associated Press Files U.S. President John F. Kennedy waves to a Dallas crowd before being assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. Decades later, many still believe his killer didn't act alone.

In the days after the tragedy, the public was at a loss over how to interpret the events. People distrusted the governments explanation  a suspicion that continues to this day.

Even so, it doesnt mean there arent any lessons to be learned from the assassination.

Perhaps its time for a different conversation about the Kennedy assassination  not one about who pulled the trigger, but about the lasting legacy of an unresolved event, and how its influenced what Americans do (and dont) believe in today.

A cottage industry of conspiracies

On Oct. 28, President Trump tweeted that he was going to release all the remaining JFK files in order to put any and all conspiracies to rest.

Good luck, Mr. President.

The journalists, conspiracy theorists and scholars who have sorted through the 31,334 documents disclosed this year by the National Archives didnt find anything that changes our previous understanding of the assassination or the events surrounding it.

But even if there were new revelations, would public opinion change?

For more than half a century, Americans have been exposed to a cottage industry of material about the Kennedy assassination. Over 1,000 books have been written, from Crossfire and On the Trail of Assassins to They Killed Our President and CIA Rogues and the Killing of the Kennedys.

Its estimated that 95 per cent of these books are pro-conspiracy and reject the Warren Commission conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy. Most point out discrepancies and unanswered questions. Many confuse innuendo and rumor with logic and evidence.

Then there are fictional accounts of the assassination  fantasy novels, comic books, comedies, a Broadway musical and even a video game  that make no pretense of telling the truth.

Rush to judgment

Mark Lanes 1966 book Rush to Judgment was one of the first commercially successful books to criticize the methods and conclusions of the Warren Report. However, even before Lanes book and the Warren Commission began its report, theres evidence that a different rush to judgment had already occurred.

Belief in a criminal conspiracy took hold within days of the assassination. A Gallup poll taken the week of the assassination found that 52 per cent of Americans already believed that the man who shot Kennedy didnt act on his own and that others were involved.

In the minds of many Americans, a lack of a coherent narrative seems to have created a void that was filled by doubt and apprehension. The original Gallup news release noted the widespread fear that Oswald didnt act on his own.

Since 1963, Gallup has continued to ask Americans whether they believe in the lone gunman theory or in a criminal conspiracy, and has consistently found that a majority believes it was a criminal conspiracy. (In 1966, the number dipped to 50 per cent. By December 1976 it spiked to 81 per cent.) The polls also show there has never been consensus as to who other than Oswald may have been involved.

Its not like JFK conspiracy theories havent been thoroughly debunked. Gerald Posners 1993 book Case Closed effectively refutes all the major conspiracy theories. Vincent Bugliosis Reclaiming History (2007)  a more in-depth version of Case Closed  fastidiously explains the evidence establishing Oswalds guilt and that he acted alone.

Was the proliferation of conspiracy books  which exploited deficiencies in the governments handling of the case  a major reason the public stopped believing the government account of President Kennedys murder?

Social scientists have been able to show how people dont necessarily wait for the facts, that they instead trust their gut to tell them what is true. Study after study has shown that the presentation of facts and contradictory evidence often doesnt change beliefs. In fact, it can sometimes make pre-existing beliefs stronger.

We also see how conflicting information about the assassination can sow confusion  to the point where people either arent sure what to believe or pick and choose what they want to believe. The JFK assassination is a case study for confirmation bias, which is the tendency to search, interpret and favor information in a way that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.

Is it possible that the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination helped lay the groundwork for todays alternative media ecosystem and fake-news peddlers? Did it show how easily cultural fissures could be created and exploited, and how difficult it is to lay a conspiracy theory to rest?

We do know that in 1964  within a month of the Warren Commissions official finding that Oswald was the lone assassin  public trust in federal government began a steady 54-year decline.

Today, its at a near-historic low.

A case never closed

An important but often overlooked aspect of the Kennedy assassination has to do with the sociological importance of due process, and the consequences of when a trial is interrupted.

Within 48 hours of Oswalds arrest, Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby murdered him on national television.

This upended the American criminal justice process. Oswalds death not only denied him his day in court, but it also denied Americans the sense of closure that can accompany a public trial. The presentation of evidence, the examination of witnesses, the deliberation of a jury, the rendering of verdict and the exhaustion of post-conviction remedies are all important elements of closure. Principles and process matter.

Not that there wont be critics of courtroom-based outcomes, or that there wont be differences between a legal verdict and popular opinion.

But a poignant lesson of the Kennedy assassination is that when the legal process is not allowed to run its course, it can have major, long-lasting influences on what some believe  and what others never will.

Every day someone new learns about the Kennedy assassination. Interest in the governments release of all remaining documents suggests that many still believe there are new things to learn.

But it doesnt mean Americans are going to learn something thats going to change what we believe.

Ryan Kellus Turner is an adjunct professor of criminal justice at St. Edwards University.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
The White House has quickly undercut suggestions by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday that Washington was willing to start talks with North Korea without preconditions. The latest differences emerge amid growing signs that the Trump administration is preparing to wage war against the Pyongyang regime in the coming months unless it capitulates completely to US demands.

Tillersons remarks to the Atlantic Council appear to be a last ditch attempt to start talks to try to prevent a conflict that could spiral out of control. It is not realistic to say were only going to talk if you come to the table ready to give up your [nuclear] program, he said, contradicting the more aggressive stance taken by Trump.

With a note of desperation, Tillerson continued: Were ready to have the first meeting without preconditions. Lets just meet. We can talk about weather if you want. We can talk about whether there is gonna be a square table or a round table if thats what youre excited about. But can we at least sit down and see each other face to face.

North Korea, however, is well aware that the US demands remainto scrap its limited nuclear arsenal and abandon all related nuclear and missile programs. Moreover, such a step would involve an ever-more intrusive inspection prying into all aspects of its military and security apparatus.

Tillersons assurances that the US is not looking for a pretext to attack North Korea and not seeking regime-change in Pyongyang are belied by Trumps threats to totally destroy the country. North Korea has hinted that it would be willing to take part in negotiations, but as they have not been forthcoming, appears to have concluded that its nuclear arsenal is its only means of defence. Pyongyang has pointed to the fate of Iraq and Libyawhich bowed to US demands over their weapons of mass destructiononly to be attacked.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders scotched any suggestion that Trumps views on North Korea had changed. While Tillerson claimed he had Trumps support for his initiative, the president issued a public rebuke to the secretary of state in October, tweeting that he was wasting his time trying to negotiate with Rocket ManTrumps derogatory term for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

An unnamed White House official more explicitly repudiated Tillersons comments, declaring that clearly right now is not the time for talks, given North Koreas most recent missile test. The administration is united in insisting that any negotiations with North Korea must wait until the regime fundamentally improves its behaviour.

Tillersons comments are another warning that the US war drive against North Korea is accelerating. Our military preparedness is strong the president has ordered our military planners to have a full range of contingencies, and they are ready, he told the Atlantic Council.

As Ive told people many times, I will continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops, Tillerson said. Im confident that were gonna be successful. But Im also confident that [US Defence] Secretary Mattis will be successful if it ends up being his turn.

The US and South Korea have held, one after another, the largest-ever joint military exercises this year that are, in reality, rehearsals for war with North Korea. Last week, some 12,000 military personnel and more than 200 warplanes, including B-1B strategic bombers and the latest F-35 stealth fighters took part in major air drills. This week the US, South Korea and Japan were engaged in testing anti-missile systems.

While declaring that Washingtons aim was not regime-change, Tillerson again put pressure on China, saying: The president would like to see China cut off the oil [to North Korea]. The last time the North Koreans came to the table was because China cut off the oil.

Under strong-arming from Washington, China has already agreed to harsh UN sanctions that block most North Korean exports and limit energy imports. The top UN human rights official Zeid Raad al Hussein told a UN Security Council on Tuesday that the punitive measures had already compounded the humanitarian crisis in North Korea.

An estimated 18 million North Koreans, or 70 percent of the population, suffer from acute food shortages and aid agencies provide literally a lifeline for 13 million of them, al Hussein said. Food prices have shot up 160 percent since April. The sanctions are also impeding the efforts of aid organisations to provide adequate relief.

The Trump administrations policy of maximum pressure and engagement is clearly aimed at forcing the North Korean regime to its knees or provoking an economic and political crisis that causes it to implode. China, which has desperately sought to prevent an implosion in Pyongyang, is now preparing for the worst. The New York Times reported that a Chinese county bordering North Korea has begun establishing camps for refugees that could flood into China.

More ominously, a provincial newspaper in the border areathe state-owned Jilin Daily issued a full-page advisory last week entitled General Knowledge about Nuclear Weapons and Protection. Concerned at the prospect of a nuclear war on its doorstop, the provincial air defence office explained the article was part of national defence education.

Speaking to the Atlantic Council, Tillerson indicated that the US already has plans to intervene militarily in North Korea in the event that its government collapseson the pretext of securing the countrys nuclear weapons. He said that the US had offered assurances to China that any American troops that crossed the border into North Korea would be withdrawn.

Such guarantees are unlikely to convince Beijing, which is deeply concerned at the possibility of the US installing a puppet regime in Pyongyang.

A top UN officialpolitical chief Jeffrey Feltmanmade a rare visit to North Korea last week amid the rising danger of war in a bid to defuse tensions and initiate talks, but to no avail. After a close briefing on his return, Swedens deputy UN ambassador Carl Skau pessimistically declared: Nothing was said that left us less worried than we were before.

As for Tillersons offer of talks without preconditions, it will only continue to fuel widespread speculation that Trump will replace him with a hard-line warmonger.
Doug Jones, the underdog Democrat in deep-red Alabama, upset Republican Roy Moore in one of the strangest and most consequential Senate campaigns in recent U.S. history, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Moores razor-thin loss means the GOPs already slim majority will shrink to 51-49, putting the pressure on Republicans as they try to enact their conservative legislative agenda and set their sights toward the 2018 mid-term elections.

Moores campaign was hampered by accusations by nine women that he made unwelcome sexual advances on them in the 1970s, when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One woman said she was 14 at the time.

Though Moore repeatedly and vehemently denied the accusations, they cast a cloud over his campaign that prompted many top Republicans to distance themselves from the former judge.

Also Read: Fox News Host Rakes Roy Moore Spox Over Yearbook: 'We Have to Be Factual'

Earlier in the day, Republican lawmakers warned that should Moore win, they would meet Wednesday morning to discuss a menu of options that they could take to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Alabama voters were split on the validity of the allegations, according to early exit polls. Just under half of those surveyed said they believed the accusers, while more than four in 10 said they did not.

Moore denied he had even met any of the women who accused him. At one of many bizarre points in the campaign, Moores backers argued over whether a yearbook message he was accused of writing to one of the women was a forgery.

The accusations briefly rendered Moore a political pariah in Washington. Much of the Republican establishment distanced itself from the former Alabama judge famous for his prominent display of the Ten Commandments  a move that resulted in his suspension from the bench.

Also Read: Roy Moore Rides Horse From Polling Station, Internet Cries Neigh (Video)

But after his poll numbers seemed to steady, and President Donald Trump said he needed Moores vote to pass his agenda, the Republican National Committee reinstated its support of Moores campaign.

Story continues

Trump, who has also denied accusations of sexual misconducted, tweeted Tuesday: VOTE ROY MOORE!

Moores defeat is the latest political setback for Trump, who had endorsed Moores Republican primary opponent, Luther Strange, earlier this fall only to see Moore move forward in the special election against Jones to fill the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday with a steady though not especially strong turnout, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Also Read: Roy Moore Spokesman Reamed for Bible Flub, Saying Gay Conduct Should 'Probably' Be Illegal

Moore, together with his wife, rode a horse named Sassy to their polling place outside his hometown of Gadsden. He did the same thing during the primary run against interim Republican Sen. Luther Strange.

Jones cast his ballot in Mountain Brook, a suburb of Birmingham, expressing confidence in his prospects.

Also Read: Roy Moore Rides Horse From Polling Station, Internet Cries Neigh (Video)

Without the accusations of Moore preying on teens, the race never would have been in contention: Alabama is one of the reddest states in the union, and is anything but welcoming to most Democratic candidates.

Jones, a former U.S. attorney, made a name for himself after prosecuting two Ku Klux Klan members accused of bombing Birminghams 16th Street Baptist Church in 1963.

Last month, the Washington Post reported that a woman accused Moore of initiating sexual contact with her when she was 14 years old and he was 32.

Also Read: Trump Allies Sent a 12-Year-Old Girl to Interview Roy Moore, But Don't Worry - She's OK

The Post also spoke to three other women who said Moore made sexual advances toward them when they were between 16 and 18 years old. Then other women came forward accusing Moore of sexual misconduct, including one who alleged Moore assaulted her when she was 16.

Moore initially said that he may have dated women in their later teens, famously telling Sean Hannity last month during a radio interview: I dont remember dating any girl without the permission of her mother. But he later insisted he did not know any of the accusers.

Moores time as a judge also raised eyebrows. In 2004, Moore was removed from the bench as a judge in Alabama after refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove the Ten Commandments in the Alabama Judicial Building. In 2016, he was suspended and later resigned as the states chief justice for ordering lower courts to disobey the 2015 Supreme Courts ruling legalizing same-sex marriages.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Roy Moore's Wife on Anti-Semitism Claims: 'One of Our Attorneys Is a Jew'

'Morning Joe' Makes Closing Argument Against Roy Moore: 'He's a Pedophile'

'SNL': Kids Put Santa on the Spot by Asking About Al Franken and Roy Moore (Video)
Photo credit: Getty

From Country Living

Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been accused of sexual misconduct by four different women in an investigation by the food site Eater. Batali, who has apologized for his behavior, has stepped away from the operations of his business and as cohost of The Chew on ABC. Now, one of his most prominent peers in the restaurant world, Anthony Bourdain, is speaking out.

In an essay posted on Medium, Bourdain spoke out about recent accusations of sexual harassment and assault against Batali, as well as New York restaurant owner Ken Friedman. "In these current circumstances, one must pick a side. I stand unhesitatingly and unwaveringly with the women," he wrote.

Batali and Bourdain were colleagues in the food world, and occasionally appeared together at events. "Any admiration I have expressed in the past for Mario Batali and Ken Friedman, whatever I might feel about them, however much I admired and respected them, is, in light of these charges, irrelevant," he wrote.

He added that he regrets not being the kind of person women felt comfortable coming to with their stories, and also reflected on whether his work contributed to a negative culture in the restaurant industry. "To the extent which my work in Kitchen Confidential celebrated or prolonged a culture that allowed the kind of grotesque behaviors we're hearing about all too frequently is something I think about daily, with real remorse," he said.

Bourdain also referred to his girlfriend, Italian actress Asia Argento, who has accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. He said she has introduced him to other women with stories like hers, and helped him change his perspective.

I aint woke. I was lucky enough to meet one, truly extraordinary woman @AsiaArgento pic.twitter.com/XgpVYyrsxN - Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) December 12, 2017

"That doesn't make me any more enlightened than any other man who has begun listening and paying attention. It does makes me, I hope, slightly less stupid," he wrote. "Right now, nothing else matters but women's stories of what it's like in the industry I have loved and celebrated for nearly 30 years."

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What has been done to improve gun control since Sandy Hook? (Spoiler alertnothing)

The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School happened five years ago today.

I was only three days postpartum when the random daytime TV program I was watching cutaway to a breaking news story. There was a mass shooting. At an elementary school in Connecticut, a cowardly, homegrown terrorist stormed the building, shooting and killing 20 six- and seven-year-old children and six adult staff members.

I watched, horrified, as I nursed my newborn son. My thoughts, of course, went to my own children  my oldest would be starting kindergarten the following year  and to the children who were lost. I thought about beds that would be unslept in that night. I thought of holiday presents already addressed to little ones who would never unwrap them. I thought about parents who said goodbye to their children that morning, not knowing it would be their last parting.

I thought about how unfair and highly preventable it all was.

The news destroyed me, and as I saw more coverage on TV and online, I knew that we all felt this loss. This was personal. And we were never going to let it happen again.

Except, it has happened again. Many times.

Since Sandy Hook, there have been at least 1,576 mass shootings resulting in at least 1,788 dead and 6,333 injured. Though the outrage sparked by Sandy Hook inspired an impassioned renewal of the gun control debate, proposals for increased gun regulation were fruitless.

"When the first sounds of gunshots echoed through the halls of Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday morning, Dawn Hochsprung left the safety of her office and took off running toward the shooter." https://t.co/NmaAR9oLR8  Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 14, 2017

Months after the attack, Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 and the Manchin-Toomey Amendment were introduced during Congresss first session of the year. This legislation would have limited the sell of automatic and semi-automatic weapons and introduced a universal background check, but the Senate defeated both pieces of legislation only four months after the events at Sandy Hook.

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As a country, weve been given so many opportunities to take a stand against gun violence and take actionable measures to prevent another tragedy like Sandy Hook. Yet, weve done nothing to stop this senseless pattern. The current administration has even overturned an Obama-era policy that restricted the ability for mentally ill individuals to buy guns, potentially giving firearm access to mentally unstable individuals.

In retrospect Sandy Hook marked the end of the US gun control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.  (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) June 19, 2015

Instead of the gun control policies that are so desperately needed in order to prevent gun violence, thoughts and prayers are the only consolation offered by many of our elected officials. Whenever talk of gun reform is reintroduced, it is quickly attacked by the NRA and Second Amendment supporters who see these restrictions  which could prevent the next mass shooting  as a violation of their rights.

At this point, I couldnt care less about the right to bear arms. Im much more concerned with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness  the three inalienable rights that all citizens are entitled to. But if we live in a world in which we constantly fear becoming a victim of the next mass shooting, these rights no longer belong to us.

Five years ago, a monster entered Sandy Hook and killed 26 innocent people. And, as a society, we did nothing about it.

But its not too late. We can still stand together and say, Never again. For Sandy Hook, and for the thousands of other people who have been wounded or lost their lives since that day in December.
Even if youre not a parent, youve likely heard of Hatchimals. The interactive eggs that talk and hatch furry little critters have made headlines for failing to open and even spewing out curse words. But the latest claim is downright dangerous: A new version of the toy may give children chemical burns.

This month, shortly after Spin Master, the Canadian toy company that produces Hatchimals, debuted the lines Bath Bomb Surprise, one mothers cautionary tale went viral.

Parents are concerned about whether Hatchimals Bath Bomb Surprise is safe for kids. (Photo: Hatchimals)

In a Facebook post thats been shared more than 130,000 times, a mom named Jennifer Renee posted photos of her childs reddened hands and wrote:

PSA! Do NOT buy this for your children! Followed directions on package and placed in her bathtub. Thought it would be fun for her because there was a toy inside. After being in the water 30-45 seconds she stated her skin was hurting, upon looking she has received a chemical burn from a KIDS BATH BOMB. (no she was not holding it and she has used multiple different kinds of bath bombs and never had this reaction) Just a warning people.

Renee the posted an update: She has had these before and all different brands. I called the company and the batch number being investigated and is likely going to be recalled as numerous reports have been made (not all the burning reaction she got). It is so easy for a person working in a factory to overdo the ingredients in a batch and just ignore it. Went to the doctor this morning and it was in fact a chemical burn not a reaction. I am posting this just in hopes people will monitor closely. Everyone loves bath bombs. Lesson learned. All natural ones from now on.

Renee did not return Yahoo Lifestyles request for comment; however, shes not the only concerned parent. Many commenters vowed to avoid the bath bombs, while others insisted the product has never harmed their own children.

Yahoo Lifestyle could not reach a representative from Hatchimals for comment, but the company sent a statement to the fact-checking site Snopes, which determined the danger of the product unproven.

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The statement read: Spin Master was made aware of the situation via a Facebook post and we are in the process of looking into the matter with the licensee company to whom Spin Master licensed the Hatchimals brand. We are saddened to learn about a young girls injuries. That said, it would be premature to comment further on the situation until we learn more. We are working closely with the products licensee manufacturer and distributor to determine whether there are any product issues.

According to Ava Shamban, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of SkinxFive, who reviewed the ingredients pictured in the Facebook post, there are no red flags. It does appear to be safe, she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Its basically sodium bicarbonate with some color dye, which is baking soda.

Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Centers in New York, agrees. Its possible that some children could experience irritant or contact dermatitis if they have an ingredient sensitivity or have an already compromised skin barrier such as dermatitis, eczema, or an open wound, Engelman tells Yahoo Lifestyle. But a chemical burn is unlikely.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

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John Stamos, 54, expecting first baby

John Stamos is on his way to having a full house!

The 54-year-old actor is having his first baby with fiance Caitlin McHugh, PEOPLE reveals.

The look on Johns face when I told him we were pregnant was priceless, McHugh,31, told PEOPLE. It was the look of a man who has wanted a family of his own but wasn't sure it was going to happen for him. Now it is!

Instagram

The two got engaged at Disneyland in October, the perfect proposal for Disney super fan McHugh.

The [pregnancy] happened. Then I said, I better have a ring on her finger because its the right thing to do, and I wanted to marry her anyway, Stamos told PEOPLE. So I called her parents to ask, and it was like, You better!

RELATED: 11 Little-Known Facts About Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's Fiance  Including How They Are Related

The two are more than excited to be having their first child together. Stamos has wanted to be a dad for quite some time. Sources close to Stamos revealed to Hollywood Life that he is ready for this new change.

John is eager to finally have a family after being inspired by George Clooneys late-life happiness and fatherhood, the source shared. As John has matured, his priorities and perspectives on life have changed too. He is finally ready to settle down, become a father and enter the next phase of his life.

Over the years hes had any people joke about how he isn't a father yet.

People would say, You should have a child, he told the publication. I was like, That ship has sailed.

RELATED: Jay-Z Finally Explained Why He Cheated On Beyonce

But the ship never, in fact, set sail and now he can finally be the dad hes always wanted to be.

The couple had talked about having a baby during their two-year relationship and McHugh mentioned they should have their first child before they got married. Stamos told PEOPLE he remembers asking McHugh why and she replied with, Because youre old!

Instagram

Stamos and McHugh are holding back on letting the world know baby #1s gender.

The actors fiancee has no doubt the Full House actor will make a great dad.

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I greatly admire his originality, creativity, ambition, work ethic and humor  all qualities Im sure hell pass down to his child, McHugh told PEOPLE. Hes always been wonderful with kids, and Im sure he will be an amazing father.

Stamos feels the same way.

Ill be a fun dad. Ive been practicing for a long time, Stamos said. Ive done every schtick you can do with a baby on TV  all the bits and jokes and diaper gags. Ill probably just do all that stuff.

The newly engaged couple is also planning to add to their family later on. McHugh reportedly wants to have more kids after this one. Hopefully, the two will have a Full House soon!

RELATED: The Reason Sources Say Tom Cruise Hasn't Seen His Daughter Suri In FOUR Years

Keywords: celebrity

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Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

From Cosmopolitan

Doug Jones is the Democratic senator from Alabama. The Democratic senator in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat to the Senate in 25 years  and the last one switched parties halfway through his second term. Joness win is a triumph for much more than just the Democratic Party. Its a win for the women who have spoken up against harassment, mistreatment, and abuse at the hands of powerful men. Its a win for good journalism. Its a win for the many who have argued that Democrats need to play to their base instead of trying to peel off the angry white men who voted for Trump. And its a winning strategy going forward.

Just a year ago, 62 percent of Alabamians voted for Donald Trump; just over a third cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton. The state is one of the deepest red in the nation, and that shines through in its politics. The most creative writers room in the country could not have dreamed up a more cartoonish Bible Belt candidate than Roy Moore: Moore insisted on installing a monument of the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the Alabama Judiciary Building, in violation of the constitutional principles he was sworn to uphold; he was often coarsely racist, sexist, and homophobic; it seemed he could barely go more than a few sentences without talking about abortion. He often donned a cowboy hat, and he even rode his Tennessee walking horse to the polls. Her name is Sassy.

The night before the election, Moores wife defended him (and herself) from accusations of anti-Semitism by proudly proclaiming that their lawyer is a Jew. At that same rally, an old military buddy of Moores told a rousing tale of a trip to a Vietnamese brothel full of sexually exploited children  his point was that Moore is such a virtuous guy he refused to pay for sex with kids and the two men left (unsaid but strongly implied is that refusing to partake in paid sex with children means that Moore probably did not prowl malls and courthouses looking for teenage girls to prey on, as has been reported). The audience loved it, and had a good chuckle at the part where Moore and the storyteller left a third friend at the brothel, ostensibly to pay to rape some children. Good fun.

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And yet Moore almost won anyway, because for a shockingly large number of Alabama voters, an Evangelical Yosemite Sam accused of practically cruising mall parking lots in a windowless black van is still better than a Democrat. Doug Jones only squeaked by because women are brave, journalists did their jobs, black women saved our collective butts, and activists groups focused their efforts on turning out Democratic voters.

One thing should be obvious: Without the Washington Post article by Stephanie McCrummen, Beth Reinhard, and Alice Crites detailing allegations that Moore preyed on teenage girls, Roy Moore would today be the Republican senator-elect from Alabama. Without Leigh Corfman, Wendy Miller, Debbie Wesson Gibson, and Gloria Thacker Deason, the four women who said Moore made sexual advances on them when they were teenagers, there would have been no Post article (several other women came forward with similar accusations after the Post piece was published  Moore denied all the allegations). Without the many women who this year have spoken out about abuses at the hands of powerful men, would these women have spoken about Moore? Probably not  these are secrets they held onto for years, only talking now because they were finally convinced they would be believed. Would they have been believed if so many women, in ways large and small, had not said me too and made clear to too many oblivious men that harassment and assault are pervasive and ugly and damaging?

The many, many brave women who have raised their voices in the aftermath of Donald Trumps election  publicly against powerful men, more privately on Facebook, intimately just by telling a partner or child or loved one  are the ones who get much of the credit for this particular moment.

So do the voters who showed up, and the organizers who facilitated showing up in a state where African-American voters face systematic barriers to doing their civic duty and exercising a constitutional right. Ever since the 2016 presidential election, the Democratic Party has been divided on how best to move forward and win. The more populist wing of the party says we should abandon identity politics and instead focus on uniting the working class; to win, they say, we have to appeal to the white working-class voters who ushered Trump into the White House. Others argue that the Democratic base is a melting pot of African-Americans, Hispanics and other people of color, and women (black women especially, but also white women who are young, college-educated, and single), and thats where we should aim our appeals and our outreach.

The latter model is what worked. In Alabama, turnout was way up among African-American voters, and they pushed Jones over the edge. This was not an accident. The NAACP and other organizations launched expansive and expertly executed get-out-the-vote efforts, in part to counterbalance the adverse effects of decades-long voter-suppression efforts in the state. Part of what energized voters to get to the polls was Trumps presidency itself; many voters were likely additionally buoyed by the chorus of female voices that have emerged in Trumps electoral wake.

All of these factors worked in concert to score a victory for Democrats.

Elections are never about just one thing, and wins this narrow always have a little bitter tainting the sweet  in Alabama, its that someone as odious as Moore nearly won, and that the Republican Party machine backed an accused child molester who was clearly unfit for office. This is not a moment for cockiness. But it is one for reflection and stocktaking. Hopefully, the Democratic Party has learned to run every race  to put up strong candidates even if they dont stand a snowballs chance in Hell (sometimes, the Washington Post comes along and Hell freezes over). Hopefully, Democrats have learned to get their base to turn out, not just by firing up voters during election years, but by meeting their needs, making their lives better, and pushing back on laws that disenfranchise them.

And maybe, if were lucky, a critical mass of powerful men will finally realize that their actions have consequences and begin behaving accordingly.

Jill Filipovic is the author of The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness. Follow her on Twitter.

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Photo credit: Getty

From Woman's Day

"The rage has always been my worst symptom, I've had it for as long as I can remember," says Emily-Jane Yates. "It is massively explosive. One minute I would be fine then the next I'd just be screaming at everybody.

"I'd feel violent and my hands would curl into fists. I've never crossed the line into hurting anybody but I had to control myself, which would be so frustrating. I would re-direct the aggression towards myself by hitting myself and pulling my hair out, even in the middle of the street. There was a voice in my head telling me I looked crazy and to stop but I couldn't. I had no control over what I was actually doing."

Yates, 25, has experienced these bouts of overwhelming rage since the age of 13, when she started her period. It kicks in on the day she ovulates, about two weeks before she's due on, and lasts until she gets her period.

"The day I ovulate, you can pretty much guarantee I'll get bad moods. I get a feeling in my chest of anger that doesn't go away for the next two weeks. Then as soon as I bleed everything is fine, it washes away and I'm fine for two weeks."

Yates has PMDD, pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, a form of severe PMS, which includes symptoms like depression, extreme anger, anxiety, panic attacks, decreased interest in usual activities or relationships, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. Then there are the physical symptoms which range from bloating, breast tenderness, extreme fatigue, joint pain, and headaches or migraines.

Many women experience PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) to some degree. It can vary from weeping to a film you normally wouldn't cry at, to snapping at your partner more than usual. It can also take an extreme life-affecting form like PMDD.

Dr. Nick Panay, a consultant gynecologist and the chairman of the national association for premenstrual syndrome (NAPS), told ELLE UK that PMDD is one form of severe PMS, and one that is categorized in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).

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A groundbreaking study, published at the beginning of the year, by the National Institute of Health found evidence to suggest the condition is genetic.

"The recent finding of a PMDD gene confirms the hypothesis that we have put forward for many years that PMS/PMDD occurs not because of hormonal abnormalities per se, but because some women suffer depression (and other symptoms) due to genetic vulnerability to the changes in hormone levels which occur in every woman," Dr.Panay says.

"There is now concrete proof that severe PMS / PMDD is a genuine disease with an organic basis which will hopefully convince those who viewed it a just a convenient excuse."

To the outside eye, this seems baffling. How can a natural process, that half the people on the planet usually experience at some time in their lives, cause so much psychological and physical pain?

For Yates, it has obstructed her life for 12 years, even resulting in her losing her "dream job" and only being able to work part-time due to the acute migraines and intense fatigue she gets which make driving to work incredibly dangerous. On one occasion, during a bout of PMDD, she actually fell asleep at some traffic lights.

Along with the rage, she experienced paranoia. "It was never about anything specific, I just had a feeling that people were going to attack me. I'd be scared of people on the street."

She made plans to take her life twice, because of the suicidal thoughts that plagued her mind during those two weeks.

"For that week leading up to my period, it just doesn't seem like it's worth living my life any more, knowing that I will see an end to it, but next month it will be the same. I've only been actively suicidal once or twice, where I actually had a plan, but it's more a case of walking around saying to myself that 'I want to die.' I thought that would solve all my problems."

Photo credit: Getty

Contrastingly, in the time frame between the first day of Yates' period until she begins ovulating, she is a "completely different person."

"I'm quite outgoing and chatty, more affectionate and loving with my boyfriend, proactive with taking the dogs out. My whole body lifts and I feel lighter. I feel more spiritual and I look after myself. I eat, drink and care for myself better and treat people better. Everything is so much more positive.

"I rarely have a bad mood within those two weeks. The world could throw anything at me and I could tackle it, I'm superwoman in those two weeks. Then ovulation day comes and my whole body just goes heavy."

Yates' PMDD story has a common trajectory found among those with the condition (this number is estimated to range from 2-8% of women). As a teenager, her mother took her to the doctor because of her "moods," and she was recommended primrose oil to help with the PMS, which helped "a little bit."

Then, at 17, she returned to the doctor and was diagnosed with depression. She was prescribed anti-depressants, which helped to subdue the symptoms, but the fact that it was a physical condition with cyclical recurrences of symptoms wasn't picked up by medical professionals.

It was Yates' boyfriend who first noticed the link between the way her body and mind changes and her menstrual cycle, after living with her and noticing a pattern.

Photo credit: Emily-Jane Yeates

"After one meltdown, I said to him, 'I don't know why this keeps happening,' and he just said: 'Well, it seems to happen every month babe.'"

Along with her partner, she began to keep a symptom diary and she looked into PMDD. Armed with research, she headed to her doctor, who had never heard of the condition but, luckily, was more than willing to listen to her. She was prescribed anti-depressants to ease the psychological symptoms and began a course of cognitive behavioural therapy which has helped control the suicidal thoughts, rage, anxiety and depression.

The fact that both Yates' doctor and therapist had never heard of PMDD shows how little known and understood the condition is. Yet as her story demonstrates, not batting it away as "women's problems" and listening to the patient is key to helping sufferers.

Laura Murphy, also a PMDD patient and co-founder of Vicious Cycle, says 66% of PMDD patients self-diagnosed themselves through Google. The onus should not be on the patient to receive help for such a debilitating illness that affects their life in such a large capacity. Dr Panay says the reason for this is partly due to the lack in funding and education for both professionals and the public when it comes to this area.

This lack of education is why so many women with the condition get misdiagnosed, often with bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety or depression, or just not diagnosed at all. The role of the menstrual cycle is imperative to a diagnosis as there are a range of targeted treatment methods for PMDD including hormone therapy, contraceptive methods like the pill, patch or coil, and GnRH treatment, synthetic hormones which bring on a temporary menopause by reducing estrogen production. All of these methods, which are different depending on the woman and her experience, have the aim of suppressing the hormone fluctuations which trigger symptoms and create a "constant hormonal environment," according to Dr. Panay.

It is the lack of awareness around the issue which spurred Murphy, who eight weeks ago had a total hysterectomy to treat her PMDD, to start Vicious Cycle, a PMDD support group for women affected. She did this after running the UK PMDD support group on Facebook, a private group for UK sufferers, which currently has 1,700 members.

Photo credit: Getty

"I was adding all the new women to the group and chatting to them and it soon became really apparent that the same story was coming through: that women had been to the doctor and been dismissed,' she says. 'Or, like me, women were going for years and years through hell and then finally stumbled across PMDD by chance and had a 'lightbulb moment.' Women are left depressed, with their lives in tatters, just holding on to partners and jobs, yet are brushed off time and time again."

Both Murphy and Yates believe the perpetual misunderstanding and misdiagnosis of PMDD has something to do with the pervading taboos around periods, mental health, and women's health.

"PMDD sits firmly in the middle of periods, mental health and women's health," Murphy explains. "Only this week it was in the press that PMS 'doesn't exist', adding fuel to the fire that women are just 'being hysterical' when it comes to the health. We are not trusted to know our own minds and bodies."

Both women also think that the complications which can arise from menstruation and women's health, such as PMDD, PMS, polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, should be taught in schools so teenagers can pick up on any symptoms which are feeling out of the ordinary for them.

Since being diagnosed, life has drastically improved for Yates. "I have had to be more in tune with my menstrual cycle. Treatment led me down a path of spirituality I wasn't expecting. I've always been an advocate for breaking the taboos of menstruation and I feel a lot more positive about my own menstrual cycle now.

"I know periods are an inconvenience for a lot of women, but I look forward to my period now. It's always a good thing for me."

For more information visit NAPS, The Gia Allemand Foundation or Vicious Cycle.

If you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, immediately seek help. You are not alone. Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8225), call 911 or call a friend or family member to stay with you until emergency medical personnel arrive to help you.

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Sarah Sanders says the NYC bombing wouldnt have happened if Trumps immigration policy passed, and, um, no

Following the New York City bombing on December 11th, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the attack could have been prevented if President Trumps immigration policies were in place. Um? No.

I think that the President is certainly concerned that Congress, particularly Democrats, have failed to take action in some places where we feel we could have prevented this, Sanders said. Specifically, the Presidents policy has called for an end to chain migration. And if that had been in place, that would have prevented this individual from coming to the United States.

The suspect at the heart of the attack has since been proven to be a green card holder, according to CNN, and he came to the United States with a legal visa from Bangladesh in 2011. Trump also continued to tout his travel ban after the attack, which does not apply to Bangladesh, and has nothing to do with this domestic attack.

Despite the facts  which seems to be the phrase of the year  Sanders is still not giving up on the utterly racist idea that the suspect would not have succeeded at his attack if Trumps fight for bringing down chain migration was taken more seriously.

Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders

We know that the Presidents policy calls for an end to chain migration, which is what this individual came to the United States through, and had his policy been in place, then that attacker would not have been allowed to come into the country, Sanders said.

The press secretary also declined to answer a follow-up question about whether there was any proof that the suspect was radicalized abroad and not in the United States.

Again, no matter the cold hard facts, Sanders simply will not give a clear answer unless it supports the Trump administrations plans in Congress. So with that, the public continues to try its best to sift through the complete BS and push for the truth.
A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has handed life sentences to 11 militiamen who raped about 40 children aged between 18-months and 12-years old.

Human rights groups hailed Wednesdays verdict as a strike against the culture of impunity around sexual violence in D.R. Congo, where rape is used as a weapon of war, Reuters reports.

Its a strong signal to anyone who would contemplate this kind of offense, Charles Cubaka Cicura, a lawyer for the victims, told the news agency.

Rights groups say that between 2013 and 2016, fighters from a militia group called Djeshi ya Yesu, or the Army of Jesus, raped at least 37 girls near Kavumu village in D.R. Congos eastern South Kivu province. A spiritual adviser retained by the groups leader, provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike, reportedly told the fighters raping infants would give them supernatural protection.

Read more: Platon: Portraits of Sexual Assault Survivors in Congo

According to the BBC, the 11 men sentenced to life were also convicted of murder, membership of a rebel movement, and possessing illegal weapons. A further two were given sentences of one year, and five were acquitted.

Rights groups told Reuters the court also awarded each rape victim $5,000 in compensation, and $15,000 to the families of men murdered by the fighters.
An 8-year-old girl from New Jersey committed suicide over the weekend, and sources close to the investigation are reportedly saying she may have been inspired by a story she saw on social media.

Though it remains unclear why Imani McCray hung herself on Sunday night, investigators in Essex County are probing whether the young girl was copying the death of another girl, according to WNBC.

Ashawnty Davis, a 10-year-old girl from Colorado, captured national headlines back in November when she reportedly took her own life after a video of her being bullied was shared online.

Davis spent nearly two weeks in the hospital on life support for trying to hang herself before she died on Nov. 29, the Washington Post reported.

Now prosecutors are looking into whether McCray was copying what she could have read involving Davis' death or if she hung herself in a tragic case of playacting.

According to local authorities, there is no indication McCray was being bullied at school. However, the young girl was reportedly found unresponsive less than a week following news of Davis' death.

SEE ALSO: Girl, 10, commits suicide after alleged bullying incident was caught on camera

The day she died, McCray had reportedly been given a timeout by her parents. Shortly after, relatives found McCray unconscious and immediately called 911. She was later pronounced dead at the University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, later that evening.

McCray's family was planning to celebrate the young girl's birthday next week. Now, they're making funeral arrangements.
WASHINGTON  Fresh off an inspiring Democratic win in Alabamas Senate race, hundreds of progressive activists, many of whom had physical disabilities, converged on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to protest the Republican tax bill.

Eighty-four of them were arrested after refusing Capitol Police requests to move from public spaces, the police agency said.

The demonstrators, mobilized by an array of progressive groups, focused their efforts on Republican senators who had expressed doubts about the legislation or the process that created it: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).

Although Democrat Doug Jones, the victor in Tuesdays special election for an open Senate seat, will likely not be seated before the tax bill is voted on, several activists said that Jones win was a sign that the public is on their side in the fight.

What we saw in Alabama was more than just the rejection of a pedophile, said Social Security Works Executive Director Alex Lawson, referring to accusations against Jones Republican rival, it was a rejection of the entire Republican agenda to ... rob us of our health care, to raid Medicare and destroy Medicaid, all so some Wall Street parasite can buy yet another yacht. Dozens of brave Americans got arrested in Senate offices today to make it clear that we fight back and we never give up.

A demonstrator protesting the Republican tax bill is arrested outside the office of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). (Photo: ALEX EDELMAN/Getty Images)

The demonstrators on Wednesday, which included activists affiliated with Social Security Works, the Center for Popular Democracy, Housing Works, the Womens March, the Strong Economy for All Coalition and Hedge Clippers, focused on the anticipated reductions to social programs that would result from the tax legislation.

The tax bill is due to add $1 trillion to the debt, which would trigger so-called paygo rules resulting in across-the-board spending cuts that would affect programs like Medicare. Republican leaders in Congress have committed to waiving paygo, but activists are not satisfied that they will follow through once the tax bill passes.

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The activist groups also noted that the money the bill would add to the debt is likely to generate pressure to reduce budget deficits at the expense of vulnerable populations.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and other GOP lawmakers have already announced that cutting so-called entitlements for seniors and people with disabilities  Social Security and Medicare  as well as means-tested programs like food stamps are next on their agenda.

Ady Barkan, a 33-year-old organizer at the Center for Popular Democracy, made national waves last Thursday when he confronted Flake during a flight they were both on about the ramifications of the tax bill for people who rely on government benefits. Barkan, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease, or ALS, just over a year ago, worries that cuts to programs like Medicare would negatively affect his life when his disease forces him to seek public assistance. In an emotional exchange with Flake, he told the senator that a vote against the bill could save my life. The conversation took place two days after Barkan was arrested protesting the tax bill outside the office of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who Barkan noted is the wealthiest member of Congress.

.@adybarkan and fellow activists sing This Land is Your Land before getting arrested in the Russell building. Some 40 people arrested today protesting the tax bill. pic.twitter.com/HPpcAQ6Svs  Daniel Marans (@danielmarans) December 14, 2017

In one last bid to stop the legislation, Barkan flew once again from his home in Santa Barbara, California, to demonstrate on Capitol Hill on Wednesday  this time with the support of his wife and 18-month-old toddler. McCain and Murkowski did not agree to his request for a meeting; Flake was unable to meet with Barkan because he had to vote on legislation. But Barkan was able to meet with Collins alongside a delegation of activists from Maine.

In a meeting with Collins that was broadcast on Facebook live, Barkan and his comrades pushed Collins on why she would agree to vote for the tax bill without insisting on a provision precluding across-the-board paygo cuts beforehand.

Rather than lock in the waiving of paygo before committing to support the tax bill, Collins said, I have to have it be passed into law by the end of the year is the agreement.

Barkan and the other activists argued that Republican leaders could break their promise, much as they did the promises to hold the middle class harmless in the tax cut bill and not add to budget deficits. (Reductions in tax deductions, including the state and local tax deduction, mean that the bill is a net tax increase for millions of middle-class households.)

I believe the commitments that Ive received, Collins responded when challenged.

I know, but its my life on the line! Barkan declared.

Collins refused to argue that agreeing to vote for the bill before her condition is met amounted to giving up her leverage.

I used my leverage to negotiate promises to me, Collins said. I know the vehicle that its going to be put in.

Its not enough. You have to vote no, Barkan replied.

Wednesdays protests were the last of several days of civil disobedience in recent weeks. Last Tuesday, Barkan was one of 133 demonstrators arrested outside House offices, and the day before that there were 23 arrests.

But neither the public uproar nor an impending reduction in the GOP majority after the Democratic win in Alabama was enough to stop the speeding train that is the Republican tax legislation. Shortly before the arrests, President Donald Trump announced that House and Senate leaders had agreed to a final tax bill reconciling their differences between versions passed in each chamber. Congress would pass the legislation and the president would sign it before Christmas, Trump said  just in time to affect paychecks beginning in February.

The protests were not in vain, though, according to Lawson of Social Security Works.

The only way we lose is if we forget what we are fighting for. Anything else is a temporary setback, he concluded. These protests are a testament that we will never forget and will always keep fighting to build a future for all of us, not just a handful of billionaires.

Also on HuffPost

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Taking Security Seriously

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) talks with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) before the start of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing concerning the roles and responsibilities for defending the nation against cyberattacks, on Oct. 19, 2017.

With Liberty And Justice...

Members of Code Pink for Peace protest before the start of a hearing where U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Oct. 18, 2017. Committee members questioned Sessions about conversations he had with President Donald Trump about the firing of former FBI Director James Comey, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, the ongoing investigation about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and other subjects.

Whispers

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), right, speaks with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) before a confirmation hearing for Christopher Sharpley, nominee for inspector general of the CIA, on Oct. 17, 2017.

Not Throwing Away His Shot

Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the musical "Hamilton," makes his way to a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies in the Rayburn Office Building during a round of meetings to urge federal funding for the arts and humanities on Sept. 13, 2017.

Medicare For All

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), center, speaks on health care as Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), left, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), right, listen during an event to introduce the Medicare for All Act on Sept. 13, 2017.

Bernie Bros

Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pack his office on Sept. 8, 2017. Members of the "Draft Bernie for a People's Party" campaign delivered a petition with more than 50,000 signatures to urge the senator to start and lead a new political party.

McCain Appearance

Sen. John McCain, second from left, leaves the Capitol after his first appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. He arrived to cast a vote to help Republican senators narrowly pass the motion to proceed for the replacement of the Affordable Care Act on July 25, 2017.

A Narrow Win

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, center, speaks alongside Sens. John Barrasso, left, John Cornyn, right, and John Thune, rear, after the Senate narrowly passed the motion to proceed for the replacement of the Affordable Care Act on July 25, 2017.

Kushner Questioning

Jared Kushner, White House senior adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, arrives at the Capitol on July 25, 2017. Kushner was interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee in a closed-door meeting about contacts he had with Russia.

Hot Dogs On The Hill

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) prepares a hot dog during the American Meat Institute's annual Hot Dog Lunch in the Rayburn Office Building courtyard on July 19, 2017.

And Their Veggie Counterparts

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) visits the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals veggie dog giveaway on July 19, 2017, countering a National Hot Dog Day event being held elsewhere on Capitol Hill.

Poised For Questions

Callista Gingrich, wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, waits for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on her nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican on July 18, 2017.

Speaking Up

Health care activists protest to stop the Republican health care bill at Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 17, 2017.

In The Fray

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks to members of the media after announcing the revised version of the Senate Republican health care bill on Capitol Hill on July 13, 2017.

Anticipation

Christopher Wray is seated with his daughter Caroline, left, as he prepares to testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next FBI director on July 12, 2017.

Up In Arms

Health care activists protest to stop the Republican health care bill at Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 10, 2017.

Across A Table

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Capitol Hill on June 29, 2017.

Somber Day

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks about the recent attack on the Republican congressional baseball team during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on June 15, 2017.

Family Matters

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), right, and his sons, Jack, 10, and Brad, arrive in the basement of the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017.

A Bipartisan Pause

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), right, coach of the Republican congressional baseball team, tells the story of the shooting that occurred during a baseball practice while he stands alongside Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), left, a coach of the Democratic congressional baseball team on June 14, 2017.

Hats On

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) reacts about the shooting he was present for at a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, as he speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 14, 2017.

Public Testimony

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is sworn in to testify before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on June 13, 2017.

Comey's Big Day

Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill on June 8, 2017.

Conveying His Point

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats testifies at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his interactions with the Trump White House and on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act on June 7, 2017.

Selfie Time

Vice President Mike Pence takes a selfie with a tourist wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda on June 6, 2017. The vice president walked through the rotunda after attending the Senate Republican policy luncheon.

Budget Queries

Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney testifies before the House Budget Committee about President Donald Trump's fiscal 2018 budget proposal on Capitol Hill on May 24, 2017.

Flagged Down By Reporters

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, leaves a closed committee meeting on Capitol Hill on May 24, 2017. The committee is investigating possible Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election.

Shock And Awe

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hold a news conference on the release of the president's fiscal 2018 budget proposal on Capitol Hill on May 23, 2017.

Seeing Double

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) arrives in the Capitol for the Senate Democrats' policy lunch on May 16, 2017.

Honoring Officers

President Donald Trump speaks at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service on the West Lawn of the Capitol on May 15, 2017.

Whispers

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), right, and ranking member Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) talk during a hearing with the heads of the U.S. intelligence agencies in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 11, 2017.

Skeptical

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates arrives to testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election on Capitol Hill on May 8, 2017.

Differing Opinions

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) gives a thumbs-up to protesters on the East Front of the Capitol after the House passed the Republicans' bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on May 4, 2017. The protesters support the ACA.

Real Talk

United States Naval Academy Midshipman 2nd Class Shiela Craine (left), a sexual assault survivor, testifies before the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel with (2nd from left to right) Ariana Bullard, Stephanie Gross and Annie Kendzior in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 2, 2017. Kendzior, a former midshipman, and Gross, a former cadet, were both raped twice during their time at the military academies. The academy superintendents were called to testify following the release of a survey last month by the Pentagon that said 12.2 percent of academy women and 1.7 percent of academy men reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact during the 2015-16 academic year.

In Support Of Immigrants

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), center, is joined by dozens of Democratic members of the House of Representatives to mark "Immigrant Rights Day" in the Capitol Visitor Center on May 1, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Democratic legislators called on Republicans and President Donald Trump to join their push for comprehensive immigration reform.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Its been six month since the tragic Grenfell fire that killed 71.

With the memorial taking place today, many turned up to pay low-key, respectful tributes to those that lost their lives and to acknowledge the devastation of the disaster.

(From left) Carey Mulligan, Marcus Mumford, Adele attend the Grenfell memorial. (Credit: REX)

Adele appeared at St Pauls Cathedral, along with a number of grievers, including the families and friends of the victims as well as former residence of the building, to remember what happened on 14 June earlier this year.

Carey Mulligan and husband Marcus Mumford attended too, along with Royals Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry, and the Duchess of Cornwall.

(From left) Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry. (Credit: REX)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, and Prime Minister Theresa May were there for the multi-faith service that accommodated some 1,500 people, including rescue workers.

Adele at the Grenfell memorial. (Credit: REX)

The Bishop of Kensington led the tribute service despite tensions still running high between survivors and the Conservative representatives of the area, as many families  reportedly 80%  remain homeless and not yet rehoused as Christmas approaches.

Families of the victims and survivors of the Grenfell fire were in attendance. (Credit: REX)

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Read more:

[ Peter Kay cancels his entire 100-date tour and all future projects ]

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The leader of the Alabama Republican party has declared the states Senate race over, contradicting the claims of his party's own candidate.

While we are deeply disappointed in the extremely close US Senate election results, with our candidate Judge Roy Moore, we respect the voting process given to us by our Founding Fathers, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said in a statement.

The Republican candidate, Mr Moore, lost to his Democratic opponent in a shocking special election for the states US Senate seat. With 100 per cent of the votes counted on Tuesday night, Mr Moore trailed his opponent, Doug Jones, by more than 20,000 votes. But the former state judge refused to concede, saying he would seek a recount.

When the vote is this close, it is not over, Mr Moore told his supporters. The devout Christian added he would wait on God and let this process play out.

His party chairman disagreed, concluding his statement by saying "this race has ended".

Now that this race has ended, may this holiday season of peace, love and hope resonate with everyone, regardless of ones political affiliation, Mr Lathan said.

Even President Donald Trump appeared to accept the election results, tweeting his congratulations to Mr Jones while warning him not to get too comfortable in his seat. Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas and a fellow staunch Christian, urged Mr Moore to bow out.

Roy Moore wont concede; says will wait on God to speak, Mr Huckabee tweeted. God wasnt registered to vote in AL but the ppl who voted did speak and it wasnt close enough for recount."

He added: "In elections everyone does NOT get a trophy. I know first hand but its best to exit with class.

Mr Joness shocking upset in the traditionally conservative state was likely aided by the sexual misconduct allegations that followed Mr Moore in the last months of his campaign. In early November, four women told the Washington Post that Mr Moore had pursued them romantically, and even sexually, when they were teenagers and he was in his thirties.

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Several more women came forward in the weeks following to accuse Mr Moore of inappropriate advances, and even sexual assault. Mr Moore denied these allegations, and Mr Trump endorsed him in spite of them.

But the allegations appear to have changed the minds of many voters  including one of the states current, Republican Senators, Richard Shelby.

I couldn't vote for Roy Moore. I didn't vote for Roy Moore," Mr Shelby told CNN, adding: [T]he state of Alabama deserves better."
Montgomery (United States) (AFP) - Democrat Doug Jones scored a stunning upset victory Tuesday in a fiercely contested US Senate race in conservative Alabama, defeating a controversial Donald Trump-backed Republican who failed to overcome damaging accusations of sexual misconduct.

The Democratic victory in the most contentious US election of 2017, and in one of the reddest of deep South states, marks a bitter blow to the president, who gave his full endorsement to Republican Roy Moore after initial hesitations, despite the scandalous allegations against him.

With 94 percent of Alabama precincts reporting, Jones won 49.6 percent of the vote compared to Moore's 48.7 percent, a margin of about 11,000 votes out of 1.1 million cast, according to figures posted by US networks including CNN.

Fox News and The New York Times also called the race for Jones.

"Thank you ALABAMA!!" Jones tweeted, shortly after his election party in Birmingham burst into celebratory cheers.

The loss by Moore, a former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, shrinks the Republicans' Senate majority to 51 in the 100-seat chamber, and reduces Trump's margin for maneuver to the bare minimum.

By all accounts, it is a humiliating setback for Republicans in Washington as they struggle to pass Trump's legislative agenda through Congress and make the case that they are the responsible stewards of government heading into the crucial 2018 mid-term elections.

"Tonight, Alabama voters elected a senator who'll make them proud," tweeted Hillary Clinton, the Democrat who lost to Trump in last year's presidential race.

"And if Democrats can win in Alabama, we can -- and must -- compete everywhere."

The race was being seen as a harbinger of whether the Republican Party can retain its slim Senate majority next year.

It carries extraordinarily broad implications, and serves as a test of the partisan nature of American politics at a time of acrimonious debate about President Donald Trump and his policies.

The tumultuous election was buffeted for the past month with the shock allegations by several women -- first reported by The Washington Post one month ago -- that Moore assaulted, molested or pursued several teenage girls, including sexually touching one who was 14 years old at the time.
By Kevin O'Hanlon

SEWARD, Nebraska (Reuters) - Nebraska's main anti-pipeline group is trying to rally opposition to the TransCanada Keystone XL project's recently approved route through the state, tracking down landowners it says were not given a voice in the regulatory process.

If it succeeds, Bold Nebraska could throw up new roadblocks to the controversial project to move Canadian oil to U.S. refineries, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, by pressing regulators to revisit TransCanada's application, or by suing if they refuse.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission issued an approval for Keystone XL to pass through the state in late November, removing the last big regulatory obstacle for the long-delayed project. But the commission's approval was not for the route TransCanada had singled out in its application, but for an alternative that shifts it closer to an existing pipeline right-of-way that affects scores of new landowners.

Jane Kleeb, the head of Bold Nebraska which has been fighting the pipeline for years, said the group was beginning meetings with these new landowners to rally opposition to the line, starting Wednesday and continuing into next week.

"We hope to begin the education process with landowners so they understand this is a lifetime easement for a one-time payment," she told Reuters. "We aim to engage at least 20 percent of the new landowners in the legal landowner group."

The project has been a lightning rod of controversy since it was proposed a decade ago, with environmentalists making it a symbol of their broader fight against fossil fuels and global warming.

Bold Nebraska already has about 100 landowners who live along the pipeline's original proposed route signed up against Keystone XL, the group says. They include a number of ranchers worried that spills could poison their cattle.

TransCanada says the pipeline would be good for the economy and could be run safely. The company said it had about 90 percent support among landowners for the proposed route, but had not yet negotiated support along the approved route.

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Demonstrating opposition along the approved route could add heft to anti-pipeline efforts. Lawyers for opponents of the line argued at a hearing Tuesday that Nebraska regulators had no authority to approve the "alternative" path, and was only allowed to rule on the proposed route.

David Domina, one of the attorneys, added that residents along the approved path had not been included in the regulatory process, and that social and environmental impacts had not been properly studied.

TransCanada, meanwhile, requested that the public service commission allow it to amend its application retroactively to head off legal challenges. The commission is considering TransCanada's request.

Trump handed TransCanada a federal permit for the 1,180 miles (1,899 km) pipeline in March, reversing a decision by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2015 to block it on environmental grounds.

(Reporting by Kevin O'Hanlon; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Andrew Hay)
Since The Force Awakens hit theaters in 2015, the Disney-owned Lucasfilm has officially released four new Star Wars movies. And fortunately for fans of the galaxy far, far away, it doesnt look like the studio plans to stop churning out Star Wars movies anytime soon.

The list of upcoming Star Wars movies continues to grow, with a new trilogy from The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson in the works in addition to the conclusion of the Star Wars sequel trilogy that kicked off with The Force Awakens and yet another series from Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Disney has announced that three as-yet-untitled Star Wars movies  presumably one of the aforementioned new series  will hit theaters the weekend leading up to Christmas every other year beginning in 2022.

With all this information floating around, it can be hard to keep track of all of the upcoming Star Wars movies and their respective release dates. So if youve found yourself asking, When does the next Star Wars movie come out?, then wonder no more.

Check out our list of all the upcoming Star Wars movies below.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Dec. 20, 2019)

Lucasfilm

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be the third and final chapter in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. But even with the first teaser trailer dropping during Star Wars Celebration on April 12, fans are still pretty much in the dark about the specifics of the plot.

What we do know is that Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams has returned to the galaxy far, far away to helm Episode IX of Star Wars in the wake of Colin Trevorrow stepping down due to differences in vision for the project with Lucasfilm.

Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX. Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ, Lucasfilm said in a September 2017 statement.

Story continues

Actors Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) will be back to wrap up the stories of this generations heroes while original trilogy stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and the late Carrie Fisher (Leia Skywalker) will reportedly appear as well. Newcomers Richard E. Grant and Keri Russell are also joining the cast.

Abrams has announced that Fishers role will be pieced together using unreleased footage from The Force Awakens with the blessing of her daughter, Billie Lourd. He has also revealed that Rey, Finn and Poe will be united in adventure for the first time to face the greatest evil and that the story doesnt pick up right where the last movie left off.

Chris Terriowho is known for his work on Argo, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League  co-wrote the screenplay with Abrams.

Rian Johnson Trilogy (TBA)

Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney

Lucasfilm has announced that a whole new Star Wars trilogy is slated to follow Episode IX, with Rian Johnson onboard to write and direct at least the first installment. Johnsons longtime collaborator Ram Bergman is set to produce.

The new Star Wars series will be separate from the episodic Skywalker saga, according to Lucasfilm, and center on yet-to-be-introduced characters from the galaxy far, far away.

Im just in the very beginning of starting to come up with what the new trilogy is going to be, Johnson reportedly said at a press event in Mexico for The Last Jedi in November 2017. What makes me so excited about it, is the idea of doing a new story on the big canvas of three movies in this world. Theres just so much potential and I cant wait to jump into it.

Johnson announced that he would begin work on this new galaxy far, far away trilogy after his next project, Knives Out, which is set to hit theaters on Nov. 27, 2019.

Something else for #StarWars fans, @rianjohnson said on the #CinemaCon stage he was going back to a galaxy far far away after 'Knives Out'. pic.twitter.com/cnQn6u7n0P  Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 4, 2019

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss Series (TBA)

Kevin WinterGetty Images

Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are set to helm a new series of Star Wars movies that will live outside both the episodic Skywalker saga and Rian Johnsons trilogy. However, work on the project wont begin until after the eighth and final season of Thrones has come to an end.

In the summer of 1977 we traveled to a galaxy far, far away, and weve been dreaming of it ever since, the duo said in a joint statement. We are honored by the opportunity, a little terrified by the responsibility, and so excited to get started as soon as the final season of Game of Thrones is complete.

Although Johnson has said that his trilogy will not bring The Knights of the Old Republic  a Star Wars video game featuring Jedi from thousands of years before the original trilogy  to the big screen, fans are hopeful that Benioff and Weiss movies will dive in the galaxy far, far aways past.

I think that thats absolutely on the horizon, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy told Entertainment Weekly in April 2019. Were looking at whether we can move massively in one direction of the other. Its still Star Wars, and holding on to the DNA of what George created is still very important to usI think this is a huge opportunity to step into the galaxy in a little bit different part of the timeline.
Miami (AFP) - A solar system with as many planets as our own has been discovered with the help of NASA's Kepler space telescope and artificial intelligence, the US space agency said Thursday.

"Our solar system now is tied for most number of planets around a single star," NASA said in a statement.

However, none of the planets are expected to be hospitable to life.

The eight-planet system -- the largest known outside of ours -- orbits a star called Kepler 90 some 2,545 light-years away.

"The Kepler-90 star system is like a mini version of our solar system," said Andrew Vanderburg, an astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin.

"You have small planets inside and big planets outside, but everything is scrunched in much closer."

The newly identified planet, Kepler-90i, is a rocky planet like Earth, but orbits its star once every 14.4 days, meaning a full year there is the same as two weeks on Earth.

"Kepler-90i is not a place I'd like to go visit, though," said Vanderburg.

"Its surface is likely far too hot."

NASA calculated its average temperature at about 800 degrees Fahrenheit (426 Celsius) -- as hot as Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun.

- Artificial intelligence -

Scientists found it by using machine learning from Google.

The process involved teaching a computer to scan a trove of 35,000 possible planetary signals collected from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope for search for signs of planetary transits.

Transits are the dimming of light when planets pass in front of a star.

The Kepler Space Telescope launched in 2009, and has scanned some 150,000 stars.

Astronomers have already confirmed the existence of some 2,500 far-away worlds using Kepler data.

"I became interested in applying neural networks to astronomy when I learned that the Kepler mission had collected so much data that it was impossible for scientists to examine it all manually," said Christopher Shallue, a senior software engineer with Google's research team.

Story continues

"Instead scientists selected the strongest signals, which are the most likely to be actual planets, to receive the most attention."

Shallue likened this process to "looking for a needle in a haystack."

"Machine learning really shines when there is too much data for humans to examine for themselves."

More planets are expected to be found, because researchers plan to apply their neural network to Kepler's full set of more than 150,000 stars.

"There is a lot of unexplored real estate in the Kepler 90 system," said Vanderburg.

"It would almost be surprising to me if there weren't any more planets in around that star."

One day, artificial intelligence might even be used to search specifically for more Earth-like planets, which have proven difficult to pin down.

"For the first time since our solar system planets were discovered thousands of years ago, we know for sure that the solar system is not the sole record holder for the most planets, and we have just scratched the surface," Vanderburg added.

"Maybe there are systems out there with so many planets that they make our eight-planet solar system seem ordinary."

The findings are published in The Astronomical Journal.
A Muslim cleric accused of issuing a fatwa banning women from working on farms has been arrested in Bangladesh, police said Wednesday.

The imam and five mosque officials face charges after their announcement prompted locals in the western town of Kumarkhali to try and prevent women from going to work in the fields.

"They took the decision after prayers on Friday, banning women from going out of their homes," local police chief Abdul Khaleque told AFP.

"They used the mosque's loudspeakers that evening to spread the news."

Muslim-majority Bangladesh is officially secular, but Muslim clerics are hugely influential, particularly in the more socially conservative rural areas of the country.

Fatwas were banned in 2001, but the nation's highest court in 2011 ruled that they could be issued on personal and religious matters if they did not impose physical punishment.

Rights groups have criticised that ruling, saying villages far from Bangladesh's secular courts use fatwas to issue sentences that go against the nation's laws.

Women were once largely confined to the home in rural Bangladesh, but a labour shortage has meant millions now work in the fields during harvest or crop sowing season.

Women also account for some 80 percent of four million workers in the country's 4,500 textile plants -- the mainstay of the impoverished nation's economy.

Police said the six arrested would face charges under the special powers act, a controversial military-era law.

s/kafa/cc/kaf
Senator Bernie Sanders has called on Donald Trump to resign, joining a chorus of Democratic lawmakers who say the President should step down over allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced during his campaign.

"Yes, I do think he should resign," Mr Sanders told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "You've got a president who has been accused by many, many women of harassment, to say the least."

He added: "This is a guy who was on a tape seen by everybody in America essentially bragging about his sexual assault of women."

Mr Trump has been accused of sexual harassment by 18 women, for incidents that allegedly occurred from the late 1980s up until 2013. The allegations range from unwanted touching to sexual assault. Mr Trump has denied the claims, at times saying he did not even know his accusers.

Last year, a leaked tape from NBC's Access Hollywood revealed the former businessman bragging about grabbing women "by the p****" before a 2005 appearance.

Mr Sanders contrasted this behaviour with that of Senator Al Franken, who recently announced he would be resigning over allegations that he had kissed women and touched their buttocks without their consent.

"Do I think under those considerations of Al Franken resigning, do I think the President should resign? I do," Mr Sanders said. "Do I think he will? I don't."

Mr Sanders has previously said the President should "think about resigning".

A growing number of Democratic legislators have called for Mr Trump's resignation, as the national conversation on sexual harassment reaches Washington. Three members of Congress have already announced they will resign over allegations of sexual harassment. A fourth has said he won't seek re-election.

Senator Kristen Gillibrand, a leading voice in Congress on sexual harassment and assault, said she had heard from several of Mr Trump's accusers personally and found their allegations credible.

Story continues

"President Trump has committed assault, according to these women, and those are very credible allegations of misconduct and criminal activity, and he should be fully investigated and he should resign," she told CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

Responding to questions about the allegations in a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr Trump feels it is "a good thing that women are coming forward," but emphasised that he denies the allegations.

"[T]he American people knew this and voted for the President and we feel like we're ready to move forward in this process," she said.
Before she was even sworn in as Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos emerged as one of the most controversial members of the Trump Administration. Her confirmation required a historic tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence after every Senate Democrat and two Senate Republicans voted against her.

In the months since, like many others in the Trump Administration, DeVos has set about rolling back Obama-era policies, from Title IX guidance on campus sexual assault to regulations on for-profit colleges. She quickly found support from conservatives who had backed her previous work as a school choice advocate, but she struggled to build broad national support for her initiatives. DeVos, a prominent Republican donor, faced criticism from Democrats, teachers unions and civil rights advocates, many of whom noted that she did not have a background in education.

She comes in with a very different background, and I think that has significantly limited her ability to both get policy through and also kind of build support for herself and have some political capital, said Douglas Harris, a fellow at the Brookings Institutes Brown Center on Education Policy.

A Morning Consult/Politico poll conducted in September found that 40% of voters had an unfavorable view of DeVos, making her the least popular member of Trumps cabinet. To have the education secretary have the incredibly negative approval ratings, disapproval ratings, that she has suggests both the name recognition and also the level of controversy that shes generated, Harris said.

An Education Department spokesperson said in an email that DeVos has shifted the conversation around education in America to be focused on the unique needs of individual students, rather than focusing on debates over funding, buildings, systems, tests.

Heres a look at the most controversial efforts of DeVos tenure so far:

Campus sexual assault

In September, DeVos rolled back controversial Obama-era guidance on how universities should handle sexual assault complaints on campus. The 2011 guidelines had instructed universities to use a preponderance of the evidence standard when adjudicating sexual assault complaints instead of the clear and convincing evidence standard, which requires a higher burden of proof and was used by some schools at the time.

Story continues

DeVos implemented interim guidance allowing schools to decide which standard of evidence to use. The move drew praise from advocates for students who say they were falsely accused of sexual misconduct, who had argued that the Obama Administrations guidance had threatened due process rights. But victims advocates condemned the rollback, warning it will further dissuade victims from coming forward to report sexual assault.

Ahead of the decision, DeVos stoked controversy when she held meetings on campus sexual assault in July, speaking with victims of sexual assault as well as students who say theyve been falsely accused. Accused students left feeling that they were finally being seen, one said. Victims advocates feared DeVos discussion of false accusations would reinforce outdated ideas and myths about rape and fuel a narrative that sexual assault reports need not be taken seriously.

Also in July, Candice Jackson, the acting head of the departments Office for Civil Rights, sparked outrage when she said that 90% of sexual assault complaints fall into the category of we were both drunk.' She later apologized.

Its not yet clear whether DeVos interim guidance on campus sexual assault will remain in place. In the coming months, the Department will be seeking public input on a new regulation that aims to protect all students from sexual misconduct and also ensure the due process rights of all parties involved are protected, department Press Secretary Liz Hill said in an email.

Civil rights protections

Civil rights advocates have consistently raised concerns about DeVos commitment to enforcing protections for minority, LGBT and disabled students.

Early in the administration, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice rescinded guidelines that allowed transgender students to use the bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. The department has said that withdrawing the guidance did not leave students without protections, and that court rulings and other guidance documents should be used to enforce Title IX for all students. But transgender advocates have criticized the move as a step backward, warning that it would harm transgender students.

Later, in June, an internal memo indicated that the department was scaling back investigations into civil rights violations at public schools and universities, the New York Times reported. In the two months that followed, the department also closed or dismissed more civil rights complaints than previous administrations had in similar periods of time, Politico reported.

Some civil rights advocates also raised red flags when the department rescinded guidance outlining the rights of students with disabilities as part of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). But the department said students would not be affected and that the guidance was rescinded because it was outdated, unnecessary or ineffective.

Thomas Hehir, who supervised the implementation of IDEA as director of the Department of Educations Office of Special Education Programs from 1993 to 1999, said some of the documents should have been rescinded but others had provided important clarification to states and school districts.

The statute is pretty complicated, he said. If you have a child and youre trying to figure what this means for my child, you really want that explained in clearer language.

School choice

Prior to becoming Education Secretary, DeVos was a prominent school choice activist, and over the past year she has continued to advocate for charter schools and programs that allow parents to use vouchers to send their child to a private school. While making school choice changes on a national scale would require an act of Congress, education experts say DeVos is beginning to leave a long-term impact on the issue by opening the debate over what counts as a good education.

When you look at her speeches, theyre like oatmeal. Theres very little robust policy initiatives you can see in public, said Michael Apple, a University of Wisconsin education professor and National Education Policy Center fellow. But what she is doing is changing the debate, which is actually the first step. In order to make legislation, you have to change the debate.

Robert Enlow, president of the advocacy group EdChoice, agrees. I expected her to do exactly what she has done, which is elevate the conversation about school choice, he said. Shes changed the dialogue.

And her advocacy has started to impact some legislation. The Republican tax plan, for example, would allow families to use a tax-free savings account intended for college tuition to pay up to $10,000 in K-12 private school tuition each year  a provision that critics say will only help wealthy families who can already afford private school. DeVos praised the plan as a step toward investing in individual students, not systems.

DeVos discussion of school choice also yielded one of her biggest gaffes of the year, when she described historically black colleges and universities as pioneers of school choice in February, neglecting the fact that HBCUs were necessary because African-American students were excluded from other institutions. Her visits to local schools have consistently been met with protests by parents and teachers who argue that her support for school vouchers will threaten the public school system.

For-profit college regulations

In June, DeVos blocked the Obama Administrations protections for students attending for-profit colleges  something that Apple said was truly, truly major in its impact.

The regulations, which were set to take effect this year, would have provided debt forgiveness to students defrauded by for-profit colleges and would have cut off funding to for-profit colleges that burdened students with loans while failing to prepare them for gainful employment. DeVos said the rules created a muddled process thats unfair to students and schools, and puts taxpayers on the hook for significant costs.

Democratic attorneys general in 17 states and the District of Columbia have sued DeVos, urging her to enforce the regulations. And Democratic lawmakers have also raised concern about how student loan borrowers will be affected.

Its clear that commercialized and for-profit colleges and universities are being let off the hook. Theres much less accountability, Apple said. That actually is a very significant change.

The department is currently working on a new version of the rule but has not released details. It is the Administrations aim to protect students from predatory practices while also providing clear, fair and balanced rules for colleges and universities to follow, said Hill, the department spokesperson.
Doug Joness historic victory has shocked the political world. He is the first Democrat to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate since Howard Heflin in 1997. Most pundits and civilians believed that Roy Moore, despite credible accusations that he had preyed on teenage girls and a well documented history of bigotry, would win. After all, the deep-red state of Alabama is about as conservative as you can get. And President Trump and Steve Bannon, as well as other GOP leaders, enthusiastically endorsed Moore. In spite of it all, Doug Jones won and his election is just the latest example of the seismic upheavals in Americas political landscape.

But it is important to note, amid the justifiable celebration, that Jones barely won. Despite Roy Moores disastrous candidacy  his disastrous personality  nearly 650,000 people voted for him. Preliminary exit poll data shows that 91% of Republicans voted for Moore. 72% of white men and 63% of white women cast their ballots for him. Among those, 62% of college-educated white men and 52% of college-educated white women voted for a man accused of sexual predation of young girls, who believes the last time America was great was during slavery, who believes that women shouldnt have the right to vote. Emphasis mine. And even though Doug Jones won the popular vote, he only won  thanks to gerrymandering  one congressional district in the entire state.

Think about all that: it took an unprecedented convergence of factors for a sexual predator and bigot to lose a U.S. Senate election in Alabama in 2017. That fact says as much about where we are in this country as any other in this crazy political season. No matter what Republicans say, a particularly strong variant of Americas historic madness has taken hold of their party. It is a racist, right-wing type of populism desperately clinging to the illusion that ours is, and will remain, a white nation. Those who suffer from this madness will do anything, even toss democratic principles into the trash bin or vote for a moral degenerate like Roy Moore, to safeguard their illusion.

Story continues

Moores loss does not represent the end of anything. It is just the beginning of an ugly intensification of the culture wars.

The good news is that Jones won. 60% of young voters between 18-29 voted for him. And, of course, Black voter turnout, especially among black women, played a decisive role in his victory. Everyone knew going into the election that, if Jones were to have a chance, black voter turnout had to reach the levels of 2008 and 2012 when Obama was on the ballot. Most did not believe that possible. And in the closing days of the campaign, pundits and political operatives publicly worried that black voters would not show up at the polls on election day. I even tweeted that perhaps black voters had reached a tipping point with the bad faith of both political parties with regards to race matters.

Grassroots organizers and organizations knew better. Black voters made up 29% of the vote in the election (surpassing all expectations). 93% of black men and 98% of black women voted for Jones.

Pastor Kenneth Glasgow, director of The Ordinary Peoples Society (TOPS), has been working tirelessly to ensure that people with felony convictions in the state of Alabama could vote. His organization helped register 5,000 people in 22 jails and 10 prisons, and organized vans and cars to get out the vote. TOPS joined with Project South and other groups in organizing and mobilizing constituencies on the ground. The state NAACP orchestrated a massive voter turnout and information campaign. In Mobile, for example, the local chapter used analytics about past election activity to guide and shape outreach to churches. The monies raised to help in this effort did not come from only SuperPACs and the Democratic National Committee. Grassroots fundraising across a variety of platforms helped make Joness victory possible.

This kind of organizing was not motivated simply by its opposition to Roy Moore. Ordinary people joined together, across their differences, to reject cruelty and callousness, and to insist on a substantive agenda to address the lives of vulnerable people in this country. They revealed that genuine change in Alabama will require long-term investment in local efforts, the cultivation of local leaders and, as Project South brilliantly states, an understanding that the ground is our power. Elections are only one moment in the daily effort to transform the circumstances of our communities.

Finally, black voters in Alabama saw their power and exercised it. In doing so, they served notice to the Democratic Party. Democrats cannot win without black voters and they must not take our votes for granted. The days of symbolic talk and empty gestures are over. Deliver or pay the price. The national leadership of the Democratic Party must understand this or risk continued defeat.

In the end, not much can be generalized from Joness victory. Roy Moore was a horrible candidate, and he almost won. Alabama remains a deep-red state. And Doug Jones will have to decide what he wants to achieve in the short time he will have in Washington, D.C. But there is one lesson we can all take from the bottom-up organizing in Alabama. Democracy is a fragile thing. In moments of crisis, it requires of us diligence, attentiveness, and a willingness to get close to the ground. In such moments, as it has always been, every generation must accomplish democracy over again for itself.
A Michigan cop is being investigated after bodycam footage appears to show a terrified young girl as she's handcuffed during an investigation.

The chief of Grand Rapids police says he's nauseated by the footage taken last week in which the 11-year-old screams and cries, in part after an officer at the scene points a gun at her.

"You're fine, you're fine, you're all right," the officer is heard saying as the girl is cuffed. "You're not going to jail or anything."

As the girl's wailing continues, another officer tells her, "Quit crying."

The girl was then placed in a police cruiser for about 10 minutes, according to spokeswoman Cathy Williams.

The girl told local NBC affiliate WOOD-TV she screamed for her mother while in the police cruiser.

"When my mom was walking past, I was putting my hands through the little bars, banging on the windows, screaming, 'Please don't let them take me,'" the girl told the station.

The Grand Rapids Police Department said in a statement that they were investigating an attempted murder stemming from a Dec. 6 domestic-related stabbing in the area.

When officers determined the suspect had fled the residence while still armed with the knife, they say their investigation led to a second home, where it was believed the suspect may have fled to.

It was from that home that the girl and two adult women exited, as the girl was reportedly on her way to a store.

"Until it could be determined that the individuals were not the suspect, nor armed with a weapon, the three were ordered back to officers and detained," the police statement said. "The homeowner gave consent to search the home, and it was deemed that none of the three individuals that exited the home were the suspect... [they] were subsequently released."

Following a complaint filed on behalf of the 11-year-old, the Grand Rapids Police Department opened an internal investigation that is ongoing.

Story continues

In the wake of the incident, Chief David Rahinsky said the video sickened him.

"Listening to the 11-year-old's response makes my stomach turn  it makes me physically nauseous," Rahinsky said. "To say anything less than that would be insincere."

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Brussels (AFP) - EU leaders voiced support for embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May at a summit on Thursday but warned there was work to do on the next phase of Brexit talks.

Her 27 colleagues applauded her after she addressed them over dinner, a day after a parliamentary defeat over her Brexit strategy in which members of her own party rebelled.

The rest of the EU leaders are expected to open the next phase of Brexit talks at the summit on Friday, which will focus on a transition period and future trade ties.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the interim deal Britain struck with the EU a week ago on making "sufficient progress" on key divorce issues including the exit bill, the Irish border and expatriates rights.

"Theresa May has made good offers that imply that the 27 will see sufficient progress tomorrow. But there remain many issues to be solved and we don't have much time," Merkel said.

May told reporters as she left that "we've had very good discussions. I'm looking forward to discussions on the future trade relationship and security relationship."

A British official said May was "clear about wanting to move onto trade talks as quickly as possible" when she spoke to the other leaders, telling them she wanted to approach the next phase with "ambition and creativity".

- 'Personal efforts' -

Several leaders gave their backing to May over the question of whether she would be strong enough domestically to push through a Brexit deal after Wednesday's humiliating vote.

"Everybody appreciated her personal efforts and engagement," Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said after the talks. "That is just an internal discussion within Britain (about her future), but not here in the European Union."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said earlier that May still had "formidable stature" in Brussels, saying that last week's hard-fought agreement on the divorce deal "showed you should not underestimate her".

Story continues

But while Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite agreed that leaders were "satisfied" talks could move to the second round, she said that it was not really important who was in charge in Britain.

"We need to have an agreement no matter who is negotiating, we need to do the job, so we are happy the first stage is gone," she said.

May said earlier she was "disappointed" at the parliamentary setback, which saw 11 MPs from her Conservative party rebel to demand a final vote over the terms of the withdrawal, but stressed: "We're on course to deliver Brexit."

- Tortuous negotiations -

After months of tortuous negotiations, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker struck a deal with May last week on the outline terms of Britain's withdrawal from the EU in March 2019.

It covers Britain's financial settlement, the future of the Irish border and expatriate rights, while the next stage will cover trade and a transition period to ease the break.

The EU's negotiating guidelines state they will start talks on a post-Brexit transition in January but will not begin trade talks until March, calling for more clarity about Britain's goals.

British officials are hoping for a deal by March on a two-year transition, during which the relationship would largely stay the same, although Britain would have to follow EU laws.

However, the EU has warned May that her hopes of agreeing a bespoke trade deal before Brexit to replace Britain's membership of the EU's single market and customs union is unrealistic.

EU President Donald Tusk warned earlier this week of a "furious race against time" to reach the next stage of negotiations.

Questions still linger over the divorce agreement, after British Brexit minister David Davis appeared to suggest it was not legally enforceable.

There are particular concerns about the guarantee made by London -- at Dublin's request -- that there will be no frontier checks between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland

Davis's comments prompted a warning by the EU that Britain must not backtrack, and Rutte repeated Thursday: "We cannot have a misunderstanding of what was agreed."
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada on Wednesday authorized the export of automatic weapons to Ukraine, citing its "steadfast" support for the security and sovereignty of a country engaged in a conflict with pro-Russian separatists.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent through her mother, "announced that Canada will include Ukraine in the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL)," the government said in its official newspaper.

The change "will enable Canadian companies and individuals to apply for a permit to export certain prohibited firearms, weapons and devices to Ukraine."

Eastern Ukraine has been plagued since April 2014 by a conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists that has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

Kiev and Western countries accuse Russia of militarily supporting the rebels, a charge Moscow denies.

"Each permit application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure its consistency with Canadas international obligations and foreign policy and defense priorities," the government said.

The announcement "reflects the close ties our countries share. Canada and Canadians will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," Freeland said.

Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991 and has more than 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent in its territory, a diaspora that arrived in successive waves over a period of 125 years.

With the addition of Ukraine, there are 40 countries to which Canada allows the export of automatic weapons.
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's spy agency has settled a lawsuit by five employees who accused their bosses of homophobia, racism and Islamophobia and it will work to stamp out harassment, the head of the agency said on Thursday. The employees filed a C$35 million ($27.4 million) lawsuit in July against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), saying they had been bullied for more than a decade. CSIS Director David Vigneault said in a statement that the settlement was "in the best interest of all those concerned" but gave no details. "CSIS does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or bullying under any circumstances ... we will be working to ensure that the behavior of all employees reflects the CSIS employee code of conduct principles of respect," he added. CSIS, which employs 3,300 people, has suffered a number of problems since it was created in 1984. Last November, a court declared it had illegally kept data collected during investigations and threatened sanctions. (Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Sandra Maler)
By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - The crisis over North Korea's weapons programs must be resolved through talks, not war, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the danger of "sleepwalking" into conflict. Xi made his comments to visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered on Tuesday to begin direct talks with North Korea without pre-conditions. But the White House said on Wednesday that no negotiations could be held until North Korea improved its behavior. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tillerson's offer of direct contacts with North Korea was "a very good signal" while warning that any U.S. strike on the country would have catastrophic consequences. Tillerson is to attend a U.N. Security Council ministerial meeting on North Korea in New York on Friday at which he plans to urge countries to maintain a U.S.-led campaign to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its weapons programs through sanctions. North Korea tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range, in defiance of international pressure and U.N. sanctions. The United States has said all options were on the table in dealing with North Korea, including military action. Meeting in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xi told Moon the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula must be stuck to, and war and chaos cannot be allowed, Chinese state media said. "The peninsula issue must, in the end, be resolved via dialogue and consultation," Xi was cited as saying. China and South Korea have an important shared interest in maintaining peace, and China was willing to work with South Korea to promote talks and support North and South to improve relations, Xi said. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said Xi and Moon agreed war on the peninsula would not be tolerated and they would cooperate in applying sanctions and pressure on North Korea. The apparently warm tone of their talks followed nearly a year of tense relations between the two countries. THAAD ISSUE China has been furious about the deployment of the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea, saying its powerful radar can see far into China. China and South Korea agreed in October to normalize exchanges and move past the dispute, which froze trade and business exchanges. Xi reiterated China's position on THAAD and said he hoped South Korea would continue to "appropriately handle" the issue. Guterres, speaking to reporters in Tokyo after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said Security Council resolutions on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs must be fully implemented by Pyongyang and other countries. He said he expected Friday's Security Council meeting would deliver a strong expression of unity and the need for diplomacy to resolve the issue. "The worst possible thing that could happen is for us all to sleepwalk into a war," he said. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said after meeting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in London on Thursday that military options in North Korea did not look attractive and the best way forward was to intensify economic pressure. Both China and Russia have welcomed Tillerson's apparent overture. Russian President Vladimir Putin said a U.S. strike on North Korea would have catastrophic consequences and that he hoped to work with Washington eventually to resolve the crisis. Putin told a news conference that Russia did not accept North Korea's nuclear status, but some U.S. actions had provoked North Korea. "We believe the two sides should now stop aggravating the situation," he said. North Korea justifies its weapons programs as necessary defense against U.S. plans to invade. The United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war, denies any such intention. North Korea's state news agency KCNA said Trump was taking a big step towards nuclear war in seeking a naval blockade and North Korea would take "merciless self-defense" measures if the United States tried to impose one. North Korea would regard a naval blockade as "an act of war" and a "wanton violation" of its sovereignty and dignity, the agency cited a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying, while reiterating that North Korea was a responsible nuclear power that would fulfill its non proliferation commitments. It was not immediately clear if the latter remark was a response to Tillerson's statement this week that Washington could not accept Pyongyang as a nuclear power as it was a proliferation risk. Washington has not publicly called for a blockade of North Korea, but has sought tougher U.N. steps, including non-consensual inspections of shipping to North Korea. Stepped-up U.N. Security Council sanctions imposed in September after North Korea's sixth nuclear test called on states to inspect vessels on the high seas, with the consent of the flag state, if they had reasonable grounds to believe the ships were carrying prohibited cargo. A tougher U.S.-drafted resolution was watered down to win the support of Russia and China. (Additional reporting by Linda Sieg in TOKYO,; Denis Pinchuk in MOSCOW, Christine Kim in SEOUL, David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON and Michelle Nichols at the UNITED NATIONS; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Bill Trott)
A Chinese climber famous for scaling skyscrapers without any safety equipment has died after falling from a 62-story building in the city of Changsha, according to his girlfriend.

The 26-year-old daredevil, Wu Yongning, fell more than a month ago on Nov. 8, but his death was only recently confirmed by his girlfriend, according to the BBC.

After dabbling in television and film, Wu was drawn to the more lucrative endeavor of rooftopping, where he could put his martial arts training to use, the BBC reports.

Rooftopping, the feat of climbing high-rise buildings to take photos or perform stunts at the top, has become an increasingly popular pastime after several viral videos. The practice evolved out of the urban explorer movement, also known as urbex. Its not unheard of for rooftoppers to fall to their deaths.

Wu gained a large following on the Chinese social media network Weibo  he has more than 60,000 followers at time of writing  where he had posted hundreds of photos and videos of himself atop buildings he successfully scaled. His followers began to worry when he stopped posting updates in November.

Wu Yongning shares a video on the microblogging site Weibo of himself on top of Baoan Tower in Shanghai, China on Nov. 1, 2017.

At the time of his fall, Wu was attempting a rooftopping challenge in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, hoping to claim the 100,000 yuan ($15,000 USD) prize, according to the South China Morning Post.

His girlfriend reportedly called the police on Nov. 9 after he did not return home following the challenge.

He planned to propose to his girlfriend [the day after the challenge], his step-uncle Feng Shengliang was quoted by the Post as saying. He needed the money for the wedding, and for medical treatment for his ailing mother.

Before his fall, Wus Weibo videos had warned viewers not to attempt his stunts.

In October, a 44-year-old journalist and urban explorer fell to his death from a 22-story building in Chicago.
One would think that the classification of internet providers as telecoms or not, and which federal agency has authority over them, is about as in the weeds as it gets. But it is a symptom of the times in which we live that no issue, however technical, provincial or jurisdictional, can escape being swept up in the eternal hurricane of partisan politics.

The FCC's masterstroke in 2015, the lead-up to which formed the first article in this series, made a lot of people very angry.

It angered the broadband industry, as you might expect, for several reasons. For one thing, decades of legal maneuvering to keep regulations light (or failing that, to switch regulators) were being nullified. This was a worst-case scenario: not only were they being classified as telecoms, with all the headaches that brought, but the agency writing the rules was not naive or sympathetic and, in fact, was rather tired of being pushed around. The actual rules being proposed also preemptively banned a number of practices and business models  paid prioritization, zero rating, etc.  that might otherwise have proven profitable.

It angered the Federal Trade Commission because broadband providers had for a long time largely been considered theirs to regulate. With this responsibility came authority, power and a sort of obscure glory  all of which now belonged to the FCC. What's more, the FTC resented the implication of the takeover that internet providers had been inadequately regulated. "So the FCC thinks we don't know how to do our job, huh?" (It wasn't that, but that the job needing doing has changed.)

And it angered conservative lawmakers throughout the U.S., for reasons both justified and dubious. They were bothered by what they perceived as, and justifiably so, an expansion of regulatory reach  in other words, bigger government encroaching on a market that was thriving without its interference. Somewhat less justified but still understandable, the GOP was frustrated that they had been outfoxed by the Obama administration, the hand of which was recognizable throughout this whole initiative. Lastly, and most dubiously, Republican members of Congress, more so than Democrats, count on the generous donations of the telecoms and cable industries to fund their reelection campaigns, and, well, promises were probably made.

Story continues

(On this last point, I want to make something clear, lest I myself be accused of partisanship in my representation of this issue. I'm under no illusion that Democrats in Congress do not have similar obligations to lobbyists and industries who fund their operations. But they are usually different industries. In fact, it is worth noting that many Democrats who supported net neutrality and the Open Internet Order receive large sums of money from edge providers like Google and Facebook, which hold similar views and similarly weighty coffers. In the case of net neutrality, many Republicans find themselves, in this sense, at least, allied to the opposition and ultimately the wrong side of history. The problem of corporate lobbying applies to both sides of the aisle, but on this particular issue, this is how the political divide falls, and how we must address it.)

These are powerful enemies, and what's more, ones that have every incentive to work together against their common foe.

But before we see how they responded, let's have a quick recap of what the Open Internet Order actually does, and the authority under which the FCC did it.

Title bout

In part one, we saw how as early as 1966 the FCC and FTC were drawing a hazy line between two types of services: telecommunications services, which are responsible for merely moving information to and from locations chosen by users, and information services, which involve creating, storing and performing other non-transportation tasks on that information. The FCC has authority over the former, and over the latter we have the FTC.

The 1996 Telecommunications Act delineated these definitions, and enumerated the services and their regulators under a set of Titles, which is the legal name for those portions of the law. I tried to avoid these terms in part one, but here they become more relevant. There are seven Titles, but only two we really need to worry about:

Telecommunications services fall under Title II of the act and are also called "common carriers." This term was used for much of the country's history to indicate someone offering a service to move goods from point to point, but lately (that is, starting in the mid-20th century) also applied to things like telephone operators  which makes sense if you think about it. Common carriers are subject to special regulations that harmonize interstate commerce, prevent discrimination and anticompetitive practices, that sort of thing. The FCC is given the power to regulate Title II services, and the FTC is actually specifically prohibited from doing so.

Information services, much more loosely defined, fall under Title I of the act. The FTC is charged with making sure these services meet minimums of safety, privacy, reporting and other business standards. Sometimes a Title I service will get poked by the FCC, if, say, it were a device maker (obviously not telecoms) that wasn't meeting radiation emissions standards, but generally speaking, Title I is FTC territory and the FCC's powers under it are limited.

So if AT&T was failing to meet national standards in rolling out telephone service, the FCC would come calling. On the other hand, if the company were misrepresenting that service to its customers, it's the FTC's job.

For a long time, the FCC tried to make net neutrality and other open internet rules happen with that limited authority it exerted over them under Title I. And it took these approaches, which were rejected again and again, in order to avoid having to rock the boat and reclassify broadband providers as Title II telecommunications services. But in 2015 it saw no other option, and did just that.

Cheat sheet for the 2015 Open Internet Order

You are forgiven if you have not read the actual order. It's 400 pages long, after all, and you can't skip the footnotes. But a large amount of those pages are dedicated not to detailing the rules themselves, but to justifying the authority the FCC was exerting. The actual rules are remarkably compact and, most seem to agree, quite reasonable. They can be summarized thus:

No blocking of any lawful content, applications, services or devices.

No throttling, impairment or degradation of lawful, non-harmful content, applications, etc.

No paid prioritization, or favoring some traffic over other traffic, at least not for "consideration" (money or favors) or to benefit an affiliated entity. (The no "fast lanes" rule; exceptions are allowed for "reasonable network management.")

No unreasonable interference with or disadvantaging of end users or edge providers. (The "general conduct" rule.)

Public disclosure of commercial terms, fees, data caps, performance, network management practices, etc.

That's really it!

Most of the rest of the order is justifying Title II authority, "forbearing" from using many parts of that part of the law (i.e. it technically could do direct rate regulation, but promises not to), and defining the terms in the above rules  what exactly is meant by "content" or "harmful," for instance.

Wolves at the door (with lawsuits)

So, back to the story. What's the first thing you do in America when things don't go your way? That's right, you sue. Which is exactly what happened. And while we don't need to get into the details here, suits from telecoms and trade associations aiming to prevent the rules from taking effect fell flat and everything, amazingly, went more or less as the FCC planned.

One challenge had a higher profile than the others, going to the federal level at the DC Circuit Court. There it was delivered a sound drubbing: the judges basically handed the industry's arguments back to them, saying "nice try":

Petitioners and their amici offer various grounds for distinguishing broadband service from other kinds of common carriage, none of which we find persuasive.

This decision, which strongly supported the FCC's authority and decision to use Title II, was a powerful deterrent; litigants were forced to acknowledge that more decisions like this would only further cement the Open Internet Order's legitimacy and pile up hostile precedents.

However, a substantial dissent by one judge pointed out that many of the FCC's justifications for its rules, such as that banning paid prioritization would encourage that "virtuous cycle" the agency is so fond of mentioning, had no factual justification. This is important because no matter how much sense something makes to us as consumers  no fast lanes, no content throttling  that doesn't mean it holds water in court. The judge went through the FCC's arguments and issued the opinion that the Order's rules were, in fact, "arbitrary and capricious." It may not sound like it, but this is about the strongest argument against the net neutrality rules that has been advanced.

Certainly stronger than some that came later  on the same suit, in fact. It turns out the safest move on the part of the petitioner (the United States Telecom Association) was to request the case be revisited because not all the judges weighed in the first time around. If they got a new hearing, it was like a free do-over; if they didn't, the worst the court would do is reject them again.

Unfortunately for them, not only was the request denied, but some particularly absurd dissents from Judges Brown and Kavanaugh allowed the court to give the ruling a fresh coat of paint and further discredit the arguments against Title II.

Kavanaugh argued that net neutrality infringed on the free speech rights... of internet providers. He attempted to equate cable TV operators with ISPs, saying both "decide what content they will transmit." This risible misconstrual of the facts went poorly for him, as you might expect, and the other judges explained at length the difference between providing a television channel and providing internet access. It offered them an opportunity to explain also why ISPs are compelled in many ways to act as non-discriminatory transmitters of information, not arbiters of that information  in other words, common carriers.

Brown's similarly disastrous attempt to show how broadband internet fits the 1996 Telecommunications Act's definition of "information service" is not merely wrong, but demonstrates the exact opposite of what she wanted it to. It's worth quoting here for reasons we'll come to later:

Unsurprisingly, the Acts definition of information service fits broadband Internet access like a glove. [G]enerating, acquiring, storing, or making available information via telecommunications is what users do on social media websites like Facebook. See id.  153(24). [T]ransforming or utilizing information via telecommunications is what users do on YouTube. See id. [A]cquiring, storing, and retrieving information via telecommunications is what users do with email. See id. The offering of a capability for engaging in all of these activities is exactly what is provided by broadband Internet access.

Of course, internet providers aren't actually the ones that do those things; the companies she listed, known as edge providers, do, and are rightly classed under Title I as information services. ISPs don't generate, store or transform information but simply transmit it, and rarely claim otherwise.

(Do these arguments sound familiar? That's because they are the exact same wrong arguments made in the order that would eliminate net neutrality.)

Legislation fared no better. Under the threat of an Obama veto there was only so much the Republican-held Congress could do. One bill attempted to retroactively remove the FCC's ability to reclassify broadband; it never had legs. Another gained some momentum by attempting to ban broadband rate regulation by the FCC, which would have been fine, had it not also sneakily defined rate regulation so broadly that it would have seriously undermined the agency's authority. Congress settled for a punitive slashing of the FCC's budget, which didn't do much to change the new rules.

Opposition to the FCC was galvanized and unified, but it was clear that the agency had fortified its position well and attacks from the outside were ineffective. What its opponents needed was someone on the inside. Fortunately there was a good chance of that happening in just a few short months.

Inside man

The election itself thankfully doesn't concern us much, since tech and internet regulation were hardly addressed at all in debates and speeches, but the results  naturally  would have major consequences.

Under a Democratic president, the FCC would continue much as it had done for years, with a Democratic majority hard at work refining and bolstering net neutrality.

Under a Republican one, leadership would switch and the new FCC would unite the interests of the desperate broadband industry, the slighted FTC and the vengeful conservative Legislative branch.

The latter, of course, is what came to pass. All the parties concerned needed now was someone sympathetic on the Commission itself.

Enter Ajit Pai.

Actually, it's misleading to say he "enters" now, since he'd been on the Commission for years. But this is certainly the moment he stepped into the spotlight. For the purposes of his backers, his qualities are clear. He's young, ambitious, savvy and, best of all, he had dissented vehemently and at length when the Open Internet Order was passed.

Pai also had (and has) the admirable habit of infusing his objections with partisan bitterness: his dissenting statements and op-eds over the years embody the kind of values-based politics that propelled groups like the Tea Party to prominence. Perhaps Pai smelled blood in the water and the potential of being elevated to Chairman if he made himself visible, or perhaps he was just infected with the usual red versus blue mentality to which we all succumb during election seasons. At any rate, he made it abundantly clear which side he was on, and the bet paid off. He was appointed Chairman in January.

The FCC, aided by the FTC and Congress, now began in earnest its campaign to undo the work of the previous administration.

This is the second article in a series on the history of the FCC and net neutrality. Keep an eye out for the third, a timeline of the FCC's actions since the election.
President Donald Trump just experienced his first real setback in judicial nominations. (Photo: SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump is giving up on trying to confirm one of his most controversial judicial nominees, Brett Talley, a White House spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday to HuffPost.

Talley has offered to withdraw his nomination, thus it will not be moving forward, said the White House spokeswoman.

Buzzfeed reported that Talley first offered to withdraw last week.

Its an embarrassing setback for Trump, and marks his first real loss in judicial nominations. But Talleys nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama has been riddled with problems from the beginning.

Talley, who is a 36-year-old deputy assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, has only practiced law for three years and has never tried a case. He failed to disclose to the Senate that his wife is chief of staff to White House counsel Don McGahn, who oversees the judicial nominations. Hes tweeted about Hillary Clinton being rotten, and said his solution to the Sandy Hook shooting massacre would be to stop being a society of pansies and man up.

Talley, who also writes horror novels and was a paranormal activity investigator, earned the rare distinction of being rated unanimously not qualified by the American Bar Association.

Despite these credentials, every Republican on the Judiciary Committee voted to advance him to the Senate floor last month. Something shifted this week, though, as committee chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) unexpectedly told reporters the White House should withdraw Talleys nomination, along with that of another district court nominee, Jeff Mateer, who has described transgender children as evidence of Satans plan.

The White House spokeswoman confirmed to HuffPost on Wednesday that Mateer, who hasnt had his confirmation hearing yet, also will not be moving forward.

Details are murky on what specifically happened to knock these nominees out of the running. But they are not leaving on the same terms. While Talley submitted a withdrawal letter to the White House, Mateer did not, per a source familiar with the situation who requested anonymity to speak freely on the subject. Instead, the administration has decided not to submit Mateers paperwork to the Senate Judiciary Committee to proceed with his nomination. With no action taken there, Mateers nomination will automatically expire when the Senate adjourns at the end of the current legislative session.

Story continues

Here's Brett Talley posing for a portrait in a cemetery. He will not be a federal judge. (Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Until now, Republicans have mostly been quiet about Trumps controversial court picks. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) was the first Republican to raise problems with Talley, saying last month he would vote against his confirmation because hes never tried a lawsuit in his natural life  Give me a break.

Requests for comment from Sens. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Luther Strange (R-Ala.), who recommended Talley to the president, were not returned.

A Grassley spokeswoman also did not respond to a request for comment.

Talley is one of four Trump judicial nominees to get the abysmal not qualified rating from the national legal organization. District court nominee Charles Goodwin has raised questions about his ability to fulfill the demands of a federal judge. District court nominee Holly Teeter lacks trial court experience. Circuit court nominee Leonard Steven Grasz was rated unanimously unqualified after the ABA conducted an exhaustive review of his background and found problems with his temperament and bias.



But in the case of Grasz, the Senate went ahead and confirmed him anyway on Tuesday night. Every Republican, minus the two who were absent, voted to put him on the court for life. Every Democrat opposed him.

Trump has been outpacing his predecessors with judicial nominations this year and hes already making a lasting imprint on the federal courts. There is a theme to his nominees: Many are anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ and anti-voting rights.

This story has been updated to include information about Mateers nomination not going forward.

Also on HuffPost

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy (bottom 2nd L) reacts while chatting with Chief Justice John Roberts (C) during a new U.S. Supreme Court family photo including Justice Neil Gorsuch (top R), their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017. Also pictured are Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (front row, L-R), Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Elena Kagan (back row, L-R), Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (seated C) leads Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (front row, L-R), Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Elena Kagan (back row, L-R), Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Neil Gorsuch in taking a new family photo including Gorsuch, their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy (bottom L) chats with Chief Justice John Roberts (bottom R) during a new U.S. Supreme Court family photo including Justice Neil Gorsuch (not pictured), their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017. Also pictured are Justice Elena Kagan (back row, L-R), Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Sonia Sotomayor. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (seated L-R), Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Sonia Sotomayor (top L) and Justice Neil Gorsuch (top R) chat during a new U.S. Supreme Court family photo including Gorsuch, their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy (L) chats with Chief Justice John Roberts (R) during a new U.S. Supreme Court family photo including Justice Neil Gorsuch (not pictured), their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017.

U.S. Justice Neil Gorsuch (top R) leans in to speak to Justice Stephen Breyer (bottom R) as the members of the U.S. Supreme Court including Chief Justice John Roberts (seated L), Justice Clarence Thomas (seated C) and Justice Sonia Sotomayor (top L) gather for a new family photo with Gorsuch, their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (seated C) leads Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (front row, L-R), Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Elena Kagan (back row, L-R), Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Neil Gorsuch in taking a new family photo including Gorsuch, their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (seated C) leads Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (front row, L-R), Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Elena Kagan (back row, L-R), Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Neil Gorsuch in taking a new family photo including Gorsuch, their most recent addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 1, 2017.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Beijing (AFP) - Defects were found in equipment for a third-generation nuclear reactor under construction in southern China with the problematic parts being replaced, the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) said Wednesday.

The issue concerned equipment used in one of two new European Pressurised Reactors (EPR), large units designed to offer improved power and safety.

With EPRs in Finland and France facing setbacks, the Chinese Taishan 1 and 2 are on track to become the first working reactors of their kind in the world.

But "local defects" were recently found in Taishan 1's deaerator, a device used to remove oxygen from water circuits, CGN -- which manages the project alongside French state utility EDF -- told AFP in an email.

Problems were "discovered in the non-bearing welding line of the internal support of (Taishan 1's) deaerator", CGN said.

The deaerator is located "outside the nuclear zone", it added, noting that "replacement measures" are being taken.

The two reactors under construction in Taishan, southern Guangdong province, are 51 percent owned by CGN, 30 percent owned by EDF and 19 percent owned by the province's electrical utility firm.

Taishan 1 is slated to go onstream before the end of the year.

Britain in September also gave the green light, with conditions, to EDF and CGN to build another such reactor at England's Hinkley Point, after a heated debate which included worries over China's involvement.
Thirty-six hours after his stunning victory in Alabama, Democratic Senator-elect Doug Jones says he can understand Roy Moores unwillingness to accept the election results. But Jones says it is time for his Republican opponent to concede the race.

I understand the frustration a little bit, Jones said in an interview with NBCs Today show on Thursday. But Id say, look, its time to move on. I mean, every race is tough. Its bitter sometimes. But this is one where the people of Alabama have spoken.

Jones defeated Moore in Tuesdays special election, a win that sent shockwaves throughout the GOP. But Moore, who was strongly backed by President Trump, is refusing to admit defeat.

On Wednesday night, the former judge released a fiery four-minute video statement saying the election was tainted by outside groups who want to retain power and their corrupt ideology. Moore, 70, saw his campaign derailed after a series of women accused him of misconduct when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s.

We are indeed in a struggle to preserve our republic, our civilization and our religion, and to set free a suffering humanity, Moore said. And the battle rages on.

Moore said his campaign is still waiting on military and provisional ballots and the certification of the election results, which can happen no earlier than Dec. 26. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said even with those ballots, it is highly unlikely that the results will change.

Doug Jones, Roy Moore (Photos: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images, Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Image)

Weve looked at these numbers and we feel very confident in the outcome of this race, Jones said. I think hed do well if hed just go ahead, lets get this behind us, so the people of Alabama can get someone in there and start working for them.

Jones, the first Democrat in 25 years to hold a Senate seat in the deep red state, also said hes open to working with Trump.

If the president has things on his agenda that I think are good for the people of Alabama, then Im absolutely going to work there with him, he said.

Story continues

At the White House, press secretary Sarah Sanders said that the administration believes Moores concession should have already taken place.

The president has already called and congratulated Doug Jones and expressed his willingness to work with him, Sanders said.

Read more from Yahoo News:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it will seek input from state and local officials as it considers how to rework a 1991 rule meant to protect people from lead and copper contamination in drinking water. The agency invited state officials to give input on revising the Lead and Copper rule at a two-hour meeting on Jan. 8 at the EPA's headquarters in Washington. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency is seeking the input to "properly address lead and ensure communities have access to safe drinking water." The move is part of the Trump administration's policy of consulting with state and local officials, or national organizations that represent them, when developing regulations. While the administration is focused on reducing regulations on mining and drilling and other industries, Pruitt says he is focusing on what he calls the core duties of the EPA, which includes water pollution. The EPA is considering long-term and short-term revisions to the rule including replacement of lead pipes, improving corrosion control treatment requirements, and the role of filters where water is consumed. Lead is a neurotoxin that can damage brains and cause behavior and stomach problems. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water and children are particularly vulnerable, the Centers for Disease Control says. Lead poisoning in drinking water became a national issue in Flint, Michigan beginning in 2014. But high levels of lead have also been found in the blood of children in other cities including New York. Drinking water is primarily contaminated by corroding water lines and plumbing materials used in the home. The EPA sent a letter to the Environmental Council of States, the Council of State Governments, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and other groups inviting them to participate in the January meeting. The agency said other groups and the public will have opportunities to comment on the rulemaking process. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Brussels (AFP) - Flanked by soldiers in combat dress, European leaders inaugurated on Thursday a landmark defence cooperation pact that EU President Donald Tusk said was "bad news for our enemies".

Twenty-five countries -- all of the EU member states except Denmark, Malta and Britain, which is leaving the bloc -- are joining the so-called permanent structured cooperation on defence, or PESCO.

It aims to get EU states to work more closely and spend money more effectively on defence projects, including the development of new weapons.

After half a century of frustrated efforts to integrate European defence capabilities, Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and claims of state-sponsored cyberattacks gave the idea fresh impetus.

"For many years the strongest argument against PESCO had been the fear that it would lead to the weakening of NATO," Tusk said at the launch at a summit in Brussels.

"But it is quite the opposite -- strong European defence naturally strengthens NATO," he said.

"This is why PESCO is not only good news for us, but it is also good news for our allies and bad news for our enemies."

- Independence from US -

The EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, who helped bring the French- and German-backed plan to fruition, hailed the agreement as a "historic decision that turns the EU into a credible security provider globally".

A host of policy differences with Washington and US President Donald Trump's repeated complaints about Europe not spending enough on its own defence spurred EU leaders to move quickly.

Fears have grown that the US would not honour its longstanding commitment to come to Europe's aid, and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said the bloc "cannot and should not outsource our security and defence".

"We see that around the world there is a strong need for the EU to be active as a point of reference, as a player, as others are taking different directions," Mogherini said Thursday in an apparent swipe at Trump's "America first" approach.

Story continues

But a question mark hangs over the funding for PESCO, with the 1.5 billion euro a year European Defence Fund still awaiting final approval.

Mogherini said she would press EU leaders to include funding for defence in the bloc's budget "so that this Europe of security and defence is financed at an adequate level".

A first batch of 17 projects includes a Belgian-led effort to develop submarine drones to tackle mines at sea.

Other proposals include a German-led "crisis response operation core" aimed at speeding up the deployment of troops to emergency situations, though initially this will begin with a low-key implementation study.

Past efforts to integrate EU defence have been frustrated -- first by French reluctance and later by fierce British opposition to anything resembling a "European army".

- NATO backing -

The initiative has the backing of NATO, in part because it requires countries to increase their spending on defence, a priority for the US-led alliance.

"I welcome the initiative to strengthen European defence because I believe that will be good for the European Union, for Europe and for NATO," the alliance's chief, Jens Stoltenberg, said.

But he warned that PESCO projects must work in harmony with NATO.

"We cannot risk ending up with conflicting requirements from EU and from NATO to the same nations," Stoltenberg said as he arrived at the summit.

And with one eye on Brexit, he cautioned that non-EU allies must be as fully involved in PESCO as possible.

When Britain quits the bloc in 2019, 80 percent of NATO's defence expenditure will come from non-EU states, he said, highlighting the importance of cooperation rather than competition.

Under PESCO statutes, as a non-EU state Britain will be able to take part in specific missions but will have no decision-making role.
The 5-year-old has been stuck in the hospital since the shooting: GoFundMe

The family of a five-year-old boy who was injured last month in a bloody Texas church shooting is appealing to the public to help them bring a bit of holiday cheer to the boy this Christmas.

Ryland Ward, who was shot five times in the First Baptist Church last month, is still in the hospital after the shooting. As he faces his first holiday season without his mother and two siblings  who all died in the shooting  his grandmother is hoping to make things just a little brighter this month.

You got so many nice people that are sending a card and a dollar to Ryland, Sandy Ward, his grandmother, told local news. He does really enjoy that a lot.

Ms Ward said that her grandson hasnt been told that his mother and sisters were killed by the gunman, who entered the church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, last month and left virtually no-one unscathed. He has been in the hospital for six weeks, and has seen his release delayed after doctors noticed complications in his femur during recovery.

So, theyre hoping that the Christmas cards can add some brightness to his holidays, and that theyll be able to surprise him with a go-cart when hes healthy enough to use it. Ms Ward said her grandson really likes pictures of other kids with their pets.

At the same time, a GoFundMe campaign has also been activated to help the family pay for the medical costs for Ryland. Theyve raised $132,000 of the $200,000 goal so far.

Anyone interested in sending a Christmas card to Ryland can address it as follows:

Ryland Ward, P.O. Box 174, Sutherland Springs, Texas 78161.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted along party lines on Thursday to repeal landmark 2015 rules aimed at ensuring a free and open internet, setting up a court fight over a move that could recast the digital landscape.

The approval of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal in a 3-2 vote marked a victory for internet service providers such as AT&T Inc, Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc and hands them power over what content consumers can access. It also is the biggest win for Pai in his sweeping effort to undo many telecommunications regulations since taking over at the agency in January.

Democrats, Hollywood and companies such as Google parent Alphabet Inc and Facebook Inc had urged Pai, a Republican appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump, to keep the Obama-era rules barring service providers from blocking, slowing access to or charging more for certain content. The new rules give internet service providers sweeping powers to change how consumers access the internet but must have new transparency requirements that will require them to disclose any changes to consumers.

The meeting, held amid protests online and in front of the FCC headquarters in Washington, was evacuated before the vote for about 10 minutes due to an unspecified security threat, and resumed after law enforcement with sniffer dogs checked the room.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters the administration "supports the FCCs efforts. At the same time, the White House certainly has and always will support a free and fair internet."

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, said in a statement he will lead a multi-state lawsuit to challenge the reversal. [nL1N1OE26U]

Shares of Alphabet, Apple Inc and Microsoft Corp moved lower after the vote. [nL4N1OE5GG]

The FCC said the rules would take effect in a few months after the White House Office of Management and Budget formally approves them.

Story continues

Pai has argued that the 2015 rules were heavy handed and stifled competition and innovation among service providers.

"The internet wasn't broken in 2015. We weren't living in a digital dystopia," he said on Thursday.

NEXT STEPS

Consumers are unlikely to see immediate changes but smaller startups worry the lack of restrictions could drive up costs or lead to their content being blocked.

Internet service providers say they will not block or throttle legal content but may engage in paid prioritization. They argue that the largely unregulated internet functioned well in the two decades before the 2015 order.

Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly noted that self-driving vehicles and remotely monitored medical procedures may require internet service and that their needs could be given priority "over cat videos."

O'Rielly said it is unlikely any internet provider would voluntarily submit to a "PR nightmare" by "attempting to engage in blocking, throttling or improper discrimination. It is simply not worth the reputation cost."

Still, Democrats have pointed to polls showing a repeal is deeply unpopular and say they will prevail in protecting the rules, either in the courts or in U.S. Congress.

Immediately after the vote, Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat, said he and 15 other senators planned to introduce a resolution to undo the FCC action and restore the net neutrality rules.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said in a written dissent released on Thursday that the decision grants internet providers "extraordinary new power" from the FCC.

"They have the technical ability and business incentive to discriminate and manipulate your internet traffic," she said. "And now this agency gives them the legal green light to go ahead."

Several state attorneys general said before the vote they would oppose the ruling, citing issues with the public comment period. Other critics have said they will consider challenging what they see as weaker enforcement.

The 2015 rules were intended to give consumers equal access to web content and prevent broadband providers from favoring their own content. Those practices are now allowed as long as they are disclosed.

The broadband industry cheered the move. USTelecom, a lobbying group representing internet providers and broadband companies said after the vote they had "renewed confidence" to make network investments, particularly in rural communities.

On the other side, the trade group Internet Association, whose members include content providers Alphabet, Facebook and Pandora Media Inc, said "the fight isn't over" and that it was weighing legal options in a lawsuit against the FCC order.

A University of Maryland poll had found more than 80 percent of respondents opposed a repeal. The survey of 1,077 registered voters was conducted online by the Program for Public Consultation from Dec. 6-8.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Diane Bartz, Katanga Johnson; Writing by Chris Sanders; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Bill Trott)
On the fifth anniversary of the deadly massacre that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School, former President Barack Obama's press secretary took to social media to remember the aftermath of the attack.

Jay Carney tweeted on Thursday about the panic that ensued at the White House on Dec. 14, 2012, after news broke about the attack, in which a shooter gunned down 20 children and six adults at the Newtown, Connecticut, elementary school.

Remembering the victims of Sandy Hook:

"5 years ago today was my worst day at the White House," he wrote. "I saw my normally stoic boss break down. I lost my composure at the briefing. As a parent, I could not comprehend the horror of # SandyHook. I think of those innocent children, and their brave teachers, all the time."

The attack left the entire nation reeling, including President Obama, who lost his composure while addressing the shooting during a press briefing.



Photo: Reuters

During his address, a solemn Obama wiped away tears as he expressed "overwhelming grief" for the victims of the shooting rampage and called on Americans to set aside politics and "take meaningful action" to prevent more tragedies of this kind.

That was the worst day of my presidency and its not something that I want to see repeated, Obama said of the attack.

Speaking at a prayer vigil at Newtown High School on Dec. 16, 2012, Obama offered condolences to the victims' families and also called for immediate action to prevent future shootings.

"We cant tolerate this anymore," Obama said. "These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true. No single lawno set of lawscan eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society. But that cant be an excuse for inaction."

"We cant accept events like this as routine," he continued. "Are we really prepared to say that were powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?"

Story continues

Following the 2012 address, Donald Trump tweeted in support of the president's words, stating, "President Obama spoke for me and every American in his remarks in # Newtown Connecticut."

President Obama spoke for me and every American in his remarks in #Newtown Connecticut.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2012

With just two weeks left until the new year, 2017 has already earned the tragic distinction as the most deadly year for mass shootings in U.S. history.

See the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. since 1900:
Phnom Penh (AFP) - Secured by family and party ties, Chinese cash and his own ruthless political instincts, Cambodian strongman Hun Sen has taken a wrecking ball to the kingdom's fragile democracy in a campaign to extend his 32-year rule.

The 65-year-old is now the world's sixth longest-serving civilian leader, bumped up a place by last month's fall of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.

And his grip on the country is stronger than ever, as the brash premier extinguishes rivals and fortifies his family's control over the poor nation.

In a religious ceremony for "peace and stability" in early December, the premier prayed beneath Angkor Wat -- the Khmer empire's most glorious monument and a symbol of power and continuity.

The event was choreographed to show Hun Sen as the pivot point of a nation that is now effectively a one-party state after the main opposition party was dissolved by the Supreme Court.

"Hun Sen needs a halo... which he creates by drawing on mythology. It's artificial," opposition leader Sam Rainsy told AFP from France where he now lives in self-exile.

"He is a dictator... and dictators often rely on a cult of personality."

Hun Sen vowed last month to hold on to office for at least 10 more years, but batted away comparisons to Mugabe who served into his 90s.

But critics say the Cambodian premier is cut from the same cloth and is going to increasingly great lengths to secure his monopoly on power.

Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) will in effect be unopposed at elections next year after Rainsy's Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was disbanded and its parliamentary seats and local posts redistributed.

The opposition had been tipped for power after making big gains in 2013 elections, but Hun Sen methodically picked off its leaders with legal cases before the Supreme Court delivered the knock out blow in November.

Scores of opposition MPs have fled the country, while a crackdown on critical media and civil society has earned a rebuke from Washington.

Story continues

But the streets remain clear of protests.

Analysts say that reflects public fear of courts and security forces closely allied to Hun Sen.

But it may also reveal a reluctant acceptance among the young, pro-democratic population that their best bet is stability and economic growth while Hun Sen holds the aces.

- The Hun Sen Family -

Though he resists succession talk, Cambodians have long suspected Hun Sen is building a dynasty.

His three sons are prominent in public life and the apparatus of government.

The eldest, 40-year-old Hun Manet, is seen as the most likely successor.

A graduate of West Point military academy in the United States, he is a deputy commander in both Cambodia's army and the elite Prime Ministers Bodyguard Unit.

His second son, General Hun Manit, heads up military intelligence.

The youngest, Hun Many, 35, is a CPP parliamentarian who oversees its far-reaching youth movement and has openly expressed a desire to lead.

The sons are not just likely heirs, but also strategic tethers to Cambodia's elite.

A 2016 report from the NGO Global Witness detailed how Hun Sen and his progeny have built up business empires that stretch across the economy -- and help buttress his political fortress.

Hun Sen's sons either declined to be interviewed or did not respond to requests from AFP.

The ruling party is also tight-lipped on a long-term strategy.

"We have plans, but if I reveal them, it violates the principles of the party congress" which designates the prime minister, said CPP spokesman Sok Eysan.

- The Party and China -

Hun Sen was not born into power himself.

The son of peasant farmers, he started out as a cadre in the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime but later defected to Vietnam and returned with that country's invading forces.

He was installed as prime minister in 1985 and outlasted his Vietnamese benefactors, who left the country in 1989.

From the early 1990s he engineered a facade of multi-party democracy supported by the United Nations, keen to endorse a semblance of stability following the horrors of the Khmer Rouge.

Since then he has used his CPP party as a patronage network.

The party boasts five-million paid up members, nearly a third of the population and a youth movement that spans the country.

"Hun Sen controls Cambodian politics through a tight mesh of personal relationships that binds together the CPP, leading tycoons, and the senior echelons of the security forces," said Sebastian Strangio, the author of a biography of Hun Sen.

Underpinning his winning streak is Cambodia's economic revival.

Pump-primed by China, the economy this year is chugging along at almost seven percent.

By the end of 2016, Chinese direct investment totalled $11.2 billion, according to official Cambodian data.

Chinese companies are driving a construction boom, from mega-dams to highways and casinos targeting Chinese punters.

Hun Sen is a regular visitor to Beijing, where he is lavished with soft loans without any censure on his demolition job on democracy.

That "no strings" support has emboldened his attacks against critics in politics, the media and Western democracies like the US -- who he once needed for financial support.

Cambodia's future now appears wedded to its new benefactor.

"China will continue to offer support to ensure Cambodia stay politically stable and economically sound," said political analyst Meas Ny.
Geneva (AFP) - The UN envoy for Syria acknowledged Thursday that the latest round of peace talks for the war-ravaged country had failed, and blamed Damascus for the "golden opportunity missed".

Staffan de Mistura told reporters that "we did not have real negotiations, blaming in particular the government delegation's apparent lack of interest in discussing anything besides the fight against "terrorism".

His statement came at the end of the eighth round of indirect talks in Geneva between delegations representing Damascus and the opposition in Syria's brutal, nearly seven-year war.

Seven previous rounds of talks mediated by De Mistura have also gone nowhere -- and the rival sides have not yet met face-to-face.

The UN mediator, who has described himself as a "chronic optimist" and highlights incremental progress where others see stalemate, had voiced hope that the eighth round that opened on November 28, would mark the first "real negotiation".

- 'Disappointed' -

But as the round fizzled out Thursday, he acknowledged he was "disappointed."

"In spite of lots of efforts of my whole team, we did not have real negotiations," he told reporters.

While the opposition, which was united in one delegation for the first time, had seriously engaged in all subjects on the table, he said "the government engaged sadly only on one subject... terrorism."

Asked about the next steps, De Mistura said he would discuss the matter with UN chief Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, but that he hoped to organise a new round of talks next month.

"We are not going to give up," he said, stressing the need to find a political solution to the conflict that has killed more than 340,000 people since March 2011.

Talks this month have snagged on the issue of President Bashar al-Assad's future, with the opposition delegation defying calls to give up its demand that the president must go as part of any peace deal.

Story continues

The Syrian government's top negotiator, Bashar al-Jaafari, slammed the opposition for "placing preconditions for the Geneva talks", and flatly rejected their call for direct negotiations until they dropped the demand.

"We don't have a partner," head of the opposition delegation Nasr al-Hariri complained to reporters.

A parallel process organised by Moscow and including fellow government ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey, is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.

De Mistura said he planned to attend that meeting.

The Kremlin also hopes to convene a political congress in the Black Sea resort of Sochi which would bring together regime officials and the opposition to reinvigorate a hobbled peace process.

The opposition and Western diplomats are concerned that the Sochi meeting might be part of an effort by Moscow to circumvent the UN talks and impose a solution favourable to Assad.

De Mistura said he did not yet have enough information about the Sochi event to voice an opinion.

But he warned that "if the government is not willing to meet anyone who seems to have any type of different opinion and is not willing to discuss constitution and elections... I would be very concerned if I were those organising Sochi or any other initiatives."

- UN mediator 'undermined' -

Jaafari meanwhile harshly criticised De Mistura, insisting he had "undermined" his position as mediator when he publicly appealed to Moscow to push for new Syrian elections.

"His statement undermined his mandate as a facilitator of the talks, which will affect the entire Geneva process," Jaafari said.

In the interview with Swiss public broadcaster RTS late Wednesday, the UN mediator said that Damascus's apparent military victory in Syria's nearly seven year war was not enough for President Bashar al-Assad and that new elections were needed for him to "win the peace".

He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "convince the (Syrian) government that there's no time to lose" and to "push the government to accept" new elections, which such a vote should be monitored by the UN.

Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces, ostensibly to combat advances by what Moscow and Damascus term "terrorist" groups.

On Tuesday, the first Russian troops began returning home after Putin ordered a pullout, saying their mission had been largely completed.

Jaafari emphasised that while Syria's government may have "allies, friends and people who fight with us on the ground," it enjoys "the highest possible degree of sovereignty".

"Therefore nobody can influence us," he said.
WASHINGTON  Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) will not seek re-election to Congress following reports that he used taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment complaint from a former staffer, whom he fired after she confronted him about his behavior.

Farenthold announced his decision not to run for re-election in 2018, but to serve out the remaining year of his term, in a video on his campaigns Facebook page posted Thursday. He continued to claim that the sexual harassment allegations are false and said they had become a political distraction.

The congressman, who had faced pressure from a handful of GOP colleagues to resign, also apologized for creating an unprofessional work environment and vowed to make changes in his office.

I had no idea how to run a congressional office, the four-term representative said. As a result, I allowed a workplace culture to take root in my office that was too permissive and decidedly unprofessional.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told reporters on Thursday that he had met with Farenthold the previous day.

I think he has made the right decision to retire, Ryan said at his weekly press conference. He would not elaborate further, citing an ongoing ethics investigation into the congressmans behavior.

Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, released a statement acknowledging Farentholds retirement.

I respect Congressman Farentholds decision and thank him for his service, Stivers said. Congress must work harder to hold ourselves to a higher standard, which is why the House took action to ensure this body is a safe and constructive workplace for all.

Farentholds office did not immediately return a request for comment from HuffPost.

In December, Politico reported that Farenthold took $84,000 from a little known congressional account to pay Lauren Greene, his former communications director, after she alleged in 2014 that Farenthold sexually harassed her and created a toxic work environment.

Story continues

Following that report, the House Ethics Committee launched a new investigation into Greenes allegation, as well as other inappropriate statements to other members of his [Farentholds] official staff.

Farenthold would not confirm that the $84,000 payment, from a Treasury Department fund used to settle workplace complaints against lawmakers, was from his office.

While I 100 percent 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, he said in a statement.

According to Greenes original complaint, Farenthold allegedly sexually harassed her, and another Farenthold aide told Greene that the lawmaker described having sexual fantasies and wet dreams about her.

Greene also detailed other inappropriate behavior that she and other Farenthold staffers witnessed.

Farenthold regularly drank to excess, and because of his tendency to flirt, the staffers who accompanied him to Capitol Hill functions would joke that they had to be on red head patrol to keep him out of trouble, her complaint said. On one occasion, prior to February 2014, during a staff meeting at which [Greene] was in attendance, Farenthold disclosed that a female lobbyist had propositioned him for a threesome.

Various sexual misconduct allegations have also led to resignation announcements from Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.).

The cascade of events has forced Capitol Hill lawmakers to evaluate their procedures for addressing internal sexual misconduct claims. Both the House and Senate have now mandated sexual harassment training. Legislators have also introduced legislation to make the system used to report incidents more transparent and fairer for the accuser, as well as a bill that would ban the use of taxpayer money to pay for settlements.

Farenthold was first elected in 2010, part of a wave of conservative tea party lawmakers that year.

This article has been updated with comments from Rep. Farentholds video announcement, Speaker Ryan and Rep. Stivers.

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Whispers

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Not Throwing Away His Shot

Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the musical "Hamilton," makes his way to a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies in the Rayburn Office Building during a round of meetings to urge federal funding for the arts and humanities on Sept. 13, 2017.

Medicare For All

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Bernie Bros

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McCain Appearance

Sen. John McCain, second from left, leaves the Capitol after his first appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. He arrived to cast a vote to help Republican senators narrowly pass the motion to proceed for the replacement of the Affordable Care Act on July 25, 2017.

A Narrow Win

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, center, speaks alongside Sens. John Barrasso, left, John Cornyn, right, and John Thune, rear, after the Senate narrowly passed the motion to proceed for the replacement of the Affordable Care Act on July 25, 2017.

Kushner Questioning

Jared Kushner, White House senior adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, arrives at the Capitol on July 25, 2017. Kushner was interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee in a closed-door meeting about contacts he had with Russia.

Hot Dogs On The Hill

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And Their Veggie Counterparts

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In The Fray

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Across A Table

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Somber Day

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, claimed Thursday that the international body has obtained undeniable evidence that Iran supplied Yemeni insurgents with missiles and other arms.

But U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reached no such conclusion in his report this month that addresses U.S. and Saudi claims the Houthi insurgents fired Iranian short-range ballistic missiles that nearly missed Riyadhs King Khalid International Airport on Nov. 4.

A U.N. panel of experts has reviewed missile fragments from the strike that show the missile resembles the Qiam-1, an Iranian-made Scud variant that lacks the tail fins typically found in Yemens previously known missile arsenal. The panel noted in a confidential report, which was obtained by Foreign Policy, that the missile also contained a tail component that bore the logo of an Iranian company targeted by U.S. and U.N. sanctions.

But the panel, which reported that the missile also contained an American-made component, concluded it has no evidence as to the identity of the broker or supplier.

While the presence of Iranian missile parts has strengthened the circumstantial case for the regimes role in the Yemen conflict, some of Haleys counterparts on the U.N. Security Council arent yet willing to point the finger at Tehran.

Swedens U.N. ambassador, Olof Skoog, who serves as a non-permanent Security Council member and has access to the confidential U.N. panel report, said Haley may be in possession of evidence I have not seen. The information I have up to now is less clear that Iran is the culprit.

Standing on a stage at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, home to the Defense Intelligence Agency, Haley said the U.N. makes a convincing case that Iran is illegally providing the Houthi militants in Yemen with dangerous weapons.

Haley spoke in front of a display filled with previously classified debris linked to Tehrans missile program, which included a spent missile tube, charts, broken missile fragments, and a component made by an Iranian firm, Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group. She said some of the evidence presented was on loan from the Saudi and Emirati governments, and added she was inviting all members of the U.N. Security Council and Congress to come inspect the equipment.

Story continues

Pieces of an ballistic missile on display next to Haley, intending to prove Iran violated U.N. resolutions by providing weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.N. secretary-generals report, she said, provides devastating evidence of missiles, conventional arms, and explosives, and explosive boats of Iranian origin used by the rebels in Yemen  all of which violate U.N. resolutions.

Iran immediately hit back at Haley, denying it has provided Yemens Houthi fighters with any weapons, and likening the American ambassadors presentation to that of then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Powell falsely claimed that Iraq had a secret weapons of mass destruction program in a now-infamous presentation before the United Nations in February 2003 which included a show-and-tell of blown-up satellite images and a vial of white powder, intended to represent alleged Iraqi anthrax production.

When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat pic.twitter.com/2sAsMB6o4m

 Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 14, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Iranian U.N. mission spokesman Alireza Miryusefi issued a statement Thursday on behalf of Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo categorically rejecting Haley claims as unfounded and, at the same time, irresponsible, provocative and destructive.

These accusations seek also to cover up for the Saudi war crimes in Yemen, with the US complicity, and divert attention from the stalemate war of aggression against the Yemenis.

Haleys press conference on Thursday followed her efforts in recent weeks to persuade the U.S. military and intelligence community to declassify evidence of Iranian misbehavior in the region, as Foreign Policy first reported. The administration, which has been isolated over its rejection of the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, has been trying to redirect the worlds attention towards Tehrans conduct in the Middle East.

The fight against Iranian aggression is the worlds fight, Haley said. As you know, we do not often declassify this type of military equipment recovered from these attacks. But today we are taking an extraordinary step of presenting it here in an open setting.

As part of that effort, the United States pushed the U.N. to be more vocal in criticizing Iran in the U.N. secretary-generals periodic report on Iranian compliance with the nuclear accord.

The report, which was distributed to U.N. Security Council members on Friday, concludes that Iran is complying with its obligations under the nuclear accord. But it also documents evidence of Iranian weapons shipments in the region, and the frequent violation of a U.N. travel ban by a senior Iranian commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was spotted this year traveling throughout Syria and Iraq. The report also confirmed that a cache of weapons  including 900 assault rifles and 100 rocket-propelled grenade launchers seized by the United States in the Gulf of Oman  were of Iranian origin.

A kamikaze drone of purported Iranian origin is seen on display after Haleys press conference intending to prove Iran violated U.N. resolutions by providing arms to Houthi rebels in Yemen. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.N. secretary-generals report also described similarities between missiles used by Houthis and those manufactured by Iran. But it stopped short of reaching any conclusions, saying that the U.N. secretariat is still analyzing the information collected and will report back to the Security council, as appropriate, in due course.

This was the strongest secretary-generals report that we have seen in reference to the violations by Iran, and we dont intend to let that go, Haley told reporters in a press conference at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington on Thursday. The evidence is undeniable. The evidence might as well have had Made in Iran stickers all over it, she said.

A placard showing a missile component recovered in Saudi Arabia reveals identity and logo of Iranian manufacturer Shahid Bagheri Industries Logo after Haleys press conference. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

Haley said it was an undeniable fact that Irans behavior in the Middle East has gotten worse since the nuclear deal was struck in 2015.

She did not highlight the massive humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where a devastating war between the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition has pushed some 7 million civilians to the brink of famine. The Trump administration has faced growing scrutiny from human rights organizations and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for continuing to back Saudi Arabias operations in Yemen, where it had indiscriminately targeted civilians and imposed a crippling blockade on deliveries of food and humanitarian supplies to Yemens key ports. In late November, Riyadh began easing the international blockade in response to U.S. and international pressure.

Trump in October refused to re-certify Irans compliance with the nuclear deal over a chorus of opposition from the United Nations and European allies, instead passing the buck to Congress to determine whether Iran was cooperating.
Appeal hearings for convicted double murderer, Rurik Jutting, were adjourned on Wednesday in Hong Kongs High Court.

The 32 year-old British former banker made global headlines last year after he tortured and killed two women in the territory. He is currently serving a life sentence in a maximum security jail, but applied yesterday for leave to appeal his conviction on the basis that that the prior judge had wrongly directed the jury.

The former British bankers defense team, lead by Juttings barrister, Gerard McCoy SC, made a highly technical argument during two days of hearings, asserting that trial judge Justice Michael Stuart-Moore had mislead the jury when explaining to them how to understand Juttings state of mind in relation to the murders.

The error made by the learned judge orally and in writing made repeatedly to the jury was to direct the jury that an abnormality of the mind for the purposes of the homicide ordinance meant a disorder, McCoy told Justices Michael Lunn, Andrew Macrae, and Kevin Zervos.

John Reading SC, for the prosecution, maintained that the way the prior judge posed questions to the jury was appropriate and cited several testimonials from the previous trial of psychiatric experts who assessed Juttings state of mind.

Cross-armed in a royal blue button-down, Jutting, markedly slimmer than he was during his trial, appeared to concentrate closely on the exchanges, occasionally flipping through his own stack of court papers.

The Cambridge-educated former employee of Bank of America Merrill Lynch was found guilty last year for killing two Indonesian migrant workers in 2014. The Briton slit the throat of Sumarti Ningsih, 23, after three days of torturing her in his luxury high rise apartment. Days later, Seneng Mujiasih, 28, was killed in similar fashion.

The double murder trial shocked the world as the horrific details of the killings surfaced, the most incriminating of which came from iPhone footage shot by Jutting himself. Under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, Jutting was arrested after he called the police to the apartment where the mutilated bodies of the two women were found.

Story continues

I realized how much I enjoyed that combination of alcohol and cocaine and physical torture  it gave me a sense of enjoyment Id never had with anything, he later told police. I knew I would do it again.

Jutting pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, claiming he carried diminished responsibility due to his cocaine and alcohol dependencies, as well as his narcissist and sexual sadistic conditions.

According to Juttings solicitor Michael Vidler, a ruling on the application is expected within six weeks.
BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary will relax rules on the construction of small solar power plants and subsidize loans to landowners as part of efforts to promote renewable energy, a government official said on Thursday. The country's sole nuclear power plant currently provides over half of Hungary's electricity, according to data on its website, and around 29 percent of its electricity is imported, a proportion the government wants to reduce. "The government supports the creation of as many solar power plants in Hungary as possible," Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Janos Lazar, told a news conference. He said the new rules would relax regulations on the use of farmland. The government would also provide subsidized loans to farmers or companies to finance the construction of solar plants with a capacity of up to 0.5 megawatt, through state-owned development bank MFB. The state would purchase all electricity generated at the new solar plants, he said. The program's long-term goal would be to minimize Hungary's need to import electricity in the next two decades, Lazar said. Renewable energy represented less than a tenth of Hungary's energy use in 2013, according to a 2017 progress report by the European Commission, and the government aims to increase that proportion to 13 percent by the end of this decade. Lazar said the Hungarian energy regulator issued 2,600 solar power plant permits at the end of last year, about half of which are under construction. The country's Paks nuclear power plant is due to be expanded with two new reactors under a 12.5 billion euro ($15 billion) deal with Russia's Rosatom. (Reporting by Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Washington (AFP) - US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence Thursday that a ballistic missile fired by Huthi rebels in Yemen at Saudi Arabia last month was Iranian-made, a charge Tehran immediately denied.

Haley accused Tehran of a "blatant violation" of UN Security Council obligations designed to rein in its missile activity, further stepping up the rhetoric towards Iran which Washington accuses of going against the spirit of a historic nuclear accord.

Standing in a warehouse at a Washington military base in front of recovered pieces of two missiles, Haley said Iranian fingerprints were all over the weapons, one of which she said was fired at Riyadh's airport on November 4.

"It was made in Iran then sent to Huthi militants in Yemen," Haley said.

"From there it was fired at a civilian airport with the potential to kill hundreds of innocent civilians in Saudi Arabia."

She charged that the 2015 nuclear deal to curb Iran's nuclear program had "done nothing to moderate the regime's conduct in other areas," and accused Tehran of "fanning the flames" of regional conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif posted on Twitter a photo of Haley juxtaposed with a well-known image of former secretary of state Colin Powell appearing before the Security Council, where he provided intelligence in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war that was later found to be false.

"When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat...," Zarif wrote.

The Iranian mission said the accusations leveled by Haley were intended to divert attention from the devastating war in Yemen being led by Saudi Arabia, a key US ally.

- Tougher stance -

A confidential report to the council says UN officials had examined debris from missiles fired at Saudi Arabia which pointed to a "common origin" but there was no firm conclusion as to whether they came from an Iranian supplier.

Story continues

Haley said the missiles were Iranian Qiam-class short-range ballistic rockets and pointed to valves that she said proved their origin. The Qiam-1 is based on a modified Scud design.

Haley showed other pieces of military material she said were provided by Iran, and after her announcement officials showed journalists pieces of an anti-tank missile, an explosive boat, drones and other gear.

"The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it," Haley said.

Haley has called on the Security Council to take a tougher stance toward Iran, accusing Tehran of making illegal arms deals in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.

Asked about Haley's claims that the evidence that Iran had supplied the missile was irrefutable, Sweden's UN Ambassador Olof Skoog said "she may be in possession of evidence that I have not seen. The information that I have up to now is less clear."

Haley did not discuss the timeline of when Iran is supposed to have provided the weapons, or whether this may have happened before the nuclear deal was signed.

In a statement, the Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed Haley's remarks and "US condemnation of Iran's hostile activities that support and arm terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Huthi terrorist militias."

- 'Bleeding Saudi Arabia of money' -

However, the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, obtained by AFP, said officials were still analyzing the information.

A separate team of UN experts who inspected the missile fragments during a visit to Riyadh last month found a possible link to an Iranian manufacturer, the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, which is on the UN sanctions blacklist.

The experts, who report to the sanctions committee, found a component marked by a logo similar to that of the banned group, which is a subsidiary of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior Iran analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told AFP that Iran's apparent willingness to risk transferring missiles to the Huthis indicates the Yemeni conflict "may not be as peripheral to Tehran as previously assumed."

"Bleeding Saudi Arabia of money and men is a clear goal for Iran as it continues its war in Yemen," he said in an email.

Aside from leading a military campaign in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has deployed expensive Patriot missiles at home to guard against incoming rockets.

Recent Iranian missile launches have triggered US sanctions and accusations they violate the spirit of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers.

"Today's revelations proved yet again that Iran's dangerous presence in the Middle East is only growing despite their attempts to deceive the world," Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said.

A Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen imposed a blockade of Yemen's air and sea ports and borders after the missile was fired at Riyadh, citing concerns that weapons were being smuggled into Yemen.
The Federal Communications Commission voted to end net neutrality today. Many say this is a big loss for anyone who uses the internet  aka, everyone. The 3-2 vote will put an end to Obama-era protections on the internet.

Net neutrality is a complicated, multilevel issue that will affect individuals differently. To put it simply, providers could now have the power to control what consumers see online based on price. This vote has the potential to forever change the landscape of the internet, but its not a done deal just yet. Though the FCC voted to repeal the provisions, Congress could still overturn the vote.

So the waiting game has begun  which is exactly what most of the internet did not want at the start of today. Before the FCC held their vote, the internet blew up with responses in favor of keeping the space fair, free, and open. While most tweets were desperate pleas to the five FCC commissioners, others found humor in what seemed  and ultimately became  a hopeless situation.

Me printing out all my memes so I can send them to my friends by pigeon mail once #NetNeutrality is over pic.twitter.com/EgbVRen8xY  igor. (@iglooratchet) December 14, 2017

Others, however, chose to harshly troll the Trump-appointed head of the FCC, Ajit Pai. Just hours before the monumental vote, Pai and the conservative website Daily Caller released a cheeky video titled 7 Things You Can Still Do on the Internet After Net Neutrality. The lighthearted, overly simplistic tone enraged opposers of the repeal. They lashed out at Pai.

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When you're about to mess up the internet but still want the kids to like you. #netneutrality cc: @AjitPaiFCC pic.twitter.com/8WXPvmZVQS  Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) December 14, 2017

*Retweet* if you hate this clown of AMERICA #NetNeutrality pic.twitter.com/3DZemCgMEc  YungyPlaysRoblox (@Itzyungytweets) December 14, 2017

Pai has been the butt of severe criticism in recent months but has never seemed to be bothered by it. As if the Daily Caller video werent evidence enough of his I-dont-give-a-damn-what-people-say-about-me approach to the backlash, just take a look at him directly responding to online comments about him. He obviously takes his job very seriously

But, with every tragedy  and this certainly feels like one today  there is always a silver lining. Because the FCC voted against net neutrality, YouTube star Jacksfilms gets to keep his name. He made a last-ditch vow to his 3.5 million followers that he would legally change his name to Lit Fam should the FCC vote down the repeal.

Something tells us that hes pleased, on some level at least, with the FCCs decision. That makes one.

Watch: Roy Moores horse, Sassy, wins the internet on Alabama Senate race Election Day

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By Benjamin Jumbe:

President Museveni has announced that salaries of science teachers are to be increased with immediate effect.

He made the announcement while speaking at the closing of a two-day Secondary Schools Head Teachers Retreat at State House, Entebbe.

He assured the head teachers that their remunerations and that of their deputies will be slightly higher than what science teachers will get , with salaries of arts teachers to be also increased gradually in the coming years.

The President, again, called upon Head Teachers from government-aided schools to stop charging fees in Universal Education institutions.

3,000 Head Teachers from both private and government aided Secondary Schools throughout the country, attended the first ever National Retreat organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports, under the themeThe Head Teacher as the First Inspector.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State threatened attacks on U.S. soil in retaliation for the Trump administration's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, one of the group's social media accounts reported on Thursday without giving any details.

In a message on one of its accounts on the Telegram instant messaging service titled "Wait for us" and "ISIS in Manhattan", the group said it would carry out operations and showed images of New York's Times Square and what appeared to be an explosive bomb belt and detonator.

"We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria and Afghan. Just you wait," it said.

"The recognition of your dog 'Trump' (sic) Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will make us recognize explosives as the capital of your country."

Washington triggered widespread anger and protests across the Arab world with its decision on Jerusalem. The disputed city is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, and is home to Islam's third holiest site. It has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.

Islamic State was driven out of its Iraqi and Syrian capitals this year and squeezed into a shrinking pocket of desert straddling the border between the two countries.

The forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare there. Militants including people claiming allegiance to Islamic State have carried out scores of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States over the past two years.

(Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; writing by Patrick Markey, Editing by William Maclean)
Anita Hill being sworn in before testifying at the Senate Judiciary hearing on Thomas' Supreme Court nomination. (Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images)

Joe Biden is offering another apology to Anita Hill.

The former vice president spoke with Teen Vogues editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth in an interview on Wednesday about how he could have handled the 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas differently.

Biden has been an outspoken advocate for women for decades: He helped pass the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 and, more recently, created the Its On Us organization, which focuses on combating sexual violence on college campuses around the country.

The 75-year-old, however, has been widely criticized for how he handled Hill when she testified against Thomas during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings in 1991. Many people believe Biden didnt do enough to stand by Hill or shield her from attacks when she accused Thomas of sexual harassment.

Biden told Teen Vogue that he voted against Thomas at the time because he believed Hills story.

I insisted the next election  I campaigned for two women Senators on the condition that if they won they would come on the Judiciary Committee, so there would never be again all men making a judgement on this, he said. And my one regret is that I wasnt able to tone down the attacks on her by some of my Republican friends. I mean, they really went after her. As much as I tried to intervene, I did not have the power to gavel them out of order. I tried to be like a judge and only allow a question that would be relevant to ask.

Biden holding up a copy of the FBI report on Hill during the 1991 committee hearings on Thomas. (Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images)

The committee reported Thomas nomination to the Senate floor without a recommendation, and he was narrowly confirmed on a 52-48 vote.

Biden recalled the three women the Senate committee had tried to subpoena to testify against Thomas.

In retrospect, some, including Anita, think I should have subpoenaed them no matter what, he said. The reason I didnt, I was worried they would come and not corroborate what she said and make  I mean, Clarence Thomas only won by two votes. And we still thought we had a chance at beating him.

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He added: I wish I had been able to do more for Anita Hill. I owe her an apology.

Related...

Joe Biden Is A Hero Among Women's Rights Groups. But It Wasn't Always That Way.

Joe Biden Says Hes So Sorry For What Anita Hill Went Through

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
By Chris Kenning

(Reuters) - Kentucky state Representative Dan Johnson, who was facing sexual assault accusations, died in a probable suicide on Wednesday, Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said.

Johnson, 57, also the leader of the Louisville-area Heart of Fire Church, held a news conference on Tuesday at which he denied accusations contained in a report by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. The report, published earlier in the week, included accusations from a woman that Johnson molested her in 2013 when she was a teenager.

Johnson, whose press conference was widely reported by local media, also defied calls by some legislators to step down.

On Wednesday evening, Johnson was found dead in a probable suicide from a single gunshot wound near Louisville, the coroner said, adding that an autopsy would be performed on Thursday.

Billings said law enforcement officials had been searching for Johnson after someone read a post on his Facebook page, became concerned and contacted police.

The post has since been taken down, but the Courier-Journal reported that it appeared to be a farewell and read in part, "the accusations from NPR are false, GOD and only GOD knows the truth. Nothing is the way they make it out to be."

The death comes amid a national reckoning over sexual harassment and abuse that has included allegations of misconduct in a number of state legislatures, including in Kentucky.

Kentucky Republican Jeff Hoover recently resigned his post as Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.

"Saddened to hear of tonight's death of KY Representative Dan Johnson," Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin wrote on Twitter. "My heart breaks for his family tonight...these are heavy days in Frankfort and in America...may God indeed shed His grace on us all...we sure need it."

Michael Skoler, President of Louisville Public Media, which operates the investigative reporting center, said in a statement on social media that the organization reached out to Johnson numerous times during its seven-month investigation but that he declined to discuss the group's findings.

Johnson was elected in 2016 despite becoming known for a 2016 Facebook post comparing President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to monkeys, WDRB-TV has reported.

(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Seoul (AFP) - Kim Jong-Un has vowed to make North Korea the "world's strongest nuclear power," state media reported Wednesday, as the reclusive nation shows little sign of reining in a weapons programme fuelling global alarm.

The North has rattled the international community with a flurry of missile launches and its largest ever nuclear test in recent months in its bid to develop a warhead capable of striking the United States.

Kim told workers behind the recent test of a new missile Pyongyang said was capable of that feat, that his country "will victoriously advance and leap as the strongest nuclear power and military power in the world," in a ceremony on Tuesday, according to state news agency KCNA.

His comments come as global powers scramble for a response to the crisis, with the US backing stringent economic and diplomatic sanctions on Kim's regime to halt its nuclear drive.

But the North has continued to lob missiles, posing a major challenge to US President Donald Trump.

Fears of a catastrophic conflict with the nuclear-armed regime have spiked as the leaders have taunted each other, with the US President pejoratively dubbing his rival "Little Rocket Man."

Tension flared anew in the flashpoint peninsula after the November 29 launch of the Hwasong-15 ICBM, which the North claimed could deliver a "super-large heavy warhead" anywhere on the US mainland.

Many analysts suggest that the rocket is capable of reaching the US mainland but voice scepticism that Pyongyang has mastered the advanced technology needed to allow the rocket to survive re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.

Last month's launch was the first test of any kind since September 15, and quashed hopes that the North may have held back in order to open the door to a negotiated solution to the nuclear standoff.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he was confident that Washington is doing all it can to force North Korea to discuss nuclear disarmament.

Story continues

"As I've told people many times, I will continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops," he said in a speech to the Atlantic Council policy forum.

But he also warned that the US military stands ready to act if necessary.

Washington has ramped up the pressure on the North and last week the United States and South Korea launched their biggest-ever joint air exercise.

Pyongyang slammed those manoeuvres as a provocation, accusing the drills of "revealing its intention to mount a surprise nuclear pre-emptive strike."
FBI agents are seen behind yellow crime scene tape outside Rancho Tehama Elementary School after a shooting in the morning on Nov. 14, 2017, in Rancho Tehama, Calif. (Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/AFP/Getty Images)

It was five years ago that a young man invaded Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and shot and killed 20 young children and six staff members, a tragedy that indelibly scarred that small city and lives on in the collective national memory. But school shootings didnt begin, or end, with Sandy Hook. Yahoo News looks at the aftermath of four of these tragedies and the lives they changed. In this story, we examine how the lessons learned at Sandy Hook may have helped save lives at a California school just last month. In other stories, we examine how 20 years on, Jonesboro, Ark., is still traumatized by an attack carried out by two middle-school boys  and how survivors deal with the knowledge that the killers are now grown men and free from prison; and at how the parents of a girl killed in Newtown are coping with their loss.

_____

The crackle of distant gunfire occasionally comes with the territory in rural Tehama County, Calif., two hours north of Sacramento.

But the shots that rattled school secretary Sara Lobdell the week before Thanksgiving werent routine.

They were too close and too real, said Lobdell, who was greeting students outside Rancho Tehama Elementary School when the first shot pierced the cool morning air.

Lobdell bolted back into her office and grabbed the intercom.

Lockdown! she yelled.

The first bell of the day was still minutes away, so many of the schools 100 students and nine employees were scattered about. A teacher watching students in the schoolyard also heard shots coming closer.

Lockdown! the teacher shouted into a walkie-talkie.

Lockdown! Lobdell radioed back.

Two school officials embrace on the grounds of the Rancho Tehama Elementary School in Rancho Tehama Reserve in Corning, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. (Photo: Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images)

Related slideshow: Paducah, Jonesboro, Columbine and Newtown: A chain of tragedy and grief >>>

Staff finished corralling students into their classrooms and parents into the office about 10 seconds before the shooter  armed with a semiautomatic rifle and two handguns  stormed into the quad.

Lobdell hid under her desk not knowing if her own two sons had found refuge.

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I was hoping and praying that they were safe and following what they were told to do, she said, choking back tears.

The gunman, clad in a military-style vest, sprayed bullets at the schools walls and windows. Unable to breach the locked classroom doors, the suspect, identified by police as 44-year-old Kevin Janson Neal, fled the scene after exchanging fire with police and later shot himself to death, according to authorities.

Police say Neal killed five adults, including his wife, during his rampage. One child was shot while sheltering at the school but survived.

Authorities say Lobdell saved Rancho Tehama from being the scene of the nations latest Sandy Hook, Columbine or Jonesboro. Lobdell credits the schools lockdown plan.

Practice, practice, practice, she told Yahoo News of the Nov. 14 shooting spree. Practice doing the drills and ensuring that the kids do in fact listen. What was amazing was that there was not a question from any child  they did exactly as they were told and instructed.

While Rancho Tehamas hasty lockdown is being heralded, there are questions about the status of active shooter plans in other schools across the country.

An emergency worker directs a volunteer with simulated injuries during a training exercise for an active shooter situation at Hopewell Elementary School in West Chester, Ohio, on May 25, 2016. (Photo: John Minchillo/AP)

Related slideshow: Images from Newtown >>>

Five years after 20 children and six adults were fatally shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., many of the public schools that house 50 million pupils and six million adults daily continue to grapple with preparing for a potential mass shooting:

How to conduct drills without sensationalizing violence or alarming children?

Should uniformed officers patrol the hallways?

Do we fortify already-aging schools with high-tech surveillance gadgets?

Who funds what?

It can be really dizzying for communities looking at whats out there in the school safety world, said safety advocate Michele Gay, whose 7-year-old daughter, Josephine Grace, died at Sandy Hook.

Even some experts disagree on what to do in the heat of the moment. Federal guidelines published six months after Sandy Hook instruct adults to fight an attacker as a last resort, but the FBI and U.S. Department of Education differed on whether children should be taught the same.

The 75-page guideline for school emergency preparedness was produced jointly by six federal agencies in response to President Obamas request for a plan to curb gun violence. But with the guide completed, no one agency or office was given direct responsibility for overseeing implementation, according to a March 2016 report by the Government Accountability Office.

Bob and Michele Gay, who lost a child in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in a room in their new home in Boston, Dec. 3, 2013. They re-created the bedroom of their daughter Josephine, or Joey. (Photo: Essdras M. Suarez/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

GAO found gaps in coordination that suggest recent efforts are insufficient: not all relevant agencies and officials are included in collaborative efforts or are aware of related efforts and resources, and agencies are offering different interpretations of the same federal guidanceall of which risks wasting limited federal resources on duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented efforts, federal auditors wrote.

Meanwhile, a GAO survey of 50 states and the District of Columbia found that less than half reported having mandates for schools and districts to carry out active shooter drills.

Rick Fitzgerald, the superintendent in Corning Union Elementary School District, which includes Rancho Tehama, said California schools are required to have a lockdown plan and conduct drills in coordination with local law enforcement.

We have been doing lockdown drills for years, Fitzgerald told Yahoo News. The attention to detail and process was more finely focused as a direct result of Sandy Hook.

Thats comforting news to safety advocate Gay and to Alissa Parker, mother of Sandy Hook victim Emilie Parker. After the Dec. 14, 2012, deaths of their daughters, they co-founded Safe and Sound Schools: A Sandy Hook Initiative, a nonprofit with a comprehensive approach to ending school violence.

I saw that day that there were so many things that we could have done a little bit differently, said Gay, whose daughters birthday party was set for the next day. I just couldnt not share what we learned with others.

A handout crime scene evidence photo provided by the Connecticut State Police showing a door of the Sandy Hook Elementary School damaged in the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting rampage, taken on an unspecified date in Newtown, Conn. (Photo: Connecticut State Police via Getty Images)

The front doors of Sandy Hook were locked, but 20-year-old Adam Lanza gained access by shooting out the glass. His violent entry got the attention of the nations schools, thousands of which have added laminate or impact-resistant film to make windows harder to break.

If they work on it long enough theyll get through, but the idea is that it buys you time, said Pete Blair, a criminal justice professor and the executive director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University.

The Sandy Hook massacre involved the shooter barging in to two first-grade classrooms. Those doors could be locked, but only from the outside.

The way that we had practiced our lockdown would be that the teacher would keep the key in an emergency folder, Gay said. It was an impossibility. They all did a phenomenal job with what they had in those moments.

These days, schools are not only making it easier for teachers to lock doors but many are also instructing them on breaking windows as a means of escape. Some newly constructed schools are adding second exits to classrooms.

You need multiple options, Blair said. You cant say that the only option were going to have is this one.

For all the lockdown drills and advances in technology, Gay said the most important change since her daughters death has been a shift in the conversation and a more collaborative approach to planning.

We can no longer play the denial card, if you will, she said. We cant afford to underutilize one group; we cant afford to leave out one perspective.

Two Connecticut State Police officers accompany a class of students and two adults out of Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. (Photo: Shannon Hicks/Newtown Bee/Polaris)

One perspective now being given more consideration is the psychological impact on survivors, symbolized by a widely seen photo from that hellish day five years ago showing Sandy Hook children walking away from the bullet-riddled building. They are in a line, hands to shoulders, and their eyes are closed.

A first responder trained in such a different way was already thinking about mitigating the traumatic effect of those sights for the children and the teachers, Gay said. That, she said, is a lesson schools across the country are incorporating into their own plans.
Special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election is one of the most important law enforcement investigations in American history. But it is also becoming increasingly undermined from within and without, and the best way to save it is with an amputation. Mueller needs to step down. That's because over the last few weeks, many questions have arisen about the integrity of his staff and even Mueller himself. Some of those questions are fair and some aren't, but they're enough to forever taint the investigation's conclusions. The biggest issue right now is the blatant partisanship of many of the senior investigators. Of course, Washington is a partisan place, and it's impossible to assemble a team of professionals who have not worked for or donated to one party's political candidates or the other. But Mueller's staff included people like his top investigator Peter Strzok, who went beyond the realm of acceptable partisanship by sending texts to a colleague that reportedly appear critical of President Trump. If those texts were the only issue with Strzok, a good argument could be made that Mueller has done more than enough by removing him. But Strzok is also said to have modified a key phrase in an FBI report detailing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information. He reportedly changed "grossly negligent," to "extremely careless," in then FBI director James Comey's report, making it easier for Clinton to avoid prosecution for her use of a private email server.

Either Mueller knew about that controversial move and hired Strzok anyway, or he was unaware of it. Either are unacceptable mistakes. Mueller must take full responsibility for the error by stepping aside. Strzok is the worst example, but there are other questionable staffing decisions. The Wall Street Journal reported that Mueller investigator Andrew Weissmann attended Clinton's election night party. In January, Weissmann also reportedly praised outgoing acting Attorney General Sally Yates, after she was fired for refusing to defend President Trump's travel ban. Investigator and attorney Aaron Zebley once represented Justin Cooper, who was responsible for helping set up the now-infamous Clinton private email server. Cooper later admitted to helping to destroy Clinton's old mobile devices. In fact, a total of six of the 15 lawyers on Mueller's staff have been connected to either the Clinton campaign or actions that can be viewed as overtly partisan. The other big problem is the constant leaks about details of the investigation. While it's not realistic to believe a crucial investigation of a sitting president can maintain an airtight level of silence, the regularity of these leaks is troubling. For those Democrat-leaning members of Mueller's team, it must be very tempting to use leaked details and partial information to poison the public against President Trump and his family. Mueller has either been unwilling or unable to plug the leaks, yet more evidence that he should step down. The good news is that none of this should disqualify any of the evidence Mueller and his team have uncovered so far. If there is something leading to a possible smoking gun in the case, Mueller's removal in no way erases that evidence. If the compromised Mueller stays on, however, a significant segment of the population on either side will reject his findings. If the evidence incriminates President Trump, Trump supporters will be much less likely to accept it. If the findings exonerate the president, Trump opponents are more likely to believe the partisan pressure on Mueller led to a whitewash. The worst case scenario is that the criticisms against Mueller push President Trump into firing him. That bad decision would set off a true constitutional crisis and would almost surely lead to massive and crippling protests. The better scenario is for Mueller to step down voluntarily. Let's face it, trust in government and even government law enforcement is at a low ebb right now. The Clinton email scandal, the IRS targeting scandal, and now questions about the integrity of this Russia probe have taken a serious toll. Mueller can go a long way to restoring honor and trust by stepping aside in the name of avoiding the appearance of impropriety. This would stand in great contrast to government officials from both sides who now routinely deny they should be held to the same standards as the rest of us. The longer Mueller sticks around, the more time critics will have to undermine the probe by attacking him and his senior team. For those on either side who want to see a solid conclusion reached in this case, it is obvious that Mueller must sacrifice himself for the greater good. Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.

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Reuters reporter Wa Lone, pictured above, was arrested in Myanmar with his colleague Kyaw Soe Oo. (Photo: Twitter)

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday called for the immediate release of two Reuters reporters who have been detained in Myanmar for three days.

Our local representatives at the mission in Myanmar, at the embassy, are expressing our concerns over the detention of individuals, demanding their immediate release or information as to the circumstances around their disappearance, he said.

Burmese officials apprehended Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe on Tuesday evening, after the pair had been invited to meet with police officials in the city of Yangon. They reportedly left to go to a restaurant with two officers, and were reported missing when they did not return.

Government spokesman Zaw Htay confirmed the arrests to Reuters on Wednesday.

Yes it is correct that they were arrested, he told the international news agency, which is based in London. Not only your reporters, but also the policemen who were involved in that case. We will take action against those policemen and also the reporters.

The journalists were taken into custody for allegedly intending to send important security documents regarding security forces in Rakhine State to foreign agencies abroad, according to Myanmars information ministry. They face charges under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, with a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.

Reuters has closely covered the conflict in Rakhine State, where hundreds of thousands of minority Muslims known as Rohingyas have fled to escape violent, state-sponsored persecution. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe had both been reporting on the crisis.

Their arrests attest to the erosion of press freedom in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday. Probably the reason why these journalists were arrested is because they were reporting on what they have seen in relation to this massive human tragedy.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the U.S. embassy in Myanmar said the journalists families have not been allowed to visit them, and dont even know where they are being held. The embassy also called the arrests highly irregular and demanded an explanation from the Burmese government. For a democracy to succeed, journalists need to be able to do their jobs freely, it said in an earlier statement.

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I have been arrest, Wa Lone texted to Reuters Myanmar bureau chief Antoni Slodkowski on Tuesday night, before his phone appeared to have been switched off. Reuters employees in Yangon filed a missing persons report, went to three police stations and asked a series of government officials about their disappeared colleagues, according to the publication. As of Friday, Reuters said it still had not been contacted by officials regarding the detentions.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, Stephen J. Adler, Reuters president and editor-in-chief, said Wednesday. We learned today that they have been arrested in connection with their work. We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately.

Heres my colleague Wa Lone earlier this year in Sittwe. He was calling Muslims and Buddhists in Rathedaung, researching a story that probably saved two besieged villages from destruction. Wa Lone was arrested last night with another Reuters colleague, Kyaw Soe Oo. pic.twitter.com/NuCJWIN5qf  Andrew RC Marshall (@Journotopia) December 13, 2017

Wa Lone, 31, joined Reuters in June 2016. He previously worked for English-language newspaper The Myanmar Times, and has written for HuffPost as a contributor. Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, has reported for Reuters since September.

U Myint Kyaw, a member of the Myanmar Press Council, an independent organization that advocates for the news media, said he is very concerned about the arrests of these two journalists.

Between 80 percent and 90 percent of government documents in the country are considered confidential or secret under the law, he told The New York Times.

Very few documents are public documents, he said. We dont have a Freedom of Information Act in our country yet.

Media freedom unfortunately does not have a place among the Burmese governments priorities, according to Reporters Without Borders. Widespread racist attitudes towards the Rohingya people restrict free and independent coverage of the humanitarian crisis [there].

Shawn Crispin, a senior Southeast Asia representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oos arrests come amid a widening crackdown which is having a grave impact on the ability of journalists to cover a story of vital global importance. CPJ calls for their immediate release, he added.

State officials in Brussels, the U.K., Japan and Sweden have also expressed concern and said they are following the situation closely.

This article has been updated with additional reactions to and details about the arrests.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
The Kepler-90 star system has eight planets, like our own - Nasa

Google has previously discovered lost tribes, missing ships and even a forgotten forest. But now it has also found two entire planets. The technology giant used one its algorithms to sift through thousands of signals sent back to Earth by Nasas Kepler space telescope.

One of the new planets was found hiding in the Kepler-90 star system, which is around 2,200 light years away from Earth.

The discovery is important because it takes the number of planets in the star system up to eight, the same as our own Solar System. It is the first time that any system has been found to have as many planets ours.

Andrew Vanderburg, astronomer and Nasa Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Texas, Austin, said: "The Kepler-90 star system is like a mini version of our solar system. You have small planets inside and big planets outside, but everything is scrunched in much closer.

The Kepler-90 star system has eight planets, like our own Credit: Nasa

For the first time we know for sure the Solar System is not the sole record holder for the number of planets.

Maybe there are systems out here with so many planets they make ours sound ordinary. Its very possible that Kepler-90 has even more planets we might not even know about.

There is a lot of unexplored real estate in Kepler-90 system and it would almost be surprising if there were not more planets in the system.

The new planet Kepler-90i is about 30 per cent larger than Earth and very hot Credit: Nasa

The planet Kepler-90i, is a small rocky planet, which orbits so close to its star that the surface temperature is a scorchingly hot 800F (426C). It orbits its own sun once every 14 days.

The Google team applied a neural network to scan weak signals discovered by the Kepler exoplanet-hunting telescope which had been missed by humans.

Kepler has already discovered more than 2,500 exoplanets and 1,000 more which are suspected.

The telescope spent four years scanning 150,000 stars looking for dips in their brightness which might suggest an orbiting planet was passing in front.

The Kepler space telescope Credit: Nasa

Although the observation mission ended in 2013, the spacecraft recorded so much data during its four year mission that scientists expect will be crunching the data for many years to come.

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Christopher Shallue, senior software engineer at Google AI in Mountain View, California, who made the discovery, said the algorithm was so simple that it only took two hours to train to spot exoplanets.

Test of the neural network correctly identified true planets and false positives 96 percent of the time. They have promised to release all of the code so that amateurs can train computers to hunt for their own exoplanets.

Machine learning will become increasingly important for keeping pace with all this data and will help us make more discoveries than ever before, said Mr Shallue.

This is really exciting discovery and a successful proof of concept in using neural networks to find planets even in challenging situations where signals are very weak.

We plan to search all 150,000 stars, we hope using our technique we will be able to find lots of planets including planets like Earth.

Previously Trappist-1 was found to have the most planets outside of our own Solar System Credit: Nasa

Before the new discovery, Trappist-1 was the star system with the most planets, with seven.

Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: When we launched Kepler in 2009 we didnt know if planets were common or rare. We now know every star in the night sky has a family of planets orbiting it.

The archive Kepler data is a treasure trove of information which will bring many more discoveries. Todays announcement is one such discovery.

It shows what happens when new scientific methods are applied to archival data.

Jessie Dotson, Keplers project scientist at Nasas Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley, added: "These results demonstrate the enduring value of Keplers mission.

New ways of looking at the data  such as this early-stage research to apply machine learning algorithms  promises to continue to yield significant advances in our understanding of planetary systems around other stars. Im sure there are more firsts in the data waiting for people to find them.
Judging by what you might have read online, you'd think the world was about to end with the imminent rollback of existing net neutrality rules, due for a vote by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) on Dec. 14.

Credit: Nednape Sopasuntorn/Shutterstock

Credit: Nednape Sopasuntorn/Shutterstock

The reversal would give "major corporations  like Verizon and Comcast  the power to block mobile apps, slow websites and even control which news outlets we can access," according to the ACLU.

"Comcast, Verizon and AT&T ... want to gut FCC rules and then pass bad legislation that allows extra fees, throttling & censorship," said the digital-activist group Fight for the Future.

The rule change "paves the way for an internet that works more like cable television, where wealthy insiders decide which speakers can reach a broad audience," warned the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Oh please. I oppose the FCC's proposal to reserve its 2015 decision reclassifying broadband as a utility, but the major internet service providers (ISPs) are not likely to change the way they do business as a result. They make tons of money under the existing rules, and they also made plenty of money before the rules were changed.

"If the internet was not a terrible dystopia in 2014, there's not a ton of reasons to think that companies are going to do any of these awful things that they didn't seem to have any reason to do before," said Julian Sanchez, an analyst with the libertarian Cato Institute, on Wisconsin Public Radio last month.

MORE: What Is Net Neutrality?

Instead of getting angry about net neutrality, we should be outraged that we Americans pay more for broadband and have slower speeds than consumers in almost every other developed country.

We should demand that the government force the major broadband ISPs (mostly, cable-TV companies) to open up their last-mile networks (the physical connections between customers' homes and ISP facilities) to competition  to "unbundle local loops," in industry parlance.

Story continues

But such forced unbundling is unlikely to happen in the current political climate. The cable ISPs will fight such action tooth and nail, as it completely undermines their business model.

"We should be outraged that we pay more for broadband and have slower speeds than consumers in almost every other developed country."

So, as an imperfect substitute for local-loop unbundling, we can instead choose to let Verizon, AT&T, Google and other companies roll out technologies such as VDSL, satellite broadband and 5G fixed-wireless broadband to compete with the cable companies. Such moves are already underway, and they've even got support in Congress. They deserve our support.

Why I'm neutral about net neutrality

The quest for net neutrality is a well-intentioned distraction, a palliative half-measure aimed at preventing the stagnant U.S. broadband market from getting worse. It won't get us what we really need: faster speed and lower prices.

No one can agree on what net neutrality exactly means. Are "fast lanes" allowed? Can companies "throttle" bandwidth-hogging consumers? It's like arguing about the shape of a cloud  people make it look like whatever they want to see.

Tim Wu, the Columbia law professor who came up with the phrase "net neutrality" 15 years ago while he was at the University of Virginia, wrote in his paper introducing the concept that "broadband carriers should not be allowed to discriminate in how they treat traffic on their broadband network."

Most proponents (and opponents) of net neutrality would agree. But there's more.

Wu's entire sentence for the above quotation: "Absent evidence of harm to the local network or the interests of other users, broadband carriers should not be allowed to discriminate in how they treat traffic on their broadband network on the basis of internetwork criteria."

The first clause means that broadband ISPs should be able to throttle bandwidth hogs. If a customer needs more bandwidth, Wu argued in 2002, the customer can pay for more. Many of today's net-neutrality advocates might be disappointed with that interpretation.

"The bright line between the open internet and the local ISP networks has been washed away."

The second clause  "on the basis of internetwork criteria"  is even more relevant today than when Wu wrote it.

In his paper, Wu drew a bright line between the open internet and the local, "last-mile" networks that broadband operators own and control. Broadband ISPs should "police what they own," Wu said, but they should not discriminate among the many forms and sources of content passing through their local networks on the way to consumers.

Fifteen years out of date

The problem is that, in 2017, the bright line between the open internet and the local ISP networks has been washed away. Today, Facebook, Netflix, Google and other large online content providers can bypass the open internet to get data more quickly to your ISP  and to you.

They can connect their own networks directly to your ISP's local network in a procedure known as "peering." They can also use a "content-delivery network," or CDN, to place servers caching their content geographically close to, or even within, your ISP's local network.

When I watch a movie on Netflix, the video stream doesn't have to travel from California through a dozen different autonomous networks (the big blobs that make up the internet "backbone") to my living room in Brooklyn. Instead, it needs to travel only a few miles from a Netflix server that's near, or even inside, Time Warner Cable's local New York City network.

This arrangement violates some definitions of net neutrality. It gives Netflix an advantage  a "fast lane"  over other streaming services that can't afford to pay for CDNs. And by hooking into that local Netflix server instead of reaching all the across the continent, the ISP is arguably discriminating in favor of one streaming service at the expense of others.

Not necessarily the fast lane. Credit: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock

Not necessarily the fast lane. Credit: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock

But this arrangement also gives me what I want: faster speed without greater cost. Only the most bloody-minded net-neutrality proponents would argue that this is a bad thing. Most people would agree that peering and CDNs benefit the consumer.

MORE: We've Already Squandered Net Neutrality  And That's OK

The mobile model

It's that kind of consumer benefit that the FCC considered a couple of years ago when it chose not to penalize T-Mobile for "zero-rating" certain sources of video content over the company's mobile networks.

Zero rating means that content from some providers  in this case, Netflix, HBO and a dozen other big-name video providers  doesn't count against a mobile customer's monthly data allotment. T-Mobile's plan discriminated against smaller video streamers, yet the FCC let it slide because it benefited consumers, at least in the short term.

As technology-business analyst Ben Thompson pointed out in a recent blog post, this (plus T-Mobile's aggressive pricing) benefited consumers in the long term, too. T-Mobile gained lots of new customers, sparking a price war in the U.S. cellular market that led to plunging subscription costs and more cellular broadband data for consumers.

That's exactly the kind of price war the U.S. home broadband market needs.

"Increasing competition would not only have the same positive outcomes for customers that T-Mobile demonstrated," said Thompson in his blog post, "but would solve the (mostly theoretical) net-neutrality issue at the same time: The greatest check on an ISP is the likelihood of an unsatisfied customer leaving."

Sadly, the competition isn't there yet. While American consumers can choose from among four big nationwide cellular carriers and half a dozen smaller ones, most consumers have only two choices for home broadband: a pricey but fairly fast cable-broadband provider and a cheaper but pitifully slow DSL provider.

Fast fiber-to-the-home broadband, often provided by a telephone company, exists in some places as a third alternative, but its coverage is patchy and is likely to stay that way. My boss can get fiber at his house in New Jersey, but I can't get it in Brooklyn.

Fiber-optic cable being rolled out in Europe. Credit: PHILIPIMAGE/Shutterstock

Fiber-optic cable being rolled out in Europe. Credit: PHILIPIMAGE/Shutterstock

A decade ago, Verizon spent millions rolling out its Fios fiber-broadband service to several areas in the Northeast, but in 2010, stopped the expansion in favor of "filling in" territory the company already controlled. Google Fiber reached four cities, then stopped expanding a year ago.

Only AT&T's expansion is continuing, bringing fiber broadband to more locations in California, the South and parts of the Midwest. A University of California, Berkeley, study found that AT&T's fiber coverage was rolling out primarily to wealthy communities.

MORE: Could Net Neutrality Ruin the Internet?

The accidental industry

Cable companies got into the ISP business by a historical accident that shaped the entire broadband industry and led directly to the demand for net neutrality.

In most developed countries, the telephone company's lines are the primary conduit to access the internet. The U.S. started that way too  I remember having the Verizon guy install a second dial-up line in my apartment in 2000 so my wife and I could go online and use the phone at the same time.

"Most consumers have only two choices for home broadband: a pricey but fast cable-broadband provider and a cheaper but slow DSL provider."

But when American consumers started demanding broadband, the phone companies couldn't deliver. Their DSL connections were much slower than the cable companies' connections. (Even today, Verizon can't guarantee me more than 7 Mbps via DSL at my address, less than half what I get with Time Warner Cable.)

The cable companies could deliver fast speeds because they had laid tens of thousands of miles of fat copper wires across the continental U.S. in the '80s and '90s as cable TV went from being a luxury to a near necessity. TV cable wasn't designed to carry two-way traffic, much less internet traffic, but it was quickly adapted to broadband delivery.

Why the cable-TV model is a dead end for broadband

This stopgap, jerry-rigged solution to the demand for widespread broadband access works just fine technically. The problem is that these accidental broadband ISPs still think like cable companies.

Cable companies operate their television-transmission businesses on a local-monopoly basis. They got exclusive television-connection rights to specific towns and neighborhoods in deals made decades ago. There are no such exclusivity rights for broadband, but the costs to build out a competing last-mile broadband network infrastructure are enormous, which is one reason Verizon gave up on its fiber-network expansion.

As a result, the ISP business can be pretty profitable for cable companies.

"It's just very simple economics," Wu told The New York Times in 2014. "The average market has one or two serious internet providers, and they set their prices at monopoly or duopoly pricing."

But once there's no more new territory left to seize, the only way to grow your business if you're a cable-TV operator is to keep raising your rates. Because your customers are captive and can't jump to a different cable-TV provider, you can get away with that every couple of years.

Cable companies pay big cable channels like ESPN and Fox News a few bucks per subscriber per month for the right to carry the channels' signals. But when a cable channel is just starting out, it's the other way around  it pays cable operators for "carriage" of its signals.

So, if cable companies can charge some cable channels for carriage, why can't they charge Facebook or Netflix as well? Why can't they pick and choose which online services their customers can access? The rollback of net-neutrality regulations might make this possible.

This nightmare scenario of internet-content packages  basically, turning the internet into cable TV  is what American broadband consumers are worried about. They don't want cable companies controlling what they can see and do on the internet. That's perfectly reasonable, but net-neutrality regulations may be the wrong solution.

Let loose the lions of competition

What if you could choose among six or eight different broadband providers and could easily switch from one to the other? That's the situation in many European countries and in South Korea. (For example, heres what you can get if you live near the American Embassy in London.)

A small sample of your broadband choices in London. Credit: uSwitch Limited

A small sample of your broadband choices in London. Credit: uSwitch Limited

Most of those countries didn't have quite the same level of cable-TV saturation we did, so broadband comes over phone lines as well as cable. Modern phone-line broadband can be very fast; the latest VDSL technologies match or surpass cable-broadband speeds. (The catch is that the VDSL customer often has to be less than a mile from the nearest switching station.)

European and South Korean customers also pay less, often $30or $40 per month, compared to the $60 or $80 many American broadband customers pay. European governments forced the phone and cable companies to unbundle their local loops and open up their broadband lines to competing services, which then scrambled to offer customers the best deals.

But, you may ask, what about that ISP in Portugal that offers different content packages for different kinds of apps, as Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, tweeted about?

That example is very misleading. The image Khanna forwarded shows the ISP's zero-rated mobile-data add-ons, not home broadband. Choose one of these app bundles, which is an optional supplement to your regular phone service, and those apps' data won't count toward your monthly mobile data usage.

(If you check elsewhere on that ISP's website, you'll see that the company also offers a fiber-based gigabyte-speed home internet, TV and landline-phone bundle for only $70 per month, with no data limits.)

"Wireless broadband will play an ever-larger role in broadband infrastructure." -- Peter Rysavy, president, Rysavy Research

In the U.S., the government forced the telephone companies to unbundle their lines, too  but only for dial-up. Remember EarthLink, MindSpring and NetZero? They were among several dial-up ISPs that used legacy phone-company lines. In a perfect world, every U.S. broadband customer could buy service from them as well as from the cable company.

But in 2002, the FCC decided that broadband was a luxury, not a necessity, and classified it as an optional "information service" rather than as a "communication service" and a public utility. As a result, except in special cases, broadband providers were not obligated to open up their lines to competitors. The providers were only obligated to play by vague net-neutrality-ish rules.

The FCC did belatedly reclassify broadband as a communication service in 2015, but only because Verizon persuaded a judge to nullify the existing weak net-neutrality rules. (That reclassification is what the FCC now plans to reverse.) But the FCC still didn't force broadband providers to open up their lines; it mandated only that they not block any internet content.

Surprisingly, with a few exceptions, net-neutrality advocates have said little about the advantages of opening up broadband to free-market competition. It's the simplest and easiest way to make broadband cheaper and faster for consumers. The ISPs are probably happy that few U.S. customers have considered this issue and instead are worried about net neutrality.

The future may be wireless

So, absent local-loop unbundling, what could give us more broadband choice? Well, just this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Verizon will roll out wireless home broadband service in a few cities next year.

The service will be based on a "5G" fixed-wireless protocol (I'm using quotations because "5G" hasn't been officially defined) that delivers high-bandwidth broadband at short distances. Customers will have to place routers in windows within the line of sight of the transmitter, which can't be too far away. Prices haven't been announced, but they won't be cheap  at first.

"Wireless is coming up fast as a competitor, especially 5G in a few years that may have effectively greater bandwidth, because it has a vastly cheaper last-mile rollout to the home," Rob Graham, a networking and information-security expert based in Atlanta, told Tom's Guide.

Verizon's not alone. Last year, Google bought Webpass, a company that beams wireless broadband to antennas atop apartment buildings, which then feed via Ethernet to residential units below. This service is already operating in several U.S. cities. And AT&T is testing its own fixed-wireless service.

"Wireless broadband will play an ever-larger role in broadband infrastructure and number of broadband connections," Peter Rysavy, president of Rysavy Research LLC in Oregon, told Tom's Guide. "Challenges are formidable, but none of them are showstoppers, and all [are] resolvable as technology matures over the next several years."

This could be real in a few years. Credit: Supparsorn/Shutterstock

This could be real in a few years. Credit: Supparsorn/Shutterstock

Building out fixed-wireless broadband networks will cost less than laying copper cable or fiber-optic lines. Transmitters can be placed on tall buildings or phone poles, and there won't be a "last mile" to wire to the customer's home.

Two U.S. senators, John Thune, R-South Dakota, and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, recently drafted legislation that would "fast track" rollout of 5G networks by cutting through local restrictions, in some cases mandating that mandatory local impact reviews regarding deployment of network infrastructure be completed in 90 days.

And don't forget VDSL. It's ideal for cities  the consumer can get very fast broadband over regular telephone lines as long as the company switching station is within half a mile of the customer's home. But like fiber, VDSL is not widely deployed. (This website can tell you what's available in your ZIP code.)

Graham said VDSL is not ideal for many U.S. customers.

"America is more spread out than Europe," he pointed out.

But he said that for the free market to work, "you have to allow some differentiation of product among the broadband providers."

"Net neutrality," Graham added, "strangles any attempt at differentiation."

Rysavy pointed out that broadband from low-Earth-orbit satellites should also help shake up the market. A company called OneWeb plans to offer medium-speed (up to 50 Mbps) satellite broadband to rural areas beginning in 2019, and the private rocket-maker SpaceX plans a similar venture.

"With the rise of 5G, as well as new LEO-satellite broadband services coming online in the next couple of years, broadband competition should increase, which will make the market competitive," Rysavy said.

With luck (and government oversight that encourages new technologies), other companies will jump into the fixed-wireless business, too, breaking the cable monopoly. This will, hopefully, lead to a broadband price war, finally giving U.S. customers the fast, cheap broadband that other rich nations enjoy  and making us forget we ever worried about net neutrality.

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The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, stood before missile remnants that she claimed were covered in Iranian fingerprints on Thursday while laying out what she called irrefutable evidence that Tehran has violated its international obligations by militarily supporting rebels in Yemen.

The missile was reportedly launched at Saudi Arabia last month from an area of Yemen that is controlled by Houthi rebels, an Iranian-backed Shiite group that took control of large swathes of Yemen in 2014. Haley accused Iran of supplying the weaponry, and in doing so, defying a U.N. resolution that endorsed the Iran nuclear deal.

Its hard to find a conflict or terrorist group in the Middle East that doesnt have Irans fingerprints all over it, she told a news conference, vowing the U.S. will build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what theyre doing.

Pointing at part of the missile behind her, she added: They are allowing missiles like this to be fired over to innocent civilians.

While fiercely denouncing Iran, Haley neglected to acknowledge Americas own prolonged role in destabilizing the Middle East through its support of a military offensive that continues to slaughter Yemeni men, women and children.

The U.S. is a powerful international backer of a Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis that has conducted hundreds of airstrikes on Yemeni soil over the past two and a half years.

Under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, coalition airstrikes in Yemen have killed thousands of civilians, according to the U.N., with no end to the military operations in sight. The kingdom admitted last December to using British-made cluster bombs  known to cause mass civilian casualties and banned by more than 100 countries. Human Rights Watch also accused the coalition earlier this year of committing war crimes and carrying out indiscriminate attacks in Yemen.

The crisis has deteriorated under Saudi Arabias month-long blockade of desperately needed aid supplies in Yemen, where nearly 70 percent of the population depends on foreign aid to survive. Some 7 million people in the country are already at risk of starvation, and nearly 1 million have been infected with cholera. The siege has pushed the war-torn country to the brink of the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, according to the U.N.

Story continues

The Saudi-led intervention began in March 2015, while former U.S. President Barack Obama was in power. His administration provided the coalition with arms and logistics support.

Washington has been an even more vocal backer of Saudi Arabias regional policies under President Donald Trump, particularly Riyadhs hawkish posture against Iran and its allies. The Pentagon more than doubled its refueling support for the coalition over the past year, Al-Monitor reported, noting the U.S. supplied more than $1 million worth of aviation fuel.

During an official visit to Saudi Arabia in May, Trump announced a $110 billion arms deal with Riyadh, said to be the largest in American history. (According to an investigation by the Washington-based Brookings Institution, it may never come to fruition.)

Trump also expressed apparent support for Salmans recent anti-graft crackdown, which has widely been viewed as an attempt to consolidate power. Salmans sudden purge of scores of high-ranking officials came days after Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, returned from a surprise visit to Riyadh to meet with the crown prince.

In a rare rebuke last week, Trump urged Saudi Arabia to end its blockade in Yemen. This must be done for humanitarian reasons immediately, the president said, shortly after he sparked outrage across the Middle East by officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

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A new unmanned ship from North Korea washed Japanese shores this week with at least one dead body.

The boat is the latest in a flood so-called ghost ships that have been drifting into Japanese waters in recent weeks from the neighboring country that's been under close scrutiny as leader Kim Jong Un pursues an aggressive nuclear growth strategy.

The ship with Korean characters written on the bow was found on a beach in Kashiwazaki City by a passerby.

%InlineRelated-url="https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/12/10/ghost-ships-from-north-korea-keep-showing-up-in-japan/23302971/" CTA="SEE ALSO" title="Boats full of dead people from North Korea keep showing up in Japan  here's why"%

Police report the body of a man was found on board with a badge that bared the picture of deceased North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung. A second body a short distance from the ship, but it's unclear if it's connected.

The influx of these ghost ships onto Japanese land has been taken as a sign of growing desperation in North Korea.

Strict economic sanctions have been enacted by the international community in response to Pyongyang's aggressive missile testing. Those sanctions have banned seafood from North Korea from being sold in other countries, pushing fishermen further out to sea to sell their fish in international waters.

The Japanese Coast Guard says that the sea is "subject to great changes and can become very dangerous for the fishermen, contributing to the problem.

While the dead bodies and ghost ships have long been a problem in Japan, the recent influx has alarmed some figures. More than 40 corpses from more than a dozen boats have been discovered in recent weeks, according to new data. Another 28 were found in November, and that suggests 2017 will hit a new high, as Japanese Coast Guard reports suggest only 66 total were found in all of 2016.
Brussels (AFP) - Brexit talks are set to enter their second phase, and Britain faces historic choices on its future relations with Europe, including a possible trade deal.

With the EU demanding "clarity" from Britain on what it wants before embarking on full negotiations, here are the options floated by both sides so far:

- The Norway option -

Energy-rich Norway opted against EU membership in 1994 and instead chose to join the European Economic Area (EEA), enjoying all the benefits of the EU's single market without having a say in the rules that shape it.

As a member of the EEA, which includes all EU countries as well as Iceland and Liechtenstein, Norway must allow the free movement of goods, capital, services and persons with its fellow members.

These are the EU's four fundamental freedoms as set out in the Treaty of Rome, the cherished accomplishment of Europe's drive towards peace and unity after World War II.

EEA members must accept EU rules in many important sectors, including competition, consumer protection and the environment, with rules updated automatically in line with EU legislation.

The big advantage for Britain in the Norway model is that its financial hub in London would remain undisturbed.

By remaining in the single market, the City of London would keep its unfettered access to Europe and remain the launching point for US and Asian banks into the EU.

But Norway, with just 5.2 million people, is a far smaller player than Britain, and its model of ties with the EU is a no-go for Brexiteers.

Fuelled by anti-immigration sentiment, Britain's vote to ditch the EU was a clear rejection in particular of freedom of movement, making the Norway option untenable as long as Theresa May's conservative, pro-Brexit government remains in power.

The pro-Brexit camp also rejects any involvement of the EU's European Court of Justice, which holds the ultimate authority over the EEA.

But staying in the single market would be challenging for a pro-EU government in Britain given the colossal loss of sovereignty involved.

Story continues

- Canada 'plus plus plus' -

Barring the close alignment of the single market, Britain is keen to strike a trade deal even more ambitious than the EU's recent accord with Canada, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

That treaty is considered a blueprint for the EU's trade deals going forward and was a model for the most recent talks with Japan.

UK Brexit negotiator David Davis has called for a "Canada plus plus plus" while Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel advocated the same, albeit with only two pluses.

Unlike classic trade deals of old, the CETA pact touches on all aspects of the economy, including health and safety norms, and not just the usual cuts to tariffs and import quotas.

Both parties negotiate, sector by sector, an agreed level of regulatory cooperation, with London especially keen for closely aligned norms for finance, aviation and autos.

While they are ambitious for far-off Canada or Japan, an EU-UK trade deal would in fact mean a signficant distancing between the UK and Europe, which are now perfectly aligned with zero tariffs.

In a Brexit twist, the trade talks would decide where to impose barriers and division -- known in trade parlance as divergence -- instead of the usual practice of trying to remove them -- known as convergence.

These future trade barriers, which may require customs checks, pose a daunting problem with regards to EU-member Ireland, which insists on maintaining a frictionless border with the UK's Northern Ireland -- and has the backing of Brussels to defend this point.

But some have seen a back door to a possible "soft Brexit" through a provision in last week's Brexit divorce deal which says that if London fails to come up with a better idea, there should be "alignment" between Britain and Ireland.

- WTO rules -

If neither of the above options prevails, Britain will inevitably revert to "third country" status in the eyes of the EU, with trade relations administered according to the rules of the World Trade Organisation.

The EU's default position at the WTO involves tariffs and increased barriers that could cripple the seamless supply chains that connect Britain and the EU.

While the EU's average tariff rate for third countries is low a around 1.5 percent -- they are bigger in certain strategic sectors: for cars, the rate is 10 percent.

Moreover, under WTO rules, also known as "hard Brexit", it is unlikely that British products could enter the EU without further checks at the border.

The situation would grow worse as regulatory differences widened over time -- a prospect Ireland would surely refuse.

Researchers at the London School of Economics predict that the "WTO rules" scenario is underestimated by hard Brexit proponents and would slash Britain's trade with the EU by a catastrophic 40 percent over ten years.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis's Sandoz generics business is in the process of selling or closing some products in the United States, it said on Wednesday. "In response to high price pressure, we are optimizing our U.S. portfolio. This includes the sale or discontinuation of certain non-core products and concentration of investment in strategic areas that will drive growth and improve access," it said in a statement in response to a report by the Swiss newspaper Handelszeitung. "As we continue to refine our portfolio, it is clear that the U.S. market is a very important market for Sandoz and will continue to be in the future," it added. Reuters had reported last month that Novartis was working with Centerview to examine options for its dermatology business, including a possible sale, as it trims non-core assets. [nL8N1N889J] (Reporting by Paul Arnold, Editing by Michael Shields)
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A draft declaration prepared for a summit of Muslim leaders on Wednesday said they considered Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a sign of U.S. withdrawal from its role as a sponsor of Middle East peace. The draft statement said leaders, ministers and officials from more than 50 Muslim countries "declare East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine, and invite all countries to recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital." A copy of the draft declaration, tweeted by Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, said the meeting rejected and condemned the U.S. move "in the strongest terms". It described the U.S. decision as "a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus (for) extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security". Wednesday's summit was hosted by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan who has bitterly criticized the United States, a NATO ally, for its stance on Jerusalem. The city, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, is home to Islam's third holiest site and has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in an action not recognized internationally. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Daren Butler)
Selfies are one of the most popular types of photos youll find on social media  whether its a perfectly-posed finger-in-the-mouth shot or showing off that youre on an enviable dream vacation. But they can also be used as a tool for good.

A new study shows the positive impact that a viral selfie can have. Back in April 2015, Tawny Willoughby (then Dzierzek), a nurse who lives in Kentucky, posted a candid selfie on her Facebook page, which revealed her red, scabbed face after receiving treatment for skin cancer. In the post, Willoughby shared that this was a consequence of her frequently visiting tanning beds during high school, sometimes as much as four times a week.

Certain selfies can help raise awareness about important health issues, such as skin cancer. (Photo: Getty Images)

I had my first skin cancer diagnosis at 21, she shared in the post. Now, at 27, Ive had basal cell carcinoma 5 times and squamous cell carcinoma once (excluding my face). I go to the dermatologist every 6-12 months and usually have a skin cancer removed at each checkup.

Willoughby shared the raw post to raise awareness about the dangers of tanning and the risks of skin cancer. Dont let tanning prevent you from seeing your children grow up, she wrote. Thats my biggest fear now that I have a two year old little boy of my own.

Her post went viral and has been shared more than 100,000 times and has received nearly 9,000 reactions.

Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and San Diego State University wanted to find out just how powerful one selfie could be. After comparing Google metrics, they found that online searches for skin cancer shot up to near-record levels around the time Willoughbys graphic selfie went viral, according to the study, increasing 162 percent compared with historical trends on May 13, 2015, and 155 percent on May 14, 2015.

Study co-author John W. Ayers, PhD, of San Diego State University, told EurekAlert: In practical terms, this translated into about 200,000 more Google searches than would otherwise have been expected in just those six days.

Story continues

Lead author of the study Seth M. Noar, PhD, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member and professor in the UNC School of Media and Journalism, shares with Yahoo Lifestyle that selfies have the potential to create awareness and save lives. But not just any selfie  in this case, one paired with a compelling story about the real consequences of tanning for a young mom.

So what is it about this selfie that was so effective at delivering an important health message? Noar says its a combination of three things: First, it was a compelling story about a real young woman from Kentucky who got skin cancer from tanning  not a statistic. Its easy to relate to her story and feel empathy for her, especially since she had a young child that she was worried about not being around to raise. The second thing is the graphic photo that she shared  its difficult to discount her story when you see her selfie with real evidence of the toll that tanning beds have taken on her. Tanning could have given her melanoma, which could have cost her her life.

He continues: Third and finally, since this was posted on Facebook, it allowed people not only to comment on it, but to share it with their friends and networks. And share it they did  the media picked it up after it was shared more than 50,000 times, and as of today it has been shared more than 105,000 times.

Even Noar was surprised by the positive power of a single selfie. What surprised me is how much one persons voice could have an impact on public interest about skin cancer, he shares. Her Facebook post went viral  it was shared about 50,000 times even before the news media picked up the story. Once they did, the impact increased exponentially because it reached many more people through news coverage such as her interview on Good Morning America. We have seen celebrity stories about illness having this kind of impact, but rarely do we see an ordinary persons story have this kind of resonance with the public.

Noar says theres also a takeaway here for health organizations and educators  namely, that theres a more effective way to get the message across that tanning beds are dangerous. Also, if we can identify these kinds of events when they are happening, then public health communicators and advocates can try and amplify the message. We now know that this event was a big deal. If we had known at the time, we could have encouraged more media coverage and outreach to high risk tanning populations, potentially making the impact even greater than what we saw.

Willoughby, whose skin cancer awareness-raising selfie may have saved lives, shares with Yahoo Lifestyle that she was notified about the study a little over a year ago. I wasnt sure if anything would come of it, she says, but I am happy to see the results of the studies.

For Willoughby, she hopes that people stay vigilant about having their skin examined by a dermatologist, but she stresses the importance of checking your own skin regularly and keeping an eye out for any suspicious changes. I believe you have to be your own advocate, she shares. Do your own skin checks and if you are particularly worried about something, have it checked out (aside from your annual exams).

She continues: You know your body better than anyone else, and sometimes things are overlooked. If you feel like something is wrong and it is not addressed appropriately, request testing, follow-ups, or get a second opinion.

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During the Golden Globe 75th Anniversary Special, Morgan Freeman had a very special announcement for Oprah Winfrey. He said, "It is my distinct pleasure to announce that the 2018 Cecil B. Demille honoree is Oprah Winfrey." Oprah is an extremely qualified honoree, considering she received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in The Color Purple. She also received critical acclaim for her roles in Lee Daniels' The Butler, as well as Selma. Oh yeah, and she spent 25 years owning daytime television with her mega successful talk show. But Oprah hasn't just been a titan of media, she's also been a titan of philanthropy. In fact this year marks the 10th anniversary of The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. And since the award honors recipients for their philanthropic endeavors off screen, for Hollywood Foreign Press Association president, Meher Tatna, the pick was a no brainer. She said, "For generations, Oprah has celebrated strong female characters on and off screen, and has been a role model for women and young girls for decades."
Astronomers are to scan a huge cigar-shaped interstellar object for signs of alien life, amid claims it could be some kind of artefact.

Researchers involved in Seti - the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence - will turn a powerful dish telescope towards "Oumuamua", which was first spotted in October.

It is the first object discovered in the solar system that appears to have come from another part of the galaxy - and is assumed to be an asteroid.

However, its elongated cigar shape and the fact that it is hundreds of metres in length but only one tenth as wide is peculiar for a typical space rock.

At the moment there is "no consensus" on where the dark red object, which is around 400 metres (1,312ft) long, has come from.

In a statement, the $100m (75m) Seti project Breakthrough Listen said: "Researchers working on long-distance space transportation have previously suggested that a cigar or needle shape is the most likely architecture for an interstellar spacecraft, since this would minimise friction and damage from interstellar gas and dust.

"While a natural origin is more likely, there is currently no consensus on what that origin might have been, and Breakthrough Listen is well positioned to explore the possibility that Oumuamua could be an artefact."

The team will use the Green Bank radio telescope in West Virginia to study the object, which is named after the Hawaiian word for "scout" or "messenger".

The giant dish - the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world - will "listen" to Oumuamua across four radio frequency bands spanning one to 12 gigahertz from 8pm UK time on Wednesday.

Lead scientist Dr Andrew Siemion, director of the Berkeley Seti Research Centre in California, said: "Oumuamua's presence within our solar system affords Breakthrough Listen an opportunity to reach unprecedented sensitivities to possible artificial transmitters and demonstrate our ability to track nearby, fast-moving objects.

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"Whether this object turns out to be artificial or natural, it's a great target for Listen."

Even if no evidence of extraterrestrial technology is found, researchers hope the mission could provide important information about gases surrounding the object or the presence or absence of water.

The aim of the Breakthrough Listen project is to survey a million nearby stars and 100 nearby galaxies in the search for alien life.

So far no convincing evidence of alien life has been found by Seti, despite almost 100 projects since the 1960s.
PBS has suspended airing of the late-night talk show Tavis Smiley while it investigates allegations of misconduct against Smiley, the shows host.

Variety first reported that PBS said the show has been suspended indefinitely, as of Wednesday.

The network released this statement:

PBS engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation immediately after learning of troubling allegations regarding Mr. Smiley. This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to todays decision.

Investigators said that after interviewing 10 current and former employees of Smiley, they found credible allegations that the host had engaged in sexual relationships with multiple subordinates, according to Variety.

Some witnesses said they were concerned that employment status was linked to whether they had sex with Smiley.

The host was also accused of creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment that went above and beyond the typical high-pressure workplace.

In a statement posted late Wednesday, Smiley denied any sexual misconduct and accused PBS of conducting a biased and sloppy investigation.

I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth, Smiley said in a Facebook post. To be clear, I have never groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately to any workplace colleague in my entire broadcast career, covering 6 networks over 30 years.

Tavis Smiley has aired nightly on various PBS stations since 2004, but the network only distributes the show and doesnt finance its production or employ Smiley or his employees.

Former producer Jacques Hyzagi critically described working for Smiley in a piece published earlier this year for Observer.com.

Hyzagi said Smileys misogyny is always creeping around, barely camouflaged by Midwestern good manners, and mentioned how the host referred to a woman he picked up in an Orlando airport as a fuck buddy.

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He also said that Smiley considered himself bulletproof with PBS.

Im the only black on PBS, Hyzagi quoted Smiley as saying. They cant touch me. They also know that Im the only black talk show host in America, and they like to have this privilege.

Deadline.com notes that Smiley signed an exclusive multi-year development and production pod deal with Warner Brothers TV to develop scripted TV series for broadcast and cable.

Its unclear whether the allegations against Smiley will affect that deal.

Last month, PBS cut ties with another late night host, Charlie Rose, amid allegations that he sexually harassed and groped multiple women.

This article has been updated to include Smileys statement.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will delay an upcoming Middle East trip by a few days in case a tie-breaking vote is needed from him for tax cut legislation in Congress, a senior White House official said on Thursday. Pence will now leave some time on Tuesday on a trip that will begin with a visit to Cairo for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the official said. He had initially planned to leave late on Saturday. As vice president, Pence can cast a tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate, and with a close vote expected along party lines on the tax legislation, it was decided to keep him in the country just in case. Republican Senator John McCain, who is fighting brain cancer, was in hospital on Wednesday. "We don't expect his vote to be needed but we dont want the scenario where he's on the other side of the world and we have to come back," the official said. Pence is set to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in Jerusalem. Pence's press secretary, Alyssa Farah, said that during the trip, Pence would reaffirm the U.S. commitment to U.S. allies in the Middle East and to working together with them in the fight against Islamist militants. "He looks forward to having constructive conversations with both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Sisi to reaffirm President Trump's commitment to our partners in the region and to its future," she said in a statement. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to meet with Pence in protest of President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Alistair Bell)
Montreal (AFP) - A small airliner carrying 25 people crashed after takeoff Wednesday in the western Canadian province of Saskatchewan, causing multiple injuries but no fatalities, police said.

The West Wind Aviation ATR-42 went down about a kilometre from the Fond-du-Lac airport at around 6:15 pm local time (0015 GMT Thursday), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

"All 22 passengers and three crew members ... have been accounted for and removed from the scene of the crash with no fatalities reported," the RCMP added.

"A number of people have suffered injuries; some serious enough to require air ambulance services which are currently en route."

There was no explosion or fire when the turboprop plane crashed, police said.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the crash. Canada's Transportation Safety board said it was sending a team to investigate.

Images posted on social media showed the aircraft went down in a forest. A virtually intact wing attached to the fuselage was visible.

The plane was on a flight to Stony Rapids, another small airport in the province.

ATR is a European consortium based in Toulouse, France, which specialises in regional turboprop aircraft.
Police in Michigan have been criticised after handcuffing an 11-year-old girl and holding her at gunpoint before putting her into the back of an officers vehicle.

The girl said she had been left shaken and upset by what happened and no longer felt comfortable standing near her houses rear door, where police had entered.

It made me feel scared and it made me feel like I did something wrong, Honestie Hodges told local media. Im afraid to open or go near my back door because of what happened. They had police cars over on this street, they had police cars all along the ally.

COWARDLY COPS DO IT AGAIN! 11- year old Honestie Hodges was handcuffed by the Grand Rapids Police Department for walking out her back door. If you are afraid of an 11 year old girl; turn your badge in and resign because you are a STINKING COWARD!  Ron Taylor (@RLTaylor_MLPS) December 12, 2017

The incident happened in the city of Grand Rapids as the girl was preparing to leave her home to go to the shops. Police said they were looking for her 40-year-old aunt, who had been accused of stabbing another relative nearby.

The whole time they are telling her to come down, Im telling them, Shes 11 years old. Thats my daughter. Dont cuff her, the girls mother, Whitney Hodges, told NBC.

Grand Rapids police said they detained the girl and two other women, including the girls mother, as they left the exited the house,

Police issued a statement Monday saying they handcuffed the women and the girl because officers had not determined if they were suspects. Police said the women were not armed.

The department has launched an internal investigation into what happened.

The 11-year-old was handcuffed for a total of two minutes while she was brought back into the alley and patted down to make sure that she did not have anything dangerous on her, said Grand Rapids Police Department spokeswoman Cathy Williams.

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The girl was then placed in the police cruiser for about 10 minutes. She was later allowed to stand in the alley with her other siblings.

An internal investigation was launched the day after the incident following a complaint from the girls family.
Prince William and Prince Harry stepped away from Kensington Palace and onto the red carpet at the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in London, according to People.

While on the Star Wars red carpet, the princes conversed with stars of the film  both human and droid alike. The brothers spoke with Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Daisy Ridley (Rey), and they even received a royal greeting from BB-8 as Storm Troopers flanked the sides of the carpet. Prince Harry was even gifted a Storm Trooper helmet of his own.

The brothers presence at the premiere was meaningful for more than just one reason. They, too, traveled to a galaxy far, far away. In August, John Boyega confirmed rumors that the two brothers made cameos in Star Wars as Storm Troopers. They visited the set in April 2016 to recognise the wealth of British creative talent involved in the production of Star Wars films, Kensington Palace wrote in a tweet. The royals charity made a showing at the premiere as well. There were 400 guests invited who had ties to the Royal Foundation, which was established by Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry in 2011. See below for some of the best moments from their entree at the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere. The film comes out in theaters on December 15.

Is this the droid they're looking for? Prince William and Prince Harry meet BB-8 at the premiere of #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/gCRQyyMy7A  Star Wars UK (@StarWarsUK) December 12, 2017

The Force is strong on this red carpet! #thelastjedi pic.twitter.com/j6NYKzY3lw  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 12, 2017

A quick chat with Luke Skywalker before #thelastjedi starts! pic.twitter.com/A1wwpvWQ4U  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 12, 2017
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that some of his opponents would destabilize Russia and usher in chaos if they were elected in a presidential election next year, but promised genuine political competition. Putin, who is running for re-election in March, was answering a question at his annual news conference about opposition leader Alexei Navalny who looks unlikely to be allowed to contest the election due to what Navalny says is a trumped up criminal case. The question was put to him to Ksenia Sobchak, a television personality who has said she plans to run against Putin in the same election, which polls suggest Putin will comfortably win. Putin, in response, accused Sobchak, who has said she wants to attract voters who are "against all candidates," of not offering any positive solutions to the problems facing Russia. He likened Navalny to former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili who came to power in his own country in 2004 after a peaceful revolution and is now heavily involved in politics in Ukraine, where he is calling for the impeachment of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. "Do you want tens of people like Saakashvili to be running around public squares?" Putin asked Sobchak, when asked about Navalny not being allowed to take part in the election. "Those who you've named (Navalny) are the same as Saakashvili, only the Russian version. And you want these Saakashvilis to destabilize the situation in the country? Do you want attempted coups d'etat? We've lived through all that. Do you really want to go back to all that? I am sure that the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens do not want this." Putin said the authorities were not afraid of genuine political competition and promised such competition would exist. Navalny, commenting on social media, said Putin's response showed the reasons for barring him from taking part in next year's presidential election were due to "a political decision." "It's like he's saying we're in power and we've decided that it (Navalny running) is a bad idea," Navalny said. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs, Vladimir Soldatkin and Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Christian Lowe)
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura urged Russia on Wednesday to convince its ally the Syrian government of the need to clinch a peace deal to end the nearly seven-year-old war. De Mistura, speaking on Swiss television station RTS, said failure to make peace quickly through United Nations mediation could lead to "a fragmentation of Syria". Russian President Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit on Monday to Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria, declared that the work of Russian forces was largely done in backing the Assad government against militants, following the defeat of "the most battle-hardened group of international terrorists." De Mistura, asked what signal Putin could give from his position of force, said: "Convince the (Syrian) government that there is no time to lose.... You can think you win territory militarily but you have to win the peace. "And to win the peace, you have to have the courage to push the government to accept that there has to be a new constitution and new elections, through the United Nations," he said. The nearly seven-year civil war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven more than 11 million from their homes. All previous diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have ended in failure over the opposition's demand that President Bashar al-Assad leave power and his refusal to go. The Kremlin first launched air strikes in Syria in September 2015 in its biggest Middle East intervention in decades, turning the tide of the conflict in Assad's favor. Now that it regards that mission complete, Putin wants to help broker a peace deal and is keen to organize a special event in Russia - a Syrian Congress on National Dialogue - that Moscow hopes will bring together the Syrian government and opposition and try to hammer out a new constitution. But De Mistura made clear that peace negotiations must be through the United Nations in Geneva, as mandated by the U.N. Security Council, adding: "Otherwise it is not worth it.... This is a complicated war, it is only in Geneva through the U.N." The U.N. envoy has conducted shuttle diplomacy between the Syrian government delegation led by chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari and a unified opposition delegation. "The opposition told me clearly when they arrived here, and again yesterday and this morning too, that they are ready to meet the government right away to have a hard, difficult discussion. "The government is not ready, it has said it is not ready to meet the opposition. That is regrettable but diplomacy has many means," de Mistura said. A senior Western diplomat said that the government delegation had failed to engage with de Mistura on a new constitution and elections during a round of negotiations due to end on Thursday. "Clearly they did not have any intention to engage in this political process. And clearly they are not under sufficient pressure to do so," the diplomat told Reuters. "The clear impression is the regime wants to avoid the U.N.-led political process at any cost." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Peter Graff)
Omarosa Manigault-Newman has been an ally of President Donald Trump since her appearance on "The Apprentice" in 2004, but her role in his White House will now come to an end after her departure was announced on Wednesday morning.

New reporting suggests that racial tension with the president may have played a key role in her departure.

According to Buzzfeed News, Trump's reaction to the white nationalist protests that broke out in Charlottesville, Virginia over the summer upset her. At the time, Trump seemed to sympathize with the white nationalists and others who marched in protest of plans to remove a Confederate monument from a public park. At the time, Trump couched many of his comments on the matter as pitting one "bad" group of people against another group that was also "violent" and at fault in various way.

The comments inspired many critics, but the report suggests Omarosa was particularly bothered. A White House official told Buzzfeed the former contestant from Trump's reality show "struggled with being an African-American senior staffer with all the racial incidents in the White House."

She joined his administration as director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, spearheading outreach to various groups, including African Americans.

Thank you Omarosa for your service! I wish you continued success.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017

While her possible departure had been rumored for months, reporting emerged on Wednesday suggesting that she had been escorted out of the White House in a dramatic fashion. While House Chief of Staff John Kelly had reportedly been displeased with her influence over the president and that she "acted very vulgar and cursed a lot and said she helped elect President Trump" on her final day.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been relatively tight lipped about the events that led to the departure.

"Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities. Her departure will not be effective until January 20, 2018," she said in a statement regarding the matter.
Baghdad (AFP) - Iraq has begun reconstruction work at what was the country's biggest oil refinery before it was damaged by intense fighting between government forces and Islamic State group jihadists, the oil ministry said Thursday.

The aim is to complete work early next year on one of the units that will produce 70,000 barrels per day at the Baiji complex which is currently shut, said ministry spokesman Assem Jihad.

Constructed in 1975 and located 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Baghdad, the refinery produced between 250,000 and 300,000 barrels a day before IS seized it in June 2014.

Government forces retook the facility and the city of Baiji in October 2015 during fierce clashes with the jihadists but the severe damage meant that the refinery remained closed.

"The rehabilitation will allow the distribution of refined products for the north of the country and reduce our imports," said Jihad.

Baiji was particularly hard hit by the devastation wreaked by Iraq's campaign to reclaim its towns and cities from IS.

In 2016 it was declared a disaster zone by the national parliament.

Backed by a US-led coalition, Iraqi forces gradually retook control of all territory lost to IS over the past three years and on Saturday Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory against the jihadists.

But experts warn that IS remains a threat, with the capacity as an insurgent group to carry out high-casualty bomb attacks using sleeper cells.
By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Firefighters grappling with a wildfire that has burned out of control for 10 days on California's scenic coastline, destroying more than 700 homes, sought on Wednesday to defend homes from flames whipped by resurgent Santa Ana winds.

The so-called Thomas Fire, already the state's fifth-largest wildland blaze on record, remained a threat to the communities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito despite gains made by crews during a lull in the winds a day earlier.

"Very high fuel loading, critically low fuel moistures, above average temperatures and single-digit relative humidities will continue to support fire growth on the west, east and north sides of the Thomas Incident," the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement.

"Firefighters will remain engaged in structure defense operations and scout for opportunities to establish direct perimeter control," the department said.

The Thomas Fire, which broke out on Dec. 4 near the community of Ojai, has travelled 27 miles (43 km), blackening more than 368 square miles (953 square km) in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, an area larger than New York City.

The conflagration has destroyed 709 single-family homes, damaged 164 others and displaced more than 94,000 people. It was 25 percent contained as of Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, some of the nearly 8,000 firefighters battling the blaze took advantage of the lighter winds to set controlled burns in a canyon near Carpinteria to deprive the flames of fuel, Cal Fire Captain Steve Concialdi told reporters.

U.S. Representative Julia Brownley, whose congressional district includes Ventura, said on Tuesday the fire could take another week to contain. The efforts have so far cost more than $61 million, according to authorities.

Many public schools in the Santa Barbara area cancelled classes this week and will not reopen until the annual winter break is completed in January.

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Some of the other fires burning over the past week in San Diego and Los Angeles counties have been largely brought under control.

Investigators determined that the Skirball Fire, which destroyed six homes in Los Angeles' wealthy Bel-Air neighbourhood and scorched a building at a winery owned by billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was started by a cooking fire at a homeless encampment, authorities said on Tuesday.

The Lilac Fire, which burned more than 4,000 acres (1,620 hectares) in northern San Diego County and destroyed 157 structures, was 95 percent contained by Wednesday, Cal Fire said.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Peter Cooney)
Deal clears the way for final votes next week on a package that would slash taxes for wealthy Americans and lower the tax rate for corporations

A demonstrator outside the US Capitol in Washington DC on Wednesday. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images

Republicans in Congress reached a deal on final tax legislation on Wednesday, clearing the way for final votes next week on a package that would slash taxes for wealthy Americans and lower the tax rate for corporations.



Under an agreement between the House of Representatives and the Senate, the tax plan would reduce the corporate tax rate to 21%, one percentage point higher than the 20% rate earlier bills had proposed. It would still mark a dramatic fall from the current rate of 35%, a deep tax reduction that corporations have sought for years.



As they finalized the biggest tax overhaul in 30 years, Republicans wavered for weeks on whether to slash the top income tax rate for the wealthy. But in the end, they agreed to cut it to 37% from the current 39.6%. This was despite criticism from Democrats that the Republican plan tilts toward the rich and corporations, offering little to the middle class.



The agreement would also gut part of Barack Obamas healthcare law by repealing the so-called individual mandate, which requires individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. It also authorizes oil drilling in Alaskas Arctic national wildlife refuge.



Republicans cautioned details were still being finalized. A final bill could be formally unveiled as early as Friday, with decisive votes coming next week in both chambers.

The deal was reached one day after the Democratic candidate Doug Jones pulled off a stunning upset in the Alabama Senate race, escalating pressure on Republicans to send the tax bill to Donald Trumps desk by the end of the year.



Republican leaders already have more work to do to persuade holdouts in both chambers, where separate tax bills were passed along party-line votes over the past month.



In both the House and the Senate, a number of Republican lawmakers voted for initial versions of the tax bill but cautioned their support was conditional upon what would be included in a final plan.

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In remarks at the White House, Trump said the tax plan was bigger than anything ever done in this country.

The president appeared with several middle-class families who he said would benefit from the tax bill.



The Joint Committee on Taxation and the Congressional Budget Office, both nonpartisan research units of Congress, have forecast that rich taxpayers and businesses would gain disproportionately from the debt-financed Republican proposals.



Democrats on Wednesday called on Republicans to postpone a vote until after Jones is seated in the Senate.

It would be wrong for Senate Republicans to jam through this tax bill without giving the newly elected senator from Alabama the opportunity to cast his vote, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Although Jones is unlikely to be sworn in before January, his victory narrowed a tenuous Republican hold over the Senate from 52-48 seats to just 51-49.



Republicans are relying on a process known as budget reconciliation that enables them to pass a bill with a simple majority vote. As a result, they already have few votes to lose.

Under the current numbers, Republicans can afford to lose just two votes in the Senate  a scenario in which vice-president Mike Pence would act as tie-breaker. If Senate Republicans do not pass the tax bill prior to Jones arrival, they would be able to lose just one vote.



John Thune, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, told Politico that Jones win made the GOP agenda a little bit more complicated.



The margins narrower. It was already narrow, said Thune, a senator from South Dakota.



And every senator is a king or queen on almost every issue, and that probably only enhances that leverage that an individual senator has, going forward.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report




President Donald Trump shakes hands after speaking on tax reform in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Senate and House Republicans have struck a tentative deal on a tax plan as they race to get a final measure on President Donald Trumps desk by Christmas.

At the same time, Democrats are urging Republicans to delay the process until a newly-elected Democratic senator from Alabama, Doug Jones, is seated - currently expected not to be until after the Senate wraps up its work for the year.

In a stunning upset on Tuesday, Mr Jones defeated his Republican opponent Roy Moore in a special election, flipping control of the seat and reducing the Republican Senate margin to 51-49.

Senator Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the finance committee, wrote on Twitter: The people of Alabama have spoken. Republicans and the administration must drop their partisan attempts to rush a corporate handout through Congress until Senator-Elect Jones is sworn in.

On the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue, Mr Trump in a speech at the White House said if Congress sends him a bill to sign before Christmas, the Internal Revenue Service - that nations tax-collecting agency - has confirmed that there will be lower taxes and bigger paychecks starting in February.

Mr Trump touted his economic record, and predicted the tax bill would pass Congress without any votes from Democrats for political reasons.

The speech appeared to be another attempt by Mr Trump to market the Republican tax plan as a big win for middle-class families - even though both the Senate and House versions were more tilted in favour of wealthy individuals and corporations.

Millions of middle-class families will win under our plan, Mr Trump said while flanked by members of five families that he said would benefit from the tax bill before Congress.

The House and Senate each passed their own tax legislation over the past month. While both versions started from the same core principles - cutting taxes on businesses while also reducing rates and eliminating some breaks for individuals - they diverged on multiple key points.

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Members of both chambers have been meeting over the past week to hash out these differences.

According to the New York Times, the agreement between Senate and House Republicans lowers the corporate tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent - a change which will go into effect in 2018, rather than 2019, as the Senate bill originally called for. Both chambers of Congress had originally aimed to get the rate dropped to 20 per cent.

Among other changes, the final bill would also repeal the Affordable Care Acts requirement for most individuals to have health insurance. Such a move would lead to 13m less insured people over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

The top individual income tax rate will also drop to 37 per cent, a decrease from the current rate of 39.6 per cent.

The House and Senate are expected to vote on the final tax measure next week. But it is still uncertain whether it will pass in both chambers.

The final bill is reported to include provisions that senators expressed concerns about earlier this week.
As winter and cold weather rolls in, flu season also comes into play. With the increasing sickness, the term "man flu" also begins to more frequently appear.

The term is so well-known that Oxford Dictionary defined it in an entry.

"A cold or similar minor ailment as experienced by a man who is regarded as exaggerating the severity of the symptoms," the entry reads.

While men are widely considered to embellish their symptoms in comparison to women, there are numerous studies that find some truth to the increased severity in their symptoms.



Flu shot October 2017

Neldia Dycus, the Central Region director of the Arkansas Department of Health, gives Gov. Asa Hutchinson a flu shot at the state Capitol building on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelly P. Kissel)

A new Canadian analysis, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on Dec. 11, put the "man flu" in the spotlight this week.

Study Author Dr. Kyle Sue explores "whether men are wimps or just immunologically inferior."

"Tired of being accused of over-reacting, I searched the available evidence to determine whether men really experience worse symptoms and whether this could have any evolutionary basis," Sue stated in the study.

Sue analyzed studies related to respiratory diseases, the common cold, intensive care, the flu and viral infections. He compared the symptoms between men and women.

Sue found that a man's immune system may be naturally weaker than a woman's.

He found that with some illnesses, especially respiratory diseases, men are more susceptible to complications and exhibit a higher mortality.

Some studies suggest that women are more responsive to influenza vaccinations than men, according to the analysis.

Seasonal influenza data from from 2004 to 2010 in Hong Kong suggested that when the flu strikes, adult men face a greater risk for being admitted to the hospital.

Another American study found that men seem to face a higher risk for dying from the flu than women, according to the analysis.

Story continues

Hormonal differences in the genders most likely cause these results. The masculine hormone testosterone suppresses the immune system, while the feminine hormone estradiol is immunoprotective.

From his research, Sue concluded that there was a gender "immunity gap" but stressed that this is "certainly not definitive."

The new research on the "man flu" has been met by mixed reviews on social media.


(WASHINGTON)  Secretary of State Rex Tillersons surprising diplomatic offer of unconditional talks with North Korea hinges on two big X factors: Does the North even want talks, and is President Donald Trump fully behind his top diplomat?

The early signs were not promising. The White House on Wednesday contradicted Tillersons overture. North Korea has yet to respond.

The diplomatic initiative, made in remarks at a Washington think tank, came two weeks after North Korea tested a missile that could potentially carry a nuclear warhead to the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Thats a capability the North has strove for decades to master. Trump has vowed to stop it from reaching its goal, using military force if necessary.

His administration has pursued a policy of maximum pressure and engagement  with the overwhelming emphasis on pressuring Kim Jong Uns authoritarian government through economic restrictions and diplomatic isolation to compel it to negotiate away its nukes. Tillerson, who will address a U.N. Security Council meeting on North Korea on Friday, has carried the torch for engagement, and as fears of confrontation have risen, has progressively eased the threshold under which he says the U.S. could hold direct discussions with the reclusive nation.

In March, he said North Korea first had to give up its nuclear weapons. A month later he demanded concrete steps reducing its threat. Tillerson said this summer talks could happen after the North stopped missile tests. And on Tuesday, for the first time, he explicitly dropped the condition that North Korea at least agree that the goal of any conversations be the elimination of its nuclear arsenal.

We are ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk. And we are ready to have the first meeting without preconditions, Tillerson said at the Atlantic Council, adding that the North would need to pause its weapons testing. It has conducted more than 20 ballistic missile launches and one nuclear test explosion this year.

Story continues

He called it unrealistic to expect it to enter talks ready to relinquish a WMD program it invested so much in developing, although that remained the ultimate goal.

On Wednesday, the White House conflicted with Tillersons offer of talks without preconditions. A National Security Council spokesperson said that North Koreamust not only first refrain from provocations but take sincere and meaningful actions toward denuclearization. The spokesperson, who was not authorized to be quoted by name and requested anonymity, said that given North Koreas most recent missile test, now was not the time for talks.

Late Wednesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert echoed that in a tweet: We remain open to dialogue when North Korea is willing to conduct a serious & credible dialogue on the peaceful denuclearization, but that time is not now.

Theres ample precedent for a public disconnect between Tillerson and Trump on vital issues of foreign policy. In October, Trump appeared to undercut Tillerson by saying the top diplomat was wasting his time trying to negotiate with North Korea. Trumps tweet followed Tillersons talk about Washington maintaining back-channel communications with Pyongyang.

And doubts about Trumps broader confidence in Tillerson have persisted since White House officials revealed a plan last month to replace Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

China, which has urged dialogue with North Korea, and U.S. ally South Korea, which fears disruption to the Winter Olympics it hosts in February, both welcomed Tillersons proposal.

But without White House support, Tillersons call for unconditional talks would fall flat, said Mark Fitzpatrick at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. A skeptic might say that at least he wants to show the U.S. is trying diplomacy, so as to make any future military action more justifiable, Fitzpatrick said.

Patrick Cronin, an Asia expert at the Center for a New American Security think tank, said the Trump administration has played hardball in trying to convert pressure into diplomatic opportunity. But so far, North Korea hasnt been willing to engage. He said its unclear if the North will want to negotiate as it nears deployment of a nuclear missile that could strike America.

Last week, U.N. political chief Jeffrey Feltman made a rare visit to North Korea and met the foreign minister  a member of the powerful Politburo. Feltman, a former U.S. diplomat, said senior North Korean officials told him it was important to prevent war. He said he urged them to start talking about talks, a commitment he didnt get.

After a closed briefing by Feltman on Tuesday, Swedens deputy U.N. ambassador, Carl Skau, was supportive but skeptical about chances for an opening. Theres nothing that was said that left us less worried than we were before, Skau told The Associated Press.
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have collected DNA and other biometric data from the whole population of the volatile western region of Xinjiang, Human Right Watch said on Wednesday, denouncing the campaign as a gross violation of international norms. Hundreds of people have been killed in Xinjiang in the past few years in violence between Uighurs, a mostly Muslim people, and ethnic majority Han Chinese, which Beijing blames on Islamist militants. The unrest has fueled a sweeping security crackdown there, including mass rallies by armed police, tough measures that rights advocates say restrict religious and cultural expression, and widespread surveillance. Police are responsible for collecting pictures, fingerprints, iris scans and household registration information, while health authorities should collect DNA samples and blood type information as part of a "Physicals for All" program, the New York-based group said in a statement, citing government a document. "The mandatory databanking of a whole population's biodata, including DNA, is a gross violation of international human rights norms, and it's even more disturbing if it is done surreptitiously, under the guise of a free health care program," Human Rights Watch's China director Sophie Richardson said. According to the Xinjiang-wide plan posted online by the Aksu city government in July, main goals for the campaign include collecting the biometric data for all people between the age of 12 and 65, and verifying the region's population for a database. "Blood type information should be sent to the county-level police bureaus, and DNA blood cards should be sent to the county police bureaus for inspection," the plan said. Data for "priority individuals" should be collected regardless of age, it said, using a term the government has adopted to refer to people deemed a security risk. Government workers must "earnestly safeguard the peoples' legal rights", plan said, but it made no mention of a need to inform people fully about the campaign or of any option for people to decline to take part. Xinjiang officials could not be reached for comment. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, asked about the report by Human Rights Watch, accused the group of making "untrue" statements. He told a regular news briefing in Beijing the general situation in the region was good. Human Rights Watch cited an unidentified Xinjiang resident saying he feared being labelled with "political disloyalty" if he did not participate, and that he had not received any results from the health checks. State media, reporting on the campaign checks, have said participation was voluntary. The official Xinhua news agency in November cited health authorities as saying 18.8 million people in the region had received such physicals in 2017 for a 100 percent coverage rate. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Roy Moore still wont concede defeat.

Although Democrat Doug Jones was named the shock winner of Alabamas Senate special election on Tuesday, Moore refuses to admit that the campaign has ended.

I want to thank all of you who have stood with me in this very important battle for the future of our country, the 70-year-old former judge, who was plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct, said in a video to supporters on Wednesday night. We are indeed in a struggle to preserve our republic, our civilization and our religion and to set free a suffering humanity. And the battle rages on.

In this race, we have not received the final count to include military and provisional ballots. This has been a very close race and we are awaiting certification by the secretary of state, Moore continued.

When multiple news outlets reported Jones victory, Moore told supporters at his election rally that he would seek a recount.

When the vote is this close, its not over, he said.

According to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, Jones received 49.92 percent of the vote and Moore got 48.38 percent with all counties reporting, a difference of about 1.5 percentage points. An automatic recount is triggered under state law only when a race is within half a percentage point.

Merrill, a Moore supporter, said it was very unlikely that a recount or uncounted ballots  including the military and provisional ballots Moore referred to in the video  would change the outcome of the election.

Even if all [servicemembers from Alabama] voted and all of them voted for Moore, Jones would still have a lead of 0.9 percentage points, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

Merrill, an open Moore supporter, says it's "very unlikely" that remaining uncounted ballots (provisional, military, certifying write-ins) will change the outcome.  Jessica Huseman (@JessicaHuseman) December 13, 2017

Moore may not be ready to concede the race, but many other Republicans have accepted Jones victory. Even President Donald Trump, who endorsed Moore, congratulated Jones in a tweet on Tuesday night.

Story continues

Jones said both the president and Alabama Sen. Luther Strange had made very gracious phone calls, commending him on the win. The senator-elect told reporters that Trump had invited him to the White House as soon as I get up there, Politico reported.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, whose bid for the GOP presidential nomination in both 2008 and 2016 ended unsuccessfully, implored Moore to exit with class.

Roy Moore wont concede; says will wait on God to speak. God wasnt registered to vote in AL but the ppl who voted did speak and it wasnt close enough for recount. In elections everyone does NOT get a trophy. I know first hand but its best to exit with class.  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) December 13, 2017

Jones, the first Democratic senator from Alabama in 25 years, confirmed on Wednesday that Moore had yet to call him to concede the race, but refused to comment on whether his opponent should do so.

Im going to leave that to him, Jones said, per Politico.

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A team of researchers, including Stephen Hawking, is investigating whether the first known object from outside the solar system contains the first sign of life beyond our planet.

Using the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, scientists with the 100 million dollar research project Breakthrough Listen will observe an asteroid named 'Oumuamua for 10 hours on Wednesday.

According to the project's website, 'Oumuamua, the mysterious interloper recently spotted moving rapidly through the solar system, was discovered by the Pan-STARRS project at the University of Hawaii in October 2017 when it passed by Earth at about 85 times the distance to the Moon -- a stone's throw away in astronomical terms.

'Oumuamua, formally known as 1I/2017 U1, is the first object discovered in the solar system that appears to originate from another star system. Its high speed  196,000 mph at its peak  suggests it is not gravitationally bound to the Sun and that it will continue its voyage back into interstellar space.

The object sparked interest because it has a "highly unusual structure" for an asteroid, which tend to be round rather than long and thin. 'Oumuamua's shape is described as "an elongated cigar shape, hundreds of meters in length but with width and height perhaps only one tenth as long."



Image: ESO/M. Kornmesser

According to a statement released by Breakthrough Listen, "Researchers working on long-distance space transportation have previously suggested that a cigar or needle shape is the most likely architecture for an interstellar spacecraft, since this would minimize friction and damage from interstellar gas and dust. While a natural origin is more likely, there is currently no consensus on what that origin might have been, and Breakthrough Listen is well positioned to explore the possibility that 'Oumuamua could be an artifact."

Breakthrough Listens observation campaign will begin on Wednesday, December 13 at 3:00 p.m. EST and will continue across four radio bands, from 1 to 12 GHz, for a total of 10 hours.

Whether the object is an alien craft remains to be seen, but scientists have seemingly offered a glimpse into their excitement and optimism with its name -- 'Oumuamua is a Hawaiian term meaning roughly 'a messenger reaching out in advance.'
Spectacular showers of up to 100 shooting stars an hour will light up the skies over Britain later this week  although youll have to get up early to catch them.

The Geminids meteor shower will see multi-coloured shooting stars burning up in our atmosphere on Thursday 14th December.

This year could see up to 120 shooting stars per hour  and viewers are advised to go to an open place away from street lights at 6.30am to see it at its best.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth ploughs through clouds of cometary dust.

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The tiny particles, some no bigger than a grain of sand, burn up brightly as they enter the atmosphere.

The Geminids are unusual in that they are not shed by a classic icy comet but a body that shares characteristics of both comets and asteroids.

There will be practically no moon in the sky during the shower.

Known as 3200 Phaethon, the three-mile-wide object was discovered in 1983 by two British scientists examining Nasa satellite images and initially classified as an asteroid.

But it has an eccentric orbit that looks more like that of a comet than an asteroid and brings it well inside the orbit of Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, every 1.4 years.

Nasa describes it as a rock comet. Traditionally asteroids are made of rock, and comets mostly of ice.

The Geminid meteor shower itself was first noted in the 1860s.

Over time it has become more intense, with up to 20 comets per hour reported in the 1920s, rising to 50 in the 1930s, 60 in the 1940s and 80 in the 1970s.

Travelling at some 22 miles per second, the meteors burn up about 24 miles above the Earth.

Another unusual feature of the Geminids is that they can shine in different colours. Mostly glowing white, they may also appear yellow, blue, green or red.
South Korean President Moon Jae-In began his first state visit to China on Wednesday to soothe relations strained by the US deployment of an anti-missile system that has angered Beijing.

Moon is also expected to discuss the North Korean nuclear crisis during his four-day trip, which includes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

The US military installed the powerful THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system in the South earlier this year to guard against threats from the nuclear-armed North.

The move angered Beijing, which considers the deployment a threat to its own security.

China slapped a string of measures against South Korean businesses and banned group tours to the South, in moves seen as economic retaliation.

But last month, the two countries issued identically-worded statements on their mutual desire to improve relations.

It did not state any specifics, but Beijing has demanded that Seoul formally promise not to deploy any more THAAD launchers and not to join any regional US missile defence system.

Moon's office said ahead of the trip that the president, who took office in May, wanted to "normalise" ties with Beijing, and that the visit would be a turning point towards a "more mature" relationship.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said Moon had arrived in Beijing, and would meet with South Korean residents and attend a business roundtable on Wednesday.

Ties recently showed some -- albeit limited -- signs of thaw as China's state tourism board approved last month Seoul-bound group tours from some parts of the country.

"China and the ROK (South Korea) have reached some consensus on dealing with the (THAAD) issue in the current stage," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday.

"We hope that the issue can continue to be handled properly and that the two sides can bring China-South Korea relations totally back to the track of sound and steady development," Lu added.

Story continues

China has also urged the United States, Japan and South Korea to suspend joint military drills in the region in return for North Korea to halt its nuclear activities -- an idea consistently rejected by Washington and Seoul.

Beijing has pressed for talks to peacefully resolve the crisis.

Moon's visit comes hours after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to North Korea "without preconditions", though it remains determined to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley briefs the media in front of remains of Iranian

The US ratcheted up tensions with Iran on Thursday by publicly accusing the Islamic Republic of supplying illegal weapons to a rebel group in Yemen and fanning the flames of conflict across the Middle East.

Standing before the twisted remains of a missile fired by Yemens Houthi rebels into Saudi Arabia, UN ambassador Nikki Haley said the US was taking the extraordinary step of declassifying American intelligence about Irans activities.

We did this for a single urgent purpose: because the Iranian regime cannot be allowed to engage in its lawless behaviour any longer, Mrs Haley said at a briefing at a US airbase outside Washington DC.

The fight against Iranian aggression is the worlds fight. The US is acting today in the spirit of transparency and international cooperation that is necessary to defeat this threat.

She said Iran had provided ballistic missiles, small arms and explosive boats to the Houthi rebels, who are battling against Saudi Arabia and the internationally-recognised government of Yemen, which was toppled in 2015.

Remains of an alleged Iranian drone on display by the US government Credit: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

But while the presentation in front of the remains of the Qiam ballistic missile was dramatic, Mrs Haley was vague about what the US intended to do next or what it hoped to see happen at the UN.

She said the US would talk with other nations at UN Security Council about next steps and was inviting diplomats and members of Congress to visit the airbase warehouse to see the American evidence for themselves.

You will see us build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what theyre doing, she said.

Donald Trump, cheered on by Israel and Saudi Arabia, has taken a rhetorical hardline against Iran since taking office and has added some new sanctions on Tehran. But so far Mr Trump has not pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, despite calling it the worst deal ever.

The Trump administration has also promised to more aggressively confront Iran on issues beyond the nuclear question, including Irans support for internationally-recognised terrorist groups like Hizbollah.

Story continues

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley unveils previously classified information intending to prove Iran violated UNSCR 2231 Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Mrs Haley said the missile was fired on November 4 from Yemen towards Riyadhs international airport and bore signs of Iranian production, including a lack of stabiliser fins and specific valve configurations. The weapon might as well have Made in Iran stickers all over it, she said.

Her claims tracked with a report released recently by the UN, which also concluded that the weapon had Iranian parts. However, the UN was more cautious in accusing Irans government of direct involvement because of the missile parts.

Mrs Haley said the weapon was proof that Iran was violating UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which forbids it from developing missiles that could theoretically be used to deliver a nuclear weapon.

Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, tweeted shortly afterwards comparing Mrs Haley's presentation to that made by Colin Powell, then US secretary of state, in the run up to the 2003 Iraq war.

When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat... pic.twitter.com/2sAsMB6o4m  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 14, 2017

The accusations are likely to thrill Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of backing the Houthi rebels and has argued that its war in Yemen is about countering Iranian aggression in its own backyard. It has been criticised for its heavy airstrikes on Yemen and a blockade that has left seven million people on the brink of famine.

Mr Trump has been reluctant to publicly criticise Saudi Arabia but last week he made an unexpected call for Riyadh to lift its blockade and "allow food, fuel, water, and medicine to reach the Yemeni people who desperately need it".

Analysts have been sceptical of the Saudi argument, saying that Irans actual military support for the Houthis has been fairly limited and that the war broke out in 2014 because of local factors rather than Iranian manipulation.

The evidence for the missile having been produced in Iran is compelling, said Dr Elisabeth Kendall, senior research fellow in Arabic and Islamic Studies at Oxford.

Houthi rebels walk amid the rubble of the Republican Palace that was destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen Credit: AP Photo/Hani Mohammed

However, it is important to point out that, while Irans involvement in some capacity (not necessarily the Iranian government) in providing assistance to Yemens Houthis is not in doubt, Iran was not the military game changer at the start of the Houthi surge in 2014.

Iran has tried to paint itself as a moderate force in the Middle East while the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia are the aggressors.

Unfortunately, for the past 11 months, the response to Irans good faith has been tantrums from the Trump administration, Mr Zarif, wrote in the New York Times.

As Iran and its partners labor to put out fires, the arsonists in our region grow more unhinged.
Yahoo Finances Alexis Christoforous, Yahoo Finance Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer and Jared Blikre discuss the big stories of the day. Alexis also talks to Michael Hobbes from Huffpost about millennial retirement.

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By Tova Cohen TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Reports that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is planning a restructuring involving mass layoffs in Israel sparked calls on Wednesday for a half-day general strike to be held in protest. The plan includes closing Teva's research and development center in the coastal city of Netanya, selling its logistics center in Shoham and cutting 3,300 jobs out of 6,430 nation-wide, the Israeli financial news website Calcalist reported. Teva , the world's largest generic drug maker which employs more than 56,000 people, did not comment on the details of the report. But it confirmed there was a restructuring plan that it would discuss in a 1300 GMT conference call on Thursday. Saddled with nearly $35 billion in debt since acquiring Allergan's Actavis generic drug business for $40.5 billion, Teva made a series of changes after Kare Schultz joined as its new chief executive on Nov. 1. Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said only that he was following the situation closely. Avi Nissenkorn, chief of the Histadrut labor federation, declared a half-day general strike for Sunday, the beginning of the Israeli work week. "The entire economy - from the (Ben Gurion) airport to the banks to the seaports to the municipalities to the government service to the health clinics - will stand until noon on Sunday in solidarity with Teva's employees," Nissenkorn told reporters. He predicted mass layoffs under the Teva restructuring plan, which he described as "ruinous" for a company that was long a symbol of Israeli enterprise. One of the plants earmarked for sale, Calcalist said, is the Teva Tech factory in Israel's southern Negev desert. It produces raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and employs 870 workers, according to Teva's website. "This is a young plant ... and hundreds of millions of shekels of Israeli government money were invested here," Meir Babayoff, chairman of the Negev region in the Histadrut, told Israel Radio. He vowed to stop any layoffs and called on Israel's government "to wake up". Last week Bloomberg reported that the firm was considering cutting up to 10,000 jobs to reduce costs by $1.5 billion to $2 billion in the next two years. Teva said on Tuesday that Yitzhak Peterburg, who previously served as its chairman and interim CEO, had resigned from its board with immediate effect. Schultz ousted top division heads last month and said he would combine the firms generic and specialty drug businesses. He had also said Teva was working on a detailed restructuring plan to be unveiled in mid-December. (Refiles to modify headline) (Additional reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Alexander Smith, Greg Mahlich)
Bangkok (AFP) - The US has urged Thailand to downgrade diplomatic and trade ties with North Korea, a senior Thai official said Thursday after meeting with an American envoy, as the Trump administration pushes ahead with a global campaign to further isolate the nuclear-armed pariah state.

General Wanlop Rugsanoah, secretary general of Thailand's National Security Council, told AFP the request was made during his meeting with US special envoy for North Korea Joseph Yun, who arrived in Bangkok Wednesday evening for a two-day trip to the kingdom.

"The US asked Thailand to put more pressure on North Korea, put more trade and diplomatic pressure," Wanlop said after his sit-down with Yun in Bangkok.

He stressed that Bangkok had already significantly reduced its trade volume with Pyongyang -- down to around $1.5 million a year -- and would curtail visas to North Korean citizens.

Thailand, one of America's oldest allies in the region, is one of several Southeast Asian countries to host a North Korean embassy, and once enjoyed valuable economic ties with the reclusive regime.

But the UN and the US have increasingly leaned on regional leaders to do more to squeeze North Korea as international sanctions have not resulted in Pyongyang halting its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests.

Yun's visit is part of a December 11-15 trip to Asia -- including a stop in Japan -- "to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign following the DPRK's latest ballistic missile test," the US State Department said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

The US embassy in Bangkok confirmed Yun's meeting with the National Security Council chief took place but declined to provide more details on the discussion.

Wanlop insisted there were no meetings planned between American and North Korean officials in Thailand.

In August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stopped in Bangkok to pressure the government to crack down on North Korean shell companies that use the Thai capital as a trading hub.

Story continues

Thailand said this week it had drastically slashed trade with North Korea this year, down 94 percent compared with 2016.

Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said "there will be no export or import of goods between Thailand and North Korea" by the end of 2017.

Outside of Southeast Asia, Washington has focused most on Beijing to counter Pyongyang, urging the North's longtime ally and economic lifeline to rein in leader Kim Jong-Un and his nuclear programme.

China has accepted a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang but has so far resisted calls to shut a crude oil pipeline considered crucial to North Korea's economy.

However, some of the sanctions are starting to bite.

The UN Security Council had ordered countries to stop providing guest work permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test in September.

The ban impacts an estimated 100,000 North Koreans who send some $500 million in wages back to the regime.

US President Donald Trump's administration has swung back-and-forth between contradicting approaches to the crisis on the Korean peninsula, with Tillerson adopting a more diplomatic attitude amid fiery threats from the White House.

On Wednesday, the State Department said the US position on North Korea has not changed despite Tillerson's comments that he would be willing to talk to the North without preconditions.
Doug Jones won the Senate race - Bloomberg

Pundits are furiously assessing the broader consequences of the Democrats upset Senate victory in Alabama on Tuesday, but there is less there than meets the eye. True, the Republican Senate majority now hangs by a thread, forcing even harder fights for every legislative victory.

Nonetheless, Republican chances for major gains in November 2018, perhaps six or seven Senate seats, remain strong. Moreover, Democrat Al Franken is resigning his seat any day now because of sexual misconduct charges, bringing another totally unexpected Republican opportunity.

Al Franken

Of course, any statewide Democratic victory in Alabama is stunning, but there were also stunning reasons for it. Republican Roy Moore was a flawed candidate even before allegations of sexual misconduct emerged  and he still lost by just one percentage point.

The winner, Doug Jones, will likely be defeated at the next regular election in 2020. The stakes have unquestionably been raised, but President Trump and Republicans hold a strong hand.

Roy Moore

At some point, Democrats will have to declare what they believe in. Just as Hillary Clinton, the inevitable 2016 victor, fell from grace when she revealed her beliefs, so too will legions of aspiring Democrats.

Trump is also demonstrating how a President can continue to command the national agenda, regardless of the comings and goings of domestic politics. For all these reasons, those who think Alabama marks the beginning of the end for Trump should think again. This is not even the end of the beginning.

There is no better proof of this than his foreign policy moves thus far.

They have not only shown him to be a dogged defender of American interests but an effective one too. Take his announcement that the US will recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital. It is further unassailable evidence that he is not a status quo President.

Despite the anticipated opposition across the Middle East and Europe, apocalyptic predictions of mass rioting by the Arab street and the destruction of the peace process, Trump proceeded nonetheless.

Story continues

US senate - Republicans hold the Senate by a slender margin

The evidence so far is that widespread violence has not materialised and, inevitably, the Arab-Israeli peace process will rise again. Trumps decision was an act of leadership, a paradigmatic act of realpolitik, not isolationism.

American leadership requires acting before others are willing to do so, not following some ephemeral global consensus, or waiting for Europeans or others to make up their minds.

Moreover, the Jerusalem precedent is consistent with the picture of Trump the disrupter. He withdrew America from the Paris Climate accord and from negotiations over a Global Compact on Migration. Similar steps to protect American sovereignty will almost certainly follow.

Trumps rejection of feel good treaties in favour of concrete steps to protect American citizens and national interests will be vindicated. Indeed, the greatest disrupter decision for Trump may still lie ahead: how to correct nearly three decades of failure in the nuclear counterproliferation crusade, as North Korea and Iran grow close to becoming nuclear powers.

The same Establishment foreign policy cognoscenti who rejected Jerusalem as Israels capital have insisted for 25 years that the judicious application of diplomacy and economic sanctions would resolve the Iranian and North Korean nuclear-proliferation threats.

North Korea war puff

But this conventional wisdom has been proven flatly wrong. No less a representative of this perspective than Susan Rice, Barack Obamas last national security adviser, conceded this summer that it had not delivered: You can call it a failure. I accept that characterisation over the last two decades. No kidding. And no wonder Trump is looking for alternatives.

Twenty-five years of diplomatic failure has significant consequences. Endless negotiations and failed sanctions have wasted the most precious resource of all: time  time which has allowed Iran and North Korea to overcome the scientific and technological obstacles to building nuclear weapons.

Accordingly, Trump now faces extremely unattractive choices. The most pressing concerns North Korea. Unless China acts decisively, cutting off fuel and food shipments to the regime, forcing reunification with South Korea or replacing the Kim family dictatorship, the White House will soon face a binary choice: either Washington must accept a nuclear North Korea, or military force will be required.

The unpleasant alternative of pre-emptive military force is decidedly risky, but considerably less so than a future in which the world is subject to nuclear extortion by Kims bizarre regime  a regime perfectly prepared to sell nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to any bidder with the requisite hard currency.

Tut-tutting about where the United States locates its embassy in Israel simply obscures the far harder choices ahead. Lets keep our priorities straight. Trump has shown every evidence he can do so.

John Bolton is former US Ambassador to the United Nations
(Photo: HuffPost)

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WE HAVE ANOTHER MYSTERY POOPER ON OUR HANDS This time, he or she is terrorizing a New York town. [HuffPost]

AND IN MEGHAN MARKLE NEWS The fiance of Prince Harry will be joining the royal family for Christmas this year in an unprecedented move. While shes there and thinking about the wedding, here are some dresses to consider. [HuffPost]

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Syrians travel through rubble after airstrikes pounded residential areas in the Eastern Ghouta region on Dec. 3, 2017. (Photo: Tark Almasry/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Nearly 745,000 men, women and children in Syria are trapped inside the war-torn countrys 33 besieged communities, living in desolate conditions at the mercy of President Bashar Assads authoritarian regime and its armed opponents.

The latest Siege Watch report, released Thursday by The Syria Institute and PAX, reveals that a population larger than all of Washington, D.C., is trapped, while more than 1 million additional Syrians are living in watchlist areas, under threat of intensified siege and abuse.

As Syrias government and its allies tighten their blockades, they have continued to carry out a surrender or die strategy, which amounts to a campaign of widespread collective punishment, according to the quarterly report. Many of the atrocities are war crimes and crimes against humanity, Siege Watch charges.

Siege warfare is among the cruelest tactics in Assads playbook  it restricts civilian access to urgently needed food, water and medical supplies and leaves residents especially vulnerable to targeted attacks. Its a strategy the Syrian leader uses to exert dominance while defying those who oppose his rule.

In the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, desperate Syrians have resorted to eating garbage to survive. The 424,000 people in the dilapidated Damascus suburb have been under complete siege since 2013, shortly after a sarin gas attack by Assads forces claimed an estimated 1,429 lives in the region.

The Siege Watch report recorded two new suspected chemical attacks  one by pro-government forces against opposition fighters in Eastern Ghouta, and another by the self-described Islamic State against opposition fighters outside of Damascus.

A man and child look at the rubble of damaged buildings after an airstrike on the rebel-held city of Douma on Nov. 2, 2017. (Photo: Bassam Khabieh / Reuters)

There is a sense of anger towards the international community that is unable to save half a million people from starvation under the bombardment by the Assad militias, a source in Syria, who declined to disclose their identity out of fear of regime reprisal, told Siege Watch authors.

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Despite numerous ceasefire agreements and United Nations resolutions demanding unobstructed humanitarian access, forces loyal to Assad have continued to target civilian residential areas, including hospitals and schools, by air. The international communitys inadequate response has only emboldened the Assad regime, the report asserts.

One of the most shocking aspects of the sieges remains the inability of international stakeholders to end them, it notes. Long-term sieges, such as those in Eastern Ghouta, northern Homs, and the Southern Damascus Suburbs, are testaments to the impotence of the international community to prevent, deter, or seek accountability for crimes against humanity.

When, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces encircled the city of Raqqa in a deadly showdown to reclaim it from ISIS, trapped fighters held thousands of civilians as human shields as the battle raged on, the report states. By the time Raqqa was liberated in October, the former ISIS stronghold was in ruins and almost entirely depopulated.

Siege Watch authors now fear that people in Eastern Ghouta will meet a fate similar to those in Aleppo. Thousands died in the beleaguered city as Syrian and allied forces demolished it with airstrikes and barrel bombs, turning the once-vibrant metropolis into a ghost town of rubble and bodies.

The current trajectory of developments will lead to deepening humanitarian crises in besieged areas, as hundreds of thousands of civilians face suffering, loss, and forced displacement at the hands of the Syrian government, armed opposition groups, and ISIS, Siege Watch warned. International community stakeholders must take real steps towards ending the sieges to avert the looming catastrophe.

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Donald Trump has claimed he never believed failed Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore could win in Alabama, saying the "deck was stacked against him".

Mr Trump endorsed Mr Moore despite a number of sexual harassment allegations against the former Alabama justice.

Ahead of the vote, the US president said Mr Moore "totally denied" the claims and told White House reporters they "have to listen to him, also".

The President boosted Mr Moore's campaign on Saturday, saying: Get out and vote for Roy Moore. Do it. Do it. We cannot afford, the future of this country cannot afford to lose the seat."

Shortly before polls opened on Tuesday, he said "the people of Alabama will do the right thing" and vote for Mr Moore.

The people of Alabama will do the right thing. Doug Jones is Pro-Abortion, weak on Crime, Military and Illegal Immigration, Bad for Gun Owners and Veterans and against the WALL. Jones is a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet. Roy Moore will always vote with us. VOTE ROY MOORE!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2017

But, following Tuesday's Democrat victory in the conservative stronghold, the US President said he never thought Mr Moore could win.

"The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange (and his numbers went up mightily), is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election," the US President said in a Twitter post on Wednesday.

"I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!"

The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange (and his numbers went up mightily), is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election. I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017

Mr Trump first backed Luther Strange, a former Alabama attorney general, in the Republican primary race for the Senate.

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At a September rally, however, he expressed doubts about his selection, saying "I'll be honest, I might have made a mistake."

He added: If his opponent wins, Im going to be here campaigning like hell for him.

After Mr Moore defeated 64-year-old Mr Strange in the primary election, the US President fulfilled his promise and went on to give him his full backing.

Democrat Doug Jones claimed victory over Mr Moore on Tuesday, meaning Alabama has its first Democratic senator since 1992.

The win has nationwide consequences since it narrows the slim Republican majority in the Senate to 51-49.

Democrats are seeking to build on anti-Trump sentiment to mount a challenge next year to Republican control of Congress.
Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish coast guards on Thursday rescued dozens of migrants stranded on rocks off western Turkey when their Greece-bound vessel hit trouble.

The inflatable boat, carrying 51 people, started to sink in the Aegean sea not far from the coastal town of Dikili, the Turkish coast guard said in a statement.

Television footage showed the stricken vessel bobbing up and down next to a rocky outcrop, while a coast guard helicopter hovered above to conduct a rescue.

In the initial stage of the operation, five children and a woman were winched to safety by the helicopter team, the coast guard said.

Eventually, all 51, including 15 children, were rescued and brought back to Dikili port.

Earlier reports had put the number on board at 68.

Among the group were migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Angola and Somalia, State-run news agency Anadolu said.

Nine people were taken to hospital, it reported. There was no indication of any casualties.

Over a million people, mainly fleeing the war in Syria, crossed to European Union member Greece from Turkey in 2015 after the onset of the bloc's worst migration crisis since World War II.

Turkey struck a deal with the EU in 2016 in a effort to stem the flow of migrants into Europe, and agreed to take back illegal migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for incentives including financial aid.

The deal, chastised by rights groups, sharply curbed the number of migrants seeking to cross the Aegean Sea.

Migrants were sent back to Turkey from the Greek islands in the initial weeks after the deal was signed, but afterwards the pace slowed drastically.

Recently however, eight migrants were brought back to Dikili from the island of Lesbos and taken to refugee camps inside Turkey, Anadolu reported Thursday.

The return comes after Greece's Kathimerini daily reported Athens persuaded Turkey to accept migrant returns from the mainland in order to reduce critical overcrowding in its refugee camps.

Last week, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the first visit of a Turkish head of state to Greece since 1952.

The trip was strained after Erdogan spoke about revising borders and criticised Greek treatment of its Muslim minority, although officials on both sides described it as hugely productive.
By Ali Kucukgocmen

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Muslim leaders on Wednesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and called on the world to respond by recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted the summit of more than 50 Muslim countries in Istanbul, said the U.S. move meant Washington had forfeited its role as broker in efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"From now on, it is out of the question for a biased United States to be a mediator between Israel and Palestine, that period is over," Erdogan said at the end of the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

"We need to discuss who will be a mediator from now on. This needs to be tackled in the U.N. too," Erdogan said.

A communique posted on the Turkish Foreign Ministry website said the emirs, presidents and ministers gathered in Istanbul regarded Trump's move "as an announcement of the U.S. Administration's withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace".

It described the decision as "a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus (for) extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security".

Leaders including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Jordan's King Abdullah, a close U.S. ally, all criticised Washington's move.

"Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine," Abbas said, adding Trump's decision was "the greatest crime" and a violation of international law.

Asked about the criticism at a State Department briefing in Washington, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that despite the "inflammatory rhetoric" from the region, Trump "is committed to this peace process."

"That type of rhetoric that we heard has prevented peace in the past," she said, urging people to "ignore some of the distortions" and focus on what Trump actually said. She said his decision did not affect the city's final borders, which were dependent upon negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians.

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But when asked whether East Jerusalem could similarly be recognised as the capital of a future Palestinian state, Nauert said that determination should be left to final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

"We're taking a position on how we view Jerusalem," she said. "I think it's up to the Israelis and Palestinians to decide how they want to view the borders - again final status negotiations."

Abbas told OIC leaders in Istanbul that Washington had shown it could no longer be an honest broker.

"It will be unacceptable for it to have a role in the political process any longer since it is biased in favour of Israel," he said. "This is our position and we hope you support us in this."

"PALESTINIAN CAPITAL"

Jerusalem, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, is home to Islam's third holiest site and has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in an action not recognised internationally.

The communique on the Turkish ministry website and a separate "Istanbul Declaration" distributed to journalists after the meeting said the leaders called on all countries to recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

"We invite the Trump administration to reconsider its unlawful decision that might trigger...chaos in the region, and to rescind its mistaken step," the declaration said.

Iran, locked in a regional rivalry with Saudi Arabia, said the Muslim world should overcome internal problems through dialogue so it could unite against Israel. Tehran has repeatedly called for the destruction of the Israeli state and backs several militant groups in their fight against it.

"America is only seeking to secure the maximum interests of the Zionists and it has no respect for the legitimate rights of Palestinians," Rouhani told the summit.

King Abdullah, whose country signed a peace treaty with Israel more than 20 years ago, said he rejected any attempt to alter the status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Abdullah's Hashemite dynasty is custodian of Jerusalem's Muslim sites, making Amman sensitive to any changes in the city.

Not all countries were represented by heads of government. Some sent ministers and Saudi Arabia, another close ally of Washington's, sent a junior foreign minister.

Summit host Turkey has warned that Trump's decision would plunge the world into "a fire with no end in sight".

Erdogan described it as reward for Israeli actions including occupation, settlement construction, land seizure and "disproportionate violence and murder".

"Israel is an occupying state (and) Israel is a terror state," he told the summit.

"I invite all countries supporting international law to recognise Jerusalem as the occupied capital of Palestine," Erdogan told OIC leaders and officials.

Trump's declaration has been applauded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Washington had an irreplaceable part to play in the region.

(Additional reporting by Daren Butler and Parisa Hafezi in Istanbul, Tulay Karadeniz in Ankara, John Davison and Nadine Awadalla in Cairo, Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem and David Alexander in Washington; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Catherine Evans, William Maclean)
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is facing backlash online after the government agency voted Thursday to repeal landmark Obama-era rules that were designed to ensuring a free and open internet, setting up a court fight over a move that could recast the digital landscape.

The plan had not been popular leading up to the vote, with at least one poll from the University of Maryland finding more than 80 percent of respondents opposed the proposed repeal of net neutrality rules ahead of the vote.

SEE ALSO: Federal Communications Commission repeals net neutrality rules

Commission Chairman Pai, who voted in favor of the rollback, had specifically received harsh criticism from some online communities in the weeks leading up to Thursday's meeting, but the backlash took an especially dark turn after the vote, as various Twitter users began chastising him, with many even calling for the chairman to "kill" himself.

"Today Ajit Pai took away our freedom of speech. Our freedom of information. Please, somebody kill this man. Make it painful too," one user tweeted, while another wrote: "Sincerely, and I mean this with 100% seriousness and honesty. Kill Yourself."

Others even went as far as to tweet death threats.

"If I can not open my internet tomorrow and it says I have to pay for anything I will hunt you down and kill you myself," one user fumed, while another tweeter wrote alongside a photo of three men holding guns: "We lost #NetNeutrality now you lose your life."

See more reactions below:



Security has already been a concern for Pai and his colleagues, as the FCC meeting was briefly evacuated and swept by a security team shortly before the vote.

Lawsuits and challenges are expected in the coming weeks and months before the vote has any direct impact on consumers. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman released a statement shortly after the vote announcing plans to lead a multi-state lawsuit to challenge the reversal.

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However, many support the decision, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, who issued the following statement following Pais actions to undo net neutrality regulations.

Despite its unassuming name, the Obama administrations net neutrality regulation threatens the free and open internet that has done so much to advance modern society. The Trump administrations action to roll back this egregious government overreach into the most innovative space will benefit all users of the internet. As Chairman Pai outlined today, the way to protect consumers is to put the Federal Trade Commission back on the beat to crack down on those who would abuse open access. This new plan of action will open new avenues for telemedicine, distance learning, and future innovations.

Pai has defended the decision, arguing that the original rules established in 2015 were heavy-handed and stifled competition among various service providers. His critics, including the two Democrats on the panel, have argued the protections keep the internet "open" as they prevent service providers from blocking, slowing access to or charging more for certain content.

(Reuters contributed to this report)
A Palestinian protester kicks a flaming tire during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday - AFP

Two Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants riding on a motorcycle in Gaza were killed in an explosion on Tuesday which the group implied was caused by an accidental detonation during preparations for an attack.

The deaths followed rockets fired last night into Israel from the Gaza Strip and come amid continuing protests at President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week.

In a statement after Tuesday's explosion, Islamic Jihad said: "We mourn the men - 'martyrs of preparation'". The group usually employs the term to refer to casualties caused by the accidental detonation of weapons or explosives used in attacks against Israel.

Palestinian protesters throw back a teargas canister fired by Israeli troops during clashes on the Israeli border with Gaza, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Credit: AP

Qudra named the two men as Hussein Ghazi Nasrallah and Mustafa al-Sultan, both in their 20s.

Family members at the hospital where the bodies were taken told AFP the two men were members of Islamic Jihad, an Islamist group that fought alongside Hamas in the last war with Israel in 2014.

Earlier Tuesday, four Palestinians were wounded, one seriously, by Israeli gunfire as they protested near the Israeli border fence in eastern Gaza City.

Violence along the Israel-Gaza border has flared since Mr Trump's decision last week.

In addition to border protests, Palestinian militants have fired several rockets at Israel in recent days, sparking Israeli retaliatory airstrikes and shelling. Two Hamas militants and two demonstrators were killed over the weekend.

On Monday, Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted a rocket fired by militants in Gaza. Shortly afterward, Israel responded with tank fire and air strikes targeting positions of Hamas.
By Sarah N. Lynch (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday vacated the conviction of the owner of a wholesale drug distributor accused of selling authentic Botox and other drugs with foreign labels, dealing another setback to the government, which has struggled at times to successfully prosecute similar such cases. A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit found that a lower court erred when it declined to allow William "Liam" Scully to introduce evidence at his 2015 trial showing he sought legal advice about importing drugs with foreign labels from one of his lawyers. "Scullys efforts to bolster his only defense at trial with relevant evidence of the advice of a second attorney was extremely important to the defense," the opinion says. In vacating the conviction, the judges remanded the case back to a lower court. "I'm so happy with the court's decision to grant Liam a new trial and I look forward to him coming home," his wife, Suzanne Scully, told Reuters. A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn, New York, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment. Scully and his business partner ran a New York-based wholesale drug distribution company known as Medical Device King, or MDK. Several years ago, criminal investigators at the Food and Drug Administration launched a probe into the business, as part of a broader crack down on the importation of foreign unapproved drugs. The Botox that Scully imported and sold to doctors around the United States was authentic product manufactured by Allergan. However, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act makes it a crime to buy or sell a drug if it is manufactured without FDA oversight or lacks labels approved by the FDA - even if the drug is made by a legitimate manufacturer. Scully's conviction had been one of the few big successes that the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations had touted in its drug importation crackdown. A special report by Reuters in 2016 found that FDA agents were having trouble getting prosecutors to take on cases involving foreign-labeled authentic Botox, and that many agents had grown frustrated and started calling themselves the Botox Police because they feared the cases were protecting Allergans bottom line, not consumers. An earlier similar type of case in Tennessee against a doctor and his wife who were accused of imported foreign-labeled authentic cancer drugs was previously tossed out by the government while it was on appeal. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered on Tuesday to begin direct talks with North Korea without pre-conditions, backing away from U.S. demands that Pyongyang must first accept that any negotiations would have to be about giving up its nuclear arsenal. "Let's just meet," Tillerson said in a speech to Washington's Atlantic Council think tank, presenting a new diplomatic overture amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile advances and harsh rhetoric between the two sides. Tensions have flared anew since North Korea said it had successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile last month in what it called a "breakthrough" that put the U.S. mainland within range. While reiterating Washington's long-standing position that it cannot tolerate a nuclear-armed North Korea, Tillerson said the United States was "ready to talk any time they're ready to talk", but that there would first have to be a period of quiet without nuclear and missile tests. Tillerson also disclosed that the United States had been talking to China about how to secure North Koreas nuclear weapons in the event of a collapse of the government in Pyongyang, and that Beijing had been given assurances that if U.S. forces had to cross into North Korea they would pull back across the border into the South. But he made clear that the United States wants to resolve the North Korea standoff through peaceful diplomacy and, in terms far more tempered than President Donald Trumps recent threats against Pyongyang, offered to hold exploratory talks. "We can talk about the weather if you want. We can talk about whether its going to be a square table or a round table," he said. "Then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work toward," Tillerson said, suggesting that any initial contacts would be about setting the ground rules for formal negotiations. DOES TILLERSON HAVE TRUMP'S BACKING? It was not immediately clear whether Tillerson, whose influence has appeared to wane within the administration, had Trump's full support to seek such a diplomatic opening. Tillerson has previously expressed a desire to use diplomatic channels with Pyongyang, but Trump tweeted in October that such engagement would be a waste of time. North Korea, for its part, has made clear that it has little interest in negotiations with the United States until it has developed the ability to hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear-tipped missile, something most experts say it has still not achieved. "We're ready to have the first meeting without pre-conditions," Tillerson said. "Its not realistic to say were only going to talk if you come to the table ready to give up your program," he said. "They have too much invested in it. The president is very realistic about that as well." Tillersons comments appeared to mark a shift from previous statements by senior U.S. officials that North Korea would have to show it is serious about discussing nuclear disarmament before formal talks could begin. Tillerson also said that the United States was working to tighten enforcement of international sanctions against North Korea, especially further measures that China can apply, and that Washington had a full menu of military options if such a response is needed. It is important that the diplomatic effort be backed up with a very credible military alternative, he said, adding that Trump intends to make sure that they do not have a deliverable nuclear weapon to the shores of the United States. He called on North Korea to show restraint. Its going to be tough to talk if in the middle of our talks you decided to test another device, Tillerson said. So we continue to indicate to them that we need a period of quiet. You need to tell us you want to talk. The United Nations political affairs chief told senior North Korean officials during a visit to Pyongyang this week that there was an "urgent need to prevent miscalculations and open channels to reduce the risks of conflict," the world body said. Jeffrey Feltman, the highest-level U.N. official to visit North Korea since 2011, met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and Vice Minister Pak Myong Guk, the United Nations said in a statement on Saturday after Feltman arrived back in Beijing. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Clive McKeef and James Dalgleish)
KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday the EU's decision to extend economic sanctions on Russia was "an important political decision" on behalf of his country. The EU announced the six-month extension earlier in the day of the sanctions imposed in retaliation for Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backing of separatist rebels in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region. "(It is) an important political decision by the leaders of the European Union to continue economic sanctions against Russia for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity and unwillingness to stop hybrid aggression against our country," Poroshenko wrote on his official Facebook page. (Reporting by Matthias Williams; editing by Mark Heinrich)
The Hague (AFP) - UN prosecutors Wednesday sought to overturn the surprise acquittal on war crimes charges of an ultranationalist Serbian politician, arguing last year's ruling had been deeply flawed.

"Your Honours, justice has not been done in the case against Vojislav Seselj," said prosecutor Mathias Marcussen, adding his office had "identified numerous errors" in the 2016 ruling which found Seselj not guilty on nine counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Seselj himself snubbed the appeal hearing, which comes after several recent blows for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and its work to prosecute those behind the atrocities of the 1990s Balkans wars.

The setbacks included the dramatic suicide of former Bosnian Croat military commander Slobodan Praljak, who swallowed cyanide in the courtroom in late November just after judges upheld his 20-year jail term for war crimes.

A week earlier, Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic had to be dragged from the courtroom during an angry outburst as he was jailed for life for genocide, among other charges.

The "stunning" judgement against Seselj was not up to the tribunal's standards and "must be quashed. Letting it stand will undermine the credibility both of the ICTY" and its successor, the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), Marcussen told the five appeals judges on Wednesday.

Set up in 1993, the ICTY has successfully prosecuted dozens of those responsible for the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II. But hopes of bringing reconciliation to the bitterly divided region remain distant.

- 'Theatre of the absurd' -

In a sign of lasting tensions, about 2,000 people packed a public memorial in Zagreb on Monday to honour Praljak as a hero.

Addressing the event, Miroslav Tudjman, a lawmaker of Croatia's conservative HDZ party and son of the late Croatian nationalist Franjo Tudjman, slammed the UN judges as "incompetent and irresponsible" and said the court is "a parody, a theatre of the absurd".

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Seselj, 63, now a member of the Serbian parliament with his Serbian Radical Party, has done little to hide his contempt for the tribunal, and refused to travel back from Belgrade for the hearing.

"Since I was acquitted in the first instance, I do not see what is left for this mechanism, what it can do with my verdict," Seselj told AFP.

But prosecutors insist Seselj was behind the murders of many Croats, Muslims and other non-Serb civilians in an unrelenting quest to create a "Greater Serbia" in the 1990s.

In their majority ruling in March 2016, trial judges said the prosecution failed to prove "there was a widespread systematic attack against the non-Serb civilian population in large areas of Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina."

- 'Vast crimes' -

But on Wednesday, the prosecution hit back that this was a "stunning finding" which was "at odds with dozens of other judgements rendered at the ICTY."

"The majority failed to consider the vast body of evidence" of crimes committed in Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia, Marcussen said.

He also disputed findings that the prosecution failed to prove any "causal link" between Seselj's fiery speeches and the wave of atrocities.

"It is clear from the totality of the evidence that there was an increase in the acts of violence" following Seselj's speeches, he told Wednesday's hearing, which lasted barely just over an hour.

Experts said last year's judgement had overturned international law and rewritten the history of the Balkan conflicts, triggered as Yugoslavia broke apart in 1991 following the fall of communism.

The court's chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz has insisted that "in large measure, the ICTY has achieved what it set out to do" by investigating crimes and prosecuting top officials.

But he agreed at a Washington think-tank talk on Tuesday that reconciliation remained elusive, saying the tribunal's legacy would not be measured by its own work but by "whether the countries of the former Yugoslavia build the rule of law".

A ruling in the Seselj appeal is due in early 2018.
Nikki Haley said that evidence shows Iran providing supply of short-range ballistic missiles to Houthi rebels, a violation of a United Nations resolution

Nikki Haley unveils previously classified information at Joint Base Anacostia in Washington DC on Thursday. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

The US has presented evidence that officials said proved that Iran had supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen which were then fired at Saudi Arabia.



The US envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, made the presentation at Bolling Air Force base in Washington, which is the headquarters to the Defence Intelligence Agency.

She said that the evidence would be used to convince Congress and UN member states of the threat to peace represented by Iranian missile proliferation in the Middle East. Haley said the supply of missiles to the Houthis was a violation of a UN resolution, but stressed that the US was not seeking to use the evidence as a reason to walk out of the 2015 multilateral agreement on Irans nuclear programme.

The nuclear deal is not something we are focused on now, she told journalists.

Everything doesnt have to be tied to the nuclear deal, but it does have to be tied to the security council resolution. Everybody has tiptoed around Iran in fear of them getting out of the nuclear deal and they are allowing missiles like this to be fired over to innocent civilians and hurt and that is what has to stop.

So we will continue to build the international communitys support to say this is not about the nuclear deal. This is about all other actions and the president will work with Congress on how we go forward in dealing with Iran in this way.

Standing in front of segments of two missiles, which US officials say were fired recently by Houthi forces at Saudi Arabia, Haley said: As you know we do not often declassify this time of military equipment recovered from these attacks but today we are taking an extraordinary step of presenting it here in an opening setting.

In this warehouse is concrete evidence of illegal Iranian weapons proliferation gathered by direct military attacks on our partners in the regime, she added, saying that representatives from other countries had been invited to inspect the evidence at Bolling.

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The fight against Iranian aggression is the worlds fight. The US is acting today in the spirit of transparency and international cooperation that is necessary to defeat this threat.

The Iranian spokesman at the UN, Alireza Miryousefi, said the evidence was fake.

He said: We categorically reject it as unfounded and, at the same time, irresponsible, provocative and destructive. This purported evidence, put on public display today, is as much fabricated as the one presented on some other occasions earlier.

The Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, used a tweet to compare Haleys appearance to former secretary of state Colin Powells presentation of allegations of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in 2003, that later proved groundless.

When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat, Zarif said in a tweet, accompanied by side-side photos of Haley and Zarif.

The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, submitted a report to the security council saying that there was evidence that Iran was supplying ballistic missiles to Houthi rebels in defiance of UN resolution 2231, and that the UN was investigating.

However, in the report, Guterrres stressed that the nuclear deal remained the best way to ensure the exlusively peaceful nature of Irans nuclear programme.

He said Donald Trumps decision in October not to certify the nuclear agreement under US law created considerable uncertainty about its future. But he added: I am reassured that the United States has expressed its commitment to stay in [the deal].

Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN report and Haleys comments, calling on the international community to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its hostile actions, according to state news agency SPA.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the UN report that asserted that the hostile Iranian intervention and its support for the terrorist Houthi militia with advanced and dangerous missile capabilities threatens the security and stability of the kingdom and the region, SPA said.



The US says that the two missiles on display were recovered from Saudi Arabia. One was aimed at Riyadh airport and the other fell in the west of the country. Haley said that they were Qiam missiles that had been directly supplied by Iran. She pointed to the absence of fins and an arrangement of nine valves on the missiles, which she said were characteristic of the Qiam.



US officials also said that the missile body was made of aluminum alloy and not steel, a fact that weapons experts said pointed to the missiles being Qiams rather than the more rudimentary Scud C of the sort North Korea is known to have delivered to Yemen in 2002.

When they made the Qiam, the Iranians replaced the steel with aluminum, so the material of construction is interesting, Michael Elleman, a missile expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said. If it is aluminum, then its almost certainly the Qiam. That suggests the entire missile was transferred rather than just some parts.

Jeffrey Lewis, the director of the East Asia Nonproliferation programme at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, said that North Korea had also used aluminum in its version of Scud C, but is very unlikely to have supplied that updated version to the Houthis.

Im reasonably persuaded that these are Iranian, Lewis said. But this is still a short-range ballistic missile, under 1,000 km. Its comparable to the kind of things we give to our proxies.

The Saudi-led coalition leading the fight against the Houthis in Yemen, which has been supplied with weaponry by the US, the UK and other allies, has been accused of the indiscriminate killing of civilians through its aerial bombing campaign and by its blockade of rebel-controlled areas of the country.

The World Food Programme (WFP) says 17 million Yemenis (60% of the population) are food insecure, of whom 7 million are severely so. The WFP chief, David Beasley, told CNN: Give us the access we need so innocent people can feed their families and stay alive. We need all the help we can get.

The UK foreign office accepts the intelligence in the UN-provided report does imply Iran supplied missiles to Houthis, confirming this in the Commons last week. But British officials are deeply concerned that the US push to impose wider sanctions on Iran for breaches of UN resolutions relating to Yemen could endanger the 2015 nuclear deal, potentially by goading Tehran to walk out of the agreement.
Washington (AFP) - A pair of US warplanes intercepted two Russia jets over a part of Syria they were not supposed to be operating in, the Pentagon said Thursday.

At one point during Wednesday's incident, the American F-22 Raptor stealth fighters deployed chaff and flares to convince the Russian Su-25s to leave the area, and one US pilot had to "aggressively maneuver" to avoid a midair collision, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said.

The Russian fighters had flown into airspace controlled by the US-led coalition that is fighting the Islamic State group in Syria, crossing onto the east side of the Euphrates River near Albu Kamal.

They "were promptly intercepted by two F-22A Raptors providing air cover for partner ground forces conducting operations to defeat ISIS," Pahon said.

"The F-22s conducted multiple maneuvers to persuade the Su-25s to depart our deconflicted airspace, including the release of chaff and flares in close proximity to the Russian aircraft and placing multiple calls on the emergency channel to convey to the Russian pilots that they needed to depart the area," he added.

The incident lasted approximately 40 minutes before the Russian aircraft flew to the west side of the river.

During and following the encounter, coalition leaders contacted Russian officers on a special hotline to try to calm the situation and avert a "strategic miscalculation," Pahon said.

The Pentagon said that in early November the US verbally agreed with Moscow that the Russians would keep west of the Euphrates and the coalition would stay east.

"Since agreeing to this deconfliction arrangement, the Russians have flown into our airspace on the east side of the river six to eight times per day, or approximately 10 percent of the Russian and Syrian flights," Pahon said.

"It's become increasingly tough for our pilots to discern whether Russian pilots' actions are deliberate or if these are just honest mistakes," Pahon said.

Albu Kamal was IS's last urban stronghold in Syria until the army retook it last month.
Washington (AFP) - The US Army will soon send teams of cyber warriors to the battlefield, officials said Wednesday, as the military increasingly looks to take the offensive against enemy computer networks.

While the Army's mission is generally to "attack and destroy," the cyber troops have a slightly different goal, said Colonel Robert Ryan, who commands a Hawaii-based combat team.

"Not everything is destroy. How can I influence by non-kinetic means? How can I reach up and create confusion and gain control?" he told reporters.

The cyber soldiers have been integrated for six months in infantry units, and will tailor operations according to commanders' needs, said Colonel William Hartman of the Army's Cyber Command.

The Army has for the past three years conducted training for such operations at a huge center in southern California.

Hartman didn't give details on what the cyber troops can achieve, except to say that they would be scooping up information or intercepting planned attacks.

According to the New York Times, CYBERCOM has previously placed "implants" in Islamic State group networks that let experts monitor the group's behavior and ultimately imitate or alter commanders' messages so they unwittingly direct fighters to areas likely to be hit by drone or plane strikes.

Another technique likely being employed is a common type of cyber attack known as a denial of service.

Cyber Command had previously been a subordinate part of the US Strategic Command, but President Donald Trump in August ordered the Pentagon to elevate it to its own command, in a sign of its growing importance.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a forum on US-South Korea relations at the Atlantic Council in Washington, - AFP

Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State, last night offered to begin talks with North Korea without any prior conditions in what appeared to be a softening of America's stance toward Pyongyang.

The US has previously demanded that Kim Jong-un's rogue regime demonstrate a willingness to consider giving up their nuclear programme before talks.

But Mr Tillerson, speaking in Washington, said: "We're ready to have the first meeting without preconditions."

He added: "Let's just meet and let's talk about the weather if you want, and talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table if that's what you're excited about."

"Then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work towards. We're ready to talk any time they'd like to talk."

North Korea | Kim Jong-uns fiery relationship with the US

Donald Trump has previously accused Mr Tillerson, his top diplomat, of "wasting time trying to negotiate" with North Korea.

The White House later issued an ambiguous statement that left unclear whether the US President, who has also threatened to respond with "fire and fury" if North Korea threatens US interests, had given his approval for the speech

"The president's views on North Korea have not changed," the White House said. "North Korea is acting in an unsafe way. ... North Korea's actions are not good for anyone and certainly not good for North Korea."

Mr Tillerson added: "I will continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops.

"I am also confident that (Defence) Secretary Mattis will be successful if it ends up being his turn.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen as the 8th ammunition industry convention is held on December 11 in Pyongyang on Monday Credit: Reuters

North Korea, meanwhile, showed little sign of reining in its weapons programme.

In a speech to workers behind the recent test of a new long-range missile, Mr Kim declared his country "will victoriously advance and leap as the strongest nuclear power  in the world.

Story continues

Mr Tillerson's comments came as a senior UN official returning from Pyongyang said that North Korean officials had told him it was important to prevent war but offered no concrete proposal for talks.

"They agreed that it was important to prevent war," Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, told reporters after briefing the Security Council on his trip.

Mr Feltman met with North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho and Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-Kuk during his visit to Pyongyang over the weekend - the first by a high-ranking UN official since 2011.

North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho meets with Jeffrey Feltman, UN undersecretary-general for political affairs, in Pyongyang Credit: Reuters

No followup meeting was agreed during the talks, but Feltman said he told the North Koreans that his visit should be seen as "only the beginning" of a new exchange.

"They listened seriously to our arguments," said Feltman, though acknowledging that "they did not offer any type of commitment to us at that point."

"I think they have to reflect on what we said with their own leadership," he added.

The UN under secretary-general for political affairs said he urged Pyongyang to "signal that it was prepared to consider engagement" with world powers and that the United Nations could help.

"Time will tell what was the impact of our discussions, but I think we've left the door ajar," he said.

"I fervently hope that the door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide."
A video screen displays Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking during his annual press conference in Moscow while journalists hold placards - AFP

Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed Russia's political opposition as immature and unable to offer an alternative to his rule at an annual press conference before he stands for re-election in March.

During the meeting, which lasted just under four hours, Mr Putin also continued to position himself as the West's main geopolitical foe, suggesting Russia's assertive role in the Syria and Ukraine conflicts will be a major talking point ahead of the vote.

It's not my job to raise competitors, Mr Putin said when asked why he had no serious challengers in the race. His almost certain win75% of Russians say they'll vote for him  will keep him in power until 2024, almost as long as Joseph Stalin.

Mr Putin, who has ruled Russia since 1999, will face a handful of token opponents at the ballot box.

One of these is Ksenia Sobchak, a former socialite turned liberal TV presenter who many suspect is running as Kremlin "spoiler" candidate to split the opposition and boost interest in the polls.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual press conference in Moscow Credit: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP

Ms Sobchak, whose father was Mr Putin's political mentor and who is rumoured to be the president's goddaughter, will be at Thursday's event as a journalist for opposition channel Dozhd and is expected to be allowed to ask a question.

The president typically answers questions on a broad range of topics - from foreign policy to the state of provincial roads to his private life - and receives televised requests from the far corners of Russia.

With tensions high and no end in sight for Western sanctions, Mr Putin is expected to again strike a defiant stance and stress the more belligerent foreign policy he has forged in recent years.

The record 1,640 journalists at Putin's press conference is apparently too many: Journalists are fighting for seats pic.twitter.com/cCgH1yklxu  Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) December 14, 2017

Among the victories he can trumpet is that in Syria. On Monday, he made his first visit to the country and declared that he would draw down Russian forces following their intervention in the conflict, which brought Bashar Assad back from the brink of defeat and helped suppress the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Story continues

Meanwhile, parliament is set to approve an agreement to expand Russia's naval base in Tartus, showing Mr Putin's intention remain a player in Middle Eastern politics in the long term.

TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak and TV Rain host Anton Zhelnov seen ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual press conference at Moscow's World Trade Center Credit: Sergei Bobylev/TASS

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Putin planned to spend all of the previous day preparing for what would be his 13th such press conference, due to start at 9am GMT.

The year-end press conference is known for pageantry, including the colourful signs and stuffed animals journalists wave to catch the attention of Mr Putin or his press secretary on stage.

Only specially selected publications are given the chance to ask a question.

"Someone is holding a sign 'Putin bye-bye'" Putin says.

It actually says "Putin babai," or "Grandpa Putin." 1st joke of the press conference pic.twitter.com/bPIsPVKgOS  Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) December 14, 2017

The event is also legendary for its length, the record being four hours and 40 minutes at the 2008 press conference. When in a good mood, Mr Putin sometimes likes to banter with journalists or show off his trademark salty humour.

This year's press conference set a record for attendance: 1,640 journalists were accredited.

'It's not my job to raise competitors'

The first questions of the press conference were about the president's announcement he would stand for re-election. Why are you running for president? radio station Govorit Moskva asked.

Mr Putin responded that he wouldn't like to talk about my platform, but said vaguely he wanted to develop infrastructure, healthcare, education and high tech and raise incomes.

He wasn't able to get off that easy, however, because the online tabloid Life News asked why he doesn't have any strong competitors in the race.

Putin about why he has no real competitors in next year's election: "That's the main problem of those who want to be competitive opposition... they need to present real issues, that people will believe in"

State TV of course has nothing to do with it pic.twitter.com/QAFXHUhrrX  Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) December 14, 2017

The subtext was that anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny has been barred from running.

It's not my job to raise competitors, Mr Putin said, noting that Russia had seen huge growth in GDP and incomes during his 18 years in power. He said the opposition shouldn't make noise in the streets, hinting at the street protests Mr Navalny called in dozens of cities across Russia this spring.

That's the main problem of those who want to be a competitive opposition  they need to present real issues that people will believe in, he said.

Mr Navalny was among those live-tweeting the press conference, lampooning softball questions and Mr Putin's rose-tinted answers.

After Mr Putin argued that the opposition should offer real alternatives rather than street protests, Mr Navalny tweeted the electoral platform he published on Wednesday.

This is what the non-parliamentary opposition is offering, Vladimir Vladimirovich, he wrote. You're just trying hard not to notice.

Mr Putin also said he will run as an independent, a logical move given that his personal popularity is higher than that of the ruling United Russia party.

The party is headed by PM Dmitry Medvedev, who served as president from 2008-12 before giving up the seat to Mr Putin in a maneuver to avoid the constitutional two-term limit.

Mr Putin then batted away a question about whether over-reaching security officials were the real traitors to the country.

You love to provoke with you traitors and fifth columnists, he said before taking a more staid question about the central bank.

The first hour of the press conference were focused on the economy, which is expected to return to moderate growth after flagging under low oil prices and Western sanctions.

Putin will 'defend the honour' of its athletes in civil courts

After an hour-and-a-half of questions about the economy and the election, Mr Putin's press secretary shifted the conversation to sport. Last week, the International Olympic Committee banned Russia from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics for its systematic doping, saying its athletes would have to compete under a neutral flag.

Mr Putin argued that Russia was the victim of double standards and said the government would bring lawsuits in civil courts to defend the honour of its athletes who had been banned for doping violations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual press conference in Moscow Credit: AFP

It's strange, some people are getting an advantage, some are allowed to take these medications and others are not, he said of the exceptions made for some athletes with pre-existing conditions.

Asked about whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of the Moscow anti-doping lab, Mr Putin said he had psychological problems and worked for American special services. Mr Rodchenkov and his sister had been guilty of doping themselves, he added.

It's hardly strange that he barked about the doping suspicions, Mr Putin said.

He said Russia's international competitors were having a hard time, so they're putting pressure on us.

Allegations of collusion with Trump campaign are 'Spy-mania'

The first foreign journalist to be allowed a question, an ABC News reporter asked Mr Putin about his relationship with Donald Trump and the investigations of Russian collusion. The Russian president immediately began praising his American counterpart, saying the growth of the US market shows the investors' confidence in Trump.

He spoke about improving relations with Russia, it's obvious that even if he wanted to he couldn't because of the apparent obstacles, Mr Putin said. That's probably about it.

Putin on collusion with Trump: "This is all made up by people who are in opposition to Trump to make his work seem illegitimate."

On Trump team meetings with Russians: "What here is out of bounds and why should this all take an atmosphere of spy-mania?" pic.twitter.com/iKZjrPMS9h  Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) December 14, 2017

Yelling over the crowd, the reporter asked for an answer to the second part of his question, about allegations of collusion.

This is all made up by people who are in opposition to Trump to make his work seem illegitimate, Mr Putin retorted.

What, we need to ban any and all contacts during any election in the world!? They blame our ambassador for meeting him, but this is worldwide practice! he said. What here is out of bounds and why should this all take on a character of spy-mania?

Stop 'whipping up' North Korea, Putin warns

Asked about North Korea, Mr Putin said Russia doesn't recognise its nuclear status and considers its tests counter-productive. But while Russia has condemned the nuclear programme, it has been growing its economic ties with North Korea, replacing some of the trade that China has been taking away to put pressure on the isolated state.

Mr Putin placed the blame for the nuclear standoff on Washington, accusing the United States for provoking Pyongyang. He reminded listeners that the United States already deployed nuclear weapons against Japan, and even then it was unjustified.

Journalists try to attract Russian President Vladimir Putin's attention to their question during Putin's annual press conference in International Trade Center in Moscow Credit: Anadolu

After Libya and Iraq, North Korea doesn't see any other way to survive besides developing long-range nuclear missiles, Mr Putin said. Both sides need to stop whipping up the situation. The Americans say they will stop tests, but then they held another one North Korea immediately launched a missile.

You need to be careful, he chided Washington.

'No will to bring an end to the conflict' in Ukraine

Mr Putin was also asked about the two conflicts that Russia has intervened in recently, annexing Crimea and backing separatists in Ukraine and waging an air campaign to keep its ally Assad in power in Syria.

A Ukrainian journalist even accused him of sending troops to Ukraine to kill our citizens, but Mr Putin again denied that the Russian army was there, despite evidence of two interventions in 2014 and 2015.

According to the OSCE, violence in the simmering separatist in eastern Ukraine is again on the rise, reaching 1,000 or more ceasefire violations a day. Mr Putin blamed Kiev for the stalled peace process.

There is no will to fulfill the requirements, no will to bring an end to the conflict, he said.

Sobchak gets her question

Mr Putin's would-be electoral challenger Ms Sobchak, who works for the independent channel TV Rain, was finally able to ask a question after about three hours.

Did you also deceive us and you're here not as a journalist? Mr Putin joked, referring to the previous questioner, who after a long rant about fish prices revealed he was not a journalist but the head of a fish processing plant.

Nonplussed, Ms Sobchak asked about the lack of political competition and why Mr Navalny was not being allowed to run.

TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak asks a question during an annual press conference by Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Moscow's World Trade Center Credit: TASS

Mr Putin responded that Russians were sick of revolutions and cited the protests that former Georgia president Mikheil Saakashvili has been holding in Ukraine: You want dozens of Saakashvilis to run around our squares  and destabilise the country?

You're running under the slogan 'Against All'. Is that really a positive programme? What are you offering? Mr Putin told Ms Sobchak.

In his answer, he did not say Mr Navalny's name, a word he has long avoiding saying no matter what he's asked.
Melinda Mindy McGillivray, who says that Donald Trump groped her in 2003, is joining calls for an investigation into sexual misconduct accusations against him.

McGillivray appeared on Megyn Kellys show on Tuesday morning to echo the message of three other Trump accusers, who on Monday called for a Congressional ethics investigation into the allegations against President Trump.

He has to face the music, he cant get away with this. I demand an investigation, McGillivray said. I think its important that we hold this man to the highest of standards Why hasnt anything been done? Where is our investigation? I want justice.

McGillivray originally came forward with her allegations in October 2016 in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. She said that Trump grabbed her behind backstage during a Ray Charles concert at Mar-a-Lago when she was 23.

Trump hasnt commented on McGillivrays specific claims, but has denied all of the allegations against him.

McGillivray told Kelly that she was shocked Trump was elected president last year. I couldnt believe a man like that could make it into the highest office and be revered as this leader, she said. I cant look up to a man like that.

On Tuesday morning, Trump tweeted that hes facing false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I dont know and/or have never met.

Despite thousands of hours wasted and many millions of dollars spent, the Democrats have been unable to show any collusion with Russia - so now they are moving on to the false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I dont know and/or have never met. FAKE NEWS!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2017

But McGillivray, who said that shes a registered Independent and wasnt motivated by politics to come forward, told Kelly that shes telling the truth.

Im not a liar. I dont want to be called a liar, she said. I want to teach my daughter that if this occurs  I dont care who this man is  youre going to stop it right then and there.

Trump accuser Melinda McGillivray responds to his tweet from this morning #MegynTODAY pic.twitter.com/3QhjLA6VaK  Megyn Kelly TODAY (@MegynTODAY) December 12, 2017

McGillivray is the latest Trump accuser to call for an investigation into the allegations. On Monday, three other Trump accusers  Jessica Leeds, Rachel Crooks and Samantha Holvey  appeared on Megyn Kelly Today before holding a press conference to call on Congress to investigate the claims against Trump. A handful of Democratic lawmakers have called on Trump to resign, while Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said on Sunday that Trumps accusers deserve to be heard.
For military women, before #MeToo there was #NotInvisible, our attempt to draw attention to the epidemic of sexual assault in the military which continues to be largely ignored by the American public. Now as the #MeToo reckoning sweeps other industries, from Hollywood to politics, America is once again leaving service women behind.

We women veterans and military women also felt emboldened to share our stories as #MeToo entered the national conversation, but as the movement gains momentum we question why our voices are not included in this movement. Women in the military have been speaking out about sexual harassment and assault for decades, from Tailhook in the early 1990s to Marines United earlier this year. And for decades the American public has ignored our voices, allowing the military brass to pay lip service to eradicating the problem of sexual assault in the ranks, and failing to hold them accountable when, as scandal after scandal shows, sexual predators in the military continue to harass and assault with impunity.

Earlier this fall the Service Womens Action Network (SWAN) surveyed more than 1,300 service women about the impact their military service had on their mental health. The survey identified military sexual trauma (MST) as the number one factor negatively affecting their mental wellness. Following the survey, SWAN brought together service women and women veterans from all branches and eras in a Summit in D.C. that further explored the survey results. The service women who attended included a 71-year-old Navy vet who shared with us that after multiple rapes and assaults the only way she could finish out her enlistment in the 60s was by numbing herself with alcohol on a daily basis until her contract was over. Not a lot has changed since then. As recently as this week, we at SWAN continue to field calls and emails from women who tell us they were discharged after being raped or women currently serving who tell us they are scared of reporting their rape.

Story continues

Once women leave the service, they do not leave the military sexual trauma behind. In our survey, just over 60 percent of women indicated that military service negatively affected their mental health (most often tied to MST) and recent data bears out that fact: women veterans have higher rates of depression than non-veteran women and a shocking 250% higher suicide rate than civilian women. Even as women veterans are trying to access veteran health services, they report being harassed by their fellow veterans in VA facilities.

For the Post-9/11 generation of military service members and veterans, SWAN was the Silence Breaker raising the alarm about the sexual harassment and assault our nations military women (and men) endure. SWAN aggressively tackled the topic, even as major veterans organizations and the American public refused to engage with the issue, deeming it too controversial. SWAN continues the fight to have service womens voices heard. Last month, we stood beside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as she once again reintroduced the Military Justice Improvement Act, which would take the decision to prosecute felonies, including sexual assaults, away from commanders who are at times the very perpetrators of the assaults, and put it in the hands of military prosecutors.

The military brass is fighting passage of MJIA, claiming with stunning hypocrisy that they have a zero tolerance policy for sexual assault, even as men and women in the military continue to endure assault and retaliation, as the latest report from the Pentagon shows. In 2016 the military had 6,172 reported sexual assaults, but the estimated rate in the military is more than twice that number  58 percent of service members who reported an assault said they faced retaliation.

Women in the military put their lives on the line on behalf of this country. It is a profound betrayal of their commitment to our nation that the greater threat they face is from fellow service members and from a military justice system that fails them, time after time.

We are not invisible. America cannot continue to exclude military sexual assault from the national conversation. It is time for military commanders to face the #MeToo reckoning and be held accountable for the entrenched culture of sexual harassment and assault they have tolerated, and at times, participated in. Passing MJIA would be a first step in transforming that culture.

Antonieta Rico is a former staff sergeant who served for more than six years in the U.S. Army. She is a veteran of the Iraq War and currently serves as the Director of Communications and Policy at the Service Womens Action Network.
Hours after Doug Jones upset Roy Moore in Alabamas special election, the far right began cooking up conspiracy theories about busloads of voters being brought in from out-of-state:

I am hearing rumors that black voters from MS were encouraged to cross over into AL and vote. Anyone else hearing this? Anything to it? That might explain the 30% turnout higher than population percentage. Just reporting the rumor.  Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) December 13, 2017

How likely is that scenario?

I used to write cons & heists for a living, John Rogers, co-creator of the show Leverage, wrote on Twitter. And very few things piss me off like sloppy heist plotting. And racism. So this is a two-fer.

Rogers picked apart the conspiracy theory until there was nothing left.

Heres his thread:

1/ Okay, you racist hack, apparently I have to do this every time. Like all conspiracy theories, this falls apart as soon as one asks "How?" https://t.co/oksvKlmCVI  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

2/ Let's just go with the most popular right-wing conspiracy, George Soros (because, of course, you blame a Jew, you fucks) bussed in enough out of state black people to win Doug Jones the election.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

3/ Now he's not going to MAYBE fix an election, he's going to have himself a margin of error, And remember the conspiracy is this gave Jones the WIN, didn't PAD the win. That proves nothing.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

4/ to get a 20,000 vote margin, you want to give yourself a pad to get OVER what Moore was supposed to win by. Should he have won by 20,000 votes? Does that seem right?  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

5/ Sure, why not, it's a Fermi problem anyway. (Look it up) So we have to find 40,000 votes minimum to get the results we want.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

6/ So apparently the Soros conspiracy finds 40,000 paid votes without anybody noticing. Nobody leaks. Nobody tells a friend. Not a single slip-up. That is some fucking OPSEC.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

7/ We then have to bus them in. The standard transit bus carries about 45 people. School buses can go higher. Let's say 50. So that's 2 busses per hundred, 20 buses per thousand, that's about 800 buses?  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

8/ So, right now your brilliant conspiracy has some genius renting 800 buses from, well, how many buses does one company have, say a couple dozen companies, all on the same day, requiring 800 drivers who ALSO have to be in on it. And still. Nobody. Notices.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

9/ Hey, I'll spot you somehow they go to only the voting places where not a single Moore voter will notice a busload of strangers showing up -- of course that means multiple busloads at very few stations.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

10/ Then these 40,000 or so fake voters -- like, the number of troops who hit Utah Beach on D-Day -- stroll in and HAVE ID SINCE ALABAMA HAS STRICT ID LAWS, and ARE ALREADY REGISTERED. Holy shit, the conspiracy!  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

11/ Somehow Soros et al had these sleeper voter ID's in place, and not on the inactive list, JUST IN CASE the GOP nominated anybody even remotely beatable. Or they managed to do so between Moore winning the primary and the election.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

12/ And they did this all under the nose of Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, a Republican, who's made it his life's work to hunt down voter fraud, and was a vocal supporter of Moore.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

13/ 20,000-40,000 fake voters, all recruited secretly, paid somehow, transported in hundreds of buses with hundreds of drivers, no witnesses, no leaks, no paper trail, voting in dozens of stations, no witnesses, with 10k forged ID's.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

14/ At least have a modicum of dignity and claim the machines were hacked.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

15/ I'm sorry, I know this is dumb, but I used to write cons & heists for a living. And very few things piss me off like sloppy heist plotting. And racism. So this is a two-fer.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

16/ fin.  John Rogers (@jonrog1) December 13, 2017

Also on HuffPost

Vaccines Cause Autism

Trump is a firm believer in the notion that vaccines cause autism, a theory that has long been debunked and traces its roots back to a retracted 1998 article in a medical journal.



"We had so many instances, people that work for me, just the other day ... a beautiful child went to have the vaccine and came back, and a week later got a tremendous fever, got very, very sick, now is autistic," Trump said at a Republican presidential primary debate last fall.



It was only one of many times the candidate has claimed that vaccines are toxic and can cause autism in children.

'Thousands And Thousands' In New Jersey Celebrated 9/11

Trump likes to claim he saw things that didnt happen, and perhaps the best example of that is when he said he watched thousands of people in New Jersey celebrating after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.



"I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down," Trump said at a rally in November. "And I watched in Jersey City, New Jersey, where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering."



He also defended his comments in an interview the next day: "There were people over in New Jersey that were watching it, a heavy Arab population, that were cheering as the buildings came down."



No such footage exists. In fact, a Sept. 18, 2001 article by the New Jersey Star-Ledger pointed out, Rumors of rooftop celebrations of the attack by Muslims here proved unfounded.

Antonin Scalia May Have Been Murdered

Calling in to a talk radio show just days after Antonin Scalia's death in February, Trump hinted that the Supreme Court justice was suffocated in his sleep.



Well I just heard today, just a little while ago, actually, Trump said. You know I just landed, and Im hearing its a big topic, and its a horrible topic. But they say they found the pillow on his face, which is a pretty unusual place to find a pillow. I cant tell you what, I cant give you an answer.



Scalia was found dead in his bedroom at a hunting resort in west Texas on Feb. 13, 2016. A judge pronounced Scalia dead of natural causes by phone, and law enforcement officers on the scene said there were no signs of foul play. He was 79.

The IRS Audits Trump Because Hes A Christian

Trump is no stranger to tax audits. But in an interview with CNN in February, he theorized that the Internal Revenue Service may be auditing him because hes a strong Christian.



Im always audited by the IRS, which I think is very unfair. I dont know, maybe because of religion, maybe because of something else, Trump said.



When CNN host Chris Cuomo asked what he meant by religion, Trump replied, Well, maybe because of the fact that Im a strong Christian, and I feel strongly about it and maybe theres a bias.



The GOP presidential nominee is currently being audited by the IRS, something he's cited as a reason for not releasing his personal income tax returns.



The IRS has already said that Trump is free to release the documents. The real estate mogul admitted earlier this month that he could release his tax returns immediately if he wanted to. Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr., suggested it would be a problem to have people "asking questions about the returns if they became public.

Barack Obama Didnt Actually Attend Columbia University

Trump hasn't only questioned the president's birthplace. At a 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference, he insinuated that Obama didn't actually attend Columbia University.



"Our current president came out of nowhere. Came out of nowhere," Trump said. "In fact, I'll go a step further: The people that went to school with him, they never saw him, they don't know who he is. It's crazy.



Obama began his college career at Occidental College in Los Angeles in 1979 before transferring to Columbia University two years later. In fact, several of Obamas classmates at Columbia have publicly spoken about his time at the university.



But that didnt stop Trump from pursuing the theory. In 2012, he offered to give $5 million to charities if the president released his college transcripts and passport records. Nothing came of that stunt.

Ted Cruzs Father Was Involved In The Assassination Of JFK

Usually, when a tabloid tries to spread an audacious claim about a politicians family, presidential candidates ignore it.



Trump did the opposite when the National Enquirer published a story implying that Ted Cruzs father played a role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.



His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being  you know, shot. I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous, Trump said in an interview with Fox News. What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it.



Trump struck a nerve, and Cruz responded by calling Trump a pathological liar, a narcissist...straight out of a psychology textbook. The Texas senator dropped out of the Republican presidential race shortly after the incident.



Trump revived the conspiracy at the Republican National Convention after Cruz refused to endorse him, and has given no indication that he intends to apologize.



On Friday, Cruz announced he was endorsing Trump anyway.

Does Madonna know something we all don't about Barack? At a concert she said "we have a black Muslim in the White House."  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2012

Drought In California Is A Government Conspiracy

As California braced itself for another summer of forest fires, Trump told his supporters in May he was going to find a solution to their drought problem -- but not before chalking it up to an elaborate government conspiracy.



"It's so ridiculous, where they're taking the water and shoving it out to sea," Trump said at a San Diego rally. "Nobody understands it. There is no drought. They turn the water into the ocean."



By they, Trump was referring to state officials. In California, water is diverted from farms to rivers so wildlife can survive.



Trump promised he would stop permitting the use of water for environmental purposes, although that would violate the states laws.



At the end of the day, California just doesnt have enough water -- and there are plenty of studies to show what parts of the state are too dry.

Huma Abedin Has Ties To Terrorism

Conservatives have attempted to link top Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin to terrorism because of her heritage and her family's involvement with Muslim organizations. Donald Trump jumped on the bandwagon in April.



You know, by the way, look at where she worked, by the way, and look at where her mother works and worked, Trump said. Huma Abedin has access to classified information. How Hillary got away with that one, nobody will ever know.



Abedin was born in the United States but raised in Saudi Arabia. She served as assistant editor of an academic journal called the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, which was founded by her late father and edited by her mother. According to experts on Islam, its far from radical.

Climate Change Is A Hoax

Many Republicans dont accept climate change as a fact. But Trump has taken it even further.



At one point, he called the phenomenon a hoax created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.



Trump walked back that claim in an interview on Fox News in January, but he still called climate change a very, very expensive form of tax.



Scientists overwhelmingly agree that human activity is significantly affecting the environment, causing rising sea levels, global warming and heightened CO2 levels.

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If youre an investor in Canada, there have been a few hot topics that everyone who follows stocks has been talking about. With the imminent legalization of recreational in marijuana in Canada, pot stocks got a big boost in 2017. And as electric cars and the move away from gas and diesel power becomes more mainstream, companies who are at the forefront of that revolution benefited greatly.

We break down the top 10 stocks that saw massive growth this year. No penny stocks here; all of these companies began the year with a share price of at least $5.

S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Daily Inverse ETF (HVI.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $19.570

Net Change: $11.260

Per Cent Increase: 135.500%

What it is: ETF designed to perform inverse to the S&P 500 VIX Short Term Fund Index

Why it took off in 2017: This Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) managed by Horizon ETFs cracked the top 10 top performing stocks for the year. Designed to give investors the benefit of shorting the market without exposing themselves to as much risk, this ETF performed better than many of the industry-specific ETFs it launched this year. Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF was certainly more hotly debated, but experienced a more modest 46.62 per cent growth since its launch in April.

No. 9: Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AUP.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $6.780

Net Change: $3.950

Per Cent Increase: 139.580%

What it is: Biopharmaceutical company focused on treatment of serious diseases

Why it took off in 2017: With a new CEO announced in February and promising data for a new kidney drug, Aurinia made some impressive gains through 2017. Dr. Richard Glickman took over the company after the board ousted his predecessor, and the stock has been on a steady increase ever since. In March, shares jumped as much as 20 per cent on the news that it would be presenting data for voclosporin to the National Kidney Foundations spring meeting. Trial data shows the drug had the highest remission rate of any drug for lupus nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys that can lead to end-stage kidney disease) ever tested. Since then, however, share prices have leveled off.

Story continues

No. 8: Theratechnologies Inc. (D) (TH.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $6.850

Net Change: $4.110

Per Cent Increase: 150.000%

What it is: Pharmaceutical company specializing in the health and wellness of HIV patients

Why it took off in 2017: In May, Theratechnologies and its partner, TaiMed Biologics, came to a breakthrough in one of its HIV treatments. They filed for an FDA license for ibalizumab, which is designed to treat multidrug resistant HIV. It is currently under study and if it is approved, will be the first antiretroviral treatment in almost a decade. It also doesnt require to be taken daily, also making it unique to the market.

No. 7: Kirkland Lake Gold (KL.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $18.340

Net Change: $11.320

Per Cent Increase: 161.250%

What it is: Gold producer with mines in Canada and Australia

Why it took off in 2017: Kirkland Lake Gold kicked off 2017 with some big news: it would be moving away from diesel-powered machines in its mining operations to lithium-ion battery scoops and trucks instead. The new equipment is not only better for the environment, it also can carry 30 per cent more load per bucket. The hits just kept on coming, as Kirkland Lake Gold announced in June that it had discovered more high-grade gold in its Kirkland Lake, Ont. mine.

No. 6: Ballard Power Systems (BLDP.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $6.110

Net Change: 3.890

Per Cent Increase: 175.230%

What it is: Developer and manufacturer of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products

Why it took off in 2017: The biggest gains for Ballard came in September, when share prices jumped almost 21 per cent. Ballard announced a new fuel cell that doesnt use precious metals as the catalyst, making it the first non-precious metal catalyst-based exchange membrane. For those of us who forget science class, the important takeaway is that Ballard found a way to make fuel cells cheaper and more easily available, a huge boon for its commercial clients. The new fuel cell will be put to the test in 2018.

No. 5: Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $7.520

Net Change: $5.220

Per Cent Increase: 226.960%

What it is: Medical marijuana producer

Why it took off in 2017: If you havent heard about Aurora in 2017, you may have been smoking a lot of its product. The producer and distributor of medical marijuana has had a big year, expanding its production facilities, improving its profit margins, and aggressively going after competitors, like its hostile takeover attempt of Cannimed. While Aurora is currently focused on the medical marijuana community, they are positioning themselves to be a massive player when Canada legalizes recreational marijuana in 2018.

No. 4: Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $13.300

Net Change: $9.300

Per Cent Increase: 232.500%

What it is: Joint developer of Cauchairi-Olaroz lithium mine in Argentina, as well as owner of the Lithium Nevada Project and RehoMinerals Inc.

Why it took off in 2017: With the push to electric cars picking up, the need for lithium-ion batteries in those and other devices continues to rise. In fact, lithium suppliers are struggling to meet that pressing demand. The share price of Lithium Americas has tripled this year on that demand, and with Argentina poised to take over as the primary source in South America for lithium, the company is in a good position to continue its growth into 2018.

No. 3: Mogo Finance Technology Inc. (MOGO.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $7.560

Net Change: $5.640

Per Cent Increase: 293.750%

What it is: Fintech company that lets Canadians manage their money via apps

Why it took off in 2017: Mogo saw a huge boost at the end of the tracking period, due to the announcement of MogoProtect, which can protect customers against identity theft. The announcement came on the heels of the Uber and Equifax breaches, making the project particularly enticing.

No. 2: Village Farms International (VFF.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $5.900

Net Change: 4.550

Per Cent Increase: 337.040%

What it is: Hydroponic greenhouse producer of vegetables

Why it took off in 2017: Since 2017 was the year of big money in cannabis, Village Farms benefited from an announced joint venture with Emerald Health. The stock started its impressive climb in September, when Health Canada agreed to review the application for growing marijuana for Emerald Health in a 1.1 million-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse in Delta, B.C.

No. 1: Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (FRX.TO)

Dec. 1 Price: $12.160

Net Change: $9.550

Per Cent Increase: 365.90%

What it is: Biopharmaceutical company focused on cancer treatments

Why it took off in 2017: Fennec announced in September that it had promising data from a study on its sodium thiosulfate product (STS), a.k.a. PEDMARK, which showed good signs of reducing chemo-related hearing loss in children.

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The suspected bomber referenced the President in a Facebook post before the bombing: AFP

The suspected New York City subway bomber wrote a Facebook post apparently mocking President Donald Trump just before the attack, according to federal prosecutors.

Trump you failed to protect your nation, Akayed Ullah wrote Monday morning on the social media site, according to a complaint filed Tuesday charging Ullah with terror offences.

Federal authorities charged Ullah for providing material support to terrorists, and using weapons of mass destruction, after the failed suicide bombing near a busy transit hub in Manhattan Monday morning. Ullah, who sustained burns to his body and hands while injuring three pedestrians, is said to have told investigators that he did it for the Islamic State, using another name for Isis.

Ullah planned to murder as many human beings as he could ... in support of a vicious terrorist cause, acting US attorney Joon Kim told a news conference after filing the charges.

Ullah, 27, is expected to appear before a magistrate judge by Wednesday, although it wasnt immediately clear who will be representing him in court.

The complaint alleges that Ullah began compiling the materials for the pipe bomb he built about two to three weeks before the attack, and built the weapon in the week before the attack. The bomb was built out of a metal pipe, Christmas tree lights, wiring, and a nine-volt battery, among other materials. The pipe bomb was filled with metal screws, which would act as shrapnel to inflict maximum damage. The bomb was attached to his body with zip ties, the complaint said.

The alleged attacker first began to be radicalised in 2014  according to court papers  and had viewed Isis propaganda videos online that instructed those sympathetic to their cause to carry out attacks on their own if they are unable to travel to the Middle East to join Isis. The complaint noted that Ullah was inspired to conduct the attack at least in part because of American foreign policy, including in the Middle East.

Story continues

New York officials on Tuesday also filed state charges against Ullah, as investigators in his home country questioned his wife.

Ullah was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, supporting an act of terrorism, and making a terrorist threat under New York state law, the New York Police Department said.

The federal charges, which are expected to take precedence over the state charges, carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

In the 24 hours following the attack, authorities rushed to find a motive for the attack, and to question anyone who might have relevant details about the suspect. Police taped off whole blocks in Brooklyn, where he is said to have been living, as they searched addresses associated with the suspects name. One neighbour said that Ullah kept to himself and could frequently be seen pacing outside his home while speaking on the phone and smoking cigarettes.

Authorities have also been questioning Ullahs family in his home country of Bangladesh, which he left seven years ago with his father to live in the United States. Ullah was able to stay in the US thanks to a green card, and reportedly lived in Brooklyn with his mother, sister, and two brothers. His father died roughly a year after arriving in America, according to reports.

In Bangladesh, authorities have reportedly questioned Ullahs wife, her parents, and an uncle who lives on a small island off the south-east coast of the country where the suspected bomber was born and lived as a child before moving to the US. Authorities indicated that they did not believe that Ullahs father was involved in any criminal activity before moving to America.

Ullah married his wife in January of 2016, and the couple had a daughter together in June of this year.

A cousin of the alleged bomber told reporters that he was surprised that his family member would have orchestrated the attempted terror attack.

My uncle [Ullahs father] was a freedom fighter. He fought for the liberation of the country, the cousin said. He ran a grocery story in Dhaka before moving to the US. Its shocking to know his son launched the terror attack.

New York police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were leading the investigation into Ullah in conjunction with other agencies through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and were asking the public for any information about the suspect. Investigators are also said to be going through data on Ullahs electronic devices.

Assistant FBI director in charge William Sweeney said, there is so far no indication that Ullah had attracted attention of the FBI, or other government agencies before.

The attempted attack occurred just after 7am local time during the rush hour morning commute, and three other people sustained non-serious injuries. The attempted attack sent the New York City subway system into a panic, and the New York City Police Department cordoned off a sizeable area in Manhattan near Times Square as an investigation into the bombing was undertaken. The rhythm in the area, a popular tourist attraction, had largely returned to normal just hours after the blast.

Following the attack, Mr Trump praised New York law enforcement and first responders, saying they did an incredible job. The President also used the attack to point out what he sees as the need to overhaul the American immigration system. Mr Trump said that the US needs to make changes to the immigration system fast, and said Congress must get involved immediately.

The President repeated that on Tuesday, referring to an attack in October, where an Uzbek immigrant allegedly killed eight people by speeding a rental truck down a New York City bike path, an attack for which Isis claimed responsibility.

There have now been two terrorist attacks in New York City in recent weeks carried out by foreign nationals here on green cards, Mr Trump said. The first attacker came through the visa lottery the second came through chain migration. Were going to end both of them.
By Stephanie Kelly

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York and New Jersey on Thursday committed $1.75 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, to fund a new rail tunnel underneath New York's Hudson River, part of an urgent program to expand and renovate Amtrak's aging and heavily traveled Northeast Corridor line.

The announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and outgoing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie resolves questions about how the states would fulfill a promise to provide half of the funds toward the $12.7 billion Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, among the country's largest infrastructure programs.

New York said it would raise its portion through bond offerings while New Jersey would hike charges on NJ Transit rail passenger trips across the Hudson.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will commit an additional $1.9 billion, the states said in a joint statement.

The project calls for the construction of a new train tunnel and the repair of national rail company Amtrak's existing, century-old line between New York City and Newark, New Jersey, which officials have said could become unusable within the next decade.

New York said it would propose an appropriation in its annual executive budget for 35 years to pay debt service on a $1.75 billion fixed-interest loan to the Gateway Program Development Corporation (GDC), according to a Dec. 13 letter from the state to the GDC and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

"The State expects to recoup its debt service costs from the new infrastructure revenues and offsets," according the letter posted on the New York State government's website.

In its own letter to the GDC, NJ Transit, the state's public transportation corporation, said it would increase charges on NJ Transit rail passenger trips across the Hudson to $1.70 in 2028 and $2.20 in 2038 from $.90 beginning in 2020.

The states' contributions will total half of the project costs, while the federal government will pay the other half, as decided under a framework agreement in 2015, the statement said.

Story continues

"The Hudson Tunnel Project is critical to the regional and national economy and protects against a potentially disastrous scenario of a closure of one of the two tubes of the existing North River Tunnel," Christie said in a statement.

Christie, citing potential cost overruns, previously canceled a $8.7 billion tunnel project in 2010.

(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly; Editing by Daniel Bases and Richard Chang)
Dax Shepard and Jessica Alba. (Photo: Netflix)

As December rolls around, you can count on certain traditions: The trimming of the tree, the lighting of the menorah, and the debate about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. (It is.) In fact, if you pay attention to a lot of made-for-TV Christmas movies, youll notice that theyre really just generic romantic comedies that happen to take place in late December, stealing holiday valor for atmosphere and a little extra emotional punch.

And that brings us to El Camino Christmas, a new Netflix original film released along with A Christmas Prince.

El Camino Christmas is barely a movie, and its certainly not a Christmas movie. You get 84 minutes of run time and  outside of carols over the opening and closing credits and one forced rendition of Joy to the World  the story has absolutely nothing to do with the holidays. One character does say, Its a Christmas miracle! when a beer cooler kicks back on, but then immediately gets a six-pack out before it has a chance to chill. (Its the little stuff, you know?)

The plot: Eric Roth (Luke Grimes) is attempting to track down his long-lost father, so he heads to El Camino, Nev., just before Christmas with nothing to go on but the name and address from an old letter. Through a series of misunderstandings featuring a cop both bad and incompetent (Vincent DOnofrio), Eric ends up arrested on suspicion of cooking meth. After being roughed up during his interrogation, hes freed by an overwhelmed deputy (Dax Shepard), and one car chase later, we get to the core of the movie: A Christmas Eve hostage situation at a liquor store that includes a single mom, her adorable child, and a local alcoholic portrayed by Tim Allen. Ive seen some refer to this film as a dark comedy, and while theres very little in the way of humor, there is a comical amount of gunfire that erupts due to characters making bad decisions at nearly every turn.

Its a shame that El Camino Christmas is so slight, because there is a ton of talent both behind and in front of the camera. The script was written by Ted Melfi, coming off two Oscar nominations for his work writing and producing Hidden Figures. In addition to the actors mentioned above, Kurtwood Smith plays the local sheriff and Jessica Alba portrays the pregnant reporter. All the actors are game, with Allen particularly coming through (there are no Santa Clause jokes, if you were curious) but there just isnt that much happening  and even when the plot is progressing, its mostly nonsensical.

Story continues

If youre looking for some mindless Christmas fun to put on while youre wrapping gifts, then I would strongly urge you to watch almost anything else, because this is barely holiday content. Check out A Christmas Prince or any of the quality bonkersness over at Freeform, because Netflix gets a lump of coal for this attempted entry into the Christmas canon.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Almaty. 14 December. Kazakhstan Today - Kazakhstani employees of the branch of Michael Wilson & Partners, Ltd. say that they have not been paid since September 2016 and cannot even duly resign. This has been set out in the letter received by Kazakhstan Today.



The letter provides that the sole owner and director of the company Michael Wilson and Partners, Ltd. and the director of its Kazakhstani branch is Mr Michael Earl Wilson, an English solicitor and businessman with international background and experience. "Paradoxically, the companys main area of expertise is rendering legal advisory services and counseling has failed to pay salaries to its own employees since September 2016", report the employees of the company.



Having achieved no results with the negotiations with their employer, that lasted from December 2016 to July 2017, the aggravated employees had to file a complaint to the State Labour Inspection and Migration Department of Almaty City. Within two days of receipt of the complaint, the labour inspectorate issued a notice on prescription of an inspection of the employers breaches.



"It is important to understand that under the Kazakhstani laws unless a receipt of notice of inspection is formally signed by a company, against whom the inspection was prescribed, a labour inspector may not commence his inspection. Thus, the labour inspectors attempts to formally serve the notice on Michael Wilson & Partners, Ltd. and obtain the signed receipt on service, lasted for two months and yet all efforts were in vain. The companys officers refused to sign the receipt of notice and accept the documents. Accordingly, during one of his visits to the companys office, the labour inspector, in the presence of the police officer, issued a report and a protocol that the branch of a foreign legal entity and its director, who knew about the labour collective complaint, deliberately obstructed the labour inspector from performing his official duties," it is said in the letter.



Further, the labour inspector filed a claim to the Specialised Inter-District Administrative Court of Almaty on holding the Kazakhstani branch of Michael Wilson & Partners, Ltd. administratively liable for obstruction of labour inspection. On 14 September 2017 the Specialised Inter-District Administrative Court of Almaty imposed an administrative fine on the branch in the amount of 100 MCI - 226,900 tenge.



According to the employees, the complaints to the labour inspectorate and the court "did not stop the branch of the company, its director and his authorised staff from continuing the exploitation of human labour, denial of legal annual vacation, refusal to issue any personnel document (order on termination, entry in the employment record book, salary statement and etc.) and many other violations."



"Thus, there is a situation when the employees do not have the opportunity to get their salaries, go on legitimate annual vacation, unilaterally resign and find a new job and support their families, especially when Mr Wilson threatens to "ruin career in every possible way" of an employee, who quits", say the employees about the situation in the company.



As the next step, the employees of the company sent a letter to the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms Tamara Duissenova, asking for assistance in conducting the inspection of the branch of the company. In the response received from the Ministry the employees were advised to "apply to a higher-ranking official or to the court".



In their letter to Kazakhstan Today, the employees stress that the situation has now reached its extreme limit and the matter of social tension is very acute. They name all that is happening with them as nothing less than a "slavery".



"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly, laid the legal foundations recognised by the whole world a long time ago, and among which it is stipulated that every employee has the right to a fair and satisfactory remuneration ensuring a persons worthy existence for himself/herself and his/her family. The Declaration expanded the concept of a slave to any person who cannot voluntarily leave work. In Europe slavery is prohibited under the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines the slave position of the employee on the following (not exhaustive) list of signs: violation of legal labour rights, lack of opportunity to quit, presence of supervisors at work and etc. The laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its Constitution provides for all the basic human



rights listed in the international treaties and covenants adopted by the country including in relation to labour," it is said in the letter.



This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.


Jerusalem is and has always been the heart of the Jewish people. This most ancient and controversial of cities is the capital of the Jewish state as recognized by the government of Israel and Jews all over the world.

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Rather than being lambasted, US President Donald Trump should be applauded for taking the brave step to recognize officially Jerusalem as Israels capital city and committing to relocating the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This historic acknowledgement by the Trump administration recognizes Jerusalems just and rightful position as the centerpiece of the Jewish state.

US officials have been keen to quash claims that the designation would in any way prejudice final-status negotiations as part of any future peace deal. There is little reason why it should, so I say to my friends in the Arab world that they should not lose hope. Its clear that there is still room for negotiations, and no reason why a settlementone that is palatable for both sidescannot be reached. As Ambassador Ron Dermer said following the announcement, The US did not say they were deciding the boundaries of Jerusalem, and so a comprehensive peace deal is still very much alive.

Recognizing Jerusalem is an acknowledgement of reality (Photo: Israel Bardugo)

Unfortunately, the international community does not see it this way. The reaction has moved from plain critical to outrage. Leaders from London to Montevideo, from the UN to the Vatican are falling over themselves to condemn President Trump. The reaction is both wrong-headed, misguided and, indeed, dangerous.

You cant help wondering why it is that the Jewish state is singled out in this way, given the ongoing atrocities in countries like Syria and Myanmar that have not received the same reaction. What other country on earth has its own choice of capital city questioned? What moral right does any other country have to dictate to Israel where it chooses its Capital? The outrageous thing about this whole episode is that it is so controversial in the first place.

While it cannot be denied that the announcement represents a different approach by the US and a break with its long-time policy of ambiguity on its status, Jerusalem is and always has been the capital of the Jewish state. President Trumps announcement, in this context, is little more than a belated acknowledgement of historical fact. Jerusalem is after all the designated seat of the Israeli government, the Prime Ministers Office and the legislature. It is a pure charade to pretend otherwise. Every person travelling to Israel, from a casual tourist to a head of state is left in no doubt where Israels capital lies.

Much of the focus from opponents to the move has been on the obstacles it will present the US in its efforts to broker peace, which President Trump has described as the ultimate deal. In reality, the Palestinian attitude to the peace process has long been entrenched, with the Palestinian leadership preferring to embark on unilateral action and diplomatic terrorism at international institutions, such as the UN, the International Criminal Court and UNESCO, instead of returning to the negotiating table with Israel.

President Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital (Photo: AP)

We all understand the pain felt by ordinary Palestinians, but the Palestinian leadership really only has itself to blame for its current predicament. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warning of the dangerous consequences for lasting peace as a result of the US action speaks of a cynical attempt, given legitimacy by the over-blown outcry of world leaders, to inflame tensions and justify further diplomatic and military terror.

US allies roundly criticized the policy deviation, with the UKs Prime Minister Theresa May declaring it unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron, on the other hand, condemned it as a move that (went) against international law and all the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Perhaps to be expected, Turkey also chipped into the furor, with President Tayyip Erdogan likening the announcement to throwing the region into a ring of fire.

The vehemence of the collective response from world leaders demonstrates yet again that where Israel is involved, the international community always seems to revel in its condemnation and faux-outrage. This is clear hypocrisy, the likes of which we have seen repeated countless times at the UN Security Council, as the same standards are not applied to Western countries, much less more unsavory regimes around the world. Such an outcry was simply not seen on the same scale when Assad unleashed Chemical Weapons against his own people in Syria and following the ethnic cleansing of Myanmars Rohingyas, which continues to rage on.

Recognizing Jerusalem is an acknowledgement of reality. Peace will only be achieved by furthering the dialogue between Israel and Sunni Arab states with a shared interest in helping to bring the Palestinians to the negotiating table. Overreacting on Jerusalem is not going to help and only serves to encourage and embolden Islamic radicals and their apologists in the West, which in turn entrenches the extreme Israeli right. These, in combination, are the real obstacles to peace.
Residents of the south Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Sha'anan were surprised to see a municipal vehicle hanging Eritrean and Sudanese flags Tuesday night as part of a festival.

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The flags were removed shortly thereafter following residents' complaints. A city official admitted: "We made a mistake; we have rethought our approach taking into consideration the sensitivities of the residents."

The flags were hoisted as part of the upcoming fourth annual lights festival the city is hosting. The goal is to connect the neighborhood's past with its multi-cultural present. The festival includes art exhibits, films and live performances of African music.

Municipal hung flags (Photo: Shafi Paz)

"The city was quick to remove the flags. They realized they had made a mistake, because we attacked them on all fronts," said Sheffi Paz, one of the leaders of the south Tel Aviv residents' protest against the illegal African migrants living in their area.

"I told them in no uncertain terms: either you remove the flags, or we will do so ourselves and put Israeli flags in their place. The city told me they erred. I dont understand why they did not think things through to begin with," she added.

City workers hanging municipal flags (Photo: Moti Kimchi)

Out of some 40 flags that were hung in the neighborhood, the flags of China and the Philippines were hoisted, alongside Eritrean and Sudanese flags, to represent the expatriate workers living in the neighborhood, said a city official.

After the residents' complained, city officials decided there would be no national flags flown, only flags of the municipality.
The nonstop rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has been going on for a week now, with more than 15 rockets fired at Israel so far. For the sake of comparison, a total of 40 rockets were fired at Israel for three years and three months, since the end of Operation Protective Edge. What we are seeing is a collapse of the deterrence achieved in the 2014 military operation.

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Countless articles, military investigations and a state comptrollers report have been written about the military management of the operation, and mainly about the faulty preparations for the operation, but the fact that it created deterrence against Hamas in Gaza is undisputable. Up until a week ago, the operation provided the souths residents with a period of calm they had not experienced since the first rocket was fired in 2001but thats over now.

Rocket launched from Gaza last weekend

Up until now, we were told that Hamas was able to impose its authority on the rebel organizations and prevent them from firing rockets at Israel. In the past few days, Hamas has stopped making an effort or is unable to handle the organizations. The first option seems more reasonable.

The rockets are fired every evening, mostly in barrages, in an attempt to challenge the Iron Dome system installed in the area, which managed Wednesday to intercept two rockets making their way to the city of Sderot.

Until Wednesday, the IDF responded in a restrained manner, attacking mostly unpopulated Hamas military camps and trying to restore the previous situation through limited activities. The Israeli interest is clear: To avoid an escalation at least until the completion of the underground obstacle defense system around the Gaza Strip in a bid to reduce the ability of using attack tunnels against communities and IDF camps.

Meanwhile, the Israeli claim that Hamas is also interested in a calm in Gaza contradicts, for example, the Shin Bets announcement that managed to thwart a Hamas plot to kidnap Israelis during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The cell that had planned the abduction was uncovered in the past two months. It includes three Hamas operatives from a village near Nablus, who were involved in planning the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier or citizen from a bus stop in one of the main junctions in Samaria, near Nablus.

The plan was that they would dress up as settlers from the area and kidnap an Israeli from the hitchhiking stop. According to the Shin Bet, the cell members were in contact with Omar Assida, a Hamas militant and a member of the Hamas top command in the Gaza Strip, who is responsible for organizing military actions and the flow of funds from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank.

The Shin Bet further noted that the Hamas command in Gaza provided guidance and financing for the planned abduction, which was aimed at advancing negotiations for the release of security prisoners jailed in Israel.

In this state of events, its possible thatlike in June 2014Israel is again misreading Hamas intentions and should perhaps draw conclusions and address the organizations actual actions rather than merely its intentions and interests.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is warning that Iran may be defying a UN call to halt ballistic missile development even as it complies with the nuclear deal with six world powers.

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The UN chief says in a report to the Security Council that the United Nations is investigating Iran's possible transfer of ballistic missiles to Houthi Shi'ite rebels in Yemen that may have been used in launches aimed at Saudi Arabia on July 22 and November 4.

The report on implementation of a UN resolution that endorsed the July 2015 nuclear agreement was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. The US Mission to the United Nations said Ambassador Nikki Haley would hold a news conference Thursday in Washington to highlight its findings as well as Iran's "destabilizing activities in the Middle East region and elsewhere in the world."

United Nations Secretary-General Guterres (Photo: AP)

In the report, Guterres stressed that the nuclear deal remains "the best way" to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

He said President Donald Trump's October 13 decision not to certify the agreement under US law created "considerable uncertainty" about its future. But, he added, "I am reassured that the United States has expressed its commitment to stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for now."

Trump, however, has left open the possibility of pulling out of the nuclear deal.

Guterres welcomed support for the treaty from its other partiesChina, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, the European Union and numerous other countries.

"I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps," he said. "Similarly, I encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan."

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (Photo: Reuters)

Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and the US has focused especially on its time limits and a provision in the Security Council resolution that calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Guterres said the UN is studying debris from missiles fired at Yanbu in Saudi Arabia on July 22 and at the capital of Riyadh on November 4 and also is reviewing other information.

He said France, Germany, Britain and the United States sent a letter saying the Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle that Iran launched on July 27, if configured as a ballistic missile, is "inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons."

But Guterres said Russia, an ally of Iran, sent a letter August 16 that the Security Council resolution contains only a "call" for Iran to forgo missile worknot a prohibition. He said Iran says the launch vehicle was "part of a scientific and technological activity related to the use of space technology" that it is determined to pursue.

The Security Council discussed the launch on September 8, and "there was no consensus among council members" on how it related to the 2015 resolution, Guterres said.

He said Israel protested that Iran's test of a Qiam ballistic missile on November 15, 2016 "used a Star of David as the intended target," and citied other ballistic missiles it reportedly launched at targets in Syria on June 18-19. France, Germany, Britain and the US also raised these tests as well as the test of a medium-range missile July 4.

The secretary-general said Iran called Israel's claim of a specifically marked target "a sheer falsehood." Iran also said its "military capabilities, including ballistic missiles, have not been designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons and thus are outside the purview of the Security Council resolution," Guterres said.
Chairman of the Histadrut Labor Federation Avi Nissenkorn declared Wednesday that the union will hold a half-day strike Sunday as a preliminary step in their protest over Teva Pharmaceuticals' decision to cut its workforce in half, leaving some 3,300 people unemployed.

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"On Sunday, we will first shut down all of Teva's factories," Nissenkorn said at a special press conference in Tel Aviv. "The entire economy, banks, municipalities, public transportation, and health clinicsall will strike till noon in solidarity."

"I sense cold indifference, to cut, to fire, to see only figuresand we will not allow it. Sunday, we will commence solving this problem," said Nissenkorn.

Avi Nissenkorn (Photo: Moti Kimhi)

The strike will affect the railways, hospitals, and Ben-Gurion International Airport. Due to Hanukkah vacation, the strike will not affect the education system.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries plans to sell or close most of its holdings in Israel. The board recently agreed on the new cuts in which the company will fire half of its workforce.

Nissenkorn said that Teva, "the flagship of Israeli industry," is turning into a symbol of "the destruction of Israeli industry right before our eyes."

"Teva, which was founded with Israeli minds and on a product of the Weizmann Institute of Science, is abandoning its founding principles," he said. "The founders must be turning in their graves... Thousands of families depend on Teva. They can't sleep at night, what will they tell their children?"

Neot Hovev plant (Photo: Roi Idan)

Nissenkorn accused the directors of the company for the crisis: "They entered into failed business deals They pocketed hundreds of millions of shekels And the workers have to pay the price."

Nissenkorn demanded of the government to find a solution to the crisis: "Teva has benefited NIS 22 billion in tax write offs since 2006. The company knew how to take and is now turning its back on the state and its citizens."

Teva workers attending the press conference expressed hopes that "Nissenkorn will shut down the economy as it is outrageous that thousands of families will suffer while (the directors) take home state funds."

Haim Amzaleg, an employee at a Teva plant in Ne'ot Hovav told Ynet: "I have been at this plant 16 years people here have nowhere to go. The jobs situation here in the south is abysmal. I expect of all relevant parties, including the government, to interfere. It can't be that (the company) receives 20 billion in grants without any guarantees for the workers the government is responsible for them all."

At Teva's northern plant, in Kiryat Shmona, its 269 workers have been experiencing weeks of anxiety over the reports of the cuts and reports the company is seeking a buyer for the plant. The uncertainty and lack of concrete information are the most difficult to bear. "It is difficult to work like this because there is so much fear and anxiety about our future," said Meir Ben Elul, director of the plant's workers committee.
US Vice President Mike Pence is expected to postpone his visit to Israel from Sunday to Wednesday to help President Donald Trump promote his tax reforms in Congress.

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Pence was scheduled to spend two-to-three days in the country following Trump's declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Pence was scheduled to speak at the Knesset, meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin and visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum.

US Vice President Mike Pence (Photo; AFP)

He was also scheduled to light a Hanukkah candle during a private visit to the Western Wallwithout being accompanied by an Israeli officialas the Trump family did during their visit of Israel.

The Palestinians, meanwhile, have decided to boycott Pence's visit in protest of Trump's declaration.

Pence, a devout Christian, also asked to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but the Muslim custodian holding the key to the church refused to welcome the American vice president in protest of Trump's declaration.

Pence was one of the American officials pushing Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
A popular news site in Gaza published a video clip Wednesday showing a group of Palestinians ripping open and surmounting a barbed wire gate at the southern tip of the Israeli border fence, with no IDF soldiers to be seen in the vicinity.

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In the short clip filmed in the Khan Yunis area, near a point where Palestinians have clashed with Israeli security forces in recent days, the youths are filmed in the perimeter area or buffer zone where Israeli soldiers patrol in order to prevent infiltrations from the Gaza Strip to Israel.

The exultant youths can be seen celebrating their success in hopping over the fence unhindered as they throw a burning tire over into the Israeli side and scream "Allahu akbar."

Group of Gazans easily cross border

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The ease with which the Palestinians were able to breach the fence is all the more surprising due to fact that the section is wired with sensors designed to alert soldiers to any irregular movement at the fence or attempted breaches.

While it was not clear whether the incident took place over the last two days or the week before, according to the Gazan site on which it was published, it was recorded the same day.

Screenshot of footage

Since US President Donald Trump announced Washingtons recognition last week of Jerusalem as Israels capital, Palestinians from Gaza have assembled on the border and staged multiple riots and clashed with IDF soldiers

During the riots, which swept across Israel, particularly in the West Bank, and at times in eastern Jerusalem, rocks rained down on the IDF soldiers who employed riot-dispersal techniques to distance the protesters from the fence.

Two Palestinians were killed at the Gaza border in the violent outbreaks at the end of last week.

According to the IDF, more spasmodic disruption erupted in various areas at the border in which burning tires and stones were hurled at the soldiers, prompting them to shoot at the main ringleaders.

The IDF also claimed that soldiers were aware of the Palestinians presence seen in the video the entire time, adding that they were swiftly returned to the strip shortly after.

Military officials also said that a similar incident occurred in the last few days at the border, and individual Palestinian infiltrators were speedily caught and taken in for questioning. In both cases, the IDF said, the Palestinians were being monitored by a military observation post.
Police suspect Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz's Likud primary campaign was funded by bribe money from state witness Miki Ganor using fictitious donors, Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth have learned.

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Ganor provided police with the information as part of the investigation into suspected corruption surrounding the purchase of submarines and patrol boats for the Israeli Navy from Germany, also known as Case 3000.

Senior officials in the Israel Police said Steinitz will likely be summoned to provide his testimony and might even be questioned under caution. Police Commission Roni Alsheikh is expected to decide on the matter.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

While it's still unclear whether Steinitz was aware of the money transfers or was involved in any wrongdoings, his name has popped up several times in recent months in connection with the investigation.

In September, several of Steinitz's close associates were questioned in connection with Case 3000, including businessman Gary Hakim , a Likud activist and relative of the minister, and Aviad Shai, Steinitz's former adviser. Steinitz's political adviser Rami Tayeb , meanwhile, was arrested on suspicion of facilitating bribes.

Miki Ganor (Photo: Raanan Ben Tzur)

According to new information the police received from Ganor, some of the bribe money Ganor allegedly paid went to Steinitz's primaries campaign, transferred via a complex, covert and illegal funding method.

David Sharan , who was Steinitz's former chief of staff at the Finance Ministry (and also Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff), allegedly recruited Ganor to aid in Steinitz's election.

Sharan was also arrested in September on suspicion of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

David Sharan (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Sharan allegedly recruited these fictitious donors, using them as channels to transfer Ganor's illegal donations to Steinitz's campaign.

Police are investigating whether Ganor received anything in return for his donations.

All suspects have denied the allegations against them. Sharan's attorney declined to comment on Wednesday.

In the past, Steinitz said he was "shocked" by the reports against his close associates and denied having any connection to the affair. On Wednesday, his office said in response: "We have no idea what this is about."
NEW DELHI - A Hindu man in India tried to raise money for a campaign against minority Muslims by issuing an appeal for donations with a video he took and posted online showing him killing a Muslim, police said on Thursday.

The killing last week is the latest to roil India's minority Muslims who have faced attacks from mobs who accuse them of killing cows, which Hindus consider sacred. Hindu fringe groups also campaign against Muslim men marrying Hindus.

The Hindu man, Shambu Lal Regar, has been arrested on suspicion of hacking and burning a Muslim laborer in the western state of Rajasthan, police said.

Regar had posted a video of the attack along with his bank details for donations to finance his anti-Muslim campaign, police officer Anand Shrivastava said.

More than 700 people from across India deposited 300,000 rupees ($4,665) into the account.
A 42-year-old Israeli man living in Travis county, Texas killed his nine-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself, US media reported on Thursday.

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Police and social welfare personnel were sent to the home in North Richland Hills, outside Dallas, early Monday morning for a welfare call.

After knocking on the door and receiving no response, they looked through the window. Upon seeing the bodies on the floor, they broke into the house and discovered the lifeless bodies of the father and daughter, both with bullet wounds.

Texas home of victims

Travis county records verify that Kaplan was going through a divorce and battling his wife for custody over his daughter. The next hearing was scheduled for January 2018.

The Israeli Consulate in Houston notified the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, who in turn notified the families.

Nearby residents say the man, a Technion graduate working as a computer programmer in Texas since 2005, was very reserved and did not speak to neighbors.
BERLIN - German police arrested a number of people suspected of visiting Islamic State-controlled areas in the Middle East and having links to a failed asylum seeker who killed 12 people by driving a truck into crowds last year, Bild newspaper said on Thursday.

Mass-selling Bild said the arrests were made by police carrying out searches targeting individuals who had recently returned from Syria via Turkey.

It also said those arrested were linked to Tunisian Anis Amri, a failed asylum seeker who last year ploughed a truck into a Christmas market in the German capital.

The Berlin Prosecutor General's Office could not be reached for comment, but it said on Twitter: "The General Prosecutor's Office is investigating travels to IS (Islamic State) areas: searches in parts of the city are ongoing."
The US Ambassador David Friedman lit the Hanukkah menorah at the Western Wall Wednesday evening to mark the second night of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights.

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The lighting ceremony was attended by thousands as Friedman was flanked by the Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, Jerusalem citys Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin.

It is a huge honor for me and I am extremely excited to be standing here at this holy site and to light the second Hanukkah candle in Jerusalem, the holy city and the capital of the State of Israel, Friedman said in Hebrew, a week after President Donald Trump recognized the city as Israels capital.

Ambassador Friedman lights candles at the Kotel

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Friedman, who observes Mitzvot (Jewish commandments), blessed the Jewish people of Israel on behalf of President Trump.

Over 2,000 years ago, the Second Temple was conquered by the Greek King Antiochus, Friedman said. In the great book of victory, the Hashmonaim declared eight days of Hanukkah. It all happened 2,184 years ago, and it all happened a few meters away from the spot I am standing now.

Friedman has long been known for harboring views that were inconsistent with traditional American policy before the Trump administration entered the White House, sparking fears among his detractors that he would subordinate US policy matters to his religious views.

In September, he raised eyebrows by saying that Israel occupies just two percent of the West Bank and that settlements there are part of the Jewish state proper.

Ambassador Friedman lights the menorah at the Kotel (Photo: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation)

"I think the settlements are part of Israel," Friedman said in an interview with an Israeli news site.

He also generated controversy before being nominated as Trumps ambassador to Israel when he said that members of the left-wing Jewish organization J Street in the US were worse than kaposJewish prisoners in Nazi concentration camps who were tasked with guarding and managing the other prisoners.

"They are far worse than kaposJews who turned in their fellow Jews in the Nazi death camps," he said. "The kapos faced extraordinary cruelty and who knows what any of us would have done under those circumstances to save a loved one? But J Street? They are just smug advocates of Israels destruction delivered from the comfort of their secure American sofasits hard to imagine anyone worse."

Moreover, Friedman infuriated Democrats by calling Barack Obama a blatant anti-Semite.
Police are putting pressure on Moshe Yosef, a businessman dubbed MK David Bitan's "banker," to sign a state witness agreement, with his lawyers summoned to the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit's offices on Thursday to discuss the matter, Ynet has learned. Yosef was released to house arrest Thursday evening.

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In addition, the district court hearing on Yosef's remand extension, scheduled for Thursday, was postponed.

One of Yosef's lawyers, Gil Dachoach, was the one who prepared businessman Miki Ganor's state witness agreement in the submarine affair.

Moshe Yosef, on the far right, with his lawyers outside police offices (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Yosef is the only suspect arrested so far in connection with the investigation into corruption at the Rishon LeZion municipality , in which coalition chairman Bitan is also involved.

Police suspect Yosef was a central figure facilitating the transfer of bribe money to Bitan.

Sources said police might offer him to serve as a state witness against Bitan and other politicians, but not against criminals involved in the affair, in a bid to alleviate the pressure of signing an agreement.

Yosef's lawyers Ilan Sofer and Gil Dachoach outside police offices (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Police have imposed financial sanctions on Yosef in an effort to convince him to cooperate, with many of his close associates being called in for questioning by the Israel Tax Authority and his bank accounts and assets being frozen.

Meanwhile, police have decided to postpone a questioning session with Bitan scheduled for Thursday following the death of his wife's father.

Bitan's wife: My husband managed our bank account

Bitan's wife, Hagit reportedly admitted during police questioning last week to receiving an envelope with NIS 8,000 in cash from Yosef, according to the Israel Television News Company.

"This was a loan, my husband doesn't even know about it. This was a personal loan to me due to financial difficulties we've encountered," she reportedly told investigators.

Hagit and David Bitan (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

She did, however, distance herself from deposits of the hundreds of thousands of shekels into the Bitan couple's joint bank account, claiming "it was my husband who managed the account. We fell into hard times with his account, so I opened an account and he managed it."

Channel Ten News also reported that Bitan's brother, Shlomo Bitan, gave a testimony to police in which he provided an explanation for some of the money used to cover his brother's debt. Shlomo Bitan told police he sold an apartment he owned and gave his brother NIS 2.5 million that he received in the sale.

However, police are still investigating where the rest of the money came from, as the coalition chairman's debts were estimated to reach NIS 7 million.

Bitan after being questioned by police (Photo: Zvika Tishler)

One of Yosef's lawyers said Wednesday he was confident that "as the investigation continues, the suspicions against my client will evaporate."

A close associate of Yosef expressed doubt over police claims that they had already collected evidence incriminating Bitan. "If the police say they have allegedly incriminating recordings, why are investigators so eager to 'fish' a state witness?" he asked.

Bitan's lawyer assured that "MK Bitan is confident and has logical and convincing explanations to all of the evidence being presented to him."

Bitan's 'banker'

Investigators are poring over every invoice issued by Yosef's business, Masada Furniture, in recent years, and hundreds of people have been called to testify on what they paid Yosef.

Police suspect the invoices were issued for fictitious deals, and the money the store received was funneled in secret to David Bitan.

Even before the affair became public, police investigators marked Yosef as a central figure that might possibly connects all of the different suspects in the case.

Yosef's store, Masada Furniture (Photo: Tal Shachar)

Based on suspicions Yosef was committing various tax offenses, police wiretapped him for more than a year.

A few months ago, police went so far as to install hidden cameras inside his furniture store. For months, investigators collected evidence of alleged tax crimes to the tune of millions of shekels, involving, among other things, forged invoices and money laundering.

Moreover, the wiretapping revealed Yosef's close connection with Bitan, who used to come to the furniture store every day and talk to him about the "Thousand Compound" project in Rishon LeZion.

Yosef is suspected of giving Bitan NIS 260,000 in bribes to finance Bitan's daughter's wedding, with Bitan in return ostensibly helping his associates win the tender for development and infrastructure in the "Thousand Compound" project.

"We suspect he acted as David Bitan's bank," said a source close to the investigation.

"He received a lot of money. He laundered, loaned and transferred money to (Bitan). He did not just sell furniture," the police asserted.
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that a strike on North Korea by the United States would have catastrophic consequences and that he hoped to work with Washington eventually to resolve the crisis on the Korean peninsula.

Russia does not accept North Korea's nuclear status, Putin told an annual news conference. But he also said that some of Washington's past actions had provoked North Korea into violating a 2005 agreement to curb its nuclear program.

"We believe the two sides should now stop aggravating the situation," Putin said.
At least 100,000 Palestinians gathered in Gaza City to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hamas, the Islamic terror group that rules the territory.

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Buses brought in men, women and children brandishing Hamas' green flags or sporting green scarves to the al-Katiba Square for Thursday's rally.

The huge sea of Gazans was joined by the head of Hamas's political bureau Ismail Haniyeh and the groups leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar while the Hamas military wing choir sang on stage and to the electrified crowds.

Ismail Haniyeh (L) and Yahya Sinwar

The anniversary comes at a low point for Hamas, with the terror organization isolated by Egypt and being targted by Israeli airstrikes laucnhed in response to rocket attacks against Israel's population.

A decade after seizing Gaza by force, it has been compelled to seek reconciliation with its Fatah rival, led by President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

Hamas blames an Israeli-Egyptian border blockade, lack of support from Arab and Islamic nations and Abbas' alleged attempts to undermine the group for the hardships in Gaza. This includes 43 percent unemployment and major blackouts.

Implementation of an Egyptian-brokered Hamas-Fatah reconciliation deal has been slow.

On the other side of the border, southern Israel remained on high alert after the region had fallen prey to sixteen rockets from Gaza since US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

During a visit to the the Elsec factory of the Aerospace and defense company Elbit Systems in Sderot, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman attempted to calm heightened tensions in southern Israel.

The fact that we are here this morning in Sderot, dealing with the expansion and upgrading of the industrial factory means that we can all be can all be relaxed, Lieberman said.

The latest rocket fire from Gaza at Sderot, he continued, was the result of internal feuds among the Palestinians and between different competing organizations rather than failed Israeli deterrence.

But Lieberman also highlighted Israels ability to deal a devastating blow to Hamas, while urging the Gaza population to force the terror group to redirect its funds into economic rather than military projects.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: Ariel Harmoni)

We know what to do, how to do it and when to do it. I hope that the the residents of Gaza will force their leadership to invest all their efforts and money in improving the economy in the Gaza Strip and not on digging tunnels, producing rockets and firing at Israel, the defense minister said.

Because by doing so, they are endangering the population of the Gaza Strip. In any event, I have instructed the IDF to be ready for all possible scenarios.
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh praised "the masses fuming over Jerusalem and Palestine," at an event commemorating Hamas's 30th anniversary Thursday.

"Hamas was victorious and succeeded in isolating Trump and the United State. We succeeded in returning Palestine and Jerusalem to the heart of the Arab world," he said. "The goal of the rage, Intifada and revolution of our people is to destroy the plan (against Jerusalem)."
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries plans to reduce its workforce by 25 percent and suspend its dividend on ordinary shares in a much-anticipated overhaul to help pay back its massive debt.

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Israel-based Teva, the worlds largest generic drugmaker, said on Thursday these measures will result in the reduction of 14,000 positions globally, with the majority of the cuts expected in 2018.

Teva has roughly 7,000 Israeli employees, making it one of the country's largest private sector employers. Israels Histadrut Labor Federation said at least 1,750 employees will be laid off in Israel, with 1,250 laid off by the end of 2018 and an additional 500 laid off from factories Teva intends to sell. The employees affected by the cutbacks are expected to receive notice within 90 days.

Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen said Teva has committed not to cut employees in Israel's peripheryin the Negev and Galilee regions. "We will continue working in conjunction with the company to reduce the layoffs in the rest of the areas," he said.

The two-year restructuring plan is intended to reduce Tevas total cost base by $3 billion by the end of 2019, out of an estimated cost base for 2017 of $16.1 billion.



The Histadrut Labor Federation has threatened to hold a half-day general strike on Sunday, the start of the Israeli work week, in protest at the layoffs.

In a letter to employees, Chief Executive Kare Schultz said the restructuring is "crucial to restoring our financial security and stabilizing our business."

"We have no time to waste," he said. "We are flattening our organization both top down and sideways, with fewer layers of management and increased accountability. This will ensure better integration, improve productivity and efficiencies, and reduce our cost base."

Teva employees protest expected layoffs (Photo: AFP)

Teva's stock has skidded nearly 60 percent this year.

Schultz said the restructuring would include changes in the generics portfolio, both through price adjustments and product discontinuation. He said a "significant number" of research and development facilities would be closed or divested, and there will be a "thorough review" to prioritize core projects, cancel others and maintain a pipeline of new products. Teva, for instance, recently began marketing a generic version of the blockbuster drug Viagra.

Annual bonuses for 2017 also will not be paid.

Schultz's letter said the layoffs would affect all businesses and regions for a company that employs some 56,000 people worldwide.

"Making workforce reductions of this magnitude is difficult, and we do not take them lightly," Schultz said. "However, there is no alternative to these drastic steps in the current situation."

Schultz said the company will be "respectful and transparent" and work closely with employee representatives and unions.

Teva employees protest lay offs outside the Kiryat Shmona factory (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

Ahead of the announcement of the new measures, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the chief executive of Teva CEO Kare Schultz to keep layoffs in Israel to a minimum and to maintain the identity of Teva as an Israeli company, which Schultz promised to do.

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said only that he was following the situation closely.

Teva's bottom line has been hit by the expiration of patents on Copaxone, its flagship drug for multiple sclerosis; pricing pressure on its core generics business; and a $35 billion debt load taken on in its acquisition of the generics business of Allergan. It also has suffered from turnover and instability in its senior management ranks.

Last week Bloomberg reported that the firm was considering cutting up to 10,000 jobs to reduce costs by $1.5 billion to $2 billion in the next two years.

Teva said on Tuesday that Yitzhak Peterburg, who previously served as its chairman and interim CEO, had resigned from its board with immediate effect.

Schultz ousted top division heads last month and said he would combine the firms generic and specialty drug businesses. He had also said Teva was working on a detailed restructuring plan to be unveiled in mid-December.
The US administration is serious about getting a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, but its proposed plan is still being put together, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said.

Trump's adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is leading efforts to restart negotiations, though his bid has shown little public progress so far.

"We believe the Trump administration is serious about bringing peace between Israelis and Arabs," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a former ambassador to the United States, told France 24 television late on Wednesday.

"They were working on ideas and were consulting with all parties, including Saudi Arabia, and they are incorporating the views represented to them by everybody. They have said they would need a little bit of time to put it together to present it."

Jubeir also denied the Sunni Muslim kingdom had any relations with Israel despite sharing Israel's concern about the regional influence of Shi'ite Iran. He repeated that Riyadh had a "roadmap" to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel should there be a peace agreement with the Palestinians.
The head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh called on the other Palestinian organizations Thursday to refrain from dialogue with Israel.

In a speech given at an event marking Hamas's 30th anniversary, Haniyeh declared: "No to normalizing relations, no to the sale of Jerusalem, no conceding on the right of return and no recognition of Israel."

"Netanyahu is banking on there not being serious Palestinian resistance to these decisions. We must turn every Friday into days of rage and protest," Haniyeh added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin say Moscow backs Iraq's unity in a dispute around the region of Kurdistan.

Asked about the Kurdish referendum, Putin said at this annual news conference on Thursday that "everything should be done without any abrupt moves and within the framework of the law, with the respect of territorial integrity of Iraq."

Self-ruled Kurdish regional government last month accepted a federal court ruling that Iraq must remain unified. Kurdish lawmakers later returned to Baghdad after boycotting the national parliament in an apparent concession after a military and political standoff that followed the divisive Kurdish independence vote in September.

Russia's biggest oil company, state-owned Rosneft, earlier this year signed a deal with Kurdish authorities, bypassing the Iraqi government.

Putin said that Rosneft's work in Kurdistan is important and will benefit "Iraq, Kurdistan and the Russian economy."
Sources within the Israeli security establishment said they believed that while Hamas did not seek widespread escalation, the terrorist organization has upped its operational readiness for fear Israel might initiate a conflict.

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Israel has also noted an ever-growing air of tension in the strip, which led to fear that confrontation may break out over some misunderstanding or another, in light of overall tensions following President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

While Hamas was doing its best to rein in rocket fire, Israeli officials noted, it was not doing enough to prevent it and was effectively inciting the Gaza public to demonstrate near the border fence and with calls to escalate the situation in the West Bank. This marked an attempt by the Gaza-ruling organization to implement a policy of sticks and carrots both vis-a-vis its public and the "rogue factions" firing at Israel.

Thousands at Hamas's 30th anniversary rally (Photo: Reuters)

Most of the rockets fired at Israel in the past week have been launched by the aforementioned rogue factions, such as the "Fatah Army" that broke off from the Palestinian Authority and is subordinate to neither Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas nor to Hamas.

Some of the rockets fired at Sderot Friday evening were regulation, with Israeli officials suspecting they were fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but that hypothesis remains unconfirmed.

The escalation in the strip, security establishment officials said, stemmed from two central elements: Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital and Hamas's 30th anniversary celebrations , which pushed the ruling organization's opponents to challenge its primacy.

Hamas is said to still be licking its Protective Edge wounds

Hamas, meanwhile, is said to be uninterested in escalation due to wounds that have not yet fully healed from the previous conflictOperation Protective Edgeas well as the coming winter and its adverse effect on the Gazan populace, its desire to continue building its strength for the next round of hostilities and finally, the reconciliation agreement with Fatah.

Official Shin Bet data show that since Protective Edge in September 2014 and until the end of this past November, 100 rockets and mortars were launched from Gaza at Israel, 24 of them in November alone.

The data encompasses all launches, including those who did not make it over the border and landed in the strip itself, even if they triggered the Code Red alarm in communities on Gaza's perimeter. 12 rockets crossed into Israel in the past week, four of which were intercepted.

Lieberman: I have instructed IDF to be prepared for any scenario

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman inaugurated a new building in the ELSEC security plant Thursday morning, located in the Sderot Industrial Zone. "The mere fact we're here in Sderot, dealing with expanding and upgrading an industrial plant, means we can all be at ease. The last shooting from the Gaza Strip towards Sderot had nothing to do with Israel's deterrence, but intra-Palestinian power struggles between different factions," Lieberman said.

Defense Minister Lieberman at the ELSEC plant (Photo: Ariel Hermoni/Ministry of Defense)

"We know what, how and when to act. I hope the people of the Gaza Strip force their leadership to invest all of their efforts and funds in improving the strip's economy rather than digging tunnels, manufacturing rockets and shooting at Israel. By continuing on that track, they are putting all of Gaza's population at risk. In any event, I've instructed the IDF to be ready for every possible scenario," Lieberman revealed.

Haniyeh: intifada intended to foil Trump's plan

Earlier Thursday, at least 100,000 Palestinians, including many armed militants, gathered in Gaza City to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hamas. All of the organization's senior leadership was present, including head of Hamas's political bureau Ismail Haniyeh and its leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar.

In his speech, Haniyeh commented on President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem, and said, "This declaration is no less grave than the Balfour declaration. We will accept neither. The rage, the intifada and the revolution of our people are intended to foil this plan concocted against us. We've won by succeeding in isolating Trump and the United States with his decision. The European Union announced Jerusalem was the capital of the Palestinian state  that is a victory. We saw how they greeted (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu."

Ismail Haniyeh (L) and Yahya Sinwar

On the purported rapprochement between Israel and other Sunni actors in the Middle East, and the prospects of the US pushing the peace process forward, Haniyeh said, "Another goals of ours is to prevent the so-called 'deal of the century' from going forward. I call on my brothers in Fatah and in all factions: we, as a people, can react to this deal  normalizing relations, economic peace, backstage visits and negotiations, when there's no stage to begin with. We say: no to normalization, no to the sale of Jerusalem, no to giving up the right of return and no to recognizing Israel."

Haniyeh also called for ramped up anti-Israel protests, saying, "Netanyahu is counting on you to be too tired to mount any meaningful resistance to these decisions. We must turn every Friday into a day for Jerusalem , for rage and for marches. I call on those delivering sermons on Fridays to mention Jerusalem. The nation must protest in all capitals on Fridays."

"I also call on our Christians brothers and on the pope to devote their Sunday prayers to Jerusalem as well, as well as to the Church of the Nativity and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. We are the guardians of the Church of the Nativity and the Al-Aqsa Mosque," Hamas's political leader alleged.
BAGHDAD  The commander of Iraq's biggest Shiite Muslim paramilitary group told its fighters on Thursday to take their orders from the national military and cut their ties with the group's political wing.

Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Iran-backed Badr Organization, also called on the group's fighters to withdraw from the cities under their control.

The move paves the way for Amiri to stand in parliamentary elections on May 12.

Participation in the election by members of Iraq's Iran-backed Shiite paramilitaries, collectively known as Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), has been hotly debated in Iraq. PMF members cannot run for office unless they formally resign their posts.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said President Donald Trump's administration was serious about achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite the fact work on putting together a plan to do so was still in progress.

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Concerning the "deal of the century" to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace, al-Jubeirformer Saudi Ambassador to the USsaid in an interview to France 24 the American administration was "working on ideas and consulting with all parties, including Saudi Arabia, about those ideas and incorporating the views presented to them by everybody. They have said they need a little more time in order to put it all together and present it as a plan for moving forward."

Trump's announcement last week on officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and his intention to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem drew the ire of Palestinians as well as the Arab world in general.

Saudi FM al-Jubeir said the Trump administration's peace plan was not yet finalized (Photo: Reuters)

Trump's statement contravened decades of US and international policy maintaining Jerusalem's status will only be decided in negotiations between the parties.

According to Trump's negotiations team, headed by his son-in-law Jared Kushner , the plan the Saudi foreign minister was commenting on will be published in the beginning of 2018. Moreover, al-Jubeir stressed in the interview Riyadh also supported the two-state solution as it was presented by the Trump administration.

"Whether what the administration proposes is acceptable to the parties remains to be seen, because I don't believe that the plan the US administration is working on has been finalized yet," the minister noted.

Echoing his stance in an interview given last month, al-Jubeir once again denied the Saudi kingdom had any relations with Israel, despite their mutual concern with Iran and its entrenchment in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. Al-Jubeir also reiterated the Saudi position in saying his country was willing to commence diplomatic relations with Israel, but only if the Jewish state signed a full peace agreement with its Palestinian neighbors.

Minister Katz said the Saudi royals needed to receive PM Netanyahu in Riyadh

Staying on the topic of possible Israel-Saudi relations, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz called Wednesday on Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to visit Israel, and "to welcome the prime minister in Riyadh in order to advance the regional peace process."

Speaking in an interview with the online Saudi newspaper Elaph, Katz also urged Saudi Arabia to take the lead in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, but his comments on the matter were omitted.

According to the articles author, the decision to erase the quote was entirely editorial, rather than political.

Other senior Israeli officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, have also been interviewed by the newspaper.
The High Court of Justice ruled Thursday that the state cannot hold indefinitely the bodies of terrorists, forcing the government to pass a law which will enable the state to legally hold bodies already in its possessionor else return them to their families.

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The High Court of Justice gave the state six months to draft a new law that would meet international standards.





Gaza funeral of terrorist, whose body was returned by Israel (Photo: AP)

"The State of Israelas a state of lawcannot hold the bodies of terrorists for the purpose of negotiations in the absence of an explicit, authoritative provision of law," Justice Danziger said in his ruling.

"I will admit to the truth, that the decision on these petitions is very difficult for me," added the judge. "The suffering of the Israeli POWs and MIAs held captive by Hamas and the pain of their families is unbearable. However, as judges, our job is to rule according to law and in accordance with the binding legal rules."

Justice Yoram Danziger (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

In a minority opinion was Judge Neal Hendel, who believed that there was authority to allow the state to hold the bodies of the terrorists.

"The State of Israel is in a state of emergencyliterally, even legallyfrom the day it was founded," Handel wrote in his ruling, adding that whileby the strictest interpretation of the lawthe state has no authority to hold the bodies of terrorists, "the ugliness and cruelty shown by the terrorist organizations, which hold civilians and the bodies of IDF soldiers and demand a price not only for the living but also for the dead, leaves us no choice.

"In this reality, which is also imposed upon us, we must tread a fine line between achieving the goal of returning the citizens of Israel and the bodies of IDF soldiers, and preserving the dignity of the deadeven terrorists.

"If the law acknowledges the feelings of the relatives of the terrorists, then the cries of the families of the living and the dead by Hamas will, all the more so, continue to haunt us."

Justice Neal Hendel (Photo: HCJ)

In light of the HCJ requiring the Knesset to pass legislation on the matter, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed the Knesset to act without delay to enact a law that would allow the holding of terrorist bodies for the purpose of negotiating the return of prisoners and missing persons.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the ruling that he would convene the Security Cabinet Sunday to draft "possible legal solutions" in order to pressure Hamas to return the bodies of Israeli soldiers and civilians held in Gaza, calling the HCJ's ruling "very problematic."

"We must not give free gifts to Hamas," Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: AP)

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked announced that she would write an amendment to the anti-terror law that would allow the holding of terrorists' bodies for the purpose of negotiations and start promoting it next week.

"The Israeli government will not return the bodies of terrorists as long as the bodies of our soldiers are in the hands of the enemy," Shaked asserted.

The state currently holds the bodies of nine terroristseven of which have already been buriedamong which are the bodies of those who carried out attacks in East Talpiot and Kiryat Arba, where the late Hallel Yaffa Ariel was murdered in her home about a year and a half ago.

The State refuses to return the bodies on the claim that holding them of the terrorists might help in obtaining a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, which holds the bodies of the late IDF soldiers Lieutenant Hadar Goldin and Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul , who were killed in Operation Protective Edge, and civilians Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed

Hadar Goldin (L) and Oron Shaul

Commenting on the High Court's decision, the Goldin family expressed their frustration over the government's inaction and their hope that the ruling will boost government efforts for the return of their son's remains.

"We have been around for months with the feeling that the January cabinet decision to put pressure on Hamas is hollow and declarative," they said in a statement Thursday. "This is the reason we approached the High Court of Justice on this matter, and the decision today will only increase the pressure on Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers to get up from their seats, roll up their sleeves and begin working for Hadar and Oron to return to Israel.

"We are fed up with empty talk and meaningless decisions. It is time to act, to use all leverages and apply effective pressures. The time has come for us to be strong and stand as a protective edge against Hamas."
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai said in interview with Arabic-language BBC that "Hamas and the denizens of Gaza still remember the results of the war three years ago. What has Hamas caused? Hunger, poverty, devastation and war."

"During the past three years, more than 150 million dollars were invested by Hamas in its tunnels. Why have they not invested in hospitals and schools?" Mordechai questioned.
Photos depicting two Ghanaian women celebrating their wedding day have gone viral on social media, and has reignited the conversation concerning homosexuality in Ghana.

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READ ALSO: Ebony takes time out to explain her fashion sense

It appears that ever since President Akuffo Addo commented on homosexuality and its eventual legalization in Ghana the topic just won't go away. Every time Ghanaians feel like they've put the matter to rest - at least in the public domain - fate pulls right back up again.

This time around, the issue of homosexuality in Ghana has resurfaced by way of a couple of photos reportedly depicting two Ghanaian women celebrating their wedding day.

Pay Attention: Get news whenever and wherever you go with YEN NEW

According to the photos and unconfirmed reports, the couple officially tied the knot in a private ceremony in the Netherlands. One photo shows the two women in a romantic embrace, while the other shows the two officially cutting their wedding cake.

See the couple's photos in full below:

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La Crescent resident Patti Balacek is running for an open position on the board of the Minnesota Rural Education Association.

The organization lobbies on behalf of schools in Greater Minnesota and Balacek will be running to fill the at-large representative position for the South Zone, currently occupied by Rick Frederickson, who is stepping down. The other candidates running for the south zone position against Balacek are Lanesboro Public Schools Superintendent Matt Schultz, and Brown Countys St. James school board Treasurer Luisa Trapero.

Balacek is a former high school teacher, and parent of three children that went through the La Crescent-Hokah School District. She also worked as a registered lobbyist for the electrical industry in Minnesota. La Crescent-Hokah School District Superintendent Kevin Cardille said that Balacek is currently involved with helping the district communicate with area legislators.

Affecting change for our rural schools can only happen through effective and organized advocacy, said Balacek in her candidate interest statement. I want to be part of that change and insure that my own children and all children in smaller schools have the same advantages as all students throughout Minnesota.

Member school districts vote to elect candidates to the associations board of directors, which has 21 members of which 16 are elected. The elected representatives serve four different zones in the state, on four-year terms.

Ballots have already been mailed to each member district with open positions for its zone. Voting is conducted by one staff member, one administrator and one board member from each member district. Ballots have until Dec. 31 to be submitted, with the results expected to be known in January.

La Crescent-Hokah only recently became a member district, so it will not be able to cast a vote, said Cardille, but hes still campaigning on Balaceks behalf.

Cardille was the one who asked Balacek if she would be interested in running for the MREA opening, because he knew she had a background in lobbying from her former job she held at the Capitol.

She is knowledgeable and experienced with the tactics and processes of politics and lobbying in Minnesota, said Cardille of Balacek. I think having a local representative would be a good thing for La Crescent and Hokah.

Balacek has been working for the past year with Cardille and the districts community liaisons Jerry Steffes and Rick Bubbers. The four have been in talks with area legislators throughout the year, and have met several times with state Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, and state Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, to communicate what the district needs, said Cardille.

According to Cardille, the district is mostly looking for help with special education funding, equal funding for rural Minnesota schools and tax breaks for the community.

Having Patti in an MREA leadership position we hope will give us a little better voice as to what we need. said Cardille. Pattis experience would be an asset for La Crescent-Hokah Schools, as well as the other school districts similar to us.

The MREA board meets six times in a calendar year, with meetings held in St. Paul during the legislative session and in Greater Minnesota outside of session.
A former Black River Falls city council member faces charges of retail theft and possession of stolen property related to five incidents at Scholze Ace Home Center in Black River Falls.

Eric J. Erickson, 54, of Black River Falls was referred to the Jackson County District Attorneys Office Friday.

Detectives received reports from Scholze Ace Home Center of thefts that occurred Oct. 14, Nov. 2, Nov. 12, Nov. 13 and Nov. 20.

Detectives were able to recover most of the stolen property Dec. 4 after executing a search warrant based on information obtained from their investigation.

Erickson resigned as the city of Black River Falls First Ward Alderperson Nov. 26.

Black River Falls Administrator Brad Chown said that Ericksons resignation letter stated that he resigned due to personal demands and ongoing health concerns.

Erickson previously was employed as a school counselor with the Black River Falls School District.

Erickson could not be reached for comment.
The Jackson County Sheriffs Department arrested three people Wednesday morning after officers found 16.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine in their vehicle.

Andrew Young, 30, of White Bear Lake, Minn., Adriana Panek, 18, of Virginia, Minn., and Jonathan Lambert, 20, of Nett Lake, Minn., were charged with possession with intent to deliver along with other drug-related offenses.

Jackson County Sheriffs Department deputies were dispatched to the Comfort Inn and Suites in the town of Brockway near Black River Falls at 3:03 a.m. Hotel employees had reported that Young, Panek and Lambert were acting suspiciously in the lobby and were refused service by staff according to the report.

The deputies then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle after they discovered that one of the subjects had extraditable warrants from Minnesota.

During the traffic stop, a deputy and police dog conducted a sniff of their vehicle prompting a search to be conducted. According to the report, crystal methamphetamine, scales and packaging material were found in the vehicle.
Click here for real-time updates from the La Crosse County Courthouse for the sentencing of Todd Kendhammer. Kendhammer, 47, of West Salem fatally beat his wife, Barbara, early Sept. 16, 2016, and then tried to cover up her murder by staging a traffic crash in the town of Hamilton. She died the next day.
A Mauston man faces strangulation and domestic abuse charges after allegedly beating a woman at his home.

Lance Newman, 24, is charged with strangulation and suffocation, misdemeanor battery, and disorderly conduct. He faces up to six years imprisonment for the first charge.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Nov. 23, two officers of the Mauston Police Department were dispatched to Maine Street in Mauston after reports of an argument threatening to escalate into a physical fight.

Upon arriving on scene, the officers made contact with Newman and an older man who were arguing over the origin of the injury to a womans head. Newman said the woman had broken a candle over her own head while the other man stated it was Newman who did it. Newman was placed in handcuffs and was put in the rear seat of the officers patrol unit.

The officers went to the residence where the fight between Newman and the woman was said to have taken place. They found a broken Christmas tree candle type decoration on the floor.

Newman informed the officers he and the woman had been out drinking, and the woman accompanying him played some rap music on the bars jukebox. He told her the bar was a country type bar and that she should play country music and not rap.

The two then began to argue over the music. Newman told the woman he was going home, but she said she did not want to go home alone so she would accompany him.

At home, a shoving match ensued and Newman said the woman broke the candle decoration over her head.

The officers then spoke with the woman at a different residence. The officers reported that she had a bloodied towel in her hand that was packed with ice. She said she did in fact break the candle decoration over her head.

She said that during the fight, Newman had punched her in the lip with a closed fist. The officer reported that her lip appeared to be swollen and bruised.

The woman stated when Newman punched her, she became upset and broke the candle over her head in frustration.

The officer also observed multiple bruising areas and marks on her neck. The woman said Newman choked her during the fight, and she almost lost consciousness and vomited.

The officer photographed her injuries.

Newman denied punching the woman, and said the marks on her neck were from pushing her.

While he was being transported to the Juneau County Jail, the officer reported Newman asked him to give him a ticket instead.

Newman was released on a $5,000 signature bond on Nov. 27. He is due in court Dec. 20.
Ralph George Pampuch, 85, of Tomah passed away at the Tomah VA Hospital Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Ralph was born Jan. 20, 1932, in Independence, to Paul and Valeria Pampuch. Ralph was the ninth of 11 children.

Ralph married Phyllis Pampuch (Halama) May 10, 1958. Together they have four children, daughter, Deborah Nicksic, son, Glen Pampuch (Kim Quist), son, Mark Pampuch (Patty Doyle) and daughter, Sally Gosda (Jeff Gosda). He also had 15 wonderful grandchildren; one great-grandson with three more expected in 2018. Ralph will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Ralph was an extremely proud member of the U.S. Air Force. He joined the Air Force in 1950 and did his basic training at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas. From there, he was trained in aircraft maintenance at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. He spent some time at Mc Clelland AFB in California, before serving in the Korean War. After serving in the Air Force, he continued to serve his country in the Air National Guard at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee. On a trip home, he met the love of his life, Phyllis Halama. They married and eventually ended up in Tomah, where he continued serving his country at Volk Field. He retired as an E-9 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) in 1992, after serving there for 30 years. Ralph was respected and loved by so many who worked with him.

Ralph was a devoted Catholic. His faith and church were extremely important to him. He was a proud member of Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah, where he attended Mass almost every day and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ralph will be long remembered for his kind and gentle spirit and his quiet sense of humor.

Everyone who knew Ralph is asked to celebrate his life in their own way. We know that he would approve if you raised a glass of beer in a toast to his wonderful life. In addition, his family asks that you perform an unsolicited act of kindness in remembrance of him.

A special thank you to the wonderful care we received from the Tomah Hospice and the Tomah VA Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah. Monsignor Richard Gilles and Monsignor Steven Kachel will con-celebrate. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Tomah. Family and friends were invited for visitation from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, with a rosary at 4 p.m. led by the Knights of Columbus, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.

The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Tomah Memorial Hospital registered nurse Abbey Rose, BSN, RN, could not imagine doing anything but being a nurse. It is her passion for the profession that officials at Tomah Memorial selected Rose as the hospitals first recipient of the nationally recognized DAISY Award.

Abbey exemplifies to me what nursing is, said hospital chief nursing officer Tracy Myhre, MSN, RN. She has a passion for nursing and always takes any opportunity that she can to promote nursing and talk about the value that nurses bring to health care, Myhre said.

Tomah Memorial began accepting nominations this spring for the DAISY Award.

The program was established by the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who at the age of 33, died in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, said the care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this means of thanking nurses for making a difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Rose was one of 17 nurses at Tomah Memorial nominated for the award, which was selected by a five-member hospital committee and announced by members of the hospitals Nurse Practice Council.

I am extremely humbled and honored, and so grateful to work at an organization that supports nurses as Tomah Memorial does, Rose said of the recognition. Its been a wonderful experience to take care of the people in our community.

Rose has been a registered nurse at Tomah Memorial nine years. She started her career at TMH as a certified nursing assistant in 2005 and is now a patient care coordinator.

Its the hands-on that I have with the patients, the personal connection that I can make with them as soon as they walk through the door knowing that they are usually at their worst moment and Im able to help them through that, Rose said about what she enjoys most about nursing.

In her role in the hospitals obstetrics department, known as the New Beginnings Birth Center, Rose was nominated for the DAISY Award for assisting a patient who was giving birth.

My sons birth was an amazing experience and Abbey was a huge part of that, the woman wrote in the nomination form. She (Abbey) will forever hold a special place in my heart for the role she played that day.

As part of the recognition, Roses name will be added to the national DAISY website.

Myhre was pleased with the number of nominees received for the first year of the program.

The thing that impressed me the most was that all our nominations came from patient family members, so people who actually had care here (TMH) who talked about the nursing care that they received, Myhre said.

Myhre, a 25-year nurse, said the DAISY Award also signifies the important role of nurses at Tomah Memorial.

It shows a commitment to the professional aspect of what nursing is and what it brings to the care that we provide our patients, Myhre said. I think it also helps to define that we are an organization that values nurses and sets us apart from other places.

Sixteen other Tomah Memorial nurses received a certificate commending them for being nominated for the award. Certificates were distributed to:

Bridget Burbach, BSN, RN

Wendy Cruz, RN

Nicole Drinkwine, RN.

Kathy Farron, RN

Jade Fox, BSN, RN

Becky Haugrud, BSN, RN

Stephany Johnson, BSN, RN

Carrie Lord, MSN, RN

Christina Manion, BSN, RN

Allison Murray, BSN, RN

Megan Olson, BSN, RN

Jan Path, BSN, RN

Linsey Rezin, BSN, MS, RN

Angie Stone, BSN, RN

Kelly Thayer, APNP, RN

David Warner, BSN, RN

Myhre said the next DAISY Award recipient would be announced in May during National Nurses Week. She said patients, families and colleagues can nominate nurses using the DAISY Award nomination form located on the hospitals website at www.tomahhospital.org. Printed nomination forms are also located at the hospital.

Nurses are heroes every day, and its important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that, Myhre said.

About 150 nurses work at Tomah Memorial.
First Congregational United Church of Christ, Tomah, will host a special Longest Night service Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Anyone, regardless of religious affiliation, is invited to hear prayers, scripture and music.

Emphasis will be placed on those who struggle during the holidays with broken relationships, unemployment, ill health or isolation.

Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of one), is welcome.

The service will be followed by a brief time for light refreshments and fellowship.
The chance of survival following a cardiac episode at Tomahs Senior Center has gone up.

An automated external defibrillator, or AED, was donated to the Senior Center by the Tomah Police Department.

Delia Duncan, Tomah Senior and Disabled Services director, was thrilled to receive the defibrillator.

We appreciate it more than you could even know, she said.

Made by Cardiac Science, the defibrillator was initially a prize won by TPDs Lt. Ron Waddell at the Wisconsin Chiefs Conference this past summer in Green Bay.

It made sense to donate the AED to a community entity, Waddell said, as police officers already have AEDs in their cars.

The names of the attendees are automatically put into drawings for items, and this year I happened to be the winner of that particular unit, Waddell said. It completely and utterly made no sense for me to possess that and keep that for myself, so right away I thought, Well where can this go? So I started thinking of facilities in town that might need one but probably already have one, but well see and well get it someplace that it needs to be.

The Senior Center was the first entity Waddell thought to ask.

I called Delia and I said Do you have an AED? he said. Shes like, No. and I said, Well you do now.

Wednesday afternoon Waddell presented the defibrillator to the Senior Center on behalf of the police department and participated in a training seminar along with Tomah Area Ambulance Service paramedic Adam Robarge.

Waddell was delighted to provide the Senior Center with an AED.

Im excited that theyre going to have this there, he said. Its a fantastic opportunity to provide a service to the community, and the Senior Center provides that to the seniors, so its only appropriate that there be something on site, lifesaving equipment. ... The likelihood of some medical issues and a cardiac arrest situation there (is high).

Robarge said the defibrillator increases the chance of survival.

The American Heart Association says that for every minute that CPR and AED are withheld, the chance of survival decreases by 10 percent, he said. So if somebody collapses on the floor right here and we put this on within one minute, the chances of survival theoretically are 90 percent. So you put this on, you start high-quality CPR, you put your AED on, you deliver shocks, the chance of survival goes up because its going to take me at least three minutes to get here.

While AEDs do help save lives, CPR is still necessary, Robarge said. Breathing has to start within four to six minutes, and AEDs only work in conjunction with CPR.

What an AED actually does is it actually stops the heart from beating, it doesnt start it, he said. So youve got that weird electrical activity where its the bag of worms, or the bottom part of the heart is beating really, really fast. The electrical activity from the AED stops the heart hoping that the bodys electrical system restarts it on its own. If it doesnt restart right away on its own, the only way to actually restart a heart is to do CPR.
The American Red Cross has announced a series of blood drives.

According to Red Cross officials, donations decline in December but the need for bloods remains steady. To encourage donations, all those who come to give blood or platelets from Dec. 21 to Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Blood drives are as scheduled as follows:

Dec. 20Bangor High School, 700 10th St., 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Dec. 27Black River Falls Memorial Hospital, 711 W. Adams St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 29Valley View Mall, 3880 Hwy. 16, La Crosse, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Jan. 2St. Mathews Evangelical Lutheran Church, 303 N. Main St., Viroqua, noon to 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 3Black River Falls Comfort Inn and Suites, W10179 Hwy. 54 East, noon to 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 4First United Methodist Church, 1105 Butts Ave., Tomah, 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jan. 5Cashton High School, 540 Coe St. noon to 5 p.m.

A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation from a computer or mobile device. To get started, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
Funding for public education is the single largest area of investment in the Wisconsin state budget. The current state budget spends a total of $14.2 billion on K-12 education. This includes an additional $72.8 million for general school aids, significant increases in per-pupil funding and increases in a variety of programs from sparsity aid to high-cost transportation aid.

The school funding formula, overall, has room for improvement. I was recently appointed to the legislatures Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding Reform. This bi-partisan commission with members from both houses of the legislature, K-12 leaders and stakeholders met for the first time Dec. 14.

As I prepared for this meeting, I wanted to share my homework with you. Beyond the state budget numbers, there are several other numbers that make a huge impact on school districts throughout our state and are inter-related. Membership counts, open enrollment transfers and school district report card data weave a tapestry of school management and measurement that goes well beyond the arithmetic taught in the classroom.

Membership counts  School district budgets are determined by the membership count (the number of kids) multiplied by the districts per pupil revenue limit (the amount of taxes and state aid a district has per student). The per-pupil revenue limit is a state-imposed limit based on historic data and spending. Each district is evaluated individually, which is why there is a range in per-pupil revenue limits throughout the state. This formula has been used in Wisconsin for about 20 years.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, membership is defined as the average of the resident full-time equivalent students enrolled on the third Friday of September and second Friday of January (including part-time attendance by home-based or private school students), plus the summer school and foster group home FTE.

For example, if a districts enrollment is 1,200 pupils and its allowable revenue limit per pupil is $10,000 (approximate state average for 2015-2016), the districts budget is $12 million. Using the same allowable revenue limit per pupil, a district of 700 pupils would have a budget of $7,000,000.

If a student body increases, the budget increases. If a student body decreases, the budget decreases. As a result, the total dollars dedicated to public education in Wisconsin are less important than the actual number of students in the classroom, especially in rural school districts. The membership count is the most important variable in determining a school districts budget.

To view the membership count and change since last year for school districts in the 17th Senate District, please visit my website.

Open enrollmentThe open enrollment program is an inter-district program that allows parents to enroll their children in a public school district other than the one in which they reside. The open enrollment program allows any 4K-12th grade student to apply to a nonresident school district via an application process coordinated by DPI.

Statewide, 55,737 students enrolled in public schools other than their resident school district during the 2015-16 school year. This accounted for $303.2 million transferred between public schools. In the 17th Senate District, 2,066 students enrolled in public school districts other than their resident district. As a result, approximately $1.4 million was transferred to other neighboring public school districts.

During the application process, resident and nonresident school districts can each deny the application for a student to open enroll based on a number of factors, including: availability of space in the school, the transferring students disciplinary record or student-teacher ratios. If the request is denied, there is an appeals process with the DPI, but the department is required to affirm the decision of the local district unless they find it was arbitrary or unreasonable.

If the students application is accepted, the student is enrolled in the school of his or her choice, the resident school district transfers a set amount of funds to the chosen school district, and the parents are responsible for transportation to and from school.

Under the open enrollment funding formula, a major financial impact to school districts is realized. On one hand, the resident school district does not lose the student in their membership count for enrollment numbers (see above). But on the other hand, the resident district must transfer funds to the nonresident district for each student who is enrolled in another district during open enrollment. For the 2015-16 school year, the state determined amount was $6,639 per student. The 2016-17 amount is $6,748.

While the students and funds transferred to another district do not impact the amount of the overall school districts budget, they do impact the bottom line of the school districts budget because they have to cut a check to another district for $6,639 per student who transfers to another district.

There are many reasons parents cite for moving their student to another school district. Some families choose to enroll their child in another district for academic and geographic reasons. Others are seeking additional extra-curricular opportunities. Whatever the reasons may be, open enrollment may play a major part in the financial situation for a school district.

To view the 2015-16 open enrollment transfers for school districts in the 17th Senate District, please visit my website.

School district report cardsThe Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released school report cards for the 2016-17 school year on Nov. 21. The report cards combine data on multiple indicators for multiple years across four priority areas: student achievement, growth, closing gaps and on-track and post-secondary success. In addition, given the impact on student success, the report cards also measure chronic absenteeism and dropout rates. Many parents use these report cards to assess their childs opportunities at their local and neighboring school districts.

To view the 2016-17 school report card data for school districts in the 17th Senate District, please visit my website.

When we combine all of this data and take a look at our school districts in the 17th Senate District, we can identify trends, impacts and opportunities. Most of our schools are performing very well, but declining enrollment due to a number of cultural factors and parent decisions impact student data, which in turn impacts school finances.

As your state Senator, I will continue to monitor this data, among other measurements and reports, as a part of my overall strategy to support and understand our local schools.

Republican Howard Marklein, Spring Green, represents the 17th state Senate District.
With nary a nod to Frank Capra, Mrs. Smith will go to Washington.

Gov. Mark Dayton confirmed Wednesday that hes chosen Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to replace resigning DFL Sen. Al Franken in the U.S. Senate. Smith said she will run for the seat as well in next years election.

Smith, a Democrat, has served as Minnesotas 48th lieutenant governor since January 2015. Dayton picked Smith, who was his chief of staff, to be his running mate as he began the campaign for a second term.

Though I never anticipated this moment, Im resolved to do everything I can to move Minnesota forward, Smith told reporters.

Smith said shed decided this was the best way for her to serve Minnesota in this extraordinary time, adding, Im prepared to do this. Im qualified to do this. I have a unique role to play here.

She also noted that not all Minnesotans are benefiting from the current economy, noting that in her travels across the state shes seen and heard their economic struggles. She vowed to be an advocate for economic opportunity and fairness, especially for women and people of color.

Dayton praised her as a public official of impeccable integrity wholl make Minnesota proud in the Senate.

Smith, 59, is a New Mexico native who moved to Minnesota for a job with General Mills. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband; they have two grown sons.

Before working for Dayton, Smith served as chief of staff to former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and ran his unsuccessful bid for governor in 2010. She was also vice president of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, a job not listed in her official governors office bio.

She has been a more visible lieutenant governor than her predecessors. She goes to ribbon cuttings that Dayton cant attend, but shes also often by his side for major announcements and remains a trusted advisor.

Smith has been at the forefront on several administration priorities, including rural broadband expansion, early childhood education and economic development. She leads the Destination Medical Center initiative, a public-private economic development partnership in Rochester, Minn.

Speculation about Smith running for governor in 2018 began before she took office as lieutenant governor. But she announced in March 2017 that she would not be a candidate. Smith told MPR News at the time that she spent several months carefully considering a bid for governor but ultimately decided against it.

For me it was a personal decision as I thought about how I want to spend my time and where I can make a big difference, she said. There are so many different ways of contributing to the future of this state.

Smiths ascension was set in motion by Frankens decision last week to leave the Senate in the face of mounting accusations of sexual misconduct before and during his time in office.

Franken had spent the past few weeks pleading for forgiveness in response to the accusations. At least eight women shared stories of him touching them inappropriately without consent during photo-opportunities, on a celebrity tour to military installations abroad or at political events. The common pattern they described included allegations that Franken groped their buttocks or breasts or tried to kiss them.

Franken had hoped to make his case to the Senate Ethics Committee that his behavior shouldnt require him to give up the seat. But as new allegations trickled out, the political pressure began to ratchet up and most of Frankens Democratic Senate allies urged him to step aside.

Standing on the Senate floor Thursday, he said he could no longer be an effective senator for Minnesota but insisted that some of the allegations against him were simply not true ... others, I remember very differently.

Franken hasnt said yet exactly when hes exiting the Senate. Smith said Frankens office has indicated that will happen sometime in early January.

While she applauded Franken as an effective voice for Minnesota, Smith made it clear she will not be in his shadow and that she should not be underestimated as a politician or as a candidate for election in 2018 in what likely will be a highly competitive race.

Next year promises to be a remarkable election cycle for Minnesota with an open seat for governor, campaigns for two U.S. Senate seats (U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is up for re-election) as well as elections for the U.S. House.

I will take on this role in my own way using my own judgment and experience, she said.

By naming Smith, Dayton creates uncertainty for the state Senate.

Minnesotas succession plan calls for the state Senate president to become lieutenant governor, so as Smith moves to the U.S. Senate, state Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, will move into Smiths position.

Republicans currently control the state Senate by a single vote, and in theory, Fischbachs seat would need to be filled in a special election. But Republicans could try to go to court to delay her resignation or get a court ruling that she can do both jobs.

The Minnesota GOP slammed Daytons appointment of Smith as a political game.

Its an underhanded House of Cards style move, Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Jennifer Carnahan said in statement. This is clearly an attempt to throw the Republican majority in the Minnesota Senate out of balance.

Carnahan told MPR News later: Im not here to say who he should have picked or shouldnt have. I think the opportunity for him would have been to ... select someone to represent all Minnesotans, not his right hand and inner confidante ... I dont see how that represents whats in the best interest of Minnesota. But it is what it is and well move forward and we will defeat Tina Smith next November.

Dayton on Wednesday indicated hed be comfortable with Fischbach as the states lieutenant governor.

There could be some consternation coming, however. The Associated Press reports that Fischbach expects to keep her spot in the Senate when she becomes lieutenant governor.

According to a draft plan obtained by the AP on Wednesday, the Paynesville Republican was told by the Senate Counsels office that the Minnesota Constitution allows the Senate president to hold both jobs, so thats what she plans to do for the remainder of Daytons term.

The constitution says that if the lieutenant governors office becomes vacant, the post shall go to the last elected presiding officer of the Senate.

Fischbachs plan would likely be challenged by Minnesota Democrats, since it puts a Republican a heartbeat away from the governorship and also allows the GOP to preserve its 34-33 majority.

Dayton told reporters that he has asked Democratic Attorney General Lori Swanson for a formal opinion because he doesnt think the Senate president can hold two jobs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thursday, December 14, 2017

The Nevada Supreme Court imposed slightly lesser discipline than proposed

The disciplinary proceeding grew out of three separate grievances. In the first grievance, J.K., a struggling alcoholic, became acquainted with and married a woman who was the daughter of a real estate agent in Kirk-Hughes' real estate firm. J.K.'s wife exerted control over J.K.'s assets and hired Kirk-Hughes to assist her. During the marriage, J.K. gave Kirk-Hughes $400,400 to be held in trust for future real estate purchases. Kirk-Hughes then aided J.K.'s wife in deceiving J.K. to sign a power of attorney giving the wife control over his money, the money held in trust by Kirk-Hughes, and a half-million dollar tax refund J.K. had no knowledge of. Kirk-Hughes also used J.K.'s money for her own benefit, including to improve a real estate project she was part owner of, without written permission. During the investigation of J.K.'s grievance, KirkHughes provided inaccurate accountings of J.K.'s money multiple times.

In the second grievance, Kirk-Hughes persuaded her client C.W. to leave approximately $121,000 in trust with her while he looked for a home to purchase. Kirk-Hughes made numerous unauthorized transfers of that money and, when C.W. demanded his money back, Kirk-Hughes stated he owed more than $20,000 in attorney fees, despite not having sent C.W. any bills. Kirk-Hughes denied any mismanagement of C.W.'s funds.

In the final grievance, DCP Services, LLC, alleged that KirkHughes failed to timely release funds to pay four medical liens DCP held against Kirk-Hughes' clients. In responding to the State Bar's investigation, Kirk-Hughes misstated how long the funds to resolve the liens had been in her trust account. Also, the State Bar discovered that Kirk-Hughes had an additional trust account that she had not reported as required.

Sanction was less than proposed

In this case, the most serious instance of misconduct was KirkHughes' trust account mismanagement and using client and third-party funds for her own benefit. By knowingly misappropriating and misusing the funds entrusted to her, Kirk-Hughes violated duties owed to those who trusted her with their money, which resulted in serious injury, especially for J.K. Cf. id., Standard 4.12. Kirk-Hughes also has a lengthy disciplinary history comprising seven prior disciplinary sanctions, including a ninety-day suspension, and she refuses to acknowledge any misconduct in regard to her actions. When considering this, along with the six other aggravating factors and one mitigating factor, we agree that a suspension is warranted. See id. We do not agree, however, with the panel's recommended period of suspension as it is not consistent with prior discipline imposed in cases involving similar misconduct. See id., Standard 1.3 (promoting "consistency in the imposition of disciplinary sanctions for the same or similar offenses"). Rather, we conclude that a four-year suspension is sufficient to protect the public and the legal profession.

The case is Discipline of Geraldine Kirk-Hughes. (Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2017/12/the-nevada-supreme-court-the-disciplinary-proceeding-grew-out-of-three-separate-grievances-in-the-first-grievance-jk-a.html
The Willamette Valley Ag Expo is set for Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 15 through 17, at the Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E. in Albany.
scholarship, news and new ideas in legal history
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TWIN FALLS  A Twin Falls police officer accused of sexually abusing young girls did not appear in court on Tuesday as planned.

A jury trial for William Anthon Jansen, 33, was vacated when the defense made a motion to delay the trial. Jansens attorney has received additional information and is continuing to prepare for the trial, according to court documents.

Jansen is accused of abusing two preteen girls between 2005 and 2009, prior to joining the Twin Falls Police Department. He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of lewd conduct with a minor.

The police department knew about the allegations, and completed a thorough background check that included a polygraph test, before hiring Jansen in December of 2013. He was put on unpaid leave when the charges were filed in April.

The case has been handed over to Kassandra Slaven, a prosecutor from Ada County, because Jansen is a local police officer.
BUHL  One of two men suspected of stealing a pickup truck was arrested after a foot chase through Buhl Tuesday afternoon.

Manuel Acevedo, 36, of Twin Falls, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of grand theft by receiving or possessing stolen property, resisting or obstructing an officer, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

After receiving several calls on Tuesday afternoon regarding a truck reported stolen the day before, officers from the Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office and Buhl Police Department were called to the Valley County Store in Buhl, according to court documents.

Two men had gotten out of the truck, split up, and were walking around the area, dispatch told the officers. After a lengthy chase on foot, Acevedo was cornered in a backyard on Robertson Street. The other suspect is still at large.

When police searched the truck, they reportedly found a Winchester .22 lever action rifle. A background check on Acevedo revealed a Twin Falls County warrant for a parole violation and several felony charges.

Bond has been set at $75,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22.
BURLEY  Police say a Burley man was shot dead at his business Wednesday.

Police say Christopher A. Fassett, 58, was killed in a robbery gone wrong at Fassett Transmission, 436 West Main St., in Burley.

Cassia County Sheriff Jay Heward said that Luis Gabriel Ponce, 21, was arrested Thursday morning on a homicide charge after turning himself in at the sheriffs office.

Heward said Fassett was shot twice, once in the head and once in the stomach area. His body was found by police at 434 West Main St. shortly after 5 p.m.

Ponce confessed, Heward said. It appears that it was a robbery gone bad, and one thing led to another.

Ashley Houser, owner at the nearby Reloading Center, said Fassett also lived at the business and occasionally cooked and brought food to Housers business. He believed Fassett had the transmission business for about five years, but business was sporadic. He didnt hear anything suspicious Wednesday, he said.

Cassia County Undersheriff George Warrell said the sheriffs office received a 911 call regarding a person who arrived at the business to pick up a vehicle and found Fassett unresponsive under a car.

Houser said two men speaking Spanish came over to his business Wednesday afternoon saying there was something wrong with the man across the street, and they called 911.

Staff at the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center said Ponce was being booked into jail Thursday afternoon. The Minidoka County Sheriffs Office also assisted in Ponces arrest.
DECLO  Sometimes moving forward means leaving things behind.

Declo Elementary School teachers are experiencing a few growing pains this week as the third through fifth grade classrooms shift to the new portion of the school.

Some of the teachers are feeling a bit of nostalgic about the move this week, Principal Kevin Lloyd said. Letting go is hard for some of our teachers. Its been an emotional transition for them.

Fourth grade teacher Summer Gallup said the teachers arent able to move any of the old furniture into the new building and leaving behind favorite pieces is hard.

The move is kind of a love-hate thing because we cant bring our own furniture, Gallup said. Its going to be a change, thats for sure.

A new teachers desk she recently purchased will not go to her new classroom and neither will her reading tent or her plush reading chairs.

I hope I can make it welcoming in here for the students, she said.

She will also have to figure out how to scale down eight bookshelves to one.

If youve only been a teacher a couple of years, moving is probably easier because you have accumulated less stuff, said Gallup, who has been a teacher for 11 years.

One of the appreciated changes is a wall lined with whiteboard and a projector system.

Weve been begging for whiteboards, she said. And I like that the desks arent wobbly or written on and that the student chairs are bigger.

Her old classroom windows were about a quarter of the size her new ones.

Thats a big plus, she said.

The $37 million construction bond included plans to build an entire new elementary school to replace the open-concept 1970s building that had room dividers instead of walls between the classrooms, but those plans were scaled down into two phases after officials discovered a $15 million shortfall in funds necessary to complete all the projects in the district.

All the projects in the district have come in on budget, district spokeswoman Debbie Critchfield said.

Costs for the first phase of the elementary school are $5.4 million and all the Declo projects tally $7 million.

The first phase of the elementary added a 30,000-square-foot building onto the main building and includes nine classrooms, a gym, restrooms, computer lab, administration offices and a nurse station, which was lacking in the other building.

All of the spaces come with wider hallways, taller ceilings and much more open space.

We are trading two bathrooms in the old building for eight bathrooms in the new, Lloyd said.

The library has a skylight, a door that opens to a courtyard and a locking storage area.

The library will not be moved until Friday to keep it open as long as possible and allow students to check out books to read during the Christmas break.

The old hallway is married to the new space via a connector that will eventually be torn down after the second phase is completed.

Its comical how much of an upgrade there is between the old and the new, Lloyd said.

The new portion will house 225 third through fifth graders. Grades kindergarten through second will remain in the main portion of the building until more construction money is available to build the remaining classrooms.

This old building will eventually come down, Lloyd said. But we tried to do as much as we could for the money we had and I think they did a really good job.

Eventually the second phase will add another bank of classrooms, restrooms and an additional computer lab. The lunchroom will remain in a separate building but a warming kitchen will be added off the gym where meals can be served.

Since most of the school was built during the first phase the cost for the second phase will be substantially less, Critchfield said.

Although the move to the new portion will be accomplished before the Christmas break the new portion of the building will not be occupied until after students resume classes on Jan. 2.

The classrooms they are moving out of are in a separate building, which will be given to Declo Junior High School.

Having two classroom buildings created a myriad of security problems for the elementary school, Lloyd said, because the doors had to be left unlocked between the buildings so students could go back and forth from classrooms to the library, music class or computer lab.

The unlocked doors often meant parents would circumvent the front office when visiting classrooms.

Security has always been an issue at this school, Lloyd said.

Now there is an enclosed foyer at the administration offices where visitors will have to check in before entering the school, which will also help with security.

Upgrades at DJHS are also complete, which included a new commons area linking the junior high to the elementary building and opening a bottle neck in a hallway, Critchfield said.

The building will give the junior high students more class space and areas to gather.
Apparently, the Knights thought the best view of the falls is from the bottom of the canyon, and local newspapers agreed.

To be fully appreciated, the cataract must be seen from below, explained the Jan. 18, 1908, edition of the Twin Falls Times, and as yet no one has had the gumption to provide steps whereby the journey can be made in comfort and safety.

In declaring the project, the Knights announced the town would be hosting the Grand Lodge that summer, hence the desire to build stairs to the bottom of the tourist attraction.

The Knights intend to put in steps of permanent character and if they do they should have the right to carve their names on every step for they certainly have conceived a clever idea, said the Times.

But that staircase was never built  at least before the Grand Lodge. Photos taken of Shoshone Falls by Clarence E. Bisbee in 1910 show no stairs, but a later an undated Bisbee photo shows a crude log staircase in place, possibly built by the Knights.
SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading integrated property companies in Southeast Asia, opened a new mall in Lemery, Batangas.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange SM Center Lemery added 25,000 square meters to SM Primes gross floor area in the Philippines.

Lemery has been a gateway to different attractions in Batangas, and with this, its been continually developing to meet the needs and standards of its residents and visitors. SM Center Lemery takes part in meeting these needs. The exciting mix of offerings in the mall are sure to delight every Batanguenos, as we have also done in SM City Batangas and SM City Lipa, SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

Opening with almost 90 percent of space lease-awarded, SM Center Lemery has three floors of mixed retail and food tenants topped with preferred household brands such as SM Hypermarket, BDO, Ace Hardware, Miniso, SM Appliance Center, Watsons, Simply Shoes and Surplus.

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This is the sixth mall topened by SM Prime this year. The first five malls were SM Center Pulilan in Bulacan, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown in Cagayan, SM City Puerto Princesa in Palawan, SM Cherry Antipolo in Rizal, S Maison at Conrad Manila in Pasay City and SM CDO Downtown Premier in Cagayan de Oro.

SM Prime now owns 66 mall in the Philippines with gross floor area of more than 8 million sqm. It also operates seven malls in China with 1.3 million sqm of retail space.

The group plans to open eight new malls next year to meet its target to have 75 malls in the Philippines by end-2018 with GFA of 10.96 million sqm.

SM Prime booked a net income of P20.05 billion in the first three quarters of 2017, as consolidated revenues hit P64.69 billion.

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PHNOM PENHSecured by family and party ties, Chinese cash and his own ruthless political instincts, Cambodian strongman Hun Sen has taken a wrecking ball to the kingdoms fragile democracy in a campaign to extend his 32-year rule.

The 65-year-old is now the worlds sixth longest-serving civilian leader, bumped up a place by last months fall of Zimbabwes Robert Mugabe.

And his grip on the country is stronger than ever, as the brash premier extinguishes rivals and fortifies his familys control over the poor nation.

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In a religious ceremony for peace and stability in early December, the premier prayed beneath Angkor Watthe Khmer empires most glorious monument and a symbol of power and continuity.

The event was choreographed to show Hun Sen as the pivot point of a nation that is now effectively a one-party state after the main opposition party was dissolved by the Supreme Court.

Hun Sen needs a halo which he creates by drawing on mythology. Its artificial, opposition leader Sam Rainsy told AFP from France where he now lives in self-exile.

He is a dictator and dictators often rely on a cult of personality.

Hun Sen vowed last month to hold on to office for at least 10 more years, but batted away comparisons to Mugabe who served into his 90s.

But critics say the Cambodian premier is cut from the same cloth and is going to increasingly great lengths to secure his monopoly on power.

Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party will in effect be unopposed in the elections next year after Rainsys Cambodia National Rescue Party was disbanded and its parliamentary seats and local posts redistributed.

The opposition had been tipped for power after making big gains in 2013 elections, but Hun Sen methodically picked off its leaders with legal cases before the Supreme Court delivered the knock out blow in November.

Scores of opposition MPs have fled the country, while a crackdown on critical media and civil society has earned a rebuke from Washington.

But the streets remain clear of protests.

Analysts say that reflects public fear of courts and security forces closely allied to Hun Sen.

But it may also reveal a reluctant acceptance among the young, pro-democratic population that their best bet is stability and economic growth while Hun Sen holds the aces.

Though he resists succession talk, Cambodians have long suspected Hun Sen is building a dynasty.

His three sons are prominent in public life and the apparatus of government.

The eldest, 40-year-old Hun Manet, is seen as the most likely successor.

A graduate of West Point military academy in the United States, he is a deputy commander in both Cambodias army and the elite Prime Ministers Bodyguard Unit.

His second son, General Hun Manit, heads up military intelligence.

The youngest, Hun Many, 35, is a CPP parliamentarian who oversees its far-reaching youth movement and has openly expressed a desire to lead.

The sons are not just likely heirs, but also strategic tethers to Cambodias elite.

A 2016 report from the NGO Global Witness detailed how Hun Sen and his progeny have built up business empires that stretch across the economy  and help buttress his political fortress.

Hun Sens sons either declined to be interviewed or did not respond to requests from AFP.

The ruling party is also tight-lipped on a long-term strategy.

We have plans, but if I reveal them, it violates the principles of the party congress which designates the prime minister, said CPP spokesman Sok Eysan.

Hun Sen was not born into power himself.

The son of peasant farmers, he started out as a cadre in the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime but later defected to Vietnam and returned with that countrys invading forces.

He was installed as prime minister in 1985 and outlasted his Vietnamese benefactors, who left the country in 1989.

From the early 1990s he engineered a facade of multi-party democracy supported by the United Nations, keen to endorse a semblance of stability following the horrors of the Khmer Rouge.

Since then he has used his CPP party as a patronage network.

The party boasts five-million paid up members, nearly a third of the population and a youth movement that spans the country.

Hun Sen controls Cambodian politics through a tight mesh of personal relationships that binds together the CPP, leading tycoons, and the senior echelons of the security forces, said Sebastian Strangio, the author of a biography of Hun Sen.

Underpinning his winning streak is Cambodias economic revival.

Pump-primed by China, the economy this year is chugging along at almost seven percent.

By the end of 2016, Chinese direct investment totaled $11.2 billion, according to official Cambodian data.

Chinese companies are driving a construction boom, from mega-dams to highways and casinos targeting Chinese punters.

Hun Sen is a regular visitor to Beijing, where he is lavished with soft loans without any censure on his demolition job on democracy.

That no strings support has emboldened his attacks against critics in politics, the media and Western democracies like the USwho he once needed for financial support.

Cambodias future now appears wedded to its new benefactor.

China will continue to offer support to ensure Cambodia stay politically stable and economically sound, said political analyst Meas Ny.

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The United State announced Wednesday a new assistance package in forms of military support to help Lebanon better secure its borders and tackle terrorism.

The assistance announced to Prime Minister Saad Hariri is estimated at $120 million and will include six MD 530G light attack helicopters, six Scan Eagle drones and communication and night vision equipment.

The announcement was made by US ambassador Elizabeth Richard during a visit to Hariri, in the presence of the head of US Central Command Gen. Joseph Votel.

Ambassador Richard noted that the equipment will help the army build on its steady strong capability to conduct border security and counterterrorism operations.

She added that the Middle East country had received over the past decade over $1 billion in the form of military assistance from Washington.

The US vowed to support Lebanon combat terrorism and defend its border with Syria for fear that jihadists fleeing Syria could get safe haven in the country. Lebanon has received around 1.5 million Syrian refugees.

US authorities are also wary of the influence of Lebanon-based Shia movement Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to Syria to prop up President Assads regime. US has classified the group as terrorist group and accuses it of supporting terrorism in the region with endorsement from Iran.
Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pledged $100 million and $30 million respectively in support of the special counter-terrorism force deployed by five African countries- Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger (known as G5-Sahel).

The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron at a meeting held in Paris Wednesday to drum up support for the G5 Force..

The leaders of the five nations, which are among the worlds poorest, joined Macron and other leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the talks at a chateau in La Celle-Saint-Cloud outside Paris.

We must win this battle against terrorism in the Sahel, Macron said at a press conference after the meeting. There are attacks every day and states are under threat. We must intensify efforts.

The force also aims at countering radicalization and human trafficking, two major threats to stability and security in the impoverished Sahel region, where Al Qaeda and associated groups have a significant presence, while the Islamic State terror group (ISIS) also appears to be staking a claim in the volatile region.

The European Union has promised a 50 million support for the G5 force, with diplomacy chief Federica Mogherini citing stability of the Sahel region as crucial not only for Africa but also for Europe.

The US for its part pledged $60 million in support of the UN-backed counterterrorism force which has 5000 soldiers with a command in Mali.

Each African country has pledged 10 million euros, France promised 8 million and the Netherlands pledged 5 million.

The force needs 250 million euros to get going, with the cost eventually rising to 400 million, French officials say.
The AccorHotel Group announced Wednesday the launch in Dubai its first 25hours Hotel in the region with operations to start by 2020.

AccorHotel has chosen Dubai to establish its 25hours Hotel brand outside Europe. The hospitality property will include 434 rooms as well as two specialty restaurants, a lobby cafe and rooftop dining venue.

The hotel to become the largest 25hours around the world will become the first upscale addition to an existing 1210-room cluster of AccorHotels economy and midscale brands in Dubai

25hours Hotels was first launched in 2005 and is present in ten European cities, including Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Zurich and Vienna. Cologne, Dusseldorf and Paris are expected to host the brand by next year.
The member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered Wednesday in Istanbul declared Eastern Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state and called on the world to do the same to respond to the US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The OIC meeting, dubbed Freedom for Jerusalem and held under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, issued a strong worded communique calling on the world to recognize the Palestinian state and Eastern Jerusalem as its capital.

The OIC meeting was held one week after President Trump, despite global warning, officially declared Jerusalem capital of Israel and announced his plans to move the US embassy to the city.

The decision caused global outcry and sparked demonstrations across the Middle East region.

The status of the city has been left to be determined by Israelis and Palestinians through the final status negotiations.

The communique slammed Trumps decision that OIC deems null and void legally and an attack on the historical, legal, natural and national rights of the Palestinian people, a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus to extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security.

President Erdogan pledged the OICs support to the Palestinians people adding that the US proved that it could not be neutral peace broker as it is biased.

From now on, it is out of the question for a biased United States to be a mediator between Israel and Palestine, that period is over.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas also sidelined the US in the future peace talks adding that Trumps decision was the greatest crime and a violation of the international law.

The US can no longer mediate between Palestine and Israel. That process is over. The process can only continue with a neutral side, not a biased one.

King of Jordan Abdullah, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and several other Muslim leaders attended the summit. Saudi Arabia and its allies only sent low-key officials, suggesting a more cautious stance of the issue.

The US, following the summit, adopted a less radical position noting that President Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital does affect the citys final borders, which were dependent upon negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians.

I think its up to the Israelis and Palestinians to decide how they want to view the borders  again final status negotiations,State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
Israels minister of intelligence affairs Yisrael Katz has confirmed to Israeli Haaretz media that he had extended an invitation to Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to visit Israel as he describes him as the leader of the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic ties but reports say both countries have cooperated secretly in the area of security. Recent events and the announcement by Katz suggest a significant rapprochement between the two countries.

Katz in an interview with Saudi online newspaper Elaph mentioned the invitation but the media choose to edit out the invitation in the online publication.

Katzs spokesperson, Arye Shalicar, confirmed that the Israeli official extended the invitation to the Saudi Crown Prince also known by the initials MBS.

He said that he asks the king to invite (Prime Minister Binyamin) Netanyahu officially to Riyadh, and he asks MbS, Mohammed bin Salman, the son, to come and visit Israel, said Arye Shalicar.

The Israeli intelligence official sees Saudi Arabia as a potential peace broker between Palestine and Israel at the time Muslim leaders rejects the US following President Trumps last week recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, a decision they deem biased.

It is not the first time the Saudi media becomes the preferred media for rapprochement between the Sunni kingdom and the Jewish state. Elaph last month published an interview with the Israeli military chief, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot.

The Crown Prince had been rumored to have travelled and met with Israeli top officials. He has also reportedly held a secret meeting with Israelis in 2015, in Eilat and in March this year on the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Jordan.

Riyadh has officially condemned President Trumps unilateral decision and declared Palestinian rights on Eastern Jerusalem considered as the occupied Palestinian capital.

However, London-based The New Arab citing local Saudi sources notes that the kingdom imposed to media almost a gag order not to focus too much on the White Houses decision. Media bosses were asked to take aim at Iran and other regional countries in its coverage rather than focusing on Israel, the media notes.
The Russian Government, through its railway services agency, Geoservice, pledged to invest an estimated $12 billion in Ghanas railway sector through various Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

The move comes a week after Ghanas ministries of Railways Development, Transport, and Finance interacted with investors at an event dubbed, Market Sounding to discuss PPP arrangements for the development of railways and Inland Port Projects in the West African nation.

Ghana is seeking $2 billion for the Boankra Inland Port and Eastern Railway Projects through PPP on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Ghanas 947 kilometres-long rail network that is currently operational is faced with an obsolete network and poor track infrastructure, resulting in the closure of greater part of the Western and Eastern lines and the entire Central line.

President Akufo-Addo, who promised during his presidential campaign to revamp the sector, created the new Railway Development Ministry to improve the railway network.

The Ghana Railway Master Plan, which remains a guide for the fulfilment of the Ministrys mandate, has proposed a new railway network of 4,007 km with an investment of approximately $21.5 million. The plan envisages that total rail network will be standard gauge and executed in six phases.

Parliament has already approved a GH 500 million budget for the ministry, more than the GH 10 million allocated to the sector last year.
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has started an African tour in Benin on Monday.

Lagarde who spoke in a joint press conference with the Beninese President Patrice Talon in the economic capital Cotonou, said the IMF expects a growth rate of 6% for Benin in 2018.

Growth was about 4 percent, but a recovery is expected in 2017-18, owing to strong agricultural production, an increase in public investment, and a buoyant tertiary sector, the IMF said earlier this month.

The West African tiny nation has had productive relations with the Washington-based international lender since 1963. The country has over the years benefited from different IMF programs.

IMF chief Lagarde described Benin as a partner who keeps its promises, praising the country for respecting its commitments to restore finances and accommodate domestic and foreign investment.

Lagarde welcomed the strong performance in domestic revenue collection, which has contributed to better program outcomes in 2017.

She encouraged the authorities to sustain these efforts to support their goal of increasing public investment and reducing spending.

The Board of Directors of the IMF has authorized the disbursement of $22.58 million for Benin earlier this month.

The IMF said the money disbursed under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), brings to approximately $45.16 million the total amount of financial support granted to the country.
The United States on Tuesday announced the lifting of visa sanctions imposed on Gambian officials last year after the West African nation has reportedly refused to accept nearly 2000 people the US was trying to deport.

The State Department said the lift, which took effect on Tuesday December 12, 2017; was decided after Banjul took steps to accept citizens deported from the U.S.

Gambia became the first country in the last 15 years to face such a diplomatic penalty. It was followed recently by Sierra Leone, Guinea and Eritrea. They were all threatened with such measures over non-acceptance of their deported nationals.

While the US has regularly kept a list of countries considered recalcitrant, only one country has previously received sanctions under the law. Visas were restricted for certain government and diplomatic employees from Guyana, in 2001.

Between 2013 and 2016; more than 8,000 undocumented immigrants were released by US authorities, some after serving time in prison for violent crimes.

The number of recalcitrant countries has dropped from 20 to 12 over the months, and some longtime offenders have earned their way off the naughty list.

Countries are listed as recalcitrant when they are not accepting, or delaying, repatriation of their own citizens after the U.S. decided to deport them.
Burundis government has started a fundraising to raise money for an election in 2020. The move is presented by the government as an alternative plan to replace dwindling external funding.

Interior Minister Pascal Barandagiye said the government will seek contributions from every household, which will pay up to 2000 francs ($1.14) a year.

Students of voting age will contribute 1000 francs annually. Civil servants will contribute at least a tenth of their monthly salaries.

Pierre Nkurunzizas administration announced a similar fund-raising campaign for the 2015 election after international partners withdrew support.

After winning a controversial third term in 2015, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is focusing on the 2020 general elections. His government has adopted a plan in October to revise the Constitution. The amendments, if approved in a referendum slated for early 2018, would allow Nkurunziza to serve another two seven-year terms.

Burundi has been roiled by violence that left hundreds of people dead and forced more than 400,000 to flee their homes since April 2015, when Nkurunziza said he was seeking a third term.

Rights groups and Opposition parties said his re-election violated a two-term limit set out in peace accords that ended a civil war.

The 2020 electoral budget, estimated at around $45 million, will be fully funded by Burundi.
The five heads of state of the G5-Sahel joint force are meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in France this Wednesday (Dec. 13).

The about twenty attending delegations will discuss means to strengthen international mobilization for the benefit of the ongoing effort to combat armed groups in the Sahel region.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are attending the Paris meeting, French media reported.

Saudi Arabia earlier this month pledged $100 million to the regional military force in West Africas Sahel region.

Analysts say the contribution would be a major boost to the cash-strapped force. The Force says it needs roughly $500 million for its first year of operations.

The European Union, France, the United States and each of the G5 countries have also promised to fund the force.

The G5 Sahel  composed of the armies of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad  launched its first military campaign in October.

Macron sees the full implementation of the G5 force as a long-term exit strategy for his own forces that intervened in northern Mali in 2013. France has some 4,000 troops in the Sahel region.
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Georgian wine promoted in Japanese cities of Tokyo and Osaka

Georgian wine presentation-tasting events have been held in Tokyo and Osaka cities of Japan this week.Seven Georgian wine companies participated in large-scale events in Japan, announced the Georgian National Wine Agency.Japan in particular is a growing export market for Georgian wine.In the first 11 months of 2017 alone, 155,000 bottles of Georgian wine were exported to Japan, which made for a eight percent year-over-year increase.
Tbilisi Mayors Office Starts Inspection of Construction Sites

By Tea Mariamidze

(TBILISI)--Newly-elected Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has ordered an immediate round of inspections at the citys construction cites, saying severe labor violations are commonplace and becoming more frequent.City Hall issued a verbal warning to over 100 construction sites and audits have been launched at over 50 construction objects, which face penalties.The recent situation at construction sites is very sad. People work without any insurance, which is categorically unacceptable, Kaladze said on December 6.He instructed the head of the Supervision Service, Giorgi Bagrationi, to strictly control the situation."Any developer who refuses to follow the established safety rules will be held legally responsible, Kaladze stressed, adding that the Mayors Office will suspend all operation that do not comply with safety norms.Kaladze also announced that all illegal constructions throughout the city will be demolished by the Supervision Service.Bagrationi said eight construction sites in the citys eastern Chughureti district have already been given warnings to demolish the buildings located on the state-owned plots.The owners of the buildings were given some time to demolish illegal buildings themselves and if they do not follow our instructions, they will be fined by 10,000 GEL ($3,700), Bagrationi said.Bagrationi called on Tbilisi residents to halt illegal construction projects on state-owned plots, as it is forbidden, and the Supervision Service will dismantle them anyway.
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Wolves often harass grizzly bears in the wild, and now theyre challenging bear recovery in the courtroom.

An appeals court ruling in a federal lawsuit challenging how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed Great Lakes gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act list could unravel plans to delist grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The possibility raised enough alarm within the agency that it sent out a request for public comment on the topic last week.

We had put our final delisting rule out in July and within a week we got the court opinion, FWS grizzly recovery coordinator Hilary Cooley said during a meeting of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee in Missoula on Tuesday. The Great Lakes wolves were listed for the entire Lower 48 states, and then they carved out a DPS (Distinct Population Segment) and tried to delist them. Thats what weve done with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as well, so we thought we should take a look.

Grizzly bears were listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has combined bear experts from the National Park Service, Forest Service, state wildlife agencies and other land managers for more than three decades on the task of removing threats to grizzly bear survival so the bears can be removed from the Endangered Species List.

In August, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia affirmed a lower-court ruling blocking the wildlife services plan to delist the gray wolf in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin while keeping the species protected in the rest of the continental U.S. The case was Humane Society of the U.S. v. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

In its species recovery plans, the wildlife service often uses distinct population segments to draw boundaries around places a plant or animal depends on. That three-state area was considered the Western Great Lakes DPS for gray wolves.

The fundamental error in the Services decision is that, in evaluating whether gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes region are a distinct population segment, the Service failed to address the impact that extraction of the segment would have on the legal status of the remaining wolves in the already-listed species, the appeals court judges wrote. The lower court ruling said that creating a DPS was a one-way ratchet that could increase protections, but not decrease them without additional justification. The appeals court modified that, saying a DPS could be used to delist but the agency had failed to do a complete job justifying its action.

The Services power is to designate genuinely discrete population segments; it is not to delist an already-protected species by balkanization, they added. The Service cannot circumvent the Endangered Species Acts explicit delisting standards by driving an existing listing into a recovered sub-group and a leftover group that becomes an orphan to the law. Such a statutory dodge is the essence of arbitrary-and-capricious and ill-reasoned agency action.

Grizzly bear recovery follows a similar pattern. In July, FWS published its final rule delisting the roughly 700 grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is one of six DPS ecosystems the bears inhabit or could inhabit in the Lower 48 states. That action has triggered six lawsuits challenging it to date, several of which use the Western Great Lakes wolf decision in their arguments.

FWS is also working on a delisting rule for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which holds about 1,000 grizzlies in the Rocky Mountains between Missoula and Glacier National Park. But the remaining four ecosystems  the Cabinet-Yaak, Selkirk, Bitterroot and North Cascades  hold only handfuls of bears or none at all.

The Lower 48 grizzlies were originally listed as all one population, said Bethany Cotton, wildlife program director for Wildearth Guardians. If you pull one DPS out, such as the Yellowstone, you have to consider how that affects all the other populations.

Cotton compared the FWS request for public comment to trying to fix a flat tire on a moving car.

Ive never seen anything like this before, she said of the agency request. You cant fix it by papering it over after the fact. You have to go back and withdraw the rule. Its a glaring problem and they knew it back then.

The request is separate from another notice FWS published on Monday, requesting public comment on its "Supplement to the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan: Habitat-Based Recovery Criteria for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem."

The document explains proposed standards for delisting grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. That final action could take place next summer.

The FWS public comment request runs through January 8, 2018. Comments can be made online through the FWS website.
When LeGrande Harvey played the song he wrote with his wife for a group of Nine Mile neighbors, he did not expect that it would become the official ballad of Montana within two years.

"It took on a life of its own," he said, after performing "Montana Melody" with Bonner School students at their winter concert Wednesday night.

That small, 1981 performance included a woman who was friends with the music teacher of Bonner School, who asked Harvey to record the song for her to share. The instructor loved it and asked Harvey to perform with her students. That school concert was recorded and soon appeared on Montana Public Radio's children's show, the Pea Green Boat.

A Helena fifth-grade teacher heard it and wrote a letter to Harvey addressed to a Missoula bar where she had seen an ad saying he would play.

"She asked if her class could take it on as a project to make it the state song," he said.

They took the case to Hal Harper, a longtime Helena legislator, who said he would consider a bill if students could make a strong enough case. They testified in front of him, teachers and parents at mock hearings. Harper introduced House Bill 31 in the 1983 session.

Students from Helena and Bonner came to the State Capitol to testify in support of the bill and to perform the piece. Legislators decided not to replace the state song, "Montana," but to name "Montana Melody" as the official state ballad. Helena's Jefferson High School students sang the song when Gov. Ted Schwinden signed the measure into law in March 1983.

Harvey has occasionally returned to Bonner School at the request of teachers to perform the piece, as he did Wednesday night.

The winter concert opened with second graders singing, "What's in that stocking?" Music Teacher Cory McAtee sat on the gym floor in front of the stage, mouthing words and demonstrating the coordinated hand movements to match the music. Most of the youngsters stared straight ahead as they sang and did not pretend to look in their imaginary stocking, although a few made the gestures with gusto. One girl raised her hand in the middle of a song to wave at family in the crowd.

A boy leaving the stage as the next grade came on to perform turned to his friend and said, "I hope you got through that as good as I hope I did."

Fourth-graders knew the routine. They enunciated every word of "Christmas night." All enthusiastically waved their arms and wiggled their fingers to imitate falling snow while keeping pace with a fast-paced piece aptly named "Snow." To end the song, they shouted the title, threw their arms wide and froze in a camera-ready pose. Many parents in the crowd caught the moment in cell phone videos.

Next, Harvey took the stage with the fourth grade while third- and second-grade students lined up on the floor in front of them. He sang the verses alone, strumming his guitar, but was joined by the kids for the chorus.

Yes, there's no place like Montana,

the Big Sky country, my home.

A place to set my spirit free,

a Rocky Mountain melody,

These things are a part of me,

Montana, Montana, my home.
University of Montana staff are doing extra work as their numbers dwindle, but they're not always getting paid for it.

A recent survey noted 245 classified staff out of 354 have taken on duties outside their job descriptions, yet some 82 percent are not earning additional compensation as a result, according to the UM Staff Senate. The Staff Senate created the survey to gather staff perspectives.

Senators discussed the survey Wednesday at a special meeting to review a report for campus priorities. The Staff and Faculty Senates met Wednesday to review President Sheila Stearns' report on setting campus priorities.

Stearns has served as interim president since Royce Engstrom was asked to step down about a year ago. Former GE executive Seth Bodnar  who moved into the president's residence Wednesday  takes over.

Throughout, Stearns' report discusses opportunities for "sharing staff" in order to save resources.

At the Staff Senate meeting, President Maria Mangold said compensation is an issue for staff, and she again characterized the remaining workforce as "bare bones" and stated unequivocal opposition to any staff layoffs.

"We have been cut. This is the end of the line here. We cannot take any more involuntary (cuts)," Mangold said.

An estimated 90 staff are accepting a voluntary severance offer, a figure that represents nearly 20 percent of the classified staff paid out of the general fund although 3 percent of total full-time equivalents. UM officials have said the offers aim to save money on personnel, although the campus will need to hire some replacements in areas left with large gaps, such as IT.

At the meeting, staff senators questioned the sharing rationale, and they asked that proposals to consolidate positions come with clear evidence of related savings. Senators also called on the administration to make staff training and development a priority, as it is for faculty.

***

At the Faculty Senate meeting, faculty members repeatedly described the recommendations in the president's report as "vague." Wednesday, they moved to hold a special meeting at the beginning of the spring semester to review and comment on more specific implementation plans before the new president makes any final decisions.

Behind the scenes, though, plans for concrete change are already underway, according to at least one senator. Senator Jody Pavilack said that even as the campus was considering vague recommendations in an open process, concrete decisions were being made in private negotiations.

"I think there's a contradiction between the vagueness here and the actual actions that are taking place," Pavilack said.

Faculty Senate Chair Mary-Ann Bowman offered a different perspective on the value of recommendations that aren't specific. She said the "high altitude view" presented in the president's report honors the expertise of others and creates space for their knowledgeable input.

Senator Abhishek Chatterjee, though, said some recommendations could have 15 different interpretations, and he and another senator questioned the assessment of the humanities in the report.

"The number of faculty in humanities can fluctuate without diminishing UM's commitment to the humanities at the heart of our historic curriculum," the report said.

A couple of faculty members also noted the lack of direct connection between recommendations and budget targets. One big reason UM embarked on the process to set campus priorities was because of its budget challenges from declining enrollment.

Paul Haber, head of the University Faculty Association, also noted that the president's recommendations to invest in biological sciences, health and medicine, as well as an MBA and master's in accountancy would have consequences. If UM moves in that direction, more input is needed, he said.

"If we're going to go forward, it should be a participatory process, and we have not done that on this campus yet," Haber said.
The U.S. Congress, with the support of Montanas U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte, appears ready to pass the most sweeping tax bill in recent history, which will send even more of our nations treasure to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. The richest among us will make billions of dollars at the expense of the middle class, the working poor and retired Americans.

The Montana Alliance for Retired Americans stands in strong opposition to this tax bill for five central reasons.

First, thousands of retired Montanans will see a tax increase when the tax bill goes to President Trumps desk. The AARP Public Policy Institute reports that taxpayers 65 and older which make up 18 percent of Montanas population (2016 U.S. Census Bureau estimate) with an income below $65,150 will see ever increasing taxes when the tax bill becomes law.

Second, the tax bill will force cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Under the tax bills blueprint, there will be $473 billion in cuts to Medicare and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid over the next 10 years. Thousands of Montana seniors lives literally depend on these programs. Cutting them for the benefit of the super-rich is callous and beyond cruel.

Third, the tax bill ends medical expense deductions. Today taxpayers over 65 can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income. Older Americans with high nursing home costs or high medical or dental expenses will no longer be able to deduct these costs from their taxes.

Fourth, the tax bill puts caps on pre-tax contributions to 401(k) plans. Currently, workers can defer paying taxes on contributions to a 401(k) plan. More specifically, those over 50 are allowed to contribute up to $24,000 in pre-tax income to their 401(k). The tax bill could prohibit these kinds of catch-up 401(k) contributions.

Fifth, the tax bill will increase the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion. Increased deficits will put pressure on the Medicare and Medicaid programs and will make it easier for Congress to come back and cut these programs next year.

Furthermore, additional deficit spending will break the promise of Social Security, which workers have paid into their whole working lives with the understanding that Social Security will be there as a foundation for a secure retirement. As the population ages, the fiscal demands on Social Security will continue to grow and, according to budget experts, the tax bill will only make the situation worse. This is horrible news for the majority of Montanas seniors and future retirees who will depend on Social Security in order to make ends meet each and every month.

The bottom line is this: Montanas two millionaire representatives in Congress, Senator Daines and Representative Gianforte, are doing just fine. In fact, theyre doing great and they are selling out Montana seniors and workers to line their already full pockets with more of our hard-earned dollars by supporting this tax giveaway.

The richest 10 percent of Americans already own half of our nations wealth. We dont need to be giving them even more tax breaks at the expense of low- and middle-income Montana seniors. Instead, we should be strengthening Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security and making it easier for workers to eventually retire in dignity.

Call Senator Daines and Congressman Gianforte and tell them to vote "no," and not to sell out Montanas seniors and workers.
$38,700. That's how much U.S. Sen. Daines accepted from telecom companies; it's no wonder that he is on their side in trying to end net neutrality. I find that pretty despicable to be honest.

The vote is Thursday. Now is the time to stand with Americans and Montanans, senator: please protect net neutrality! Either stop the vote Dec. 14 by the Federal Communications Commission or do your part in discouraging the dismantling of net neutrality and Title II.

Before 2015, it was how it is now. After 2015 it still is how it is now. Literally nothing changed. All Barack Obama did was make it a Title II classification to prevent Comcast from messing over Netflix (which is what sparked all of this). So nothing changed.

Come Dec. 14, Comcast can and will most likely do that and many more things with their freedom, by taking away ours. If net neutrality and Title II are destroyed, it will hurt Americans and especially Montanans.

Please stand with the public by protecting net neutrality once and for all. As a U.S. Navy vet I fought for freedom; I hope you do your part in doing the same.

Robbie Hoth,

Missoula
MAN PUNCHES TAXI

William Kindler, 68, of Forsyth, Mo., was arrested late Monday afternoon for misdemeanor criminal mischief after he allegedly punched a taxi, leaving a dent in the vehicle.

According to police, a taxi had gone to the Bert Mooney Airport to pick up Kindler for a ride to Twin Bridges. The taxi driver told officers that when he gave an $80 estimate for the ride, Kindler allegedly became agitated and told the driver that it wasnt appropriate for him to be in a taxi and that he wanted a town car. At that point, Smith allegedly punched the vehicle.

Kindler had bonded out of the Butte jail by Wednesday.

PARTNER ASSAULT

Police say they arrested Jamie Collin Smith, 32 of Wenatchee, Wash., for misdemeanor partner, family-member assault after he allegedly assaulted his female partner and took her cellphone. Police responded to the 600 block of south Washington Street around 10:30 a.m. Monday, after receiving a call about a disturbance between a female and male, who was later identified as Smith.

Upon their arrival, police said, they came upon the couple inside a vehicle. Officers spoke with the female, who claimed that Smith had assaulted her the night before and early Monday and had taken her cellphone. The female said Smith had hit and kicked her and had thrown her into an elliptical machine. Police arrested Smith and took him to jail, where he remained as of Wednesday morning.

AGGRAVATED DUI

Julie Baumgartner, 55, of Philipsburg, was arrested early Tuesday after she allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol.

Police say they arrived at the intersection of Rowe and Clinton in response to a report of a reckless driver. According to the complainant, police said, Baumgartner had hit road reflectors with her vehicle.

Baumgartner failed a field sobriety test, police said. She was then taken to the Butte jail, where she failed more sobriety maneuvers and refused to take a Breathalyzer test, authorities said. Police said she was then taken to St. James Healthcare, where a blood-alcohol test was administered. Results are pending, police said. She faces an aggravated DUI charge for a second refusal of a Breathalyzer test.

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

A 32-year-old Butte woman was apprehended for a DUI around 5 p.m. Tuesday after she allegedly caused an accident while under the influence of drugs.

Officers were called to the 1100 block of south Main Street after receiving a report that a vehicle had struck a guardrail near that Rosalie Manor residential complex. When officers arrived, the driver and vehicle were no longer at the scene, but officers later spotted the driver, Jeanette Voss, 32, of Butte, walking in the area, based on witness descriptions.

Officers brought Voss back to the scene, police said, where they administered a field sobriety test, which Voss later failed. She was taken to the Butte jail, where she was examined by a drug recognition expert, police said, who determined she was under the influence of a stimulant and anti-depressant. While at the jail, Voss also refused to take a Breathalyzer test, police said.

As of Thursday morning Voss remained in jail. She faces a misdemeanor DUI charge, among other driving-related misdemeanors, along with possession charges for an empty syringe and a syringe containing a white substance that was discovered in her possession at the time of her arrest, police said.

JUVENILES FIGHTING

Police responded Monday afternoon to the Webster Garfield School on the 1000 block of south Montana Street in response to a report of a physical altercation between two male juveniles, 15 and 16. Police cited the juveniles with disorderly conduct and both were given notices to appear in juvenile court.

CRIMINAL CONTEMPT

Police responded late Monday to the Silver Bow Homes residential complex on Curtis Street in response to a call about a disturbance between a man and a woman. When officers arrived, they observed Tara Wilke, 26, sitting on top of the male and hitting him.

Neither Wilke nor the male wished to press charges against each other, police said. However, officers discovered a warrant out for Wilke for failing to appear in Butte city court. She was arrested at the scene and cited with criminal contempt, police said.

DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

Gary Rubusch, 39, of Butte was cited with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia late Tuesday night after he attempted to ditch a syringe from his shirt pocket during a traffic stop, police said. They pulled Rubusch over at Elizabeth Warren and Paxson. Rubusch had been driving with a suspended or revoked license, police said, for which he was also cited.
A deal is near on the purchase of about 15 acres along the Yellowstone River  just across from Riverfront Park  that would provide public access to the stream as well as a location for a new boat ramp.

Its pretty exciting because its a key site, said Ken Frazer, fisheries manager for Region 5 in Billings.

The property, owned by Scobey residents Rick and Dawn Lee, is just downstream of the South Billings Boulevard Bridge, along the Old Blue Creek Road to the Billings Motorcycle Clubs grounds. The land will provide about 550 feet of river frontage.

The Yellowstone River Parks Association negotiated and helped fund the purchase but will be seeking help from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to develop the boat ramp, a parking area, road and latrine.

This will be another nice access along the Yellowstone, said Darryl Wilson, president of YRPA. It fits nicely into that area.

River access

The site would break up what now can be a long float for canoeists, rafters and tubers between FWPs fishing access sites. The nearest one upstream is about seven miles, near Duck Creek Bridge. Downstream six miles theres a boat ramp at Coulson Park. Some boaters and floaters have been taking out at Riverfront, but since 2011 the river has moved farther away from the park, making it a bit of a walk across a gravel bar to reach the water.

The launch would also provide another access point for search and rescue boats that are often dispatched during river emergencies, cutting the response time to reach different areas of the river, which is popular with summer recreationists.

Prior attempt

FWP had negotiated to buy the land in 2011, but nothing ever coalesced, Frazer said.

Its a site weve been looking at for quite a while.

When the state began seeking proposals for recreation projects along the river as part of the $12 million settlement from ExxonMobil over its 2011 pipeline rupture and oil spill near Laurel, the Lee property was again mentioned, Frazer said.

Wilson said FWP officials asked YRPA about three months ago to pursue purchase of the land. Our Montana brought the landowners to the table.

We will probably help with development costs, Frazer said. Its a great spot for a boat ramp because its a protected chunk of river right below the bridge.

Closing in

With the survey and appraisal now completed, YRPA is scheduled to close on the deal at the end of January, Wilson said. The negotiated price was $207,000, but with the additional costs of appraisals and surveys he said the final price tag will be closer to $225,000.

Wilson predicted it will take another $150,000 to $200,000 to develop the property and demolish an old farm house.

Funding for the project will be a mix. YRPA emptied its coffers of $125,000 for the property. Wilson announced in a letter that the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust will help with funding. In his letter, Wilson asked the public to support the project by writing the trust at: P.O. Box 1993 Helena, MT, 59624 or by emailing fwctrust@mtoutdoorlegacy.org.

Frazer said the Natural Resource Damage Program, which is administering a portion of the ExxonMobil spill funds, could help with the costs if the deal ranks high enough with the Yellowstone River Recreation Advisory Project Committee.

The advisory committee will advance its proposals to Gov. Steve Bullock in mid-January. The governor will have final say on which of the proposed recreational projects get funded.

Until they make the final decision, Im not sure how it will play out, Frazer said.
Miners in Ghana dig for gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese.

Gold is a major export.

The African nation also exports students who are seeking additional schooling in mining engineering. And Montana Techs international reputation has drawn Judith Buaba, 26, and Cosmas Opoku-Ware, 27, and other graduate students from Ghana.

Buaba and Opoku-Ware are among about 20 members at Montana Tech of a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

The chapter at Montana Tech formed in February at the urging of student Olakunle Ogunsakin of Nigeria. Techs NSBE chapter is the only one in Montana, a fact confirmed by the national organization.

The NSBE, based in Alexandria, Virginia, reports that it has more than 500 chapters and more than 17,000 active members worldwide. The organization, founded in 1975, works to widen the pool of engineering talent to include more people of color.

Opoku-Ware is president of Techs NSBE chapter and previously was a member of a chapter in Ghana, where Tech has a longstanding partnership with the University of Mines and Technology.

He said convincing other engineering students of color at Montana Tech about the value of chapter participation was challenging at first. But he said membership grew once these students understood that the chapters networking could help them continue schooling, win scholarships and launch careers.

Beverly Hartline, Techs vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate school, serves as faculty adviser for the NSBE chapter.

I think its wonderful to have a chapter at Montana Tech, Hartline said Tuesday. Its very much a student-led, student-organized group.

Hartline said Montana Tech also has chapters of the Society of Women Engineers and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. She said the societies are not exclusive and that she has been a member, though white, of AISES and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.

All seek to increase the diversity of professions long dominated in the United States by white men.

At Montana Tech, international students provide much of the schools racial and ethnic diversity.

And the NSBE chapter there, true to the national organizations focus on people of color and not solely blacks or African-Americans, has members whose country of origin is India.

It has open membership but it is particularly focused on mentoring, advising and advancing people of color in engineering because in the U.S. they are an under-represented group, Hartline said.

Sowmya Sudhakar, 22, hails from Mangalore, India. She is an undergraduate majoring in mechanical engineering and has plans to pursue graduate study in biomedical engineering after graduation next December.

Sudhakar, whose father is an associate professor of materials engineering at Montana Tech, serves as the NSBE chapters vice president. She said she feels it is important to continue the chapters work. She, like Buaba and Opoku-Ware, said one key benefit of chapter participation is professional networking, especially at NSBE conferences, where recruiters often attend from major employers.

Last month, the Montana Tech chapter won an MVP award at a regional NSBE conference in Los Angeles for making a huge impact despite being a small chapter.

Opoku-Ware said it seemed clear that the national organization had been impressed by the dedication of student participants at Montana Tech to creating and sustaining a vital, if small, chapter.

The Los Angeles conference also honored chapter member Arundeep Taduri, an environmental engineering student originally from India, with an award tied to his presentation of his graduate thesis on Moss Revegetation. That research focuses on initiating restoration and repair of natural resources damaged by mining in Butte.

Opoku-Ware said he hopes the awards will help raise the chapters profile at Montana Tech.

Hartline said national organizations like NSBE provide examples of people of color who have established successful careers in engineering. Such models of success can enhance a students confidence that they can achieve the same, she said.

Its empowering, Hartline said.
Daines' ignoring widespread support for wildlands protection

Seldom seen Senator Daines is running in Montana and hiding in D.C. From his Beltway desk, like drone warfare, he remotely lobs Acts of destruction into Montana.

Daines recently introduced the Protect Public Use of Public Lands Bill, which proposes to abolish most Montana Wilderness Study Areas protected by the late Senator Lee Metcalfs Montana Wilderness Study Act. These areas are last best wildlands carefully vetted by Senator Metcalf, a far-sighted and much-loved statesman who recognized their value.

Daines hides behind reports of some local opposition to these wildlands, and ignores wide-spread local and national support for protection. In targeting the Blue Joint and Sapphire WSAs in the Bitterroot, Daines leans on the parochial opinions of Ravalli County Commissioners who advocate sacrificing these jewels. While focusing on the local Commissioners myopic antipathy to these national public wildlands, Daines ignores the fact that Senator Lee Metcalf, the author of the Act, was a Bitterroot local. The WSAs are his legacy, established just before he died.

Even if Senator Daines does not value these special wild places, I would think he would respect Senatorial courtesy and the legacy of US Senator Metcalf at least as much as the business-as-usual attitude of Ravalli County Commissioners.

 Larry Campbell, Darby
MUSCATINE  With next year marking the 10th anniversary of the most devastating flood to ever hit Columbus Junction, city leaders wanted to commemorate the event by giving back to a community facing a similar crisis.

In the summer of 2008, Columbus Junction faced historically high water levels, with the Iowa River cresting at more than 32 feet, compared to the 1993 record crest of more than 28 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Around 25 businesses were destroyed, some under as much as 10 feet of water.

Community Development Director Mallory Smith said the flood has been on her communitys mind as the anniversary approaches. And with the worlds focus on recovery efforts in Houston and Puerto Rico, she wanted Columbus Junction to reach out to a smaller community in need.

The disaster relief and recovery world is probably most advanced and working best in urban areas, Smith said. For example, what happened in Katrina is easy enough to apply to Houston. Or Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls  that sort of thing. Rural areas dont have that kind of connectivity.

Eventually, Smith learned of a community in Missouri with striking similarities to Columbus Junction. She was put in touch with a nonprofit called Ozark Vitality, which was working on a feasibility study for an artisan and innovation hub, according to one of the leaders, Rickie Maples, when a massive flood hit her community in April.

After the flooding, we really took a step back and said OK, now were looking at recovery and resiliency, Maples said. When I first made the call to Mallory, we were just reaching out to try to see if we could get some tips, and the response almost brought tears to my eyes. They wanted to pay that forward, the support they received, and wanted to connect to a community that went through something similar.

Between April 28 and May 3 of this year, Carter County in Missouri was a similar sight to that in Columbus Junction more than nine years ago. The Current River at the city of Van Buren reached a record-high 37 feet. This years record broke the historic levels in 1993, when the river reached 27 feet, and the previous all-time record high of 29 feet set in 1904.

Carter County Sheriff Richard Stephens said 400 homes and nearly 50 businesses were destroyed this summer, as well as all of the county government offices, including the courthouse, sheriffs office and jail. Officers are now working out of temporary facilities and FEMA trailers, and Stephens doesnt expect new offices to be built for a couple of years.

The southeast Missouri community has been in recovery-mode since May, and when officials learned about Columbus Junctions interest in helping out, Maples said they jumped on the opportunity.

Louisa County is forming a sister counties relationship with Carter County, Smith said, as part of a program being called Flood Buddies. In addition, Oakville, which started a recovery foundation after 2008, will become sister cities with Van Buren. Smith hopes the partnership will benefit both of the Iowa and Missouri communities, but mostly provide relief to Carter County.

Smith and others have traveled to Missouri to talk about the lessons Columbus Junction learned in the 2008 flood recovery and share insight with officials. And one of the first steps, she said, is connecting peers with peers, such as the former Louisa County sheriff with the Carter County sheriff.

I received a call from the sheriff at the time [of the 2008 flood] and we spoke for about 45 minutes about his experiences and my experiences, Stephens said. And for a lack of better words, I found it very therapeutic, being able to share that. Because anybody who goes through a disaster, you know you get a lot of pent up emotions and sometimes its just good to talk.

Communicating, Maples said, is one of the main goals of pairing up flood buddies.

In a small community when you wear multiple hats anyway and youre in the middle of this, trying to be strong and trying to lead a community, sometimes you forget you have a support system, Maples said. You need to have a person whos been there and can say, hey, youre going to get through this.

The Louisa County cities will also share information about what worked during their flood recovery efforts, such as Oakvilles work to buy and rehabilitate destroyed houses, plus Columbus Junctions project that moved its water treatment plant out of the flood zone.

One of the main goals of the partnership, Smith said, is to help Carter County boost its tourism once again. The southeast Missouri community is a hub for summertime tourism, with rare fishing opportunities on the Current River and one of the largest natural springs in the world.

After the flood hit and media warned drivers to avoid the area, Maples said the community lost about two-thirds of its tourism business this summer. Now, Stephens said the community is in desperate need of an economic boost.

Coming down and visiting us, that adds to the local economy, Stephens said. There are a lot of things we offer and if any folks from Iowa want to come down and visit, come on, were ready for them. Were open for service.

While Stephens applauds his communitys recovery effort so far following this summers flood, he looks forward to learning from Columbus Junction and figuring out how to better plan for natural disasters in the future.

We were well-prepared and lucky, and our preparation was a testament to the fact that we had zero loss of life in Carter County during the incident, Stephens said. I thought that was great but we can always do better. And thats the huge benefit of this kind of coalition. We can really discuss the issues.

Smith said Columbus Junction and Oakville will create a schedule of events and projects to kick off the Flood Buddies program next year.

Its exciting to take something so devastating and be able to connect people and be able to build something, Maples said. I think its going to be really meaningful for so many people.
MUSCATINE  A few steps through the tinsel and garland hanging in the doorway of the gym at Colorado Elementary School reveals that it has been transformed into a holiday market. Elementary students buzzed around tables, jockeying for presents for their families.

Ashley Mohror, a third grade teacher, Paige Williams, a special education resource teacher, and Jill Reynolds, the school's secretary, hatched the idea after they ran into an obstacle. In the past, the school sold hot chocolate as a way of funding projects by the Student Council.

"The district changed so that we couldn't sell things that didn't have a food label," Williams said. "We were brainstorming about what we could do and this came out. We wanted to give kids a chance to buy gifts for family members."

Teachers, parents and community members donated items to fill the tables and volunteers priced each item between 10 cents and $5.

"We wanted to make sure it was affordable," Mohror said. "The students were really excited to know that they could use their piggy bank money, their own change, to buy gifts for their family."

By helping students so they have something to contribute to their family's holiday festivities, Williams hopes it will make them feel like they've done something special for their families.

"I think it boosts their self-esteem that they can do something special for their families, even though they are little, that they can make a big impact for their community, their home and their school," Williams said. "All the proceeds are going to our student council, which we use to fund projects here."

Williams said that her own husband donated an old Elk's Club mug set. The three mugs and pitcher were going for a dollar.

What Williams though was odd, two children saw as treasures. To avoid a dispute, one child paid one dollar for two mugs and the pitcher; the other child came away with the remaining mug for 50 cents.

"I think we are really excited, too, not really knowing what kinds of things they are going to find interesting and special," Wiliams said.

"it gives them some ownership over the choices they make and they get to celebrate how wonderful that is," Mohror said. "Their parents don't know what they are getting, so this adds that mystique."
While three elementary schools celebrated being named "commendable" schools this year, other Muscatine Community Schools were not as lucky in this year's Iowa School Report Card released on Wednesday.

Grant, Franklin and McKinley Elementary Schools all received a "commendable" rank on their report card. For the past two years, they'd been "acceptable."

Mulberry and Jefferson Elementary Schools received "acceptable" ranks. This was nothing new for Mulberry, but for Jefferson, this a jump up from the past year's ranking.

Madison and Colorado Elementary Schools received "needs improvement" ranks. During the 2014-15 school year, Madison and Colorado were "acceptable" and "commendable" respectively. But for the second year in a row, both schools are told they need improvements.

Both Middle School received the same rank they have had the past three years. West "needs improvement;" Central is "acceptable." Between 2016 and 2017, West did not show significant improvements in their reading and mathematics proficiency. While Central's proficiency in reading and mathematics was higher than West, these scores did not show significant improvement over last year. Both middle schools were beneath the benchmarks for college and career readiness, a metric that is tied to reading and mathematics.

Muscatine High School received a "Needs Improvement" Rating for the third year in a row. While metrics, such as attendance (90.9 percent) and staff retention (86.6 percent) were relatively high, Muscatine High has significant work to do in preparing students for post-secondary success and to close the achievement gap within the school between minority students and the school's overall average.

In 2015, a legislative requirement launched the Iowa School Report Card to rate public schools on measures of achievement. It is designed to meet accomplish a component of the 2013 education reform legislation. The report includes measures on math and reading proficiency, student academic growth, achievement gaps among students, post-secondary readiness, attendance, graduation rates and staff retention. Based on their performance on these indicators, schools are given a rating: Exceptional, High-Performing, Commendable, Acceptable, Needs Improvement and Priority.

Muscatine Community Schools Ranking 2014-2017 School 2014-15 Rank 2015-16 Rank 2016-17 Rank Change Grant Elementary School Acceptable Acceptable Commendable Up Franklin Elementary School Acceptable Acceptable Commendable Up McKinley Elementary School Acceptable Acceptable Commendable Up Jefferson Elementary School Acceptable Needs Improvement Acceptable Up Mulberry Elementary School Commendable Acceptable Acceptable Same Colorado Elementary School Commendable Needs Improvement Needs Improvement Same Madison Elementary School Acceptable Needs Improvement Needs Improvement Same Central Middle School Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Same West Middle School Needs Improvement Needs Improvement Needs Improvement Same Muscatine High School Needs Improvement Needs Improvement Needs Improvement Same

Across the state, these ratings are trending down from last year. An analysis from the Iowa Department of Education found that 20.5 percent of Iowa public school received a higher rating than 2016. 50.9 percent received the same rating. 28.6 percent received a lower rating.

Statewide Iowa School Report Card Results Statewide Iowa School Report Card Results Exceptional High-Performing Commendable Acceptable Needs Improvement Priority 2017 2.2% 8.8% 26.4% 41.5% 15.3% 5.7 2016 2.1% 10% 30.6% 38.1% 13.2% 5.9%
MUSCATINE  In the wrestling room during second lunch, 10 students stood in lines, stretching their limbs and articulating their spines. The yoga instructor called out poses reminding them to breath.

The UNICEF Club organized the yoga class for Happiness Week, proclaimed by Muscatine High School's Student Council to encourage healthy thinking the week before finals.

The UNICEF Club's adviser Laura Christensen said the activities are timely.

"Finals is coming up so a lot of the students are very stressed right now," Christensen said. "They put a lot of pressure on themselves so (the UNICEF Club) figured yoga would be a great way for them to come in and get a little relaxation during the day."

According to Allison Phelps of Muscatine Yoga, relaxation is the whole reason the the students called her in.

"When you are breathing, you tend to not have to react all the time to everything that is going on around you," Phelps said. "At some point along the way, you learn how to stress yourself out, and then you get someone like me to put you back to that place where you can focus on yourself and get back to being successful in these areas of your lives."

Christa Colony, a senior, said that when she and her peers were formulating the plan, other students seemed interested.

"The goal was to have junior and senior classes do a joint service project or school betterment project," said Christa Colony, a senior. "We brainstormed some ideas, and we thought about the idea of having a happiness week before finals."

"It's a very stressful time for a lot of kids, and it is so easy to get caught up in 'Oh I need two points extra on this final to get my grade up,'" Colony said. "It can get overwhelming. Especially going into finals. This is to show students that there is more than just the points on the final."

Along with a yoga class, Student Council planned a bring-your-dog-to-school day for teachers and had a free food table outside the cafeteria during lunch.

"We've got 30 teachers that are bringing their dogs to school," said Muscatine High School Principal Jared Smith. "On a lot of college campuses you'll see them find different ways for students to de-stress. (Student Council members) want to do the same thing here, too."

For Smith, this about more than just a week. He said he wants the school to be fun space for students and teachers.

"School shouldn't be super stressful," Smith said. "It should be something where there is an enjoyable learning experience. That's for students and for staff too."

A happier, more relaxed student, Smith said, might even perform better.

"There is a lot of research that shows that if you are in a good state of mind and you go into a difficult situation  in this case a final test  you perform a lot better," Smith said. "Anything we can do to give a competitive advantage to our kids, let's do it."

For students like Colony, the pressure can be high. Maybe taking a moment to breath was just what is needed.

"It's easy to burn yourself out by working too hard," Colony said. "And then you get so focused on your grade that you are not really reaching your full potential. When you are mentally sound, you are more likely to be able to fulfill your full reach."
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 []
1932-2017

Joseph C. Lewis, a long-time resident of Napa, California passed away peacefully on December 8, 2017 at his beloved Queen of the Valley Hospital after a short battle with cancer.

Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 4, 1932. He graduated from State University of New York, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree. Following college, he entered United States Navy recruit training at Bainbridge Island, Maryland and then attended the Naval Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island and received his commission in March 1955.

Joe had a long and very successful career as a Naval officer during his 32 years, including challenging assignments in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Newport, Rhode Island; and Karamursel, Turkey. Following his assignment in Turkey, he studied Arabic at U.S. Army Language School, Monterey, CA and later worked as a foreign language analyst at Naval Security Group Activity, Fort Meade, Maryland.

Other assignments took him to Nicosia, Cyprus; Ottowa, Canada; the Naval Communications Station, Guam; Da Nang, Vietnam; and to Skaggs Island, California where he was promoted to the rank of Captain. He also served four tours in Washington D.C. in various capacities, and was subsequently assigned to London where he served in a number of positions, including Director, Naval Security Group Europe, after which he retired in 1986.

Following his retirement, he returned to California and began a new career in winery tasting rooms that included Hans Kornell Champagne Cellar and Deerpark Winery. He also served as General Manager at Balzac Communications, was active in local theatre, and performed volunteer work for the Napa Valley Symphony. Never one to sit still for long, Joe found his way to the Queen of the Valley Hospital, where he remained a volunteer for 16 years until his illness.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Carolynn, two daughters, Kimberly and Kathleen of Santa Barbara, CA, as well as 2 grandchildren, Christopher and Amber, 2 great-grandchildren, Liam and Vivienne, and his sister Maureen Alhouse of Colorado Springs, CO.

A private family service will be held at a later date, followed by burial at sea.

Joes family would especially like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other staff at Queen of the Valley Hospital and Hospice by the Bay for the exceptional care and support given to Joe and his family during this difficult time. Donations can be made in Joes name to Queen of the Valley Foundation (www.queensfoundation.org or (707) 257-4044) and Hospice by the Bay (www.hospicebythebay.com or (707) 935-7504). Memories and notes of sympathy may be shared at claffeyandrota.com.
Designers of Napas future downtown civic center continue to refine the building that will house city government and police for decades to come.

Nearly a month after releasing illustrations of a new City Hall and Napa Police headquarters destined for the First Street site of the Community Services Building, architects and developers working with Napa this week promoted the plan to residents during two public forums at the current, 66-year-old City Hall.

The workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday gave Napans a glimpse of the four-story, 130,000-square-foot civic center, which is being developed by the Plenary Group of Los Angeles and designed by Woods Bagot, a San Francisco architecture firm. It would go up on First Street a block west of Napas existing City Hall and police station, and unify city departments currently spread across seven sites  including three leased spaces that cost the city $300,000 a year.

Napas plans also include a new downtown fire station at Seminary and Clay streets north of the current City Hall, as well as a mixed-use complex of hotels, housing and shops to replace the existing City Hall block. Tax revenues from the so-called superblock are expected to help cover construction bonds on the civic center, which are estimated to cost $110 million.

Despite the increasing detail of sketches released over the past several months, Terry Meurk, a Woods Bagot principal, told an audience Wednesday morning that parts of the layout, exterior finishes and other elements remain in play and open to residents suggestions and needs.

For example, the flat canopy and slim columns stretched over the four-story civic building was on display again  but with two new variations. One version included much deeper cutouts to cast more light and air onto the sidewalks and the First Street entrance plaza, while another ditched the pillars completely in favor of concealed structural ribs with a shorter overhang.

Meurk also expressed architects willingness to bring more Napa-specific flourishes to a building design that in early sketches has stuck closely to a clean-lined, mid-20th-century modernism. One possible local touch could include the use of stone salvaged from the remains of the original First Street bridge over Napa Creek, which was replaced in 2005.

The core of Napa public life should acknowledge the valleys agricultural roots, he added, but designers should be careful not to let it become cliched  like just putting vines in front of it.

How to relate a new City Halls styling more closely to its wine-country surroundings was a point of lively debate on Wednesday.

Lee W. Millers suggestion to the city stretched farther into the future  to a time he said will be marked by technology that reduces the need for downtown garages and should inspire serious thought of reducing or moving parking spaces. (Plenarys plans include an extension of the Clay Street parking structure that would create room for 320 more vehicles, as well as curbside disabled, drop-off and short-term parking around the city building itself.)

Self-driving cars are going to be a reality in the near future, said the Napa real estate agent, urging any new garage space to be easily convertible to buildings. To me, it doesnt make sense to build a garage in the most expensive part of the city if self-driving cars become popular in 10 or 15 years.

The shape of the housing, hotels and stores that will replace the old City Hall has yet to come as sharply into focus as the civic center, according to Jeffrey Fullerton, Plenarys vice president for real estate development. However, he announced the block may receive as many as 270 hotel rooms and suites, up to 110 residences, and about 36,500 square feet of retail space, blended in a layout yet to be decided.

Later community meetings may influence the size, type and design of shops that eventually are built on the block that contains the current City Hall, said Fullerton. For example, the inclusion of a small grocery store  supported by some Napans to replace the Safeway on nearby Clay Street that closed after the 2014 earthquake  may require more parking closer to the street than other retailers would.

Private development on the citys Second Street block is likely to cost more than $100 million, according to Fullerton.

Napa is pursuing temporary space for city offices so it can build the civic center and housing-hotel blocks simultaneously. Public Works Director Jacques LaRochelle on Wednesday announced city staff has visited Napa Countys former Health and Human Services campus on Old Sonoma Road for possible reuse, and the city also is looking into erecting a modular building at its corporation yard to house the police department.

Construction of the new city hall is expected to run from 2019 to 2021.

In prior versions of this article, comments were erroneously attributed to John Salmon by the Register. Salmon did not make the reported comments and does not agree with them.
A former Napa State Hospital patient will stand trial for murder in the death of another patient two years ago.

Following a one-day preliminary hearing, Napa County Superior Court Judge Michael Byrne on Friday bound Timothy Charles Gilman, 50, over for trial.

Gilman is accused of beating fellow Napa State patient Maxwell Martin Fuquay on Sept. 19, 2015, causing injuries that later led to his death at Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

Gilman was arrested just hours after Fuquay was found with a swollen face and transported to the hospital. He is suspected of entering Fuquays room, which was just a few doors down from his own, and repeatedly punching him in the head, according to court documents.

Fuquay sustained a fractured nose and a brain injury, according to police reports, and eventually died in the hospital.

During Fridays hearing, Gilmans defense attorney Kris Keeley, questioned this theory, noting that investigators did not collect fingerprints or sufficient DNA evidence from Fuquays room, which he shared with another patient.

Fuquay, Keeley said, hadnt seen who attacked him since his head was covered. He had initially thought that it was his roommate who had attacked him until Napa State Hospital Police told him that it was Gilman, she said.

The lead investigator on the case, Officer Terence McCullough, testified that no additional DNA evidence or fingerprints were collected from the room because investigators were short resources. Fuquays blanket was processed as evidence, but neither his clothes nor Gilmans clothes were.

One blanket was seized from the room. Why were other blankets not seized from the room? Keeley asked.

I cant say, McCullough replied.

Fuquays roommate had alerted the nursing staff that Fuquay needed help after being beaten by Gilman, McCullough said. When officers went to question Gilman, he was asleep in his room, he said.

Gilman, who appeared to have a hand injury, told officers that he had not beaten Fuquay, McCullough said. When asked about his hand injuries, Gilman said that he had been horse-playing with another patient the night before. That patient told officers that no physical contact was made with Gilman, McCullough said.

Fuquay had earlier reported that Gilman had propositioned him for sex a few days prior to the attack, McCullough said. Because of this, Fuquay said that he was allowed to lock the door to his room for one night, according to testimony.

When questioned whether or not he looked into Fuquays complaint against Gilman, McCullough said that he hadnt verified it against hospital records.

Dr. Joseph Cohen, the forensic pathologist who examined Fuquays body, told the court that Fuquays injuries set in motion the sequence of events that ultimately led to his demise.

Although Fuquay was a ticking time bomb with multiple medical conditions that played a role in his death, the blunt force trauma to his head hastened his death, Cohen testified.

If convicted, Gilman could face 25 years to life in prison. Hes also been charged with a special allegation related to a prior felony conviction, which could potentially double his sentence.

Gilmans next court date is scheduled for Jan. 4.
Undeniably, Californias dominant Democratic Party is joined at the hip with labor unions, even though scarcely a sixth of the states workers belong to unions.

Unsurprisingly, therefore, Democratic politicians push laws and regulations to help unions expand their memberships.

They are motivated, they say, by their belief that workers lives are improved by union representation. Its also true, however, that unions are the largest single source of their campaign funds and other support.

Whatever the motives, theres a steady flow of union-backed laws from Sacramento, such as efforts to expand the states prevailing wage law, originally limited to public works projects, to private construction, or making home care workers public employees so they could be unionized.

How far, one might wonder, can Democrats go to help their union friends? Pretty far, the state Supreme Court seemed to say recently in validating a special law passed 15 years ago to boost the struggling United Farm Workers union.

The law empowers the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) to impose contracts when the UFW and an agricultural employer reach an impasse.

The court case arose out of a decades-long dispute involving the UFW and Gerawan Farming, one of the states largest agricultural operations.

The UFW won a representation election in 1990, but never negotiated a contract. Decades later, the union tried to negotiate a contract based on the election, but Gerawan claimed that it had abandoned its right to negotiate, touching off years of wrangling.

The ALRB essentially sided with the union, but Garawan took the issue to court and eventually won when a state appellate court declared that the law violates equal protection principles.

Unanimously, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling and declared that Gerawan could not ignore the 1990 elections outcome on grounds that the UFW had abandoned negotiations.

Gerawan says it will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but if the state ruling stands, it will not only be a major victory for the UFW but encourage other unions to ask a friendly Legislature for similar boosts.

The next test of limits, if any, on pro-union legislation may involve electric car maker Tesla.

Tesla has been involved in a duel with the United Auto Workers union over efforts to organize thousands of Tesla workers. The union says the workers are being mistreated and filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

Tesla and its famous founder, Elon Musk, have denied the allegations and contend that workers are treated and compensated fairly.

In September, during the dying moments of the 2017 legislative session, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislators reached agreement on how to spend $1.5 billion in proceeds from auctions of greenhouse gas emission permits.

One of the appropriations would beef up the states rebates to purchasers of zero-emission vehicles, like Tesla. But at the last moment, language was inserted to require a company whose customers get rebates to be certified by the Air Resources Board and the state labor commissioner as being fair and responsible in the treatment of their workers.

Its clearly aimed at Tesla at a critical moment in its brief history. Its counting on sales of a new, lower-priced model to move into the mass market and become profitable, it needs rebates to entice customers, and it faces a potential loss of federal rebates.

Implicitly, politicians are telling Tesla to either cooperate with the UAW or be frozen out of rebates, which would still flow to customers of Tesla rivals.

The situation has a tinge of irony. Brown and the legislators who enacted the law, such as Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, have been claiming that California has cut climate change emissions while building a green economy and holding up Tesla as a prime example.
In Alabama, a coalition of women, young voters and African Americans handed Democratic Sen.-elect Doug Jones a stunning victory. The Post reports:

"Fully 96 percent of African Americans supported Jones, similar to President Obama's 95 percent support among this group in 2012. But Jones fared much better than Obama among white voters, garnering 30 percent of their votes, twice the 15 percent who voted for Obama. Jones made particularly large gains among white women and those with college degrees. . . .

"Alabama voters ages 18 to 44 supported Jones by a roughly 20-point margin over Moore, marking a stark shift from 2012 when Mitt Romney won voters under 45 by a small margin."

Jones did not win among white college-educated women, but he came close with 45 percent (vs. Roy Moore's 52 percent). Overall, he won women by a 57 percent to 41 percent margin. In cities, Jones won by an 85 percent to 14 percent margin; in the suburbs, he came close to Moore (losing by a narrow 47 percent to 51 percent margin). In a state where equal numbers approved and disapproved of Donald Trump (he won with more than 60 percent in 2016; his approval is now at 48 percent), Jones won more than 90 percent of those who disapproved of Trump.

Let's not forget, however, that Moore, a disgraced former judge (twice booted from the court) and an accused child molester who is openly racist and homophobic - received 91 percent of the Republican vote. Republicans, at least in Alabama, remain deeply mired in their theology of white grievance and largely indifferent, if not hostile, to reality. Republicans were not persuaded; they were outvoted. Should they persist in their Trumpian cult and refuse to emerge from their right-wing media bubble, they face being outvoted again and again by enraged non-Republicans - and in places far less Republican than Alabama.

Republicans seem no closer to recognizing some obvious political truths:

--The tighter they cling to Trump, the worse they will do. He won't help them win even in Alabama.

--Women, especially college-educated women, can outvote non-college-educated men. Even in Alabama, white non-college-graduate men made up just 19 percent of the electorate; the combination of white and nonwhite college-educated women totaled 31 percent. Trump has gone to war with women, becoming the poster boy for loutish behavior and harassment.

--Republicans are losing voters younger than 45 by a mile (a 20-point margin) and barely winning 45-to-64-year-olds. That's not sustainable, especially as millennials, the largest generation to date, make their way into the electorate and see the image of a nativist, xenophobic, anti-science party.

--Republicans lost moderates by a 25 percent to 74 percent margin. Apparently, Trump and Moore have chased all but hard-core right-wingers from the party.

--Character matters, at some point, if the candidate's views and alleged behavior are gross enough.

Put simply, old, white, very conservative and non-college-educated men aren't enough even in Alabama to win. Doubling and tripling down on Trump's narrow base may soothe his ego, but it is a disaster for the shrinking GOP, which has become off-putting, if not odious, to those outside of it.

Republican politicians may have permanently damaged their brand by association with Trump, and at least for now seem incapable of saving themselves. In 2018 and 2020, the failure to distance themselves from Trump, if not dump him altogether, may doom their chances. Trump just isn't that popular (his approval rating is in the low-30s nationally and at less than 50 percent in Alabama). And with the #MeToo rebellion and the Robert S. Mueller III investigation proceeding, he's likely to become less, not more, popular. Having made their Faustian bargain with Trump and adopted a stale, extreme right-wing agenda with little support, Republicans are heading for electoral disaster.

The Democrats shouldn't get complacent - nor ideologically extreme. They won in Virginia up and down the ticket with center-left, sober-minded candidates. They won in Alabama with a liberal, but one who is tough on crime and ran an intentionally non-ideological race. ("This race is not about Democrats or Republicans," his website declared. "It is about the people of Alabama - giving them honest answers while working to protect their health care, rights and economic interests.")

They can turn out their base (especially young people, women and nonwhites) while sounding sane and practical enough to scoop up disillusioned ex-Republicans. A simple formula may work for them in 2018: Adhering to government ethics standards; beating back unpopular policies that hurt the middle and working class; and acting as a check on a dangerous, erratic and unfit president.

If Republicans have any survival instinct, they might think seriously about how to get rid of Trump before 2018, and certainly before 2020.
Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow filed an indictment charging William Matthew Tex Price (31, Cocoa), April Coleen Moore (24, Satellite Beach), Khagan Mushfig Oglu Nabili (24, Azerbaijan), Zafar Bakhramovich Yadigarov (26, Uzbekistan), Valriy Tsoy (33, Kazakhstan), Maria Rogacheva (28, Russia), and Svetlana Vladimirovna Shakhramanyan (28, Azerbaijan) for their alleged involvement in a marriage fraud ring operating out of Brevard County from 2015 to 2016.

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Each faces up to five years in federal prison. Price has also been charged in a separate indictment with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for that offense. Denis Yakovlev (40, Russia) and Meghan Toole (28, Cocoa) were previously charged and pleaded guilty for their involvement in this conspiracy.

According to court documents, in October 2015, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations worked with the Brevard County Clerk of the Court to investigate a significant surge in the number of aliens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other former Soviet countries marrying U.S. citizens in Brevard County. This led to the arrest of Yakovlev and Toole on July 13, 2016. After his arrest, Yakovlev admitted to introducing approximately 100 individuals to each other over an 18-month period for the purpose of them entering into sham marriages for immigration benefits. Yakovlev claimed that his payment typically ranged from $1,000 to $2,000 per sham marriage, and that the American citizens were paid between $10,000 and $20,000 each.

These criminals conspired to circumvent and exploit our nations immigration laws for personal financial gain, said HSI Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. This undermines the very objectives of our immigration laws and services, which are based on the honesty of the people who apply for immigration benefits.

Last month, Nabili and Rogacheva each pleaded guilty to one count of marriage fraud. Price pleaded guilty to two counts of marriage fraud and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Yadigarov, Tsoy, and Shakhramanyan were arrested on December 7, 2017, in the Eastern District of New York. Moore was arrested on October 15, 2016, and her trial date has been set for January 2, 2018.

In November 2016, Yakovlev was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for encouraging or inducing an alien to reside in the United States, and Toole was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment for marriage fraud.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Scott Ellis said in a statement that his office worked diligently in conjunction with several federal agencies in identifying the fraud and working with authorities during their investigation.
Students tenacity and drive were keys to success

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Xavier Aguirre has always enjoyed figuring things out.

With the help of several mentors at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Aguirre also relied on his own drive and organizational skills that will enable the first-generation college student to graduate with honors and a degree in Information Systems Technologies (IST) later this week. A 2017 McNair Scholar who owns a 3.906 GPA, Aguirre also learned on his own to cope with dyslexia.

Aguirre plans to attend graduate school with a goal of becoming a university professor teaching information systems technology. He will be one of more than 860 candidates participating in commencement exercises at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the SIU Arena.

He links the start of his academic progress to Elk Grove High School. Aguirre said that until his junior year there he was mostly a C and D student, but was required to maintain a C average after joining high schools technical theater crew. He made the B honor roll that year with minimal effort and with a little more effort as a senior, he was an A student.

Overcoming dyslexia on his own

While at Harper Community College, Aguirre said a required test to get accommodations for his dyslexia was about $300, which he could not afford. So he decided to figure it out myself. Since then, I never tried to get help, he said.

Tackling dyslexia without help was particularly challenging when he learned binary numbering systems, Aguirre said. But, he adapted by reviewing everything he read multiple times. That might have meant spending an extra hour or two to get an assignment done. But that is where Aguirres tenaciousness kicked in, said Belle Woodward, an associate professor in the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies.

It takes tenacity to stick to something in our program, she said. You have to respect the fact the he kept coming back to the problem. He has tenacity. Im really proud of him.

Aguirre transferred to SIU in fall 2015. Though he did not take advantage of the range of services offered by SIUs Disability Support Services, he did find mentors that helped guide me to my goals.

Hands-on learning through McNair Scholars Program

Aguirre recently worked with Woodward on research that examined perceptions of privacy through different age groups, particularly where it involves technology. The study included focus groups and one-on-one interviews with 20 participants between 18 and 63 years old.

Aguirre presented the research at the annual McNair Summer Research Symposium in July and at two other conferences. He and Woodward are now working on getting their findings published in journals and at conferences.

He worked tirelessly. Hes very focused and goal-oriented, said Woodward, who was Aguirres mentor. It was a joy to work with him. Its important that we get students who work hard and who are dedicated.

Focusing on research and connections on campus

Sam Chung, director of the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies, said Aguirre was always eager to advance through his undergraduate research and IST coursework. He presented his research at several events, including the 26th annual national Ronald E. McNair Graduate and Recruitment Fair in Schaumburg in October and the SIU Speakers Forum in November.

Aguirre is conscientious and hard-working, Rhetta Seymour, associate director of the universitys McNair Scholars Program said.

It can be challenging to make connections when you are a transfer student. Xavier managed to build a community that involved marching band, university honors and the McNair Program. I am very proud of him and what he has achieved, she said.

Becoming a McNair Scholar was a huge step that provided great opportunities, particularly in pursuing graduate school where research is vital, Aguirre said.

If I didnt do research now I knew I would struggle more. I had the support system here to get me through, he said.

Wanting to be involved and help others

Aguirre is an enthusiastic and motivated student and eager to help his classmates, Tom Imboden, an associate professor in information systems technologies said. He helped me as a lab volunteer last year and will be a successful IT professional and represent SIU and IST well.

Whether helping students with their work, participating in myriad student activities, including the Marching Salukis color guard and symphonic band, SIU SENSE (Students Embracing Nature, Sustainability and the Environment) or working as a resident assistant at Schneider Hall and later Wall & Grand, Aguirre said it was important to be involved. Helping others is among his reasons for pursuing graduate school to become a teacher rather than take a private-sector job with a six-figure income.

Ive always wanted to help people, he said. Whenever Ive had the opportunity to help other students Im willing to sit down and talk with them about the program, classes, and assignments, he said. I believe that teaching would be the best use of my time because I can actively help people when they dont understand something and work with people.

An early love of technology

Aguirre, who graduated from Elk Grove High School, said his interest in computers stems from childhood.

Computers have always been something I was good at, he said. If I mess up, I can troubleshoot and figure out for myself. It was something I was able to teach myself rather than something that someone taught me.

Marching Salukis and pleasing his mom

While at SIU, Aguirre was part of the Marching Salukis color guard for two years and played French horn with the symphonic band last year. Aguirre played saxophone and French horn in high school and the mellophone in the marching band.

His senior year, he tried out for the color guard, and did so again when transferring to SIU Carbondale. The Marching Saluki color guard is also where Aguirre met his girlfriend.

Aguirre said that his mother, Guadalupe, is ecstatic with his college achievements but is concerned that he places too much stress on himself at times.

As long as Im happy and doing well she couldnt be happier, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 00:46:52|Editor: Chengcheng

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People stage a massive protest against the U.S. decision to declare Jerusalem as the Israel i capital, in Cape Town, South Africa, on Dec. 13, 2017. Thousands of South Africans gathered before Parliament on Wednesday in protest against the U.S. decision to declare Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. (Xinhua/Linda Yee)

by Zenzile Khoisan

CAPE TOWN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of South Africans gathered before Parliament on Wednesday in protest against the U.S. decision to declare Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

The protest, organized by a broad coalition of structures affiliated with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and civil organizations, culminated in a demand that the ANC pass a resolution at its upcoming national congress, authorizing the government to end its diplomatic relations with Israel.

Protest organizers said the call for urgent action against Israel was prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement last week that his country would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and would accordingly move its embassy to Jerusalem.

The decision has drawn condemnation and sparked a number of protests across the world.

"The time has arrived to take leadership and to close the Israeli embassy," Abdul Ghaliet Ibrahim of the South African Muslim Judicial Council told the crowd.

ANC Western Cape Regional Secretary Faeiz Jacobs said the ANC will address the issue of Palestine when it convenes its national congress on December 16-20 in Johannesburg.

"The partnership and relationship with Palestine is unshakeable and the ANC is consistent, so we will drive the agenda to close the Israeli Embassy," Jacobs told the crowd.

He said that as the Western Cape delegation, they will go to the conference and make sure that the resolution be passed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 00:51:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 8 people were injured in a school bus crash Wednesday morning in Highlands County, the U.S. southeastern state of Florida.

The school bus was carrying 29 students when it was struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer, said local police.

Two students were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries, while six patients, including the school bus driver, were rushed to the Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Lake Placid, said an ABC news report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 01:32:03|Editor: Mengjie

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A man of a Chinese firm introduces products during the first China-Africa Industrial Capacity Cooperation Exposition in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec. 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

by Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural China-Africa Industrial Capacity Cooperation Expo kicked off on Wednesday in Nairobi amid acknowledgement of the role of capital, expertise and technology from Beijing to fuel Africa's industrial progress.

Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Adan Mohamed opened the expo, where more than 50 Chinese firms are showcasing their products to potential local and regional clients.

Mohamed said in his opening remarks that Kenya was privileged to host the first China-Africa industrial expo that aims to deepen trade ties between the Asian giant and its partners in the world's second largest continent.

"Kenya is pleased and proud to be hosting this maiden edition of China-Africa Industrial Capacity Cooperation Exhibition," said Mohamed.

"This forum happening for the first time in Africa symbolizes the confidence that China has in the continent and more specifically Kenya and its desire to develop that partnership to a deeper and higher level," he added.

Senior Kenyan policymakers and staff from the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi joined executives from major Chinese firms to inaugurate the four-day expo aimed at showcasing investment opportunities in the region and across the continent.

Mohamed said Kenya has enacted progressive legislative and policy frameworks to attract foreign direct investments from China and other emerging economies.

"Kenya has actively promoted investment opportunities to the Chinese and is looking at increasing foreign direct investments from the country," Mohamed said.

He said Kenya is keen to court Chinese investors in its quest to transform key sectors of the economy like manufacturing, agro-processing, infrastructure and real estate.

The cabinet secretary said Beijing is ready to partner with African countries to modernize their industrial sector that is the bedrock of economic growth and job creation.

Li Xuhang, minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said investments in manufacturing sector will enable African countries to realize rapid economic growth.

Chinese firms participating in the Nairobi expo are drawn from diverse sectors of the economy and will be scouting for new business opportunities and local partnerships.

Kiprono Kittony, chairman of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the country stood to gain from the first ever China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation expo.

"This is a timely opportunity for us to promote trade and investments with China for mutual benefits," Kittony said, adding that a level playing field is key to advancing bilateral trade between China and African countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 01:32:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GENEVA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Swiss Federal Court in Lausanne has ruled in favor of a church near Zurich that wants to continue ringing its bells throughout the night as has been the custom for many centuries.

The verdict overturned previous local rulings in favor of those who complained about the noise, a couple from the town of Waedenswil near Zurich, Swiss News Agency ATH reported.

The couple was not named, but they lived near the church and wanted to stop the clanging of the bells each fifteen minutes and hourly between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m local time. They had also sought to delay early morning ringing from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and the church had agreed to this.

The case could set a precedent for other church-bell practices around Switzerland after the Federal Court's decision, Swissinfo, the website of the Swiss national broadcaster reported.

The Lausanne court ruled against the recommendations of the local court in Waedenswil, which had upheld the complaint of the two complaining residents who lived in the town center.

The couple had argued in court using a scientific study carried out by the federal institute of technology ETH Zurich. The university had carried out a test to show that noise of the bells reached 48 decibels when the windows were slightly ajar and the study found that levels of 40-45 decibels can be disruptive.

In Wednesday's ruling, the judges deemed that the ETH study, and the couple's case, were not significant enough to change existing case law for such occurrences.

The tradition of the Protestant church in Waedenswil, which is celebrating 250 years in existence this year, was to ring the church bells every 15 minutes, through the night.

The first claim by the couple, as well as a follow-up appeal case, reduced this frequency to once every hour.

The local council had supported the church's case and it welcomed the result.

Around 2,000 people had also signed a petition demanding a return to the traditional quarter-hour ringing.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 01:42:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ABUJA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Wednesday said it was targeting increased investments in the renewable energy sector to promote industrialization of the most populous country in Africa.

In a statement, minister of science and technology Ogbonnaya Onu described the sector as a gold mine, saying the government is committed to removing all obstacles that hinder the utilization of renewable energy in Nigeria.

"The federal government will initiate legislative and judicial framework that will enhance utilization of the sector," Onu said.

According to him, the renewable energy could be used in the energy mix to create jobs and reduce poverty and help raise the standard of living of rural residents in the country.

The official noted the level of exploitation of the renewable energy for generation of electricity in the nation was low.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 01:42:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) announced on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China's lender Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch for banking services in the industrial zone.

The MoU will "mutually promote services for the benefit of both entities customers" in the UAE and abroad, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The report said that banking services included loans, trade financing, international trade settlement and clearing in the local currency, dirham, to Chinese, international and local companies investing in KIZAD, said the report.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said "by working together we can support local, regional and international companies to make the most of their investments in the UAE and, in particular, in KIZAD."

Gao Xiaoming, general manager of Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch hailed the UAE as one of the most important countries in building the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Both the UAE and China are working together to coordinate their strategies," Gao added.

The bilateral trade between China and the UAE reached a total of 170.2 billion dirhams (46.37 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, which made China the biggest trade partner of the UAE for the third consecutive year, according to UAE Ministry of Economy.
Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2017 shows the panda art work created by French contemporary artist Richard Orlinski for "OPERATION PANDA" at the at the traditional Christmas market of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Paris. (Xinhua/Zhang Man)

PARIS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The cultural initiative "OPERATION PANDA" was launched on Wednesday in Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighbourhood of Paris by Chengdu International Finance Square (Chengdu IFS) and Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee.

Chengdu IFS is one of the most sophisticated cosmopolitan city complexes in Chengdu of China, and the Saint-Germain-des-Pres Committee is an association of traders and local residents which aims to maintain the cultural traditions and prestige of the neighbourhood.

The initiative is the first joint operation between the two sides since they established an international partnership in May to advance in-depth exchanges in art, culture, commerce, and joint tourism promotion, with the support of Chengdu municipal government and the 6th arrondissement of Paris.

During the opening ceremony held at the traditional Christmas market of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, a panda artwork, specially created for OPERATION PANDA by French contemporary artist Richard Orlinski, was officially unveiled.

The piece of art will be exhibited at the Christmas market for the holiday season before traveling to Beauval Zoo, the French zoo where pandas are on loan to France from China. In June 2018, the art work will take part in the contemporary art fair Parcours Saint-Germain, before being donated to the Necker children's hospital in central Paris.

As an important element of OPERATION PANDA, a wood cabin with a panda theme was presented at the Christmas market as a gift from Chengdu to Paris. Profits from the sales of plush panda toys at the cabin will be donated to Necker.

Meanwhile, Chengdu is celebrating the event "Romantic Rive Gauche, French Christmas".

"Our partnership is facilitating the delivery and exchange of fine arts and culture," said Christina Hau, a representative of Chengdu IFS.

"Operation Panda...will lay a solid foundation for" the long-term partnership of the two sides, said Jean-Pierre Lecoq, official of the 6th arrondissement of Paris, at the opening ceremony.

In 2018, the two sides will promote exchange and cooperation by forging an artistic bond, with plans to launch a series of themed events entitled "City Hallmarks 2018: Art Invigorating Two Cities". Artists from China's Sichuan province will participate in the Parcours Art Festival at Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and in turn Chengdu IFS will embrace the concept and spirit of Parcours by creating the Chengdu Parcours Art Festival.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 03:37:39|Editor: Yamei

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Participants pose for a group photo during the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 13, 2017. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday urged the Islamic world to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused any U.S. involvement in the peace process. (Xinhua/Anadolu Agency)

ISTANBUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Islamic countries on Wednesday showed solidarity to the world by declaring a series of steps to counter a U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, including discrediting Washington's role as a peace mediator, though they are seen as ones not easy to be implemented.

The one-day extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul was called by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country holds the rotating chair of the 57-member group, with a view to drawing up a roadmap for Muslim nations to follow as they oppose the unilateral U.S. decision on Jerusalem.

In his break with long-held U.S. practice on Dec. 6, President Donald Trump also decided to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, whose status remains at the core of the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

For days, the U.S. move has sparked violent clashes in the Gaza Strip and the other Palestinian territory of West Bank under Israeli occupation, in addition to an unending outbreak of protests in other countries.

The OIC leaders hit back by declaring East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine, rejecting as "null and void" the U.S. decision and warning Washington of "all the consequences" of not retracting it and the risk of losing its role as a sponsor of the peace process, according to the draft final communique adopted at the conclusion of the summit.

In the view of Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, president of the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies, OIC countries are showing "one hundred percent unity" as well as a "very strong stance" against the United States by sending out a "strong message" in the final communique.

"This indicates a very significant split between the U.S. and the Islam world," he told Xinhua.

"Furthermore, declaring the U.S. as impartial and refusing its involvement in the future peace process as a mediator will also jeopardize the U.S. involvement as a superpower in other crises in the Middle East," he said, stressing that "this is diplomatically a very important message."

"The Islamic world has demonstrated strong unity with high-level participation," he said, adding "We can consider this as an awakening of the Muslim world."

Noticeably, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized some Arab countries for showing "very weak" response to Trump's move ahead of the OIC summit, declaring that "it seems some countries are very timid of the United States."

While attaching importance to the final communique highlighting the leaders' series of moves, Ilter Turan, a professor of international relations from Istanbul Bilgi University, sees them as ones "that cannot be implemented."

"Probably they will be remaining symbolic," he told Xinhua. "There may be a number of states who proceed to recognize the decision to have East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestine State, but it will not necessarily change many things unless some countries that are not part of the OIC also proceed in the same direction."

He is not expecting such a scenario to emerge, saying "I think what we shall have is another sort of highly polarizing situation generated by the U.S. and the decision that only helps the consolidation of the polarization."

Trump's decision will make it rather difficult to wield more influence in the region, while some pro-U.S. governments will not be able to openly cooperate with Washington at least for a while due to the public being very upset about the Jerusalem issue, said the professor.

In his view, it is getting more difficult to restart the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process with the latest developments in the region.

In his article for the Hurriyet daily, Turkish writer Ahmet Hakan referred to a "Jerusalem fatigue" among Muslims, noting "The Middle East is already full of bloodshed that nobody can do anything about."

Barcin Yinanc, another columnist for the daily, wrote that "While entirely blaming the West for the Israeli seizure of Palestinian territories," President Erdogan did not refer to the fact that all this took place under the watch of Arab Muslims.

"The Arab world cannot take a unified stance without the consent of Saudi Arabia or Egypt," she wrote, noting the two countries currently harbor no nice feelings toward Ankara and they need U.S. support to maintain power and stand against Iran.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 04:23:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PARIS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday sought to bolster financial aid for the France-brokered West African military coalition at a meeting here to win the fight against terrorism.

"We must win the war against terrorism in the Sahel-Sahara region. There are attacks everyday, there are states which are currently in jeopardy...We must intensify our efforts," Macron told reporters.

"We have a very simple objective which is to have the first victories in the first half of 2018," Macron said.

The French head of state said he is working with West African partners to ensure 5,000 troops would be fully operational in the area by mid next year.

Macron renewed the call for Algeria, a key player in guaranteeing security in the area, to join the G5 Sahel.

On Tuesday, the French president received the leaders of the five participating countries of G5 Sahel: Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad. Germany, Italy, as well as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates took part in the meeting to seek ways to avoid the coalition budget shortfall.

Macron said via Twitter that Saudi Arabia had pledged 100 million euros (118 million U.S. dollars) to the West African anti-terror force, while the United Arab Emirates promised 30 million euros.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, whose country is still fighting Islamist insurgents despite the liberation of the country's northern zone, stressed "there is an urgency today that we quickly achieve results in the fight against terrorism."

In July, Macron and West African presidents announced the creation of G5 Sahel, a new multinational military block to uproot Islamist insurgents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 04:43:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN's Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the humanitarian community in South Sudan launched on Wednesday an appeal of 1.72 billion U.S. dollars to assist 6 million people affected by conflict, displacement and hunger.

Since the conflict in South Sudan began in December 2013, about 4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including nearly 1.9 million people who have been internally displaced and more than 2 million people who have fled as refugees to neighboring countries, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the daily briefing.

As the conflict continues, rates of hunger and malnutrition have risen, and food security partners report the risk of famine as significant for thousands of people in multiple areas, if early actions are not taken, said Haq.

Also marking four years since the outbreak of South Sudan's civil war, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi appealed for urgent action by all sides to settle the conflict and put an end to the country's deepening humanitarian crisis and Africa's largest refugee crisis.

The world cannot continue to stand by as the people of South Sudan are terrorized by a senseless war, said Haq, citing Grandi.

Despite all kinds of challenges, the South Sudan humanitarian operation continues to reach millions in need across the country. As of end-November, aid organizations had reached more than 5 million people since the year began, stated Alain Noudehou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan in a news release issued by OCHA.

Noudehou thanked South Sudan's donors, who contributed over 70 percent of the plan for 2017 and called on all stakeholders to play their roles in alleviating the suffering. He highlighted the enormity of the challenge and the collective efforts for a rigorous prioritization to ensure the effectiveness of the response.

"With our collective and coordinated efforts, we will be able to effectively provide much needed assistance to the people in need. Children will remain in school. Many more will survive diseases. Livelihoods and hope will be restored. There is so much at stake," stressed Noudehou.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 04:53:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Song Zhiping, Chairman of China National Building Materials (CNBM), has been appointed the new president of the London-based World Cement Association (WCA), the first time a representative from a Chinese organization has taken the helm of an international cement association.

Song gave his first keynote address as president at the WCA World Cement Conference in London Tuesday. More than 100 senior delegates from 29 countries attended the first edition of this global event.

WCA Chairman Emir Adiguzel commented: "We are delighted Mr. Song has accepted the Presidency of the WCA. CNBM is the world's largest provider of cement and this appointment reflects the growing importance of China in the global cement industry, as well as the WCA's commitment to connecting the cement community in all countries across the world."

In his address, Song said he wants to unite members, actively strives for support from all sectors including governments and non-governmental organizations, safeguards interests of the industry, fulfills social responsibilities and promotes the sustainable development of the global cement industry in the future.

He explained how CNBM is working to reduce overcapacity and increase industrial concentration.

"We have been increasing the degree of industrial concentration of cement in China from 12 percent in 2006 to 57 percent in 2016, which set an example for the whole industry," Song said.

As chairman of the world's largest provider of cement, with a capacity of 530 million tons per year, Song emphasized CNBM's efforts in the area of environmental protection.

"The production of cement strongly depends on resources and is sensitive to the environment... We put environment first because we know that some changes will be irreversible if the environment is damaged," he said.

Song has over 30 years of experience in business and management in China's building material industry. He has been chairman of CNBM since October 2005.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 05:58:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JERUSALEM, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries plans to fire 3,000 local employees due to shutdown of partial operations, Israeli media Globes said Wednesday.

Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will close down most of its production operations in Israel, and fire at least 3,000 local employees out of its workforce of nearly 7,000, the report said.

The heads of all Teva workers committees met Wednesday, saying they had not been briefed about the details of the company's planned cutbacks.

They were waiting for the chairperson of Histadrut, or General Federation of Labor in Israel, Avi Nissenkorn's meeting with the company's management on Thursday, said the report.

The Israeli media said that Histadrut called a half-day general strike for Sunday against mass layoffs planned by Teva.

Teva, the world's largest generic medicine-maker, now has 57,000 employees worldwide, including 10,000 in the United States, 24,000 in Europe, and 6,800 in Israel, accounting for 12 percent of its total workforce.

It is reported that Teva is considering cutting 10,000 jobs worldwide in the next two years, with the aim of saving the company 1.5-2 billion dollars.

The company's debt totals 35 billion dollars, after the 40 billion dollars acquisition of Allergan's generics business Actavis Generics in August 2016, Israeli media Harretz reported.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 06:58:42|Editor: Yamei

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CARACAS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's socialist government and right-wing opposition expect to meet Dec. 15 in the Dominican Republic for a new round of dialogue following Sunday's local elections, a government minister said on Wednesday.

The elections, which the opposition boycotted, saw the ruling party win more than 300 mayoralties.

"We will be there ... to settle and resolve Venezuela's social, economic and political problems," Jorge Rodriguez, head of the government delegation and minister of communications, told state-run VTV on Wednesday, from Istanbul, Turkey.

"That is the way (to resolve differences), not through unconstitutional means," he added, in an apparent reference to often violent opposition-led anti-government demonstrations.

Also Wednesday, opposition Deputy Luis Florido, a member of the National Assembly, or Congress, described the last round of talks, held in Santo Domingo on Dec. 1 and 2, as "positive" and "constructive."

However, in an interview aired on privately-owned TV channel Globovision, Florido said he had "reservations because there are still many issues to resolve."

"We are not going to sign any agreement that is not beneficial to the country," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 07:08:46|Editor: Chengcheng

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Ecuador's suspended vice-president Jorge Glas (L) reacts during a hearing of his trial at the headquarters of the National Court of Justice, in Quito, capital of Ecuador, on Dec. 13, 2017. A criminal court in Ecuador on Wednesday sentenced the suspended vice-president, Jorge Glas, to six years in prison for illicit association within the bribery scheme run by Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht.

QUITO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A criminal court in Ecuador on Wednesday sentenced the suspended vice-president, Jorge Glas, to six years in prison for illicit association within the bribery scheme run by Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht.

This is the first sentence handed down in Ecuador within the Odebrecht case. Four others were sentenced to the same penalty as Glas, including his uncle, Ricardo Rivera.

Three other people were condemned to 14 months in prison, a reduced sentence in exchange for having cooperated with authorities. A final suspect was found not guilty.

Furthermore, given the scale of the corruption involved, the sentenced individuals must jointly pay back the state for 33.3 million U.S. dollars which were embezzled.

Judge Edgar Flores, President of the National Justice Court, said that this corruption had also included other crimes, including influence peddling and money laundering.

He added that the court had received evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice and a former Odebrecht executive, Jose Conceicao Santos.

Glas, 48, was minister of telecommunications from 2009 to 2010 before serving as vice-president since 2013 to former president Rafael Correa and current president Lenin Moreno.

He has been in preventive custody in Quito since Oct. 2. However, during the trial, he has steadfastly maintained his innocence and refused to step down as vice-president.

Glas is now the highest ranking official to be jailed within the Odebrecht corruption scandal, which has swept Latin America.

Odebrecht, Brazil's largest construction company, was found to have bribed officials across the region in exchange for public infrastructure contracts.

According to documents provided by the U.S., Odebrecht paid out 33.5 million U.S. dollars in bribes to Ecuadorian officials between 2007 and 2016.

Glas has the possibility of appealing the sentence but the national assembly may now also move to quickly impeach him.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 08:33:01|Editor: Xiang Bo

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People take part in the moment of silence during the public candlelight vigil event marking the first Ontario's Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. In October, the Ontario provincial parliament in Canada passed a motion designating Dec. 13 as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day to commemorate the victims of the mass killing. Ontario province, home to Canada's largest Asian community with more than 3 million of Asian descent, became the first regional legislature in Western countries to adopt the motion. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and other Asian communities across large U.S. and Canadian cities have paid homage to victims of the infamous Nanjing Massacre that shocked the world in its brutality when Japan invaded China 80 years ago.

In New York City, home to the largest Chinese American population, people from a dozen Chinese associations gathered at a square in Manhattan's Chinatown on Wednesday to mourn the nearly 300,000 people brutally killed in the 1937 massacre.

"We gather together to remember hundreds of thousands of people who were killed 80 years ago in Nanjing," said Zheng Shigan, president of the United Fujianese of America Association, organizer of the event.

"We hope more people to know about this part of the history and to treasure the peace and stability we have today," he said at the event during which participants wore white flower and presented wreaths.

Zeng Xianqiu, general secretary of the association, said young people should also learn about the history so that such tragedy would never be repeated.

The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the day when Nanjing fell to Japanese aggressors, who went on a six-week-long slaughter of civilians and surrendered soldiers who had put down their arms. About 300,000 Chinese were killed, and 20,000 women raped during the massacre.

On the U.S. west coast, representatives from the Chinese community and students of a Chinese-language school held a ceremony Tuesday night to mark the 80th anniversary at the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall in downtown San Francisco.

The participants observed one minute of silence in the candle-lit hall solemnly adorned with sombre black-and-white pictures of World War II victims.

They said the remembrance was held to honor the victims of the Nanjing Massacre and that they, as overseas Chinese, will never forget the hardships and sufferings inflicted upon the Chinese nation.

They expressed their sense of pride for seeing China constantly growing into a stronger state with a profound traditional Chinese culture.

Florence Fang, founder of the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall who presided over the ceremony, said the event that was held simultaneously with the national memorial activity back in China on the same day of Dec. 13, 2017 will arouse stronger patriotism among the overseas Chinese and let them unite more closely to remember history and safeguard peace.

On Sunday, hundreds of people from the Chinese, Korean and Philippine communities in San Francisco gathered to honor the 300,000 Chinese victims in the Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking in the Western world.

Jennifer Cheung, chairwoman of the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition and one of the organizers of Sunday's event, said that the memorial activity was staged to promote peace instead of harboring hatred towards the Japanese people.

In neighboring Canada, members of the Ontario provincial parliament held a moment of silence on Wednesday to recognize Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Toronto.

They said people must keep in mind the history of the Nanjing Massacre in order to educate the young generation and prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

Hundreds of people also took part in a public candlelight vigil event in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto.

With the passing a motion in October designating Dec. 13 annually as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day, the parliament of Ontario, home to Canada's largest Asian community with more than 3 million of Asian descent, becomes the first regional legislature in Western countries to adopt the motion.

The province of Manitoba also joined a growing movement in Canada to recognize and commemorate the Nanjing Massacre, with a motion of this kind passing its second reading with unanimous consent in its legislature.

Also in Vancouver, hundreds of people gathered in a gymnasium in the Chinatown on Tuesday to remember the victims of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.

The Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations and the Chinese Association of Greater Vancouver jointly hosted the event, which took place at the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Center.

Before the ceremony, visitors viewed photographs posted to the wall of the gym of atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors against Chinese men, women and children.

China's newly instated Consul General to Vancouver Tong Xiaoling attended the event. She called the massacre one of the darkest days in human history.

"I feel so sad," she told Xinhua in an interview. "When I look at these pictures I feel so sorry for those ... men and women who were slaughtered by the Japanese invaders."
Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne(2nd R) speaks as she attends the Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day ceremony in the Legislature in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and other Asian communities across large U.S. and Canadian cities have paid homage to victims of the infamous Nanjing Massacre that shocked the world in its brutality when Japan invaded China 80 years ago.

In New York City, home to the largest Chinese American population, people from a dozen Chinese associations gathered at a square in Manhattan's Chinatown on Wednesday to mourn the nearly 300,000 people brutally killed in the 1937 massacre.

Zheng Shigan, president of The United Fujianese of America Association speaks during the memorial ceremony in Chatham Square in Manhattan's Chinatown, New York, the United States, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/ Wang Ying)

"We gather together to remember hundreds of thousands of people who were killed 80 years ago in Nanjing," said Zheng Shigan, president of the United Fujianese of America Association, organizer of the event.

"We hope more people to know about this part of the history and to treasure the peace and stability we have today," he said at the event during which participants wore white flower and presented wreaths.

Zeng Xianqiu, general secretary of the association, said young people should also learn about the history so that such tragedy would never be repeated.

The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the day when Nanjing fell to Japanese aggressors, who went on a six-week-long slaughter of civilians and surrendered soldiers who had put down their arms. About 300,000 Chinese were killed, and 20,000 women raped during the massacre.

On the U.S. west coast, representatives from the Chinese community and students of a Chinese-language school held a ceremony Tuesday night to mark the 80th anniversary at the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall in downtown San Francisco.

The participants observed one minute of silence in the candle-lit hall solemnly adorned with sombre black-and-white pictures of World War II victims.

They said the remembrance was held to honor the victims of the Nanjing Massacre and that they, as overseas Chinese, will never forget the hardships and sufferings inflicted upon the Chinese nation.

They expressed their sense of pride for seeing China constantly growing into a stronger state with a profound traditional Chinese culture.

Florence Fang, founder of the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall who presided over the ceremony, said the event that was held simultaneously with the national memorial activity back in China on the same day of Dec. 13, 2017 will arouse stronger patriotism among the overseas Chinese and let them unite more closely to remember history and safeguard peace.

On Sunday, hundreds of people from the Chinese, Korean and Philippine communities in San Francisco gathered to honor the 300,000 Chinese victims in the Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking in the Western world.

Jennifer Cheung, chairwoman of the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition and one of the organizers of Sunday's event, said that the memorial activity was staged to promote peace instead of harboring hatred towards the Japanese people.

Members of Provincial Parliament of Canada's Ontario province take part in the moment of silence to recognize the first Ontario's Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in the Legislature in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

In neighboring Canada, members of the Ontario provincial parliament held a moment of silence on Wednesday to recognize Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Toronto.

They said people must keep in mind the history of the Nanjing Massacre in order to educate the young generation and prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

People take part in a public candlelight vigil event during the first Ontario's Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

Hundreds of people also took part in a public candlelight vigil event in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto.

With the passing a motion in October designating Dec. 13 annually as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day, the parliament of Ontario, home to Canada's largest Asian community with more than 3 million of Asian descent, becomes the first regional legislature in Western countries to adopt the motion.

The province of Manitoba also joined a growing movement in Canada to recognize and commemorate the Nanjing Massacre, with a motion of this kind passing its second reading with unanimous consent in its legislature.

Also in Vancouver, hundreds of people gathered in a gymnasium in the Chinatown on Tuesday to remember the victims of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.

The Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations and the Chinese Association of Greater Vancouver jointly hosted the event, which took place at the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Center.

Before the ceremony, visitors viewed photographs posted to the wall of the gym of atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors against Chinese men, women and children.

China's newly instated Consul General to Vancouver Tong Xiaoling attended the event. She called the massacre one of the darkest days in human history.

"I feel so sad," she told Xinhua in an interview. "When I look at these pictures I feel so sorry for those ... men and women who were slaughtered by the Japanese invaders."
Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne(2nd R) speaks as she attends the Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day ceremony in the Legislature in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and other Asian communities across large U.S. and Canadian cities have paid homage to victims of the infamous Nanjing Massacre that shocked the world in its brutality when Japan invaded China 80 years ago.

In New York City, home to the largest Chinese American population, people from a dozen Chinese associations gathered at a square in Manhattan's Chinatown on Wednesday to mourn the nearly 300,000 people brutally killed in the 1937 massacre.

"We gather together to remember hundreds of thousands of people who were killed 80 years ago in Nanjing," said Zheng Shigan, president of the United Fujianese of America Association, organizer of the event.

"We hope more people to know about this part of the history and to treasure the peace and stability we have today," he said at the event during which participants wore white flower and presented wreaths.

Zeng Xianqiu, general secretary of the association, said young people should also learn about the history so that such tragedy would never be repeated.

The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the day when Nanjing fell to Japanese aggressors, who went on a six-week-long slaughter of civilians and surrendered soldiers who had put down their arms. About 300,000 Chinese were killed, and 20,000 women raped during the massacre.

On the U.S. west coast, representatives from the Chinese community and students of a Chinese-language school held a ceremony Tuesday night to mark the 80th anniversary at the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall in downtown San Francisco.

The participants observed one minute of silence in the candle-lit hall solemnly adorned with sombre black-and-white pictures of World War II victims.

They said the remembrance was held to honor the victims of the Nanjing Massacre and that they, as overseas Chinese, will never forget the hardships and sufferings inflicted upon the Chinese nation.

They expressed their sense of pride for seeing China constantly growing into a stronger state with a profound traditional Chinese culture.

Florence Fang, founder of the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall who presided over the ceremony, said the event that was held simultaneously with the national memorial activity back in China on the same day of Dec. 13, 2017 will arouse stronger patriotism among the overseas Chinese and let them unite more closely to remember history and safeguard peace.

On Sunday, hundreds of people from the Chinese, Korean and Philippine communities in San Francisco gathered to honor the 300,000 Chinese victims in the Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking in the Western world.

Jennifer Cheung, chairwoman of the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition and one of the organizers of Sunday's event, said that the memorial activity was staged to promote peace instead of harboring hatred towards the Japanese people.

Members of Provincial Parliament of Canada's Ontario province take part in the moment of silence to recognize the first Ontario's Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in the Legislature in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

In neighboring Canada, members of the Ontario provincial parliament held a moment of silence on Wednesday to recognize Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Toronto.

They said people must keep in mind the history of the Nanjing Massacre in order to educate the young generation and prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

People take part in a public candlelight vigil event during the first Ontario's Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

Hundreds of people also took part in a public candlelight vigil event in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto.

With the passing a motion in October designating Dec. 13 annually as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day, the parliament of Ontario, home to Canada's largest Asian community with more than 3 million of Asian descent, becomes the first regional legislature in Western countries to adopt the motion.

The province of Manitoba also joined a growing movement in Canada to recognize and commemorate the Nanjing Massacre, with a motion of this kind passing its second reading with unanimous consent in its legislature.

Also in Vancouver, hundreds of people gathered in a gymnasium in the Chinatown on Tuesday to remember the victims of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.

The Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations and the Chinese Association of Greater Vancouver jointly hosted the event, which took place at the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Center.

Before the ceremony, visitors viewed photographs posted to the wall of the gym of atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors against Chinese men, women and children.

China's newly instated Consul General to Vancouver Tong Xiaoling attended the event. She called the massacre one of the darkest days in human history.

"I feel so sad," she told Xinhua in an interview. "When I look at these pictures I feel so sorry for those ... men and women who were slaughtered by the Japanese invaders."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 09:33:11|Editor: Mengjie

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TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- "I believe the fight against historical revisionism is destined to win," said Takakage Fujita, director general of a civil group dedicated to upholding and developing the well-known Murayama Statement.

Fujita made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15, 1995, then Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued a statement apologizing for the tremendous damage and suffering Japan had caused, through its colonial rule and aggression, to the peoples of many countries.

Fujita, who is dedicated to upholding and developing the Murayama Statement, said that Murayama wanted the Japanese government to develop friendly relations with neighboring countries such as China and South Korea based on that statement.

Japan invaded northeast China in September 1931, and started a full-scale invasion of China on July 7, 1937.

Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then China's capital, on Dec.13, 1937 and started a 40-odd-day slaughter. About 300,000 civilians and unarmed Chinese soldiers were brutally murdered.

"Some ultra-right wing forces in Japan have been trying to downplay or even deny the existence of the Nanjing Massacre, but there are also many peace-loving people in Japan who will not sit idly to let them do that," he said.

"It will be a long and tough battle to combat the historical revisionists, but I believe victory will be on the same side with justice."

Fujita visited the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing in March 2015. "Upon Seeing evidences about the atrocities committed by Japanese troops during the invasive war, I felt bitter and ashamed," he said.

"If a person makes a mistake, he or she should admit it and apologize for it. So does a nation. The ultra-right forces that attempt to deny the war crimes were despicable, and people with conscience in Japan will not allow them to do that."

China's commemoration of its 300,000 citizens butchered by the invading Japanese forces aims to pass on the lessons to the younger generations is "only right and proper," he said.

"Japan can only achieve real reconciliation and common development with China by facing its wartime history squarely and handle the historical issues properly," he said, calling upon Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration to reflect upon the history.

Fujita is also concerned that the younger generations in Japan are coming to know less and less about the historical truth about the war as school textbooks seldom touch on Japan's war crimes nowadays.

Meanwhile, a few peace-loving scholars, lawyers and common citizens have been organizing activities around Japan, urging the Japanese government to learn from the history and tell people the truth about the invasive war, said Fujita.

"I hope more of such activities will be held which is very important to Japan. There is still a long way to go to win the fight against historical revisionism but justice will eventually win," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 10:28:21|Editor: Yamei

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that its policy on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains the same as before, noting it is not "the right time" to start talks with Pyongyang.

"We remain open to dialogue when North Korea (the DPRK) is willing to conduct a credible dialogue on the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said at a daily briefing.

Nauert's words came after U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson offered on Tuesday to have a dialogue with the DPRK "without preconditions."

The U.S. top diplomat told a policy forum in Washington that dialogue is possible whenever Pyongyang is ready.

Insisting that Tillerson was not "creating any new policy," Nauert said the DPRK is not showing any "interest or seriousness" about wanting to sit down to talk.

"Now is not the right time (for talk)," Nauert added.

Nauert also emphasized that Tillerson is "on the same page" as the White House. Responding to Tillerson's remarks, the White House also said later Tuesday that there was no policy change on the DPRK.

Tension has been mounting on the Korean Peninsula since Pyongyang successfully test-fired a newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile in late November, drawing strong condemnation by the international community.

The United States has insisted that negotiations should be based on the DPRK's nuclear disarmament.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 10:28:22|Editor: Yamei

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YANGON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have arrested two Reuters journalists for illegally obtaining and possessing government documents, Myanmar News Agency reported Thursday quoting the police force.

Two other police officers, a police captain and a police sergeant, allegedly involved in the case were also detained.

The two Yangon-based journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo with Reuters News Agency, were arrested for possessing important and secret government documents with regard to Rakhine state and security forces, and intending to send them to a foreign news agency, a release of the police force was quoted as saying.

The two journalists obtained the documents by deception from two policemen who returned from Rakhine state after serving security duties in Maungtaw and Buthidaung townships, the release said.

The two journalists and the two policemen have been charged under the Government Secret Act and Police Law respectively.

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists launched fresh attacks on police outposts in Rakhine on Aug. 25, displacing residents from a number of areas in Maungtaw district.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 10:33:25|Editor: Chengcheng

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BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference concluded here on Wednesday with no substantial agreements reached after three days of debate.

WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo described the gathering of the WTO's 164 members as a "disappointment," but meanwhile acknowledged that "some progress" had been made.

"They (the sessions) have been a disappointment, but we have made some progress, (and) the work continues," said Azevedo at a press conference after the closing of the conference.

"What is most important is we have heard the commitment to continue the work and intensify it," he added.

Azevedo admitted "there was no outcome whatsoever" in the field of agriculture, one of the main topics on the agenda at the conference which Argentina was most interested in.

"We have brought positions closer together, but not close enough. The work continues, the negotiations are going to continue, and it couldn't be any other way," the WTO chief said.

Some 20 proposals were put forward in a bid to curb agricultural subsidies and other measures considered as counter-free-trade, but none were agreed on.

"The different sides must show flexibility. You can't get everything you want, but you can't stop participating either," said Azevedo, amid rumors that the United States had taken a particularly stiff stance during the debate about the direction the WTO should take.

The conference, the first of its kind in South America, ended without a declaration of consensus among members.

Argentina's former Foreign Affairs Minister Susana Malcorra, who served as president of this conference, said "without doubt it was a very complex conference" which took place "at a watershed moment for international trade."

"It's clear there are really very different outlooks on the topics at play," she said.

The Ministerial Conference is the top decision-making body of the WTO which has been held every two years since 1996.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 10:38:28|Editor: Chengcheng

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian and Peruvian central banks warned on Wednesday of potential risks posed by cryptocurrencies, or virtual currencies, best known for Bitcoins.

"Cryptocurrencies, in the form they are today, with this vertiginous climb ... without nothing to regulate, pose such risks that the central bank has issued a warning statement about them," Ilan Goldfajn, president of the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB), said at a press conference.

In a statement issued in late November, the BCB warned of the potential negative consequences of digital currencies.

Cryptocurrencies do not have the same guarantees as sovereign currencies, "nor are they anchored in real assets of any kind, which places all the risks in the hands of their owners," the statement said.

"Their value comes only from the trust that individuals place in their emitters," it continued.

Goldfajn said Wednesday that cryptocurrencies are a "typical bubble" which regulatory entities "must not incentivize."

"This is not something we should support," he added.

Also on Wednesday, Julio Velarde, president of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, said bitcoins as the largest cryptocurrency pose a very high risk.

Velarde told the press he personally would not invest in this currency as he saw it as having no security, even though the Chicago Stock Exchange has begun accepting bitcoins, sending its value skyrocketing.

Bitcoins, the first and largest cryptocurrency created in 2009, have seen runaway growth this year, hitting a value of 5,000 U.S. dollars around September, to further pass 18,000 dollars in early December.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 12:13:45|Editor: Mengjie

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. conservation groups Wednesday hailed a court decision to uphold a 20-year ban on new uranium mining claims over 1 million acres (about 4,046 square km) of public lands adjacent to the Grand Canyon, one of the symbols of the American West.

"We are delighted that the court made this decision to uphold the mining ban on public lands adjacent to Grand Canyon National park," said Sandy Bahr, director of Sierra Club's Grand Canyon chapter.

"It effectively protects the people, lands, water, and wildlife of the region and the greater Grand Canyon region from the toxic uranium mining," Bahr told Xinhua on Wednesday.

California-based Sierra Club is one of American's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organizations, boasting 3 million members nationwide.

The 9th Circuit Court ruled Tuesday that the ban, adopted in 2012, complies with the Constitution and federal environmental laws, and that size of the protected area in this case is not too large as mining companies had argued.

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona. The canyon and the adjacent rim are contained within Grand Canyon National Park, the Kaibab National Forest, and some Indian reservations.

It was first protected as a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the U.S. premier natural attractions, attracting millions of tourists every year.

"This a great day for the Grand Canyon, for the Havasupai people who rely on its scared waters, for people who love this wonder of the natural world, and for the wildlife that call it home," Ted Zukoski, Staff Attorney of Earthjustice tweeted

Earthjustice is a California-based non-profit law organization that represented the Native American Havasupai Tribe living around Grand Canyon National Park and a coalition of conservation groups to defend the ban in court.

But unfortunately, the court rejected the group's challenge to the Canyon Mine, a uranium mine located on the Kaibab National Forest, which is 9.6 km away from Grand Canyon National Park.

The court also allowed Energy Fuels Inc. to mine without initiating or completing formal tribal consultations and without updating an obsolete federal environmental review dating to 1986.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of the Interior, new uranium mining could have major impacts on springs, wells and aquifers. In January 2012, then Interior Secretary Ken Slazar issued the 20-year ban that prohibits new mining claims and mine development on existing claims without valid permits.

"The thing that made us disappointed is that the court did not uphold the challenge to Canyon Mine. But we will continue to make our effort to protect these lands," Bahr said.

Uranium pollution has already brought disasters to the Grand Canyon and the surrounding areas. Many scientists, tribal and local governments, and businesses have all voiced support for the protections enacted by the Department of the Interior, according to Earthjustice.

The uranium mining companies have 45 days to seek rehearing by a judge panel or by the 9th Circuit Court, and 90 days to petition the U.S. Supreme Court.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 12:18:46|Editor: Mengjie

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BANGKOK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A real estate company of Thailand is hosting a year-end 3D projection mapping performance on its 60-story tower downtown Bangkok along with Tourism Authority of Thailand to attract more tourists.

The show, named "Beautiful Bangkok," is set to be performed five times daily, respectively at 19:00, 19:15, 19:30, 19:45 and 20:00, from Thursday to Dec. 31 on the building of Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, while a special round of show beginning at 23:55 will be added on Dec. 31.

A launching ceremony was held on Wednesday night and four colorful scenes could be found during a round of show. Many Thai elements such as Hanuman mask were included.

The performance is a work from Limelight, a group of artists creating projection mapping artworks led by Viktor Vicsek and Istvan David.

"It is inspired by Bangkok so it took a lot of impressions and all of our feelings and emotions after we got here and we try artistically interpret them in the art work," Istvan David, the Hungarian artist told Xinhua during the launching ceremony.

"It is the perfect moment to organize 'Beautiful Bangkok by Magnolias @Ratchaprasong' at the square, which has always been a prime attraction for tourists from around the world," said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), adding that "we are pleased that this event will also help promote Thailand's tourism."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 12:58:53|Editor: Yamei

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BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Both investment and sales in China's property sector slowed in the first 11 months as the market remained cool amid government policies to curb speculation.

Real estate investment rose 7.5 percent year on year in the first 11 months of 2017, down from 7.8 percent in the first 10 months, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Thursday.

Investment in residential property, which accounts for 68.4 percent of total investment in the sector, rose 9.7 percent year on year, down from 9.9 percent in the first 10 months.

Property sales in terms of floor area climbed 7.9 percent in the first 11 months, retreating from 8.2 percent in the January-October period, NBS data showed.

By the end of November, 596.06 million square meters of property remained unsold, down by 6.53 million square meters from a month earlier.

Chinese authorities have been stepping up efforts to rein in property speculation this year after rocketing housing prices fueled asset bubble concerns, particularly in major cities.

Dozens of local governments have passed or expanded restrictions on house purchases and increased the minimum down payments required for mortgages.

The property market was also cooled by relatively tightened liquidity conditions as the government moved to contain leverage and risk in the financial system.

In October, new residential housing prices saw slower growth in 13 of the 15 major cities on a yearly basis, NBS data showed. On a month-on-month basis, new residential housing prices fell in 9 of the 15 cities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 13:13:55|Editor: Chengcheng

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SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A virus that makes humans suffer colds is attributed to the death of chimpanzees in Uganda that were killed by a respiratory disease, a U.S. study published Wednesday showed.

Researchers from the U.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) did field studies and were surprised to find that a human "common cold" virus known as rhinovirus C had triggered an outbreak of a respiratory disease in a community of wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale National Park, which killed healthy chimpanzees.

"It was completely unknown that rhinovirus C could infect anything other than humans," said Tony Goldberg, a professor of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and one of the senior authors of the study, which was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases on Wednesday.

Goldberg, who has worked in Uganda for years tracking viruses in animals, cited the death of a two-year-old chimp called Betty as an example, which was killed by the human virus in an outbreak in February 2013 that hit most of the chimpanzees in the community.

The sweeping epidemic killed five of the 56 chimpanzees, including Betty, in the community, with the oldest adult animal that fell victim being up to 57 years old, according to the study.

It said the virus was communicated to the apes through human activities, including human settlement expanding to ape habitats, tourism and research, as well as when apes left the forests for foods.

Rhinovirus C, which has been affecting humans for several thousand years, was rarely found in chimpanzees in the wild in the past. It can cause severe symptoms in people, especially children.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 13:49:01|Editor: Chengcheng

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By Feng Yingqiu

YANGON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities will enforce a new Companies Law from Aug. 1 next year, aiming at attracting more foreign investment, according to local authorities.

Paving way for more foreign investment opportunities, the promulgation of bylaws and application of the law as well as working on the operating manual for online registration will be done by the last week of July next year, the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) said in a press briefing Wednesday.

The new law will facilitate rapid registration for companies using the online registration system.

Members of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and economic experts called for speedy enforcement of the law to improve foreign investment environment.

In accordance with the new law, foreign investors are allowed to take up to 35 percent in a local company, said Director-General of the DICA U Aung Naing Oo.

Previously, even a company with even 1 percent of its shares owned by a foreign investor was classified as a foreign company, instead of a local company.

He highlighted that under the new law, foreigners can legally own unmovable properties including condominium apartments which foreigners were not allowed to buy in the past.

The law's change of designation of the foreign capital signals the pouring in of increased foreign investment, said vice chair of the UMFCCI Maung Maung Lay.

The relaxation of doing businesses by foreigners in the legal aspect also contributes to the government's obtaining of monetary and technical assistance, economic experts said.

The new Myanmar Companies Act, approved by the parliament earlier this month, was enacted to replace Companies Act of 1914.

Being a developing country, attracting foreign investment is the best for development among other channels, Maung Maung Thein, legal consultant and executive chief from Zico Law Co. said on the Myanmar Investment and Development Forum held earlier this month.

Yangon Region Minister of Electricity and Transport Daw Nilar Kyaw also promised that the regional government will offer a fair land price for foreign investors and the availability of electricity.

According to statistics, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Myanmar totaled over 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in first half of the fiscal year 2017-2018, increasing by 3 billion U.S. dollars, compared to the same period of last fiscal year 2016-2017.

FDI usually enters into the country's agricultural, livestock and fisheries, manufacturing, power, transport and communication, hotel and tourist and real estate sectors.

In the last fiscal year 2016-2017, the country attracted over 6.8 billion U.S. dollars foreign investment with the transport and communication sector topping with 3.08 billion U.S. dollars.

The nation targets 6 billion U.S. dollars of FDI in the present fiscal year 2017-2018, aiming to reducing poverty and to promote economic development in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 14:04:03|Editor: Chengcheng

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KABUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 militants have been killed following airstrikes in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, the country's defense ministry said on Thursday.

The Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force launched airstrikes in Marja, Gereshk and Naway-i-Barakzai districts, Helmand province on Wednesday, killing 20 terrorists, the ministry twitted.

One motorcycle was also destroyed by the attack.

Earlier this month, the NATO-led Resolute Support coalition forces struck a Taliban narcotic lab destroying heroin and drugs worth 1 million U.S. dollars in Helmand, with Lashkar Gah as its capital, 555 km southwest of Kabul.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The Taliban has yet to make comments on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:05:44|Editor: Chengcheng

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A paramedic prepares a diphtheria vaccine during vaccination campaign for teenagers under 19 years old at Tarumanagara University in West Jakarta, Indonesia. Dec. 14, 2017. The first stage of the campaign aims to vaccinate 8 million people under the age of 19 in Jakarta and the populous provinces of Banten and West Java to prevent the spread of the bacterial infection. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:04:17|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NEW DELHI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Polling began Thursday for the second and final phase of crucial assembly elections in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Voting started in the morning and will go on till 5 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) for 93 assembly seats in 14 districts of the western state, where Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power for the past 22 years.

Modi, who was Gujarat's chief minister from 2001 till 2014 when he became the prime minister after his party swept the general elections, cast his ballot at a polling booth around noon. BJP chief Amit Shah from Gujarat also exercised his franchise.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the 93 seats, mainly from BJP and the Congress, the country's and the state's main opposition party which has managed to rope in a few regional leaders as its coalition partners.

Gujarat has a total of 182 assembly seats. In the first phase, voting was held for 89 seats.

The results will be announced on Dec. 18.

This is a crucial election for Modi and his BJP, after the assembly polls in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh where the BJP swept to power decimating all its rivals earlier this year. Modi himself led an aggressive election campaign for the BJP in Gujarat.

This is an equally important election for the Congress party and its recently elected chief Rahul Gandhi, the scion of India's Nehru-Gandhi family. And this is for the first time since 1995 that the Congress is looking at its best chance yet to wrest Gujarat from the BJP.

The Congress is banking on anti-incumbency factor and a win will only help cement Gandhi's position in the grand old party that has been struggling in almost all parts of the country.

The campaigning for the assembly polls began on a positive note but as the polling dates drew near, the campaign narrative shifted to Gandhi's temple visits and political mud-slinging, mostly by BJP.

Modi, during an election campaign, had even accused the Congress party of secretly holding a meeting with Pakistani officials to plot the BJP's ouster from Gujarat. His barb was, however, slammed by the Congress party as well as Pakistan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:14:20|Editor: Lu Hui

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Participants pose for a group photo during the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 13, 2017. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday urged the Islamic world to recognize Jerusalem as the capital ofPalestine, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused any U.S. involvement in the peace process. (Xinhua/Anadolu Agency)

ISTANBUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Islamic countries have voiced their doubt about the U.S. role in searching for peace between Palestinians and Israelis after U.S. President Donald Trump broke decades of Washington policy by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Leaders of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) rejected the U.S. decision as "null and void" and hit back by declaring East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine at a one-day summit of the OIC held in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday.

The OIC leaders warned Washington of "all the consequences" of not retracting its decision and said the United States would lose its role as a sponsor of the peace process, according to a draft final communique adopted at the summit.

Addressing a press conference following the summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the United States is no longer an honest broker of peace.

The status of Jerusalem is at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel took over East Jerusalem, revered by Muslims as the third holiest site in Islam, in the 1967 war, and declared unilaterally the whole city as its eternal capital.

However, this move has never been accepted by the international community, which has called for reaching a final settlement of the dispute through Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

In response, the White House said Trump "remains as committed to peace as ever" and the administration will unveil a plan which will benefit the Israeli and Palestinian people when the time is right, reports said.

On the current situation, the United Nations said it will work to do what it can to bring the Israelis and Palestinians back to the table for talks.

"What our concern is we want to make sure that the parties themselves are willing to hold talks with each other," said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Analysts said the strong message sent by the OIC countries indicates a very significant split between the United States and the Islamic world.

In the view of Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, president of the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies, OIC countries are showing "one hundred percent unity" as well as a "very strong stance" against the United States.

"Furthermore, declaring the U.S. as partial and refusing its involvement in the future peace process as a mediator will also jeopardize the U.S. involvement as a superpower in other crises in the Middle East," he said.

"This is diplomatically a very important message," he said. "We can consider this as an awakening of the Muslim world."

The OIC summit was called by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has been one of the most outspoken critics of Trump's decision which also includes starting immediately the process of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Trump's announcement over the contested city has sparked days of violent clashes in the Gaza Strip and West Bank as well as protests in other Arab countries. Several rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel over the past few days.

Related:

News Analysis: Trump's Israel policy likely to exclude U.S. from Middle East peace talks, experts say
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:29:25|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Afghan army soldiers take part in a military operation against Islamic State in Khogyani district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 14, 2017. At least three militants of Islamic State (IS) terrorist group were killed and seven others wounded during an operation in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, authorities said Thursday. (Xinhua/Rahman Safi)

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least three militants of Islamic State (IS) terrorist group were killed and seven others wounded during an operation in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, authorities said Thursday.

"A joint Afghan security forces' operation is successfully ongoing in Khogyani district against IS militants. Within the past 24 hours, three IS militants were killed and seven others wounded by the ground forces there," the provincial government said in a statement.

One IS militant was arrested and several kidnapped villages were freed, the statement read, adding that six rounds of landmines were defused and one telecommunication radio was also seized.

Laying in southwestern of provincial capital of Jalalabad city, the district has been the scene of heavy clashes between IS fighters and security forces within the past couple of weeks.

The clashes have forced hundreds of villagers to flee in the mountainous district.

The IS group which emerged in Nangarhar in early 2015, has yet to make comments on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:34:29|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CANBERRA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia's net overseas migration (NOM) has soared 27 percent in a year, data released on Thursday revealed.

The statistics, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), showed that Australia's two most populous states, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, recorded their highest-ever NOM rate in the 12 months ending in June 2017.

NOM is calculated by subtracting the number of people that moved out of a country from the number of people who moved in.

"Australia's net overseas migration for the year ending June 30, 2017 was 245,400, an increase of 27 percent from the previous 12 months," ABS Demography Director Beidar Cho said in a media release on Thursday.

"Net overseas migration in New South Wales and Victoria increased by 31 percent and 23 percent respectively. This growth has seen both states surpass their previous recorded high in 2008-09."

Australia's total population at the end of June was 24.6 million, up 388,100 from the same time in 2016, with Victoria having the highest growth rate of 2.3 percent, the ABS said,

If the population growth continues, it has been estimated that Melbourne will surpass Sydney as Australia's biggest city by the mid-2030s.

Australia's overall population growth rate of 1.6 percent is greater than any of its neighbors except Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Every Australian state and territory experienced an uptick in the NOM rate in the last 12 months, the ABS said.

New South Wales had the highest NOM with a net 98,600 gain followed by Victoria with 86,900 and Queensland with 31,100.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:44:31|Editor: Zhou Xin

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SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it was closely communicating with the United States on the Korean Peninsula issues.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk told a press briefing that the South Korean government maintained close communications and cooperation with the U.S. side on the peninsula issues from the alliance perspective.

Regarding U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's remarks, Noh said South Korea and the United States consistently urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to stop provocation and threat and return to a dialogue table as early as possible.

Noh said Tillerson also stressed the DPRK's halt of provocation to resume dialogue with the DPRK.

Tillerson said at a forum in Washington Tuesday that his country was "ready to talk whenever North Korea (DPRK) is ready to talk."

The top U.S. diplomat also mentioned the first meeting with the DPRK "without preconditions."

It was different from the previous U.S. stance demanding the DPRK show its sincere attitude toward denuclearization first before launching any dialogue with Pyongyang.

The presidential Blue House said Wednesday that Tillerson's remarks re-emphasized the U.S. position to encourage Pyongyang to return to a dialogue table.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 15:44:32|Editor: Zhou Xin

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HOUSTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Human-caused climate change made Hurricane Harvey rainfall that hit the United States in August more intense, international researchers said Wednesday.

The research found that human-caused climate change made the record rainfall that fell over the southern U.S. city of Houston during Hurricane Harvey roughly three times more likely and 15 percent more intense, a news release of Houston-based Rice University said.

"The takeaway from this paper is that Harvey was more intense because of today's climate, and storms like Harvey are more likely in today's climate," said Antonia Sebastian, co-author of the study and a postdoctoral research associate with the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center of Rice University.

"It highlights the need to consider that our hazards are changing over time, and that we should be considering those changes in the design of our infrastructure," she said.

The study was conducted by a team of scientists from the World Weather Attribution, an international project to study the influence of climate change on extreme weather events, such as extreme rainfall, heat waves and droughts.

The team was made up of researchers from renowned institutions in the United States and Europe, including Rice, the University of Oxford, Princeton University and others.

Harvey made landfall on Aug. 25 at a Mexico Gulf coastal town in southeastern Texas as a Category 4 hurricane and stalled. As the most powerful tropical storm to have hit Texas in more than 50 years, it dropped heavy rain and caused record catastrophic flooding in Houston and the surrounding region.

In Harris County, Houston, a 51.89 inches (131.8 cm) of rain -- the highest storm total in U.S. history -- was recorded over the six-day period through Aug. 30.

For a specific location like Houston, the study found that the maximum observed rainfall is still extremely rare in today's climate -- less than a one-in-9,000-year event.

The researchers said that even if the Earth meets the global targets set by the Paris Agreement, an event like Harvey will see a further increase of about a factor of three in probability.

The Paris Agreement, agreed on by almost every country in the world in 2015, aims to tackle climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and sets a global target of keeping the average temperature rise no higher than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on June 1 that the country would cease all participation in the agreement, stating that "The Paris accord will undermine (the U.S.) economy," and "puts (the United States) at a permanent disadvantage."

On Nov. 13, the United States reasserted that it would quit the agreement as soon as it is "eligible to do so."

In accordance with Article 28 of the Paris Agreement, the earliest possible effective withdrawal date by the United States cannot be earlier than Nov. 4, 2020.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:04:40|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CANBERRA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Racism is likely a factor in the low rate of organ transplants for indigenous Australians, the chief of Australia's peak medical body has said.

Paul Lawton, a leading renal specialist, said on Wednesday night that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients were up to 10 times less likely to be added to the kidney donation waitlist than non-indigenous Australians.

Responding to Lawton's claim on Thursday, president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Michael Gannon said he was "shocked by those figures."

"The topic of racism in our health system is an uncomfortable one for doctors, nurses, but it has to be one of the possible reasons for this kind of disparity," Gannon told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"If there's reasons why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are not being transplant-listed, they need to be investigated, but the problems need to be fixed."

Australia's Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt said he would ask the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Board, to investigate Lawton's claim.

"I'd describe it as extremely disappointing," Wyatt said.

"It's something I want to focus on for the next 12 months of starting to heighten the awareness we have to have more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing organs."

Each Australian state and territory has a separate waiting list for organ transplants with patients required to undergo a "work-up" of health tests before they can make it onto the list.

The final decision on whether a patient makes it onto the list is made by a panel of specialists.

Data compiled by the Australia New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry revealed that 13 percent of patients undergoing dialysis in Australia were indigenous but only 241 of 10,551 people with a functioning kidney transplant are indigenous.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:09:41|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CANBERRA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of homeless Australian women has increased 21 percent since 2013, acoording to data released on Thursday.

The figures, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), said that the average Australian seeking help for homelessness was a woman aged between 25 and 34, often with at least one child, escaping family violence.

Of the 288,000 homeless Australians, 172,800, or 60 percent, are women, the data said, a 21-percent increase on 2012-13 data.

In the same time period, the number of homeless men jumped 14 percent.

The AIHW Specialist Homelessness Service said that domestic violence was the top drivers of homelessness with 37 percent of people without homes citing domestic or family violence as the reason.

Activist group Homelessness Australia said the hyper-competitive rental market was responsible with part-time working single mothers unable to afford rent in the current climate.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is committed to maintaining the current funding of 990 million U.S. dollars annually for social and affordable housing in the May budget but Homelessness Australia's Jenny Smith said it was not enough.

"Despite thousands more people lining up at agency doors every year, federal homelessness funding to the states has not increased in real terms," Smith told News Limited on Thursday.

"Homelessness will continue to rise until governments drastically boost social housing and properly fund homelessness services.

"Women and children fleeing domestic violence, young people who can't stay with their families and long-term rough sleepers looking for a bed for the night are paying the price while the federal government sits on its hands."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:14:43|Editor: Zhou Xin

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SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating moderately fell for three straight weeks on controversy over hiring irregularities in the public sector, a poll showed Thursday.

According to the Realmeter survey, support for Moon was 69.5 percent this week, down 1.3 percentage points from a week earlier.

It was based on the survey of 1,507 voters conducted from Monday to Wednesday. It had 2.5 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level.

The support scores moderately declined to 70.8 percent last week from 71.2 percent the previous week.

President Moon on Monday ordered a stern punishment against any irregularity in recruiting new employees in the public corporations as many cases of illegal recruiting were reported by local media.

Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party gained 4.2 percentage points over the week to 53.3 percent this week.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party garnered 19 percent in approval rating, followed by the centrist People's Party with 6.1 percent.

The minor conservative Righteous Party gained 4.7 percent of support, while the minor progressive Justice Party earned 3.5 percent.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:24:46|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MANILA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Pakistani Sword-class missile guided frigate, PNS Saif, arrived on Thursday in the Philippines for a four-day goodwill visit.

The warship is anchored off Manila Bay, Philippine Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will board the visiting warship for "an exclusive tour" later on Thursday, according to a statement by Duterte's office at the Malacanang presidential palace.

The Sword-class frigate, also known as the Zulfiquar, is designed for air defense, interdiction and exclusive economic zone patrol, Lincuna said.

He said the ship, equipped with a helicopter on board, is skippered by Capt. Shahzad Iqbal.

Lincuna said the visit "aims to revive and strengthen the Pakistan-Philippines relations."

Lincuna said a Philippine Navy ship, BRP Rajah Humabon, rendered a customary meeting procedure at the vicinity of Corregidor Island at the mouth of the Manila Bay. The Philippine warship then escorted the visiting vessel to its berthing place.

Lincuna said the visit is the first of its kind by a Pakistani navy ship to the Philippines during the Duterte administration.

"(This is the) first time during this administration but they had previous port calls," said Lincuna.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:29:48|Editor: Zhou Xin

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by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel could complicate relations with Muslim countries in the Middle East, and even exclude Washington from Middle East peace talks, U.S. experts have said.

"His action complicates relationships with Islamic countries in many places around the world. They think the United States is being one-sided and is not a fair arbiter of Mid-Eastern policy," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

This comes after Trump's ground-shaking announcement that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel -- a highly controversial move, given the importance of the city to several religions.

At a summit in Turkey on Wednesday, Arab leaders condemned Trump's decision, some saying the United States should no longer play a role in the decades-long peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

"If the president only recognizes Israel's claim to the city ... his decision will be universally condemned in the region and globally," Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Rand Center for Middle East Public Policy, told Xinhua.

Close allies like Jordan will be vulnerable to blowback domestically, Kaye added.

"Once again the United States is isolated globally with no clear strategic gain. And it risks inflaming regional tension and increasing anti-American sentiment," the senior political scientist said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that the U.S-led Middle East peace process is now over during a speech at the end of the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a group of 57 members.

Erdogan said it was "out of the question" for the United States to mediate the peace process as it has previously done, adding that Muslim leaders should discuss the matter among themselves, and perhaps bring the issue to the United Nations.

West said Trump's move will hamper ongoing peace efforts.

"Trump already is seen as a divisive force in the Middle East and other places around the world. His action of deciding to move the embassy will intensify negative sentiments about him and make it more difficult to make progress in the Middle East," West said.

West said that Palestinians feel the decision favors Israel. "They are angry about the unilateral decision and feel it is completely unfair to them."

Iran last week called on nations worldwide to stand against Israel's claim to Jerusalem. Iran's military chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, said this week that Muslim and Arab countries are facing a historic test regarding Jerusalem.

Iran has over the decades opposed Israel's control over Jerusalem, and has threatened to use force against Israel in response to Trump's move.

Still, while many Arab leaders predicted widespread chaos over Trump's announcement, protests have not been as intense or deadly as predicted, and they appear to be slowing down. Some experts say that is because Palestinians are tired of the violence and have been worn down by it all.

Some portion of Trump's hardline stance in favor of Israel has to do with appealing to the religious wing of his conservative base, as a significant portion of his base's evangelical wing favors strong ties with Israel.

Experts also note that the United States and Israel have strong cultural ties, and that Washington has been a strong supporter of Israel since the founding of the Jewish state in 1948.

In the wake of World War II the United States has made it known that Jews are very welcome there, whereas many European countries still harbor a deep dislike of Jews. That is especially the case in places like France, where a surge of Muslim immigrants in recent years has sparked a new wave of virulent anti-Semitism and violence perpetrated by extremist Muslims.

For its part, the Trump administration on Wednesday said it would continue to work toward a Middle East peace plan, with State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert saying she believes the plan will benefit both sides.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:34:50|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RIYADH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered on Thursday to allocate 19.2 billion U.S. dollars to stimulate the private sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The decision was based on proposal submitted by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to promote the national economy.

Among the most significant initiatives are the housing loan initiative, which will be allocated with 5.68 billion dollars, the indirect lending initiative for small and medium enterprises, which will get 426 million dollars, and the initiative to support the visual private sector with 5.3 million dollars.

The initiatives are aimed at stimulating the private sector, boosting competitiveness of national companies and developing their products. It is also set to improve the commercial and investment environment and boost the developmental role of the private sector within the national economy as per Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 16:34:54|Editor: Xiang Bo

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MACAO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition featuring imperial weaponry from the Palace Museum was held in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Thursday to showcase the military relics of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

The event, lasting until March 11 next year, was held with the theme "the Golden Parade-Imperial Weaponry from the Palace Museum."

It displays over 100 pieces of collections from the Palace Museum, including weaponry, equipment and devices produced by the imperial workshops, as well as tributes in Qing dynasty.

The exhibition includes three parts, namely Dignified Bearing, Military Prowess and Military System. Organizers also holds seminars, workshops, guided tours and music concerts to allow the public to experience the exhibition from various perspective.

The exhibition was jointly held by the Macao Museum of Art, the Palace Museum, the Macao Foundation, the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Macao Daily News.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:10:02|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday called for resuming dialogue between Israel and Palestine at an early date so as to give a chance for a comprehensive and fair resolution to the Palestinian issue, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

It was reported that a summit of Islamic countries held in Istanbul on Wednesday declared East Jerusalem the capital of the State of Palestine.

China understands the Islamic countries' concern about the status of Jerusalem, spokesperson Lu Kang said, calling for a resolution to the issue in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and international consensus.

Lu said China supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:20:04|Editor: Lu Hui

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SHENYANG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-four China-made trams have been sent to Indonesia to be used as sightseeing streetcars during the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, the manufacturer said Thursday.

The trams were made by Shenyang Liyuan Rail Traffic Equipment Co., Ltd. The total order included 240 tramcars, and the company said it plans to deliver them all by March of next year.

The first 24 trams will be assembled in Indonesia once they arrive.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:25:07|Editor: Lu Hui

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BEIJING, Dec.14 (Xinhua) -- The new administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Achim Steiner, spoke highly of China's experience in poverty alleviation in an exclusive interview, and said he looks forward to further cooperation between China and the UNDP.

China has not only made remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation over the years, but has also dedicated itself to shared development with other countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, Steiner told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Steiner was the executive director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) from 2006 to 2016. He was named UNDP administrator in April this year.

Steiner said that over the past decades, China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty, contributing more than 70 percent of global poverty reduction, and the country now maintains a relatively high growth rate in a global economic downturn.

"The achievement China made is outstanding in both scale and time. No other country has done it before," Steiner said, and he pointed out the underlying reason behind it has been China's economic success, which has provided enormous financial resources to invest in addressing poverty.

Aside from its own development, China has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative and forging a community of shared future for humankind. These proposals will enable China to carry out closer cooperation with other countries, Steiner added.

"UNDP has received 17 million U.S. dollars from China over the past 6 months to support post disaster response projects in Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan and the Caribbean," Steiner said. "UNDP and China share many common visions in international cooperation. By working together, the two can speed up the pace in meeting goals set out by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

Headquartered in New York City, UNDP is the United Nations' global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:35:09|Editor: Lu Hui

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ALGIERS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The year 2017 has not been easy for Algeria, as the North African nation continues to face security challenges amid instability in neighboring countries, particularly Libya, said a political analyst.

"The challenges facing Algeria are mainly related to the problems of its bordering countries," said Ismail Maaraf in an interview with Xinhua.

"Algeria's security will remain at risk as long as the security situation does not get better in the African Sahel Region, in addition to Libya, in particular, and Tunisia," said Maaraf, adding that Algerian authorities had decided to earmark an additional budget for defense sector, and establish a new military base on the Libyan border, to stiffen control over the 1,200-km-long borderline with this trouble-ridden nation, in a bid to thwart intrusion of arms and terrorists.

Army forces have been put on high alert, while more budget has been allocated to the Defense Ministry to meet various military demands and ultimately to get ready for any emergency. These challenges are a burden on the public treasury, amid economic crisis hitting the country.

Besides, Algeria has spent more than 100 million U.S. dollars in the last ten years to provide counterterrorism training for special forces from five Sahel countries, including Mali, Chad, Niger, Mauritania and Burkina Faso, revealed Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia during the African Union-European Union Forum in Senegal earlier this month.

He said that political solution advocated by Algeria in Libya is inspired by its experience in the fight against terrorism, admitting that the role of Algeria to bring back peace in Libya was not enough.

In this regard, the neighboring Morocco managed to gather Libyan warrant parties to reach a peace deal known as Skhirat agreement signed in December 2015.

This agreement has been recognized by Algeria as the cornerstone of resolving the crisis in Libya, despite the need of some amendment, according to Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel.

Masahel stressed at a meeting on Libya, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in mid 2017, that the Libyan crisis can only be resolved politically with the need to provide Libyans the amendment they deem appropriate to implement the Skhirat agreement unanimously and accelerate the peace process.

In fact, Algiers is still concerned that the instability in Libya would affect homeland security of Algeria in the long run. Such a concern has forced the North African nation to back up the Skhirat agreement although it was signed in the neighboring Morocco with whom diplomatic relations are cold.

Algeria rejects any foreign intervention in Libya, and Masahel said that the solution of the Libyan issue should be reached among Libyans themselves.

On Dec. 17, 2015, a UN-sponsored political agreement was signed between Libyan rival parties in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat, as a national unity government led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj was established. The top mission of Serraj was to unite Libya's two warring parliaments to ultimately battle the terrorists.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:40:09|Editor: Lu Hui

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WINDHOEK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Board of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a loan of 153 million U.S. dollars to Namibia for the upgrade of a 210 km stretch of railway in the west of the country.

In a statement on Thursday, the AfDB said it will also finance the upgrade of a section of the road from the capital, Windhoek, to its international airport.

The two interventions are part of the priority projects identified in the government's Harambee Prosperity Plan, an action plan launched in April 2016, to support priority interventions identified in the government's national development plan.

The upgrading of the railway track between Walvis Bay and Kranzberg will speed up both freight and passenger traffic. The current railway line, of Cape Gauge standard, was last upgraded in the 1960s and, in its current condition with speed restrictions is an infrastructure bottleneck, resulting in increased transport costs.

The upgrading is particularly important because it will involve a direct linkage to Walvis Bay Port, and therefore will speed the passage of goods to and from the port into Namibia and beyond into other Southern African Development Community countries. The AfDB is also providing support in the expansion of the container terminal at Walvis Bay Port.

After improvement, freight trains will be able to travel at up to 80km/hr and passengers will enjoy speeds of up to 100km/hr. The rail upgrading work will be implemented over three years.

As to the road to the airport, which will be implemented over a period of 42 months, this will be a new dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction, and will incorporate an option for a third lane in the future, according to AfDB, Communications Officer, David Short.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:40:10|Editor: Lu Hui

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SUVA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Telecommunications Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said on Thursday that cyberspace information in Fiji may need to be monitored.

According to the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Khaiyum said as access to the internet over the years has become widely available, most criminal activities involving cyberspace have risen due to the unlimited access to technology.

Khaiyum said more than 550,000 smart phones are currently being used in Fiji with more operational SIM cards that exceeded the number of people in the country.

"There's now this tool, this access to not only get information but to be able to impart information. So the question is what type of information is being accessed and what type of information is being imparted? Do we need regulation in that space?" he asked.

He said that many of these people blanket themselves under the banner of freedom of expression, however, there were certain limitations in the constitution to the right of expression.

"These of course are matters of law that were not in existence 10-15 years ago. They are certainly new areas. This requires us to be able to constantly change the law,"he said.

He stressed that it is important for all relevant stakeholders to work collectively to combat these cyber issues and the Fijian government along with the police is onto the issue.

Fiji's Financial Intelligence Unit Director Razim Buksh has said this year the level of crime in Fiji is becoming more complex with the increasing in dyber crime related activities.

"We are looking at 1.5 million to 1.6 million Fijian dollars (about 0.7 million-0.77 million U.S. dollars ) lost through cyber crimes in local businesses.The criminals are considered as non-Fijians so they operate outside of Fiji's border," he said.

According to Buksh, in 2016, there were 58 intelligence dissemination reports given to the police which involve a suspected amount of 60 million Fijian dollars (about 28 million U.S. dollars).
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 17:45:10|Editor: Lu Hui

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopia Ministry of Education called on Thursday for university students to remain calm and resume classes disrupted by recent unrest.

Tilaye Gete, Minister of Education, told journalists that several higher educational institutions have been hit by deadly unrest in the past several days.

He further said a command post coordinated by the central government and regional administrations has been established to secure a peaceful educational environment in higher educational institutions.

Conflicts between university students on December 10 and 11 in several universities left three students dead and several more injured.

Ethiopia's higher education institutions have been hotbeds of dissent since the 1960s, eventually helping overthrow the last Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I in September 1974.

In recent years, higher educational institutions have also become scenes of violence between students over ethnic and religious differences.

In November, Ethiopia's Ministry of Education warned it would take legal action against university students who interrupt normal classes and engage in violence.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 18:05:13|Editor: Lu Hui

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ABUJA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops killed 10 Boko Haram fighters when they repelled a violent attack launched on a military unit in the northeastern state of Borno, local sources said on Thursday.

The terrorists attacked the military unit late Wednesday in Mainok community, situated in Kaga local area of Borno, about 73 kilometers to the state capital Maiduguri, said Lawal Wasaram, the former head of the local government area.

Wasaram said an unknown number of terrorists were also wounded as the troops engaged the group in a gunfight.

Mainok is one of the communities held by the terror group, but liberated by troops two years ago and recently rehabilitated by the government.

The community has seen a high number of returnees due to the relative peace in the area.

A local official told Xinhua the Boko Haram tried to infiltrate the community by first attacking the military base late Wednesday.

Nigeria has made considerable gains against the terror group, dislodging its fighters from the Sambisa Forest, the group's largest training camp in the country, early this year.

Boko Haram has been blamed for the death of more than 20,000 people and displacement of 2.3 million others in Nigeria since 2009.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 18:15:16|Editor: Yurou

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GUIYANG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 20 injured in a coal mine accident in southwest China's Guizhou Province, local authorities said Thursday.

The accident occurred at 06:38 pm Wednesday at Kongjiagou Coal Mine in Weining County, and was caused by a gas fire.

More than 500 people were involved in the rescue, and the injured were rushed to hospital for medical treatment.

An investigation is underway.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 18:35:19|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Afghan students take part in their graduation ceremony in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Dec. 14, 2017. About 374 students graduated on Thursday from Kabul Military School and would go into the country's military academies for higher education, a military official said. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

KABUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- About 374 students graduated on Thursday from Kabul Military School and would go into the country's military academies for higher education, a military official said.

"The newly graduates will have to pass an upcoming entry exam to join at the Marshal Fahim National Defense University, Afghan National Military Academy and the Afghan Air Force Academy," Major Juma Gul told Xinhua at a graduation ceremony held in the school in western Kabul.

The graduates after completion of higher education will be the professional military officers and would help their war-weary countrymen to live in a secure and peaceful environment, he noted.

Since Jan. 1, 2015, Afghan security forces have assumed the full security charges from NATO and U.S. forces.

Around 13,000 foreign troops still remained in Afghanistan to train and assist local security forces in their fight against the insurgents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 18:50:22|Editor: Yurou

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MOGADISHU, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in the early Thursday suicide bombing attack at General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu has risen to 13 while 15 others were injured.

Aamin Ambulance Director Abdukadir Abdirahman told Xinhua they had ferried 13 bodies to the city's Medina Hospital.

"A total of 13 bodies from the attack are now in Medina Hospital. Another 15 were injured and receiving medical treatment," he said.

Police said the suicide bomber strapped with a bomb vest blew up during rehearsals in preparation for the Dec. 20 Police Day celebrations in Somalia. The attack took place at 7:30 a.m.

Female police officers were among those killed in the attack in which Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility. The insurgents said they killed 27 police officers.

The militant group frequently exaggerates the number of troops/civilians they kill or injure, while Somalia government and African Union mission (AMISOM) rarely give exact tolls.

But Somali authorities said they have launched investigations to establish the motive behind such attack amid fears the death toll may rise as some people have been critically injured.

The security chiefs said the circumstances under which the suicide bomber infiltrated the heavily guarded police academy remain unclear.

The attack comes barely two months after the militants stormed Nasa Hablood II hotel in the city centre killing more than 25 people.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 19:00:23|Editor: Yurou

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ABUJA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police authorities on Thursday confirmed that three policemen have been dismissed from service following their involvement in drug trafficking in the country.

They were found guilty by a boardroom trial conducted by the police and immediately fired, said William Aya, a spokesman for the police in Nigeria's central state of Kogi.

Aya said the policemen were caught in the trafficking of 30 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp in Kogi.

The culprits have been handed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria's anti-narcotics police.

The police spokesman said their dismissal followed due process and that the anti-drugs police will further handle their prosecution.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 19:05:25|Editor: Lifang

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Rwandan President Paul Kagame (1st L), who is also the chairman of Rwanda's ruling party Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of a national congress of RPF in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, on Dec. 14, 2017. The three-day national congress organized by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) opened Thursday at the party headquarters in Kigali, as part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the party's establishment. (Xinhua/T. Kisambira)

KIGALI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A three-day national congress organized by Rwanda's ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), opened Thursday at the party headquarters in the capital city of Kigali, as part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the party's establishment.

In his keynote address, Kagame, who is also the chairman of RPF, described the anniversary as a milestone not only of years, but of efforts that changed the course of history of Rwanda as well as people's character.

Formed in 1979 by Rwandan refugees in exile, the Rwandese Alliance for National Unity became the RPF in 1987. In 1994, RPF took power and ended the Rwandan genocide, which claimed over 1 million lives, mostly ethnic Tutsis.

He explained that the RPF emerged as a response to serious problems in Rwanda, caused by bad politics. These problems included a divided country with no direction, where citizens had no rights, dignity or even a sense of security, according to Kagame.

Changing the situation in Rwanda, required commitment and great sacrifice as well as ideological clarity, with corresponding actions and behavior, he said.

"All the challenges we have faced, and the milestones we have reached, they should all serve as lessons that we should use to move forward," he said.

We must think of what we can do today to benefit the generations to come, said the president.

He urged Rwandan leaders to think of themselves as a leader who puts people's interests first and thinks about how to work with their peers.

Thursday's national congress was preceded by other events ahead of Saturday's celebrations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 19:15:28|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TEHRAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) are in talks to sign a preferential trade agreement by the end of January next year, Financial Tribune daily reported on Thursday.

"Between 200 and 250 categories of products are to be included in the agreement, which will be in effect for three years," Behrouz Hassan Olfat, the director general of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran's European and American Affairs Office, was quoted as saying.

Negotiations on the agreement started two years ago and consensus on trade of mineral and industrial goods as well as agricultural products were reached this autumn, Olfat said.

"Iran exported close to 500 million U.S. dollars worth of goods to the EEU member states during the seven months by Oct. 22 and imported nearly 800 million dollars in return," he said.

"The main exported products were agricultural products like fruit and vegetable, nuts like pistachio and raisins, pharmaceutical products and medical equipment, petrochemicals and oil," he said, adding that feed and steel artifacts as well as petrochemical products were the main items imported over the seven-month period.

Deputy minister of industries, mining and trade, Mojtaba Khosrotaj, said in July that exports to the EUU member states will either be fully exempt from customs duty or enjoy a duty cut of up to 80 percent.
A woman prepares food outside her temporary house at Konyo Konyo burial ground in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Nov. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/ Gale Julius)

JUBA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has appealed to warring parties to help settle conflict that entered its fourth year.

Grandi said Wednesday the devastating effects of the fighting were a direct consequence of failures in political leadership and called on all sides to put an end to deepening humanitarian crisis and Africa's largest refugee crisis.

"Urgent, concerted action by regional and international actors is needed before it is too late," Grandi stressed in a statement.

He said pressure must be brought to bear on those driving this deadly conflict, which has uprooted a third of South Sudan's people in just four years, and killed and maimed countless more.

"The world can not continue to stand by as the people of South Sudan are terrorized by a senseless war," he added.

The head of the UNHCR, who noted that 63 percent of all South Sudanese refugees are under 18, labelled the situation "a children's refugee crisis" as "many children are arriving unaccompanied, separated and deeply traumatized."

Grandi said the South Sudan conflict has created the largest refugee crisis on the African continent and estimated the refugee population to exceed 3 million by December 2018.

According to the UN, insecurity coupled with a failing economy continues to hamper food production and disrupt markets, leading to extremely high food prices.

Large sacks of staples such as sorghum, maize, and wheat flour have increased in price by up to 281 percent compared to last year, and were as high as 560 percent during May, the peak of the lean season.

Grandi called on the parties to the conflict to find a political solution, stressing that the success of the High Level Revitalization Forum in Ethiopia is key to ending the suffering of South Sudanese refugees and the killing of innocent civilians.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to split within the Sudan's People's Liberation Army (SPLA), leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 20:10:43|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ANKARA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The deal of Turkey's purchase of S-400 missile defense system from Russia "might be" finalized this week, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday.

"There is no problem with the S-400 deal. It maybe signed this week," Cavusoglu said at a joint news conference with his Maltese counterpart Carmelo Abela in Ankara.

Cavusoglu also said technical experts from both sides are working on setting up the S-400 system now, as the preparation of formal signing.

On Monday, after meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that officials from the two countries would meet this week to finalize the purchase of S-400 missile system.

In turn, Putin also said Russia hoped to sign agreements of defense industry with Turkey in the near future.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 20:10:43|Editor: Xiang Bo

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WUHAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese delivery giant SF Express has signed a deal with the Hubei provincial government to build the first freight airport in Asia, local authorities said Thursday.

The airport, with an investment of 5 billion yuan (about 750 million U.S. dollars), will be built in the city of Ezhou.

Hubei Provincial Transport Investment Group, Shenzhen SF Taisen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SF Express, and Shenzhen Nongyin Airport Investment will establish a joint venture to manage the project.

The project aims to meet the growing need of air express transit operations, while taking the traditional air cargo business into consideration.

The airport is expected to handle 2.45 million tonnes of cargo and about one million trips annually by 2025.

SF Express, founded in 1993 in Guangdong Province, is one of the largest private express logistics firms in China. It went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in February.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 20:15:44|Editor: Zhou Xin

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WINDHOEK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Namibia recorded a trade deficit of 612 million U.S. dollars in the third quarter, up from 608 million dollars in 2016, according to Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said on Thursday in the Third Quarter Trade Statistics 2017 report that the widening of trade deficit by 0.6 percent was due to a decline in export.

"Overall exports declined by 2.5 percent and imports plunged by 1.4 percent in the same quarter last year," said NSA Statistician General Alex Shimuafeni.

According to Shimuafeni, the key export markets for Namibia were South Africa, Botswana, Switzerland, China and Spain.

In terms of commodities, diamonds, jewellery and precious metals, fish, metal ores and concentrates, copper cathodes and live animals were the major export products accounting for 75.1 percent of overall export.

Shimuafeni said that imports to Namibia were mainly sourced from South Africa, Bulgaria, China, Botswana and Zambia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 20:45:54|Editor: Zhou Xin

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LJUBLJANA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Slovenian government has adopted a decree to reduce concession fees for thermal waters for swimming pools and heating for natural spas, reportedly for promoting its booming tourism.

According to the report of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), the concession fees being adopted at a government session on Wednesday, will be reduced by 40 percent in 2018.

While the Ministry of Economy sided with the spa companies, the Ministry of Environment warned that excessive use of water could deplete aquifers and bring serious challenges to the nation.

Environment Minister Irena Majcen criticised spas for not reducing the reserved quantities of water and for not being interested in returning unpolluted thermal water to aquifers.

Economic Development Minister Zdravko Pocivalsek, on the other hand, agreed with State Secretary Eva Stravs Podlogar to reduce the water licence fee, maintaining such decree is good for Slovenian tourism.

According to spas companies, the spa tourism generates one third of all tourist overnight stays in Slovenia, but it requires funds to develop.

It is estimated that Slovene spas will pay about 715,000 euros for thermal water licence fees in 2018, which is almost 612,000 euros less than this year, according to Slovene media.(1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollars)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 20:45:55|Editor: Zhou Xin

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DAMASCUS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian and Lebanese authorities reopened Thursday a border crossing that had been closed for five years in Syria's central province of Homs, state news agency SANA reported.

The Jawsiyah crossing in the Qussair town southwest of Homs has been closed as a result of the ongoing conflict, and both countries relied largely on the Masnaa crossing near Damascus.

Interior Minister Muhammad Sha'ar and Talal Barazi, the governor of Homs, attended the reopening ceremony, according to the report.

Travelers and passengers can travel to Lebanon through this crossing from Friday, according to SANA.

Syria and Lebanon share four border crossings, three of which were closed during the war, but most travelers have used the Masnaa crossing.

For the Syrians, traveling to Beirut was a must in order to catch an international flight, as all international flights to Damascus were halted during the war.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:06:01|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday signed new arrangements for a notification mechanism on criminal cases.

The new mechanism will apply to the imposition of criminal compulsory measures and criminal prosecution against residents of the other side.

Compared to the current mechanism introduced in 2001, revisions were made in terms of time frame, content, scope and channels for notification, according to the Minister of Public Security (MPS).

The revisions were made under the guiding principle of "one country, two systems" in accordance with the Constitution, the HKSAR Basic Law and other laws from both sides, said the MPS in a press release.

The new mechanism is expected to further safeguard the rights of people on both sides, fight cross-regional crime and contribute to the prosperity and stability of both sides, according to the MPS.

The new arrangements will enter into effect on Feb. 1, 2018.

Zhao Kezhi, minister of the MPS, and Carrie Lam, chief executive of the HKSAR, attended the signing ceremony.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:11:03|Editor: Zhou Xin

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European Council President Donald Tusk arrives at EU headquarters prior to an EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BRUSSELS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) leaders are set to debate over "highly divisive" mandatory quotas of migrants at the EU summit starting Thursday, with no consensus in sight.

"The issue of mandatory quotas has proven to be highly divisive and the approach has received disproportionate attention in light of its impact on the ground," said a press note released by the European Council ahead of the summit.

"In this sense, it has turned out to be ineffective," the note said.

The mandatory quotas, put in place in September 2015, have run into vehement resistance from a clutch of eastern European members.

As the latest sign of division caused by the quotas, the European Commission last week decided to haul the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland before the Court of Justice of the EU for not taking in refugees.

According to the European Commission, Poland and Hungary haven't taken in any refugees since September 2015, when EU members pledged to relocate a total of 160,000 migrants from overstretched Greece and Italy within two years.

The Czech Republic has not relocated anyone since August 2016 and not made any new pledges for over a year.

The three countries insisted that their national security is more important than "reckless decisions" on refugees made by EU institutions.

The two-year relocation scheme has relocated some 32,000 refugees from Greece and Italy to other EU member states, according to the Commission's relocation report.

Given the yawning gap over the issue, no written conclusions on migration will be endorsed at this summit.

Leaders are eying a consensus on migration by June 2018. "If there is no solution by then, the European Council will present a way forward for consideration by leaders," said the note.

European leaders gathered in Brussels Thursday for the final two-day EU summit of this year. The first day's agenda include defense cooperation, migration and social issues.

EU leaders, except British Prime Minister Theresa May, will hold a "Euro Summit" on Friday morning to discuss the next steps for the economic and monetary union and the banking union.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:21:07|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Bangladeshi people pay tribute with flowers in front of the Martyred Intellectual Memorial in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Naim-Ul-Karim)

DHAKA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Thursday to commemorate the intellectuals assassinated at the fag-end of the country's liberation war in 1971.

Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid on Thursday morning paid his tributes to the martyred intellectuals by placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals' Mausoleum in Dhaka's Rayerbazar area.

The memorial was covered with floral wreaths placed by thousands of people from all strata of society and hundreds of political, social and cultural organizations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:21:07|Editor: Lifang

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Prince William (C), his wife Catherine, and Prince Harry leave the Grenfell tower National Memorial Service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Britain, on Dec. 14, 2017. A grand memorial service was held Thursday here for the victims of the Grenfell tower fire that claimed 71 lives on June 14. (Xinhua)

LONDON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A grand memorial service was held Thursday at St. Paul's Cathedral in London for the victims of the Grenfell tower fire that claimed 71 lives on June 14.

Survivors, families of the bereaved and rescue workers were attending the memorial which was held to give thanks to people who assisted on the ground at the time of the tragedy and since it, including the emergency services, the recovery team, the community, public support workers and volunteers.

Bishop of Kensington Graham Tomlin said he hoped the tragedy would represent a "time we learnt a new, better way".

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as royal members, including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, also attended the service.

Tiago Alves, a survivor, told BBC that the memorial is "quite emotional" and would bring back a lot of awful memories for many people. But "the reason we are doing this today is so that people never forget - we want people to remember."

Six months after the tragedy, many survivors are still living in emergency accommodation, mostly hotels.

According to latest figures, of the 210 households from the tower, 45 are in new permanent homes and 54 in temporary homes. 66 households have not yet accepted offers and remain in emergency accommodation. The rest have accepted offers of permanent or temporary homes but have not yet moved.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:26:08|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KAMPALA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN has evacuated five Tanzanian peacekeepers who were wounded in last week's deadly attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) to Uganda for further treatment.

Rosa Malango, UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, told Xinhua on Thursday that the five blue helmets who were among the 53 wounded in the Thursday night attack last week in DR Congo's North Kivu province, have been admitted at Nakasero Hospital in the capital, Kampala.

"At this point these [five] are the only wounded Tanzanian peacekeepers receiving treatment in Kampala," said Malango.

Jean - Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under Secretary General for peacekeeping on Wednesday visited the five wounded at Nakasero Hospital on his way to Tanzania to attend the Thursday memorial service for 14 fallen Tanzanian peacekeepers killed during the attack.

Since its establishment in 2010, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo has recorded 93 fatalities in military, police and civilian personnel, according to UN figures.

ADF which was originally based in western Uganda but fled to eastern DR Congo has been accused of increased killings and massacres of troops and civilians, rape and abductions over the past three months in eastern DR Congo.

The rebel group attack in DR Congo has killed 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers and five DR Congo soldiers while wounding 53 others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:26:08|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RAMALLAH/GAZA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government called Thursday for international protection of the the Palestinian people over "the continued escalation due to the occupation."

Government spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud denounced the "incursion of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Jewish groups" besides the Israeli raids into two university campuses in the West Bank where it seized documents and books, according to a press statement.

Al-Mahmoud considered such Israeli practices as a "flagrant violation of international norms, systems and laws."

Meanwhile, Israeli forces detained 16 Palestinians during raids into Palestinian cities and towns throughout the West Bank in the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian sources.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) said Thursday that Israeli forces had arrested 320 people since the outbreak of the recent protests eight days ago.

Israeli forces dispersed Palestinian demonstrators using force in West Bank cities of Nablus and Ramallah, reportedly injuring dozens by tear gas grenades and rubber coated bullets.

In a large rally on the occasion of the establishment of Islamic Hamas movement's 30th anniversary in Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, said the U.S. Donald Trump's declaration on Jerusalem "sparked a new Palestinian Intifada."

Haniyeh said there were "three tracks to drop Trump's decision and the deal of the century - the achievement of Palestinian unity, the building of strong alliances at the level of the region, and the continuation of the Intifada."

He added "we want to build strong alliances at the regional level. The battle of Jerusalem is not the battle of the Palestinian people alone, but the battle of the nation."

He called for accelerating the national reconciliation process in order to "strengthen the overall resistance to confront the occupier."

"The Palestinian decision-making institution, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), must work quickly to bring together all the national and Islamic forces," he added.

Tensions have been escalating in Gaza and the West Bank between Israel and the Palestinians since Trump declared last week that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

Six Palestinians were killed and more than 1,500 injured in the wave of tension that dominated the Palestinian territories after Trump's announcement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:31:08|Editor: Xiang Bo

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HOHHOT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A 19-year-old man was sentenced to one year in prison for desecrating a portrait of Genghis Khan in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a local court said.

The man, surnamed Luo, was convicted for inciting ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination, announced the court of Ejin Horo Banner of Ordos city.

Luo made a video in which he trampled a portrait of Genghis Khan and posted it to the Internet on May 20. The video went viral among netizens and aroused public discontent. Several members of the public alerted police to the video, the court said.

Luo apologized in court for harming public sentiment.

Genghis Khan (1162-1227) united the tribes in northern China and founded the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. His grandson, Kublai Khan, established the Yuan Dynasty, which ruled China from 1271 to 1368.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:31:09|Editor: Zhou Xin

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BANGKOK, Dec.14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand has launched an anti-insect borne diseases campaign to eliminate dengue and malaria since October, expecting to drive out malaria by 2021, the public health ministry was quoted by local media as saying on Thursday.

The Department of Disease Control said on Wednesday at a seminar that the ministry has launched an anti-insect borne diseases campaign to eliminate dengue and malaria since October, expecting to drive out malaria by 2021 and reduce the number of dengue patients by 25 percent by then.

The department said the ministry can effectively monitor the disease by technologies and provide patients with treatments in time before the disease spreads. Meanwhile, laboratories are also set up to provide blood testing for people.

The ministry said that they have been trying to locate malaria-infected patients among high-risk groups, and provide them with treatments and follow-up cares. Indoor residual spraying and insecticide treated nets are offered.

Local reports said there are 13,971 malaria infections so far in 2017 in Thailand, declining 20 percent year-on-year. Forests and borders with Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao and Malaysia are high-risk areas, the reports said.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die.

The disease is widely spread in tropical and subtropical regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The World Malaria report 2017 by the World Health Organization showed that there were 216 million new cases of malaria worldwide in 2016, slightly higher than that of 2015.
Palestinian protestors are seen amid smoke during clashes with Israeli forces near the Huwara checkpoint, south of Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on December 13, 2017, as protests continue in the region amid anger over US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as its capital. (AFP PHOTO)

RAMALLAH/GAZA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government called Thursday for international protection of the the Palestinian people over "the continued escalation due to the occupation."

Government spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud denounced the "incursion of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Jewish groups" besides the Israeli raids into two university campuses in the West Bank where it seized documents and books, according to a press statement.

Al-Mahmoud considered such Israeli practices as a "flagrant violation of international norms, systems and laws."

Meanwhile, Israeli forces detained 16 Palestinians during raids into Palestinian cities and towns throughout the West Bank in the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian sources.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) said Thursday that Israeli forces had arrested 320 people since the outbreak of the recent protests eight days ago.

Israeli forces dispersed Palestinian demonstrators using force in West Bank cities of Nablus and Ramallah, reportedly injuring dozens by tear gas grenades and rubber coated bullets.

In a large rally on the occasion of the establishment of Islamic Hamas movement's 30th anniversary in Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, said the U.S. Donald Trump's declaration on Jerusalem "sparked a new Palestinian Intifada."

Haniyeh said there were "three tracks to drop Trump's decision and the deal of the century - the achievement of Palestinian unity, the building of strong alliances at the level of the region, and the continuation of the Intifada."

He added "we want to build strong alliances at the regional level. The battle of Jerusalem is not the battle of the Palestinian people alone, but the battle of the nation."

He called for accelerating the national reconciliation process in order to "strengthen the overall resistance to confront the occupier."

"The Palestinian decision-making institution, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), must work quickly to bring together all the national and Islamic forces," he added.

Tensions have been escalating in Gaza and the West Bank between Israel and the Palestinians since Trump declared last week that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

Six Palestinians were killed and more than 1,500 injured in the wave of tension that dominated the Palestinian territories after Trump's announcement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:36:11|Editor: Xiang Bo

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URUMQI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Police in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region had confiscated 724 kg of drugs in 1,695 cases as of November this year, authorities said Wednesday.

More than 17,000 suspects were held regarding drug-related crimes.

Xinjiang launched a series of anti-drug operations targeting cross-border drug trafficking and online drug rings this year, according to Zhu Changjie, vice chairman of the regional government.

Police investigation showed the use of synthetic drugs had for the first time surpassed heroin and marijuana among new drug addicts in the region.

Zhu said Xinjiang would continue strengthening law enforcement cooperation, crack down on cross-border drug trafficking and continue campaigns to raise anti-drug awareness.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:36:11|Editor: Zhou Xin

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DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania on Thursday asked the United Nations to conduct a thorough investigation into an attack by rebels that killed 14 Tanzanian soldiers in a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

Kassim Majaliwa, the east African country's Prime Minister, made the appeal when he led hundreds of mourners in paying their last respects to the slain Tanzanian soldiers at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense and National Service in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

"We call upon the United Nations to ensure an investigation is carried out to establish the reason behind the attack, so that those responsible should face justice," he said in his speech on behalf of President John Magufuli.

Majaliwa said the nation has lost dedicated young men who offered their lives for the sake of other people's peace, adding that the nation will always remember them.

In attendance was the Under Secretary General of UN Peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix who said the killing of the peacekeepers was tantamount to war crime and that the rebels seemed to be disrupted by the presence of the peacekeepers in DR Congo.

Defense Minister Hussein Mwinyi said the deceased soldiers have left a gap that will be difficult to fill in and called upon the soldiers to unite and love each other following the incident.

In his remarks, the Chief of Defense Forces General Venance Mabeyo said at no time will the Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) be discouraged by such acts, saying this only gave the army time and opportunity to re-organize themselves better and build the courage to go on until peace was restored in neighboring countries.

He described the incident as the worst since the country started participating in peacekeeping missions in 2011 when they entered DR Congo.

Fourteen Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed last week after they were attacked by ADF rebels at Beni district in North Kivu province, which borders Uganda.

In a statement last week, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack saying the killing of the peacekeepers was unacceptable and constituted war crimes.

The statement said the attack was the worst on UN peacekeepers in the UN's recent history.

Established in 2010, MONUSCO, the largest UN's peacekeeping mission, has recorded 93 fatalities of military, police and civilian personnel.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:36:12|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KAMPALA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police has beefed up security in the capital, major towns and highways ahead of the Christmas festive season.

Ugandan police spokesperson Emilian Kayima told Xinhua by telephone on Thursday that the move is to prevent possible terror attacks and armed robberies.

"We can't take chances. We have increased deployments and put in place counter-terrorism measures to ensure that the city and the country enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations peacefully," said Kayima.

He said the police have intensified security and patrols along all the major highways to prevent crimes and armed robberies.

Al-Shabaab, a Somali militant group, has warned Uganda on several occasions that it would launch attacks for failure to withdraw its over 6,000 peacekeeping troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia.

The militant group in 2010 launched twin bomb attacks in Kampala, killing about 80 people and injuring several others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:41:13|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KAMPALA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has appointed a committee to scrutinize a proposal seeking to extend the presidential and parliamentary elective term of office from the current five to seven years.

Ruth Nankabirwa, the government Chief Whip told Xinhua on Thursday that a committee will scrutinize the legalities and technicalities over a proposal by one of the legislators of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to amend article 105 of the Constitution to extend the term of elective offices from five years to seven years.

The committee includes Adolf Mwesige, defense minister, Henry Tumukunde, security minister, deputy Attorney General, Mwesigwa Rukutana and David Bahati, state minister for planning, among others.

"The proposal is very popular. The committee will come up with a harmonized position on the matter," said Nankabirwa.

The ruling legislators on Tuesday met with Museveni to discuss the final position on the removal of the presidential age limit of 75 years and proposed extension of elective term of office.

Museveni last week told legislators on the legal and parliamentary affairs committee scrutinizing the removal of presidential age limit of 75 years that African leaders need adequate time to develop the continent.

"For these countries with all these problems, two terms of five years is just a joke. There is merit at looking at the seven years. It would give some time to these young countries to develop," said Museveni.

The appointment of the committee comes ahead of the legislators vote on a controversial amendment bill that seeks to scrap the presidential age limit of 75 years.

Opposition legislators and campaigners have opposed the bill arguing that the move by the ruling party is intended to allow Museveni, now 73, to run in the 2021 elections when he will be over 75.

The NRM party has over 250 out of 430 legislators in the country's Parliament. Some observers believe when the bill and proposed extension of term of office comes on the floor of parliament, it will be passed because of the NRM's majority advantage.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:46:15|Editor: Zhou Xin

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JUBA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Three Western countries on Thursday called on South Sudan's warring parties to make concessions during the next round of peace talks slated for Monday in Ethiopia.

The United States, Norway and Britain which are members of the Troika (peace deal guarantors) said to achieve a sustainable peace, no party to the conflict can have undue influence or a veto on the process, including the government.

"All parties must engage sincerely and make concessions in the national interest; otherwise, the conflict and suffering will continue," said the peace guarantors.

Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will convene the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) for the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan on Dec. 18 in Addis Ababa.

The Western nations said IGAD's ability to solve this crisis depends on unity of purpose amongst its members, and called on regional countries to speak with one voice.

"As the Troika has previously stated, the HLRF and its outcome must be genuinely inclusive and reflect the political reality of South Sudan today," they said.

The Troika vowed to stand with IGAD in its efforts to make progress toward peace and effective implementation of the Agreement and warned of severe action against those who obstruct the process.

The Western countries stressed that the peace forum is a unique and critical opportunity to make progress towards peace.

They said humanitarian, economic, security, human rights and political situation continue to deteriorate with devastating consequences for the people of South Sudan.

According to Troika, over half the population now lack enough food to feed themselves and a third of the population have fled their homes, causing the largest refugee crisis in Africa.

"This situation is intolerable to the region and the international community. It cannot continue," they said, and called on the government to adhere to its repeated public and private commitments to participate in the peace forum in good faith, and with the immediate goal of stopping the fighting.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy turned rebel chief Riek Machar led to split within the SPLA, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the conflict was weakened after outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016 caused the SPLA-in opposition rebel leader Machar to flee the capital.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:51:17|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MADRID, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Maritime Rescue Services confirmed that one person has died and 114 others were rescued from six inflatable dinghies close to the Isle of Alboran in the Mediterranean Sea between Morocco and Spain on Thursday.

The victim and all of those rescued are from sub-Saharan Africa and were attempting to make the crossing from North Africa to Europe.

16 women have been confirmed among those lifted to safety.

The rescue operation began at around 4 a.m. after Spanish Maritime Rescue services received a call from an aid agency worker in Morocco informing that at least five dinghies had set sail attempting to cross to Spain.

The first two dinghies were discovered five nautical miles west of the Isle of Alboran, Meanwhile it has been confirmed that the Moroccan navy has also rescued two of the dinghies.

The operation remains ongoing on Thursday morning and it has yet to be confirmed in what condition the survivors are in or to which port they will be taken.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:51:18|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc. announced Thursday its intention to enter into the mobile network operator business, a move expected to break the current three-giant oligopoly in the Japanese mobile service market.

Rakuten said in a press release that it will apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for frequency band allocation for the fourth generation mobile communications system (4G), and if approved, will launch this new business in 2019.

The company plans to raise the estimated 600 billion yen (5.3 billion U.S. dollars) funding required for the business by 2025 through interest-bearing debt, said Rakuten.

The e-commerce giant said it plans to acquire at least 15 million subscribers for the new business by providing benefits through its online shopping site.

The move would make Rakuten Japan's fourth largest mobile network service supplier, following NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. and SoftBank Group Corp.. Together the three companies hold about 90 percent of Japan's mobile phone users.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 21:56:19|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A shrill wail of a siren pierced the air, 3,000 doves of peace fluttered and 10,000 people stood in silence commemorating the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

China marked the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre on its fourth national memorial day Wednesday, showing the world its commitment to peace and justice.

In 1937, the Japanese military brutally slaughtered about 300,000 Chinese citizens and unarmed soldiers during a six-week rampage after they captured Nanjing, then China's capital.

It is a horrific, dark moment in history that cannot and should not be forgot. It should also serve as a lesson for people worldwide to cherish the hard-won peace.

However, Japan has chosen to hide behind the atrocity and ignore its historic responsibility.

Instead of a sincere apology, the country prefers to bury evidence, defy history and glorify the invasion.

It is incomprehensible that the massacre, one of the bloodiest in history, remains unknown to most of the younger generation in Japan. To soberly remind people of this shocking crime is not to prolong hatred between China and Japan, but merely to restore truth and justice.

Thankfully, the international community stands with China.

In Canada, members of the Ontario provincial parliament held a moment of silence to recognize Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Toronto.

UNESCO included Nanjing Massacre documents in its Memory of the World Register in 2015, making it a crucial and indelible piece of human history.

Li Xiuying, a victim stabbed 37 times by Japanese soldiers in the massacre, said her last words in 2004: "We need to remember history, not hatred."

As the Chinese choose to embrace a peaceful future and together with the international community calls for justice, Japan is eager to downplay and whitewash the enormity of its war crimes.

Despite Japan's frequent denials, history will not change nor disappear, no matter how much time passes.

Japan has longed to present itself as a normal country, but the first step to becoming such a country is to face up to facts, confess to its mistakes and make a full public apology.

Eighty years have passed, but the Chinese people are still stinging from this tragedy and are indignant at the stubborn attitude of Japan. But they have also been lifted by faith, a faith that peace will continue to be cherished and that justice will prevail.

To win back its self-respect and gain the trust of the international community, Japan must learn to make the right choices in safeguarding peace and justice.

The 300,000 lost lives deserve no less, and the righteous forces worldwide ask no more.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:01:20|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ANKARA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkey will open embassy in East Jerusalem after members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) declared the city the capital of Palestine, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

"Recognition of the Palestinian state is in line with UN decisions. We will strive for recognition of East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital," Cavusoglu was quoted by Daily Sabah as saying.

All kinds of efforts will be made until the U.S. retreats from its decision on Jerusalem, he added.

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Thursday asked the government to open embassy to Palestine in East Jerusalem.

"Turkey should immediately open its embassy to Palestine in East Jerusalem," Engin Altay, the CHP's parliamentary deputy group chairman, said while speaking to journalists in the parliament.

Altay said his party would support the move without any condition.

During an extraordinary summit in Istanbul on Wednesday, the OIC declared East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine under occupation and urged the U.S. to withdraw from the peace process and back down from its Jerusalem decision.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey, opened in 1925 following the declaration of the Republic, has the privilege of being one of the oldest diplomatic missions abroad directly linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After Israel declared Jerusalem as its "eternal and indivisible" capital in 1980, Turkey closed its Consulate General in Jerusalem as a sign of protest.

Following the positive atmosphere created by the Madrid Peace Conference, the Consulate General resumed its activities in September 1992 and has remained open so far.
A man wearing a mask with an image of the Dome of the Rock takes part in a Pro-Palestinian demonstration near the Istanbul Congress Center as the leaders and the representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries gather for an extraordinary meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, December 13, 2017. (REUTERS PHOTO)

ANKARA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkey will open embassy in East Jerusalem after members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) declared the city the capital of Palestine, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

"Recognition of the Palestinian state is in line with UN decisions. We will strive for recognition of East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital," Cavusoglu was quoted by Daily Sabah as saying.

All kinds of efforts will be made until the U.S. retreats from its decision on Jerusalem, he added.

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Thursday asked the government to open embassy to Palestine in East Jerusalem.

"Turkey should immediately open its embassy to Palestine in East Jerusalem," Engin Altay, the CHP's parliamentary deputy group chairman, said while speaking to journalists in the parliament.

Altay said his party would support the move without any condition.

During an extraordinary summit in Istanbul on Wednesday, the OIC declared East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine under occupation and urged the U.S. to withdraw from the peace process and back down from its Jerusalem decision.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey, opened in 1925 following the declaration of the Republic, has the privilege of being one of the oldest diplomatic missions abroad directly linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After Israel declared Jerusalem as its "eternal and indivisible" capital in 1980, Turkey closed its Consulate General in Jerusalem as a sign of protest.

Following the positive atmosphere created by the Madrid Peace Conference, the Consulate General resumed its activities in September 1992 and has remained open so far.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:16:26|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Libya had delivered educational materials to 30 schools in the Libyan city of Sirte, UNICEF said on Thursday.

"Yesterday, UNICEF delivered materials that will enable us to install 30 new classrooms in the schools in Sirte which have been affected by armed conflicts in recent months, helping around 1,000 girls and boys to continue their education in a safe environment," said UNICEF.

The UN body praised support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian aids Operations for the delivery of the materials.

UN Support Mission in Libya started implementing a maintenance program for educational institutions in Sirte damaged by military action between the government's forces and IS affiliates.

The program costs a total of 2 million U.S. dollars, aiming at maintaining 12 schools in the city.

According to the Education Facilities Department of Sirte, 65 schools were damaged in the war, 25 of which require full maintenance.

The IS affiliates in December 2015 were defeated and expelled from Sirte, some 450 km east of the capital Tripoli, by forces allied with the UN-backed government, backed by U.S. air force.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:21:28|Editor: Zhou Xin

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BANGKOK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan was sentenced by the Supreme Court to one year in prison here on Thursday on defamatory charges against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The Supreme Court ruled Jatuporn, leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, better known as the Red Shirt movement, guilty as charged and sentenced him to one year in jail, following a libel lawsuit filed by Abhisit against him several years ago.

Abhisit sued that Jatuporn had publicly accused him of having ordered fatal crackdowns on Red Shirt demonstrators during a street protest against his government in 2009 and of stalling the submission of a petition seeking a royal pardon for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Jatuporn made the allegations on Oct.11 and Oct.17 2009 when Abhisit served as prime minister.

The Red Shirt leader has been detained in prison since this July as he was sentenced to one year in prison by the Supreme Court in another defamatory lawsuit brought forward by Abhisit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:31:30|Editor: Lifang

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Soldiers from Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) attend a joint military exercise in Fijab, eastern Sudan, on Dec. 14, 2017. Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) armies on Thursday concluded a joint military exercise here on Thursday. The one-week drill, dubbed "Coasts Heroes 1," included training projects in coasts security, implementation of training systems and combat theories, training of modern and sophisticated weapons as well as tactic manoeuvres. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

FIJAB, Sudan, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) armies on Thursday concluded a joint military exercise in eastern Sudan.

The one-week drill, dubbed "Coasts Heroes 1," included training projects in coasts security, implementation of training systems and combat theories, training of modern and sophisticated weapons as well as tactic manoeuvres.

Air force, naval force and artillery as well as ground infantry soldiers from both countries took part in the joint exercise.

Head of Sudanese Army's Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant-General Saad Mohamed al-Amin, reiterated the importance of the joint exercise as it helps the two armies to achieve combat readiness.

"This exercise has been implemented under the motto 'Cooperation, Strength and Peace'," said Amin while addressing the exercise's closing ceremony Thursday.

"This exercise has strengthened the Sudanese-UAE ties at the military level," he noted.

Head of Operations Command of UAE Army, Lieutenant-General Aqab Shaheen al-Ali, for his part, praised the efforts by the commands of the two armies which resulted in the success of the joint exercise.

"This exercise has achieved its aspired training goals, including interaction of forces, raising combat readiness and exchanging experience," said Ali when addressing the ceremony.

The joint military drill aimed at raising the combat capability and readiness to face regional challenges and increasing the coordination between the Sudanese and UAE armed forces.

The UAE's warship Jabal Ali 5, which arrived at Port Sudan naval base in eastern Sudan on Dec. 6, took part in the joint military exercise.

The exercise is the first of its kind within the framework of joint military cooperation protocols signed between Sudan and the UAE.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:46:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Thursday lauded the decision by World Trade Organization (WTO) to form a working party committee that will pave way for the country's final accession to the global trade body.

Mawien Makol, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said the development was a major achievement that will help boost trade through easing of tariffs on imports to the war-torn country.

"It is a major achievement and very significant for South Sudan to be part of WTO. We will be engaged in trade, it will also help ease tariffs on our imports," he told Xinhua in Juba of the decision at the just concluded 11th Ministerial Conference of WTO in Argentina.

Oil-rich South Sudan imports 98 percent of its goods and services through the East African neighboring countries of Uganda, Sudan and Kenya.

Makol also hailed Kenya's support at the Dec. 10-13 WTO conference in Buenos Aires as it proved crucial in speeding up the accession process of South Sudan which still enjoys observer status.

"We have good relations with Kenya and their support is crucial to us being part of WTO," Makol revealed.

The war-torn country applied to join the WTO in 2015, and was recipient of 6 million U.S. dollar support from WTO under the Enhance Integrated Framework, a multi-donor program which helps least-developed countries in the global trading system.

Akech Chol Ayok, the Deputy Permanent Representative of South Sudan in Geneva, said they want to attract foreign direct investment and have access to international markets as other countries have a desire to trade with South Sudan which cannot be achieved without acceding to the WTO.

"By establishing the Working Party on the Accession of South Sudan, the Ministerial Conference has encouraged us to keep up the nation-building efforts. My government stands committed to undertake the required reforms for WTO accession in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, transparency, good governance and respect for human rights," Ayok said at the WTO conference.

There are 164 members of the WTO representing 84 percent of the 196 countries in the world that enjoy the benefits of greater international trade conferred by the WTO and also solving trade disputes.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:51:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday urged Kenya to reduce its reliance on foreign funding for the health sector.

Michael Corlin, UN children's fund (UNICEF) Advisor on Funding and Financing told Xinhua in Nairobi that currently about one third of all health expenditure is funded by international donors in the country.

"Kenya needs to reduce its reliance on foreign funding as the sources are likely to dry up in the next five to six years due to the country's status as a low middle income nation," Corlin said on the sidelines of the Universal Health Coverage Day.

The day is celebrated annually to commemorate the UN resolution calling for countries to provide affordable, quality health care to every person worldwide.

Corlin said that over the next several years Kenya will lose approximately one billion U.S. dollars in health sector funding as the financiers move to low income countries.

Most of the funding to be lost targets essential healthcare services such as nutritional supplies, immunization, maternal and child health.

The UNICEF official noted that the loss of funds will further complicate Kenya's efforts to achieve universal health care.

He added that Kenya needs to devote an additional 1.4 billion dollars to the healthcare sector in order to achieve the level of health spending of other low middle income nations in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Corlin noted that Kenya needs to begin discussions with stakeholders on how to replace the health sector funding before it is withdrawn.

He said that some of the possible sources of funds to enhance the domestic health budget include additional taxation measures, establishment of a health trust fund or reallocation of other government funds to the health sector.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:51:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BANGKOK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Citibank Thailand on Thursday called on the Thai government to continue to inject confidence into Thai companies to digitalize themselves to pave the way for incorporating Thailand's development strategy with China's Belt and Road Initiative.

At the Citibank Belt and Road Initiative forum held here on Thursday, head of Citibank Thailand Tidor Pandi said: "In Thailand, it would be important that the government continues to communicate with Thai companies of how the Belt and Road Initiative can actually complement the Thai government's 4.0 innovation strategy and its opportunities at the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)."

"At the end of the day, it is all about confidence, and that the Thai companies will start to think concretely about how they would want to invest in order to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative."

Tidor said that since China is now the leading "Fintech" country, Thai companies should also learn how to digitalize themselves if they want to compete in the global market.

"China today when it comes to Fintech, it is the leading power in the world. So how can Thai companies prepare themselves to become innovative? By digitalizing themselves," said Tidor.

In addition, with the middle class growing rapidly in China, Thailand will continue to benefit from its tourism businesses, said the banker.

The Thai government has been sharing information about China's Belt and Road Initiative with Thai companies and convincing Small Medium Sized (SME) companies to "digitalize" to stay on par with China's technological advancements.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:56:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SKOPJE, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Samka Ibraimovski, Macedonia's minister in charge of strategy implementation for improving the situation of the Roma, announced on Thursday his decision to step down.

He signed a statement in the State Election Commission (SEC) for accepting the MP seat, Ibraimovski's office said in a press release.

Ibraimovski also told media here that he left the ministerial post for an MP seat because Roma did not have a representative in the parliament.

In the last parliamentary elections, Ibraimovski was on the candidate list of SDSM-led coalition in the 4th electoral unit. Now he will replace in the parliament SDSM's Vasko Kovacevski who resigned from the MP post after assuming post of general director of Energy Combine Bitola.

Meantime, local media reported that other changes were expected to take place in Prime Minister Zoran Zaev's cabinet.

The Alliance of Albanians will probably end its participation in the coalition, with SDSM assuming the health sector, Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) reported.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 22:56:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KUNMING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The international shipping route on a key river running through China and southeast Asia is busy as usual, with boatmen wasting no time in loading and unloading cargo from ships.

Lancang River originates in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in the southwest of China. It is called Mekong River once it flows through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea.

Over 326 million people live along the 4,880-km-long waterway, which flows through an area of more than 795,000 square kilometers.

Chinese Captain Ran Mujiang sails his boat between Guanlei Port in Yunnan Province and Chiang Saen Port in Thailand. A single trip takes him nine hours.

He has fertilizer, tea and pomegranates loaded on his ship when he departs from China, and takes back rubber and dried fruits on the return trip.

"I've been sailing on the river for over 20 years. Trade along the river is developing very fast," he says.

In 2016, about 97,000 tonnes of cargo were transported through Guanlei Port, a year-on-year increase of 45.9 percent.

Now the river can accommodate ships weighing up to 420 tonnes, while in the past it could only allow boats weighing less than 50 tonnes.

"With growing inter-government cooperation, sailing along the river has become much safer," Ran says.

On Friday, the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) foreign ministers' meeting will be held in Dali, Yunnan. The six countries along the river officially started the LMC in March 2016.

"With the joint efforts of the six sides, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has become one of the most lively sub-regional mechanisms, and its potential is great," says Huang Xilian, deputy head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, Thursday. "It is evident that the Lancang-Mekong cooperation is developing very fast, and the six countries need to review the development in the last two years to lay solid foundation for future cooperation."

"The three pillars of the LMC -- political and safety, economic and sustainable development, social and cultural -- fit with the foundation of ASEAN community building," says Lu Guangsheng, professor with Yunnan University. "The LMC will help deepen regional cooperation and can become a good example of China building a community with shared future with Lancang-Mekong countries."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:16:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RABAT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Presidents of Arab Parliaments met in the Moroccan capital Rabat on Thursday to discuss U.S. decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Speaking at the opening of this meeting, the president of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), Lhabib El Malki, strongly condemned U.S. decision, describing it as "flagrant violation" of international law and legacy.

He said that decision is "isolated politically, diplomatically and ethically," highlighting the international consensus on refusing the U.S. move.

El Malki also warned against the consequences of this decision on peace and security in the region.

Set up in 1974, the AIPU is an Arab organization composed of parliamentary groups representing Arab Parliaments.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:26:48|Editor: Mengjie

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A victim of the Chongqing Bombing takes part in a protest against the ruling made by a Japanese court in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 14, 2017. Victims of the Chongqing Bombing and some Japanese citizens protested against a ruling made by a Japanese court here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Victims of the Chongqing Bombing and some Japanese citizens protested against a ruling made by a Japanese court here on Thursday.

In the ruling, the Tokyo High Court said it would maintain the verdict of a lower court in 2015 which acknowledged damages caused by the air raids but refused to recognize the plaintiffs' right to seek damages.

Lin Gang, a chief lawyer of the plaintiffs, said that the plaintiff group will appeal the ruling to the Japanese Supreme Court.

Representatives of the plaintiffs and some Japanese citizens who sympathize with victims of the bombing held a gathering in a parliamentary building Thursday afternoon to protest against the ruling.

Three Chongqing Bombing survivors who are in their 80s attended the gathering and told their stories in tears to the audience.

Li Yuankui, head of the plaintiff delegation, said that the invading Japanese troops inflicted tremendous sufferings to the Chinese people before and during World War II and he was determined to appeal the unfair ruling to a higher court to seek justice.

Japanese warplanes indiscriminately bombed Chongqing, then China's provisional capital, and nearby cities more than 250 times between 1938 and 1944, killing and injuring more than 32,000 people.

The bombing along with the Nanjing Massacre are viewed as the most horrific atrocities committed by Japan during the war.

In 2006, 188 Chongqing Bombing victims filed a group lawsuit against the Japanese government with the Tokyo District Court, demanding an apology and compensation.

The court made a ruling in 2015 which acknowledged damages caused by the air raids but rejected the plaintiffs' demands.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:31:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CAIRO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese breathed a sigh of relief early the month when a political crisis, triggered by the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, ended with his withdrawal of the decision shortly after returning home.

However, Lebanon is still inching its way to restore stability, with political balance broken and economy paralyzed by political rivalries.

HARIRI'S MYSTERIOUS RESIGNATION

Hariri's resignation on Nov. 4 prompted the fear of conspiracy, as it was announced by him from a television station in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Some believed that he made the speech under duress, in which he denounced Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran for meddling in regional affairs, a strong departure from his previous promises to maintain political unity.

Hariri called the resignation a "positive shock," expressing deep concern about the danger his country is facing. Also, being the son of former assassinated Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, he expressed his fear of an assassination attempt against him.

The resignation mirrored the fierce tug of war between two regional powers, namely Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran has been accused of supporting Lebanon's militant political party Hezbollah, which Riyadh slammed for declaring war against the kingdom.

Hezbollah is gaining strength in the region, through joining the civil war in Syria, combating the terror group Islamic State in Iraq, and supporting Yemen's Houthi rebels with armament to fight a Saudi-led coalition

But in a dramatic turn, Hariri delayed his resignation in later November when he returned home. On Dec. 5, he finally rescinded the resignation after meeting with President Michel Aoun.

The withdrawal was made with reaffirmation of a state policy of non-interference in external conflicts by the coalition government including Hezbollah.

Hariri told reporters after a cabinet meeting in which he announced the withdrawal that "all groups in the Lebanese government are committed to dissociating themselves from regional conflicts."

Analysts believe that Hariri's resignation withdrawal and the consensus deal he reached with rivals offer chance to maintain Lebanon's political stability, after a narrow escape of a political earthquake within the one-year-old government.

PROXY WAR IN LEBANON

The resignation crisis was believed to be triggered by the growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Sunni Muslim world, and Iran, which has the largest Shiite population.

The Sunni allied Hariri, together with his Future Movement party, has close ties with Saudi Arabia, a country where Hariri himself was born.

President Aoun won the election in October 2016 after gaining the consent from Hezbollah. Aoun then tasked Hariri with forming the coalition government, which includes a few ministers close to Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly eager to open up a new battlefield with Iran to flex its muscles.

Moreover, Riyadh also thinks that Lebanon's foreign policy and the involvement of Hezbollah in regional wars is manipulated by Iran.

On Dec. 8, French President Emmanuel Macron called on foreign powers to stop interfering in Lebanon's politics to preserve the country's stability and peace in the region.

"It's essential that all Lebanese parties and regional actors respect the principle of non-interference," Macron said.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Lebanon is bracing for the parliament election in 2018. In June, the parliament ratified a new electoral law to hold national elections, which have not been held since 2009. Last month, the government also passed Lebanon's first budget since 2005.

Hariri praised the new election law as a "historic achievement."

He also vowed in April to perform the duty of "regaining confidence after years of constitutional vacuum, deadlock in institutions, vertical political divide, tensions in Arab and international relations, and bleakness in economy and investment."

However, the protracted paralysis of the government, as well as the recent crisis, has shaken the country and its economy by adding up uncertainty to the government's plan of either investing in infrastructure, or exploring its potentially vast gas field.

In the meantime, Lebanon hosts over 1.5 million Syrian refugees, 550,000 Palestinian refugees, and 20,000 Iraqi and Sudanese refugees, whereas its total population does not exceed 4 million.

Lebanon has long been sticking to a power sharing pact among its coexisting religions, which stipulates that the president should be a Christian Maronite, the speaker a Muslim Shiite, and the premier a Muslim Sunni.

But the delicate political balance is easy to break, especially when it is under rising pressure of external intervention.

Hariri, a fierce opponent of the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, is the leader of a bloc that rivals Hezbollah and enjoys the support of Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, President Aoun is allied with the Iran-backed Hezbollah, whose forces are fighting in Syria alongside Syrian government forces.

So it remains to be seen if the new Lebanese government can deliver its promise to maintain a "national accord," and de-escalate the political rivalry hindering advancements in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:36:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GAZA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement marked Thursday the 30th anniversary of its establishment, stressing that its armed resistance against Israel is non-negotiable and would continue.

The group, which was founded in December 14, 1987, said that its confrontation with Israel is its goal that would never change no matter what happens.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh said that the third popular uprising of Palestinians, known as the "Intifada," had started eight days ago and Hamas would continue to support the Intifada until "the U.S. decision over Jerusalem is overthrown."

"I tell the United States, Jerusalem and those who support them. If you think that the Palestinian reactions against (U.S. President Donald) Trump's decision over Jerusalem will only last for a week or two, you are totally mistaken. The Intifada, which started eight days ago will go on until it achieves its goals," said Haniyeh.

Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters gathered at al-Katiba Square in western Gaza, waving the movement's flags and the flags of Palestine, while masked militants paraded on the streets with various weapons and rockets used against Israel.

More than 150,000 people participated in the rally in support of Hamas in western Gaza.

"I came here with my husband and three children to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the birth of Hamas," Fatima Abu Hweishel, a 45-year-old mother said, adding "Hamas will continue its struggle for the sake of Palestine, Jerusalem and the Palestinian people."

Hamas has refused to recognize the state of Israel or any peace settlement with it.

Following Trump's announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week, Haniyeh declared the start of the third popular Intifada and said it would go on until the U.S. decision is withdrawn.

"Those who toppled (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's decisions in the battle of the gates in Jerusalem are capable of defeating Trump's decision," said Haniyeh, adding "the aim of the Intifada is to topple the decision and to trample and topple the so-called 'century deal.'"

The Palestinians want the eastern part of Jerusalem the capital for their future Palestinian state, while Israel says that all Jerusalem, west and east is the eternal capital of the state of Israel.

Hamas movement, which rejects the peace process, wants all Jerusalem to be the capital of the state of Palestine.

"There is no such thing as the state of Israel to have a capital called Jerusalem," said Haniyeh, adding there were "three tracks to drop Trump decision - the achievement of Palestinian unity, the building of strong alliances at the regional level, and the continuation of the Intifada."

Since Trump's declaration, tension and violence have mounted between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mass clashes and violent confrontations broke out in the Palestinian territories, leaving six killed and more than 2,000 people injured, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

Militants in the Gaza Strip have also fired around 20 rockets from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel causing no injuries or damages.

In return, Israeli war jets and army artillery fired back targeting military posts all over the coastal enclave, killing two Hamas militants and injuring 15 others.

On the other hand, experts in Gaza ruled out the possibility of raising the wave of tension to a large-scale war between Israel and Hamas.

"I believe that this is like a tit-for-tat confrontations between the two sides that may go on for a while, and will slow down one day, because neither Hamas nor Israel is currently interested in escalation to the extent of going towards a large war in the region," said Hani Habib, a Gaza-based political analyst.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:41:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A group of children with African roots in Japan sent an open letter to a former member of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet to protest against his "racist" remark.

Kozo Yamamoto, a lawmaker who formerly served as regional revitalization minister for the Abe administration, reportedly asked a fellow ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker during a meeting on Nov. 23: "Why would you like such a black thing?"

Yamamoto later said he would retract the "black thing" remark if it caused any misunderstanding, and his office denied the lawmaker intended to make a racially discriminatory remark.

The group of children, however, said in the open letter that Yamamoto made "a racist remark" and spoke "with contempt."

"We are extremely disappointed to hear such a statement and strongly protest against this kind of behavior," they said.

"Such a remark being presented by a parliamentarian and by an ex-minister will cause distrust towards Japan among African nations, and even on a much larger global scale," the kids added, calling upon the ex-minister to reflect upon his statement and sincerely apologize.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:41:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PYONGYANG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Thursday that the plan by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to discuss the country's non-proliferation issue is not justifiable, as the United States and Japan are the first to blame.

A spokesperson of the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a press statement on Thursday saying that Japan, the rotating chair of the UNSC in December, is instigated by the United States to convene a ministerial-level meeting of the UNSC on the "non-proliferation" issue of the DPRK.

But the meeting is none other than a desperate measure plotted by the U.S. who are terrified by the incredible might of our Republic which has successfully achieved great historic significance by becoming a nuclear state, the spokesperson said.

The spokesman also said that if the "non-proliferation" issue is to be discussed, "the first countries to be brought before the court of justice are the U.S. who is the kingpin of vertical and horizontal proliferation."

The spokesman also accused Japan of keeping a "more than necessary stockpile of plutonium" and is seeking "every opportunity to produce nuclear weapons."

"The DPRK, as a responsible nuclear power and a peace-loving state, will sincerely fulfill its non-proliferation obligation assumed before the international society and put in every effort to achieve the noble cause of safeguarding world peace and stability," the spokesman added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:46:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TUNIS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign tourists visiting Tunisia from Jan. 12 to Dec. 10 grew 23 percent from the same period last year, the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism said Thursday.

In the period, the total number of foreign tourists visiting Tunisia hit 6,545,000, exceeding the ministry's previous forecast.

The number of European tourists, including 543,000 French and 514,000 Russians, increased 20 percent to 1,646,000, according to the ministry.

As for the Maghreb market including Algeria, Libya and Morocco, the balance sheet shows a rise of 31 percent with a flow of 3,537,000 tourists to Tunisia.

Algeria tops the list with 2,236,000 tourists visiting Tunisia, the ministry said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:46:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian said the partnership between Ethiopia and China could be seen as a role model for the South-South cooperation.

Tan said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that the Sino-Ethiopian partnership is a comprehensive one and could be seen as "a role model for the South-South cooperation."

"The relationship between Ethiopia and China is based on comprehensive, strategic and cooperative partnership in all areas and at all levels," he said.

Describing the economic cooperation as the basis, Tan also stressed cooperation in the human resource development sector and the science and the technology field.

"The bond between the two peoples is very important and it should be the foundation for the relationship between China and Ethiopia," Tan said.

The newly appointed ambassador also lauded the role of the Ethiopian Airlines in promoting relations of the two countries. He indicated that frequent visits among nationals of the two countries would further strengthen the people-to-people relations between the two countries.

In the past two decades, Chinese companies have invested close to 4 billion U.S. dollars in Ethiopia. The bilateral trade volume also reached 6.37 billion dollars in 2015.

According to the recently published McKinsey report, Ethiopia and South Africa have developed a "robust partnership" with China, along with a high degree of economic engagement in the form of investment, trade, loans and aid.

Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister, Workneh Gebeyehu, in his recent meeting with Tan also called for strengthening the socio-economic partnership between the two countries.

According to Gebeyehu, the ties between Ethiopia and China has shown consistent upward trajectory over the past years. Gebeyehu further called on strengthening the socioeconomic relations among the two countries to "a higher level."

Gebeyehu further said that the relations between the two countries "has grown to an excellent level, where the two countries enjoy a comprehensive cooperation and partnership."

The Ethiopian government has also said that its relation with China is given due emphasis as it remains one among the major priority partnerships both in the diplomatic and other sectors.

Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia's Minister of Transport, previously told Xinhua that Chinese engagement has benefited the East African country both in business and people-to-people relations.

"In the last 20 years, the level of economic cooperation with China has grown very fast. It will facilitate industrial manufacturing development, boost Ethiopia's competitiveness," Shide said.

"Chinese engagement in Ethiopia is harmonious, contributing to the development of Ethiopia," Shide said, adding that "Chinese personnel, be it workers and businesspeople, are contributing to the development of Ethiopia."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-14 23:46:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy on Wednesday rescued 114 illegal immigrants off western Libyan coast, Libya's anti-illegal immigration department said.

"Libyan Coast Guard in Tripoli on Wednesday night rescued 114 illegal immigrants of different African nationalities, including 5 women, on board a rubber boat off the coast of Garrabulli on their way to European shores," the department said in a statement later on Wednesday.

"The Navy handed over the rescued immigrants to the anti-illegal department of Tripoli, which provided the immigrants with first aids and food services," the statement added.

The department said the immigrants are from different African nationalities. "There are contacts currently with their embassies to deport them voluntarily to their countries of origins by air through Tripoli airport, in cooperation with the international organization for migration," the statement said.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, because of insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaks during the Lebanon International Support Group meeting in Paris, on December 8, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

CAIRO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese breathed a sigh of relief early the month when a political crisis, triggered by the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, ended with his withdrawal of the decision shortly after returning home.

However, Lebanon is still inching its way to restore stability, with political balance broken and economy paralyzed by political rivalries.

HARIRI'S MYSTERIOUS RESIGNATION

Hariri's resignation on Nov. 4 prompted the fear of conspiracy, as it was announced by him from a television station in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Some believed that he made the speech under duress, in which he denounced Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran for meddling in regional affairs, a strong departure from his previous promises to maintain political unity.

Hariri called the resignation a "positive shock," expressing deep concern about the danger his country is facing. Also, being the son of former assassinated Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, he expressed his fear of an assassination attempt against him.

The resignation mirrored the fierce tug of war between two regional powers, namely Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran has been accused of supporting Lebanon's militant political party Hezbollah, which Riyadh slammed for declaring war against the kingdom.

Hezbollah is gaining strength in the region, through joining the civil war in Syria, combating the terror group Islamic State in Iraq, and supporting Yemen's Houthi rebels with armament to fight a Saudi-led coalition

But in a dramatic turn, Hariri delayed his resignation in later November when he returned home. On Dec. 5, he finally rescinded the resignation after meeting with President Michel Aoun.

The withdrawal was made with reaffirmation of a state policy of non-interference in external conflicts by the coalition government including Hezbollah.

Hariri told reporters after a cabinet meeting in which he announced the withdrawal that "all groups in the Lebanese government are committed to dissociating themselves from regional conflicts."

Analysts believe that Hariri's resignation withdrawal and the consensus deal he reached with rivals offer chance to maintain Lebanon's political stability, after a narrow escape of a political earthquake within the one-year-old government.

PROXY WAR IN LEBANON

The resignation crisis was believed to be triggered by the growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Sunni Muslim world, and Iran, which has the largest Shiite population.

The Sunni allied Hariri, together with his Future Movement party, has close ties with Saudi Arabia, a country where Hariri himself was born.

President Aoun won the election in October 2016 after gaining the consent from Hezbollah. Aoun then tasked Hariri with forming the coalition government, which includes a few ministers close to Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly eager to open up a new battlefield with Iran to flex its muscles.

Moreover, Riyadh also thinks that Lebanon's foreign policy and the involvement of Hezbollah in regional wars is manipulated by Iran.

On Dec. 8, French President Emmanuel Macron called on foreign powers to stop interfering in Lebanon's politics to preserve the country's stability and peace in the region.

"It's essential that all Lebanese parties and regional actors respect the principle of non-interference," Macron said.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Lebanon is bracing for the parliament election in 2018. In June, the parliament ratified a new electoral law to hold national elections, which have not been held since 2009. Last month, the government also passed Lebanon's first budget since 2005.

Hariri praised the new election law as a "historic achievement."

He also vowed in April to perform the duty of "regaining confidence after years of constitutional vacuum, deadlock in institutions, vertical political divide, tensions in Arab and international relations, and bleakness in economy and investment."

However, the protracted paralysis of the government, as well as the recent crisis, has shaken the country and its economy by adding up uncertainty to the government's plan of either investing in infrastructure, or exploring its potentially vast gas field.

In the meantime, Lebanon hosts over 1.5 million Syrian refugees, 550,000 Palestinian refugees, and 20,000 Iraqi and Sudanese refugees, whereas its total population does not exceed 4 million.

Lebanon has long been sticking to a power sharing pact among its coexisting religions, which stipulates that the president should be a Christian Maronite, the speaker a Muslim Shiite, and the premier a Muslim Sunni.

But the delicate political balance is easy to break, especially when it is under rising pressure of external intervention.

Hariri, a fierce opponent of the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, is the leader of a bloc that rivals Hezbollah and enjoys the support of Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, President Aoun is allied with the Iran-backed Hezbollah, whose forces are fighting in Syria alongside Syrian government forces.

So it remains to be seen if the new Lebanese government can deliver its promise to maintain a "national accord," and de-escalate the political rivalry hindering advancements in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 00:17:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIGA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Latvian lawmakers passed a health care financing law on Thursday that envisages the creation of a mandatory health insurance system, local media reported.

Starting in 2019, the full range of government-funded health care services will be available only to those who are paying their social taxes, as well as several government-insured groups, whereas the rest of the population will have to pay an annual contribution, or the so-called health tax, to receive access to health care.

The minimum health services, which will be provided to all patients whether they have been paying the social tax or not, will include emergency medical assistance, obstetrical care, and general practitioner services, as well as government-funded drugs and medical equipment.

Insured patients, or those paying the social tax, will be entitled to the full range of government-funded health services.

Those who do not pay the social tax nor are insured by the government will still be able to insure themselves by paying one percent of the minimum wage next year, three percent of the minimum wage in 2019, and five percent of the minimum wage in 2020.

The government will provide health insurance to children, orphans, unemployed persons and pensioners, among others.

The Latvian government has also committed to raising health care funding to four percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, according to the new legislation.

Latvian |Health Minister Anda Caksa said earlier the health tax might reach an estimated 15 to 20 million euros (18 to 24 million U.S. dollars) in 2018.

Latvia's social tax rate will be raised by one percentage point next year to provide the necessary funding to the health sector.

Caksa said the hike in social contributions might provide an additional 85 million euros for the health sector.

Two political parties -- the Movement For and the Progressives - have already issued an appeal to Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, asking him not to promulgate the law. The parties warned that 300,000 residents of Latvia may lose access to health care as a result of the reform.

Movement For leader Daniels Pavluts said in a letter to Vejonis that it would be unfair and wrong to deny health care services to people in an attempt to reduce tax evasion.

The reform's greatest risk is that it can exclude a large part of the population from the regular health system, as many of these people will not be able to insure themselves, which in turn may result in serious threats to public health, Pavluts warned.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 00:32:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RABAT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved a loan of 172 million Euros (202.6 million U.S. dollars) to improve the urban management of Morocco's largest city of Casablanca, local media reported Thursday.

The loan will help fund the Greater Casablanca Development Plan 2015-2020, which aims to boost the city's economic attractiveness and competitiveness, the financial news website Medias24.com reported.

The objective of the World Bank's support is to increase the city's investment capacity by improving Casablanca's revenue management systems, and attracting private investment in urban infrastructure and services through public-private partnerships.

The program will also support reforms aiming to promote an environment conducive to business development by automating business procedures, increasing administrative transparency and reducing delays to obtain authorizations such as building permits and business licenses.

Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, World Bank's country director for the Maghreb and Malta, Middle East and North Africa, hailed Casablanca's ambition "to enhance its role as the main driver of the country's economy."

With the regionalization agenda, Casablanca will prioritize its efforts to respond to citizens' demands for more efficient urban services, Marie-Nelly said.

"Strengthening the municipality, both financially and institutionally, and helping it reduce intra-city disparities are key to allow it to fulfill its service provision mandate while being accountable to the city dwellers," she added.

Boasting around 12 percent of Morocco's total population and contributing 20 percent of the national GDP, Casablanca is faced with mounting urban management challenges.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 00:52:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HARARE, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's opposition coalition the MDC Alliance has been criticized for urging the United States to maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Alliance leaders Tendai Biti and Nelson Chamisa, as well as activists Dewa Mavhinga and Peter Godwin, on Tuesday appeared before the U.S. Senate foreign relations committee to allegedly urge for maintaining sanctions on Zimbabwe until there were signs of reforms in the African country.

"Further, once we show signs of an irrevocable and irreversible trajectory towards legitimacy, democracy, and the rule of law, we shall require your full support as we re-engage key international institutions," Biti said in a statement on the same day.

The U.S. government imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2001 ostensibly to "support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth, and restore the rule of law."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso Moyo said in a statement that it was surprising that the opposition politicians wanted the newly installed government to undo 37 years of former president Robert Mugabe's rule in the two weeks it has been in office.

"Selfish political ambitions should never be given flight at the expense of the welfare of our citizens," he said.

Former opposition candidate in the 2013 parliamentary elections Eric Knight posted on social media that Biti's statement was irresponsible.

"We are all itching to see the recovery of Zimbabwe and we need all the factors that have been suffocated our economy corrected as soon as yesterday, not tomorrow and certainly not after elections," he said.

Many Zimbabwean netizens have also posted on social media criticizing Biti's statement, while others support him saying that nothing much will change under Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership.

Mnangagwa, inaugurated on Nov. 24 as Zimbabwe's second executive president, has pledged re-engagement with Western countries that had imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe for nearly two decades, costing it an estimated 40 billion U.S. dollars in potential revenues.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 01:07:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Thursday stressed the significance of developing the army units and sectors in line with the "Kuwait 2035" vision.

He said it is important to pay much attention to military scientific research in order to upgrade the army's combat efficiency, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

He called for enabling the civil society to get involved in the military philosophy with military institutions to address looming challenges and crises.

Noting that the women's role should not be ignored, he pointed to serious objective studies aiming at allowing women to work side by side with men in the national military service.

The newly appointed first deputy prime minister and defense minister urged all army units and sectors to work sincerely and dedicatedly for the sake of the nation.

In February 2010, with an aim to change the country's long-existed oil-reliant economic structure, the Kuwaiti government unveiled "Kuwait 2035," a national development strategy, hoping to build the country into a trade and financial hub.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 01:32:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 12 Yemeni civilians were killed and several others injured during air bombardment conducted by Saudi-led warplanes in the southwestern province of Taiz on Thursday, a military official told Xinhua.

The Saudi-led aircrafts targeted with a number of air raids a bridge linking between Barah and Makbana in Taiz province, causing casualties among civilians, the military official said on condition of anonymity.

"The air bombardment also completely destroys the bridge," the Yemeni military source said.

In recent days, civilians were targeted by Saudi-led airstrikes either in the southwestern province of Taiz or in the strategic port city of Hodeidah, where intense fighting is still ongoing.

Fighting between the Shiite Houthi rebels and Yemeni government troops backed by the United Arab Emirates flared up intensely near the strategic western port city of Hodeidah.

The UAE-backed Yemeni troops managed to make great on-ground advancements and kicked the Houthi rebels out of key areas close to the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah.

Saudi-led military coalition has intensified military air campaign against Houthi positions in and around the Houthi rebels-held capital Sanaa since Houthis killed Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Dec. 4.

The coalition has intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to roll back Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels, and backed internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi whom Houthis forced into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The war has killed over 10,000 Yemenis, mostly children, displaced 3 million, and triggered the world's most humanitarian catastrophe.

Tensions have escalated in Sanaa and other northern provinces after Houthis killed their top ally strongman Saleh after he changed alliance and backed the anti-Houthi coalition.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 02:02:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed deputy prime minister, Ahmad M'etig, on Thursday met with the Ambassador of Sweden to Libya, Fredrik Floren, and discussed political and economic situation in Libya.

The two officials discussed Libya's political and economic situation, stability and upcoming elections, the media office of the prime minister said in a statement.

"Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmad M'etig, stressed importance of the Libyan-Swedish relations and the role of the Kingdom of Sweden in the UN Security Council to support Libya with regards to the Libyan frozen assets, in accordance to UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame," the statement said.

"The Swedish Ambassador Floren confirmed Sweden's support for the Government for National Accord and the UN-proposed road map to resolve the Libyan crisis," the statement added.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya, Ghassan Salame, in September proposed an action plan for Libya that includes amendment of the current UN-sponsored political agreement, holding a UN-sponsored national conference for all of Libya's political factions, adopting a constitution, and finally election of a president and a parliament.

Following the uprising of 2011 that toppled former Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid political division, insecurity and chaos.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 02:07:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Armed clashes broke out on Thursday between Libya's eastern-based army and extremists in the eastern city of Benghazi, a military official told Xinhua.

"The Libyan army is launching a major attack on the city's last stronghold of terrorists, who are also firing back heavily," army officer Saeed Wanees told Xinhua.

The attack came in response to the killing of two army soldiers on Wednesday by a sniper from the terrorist group Ansar al-Sharia in Ekhrebish area in Benghazi, according to Wanees.

The army's attack aims at "ending the battle in Benghazi and completing the liberation announced months ago," he said, adding that a large amount of landmines planted by terrorist organizations are what stop the army's progress.

The air force also launched heavy airstrikes on terrorists in the area, the army officer said.

The fighting against extremists in Ekhrebish area has killed nine soldiers since December, while in November, 10 extremists and 7 army troops were killed.

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 Haftar and extremist groups.

In June, Haftar announced the takeover of the entire city of Benghazi after defeating the rival armed groups, but some militants remain in the city and use landmines to cause damage.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 02:12:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIGA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 500 people had gathered here and protested against the government's plan to make Latvian, the state language, almost the only language of instruction in the country's ethnic minority high schools.

The protesters had gathered outside the Education and Science Ministry building in Riga, the capital, on Thursday, and later marched through the Riga Old City to the president's residence to deliver their message of protest to Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, local media reported.

Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, one of the leaders of the Russian Union of Latvia, which organizes the protests, said his party would initiate a referendum on the ethnic minority schools' autonomy from the rest of the Latvian education reform.

The Russian Union of Latvia proposes a return to the education system Latvia had back in 1919.

Latvian Education and Science Minister Karlis Sadurskis has already called the idea of ethnic minority schools' autonomy unconstitutional.

In October, the Latvian government decided that in three years'time, all core academic subjects in Latvia's public high schools will be taught only in the Latvian language. However, students at Latvia's ethnic minority schools will still be able to learn culture-related subjects, literature and history in their native language.

Under the government's plan, education in ethnic minority pre-schools will be conducted bilingually, three bilingual education models will be used in grades 1-6, 80 percent of classes will be held in Latvian in grades 7-9, and Latvian as the sole language of instruction will be used in grades 10-12. The transition, which is supposed to be finished by the school year 2021/2022 will be gradual.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 03:02:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sub-Saharan African countries are eyeing Chinese investment and technical transfer to revive their manufacturing sectors whose growth has been hobbled by funding and manpower hiccups, officials said on Thursday.

The officials, who spoke at a roundtable on investment promotions held on the sidelines of China-Africa Industrial Capacity Cooperation Expo underway in Nairobi, said Chinese capital, knowhow and experience should be tapped to create vibrant manufacturing hubs in the world's second largest continent.

Aschalew Tadesse, Investment Promotion Team Leader of Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), said China has occupied a strategic position as African countries embark on industrial revival.

"Chinese investors are welcome in our countries to participate in the establishment of industrial parks that are expected to churn out jobs and process goods for exports," Tadesse said.

The China-Africa Development Fund, International Trade Centre (ITC) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) organized the roundtable to discuss opportunities in Africa's manufacturing sector.

Tadesse said the African continent could be the next frontier for industrial revival given the commitment of political leaders coupled with demographic dividend and vast natural wealth.

"There is a strong impetus in this region and the entire continent to establish a strong manufacturing sector that can harness raw material and skilled labor from within to boost volume of exported goods," said Tadesse.

He stressed that favorable policies, tax incentives and availability of skilled manpower will be key to attract Chinese investments in the industrial sectors across sub-Saharan Africa.

Jiang Xuejun, Chief Office for Asia and the Pacific, International Trade Centre, called for African countries to create favorable conditions to facilitate Chinese investments in the manufacturing sector.

"Besides exchanging knowhow and expertise, African countries and China should maximize on direct investments in the industrial parks that can unlock benefits on both sides," Jiang said.

Chisanga Pule, Investments Promotion Officer at Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), said that Chinese technology and capital will be key to unlock the potential of Africa's emerging sectors like mining, agro-processing, information technology and aerospace.

"We should showcase the new investment opportunities in our manufacturing sectors to Chinese policymakers and fund managers," said Pule.

But there should be incentives in place to encourage Chinese investors to venture into light industries the continent requires to leap frog, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 03:22:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is concerned by the increasing number of districts in Yemen that are at risk of famine, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.

The humanitarian situation is aggravated by the protracted conflict, limited imports of critical commodities necessary for the basic survival of the Yemeni people, lack of salaries, and collapsing basic services, especially health, water and sanitation services, spokesman Farhan Haq told a press briefing.

A third of Yemen's districts, where 10 million people live, are at heightened risk of famine, he said.

He again called on the Saudi-led military coalition to expedite the delivery of commercial food and fuel imports through the Red Sea ports of Hudaydah and Saleef.

No commercial fuel imports has been cleared via Hudaydah since the start of a blockade by the coalition on Nov. 6, he said.

Since the easing of restrictions on Nov. 26, five commercial vessels carrying 116,070 metric tons of goods discharged at Hudaydah and Saleef, meeting a third of the food requirements for Yemen. Six commercial vessels have canceled their requests to enter Hudaydah or Saleef due to long wait times, said Haq.

Yemen has been in a civil war since 2015 between Sanaa-based Houthi forces and forces loyal to the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, based in Aden. The Saudi-led coalition force was fighting against Houthi forces allegedly supported by Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin meet on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam on Nov. 11, 2017 (Xinhua/Klimentyev Mikhail)

MOSCOW, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian president Vladimir Putin said Thursday he believed in U.S. President Donald Trump's ability to honor promises made during his election campaign on getting relations between Moscow and Washington back on track.

"I hope that he still wants it and I assume that finally we will normalize our relations in the interests of the American and Russian peoples," Putin said at his annual press conference.

Putin said that Russia and the United States had many ways of "doing things much more efficiently than before by joining efforts in the interests of our peoples."

These, according to the Russian president, include joint struggle against common threats such as ecological issues, proliferation of mass destruction weapons and all types of crises in various regions of the world including the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.

Putin praised the recent declaration by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of Washington's readiness for direct contacts with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

He expressed hope that Russia and the United states would be able to cooperate on the basis of common sense in many issues including on a settlement on the Korean Peninsula.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 03:33:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GABORONE, Dec. 14 (XINHUA) -- Botswana President Seretse Khama Ian Khama started his countrywide farewell tours on Thursday morning in Moshupa village, some 50 kilometers from Gaborone, capital of Botswana.

Khama is expected to bid farewell to communities in all 57 constituencies before ending his ten-year term on April 1, 2018.

In his address on Thursday, Khama assured that he would not stop serving the nation after retirement.

Khama also said he has no doubt that the man to succeed him, Mokgweetsi Masisi, is the right person to take the country forward. The vice president will succeed Khama next year before the national election in 2019.

"After these years working with him I have never regretted appointing him vice-president and the next president of this country," Khama said, urging Botswanians to support Masisi when he ascends power in April next year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 03:43:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A drone operator has violated multiple regulations, including flying too far away and causing a mid-air crash with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Sept., which landed safely in New Jersey, U.S. federal officials said on Thursday.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the drone operator's lack of knowledge about aviation safety regulations contributed to the mid-air collision.

The Black Hawk, which was providing security for the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the time, was struck at an altitude of 300 feet by the drone. The helicopter sustained damage but landed safely at Linden Airport in New Jersey. No Army personnel were injured, but the drone was destroyed in the crash.

The investigation showed that the drone pilot, identified as Vyacheslav Tantashov, was flying for recreational purposes and did not require an FAA remote pilot certification. His drone was properly registered with the FAA.

However, Tantashov failed to operate his drone within federal regulations by maintaining visual contact with the aircraft, the NTSB said.

It is unclear if Tantashov will face FAA penalties, which could include fines, from the incident.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 03:53:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad M'etig said Thursday that anyone involved in violations against illegal immigrants in Libya will be punished by the government.

CNN has recently published a report about auctions in different parts of Libya where stranded African migrants were sold as slaves for as little as 400 U.S. dollars.

"As the Libyan Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord, we have formed a commission to investigate details allegations of migrant slave trade in Libya, as published by Western media," M'etig told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

"If anyone is proven to be involved in the offense, they will be punished by strict procedures," M'etig said, confirming that the case is currently under investigation by the Libyan Attorney General, the Interior Ministry, and the anti-illegal immigration department.

"The torture or sale of human beings is forbidden in Libya and in Islam," M'etig said.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, because of insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 03:53:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Thursday said some 156 terrorists have surrendered to Ethiopian security officials in the past four months.

The surrenders are said to be members of various outlawed groups such as Ginbot-7, Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Amhara People's Democratic Movement (APDM) and Tigray People's Democratic Movement (TPDM), local media FBC quoted an Ethiopian security official as saying.

Teku Meteko, deputy administrator and security head of western Tigray zone, said the 156 individuals were based in Ethiopia's neighboring nation Eritrea.

According to Meteko, more than 160 members of various terror groups had returned to Ethiopia in the last Ethiopian fiscal year, the report added.

The Ethiopian government has alleged the abovementioned rebel groups are supported by its archrival and neighboring country Eritrea, while Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of supporting Eritrean rebel groups and running an international campaign to isolate the Red Sea nation.

Since Eritrea's independence following a referendum in 1993, the two nations have been locked in a hostile border dispute, which resulted in a bloody border war between 1998 and 2000 that killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides.

Since then, the common border between Eritrea and Ethiopia has had an uneasy calm punctuated with periodic armed standoffs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 04:58:24|Editor: Lifang

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The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (C) speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 14, 2017. Staffan de Mistura said that the way Intra-Syrian peace talks proceed will come after he speaks to the Security Council in New York as the eighth round ended Thursday without "real negotiations." (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

GENEVA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that the way Intra-Syrian peace talks proceed will come after he speaks to the Security Council in New York as the eighth round ended Thursday without "real negotiations."

He told journalists at the UN in Geneva that the two weeks of talks failed to yield the intended results despite great efforts, which he described as a "missed golden opportunity".

De Mistura said the scheduled topics of a constitution and elections under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 had not even been discussed with the government delegation.

"We did not see the government looking to have a dialogue in this round," said the UN envoy, adding that "there is no alternative but to have the legitimacy of the UN."

He said as well as reporting back to the UN Security Council in New York, he would also seek advice from special ambassadors of the Permanent Five members of the Security Council who he has been consulting.

"I will probably need to come up with new ideas, parameters, about how to move the talks forward, particularly on constitution and elections," de Mistura said.

The UN envoy said that both the government side and the opposition group had accused each other of setting preconditions, but there had been none in Geneva before the talks proceeded.

"We are not going to give up at the moment," he said when "the Syrian people believe there should be some process without precondition."

Earlier, the head of the Syrian government delegation to the Syrian peace talks Bashar al-Ja'afari said his team would not talk to the opposition delegation due to a statement it released before the current talks began, known as "the Riyadh communique."

After a meeting with de Mistura in Geneva, al-Ja'afari told reporters that Syria did not want the talks to fail, but the opposition had come with "a precondition" it set in November at a conference known as "Riyadh 2".

At the conference, a declaration was issued that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did not have a role to play in the country's future political transition.

"As long as the Riyadh 2 communique stands, we will not engage in direct talks," said al-Ja'afari.

Earlier this week, the Syrian opposition delegation said "there is an opportunity here in Geneva this week that we must take for the sake of our people."

"The opportunity is to sit down, face to face, under the chairmanship of the UN Special Envoy, and begin negotiations on political transition," the opposition delegation said in a statement issued after meeting with de Mistura.

The new round of UN-led Syrian peace talks started on Nov. 28 and was scheduled to be held until Dec. 15. The major obstacle for any expected breakthrough was described by the UN as a lack of trust.

In parallel with the UN-backed Geneva process, a new round of the Russia-led international negotiations on the settlement of the Syrian conflict is scheduled for Dec. 21 and 22 in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 05:18:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for three months as a technical rollover to allow for the completion of a strategic review of the UN mission.

The Security Council also adopted a presidential statement on South Sudan, expressing deep concern about the political, security, humanitarian, human rights, and economic situation in the war-torn country.

The council is deeply concerned about the actions of the parties to the conflict that are perpetuating the dire situation, with 7.6 million people now in need of aid, 4 million displaced, and 6 million lacking enough food to feed themselves, says the statement.

The Security Council deplored that the parties have failed to honor their commitments to a cease-fire and to allowing the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.

It took note of the cease-fire initiative by the South Sudanese government, called on the government to adhere to its cease-fire, and urged the opposition to reciprocate.

The Security Council strongly urged all parties to engage constructively in an African-led process to revitalize peace.

The council condemned all instances of attacks against civilians and the military use of hospitals and schools, and recalled that the UNMISS mandate includes monitoring, investigating, verifying, and reporting on abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including those that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

It reiterated that perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable, in order to break the prevailing cycle of impunity.

Shortly after its independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan plunged into civil war. Up to 300,000 people are estimated to have been killed since late 2013. More than 1.5 million people having fled to neighboring countries, more are internally displaced.
UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura gestures at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 14, 2017.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday evening that the 8th round of the Intra-Syrian peace talks just ended in Geneva without any "real negotiations". (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

GENEVA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that the way Intra-Syrian peace talks proceed will come after he speaks to the Security Council in New York as the eighth round ended Thursday without "real negotiations."

He told journalists at the UN in Geneva that the two weeks of talks failed to yield the intended results despite great efforts, which he described as a "missed golden opportunity".

De Mistura said the scheduled topics of a constitution and elections under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 had not even been discussed with the government delegation.

"We did not see the government looking to have a dialogue in this round," said the UN envoy, adding that "there is no alternative but to have the legitimacy of the UN."

He said as well as reporting back to the UN Security Council in New York, he would also seek advice from special ambassadors of the Permanent Five members of the Security Council who he has been consulting.

"I will probably need to come up with new ideas, parameters, about how to move the talks forward, particularly on constitution and elections," de Mistura said.

The UN envoy said that both the government side and the opposition group had accused each other of setting preconditions, but there had been none in Geneva before the talks proceeded.

"We are not going to give up at the moment," he said when "the Syrian people believe there should be some process without precondition."

Earlier, the head of the Syrian government delegation to the Syrian peace talks Bashar al-Ja'afari said his team would not talk to the opposition delegation due to a statement it released before the current talks began, known as "the Riyadh communique."

After a meeting with de Mistura in Geneva, al-Ja'afari told reporters that Syria did not want the talks to fail, but the opposition had come with "a precondition" it set in November at a conference known as "Riyadh 2".

At the conference, a declaration was issued that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did not have a role to play in the country's future political transition.

"As long as the Riyadh 2 communique stands, we will not engage in direct talks," said al-Ja'afari.

Earlier this week, the Syrian opposition delegation said "there is an opportunity here in Geneva this week that we must take for the sake of our people."

"The opportunity is to sit down, face to face, under the chairmanship of the UN Special Envoy, and begin negotiations on political transition," the opposition delegation said in a statement issued after meeting with de Mistura.

The new round of UN-led Syrian peace talks started on Nov. 28 and was scheduled to be held until Dec. 15. The major obstacle for any expected breakthrough was described by the UN as a lack of trust.

In parallel with the UN-backed Geneva process, a new round of the Russia-led international negotiations on the settlement of the Syrian conflict is scheduled for Dec. 21 and 22 in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 05:43:40|Editor: Zhou Xin

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Cuban President Raul Castro (R) and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) attend the commemoration of 13th anniversary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) in Havana, Cuba, on Dec. 14, 2017. The 16th Political Council of ALBA met on Thursday in Havana to discuss current political and social challenges, and integration plans for the coming year. ALBA was founded in 2004 and comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Venezuela. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

HAVANA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 16th Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) met on Thursday in Havana to discuss current political and social challenges, and integration plans for the coming year.

Foreign ministers and officials from the 11-member ALBA, an intergovernmental organization in Latin America, attended the meeting, which seeks to consolidate regional social, political and economic integration based on progressive principles and shared development.

"Latin American integration is today more necessary than ever, and this concept will be one of the main priorities of the ... meeting in Havana," Cuba's state daily Granma said.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said at the meeting that his country reiterates its commitment "to continue to uphold the principles and values that inspired the foundation of our alliance, especially taking into account our sovereignty and independence, which are an important part of our integration mechanism."

On the agenda is a discussion of the political situation in the region, especially the "economic, political and military" campaigns against Venezuela, the Cuban foreign ministry said.

Also on the agenda are the impact of recent Caribbean hurricanes that devastated several member nations, and work on integration mechanisms to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters.

Cuban President Raul Castro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are expected to attend the meeting.

ALBA is founded in 2004 and comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Venezuela.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 06:03:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (C) speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 14, 2017. Staffan de Mistura said that the way Intra-Syrian peace talks proceed will come after he speaks to the Security Council in New York as the eighth round ended Thursday without "real negotiations." (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- As expected, the eighth round of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva ended Thursday, with nothing but wrangling, with both negotiating parties holding firm to their visions.

Ahead of the talks, the Saudi-backed Riyadh Platform opposition group renewed demands for President Bashar al-Assad's departure as a prelude to any political settlement, which gave the government delegation a reason to accuse the opposition of placing pre-conditions to the talks, something that had previously been rejected.

The government side, as in previous rounds, wanted to prioritize the counter-terror as the first basket to be discussed during the talks.

The opposition wanted to discuss a transitional period.

The UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has also had his share of criticism during the talks.

On Thursday, the head of the government delegation, Bashar al-Jafaari, said the UN envoy was undermining his mission as a mediator, after calling on President Vladimir Putin, Syria's main international ally, to pressure Damascus into accepting elections.

Speaking to a Swiss TV on Wednesday, Mistura said Putin can "convince the government that there is no time to lose." He added that failing to do so risks the "fragmentation of Syria."

"You can think you win territory militarily but you have to win the peace ... And to win the peace, you have to have the courage to push the government to accept that there has to be a new constitution and new elections, through the United Nations," the envoy said.

The envoy has also been trying to push both sides into face-to-face negotiations, but the Syrian side refused as long as the opposition delegation kept holding tight to its pre-conditions.

During the days-long talks, pro-government media outlets cited the government delegation as saying that they were not going to Geneva to hand over the rule of Syria to the opposition.

Jafaari, in his remarks to reporters Thursday, said that the government delegation wasn't going to embark on direct talks with the opposition as long as they keep adopting pre-conditions, particularly those related to the presidency of Assad.

For his part, De Mistura said Thursday that the eighth round ended without "real negotiations."

He told journalists at the UN in Geneva that the two weeks of talks failed to yield the intended results despite great efforts, which he described as a "missed golden opportunity."

De Mistura said the scheduled topics of a constitution and elections under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 had not even been discussed with the government delegation.

"We did not see the government looking to have a dialogue in this round," said the UN envoy, adding that "there is no alternative but to have the legitimacy of the UN."

He said as well as reporting back to the UN Security Council in New York, he would also seek advice from special ambassadors of the Permanent Five members of the Security Council who he has been consulting.

Maher Ihsan, a Syrian political analyst, told Xinhua that the opposition pre-conditions made ahead of the talks were the main hurdle in the face of reaching any common ground between both sides.

"They have tried this demand before and they failed to achieve anything, and they renewed this demand now at a time when the government forces retook major areas across Syria," he told Xinhua.

For his side, former U.S. ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, has warned the opposition delegation in remarks he made to a pro-opposition media outlets.

Ford stressed that Assad will remain in his post for a long time, adding that it's impossible for the opposition to force him to leave.

He added that the opposition has no choice due to the major military defeat of the opposition fighters in Syria.

The opposition has to accept the fact that Assad is staying in his post "even though his continuation (in the rule) would have negative repercussions on us."

Meanwhile, Nasr al-Hariri, the head of the opposition delegation to Geneva, said at the end of the talks that the opposition is committed to the political solution.

"We came to Geneva with the hope and dream of peace," he said, accusing the government delegation of "challenging the international community and scoffing at it."

He said the Geneva talks are at the stake and "the world has to move to salvage it," noting that Russia alone cannot pressure the government into moving forward in the political solution.

Al-Hariri accused the government delegation of refusing to lift the siege imposed on besieged rebel-held areas.

After the failure of this round of talks, eyes are now shifted toward the upcoming talks in Astana brokered by Russia, Iran, and Turkey, observers here say.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 06:18:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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THE HAGUE, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in two stabbing incidents in Dutch city of Maastricht on Thursday has risen to two as one more people confirmed dead.

Earlier, police said one people was killed and several others injured in the two stabbing incidents in Maastricht, in the southern Dutch province of Limburg.

One stabbing took place at around 9 p.m. local time at the Botsaart street in the Malpertuis district, while the second stabbing occurred a few hundred meters away at the Joseph Postme street in the Caberg district, newspaper De Limburger reports.

Police did not find out yet if there is a connection between the two incidents. Both crime locations are being investigated by the police.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 06:23:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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VALLETTA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- According to statistics published Thursday by Eurostat, citizens in Malta made an above average number of online transactions in 2016.

On the whole, Ireland had the highest proportion of enterprises which made sales online at 26 percent. Malta placed 12th, having 18 percent of companies selling products via the internet.

Online sales include sales to both individual consumers, as well as businesses and can be made using websites or apps, or in an automated manner via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)-type messages.

Across the whole of the EU, online sales increased from an average of 12 percent of all sales in 2008 to 18 percent in 2016, with large companies being more likely to conduct business online.

Malta ranks the second highest in terms of proportion of online sales to non-EU countries, which was about 44 percent.

Meanwhile, about 91 percent of EU member state enterprises conducted business with Malta.

The European Commission has said that it would like to create a Digital Single Market where e-commerce among member states is as smooth as possible. However, almost 40 percent of respondents said they had experienced difficulties in completing online transactions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 06:28:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HELSINKI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Finland gave its new international gender equality prize to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday.

Announcing the prize in Brussels, Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila described Merkel as a defender of human dignity and human rights. Sipila praised Merkel's commitment to women and girls globally.

"Equality is a core value for Finland, which is celebrating 100 years of independence," Sipila said. He noted that Finland was the first nation in the world to grant women full political rights in 1906.

"Through this prize, we want to strengthen appreciation for gender equality in other countries around the world too," Sipila said. "Chancellor Merkel has become one of the world's most influential people and is an example to many women and girls," Sipila noted.

The Finnish prize committee said in an announcement that Merkel has brought gender equality to the agenda of world leaders at summit meetings. She has worked to improve the rights and opportunities of women especially in developing countries.

"In Germany, her aim is to achieve genuine equality in society between men and women, which means for instance making it easier to reconcile work and family life," the committee said.

The prize sum is 150,000 euros. The recipient will decide the cause it would be spent on. The cause chosen by Merkel will be announced in Tampere, central Finland at a high-level seminar on gender equality in early 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-15 06:58:59|Editor: Chengcheng

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The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (C) speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 14, 2017. Staffan de Mistura said that the way Intra-Syrian peace talks proceed will come after he speaks to the Security Council in New York as the eighth round ended Thursday without "real negotiations." (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

GENEVA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said Thursday evening that the way Intra-Syrian peace talks proceed will come after he speaks to the Security Council as the eighth round ended Thursday without "real negotiations" taking place.

The UN official is expected to leave Geneva to consult in New York with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on further steps, where he will also meet with the UN Security Council next week.

He told a press conference after announcing the end of the new round of the UN-led Geneva peace talks on Syria that the last two weeks of talks had not yielded the intended results despite great efforts, which he described as a "missed golden opportunity".

"Though a lot of efforts by my whole team have been made, day and night, with all sorts of creative formulas, we only have bilateral discussions with both parties, we did not have real negotiations," de Mistura said.

The UN envoy said that both the government side and the opposition group had accused each other of setting preconditions, but there had been none in Geneva before the talks proceeded.

"I really hoped the diplomacy, not only ours, will help the government and the opposition to actually do what is expected and what was expected," he emphasized.

He said during the last two weeks, he had seven meetings with the government and 11 with the opposition.

"The opposition in particular engaged with us on all four baskets -- governance, constitutional process, elections and countering terrorism. They also gave me some concrete ideas on the so called 12 essential principles. The government engaged with me only on terrorism," he said.

"We did not see the government looking to have a dialogue in this round, I have to say, regrettably, I did see the opposition trying to," said the UN envoy, adding that "there is no alternative but to have the legitimacy of the UN".

He said as well as reporting back to the UN Security Council in New York, he would also seek advice from special ambassadors of the Permanent Five members of the Security Council who he has been consulting.

"I will probably need to come up with new ideas, parameters, about how to move the talks forward, particularly on constitution and elections," de Mistura said.

"We are not going to give up at the moment," he said when "the Syrian people believe there should be some process without precondition," he told the reporters, stressing that there is clearly a desperate need for "a real political process".

Saying that the two weeks were not wasted, the UN official told reporters that during this round of talks he had the opportunity of hearing many Syrian voices, from the civil society, the Syrian Women Advisory Board, and Syrian refugees.

"You try harder and you fail better," he said.

Earlier in the day after the meeting with de Mistura, the head of the Syrian government delegation to the Syrian peace talks Bashar al-Ja'afari said his team would not talk to the opposition delegation due to a statement it released before the current talks began, known as "the Riyadh communique".

After a meeting with de Mistura in Geneva, al-Ja'afari told reporters that Syria did not want the talks to fail, but the opposition had come with "a precondition" it set in November at a conference known as "Riyadh 2".

At the conference, a declaration was issued that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did not have a role to play in the country's future political transition.

"As long as the Riyadh 2 communique stands, we will not engage in direct talks," said al-Ja'afari.

Earlier this week, the Syrian opposition delegation said "there is an opportunity here in Geneva this week that we must take for the sake of our people".

"The opportunity is to sit down, face to face, under the chairmanship of the UN Special Envoy, and begin negotiations on political transition," the opposition delegation said in a statement issued after meeting with de Mistura.

The new round of UN-led Syrian peace talks started on Nov. 28 and was originally scheduled to be held until Dec. 15. The major obstacle for any expected breakthrough was described by the UN as a lack of trust.

In parallel with the UN-backed Geneva process, a new round of the Russia-led international negotiations on the settlement of the Syrian conflict is scheduled for Dec. 21 and 22 in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Popular entertainer, social media crusader, activist, and son late High Court Judge, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly boy, on Wednesday described pastors and politicians, who own private jets as bastards.

The veteran entertainer and convener of OurMumuDonDo made the remark while frowning at the sorry state of Nigeria Airways. In a post via his Twitter handle, he shared some photographs juxtaposing other countries national carriers with the dead Nigerian Airways.

See what he posted below:-
The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) on Tuesday condemned the kidnapping and consequent killing of a 57-year old British aid worker in the Niger Delta, Ian Squire, with a promise to collaborate with security agencies to get the perpetrators.

The Secretary-General of IYC, Alfred Kemepado, stated this during a condolence visit to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright in Abuja.

Squire, an optician, was involved in charity work in the Niger Delta when he was kidnapped alongside three others on October 13, 2017 and later died.

Kemepado told the Envoy that those behind the crime are enemies of the development of the Niger Delta and should be fished out to face the justice.

According to him, the people of the Niger Delta have been a peace loving people who would not condone such heinous acts against innocent people.

He said that the IYC would carry out a campaign in Ijaw communities as part of the efforts to ensure that such crimes are not repeated in the area.

Kemepado said, We are set for a campaign in our communities to ensure this doesnt repeat itself, not to a British or any other nationality. The Ijaw people dont condone crime; we are a good and hospitable people and always ready to host developmental partners and their interests. We are set for a campaign in our communities to ensure this doesnt repeat itself, not to a British or any other nationality.

The IYC scribe who appealed to the British Government not to use the isolated incident to judge the Ijaw people also urged communities leaders in the area to ensure that their communities are not used to perpetrate crime.
Fine china and silverware at each place setting may not be a common occurrence at the family dinner table on any given evening, but recognizing how and when to use those special utensils as well as knowing which glass of water belongs to those around the table during a formal occasion could 
State-owned real-estate developer, Al Omrane, announced that it had spent over $7.6 billion (72.5 billion dirhams) on urban development projects in Morocco over the last ten years.

Head of the board of directors of the company, Badr Kanouni, said, at a ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the group, that 465,000 housing units were achieved out of 490,000 that were planned in the last decade. These units benefited 1.5 million slum dwellers, he added.

Over the same period, the group launched an urban upgrading program aimed at developing marginalized neighborhoods benefiting 5 million inhabitants.

Housing demand in Morocco has been increasing by 150,000 units every year, while annual housing production is only around 100,000 units.

To bridge the gap between housing demand and offer, the government announced a plan to build 800,000 housing units by 2022.
Leaders from the 57-member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have called on the world community to recognize East-Jerusalem as the Occupied Capital of the future State of Palestine and condemned the US administrations move to recognize Al-Quds as capital of Israel and to relocate the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

In the final communique issued following the groups emergency summit convened Wednesday in Istanbul under the motto Freedom for Jerusalem, the Muslim leaders rejected President Trumps move as null and void and said his dangerous declaration marked the US withdrawal from the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

They declared Eastern Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state and called on the world to do the same to respond to the President Donald Trumps unilateral decision recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

They also hold the US administration fully liable for all the consequences of not retracting from this illegal decision; and regard it as an announcement of the US Administrations withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace and as a gift offered to Israel for its continuous blatant breaches of international legitimacy.

The summiteers called on the OIC member states to impose political and economic restrictions on States, officials, parliaments, companies and individuals recognizing Israeli annexation of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, or engaging in any form with measures aimed at perpetuating Israeli colonization of the occupied Palestinian territories.

The OIC strongly worded final Communique urged the international actors to promote a multilateral political process, to resume an internationally sponsored, credible process to achieve lasting peace based on the Two-State solution.

For OIC Secretary General Yousef Al-Othaimeen, the US administrations unilateral decision is an utter aggression on the citys sacred identity and Arab character.

He also rejected the US move, saying it violates international law and deals a hard blow to international relations, UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions. By taking this move, Washington is breaking the international consensus regarding the political, legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, added the OIC SG.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a new alliance had been formed to counter Trumps Jerusalem declaration, noting that the US can no longer act impartially as a mediator between the Israelis and Palestinians.

For his part, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said : We shall not accept any role for the United States in the peace process because Theyve proven their full bias in favor of Israel.

The OIC called on the Arab Muslim world to join efforts, regionally and worldwide, to harness all the diplomatic means available to counter such measures and face up to the US unilateral decision rejected by most of the world countries.
Fighting the Battle of the Alabama. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Outside the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama, late Sunday night, a black cat slinked by the sidewalk and into the deserted street. Matthew Boyle, the lead political journalist at Breitbart News, paused for a beat, taking a drag of his Marlboro Light. Thats a sign Doug Jones is gonna lose, he said.

That caused some other journalists to burst out laughing.

Why Steve Bannon Wants to Take Over the GOP From Outside the White House

Boyles a goofy figure, with a childlike face (if the child smoked) beneath his Boston Red Sox hat and posture that suggests his bones are made of Silly Putty. But he wasnt kidding; he saw an omen in the cat. As the official Washington editor for Breitbart News and the unofficial mini-me to Steve Bannons Dr. Evil, Boyle had bet big on Joness opponent, Roy Moore, the Republican candidate in the special election to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Upon leaving the White House late this summer, Bannon reassumed his position as the chairman of Breitbart News and declared a season of war on the Republican establishment. He promised to install in its place economic populists who would push through a nationalist policy agenda, which he believes the political class has prevented. He began accumulating far-right or just plain far-out candidates throughout the country and pledged to support them in primaries against traditional conservatives.

While Bannon is always talking about everything in terms of war and battle, blood and guts, his track record as some kind of populist kingmaker  beyond having helmed Donald Trumps campaign in its final ten weeks  is barren. Yet when Trump endorsed Moores primary opponent, Luther Strange, it almost cast Bannon as a rival to the president. And when Moore won over Strange, when Trump endorsed Moore, and when Moore led in the polls ahead of Election Day, it seemed at least possible that Bannons political power wasnt entirely a PR fabrication.

Still, Tuesday would be the real test for Bannon. As part of the victory push for Moore, Breitbart assumed a role similar to the one it played during the 2016 election, acting as part of a political apparatus rather than anything resembling a news outlet. Boyle stationed himself on the ground in Alabama almost permanently, which he joked could make him eligible to vote. Between the Republican primary on September 26 and the general on December 12, he set foot in his Washington, D.C., apartment just once.

In that time, he wrote 28 stories about the race and he edited even more. His coverage was unquestioning and supportive, and as Moore became the subject of multiple allegations regarding his romantic and sexual conduct toward teenage and underage girls, he only dug his heels in.

Oftentimes, a headline contained only an outlandish theory floated by Moore, as in, JUDGE ROY MOORE: ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, WASHINGTON POST MAY HAVE COLLUDED IN SMEAR. Others were naked flattery such as, MULTIPLE STANDING OVATIONS FOR JUDGE ROY MOORE AS HE HAMMERS WASHINGTON POST SMEARS AT VETERANS DAY EVENT. Several stories were billed as EXCLUSIVE, and revolved around quotes from Moore or his wife, Kayla, serving as campaign press releases. Breitbart reported Kayla Moore said the allegations against her husband were just not true  any of it, for instance.

Boyle also published several EXCLUSIVE polls, a majority of which showed Moore beating Jones. In the final EXCLUSIVE poll published by Breitbart before Election Day, on November 30, Moore led Jones by eight points. Breitbart, citing one of these exclusive polls, crowed that Moore, SOLIDIFIES LEAD OVER RADICAL DEMOCRAT DOUG JONES.

As Boyles story made clear, the survey had been conducted by Rick Shaftan, a conservative operative who lives in North Carolina and conducts his work for campaigns at state and national levels remotely, often from his porch. Boyle described Shaftan as working for Atlantic Media and Research, which is true but incomplete; in the Alabama election, Shaftan also worked for Restore Our Godly Heritage PAC (or ROGH PAC) and Courageous Conservatives PAC, both political action committees supporting Moore. By law, political action committees cant coordinate with the campaigns they work on behalf of, meaning that the polls Shaftan conducted for the Moore campaign couldnt be sent directly to the Moore campaign. Shaftan was also at the Renaissance on Sunday night. As he explained it to me last weekend, he provided polls to Boyle because he knew if they were on Breitbart, the campaign would see them. In essence, he was treating the site as a high powered amplifier for specific information he wanted to send to the campaign. Count it as yet another example of how bizarrely blurred the line between news and political operation is at Breitbart.

Boyle retreated from the scene of the cat omen and into the bar on the hotels patio, where heat lamps hung overhead and a band played country music. After meeting in person for the first time, Shaftan brought Boyle two beers. The national media, they agreed, didnt realize that Moore wasnt going to win by some small margin  in fact, his win might even be bigger than single digits.

The next night, Breitbart and the Moore campaign seemed to merge completely when Bannon headlined a Moore rally in a barn in a rural southeast part of the state. Boyle unselfconsciously strolled through the press area and then upstairs, where the Breitbart radio show was being recorded in a green room. On the program, Bannon interviewed Moore, who said he relied on the gospel while under attack in the campaign.

By Wednesday evening, following Doug Joness nearly two-percentage-point win, it was hard to find a mention of Roy Moore among the top headlines at Breitbart.com.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP/Getty Images

The Washington Posts deeply reported account of Donald Trumps pathological inability to acknowledge Russian intervention in the 2016 election is filled with devastating detail. Trump becomes agitated and irrational, and his national security advisers tiptoe delicately around the subject, which Trump invariably would see as an affront. His briefings are often structured to avoid upsetting him.

And yet, as humiliating as the treatment of the presidents fragile psyche may be, in its most important aspects, the account is exculpatory. The article raises the possibility that Trumps consistent affinity for Russia could be explained by the kind of financial or sexual leverage Christopher Steeles sources conveyed to him. Trumps advisers instead offer somewhat less damning explanations.

The presidents aides attribute Trumps affection for Putin to the presidents tendency to personalize matters of foreign policy and his unshakable belief that his bond with Putin is the key to fixing world problems. And the people he personally like happen to be dictators. Who are the three guys in the world he most admires? President Xi [Jinping] of China, [Turkish president Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and Putin, one Trump adviser said. Theyre all the same guy. But most of all, he simply takes uncontrollable offense at the idea that his great victory was in any way tainted. The president obviously feels  that the idea that hes been put into office by Vladimir Putin is pretty insulting, an administration official explains. When Congress approved retaliatory sanctions on Russia, Trump was raging mad and apoplectic.

This is an account of Trump as a petulant child, unable to think strategically or advance beyond his feelings of self-worth. Trumps defenders have been using versions of this idea to explain his strange behavior toward Russia. Defining his behavior as a kind of childishness, though, also connotes an element of childlike innocence. Trumps defenders have been making versions of this case for months.

The frustration he feels is, he fully well knows there was no collusion with Russia. And yet, hes been on the hot seat about it for six months, Barry Bennett, a top campaign aide who continues to have ties to the White House, said in June. Because Trump believes he is innocent, some advisers explained, he therefore does not think he is at any legal risk for a cover-up. In his mind, they said, there is nothing to conceal, the Post reported in July. In August, The Atlantics David Graham argued Trump might be guilty, but it is also possible that Trump truly believes that whats going on is the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history and is determined to kill the investigations, which he believes are unfair and hobbling his presidency.

This is a perfectly sensible frame for analyzing the thinking and behavior of a normal person. But it is not a sensible frame for analyzing the thinking and behavior of Donald Trump. Both the Post and the Times reported last month on Trumps habit of insisting even in private on defending obvious lies: that Barack Obama is not American, that Trump won the popular vote, that the voice on the Access Hollywood tape is not Trumps. Surely Trump knows what he said to Billy Bush. He was there.

Trump either lies to absolutely everybody in his inner circle, or has the absolute power of self-delusion, sufficiently strong that his most apparently sincere protestations of his innocence mean nothing at all. The president might truly believe  whatever such a word means in relation to Trump  he is the victim of a witch hunt or that his enemies are using Russia to discredit his massive landslide. He might legitimately feel insulted by any mention of Russian hacking, and truly unable to assimilate foreign-policy discussions on an adult level. But its quite possible his hair-trigger anger over the subject of Russia is a tactic designed to close off a subject on which his guilt runs very deep.
The latest pseudo-scandal in state media. Photo: Fox

Tuesday night, officials from the Department of Justice invited reporters to see something scandalous: text messages by FBI agents sent during the presidential campaign expressing  opinions about the political campaign. One message called Bernie Sanders an idiot like Trump. Figure they cancel each other out. Another read, God, Trump is a loathsome human. I cannot believe Donald Trump is likely to be an actual, serious candidate for president, read yet another text.

Republicans in Congress spent the day expressing indignation at the horror and bias of it all. Here, finally, was evidence of the sinister deep-state conspiracy of which Trump had warned. Peter Strzok and Lisa Page  the two authors of the offending texts, who were reportedly in a romantic relationship  have already been removed from the Trump investigation, but the mere fact they ever had any involvement strikes Republicans as fatally suspect. This is not just political opinions. This is disgusting, unaccountable political bias, and theres just no way this could not affect a persons work, cried Representative Louie Gohmert, a Republican from Texas. Senator Lindsey Graham called for a full investigation. It has become the centerpiece in the argument circulating throughout the party media that the FBI is the equivalent of an anti-Trump secret police and which must be purged of enemies.

.@TomFitton: "I think the FBI's been compromised. Forget about shutting down Mr. Mueller. Do we need to shut down the @FBI because it was turned into a KGB-type operation by the Obama administration?" pic.twitter.com/zBParrU9QJ  Fox News (@FoxNews) December 14, 2017

The notion that a person who considers Trump an idiot has no business judging him is a novel one. Rex Tillerson referred to Trump as a fucking moron yet has continued to serve as secretary of State. Graham himself has called Trump a kook and unfit for office. This is not even a controversial opinion among Trumps handpicked staff. That Trump is ignorant, emotionally fragile, and unable to learn or handle his tasks is the stated and unstated premise of the endless stream of leaks emanating from scores of people who work for him. It is the conventional wisdom not only in Washington but within the White House.

Obviously, law-enforcement agents have a duty to segregate their opinions from their work. But the idea they cannot express political viewpoints is a standard invented in recent weeks for the purpose of discrediting the people investigating the Trump administration. As Representative Ted Lieu pointed out, acting FBI director Christopher Wray has donated $39,000, and Deputy Attorney General Rachel Brand $36,000, both exclusively to Republicans. These are public donations, not text messages to a romantic partner that were never intended for public consumption.

The notion that the FBI has been harboring a bias for Democrats is especially rich. Like most law-enforcement agencies, the FBI tends to attract people who lean right. While the politics of its leaders and agents cant be quantified, it is disproportionately white and male. To some extent this is probably unavoidable. Getting good staff means attracting people who are especially enthusiastic about their mission, and law enforcement will tend to draw from the right of center just as the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Health and Human Services will tend to draw from the left of center.

There is relatively strong evidence that the FBIs conservative bias influenced its behavior during the election. Reporting indicated Republican-leaning agents were agitating for a prosecution of Clinton. Agents leaked damaging stories to Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, who  not anticipating that his party would decide the next year that politically opinionated FBI agents were scandalous  boasted openly about his contacts. This pressure culminated in then-director James Comeys extraordinary decision, in the final ten days of the campaign, to publicly announce a reopening of the investigation into Clinton on the basis of the flimsiest evidence  some old Anthony Weiner emails that predictably amounted to nothing.

At the same time, Comey refused to disclose that the FBI was in the midst of investigating Trumps web of ties to a hostile country that was attempting to intervene in the election on his behalf. Unlike the email investigation, the Russia probe has already produced multiple indictments and two guilty pleas to date. Yet the FBI created a news environment in which Clinton was portrayed as under investigation and Trump was not.

Indeed, if you recall, when Trump fired Comey earlier this year, his pretext was that Comey had treated Clinton unfairly. (We do not hold press conferences to release derogatory information about the subject of declined criminal investigation, noted the letter from Rod Rosenstein, which the administration waved around to justify replacing Comey.) Now the charge is that the agency was unfairly biased in her favor.

This background is helpful for understanding the most putatively explosive text between the two agents. I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andys office  that theres no way he gets elected  but Im afraid we cant take that risk, wrote Strzok. Its like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before youre 40.

In the absence of the context of the discussion, there is no way to tell precisely what he meant. But the Bureaus mind-set at the time does provide a context that would seem to explain what he wrote. The FBI was internally justifying its disparate treatment of the two candidates on the grounds that Trump stood no chance of success. That was the conclusion of the New York Times deep dive from April explaining why Comey allowed Clinton to be treated as a putative criminal but not Trump. In my mind at the time, Clinton is likely to win, Comey aide Michael Steinbach told the paper. Its pretty apparent. So what happens after the election, in November or December? How do we say to the American public: Hey, we found some things that might be problematic. But we didnt tell you about it before you voted? The damage to our organization would have been irreparable.

That assumption, theres no way he gets elected, is the one Strzok criticized in his offending text. The policy he appears to have been arguing against is one of treating Clinton more harshly than Trump on the grounds that Trump was bound to lose anyway. Of course, we now know Strzoks concern about a Bureau strategy premised on Trump losing for sure was completely correct.

The notion that two FBI agents exchanged opinions about the election is not evidence of political bias. What is evidence of political bias is the Department of Justice using these texts to fuel the administrations campaign of state-sponsored paranoia. The department has plucked and disseminated a handful texts out of any broader context of what those agents did or said, as well as any context of other beliefs within the conservative agency. Last year, Strzok was afraid of what would happen if the Bureaus calculation of treating the allegedly doomed Trump with kid gloves was misplaced. He may not have been afraid enough.

Update: Del Quentin Wilber reports for the Wall Street Journal that the context of the insurance policy texts was exactly what I suggested:

An FBI agents reference to an insurance policy in a much-debated text message was meant to convey that the bureau needed to aggressively investigate allegations of collusion between Donald Trumps campaign and Russia, according to people familiar with his account.

The agent didnt intend to suggest a secret plan to harm the candidate but rather address a colleague who believed the Federal Bureau of Investigation could take its time because Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was certain to win the election, the people said.

Surprise! The numerous conspiracy theories circulating in the conservative media, speculating that Strzok was describing some secret insurance policy to undermine Trump, do not appear to be real.
Looks like the North Korean and U.S. leaders are implacably pursuing a military collision. Photo: Getty Images

Senator Lindsey Graham is in his own right a very important foreign-policy spokesman for his congressional party. But of late he has also gotten close to his 2016 presidential rival, Donald Trump. And as most Americans get into a happy zone for the holiday season, Graham is suggesting we could be closer than anyone realizes to a hot war with North Korea. Uri Friedman explains:

[Graham] estimated the odds that the Trump administration deliberately strikes North Korea first, to stop it from acquiring the capability to target the U.S. mainland with a long-range, nuclear-tipped missile. And the senators numbers were remarkably high.

I would say theres a three in 10 chance we use the military option, Graham predicted in an interview. If the North Koreans conduct an additional test of a nuclear bombtheir seventhI would say 70 percent.

A 30 percent chance of the military option is scary enough, given the horrific consequences of even a non-nuclear war with North Korea. One authoritative estimate suggests that 60,000300,000 people in South Korea (including U.S. servicemembers) would die in the first few days of such a conflict. But Grahams suggestion that another North Korean nuclear test would bring Donald Trump very close to a decision to launch a preemptive war is a real warning. Predictions of that seventh nuclear test are not hard to find, as an October article from The Guardian observes:

The North Korean foreign ministers recent warning of a possible atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific ocean should be heeded, a senior Pyongyang official has told CNN.

The foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally, Ri Yong Pil, a senior diplomat in North Koreas Foreign Ministry, said in an interview aired on Wednesday.

Perhaps more decisively, the whole logic of the North Korean nuclear program is on a collision course with Trumps policy of preempting any capability for Pyongyang to threaten the United States with nuclear weapons. North Korea sees obtaining such a capability as the sine qua non of its security against attack. So threats from the U.S. encourage the regime simply to accelerate its development of both weapons and delivery systems. And that means war, Graham suggests:

Graham spoke with clarion confidence about the presidents intentions. He said that one of Trumps first big decisions as president was whether to adopt a policy of denying North Korea a long-range nuclear capability or of containing that capability by, for example, making clear that North Korea would be destroyed if it used its nuclear weapons against the United States 

Trump eventually chose denial, according to Graham, and that choice is now in our rearview mirror.

And so, unless North Korea completely reverses its long-term national security strategy, armed conflict is just a matter of time:

I dont know how to say it any more direct: If nothing changes, Trumps gonna have to use the military option, because time is running out, Graham said.

Some may dismiss such talk as designed to support a bully-boy bluff from Trump. But remember this is coming from Lindsey Graham, a man who has never been reluctant to consider shooting wars as a lively option, particularly in faraway lands:

Graham downplayed concerns that the eruption of hostilities between the U.S. and North Korea could kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Korea and put tens of thousands of American troops stationed in Seoul in harms war, saying Trump needs to think about the American homeland first.

Put yourself in President Trumps shoes for a moment  where does your allegiance lie? he said. Isnt your primary purpose as President of the United States to protect the American homeland from a nuclear weapon attack by a guy like Kim Jong-un?  Hes gonna pick homeland defense over regional stability and he has to.

The unthinkable isnt unthinkable to Graham or to Trump, and both are locked into a strategy that makes war with the equally implacable North Koreans a good, if horrifying, bet for the near future.
Palestinian protesters in Ramallah. Photo: Abbas Momani/AFP/Getty Images

The Islamic State warned that it is planning attacks on U.S. soil in response to last weeks announcement by President Trump that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and, in time, move the U.S. embassy there.

The warnings came Thursday through ISIS social-media accounts and carried the titles Wait for Us and ISIS in Manhattan. Along with the written threats were images of Times Square and of what Reuters says appeared to be an explosive bomb belt and detonator.

The message, which at one point refers to Trump as a dog, reads: We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria and Afghan. Just you wait.

ISIS, which has seen its caliphate shrink dramatically in 2017, is hardly alone in its antipathy for Trumps decision. In the days after the announcement, protesters took to the streets all across the Middle East as governments of nearby nations criticized the move. Demonstrations turned violent in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where dozens were injured in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops. Late last week, Israel responded to rocket fire from protesters with an air strike that reportedly killed two.
The formula for successful southern Democratic campaigns has changed since the days when Fob James won Alabama as a conservative who would soon switch parties. Photo: Alabama Department of Archives and History; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

If Ive heard it once, Ive heard it a hundred times leading up to yesterdays special Senate election in Alabama: If only Democrats had nominated a more conservative candidate than Doug Jones, they might have a chance to win an unlikely Senate seat. This argument was generally combined with an attack on the alleged ideological rigidity of Democrats, and specifically focused on abortion policy. Doug Jones, you see, held the standard pro-choice position of Democrats nationally, which meant support for abortion rights as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court more than 40 years ago, including the right to a (rare) late-term abortion in certain limited circumstances.

That doomed him, said a lot of people on both sides of the partisan aisle. Heres one anti-Moore conservative:

Altogether 58 percent of adults in Alabama believe that abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. If they vote their conscience on Tuesday, Moore will seize the upper moral hand and easily defeat Jones, preserve the Republican Senate majority, and help advance backward stereotypes about the state.

It never had to be this way, though. With a little flexibility, Democrats could have sidestepped the issue altogether.

It turns out that Joness position on abortion was no impediment to victory. According to exit polls, Jones won 34 percent of the votes of the one-fourth of Alabamians who thought abortion should be illegal in most cases, and even 18 percent of those who want to ban abortion in all cases. Given the partisan dynamics of the abortion issue, its unlikely he would have done better with those voters even if he had been a solid opponent of abortion rights.

Now, some would argue that Roy Moores status as an alleged sexual predator made everything else irrelevant, including everything to do with Doug Jones. But exit polls also showed that most votes for or against either candidate did not turn on the Moore allegations alone, or even principally. And lest we forget, polls were showing Jones to be a viable candidate long before the allegations broke  and indeed, a viable candidate against the more conventional conservative Luther Strange.

Jones seems to have defied the old formula for Democratic victory in the Deep South, which meant choosing a partisan differentiator or two and displaying resolute conservatism on everything else. That made sense when a lot of white conservative voters were up for grabs. But after a generation of ideological and partisan polarization, many of the white folks who might have voted for moderate-to-conservative Democrats like Sam Nunn or Zell Miller (two former bosses of mine) in Georgia or Howell Heflin or Fob James in Alabama are now straight-ticket Republican voters. And its no accident that Miller and James ended their political careers by becoming Republicans themselves.

As Jones showed, however, there is an increasingly viable route to the age-old southern Democratic formula of securing nearly all of the African-American vote and just enough white voters to get across the line. Instead of appealing to rural conservatives, Democrats can, in many cases, successfully appeal to just enough urban and suburban moderates to reach parity. The exit polls showed Jones winning 30 percent of the white vote and well-above 90 percent of the African-American vote  close to the age-old criteria for winning in a southern state with a sizable black electorate (a bit larger than Virginias, a bit smaller than Georgias, Mississippis, or Louisianas). As New Yorks Eric Levitz noted today, Joness biggest area of improvement over Hillary Clintons 2016 performance was in suburban areas. If this can work in Alabama, whose economy and culture remain very traditional, it can work in other parts of the South as well under the right circumstances, even without a sitting duck like Roy Moore on the ballot.

The best thing about being able to deploy a relatively progressive Democrat like Doug Jones rather than a conservative like Fob James isnt just that Jones wont be a functional Republican in Congress (though thats a large bonus). Its that Democrats can stop asking African-American voters to loyally support the Donkey ticket despite it featuring so many white pols who take them entirely for granted. The robust African-American turnout in Alabama on December 12 was attributable to many factors, including heroic local organizers, nationally prominent black politicians and celebrities, and the powerful antipathy both Trump and Moore aroused among nonwhite voters. But it didnt hurt that Alabamas black voters were turning out for a candidate who had performed a significant service to their community by successfully prosecuting the murderers who perpetrated the 1963 Birmingham church bombing, and who gave every indication that he would vote with left-of-center Democrats in the Senate.

In time, you can envision southern white Democrats returning the favor by running and supporting African-American politicians with views similar to those of Doug Jones and attracting the same kind of biracial coalition. (Theres some precedent for this, particularly in Georgia, where two moderate African-American Democrats held statewide office from 1998 until 2010). That will be both morally and politically essential as white voters represent a significantly smaller percentage of the Democratic electorate. But in any event, the days of southern Democrats being hard to distinguish from Republicans other than by an absence of overt bigotry should be over.
Nikki Haley (right) and a missile. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, stood in front of a rusty hunk of metal Thursday and accused Iran of exporting weapons to rebels in Yemen, a violation of U.N. resolutions.

The weapons might as well have Made in Iran stickers on them, Haley said. Behind her was a missile that provides indisputable proof, she said, that Iran is supplying Houthi rebels with weapons. The missile parts she showed off Thursday were recovered following a November 4 strike on an airport in Riyadh.

Haley described Iranian missile fingerprints on the missile and several other weapons that were on display, including an anti-tank missile and a kamikaze drone. She said the transfer of these weapons into the hands of Houthi rebels is a violation of U.N. resolution 2231, which bars Iran from the supply, sale, or transfer of arms or related materiel.

Some photos of missile parts, unveiled today by @nikkihaley, who says they are irrefutable proof #Iran is arming Houthis in #Yemen pic.twitter.com/1DpSqKqAjF  Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) December 14, 2017

Irans ballistic missile and advanced weapons are turning up in war zones across the region. Its hard to find a conflict or a terrorist group in the Middle East that does not have Irans fingerprints all over it, Haley said. The point of the press conference, she said, was to begin a public campaign that highlights Irans misdeeds. You will see us build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what theyre doing, she said.

In a statement, the Iranian government rejected the claim that it delivered the missile to the rebels. The so-called proof that Haley presented was fabricated. The statement went on: The U.S. government has an agenda and is constantly at work to deceive the public into believing the cases they put together to advance it.
Paul Ryan answers to a higher calling. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

In September 2015, House Speaker John Boehner, a devout Catholic, hosted a reception where he met the pope. The next morning, Boehner announced his retirement, having attained the spiritual pinnacle of his life.

Some Republicans in Congress have begun to speculate that Paul Ryan might do the same. Only, the spiritual culmination of Ryans career is not a meeting with the leader of his religious faith but  passing a huge regressive tax cut. When the House Freedom Caucus gathered Monday night, members spent part of their meeting discussing a theory circulating on Capitol Hill and among the downtown Christmas parties that Ryan may believe hes harpooned his personal white whale of tax reform and decide hes finished, reports Matt Fuller, Is it a Boehner-meeting-the-pope moment? one Freedom Caucus member rhetorically asked.

The tax cut is probably the closest Ryan equivalent to Boehner meeting the pope, since Ayn Rand is dead.
Yes, that Democratic wave is still building on the horizon. Photo: Brian Sytnyk/Getty Images

While the Alabama Senate special election was an aberration in many respects, the results were entirely consistent with the pro-Democratic trend that has persisted throughout 2017s special and off-year elections. That would have been the case even if Roy Moore had eked out a narrow win. Republicans can, as Donald Trump has done, rationalize this or that 2017 defeat as being an anomaly. But it is impossible to take an honest look at the overall pattern of 2017 contests without hearing the not-so-distant rumbling of a likely 2018 wave for Democrats.

Harry Enten conducted a comprehensive analysis of 2017 special elections  all 70 of them  taking into account the established partisan lean of the jurisdiction being contested.

The Democratic margin has been 12 percentage points better, on average, than the partisan lean in each race. Sometimes this has resulted in a seat flipping from Republican to Democratic (e.g. in the Alabama Senate face-off on Tuesday or Oklahomas 37th state Senate District contest last month). Sometimes it has meant the Democrat barely lost a race you wouldnt think a Democrat would be competitive in (e.g. in South Carolinas 5th Congressional District in June). Sometimes its merely been the case that the Democrat won a district by an even wider margin than youd expect (e.g. in Pennsylvanias 133 House District last week).

The point is that Democrats are doing better in all types of districts with all types of candidates. You dont see this type of consistent outperformance unless theres an overriding pro-Democratic national factor.

The best elections to examine in order to figure out whether Democrats can win back the U.S. House in 2018 are the seven congressional special elections of 2017. Republicans won five and Democrats two (a winning percentage thats not surprising since all but one of these elections were triggered by members of Congress joining the Trump administration). But as Enten notes, the average vote-percentage swing to Democrats from prior established partisan levels was 16 points. In a polarized electorate, thats a large swing indeed.

In thinking about this pattern, keep in mind that the demographic groups most likely to vote Democratic typically dont proportionately turn out for non-presidential elections, and particularly for special elections. There is a powerful trend under way.

While any single special congressional election is not necessarily predictive of future election results, in larger batches they are highly correlated to the next election coming down the pike. Enten looks at special elections prior to the last six midterms and finds that on average the partisan swing in the former is within three percentage points of the partisan swing in the latter. That would suggest a double-digit Democratic swing (or something close to it) in 2018.

If that seems extravagant, look at the congressional generic ballot (a simple polling question about which party the respondents would like to control the U.S. House), itself highly correlated with the national House popular vote. According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Democrats currently have an 11-point advantage, the highest theyve enjoyed since last years elections.

The question of exactly how big a margin in the national House popular vote Democrats would need to gain the 24 net seats required for control of the House is a difficult one. Political scientist Alan Abramowitz has just published an analysis of House elections dating back to 1946, which also takes into account the impact of GOP-controlled redistricting after 2010, and concludes that a Democratic win as small as four points could do the trick. David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report thinks a seven- or eight-point win would be necessary.

Despite the clear trends, there remain a lot of unknown variables as we head toward the midterms, most notably presidential approval ratings and retirements. But the current occupant of the White House has a highly polarizing approach to politics that almost certainly caps his approval ratings (which have never been above 46 percent in any event). And Republican retirements are definitely outpacing those of Democrats; 26 House Republicans are either calling it a day or running for other offices. Theres no telling where the much-rumored investigations of sexual misconduct by large numbers of congressmen will lead. But as Jonathan Chait points out, there are 219 Republican men in Congress as opposed to just 132 Democratic men, so the odds of net damage to the GOP (and to a GOP-controlled institution) are high.

There is more at stake next year, obviously, than control of the U.S. House. Thirty-six states will hold gubernatorial elections, and all but a few will hold state legislative elections. Partisan performance at the state level could have a crucial effect not just on the public policies of the jurisdictions involved, but on positioning for the next redistricting cycle, which will begin between 2020 and 2022. And even in Washington, Democrats now see an opportunity to win back the U.S. Senate, which would have seemed laughably impossible a year ago.

All in all, we will probably look back a year from now and see 2017 as a harbinger of a strong Democratic performance in the midterms. Its precise strength will determine whether Donald Trump enters the second half of his presidential term merely embattled or fully caged and cornered.
Students living with HIV/Aids have decried stigma in schools where peers give them funny names and teachers using them as examples during reproductive health classes.

According to Huzairu Nyanzi, an HIV-positive student at Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA), many infected students keep their status to themselves for fear of being blacklisted.

When you disclose openly to a few students that you are HIV-positive or when they find you taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs, they can spread rumors in the whole school and you end up being isolated. We are facing a difficult life at school, said Nyanzi, the reigning Mr Y+ (Young people living with HIV).

Some start to nickname you things like taata kiwuka [father of virus] or mutambuza biwuka [virus transmitter] and many others, which is so depressing at our teenage age.

L-R First Runner up Mr Y+ 2017/18 Godfrey Obuwa, Miss Y+ Bonita Kyobutungi and Mr Y+ Huzairu Nyanzi

Nyanzi was speaking at a meeting last week where Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) in partnership with UNFPA-Uganda and Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU) discussed innovative strategies to fight HIV.

It was noted that discrimination goes beyond students whereby teachers use HIV-positive students as case studies and other call them names such as nandwadde (ever-sick) when they miss class. This affects their class performances.

Bonita Kyobutungi, Miss Y+ and a student of Bishop Cyprian Kihangire SS Luzira, said young girls should not fear to disclose their HIV status because it is their life at stake.

I disclosed my HIV status because I want to act as an ambassador for young people living with HIV and this will help us to fight the pandemic and live longer. I dont fear taking drugs at school since its for my life and without it, I cant live longer. I have talked to my colleagues and they have also opened up now and dont fear to talk about it, she said.

UNFPAs Dr Christine Nabiryo said blamed parents for the increasing rates of new HIV infections. She said parents busy themselves and forget to talk to their children about dangers of HIV/Aids.

The systems that used to be there like the aunties, cultural and religious leaders to talk and guide our children are no longer there. If we dont talk to our children, they will die of HIV, she said.

She said at least 360 young people get infected with HIV every week in Uganda as some are looking for quick money, others through early marriages and/or defilement.

This is so threatening to our country; as parents, we need to style up and talk to our children, she said.

Dr Carol Nakazzi of Uganda Aids Commission said we can end HIV if all people do their responsibilities: parents must advise their children to stay in school, religious leaders should stop marrying young couples and police must arrest defilers.

zurah@observer.ug
Several people have died inexplicably after undergoing brain surgery at Mengo hospital performed by American doctors between October 23 and 29. Now, the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council and the ministry of Health want to know what went wrong.

Dr Rose Mutumba, the medical director at Mengo hospital, promised to issue a statement, scheduled a press conference and then kept on postponing it. As relatives demand for answers, Mutumba repeatedly said she was busy in meetings and could not comment.

One of the organisers of the medical camp, Dr Joel Kiryabwire, has said he will not comment since the media has already exaggerated the issue, without knowing whether the patients had a high risk of dying or surviving.

The visiting American doctors getting themselves ready at Mengo hospital on October 22. Photo: @alamb

Their combined silence leaves the death of 63-year-old Hajji Mustafah Kisayire unexplained. The former resident of Lukuli Nanganda in Makindye division died on November 29. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. His family had hoped that the medical camp run by neurosurgeons from America would help him. According to Hajji Muhamood Katongole, his brothers problems started in July with a painful eye infection.

Doctors at ASG Eye hospital in Kampala found that his optical nerves were affected and recommended a CT scan. A scan performed at Nsambya hospital revealed Kisayires brain tumor.

ASG Eye hospital then advised that the tumor first be removed before any work on his eyes could be considered. Several doctors in Mulago national referral hospital also made the same observation.

Kisayire later consulted Dr Hussein Senyonjo, a neurosurgeon at Platinum Medical Centre, Buganda road, Kampala. Dr Senyonjo said he would operate for Shs 18 million. It took a month to raise the money but when the family went to confirm a date, Dr Senyonjo told us he wasnt available for a month since he was travelling to America.

He advised us to wait for him after his trip, or go for surgery in this camp. Kisayire refused to wait for a month because of too much pain and requested Senyonjo to recommend him to the camp. Senyonjo connected us to Dr Joel Kiryabwire, a neurosurgeon at Mulago, who was among the organisers of this camp, Katongole said.

They first deposited Shs 4 million for the operation, an amount which went up to Shs 9.5 million after medication and admission costs were included at Mengo hospital.

The American doctors came with their equipment which they used in the operation and [set up] three theatres at Albert Cook [ward], where they operated on about 20 people in five days.

Apart from the pain in the head Kisayire was feeling, the other parts of his body were okay. He came driving himself, understanding properly and was operated on October 25, Katongole said.

After eight hours in theatre, he was transferred to intensive care for three days and later to the hospital ward for a week. He showed signs of recovering although his memory was weak.

He was discharged and they told us, he will recover slowly. In that process Issa Kikungwe also came and told us he was going for the same operation for the second time although the first one was done abroad, Katongole says.

Kikungwe, the former MP for Kyadondo South, died in the Intensive Care Unit. At home, Kisayire relapsed and lost his memory. The family took him back to Mengo hospital where he died.

I am accusing the American doctors for leaving immediately after the operation without monitoring the patients progress as they recover. They would have stayed for two weeks and exchanged ideas with Ugandan doctors and nurses who were monitoring patients. Why were they rushing to go? Katongole asked.

Hajji Mustafah Kisayire (R) at Mengo hospital. Photo:@alamb

Katongole says the family is preparing a formal petition to the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC). Dr Gubala Katumba Ssentongo, registrar at UMDPC, told The Observer that the Americans trip was made with the knowledge of ministry of health.

But this information will be little comfort to Amina Marsal, wife to Hajji Abud Marsal of Entebbe. Marshal says her husband is in critical condition after being operated on in Mengo hospital by the same doctors.

After the operation on October 23, he spent three weeks in a coma in the Intensive Care Unit at Mengo hospital. We paid Shs 47 million for the operation and medication yet earlier they told us it was free operation in the camp, she said.

Amina told The Observer that Abud is now paralysed, has lost his memory, cant eat, move or drink and his head has started swelling. On December 9, state minister for health Sarah Achieng Opendi promised an inquiry.

Opendi said the ministry will establish if the doctors entered the country legally. If they entered illegally, she said, they will be held liable.

We are going to start investigations after people raising complaints to Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, she told The Observer.

Dr Katumba Sentongo said he is waiting for a report from the camp organisers, detailing how many people were operated on, those who died and what went wrong.

Since we approved them to assist Ugandans, the ministry of Health gave each of them a waiver to allow them work. Other doctors who come here to do business, they pay a fee of $400 (Shs 1.2m) to allow them to work, Katumba said.

Katumba said UMDPC conducted an independent search and verified their qualifications.

We also got recommendations from their referees and tracked their background online to confirm their licenses. But what we need to know is what went wrong in this operation. If there is a failure somewhere, the person will be responsible, he said.

He said they were invited officially by neurosurgeons at Mulago but they worked at Mengo hospital to train doctors in brain surgery and reduce backlog of brain tumor patients. They were 10 doctors and nurses headed by Dr Gerald Arthur Grant and Dr Allen Lin Ho, both registered by the Medical Board of California.

Others were Dr Kimberly Bojanowski Hoang and Dr Michael Martin Haglund, registered in North Carolina as neurological surgeons. Katumba, however, observed that there are always high chances of death with brain surgery. Survival chances are only 15 per cent, he said.

We havent yet started investigations since we havent got complainants. In our procedure, we start investigations after a complainant or ministry of health writing to us. The complainants should be responsible for the case, he said.

Katumba said Uganda has only six practicing neurosurgeons and five cardio-thorax surgeons, all at Mulago. This reality sees experts inviting foreign doctors to come and assist.

The experts from abroad also come with modern used equipment which they use in these camps and also train our doctors on how to use them. They donate this equipment to us since they are expensive, he said.

The public relations officer, Mulago, Enock Kusasira, said on Friday that whenever they conduct camps, ministry of health is informed for approval purposes.

In October, UMDPC issued guidelines for all medical surgical camps conducted here, requiring approvals by National Drug Authority, among others. Were those guidelines followed in the case of the dead and dying from Mengos brain surgery camp?



zurah@observer.ug
For a second year running, the number of journalists imprisoned for their work has hit a historical high, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a journalist rights organisation.

In its annual prison census, CPJ found 262 journalists behind bars around the world in relation to their work, a new record after a historical high of 259 last year.

The constant rise in the numbers is attributed to failure by USA and other Western powers to rein in the worlds worst jailers Turkey, China, and Egypt  into improving the press freedom climate.

Despite releasing some journalists in 2017, Turkey remains the worlds worst jailer for the second consecutive year, with 73 journalists behind bars, compared to 81 last year. Dozens more still face trial, and fresh arrests take place regularly.

Red Pepper journalists are some of many imprisoned for doing their work worldwide

According to CPJ, journalists are people who cover the news or comment on public affairs in media, including print, photographs, radio, television, and online. In its annual prison census, CPJ includes only those journalists who it has confirmed have been imprisoned in relation to their work.

Ninety-seven per cent of jailed journalists are local. Of the total imprisoned worldwide, eight per cent are female journalists.

Freelancers account for 29 per cent of the cases. The report also found that politics is by far the most dangerous beat, covered by 87 per cent of those jailed.

Ugandas case

Even when the CPJ report doesnt clearly state the situation in countries like Uganda, which appeared on the census for the first time, press freedom is being trampled on each year and attacks on journalists have so far gone up according to two previous reports by the local Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda (HRNJ).

Many critical journalists have been arrested and charged with unconvincing cases like criminal defamation, disturbing the peace of the president or other government officials.

In November 2017, Stanley Ndawula, a journalist with an online platform, The Investigator was arrested and charged with disturbing police chief Kale Kayihuras peace by posting stories critical of the police he heads.

A few weeks later, three Red Pepper newspaper editors and five directors were also arrested and slapped with related charges for publishing a story that alleged President Museveni intended to overthrow Rwanda president Paul Kagame. The eight are still behind bars.

Other countries appearing on the census for the first time in at least 12 months are Algeria, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Iraq, Morocco, Niger, Pakistan, Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Ukraine.

The Uganda Communications Commission has constantly issued warnings to upcountry media outlets for hosting opposition politicians and many radio show hosts have been forced to resign by their employers due to government pressure.

Some like Top radio/TV in Kampala have been forced into self-censorship. The station recently warned its workers against hosting opposition politicians and making anti-government utterances on air.

kamogajonathan50@gmail.com
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has rejected a proposal by some MP to direct Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa to make a statement over bribery claims against him.

According to details of a criminal bribery case being prosecuted in the United States, Kutesa allegedly received a $500,000 bribe to help a Chinese firm obtain business advantages in the energy and banking sectors including potential acquisition of a Ugandan bank while serving as president of the United Nations General Assembly.

Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga on Tuesday this week raised a matter of national importance asking that Parliament through the speaker summons Kutesa to explain to the country the role he played in that bribery case to help a Chinese energy company to get unlicensed oil blocks in Uganda.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

But Kadaga instead told the MPs to refer that issue to Financial Intelligence Authority.

Lodge a complaint as a concerned citizen. If the offence was committed here, I would have no problem. But I have no control over another jurisdiction, Kadaga said.

Are you now going to interrogate the state attorney in New York, really? she added.

Although Karuhanga had also requested that Kutesa be investigated and brought to book as per Parliament Rules of Procedure, Kadaga said it would be immature for Parliament to indulge into the merits of the case since the laws of Uganda and those of USA differ.

"It is still premature at this stage to commence investigations because we don't know whether he is going to be a witness in the case, let us wait for the outcomes of the proceedings in the New York court," Kadaga said.

She however said that she would go through the documents availed before Parliament and later make her final ruling on the matter.

"The charge sheet tabled by Hon. Karuhanga relates to the two persons that I have named but the honourable Sam Kutesa is not charged, I have established that the alleged persons were arrested and are being tried in the USA judicial service system," Kadaga said.

But Karuhanga argued that Parliament needed to direct Kutesa to resign besides setting up a special committee to investigate the bribery allegations.

It would be prudent to allow an impartial free and fair investigation without any influence by Kutesa utilising his position as minister to curtail any effective investigation."

Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo also argued it was necessary to give Kutesa opportunity to explain himself.

They didnt give an opportunity to the minister himself to get on record and if it was irrelevant as my colleague want us to believe, there is no way the foreign affairs would have been prompted to make denials, Ssekikubo said.

At the end of the day honourable members you should know that its not honourable Sam Kutesa at trial but its Uganda at trial, he added.

namuloki16@gmail.com
In February 2007, Britain's Vodafone had shelled out $11 billion for a 67 per cent stake in Hutchison Essar. And with that the world's second-largest mobile operator entered the Indian market. In the ensuing years, it went from posting an adjusted loss of Rs 270 crore in 2008-09 to deciding to merge with Idea Cellular. But a nagging postscript to this story is a tax dispute that simmers to this day.

But with the Supreme Court now allowing it to initiate a second arbitration process under the India-United Kingdom Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) pact, things may be finally moving towards resolution.

Vodafone argued that India does not have juridiction in the matter on accoiunt of the investment pact with the United Kingdom. On the other hand, Centre retaliated that it was an "abuse of the process of law" as the cause of action of the second arbitration was the same as the first one and is against the same host state.

To recap, seven months after starting its India operations, Vodafone was held liable for capital gains tax on the Hutch Essar deal and taxmen demanded Rs 11,000 crore. The matter went to court and the Supreme Court in January 2012 ruled in Vodafone's favour, saying it was not liable to pay any tax over the acquisition of assets in India from the Hong Kong-based Hutchison.

Not to be outdone, the government amended the Income Tax Act in 2012 to be able to retrospectively tax any transfer of shares between two non-resident entities that results in indirect transfer of assets in India. Since it was amended with effect from 1962, apart from Vodafone, Nissan and Cairn Energy have been slapped with huge retrospective tax bills. And all three companies have initiated international arbitration against India.

In Vodafone's case, the company claimed to have received a tax demand of Rs 14,200 crore, which included principal and interest but not penalties, in January 2013. When conciliation talks with the Centre failed, Vodafone International Holdings BV (VIHBV), a Vodafone Group subsidiary, invoked the arbitration clause under BIPA between India and Netherlands in April 2014.

While the proceedings under the India-Netherlands BIPA were still pending, Vodafone initiated a second arbitration against India - this time under the India-UK BIPA - in January this year. The union government moved court claiming that laws passed by Parliament do not fall within the ambit of any international treaty. Furthermore, arbitration proceedings under the two BIPAs was an abuse of the process of law.

However, the telecom major told the Delhi High Court that it was not looking for a declaration or award from the two arbitrations and "any one would do". It also claimed that the Centre had not disclosed to the court an undertaking it had given to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to appoint an arbitrator, which the Centre denied.

Eventually, on October 26, the high court allowed Vodafone to participate in the second arbitration against India on the same issue of tax demand, but the Centre then approached the apex court.

The convoluted, long-drawn out legal battle ended today with a two-judge panel of the Supreme Court ruling that a second arbitration tribunal may be set up and its proceedings can begin after a regional court formally lifts a stay order on the move. The Delhi High Court is expected to rule on the case in January.

In the meantime, the original tax demand has ballooned to over Rs 22,000 crore. Vodafone will be praying that the international arbitration proceedings wrap up soon, and in its favour.
From a cost of Rs 23,000 per bitcoin before demonetisation to Rs 10 lakh now. Bitcoin is clearly becoming a top choice for investors. But is the bitcoin, cryptocurrency of the virtual world, becoming a mode for laundering money? The tax man thinks so and on cue raided Bitcoin exchanges across the country on Wednesday.



Nine exchanges were raided under the command of the Bengaluru investigation wing. The I-T Department called it a 'survey'. The survey teams, sources said, were armed with various financial data and inputs about the working of these exchanges and this is the first big action against them in the country. 'Surveys' were conducted in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Gurugram, since early morning Wednesday.



According to income tax officials, the survey was conducted for "gathering evidence for establishing the identity of investors and traders, transaction undertaken by them, identity of counterparties, related bank accounts used, among others".



Bitcoin, a virtual currency, is not regulated in the country and its circulation has been a cause of concern among central bankers all over the world. The RBI says bitcoins are a commodity and not a currency and need to be regulated accordingly. The Reserve Bank of India has also cautioned users, holders and traders of other virtual currencies, including bitcoins.



The Income Tax Department is also looking at whether cryptocurrencies should be declared in income tax returns. And the worry for security agencies is that e-wallets are virtually undetectable and can therefore be used for funding terrorism. Cyber experts are also pointing to other uses of cryptocurrency, like political funding. Delhi police officials say there have been cases of extortion using bitcoins.



The East District last month stumbled across a fraud of Rs 2 crore using bitcoins with one company accusing the other of not honouring its word in providing the virtual currency after taking the money.



In March, the Union Finance ministry had constituted an Inter-Disciplinary Committee to take stock of the present status of VCs, both in India and globally, and suggest measures for dealing with such currencies.
Google has done a superb job with the camera capabilities of its Pixel smartphones. The company is now extending its expertise to everyone by launching three new photography apps. The Storyboard for Android, Selfissimo! for iOS and Android and Scrubbies for iOS only, these three new apps are a part of Google's "appsperiments" program. Google claims it to be a usable and useful mobile photography experiences built on experimental technology.

The blog post on 'Research at Google' explains 'our "appsperimental" approach was inspired in part by Motion Stills, an app developed by researchers at Google that converts short videos into cinemagraphs and time lapses using experimental stabilization and rendering technologies. Our appsperiments replicate this approach by building on other technologies in development at Google.' These new apps reply on object recognition, person segmentation, stylization algorithms, efficient image encoding and decoding technologies.



Storyboard (Android)







Developed only for Android platform, Storyboard as the name suggests transforms videos into single-page comic layouts. A user needs to shoot a video and load it in Storyboard and the app automatically does the job. It automatically selects interesting video frames, lays them out, and applies one of six visual styles. It seems to be a fun app which you won't really get bored of as it has approximately 1.6 trillion different possibilities.



Selfissimo! (iOS and Android)

In the sea of selfie apps, Google has come up with an app that will automatically capture an image as you pose. Available for both iOS and Android platform, Selfissimo! only captures black and white images. A user can simply tap on the screen to start the automated session that clicks an image with every pose change. Tapping again on the screen ends the session and the results are saved as individual images. The 'Research at Google' blog states that the app encourages you to pose and captures a photo whenever you stop moving.

Scrubbies (iOS)

This is the third app designed only for iOS platform. The idea behind the app is to manipulate the speed and direction of video playback to produce delightful video loops that highlight actions, capture funny faces, and replay moments. Google claims it is easy to use by simply shooting a video in the app and then remixing it by scratching it like a DJ. Google further explains that scrubbing with one finger plays the video and scrubbing with two fingers captures the playback so that the user can save and share it.
While most of the world is speculating which smartphone was the best in 2017, Samsung is all ready for its next bout in the flagship segment. The South Korean tech giant is expected to launch the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ earlier than usual. We get a stronger case to back this piece of information because the flagship has been leaking in more and more instances.

If the recent renders are to be believed, there is nothing left to imagine when it comes to Samsung's Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. The renders fall in line with previous leaks which make it rather clear that Samsung's smaller Galaxy S9 will not feature a dual-lens setup.

The renders from SamsungMobile.News show that the device will have a single lens on the back. However, the Galaxy S9+ will feature a new dual-lens setup. New, because Samsung will not be placing both lenses horizontally, like in the Note 8 but vertically in the centre of the back panel.

The absence of a second lens on the smartphone is further verified by a leaked schematic of the Galaxy S9. The schematic also confirms the placement of the finger print sensor. Unlike a few early reports, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will not feature an under-screen fingerprint sensor. Instead, the company will go for a more conventionally place module under the camera.

After receiving various complaints regarding the placement of the positioning of the fingerprint sensor next to the camera module, Samsung has made the necessary changes to make the device more ergonomic.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are both expected to feature Samsung's latest Exynos 9-seires chipsets. The processor will also be supported by either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. In terms of camera, the S9 might feature a 12Megapixel sensor and the Galaxy S+ with a setup similar to Galaxy Note 8.
India has no explanation why serving naval commander was travelling inside Pakistan using Muslim name

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a counter memorial to the Indian claim that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, applies only to the legitimate visitors and does not cover clandestine operations.



In its memorial formally filed before the ICJ on Wednesday, Pakistan argued that Indian spy commander Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav was on an active duty and the only deduction that one could make was that he was a spy sent inside Pakistan on a special mission to carry out subversive activities.



The ICJ, a world court that sits at the Peace Palace in The Hague, is seized with an Indian complaint on the conviction of the Indian spy and had set a deadline of Dec 13 by which Pakistan had to submit its counter-pleadings or counter memorial against the Indian claims. The formal hearing of the case is expected to commence late February or early March next year.



Pakistan says India has no explanation why serving naval commander Kulbhushan Jadhav working on secondment to RAW was travelling inside Pakistan using a Muslim name



Commander Jadhav was captured in Balochistan in March 2016 and he later confessed to his association with Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and his involvement in espionage and fomenting terrorism in Pakistan. In early 2017, the Field General Court Martial awarded death sentence to Jadhav and it was confirmed by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa on April 10 this year.



In its written pleadings, India had accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention by not giving consular access to Jadhav and argued that the convention did not say anything that such access would not be available to an individual arrested on the allegation of espionage.



Khawar Qureshi QC, who pleaded Pakistans case at the initial stage, is expected to plead the case. On May 18, the ICJ through an interim order had stayed Jadhavs execution after which the Foreign Office communicated to the ICJ that the government of Pakistan had instructed its all relevant departments to give effect to the order of the world court.



The government officer further said that India had no explanation why a serving naval commander working on secondment to RAW was travelling to and from inside Pakistan in the cover of a Muslim name.



In the counter-pleadings, the officer said, Pakistan had argued that Jadhav was on active duty and the only deduction that one could make was that he was a spy sent on a special mission, adding that only a state which adheres to legitimate actions with clean hands could request the world court to intervene in a matter between two countries.



But India is a habitual violator of human rights and has not honoured since long the United Nations resolutions for holding plebiscite in Kashmir, Pakistan argued, emphasising that the use of pellet guns on peaceful protesters in held Kashmir was a case in point.



Thus sending Jadhav inside Pakistan by giving him a false identity on espionage and funding of terrorists activities were some of the reasons which disentitled India from invoking jurisdiction of ICJ, Pakistan argued.



Islamabad, on humanitarian grounds, has already offered New Delhi to hold a meeting between Jadhav, his wife, mother and an Indian diplomat on Dec 25.



In October last year, Islamabad had formally communicated about its designation of former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, to be its judge ad hoc.



Soon after a meeting with ICJs president Ronny Abraham and delegations of Pakistan and Indian in the Netherlands on June 8, Attorney General (AG) Ashtar Ausaf Ali had informed the world court about Pakistans intention of appointing judge ad hoc to sit on the ICJ bench for all proceedings, including substantive hearing in the Jadhav case.
MMA to be revived again

KARACHI: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA)  an alliance of religio-political parties has been revived. However, the names of its office-bearers and members of the working committee will be announced within one month.



The decision to revive the alliance was announced on Wednesday by Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP) chief Shah Ovais Noorani at his residence in Clifton where central leadership of the six component parties of the alliance were present.



They include Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Sirajul Haq of the Jamaat-i- Islami (JI), Allama Sajid Mir of Jamiat Ahle Hadith (JAH) and Allama Sajid Naqvi of Tehreek-i-Islami (TI).



Announcing other decisions made at a meeting of the parties held prior to the presser, Mr Noorani said that the MMA would take part in the general elections next year with its previous election symbol (book) and its manifesto would be drafted within one month.



The meeting also constituted a steering committee for the purpose.



An Ulema and Mashaikh board would also be constituted under the alliance.



According to the JUP-N leader, demanding recovery of all missing persons, participants of the meeting also decided to hold the next session in Balochistan.



Under another decision those MMA members which are part of coalition governments at the Centre and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan would quit the coalitions within one month.



Maulana Fazl said that the MMA would also invite other religious parties to join the alliance which would launch a mass contact campaign after the announcement of names of its office-bearers.



Sirajul Haq said that all systems of government had been tested in the country, adding that solution to all our problems lies in Nizam-i-Mustafa.



When the MMA was formed in 2002, it also held in its fold the JUI-Fs arch-rival led by Maulana Samiul Haq.

Fazl on Fata reforms



Speaking at a press conference earlier in the day, Maulana Fazl said that the Fata reforms bill was dropped from the agenda of the National Assembly on Monday not under any pressure from his party but to remove a technical hitch.



Elaborating, he said that according to the bill the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Peshawar High Court was to be expanded up to Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) but until the Frontier Crimes Regulation remained on the statute book, Fata would remain under the management of the federation.



Under Article 175 of the Constitution, every province had its own high court, he said. How is it possible that an area which is under the control of the federation and not part of a province, can be relocated to the jurisdiction of the high court of the province?



If the Fata reforms bill was passed by the assembly in its present form, it might trigger a constitutional crisis, he warned. This is our point of view, said the leader of the JUI-F which is part of the federal coalition, adding the government had tried to explain this anomaly of the bill but the opposition did not pay any heed.



In reply to a question, he said, we want to solve the Fata issue not emotionally but according to the constitution.



Besides, if there are people in favour of Fatas merger with Khyber Pakhtunkwa province, there are also a large number of others who want to continue with the present system.



Maulana Fazl urged the opposition parties to sit with the prime minister and sort out the problem and appealed to all stake holders to seek to resolve the issue through legal and constitutional means instead of building pressure on parliament.
OIC recognised East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine 14 December, 2017



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Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry

Woke Bingo ISTANBUL: Islamic leaders on Wednesday urged the world to recognise occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, as Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas warned the United States no longer had any role to play in the peace process.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan convened in Istanbul an emergency summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) seeking a tough response to the recognition by US President Donald Trump of Jerusalem as Israels capital.



With the Islamic world itself mired in division, the summit fell well short of agreeing any concrete sanction against Israel or the US.



But their final statement declared East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine and invited all countries to recognise the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital. They declared President Trumps decision null and void legally and a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts that would give impetus to extremism and terrorism.



The status of Jerusalem  a city holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims  is perhaps the most sensitive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel sees the entire city as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector, which the international community regards as annexed by Israel, as the capital of their future state.



Mr Erdogan  who sees himself a champion of the Palestinian cause  sought to underline his point with a powerpoint map presentation, flashing a laser pointer at how Palestinian territory had shrunk since the 1948 creation of Israel. The real proprietor of these lands is Palestine, he told the final press conference.



Mr Trump wants all this to be Israel. This is the product of an evangelist and Zionist mentality, said Mr Erdogan, the current chair of the OIC.



Using unusually strong language and bitterly anti-American rhetoric, Mr Abbas warned that there could be no peace or stability in the Middle East until Jerusalem is recognised as the capital of a Palestinian state.



Moreover, he said that with Mr Trumps move the US had withdrawn itself from a traditional role as the mediator in the search for Mideast peace.



We do not accept any role of the United States in the political process from now on. Because it is completely biased towards Israel, he said.



The final statement from the OIC echoed his words, saying President Trumps move was an announcement of the US administrations withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace in the Middle East.



Mr Erdogan added that there could no longer be any question of the US being a mediator. This period is now over, he said bluntly.



Bridging the gaps between 57 OIC member states  which include arch rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran  was always a tall order. Key players, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were unlikely to want to risk their key relationship with Washington by putting their name to anti-American measures.



Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Lebanese President Michel Aoun were among the heads of state present, as well as the emirs of Qatar and Kuwait and presidents of Afghanistan and Indonesia.



But there was no sign of Saudi King Salman or his powerful crown prince and son Mohammed bin Salman, who has reportedly been in close contact with Mr Trump over the Middle East. Instead, Riyadh sent a senior foreign ministry official.



Some countries in our region are in cooperation with the United States and the Zionist regime and determining the fate of Palestine, seethed Mr Rouhani, whose country does not recognise Israel and has dire relations with Saudi Arabia.



But as the summit was being held, King Salman echoed the calls over Jerusalem in an address in Riyadh, saying it was the right of the Palestinians to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.



Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and war crimes, was also in attendance and warmly greeted by Mr Erdogan. A surprise guest was Venezuelas leftist President Nicolas Maduro whose country has no significant Muslim population but is a bitter critic of US policy.



Speaking at the OIC summit, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said a sovereign homeland for the Palestinian people with Al-Quds as its capital remained the only roadmap for the Muslim Ummah and the OIC.



We are at the watershed moment again. The question on every Muslim mind today would be whether we can rise above our differences, stand united and give hope to our people, or once again adopt declarations which cannot be translated into effective actions, the prime minister said.



He said the US decision was a blatant attempt to set in motion steps to change the historic and lawful status of the holy city, adding that Pakistan had urged the US to rescind, fully comply with all applicable UN Security Council resolutions and recommit unequivocally to the two-state solution.



On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, I wish to reiterate our strong condemnation of this decision, he said and called upon the United Nations Security Council to play its role as envisaged under the UN Charter as its credibility would be questioned if it did not live up to its primary role in maintaining international peace and security.



The prime minister said Pakistan renewed its call for establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of international parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Al- Quds as its capital.



President Trumps announcement last week prompted an outpouring of anger in the Muslim and Arab world, where tens of thousands of people took to the streets to denounce the Jewish state and show solidarity with the Palestinians.
Rex Tillerson does not enjoy dealing with Pakistan

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that Pakistan is still an important and valued partner for the United States, although he does not enjoy dealing with it.



Mr Tillerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis are leading US efforts to reengage Pakistan and both have visited Islamabad for talks aimed at reversing the downward trend in bilateral ties.



And the Pentagons chief spokesperson Dana White told a news briefing in Washington on Monday that the secretary had very fruitful conversations with Pakistani leaders about where we can find common ground when he visited Islamabad on Dec 4.



Dealing with Pakistan  I dont enjoy that. But I enjoy dealing with (Assistant Secretary) Alice Wells and Ambassador (David) Hale on it, said Secretary Tillerson when asked at a US State Department Town Hall on Tuesday if he enjoyed his job.



Pakistan is still an important and valued partner of the United States. Over the last decade, the relationship had drifted, and weve got to bring this relationship back to one of common interest. Today thats just not the case, he added.



The deterioration in US-Pakistan relations began in 2011 when the United States located Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad and eliminated him without informing Islamabad. Relations have continued to deteriorate since then.



So were engaged in very, very frank discussions with Pakistan over the concerns we have about their own stability and their own future and the threat theyre under by allowing terrorist organisations to operate in their territory, said the top US diplomat while underlining US concerns about Pakistan.



The US-Pakistan talks, he said, also focused on how the two countries could work together to bring stability and peace to the South Asian region, a lot of work left to do.



Mr Tillerson explained that new US strategy for Afghanistan emerged from a heavy, heavy emphasis on counterterrorism in South Asia because thats really the big threat that were dealing with there.



The new strategy, he said, had committed the US to a conditions-based fight in Afghanistan, which had no timeline. Were there until this thing is brought to a conclusion. Its not a blank check. Its not a forever. But were going to stay on the ground and support the Afghan government, he said.



Mr Tillerson also emphasised the need for the Afghan government to deliver on the needed reforms and create the conditions to have an inclusive government that allows for participation of all the groups, including the Taliban.



When the Taliban are ready to come to that negotiating table, there will be a place for them to participate in a future Afghan government, he added.



Under the new strategy, the United States wants to defeat the Taliban in the battlefield to force them to join the peace process and seeks Pakistans cooperation for this purpose.



While Pakistan backs the US suggestion for encouraging reconciliation between the Taliban and the Afghan government, it also says that a military solution will not work. Instead, it suggests working with those Taliban who want to talk and fighting those who do not.



Secretary Tillerson, however, said that a pivotal point in the new US strategy was to deny any safe haven to terrorist organisations, because a number of terrorist organisations were still operating in the Afghan-Pakistan region.



Our policy is, deny them the ability to have a safe haven where they can organise, they can recruit fighters, they can raise money, they can plan and carry out attacks against our allies, our own homeland, as we know they did in the past, he said. The entire (US) policy in South Asia is to achieve that.
Ummah must urgently overcome its political differences: Shahid Khaqan

ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Wednesday said Muslim Ummahs response to the Palestinian issue should be a clear expression and renewal of its solidarity and unity, adding that the Ummah must also urgently overcome its political differences.



Speaking at the extraordinary OIC summit, the prime minister said unity among Muslim Ummah was the only guarantee to resist external pressure and reverse the losses and take its destinies in its own hands. In the immediate term, he said, the OIC should consider a number of options. Diplomatically, if the UNSC was unable to respond, we should garner support in the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly, he said. Secondly, he said, OIC decisions for economic actions to change the behaviour of the occupying forces should be followed up and thirdly, ICJs (International Court of Justice) opinion on the current move by US should also be sought. Abbasi said a sovereign homeland for the Palestinian people with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital remained the only road map for the Muslim Ummah and the OIC.



We are at the watershed moment again. The question on every Muslim mind today would be whether we can rise above our differences, stand united and give hope to our people, or once again adopt declarations which cannot be translated into effective actions, the prime minister told the gathering of heads of state and government of more than 26 Islamic countries.



He said the US decision was a blatant attempt to set in motion steps to change the historic and lawful status of the holy city. He said Pakistan urged the United States to rescind, fully comply with all applicable UN Security Council resolutions and recommit unequivocally to the two-state solution. On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, I wish to reiterate our strong condemnation of this decision, he said and added that the international community had the opportunity to uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law.



He said Pakistan called upon the UNSC to play its role as envisaged under the UN Charter as its credibility would be questioned if it did not live up to its primary role in maintaining international peace and security.



The prime minister said both houses of Pakistans parliament had unanimously echoed these sentiments and we all stand firmly behind the Palestinian people and their just struggle. Together with the OIC and the Islamic world, the prime minister said, Pakistan had always demonstrated its solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations for a promised homeland. Pakistan is proud to have piloted resolutions in the UN Security Council as Chair of OIC including resolutions 476 and 478, he added.



He said Pakistan renewed its call for establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of international parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Al- Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.



Abbasi said the Muslim leaders needed a serious introspection and reflected on two questions. Firstly how we come to this pass. The fact is that we have not given concrete shape to our expressions of solidarity and unity, he said and added that it had been true not only for Palestine but for other common causes also. He said the world was a witness to a similar pattern of tragedy, both in scope and scale, adding that for seventy years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been subjected to illegal Indian occupation and blatant violation of their fundamental rights, including their right to self-determination. Here too, the UNSC resolutions continue to be defied and the just struggle for freedom conveniently branded as terrorism, he added. Moreover, the prime minister said, another reason for the situation the Muslim world found itself was that We are not writing enough, producing enough. Without rectifying our political, economic, communication and technological weaknesses, we will be unable to mount a sustained defence of our brethren whether in Palestine or Kashmir.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
Last week I did not show up here. I flew, for the last time in the year, to Switzerland, to conclude the tall list of travels I had to undertake, in 2017, and what a way to conclude a year-long world tour, being lifted from sea level in Winneba, to St. Moritz, a luxury alpine mountain resort town in Switzerlands Engadin town, standing 1,822 meters above sea level. I had to attend the UBS Philanthropy Forum which took place over the weekend.



As I emerged from the British Airways flight to Zurich, I noticed that I had all along, from Ghana, sat in the same plane, and in the same business class cabin, with a woman who looked too familiar to ignore.



Then at the arrival, I saw another, who also looked like someone I should know. And the two familiar women began to whisper something into the ears of each other, as they looked my way. I had flown throughout my trip, from Ghana to Zurich, wearing what appears to be the lightest and the smallest T-shirt any air traveler would wear, and looking at the freezing weather at the time of arrival in Zurich, the two women had launched themselves into worrying about me, and how the weather was going to punish me.



Who were these two women? Theo Sowa, the CEO of the African Womens Development Fund (AWDF), and Graca Machel, the wife of the late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela  the two, arguably, the most important social enterprise women in Africa, attending the same meeting with me, and gossiping about me? Eiii, Simpa Panyin, this is me ooo. Efua Odobirba, come and see your son ooo



As I climbed the mountain in the luxury vehicle that had picked me up, and we drove the three hours up the mountain, I reminiscent the first time when I caught two girls gossiping about me when I was in Winneba Secondary School. Those girls liked gossiping too much; always gossiping about my worn out shoes, my repugnant armpit, and my hard hairy legs. One of them later asked her friend to inform me that she had fallen for me, you see that thing?



Anyway, what a beautiful city to be in. I dont like mountains, especially Rocky ones, but this town blew me away. We spent most part of the three hours driving up through mountains, winding and zigzagging the roads, admiring the beautiful scenery that the climbing left in our wake, as we went through under-mountain tunnels, and re-emerged out of tunnels which have been created through rocks, and through the mountains themselves.



I kept asking myself what would have become of these mountains if they were found in Ghana. We would have turned some into mining ridges, keeping the rest as centers of degradation, or we would have gone for a loan somewhere, and would have invited the citizens of the loan owners to bring their machines on these beautiful mountains in search of gold, like what we have done to Obuasi, and all of the associated bastardized towns.



Anyway, the trip proved to be one of the most impactful, and fruitful international trips I have done in a long while. It was a festival of ideas, and an assemblage of accomplished people who are looking for opportunities to invest in social enterprises, alongside social entrepreneurs whose works have been vetted, and have been celebrated to have great accomplishments in their personal journeys into social entrepreneurship.



As I sat through the display of ideas, and as I listened to eloquence unfold, I knew I was a small fly, and I kept wondering why I was brought into that room? I am talking about Sir Richard Branson, the Founder of the Virgin Group of companies, whose companies began with the establishment of the Virgin Atlantic Airlines, as well as the Virgin Mobile, Virgin Stores, and many more virgins. When such a personality appears on the same stage with Richard Anderson, the Founder of TED, the viral conference project that has gotten the entire world talking, these are the caliber of minds that had gathered in one room, and having conversations around impact investments around the globe  so what was I doing in their midst?



And yours truly sat at the feet of such people, nearly invisible, and wondering whose idea it was that I was invited into such a creamy room? What was I doing in a room where men and women spoke of solutions to the worlds created problems, with authority, and with confidence, in an atmosphere imbued with wealth.



As I sat through the wealth, I began to think of the beautiful Switzerland I have seen. I have previously visited Switzerland a couple of times, but somehow I had not sunk home its beauty, until now. I began to think to myself, why do we have such a clean environment in St Moritz? From my hotel to the event grounds is about ten minutes walk. Throughout my time, and in my wildest awe of what I had been thrust into, I tried deep to look for filth, or even a chocked gutter, as evidence for what I can use to prove that Ghana, after all, is not alone in the filth business.



As I walked through the disappointment of seeing clean, nearly spotless pavements, as I saw clean streams and preserved mountains stood firm, I thought to myself whether I should find a way of talking about how we celebrate filth in Ghana, at least as a way of demonstrating how the rest of the world is missing out, on how to make money out of creating filth?



I searched hard enough, but, the more I searched, the more St Moritz flaunted its beauty in my face. Then I entered into the realms of fantasies; why dont we try something, like just teaching the entire St Moritz town, some basic skills in life? Like bringing in a few facilitators from, say Chokor in Ghana, to facilitate a workshop for them, on say open defecation, and how the practice of practicing it could create jobs for their people?



I looked at the road that leads into the St Moritz town, and I asked how long that road has been there, and I was told decades, and I told myself, these people are not smart koraa oo. How can you construct a road that lasts several decades, how do you then secure another road construction contract, when one road lasts forever? Couldnt the contractors have paid sufficient bribes, in order to do shoddy works, like what we do in Ghana, so that the roads would damage within two weeks, so that the contract could have been awarded again to the same, taflatse, greedy bastard?



I was just trying to find some good reasons why Winneba, for instance, is better than St Moritz. So for instance, I wanted to know why the road from Yerepemso, to Osubonpanyin, which was funded through the EU, which was constructed some two years ago, has started having manholes on them? Is this not because Ghanaians are stronger than their counterparts in Switzerland, and that we walk with iron metals on our roads? Is it not because we walk with shovels under our feet?



My brother, have you used the bypass road, from around Budumburam (around Sapato) emerging back at the main Kasoa road at tollbooth? Have you seen that road? It was done some two years ago; it has been done, redone, and still has manholes on them, and my information is that the contractor complains that there are too many slopes that make raining water wash the asphalts, do you get the nonsense?



Anyway, as my victory over fantasies waned, I began to face the facts, that I have to, sooner, face the same people whose intelligence I stood in awe; I had a presentation to make, to demonstrate why I was brought into that room with them.



What did I have to tell the gathering? Nothing. I had only myself, and my bag filled with Challenging Heights, as I dangled myself, alongside Nick Grono of the Freedom Fund Australia, and Leslie Johnston, CEO of the C&A Foundation, Switzerland.



I could not have told them the story of the Winneba Aboakyer Festival. I could not have told them the story of Winneba Fancy Dress festival (watch this space next week). Woyome has not paid the money he owes us, so I could not have told them how government officials deliberately refused to act intelligently. Lavenda Hill is still smelling, so I could not have told them how we have been successful in failing to address the issue of filth in our cities. I could not tell them the story of how our Electoral Commissioners are now accusing each other of stealing. As I kept parading myself in my smallness, I suddenly found my voice that said; tell them that the world exists!

Source: James Kofi Annan/ [email protected]









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Chavez Cuanto te queremos!



Por culpa de Chavez



Cerveza Polar







Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar







Translate













LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


We are looking for unedged oak timber, grade A B, fresh sawn.

Specifications:

Volume: 100 m3 per month

Thickness: 26 mm

Length: 2500-4500 mm

Grading system: European grading rules

Price: On demand EUR per m3

Buys from: Worldwide
When it comes to the health of his state's economy, California Governor Jerry Brown has been walking on eggshells this year.

Twice each year, once in January and again in May, Gov. Jerry Brown warns Californians that the economic prosperity their state has enjoyed in recent years won't last forever. Brown attaches his admonishments to the budgets he proposes to the Legislature  the initial one in January and a revised version four months later. Brown's latest, issued last May, cited uncertainty about turmoil in the national government, urged legislators to "plan for and save for tougher budget times ahead," and added: "By the time the budget is enacted in June, the economy will have finished its eighth year of expansion  only two years shorter than the longest recovery since World War II. A recession at some point is inevitable." It's certain that Brown will renew his warning next month. Implicitly, he may hope that the inevitable recession he envisions will occur once his final term as governor ends in January, 2019, because it would, his own financial advisers believe, have a devastating effect on the state budget.

Unfortunately for Governor Brown, the recession he fears may already have arrived in California.

The following chart showing the trailing twelve month averages of California's civilian labor force and number of employed is one that we've adapted from a different project to show that data in the context of the state's higher-than-federal minimum wage increases and periods of negative GDP growth for the national economy. It shows that in 2017, the size of the state's labor force has peaked and begun to decline in 2017, while the number of employed shows very slow to stagnant growth during the year.



The data for this chart is taken from the summary tables for the state's monthly reports on the California Demographic Labor Force, which are produced by California's Employment Development Department. These are therefore the same numbers that Governor Brown sees, and they have been signaling throughout 2017 that the state's economy is going through a period of stagnation after having generally grown since bottoming in mid-2011 following the Great Recession.

The labor force and employment numbers aren't telling the full story however, which becomes evident when we factor in the state's growing population. The following chart shows the labor force and employment to population ratios for the state's civilian work force.

In this chart, we find that California's employment to population ratio peaked at 59.2% in December 2016, having slowly declined to 59.0% through October 2017. Meanwhile, California's labor force to population ratio last peaked at 62.6% in October 2016, which has since dropped to 62.1% a year later.

Going by these measures, it would appear that recessionary conditions have arrived in California, which is partially borne out by state level GDP data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis:



Last year was a very good one for the states economy. The 3.3 percent gain in economic output in 2016 was more than double that of the nation as a whole and one of the highest of any state. However, California stumbled during the first half of 2017. Californias increase was an anemic six tenths of one percent in the first quarter compared to the same period of 2016, and 2.1 percent in the second quarter, well below the national rate and ranking 35th in the nation. The report revealed that almost every one of Californias major sectors fell behind national trends in the second quarter, with the most conspicuous laggard being manufacturing.

On a final note, the charts we've featured above were adapted from our project tracking the impact of California's minimum wage hikes on its teen labor force, where we've been following that labor force and employment data since July 2003 (which hopefully helps explain why the trailing 12 month labor force and employment to population ratio chart starts showing data beginning in June 2004). As bad as the charts above are for California's labor force, the employment situation for California's teens is much worse, having itself peaked in October 2016.

California's teens are best thought of as being the proverbial canaries in the coal mine.

Update 26 December 2017 11:41 AM PST: Changed "recession has" to "recessionary conditions have" above (about six paragraphs up), which better describes how we're considering the data that we've seen to date. Also, if you came to this article by way of ZeroHedge, which has rather completely surprised us in recent weeks by picking up and republishing a number of our recent posts (including two on the topic of Philadelphia's soda tax), our outlook for the state of the economy is not anywhere near as gloomy, doomy or as conspiratorial as the worldview that we associate with a lot of ZH's content.

That said, even though the republished articles have come without any coordination or even notice, we appreciate the Tyler Durdens making some of our content available to their estimated 4 million unique readers each month. And though they might have the most dismal outlooks of all, at least they're not some strange breed of creepy cyber-stalkers!
Tedra Cobb, a Democratic candidate hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, in 2018, asked the congresswoman on Tuesday to denounce the presidents demeaning tweets against U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, earlier this week.

As you must know by now, President Trump used Twitter to demean your colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, with degrading vulgarity that he has never used to describe men, Cobb wrote in a letter and a social media post to Stefanik. As a congresswoman, you have the responsibility to hold all elected officials to the highest standard of respect and civility. This is the time to speak out and to stand up for women. Senator Gillibrands constituents, and your constituents, expect it.

Stefaniks spokesman, Tom Flanagin, responded to Post-Star requests for comment on Wednesday by email, saying, Unfortunately the rest of the day the congresswoman is booked.

And Cobb said Thursday she had not heard from Stefanik.

Earlier this week, Sen. Gillibrand, along with three male senators, called for Trump to resign amid sexual assault allegations by more than 17 women that surfaced last year and have come back into focus in recent weeks.

Trump lashed out in response, saying Gillibrand had begged him for campaign donations in the past and that she would do anything to get them.

The tone of Trumps tweet sparked outrage and spurred Cobbs request.

I am asking her (Stefanik) to do actually what she asked everyone to do when she was the subject of sexist remarks, Cobb said on Thursday, referring to former Democratic candidate Steve Krieg, who called Stefanik a money-grubbing little girl, in July. She said people ought to stand up to that behavior. I did, I spoke out immediately. And yet she is absent with this?

Four Post-Star requests to speak with Stefanik brought no comment.

On Thursday, following an additional Post-Star inquiry, Flanagin replied in an email: Congresswoman Stefanik believes the tweet was inappropriate. And she has spoken out numerous times about the presidents rhetoric towards women.

Last week Stefanik and Gillibrand  in a bipartisan, bicameral initiative  co-sponsored sexual harassment legislation.

I think we agree, we are standing here today at a very concerning time in our nation, Stefanik said, during the legislations televised announcement on Dec. 6. Story after story continues to come forward, detailing shocking realities about the pervasiveness of workplace sexual harassment. I share the outrage of Americans across our nation at these revelations and commend the brave men and women who have stepped forward to shine a light on this epidemic.

This bill, Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act of 2017, will help protect victims by giving them the opportunity to come forward publicly and have their stories heard, Stefanik said.

By shedding light on these crimes and their perpetrators, this bill will also help prevent these disgusting crimes from ever taking place, she said. As policy-makers, its time for us to join together and put an end to sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

Cobb questions how the congresswoman could stand next to Gillibrand last week and not come to her defense this week.

The question is, where are you now? How deeply do you believe this? Cobb asked. This is really not about Steven Krieg, this is not about the president. It is about civility and respect. We should be standing up to it, its the minimum requirement.
Police said he caused "serious injuries" to the victim's face and also broke his cellphone during the assault on Clothier Road. Wade left the scene of the attack, but was arrested two days later by the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office.
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ALEDO -- The Messiah Lutheran Church at 509 NE 2nd St. will host its 41st annual community Christmas dinner at 1 p.m. Dec. 25.

Turkey, ham and all the traditional trimmings are being served. The meal is free, but a reservation is requested; call the church office by Dec. 22 at 309-582-5261 or Tom or Nancy Watkins at 309-582-7352.

"We would be happy to have you join us as we honor the birth of our Savior on the best day of the year, said Ms. Watkins.

Church members do the cooking and also will provide rides for anyone within the Aledo city limits who needs a ride. Carryouts for those in town who are homebound also will be available.

Messiah Lutheran has been hosting the Community Christmas dinner since 1977. Ms. Watkins said the dinner started small.

For several years in the beginning, we cooked all the food at the church, then transported everything to the Senior Center for serving, she said. Now we cook and serve at the church, and the dinner has grown from being known as a senior event to a community celebration.
Carol asked if I would help her die.

We were on our last drive back from the oncology clinic in Iowa City, and she asked if I could help when the time came. And it was coming.

Hospice nurses soon would be stopping by the house, and they would bring morphine for the pain that showed on her face.

At 54, Carol was resigned to her death. She knew nothing more could be done, so she set her jaw, fixed her eyes and went about the business of helping us accept it, too.

It was February 2005, and we were making our way home on Interstate 80. Carol had a pillow resting against her stomach tube, and the heat was blasting in the car, because she was always cold.

I can't get the words exactly right, but Carol wanted to know if I would help her take enough morphine to end her life if the pain became too much.

I froze. My throat tightened, and I searched my mind for an answer, giving zero consideration to the likelihood such a thing would be illegal.

A desperate desire to relieve Carol's fear supplied me with a response: "Yes. I'll help you."

She never asked again.

The relief was not in being spared an impossibly difficult position. The relief was in knowing the pain never got to the point of pressing us into action.

It took Carol two weeks to die, and she became impatient for it at times. More than once, her eyes flitted open, and her tired voice muttered, "Dammit."

Her sister and I squeezed a drop of morphine under her tongue as directed, and that seemed to be enough to coax her back into rest. For some people, pain medication is not enough.

There are worse things than dying, and one of them is unimaginable suffering.

In five states and Washington, D.C., the terminally ill have a choice. Mentally capable adults who have less than six months to live may request and receive life-ending medication. The drug is self-administered (swallowed) to deliver a peaceful death when suffering becomes unbearable.

The Iowa Legislature recently had the opportunity to give Iowans that choice, but the End-of-Life Options Act didn't make it out of committee after an emotional debate.

State Rep. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, was one of the sponsors of the bill, and she said Tuesday that she is not aware of any plans by the chief sponsor to reintroduce it. Opposition is stiff, she said, especially among those who regard the end-of-life choice as assisted suicide.

"Some people say, 'We have Hospice; we don't need this,'" Winckler said. "But Hospice can be very prolonged. Some individuals want to make the decision of when it's time, and they have suffered enough."

In Illinois, the legislature considered a physician-assisted dying bill in 1997 and has not entertained a related measure since. However, the Chicago-based Final Options Illinois is advocating for new legislation.

A group of Scott County people who are advocating for the movement met Monday night at the Bettendorf Public Library for a viewing of the movie "How to Die in Oregon." The movie was a documentary, following people who were terminally ill and opted to exercise their choice under Oregon's 20-year-old Death with Dignity Act.

Though sad, for sure, the movie was not a downer. It was warm and touching and funny and sweet. Through my tears, I became more convinced than ever that permitting people to have the choice of ending their own suffering is the correct thing to do.

Here's how I knew:

I had a cat by the name of Jack. He was my soul cat, and I don't care if that makes me sound crazy. Jack and I were bonded. I loved him as if he were my child, and I knew he loved me.

Jack had a terrible summer of repeated head wounds that were difficult to treat. On Oct. 27, I woke to find Jack lying next to me, eyes distant. I could see the swelling in one ear and some dried blood on the side of his face. My vet's warning that Jack likely had a brain tumor now appeared to be a correct diagnosis.

I took him that morning to his vet in Davenport, and we talked about the chances of recurring wounds and his obvious pain and discomfort. Though it felt like I might simultaneously collapse and throw up, I got the words out: I need to let him go.

I held one of his furry little paws with one hand and gently stroked his head with the other, reassuring him the best I could. "I love you, Jack," I heard myself say between sobs. "You're a good boy. It's OK."

No more than two minutes passed between the injection and his little body becoming still.

It was like that for the people in the movie. Though they were sad to be leaving their spouses and their children, they needed the peace of death. Some found comfort in simply knowing the lethal medications were in a drawer.

As one elderly woman put it, her life already had ended. What she needed was an exit.

Because I loved Jack, I gave him an exit. Because I loved Carol, I vowed to help her find one, too.

The humane thing for any one of us to do is to support the choices of others. When the misery and indignity of death becomes too much, comfort comes in going.
The East Moline Public Library will take a Broadway bus trip on Sunday, April 8, 2018, to see Pretty Woman: The Musical at Chicago's Oriental Theatre.

Cost is $135 per person and includes a ticket in the loge and bus ride. A non-refundable deposit of $50 per ticket is required at sign-up. The deadline to reserve a spot is Jan. 31, 2018. For more information, call the library at 309-755-9614.
A residential counselor at Family Resources' Annie Wittenmyer juvenile facility is facing charges after she allegedly was discovered having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old who was placed at the facility.

Police allege that Danielle A. Puls, 25, of 1706 2nd Ave., Apt. 4, Rock Island, supplied the boy with marijuana, gave him money to buy a gun, and she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with someone placed in the facility.

Puls is charged with one count of drug distribution to a person under 18, a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Detective Richard Voy, Puls gave the 16-year-old marijuana, which he used in her presence.

She also is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

According to Voys affidavit, Puls supplied money to the 16-year-old so he could acquire a handgun. She also had knowledge of him possessing handguns.

Puls also is charged with sexual misconduct with an offender as she was involved in a sexual relationship with a boy placed at Annie Wittenmyer while she was a counselor there. That charge is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of up to two years.

She also is charged with one count of lascivious conduct with a minor for her inappropriate contact with the 16-year-old. The charge is a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year.

According to the arrest affidavits, Puls interactions with the teen occurred between June and November.

Puls was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Scott County Jail.

She was being held at the jail Wednesday night on $33,000 bond, cash or surety.
Press conference scheduled today to discuss Davenport officer-involved shooting

The Scott County Sheriffs Office and Scott County Attorneys Office will hold a joint press conference at 9 a.m. today at the Scott County Courthouse to discuss their findings regarding an officer-involved shooting last month in Davenport.

Davenport police responded about 5:13 a.m. Nov. 11 to a report of a burglary in progress at a residence in the 400 block of East 12th Street.

Officers confronted a man, later identified as Matthew Donald Tobin, inside the home and a physical confrontation ensued.

According to the sheriff's office, Tobin was armed and exchanged gunfire. Officer Justin King was struck in the head and was transported to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, and underwent immediate surgery.

A second officer, Brenda Waline, also was transported to the hospital. The sheriffs office has said that the officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

Tobin was pronounced dead at the scene.

King has been employed by the Davenport Police Department since Dec. 17, 2012. Waline has been with the department since Dec. 20, 1999.

Sheriff Tim Lane said Thursday that his office handed over the results of their investigation to County Attorney Mike Walton on Monday.

--Tara Becker

Fire damages Villa Apartments in Bettendorf

A fire Tuesday night damaged a Bettendorf apartment complex.

Firefighters were called at 8:29 p.m. to the Villa Apartments, 3434 Towne Pointe Drive, for a report of a structure fire. When firefighters arrived flames were showing on a third floor balcony.

The building was evacuated. There were no injuries. The fire was confined to the balcony.

Residents were allowed back in the building about 9:30 p.m.

There is no damage estimate at this time. The fire is under investigation.

--Rick Rector

Man arrested following shots fired calls

A Moline man has been charged with drug and gun charges following two shootings this week in the 1900 block of 15th Street A.

Garrett Hillburn, 19, was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and no valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

The drug and gun charges are a Class 2 felony, each punishable by three to seven years in prison. The FOID charge is a Class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in prison.

Bond was set at $100,000, according to online court records.

Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, police were called to the 1900 block of 15th Street A for a report of shots fired.

Officers found three unoccupied vehicles and an occupied home that was struck by gunfire.

The next night, police again were called to the area and found a residence that had been struck several times by gunfire.

No injuries reported and the suspects fled southbound on 15th Street A.

An investigation into the residence at 1914 15th Street A led to the recovery of controlled substances and a stolen firearm, police said in a news release Wednesday.

The investigation is ongoing and more arrests could be coming, according to the release.

Anyone with information regarding either incident is asked to call the Moline Police Department at 309-524-2140 or Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at 309-762-9500.

--Times staff

Boy hit by CitiBus near Davenport intermediate school

A 14-year-old boy suffered non-life-threatening injuries Wednesday when he was struck by a Davenport CitiBus near Wood Intermediate School.

Davenport police, fire and Medic EMS responded at 2:43 p.m. to the school at 5701 N. Division St.

Police say the boy was crossing Division Street in the marked crosswalk at a run when he was struck by the northbound bus.

There were no injuries reported from the driver or the five passengers on the bus.

The boy was taken by ambulance to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, for further evaluation and treatment.

Police said Wednesday that the bus driver failed to stop/obey a traffic control device and will be cited.

--Times staff

Man wanted after home owner discovers bullet hole in home

The Moline Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating a Moline man wanted in connection with a shooting that police say was the result of "reckless and improper" handling of a firearm.

Brandt Michael Cooper, 26, is wanted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Bond on the warrant is set at $75,000, police said Wednesday in a news release.

At 8:44 a.m. Tuesday, Moline police responded to a home in the 2100 block of 18th Avenue after a man found a bullet hole in the residence, according to the release.

The man said he heard a gunshot shortly after midnight, but did not see the damage until the next morning, according to the release.

The source of the bullet was determined to have come from a neighboring apartment, and a welfare check was conducted at the residence, according to the release.

Several occupants of the apartment which were interviewed. No one was injured as a result of the shooting, according to the release.

During the investigation, police recovered a handgun.

Anyone with information regarding Cooper's whereabouts is asked to call the Moline Police Department at 309-524-2140 or Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at 309-762-9500.

--Times staff
The driver of a vehicle that hit a Maysville home, causing a fire, late Tuesday night has been identified as 58-year-old Kelly Phillip Dewulf of Wheatland.

Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane said Wednesday that the crash remains under investigation, but said that speed appears to be a factor.

Around 11 p.m. Tuesday, deputies and Maysville firefighters responded to a home in the 9400 block of 235th Street after receiving a report of an unknown explosion and fire.

The house was engulfed and flames were shooting through the roof. The homeowner was inside the home but was able to get out safely, according to deputies.

Donahue Fire, Eldridge Fire, Walcott Fire, Iowa State Patrol, the Scott County VIPs, and the Red Cross also assisted at the scene.

Scott County Sheriffs Office accident investigators and the state fire marshal also responded to the scene.

Deputies say Dewulf was driving a 2013 Ferrari Spider north on Maysville Road and crashed into the front of the house. No one else was inside the vehicle when it crashed.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

-- Tara Becker
The family of Jeanbosco Nsengiyumva has traveled far to reach Rock Island, and on Thursday, he and his wife were able to introduce their 7-month-old daughter, Natasha, to Santa Claus.

The Burundi native, his wife and baby, were among the 30 refugee families who met Mr. Claus, decorated Christmas trees, sang carols, received presents and enjoyed holiday cookies and sweets.

The Christmas event was organized by the Spring Forward Learning Center, and held for the eighth year at Church of Peace United Church of Christ, both in Rock Island.

Nsengiyumva emigrated to Utah first, and the baby was born seven months ago. The family arrived in Rock Island four months ago, he said. He teaches English to other African refugees.

The Christmas program was adopted by Spring Forward Learning Center last year, said director Dan McNeil.

Spring Forward Learning Center was founded 10 years ago as a not-for-profit organization serving children and families in the Rock Island-Milan School District. It offers free educational programs for needy families and oversees the Family Literacy Program.

The Christmas program is a time to share local traditions with new immigrants, McNeil said.

Staff and volunteers are quite involved in the event. One volunteer, for example, spent more than a year gathering gifts for the children, and items such as winter hats, scarves and gloves for families.

Lisa Viaene started the Christmas program for refugees.The now-retired Black Hawk College employee volunteers at the event.

It's fun, she said, to teach others about the traditions such as setting up Christmas lights and putting ornaments on a tree.

The best part of the program was the gifts, Nsengiyumva said.

Volunteers came from various places in Rock Island, including St. Pius X Catholic Church. Viaene said helpers aided in coordinating the ornaments for the trees.

While the event now runs smoothly, Viaene said it was a bit rocky that first year. The refugee families are newcomers, and also include those who have lived in the Quad-Cities for years.

In addition to Burundi, refugees at the Christmas party came from Burma, also called Myanmar, and Congo.

The Christmas party is just one of the 2017 events from Spring Forward Learning Center. In April, the center transported the refugee families to a dairy farm near Blue Grass to learn about American agricultural practices.
If the city of Davenport wants to replace the brick intersection at 5th Street and Western Avenue, it will have to do so without the blessing of the Historic Preservation Commission.

The Commission unanimously voted Tuesday night against a request from the Public Works Department to remove the intersection from the list of protected brick streets so it could replace it with asphalt.

Public Works Director Nicole Gleason and City Engineer Brian Schadt appeared before the commission with the request. They said replacing the brick would bring higher than expected repair costs and that the city needed to complete the project expeditiously.

The intersection project, which was to include ADA updates and drainage work, was budgeted $400,000. In order to replace the entire roadway in brick, Schadt said it would cost in excess of $500,000. By comparison, he said that an asphalt replacement would cost around $450,000.

Gleason said asphalt projects had been coming in under bid by 10-20 percent lately and because of a lack of expertise, the city would need to contract out the brick project.

"It was much more than we had anticipated and what we had previously seen in cost," Gleason said. "The other issue is completely shutting down this intersection to relay brick would be a pretty big hardship on the county as well as general traveling traffic."

Former Davenport Mayor Thom Hart asked the commission to deny the request, citing the favorable life-cycle costs of brick, and the ability to find other sources of funding for it.

A properly laid brick street can last 200 years, Hart said.

Besides asking the county for support, Hart recommended the city look at using self-supported municipal improvement district dollars. Part of this brick street falls within such a district.

As mayor, Hart signed the Historic Preservation ordinance in December of 1991. He said nearby two business owners also opposed the city's request.

"There is really something unseemly about the city petitioning the Historic Preservation Commission to exempt themselves from their own regulations and designations," Hart said. "These are people that have invested in the city, come from Nebraska about 15 years ago, business, restaurant, and chiropractic office and they are there largely because they like the ambiance of the historic nature of the area."

Deanna Walter, who moved from Omaha and owns Cafe d'Marie and a successful online business, said customers often comment about the beauty of the neighborhood and said there is a reason why it is protected.

"It's part of that reason that I think we're bringing a lot to Davenport and a lot more to see from the Blackhawk Hotel or wherever they are walking through these streets," Walter said.

With the street to the east, west and north all brick, Terry Genz, president of the Gold Coast Association Board, said: "It seems so odd for the sake of easiness to remove this intersection."

Alderwoman Marion Meginnis, 3rd Ward, was invited to speak and said it seemed like the high cost was because of the brick, but that was not the case.

"There are drainage issues and a tremendous amount of the expense has to with the drainage issues," Meginnis said.

Meginnis added she was surprised the commission received the request so late and without a staff report.

In agreeing with much of the public sentiment, Commissioner John Freuh said it made sense to have brick streets in neighborhoods not only for the life cycle but because they were one of the reasons people chose to purchase properties.

Freuh also disclosed that he was one of the last remaining organizers of the Gold Coast organization whose goals included preserving the brick streets in that neighborhood.

"I in good conscious have to follow my heart," Freuh said. "I made that commitment when I signed the incorporation papers in 1989."
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Thursday she'll challenge the Federal Communication Commission's decision to overturn the "net neutrality" rules aimed at requiring that broadband companies treat all Internet traffic equally.

Madigan made the announcement shortly after the FCC voted 3-2 to take the step.

Todays Commission vote undermines the public interest by putting our free and open internet at risk, Madigan said in a statement.

Madigan's office said the decision allows broadband companies to "interfere with customers' use of the internet by blocking or slowing down access to content."

She said she was joining with other state attorneys general to challenge the ruling.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller hadn't joined the suit, a spokesman said Thursday. But in an email Miller added, "were consulting with other state attorneys general in the wake of the FCCs decision to repeal net neutrality. Its likely there will be a multistate legal challenge.

Miller and Madigan were both among 17 attorneys general who asked the FCC to delay the vote.

The FCC's vote was along party lines, with Republicans on the panel voting to overturn the rules put in place during the Obama administration. Democrats opposed the change.

Proponents of the change say it will lift the burden of government regulation from the internet and take a more market-oriented approach.

The dispute over the rules pits internet service providers like Verizon and AT&T against companies like Google.
Over the past 30 years, Ive dedicated my career to improving the financial lives of people living and working in the Quad City area. After working for three different local community banks that evaporated into larger national banks during the first 12 years of my career, I started working for Ascentra Credit Union (formerly Alcoa Employees & Community Credit Union) and have had the pleasure of serving our members for the past 18 years, serving as CEO since 2013. My career has given me a unique perspective into the differences between banks and credit unions and the unique role each play in our community. I consider myself a reformed banker who is passionate about the best interest of those I am entrusted to serve and take great pride in working in an industry focused on bettering the financial lives of our members, instead of maximizing profits for a handful of stockholders.

As tax reform discussions ramp up in anticipation of the 2018 state legislative session, banks are trying to use it as an opportunity to raise taxes on credit unions and eliminate them as a valued choice in the financial services marketplace. Founded on the philosophy of people helping people, credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that return earnings to members in the form of better rates on loans and lower fees. Unlike the structure of a bank, which is designed to generate profits for a select group of stockholders, the credit union cooperative structure has helped more than one million Iowa credit union members save approximately $100 million annually compared to what they would have paid for similar services at a bank.

Over the past 10 years, our country has endured some of the most traumatic financial events in our history. As banks of all sizes pulled back on lending and helping their communities when they needed them the most, credit unions all over the country stepped up to fill the void. Ascentra Credit Union has experienced more than 180 percent growth in both membership and assets during this dynamic period, effectively managing a loan to share ratio near 100 percent. This means every dollar on deposit was out in a loan helping another member with their borrowing needs. I encourage everyone to get a better understanding of what this means for our community by holding those you love dear and watching Its a Wonderful Life this Holiday Season. Never before has a choice in financial institutions been more necessary than it is today. Without a banking alternative, there would be no guard against profit-driven, unscrupulous bank practices like greed-centered redlining and the creation of fake accounts to meet fat sales quotas.

Its no mistake that Ascentra Credit Union and IHMVCU are in the process of building two iconic structures at both ends of the new I-74 Bridge in Bettendorf and Moline. As the only two Community Development Financial Institutions in the area, our commitments run deep and we understand the responsibility of making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. A great mentor will do that. To house the main office of any financial institution in a downtown is a major deal. One only needs to look at the holes left throughout the Quad-Cities as bank mergers have drained our communities of these vital institutions over the years. Numerous other examples exist in our area where credit unions have stepped in to serve and help our community grow.

At a time when credit unions and local community banks have so much in common, its ironic that the leadership of the Iowa Banking Association continues to assault the tax status of credit unions. In 1992, community banks held a national market share of 53.3 percent, the largest 100 banks 41.1 percent and credit unions 5.6 percent. By the end of 2016, these numbers have evolved to only 17.8 percent for community banks, 75.1 percent the largest 100 banks and 7.1 percent for credit unions. Meanwhile, Iowa banks realized more than $900 million in profits last year, their sixth straight year of record profits. Credit union competition isnt hurting banks. But it is helping consumers. Simply put, there is room for both types of financial institutions.

On behalf of Iowas 1.1 million credit union members, I respectfully ask legislators to protect the financial choice of Iowans when considering tax reform. The timing couldnt be better for community banks and credit unions to work together for the betterment of the local communities we serve. The largest banks received billions of dollars in bailout money during the financial crisis and instead of lending those funds back out into the economy as intended, they worked hard to build world class apps and technology to garner market share as the economy has rebounded. The actions of the Too Big to Fail banks have created a never ending stream of regulations that have increased the cost of doing business for everyone. My sincere hope is that we will see such collaboration sooner than later. Applying a business model of doing the right thing, focused on those they serve is something the bankers should take note. People may hear what you say, but they believe what you do.
The new Rangeland Complex provides a singular space for range students to call their own. Its a space for studying, completing projects and labs.

Thats how Chadron State College rangeland management student Joel Milos describes the educational impact of the new Rangeland Complex located on the southeastern edge of campus.

The complex, situated on a bluff overlooking the scenic 281-acre campus, was formally dedicated in Sept. 2015. It includes a two-story classroom/lab building with dedicated spaces for animal dissection and soil analysis and the adjacent Coffee Agricultural Pavilion where students take livestock classes and practice rodeo skills.

Milos, a junior from Bellevue who is working on a rangeland degree with a wildlife management option and biology minor, said a primary benefit of the new complex is the access it provides.

The adjacent pastures and grassland provides the space to practice using the skills and tools that we learn in the classroom, Milos said.

Jenna Lincoln, a rangeland student from Bartlett who is taking degree options in livestock and water resources management, agreed.

I like the convenience of having discussions and lectures in the classroom and then going outside for the hands-on experience, all in the same class time, Lincoln said. I think it helps students better understand what they are learning in lectures.

Classes in soil science and hydrology make the advantages of the location clear for Micah Scherbarth, a junior from Gordon.

The range center is close to where many of our holes for studying soil profiles were dug, said Scherbarth, whose focus is livestock management and agribusiness. There is room to work outside to get a little dirty and measure infiltration rates into the soil. With the new range center, I believe the professors are better able to instruct students in a more hands-on way.

The new building has also been outfitted with specialized equipment that has been valuable for studies, according to Jason Scholz, a senior from Grand Island, who will graduate in December with a wildlife option on his rangeland degree. Scholz said a refrigerator for storing animal specimens for dissection and a sifter used in analyzing soil types are among several unique items. A drying machine used in determining the quantity of organic matter in soil samples has been a useful tool, said William Krause, a senior in the rangeland management program from Spring Branch, Texas.

From the expansive windows of the lab classroom, Krause pointed out the location of an experiment that students have been conducting to explore the best way of controlling smooth brome, an invasive grass species. The tests included chemical controls, heavy and moderate grazing and fire.

Well go back in spring and see what the difference is, he said.

Scherbarth also praised the lab facilities in the new building.

The updated classroom laboratories at the Rangeland Complex are valuable assets to the ag department, he said.

The new facilities and equipment have been good for morale, and should help attract more students to CSCs rangeland program, which is one of the largest in the country, said Krause.

I think the range center will help to attract new students to the program and ensure its continued growth, agreed Scherbarth.

Academic studies in the rangeland department have already expanded the horizons of some of the CSC students.

I knew I wanted to be involved in agriculture, but it wasnt until I added a water resources management minor that I knew I wanted to become part of conserving the earths natural resources, Lincoln said.

Scherbarth said theres more to the program than just agriculture.

I soon discovered there was a lot more to know and there are many different approaches on rangeland management. As a result, I have grown to really enjoy my area of study, he said.

The rangeland program also offers a broad choice of internship opportunities that give students an opportunity to explore a variety of potential career choices, said Krause.

And Krause said one of the main things he will take away from his college career is the need to continue learning even after graduation.

The professors have really taught us that when you get that job and have a career, you will still have a lot to learn, he said. They set you up to learn when you get out into the real world.
Area developers and local officials have a vision to make the area east of Fifth Street in downtown Rapid City the next frontier for development.

On Wednesday afternoon, city planners laid out one of the largest steps in realizing that dream when they revealed a draft ordinance that would rezone a vast swath of eastern downtown Rapid City into a new urban commercial district designation.

The city is proposing some pretty substantial changes to the zoning regulations, said city long range planner Sarah Hanzel on Wednesday at an open house meeting intended to inform and discuss the proposed change with area citizens, property owners and developers.

There seems to be a lot of support for a more mixed-use environment, expanding that sort of feel of the downtown environment further on toward the School of Mines. There seems to be a lot excitement about that and the potential for what types of new development could occur.

The proposed rezone is targeted at a semi-rectangular area as far south as Quincy Street to as far north as Nikko Street and the railroad. Surbeck Lane would represent the easternmost border while Fifth Street would be the westernmost border.

The idea comes as a direct result of the citys adoption of the Downtown Area Master Plan in October 2016. The 226-page document identifies priorities for downtown improvements to guide the city of Rapid City, Business Improvement District, and the community at large for the next five- to seven-year investment cycle. Creating a mixed-use friendly environment, innovation district and connecting corridor to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology were a few of the plans main priorities.

Some of the most noticeable changes would be increasing the allowable maximum height of any structure to eight stories and requiring a 20-foot graduated setback after five stories for any structure facing a pedestrian oriented street  the north and south side of Main and St. Joseph streets from Birch Avenue to West Boulevard and the east and west side of Sixth Street from Columbus to Apolda streets. In addition, new structures would be required to be setback between zero and 10 feet from the front property line.

Off-street parking requirements would also be lessened, with exemptions provided when in the presence of secured bicycle parking spaces or on-street parking spaces adjacent to the structure. Landscaping outside buildings and buffering parking lots are also stipulated, as are certain design requirements related to window size, transparency, building face design variations, and locations for the main entrance. Two additional pedestrian elements are required but can be chosen from a menu of possibilities like installing secured benches, tables or bike racks every 50 feet of frontage.

All of those things have a big impact on the visual experience downtown, Hanzel said of the requirements, which are intended to create a pedestrian- and bike-friendly downtown corridor.

Any existing structures in the proposed zoning district would not be required to meet the new requirements unless it underwent an expansion that was greater than 40 percent of the current square foot gross area of the building.

Anything thats existing today can remain exactly as it is, Hanzel said, noting the buildings would then be classified by the city as legal nonconforming.

Hanzel said she has received calls about the proposed change but most of them have been from developers and property owners excited at the prospects and eager to see the rezone take place. The ordinance is expected to come before the Rapid City Council in January or February.

And while it is a huge step toward developing and expanding downtown Rapid City, Hanzel recognized that it will also present a learning process for her department.

Its a new way of looking at development for our planning department, she said.

I think well have the ordinance be adopted, and then you know a year, 18 months later, well want to look back and see have there been any issues? What modifications or how should we adapt to make sure were addressing any issues? I think thats reasonable.
Scott Wheeler knew the wind had come up Tuesday night when cellphones began chirping at the Legion Lake Fire command center in Custer State Park.

A division supervisor, he said, noticed an increasing glow from the southeastern sky where none had been seen earlier in the evening.

As the night went on, that glow would turn into one of the largest wildfires in modern Black Hills history, threatening homes, animals and everything else in its path.

More reports of a jump in fire activity came in to the fire command center, located at the park shop complex west of the State Game Lodge on U.S. Highway 16A.

We could see a spot fire was really established and was really going to make a run toward our desired lines, said Wheeler, from the Black Hills National Forest Hell Canyon Ranger District.

Then came the winds. Picking up with a vengeance earlier than expected, gusts of up to 33 mph blew nearly straight through French Creek Natural Area, already heavy with fire activity on Tuesday, carrying hot embers and igniting spot fires nearly a half-mile away to the west of the Wildlife Loop Road.

The growing spot fire jumped the Wildlife Loop Road and shot through private ranch pasture land between the park and S.D. Highway 79. Another spot fire by French Creek Horse Camp moved south-southeast through Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, coming within two miles of the town of Buffalo Gap.

When the sun came up Wednesday morning and fire crews had a chance to survey the devastation, what they found was staggering: the Legion Lake Fire had grown from around 4,000 acres on Tuesday to more than 35,000 acres, or roughly 55 square miles.

By Wednesday evening, the total acreage burned stood at more than 47,000 acres. The fire is 10 percent contained, and a cause has not been determined.

While no one has been injured in the fire, 175 homes were ordered to evacuate Tuesday night because of the dangerous conditions. Included in the order were the small towns of Fairburn and Buffalo Gap and residents between the park and Highway 79 to the east.

A majority did heed the call to leave, scrambling to load pickup-drawn livestock trailers with cattle and horses, according to Custer State Park ranger Jim Ganser.

The neat thing was there was a lot of neighbor helping neighbor, which is what they do around here, Ganser said.

According to a release from the Legion Lake Fire Information Center, firefighters made a stand along Highway 79, successfully setting burnouts along the west side of the highway north of Maverick Junction to help stall the fires advance.

The highway was reopened to traffic by late morning on Wednesday, with residents of Fairburn, Buffalo Gap and those living along Tatanka Spirit Road west of Highway 79 allowed to return home later that afternoon.

The fast-moving flames left a desolate, blackened landscape in its wake. Twenty-five bridges were either destroyed or threatened, and the fire also caused significant damage to three watersheds and other infrastructure in Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park.

Evident throughout the east and southeast side of Custer State Park were signs of entire stands of trees going up in flames, called torching, and flames jumping from treetop-to treetop called crowning.

Highway barrier posts and fence posts also burned.

Much of the smoke visible in the central part of the park came from burnout operations designed to remove tinder-dry brown grasses and small trees near the State Game Lodge as a means of protecting the historic structure from an active run of the fire.

Sections of Highway 16A through the park, expected to remain closed through at least Friday, were obscured by heavy smoke from burnouts set on Tuesday.

After a relatively calm Wednesday evening, firefighters are bracing for more windy conditions Thursday with gusts up to 40 mph, a bad combination for wildfires when combined with extraordinarily dry conditions for December, Wheeler said.

The best chance for precipitation won't come until Saturday, when cooler air will move into the area bringing more moisture and the chance for snow, said Scott Rudge, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Rapid City.

Usually, this time of year the ground inside the park is covered in snow, but instead "we're brown," Wheeler said. "Theres no green component to any of the fuels. Were having atypical weather patterns because of these sustained high velocity winds day after day after day. Conditions are kind of tough for the guys out there.

State asks for help from FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday that it has approved a request from the state to use federal funds to help with firefighting costs associated with the Legion Lake Fire.

According to a news release, FEMA funding will be available to pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs.

"Emergency management and wild land fire staff were in communication with FEMA and made the request at governors direction," said Tony Venhuizen, Daugaard's chief of staff, in an email.

The grants do not provide assistance to home or business owners.

School closes, mail delivery suspended

Meanwhile, Hermosa School suspended classes Wednesday until further notice.

The Custer School District superintendent made the decision since the evacuees included Hermosa Schools students and teachers, and because part of S.D. Highway 79 that led to the school was closed Tuesday night, said school principal Lori Enright. Highway 79 was reopened as of Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, smoke from the wildfire grew so strong and blew toward Hermosa School, causing physical discomfort to some students and teachers. The K-8 school sent some students home, decided to cancel its outside recess that day and a basketball game that night, Enright said.

Fifteen miles to the south, in nearby Fairburn, mail delivery was suspended because of the Legion Lake Fire, according to a release from the U.S. Postal Service.

The post office is closed and operations will be adjusted until conditions improve, the release said.

Fairburn has a population of around 85, and the local post office delivers service to 59 people and 52 PO boxes. Retail services are available at the Hermosa Post Office, where customers can also pick up with their mail with a valid ID.
Breakfast included 11 boxes of donuts and pastries; lunch, eight boxes of large pizzas. On the same long table were fresh fruits, cookies, crackers, pudding cups, cereal bars, herbal teas and energy drinks.

These were among the food and drinks available to 69-year-old Bill Thompson on Wednesday as he waited at the Hermosa Schools old gym for news about the Legion Lake Fire. Thompson left his house in Fairburn, a Custer County community of about 85, around 1 a.m. Wednesday after emergency personnel asked him to evacuate because of the fire threat.

The wildfire on Custer State Park, which began burning Monday, grew almost tenfold Tuesday night to 35,000 acres due to high winds.

Thompson, a Marine veteran, lived only 3 to 4 miles away from the fire. When I stepped out of my house  I could see a lot of light, like dancing light, he said, describing how the flames moved in the wind. Thompson and his son left with two vehicles filled with valuables, including his mothers death certificate and his archery equipment.

The American Red Cross opened the Hermosa School evacuation center around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, less than two hours after Custer County Emergency Management told the nonprofit group it was going to start evacuating residents that night. The school, located about 20 miles from the fire zone, is the Red Crosss pre-arranged evacuation center in Custer County.

Six evacuees spent the night at the shelter, including 12-year-old Ruby Streeter, another Fairburn resident.

Before her family arrived at the old school gym in the wee hours of Wednesday, Rubys dad Steve Streeter moved their animals to a friends property. They included goats, a horse, chickens, cats and two geckos.

Ruby, a seventh grader at Hermosa School, said she made sure to grab her sketch pads and colored pencils.

Some evacuees stayed with friends and family members, the Red Cross said. But others who lived within the fire zone refused to leave, which officials said was a normal occurrence during natural disasters.

This typically happens  People dont want to leave their homes, said Richard Smith, executive director of the American Red Cross for Central & Western South Dakota. Authorities, he said, cannot force these residents to go.

Smith advised people who are preparing to evacuate to pack the following essentials: medication, mementos such as photographs, as well as important documents like their birth certificate, social security card and passport.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Custer County Emergency Management director Mike Carter said he didnt have complete figures yet on the total number of people who needed to be evacuated from the fire zone or those who refused to do so. He said no residential structures had been lost in the fire.

The Hermosa School shelter can accommodate up to 100 people, and there are enough supplies to meet present needs, said Ray Sorensen, disaster program manager at the Red Cross for Central & Western South Dakota. Community members also volunteered to help at the shelter.

The Red Cross said it welcomes cash donations, but that due to the communitys generosity, it already has enough food and clothing for the wildfire.

Look at all this food, Streeter pointed at the meals and snacks, some of which had been donated by businesses. There was clearly more than enough for her and the gyms temporary residents.
Victor-area residents left a meeting regarding two proposed gravel pits with more questions than answers Tuesday night.

Bryan Allison, an environmental scientist with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, told about 65 people in Hamilton at a public hearing on the pits that he is limited to whats covered under the Open Cut Mining Act. That meant concerns about noise, dust, traffic, air quality, property values and water rights are issues that may need to be addressed elsewhere.

We have to approve the permit if the proposed operation meets the requirements of the Act and the rules, Allison said. There are a lot of aspects you may have questions and concerns about that may be beyond the scope of our permitting and regulations  but they still have to get permits that go hand in hand with the permit.

He added that the applicants also must comply with local, state and federal regulations.

We may give them a permit that gives them the right to mine, but if theres no way to get the material out, its up to them to figure it out, Allison said.

But he also noted that with a limited staff that covers all of Montana, the DEQs enforcement of the mines requirements is complaint-driven.

Its a lot to manage, and thats where we need your eyes, Allison said.

The purpose of Tuesdays meeting was to learn from area residents what some of their concerns are, and whether any substantial issues werent adequately addressed in the plans of operation submitted to DEQ in August.

Applicant Wade Moudy is seeking a permit that would allow up to 500,000 yards of gravel to be removed across 14 acres about 2 miles north of Victor near Big Creek, although hes only seeking a bond for 5 acres initially. Todd Townsend seeks a permit that will allow him to take out an additional 400,000 yards of gravel on 10 acres nearby.

The life of the two mines is expected to be around 15 years, with the last two years set aside for reclamation and growth of vegetation, Allison said. Each operation is expected to leave a water-filled pit behind, since they plan to dig about 28 feet down and the depth to groundwater is 3 feet during the wet season.

Both applications sought permits to operate every hour of every day throughout the year, but both men said theyd be willing to discuss operating hours to lessen the noise concerns.

I would be willing to negotiate for hours that are conducive to the neighborhood, like during elk calving season  I dont have a problem not having the crusher going during that time frame, Townsend said.

Im willing to make concessions for noise and hours, Moudy added. Im not sure you would hear it on the other side of the stream.

That comment was met with rueful laughter from the crowd.

Initially, Moudy and Townsend sat at a table in the front of a conference room at the Bitterroot Inn, along with a handful of representatives from DEQ and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, trying as best as they could to answer questions posed by the audience. The two men moved to the back of the room as the questions segued into a comment period, and the neighbors took direct aim at them and their plan.

L.T. Hendrickson, president of the Rippling Woods Homeowners Association, said they have near-complete opposition to the two proposed pits due to anticipated noise, air and water pollution, dust and traffic. He noted that the nearby Big Creek flows into the Bitterroot River, and wondered if runoff from the pits would impact the blue-ribbon cutthroat fishery.

Linda Green said it sounds like the plans arent well-thought out, and that more studies are needed.

It seems like we dont have quite enough information on how this will impact the water ditches, the water in Big Creek and the surrounding wells, Green said. Im asking DEQ to require a hydrologic study.

Patrick McCarron was even more blunt. He said he lives down the road, and downwind of Townsends property, where in the past 10 years hes turned perfectly good agricultural land into a festering, industrial toxic eyesore.

Hes got any number of things deposited there, that he moves around and scooped up  demolition debris from the Stevensville school is dumped there. Various levels of asbestos, theres no vegetation there, McCarron said. What he has shown me and the neighbors in my vicinity that hes not a good steward.

The public has until Dec. 19 to submit any additional comments to DEQ, which can be sent by email using the Public Comment for Todd Townsend  Townsend Pit 128 or Public Comment for Wade Moudy  Moudy Pit links under Opencut News at http://deq.mt.gov/Land/opencut, or by regular mail addressed to the DEQ Opencut Mining Section, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901.

The DEQ has until Dec. 24 to either issue a deficiency letter to Townsend, determine if an extended review is necessary, or approve the permit. The state has until Dec. 31 to notify Moudy of the same options.
The Grind, inside Bitterroot College, has coffee, breakfast, and lunch available to faculty, staff, students and community members at the west end of Main Street in Hamilton.

Owner Megann Williams and her husband, David Roiter, opened the business on Dec. 8. The shop has a fuller menu than expected, thanks in part to the expansive remodel that added sinks, a stove and oven, refrigerator, and espresso machine.

Now I can do my own baking and make soups and sandwiches, Williams said. Its not a huge menu, but better than I initially thought.

The Grind has a full coffee bar with a focus on Montana and local products.

I want to be supportive of other businesses in Montana, Williams said. We have Cravens Coffee out of Missoula, Missoula Tea Company, La Petite Outre bread, and as we find things well carry them. Eventually I hope we can carry Mountain Mommas Burritos here. Id like to buy wholesale from other businesses, keep it warm and sell it.

The Grind has a window to the student commons area and chalkboards for menu items. Williams said she loves that her business is inside the college.

It is a great location and no downside, she said.

Williams has been cooking for years and years.

Ive done a lot of baking for the past 13 years, worked as general manager for Red Rooster and did everything there, she said. I love cooking and making good foods from simple ingredients that are fresh  it is so much better. Nothing out of cans or boxes.

Business has been a little slow, but steady since The Grind opened, but more people are coming through her door now that word has gotten out that it's open to the public.

Daily soups are a big draw on the cold days. Tuesday's soup was creamy tomato.

I just pick one and make it. I do simpler ones and fancier ones, Williams said. I change the menu up each day. Today I have raspberry muffins, tomorrow I might have blueberry or pumpkin ones. Ill probably have cinnamon rolls every day; everyone likes those. We make all of our baked goods  the quiche, the soup, the sandwiches - we make everything ourselves.

Along with soup and coffee, The Grind serves parfaits, breakfast sandwiches, made-to-order sandwiches, and quick to-go foods for snacking between meals or between classes.

Advising and Enrollment Services Coordinator Kathleen O'Leary said the staff appreciates fresh, hot food on site.

They have the best cinnamon rolls and blueberry muffins, OLeary said.

The Grind is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and initially will keep the same open days as the college. They plans to eventually expand in both menu items and days of operation.

Williams said her four children, age 13, 11, 10, and 8 were excited for The Grind to open.

I cant wait until they are big enough to work here, she said. They tell all their friends to come with My mom will make us hot chocolate.

The Grind cafe is in Bitterroot College, 103 So. Ninth St. and enter through the north entrance. They also can be reached at 381-7953.
Carol Lynn Jenkins of Stevensville was arrested Sunday on a felony charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Jenkins, 47, was contacted by Ravalli County Sheriffs Deputy Ike Jessop shortly before midnight Dec. 10 after he received a call of an erratic driver near Florence, then a second call that the vehicle was near Stevensville and traveling at a slow rate of speed yet almost driving off the roadway.

Jessop said that when he stopped Jenkins vehicle, she had slurred speech, her eyes were bloodshot and glazed over, and she tried to hand him her phone when he asked for her identification. She allegedly acknowledged having three microbrews at a local brewery, before traveling to another where she had two or three more.

Since Jenkins has three previous DUI convictions in Montana  in 1993, 1994 and 2001  the fourth is considered a felony. She was booked into the Ravalli County Detention Center in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
More than 50 community members attended the lighting of a menorah at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds for the beginning of Hanukkah Tuesday night.

Hanukkah is a Jewish Festival of Lights lasting eight days and celebrated with nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and gifts. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC.

Rabbi Berry Nash, director of Chabad of Missoula, welcomed the supporters and celebrators, then handed out individual candles for lighting.

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah  the Festival of Lights, Nash said. Over 2,000 years ago there was a miracle that happened - the flame that was supposed to only last for one night remained lit for eight.

"Tonight we see another miracle happen in Hamilton  so many people, Jews and non-Jews, are gathering together to celebrate the holiday and bring more warmth, light, and love into each of our lives.

The air had a brisk breeze, the temperatures were 20 degrees and dropping, and the night was dark with the occasional blare of headlights and vehicle noise at the corner of Fairgrounds Road and Old Corvallis Road.

Nash thanked the community for coming and supporting the Jewish people with the message of Hanukkah.

The interesting thing about darkness is that no matter how enormous the dark may be you can always see the light in the darkness, he said. The darkness evaporates from the light if you have a fire or one light. One light is enough to get rid of the darkness.

Sheriff Steve Holton said he felt proud of Hamilton.

I feel thankful and fortunate to be in a community where we can do this, he said. Not every community in our country can do this and have everyone gather here. Id like to thank you, our community, to gather in front of everybody with no security and be like this.

After last year's presidential election, racist and anti-Semitic activities were reported in Montana and across the country. The Missoulian responded by printing a menorah people displayed in their windows, similar to what the Billings Gazette did a few years earlier in response to an anti-Semitic act.

Nash said the event began because of a suggestion to have a public menorah in Hamilton. But it's not the first menorah lit in the Bitterroot.

Someone came tonight to show me a picture of him celebrating Hanukkah last year," Nash said. "A lady is here with a menorah with eight candles; she said I figured I would celebrate it alone, but why if I can do it here with so many others.

Nash reminded people of the meeting he had with the Ravalli County Commissioners, Dec. 4, and invited Commissioner Chris Hoffman to address the crowd.

This is the Bitterroot, Hoffman said. It doesnt surprise me that we had a lot of people here tonight. Im proud to live in this community and Im thrilled this crowd is here. Happy Hanukkah.

Nash thanked Cryss Anderson from the Ravalli County Fairgrounds for her support and community members for the purchase of the menorah.

Holton was invited to light the first candle on the menorah, and after many attempts, due to the breeze, he finally lifted a child to do the job.

Hebrew songs and blessings were shared with the community, and after the event there were fried jelly doughnuts and coffee. Donuts and other oily foods are a tradition during Hanukkah, tied to the oil in the menorahs.

Syble Solomon mentioned it would have been nice to go inside for visiting after the lighting.

It would be warmer and people could connect more thoroughly, she said.

Yet, Carrie Storrow said the event was wonderful.

I think it is great that the community decided to have the Rabbi here and light the menorah, she said. It is nice to share this experience and part of my faith. This is great, Im glad I came out.

Frank Pelfrey said the well-attended event shows there is a lot of heart for our community.

It shows there are so many people that want to be in a place where we come together, rather than be divisive and in different camps, Pelfrey said.
HELENA  A U.S. Supreme Court decision prohibiting mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles convicted of murder also applies to Montana cases in which judges used their discretion to hand down the same sentence, the Montana Supreme Court has ruled.

However, in a 4-3 ruling Wednesday, justices denied a man's petition for resentencing for a murder he committed six weeks before he turned 18.

The majority rejected the argument that Derrick Steilman's 110-year sentence without the possibility of parole was a de facto life sentence because it includes the possibility of earning day-for-day time off for good behavior.

Steilman, now 39, pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide in the crow-bar beating death of Paul Bischke in Butte in 1997 and is serving a concurrent 26-year sentence for a Washington state murder committed a year later.

"After factoring in both the day-for-day good time credit to which Steilman is eligible, and the credit he gets toward his Montana sentence while serving his concurrent sentence in Washington, Steilman could potentially serve as little as 31.33 years exclusively attributed toward Bischke's murder," Justice Jeremiah Shea wrote for the majority.

Had the Montana judge sentenced Steilman to serve those 31 years consecutive to his Washington state sentence, "Steilman would be hard pressed to argue that such a sentence was disproportionate to the horrific crime he committed."

"Determining whether a sentence is cruel and unusual does not require us to ignore reality," Shea wrote in the opinion also signed by Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Justices Beth Baker and Jim Rice.

"I'm disappointed with the outcome but pleased with the court's hard work and the thoughtful analysis of the dissent," said Steilman's attorney, Colin Stephens of Missoula. "We need to discuss things with our client but will almost certainly be asking the United States Supreme Court to review the case."

The three dissenting justices noted courts in other states have ruled that lengthy terms-of-years sentences imposed on juveniles, similar to Steilman's sentence, have been enough to trigger the constitutional protections raised in the U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

The court should consider the actual sentence imposed on Steilman, and not the possibility he may receive credits for good behavior, in determining whether his petition should be granted, Justices Michael Wheat and Dirk Sandefur wrote in their dissent.

They argued the Montana Supreme Court should remove the parole restriction from Steilman's sentence, leaving it up to the state Board of Pardons and Parole to consider his age at the time of the crime and his behavior as an inmate to determine if he should be released.

Justice Laurie McKinnon argued Steilman's case should be remanded for re-sentencing, allowing the sentencing judge to determine if Steilman's crime demonstrated irreparable corruption or permanent incorrigibility  factors the U.S. Supreme Court said could justify sentencing a juvenile to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Another Montana man, Steven Wayne Keefe, is serving three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for an October 1995 triple homicide committed when he was 17.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana filed a petition in state District Court in Cascade County arguing Keefe, now 50, should be resentenced because his age and potential for rehabilitation were not taken into account at the time. His petition was stayed pending the outcome of Steilman's petition.

Alex Rate, the legal director for the ACLU of Montana, believes the Supreme Court's ruling bodes well for Keefe's effort to seek resentencing.
Home Sales 2017

Northeast Ohio home sales were up in November, and prices rose sharply from the same month of 2016, according to a report from the Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service.

(John Bazemore/AP Photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- November home sales were up a whopping 8.1 percent across Northeast Ohio, when compared with a year before.

And steady demand, combined with scarce inventory, continues to drive up prices.

At $168,544, the average sale price for a new or existing house in the region was 12.3 percent higher last month than it was in November 2016. Condos sold for an average price of $144,730, for an 11.8 percent annual gain, according to a report from the Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Expect more of the same in 2018, said Joe Rath, market manager for the Redfin real estate brokerage in Cleveland and Columbus.

"Lack of inventory, especially as it relates to starter homes, will hinder sales and increase prices for the third year in a row," he wrote in an email Thursday morning.

"Cleveland-area homebuyers could face even more competition if [state and local tax deductions] are eliminated in the new tax plan, because people will leave high-tax states like California, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois for places where they can get more home for less money."

Redfin found that the median - or middle - sale price in the Cleveland metro area rose 15.9 percent over the 12 months that ended with November. Rath said that increase was the third-largest in the nation, after San Jose and San Francisco. But prices here still are far below what buyers are paying in California and elsewhere on the coasts.

The Redfin data show similar trends to the local listing-service numbers. Chalk up the differences to variations in measurements - median versus average prices, for one - and geography, since Redfin tracks the metropolitan statistical area while the listing service compiles data across a broader, 18-county footprint.

Among the counties with at least 100 sales in November, Lorain experienced the largest price surge, up 23.8 percent from a year before. The average sale price in the county was $195,633, the listing service reported.

In Cuyahoga County, November's average sale price was 14.2 percent higher than a year before, at $174,176. Homes in Summit County traded at an average price of $167,534, for an 8.9 percent annual gain.

Prices fell in only four counties: Geauga, Mahoning, Harrison and Ashtabula.

Sales in Portage County jumped by 34 percent from November 2016 - the sharpest increase among counties with at least 100 transactions last month. Buyers in Cuyahoga County purchased 1,204 homes, a 7.9 percent increase for the month. Summit County sales rose 0.3 percent from a year before.

Through November, home sales in the region surpassed last year's levels by 1.7 percent, based on the listing-service numbers. Year-to-date house prices are up 6.3 percent, while average condo sale prices are up 5.6 percent.

Statewide and national reports on November home sales are due out Wednesday.
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who vowed to end up VIP culture in the state after took oath as the CM a year and six months back had spent over 2.82 crore from the state exchequer as his helicopter tour and airlift expenditure in just four months.

According to the reports, the state General Administration department had recently sanctioned for payment of helicopter and airlift of Rs 2,82,07,692.

The documents revealed that, Rs 1,80,57,025 released to the Pawan Hans Limited for chopper rides by the Assam during the month February to May last.

The state government had released Rs 1,01,89,527 on October 21 to the Pawan Hans Ltd for chopper rides by Sarbananda Sonowal during the month February and March, 2017.

A top official of the department said that, the helicopter service company was paid Rs 27,70,028 for the chopper rides by the Assam CM in the month February, 2017 and Rs 74,19,499 in March last.

Apart from it, the state government also released Rs 78,67,498 on November 21 last to Pawan Hans Ltd for Assam CMs helicopter tour in the month May, 2017.

The state government had released Rs 1,01,50,667 for airlift cost to the Assam CM.

The state General Administration department had sanctioned the airlift payment by issuing order No CAG (A)136/2016/175 on November 13 last.

The top official said that, the amount was released in nine bills in the name of Air Head Quarter firm.

It is to be mentioned that, the Assam CM had took initiative to end up VIP culture in the state after took oath as the CM and also ordered his colleagues and government officials to reduce tour expenditure.

Assams former Chief Minister Tarun Googi was spent over Rs 8.97 crore from the state exchequer as his helicopter tour expenditure in his last tenure.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : The troops of Assam Rifles had apprehended three NSCN-K militants in Nagaland on Wednesday, officials said.

Officiating PRO, HQ IGAR (North) Lt Col Angshuman Chakrabarti said that, based on intelligence input the troops of 5 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) had conducted an operation based in jungles near general area old Phuyetu village in Zunheboto district and nabbed three NSCN-K militants.

The nabbed militants were identified as self styled chairman, Sumi region Nitoi Sumi, Khatoho Achumi and Vikheho Awomi.

Security personnel had recovered one 5.56 mm A-1 Rifle with magazine, 84 rounds of 5.56 mm caliber, one ammunition pouch, 74 non local blank identity cards, one tax collection booklet with seven counter foils and 11 leaves, 21 NSCN/GPRN-K letter head pads, one vehicle registration certificate of Bajaj Discover (NL-07 J 7910), one Govt of Nagaland identity card issued by SDO, Electrical, Akuluto, three mobile phones and an unsigned hand written demand letter addressed to Executive Engineer, Irrigatin and Flood control department, Zunheboto in possession from them.

Later, the apprehended militants along with the recoveries were handed over to Zunheboto Police Station.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati: In a move to draw Centres attention to the murky development of turning the Brahmaputra water black in parts of Assam, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latters official residence in New Delhi on Tuesday.

In the meeting which was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of Road Transport, Water Resources and River Development Nitin Gadkari, Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Sonowal requested Prime Minister Modi to accord utmost importance and help the state to take remedial steps.

PM Modi assured Sonowal that the Centre took up the matter seriously and even engaged Central Water Commission to look into matter and directed the Ministry of Water Resources to take remedial steps on a war footing.

PM Modi also asked other ministries to work in synergy and directed the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure scientific tests of the Brahmaputra water to ascertain the physical and chemical composition of the river water where it turned balck.

Considering the trans-national extent of the Brahmaputra Modi also asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry to take up the matter with the respective country to get into the root cause of the problem and find a positive solution.

Foreign Affairs Ministr Swashma Swaraj maintained that her ministry took up the matter very seriously as her ministry has already contacted with China and a pragmatic and exhaustive study is being undertaken to find the real cause.

Assam CM Sonowal also informed Prime Minister Modi that State Government following the development directed Director General of Emergency and Fire Services A.P. Rawat to collect water samples from 15 places from Jonai to Dhubri and in pursuance to the direction Emergency and Fire Services Department already sent the water samples to the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and IIT, Guwahati. Even Minister of Water Resources, Government of Assam also was directed to do the needful considering the problem.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, Director IB, Rajeev Jain, Secretary Home and Secretaries from different ministries were also present at the meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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This report is based on a team visit to Kashmir in October 2016. The team consisted of V. Suresh, Kavita Srivastava, Ramdas Rao and Pragnya Joshi, all PUCL members. (Jean DreIze, also a PUCL member, joined for one day and contributed to the report). The report has been prepared by the team members in their individual capacity, for internal discussion within PUCL, and is not to be considered as an official report of the PUCL. [This document is hosted at the sacw.net document archive]

Introduction

Uprising and Repression in Kashmir, 2016

Over the last several decades, the Kashmir valley, under the Indian States administration, has been witness to several massive human rights violations committed by state and non- state actors alike, as well as massive peoples protests and uprisings over the demand for freedom, or what is popularly known as Azaadi. Since the extra-judicial killing of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani on 8 July 2016 by Indian armed forces, the Kashmir valley has entered a heightened phase of a war-like conflict, which is still raging on. This grave human rights crisis prompted a visit to Kashmir in late October 2016 by a team of human rights activists from Peoples Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL).

Although documentation and fact-finding investigations on human rights violations in Kashmir have become a regular phenomenon since the late 1980s, the current tide of offensive launched by the Indian armed forces with the full support of both central and state governments as well as the distorted portrayal of the events unfolding in Kashmir by media houses in India have shocked the conscience of many citizens in India regarding the total apathy of the Indian political establishment coupled with a firm resolve to suppress all forms of protest and dissent by deploying lethal solutions. What has also concerned many human rights activists and citizens is that even the apex judiciary of the country has failed to hold the army accountable for its atrocities against the civilian population. Several times the Supreme Court has decided to let the army have impunity for its actions (as, for example, in the Pathribal encounter case). More recently, it refused to check the use of lethal pellet guns in Kashmir. [. . .]

download and read the full report
H-Net

Daniel Haines. Rivers Divided: Indus Basin Waters in the Making of India and Pakistan. New York: Oxford University Press, Feb 2017. 208 pp. $45.00 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-19-064866-4.

Reviewed by Rohan DSouza (Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University)

Published on H-Water (December, 2017)

Commissioned by Aditya Ramesh

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed between Pakistan and India in 1960 continues to cut both ways. While several contemporary analysts have heralded the treaty for establishing protocols that somewhat evenhandedly enable the two basin stakeholders to harness the waters of the Indus system, others have bitterly criticized the very same arrangements for causing discord.

Daniel Hainesas Rivers Divided is a significant effort and allows for a fresh rethink on the troubled and continuing saga of the Indus Basin by placing aenvironmental politicsa at the aheart of a decolonisation storya (p. 13). By coupling historical enquiry with searching questions over sovereignty, territoriality, and state building in the region, Rivers Divided ably dispels the standard claim that the contentious apportioning of the waters of the Indus River between India and Pakistan was fundamentally an aengineering questiona that needed a atechnical answer.a Rather, if anything, Haines argues, the IWT was produced by the imperatives for creating national territory and the consequences of decolonization.

The exit of British colonial rule from the Indus Basin in 1947 meant that the vast, irregular mesh of rivers could no longer exist as a single, unified hydraulic unit. Instead, literally overnight, the various riverine arms of the Indus system were now found to be untidily sprawled and crisscrossing the geography of two newly independent sovereign nations. Reorganizing these rivers along with their extensive canals networks as exclusively controlled national resources was complicated and perplexingamore so given that both India and Pakistan in those early years were also caught up in equally troubling quests to stabilize their territorial claims, assert sovereignty, and establish control over people and terrain. In particular, for these young nations, Haines notes, the urgency to generate legitimacy for their incipient governments spurred them within the initial decades to attempt competitive water development projects on the Indus Basin rivers by further expanding existing irrigation schemes and adding hydroelectric dams.

In the first two chapters, Haines skilfully lays out the troubled context of territory as a central problem for nation-building through water development. For one, aligning people, history, and territory as a national relationship at the very outset itself was cluttered by differing imaginations within their respective national movements. Many Indian nationalists, for example, considered the very existence of Pakistan as an admission of tangible aterritorial lossa aaa severed limb.a On the other hand, the Muslim League and a range of ideologues who spearheaded the demand for Pakistan sharply differed along two lines of thought. A section believed that their idea of Pakistan was principally a political concept that acknowledged religious identity as its main marker, while the contrasting view held that their idea of a Muslim nation was foremost a geographical reality that was firmly grounded in territory. Haines does well to rehearse for us these often less-emphasized aspects in which both India and Pakistan had to wrestle with ideas about to being nation-states as they sought to firm up their boundaries, resolve issues of citizenship, and unambiguously settle borders.

Rivers Divided explains how the compulsions for aterritorial constructiona amplified acrimony and mistrust between India and Pakistan even as they battled over aownershipa of the waters of the Indus system. By drawing upon the notion of aabsolute sovereignty,a India argued that water was inseparable from land and therefore all rivers within its territory became exclusively Indian flows. Pakistan, on the other hand, argued on the principle of aprior appropriationa and aterritorial integrity,a which meant that past usage of the Indus waters for their canal networks entitled them to stake claims to flows even if the latter did not wholly course their territory. Put differently, Haines concludes, Pakistan sought to privilege history over geography.

It was but inevitable that these heated differences over the ownership of flows ended up colliding with issues of sovereignty. In particular, Haines devotes a chapter to discuss the challenge of Kashmir, with its bitter contention summed up by the then prime minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan, who in a letter to President Truman in 1949 claimed that aNature has so to speak fashioned them [Kashmir and Pakistan] togethera (p. 67). At heart was the fact that long sections of the Chenab, Jhelum, and the Indusaall flows being the alife blood of West Pakistana alay in Kashmir. The Indian quandary given the circumstances, however, was no less. If compelled to entirely commit the use of those waters to Pakistan, did India end up undermining its notion of sovereignty and critically as well would Jammu and Kashmir thereby be prevented from future use? Haines suggests that the IWT, in fact, could only dodge these difficult arguments by getting water allocation decisions to entirely sidestep the debate over sovereignty. That is, Indian sovereignty over the Indus Basin rivers remained unrelinquished even as it acknowledged Pakistanas needs for the waters.

Kashmir, interestingly enough, was not the only source for heartburn over sovereignty. The Indus Basin rivers that coursed through the Punjab regionadivided as it became between a western (Pakistan) and eastern (India) portionawere prone to abandoning channels, spitting up new islands, and radically changing course in a single season. In other words, the changing geography repeatedly disoriented standard cartographic and mapping exercises and brought much grief to officials who were tasked with trying to stabilize the new border. In addition, the canal headworksanotably, the Suleimanki and Ferozepurarequired engineers to often weave between borders for maintenance and repair works. The day-to-day practices for realizing sovereignty, in effect, Haines informs us, had to be agonizingly reconciled with environments that were fluid, in flux, and unstable.

In the final two chapters, Haines walks us through the steps that began with the World Bank plan of 1954 and culminated with the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty. An alluring possibility for transcending territoriality was introduced, Haines points out, when David Lilienthal, an American technocrat and founding director of the Tennessee Valley Authority, was able to make a strong case for an engineer-led a cooperative sharinga of the Indus Basin rivers. Lilienthal believed that the entire Indus Basin could be regulated as a natural, apolitical, borderless entity, with both India and Pakistan jointly managing the rivers. These hopes were, however, quickly dashed. Political leaders on either side of the border, anationalist engineers,a and the severe calculations of Cold War geopolitics edged the treaty instead towards adividinga the waters of the Indus Basin into two separate hydraulic slices: western rivers (Jhelum, Chenab, Indus) for Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) for India. The Indus Basin rivers, thus, Haines argues, were split in order to accord with the imperatives of national territory and exclusive sovereignty.

With Rivers Divided, Haines is clear that the success and the vulnerabilities that haunt the IWT in contemporary times can be meaningfully traced to the politics of decolonization rather than the limitations of engineering. Oddly enough, despite the centrality of the notion of territory in the analysis, Haines seems to have missed out on engaging with Itty Abrahamas much-acclaimed How India Became Territorial (2014). According to Abraham, the idea of national territory became a defining characteristic for new nation-states following the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. Could India and Pakistan, therefore, have aspired to be otherwise by trying to asharea rather than adividea the Indus waters?

Rivers Divided is a very important book and Hainesas scholarship, along with the recent writings of David Gilmartin, Majed Akther, and Daanish Mustafa, moves us a step closer to entirely re-envisioning the history and politics of the Indus Basin.
Ramesh Ponnuru is a Bloomberg View columnist. He is a senior editor at National Review, visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and contributor to CBS News. Readers may email him at rponnuru@bloomberg.net.
 "Second Chance Reforms in 2017: Roundup of new expungement and restoration laws" | Main | Looking at the changing demographics of modern mass incarceration 

December 14, 2017

Does the election of Doug Jones in Alabama increase the prospects of federal statutory sentencing reform?

The question in the title of this post is prompted by this Marshall Project piece headlined "What the Doug Jones Election Means for Criminal Justice Reform." The subheadline of the piece, "The Alabama Democrat represents the flip-side of his predecessor," perhaps best frames the article that follows, and here are excerpts:

Last year, prospects were looking good for a bipartisan effort in Congress to overhaul federal sentencing. But after long and careful negotiations, one senator almost single-handedly torpedoed the measure: the junior Republican from Alabama, Jeff Sessions. Sessions, of course, went on to become Attorney General, dimming hopes even further. But Tuesdays election of his unlikely replacement, Democrat Doug Jones, hands the seat to a former federal prosecutor who has advocated for less harsh sentencing and more alternatives to prison. Doug Jones was a groundbreaking voice for prosecutorial reform to end mass incarceration, said Lauren-Brooke Eisen, senior counsel in the Brennan Centers Justice Program. He was one of the first prosecutors to speak out about how prosecutors can and should help reduce unnecessary incarceration. Jones, the former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, was best known as a prosecutor for securing the convictions of two former Ku Klux Klan members in the infamous 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which killed four young black girls. The men were convicted in 2001 and 2002. Over the last few years, Jones, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday after his victory, has begun to openly push for changes that would give prosecutors more leeway. He included criminal justice among his top campaign priorities, taking aim at mandatory minimum sentencing, disparities that send a disproportionate number of blacks and Latinos to prison, and three strikes laws. These are bipartisan issues Democrats and Republicans agree on, Jones told a group of Alabama State University students last month. Try to reduce the crime, keep our communities safer and at the same time cut down the costs of the criminal justice system.... Its too soon to tell what Jones election means for federal sentencing reform. Progress stalled under President Donald Trump, and Sessions has stayed true to his law-and-order roots, calling on U.S. Attorneys to seek the highest possible charges and rolling back a guideline that had allowed prosecutors to ignore some drug charges. Legislators and advocates instead have focused on trying to create more re-entry programs, prison educational opportunities and job skills training. But Jones election elevates one of the efforts most vocal supporters. Two years ago, Jones and another former federal prosecutor, James E. Johnson, and other law enforcement officials formed Law Enforcement Leaders To Reduce Crime & Incarceration, a bipartisan, reform-minded advocacy group. Jones was among members who signed a letter supporting the effort that ultimately died in Congress.... While I sought harsh punishments for violent offenders as U.S. attorney, not all cases require severe sentences, Jones wrote on his website. Judges and prosecutors should be given flexibility and be empowered to decide the fate of those before them in the justice system.

For the time being, the prospects of any congressional federal sentencing reform rests primarily in the hands of Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and Prez Donald Trump. Senator McConnell can refuse (and so far has refused) to bring the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act up for a floor vote even though some GOP Senators have said, as noted here, the SCRA could get 70 votes in the Senate right now. But the SCRA surely would not get 70 votes in Prez Trump were to come out vocally against it, and Senator McConnell surely will not bring it up for a floor vote if he knows doing so would be against the wishes of Prez Trump. Those realities likely mean that the new Senate 51-49 math and the new voice of Senator-elect Jones will not in any major way directly impact the prospects for congressional federal sentencing reforms in the months ahead.

That all said, I do think the Jones victory in Alabama still has some political ripples in the arena of crime and punishment. As he did in the gubernatorial race in Virginia, Prez Trump used his Twitter thumbs to make a "weak on crime" attack on the Democratic candidate in Alabama. That candidate still prevailed, and did particularly well in the suburbs where it is often thought the "soft on crime" epithet is most effective (although surely other factors mattered to suburban Alabama voters earlier this week). Including the New Jersey race for governor also decided last month, we can and should now say that in the last three significant state-wide elections, the candidate obviously more supportive of criminal justice reform prevailed.

I make these points not to assert that many political candidates are going to now view criminal justice reform advocacy as a winning political strategy, although I expect (and hope) some will. Rather, I am making the more subtle (but important) point that no current politician or would-be candidate should any more be unduly afraid that supporting criminal justice reform could doom them in the next political cycle. For much of the last half-century, the conventional wisdom was that any politician who could be effectively painted as soft on crime was sure to lose in the next election (and I suspect this conventional wisdom in part accounts for why so little significant criminal justice reform was actually achieved during the Obama era). With every significant victory by any person who calls for criminal justice reform on the campaign trail, that old conventional wisdom becomes much less conventional and much less wise.

December 14, 2017 at 04:58 PM | Permalink

Comments

Millennials have not lived in a high crime era. When they become the majority, you will be able to run this lawyer scam. Unfortunately, 100 is the new 60. So, bring this subject up again in 30 years.

Posted by: David Behar | Dec 14, 2017 8:07:15 PM

"Does the election of Doug Jones in Alabama increase the prospects of federal statutory sentencing reform?"

NO.

Posted by: Evan | Dec 17, 2017 12:15:23 AM

Post a comment
As plan, the CLVs delegates will attend in the local subcommittee conferences about environment and society, security and foreign affairs and economy.



Especially, they will participate in ministry- level summit under the chair of the Ministers of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and Laos, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia



Within the summit framework, the delegates will contribute ideas and implementation plans of trade promotion and creating trade condition in development of the triangle area; and join Cambodia- Laos and Vietnam trade and tourism fair with 100 their pavilions.









BY HOANG BAC- Translated by Huyen Huong
ANTHON, Iowa | The city of Anthon has sued the former secretary/treasurer of its volunteer rescue squad for more than $100,000 in losses.

According to the lawsuit, the city is seeking $100,956 for losses it says were a result of Kristine Roggatz' actions plus the costs of a state audit of the Anthon Rescue Squad's finances.

The city in September received $97,276 from its insurance carrier to cover the losses, and the city paid a $1,500 deductible. Because the city's loss was directly caused by Roggatz' "wrongful, intentional conduct," it is entitled to be reimbursed by her, according to the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court.

In June, Iowa State Auditor Mary Mosiman released the results of a special investigation that identified improper and unsupported disbursements from the squad's accounts during a six-year period. The city and the volunteer ambulance squad had requested the investigation after they were contacted by a collection agency about a credit card they had been unaware had been established in the squad's name.

The audit found improper disbursements from January 2009 through December 2014. The majority of the payments were made on credit cards from Staples, CitiBusiness, Commerce Bank and Sam's Club established in Roggatz' name.

Auditors also identified 19 cash withdrawals made at ATMs and purchases from phone service providers, online vendors and retail vendors.

In late 2013, Roggatz notified the rescue squad of her intention to resign and she agreed to stay on to train her replacement, who assumed the secretary/treasurer duties in April 2014.

The rescue squad, whose primary revenue sources include payments for ambulance services, township donations and annual fundraising events, maintained a savings and checking account separate from the citys bank accounts, according to the audit report. According to bank records, the last check issued from the checking account signed by Roggatz was dated March 30, 2014. Prior to April 2014, all bank statements were mailed directly to Roggatzs home address even though the rescue squad had a post office box, according to the auditor's report.

A search of online court records did not reveal any criminal charges filed against Roggatz in connection with the lost funds.
According to court documents, Cardona inappropriately touched the girl on two occasions between two and 10 years ago, once when the girl was under 12 and another time when she was between 12 and 13 years old. The incidents occurred at a residence in Sioux City.
According to court documents, Carlson's husband returned to their home in the 1500 block of Harrington Loop at 9:16 p.m. Nov. 29 after they had been arguing and entered the bedroom, where Carlson was on the bed with a large knife in her hand. Carlson lunged at her husband and stabbed him in the abdomen and cut his finger, court documents said.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a police chase through Sioux City's west side.

Timothy Mercer, 22, filed his written plea Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court to single charges of eluding, fourth-offense operating while intoxicated, assault on a peace officer, driving while license barred and driving while license revoked.

Mercer had entered a not guilty plea last month before his formal charges were filed. The trial information containing those charges was filed Dec. 7.

Mercer was arrested Oct. 31, after, court documents say, he sped away from an officer who attempted to stop him near West Fourth Street and Hamilton Boulevard. Mercer led officers on a chase at speeds exceeding 90 mph onto Riverside Boulevard and through a residential neighborhood before police brought his pickup truck to a stop after he attempted to collide head-on with a police car.

According to court documents, tests showed Mercer had a blood-alcohol content of 0.114 percent, above Iowa's legal limit of 0.08 percent.
SIOUX CITY | Rabbi Mendel Katzman danced happily in a circle of children while balancing a little boy on his shoulders.

The joyful music and shouts of joy summed up the Sioux City Jewish community's Wednesday evening celebration of the lighting of a large menorah in the Woodbury County Courthouse rotunda.

The candles and the light of the menorah symbolize the good that we do, Katzman said, and the Hanukkah celebration utilizing the menorah celebrates that light, or good, over the darkness, or evil. It's that message of Hanukkah, which began Tuesday and ends Dec. 20, that the Jewish faith shares with all people.

"It's the only Jewish tradition that we're required to do in public, to reach out into the darkness to the general world," Katzman said. "We bring that message of unity, light, to as broad a base as possible."

Across the world during Hanukkah, Jewish communities invite the public to celebrate the holiday in public spaces such as courthouses. Displays in public buildings reinforce our country's platform of freedom of religion, said Katzman, who's from Omaha and celebrated the first night of Hanukkah there.

"It's about the belief in God and how we're all under the same divine providence," he said.

As the celebration began, the courthouse filled with song and dance. Later, Katzman directed a lesson on the history on Hanukkah to the children in the audience. He reminded them of the miracle of Hanukkah, which was inspired after an outnumbered group of Israelites fought off the Greek army and its attempt to eliminate the holiness of the Holy Land.

It was a miraculous victory, Katzman said, and another miracle occurred when the people looked to light their menorah in the temple. The Greeks had contaminated the oil used to provide the light and only enough pure oil for one day of light was left. Knowing it would run out, the Jewish people decided to burn it anyway, but it miraculously burned for eight days until they were able to get new oil.

On Wednesday, small candles were passed out to the approximately two dozen people in attendance, then after the first candle was lighted, each person turned and passed the flame to a neighbor's candle, sharing the flame as a sign of the good that we do.

After another song, the crowd sung blessings and three of the nine lights on the menorah were illuminated, leading to more singing and dancing and the sharing of traditional Jewish food.
Sioux City-based stand-up comic John Olson wants to wish everyone a very Mele Kalikimaka.

Wait, a Meli Kaliki-what?!? Based on an old-timey Bing Crosby song, this is simply a Hawaiian term meaning "Merry Christmas."

It's also the theme that Olson has chosen for a holiday fundraiser from 2 - 10 p.m. Sunday at The Marquee, 1225 Fourth St.

"Nobody else would do a Hawaiian-theme party in Sioux City in the middle of December," he explained. "I decided to be the one to break the ice."

The party, which is slated to include karaoke, a charity raffle and stand-up comedy, is a fundraiser for Cancer Sux-CSCR Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to individuals and families battling cancer.

Dedicating it to his dad Kenny, who died from cancer in 2011, Olson began organizing the annual Cancer Sux Comedy Rox six years ago.

"Since I was also the founder and president of Cancer Sux-CSCR Inc., my involvement with the annual shows had been strictly behind the scenes," he admitted. "The Mele Kalikimaka party will mark the first time I've performed stand-up at a Cancer Sux Comedy Rox event in more than three years."

In addition to Olson, local comics Drake Strong, Matt Hattorf and Miranda Vint will lend some yuks for the fundraiser.

Keeping up with the 50th state theme, Olson said an Ugly Hawaiian shirt contest will be held at the party.

"I've always joked that everyone who is married has a father-in-law who has a few ugly Hawaiian shirts," Olson suggested. "Grab one of his, make it even uglier, then try to enter our contest."

Don't think you'll make your mark as a fashion plate? How about entering a contest where something else is served on a plate?

"We'll be having a milk and cookie-eating contest, in which the person who eats the most in three minutes wins," Olson said.

Those wanting something beyond cookies and milk will be able to partake in some Island-appropriate hors' devours.

"Personally, I've never been to Hawaii before but I'm assuming a lot of their food is served is served in Teriyaki sauce and that pineapples and coconut might be involved," Olson said. "However, if I have anything to do with the food, this will be an event without Spam. I draw the line at Spam."

Thankfully, Olson won't be drawing the line for a certain North Pole inhabitant.

"Yes, Santa Claus will be coming to The Marquee," he said. "More importantly, he'll have a gift for everyone."

Which is pretty nice for a Mele Kalikimaka party in which the price for admission is just 25 cents.

"I wanted the admission to be an amount that everyone could afford," Olson reasoned. "If people want to give more than 25 cents, that's even better."

Indeed, Olson said he'd like to devote more time to his comedy.

"I'm getting close to my 10th anniversary in stand-up," he remarked. "For the first few years, everything I wrote was something solid. After a while, coming up with strong stuff became more challenging."

"It's only been recently that I've been changing things up a bit, doing more storytelling as opposed to one liners, non sequitur."

Can this mean that Olson is growing up a bit? Well, maybe just a little. After all, the guy is wearing an ugly shirt, a tribal mask and a whole lotta leis.

"Honestly, I'd like to see our Mele Kalikimaka party turn into an annual event," Olson said.

Or, perhaps, he can keep it going for an entire week? Wonder how Hawaiians say Happy New Year, anyway?
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.
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (December 14, 2017)Police in Calvert Co. report that both drivers were killed in a head-on crash which occurred Wednesday morning around 11:53 a.m. in the area of Plum Point Road and Cecil Lane.



Due to the severity of the crash, first responding deputies requested members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Team (CRT) to conduct the investigation. Reconstruction units arrived on scene and determined that a 2017 Ford Fusion was traveling eastbound on Plum Point Road and Cecil Lane. At the same time a 2011 Ford Escape was traveling westbound on Plum Point Road in the same area. The preliminary investigation revealed the 2017 Ford Fusion was traveling eastbound when it crossed the center line and struck the 2011 Ford Escape in a head-on collision.



Both the driver of the Ford Fusion and the Ford Escape were transported to the Calvert Medical Health Center where they succumbed to their injuries. The Ford Fusion was operated by Susan Irene Brown, a 66-year-old female of Prince Frederick. The Ford Escape was operated by Angela Elaine Sunstone, a 41-year-old female of North Beach.



At this time, this investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding this collision they are asked to Contact Dfc. J.M. Hardesty of the CRT at 410-535-2800. Or by E-mail: Jeffrey.Hardesty@CalvertCountymd.gov
Its that time of the year when the majority of the country is snowed in, miserable, and cooped up watching Christmas specials on T.V. Unlike the 47 states that actually experience season change (Hawaii and California, youre omitted from this list), Florida is always ready to party in scandalous outfits, no matter what the holiday.

Indulging in this is South Florida, more specifically Wilton Manors. Here are some fun holiday parties happening this month.

Rumors Third Annual Santa Sip N Strut

Rumor has it that a party is going on, and you're invited. Attendees decked in holiday decor will parade down Wilton Drive. Featured will be food, drinks, prizes and more. This will occur on Sunday, December 17 from noon until 6 p.m. Rumors Bar & Grill is located at 2426 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors. Call 954-565-8851 or visit RumorsBarWiltonManors.com.

Christmas Tree Skirt Promenade

The Pubs third annual Christmas Tree Skirt Promenade will inspire you to act like a tree and wear a skirt. Some examples include tutus, kilts, or even an actual tree skirt. This event is on Friday, December 15 from 7 to 10 p.m. The Pub - Wilton Manors is located at 2283 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors. Call (754) 200-5244 or visit Facebook.com/pg/thePUBwiltonmanors.

The Manors Annual Christmas Ball and Santas Christmas

The Manor will be hosting not one, but two Christmas events this year. Friday, December 22 will feature their annual Christmas ball with performances by the Bubblegum Divas as well as dancers. The next day on Saturday, Dec 23, the man in the red suit will have his own party called Santas Christmas. There will be Christmas performances and free professional pictures with Santa and his helpers. Both parties start at 11 p.m. The Manor is located at 2345 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors. Call 954-626-0082 or visit themanorcomplex.com.

Lips Holiday Spectacular

Drag queen hot spot Lips will host holiday-themed shows every Tuesday night in December. The holiday music show seating is at 7:30 p.m. and features a three-course holiday dinner for $20.95 per person. There will also be a holiday brunch on Christmas Eve at $26.95 per person. Guests can also book holiday parties every weekday evening during the normal shows. Lips is located at 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Call (954) 567-0987 or visit fladragshow.com.
Sunset on the Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica Steffen Saustraup, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

The East Antarctic Ice Sheet locks away enough water to raise sea level an estimated 53 meters (174 feet), more than any other ice sheet on the planet.

Its also thought to be among the most stable, not gaining or losing mass even as ice sheets in West Antarctica and Greenland shrink.

But new research, led by The University of Texas at Austin and the University of South Florida (USF) and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), found that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet may not be as stable as it seems.

In fact, the ice sheet has a long history of expanding and shrinking  a finding that indicates the ice sheet may contribute substantially to global sea-level rise as Earths climate warms. The new results came from geophysical and geologic data collected during the first-ever oceanographic survey of East Antarcticas Sabrina Coast. The glaciers in this region may be particularly susceptible to climate change because they flow from the Aurora Basin, a region of East Antarctica that lies mostly below sea level.

Co-lead author Sean Gulick, a research professor at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) and the universitys Department of Geological Sciences, said the study found that glaciers from the Aurora Basin have been stable for only the last few million years.

It turns out that for much of the East Antarctic Ice Sheets history, it was not, as commonly perceived, a large, stable ice sheet that underwent only minor changes in size over millions of years, he said. Rather, we have evidence for a very dynamic ice sheet that grew and shrank significantly between glacial and interglacial periods. There were also frequent long intervals of open water along the Sabrina Coast, with limited glacial influence.

NSFs Office of Polar Programs (OPP) manages the United States Antarctic Program and provided the funding and logistical support that made field research to the Sabrina Coast possible.

The past behavior and dynamics of the Antarctic ice sheets are among the most important open questions in the scientific understanding of how the polar regions help to regulate global climate, said Jennifer Burns, director of OPPs Antarctic Integrated Science System Program. This research provides an important piece to help solve that massive puzzle.

The findings were published on Dec. 14 in the journal Nature. Collaborators include researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU), the University of Southampton, Florida State University and Colgate University.

Using marine seismic technology deployed from an ice breaker, researchers were able to reconstruct how glaciers on the Sabrina Coast have advanced and retreated over the past 50 million years. The team also took core samples of mud from 1 to 2 meters below the seafloor and analyzed ancient pollen to determine the age of the samples. The analysis was conducted at LSUs Center for Excellence in Palynology.

The Sabrina Coast and nearby Aurora Basin are particularly important because regional glaciers are now thinning and retreating as nearby ocean waters warm. If the ice sheet in the Aurora Basin melted, global sea levels would rise more than 3-5 meters (10-15 feet).

According to the teams data, ice advanced from the Aurora Basin and retreated again at least 11 times over the first 20 million years of the ice sheets history. Researchers also found that the young ice sheet was much wetter than it is today, with meltwater from the surface flowing into a network of channels beneath the ice. These channels were eroded into the rock below the ice, leaving distinctive formations known as tunnel valleys. This dynamic time for East Antarctic glaciers occurred when atmospheric temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were similar to or higher than present day levels.

We shouldnt view this as one ice sheet that suddenly grew to its present size, but rather as one that was a transient ice sheet that expanded every couple million years or so, Gulick said.

Around 6 million years ago, the East Antarctic Ice Sheet expanded, stabilized and ceased producing large volumes of meltwater. However, as climate change raises global air temperatures, it is possible that East Antarctic glaciers could start melting, a change that could make the ice sheet shift back into unstable territory.

The warm ocean water now melting Totten Glacier  East Antarcticas largest glacier, which flows from the Aurora Basin  could be an early warning sign, said co-lead author Amelia Shevenell, an associate professor in USFs College of Marine Science.

A lot of what we are seeing right now in the coastal regions is that warming ocean waters are melting Antarcticas glaciers and ice shelves, but this process may just be the beginning, Shevenell said. Once you have that combination of ocean heat and atmospheric heat  which are related  thats when the ice sheet could really experience dramatic ice mass loss.
Kepler-90 System NASA/SwRI

Our solar system now is tied for most number of planets around a single star, with the recent discovery of an eighth planet circling Kepler-90, a Sun-like star 2,545 light years from Earth. The planet was discovered in data from NASAs Kepler Space Telescope.

The newly-discovered Kepler-90i  a sizzling hot, rocky planet that orbits its star once every 14.4 days  was found using machine learning from Google. Machine learning is an approach to artificial intelligence in which computers learn. In this case, computers learned to identify planets by finding in Kepler data instances where the telescope recorded signals from planets beyond our solar system, known as exoplanets.

NASA will host a Reddit Ask Me Anything at 3 p.m. EST today on this discovery.

Just as we expected, there are exciting discoveries lurking in our archived Kepler data, waiting for the right tool or technology to unearth them, said Paul Hertz, director of NASAs Astrophysics Division in Washington. This finding shows that our data will be a treasure trove available to innovative researchers for years to come.

The discovery came about after researchers Christopher Shallue and Andrew Vanderburg and trained a computer to learn how to identify exoplanets in the light readings recorded by Kepler  the miniscule change in brightness captured when a planet passed in front of, or transited, a star. Inspired by the way neurons connect in the human brain, this artificial neural network sifted through Kepler data and found weak transit signals from a previously-missed eighth planet orbiting Kepler-90, in the constellation Draco.

While machine learning has previously been used in searches of the Kepler database, this research demonstrates that neural networks are a promising tool in finding some of the weakest signals of distant worlds.

Other planetary systems probably hold more promise for life than Kepler-90. About 30 percent larger than Earth, Kepler-90i is so close to its star that its average surface temperature is believed to exceed 800 degrees Fahrenheit, on par with Mercury. Its outermost planet, Kepler-90h, orbits at a similar distance to its star as Earth does to the Sun.

The Kepler-90 star system is like a mini version of our solar system. You have small planets inside and big planets outside, but everything is scrunched in much closer, said Vanderburg, a NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow and astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin.

Shallue, a senior software engineer with Googles research team Google AI, came up with the idea to apply a neural network to Kepler data. He became interested in exoplanet discovery after learning that astronomy, like other branches of science, is rapidly being inundated with data as the technology for data collection from space advances.

In my spare time, I started googling for finding exoplanets with large data sets and found out about the Kepler mission and the huge data set available, said Shallue. Machine learning really shines in situations where there is so much data that humans cant search it for themselves.

Keplers four-year dataset consists of 35,000 possible planetary signals. Automated tests, and sometimes human eyes, are used to verify the most promising signals in the data. However, the weakest signals often are missed using these methods. Shallue and Vanderburg thought there could be more interesting exoplanet discoveries faintly lurking in the data.

First, they trained the neural network to identify transiting exoplanets using a set of 15,000 previously-vetted signals from the Kepler exoplanet catalogue. In the test set, the neural network correctly identified true planets and false positives 96 percent of the time. Then, with the neural network having learned to detect the pattern of a transiting exoplanet, the researchers directed their model to search for weaker signals in 670 star systems that already had multiple known planets. Their assumption was that multiple-planet systems would be the best places to look for more exoplanets.

We got lots of false positives of planets, but also potentially more real planets, said Vanderburg. Its like sifting through rocks to find jewels. If you have a finer sieve then you will catch more rocks but you might catch more jewels, as well.

Kepler-90i wasnt the only jewel this neural network sifted out. In the Kepler-80 system, they found a sixth planet. This one, the Earth-sized Kepler-80g, and four of its neighboring planets form what is called a resonant chain  where planets are locked by their mutual gravity in a rhythmic orbital dance. The result is an extremely stable system, similar to the seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system.

Their research paper reporting these findings has been accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal. Shallue and Vanderburg plan to apply their neural network to Keplers full set of more than 150,000 stars.

Kepler has produced an unprecedented data set for exoplanet hunting. After gazing at one patch of space for four years, the spacecraft now is operating on an extended mission and switches its field of view every 80 days.

These results demonstrate the enduring value of Keplers mission, said Jessie Dotson, Keplers project scientist at NASAs Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley. New ways of looking at the data  such as this early-stage research to apply machine learning algorithms  promises to continue to yield significant advances in our understanding of planetary systems around other stars. Im sure there are more firsts in the data waiting for people to find them.

Ames manages the Kepler and K2 missions for NASAs Science Mission Directorate in Washington. NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, managed Kepler mission development. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation operates the flight system with support from the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. This work was performed through the Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowship Program executed by the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute.

For more information on this announcement, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mediaresources

For more information about the Kepler mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/kepler
Soyuz MS-05 NASA/Bill Ingalls

The Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft is seen as it lands near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017.

On board were Expedition 53 Commander Randy Bresnik of NASA and Flight Engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency) and Sergey Ryazanskiy of the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

Bresnik, Nespoli and Ryazanskiy returned to Earth after 138 days in space, where they served as members of the Expedition 52 and 53 crews onboard the International Space Station. Their Soyuz landed safely at 3:37 a.m. EST (2:37 p.m. Kazakhstan time).

The Expedition 54 crew continues operating the station, with Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos in command. Along with crewmates Mark Vende Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA, the three-person crew will operate the station until the arrival of three new crew members on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Larger image
NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 11 December 2017 - Counting Down to the Dragon Launch. NASA

The SpaceX Dragon resupply ship is at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida counting down to its launch to the International Space Station Tuesday at 11:46 a.m. EST. Meanwhile, the six-member Expedition 53 crew is preparing to split up this week.

Today, Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station filled with nearly 4,800 pounds of crew supplies, station hardware and new research gear. After liftoff Tuesday morning, it will take a near three-day trip to the space station.

Astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba will be inside the cupola at the robotics controls Friday morning watching Dragons approach and rendezvous. When Dragon reaches a point 10 meters away from the orbital lab, the duo will command the Canadarm2 to grapple Dragon at about 6 a.m. Afterward, ground controllers will take over Canadarm2 and install the commercial cargo craft to the Harmony module where it will stay until Jan. 13.

In between Dragons launch and capture, three space station crew members will be going home. Crew mates Randy Bresnik of NASA, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency are packing up the Soyuz MS-05 spaceship for a return to Earth Thursday at 3:38 a.m. The trio will have accumulated 139 days in space and traveled almost 59 million statute miles when it parachutes to a landing in Kazakhstan. NASA TV will broadcast all the space action this week.

On-Orbit Status Report

Probiotics Operations: Over the weekend, a crewmember completed the fourth and final sampling phase of the JAXA Probiotic investigation. The first half of the sampling phase was completed on GMT 343 with fecal sample collections. The second half of the sampling phase included saliva sample collections and a questionnaire, which was completed the following day. The objective of the Probiotics investigation is to study the impact of continuous consumption of probiotics on immune function and intestinal microbiota in astronauts under closed microgravity environment This investigation studies the effects of beneficial bacteria (Probiotics) to improve crew members intestinal microbiota as well as their immune function on long-duration space missions.

Human Research Program (HRP) Collections  Functional Immune: Over the weekend, two 52S crewmembers and a 51S crewmember began a five day Functional Immune session by collecting salvia samples and stowing the samples in the the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The samples collected will support the mid-mission HRP compliment for the 52S crewmembers and the return minus zero Day (R-0) compliment for the 51S crewmember. Saliva samples will be collected the first four days of this session and blood samples will be taken on the fifth day. The Functional Immune investigation analyzes blood and saliva samples to determine the changes taking place in crewmembers immune systems during flight. The changes in the immune system are also compared with crewmembers self-reported health information. Results are expected to provide new insight into the possible health risks of long-duration space travel, including future missions to Mars, asteroids, or other distant destinations.

Lighting Effects: A 52S crewmember signed into the sleep log application and provided sleep log entries to track his daily sleep patterns and wakefulness over the weekend and today. These entries support a two week long sleep shift session that began last week.The Lighting Effects investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance.

Earth Imagery from ISS Target Operations: This weekend the crew captured images and video footage of the Iberian Peninsula, the India-Himalayas-Tibetan Plateau, and the Sahara Desert and Nile Delta in the daytime with the RED Dragon camera. Using the NIKON camera, the crew captured images of the India-Himalayas-Tibetan Plateau and Italy at night. Today, images of the Himalaya will be taken with the RED Dragon camera. The Earth Imagery from ISS investigation creates a series of videos, showcasing Earth from space. These videos will be taken with cameras on the International Space Station in 6K hi-resolution, then integrated into videos for screensavers for public enjoyment, exploration, and engagement.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) SmoothNav: The crew setup the SPHERES work area to activate and check out the hardware and EXPRESS laptop computer (ELC) before conducting the SmoothNav experiment test run. SmoothNav develops an estimation algorithm aggregating relative state measurements between multiple, small, and potentially differently instrumented spacecraft. The algorithm obtains the most probable estimate of the relative positions and velocities between all spacecraft using all available sensor information, including past measurements. The algorithm remains portable between different satellite platforms with different onboard sensors, adaptable in the case that one or more satellites become inoperable, and tolerant to delayed measurements or measurements received at different frequencies.

Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL) Calibration Cartridge Exchange: The crew removed the used MSL Solidification Quenching Furnace (SQF) sample cartridge and installed the MSL Furnace Calibration cartridge to prepare the facility for a calibration run. The Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR) is used for basic materials research in the microgravity environment of the ISS. MSRR-1 can accommodate and support diverse Experiment Modules. In this way many material types, such as metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses, can be studied to discover new applications for existing materials and new or improved materials.

Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Laptop Computer (MLC) Upgrade: The crew installed, re-cabled, and configured the Zbook for the MSG, and verified that the new software had been loaded. The MSG is one of the major dedicated science facilities on the ISS. It has a large front window and built-in gloves to provide a sealed environment for conducting science and technology experiments. The Glovebox is particularly suited for handling hazardous materials when the crew is present.

Lighting Maintenance: The crew attempted to regain functionality of the LAB Master Lighting Switch (MLS) by disconnecting the data connector (J2) from multiple Lights in the LAB. Now that the data connector has been disconnected, these Lights have to be operated individually via the controls on the faceplate. They also removde and replaced several lights in Node 2.

Todays Planned Activities

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

HRF Generic Saliva Collection 10 Minutes  Subject

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval Insertion Operations

Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry  Subject

In Flight Maintenance Lab Master Lighting Switch Troubleshooting

Multi Omics FOS Stow

Multi Omics FOS Preparation

Collecting SM and FGB Air Samples Using ??-1? Sampler

Health Maintenance System (HMS) items stow

??? Maintenance

In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) Node 2 Light Installation

Material Science Laboratory Calibration Cartridge Insert

SM air sampling for CO using ??? samplers

CALCIUM. Bioekololgiya Cases: Photography, Processing, and Photo Downlink, Pre-pack for Return

Change of load mode of CDR seat Kazbek-UM in Soyuz 736. Adjusting to semi-heavy

ISS Crew departure preparation

LBNP training session (FINAL).

EIISS Crew Preference RED Camera Target Operations

ISS HAM Service Module Pass

Handover Procedure Review

MSG MLC Upgrade

Soyuz 736 Stowage Ops for Return

In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) ARIS Snubber Pin Secure

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Personal Medication Stow

SPHERES Payload OBT

Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update

CONSTANTA-2. Constanata kit transfer to Soyuz 736

SPHERES Crew Conference

Data Prep for Return

MATRYOSHKA-R. Deinstall Detectors from Fantom

SPHERES Test Session Setup

ESA Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD)  Columbus

SPHERES VERTIGO Test Session Run

Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth

MATRYOSHKA-R. Removal of Passive Detector Assemblies for return on Soyuz 736.

In Flight Maintenance PMA-1 Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Screen Cleaning and Duct Capping

Clean FGB ??1 Fan Guard Screen

CONTENT. Experiment Ops

SPHERES USB Download

Close SM window covers ? 6,8,9,12,13,14

Increment 52 Plaque Hanging

iPad Air 2 Charge

USOS Window Shutter Close

Preparation for Antivirus Scanning on [???] Laptops

Completed Task List Activities

AstroPi PR Photo Shooting

Consolidation of Cargo Configuration in Columbus

AC Dry Vacuum Debris Bag Return

ESA PAO Message Expedition 52-53 Documentary

ESA PAO Message  Il Messaggero

MARES SCSI Drive preparation

OA-8 CD Transfer

Payload MSG Drawer Cleanup

Recorded Greeting Request

Ground Activities

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

N3 CDRA Activation for SPHERES

Standard Commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Tuesday, 12/12: SpaceX-13 Dragon Launch, Water Delivery System, MSPR

Wednesday, 12/13: Change of Command, Emer Roles & Resp Review, 51S Undock, ECHO, Dragon OBT, PCG Handover, Veggie Facility Clean, HRF Sample, RAM Deploy, Acoustic Monitor Setup, Lighting Effects

Thursday, 12/14: 51S Landing, Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status  Environmental Control Group:

Component  Status

Elektron  On

Vozdukh  Manual

[???] 1  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV1)  On

[???] 2  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV2)  Off

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab  Operate

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3  Standby

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab  Idle

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3  Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)  Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)  Process

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab  Full Up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3  Off
It has been announced that a racino operator has agreed to pay a total of $1 million in fines after the presiding gaming control authority came down hard on the organization on Wednesday (December 13).

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that Downs Racing, LP, the operator of Mohegan Sun Pocono, had been handed both a $550,000 fine and a $450,000 fine for a pair of infractions.

The $550,000 fine was for failure over a multi-year period to follow approved internal controls in regard to free slot play, the main bank, and internal audits.

According to an article by the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, Mohegan Sun Pocono did not follow the approved controls which resulted in a trio of individuals conducting a fraud scheme over a 12-month period. The scheme involved free slot play and the theft of cash as a result of inflated payouts to patrons. The Wilkes Barre Times-Leader piece also states that the casino failed to submit audits six times during a four-year time period.

The control board has explained that the $450,000 fine was for Mohegan Sun Pocono conducting business with unlicensed gaming service providers.

The Wilkes Barre Times-Leader report states that the unlicensed vendors were ReferLocal LLC and CB POC LLC. Last month, Bobby Soper, the former CEO of Downs Racing LP, was fined $60,000 by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for failing to disclose particular business interests during his time with Downs Racing LP. The Wilkes Barre Times-Leader piece has stated that Soper had an interest in ReferLocal LLC at the time.

(With files from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader)
The Alberta Standardbred industry is mourning the passing of Helen Zurawel after a brief illness.

Helen, who is the wife of trainer James Zurawel, was in the trucking business and got involved in the Standardbred industry in the 1980s and raced primarily in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Helen worked for trainers Warren Grant and Bill Companion and will be missed in the barn area for her awesome cabbage rolls, perogies and various pies. When asked who she was cooking for, Helen would always smile and say my friends, which was the entire backstretch.

Helen is survived by her husband, James; daughters, Donna Dubinsky, Charlene Mitchell and Shelly Arsenault; as well as several grand and great grandchildren.

A celebration of Helens life will take place on Wednesday, December 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home, 52356 Range Road 232, Sherwood Park.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Helen Zurawel.
National Leaders Call for Alabama to Enforce Common-Sense Regulations at Statewide Rally

Contact: Fr. Terry Gensemer, CEC For Life, 205-253-0159



MONTGOMERY, Ala., Dec. 14, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Friday, December 15th, pro-life citizens will gather on the steps of the Montgomery RSA Tower for a statewide rally calling for the revocation of Planned Parenthood of Birmingham's license, issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).



"Rally at the RSA" will feature national and local leaders, including:

Catherine Davis, The Restoration Project



Fr. Terry Gensemer, Charismatic Episcopal Church For Life



Sam McLure, The Adoption Law Firm



Natalie Brumfield, Bound4Life Birmingham



Michelle Rowe, 40 Days for Life Montgomery

This event is part of an ongoing campaign that began early in 2017 after the release of an alarming deficiency report from the ADPH regarding Planned Parenthood of Birmingham. The report revealed serious infractions that put the health of all patients at risk, including failure to sterilize medical instruments, test employees for TB and Hepatitis B, document fetal viability, or to guarantee that women view an ultrasound.



Leaders within the campaign confirm that they brought concerns about the dangerous facility to the ADPH, the Governor, the Attorney General and the Board of Medical Examiners, but not one office has taken action to assure citizens that Planned Parenthood has ceased these egregious practices, or even been inspected a second time since the last report.



Fr. Terry Gensemer of CEC For Life comments, "State agencies like the ADPH are created to protect the life of citizens, not subpar abortion facilities. This Planned Parenthood has a documented history of ignoring state laws and harming women, yet it continues to be relicensed year after year. We have solid laws on the books in this state. Our agencies just seem unwilling to enforce them."



Also in Alabama, African American women have 62% of the abortions while African Americans only make up 26% of the population. That disproportionate rate is one of the highest in the country.



Catherine Davis, a prominent pro-life leader in the Black community and Director of The Restoration Project, confirms a direct correlation between this high percentage and apathy within state agencies. She helped lead a similar campaign in Alabama just two years back, when ADPH refused to take action against an illegal abortion operation in the city of Selma which targeted low-income Black women.



Davis comments, "Most citizens believe their state public health officials work to protect them from substandard medical care. That is not the case for women in Alabama, especially Black women. The ADPH has repeatedly turned a blind eye to Planned Parenthood's violations of state laws and sound medical practices. I can't help but ask, is it because Planned Parenthood primarily eliminates the Black population?"



The Rally will take place Friday, Dec. 15th, at 11 AM directly in front of the RSA Tower located at 201 Monroe Street. Speakers will be available for comment before and after the event.
Myths abound with stories of giants, from the frost and fire giants of Norse legends to the Titans who warred with the gods in ancient Greek mythology. However, giants are more than just legend. The supposed remains of Sa-Nakht, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt, may be the oldest known human giant.

As part of ongoing research into mummies, scientists investigated a skeleton found in 1901 in a tomb near Beit Khallaf in Egypt with an estimated age of 2700 B.C  Third Dynasty of Egypt.

Prior work suggested that the skeleton of the man  who would have stood at up to 6 feet 1.6 inches (1.9 meters) tall  may have belonged to Sa-Nakht, a pharaoh during the Third Dynasty. Previous research on ancient Egyptian mummies suggested the average height for men around this time was about 5 feet 6 inches (1.7 m).

Ancient Egyptian kings were likely better fed and in better health than commoners of the era, so they could be expected grow taller than average. Still, the over-6-foot-tall remains the scientists analyzed would have towered over Ramesses II, the tallest recorded ancient Egyptian pharaoh, who lived more than 1,000 years after Sa-Nakht and was only about 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall.

In the new study, Habicht and his colleagues reanalyzed the alleged skull and bones of Sa-Nakht. The skeletons long bones showed evidence of exuberant growth, which are clear signs of gigantism, Habicht said.

These findings suggest that this ancient Egyptian probably had gigantism, making him the oldest known case of this disorder in the world. No other ancient Egyptian royals were known to be giants.

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Washingtons U.S. senators are worried that the Federal Communications Commissions proposal to roll back net neutrality rules could harm the nations students and schools  especially those in rural and low-income communities.

U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell sent a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday urging him to preserve the Obama-era regulations until the commission has fully examined the orders impact on education.

Net neutrality is the basic principle that all data should be passed along at the same speed. The Obama administration issued rules that ban internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking or speeding up user access to certain websites, and from negotiating with websites that allow them to reach users faster.

But Pai, a Republican-appointed chairman, is proposing to dismantle those regulations. The FCC is scheduled to vote on his draft order Thursday. Critics of the rule say it would allow internet service providers to block, throttle or otherwise privilege lawful content.

Murray, Cantwell and 19 other Democratic senators signed the letter, which argues that the order could lead to a tiered internet that favors the students, schools and institutions who can afford it.

Students need access to high-speed internet in order to learn and make the most of their educational experiences, the senators wrote. By allowing ISPs to limit access and increase costs, the draft order could threaten educational equity and exacerbate the digital divide.

Fiscally-strapped schools and school districts would be vulnerable to aggressive ISP pricing practices, the letter said.

Longview School District Communications Director Sandy Catt said local educators are concerned about the elimination of net neutrality rules.

The use of the internet is not limited to online courses or programs, she told The Daily News. Our teachers and students in nearly every grade level use internet-based materials and information.

Catt also pointed to a report that found the rule could force districts to to pay more for faster connections, while free educational software and content could get smothered by big corporations.

In their letter, the senators also warned of dire potential consequences for colleges and universities.

Should the draft order be adopted, video lectures and online learning resources that are essential to institutions of higher education may be rendered unavailable by ISPs that decide to block them or otherwise privilege a computing resource, the letter said.

At Lower Columbia College, for example, nearly 2,200 students took at least one online course last year  more than 35 percent of the schools population. And well over half of LCC students participated in at least one web-enhanced course in 2016, said Wendy Hall, the schools communications director.

As an institution that relies heavily on the internet for delivery of courses and research, we have great concerns about the impact of any restrictions would have on our students and higher education in general, LCC President Chris Bailey said in an email to the The Daily News.

In related news, state Rep. Norma Smith (R-Clinton) announced a bill Wednesday that would give Washingtons attorney general the authority to enforce net neutrality in the state. The bill would prohibit ISPs from blocking content, throttling traffic and favoring some traffic in exchange for fees.

This is not a partisan issue, Smith said in a statement. The only way to mitigate this threat is to put these rules into statute so everyone across the state, regardless of ZIP code, can participate equally in the 21st century economy.
Protect health care

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler recently sent me an email concerning making healthcare more accessible to Washingtonians, especially as it relates to children and mental health. Congresswoman, your hypocrisy is awe inspiring. Your repeated attempts to repeal the ACA do nothing to further health care accessibility. Presumably, you intend to vote in favor of whatever reconciliation tax reform bill is put in front of you (regardless of what your constituents want), which will almost certainly still include repeal of the ACA mandate. This will remove health care accessibility for Washingtons poorest citizens. I guess what Im saying is this: either stop lying to us, or actually vote in favor of accessible health care by protecting the ACA.

Colten Sullivent

Kelso

Piece of cake

In response to Dana Milbanks column of Dec. 7: Selling a cake in one thing. Assisting in the design and creation of it is another matter entirely.

No person of faith should ever be compelled  under penalty of law  to participate in other peoples sin.

This is still America, and we still have freedom of religion in this country, and the free expression thereof.

It will be a very sad day for all, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or other devout Americans, if the Supreme Court finds otherwise.

Sharon Ashford

Longview

Drop in the bucket

People in favor of the proposed worlds largest methanol plant in Kalama, always tout jobs as their main concern. When confronted with environmental facts they recite that Washington has some of the most stringent environmental laws in the nation. If the law allows it, its safe, they reason. Well, now the law is not allowing it and is saying, look again. Suddenly, methanol plant advocates see the state law upholders as unfair! The state shorelines hearing board in September found that the environmental impact statement for the project does not adequately assess the projects impact on global climate change. No kidding. The plant proponents purposely ignored environmental consequences of fracking gas, transporting it through leaking pipelines across the entire state of Washington, and all the diesel fuel burnt to transport the methanol down the Columbia River and across the Pacific Ocean.

And remember this: the less than 200 jobs at the plant in Kalama are a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of jobs created in China that should have stayed in America.

Cynthia Svensson

Kalama

Renting greed

I dont know if anyone noticed that big companies out of Portland and Seattle are buying all the apartments etc. from greedy landlords here in Longview and raising rent by hundreds of dollars and yet not doing the things that they are mandated by law, like cleaning and fixing, etc. Some people have been living in these apartments for years and are on a fixed income. They cant afford the new rents so they are being evicted. I know personally a 73-year-old lady really in bad health; her apartment has bugs. She told the manager about it and he told her, You brought the bugs here. She spent more then $2,000 to move in now she has been given three days to get out. All she wanted was to clean up the apartment. I wish the local authorities would help the people that elected them.

Jon Mohammad

Longview
SAN DIEGO  The New York Times has done good reporting this year on some big stories about sexual harassment. But suddenly the newspaper has gone from covering the topic to being smack in the middle of it.

The Times recently suspended White House reporter Glenn Thrush while it investigates allegations of sexual misconduct by him toward several female colleagues. The allegations concern Thrushs conduct both during his tenure at the Times, and in years past, when he worked at Politico. A report by Vox.coms Laura McGann, who worked with Thrush at Politico, said that his inappropriate behavior ranged from unwanted groping and kissing to wet kisses out of nowhere to hazy sexual encounters that played out under the influence of alcohol.

The 50-year-old journalist had been on something of a hot streak. After hiring him away from Politico last year, the Times gave Thrush the prestigious White House beat. He also got a gig as an MSNBC contributor, and a reported seven-figure contract to co-write a book on the Donald Trump presidency with fellow Times reporter Maggie Haberman. His theatrical haranguing of White House officials even earned him what has become his generations version of a Pulitzer: being lampooned on Saturday Night Live. Media reporters called him a star.

Now Thrushs future is unclear. Times management is reportedly struggling about whether or not to add Thrushs name to the list of media figures who have been fired for allegedly making unwanted sexual advances toward women. The hall of shame includes Matt Lauer, formerly of NBC News; Charlie Rose, formerly of CBS News; Mark Halperin, formally of NBC News; and others.

The media takes care of its own. And, as a member of the Washington/New York media, Thrush has friends who are trying to contain the fire.

There is the danger of comparing Glenn Thrush to Harvey Weinstein, worries Joe Scarborough, the co-host of MSNBCs Morning Joe.

CNN host Michael Smerconish questioned whether the pendulum might be swinging too far. He said that Thrushs suspension gave him pause because it seems that all the reporter is accused of is bad judgment. In one example  cited in the Vox.com story  a 21-year-old intern said that, after a party, Thrush tried to hold her hand and kissed her twice before she started crying.

But Smerconish downplayed the misbehavior. Some of the other allegations about Thrush, detailed in the article, are much worse and include making unwanted sexual advances toward women with a lot less power than he had.

In a statement, Thrush apologized and blamed his behavior on drinking heavily.

Smerconish acknowledged that Thrush was boorish and hammered, but the host seemed skeptical that someone should lose his job over what some would consider sophomoric antics.

I dont see why this is even a tough call. Of course Thrush needs to be fired  not just because of the allegations, and not just because the whole story is awkward for a newspaper that has tried to lead the way in exposing sexual impropriety in Washington and Hollywood.

No. Thrush should lose his job because the Times needs to take seriously the rules of professional conduct to which it holds other journalists. What is at issue is not whether Thrush is a good person, but whether he is  and was ever  a good journalist.

You see, Im an old-school journo. Im the same age as Thrush, and Ive spent more than half my life writing for newspapers. And at each place I worked, whether it was as a reporter or columnist, my bosses were  in their gruff and gravelly voices  not shy about spelling out what was expected of me, what the rules of the profession were, and what would happen to me if I broke any.

One of those rules, which Politico had in place as well when Thrush worked there, was not to share a story with a source before it is published. Thats common sense. You cant let the people you interview edit and massage your story before it runs. When you do that, youve stopped being a journalist; youve become a stenographer. You no longer report; you take dictation.

Last year, thanks to a Wikileaks dump, we learned that Thrush  while working as a reporter at Politico  shared a story pre-publication with John Podesta, then campaign chairman for Hillary Clinton. In an email, Thrush begged Podesta not to tell anyone about their arrangement. He even sheepishly called himself a hack.

Well put, Glenn.

So the question isnt whether Thrush should lose his job in journalism. Its why he ever had one in the first place.
Orange Business Services has been selected to support the communications requirements of the Bihar State Wide Area Network (NextGen B-SWAN 2.0) project. The original B-SWAN solution, established in 2008, was an advanced communication infrastructure created by the Government of Bihar (GoB) to support e-Governance under the Digital India State initiative. Government offices and departments across the State access various services, such as videoconferencing, and multiple citizen applications, including iWDMS, VAT MIS, e-tendering applications, CTMIS and eDistrict, as well as general connectivity. However, due to limitations in the existing network architecture, there currently is a lack of bandwidth to meet the increasing demands of data, voice and video services.

As such, the GoB introduced the NextGen B-SWAN 2.0 to enhance the day-to-day communication and collaboration between the Government offices and departments. Orange was chosen to provide reliable network connectivity, along with services, such as Domain Name System, email, internet, voice and video. These services bring improvement, efficiency and reliability to the overall intra-government communication.

NextGen B-SWAN 2.0 will connect approximately 10,000 offices within the GoB through 674 PoPs. It will also provide IP telephony and videoconferencing to nearly 1,000 users across the State. More than 50,000 government users will use the network to access Internet and applications hosted at their state data center connected to B-SWAN 2.0.

A strong State network will help India to provide effective e-governance with applications and collaborative services. Connectivity is an essential component of the Digital India campaign. Orange Business Services has the expertise and unmatched technical capabilities to help Governments to deliver seamless data, voice and video. We are honored to support the Government of Bihar and the Digital India initiative through this project, said Bala Mahadevan, CEO, Orange Business Services, India.
Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy
Focus on child marriage-free society underscored

Discussants at a view-sharing meeting voiced for energetic support from the community, especially teachers, parents and leaders of influence to ensure child marriage-free society.

They said more community participation is needed to attain the cherished goal of building a society free from child marriage as it's a precondition to achieving the sustainable development goals.

Association for Community Development (ACD) organized the meeting at its conference hall in Rajshahi.

Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Musaddeque Hossain Bulbul, Panel Mayors Anwarul Amin Azab and Nurunnahar Begum, Editor of Daily Sonali Sangbad Liakat Ali, General Secretary of Rajshahi Rakhha Sangram Parishad Jamat Khan, ACD Project Coordinators Ehsanul Amin and Monirul Islam addressed the meeting.

Mayor Bulbul viewed flourishing the latent talents of girls together with founding them as educated could be the vital means of founding Bangladesh as a dignified nation in near future. He called for building a social resistance against child marriage as it is very damaging, especially for girls.


New trust fund established at DU

A new trust fund titled "Tahmina Banu Shilu Trust Fund" has been established at the Public Administration Department of Dhaka University (DU) with a view to helping poor meritorious students of the department.

Professor of DU Economics Department and brother of late Tahmina Banu Shilu, Dr Mohammad Ali Taslim on the eleventh instant handed over a cheque for Taka 25 lakh in a function to the university's Pro Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Nasreen Ahmad at the VC office on the campus to set up the trust fund.

DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, Acting Registrar Md Enamuzzaman and some other family members and friends of late Tahmina Banu Shilu were present on the occasion.

Out of the income of the donation, every year two poor but meritorious students (one male and one female student) of the department will be given scholarship.

Addressing the function, Professor Akhtaruzzaman paid his glowing tribute to the memory of late Tahmina and hoped that the poor but meritorious students of the department would be highly benefited by this donation.


Prabhas - the face of a matrimonial website?



Baahubali star Prabhas is undoubtedly the most eligible bachelor in our country. It is been learned that a couple of matrimonial websites have been getting in touch with his team to have him as the face of their website.

After the release of Baahubali series, Prabhas has become one of Indias most eligible bachelors.

The actor has been inundated with offers from matrimonial websites to come on board as their brand ambassador.

Two websites have approached the actor and have offered humongous amounts of money. Interestingly, it was reported a while back that during the course of shooting for both Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.

Prabhas received thousands of marriage proposals. These proposals were from women across the country and even overseas.

While Prabhas is considering his options in terms of endorsements, he hasnt yet given the nod to the websites and is likely to take a call soon.


Urgent recovery measures for garment export

BANGLADESH'S garment export to the US fell in the 10 months up to October this year with higher shipments competing from countries such as China, India and Vietnam. The country's has exported worth $4.35 billion apparel goods to the USA in the first ten months (January-October) of the year, which is 4.93 per cent lower than the value of exports during the corresponding period of the previous year. Local businesspeople blame the fall in the garment exports on the lack of infrastructure; which hampers quick delivery of goods to the retailers in the US. For international buyers, India has brought down apparel prices to the level of Bangladesh by offering stimulus packages for the garment sector although the labour cost in India is higher compared to Bangladesh. The government and apparel exporters should take special measures to retain its share of exports in global market.







News media reported that Indonesia, South Korea and China also experienced a fall in exports to the US market. On the other hand, India sent $6.36 billion worth of garments to the US, up 3.44 percent year-on-year basis. Vietnam's exports rose 7.07 percent to $10.36 billion, Pakistan's 1.74 percent to $2.31 billion and Mexico's 7.64 percent to $3.99 billion. In the 10-month period, the overall export to the US from Bangladesh also fell, by 4.09 percent year-on-year to $4.87 billion. Considering the garment export growth to the US, Bangladesh now stands at sixth behind China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and Mexico whereas the country ranked third to fourth in 2016. However, imports from the US to Bangladesh have been rising in the recent months on the back of huge capital machinery imports for the garment sector.





American giants GAP and Walmart; the biggest buyers for Bangladesh, have recently shifted some orders to India because of quicker lead-times, which is also responsible for the fall in the garment exports to the US. Bangladesh's garment makers import a huge amount of fabrics from India and have to spend a lot of time and go through a lot of hassles for the release of goods at Benapole Land Port, Chittagong Port, and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. As a result, the local garment makers can't maintain the lead-time and ultimately lose the work orders from the retailers and brands. The country's exporters are also struggling to maintain competitiveness due to higher tariffs on gas and electricity as well as structural problems.





Amidst downing trend and stiff global competition, the government should overcome the bottlenecks in processing of garment exports. The trend is alarming that demands special attention from all stakeholders to regain the lost position in the US market.
BNWLA's fund embezzled

Staff Reporter :

Some officials, including the former Executive Director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association have embezzled a large amount of money from the core funds of the organisation, which came in its favour for three projects.

Executive Director Advocate Salma Ali has resigned from the post after an investigation team found the irregularities truth.

President of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association Advocate Faozia Karim told The New Nation that the investigation report is correct. But she denied to divulge more on it.

This correspondent has recently received a copy of the investigation report regarding money embezzlement prepared by a team formed by the organisation. According to the investigation report, majority of the donations of the association's two core funds has been forfeited by some officials. One fund is in IFIC bank and another one in HSBC bank. The association's executive body was not concerned about the three Projects of ILO (International Labour Organization), WHO (World Health Organization) and Primark. The Executive Director did not mention about these projects in the report or in the monthly meetings of the association.

Officials did not mention any name of any project in the resolution form, which is used to withdraw money from the core funds. The investigation team did not get the calculation of Tk 347,500 of a project of the WHO. Abdullah Al Hasan, Programme Director of the association, along with the Executive Director Advocate Salma Ali, transferred this money by irregularities.

Advocate Salma Ali and Abdullah Al Hasan along with three other people granted about Tk 1.6 crore (1,17,407 Pound) from the Primark, a foreign organisation, for a project in favour of the women's association. But they did not deposit the money with the account of the association.

After receiving the money they opened a separate office in different areas of the capital city and Salma Ali appointed her daughter Amona Chowdhury as the coordinator of the project. Total project money was deposited to a joint account opened with the names of Abdullah Al Hasan and Amona Chowdhury. They publish a booklet using the name of the association, which is totally contrary to the association's activities, the investigation report said.

Abdullah Al Hasan acknowledged his irregularities to the investigation team. He said, the Primark's project came in 2015. Hasan signed the agreement paper and the donated money was deposited to his personal account.

Later Salma Ali sent an authorization letter to the Primark to set a different office for this project. And she finally started a separate office for the project at Baridhara area of the city, which was already being used as her husband Sadeq Ali's office. Salma Ali's daughter Amona Chowdhury was appointed as the coordinator of the project in that office. Salma Ali received Tk 30,00,000 from the coordinator, Hasan said in his statement.

When disagreement arose over the second phase of Primark's project, then Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association got chance to be informed about the project and the donation. Before the disagreement the association could not know anything on the project.

Salma Ali acknowledged to the association that Hasan blackmailed her.

She said, allegations brought against her were not correct. Abdullah Al Hasan, Programme Director of the association, did all the irregularities without her concern. But now, some members of the association were trying to undermine her.
Connecting lending poses threat to banking sector

Directors take Tk 1.05 lakh cr insiders loan

Kazi Zahidul Hasan :

Banking experts on Thursday expressed serious concern over a growing trend of connecting lending among the sponsors of banks saying that such practice might spread a contagion across the financial system.

As risk associated with connected lending, they said, it should be stopped immediately to save the banks from future shocks.

The amount of connected lending stood at Tk 1,05,000 core as on June 31 this year, according to a Bangladesh Bank (BB) figure.

The BB figure shows, the country's commercial banks have altogether disbursed Tk 731,000 crore loans as on June this year, showing a 14.22 per cent connected lending.

The amount of connected lending hit at Tk 100,000 core as on June 31 last year.

"Insiders loans under mutual arrangement among the promoters and directors of different banks pose a serious threat to banking industry. BB should ensure transparency in connecting lending by bank sponsors to their verticals," Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, former finance adviser to the caretaker government, told The New Nation yesterday.

"Risk associated with connected lending. So, it should be stopped," he said, adding, "It would increase banks' asset liability gap, raise their defaulted amount and even lead to increase toxic assets."

He further said that connected lending is also harming interest of the depositors. "Sponsor directors of the private banks have largely been involved in 'connecting lending,' making them financially insolvent as a result of big cash out," Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor told The New Nation.

He said, "Such a lending practice demands an extensive scrutiny from the central bank, but the banking regulator is yet to come out with the move, creating an uncertainty over the banking sector".

The former BB Governor asked the central bank authorities to formulate a certain guideline so that banks should not grant any loan, advance or non-fund-based facility or any other financial accommodation to its directors or their relatives. "It is key to uphold the interest of shareholders and depositors," he added.

When asked, a senior executive of a private commercial bank told The New Nation that they are frequently granting loans to the directors under pressure and even their directors are issuing instructions to grant loans to the directors of other banks, their subsidiary or the holding companies forming an unholy nexus with them.

"This practice leads to a potential pitfall in the banking sectors as we are not sure the amount we grant as connected lending may not come back to the vaults of the bank again," he said asking not to be named.

Now 57 banks (public and private) are operating in Bangladesh having about 1000 sponsors directors. But only 50 directors of private banks are involved in insider lending, said a highly competent source in the central bank.

"These powerful directors having political affiliation held hostage the whole banking sector," he added.

The BB figure show that National Bank Limited tops the list of connected lending granting Tk 6,788 crore to the bank directors followed by Exim Bank Tk 5,466 crore, Jamuna Bank 4,769 crore, Dhaka Bank Tk 4,647 crore, Shahjalal Islami Bank Tk 4,137, Bank Asia Tk 4,043 crore, Pubali Bank 3,671 crore, AB Bank Tk 3,670, UCBL Tk 3,504 crore, MTBL Tk 3,082 crore, Prime Bank Tk 3,040 crore, DBBL Tk 2,721 crore, Brac Bank Tk 2,142 crore, Premier Bank Tk 2,023 crore and IFIC Bank Tk 2,005 crore.

"Banks should not grant loans, advances or non-fund based facilities to its directors or their relatives and also to firms in which directors have interests to maintain their financial stability," Dr Khondoker Ibrahim Khaled, former BB Deputy Governor told The New Nation.

He said, "In a bid to impart transparency and mitigate risks in the operation of banks, the central bank should closely monitor the issue. Otherwise, banks will face a serious crisis as result of big cash out".


South Korean President in China to repair ties

South Korean President Moon Jae-In, shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.

AP, Beijing :

South Korean President Moon Jae-in met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday during a visit to Beijing aimed at repairing ties frayed by a dispute over the deployment of an American anti-missile system.

The two leaders were to preside over a document signing ceremony following their talks, although there was no indication they would be issuing statements. While the visit is a sign of progress toward resolving the more than one-year-old dispute, China continues to demand the removal of the U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system, known as THAAD, saying it allows South Korea and its U.S. ally to spy on military activity in northeastern China. South Korean businesses in China have suffered as a result of the dispute. China suspended group tours to South Korea that are a mainstay of the local tourism industry, pulled South Korean soap operas off television and banned the country's popular K-Pop stars from visiting.

South Korea's Lotte business group, which provided the land for the missile-defense system, had to suspend business amid the anti-South Korea sentiments.

Moon has strived to balance South Korea's close political and military ties with the U.S. with its economic dependency on the Chinese market. While South Korea has resisted China's demands to withdraw THAAD, which it says is needed to counter the threat of North Korean missiles, Beijing has said it approves of a pledge from Seoul not to expand it.

That set the stage for a visit by South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to Beijing last month at which she and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed their commitment to repair relations.

But Thursday's visit was marred before the leaders met by reports that South Korean journalists following the president had been beaten by Chinese security agents in a scuffle that required intervention from South Korean presidential staff and emergency treatment for two journalists.

Seoul "regretted" that South Korean reporters were injured, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk, who issued a strong request to Beijing to investigate the case and respond with "needed measures."

North Korea is also a focus of the talks. China is North Korea's most important political and economic partner, but has enforced increasingly strict United Nations sanctions against its neighbor while seeking to persuade all parties to return to denuclearization talks.




MURADNAGAR (Comilla): Upazial Administration, Muradnagar arranged a discussion meeting at Kobi Nazrul Auditorium in observance of the Martyred Intellectuals Day yesterday.
PM returns home from Paris

UNB, Dhaka :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home on Thursday evening from Paris completing herthree-day official visit to attend the 'One Planet Summit'.

An Emirates flight carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5.10 pm. Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka on December 11.
Arrest of Reuters journos erosion of press freedom in Myanmar: UN Chief

Reuters, Tokyo/Yangon :

The arrest of two Reuters journalists in Yangon this week was a signal that press freedom is shrinking in Myanmar and the international community must do all it can to get them released, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.

Guterres said his main concern over Myanmar was the "dramatic violations of human rights" during a military crackdown in Rakhine State that forced more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee the country for southern Bangladesh, and the arrest of the journalists was probably related.

"It is clearly a concern in relation to the erosion of press freedom in the country," he told a news conference in Tokyo, referring to the detention of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who had been working on stories about the strife in Rakhine State.

"And probably the reason why these journalists were arrested is because they were reporting on what they have seen in relation to this massive human tragedy," he added.



Myanmar's Ministry of Information said in a statement on Wednesday that the Reuters journalists and two policemen faced charges under the British colonial-era Official Secrets Act. The 1923 law carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

The reporters "illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media", the ministry said in its statement, which was accompanied by a photo of the two reporters in handcuffs.

Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement on Wednesday: "We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately."

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo went missing on Tuesday evening after they had been invited to meet police officials over dinner on the outskirts of Yangon.

The authorities have not confirmed where the journalists are being held and, as of Thursday morning, Reuters had not been formally contacted by officials about their detention.

The British embassy in Yangon expressed deep concern about the arrests, and said in a statement that journalists "must be allowed to work freely and without intimidation".

"We have raised our concerns with the Burmese government, urging them to explain these arrests and allow immediate access to the two journalists," it said.

Myanmar is also known as Burma.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Myanmar said it was "appalled" by the arrests and "gravely concerned" about the state of press freedom in the country. In a statement, it called on the authorities to ensure the safety of the reporters and allow their families to see them.

The foreign correspondents' club in neighbouring Thailand said it was "alarmed by the use of this draconian law with its heavy penalties against journalists simply doing their jobs".

"Wielding such a blunt legal instrument has an intimidating effect on other journalists, and poses a real threat to media freedom," the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand said in a statement, calling for the journalists to be released.

It said journalists should be given access to Rakhine State so that they can report accurately on developments there.

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh say their exodus from the mainly Buddhist nation was triggered by a military offensive in response to Rohingya militant attacks on security forces at the end of August.
Land Minister's son expelled from JL

UNB, Pabna :

Shirhan Sherif Tomal, Ishwardi upazila Jubo League president and son of Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sherif, has been expelled from the organisation over the attack on journalists in Rooppur on November 29.

The Jubo League central committee took the action against him on Wednesday night for breaching the organisation discipline and his involvement in terrorist activities, said Abu Mohammad Nasim Pavel, Jubo League organising secretary for Rajshahi division.

On November 29 last, Tomal and his accomplices allegedly beat four journalists while they were on duty in Rooppur. Later, a case was filed against Tomal in this connection.

Fifteen days after the incident, he surrendered before a court here on Wednesday, seeking bail in the case.

However, the court sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition.
EU leaders wrestle with migrant quotas at summit

BBC Online :

EU leaders divided over a quota scheme for housing migrants, as they gather for a summit in Brussels.

Summit chairman Donald Tusk irritated an EU commissioner and some other officials by calling mandatory quotas "ineffective" and "highly divisive".

His European Council agenda calls for an EU deal by June to ease the burden on Mediterranean countries facing the greatest migrant pressure.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged EU "solidarity" to resolve the problem.

She said the current asylum system was not working, and "that is why we need internal solidarity".

She drew much criticism in Germany for welcoming more than a million asylum seekers during Europe's 2015-2016 migrant crisis.

Poland and three neighbours in Central Europe reject the EU's asylum policy.

The European Commission is suing Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic at the European Court of Justice for refusing to accept asylum seekers under the EU quota system.

Slovakia is the fourth member of the Visegrad Group, which collectively opposes quotas.

Mr Tusk, arriving at the summit, said the EU was divided "between east and west" over migration.

"These divisions are compounded by emotions which make it hard to find common language and rational argument. This is why we should work on our unity even more extensively and effectively."

The pre-summit agenda sent to leaders by Mr Tusk - a former Polish prime minister - appeared to back the Visegrad Group. They argue that they are ill-equipped to integrate people from non-Christian cultures who would rather live in richer EU countries anyway.

"The issue of mandatory quotas has proven to be highly divisive and the approach has received disproportionate attention in light of its impact on the ground; in this sense it has turned out to be ineffective," the agenda said.

The European Commission devised a mandatory scheme to relocate 160,000 refugees - Syrians and Eritreans - from Italy and Greece to other EU countries. But so far only about 32,000 refugees have been transferred.

The Commission's migration chief, Dimitris Avramopoulos, called Mr Tusk's position "unacceptable" and "anti-European".
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EAST ST. LOUIS  A Springfield, Illinois, woman was sentenced Wednesday to 51 months in federal prison for a string of bank robberies early this year, authorities said.

Adrianna Chanel Frye-Williamson, 21, was also ordered to pay restitution for robberies in Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Springfield.

In the Edwardsville robbery, authorities say Frye-Williamson entered the National Bank at 2200 Troy Road on Jan. 20 and passed a note to the teller. "This is a robbery," the note said. "I have a gun  BIG BILLS ONLY."

The teller gave Frye-Williamson $4,200 from her drawer and Frye-Williamson left the bank.

On Feb. 9, she went to the U.S. Bank at 3601 South Route 159 in Glen Carbon and again handed over a note saying she had a gun. The teller handed over $1,176.

Witnesses saw her leave that bank robbery on a bicycle, which was later found by police. They discovered Frye-Wiliamson had bought the bike earlier in the day at a pawn shop in Springfield.

Authorities arrested Frye-Williamson the next day. Authorities found some of the stolen money in her car. They also found clothing she'd worn in the U.S. Bank robbery and a note that said "This is a robbery I have a gun."

They identified her in surveillance images from the robberies, including a third robbery on Jan. 12 in Springfield.

In that robbery, at an Illini Bank branch, she handed over a note that said "This is a robbery  I have a bomb strapped to me  give me all the large bills." She got $1,200 in that robbery.

No one was hurt in the robberies. She told authorities she never had a weapon.
Getting their Drive-Thru Bethlehem ready this year was a lot of hard work, but it was also fun, members of Branchvilles Edisto Baptist Church said.

It makes it so fun when youve got a lot of people out here doing things together, and in the spirit of Christmas especially, church member Todd Owens said. It just makes it real enjoyable.

The event will be held today, Friday and Saturday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the church at 4831 Edisto River Road (Hwy. 61) in Branchville. It was rescheduled from last weekend due to bad weather.

Im kind of glad we ended up having extra days to work on it, Katie Owens said. But you still end up at the last minute finishing up.

A living Christmas story, the event features a cast of about 120 people in period costume as well as live animals. Set in the biblical town of Bethlehem, it will feature scenes depicting events from the life of Jesus as well as everyday activities from the time period.

We want to tell the story of Jesus. But theres an awful lot of other stuff thats going on at the time, she said.

The 28 different scenes depict life 2,000 years ago, including visits from the angels, the traditional manger scene, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the empty tomb, she said. Other scenes are of daily life in Bethlehem, such as women at the well, a blacksmiths shop and women weaving baskets, she said.

As you first come in, its very wide and spread out, so you get the wide-open spaces, and then you get to the gate ... and it gets real close-knit, and you can really make it feel like a town compared to what was outside, she said.

The event has proven to be popular in past years, and she hopes this year is no exception.

On an average weekend, weve had anywhere from 700 to 1,200 persons come through in a night, she said. And we hope those numbers will stay up, being rescheduled.

But hopefully well have a good turnout and people will be blessed.

Getting it all together was a bit of a challenge, Todd Owens said.

The wind the other night was really tough on things, with the scenes and everything, he said.

Several tents were torn by the gusts, he said, but overall, things are in good shape.

Duncan Delk said its been a lot of work but, Its worth it.

Kelly Owens said that the event is meant to make people think about the true meaning of Christmas.

Everybody likes to give presents and spend time with family and eat awesome food, she said.

But this is kind of a reminder  yeah, you can have that stuff ... but this is really what its about, she said.
Its time to consolidate Orangeburg Countys school districts and pass a bond bill for the states schools, Sen. Brad Hutto told Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 trustees last week.

The number one issue in South Carolina is education. The number one issue in Orangeburg County is education, Hutto said. We all know that. But do we act like it when we go to Columbia?

The answer is no, he said.

We tend to govern by crisis, whatever the flavor of the year is when we get up there, whether its the pension crisis or the SCANA nuclear plant issue, Hutto said.

The Orangeburg Democrat was invited to provide a legislative update to the board by Vice Chair Vernon Stephens.

Hutto said hes been advocating for years that, we need to step up and do whats right for education, at the state level and at the county level.

He said that he has followed the lead of Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman, who has always been a big proponent of education.

And over time, it has become clear to us that it is time to consolidate the schools in Orangeburg, Hutto said.

State lawmakers passed a bill last year designed to consolidate Orangeburg Countys three school districts into one.

The governor vetoed it over a small measure thats going to be corrected one way or the other, Hutto said.

Gov. Henry McMaster said hes in favor of the concept of consolidation, but vetoed the bill because it was unconstitutional.

The legislative delegation will seek to override McMasters veto or, failing that, introduce a new bill that deals with the governors concern, Hutto said.

Consolidation is something that we need to do for our students and for our county and for ourselves, Hutto said.

Growth is coming up the road from the Lowcountry and more industries are moving in, he said.

We are, as a county, on the threshold of really prospering, he said. We all see the growth coming out of Charleston, coming into Berkeley and its moving on in to Holly Hill. And its moving here.

Industrial announcements and prospects keep coming to the area, he said.

Every single thing that we can do to advance the quality of life in Orangeburg County is tied directly to education, he said.

If were going to get people better jobs, weve got to have a higher quality of education. If were going to improve health care, weve got have a higher level of education, he said.

If were going to address any of the issues that concern our community, education is a key to all of that, he said.

Legislators should start on day one discussing education and should not stop until theyve properly funded it and addressed some fundamental issues, he said

The Abbeville lawsuit highlighted that fact that there is a gross inequity in how funding happens in the rural areas and how they happen in the more populated areas of this state, he said.

All students should have good and modern schools, not just those who live in areas of economic growth, he said.

A child in Allendale or a child in Orangeburg deserves no less education opportunity than a child in Rock Hill or a child in Summerville, he said. It should not depend on where youre born as to the quality of education you get.

Legislators will have to start dealing with education as a state issue, not a district-by-district issue, he said.

Hutto said he hopes the General Assembly will pass some type of facilities bill or bond bill for public schools and higher education.

The bill should incentivize districts like ours to take a look at facilities that were built in the 50s and 60s, and some a little bit newer than that.

But theyve all got issues, one of which is they werent ever built with the technology that exists today. They arent wired for the things that students should expect in classrooms today, he said.

But its not just about the buildings, he said. Its also about the teachers and administrators.

And part of that is pay, he said.

A student coming out of college with an education degree and a lot of student debt is going to be looking for the highest-paying job they can get, he said. A school district in a larger, more prosperous county can offer higher salaries than a smaller, more rural county right next door.

He said that the situation should be the exact opposite.

We ought to be incentivizing our newest, young, best and brightest teachers to be in the areas that are harder to serve by paying them more or offering to them to resolve some of their debt issues, he said.

Its not all about pay, its also about the quality of the system, he said. Not every district has a good school board, and not every school in South Carolina is the same, he said.

But the opportunity for the children ought to be the same, he said. And so thats something were going to have to work on.
By Azernews





By Aygul Salmanova

The second meeting of the UK-Azerbaijan Joint Intergovernmental Commission attended by Baroness Rona Fairhead, the UK Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion and Shahin Mustafayev, Economy Minister of Azerbaijan was held in Baku.

During the meeting, the sides discussed current economic relations and prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

Mustafayev emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to bilateral relations with the UK and the two countries have successfully cooperated in various fields of economy.

He noted that over 500 companies with British capital operate in Azerbaijan. Noting the historic importance of extending the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli project until the September 2050, the minister said that Azerbaijan has successfully cooperated with British BP in the field of oil and gas extraction.

Noting the interest of Azerbaijan in expanding cooperation with the UK in the field of non-oil sector, Mustafayev highlighted the importance of Fairhead's visit to Baku in the development of relations and expressed his views on the direction of expansion of cooperation.

The United Kingdom has invested over $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan so far, according to the minister, stressing that British companies can also invest in industrial parks in the country, and together with local companies create livestock farms, establish the production of medical equipment, food, in particular, the processing of meat and milk. In addition, opportunities for the integration of tourism, transport and ICT are enormous.

The UK can use Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure and transit opportunities, he said.

Mustafayev also noted the increase of non-oil exports of Azerbaijan and informed about the export potential of the country to Great Britain.

Fairhead also noted Azerbaijan's achievements in the economic sphere, particularly with UK companies, including BP. She emphasized the importance of holding the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and pointed out that cooperation opportunities are being studied in various fields, emphasizing the potential for the development of relations in different spheres of economy.

Azerbaijan and the UK have benefitted from close bilateral partnership and cooperation since 1992, in the framework of international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO.

The relations have covered a wide range of issues, from high-level political dialogue to growing trade and investment, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties.

The two countries further developed mutual relations through the creation of an intergovernmental commission on economic and trade cooperation, which was presupposed in a memorandum "On economic and trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and Great Britain" signed in Baku on March 2, 2015.

The cooperation in the energy sector is currently the key factor of the bilateral economic relations between the two countries. Azerbaijan cooperates with the United Kingdom in the field of exploration and transportation of oil and natural gas from the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

British Petroleum, one of the world's leading integrated oil and gas companies, participates in seven oil and gas projects in the country, has a share in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Southern Gas Corridor, including TANAP and TAP projects. Great Britain is in the first place for investment in Azerbaijan. To date, the UK has invested more than $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan.

The trade with the UK in January-November 2017 amounted to $ 240.46 million, of which nearly $ 30 million fell on the export of Azerbaijani products, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.
By Trend





Azerbaijan is the main economic and strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the Caucasus, ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Beybit Isabayev said at an event dedicated to the 26th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence on Dec. 13.

"During the years of independence, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan developed very strong, friendly relations built on trust and equality. These relations are getting stronger every year. A huge potential of mutually beneficial cooperation allows foreseeing the bright future of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan," ambassador said.

Over the past 10 years, Azerbaijan has achieved impressive progress in the development of the national economy, ambassador added.

"We are pleased to see the growing influence of the country", ambassador said.

Isabayev noted that Azerbaijan is one of the key regional participants of the global energy policy.

Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov congratulated the Ambassador of Kazakhstan and all the people of Kazakhstan on the 26th anniversary of independence. He noted that during independence, under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan has become one of the leading countries of the region.

"Relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are dynamically developing in many spheres, and especially in the energy sphere and serve as an example of strong mutual cooperation", minister said.

He noted the important role of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in achieving today's results of bilateral cooperation.
By Azernews





By Rashid Shirinov

The OSCE Minsk Group that is mediating the peace diplomacy over the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has recently demonstrated a noticeable intensification in the negotiation process.

Farhad Ibrahimov, expert of Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy & International Relations, hails such a positive trend observed in the activities of the mediators, who were subject of criticism for a long time due to lack of any tangible result in the conflict resolution.

Ibrahimov told Day.Az on December 13 international mediators began to declare increasingly that the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh indeed belongs to Azerbaijan, as well as the need to resolve the conflict in accordance with the UN Security Councils resolutions.



The reality is that during its existence, the OSCE Minsk Group has not made due efforts to achieve certain goals, and this is one of the reasons that today the problem remains unresolved and the situation on the line of fire is tense, said Ibrahimov, adding that the increased activity of international mediators is now reduced to a mutual desire of the parties to resolve the issue so that there are no losers or winners.



The four resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884), adopted in 1993, condemned the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, stressed the unacceptability of forcible appropriation of territory, confirmed the inviolability of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and borders of Azerbaijan and demanded the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from Azerbaijani lands. However, these demands are still on paper, as Armenia refuses to comply with the decision of the UN Security Council.

The expert expects progress in resolving the conflict, given a certain activity of the OSCE Minsk Group, as evidenced by the past meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Geneva, where the parties agreed to take measures to intensify the decisions on the conflict.

The military solution to the conflict is undesirable, as it can lead to unpredictable consequences, added Ibrahimov. This is why the OSCE Minsk Group will intensify its activities so that the next hotbed of tension does not erupt.

He also noted that the threat of renewed hostilities is real, and the Armenian side, which is still demonstrating a stubborn and aggressive policy against Azerbaijan, must understand and realize this truth.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. For more than 20 years, Russia, the U.S. and France, who are co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, have been trying to broker a peace to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan view the developing of transportation links between Central Asian nations as a top priority.

During the visit of Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov to Uzbekistan on December 13, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway came to the forefront as the most important infrastructure project that promises a lot for the future of Central Asia.

Working groups of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will meet on December 25 to discuss the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the press service of the Kyrgyz president said in a statement.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov said that the countries will work together on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway which will enhance the attractiveness and open the transit potential of Central Asia.

Also, there are plans for the development of road transport and regular passenger routes.

In terms of the railway construction project, the working groups of the two countries will meet on December 25 this year. Already today we see the beginning of the practical implementation of the agreements on the establishment of joint ventures and production lines, Jeenbekov said.

The main result of our talks was the unanimity of opinions on the need for further development and strengthening of Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations based on good-neighborliness and traditional friendship, he stressed.

The Kyrgyz head of state noted that a wide range of issues on the key spectrum of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was discussed and stated that on many issues the positions of the two states coincide.

If earlier we were friendly countries, now we have become strategic partners, Jeenbekov added.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad would traverse and tunnel from Chinas far western rail terminus at Kashi (Kashgar) to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border town and trade hub at Kara-Suu, 20 kilometers north of Osh. The new line would then connect with Fergana Valleys existing railroad network, which links the regions major cities and the GM Uzbekistan plant in Asaka.

Kyrgyzstan is expected to profit greatly from inter-regional transit trade. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway network could possibly also be integrated into the Chinas Belt and Road initiative via connections to ports in Pakistan and Iran.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has signed two co-operation agreements with Hong Kong to enhance collaboration in financial technology (FinTech) innovation.



The bilateral agreements were inked with Hong Kongs Insurance Authority (IA) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).



Under the terms of each agreement, the authorities will co-operate on information sharing and referrals of innovative businesses. The agreement with the HKMA extends to collaborating on joint innovation projects.



DFSA chief executive Ian Johnston said: "Our Agreement with the authorities in Hong Kong is indicative of the importance we place on maintaining a close relationship with Hong Kongs financial services regulators."



"The signing of these agreements in FinTech is a natural next step to the collaboration we have in regulating traditional financial services," he stated.



The agreements follow the signing of a similar cooperation agreement between the DFSA and Hong Kongs Securities and Futures Commission in August. It means that the DFSA now has agreements in place with all three financial counterparts in the Special Administrative Region.



John Leung, the chief executive of the IA, said: "We take proactive steps in strengthening collaboration with other jurisdictions in FinTech development. The agreement with DFSA signifies closer co-operation between the two authorities in fostering and creating business opportunities for FinTech firms on a global reach."



"The IA will consider signing similar cooperation agreements with insurance regulators in other jurisdictions," he added.



Shu-Pui Li, the executive director of the HKMA, said, "The cooperation agreement with DFSA showcases our efforts to work with the international FinTech community to facilitate the healthy development of the FinTech ecosystem."



"The HKMA will continue to explore potential collaboration opportunities with other authorities to support the upgrading of our banking system towards the higher level of Smart Banking," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Higher oil prices and continued public spending support the stable 2018 outlook on non-financial companies in the GCC, said Moodys in a new report.



Conversely, the 2018 outlook for companies in both Turkey and South Africa is negative, it added.



"Improving oil prices, which are narrowing fiscal deficits, as well as an ongoing commitment to public spending and a supportive stance towards government-related issuers will underpin the stable outlook on GCC companies over the next 12 months," said Rehan Akbar, vice president -- senior analyst at Moody's.



"Limited clarity on policy direction and on the pace of implementation of structural economic reforms, as well as political risks and high currency volatility drive the negative 2018 outlook for Turkish companies. Similarly, the negative outlook for firms in South Africa reflects continued political and policy uncertainty, and depressed business and consumer demand," added Akbar.



Key takeaways:



 Rated GCC corporates will continue to benefit from strong competitive positions and government support.



 Oil prices above $50/bbl will allow countries with large fiscal buffers and small populations, such as the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, to implement fiscal reforms at a slower pace than their regional peers.



 Fewer growth opportunities will drive GCC companies toward consolidations and acquisitions outside the region, as well as investments in increasing vertical integration, and corporate focus on costs.



 GCC mature state-owned corporates are increasingly looking to diversify funding sources, which could lead to an uptick in capital market activity.



 Saudi Arabias policies to increase workforce participation of its citizens will open up opportunities for certain sectors, but create challenges for others.



 In Turkey, corporate growth will be moderately lower next year after the accommodative fiscal policy that temporarily stimulated the Turkish economy in 2017 comes to an end.



 Export-oriented manufacturing companies in Turkey will see growth opportunities as demand in Europe increases, supported by a weaker lira.



 Companies in the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors will be buoyed by improvements in the security situation, but the environment will remain potentially volatile.



 In South Africa, the fragile macro environment as well as political and policy uncertainty heighten downside risks for companies in the country. However, rated firms will remain resilient -- but not immune -- largely thanks to diversification, market dominance, and healthy credit profiles.



 Commodity (e.g., gold, platinum and diamond) exporters will continue on stable to positive trajectories, benefiting from strong momentum in global growth and low US dollar costs due to rand weakness.



 Deterioration in the credit quality of the sovereign could weigh on the credit profiles of corporates exposed to the domestic economy.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia's economic stimulation plan launched today will comprise 17 initiatives amounting to SR200 billion ($53.32 billion) over the coming four years, said Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr Majed bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi.

The plan aims at enhancing the competitiveness of a number of national sectors of the economy and providing employment opportunities for Saudi male and female youths, he was quoted as saying by Saudi Press Agency.

The announcement came during Dr Al-Qasabi's meeting with businessmen and women in Riyadh Chamber of Commerce today.

He stressed that the plan confirms the confidence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in the private sector as an important key partner in development.

The supportive initiatives will be launched at end of the first quarter of 2018, the minister said.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced that it is moving its headquarters from Abu Hail in Dubai, UAE, to a new state-of-the-art building in Al Ruwayyah 2, on Sunday.



The new eco-friendly headquarters has been designed using sustainable building materials and cutting-edge technologies to promote energy efficiency, in line with international environment safety standards and green building requirements, reported state news agency Wam.



Also energy-saving lighting is being used to illuminate the entire building that features photovoltaic (PV) panels. It is linked to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) grid to save 10 per cent of the building's energy needs, stated the report.



Taif Mohammad Al Amiri, the director of government communication department at MOCCAE, said that some of the key characteristics of the green headquarters building are its modern architectural design, its adherence to best-in-class sustainability and green building standards optimising energy use, ensuring ease of movement across different departments and sections, and reducing the ministry's environmental footprint.



"Designed to ensure efficient use of electricity, water, and air-conditioning through leveraging eco-friendly building material including sun-insulating surfaces, the building seeks to improve the quality of the indoor and outdoor environment and in doing so preserves the health and safety of the environment as part of the ministrys social commitment," added Al Amiri.
A Syrian boy living in Dubai flew to the United States for an urgent organ transplant  then met the woman whose liver saved his life.

Ahmad Akkad, four, was desperately ill with a rare genetic disease when medics found the perfect match in 46-year-old American Becky Cable.

I feel like Ahmad is a part of me. Hes family now, said Becky after meeting the child and his mother, Aya, at Cleveland Clinic in the Midwest state of Ohio. He is just so beautiful and so healthy and soalive!

Ahmad was still a toddler when he first showed signs of being unwell. When he developed severe itching and jaundice, Aya took him to see a pediatrician, who referred him to specialists in Abu Dhabi.

There, specialists delivered a shattering diagnosis: a disorder called progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). The little boys liver was deteriorating rapidly, causing toxins to build up in his bloodstream, and his parents were told their then two-year-old son would probably die without a liver transplant.

It was so hard. Nothing was helping Ahmad at all, Aya recalled. When we received the call that we had a donor, I was so happy. My son would have the chance to live in good health!

Around the world, many organ transplant candidates remain on waiting lists for lengthy periods of time, facing the risk of death. Living donor liver transplantation, in which healthy people donate a portion of an organ that has the capacity to regrow, offers real hope when time is of the essence.

Cleveland Clinic offers one of the worlds most comprehensive transplant programs, with experience that includes living donor transplantation between child and adult patients. Performing approximately 150 liver transplants per year, the center has more than 30 years of experience in liver transplantation, with a dedicated multidisciplinary team that includes hepatologists with expertise in all areas of liver disease.

Becky originally volunteered for organ donation at the hospital when a close friend needed a liver transplant there. That operation never happened, as her friend became too ill for surgery, but she had agreed to stay registered as a donor.

I thought: Whats the difference if I know the person or I dont know the person? she said. Im willing to give if theres anybody who needs it. That person was Ahmad. They were a perfect match.

As she prepared to make the two-hour drive to Cleveland from her home in rural New York state, Aya and Ahmad boarded a 22-hour flight from Dubai. While their homes are about 7,000 miles apart, the two will be linked forever.

Dr Koji Hashimoto, a specialist in multiorgan transplants at Cleveland Clinic, removed Ahmads diseased liver and replaced it with a palm-sized portion of Beckys healthy organ. A fifth of her liver was removed for the transplant  typically, the body regenerates the missing section within six to eight weeks.

Their operations occurred simultaneously  and the transplant worked. Ahmad was almost immediately transformed into an active toddler who hasnt stopped moving.

Aya said: He doesnt like to sleep at all. He just wants to play  and thats a good thing, she said. Every time I see him walking, running, playing, I think about his donor. And I want to thank her.

She and Ahmad were able to do this in person when, on October 11, they met Becky for the very first time. Amid tears and laughter, Aya said: When I saw Becky, I just wanted to go hug her. How can I thank her for this precious gift?

Because of her generosity, she saved my sons life. - TradeArabia News Service
Threats via social media and wireless networks will dominate next year, said researchers at Airbus external Cyber Security business in their compilation of top technology predictions for 2018.



The predictions are based on trends identified at Airbus Security Operations Centres in France, UK and Germany during 2017.



Prediction 1: A lack of social media security policies will create serious risks for enterprises



As observed during 2017, social media platforms are regularly being used for the spread of fake news or the manipulation of public opinion. But social media can also be used for sophisticated social engineering and reconnaissance activities which form the basis of many attacks on the enterprise. Criminals and hackers are known to use these platforms to distribute malware, push rogue antivirus scams and phishing campaigns to lure their victims.



Markus Braendle, head of the Airbus CyberSecurity business said: Social media provide the medium for connecting people globally, in the rapid exchange of ideas, discussions and debates in our digital world.



However, from an attackers perspective, social media have become an easy target because of the number of non-cyber security savvy users, and the fact that these platforms are easy and cost effective to use. To protect themselves against social media attacks, organisations need to implement enterprise-wide social media security policies. This includes designing training programs for employees about social media usage, and creating incident response plans that coordinate the activities of the legal, HR, marketing and IT departments in the event of a security breach.



Prediction 2: Attacks on Wireless networks will escalate



Attacks on wireless networks will increase as attackers seek to exploit the Key Reinstallation Attack (KRACK) vulnerability, first made public in October 2017.



The vulnerability can allow an attacker to intercept and read Wi-Fi traffic between devices and a wi-fi router, and in some cases even modify the traffic to inject malicious data into websites. It could also allow attackers to obtain sensitive information from those devices, such as credit card details, passwords, chat messages and emails.



Braendle continued: We can expect to see an escalation of attacks over public or open wi-fi connections, and in turn, an increased security provision by organisations that offer such services to their customers. Such attacks may be particularly damaging for people using old devices that are no longer supported by vendors, making them an attractive target for cyber criminals. These threats may also trigger an increased use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) by the most security conscious users.



Prediction 3: Encryption will continue to represent challenges for law enforcement



Concerns about data privacy, the increasing use of cloud computing, an increase in data breaches and the introduction of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will all contribute to the emergence of End to End Encryption (E2EE) as the most effective way for enterprises wishing to secure their data. But E2EE will also represent some challenges to law enforcement as criminals continue to use this technique for espionage and subversion.



When weighing up the cost of any security solution, its important to consider the financial impact of suffering a security incident. After General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect, organisations could be fined up to 4per cent of their global turnover in the event of a data breach  so the cost of any solution must always be viewed in relation to the risks involved, Braendle added.  TradeArabia News Service
PepsiCo has announced that effective January 1, 2018, Mike Spanos, currently President, PepsiCo Greater China Region, will become Chief Executive Officer, Asia, Middle East and North Africa (Amena).

Sanjeev Chadha, currently Chief Executive Officer of Amena, will become Chairman of Amena through the end of Q1 2018. Both Spanos and Chadha will report to PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi.

"We have a strong bench of senior executives, and we are thrilled to promote Mike, one of our most seasoned and proven leaders, into this important role," said Nooyi. "Most recently, Mike has led our business in China through unprecedented change, growing our foods and beverage businesses and investing in our nutrition portfolio."

Nooyi continued: "On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank Sanjeev for his exemplary career at PepsiCo over the last 27 years and his extraordinary commitment to our company. His continued support as Chairman of Amena until his retirement at the end of March will ensure a smooth transition."

Spanos has had a notable career at PepsiCo, spanning 24 years with posts in the US, Europe and Asia. Prior to leading PepsiCo's China business, he led the sales organization across PepsiCo's North America Beverages portfolio, and served as SVP and General Manager for the West Business Unit of the company's beverage operations. Previously, Spanos held various sales and GM roles, including Country Manager for Turkey and VP of Sales and Food Service for The Pepsi Bottling Group. He began his PepsiCo career as a frontline territory development manager in beverages.

The following moves are also effective January 1, 2018:

 Ram Krishnan, currently Senior Vice President and General Manager of the global PepsiCo Walmart business, will become President, Greater China Region (GCR), succeeding Spanos. In his new role, he will be responsible for PepsiCo's China business across beverages, foods and nutrition, working closely with the GCR leadership team and partners across Amena to advance the company's growth in China. He will be based in Shanghai and report to Spanos.

 Chris Turner, currently Senior Vice President of Transformation for Frito-Lay North America, will become Senior Vice President and General Manager of the global PepsiCo Walmart business, reporting to Al Carey, Chief Executive Officer for North America.

"At PepsiCo, we are fortunate to have the best talent in the industry, from our frontline associates to our senior executives," Nooyi added. "Both Ram and Chris are highly respected leaders with proven track records of success, and we are pleased when the opportunity presents itself to elevate our senior executives into new roles in support of personal and professional growth, while also enabling the success of PepsiCo." - TradeArabia News Service
Exhibitors at the recently concluded 8th edition of Sial Middle East, a business class event for the region's food & beverage sector in Abu Dhabi, UAE netted deals worth Dh3.3 billion ($898 million), said event organisers.



The event also saw a growth of 28 per cent year-on-year for visitor numbers, they added.



Joanne Cook, managing director for Sial Middle East said: With 20,000 registered visitors through our doors in the first two days of the exhibition, we take this as an encouraging sign that local and international government bodies, companies and investors have increased interests in the future of the food, beverage and hospitality in the UAE.



At the Middle East Food Forum, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) delivered a key session on the importance of their role as the auditing body for the safety, security and quality of food for outlets taking part in their Weqaya programme.



Thamer Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sial Middle East Organising Committee said: The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) supervises food establishments to ensure compliance with health requirements and safe food practices, ensuring public access to safe food and avoiding foodborne diseases.



We monitor food safety while verifying the conformity of food products to standard specifications which are related to food safety or food quality. The more we partner with governmental organizations to work on this project the stronger it will be.



Changing the concepts of foods and the customers preferences will drive the industry to work towards change by providing healthier food options, he added.



In line with the initiative launched by ADFCA during the exhibition and under the framework of the Year of Giving, Jenaan provided close to one million palm trees to the UAE Red Crescent and signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre which will see agricultural investment company set up the infrastructure for raising, rearing and packaging organic free-range chickens within the UAE.



Louis Smit, CEO  Business Planning & Development Sector for Jenaan said: The poultry project that we set up is something unique for the UAE and will see farmers grow free-range chickens that they can sell year-round.



What we will do from Jenaans perspective is supply farmers with day-old chickens, the feed and technical and professional services. The farmers will then produce and grow the chickens and once they are ready for the market, we will buy them back from the farmer at a margin. This means Jenaan will effectively finance the project giving farmers a great incentive to get involved.



The infrastructure will ensure the quality of the reared free-range chickens, and will include a production house with a large area where they can free-roam, which is a more humane way of raising poultry compared to your normal broilers.



The chickens reared in these farms will provide quality meat and a premium product for the farmers to sell, and means less product for the UAE to import, greatly decreasing logistical costs and helping provide sustainable farming solutions for the country, he added.



The Sial Innovation Area showcased and awarded some of the worlds most innovative products, guaranteeing an experience for attendees to learn about upcoming trends in the food and beverage sector.



Out of the 150 entries and 12 finalists for the awards, John Woods LTD took home the gold honours for their organic Sprouted Flaxseed products. John Woods, director for John Woods Ltd, said: We have been a family business for years now and we moved into healthy foods about 10 years ago now selling a range of nuts and fruits and berries.



However, we decided there was one step further we could go and that was to sprout seeds: flax seeds. Theres no doubt that it is a much more nourishing product and beneficial for the digestive system and we believed this was something that needed to be on the market.



For the Bronze award, UAEs Al Rabiah Trading Company nabbed the prize for its almond milk, walnut milk and pistachio milk products.



Judged by XTC World Innovation, Sial Innovation provided exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase new innovative products to thousands of attendees. Part of the global programme, the award is only for newly introduced food and beverage products, and the winning product will be displayed at all Sial events worldwide.  TradeArabia News Service
CB&I, a leading global player in the technology and infrastructure services sector, has announced it has been awarded a contract worth more than $95 million by Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery (Sasref).

Sasref is a joint venture between two of the biggest oil and gas companies in the world Saudi Aramco and Shell.

The scope of work includes the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) for Sasref's modernisation and expansion of its existing refinery in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.



On the contract win, Duncan Wigney, the executive vice-president of engineering and construction at CB&I, said: "This award demonstrates CB&I's ability to deliver value to Sasref and our other customers in the Middle East. It also enhances CB&I's position in the region as a leading provider of energy infrastructure solutions, from conceptual design to fabrication to EPC delivery."



CB&I, he stated, had completed the conceptual design and Feed (front-end engineering design) phases of the project, while working with Sasref to optimise investment on the new refinery configuration.



According to Wigney, the relationship between CB&I and Sasref extends back for more than a decade, and the duo had been collaborating successfully during this time.

The Aramco-Shell venture aspires to become the best petroleum refinery company not only in Saudi Arabia, but also in Asia and Middle East.



CB&I's integrated solutions will give Sasref the operating flexibility needed to generate maximum returns through sustainable fuels production, which meets Euro V regulations for cleaner emissions, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
CAE, a leading civil and defence aviation training company, will provide operating services to the Oman Aviation Academy following the recent signing of a service-level agreement with the Omani Authority for Partnership, said a report.



The agreement was signed by Dr. Dhafir Awadh Al Shanfari, chief executive officer of OAPFD, on behalf of Oman Aviation Academy, and Ian Bell, vice president and general manager, Middle East/Asia Pacific, CAE, said a report in the Times of Oman.



Under the agreement terms, CAE will provide operating services of the highest international standards to the OAA, and in accordance with the requirements of Oman Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In addition to these, CAE will provide full aviation training programmes to qualify Omani nationals as ground and flight instructors.



CAE will support the sultanate and other regional operators in the training and supply of pilots, for both the civil and military sectors. CAEs defence and security business unit will oversee the service-level agreement, and partner with the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy to deliver the ab initio pilot training programme, the report said.



The training programme will include comprehensive ground school academic training, as well as high-quality flying instruction, delivered in accordance with national aviation authority requirements.



Oman Aviation Academy will start receiving the first batch of students in the first quarter of 2018, in cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University and Oman Air.
Dubai hotels reported declines in occupancy and revenues in November although growth in demand remained healthy during the month, according to STR Global.



STR Globals preliminary November data for Dubai indicated increases in supply (5.6 per cent) and demand (2.7 percent). However, the figures also showed a 2.7 percent de crease in occupancy to 87 percent while average daily rates fell by 1.1 per cent to Dh754.11 ($205.2).



Revenue per available room (RevPAR) slipped 3.8 per cent to Dh655.84 ($178.5).



Demand (roomnights sold) reached an all-time high for a November in Dubai, and occupancy was well above the November average (83.6 per cent). Occupancy also eclipsed 90 per cent four consecutive nights around the Dubai Airshow, which was held from November 12-16.



STR analysts cite supply growth as the reason behind the year-over-year decreases in occupancy and ADR. - TradeArabia News Service


With the opening of the Bayern Welcome Lounge, travellers arriving in Munich from all over the world and those meeting them at the airport now have a pleasant place to meet.



The lounge, operated by Bayern Tourismus Marketing (by.TM) - the official marketing organization for the Bavarian tourism industry - offers them a spot to relax in contemporary, Bavarian-themed surroundings. It is situated in the public area of Terminal 2, immediately after the exit from the baggage claim.



Designed as a multimedia experience, the lounge presents visitors with enjoyable infotainment and travel inspirations covering every aspect of Bavaria, Germany's most popular state for tourism. The concept utilises interactive touchscreens, 360 video projections and a large media wall. Dr. Michael Kerkloh, the president and CEO of Munich Airport, was delighted with his first impression: "This gives our guests a virtual foretaste of what awaits them in our many-faceted region right after landing here."



"Innovation, digitalisation and hospitality  that's what we stand for. And that's the concept that our new Bayern Welcome Lounge communicates. Right after arriving, you can gain a sense of the Bavarian spirit and pick up plenty of ideas for activities and destinations in Bavaria," explains Jens Huwald, the managing director of by.TM.



The new Bayern Welcome Lounge is a perfect location for international travellers and organised tours to meet and assemble on arrival in Munich. - TradeArabia News Service
Jordan flag carrier Royal Jordanian (RJ) will mark its 54th anniversary on December 15.



Since the launch of operations, RJ has been receiving Hashemite support. His Majesty King Hussein's constant backing played a key role in the progress witnessed by the airline and helped it boost its competitiveness at regional and international levels.



His Majesty King Abdullah II continues to support Royal Jordanian, given the leading national role that the flag carrier plays in connecting Jordan to the world and its strategic significance in serving the country.



On the occasion, RJ president/CEO Stefan Pichler said: The Royal Crown is in our brand, a very strong and powerful symbol to take our company forward and achieve the turnaround. It makes us all believe in Royal Jordanian and work together as a team to make it happen.



He added that RJ will keep improving its services, facilitate travel procedures and develop employees skills by training them according to the best customer-service standards, in addition to relying on technology in all fields, in line with international airlines.



Pichler said that the strategic objective of Royal Jordanian is to position itself as the No. 1 carrier in the Levant. This will be done by strengthening the three main pillars of the five-year turnaround plan: sustainable profitability that attracts the capital market and targets increasing operating margins in the coming five years; being a consumer champion by thinking of customers first; being the employer of choice, which attracts and retains talented and skilled workforce and rewards performance.



The airline will keep revisiting its route network to enhance connectivity through RJs hub in Amman and will simplify the fleet and thus make future growth easier.



Pichler added that RJ will keep offering super-low fares to retain loyal customers and gain new ones; passengers will also see improved services and a seamless travel experience.



In 1963, the company had 250 employees, operated two aircraft -- a Handley Page Dart Herald and a DC7 -- and was flying to three destinations: Beirut, Kuwait and Cairo. Now its fleet counts 26 modern aircraft that fly to 44 cities spread over four continents. Ten destinations are still suspended for security reasons: Damascus, Aleppo, Sanaa, Aden, Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Mosul, Suleimaniyah and Erbil.



The next five years will see the launch of four new stations and more aircraft, which will bring the total number of 30 modern airliners.

The number of passengers increased from 87,000 in 1964 to more than 3 million by the end of this year; the number of yearly flights grew from 4,000 to more than 35,000 over the period. Revenues also went up from JD1 million ($1.4 million) in 1964 to some JD618 million ($870 million) expected at the end of this year.



Honouring employees

Royal Jordanian held a ceremony on the occasion of its 54th anniversary, honouring employees who have been in the service of the airline for five to 40 years.



Pichler presented certificates of appreciation to the honoured employees, thanking, on the occasion, the RJ family members who work in Jordan and the outstations. - TradeArabia News Service


Casper Mayor Kenyne Humphrey is recovering from a concussion, she explained at Tuesday nights City Council meeting.

Humphrey said she fell and injured her head recently after tripping in her home. The mayor said she suffered a concussion and is struggling with short-term memory loss.

Explaining that she wasnt feeling well, Humphrey instructed Vice Mayor Ray Pacheco to lead Tuesdays meeting. The mayor ended up leaving the meeting early.

Humphrey said Wednesday that she is unsure how the accident occurred. She woke on the floor of her home with a sore head on the morning of Dec. 4. The mayor initially thought she was fine, but sought medical treatment after her co-workers noticed she was walking off-balance and slurring her words.

Doctors diagnosed her with a concussion and said it could take up to six weeks to fully recuperate, said Humphrey. She returned to work Tuesday and expects to be capable of leading next weeks City Council ouncil meeting.

I think by next week I should be pretty good, she said, adding that she will instruct the vice mayor to take over again if she feels poorly.

Humphrey has represented Ward 3 on the council since 2006. This is her fourth term as mayor, a year-long position decided internally by council members.

She works as the administrator of Mountain Plaza Assisted Living. In August, she announced she wouldnt be running for re-election when her term expires in December 2018.
A group hoping to bring a hotel and conference center to downtown Casper outlined plans to pay for it at Tuesday nights City Council meeting.

The center would cost roughly $70 million. Between $30 million and $35 million would come from a loan, $30 million from public/gap financing and $5 million to $10 million from equity, said Brandon Daigle, the chairman of the Downtown Development Authority.

Most hotels built to accommodate a citys conference needs require some public investment, with one study estimating the average public contribution at 43 percent of total development costs, according to Daigle.

In addition to the development authority, the conference center consortium group also includes representatives from the Casper Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Amoco Reuse Agreement Joint Powers Board and the Economic Development Joint Powers Board/Forward Casper.

The group recently identified a plot of land adjacent to the David Street Station as the best location to develop the facility, but city leaders had already advertised three city-owned buildings within that space as for sale. Three local entrepreneurs hoping to bring a bakery, an apparel company and new apartments to the downtown area submitted their proposals in October.

Explaining that these bidders were ready to get to work immediately, Councilman Dallas Laird asked Tuesday how long it would take until the conference center group could present an iron-clad plan.

Daigle said it would take six months to prepare a concrete financial plan.

These types of projects, as you know, take time to put together, he explained.

Members of the group have been talking to interested developers, but do not want to spent more of their time until the City Council decides to pursue the project, said Daigle.

Given that three entrepreneurs are waiting in the wings with their checkbooks, Councilman Bob Hopkins said he thought it would be best if the group selected another location.

Hopkins also had concerns that the location doesnt offer enough space to accommodate the conference center.

The facility would house 200 hotel rooms, a 55,000 square feet conference center and 400 parking spaces, according to Daigle.

The group also had two other potential sites analyzed, including the Platte River Commons property and a property owned by Casper Redevelopment Corporation and the Natrona County Public Library Foundation. A study concluded that these locations were less desirable because they are further away from the citys center and would therefore generate less foot traffic downtown.

Councilman Charlie Powell, who has previously stated that a hotel and convention center could help to diversify the citys economy, thanked the group for their efforts and reiterated that a center would be a great asset for Casper.

While acknowledging that the groups plan sounded like a long-shot, Powell said it wasnt impossible.

I dont believe its a fairy tale, he remarked.

The buildings in question, which are located on Ash Street north of Midwest Avenue, include the former Ka-Larks gymnastics studio, the former Milos Toyota body shop and a former livery stable.

Mayor Kenyne Humphrey said Wednesday that she was a bit disappointed with the presentation.

I was hoping we would have a little more solid data by this time, she said.

The discussion about Ash Streets future will continue at a public hearing slated for next Tuesday.
CHEYENNE  A lot remains unclear for the states ENDOW report with just days before it is due to Gov. Matt Mead and the Wyoming Legislature.

ENDOW (Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming) is Meads initiative to diversify the states economy in the next 20 years. The ENDOW executive council met in Laramie on Monday and Tuesday to discuss its report outlining preliminary findings and recommendations for state leaders to consider in 2018.

The report is due no later than Dec. 31. There was some broad consensus among the council members during its meetings, but many details are still being finalized as they work against the clock.

After a loose voting exercise, its priorities were reflected in the recommendations that are expected to rise to the top in the final version of the report. Broadband development, workforce training and expanding commercial air service received the most favorable votes. Improving higher educational attainment, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem and emphasizing computer science in K-12 education all received a significant number of favorable votes as well.

While there were times the group seemed to get bogged down on laborious details, ENDOW executive council co-chairman Greg Hill said it was an important part of the process. Hill, a Wyoming businessman, said hes happy with how the meetings turned out.

Part of the group dynamic is making sure you have enough conversation, so you have alignment and agreement, he said. I feel like were walking out of here with that.

Since its first meeting in May, the council has focused largely on overcoming impediments to diversified economic growth. Whether its the states lack of access to reliable air service, the young workforce fleeing the state or broadband Internet infrastructure, the council made it clear the state needs to set itself up for success.

Hill said some of the recommendations, such as commercial air service, are already in bill form. Others, he said, will likely find their way to that end. But overall, he said the first year is really about laying groundwork and making sure some funding is available to dig deep on its priorities.

All we want to do  and (Mead) said this  at this point is earmark some money, Hill said. There will be some that turn into bills. But were really throwing our support and saying, based on our work, the people of Wyoming really want this.

Mead recommended a $37.5 million appropriation for continuing ENDOWs work in his budget released earlier this month. The money would come from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account, commonly referred to as the rainy-day fund. And the states legislative leaders  Senate President Eli Bebout, R-Riverton, and Speaker of the House Steve Harshman, R-Casper  are both ex-officio, nonvoting members of the executive council that have expressed repeated support for the initiative. Bebout has said in the past he thinks using rainy-day fund dollars for continuing ENDOW is an appropriate use of the savings. And thats significant.

ENDOW is not the first time Wyoming has tried similar efforts, only to result in glossy reports sitting on the shelf. Hill said it was imperative to his signing on to the project to know that wouldnt happen with ENDOW.

When (Mead) asked if Id do this, I sat down with them all, because I wanted to get eyeball to eyeball, he said. Im running an international oil company, so I wanted to make sure they were really committed.

Hill said he also thinks this time is different because ENDOWs work must succeed. Wyoming is slowly recovering from its latest bust related to mineral commodities that account for around 70 percent of its revenue. And while busts in the past have always been cured by inevitable booms as commodity prices go back up, Hill, Bebout and others have emphasized this time is different.

Economists forecasting better revenues for 2018 are also cautioning the bounce-back is likely going to flatten. Competing states with mineral resources, technology and more are working against the possibility of another boom.

Wyoming still has considerable reserves saved from more prosperous times.

With that in tow, Hill said many in Wyoming realize now is the time to act on its long-sought goals of economic diversification.

I think the advantage is Wyomings back is against the wall, he said. We have a lot of wealth in the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund and all those sources that give us time to build a bridge. A lot of states dont have that.

Its now up to subcommittees, stakeholders and staff to incorporate the councils feedback into the final report. Until its released, the draft report is not being made public.

Hill said the public shouldnt worry, however. He emphasized the preliminary nature of even the final report and said it is still his goal to keep the public involved in the initiative.

Some things that are important to different interest groups might have fallen to the back, but Hill said its not because the council doesnt recognize their importance. The initial work is about determining recommendations that are immediately actionable. With buy-in from lawmakers and the public, Hill said 2018 is where he expects the rubber to hit the road.

This is early thinking, he said. 2018 is going to be about going deep.
Tatiana Maxwell said she was working as an intern at a Cheyenne law firm in 1982 when a young lawyer at the firm, Ed Murray, sexually assaulted her at the office.

Murray, now Wyomings secretary of state, denies the allegations. Murray is considering whether to run for governor and is widely viewed as one of the leading Republican candidates, should he decide to enter the race.

Maxwell detailed the alleged assault in a social media post earlier this week and confirmed the events in a phone interview with the Star-Tribune on Thursday.

This is not a comfortable thing to talk about, Maxwell said. It hasn't been a comfortable thing for 35 years, but it's the right thing to do.

Murray issued a statement to the media Thursday saying that he was shocked and appalled to read Maxwells social media post. The statement said that Murray was an advocate for women.

This baseless claim about an encounter from thirty-five years ago is unequivocally false, Murray stated. There is no basis to this falsehood whatsoever and it is deeply hurtful to me and to my family, as well as to everyone I serve.

Alleged incident detailed

Maxwell said in a Facebook post Monday that she was working at Dray, Madison and Thomson during the summer after she graduated from high school in Cheyenne. She said Murray was five years older than her and had taken a job at the firm after recently graduating from law school.

He was older, handsome and from an old Cheyenne family but I didnt really know him, she wrote.

According to Maxwell, Murray invited her to meet him at the office after working hours and said she sat with him in the reception area of the law office. She recalled there being Dominos pizza and beer.

She said that Murray put his hands on her and attempted to kiss her but that she resisted, told him she was a virgin and stopped him from taking off her pants.

Ed wrestled me down to the carpet in front of the receptionist desk, opened his pants, lifted up my blouse and ejaculated on my stomach, Maxwell wrote. I was disgusted and horrified.

Specifically, Maxwell stated the following in her Facebook post:

Maxwell had previously worked for then-Secretary of State Thyra Thomson, whose son Bill Thomson worked at the law firm;

Maxwell took a summer job doing grunt work at the firm after graduating high school;

Murray invited her to hang out after hours at the office;

While sitting in the reception area, which was a living room when the office had been a home, Murray started putting his hands on me and tried to kiss me;

Maxwell resisted, struggled and wouldnt let him unbutton my pants, at which point Murray wrestled her to the floor.

One of the unforgettable memories was of him handing me the box of Kleenex from the receptionists desk to clean myself up after ... he was finished, she wrote.

Maxwell wrote that she did not report it to the firms senior lawyers for fear of losing her job and did not contact the police because she had not been physically hurt. She said that Murray married a high school classmate of hers and was present at two of her high school reunions, where he once tried to apologize to her and a second time alluded to the incident.

She said that following the alleged incident she began referring to him as Eddie the Toad in conversations with friends.

The law firm is now called Dray, Dykeman, Reed and Healey. Gregory Dykeman, a partner at the firm, confirmed that Maxwell worked at the company for a short period and that Murray was an associate attorney there.

(W)e have no employment records this far back, so I cannot give you any more accurate dates or other information, Dykeman added.

At the time, Maxwell was known by her maiden name Laybourn. She said that her job was a summer internship and lasted a few months.

Maxwells husband, Peter Maxwell, told two Wyoming media outlets that the events described in his wifes Facebook post were consistent with what she had told him in the past. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Star-Tribune. The two are currently getting divorced, Tatiana Maxwell said.

Maxwell, a real estate developer, was born and raised in Cheyenne and lived in Jackson before moving to Boulder, Colorado, where she currently lives.

'It supersedes politics'

Maxwell said she unaware that Murray was considering running for governor until reporters informed her after seeing her Facebook post and contacting her.

According to federal election records, Maxwell has donated about $73,000 to Democratic candidates and organizations in Wyoming, Colorado and nationally since 1998. It does not appear that Maxwell has donated to any Wyoming candidates or organizations since 2008.

Maxwell acknowledged that she has been politically active, but said her decision to share her story on social media now had nothing to do with politics.

It supersedes politics, Maxwell said. It's about human behavior. It's about right and wrong, and it's about standing up for women.

Maxwell said with many sexual assault and harassment allegations in the news, her three daughters had asked her whether she had experienced anything like that. When she told the story about Murray, her 17-year-old daughter urged her to speak out about the incident and Maxwell said that by not doing so she would be setting a poor example.

"I couldn't respond to her that it's a complicated thing because I don't want that to be her answer," Maxwell said. "It's not complicated thing. It's black and white."

Maxwell did not contact media about Murray. She made a public post about the incident on Facebook on Monday afternoon and the story was first reported Thursday morning by KGAB radio in Cheyenne, which initially ran an article about the post that did not include comment from Murray. Maxwell said the station did not contact her before publishing the article.

'A reminder'

Murray released his statement later Thursday morning after KGAB and its affiliated stations published her account. The statement references the #MeToo movement in which women have come forward to share stories of sexual assault and harassment. Several prominent political figures have been accused of sexual harassment or assault in recent weeks, including members of Congress and state lawmakers around the country. Maxwell references the movement in her Facebook post and Murray said he was sympathetic to the underlying message.

I struggle to understand what would motivate someone to make this kind of accusation, Murray said in the statement. But considering that this statement was made in the context of the #metoo movement, I want to take this moment to acknowledge the overall importance of this conversation, as well as to reaffirm my commitment to being an ally for women.

The Wyoming Public Employees Association handles many workplace grievances related to sexual harassment in the state government. Executive director Betty Jo Beardsley said she was unaware of any sexual harassment cases in the secretary of states office since Murray took office in 2015.

Through a spokesman, Murray did not respond to a detailed list of questions sent by the Star-Tribune, including whether he knew Maxwell, whether the two had a social relationship while working at the Cheyenne law firm or whether any parts of Maxwells account were accurate.

A Cheyenne businessman, Murray was elected secretary of state in 2014. Along with State Treasurer Mark Gordon, he is considered a leading contender to be Wyomings next governor if he chooses the enter the GOP primary. Murray has said in the past that he hopes to make a decision by the end of the year.

While in office, Murray has been known for his fierce defense of Wyomings low corporate filing fees, which he argues encourage economic growth in the state and generate revenue, but which some critics argue enable fraud.

Murray has also bucked a request by the Trump administration to turn over election and voter information to a federal commission on voter fraud, saying that he was worried doing so might open the door to unconstitutional federal overreach.

He said in the statement Thursday that the allegations by Maxwell were upsetting and false but said that they were a reminder about the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace.

As a husband of thirty-one years and the father of four incredible daughters, I take my role as an advocate for women with utmost importance, Murray said in the statement. While I am deeply disturbed by this false allegation, I choose to allow this to serve as a reminder of how important it is to be an advocate for the courageous women and men who have spoken out against a very serious problem in our country.

Staff writer Elise Schmelzer contributed to this report.
Dear Mr. President,

I hear that your presidency is off to a rocky start. That swamp you said youd drain seems to be getting muddier and murkier. On the other hand, you have appeased your base of government-bashing supporters by ordering federal agencies to slash their funding by 15 percent, including the Social Security Administration. I wrote a column a couple months ago questioning whether that is a good idea for SSA. After all, there are 10,000 people retiring every day and signing up for Social Security. And there are thousands more filing for Social Security disability benefits, and even thousands more filing for survivor benefits.

So with such a growing customer base, do you really think its a good idea to cut SSAs staff? Let me put this in relatable terms. Lets say your steak business was growing by 15,000 new customers every day. Would you cut funding and staff to all your producers and suppliers? I doubt it. I am pretty sure you would increase the resources.

So maybe you should think about doing the same for SSA.

Thats why Im writing you today. Ive got an idea that I think will score big points with senior citizens in this country. Think of it as a Christmas present for them.

I suggest you recommend that Congress raise the Social Security death benefit from the current $255 limit to something more reasonable  lets say $2,500.

To understand where I am coming from with this proposal, heres a little history lesson.

The miserly $255 one-time payment didnt start out as a death benefit  at least not in the context it is thought of today. And it was never meant to be a burial benefit, as many people call it.

As part of the original Social Security Act passed in 1935, Congress realized that many of the new Social Security taxpayers would die before they ever had a chance to collect benefits. Or they would die without having earned enough quarters of coverage to insure survivor benefits for their dependents.

So Congress decided to compensate the families of the deceased with some form of reimbursement for the Social Security taxes that they had paid into the system. They set up a one-time benefit they called the lump-sum death payment and it was originally intended to reimburse the family with an amount equal to a small percentage of the tax money the deceased had paid into the system.

It was supposed to be a temporary benefit, because Congress knew that as time passed, most workers would be paying a sufficient amount of money into Social Security that they would be insured for retirement or survivor benefits. In other words, when a taxpayer retired, he or she would get checks. Or upon death, the widow or widower (and any minor children) would get monthly survivor benefits. So this lump-sum payout would no longer be needed.

But as often happens with government programs, once you start paying a benefit, its hard to take it away. (I guess you are learning that the hard way by trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act!) Anyway, back to the Social Security death benefit. Over the years, there have been many proposals to eliminate it. But as miserly as the benefit is, its a popular feature of the Social Security program. When its been on the chopping block, AARP and other senior citizen advocacy groups have fought to save it. And politicians soon learned that to tamper with it meant an automatic loss in the next election. So the temporary benefit never went away.

But there have been some relatively minor adjustments to the original law. In 1954, they capped the benefit at $255  and its remained at that level since. And in 1983, when President Reagan and Congress were looking for ways to save money in the Social Security system, they restricted the payment of the one-time death benefit to a spouse, and only if she was living with the deceased at the time of death.

And thats where we are today. We have an essentially meaningless death benefit paid only to a widow or widower. Perhaps 50 years ago, $255 paid the cost of a funeral. Today, it barely covers the price of the flowers.

On the one hand, if you were looking for a federal benefit to get rid of, then I think you should simply eliminate it.

On the other hand, if you wanted to do something that the vast majority of Americans would like, then propose raising the death benefit to something meaningful and useful  like $2,500. And lets pay it to any surviving family member who is the executor of the estate (not just to widows or widowers).

Obviously, increasing the death benefit will cost the government more money. But here is an idea to help pay for it. Just lop an inch or two off the top of that border wall you want to build. I think that should more than cover the costs of helping millions of Americans in a time of need. And your wall will still be high enough to keep those people out of the country.
OTHER CITIES COPY TUCSON'S SUNSHINE CLUB

President Steinfeld Tells of Accomplishments in Past Year

Three hundred and forty-one cities in forty-one states in the United States will spend in excess of four millions of dollars in 1927-28, in community advertising, it was announced yesterday by Harold Steinfeld, president of the Tucson Sunshine Climate club.

"Community advertising has become a recognized factor in our social and economic life," stated Steinfeld, in speaking of the plans for the coming year of the Sunshine Climate club.

"Tucson holds a very enviable place among community advertisers. The advertising department of the Literary Digest and of the National Geographic, two of the leading publications in their field, are soliciting new accounts based on the results obtained by the Tucson Sunshine Climate club.

"Requests for the Results Booklet, issued by the club, have been received from some thirty communities throughout the United States. The community advertising group of the Pacific Coast advertising clubs at its recent meeting in Portland used the Results Booklet of the Sunshine Climate club exclusively as the basis of the discussion "Successful Community Advertising," led by Don Francisco, vice president of the Lord, Thomas & Logan Company, national advertising agency.

"Plans are now being worked out for Tucson's national Publicity for 1927-28. Forty-two million messages beginning in October will tell the world about Tucson. The action of the Tucson Clearing house, consisting of the Consolidated National Bank, Southern Arizona Bank & Trust Co., and the United Bank & Trust Company, at the meeting held Friday, August 12, in not only endorsing the work of the club, but in subscribing in advance for this year's funds, indicates to the officers and directors that the club has the support of the leading business and professional men of the city.

"The action taken by the Clearing house is particularly pleasing and appreciated by the directors of the Sunshine club."
The president and CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lea Marquez-Peterson, is the first Republican to announce she hopes to succeed Rep. Martha McSally in Congressional District 2.

A resident of Southern Arizona for more than four decades and a lifelong member of the GOP, Marquez-Peterson formally filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission on Wednesday, saying she understands many of the issues facing residents in Pima and Cochise counties.

She adds that her experience as both an entrepreneur and a leader representing businesses in Tucson and Sierra Vista would suit her well in Congress.

The 47-year-old will kick off her campaign Thursday night, Dec. 14, with a party. It is unlikely she will be able to get very far into her speech without having to address the elephant in the room  McSallys future political ambitions.

From Marquez-Petersons vantage point, she is not challenging the two-term Republican.

I am not running against Congresswoman McSally, I am a big supporter. This is in the event she runs (for Senate), I am ready and I am prepared, Marquez-Peterson said.

When McSally began to be mentioned in news articles as possibly running for U.S. Senate, Marquez-Peterson said she reached out to her.

I texted her right away, Marquez-Peterson said. I told her in the event that she runs for Senate, I am going to run for her seat.

But she said she is in the dark about what McSally will do next. Right now I understand that she is deciding and exploring and strategizing with a lot of different folks. I dont know the exact timing on her race.

And if McSally decides to stay in Congressional District 2 and run for re-election? Then I will pull out of the race, Marquez-Peterson said.

For now, Marquez-Peterson is meeting with constituents as part of a listening tour. Last week, she met with ranchers living in the district.

She supports increased border security, which could include a massive new wall touted by President Trump.

A wall could certainly be a part, along with increased technology, more Border Patrol at the border, along with balancing that with Custom agents at the border to enhance trade, Marquez-Peterson said.

While the economy has gotten better in metro areas of the state, especially in Phoenix, she said jobs are still a huge issue in rural areas of Cochise County where the recovery from the recession has been slow.

Marquez-Peterson said she believes she is a good fit for the district, as her family has long entrepreneurial roots in the community.

I am not new to this district. I run four Hispanic chambers and three are in this district, she said. Those are in Sierra Vista, Douglas and Tucson. The fourth chamber is in Nogales, in Congressional District 3.

She became the president and CEO of the chamber in 2009, stepping into the role after serving on the board of directors.

I think that those who know me know that I get things done and I want to be part of the process of getting things done in D.C., she said.

However, Marquez-Petersons campaign rollout has come with some criticism, with some Democrats noting her bankruptcy filing in 2005 related to several gas stations she owned. Pima County Superior Court records showed a settlement with one creditor in 2006 for $629,298.

She doesnt shy away from those criticisms.

When you start a business, you are taking great risks. And not all businesses are successful, unfortunately, Marquez-Peterson said. I think when I started my businesses, the gas station in particular, at the peak I employed more than 50 employees and did a quite sizable revenue.

She said since those businesses failed, she has had successes with other business ventures and has increased the size of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

She isnt giving up the chamber role while running for Congress. She told her board of directors her plans about a month ago and said they are supportive of her keeping her job while running for the Republican nomination.

There are no other Republican candidates who have filed with the Federal Election Commission, although Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller and Douglas City Council member Danny DJ Morales are contemplating running if there is an open seat.

At least six people are vying for the Democratic nomination. They include: Former state Sen. Bruce Wheeler, former U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, emergency room physician Matt Heinz, businessman Billy Kovacs, Cochise County rancher Barbara Sherry and retired Assistant Secretary of the Army Mary Matiella.
The head of the Pima County Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Martha McSally, arguing her campaign staff failed to file disclosure documents related to a recent poll.

The complaint centers on an internal poll that showed McSally was tied with Kelli Ward among Republican voters in a hypothetical race to replace Senator Jeff Flake next year. A Nov. 27 article in Politico discusses the details.

The complaint argues that the cost of the poll would trigger a mandatory disclosure for any expense that above $5,000  something that the McSally campaign has failed to do.

However, the FEC has specific exemption for candidates testing the waters for future political runs, notes, Andrea Bozek, a spokeswoman for the McSally campaign.

The FEC even outlines a similar scenario on its website that details the exemption.

An individual may want to conduct polls or travel around the state or district to see if there is sufficient support for his or her candidacy. An individual who merely tests the waters, but does not campaign for office, does not have to register or report to the FEC. This is the case even if the individual exceeds the usual $5,000 candidate registration threshold, the federal agency explains on its website.

The McSally campaign dismissed the complaints as a partisan attack.

This is a politically motivated, frivolous complaint that has no legal merit, and I have no doubt will be quickly dismissed by the FEC," said Jim Tyrrell, a McSally campaign advisor who has previously worked for the Chairman of the FEC.

Arizona Democrats are clearly in panic mode and are desperate because they know they have weak candidates who are out-of-touch with Arizona families, said Bozek.

But Democrats note that poll was put out weeks after Rep. David Schweikert told reporters that McSally had told him and other colleagues that she was going to run for the Senate seat.

It is inconceivable that Representative McSally did not either raise or spend $5,000 in support of her candidacy for Senate by November 15th at the latest, triggering the requirement to file her Statement of Candidacy within fifteen days, or by November 30, 2017. Representative McSally has not filed this form with the Commission," the complaint written by Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jo Holt says.

The executive director for the Arizona Democratic Party, Herschel Fink, says it is latest example of McSallys campaign ignoring FEC rules.

While Congresswoman Martha McSally and her Washington consultants were trying to chase GOP base voters, she forgot to do the basic work thats needed to be a candidate for Senate, said Fink. McSallys repeated campaign violations should be a red flag to voters as it proves that she would rather regurgitate the partisan talking points that have folks fed up with Washington than actually represent Arizonans.

Fred Solop, a political science professor at Northern Arizona University and well-known pollster, said it will be interesting to see how the FEC responds.

On one hand, a statewide poll designed to measure name recognition and popularity among likely Republican voters demonstrates a high degree of political sophistication and planning.

However, he said, the FEC does allow for would-be candidates to test the waters without having to formally file with the federal agency.
After a controversial economics class with ties to the Koch network slipped into four high schools without proper vetting or approval, Tucsons largest school district is dropping the class.

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board voted Tuesday to retroactively approve Philosophy 101: Ethics, Economy, and Entrepreneurship, and allow students who are enrolled in the class, or who previously completed it, to earn credits towards graduation requirements.

But the board, in a 4-1 vote, agreed that in lieu of a separate vote to formally approve the class going forward, it should be automatically canceled after this year.

Still, backers of the class arent giving up, saying theyre going to try to save the course in TUSD, this time going through the proper channels and getting approval from the district governing board beforehand.

The class is offered as a dual-credit college course developed in partnership with the University of Arizonas Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, better known as the Freedom Center.

The Freedom Center receives funding from Charles Koch and other Libertarian-minded donors, some of them unnamed, as well as from a special appropriation from the Legislature.

The class is taught at Tucson, Rincon, Pueblo and Cholla high schools.

Cholla offers it only as an elective, which does not satisfy the requirement for a high school economics credit. The other three TUSD schools allow it to fulfill state requirement that high schoolers take at least one economics class.

At least three other public school districts in Pima County  Amphitheater, Sahuarita and Vail  along with some private and charter schools, offer the course, either as an elective or to meet a core requirement for graduation. But unlike TUSD, all of those other public school districts say the class was vetted and approved through the proper channels.

Stacia Reeves, who teaches the course at Rincon, noted that the dual enrollment class is different from an advanced placement course because it takes a college level course and spreads it out over a full year, which is less intimidating for students like English language learners.

Lets give some of our students who have multiple learning styles an opportunity to have this rigor in order for them to know they are college-ready, she said.

And she noted that the states new A-F letter grades place a heavy emphasis on having students college and career ready, and keeping the course would help boost schools scores.

Mario Villarreal-Diaz, formerly of the Freedom Center but now an associate professor of ethics, economy and entrepreneurship at the UAs department of political economy and moral science, which houses the Freedom Center, said the course seeks to empower students and teach them about what it takes to be an ethical business person.

And he told the Governing Board that while the introduction at TUSD was flawed, the controversy is misplaced, and he hopes the board will revisit the issue.

We commend you as the leadership for finding a way to protect those students who have already taken the course, and more importantly, we look forward to working with you in following due process so this course remains as part of the overall advanced learning TUSD offerings, he said.

Board members signaled that they may be willing to hear them out.

Board member Rachael Sedgwick noted that after learning more about the class, it seemed like the controversy surrounding it was overblown, and that the only real issue was about the textbook, which was developed by professors with ties to the Freedom Center, and which district auditors said would be not be balanced enough on its own to satisfy state requirements.

Now that we have a lot more information about the course and what goes on in the classroom, Im much more willing to have a more robust conversation about it, she said.

But board member Adelita Grijalva, the only board member to vote against the proposal, said she still had concerns about how the book ever got into classrooms.

Grijalva noted that the district never purchased enough books to have them in four schools.

My concern is if any other textbooks got into our classrooms, who purchased those and how did they get in there? Because thats a major problem, she said.

I dont want to punish these students who are participating in the classes, because none of this is their fault. But I have a real problem with the process and how we got to this point.
The way Sen. David Farnsworth sees it, the decision by voters to legalize the sale of marijuana for medical uses does not mean they get to promote it.

So the Mesa Republican has introduced legislation which would ban billboard advertising for the drug in places theyre most likely to be seen. SB 1032 would make it illegal to advertise any drug illegal under federal law  and that includes marijuana  along state roads.

Whether thats legal or not is up for debate.

Attorney Jeff Kaufman, who has specialized in legal issues surrounding marijuana, questioned whether the state could enact special rules for a product that is legal, at least under state law. He pointed out that judges in Arizona have said the state cant use the federal prohibition as a reason to enact regulations that hamper the ability of marijuana dispensaries to operate.

I think the bill, if enacted, would eventually be stricken down by the Court of Appeals as discriminating against a lawful form of medication, Kaufman said.

Dan Barr, a lawyer with the First Amendment Coalition, sees it in a slightly different light.

He said that courts have given governments a certain amount of leeway in regulating commercial speech. For example, Barr noted, California has rules that prohibit advertising in a manner intended to encourage anyone under 21 from consuming the product as well as a strict ban on billboards within 1,000 feet of day-care centers and schools.

But both Kaufman and Barr agree that Farnsworth cannot legally do one of the things he wants: making it illegal to have signs touting the benefits of the drug or making claims about how legalization has worked out in other states.

That clearly is one of Farnsworths goals.

He specifically complained to Capitol Media Services about a billboard he saw which says that there has been no increase in teen use of the drug in Colorado since marijuana was legalized for recreational purposes. Farnsworth says thats totally false.

I personally have been offended in my own neighborhood when I see a billboard thats promoting marijuana usage, he said.

Similar billboards have sprung up around the state with similar messages, like a claim that states that have legalized marijuana have seen a decline in opioid use.

The problem with that kind of ban, said Barr, is the state would be seeking to regulate not a product but an idea.

If youre advertising about a public issue regarding voting on legalizing it, thats something else, he said.

Farnsworth conceded Arizona could not ban billboards which urge people to vote specifically for a ballot proposition that would legalize marijuana for all purposes.

Free speech and promoting what you believe in is an important part of our society, he said. And Farnsworth said he will make sure that the final version of SB 1032 is worded in a way so as not to stifle legitimate political speech.

But Barr said the message does not even need to specifically urge people to vote yes for a specific numbered ballot measure to gain constitutional protection. He said even signs talking about how legalization affects crime or the number of people incarcerated are entitled to the same First Amendment protections.

Those are all public policy issues, Barr said. And hes not sure that Farnsworths proposal can be crafted in a way to pass constitutional muster.

As we know, the Arizona Legislatures not famed for its narrowly drafted legislation, he quipped.

As much as Farnsworth wants to keep billboards promoting marijuana out of the public eye, he acknowledged that SB 1032 as crafted has a huge loophole.

The measure puts the ban on advertising marijuana into a section of law that governs only what can be erected along interstate highways as well as other numbered state roads. None of that would preclude any sort of advertising of not just the political debate but the drug itself on signs along major local streets or even right downtown.

Farnsworth said that wasnt his intent.

Were going to have to go back and recraft it, he said. But Farnsworth said hed be happy just to get the bill through in its current form.

Its still a step in the right direction, he said.

This isnt Farnsworths first swat at the issue.

Last year he introduced legislation to make it illegal to have any sign that promotes unlawful goods or activities to the public. It specifically banned billboards that may be interpreted as contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Senator John McCain was recently admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center for what his staff calls "normal side effects" from his cancer therapy.

In a short statement to the press, McCain's staff said the Senator is grateful to his physicians for their excellent care and plans to go back to work soon.

"Senator McCain looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible," the released stated.

The 81-year-old Republican was diagnosed glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer, in July while undergoing a procedure to remove a blood clot at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.
Congo

12 men get to life for gang-raping children

KINSHASA  In a groundbreaking trial in a country where sexual violence is rampant and perpetrators often go unpunished, a military court in eastern Congo on Wednesday sentenced 12 militia members to life in prison for the gang-rapes of dozens of children as young as 11 months old, and for murder.

The court convicted provincial deputy Frederic Batumike for organizing the violence that began in 2013 and continued for years in the village of Kavumu, about 15 miles north of Bukavu city. Young girls were raped in the militia members superstitious belief that it would make them impervious to bullets, a United Nations report said earlier this year.

The court awarded $5,000 to each victim of sexual violence and $15,000 to the families of those killed for criticizing the militias actions.

Somalia

US commander orders new probe into raid

The head of U.S. Africa Command has asked for an additional investigation into whether civilians were killed during a deadly August raid in Somalia involving American and Somali forces.

Army Col. Mark Cheadle, a spokesman for Africa Command, said Wednesday that Marine Gen. Thomas Waldhauser has asked the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to look into the details of the raid in Bariire village by Somali troops supported by U.S. special operations forces. The decision comes just two weeks after Africa Command released a statement discounting reports that several civilians, including children, were killed in the attack.

Cheadle said Waldhauser requested the NCIS investigation in recent days after additional published reports came out saying that local villagers were insisting that innocent civilians were killed.

Africa

Anti-jihadi force

is given $130 million

LA CELLE-SAINT-CLOUD, France  A new African military force to counter growing extremism in the Sahel region should see victories in the first half of 2018, Frances president said Wednesday after hosting a summit to boost support for the five-nation effort.

President Emmanuel Macron announced new pledges for the force known as the G5 Sahel, one from Saudi Arabia of $100 million and another of $30 million from the United Arab Emirates, in a bid to speed up the full deployment of the military effort by Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania.

Nearly five years after France intervened to rout Islamist extremists in northern Mali, then controlled by an al-Qaida affiliate, the threat has spread to neighboring countries in the volatile Sahel, the sprawling, largely barren zone south of the Sahara desert. The growing extremism has also spawned new jihadi groups, including one claiming affiliation with the Islamic State group.

In recent months, local security forces and the 12,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali have been prime targets. Attacks often occur in the border regions of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where four U.S. soldiers were killed earlier this year.

Britain

UK lawmakers assert final say on Brexit

LONDON  British lawmakers delivered a blow to Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit plans Wednesday by giving Parliament the final say on any exit agreement the government reaches with the European Union.

The House of Commons voted 309-305 to give lawmakers what is essentially a veto on the terms of Brexit, a challenge to Mays fragile authority amid the already strained disentanglement process. The vote came on the eve of a major EU summit.

A dozen lawmakers from the prime ministers governing Conservative Party sided with the opposition to insist that any withdrawal deal with the EU requires an act of Parliament to take effect.
A UN official who just returned from several days speaking with North Korean officials in Pyongyang has told CNN that he is "really worried about an accidental move toward conflict."

Jeffrey Feltman, an American who is the United Nations undersecretary-general for political affairs, told Christiane Amanpour on Thursday that he is concerned about a "lack of communication" and the "high risk of some kind of miscalculation."

Feltman is the highest-level UN official to visit Pyongyang since 2011. He spent more than 15 hours speaking with North Korean officials, he said, including the foreign minister. Feltman has previously served as an American assistant secretary of state.

"The lack of trust in their mind meant that they had to rely on deterrence -- meaning military deterrence -- rather than on diplomatic dialogue in the short term."

In the long-term, he said they understood the need for diplomacy.

"I think that at least in terms of long-term aspirations, they understand that there has to be peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, that there has to be some kind of arrangement that's based on a diplomatic solution."

North Korean officials, he said, are "quite focused on the statements from Washington."

Feltman said he reminded North Korean officials that their nuclear and missile programs are a concern not just for the United States, but for the whole global community, as reflected through UN Security Council resolutions.

He did tell Amanpour, however, that North Korean officials were fully engaged in his talks.

"I have been in many diplomatic meetings where one side of the table or maybe both sides of the table simply read talking points and give long monologues to each other that repeat well-known positions or polemics and vitriol. That's not what happened. They listened extremely carefully to the points that we were making over the 4 days that we were in Pyongyang."
As a retired RN I would like to commend the Golder Ranch paramedics and EMTs who saved their captain's life. Too often these men and women are denigrated as being merely "ambulance drivers." In reality, they are highly trained medical professionals who face life threatening emergencies every day and have the knowledge, training and skills to administer lifesaving care on every shift. Great job fellows! You make us all very proud.
It seems the tax bill considered by Congress is being described as good for middle-class Americans and yet it eliminates both the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and estate tax which solidly benefits the wealthy and not middle class.

It severely reduces corporate income taxes and yet this windfall will not benefit the middle class. Corporations will not pay higher wages to their workers with this windfall; the benefit will go to stockholder/investors.

It increases an already bloated federal deficit, which benefits no one. And the fact that the bill was written by a very small group of senators assures that democracy was not followed, and many American citizens were not even represented in the process.

Worst of all, someday down the road, Republicans will lament the large deficit we are carrying but say "we don't have a taxation problem, we have a spending problem". And guess what? They will leave defense spending alone and set about reducing social service, education, science research, and medical spending.

Nancy Rochman

Midtown
Concerning taxing graduate students and waivers, the article states "the bill would no longer start taxing graduate-school-tuition-waivers, said the aides, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss private negotiations."

It is understandable for negotiations between private entities to remain private, but we are talking of elected or staff of elected PUBLIC officials discussing legislation that effects 330 million Americans. How does this become private? What is the need to be secretive? Regular order was Sen. McCain's call earlier in the year. I think it is time for public officials to return "PUBLIC" to their service. I agree taxes need reform, it is a public issue that needs to be addressed with the public, not in smoke filled back rooms.
Help India!

By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

Saleem Peerzada, a popular leader among the Aligarh Muslim University fraternity, passed away on Tuesday following a hemorrhagic brain stroke on Monday.

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Peerzada, popularly known by the name of Lovey Bhai or Lovey Peerzada, was admitted to AMUs Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College soon after the paralytic attack. After he showed no improvement in the condition, he was transferred to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi and then was sent to Apollo hospital.

Saleem Peerzada was born in Hardoi in 1954 to Late Peerzada Mashuq Husain Khan and Afsar Begum. His nephew, Omar Saleem Peerzada is the Public Relations Officer of AMU.

Peerzada was the president of Parcham Party of India (PPI) which has been a famous organization among the AMU community for fighting against communalism.

Saleem Peerzada was famous in AMU for standing against any sort of corruption, fanaticism and communalism. AMUs student community understands him as a politician which had immense knowledge of history and he was also regarded as one of the best orators AMU has ever produced.

An engineer by education, Peerzada held the Honorary Secretary post of Aligarh Muslim University Students Union in his student days.

Peerzada had an open heart surgery two years ago and was on medication since then. According to people close to him, his condition on Monday became inoperable due to delayed medical treatment and the increased severity of his condition.

For AMU student community, Peerzadas demise has resulted in a vacuum in the ideological politics of the university. Prof Nadeem Rezavi, Chairman at the Department of History of AMU, recalled Peerzada, He was the sole true example of the Aligarh Culture, and I dont think no one after him has been able to carry it further.

He was very much senior to us, and I had political differences with him. But we used to go and listen to his speeches during election times, said Prof Rezavi.

In his political and social culture of 40 years, Peerzada always stood alongside the political culture in Aligarh Muslim University, and because of the same step, he has been a mentor of the AMU students coming to the students politics. In one of the interviews to a national daily, Saleem Peerzada stated, It is the duty of the government to ensure that educational institutions are not denied their minority character on purely technical grounds and in total disregard to their origin and history.

AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor has extended his condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

On the night of December 8, 2017, a 5-year-old Dalit girl was abducted from her home, raped, murdered and her body was left on the street. Her family lives in a tent in a Dalit slum. The tent stands on two sticks of bamboo with a roof made of wood covered by plastic. There are no walls or doors in the tent, leaving them vulnerable to intruders. On the night of December 8, her father, a daily wage labourer whose job is to collect trash, was out of town. The child was sleeping with her 7-year-old sister, 2-year-old brother, and their mother when she was abducted. On the morning of December 9, the abducted girls elder sister notified their mother that her sister was not inside the home. Panicked, the mother began crying and screaming and soon, the neighbours in the slum became aware that the child had gone missing. Soon after, someone from the village notified the family that about 400 meters away, in the main section of the village, there was a young girls dead body there. The body was later identified as the missing child. She was found with blood on her body. The family and community immediately gathered in mourning and outrage.

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The community notified the police. After the police came, the childs body was sent for autopsy. During this time hundreds of people from the village gathered to protest this brutal crime. The autopsy report stated that the cause of death was from wooden sticks being inserted into the childs vagina, the 24-inch stick pierced through her uterus and large intestines. There were also other wounds on her body. Upon hearing this report, the anger of the Dalit community only increased further. The family refused to bury her body and they stayed up through the night in protest.

This incident drew the attention of politicians and media. Politicians came and in an attempt to quell the protest and attention, they pledged to give Rs 10 lakh rupees to the family to bury the child. The family agreed to bury the body; however, no money has been received by the family. An FIR report was obtained 1-2 days later. The police have been avoiding making any comments and are stating that they are investigating.

During the police investigations, they have been trying to incriminate the Dalit community. The police arrested 2 Dalit men but released them. The next day, the police arrested 4 of the dead girls family members. This all despite the fact that her body was found in an upper caste area. Expectedly, no one from that area has been investigated.

This is typical of the way the government investigates these crimes against Dalit and Adivasi families. In an effort to silence any protests they offer money that they never make due on, conduct false investigations in an attempt to shut down any protests against crimes committed by upper caste people.

Currently, the family and community are demanding that proper homes be built for the residents living in the slums, that they are paid the 10 lakh rupees and justice for the child with an appropriate investigation into the murder. These incidents are not uncommon in Haryana where Dalit families are targeted and upper-caste men commit such crimes with impunity.
Help India!

Kochi (Kerala), (IANS): A sessions court in Kerala on Thursday sentenced to death Ameerul Islam, a migrant labourer from Assam, who on Tuesday was found guilty of rape and murder of a law student in 2016 in Ernakulam.

The Special Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court Judge N. Anil Kumar accepted the prosecution contention that Ameerul Islam should not be allowed to return to society as he would pose serious threat to it.

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Additional Director General of Police B. Sandhya, who led the probe, was happy with the sentence.

The victims mother also thanked all those who worked in the case. This is the day I have been waiting for. I have heard what I wanted to hear and I thank all who made it possible, she said.

The 27-year-old woman was found murdered in her house near here on April 28, 2016. Her mother, Rajeshwari, who works as a casual labourer, discovered her body.

The murder had taken place a month before the assembly elections, and the opposition had attacked the then Oommen Chandy government over the state of womens safety in Kerala.

The police cracked the case after conducting a successful DNA test to nail the accused. Trial in the case was conducted in-camera.

On the first day after Pinarayi Vijayan took over as Chief Minister in May 2016, the then state police chief was removed. Vijayan directed new police chief Loknath Behra to expedite the probe.

At the end of the probe, it was found that the first probe team appointed by the outgoing Chandy government had done a clean job for the subsequent team to go forward and record the arrest of the Assam native.

Counsel for the accused Aloor, told the media that this is one case where the judiciary appears to have failed.

We will certainly appeal in the Kerala High Court, said Aloor.

For the accused, the weak link in the case is that the police did not have any eyewitness to the crime.
Help India!

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

Shambhu Lal, the killer of Afrajul Islam, was allegedly disturbed after demonetisation event last year during which his business succumbed, stated PUCL in its fact-finding report conducted after a survey tour of three days. The Human rights organisation has also made it clear that the whole family of Shambhu believed either in rumours or the decade-old cases of alleged Love Jihad.

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Bengali migrant workers have left Rajsamand out of fear. They lived in a Hindus house, who rejected the idea of society dividing the people in terms of Hindu Muslim, says the fact-finding report of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).

A fact-finding team of PUCL, along with others, has been examining the Rajsamand horrifying incident, where Afrajul Islam  a 45-year-old migrant worker from West Bengal  was killed on December 6 in a ghastly manner by Shambhu Lal. The later was a clone of the RSS hate factory and indulged in the gruesome hate crime, said PUCL in its report.

According to the PUCLs report, Bengali migrant workers are skilled in road construction works. Between 400 to 500 such workers work in a 100-kilometres radius. Afrajul was a labour contractor.

PUCL stated that Afrajul did not know Shambhu, according to the police and his relatives. He was perhaps called under the pretext of construction work at his plot. On his last day, Afrajul went at 8 am to Jal Chakki, where labours from West Bengal gather in a labour Mandi. They all met at 8 am and had their morning tea.

His last conversation was at 11.30 am with his son-in-law about some money had to be paid to the labour, it was the last time he rode his motorbike and reached the spot. It seems when Afrajul had reached the plot on Dev Heritage wedding lawn  perhaps the place where he was about to meet Shambhu  but Shambhu had already left the place.

After Afrajul left the place because of Shambhu was not present, he got a call from Shambhu within ten minutes that Shambhu had returned to the place. So Afrajul also came back, and then we know what happened, added PUCL in their report.

The police, which was informed of the emanating fumes, reached the place. The diary, the mobile phone, Aadhar card, were all partially or completely burnt down. The bike number ending with 786 got the police to call Rafique, the Muslim community leader in Rajnagar.

When Rafique reached the crime scene, he could not bear the horrible condition of the body. It later emerged from half of the name that was readable zul, that the person was maybe a Bengali.

This led him to call all the numbers of Bengali workers from his contact list. By the time, several labours arrived and the body was identified by the Afrajul.

Soon, the video of the murder was put on the WhatsApp groups  the name of which is still not known  that day itself. This helped the police track Shambhu next morning in Kelwa, where he went to spend the night and took his daughter along. The police got him from Kelwa itself on the December 7, when he stepped out of his relatives house to buy chips for his daughter.

PUCL team also met Shambhus siblings: Nirmal, a lab technician and his younger brother Lokesh who is in the furniture business, his sister Sonia, who used to be a caregiver in the social welfare department for special children and her husband. The sisters 14-year-old son, who had dreams of joining the army, was made to film the entire gory incident of murder and setting the body on fire. He too was picked up by the police and sent to the observation home in Udaipur.

Lokesh said that it was difficult to speak about what happened. He claimed that the family was not connected to any outfit like Sangh, or VHP, but his brother  after he lost in business  got involved in watching videos. Lokesh claimed that Shambhu was very active on social media. Being asked about the motive behind the crime, Lokesh answered that he could not bear to see Muslim men trap Hindu women through love affairs.

Interestingly, Lokesh provided names of the three families in his locality whose girls were allegedly caught by Muslim men.

When PUCL counter-checked the Lokeshs claims by visiting all the three families, it was found that all the three cases were 11 years, 9 years and 7 years old. PUCL claimed that those cases could not have precipitated this incident.

Sonia, the sister said that she did not go to meet her son as a murder is a murder. PUCL team reported that she was angry that her son had succumbed to her brothers wishes. She, however, added that her brothers anger was related to the incidents of Hindu girls being involved in love with Muslim men.

Sonia claimed that her brother lost out because of demonetisation, and so did her father. Shambhu had to close his new office in Udaipur, his business could not take off and went into debt, PUCL stated in its report.

PUCL has also stated that Shambhus other brother Nirmal has been shaken by what had happened that he has not gone to work since that day. Now, it is his responsibility of looking after Shambhus children.

The family of the accused has not yet hired a lawyer yet. But a couple of days back, Sameer Vyas, a lawyer from Jaipur, went to file a bail application for the juvenile. The lawyer said the application for the bail of Shambhu would be filed soon after charge sheet would be filed. The lawyer also handed over a cheque of INR 50,000 to the family of Shambhu.

The team of the PUCL-Udaipur, Bhilwara and Jaipur district, MKSS and members of the Rajsamand Mahila Manch went on the December 7, 10 and 11. The team was also joined by Harsh Mander and John Dayal.
The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)was a driving factor behind Britain's decision to back Brexit in June 2016. This policy was originally designed to shield European farmers from competition abroad and protect Europe's poorest farmers. However, by subsidizing farms throughout the continent, the CAP has only increased shopping prices for consumers and placed farmers abroad at a disadvantage, particularly African farmers. Many British taxpayers resent their money being shipped abroad to subsidize small French farmers' profits.

"It is almost impossible to reform it and it fails to protect animals' welfare"

However, until the UK has fully left the EU, which it may not do until 2021 because of this proposed transitional deal, this country has to abide by this hated legislation. Not only does the CAP cost taxpayers vast sums of money, it is almost impossible to reform it and it fails to protect animals' welfare.

The University of Cambridge commissioned a study into CAP reforms that last took place in 2014 and found that they fail to protect European wildlife. Budgets to support voluntary greening measures have been reduced, meaning farmers will not receive funding to protect wildlife. The EU is unlikely to meet its own biodiversity targets by 2020 because of the difficulties member states face in translating the 2014 reforms into their own laws.

The paper stated the biggest threat to Europe's wildlife was EU expansion. This is because this process drives agricultural intensification. With forty per cent of the EU's budget spent on the CAP, this has led to grassland conversion and peatland drainage, which is more severe in new member states where the use of fertilizers is high.

Permanent grassland has shrunk by eleven per cent.

Leaving the EU is an opportunity to repeal the hated CAP and bring in farming laws appropriate for this country, as opposed to adopting European-wide initiatives that always fail.
From paedophiles to wannabe Jihadis, the internet can be a dark and sinister place. Yes, it has revolutionised communication and opened each of us up to vast amounts of information, but it has a cruel side as with all things that man touches. Now, MPs say they want to crack down on the abuse that almost all Social media users experience and see. Im not sure that they will be successful, however laudable their intentions, but it is the time for a discussion on this issue.

On ITVs lunchtime news today (13 December 2017), Gina Miller, the businesswoman-turned-campaigner, argues this is something that needs to be tackled but not because MPs are now personally impacted by it.

Shes right, of course, but there is a very sinister targeting of MPs and public figures in a way quite unlike anything that has come before.

Fake news?

Social media, while allegedly opening us up to a wider world, is the very worst echo chamber. Most people follow who they agree with and rarely ever interact with people they disagree with. When they do interact, it is often quite aggressive and unsavoury. Language is used in a way that it never would be to a perfect stranger in the real world. I imagine most of you can think of foul abuse being levelled at you for holding an opposing opinion. Something about being behind a computer screen gives people the confidence to be rude, I know I have been in the past and I come away feeling worse for it.

Sometimes it can be due to a tweet (their shortness doesnt offer much chance of lengthy explanation) being misunderstood, they can easily look much harsher than was ever intended. But, often they convey a great deal of hatred and bile.

We have also seen the advent of so-called fake news. Its not a term that I like to use if I can help it - either it is a lie or it isnt.

It has arisen from a lack of trust in the established media and has done much to muddy the debate. It often plays to our deepest prejudices, whether its an irrational hatred of Tories or of the other, and straddles both sides of the political divide. As Churchill famously said, a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

Pandering to prejudice does no good to anyone, and I do not think that it is a coincidence that this and the intensification of Online Abuse have arisen in tandem.

Some of the things said are nothing short of vile. MPs, especially women, receive threats of violence, rape and even death. Would they receive such messages face-to-face? The answer, of course, is no. There will always be some oddballs and the down-right rude, but I suspect the seeming anonymity of a faceless social media account gives some the idea that ordinary social norms can be dispensed with. Yet social media conveys the idea of a false closeness, that perfect strangers are our friends or can be abused. Adversarial debate is not something new, indeed it is good and a sure protection of our liberty, but there are limits.

Drawing a line

Paris Lees, on ITV News Gina Miller, suggested that society needs to become more caring. Im not often in agreement with Ms Lees, but she is right. When most (if not all) people subscribed to Christian morals society was much politer. It wasnt entirely perfect but swearing was uncommon, certainly not to be broadcasted or included in polite (I fail to see how a conversation involving swearing is polite) conversation. Now, swearing is hardly shocking, it is commonplace. I say that as someone who regrets using that language and I'm still mortified to hear children saying it (although I can safely say that none have learnt it from me).

I think we are generally quite good in this country concerning racism.

Who doesn't shudder at hearing the n-word? It will never truly be gone but we are on the right path. Some, I think of the professional protestor, will never be content, but for the most part, we are in a good position. Anti-semitism is a black mark on our record, it is disgraceful but unfortunately accepted to some extent. Under the guise of hating Israel, failing to accept the reality and sad history of its peoples, hatred of the Jewish people has reared its ugly head. It has taken root in the fringe Left and marred Corbyns Labour Party. On the other end of the spectrum (which is inaccurate but useful for our purposes), is an intolerance of all things Islamic. Im sure you can think of examples of both cases.

These issues have gained traction in light of terror attacks, the rise of Corbyn and the 2016 EU referendum, from which the entire country is divided into the Remain camp and the Leave camp. Well, in truth, I think most of us are bored and want a painless Brexit, but our politicians speak as though civil war is on the horizon. Discussion of these issues, amongst others be it education, abortion, the NHS, defence, traffic restrictions or the sugar content of a cream cake, increasingly descend into aggression. We have to draw the line somewhere.

What can we do?

It should be a given that violence is wrong in a civilised society and threatening a stranger is off-limits completely. Alas, it isnt.

In the absence of human decency, the government will take it upon itself (rightly or wrongly) to resolve the issue. Im not certain the proposals, to treat social media platforms as publishers and so hold them to the standard of newspapers, will make much difference. It defeats the point of social media. It should be a place where I can say anything I like, as Freedom Of Thought and speech dictates. But with that great freedom comes an even greater responsibility. That of moderating yourself in line with basic decency. There are limits on freedom of speech, most of us would agree that unnecessarily crying wolf is one such limit that is reasonable, but the rebel in me (admittedly its deep down somewhere) baulks at hate speech laws.

Not only is it far beyond what a government should be able to do, it infantilises the population. As adults, we should know what is within the bounds of decency, but now we have to prove that. Furthermore, it risks policing what views are acceptable and that can never be a good thing when a debate is the best way of defeating unsavoury opponents.

One positive move would be for social media sites to force users to reveal their identity when signing up, if not making it known on the profile. Im sure users would think twice before carelessly throwing about abuse. Outside of the law, what is there then? Well, its you. We must be the ones to think about what we are saying. You can be free to say what you like, English history has seen the government being told what it can do rather than, as in France and the US, the citizen being told what they are allowed to do.

However, you are responsible for the harm you cause. So its up to us to moderate our language, to consider what it is that we are saying and treat each other with the decency that our forefathers knew implicitly.

A word of warning

Before I finish, I would give a note of caution. This process should not become subject to the law. Our lawmakers will invariably go too far. Freedom of thought and speech are two of the greatest liberties that we can have, the state cannot be trusted to monitor such things. MPs are often the victims of this, they have a stake in suppressing abuse but that does not mean they can have the final say. As I said above, social media commentary is open to misinterpretation and there is a sinister movement to suppress opposing opinions through an unofficial censorship of social ostracism and a loss of work.

In this vein, the blanket term abuse should not be acceptable as a way to avoid scrutiny. My own MP (He shall remain nameless) has blocked me, not because I have sworn at him or abused him in any way but for asking not especially difficult questions. This can be found on Twitter, it is disgraceful that an elected representative should seek to avoid scrutiny through the Block button when I have few opportunities to question him otherwise. Let us now take the opportunity to tone down the rhetoric and stop the threats. What we need is a kinder, gentler politics.
During last year's EU Referendum, voters were informed that staying in the EU is vital to preserve animal welfare. The whole purpose behind Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU states that the Union and Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals.

The intention behind the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations, which Brussels implemented in 2006 and enacted in 2007, was to encourage alternative methods to testing animals. The purpose behind this legislation is good, but like with many European initiatives, it cannot be enacted on a European-wide scale.

This is because different member states struggle to enforce it.

"What electors were told about the EU's animal welfare laws last year was a lie"

What electors were told about the EU's animal welfare laws last year was a lie. The regulations are there to protect animals, but they have unanimously failed. And what is worse is that since June 2016's Brexit result, the EU has now proposed to increase the number of animal experiments under the REACH initiative. It is a relief Britain is leaving this trading bloc and we now have an Environment Secretary in Michael Gove who is radically improving sentences against those harsh to animals.

In 2009, the EU allowed duplicative testing on animals. In 2011-15, thousands of animals were being killed and poisoned in avoidable tests.

In 2015, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was found guilty of force-feeding 1,300 animals during pregnancy and refused to publish information which demonstrated that deadly tests could have been avoided. Thanks to PETA UK's campaigning, ECHA now has to publish information that can be assessed before animals are experimented on.

The work that PETA UK has done to stop animal testing throughout the EU has been profound. They persuaded the ECHA in 2009 to publish guidance on how animal testing can be avoided. In 2014, they exposed the ECHA's failure to minimalise animal testing after complaining to the European Ombudsman about this issue. They then failed to do it again in 2015.

The Ombudsman is also still investigating PETA UK's complaint in 2016 that they were failing to stop cosmetics testing on animals. The ECHA has since promised to focus on alternatives to animal testing.

PETA UK has been successful in halting animal cruelty throughout the EU, but there is so much more work to do. Leaving this trading bloc provides Britain with an opportunity to be a global leader in animal welfare under Gove's direction.
The European Union (EU) is proposing to increase the number of animals being tested, which could mean thousands of them will be forced to inhale nanomaterials in deadly experiments.

Animal charities People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK and the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) have teamed together to call on Brussels to focus on promoting effective, humane non-animal methods instead of increasing the number of animal tests.

PETA UK have released a petition urging the European Commission and EU Member States to reconsider amending the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Regulation (REACH) which is meant to ensure chemicals are tested on animals as a last resort only.

"It is outrageous the European Commission has now proposed changes that call for even more tests on animals"

PETA UK's nanotechnology specialist, Dr. Jodie Melbourne, told Blasting News: "REACH is the largest animal-testing programme in the world, and PETA estimates from official reports that by 2016, more than one million animals had been used in tests to meet its requirements. So it is outrageous the European Commission has now proposed changes that call for even more tests on animals, make it more difficult to avoid such tests, and go against the REACH objective of promoting alternative methods for assessing the hazard potential of substances.

"It is also extremely disturbing that this was all suggested without full consideration of the impact that these changes would have on animal welfare, particularly as they could mean that thousands of animals will be subjected to experiments in which they are forced to inhale or ingest nanomaterials over periods of weeks or months before finally being killed and dissected.

"Decision-makers risk failing in their duty to afford animals adequate protection"

"Although the updates would not affect the requirement that animal testing be avoided wherever possible, which is present in all EU legislation, they could significantly undermine efforts to replace animal tests. By pushing for these changes and potentially ignoring Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which states that 'the Union and Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals' when formulating and implementing policy, decision-makers risk failing in their duty to afford animals adequate protection."

REACH was introduced by the EU in 2006 and came into full effect in 2007.

It requires chemical companies to provide information about the health effects and environmental hazards of almost every chemical in Europe.

According to PETA UK, their experiments rely on skin and eye tests and acute toxicity tests in which animals were given massive doses of chemicals.

The animal charity said the tests can last for months, or a lifetime, as animals are dosed with chemicals every day.

During reproductive toxicity tests, pregnant animals are force-fed chemicals to see if the substances will cause abnormalities or death in their babies.

PETA UK claims a single reproductive toxicity test can use 2,500 animals.

In 2012, PETA UK submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Chemicals Agency for failing to ensure that animal testing is a last resort.

"Serious ethical concerns about the use of animals"

Penny Hawkins, head of the research department at the RSPCA, said they have serious ethical concerns about the use of animals in the safety assessment of chemicals and that greater efforts should be made to replace animal tests with humane alternatives.

She added this is essential for humane and innovative science in the twenty-first century.

A media spokesperson from the European Commission was approached by Blasting News for comment, but they declined to do so.

If you wish to sign PETA UK's petition trying to stop an increase in animal testing, it is still available on their website.
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Charity workers and volunteers who work for Network Rail will be laying on a Christmas Day feast for 200 of Londons homeless in the main concourse at Euston Station. All food and workers time has been donated for the event.

Streets Kitchen and St. Mungos are two homeless charities who have already sent out invites to the Christmas feast, which will happen at 11 a.m. on December 25. The station will be decked out with festive decorations for the event, while trestle tables and chairs will be provided.

Festive cheer for 200 of Londons homeless

The BBC quotes Steve Naybour, spokesman for Network Rail, as saying many of their workers are used to being at work on Christmas Day  the rail never stops, even on the holidays.

However, this year Naybour wasnt on the work schedule and he and some of his colleagues thought up the idea to give some of the homeless in London a festive Christmas treat.

HELPING THE HOMELESS!@NetworkRailEUS to host lunch for 200 homeless people on Christmas Day. @streetskitchen will be making a full Christmas dinner, while volunteers from @networkrail will be helping to serve up and chatting with guests on the day. Can #Birmingham do the same? pic.twitter.com/p2r68bxUyq  Birmingham What's On (@WhatsOnBrum) December 13, 2017

Naybour went on to praise the charities for their help, saying there was plenty of interest from his co-workers to volunteer to help on the day. He added that everything is possible, thanks to support from the team at the station, the British Transport Police and various local and national suppliers.

Among the suppliers mentioned by Naybour were Blacks  an outdoor clothing company  as well as Virgin Trains, Abellio and the Pret Foundation Trust.

A statement by Network Rail said the 200 lucky diners are to be drawn from several London boroughs, adding that everything for the feast has been donated.

Charities helping the homeless in London

The St. Mungos homeless charity is responsible for over 300 projects across the United Kingdom and provides beds and support for around 2,700 Homeless People. Beth Norden, a spokeswoman for St. Mungos, said many people had become homeless over breakdowns in their relationships, meaning that Christmas is an especially lonely holiday for their residents.

Norden went on to thank Network Rail and all the volunteers and staff involved, for their help in making homeless feel part of the community on Christmas Day.

To help spread Christmas cheer, we will be providng hot meals to 200 invited homeless guests on Xmas day with volunteers from @networkrail , @StMungos & @Streetkitchen https://t.co/RLvwqg8ITg pic.twitter.com/z2iHrB99lc  London Euston (@NetworkRailEUS) December 13, 2017

Streets Kitchen is a grassroots organization that feeds around 1,000 homeless people in London each week. Spokesman Jon Glackin said the Christmas event was a shining example of communities, businesses and individuals coming together to help those in need. Glackin said it is fantastic working with everyone on the Network Rail team to use one of Londons most prestigious stations to give the homeless a little festive cheer.

He added that it will be a fun day for the homeless which he hopes will be replicated elsewhere.

According to a report by the Independent, there are approximately 307,000 homeless people sleeping rough on the streets of Britain.
As the investigation heats up surrounding Russian's interference in the 2016 presidential election, Republicans and the right-wing media have decided to push their own theory. Despite trying to tie Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to a backdoor deal with Russia over the sale of uranium, a Fox News host surprisingly came out to debunk the talking point.

Fox News shocker

From the start of his campaign for president, Donald Trump has been forced to hit back against growing allegations of being in cahoots with Russia. From praising Russian President Vladimir Putin and refusing to release his tax returns, the former host of "The Apprentice" has come under fire for his potential ties back to the Kremlin.

Prior to locking up the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention, then campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has since be indicted, was forced to resign after his financial ties to Russia were uncovered. Since then, several past and current members of the campaign and administration have been linked back to communicating with Russia, from former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and even the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. While the pressure mounts on Trump, the conservative media, led by Fox News, have attempted to bring up a deal that was allegedly made with a Russian company named "Uranium One" with the theory stating $140 million was donated to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for uranium.

As seen a November 14 segment on Fox News, one host made sure to set the record straight.

Shep Smith just took apart the Uranium One conspiracy theory in what amounts to a methodical annihilation of his own network's coverage of the story. pic.twitter.com/D439QyIBWU  Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 14, 2017

On Tuesday night, Fox News host Shepard Smith spoke about the current Russian investigation, which included Jeff Sessions appearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee.

After running a clip of the aforementioned Uranium One conspiracy, which has been promoted heavily by fellow host Sean Hannity, Smith noted, "That statement is inaccurate in a number of ways." "First, the Clinton State Department had no power to veto or approve that transaction," he noted, before adding, "It could do neither."

WATCH: Shep Smith debunks Trump claim that Clinton gave away American uranium to Russia https://t.co/ZPFM00xXZ4 pic.twitter.com/DCtl3I7yZA  The Hill (@thehill) November 14, 2017

"The accusation is predicated on the charge that Secretary Clinton approved the sale.

She did not," Shepard Smith went on to say. "A committee of nine evaluated the sale. The president approved the sale. The nuclear regulatory commission and others had to offer permits and none of the uranium was exported for use by the US to Russia," Smith concluded.

Fox News viewers revolt

After Shepard Smith debunked the right-wing conspiracy about Uranium One, Fox News viewers lost it on social media. "Get rid of him. He is a shill for Hillary as most gays are. Does not have the integrity to be on Fox send to CNN," one tweet read.

#foxnews - Here we go again with that shit Shepard Smith giving his anti-Trump comments on AG Sessions testimony. Shep it's clear u suck!  essdee (@essdee524) November 14, 2017

@FoxNews if I wanted to see an unfactual and slanted view I would watch CNN. I cant watch Shepard Smith anymore. Im dont with that show. He is arrogant and clearly anti trump  Jim Hennahane (@limabean002) November 14, 2017

"You need to get that hack @ShepNewsTeam out of Fox.

He just made excuses for #CrookedHillary and is clearly a double agent," another tweet noted. "Here we go again with that sh*t Shepard Smith giving his anti-Trump comments on AG Sessions testimony. Shep it's clear u s*ck!" another Twitter user wrote.

I normally don't tune into Shep's hour on FOX, can't stand his bias, but today while surfing channels he caught my interest...in 3 mts he argued Hillary's defense, how she had nothing to do with Uranium One and how Trump had lied about it. HE HAS TO GO!!!  SL TI (@SolMTio) November 14, 2017

You need to get that hack @ShepNewsTeam out of Fox. He just made excuses for #CrookedHillary and is clearly a double agent. Hey Shep.. Hillary took the 145M regardless of when it was sent. Pay for play you goof  Lab Lover (@Dutchistheballs) November 14, 2017

Those 9 that approved uranium deal were all Obama Clinton lackies. Just like Shepard Smith!  Frank M Grubb (@fmg223) November 14, 2017

"Those 9 that approved uranium deal were all Obama Clinton lackies. Just like Shepard Smith!" an additional tweet stated. The backlash to Shepard Smith continued as right-wing Americans and viewers of Fox News expressed their outrage of anything left of center.
US President Donald Trump signed the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act on Tuesday, Dec. 12, and made it into a law. The newly-signed bill pertains to the $700 billion defense policy bills to carry out significant military development.

During the signing ceremony, he stated that the historic legislation illustrates the enduring responsibility to the nation's men and women in uniform who are the greatest fighting force in the history of the world."

Fox News report that the legislation, according to Trump, symbolizes a meaningful step in the reestablishment of the military and safeguarding the future of the children.

He added that history educates people when their defenses are deteriorated, aggression should be intensified. On Tuesday, he also expressed his gratitude at the same time to R-Texas, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, and the various military veterans who witnessed the signing of the bill.

Rare opportunity for showing gratitude

He extended his appreciation to Sen. John McCain for his assistance to make the passage of legislation possible. He said that the senator fought very hard to make it happen according to how they want it to be.

Democrats pledged to pursue the increase in funds for local programs this month, after the Congress expenditure arbitration in favor of the raised military expenditure.

Trump likewise requested on Tuesday for both parties to come up with a decision to increase the cap on the funds.

$700 billion budget has a catch

However, the $700 billion budget will not be valid unless lawmakers allow the regression of a 2011 law that restricts the number of federal expenditures including that of the Defense Department.

For the year 2018, the law caps the expenditure at $549 billion.

Trumps signing of the law includes the purchase and construction of 90 Lockheed Martin F-5 fighter jets as well as 14 navy ships. The law also commissions the $12.3 billion designated for missile defense operations and $1.8 billion allotted to US-backed training forces in Iraq and Syria, to name a few of the several proposals.

A few days ago, the Trump administration decided to remove the US from a new protocol that the United Nations has created. This will produce more humane conditions for refugees. This is the second time he has withdrawn from accords that the UN has made. The first one was Paris agreement regarding climate change.

The migration plan meeting which took place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico only fuels the speculation that Trump hates the Latin American country and its people. The declaration was called New York declaration for refugees and migrants.
As Ars Technica notes, Blue Origin test flew a new version of its suborbital New Shepard rocket along with a new and improved crew capsule. The crew capsule had windows on it, 3.6 feet tall, for the future enjoyment of paying passengers who will fly just past the Edge Of Space to experience microgravity and a view of the curvature of the Earth before descending, slowed by parachutes.

This time, the crew capsule contained a test dummy dubbed Mannequin Skywalker covered with sensors to simulate what would happen to a human being during a fright.

The crew capsule ascended to 99 miles in the skies over the Blue Origin test range in Texas before descending, hitting the ground at a gentle one mile an hour. The launch vehicle landed safely on its own power.

The space tourism race

With the demise of XCOR, the space tourism race is between Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic has started testing SpaceShipTwo, redesigned since a fatal accident, and has begun to move its operations from the Mojave Space Port to SpacePort America in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Virgin Galactic will, therefore, be able to evade the rocket tax recently imposed by the State of California.

The start of Virgin Galactics commercial space tourism flight, to be conducted from a rocket plane launched from an aircraft that will fly to the edge of space before landing on a runway, has often been delayed due to technical problems.

Sir Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Galactic, is confidently predicting commercial flights by 2018, though history suggests taking such pronouncements with a grain of salt. Meanwhile, Blue Origin is scheduled to start crewed test flights of the New Shepard in 2018 with commercial operations to begin sometime after.

The dawn of the private space traveler

Private people have been traveling in space since the beginning of this century when Space Adventures started taking paying customers to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz at the cost of tens of millions of dollars. Flights on SpaceShipTwo and New Shepard will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The cost of a ride into space will still be expensive, reserved for the well-heeled and adventurous. However, the price is likely to decline over time, and the services will expand as orbital tourist craft come online. What was once the sole province of government astronauts or more recently the super rich will, if dreams of space entrepreneurs like Branson and Blue Origins Jeff Bezos, will be something ordinary people can indulge in for the jaunt of a lifetime.
Following US President Donald Trumps controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there, the people and leaders of the Muslim world have reacted strongly. This has taken the form of condemnations from world leaders, and protests in cities throughout the Middle East and beyond. Turkish President Erdogan has been quite vocal in his reaction, and under his initiative, an extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was held in Istanbul on December 13. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation includes 57 member states from countries with large Muslim populations, and it aims to give a collective voice to Muslims leaders and people.

Muslim leaders respond to Trumps Jerusalem decision

At the summit, the OIC declared East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, while also encouraging the rest of the world to do the same. The OIC completely rejected and denounced Trumps decision, condemning it as a violation of international law and calling for the UN to take responsive action. As reported on the OICs website, the OIC also encouraged OIC member states to impose restrictions on governments, companies, and individuals that recognize Israel as the owner of Jerusalem. Present at the meeting were the heads of state of over 20 countries including Iran, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as foreign ministers and officials of other countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, as reported by CNN, Al Jazeera, and Pakistan Today.

A change in the Israel-Palestine status quo

Jerusalem, a site of great significance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, is currently under Israeli control, and Israel is not open to the possibility of dividing the city. Palestinians envisage the eastern part of the city as being their capital in the future, according to Al Jazeera.

Muslim Leaders consider Trumps move as dangerous and likely to further inflame the region, whereas supporters of the decision, such as Presidents Trump and Netanyahu, have said it is only a recognition of reality.

Palestinian President Abbas and Turkish President Erdogan have both declared that the US can no longer have any role in the peace process on account of its bias in favor of Israel.

This thus marks a significant change in the status of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the statements against Trumps decision do not impress us, and predicted that many more countries will follow suit and recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, as reported by CNN.
In a shocking new report, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan is planning for his retirement following the 2018 midterm elections. Within minutes, social media users had a lot to say.

Ryan retirement

For nearly 20 years, Paul Ryan has been a mainstay in the House Of Representatives ever since being elected to represent Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in 1999. Ryan became national name in 2012 when he ran for vice president with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on the top of a ticket. The pair ended up losing as Barack Obama and Joe Biden were re-elected for the Democrats, but that wasn't the end of Ryan's ambitions in Washington.

Following the retirement of then House Speaker John Boehner in 2015, Ryan was tapped as his replacement, a role that he's held ever since. In the two years since taking over as Speaker of the House, Ryan has often clashed with Donald Trump's agenda, causing an even greater divide on the right side of the aisle. As reported by Politico on December 14, Ryan will soon be stepping down.

BREAKING NEWS: @politico: @SpeakerRyan tells confidants he plans to retire after the 2018 midterm elections. pic.twitter.com/o0aoNLwKzh  Fox News (@FoxNews) December 14, 2017

First reported by Politico on Thursday afternoon, House Speaker Paul Ryan has told those close to him that he plans on walking away from Congress after the conclusion of the 2018 midterm elections.

Ryan, who is only 48, had been rumored to run for president in the near future, but that all changed with the election of Donald Trump last November.

Breaking: Paul Ryan is contemplating retiring after the 2018 elections https://t.co/Wo7BeXaKFG  POLITICO Magazine (@POLITICOMag) December 14, 2017

The pressure of the job and dealing with unforeseen situations has reportedly been difficult for Paul Ryan, with Politico detailing an uncomfortable situation when the House Speaker was recently forced to call on Rep.

Trent Franks to resign after allegations were made public that he offered his female aide $5 million to be the surrogate for his baby. Two friends close to Ryan spoke out about this experience, quoting the House Speaker as saying, "I didnt realize slitting throats was part of my job."

Twitter reacts

After the news broke that Paul Ryan could be retiring in less than a year, the story went viral on Twitter.

"Not before he destroys Social Security and Medicare. Horrible person," one tweet read.

Good! He's not for the people AT ALL. Driving up deficit and cutting Medicare are hateful things to do. Screwing this generation and next. And I'm glad I won't have to look at his smirking face anymore.  Dorothy (@dshreve53) December 14, 2017

I've got a better idea - retire effective immediately.  Amy Sparks (@MSMom_Blog) December 14, 2017

The Republicans messed it up with your speakership undercutting President Trump since he was elected Republican candidate! You need to go And let somebody like Gowdy take over! Retired now!  HollywoodDeplorables (@hollywoodhillsv) December 14, 2017

"He knows he won't win after he cuts Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid," an additional tweet added.

"I've got a better idea - retire effective immediately," a follow-up message stated. "Because he knows his sexual misdeeds will be exposed next. Get ready, Ryan!!! You're up next on the Price is Right!" one Twitter user speculated.

he knows he won't win after he cuts social security, Medicare, nd medicade  Rebekah (@honeysharks) December 14, 2017

not before he destroys Social Security and Medicare. Horrible person.  Cannabis and Coffee (@IHeartCandC) December 14, 2017

Good riddance!  TriciaE72 (@TriciaE72) December 14, 2017

"Good! He's not for the people AT ALL. Driving up deficit and cutting Medicare are hateful things to do. Screwing this generation and next. And I'm glad I won't have to look at his smirking face anymore," another social media user wrote. The backlash continued as the opposition to Paul Ryan was made clear.
57-year-old Dan Johnson's body was found in his car near Mount Washington with a single gunshot wound this December 13, after refuting claims that he had become sexually involved with a teenager. Elected to the State legislature in 2016, Mr. Johnson was a respected pastor who pushed for bills on religious liberty and education. His Apparent Suicide came almost halfway through his 2-year tenure in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Allegations of sexual assault on a teenager

Earlier this week, it was reported that he had sexually assaulted a teenager in his basement in late 2013.

Further accounts of the report state that the teenager was a friend of his daughter who had been sleeping over that night after a New Years party. This report came from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, a highly reliable source that Johnson was having difficulties refuting.

On Tuesday at church, he preached his innocence and described allegations as "totally false" while theorizing that there was a conspiracy going around against Republicans in the latest elections.

The KyCIR further reported the specifics of the assault which begun with Johnson informing the victim that she would enjoy it before he put his began violently kissing her while sliding his hands up her shirt into her bra and then down her skirt.

She attempted to get him off of her without waking the perpetrator's daughter and eventually was successful as he stumbled away.

The week following this incident, the victim did not show up to church and she was Facebook messaged by Johnson where he described himself as "being drugged" last weekend and that he was "sorry if he was mean."

Calls for his resignation

Michael Skoler, owner of this organization expressed his deep sadness over the incident and Johnson's subsequent passing.

Following news of the report, state politicians from both parties stepped forward in asking for his resignation.

The following day at church, he preached his innocence and described the allegations as "totally false" while theorizing that there were sexual assault conspiracies going around against Republicans in the latest elections.

His since deleted Facebook post that is believed to have served as a suicide note, can be seen below, with Johnson further adding that "It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME".

Dan Johnson's Final Tweet pic.twitter.com/bTbbzvJ12q  Travis Eden (@Travisedenz) December 14, 2017

Numerous key political figures in Kentucky such as Governor Matt Bevin, Speaker of the House Jeff Hoover, and Senator Rand Paul have expressed their sorrows and tributes for him and his family over the past day on twitter.
FCC regulators have voted 3-2 to repeal so-called "net-neutrality" regulations. Following the repeal, Internet Service Providers need only disclose how they direct Internet traffic but are not required to refrain from privileging the exchange of certain types of data while throttling the exchange of other types. Deregulation has been an important part of the Republican platform under Donald Trump, and supporters of the decision view it as nothing more than a return to the status quo before Obama-era regulations came into effect. Under those regulations, which were ushered in in 2015 by a vote with the same margins, Internet service providers were prohibited from favoring or throttling traffic under Title 2 of the Federal Telecommunications Law.

Ajit Pai against 'Net Neutrality'

Ajit Pai, the current, Trump-appointed chairman of the FCC, has long been an opponent of the 2015 regulations. Pai has a vision of the Internet as an extension of other forms of American capitalism and believes that a deregulated Internet will foster the development of broadband technology among other innovations. He has pointed to health services and self-driving vehicles as upcoming industries that would benefit from having devoted and stable channels of communication. Pai also claims that regulation discourages service providers from investing in better networks. Under the regulations, providers were barred from selling faster data to certain companies, and so, the reasoning goes, would have little incentive to develop the capability to do so.

In support of this argument, he pointed to studies purporting to show that investment in new technology among the top 12 Internet providers is down in the two years since the regulations have come into effect. Other supporters of deregulation have compared such premium Internet services to the existence of special highway toll-lanes or the sale of first-class seats on airlines: once raised, the money obtained by offering these services can then be re-invested to improve the overall user experience.

(Whether first-class airline seats have improved the overall flying experience, I leave to the judgment of my readers.)

Dozens of net neutrality supporters demonstrate outside FCC headquarters ahead of todays repeal vote. pic.twitter.com/MHp0eAhogK  Jim Puzzanghera (@JimPuzzanghera) December 14, 2017

Rescinding 'Net Neutrality' may harm consumers, small-businesses

Opponents of the new regime point out that while increasing speed is one way for Internet providers to offer such services, another and in their view far more likely approach would be to artificially throttle the speed of other services.

The cost of such practices would be not only generally slower service for everyday users but steeper competition for small businesses that cannot afford to pay for faster delivery. As an example, if Netflix secures high-speed streaming and is thereby able to deliver a superior user experience, smaller streaming services that cannot afford the speed premium would be unable to compete. Opponents of deregulation also have studies of their own purporting to show that so far from decreasing in the past two years, investment in broadband technology increased proportionally. (This outright contradiction is, at first glance, something of a mystery -- it would be worth considering whether the opposing studies differ because one is considering only the top providers, whereas the other is considering providers more generally -- where smaller providers have increased spending to catch up with larger providers.)

Net neutrality supporters left flowers in front of the FCCs headquarters, contending the repeal of the online traffic rules will lead to the death of the internet as we know it. pic.twitter.com/RjuwKuGM2g  Jim Puzzanghera (@JimPuzzanghera) December 14, 2017

Whichever side has the superior argument, deregulation has proven exceedingly controversial, as Net Neutrality is now a cause celebre for the Obama administration.

Since announcing its vote, the FCC has received around 500,000 comments both for and against deregulation, and as we have seen in other national controversies, at least some of these comments have been found to originate from Russian hackers eager to fan the flames of public opinion. Protests were held outside the FCC as the decision was being announced, and Pai's announcement itself had to be interrupted to clear the meeting room when security received word of a bomb threat.
The biggest story over the last month has been the continued allegations of sexual assault and harassment against women. Like many other high-profiled men, it appears that Donald Trump will have to deal with his past once again.

Trump's accusers

Ever since the New York Times broke their bombshell story exposing the decade-long history of sexual misconduct of former film producer Harvey Weinstein, allegations against other men have been falling like dominoes. From film producers, writers, directors, actors, and even politicians, a growing number of men have been accused of various acts of harassment and assault.

The name that has remained in the news in recent weeks has been Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama, Roy Moore, who has been accused of trying to engage in sexual activity with underage girls over the last 40 years. While the Republican Party has been split in their response, Donald Trump decided to come out in support of Moore, going as far as to record robocalls for him with the election only a few days away. As reported by CBS News on December 10, the president is now going to be facing his past as the women who have previously accused him of Sexual Harassment and assault will unite and call on Congress to launch an investigation.

NEW: Women who have publicly accused President Trump of sexual harassment and assault will speak at a news conference, hosted by @bravenewfilms, Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET. The women are calling for an investigation by Congress of sexual misconduct by the president. pic.twitter.com/MSPevMF0os  CBS News (@CBSNews) December 11, 2017

According CBS News on Sunday night, over a dozen women who had previously made claims against Donald Trump will come together in an effort to shine a light on the president's alleged improper treatment of women.

The gathering will happen on Monday at 10:30 a.m., and will take place at a conference sponsored by Brave New Films, who previously released a documentary film about the allegations against the commander in chief.

JUST IN: Trump accusers to unite, demand Congress investigate sexual misconduct allegations against Trump https://t.co/queUoSXbPj pic.twitter.com/R0kKTIRjrm  The Hill (@thehill) December 11, 2017

In a statement released by the group, at least 16 of Donald Trump's accusers "will share their firsthand accounts of President Trump's groping, fondling, forcibly kissing, humiliating, and harassing women." The news comes as public pressure has grown to further investigate the allegations against the former host of "The Apprentice," though no action has yet been taken.

As of press time, neither Trump nor the White House have responded to the news in question.

History repeats

The allegations against Donald Trump picked up steam in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election after the release of the now infamous "Access Hollywood" tape. Like many of the other men accused, Trump has denied every claim, insisting it was part of a partisan smear attack to derail his campaign and presidency.
Signs of relief are spreading from -- well all over. No, this is not the end of Trump. It is not Armageddon avoided. But it is close to Waterloo. I refer to the victory just confirmed of one Doug Jones in the state of Alabama. It is becoming instant mythology.

To show the feeling one might deduce in the wake of this closest of wins, there is nothing more pertinent than the image of a little cat who gives every sign of having been narrowly rescued.

And by a woman, of course.

When something is mythological you lump things together because they seem to fit.

This was a roundhouse victory complete with a predictable protest from the defeated candidate. I have not opened Mr. Trump's Twitter page but I have little doubt he will claim he was robbed. And here I shall claim that it was a victory for women, women who resonate with the image of a rescued cat, women who are able to say, "We did it."

NYT

Another winner was the New York Times. While Nate Silver was having a multi-thousand-word conniption over at 538 the Times defied the count and called the race on a dime. I will never diss the Gray Lady again. To honor that I am embedding the Times account of the Jones win. Go there and read up. Things will not be the same after now.

Once a Long Shot, Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate Race https://t.co/QJrMYIgdXf  Stephen C. Rose (@stephencrose) December 13, 2017

I was in Birmingham a week after the three girls were killed, continuing my civil rights reporting.

I met Dr. King behind the bombed-out Gaston Motel and we talked, along with some Canadian journalists. I was later at Selma the week James Reeb was shot dead.

Alabama is split as close as last night's election. But it is tipping the right way. It'll make one of my favorite Alabaman's. Emmylou Harris, happy.

Confluence

You want to talk confluence?

Today impacts Al Franken big time. Whatever Al Franken may have done no one dares accuse him of indecency.

And now an undercurrent which has been growing will turn into a possible act of forgiveness and mercy. It may make Franken governor of Minnesota. There is every possibility that the cagey Roger Stone, the well-dressed dirty trickster, was the author of Franken's downfall, parlaying some true stories into an equivalency story.

It didn't work.

This morning we get to say there was no equivalence. We find a confluence of events that all say, "Whew!" And "What do we do now?"

No quick fixes

I think we do nothing for a few minutes at least. We look with some care at the story I have embedded and its companion stories. And we realize that this is the same story I covered back in the 1960s.

We creep slowly toward progress.

We are guaranteed that by everything from our own capacity for abduction to the blood of Christ. We will take a deep breath and keep working.
It shouldn't be a rousing call for celebration when an alleged pedophile is denounced, and yet that's the country we live in today. On Tuesday night, Democrat Doug Jones beat alleged child molester Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate election. The race was a little too close for comfort, but nevertheless, the defeat of this abhorrent presumed predator is a victory for Democrats.

Doug Jones beat alleged child molester Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate election

Months ago, allegations came to light that senatorial candidate Roy Moore was a sexual predator of many underage girls.

The candidate attempted to portray the clear, indisputable evidence as a vast conspiracy against him. This tragically mirrors the often assumed viewpoint of assaulter: that their accusers are either crazy, lying or both. Sadly, many Americans would rather believe that survivors of assault are lying, than condemn a man. Perhaps they don't want to believe we live in a world where sexual assault is so prevalent.

Republican Roy Moore is known for using his religious beliefs as a crutch to undermine and attack civil rights movements. Moore opposes equal rights for Muslims and queer/ trans people. Despite this, many Alabama voters supported Moore, until allegations of sexually predatory behavior were published by the Washington Post.

Even then, it was still a close race between a relatively moderate, upstanding democrat and an alleged child molester. Doug Jones is the first Democratic senator in Alabama in 25 years. Jones was an attorney who prosecuted Ku Klux Klan members for a 1963 church bombing that killed four girls. In many other states, he would have been a shoo-in.

Sixteen women accused Donald Trump of assault, and Americans nationwide wildly discredited the survivors and voted an alleged abuser to the highest political office in the country. Perhaps because of this, Roy Moore modeled his response to the sexual allegations after Trump's. Both of them demonized and discredited their accusers.

There are many parallels between how they handled the sexual assault allegations.

One woman said Roy Moore assaulted her violently when she was only a fourteen-year-old little girl. Yet Roy Moore only lost by 1.5%

Do we live in a world where Republicans would rather elect a sexual predator than a democrat?

Our executive branch certainly looks that way. The gain of a Democrat seat in the Senate narrows the GOP's majority to only 51. This is incredibly hopeful, especially with potentially life-changing bills heading to the Senate floor soon. Maybe things will start to get better soon. Maybe everything isn't terrible. Maybe Americans have just shown us that even in Alabama, the willingness to forgive abusers has shifted.
New head writer Mal Young has promised surprises are coming on "The Young and the Restless, and he is keeping his word." J.T. Helstrom returned to Genoa City to audit issues with Victor's personal bank accounts. The Newman patriarch and Victoria both are clueless regarding what the authorities hope to find. Spoiler alerts from Soaps She Knows indicate that Nikki is going to confess to her daughter that she stole money from Victor and placed it in offshore bank accounts. Victoria will be stunned and placed in a tough situation. Will she allow her father to go down for a crime he did not commit or will she reveal that her mother is the culprit and allow Nikki to go to jail.

Nikki may have used Kevin's computer hacking skills

Last week Nikki chastised Kevin because he helped Victor steal the money in Nick's bank account. There was no hint that Mrs. Newman had the same thing in mind for her husband. Spoilers indicate she is going to admit her crime to her daughter who will be stunned at the revelation. There has been no hint that Nikki was going to do unto Victor as he did unto Nick so this obviously is one of the surprises that Mal Young spoke of.

On Tuesday Kevin called someone on the phone and told them that what they did was about to come to light. If spoilers are correct then it could have been Nikki on the other end of the line. This would indicate that after giving him a dressing down for helping Victor, she utilized his computer hacking skills herself.

Nikki certainly would not have been able to pull this off by herself.

Will Victoria support her mother or her father?

Victoria will now be in between a rock and a hard place once Nikki comes clean. Vicky had been backing her father 100 percent now that she is working at Newman again. Spoilers indicate that her mother is going to admit her fear of being prosecuted for her crimes.

Victoria will have to make a decision as to which parent she will stand by. If she tells the truth she may be responsible for Nikki going to jail. If she keeps her mothers secret it may cause Victor to be incarcerated.

This appears to be a no-win situation for Victoria Newman but new head writer Mal Young may have a way of making it al work out.

Now that J.T. has been assigned to the case there is no telling what will happen next. Stay tuned weekday afternoons on CBS at 12:30 PM for more episodes of "The Young and the Restless." Things are really heating up in Genoa City and you don't want to miss any of it.
Stassi Schroeder has had a long history of dating men that have not always treated her the best. When Bravo viewers were first introduced to the blonde bombshell on "Vanderpump Rules" in 2013, she was in a relationship with Jax Taylor. After years of tumultuous fighting and finding out that he slept with her best friend, Kristen Doute, Stassi finally dumped Jax.

Sweet, sweet revenge

Soon after, Stassi was dating another bartender at SUR named Frank Herlihy, however, that relationship did not last for long. After they broke up, Frank extorted $900 from Lisa Vanderpump after threatening to go public with a recording of Stassi being intimate with herself that she had sent to him when they were still together.

This year on "Vanderpump Rules," Bravo fans get to see Stassi's relationship with her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Patrick Meagher. Although, viewers are probably aware that the couple has already broken up since filming those scenes.

Patrick reportedly dumped Stassi on their anniversary just before they were supposed to go on a romantic trip to Mexico. So, once again, Schroeder is a single woman looking for love and she recently went on Bravo's "The Daily Dish" podcast, where she shared some insight into her past relationships and how she dealt with the deception.

With all the betrayal that she has endured, she has certainly learned how to get some decent payback over the years. She shared with the podcast hosts Rachael Roberts and Megan Segura that she has "keyed cars," as well as "hacked into accounts and deleted things."

The "Vanderpump Rules" star admitted to breaking into Jax's account at one point while they were dating and she was mad at him to change his name to "Mr.

Stassi Schroeder."

Don't mess with her

Stassi mentioned that she has come to realize that a "mojito" is the best drink to throw in a man's face when you're mad because the "leaves stick to the face." She even confessed that she has ordered a mojito specifically for the purpose of throwing it at a guy before.

The "Straight Up With Stassi" podcast host said that she admits to being a crazy ex-girlfriend, but that she wears that crown proudly, saying, "just don't f**k with me and then you'll be fine."

She does not see anything wrong with damaging people's property if they have wronged her and said that she would "expect" someone to "key [her] car" if she cheated on them.

Jax Taylor recently got caught cheating again on "Vanderpump Rules." His current girlfriend, Brittany Cartwright, and Stassi have become quite close over the past year so maybe she will have some advice to give her on how to deal with her disloyal man. Although, rumors circling around now suggest that the couple is not actually still together and have just been pretending until the Bravo season is over.
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HA NOI  Huawei has appointed Fan Jun as its new CEO for Viet Nam.

As a veteran in the information, communication and technology (ICT) business, Jun will be responsible for the companys day-to-day business operations, ensuring that Huawei meets its commitment to deliver ICT products and solutions in Viet Nam.

Jun started working at Huawei in 2006 as a senior solution manager for the Hangzhou representative office. Before his Viet Nam appointment, he worked in Kuala Lumpur as deputy CEO of Huawei Malaysia, in charge of Subsidiary operation management and transformation projects.

Viet Nams ICT industry is poised for strong growth; it is therefore an exciting time to be in Viet Nam and lead our business here, Jun said.

Currently, we have invested here for 19 years. Viet Nam is an important, strategic market for Huawei because we believe that our growth in this market is intertwined with the overall sustainable development of a region that holds so much potential for ICT innovation and growth. We recognise the integral role that ICT plays in driving socio-economic development and enriching peoples daily lives, which is why we are committed to being a long-term investor in Viet Nam through our contributions to job creation, knowledge transfers, local innovation and talent development.  VNS
HA NOI  E-commerce giant Amazon is proceeding with its ambitious business plan in Viet Nam, following Alibabas footsteps, said Nguyen Thanh Hung, chairman of the Viet Nam E-commerce Association (VECOM).

According to a source from VECOM, during a meeting between VECOM and representatives of the Amazon Group held last week, the firms spokesperson revealed that they had set their eyes on the new up-and-coming market in Southeast Asia, as well as walked delegates through the firms strategy to approach customers in the country.

Amazons strategy consists of two steps. They want to export goods to Viet Nam and then import goods from the country. They also want to support Vietnamese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to export on Amazon, Hung said, adding that this move should be considered as a good sign for the Vietnamese SME community.

Earlier in November, during his Viet Nam visit, Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma, who is the Executive Chairman of Chinese online marketplace Alibaba, also expressed his desire to assist Viet Nam to develop e-commerce and science technology, fields in which the country holds high growth potential.

Alibaba striking a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Lazada Group SA, the popular Vietnamese e-commerce website, showed Alibabas willingness to further participate in the Vietnamese e-commerce market.

Hung said that the participation of foreign e-commerce businesses, especially Lazada, is making the e-commerce market more competitive than ever. With the strong support of Alibaba, Lazada has a great opportunity to become the leading e-commerce platform in Viet Nam.

Innovation

Nguyen Thi Hanh, Deputy Director of the Sellers Centre under Red Lotus Trade and Investment Joint Stock Company, told the business news website cafef.vn that according to VECOM, Viet Nam business-to-consumer (B2C), e-commerce retail sales in 2016 reached US$5 billion, accounting for 3 per cent of the countrys total retail products.

E-commerce businesses must together strive harder to bring about a higher percentage of sales, to some 5 to 10 per cent.

Tran Ngoc Thai Son, CEO of local e-commerce site Tiki.vn, said he was not really worried about foreign competitors in the e-commerce market, adding that the appearance of strong foreign rivals had led to a large investment capital in the countrys market, creating necessary motivation for local businesses to strive.

Tiki was doing very well at the time of Alibabas acquisition of Lazada, Son said.

inh Thi My Loan, Chairman of the Viet Nam Association of Retailers, said that Vietnamese retailers faced great difficulties and challenges while competing in the market.

Therefore, retail businesses must be active, creative and innovative, she said.  VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung visits the Expo-Russia Vietnam 2017 in Ha Noi yesterday. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

HA NOI  Enterprises from Viet Nam and Russia should utilise new business opportunities to cement the comprehensive relationship between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung said this at Expo-Russia Vietnam 2017, which opened its doors here yesterday. More than 500 businesses are taking part.

The future of bilateral ties depends not only on the expectations of the two governments, but also on the dynamism and determination of the two business communities," the deputy PM said.

Russia is an important trade partner for Viet Nam with two-way trade reaching to more than US$3.2 billion in the 11 months of the year to date, up 26.7 per cent year-on-year. This figure, however, still lags behind the trade target of $10 billion by 2020 set earlier by the two countries leaders, Dung said.

The deputy PM said he hoped the countrys key staples, such as textiles and garments, footwear, seafood, farm produce, timber and electronics and consumer products could better penetrate Russia.

Meanwhile, he said Viet Nam was ready to import products from a wide range of sectors from Russia, including industrial, farm goods, petrochemicals, industrial equipment, cars and parts as well as raw materials.

Vietnamese firms had shown rising interest in the Russian market, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-chairman Hoang Quang Phong told a business forum at the expo.

As of July 2017, Viet Nam had 18 investment projects in Russia with a total investment capital of $2.4 billion. The projects mainly concerned energy and mining industries. Meanwhile, Russian firms have pumped more than $1 billion into 115 projects in Viet Nam.

Phong said, Expo-Russia Vietnam 2017 would accelerate two-way economic ties by showcasing products and services for export and investment projects and research findings of businesses, universities and research agencies.

It would also introduce achievements in energy, machine manufacturing, transport and telecommunications, as well as mining, chemical industry, healthcare, agriculture and hi-tech industries.

At the expo, organised by VCCI and Russian company Zarubezh Expo, Vietnamese firms have an opportunity to learn about Russias investment environment and seek business partnerships.

The event, which will run until tomorrow, also includes a workshop on economic co-operation between member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and Viet Nam, and roundtables on agriculture, energy, transport and healthcare.

At the first event in December 2015, the Russian side signed 172 agreements with Vietnamese partners.  VNS
HA NOI  Sai Gon Thuong Tin Real Estate JSC, better known as Sacomreal (SCR), plans to hike its charter capital by 30 per cent to VN3.17 trillion (US$139 million) from the current VN2.44 trillion through issuing an additional issue 73 million shares.

About 20 per cent of the shares will be offered to existing shareholders and another 10 per cent will be sold in a private placement.

The company will hold a shareholders meeting on December 18 to seek approval for the plan. It will also seek endorsement for Thanh Thanh Cong Investment JSCs share purchase without a public bid.

Thanh Thanh Cong Investment currently holds 4.91 per cent of Sacomreals capital. The company is expected to increase its stake to over 25 per cent of total voting shares.

On October 23 this year, Sacomreal issued nearly 16 million shares to pay a 7-per-cent dividend, lifting its outstanding shares to 243.9 million shares.

The companys share price has increased more than 6 per cent this year, being traded at about VN9,000 a share.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has to focus on increasing labour productivity and overall productivity growth to avoid the risk of being stuck in the middle income trap, experts said at the Vietnam Development Forum (VDF) 2017 yesterday.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that there were signs of slowdown in productivity growth, a key driver of sustainable development, and this has to be reversed with innovation, creativity and technological applications.

Phuc asked government agencies, business leaders and academia to promote and implement the National Productivity Action Plan, guarding the economy against the risk of lagging behind other regional economies.

Chaired by Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment, and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, yesterdays forum focused on increasing national productivity and creating leverages for sustainable development.

A key topic at the forum was productivity growth trends, including demand and supply for skilled labour and how enterprises can take advantage of technological transfers to implement structural changes that help produce more with less in fields like agriculture.

Dung also stressed the importance of productivity growth in promoting rapid and sustainable economic development.

After Viet Nam became a middle income country in 2010, it has faced new development challenges and has to ensure that it is not stuck at a certain level of growth, he added.

Dung further emphasised the decisive role played by labour productivity in economic growth, contributing about 89 per cent of GDP growth in 2017, compared to just 61.9 per cent from 2000 to 2012, said.

Acknowledging the countrys commendable growth recovery, Dione raised the question of how Viet Nam will utilise its scarce public resources efficiently to finance its development agenda over the next five years.

Improving domestic revenue mobilisation, enhancing expenditure efficiency and debt management capacity will be crucial to achieving development objectives and creating an enabling environment for the private sectors contribution to national productivity growth, said Dione.

He warned that as Viet Nams current annual average labour productivity growth rate was at about four per cent, it was unlikely to deliver the sustained rapid growth that could see Viet Nam follow the development trajectory of countries like South Korea and Singapore.

Sustainability is a big challenge for Viet Nam, as national economic growth has been declining rapidly from 6.7 per cent in 2010 to 5.96 per cent in 2016, cautioned Nguyen inh Cung, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management.

So far the Vietnamese economy has grown at a relatively high rate, but the trend is downward in the medium and long run, he commented.

According to Cung, from 2018 onwards, in order to maintain annual growth rate of about 6.8 to 7 per cent, yearly productivity growth must be kept at above 6 per cent, which leaves a gap of 1.25 percentage points with the current labour productivity rate of 4.8 per cent.

"This is a real challenge for the economy, since labour productivity has long been mainly driven by economic restructuring, while intra-industry labour productivity has tended to decrease, Cung said.

He observed an economic composition deadlock in the transfer of resources from public sector to private sector over the past several years.

Rajah Rasiah, Senior Professor of the Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya, commented that Viet Nam has implemented favourable policies to develop its technological and scientific infrastructure, encourage innovation and creativity towards boosting productivity and efficiency.

However, both the government and entrepreneurs need to strengthen technical education and vocational training to global standards, Rasiah said.

Planning and Investment Minister Dung said the Government has co-ordinated with private partners, corresponding agencies and qualified experts to identify specific long-term solutions for boosting productivity, as the important growth drivers in the early stages of development, like abundant labour and natural resources, become less and less relevant, confirmed Dung.

PM Phuc said he hoped the forum would achieve concrete results in helping local government agencies understand the importance of increasing productivity, and that research organisations will propose practical solutions to the business community, based on national and international experiences.

In its fifth year, VDF 2017 aimed to analyse the current economic situation and obstacles to increasing productivity in Viet Nam. It also acted as a channel between policymakers and the business community in finding ways to achieve the 2020 socio-economic development goals.

The forum discussed major global economic trends and the challenges they pose for Viet Nam, followed by strategies to ensure sustainable development in terms of capital, labour and natural resource utilisation.

Over 300 delegates from international organisations, the private sector, ministries and agencies from different countries gathered at the 2017 VDF.

They exchanged experiences on productivity incentives and challenges, policy frameworks in favour of realising national comparative advantages and market-based institutional reforms. VNS
Viet Nams building material industry should invest in the production of environmentally friendly building materials, according to Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung. Photo VGP

HA NOI  Viet Nams building material industry should invest in the production of environmentally friendly building materials, according to Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung.

Dung said building materials accounted for 70 per cent of the value of a construction. In past years, investment in building materials had developed strongly, basically meeting the domestic demand.

However, he said investment in producing theseg materials had achieved many results, but the sector still lacked new materials, friendly-environmental building materials at a cheap price, and high-grade building materials.

Investment in the sector was done spontaneously, not according to plan, leading to overproduction, illegal exploitation of materials or exploitation with licences but damaging the environment.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested state management and businesses should co-ordinate more to improve efficiency, invest in the production of environmental-friendly building materials and select new materials instead of traditional.

Construction materials must be developed to meet demand for use at home and abroad, Dung said. At the same time, the sector should gradually renovate production technologies, save energy and promote the use of unburnt building materials to replace baked materials.

Dung asked the Ministry of Construction to co-ordinate with other ministries and localities to update plans on building-material production.

The ministry will review factories causing environmental pollution and control the exploitation of stones, gravel and sand.

At the conference, minister of construction Pham Hong Ha said production of construction material had improved significantl to reach regional and world standards.

Before 2010, Viet Nam had to import some key building materials, such as cement, construction glass and ceramic tiles. Since then, the building-material industry had developed strongly by adopting many regional and world advanced technologies, Ha said.

Many experts claim the production of traditional building materials had used large amounts of raw materials and energy, contributing to environmental pollution.

Te Ministry of Construction will urge its agencies to continue researching and renovating technologies to create green, clean and effective products and sustainable development.  VNS
HA NOI  The Peoples Committee in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa estimated that of more than VN100 trillion (US$4.4 billion) was needed to develop the infrastructure system for the Bac Van Phong Special Administrative-Economic Unit by 2025.

Of the total, developing the technical infrastructure system required a sum of VN53 trillion by 2025. The money would be spent to build a road system, 20km railway from Van Phong Port to the station of the North-South railway, power system, water supply system and waste treatment system.

An amount of VN46 trillion would be spent on developing the social infrastructure system, including 65 kindergartens, 39 middle schools, 26 high schools, 67 medical stations and clinics and stadiums.

The rest would be used for land clearance and planning.

The provincial Peoples Committee said part of the capital would come from the budget and through private investment under build-operate-transfer, build-transfer and public-private partnership practices.

Le uc Vinh, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, was quoted by Nguoi Lao ong (Labourer) newspaper as saying that the province had proposed special mechanisms to develop Bac Van Phong.

Among the proposals was one according to which the province would be allowed to keep revenue from import-export taxes collected in the current Van Phong Economic Zone and the future Bac Van Phong Special Administrative-Economic Unit until 2030, as well as 50 per cent of the central budgets collection in five years from the foundation of the special zone.

In addition, the province proposed that the Government consider extending the road system to Bac Van Phong when developing the North-South expressway or express railway, along with policies to attract strategic investors to develop the zone.

The province agreed to develop the unit from the current Van Ninh District, where has total area of 111,000ha with 13 communes and towns and a population of 128,000.

The zone would focus on developing marine transport, logistics, trade and financial services, as well as tourism, healthcare, education services and hi-tech industries.  VNS
BUENOS AIRES  Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh and Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie met and discussed trade and economic co-operation between Viet Nam and Argentina in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

At the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference, both sides praised their economic, trade and investment cooperation in recent years.

They agreed to seek trade stimulation measures together, while Khanh suggested Argentina create favourable conditions for Vietnamese products to enter the South American market to increase balance trade between the two countries.

They highlighted their co-ordination in preparation for next year trip to Viet Nam of Argentine President Mauricio Macri on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of bilateral diplomatic relations. Both said that the official visit would reinforce the two countries comprehensive partnership.

Viet Nam and Argentina established a comprehensive partnership in 2010, with bilateral trade increasing tenfold in the past 10 years from some US$300 million in 2006 to exceed $3 billion in 2016.

According to the General Department of Viet Nam Customs, in the first 10 months of 2017, Viet Nam-Argentina trade hit $2.62 billion, up 8.87 per cent from the same period last year, and was estimated to reach $3.5 billion by the years end.

Viet Nam is currently the sixth largest trade partner of Argentina. Viet Nam mainly exports to Argentina footwear, electronic products, garment-textiles goods and agricultural machines, while Argentina is the second largest supplier of food and farm produce in Viet Nam.  VNS
THUA THIEN- HUE Madelon Willemsen, head of the Viet Nam office of the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, said that the wildlife-related tourism activities that have been popular in the country for decades, such as elephant riding, souvenirs made of wild animal parts, the consumption of bear bile and dishes cooked with wild animal meats, need a radical rethinking.

When the 2015 verison of the Viet Nams Penal Code takes effect on the first day of 2018, tourism businesses operating programmes that exploit wildlife could be charged with new offenses, she said at a conference for sustainable tourism development held in Hue City on Wednesday.

The charge will not only result in penalties but also harm the businesss reputation. Certainly, no one could develop sustainably with negative comments from customers, Willemsen said.

Le Thi Minh Anh from the Viet Nam Environment Administration added that tourism businesses, such as hotels, would face environmental criminal charges for activities that in the past they considered totally unremarkable.

The use of invasive species like red-eared sliders or common water hyacinth for ornamental purposes in hotels, for instance, will earn the hotels a fine from VN1billion to VN5billion and a short-term operational halt, Anh said.

She added that the consumption of wild animals and endangered plants would yield a much higher fine and a permanent halt to operations.

Anh said tourism businesses must set up procedures for managing operational hazards and tourism infrastructure construction as well as build up environmental protection plans for every tourism project.

Environmental protection encouraged

Willemsen and Anh were among many speakers to urge tourist firms to focus on environmental protection for the good of the natural world and for business benefits.

The environment creates the basis for tourism as many travelers seek out unique features of nature. And environmental disasters have negative impacts on the development of tourism, said Anh, encouraging businesses in the sector to contribute to environmental protection in general.

Anh noted the disaster created by the Formosa toxic spill in April last year had hurt tourism in the affected provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien- Hue for months.

Nguyen Dien, deputy director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a Nang said the percentage of visitors who never return to Viet Namcurrently 70 per centwould increase unless the tourism sector improves. One necessary improvement is to raise awareness about environmental protection.

The businesses must cut off their wildlife consumption to reduce the exploitation of the nature from others. At the same time, they should be aware of environmental protection for sustainable development in general, he said.

Nguyen Van Phuc, deputy director of Thua Thien- Hue Department of Tourism said the department focuses on environmental protection in the sectors growth plans for the next year.  VNS
HA NOI  Music lovers can enjoy a concert featuring French conductor Nathalie Marin and soloist Vu Viet Chuong on December 15 at the Ha Noi Opera House.

Under the baton of conductor Marin, musicians from the Viet Nam National Symphony and Orchestra (VNSO) will play Concerto for Violin by Jean Sibelius; The Girl from Arless Suite No1 and No2 by Georges Bizet and A Day in Ciboure by Eric Dartel.

The piece by French composer Dartel will be premiering at the concert. The composer finished the piece a few months ago to commemorate composer Maurice Ravel, who was born in the city of Ciboure in southwestern France .

"It is very important to play music by a living composer," said conductor Marin. "Dartel sent me his new piece some time ago. I immediately liked it and I proposed it for this concert."

This will be Marins first time conducting an orchestra in Viet Nam , and her first visit to the country as well.

"I appreciate it very much, she said. We are working very well with the musicians of VNSO."

Marin is one of only a few female conductors in the world. She has dreamed of becoming a conductor since she was a child. She obtained her conducting Masters degree at the Danish Royal Academy in Copenhagen where she was assistant conductor to Michel Tabachnik.

She has been artistic director for orchestras and music festivals such as the National Symphonic Orchestra of Ecuador and the French Ensemble Orchestra de IIsere. As guest conductor she has performed with many orchestras in the world, such as the Brussels Philharmonic; Rudolstadt Symphony Orchestra and Voralberg Symphony Orchestra at theatres La Fenice in Venice and Bregenz Festspielhaus , Austria .

Under Marins baton, violinist Chuong will perform Concerto for Violin, which has been recorded over 50 times since the beginning of the 21st century. Chuong is Doctor of Musical Arts and the concertmaster of the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra.

Praised for his "exquitise playing" by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Yehudi Wyner, Chuong has been a soloist and orchestra member in North and South America, Europe and Asia with a wide ranging repertoire that spans from early baroque to modern music.

He is currently artistic director of Viet Nam Connection Music Festival and the Dallas-based International Chamber Players.

VNSOs subscription concert will begin at 8pm. VNS
QUANG BINH  Authorities of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in central Quang Binh Province on Tuesday announced the discovery of 58 new caves in its territory.

Le Thanh Tinh, the parks director was quoted by local newspapers as saying the newly-discovered caves are in buffer zone of the park in the provinces mountainous Minh Hoa District.

Tinh said the parks forest rangers and nearby residents discovered the caves. The park authorities also made comparisons the existing list of caves made by the British Royal Cave Association to eliminate mistakes in listing new caves.

Staff at the park had investigated some among the new caves. The park will work with members of the British association to transfer information of those newly-discovered caves to serve detail examinations from those experienced explorers.

British explorers have helped investigate many caves in Quang Binh, known as the kingdom of caves of Viet Nam. The worlds biggest cave Son oong was discovered thanks to those explorers, based on the discovery of the caves entrance by a local resident.  VNS
LONDON  The children of legendary British comic actor Charlie Chaplin have expressed dismay at the threatened closure of the Cinema Museum, once a workhouse for poor children where he was forced to live.

The building in Elephant and Castle, an area of south London that has been undergoing rapid redevelopment in recent years, is owned by a hospital trust which is planning to sell it early next year.

The Victorian-era building on Renfrew Road played a significant part in Chaplins impoverished childhood, family members including his actress daughter Geraldine Chaplin wrote in an open letter.

"The workhouse is a building that played a great part in our fathers early life," they said.

"He and his mother and step-brother, abandoned by their father, lived nearby, in a variety of poor lodgings, and were frequently driven to seek refuge in the workhouse."

Chaplin and his half-brother lived at the workhouse on a semi-regular basis throughout their childhoods in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Chaplin was four years old during his first stay.

Workhouses were places of last resort for destitute families during the Victorian era in Britain, as families were routinely separated from each other.

Little Tramp, one of Chaplins most famous characters, was inspired by Chaplins childhood on the fringes of Victorian society.

In a clear reference to Chaplins own childhood, Little Tramp adopts a young child who is forcibly taken away from him in Chaplins 1921 film The Kid.

"It is not a celebratory piece of family history by any means but we now recognise that this painful experience did much to mould our fathers unique creative gift," the letter said.

The Museum has launched a petition against the closure by the South London and Maudsley National Health Service (NHS) Trust and a Just Giving campaign to help buy the building.

The Trust said that as a public body "it is our duty and aim to sell these properties so that we maximise the value of these assets".  AFP
THANH HOA  Nearly 1,000 representatives from television and radio stations nationwide gathered yesterday at the 37th national TV festival being celebrated in the central province of Thanh Hoa.

The annual event, organised by Viet Nam National Television, aims to honour producers, directors and camera crew, as well as to acknowledge the outstanding work that has provided insights into the daily lives of people. The work, divided into nine categories, including documentaries, reportage, talk shows, science education and ethnic minority television shows, will compete for the best television work awards at the festival.

The festival also provides an opportunity for those working in television to share their experiences and get updated on the latest trends to serve viewers better.

This is the first year that the festival is being held in Thanh Hoa Province.

According to Tran Binh Minh, the general director of Vietnam Television and also the chairman of the festival, this years event has received 492 entries from 140 television channels, particularly the reportage category, which has attracted 150 entries, the most for any section.

Other highlights of the 37th national TV festival are talks delivered by presenters from the United States and Indonesia about television and internet development trends throughout the world, as well as two seminars discussing the most concerning issues in television nowadays  producing childrens shows, which are both educational and entertaining, and promoting tourism through television.

Marginal activities include an exhibition featuring photos taken by television producers throughout the country, seminars to exchange experiences in television broadcasting and the ceremony of presenting over 3,000 uniform coats and 1,000 sets of gifts to disadvantaged students in Thanh Hoa Province.

The festival will end this Saturday.  VNS
HA NOI  Photographs depicting the beautiful seascapes and islands of Viet Nam, islanders daily life and marine economic activities are featured in an exhibition that opened on December 14 in Ha Noi.

The exhibition, titled Homelands Sea and Islands, displays 150 photos from the archives of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Vietsovpetro, a joint venture between Viet Nam and Russia.

The photos are among thousands of works by generations of VNA journalists, who have travelled across the country to capture moments of life both in war and in peace, and staff of the Vietsovpetro, an enterprise for oil and gas exploration in Viet Nams sea territory.

The exhibition takes visitors on a visual tour to different seas and islands from the north to the south. Stops include Ha Long Bay, iep Son Island, Nam Du Island, Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and the Bach Ho oil field in Ba Ria  Vung Tau Province.

Highlights are images depicting soldiers guarding the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and children eagerly heading to school in the islands. The journalists also caught moments of fishermen pulling in their nets in the early morning and bustling fish markets at the end of the day, among many other scenes.

The exhibition aims to pay tribute to the people who have sacrificed their lives to protect the seas and islands of the country, said Le Quoc Minh, deputy general director of the Vietnam News Agency.

The exhibition highlights the potential of Vietnamese marine resources in social and economic development, as well as the achievements of the army and people in the fields of politics, economics, culture, society, security and national defence.

Through the exhibition, the organiser want to raise peoples awareness of the importance of the national seas and islands, and to always maintain the spirit of protecting national sovereignty. The exhibition will run until December 20 at the Vietnam News Agency headquarters, 5 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ha Noi.  VNS
Majestic: Laure shooting elephants in Thailand.

By Hong Van

In these days when selfies are de rigueur, cameras and video gears have become normal travelling companions.

For French couple Pascal Schram and Anne Laure, this equipment has an added purpose beyond photographs of destinations to serve as later personal memoirs.

Their aim is to use their travel and their cameras to film animal protection centres and raise awareness of animal welfare.

Animals are intelligent and have feelings just like humans. The more we learn about animals, the more we become sensitive to how humans treat them, said Schram.

We care about the link between nature and humankind on a daily basis. Both of us are passionate about and fascinated by animals in general and are aware of being live witnesses to the 6th wave of animal extinction, Laure said. "Many scientists believe that the sixth mass extinction in earths history is underway.

It affects us a lot, and we want to do our part by making a positive contribution in our own way to the species that suffer. We are therefore very sensitive to the animal conditions in general.

We have longed to make a big trip around the world for a long time, but we also wanted it to be meaningful. So we took time to think about it and we eventually came out with the Animal360 project which is a way for us to travel and give back at the same time, Laure added.

Up close: Schram filming the health check of a strong bear named Humphrey in Animals Asia, Viet Nam.  Photos courtesy of Pascal Schram

The couple, natives of Rennes, west of France, said they have shared a special love for animals since their childhood and this has increased their awareness of the issue of animal protection over the last ten years.

They had other jobs, but they felt more drawn to the cause of animal protection.

World trip planning

Starting in 2015, the couple incorporated the animal filming project into their itineraries during trips to Belgium, Cape Verde, Thailand and within France.

The previous two years of travelling and filming during our holiday was a rehearsal for our two-year world tour. We learnt about filming and read a lot about animal protection and welfare, said Laure.

The couple decided to buy an old house, renovate and re-sell it to fund their world trip, quit their jobs and began their world tour in September.

The primary goal is to help animal protection associations to promote their actions, that is why we give them the videos we make for free so that they can use it on social medias and websites. Then we also put the reports on our website animal360.fr so that people can see all the reports in one place, said Schram.

Schram and Laure also go to schools and nursing homes for the elderly to talk about animal protection, showing their work to inspire and sensitise children and the elderly about animal welfare.

We think that its essential to talk to children because they are our future, said Schram.

The couple plans to travel to more than ten countries in around two years  Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Finland, New Zealand, Australia and some South American countries.

We research the countries and their animal protection issues in advance and then choose the associations that we think could use our help. Most of the time they are not the biggest ones that already have a budget for communication, said Schram.

We have already made 8 videos featuring different associations in different countries and we want to keep that pace, Schram added.

The couple visited a shelter for hundreds of dogs and cats in Belgium, another one for strays and domestic dogs and cats in Cape Verde, a free care home for cats in Thailand, an elephant care centre in Thailand, a shelter for disabled dogs and a leopard research centre in Sri Lanka.

Best friends: The couple visited a shelter for dogs in Sri Lanka.

Impressive bears in Viet Nam

In late November, the couple visited the Tam ao National Park to feature a bear rescue centre.

We chose Animals Asia, where bears are rescued from bile farms, which is not very well known in Europe, so that we can show and share information about it, said Schram.

For Europeans, it would be really interesting to see bears protected, said Schram.

The bear rescue centre in Viet Nam was even more amazing than what we expected. We learnt a lot about moon bears and sun bears, they are incredibly resilient. Even though theyve had the worst experience with humans, being cruelly treated in bile farms, they are now trusting the people here, he said.

It is really moving to see them playing with each other and enjoying life despite their difficult stories, said Laure.

Schram and Laure had the opportunity to see a health examination done on a strong bear named Humphrey. It was very impressive to see him so close, and very moving to see that the staff were so gentle with him, said Laure.

Said Schram: If not here, we may never have seen moon bears [Asian black bear] and sun bears [Helarctos malayanus] , and they are absolutely fun to watch. It would be a shame not to protect them. Bile farming will end when people stop buying the bile, or when bears become totally extinct. We can choose the world we want to live in with our consumption choices.

The most rewarding moment is when I see that people at the associations and centres love their job and our work. I feel proud when our work helps with their communication work.

By showing the positive side, we also want to talk about the negative side. We want to show that you can do something, everyone can do something. It can be a little thing, but when we put many little things, it can be a big thing.

Every report we make is different. The only thing that remains the same is that the people we met in the associations we have been to are always extraordinary, passionate, good persons.  VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly Standing Committee on Wednesday agreed in principle on the Governments regulations on galleries and exhibitions as well as the establishment of Ninh Cuong township in the northern province of Nam inh.

The Governments report, based on partial data from 44 of 63 provinces and direct-controlled municipalities, showed that in 2013, 499 galleries and exhibitions were held nationwide. The number rose to 589 in 2014 and 694 in 2015. Last years estimated figure was 385, as only 27 out of 63 provinces and cities recorded this data.

Currently, regulations on galleries and exhibitions are contained in several legal documents, for example, the Law on Commerce regulates market fairs, the Law on Heritages provides for provisions on exhibitions and galleries in museums, in addition to several others concerning print publications gallery, photography exhibitions and art galleries.

The committee agreed that as Viet Nam deepens international integration, more diverse galleries and exhibitions  in terms of forms, content and organisers  have emerged, necessitating regulations.

The proposed decree regulating exhibitions and galleries contains 20 items in four chapters.

Tong Thi Phong, NA Vice Chairwoman, asked the Government to be more specific about State management in the decree and who is responsible for managing and monitoring exhibition and gallery activities.

In Wednesdays session, the NA Standing Committee also unanimously voted for the establishment of Ninh Cuong township, Truc Ninh District of Nam inh Province.

The township of Ninh Cuong is set to be the new name for the current Truc Phu commune. However, the changes will not be too disruptive, as the Ninh Cuong epithet is familiar with Vietnamese people as Truc Phu commune used to be the capital of Ninh Cuong tong, (tong is an administrative unit between commune and district, used in feudal Viet Nam).

Some 99 per cent of Truc Phu communes voters have voted in favour of the new name.

According to the NA Standing Committees legal committee, Truc Phu commune has met the three criteria required to set up a township, namely population, urban classification (area, political importance, urban infrastructure, etc.) and development.

NA Vice Chairwoman Phong asked that more qualified officials with at least bachelor degrees be appointed in the new townships administration, or more training be given to current ones so they are able to handle urban affairs management.

NAs 5th session set for May 2018

The NA Standing Committee on Wednesday also heard that the fifth session of the 14th National Assembly (NA) is scheduled to take place from May 21 to June 18, 2018.

At the fifth session, the NA will debate and adopt seven bills, one draft resolution and discuss 11 other bills, including the revised Anti-Corruption Law and a law on amendments and supplementations to some articles of the Law on Environmental Protection Tax.

NA deputies will discuss reports on socio-economic development and the State budget, while conducting supervision and approving resolutions on the supervision programme and the formation of a NA thematic supervision group in 2019.

They will also decide on several important issues of the country.

On Wednesday, the NA Standing Committees members reviewed the outcomes of the 14th NAs fourth session.

They agreed that the session completed a lot of work, making important decisions to drive national socio-economic growth.

They said that the decisions helped deal with urgent matters, contributing to boosting the countrys development and international integration.

However, they also pointed to some shortcomings of the session, including limitations in preparing documents.  VNS
HCM CITY  The proposal by the Innovative Technology Development (ITD) Corporation to build tollbooths around the HCM City centre has been met with criticism from experts working in various fields.

The original plan called for tolls to be collected from 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm, with charges of VN40,000 (US$1.7) for private cars, VN30,000 for taxis, and VN50,000 for trucks.

The plan was expected to encourage use of public transport such as buses and metro lines (now undergoing construction) to relieve traffic congestion in central HCM City.

The citys Peoples Committee, which approved the proposal in April, planned to begin construction of 36 automatic tollbooths next year, but is now reconsidering the plan.

Dr Pham Sanh, a transport specialist, was quoted as saying in Nguoi Lao ong (The Labourer) newspaper that while some countries charged tolls for entering city centres, HCM City was a different case because of its road system.

He said that some drivers might only want to pass by the city centre instead of entering it, meaning they would have to move along the small ring road around the city.

The increased concentration of vehicles on such small roads would cause more traffic congestion around the city centre, he added.

Due to the controversy caused by the proposal, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee on Wednesday held a conference in District 1 for different parties to debate the effectiveness of the tollbooth plan. Many experts questioned the plans viability.

ong Van Khiem, a member of Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committees Advisory Council, pointed out that the proposal did not address the rising costs of delivering goods in and out of the city centre, meaning the price of goods could increase, especially in districts 1 and 3.

He said that Viet Nams public transport needed improvement as there were few metro lines being built in the city, and buses were still seen as an unreliable way to travel to work every day.

This would leave motorbikes as the most likely replacement for cars if tollbooths are set up. But considering the disregard of traffic rules by many drivers, the traffic situation may not improve, according to Khiem.

Meanwhile, according to Associate Professor Nguyen Le Ninh, only six per cent of land in HCM City centre is used for roads (compared to the common ratio of around 20 per cent in other countries).

Addressing the lack of roads may be a more viable solution than the setting up of tollbooths, Ninh said, adding that he also questioned ITDs method of calculation and how it concluded that deterring cars would help solve traffic congestion in the city centre.

He said that while the toll of VN40,000-50,000 was not high and likely would not deter him from using cars to enter the citys centre, many taxi drivers and tour buses opposed the plan.

However, Lam Thieu Quan, chairman of ITDs board of directors, said that large trucks transporting goods were only allowed to travel into the city centre from 10pm-5am, which is outside the tollbooths time frame for toll collection, meaning the cost of goods would not change.

In addition, by limiting the number of cars entering the city centre, more roads would be available for buses, which would be a step in improving the public transport system, according to Quan.

Despite the criticism, Quan said the proposal was still a good option to relieve traffic, save time, and ultimately boost productivity.

He noted that the tollbooth plan was only an initial proposal and that ITD would spend more time revising the plan and gathering more views from different industries and specialists.  VNS
BINH INH  Fishermen in the south central coastal province of Binh inh have asked two companies to pay compensation for damage to their new steel ships.

Phan Trong Ho, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said 19 fishermen families have sent a proposal to the department asking Nam Trieu and ai Nguyen Duong companies in the northern province of Nam inh for compensation of VN45.6 billion (more than US$2 million), zing.vn reported.

In June this year, the two shipbuilders were found to be violating shipbuilding contracts, delivering dozens of substandard steel fishing ships to the fishermen.

The fishermen claimed their new steel ships built in accordance with Decree 67 of the Government were damaged after only a short time of use and they have laid on the shore while waiting for repairs for the past nine months.

Ho said 14 families asked Nam Trieu One Member Limited Company to pay VN36.5 billion and five other families asked ai Nguyen Duong Co., Ltd to compensate them with more than VN9 billion.

The two businesses are expected to respond to the proposal on Friday. The department will let the two sides negotiate to reach a deal.

If negotiations fail, the department will instruct fishermen to sue the shipbuilding companies on the basis of the signed contract. The Binh inh Lawyer Association is also ready to support and protect the interests of the fishermen for free," Ho said.

According to the fishermen, the compensation includes the costs of repair, hiring of labourers, towing vessels, damaged seafood, profits lost and principal and interest payments to banks.

Earlier, on November 30, the department organised a meeting between the fishermen and representatives of the two enterprises. At this meeting, 19 steel ship owners asked the two companies to compensate them with VN37 billion. Later, they recalculated the damages and asked the companies for an extra VN8.6 billion in compensation.

Tran Chau, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said the two shipbuilders have agreed to pay some damages to the fishermen. However, the companies said they need to review the amount and items on the compensation list.

The province will hold a meeting to resolve the problem in the near future, Chau said.  VNS
An Australian-funded programme called Aus4Reform was officially launched Wednesday to boost the productivity and competitiveness of Viet Nams economy. Photo Australian Embassy

HA NOI  An Australian-funded programme called Aus4Reform was officially launched Wednesday to boost the productivity and competitiveness of Viet Nam s economy.

The programme, worth A$6.5 million (about US$4.9 million), will support the Vietnamese Government to achieve its targets for improving the business environment and moving Viet Nam towards a more market-based economy.

Aus4Reform is built on the reform momentum achieved through previous Australian-supported programmes, including Beyond WTO and Restructuring for a more Competitive Viet Nam . It will assist the development and implementation of economic policies, laws and institutions critical to helping Viet Nam s economy meet its potential.

Speaking at the programme-launching workshop held Wednesday in Ha Noi by the Australian Embassy and Viet Nam s Ministry of Planning and Investment, Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick said, Viet Nam has a long history of pursuing economic reform and Australia is proud to have offered our support throughout this process.

The four-year programme will run until 2021. It aims to help the country register 1 million new formal private enterprises by 2020, increase the percentage of women-led enterprises, accelerate the growth in private sector employment, strengthen property rights, develop more competitive factor markets and improve enforcement of competition policy, facilitating Viet Nam s regional and international economic integration.

The programme will also promote the gathering of evidence to understand the link between supporting womens economic empowerment and accelerating productivity growth, especially in rural areas, to strengthen Vietnamese Government reform initiatives.

The project will also build linkages between Australian and Vietnamese institutions to share expertise and experiences.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Hieu said that after 30 years of implementing economic reform, Viet Nam has achieved much progress. However, the countrys economy still lags behind the countries in the region.

Aus4Reform, with much practical content, will help to accelerate the economic reform, Hieu said.

According to Dr. Nguyen inh Cung, president of the Central Institute for Economic Management, Viet Nam s economic growth is on a downward trend although annual growth targets have been met.

If the GDP growth rate remains the same, it will be difficult to narrow the development gap with other countries in the region, Cung said.

The GDP growth has been increasingly dependent on labour productivity growth. But Viet Nam s labour productivity is still low compared to other countries in the region, he said.

The country needed to increase productivity growth by at least 6 per cent a year to reach the target of 7 per cent annual economic growth, he said.

According to the expert, the low level of market development is keeping growth down.

There has been no real and fair market competition to become the driving force for innovation and creativity, improve efficiency of enterprises and strengthen the economy overall.

The basic solutions are to build and develop all kinds of markets, increase the scale and level of market competition and ensure fair and equitable competition, the expert said.

In the workshop, Australian economic experts shared experiences of Australia s economic reforms over the last few years.

To enhance labour productivity, structural reforms are needed to shift resources into more productive areas, said Raymond Mallon, a senior policy adviser.

Reforms should include efforts to enhance competition to promote innovation, regulatory reform to improve allocative efficiency, plans to use public resources more effectively, work to build pro-productivity institutions and initiatives to reduce gender gaps and increase labour force participation, he suggested.  VNS
In future the revised project on vocational training for rural labourers will be based on demands from enterprises. Photo danviet.vn

HA NOI  In future the revised project on vocational training for rural labourers will be based on demands from enterprises.

In place of the usual top-down mentality where orders and targets are set by higher-ups, in 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said its training programmes and curricula will be crafted with input from enterprises.

With the needs and criteria of potential employers being taken in, the training is hoped to achieve practical results, ensuring those who received training can be hired by the firms in need.

The change is in line with the Governments new rural building programme and restructuring in the agriculture sector, said Ma Quang Trung, head of the department of co-operatives and rural development, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

The agriculture ministry said surveys will be sent to businesses and co-operatives, especially those that have already established production and consumption ties with farmers. Training programmes and most of the budget for 2018 will be tailored for these businesses, as well as businesses in important production areas or high-tech production areas.

104 agriculture vocational training classes  covering topics from production, storage and manufacturing, but focusing on nationally important products and local spearhead products  will be held for workers in co-operatives. Another 16 classes on management skills will also be held for 560 officials in charge of co-operatives affairs in localities.

The steering committee under the agriculture ministry recommended these tasks be undertaken by all central-level agencies, in direct co-ordination with businesses associations, general companies or businesses who have placed orders for labourers at ministry-level and local-level training centres.

Remaining problems

In 2009, then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved the project Vocational training for rural labourers until 2020, and six years later, the amended decision No 971 came out with adjustments deemed more practical.

The changes include raising the target number of trained labourers in 2016-20 to six million and making sure that 80 per cent of the trained workers are employed or have better wages and productivity, a new requirement to combine theoretical lessons with field practice, as well as no longer distinguishing between public or non-public vocational training centres in the programme.

In 2017, the number of people receiving vocational training in the first nine months reached 162,180, or 77 per cent of the target (210,430 workers), according to an agricutlure ministrys report summarising vocational training activities in the first nine months.

The majority of the trained workers are in agriculture, reaching 120,000. Most of the trained workers in the agriculture sector this year  about 43,000  are members of co-operatives or individual workers in collaboration with agro-businesses.

Some successful co-operation models between the Government-sponsored vocational training programme and businesses include classes held to teach growing and harvesting techniques for rubber trees for new employees of the State-owned Viet Nam Rubber Group, training on VietGAP shrimp breeding for employees of Quang Ninh Seaproducts Import-Export Company and training on high-quality rice production for VinaFood 2.

According to the report however, the implementation of the training programme still has a lot of room for improvement.

The effectiveness gap of the programme is one notable weakness. Midland mountainous provinces in the northern region and the Central Highlands, despite receiving equal or more financial support from the Government than other localities, recorded lower numbers of trained workers and a lower employment rate amongst those with training.

Follow-up support for the trained rural workers is also a problem, as without capital, these people would not be able to establish a business to utilise the knowledge they have obtained. This is a serious setback for the training programme, as the goal is to ensure peoples livelihood and help them escape poverty.

A lack of serious efforts and determination on the parts of workers during training and a shortage of qualified trainers are other issues that need to be addressed, the agriculture ministrys report said.  VNS
Ten years after it came into effect, Viet Nams mandatory helmet law still struggles to address quality issues and raise motorbike riders awareness of the need for safe helmets. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

HA NOI  Ten years after it came into effect, Viet Nam s mandatory helmet law still struggles to address quality issues and raise motorbike riders awareness of the need for safe helmets.

At present, the helmet law, called resolution number 32, is estimated to have created a substantial uptick in the number of riders who wear helmets in urban areas, from 30 per cent in 2007 to 90 per cent today.

The Asian Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP) estimates that some 500,000 cases of head injury and 15,000 deaths were prevented thanks to standardised helmets. Therefore, the country has saved US$3.5 billion in healthcare and injury treatment costs.

Hoang Thi Na Huong, AIPs deputy CEO, told the Kinh te & o Thi (Economic & Urban Affairs) newspaper that she believes the helmet plays a major role in limiting traffic injuries and deaths.

With the good practice of wearing helmets, Viet Nam is now recognised among developing countries for its positive achievements in traffic safety, she said.

But the resolutions enforcement faces several challenges.

In countryside and suburban areas, only 50 to 60 per cent of motorbike riders wear helmets. Moreover, up to 40 per cent current helmets are low quality, offering no protection at all, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC).

Luu Xuan Binh, deputy head of office of Ha Noi Traffic Safety Committee, said the low proportion of children wearing helmets needs to be addressed.

I have witnessed many traffic accidents involving students. If only they had worn helmets, those horrendous long-term injuries would have been avoided, he said.

After the law was introduced, the media raised the suggestion that wearing helmets may cause damage to childrens necks. Although many experts argue against the unreasonable hypothesis, many parents still refuse to get helmets for their children.

The ineffectiveness of awareness-raising campaigns was cited by Huong as the reason for the phenomenon. Loose enforcement, on the other hand, explains the low rate of wearing helmets in rural areas, she said.

Stronger actions requested

I dont want to wear a helmet as it can damage my makeup look and hair style, said Nguyen Thu Huong of Ha ong District.

And Huong is not in the minority.

Nguyen uc Kha, head of office for the Ha Noi Traffic Safety Committee, stressed that the poor awareness of motorbike riders is the main cause for disobeying the law.

Moreover, some people know about the importance of helmets but they deliberately ignore it, citing inadequate reasons, he said.

The circulation of poor quality helmet worsens the problem. The poor regulation of the sale of those products, priced from VN15,000 to 50,000 ($0.6  2.2), renders Resolution No32 less effective.

The four ministries of Transport, Science and Technology, Public Security and Industry and Trade have not yet adopted any strong action to deal with poor quality helmets. If the situation continues, the effort to call for people wearing helmets in the past ten years may not achieve expected results, Huong said.

Traffic expert Nguyen Manh Thang suggested related agencies should collaborate in tightening helmet management.

According to him, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should develop monitoring tools for police to easily detect poor quality helmets.

We have to strictly handle the industry of poor helmets as they are earning money on peoples lives, he stressed.

Binh, on the other hand, called for parents cooperation in expecting their children to wear helmets.

"I think we should make it mandatory for children at all ages to wear helmets," he said.

Moreover, teachers and families should pay attention to provide them with protection skills, including wearing helmets when riding motorbikes, he suggested.

The data from the National Traffic Safety Committee shows that 80 per cent of road traffic accident deaths are related to motorbikes. Wearing a helmet helps to reduce head injury risk by 60 per cent and mortality risk by 40 per cent.  VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue speaks at a conference in Ha Noi yesterday to discuss global and local experience in renovating salary policies. Photo enternews.vn

HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue emphasised that salary reform is an urgent need at a conference in Ha Noi yesterday to discuss global and local experience in renovating salary policies.

The Deputy PM said salary reform is closely linked with administrative reform and reshuffling the political apparatus and public service agencies.

However, he pointed to the need to seek proper payment policies that suit the conditions of Viet Nam, which requires careful calculation.

Dr Jinho Jeong from the Korea Labour Institute said that it is necessary to consider the complexity of tasks and level of responsibility along with price and living costs in deciding salary levels in the public sector, to ensure salary can cover minimum standards of living.

It is crucial to consider the equality of wage between the State-owned and private sectors, he said.

Meanwhile, Director of the International Labour Organisations Office in Viet Nam Changhee Lee said the salary system in Viet Nams public sector is confusing, as a person in a higher position may have a lower salary than their subordinates.

He asserted that using a wage coefficient makes it difficult adjust salary in an orderly manner in the public sector. At the same time, there are too many types of supplementary allowances, he added.

Lee recommended that along with changes in salary payment policy, it is necessary to keep supplementary allowance below 50 per cent of the total salary package.

Economist Pham Chi Lan noted that regular spending accounts for nearly 70 per cent of State budget spending, of which 47 per cent is spent on salaries.

Lan pointed out a number of challenges facing salary reform, including thinking about the role of the State and the relationship between the State, the market and society.

Irrational and overlapping functions among State agencies, a lack of transparency, poor accountability along with red tape and corruption are also barriers to salary reform, stressed Lan.

She added that the current system of recruitment, salary payment, promotion and dismissal of public servants does not create necessary pressure or motivation for salary reform.

Concluding the discussions, Deputy PM Hue shared the specialists opinion that public servants salary must ensure minimum standards of living, and is balanced with the business sector and the market.

He also agreed on the need to switch from the use of wage coefficients to calculate salary to specific figures, and to reduce supplementary allowances in salary packages.

In the private sector, he stressed the need for maintaining the minimum wage to make sure no worker is paid under the minimum, thus protecting vulnerable groups.

As of Janurary 1, 2018, the regional minimum wages will increase by VN180,000-230,000 (US$7.2-9.2), according to a Government Decree issued on December7.

Under the decree, the minimum wage will be raised from the current VN3.75 million (US$165) to VN3.98 million ($175) for contracted workers of enterprises located in region I, from VN3.32 million ($146) to VN3.53 million ($155) in region II, from VN2.9 million ($127) to VN3.09 million ($136) in region III and VN2.58 million ($113) to VN2.76 million ($121) in region IV.  VNS

VNS
A NANG  The Government always accords top priority to the protection and care of children with disabilities, and looks to create the best conditions in education for them to integrate well into the society, a senior official said Wednesday.

More than 60 per cent of children with disabilities attended school in the 2016-2017 academic year, and the country has developed 14 rehabilitation centres and 97 gifted schools nationwide to cater to children with disabilities, said Nguyen Thi Nghia, Deputy Minister of Education and Training.

She was speaking at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the Regional Workshop on Enhanced Access to Education for Children with disabilities held in a Nang.

The two-day workshop is a collaboration between the AICHR, UNICEF, the Viet Nam ASEAN National Secretariat under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Training.

It is being attended by 70 representatives of relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, government officials from ASEAN member states, representatives from international organisations, non-governmental organisations, associations of people with disabilities, academics, parents and children with disabilities.

The workshop is the first ASEAN cross-sectoral initiative focusing on the right to education for children with disabilities, discussing the challenges and the roles of different stakeholders as well as experiences within and outside the bloc.

Viet Nam has also approved a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2014, and issued laws on education, children and persons with disabilities. The Government has also come up with many policies and action plans on ensuring the rights of children and persons with disabilities, Nghia said.

Viet Nam has about 6.7 million people with disabilities, of which 1.3 million are children.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Nha, the representative of Viet Nam at the AICHR, emphasised the importance of providing learning opportunities to one of the most vulnerable groups of children.

She said the workshop was the fourth meeting of the task force on mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD) in the ASEAN Community. The task force is working on the draft of a regional action plan to mainstream the rights of PWDs in ASEAN hopefully to be launched in 2018, she said.

Yoshimi Nishino, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Viet Nam, highlighted the significance of inclusive education for children with disabilities and stressed UNICEFs commitment to work with the Government to ensure that no one is left behind.

The ASEAN Vision 2025 shows that members are committed to creating an inclusive community with a high quality of life and access to opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities.

I am sure the common commitment among ASEAN governments towards persons with disabilities will facilitate and improve both policy development and enforcement at the regional level. Effective regional co-operation will in turn lead to concrete and measurable success in the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, including children, she said.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM City Peoples Procuracy on Wednesday said it had asked the court to prosecute a Peruvian national for robbery, with assets worth nearly VN6 billion (US$266,000), e-newspaper zing.vn reported.

An investigation showed that Elmer Eduardo Nunez Correa, 44, and a group of friends went to Viet Nam as tourists on August 2014.

From October 2014 to December 2015, Correa and his two accomplices, all Peruvians, conducted four robberies in HCM City, Khanh Hoa and ong Nai provinces, mostly at ATMs.

On October 15, 2014, Correa and his gang broke into Maximark supermarket in Tan Binh District, HCM City. They took away jewellery, including diamonds and pearls, and VN32 million in cash from ATM machines.

On February 25, 2015, the group broke an ATM of Agribank Bac Sai Gon Branch in District 12, stealing nearly VN1 billion.

Using the same method, they continued to rob VN1.5 billion from two ATMs in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa in March and nearly VN900 million from an ATM in the southern province of ong Nai in December 2015.

Correa was the only one arrested by the police, as his accomplices have fled the country to escape convictions.  VNS
NINH BINH  The Four Paws Foundation has re-released three bears, including one male and two females, weighing over 100kg each, to a semi-natural area in Ninh Binh.

Earlier, in November, three bears were successfully rescued by the Four Paws Foundation, in co-ordination with the provincial Forest Protection Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, after nearly 20 years of being bred as pets in cages.

Doctors found the animals showed sings of extracting bile several times over the years.

All three bears have problems with their teeth, liver and gallbladder, they said.

After more than a month of being monitored and cared for, the bears have recovered well and are now healthy, the foundation said.  VNS
HA NOI  The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, has called on domestic and international organisations and individuals to continue their support for people hit by the recent Typhoon Damrey.

Speaking at a ceremony on Thursday to call for support, Cuong said the typhoon, which swept through south central and central provinces early last month, caused damage of nearly US$1 billion.

Cuong expressed gratitude for the support of organisations and individuals who had helped those affected by the strongest storm in at least a decade.

Tran Quang Hoai, director of the General Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said the typhoon affected over 4.3 million people, leaving 123 dead or missing and 342 injured.

Over 300,000 houses were damaged, of which about 3,500 were totally demolished. In Khanh Hoa Province alone, 114,000 houses were partly or wholly destroyed, Hoai said.

Heavy rainfall and floods in the following weeks caused great losses, particularly in Quang Nam Province.

The typhoon came as the central region reeled from the aftermath of a series of natural disasters, including historical droughts from late 2014 to mid-2016, five serious floods from October-December 2016 and Typhoon Doksuri in September 2017.

The natural disasters, one after the other, forced much reconstruction to start again.

Kamal Malhotra, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator to Viet Nam, said the UN would support Viet Nam in meeting needs such as food, safety, temporary shelters, clean water and sanitation.

The UN would also focus on helping women, farmers and fishermen stabilise their lives and restore their means of living.

The European Commission said in a press release on Wednesday that it was providing 200,000 euros (US$236,700) for communities most affected by Typhoon Damrey.

The EC said the humanitarian aid was responding to the urgent needs of more than 10,000 people in the provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh inh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa.

This EU-funding supports the Vietnamese Red Cross Society (VNRC) in delivering much-needed assistance through the distribution of tarpaulins, shelter tool kits, household kits, and water purification tablets.

In addition, cash grants are being provided to ensure the most vulnerable families can meet their basic needs.

As outbreaks of water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever and typhoid are common following flooding, disease prevention activities are also being conducted.  VNS
KB-50 Superfortress Moves North

by Richard Mallory Allnutt

The rare Boeing KB-50J Superfortress currently on display within the Memorial Air Park at MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Florida will soon be moving a thousand miles north to the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Delaware. One of just a handful of complete B-50s in preservation, this Superfortress started life as a B-50D strategic bomber variant, rolling off Boeings famous Plant 2 production line in Seattle, Washington as U.S. Air Force serial #49-0389 during 1949. She flew with the 2nd Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Hunter AFB in Savannah, Georgia from 1950 to 1953. The Hayes Aircraft Corporation then modified the bomber into a KB-50J aerial refueling platform. She returned to service with the 4505th Aerial Refueling Wing. Her last assignment was with the 431st Air Refueling Squadron at Biggs AFB in El Paso, Texas. This unit was the final squadron to operate KB-50s, and 49-0389 was the last of their aircraft to retire, and therefore the last operational KB-50 in the U.S. Air Force when she made her final flight into Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio to become part of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on February 15th, 1965.

Just one other complete KB-50 exists in preservation, this being 49-0372 at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Pima, Arizona, while a pair of WB-50Ds survive (49-0310 at the NMUSAF in Dayton, OH and 49-0351 at Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA).

In a recent press release from MacDill AFB, Steve Ove, 6th Air Mobility Wing base historian described how the Memorial Air Park arose in the 1990s, stating, The base commander of MacDill at the time, Col. Charles T. Ohlinger III, and the airpark committee had a vision to expand the park with aircraft to represent each era of the bases history. Once the landscaping of the park was finished, the KB-50J found its way to MacDill in late 1995.

Following 9/11, however, the base priorities had to change, and maintenance personnel who once looked after the aircraft on display were no longer available. Their work was contracted out to civilians, which became expensive, especially due to the corrosive effects of Tampas hot, humid and salt-laden coastal air. The difficult environmental conditions already claimed one of the three aircraft in the Memorial Air Park last September when the base scrapped its F-4E Phantom II 66-0302, a former MacDill resident and six year veteran of the USAF Thunderbirds. The F-4 display was too deteriorated to be moved, Ove said. And it was too cost-prohibitive to be repaired.

Maintaining the historic static display aircraft in our highly corrosive environment is destructive to these irreplaceable artifacts, stated Ove. Additionally, the aircraft needs to be restored every so often and it isnt very cost-effective for the base.

Considering how vulnerable the KB-50 is at MacDill, and not discounting the near-miss from Hurricane Maria this year, the venerable tanker should find a safer home at Dover Air Force Base. It is a good fit too, because the Air Mobility Command Museum is the only such facility dedicated to preserving Americas airlift and air-refueling heritage.

The AMCM is unquestionably the single most appropriate location for this historic aircraft, said John Taylor, the director of the AMCM. We already have identified a preliminary display position, placing this historic aircraft in line with the two other AMCM tankers, a KC-97 Stratofreighter and a KC-135 Stratotanker. This will provide an arrangement of substantial impact, depicting an air refueling lineage of 60 years worth of strategic and tactical air refueling history.

The shared intent of our organizations is to leverage the much greater access of AMCM to maximize the public benefit by relocating the aircraft to a field museum befitting its rarity, Taylor said. The addition of the KB-50 would give the AMCM the largest collection of tankers in the USA.

The Air Mobility Command Museum also has a dedicated band of volunteers and technical support to maintain their exhibits, so the Superfortress will be well maintained. Moreover, the public has better access to their aircraft displays, so the KB-50, and its place in history, will receive a lot more attention, and deservedly so. Contractors at MacDill AFB will carefully dismantle the Superfortress this month and transport her to Dover by road. Then the process of reassembly will begin.

The remaining exhibit at the MacDill Memorial Air Park, F-16A 81-0721, will also soon be leaving for pastures new. Disassembly is scheduled to begin soon after work starts on the KB-50J. This F-16 began life with the 50th TFW at Hahn AFB in what was once West Germany. In 1987 she transferred to the Florida Air National Guard, flying with the 159th FS/125th FW, and retired from service sometime after 1993. She is currently painted in 56th FW colors, representing the roughly 2,500 pilots who learned to fly the F-16 at MacDill between 1987 and 1993, when the type left the base. The Fighting Falcon will be going to Phoenix, Arizona to serve as a gate guard at the Arizona Air Guard headquarters.

Regarding what happens to the land where these historic aircraft once stood, the 6th AMW press release continues

As the air park is clearing out, wing leadership is taking this opportunity to expand on the vision of the existing Memorial Park, building it into a comprehensive community park that will host a broader and more historically accurate heritage display while also focusing on low maintenance and cost sustainability.

There are plans to replace the current static display aircraft with weatherproof displays of miniature models of the eight most impactful aircraft flown at MacDill. The park is also planned to house a covered pavilion that will be a central location for future ceremonies and base events. The previous committee that created the Memorial Park set the foundation for this vision, said Ove. We want to make sure they understand that what they did was very important and we know theyll be proud of the park once we finish this project.

While plans are still being refined, it is estimated that the community park will be completed by Summer of 2018.

Press release text is in italics. Many thanks to Airman 1st Class Ashley Perdue, 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison in a June shooting near a city park.

The shooting left Duquin Dwight Fleming, 29, with a bullet wound to the leg, and on Tuesday Mico Rakein Rasharn Lovelady entered Alford pleas --- not admitting guilt but contending he would likely be found guilty if the case went to trial --- to charges of willful injury causing bodily injury and intimidation with a weapon.

The plea came as court officials were selecting a jury for his trial.

Judge Andrea Dryer sentenced Lovelady to 10 years in prison for intimidation with a concurrent five years for willful injury. He will have to serve five years before he can be considered for parole.

Authorities allege around 3 p.m. June 16, Lovelady was a passenger in a car that stopped in the area of Wellington Street and Belmont Avenue, and he stepped out of the vehicle and fired at Fleming at least three times.

The shooting unfolded across the street from Elks Memorial Park, and children were present, according to court records.

The person who allegedly drove Lovelady to the attack, Chavontae Charvez Boyd, is currently awaiting trial. Boyd allegedly had an ongoing feud with Fleming, records state.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man who allegedly fired a gun at a fraternity party at a Cedar Falls church building in January has been sentenced to prison.

Judge Linda Reade sentenced Darius Devon Nickelous, 23, to the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for a charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Nickelous had been found guilty of the charge in June following trial. His prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release

Nickelous fired a revolver several times inside the Wesley Foundation Church building on the University of Northern Iowa campus on Jan. 14, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Iowa. There were about 150 people attending the event at the time of the shooting, court records indicate.

He then fled the building and was detained by Cedar Falls police as he attempted to hide the .38-caliber revolver near a parked vehicle.

Nickelous had a wound to arm that appeared to be a bullet graze, but it wasnt clear how the injury occurred.

Authorities said Nickelous is prohibited from handling firearms because of prior felony and domestic abuse convictions and because he was using drugs.

Corion Jamal Pursley of Cedar Rapids was also arrested in the case. He pleaded to state firearm charges in May and was sentenced to two years in prison.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Sheriffs in eight counties representing over a third of Iowas population have endorsed Fred Hubbell for governor.

In backing Hubbell, the sheriffs cited his commitment to a public safety approach that includes investing in community-based mental health services.

I am endorsing Fred because he is a proven and thoughtful leader who understands the mental health crisis is a crisis, Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson said. More and more we have folks showing up in our jails who do not belong here, its costly and inhumane. We need to get to work to quickly address this worsening crisis with a governor like Fred who can turn our mental health system around.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner and Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek were also among the eight who announced their support for the retired Des Moines businessman seeking the 2018 Democratic nomination. Pulkrabek is the president of the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association. Gardner is a former president. Both are former presidents of the National Sheriffs Association.

Rick Lincoln of Clinton County, Thomas Kriegel of Poweshiek County, Paul Fitzgerald of Story County, Mike Johnstone of Des Moines County and Bill McCarthy of Polk County also offered their support.
CHARLES CITY  Charles City officials are currently looking to identify and purchase about 50 contiguous areas of land in the southwestern part of town.

Thats because, according to Tim Fox, the city and Floyd County need a new industrial park, which would help spur economic growth.

Weve been actually looking at the additional land process for about 20 years, said Fox, executive director of the Charles City Area Development Corp. Its just come to a point now with the Iowa certified sites program, that in order to stay competitive, we need to do this.

Currently, there are 19 certified site programs statewide, which fall under the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Locally, there are sites in Mason City, Forest City and Osage.

Fox said these sites are essentially shovel-ready when they are identified. He added that Charles City officials have picked 15 possible locations for their site, but emphasized city officials and others are still working through the early stages of the entire process.

Floyd County Supervisor Mark Kuhn, who also serves on the Charles City Area Development Corp., has had discussions with other CCADC members on what land to purchase.

Both Kuhn and Fox said the site has to be at least 50 contiguous acres and near infrastructural components like highway and rail.

Kuhn said the $3 million proposal is a preliminary estimate on how much 50 acres of land would cost. Fox added the main goal of acquiring the land is to turn it into a industrial park for manufacturing, but emphasized its too soon to know what type of manufacturing would take place.

How to pay for the land is still being determined, but both Kuhn and Fox said the county hopes to use TIF districts as a funding tool.

Thats very much where theyre looking right now because that would make it adjacent to the southwest TIF area, Kuhn said about looking in southwest Charles City. Thats the preferred area.

Fox said the CCADC, Floyd County Supervisors and other Charles City officials hope to identify the location for the site within the next six months. Once ground is broken, the industrial park should be operating in about a year, he added.

We like to position ourselves as being the most economically competitive, Fox said. Having a certified site would reinforce that contention.
Last summer a spate of news items read like a parody, describing how conservatives suddenly were telling pollsters that Americas higher-education system was a pox on the country.

Majority of Republicans say colleges are bad for America (yes, really) read one such headline from Newsweek. That the writer felt the need to add the parenthetical yes, really says it all, about how rapidly our countrys tribes are polarizing. Its to the point we barely speak the same language anymore.

The Pew Research Center has since gone on to delve deeper into the subject, with polling data even more bonkers than the results last summer (more on that in a minute).

But as if to prove this wasnt all fake news or some weird polling glitch, Republicans have in the meantime launched an actual attack on the nations colleges through their $1.5 trillion tax-cut plan.

Its been well covered that the Republican plan that passed the House would raise taxes on graduate students, of all people, by taxing what are called tuition waivers. This is akin to taxing college scholarships, as universities often waive all or part of the tuition for grad students who serve as research or teaching assistants while getting their masters degrees or Ph.D.s.

Scores of university presidents and students are protesting the tax, including the presidents of both the University of Washington and Washington State. It would raise costs substantially on 7,000 UW grad students each year, and 1,900 WSU students. The tax-hike provision was in the version that passed the U.S. House, but not in the Senate bill. The two sides are meeting to come up with a single bill now.

That lawmakers are even considering paying for a huge cut for corporations out of the hides of our flagship public institutions is upside-down world. Its exactly the opposite of the way the whole public-private compact is supposed to work. Its the reverse of the famed GI Bill.

Both the House and Senate also would raise taxes on private university endowments, which havent been taxed because the universities are nonprofits. The House bill also repeals the tax deductibility of interest for student loans.

Add them all up and the tax bills cost to higher education is $65 billion over 10 years, according to an analysis by the American Council on Education.

Beyond being backward, all this seems politically tone-deaf. The college system is regarded the world over as the headwaters of Americas success. Who supports draining it away?

Well, it turns out that now an extraordinary 80 percent of core conservatives  aka the Trump base  say colleges and universities are bad for the country. Pew Research interviewed 5,000 voters last summer, and followed up with 2,000 of them later to create an in-depth look at our various political tribes. You can take their test to see what tribe youre in, at www.people-press.org/quiz/political-typology

Core conservatives are overwhelmingly anti-college, by 80 to 16 percent  a worse rating than they gave to labor unions or Islam. The other slice of Trumps base, Country First Conservatives, are anti-college by 60 to 32 percent.

The research didnt plumb the reasons for this. But recently, the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., gave the conservative nutshell view of how colleges operate: Well take $200,000 of your money; in exchange, well train your children to hate our country.

One of Trumps campaign advisers, the Cato Institutes Stephen Moore, was blunt about how that calculus wiggled into the tax bill.

They go after university endowments, and universities have become play pens of the left, he told Bloomberg.

So congressional Republicans are just doing what their constituents apparently want. Sticking it to college kids and giving the money to CEOs.

In the end, the final tax deal emerging from the GOPs conference committee will not include a tax on graduate school tuition waivers, According to Bloomberg. But in looking at these poll numbers, its clear that cultural beliefs are seismically shifting in this country. I admit I dont understand it all that well anymore.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 10, 2017 | 02:55 PM | LIVINGSTON COUNTY, KY

Two people found asleep inside a running vehicle face numerous drug charges.

Livingston County Sheriff Bobby Davidson said he received a call from a citizen on Saturday, about a vehicle parked in the travel portion of the roadway on Joiner Road off of Pisgah Road. The caller said there appeared to be two people asleep in the vehicle and the vehicle was running.



When Davidson arrived, the vehicle was still sitting in the road running with two occupants inside. According to Davidson, both occupants, 34-year-old Joshua Williams of Princeton and 23-year-old Alysa Mallory of Hampton, appeared to be under the influence of drugs and were taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle revealed over seven ounces of suspected crystal methamphetamine, over $3,000 in cash, a small quantity of marijuana, two types of prescription pills packaged for sale, a rifle and a handgun. The vehicle, a 2008 Ford Mustang, was seized along with the money, firearms and drugs. Police said the approximate street value of the seized crystal methamphetamine is $15,000.

Both Williams and Mallory were arrested and charged with public intoxication, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, trafficking marijuana, and two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance. Williams was also charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Both Williams and Mallory were lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
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Many times and more than not, Pat Buchanan gets it right. This time he hits it out of the ballpark

We will never accept Russias occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, declaimed Rex Tillerson last week in Vienna. Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. Tillersons principled rejection of the seizure of land by military force  never accept  came just one day after President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital and pledged to move our embassy there. How did Israel gain title to East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Golan Heights? Invasion, occupation, colonization, annexation. Source: What Should We Fight For?
Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain.

Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred.

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Staying out of debt is easier said than done, I know. However, its something you can do, and its something you should be practicing everyday. As Christians, we are in this world, but we are
Dec 14, 2017 | By Tess

A research team from the University of Delaware is developing smart window panels which can easily switch between being reflective and transparent with the application of a special liquid. The windows, which are being developed with the help of 3D printing technologies, could be an affordable solution for improving heating and cooling efficiency for homes and cars.

So far, the researchers have already demonstrated that the modular window panels work and suggest that they will be easy to manufacture and have the potential to be more accessible than existing glass that uses voltage to change between clear and tinted (which reportedly costs up to $100 per square foot).

We expect our smart glass to cost one tenth of what current smart glass costs because our version can be manufactured with the same methods used to make many plastic parts and does not require complicated electro-optic technology for switching," explained Keith Goossen, one of the projects lead researchers.

How do these smart windows work? As the University of Delaware team explains, the windows consist of a plastic panel which is patterned with a retroreflective surfacemeaning that it reflects light back in the direction the light is coming fromand a thin chamber layer on top of it, in which the special liquid, methyl salicylate, can be injected.

When the liquid is injected into the chamber, as can be seen in the demonstration video, the retroreflective panel surface gradually becomes transparent. Currently, the plastic panels are being manufactured using 3D printing technologies, and Goossen suggests that the research team is investigating new ways to process 3D printable plastics with good optical performance to advance the research.

Additive manufacturing enabled the researchers to test various retroreflective patterns by printing them as part of clear plastic panels and used special post-processing techniques to optimize the retroreflective surface of the 3D printed panel.

Without 3D printing, we would have had to use a molding technology, which requires building a different mold for every different structure, explained Goossen. With 3D printing, we could easily make whatever structure we wanted and then run experiments to see how it performed.

As it turns out, the 3D printed window panels performed well in optical tests, and showed no signs of degradation after many cycles of injecting and draining the liquid material. For commercial production, we can use standard injection molding to inexpensively make the retroreflective panels, added Goossen.

The innovative smart window could offer a number of benefits to the construction and automotive industries. For the latter, the panels could be built into cars and give drivers the ability to keep their cars cool while parked by becoming retroreflective.

You can't use today's commercially available switchable glass for this application because in the darkened state the windshield still absorbs sunlight and becomes hot, elaborated Goossen. Because our glass is retroreflective in the non-transparent state, almost all the light is reflected, keeping the glass, and thus the car, from getting hot.

If youve ever burnt yourself while trying to buckle up, this possibility will undoubtedly be an exciting one.

Within the construction industry, the smart windows could have a number of applications. As the researchers explain, the window panels could be built into skyscrapers and not only offer the benefits of keeping sun out during summer and letting it in in the winter for efficient cooling and heating, but because the glass is retroreflective, light from the sun would be directed back upwards, which would help cut back on city warming.

The plastic 3D printed window panels could also be used in residential buildings, as they could provide a switchable surface that could alternately keep houses cool in summer and attract warmth in winter.

Here in Delaware, you would like to have a white roof in the summer to keep the house cool and a dark roof in the winter to absorb sunlight and help lower heating costs, said Goossen. For smart roofing, our new technology offers a more effective type of cool roof because it is retroreflective while also allowing the roof to switch to dark in the winter.

To increase the efficiency of the smart window panels in roofing scenarios, the researchers say that an additional layer of material could be placed under the plastic panels to absorb light and, consequently, warmth, providing better insulation to the house. Still, there are some kinks to be worked out, as the liquid used in the windows, methyl salicylate, freezes at around -9C.

The researchers will continue to advance their 3D printed window research and ultimately hope to bring them to market as an affordable option for smart construction and automotive manufacturing.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Dec 14, 2017 | By Julia

The government of China is sending a clear message to its financial competitors abroad: the Peoples Republic is taking 3D printing very seriously, and is taking the steps necessary to become a leading player in the global industry. Such is the core sentiment of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technologys (MIIT) newly minted Action Plan for the rapid, healthy, and sustainable development of the Additive Manufacturing industry in China. By 2020, the Chinese government expects to boast an annual sales revenue of over 20 billion yuan ($3 billion USD) in the 3D printing industry, with an average annual growth rate of at least 30%.

Focusing on the next three years as its target time frame, the ambitious Action Plan seeks to build upon both the successes and the shortcomings of its previous iteration, the 2015-2016 National Plan for the Development of Additive Manufacturing Industries. While the earlier National Plan proved to be overall effective in boosting the countrys application growth, the MIIT notes that China still lags behind other nations in key technologies and innovation capability. The breadth and depth of 3D printing applications is also an area that requires improvement, ministry staff report.

The new Action Plan aims to resolve these issues through the strengthening of Chinas core research and development sectors, in addition to expediting applications and adoption of 3D printing across various industries. What that all boils down to is a massive increase of fiscal support for Chinese 3D printing companies via funding from the MIIT and other national agencies. Diverse financing models that includes public investment, bond issuance, and financial leasing will also be encouraged. Two or three domestic firms are set to benefit from the proposed financing in particular, with the goal of competing with global rivals in overseas markets. At the same time, the MIIT will encourage foreign 3D printing firms to establish research and development centers in China, according to the Action Plans guidelines.

Specifically, the MIIT will see to it that breakthroughs are made in over 100 types of 3D printing equipment, key devices, and specialized materials. 100 pilot programs will be launched as well, said ministry staff. Key application areas will be aviation, ship building, automotives, health care, culture, and education. In sum, the proposed advances should total about 20 billion yuan in the next three years.

In addition, the Action Plan touches on safety supervision in the 3D printing industry, as advised by a panel of industry experts and government departments. A fully fledged registration system for purchasing additive manufacturing equipment has been proposed, in the form of filing basic information and registering and investigating practitioners certifications. The Action Plan also touches on criminality within the 3D printing industry, stating that the illegal production of goods or additive manufacturing equipment will be punished in accordance with the law.

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Jennifer Couzin-Frankel in Science:

Each year, millions of people suffer life-threatening scarring in their lungs, heart, and other organs. Doctors have few tools to combat this fibrosis, other than an organ transplant. Now, new research offers clues for how to selectively destroy the cells known as myofibroblasts that drive the condition. In mice, this appeared to halt or even reverse fibrosiss damaging effects. The research is preliminary, but it gets to the root of an often intractable condition, says John Varga, a rheumatologist at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, who was not involved in the work. This idea of selectively killing [myofibroblasts] is extremely appealing. In healthy people, myofibroblasts self-destruct after they finish repairing damaged tissue. But sometimes, they dont respond to the self-destruct signal and keep working away when theyre not supposed to. This leads to areas of scarring caused by a buildup of stiff connective tissue, and it can prevent organs from working properly.

In the new study, the scientists homed in on one of the most dramatic examples of a fibrotic disease, the autoimmune condition scleroderma. In the condition, skin slowly hardens and tightens, and the illness can progress to internal organs like the lungs. In the most heartbreaking cases, your whole gas exchange is messed up, [and] you suffocate to death, says Boris Hinz, a cell biologist who studies fibrosis at the University of Toronto in Canada. The new studys senior author, physician Andrew Tager, spent years researching lung fibrosis at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, but died of pancreatic cancer last summer. His former mentee who spearheaded the project, MGH tissue regeneration specialist David Lagares, shepherded the work through publication. Along with colleagues, the pair focused on a core challenge: how to coax myofibroblasts to self-destruct, a cellular process called apoptosis. Intriguingly, they found that in the activated myofibroblasts driving scleroderma, the mitochondriathe powerhouses of the cellare loaded with an apoptosis-triggering protein called BIM. And yet, the cells dont die. They are primed for death but for some reason dont execute this program, Lagares says. Based on earlier work by their group and others, the researchers eyed a family of proteins called BCL-2. These proteins can both induce or prevent apoptosis, and the team suspected that the balance between these proteins was disrupted in the overactive myofibroblasts. Gene profiling of cells from scleroderma mouse models backed this up. In particular, a protein in that family, Bcl-xL, stops apoptosis and was ramped up in the myofibroblasts. If only they could knock down Bcl-xL, the researchers reasoned, the cells might then self-destruct.

As it happened, a drug compound called ABT-263, or navitoclax, which is now in clinical trials for various types of cancer, did exactly that. Giving affected mice this drug wiped out the damaging myofibroblasts. It also seemed to target the cells selectively, because only myofibroblasts, which travel to the scene of an injury, were expressing lots of Bcl-xL. The drug appeared not just to halt, but to reverse the effects of fibrosis, the team reports today in Science Translational Medicine . The stiff, scarred tissue seemed to melt, Lagares says, though exactly how and why that happened still isnt clear.

More here.


Offer Next Generation Payment Solutions and Services in Malaysia via MySwitch

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 14, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Mine Financial Group (MFG), an integrator and operator of core financial switching operations, and VeriFone ( NYSE:PAY ), a world leader in payment and commerce solutions, are enabling MySwitch, an independent financial switching business, to bring the Verifone Engage family of payment solutions to Malaysia.



Malaysia has one of the fastest growing payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Recently, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM - Malaysia's Central Bank), announced steps to enhance digital payments use and acceptance as part of its Vision 2020 financial blueprint. BNM's initiative has successfully converted all of Malaysia's ATM cards to debit cards based on a domestic scheme, effectively prioritizing rapid deployment of flexible point-of-sale (POS) technology for accepting contactless payments.



To further accelerate the adoption of cashless transactions, BNM has introduced a scheme to motivate merchant uptake by mandating reductions in acquiring fees. This incentive will make electronic payments acceptance more attractive to merchants as an alternative to cash by replacing existing devices to accept contactless payments.



As a result, the market is witnessing rapid growth in electronic payments.



At the end of 2016, there were approximately 320,000 POS devices in Malaysia. To help expedite contactless payment acceptance in the country, BNM has committed to increasing the number of contactless-enabled POS devices to 800,000 by 2020.



MySwitch has the ability to drive Mobile, E-Commerce, Remittance, FX, Value Added and ATM transactions. With Verifone's latest payment solutions and services, MySwitch can address the rapid growth in electronic payments in Malaysia.



MySwitch's new CEO Gary Chin said, "MySwitch is excited to be in partnership with Mine Financial Group and Verifone, two extremely capable organizations that will deliver a powerful independent payment network in Malaysia. The Malaysian payments landscape is changing rapidly. Businesses, consumers, banks and governments are all interested in the latest and most efficient solutions available from around the world, and we believe our combined capabilities will fit their needs."



"We are committed to supporting Malaysia's advancement towards a service-rich, cashless economy by enabling MySwitch with our Engage family which offers next-gen features, functionality, and commerce capabilities meeting the needs of both merchants and their customers," said Steve Aliferis, president of Verifone Asia Pacific.



Verifone's solutions can accept different types of payments and offer value-added applications that help merchants grow, build consumer loyalty and provide better experiences to drive repeat business. Ergonomically designed, Verifone devices offer high transaction processing speed for fast and secure consumer checkout combined with payment services to support MySwitch's vision for building the next generation retail infrastructure.



About MFG:



Mine Financial Group Pty Ltd (MFG) is an Australian based business with significant payment industry experience throughout Australia and South-East Asia.



MFG was selected to partner with MySwitch to form and implement the core processing platform by incorporating its extended knowledge of the broader payments and merchant acquiring industry. MFG's team has a long and proven history of aggregating and implementing large scale payments strategies including banks in Australia and other parts of South East Asia.



MFG's core switching solution will be the most powerful platform installed in Malaysia so far with the ability to process card present, mobile and card not present transactions.



MFG is implementing similar systems through Asia and in Australia.





About MySwitch





MySwitch is a Malaysian privately owned company which has been established to provide a bank agnostic payment switching platform with the ability to be more flexible in how technology is delivered to merchants, consumers and online operators in Malaysia.

In 2016, MySwitch engaged Mine Financial Group Pty Ltd based in Sydney Australia, to oversee the design, configuration and integration of the system. The system will provide effective technology relationships, industry best SLA's for service and highly attractive Merchant rates for Credit and Debit card transactions.

The implementation of the MySwitch payment platform is well underway and expected to commence operations in May 2018. The Company is in advanced discussions with numerous potential clients which include Banks, large retail based conglomerates, educational institutions, logistics companies, other businesses that require fast, effective and inexpensive payment processing services.

About VeriFone Systems Inc

VeriFone Systems Inc (NYSE:PAY) is transforming every day transactions into new and engaging opportunities for merchants and consumers at the last inch of payments and commerce. Powered by a growing footprint of more than 30 million devices in more than 150 countries, our people are trusted experts working with the world's best-known retail brands, financial institutions, and payment providers. Verifone is connecting more products to an integrated solutions platform to better meet the evolving needs of our clients and partners. Built on a 35-year history of uncompromised security, we are committed to consistently solving the most complex payment challenges.


Result of Security Purchase Plan

Canberra, Dec 14, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Alt Resources ( ASX:ARS ) (Alt or the Company) is pleased to advise the Share Purchase Plan announced 15 November 2017 has closed oversubscribed on 13 December 2017.



- $ 484,000 raised via oversubscribed Share Purchase Plan (SPP)



- Funds raised to be used to for exploration drilling at the Company projects located in Western Australia and NSW.



Share Purchase Plan



The SPP was strongly supported by Shareholders and was heavily oversubscribed with the Company receiving applications totalling $484,000 being 9,680,000 shares at $0.05.



In light of the strong demand from existing Shareholders, the Company's Board of Directors has elected to increase the original target which was set at $300,000 and accept all valid applications received to allow all eligible shareholders to fully participate in the Offer.



Use of Funds



The funds raised from the SPP will be used for resource drilling at the Company's newly acquired Bottle Creek Gold Mine, further exploration drilling at the Mt Roberts gold project both located in the Eastern Goldfields of WA and to expand exploration at the Paupong and Myalla projects located in NSW.



CEO James Anderson said "The Company is delighted with the strong support for the SPP from our long-term shareholders. The funds raised have strengthened the Company's cash position ahead of the planned drilling programs due to commence in 2018. The strength of the historical data coming out of Bottle Creek is especially encouraging for Shareholders and we are excited to commence drilling at this project in March next year."



Issue of Shares



The Company expects the shares under the SPP to be issued on Monday 18 December with allotment advice to be despatched to Shareholders and trading to commence on 19 December 2017.



The Company will be closing operations from 20 December 2017 returning on 8 January 2018 for the Christmas and new year period with operations to recommence by middle of January 2018.



The Board of Directors wish to thank all Shareholders for their ongoing support as the Company continues to expand its drilling operations and project acquisition.





About Aurenne Alt Resources Pty Ltd





Aurenne Alt Resources Pty Ltd is an Australian based mineral exploration company that aims to become a gold producer by exploiting historical and new gold prospects across quality assets and to build value for shareholders.
Transport infrastructure firm Colas UK has secured a contract to support construction of the new Ugandan Hoima International Airport in Kabaale, following the largest ever UK Export Finance (UKEF) loan to an African government.

UK Export Finances largest ever loan (270 million) to an African government will help finance the construction of a new international airport in the Kabaale region of Uganda. This will become the countrys second international airport, opening access for the delivery of equipment, materials and services. By enabling vital work to be carried out on large-scale infrastructure and energy projects planned in the area, the airport will have significant long-term benefits for the countrys developing economy and energy independence. A second phase of development is planned to improve the airports capacity to support tourism and international trade at a later stage.



This is the first major project in Uganda supported by UKEF, which offers UK-government backed loans to overseas buyers in support of UK exports. UKEFs finance will help support work on the construction of the runway, taxiway, cargo terminal and other necessary infrastructure to be undertaken by the UK arm of infrastructure firm Colas UK. Work is scheduled to commence in January 2018. Additional financing will be provided by Standard Chartered which acted as the lead arranger for the deal.



Director of Strategic Projects at Colas UK, Carl Fergusson, said: "With huge untapped natural resources, rapid urbanisation and attractive demographics, the requirement for investment in infrastructure to support continued regional development is clear and this aligns well with the outward looking international element of the Colas Ltd strategy which seeks to expand our activities in East Africa. Colas are delighted to have been awarded this significant project."





International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox (above), said: "The UK is a global leader in the infrastructure sector and Im delighted that UK Export Finance is helping the Ugandan government and Colas on this significant project. As an international economic department, the Department for International Trade is proud to support our trading partners around the world as they invest in their countries infrastructure and economic development and enable UK companies to contribute their expertise and share in the benefits of international trade."
HappyOrNot's inaugural Airport Report has ranked Exeter Airport as the world's happiest airport, Newcastle came fifth, London Southend Airport sixth and Cardiff Airport seventh, following feedback from 160 airports across 36 countries.

The reports feedback was gathered across 158 million data-points from HappyOrNots Smiley terminals (above).These are located in 160 airports across 36 countries.



Analysing air traveller feedback on an unprecedented scale, the report reveals the eight happiest airports globally, offering insight into how certain parts of the air travel experience are happier than others and illustrates the best and worst times of the day, week and year, to fly.



The Eight Happiest Airports:



1. Exeter Airport, UK  88.66%



2. Cork Airport, Republic of Ireland  88.45%



2. Leonardo da VinciFiumicino Airport (Rome), Italy  88.45%



4. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, USA  87.35%



5. Newcastle International Airport, UK  87.05%



6. London Southend Airport, UK  86.79%



7. Cardiff Airport, UK  86.57%



8. Keflavik International Airport, Iceland  86.35%



This ranking is based on feedback data collected between November 2016 and November 2017, from airports which received over 120,000 feedbacks in the past year across more than two points of experience (including security and baggage reclaim).



The average value across all these airports was 76.52%.



Exeter Airports Managing Director, Matt Roach, commented: The HappyOrNot units around the airport have proven to be a very effective and simple way to evaluate passengers experiences. We know that the procedures at an airport can be stressful, but our staff do their best to ease the journey for the travelers and this shows in the consistently high positive ratings. I am very proud of the performance reflected in the responses, and the magnificent achievement of being in the top spot.



Ville Levaniemi, HappyOrNot Founder and Executive VP, commented: While the stressful airport is sometimes employed as a Hollywood trope, this report demonstrates the happiness of the majority of people taking to the skies. Our analysis presents a unique opportunity to celebrate those places that make the air travel experience pleasurable, based on an enormous amount of data rather than just anecdotal evidence. We want to congratulate Exeter airport, as well as all the other airports in this list, for ensuring passengers are so often on cloud nine.



London Southend Airport was featured in sixth place in the global rankings, with an average passenger satisfaction level of 86.79%. Earlier this year, London Southend Airport was also ranked Best London Airport 2017 by Which? for the fifth year in a row. Its network has grown rapidly throughout 2017 and now boasts over 30 short-haul domestic and European routes, with the most recent additions including Bordeaux, Pula, Antwerp, Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow and Malta, among many others.



Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Aviation, owners of London Southend Airport said: Were absolutely delighted to feature prominently in HappyOrNots Airport Report and even more so knowing that its our passengers who rated us.



"Satisfaction levels regularly exceed 90%, proving that the hard work and dedication of our teams is paying off. It also shows passengers that there truly is a better way to travel to and from London. We will not rest and will continue to work and improve the passenger experience. Our ambition remains to be the best as we continue to grow in the London market.
Morocco signed Monday in Casablanca 26 industrial investment in the automotive sector with a total budget of MAD 13.78 billion. Chaired by King Mohammed VI, the signing of these new agreements show the strong positioning of the sector in the region, with a strong added value that demonstrates the growing confidence of major global operators in the industrial acceleration plan.

These agreements relate to the establishment of 26 factories of subcontractors, mainly for the French groups Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen, for investments of MAD 13.78 billion and the creation of 11,568 direct jobs, announced the Moroccan Minister of Industry, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, in a speech.

These investments are underway or will be committed in the coming days, according to a statement issued by the Royal Palace.

The 26 investment agreements concerning French, Spanish, Japanese, and American equipment manufacturers were signed at the Royal Palace of Casablanca, in the presence of King Mohammed VI, several ministers, Moroccan businessmen, and foreign bosses of the sector of the automobile.

French automotive giant Renault signed six agreements with equipment manufacturers as part of a Renault ecosystem. The manufacturer is currently supplying machined parts worth EUR 1 billion a year from Morocco and achieves a local integration rate of 55 percent.

According to Elalamy, the Renault ecosystem will include a Korean manufacturer of aluminum rims, an Italian manufacturer of seat foam, and an Indian manufacturer of electronic lighting.

For its part, PSA Peugeot Group has signed 13 agreements for the development of its unit in the kingdom. The PSA Peugeot Ecosystem group will include a Chinese company manufacturing aluminum wheels, which will settle in Tangier Tech, as well as a Japanese specialist in power steering and a Spanish manufacturer of mirrors.

Peugeot has recently launched the construction works of its industrial pole of excellence in Kenitra, including a plant with an annual production capacity of 90,000 vehicles starting 2019, with a 60 percent integration rate.

The Minister of Industry also announced that the PSA Group has ordered sourcing for a MAD 600 million budget, while Renault spent nearly MAD 1 billion on the same order.

The French equipment manufacturer Valeo has also signed two agreements, while five other investments will be made as part of the development of its wiring and connectivity ecosystem launched in October 2014.

Overall, these ecosystems will enable the creation of more than 80,537 jobs, reaching more than 90 percent of the target by 2020. In 2016, these automotive giants generated an export turnover of MAD 60 billion, an increase of 50 percent compared to 2014.

Through these agreements, Morocco is fast approaching its ambition to install a production capacity of 1 million units of vehicles in Morocco by 2020, and thus integrate the worlds top seven automotive industry in the world in coming years.

Moroccos ambitions for the automotive industry is to reach an annual turnover of MAD 100 billion by 2020, a local integration rate of vehicles leaving Morocco of more than 80 percent and the creation of 160,000 jobs.

Morocco has become the largest car producer in the MENA region, and the automotive industry has become in the last two years the largest exporting sector of the country, ahead of phosphates.

On Saturday, the Chinese giant BYD (Build Your Dreams) signed an agreement with the kingdom for the installation of an electric car factory near Tangier, becoming the third car manufacturer to set foot in this country of the Maghreb.
King Mohammed VI and Prince Moulay El Hassan took part in a luncheon hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on December 12 in honor of the heads of state and delegations attending the One Planet Summit climate change conference held in Paris.

The Sovereign was also greeted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, and Frances First Lady, Brigitte Macron.

The participation of Crown Prince Moulay Hassan in the summit also marks his first steps on the international scene. This move is reminiscent of that of his father who, as Crown Prince, made his first official appearance in an international summit in Rio in 1992 at the Earth Summit. The King recalled the experience in his speech at the COP22 in Marrakech in November 2016.

The summit, which is organized jointly by France, the United Nations, and the World Bank in partnership with non-governmental organizations, will mark the second anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement.

Gathering more than 50 heads of state and government in La Seine Musicale, the main focus of the summit, which will revolve around Climate Change Financing, is to take further action on the financial front of the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The summit is mainly devoted to the mobilization of funding to advance concrete projects in all areas of the fight against climate change: renewable energies, clean transport, agriculture, buildings and sustainable cities, and the protection of the population from the impacts of climate change.

The goal of the One Planet Summit is to bring together all key players in the world of finance and climate to build the tools, alliances, and initiatives essential to the greening of finance and accelerate the implementation of climate projects on field.

The participation of King Mohammed VI at this summit confirms his strong commitment to the preservation of the environment, a commitment that was also noticeable on the occasion of COP 22, reported state news agency MAP.
A militant of al-Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab blew himself up Thursday in a police camp on Thursday in capital Mogadishu killing 15 security forces, reports say.

The attack took place in General Kahiye Police Training Academy during an early morning parade, Reuters reports citing Police spokesman Major Mohamed Hussein.

The suicide bomber according the security official sneaked into the camp in disguise, wearing the explosives.

While authorities claim 15 officers were dead, the terror group noted that it killed 27 as it claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 17 people have been injured, reports say.

Somali authorities have been battling the group which lost control of the capital in 2011. Several attacks staged by the group have taken place across the country and mostly in the capital.

The deadliest attack occurred in October after a truck bomb went off killing more than 500 people. Authorities blamed the group for it.

The Somali government is preparing to take gradually control of the country as the international peacekeeping mission called AMISOM operating under the banner of the African Union embarks on a gradual pullout of its 22,000 forces.

1,000 are scheduled to leave this month.
Another 12 000 miners will be ousted over next three years

South Africas miner Lonmin and precious metal group Sibanye-Stillwater on Thursday said it could cut more than 12,000 jobs over the next three years after a takeover.

South African precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater has agreed to buy Lonmin in an all-share deal estimated at about $382 million.

The platinum producer has been battling weak global platinum prices and soaring operating costs in South Africa.

Global platinum prices are trading around their lowest levels since early 2016. The market has been grappling with bloated supply and declining demand from the automotive industry.

The London-listed company says it is engaging all interested parties on ways to minimize job cuts at its operations.

The mining giant in October, announced plans to cut over 1,000 jobs due to persistently low commodity prices and rising costs.

Lonmin has suffered a 53% decline in its capitalisation so far this year as it came dangerously close to breaching its debt covenants.

The company is the third largest producer of platinum, which is used in catalytic converters in cars, and is mainly found in South Africa.

Sibanye-Stillwater owns gold and platinum mines across South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United States.
Countrys new leader Thursday called on the west to remove economic sanctions imposed on Mugabe-era Zimbabwe as the former British colony begins a new life following former Presidents 37-year rule.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing ruling party Zanu-PF officials called for the removal of the sanctions.

We call for the unconditional lifting of the political and economic sanctions, which have crippled our national development, he told a meeting of the ZANU-PF central committee in downtown Harare.

We realize that isolation is not splendid or viable as there is more to gain through solidarity, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Mnangagwa, 75, came to power last month after former leader Robert Mugabe resigned following 37 years autocratic control. He was forced to step down by the army after axing his deputy Mnangagwa in the race for his replacement at the head of the party. The new leader has long been the armys favorite should Mugabe br replaced.

The US and EU in 2002 imposed sanctions against Mugabe, his entourage and some institutions following allegations election ringing and human right abuses.

The EU in 2014 removed the sanctions except those against Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace. The US however has maintained its sanctions in place.

The sanctions targeted few than 200 people and institutions in Zimbabwe, Shannon Smith, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs told the VOAs Zimbabwe service.

She told media that the sanctions will stay in place adding that the sanctions were not the cause of the countrys economy decline. The US official travelled to the Southern African country this month where she met with the new leadership establishment and opposition.

Mugabe for long criticized the sanctions that he said crippled the economy and were rather imposed to punish the country for its land redistribution plan which saw many white people deprived of lands and key resources.

Also on Tuesday, US state department official Stephanie Sullivan told a senate committee hearing that the sanctions are going nowhere and assets frozen will remain intact.

It is not enough to say it (Harare administration) is a new government. We are engaging the new government with an open mind. It is not enough to say those sanctions previously imposed on the country would not apply, Sullivan said.
The Supreme Courts order allowing Parsi woman, married outside the community to enter the Fire Temple in Valsad, Gujarat, has brought cheer in the lives of Parsi women. The apex courts verdict is forward looking and can bring changes in the lives of Parsi women, who have to undergo various hardships after marrying outside their community. The Buslar Parsi trust informed the Supreme Court that it will permit Parsi woman Goolrukh Gupta, married to Hindu man, to attend her parents funeral prayers and other functions whenever the need arises. Gupta was prohibited from entering the Parsi temple of fire. She was excluded from Parsi religion and was barred from attending other ritual functions.

The last rites of deceased Parsis are held at Tower of Silence where people belonging from other religion are denied entry. Therefore, a Parsi woman, marrying a person from other religion, too is not allowed to enter the temple. Under the Parsi customary law, Gupta had lost the right to visit the Tower of Silence in the event of her fathers death to perform the last rites. Therefore, she approached the court seeking a declaration that since she had married outside the religion she should not be restrained from attending her fathers funeral ceremony. The Gujarat High Court nonetheless upheld the customary law in 2010 as Gupta then challenged the verdict in Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court verdict has provided relief to Gupta as she can enter Parsi temples and also attend other religious functions.

Jyoti Badekar, Janta Dal (Secular) General Secretary, Mumbai said, First of all, I would like to congratulate Parsi women for fighting for their rights and creating awareness about it in the society. The Indian constitution grants freedom to people to choose, practice and propagate their religion. Fundamentalists always oppose woman marrying outside the community.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said unified effort to fully implement sanctions on North Korea is the key to resolve the countrys growing missile and nuclear threat.

Guterres, who met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Thursday, also said North Korea must be denuclearized for peace and stability in the region. Guterres is in Japan to attend an international conference on universal health coverage.

Abe says he agreed that possible dialogue with North Korea must be meaningful and aimed at the countrys denuclearisation.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said Washington is open to possible talks with North Korea but the White House says it must not only first refrain from provocations but take sincere and meaningful actions toward denuclearisation.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula  with the clear risk of a Third World War  is the most tense and dangerous peace and security issue humanity currently faces. The insanity of this situation is akin to two madmen  Rocket Man and Dotard as they like to call each other  rapidly accelerating towards one another on a train-track.

As they hurtle towards each other, US President Donald Trump is unequivocal that he will not cancel the war games that are so provocative to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while demanding his opponent give up his nuclear arsenal. In reply, Kim shouts he will not talk to Trump while military exercises are being conducted next door, and his country will never give up its nuclear deterrent.

Kim Jong-un is accelerating from one direction, in clear defiance of Trump and the international community with his nuclear and missile tests. His most recent nuclear test, over ten times larger than the one that flattened Hiroshima, has been matched by rapid increases in both the types and capacities of his missiles. This progress is driven by more missile tests during his time than all of the earlier North Korean dictators added together (86 out of all 117 North Korean missile tests were conducted during Kim Jong-uns rule).

Trump is speeding from the other direction. He is conducting military exercises in clear defiance of warnings from both Russia and China that these exercises are, in the eyes of North Korea, becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from actual attacks. This same problem almost lead to a nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union in 1983.

The military exercises that caused difficulties for North Korea annually (and may have been instrumental in it creating its own nuclear deterrent), peaked in scale around 1990. The number and scope of these exercises rapidly declined with the first nuclear control agreement of 1994. The war games were only re-ignited in their full capacity after North Korea broke the agreement and tested their first nuclear bomb in 2006.

Kim Jong Un knows that a freeze-for-freeze is his next best option. by

Current exercises now involve troop and aircraft numbers that are equal to or even exceed historical levels. In addition, nuclear strike drills, nuclear preparedness status, a near-continuous sequence of military routines, and a new generation of weapons are taking stress levels to heights equal, if not beyond, the most tense points of the Cold War.

Although neither side actually intends to collide with the other, they are only one accident, provocation, tantrum or paranoid misunderstanding away from a catastrophe. None of the safeguards or confidence building measures (pdf) that prevented accidental conflict during the Cold War is being applied. There is no hotline for the leaders to communicate directly with each other.

There is minimal transparency, information sharing or independent observers, so as not to misunderstand or be startled by the war games, missile or nuclear tests of the other. Neither side is predictable nor have they been unambiguous in setting down their respective red lines. Neither side is sincere, trusts the other, or communicates with respect. The recipe for war is nearly perfect.

In this very tense atmosphere, both Russia and China are proposing to the two sides a freeze-for-freeze or dual suspension agreement, as a first step towards substantive negotiations. The core of this idea is that North Korea would freeze both its nuclear explosions and missile tests, and in return, the US and its allies would suspend their large-scale military exercises that threaten North Korea.

The freeze-for-freeze deal will not solve the much larger issues of how to deal with a nuclear-armed North Korea and the likely proliferation of nuclear weapons in South Korea and Japan if this upset in the regional balance of power remains. Although this freeze-for-freeze proposal will not solve these longer-term problems, it is currently the best chance for avoiding an accidental war in the short term.

Kim Jong-un knows that a freeze-for-freeze is his next best option. He now has very powerful nuclear weapons and possibly the missiles needed to deliver them. His complementary goal is to ensure the survival of his regime, for which freezing the status quo would suit him well. He is also aware of the precedent that the Americans stopped or shrank their war games in the 1990s to pave the way to the original agreement with North Korea on nuclear weapons.

The Americans do not see it the same way. They know North Korea has complained and threatened about their military exercises for decades. They also recall that the last time they suspended their military exercises, the North Koreans cheated on the reciprocal commitments they made. The Americans are also aware that no matter how provocative their military exercises are, they are not illegal or, in comparison to North Koreas nuclear programme, in violation of the will of the international community. For Trump, to agree to a freeze on war games would be to reward the bad behaviour of a regime that is now promising to destroy cities in the US mainland.

Despite holding the high ground on this issue, in the face of a possible nuclear conflict, the US president should not dismiss the freeze-for-freeze option. Every option to avoid war must be fully explored. The most advanced military in the world could continue to prepare in any other theatre, except next door to North Korea.

At the same time, further deployments of missile defence may still be possible in South Korea without violating the conditions of a freeze-freeze deal. Also, North Korea could be convinced to freeze its military exercises. A timeline for the freeze could be attached to the deal, and everything agreed in a temporary freeze would be without prejudice to the much larger possible settlement with North Korea.

None of this is ideal, but it is much better than the only certainty before us. The certainty is that if accidental war does occur, everyone will lose a lot more than the cost of exploring whether a temporary safety measure can be placed between two trains heading towards each other at high speed.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Renewed negotiations, guided by the people of South Sudan, can bring genuine and long-lasting peace to the country.

I know and have seen war and its horror and cruelty in my own country. I have supported peace processes in conflicts since. But all of that didnt quite prepare me for my trip to South Sudan earlier this year.

Since civil war broke out in December 2013, South Sudan has spiralled into a deeper state of emergency. Its a brutal conflict, steeped in claims of ethnic cleansing. A deadly hunger crisis reigns over parts of the country: It is the civilians, the women and the children who are paying the price. The palpable hope of South Sudans independence in 2011  something so many of us celebrated in our region  now seems very distant.

Women  strong, hard-working and self-sacrificing women  told me, We want to walk freely, we want to farm, we want to feed our families. They live in a city called Malakal, on a Protection of Civilians (POC) site. At home, we used our hands for our work, now we have been turned into beggars, and we cannot provide for our families, Mary* told me. She lives on the site now, and like many women has been widowed by the conflict.

I visited what felt like a ghost town. Malakal used to be South Sudans second largest city after the capital, Juba. Now, most of its former residents have fled to neighbouring Sudan  the country that they fought for independence from so fiercely  or they live in the POC camps.

The camp I visited is now home to many displaced women and girls; it is guarded by UN peacekeepers who line its outskirts, in tall watchtowers. They carry heavy weaponry in case the camp is attacked  which it has been, on several occasions.

I urge our leaders to give space at the negotiating table not only to those wielding a gun! by

It is not a stretch for me to compare these camps to open-air prisons. This is not because these people are detained  they are not. It is also not a criticism of the United Nations for creating these sites  they are needed and have undoubtedly saved countless lives so far.

The camps do however signify the tragedy that the people of South Sudan face: people are there because they need protection from armed groups. I was told that should a person walk out of this camp they face the risk of persecution, harassment, even death.

I will never forget the women I met who told me they have to choose between their children going hungry, or risking rape if they leave to search for food. The stories I heard are too awful to repeat. I saw the squalid conditions people have to live in, and I heard of the hunger people are enduring.

A war of this nature, which is now so deeply rooted, is unlikely to end without a huge diplomatic effort  something which up to now, has fallen short.

Ending the war in South Sudan must be at the very top of African leaders political agendas. It is a catastrophe for the entire continent, and our regions biggest refugee crisis. It is a shameful failure of leadership in Africa.

The people of South Sudan and our region need renewed negotiations to begin, in order to bring genuine and long-lasting peace to the country. Peace may feel distant, but it is not unreachable. In December, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will be holding the High-Level Revitalisation Forum in Addis Ababa. It is a critical opportunity to bring together warring parties to seek a long-term solution to this bloody conflict.

I call upon our regional leaders to push the warring parties to make the hard choices for peace. And together with our partners, Oxfam demands that regional and international powers throw their diplomatic weight behind a transparent and inclusive peace process.

The voices of the people affected by the conflict  women like Mary  must finally be heard. I urge our leaders to give space at the negotiating table to them, not only to those wielding a gun.

Any political process must formalise the involvement of the South Sudanese people, including the millions of refugees now living in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC and Kenya. This is the best way to establish a peace that lasts. Citizens have the right to determine the future of their country.

Oxfam is supporting South Sudanese civil society, including refugees, to come together to deliver their message to this forum. This week, representatives from South Sudanese civil society, including refugee communities, will present their vision to IGAD on how to create long-lasting peace in their country.

The longer the international community is complacent, the more they risk being complicit. Failure is not an option. To ensure a credible peace process, we need timelines, indicators and accountability.

This latest push for peace could end this war. Let us ensure it is guided by its people  not just the political elites. No person I met in South Sudan wants  and none of our leaders should want  countless more lives to be ruined through this war.

*Name changed for privacy reasons

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
It has been four years since Ukrainians took to the streets to call for corruption-free democratic governance and rule of law. Today, with the European project in dire straits, the demand of the Maidan protesters  to move Ukraine out of the orbit of Putins Russia and join the family of European democracies to which it historically belongs has been under serious strain.

As the Russia-sponsored separatist war in its eastern region of Donbass continues, there is an increasingly widespread perception among Ukrainians that their government lacks the political will to fight corruption, which has plagued the country ever since it declared independence in 1991.

As popular disillusionment with the post-Maidan trajectory has increased, populists of all stripes and temperaments have been brought to the surface of Ukraines turbulent political waters. What unites them all is their argument that President Petro Poroshenko and the government are hopelessly mired in their corrupt ways and nothing short of another (this would be a third) Maidan revolution could rescue Ukraine.

Though garnering a pretty modest support  a mere few percent of the electorate  by far the most colourful and media-savvy of these is the former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili.

Stateless and facing a criminal court case in Georgia, Saakashvili was offered Ukrainian citizenship in 2015 and the post of governor of the Odessa region by his former college mate, the Ukrainian president, with a mission to tackle corruption there. After a year of setbacks and lack of results, for which he blamed the entrenched system of patronage and rent-seeking, Saakashvili decided to go rogue and entered nationwide politics, convening anti-corruption powwows around the country and eventually creating his own party.

There are signs that support for populist anti-corruption messages and immediate ouster of the government is broadening by

Since then, he has matched his fiery rhetoric, calling for Poroshenkos impeachment and stiff prison terms for the presidents allies with equally fiery, theatrical actions, often dismissive of state institutions and the rule of law itself. When the government stripped him of his citizenship while Saakashvili was travelling outside the country, he called for his supporters to come to the Polish border to help carry him across it, essentially crossing the border illegally. After holding rallies around the country, he made his way to the capital, where he set up a tent camp outside the parliament with a couple hundred of his supporters.

Never able to muster more than a few thousand protesters for his rallies and with media attention dissipating, Saakashvili and his acolytes have gradually heated up their rhetoric, and have welcomed rabidly nationalist and anti-Semitic elements to join their cause. Recently, a member of the anti-EU United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), which inspired Brexit, has been spotted standing next to Saakashvili at one such protest action.

Saakashvilis most recent piece of political theatre may have also been the issue which the fate of this government and the future of Ukraine hinges on. Claiming to have a tape recording of a purported conspiracy between Saakashvili and a runaway crony of the former President Viktor Yanukovych to destabilise the country, Ukraines Prosecutor General ordered the arrest of the former.

After giving chase to Saakashvili across the roof of his building in full view of a gathered crowd and media, the police put handcuffs on the politician, only to see him extracted from the police car by his militant supporters. Resisting arrest and going into hiding in plain view, Saakashvili was able to hold another public rally, but was eventually arrested and brought before a judge.

The latters decision, to release him on his own recognisance pending trial, may have caused a sigh of relief for the government, not thrilled at the prospect of being accused of throwing political opponents in jail. Conversely, it has let some air out of Saakashvilis political martyrdom balloon.

But if Poroshenko is under any illusion that this sort of cat-and-mouse game with a rogue populist-Che Guevara will get him safely across the sure-to-be turbulent two years remaining until the next presidential elections, and then to victory, he should think again.

First of all, the seriousness of the charges against Saakashvili means that the government should better hope that the recording of the purported conversation passes an independent examination and is admitted as evidence in court. Otherwise, this will be the greatest hoax in the history of modern Ukraine, sure to topple the government.

Secondly, there are signs that support for populist anti-corruption messages and immediate ouster of the government is broadening. Last Sundays rally protesting Saakashvilis arrest was the largest by far, with at least 10,000 participants, including a visibly large middle-class component.

Their number may surely grow, if the government does not at long last show quick and decisive action to eliminate large-scale rent-seeking and safeguard the rule of law and property rights. The presidents rhetoric presenting Ukraine as Europes bulwark against barbarian Russia is alas, becoming increasingly ineffective, both with crisis-mired and navel-gazing Europeans and with the unhappy, long-suffering Ukrainians.

Whatever the populist excesses and mistakes of Saakashvili and his allies, they cannot justify the presidents refusal to decisively free the economy from illegitimate schemes.

Unless Poroshenko does that, the question contained in the title of this piece will continue looming ever larger over Ukraine.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The US ambassador to the UN has called for an international coalition to counter Irans influence in the Middle East, while accusing the country of fanning the flames of conflict in the region.

Nikki Haley, standing in front of what she said were the remnants of Iranian-made weapons, said the US has found evidence that Iranian ballistic missiles were transferred to, and used by, the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, a violation of Tehrans international obligations.

In this warehouse is concrete evidence of illegal Iranian weapons proliferation gathered from direct military attacks on our partners in the region, Haley said during a news conference in a military hangar near Washington, DC on Thursday.

The US is going to build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what theyre doing, Haley said, without going into specifics.

She said the recovered pieces of the weapon came from a missile fired by Houthi militants from Yemen into Saudi Arabia, a staunch US ally in the region.

Haley said markings on the missile proved it was made in Iran. These are Iranian made, these are Iranian sent, and these were Iranian given, she said.

Al Jazeera could not independently verify the ambassadors claims.

When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat pic.twitter.com/2sAsMB6o4m  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 14, 2017

Reuters news agency said Iran denied supplying the Houthi rebels with such weapons and described the arms Haley displayed on Thursday as fabricated.

On Twitter, Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, responded by posting side-by-side photos of Nikki Haley and Colin Powell, US ambassador to the UN during the George Bush administration.

Powell told the UN that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, a claim that built the case for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and was later disproven.

When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat, Zarif said in his tweet.

War of words

Haleys comments come amid a war of words between Iran and its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, over several issues in the region.

Last month, the Saudi government accused Iran of committing an act of war after it said the Houthi rebels had fired a missile towards the international airport near Riyadh.

On December 1, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a second missile launched by the same Yemeni group.

A Saudi-led coalition is waging a military campaign against the Houthi rebels, causing a dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

The #UAE calls on the global community to more forcefully address the threat posed by #Iran , and stands ready to work with its allies to take actions that will ensure compliance with #UN #resolutions      (@MoFAICUAE) December 14, 2017

Saudi Arabia welcomed Haleys comments on Thursday, saying it condemned the Iranian regime for its flagrant violations of the international resolutions and norms, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The UAE, which is part of the Saudi-led coalition, said the evidence provided by the US leaves no doubt about Irans flagrant disregard for its #UN obligations, and its role in the proliferation and trafficking of weapons in the region.

The #UAE calls on the global community to more forcefully address the threat posed by #Iran, the UAE ministry of foreign affairs said on Twitter.
Canadian rights groups say a newly passed law gives too much power to US border officers and threatens civil liberties.

Canada has passed new legislation that expands the authority of US customs and border officers working at Canadian airports, a move civil liberties groups say may put the rights of Canadian travellers at risk.

Bill C-23, also known as the Preclearance Act of 2016, gives several new powers to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers who conduct preclearance security checks of Canadian passengers before they board US-bound flights.

Those expanded powers include the ability to carry firearms and conduct strip-searches in Canadian airports, as well as the authority to detain Canadians should they decide to withdraw from preclearance procedures.

Our concern is that its really coming at the cost of the rights of travellers, said Tim McSorley, national coordinator for the Ottawa-based International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), a national coalition of civil society organisations.

First tabled in parliament in June last year, Bill C-23 received royal assent this week and will soon become law.

While McSorley said preclearance makes sense  more than 400,000 travellers cross the Canada-US border every day, according to the Canadian government  the new law appears to open things up to greater escalation of problems.

What is preclearance?

Currently, a handful of major Canadian airports  including in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver  allow Canadian travellers to clear US Customs and Border Protection procedures before they board US-bound flights.

The same pre-clearance procedures are also available for passenger and vehicle traffic on ferries between the US and Victoria, in the western province of British Columbia.

CBP currently deploys more than 600 officers at 15 locations in Canada, Ireland, Aruba, The Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates, to conduct preclearance procedures, which US officials have stressed are important on the grounds of national security.

The expansion of preclearance in strategic locations will further strengthen our ability to identify those who may pose a national security threat prior to encountering them on US soil, R Gil Kerlikowske, the commissioner of the customs and border agency, recently told The New York Times.

In 2014, Jeh Johnson, the secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, said preclearance allows the US to extend our homeland security beyond our borders and address threats as far from the homeland as possible.

At a February meeting, the US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to expand preclearance procedures to additional cities in their respective countries.

That pledge came after the governments of their respective predecessors, Barack Obama and Stephen Harper, signed the Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement in 2015.

For Canada, the new law  which was enacted to implement the 2015 deal  will enable faster travel to the US, and Ottawa has touted the procedures as a way to boost trade between the two countries and increase security.

The regulations are expected to be in place for air travel before the end of 2018 and will be expanded to road, rail and marine travel at a later date.

Thanks to all Parliamentarians who supported Bill C23  laying the foundation for expanded PreClearance for Canadian travelers to the US (1/3)  Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) December 13, 2017

The Government of Canada is committed to making the Canada-United States border more efficient and secure, Ralph Goodale, Canadas minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, said in a statement this week.

Today we are one step closer to expanding preclearance  making travel faster for Canadians and bolstering trade, while also protecting our rights.

Interrogating travellers

But civil rights groups and legal experts in Canada have raised several concerns about the legislation.

The most contentious part of the law appears to be how it will give US officers expanded power to detain Canadian travellers while they are still in Canada.

Currently, if a Canadian traveller undergoing US preclearance procedures at an airport does not like the way their interaction with a US official is going, he or she can choose to withdraw from the procedure and simply not travel to the US.

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Under Bill C-23, however, US officers will now have the right to hold and question the traveller for the purposes of identifying them or determining their reason for withdrawing from the procedure.

US preclearance officers will also have the right to detain a Canadian traveller if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a traveller bound for the United States poses a risk of significant harm to public health.

Were concerned that then things can escalate from there because the new law also eliminates the provision that withdrawal isnt grounds for suspicion, said McSorley, who explained that while US officers are not allowed to arrest anyone, they can liaise with Canadian border officials who can take further steps.

Others fear a provision in the legislation would also permit Canadian officials to bar Canadian permanent residents  who legally hold the same right as Canadian citizens to return to Canada  from re-entering Canada through preclearance areas.

The legislation would allow Canada to establish its first preclearance areas in the US.

In those cases, permanent residents would need to re-enter Canada through a land crossing, McSorley explained, incurring financial costs and additional anxiety.

If youre a permanent resident whos rejected on security reasons  and then youre in the US, is that going to be grounds for suspicion in the US? he said.

Theres not any explicit limitations on whether or not that information  that youre being rejected from a preclearance area  isnt going to be shared with US officials at the airport.

Blanket immunity

Ottawa has pledged that US preclearance procedures will be consistent with Canadian law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

But according to the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association (CMLA), Canadians will have very little recourse to hold US preclearance officers or the US government accountable for breaches of their rights under Bill C-23.

The law provides explicit blanket immunity to US preclearance officers from anything done or omitted in the exercise of their powers and duties, the association stated in a recent report, while the US government is also immune, except in cases of death, bodily injury or property damage.

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Travellers have no actual mechanism through which they can hold [US preclearance officers] or the United States accountable for breaches of their rights under the Charter, including discrimination, the CMLA said.

It added that this level of immunity is not new and unlikely to be changed by further negotiations with the US.

McSorley echoed those concerns about a lack of accountability.

The fact that theres no recourse if anything does happen  is what really concerns us, he said.

We dont want to see these new powers, but at least, if theyre granting new powers, there should be a clear way for a Canadian to seek a legal remedy if they feel that their rights have been violated.

Law necessary?

Underpinning most of these concerns is also a question about whether Bill C-23 is necessary in the first place.

The law unnecessarily and unjustifiably sacrifices the rights and liberties of Canadian travellers, representatives of the Canadian Bar Association recently wrote.

The group added that the benefits of the free flow of goods and people between Canada and the US does not need to be gained at the expense of Canadians rights.

McSorley agreed, pointing to the fact that preclearance laws have existed between Canada and the US in some form for the last 60 years and have caused few problems.

Why do we actually need to see any changes? he asked.

We tend to lean towards not granting more powers when theyre not necessary.
Mahmoud Husseins jail term extended by 45 days again as he approaches one year of detention on spurious charges.

Egypt has extended Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Husseins imprisonment for another 45 days as the producer, who is in poor health, nears one year of incarceration on dubious charges.

Hussein was taken by Egyptian security officers on December 20 last year and accused of reporting false news with the aim of creating chaos.

An Egyptian national, Hussein had returned to visit his family on holiday from Qatar  where he is based  when he was arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned.

Al Jazeera Media Network denies all allegations against Hussein and has demanded his immediate and unconditional release.

Mahmoud has been renewed for another 45 days, Farah al-Muftah, Al Jazeeras acting executive director legal & general counsel, said in an email on Thursday.





Human rights and press freedom organisations have condemned Husseins detention.

He is reportedly in ill health after breaking an arm months ago while in prison.

His family says he has not received proper medical attention.

Hussein is not the first Al Jazeera journalist to be targeted and imprisoned for lengthy periods by Egyptian authorities on spurious charges.

Egypt also imprisoned Al Jazeera Englishs Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy, and Peter Greste for allegedly spreading false news in 2013.

Mohamed and Fahmy spent 437 days in jail before being released. Greste spent more than a year in prison.

Al Jazeera Arabic reporter Abdullah Elshamy was imprisoned for 307 days after being arrested on August 14, 2013.

He was covering the deadly crackdown by security forces on the Rabaa al-Adawiya square protest in Cairo against the coup that overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi.

Ibrahim Helal, former editor-in-chief of Al Jazeera Arabic, was among six journalists sentenced to death in absentia in May 2016 by an Egyptian court for purportedly endangering national security.

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On Wednesday, the New York-based the Committee to Protect Journalists released a report showing that Egypt ranks third worldwide among nations jailing media workers  having locked up 20 in 2017.

In January 2016, Al Jazeera Media Network lodged a claim for damages against the Egyptian government, accusing it of harassing its journalists and damaging its office and equipment during repeated police raids.

Egypt is accused by Al Jazeera of systematically and deliberately targeting the network in the aftermath of the January 25, 2011, uprising that brought down the presidency of Hosni Mubarak.

Al Jazeera no longer reports from the country.
Federal Communications Agency decision ends era of open internet, which required unbiased data protections in the US.

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to end the 2015 Open Internet Order which protects net neutrality in the United States.

The decision was taken during a much-anticipated meeting in Washington, DC, on Thursday.

Net neutrality requires all internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all data equally, without blocking, throttling or censoring services or websites.

The vote  three Republican commissioners in favour, two Democrat commissioners against  enacts the Restoring Internet Freedom initiative, which is widely seen as giving ISPs greater power to limit internet access while favouring certain data streams.

Mignon Clyburn, an FCC commissioner and a former member of Congress who was appointed to the FCC by Barack Obama in 2009, said the vote signified a norm where the majority [of FCC commissioners] ignores the will of the people during arguments against ending net neutrality.

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Public outcry against the vote to end net neutrality has been growing since Ajit Pai, who was appointed FCC chairman by President Donald Trump in January, announced the plans in late November.

Michael ORielly, a Republican commissioner appointed by Obama in 2013, said the concerns over the initiatives impact were not based in fact but a scary bedtime story for the children of telecom geeks.

Still, the outcry motivated a number of legislators to call for a halt to the vote.

Five Republican members of Congress  went on the record in calling for a halt to todays vote, Clyburn said.

Common sense

Maine Senators Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, Jr, an independent, both called on Thursday morning for the FCC to cancel the vote.

Citing a repeal of common sense that puts consumer rights and online innovation in jeopardy, the Senators said they believe a more careful, deliberative process involving experts and the public is necessary.

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Clyburn read a statement from Jerry McNerney, a member of the House of Representatives from New Mexico, which said he dissented from this legally lightweight and corporate-enabling move.

Pais move to gut net neutrality at the behest of big telecom is breathtaking in its total disregard for the public, Mark Stanley Director of Communications for Demand Progress, which describes itsef as grass-roots civil-liberties group, said in a statement delivered to Al Jazeera.

Evan Greer, the Campaign Director of Fight for the Future, a pro-privacy, anti-censorship nonprofit, told Al Jazeera the FCCs vote encourages ISPs to monitor and sell their customers personal information to advertisers, control what websites and apps we use, engage in censorship, and charge us more money for less internet.

Proponents views

Proponents of the end of the 2015 order said it would benefit consumers.

Kris Montieth, chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB), a part of the FCC which according to its website works to ensure that all Americans have access to robust, affordable broadband, said the repeal of the 2015 order will empower Americans to choose the broadband internet access service that best meets their needs.

The FCC is voting to ditch #NetNeutrality. What it means for you: pic.twitter.com/fpmuazGL5T  AJ+ (@ajplus) December 14, 2017

Deborah Salons, an attorney with the WCB, said during the meeting that the vote would end the heavy-handed, utility style of the internet. The 2015 orders reversal will the internets classification as a utility like water, theoretically allowing for throttling or blocking of content by ISPs.

Her comments echoed those of Pai, a former attorney for ISP Verizon, who said the end of net neutrality would be pro-competitive.

Free Press, another civil liberties organisation, told Al Jazeera they plan to take the FCC to court. The US Congress may also reverse the move, or enact new net neutrality rules.

The fight to end net neutrality does not end today, Clyburn said.
London, England  At Notting Hill Methodist Church, six months after a deadly fire engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in West London, a young woman addresses the floor.

I lived on the 23rd floor of Grenfell Tower for 23 years, the woman says. No one from that floor survived aside from my mother and the Neda family.

According to police, at least 71 people died in the blaze on June 14, but there is scepticism the toll was higher. Victims ranged in ages from a stillborn baby to an 84-year-old woman.

Most residents were from lower-income backgrounds and their flats were subsidised by the council in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea  a wealthy, but deeply divided, area.

To mark the six-month anniversary on Thursday, a memorial service was held at St Pauls Cathedral, with arund 1,500 people in attendance.

Each month, there are silent candle-lit vigils held outside the tower. Another will take place on Thursday at 6pm. The silence symbolises, protesters say, the governments weak response to the crisis.

The meeting at the church, arranged by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council, aimed to probe the recovery effort delivered to those affected by the fire at the tower  which was built in 1974, including residents and people living in neighbouring buildings on the council-owned Lancaster West Estate, where Grenfell was located.

The woman, who requested anonymity, said that at the time of the tragedy, she explained to National Health Service (NHS) Trust staff that she and her mother were not ready to take up their offer of medical services, requesting instead an appointment in August.

Her request was refused and she was discharged as a patient.

I said, How can you discharge me when we havent yet taken up the offer of your services?. [The staff member] then proceeded, much to my absolute shock, to leave me a voicemail to tell me that me and my mother had been discharged.

The victim described how she was being passed from pillar to post and claimed NHS staff and those from the council lacked empathy and caused more stress.

Six months on, the family has met 11 housing officers but has still not been rehoused.

The woman said she only decided to leave the tower that night because her six-month-old son needed milk.

Each time I see my son, I am thankful because I know if had I stayed  I would have perished.

But I feel we are being penalised for being alive .

Most survivors  more than 100 households  are yet to find permanent homes and are looking at spending the coming festive period in hotel rooms.

Thousands affected

Jim ODonnell, head of the NHS Grenfell outreach team, told Al Jazeera he was disappointed to hear of the womans experience.

While services in London have plans in place to deal with traumatic events, he said the scale and the impact of the fire were unique.

There are approximately 11,000 people who may have been affected in and around the Grenfell Tower area, he said.

So far, 936 people have been screened as requiring urgent post-traumatic stress syndrome treatment and 110 [children] have received specialist care.

But ODonnell said he does not believe that people are falling through the cracks. There is a lack of trust and I believe people are reluctant to come forward, he said.

Pointing to a block of sheltered accommodation across from Grenfell Tower, Samia Badani, a resident from the surrounding area, told Al Jazeera that community spirit has been the main source of support.

They dont know us, they never engaged with us, she said, referring to the authorities. There is something about this community  we know how to find people, we have those networks on the ground.

Badani has been instrumental in forming Angels4Grenfell, a network of local residents who lend peer support and organise group activities to provide well-being services.

The group submitted a proposal for a dedicated health centre, but the council has been slow to respond.

Research shows that health and recovery has to be resident-patient centred. But the council is not yet there in terms of accepting a shift in power relations, she said.

Relations between the community and council have been strained for several years.

Ishmael Francis-Murray was raised in Grenfell Tower and now lives on the estate.

He said the council is not helping him, and like many other victims, believes there are plans to remove the affected residents from estates such as Lancaster West to enable regeneration plans.

Francis-Murray sought help from the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Support service but said the treatment was pathetic and staff behaved as though they were dealing with any old thing.

The state response has particularly been poor at reaching children and young people, he said.

I am 25 years old and nobody has tried to engage with me, he said. I have two children, who are eight and four years old. No one has asked how they are. Theyre missing a whole generation.

Community-run spaces such as the Harrow Club for children below 18 and Kids on the Green are more beneficial, but desperately need funding, he said.

Francis-Murrays own recovery rests on justice, and he said he will not feel at ease until it is served.

Someone needs to go to jail for this, he said.

The most unequal borough in Britain

On the night of the fire, it emerged that previous fire safety warnings fell on deaf ears.

The council came under attack, accused of using a cheaper cladding that failed safety standards.

Both a criminal investigation and public inquiry has been launched, with the councils regeneration plans a key focus of public anger.

The areas stark divisions in terms of income were highlighted in a November report by Emma Dent Coad, a Labour MP, which said that the Kensington and Chelsea borough was the most unequal in Britain.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is now launching a parallel but informal inquiry on whether the state failed in its duty to protect the right to life.

Clarrie Mendy said she had little faith in the official process. Her cousin Mary Mendy and Marys daughter, the artist Khadijah Saye, died in the tragedy.

Neither she nor her family members, including Mendys five grandchildren, have been offered support  not one days counselling.

Its ultimately the community I have faith in and theyve been the only ones who have supported us, she told Al Jazeera.

For his part, borough councillor Robert Thompson acknowledged that trust would not return until people are rehoused.

Until then, he said, we wont be able to rebuild that trust very quickly.
Born from the first Intifada in 1987, the movement celebrates its 30-year anniversary with large rally in Gaza City.

As the struggle for a Palestinian state continues, Hamas, one of the main Palestinian factions, is marking the 30th anniversary of its founding with celebrations in the Gaza Strip.

Thousands of Palestinian men, women and children, brandishing Hamas green flags or sporting green scarves, gathered on Thursday at the al-Katiba Square in Gaza City.

Born out of the first Palestinian uprising, or Intifada, in 1987, Hamas was created in response to Israels illegal occupation of West Bank and the Gaza strip.

Its founder and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, was a hero to many Palestinians who were frustrated with the lack of results from the peace process.

Almost blind and a quadriplegic, Yassin was blamed by Israel for a series of suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israeli targets.

In 2004, Israel killed Yassin with a missile attack near his home in Gaza. A month later another missile killed his successor, Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi.

Next came Khaled Meshaal, a survivor of a botched Israeli poisoning attempt in 1997.

Election victory

Under Meshaal, Hamas capitalised on its popularity and scored a surprise victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections.

The heightened tensions with Fatah, the main faction within the Palestinian Authority. Violent confrontations followed in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas set up a rival government.

But faced with international condemnation they struggled to govern effectively, Ahmed Youssef, a former Hamas official, told Al Jazeera.

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Its not easy for Hamas, a resistance movement, they build their belief on the idea that the only way to liberate Palestine is to continue their military struggle, and when you start to think to change, then the whole world closes the door in front of you, Youssef, said.

During the 11 years in which Hamas ran the Gaza Strip, there have been three wars with Israel, in which more than 2,700 Palestinians were killed.

After Israel sealed off the territory as part of an ongoing siege, unemployment rose to about 43 percent, among the highest rates in the world, according to the World Bank.

Khaled Safi, a professor of modern Palestinian history, said Hamas ignored their responsibility as the leading force in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas famous slogan is Islam is the solution, but many in Gaza didnt buy it. Hamas failed to fix problems with healthcare, education, the environment, the economy.

They got money, one way or another, but used it for empowering the resistance and ignored their obligations as a government. Thats why poverty and unemployment increased, said Safi.

Gaza today

Under its new political chief Ismail Haniya, who took over from Meshaal, Hamas has given political control of Gaza back to the Palestinian Authority, a move prompted by pressure from the PA and Egypt, which resulted in a reconciliation deal in October.

Reporting from Gaza, where people getting ready for the anniversary celebrations, Al Jazeera correspondent Bernard Smith said: Hamas has even changed its charter to accept an interim Palestinian state within pre-1967 boundaries.

An attempt to soften its image. Theres no mention of Israel, but by implication, theres another state on the other side of those borders, Smith said.

Hamas long opposition to Israels occupation seems to have paid off in the form of popular support among the Palestinians, especially in the wake the of the US presidents decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Polls taken just after Trumps announcement suggest Haniya would win a Palestinian presidential election.
Arms used by ISIL in battle were supplied by the US and Saudi Arabia to Syrian opposition fighters, new report finds.

Weapons supplied by the United States and Saudi Arabia to opposition fighters often fell into the hands of ISIL, significantly enhancing the quantity and quality of the groups armaments, a new report alleges.

The number of weapons goes far beyond those that would have been available through battle capture alone, according to the study by arms-monitoring group Conflict Armament Research (CAR) published on Thursday.

The Weapons of the Islamic State report was based on a three-year field investigation in Iraq and Syria into the groups arms and their origins.

It analysed more than 40,000 items found on the battlefield including weapons, ammunition, and materials used to make improvised explosive devices. Some were acquired by ISIL through shifting alliances within the Syrian opposition.

The research said most weapons were looted from the Iraqi and Syrian armies, however, some were originally supplied by other nations involved in the conflict to Syrian opposition groups fighting against President Bashar al-Assad.

Iraq and Syria have seen IS forces use large numbers of weapons, supplied by states such as Saudi Arabia and the United States, against the various international anti-IS coalitions that the two states support, said CAR.

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All of the items examined were made in EU countries and, in passing them onto armed groups in Syria, the US and Saudi broke contractual clauses prohibiting their retransfer.

Evidence collected by CAR indicates that the United States has repeatedly diverted EU-manufactured weapons and ammunition to opposition forces in the Syrian conflict. IS forces rapidly gained custody of significant quantities of this materiel, it said.

About 90 percent of weapons and ammunition used by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) originated in China, Russia, and Eastern Europe, with Russian-made weapons outnumbering those of any other country.

These findings support widespread assumptions that the group initially captured much of its military material from Iraqi and Syrian government forces, said the report.

The monitoring group said Western-produced arms and ammunition represented the remaining 10 percent.

This information is a stark reminder of the contradictions inherent in supplying weapons into armed conflicts in which multiple competing and overlapping non-state armed groups operate, said CAR.





The organisation reported last year that ISIL had been producing military-grade weapons in Iraq, and had standardised production across its self-styled caliphate.

On Saturday, Iraq declared an end to its war against ISIL having recaptured Rawa, one of the last remaining ISIL-held towns.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to start withdrawing from Syria in a visit to a Russian base in the country on Monday.

The Syrian civil war has raged for more than six years. Hopes of finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict suffered another blow on Thursday after the failure of the latest round of UN-sponsored talks.
Israels Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz has invited Saudi Arabias crown prince to visit Israel in an interview with a Saudi news outlet, according to Haaretz.

Katz confirmed to the Israeli daily that he extended the invitation to Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday in the interview with the UK-based independent news website Elaph.

According to Haaretz, the excerpt with the invitation was edited out of the final version of the wide-ranging interview.

Katz, in the interview, described Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Arab world and recommended that peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel happen under the kingdoms auspices.





Israeli-Palestinian talks have been at a standstill, but US President Donald Trump had pledged to revive talks, with the US acting as a mediator in the process.

Last week, Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, while planning to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, prompted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to disqualify the US to act as a mediator in future talks.

Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has reiterated the kingdoms stated commitment to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This has been the kingdoms official position on Trumps decision. The US move triggered a wave of protests from the Arab and Islamic world.

However, according to a Reuters news agency report, Mohammed bin Salman is said to be acting on behalf of senior White House advisor Jared Kushner, and has presented Abbas with an American plan for Middle East peace.

Officials from Saudi Arabia and Israel reportedly met in the past and a handful of similar invitations have been extended.

Last month, Israeli Communications Minister Ayoub Kara invited Saudi Arabias Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh to visit Israel. Several days later, Israels chief-of-staff Gadi Eizenkot gave the first-ever official interview to Elaph, saying that Israel is ready to share intelligence with Saudi Arabia on Iran.

Though Saudi Arabia does not officially maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, recent developments appeared to have pushed Riyadh and Tel Aviv closer together.

Analysts have said the covert ties between the two countries are based on the common threat of Iran and are part of a new regional dynamic.

Iranian proxy

Katz, who expressed his plans to lead Israels right-wing Likud government in the future, said that Israel would act to prevent Iranian presence in Lebanon, which is home to the Shia Hezbollah movement.

In reference to Hezbollah, Katz said that his country could return Lebanon to the stone age should Hezbollah decide to attack Israel from over its borders. He added that Israel possesses information that proves Iran is assisting Hezbollah in manufacturing arms in Lebanon.

The more accurate that Hezbollahs missiles get, the stronger and wider Israels strike will be. This time, all of Lebanon will be a target, he said. As is happening with Syria.

In October, cross-border violence between Israel and Syria set off an exchange of heated threats between the two sides. They traded blame when Israel attacked Syrian artillery, claiming it was responding to what may have been errant rocket fire that landed the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Katz added that in discussions with the French President Emmanuel Macron and the European Union, it was agreed that if necessary military force against Hezbollah could be used particularly at this time, referencing Lebanons Prime Minister Saad al-Hariris halted resignation.

The Arab League considers Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, he said, adding that this would help Israel in a decision to attack, if necessary.

Golden opportunity

Katz also talked of a railway proposal that would connect Israels port city of Haifa to the Arabian Gulf.

This is not a dream at all. This could become a reality very soon, he said.

The project proposes a shorter and cheaper route to transfer goods from Europe and the Americas, said Katz, as a railway would extend from Israel through King Hussein Bridge crossing with Jordan.

The Jordanians would then go on to extend that from the northern town of Irbid, all the way to the Saudi border, he added. This is what we propose to the Gulf.

Katz concluded the interview by drawing attention to Iranian influence in the region once again. Despite Irans interference to destabilise the region, Katz pointed to the railway project as an opportunity to achieve lasting peace.

It is important for Saudi Arabia to join the peace efforts and lead the way for peace by promoting such significant economic projects. Also to form a strategic alliance with the United States in the face of Iranian extremism and terrorism, he said.

It is a golden opportunity.
French President Macron is hosting the G5 Sahel nations in Paris to discuss action against armed groups in the Sahel region. He called on regional and international leaders to support the G5 Sahel Force.

French President Emmanuel Macron is promising joint military action against armed groups in the Sahel region of Africa early next year.

The announcement came at a summit he is hosting of the Sahel G5 nations: Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

The Sahel region is a large area of the Southern Sahara desert where groups such as ISIL and al-Qaeda are increasingly active.

Al Jazeeras Jonah Hull has more.
Coming soon to the front lines of combat, US cyber soldiers, armed with keyboards, codes and electromagnetic tools to support traditional military operations.

Coming soon to the front lines of combat, US cyber soldiers, armed with keyboards, codes and electromagnetic tools to support traditional military operations.

The US Army Cyber Command, now in its eighth year of operation, says it is getting close to regularly deploying cyber soldiers to the battlefield.

The goal is to be able to disable adversaries in the field, in real-time.

Al Jazeeras Heidi Zhou-Castro reports from Washington, DC.
MSF data shows 6,700 Rohingya were killed by Myanmar security forces in the month following August 25.

At least 6,700 Rohingya were killed by Myanmar security forces in one month following a government-led crackdown in the countrys Rakhine state in late August, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

The figure, published on Thursday in an MSF report, is significantly higher than the numbers reported by Myanmar military officials relating to the same period.

Sidney Wong, MSFs medical director, said the organisation gathered the data in six surveys of survivors of the violence in Myanmars northwestern Rakhine state, based on research and interviews from a sample population of more than 600,000 people.

Many of these refugees are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary camps in the Myanmar-Bangladesh border area.

What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured, she said.

The numbers of deaths are likely to be an underestimation as we have not surveyed all refugee settlements in Bangladesh and because the surveys dont account for the families who never made it out of Myanmar.

The report states that at least 9,000 Rohingya died in Rakhine state between August 25 and September 24, with 71.7 percent of those deaths caused by violence.

More than 620,000 Rohingya refugees have fled what the UN has labelled ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State since clashes broke out between government security forces and Rohingya fighters on August 25.

The military claims it acted legally in responding to coordinated attacks on border posts by a rebel armed group. Those who fled the violence did so voluntarily, some officials have said.

Myanmars government has denied allegations of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, but it has refused UN investigators and journalists access to areas of the country affected by the violence.

MSFs research, based on the most conservative estimations, revealed that at least 730 Rohingya children below the age of five-years-old were violently killed between in the month following August 25.

More than 59 percent of those under the age of five killed during that period were shot, 15 percent were burned to death, 7 percent were beaten to death and 2 percent killed in landmine blasts, according to MSF.

Those still entering Bangladesh from neighbouring Myanmar continue to report being subject to violence in recent weeks, Wong said.

With very few independent aid groups able to access Maungdaw district in Rakhine, we fear for the fate of Rohingya people who are still there, she added.

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal last month for the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees, but little is known of its provisions.

State Chancellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the de facto leader of Myanmar, has refused to really discuss the plight of the Rohingya.

Aung San Suu Kyi and her government do not recognise the Rohingya as an ethnic group and have blamed violence in Rakhine, and subsequent military crackdowns, on those they call terrorists.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejects declaration of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a declaration by Muslim leaders that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

In reaction to the declaration by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday, Netanyahu said that all these statements fail to impress us.

The truth will win in the end and many countries will certainly recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and also move their embassies, he added in response to the comments made by Muslim leaders during the OICs emergency summit in Istanbul.

Earlier on Wednesday, the pan-Muslim bodys members called on the international community to follow in its footsteps by rejecting the US stance on Jerusalem as dangerous.

Trump announced on December 6 that the US formally recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the city, breaking with decades of US policy.

The OIC also declared the move as a violation of international law.





Netanyahu added: Not only is it the capital of Israel but in Jerusalem, we uphold freedom of worship for all faiths and it is we who are making this promise in the Middle East even though no one else does.

The Palestinians would do well to recognise reality and work toward peace, not extremism, and acknowledge an additional fact regarding Jerusalem, he said.

The OIC also called on the United Nations to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and declared Trumps administration liable for all the consequences of not retracting from this illegal decision.

[We] consider that this dangerous declaration, which aims to change the legal status of the [city], is null and void and lacks any legitimacy, the group, with representatives from 57 states, said.

The Istanbul summit was attended by just over 20 heads of state. Saudi Arabia, the host of the OIC headquarters, sent only a senior foreign ministry official. Others, including Egypt, deployed their foreign ministers.

During the summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the move effectively disqualifies the US as an honest broker in talks between Israel and Palestine.

The extraordinary OIC summit was called for by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following Trumps announcement. Founded in 1969, the OIC bills itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world.

On Monday, Netanyahu met European Union leaders in Brussels and expressed his hope that all or most of the European states would move their embassies to Jerusalem. The EU shunned his call, saying the two-state solution remains the only path in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The status of Jerusalem is extremely sensitive and is one of the main sticking points in efforts to resolve the conflict.

Trumps move kindled a wave of protests from Asia, through the Middle East, to North Africa, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in recent days to denounce his decision.

In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, demonstrations met violence when Israeli forces fired live ammunition, dispersed tear gas canisters, and carried out a wave of arrests, leaving more than 1,900 people injured and imprisoning more than 250.

In the Gaza Strip, several Israeli air raids killed four people, and injured at least 25 others.
Pyongyang warns Washington a maritime blockade would be an act of war that would bring retribution.

North Korea warned the United States any imposition of a maritime blockade would be an act of war that would push the current standoff towards nuclear confrontation.

Discussion of a possible American sea blockade off the Korean Peninsula has emerged in media reports and academic circles in recent weeks, further ratcheting up tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.

The threat of nuclear war between the arch enemies has grown more real since US President Donald Trump took office in January. He has threatened to totally destroy North Korea  demanding it surrender its nuclear and missile programmes.

Pyongyang has baulked at the demand saying it needs a functioning state nuclear force to prevent invasion and plunder by the United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in neighbouring South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The gang of Trump  is driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula more and more close to the brink of war, acting recklessly without any sense of reason, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a Thursday report.





A naval blockade is an act of wanton violation of the sovereignty and dignity of an independent state, and an act of war of aggression which cannot be tolerated.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will chair a special meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes.

KCNA described the meeting as a desperate measure plotted by the US.

In an unusual step towards diplomacy, Tillerson on Wednesday said the US was ready to sit down and talk about the Norths denuclearisation without preconditions.

However, US National Security Adviser HR McMaster later dismissed Tillersons proposal, suggesting reporting on the secretary of states comments was incorrect.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Tillersons overture towards North Koreas Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.

This is a very good sign that shows that the American leadership is moving towards an awareness of reality, Putin said during a press conference in Moscow.

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We believe that both sides need to stop aggravating the situation. North Korea is a closed country. Its enough for one firing [of a missile] from North Korea and the consequences will be catastrophic.

Putin said Pyongyang feels threatened by Washington and sees no other way for survival other than developing weapons of mass destruction.

North Korea tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on November 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range.

For its part, the US has said all options were on the table in dealing with North Korea, including military action.

China and the United Nations also weighed in on the intensifying dispute on Thursday.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said war cannot be started over the nuclear stalemate.

The peninsula issue must, in the end, be resolved via dialogue and consultation, Xi was quoted as saying by state media.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Fridays Security Council would highlight the need for diplomacy to resolve the issue.

The worst possible thing that could happen is for us all to sleepwalk into a war, said Guterres.
Foreign ministry rejects Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital and warns of global consequences.

Qatar has called on the United States to reverse its decision recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lulwa Al Khater said on Wednesday that Qatar denounces US President Donald Trumps move and warns the international community of its consequences.

International forums have already rejected Trumps position, Al Khater said.

On Wednesday, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperations (OIC) declared East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and rejected Trumps decision as null and void at a summit in Istanbul.

Founded in 1969, the 57-member OIC bills itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world.

Trump announced on December 6 that the US formally recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the city, breaking with decades of US policy.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, while Israel says Jerusalem, which is under Israeli occupation, cannot be divided.

The international community has never recognised Israels claim to the entire city.

Khater said Qatar will work at both the Arab and Islamic levels to ensure United Nations resolutions on Jerusalem are upheld in the wake of the Washingtons policy change, citing Dohas ties with the Arab League and OIC.

Under the 1947 UN Partition Plan to divide historical Palestine between Jewish and Arab states, Jerusalem was granted special status and was meant to be placed under international sovereignty and control.

The special status was based on Jerusalems religious importance to the three Abrahamic religions; Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Nickolay Mladenov, the UNs special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, has labelled Jerusalem perhaps the most emotionally charged and difficult subject among final status issues in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The United Nations has repeatedly declared that any unilateral decision that seeks to alter the character and status of Jerusalem or that may alter these long-standing principles could seriously undermine current peace efforts and may have repercussions across the region, he said on December 8.
Amnesty International calls on Saudi-led bloc to lift blockade of Qatar, which it says is harming thousands of families.

Thousands of ordinary people are bearing the brunt of a six-month blockade imposed on Qatar by neighbouring Arab states, especially through forced separation, a new Amnesty International report has found.

The human rights group called on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to lift the blockade in order to end a series of arbitrary restrictions on families, many of which have been divided as a result of the Qatar-Gulf crisis.

The sudden imposition of restrictions impacted thousands of families and individuals across the region who make-up a tight-knit social fabric cutting across national borders, Amnesty said in a detailed statement released on Thursday.

The blockade is causing several hardships, the group said, including splitting up families, interrupting students education, threatening jobs, raising prices of staple foods in Qatar, and leaving residents of the region facing an uncertain future.

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The governments of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 amid a tense political dispute.

The countries later imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar.

They also ordered Qatari residents to leave their countries and ordered their citizens to return home from Qatar.

Families divided

Families with members that hold different citizenship were split up as a result of the policy, Amnesty documented.

While it is now possible for travellers to go from Qatar to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain or the UAE with a laissez-passer document detailing the humanitarian reason for the visit, such measures are clearly insufficient to address the human rights impact of the arbitrary, blanket measures on the regions citizens, the group said.

Many people also remain unsure about how to secure the laissez-passer.

In one case, a Saudi woman married to a Qatari man said she had not seen her elderly parents in six months. I tried to go once. They turned me back [at the land border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia], she told Amnesty.

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Another woman, a Qatari national who is married to a Bahraini man, told the human rights group she has not tried to visit Bahrain due to confusion over the procedures.

You need to have a laissez-passer, she said.

We are afraid to try and go to Bahrain because my husband and children might be banned from coming back to Qatar.

My children are in schools here they cannot stop their education if Bahrain did not allow them to enter Qatar after the visit.

Other effects

Amnesty also called on Saudi Arabia to allow Qatari nationals and foreign residents living in Qatar to have access to the important Muslim holy sites in the country.

Before the blockade came into effect, about 50,000 Qataris and between 60-80,000 Qatar residents participated in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia every year, according to Qatars Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the report said.

Migrant workers in Qatar have also acutely felt the effect of rising food prices, after Qatar was forced to import food and drink from new countries.

While the Qatari government recently announced a temporary minimum income for migrant workers, Amnesty called for additional measures to help mitigate the rising cost of food and drink.

That could include subsidies, Amnesty said, to ensure that any impacts on access to adequate food from the political dispute are minimised.
Syrias chief negotiator has blamed the West, Saudi Arabia and the UN for the failure of the latest round of negotiations to end the countrys civil war.

Bashar al-Jaafari said the Syrian opposition  supported by Saudi Arabia  was setting a pre-condition of the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as part of discussions.

As long as they maintained this, there will be no direct talks between the Assad government and the opposition, he said.

He also criticised Staffan de Mistura, UN special envoy for Syria, for comments made to Swiss television on Wednesday calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to convince his Syrian counterpart to hold new elections.

His statement undermined his mandate as a facilitator of the talks, which will affect the entire Geneva process, Jaafari said.

He said Mistura had made an error in the interview and his mandate as mediator would be reviewed.

Nobody can exert pressure on us, he said.

Al Jazeeras David Chater, reporting from Geneva, said this was the eighth round of talks that has ended in failure, with Jaafari originally announcing he quit the current round of talks on December 3.

Russian involvement

The Syrian civil war has raged since March 2011 after the Assad government used deadly force to stop protests against his rule.

The nearly seven-year war has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more.





The stalemated fighting turned in Assads favour in late 2015 after Russia deployed air power and logistical support for its Syrian ally.

Putin announced a limited withdrawal from Syria during a surprise visit to a Russian airbase in Latakia on Wednesday.

Separate talks are taking place at the moment outside the UN effort, Al Jazeeras Chater said, including between senior Assad loyalists and the Syrian opposition in an attempt to revive negotiations.

The Syrian delegation has also accepted an invitation to talks in the southern Russian resort town of Sochi, expected to be held in February.

Some observers held out hope that Syrian government representatives would meet the opposition face-to-face in Sochi  instead of back-and-forth proposals through the UN mediator.

However, Jaafari ruled that out on Thursday.

We are politicians; we dont work in science fiction, he said.
Activists say officials refused to address accusations including torture at meeting with civil society groups in Geneva.

Activists have accused Emirati officials of refusing to address criticism of the UAEs human rights record and storming out of a UN organised meeting with civil society groups.

Rights groups presented Emirati officials with evidence of alleged abuses happening in the country at the UN Universal Periodical Review (UPR) pre-session in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday.

Each year, 48 UN member states undergo the UPR to assess the human rights situation in each and to allow officials from those countries to set out what, if anything, they will do to address allegations of human rights violations.

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The pre-session gives human rights groups and civil society activists a chance to directly address officials about concerns ahead of the UPR session, which for the UAE, will take place next month.

At Wednesdays meeting, groups including the UK-based International Campaign for Freedom in the UAE (ICFUAE), Reprieve, and Al-Karama directed their criticisms and recommendations to the UAEs representative, Ahmed Awad, about human rights in the country.

Allegations made by the groups included the arbitrary arrest of political dissidents, torture of prisoners and restrictions on freedom of speech.

Cases brought up by ICFUAE, include that of British national David Haigh, who alleges torture and false imprisonment by Emirati officials.

The activists said Awad responded with a speech claiming the UAEs record on human rights was no different to other countries.

When asked by the chair of the meeting to address the specific criticisms made by the rights groups, Awad is said to have called the meeting a waste of time and walked out.

The past five years have seen an increase in practices of arbitrary detention, torture, and restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly in the country by Joe Odell, International Campaign for Freedom in the UAE

Al Jazeera contacted the UAEs Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but at the time of publication it had not received a response.

Joe Odell of ICFUAE, said Awads response reaffirmed the need for reforms in the country.

He said the UAE officials response to criticism was: symptomatic of the UAEs increasingly dismissive attitude towards international human rights law and yet another example of its failure to engage seriously with UN mechanisms.

The past five years have seen an increase in practices of arbitrary detention, torture, and restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly in the country, he added.

In recent years the UAE has drawn criticism from rights groups for its crackdown on political activists.

In its most recent report on the country, Amnesty International said the UAE was carrying out enforced disappearances, torturing dissidents, and subjecting political detainees to unfair trials, alongside a raft of other abuses.
Brexit may have just become even more complicated for Theresa May, but the UKs Leaver camp remains committed.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has suffered a major blow to her authority, after MPs voted in favour of a Brexit measure she strongly opposed.

One and a half years after the referendum the country is still split roughly down the middle.

A dozen government MPs sided with the opposition to require a parliamentary vote on the UKs final Brexit deal with the European Union.

May had promised parliament what she called a meaningful vote on Brexit, but opposed moves to make that vote binding.

The amendment passed by four votes, and is likely to complicate Mays efforts to negotiate Britains departure from the EU.

Al Jazeeras Barnaby Phillips reports from Essex.
My Talmud study partner is the rabbi of a small Orthodox congregation in Upper Manhattan, and our Sunday morning study session often starts with my study partner giving me a recap of his Saturday morning sermon. This week, as soon as I got the recap, I knew that I had to share it publicly.

In the Jewish tradition, a portion of the Five Books of Moses/the Torah is read aloud as part of the Sabbath morning service. This past weeks Torah portion featured the story of Joseph and his brothers, and included the narrative of Judah and Tamar. Despite Judahs initial actions with Joseph and Tamar, Judah later redeemed himself by confessing to having been involved with Tamar and by stepping up to the plate to save his brother Benjamin. Judah acted boldly and heroically, putting himself out and doing what was right, rather than doing that which was easy.

My study partner compared Judahs actions to those of the Maccabees (the heroes of the story of Chanukah) and to those of President Trump. The Maccabees, who were devoutly faithful Jewish fighters, waged war upon the mighty Seleucid occupiers of the Land of Israel, who were stifling religion and were preaching secularism and hedonism. The tiny Maccabean militia miraculously triumphed over the massive Seleucid army, liberating the Land of Israel and its inhabitants from anti-religious Hellenist influence. This event was marked by the famous miracle of the oil that burned for eight days, and the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled by the Seleucids, was thereupon purified and was rededicated to the service of God.

The Maccabees knew that they were right; they had conviction and did not care what anyone else thought. And they were willing to act and take great risk to stand up for what was proper.

My study partner brought this lesson forward 2200 years and focused on President Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. To deny this reality was a politically correct fiction, yet it was so convenient and even pretty much required for all U.S. Presidents, due to pressure from European, Islamic, and leftist American interests -- not to mention occasionally antagonistic and/or timid State Department leadership. But the President broke ranks and stood up to the international community and to domestic plastic politicians, declaring the capital status of Jerusalem in no uncertain terms. What a great parallel to the story of Judah and of the Maccabees.

My study partner was congratulated extremely warmly by his congregants upon returning to his seat after that sermon.

As traditional/Orthodox Jews, my coreligionists are used to going against the grain and being a counterforce to secularism and the latest fads. That is what Abraham was all about. Correspondingly, its no wonder that President Trumps support among Orthodox Jews is so strong. It is perhaps the strongest support for the President by any religious group, with the possible exception of evangelicals.

Leftist efforts to comprehensively reform and unhinge society did not emerge in a vacuum. These efforts reflect a rejection of Biblical/traditional values, marked most recently by the plague of Postmodernism and an appeal against any real values whatsoever. Right and wrong become relative terms, everything goes, and the worst forms of perversion and upheaval prevail.

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, who was the mentor of my own rabbis, stated in a 1972 lecture in Boston:

What America needs most now is an education with norms, an education where the idea of giving up and stepping backwards, restraining (i.e. humility), is prominent. Now it becomes an American tradition that if you teach some norms, religious norms, Jewish or Christian norms, so you get no support from the government... Sometimes when you listen to that, you begin to think its not Washington, its not New York -- its Moscow. In certain respects they become very close, I must say. Their fear of religion, or the awe in which they stand before the Constitutional separation of state and religion, is reminiscent -- this awe is so absurd -- that it is reminiscent of Moscow. There is no wonder you have crime in the streets

Chanukah is Gods reminder to stand strong for values  holy, eternal and true values  and to defy the majority in taking a moral stand. This is the message that was proclaimed in Jerusalem 2200 years ago and that now, through President Trump, has again been affirmed in Washington, Jerusalem, and throughout the world.

Avrohom Gordimer is a senior rabbinic fellow at the Coalition for Jewish Values, a public policy institute reflecting traditional Jewish thought. He serves on the editorial board of Jewish Action magazine, is a staff writer for the Cross-Currents website, and is a frequent contributor to Israel National News, Yated Ne'eman, and a host of other publications. He is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America and the New York Bar, and he works as an account executive at a large Jewish organization based in Manhattan. The views expressed in the above article are solely those of the writer.
How is this revenge movie going to end?

Every legal trial is also an emotional revenge drama. The legal system tries to impose whatever dignity, fairness, and honesty it can on the bloodthirsty aspects of accusations and punishments. But the more emotionally involved people become, the more easily we can turn into a primitive mob.

Well, we now have the most bloodthirsty media in American history.

The media mob desperately wants to see somebody hanged to make up for Hillary losing the last election. A just system of laws and procedures is designed to prevent that, but in the case of the so-called Special Counsel there are no safeguards. We must have faith on the integrity of the individuals running the show, and today they have lost that faith.

Which the why this whole bizarre DC vendetta is so corrupt and anti-constitutional.

The goal of the U.S. Constitution is to impose order and balance on primitive mob impulses and on power-mad freaks, but today the Constitution and the spirit of fairness it embodies have been beaten down by decades of media attacks, where justice and fairness come last, if ever. The media mob -- dont doubt for a minute that they are a mob -- attacked Kenneth Starr to cover up Bill Clintons many violations of law, which went far beyond that stained blue dress. In Watergate, the raging mob turned the other way, and President Nixon had to hang, one way or another.

Mobs have no principles; they just run after the smell of blood.

This time Donald Trump is the chosen target, but his only known crime was to win the election. Trump has shown strength and determination against his tormentors, and a willingness to strike back. That has put some fear into their hearts, but not enough to control all that murderous rage, and their fear for their own hides if the Hillary-Obama years come under objective examination.

The coming sexual harassment attack will target Trumps whole life in an attempt to stop an open examination of Clinton-Obama-Clinton corruption.

Special Prosecutors have been known to hang the nearest innocent victim, when they couldnt nail a President of the United States. Scooter Libby was one such sacrificial lamb.There have been others.

So-called Special Prosecutors are granted utterly unconstitutional powers to inflict pressure, shame, and financial penalties on their targets, with no need to prove their cases in open court. If they have no case at all, Mueller and his kind can force an out-of-court settlement to save their face.

Special Prosecutors are therefore nothing but an ugly cancer on the Constitution.

The witch hunters have apparently never wondered what could happen if the worm turned. They feel immune from ordinary consequences, even for extreme, publicly known misfeasance and malfeasance.

Thats the key: Their sense of untrammeled power. That is also why the office of the Special Prosecutor is a poisoned sword aimed at the heart of constitutional government.

But if Republicans keep the House and Senate next year they will have a full deck: POTUS, the Congress, and increasingly, the courts, including SCOTUS.

Does the left really want to risk turning America into a revenge mobocracy? In the 1950s France was such a revenge mobocracy, until Charles de Gaulle was able to establish a stabilizing constitution.

Robert Mueller and his bloodhounds have wasted a year trying to nail down a pure prosecutorial delusion, and millions of Americans know it. We also know how the whole witch-hunting dossier was forged, and we know who was responsible for corrupting the FISA Court to expose all of us to potential invasions of privacy.

Americans wonder whether this charade was created to protect Hillary and her coconspirators, including Obama officials, who may be guilty of crimes far worse than talking to Russians.

Mueller accepted the job, which came to him corruptly through the machinations his good friend James Comey, along with James Clapper, John Brennan, and scores of Deep Staters and media whores pointing their fingers at Trump without a shred of evidence. They convinced millions of ignorant liberals that there must be fire with all that smoke.

My question is whether Mueller could even bring this charade to an end without crucifying some scapegoat. For Mueller to resign with no indictments would be honest, but it would also mean a big loss of face. Disappointed liberals and Swamp critters might turn against him.

Muellers career has been based on sniffing out the prevailing political winds, but now, with every passing day, he is losing credibility.

If Mueller manages to indict a minnow he will look ridiculous. If his victim-of-choice can actually mount a vigorous defense in court, chances are good that Mueller will lose in court, if the deck isnt stacked. That should finally outrage enough Americans to abolish the Office of Liberal Witch Hunter.

So -- is there any way Mueller can end this fraud without a bloodied victim? Or does he have to spend another year and ten million dollars pursuing a ghost?

If Mueller has any personal honor, he should resign immediately, along with his yapping hyenas.

Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely said Lord Action. We are now seeing that truth enacted again in Washington, DC.

There may be no way to stop it, but the damage to public faith in the system will be immense.
Wilfrid Laurier teaching assistant Lindsay Shepherd, never anticipated she would be at the center of a media firestorm. Earlier this year, Shepherd showed her class an excerpt of a panel discussion on gender neutral pronouns and Canadian anti-discrimination law. The panel featured five guests, including Canadian psychologist Jordan B. Peterson.

After one or more students complained, the university reprimanded Shepherd for creating a toxic environment. When Shepherd leaked secretly recorded audio of two professors and an administrator reprimanding her, the university faced widespread condemnation and apologized to Shepherd.

Those unfamiliar with Canadian politics will likely be scratching their heads at this point. In 2016, a bill was introduced adding gender identity and gender expression to the list of protected categories under Canadian anti-discrimination law. On June 19th, 2017, that bill became law.

When the bill was first proposed, Jordan B. Peterson emerged as one of its most vocal opponents. Peterson, and others, argued that the bill would penalize people for not using newly created gender-neutral pronouns such as Zir to refer to non-binary people.

Pronouns here refers to third person pronouns; he, she, they. To this list the transgender community has added a number of new pronouns such as ze, sie, and hir (not to be confused with her).

These new pronouns correspond to new gender identities created for those who feel that the gender binary doesnt capture who they are. Petersons copanelist Mary Rogan, who transitioned from female to male, defended the use of such pronouns by pointing to themself.

Mary was raised female, but they decided to transition to male. While they no longer felt comfortable seeing themselves referenced as she, they didnt yet feel comfortable being referred to as "he."

The panel discussion Lindsay Shepherd excerpted dealt with the question of whether C-16 would penalize people for misgendering nonbinary folk, and if it did, whether that would be a good thing. Jordan Peterson argued it would, and that that would be a bad thing.

Shepherds supervising professor Nathan Rambukkana hold s that Petersons views on C-16 exist beyond the scope of normal political discourse. Showing a discussion with Jordan Peterson was, in his words, like neutrally playing a clip of Hitler.

According to Rambukkana, Petersons position was tantamount to arguing that transgender people shouldnt have rights. For the record, Peterson did not object to protecting transgender people from employment and housing discrimination; Peterson was worried that C-16 would be used to penalize people for not using the newly invented pronouns.

Adria Joel, Acting Manager of the Gendered Violence Prevention and Support Program, informed Lindsay Shepherd that she had violated university policy and provincial law by spreading transphobia.

M.A. program coordinator Herbert Pimlock objected to showing the clip on the grounds that Peterson lacked credibility, claiming that his work had not been subject to peer review and was therefore not credible. In fact, Peterson has published extensively in peer-reviewed psychology journals. However, because Petersons concerns about C-16 were not expressed in a peer-reviewed legal journal, Pimlock finds them, not academically credible.

Rambukkana added that college freshman are very young students, lacking the critical faculties to evaluate Jordan Petersons claims, Something of that nature is not appropriate to that age of student.

Following widespread criticism from the Canadian press, Wilfrid Laurier president Deborah Maclatchy extended an apology to Lindsay Shepherd. While Maclatchy apologized, she didnt specify whether Shepherd had acted properly. Instead, Maclatchy wrote about the need to balance free expression with anti-discrimination.

Let me be clear by stating that Laurier is committed to the abiding principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Giving life to these principles while respecting fundamentally important human rights and our institutional values of diversity and inclusion, is not a simple matter. The intense media interest points to a highly polarizing and very complicated set of issues that is affecting universities across the democratic world. The polarizing nature of the current debate does not do justice to the complexity of issues. -- Deborah Maclatchy, President and Vice Chancellor, Wilfrid Laurier University

Deborah Maclatchys vague statement left observers wondering: just how narrow are the boundaries of acceptable discourse at Canadian Universities? If playing an excerpt from a mainstream current affairs show is grounds for sanctioning, then the boundaries look very narrow indeed.
In the case of Jack Philips, the baker who doesnt want to be forced to support a gay wedding, leftists have revealed their freedom-hating fascist fanaticism and their desire to establish their faith as a government-mandated religion.

Religion interacts with politics by defining moral and behavioral codes. For example, Catholics believe murder is wrong, a moral code, and that you shouldnt eat meat on the Fridays of Lent (a penance that was ended in 1984, but is recently making a comeback), a behavioral code. Hence establishing a religion in the context of the 1st Amendment would involve providing preferential treatment to the moral and behavioral code of one particular faith, as the English government did with the Church of England.

The Constitution was specifically designed to provide freedom of religion while preventing the government from picking one religion as the winner. Historically Americans were more divided based on behavioral issues than on morality; the Ten Commandments has always been something most Americans agree on. As a result, the morality of our laws hasnt been much of an issue, apart from slavery, of course, until very recently. Even better, most Americans have no interest in using the power of the government to impose their behavioral beliefs on the rest of America; Catholics dont want to force people to eat fish on Fridays, Jews dont want pork banned from restaurants, and Protestants dont want to require people to go to services.

Sadly, leftists are trying to impose their behavioral beliefs on all Americans.

Contrary to leftist revisionism, the Framers wrote the First Amendment not to put a wall between religion and government but to prevent the government from picking one religion over all others. They did so because many of them had suffered because of the Church of Englands oppression of other faiths.

The key point is that the government should not pick one set of behavioral beliefs, on which people can disagree, and impose it on all Americans without some very compelling reason.

Contrary to the Constitution, leftists are claiming that the government has the right to force people to go against their own moral beliefs and submit to the morals defined by leftists even when there is no compelling government interest.

Leftists demanding that all Americans be forced to accept leftist moral precepts and leftist behavioral rules -- that marriage needs to be redefined, and that you must allow the transgendered into womens bathrooms. This, in effect, is creating a government-sanctioned religion that is more equal than all the other faiths in America.

Leftists are working hard to ensure that anyone who disagrees with their morals/behaviors will be punished by the government. Precisely the sort of thing that the 1st Amendment was written to prevent.

This attack on the 1st Amendment by leftists is nothing new. Demanding that leftist morals/behaviors be allowed in schools and public settings while demanding that the morals/behaviors of all other faiths be silenced has been a key theme of leftism for quite some time.

For example, allowing teachers in public schools to extol the moral/behavioral beliefs of Nietzsche while declaring that even mentioning Jesus is verboten is nothing more than an establishment of one faith, leftist atheism, above all others.

Further, leftists demand complete obedience even in cases where no one actually suffers. No gay couple has been unable to purchase a wedding cake, for example. But leftists demand complete intellectual submission to their morals/behaviors. Its as though Catholics were demanding that all orthodox Jewish delis serve pork.

Historically people understand that the 1st Amendment is not absolute; if ones religion requires human sacrifice the government has a compelling interest to stop murder for example.

But in the case of the baker no sane person would argue that there is a compelling government interest in gays having wedding cakes.

What leftists are saying is that gays right to decide who will provide their wedding cake overrides the explicit 1st Amendment right of Americans to exercise their religion. Essentially the leftist religion overrides all other faiths in America. For example, leftists stated in their arguments to the Supreme Court that the government would have the right to force a Catholic church to host a gay wedding and for Catholic lawyers to defend gay causes.

Leftists will argue that their moral and behavioral beliefs arent a religion because they dont involve a god or a formal structure. That is an invalid argument for two reasons; the Framers were concerned about the government imposing a set of moral and behavioral beliefs on the people and they used the term "religion" because at the time in America only religions had defined those things, not because they were okay with atheists imposing their beliefs. We all agree that Buddhism, which is decentralized and which does not believe in a god, is a religion. No one would think that giving Buddhist beliefs special privileges would be consistent with the First Amendment so its clear that giving the leftist faith special rights is wrong.

While leftists try and couch the discussion in terms of discrimination we can tell thats a sham. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the group that ordered Christian baker Jack Philips to endorse a gay wedding," also found that gay bakers dont have to bake a cake with a Bible citation condemning active homosexuality. Thats a clear example of moral/behavioral beliefs that align with leftists faith -- being gay is good -- are protected but moral/behavioral beliefs from other faiths -- marriage is between a man and a woman -- are not.

Its time to start condemning the lefts attack on other faiths and demand that the 1st Amendment rights of all Americans be protected.

There is no reason why what leftist define as moral and good behavior should be backed by the full power of the government. True diversity, which leftists constantly claim to support, means that all faiths should be on an equal footing in America. If a gay baker can refuse to bake a cake which cites Biblical condemnations of homosexuality, then a Christian baker can refuse to bake a cake that will be used in a gay wedding.

You can read more of toms rants at his blog, Conversations about the obvious and feel free to follow him on Twitter
Mitch Daniels, the former governor of Indiana, went from estimable presidential candidate to nondescript university president in the political timeframe of a nanosecond. Back in 2011, Daniels was on many a short list of potential Republican presidential candidates. A stalwart fiscal hawk, a tempered social conservative, a former Reagan advisor, a cost-cutting budget wonk, and a seasoned politician, the White House nod might have been his, had he picked the path.

But, alas, as Caesar opined to Brutus, he eschewed the stars and opted not to run. The reason was good: Danielss wife, Cheri, left him for a doctor in 1994. They later patched things up, but a dredging up of the past is a prerequisite of presidential campaigns, and Daniels, honorable man he is, chose family over calling.

We live with our choices, and Daniels lived with his. Today, he heads Purdue University. And while hes out of public office, he still sounds off on political issues in the pages of The Washington Post.

His latest offering, just in time for Advent season, hits on the greatest trouble of our time. As the new year approaches, the country is mired in epistemological crisis. Political polarization is at its highest point since the Civil War. Ideological purity tears at the middle that once formed our national consensus. Theres a sense that ones political party is now his tribe, and elections are bloody brawls like the kind between the Dead Rabbits and the Natives in Scorseses Gangs of New York.

Daniels pinpoints the source of our intransigence: an inability to admit fault. In Is Anyone Ever Wrong Anymore? the man once dubbed The Blade laments the loss of the biblical virtue called humility. A combination of forces has made us intellectually comfortable, reassured in our convictions.

Prior-enforcing news curation; homogenous university curriculum; consequence-free internet argumentation -- Daniels cites these and more as contributing to our know-nothingness. This confirmation bias, he writes, has mutated from a hazard of academic research to a menacing political and social phenomenon.

Danielss model for modesty is historian Stephen Ambrose, who, at the end of his life, admitted error in casting many judgements as a young chronicler of Americas past. From the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the records of Richard Nixon and Theodore Roosevelt, Ambrose refined his thinking on events and individuals who shaped American life. He was brave enough to utter what Daniels calls those three magical little words: I was wrong.

Now thats a phrase you rarely hear anymore. Truth, that concept held so dear by Greek philosophers, is passe. What matters is winning the argument. Logic, facts, and evidence be damned.

This closing of the American mind, to borrow Allan Blooms great phrase, doesnt just make civil discourse impossible. It corrupts the mind, expelling reason, filling it with a dangerous hubris. The recent spate of spurious news stories -- what our president calls fake news -- is reflective of the inflated egos of our journalist class.

The arrogance of the press was on full display last week. The media, in its furious quest to find a connection between President Trump and the Russian regime, botched three major stories. First, Brian Ross of ABC misreported that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was going to testify that Trump, as a candidate, ordered him to contact the Russians. Trump had actually made the order as president-electa completely sensible request for an incoming head of state.

Then, Reuters reported that Special Counsel Robert Mueller, as part of his ongoing probe of Russian influence on the election, had subpoenaed Trumps personal financial records from Deutsche Bank. That was wrong -- the request was not tied to Trump directly but rather associates of the President.

Friday brought the biggest fumble yet. CNN reporters Manu Raju and Jeremy Herb broke an exclusive story about the Trump campaign receiving an email containing an encryption key that was supposed to unlock stolen Wikileaks documents. The date of the email was significant: It was sent during the campaign on a day Donald Trump, Jr., happened to tweet about Wikileaks.

The Raju/Herb report was immediately seen as a smoking gun. Here, finally, was confirmation the Trump campaign had access to damning information about Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. That information was allegedly filched by the Russian government. At last, irrefutable proof Trump worked with Putin to steal the election!

Cue sad trombone. The email in question was sent one day after the documents went public. The wished-for collusion remains elusive.

In each of these incidents, the respective news organizations issued retractions, but only after another party pointed out the mistake. Had the claims gone unquestioned, theyd be treated as facts today. With ABCs flub, network president James Goldston tore into his own staff, emphasizing the need to get it right and not first. The contrition was commendable. Not everyone was apologetic about the lapses, though.

The Atlantic Senior Editor David Frum remained unashamed. Appearing on CNNs Reliable Sources, he told host Brian Stelter, mistakes are precisely the reason the people should trust the media. He then explained, without a hint of self-reflection, that the worst mistakes that press organizations have made in their coverage of Trump has precisely occurred in their overzealous effort to be fair to the president.

These are the words of a man who upholds truth by obfuscating it as much as possible. By any measure, the major media outlets screwed the pooch in their desperate need to traduce of the President. Theyve grudgingly acknowledged their blunders. But its the righteous belief in their own probity that creates the opportunity for error in the first place.

In a well-documented fashion, steady doses of viewpoint reinforcement lead not only to a resistance to alternative positions but also to a more entrenched and passionate way in which thoughts are held and expressed, Daniels writes. Even with a string of oversights, the media is adamant about proving collusion between Trump and Russia.

Its not enough for journalists to admit theyre wrong anymore. Guilt without penance isnt guilt. Unless reporting practices change, Ill question whether the press really thinks it made a mistake, or merely missed the mark on proving a narrative set firmly in their heads.
The former Fox News Anchor and part-time lingerie model, now working at the network where Matt Laurer locked his doors when not prowling the halls, has once again taken the lead in portraying President Donald Trump as a sexual predator who should be driven from office.

Now that Sen. Al Franken has said he will resign, Rep. John Conyers is on his way out, the Roy Moore dragon has been slain, the no longer politically useful Bill Clinton has been conveniently bashed, and the Democrats are once again pure as the driven snow, the decks have been cleared for a full frontal assault on the man who dared save the country from that great defender of women who have been assaulted, Hillary Clinton.

Little more than a year after the Republican debate where Megyn Kelly grilled Trump on sexual harassment allegations, she resurrected three of his debunked accusers to regurgitate their earlier charges on her Dec. 11 show:

Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks on Monday morning told NBC News Megyn Kelly about their alleged experiences with Trump. Lisa Boyne, a fourth accuser, joined them for a news conference later that day Leeds, Holvey and Crooks reflected on what it was like to watch Trump get elected after they had accused him of sexual harassment and assault Leeds first spoke to The New York Times last year, alleging that Trump groped her on an airplane more than 30 years ago He was like an octopus, she said. His hands were everywhere.

Thats not how another passenger on that flight remembered the transatlantic flight., casting significant doubt on the tall tale told by Jessica Leeds of groping by the Donald in the first class section..He portrayed Leeds as something between a groupie and a stalker who was rebuffed by Trump, according to the New York Post:

Donald Trumps campaign says a British man is countering claims that the GOP presidential nominee groped a woman on a cross-country flight more than three decades ago. The man says he was sitting across from the accuser and contacted the Trump campaign because he was incensed by her account -- which is at odds with what he witnessed. I have only met this accuser once and frankly cannot imagine why she is seeking to make out that Trump made sexual advances on her. Not only did he not do so (and I was present at all times) but it was she that was the one being flirtatious, Anthony Gilberthorpe said in a note provided to The Post by the Trump campaign

As for Samantha Holvey, who was a Miss USA contestant when private citizen Trump ran the thing, basically seems to object to Trump looking at the contestants, she says, in the same way she would later be looked at on national television by millions of men:

It was heartbreaking last year. We're private citizens and for us to put ourselves out there to try and show America who this man is and how he views women, and for them to say 'Eh, we don't care,' it hurt," said Samantha Holvey, who claims Trump would walk into dressing rooms during the Miss America pageant in 2006, the year she competed in the contest. Holvey said the first time Trump came backstage, she thought he was there for a meet and greet with all the contestants. It was not. It was hi, just looking me over like I was just a piece of meat. I was not a human being. I didnt have a brain, I didnt have a personality, she said. I was just simply there for his pleasure. It left me feeling very gross, very dirty.

It was a beauty contest, duh, and despite her complaint she wasnt there to play the piano. This was not an episode of The Apprentice. She walked around in a bathing suit displaying hr, uh, personality.

Some will say that Gilberthorpes account may be no more credible than Leeds accusation. But thats the point. Leeds accusation was accepted as credible immediately. Smear first, prove later. Guilty until proven innocent. To various extents it worked with Romney and Cain, and most recently Judge Roy Moore, why not Trump?

The rush to believe Leeds claims of groping stand in the face of the blind eye to the claims of the likes of Juanita Broaddrick, Kathleen Willey, Paula Jones and others, claims backed up by contemporaneous witness testimony and a victorious lawsuit by and with a cash settlement to Jones.

Kelly, who proudly trots out Trumps accusers and confronted him in the presidential debate, once called Juanita Broaddrick, who credibly accused Bill Clinton of rape, a liar. This led to a later public smackdown by Newt Gingrich on an episode of The Kelly File where the former speaker grilled Kelly on why she consistently went after Trump but refused to call Bill Clinton the sexual predator he was.

While Kelly was attacking Trump, she ignored the resurrection of talk about Hillary Clinton being an enabler of her husbands extramarital activities at the same time the anti-Trump media was hyping the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump engaged in dirty talk about women. Newt Gingrich confronted Kelly about her double standard:

The exchange, as reported by the New York Times, went as follows, with Kelly arguing that Trumps dirty talk in a trailer was worse than Bill Clintons turning of the Arkansas governors mansion and the Oval Office into a personal Playboy penthouse: You are fascinated with sex and you dont care about public policy, he told Ms. Kelly. Ms. Kelly: Me? Really? Mr. Gingrich: Thats what I get out of watching you tonight. Ms. Kelly: You know what Mr. Speaker, Im not fascinated by sex, but I am fascinated by the protection of women and understanding what were getting in the Oval Office and I think the American voters would like to know  Mr. Gingrich then began to talk about how Mrs. Clintons husband, former President Bill Clinton, would return to the White House because you, after all, are worried about sexual predators, an apparent allusion to Mr. Clintons affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Listen, its not about me. Its about the women and men of America, Ms. Kelly replied. She said polls showed that voters were concerned about the allegations against Mr. Trump and believed they were an issue. As the interview progressed, Mr. Gingrich turned to baiting Ms. Kelly. Do you want to comment on whether the Clinton ticket has a relationship to a sexual predator? Mr. Gingrich said, adding: I just want to hear you use the words, Bill Clinton, sexual predator. I dare you. Say, Bill Clinton, sexual predator. Kelly did not call and has not called Bill Clinton what he in fact was, a sexual predator, insisting instead that the Clinton assaults on women had been covered by her and others and wishing Gingrich well on attending to his anger issues.

As noted, Kelly, in a sparring contest with Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway essentially called Juanita Broaddrick, who along with other Bill Clinton victims, had resurfaced during the 2015 campaign, a liar:

Megyn Kelly claimed that Clinton rape accuser Juanita Broaddrick denied any rape in a 1998 affidavit. Close, but no cigar, Megyn. The story is a little more complicated than that. It was not that her story was false as Megyn Kelly implied. Like many rape victims, Broaddrick felt no one would believe her and she simply wanted to put it behind her and not be forced to relive it, particularly in any legal setting: she resisted interviews, fearing no one would believe her charge against a popular President Broaddrick feared the retaliation of Team Clinton as well as the glare of a disbelieving media. Thus she signed an affidavit denying the rape, again trying to avoid being forced to relive the horrible experience. But she told Starr and his office the affidavit was false. Starr didnt pursue the rape story not because it was false, but because it was not part of his obstruction of justice investigation. At the Trump press conference, Broaddrick, tired of being accused of being part of a vast right-wing conspiracy, and afraid that her attacker would once again occupy the White House with the woman who orchestrated the attacks on Bill Clintons bimbo eruptions, repeated her accusation: Actions speak louder than words, Broaddrick said. Mr. Trump may have said some bad words but Bill Clinton raped me and Hillary Clinton threatened me. I dont think theres any comparison.

Kelly, who professes to be against the objectification of women has on her resume the famous GQ photo shoot for that magazines December, 2010 issue in which the rising Fox News star poses provocatively in lingerie, an odd occurrence for someone who would later pompously condemn the objectification of women, except when used to advance her career. Trump would bring this up after the debate. As Politico reported:

Donald Trump continued his onslaught on Fox News host Megyn Kelly on Thursday, retweeting a follower who criticized a photo shoot she did for GQ Magazine. And this is the bimbo thats asking presidential questions?, the tweet said. It included two photos of Kelly posing provocatively and the following text: Criticizes Trump for objectifying women... Poses like this in GQ Magazine.

A fair question, one would think. But then, for Megyn Kelly, this is not about protecting women. It is about advancing your career on Matt Lauers network and bringing down a President whom you despise.

Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
For many of us, the information we carry around on a smart phone is the Rosetta Stone to decipher our lives. Our appointments, personal and business contacts, notes, favorite tunes, photographs, and many more windows into the inner recesses of our lives and livelihoods can be found there.

Besides the incredibly personal and valuable information inside our smart phones, our cell phone service providers have plenty of our valuable information, such as with whom we have spoken and even a record of our locations. And under present law, police and prosecutors dont need a warrant issued after probable cause to obtain it from those companies and look at it.

The Supreme Court recently heard oral argument in Carpenter v. U.S. about whether the Fourth Amendment protects cell phone data held by the phone companies. The case has potentially major implications for privacy in the digital age.

Over at the Law & Liberty blog, esteemed originalist Professor Mike Rappaport addresses the key Fourth Amendment issue of the day in his piece The Original Meaning and the Carpenter Case: Congresss Protection of Customer Information. He writes:

Under a straightforward, but perhaps narrow definition of paper and effect, the information would not be a paper or effect. A paper would refer to the actual physical piece of paper, not the information contained on it. An effect would refer to personal property or movables that a person can carry on their person. In neither case would the information be a paper or effect. Perhaps a paper or a memory stick with that information on it would be a paper or effect, but not the information itself. Perhaps, but my sense  albeit based on limited study  is that this information would not have been considered an effect in 1791.

Let me offer a perspective of why information should be treated as an effect under original meaning of the Fourth Amendment.

First, the value of the right of security in papers is not merely in the physical piece of paper itself. In Entick v.Carrington from 1765, English Chief Justice Pratt wrote that [p]apers are the owners goods and chattels; they are his dearest property; and are so far from enduring a seizure, that they will hardly bear an inspection. The papers at issue in that search were not the sheets being stored waiting for John Entick to print his newspaper, the Monitor. The seizure of Enticks papers for inspection was precisely for the information contained in them. And, can there be any doubt that King Charles I ordered the seizure of Sir Edward Cokes papers in 1632, delaying publication of the final volumes of his famous Institutes, because of the information contained in them?

The Framers understood that the search and seizure of papers was always about the information; paper was merely the medium of the time. In other words, the physical piece of paper protected by the right of security has its true value under the Fourth Amendment because of the information on it. A decent and proper analogy is the First Amendment freedom of the press. That freedom was about the right to publish and promulgate. This right was naturally and seamlessly extended to the broadcast media, and was not reserved to print media under the 1791 usage of the term the press.

But the Carpenter case is about information. Can that be considered an effect?

Here is a good example of why information should be considered an effect, and even in context of possession by third parties. In my wallet, I carry a small piece of paper with the code to the door of my business office. The code is of course a substitute for an office key, which would have been the method of access in 1791. A key may be carried on ones person, and would certainly be an effect under anyones understanding of original meaning.

The property value of that scrap of paper in my wallet is not the paper itself; the value of that paper is the information.

Just as my employer owned the key I was given before installation of a coded door to our offices, my employer owns the code. And just as I have needed to chastise others about severe consequences for passing out the code to temporary workers, the company property in that substitute key -- the code, in this case -- is given to certain people, but only with knowing consent of the owner.

If the government were to demand without a warrant that I provide it the information that is the code, that is no different than the government demanding that I fork over the key to my employers offices. Information in this example is the effect for Fourth Amendment purposes.

John Adamss 1780 Massachusetts precursor to the Fourth Amendment used the word possessions instead of effects. Adamss version, notes Fourth Amendment scholar William Cuddihy, was the first to use the term unreasonable, as in a right to be secure from all unreasonable searches and seizures of his person, his houses, his papers, and all his possessions.

Use of examples such as my door code sometimes dont perfectly articulate constitutional principles, but it is also true that original meaning of the Constitution can or should apply to todays technology and media. Professor Rappaport is a wonderful originalist and his view, which is shared by other originalists, may prevail. Information, though, is as dear and valuable as any paper or other possession, and seems to be compatible with the original meaning of effect.
Conservatives often seem to resist reading fiction, preferring fact-laden books on history, philosophy, or economics. Similarly, conservatives are more likely to recommend the latest book by Mark Levin or Ann Coulter, or a philosophical evergreen by Thomas Sowell or Milton Friedman, than a work of fiction.

Yet fiction can be a powerful tool in advancing ideas, as the left well understands. Fiction can entertain and outrage, trigger sympathy or revulsion, provoke pity or pride, thus allowing the political or moral point to be absorbed by the reader indirectly.

To that end, this writer humbly submits ten books that can be read and enjoyed by a conservative looking for wisdom conveyed in a different form from nonfiction. These books can be recommended to an apolitical person who resists an overtly political screed. Or they can be part of a homeschooling curriculum for a bright high school student (though some have decidedly mature themes, as noted).

The list of books is eclectic, featuring both social and economic themes and both American and European authors. In an effort to be accessible, the roster is limited to "modern" (post-19th century) novels.

With the prologue established, the list follows. Let the brickbats fly!

1984 by George Orwell

George Orwell's 1984 is a dystopian novel focusing on an individual living in "Oceania," a socialist society comprising the present-day nations of England and the Americas. Oceania is characterized by perpetual war; government surveillance; and the "thought police," who persecute "thoughtcrime."

The novel's protagonist, Winston Smith, works for the "Ministry of Truth," which is engaged in the practice of constantly editing history to conform to the current party line. People and places are changed, erased, or added as needed.

Although 1984 was intended as an indictment of totalitarianism, especially the USSR under Stalin, the novel today can be seen as a reflection of the current regime of political correctness in the popular media and academia.

The erasing of America's past, renaming of holidays, and defacing and elimination of statues can all be seen as an effort to conform America's history to the Progressive party line, in a manner similar to that foreseen by Orwell.

This is how Orwell described it:

Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street and building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.

Sound familiar?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand's magnum opus, published in 1957, has influenced more conservatives and libertarians than any other novel, from the Alt-Right Milo Yiannopoulos to the establishment Republican Paul Ryan.

While the book's atheism and materialism are off-putting to many on the right, the novel celebrates the power of the individual in human achievement, the morality of capitalism, and the centrality of the entrepreneur. These are many of the themes covered in Human Action, the treatise on economics by acclaimed economist Ludwig von Mises. But Ayn Rand's book gives flesh and blood to the Misesian themes, presenting an exciting narrative with colorful characters and exuberance. In addition, the book seems to have particular appeal to younger readers.

It appears from recent surveys that our millennials have been infected with the virus of socialism. Atlas Shrugged is the ideal antidote.

Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe

Long before Black Lives Matter and "Hands up, don't shoot," Tom Wolfe illuminated the reality of racial politics in the liberal big city.

His 1987 novel, Bonfire of the Vanities, revolves around a young, wealthy investment banker named Sherman McCoy, self-described "Master of the Universe," who accidentally enters the South Bronx at night while driving to Manhattan. Lost and disoriented, McCoy is involved in an accident with a young black man, which leads to criminal charges. But this isn't an ordinary hit-and-run case. A liberal New York prosecutor seizes on the McCoy case for his own political ends. Whether McCoy is actually guilty or not quickly becomes irrelevant  all that matters is that he a white defendant against a black victim. The novel skillfully demonstrates how the interplay of the zealous prosecutor, radical black activists, and a biased media culminate in a state of hysteria where facts become meaningless.

Thirty years later, Wolfe's take on America's racial politics remains prescient. In both the Trayvon Martin case in 2012 and the Ferguson-Michael Brown case in 2014, we saw the same interplay of forces at work: the radical activists, the cowardly and scheming politicians, and the narrative-driven media.

Bonfire helps to make sense of it all.

Camp of the Saints by Jean Raspail

Camp of the Saints was published in 1973 and quickly disappeared into obscurity. Its premise seemed too far-fetched: prompted by charitable overtures from Belgium, an armada of a million starving third-world immigrants sets sail from India, headed for Europe. The armada arrives on the shores of the French Riviera, and chaos ensues. The title of the book comes from the Book of Revelation, describing the apocalypse.

The focus of Raspail's novel is less on the advancing immigrant armada than on the various ineffectual responses of the French intelligentsia, media, and clergy. (One of the voices in support of the advancing multitude is a left-wing Latin-American pope!)

What appeared far-fetched in 1973 is coming to pass in Europe today: the introduction of a million migrants into Europe, courtesy of Angela Merkel (and with the blessing of the pope) coupled with a demographic collapse that even Raispal could not envision. The book, which had languished in obscurity, returned to the French bestseller list in 2011.

In an insightful analysis in The Federalist, John Daniel Davidson observed:

At the heart of the novel is a moral question: Is the West willing to defend itself? Denounced upon publication four decades ago as a racist, xenophobic fantasy, Raspail's book now seems vaguely prophetic  not because of what it tells us about refugees from the Third World but because of what it reveals about European civilization.

The book is uncomfortable, often painful, to read. It needs to be read anyway.

Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler

Written more than seven decades ago, Arthur Koestler's Darkness at Noon stands as one of the most penetrating denunciations of totalitarianism ever written. The book tells the story of Rubashov, a veteran of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, who is imprisoned and tried for treason by the regime he helped to create. The book is based on the infamous Moscow "show trials" of the 1930s in which Stalin purged many of the old Bolsheviks on trumped up charges obtained through manipulations and induced confessions.

The show trials were bad enough. Worse still was the fact that many intellectuals in the West defended them, including New York Times correspondent Walter Duranty.

The Times continues to whitewash Soviet atrocities to this day. Recently, the Times put together a collection of nostalgic remembrances about communism as part of a series called "Red Century," exploring the legacy of communism 100 years after the Russian Revolution. Many of the articles sounded as if they were concocted in the old Soviet propaganda ministry. In one piece, for example, we learn that "women had better sex under socialism." In another, we discover that the USSR was a global pioneer in conservation. In a third essay, fondly titled "When Communism Inspired Americans," the Times recalls that "at that time, in this place, the Marxist vision of world solidarity as translated by the Communist Party induced in the most ordinary of men and women a sense of one's own humanity that ran deep, made life feel large; large and clarified."

None of these insipid pieces can survive a single reading of Darkness at Noon.

I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe

Audaciously written from the point of view of an innocent Christian schoolgirl, I Am Charlotte Simmons is a searing indictment of the decadence of modern academia.

The protagonist, Charlotte Simmons, is an attractive and intelligent but naive freshman from a small town in North Carolina. Charlotte receives a scholarship to "DuPont University," an Ivy League school on the "other side" of the mountains, both literally and figuratively. Back home, this is front page news. She is ready to go off and live "the life of the mind" at DuPont.

But Charlotte's experiences at this elite institution turn out to be considerably different from what she expected. She discovers, to her shock, that at DuPont, academic achievement takes second place to sexual conquest. The novel explores who Charlotte Simmons is and what she becomes.

Wolfe, a master social satirist, takes on the modern university experience  the random hookups, drug use, identity politics, and jock-worship. His depiction is uncompromising  the language and sex scenes are very frank.

Though written in 2004, the book already seems dated in some respects  "safe spaces," Antifa, and transgender bathrooms were still to come. But Charlotte Simmons's enduring value is showing how the sex-soaked culture of the Ivy League college  it was based on Wolfe's interviews with students at North Carolina, Florida, Penn, Duke, and Stanford  devalues rather than liberates women.

Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour

Louis L'Amour was known primarily as a writer of westerns, but Last of the Breed is a Cold War novel, with a heavy dose of masculine survivalism. Its inclusion on this list may surprise some: it is a boy's adventure story, not an intellectual tour de force, but it's just the kind of book we desperately need today.

Last of the Breed tells the story of Joe Makatozi, an Air Force major, whose aircraft is forced down in the Soviet Union. Makatozi is an Indian, part Sioux, part Cherokee.

The Soviet interrogator seeks to exploit his "Native American victim status," but Makatozi will have none of it.

A proud Indian, a proud American, "Mack" escapes from the prison camp and heads toward America through the Bering Strait (much as his ancestors did thousands of years ago). In order to escape, however, he needs to fend off his Soviet pursuers and survive the harsh Siberian terrain.

Critic John J. Miller noted in National Review:

Moral ambiguity didn't interest L'Amour. He had a clear sense of right and wrong: People should build rather than destroy, protect the innocent and vulnerable, and recognize that law and order can descend into chaos and barbarism with savage swiftness. L'Amour also didn't write sex scenes, which made him a bit of an outlier among the popular novelists of his time. He called sex "a leisure activity" and said he had more important things to write about.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich deals with the struggle for survival in a Soviet prison camp in the 1950s, part of the vast infrastructure of such camps known as the Gulag Archipelago.

Solzhenitsyn had firsthand experience in the Siberian Gulag and movingly writes of the various prisoners and their predicaments. In the Gulag, the protagonist encounters a cross-section of Russian society, and, indeed, the novel is allegorical  the whole of Stalinist Russia was a vast prison camp with no escape. Ivan's struggle was the struggle of every oppressed victim of Communist tyranny.

Chilton Williamson, noted author and critic, wrote of Ivan Denisovitch that the novel is "a testimony to the essential unmalleability of human nature by a political system whose professed raison d'etre is to alter not only human behavior but humanity itself."

America's storytellers, particularly in Hollywood, depict Nazism as the sole or preeminent evil of the 20th century. A record of 100 million corpses suggests otherwise.

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

In 2005, Michael Crichton, author of sci-fi classics The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, produced a thriller in which the evildoers are radical environmentalists.

The theme of Crichton's adventure is that the widespread fear of catastrophic global warming is baseless. As one his characters puts it, "[l]ike the belief in witchcraft, it's an extraordinary delusion  a global fantasy worthy of the Middle Ages."

Though it's a work of fiction, State of Fear backs its assertions with scientific evidence and an impressive bibliography.

But while the book on the surface deals with global warming, it is really about something deeper: the assumption that man has the knowledge to predict the future with precision. It's the illusion upon which all central planning is built, including the "climate modeling" that serves as the basis of Al Gore's fantasies. "I prefer true but imperfect knowledge," the great economist Friedrich Hayek once said, "to a pretense of exact knowledge that is likely to be false."

Crichton considered himself a political agnostic. And while he thought climate research was impressive, it was simply not good enough to justify radically transforming energy policy. "I never thought the idea that you can't predict the future would be controversial," Crichton said, echoing Hayek.

Submission by Michel Houellebecq

Submission is set in the near future  2022  in a France that has elected a Muslim president who governs in coalition with the Socialist Party. The theme is the ascent of political Islam in Europe and the crumbling of an increasingly secular West.

The novel's protagonist is a symbol of the decadence of western Europe: sex-obsessed, materialistic, bored, lacking religious faith.

Houellebecq's frank depiction of Islam is uncompromising. As reviewer Jane Clark Sharl has noted:

There are no platitudes here of Islam as a partner-religion with Christianity, Islam as a force for unity, or Islam as a spiritualized arm of progressivism. Mr. Houellebecq describes Islam as it actually is: male-centric to the point of chauvinism, aggressive, political, dominant. He has no compunction about including all the doctrines of Islam, including those most distasteful to the contemporary elite. Despite repeated insistence otherwise, the Islam in Submission is not satirical; it is historically and ideologically accurate.

Christian conservatives may find this book a tough read  the sex scenes are graphic, and it is definitely written for a mature audience. But it's a story that needs to be told.

***

The late Andrew Breitbart famously observed that "politics is downstream from culture." Good storytelling is the way we advance the cultural narrative. Conservatives ignore this to their peril.
On a normal day, Democrats will endlessly lecture you in the most condescending fashion, making liberal use of the preface, You see. Because, of course, you dont see, you are a nonbeliever, a denier, and therefore a deplorable, barely deserving of their passing glance, much less their particular attention. And thats after theyve lost both houses of Congress and the presidency. Now with the Moore mauling in Alabama and their plot to force Trumps resignation, they are not nearly as nice.

After sacrificing two of their pawns, the now onanistic Bill Clinton and the truly deplorable Al Franken, an oleaginous blob of despicability -- he of the Im not sorry, I dont remember it, and I will resign maybe, at a later date, and GFY America, apology -- they now believe they can unseat the president on sexual harassment charges (the same ones they tried to destroy him with just before the presidential election). Hey, it worked on Moore, so theyll give it one more try.

The Democrats never stop. Moore was low-hanging fruit. He was something of a character, which made him the Democrats candidate of choice, which was why during the primary they didnt produce the three middle-aged girls, still crying about dates they had when they were teenagers, because if youre going to hold onto a gripe, you should hold onto it for four decades. They didnt want Luther Strange, probably because he wasnt as strange as Moore and they didnt have anything quite so good on him.

Look at the first accusations; three girls, two of which were past the age of consent and only there to lend credence to the third one who claimed that Moore undressed her when she was fourteen years old. Then, for the icing on the cake, there was the fourth girl, bawling her eyes out holding her high school yearbook, with what she admitted had a forged (she claimed partially forged) notation from Moore -- all, presented by Gloria Allred, a person emblematic of typical Democrat amorality.

The Democrats are relentless, they come at you from all angles, they never stop, and they have absolutely no rules. For them, at least, anything goes -- lie, cheat, steal, and defame, it doesnt matter as long as they win. Yet in the world the Democrats and the media have created, the Republicans have plenty of rules, and if they dont abide by each one, the media tries to make it a scandal.

It doesnt help that there are a lot of Republicans and conservatives who are just too pure to get down and dirty. Many Republicans would rather lose with dignity than win, but people who voted for Trump want to win. America wants to win. Republicans, all Republicans need to learn how to fight like the Democrats, or the nation is lost.

So far, the Democrats are one and one -- and it would have worked against Trump if their candidate didnt have more negatives than Satan; at least he reigns in hell, Hillary merely wanted to create hell on earth and maybe unload the remaining 80% of our uranium in the process.

Theyve been coming at Trump ever since he won the nomination. Hillary threw everything she had at him, even having her lawyers, Perkins Coie, pay (breaking campaign laws to do so) almost $10 million for the ignominious Trump dossier. Opposition research, that even James Comey called salacious and unverified. Then Obama apparatchiks in the FBI and the Justice Department used the dossier to get FISA warrants to spy on members of the Trump campaign.

Ask yourself why that isnt a bigger story. Dont bother, its because the media has become an arm of the Democratic Party.

The one thing she thought would work, however, the coup de grace, the Accusers, didnt have the impact the Democrats assumed they would have. The electorate ignored them.

After Trump won, they opened with the Russians stole the election meme and that was the reason they gave for members of the Electoral College not to do their constitutional duty to vote for Trump and instead vote for Hillary.

At the same time, they wanted recounts -- it almost worked for Gore in 2000. We keep counting until I win! And it did work for hands-on Al Franken when they actually did count until he won in 2008.

Stealing elections is allowable for Democrats.

Interregnum, it was the 25th Amendment -- Trump was just too crazy to be president. Then it was the emoluments clause -- thats particularly rich since no one would have gotten richer than Hillary had she become president -- look at the hundreds of millions she made as Secretary of State.

Then it was collusion. The fact that anyone would believe that the Russians would prefer a volatile hothead like Donald Trump to a Hillary Clinton they had already bought and paid for with the Uranium One deal strains the limits of possibility.

In unison with collusion we had, the We need a special prosecutor, outcry -- which they got, courtesy of Comey the chameleon, who absolved Hillary of all crimes,with respect to her illegal private server and the mishandling of classified information, even though he was not a prosecutor and even though she was demonstrably guilty.

Then with the firing of Comey, it was, obstruction of justice. Now its just an outright case for impeachment being built by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, whose dream team of Hillary donors and Democrat moles have more scandals and conflicts of interest than even Hillary had.

I wont get into how Huma Abedin (infamous for her husband, Anthony Weiner who ran in the 2013 New York City mayoral erection) and Cheryl Mills can lie to the FBI and go unpunished while an American hero, retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, has to cop a plea to keep Mueller from bankrupting his family and going after his son.

Now the Democrats have a new Hillary, Kirsten Gillibrand. You have to give her credit -- she saw an opening and she took it. She was the first to say Bill Clinton should have resigned 20 years ago (what a brave stand, something that didnt occur to her for the ten years she has steadfastly supported him or when she took Clinton money and campaigned with Bill by her side). Then she was the first to call for Frankens resignation. Now she is the first to call for Trumps resignation, just after the re-release of the 2016 Accusers.

If it doesnt work, so be it. She has a Plan B, and it involves 2020.

Its all a calculation on her part. She knew she would make the perfect candidate. Shes a Democrat and a woman, and younger than Fauxcahontas, Elizabeth Warren. Now especially, with the moral high ground after her very, very brave stance against a long-retired rapist and a man no one likes. Its just too bad shes not a minority, cripple, or transvestite, then shed be a sure winner in 2020.

Still, if that doesnt work, look for them to find something else to unseat Trump. They will not rest because they are convinced the presidency belongs to them and elections mean nothing -- unless of course, they win, then they mean everything. In fact, if it were up to the Democrats there would be no elections -- the people are just too stupid to realize that the Democrats deserve to rule the world.

Now tell me, is there anything more despicable than a Democrat?
"I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy's office - that there's no way he [Trump] gets elected  but I'm afraid we can't take that risk," writes FBI counterintelligence officer Peter Strzok to FBI lawyer Lisa Page, with whom he was having an extramarital affair while spearheading both the Clinton email inquiry and the early Trump-Russia probe, adding, "It's like a life insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you're 40" (March 4, 2016).

Isn't it clear that "the path" was a developing strategy by which these co-conspirators would stop Trump by any means necessary? Was it at that meeting with "Andy" McCabe, then #2 at the FBI, where the three of them conjured the idea of using the FISA court to get warrants in order to unmask members of the Trump campaign so they could be surveilled?

Surely, they would find something criminal.

"Show me the man, and I'll show you the crime." Lavrentiy Beria, head of Joseph Stalin's secret police

These people obviously believed themselves to be above the law. And then, when Trump became the GOP candidate, they instituted the next phase: use the fake dossier commissioned by the Hillary Clinton campaign, the one filled with all manner of fabricated crimes and offenses Trump had allegedly committed, maybe even pay Fusion GPS to amp it up, make it even more salacious. Then they would use it to bring about Trump's downfall.

They had planned to prevent his election.

When that failed, they planned to take him out before inauguration.

Once he was inaugurated, they doubled down.

In cahoots with Comey, they would lie, cheat, and leak. Then, when, for good reason, Trump fired James Comey, they, these arrogant, biased snobs at the FBI, shifted into high gear. They began leaking like sieves (remember Ellen Farkus?).

Then there are Charles Ohr of the DOJ and his lovely wife, Nellie.

Ohr met with Christopher Steele before and after the election. Steele is the man who provided the dirt on Trump via his pals in Moscow. Then Mrs. Ohr got a ham radio license! The NSA would be hard pressed to capture those conversations. So an employee of the DOJ was paid by Fusion GPS to further harm Trump.

In an atypical moment of craven cowardice, Jeff Sessions foolishly recused himself from the made-up-out-of-whole-cloth collusion with Russia inquiry, turning the power over the eventual investigation to Rod Rosenstein, the man who embarrassed himself at the hearing before the House Oversight Committee yesterday. Jim Jordan, Trey Gowdy, and a few others asked him withering questions on point and got nowhere. The man defended Mueller's hiring a team chock-full of progressive activists. The obvious conclusion is that their mission, which they chose to accept, was to find Trump guilty of an impeachable offense. There was no crime to begin with; Sessions never should have allowed this investigation. But this team of witch-hunters was given free rein and an unlimited budget to get the job done.

This is a constitutional crisis so much worse than Watergate that it boggles the mind. Americans now are coming to grips with the fact that their government law enforcement institutions are corrupt to the core. The left embraces this reality because leftists think it benefits them. The Republicans in Congress are, with several terrific exceptions, all Walter Mittys, powerful in their own minds but absolute wusses on planet Earth.

Bottom line? Our DOJ and FBI (and the IRS) have been hopelessly corrupted by the Obama administration that used them to torment its opponents. Neither agency can now be trusted. They are tainted by their self-righteous campaign to destroy a man they loathe for, most of all, being an outsider. Trump was never a member of their exclusive club; he was busy working, building things all over the world, employing thousands of people, getting things done. Imagine his frustration at the snail's pace at which Congress works. They work hard at getting nothing done.

Hats off to Jim Jordan, Trey Gowdy, Louie Gohmert, Ron DeSantis, and Chuck Grassley, to name a few of the few. Their responses to the thoroughly ridiculous conflicts of interest that invalidate the Mueller investigation are normal, and they are justifiably outraged. The Democrats seem to have no problem at all with all the overt malice at the root of the Obama-Clinton plan to stop Trump.

Let us hope that the I.G. investigation into all of this will be legitimate, honest, and above board. Is it looking into the Clintons' corruption re: Uranium One, and their habit of selling access? Will the I.G. report include information about the Clintons' takeover of the DNC, the hacking of the DNC computers that they refused to let the FBI examine? The murder of Seth Rich? Who exactly is Imran Awan, the I.T. guy who probably knows everything and likely was blackmailing a few Dems?

The damning texts from Strzok to his paramour, an FBI lawyer, are a sad commentary on the state of the FBI. The agency has a severe ethics problem and can no longer be trusted to enforce the law. Mueller once headed the FBI but did not know better than to stack his team with anti-Trump activists! That does not pass the smell test. He did because he knew no one would stop him. McCabe is tainted, as is Rosenstein. Time will tell us how Wray performs, but he has yet to impress. As Camus said, "a man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world." Our FBI and DOJ have become wild beasts that threaten American civil society.
Democrat Marcy Kaptur horrified her fellow Democrats by suggesting that women's clothing has a lot to do with how they can expect to get treated. Sounds like common sense, except that she said it during a great shakeout of sexual harassers in positions of power, and in front of politically correct leftists, who said they were "aghast."

Marcy, Marcy, Marcy.

Let's unpack this.

The most significant thing here about this political blunder is that it was made by a woman. And she's not the first. Lefty designer Donna Karan made the same kind of remark when the news of the Harvey Weinstein scandal first broke, wondering if some women are dressing for "trouble." She walked back that one pronto. And now Kaptur has walked back the remarks, too. Politico reports:

In a statement to POLITICO later Wednesday, Kaptur said she never meant to suggest that women are to blame for harassment they experience. "When I was first elected to Congress my office and I became a refuge for female staffers who had been mistreated by their bosses. Some of them in tears many days. It is something I carry with me to this day and something I brought up during our Caucus meeting," she said. "Under no circumstances is it the victim's fault if they are harassed in any way. I shared the stories from my time here in the context of the 'Me Too' legislation and how we can elevate the decorum and the dress code to protect women from what is a pervasive problem here and in society at large."

Yes, it's easy to imagine she is a hypocrite, as the "aghast" lefties who heard the remarks will undoubtedly say. But what Kaptur alluded to was that sometimes, a sort of sexual harassment in reverse goes on, when women dress to sell their "assets" instead of their competence, to men, of course, in a bid to get ahead. When someone shows up with boobs on display at the office, it's not her brains she's selling.

Other women see that and get disgusted. Can someone like Kaptur, who dresses professionally and is 71, "compete" with that? This explains why Kaptur noticed this aspect of the problem. It's not all that different from bare-breasted women of Papua New Guinea who cover up when other women who are covered up show up. Women are competitive.

But instead of blaming the men who fall for such tactics (and it certainly is blameworthy), Kaptur's blunder is that she lays the blame on the women who are attempting to manipulate their way into a career or romantic advantage, or at least she was until she got swept up in the backlash. In reality, the blame is two-way. But don't expect the left to admit it.

Sometimes, the women aren't entirely at fault. Some aren't aware of the effect they are having on men  they're "innocently immodest," as Joseph Conrad phrased it in one of his novels. Another problem: What's on sale in the stores? If all they've got are shoulder-baring tops with cutouts and that's all you see in women's magazines, it shouldn't be that surprising when that's what turns up at the office. Plenty of blame goes to what designers, magazines, and stores are selling in a particular season. That industry, of course, blames the buyers; being businesses, they sell what sells, so it's a circular problem, but there is plenty of blame to go around.

It is a problem when some women use the way they dress to gain advantages, and a more visible one than the behind-closed-doors harassment allegations of guys like Harvey Weinstein and Russell Simmons, but it's just plain taboo to bring it up.

Here's what's going on: a confusion of dress codes and harassment codes. Kaptur did have the commonsense idea of dress codes at the office, as is done in a corporate setting (except if the corporation is in Hollywood), to resolve the office tramp problem. Whether anyone will have the guts to enforce it in Congress is a separate matter. The sex harassment problem (which often isn't solely linked to dress) is separate and the one being focused on right now, as so much of the left establishment (and a tiny bit of the right establishment) shakes itself out.

Kaptur had the right thought expressed to a partisan audience that will never sort this out as it should be sorted out.
The Democrats backed away from their threat to shut the government down if Congress didn't amnesty Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients. This should be a clue to DACA recipients that they have been used as political tools all along.

Because for a while there, nothing was more important to Democrats than getting these foreigners the benefits of U.S. residency and citizenship. They wouldn't budge. Border control had to go, too. They'd never bend, they said. It was baffling. They were willing to shut the entire government down if DACA recipients didn't get to stay here, even though there were only 800,000 of them and not all would take advantage of it? Even with chain migration, it was a relatively small number compared to the 300-million-plus size of the U.S. Would they really shut the government down for this relatively small group of politically useful foreigners?

Nope, they caved in and folded like a cheap suit when word got around that shutting down the government would mean the voters would blame the Democrats. Political expediency concentrates their minds. So long, DACA kids. Net result: DACA recipients got a temporary fix for a few years, not amnesty and free citizenship ahead of all the people waiting in line.

Politics is what Democrats operate on, not altruism. And DACA was political for them. Ever since the 2008 Democratic Convention, Democrats have propounded the "narrative" that Latino voters are the future, Latino voters are taking over the U.S., Latino voters will be decisive in every election, and Latino voters will almost exclusively vote Democrat. Translation: Dems would rule forever. So of course they'd be willing to shut the government down on behalf of DACA recipients.

But they didn't. Trump got elected, and they pitched their precious DACA recipients over the side to preserve their political advantages against him. Bye-bye, DACA kids.

DACA recipients should take this Democrat behavior into account and start to work with Republicans.

Perhaps now they can come up with some better solutions to their debacle by focusing on how to redo their immigration legally, how to ensure that consequence-free border-crossing never happens again, and how to make themselves attractive as immigration candidates, not just the obedient sad sacks Democrats want to rope into their political machine.
There is a huge market for fantasies of doom, and some scientists are doing their best to keep pace with filmmakers. Horror films feed an enduring human need to be scared. And now that greenies have thoroughly scared us with tales of impending apocalypse as the end result of our scientific progress, scientists around the world have wised up and taken steps to give the market what it demands.

Unfortunately, the vast rewards for fabricating doom have led to some awful abuses, a few of which are starting to be documented. Take, for example, this article published in the widely read journal Nature. Quirin Schiermier writes:

Two Swedish scientists have been found guilty of "misconduct in research" in a paper that they published in Science and later retracted. Their highly publicized work had suggested that tiny particles of plastic in the ocean harm fish. The misconduct ruling was made by an investigative board from Uppsala University in Sweden, where the researchers work.

Marine biologist Oona Lonnstedt and limnologist Peter Eklov originally reported in their 2016 paper that microplastic particles have negative effects on young fish, including reducing their efforts to avoid predators. The duo's report described a series of experiments on an island in the Baltic Sea.



Researchers Peter Eklov (left) and Oona Lonnstedt.

The investigation involved three separate inquiries, with the first exonerating the scientists after doubts emerged and the second finding against them. The third, conducted by the university employing the scientists, was definitive:

In its decision, announced on 7 December, the board finds Lonnstedt guilty of having intentionally fabricated data; it alleges that Lonnstedt did not conduct the experiments during the period  and to the extent  described in the Science paper. Eklov, who was Lonnstedt's supervisor and co-author, failed to check that the research was carried out as described, the board says. However, by the rules in force at Uppsala at the time of the work, which required that misconduct findings apply only to intentional acts, the board said that Eklov's failure to check the research "cannot entail liability for misconduct in research" . Both researchers, the board concluded, "are guilty of misconduct in research by violating the regulations on ethical approval for animal experimentation". On the basis of the board's report, Akesson rendered a decision that "Oona Lonnstedt and Peter Eklov are guilty of misconduct in research." It was only when the new board looked into the matter again that the university fully realized the seriousness of the allegations, says Erik Lempert, chair of the board. "That long and arduous battle has finally concluded with a reasonable outcome," says Timothy Clark, an ecologist at Deakin University in Geelong, Australia, who was one of the researchers to initially raise concerns about the paper Eklov wrote in an e-mail to Nature that he takes full responsibility for the errors in the animal ethical permit. "But most of all I am very disappointed on my colleague to find out that she actually had fabricated data," he says. "At the same time, it is very good that the committee was able to clarify these circumstances to whether she actually was guilty."

The global warming fraud continues to generate billions in research grants for compliant scientists  with their universities raking off a customary one third to one half of the grants to pay for "overhead"  but other prophets of doom in multiple disciplines have caught on.

Mary Shelly was among the first to apply the Promethean mythology, of man undone by his ambitions to improve the human state, to the modern scientific age, in her novel Frankenstein, subtitled "The Modern Prometheus." The many film versions and spinoffs of that particular fantasy have been joined in recent decades by the ecological horror fantasy genre. There are so many of these movies that a market exists for lists of the Best Sci-Fi Films about Environmental Collapse.

Fantasies of a horrific fate awaiting us are fine for movie producers. Unfortunately, too many fantasists working in lab coats have discovered the fame and fortune that can be theirs with the right storyline.

Hat tip: Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit
A guilty conscience? Or the first casualty in the war on sexual harassment?

Kentucky state representative Dan Johnson, who had been accused of molesting a 17-year-old girl in 2012, committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself to death.

Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said Johnson drove onto the bridge over the Salt River on Greenwell Ford Road in Mt. Washington, parked on the north side of it and shot himself in front of his car. His body was found on the bank of the river, just past the bridge.

He left a suicide note on his Facebook page:

The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be. AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news . Conservatives take a stand. I LOVE GOD and I LOVE MY WIFE, who is the best WIFE in the world,My Love Forever ! My Mom and Dad my FAMILY and all five of my kids and Nine grandchildren two in tummies and many more to come each of you or a total gift from GOD stay strong, REBECCA needs YOU . 9-11-2001 NYC/WTC, PTSD 24/7 16 years is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. IT Has Won This Life . BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME. PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY, Only Three things I ask of you to do,if you love me is (1)blame no person,Satan is the accuser, so blame the Devil himself. (2) Forgive and Love everyone especially yourself .(3)most importantly LOVE GOD. P.S. I LOVE MY FRIENDS YOU ARE FAMILY ! GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT !

Make of that what you will.

On Tuesday, Johnson held a press conference at his church on Bardstown Road, where he denied the molestation allegations. According to court documents obtained by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, the alleged molestation took place on New Year's Eve in 2012. The alleged victim, who was 17 at the time, told authorities that she was staying in a living area of the Heart of Fire City Church where Johnson was pastor, when Johnson, who had been drinking a lot, approached her, kissed her and fondled her under her clothes. Michael Skoler, the president of Louisville Public Media, which owns the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, released a statement after Johnson's death: "All of us at Louisville Public Media are deeply sad to hear that State Representative Dan Johnson has died, apparently of suicide. We grieve for his family, friends, church community and constituents. Our Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting released a report on Johnson this week. Our aim, as always, is to provide the public with fact-based, unbiased reporting and hold public officials accountable for their actions. As part of our process, we reached out to Representative Johnson numerous times over the course of a seven-month investigation. He declined requests to talk about our findings." Johnson was never criminally charged.

In this hysterical atmosphere, an accusation alone is enough to ruin someone's life. This is not to say Johnson is innocent of the accusation  he may well be guilty. But something is very, very wrong when an accused is charged, tried, and convicted in the media while his denials are ignored.

In Johnson's case, there is no context in which the actions of which he is accused can be justified or misunderstood. But the same is not true when two adults are alone in the same room. What is "inappropriate"? What is "assault" or "harassment"? These are questions a jury would have a difficult time deciding after days or weeks of testimony. But we don't need a jury these days  only accusers, many who wish to remain anonymous, and a media willing to fan the flames of scandal, which, as any five-year-old could tell you, sells.

Salem II? It's the very same mindset that led to innocent people being burned to death. Can we address the real and serious problem of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace without the media becoming judge, jury, and executioner? Not when it plays into so many juicy narratives, including the feminist "all men are pigs" narrative and social justice warriors whose scattershot approach to proving a "rape culture" exists on campus and elsewhere has opened the door to these media star chamber proceedings.

There is not only a demand that all women be believed when accusing men, but also no credible defense a man can mount to protect himself. It is not a question of "he said, she said," but rather "she said, sit down, and shut up."

Johnson may be a victim or a pervert. The real story is that while we'll never know for sure, his conviction on social media and in the press has already had its way with him.
May I ask you a provocative question? Have you ever been raped? Specifically, have you ever been raped and then invited your would-be rapist to spend the night with you afterward, and then had breakfast with your attacker the following morning, and then, sometime later, when the alleged rapist did not call you as he promised he would, only then decided you were raped?

This is not a purely theoretical question, but rather is one of the cases spotlighted by the New York Times to show the need for greater prosecution of "date rape." The Obama administration felt that there was an epidemic of underreported "date rape" on college campuses. (Incidences of reported rape were low...and therefore underreported. If you haven't learned how to think like a liberal, it's never too late to start!)

And so the federal government used its rather amorphous powers under Title IX to press colleges into more aggressive action. Specifically, Title IX is "the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in schools that receive public funds[.]"

What, you may ask, does gender discrimination have to do with prosecution of alleged rapes? Well, not much. But perhaps if you strain, you can find a shadow or a penumbra of the law (the same magic words used to find the nonexistent right to abortion in the Constitution) that implies a power to impress colleges into prosecuting more men for alleged date rape.

In 2011, following an investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity on campus assault, the Obama administration decided to act. The Office for Civil Rights sent a "dear colleague letter" reminding colleges that sexual harassment and assault create an environment so hostile that women's access to education is jeopardized, violating their civil rights[.] ... A subsequent clarification of the letter created no uniform policy for how schools should adjudicate cases, but it offered recommendations like having schools inform students that drinking "never makes the survivor at fault for sexual violence" and discouraging colleges from allowing either party to directly cross-examine the other in investigations. Schools that failed to uphold standards risked losing federal funds.

Schools, under pressure, started prosecuting men using lower standards of proof:

The most widespread criticism was that the letter forced schools to lower their standard of proof when assessing claims, to the "preponderance of evidence" standard commonly used in civil lawsuits. Unlike the higher standard used in some civil trials, which require "clear and convincing evidence," or the highest standard used in criminal trials, which require certainty "beyond reasonable doubt," preponderance is often described as 50.01 percent certainty of guilt. If an accused student is found more likely than not to have committed the offense, he or she is "responsible," in the parlance of campus hearings. While there were exceptions before 2011  schools that used "clear and convincing" or, in a few instances, "beyond reasonable doubt"  preponderance was used in about 80 percent of colleges that had any fixed standard.

This brings us to the case of the breakfast date rapist.

At Kennesaw State University, one woman found that as the Georgia debate around Title IX grew, her case was caught up in the furor. According to her complaint, early one morning in February 2016, she was raped by a male friend, when consensual fooling around ended in nonconsensual intercourse that she explicitly refused. At first, she told me, she thought her friend had merely "disrespected" her clear line. She let him spend the night, and in the morning they ate breakfast, making plans to meet later. The man didn't call, and the woman, troubled, talked to friends, who told her she was describing rape.

The man was suspended, but the Times was upset because under the Trump administration, the Department of Education is not pressuring colleges as Obama once did to convict accused men based on lower standards of guilt, and the man's suspension was reversed. As Georgia state rep. Earl Ehrart said:

"This is the second of the absolutely ridiculous cases I was concerned about. I label this one 'breakfast with a rapist' made for TV absurdity." He noted ... his belief that "with a new administration in D.C., the guidance letters are now garbage, and the threat of federal funding is off the table."

For most crimes, liberals are the first to say leniency should be shown and the accused should be given the benefit of every doubt  except when it comes to the nebulous, murky matter of "date rape." The fact is that there is already an agency that handles "date rape" besides the federal government. It's called the police. But the Obama administration didn't find that police and local prosecutors were taking enough cases. That's because police and prosecutors adhered to the standard of "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," which is impossible to prove in cases like the "breakfast date rape."

Now Trump, and by extension his secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, are taking heat for going back to the old standard: innocent until proven guilty. Liberals are so disconnected from reality that they are using the example of the "breakfast date rape" to show that Trump is insensitive to the alleged date rape of women on campus. If this were any other crime  drug usage, drug dealing, drunk driving by illegal aliens, or armed robbery  the Times would be making every kind of excuse for the accused. But since this is a crime against a gender, that makes it political, and the Times effortlessly switches over to "guilty before proven innocent" even for ridiculous cases such as this one. It's comical to realize how out of touch the newspaper is to highlight this case as a supposed injustice to the "victim," whose behavior would have made it absolutely impossible to prosecute her alleged attacker in any court of law.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at Newsmachete.com.
Jewish Museum in Ferrara - an Italian story Mattarella and Franceschini attend inauguration

(by Gianluca Angelini) (ANSAmed) - FERRARA, DECEMBER 14 - A large building in the heart of Ferrara that hosted the city's prison until 1992 has become a museum dedicated to Jewish history and tradition. The National Museum of Italian Judaism and Shoah (Meis) focuses on the history of Italian Jews over 22 centuries.



Culture Minister Dario Franceschini and President Sergio Mattarella inaugurated the museum, whose creation was approved by Parliament in 2003 and funded by the culture ministry with 47 million euros, to narrate the over two thousand years of Jewish presence in Italy and the contribution given by this community to the country's development through a wide-ranging scientific and cultural display. The museum will be completed in 2020 with the creation of five modern buildings to recall the five books of the Torah.



Franceschini said that the museum ''is an important site because it recalls the Jewish presence in the country and will be an important place for youths, for people who know little of the millennial history of Italian Judaism. Moreover - he added - it will be an interesting place for international tourism: we presented it in New York and Jerusalem and met with great interest''.



The museum in Ferrara, created thanks to a law unanimously voted by the Lower House and Senate, the minister also said, will vie to attract students from Italy and abroad because ''investing in knowledge means offering the strongest antidote against all the risks and fears of our time''.



The museum offered the multimedia performance 'Con gli occhi degli Ebrei italiani (with the eyes of Italian Jews) for the inauguration, introducing the museum's theme and the exhibiting tour 'Jews, an Italian story. The first 1,000 years'.



The event runs through September 16 to reveal the origin of Italian Judaism and is curated by Anna Foa, Giancarlo Lacerenza and Daniele Jalla, with a setting by Gtrf from Brescia.



On display are 200 precious objects, including 20 manuscripts, 18 Medieval documents, 49 epigraphs from the Roman and Medieval ages and 1212 rings, seals, coins and amulets from all over the world including Genizah in Cairo, the National Archaeological Museum in Naples; the Vatican Museums, the Bodleian Library in Oxford, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and the Cambridge University Library. (ANSAmed).




Belgium closes extradition procedure for Puigdemont After Spain's annulment of international arrest warrant

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 14 - Judicial authorities in Belgium announced on Thursday the closure of the extradition procedure for deposed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and four of his government's ministers, the Brussels Council Chamber said.



The decision follows the Spanish judiciary's annulment of its previously issued international arrest warrant for Puigdemont.(ANSAmed).




Migrants: Libya, 116 rescued east of Tripoli African migrants aboard dinghy, including five women, 14 kids

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, DECEMBER 14 - A Libyan ''coast guard cutter'', the Sabrath,a ''was able to rescue a group of 116 illegal migrants of various African nationalities, including five women and 14 children aboard a dinghy 16 miles north of Gasr Garabulli'', according to a statement published by the Libyan Navy, referring to the town of Castelverde located some 60 km east of Tripoli.



The migrants ''were taken to the naval base of Tripoli and handed over to the authority for the fight against illegal immigration'', according to the statement. (ANSAmed).




BEIRUT - Twenty-three people, all related to one another, including eight children and teens, were killed in an air raid carried out by the US-led international coalition in a village in eastern Syria, according to the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The village struck by the raid is called Al Jerthi, in Deir az Zor province. The raid was carried out yesterday to support Kurdish-majority militias fighting ISIS.

According to the monitoring group, the 23 victims of the raid were displaced people who had fled a conflict-torn area near the city of Sbikhan.

The village of Al Jerthy is on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, where the so-called Syrian democratic forces (Sdf), supported by coalition raids, are continuing to fight against ISIS militants holding on to their remaining positions in the region.

The monitoring group stressed that the village where the family was killed was occupied shortly after the raid by Sdf militias.
ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean

(ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 14 - These are some of the main events scheduled for today in the Euro-Mediterranean area: BRUSSELS - Meeting of the EU-AU-UN task force on migrants.



BRUSSELS - EU, Commissioner Johannes Hahn keynote speech at the EUROMED Invest final conference: Four years boosting Business in the Euro-Mediterranean region.



BRUSSELS - Decision expected on extradition of dismissed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont. (ANSAmed).




TEL AVIV - The visit on December 17-19 of US Vice President Mike Pence to Israel and the region has been postponed ''by a few days'', according to a source in Jerusalem. The source said the decision was taken because Pence needed to be in Congress.

The visit - according to the same source - has been rescheduled for the middle of next week.

Meanwhile Israel has announced the closure on Thursday of the border crossings of Erez and Kerem Shalom (commercial) with Gaza. The decision - which follows rockets launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, including last night - was motivated by the army, quoted by local media, with security reasons.
BRUSSELS - European Council President Donald ''Tusk has said the truth on mandatory quotas'' for the relocation of asylum seekers, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was quoted as saying by local news agency Mti.

''Finally, a serious European leader, the president of the European Council, the number one office of the EU - said Szijjarto - has spoken about a widely known truth. Mandatory quotas are ineffective and divisive. Illegal migration must be stopped. Some bureaucrats in Brussels continue to organize it''.

The issue of mandatory quotas will be at the center of a dinner tonight on the migration dossier at a summit of EU leaders.

Over the past few days the president of the European Council had sent a letter to the leaders of the 28 member states in which he put into perspective the role of the European Commission on migration management and defined quotas as ''ineffective'' and ''divisive'', sparking protests from many member states and an institutional clash with the EU executive.


US ready to accept Assad until 2021, sources say New Yorker article cites US and European officials

(ANSAmed) - WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 14 - The Trump administration still wants a political process with the possibility of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stepping down, but is willing to accept his continued governing until Syria's next presidential election in 2021, according to an article in the New Yorker.



The decision reflects the White House's limited options, the military situation on the ground, and the success of the powerful Russia-Iran-Turkey troika that helped Assad remain in power.



The decision, if confirmed, would be a resounding reversal with respect to Trump administration statements thus far, which indicated that Assad needed to step down as part of the peace process.



During his Middle East visit in October, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, "The United States wants a whole and unified Syria with no role for Bashar al-Assad in the government. The reign of the Assad family is coming to an end.



The only issue is how that should that be brought about." Given the political and military reality, US officials have now concluded that any transition of power would depend on depend on a credible election conducted by the United Nations, as well as the involvement of millions of refugees, allowing for the emergence of a new and more credible Syrian opposition alongside a long reconstruction process: all of which is a destination that requires time to reach.(ANSAmed).




The spy thriller will not release in Pakistan after it failed to obtain a clearance from the country's Central Board of Film Censors.

Karachi: Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer spy thriller 'Tiger Zinda Hai will not release in Pakistan after it failed to obtain a clearance from the country's Central Board of Film Censors.

Geo Films, which has the distribution rights for the film in Pakistan, had started publishing the release of the film with the note 'subject to censor clearance', but its release on December 22 is unlikely now.

Geo Films has also sent out an official statement, saying, "Our preferred option was that Tiger Zinda Hai should have been allowed for import, presented to Censor Board, and if any objectionable material was found against the interests of Pakistan / Islam, exhibition of TZH shouldn't have been allowed then. In fact, if there was anything against the national interests of Pakistan in the film, we ourselves wouldn't have sought the exhibition but this could have been done only after preview of the film.Instead, we were verbally advised that Ministry of Information has decided not to issue NOC for import of Tiger Zinda Hai. No reasons assigned. We expect written response either from the Ministry of Information or from Central Board of Film Censors Pakistan tomorrow."

The first part, 'Ek Tha Tiger', was also not cleared for the release in Pakistan.

Sources said the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage has refused to grant a No-Objection Certificate for the film upon CBFC's recommendation.

Pakistan-related scenes are reportedly the basis for the film's non-clearance.

In the spy thriller, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Salman plays the role of a RAW agent who falls in love with Pakistani spy Zoya (Katrina), and together they team up to fight against terrorists.
The results for the two Assembly elections will be announced on December 18

The Bharatiya Janata Party will oust the ruling Congress party, winning 47-55 seats, predicts India Today-Axis My India exit poll for Himachal Pradesh. (Photo: PTI/File)

Mumbai: All the exit polls for the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have predicted an easy victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Gujarat:

The TIMES NOW-VMR exit poll has predicted a big win for the BJP in Gujarat, where the second phase of the polls ended on Thursday, with 109 seats.

The Congress, which hoped to dethrone the BJP government in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been projected to win 70 seats, while the rest will win three.

The NewsX-CNX exit poll gave BJP 115 seats and the Congress 65.

India Today-Axis My India predicts BJPs victory for the sixth consecutive time. The saffron party is projected to win 99-113 seats, while the Congress would get 68-82 seats.

The ABP News-CSDS exit poll has given 117 seats to the BJP, 64 to the Congress and 1 to others.

The Republic-C Voter has, however, given 108 seats to the BJP, like most of the exit polls. The Congress is projected to get 74 seats.

Elections to 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat were held in two phases on December 9 and 14. To form government in the state, a party has to win at least 92 seats. Exit polls show BJP is comfortably above that mark.

Where they stood in 2012: The BJP, led by Narendra Modi, won 116 seats out of total 182 seats and formed the government while INC won 60 seats.

Himachal Pradesh:

In Himachal Pradesh, poll analysts have predicted a sweeping victory for the BJP. The BJP will oust the ruling Congress by winning 47-55 seats, predicts India Today. Congress will get between 13 and 20 seats.

TOI Online-CVoter has also predicted BJP's victory with 41 seats. Congress is predicted to get 25 out of the 68 Assembly seats in the state.

Todays Chanakya exit poll has predicted 55 seats for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh and 13 for Congress.

Axis My India predicted 51 seats for the BJP while Congress gets only 17.

The ABP News-CSDS has predicted the BJP to win in 38 seats and the Congress to get 29.

Where they stood in 2012: Congress defeated BJP and won an outright majority by winning 36 of the 68 seats under the leadership of Virbhadra Singh. The BJP lagged far behind with just 26 seats in its kitty whereas its breakaway faction HLP won just 1 seat.

Voting in Himachal took place on November 9.

The results for the two Assembly elections will be announced on December 18.
Father of Mohammadi Begum, who was not allowed to meet her family since 21 years, earlier in 2017, made an appeal for providing her visa.

The visa is about to expire in three days. I don't have that amount of money to arrange the tickets for her, says Akbar, father of Mohammadi Begum. (Photo: ANI)

Hyderabad: Hyderabad man has made a heartfelt appeal to the Centre and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to help him in the release of his allegedly-abducted daughter from Pakistan.

Akbar, father of Mohammadi Begum, a Hyderabadi woman from Yakutpura who has not been allowed to meet her family for the past 21 years, earlier in the year, made an appeal to Swaraj for facilitating her visa. Later, on Swaraj's direction, Begum was granted a visa by Pakistan for 30 days in November.

This time, Akbar has appealed to help him arrange the tickets of his daughter as only three days are left for her visa to expire.

"The visa is about to expire in three days. Eight days back, my daughter's husband called me and asked me to arrange the tickets. I don't have that amount of money to arrange the tickets for her," he said on Wednesday.

Mohammadi Begum got married to Mohd Younus in 1996, over the phone. Younus purported himself to be a resident of Oman, but when Mohammadi went to live him she came to know that he was a resident of Pakistan and was faking his identity.

Younus later took Mohammadi to Pakistan, where she was not allowed to contact her parents and was allegedly tortured.
Congress workers on Thursday marched to the Election Commission office in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleges that the prime minister has violated the model code of conduct by holding a 'roadshow' after voting in the Gujarat Assembly polls. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday said the Election Commission was a BJP "puppet" for not acting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his "roadshow" in Gujarat.

The prime minister had violated the model code of conduct by holding a "roadshow" after voting in the Gujarat Assembly polls, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged.

Addressing a press conference, he said the poll panel was a "puppet and frontal organisation" of the ruling BJP as it took no action against Modi.

"It is a sad day for the country as EC has denigrated the Constitution," Surjewala said.

In a strongly worded attack, the Congress leader also said the "CEC (chief election commissioner) was acting like the prime minister's PS".

The opposition party's attack against the Election Commission and Modi comes a day after the poll panel issued a show cause notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for "prima facie" violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels.

Ahmedabad: PM Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Wjt6GmPTCF  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

The poll panel asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

"The rules are different for the Congress and newspapers, TV channels airing Gandhi's interviews, which were not violation of the code of conduct. But at the same time, no action is being taken against the prime minister," Surjewala said.

"Prime Minister Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. Election Commission it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.

Congress workers on Thursday marched to the Election Commission office in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote. They were stopped by police outside Sardar Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk in Delhi.

Congress workers protest at Election Commission

Taking to Twitter, Congress leader P Chidambaram claimed the Prime Minister conducted a full fledged campaign on the day of polling, and condemned the EC for sleeping on the job.

The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

The former finance minister also appealed to the media to search its conscience and stand up against the unprecedented violation.

On the second and the last phase of Gujarat polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote at booth number 115 in Ranip locality of Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.
Koda, Basu and two accused public servants conspired to favour VISUL in the coal block allocation, the CBI had alleged.

New Delhi: A special court on Wednesday held former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and former Union coal secretary H.C. Gupta guilty of corruption and other charges in a coal scam case.

Special CBI judge Bharat Parashar held Koda, Gupta and other accused persons, including former Jharkhand chief secretary A.K. Basu and private firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL), guilty of varying offences, including criminal conspiracy, in the case pertaining to irregularities in the allocation of Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based VISUL. The court will hear arguments on the quantum of punishment on Thursday.

It, however, acquitted four persons  VISUL director Vaibhav Tulsyan, two public servants Basant Kumar Bhattacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh, and chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan  of all charges. All were earlier summoned as accused after the court took cognisance of alleged offences under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants) and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI alleged the firm had applied for allocation of the Rajhara North coal block on January 8, 2007. It said although the Jharkhand government and the Union steel ministry did not recommend VISULs case for coal block allocation, the 36th screening committee recommended the block to the accused firm. The CBI said Gupta, who was chairman of the screening committee, had allegedly concealed facts from then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who then headed the coal ministry, that Jharkhand had not recommended VISUL for allocation of a coal block.

Koda, Basu and two accused public servants conspired to favour VISUL in the coal block allocation, the CBI had alleged. The accused refuted the allegations levelled against them.
Sources stated that a notification making it mandatory for Multiple System Operators to seek a security clearance is likely to be made soon.

It is learned that the decision came after a meeting of top government officials several stakeholder ministries and intelligence officials recently. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: In a move aimed at stopping the broadcast of illegal and unauthorised television channels in the country, the Narendra Modi government is seeking to make it mandatory for Multiple System Operators (cable hubs that downlink and distribute signals to consumers) to seek a security clearance from Ministry of home affairs.

Sources stated that the move comes in an effort to stop the broadcast of banned channels like terror suspect Zakir Naik owned Peace TV and state-owned Pakistan TV in sensitive areas like Jammu and Kashmir.

Currently, the Multiple System Operators do not need to obtain any security clearance and such an approval from the MHA is only needed by the management of channels seeking to operate from India.

It is understood that the decision to make it mandatory for Multiple System Operators to seek an annual vetting by the Central Intelligence and security agencies came after the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry received several complaints from various quarters that the signals of several banned channels, including Peace TV and Pakistan TV, were being broadcast in several parts of the terror affected Kashmir valley.

Sources stated that the Central government felt that there was a need to tighten the noose on the local Multiple System Operators who were beaming satellite feed to such channels which air objectionable content.

With the provision of getting them vetted by central security apparatus the government has also made its intent clear that no anti-India propaganda would be allowed to be broadcast in the country, sources added.

It is learned that the decision came after a meeting of top government officials several stakeholder ministries and intelligence officials recently.

Sources stated that a notification making it mandatory for Multiple System Operators to seek a security clearance is likely to be made soon. Peace TV, which airs speeches of controversial preacher Naik, was refused permission to telecast in India for security reasons in July last year.
The passengers then reached co-passenger Aviation Minister Raju, who was sitting in the business class section, asking him about the delay.

According to the Air India sources, the pilots had reported late for the duty leaving the waiting passengers furious. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Air India CMD Pradeep Singh Kharola has called for a meeting of senior officials after a flight carrying Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju was unduly delayed at the airport here, airline sources said.

Following the incident involving Delhi-Vijaywada flight on December 13 morning, the airline has already suspended three officials.

Sources said Kharola has taken a serious note of the incident, which was mainly a result of co-ordination issues.

He has called a meeting today of senior officials, including director of operations and scheduling, the sources said.

The passengers reached co-passenger Aviation Minister Raju, who was sitting in the business class section, asking him about the delay. The Air India flight, on which the minister was travelling, was delayed for long, an official in the minister's office confirmed.

The flight had nearly 125 passengers.

The incident came days after Kharola took charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of the disinvestment-bound airline.

About the incident, an Air India spokesperson said the CMD has taken strict action for the confusion created and subsequent delay of the flight.

"Three officials have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reporting late by 15 minutes," the spokesperson said.
After a slew of campaign rallies, Gujarat is casting its vote on Thursday in the second-phase of the assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will also visit their constituencies to cast their votes. (Photo: ANI)

New Delhi: As the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls commenced on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested people to vote in recording numbers and enrich the festival of democracy.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy, Prime Minister Modi tweeted early on Thursday morning.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

After a slew of campaign rallies, Gujarat is casting its vote on Thursday in the second-phase of the assembly elections.

In the second and final phase of elections, 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat will go to polls.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people will take part in the election to decide their fate.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will also visit their constituencies to cast their votes.

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 per cent.

The results will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.
Piyush Goyal released the emails and accused Congress of obstructing development in Gujarat, during the last phase of the state elections.

Reading from the emails, Goyal alleged that Natarajan was seeking instructions from the Gandhis and Rahul Gandhi had asked her to take certain position on different projects. (photo: PTI | File)

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday used emails purportedly exchanged between the then Union minister Jayanthi Natarajan and Rahul Gandhi, then Congress general secretary, to allege that "non-state players" ran the government and held a right to "overrule" the then prime minister Manmohan Singh.

At a press conference, Union minister Piyush Goyal released the emails and accused the Congress of obstructing development in Gujarat, on eve of the last phase of the state elections.

The emails show Natarajan, the then environment minister, informing Rahul Gandhi, now Congress' president-elect, about a slew of projects and seeking his and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's guidance, he claimed.

Goyal alleged that "Jayanthi tax", a phrase coined by the BJP to refer to alleged corruption in her ministry, was actually "Rahul tax".

Reading from the emails, Goyal alleged that Natarajan was seeking instructions from the Gandhis and Rahul Gandhi had asked her to take certain position on different projects.

He alleged that in one email, she wrote to him about Dr Singh's direction to her to ensure that the ministry takes a stand in favour of field trials of GM crops and notes that she was opposed to it.

"These emails highlight a very worrisome nexus. How the work of the government was run by non-state players," Goyal claimed.

In one email, Rahul Gandhi asked her to follow guidelines given to her by the party president about a project. The prime minister had no role, Goyal claimed.

He cited Rahul Gandhi's mail, allegedly asking to ensure no dilution of environmental rules for clearance of a project in Gujarat and claimed it showed how the Congress obstructed developmental work in the state when Narendra Modi was its chief minister.

The emails also carried messages exchanged between her and Rahul Gandhi's then private secretary.

Goyal claimed that not only the leader even his personal secretary was so powerful that the minister was seeking his convenience to meet him.

"The right to overrule the prime minister's decision lay elsewhere. I'm sure even Manmohan Singh would want to know what was the decision-making process then," he said.

Natarajan quit the Congress in 2015 after the BJP swept to power a year ago and had flayed Rahul Gandhi over a host issues.
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to forthwith allocate Rs 7.80 crore proportionately to the respective states.

The Supreme Court said immediately after the allocation of the funds by the Centre, the concerned state governments should, in consultation with the high courts, set up these special courts. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that 12 special courts to be set up to exclusively deal with cases involving lawmakers and should start functioning from March 1 next year. It asked the Centre to "forthwith" allocate Rs 7.80 crore proportionately to the respective states.

Immediately after the allocation of the funds by the Centre, the concerned state governments should, in consultation with the high courts, set up these special courts and ensure that they become functional from March 1, it said.

A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha also granted two months to the Centre to collect and collate the data regarding cases involving MPs and MLAs pending across the country, observing that information sought by it was not "readily available".

The court perused the additional affidavit filed by the Centre in the matter in which the government has proposed the setting up of 12 special courts at this stage to deal with the cases involving politicians and said that Rs 7.8 crore would be earmarked for it.

"Having considered the matter, we direct the Union of India to proportionately allocate the aforesaid expenditure, that is Rs 7.80 crore, to different states in which the special courts are planned to be located. This should be done forthwith," the bench said.

"Immediately after such allocation is made and intimated to the respective state governments, the state governments in consultation with the high courts will set up the fast track courts (12 in all) to ensure that the said courts start functioning from March 1, 2018," the court said.

The apex court said the "main issue" relating to a life ban on convicted politicians would be taken up for hearing in the month of March.

When the advocates appearing for petitioners argued that more special courts should be constituted by the Centre, the bench observed, "let 12 courts, which they have proposed to set up, be set up first. Let's not block it. This is not the end to it".

"It is very easy to find fault. It is the easiest thing to do. First, let these courts start," the bench said.

The top court also said the respective high courts would trace out from case records under their jurisdiction, the cases pending against the lawmakers and earmark them to these special courts.

"We further make it clear that what has been directed above is all very tentative at this stage and has been so done with a view to get the Court(s) operational and functional. As and when necessary changes are required to be made in the present directions or any additional directions are called for, the same will be issued, as may be required," it said.

The court posted the matter for hearing on March 7.

At the fag end of hearing, the bench asked, "everybody has forgotten the main issue of life time ban. Nobody wants that to be heard?"

To this, the counsel appearing for the petitioners said they were ready to argue on that issue. The bench, however, said it would be heard in March.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General ANS Nadkarni, representing the Centre, said they have written to state governments and high courts to provide data relating to the number and status of cases pending against MPs and MLAs.

He said it would take some time to collect and collate these information and referred to the additional affidavit filed by the Centre.

Nadkarni said the scheme proposed was with a target to dispose of pending criminal cases involving lawmakers within one year as stipulated by the apex court earlier.

The court noted in its order that a scheme, though rudimentary at this stage, has been placed before it by the Centre in the matter.

Advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan, appearing for one of the intervenors, said that sitting MPs and MLAs should be asked to give details of the cases pending against them.

"Why should we? Are you suggesting that we should ask ECI to issue notice to 1000-2000 MPs and MLAs of the country for this? Why should we ask the ECI to write to all the elected people," the bench asked while making it clear that it would not issue any such direction.

The issue of not setting up special courts in some states like Gujarat and Chhattisgarh at this stage, was also raised before the bench.

The apex court had on November 1 directed the Centre to place before it the details regarding 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as declared by the politicians at the time of filing their nominations during the 2014 general elections.

It had asked the government to apprise it of how many among these 1,581 cases have been disposed of within a year and how many have ended either in conviction or acquittal.

The government's affidavit has said that the figure of 1,581 cases has been obtained from an NGO, but the data as to in which courts these cases are pending is not available.

The top court was hearing petitions, including the one filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking to declare the provisions of the Representation of People Act, which bar convicted politician from contesting elections for six years after serving jail term, as ultra vires of the Constitution.
The airline has informed the watchdog about it in the final investigation report into the incident submitted earlier this week.

Dangal actor Zaira Wasim had alleged that a passenger sitting behind her put his feet on her armrest. (File photo)

New Delhi: Vistara has informed aviation regulator DGCA that Zaira Wasim's mother did not want to register a complaint about the alleged molestation of the actor on-board its flight, an airline source said.

The airline has informed the watchdog about it in the final investigation report into the incident submitted earlier this week.

A man has been arrested following the incident which happened on-board a Delhi-Mumbai flight on December 9.

Following the incident, one Vikas Sachdev was arrested. In its final report about the incident, the airline has said the actor's mother did not want to register a complaint when she was asked by the airline crew, the source said.

According to the source, the airline is also evaluating the possibility of setting up an internal panel to look into various aspects related to unruly passenger behaviour as per guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The detailed probe report was prepared by the airline after talking to all the people concerned about the incident, including Wasim, crew and ground handling staff.

Vistara spokesperson was not immediately available for comment about the probe report.

"We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night. We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway," the airline had said in a statement on December 10.

The "Dangal" actor, who had narrated her ordeal on the Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Instagram, had said that a passenger sitting behind her put his feet on her armrest.

In the video, which Wasim recorded immediately after de-boarding the flight, the 17-year-old actor broke down several times.
Gujarat Assembly polls are being seen as a litmus test for both Modi and Rahul Gandhi who was recently elevated to the post of Congress president.

New Delhi: Almost all exit polls on Thursday predicted that the BJP is heading for a comfortable victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Though the Congress will increase its vote share, it will not translate into seats according to the polls, which were released soon after voting ended in 93 seats under the second and final phase of election in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

While three exit polls predicted that in Gujarat the BJP will get more than 115 seats it bagged in 2012, the rest said that the ruling party will comfortably cross the magic mark of 92 and score over 100 in the 182-member Assembly.

In the 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others six. However, during the Rajya Sabha elections in August this year, the Congress could manage to hold on to only 42-44 MLAs while the rest switched sides to support the BJP or quit the party.

Despite the setback, the Congress had mounted a tough challenge to the BJP by stitching alliances with Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, dalit activist Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore. The BJP relied on the Prime Minister as it chief campaigner.

Gujarat Assembly polls are being seen as a litmus test for both Mr Modi and Rahul Gandhi who was recently elevated to the post of Congress president. Both the leaders did extensive campaigning in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Going by the exit poll results, it seems the Congress wasnt able to counter the Prime Ministers charisma as well as turn the crowds at Mr Gandhis rallies into votes.

It was the same story in Himachal Pradesh. Todays Chanakya predicted 55 seats for the BJP and 13 for the Congress, while CSDS-ABP projected BJP-38 and Congress-29.

Before the elections, Himachal Pradesh had a Congress government and the states voters have a reputation of never returning the same regime twice. The state also witnessed a high voting percentage which traditionally hints at anti-incumbency wave.

In 2012, the Congress came to power in Himachal Pradesh when it won 36 of the 68 seats, while the BJP got 26 and others 6.

Touted as the curtain raiser for 2019 general elections, campaigning for Assembly polls to the two states were a bitter battle of words with the attacks often getting personal and, at times, outlandish. A public spat between Mr Modi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the latter attending a dinner at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyars house, along with Pakistani official, has been the low point of the campaign in Gujarat.

Gujarat recorded an estimated 68.70 per cent voter turnout in the second phase of polling, the Election Commission said. The figure is likely to go up as details were still being worked out at the time of going to the press.

Around 2.22 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise to choose their representatives from among 851 candidates in the fray on Thursday. The results for both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections will be declared on December 18.
India has repeatedly requested consular access to Jadhav and other Indian nationals imprisoned in Pakistan.

New Delhi: There are indications that India is likely to agree to December 25 as the date offered by Pakistan for the travel of the wife and mother of imprisoned former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav even as India reiterated that Jadhav was given the death sentence in Pakistan through a farcical process. Pakistan on Wednesday  at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  had rejected Indias request for consular access to Jadhav.

On the proposed visit of Jadhavs mother and wife to Pakistan to meet him, the MEA said India has already welcomed the decision by the Pakistan government on the proposed visit by Jadhavs wife and mother and was working in finalising the visit in consultation with Jadhavs family. Sources indicated that the visit would most probably take place on December 25.

India has repeatedly requested consular access to Jadhav and other Indian nationals imprisoned in Pakistan as per Vienna convention on diplomatic relations. In Jadhavs case, the consular access has not been granted.

We also appealed to the ICJ in May as we believe Vienna convention was being violated. We do reiterate our position that Jadhav remains in Pakistan and is facing death sentence given through a farcical process and on concocted charges, the MEA spokesperson said.
The poll outcome in Gujarat is also expected to dominate the proceedings.

New Delhi: As an often acrimonious Gujarat Assembly election came to an end and with Parliaments Winter Session due to start on Friday, the Opposition parties led by the Congress met Thursday to chalk out their floor strategy. Later in the day, at an all-party meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the cooperation of all parties for the smooth functioning of Parliament. The coming session is set to be a stormy one with the Congress and other Opposition parties, including Trinamul Congress, National Conference, Samajwadi Party, RJD and the Left parties, ready to target the government on a range of issues, including the Election Commission which they allege has become a puppet of the government, the Rafale deal and farmers distress.

The Congress will also demand an apology from Prime Minister Modi for casting aspertions and accusing former PM Manmohan Singh of conspiring with Pakistan to influence the Gujarat polls. The Opposition is also expected to raise the recent resignation of BJP MP Nanabhau Patole from the Lok Sabha, citing the saffron governments absolute indifference towards farmers. The Congress has also accused the government of buying the Rafale jets at an inflated cost. The poll outcome in Gujarat is also expected to dominate the proceedings.

Attacking the ECs role, the leaders of the TMC, RJD, SP, Congress and Left issued a statement saying: It was indeed shocking that the Election Commission had failed to uphold its constitutional mandate. It added that this attitude of the EC has cast an ominous shadow on the credibility of the institution and the integrity of the electoral process. The Opposition leaders also voiced disappointment and outrage over the disqualification of Sharad Yadav and Anwar Ali from the Rajya Sabha. They said the move was hasty and without following due process. The Opposition meeting was held in the chamber of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Among those present were NCPs Tariq Anwar, TMCs Derek OBrien, NCs Farooq Abdullah, SPs Naresh Agrawal, RJDs Jaiprakash Narain Yadav and CPIs D. Raja.

At the all-party meeting, Mr Modi also pitched for the holding of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. At the meeting Congress leaders raised the issue of Mr Modis claim during a speech in Gujarat that Dr Singh had colluded with Pakistan to influence the state election, and said they would raise it in Parliament. We will raise it in Parliament. Either the government proves the claim or the Prime Minister apologises. Nothing short of an apology will satisfy us, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma said.

Speaking to reporters, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the PM had appealed to the leaders of all political parties to help build a consensus. Mr Kumar said: The main issues will be the supplementary demand for grants, the constitutional amendment (Article 123) on giving the National Commission on Backward Classes constitutional status, and the Muslim Womens Right on Marriage Bill 2017 to come in this session.

The government is expected to table 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including a bill providing Muslim women the right to seek maintenance in case of triple talaq. The minister said that the government was open to discussing all issues.
The second and final phase of elections will see 93 Assembly seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat going to polls.

New Delhi: After a bitter and a high voltage campaign, the stage is set for the final phase of polling in Gujarat on Thursday. The second and final phase of elections will see 93 Assembly seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat going to polls. A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to vote.

If the election is a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its a litmus test for new Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Read: Modi requests people to vote in Gujarat polls, enrich festival of democracy

The campaign was not merely vituperative but eyebrows were raised even in the saffron camp, when the PM accused former prime minister Manmohan Singh of conspiring with Pakistan to defeat BJP. While the Opposition described the remarks as a desperate attempt to communalise the vote bank, BJP fielded finance minister Arun Jaitley to defend the PM.

This election is going to be the toughest fight for the BJP in the last two decades. Besides facing the wrath of traders over demonetisation and GST, a dent in its traditional Patidar vote bank has also rattled the BJP.

What came as a surprise for the saffron party was Rahul Gandhi in his new avatar. A changed man, Gandhi upped the ante and his rallies seemed to have evoked a major response from the electorate. He also strategized the rainbow coalition of Patidar and OBC leaders, which could possibly dent the BJP.

The first phase recorded heavy polling, particularly in Patidar dominated Saurashtra region. While a section claimed this does not bode well for the ruling BJP, others maintained that people might be angry with Modi but they are not traitors.

Besides Gandhi, the other thorn in the BJPs foot was 24-year-old Patidar community leader Hardik Patel.

The BJP tried every possible trick to contain and woo this young man but eventually failed. A sex CD allegedly on Hardik also went viral and was aired by a TV channel. Patel had then remarked: If I do not have any problem with the sex CDs, why should those watching it have any? Have fun.

In the run-up to the polls a tug of war on the issue of Hindutva raged between the Congress and the BJP. Gandhis janeu and his temple run forced BJP to come out openly and claim that it was the original Hindu party, while others are fake. Despite the apparent advantages, the rejuvenated Congress faces the mighty Modi.
These are of a rare quality and the better the quality, the more prohibitive they are in terms of price points.

It is that time of the year when the rustle of silk and the snug warmth of pashm or pashminas silky skeins wind their magic around my heart in threads of softness. It is a lure that is aesthetic as it sociological for the creation of pashmina as a textile and its embellishment is an important economic activity for people from Kashmir.

It is fast changing though as increasingly fewer younger people are indulging in it. The reasons are obvious  it is an extremely time-consuming job and the wages are often not commensurate with the effort. But for the moment I want to indulge in the luxurious ehsaas of being enveloped in its warmth. For me winter is signalled when two of my faithful shawlwalas arrive with kahva tea and suitcases of enticing beauties in tow. Often I just admire the unaffordable ones like one would a painting in a museum and others I greedily acquire  some, mentally chiding myself for my greed and figuring out how to pay for it!

The kani weaves

My own tryst with the shawl was triggered by a dorukha Kashmiri pashmina shawl that belonged to my mothers masi Lakshmi Devi, who I idolized in my childhood as an extremely beautiful, fiercely independent and amazing woman who was among the first few graduates from Indraprastha College. She believed in following her heart and paying the price for it. I was given the shawl by her Russian Jew daughter-in-law in London when I had gone to study here in the mid-90s saying that things must go back where they belong. That line stayed with me as I tried to garner more about the pashmina and its creation and aesthetics.

Nurturing the crafts and involvement in time-consuming craft creation is essentially a peace time activity the world over. A community that lives within the ambit of unrest will never be able to sustain the creation of high quality crafts and slowly their crafts will decline and eventually be hurled into oblivion.

Manchester paisley as border

Kashmir finds itself in a peculiar position where its essential survival modes are its crafts and tourism  and unfortunately the eco-system of both is equally fragile.

I feel the fine Kashmiri shawls crafts need to be put in the same category as the veritable classical arts of the country. These are of a rare quality and the better the quality, the more prohibitive they are in terms of price points. Obviously there is a certain aspirational value attached to them like all things that are valuable.

And with fewer artisans and crafts persons willing to take on such time-consuming activity, these are going to get increasingly difficult to get the better ones.

As I see it, there are two broad categories of the Kashmiri shawls  one is the woven category that are the kani, kani jamewar as far the high end karigari goes and the basic woven shawls in pashmina, shahtoosh and merino wool in a variety of designs like a multitude of stripes, checks and plains with in-built designs like the bul-bul chashm meaning the bird bulbuls eyes which is the concentric diamond design.

Jamavar border on chashme-bulbul

With the shahtoosh shawls having been banned, pashmina rules the roost in the upper segment and merino in the middle segment. Some of the machine woven pashmina also comes from Punjab.

The other area where is pashmina is woven is Himachal Pradesh which is thicker and looks more rustic. The absolute lower fabric is not made in Kashmir but in and around the plains and sent there for embroidery. Few know that some embroidery also happens in and around Aligarh that masquerades as Kashmiri embroidery.

On these various thickness of pashmina is a vast array of embroidery in silk and cotton thread in Kashmir. When it comes to kashida work, there is more than one type of embroidery that is used to create different looks. One of the most popular styles is the sozni embroidery. This embroidery is created so skillfully that the patterns and kashida embroidery motifs can appear on both sides of the garment in varying shades of color. This makes it perfect for shawls that can be worn with either side showing.

The aari embroidery, also known as the hook embroidery, incorporates concentric circles when creating floral patterns. Papier mache embroidery is another famous style wherein the satin stitch is used in order to create an interesting visual effect.

The patterns or motifs created in this style are usually outlined with fine black threads. The look that is created on the garments resembles stained glass work that can be seen on buildings. A relatively thicker type of embroidery is the crewl work which lends itself to a myriad uses on thicker to finer fabrics.

Gold and silver tilla on pashmina

Jaal refers to instances where there is an extremely fine network of embroidery that is used. Jaama refers to an extremely dense form of embroidery that can be seen on the entire body of the garment or fabric. Jaal, on the other hand, refers to this type of embroidery. Borders of varying thickness and buttis are popular for shawls as well. Tilla embroidery is often in use in both gold and silver hues for ceremonial shawls.

The ever popular motif is the paisley in a million styles and sizes that are often referred to as the badam or the almond. It is embellished and decorated and made in a simple form on the borders, as buttis or as the kona or on corner where the sides of the borders converge.

The chinar or maple leaf gives the badam close competition in terms of being a design favourite. From the lush to the autumnal it abounds in every possible form and colour from the jaal to the butti to the border.

I love the myriad moods of the chinar and the stylised badam as the paisley is referred to in Kashmir with the affection of a thoroughbred indigenous Kashmiri.

The golden thumb rule in any piece of embroidery is to look at the back. The real thing will have the occasional knot  though in the Kashmiri embroidery sometimes it is impossible to tell for they pride themselves on the do-rukha meaning valid from both sides type of embroidery.

One should also watch out for unscrupulous shopkeepers cutting corners by mixing hand and machine embroidery so smartly that it is impossible to tell. Another time tested thing is to run your hand flat on the surface of the shawl to check for near invisible darning or hold it against the light.

kani pashmina in multiple colours weaving

There is a huge racket as far as kani shawls go. Very fine quality printing of the kani shawl design is being done and fine hand embroidery is used to outline it and it is being touted as the real kani with outlining and costing a huge packet. Often mill-made kani is being sold by unscrupulous people as the real woven thing. Pashmina that is hand woven is expensive and similarly mill-made non-pashmina is often touted as the real thing.

My shawlwala advises me that pashmina needs to be stored with dry cloves and dried neem leaves. He says each shawl should be stored separately preferably in muslin bags. They should not be stored under heavy weight sarees etc. or worn with zardozi or mukaish embroidered clothes lest the wires damage the shawls.

As the pashm envelops me in its soft warmth, I am convinced that the best way to support and sustain any craft is to use it so often that the craftspersons feel confident to invest their time and money to create more as they find markets for their creative impulse.

The writer is an art curator and artist and can be contacted on alkaraghuvanshi@yahoo.com
According to police she went forward with the act because he mistreated her.

The couple were staying in a cabin in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic when the incident happened. (Photo: Pixabay)

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. In a shocking incident, a woman was arrested for drugging her ex-boyfriend and then slicing off his penis because he allegedly abused and threatened to kill her.

The couple were staying in a cabin in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic when the incident happened.

After the attack, Diaz fled the scene but was caught by police officers.

According to police, 44-year-old Samuel Ventura Garcia and his 28-year-old girlfriend Johanny Diaz had a fierce argument, possibly about ending the relationship.

Diaz went on to drug Garcia with an unspecified substance and then decided to cut off his member while he was unconscious.

Speaking to reporters, Diaz said that she did not regret it because he threatened many times to kill her.

She claims she was the victim of mistreatment by Garcia who was forcing her to be with him. She went on to add that she had a two-year relationship with Garcia, and that they had separated after she decided to leave him because of his behaviour and threats.

Garcia was taken to the nearby Hospital Dr. Ricardo Limardo where he underwent initial treatment and was later transferred to a private health centre in Puerto Plata.

Doctors responsible for the microneurovascular reimplantation of the organ said that if unsuccessful the patient would need to be transferred to Santiago, in the north of the country, for more advanced treatment.
Shandong has been the home of many historical figures and it enjoys the honor of being the birthplace of Confucius.

New Delhi: Shandong province known as 'A Jewel between Beijing and Shanghai ' is placed strategically between these two cities and is easily accessible by a bullet train where you can reach 'Jinan' the capital of Shandong with a pleasant journey of 1.5 hours and four hours respectively from these great cities. There is a direct flight from Delhi to Jinan that takes approximately five hours.

Shandong, with a history of more than 5,000 years, has been the home of many historical figures and it enjoys the honor of being the birthplace of Confucius. Steeped in natural and supernatural allure, this northeastern coast of China has abundance of attractive mountains, rivers and lakes, which provides tourists unique sightseeing routes.

Centuries-old history and lots of cultural relics endows Shandong with abundant tourist resources. This is a destination that can be explored with family, friends and more!

1. Bird watching and photography

Visit the estuary in the Yellow River Delta State Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest wetland located in eastern China's Shandong Province that covers an area of about 153,000 hectares. Get a glimpse of around 1,626 types of wild animals, 368 species of birds like red-crowned crane and the white-headed crane that are under national protection.

2. Martial Art performances

Meet with more than 20 national champions at the Songjiang Martial Art School and watch the same performance that was showcased at the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the city of Heze. The martial arts performance is performed by the students of Doggie Boy Performance Art Group, which tours around the world from time to time. It is the best martial art troupe in all of China and this performance should definitely be added to your itinerary.

3. Cherry Blossom trees in Zhongshan park

This park in Qingdao distinguishes itself from others due to the corridor of 20,000 cherry trees imported from Japan. The park features a 500-meter Oriental Cherry Road and as the road is lined on both sides by cherry trees, it is referred to as the Cherry Blossom Corridor. April and May is the ideal time to experience these cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

4. Image result for Qingdao beer museum Tsingtao Beer museum

The Tsingtao Museum and Beer Factory is an attraction that should not be missed in Qingdao. The tour involves three parts: History of Tsingtao Beer over the past 100 years, Walk through tour of how Tsingtao Beer is made and the current Brew factory production with a final stop at the bar for some samples.

5. A UNESCO water town Tai'erzhuang

Considered to be China's most beautiful water town 'Tai'erzhuang' has 15 km of water throughout the entire town. Visualize a Venice version of an oriental water gate opening in front of your eyes while strolling down the historical streets of Tai'erzhuang. Apart from this Tai'erzhuang consists of multiple exciting places to visit such as temples, numerous merchants, theatres, museums, talent shows, folklore performances, lion dances on poles and lightshows at night.
Delhi Nursing Homes Registeration Act,1953, states, L-G office has the authority to decide for cancelling licenses, says Adv Ashok Agarwal.

'Following the due process of law, we have filed an appeal with the appropriate authority against the cancellation of registration of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh,' says MAx group in a statement. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Max Healthcare on Wednesday moved a "government authority" against the cancellation of licence of its hospital in Shalimar Bagh in north-west Delhi, even as it appealed to the DGHS to "reconsider" its decision.

The development comes four days after the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Delhi government's heath department had cancelled licence of the hospital for alleged medical negligence in multiple instances, including a case in which one of the twins was found alive after being declared dead by doctors.

"Following the due process of law, we have filed an appeal with the appropriate authority against the cancellation of registration of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh," the Max group said in a statement on Wednesday night.

A spokesperson of the Max Healthcare, when asked to elaborate about the appropriate authority approached, only said, "It is not a court authority but a government authority. And, the appeal was filed today."

The hospital group also appealed to the government to "reconsider their decision of cancelling the hospital's registration".

"Earlier, we had also requested the Delhi government to review their decision and restore the registration," the statement said, while claiming that the "decision has caused significant inconvenience to thousands of patients and local residents and this is further compounded by unavailability of suitable alternatives for their medical needs in the vicinity".

Max Healthcare authorities declined to share details on the appropriate government authority approached by them.

However, Delhi High Court Advocate Ashok Agarwal, claimed, in such cases, "The appellate authority is the Lt Governor's office".

"As per the Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953, in cases related to cancellation of licence, the appellate authority is the L-G office," Mr Agarwal, also a member of the Delhi High Court-appointed EWS Monitoring Committee for hospitals, said.

Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh on a monthly basis treats around 14,000 patients in the OPD, attends to over 1,600 emergency patients and additional 3,000 are treated in inpatient wards, the hospital group said.

"In compliance with the cancellation order, not only did we have to turn down the OPD and new IPD, but, planned procedures such as 171 chemotherapies, 63 surgeries and 241 dialysis sessions had to be cancelled, rescheduled or transferred," the hospital group claimed in the statement.

"In the interest of public welfare, we urge the government to reconsider their decision of cancelling the hospital's registration," it said.

The Max Hospital case pertains to one of the premature twins, wrongly declared dead on November 30 at the hospital where he was born, and who died during treatment at a nursing home in Pitampura a week later.

Both the babies were declared stillborn by the hospital and handed over to the family allegedly in a plastic bag.

But to their utter horror, they found that the boy was still alive, while they were on way to do their final rites.
The MDL is constructing six Scorpene class submarines with techcnology transfer from M/s Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) of France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the first made-in-India Scorpene submarine INS Kalvari into the Indian Navy on Thursday in Mumbai.

Mumbai: The INS Kalvari, the first of the six indigenously built Scorpene-class submarines, which will be built by 2020 with the help of France, was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Thursday. The submarine was built by the Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The Prime Minister described INS Kalvari as a prime example of Make in India. However, he refrained from making any political comment in his address at the function, which was under the scanner of the Election Commission.

Mr Modi also said that the road to development in the 21st century goes through the Indian Ocean, which is why the Indian Ocean has a special place in the policies of the government.

He added that the governments policies and the bravery of the armed forces has ensured that the use of terrorism as a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir has not been successful.

The commissioning of INS Kalvari has reaffirmed the giant strides taken by the MDL in the ongoing Make In India programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production (MoD).

The MDL is constructing six Scorpene class submarines with techcnology transfer from M/s Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) of France.

Commodore Rakesh Anand, chairman and managing director of MDL said, The induction of INS Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game changer in underwater warfare.

He added that the aspect pertaining to completion of all weapon firings prior to the commissioning of the submarine, was indeed an unique achievement.

The Scorpene submarine can undertake multifarious types of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance among others.

The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force, making it a generational shift in submarine operations.

Building the Scorpene was indeed a challenge as the complexity of the simplest of tasks increased exponentially as all the work was done in the most congested of spaces. This complexity was further aggravated by the stringent tolerances required to be achieved. However, these challenges were successfully overcome by MDL without any compromise on quality, said a release issued by the Indian Navy.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deep sea predator. As is the tradition, ships and submarines belonging to the Navy, are re-incarnated after decommissioning. So it is with Kalvari.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. She was decommissioned on 31 May 1996, after almost 30 years of service to the nation.The experience and expertise that MDL has gained from the Scorpene project together with enhanced and upgraded infrastructure has ensured that the shipyard is fully geared for undertaking construction of the next generation of submarines.
The Army has for the past three years conducted training for such operations at a huge centre in southern California.

The cyber soldiers have been integrated for six months in infantry units, and will tailor operations according to commanders' needs, said Colonel William Hartman of the Army's Cyber Command. (Photo: File/Representational)

Washington: The US Army will soon send teams of cyber warriors to the battlefield, officials said Wednesday, as the military increasingly looks to take the offensive against enemy computer networks.

While the Army's mission is generally to "attack and destroy," the cyber troops have a slightly different goal, said Colonel Robert Ryan, who commands a Hawaii-based combat team.

"Not everything is destroy. How can I influence by non-kinetic means? How can I reach up and create confusion and gain control?" he told reporters.

The cyber soldiers have been integrated for six months in infantry units, and will tailor operations according to commanders' needs, said Colonel William Hartman of the Army's Cyber Command.

The Army has for the past three years conducted training for such operations at a huge centre in southern California.

Hartman didn't give details on what the cyber troops can achieve, except to say that they would be scooping up information or intercepting planned attacks.

According to the New York Times, CYBERCOM has previously placed "implants" in ISIS networks that let experts monitor the group's behaviour and ultimately imitate or alter commanders' messages so they unwittingly direct fighters to areas likely to be hit by drone or plane strikes.

Another technique likely being employed is a common type of cyber attack known as a denial of service.

Cyber Command had previously been a subordinate part of the US Strategic Command, but President Donald Trump in August ordered the Pentagon to elevate it to its own command, in a sign of its growing importance.
Women caught in the middle should not have to pay the price, and be left without rights or recourse.

British-Muslims do not have it easy. They live in an increasingly xenophobic Britain, where groups like Britain First openly ask for their expulsion and cultivate the political belief that they are usurpers in the country. In schools, teachers and other school officials are told to watch out for even little girls who wear headscarves, and report suspicious behaviour in children as young as nine or 10.

In employment and in policing, they are subject to surveillance and harassment, the presumption that they are all terrorists. The fact that they live in distinct geographic areas allows them to be further ghettoised, their neighbourhoods transformed into enclaves where it is hard to believe that one is very far from the village back home.

Within this isolation imposed both by discrimination and self-segregation, a host of problems breed. One, recently given statistical clarity by a documentary that aired on BBCs Channel 4, is the issue of the legality of marriages contracted within the community. According to the films researchers, who spoke to 923 women in 14 British cities, nearly six in 10 British women who have had a Muslim marriage ceremony are not, in fact, married as far as the law of the state is concerned. This means that their relationships with their husbands, recognised by religion as wedlock, are not recognised as such by the British state.

Women in these situations would not be recognised as the legal heirs of their husbands in the event of death. Nor would they be, in the case of divorce, entitled to an equitable share of the assets acquired during the marriage, as UK law stipulates.

In real terms, this means that they would not be entitled to the family home in which they may have lived for decades, or a share of their husbands pension that could otherwise be legally awarded to them. In sum, they are not married at all in the eyes of the state and would also have no recourse if they found out that their husband was either already married or was interested in marrying again.

The reason is unsurprising. The UK does not recognise a religious marriage ceremony on its own  a separate civil ceremony is required. Sixty-one per cent of British-Muslim women do not have the civil ceremony. Either the elders involved paint participation in such a ceremony as some kind of rejection of the importance of the Muslim marriage ceremony, or one or both of the parties are unaware that their marriage will not be considered valid in the event of divorce or death.

Then, there is always the chance that the man is already married and is using faith as a means to hide the fact that a prior marriage exists, both from his first and second wives. Finally, not having a civil ceremony permits men to sever the marriage by simply pronouncing oral talaq three times, something they would not be permitted to do if they had undertaken a civil ceremony and made sure that the marriage was recognised under both British and Islamic law. This fact is important because it shows how British-Muslim women can actually have even fewer legal rights than women in Pakistan, where at least according to the law, parties are required to register divorces with district officials. The disparity shows the particular conundrum of British-Pakistani women, in particular, and likely the situation of British-Muslim women as a whole.

The laws of the homeland do not apply because they are no longer in Pakistan or Bangladesh (and large percentages of the British-Muslim populations are from these countries), and they are also somehow not in Britain. In this way, they are denied the legal protections that they may have been able to access in either of the two places, and are entirely at the disposal of men who dominate the Sharia councils and mosques within these communities.

In many cases, what may be passed off as Islamic is really just what the male leadership of a particular mosque or area has decided is in their interests.

The impact of the legal limbo where both Islamic and British law have limited effect has also led to an increase in marital crimes, with high rates of domestic violence and in some cases, even homicide. In one such case, a woman named Zaitoon Bibi, the second wife of a man named Tanweer Iqbal, conspired to murder him, succeeding in her plan. As happens in many of these cases, Iqbal had married Zaitoon without telling his first wife. The situation went on for years until finally, Zaitoon Bibi got jealous and upset and told her. In response, Iqbal told Zaitoon Bibi that he wanted nothing to do with her, even though they were married according to Islamic law. Zaitoon Bibi (who had erroneously thought that the first wife would kick Iqbal out once she found out) then lured him to her house one day and, with the assistance of some others, killed him.

This sad case is but one example of how things can go horribly wrong when isolated communities suspicious of their current homeland and disconnected from their former homeland suffer a tragic form of moral devolution. In a situation such as this, it is crucial for religious leaders within the British-Muslim community and Pakistanis who have connections to that community to underscore the importance of both a civil marriage and an Islamic marriage. Women caught in the middle should not have to pay the price, and be left without rights or recourse.

By arrangement with Dawn
Shambhulal has been arrested but the clip, filmed by his 14-year-old nephew and uploaded on the social media, has gone viral.

The video showed a man leading the victim identified as Mohammed Afrazul, to a spot and then attacking him with an axe from behind.

By now, most people in this country, and many beyond its shores, have read and heard about Afrazul Khan, a migrant labourer from West Bengals Malda district who was working as a mason in Rajasthan. Khan was hacked and burnt alive by one Shambhulal Regar at Rajasamand in Rajasthan. The brutal murder was captured on camera by Shambhulals teenaged nephew.

Like many Indians, I woke up last week to chilling news reports about the savagery in Rajasamand, and ghoulish video clips, with the killer shouting into the camera about Hindu girls in danger, revenge and so on.

Shambhulal has been arrested but the clip, filmed by his 14-year-old nephew and uploaded on the social media, has gone viral. There have been condemnations galore. Worryingly, there are also reports about a torrent of online support and WhatsApp group posts hailing the killer.

This is no country for Afrazuls wife Gulbahar, for his daughters Joshanara, Rejina and Habiba. Indeed, this is no country for the 200- plus migrant labourers from Malda who work here, wrote Syeda Hameed, womens rights activist, educationist, writer and a former Planning Commission member, in a moving newspaper article.

The murder of Afrazul Khan is the fourth such barbaric hate crime reported from Rajasthan in recent times. One still remembers the killing of Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, by self-styled gau rakshaks earlier this year. Those taken into custody by the police for the dastardly crime are now free on bail.

As a citizen of India, miles away from the site of crime, how should one react to a brutal murder where the killer not only commits a heinous act but is keen on filming it and sharing his triumphal reactions? How should one deal with what is perhaps Indias first execution video where technology and terror come together? Should one deal with the immediate set of issues that the Rajasamand killing raises, or should one instantly go into the cataloguing mode, listing similar incidents elsewhere in the country, where the victim may or may not have been a Muslim?

I wrestled with these questions for the better part of last week. It is not easy to watch a video clip of a man being hacked and burnt alive, hear his screams for plea. It is also not easy to ignore it. So I watched a part of the video clip of the murder, because I believe one should not run away from the truth, no matter how harsh it may be, and because facing the magnitude of the horror could be the first step towards a collective realisation of what we are up against and what we need to do.

Remember the photograph of the Napalm Girl? Photographer Nick Ut was barely 21 when he captured what would go down as one of historys most iconic images  a naked Vietnamese girl screaming and running down a road, after South Vietnamese planes hunting for Viet Cong insurgents attacked with napalm from the air. Uts 1972 image of Kim Phuc, now known as the Napalm Girl, jolted the world. The image was horrific, but one needed to see it. It contributed towards a pathway to peace.

Clearly, we are living in extraordinary times when the theme of revenge resonates with so many. But in my view, just focusing on the killer is not enough. What is far more important is to focus on the climate that is nurturing such killers and strengthening vigilante groups organised around a whole range of issues from caste, cow protection, community pride, perceptions of historical injustices, and so on.

Many of these gruesome acts are not just the handiwork of deranged individuals or psychopaths, but of those who have been brainwashed and those who believe that nothing much will happen to them eventually, no matter how heinous their crime is.

Where does that kind of confidence come from? And what is the States role in dealing with this phenomenon? Can a chief minister get away by merely condemning a brutality? Who is in charge of ensuring that an environment, in which hate crimes are seen increasingly as legitimate, does not develop?

As a firm believer in a liberal, pluralist India, I also believe that we must not give the advocates of whataboutery a chance.

It is vital to come out strongly against mob violence and ghoulish murders fuelled by sectarian passions no matter where it happens and no matter which political party is in power. It is vital to demand that state governments uphold the rule of law no matter what shade its ideology is.

One brutal murder doesnt cancel out another. But the savagery in a village in Karnataka  the burning alive of a 21-year-old pregnant Muslim woman by her family members for marrying a dalit man  is as reprehensible as what happened in Rajasamand in Rajasthan. The principle applies to every such incident, no matter which communities are involved.

The latest in the tale of horrors  the brutal murder of Afrazul Khan in Rajasamand and the graphic execution video that followed  is a dangerous marker in these polarised times. The aim of such videos is clearly to horrify a segment of the population and simultaneously radicalise other segments.

This cant be allowed to happen. If this trend continues, it will mean a deathblow to the idea of India as a modern nation. Hate crimes are serious; they are getting more serious when they are aided and abetted by technology. Ad hoc measures after a hate crime is committed simply wont do. A government has to act to prevent fomenting and spreading of such hate.

So heres my fervent end-of-the-year plea: can all those who love this country come together and commit to end hate crimes once and for all? The Rajasamand horror could be our Napalm Girl moment. Hopefully, it will pave the pathway to peace and a less polarised India.
It is a sad moment for Indian democracy that the Prime Minister will henceforth be pulled down by the weight of old questions.

Shortly before the campaign for the final phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls ended on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Twitter handle buzzed with a series of tweets. First in Gujarati and later in English, these summed up his message to the states voters. Sentences were woven around his favourite pronouns  I and they. First-person singular was used for travel across length of breadth of the state, and receiving unparalleled affection. They, the third person pronoun, denoted our worthy (sic) opponents accused of lies spread about Gujarat, Gujarats growth and about me personally. He concluded that due to such behaviour by the Congress (though he didnt name the party) it is natural for every Gujarati to feel hurt. People of Gujarat will give a fitting reply to the negativity and lies of the Opposition. Hu Vikas Chhu... Hu Gujarat chhu (I am development... I am Gujarat)  a BJP campaign video had proclaimed earlier. Mr Modi edited this to Hu Gujarat chhu  criticising him is an affront to the state and its people!

At another place in Ahmedabad, incoming Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also communicated with voters, but not from Mr Modis one-way street. He addressed his first press conference (Mr Modi is yet to call one in 43 months) after becoming his partys president-elect. Besides claims that he was only expected to make, Mr Gandhi said something he could have done without because he was not responsible for it: I would also like to change the discourse of politics. It has become nasty, ugly and there is a lot of anger and angst. We want to do the politics of love and compassion. Mr Gandhi reiterated in his interaction that his party remained focussed on its narrative of unemployment and issues that were concerning farmers, the youth, health and education. In contrast, he pointed out, the BJP wavered from issue to issue and for the last couple of days Modiji spoke only about himself and the Congress and about me, my visit to temples and our other leaders.

The difference in the conduct of the two leaders has been stark. While Mr Modi in his no-holds-barred bid to ensure that his party retained power fell from one low to another, Mr Gandhi, despite his shortcomings and questionable obfuscation of secular principles, remained consistent on what people wanted to hear. The finale was also on the same lines. Mr Modi signed off with a melodramatic flight on a seaplane that took off with scant respect for the countrys norms and laws. In contrast, Mr Gandhi stayed true to the copybook. Like always Mr Modis campaign was a spectacle where the emphasis was not on content but on the form  of his delivery, how he spoke and what were the props.

On November 27, when Mr Modi embarked on the final assault of his campaign, it was evident that it would be his most challenging political canvassing since assuming office. By then the feel on the ground amplified what had been sensed for several weeks  that a routine poll was no longer the cakewalk it was considered till a few months ago. Mr Modi had two choices at that juncture. He could either go to the people humbly and acknowledge awareness of their problems and promise to attend to these on a priority basis if his party was re-elected one more time. To help him with this line of campaign, his party had even prepared a social media message with his image where he was shown with folded hands telling people that renovation was underway in the entire country and asked people to bear with this for some time. The other option was to go ballistic and accuse his opponents of being foes of the Gujarati people, being opposed to Gujarats development and accuse them of shaming the true servant of the people that he was.

The first path called for humility and the second demanded him to be raucous and vituperative. The way the campaign ended, in the course of which Mr Modi may not have touched new personal lows because he just went back to being what he was in 2002, has damaged the countrys prestige immensely because the coarseness of his speeches werent those of a challenger but of a Prime Minister. From taking pride for having himself restored Indias dignity abroad, with this campaign Mr Modi has sullied the nations image. No nation will henceforth feel comfortable with bipartisan engagement with India and few will ever dare to go beyond the official brief. It is common knowledge that much of public diplomacy is preceded by extensive back channels of communication. Henceforth, most nations and diplomats will be wary of one-on-one informal interactions with political leaders, of both the ruling party and the Opposition, as no one is sure when even a personal call will be used as an electoral issue by Mr Modi and his party leaders.

The Gujarat campaign exposed Mr Modis limitations. Myopic denigration of a former Prime Minister, a former vice-president, a former Army Chief, former foreign secretaries and retired bureaucrats does not damage their credibility but undermines whatever chance remained for Mr Modis emergence as an international statesman. Irrespective of the verdict, he has lost the faith and respect of countless Indians who believed he had discarded the limited Hindu Hriday Samrat persona and remodelled himself as a leader with a modern outlook who could ensure that the basic necessities of the poor were met while making certain that industry could be a partner in inclusive growth.

Back in 2002, Mr Modi had worried people by needlessly referring to Mian Musharraf and dragging Pakistan into the electoral discourse in all-out attempt to win. By using similar tactics and the same moniker for Indian leaders who held constitutional positions, Mr Modi has come a full circle. It is a sad moment for Indian democracy that the Prime Minister will henceforth be pulled down by the weight of old questions.
China has also recently sought to sow the seeds of doubt and difficulty in India-Nepal relations.

Its important for New Delhi to convey to Kathmandu that it places a premium on political stability in Nepal.

The combination of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and Communist Party (Maoist) has swept the recent parliamentary and provincial polls, and the two plan to merge soon. Such a sweeping Communist victory is an extraordinary development.

Communist parties coming to power through the ballot box in a country with a multi-party setup is quite unknown, and this does require that India reorient itself to dealing with a wholly Left government in the tiny Himalayan state, which has Maoist China as a gargantuan neighbour to its north.

In Nepals case, the two victorious parties have been in government with a bourgeois party, Nepali Congress, in the past but have now stormed the citadel on their own. Its to be seen if a merged Communist entity chooses to launch itself on a revolutionary path or prefers to go in the direction of social democracy. Unlike CPN(UML), the Maoists had carried out a decade-long campaign of revolutionary violence against the erstwhile Nepal monarchy but subsequently mellowed to put its trust in Parliament.

The Communist fronts overwhelming victory certainly has the first ingredients of providing political stability to Nepal, which has been wholly absent for a decade, with a succession of Prime Ministers.

Perhaps stability will depend to a considerable degree on the way the CPN(UML) and Maoists are able to effect their merger. India has much experience in dealing with both, as well as with the defeated Nepali Congress, that used to be the countrys first party in a three-way race.

Its important for New Delhi to convey to Kathmandu that it places a premium on political stability in Nepal. Thus reassured, Nepals new government is enabled to see merit in its continued deep-going ties with India. These frequently come under strain due to the China factor.

Of late, Beijing has sought to expand and deepen its stakes in Nepal by offering major infrastructure projects as well as prospecting for oil in the Nepal-Tibet border region. Unlike India, Nepal is on board with Chinas OBOR programme.

China has also recently sought to sow the seeds of doubt and difficulty in India-Nepal relations. This is something New Delhi must be watchful about. About the time of the Doklam crisis last summer, which was the consequence of an undemarcated boundary between India, Bhutan and China in a specific area, Beijing had reportedly sought to provoke Kathmandu to try and open discussions with India on the tri-junction of Nepal and its two big neighbours at Lipulekh in Uttarakhand.

The CPN(UML) leader and Nepals new Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, is said to lean toward China. Maoist leader Pushp Kumar Dahal Prachanda may be disposed to be more even-handed between India and China. This is a time for cautious diplomatic management.
The demand of the JioPhone was so huge that the company was unable to fulfil it, and is now planning to start producing the device in India.

he company has also failed to achieve the target to make 5 million JioPhones available every week. The company is yet to announce the second round of pre-orders where it seeks to cater 10 million potential users.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has stated that companys JioPhone has received a tremendous response across the country. The device reportedly got up to 6 million pre-orders in the first round and other 10 million people having shown interest in purchasing the device, the company adds.

The demand was so huge that the company was unable to fulfil it, and is now planning to start producing the device in India.

According to a new report, Reliance has already started the production of the JioPhone in Chennai, however the contract manufacturer is still unknown. The Chinese manufacturer failed to meet the demands which lead the company to boost the production by manufacturing it in India.

If this continues, theres a possibility that the company might miss the sales target of 200 million units by December 2018. The company has also failed to achieve the target to make 5 million JioPhones available every week. The company is yet to announce the second round of pre-orders where it seeks to cater 10 million potential users.

As for the specifications, the JioPhone comes with smart features despite being a feature phone. It offers 4G LTE and VoLTE connectivity. The company has put a software in it that doesnt try to be a re-skinned JAVA OS. So, they went for the Kai OS that is based on the Firefox OS.
Ullah appeared before the court of US Magistrate Judge Katherine H Parker, through video.

The charges include supporting a terrorist organisation, using a weapon of mass destruction, destroying property by means of fire or explosives, and using a destructive device during a violent crime. (Photo: AP)

Washington: A Bangladeshi immigrant accused of setting off a pipe bomb in the New York subway system made his first court appearance Thursday via video from the hospital room where he is recovering from burns sustained in the blast.

Akayed Ullah, 27, who migrated from Bangladesh some six years ago on a family visa, was presented with the charges laid by federal prosecutors on Tuesday.

The charges include supporting a terrorist organisation, using a weapon of mass destruction, destroying property by means of fire or explosives, and using a destructive device during a violent crime.

If convicted, he could get up to life in prison. Ullah remains hospitalised due to serious burns from the pipe bomb that was strapped to his chest when it partially detonated on December 11 in a subway terminal near the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Ullah appeared through the video before the court of US Magistrate Judge Katherine H Parker.

Though he told investigators he carried out his alleged attack in the name of ISIS, he only answered 'yes' to questions from the judge about whether he understood the federal charges against him.

The federal criminal complaint released Tuesday says Ullah told authorities he "did it for the Islamic State".

"I can see you," Ullah said when asked if he can see the judge.

Ullah, who lived in Brooklyn, did not enter a plea.

He is married to Jannatul Ferdous who lives in Bangladesh. Authorities have questioned her in Bangladesh.

During his brief court appearance, federal prosecutors asked that he be held without bail. His attorney did not oppose it.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 13.

Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M Nielson requested background information on Ullah.

Grassley asked if Ullah had any criminal convictions.

Ullah was 20-years-old when his uncle, a US citizen, petitioned for Ullah's mother to receive a derivative visa as a sister of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Ullah was subsequently allowed to emigrate as a child of a sister of a US citizen benefiting from a controversial immigration occurrence known as chain migration.
According to court records, paternity tests indicate Cline is likely the biological father of at least two of his patients children.

Dr Donald Cline is scheduled to appear in a Marion County court on Thursday, when a judge is expected to sentence him on two counts of obstruction of justice. (Photo: File/Representational)

Indianapolis: A retired fertility doctor in Indianapolis who is accused of inseminating patients with his own sperm is set to plead guilty to charges that he lied to investigators.

Dr Donald Cline is scheduled to appear in a Marion County court on Thursday, when a judge is expected to sentence him on two counts of obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors say the 79-year-old Cline initially wrote to investigators denying he used his own sperm.

According to court records, paternity tests indicate Cline is likely the biological father of at least two of his patients children. Those children allege online genetic tests show he might be the father of 20 others.

No other charges were filed against Cline because Indiana law doesnt specifically prohibit fertility doctors from using their own sperm.
Between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act. (Photo: File/ Representational)

Washington: An Indian-American has pleaded guilty to charges of launching a cyberattack on a US university's computer network, officials said Thursday.

Paras Jha, 21, of New Jersey along with two others Josiah White, 20, from Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman, 21, from Louisiana also pleaded guilty to creating and operating two botnets, which targeted 'Internet of Things' (IoT) devices, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

"Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system," Acting US Attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

"These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students submission of their work to professors to be graded," he said.

"The defendant's actions effectively paralysed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers' students. Today, the defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it, Fitzpatrick said.

In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act.

According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

His attacks effectively shut down Rutgers Universitys central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty, and students delivered assignments and assessments.

At times, he succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to Rutgers University, its faculty, and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of USD250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2018.

Earlier on December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal informations in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.
Johnson shot himself on a bridge in Mount Washington, Kentucky.

The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol. (Photo: AP)

Frankfort: Dan Johnson, a Republican state lawmaker in Kentucky known for inflammatory Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys and who defiantly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, killed himself Thursday. He was 57.

Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said Johnson shot himself on a bridge in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Tinnell confirmed the death to WDRB-TV in Louisville.

Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years. He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after some of his racist Facebook posts came to light.

The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools.

But he was mostly out of the spotlight until Monday, when the Kentucky Centre for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.

At the time, the woman told police about the incident, who investigated but closed the case and did not file charges.

On Tuesday, Johnson held a news conference in the pulpit of his church, which he began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol "O Come All Ye Faithful."

He said the allegations against him were "totally false" and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.

Shortly before 5 pm (local time), Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page that he asked people to care for his wife. He wrote that PTSD "is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME." The post appears to have been removed.

The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol.

Former Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position after acknowledging he secretly settled a sexual harassment claim with a member of his staff. Three other lawmakers were involved in the settlement, and all lost their committee chairmanships.
The journalists will be charged under colonial-era Official Secrets Act, penalty can be up to 14 years in prison.

'Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, and we learned that they have been arrested in connection with their work,' says Stephen J. Adler, President and Editor-in-Chief of Reuters. (Photo: Twitter/@stephenjadler)

Bangkok: Reuters news agency called on Myanmar to immediately release its two journalists who were arrested for possessing "important secret papers" obtained from two policemen who had worked in Rakhine state, where violence widely blamed on security forces has forced more than 6, 25,000 minority Rohingya Muslims to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Information said Wednesday the journalists and policemen will be charged under the country's colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

Reuters said Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been missing since late Tuesday night.

"Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, and we learned on Thursday that they have been arrested in connection with their work," Stephen J. Adler, President and Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, said in a statement.

"We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately," he said.

The ministry posted a photo of the two journalists in handcuffs, standing behind a table bearing documents, cellphones and currency. It said they had collected "information and important secret papers related to the security forces" from the policemen, who had earlier worked in Rakhine but were now in Yangon, the country's largest city.

Rakhine state is the epicenter of the Myanmar military's brutal security operation against Rohingya Muslims. The campaign, launched in August in response to attacks on police outposts, has been condemned by the United Nations as "ethnic cleansing" and those fleeing have described widespread rights abuses by security forces.

The military, which is charge of security in northern Rakhine, and the civilian government, have barred most journalists and international observers from independently travelling to the region.

Shawn Crispin, a senior representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, also called on Myanmar authorities to "to immediately, unconditionally release" the journalists.

"These arrests come amid a widening crackdown which is having a grave impact on the ability of journalists to cover a story of vital global importance," he said.
A series of missile tests along with pressure from Donald Trump pushed Beijing to prioritise improving relations with Seoul.

Beijing: South Korean President Moon Jae-In will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday amid mixed US signals about potential talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Relations between Beijing and Seoul have encountered their own rough patch over the US military's deployment of a powerful anti-missile defence system in the South to counter the North's threats.

Moon hopes to "normalise" ties during the visit, his office has said, after Beijing imposed economic measures against South Korean companies, a move seen as retaliation to the installation of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. China sees the deployment as a threat to its own security.

Moving past the disagreement has become increasingly important amid growing concern that bellicose rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang could spark war on the Korean peninsula.

"The highlights to watch of the visit would be whether the two sides (Seoul and Beijing) can start a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on the DPRK (North Korea) nuclear issue," said Zhu Feng, international studies professor at Peking University.

China has long refused to countenance the possibility that the North's Communist regime could collapse.

But a series of nuclear and missile tests combined with pressure from US President Donald Trump has pushed Beijing to reconsider its position and prioritise improving relations with Seoul.

"It is a very uncertain period," Zhu said. "The two sides need high-level dialogues and dialogues between militaries. These dialogues cannot really start without the normalisation of the bilateral relations" he added.

Moon's visit comes after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to North Korea "without preconditions", though it remains determined to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal.

China and Russia responded positively to Tillerson's remarks, even after the White House appeared to put his proposal in question by saying Trump's "views on North Korea have not changed."

Beijing has pressed for talks to peacefully resolve the crisis, but there are signals that it has begun to prepare for the possibility of the North's collapse.

Tillerson said Tuesday that US and Chinese officials have discussed scenarios in case the North Korean regime falls, including steps to deal with refugees crossing the border, and how to secure Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.

Washington's top diplomat said these discussions involved him, the US defence secretary and military chief, and senior Chinese officials. Such discussions were unthinkable just a few months ago.

But China's priority has been to convince the United States and North Korea to hold talks.

Beijing has also urged the US, Japan and South Korea to suspend joint military drills in the region in return for North Korea to halt its nuclear activities -- an idea consistently rejected by Washington and Seoul.
It is believed that historic pond have depleted as adjacent factories have sucked out the underground water.

The CJ expressed annoyance over absence of owner of Bestway Cement Factory and inquired who gave the rights to the conglomerate to suck out the underground water.

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday ordered Bestway Cement Factory to fill the Katas Raj pond around the historic temple within one week.

The aforementioned order was placed during hearing of suo-moto case on weariness of the pond located at the temple site in Chakwal.

The CJ expressed annoyance over absence of owner of Bestway Cement Factory and inquired who gave the rights to the conglomerate to suck out the underground water. We will not transcend our jurisdiction but will certainly fill the administrative space, he remarked.

We would shut down all factories if fetid atmosphere deteriorates further, the CJ said.

It is believed that historic pond have depleted as adjacent factories have sucked out the underground water. During hearing, disgruntled CJ said: Whenever I travel via motorway, I am dismayed as elite class has ruined the natural scenic beauty. Dont make life of masses full of miseries under guise of producing cement.
The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances. (Photo: File)

Tokyo: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres Thursday warned the world against "sleepwalking into war" over North Korea, as he called for diplomatic efforts to banish nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: "The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances."

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea over its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

Guterres said those sanctions need to be implemented "by North Korea first of all, but also fully implemented by all the other countries whose role is crucial."

He urged "diplomatic engagement that allows for ... denuclearisation (of the Korean peninsula) to take place in a peaceful way."

Speaking alongside Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe echoed the call to "fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions" and hold "meaningful dialogue toward denuclearisation."

The secretary-general's trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

Feltman said he had been told in Pyongyang that North Korea wants to avoid war and said he "fervently" hoped that the "door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide."

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to Pyongyang "without preconditions", interpreted by many as a shift in the US position.

Washington's top diplomat told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting -- even the weather.

However, the White House and Tillerson's own department later stressed that the US position on North Korea "had not changed."

"The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Wednesday.
Figure is highest estimated death toll yet of violence in Myanmar.

A Rohingya refugee girl looks next to newly arrived refugees who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar in Ukhiya. (Photo: AFP)

Yangon: At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown on rebels in Rakhine state that began in late August, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Thursday.

The figure is the highest estimated death toll yet of violence that erupted on August 25 and triggered a massive refugee crisis, sending some 647,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border to Bangladesh.

The UN and US have described the military operation as ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority, but have not released specific death tolls.

At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children below the age of five, MSF said Thursday.

The groups findings come from six surveys of more than 11,426 people in Rohingya refugee camps and cover the first month after the crisis erupted.

We met and spoke with survivors of violence in Myanmar, who are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary camps in Bangladesh, said the groups medical director Sidney Wong.

What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.

Rohingya refugees have shocked the globe with consistent stories of security forces and ethnic Rakhine Buddhist mobs driving them out of their homes with bullets, rape and arson that reduced hundreds of villages to ash. Rights groups say the crackdown was the culmination of years of persecution and discrimination against the Muslim group in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, where they are effectively stateless and denigrated as outsiders.

Earlier this month the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein said the military-led crackdown appeared to include elements of genocide.

The MSF surveys put a number to the horrors.

Gunshot wounds were the cause of death in 69 percent of the cases, according to the aid organisation.

Another nine percent were reported burned alive inside houses, while five percent died from fatal beatings.

For children under five, nearly 60 percent died after being shot, MSF found.

MSF said the peak in deaths coincided with the launch of clearance operations by the army and local militias in late August, and showed that Rohingya have been targeted.

Myanmars government did not respond to a request for comment.

But it has consistently denied committing atrocities in Rakhine, saying the crackdown was a proportionate response to the Rohingya militants who attacked police posts on August 25, killing around a dozen officials.
The secretary-generals trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UNs political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

Tokyo: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday warned the world against sleepwalking into war over North Korea, as he called for diplomatic efforts to banish nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, secretary-general Guterres said: The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances.

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea over its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

Guterres said those sanctions need to be implemented by North Korea first of all, but also fully implemented by all the other countries whose role is crucial.

He urged diplomatic engagement that allows for ... denuclearisation (of the Korean peninsula) to take place in a peaceful way.

Speaking alongside Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe echoed the call to fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions and hold meaningful dialogue toward denuclearisation.

The secretary-generals trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UNs political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

Feltman said he had been told in Pyongyang that North Korea wants to avoid war and said he fervently hoped that the door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to Pyongyang without preconditions, interpreted by many as a shift in the US position. Washingtons top diplomat told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting  even the weather.
Faisal said that ungoverned areas in Afghanistan not only pose threat to stability of Afghanistan but security of the whole region.

Addressing a weekly media briefing here, foreign office spokesperson Mohammed Faisal said Pakistans armed forces were ready to defend the countrys borders in case of any threat. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said the Indian arms buildup had pushed the region into arms race fomenting instability in the whole region.

Addressing a weekly media briefing here, foreign office spokesperson Mohammed Faisal said Pakistans armed forces were ready to defend the countrys borders in case of any threat.

Mr Faisal said: We have received response from India regarding visit of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhavs mother and wife and they will come to Pakistan and will have a meeting with him on 25th of this month.

He said Pakistan had submitted a comprehensive counter memorial document before the International Court of Justice regarding the Kulbhushan Jadhav case covering all legal aspects.

Dr Faisal said that ungoverned areas in Afghanistan not only pose threat to stability of Afghanistan but security of the whole region.

He said Pakistan had expressed its concerns as over forty-three percent area of Afghanistan is out of the control of Afghan government and attracts terrorist groups from across the world including ISIS.

Pakistan expects that the Afghan government and the Resolute Support Mission will take action to bring these territories under control, he added.

The spokesperson said the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul has rejected in strongest terms and declared null and void the decision of US administration regarding Al Quds Al Sharif.
On his maiden visit, S. Korea Prez seeks solution to North Korea row.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and China President Xi Jinping review the guard of honour during a welcome ceremony in Beijing. (Photo: AP)

Beijing/Seoul: South Korean President Moon Jae-in was to unveil an array of TV talent and K-Pop celebrities at events, including a state dinner, in China on Thursday as he attempts to smooth out a year of difficult diplomacy with a star-laden charm offensive.

South Korean celebrities, including some of those accompanying Mr Moon, had been shut out of Chinese television and concert halls as relations cooled between the East Asian neighbours as they faced the threat posed by North Koreas missile and nuclear programmes.

The thorniest issue was South Koreas deployment of a US anti-missile system that China sees as a threat to its security.

Mr Moon is hoping to use his first visit to China since taking office in May to build support for a diplomatic solution to the North Korean crisis that has grown steadily through the year.

Pyongyang tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range, in defiance of international pressure and UN sanctions.

Meeting in Beijings Great Hall of the People, Moon told Chinese President Xi Jinping he would be discussing North Korea with him.
Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces.

Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating peace negotiations in Geneva, says that a military victory alone in Syria's six-year civil war was not enough for President Bashar al-Assad and that new polls were needed for him to 'win the peace'. (Photo: File)

Geneva: The United Nations peace envoy for Syria called Thursday on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "have the courage" to convince his ally in Damascus to hold new elections in the war-ravaged country.

Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating peace negotiations in Geneva, said that a military victory alone in Syria's six-year civil war was not enough for President Bashar al-Assad and that new polls were needed for him to "win the peace".

"There needs, straight away, to be a political process that includes everyone to achieve a new constitution and new elections," he told Swiss RTS television.

Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces, ostensibly to combat advances by what Moscow and Damascus termed "terrorist" groups.

On Tuesday, the first Russian troops began returning home after Putin ordered a pullout, saying their mission had been largely completed.

De Mistura said Putin "had to convince the (Syrian) government that there's no time to lose".

"We can talk about having won the territorial war, which is temporary, but the peace also needs to be won and for that there needs to be the courage to push the government to accept" new elections, which De Mistura said should be monitored by the UN.

Talks in December, the eight round of UN-brokered negotiations between the Syrian government and rebel factions, have snagged on the issue of Assad's future, with a rebel alliance insisting the president must go as part of any peace deal.

A parallel process organised by Moscow and including fellow government ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey, is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.

More than 3, 40,000 people have been killed since the conflict broke out in March 2011 when protests against Assad's rule sparked a brutal crackdown.
Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.

Theresa May had warned that such a rebellion could threaten the UKs 'orderly and smooth exit' from the European Union. (Photo: File)

London: British Prime Minister Theresa May has lost a crucial Brexit vote in the UK Parliament after a rebellion within the ranks of her own party.

The British Prime Minister was defeated on an amendment to the European Union Withdrawal Bill by four votes, in her first major House of Commons bruising on Wednesday.

MPs from across different parties voted in favour of Parliament being given a meaningful vote on the terms of Brexit by 309 votes to 305.

Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is intended to formally end Britain's membership of the EU, as well as smooth its exit by transferring thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books.

It also gives ministers powers to amend the laws as they move across, to address any technical glitches.

The government remained defiant following the defeat.

"We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out.

We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, is essential," a UK government spokesperson said.

"This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose," the spokesperson added.
Washington triggered widespread anger and protests across the Arab world with its decision on Jerusalem.

Militants including people claiming allegiance to Islamic State have carried out scores of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States over the past two years. (Photo: File/Representational)

Cairo: Islamic State threatened attacks on US soil in retaliation for the Trump administrations decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, one of the groups social media accounts reported on Thursday without giving any details.

In a message on one of its accounts on the Telegram instant messaging service titled Wait for us and ISIS in Manhattan, the group said it would carry out operations and showed images of New Yorks Times Square and what appeared to be an explosive bomb belt and detonator.

We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria and Afghan. Just you wait, it said.

The recognition of your dog Trump (sic) Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will make us recognize explosives as the capital of your country.

Washington triggered widespread anger and protests across the Arab world with its decision on Jerusalem. The disputed city is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, and is home to Islams third holiest site. It has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.

Islamic State was driven out of its Iraqi and Syrian capitals this year and squeezed into a shrinking pocket of desert straddling the border between the two countries.

The forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare there. Militants including people claiming allegiance to Islamic State have carried out scores of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States over the past two years.
Cai Qi, a friend of Xi Jinping, visited the Chaoyang district as the campaign against low-end residents continues and their neighbourhoods are demolished. Another fire at a farmhouse kills five and injures eight. Some now fear that the cleansing campaign will start in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Beijing party chief Cai Qi visited Chaoyang district and talked to some migrant workers (picture 2), perhaps to stop the avalanche of criticism against him.

For the past few weeks, tens of thousands of migrants have been expelled and their ramshackle homes, shops and small factories have been demolished.

Suddenly, thousands of single people and families have found themselves out of work and without a home in the harsh winter of northern China (picture 1).

The reason given by the authorities for this action is to safeguard the image of the capital city and reduce its overpopulation starting with the "low-end population" (diduan renkou).

Two days ago, Cai, a close friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, visited SF Express, a dispatch centre, whose employees are mostly out-of-towners who came to the city seeking employment.

He asked questions about what they make and urged employers to hold themselves more accountable for workers wellbeing.

Cai also met some migrants from Sichuan, saying that they deserve due respect and gratitude for their work.

Cheap migrant labour has so far been one of the pillars of Chinas enormous growth. But the "cleansing" of the low-end of the population seems to suggest that China can do without them.

On social media, Xi Jinping's "Chinese dream" is mocked since it is only for the rich and not for the poor.

The expulsions and demolitions have been particularly violent and without warning. Several NGOs were not even allowed to provide the expellees with some temporary shelter, or a place to store their belongings.

Last Sunday, hundreds of expellees gathered in Feijia, a village located some 20 kilometres north of downtown Beijing, to protest a policy designed to drive out street vendors, scrap collectors and factory workers who have come from the countryside in search of work.

If this continues, most expelled migrants will have no choice but to return to the poverty of the countryside.

Nearly seven million people, or one-third of Beijings population, are migrants with little or no access to many public services including schools, hospitals and state-funded affordable housing programmes due to restrictions set by Chinas rigid household registration system (hukou)

Soaring property prices also mean that low-income workers are left with little choice but to live in rundown buildings on the outskirts of the city.

A month ago, a fire in one of these buildings in Daxing district killed 19 people, sparking the citys cleansing campaign. Yesterday, another blaze at a farmhouse in the citys Chaoyang district killed five and injured eight.

Several experts say that some reports indicate that the authorities may be planning to cleanse other Chinese cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen of their low-end residents.
Rescue operations underway, while the state authorities lag "out of negligence". A meeting with the governor to define short and long-term support programs. There are no precise numbers of displaced people "because the devastation is unprecedented".

Trivandrum (AsiaNews) - In Kerala "people cry and despair. They lost everything they owned. The situation is dramatic. The population is waiting for the missing fishermen and hopes that they can somehow return home "says Msgr. Maria Calist Soosa Pakiam, Archbishop of Trivandrum.

He is speaking to AsiaNews about the devastating effects of Cyclone Ockhi which hit the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in the southern part of India and complains of "negligence" on the part of the authorities. Yesterday he met the governor of Kerala, who asked to bring help as soon as possible. "We have compiled a list of short and long-term initiatives. We must find the resources to face this emergency ", he adds with a heartfelt concern.

Last November 29 and 30, strong gusts of wind hit the southern coast of the country. The moment the cyclone arrived, reports Msgr. Pakiam, "more than 2 thousand fishermen were engaged in offshore fishing trips". According to the most up-to-date figures, "the disaster caused 86 victims in the district of Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and another 38 in the district of Trivandrum (Kerala). Fishing equipment worth billions of rupees has been destroyed and many houses demolished. About 100 families have found refuge in rehabilitation centers run by the Church ". "Unfortunately, we do not have precise numbers of those camped in makeshift centers, because what happened is unprecedented".

Given the extent of the devastation, the archdiocese "has immediately activated priests and parishes pastoral councils to distribute material for first aid, food and drink. He created a group to visit the worst hit villages and ascertain the severity of the damage. We have also raised money from all the parishes and various civil society associations ".

The archbishop denounces "the failure of local and central governments, which did not issue warnings, despite the fact that the weather conditions were clear. Even the rescue operations started with considerable delay ". "The fishermen themselves - he laments - ventured back to the sea in search of missing companions. They brought at least 40 boats into port, despite the dwindling hopes of finding some of the survivors still alive. "

To deal with all this, in the meeting with the governor, he suggested the adoption of two programs, both short and long term. "For short-term actions - he says - we want to provide medical assistance to the injured and those who are hospitalized; therapeutic counseling for widows and children; emotional support for people recovered alive from the waters of the sea, who are suffering from fear and trauma. We must also distribute food and first aid material in refugee camps, be a constant presence and regularly visit families affected by the emergency, taking care of children who have lost one of their parents ".

For long-term initiatives, continues the archbishop, "we propose the purchase of land; housing projects; the rehabilitation of displaced persons; providing education to children who are orphaned; help widows find work; educating fishermen on the use of GPS systems at sea and other security measures during navigation; procure equipment to those who have lost boats and nets".

The archdiocese organized a protest march in support of the fishermen on 11 December to request that the cyclone be classified as a "natural disaster", and a day of prayer the day before "to remember the souls of the dead, in hope for a safe return home of the missing. It consoles us very much that the Holy Father Pope Francis remembered us in his prayers".

Msgr. Pakiam laments: "The fishermen who live in this area are very poor. Therefore they are continuously ignored by the authorities. The failure of the organizational machine in decreeing the alert, as well as that of the recovery operations, show the discriminatory attitude of the officials. If those who went missing at sea had been rich, the authorities would have acted differently. It is sad to note that the life of these fishermen is worth so little for such people". Finally he reports that he has received "the promise from the government that we will receive all the help possible, both for the victims and for the injured. We ask all men of good will to join us".
The theft occurred when exchanges of the virtual currency in South Korea were hacked. Attacks are likely to continue as long as its value continues to rise. The virtual currency provides great anonymity outside government control.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Experts and officials say North Korea has been "mining" bitcoin in recent months, demanding it as ransom payment or outright stealing the digital currency.

Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency that lives on computer servers. The virtual coins are "mined" by complex algorithms and recorded in a digital ledger.

"It is a fact that North Korea has been attacking virtual currency exchanges," said Lee Dong-geun, a director with South Korea's state-run Korea Internet and Security Agency.

"We don't know how much North Korea has stolen so far, but we do know that the police have confirmed the regime's hacking attempts."

Experts say the attacks are likely to continue as bitcoin's price skyrockets. It started the year below US$ 1,000 but has soared more than 1,500 per cent, crossing US$ 17,000 for the first time last week.

North Korean hackers targeted four different exchanges that trade bitcoin and other digital currencies in South Korea in July and August, sending malicious emails to employees, according to police.

The digital currency was designed to operate outside of the control of governments or banks. That ias likely to appeal to North Korea at a time when the United States is stepping up efforts to cut the country out of the international financial system.

Bitcoin provides anonymity and is not tied to any central bank. Payments can be made anonymously without using banks as middlemen.

North Korea has repeatedly denied involvement in international hacking attacks. But it has made no secret of its interest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Last month, the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology touted a lecture from a bitcoin expert who came to North Korea to teach students about the technology behind the digital currency.
About 69 per cent have died from gunshots, 9 per cent burnt to death, 5 per cent beaten to death, including 730 children under the age of five. According to the Red Cross, some 300,000 Rohingya are left in Myanmar. For a young Buddhist native of Rakhine, the international media coverage is one-sided.

Naypyitaw (AsiaNews)  At least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the month after violence broke out in Rakhine State, western Myanmar, in August, this according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) based on surveys of refugees in Bangladesh.

According to the NGO, the number of victims is much higher than the official Myanmar government figure of 400, most of whom were deemed "Bengali terrorists" with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

MSF said the figure was "the clearest indication yet of the widespread violence" by Myanmar authorities, which forced more than 647,000 Rohingya to flee the state.

The aid group's survey found that at least 9,000 Rohingya died in Myanmar between 25 August and 24 September.

"In the most conservative estimations" at least 6,700 of those deaths have been caused by violence. In all, 69 per cent of the violence-related deaths were caused by gunshots, 9 per cent were due to being burnt to death in their houses, and 5 per cent were beaten to death.

Among the 730 children below the age of five who died, MSF says more than 59 per cent were reportedly shot, 15 per cent burnt to death, 7 per cent beaten to death and 2 per cent killed by landmine blasts.

Dominik Stillhart, director of operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross, the only international organisation with broad access on the ground in Rakhine, said yesterday that basically no Muslims have returned home.

The Red Cross estimates that only about 300,000 Rohingya remain in the entire state. Yet people are continuing to flee, with around 300 still crossing the border each day, mainly because of fear and anxiety for the future.

Stillhart noted that the area did not seem heavily militarised at the moment, and there was no indication troops or police were restricting people's movement.

"The government has already started reconstruction in the villages destroyed by the violence, said Hla Khine, a young Buddhist native of Rakhine, speaking to AsiaNews.

However, we from local ethnic groups do not want to live with the Muslims anymore. For years we have suffered their provocations and violence, but nobody talks about this."

The young man criticised international media for the way it covered the humanitarian crisis. "They only listen to the stories of Muslims, he said.

The problem is that Myanmar is weak and cannot counter the power of big media financed by Arab money, which are obviously biased."

Hla Khine denies that the recent tensions have religious or economic motivations. For him, "The roots of the conflict are complex; the problem is not religion.

In Myanmar there are millions of Muslims who live in peace and do not create problems. Rakhine Muslims, however, want to create an Islamic state on our lands. They exploit the weakness of the border with Bangladesh (the Naf River), the country where they are originally from, to enter and leave the Rakhine as will.

Moreover, their numbers are growing out of all proportion and they demand space. Even the insistence with which they want to be called 'Rohingya' rather than 'Bengali' is aimed at achieving this goal. By obtaining ethnic recognition, they think they can have more leverage to pursue their territorial claims.

Furthermore, the story that they are denied citizenship by our government is slanted. It is they who refuse to include the term 'Bengali' in their papers, which is what citizens of Indian origin have done quietly.

On the border with Thailand, there are nine refugee camps for people displaced by fighting between ethnic militia and the Myanmar army. There are thousands of Shan, Mon, Chin, and Kachin refugees, all ethnic groups that are native of Myanmar. They too are denied an identity papers, but for them the world is not outraged . . ."

Hla Khine, like the members of other local ethnic groups, fears an Islamist plan for the state. "First of all, the August attacks are real 'acts of terrorism'. Secondly, the links between ARSA and international terror organisations are clear.

The centre of the violence (the villages of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung) are a Muslim stronghold in Rakhine. Locals are only 2-3 per cent of the population. For years, terrorists have been seeking recruits among young people in the area. Four Muslim village leaders were killed for reporting the incident to the authorities.

Some organisations support them, finance their entry into the country and travel to large cities. For example, I was told that they are willing to pay 1 million kyat (about US$ 735) per person to be taken to Yangon."

For their part, Myanmar authorities are planning to implement the report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine chaired by Kofi Annan, as well as economic development programmes.

Myanmar has also signed agreements with Bangladesh for the gradual repatriation of refugees.
Francis met with a group of ambassadors, including the representatives of India, Yemen and Azerbaijan. The centrifugal forces that would drive peoples apart are not found in their differences but in the failure to set out on the path of dialogue and understanding as the most effective means of responding to these challenges.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis received a group of new ambassadors today. In his address to the representatives of India, New Zealand, Swaziland, Azerbaijan, Chad, and Liechtenstein, the Holy Father stressed the positive and constructive role played by cultural and religious differences for the international community from the perspective of dialogue.

The international community faces a series of complex threats to the sustainability of the environment and of the worlds social and human ecology, as well as risks to peace and concord stemming from violent fundamentalist ideologies and regional conflicts, which often appear under the guise of opposing interests and values. Yet it is important to remember that the diversity of the human family is not itself a cause of these challenges to peaceful coexistence. Indeed, the centrifugal forces that would drive peoples apart are not found in their differences but in the failure to set out on the path of dialogue and understanding as the most effective means of responding to these challenges.

The pope stressed the value of dialogue, which plays a key role [. . .] in enabling diversity to be lived in an authentic and mutually enhancing way in our increasingly globalized society. Respectful communication leads to cooperation, especially in fostering reconciliation where it is most needed. This cooperation in turn assists the progress of that solidarity which is the condition for the growth of justice and due respect for the dignity, rights and aspirations of all. A commitment to dialogue and cooperation must be the hallmark of every institution of the international community, as well as of every national and local institution, for all are charged with the pursuit of the common good.

The promotion of dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation cannot be taken for granted. The delicate art of diplomacy and the arduous craft of nation-building need to be learned afresh with each new generation. We share the collective responsibility to educate our young people about the importance of these principles that sustain the social order. Passing this precious legacy on to our children and grandchildren will not only secure a peaceful and prosperous future but will also meet the demands of intergenerational justice and of that integral human development that is the right of every man, woman and child.
The OIC leaders define the declaration of the White House that recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel "null and void". An "attack" on the rights of the Palestinian people that undermines peace efforts. A UN Security Council resolution was presented to show Washington's international isolation.

Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The leaders of the 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), met yesterday in Istanbul at the request of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, invoking the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the Muslim world [united] responds strongly to the unilateral decision of US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to arrange the transfer of the US embassy.

In the note the heads of state and government of the Muslim countries have defined "null and void" the declaration of the White House, which has raised protests and indignation - with dead and wounded - and concerned by Pope Francis and the Christian leaders of the region . With this choice, they add, Washington has effectively abdicated its role as mediator in the peace process in the Middle East.

Speaking at the OIC summit in Turkey, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that it is now "unacceptable" for the United States to hold the role of arbitrator and guarantor, as it has clearly expressed "itself in favor of Israel". He added that the Palestinian leadership tried to negotiate with the US administration to reach "the agreement of the century" but, in return, received "the slap of the century".

Muslim majority nations - including the Saudis, among the closest US allies in the region - strongly reject Washington's unilateral decision, considering it an "attack" on the rights of the Palestinian people. They accuse the United States of "deliberately" undermining peace efforts and warn that such a move will end up giving "new vigor to terrorism".

Finally, the OIC calls on the international community to "recognize the state of Palestine and East Jerusalem its occupied capital". They conclude that the United Nations now has the task of reaffirming respect for the status quo and international law in the area.

The US reaction was immediate accusing Palestinian leader Abu Mazen of rhetoric and of having "prevented a peace agreement for years". A source in the US administration, behind anonymity, said he expected "a similar reaction" from the Palestinians, but we continue "in our plan, which will benefit the Israeli and Palestinian people".

While Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu says he is "not impressed" by the OIC communique and "in the end the truth will triumph and many nations will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, arranging for the transfer of embassies".

Meanwhile, a UN Security Council resolution against US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is being examined by the United Nations. Arab and western sources reveal that the goal of member countries is to show Washington's isolation internationally. "The important thing - reveals a Palestinian diplomatic source behind anonymity - is to have the support of 14 of the 15 member countries of the Security Council" with the obvious opposition of the United States, one of the five permanent and veto carrying Member States.
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And welcome to my blog, where I post a bunch of free knitting patterns! As for me, I'm Gretchen, and I'm the mother of three small boys with a TON of one- and two-ball stash yarn that I'm always trying to find creative ways to knit up. Thanks for visiting!Oh, and, for your convenience,and explanations of knitting terms and abbreviations under "glossary."
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Disney has shared new details about the one of the latest eateries coming to Disney Springs.

Terralina Crafted Italian to open early 2018

Menu to include signature pasta dishes, pizza, vegetable dishes

Theme inspired by the Lake District of Northern Italy



Terralina Crafted Italian, slated to open in 2018, takes over the space once occupied by Portobello Country Italian Trattoria.

The new restaurant is inspired by the Lake District of Northern Italy.

The story, according to a post on the Disney Parks Blog, is as follows:

A first-generation Italian family, from the Lake District, built a home in Disney Springs, expanding it over the years to welcome more friends and neighbors to enjoy their hospitality, and, of course, food!

The redesigned restaurant will feature authentic Italian cuisine from James Beard award-winning chef Tony Mantuano and executive chef Justin Plank.

Menu items include signature pasta dishes, hand-tossed pizzas and vegetable dishes.

Inside, guests will be welcomed by an open rotunda that features a rustic stone fireplace. Outside, guests can enjoy the new outdoor patio with veranda bar, and a two-story glass conservatory that showcases views of Lake Buena Vista.

An official opening date has not yet been released.

Levy Restaurants, the group that operates Disney Springs Paddlefish, is behind Terralina Crafted Italian.

Disney Springs is set to welcome several new restaurants next year, including The Edison, Maria & Enzos, Enzos Hideaway and Pizza Pointe.

CHECK OUT ATTRACTIONS INSIDER: Your all-in-one source for news, pictures and video from Floridas theme parks. Just go to our Attractions Insider page. Sign up to get breaking theme park news alerts and subscribe to our newsletter, Theme Park Roundup, delivered to your inbox or mobile phone.
A man is facing extradition back to Manatee County in the murder of his mother.

Man faces extradition to Manatee in mother's death

Thomas Gross arrested in the murder of Ina Gross

Gross will be extradited from Israel

It's been nearly six years since Ina Gross was found dead insider her Lakewood Ranch home.

Her son, Thomas Gross, was a person of interest in the case, but a warrant for his arrest wasn't issued until 2014. By then, he was living in Israel where he has dual citizenship.

Israeli police arrested him on Sunday. His sister said justice has finally been served.

"It's almost disbelief that there is going to be the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of justice for my mom," Ellen Gerth said.

Gerth said she will never be able to forgive her brother.

It's unclear when exactly Thomas Gross will be back in the U.S.
A man accused of shooting a woman twice during a Beaumont home robbery was indicted on Wednesday on aggravated robbery charges.

Derrick Nathaniel Cooks, 19, and another man approached a woman outside her Beaumont home in May and held her at gunpoint, demanding she go inside the residence, according to an arrest affidavit filed in the case.
An appeals court ruled Wednesday that a Port Arthur man's conviction for stabbing and killing a man at a 2014 house party should stand, turning down his claims of insufficient evidence and ineffective counsel.

Dennis Jermaine Booker, 25, was found guilty in 2016 and sentenced to 60 years in prison for killing his girlfriend's cousin, Xavier Cane.

Booker and his then-girlfriend Amira Johnson arrived at the party at Stonegate Manor Apartments together on Aug. 15, 2014, and Johnson tried to leave with her cousin, Cane, after arguing with Booker, according to court testimony.

Cane, Booker and their friends began fighting, and Cane was stabbed in the heart and killed. Three police officers testified that Booker admitted to stabbing cane, saying it was done in self-defense, court filings show.

In an appeal filed last year, Booker argued that there was not enough evidence to prove he was the person who killed Crane, that his trial counsel was ineffective, that his statement made in police custody about the stabbing should not have been admitted as evidence, and that the jury should have considered that he acted in "sudden passion," which would have carried a shorter minimum sentence.

Justices in Beaumont's Ninth Court of Appeals rejected all of Booker's claims in an opinion released Wednesday.

Justice Hollis Horton wrote that there was enough evidence that a jury "could reasonably infer that Booker was the person who stabbed Cane," including the knowledge that they were fighting, that Booker had blood on his hands when police found him after the fight, and Booker's statement to police while in custody.

The court denied his other claims, ruling that there wasn't evidence to prove he acted in "sudden passion" or that his lawyers were deficient, and said the court's admission of his statement was not incorrect because Booker said he stabbed Crane voluntarily, not in the course of an interrogation without being made aware of his rights.

According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's website, Booker's projected release date is Aug. 16, 2074.
Setya Novanto, former speaker of Indonesias House of Representatives (DPR), enters a courtroom in Jakarta on the first day of his trial, Dec. 13, 2017.

Indonesian prosecutors charged former parliamentary speaker Setya Novanto at the start of his corruption trial on Wednesday, accusing him of receiving at least U.S. $7.3 million in kickbacks in one of the countrys biggest graft scandals.

But his indictment, which kicked off the trial at the Central Jakarta district court, was delayed for seven hours, after the defendants lawyers said that their client was suffering from a bad bout of diarrhea.

The court has agreed that the trial can continue with [an] indictment, said Judge Yanto, who goes by only one name. The defendant only needs to carefully listen to the prosecutors reading the indictment.

Setya, one of Indonesias most influential politicians and the ex-speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, if convicted of violating the countrys Anti-Corruption Law. His resignation as DPR speaker was the second time in two years that he stepped down because of corruption allegations leveled against him.

The latest graft charges stemmed from a 2009 government project on biometric electronic identity cards for 250 million Indonesians.

Setyas lawyers had argued earlier that he was too ill to face the charges, prompting sneers and laughter from courtroom spectators. But prosecutors said that a team of doctors had earlier examined him and declared he was healthy enough.

Id had diarrhea for five days, the politician, who appeared under the weather as he sat in the courtroom, told the judge.

Setya was seen coughing at the start of the trial. Initially, he also appeared to be dodging questions from judges by responding to questions with coughs.

Guards also assisted him when he walked in and out of the room.

It is clearly visible that my client does not act like a healthy person during the trial, Setyas lawyer, Maqdir Ismail, said. We never intended to delay the trial, but this is the fact.

Prosecutors were apparently irritated by Setyas actions, accusing him of lying to the court.

We are confident that he is healthy enough and able to attend the trial, prosecutor Irene Putri told the court.

He once complained about his health that he had to go to the toilet multiple times. But a prison guard said he only went to the toilet two times last night and slept the whole night until this morning, she said.

Disputes over Setyas health forced the court to adjourn the trial twice. The proceedings resumed after he was found fit to stand trial.

Setya, who has faced allegations of corruption in the past but has never been convicted, was accused of taking part in a conspiracy of dozens of officials who used the project called e-KTP to embezzle more than $170 million of state funds. He denied the allegations that became public this year.

Setya Novantos wife, Deisti Astriani Tagor, (center) attends his trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Dec. 13, 2017. [Arie Firdaus/BenarNews]

Kickbacks and a glittering gift

The millions of dollars in kickbacks allegedly given to Setya were earmarked for the $443-million project between 2011 and 2012, prosecutors said.

Setya also received a Richard Mille watch worth about $135,000 as a bribe to ensure he would shepherd the project for parliamentary approval, prosecutors said.

The controversy captivated Indonesia after a series of dramatic events led to Setyas arrest.

Setya initially avoided questioning by the countrys anti-corruption agency for months, but then he turned up in a hospital emergency room in late November, claiming he had been involved in a car accident in South Jakarta.

Officers from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) raided his palatial home, then arrested him at the hospital in a scene widely covered on social media.

After his arrest, the Golkar party, a partner in Indonesias governing coalition, removed him from his duties as chairman. He resigned his post as speaker on Monday, without explaining why, according to party officials.

In December 2015, Setya was forced to resign as House speaker after the head of Freeport McMoran in Indonesia, Maroef Sjamsoeddin, told a parliamentary ethics panel that he had secretly recorded a meeting during which the speaker had allegedly asked for a 20 percent-stake in the mining company.

Setya denied the allegation. Indonesias attorney-general later dropped an investigation and the Constitutional Court ruled in his favor. He was reappointed as House speaker last year.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) meets with Jordans King Abdullah II during the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul, Dec. 13, 2017.

Updated at 5:37 p.m. ET on 2017-12-13

Malaysia and Indonesia were among Islamic countries that declared Wednesday they were recognizing East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, while collectively condemning the United States for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

At the end of an emergency meeting in Istanbul, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a communique calling on member-states to impose political and economic restrictions on countries, officials, parliaments, companies and individuals recognizing the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The document did not detail how these restrictions might take shape.

U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement last week about Jerusalem was a clear desertion of his administrations role as a peace broker in the region, the OIC said.

It also warned it would hold the United States responsible for any repercussions over failing to revoke the decision, as demanded by the OICs members in the communique.

The OIC calls again on those states that have not as yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so promptly such as to consolidate the foundations of the two-state solution, for justice and international legitimacy to prevail, OIC Secretary General Yousef Al-Othaimeen said, according to a news release from the inter-governmental body that represents the Muslim world.

Today, I am delivering

Trump reversed decades of U.S. policy by officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and saying his administration would begin a process of moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move is expected to take years.

For decades, the status of Jerusalem  home to sites holy to Islam, Judaism and Christianity  has been a major obstacle to reaching a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians see East Jerusalem as their future state capital. Muslims worldwide see the Al-Aqsa mosque, which sits on Judaisms holiest site, the Temple Mount, as Islams third-holiest site.

Trumps decision fulfilled a promise he made on the electoral campaign trail.

I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the president said in a speech at the White House on Dec. 6. While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering.

Trump said his move was not intended to tip the scale in favor of Israel and that any deal involving the future of Jerusalem would have to be negotiated by the parties.

He insisted he was not taking a position on any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders.

Najib, Jokowi speak out



Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was among leaders who addressed the meeting in Turkey.

The decision by the U.S. is a provocation and has serious consequences on the security of the region. It has inflamed the sentiments of the Palestinians and the Muslim Ummah [community] worldwide, Najib said.

We fear that this is a situation waiting to explode as tensions continue to escalate in the region, Najib told fellow leaders and representatives of OIC countries, noting that unrest and protests had broken out across the Muslim world  including in his country  in response to Trumps announcement last week.

He said his government condemned and totally rejected the unilateral decision by the United States.

Such a move undermines all efforts toward finding a comprehensive, just and durable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo echoed Najibs message.

Once again, President Trumps recognition is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned, Jokowi said, according to a news release from his spokesman.

Indonesia will accompany Palestine in its struggle. In every breath of Indonesian diplomacy, we have our side with the Palestinians, Jokowi said. The OIC must expressly reject the unilateral recognition. The two-state solution is the only solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supports Trumps decision, said Wednesday that he was not impressed by the OICs communique, according to Agence France-Press (AFP).

The Palestinians would do better by recognizing reality and acting in favor of peace and not extremism, Netanyahu said.

They should recognize another fact concerning Jerusalem: It is not only the capital of Israel, but we also maintain respect in Jerusalem for the freedom of worship for all religions, and we are the ones in the Middle East who do this like no one else, he added.

Razlan Rashid in Kuala Lumpur and Zahara Tiba in Jakarta contributed to this report.
Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III testifies during a Senate hearing in Manila investigating the decision to use the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, Dec. 14, 2017.

Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III defended his administrations decision to use an anti-dengue vaccine developed by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, testifying on Thursday that he was not made aware of the drugs potentially adverse side effects.

Aquino said he was informed about the extent of dengue outbreak in the Philippines soon after winning the presidency in 2010, and shortly thereafter learned that Sanofi was developing a new medicine against strains of the disease. He faced an epidemic because health officials had warned that the mosquito-borne disease could spread by as much as 1,400 percent.

Let me stress, before the government made a decision on Dengvaxia, indeed while making the decision, and even after it made a decision, no one warned me about the dangers of the vaccine, Aquino told a Senate inquiry.

The Philippine government this month suspended a school-based immunization program using the Dengvaxia vaccine and later pulled the drug off shelves nationwide, after Sanofi issued an advisory that it could cause health problems for people who had never been infected with dengue. The government plans to seek a full refund from Sanofi and launched a program to monitor children who were given shots of the vaccine.

If dengue affects 200,000 cases a year, and possibly could increase by 14 times, the potential people that could contract the disease would be 2.8 million, Aquino testified.

That is how many Filipinos would need blood transfusions, who may need hospitalization funded by the government, he said, adding that his administration had to step up its campaign against dengue. Those efforts resulted in a drop in dengue-related deaths, from more than 1,000 people in 2010 to less than half that number in five years.

He said he met with Sanofi officials in December 2015, when he learned that the French firms breakthrough vaccine, Dengvaxia, was prepared for rollout.

The former president stressed that Mexico and Brazil had approved its sale as well. He said he was told the vaccine went through a stringent process of development to determine its efficacy, and more importantly, its safety.

I did not think to deny it to those who really needed it and whose health was in danger were it not for this vaccine, he said.

Aquinos testimony came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said he believed that his predecessor and his administration had acted in good faith when launching a 3.5-billion peso (U.S. $69 million) program to purchase Dengvaxia, touted by its developers as the worlds first approved vaccine against dengue.

The program was launched months before Aquino ended his six-year term and continued into Dutertes first term, by which time, about 740,000 schoolchildren were given doses of Dengvaxia.

Duterte did not criticize Aquino

Duterte has refrained from openly criticizing Aquino with whom he has feuded publicly in the past.

It is good faith. If you really think in good faith that you are doing the right thing, nobody, but nobody can question you, except your conscience, Duterte said. I am not prepared to pass judgment. I can only inquire and hope everything will give us the truth.

Had he been president at the time, Duterte said, he would have approved the program since studies then showed that the vaccine could save lives.

On Thursday, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said the president understood that the purchase had to be implemented to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

He stressed that, at this stage, it was not certain whether Sanofi knew about the adverse effects at the time it implemented the vaccination program.

He could have joined other individuals in the process of politicizing the issue, and I think you know that there is that political noise now, but he opted to adapt a very sober and very clam response to the controversy, Roque said.
The Bible has been under attack in the western world for over 200 years but never more intensely than today. These attacks have taken different forms and have come from many different corners of the academic world, from philosophers, to scientists, to textual critics. In the specialized world of archaeology the attacks have increased dramatically in the past 50 years. Once a specialization filled with Bible believing individuals, the field of archaeology is now overrun with atheists and skeptics, agnostics and those committed to the destruction of the Bible as a source of true historical information.

These attacks on the Bible are a part of a sweeping movement in western culture. Spearheaded by academic elitists in the university and the public educational system, the news and popular media, and the entertainment industry, these revisionists cloak themselves with supposed objectivity, purity of motives, and the superiority of science over the "uninformed", "unscientific", religious community.

They regularly mock those who question their world-view and their conclusions by name-calling and the worst forms of anti-Bible and anti-Christian propaganda. They have powerfully infected the church by turning Bible believing Christians against the very Scripture which is the foundation of truth and life in this world. Instead of contending for the Bible, Christian academics, pastors, and lay-persons are making egregious accommodations to these destroyers of faith and truth.

In these days of intense spiritual battle, God has called ABR to step into the gap to contend for the truth and to assist the church in this critical hour. ABR is a non-profit ministry dedicated to demonstrating the historical reliability of the Bible and to give answers to questions being asked by believers and non-believers alike. We do this by using original archaeological fieldwork and research along with studies in other apologetic disciplines. We take on the bold claims of skeptics and critics. We challenge the bizarre anti-biblical propaganda that is purveyed upon the public as gospel through television and print media. We uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is God's message for the salvation of all mankind!
Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen

Neue Abstimmung fur Senat und Bund  Berliner mussen zwei Mal wahlen
For Immediate Release, December 14, 2017 Contact: Vera Pardee, (858) 717-1448,vpardee@biologicaldiversity.org Report: U.S. Airlines' Carbon Emissions Jumped by 7 Percent Dramatic Increase Highlights Need for Federal Climate Rules SAN FRANCISCO Aviation fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions increased by 7 percent from 2014 to 2016, according to a report released today by the International Council on Clean Transportation. The new report shows that the aviation industry could cut fuel use and carbon pollution by more than a quarter by investing in newer, more efficient planes and adopting greater passenger density. These practices are already followed by carriers like Alaska and Frontier. But while industry profits soared nearly sixfold between 2012 and 2016, growing demand increased fuel use and carbon emissions by 10 percent, dwarfing efficiency gains of 3 percent. These dramatic findings show that the airline industrys much-touted efforts to fight greenhouse pollution are still stuck on the tarmac, said Vera Pardee, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute. Thats why we need strong, protective federal climate rules that actually cut airplanes rapidly escalating emissions. Our planet cant wait for the industry to reform itself. The Center, Friends of the Earth and other allies, represented by Earthjustice, first petitioned the EPA in 2007 to regulate carbon emissions from aircraft under the federal Clean Air Act. In July 2016 the EPA officially acknowledged that pollution from airplanes disrupts the climate and endangers human welfare, but the agency has failed to follow through with rules to reduce aircraft emissions. Aviation already accounts for about 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gas pollution, and emissions are rising steeply. If commercial aviation were considered a country, it would rank seventh after Germany in terms of carbon emissions. Airplanes could generate 43 metric gigatons of planet-warming pollution through 2050, consuming more than 4 percent of the worlds remaining carbon budget, according to a Center report. The first international standards for carbon pollution from airplanes were adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization in early 2017. But these standards will reduce emissions from new planes less than business as usual and do not apply to any in-service aircraft. The Trump administration is required to protect our planet from aviation emissions that continue to explode, and dramatic pollution reductions are easily within reach based on existing technologies, Pardee said. In the meantime passengers can reduce their carbon footprint by flying carriers like Alaska and Frontier.
For Immediate Release, December 14, 2017 Contact: Collette Adkins, (651) 955-3821, cadkins@biologicaldiversity.org

Leda Huta, (202) 320-6467, lhuta@endangered.org Report: Ocelot, Sagebrush Lizard Among Endangered Species Undercut by Politics Science Suppressed, Ignored Due to Political Pressure WASHINGTON Federal officials making crucial decisions about imperiled wildlife frequently disregard key scientific facts, in violation of the Endangered Species Act, a report published today finds. The Endangered Species Coalition report, Suppressed: How Politics Drowned Out Science for 10 Endangered Species, highlights 10 imperiled fish, plant and wildlife conservation decisions from the past several years in which the science was either ignored or suppressed as a result of intense special-interest lobbying and influence. Now, under the Trump administration, that pressure is worsening. Todays report includes the imperiled ocelot and dunes sagebrush lizard, which were nominated by the Center for Biological Diversity, a coalition member. One of the biggest risks to the ocelots survival is President Trumps proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. Trumps border wall could be the last straw for the ocelot, said Collette Adkins, a Center attorney and biologist. The science shows that the border wall plan is a disaster for wildlife like ocelots that need to move back and forth across the border to survive. Trumps wall would further worsen the isolation of Texas and Arizona ocelots from those in Mexico and lead to continued inbreeding and most likely extinction within the United States. A recent study has identified more than 90 endangered or threatened species that would be severely harmed by a 2,000-mile wall. For the dunes sagebrush lizard, politically motivated interference has led to its population plummeting. A conservation plan prepared by the Texas Comptrollers Office and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completely lacks teeth to protect the lizard. Surviving only in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, it faces many threats, especially from oil and gas development. The recent initiation of sand mining in high-quality dunes sagebrush lizard habitat will place additional pressure on its survival. But the stifling of science has been widespread under the Trump administration as it slashed science budgets at NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies. Our native fish, plants and wildlife arent just a critically valuable part of the legacy we leave for future generations of Americans, theyre key to providing a good quality of life for all humans right now, said Leda Huta, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition. But we are concerned that the prevalence of special interest, industry representatives inside the Trump administration is intensifying the suppression of science in endangered species decisions. Background

Four species in the report  the wolverine, greater sage grouse, dunes sagebrush lizard and Hermes copper butterfly  were denied protection under the Endangered Species Act in spite of massive, historic population declines and severe threats to the species. Just last week the Trump administration denied listing four more imperiled species on top of the 29 others denied protection under the Act in the past year. Another, the North Atlantic right whale  threatened by ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and seismic energy exploration  would have benefited from a decision to deny six seismic oil exploration permits. However, the Trump Administration has reversed that decision in an effort to expand drilling in the Atlantic. Late last month the administration finalized a recovery plan for the Mexican wolf, one of the most endangered mammals in North America. The plan ignored the scientific recommendations of the Fish and Wildlife Services own Mexican Wolf Recovery Team, calling for a minimum population of only half the number of wolves that the scientists recommended. Two other water-dwelling species in the report were also victims of science suppression, including the pallid sturgeon and Pacific leatherback sea turtle. One of the largest reptiles in the world, the leatherback can journey more than 10,000 miles between habitats. This past June the administration withdrew a proposed regulation on drift gillnets, which are used to catch swordfish, in response to persistent lobbying from the commercial fishing industry. In 2014 the Fish and Wildlife Service declined to list the greater sage grouse as endangered, citing an unprecedented region-wide habitat conservation effort tied to state and federal conservation plans. However, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is threatening to undo even these modest, bipartisan conservation measures. Meanwhile sage-grouse numbers have declined by 90 percent from historic levels. Protecting umbrella species like sage grouse conserves habitats on which many other species rely, like mule deer and pronghorn. Endangered Species Coalitions member groups nominated species for the report. A committee of distinguished scientists reviewed the nominations and decided which species should be included in the final report. The full report, along with a slideshow and additional species information can be viewed and downloaded at http://SuppressedScience.org. The Endangered Species Coalition produces a Top 10 report annually, focusing on a different theme each year. Previous years reports are also available on the Coalitions website.
MASERU, Lesotho - The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho's new-look website promotes the right to information and free speech. The website also includes a comprehensive media directory with contact details of all media outlets in Lesotho - from community broadcasters to newspapers and media training organisations.

MISA Lesotho has launched its revamped website, making it easier to keep up with freedom of expression and access to information developments in Lesotho and across southern Africa.

The overhauled http://Lesotho.MISA.org website provides in-depth analysis and commentary, as well as the latest developments in the media and information sectors. Notably, it holds an extensive collection of papers, publications and legislation in the website's Resource Centre.

To allow stakeholders to easily track the state of media freedom and freedom of expression in the country, MISA Lesotho publishes alerts documenting media violations and victories directly to its website.

Free speech and access to information are basic human rights. Importantly, they are also essential to making government and other institutions transparent and accountable, said Tsebo Matsasa, national director of MISA Lesotho. That's why we have spent weeks redesigning and reorganising our new website  to make sure those looking for information can find it quickly and easily.

To promote the right to information and free speech more broadly, MISA Lesotho provides content in a diverse range of formats, such as video, graphics and text. http://Lesotho.MISA.org works on mobile devices as well as on PCs to make it as accessible as possible.

Articles on the website are now simpler to understand and shed more light on issues at hand, said Kanalelo Seboka, studio technician and MISA Lesotho member, adding that the redesigned site is much easier to navigate. In fact, the home page is as simple as it should be! he said.

DW Akademie, a German media development organisation, provided technical and editorial support for the website development.

With our support for the MISA website, we aim to help everyone, from stakeholders and politicians to journalists and ordinary citizens, know more about their fundamental rights to information and freedom of expression, said Natascha Schwanke, head of DW Akademies Africa Division. And also help everyone know why its so vital to support these rights and find out when they are being eroded and how they can be better upheld.
South Africans are unlikely to face crippling healthcare bills and have fairly good access to services, suggesting the country is well on the path to providing universal health coverage, according to a report by the World Bank and the World Health Organisation.

The Tracking Universal Health Coverage report defines universal coverage as meaning that all people can obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. Achieving universal health coverage by 2030 is one of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The report's findings on SA challenge the Department of Health's rhetoric on National Health Insurance, an ambitious set of health reforms that it says are intended to provide universal health coverage. The findings show the country is to some extent there already.

The report found SA's service coverage index, which gauges the provision of essential health services, was 67, putting it in the top half of the 183 countries surveyed. About 80 countries rank higher than SA.

The incidence of catastrophic health expenditure, defined as the percentage of the population spending more than 10% of their household budget on out-ofpocket health expenses, is just 1.41%. This puts South Africans' risk of catastrophic health expenditure on a similar level to people living in the UK (1.64%) or Panama (1.4%).

They enjoy better financial protection than people living in the US or India. In those countries, the percentage of the population spending more than 10% of household income on health expenses is 4.77% and 17.3%, respectively.

The report provided an incomplete picture of healthcare coverage as it did not gauge the quality of the services provided, cautioned Alex van den Heever, who holds the chair of social security systems at the University of the Witwatersrand.

"South Africans are not being bankrupted, but it doesn't mean they are not getting killed," Van den Heever said.

Neither the public nor the private healthcare system provided sufficient information on the quality of the services they provided, he said.

The Department of Health declined to comment, saying it had yet to study the report.

The report said that at least half of the world's population still lacked full coverage for essential health services and more than 800-million people spent at least 10% of their household budgets on out-of-pocket health expenses, pushing them into poverty.

"The report makes clear that if we are serious - not just about better health outcomes but also about ending poverty - we must urgently scale up our efforts on universal health coverage," said World Bank group president Dr Jim Yong-kim.
According to Mastercard research, around 96% of transactions are still conducted in cash among South Africa's 1.5 million informal enterprises, despite strong interest in digital and card payments by consumers.

More than 51% of South Africas informal enterprises have encountered strong customer interest in paying by card, yet around 90% of them continue to run as cash-only businesses. This is according to Insights into the Informal Economy Report, a Mastercard study released at the companys Digital Indaba in Cape Town last week.

Despite rural and township residents using cards for 60% of their transactions at formal retailers, only 4% of transactions are card-based at informal retailers. This is due to these small traders not offering card or mobile acceptance.

Card acceptance is highly attractive for informal traders and is an important next step to increase revenue, but lack of access to formal banking tools and understanding of available payment options limits their opportunity for growth, says Gabriel Swanepoel, vice president of product development and innovation at Mastercard South Africa.

Conducted by Genesis Analytics on behalf of Mastercard, the study looks at understanding trends in payment instrument usage  from cash to card  and estimates the opportunity for cash displacement in the informal sector.

Exposed to the costs and risks of cash

South Africa has around 1.5 million informal enterprises generating turnover of around R75 billion a year. Absorbing 12% of the countrys labour force, they provide a valuable source of employment and income for some of the countrys most financially vulnerable.

Ninety-six percent of transactions at informal retailers are still concluded using cash, exposing them to high cash handling and transaction costs, lost sales when customers dont have cash or exact change to pay, and the threat of crime.

The study identified six major reasons that cash still rules the informal economy:

 The perceived costs of accepting mobile and digital payments

 A lack of knowledge and awareness about the solutions available for card acceptance and the benefits of going cashless

 Lack of formal banking facilities

 A belief that cash makes it simpler to budget accurately when handling small amounts of money

 Evasion of tax payments

 A relatively high percentage (45%) of consumers receive salary payments in cash

In addition, misconceptions persist about the high cost of card usage, particularly for low-value payments, and some consumers remain reluctant to use cards for small transactions.

Smartphones to unlock digital acceptance in informal sector

The use of smartphones amongst informal enterprises and their customers was found to be relatively high, driven by the decline in the cost of smartphones and the strong demand for digital messaging services and social media platforms. Fifty-nine percent of merchants and 69% of consumers interviewed have smartphones. Yet none of the merchants in the sample were using smartphone-based card acceptance solutions.

When asked if they would consider using these solutions, they expressed great interest if the economics made sense. Twenty-two percent said they would be interested in using a QR-code solution, 44% said they would be interested in mobile payments apps, and 40% said they would be interested in a point of sale (POS) or mobile POS card acceptance solution.

The study finds that merchants who introduced card acceptance reported an average increase in turnover of 50%, while those that introduced mobile payment acceptance via Quick Response (QR) codes saw their revenues climb by 10%.

Educating merchants about the benefits of digital and card payments as well as the low-cost options available for digital payments acceptance are central to shifting billions of rand in transactions from cash to digital channels.

The latest wave of mobile and digital innovations will help grow financial inclusion among informal merchants that play a critical role in South Africas economy, says Swanepoel. Together with partners like Spazapp and iKhokha, we are working to significantly boost card payment and card acceptance at micro, small and medium enterprises in informal settlements.
For any of the non-South Africans reading this, a "braai" is a barbeque, and a vital part of the country's culture.

Now thats out of the way, down to business. The braai is going digital, thanks to South African startup MyBraai. Launched last year, MyBraai is a premium online butchery offering quality meat, poultry and braai accessories, delivered to households and businesses in South Africa with via a next-day delivery service.

Customers simply place orders online, pay for their goods, and have them delivered. All products are vacuum packed and stored in reusable polystyrene boxes.

MyBraai was launched by Dino Nathanael, who realised other such services were focused on serving the catering industry.

We wanted to serve the individuals of the country and deliver directly to their homes. This was the initial idea that started the business, as it was not an area well-served in the country, he said.

We are building a brand that we believe South Africans will love and therefore form a part of their daily lives.

The startup is self-funded but has managed to grow month-on-month on its own to date. It has around 80 customers ordering weekly, with the average order value standing at around R3,500 (US$254).

We source all products from various chicken, lamb, beef and pork suppliers, however we do have specifications for all products to be A-Grade quality products, and therefore we do not purchase anything less than that, Nathanael said.

He said there had been a little skepticism in South Africa with regards to the safety of online business payment processing, but MyBraai was tackling that with marketing.

The digital world has made it a lot easier to create brand awareness and therefore social media does play a large part of our marketing strategy. We have also put up a billboard in Pretoria, Nathanael said.

We are able to see that customers, as well as potential customers, do see the brand as being something new and different, as an online butchery is not something that many people are used to. It is up to us however to make sure that we gain the trust of people to believe in us enough to make their first purchase as we are confident they will place a second order with us as well.

Gauteng currently makes up 80 per cent of MyBraais sales, though it does serve other provinces at a higher minimum order. Plans are afoot to expand further across the country.
The acquisitions of two maize milling companies by a consortium comprising DH Brothers Industries (Pty) Limited trading as Willowton Group (Willowton) and Louis Dreyfus Company Africa (Pty) Ltd (LDC Africa), has been approved by the South African Competition Tribunal on 30 November 2017, overruling an earlier recommendation not to allow the merger to proceed.

Jonathan Weiss via 123RF

Mergers to alleviate financial difficulties, prevent job losses

The two maize mills in question are Progress Milling, which is located in Polokwane, Limpopo and Noordfed, which is situated in Lichtenburg, North West. The acquisition of Progress Milling seeks to bring that 80-year old business out of business rescue proceedings, which it has been subject to since early March 2016. The consortium is looking to implement both acquisitions as soon as possible.

The mergers will alleviate the financial difficulties experienced by Progress Milling and Noordfed, which could have resulted in the loss of more than 400 jobs in the event of a closure.

More than 14,000 subsistence farmers in Limpopo hold claims against Progress Milling valued at an aggregate of R18.4m for maize meal deliverables. The acquisition of Progress Milling involves the recovery in full of those claims, which would have been largely irrecoverable in the event of the mills failure. Progress Milling will continue its maize-intake programme with these farmers, whose stable food source consists of maize meal.

Exciting new opportunities

Pietermaritzburg-based Willowton Group is South Africas largest sunflower seed crusher and one of the leading companies in the countrys fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Renowned for its quality products and support to the local community, Willowton Group anticipates exciting new opportunities as a result of the merger.

We look forward to realising the potential that the successful merger of these businesses will bring to our business and brands, said Mahomed Zubeir Moosa, chief executive officer for Willowton Group. It is a natural progression to extend into these categories and with it will bring the opportunity for further innovation and brand extensions. The merger will also bolster our product offering for exports and positively contribute towards local economic growth. As one of South Africas leading fast-moving FMCG businesses, we are passionate about job creation and skills development. We also remain committed to our vision, which is to be at the forefront of innovation in the FMCG industry and to provide consumers with products that will make a difference in their everyday lives. All this will be achieved while maintaining our ethos of social upliftment.

Merger a substantial addition to LDCs existing asset base

LDC Africa is wholly-owned by the Louis Dreyfus Company group (LDC), a global merchant and processor of agricultural goods. LDC has been present in South Africa since 1925, originating, processing and distributing white maize, wheat, rice, edible oils, oilseeds (sunflower and soya). This merger is a substantial addition to LDCs existing asset base in the country, which already includes participation in sunflower seeds crushing plant, a rice packing plant and wheat mills.

Commenting on the merger approval, Thomas Couteaudier, Africa Head, said: For LDC Africa this investment is a step further into downstream value-adding activity. We are especially pleased that the merger will help sustain the livelihoods of many, including employees and small-scale farmers around Polokwane who will be allowed to bring maize and draw maize meal from Progress again.
A recent study conducted on behalf of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) has determined that malls are getting bigger. New data indicates that the average size of centres developed have steadily increased in size since the 1990s with centres slated for completion between 2017 and 2020 being significantly larger than those developed during the 1990s and 2000s.

Phil Barttram, executive director of Morgan Stanley Capital International

This trend towards larger centres may be explained by developers opting for larger formats in order to dominate its immediate catchment area and attract a higher proportion of national tenants, thus strengthening the centres position within its catchment area. The data also indicates that proposed centres planned in the countrys city regions, local/niche towns and service towns are all now 100% larger compared to those developed during the 2000s.

As of July 2017, the South African retail development pipeline measures 1.9-million square metres across 68 centres - the bulk of which is planned for completion in 2018. Currently, there are 17 shopping centres slated for completion in the remaining weeks of 2017.

Saturated retail market

In terms of square meterage of retail space, South Africa ranks as sub-Saharan Africas most saturated retail market, representing 88% of the available space in the region. According to the SA Shopping Council, South Africa has the sixth most shopping centres in the world  and yet, we continue to build more malls.

Phil Barttram, executive director of MSCI Real Estate South Africa, which conducted the research, said that there is a unique perspective of the link between retail space, economic activity and population density. MSCIs latest research, based on SACSCs shopping centre directory, provides a unique perspective of the linkage between expected retail mall space, economic activity and population densities. Given a highly competitive environment for malls in specific nodes, we believe that centre selection within the retail segments will become increasingly important. There are fundamental drivers of mall defensiveness and it will be the malls that best exploit these factors that will prove to be more resilient in the times ahead, he added.

Double-digit growth for small-town markets

Retail supply in the small-town markets are still expecting double-digit growth for 2017 to 2020 compared to 2010 to 2016. The Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Eastern Cape provinces combined contribute 82% of the overall retail pipeline in the small settlement-type markets. The study conducted by MSCI also notes that despite the slowing of retail development, the South African retail market has expanded significantly over the past few decades, increasing to 23.4-million square metres at the end of 2016. Since 2010, retail stock has grown by an average of 17.3% with 32 new centres per year.

Last year, Menlyn Park in Pretoria, now the largest shopping centre in South Africa, embarked on a R2bn redevelopment that added 50,000m2 of additional retail space to its already massive footprint, making it one of the largest malls in Africa. In February this year, the Fourways Mall expansion project in Johannesburg broke ground. This project, costing R23.7m, will see the mall become a retail behemoth of 175,0002. The Pavilion as well as Ballito Junction, both in KwaZulu-Natal have also undergone expansion projects.

Another possible reason for the increase in mall size including redevelopment of malls may be globalisation. Globalisation has brought many international brands into the country that were once considered unattainable. This means that the store-within-a-store that stock these international brands will be rendered obsolete, thus creating the opportunity for expanded retail space.
A total of R213m has been paid by municipalities to water boards, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said on Wednesday, 13 December.

The minister gave an update on agreements reached with certain municipalities to settle their outstanding debt (of more than 60 days) to the Department of Water and Sanitation and water boards for the delivery of bulk water services.

At the briefing in Tshwane, Mokonyane said R55.5m has been paid by municipalities to the Water Trading Entity of the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The briefing follows an announcement the minister made on 27 November that the department was embarking on a process aimed at recovering a total outstanding debt of R10.7bn owed to the department and water boards by various municipalities.

The notices issued advised the 30 affected municipalities of the departments intention to invoke Section 59 (3) (b) of the National Water Act, which allows the department to restrict or suspend the flow of water to defaulting municipalities.

Commitments received since our initial pronouncements and over and above monies already received amount to R300m, Mokonyane said.

The department anticipates that this figure will increase over the next few days, as more municipalities have made commitments to pay the agreed amounts towards the old debt and to settle their current account debt, which is invoices not older than 30 days.

Of the 30 municipalities cited, 25 have made contact with the department and water boards, and have made commitments to make payment against their debt thus far. Eleven municipalities have made payment towards their debts by the deadline of 8 December 2017.

There are municipalities that have raised disputes with some portions of the debt owed and to this end, we have agreed on a process to be followed in resolving debt under dispute and separating it from the main debt to allow for a commencement of payment on the undisputed portions of the debt, Mokonyane said.

Restriction of bulk water supply

The minister announced that the department will commence with the rationed restriction of bulk water supply to the municipalities that have failed to engage with the department and/or make payment of their outstanding debts by the deadline of 8 December.

She, however, emphasised that the department will not cut water supply but may throttle the pressure at which it supplies bulk water to ensure that citizens are provided with the minimal allocation of water, as dictated by the Constitution.

The South African standard relating to a 'basic' water supply is defined as 25 litres of water per person, per day, and this amounts to six kilolitres of water per household, per month for a household of eight people.

This restricted volume will also be augmented by 40% to cater for supply to informal settlements as well as water losses within the reticulation system. This is what the Constitution requires us to provide, as a basic level of access to water for all households in South Africa.

The water restrictions proposed would be designed to ensure that households and citizens have access to their constitutionally guaranteed basic level of supply, while we force municipalities to meet their financial obligations, the minister explained.

However, she warned that being indigent does not mean using water irresponsibly.

Systematic challenges

An analysis by the department of the top 30 defaulting municipalities has highlighted several systematic challenges that require the interventions of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Ministry and the provinces in support of municipalities.

This analysis indicates that the majority of these municipalities fall between high to extreme vulnerability in areas such as revenue collection, wastewater management and compliance, financial and infrastructure asset management as well as operations and maintenance.

Twenty-six percent of the municipalities show non-revenue water figures of above 50%. This means that these municipalities are losing more than half of the water supplied through their systems. A further 26% have been unable to track and provide data on water losses.

This emphasises the important observations we have made of a need to drastically improve the capacity of municipalities to plan, budget, operate and maintain water services infrastructure, including adequate systems of revenue collection and an updated indigent register, the minister said.

She further assured that the department will not punish municipalities that are cooperating and that the end user will not be punished.
Aviation is a key part of the economic lifeblood of Africa. It supports 6.9 million jobs and $80bn in GDP. It carries people and goods across and outside the continent and brings in economic investment, tourism, trade, and aid.

Photo by Andrey Larin on Unsplash

Aviation in Africa is promising. Over the next two decades, African aviation is forecast to grow at 5.4% a year, nearly tripling in size. The continent's top 10 fastest growing markets are growing at an even faster 8% per year.

Even though many are rising from a small base, it points to a very bright future for aviation in Africa. Currently, 76.6 million people use air transport as inbound or bound passengers or those that travel within Africa.

Cannot take growth for granted

If projections by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are correct, that figure will grow to 300 million by 2035. But many promises of progress in African aviation sector have not been realised. However, we cannot take this growth for granted, or the economic and social benefits it will bring.

What are the risks to growth? The biggest policy question mark is the Yamoussoukro Decision which aims to liberalise intra-Africa travel. Africa will not realise its potential unless the deal is fully implemented. On top of that are requirements for investments in aircraft and airports, as well as air navigation services.

There is the question of ensuring a future workforce with the right skills to run airlines in a competitive environment, to fly and maintain the aircraft, to manage the airport systems, provide air navigation services, among others.

According to Airbus, the world's airlines will require 25,000 new aircraft, in the next 20 years, in addition to the 17,000 existing global fleet.

Globally, we expect to see a requirement for half a million new technicians and engineers to maintain and look after these aircraft and over 350,000 pilots to fly them. About 1,000 of these new aircraft will be destined for Africa.

The ability of African aviation to reach its full potential will hinge upon the creation of a professional, skilled, and sustainable workforce.

A more collaborative and concerted effort is required

There are good private-sector initiatives underway and IATA is committed to continuous training through the IATA Airline Training Fund in Africa. Already this year 2,484 young African aviation professionals have benefitted from this. However, to achieve the scale and sustainability required to meeting the skills need for future growth, a more collaborative and concerted effort is required.

While the industry is best suited to addressing the current specialist knowledge and skills gaps, we are dependent on African governments to put in place the right environment to create the future talent that the sector needs.

Today's economies are increasingly knowledge-based and technology-driven. New technologies are spawning new ways of working and, as such, we cannot easily predict what future jobs will entail.

We have to prepare the next generation

What we do know is we have to prepare the next generation with the capacity for lifelong learning so they are able to adapt to what will be a rapidly evolving economy. This means we need education systems to produce significantly greater numbers of young people with both the technical and IT skills the industry needs as well as the life skills necessary to be employable.

If Africa can meet the future demand for highly skilled aviation roles, it will benefit from increased GDP growth, investment in future job-creation, and ultimately, enjoy its slice of the prosperity that aviation can generate.

Thinking big, there is even potential for Africa to become a global aviation training centre, meeting its market needs and exporting skilled labour to other parts of the world that are growing.
Students from various universities will be representing South Africa at the International Student Cluster Competition hosted at the 2018 International Supercomputing Conference in Germany next year. They will compete with 11 other teams from different countries.

The students came first at a national competition which took place during the annual Centre for High-Performance Computing (CHPC) conference in Pretoria last week. They were part of ten teams, consisting of four undergraduate students from universities across the country, who battled it out to demonstrate their cluster building and high-performance computing skills.



The winning team

Rosendorff Meir (Wits)

Bruton Joshua (Wits)

Paupamah Kimessha (Wits)

Mokoena Katleho (Wits)

Sithole Njabulo (University of Limpopo)

Michlo Nathan (Wits)

Giga Biters and Evans Sharon (Wits)

Gekko Bulbulia Zubair (Wits)

In a real-time challenge, the students build small high-performance computing clusters on the exhibition floor, using hardware provided by CHPC and its industrial partners, and race to demonstrate the best performance across a series of benchmarks and applications.

The CHPC is one of three primary pillars of the national cyberinfrastructure intervention initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and managed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Speaking at the competition the Department of Science and Technologys Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, said that the department was committed to investing in science, engineering and innovation including the establishment and support institutes such as the CHPC.

This kind of government assistance fosters the creation and dissemination of knowledge of innovation and has a strong influence on the long-term competitiveness of the country, said Dr Mjwara.

CHPC Director, Dr Happy Sithole said the objective was to create awareness of high-performance computing and the great impact it has on the country.
The handy travel companion amplifying hotel service and guest experience

Wednesday, 5 December 2017, saw the launch of the 'handy' device into the South African market as a means to revolutionise the travel and hotel industry.

The launch, which took place at One&Only Cape Town, saw Tink Labs Jan du Toit, director of sales, South Africa; Barry Clemens, general manager Africa and Indian Ocean; Sem Kallen, accounts manager for southern and eastern Africa; and Steven To, global head of sales, share the handy experience with guests, inviting them to try it out and get a feel for the device. From left to right: Steven To, Jan du Toit, director of sales, South Africa, Barry Clemens and Sem Kallen. I was personally blown away by this integrated travel solution. Why, you may ask? Well, handy is a device that meets travellers' demand for internet connectivity in and outside of the hotel room. Its basically a local travel companion for the duration of your stay. Its also the first mobile travel solution serving as a travel guide for tourists combining hotel services. The handy smartphone Upon turning on the handy device, I was prompted to enter my checkout date (all data gets erased once you check out  so what happens in handy, stays in handy). Once I logged in, I could either sign up using my email address or my Facebook account. I was immediately welcomed by the 'handy' city guide with an array of options to choose from - including distances from the hotel and GPS to boot  from the Boulders African Penguin Colony to the District Six Museum, Lions Head and more, as well as restaurant suggestions in and around the city that guests could visit. Its a device that allows for language capability, so youd never feel as though youre literally in a foreign country where no one understands you. It also has a built-in camera and allows you to buy tickets online for any activity that may interest you. Guests have access to social logins and email as well (with free internet access during their stay), access to unlimited local and international calls, and speed dial capabilities to hotel services  it really is a handy smartphone. We chatted to Reinard Korf, operation manager at the President Hotel, which is also the first hotel in South Africa to introduce handy as part of its service offering, to find out more about what made the hotel buy into the handy experience, what their reservations were and how useful theyre finding the device in their day-to-day operations. What made the President Hotel consider handy as part of its service offering? What made the President Hotel consider handy as part of its service offering?

For me, when I first got introduced to handy, it was a no-brainer. In essence, it's a product that can be offered to the clientele, which is not available in the country at this stage. Imagine you have a guest and you can offer a unique selling point (USP)  you can offer them a product that none of your competitors can and you have a tool that allows you to be in contact with guests. You can push your marketing material to them, intercept negative reviews, and you have direct interaction with the guest at any given stage  and vice versa. Reinard Korf Why wouldnt you want to offer that to a guest, and why would a guest not appreciate that?

First, not only would I be able to improve my FNB revenues, I can punt promotions and activities and get additional spend, because we all work hard to retain our in-house guests for additional spend, so that was a very big push for me.

Second, I am able to manage guest experiences, so if they have a bad experience and they feel like venting, they put it on the phone and I get a notification. I can engage with guests from that perspective and fix it rather than having to just write an apology via email. Three, the hotel has a unique selling point for the fact that guests feel that they are connected with the hotel, they can request services that way. A great example would be if you are hosting a large group of people, all out and about, and you need to send individual messages to the guests. In the past, you would send a note to the room or you would wonder where the guests are.

Today, I dial a room number on my integrated system and the phone rings wherever the guest is, I can speak to them directly, or I know in which room the guest is staying so I can send a quick message to say the organisers are looking for him/her, for example. I can reach out to the guest. If they all need to be ready at 6.30am for breakfast, I can send a group communication to the selected rooms that I need to.

Another great aspect is that, if youre a family and you want to get in contact with you're children staying in a different room and theyre at the pool, you can call them on the room number and reach them at the pool, or they can reach you while you're doing tours on Table Mountain  instantly connected. The great thing is the panic button  If they are anywhere and feel at risk, they can press the panic button and it goes directly to my security department who dispatches help, so any international traveller can feel safe and connected.

For me, with regards to the above aspects, it was a no-brainer  guests would appreciate that sort of service.

What were your reservations about incorporating handy? Did you see any risk? What were your reservations about incorporating handy? Did you see any risk?

The risk? South Africans are kind of conservative and we always why someone wouldn't steal it? I think that was my biggest question. I thought people will steal this  guests steal hairdryers, they steal your amenities, they take your kettles, they sometimes try to put anything that they can find into their bags and go with it  so why wouldnt they take a smartphone? Especially a smartphone thats standing free in their room, available to them, that they can do whatever they want with  why would they not take it?

I was assured by handy that no one will take it. In Asia, theyve never lost it, and everyones succeeding with it, but I did not believe them at all. So, we worked out comprehensive procedures for our hotel to put controls in place and educate team members about the process in place.

To date, weve been running it for four months and we have lost three units. The first unit we lost, we were able to GPS locate it exactly to where it was lost in Long Street and sent out a driver who picked it up from the street. The second time, a guest lost it in Long Street and we tried to find it, but it had been picked up. The guest openly admitted fault, gave us their credit card and paid for it. The third time it happened the guests came to us and said they lost it somewhere in the V&A and paid for it - they didnt even try to argue with us to say we carry the risk. So, our losses to date are zero.

Weve been running handy four months  and we're running at a high 75 plus occupancy, so that means on average we have between 25 to 30,000 guests per month. They all use the units. My fear at this stage is none  guests are not taking it, but they are still taking our hairdryers, its the funniest thing.

Once you have the proper process in place and you educate your team members and staff, as a hotel manager, you get less concerned about it. For some reason, guests appreciate and understand that this unit is valuable to the hotel, that it is an added benefit and that they should respect it - so far we have had very good success with it.

Image Supplied

What do you find most important about the handy device? What do you find most important about the handy device?

For me, it's important because whether you travel to Europe or to South Africa, you get a similar level of technology and standard. So this is just another way to get South Africa up to international standards, this is not a third world country. And its not exclusive to five-star hotels, theyre putting this in three-star, four-star hotels, as well as guesthouses.

Your average South African and traveller, be it corporate or a tour group or individual traveller, get to have access to this wonderful device. Whats important about this device is that you can book tours, you can book taxis, its a GPS locator. I can use Google Maps. I can make use of Instagram on it  my information is protected  I can Facebook on it, I can call my family on it and be instantly connected. We found that with our international groups, especially when theyre travelling for work, nobody wants to pick up a hotel phone  "if I touch it, I am going to get charged." Now they can speak for hours to their family.

Whats also important is that you can choose the language that youre most comfortable with  they are also loading African languages, which means that they recognise the importance of these languages which is great.

Its a great product and I am happy that it's coming to South Africa  it's very important that it succeeds in all the hotels.
To understand the implications travel has for 18-35-year-olds, Contiki has undergone extensive research involving a pool of 2,980 respondents from around the world, with an equal number of travellers and non-travellers. The results show that of travellers indicating that they participate in activities in their community (compared to 31% non-travellers) and 21% of travellers stating that they are involved in their local government (compared to 4% non-travellers) - proving that travel leads to an increased sense of citizenship on a local and global level.

Konstantin Yolshin via 123RF

Further research results give clarity of the positive impact travel has on young travellers sense of citizenship:

South African Stats

 70% of travellers indicate that travel has shaped their perspective on global politics (compared to 51% non-travellers)

 51% of travellers indicate they are patriotic (compared to 31% non-travellers)

 41% of travellers indicate that they would run for public office in (compared to 29% non-travellers)

 49% of travellers voted in the last national election (compared to 39% non-travellers)

 55% of travellers have voted in a local election (compared to 36% non-travellers)

 51% of travellers indicate that they participate in activities in their community (compared to 38% non-travellers)

 30% of travellers indicate that they have donated money to an organisation that helps people located in another country (compared to 11% non-travellers)

 14% of travellers indicate that they have written to or communicated with their national government (compared to 7% non-travellers)

 19% of travellers indicate that they are involved in their local government (compared to 5% non-travellers)

 Travellers are more likely to volunteer over 10 hours a month

Global stats

 Travellers indicating that they participate in activities in their community: 40%, versus 31% non-travellers

 Travellers voted in the last presidential/national election: 46%, versus 37% non-travellers

 Travellers indicate that they would run for public office: 32%, versus 19% non-travellers

 Travellers voted in a local (city/regional level) election(s): 45%, versus 36% non-travellers

 Travellers indicate that they have donated money to an organisation(s) that helps people located in another country: 30%, versus 20% non-travellers

 Travellers indicate that they have written to or communicated with their National government: 21%, versus 5% non-travellers

 Travellers indicating that travel has shaped their perspective on global politics: 63%, versus 36% non-travellers

The effect of travel on sense of citizenship

"While it might seem like a paradox, there are plenty of reasons for travel to have these kinds of effects on ones sense of citizenship," says Kelly Jackson, general manager for Contiki. "The friendships you make over a 3am Gyros in Mykonos will be friendships that will stay with you for a lifetime, and the people you interact with and cultures youre exposed to have a profound impact on your tolerance and understanding. Contikis unique social travel experience sets millennial travellers up to have better relationships with their friends, family and with their wider communities at home, through the skills they learn through their travel experiences.

The survey results give strong evidence that experiencing new cultures and viewpoints through travel, in turn, enhances character attributes which prove a positive impact on citizenship, such as perspective, empathy and appreciation. Despite young people spending a greater amount of time away from their native countries when travelling, young people who travel do in fact gain a greater sense of citizenship than those who have not travelled internationally.

The research

Contiki commissioned Story and Verse and Fan Data Analytics - two third-party professional research and insight organisations - to conduct this research.

Story and Verse enlisted the expertise of Adam Ganlinsky, PhD, Columbia Business School, to advise in the form of an interview about the character attributes that change as a result of travel, as indicated by his own academic research. These include empathetic concern, perspective-taking, generalised trust, interracial connection, open-minded thinking, learning goal orientation and general self-efficacy.

Fan Data Analytics, using this insight, conducted a survey of a pool of 2,980 18-35-year-olds from the United Kingdom (824), United States (514), Canada (513), Australia (520), South Africa (305) and New Zealand (303). The response pool was broken into equal groups of travellers and non-travellers, as defined below:

 Travellers: someone who has travelled outside of their home country

 Non-travellers: someone who has not travelled outside of their home country

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Fan Data Analytics.
On 25 May 2018, South African companies with an EU customer base must comply with new rules and legislation concerning the collection, storage, and processing of personal information also known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 Stefano Cavoretto via 123RF

GPDR goes beyond South Africas PoPI (The Protection of Personal Information Act) and will require some additional data management capabilities.

The GDPR regulation requires that all customer data has the right to be forgotten, in other words, the right to have personal data deleted, in particular from the world-wide-web. In addition, the data must be portable, meaning that organisations must be capable of honouring their customers requests to erase their personal data or transfer their data from one system to another including a full audit trail confirming that the transactions were completed.

The challenges of GDPR compliance

The sheer volume of data that organisations must gather, store, move, analyse, and exploit makes it difficult to manage customer data with such a high level of control.

In addition to the CRM database, which is the obvious first place to look, the data could also reside in marketing automation, lead management, customer support, financial and field service systems. Personal information can also be stored as unstructured data in many different types of sources, including social media posts, emails, calendars, voice recordings, and spreadsheets.

Data can even be found in places that it shouldnt be, such as in third-party cloud services, laptop devices, or even file shares in publicly available parts of a network.

In short, its no small task to try to find every instance of customer data in your network that needs to be tracked, audited and protected.

New data management policies

Incorporating GPDR into the day-to-day operations may require a significant amount of time and effort, including educating and training staff, updating business processes and implementing or updating technology solutions.

On the plus side, implementing GPDR can create an opportunity to simplify, review, and streamline your business operations. There could be many benefits, including cost savings and automation.

Systems will need to be integrated to identify each instance of customer data. Additional business processes involved with documenting a customers complicity with storing their data need to be put in place. Any form that captures customer data has to be fully integrated with the back-end systems in order to ensure compliance by tracking every instance of where the data is shared and stored.

Contact creation through your CRM system will need to go through an opt-in process rather than just being included automatically in marketing contact databases. The same applies to contact information collected at industry events and when you receive contacts from a third party.

These requirements also need to be enforced for channel partners that share customer data with manufacturers or other companies.

These rules also apply to previous and existing customers. All personal details have to be deleted. You cant simply mark do not contact in your CRM database. The data needs to be erased in all systems where it appears.

Tools

There are several different tools that can help create an audit trail across the entire customer data ecosystem. These tools act as a framework to monitor, review and assess the data processing procedures with all the required and necessary safeguards.

Integration platforms can provide the glue thats needed to find and then integrate data from different vendors, locations, and devices. Code-free development tools are ideal for employees who arent trained programmers, letting them get involved with the data integration process, which is even more essential since an ever-increasing number of departments and business functions are responsible for collecting, consuming, and analysing customer data.

Becoming GPDR compliant requires a business-led approach that evaluates the complete business model and how these requirements come into play.

With May 2018 right around the corner, its never too soon to begin tracking all the sources of customer data, while ensuring GDPR compliance and hopefully also optimising business operations along the way.
The Man Who Invented Christmas explores the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol; the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past in Star Wars: The Last Jedi; a humble London businessman whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fuelled vendetta when the only person left for him to love - his teenage daughter - dies in a senseless act of politically motivated terrorism in The Foreigner. Following the rapturous response to his last opera, The Tempest, the Met presents the American premiere of Thomas Ades's: The Exterminating Angel; inspired by the classic Luis Bunuel film of the same name, from 16 December.

The Man Who Invented Christmas

The magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol, shows how Charles Dickens mixed real life inspirations with his vivid imagination to conjure up unforgettable characters and a timeless tale; forever changing the holiday season into the celebration we know today.

After a string of successful novels, world-renowned writer Dickens (Dan Stevens) has had three flops in a row. With the needs of his burgeoning family and his own extravagance rapidly emptying his pockets, Dickens grows desperate for another bestseller. Tormented by writers block and at odds with his publishers, he grasps at an idea for a sure-fire hit, a Christmas story he hopes will capture the imagination of his fans and solve his financial problems; but with only six weeks to write and publish the book before the holiday and without the support of his publishers  who question why anyone would ever read a book about Christmas  he will have to work feverishly to meet his deadline.

Based on Les Standifords 2008 book, The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits, directed by Bharat Nalluri (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) from a screenplay by Susan Coyne (Mozart in the Jungle, Slings and Arrows).

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. It is the second installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy following Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and resumes immediately after the events of The Force Awakens.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyongo, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.

Some of the films, writer and/ or director Rian Johnson looked at for inspiration while developing Star Wars: The Last Jedi include; 12 OClock High (1949), To Catch a Thief (1955) and Three Outlaw Samurai (1964).

The Foreigner

In this action thriller, Jackie Chan is a humble London businessman whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fuelled vendetta when the only person left for him to love  his teenage daughter  dies in a senseless act of politically motivated terrorism. His relentless search to find the terrorists leads to a cat-and-mouse conflict with a British government official whose own past may hold the clues to the identities of the elusive killers.

Directed by Martin Campbell and written by David Marconi, the film is based on the 1992 novel The Chinaman by Stephen Leather. The British-Chinese co-production stars Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Orla Brady, Liu Tao and Katie Leung.

The Wedding Party 2

This Nigerian Nollywood comedy follows the romance between Nonso Onwuka (Enyinna Nwigwe) and Deirdre (Daniella Down), the bridesmaid from London. The anticipated sequel is directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.

The Exterminating Angel

The Exterminating Angel is a surreal fantasy about a dinner party from which the guests cant escape. Luis Bunuels classic 1962 film El Angel Exterminador (The Exterminating Angel), which inspired Thomas Ades and librettist Tom Cairnss opera, has an unusual premise: A sophisticated group of people at a dinner party find that, for reasons that are never explained or even deeply questioned, they cannot leave the room they are in.

Over an indeterminate period of time, their basest instincts emerge, and even when the survivors manage to escape, they find that they may be trapped again elsewhere. The film defies attempts at systematic analysis and even seems to denounce the need for answers as one of societys many pathologies.

The Exterminating Angel will be screened on 16, 17, 19, 26 and 27 December 2017. The film will show at Cinema Nouveau and selected Ster-Kinekor sites: Rosebank Nouveau, Brooklyn Nouveau and V&A Waterfront Nouveau. At Somerset and Blue Route Mall in Cape Town and Bedford Square in Johannesburg.

Read more about the latest film releases: www.writingstudio.co.za
Chris De Burgh will perform at the GrandWest Grand Arena in Cape Town on 28 February 2018 and at the Sun Arena, Time Square in Pretoria on 2 March 2018. De Burgh will tour South Africa in support of his new album A Better World.

This tour also marks the 25th anniversary of Chris De Burgh's first tour of South Africa, which was in celebration of the lifting of the cultural boycott. To date, he has sold over half a million tickets over his eight tours to the country.

Spanish Train and Other Stories was De Burgh's first major hit in SA and the album's lead single Just Another Poor Boy was number one for several weeks. When he released Man On The Line in 1981, De Burgh was a well-established global star and the single from this album High On Emotion became a number one record right across the globe. 1986 saw the release of Into The Light, which sold in excess of 10 million copies worldwide. It also featured the single Lady In Red, which was number one in 50 countries.

By 1990, De Burgh's became the only international artist to personally receive an invitation from then-Chancellor Kohl to perform at the historic public celebrations marking the reunification of East and West Germany. With his 1995 album Beautiful Dreams, De Burgh realised a lifelong ambition to have his music recorded in a classical style with a full 32 piece orchestra.

Musically, A Better World is a familiar De Burgh melting pot of diverse styles, tempos and instrumentation. Ballads sit alongside anthems, solo performances with band or orchestral ensemble pieces. Rock and pop songs are infused with regional flavour; from the Caribbean to Celtic. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboards are augmented by pipes, strings and brass.

Tickets go will go on sale at 9am on 16 December 2017 from bigconcerts.co.za and Computicket.
If the cooking channel had been around in the early 1900s, Hildagonda Duckitt would have probably given the likes of Nigella Lawson (minus the cleavage) a run for her money.

As it was, her mastery in the kitchen, along with her hostessing skills, had Cape society vying to crack the nod for a spot of her table. She was also an accomplished author. Her two books Where Is It?' of Recipes and Hilda's Diary of Cape Housekeeping, not only set the benchmark for Victorian home cooks and housewives, but also provide a tantalising glimpse of day-to-day farm life more than 100 years ago.

Hilda's Kitchen from on high

Why the history lesson? Well, besides the fact that Im a complete history nerd and love a good story, my family and I recently had the opportunity to sit at the grande dames table when we visited Hildas Kitchen, the 21st century homage to Hildagonda Duckitt and her recipes. The restaurant can be found at Hildagondas childhood home, Groote Post Wine Farm, not far from Darling on the West Coast.

But dont make the mistake of thinking Hildas Kitchen echoes the stiff formality of her era. Yes, you are still surrounded by the high ceilings, white-washed walls, wooden floors, and heavy furniture of a traditional Cape Dutch farmstead, but the atmosphere is mellow, ideal for long, lazy summer Sunday lunches.

Camembert and tomato tart

Now, that Ive set the scene, on to the important stuff. The food is fab. The small, but varied menu is hearty and comforting with modern twist, and all the dishes are perfectly paired with Groote Posts award-winning wines.

Starters were a split between the moreish goats cheese and tomato tartlet, and the meat platter with homemade relish. For mains, the youngsters in the group opted for the Old Mans steak roll with handcut chips and garlic mayo  even the two strapping lads admitted defeat at the generous portion. We oldies chose the lamb tagine (so tender that the meat flaked off the bone with the merest brush of the fork) and a dish that strayed a bit far from its home turf  lamb bunny chow  which did, however, get a definite thumbs up from a very partisan KZN girl.

Lamb bunny chow

On to my favourite part of any meal  dessert. While the kids tucked into the malva pudding with gusto, all I need to say is that the white chocolate cheese cake was eye-rollingly sublime. Rose water meringue was also on the menu, which was also pronounced delish.

A visit to Groote Post is well worth the longish drive from Cape Town, and no doubt Hildagonda is smiling that her legacy lives on.
Black empowerment has not worked as well as it should. With the perfect vision of hindsight, it is clear that too many empowerment schemes have yielded less than had been hoped, and that the main beneficiaries have been a relatively small group of well-connected individuals, who have become very rich indeed, and those who have gained jobs in existing companies or in an enormously expanded public service.

Sinethemba Mafanya, Manager, Diageo Empowerment Trust SA

What we have not really succeeded in doing is create a substantial number of black-owned, entrepreneurial businesses that have the potential, in time, to rival Anglo American, Discovery and the rest of the JSE giants.

This failure to identify and nurture a new generation of black businesses with the potential to scale has also had a severely negative impact on what is probably our biggest current challenge: unemployment.

While social and other forms of media talk up politics and race, the hard research done by the Institute of Race Relations shows that what South Africans are all most worried about is employment. And thats surely correct: no country in which over a quarter of the population, and the majority of its youth, are unemployed can hope to be stable, pleasant to live in and successful in any terms.

Sustained, vigorous economic growth - new businesses entering the economy - is what we need to reverse our perilous status quo. And, with black people by far the majority and most affected, a tidal wave of new black businesses is what we need.

I would argue that this kind of thinking has to underpin empowerment initiatives, existing and planned. They must be designed or repurposed to kick-start growth by identifying and nurturing black businesses that have the potential to scale, to compete vigorously with incumbents globally, and to create wealth not only for their owners but also for the growing numbers of people they employ. Empowerment initiatives should also be designed to link these businesses into existing ecosystems or supply chains, thus enhancing their sustainability.

All very well to say, you might be thinking, but can it be done?

Rethinking empowerment for everyone

I believe it can. There are already several such empowerment schemes in place, and we at Diageo SA have recently launched our own, the Diageo Empowerment Trust SA (DETSA). It may be helpful to outline our thinking.

Our funding is basically directed at two broad areas. The first is to identify and nurture black-owned businesses that can be integrated into Diageos own supply chain. Such an approach means that we can provide these businesses with the best thing of all: a market into which they can expand. Diageo is the largest global producer of premium drinks, so its a market worth having. With the R15m that the trust has already invested in this initiative, it is targeting to generate R250m in revenue in five-years.

But because these businesses are operating in our supply chain, we obviously have considerable knowledge we can share with them in addition to the funding we supply. We obviously also have a vested interest in ensuring that, as our suppliers, they succeed and grow.

We are already working with sorghum farmers in the Eastern Cape to enable them to supply Diageo here and elsewhere. A second phase will be to identify businesses owned by black women that can be integrated across our supply chain, from providing agricultural inputs to packaging and bottling right through to marketing. To this end, the trust has set itself a target of 300 jobs it intends to create in the agricultural sector over five years.

Our partners are WDB, an empowerment consultancy, who will identify candidates, and Aurik Business Accelerator, who will recruit black-owned companies that can provide services to them, thus creating an all-black ecosystem around each company we directly support.

The second broad area of funding is social entrepreneurs. Because these businesses are primarily focused on solving social problems, rather than profit, they are uniquely well-positioned to make the maximum impact on society. We believe money invested in these companies will give us the optimal return on our empowerment investment. To date, the trust has made headway by investing R10m in the development of social entrepreneurs over the next two years, and a further R40m will be injected over the next five years.

The final piece of the puzzle

Accountability is the final piece of the puzzle. We have put in place a research team that will collect metrics to help us establish what effect we have had commercially and economically, as well as socially. The former would include the usual financial measures relating to the company and its contribution to the national economy, the latter its contribution to job creation.

We hope this will be empowerment that genuinely empowers, and we are willing to be measured on our success.
Forget about digital transformation until you have addressed how you plan to reinvent your business model to address the fundamental and irreversible shift in the way customers make purchasing decisions and consume products and services.

 Masoud Rezaeipoor via www.123RF.com

Technological evolution has always gone hand-in-hand with the advancement of business models, whether it is the arrival of the production line assembly that heralded the industrial age or the PC and internet that created the information era.

In the digital era, however, this delicate dance is out of sync because the pace of technological development has increased so rapidly that businesses cannot keep up.

Customer service and experience is the differentiator

Moreover, that rapid pace of technological development has led to a paradigm shift in customer and employee behaviour, values, and expectations.

Previously, price was the determining factor between company x and company y in a specific sector, even if company xs focus was offering the lowest price and company ys strategy was offering the best product at a premium price. Now, customer service and experience is the differentiator. Competitive advantage now stems from discovering a new value chain and the adoption of a subscription model for your offering, which allows for service-based value to be added to your offering.

For instance, an organisation selling fertiliser enhances its customer service by offering soil analyses to customers who purchase fertiliser. This organisation now manages the way in which customers use the fertiliser to make sure it is optimally utilised, allowing farmers to get the best value from the product. Fertiliser is now a service.

Similarly, a tyre fitment centre may differentiate itself from its rivals by using technology to tie in services to its offering through data. Instead of selling tyres, the fitment centre could offer subscriptions related offerings, like rotation, roadside assist, safety advice, insurance, nitrogen, and tyres.

Predictive analytics

Predictive analytics can allow that business to notify the customer when they need to replace their tyres and based on usage data, which set of tyres will offer them the best combination of performance and longevity. This level of customer service will differentiate the business to the point of becoming a competitive advantage for the company that it can sustain through constantly innovating by expanding upon the value-adds that are personalised to each consumer.

For this to happen, the business needs form partnerships that will enable it to use technology platforms and services to optimise its operations, empower its employees, enhance its customer service and transform its offerings to address the business challenges and take up the opportunities offered within the digital era. Doing so will also make it more agile and responsive to market changes and will dramatically decrease its reliance on legacy systems.

Legacy applications often prevents transformation

Legacy applications often prevent an organisation from transforming as these older systems dont support the sales, billing, collections and after sale service delivery of new service led consumption based subscription business models.

To initiate business transformation, businesses must examine their application landscape to ensure they can support the desired outcome.

Or they can opt not to and follow in the footsteps of Kodak, Blockbuster and the majority of Fortune 500 companies that have fallen from grace over the last decade, by thinking they are immune to tectonic shifts in the market and customer demands.
The US Bureau of Labour Statistics forecasts that employment of software developers is projected to grow 24% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

 Dzianis Apolka via www.123RF.com

Software developers are in high demand in a range of industries, including computer systems design, electronic product manufacturing and finance. It is estimated that in the decade to 2026, 299,500 jobs will open up in the US.

South Africa's "rarest skills" were in the digital and technology sectors, with demands for web developers and coders far outstripping supply.*

According to The Future of Jobs, a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), its expected that by 2020, more than a third of the desired core skill sets of most occupations will be comprised of skills that are not yet considered crucial to jobs today.

By partnering with certified African and global learning institutions, Sagarmatha Technologies intends to invest R100 million to help grow the programming skills base for Africas rapidly expanding digital economy. 5,000 young African computer programmers will be trained between 2018-2022.

Silicon Africa is a virtual model of the renowned Silicon Valley in the US and seeks to develop a pan-African ecosystem inclusive of governments and decision makers, universities and technical colleges, venture capitalists, NGOs, incubators and accelerators, technology companies and most importantly, digital entrepreneurs, said Paul Lamontagne, chairman of Sagarmatha Technologies.

With the change in technology across all sectors, African countries urgently need young people with coding skills in order to thrive in this digital, knowledge-based global economy.

By leveraging technology, the approach favours programmes that provide flexibility to learners fortunate to be working but seeking new skills to accelerate or change their career path in software development, as well as the unemployed and those in the most remote areas of Africa.

We believe this ground-breaking initiative will lead to 5,000 learners receiving short learning programme certificates in software development, such as Java, C++, and C# programming, as well as database and web design, so they are coder-ready, said Lamontagne.

The seismic shift of the fourth industrial revolution is changing the way the world works as the steam engine, car and electricity did in previous centuries.

Applications for the first year will be limited to qualified South African learners-only, before rolling out the programme progressively into Africa.

For learners wishing to be part of Sagarmathas digital upskilling programme, the minimum requirement for admission will be a matric, high school, or equivalent certificate from an accredited institution in an African country, which is acceptable to one of the partner institutions. It is also necessary to have a certain amount of familiarity with a personal computer.

Graduates of the programme will have the option of continuing for a second year of study in another area of software development or to benefit from a one-year membership in a collaborative workspace, incubator, accelerator, or another similar accredited partner venue that is established in their region at that time. This will include a mentorship programme for some learners showing entrepreneurial aptitude to successfully launch a new business venture by leveraging their acquired IT skills.

Sagarmathas Talent360 platform will be extended to facilitate access to higher paying, skilled jobs for graduates of the programme as developers, testers, analysts and others.

Said Samantha Naidu, executive at Talent360: Research shows that by 2020 there will be nearly one and a half million open jobs in the tech sector. Tech skills are 20 of the top 25 most sought-after skills by employers on career portals and our platform will support and equip young Africans who will fulfil these industry requirements in the next decade, she said.

We believe African economies can be re-engineered by creating digital jobs, said Lamontagne.

*Source: Fin24.com
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the commissioning of Scorpene Class Submarine INS Kalvari at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Thursday. Photo: PTI.

MUMBAI (PTI): The commissioning of the first Scorpene-class submarine - 'INS Kalvari' - into the Indian Navy reaffirms the giant strides taken under the 'Make in India' programme, defence PSU Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) said on Thursday.



The induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game-changer in the field of underwater warfare and its commissioning has added another feather in MDL's cap, the shipbuilder said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the submarine at the naval dockyard here on Thursday.



"The commissioning of INS Kalvari reaffirms the giant strides taken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in the ongoing 'Make In India' programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production (Ministry of Defence)," the MDL said in a statement.



"MDL is constructing six Scorpene-class submarines with technology transfer from M/s Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) of France," it read.



Commodore (retd) Rakesh Anand, the chairman and managing director of MDL, said the induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game-changer in the field of underwater warfare due to its superiority in all operational aspects.



He also highlighted the aspect pertaining to completion of all weapon firings prior to commissioning of the submarine which, he said, was indeed a unique achievement.



The technology used in the submarine has ensured superior stealth features, such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons, the MDL said.



An attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube- launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface, it said.



The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention given to various signatures. These stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines, the statement said.



The Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions, such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance, it said.



The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force.



It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations, it said.



"The building of the Scorpene was indeed a challenge as the complexity of the simplest of tasks increased exponentially due to all work having to be done in the most congested of spaces," the MDL said.



"This complexity was further aggravated due to the stringent tolerances required to be achieved. However, these challenges were successfully overcome by MDL, without any compromise in quality," it said.



The second of the Scorpenes under construction at MDL, Khanderi, was launched in January 2017, and is undergoing rigorous sea trials.



The third Scorpene, Karanj, is being readied for launch shortly.



The remaining three submarines are in various stages of outfitting. The project is expected to be completed by 2020, the MDL said.



Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.



As is the tradition, ships and submarines of the Navy, are 're-incarnated' after decommissioning, the MDL said.



So it is with Kalvari. The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after almost 30 years of yeoman service to the nation.



"The experience and expertise that MDL has gained from the Scorpene project together with enhanced and upgraded infrastructure has ensured that the shipyard is fully geared for undertaking construction of the next generation submarines," it said.




INS Kalvari submarine of Indian Navy. Photo: SpokespersonNavy, Twitter.

MUMBAI (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy and said its induction was a big step in the country's defence preparedness.



Modi boarded the submarine and unveiled its plaque, after meeting veterans of the first Kalvari who were present at the ceremony.



"Kalvari is an excellent example of our 'Make in India' programme," he said, speaking at the commissioning ceremony here this morning.



Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler were among those present at the ceremony.



Modi thanked France for this 'strategic joint project' and described the commissioning of the submarine as a "matter of pride" for 125 crore Indians.



"It is a matter of pride for me to commission this submarine. Kalvari's induction in the Navy is a big step in defence preparedness," Modi said.



Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.



"The power of Kalvari, that of a tiger shark, will strengthen our Navy," the prime minister said.



He said India has always been the first responder in times of crisis for neighbours, be it floods, water shortage or cyclones, in Sri Lanka, Maldives or Bangladesh.



During the Nepal earthquake, Indian Navy and Air Force rendered major assistance, he noted.



Modi also dwelt on the 'sabka saath sabka vikas' motto of his government and cited the successful tackling of terrorism and Naxal threats.



"So far this year, around 200 terrorists have been killed by police and security forces in Kashmir. There has been a reduction in the number of stone pelting incidents there," he said.



He said, "There has also been a decline in Naxal violence. This shows people are veering towards the path of development."



Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said submarine building is a sophisticated and exacting craft which very few countries possess in their industrial capacity.



"India has proven its capability to build submarines for the past 25 years. These are highly significant steps in the direction of 'Make in India' and 'Skill India'. Making submarines benefits industry not only by itself through orders but also through stringent quality control," she said.



Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Naval Command, and top defence officials also attended the event.



"Kalvari underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment," a Navy official said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess.



The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.



"The technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," an official of the MDL said.



The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.


The Central Bank has spent 130,000 on a light sculpture for its new 140m headquarters on Dublins North Wall Quay, writes Gordon Deegan.

Artist Niamh Barry has designed the functional art piece which is located in the reception area of the new premises and is available for all visitors to the Central Bank to view.

The Central Bank is in a procurement process for a separate art work for the north-east corner of the North Wall Quay site. A spokeswoman for the Central Bank said that the cost of the light fitting is in the region of 130,000, excluding Vat.

Artist Niamh Barrys light sculpture Vessel Scape, which has been installed in the new Central Bank headquarters in Dublins North Wall Quay. Figures from the Central Bank show that 127m has been spent on the building project up to March this year.

This is an estimated cost as the bill of works from the main contractor was not itemised as the contractor was engaged on a total price contract, she said.

The Central Bank pointed out that there is a requirement with all large public infrastructure projects to include an artistic work of value in the respective schemes.

A graduate of NCAD, Ms Barry sculpts with light and metal and has exhibited her work widely in New York, San Francisco, Mexico, Switzerland, London and Dublin. She also recently published a book showcasing her work.

The latest figures from the Central Bank detailing the spend on its headquarters, show that 127m was spent on the project up to the end of March this year.

The detailed breakdown shows that 2.26m was spent on meeting room furniture and loose furniture while 2,000 was spent on the transport of the Dublin Landings Building Model along with 108,000 being paid to foodservice design consultants Tricon for catering design services.

An additional 46,000 was spent on the transfer of contents of buildings while another 5,000 was spent on bicycle racks. The main contractor, Walls Construction was paid 71m while the security spend prior to Walls beginning work was 302,000 and paid to Netwatch.

Architectural firm, HJ Lyons has been paid 4m.

In addition to Ms Barrys piece and the planned art work, the Central Bank bought one piece of art entitled Contemporary Ruin by Brian Maguire.

That piece depicts the North Wall Quay site where the unfinished Anglo Irish Bank headquarters was located before construction work started on the Central Bank project. The painting was purchased for 995.

The Central Bank completed the sale of its former premises, on Dublins Dame St, at the beginning of this year.

Its new owners, real estate investors Hines Ireland and the Peterson Group said that in August that it plans to redevelop the building into a mixed-use premises housing offices, a cafe and a 300-seat restaurant.

The new owners will also enhance the existing plaza surrounding the building.
By Ann OLoughlin

A scheme of survival allowing seven companies controlled by Galway businessman Gerry Barrett and employing over 330 people to survive as going concerns has been approved by the High Court.

Ms Justice Marie Baker said she was satisfied to approve the scheme which will see the seven companies connected to businesses including the Five Star G Hotel, 4-star Meyrick Hotel, apartments a retail park and the Eye Cinema which are all located in Galway City formally exit the examinership on December 21 next.

The court approved the schemes which were put in place by the examiner insolvency practitioner Neil Hughes of Baker Tily Hughes Blake, following lengthy talks between the companies and the firms main creditors Deutsche Bank.

Paul Gallagher SC for the bank, which had supported the examiners proposals. said an agreement had been reached with the Barretts who were withdrawing their objections to the scheme.

The terms of that agreement the court heard are confidential.

The settlement was welcomed by the Judge.

The companies sought the protection of the courts last September..

However, the firms opposed the schemes of arrangement proposed by the examiner on grounds including that the schemes were unfair to one class of impaired creditors.

The companies, whose directors are Mr Barrett and Catherine Barrett of Drimbawn House, Chestnut Lane, Lower Dangan, Galway sought the protection of the court after Deutsche Bankappointed a receiver over the firms in late August.

Deutsche Bank (DB), represented in court by Paul Gallagher SC and Neil Steen SC had supported the scheme.

The bank which is owed more than 690m by the group after acquiring its loans from Nama in 2015, had initially opposed the appointment of an examiner.

It had done so on grounds including it was an attempt by the companies to renege on a 2016 debt settlement agreement which would have resulted in the sale of the groups assets to reduce its debt to the bank.

However following rulings by both the High Court and Court of Appeal the examiner was appointed to all seven companies.

The companies, which are all part of Mr Barretts Edward Capital Group are KHKitty Hall Holdings Ltd, Ml Meyrick Ltd and Mono Trading Ltd, Edward Leisure Assets Unlimited Company, Niche Hotels Unlimited Company, Style City Limited and Radical Properties Unlimited Company.

Previously the court heard that under the scheme an investor called Waltzfire Ltd will put 89m, plus an additional 9m as working capital, into the companies

Afterwards Mr Hughes said that the approval by the court of the scheme "showed the benefits of the examinership process."

He said that it was "an unusual case" where under the scheme all 33O full and part time workers employed by all the firms "had been saved and "all the creditors had been paid."

Mr Hughes also thanked the Barrett family, the companies and the creditors for their assistance in formulating the schemes.

In a joint statement Mr Gerry Barrett, the investor in the companies and the bank welcomed the courts decision to approve the seven schemes.

The successful examinership, the statement added, had secured full payment for all trade creditors and had provided security of employment for all the various firms employees.

The companies will continue to trade as normal, the joint statement concluded.
Six of Dublin's top hotels are calling for taxis to continue to be allowed to use College Green.

The city council is assessing whether there is now enough room for cabs, considering the new Luas line operating in the same area.
British explorer Europa Oil and Gas has hinted at the potential for significant new discoveries near the Corrib gas field off Irelands north-west coast, writes Geoff Percival.

The company, which has an estimated near five billion barrels of oil across seven licences offshore Ireland, has estimated 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas at its Slyne Basin exploration area, which lies adjacent to Corrib.

Shares in the company  which is actively seeking farm-out deals for its Irish assets  rose by nearly 7% on its latest news.

Meanwhile, Irish exploration company Falcon Oil and Gas has been buoyed by an independent study suggesting a moratorium on fracking methods in onshore drilling in Australia may be lifted early next year.

Falcon owns a 30% stake in the much-hyped Beetaloo Basin shale gas field in Australias Northern Territory, where there has been a halt on fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, for the past 14 months.

A final decision on the future of the moratorium will be made by local government in March. However, an independent draft final report commissioned by the government this week hints at a lifting of the temporary ban by saying the risks associated with fracking are manageable.

It is the panels opinion that, provided that the recommendations made in this report are adopted and implemented, not only should the risk of any harm be minimised to an acceptable level, in some instances, it can be avoided altogether, the draft report said.

Those recommendations include implementing new technologies and adhering to world-leading engineering standards.

A lifting of the moratorium would allow Falcon and its senior partner at Beetaloo, Origin Energy, to resume drilling and complete a further five-well programme at the massive field.

Philip OQuigley, Falcons chief executive, said the move was an amber light towards resuming work at Beetaloo. Falcons share price initially jumped 10% on yesterdays news, but was down 3% yesterday.

Fracking relates to the extraction of gas whereby water, sand and chemicals are pumped into gas-bearing rock at high pressures.

The technique has drawn much criticism, with concerns persisting over potentially negative knock-on effects on water and air quality in surrounding areas.
Robert Hetz

Inditex, the worlds biggest clothes retailer and owner of Zara, has reported a slowdown in sales growth in its third quarter as Europes warm autumn kept shoppers away, though it pointed to a brighter end of the year.

Fashion retailers such as Next and John Lewis have already reported a hit from warmer-than-usual weather as shoppers ignored new winter ranges.

Inditexs biggest rival, Swedens H&M, will report fourth-quarter sales tomorrow.

Inditex said sales between August and October rose 6% year-on-year to 6.3bn, in line with analysts forecasts, while net profit rose 2.7% to 975m. The sales growth was down from 9.2% in the previous quarter and 11.6% a year ago.

The top line is showing a big deceleration versus previous quarters, analysts from Kepler Cheuvreux wrote in a note.

Most of the lower growth is already priced in to the shares, they said. Inditex shares have fallen about 2% this year, against a decline of more than 20% for H&M.

However, colder weather arrived in November and Inditex said sales at its more than 7,500 stores and online increased 13% at constant exchange rates between the start of November and December 11, as shoppers snapped up items such as oversized jumpers and puffer parkas from new collections.

Analysts said the lower sales growth and a strong euro helped to push the companys gross sales margin for the quarter to 58.4%, down 33 basis points from a year earlier.

Inditexs profits are sensitive to fluctuations in the euro because it makes most of its clothes in the eurozone to respond quickly to fashion trends but generates more than half of its sales in countries outside the currency bloc.

The business model has kept Inditex ahead of rivals such as H&M.

By keeping its manufacturing bases close to its distribution centre in the northern Spanish region of Galicia, it can shift new designs from catwalk to shop window within weeks.

The Spanish retailers other brands include teen label Bershka and underwear chain Oysho.

Reuters
It is reported that Bob Geldof has said he is absolutely disgusted that Dublin City Council voted to remove his Freedom of the City.

The musician handed back the award last month in protest at Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi holding the same honour.

Last night the Council took back the freedom of the city from Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr Geldof.

The Burmese leader has been accused of ignoring the rights of Rohingya Muslims.

RTE said Mr Geldof told the Radio One programme Liveline that he had made it clear that if the award was revoked from Ms Suu Kyi he would be more than honoured to remain a Freeman of the City.

Speaking on that programme, Lord Mayor Micheal Mac Donncha said Mr Geldof had not contacted the council since returning the scroll - and effectively revoked his status as a Freeman of Dublin.

Councillor Mary Freehill said: "It was the elected members of this council that gave him the Freedom of the City. He didn't think it worthwhile to make contact with the elected members of this council [or the Lord Mayor]. He treated us with scant regard."

"He has removed himself from the roll of honour. It was an insult to the citizens of Dublin and us in this chamber," added Councillor Larry O'Toole.

Councillor Dermot Lacey said the Council set a dangerous precedent.

"There's very real danger now that people that have all sorts of political agendas will advance the removal of the Freedom of the City on other people. I think when we give such an award - we give it. I don't think we should take it back," he said.

Independent Dublin councillor Mannix Flynn said he would be putting in a motion that the council reinstate Mr Geldof as a Freeman of Dublin, according to RTE.

"We are taking Aung San Suu Kyi off because she's silent - and Bob Geldof is coming off because he's not silent and he's using his position in terms of the scroll of the Freedom of the City to bring more light into the particular process," he said.
By Ruaidhri Giblin

A Cork man has had his conviction for robbery quashed over the trial judges erroneous reference to the evidence of a garda, in three words, without correcting himself, that the accused was previously known to gardai.

Trevor OSullivan (39), with an address at Roches Building, in Cork, had denied being involved in the robbery of Viron Kajal (35) on Spring Lane, Blackpool on May 24, 2016.

He was found guilty by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Gerard OBrien on November 23, 2016.

OSullivan successfully appealed his conviction today over the trial judges erroneous reference to the evidence of a Garda, that OSullivan was a person who he knew previously, potentially conveying to the jury a suggestion that OSullivan was previously involved in criminality.

In fact, the garda said in evidence that he now knew the male in question to be OSullivan.

Giving judgment in the three-judge Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Alan Mahon said Mr Kajal was walking on Spring Lane when he was approached by two men.

One man grabbed him from behind and severely injured one of his eyes temporarily reducing sight in that eye.

He was assaulted and robbed of a silver cigarette case and a 50 note. He reported the incident to Gardai before accompanying Gardai in a patrol car in search of his attackers.

Mr Justice Mahon said he identified two men outside a coffee shop at Thomas Davis Street, being OSullivan and his co-accused, his brother. He was certain about the co-accused but less certain about OSullivan.

The identification took place about thirty minutes after the incident had occured. The stolen silver cigarette box was found on OSullivans co-accused, his brother, while a 50 note was found on OSullivan.

The defence case was that OSullivan did not have any involvement in the robbery of or confrontation with Mr Kaja. The co-accused admitted robbing Mr Kaja but insisted his brother, OSullivan, was not with him at the time.

OSullivan said he was with his wife at the time and she confirmed same in evidence.

Counsel for OSullivan, Paula McCarthy BL, submitted that the trial judge erred in failing to discharge the jury after having stated incorrectly the evidence of a detective Garda that he previoulsy knew her client. The said misstatement of the facts was so prejudicial, and the jury could not be recharged on the issue, the jury had to be discharged, Ms McCarthy submitted.

Mr Justice Mahon said the trial judge erroneously advised the jury in the course of his charge that a detective Garda had stated in his evidence that: he observed two males who he knew to be OSullivan and his brother. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal underlined the three words in question.

In fact, the detective Garda said he now knew the two men to be OSullivan and his brother.

Ms McCarthy argued that this error, accepted by the prosecution as such, was prejudicial to the extent that it couldnt be corrected by a recharge.

Mr Justice Mahon said the prejudicial effect of the judges erroneous reference was at least capable of conveying to the jury that OSullivan was known to Gardai prior to this robbery which in turn might suggest that he was previously involved in criminality.

He said mistakes can and do occur in the course of the review of evidence by a trial judge in the course of his charge to the jury.

In this instance, Mr Justice Mahon said the mistake could very easily have been corrected. He said the trial judge could have readdressed the jury on the basis that while he did not believe he had made the error as suggested, in case he had done so, he would now state the position correctly.

Not doing so rendered am otherwise impeccable charge to the jury "flawed in an important aspect" with the consequence that the verdict of the jury had to be considered unsafe and was required to be quashed.

Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said the court would allow the appeal on this ground, quash the conviction and direct a retrial.

OSullivan was remanded in custody to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 5 next.
Lord Mayor of Cork Tony Fitzgerald has convened a special meeting of Cork City Council to begin implementation of the city boundary extension.

The council members will convene on Monday at 6.30pm.

The Lord Mayor said: Following the Cabinet decision to approve the Implementation Oversight Group (IOG) report, Minister (for Local Government, Eoghan) Murphy called on the elected members and executives of both councils to urgently progress implementation and called on both local authorities to consider using statutory procedures under Part V of the Local Government Act to progress the matter.

In line with the Ministers request, I will be recommending to Cork City Council that it agrees to using Part V to ensure that the city boundary extension is advanced with the urgency and full and active support that the Minister is seeking."

If agreement is not reached by both local authorities on using Part V, Minister Murphy said he will bring forward primary legislation to implement the boundary alteration.

The proposed boundary accepted by Cabinet this week includes Ballincollig, Cork Airport, Glanmire, Tower and Blarney but excludes the Monard strategic development zone. Little Island and Carrigtwohill will remain in the county, as will settlements including Glounthane, Killumney, Ovens, Ballinora and Waterfall.
Irelands deaf community is celebrating the expected passage of a new law that ensures public services are available through Irish Sign Language.

The Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill is due to pass all stages in the Oireachtas today.

The President is expected to sign the bill into law before Christmas.

Brian Crean from the Irish Deaf Society hopes the new law will improve the lives of Irelands 40,000 deaf people.

"Its not going to solve all barriers or anything but hopefully it will reduce them and the deaf community will be less marginalised," Mr Crean said.

"For example, all public service providers must then provide interpretation for the deaf community that are going to access services."

Mr Crean says that getting the recognition is a big step forward.

"Irish sign language is a full language but it has been marginalised and excluded and has a massive affect on the deaf community," he explained.

Mr Crean says that it impacts things such as education, employment, medical situations, court settings and social situations among many others.
Update 6.01pm:Gene Mealy has today retired from his position as SIPTU Vice President, following a meeting of the unions National Executive Council.

The decision follows confirmation that Jack OConnor will step down as SIPTU General President.

Following the meeting, the outgoing SIPTU Vice President thanked the many SIPTU members, activists and staff from across the private, public and community sector with whom he has worked over the course of his career.

During the unions restructuring, Gene emphasised the central role of shop stewards, activists and members and other colleagues with whom he has worked in the wider trade union movement.

A new national executive officer board led by SIPTU General Secretary, Joe OFlynn and including General Secretary Designate, Joe Cunningham, Deputy General Secretary for the Private Sector, Gerry McCormack, Deputy General Secretary for the Public Service, John King and Deputy General Secretary for Organising and Membership Development, Ethel Buckley have now assumed the leadership of the union.

Earlier: ack OConnor will step down as SIPTU General President today, the union has confirmed.

The decision was made following a meeting of the Unions National Executive Council.

Mr OConnor has been in the role for 14 and a half years and has served three consecutive six-year terms as a National Executive Officer.

Although he is stepping down from his current role as SIPTU President, Mr OConnor is not retiring and will continue to work for the union in a different capacity.

From mid-2007 until mid-2011, Mr OConnor was Vice President and then President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Joe Cunningham who was recently elected General Secretary Designate will be SIPTUs spokesperson on General Policy.

Prior to his election to this role, he was Head of the Unions Organising Department since 2010.

He previously held the role of Regional Secretary for the west of Ireland.
By Fiona Ferguson and Aoife NicArdhail

A man has been jailed for nine years for the reprehensible sexual abuse of his partners two sons.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the man would give his victims money or offer to buy them drinks. The offending came to light after the older victim suspected that the man may be abusing his younger brother also.

The elder victim took an overdose of tablets before revealing what had been happening to him.

The accused man initially denied the abuse after his arrest. He later claimed during garda interview that he couldnt remember the incidents but that the boys were not liars.

The 50-year old Dublin man, who cannot be named to protect his victims identities, pleaded guilty to ten counts of sexual assault of the older boy at various locations on dates between 2009 and 2015.

He also pleaded guilty to sexual assault, attempted sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation of the younger boy on dates in 2015.

The older victim was aged between 13 and 19 years old at the time of the offences, while his younger brother was approximately 15 years old.

Judge Martin Nolan said he wished to applaud both young men in coming forward to tell their stories, noting that it was a hard thing to do, but necessary.

He said he hoped they both recovered and also commended the gardai for their hard work in this difficult case.

In passing the nine year jail term, Judge Nolan said he did not accept that the man didnt know what he was doing to the boys.

He described the offending as reprehensible and said the man had used the two young boys to satisfy his baser urges. He said that the man deserved his lengthy term in custody.

Victim impact statements were handed into court on behalf of the two boys but not read in open court.

Brian Gageby BL, defending, submitted that he couldnt minimise the offending, but asked Judge Nolan to take into account his clients good work history, genuine remorse and early guilty plea. He handed in a letter of apology written by the man.

A local detective garda told Anne Rowland BL, prosecuting, that the man was in relationship with the boys mother but did not live with them. The boys liked the accused man and believed their mother was happy in the relationship. He would give them money and later bought them alcohol.

The abuse of the older boy began when he was 13 years old and he initially believed it was a mistake. He had gone to stay in the accused mans house after attending a disco and woke up to find the accused man touching his penis. He jumped up and the accused man laughed and left.

The abuse continued regularly until 2013 with the man masturbating and touching the boy at various locations including in the boys home. The child felt afraid and would cry during the abuse.

The accused man, who occasionally stayed over, would go into the boys room at night on the pretext of checking on him or would pretend to go to the toilet. The abuse would stop if he heard the boys mother moving around the house.

The boy would lie on his side away from the accused, as he could not bear to look at him. He sometimes pretended to be asleep and when he cried the accused man told not to be a baby.

The boy had began to stay away from home in order to avoid the abuse and also began abusing cocaine and ecstasy. He owed money for drugs and asked the accused man for money.

The accused man asked him to come to his house on several occasions where he sexually assaulted him before giving him money. During the final incident in 2015 the elder victim pretended to be on the phone which appeared to give the accused man a fright.

Later that year the elder victim overheard the accused man offering his younger brother drink and started worrying that the same thing was happening to his brother. He walked in on the accused man and noticed that his brother seemed startled and agitated. His brother did not reveal anything.

The elder victim took an overdose of tablets and then told his girlfriend he had been abused. She told her father.

A garda investigation began and revealed that the accused had started to initiate sexual approaches to the younger brother and was sending him messages in relation to masturbation.

The younger victim reported that two incident of abuse had taken place in 2015 and a third attempted incident had taken place which was the one his elder brother had walked in on. The younger victim said the accused man had told him not to tell anyone.

The court heard that the man, who has no previous convictions, was arrested in September 2015 and denied the abuse allegations during three interviews.

During his fourth interview, he became aware that gardai had his phone and were downloading text messages.

The man said he couldnt recall any text messages but indicated these phone exchanges might have happened.

The detective told Ms Rowland that the man scheduled another interview with gardai in 2016, during which he claimed he couldnt remember the incidents but said the boys werent liars.

The detective agreed with Brian Gageby BL, defending, that his client had great difficulty in accepting the details of his offending.

She further agreed that the man was now engaging in therapeutic services and that his guilty plea had spared his victims having to undergo cross-examination at trial.
By Aoife Nic Ardghail

A man who contacted the Department of Social Welfare in order to make amends for falsely claiming over 136,000 in welfare payments has been jailed.

Judge Martin Nolan sentenced David Aminu (42) to two years imprisonment for using his cousins name to fraudulently claim various benefits for seven years.

Aminu, a Nigerian national, wrote a letter to the Department in 2015 revealing his real name and date of birth to make amends for his offences.

Garda Michael McGreal agreed with Michael Miley BL, defending, that this was because Aminus wife and children had become naturalised Irish citizens and he wanted to legalise his status.

Aminu, of Dun Saithne Crescent, Balbriggan, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sample charges of stealing Family Income Support payments at Ulster Bank, Ennis, Co Clare, on November 16, 2006; Jobseekers Allowance at Balbriggan Post Office, Dublin on December 12, 2007; Supplementary Welfare Allowance at Balbriggan Post Office and AIB College Green, Dublin between 2007 and 2009.

The court heard the total amount stolen between 2007 and 2013 was 136,449. Aminu has no previous convictions.

In imposing the two year sentence, Judge Nolan noted this was a difficult type of crime to detect. He said Aminu must suffer a term of imprisonment to punish him and deter others.

Mr Miley told the court that Aminu followed his pregnant wife to Ireland in 2006 after his father had threatened to kill her due to her Christian religion.

Aminu used his UK based cousins name to obtain documents allowing him to work to support his family in this country until he became unemployed.

Gda McGreal agreed with counsel that had Aminu not written to the Department, his offending might never have been detected.

The garda told Sinead McGrath BL, prosecuting, that he began an investigation into Aminu after receiving the 2015 letter.

In the letter, Aminu revealed he had been living in the country since 2006 and had used false identification to get a PPS number so he could work to support his family.

Aminu used this same ID to obtain social welfare payments when he became jobless after working for a call centre in Clare and a Tesco in Dublin.

Gda McGreal said records showed in November 2015 Aminu tried to get a new PPS number under his own name.

The court heard that Aminu claimed nearly 86,000 in Jobseekers Allowance, more than 5,800 in Family Income Support, almost 700 in temporary payments as he awaited Jobseekers Allowance and over 40,000 in rent supplements over the seven years.

He also claimed over 3,300 in Exceptional Needs allowance from the Department.

Gda McGreal said Aminu met him voluntarily during the investigation, co-operated fully and outlined how he had paid 4,000 for a drivers license and passport in his UK cousins name.

The garda told Ms McGrath that Aminu now had a standing order with the Department to repay some of the debt.

He agreed with Mr Miley that Aminus wife, a psychiatric nurse, was paying that standing order as his client was not entitled to work in Ireland.

He further agreed that Aminu had been forthright in his dealings, saying: His co-operation facilitated and provided for a thorough investigation and made it a lot easier for me.

Mr Miley submitted that his client had not used the amount claimed over the seven years to fund a lavish lifestyle, but had spent it in supporting his family.

He asked the judge to bear in mind that any custodial element would result in Aminus eventual deportation and that would deprive his teenage children of their father.

Counsel submitted that his client was remorseful, was unlikely to come to garda attention again and showed a co-operation that was second to none.

Judge Nolan said Aminu had taken advantage of the social welfare system as if he was a lawful citizen of the country, but was not entitled to do that under his true identity.

He noted Aminu had a good work history, was unlikely to come before the courts again and was a good family man. He said the only aggravating factor was his crime.

Judge Nolan said this type of crime was difficult enough to detect and there needed to be a certain level of deterrence. He noted the sentence could have long term consequences for Aminu.
Young people in detention in Oberstown will be brought on board to help make decisions as part of the facilitys three-year plan.

The strategy aims to provide the best model of care for the young offenders and enhancing governance.

A series of events over the summer saw a number of youths escape from Oberstown, and significant damage was caused when a fire was set.

Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone said the strategy will address the problems of the centre.

"The strategy comes out of the fact that a lot of those issues have been addressed. I think we're in a very different place in terms of the environment there and also the staff and working relations with management," she said.

"Obviously there are always going to be challenges and given the fact it is the place that it is," she added.

As published in the Irish Examiner today, most young people who come into conflict with the law in ireland are first admitted to the Garda Diversion Programme.

Only those whose offending is serious or persistent appear before the criminal courts.

In line with best practice, the courts prefer sanctions that keep young people in their families and in their communities to the ultimate sanction of detention.

As a result, the numbers being sent to detention have continued to fall in recent years.

Young people who end up in detention are not only the most serious of young offenders, they are frequently children with complex and acute needs.

In Ireland, these young people are detained in Oberstown Children Detention Campus, the national facility that provides care and education for children referred there by the courts.

"Informed by the principles of the best interests of the child and the right of the child to be heard, and building on a period of consultation with staff and stakeholders, the plan commits the campus to a series of actions that aim to provide young people in detention with care and education that meets the highest international standards," according to the chairperson of the board of management at Oberstown Children Detention Campus Professor Ursula Kilkelly.
By Ann OLoughlin

One of three pilots being sued by Ryanair has denied in the High Court an allegedly defamatory email was an "attempt to bring the company to its knees".

Captain Ted Murphy said the email, which the airline says falsely inferred management misled the market, was part of an effort to get the company to establish meaningful negotiations with a single representative body of pilots.

It was not an attempt agitate pilots to rise up against management but was an effort to organise them, said Capt Murphy, who is a former president of the Irish Airline Pilots Association and of the International Federation of Airline Pilots.

He was under cross examination in the Ryanairs ongoing action against him, Evert Van Zwol and John Goss. The three deny the September 2013 "pilot update" email to 2,289 pilots about "what the markets are saying about Ryanair" was defamatory.

From left are Ted Murphy, Evert Van Zwol and John Goss, founders of the Ryanair Pilots Group (RPG) pictured leaving the Four Courts after an earlier High Court sitting. Pic: Collins Courts

He disagreed with Thomas Hogan SC, for Ryanair, the object of the update was to force management into negotiations and to "outcast management so pilots would rise up against them".

While there was the weapon of a strike in a dispute, he did not think they were using force "but we were trying in effect to get them to recognise us".

He agreed pilots have considerable power. "Arent we facing a strike next week?", counsel asked. "I read the papers like you Mr Hogan", he said.

Earlier, Capt Murphy told Mr Hogan he had repeatedly written to Ryanair asking them to engage and got the same response that the airline does not deal with unions and non-Ryanair pilot groups.

However, shortly after the September 2013 pilot update was published, Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary said at a press conference in Stockholm he would deal with a trade union when the majority of his pilots were members and he specifically mentioned a figure of 1,602 pilots, Capt Murphy said.

At its own subsequent press conference in Berlin, the RPG invited to Mr OLeary to honour his statemement to join in meaningful negotiations because they had the 1602 members figure.

"Were you surprised he didnt take that up", Mr Hogan asked, in light of the pilot update saying the company was minipulating the market.

Capt Murphy said he was surprised "but if he had come and talked to us we could have discussed the issue in the update".

"You published what they believed was a gravely defamatory statement and expected him to come and meet you?". Capt Murphy said he did not consider any defamatory statement had been made.

In reply earlier to questions from his own counsel, David Whelan, Captn Murphy described a letter from Ryanair executive Howard Millar in 2013, responding to a survey among RPG members, as typical of the "puerile drivel" they received from the company.

Capt Murphy, who dealt with safety and technical matters in his trade union work, said while letters from the RPG to Ryanair were always proper and business-like, he was astounded by the airlines "childish" response. "We get this puerile drivel back".

The court heard that in his 45 years as a pilot, Capt Murphy worked mainly with Aer Lingus but also with a number of smaller airlines and with the International Civil Aviation Organisation. and has also written handbooks used in the industry.

He was approached in 2013 to become a member of the RPG interim council with the aim of eventually handing over the organisation to Ryanair pilots who he said were afraid to be identified as being involved with the RPG.

Capt Murphy said the letter with the "puerile" comments in it came from Howard Millar, Ryanairs chief financial officer at the time and the person with overall responsibility for safety at the airline.

Every letter the RPG got from Ryanair went along the lines of "denigrating who we were and our motives and treating us with disrepect".

The response from Mr Millar was in relation a letter the RPG had sent to Ryanair calling for a meeting to discuss a 2013 survey of Ryanair pilots which had given cause for concern, Captn Murphy said.

Mr Millars response was Ryanair would not engage with the RPG, which he described as a "self confessed front" for a European pilot union and "a joke".

The case continues.
Police in Northern Ireland failed to prevent two loyalist murders despite receiving advance warning of the plots from a paramilitary commander turned informant, a court has heard.

Intelligence officers in the Royal Ulster Constabulary's Special Branch also advised loyalist supergrass Gary Haggarty not to answer detectives' questions when he was arrested over a murder he committed, a sentence hearing in Belfast Crown Court was told.

Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) chief Haggarty, 45, a long-time police informer, has pleaded guilty to 202 terror offences, including five murders, as his part of a controversial state deal that offered a significantly-reduced prison term in return for giving evidence against other terrorist suspects.

During the second day of a hearing to consider his ultimate tariff, Haggarty's defence barrister argued that while his client was automatically entitled to a reduction for turning state's witness in 2010, the terror boss should also be given credit for assisting Special Branch since becoming an RUC agent in 1993.

Martin O'Rourke QC claimed Haggarty warned his handlers that his UVF colleagues planned to kill fellow member Raymond McCord jnr in November 1997.

He said Haggarty, the one-time boss of the UVF's notorious north Belfast Mount Vernon gang, was in custody at the time Mr McCord's death was being planned and he phoned Special Branch on his own mobile and the jail payphone to alert them.

"The defendant told Special Branch of the plot to kill Mr McCord," the lawyer told judge Mr Justice Colton.

The killing was not prevented. Mr McCord was beaten to death by the Mount Vernon UVF and his body was dumped in a quarry in north Belfast.

Mr O'Rourke further claimed that Haggarty informed Special Branch of his gang's intention to shoot a random taxi driver in Antrim on June 17 1994.

Catholic taxi driver Gerard Brady, 27, was shot dead that night, hours after Haggarty allegedly provided his handlers with detailed information on the plan.

The barrister said Haggarty contacted his handlers after the murder to ask why it had not been stopped.

"He was told they had followed the vehicle but they had lost them," said Mr O'Rourke.

The lawyer said in the wake of both murders Haggarty provided officers with the names of the individuals involved.

One of the five murders Haggarty has admitted himself was that of 55-year-old Belfast grandfather Sean McParland in 1994.

He confessed to that crime and a litany of others after signing his contentious supergrass deal following his arrest in 2009.

The court heard he had been arrested in the immediate aftermath of the sectarian shooting of Mr McParland, however was urged by Special Branch to keep quiet.

"His handlers told him he should refuse to answer questions," said Mr O'Rourke.

Outlining the extent of his co-operation with Special Branch during the Troubles, Mr O'Rourke further claimed:

- information provided by Haggarty thwarted the murder of a Sinn Fein worker

- a tip-off from Haggarty prevented the killing of a brother of a suspected IRA member

- Haggarty gave Special Branch officers a copy of a key to a block of flats in Mount Vernon that contained a loyalist arms store. He alerted his handlers to the weapons that were there, but Special Branch did not seize them. One of the guns was subsequently used to kill Mr Brady

- provided his handlers detailed information on those responsible for beating to death father of four John Harbinson in north Belfast in 1997

The barrister told the judge: "It is our case that the court should allow discount for assistance the defendant says he has given to police outside the SOCPA (Serious Organised Crime and Police Act) process - long before that process was engaged."

Since turning supergrass, Haggarty provided information on 55 loyalist murders and 20 attempted murders in 1,015 police interviews.

Prosecutors are to mount a prosecution against one man, for two murders, on the back of the loyalist godfather's evidence.

However, the vast majority of individuals named by Haggarty in his police interviews will not face prosecution amid state concerns about a lack of supporting evidence.

Part of the supergrass pact saw him plead guilty to a catalogue of terror offences stretching over a 16-year period from 1991 to 2007, including the murders of Mr McParland, John Harbinson, Gary Convie, Eamon Fox and Sean McDermott.

As well as the five murders, Haggarty, who is in protective custody, has also admitted five attempted murders, including against police officers; 23 counts of conspiracy to murder; directing terrorism; and membership of a proscribed organisation.

"He has placed himself at huge personal risk and will remain subject to that risk, we say, for the rest of his life," said Mr O'Rourke.

At the close of the sentence hearing Justice Colton said he had to consider a "vast amount of material".

As such, he said he would reserve his decision and hand down the sentence in the New Year.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is attending the European Council Summit this morning as negotiations on Brexit move towards the next phase.

It is after substantive progress was made in the first phase of talks, notably the commitment that there would be no hard border in Ireland post-Brexit.
Update 4.54pm: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he trusts British prime minister Theresa May while also insisting that the Brexit deal on the North means "full alignment" with EU trade rules, writes Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe from Brussels.

Following a week of doubt expressed around the deal on the North and regulations both North and South and East and West, Mr Varadkar dispelled any doubt on what EU leaders will agree tomorrow.

Speaking at the EU summit of leaders in Brussels today, he said:

"In terms of maintaining full alignment, our view is that is very strong language. Maintain means keep as it is. Full means full not partial and alignment means keep in line.

"In terms of European law, alignment exists in the context of the accession treaties, so when a country wants to join the EU, it is required to align its rules and regulations with the EU before it can join. What we are saying is that in the backstop scenario for the UK and Northern Ireland, maintaining full alignment with the single market and customs union, that is the backstop arrangement."

But Mr Varadkar also expressed empathy with Mrs May after the Tory government lost a vote on its Withdrawal Bill in the House of Commons, which means a final deal must be approved by MPs.

I know and understand that prime minister May has a tough job. She is leading a minority government supported by a confidence and supply arrangement. I can identify with that because that is exactly what I am doing, I am leading a minority government supported by a confidence and supply agreement.

"But I have absolute faith and confidence in her that she speaks for the government of the UK so long as that is the case, as long as she is prime minister, we will deal with her as though she had an overall majority."

The summit will see Ms May speak to leaders this evening at a special dinner before the 27 members tomorrow vote and agree on moving onto phase two of the Brexit talks, which will focus on a transition period for Britain's exit as well as a future trade deal with the bloc.

Earlier: Varadkar says 'time has come to allow Irish people have their say' on abortion

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is time the Irish people had their say on abortion.

Speaking in Brussels this afternoon while arriving at an EU summit, he said the government would now consider the outcome of an Oireachtas Committee recommendation to allow abortions for pregnancies up to 12 weeks.

However, Mr Varadkar stopped short of saying what the governments position would be in next years referendum and whether it would campaign for a certain view.

Both I and members of the government are going to spend the Christmas period understanding that [the report].

"We will then have a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party in early January where Ill hear the views of the Fine Gael party and after that there will be a debate in the Dail and the government will discuss it.

This a decision for the Irish people and I believe the time has come to allow Irish people have their say on this issue."

Mr Varadkar has previously expressed reservations about the Eighth Amendment, the Constitutional protection given to the unborn.

While Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, the two biggest parties, say their TDs will be given a free vote or position on the issue, the government will come under pressure in the coming days to say whether or not ministers and the Taoiseach agree with the committee recommendations.

Mr Varadkar said the committee would publish its report next week but that it was important that debate on society on the issue was "respectful" ahead of next years vote.
The leader of the far-right group 'Britain First' has been arrested in connection with a rally held in Belfast during the summer.

Paul Golding was detained as he arrived at Belfast Magistrates Court this morning.
Theresa May has insisted that she remains "on course to deliver on Brexit" despite her humiliating defeat in the House of Commons.

Arriving at a European Council summit in Brussels, the UK Prime Minister said her flagship EU (Withdrawal) Bill was making "good progress" despite Wednesday's setback, which she said was the Government's only defeat in 36 votes on the legislation.

Leaders of the other 27 EU states are expected to give the green light to the start of the second phase of Brexit talks in Mrs May's absence on Friday, the second day of the two-day summit.

But doubt remains over when negotiations on the future trade relationship will begin, with leaked documents suggesting that guidelines for talks on the new relationship will not even be drawn up until March.

Arriving shortly before Mrs May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was "a good chance that the second phase can now begin".

And Dutch PM Mark Rutte played down suggestions that Mrs May's Commons defeat had diminished her authority in Brussels, saying: "I think she still has formidable stature here."

Asked about last night's vote to give MPs a "meaningful" vote on the final EU withdrawal deal, Mrs May said: "I am disappointed with the amendment but actually the EU (Withdrawal) Bill is making good progress through the House of Commons and we are on course to deliver on Brexit."

Asked whether she will be forced to make further concessions to backbench rebels over Europe, Mrs May said: "We have actually had 36 votes on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill and we have won 35 of those votes, with an average majority of 22.

"The Bill is making good progress. We are on course to deliver Brexit, we are on course to deliver the vote of the British people."

Mrs May, who was the last leader to arrive at the summit after attending the Grenfell Tower memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral, said she was looking forward to addressing the other 27 over dinner about the "deep and special relationship" which she hopes to forge between the UK and EU after Brexit.

But she was coming under pressure to spell out in more detail what she wants from a future trade deal.

Mr Rutte said the PM was "holding her cards close to her heart" but it was now "up to her and the UK government to sketch out that future relationship".

"First we have to see what she wants," said Mr Rutte. "Does she want to stay in the single market? Does she want to stay in the customs union? Or both?

"If that is the case, that will entail certain obligations ... If she doesn't want to do that, the relationship will be more like a free trade agreement."

Luxembourg's PM Xavier Bettel suggested that her defeat in the Commons would add to the pressure on the PM by further limiting the time available for her to strike a deal.

In a night of high drama yesterday, rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve told the UK government it was "too late" as ministers made last-minute concessions in an attempt to head off the revolt.

He saw his amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill squeezed through the Commons on a majority of four amid tense scenes.

It means MPs and peers will be given more control over the UK government's implementation of the withdrawal agreement, as ministers will have to pass a statute, which can be amended, before it takes effect.

Mrs May, who attempted to reassert her authority by sacking Tory vice chairman and Brexit rebel Stephen Hammond, could face questions about the vote's implications at a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders, whom she will urge to begin trade talks as quickly as possible.

"It's not good for Theresa May," said Mr Bettel. "As soon as she negotiates something she will need to go back to London to get approval from the Parliament and this is not making her life easier.

"It doesn't change anything in the agenda, it just makes life more complicated for the UK government."

He made clear that Britain has some way to go to dispel anxieties prompted by UK Brexit Secretary David Davis's suggestion that last week's deal on withdrawal - judged by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker as representing "sufficient progress" to move on to the second phase of talks - was no more than a "statement of intent".

"I think we are making good progress," said Mr Bettel. "But, if every time we announce something there is a risk that it will unravel in London, it is not very good for making concrete progress."

Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney told the Dail that despite Mr Davis's comments, he regarded the UK's commitments as "cast-iron". But he threw doubt on Mrs May's hopes for a two-year transition after the date of Brexit in March 2019, repeating his preference for a four or five-year period.

European Council president Donald Tusk said the next phase of talks would be a "real test" of the EU's unity.

Last Friday's agreement on the divorce issues of citizens' rights, the Irish border and the divorce bill was a major breakthrough for the UK Prime Minister, setting the scene for long-awaited trade talks after six months of frustrating negotiations.

But the political capital she has built up was dealt a damaging blow by Wednesday's vote, which led to bitter recriminations in the Conservative Party, with 11 MPs joining opposition parties in backing the amendment, and a handful of others abstaining.

She has also been warned she could face another defeat next week over attempts to fix the Brexit date of March 29 2019 in the law.

Rebels said the defeat was avoidable and blamed the Government for not engaging in negotiations with them, only offering a last-ditch concession minutes before the vote.

The handling of the situation has led to questions about Chief Whip Julian Smith's role, but Downing Street insisted Mrs May had "full confidence" in him despite the defeat.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said he was still hopeful that British voters would change their minds and decide not to press ahead with Brexit.

Warning that Britain faces many "big issues and challenges" in the months ahead, he used a German phrase suggesting that the final outcome was not yet decided: "This cake isn't eaten yet."
The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have announced that they plan to spend around 35m to beef up European Union borders as they come under pressure for refusing to accept refugee quotas.

The countries - known as the Visegrad Four - have been criticised for failing to show solidarity with Greece and Italy, where tens of thousands of migrants have landed after crossing the Mediterranean or Aegean Seas.

The issue of migrants and refugees was high on the agenda of a two-day EU summit in Brussels that started on Thursday - and some saw the border funding move by the four nations as a cynical ploy to avoid accepting refugee quotas.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said their contribution will help save European funds and that "if we will see good projects in the future, first of all projects that are effective, we are ready to spend even more money because we really want to show solidarity".

Hungary saw tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and other migrants travelled north on foot out of Greece through its territory in 2015, looking for shelter in richer northern European nations.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered the construction of a border fence to keep the migrants out.

Mr Orban said that the border funds will help defend the EU's borders with the outside world and will also contribute to EU work in Libya, where many migrants leave for Europe.

After more than one million refugees entered Europe in 2015, the EU introduced a refugee sharing plan to help out overwhelmed Greece and Italy.

The four Visegrad nations voted against quotas, but were legally bound to accept refugees as the decision was made by a majority vote.

Still, Hungary and Poland have taken in no refugees under the plan, while the Czech Republic has accepted only 12.

Despite the tensions, the EU Commission wants to introduce a permanent mechanism that would oblige countries to take quotas of refugees if one or more EU nations are hit by a migrant wave.

The Visegrad nations remain firmly against migrant quotas.

"Quotas do not work, they are ineffective," Mr Fico said. "The decision on quotas really divided the European Union."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte disagreed.

"We cannot have a system in which countries shop for those things they like from the European Union and are not willing to deliver the necessary solidarity," he said.

"It cannot be that Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany face all problems and that other nations say: That is so nice that they deal with it there."

Disagreement over the way to manage Europe's migrant challenge has created distrust between EU neighbours and fuelled anti-migrant parties across Europe, slowly undermining the entire European project.

Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni said the pledge of more border funds from the Visegrad nations "confirms the validity of the policies we are developing".

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose department drew up the quota plan and have defended it in court, welcomed the funding move.

"This is proof that the Visegrad four countries are fully aligned when it comes to solidarity with Italy and with others, so for once I am a happy man," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is important not to get bogged down in old disputes and that solidarity can take different forms.

"We need to be able to express solidarity without getting trapped in any excessive road blocks" about the past, he said. "I think everyone needs to make an effort."
A 13-month-old girl in the UK who died in "troubling" and suspicious circumstances has been "denied justice" an inquest has heard.

Poppi Worthington collapsed at home with injuries a pathologist suspected were caused by a sexual abuse, Kendal Coroner's Court was told.

The otherwise healthy toddler woke up screaming at around 5.30am on December 12 2012 at the family home in Barrow, Cumbria, and her father, Paul Worthington, put her in his bed and went to get a fresh nappy, the inquest heard.

When he returned she had settled but five or 10 minutes later he reached over and she was limp or floppy and he ran downstairs and the child's mother called an ambulance.

Paramedics carried out a "scoop and run", delivering the apparently lifeless girl to Furness General Hospital at 6.11am but she never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after 7am.

Medics noted the child was bleeding from her bottom.

A judge later concluded that Mr Worthington probably sexually assaulted his daughter by anal penetration shortly before her death, while ruling on family court proceedings involving the family.

Today, at the second inquest into Poppi's death, after the first was quashed by the High Court as "irregular", lawyers made final submissions to Senior Coroner for Cumbria David Roberts, who must rule on how she came by her death.

The inquest has heard 10 days of evidence from an array of expert medical witnesses, with Poppi's cause of death remaining "unascertained".

The post-mortem examination findings of Dr Alison Armour, that Poppi had been penetrated and had tears in her bottom, have been hotly disputed.

Mr Worthington, who denies any wrongdoing, refused to answer questions 252 times, citing his right to remain silent under Rule 22 of the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013, that he was not obliged to answer any questions tending to incriminate him.

The inquest also heard that an investigation by Cumbria Police was so botched that vital evidence was lost - and so exactly what happened to Poppi will never be known and no-one will be charged with any offence.

Gillian Irving QC, representing Poppi's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "So far as the mother is concerned, they have denied Poppi justice and denied her the opportunity of establishing or helping to establish a cause of death.

"If it was not such a tragedy, one could best describe the response of Cumbria Constabulary to Poppi's death as a comedy of errors."

Ms Irving agreed with legal submissions from Mr Worthington's lawyers that there is not enough evidence for the coroner to conclude Poppi was unlawfully killed - but there was "clear evidence" that Poppi was subject to a "penetrative anal assault".

She continued: "It is fair to say, all the experts accepted that some event - and I use that word 'event' in the broadest possible terms - that some event happened to this child, in life, that resulted in blood oozing from her anus.

"The key protagonist exercised his right under Regulation 22 not to give evidence.

"Given the full inquest was sought on his behalf, it is disappointing he's chosen to hide behind the veil of Rule 22."

Leslie Thomas QC, representing Mr Worthington, who is now in hiding, said a conclusion of unlawful killing, or that Poppi died of natural causes, could not be reached on the evidence.

He said the evidence of Dr Armour was "tainted" and "unsafe" and submitted that an open verdict was appropriate - as there is not enough evidence to reach any other conclusion.

Mr Thomas added: "Whilst the whole purpose has been a search for the truth, that search for the truth has been impaired by a number of failings."

Coroner Mr Roberts adjourned the hearing until noon on January 12, when he will deliver his conclusions.
Latest News Which banks have passed on the latest rate hike to mortgage borrowers? Here's a breakdown on how the major lenders have responded to the latest OCR hike

Bridgit joins Finsure's panel Partnership expands lender's offering to brokers

Despite the majority of Australians seeing themselves as financially savvy, a significant proportion of consumers are overwhelmed by the choice offered in the finance sector, a new whitepaper has found. Mortgage Choice s Australian Financial Savviness Whitepaper found that 39% of Australians struggle to make good financial decisions because they have difficulty understanding the range of options available.The traditional view is that choice is a must have within a strong financial services industry, said Mortgage Choice CEO John Flavell.Yet, our data makes it clear that Australians are currently overwhelmed by too much choice.The whitepaper also found that 37% of Australians found merely deciding between all available options was a hurdle to becoming financially savvy.Flavell noted the important role that mortgage brokers can play in this area by giving Australians more information on the options available to them.While our data found that one in three Australians feel as though their circumstances do not warrant seeing a financial adviser, 73% of those who did seek professional financial advice said their personal and financial wellbeing was improved as a direct result.The whitepaper also found that Australians were remarkably confident about their own personal knowledge with 77.2% considering themselves money smart.Those over the age of 60 and under 30 boasted the highest proportion of those considering themselves financial savvy, said Flavell.Over 85% of those aged 60 years and over were happy to label themselves financially savvy, while almost 80% of those under the age of 30 gave themselves the same title.Australians 30 years and under were also more likely to consider themselves superior to their peers with regards to being money smart.Over 55% of those under the age of 30 considered themselves to be a lot smarter than their peers when it came to money. At the other end of the spectrum, just 35% of those over the age of 60 said they were smarter than their peers.The whitepaper took research from the survey results of more than 1,040 Australians in order to get a representative view of the nation.
Latest News Which banks have passed on the latest rate hike to mortgage borrowers? Here's a breakdown on how the major lenders have responded to the latest OCR hike

Bridgit joins Finsure's panel Partnership expands lender's offering to brokers

Hold at least a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management

Be a current member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) or the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA)

Be a direct credit representative or an employee of an approved aggregators, head group or Australian credit license holder

Have at least two years of experience writing regulated residential loans

Commonwealth Bank of Australia ( CBA ) has unveiled a new broker model which includes stricter accreditation standards that aim to promote greater broker knowledge and positive consumer outcomes.From 2018, new mortgage brokers will be required to meet enhanced education requirements in order to write CBA loans. The measures are part of the banks new broker model and follow the release of the mortgage broker reform package by the Combined Industry Forum (CIF).We played an active role in the industry forum and were really pleased with how it landed. The need overall for the industry to lift has landed quite well and obviously all the industry participants are of the same view, Matthew Dawson, CBA general manager of home buying distribution strategy, told Australian Broker.As part of the banks incoming model, new brokers will be required to meet the following standards to gain accreditation:Brokers will be put under additional questioning during the accreditation process with more scrutiny on the individual, the company they work for, the head group that theyre partnered with, the quality of their business and how they have been operating.[This is] so we really understand who the person is that were dealing with and that they are in fact qualified to be able to operate and represent, not only our brand, but the industry to ensure these new standards, said Sam Boer, CBA general manager of third party banking.One of the most significant changes has been the addition of the two year requirements for new brokers, he added.Two years has actually always been the policy but what we noticed that there was a lot of different mentoring standards being applied and we felt that this really needed to be improved upon.CBA had decided to take a firmer position around the two year time limit, he said.You wouldnt expect to see too many exceptions to that rule but what were seeing in recent times is that basically every accreditation has been an exception.Those joining the industry will need to go through a more rigorous training program and gain the right experience before they could write CBA loans, he added.Its important for new-to-industry brokers to partner with good head groups and establish brokerages and form a solid mentor relationship, Dawson said.These new standards have emerged out of the CIF reforms as well as a consultation process across CBAs third party network which entailed a survey of 2,000 brokers, focus groups with brokers and meetings with head groups.We formed a view based on the Industry Forum and then the work that wed done in our own consultation. We just felt that this was an area in which there was more work that we wanted to do, Boer said.The changes were a great opportunity to improve both education standards and the experience for brokers in terms of new accreditation, he added.CBA had been listening hard to its business partners, Dawson said.Weve currently got over 13,000 accredited brokers at CBA and this is a comprehensive reform program. Theres a lot of change, a lot of complexity, being added back in. The expectations on our brokers now to get it right around responsible lending as well as around customer outcomes  we really need to work with them.The new accreditation process will be launched in the first quarter of 2018 with CBA working closely with brokers who meet the new requirements. This includes conducting interviews and supplying support with its professional development plans.Further accreditation will be on hold until the new processes are brought in to ensure the entire model is implemented effectively.CBA has also said it will be reviewing its non-monetary benefits for brokers to ensure they provide good consumer outcomes. This includes improving the value proposition for accredited brokers and rolling out CIFs proposed changes to commissions and KPIs. More details about these changes will be revealed in 2018.
Latest News Which banks have passed on the latest rate hike to mortgage borrowers? Here's a breakdown on how the major lenders have responded to the latest OCR hike

Bridgit joins Finsure's panel Partnership expands lender's offering to brokers

Australian consumers have thrown their support behind the non-major banks with results showing lenders are still far behind when it comes to building positive customer-staff relationships.These results come from the annual J.D. Power 2017 Australia Retail Banking Satisfaction Study which also showed a significant difference between satisfaction levels at the major and non-major banks.The non-major bank that performed the best was Heritage Bank, which received a score of 827 out of 1,000 from consumers. This was followed by Peoples Choice Credit Union (822), CUA (796), Bendigo Bank (790), and Bank of Queensland (777).Commonwealth Bank of Australia scored the highest of the majors at 747, followed by National Australia Bank (745), Westpac (738) and ANZ (732).The average of the non-majors surveyed was 767 while the average of the majors was lower at 741.The survey also found that while 89% of banking customers had opted for a digital channel when using their primary bank, face-to-face interaction was still preferred. In fact, 86% of those surveyed said they preferred to visit a branch or speak with someone over the phone if they had a problem while 73% said they would do the same if they had a question.With most customers choosing to raise a problem or question with a bank representative directly either at a branch or on the phone, closing bank branches and driving a digital agenda is not going to address this pain point, said Anthony Chiam, J.D. Power practice leader service industry.While the branch still has a role to play, banks should also fix pain points in their online portals and banking apps especially if they want more people to transfer to these channels, he added.Ultimately, if banks do want to transition to digital, they need to make sure their customers are ready to follow.The study found that 32% of customers said they had experienced a problem accessing their online bank account while 34% had difficulties accessing their mobile banking app. Banks seem to be failing in person too with 48% of customers saying they were not welcomed at the branch.
A 24-year-old man is facing a slew of felony charges for illegal straw purchase of 21 guns at gun stores, almost exclusively in Bucks County. Leonard Truesdale was arraigned on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, on 21 counts each of making false statements on firearm purchase forms, criminal conspiracy to make false statements on firearm purchase forms and selling or transferring...
Ready for one action-packed winter finale episode of Designated Survivor? I sure am! One plot twist after another, Tom Kirkman and crew have dodged bullets, ducked from bad press, drowned in conspiracies and even had time in between for some romance. Something tells me we are in for quite a shocker as the First Ladys involuntary involvement with Eric Little comes to a head. Keep tissues handy; were going in!

Designated Survivor Recap: Hannah Learns the Truth>>>

Its Christmas, and Hannah wakes up to a sleeping, and presumably naked, Damian. She grabs his phone, plugs it into her laptop to download some info and hides it in her robe just before getting caught red-handed.

One Remy Lucas tells news viewers that wildfires in Shenandoah are raging on, but asks when the federal government will be pulling out. Aaron is in the thick of things when he gets a call from the President, telling him to pack up and head back home. Before he and the fireman in his area can leave, a fireman knocks on a cabin door. He instructs the people inside to leave the area. Were on a religious retreat, the main guy says before turning back to the others inside. You know what to do. They begin boarding up the windows and turning over furniture. Emily, back at the White House, suggests that theyre a cult.

In the Situation Room, Kirkman is briefed about the people in the cabin. Is it a hostage situation? Is it a cult? Either way, theyre asking to speak directly to the President, but in the meantime Aaron makes a stop on his behalf. The leader wants a little girl, Grace, who is hospitalized, to be released to her mother so that Gods will may intervene. Until this happens, he and the rest of his group will remain on the mountain until the fires take over. Aaron insists that anyone who wishes to leave follow him. They, instead, lock hands and stand their ground. (Im sorry but this story-line, although pulled from real headlines, is irrelevant right now.)

Tensions are high between the President and First Lady as they just dont talk like they used to. He turns to her, looking like he wants to say so much, but walks away. She finally looks up from her studies for her own case, as if wishing that he would say what he wants, but nothing comes of it. This is not a good sign.

Emily looks on at the sick little girl at the hospital with Carrie. She urges her mother to consent to leaving her at the hospital for open heart surgery, but she does not want to interfere with Gods will. Kirkman is put into a sticky situation as Kendra, Seth and Lyor help advise him. He doesnt want to upset Christians who back the mothers choice and no on wants to create an uproar in the media. Again, he must talk to the leader in the cabin.

Chuck finally stands up to Hannah about Damian. Hes suspect, he says. His superiority has always been an issue for me, too, but Hannah insists that she can handle herself. Lets hope she can.

Well, Kirkmans chat with the cabin leader proves to be a waste of time. They dont seem to care about the pending doom of fire creeping up to their door. As soon as word reaches them of the babys release, only then will they evacuate.

Kendra speaks with Forestal who hits her with a possible deal via a no contest plea. This is the price of me stepping down, he says. Alex wants to take the plea and walk away, taking the fifth to everything. Tom is worried about her reputation and life being ruined forever after. You are innocent, he says in perfect Kiefer Sutherland fashion, and thats where I stand. End of conversation. POTUS has left the room.

Hannah meets with Aaron who shows her surveillance footage of warehouse fire she and Damian investigated. Our British two-timer was at the sight two hours before he went back with Hannah, cutting the fence to plant the explosion which means he could be charged with arson. Aaron knows Hannah is compromised and that is why he wants to step in to catch this guy in the act.

Kirkman pulls a trusted, and best open-heart surgeon, into the Oval Office, urging that he do all he can to save the little girls life. Hell do what he can, but he cant make any promises.

Damian, still believing hes pulled one over on an FBI Agent, tempts Hannah with a trip to Maui for Christmas. Hannah hands him a watch. It looks simple and unassuming enough, but I wouldnt doubt that shes had it bugged.

Success! Kirkman has successfully convinced the mother to allow her little girl to have the surgery. Now, all we need is her to pull through.

I guessed right! Hannah and Chuck are tracking Damians watch. Hes in her apartment, sitting down at her laptop with no idea that we can see right up his nostrils. Hannah hurries out.

Again, Alex is doing her studies when the President comes in to wish her good luck with the subpoena, but his brief visit ends with his wanting to make the last few weeks up to her. No matter what happens, he says he will take the night off once she returns from her hearing so that they can spend some quality time together.

Graces mother Carrie has been given quite the decision. Her religion forbids her to use the help of man to aide her child, but what about her own blood? The baby needs a blood transfusion and her blood is the only one that can help. Emily convinces her to do the right thing and lend her blood.

Alex and Kendra arrive at what was supposed to be a secret hearing, but they are met with a crowd of reporters. The First Lady could easily leave and go home, walking away from everything because now things have been compromised. Nope! No matter what, Alex wants this investigation to end today.

Baby Grace makes it through surgery. Carrie is overjoyed, as she should be. Kirkman informs the cabin people of the news and they are evacuated promptly. I suppose it turned out to be a good thing that they were holed up there, otherwise, Grace may not have gotten the attention she needed, but they were still annoying. The President decides to visit Grace himself.

Alex has done her research and has done it well. Her testimony consists of all the things Forestal has done at the expense of the FBI in the name of this investigation into the First Lady and the First Mother-In-Law. In a fit of rage, Forestal shouts for the recorder to be turned off. Got him!

Aaron calls Hannah to his office where he informs that Damian is trained MI6 gone rogue. Of course, in classic Hannah style, she rushes off to bring him in for questioning, alone. She finds him on a bridge near a cathedral. They kiss under snowfall. So what is this surprise? he asks. That I know, she replies and pulls a gun on him. He tries telling her that he has to show her something that will explain everything, but he has to reach into his pocket. You reach for it and youre dead, she says. Damian ends up in the river with one bullet to the chest. What did he have in his pocket?

The President looks on at baby Grace who is surprisingly happy after such a risky heart surgery. He apparently misses a call from Alex who wants to tell him that she beat the investigation, shes free and she loves her husband. Hannah now sits, crying at a bar as Damian (we just cannot get rid of this guy) crawls out of the river and opens his coat to reveal a bullet lodged in his bulletproof vest.

Did you keep those tissues near? The motorcade is taking a happy Alex back to her husband when a truck pummels into her side of the car. Mike, banged up, tumbles out of the drivers seat as fellow Secret Servicemen find a horrifying scene in the backseat. Tom receives the call and drops to his knees, screaming.

So, the questions of Natashce McElhones departure from Designated Survivor have now been answered. Alex Kirkman has been killed. What does this mean for the Kirkman family moving forward? How will this effect the President in future endeavors? Who do you believe killed her? Is Damian a good guy after all? There is a lot to talk about until the shows return in February of next year, so leave your comments below!





Designated Survivor airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC. Want more? Like our Designated Survivor Facebook page.

(Image courtesy of ABC)
The Ruia-owned is planning to increase volumes via third-party cargo, even as it services debt in a not so friendly freight market.
General Electric (GE) and the Tata Group on Thursday announced the signing of an agreement to manufacture CFM International LEAP engine components in India, for the global supply chain. The two also announced their intention to jointly pursue military engine and aircraft system opportunities for the India market. The LEAP engine is the worlds leading jet engine known for its technological superiority, fuel efficiency, performance for powering single-aisle commercial jets.
Highlighting its progress in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft has announced a slew of updates to its AI assistant Cortana, search engine Bing and Office 365.

The company also announced a new partnership between Reddit and Bing.

Additionally, the company announced new features added to the "Seeing AI" app on iOS and demonstrated AI's integration with products, like HoloLens and customers, including Cheetah Mobile, UPS and Equadex.

Microsoft said Bing's newest features, Intelligent Answers, Advanced Image Search and Conversational Search now leverage AI to provide the most relevant results and search capabilities.

The Perspective Engine is introduced to help search users make sense of the jumble of numbers they increasingly encounter in the digital world.

New hands-free, eyes-free capabilities were added to Cortana to help with email and calendar management as well as the new Skills Suggestion and Chaining capabilities, giving Cortana the ability to understand users' overall intent and offer the next most relevant skill.

New AI capabilities in Office 365 for Outlook, Word and Excel now deliver personalised experiences that harness the power of intelligence to help people work smarter and focus on what matters most.

"A new partnership with Reddit, to bring information from the Reddit community to Bing. This is the first search partnership of its kind and includes three experiences; Reddit Responses, Reddit Community Results and Reddit AMA Discovery, with more to come," the company said.

"Seeing AI" app received new features, including currency and colour recognition, audible light detector and expansion to more than 35 countries.

The app is free on iOS and designed for people who are blind or have a visual impairment, helping users see more of the world.

Updates were made to Cognitive Services, including the general availability of The Language Understanding Intelligent Service (LUIS) and Azure Bot Service among other updates, continuing the commitment of making AI available to everyone.

Intelligent features in the all new Photos app for Windows 10 make it easier to manage, search and create videos to bring your memories to life.

Microsoft also highlighted a new commitment of $50 million over the next five years to grow AI for Earth programme.
Netflix, an online video-streaming service, is looking to collaborate with digital cable TV operators in India to provide internet-enabled smart television-like services to non-smart TV users, according to a report in the Economic Times.
The Odisha government has decided to stay away from the sale of Bhushan Steel, which is one of the first 12 identified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for insolvency and is slated to receive bids on December 23 from rival .
Air Deccan, Indias first low-cost airline that made flying affordable for the middle class, is relaunching its operations from December 23. The airlines promoter, G R Gopinath, tells Arindam Majumder about the hurdles it faced, the countrys aviation scene and much more. Edited excerpts:
The investigation wing of the income tax (I-T) department has raised doubt on the inter se transaction between the real estate arm of K Raheja group and its erstwhile retail arm Hypercity Retail India. Tax officials are investigating whether the transaction was structured to evade tax.
As lenders open the bidding for assets of Reliance Communications (RCom) this week, telecom appear to have fared much better in cleaning up their debt books than steel . The total debt of the telecom that is facing stress is over Rs 1 lakh crore.
One of the "Chennai Six" group of ex-British soldiers jailed in India was dragged to a psychiatric hospital and force-fed anti-psychotic tablets during his time in jail, a London court considering whether to extradite Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya was told on Thursday.

Mallya, 61, is wanted in India on fraud and money-laundering charges relating to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines and Indian authorities want to recover about $1.4 billion they say Kingfisher owes.

The businessman, co-owner of the Force India Formula One team, who moved to Britain in March last year, says the case him is politically motivated and is fighting extradition on several grounds including a claim that jail conditions in India are incompatible with British human rights laws.

As part of this, his lawyer quizzed prison conditions expert Dr Alan Mitchell about a conversation he had had two days ago with one of the former British soldiers who had been held for four years in India on weapons-smuggling charges after the vessel they were working on strayed into Indian waters in 2013.

The soldiers were released from jail in Chennai, eastern India, after a successful appeal and began arriving back in Britain last week.

The ex-soldier, named only as "A", said he had been grabbed by 15 prison guards and prisoners and taken to a psychiatric hospital because he had been "excessively walking" around the prison, Mitchell told London's Westminster Magistrate Court.

"While in the psychiatric hospital, he stated he was tied up, gagged, he was beaten and he was forcibly injected. In addition he described being force-fed anti-psychotic tablets that he managed to spit out," Mitchell said.

Asked by Mallya's lawyer Clare Montgomery about assurances given over the treatment of Mallya, who she said had diabetes, coronary artery disease and sleep apnoea, Mitchell said the British government had likewise told parliament that the Chennai Six were being well looked after.

"Despite assurances having been given in parliament, 'A' was extremely disappointed by what effect the involvement of the High Commission and the UK government had on conditions in which he and his fellow prisoners were held," he said.

Mark Summers, the lawyer representing the Indian government, said Mitchell's evidence involved an uncorroborated account which could be used as a "platform for a compensation claim against the UK government".

He said conditions in Chennai would bear no relation to the jail in Mumbai where Mallya would be held.

Another hearing in the London extradition case against Mallya will be held on Jan. 10 with a decision expected at a later date.
Asserting that was given death sentence in Pakistan through a "farcical" process, India today reiterated its demand for consular access to him, a day after Islamabad rejected New Delhi's request for an access at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said the government was working with the mother and wife of Jadhav for their visit to Pakistan to meet him.

India has repeatedly requested consular access to Jadhav and other Indian nationals imprisoned in Pakistan as per Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, Kumar said.

"We also appealed to ICJ in May as we believe Vienna convention was being violated. We do reiterate our position that Jadhav remains in Pakistan and is facing death sentence given through a farcical process and on concocted charges," the spokesperson said.

In its counter-memorial submitted to the ICJ, Pakistan said the provision of such an access under the Vienna Convention is only for legitimate visitors and not for spies, according to Pakistani media yesterday.

Pakistan had said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.

On the visit of Jadhav's mother and wife to Pakistan to meet him, Kumar said India has already welcomed the decision by the Pakistan government and was working in finalising the visit in consultation with Jadhav's family.

Jadhav, 47, was given death sentence by a Pakistani army court in April, following which India moved the ICJ, which halted his execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it.
After 11 years in construction at Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai (MDL), the first Scorpene (French for scorpion) submarine, INS Kalvari, was commissioned into the Indian navy by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in Mumbai on Thursday.
The BJP government fired a fresh salvo at the Congress terming "indiscriminate lending" during the latter party's ruling period as the biggest scam that the country has seen.
on Wednesday moved a "government authority" against the cancellation of licence of its hospital in Shalimar Bagh in north-west Delhi, even as it appealed to the DGHS to "reconsider" its decision.
A "shake up" is being given to the defence ministry to speed up various acquisition projects, ensure transparency and clear backlogs for key programmes, Defence Minister on Thursday said.

In an address at a industry chamber, she also said the government is seriously examining functioning of around 39 ordnance factories and possible ways to boost their productivity including through joining of hands by the private sector.

She said the efforts are on to ensure that the defence acquisition council (DAC) clears all the backlog relating to various procurement by December 31, emphasising that speeding up of decision making process has been one of her focus areas.

The DAC is defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement.

"There is a sense of making sure that every aspect of this large ministry is given a shake up," Sitharaman said, adding the aim is to make a difference so that the ministry, which was sort of a cocooned, do things in a faster and transparent way.

On various acquisition projects, she said, "I may be confident enough to say that by December 31, at least DAC would be on the top of it in the sense that no more waiting list would be with me." She was addressing a FICCI event.

Sitharaman, who assumed charge of the ministry in September, also said ensuring transparency is a major priority area for her.

"The biggest compliance issue which we are definitely 100 per cent following is to have greater transparency, put everything in the public domain and make sure that every decision stands up to the principle of accountability," she said.

Her comments came in the backdrop of the Congress accusing the government of flouting laid down norms in sealing a deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

The party had recently raised several questions about the deal including the rates, and accused the government of compromising interest and security while promoting "crony capitalism" and causing a loss to the public exchequer. The government had rejected the allegations.

Asked about handing over of the strategically located Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease by the Sri Lankan government, she only said India has been watchful of all the developments in the neighbourhood.

On ordnance factories, she said government was doing a major review of their work and examine whether they can have joint venture or benefit benefit from technology transfer.

Talking about the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Sitharaman said it should identify the patentable products so that they can be used commercially.

Referring to the strategic partnership model, she said it was brought to support the domestic defence industry and to ensure that India, which is now a leading importer of military hardware, becomes a defence exporter.

The strategic partnership was unveiled nearly four months back under which domestic defence manufacturers can tie up with leading global defence majors to manufacture specific military platforms like fighter jets.

Sitharaman also said the government was in the process of identifying "organically grown" defence industry clusters in various parts of the country so that they can be supported.

"We are planning to tell them about the requirement of the armed forces for the next 40-50 years so that they can lay a roadmap for their capacity building," she said.

She also said start-ups in the defence sector will be given encouragement.
Election to six state Assemblies were held in 2005, when the United Progressive Alliance (UPAs) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spent just a year in office. Just before the results began coming in, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) voiced an interesting thought. It was suggested that while the PM was concerned about the outcome in Bihar, Haryana and other states, his primary worry was over a state that seemed the least important at the time. Officials confided it was Jharkhand  a state sitting on a volcano of Left-wing extremism, pluralistic politics and enormous riches on account of natural resources.
The would consider imposing the goods and services tax on electricity, fuel and some other items, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said in New Delhi.
The Hadiya case has been in the news recently and the Courts reasoning has drawn criticism from legal scholars. In this piece, the writer, a practicing lawyer himself, examines the reasoning offered by the court and what separates a constitutional court from a Khap Panchayat.

What separates a court from a khap? This is a question which is frequently being asked given the growing disquiet over continuing hearings in what has come to be known as the Hadiya case. The case concerns the ability of a young, adult woman to choose her religion and spouse. At the same time the Court is proceeding to hear Goolrukh Guptas case, which concerns the ability of Parsi women to retain their religious identity with a non-Zoroastrian spouse. These two cases reveal postures of a court as it debates common questions of choice, identity and gender based discrimination.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard.
Top representatives of private hospitals, including Apollo, Medanta Medicity and Naryana Health, are advocating a holistic approach to ensure quality health care along with profitability of hospitals. This follows action against prominent hospital chains such as Max and Fortis.
In some good news for Karnatakas industry, the Supreme Court (SC) has lifted the ceiling from 30 million to 35 million tonnes for the A and B categories that it had placed on the total production in the state.
The exit polls that released their survey results at the end of the final phase of polling in Gujarat on Thursday evening predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set to retain Gujarat and wrest Himachal Pradesh from the Congress.

The turnout in the second phase, covering 93 seats, which is likely to be revised, was 68.70 per cent, nearly 4 percentage points lower than in the 2012 assembly polls.

In the first phase of the elections on December 9, covering 89 seats, the voter turnout was 66.75 per cent. In the 2012 elections, the overall turnout was 71.32 per cent for all the 182 seats.

The low turnout came as a morale buster for the Congress. The conventional election wisdom associates higher turnouts with anti-incumbency, and a vote against the incumbent government. The counting of votes is on December 18.

While survey agencies differed in their seat projections, nearly all predicted almost 100 or more seats for the BJP, with the party set to extend its 22-year rule in the state. Survey agencies also said the election, in the last phases, was focused on the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and overcame the brewing anti-incumbency against the Vijay Rupani government and dissipated the anger that sections of Gujarati society had felt about specific local issues.

ALSO READ: Nifty can dip to 9,700 levels if BJP disappoints in Gujarat, say analysts

The exit polls came on the eve of the start of the winter session of Parliament, and amid Congress allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the Election Commissions model code of conduct as he led a road show after casting his vote in Gandhinagar on Thursday afternoon. The Congress also alleged that Central Election Commissioner A K Joti was favouring the BJP and acting like a puppet of the government. Opposition leaders held a meeting in Parliament to chalk out their strategy for the winter session, and said they would raise the issue of the role of the Commission during the session.

The BJP said the Congress was looking for excuses before its impending defeat in the Gujarat polls. A party delegation, which included Cabinet ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, also met the Commission to refute the charges of the Congress against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders. Though the delegation members did not speak to the media on record, sources said they submitted a memorandum, in which they accused the opposition party of misleading the poll watchdog and called the attack on it unfortunate.

At an all-party meeting, the PM sought the cooperation of the opposition parties to evolve a consensus on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The government is expected to table 25 pending and 14 new Bills, including a Bill providing the Muslim women the right to seek maintenance in the case of triple talaq.

The Opposition said it would raise issues of federalism, slow economic growth, lack of job generation, farm distress, and Aadhaar.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao launched a sharp attack on the Congress, saying its dynastic arrogance was on display in its attack on the Commission.

The party should find better excuses for its impending defeat, he said and deprecated verbal abuse by the Congress. The Congress was upset because the Commission dared to serve notice to King Rahul, Rao said.

ALSO READ: Low turnout, high drama in second phase of Gujarat elections

On Wednesday, the Commission had ordered registering FIRs against the television channels that showed an interview of Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi, and also served a show cause notice on him for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

All survey agencies, barring ABP-CSDS, predicted a sweep for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, where the elections were held on November 9. The ABP-CSDS survey predicted a BJP victory, with the Congress running it close in the 68-member assembly. However, survey agencies differed in their predictions for Gujarat.

Axis-India Today, VMR Associates and Nirmana TV predicted the BJP might fall short of its 2012 tally of 115 seats, but could still win nearly 110. However, VDP Associates and Todays Chanakya predicted a BJP sweep. Todays Chanakya said the BJP could win as many as 135 seats (with an error margin of 11 seats), while VDP Associates gave the party up to 140 of the 182 seats in the state.

The ABP-CSDS exit poll, which in its last opinion poll had predicted a photo finish with both the BJP and Congress likely to get a 43 per cent vote share, said the whirlwind campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned the tide conclusively in the BJPs favour.

Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav, who on Wednesday said that basing himself on the ABP-CSDS survey he had sensed a BJP defeat in Gujarat, on Thursday said he was surprised at the exit poll results. But I have no reason to disbelieve all exit polls since they all point in the same direction. It seems clear that the BJP enjoys an edge in Gujarat, Yadav said.

Rao said recent exit polls had not been able to gauge the extent of victory for the BJP though they could get the trends right. He said Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the 2014 Lok Sabha polls were examples of this underassessment. We expect the BJP victory to be bigger than what is projected in the exit polls, he said.

The Congress, which believes it had fought the election well, is likely to raise the issue of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) vociferously.

The election results on Monday will have implications for the winter session. A Congress win could embolden the Opposition, while a defeat would raise questions on Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhis leadership. He is to officially take over the reins of the party on Saturday.
An estimated 68.70 per cent polling was today recorded in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections covering 93 seats in Gujarat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hogged the limelight for a 'roadshow' that has come under the EC scanner.

Barring stray incidents of violence, the polling, spread across 14 districts in central and north Gujarat, was peaceful.

Modi stood in a queue to cast his vote in a polling booth set up in a school in Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.

ALSO READ: Exit polls predict BJP victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh



The Congress termed the event as a "roadshow", which, it claimed, violated the Model Code of Conduct. The main opposition party promptly lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), which ordered an inquiry.

"Approximately 68.70 per cent polling took place in the second phase of Gujarat polls," a release issued by the office of Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain said.

"The highest voting was recorded in Sabarkantha district at 77 per cent, while the lowest was recorded in Dahod at 60 per cent. The Ahmedabad district posted the second lowest voter turnout at 63 per cent," it said.

In the first phase on December 9, which covered 89 seats of Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat, the voter turnout was 66.75 per cent. In the 2012 elections, the overall turnout was 71.32 per cent for all the 182 seats.

As the collection and tabulation of voting data is being carried out, the final polling percentage is expected to be announced today.

Though the voting ended at 5 pm, Swain said that those standing in the queue at polling stations would be allowed to vote even after the scheduled closure of polling.

A police officer said at least three persons were injured in a clash between workers of two parties at Hasanpur village of Visnagar taluka in Mehsana district.

"The polling process was not affected and the situation was under control," Mehsana Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaitanya Mandlik said.

The EC received complaints from five places that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were connecting to external devices via bluetooth (a wireless connectivity technology). But after an inquiry, it was found there was "no substance" in the complaints, poll officials said.

Complaints of EVMs getting connected to external devices via bluetooth were received from Patan, Kheda, Mehsana districts, Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad district and Godhra in Panchamahal district.

During the first phase of polling, the Congress had complained that some EVMs in Porbandar were connecting to external devices via bluetooth. However, the EC had said the apprehension of possible EVM tampering through bluetooth technology was baseless.

The EC today said there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

Despite the morning chill, people queued up outside the polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

Modi, who came here specially to vote, after alighting from his car, bowed to greet his elder brother Somabhai Modi, who lives in Ranip area of Ahmedabad, where the polling booth was located.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to hundreds of supporters who had gathered outside the school in the Sabaramati constituency amid chants of "Modi, Modi". Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

Acting on a Congress's complaint about Modi's alleged roadshow, Swain said an inquiry has been ordered to probe whether there was any violation of the model code.

Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader L K Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

While the prime minister voted around noon, Shah, Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel exercised their franchise earlier in the day. Advani voted at a polling booth set up in Shahpur Hindi school.

The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her ballot at a booth in Gandhinagar.

Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, Patan district, voted in Viramgam assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district.

Gujarat Congress president Bharat Solanki, ex-state Congress chief Siddarth Patel, senior party leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the state, where the BJP and the Congress are locked in a high-stake battle for power.

Former Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who has floated Jan Vikalp Front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

The chief electoral officer told reporters that polling took place in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

"We were live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security had been properly deployed and the staff reached on time," he said.

"We gave proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which faced problems were changed in time so as to avoid any delays," Swain said.

The elections are being seen as a "prestige battle" for the prime minister and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on December 18.
Voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly election that caught the nation's frenzy concluded on Thursday with the state witnessing an total turnout of 68.70 per cent (initial estimates), as declared by the Election Commission (EC). Given the combined average turnout of 73.5 per cent for both north and central regions for the second phase in previous elections in 2012, this year has seen a lower turnout.
Small tech companies, consumer groups and many celebrities have been up in arms for weeks about a proposal at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dismantle landmark rules that guarantee an open internet.
New York subway blast bombing suspect Akayed Ullah made his first court appearance from a hospital bed on Wednesday, two days after authorities held him for the incident.

His court appearance was transmitted over a video, CNN reports.

Ullah (27) is being treated for lacerations and burns to his hand and abdomen at Bellevue Hospital after the bombing.

The police had accused him of detonating a homemade device on a busy transit hub in New York City, injuring five people and creating panic.

Ullah will be held without bail until his next preliminary court hearing on January 13, 2018.

He was charged with five federal terrorism-related charges and three state terrorism-related charges, according to CNN.

According to the criminal complaint, Ullah had posted on Facebook earlier in the day of the bombing attempt, saying, "Trump you failed to protect your nation."

Meanwhile, in a news conference on Wednesday, counter-terrorism chief Monirul Islam said that Ullah's attempted attack was inspired by the "writings and online sermons of a Bangladeshi cleric named Jasimuddin Rahmani, the spiritual leader of Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a banned Bangladeshi terrorist organisation," The Washington Post reported.

Rahmani is said to be serving a five-year prison term after his conviction on charges of inciting the murder of a Bangladeshi blogger.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman approved 72 billion riyals ($19.2 billion) worth of measures to stimulate growth in the private sector as authorities seek to pull the economy out of a slump caused by low oil prices.

The measures include residential housing loans worth 21.3 billion riyals, a 10 billion riyal fund to support economic projects, and 1.5 billion riyals to support distressed companies, the government announced on Thursday.

A 2.8 billion riyal government fund will be created to invest in smaller companies, while the government will adjust the fees which it charges for services to save smaller companies 7 billion riyals.

More money would be spent on projects such as developing the kingdom's broadband infrastructure and promoting advanced construction techniques. Officials did not give details of most of the stimulus measures.

The private sector's growth has slowed to a crawl this year because of government austerity policies designed to curb a state budget deficit caused by low oil export revenues.

The economy faces more headwinds early next year in the form of the planned introduction of a 5 percent value-added tax in January and domestic energy price hikes. With unemployment among Saudis officially put at 12.8 percent, authorities are eager to prevent the private sector from slipping into recession.

Fahad al-Sukait, a cabinet adviser who briefed reporters on the stimulus plan, said the measures outlined on Thursday were part of a four-year, 200 billion riyal scheme to aid private businesses.

Of that amount, 40 billion riyals was allocated this year in the form of capital increases for state funds which support the economy by lending in areas such as housing.

The 72 billion riyals will be spent over the next four years, including 24 billion riyals in 2018, Sukait said. Officials are still drawing up plans to spend the remaining 88 billion riyals of the scheme, he added.
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To encourage more Indians to visit Israel, Tel Aviv has simplified its visa application procedures for visitors from the Sub-continent.

The relaxed visa rule involves less documentation for Indians who have availed of visas of Schengen countries, the US, Canada, Australia or Israel and have completed their travel to these countries, a statement from the Israeli consulate said today.

"This is an initiative we have been working very closely with interior ministry and foreign ministry to introduce in India and I am happy to see this change for the Indian travellers who wish to travel to Israel," Israeli tourism ministry India director Hassan Madah said.

He said, easing the visa requirements will not only make the application process faster, it will also increase the number of tourists to Israel as well.

"We are also working on an express service with VFS, which will be introduced soon. In addition to this, we are working towards e-visa processing as well as easing the group visa process," he added.

Israel has witnessed 31 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from India with 55,000 Indians travelling to yhe holy country from this year till November.
The US Federal Communications Commission is expected on Thursday to rescind rules aimed at ensuring a free and open internet, as protesters gathered to oppose the change.

Commission Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal marks a victory for internet service providers like AT&T Inc, Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc that opposed the regulations, popularly known as net neutrality rules, and hands them power over what web content consumers can access.

Democrats, Hollywood and companies like Google parent Alphabet Inc and Facebook Inc had urged Pai, a Republican appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump, not to rescind the Obama-era rules barring service providers from blocking, slowing access to or charging more for certain content.

Consumers are unlikely to see any immediate changes resulting from the rule change, but smaller startups worry the lack of restrictions could drive up costs or lead to their content being blocked.

Internet service providers say they will not block or throttle legal content but that they may engage in paid prioritization. They say consumers will see no change and argue that the largely unregulated internet worked fine in the two decades before the 2015 order was adopted.

Democrats point to polls showing the proposal is deeply unpopular and say they will ultimately prevail in protecting the rules, either in the courts or in U.S. Congress.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said in a written dissent released on Thursday that the decision grants internet providers "extraordinary new power" from the FCC.

"They have the technical ability and business incentive to discriminate and manipulate your internet traffic. And now this agency gives them the legal green light to go ahead," she said.

Several state attorneys general have said they will work to oppose the ruling, citing problems with comments made to the FCC during the public comment period. Other critics have said they will consider challenging what they consider to be weaker enforcement.

Net neutrality supporters rallied in front of the FCC building in Washington before the vote, and some Congress members were expected to join.

Amid chants of "Hey hey, ho ho, Chairman Pai has got to go!", several dozen people stood in the cold to hear activists speak out against the change.

Online protesters included celebrities like "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill.

The 2015 rules were intended to give consumers equal access to web content and prevent broadband providers from favoring their own content. Pai proposes allowing those practices as long as they are disclosed.

Michael Powell, a former FCC chairman who heads a trade group representing major cable companies and broadcasters, told reporters earlier this week that internet providers would not block content because it would not make economic sense.

"They make a lot of money on an open internet," Powell said, adding it is "much more profitable" than a closed system. "This is not a pledge of good-heartedness, it's a pledge in the shareholders' interest."

A University of Maryland poll released this week found that more than 80 percent of respondents opposed the proposal. The survey of 1,077 registered voters was conducted online by the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland from Dec. 6-8.

Democrats have said the absence of rules would be unacceptable and that they would work to overturn the proposal if it is approved. Advocates of the net neutrality rules plan a legal challenge.

Pai's proposal is "like letting the bullies develop their own playground rules," said Democratic Senator Ed Markey.

Many Republicans back Pai's proposal but want Congress to write net neutrality rules. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the FCC would "return the internet to a consumer-driven marketplace free of innovation-stifling regulations."

A group of nearly 20 state attorneys general asked the FCC to delay the vote until the issue of fake comments is addressed.
rallied 5% to Rs 1,013 on the BSE in an otherwise range-bound market after the company launched share sale through qualified institutional placement (QIP) route on Monday, December 11, 2017.
The monetisation of Tata Communications' surplus land is finally taking off, after the board of directors approved its transfer to a separate company, Hemisphere Properties. Minority shareholders will get a share in the new entity for every one held in Tata Communications (Tata Comm). The government owns 51 per cent, while minority shareholders of Tata Comm and the erstwhile VSNL have 25 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively; Tata Sons has four per cent.
A sharp decline in income from the copper business due to lower treatment and refining charges (Tc/Rc) is a concern for Indias primary base metals producers including Hindalco Industries and Vedanta, but their focus on value-added copper products and firm aluminium prices should help offset any potential income decline in the copper business.
At least 13 police officers on Thursday lost their lives after a suicide bomber in police uniform blew himself up inside a police training camp in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

Several media reports that the militant Somali-based insurgent al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al Shabaab carries out frequent bombings in Mogadishu and other towns.

Earlier in October, more than 500 people were killed in the massive twin truck bombings in Somalia's capital.

The officials called the explosion as one of the deadliest attacks to hit the capital, Mogadishu, since an Islamist insurgency began in 2007.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The accused in the Jisha murder case, Amirul Islam, has been awarded death sentence by the Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court today.

Earlier in the day, he was brought before the court for the quantum of punishment.

Islam has been found guilty of raping and murdering law student Jisha.

He has been charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 376 (punishment for rape), 376A (punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim), 442 (house trespass), 449 (house-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offense, or giving false information to screen offender), 302 (punishment for murder) and charges on Dalit Atrocities Prevention Act.

However, claiming innocence, Islam told ANI yesterday, ''I didn't do anything. I don't know who did it."

The chargesheet of the case revealed that Islam, a resident of Assam, murdered Jisha, following an attempt to rape her at the latter's residence in Iringol near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam.

The 29-year-old law student, Jisha was brutally raped and murdered on April 28 last year.

Her body had sustained at least 30 injuries, including in her private parts.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Supreme Court advocate Ajay Agrawal on Wednesday wrote to the Investigative Agency (NIA) requesting them to register an FIR against the Congress leaders and others who attended a meeting with the Pakistani officials.

Agrawal, in his letter, has stated it appeared the meeting was held to destabilise the ruling government and affect the ongoing Gujarat Assembly elections as the very next day Congress leaders and the host of the meeting Mani Shankar Aiyar levelled 'Neech Aadmi' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP leader had earlier claimed that a meeting took place on December 6 at Aiyar's residence where former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari, High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Sohail Mahmood, Khurshid Kasoori, Indian bureaucrats and other officials were present.

"The act is exciting hatred towards the elected government and the person doing it and the persons involved in conspiracy should be booked under Section 124 (A) (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," Agrawal stated, in his letter to the NIA.

He further said the former prime minister and former vice president are duty bound not to share the content of the information with anyone and added they did not too any prior permission before participating in the meeting.

"No subsequent discussion in the meeting no note of the same was convoyed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) by the ex-prime Minister and ex-Vice president, which they should have done as per the existing protocol," he said.

"When the Government of India has taken a stand of the No talk with the Pakistan until they stopped exporting terror to India then who authorised the above personalities to do the meeting?" he added.

He even added that the meeting took place in secretive manner with a secret agenda, which is purely 'anti-national' in its original character and hence, raises the suspicion.

Earlier on December 11, Manmohan Singh quashed the accusation about the former's clandestine meeting with Pakistani officials, and expressed 'anguish' at 'the canards being spread'.

"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister, Sh. Narender Modi. Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable," Singh, said in an official statement.

Terming it a lie, Singh issued a clarification as follows, "I reject the innuendos and falsehoods as I did not discuss Gujarat elections with anyone else at the dinner hosted by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar as alleged by Shri Modi. Nor was the Gujarat issue raised by anyone else present at the dinner.
Hours after Congress created hue and cry over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged road show outside the polling booth in Ahmadabad's Ranip, the Election Commission (EC) assured that the matter will be examined.

"The matter will also be examined", said EC in a presser here.

The EC further cleared the air about the Prime Minister attending the launch of submarine.

"One matter about PM attending launch of submarine came up, it is not under Model Code of Conduct (MCC) jurisdiction and no permission was also sought from the Commission", said Election Commission

Election Commission also said that the allegations made by the Congress delegation are under examination and deliberation.

"Last night a Congress delegation met EC over several allegations made by them. EC deliberated and wrote to Chief Electorate Officer to submit his report by mid-day today, matter is under examination and under due deliberation," added EC.

EC also clarified that no FIR was lodged against Congress president elect Rahul Gandhi for violating provisions of MCC.

"No FIR has been lodged against Rahul Gandhi, he has only been issued a notice under model code of conduct and given 5 days time to respond to it," said Election Commission.

Earlier in the day, the Gujarat Election Officer forwarded the complaint of PM Modi conducting roadshow outside the polling booth to District Election Officer (DEO) Ahmedabad.

The poll body, however, did not restrict Prime Minister Modi's roadshow in the poll-bound state which fumed the Congress party.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress Party leaders on Thursday castigated Election Commission of India (ECI) for not taking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for violating moral code of conduct.

Pressing for action, Congress leaders after conducting an all-party meet in wake of upcoming winter session averred that EC failed to uphold its constitutional mandate.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the model code of conduct in Gujarat and no action was taken but Rahul Gandhi who just gave an interview on a TV Channel was handed an FIR, which is so disappointing".

Meanwhile, another Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised Prime Minister Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in Gujarat and also for lashing out at former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"It was indeed shocking that the Election Commission had failed to uphold its constitutional mandate and for not taking action against Prime Minister Modi," Kharge said after the meeting.

"When we asked Prime Minister Modi on his action in Gujarat, he evaded the question and didn't want to answer. He didn't answer over the issue at former prime minister's video. This is a serious one and we demand an apology from him," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma.

Meanwhile, before the meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said "Election Commission had failed to uphold its constitutional mandate, instead of taking action for violations; the poll panel had allowed violations by the ruling party."

"This attitude of the EC has cast ominous shadow on the credibility of the EC and the integrity of the electoral process," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CSS Corp, a new-age IT services and technology-support company, has helped ALE, operating under the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise brand (ALE) to win Certified Support Staff Excellence Center status for the third year in a row, for operational excellence in their support operations.

The recognition was awarded by Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA).

CSS Corp has been working with ALE for over 15 years, providing technical support to the company, enabling them to consistently engage their customers and provide high quality customer service.

With CSS Corp's technology support, ALE was able to significantly reduce recurring ticket incidents by nearly 20 percent, and fully complete ticket closure on customer cases improving customer satisfaction across four regions and global support centers.

CSS Corp has been enabling major global telecom service provider/telecom operator companies, including ALE to enhance customer engagement while creating opportunities for additional revenue generation. It has been supporting 30 out of top 50 telecom companies in the world, both directly and indirectly. As a true support partner in growth, CSS Corp's strengths in rendering technology support has been recognised across global telecom organisations.

CSS Corp provides comprehensive enterprise support; right from establishing a Welcome Centre to Automated Customer Care Support to Field Training, support and maintenance. It harnesses the power of automation and data to enable enterprises to move from a reactive support model to a pre-emptive and proactive support model.

Sunil Mittal, EVP and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, CSS Corp said, "As more companies in telecom and hi-tech embark on digital transformation journeys, they are looking for the best partners who understand their deeply and can provide the right support. We are delighted to be a long-time and trusted partner to ALE and our other telecom clients, and remain committed to delivering better value at speed to realize meaningful outcomes by reimagining customer engagement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After a slew of camampaign rallies, Gujarat will cast their vote today in the second-phase of the assembly elections.

In the second and final phase of elections, 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat will go to polls.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people will take part in the election to decide their fate.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will also visit their constituencies to cast their votes.

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 per cent.

Meanwhile, repolling will be held tomorrow in two booths of Jamjodhpur constituency, two booths in Una, one in Nijjar, and one in Umargam.

The results will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah casts his vote in a polling booth in Naranpura as the voting for the second-phase of Gujarat Assembly elections has begun.

"I appeal the voters of Gujarat to come out and vote for the development of the state and participate in the celebration of democracy," the BJP state president said on Thursday.

The voting will continue till 5 pm in more than 25,000 polling stations.

In the second and final phase of elections, 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat will go to the polls.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people will take part in the election to decide their fate.

The security has been increased in various parts of the state in the wake of the polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit their constituencies to cast their votes.

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 per cent.

The results will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls commenced on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested people to vote in "recording numbers" and enrich the "festival of democracy."

Today is Phase 2 of the . I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

After a slew of campaign rallies, Gujarat is casting its vote on Thursday in the second-phase of the assembly elections.

In the second and final phase of elections, 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat will go to polls.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people will take part in the election to decide their fate.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will also visit their constituencies to cast their votes.

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 per cent.

Meanwhile, repolling will be held tomorrow in two booths of Jamjodhpur constituency, two booths in Una, one in Nijjar, and one in Umargam.

The results will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.
The Iraqi Ministry of Justice has announced that at least 38 people have been executed in southern Iraq on charges of terrorism.

Scores of people are presently being held in Iraqi jails accused of affiliations with the Islamic State (IS), reported the Independent.

On December 9, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced "the end of the war" in the country against the Islamic State (IS) group, local media reports said.

Abadi, in a conference, said that their forces were in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Being a member of IS carries life imprisonment or the death penalty under Iraqi law.
India on Thursday said that the charges against former Indian Naval officer and an alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who continues to be held in Pakistani jail, were "concocted" and the trial against him was "farcical".

"We have appealed at ICJ in May that was because we thought Vienna convention was being violated. We do reiterate our position that Jadhav remains in Pakistan and is facing death sentence awarded through farcical process and on concocted charges," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a press briefing.

This comes a day after Pakistan rejected India's plea for consular access to Jadhav at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and alleged that he is not an ordinary person and had entered the country with an intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.

Pakistan submitted its reply to the ICJ in Jadhav case on Wednesday after India had submitted its written response at the ICJ in the same case in September this year.

Speaking about the visit of Jadhav's mother and his wife to Pakistan to meet him, Kumar said, "We are now working on finalising the visit and we are also working on the modalities in consultations with the family members themselves."

Earlier this month, Pakistan agreed to facilitate the visit Jadhav's mother and his wife and also assured their safety, security and freedom of movement in the nation, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said.

Jadhav was arrested in Pakistan's Balochistan Province over charges of alleged involvement in espionage and subversive activities for India's intelligence agency - the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran, where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) in Pakistan this year in April.

However, the ICJ on May 18, 2017, stayed the hanging after India approached it against the death sentence.

India has appealed to the court to impose emergency measures for Jadhav's execution to be suspended until the legal battle in Hague concludes, while also accusing Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention by failing to provide him with consular access and for being in breach of international human rights law.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that a new mega university would be set up in the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati very soon.

This decision was taken when Naidu met with Dr. Peter Garland, Vice Chancellor of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) at the Secretariat in Hyderabad today.

A high-level delegation, led by Envoy Kanika Choudhary, including Dr. Timothy S. Moerland, Provost, Vice President, State Official and Education Secretary of Academic Affairs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Suhas Pednekar, Principal of Ramnarain Ruia College also met the Chief Minister as well.

The delegates expressed a keen interest to also participate in the pre-university programmes such as in - student counselling, advising and enrollment, faculty and student exchange programmes and professional development for teachers and administration.

A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between PASSHE and Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB). It will promote a strategic alliance and partnership between Pennsylvania University and the all the universities in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Jasthi Krishna Kishore, CEO of APEDB said that he was keen to explore opportunities in food processing, electronics and information technology.

Naidu addressed the meeting, explaining the various milestones achieved in education, software skills and entrepreneurship. He also said that India offers a brilliant demographic dividend, and Andhra Pradesh boasts of a growing dynamic and skilled youth.

The Chief Minister emphasized that: "English and Mathematics are our core strengths, and the IT industry has huge scope in our state. I look forward to a clear roadmap, that plans the way forward and quick implementation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Music mogul Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Recordings, is 'vehemently' denying claims of sexual misconduct made by multiple women.

He has been accused of rape by four women and sexual assault or harassment by five other women in incidents that took place between 1983 and 2016.

The allegations were published on Wednesday in separate reports by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. They come just two weeks after the 60-year-old stepped down from his companies in the wake of two other sexual assault allegations, reports The Guardian.

Simmons took to Instagram to refute the claims as he wrote, "I have never had a sexual encounter that was not consensual or lawful. Ever."

He further said in a statement, "I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual."

Simmons added: "I have enormous respect for the women's movement worldwide and their struggle for respect, dignity, equality and power. I am devastated by any reason I may have given to anyone to say or think of me in the ways that are currently being described."

He continued, "In recent weeks, some former business, creative and romantic partners have aired grievances as claims I categorically reject. In some of these instances, financial motives and direct contradictory witness testimony has been supplied to the media, which has been completely left out of stories. In the last few days, one woman attempted to extort me for $500,000 only to recant her ridiculous claim. The current allegations sent to me by the New York Times and Los Angeles Times range from the patently untrue to the frivolous and hurtful. The presumption of innocent until proven guilty must not be replaced by 'Guilty by Accusation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An NDFB(S) platoon commander of the West Zone was killed in an encounter with the police team in Dumbazar area of Assam's Kokrajhar district.

The commander has been identified as Sergeant Major Soheton Narzary.

An AK-56 rifle, grenades and other incriminating documents have been recovered from his possession.

The operation is underway, and further details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day ahead of the Parliament winter session, the Central government on Thursday said that they will discuss various important issues including the Muslim women rights and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Speaking to media after the all party meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, "Main issues in the session will be supplementary demand for grants, Constitutional amendment Article 123 (Constitutional status to backward classes), Muslim women Right on Marriage 2017 bill. We will also discuss three ordinances including GST compensation to states."

An all party meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was held today to chalk out the strategy of the winter session of Parliament to be held tomorrow.

During the meeting the Prime Minister requested for cooperation by all parties in order to make the Parliament session a fruitful one.

"The Prime Minister appealed to everyone for a successful Parliament winter session. He also appealed to everyone for a peaceful session following the high-pitched election," Kumar added.

Parliament Winter Session which will start from December 15, 2017 and last till January 5, 2018, is expected to witness heavy fireworks as the Congress would try to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over a range of issues.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had asserted that the Congress party would raise various issues in the Parliament session including Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetisation, Rafael deal and economic condition.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday stated that he will run in the 2018 presidential election as an independent candidate while hoping for support from the political 'forces sharing his views on the country's development.'

"This will be a self-nomination. I expect to have support of those political forces (parties and public organizations) that share my view on the country's development and trust me. I certainly expect this very much," the Russian news agency TASS reported Putin as saying at his 13th annual news conference.

"I expect a widespread support of the Russian citizens," the President added.

Putin won the 2012 presidential election as a candidate from the United Russia party.

Russia's forthcoming election is due on March 18, 2018.

The 2017 press conference is Putin's 13th since he first became president in 2000. He traditionally responds to a broad range of questions on topics ranging from the economy and international relations to light queries about his personal tastes.

According to the reports, in December 2016, Putin answered 50 questions in an event that lasted three hours and 53 minutes. His longest appearance was four hours and 39 minutes in 2008.

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Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi on Thursday expressed condolences to the bereaved families of those killed in cyclone Ockhi and suggested a separate ministry for fishermen at the Centre to look into their interests.

Addressing a public gathering at Thiruvananthapuram's Poonthura Church, the Congress chief said, "I would have liked to come here much earlier but I had a programme, which was pre-fixed in Gujarat that I could not cancel because of the Assembly elections there. So I apologise that I took a couple of days more to come here. But even though I was not here physically, in spirit I was here with you. I have come here to pay my respect to the people who have passed away, to offer my condolences to their families and to try and help if we can bring the missing people back. The farmers have a ministry that looks after them and I think it is time that we create a ministry for the fishermen that looks after their interest and makes sure that they are protected in the future".

He added that today, the condition of fishermen is very much similar to that of farmers as they both are going through very difficult times.

"For many of the families, who are here today, I understand that we cannot replace what you have lost but we will try and make your life as comfortable as possible in the future. Some of you have lost your fathers, brothers, sons and we cannot replace that because that has not value. But whatever help we can give you, we will try to do that," Rahul asserted.

He further said that it is important that when a tragedy like this happens, then all should learn from that tragedy whether it is the government of the state or the government.

"Everybody must learn and try to improve the situation for the future. We have to build a better system of warning our people and fishermen before they go out into the sea," he added.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Cabinet members have contributed their one month's salaries to the Ockhi Cyclone Relief Fund.

Earlier, the state government had set up a special relief fund with contributions from the public to initiate relief and rehabilitation measures for families affected by cyclone Ockhi.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also called upon all political parties, institutions and the public to donate generously to the special fund.

The death toll due to the cyclone, which hit the Kerala coast, mounted to 52 on Tuesday.

The severe cyclone has left a trail of destruction in India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

In India, the cyclone struck the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat killing more than 64 people and displacing over hundreds.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday approved Central government's scheme for setting up 12 special courts to hear cases pending against tainted MPs, MLAs.

Earlier on Tuesday, December 12, the Central government filed an affidavit in the apex court to set up 12 special courts, to deal with cases against MPs and MLAs convicted of committing serious offences.

A petitioner has filed a PIL in the apex court to bar convicted politicians for life from contesting polls.

Earlier in April, the Centre had opposed the petition citing that there were already adequate provisions in the Representation of the People Act (RPA) to deal with it.

According to the legal regime under the RPA a politician convicted and sentenced to a jail term of two years or more shall be disqualified from contesting polls for six years from the date of his release from prison after conclusion of the term.

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Girl power is all set to take over the 2018 Screen Actors Guild awards.

Amid a slew of sexual misconduct claims against powerful men in Hollywood, it was announced that the ceremony's 13 acting awards will all be presented by women, according to Page Six.

"I want to salute women who are coming forward to speak at a very difficult time about very difficult subjects at great risk to themselves," said Kathy Connell, the executive producer of the annual awards show.

Kristen Bell will serve as the first-ever host of the ceremony as previously announced.

"I'm not the first female host. I'm the first host. The fact that a female was chosen to be the first one means my genitals become irrelevant," noted Bell.

Men will still participate in the ceremony, introducing clips for the nominees in the film ensemble category as is tradition, and obviously male winners will take the stage.

"We don't want to slight the men who have given great performances this year-knowing our membership, I'm sure our men will embrace the opportunity to honour women," Connell told The Hollywood Reporter.

The 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will take place on January 21.

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Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) B. B. Swain on Thursday said that out of total machines deployed for the second phase of the polls, 1.63 percent of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) were replaced after mock polls.

Addressing the media, swain said that as compared to the phase 1 of the state polling, less than 50 percent cases of EVM replacements were reported in the phase 2.

"Out of total machines deployed for second phase of Gujarat Polls, 1.63 percent of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) were replaced after mock polls. 0.88 percent of the Ballot Units and 0.86 percent of Control Units were also replaced," Swain said.

"Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible," he added.

He further said that they have received two complaints regarding presence of bluetooth in the polling booths in Ghatlodia and Mehsana.

"After receiving complaints regarding these two places, we have sent observers to the spot," he added.

Giving more details on the voting percentage, Swain said, "Till 12 noon- 12.3 percent voters have turnout.

"In Banaskantha- 12.52 , Patan-11.77, Mehsana-15.3, Sabarkantha-15.9, Aravali-13.8, Gandhinagar-14.91, Ahmedabad-9.64, Anand-13.35, Kheda-13.20, Mahisagar-12.93, Panchmahal-13.35, Dahol-11.58, Vadodra-12.81, Chota Udaipur 11.04 percent," he added.

Meanwhile, there were several complaints made to the Election Commission against the electronic voting machines in and around Vadodara city.

At many places, the polling was halted due to such malfunctioning.

A glitch in the EVM in Gujarat's Chhota Udaipur earlier in the day prevented voters from casting their votes for about fifty minutes.

The device stopped working due to a wire problem, which was later fixed.

"The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration," said Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer.

"We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway," he added.

However, voter turnout of 39 percent was recorded till 12 pm.

The results will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.

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United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will look to rally United Nations Security Council members to put pressure on North Korea for denuclearisation.

According to a State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert, Tillerson is set to participate in a Security Council Ministerial Briefing regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons programme on Friday.

He will reaffirm Trump administration's push for "maximum pressure" on North Korea to give up its weapons programmes, Nauert said, in a statement on Wednesday.

Earlier, Tillerson had said the US was prepared to open up talks with North Korea "without precondition," and that the reclusive country's nuclear programme did not have to be on the table during an initial meeting.

The White House, however, later distanced itself from the above-mentioned assertion.

US Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump administration's stance toward North Korea had not changed.

Meanwhile, Nauert added that in order for the talks to be possible, North Korea would have to cease nuclear and missile tests for a period of time. Pyongyang has not signalled any interest in doing so, The Hill quoted her, as saying.

"Kim Jong Un is not showing any level of seriousness about sitting down and having conversations right now," Nauert said.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday reportedly said that his country will be opening an embassy in East Jerusalem after members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) declared the city to be the capital of Palestine.

"Recognition of the Palestinian state is in line with UN decisions. We will strive for recognition of East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital," Daily Sabah quoted Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying.

According to Daily Sabah, the OIC has declared East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine "under occupation" and urged the U.S. to withdraw from the peace process and back down from its Jerusalem decision.

Earlier, while addressing a summit of the OIC, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the to recognise "occupied" East Jerusalem as the "capital of Palestine."

The OIC summit aimed at forging a unified stance after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of US foreign policy.

Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites.

However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

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British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson are likely to meet their Japanese counterparts in London on Thursday for talks, which is expected to be dominated by concern over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has presided over a sequence of missile tests that have alarmed Japan, South Korea and the US.

North Korea fired a missile over Japan in September, the Guardian reported.

While speaking ahead of the meeting with Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono and defence minister Itsunori Onodera, which is to be held at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, Johnson said: "I look forward to deepening our security and defence cooperation so that we can tackle together the shared challenges ahead, including crucial international security issues such as DPRK [the Democratic People's Republic of Korea]."

The United Kingdom (UK) has so far had little involvement with North Korea, despite the fact that it did dispatch four fighter jets for joint exercises with Japan last year.

According to a report by the Guardian, Britain is planning to send a warship to the region next year, though at the time of the declaration the deployment was said to be aimed at deterring moves by Beijing in the South China Sea rather than North Korea.

"The security of the Asia-Pacific region is important to us all. I look forward to welcoming our Japanese partners to discuss tackling the threats facing them and the international community," Williamson said.

The two sides will also discuss military cooperation, including joint exercises, and collaboration on counter-terrorism and cyber threats.

US President Donald Trump has threatened unilateral action against North Korea for firing an intercontinental missile in the direction of the Sea of Japan, which is capable of reaching anywhere in the US.

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has offered to begin direct talks with North Korea likely to give up its nuclear weapons programme.

However, Trump said the US stand on North Korea remains unchanged.

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The United States military advisors and their local Syrian partners killed 21 IS terrorists and captured 17 more during a battle near a key strategic base.

According to CNN, two US military officials were quoted as saying the incident happened on Tuesday.

A military official with the US-led coalition fighting ISIS told CNN that

"A convoy of about 10 vehicles was passing through the northern portion of the 55km 'de-confliction' zone surrounding the coalition base in At Tanf, Syria, a buffer area that was negotiated by Russia and the US-led coalition. US-backed local Maghawir Al-Thawra fighters accompanied by US advisors moved to intercept the convoy and identify it. When they discovered that the convoy included IS fighters, an intense firefight broke out with about 15 IS fighters killed in the initial battle. No coalition forces were killed or wounded," the official said.

The US-led coalition, Operation Inherent Resolve, issued a statement later on Thursday saying over 20 ISIS fighters were killed in the battle. The two US military officials, however, told CNN the number was 21 killed and 17 captured.

Those captured included several foreign fighters from other countries in the Middle East.

Over 50 foreign IS fighters have been captured in Syria and Iraq since November.

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The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a $346 million loan to upgrade highways in the Indian state of Karnataka.

The road network is a critical element of the transport infrastructure in Karnataka, said Ravi Peri, an ADB Principal Transport Specialist. In line with state policy which recognizes road development as an engine of growth, the Karnataka State Highways Improvement III Project will improve road capacity and maintenance, promote safer roads, and increase access to markets and basic services.

Karnataka, in southwest India, has a per capita income higher than the national average and has lower unemployment and poverty rates. The state also receives substantial foreign direct investment and has a strong industrial and services base. Road transport in the state has increased rapidly, and there is a need to prioritize expansion and improvement of the road network to retain Karnataka's advantage in economic development. An efficient road network linking villages, towns, and cities will provide stronger links between remote, poor regions and more developed markets and urban hubs.

The project will improve 419 kilometers of state highways, upgrading them to two and four-lane widths with paved shoulders, depending on traffic needs, and improving culverts and bridges. The project roads will also address the needs of residents along the state roads for adequate footpaths, lights, and improvement to curves that pose safety hazards, especially at night.

The project will carry out a road safety survey to identify critical accident spots across the state highways and carry out measures to improve these. Planned pedestrian and women-friendly elements include bus shelters, marked crossings, footpaths, and proper signage. In addition, the project will strengthen the efficiency and work of the Karnataka Public Works, Ports, and Inland Water Transport Department.

Over the years, the state government has used various funding sources to improve state roads, including state budget, public-private partnerships, and finance from multilateral agencies, including ADB. This is the second loan from ADB for improving the state's road network. The total cost of this project is $655 million, of which the state government will provide $202 million and the private sector will invest an estimated $107 million through hybrid annuity contracts. The project is due for completion at the end of 2023.

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At meeting held on 14 December 2017

The Board of R Systems International at its meeting held on 14 December 2017 has approved the opening of subsidiary company of Computaris International, UK (wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) in Switzerland.

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For its energy conservation methods adopted at Gokul Dairy Plant, Tirupathi

Heritage Foods has won the 2nd prize for National Energy Conservation Award(NECA - 2017) in Dairy Sector for the year 2017 instituted by the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India for effective energy conservation methods adopted in the Company's Gokul Dairy Plant, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh.

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India is working towards improving digital connectivity between India and ASEAN. This was stated by Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon'ble Minister of State for Communication (Independent Charge), Government of India. According to Mr. Sinha, digital connectivity between the two regions will benefit a lot of lives.

He pointed out that India was already connected digitally with the ASEAN region with Singapore as a hub. Given the rapid growth in digital services, this needed to be strengthened.

Talking about India's experience with the Digital India program, he stated that India was keen to learn from the best practices followed by countries in the ASEAN region to strengthen digital connectivity within the country.

Mr. Tauch Chankosal, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Cambodia stated that India and ASEAN need to work together to facilitate cross-border trade in order to boost growth. He reiterated Cambodia's commitment to working towards India-ASEAN connectivity. He stated that maritime connectivity was key to boosting India - ASEAN connectivity. To facilitate maritime connectivity, Cambodia was in the process of negotiating with private investors to create a private highway to and from its major ports.

Ms. Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs stated that connectivity would determine how India and ASEAN will grow in the future and it is with this in mind that India is undertaking several initiatives related to connectivity with the ASEAN region.

She was of the view that the three C's - Commerce, Culture and Connectivity will define India's relationship with South East Asia.

Some of the connectivity related initiatives that India was undertaking included building of roads in to link India's Northeast to the ASEAN region, strengthening maritime security and establishment of new trade routes between India and South East Asia.

Dr. Prabir De, Coordinator, ASEAN - India Centre (AIC), RIS highlighted some of the outcomes of the Summit. He stated that India and ASEAN have formed Joint Working Groups to harmonise ASEAN - India maritime, road and aviation connections. Plans have been put in place to enhance digital connectivity between the two regions. Island connectivity also took centre stage at the Summit. There was also a need to look at ways of conserving ocean resources.

Dr. De highlighted the need to transform the transport corridors that were being developed into economic corridors by developing manufacturing zones around them. There was also a need to integrate with the other regional initiatives in the region e.g. BIMSTEC.

Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, President Designate, CII stated that the ASEAN - India relationship needed a reinvigorated approach with greater private sector participation. He stated that the ASEAN - India Connectivity Summit was being institutionalized as an Annual Event.

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CRISIL expects shrimp exports from India to nearly double to $7 billion by 2022, driven by strong demand, high quality, improved product mix, and an increase in aquaculture area in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal - even as its Asian rivals battle structural issues and rising domestic consumption.

In fiscal 2016, India became the biggest exporter of shrimps, pipping Vietnam by just $100 million. A year on, the country has decisively pulled ahead, racking up $3.8 billion exports even as Vietnam flatlined at ~$3 billion.

Since 2010, shrimp production in Asia has been severely affected by diseases, floods, labour issues, and tightening environmental norms. Production in Vietnam has declined ~40% from peak levels because of shortage of fresh water, salinity intrusion and illegal shrimp farming. Thailand, which was once the top exporter, is now ranked 5th after a 65% plunge in production from peak levels. And in 2016, China's shrimp production nosedived ~60% even as its consumption more than doubled, rendering it a marginal exporter. In addition, these countries also faced significant quality challenges.

On the other hand, Indian exporters have in the past few years emphasised on lower-density shrimp farms to control diseases, while maintaining quality across the value chain. What also helped was the use of resilient specific pathogen free (SPF) brood-stock imported from the United States.

Consequently, between fiscal 2012 and 2017, India's shrimp production doubled, and helped it grab the opportunity created by lower supplies from Asia.

CRISIL rates 75 shrimp exporters, whose revenues grew at a compound annual growth rate of 9% between fiscals 2015 and 2017 to over $2.2 billion, and contributed to ~60% of India's shrimp exports. Their gearing, or debt to equity ratio, has improved to under 1 time from over 1.3 times, and strengthened their credit profiles.

Says Subodh Rai, Senior Director, CRISIL Ratings: As a result, between fiscals 2015 and 2017, the average credit ratio (or upgrades to downgrades) of CRISIL- rated shrimp exporters stood at over 7. This is significantly higher than the average credit ratio of about 1.4 times for entire CRISIL's portfolio during the same period, which underscores the structural improvements and strong tailwinds in the sector.

To be sure, rivals are trying to get their house in order. Improving hatchery procedures is helping Thailand recover slowly, but Vietnam is expected to take more time to sort out quality issues. China is struggling with both structural issues and surging domestic demand. Consequently, India's primacy in shrimp exports is unlikely to be seriously challenged over the medium term.

Additionally, larger Indian exporters are expanding infrastructure to cater to increasing demand for value-added products from big global retail chains and restaurants. Therefore, we foresee value-added exports also rising from the current 15% levels significantly.

Says Rahul Guha, Director, CRISIL Ratings: Strong volume growth and higher proportion of value-added products will bolster the operating profitability of CRISIL-rated shrimp exporters. Additionally, healthy accretions and the absence of major debt-funded capital expenditure will reduce leverage and further strengthen their credit profiles.

Going forward, how the rupee moves and protectionist tendencies and increasing stringency towards quality, among importer nations would be the key monitorables.

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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is hoping that the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will be cleared by the Rajya Sabha during the winter session of Parliament, said Yudhvir Singh Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said at an ASSOCHAM event.

We are hoping that the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will be cleared by the Rajya Sabha during the winter session of Parliament, said Mr Malik.

Nowadays, the major concern is road safety. The road engineering is one of the causes of road accidents, there are about 780 black spots which have been identified on the national highways of the country, definition of the black spot is place where more than three accidents are taken place during the period of last 2 to 3 years.

During the month of February 2018, we should be able to open Eastern Peripheral Expressway to the traffic. He said that 36% of the road accidents are on the national highways and the remaining are interiors roads and district roads of the states, added Mr. Malik.

In terms of building skills for drivers, the driver training schools have to play a major role in terms enhancing building a driver capacity and the new bill is putting that if you have a successful driver training certificate from one of the accredited driving schools you will not be required to appear for driving test before the licence authority, said Mr. Malik.

Mr. Dependra Pathak, I. P. S., Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Delhi also said If we see situation in Delhi till today from 1st January there has been 1,422 deaths due to fatal accidents.

It is a downward trend because in 20115 till 12th of December, the deaths were 1622 and the last year it was 1509 and we are less by 89 and the number of fatal accidents less by 76.

The danger while on travel is due to three things in a major way are over speeding, dangerous (meandering) driving and drunk and driving, Mr. Dependra Pathak pointed out.

About 87 deaths are less and 600 accidents are less as compared to last year. So, this kind of prosecution aided by technical device and it has helped us in a big way. He further said that 70% of the accidents happen in the juncture like small traffic violation jumping red line. It has psychological damage.

We are doing campaigns against drunk and driving in FM channel, Delhi traffic police social media have engaged some social media professional and the famous jingles like 'ya drink -ya drive'; we have also tied up with famous bars and restaurants of Delhi to develop in the form of chatterbox called bar talk. On the same screen they are displaying 'don't drink and drive' jingles.

In one hand very strict prosecution and on the other hand awareness campaign is on. This awareness campaign we have also tied up with comics like diamond comics and many publishers and animation companies have come forward. We are trying to create some kind of creativity which can give settle message in the form of comics or films or cartoons which we can run on social media.

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Sales decline 35.58% to Rs 18.09 crore

Net profit of Terai Tea Co declined 49.40% to Rs 1.26 crore in the quarter ended September 2017 as against Rs 2.49 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2016. Sales declined 35.58% to Rs 18.09 crore in the quarter ended September 2017 as against Rs 28.08 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2016.18.0928.0813.6013.181.743.041.262.491.262.49

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South Korean prosecutors on Thursday demanded 25 years jail term for Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of former President Park Geun-hye, for her role in a massive corruption scandal which led to Park's impeachment.

The prosecution also urged the court to impose a penalty of 126.2 billion won ($98 million) on Choi, who is facing 16 charges, including abuse of power, coercion and bribery, reports Efe news.

Choi, who did not hold any public office, was arrested in November 2016 for interfering in state affairs and extorting money from around 50 companies, including some of South Korea's major family owned businesses such as LG, Hyundai and Samsung in return for official favours.

On Thursday, the prosecutors also sought a four-year prison sentence for Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of the Lotto group, accusing him of paying 7 billion won in bribes to Choi, although Shin has pleaded not guilty.

Samsung heir and de-facto head Lee Jae-yong was sentenced to five years in prison in August for his role in the scandal.

The prosecution had also demanded a six years prison sentence and a 100 million won fine for former Park aide An Chong-bum, who is accused of accepting bribes from a plastic surgeon in exchange for commercial favours.

The corruption scandal involving Park and Choi hit the country toward the end of 2016 and has led to widespread protests and Park's impeachment, who has been under house arrest since March pending ruling in her trial.

--IANS

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Global humanitarian NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) announced on Thursday that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed after violence broke out in Myanmar's Rakhine state late August.

Based on surveys of refugees in Bangladesh, the number is much higher than Myanmar's official figure of 400, reports the BBC.

"In the most conservative estimations" at least 6,700 of those deaths have been caused by violence, including at least 730 children under the age of five, MSF said in a reports.

MSF also known as Doctors Without Borders, said it was "the clearest indication yet of the widespread violence" by Myanmar authorities.

"What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured," MSF Medical Director Sidney Wong said.

Among the dead children below the age of five, MSF said more than 59 per cent were reportedly shot, 15 per cent burnt to death, 7 per cent beaten to death and 2 per cent killed by landmine blasts.

More than 647,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh after military crackdown began on August 25 following Rohingya Arsa militants attack on more than 30 police posts, the BBC reported.

After an internal investigation, the Myanmar Army in November exonerated itself of any blame regarding the crisis.

It denied killing any civilians, burning their villages, raping women and girls, and stealing possessions.

The Muslim-majority community are denied citizenship by Myanmar, where they are seen as immigrants from Bangladesh. The government does not use the term Rohingya but calls them Bengali Muslims.

"The numbers of deaths are likely to be an underestimation as we have not surveyed all refugee settlements in Bangladesh and because the surveys don't account for the families who never made it out of Myanmar," Wong added.

--IANS

ksk

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Bollywood's multi-faceted talent Neeraj Vora, an actor, writer and director known for his humorous and happy streak on and off the screen, died here early on Thursday, months after being comatose.

Vora's younger brother Uttank Vora told IANS that he died at 4 a.m. at an Andheri hospital. Vora was 54.

From the hospital, his body was taken to the house of producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who had been looking after him for over a year, and later to the electric crematorium in Santa Cruz here.

For months altogether, a room in Nadiadwala's home Barkat was converted into a fully functional ICU for Vora.

Nadiadwala mourned his demise, saying: I've lost the battle to save my brother and friend from the clutches of death. His health had improved so much. But it deteriorated suddenly on Friday (December 8).

"He had to be shifted to hospital. But it was of no use. We lost him."

Vora's last rites saw Nadiadwala, Rohit Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan, Paresh Rawal, Sushant Singh Rajput, Deepak Tijori, Ashoke Pandit, Sunil Pal, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Meet Bros, Abbas-Mastan, Rajpal Yadav, Darshan Jariwala and other celebrities paying their last respects to Vora, who wrote "Rangeela", directed "Phir Hera Pheri" and acted in "Bol Bachchan" among several other projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the demise of the Gujarat-born actor, whom he described as "an energetic and creative personality".

"He will be remembered for his films and warm nature," Modi tweeted.

The film fraternity expressed grief over Vora's death and said he was one of the best humorists that Indian cinema had.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who worked with him in "Awara Paagal Deewana", "Deewane Huye Paagal", "Ajnabee", "Hera Pheri" and "Phir Hera Pheri", said he ventured into the comedy genre because of Vora.

"One of the main reasons behind my foray into comedy, saddened to hear about the demise of Neeraj Vora a multi-talented man, writer, director, actor... A mini industry by himself, learnt so much from him. RIP," tweeted Akshay.

Aamir Khan, who was the lead actor of "Rangeela", said: "Neeraj was a close friend, a collaborator, a vibrant force of life. His tragic illness and then demise is a loss not only to those close to him but also to the creative world.

"His sense of humour will be missed sorely. Laughter travelled with him."

Veteran actor Anupam Kher wrote: "Neeraj Vora was one of the most pleasant persons I knew in our film industry. Always smiling. Extremely knowledgeable about theatre and cinema. Deeply saddened by his demise. We have lost a happy and a very talented man."

Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia described him as "one of India's finest humorist screenwriter", while actor Parvin Dabas said he was "one of the most brilliant comic minds in Hindi cinema".

Writer Milap Zaveri said: "You will surely make the heavens laugh."

Vora came to be known in the film industry for the way he tackled humour through his acting, writing and directorial projects.

He was also closely associated with theatre. In fact, "Golmaal: Fun Unlimited", which started the hit comedy franchise, was based on the Gujarati play "Aflatoon" by Mihir Bhuta and Neeraj. They had adapted it from Harsh Shivsharan's original Marathi play "Ghar-Ghar"

Neeraj had an acting stint on television with shows like "Circus" and "Naya Nukkad", while on the film front, he made the audience laugh with roles in "Daud: Fun on the Run", "Hello Brother", "Bol Bachchan" and "Welcome Back".

As a writer, he worked on films like "Rangeela", "Akele Hum Akele Tum", "Josh", "Badshah", "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke", "Awara Paagal Deewana", "Deewane Huye Paagal", "Ajnabee" and "Hera Pheri" and "Phir Hera Pheri".

His directorial projects include "Khiladi 420" and "Phir Hera Pheri". He was to direct "Hera Pheri 3", but uncertainty loomed large over the project after he suffered a stroke in October 2016.

--IANS

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Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Thursday called for changes at all levels in its final hearing after five years of investigation.

Royal Commission chair Peter McClellan said that "there must be changes in the culture, structure and governance practices of many institutions", reports Efe news.

McClellan acknowledged that "there may be leaders and members of some institutions who resent the intrusion of the Royal Commission into their affairs", but added "if the problems we have identified are to be adequately addressed, changes must be made".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also attended the Commission's final sitting, during which Judge McClellan stressed that child abuse is not a matter of the past and urged the country to do everything to protect children.

"The tragic impact of abuse for individuals, and, through them, our entire society, demands nothing less," McClellan said in the hearing on Thursday, a day before the Commission presents its final report to the government.

The Royal Commission into child sexual abuse was established at the end of 2012 by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

It has gathered the testimonies of some 8,013 people and interviewed about 1,300 witnesses.

Several high-ranking religious figures appeared in 57 public hearings, including Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican's financial chief, as part of the investigation into 44 child abuse cases in Catholic institutions.

About 4,500 people have filed complaints about the Catholic Church in Australia concerning alleged child sexual abuse committed by some 1,880 members of the institution between 1980 and 2015, although some cases date back to the 1920s.

The Royal Commission has over the years made a series of recommendations on how to compensate the victims and proposed more severe punishments for abusers.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his charge that banks were forced to give loans to select industrialists during UPA rule, saying bad loans increased in his regime.

The Congress also demanded a probe by independent agencies into the issue.

"Yesterday (Wednesday) Modiji said that NPA is the biggest scam. We agree with it but we want to know who gave birth to it," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters here.

Attacking the Modi government, Surjewala said: "When the Congress lost power in 2014, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gross NPA of public sector banks in 2013-14 was Rs 2,27,264 crore.

"And as per PIB (Press Information Bureau) press release dated October 24, 2017, this has increased in June 2017 to Rs 7,33,137 crore," he said. "The NPA in 42 months of Modi government increased by Rs 5,05,873 crore."

He said the gross NPAs of scheduled commercial banks in 2013-14 was Rs 2,63,372 crore.

"And as per the rating agency CARE, gross NPAs of scheduled commercial banks has increased to Rs 8,29,338 crore. Thus, in 42 months of Modi government, it has increased by 5,65,966 crore," he said.

Surjewala also said that under Modi government, a total of Rs 1,88,287 crore loans of the industrialists were waived off.

"In 2014-15, the NDA government waived loans of Rs 49,018 crore, in 2015-16 it waived off Rs 57,586 crore of loans and in 2016-17 it waived off Rs 81,683 crore loans of industrialists," he said.

"If he described NPA as the biggest scam, he should then answer why is such a big scam happening under his nose?" the Congress leader asked.

"The Prime Minister must also tell as to why has his government waived loans of wilful defaulters worth Rs 1,88,287 crore in the last three years?"

He dared the government to order a probe by independent agencies into the same.

On Wednesday, Modi attacked his predecessor Manmohan Singh and the UPA government, saying some of its "people" had forced banks to lend to some industrialists, which he described as the "biggest scam", bigger than the 2G, coal and Commonwealth Games scams.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BSF on Thursday seized seven gold biscuits, being smuggled in from Bangladesh, in West Bengal's Nadia district, a BSF official said.

Acting on a tip-off, Border Security Force troopers planned a special ambush near the unfenced India-Bangladesh border in Nadia's Gangolia village under the Krishnanagar sector and seized the biscuits. The smuggler, however, fled back to Bangladesh.

"The troopers challenged a woman coming from the Bangladesh side of the International Boundary (IB) but she fled, leaving behind a plastic bag," Naveen Chouhan, Deputy Commandant in BSF's south Bengal frontier, said in a press release.

The gold biscuits, weighing around 1.44 kg and worth Rs 41.81 lakh, were found in the bag and have been handed over to Bangladesh Customs Department for further investigation, he said.

The south Bengal frontier of BSF has seized gold worth Rs 9.85 crore and apprehended 11 gold smugglers so far in 2017.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cement companies in Rajasthan have welcomed the Supreme Court order lifting the ban imposed on use of pet coke by the industry, while environmentalists have voiced concern.

The apex court on Wednesday lifted the ban imposed on pet coke and furnace oil in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana which came into effect on November 1, 2017, and asked the government to frame guidelines on the use of pet coke.

Welcoming the decision, K.C. Gandhi, joint president, Shree Cement, told IANS that he was of the opinion that petcoke doesn't create any pollution as far as the cement making process is concerned. He said the ban had come as a surprise.

Sunil Kalani, DGM, Binani Cement, also welcomed the top court's decision.

"With this decision, the consumers will definitely benefit and cement prices will come down," Kalani told IANS.

However, he was anxious to know about the follow-up decision of the Environment Ministry on the verdict. "The cement plants continued their operations as there was regular coal supply. Had the supply been lower, the cement industries might have faced the blues," he said expressing his worry.

While cement and lime industries use pet coke, thermal power plants use furnace oil.

The apex court on Wednesday also directed the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to come out with regulations for the sale of pet coke and fix emission standards for thermal power plants.

The top court had on October 24 banned use of pet coke and furnace oil in the three states from November 1 in view of the pollution levels in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

Gandhi said as coal was 10-12 per cent more expensive than pet coke, cement prices had to be increased during the ban period. "But the top court decision will definitely lead to reduction in cement prices in coming days and the benefit will be passed on the end consumers," he said.

"The cement industry uses pet coke as a raw material and not as fuel and hence it was important for us to have a regular supply of raw material," he added.

Besides the cement industry, there are many other industries such as glass, chemical, small boilers etc which use pet coke. During the ban period, the prices of coal went up with its demand soaring, while pet coke became cheaper, hence cement prices also also shot up in these days.

Meanwhile, N.S. Enviro-Tech Laboratories and Consultant CEO N.S. Naruka said that new technologies should be used while using chemicals such as pet coke. "It is untrue to say that they don't cause pollution. They do increase pollution and hence they should be used with filters. All parameters should be discussed on how can the environment be saved before taking any stringent decision in this reference," Naruka told IANS.

Chairman of the Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation, Meghraj Lohiya, too welcomed the apex court decision. "We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court on lifting the ban on use of pet coke as a feedstock by the cement industry. The lime, cement and power industries will breathe easy after this decision," he added.

He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for supporting the cause of industries.

The Chief Minister had called up Lohiya and congratulated him on the court decision.

"After the Union Environment Ministry banned the use of pet coke and furnace oil, the industries dealing with cement, lime and power incurred huge losses as there was no substitute for these chemicals. Many of the industries were on the verge of closure," he added.

Rajasthan is home to some of the major cement industries, including Binani Cement, Birla Cement, Ambuja Cement and Shree Cement, which were staring at a bleak future after the Supreme Court banned the use of pet coke.

(Archana Sharma can be reached at arachana.g@gmail.com)

--IANS

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China has summoned the Australian ambassador to Beijing following tensions between the two countries over reports of alleged meddling in Canberra's internal affairs.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang confirmed on Thursday that the officials of his department had an "important dialogue" with Ambassador Jan Adams, reports Efe news.

"The Australian side is very clear with our position on bilateral relations and the relevant issue," Lu told the media.

Recent reports in the Australian media had accused Beijing of interfering in Australia's internal affairs and led to the resignation of Labour Party Senator Sam Dastyari.

According to the reports, in 2015, Dastyari had tried to influence the party's deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, against meeting a pro-democracy Hong Kong activist.

Following the news reports, the Australian government had announced tougher measures to root out foreign interference in its internal matters, including a ban on political donations and broadening the definition of espionage.

Beijing had labelled the media reports as paranoid and racist, and urged Australia to reject its "Cold War mentality" in the interest of good bilateral ties.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to one year in prison for desecrating a portrait of Genghis Khan in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a local court said.

The man, surnamed Luo, was convicted of inciting ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination, announced the court of Ejin Horo Banner of Ordos city on Thursday.

Luo made a video in which he trampled a portrait of Genghis Khan and posted it to the Internet on May 20. The video went viral among netizens and aroused public anger.

Several members of the public alerted police to the video, the court said. Luo later apologized in court for hurting public sentiment.

Genghis Khan (1162-1227) united the tribes in northern China and founded the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. His grandson, Kublai Khan, established the Yuan Dynasty, which ruled China from 1271 to 1368.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Class 8 girl, who battling for her life for a week after she was gang-raped and then set on fire, died in a hospital in this Madhya Pradesh district on Thursday, police said.

The 15-year-old victim, who had been admitted to the Medical College Hospital, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday morning, Bhangarh police station chief Ravi Bhushan Pathak told IANS.

Both the rape accused, who tried to burn her alive to conceal the crime, have been arrested.

The crime took place in Deval village of the district on December 7 when the girl was alone at home. The two youth barged in and after raping her, poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze.

The girl, who was found in a critical condition, was brought here for treatment.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh has announced Rs 2 lakh for her family.

As the girl's death came on the day Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was to be felicitated in the assembly following the passage of the bill making death sentence mandatory for rape, Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh raised questions about the safety of women in the state.

When the Chief Minister is being honoured, the last rites of the girl, who was raped and then set on fire, will be held, he said in a tweet.

According to the recently-released National Crime Record Bureau report, Madhya Pradesh leads in the crimes of rape.

The Madhya Pradesh law seeking death sentence for rapists has been passed by the assembly and sent to the President for his assent. However, during the debate on the bill, some members had expressed apprehensions that this would lead to the rapists also killing the victim to leave no evidence behind.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of becoming a "captive puppet" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hands, the BJP hit back and said the opposition party was "known for breaking guidelines on constitutional bodies".

The Congress had dubbed the Election Commission a captive puppet and accused Modi of brazenly breaking rules in a final bid to save the Bharatiya Janata Party's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav said: "After the last Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat, we had accepted its decision then. The Congress had then called the Election Commission impartial."

"And now, when the Congress is set to face defeat, they are making all sort of allegations against the election panel," the BJP MP told the media here.

He said the Congress was known for "keeping others as puppets".

"I would say it is a case of sour grapes that they are now blaming constitutional bodies," Yadav said.

The BJP leader's remarks came soon after Congress leader Randeep Surjewala hurled accusations at the poll panel.

The Congress also denounced Modi's 'roadshow' after voting in Ahmedabad on Thursday. This, it said, was "flagrant violation of the model code of conduct".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several Congress workers were detained on Thursday while protesting against the Election Commission (EC) for issuing a notice to the party's President-elect Rahul Gandhi over his TV interview a day ahead of the second phase of the Gujarat polls and no action being taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for holding what they called a "roadshow" after casting his vote.

The party also submitted a fresh memorandum to the Commission on Thursday demanding action against Modi for the Ahmedabad roadshow.

In its memorandum, the party called upon the EC to follow the dharma of the Constitution, implement the law and register an FIR against the Prime Minister, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah, Ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal and others.

Party workers staging a protest march were stopped by the police outside Sardar Patel Bhavan near Patel Chowk.

"EC is a constitutional institution. It is not dependant on anyone. Democracy and electoral process are being murdered. This is surprising. We gave them prima facie evidence -- a video of Modiji's roadshow. Why was there no notice against him," said Congress leader and Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev.

"Notice has been issued against us, We are not sad about it. But why notice has not been issued against them (BJP)?" said Dev.

"When Modiji was appealing to the people on December 8 to vote for BJP on December 9, was not that violation of model code of conduct? Why notice is not being issued to them?" Dev added.

She further said: "BJP is in power, they can go anywhere. We are in opposition, so the police has stopped us. This is what is happening in the country. They are misusing power in front of the EC."

The party's memorandum stated that the entire nation's conscience was deeply hurt by the denigration of every constitutional norm, law and code of conduct when Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the roadshow with BJP flags after casting his vote.

"Tragically, naked prejudice of Election Commission and failure to act against the Prime Minister and BJP leaders is writ large," it added.

The memorandum also said: "Congress holds the institution of EC in high esteem. You are final arbiter for upholding the neutrality of the election."

"If EC becomes subservient and captive to the whims and fancies of the Prime Minister and the ruling party, the entire independence of the election process would come under a cloud."

--IANS

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) may clear all its backlog by the end of December.

Addressing the 90th Annual General Meeting of Ficci, she also said that government will allocate more funds for defence research and development in next budget.

Sitharaman, after taking charge of the crucial ministry in September this year, had decided to hold meetings of the DAC every fortnight.

"I have made sure that the procurement meetings, acquisition council meetings are not held once in a quarter... In fact it has been a hectic time for ministry officials and without complaining they have been looking at everything that has been waiting for months," she said.

"I maybe confident enough to say that by December 31, the Defence Acquisition Council would be on the top of it. In the sense, no more waiting list," she said.

The minister however also clarified that it may not mean all proposals cleared will be immediately procured, as it will have to go through cost negotiations and other formalities.

"The attempt first is to clear the backlog..." she said adding that emphasis is on transparency and on taking decisions.

Sitharaman also said that wherever possible, the government has tried to devolve procurement powers.

About the shortcomings in research related to defence, she said: "It is no good to say we are seized of the matter but yes, we are seized of the matter. The fact is that this time there will be substantial allocation for R&D."

--IANS

ao/him/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of becoming a "captive puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was brazenly breaking rules in a final bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

Charging the poll panel with not acting on Congress complaints against the BJP and Modi, the party said the poll panel was turning a blind eye to democratic and constitutional norms being violated by the ruling party openly.

The Congress denounced Modi's "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad on Thursday. This, it said, was a flagrant violation of the model code of conduct.

"It was an election campaign. Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. The Election Commission, it seems, is working under pressure from the Prime Minister and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.

"If any shame is left in the Election Commission, it should act on the Congress complaints," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.

"It seems the Election Commission is blind. They cannot see Modi openly and brazenly violating the model code of conduct.

"This shows how unfortunately the Election Commission has become a captive puppet of the BJP," Surjewala said.

"The Election Commission has different standards for the BJP and the Congress. What is the reason for the Election Commission to behave like a front organisation of the BJP?"

"When Rahul Gandhi gave interview to news channels, a notice was sent to him. But when Arun Jaitely released BJP's manifesto on December 8, it was not a violation. When Modi appealed to people on December 9 to vote... it was not a violation. No notices were sent to them. The Election Commission remained silent then," he said.

"Amit Shah using the Ahmedabad Airport to hold a press conference was not a violation? Arun Jaitley holding a press conference in Ahmedabad and one union minister (Piyush Goyal) holding a press conference in Delhi twice was not a violation?"

He alleged that Amit Shah was aware a case was being filed by the poll panel against the news channels for airing Gandhi's interview much before it was announced.

"The EC was receiving orders from the PMO. Several ministers were calling the journalists and threatening them."

Surjewala said when the Congress asked the poll panel about its complaints, it was told they would be looked into after 5 p.m. -- when the second and final phase of Gujarat election would end.

"The Chief Election Commissioner (A.K. Joti), who was Chief Secretary to Modi (when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat), is still acting as the Chief Secretary to Modiji. This is shameful for the Election Commission."

The Congress said the way the BJP was behaving showed Modi had conceded defeat in Gujarat.

Replying to questions, Surjewala said either the Commission was blindfolded or sleeping.

He said on Wednesday, the Congress sought an appointment with the Election Commission around 4.30 p.m. and was told the meeting would take place on Thursday morning.

"It was only after we threatened to stage a 'dharna' we were given an appointment at 10.15 at night," he said.

"We are trying to wake up the Election Commission. We appeal to the Election Commission not to turn blind and deaf."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A criminal court in Ecuador has sentenced Vice President Jorge Glas to six years in prison for illicit association within the bribery scheme run by Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht.

This is the first sentence handed down in Ecuador within the Odebrecht case. Four others were sentenced to the same penalty as Glas, including his uncle, Ricardo Rivera.

Judge Edgar Flores, President of the National Justice Court, said on Wednesday that this corruption had also included other crimes, including influence peddling and money laundering, Xinhua news agency reported.

Three other persons were condemned to 14 months in prison, a reduced sentence in exchange for having cooperated with authorities. A final suspect was found not guilty.

Furthermore, given the scale of the corruption involved, the sentenced individuals must jointly pay back the state for $33.3 million which were embezzled.

He added that the court had received evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice and a former Odebrecht executive, Jose Conceicao Santos.

Glas, 48, was minister of telecommunications from 2009 to 2010 before serving as vice-president since 2013 to former President Rafael Correa and current President Lenin Moreno.

He has been in preventive custody in Quito since October 2. However, during the trial, he has steadfastly maintained his innocence and refused to step down as vice-president.

Glas is now the highest ranking official to be jailed within the Odebrecht corruption scandal, which has swept Latin America.

Odebrecht, Brazil's largest construction company, was found to have bribed officials across the region in exchange for public infrastructure contracts.

According to documents provided by the US, Odebrecht paid out $33.5 million in bribes to Ecuadorian officials between 2007 and 2016.

Glas has the possibility of appealing the sentence but the national assembly may now also move to quickly impeach him.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Eight persons died and 19 were injured in two separate road accidents since Wednesday night in different parts of Madhya Pradesh, police said on Thursday.

According to the police, the condition of three of the injured is critical.

In the first incident in Baitul district of the state, seven persons died late on Wednesday night when they rushed to the rescue of the victims of a collision between two motorcycles, Bordehi Police Station Incharge R.K. Suryavanshi said.

Even as they were busy helping the victims, a dumper passing by took the edge of the road, turned turtle and fell on them, he said.

The two injured in the freak accident were sent to hospital and JCB machines had to be used to retrieve the bodies from under the dumper.

In the second incident that took place on Thursday morning, a Pipariya-bound private bus coming from state capital Bhopal had a head-on collision with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction as the speeding bus tried to overtake another.

One passenger died and 17 others were injured in the accident.

According to Mandideep Police Station Incharge D.S. Onkar, there were 35 passengers in the bus. Nearly 17 of them have received injuries, while the condition of three is serious.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A mysterious explosion was heard in West Bengal's coastal town Digha on Thursday afternoon, triggering panic among tourists and residents, police said. However, till late in the night, the source of the sound was yet to be identified.

Police said the sound was heard in some parts of the coastal town in East Midnapore district and was much lesser in intensity than the twin explosion sounds off the coast in August this year.

"An explosion like sound was heard at some parts of Digha at around 2 p.m. on Thursday. However, no injury or damage to property has been reported till now. We are looking for the source of the sound," a senior officer from Digha police station told IANS.

Several tourists, who were bathing in the sea when the sound was heard, reportedly came running out of the water while people in their hotel rooms rushed out to the street in panic.

The officer said, through the sound was similar to the twin explosions heard in April, no tremors were felt this time.

"Necessary precautions were taken in the beaches after the incident. However, no one was barred from bathing in the sea. The situation remained peaceful and normal," he added.

A couple of loud explosions were heard off the coast in Digha on August 26 that shattered window panes of some seaside hotels and cracked a few walls.

Police barred the tourists from bathing in the sea and issued an alert in the area as sound was heard even from Tajpur, another coastal tourist spot about 18 km from Digha.

The source of the sound, however, remained unconfirmed despite speculations that it was inked to the missile testing in Odisha's Chandipur, 50 km from the area.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz has signed a one-year contract extension with Paraguayan club Olimpia, extending his professional career to a 21st season.

The 36-year-old confirmed the news on Twitter by posting a photo that partially showed his new contract along with the words "together" and "let's go," reports Xinhua news agency.

Santa Cruz returned to Olimpia in 2016, 17 years after leaving his boyhood club to join Bayern Munich.

He has since netted nine times in 48 appearances for the Asuncion side, who this month finished second in Paraguay's Clausura first division tournament behind Cerro Porteno.

Santa Cruz has been capped 112 times for Paraguay's national team and scored 32 goals.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Salma Hayek has described Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein as a rage-fuelled "monster", alleging he sexually harassed and threatened her.

Writing in the New York Times, Hayek said Weinstein once told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't," BBC reported on Wednesday.

Dozens of actresses, including Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused Mr Weinstein of harassment or assault.

He denies all allegations of non-consensual sex.

BBC has approached representatives of Weinstein for a response to Salma Hayek's article.

In the NYT, Hayek, 51, a Mexican-American, describes working with him on what she called her "greatest ambition" - telling the story of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

After striking a deal with Weinstein for the rights of the film that would eventually become 2002's Frida, Hayek wrote it became "my turn to say no".

"No to me taking a shower with him.

"No to letting him watch me take a shower.

"No to letting him give me a massage.

"No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage.

"No to letting him give me oral sex.

"No to my getting naked with another woman," she wrote.

She goes on to accuse him of threatening to shut the film down unless she filmed a nude sex scene with another actress.

"I had to take a tranquilizer, which eventually stopped the crying but made the vomiting worse," she wrote of her emotional turmoil at filming a scene she thought unnecessary.

"As you can imagine, this was not sexy, but it was the only way I could get through the scene."

Frida would eventually gather six Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nod for Hayek.

Weinstein has been accused of rape, sexual assault and harassment, but has "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual relationships.

(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.)
After Sri Lanka handed over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease last week, India on Thursday said it expects Colombo to keep the region's security concerns in mind

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, while expressing confidence at India's "strong and enduring ties with Sri Lanka", said New Delhi's relations with Colombo "stand on its own and is not dependent on our relations with any third country".

"We continue to take up with Sri Lanka issues related to the security concerns in the region and expect that our Sri Lankan friends will keep in mind our security concerns and sensitivities," he said.

The Hambantota port was handed over to the China Merchant Ports Holdings (CMPH) on a 99-year lease agreement at a ceremony on December 9. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority together with the CMPH will manage the operations of the southern port.

The port is considered one of the major projects under China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, which India has kept away from.

India is one of the largest development aid partners of Sri Lanka.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and Morocco on Thursday inked an MoU to enhance cooperation in telemedicine, drug regulation and pharmaceutical quality control, an official statement said.

The two also agreed to co-operate in the field of non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer as per the MoU, signed by Health minister J.P. Nadda and his visiting Moroccan counterpart Abdelkader Amara.

Communicable diseases, maternal, child and neonatal health, hospital twinning for exchange of good practices and training in administration and management of health services and hospitals are the other areas, said a Health Ministry statement.

"Another MoU was signed between Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry and Marrakech Mohamed VI University Hospital to collaborate in the field of telemedicine, technical support in controlling epidemics and support in rendering second opinion on various complicated cases," it said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Welcoming the parliamentary and provincial election results in Nepal, India on Thursday said it was looking forward to working with the new government in Kathmandu.

"India has age-old unique time-tested ties of friendship with the country," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in his weekly media briefing here.

"We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multi-faceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity for all round development," he said.

Nepal's CPN-UML emerged as the largest party in the Himalayan nation. The vote count for Parliament and provincial assembly elections in Nepal ended on Wednesday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 21-year-old Indian-origin student has pleaded guilty of executing a series of cyber attacks on the Rutgers University computer network in the US, authorities said.

Paras Jha of New Jersey along with two others -- Josiah White of Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman of Louisiana -- also admitted on Wednesday to creating and operating two botnets which targeted "Internet of Things" (IoT) devices, the US Justice Department said.

A botnet is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the knowledge or permission of the computers' owners. The multiple cyber attacks were launched between November 2014 and September 2016.

"Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system," Acting US Attorney Fitzpatrick said.

"These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students' submission of their work to professors to be graded.

"The defendant's actions effectively paralyzed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers' students," said Fitzpatrick.

"The defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it," he added.

Jha pleaded before US District Judge Michael Shipp in New Jersey's Trenton federal court to violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act.

He executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University that shut down the institution's central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty and students delivered assignments and assessments.

According to court documents, Jha succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to Rutgers University, its faculty and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence. His sentencing is scheduled for March 13.

On December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal information in the district of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.

The Mirai Botnet targeted IoT devices -- non-traditional computing devices connected to the Internet, including wireless cameras, routers and digital video recorders.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Dynamos are likely to include left-back Sena Ralte in the squad for their forthcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season four fixture against FC Goa on Saturday.

The 29-year-old along with Matias Mirabaje and Edu Moya have been sidelined from the squad with their respective injuries.

"Ralte has started training with the team, hopefully he will make it to the squad." a Delhi Dynamos official told IANS over phone.

The Delhi outfit are currently placed second last in the ISL table with three point from four matches.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It's really not a dirty business. They have adopted a simple, clean technology that turns human waste into an odourless renewable alternative to charcoal, which locals use to ignite their hearths and to keep themselves warm.

In Kenya, with over 32 million of its 48.46 million people without access to adequate sanitation -- which means open defecation is either common, or the use of unhygienic shared pits in the ground -- the urban poor are using briquettes made from fecal waste collected from nearby homes.

"We are enjoying poop heat, and it doesn't smell at all," Josephat Mbugua, a painter and resident of Kamere village in Naivasha sub-county, some 100 km north of capital Nairobi, told IANS while warming his hands on a firepot.

Kamere has a population of over 20,000 and most of them are slum dwellers, who lack access to improved sanitation and sewerage systems.

Sanivation, a start-up, is one of those that turns human faeces into a renewable energy resource in urban slums like Kamere that are ringed around the Naivasha Lake -- now turning fast into a receptacle for domestic, agricultural and industrial wastes generated within its catchment area.

Sanivation, which is harnessing the economic value of poop and ensuring that communities are kept healthy and safe, collects human waste twice a week from modern, container-based toilets installed in most of the households in slums.

"Sanivation simply works on a business model," its Government Relations Manager, Dickson Ochieng, told this visiting IANS correspondent.

He said the NGO installs the toilets in people's homes for free and charges a small monthly fee of 700 Kenya shillings ($6.78/Rs 437) to collect the waste, which it turns into odourless charcoal briquettes after eliminating dangerous bacteria.

"Our sanitation service provides a hygienic place to use the bathroom and removes infectious waste from communities, helping to reduce diarrhoeal disease," he said.

"Instead of dumping the human waste, we transform it into clean burning charcoal briquettes that locals further use to cook and for heating," said Ochieng, who believes waste is not to be wasted.

The briquettes have lower particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions with a higher density for prolonged heat output and no smoke. This protects the lungs and allows families to cook indoors.

It's economical too: Just $0.30 per kg, almost 60 per cent of the charcoal price.

"You see it doesn't leave an odour, it cooks well and the briquettes burn for long compared to charcoal," community health worker Samwel Mwaniki said.

She said earlier locals were sceptical about its use -- and asked a lot of questions. "But ultimately you have to convince them."

The briquettes help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, saving 88 trees per tonne of briquettes sold and preventing the contamination of water sources, Mwaniki added.

Sanivation, with partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council and the UN Refugee Agency, has built the first waste processing factory in Kakuma Refugee Camp and implemented a sanitation service that costs less than pit latrines. It is also selling the briquettes in supermarkets under the Eco Flame brand.

Ochieng said the NGO is now going to start experimenting with other bio-waste products as the Naivasha Lake area is rich for cut-flower farms that daily produce thousands of tonnes of rose waste.

Sanivation, which has been in operation since 2014 and aims to reach one million people throughout East Africa by 2020 providing clean and efficient sanitation services, has partnered with the Naivasha Water Sewerage and Sanitation Company to build a factory that can process 100 tonnes of waste into 100 tonnes of briquettes per month.

Even though there are positive signs of development, 36 per cent of Kenyans still lack safe water. About 70 per cent of the population lacks access to a toilet, says the WaterAid charity.

It says over 5,000 children under five die in a year due to diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation.

(Vishal Gulati was in Nairobi at the invitation of UN 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.)
After the Maldives signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with China in a surprise move, India on Thursday broke its silence on the matter saying that it expected the Indian Ocean archipelago nation to be sensitive to New Delhi's concerns.

Stating that India attached the highest importance to its relations with Maldives, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the two countries "have strong historical and civilisational linkages and also at the people-to-people level".

"We are also committed to support democracy, development and stability in Maldives," Kumar said in his weekly media briefing here.

"It is our expectation that as a close and friendly neighbour, Maldives will be sensitive to our concerns in keeping with its India first policy," Kumar said.

The main Opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) led by former President Nasheed raised a red flag after the FTA was rushed through Parliament on November 29 in a record one hour without any debate.

What was surprising was that it was signed even after Maldives President Abdulla Yameen, during a visit to New Delhi, said that his country would sign an FTA with India first.

Regarding Yameen's visit to China earlier this month, Kumar said: "We feel that as long as the development of bilateral relations between the two countries can contribute to the peace and stability in the region, we should welcome that."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
British Prime Minister Theresa May headed to Brussels on Thursday, hours after Conservative Party rebels defeated the government in a key Brexit vote.

On Wednesday, MPs backed an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill by 309 to 305, giving them a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels, reports the BBC.

Stephen Hammond, was sacked by May as Conservative vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote.

Other European Union (EU) member states could decide to move forward to trade talks with the UK at their two-day summit.

The negotiations are first expected to focus on agreeing a temporary arrangement that will begin as soon as the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was a "humiliating loss of authority" for the Prime Minister.

Unless the bill overturned by the government at a later stage, it means MPs will get to vote on the final deal reached with Brussels before it is ratified, reports the BBC.

The government had previously offered a vote.

But critics wanted a guarantee that this would be "meaningful", claiming the bill gave ministers the power to bypass Parliament in implementing the withdrawal agreement.

The government said in a statement: "We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out.

"We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential.

"This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Microsoft will soon enable partners to work effectively with its rich network of government customers, helping them work around the countrys mega digital initiative, a top company executive said here on Thursday.

With a rich ecosystem of over 9,000 partners and nearly 102 million developers, Microsoft works with over 200,000 large, medium and small enterprises, 29 state governments and over 5,000 start-ups in the country.

"One out of nine of our partners today does business on the Cloud and, going forward, we will endeavour to bring all of them into the Cloud ecosystem. With Cloud awareness now reaching tier II and tier III markets, we will definitely have more reach in India in 2018," Rajiv Sodhi, General Manager, Partner Ecosystem, Microsoft India, told IANS.

Another area that Sodhi, who is driving the overall strategy and general management of the cloud and server business for Microsoft India, will focus on in 2018 is bringing more effective Cloud solutions to the market.

"The focus will be on modern workplace, business applications, more data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate efficient analytics for businesses. We will make sure partners are taking advantage of our Next-Gen Cloud offerings," Sodhi added.

One area Sodhi is excited about is to help CIOs/CEOs shun the legacy infrastructure and join the Cloud journey."Most of the top company people I interact with are concerned about how to get out of the legacy infrastructure era. With our unique License Mobility through Software Assurance, we can bring customers running Windows and SQL (database management system) with existing licenses seamlessly on to the Cloud," Sodhi informed.

Microsoft on Wednesday launched Azure Stack for India which is an extension of the company's Azure Cloud platform. Azure Stack brings the agile and fast-paced Cloud computing to on-premises environments and enables new Hybrid Cloud scenarios.

"Microsoft is clear that hybrid is a key differentiator and is helping Indian enterprises move faster on to Cloud," Sodhi said.

When it comes to the partner ecosystem both globally and in India, Microsoft has an enormous range.

Tata Motors has partnered with Microsoft India to redefine connected and personalised driving experiences for Indian customers. It is leveraging Microsoft's connected vehicle technologies that bring together AI, advanced machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities on the global hyper-scale Azure Cloud.

Another example is Ramco Systems, the global HCM and Payroll software provider on Cloud and Mobile. The firm has been building cutting-edge applications on top of Microsoft's Mixed Reality (MR) headset HoloLens for its enterprise customers.

It has created 3D models of jet turbines converted into detailed holograms and rendered on HoloLens, resulting in an immersive training experience, simulating every scenario engineers might encounter as part of their operational responsibilities.

The tech giant's Gold Partner Sonata has a Microsoft Centre of Excellence, covering technologies like Dynamics AX, CRM, Office 365, and Azure.

"When it comes to Cloud transformation, no industry is behind and the transformation is happening fast across industry verticals. New Microsoft Cloud solutions are helping businesses lower the cost, ease the barrier and bring in more productivity," Sodhi told IANS.

"Cloud opportunity is very real. When it comes to serving 51 million SMBs in India, our robust local channel eco-system is helping them. Our partners are building solutions for SMBs who now have more receptivity towards Cloud," he added.

Earlier this week, global data centre maintenance firm Park Place Technologies became the first company to fully deploy Microsoft enterprise Cloud services, including Dynamics 365 and Office 365, along with LinkedIn Sales Navigator to help enterprises drive digital transformation.

"I see a great opportunity in India on Office 365- LinkedIn integration. Our partners and customers are very excited about this unique combination which can result in better sales, talent management, rich people analytics and talent retention. Lots of use cases are coming from India on this," Sodhi informed.

(Nishant Arora is at Microsoft's Hyderabad campus on an invitation. He can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in)

--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.)
Engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found a way to induce plants to give off dim light, a major step towards realising their vision of using plants to illuminate the workspace.

"The vision is to make a plant that will function as a desk lamp -- a lamp that you don't have to plug in. The light is ultimately powered by the energy metabolism of the plant itself," said Michael Strano, Professor at MIT and the senior author of the study.

By embedding specialised nanoparticles into the leaves of a watercress plant, the researchers successfully induced the plants to give off dim light for nearly four hours, according to the study published in the journal Nano Letters.

This technology could also be used to provide low-intensity indoor lighting, or to transform trees into self-powered streetlights, the researchers said.

To create their glowing plants, the MIT team turned to luciferase, the enzyme that gives fireflies their glow.

Luciferase acts on a molecule called luciferin, causing it to emit light. Another molecule called co-enzyme A helps the process along by removing a reaction byproduct that can inhibit luciferase activity.

The MIT team packaged each of these three components into a different type of nanoparticle carrier.

To get the particles into plant leaves, the researchers first suspended the particles in a solution.

Plants were immersed in the solution and then exposed to high pressure, allowing the particles to enter the leaves through tiny pores called stomata.

Particles releasing luciferin and coenzyme A were designed to accumulate in the extracellular space of the mesophyll, an inner layer of the leaf, while the smaller particles carrying luciferase enter the cells that make up the mesophyll.

The particle carriers gradually release luciferin, which then enters the plant cells, where luciferase performs the chemical reaction that makes luciferin glow, the study said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Nagaland Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution urging the government of India to take emergent and extraordinary steps for an "honourable and acceptable solution" to the Naga political issues before the state assembly election next year.

The House also resolved to urged the Election Commission of India not to announce the state election until the Centre finalised an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue in order to enable all Nagas to enjoy their due democratic and other rights and function as a more empowered electorate during the elections.

It also decided to call upon civil society, tribal Hohos, church, political parties and other organisations concerned to cooperate with the vision of the state government and press for "solution before election", so that utmost unity was displayed before the government of India and the Election Commission.

Introducing the resolution, Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang informed the House that the consultative meeting of the Nagaland legislators with the present and former parliamentarians held on December 7 had adopted a resolution urging the Nagaland Assembly to pass a separate resolution on similar lines for "solution before election" during the current session of the House.

Zeliang said the House appreciated the various measures taken by the Indian government with regard to early solution of the protracted Naga Political issue, especially the Framework Agreement signed on August 5, 2015 between the central government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) as well as the written agreement on November 27 between the government of India and the working committee of the six Naga political groups.

"The various stakeholders are sincerely and seriously engaging their minds with the core details of the Naga political issues in order to arrive at an early solution," the Chief Minister stated.

He said the House was of the utmost view that solution to the Naga issues could not afford any more delay and thereby interminably deny the Nagas their democratic rights to self-determination and other concomitant rights.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Zealand medium pacer Doug Bracewell replaced all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme for the three-match One-day International (ODI) series against West Indies starting from December 20.

According to a report by espncricinfo, Grandhomme had to withdraw from the New Zealand ODI squad for the series against West Indies and has returned to Zimbabwe following the death of his father.

"Doug Bracewell has been picked as a replacement for the series which starts from December 20, with no timeline set for de Grandhomme's return."

"This is obviously extremely sad news for Colin and his family and we're all thinking of them at the moment, right now the most important thing is that Colin is with his family," New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said.

This is Bracewell's first call-up to the national squad since he was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in May earlier this year for a drink-driving offence.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman was killed and two men were injured when a portion of the roof fell on Thursday at the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple in Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu, police said.

The roof suddenly caved in, killing Peechiammal and injuring Kandaswamy and Senthil Arumugham. All were devotees. Thiruchendur is around 640 km from here in Tuticorin district.

Chief Minister K. Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 500,000 to the woman's family and Rs 100,000 each to the injured. It would be paid out of temple funds.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday decided to approach the Interpol for the arrest of former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar who is currently in London, officials said.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the anti-corruption organisation's executive board presided over by Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal (retd), Dawn online reported.

Dar, who is receiving medical treatment in London for a heart condition, has an arrest warrant issued against him after he missed multiple court appearances in a corruption reference filed against him by the NAB.

The former Finance Minister is accused of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income.

"Ishaq Dar is not suffering from any disease that cannot be treated in Pakistan," the NAB Chairman was quoted as saying in a declaration issued by the bureau. Dar was declared a "proclaimed absconder" by the accountability court after he repeatedly failed to join the trial, he added.

The accountability bureau will now ask the Interior Ministry to contact the France-based Interpol secretariat for the issuance of "red warrants" against Dar, the daily reported.

Earlier this week, accountability court Judge Mohammad Bashir in a judgment regarding the status of Dar as a proclaimed offender observed that the undertrial former Finance Minister does not seem to have a serious heart condition.

During the case proceedings, Dar's lawyer had submitted a new medical report and told the court that "his client was suffering from chest pain and a minor issue in a coronary artery and, therefore, could not appear in court".

However, the judge said that "when all the medical reports are kept together, it seems that they are procured with the purpose to linger on the (corruption) case".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Pakistani warship arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a four-day goodwill visit.

The Sword-class missile guided frigate, PNS Saif, is anchored off Manila Bay, Philippine Navy spokesman Captain Lued Lincuna said.

President Rodrigo Duterte will board the visiting warship for "an exclusive tour" later in the day.

The warship is designed for air defence, interdiction and exclusive economic zone patrol, Lincuna said.

He said the first of a kind visit "aims to revive and strengthen the Pakistan-Philippines relations".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday here commissioned the country's first indigenously-built Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari to the Indian Navy terming it a significant new era "to boost India's defence and security".

Modi formally unveiled the commissioning plaque of the INS Kalvari atop the submarine and congratulated and shook hands with the various naval officers.

This is the first conventional submarine to be inducted into the Indian Navy after more than 17 years even as the navy's submarine arm celebrates it golden jubilee this year.

Addressing the august gathering on the momentous occasion, Modi also thanked France for its help and collaboration on developing the project.

"It signifies the further strengthening of the growing strategic ties between India and France in recent times," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said INS Kalvari will provide a significant boost and synergise the country's defence, economic, technical and international powers, along with people power on the global arena.

"The 21st century will belong to Asia and the Indian Ocean will play a crucial and strategic role in ensuring what I call SAGAR - Security And Growth for All in the Region," Modi said.

The submarine, incorporating state-of-the-art features has been built by the Mazagaon Dockyard Ltd under its Project 75, with technological collaboration from DCNS, France.

Also present on the occasion were Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, French Ambassador to India Alexandre Zeigler and Chief of Naval Staff Sunil Lanba, besides many others.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Marking an important milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the first indigenously-built Scorpene-class submarine 'INS Kalvari' to the Indian Navy.

This will be the first conventional submarine to be inducted into the Indian Navy after more than 17 years as the navy's submarine arm celebrates its golden jubilee this year.

The submarine, incorporating state-of-the-art features has been built by the Mazagaon Dockyard Ltd under its Project 75, with technological collaboration from DCNS, France.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Authorities in Udaipur have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the city while internet has been suspended in Udaipur and Rajsamand after right wing activists took out a rally in support of 'Love Jihad' murder accused Shambhulal Raigar and in the wake of a rise in hate messages circulating on social media.

Udaipur District Magistrate Bishnu Charana Mallick imposed Section 144 in the city on Wednesday night to prevent any untoward incident and avert communal tensions in the city.

Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha issued orders for suspension of internet services for the next 24 hours in Udaipur as well as in Rajsamand. Even schools and colleges will remain closed during this period.

According to sources, some people had taken out a procession supporting Raigar, who had brutally murdered a Muslim man earlier this month in the name of "Love Jihad".

The Udaipur district administration has also banned the entry of a right wing activist, Updesh Rana, who was supposed to visit Udaipur on Thursday in support of Raigar.

Sources said that a few rallies were to be held by Rana in the city, and hence his entry has been banned in the city.

Many people are also reported to have deposited money in the account of Raigar's wife. The administration has frozen the account and investigations are on to find out who transferred money in his wife's account.

Udaipur DM Mallick said that taking out processions, rallies and delivering instigating speeches are strictly prohibited under Section 144. Such violating will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.

Strict action will also be taken against those roaming with sharp-edged weapons and rods, he said.

Meanwhile, IG Anand Shrivastava has written a message to Facebook requesting them to block the accounts that are triggering hate messages.

Rana, who is from Uttar Pradesh, has delivered a hate speech on Facebook and the IG requested Facebook to block his account.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prohibitory orders were imposed in Udaipur as Rajasthan Police on Thursday detained a right-wing Hindu activist hours ahead of his planned rally in support of "Love Jihad" murder accused Shambhulal Raigar in the city.

Police detained Thakur Updesh Rana in Bagru on Thursday afternoon at the Jaipur border on Ajmer Road, Bagru SHO, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat said.

On Tuesday, Rana had posted a video online calling for a massive rally in Udaipur on Thursday. He called upon Hindus to support the rally in big numbers, He had also posted another video on Wednesday saying that he is going to meet Raigar's family and had also dared the administration to arrest him.

Earlier, Udaipur District Magistrate Bishnu Charana Mallick imposed Section 144 in the city on Wednesday night to avert any untoward incident in the city.

In view of the rise in hate messages being exchanged on social media sites, Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha ordered suspension of internet services for the next 24 hours in Udaipur and Rajsamand, where Raigar had brutally murdered and burnt a Muslim man in the name of "Love Jihad" earlier this month. Schools and colleges will remain closed during this period.

Police sources confirmed that internet services, bulk sms/MMS/WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services have been suspended for 24 hours. Police also asked citizens to stay vigilant.

According to sources, a few self-proclaimed Hindu organisations have announced they will take out a procession on Thursday supporting Raigar.

Many people also deposited money in the account of Raigar's wife. The administration has frozen the account and investigations are on to find out who transferred money in his wife's account.

Mallick said that taking out processions, rallies and delivering instigating speech will be strictly prohibited under Section 144. Those violating the order will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.

Strict action will also be taken against those roaming with sharp-edged weapons and rods, he said.

Meanwhile, IG Anand Shrivastava has written a message to Facebook requesting them to block the accounts which are triggering hate messages and also exchanging them.

Rana has delivered a hate speech on Facebook and the IG requested Facebook to block his accounts.

On December 9, a large number of Muslims took out a rally in Udaipur demanding the harshest punishment for Raigar.

A video is also going viral on social media purportedly showing Muslims in a rally at Chetak Circle in Udaipur shouting slogans against Hindu organisations. They are seen demanding death for Raigar. Police sources said the video has been sent for forensic examination.

To protest against this video, several self-proclaimed Hindu organisations geared up to extend support to Shambulal Raigar and his family. Members of one such organisation announced holding a rally in Rajsamand on Thursday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government is ready to discuss all the issues, including those to be raised by the Opposition, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said here on Thursday, adding that he would request all the MPs to work "full time" to dispose of the business.

"The government is ready to discuss and debate any issue. Several issues would be raised by the opposition and the government would obviously give its response," he said when asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegations against his predecessor Manmohan Singh and others vis-a-vis their meeting with Pakistani diplomats would disrupt the Houses.

"It is also the opposition's responsibility to run Parliament. The Prime Minister has sought opposition's cooperation for smooth functioning of Parliament," he said.

Ananth Kumar said 25 Bills are listed in the Lok Sabha and 39 Bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha which would be taken up and disposed of "according to priority".

The most important business would be the Supplementary Demands for Grants, which is the first one after the implementation of GST; the 123rd Constitutional Amendment for setting up of Commission for Backward Classes as a constitutional body; and the Bill against triple talaaq, he said.





Besides, the government would also bring Bills to turn three Ordinances into Acts, which include the GST compensation to states and Amendments to the Indian Forest Act and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

However, a belligerent opposition is ready to corner the government on Modi's allegations against Manmohan Singh, former Vice-President Hamid Ansari and others, as also the disqualification from Rajya Sabha of veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari.

"The Prime Minister has levelled very serious allegations against a former Prime Minister, former Vice-President, former Army chief and a few retired diplomats that they were conspiring along with Pakistan. The government must tell the Parliament as to what kind of conspiracy it was," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told media persons after the all-party meeting.

"If the allegations are true, the government must take action. If they are false, then those levelling such wild allegations must be punished. Why does BJP rake up Pakistan in every election? It is them who go uninvited and make friends with them," Azad, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, added.





Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wondered as to how the government would do justice to 25 Bills in just 14 days.

"Besides, a Parliament session is not meant to just transact the government business. There are several other important matters of public concern which need to be discussed apart from the opposition's issues," he said.

The opposition refused to buy the government's argument that winter sessions have been delayed or truncated in the past too, saying the government "deliberately" delayed and shortened the session as the "entire Cabinet including the Prime Minister was busy campaigning in Gujarat".





However, Ananth Kumar said that he would request the Members of Parliament to work "full time" to make the most of the 14-day session.

"Parliament's productivity has increased over the last few years. We expect this session too would be very smooth and productive. I request all the MPs to work full time," he said to the point of cramming 25 bills in 14 days.

Those present at the all-party meet included Prime Minister Modi (who joined towards the end), Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and his deputies Vijay Goel and Arjun Meghwal.

The others included Azad, Anand Sharma, Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress, Farooq Abdullah of the Conference, D. Raja of the Communist Party of India, Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress, Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party and Tariq Anwar of the Nationalist Congress Party.
A Republican lawmaker has committed suicide after denying accusations of sexually molesting a teenage girl, police said.

Dan Johnson, 56, shot himself on a bridge in Mount Washington, Kentucky, on Wednesday night, according to WDRB-TV in Louisville. The gun was recovered by the police, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Kentucky Centre for Investigative Reporting published an expose on Monday detailing allegations that Johnson forced himself on the 17-year-old victim who was a friend of his daughter's after a New Year's Eve party in 2012.

Johnson denied the allegations on Tuesday.

He said the accuser was a member of his church, and that the claims were, in part, politically motivated.

Johnson also acknowledged that he messaged the girl on Facebook in January 2013, saying that he did not remember what happened on the night of the alleged encounter and that he had been "drugged" at a local bar.

However, he later said he did remember what happened that night but denied ever entering the room where the girls were sleeping.

Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Moscow expects the upcoming visit of the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to help mend bilateral relations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

"The current state and prospects of Russian-British relations are planned to be discussed, focusing on their normalization through a dialogue based on mutual respect and equal rights," she told a weekly news briefing on Wednesday, Xinhua reported.

In October, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Johnson will visit Moscow "towards the end of the year," after he cancelled a planned trip to Russia in April over a deadly chemical weapon incident in Syria.

Zakharova said that in the time remaining before the visit, Moscow expected London to take concrete steps confirming its desire to pull bilateral relations out of the current impasse.

The relations between the two countries soured in 2014 due to the incorporation of Crimea to Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

Britain, along with the United States and the European Union, imposed rounds of economic sanctions on Russia and suspended all military cooperation.

After Johnson was appointed Foreign Secretary in July 2016, Zakharova said at a briefing that Moscow expected him to contribute to "turning over not the best page in the book of Russian-British relations."

--IANS

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Actress Salma Hayek has added her name to the list of celebrities speaking out against disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, calling him a rage-fuelled "monster" who sexually harassed and tried to kill her. Weinstein denied the charge.

In an emotional New York Times piece published on Wednesday, the 51-year-old Mexican actress detailed her experiences with Weinstein through the course of the making of "Frida" -- a 2002 biopic on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

She claimed, among other things, that he once threatened to kill her when she refused his advances. Hayek said Weinstein told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't."

"I don't think he hated anything more than the word 'no,'" Hayek wrote. "And with every refusal came Harvey's Machiavellian rage."

Dozens of actresses, including Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused Weinstein of similar impropriety. He has denied all the allegations of non-consensual sex.

Weinstein's spokesperson said: "All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by (Hayek) are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."

The Oscar-nominated actor wrote that she spent years saying 'no' to the disgraced producer following his demands for sexual activity with her.

"No to me taking a shower with him. No to letting him watch me take a shower. No to letting him give me a massage. No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage. No to letting him give me oral sex. No to my getting naked with another woman," she wrote.

She accused him of threatening to shut "Frida" down unless she filmed a nude sex scene with another actress.

"I had to take a tranquilizer, which eventually stopped the crying but made the vomiting worse," she wrote of her emotional turmoil at filming a scene she thought unnecessary.

"As you can imagine, this was not sexy, but it was the only way I could get through the scene."

After refusing to sleep with him, Hayek alleged that Weinstein tried to remove her from the project despite the fact she had steered it in the first place. Once she met his demands with regards to the script and budget, he agreed to let her star.

The film ended with six Oscar nominations, including one for Hayek as best actress. She wrote that even when she would see him after the release, he "terrified" her.

Weinstein's spokesperson said the film producer "does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female co-star and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Hayek with Geoffrey Rush".

The spokesperson said Weinstein "regards Salma Hayek a first-class actress" and admits "there was creative friction" on the set of "Frida".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was happy to receive an appreciation note from Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who lauded his effort in supporting the Armed Forces Flag Day awareness campaign.

Shah Rukh shared on his social media a snapshot of the note, which read: "We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for supporting the Armed Forces Flag Day awareness campaign and spreading the message to your widespread audience. Thank you best of luck for the future."

The actor captioned it: "Thank you Ma'am for the opportunity. This is the least we can do for our Armed Forces. Will convey your message to the whole team. Jai Hind."

Shah Rukh, along with his team, had not only spoken about the sacrifices made by soldiers, but also the contribution of the armed forces in the well-being of the country.

The actor had earlier this month expressed his support by sharing a picture of his team and himself standing together and paying their respect to the Armed Forces.

"Our soldiers give their tomorrow for our today. They deserve our respect and gratitude," he had posted.

--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.)
Film: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"; Director: Rian Johnson; Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisey Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro; Rating: ****

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is the eighth episode of the series and the second film in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, following "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" which was released in 2015.

Hardcore devotees of the franchise will definitely go over the moon with this edition. Elevating several notches from its previous edition, the film has all the elements that encapsulate the magic of movies. An uninitiated person to the series will also find this film fascinating. They will lap it up with a little trepidation, simply because of the film's genesis.

The saga begins with a comforting sense of deja vu, "In a galaxy long, long time ago", followed by an informational scroll which gives an insight into the Galactic War.

Like every edition, this one too is a battle between good and evil. Written and directed with thoughtfulness and visual flair by Rian Johnson, the film picks up right after the events of "The Force Awakens".

Interspersed between scenes of an inter-galaxy war led by Resistance leader General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and The First Order, led by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), Rey (Daisy Ridle) has found Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on a remote island on an equally remote planet with the intention of bringing him out of retirement to help the Resistance, to take down the First Order, which rose from the ashes of the defeated Galactic Empire. Incidentally, the Resistance was earlier called the Rebellion.

Like most hermits, Luke is grumpy and regretful. He tried to rebuild the Jedi Order a few years ago but failed. So he tries to dissuade Rey from forcing him out of retirement. But she is adamant.

Meanwhile, Rey turns to Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) an old ally for help. But unbeknownst to her, he is now a disciple of the First Order's Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis).

How The Resistance defeats the First Order forms the crux of the tale.

With every character having complex emotions and motivations, the tale is what holds the film in good stead, the performances of its ace star cast become secondary but nevertheless elevate the viewing experience.

The plot swings with dramatic twists and from the visual point of view, every frame exudes brilliance. True to the formula, the director tells the saga by breaking the story into separate threads, each with its own set of objectives. Every location has its action scenes, mostly exhilarating and none of them unnecessary.

The visuals are bright and colourful, especially the one scene that takes place in a casino and the scenes that lead to the film's final battle. The computer generated images mesh seamlessly into the live action sequences demanding the film to be seen on an IMAX screen.

--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.)
The Syrian and Lebanese authorities on Thursday reopened a border crossing that had been closed for five years in Syria's central province of Homs, the media reported.

The Jawsiyah crossing in Qussair town southwest of Homs had been closed as a result of the ongoing conflict and both countries relied largely on the Masnaa crossing near Damascus, state news agency SANA reported.

Interior Minister Muhammad Sha'ar and Homs Governor Talal Barazi attended the reopening ceremony. Travellers and passengers can travel to Lebanon through this crossing from Friday, Xinhua news agency cited the report in SANA as saying.

Syria and Lebanon share four border crossings, three of which were closed during the war, but most travellers have used the Masnaa crossing.

For the Syrians, travelling to Beirut was a must in order to catch an international flight as all international flights to Damascus were halted during the war.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Telangana is keen to have a partnership with Israel in cybersecurity and emulate its world-class robust architecture, a senior official said on Thursday.

The state government also sought Israel's help to do an audit of its cybersecurity policy, its approach, the capabilities of private sector and start-ups.

Addressing a cybersecurity conference here, Telangana's Principal Secretary, Information Technology Jayesh Ranjan said a quick diagnosis would help to know if Telangana has reached anywhere close to Israel and also what needs to be done to attain global standards.

He said he was impressed with Israeli National Information Security Agency's success in creating a formidable cyber security framework.

Mentioning that Telangana has signed an MoU with The Hague Security Delta and they identified opportunities of collaboration, Ranjan said the state would like to have similar partnership with Israel.

He said Telangana was the first state to come out with a dedicated policy for cybersecurity and was putting in place the cybersecurity architecture.

The first piece of the architecture will be launched this month or next month with the setting up Security Operation Centre (SOC), which will be housed at the State Data Centre and will focus on protecting critical infrastructure of the government.

Shai Moses, Consul for Trade and Economic Affairs at Israeli Consulate General in Bengaluru, said India, like Israel, can create abundant talent pool required to achieve global standards in cybersecurity.

"Israel sees great potential for business partnerships with Indian companies and we welcome the IT players to explore collaboration opportunities with Israel companies," he said.

Konfidas CEO Ram Levi made a presentation on Israel's journey to emerge a global leader in cybersecurity systems.

Top experts in information security, data security and IT infrastructure are taking part the two-day conference, being organised by Kenes Exhibitions.

--IANS

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Omarosa Manigault Newman, one of US President Donald Trump's most prominent African-American aide, is set to leave the White House in January 2018, according to the administration.

Newman, who achieved a measure of fame playing a villain on "The Apprentice" and cemented a relationship with Trump that led to her White House appointment, resigned "to pursue other opportunities", Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said in a statement late Wednesday.

"Her departure will not be effective until January 20, 2018. We wish her the best in future endeavours and are grateful for her service," The New York Times quoted Sanders as saying.

Newman served as the director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison.

According to White House officials, she was not well liked by some White House advisers, including Reince Priebus, the former chief of staff; Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law; and John F. Kelly, the current chief of staff.

Newman appeared in the first season of "The Apprentice," in 2004, and worked on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

On Wednesday night, the President tweeted her a note of encouragement: "Thank you Omarosa for your service! I wish you continued success."

Meanwhile, April Ryan, a journalist with American Urban Radio Networks, told CNN that "everything blew up" when Chief of Staff Kelly attempted to discuss Newman's walk-in privileges and access to Trump.

Ryan reported Newman saying that "all hell will break loose" if she lost walk-in privileges.

Kelly, according to Ryan, said "OK, all hell is going to break loose".

--IANS

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Rabat, Dec 14 (IANS/MAP) Morocco plays a key role in the field of international migration, a representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Morocco said on Thursday.

Ana Fonseca said that Morocco has made great efforts in the field of migration by adopting a humane approach, which is a model in the region.

IOM joined the UN system as a related organization in September 2016.

The legalization of the situation of migrants in Morocco has facilitated the integration of migrants into the society, Fonseca said, highlighting the national immigration and asylum strategy, launched by King Mohammed VI.

The UN official renewed IOM's support for Morocco in all its international commitments to properly manage and integrate migration in the various sectors of development and international cooperation.

She said the migration framework set up in Morocco has been strengthened due to a fruitful cooperation between governmental, non-governmental and international actors.

--IANS/MAP

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As lenders and borrowers in India grapple with heavy debt levels, asset sales have been a strategy used to pare debt levels by conglomerates.

We think one aspect of asset sales that needs even greater focus in India is for corporations to realise that selling real estate is an alternative to using the capital markets for share or debt issuance. This "unlocking of real estate value" need not be limited to only distressed borrowers, but should be deemed as a financial strategy that needs to be looked at from a capital allocation perspective by the Indian corporate world.

As we know, corporates that have significant real estate holdings such as those engaged in retailing (like Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd.), hospitality (like ITC) and healthcare services (like Wockhardt Hospitals), amongst others, need to clearly demarcate the value of the business that they derive from their core business versus the value they derive from their real estate portfolio.

For example, a hospital chain can use a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) like structure to monetise its real estate assets to pursue further growth if it finds that capital raising through the REIT is cheaper than issuing debt or equity.

Real estate sales can add substantial value for banks which hold Non-Performing Assets (which stands at more than Rs 8 lakh crore ($124 billion) according to an estimate by CapitalinePlus). We know, for sure, almost all public sector banks hold real estate with market value running into thousands of crores. And these banks need to work with cash-rich asset buyers to do a transaction where the bank sells the asset to the prospective buyer and then leases the asset back for use. This financial transaction will allow the bank to use the sales proceeds to infuse capital into its own balance sheet.

Such capital infusion strategies have been used in the more developed markets such as the US to unlock real estate value. The capital infusion assists the bank to create a more efficient balance sheet and focus on its core business of banking, while the real estate asset is managed by a real estate focused investor.

In addition, corporates in India must look at real estate asset monetisation as an alternative to raising capital through IPOs and issuing debt. By the very nature of the lease payments involved in a sale and leaseback of real estate assets, there are similarities between real estate asset monetisation and debt.

We hasten to add that it is important to factor in the debt issuance cost versus the cost of funding through real estate monetisation. A corporate may find it cheaper to monetise the value of the real estate portfolio versus having to either issue debt or dilute equity, especially when credit markets are unfavourable. To further emphasise the importance of real estate asset monetisation, we think corporates that have borrowed over the last six years can use this strategy to refinance their debt.

In India, base rates from the RBI have headed lower from eight per cent in 2014 to the current six per cent. For corporates refinancing their debt by taking the capital from the real estate sale to buy back expensive debt and issue cheaper debt provides an opportunity to bring down interest servicing costs by over 200 basis points in some cases to reflect the lower base rate.

This will allow corporates to invest in new businesses -- investments which lead to new jobs. This strategy can be used by both distressed and non-distressed corporates. The key is for the corporations in India to be able to utilise the value of the real estate portfolio to make the best financing decision. This will not only benefit the corporations themselves but also have a positive multiplier effect on the economy.

When each corporation tries to make better financing decisions, capital within the economy finds the best use, which in turn improves economic prospects for the country.

Real estate asset monetisation is not without complexities, with clear demarcation of ownership and control required. There can be issues around ownership of assets versus control of assets, but clear legal agreements at the outset are useful in putting such issues to rest. Nevertheless, real estate monetisation is a path that must be actively looked at and pursued in India much beyond it simply being a last resort for the distressed borrower.

(Taponeel Mukherjee heads Development Tracks, an infrastructure advisory firm. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at taponeel.mukherjee@development-tracks.com or @taponeel on Twitter)

--IANS

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China on Thursday accused Washington of interfering in its internal affairs after US President Donald Trump ratified a bill to strengthen military ties with Taiwan.

Trump earlier this week had approved the National Defence Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2018, which looks to boost military cooperation with Taiwan, including mutual visits by Navy ships and joint military drills.

"We are firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges or military links between Taiwan and the US," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press conference.

He added that Beijing has lodged a formal complaint over the measure that seriously violated the "One China principle", according to which the only recognized government of Taiwan was in Beijing, Efe news reported.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister David Lee told the Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee of the Parliament on Thursday that the US government had approved the Congress decision to support high-level military ties and docking of naval vessels in Taiwanese ports.

Reacting to a Chinese diplomat's statement in Washington -- in which he said the Chinese military will unify Taiwan with military force if a US warship docked at the Kaohsiung port in Taiwan -- Lee called it "unbelievable" and "counterproductive".

Taiwan has been a constant source of tension between China and the US, which has been the traditional guarantor of Taipei's security and its chief supplier of arms and defence equipment.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US Vice President Mike Pence has delayed his upcoming visit to Israel by several days due to the Congressional vote on tax reforms, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon, the delay in Pence's visit, earlier scheduled for Sunday, was due to internal affairs and the tax reform vote in the US Congress.

Pence's office has not confirmed the delay.

The announcement came amid an ongoing outcry over President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital as well as move the US embassy to the holy city.

His vote could be crucial to Republican hopes of passing the major tax reform bill before the end of the year. With Republicans holding a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate -- and some key Republican senators still uncommitted -- Pence holds the tie-breaking vote in the event of an even split, CNN reported.

Delaying the Jerusalem visit allows Pence to cast that vote if tax reform moves forward next week. Trump's announcement last week delighted Israeli leaders but was heavily criticized by many key US allies and Palestinian leaders who see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Pence is now scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday. But Palestinian leaders said they would refuse to meet him.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki told reporters last week that the leadership had decided there would be "no formal communications" with US officials in the wake of Trump's Jerusalem decision.

An emergency summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was held in Istanbul on Wednesday, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: "We shall not accept any role for the US in the peace process."

He also announced the termination of the 1993 Oslo Accords and any other agreements signed since then with Israel. The OIC called on the international community to recognize East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.

The custodian of the key to one of the holiest sites in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also said he would not welcome Pence to Jerusalem's Old City.

Deadly protests broke out in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem following Trump's move. There has also been an increase in the number of rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Thursday appealed to the people to vote for the 'Gujarat model' of development and reject those who are against it.

"To maintain the pace of development, I appeal to people to vote in large numbers," Shah told reporters after casting his vote in Ahmedabad's Naranpura.

"Gujarat's model of development is well known to the world and thus to maintain this pace I appeal to voters to vote," he said.

"And people should also reject those who are opposing the model of development by casting their vote," Shah added.

The second and final phase of voting for 93 seats across 14 districts in Gujarat was held on Thursday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who also cast his vote in Ahmedabad's Vejalpura, appealed to people to vote for development.

"To maintain the pace of the development, I appeal the people to come in large numbers to vote," Jaitley said.

Counting of votes will take place on December 18.

BJP has been ruling Gujarat since 1995 and is seeking a fifth term in the assembly.

--IANS

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As feared, the ministerial-level meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ended in a stalemate. Hopes that new deals on agriculture or e-commerce will emerge have thus been dashed. The WTO looked particularly helpless in Buenos Aires as it could not even agree to reform the subsidy regime for illegal overfishing that is depleting the worlds oceans  something on which, in principle, there is broad agreement.
After BJP's attack on Congress on the "Ram Setu" issue, the party defended itself by saying "Lord Rama was "omnipresent" and BJP was trying to divert attention from the development issues of Gujarat.

"Lord is omnipresent, he is everywhere, he resides in every substance and particles, Ram is present in the entire universe.

"You can see him in an idol, because that is a matter of faith. But it would have been good had the BJP respected the Ram in the hearts of the people in Gujarat, the Ram in the expectations and desire of Gujarati people ... the Ram hiddden in people belonging to Patidar community, who were attacked by the BJP, and also against whom false complaints were filed, the Ram who resides in 30 lakh unemployed youth, the Ram in the farmers of Gujarat.

"They should have respected the Ram who is hidden in the pain and Sufferings of Dalits, who were attacked in Una..the Ram hidden in people belonging to backward classes who are being exploited. They should have been given due respect by the BJP," he added.

Surjewala also said: "The truth is BJP is only diverting attention. They are not talking about issues. Gujarat election is not about Congress vs BJP, but the contest is between the people of Gujarat and BJP. They cannot hide the misrule of 22 years by taking Ram's name."

After an US science channel claimed that the 'Ram Setu' between India and Sri Lanka is man-made and not natural - a stand which the BJP takes, the ruling party had seized the chance to attack the Congress.
At least 13 people were killed and 24 others injured in five separate road accidents in Madhya Pradesh, police said today.

In Betul district, seven people were killed when a speeding truck ran over them on Multai Road late last night while they were helping victims of an accident involving two motorcycles, they said.

Seven people died on the spot while two injured motorcyclists were admitted to Nagpur for treatment, Bordehi police station in-charge R K Suryawanshi told reporters here.

The bodies of the deceased were sent to the Multai Civil Hospital for post-mortem, he said, adding that efforts were on to trace the truck.

Four of the deceased were residents of Multai village while three others hailed from Nagpur who had come to the village to attend a function, Suryawanshi said.

In another incident, three people were killed and two others seriously injured today when their car turned turtle and fell into a roadside trench at Sonda village in Sehore district, Mandi police station in-charge Pradeep Gurjar said.

The victims, who were travelling to Indore from Bhopal, were taken to a district hospital, where they were declared brought dead, he said.

The deceased were identified as Yash, Harsh and Kunal, aged between 22 and 26, the official said, adding that they all were residents of Kolar area in Bhopal.

The two injured were undergoing treatment in a district hospital, he added



In the third incident, two people were killed and three others injured when their SUV collided with a container truck near Dabra in Gwalior district last night.

"The deceased are identified as Puran Singh Chouhan (24) and Hitesh Jat (26)," Aantri police station in-charge GS Tomar said.

The truck driver fled after the incident, he said, adding that the injured were undergoing treatment in Gwalior.

In an incident that occurred near Mandideep town in Raisen district today, one person was killed and 15 others were injured when a bus collided with a truck.

Three of the injured people were referred to Bhopal in a serious condition, a police official said.

The deceased has been identified as Bhagwandas Rajak (65), a sub-inspector said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An 18-year-old woman was set ablaze allegedly by three youths in the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

The woman with 40 per cent burns came to the Kurawali police station yesterday and complained that three youths had set her ablaze by pouring kerosene, police said here today.

She also accused the three of sexually abusing her repeatedly during the past six months and said that she did not report it to her family out of fear, police said.

The woman was admitted to the UP University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, an official said.

"A case has been registered and efforts are on to nab the culprits," the official said.

An inspector of the Uttar Pradesh police was also suspended for not reporting the matter to higher authorities after the woman arrived at the police station and for insensitivity, police officials added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Bombay High Court today asked how the findings of the NIA, which had absolved nine Muslim men in its charge sheet and instead named four members of a Hindu extremist organisation in the 2006 case, were so different from those of the CBI and Maharashtra ATS.

A bench of justices Naresh Patil and N W Sambre, which was hearing petitions challenging the discharge of the nine men in the trial court, pointed out that the Anti-Terrorism Squad, which probed the case first, booked them for the blasts which had claimed 37 lives, and the CBI, which took over the case a year later, endorsed it.

However, the the Investigating Agency (NIA), to which the probe was transferred in 2011, filed a charge sheet absolving them of all charges, and instead named four others, who were members of a Hindu extremist organisation, as the accused.

"How can the conclusions of the NIA be so different from that of competent probe agencies such as the CBI and the state ATS? When the ATS and CBI charged nine men for their role in the case, then how did the NIA arrive at the conclusion that both probes were wrong, and then named a new set of persons as accused?" the bench said.

The bench was hearing petitions filed by the Maharashtra government and the four accused challenging the discharge of the nine men booked earlier.

The accused -- Manohar Narwaria, Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh and Lokesh Sharma -- have also challenged an order of the trial court rejecting their bail applications.

Soon after the blasts in Malegaon, a town in north Maharashtra with a sizeable Muslim population, the state ATS arrested Noorul Huda, Raees Ahmed, Salman Farsi, Farogh Magdumi, Shaikh Mohammed Ali, Asif Khan, Mohammed Zahid, Abrar Ahmed and Shabbir Masiullah Batteriwala.

However, in April last year, a special court in Mumbai discharged them from the case, as the NIA submitted that it had found no evidence against them. The probe revealed that a Hindu extremist organisation was behind the blast, it said.

The ATS moved the HC against the trial court's order, terming it as contrary to the evidence on record. Assistant Public Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh, ATS counsel, told the HC that the special court order had "no legal basis".

"Previous HC judgements, including its bail orders in the 2008 Malegaon case, had made it clear that in cases where probe agencies had filed contradictory charge sheets, the court must take cognisance of all charge sheets during the trial," advocate Deshmukh said.

The NIA lawyers argued that it arrived at the conclusion that the blasts were carried out by a Hindu group after a thorough probe.

The agency cited the statement of Swami Assemanand, accused in the Mecca Masjid blast, implicating late RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi's associates for the 2006 blasts.

The ATS' claim that Mohammad Jahid Ansari planted the bomb that went off on September 8, 2006 at Malegaon was baseless as on that day Ansari was in Yavatmal, 400 km away, the NIA said.

Shabbir Batteriwala, who according to the ATS supplied the explosives, "was in judicial custody from August to September 2006 following his arrest by the Mumbai Crime Branch", the NIA said.

The blasts outside a cemetery near Hamidia mosque at Malegaon, near Nashik, claimed 37 lives and injured over 100 people.
Three Sri Lankan nationals, allegedly staying in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu illegally, were arrested here while planning to return to the island nation by a boat, police said.

Acting on a tip-off that the three persons were found in the Mandapam coast under suspicious circumstances, police arrested Paulson, Saiesan and Baskaran.

Police said the three had been staying in different refugee camps in the state and got in touch with an agent here who assured to arrange a boat for them to return to Sri Lanka.

It was not known since when they were residing in the state, police said adding further investigations were on.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown on rebels in Rakhine state that began in late August, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said today.

The figure is the highest estimated death toll yet of violence that erupted on August 25 and triggered a massive refugee crisis, with more than 620,000 Rohingya fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh over a three-month period.

The UN and US have described the military operation as "ethnic cleansing" of the Muslim minority, but have not released specific death tolls.

"At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children below the age of five," MSF said today.

The group's findings come from six surveys of more than 11,426 people in Rohingya refugee camps and cover the first month after the crisis erupted.

"We met and spoke with survivors of violence in Myanmar, who are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary camps in Bangladesh," said the group's medical director Sidney Wong.

"What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured."



Rohingya refugees have shocked the globe with consistent stories of security forces and ethnic Rakhine Buddhist mobs driving them out of their homes with bullets, rape and arson that reduced hundreds of villages to ash.

Rights groups say the crackdown was the culmination of years of persecution and discrimination against the Muslim group in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, where they are effectively stateless and denigrated as outsiders.

Earlier this month the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the military-led crackdown appeared to include "elements of genocide".

The MSF surveys put a number to the horrors.

Gunshot wounds were the cause of death in 69 per cent of the cases, according to the aid organisation.

Another nine per cent were reported burned alive inside houses, while five per cent died from fatal beatings.

For children under five, nearly 60 per cent died after being shot, MSF found.

MSF said the peak in deaths coincided with the launch of "clearance operations" by the army and local militias in late August, and showed "that Rohingya have been targeted".

Myanmar's government did not respond to a request for comment.

But it has consistently denied committing atrocities in Rakhine, saying the crackdown was a proportionate response to the Rohingya militants who attacked police posts on August 25, killing around a dozen officials.

The army has put the official death toll at 400 people, including 376 Rohingya "terrorists", and cleared its troops of any abuses in an internal probe.

The government has also blocked a UN fact-finding team from accessing northern Rakhine state, despite global calls for a credible investigation.

Richard Horsey, an independent political analyst based in Yangon, said the MSF estimates were "quite shocking" and would "inevitably lead to a renewed focus internationally on the question of accountability".

The Rohingya are not recognised as an ethnic group in Myanmar and have been systematically stripped of their legal rights.

Before the latest crisis, Bangladesh was already hosting hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who fled previous waves of persecution.

"I think the MSF figure is an underestimate," Mohammad Zuabir, a Rohingya teacher and community leader who has been a refugee in Bangladesh for 25 years, told AFP.

"Almost every Rohingya family has one or multiple members killed in the violence. When people fled their villages in Rakhine, they saw roads and homes littered with dead bodies," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police said today they have killed eight Naxalites belonging to a newly-formed extremist group, which allegedly indulged in extortion and violence, in a gunbattle in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana.

The encounter took place at around 6.30am in a forest area under Tekulapalli mandal, a senior police official said.

According to the official, a police team had launched a combing operation in the forest area after receiving information about the movement of armed extremists. At about 6.30am, the police team noticed people in olive green uniforms carrying weapons, after which they warned them to surrender.

"However, instead of surrendering, the armed men started firing at the police party. The police maintained maximum restraint...but as there was no way to stop them from firing and in self-defence the police party retaliated," the official explained.

The encounter continued for about 20 minutes.

Following a search at the scene, the police found eight bodies with fire arm injuries, the official said.

He said six fire arms - one SLR (self-loading rifle), three SBBL (single barrel breech load), two other weapons, eight kitbags, some Naxalite literature were recovered.

"No policemen were injured in the incident. Six of the deceased have been identified," he said.

They belong to different districts of Telangana. After verification, it was concluded that they belonged to CPI(ML) Chandra Pullareddy (CP) Bata, he added.

According to the police, the men were formerly associated with the 'Jana Shakti' group of Naxals. On July 24, a new group called CPI(ML) Chandra Pullareddy (CP) Bata was formed, which they had joined.

"All the group members followed the same ideology of Naxalites and were involved in multiple cases of murder, attempt to murder and extortion," the official said.

The group members were active in four districts - Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Kothagudem and Khammam. They indulged in extortion from businessmen, conducted land settlements and civil panchayats, put up pamphlets and created terror in the society, according to the police.

On December 3, the police had arrested three armed extremists of the group in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district and seized a rifle, two grenades, several rounds of ammunition, empty magazines, six kitbags and seven cell phones from their possession.

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Mourning the death of Neeraj Vora, Aamir Khan remembered the writer-director-actor as someone who carried laughter with him.

Aamir played the lead role in "Rangeela", which was written by Vora, who passed away today after being in coma for over a year. He was 54.

"Neeraj was a close friend, a collaborator, a vibrant force of life. His tragic illness and then demise is a loss not only to those close to him but also to the creative world," Aamir, 52, said in a statement.

The actor said it is hard to believe that Vora is no more.

"His sense of humour will be missed sorely. Laughter travelled with him. Even as I am writing this, I cannot believe that he is not with us anymore. Thank you Neeraj for all the joy you brought to my life. I will miss you. My heartfelt condolences all in his family," he said.

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The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), a confederation of Muslim organisations, today said United States President Donald Trump's declaration recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is "unjustified and irresponsible".

"The American move to declare Jerusalem as capital of Israel is unjustified and irresponsible. It is a violation of human rights of Palestinian people, we oppose it to the core. We have been with Palestinian people and we will remain with them," Hafiz Athar Ali, president of the ad-hoc committee of AIMMM Mumbai, told reporters here today.

Saeed Khan, vice-president of the committee, said President Trump had destroyed decades of diplomacy and disrupted Arab-Israeli peace talks.

"The Government of India must take a note of it. The Indian policy should be in favour of Palestine since we believe in human rights and justice. It is time for the government to come forward and support the Palestinian people and oppose the declaration made by Trump," he said.

Trump's announcement last week prompted an outpouring of anger in the Muslim and Arab world.

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The country's wine capital Nashik will soon be on the aviation map as Air Deccan is likely to launch its maiden flights to the city under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme UDAN from the next week.

Air Deccan, owned by Capt G R Gopinath, who brought the concept of low-cost airline in India in the early 2000s, is expected to commence flights to Nashik from Mumbai from December 23, according to a source close to the development.

The launch, however, will depend on the issuance of flying permit to the carrier, which it is expecting by December 22, the source said.

"As of now the Mumbai-Nashik flight is scheduled to commence operations from December 23. However, it will also depend on the air operator permit or flying licence, which Air Deccan is awaiting from the regulator DGCA," the source said.

The airline is expecting its scheduled commuter operator's permit from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on December 22, he added.

As of now, Air Deccan is operating charrter sevices under a non-scheduled operator's permit.

Air Deccan will provide further connectivity to Kolhapur from Mumbai via Pune with the same flight, the source said.

The airline will deploy a 19-seater Beachcraft B-1900D aircraft for these flights, he said.

The company has already leased three such planes for the operations, which will be carried under the 'Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik' (UDAN) scheme, he added.

Air Deccan had won 34 routes to operate under the scheme in the first round of bidding which took place in March this year.

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Three workers were seriously injured in a blaze triggered by an explosion in a fire cracker factory at Nadakuduru area in the city today, police said.

The incident occurred at Dhana Lakshmi crackers factory in morning hours.

A police official said all the three workers suffered burn injuries and condition of one of them is critical.

The trio are identified as Rotta Apparao (40) L. Kameswari (50) and Kurada Satyavati (54).

The Karapa Police have registered a case.

The official said the factory had a valid license and the cause of the explosion is investigated.

No arrest has been made so far.

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The BJP today lashed out at the Congress after it accused the Election Commission of acting like a "puppet" of the government, and said the opposition party was looking for excuses before its impending defeat in the Gujarat polls.

A party delegation, which included Cabinet ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi among others, also met the Election Commission to refute the charges levelled by the Congress against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders.

Though the delegation members did not speak to media on record, sources said they submitted a memorandum to the EC where they accused the opposition party of misleading the poll watchdog and called the attack on it "unfortunate".

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimhra Rao launched a sharp attack on the Congress, saying its "dynastic arrogance" was on display in its attack on the EC.

The party should find better excuses for its "impending defeat", he said and deprecated "verbal abuse" by the Congress.

The Congress was upset because the EC dared to serve notice to "King Rahul", Rao claimed.

"Sheer pettiness of the Congress to call the EC names is glaring. You loved it when the same EC declared Ahmed Patel a winner in the Rajya Sabha poll. Why are you taking out your anger now on it for the (people) spontaneous support to the PM?



"Isn't it too much to expect the EC to act as Parivar's Darbaris (courtiers of the family)?" he tweeted.

The Congress today said the Election Commission was a BJP "puppet" as the party criticsed it for not acting against Modi after he hed a "roadshow" in Gujarat. After casting his vote at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad district, the prime minister was seen walking some distance and greeting people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

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The BJP today claimed victory in six out of ten municipal councils/Nagar Panchayats in Maharashtra and also got the maximum number of councillors elected.

"As per the results declared for the seven municipal councils/Nagar Panchayats today, the BJP has won the chairperson's post at five places at Aurangabad, Nanded, Kolhapur, Dhule and Gondia," Maharashtra BJP unit president Raosaheb Danve said in a statement.

He said that out of the total 123 councillors in the fray in the seven municipal councils/Nagar Panchayats that went to polls, the BJP won 50 posts.

Danve further claimed that in the results of three municipal councils declared on Monday, the BJP won the chairperson's post in Trimbakeshwar.

In these three municipal councils, there were 55 seats up for grabs, out of which the BJP won 25.

"Therefore, as per the results for the first two phases, the BJP has won six out of ten municipal councils and 75 posts of councillors," he said.

Danve credited the BJP's victory to development works.

"People have once again voted for development works under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Fadnavis-led government has started disbursing the loan waiver amount that had been declared for farmers," Danve added.

The last phase of the polls will be held on December 17.

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The inspector general of police (IGP), Meerut Division, has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 each for information on those involved in the killing of a BJP functionary and two others here.

Former village head and local BJP leader Shiv Kumar Yadav, his body guard and his driver were shot dead in the Bisrakh area on November 16.

Three people -- Arun Yadav, shooter Naresh and Dharamdutt Sharma -- have already been arrested in the case.

The reward has been announced for information on Sunder Bhati's brother Sahdev and his nephew Anil Bhati, and shooters Amar, Pradeep and Sheru, who are at large, the police said.

Sundar Bhati's gang operates in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The police and Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) have launched a manhunt to arrest them.

Investigations have revealed Anil Bhati had provided the shooters and planned the attack on the BJP leader, the police said.

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Boko Haram fighters battled Nigerian soldiers for about an hour as they tried to take over a military base, in the latest attack against troops in the restive northeast.

A former local government official, a civilian militia member and a motorist who witnessed the shooting yesterday said the Islamist militants tried to storm the outpost in the village of Mainok in Borno state.

Troops managed to repel the attack with the help of reinforcements but it comes after a series of similar raids targeting soldiers that is likely to stoke fears of a resurgence.

Lawan Bukar Wasaram, a former chairman of the Kaga district where Mainok is located, said "large numbers" of Boko Haram militants tried to take over the base.

"So far, 14 of the attackers have been killed and two of their (pick-up) trucks impounded," he told AFP. "The situation has been brought under control by troops."



A leader of the civilian militia in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, some 60 kilometres east of Mainok, gave a similar account, although he put the death toll at nine.

"They attempted to overrun the military base but troops fought back. They had reinforcements," he added.

Motorist Laminu Isa was travelling to Maiduguri from the capital of neighbouring Yobe state, Damaturu, when he and hundreds of other drivers were caught up in the shooting.

"We had to turn to nearby Jakana village and waited until the fighting stopped," he said.

"They came in eight pick-up trucks. We saw them when they crossed the roads and many of us stopped in panic. But they told us they weren't after civilians.

"Their main target was the military so they touched no- one among the motorists."



Isa said the gunmen came from the direction of Buni Yadi in Yobe, which links up with the Sambisa Forest in Borno -- the long-time base of factional leader Abubakar Shekau.

An increase in attacks, including against "hard" military targets, was expected as it has happened before when the Nigerian Army changed senior commanders in the northeast.

Last week, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru was redeployed after just seven months in charge.

The army maintained it was a routine transfer but it followed increased violence in recent weeks, including a suicide bombings that caused heavy civilian casualties.

At least six soldiers died in two separate Boko Haram ambushes earlier this month near Damboa, south of Maiduguri.

The upsurge in attacks could also be an indication that Boko Haram is feeling pressure and is fighting back to secure weapons, ammunition, food and supplies.

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Britain must urgently negotiate a post-Brexit transition deal "within a matter of weeks", UK lawmakers said today.

Obtaining a transition period is an "urgent priority" if the UK is to avoid a no-deal scenario when it exits the European Union in March 2019, according to Parliament's powerful cross-party Treasury Committee.

"Speed is of the essence," Conservative MP and Treasury Committee chair Nicky Morgan said.

But arrangements should be kept "straightforward" to ensure speedy negotiation, as delay caused by "arguments over arcane points of principle" would damage the economy, she added.

The government should be prepared to accept the transition terms offered by the remaining 27 EU members, even if this means retaining the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and the supremacy of EU law, the committee said.

"That is a price worth paying for stability and certainty after 30 March 2019," Morgan added.

Although the report calls for a "standstill" deal to incorporate existing EU treaties into the withdrawal agreement, it also says that the UK should be able to start establishing "independent trade relationships" during the transition.

Certain sectors including financial services, particularly exposed to trade with the EU, may need an "adaptation period" to be added on to the time-limited transition period.

Prime Minister Theresa May has committed to seeking a two-year transition for the UK to give businesses time to adapt.

A no-deal scenario would mean Britain and the EU would fall back to World Trade Organisation rules to trade with each other, creating a series of trade barriers such as a 10 percent tariff on imports and exports of cars.

Some 130,000 UK firms which currently trade only with the EU would be dealing with customs procedures for the first time if there is a no-deal scenario in March 2019, according to the Treasury Committee report.

A new round of negotiations covering Britain's future trading relationship with the remaining 27 members of the bloc will open on Friday at a summit in Brussels, but EU negotiating guidelines have been revised to say talks on trade will not start until March.

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Ten CCTV cameras with recording facility would be installed at sensitive parts of 192 police stations in Delhi to ensure transparency in the system, the Delhi Police told the High Court here today.

The court was also told that several locations, including areas where police-public interface take place, have been identified for installation of close circuit televisions(CCTV) in each police station and additional 42 police chowkis.

The police said in a status report that it was likely to complete the work in six to eight weeks.

The report was filed by a deputy commissioner of police in pursuance to court's December 11 order by which the agency was asked to give a time frame for setting up CCTVs at its 192 police stations and 42 chowkis, along with the locations where the cameras would be installed.

A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva also asked the authorities to ensure that footage of CCTVs were stored for at least one month or even for three months, as per the storage capacity of the devices.

The report, filed through Delhi Police's additional standing counsel Rajesh Mahajan, said "locations of CCTV cameras to be installed in the police stations have been discussed by the committee of senior officers keeping in mind the places where police-public interface takes place and also other sensitive parts of the police station."



The places identified for installation of 10 CCTVs in each police station include the duty officer room, the lock- up, SHO room, malkhana, visitor room, women help desk, perimeter and the corridors of the building, it said.

The court listed the matter for January 31 for filing of an action taken report.

It had earlier asked the AAP government and the police to coordinate on lighting up dark areas and setting up cameras in vulnerable locations of the city to make Delhi safe and secure for women and children.

It had also directed the Centre to decide in six weeks augmenting the strength of Delhi Police, noting that it was "below the national average" and many of its personnel were deployed on VIP security duties by removing them from policing work.

The court was hearing a PIL initiated by it in 2012 after the infamous December 16, 2012 gangrape of a young woman in a moving bus. The victim had later succumbed to injuries inflicted on her by the rapists.

It was also hearing another PIL by social activist Ajay Gautam alleging that there have been several deaths inside police stations in the city this year and the presence of functional CCTVs could act as a deterrent.

The petitioner had claimed that even the CCTV cameras installed at a few police stations were obsolete as they did not have the recording feature and CCTVs were required in the police stations "to ensure transparency" in their functioning.

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China said today it lodged an official protest with the United States after President Donald Trump signed a defence budget that opens the possibility for US warships to visit self-ruled Taiwan.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang charged that the legislation, while non-binding, violates the one-China policy and "constitutes an interference in China's domestic affairs".

"We firmly oppose any form of official exchanges or military links between Taiwan and the US, as well as US arms sales to Taiwan," Lu told a regular briefing.

"We hope that the US can fully grasp the damaging nature" of the legislation's Taiwan clause, he said.

Trump on Tuesday signed the budget, which includes a clause saying the United States should "consider the advisability and feasibility of reestablishing port of call exchanges between the United States navy and the Taiwan navy".

Chinese media reported last week that a diplomat from the Chinese embassy in the United States had warned that Beijing would take Taiwan back by force the day that a US warship enters a Taiwanese port.

The island has been a thorny issue in China-US relations, as Trump began his transition into office by taking a precedent-breaking phone call from Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen.

Trump mended ties by vowing to uphold the one-China policy shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort, but infuriated Beijing again this summer by approving a USD 1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

China and Taiwan split after a civil war in 1949, and while Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign nation, it has never formally declared independence.

Beijing says Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory and will be brought back into the fold at some point.

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Chinese security personnel beat and severely injured a South Korean photojournalist covering President Moon Jae-In's visit to Beijing today, a South Korean media group said.

The scuffle took place hours before Moon was scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in an attempt to ease tensions over the US deployment of a missile defence system in South Korea.

The incident occurred at a Beijing convention centre during the opening ceremony of a trade partnership event attended by Moon, who began his four-day state visit yesterday.

South Korean photographers protested after security personnel stopped them from following Moon's delegation.

The guards then grabbed one photographer by the neck and threw him to the floor, and seized another's camera, according to the Korea Press Photographers Association (KPPA).

When the guards tried to block journalists from entering another event hall, even though they showed identity cards, a photographer surnamed Lee objected.

More than 15 Chinese guards surrounded Lee and "punched him repeatedly, before even kicking him on the face after he was knocked to the floor," the KPPA said in a statement, calling the incident an "unimaginable act".

The encounter left him with a bloody nose, a severe injury to his right eye, nausea and dizziness.

Officials from the South Korean presidential office and other reporters tried to stop the incident "to no avail", the association added.

South Korea's KBS aired footage showing men in suits dragging and grappling with an unidentified journalist as bystanders shouted "stop, stop, stop" in English and an expletive in Korean.

"Who would have thought that state officials could beat up reporters from a partner country like this at a national event attended by head of state, which is neither a warzone nor a violent protest site," the KPPA said.

"Is this Chinese-style etiquette to invite guests and beat them up in your living room?"



Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press briefing that while the trade show had been organised by the South Korean side, "if someone is hurt, of course we are concerned about that."



Both countries had made "meticulous preparations" for Moon's China trip "with the same goal in mind, which is that we want to make sure that this visit is very successful", Lu said.

"We hope it's just a minor incident."



The guards may have been hired by the event's South Korean organisers, the country's Yonhap agency cited an official as saying, but were still accountable to the Chinese police.

South Korean officials have lodged a complaint and demanded a formal apology from China, Yonhap added.

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An American national was detained by the CISF at the NSC Bose International Airport here today after live ammunition was found in her hand baggage, Airport sources said.

During checking the Central Industrial Security Force personnel detected three live ammunition in the hand baggage of the passenger who was supposed to fly to Doha.

As the passenger failed to produce any valid document of the ammunition to the CISF personnel, she was handed over to the Airport police station, they said.

Later the passenger's lawyer produced the valid documents of the seized ammunition to the Airport police station after which she was released.

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The Supreme Court today asked the Delhi High Court to furnish information pertaining to civil suits pending there, including the number of joint registrars or commissioners recording evidence in such cases.

The apex court, which has initiated a petition on its own for having a mechanism to deal with pending civil suits in high courts, also sought details like number of cases dealt with every day by joint registrars in Delhi High Court and the time expended in a day for recording of evidence.

A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and R Banumathi asked the Registrar General (RG) of Delhi High Court to place before it the details as to whether recording of evidence was done on every working day, total number of commissioners appointed for it and the number of cases dealt with each day.

"Evidence recorded by each of the Joint Registrars / Commissioners in the last seven days be placed before the Court," the bench said and sought information about average remuneration paid to the commissioners for everyday's work.

"What is the position of IPR (intellectual property rights) cases, as on date, (147 in number) pending in the category of final hearing and in how many courts such cases are listed for regular hearing," the bench said.

The apex court asked the Delhi High Court's RG, Dinesh Kumar Sharma, to remain personally present before it on January 9 to answer further questions which might be relevant to the issue.

During the hearing, the bench perused the periodical report of December 12 which was submitted before it by the RG.

"In the said report, it is stated that instead of amendments to the Delhi High Court Original Side Rules and Practice Directions, what is now proposed is framing of a new set of rules to comprehensively deal with the situation," the court noted in its order.

The bench was informed that draft of the new rules would be placed before full court of high court for consideration.

The court, after going through the draft rules, said, "We are confident that the full court of the Delhi High Court as and when the proposed/draft new Rules are placed before it will consider the matter".

The bench also asked the RG about the number of pending civil suits in the high court.

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The mortal remains of a Tamil Nadu police inspector killed in a shootout in Rajasthan yesterday were brought here today with Chief Minister K Palaniswami and others paying their respects.

The body of S Periyapandian was brought here from Jaipur via Ahmedabad by a private airline and kept at the airport for the leaders to pay their homage.

Wearing a black arm-badge, the Chief Minister placed a wreath before the casket carrying the slain police official's mortal remains which was draped in the Indian tricolour and decked with flowers.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly and DMK Working President M K Stalin, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, Home Secretary Niranjan Mardi, state police chief TK Rajendiran and City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan were among those who paid homage.

Police honours were given to the slain inspector.

Periyapandian's body will later be flown to Madurai and taken to his native village in Tirunelveli district by road.

Inspector of Law and Order, Maduravoyal police station here, Periyapandian was killed in a shoot-out in Rajasthan's Pali district in the early hours of yesterday when he led a special team to nab suspects wanted in connection with a gold heist in the city.

Four other police personnel were injured in the incident.

Palaniswami had yesterday announced Rs one crore as relief to the family of the slain police officer and said the state government will bear the educational expenses of his two sons.

He had said the five-member team had gone to Rajasthan in search of one Nathuram and some of his accomplices in connection with the heist.

When the team surrounded the culprits in their hideout in Pali district, the latter opened fire at the police personnel, killing Periyapandian, he had said.

Last month, robbers, suspected to be from Rajasthan, had decamped with about 3 kg of gold from a jewellery shop at Kolathur here, after entering it by drilling a hole in the ceiling.

Four persons hailing from Rajasthan had been earlier arrested in connection with the incident.

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The CBI today sought from a Delhi court the maximum seven-year jail term for former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, ex-coal secretary H C Gupta and others who have been convicted in a coal scam case, terming them as "criminals holding office".

Special Judge Bharat Parashar will pronounce on December 16 its order on quantum of punishment for the convicts, who have sought leniency from the court.

Besides Koda and Gupta, ex-Jharkhand chief secretary A K Basu and Koda's close aide Vijay Joshi, along with the company Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL) were yesterday held guilty of corruption and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of of Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based private company VISUL.

The CBI said that considering their official position and conduct, there was no sufficient ground for leniency.

"They are criminals holding the office. Its a classic case of corruption involving high public servants," the CBI said, seeking imposition of maximum jail term and fine on the convicts. It also sought imposition of heavy financial penalty on the convicted company VISUL.

The agency said Koda was accused in some other coal scam cases, while Gupta was convicted in another coal scam case and that there were more than ten cases pending against the former bureaucrat.

46-year-old Koda sought leniency from the court claiming that he was suffering from various aliments and had a family to look after.

He also said this was his first conviction in a criminal case and his conduct has remained above board during the trial as he had regularly appeared before the court.

Gupta, 70, told the court that he was the sole bread earner whose only source of income was his pension received after retirement from an "unblemished career" and urged for minimum punishment and a fine of not more than Rs 50,000.

69-year-old Basu claimed that he has been operated for heart ailments twice and has also to take care of his ailing wife.

Maintaining that he had regularly appeared before the court during the trial, Basu claimed he had a 45-year long "unblemished service record" and no allegation has been made against him in the entire matter that he had obtained any financial gain.

Joshi, 54, also sought leniency from the court saying he was suffering from various ailments and had to look after a family consisting of an aged mother and ailing wife. He said he was a shareholder of the company for which the consideration amount is yet to be paid.

The company's counsel submitted that it did not have the financial strength to pay a heavy amount.

Beside the five convicted, the court had acquitted four persons VISUL's former director Vaibhav Tulsyan and two public servants Basant Kumar Bhattacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh and chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan of all charges levelled against them.

All nine were earlier summoned as accused after the court had taken cognisance of offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants) of IPC and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI had alleged that the firm had applied for allocation of Rajhara North coal block on January 8, 2007.

It said although the Jharkhand government and Steel Ministry did not recommend VISUL's case for coal block allocation, the 36th Screening Committee recommended the block to the accused firm.

The CBI said that Gupta, who was chairman of the screening committee, had concealed facts from then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who at that time headed the Coal Ministry too, that Jharkhand had not recommended VISUL for allocation of a coal block.

All the accused have refuted the allegations levelled against them.
A colourful military tattoo was held at the race course ground here by the Indian Army to mark the victory against Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

The show commenced with a fly past of four helicopters in an 'inverted Y glass' formation.

The fly past was led by a Rudra ALH, followed by one Dhruv ALH and two Cheetah helicopters.

The helicopter show also included manoeuvrability demonstration, induction and extraction of commandos.

After the fly past, horse riders demonstrated their skills in tent pegging, show jumping and track jumping.

A major attraction of the colourful show, attended by the armed services officers and personnel as well as the public at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC), was a horse polo match played by participants from Manipur.

The Manipuri polo match, played astride ponies, is known as 'Sagol Kangjei'.

The show came to an end with the military band performing in front of the crowd.

A series of events are being held by the Army to mark the victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, termed as 'Vijay Diwas'.

A 72-member delegation from Bangladesh, including Mukti Jodhas, is visiting Kolkata to mark the occasion.

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The Justice P K Mohanty Commission of Inquiry which probed the 2006 Kalinga Nagar police firing has raised question on the "role" of local leaders, political parties and NGOs behind the incident.

Thirteen persons were killed and 27 injured in the police firing on January 2, 2006. One police constable was also killed by the local people during the clash.

"Some local leaders, political parties and others taking advantage of the volatile situation mobilised, instigated and led the villagers to adopt path of confrontation instead of peaceful agitation," the commission said in its report which was tabled by the state government in the assembly today.

The report said that the violence was "triggered by frustration" among the local tribals who did not get adequate compensation following displacement and land acquisition for a private steel plant in the KNIIC.

On January 2, 2006, a large number of armed local people protested construction of the boundary wall on the land acquired for the project of a private steel company. The armed people faced off with some contractors employed by company on January 2, 2006.

As the protests intensified, local people clashed with policemen and during the incident a mob hacked constable Gopa Mohanty to death. As the situation went out of control, police opened fire killing 13 tribals.

The state government appointed Justice Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty to head the commission of inquiry on September 4, 2009 to inquire into the incident.

After completion of the inquiry, the Commission submitted its report to Government on July 3, 2015. After being examined in the Home Department, it was accepted by the Government on June 8, 2016.

The report has also made three recommendations - more compensation for the injured persons, people-oriented welfare schemes for the uplift of locals and jobs to at least one family member of persons who were killed in the incident.

The state government also tabled the action taken report (ATR) along with Justice P K Mohanty's report in the assembly.

The ATR said that action have already been taken at different levels which had been in line with the recommendations of the Commission.

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Container Corporation of India Ltd today said the logistics major is planning to set up its first integrated logistics and manufacturing zone (ILMZ) over 1,000 acres in Andhra Pradesh.

The project is at a formative stage and the investment amount is yet to be finalised, CONCOR chairman and managing director V Kalyana Rama told PTI.

"ILMZ is an idea to boost the Make-in-India concept. We will offer specialised service of managing the entire inward and outward logistics requirements for raw materials and finished goods, enabling companies to focus on their core competency of manufacturing," he said.

CONCOR is looking to build the ILMZ at Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and an MoU has been signed with the state government in this regard, the top company official said.

The proposed port at Machilipatnam also boosts the viability of the project, he said.

About 80-85 per cent of the zone is likely to be earmarked for manufacturing activities, while the rest would be utilised for logistics facilities.

Kalyana Rama, who was in the city for a CII Logistics Colloquium, said CONCOR has plans to build four to six such zones across the country.

"We will be offering common facilities and depending on need and demand, we may assist the companies in building factories," he said.

The company was also planning to set up 20 logistics centres across India, each on about 250 acres of land.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Opposition parties today hit out at the Election Commission for alleged "inaction" over the alleged poll code violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat with the Congress accusing it of acting like a "captive puppet" of the BJP.

Leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties also alleged that the Election Commission(EC) failed to uphold its constitutional mandate.

At the heart of the row was the objections raised by the Congress to what it called a "roadshow" by the prime minister when he greeted the crowd outside the polling booth in Ranip area in Ahmedabad after he cast his vote.

The BJP in a vigorous response to the Congress charge said it was looking for excuses before its "impending defeat" in the Gujarat Assembly polls for which the final phase of voting ended today.

A BJP delegation, which included Cabinet ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi among others, met the Election Commission to refute the charges levelled by the Congress against the prime minister and other leaders.

Nikunj Balar, convener of the Congress's legal cell, said the party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat against Modi's "roadshow". A separate complaint was also submitted to the Ranip police, he said.

In response to the Congress's complaint, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, B B Swain, said an inquiry has been ordered to probe whether there was any violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The complaint was more "anticipatory in nature", he added.

"We have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of vote (by Modi). It was more anticipatory in nature. It said there is a huge crowd (outside the polling booth) and it could turn into a roadshow," Swain said.

"We have handed over the inquiry to the Ahmedabad district election officer (the district collector). Since our MCC team was also present at the booth, they will also give their report. They (the collector and MCC team) are now finalising their overall inquiry report," Swain said.

Modi, arriving outside the poll booth set up inside Nishan High School in Ranip area, which is part of Sabarmati constituency, first greeted his elder brother Somabhai Modi by bowing down. Somabhai Modi lives in the same area.

Then the prime minister stood in the queue to cast his vote. He was seen speaking to other voters while awaiting his turn.

After casting the vote, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside and were chanting "Modi...Modi".

The prime minister walked some distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road. Then he stood on the footboard of his car and waved to the crowd.

Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, NCP, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), RJD, National Conference and the Left parties, during a meeting on the eve of the winter session of Parliament referred to the alleged model code violation by the prime minister.

It was "indeed shocking" that the Election Commission had failed to uphold its constitutional mandate, the leaders said in a statement released after their meeting in Delhi, accusing the poll body of inaction.

Instead of taking action for violations, the poll panel had allowed violations by the ruling party.

The Election Commission had been indulgent in allowing the prime minister to dedicate a submarine on the day of the poll, the statement read.

"This attitude of the EC has cast ominous shadow on the credibility of the EC and the integrity of the electoral process," the leaders said.

In a no-holds-barred attack on Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti, the Congress alleged he was behaving like Modi's principal secretary and said the poll body had prostrated itself before the government.

Addressing a joint press conference in Delhi, Congress general secretary in charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot and communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala alleged that a "desperate prime minister facing defeat in Gujarat" held a roadshow with BJP flags and flouted the Constitution and the poll code.

The EC was acting like a frontal organisation of the BJP and had abdicated its constitutional responsibility by not moving against Modi, they said.

"The Election Commission has become a captive puppet of Narendra Modi and the BJP. Unfortunately, the Chief Election Commissioner has abdicated his Constitutional responsibility," Surjewala said.

"It is a sad letter day for India. The Election Commission of India has denigrated the Constitution and abdicated its responsibility," he added.

Though the BJP delegation members did not speak to the media on record about their meeting with the Election Commission, sources said they accused the Congress of misleading the EC and called its attack unfortunate in a memorandum submitted to the poll watchdog.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, saying its "dynastic arrogance" was on display in its attack on the EC.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Container freight movement between India and Bangladesh on railway is awaiting protocol clearances from the neighbouring country, a top official of Container Corporation of India said today.

The logistics major had signed an MoU with Container Company of Bangladesh Ltd (CCBL) in April last year.

"All clearances are in place from the Indian end. We are awaiting container protocol from Bangladesh. Once it is established, container movement from India to Bangladesh will start happening," CONCOR chairman and managing director V Kalyana Rama said at a CII logistics colloquium here.

He said direct movement of containerised cargo by train would slash trade costs, and make the exercise a lot more organised.

CONCOR will provide training and other required support system to CCBL for the development and operations of Container Trains and Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

Kalyana Rama said the company has also decided to expand container terminals stations in India to 100 from 75, by 2020.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India today expressed "concern" over contamination of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh and said it has ascertained certain facts on the issue, which figured during the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here.

External Affairs Minister Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said the ministry was coordinating with the water resources ministry while referring to existing mechanisms between India and China to deal with issues pertaining to waters.

"Naturally, it is a matter of concern to us. We are coordinating with water resources ministry. We have ascertained certain facts," Kumar said.

He was asked about the Siang river water "unfit" for human consumption, amid speculation that the water was contaminated due to China. The Siang river, which flows as Yarlung Tsangpo from southern Tibet, becomes the Brahmaputra river in Assam.

Last week, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had expressed concern over the high content of Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) in the Siang 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.

Kumar also said the issue had come up during the meeting between Swaraj and Wang. However, he did not elaborate.

The spokesperson also rejected suggestions that there were heated exchanges during the meeting between the foreign ministers of India and China. Swaraj and Wang met on December 11 on the sidelines of Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting.

"All issues were discussed but not in a manner it was projected," he said while reacting to media reports carrying Wang's remarks.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang had told Swaraj that "although the standoff ended eventually through diplomatic means more than two months later, lessons must be learned and efforts must be made to avoid such an incident in the future. The standoff put the bilateral relations under severe pressure."



The ministry had issued a statement regarding the issues discussed in the meeting that included the Doklam episode.

Both the external affairs minister and the Chinese foreign minister noted the challenge it (Doklam) had posed to the relationship and expressed satisfaction that it was resolved with the disengagement of troops at the face-off site through concerted diplomatic communications, the MEA statement had said.

Chinese and Indian troops were locked in a 73-day border standoff from June 16 when Indian soldiers stopped Chinese personnel from building a key road close to India's 'chicken's neck' corridor.

On August 28, India announced the "disengagement" between the soldiers of the two countries.

The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
There is a stark contrast between the guidelines for arresting a person and their actual implementation on the ground by the police, the Delhi High Court observed today.

Drawing special attention of the contrasting situation, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar stressed the need to train and sensitise the police on proper implementation of standard norms on arresting accused in criminal cases.

There exists a contrast between standard guidelines on effecting arrest and their actual implementation by police on ground, the court said.

It said "we need to have a meaningful guideline" as a person cannot be arrested without a warrant, especially in family dispute cases, and this aspect is usually overlooked.

"The matter is of large public interest," it said, adding that guidelines may put end to the allegation of harassment and threat of arrest by police officials.

The court made the observation during hearing of a PIL filed by Delhi resident -- Amandeep Singh Johar -- seeking to frame the guidelines relating to arrest and summoning of any person to a police station.

Acting on which, the bench had asked Registrar General (RG) Dinesh Kumar Sharma to examine the issue raised before the court and place his status report.

In pursuance of a direction of a bench, the RG had held a meeting with stakeholders and found that the guidelines on arrest were not being implemented properly.

"It is evident that guidelines regarding arrest and how police officials must proceed with their investigation already exist. However, there appears to be a dichotomy between the said guidelines and the manner in which the true essence of the guidelines are required to be realised," the RG said in his status report.

The judicial officer had stressed on the modes of practices to be followed while making an arrest by the police officers, who should issue a notice directing the person against whom a reasonable complaint has been made, to appear before them.

He said the issuance of notice was in line with the right to life and liberty of the citizens and would help to bring down the number of arrests, which in turn would de-congest the crowded Indian jails.

"Simultaneously, the innocent too can feel secure in case they stand any chance of exposure to implication in a fake case," the 50-page report said.

The court fixed the matter for further hearing on December 20.

The plea, moved through advocate Nikhil Borwankar, sought a direction to the Delhi Police to refrain from arbitrarily summoning any person to the police station over telephone, unless exigent circumstances exist which is recorded by the officer in writing.

It also sought a direction to the agency to frame rules and the time-frame regarding inquiry into allegations against an investigating officer in an extant probe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The special CBI court here today rejected an application of Indrani Mukerjea, a key accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, seeking call data records of her husband and co-accused, former media baron Peter Mukerjea.

Indrani Mukerjea had alleged that her husband may have caused the disappearance of Sheena, her daughter from an earlier relationship, out of "greed and ill-will" and framed Indrani for the crime.

Judge J C Jagdale, while rejecting the plea, said Indrani Mukerjea had later withdrawn these allegations during the hearing on the application.

On November 15, Indrani Mukerjea moved an application saying that her husband Peter and the couple's former driver Shyamvar Rai -- who has turned an approver -- could be behind Sheena's abduction and disappearance.

Peter Mukerjea and others may have manipulated the circumstances to frame her (Indrani), she alleged.

Peter Mukerjea's call data records will ascertain her allegations, she had said.

However, during the arguments on the application, she made a U-turn and said she was not making any accusations against her husband, and some words were included in the application due to "emotional stress".

Peter Mukerjea's lawyers said that Indrani's allegations were a desperate attempt to wriggle out of the situation by playing the victim card.

The murder of Sheena Bora came to light in August 2015 after Rai, arrested in another case, spilled the beans and Mumbai police arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, and Rai. Later, Peter Mukerjea was also arrested.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today informed the state Legislative Assembly that Crime Criminal Tracking and Networking System (CCTNS) will be launched in the state on December 19 that will provide data about the criminals from across the country.

Parrikar was responding to a calling attention motion moved by Congress legislator Pratapsinh Rane, in which he expressed concerns over the increasing cases of dacoities and thefts, with people migrating from other parts of the country found involved in it.

"Crime Criminal Tracking and Networking System is being launched in the state on December 19, through which information about the crimes and criminals from across the country would be available for sharing," Parrikar said.

"All police stations are being connected with this network," he added.

Presenting the figures in the House, Parrikar said this year there has been a decrease in the cases of dacoity in the state as compared to 2016.

"And this year, the police have achieved 100 per cent detection," he said.

The chief minister admitted that there is a marginal increase of 4.8 per cent in theft cases.

He said that apart from preventing and detecting crime, Goa Police have been creating awareness among people to get the tenant forms filled up to know their (tenants') antecedents.

Stating that the measures for prevention and detection of crimes are taken up on a regular basis, Parrikar said that night patrolling has been intensified.

"All suspects, former convicts and history sheeters are kept under constant surveillance," the CM added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Policemen are expected to maintain law and order and not take it in their hands, the Delhi High Court said today while handing down eight-year jail term to six Delhi Police officials in a custodial death case.

A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and I S Mehta modified the conviction of the six policemen for the offence of murder to unintentional killing and reduced their jail term from life imprisonment to eight years.

"The court is satisfied that although the culpability of the accused for the homicidal death of the deceased has been proved beyond reasonable doubt, the evidence of the prosecution does not precisely point out which of the accused caused the fatal injuries," the bench said.

The court said the policemen were expected to act responsibly with a view to protect the life and liberty of the citizens.

It noted that some of the convicts have served nearly six years in jail and were released on bail.

"These are all uniformed policemen who are expected to maintain the law and order and are not to take law and order in their own hands. They are expected to act responsibly with a view to protecting the life and liberty of the citizens," it said while disposing off the appeals of the policemen.

Those held guilty were Avinash Kumar, Kuldeep Singh, Sahensher Pal, Sushil Kumar, Ramesh Chand and Chottey Lal.

The six policemen, belonging to the Special Staff (North- east) of the Delhi Police, had appealed against their conviction by the trial court in 2000 for the murder of one Dalip Chakraborty in 1995.

He had died on August 8, 1995 due to the injuries caused by them while he was in their custody on July 30 and 31, 1995.

The court said the accused had assembled for the raid on the house of the deceased past midnight. They were proceeding on the basis of some secret information that Chakraborty was possessing illegal arms which otherwise could not be expected to be found out except by conducting the raid.

"It appears that the above mission somewhere went terribly wrong," it said.

The high court also upheld their conviction for the offences of trespass and abduction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court here today awarded death sentence to Ameerul Islam, the lone convict found guilty in the rape and murder case of a 30-year old Dalit law student in Kerala last year.

Ernakulam Principal Sessions court judge N Anil Kumar awarded death penalty to Islam, a migrant labourer from Assam, for committing murder of the law student at nearby Perumbavoor.

Islam has been awarded life imprisonment for committing the rape of the woman after he was also found guilty under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

The court had yesterday heard the versions of defence and prosecution in awarding the quantum of punishment in the case.

The defence counsel had yesterday moved an application seeking a fair probe, arguing that Islam, who only understands his mother tongue Assamese, was not given a fair treatment by the Kerala Police, which probed the case.

The court, however, had rejected the application, saying that the one submitted by the accused for further investigation was not in accordance with law.

The prosecution narrated the brutal manner in which the 30-year old law student was raped and murdered, and argued that it was a rarest of the rare case.

They had argued that a death sentence should be awarded to the convict, who, they said was a pervert.

The diabolic and barbaric manner in which the crime was committed on the unarmed woman was almost like that committed on Nirbhaya, victim of the gangrape and fatal assault in New Delhi in 2012, it had said.

Islam's counsel had said he was not guilty and that the police had framed him in the case.

Referring to various judgements by the Supreme Court and high courts, he had argued there was no eyewitness to the crime and the death penalty cannot be awarded merely on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

Islam was found guilty by the court on Tuesday under various sections of the IPC, including 449 (house trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 302 (murder), 376 (rape) 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

The Special Investigation Team probing the case had used DNA technology and verification of call record details to prove Islam's involvement in the crime.

The court had on December 6 completed hearing in the case and posted for today the pronouncement of the quantum of punishment.

Islam was charged with raping and murdering the woman at Perumbavoor on April 28, 2016.

He was booked under various sections of IPC and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules.

As many as 100 witnesses were examined during the trial, which commenced in April last.

The woman, who hailed from a poor family, was brutally assaulted using sharp-edged weapons before being murdered at her house.

Islam, who had left Perumbavoor soon after committing the crime, was arrested from Kancheepuram in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, 50 days after the gruesome incident.

More than 100 police personnel questioned over 1,500 people in the case.

Fingerprints of over 5,000 people were also examined by the SIT personnel, who went through over 20 lakh telephonic conversations before reaching Islam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DMK today urged the ruling AIADMK to take steps to apprehend those responsible for the death of a police inspector in a shootout in Rajasthan.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami should talk to his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje and take steps in this regard, DMK working president M K Stalin told reporters.

The culprits responsible for the death of inspector S Periyapandian should be immediately arrested and brought here, he said.

Stalin, also state Leader of Opposition, demanded that high-ranking police officials like DGP or Commissioner be sent to Rajasthan to nab the culprits.

Periyapandian, Inspector (Law and Order), Maduravoyal police station here, was killed in the early hours yesterday while trying to to nab suspects wanted in connection with a gold heist in the city.

Four other police personnel, who were part of a special team that went to Rajasthan, were injured in the incident.

The five-member team had gone in search of one Nathuram and some of his accomplices in connection with the heist.

Last month, robbers, suspected to be from Rajasthan, had decamped with about three kg of gold from a jewellery shop at Kolathur here, after entering it by drilling a hole in the ceiling.

Four persons hailing from Rajasthan had been earlier arrested in connection with the incident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Director Rob Reiner has called out US President Donald Trump on his administrative decisions, calling him "mentally unfit" to govern the country.

The 70-year-old filmmaker was asked to compare the POTUS with former President Lyndon Johnson, who was the subject of his recently-released biopic "LBJ", when he told Variety that Trump is clueless about running the US government.

"Donald Trump is the single-most unqualified human-being to ever assume the Presidency of the United States. He is mentally unfit. Not only does he not understand how government works, he has no interest in trying to find out how it works," Reiner said.

The director was at the Dubai International Film Festival to promote his latest film, "Shock and Awe", which chronicles the bravery of a small group of journalists who exposed U.S. government "lies" and "deception" about weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the Iraq invasion.

Under the Trump regime, Reiner added, such tenacity by the press was like finding a needle in the haystack.

"Right now, American journalism is under attack by Donald Trump and the propaganda arm of his administration, which is represented by Fox News, Breitbart, Sinclair (Broadcasting), and a number of other outlets.

"Administrations have always trafficked in propaganda to try to get a policy sold to the American people or to make a case to go to war. This is the first time that a big chunk of the American press are not doing their job, which is to hold an administration accountable," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Grigory Rodchenkov, who is the source of revelations about state-sponsored Russian doping, "is under the control of the American secret service", Vladimir Putin said today.

"He is under the control and the protection of the FBI. For us it's not a good thing: it means he is working under the control of American secret services," Putin said in his annual press conference.

"What are they doing to him? What substances are they giving him to say everything they need him to say," Putin added.

Rodchenkov is the former director of the Moscow anti- doping lab. He fled to the United States in 2016 saying he feared for his life after the sudden death of two senior officials in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). He then provided information which led to an investigation of doping at the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.

As a result, Russia was last week barred from the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in February for institutionalised doping, though athletes who are deemed "clean" can compete under the Olympic flag.

Rodchenkov is in the FBI's witness protection programme and has made further revelations about doping.

Putin accused Rodchenkov of having psychological problems and having been involved in doping.

"How is it that this individual came to head our anti- doping agency?" Putin asked. "This is the mistake of those who made the decision, and I know very well who made the decision."



Putin promised that Russia "will cooperate" with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) "to correct the problems that we have". But he added that Russia would "defend the interests of our athletes, including in civil courts."



"I know that many international officials don't want that, but what can we do? We will be forced to help our athletes to stand up for their honour and dignity in civil courts," he said.

The 25 Russian athletes suspended by the IOC for doping in Sochi have announced their intention to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If they lose, they could appeal to a Swiss federal tribunal and finally the European Court of Human Rights.

Russia has always vehemently rejected accusations of state-sponsored doping while accepting that some of its athletes did take banned drugs.

"It's obvious that the scandal is being blown up in the run-up to Russia's domestic political calendar," said Putin, who has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in March.

"We are also to blame. It turns out we had cases of doping," Putin said, adding: "But it has to be said that this happens in other countries only in those cases it does not cause so much fuss.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Thursday said the Election Commission was a BJP "puppet" for not acting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his "roadshow" in Gujarat.

The prime minister had violated the model code of conduct by holding a "roadshow" after voting in the Gujarat Assembly polls, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged.

Addressing a press conference, he said the poll panel was a "puppet and frontal organisation" of the ruling BJP as it took no action against Modi.

"It is a sad day for the country as EC has denigrated the Constitution," Surjewala said.

In a strongly worded attack, the Congress leader also said the "CEC (chief election commissioner) was acting like the prime minister's PS".

The opposition party's attack against the Election Commission and Modi comes a day after the poll panel issued a show cause notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for "prima facie" violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels.

The poll panel asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

"The rules are different for the Congress and newspapers, TV channels airing Gandhi's interviews, which were not violation of the code of conduct. But at the same time, no action is being taken against the prime minister," Surjewala said.
The Congress today launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of acting like a "captive puppet" of the BJP and not taking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi who held what it called a roadshow in Gujarat.

In a no-holds-barred attack on Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti, the Congress alleged he was behaving like Modi's principal secretary and said the poll body had prostrated itself before the government.

Addressing a joint press conference here, Congress general secretary in charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot and communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala alleged that a "desperate prime minister facing defeat in Gujarat" held a roadshow with BJP flags and flouted the Constitution and the poll code of conduct.

The EC was acting like a frontal organisation of the BJP and had abdicated its constitutional responsibility by not moving against Modi, they said.

It should be "ashamed" of itself for not maintaining neutrality in the ongoing polls, the Congress leaders added.

"A desperate prime minister facing defeat in Gujarat holds a roadshow with BJP flags, flagrantly flouts the Constitution and the code of conduct. A puppet Election Commission looks on with complicity denigrating its role of an independent arbiter," they said.

The Election Commission had also denigrated the Constitution, Surjewala told reporters.

"The Election Commission has become a captive puppet of Narendra Modi and the BJP. Unfortunately, the Chief Election Commissioner has abdicated his Constitutional responsibility," he said.

He claimed that Modi, facing imminent defeat in the Assembly polls, had latched on to the "last straw", the EC, to violate the Constitution and code of conduct, "in complicity and cahoots" with the Election Commission of India.

"A meek Election Commission is prostrating before the government and the prime minister, refusing to act till the conclusion of the voting and that is the entire game plan and the conspiracy," he said.

Surjewala said the EC can register an FIR against channels and newspapers based on a complaint filed by the BJP within 30 minutes but not act against the prime minister, BJP chief Amit Shah and Union ministers.

"The ministers, the PMO and the chief minister were calling TV channels, threatening them that they would be all sent to jail," he alleged.

"It is a sad letter day for India. The Election Commission of India has denigrated the Constitution and abdicated its responsibility," he added.

This conduct, the Congress spokesperson alleged, reflected the EC's "prejudiced and one-sided" approach and showed that it was acting like "a captive puppet of the BJP".

Mincing no words, Surjewala said while the CEC may have been principal secretary to the present prime minister and served as a civil servant in Gujarat, as a constitutional functionary it was expected that he and other Election Commissioners would act with neutrality and as an unbiased arbiter.

"If the EC is going to become a captive puppet, who will uphold the majesty of the election? That is why through the media, we are calling upon their conscience to at least wake up now and uphold the Constitution and not act as a subservient wing of the BJP," he said.

The EC, he added, was taking orders from the BJP office and the PM. (He is) "sitting on a constitutional post but taking orders from the BJP office and PM Modiji".

"We feel the Chief Election Commissioner who used to be PS to Modiji, though he has now on a constitutional post, is still acting as Modi's PS," he said.

Joti was principal secretary and chief secretary in Gujarat when Narendra Modi was chief minister.

"In this country's 70-year history, the CEC-EC has shamed itself ... by acting like a captive puppet of the government and the prime minister," Surjewala alleged.

The Congress leaders demanded that if EC was concerned about its dignity, it should act against the prime minister.

The opposition party's strident attack against the Election Commission and Modi comes a day after the poll panel issued a show cause notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for "prima facie" violating the poll code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels.

The poll panel asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it would decide the matter without his response.

Surjewala alleged the rules were different for the Congress and the media on the one hand, and for the prime minister and BJP leaders on the other.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi Police has accused AIADMK (Amma) leader T T V Dhinakaran of corruption and conspiracy in a supplementary charge sheet filed before a city court in the Election Commission bribery case.

Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Bansal, before whom the 272-page supplementary charge sheet was filed, is likely to take its cognisance on December 21.

Besides Dhinakaran, Sukesh Chandrashekhar, alleged middleman, Mallikarjuna, a long-time friend of Dhinakaran, and six others have been named as accused.

Dhinakaran, who was not mentioned as an accused in the charge sheet filed by the police in July this year, has now been accused of offences under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (destruction of evidence) of IPC, besides taking gratification by corrupt or illegal means to influence public servant under Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act).

The others have been accused of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and destruction of evidence under the IPC and provisions of the PC Act.

The court had on November 9 asked the Delhi Police to file a supplementary charge sheet in the case.

The police in its 701-page charge sheet filed on July 14 had claimed that money recovered from Chandrashekar was sent by Dhinakaran through unaccounted channels with the help of other accused persons.

Chandrashekhar, who was arrested on April 16 this year, was named in the charge sheet for alleged offences of forgery of valuable security, forgery for the purpose of cheating, making a false document and criminal conspiracy under the IPC and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

Dhinakaran, accused of trying to bribe EC officials to get the "two leaves" poll symbol for the AIADMK faction led by V K Sasikala, was arrested on April 25 and was granted bail on June 1.

The police had accused Chandrashekhar, Dhinakaran and others of hatching a criminal conspiracy to bribe the Election Commission officials.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Availability of energy with efficiency is the backbone of India's economic growth and development President Ram Nath Kovind said today.

He said that while India has succeeded in becoming a power surplus nation in the past three years, it cannot rest. "Our needs will certainly grow. After all, electricity is to the industrial age what water is to agriculture."



Energy availability and efficiency is the backbone of India's economic growth and development, he said, addressing a function on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day.

"It poses not one but several challenges such as access to energy, sustainability of energy sources and efficiency of energy use. All of these are important as the government works towards its commitment to provide '24X7 Power for All'," Kovind said.

The President also launched a web portal on energy conservation in buildings.

He said: "Energy conservation and efficiency are critical to our endeavours. They will play a major role in reducing the emission intensity of our GDP and in enhancing energy access as well as bringing down the cost of energy for consumers. This will be of benefit to ordinary households and small-and- medium enterprises, which have significant energy costs."



Energy that is saved will be used by farmers for irrigation and to preserve fruits and vegetables in cold storages, Kovind said, adding that energy efficiency is relevant to many of the country's flagship programmes from 'Make in India' to building Smart Cities.

Almost a third of Indias power consumption occurs in commercial and residential buildings. In the coming years, as the economy grows and cities expand, many more buildings will be constructed, he said.

Energy efficiency in the building sector, therefore, is a necessity, he added.

Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Sing said as many as 10 states have already notified Energy Conservation Building Code and the government will bring such code for residential buildings as well.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) felicitated the winners out of 322 energy efficient companies from select sectors across India.

The participating units of the 2017 awards programme have achieved monetary savings of Rs 1,895 crore against total investments of Rs 1,495 crore in energy conservation measures during 2016-17.

The collective energy savings of 2,762 million kWh achieved by these units is equivalent to avoided generation capacity of 527 MW at power stations.

The President also presented prizes to school children who won the National Painting Competition 2017.

The competition invites children between the 4th and 9th standards across the country to depict sustainable living and their vision for a clean, green and energy efficient future.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Eight extremists, members of a newly formed group which allegedly indulged in extortion and violence, were today killed in an exchange of fire with police in Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district, an official said.

The face-off took place in a forest area falling under Tekulapalli mandal of the district around 6.30 am, a senior police official said.

"Eight extremists have been killed in the exchange of fire. They fired on the police team and in the retaliatory firing, eight of them were killed. At least five weapons have been recovered from the scene," the official told PTI.

No policemen were injured in the incident, he said.

The group members indulged in extortion and violence in the area, the official said.

The police, based on a specific information, took up combing in the area in a bid to nab them, he said.

According to police, the men were formerly associated with the 'Jana Shakti' group of Naxals.

On July 24, a new group, called CPI (ML) Chandra Pullareddy (CP) Bata, was formed with 12 members under the leadership of K Rajana and B Narasimhulu, the police said.

According to police, the group members started their activities in four districts -- Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Kothagudem and Khammam -- wherein they indulged in extortion from businessmen, conducted land settlements and civil panchayats, put up pamphlets and created terror in the society.

On December 3, the police had arrested three armed extremists of the group in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district and seized a rifle, two grenades, several rounds of ammunition, empty magazines, six kitbags and seven cell phones from their possession.

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Two women suffered burn injuries while a woman was killed when a high-tension wire fell near a farmer's house here today afternoon, police said.

The electric wire fell near farmer Om Prakash's house in Achhepur village.

His wife and daughter-in-law got electric shock and suffered injuries, an official said adding that they were admitted at a private hospital.

A buffalo owned by the farmer died on the spot.

Rabupura SHO Rajvir Singh Chauhan said that investigations were on in the matter.

"The power distribution agency officials have been called. Villagers have demanded action against the company and compensation for the victims. On getting a written complaint, an FIR will be lodged," he said.

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EU leaders have agreed to extend tough economic sanctions against Russia over its meddling in Ukraine for six months, EU President Donald Tusk said.

"EU united on roll-over of economic sanctions on Russia," Tusk tweeted today after leaders discussed the issue at a summit in Brussels yesterday.

The EU imposed the economic sanctions against Russia after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014 was shot down over Ukraine, killing 298 people, an attack blamed by the EU on pro-Russian rebels.

The decision to extend the measures, which was widely expected, came at a summit in Brussels which saw the launch of a major new EU defence cooperation agreement.

Tusk called the agreement, inaugurated by EU leaders flanked by soldiers in combat uniforms, "bad for our enemies".

The decision to roll sanctions over came after French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel briefed the other EU leaders on the state of the Minsk accord.

The EU-brokered Minsk peace agreement, backed by Moscow and Kiev, was first reached in late 2014 and then re-worked in early 2015 but is violated almost daily.

Before the downing of MH17, which a Dutch-led investigation said was hit by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile, many EU states, especially France and Germany, had been reluctant to make a move which would cost them as well as Russia.

The war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and rebels backed by Moscow has claimed more than 10,000 lives and rumbles on despite a series of periodic truce deals.

The EU also has sanctions in force against Russia over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Yesterday's sanctions extension will be given formal legal approval in the coming weeks.

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A Pakistani accountability court today ordered the attachment of the properties held by a guarantor of embattled former finance minister Ishaq Dar after he failed to present the "proclaimed offender" before it in a corruption case linking him to the Panama Papers scandal.

Dar, 67, was indicted in October in a graft case in which he is accused of making assets that were "disproportionate to his known sources of income".

At the last hearing on November 24, the court had issued a final warning to the guarantor, Ahmed Ali Qudusi, to produce Dar in court or forfeit surety bonds worth Rs five million.

Dar is in London since October and has been seeking treatment of an undefined heart complication at a UK hospital.

Accountability Court Judge Mohammad Bashir issued the order while hearing a corruption case filed against Dar by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the direction of the Supreme Court.

Quddusi neither presented Dar before the court not did he submit the Rs 5 million surety in exchange for his properties. Therefore, the court ordered the NAB to attach Quddusi's properties and submit a report on December 18, Dawn reported.

With the attachment, the properties held by Dar's guarantor will become part of case record and will remain in the court's custody, it said.

The accountability court had on Monday declared Dar a "proclaimed offender" for his continued absence from proceedings in the case.

Dar's son is married to a daughter of Sharif.

In its case against Dar, the NAB has alleged that the accused has acquired assets in his own name or in the name of his dependants of an approximate amount of Pakistani Rs 831.678 million.

The Panama Papers are an unprecedented leak of over 11 million files from the database of the world's fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca, reportedly showing how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.

Meanwhile, a prosecution witness provided details of three bank accounts held by Dar and his family to the court.

The statement of prosecution witness Azeem Khan, who belongs to a private bank, was recorded during the hearing.

Khan presented details of three bank accounts held by Dar and his family.

He said Dar's first account remained functional from October 2001 until October 2012. The second account was functional between August 2012 and December 2016, while the third account was active from January 2017 until August 2017.

Khan presented computer-generated details of all accounts held by the accused.

The hearing of the case was adjourned until December 18.

On July 28, a five-member Supreme Court bench had ordered the NAB to file three corruption cases against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and one against Dar.

The prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi withdrew the portfolio of finance minister from Dar last month after the latter sought medical leave.

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Exit polls today predicted a victory for the ruling BJP in Gujarat, giving it a clear majority in the keenly-contested Assembly polls in the state.

Soon after voting ended in the second and final phase of the election, an exit poll gave the BJP 115 of the total 182 seats and the Congress, 65. Another such survey gave the ruling party 108 seats and 74 to the Congress.

The Times Now-VMR Exit poll predicted 115 seats for the BJP and 64 for the Congress, with the remaining seats going to other parties.

The Republic-C Voter Exit Poll gave the BJP 108 seats and the Congress, 74.

The ABP-CSDS survey by ABP predicted a BJP victory in 117 seats as against the Congress's 64.

NDTV channel said the BJP was likely to get 112 seats and the Congress 70.

A survey by India Today's 'Aaj Tak' channel also predicted that the BJP, which has been ruling Gujarat for almost 20 years, would retain power in the state.

It said the BJP would emerge as the winner in 99-113 Assembly segments in the state, while the Congress could win 68-82 seats.

A party has to win 92 seats or more to form a government in the state.

In the 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others, six.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP looks headed for facile victories in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, according to a string of exit polls conducted by various media organisations.

Almost all exit polls predicted more than 100 seats for the BJP in Gujarat where the party has been ensconced in power for close to two decades now.

In Himachal Pradesh, where the electorate has chosen the Congress and BJP alternately in Assembly polls, the exit polls projected a clear majority for the saffron party, unseating the Congress.

Today's Chanakya gave BJP 135 seats in Gujarat and predicted a measly 47 for the Congress, 14 less than the opposition party has in the current Assembly. It predicted a voteshare of 49 per cent for the BJP and 38 per cent for challenger Congress.

A party or an alliance has to win at least 92 seats in the 182-member House to form government in Gujarat.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others six.

The Times Now-VMR Exit poll predicted 115 seats for the BJP and 64 for the Congress, with the remaining going to others.

The Republic-C Voter Exit Poll gave the BJP 108 seats and the Congress 74.

The ABP-CSDS exit survey by ABP predicted a BJP victory in 117 seats as against the Congress's 64.

The NDTV said the BJP was likely to clinch 112 seats and the Congress 70.

A survey by India Today's 'Aaj Tak' channel also predicted that the BJP would retain power in the state, winning anywhere between 99 and 113 seats. Aaj Tak's was the lone survey that said the BJP's tally could slip under 100. It projected 62 to 82 seats for the Congress.

India TV-VMR survey also forecast a BJP win, with the party likely to clinch anywhere between 108 and 118 seats. The Congress, it said, could win 61 to 71 seats.

The survey said the BJP could garner 48 per cent of the votes polled, the Congress 41 and others 11 per cent.

In Himachal Pradesh, the exit polls predicted the BJP's return to power with a comfortable majority.

The Times Now-VMR and Zee News-Axis exit polls predicted identical tally of 51 seats for the BJP in the 68-member Assembly. A party needs 35 seats for a simple majority in the House.

The Times Now-VMR poll gave 16 seats to the Congress and one to other, while the Zee News-Axis poll forecast 17 seats for the current ruling party.

The Aaj Tak-Axis exit poll gave 47-55 seats to the saffron party, 13-20 to the Congress and 0-2 to others.

Among other exit polls, the X survey predicted 42-50 seats for the BJP and 18-24 for the Congress.

Congress had returned to power in Himachal Pradesh in 2012 pocketing 36 seats, marginally more than the half-way mark, while the BJP secured 26. The others had bagged the remaining six.

The Congress was, however, skeptical about the predictions, with party spokesperson Shobha Oza saying exit polls have proved wrong in elections before, and claiming it will emerge victorious.

"I don't know how much you trust the exit polls. We have seen exit polls in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Punjab. All of them proved to be wrong. So, how much can one trust the exit polls.

"We will wait for the 18th for the real results. Let's not take these exit polls too seriously. We have seen them go wrong in many states in the past," Oza said.

"Definitely we are winning in Gujarat," she said.

The BJP was confident about a landslide victory.

"We will register landslide victory. In UP, exit polls had said the BJP would win between 164 and 185 seats (out of 403), but we bagged 325. Exit polls are not exact polls. We are going to register landslide victory," he asserted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said the government would provide sanitary napkins free of cost to all women belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category in the state.

He was speaking at a national-level consultation workshop on Management and Elimination of Malnutrition in Haryana organised by the National Health Mission in collaboration with NITI Ayog and Centre for Health Research and Development- Society for Applied Studies here today, said an official release.

The Haryana government had on December 1 announced that it would arrange free supply of sanitary napkins to girls in the schools across the state.

Meanwhile, Khattar also said the state would become malnutrition free in the next three years.

To achieve this goal, a state nutrition mission will be established as per the guidelines of the National Nutrition Mission, he said, adding that the draft of the same has already been prepared.

The Haryana government has always been at forefront whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to address such issues of national importance, Khattar said.

He said with the efforts of state government and cooperation of the people, the monthly average of gender ratio has touched 937 which was around 840 before the launch of the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' scheme.

Now the gender ratio in many districts was more than 900 girls over 1000 boys, he said, adding that "we will soon touch the figure of 950."



Expressing concern over malnutrition, the chief minister said though the state has enough resources yet there was a need to generate awareness about various programmes being implemented by the government for prevention of malnutrition among children.

Emphasising the need to activate all units at grass-root level for maximum awareness, he exhorted deputy commissioners and others present to ensure participation of Panchayati Raj institutions for proper implementation and monitoring of all such programmes to achieve the desired results.

The government would also set up a separate cell at state level for monitoring purposes so that Haryana would become malnutrition free in coming three years, Khattar said.

He said 'Panjiri' made of fortified flour was already being given in anganwari centres across the state.

"Now we have also decided to provide other items of fortified flour in these centres in the first phase," the chief minister said.

Khattar siad the government had also launched a pilot project in Barara and Naraingarh blocks for distributing fortified wheat flour to address malnutrition in women and children.

This practice would be replicated in other parts of the state. In addition, it was also decided to provide one litre fortified edible oil to BPL families on subsidised rates, he said.

The chief minister said the government has also set a target to make Haryana anemia-free in three years. Miss World Manushi Chhillar has been appointed brand ambassador of the campaign.

"Our vision is to make Haryana a healthy, wealthy and educated state. We are already enjoying the higher status in terms of wealth be it per capita income or investment. There is a need for collective approach by all the departments to make a healthy Haryana in the time to come," Khattar said.

Speaking on this occasion, member NITI Ayog Vinod Paul said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Nutrition Mission to address the problem of malnutrition.

Under this, all the children should be nutritional by the year 2022, he asserted.

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With the arrest of four people, the police here today claimed to have busted a gang of cheats.

The police said the accused allegedly used to dupe people on the pretext of giving them cheap holiday packages.

The Cyber Cell team last night raided the premises at Sector 65, they said.

The police said the accused have been identified as Imran, Pankaj Shah, Deep Kishore and Ankit Chauhan.

Superintendent of Police (City) Arun Kumar Singh said a Mumbai resident had complained to the Noida Cyber Cell that some people had allegedly duped him and later switched off their mobile phones.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that they had opened a call centre where they used to contact people living far away from Noida so that the victims refrained from lodging an FIR.

The police said they confessed to have cheated thousands of people.

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The government will spend Rs 1,054 crore in the next two years on the procurement of modern weapons, vehicles and other gadgets for seven paramilitary forces, including CRPF and BSF, an official said.

Three more central forensic laboratories will also come up in Pune, Bhopal and Guwahati by next March to help law enforcement agencies in detecting, arresting and prosecuting criminals expeditiously, the official said.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh here today, a ministry official said.

Of the Rs 1,054 crore approved by the central government, half of the amount will be spent in the next two years for mordernisation of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), while the rest will be spent for the upgradation of six other central armed police forces -- BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles, the ministry official said.

Earlier, only Rs 200 crore was given for the seven central armed police forces every year under the scheme of modernisation of police forces.

The home ministry also enhanced the financial powers of the director general of each of the central armed police forces from Rs 15 crore to Rs 20 crore per year, the official said.

The ministry has also issued guidelines for the implementation of a Rs 25,000-crore mega internal security scheme, approved by the union cabinet in September, to strengthen the country's law and order mechanism, mordernise police forces and effectively fight against terrorism.

This is the biggest ever internal security scheme in the country and the financial outlay for the scheme over the three years period is Rs 25,060 crore, out of which the central government share will be Rs 18,636 crore and the states' share will be Rs 6,424 crore, the ministry official said.

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Kabir Khan, who helmed the 2012 blockbuster "Ek Tha Tiger", says he is excited to see Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif on celluloid with the film's upcoming sequel "Tiger Zinda Hai".

The director said it is a great franchise and he is confident the second installment will do well commercially.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the movie is set to release on December 22.

"It ('Tiger Zinda Hai') is superb, it is looking absolutely fantastic. It is a great franchise, it will do really well. The excitement is already there.

"It is great to see Salman and Katrina back together, that chemistry that was so evident five years ago, it is as palpable even today. And Ali has only taken it to a bigger level. It is looking lovely," Kabir told PTI.

Kabir, however, maintained that comparisons between the two films should be avoided.

"Every director brings his own vision. There should be no comparisons between the two films. This is a separate film. They have their own dynamics."



It was Kabir who created the characters of the Indian spy Tiger (Salman) and Pakistani spy, Zoya, played by Katrina Kaif.

The filmmaker said he is not keen on taking the franchise ahead as he does not believe in the idea of sequels.

"I am not sure about (doing) 'Tiger' franchise, it has already moved forward. I don't do sequels. I might do somebody else's sequels. Out of all the characters that I have created Tiger is one such (part) which should be taken forward and I am glad it is being taken ahead.

"I myself, don't know if I will ever do sequels, but never say never. I was asked about taking ahead 'New York', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. Till now sequels don't really excite me. In a certain sense, I have a closure with characters with the story, so I don't get excited of taking them ahead."



Kabir was talking on the sidelines of the launch of actor-politician Bina Kak's photo book, "Silent Sentinels of Ranthambhore" last evening.

The book was released by Salman and Katrina.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A voter turnout of 11.71 per cent was registered in the first two hours of polling in the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections today, Election Commission officials said.

There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting places (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

Voting in the 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat regions was otherwise proceeding peacefully, Election Commission officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were amongst those who voted.

Despite the chill, several people could be seen queuing up outside polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

While the prime minister voted around noon at a polling booth in Sabarmati constituency in Ahmedabad district, Shah, Jaitley and state leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel voted earlier in the day.

The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her vote at a booth in Gandhinagar.

BJP veteran L K Advani is expected to vote in the afternoon.

Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high stakes battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who floated the Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain told reporters that polling was on in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

"We are live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security is properly deployed, and staff reached on time," he said.

"We have given proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which encounter problems are changed in time so as to avoid any delay that was encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of Gujarat assembly elections is under way today in 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat.

Around 2.22 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise today to choose between the two main contenders, the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on December 18.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An over 29 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first four hours of polling today for the 93 seats in the second phase in north and central Gujarat regions during which Prime Minister Naredra Modi also cast his ballot.

"A voter turnout of 29.30 per cent has been recorded till 12 pm. While the highest turnout of 36.56 per cent was registered in Mehsana district, the lowest polling of 23.92 per cent took place in Ahmedabad district," Election Commission officials said.

There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts, they said.

Polling in the 93 seats has been proceeding peacefully, the officials said.

The prime minister cast his ballot after waiting in a queue at a polling booth in a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of "Modi, Modi".

He walked a certain distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

However, the Congress alleged that Modi's roadshow was violation of the Model Code of Conduct and accused the EC of bias. 'Despite the morning chill, people could be seen queuing up outside the polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader L K Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

While the prime minister voted around noon, Shah, Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel exercised their franchise earlier in the day. Advani voted at Shahpur Hindi school.

The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her vote at a booth in Gandhinagar.

Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high-stake battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who has floated Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain told reporters that polling was on in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

"We are live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security has been properly deployed and the staff reached on time," he said.

"We have given proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which face problems are changed in time so as to avoid any delays encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of Gujarat assembly elections is under way today in 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat.

Around 2.22 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose between the two main contenders -- the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on December 18.
Voting ended in 93 Assembly seats in north and central Gujarat in the second and final phase of polling today during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cast his ballot.

Those in queue at polling stations would be allowed to vote even after the closure of polls, State Election Commission officials said.

An over 47 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 2 pm, they said.

While the polling was largely peaceful, two incidents of clashes were reported in Mehsana and Vadodara districts, police officials said.

The EC received complaints from five places that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were connecting to external devices via bluetooth, but after inquiry, it was found that there was "no substance" in the complaints, poll officials said.

"An estimated 47.40 per cent voting has been recorded till 2 pm. While Sabarkantha dirstrict recorded the highest voter turnout of 56 per cent, the lowest polling of 41.23 per cent was recorded in Chotta Udaipur district," they said.

Complaints of EVMs getting connected to the external devices via bluetooth were received from Patan, Kheda, Mehsana districts, Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad district and Godhra in Panchamahal district.

On Saturday, during the first phase of the Assembly polls, the Congress had complained that some EVMs in Porbandar were connecting to external devices via bluetooth. However, the EC had said that the apprehension of possible EVM tampering through bluetooth technology was baseless.

The EC today said that there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

Giving details of the two clashes, a police officer said at least three persons were injured in the first incident at Hasanpur village of Visnagar taluka in Mehsana, where workers of two different parties came to blows.

"The situation was under control and the polling process was not affected," Mehsana Superintendent of Police (SP), Chaitanya Mandlik, said.

Another incident took place at Wankaner village of Savli taluka of Vadodara district, where some villagers got into a scuffle, the officials said.

Despite the morning chill, people could be seen queuing up outside the polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

The prime minister cast his ballot after waiting in a queue at a polling booth in a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of "Modi, Modi".

He walked a certain distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

However, the Congress alleged that Modi's roadshow was violation of the Model Code of Conduct and accused the EC of bias.

Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader L K Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

While the prime minister voted around noon, Shah, Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel exercised their franchise earlier in the day. Advani voted at Shahpur Hindi school.

The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her ballot at a booth in Gandhinagar.

Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high-stake battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who has floated Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain told reporters that polling took place in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

"We were live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security had been properly deployed and the staff reached on time," he said.

"We gave proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which face problems were changed in time so as to avoid any delays encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said.

Around 2.22 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise to choose between the two main contenders -- the BJP and the Congress -- in the state which witnessed an acrimonious campaign.

A total of 851 candidates were in the fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for the prime minister and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on December 18.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Half of beds at the Delhi government's super-specialty G B Pant Hospital will be reserved for the city's residents requiring specialised treatment, according to senior officials.

According to an order issued by Delhi's health department recently, the facility would be available at the G B Pant Hospital in central Delhi.

"It has been decided that 50 per cent of the total beds shall be reserved for patients who fulfil the following conditions -- they must be residents of Delhi, they should have been referred by another Delhi government hospital and the admission should be required for specialised treatment or for planned surgeries," according to the order.

The order says the facility seeks to provide timely and best available treatment for patients who are residents of Delhi.

The foundation stone of Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital was laid in October 1961 and was commissioned by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on April 30, 1964, according to the website of the hospital.

"From a very humble beginning with 229 beds, it has expended to currently over 700 beds (714 beds). Today it is a internationally recognised tertiary care institution for heart, brain and gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders.

"It offers super specialty treatment to about 3 lakh patients in the OPD and almost 15,000 patients in general and private wards every year" it said.

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Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and Congress leader Alpesh Thakor today cast their votes in Gujarat, where polling is underway for the second and final phase of assembly elections on 93 seats.

Patel and Thakor, the face of OBC community in Gujarat, cast their ballots at different polling stations in the Viramgam assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district.

Thakor, who spearheaded the OBC campaign in the state before formally joining the opposition party, was among the first voters to exercise their right to franchise.

Voting for the second phase began at 8 am.

The 40-year-old OBC leader is now the Congress candidate from Radhanpur in Patan district, where he is taking on BJP's Lavangji Thakor.

Thakor sounded confident about his party, which is in the opposition for over two decades, winning this election.

"It is a matter of happiness for me that I was the first voter to cast vote at my polling booth. We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state.

"The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society," he told reporters after coming out of the polling booth.

Tejashriben Patel had won from Viramgam in 2012 as the Congress candidate. She later switched side and is now the BJP candidate from the same constituency.

She is pitted against Congress' Lakhabhai Bharwad.

Hardik Patel, who has taken a pro-Congress and an anti -BJP stance, told reporters he has appealed to his supporters to cast their votes against the saffron outfit.

Asked which party is he backing after he exercised his franchise, the 24-year-old quota stir leader said, "We are fighting against the BJP. Thus, it is natural that we will be supporting the Congress."



A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase which covers 93 seats in north and central Gujarat. The first phase of voting for the 182-member house, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

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He dresses like Arvind Kejriwal in shirt, trousers and cap -- and speaks like Bal Thackeray -- with earthy humour and proverbs. And like the AAP leader and the late Shiv Sena supremo, Hardik Patel came into politics on the strength of popular protests.

As Gujarat votes in the second phase of state Assembly elections today, the arc lights are on the Patidar quota leader who seeks to embrace the state's youth the way Kejriwal drew people with his anti-corruption campaign in Delhi, and Thackeray amassed crowds with his pro-Maharasthra movement.

Patel, 24, supported the Congress in the polls. In his rallies, however, he did not openly back the party but urged the people not to vote for the BJP.

His political foes said he has a limited hold over the state's voters. But supporters of Patel believed the state's youth stood behind him.

"He is the voice of the youth of Gujarat and not of any specific caste. Hardik talks about issues which are relevant to the state and its people, especially the young," said Abhay Raj, a Rajput doctor and an ardent supporter.

The founder of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) extended support to the Congress after the party said it would address the issue of reservations for the community.

"We will win the elections and get 100 seats. The BJP will lose, he told PTI on the sidelines of a recent rally.

PAAS's election rallies in the state were similar to those of the Aam Aadmi Party. There were no chairs on the dais, or big banners. Like a DJ, he picked up the microphone and spoke to the gathering, walking up and down the stage.

"This boy will do in Gujarat in this election what Kejriwal did in the Delhi Assembly elections," said a supporter from Vadodara.

Patel, who came to the forefront of state politics after he launched an agitation for quotas in jobs and education for the Patel community, did not mention reservations when he addressed large rallies in areas not dominated by Patels.

Instead, he spoke of jobs and problems of farmers.

The PAAS leader addressed the people in Gujarati, peppering his speeches with humour and popular proverbs, the way Thackeray did in Maharashtra. Patel poked fun at the BJPs poll promises and at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I recharged my 4G phone but I don't even get 2G here. And they talk about digital India," he said at a rally.

Many in the BJP were not amused.

"Hardiks Thackeray style of politics will not work here. This is Gujarat, where its difficult to divide the people over caste, a state BJP leader said.

He said Patels influence was limited to the younger members of the Patel community in a few pockets in the state.

He does not have much support among elderly Patels in central Gujarat and educated Patidars, the BJP leader said.

For Patel, though, Thackeray is an inspiration. In an earlier interview to a newspaper, he had talked about following in on the Sena leaders footsteps.

Bal Thackeray is a leader, not a politician, he had said.

Patels supporters were convinced he would make a dent in the BJP's vote share.

He is the icon of the youth and will demolish the BJP, said his associate Lalbhai, who drives Patels car. He is among the scores of PAAS volunteers who travelled with Patel to roadshows and rallies, all wearing yellow caps.

The controversy that broke out last month on alleged sex tapes featuring Patel did not trouble them, with many supporters claiming that he was a victim of dirty politics.

He is the pride of Gujarat, said Umang Patel, a 22- year-old man from Patels hometown Viramgam.

Patel did not directly canvass for the Congress in his rallies. Instead, he urged the people to vote out the BJP, which has been ruling the state for 20 years.

He is the best communicator in the state after Modi, said state convener of the Centre for the Study of Developing of Societies (CSDS), Mahashweta Jani.

That he speaks in Gujarati along with his narrative style works in his favour, she said.

"He is raising issues the way Kejriwal did, and these resonate among the poor across castes in the state, she said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A spokesperson for Harvey Weinstein has responded to actor Salma Hayek's op-ed in the New York Times in which she has detailed the disgraced producer's inappropriate behaviour during the making of 2002 film "Frida".

Hayek said Weinstein made her life hell during the making of the film and she had to repeatedly rebuff his advances.

To save the film from being shut, Hayek agreed to do a "senseless" sex scene with actor Ashley Judd, who was one of the first women to accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

Weinstein, via his representative, has admitted that there was "creative friction" during the making of the film but denied asking for sexual favours in return.

Calling Hayek "a first-class actress", Weinstein said he chose the actor over Jennifer Lopez, who was interested in playing Frida Kahlo and was a bigger star at that time.

"Mr Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms Hayek with Geoffrey Rush.

"All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired," the statement read.

Defending his "boorish behaviour following a screening of "Frida", Weinstein said it was prompted by his disappointment in the cut of the movie



"...and a reason he took a firm hand in the final edit, alongside the very skilled director Julie Taymor."



Hayek has also accused Weinstein of demanding script rewrite at the last minute and not even giving credit to Ed Norton.

But Weinstein said he battled the Writers Guild of America to get him a credit but was unsuccessful.

Weinstein, considered one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood, has been thrown out of his own company after the New York Times and the New Yorker took the lid off of his decades of sexual misconduct.

The expose prompted more than fifty women, including prominent Hollywood stars, to come forward to accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and in some cases of rape.

Hayek is the latest star to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct after people like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Rose McGowan, Lupita Nynog'o detailed their experiences.

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Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Vipul Goel today said that concerted efforts have paved the way for providing new employment opportunities to about 1,700 youth in the state who have passed fireman, and first and second class boiler attendant courses.

Goel in a release said the Board which conducted technical examination and viva voce of fireman, boiler attendant, first class and second class, was constituted after every three years.

"But for the last 14 years, the board was not constituted as a result of which the technical examination had not been conducted. Thus thousands of youth of the state remained unemployed and many had been awaiting promotions," he claimed.

He said the board has now been constituted and the technical examination and viva voce of boiler attendant first class and second class were conducted from October to November this year.

He said 1,458 applicants had appeared in technical examination for boiler attendant second class of which 1,158 had passed. Similarly, 1,084 applicants had appeared in technical examination for boiler attendant first class of which 549 had passed.

The minister after passing the technical examination, boiler attendant second class can work at boiler up to 200 square meter heating surface area anywhere in the country. Similarly, boiler attendant first class can work at boiler up to 1,000 square metre heating surface area.

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Raising "deep concerns" about the GST implementation, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra today hit out at the Centre, saying that unpreparedness and hasty implementation have resulted not only in revenue loss but also hit small and medium enterprises (SMEs) hard.

There is a decline of Rs 12,000 crore in one month's (October) collection, he said.

"This is a warning sign that a system created in hurry, which I opposed, is not working today and at the cost of small and medium enterprises. They are crying across the country... We have to correct the system," he said at the annual meet of industry boday Ficci here.

The hasty manner, in which GST was rolled out, had taken a huge toll on the revenue collections, he said.

The revenue collections in October were Rs 83,346 crore, significantly down from the September figure of Rs 95,131 crore.

Mitra expressed apprehensions that there could be further dip in the November figures, saying there is a feeling that this is not going to stabilise in a day or two.

The reduction in the GST collection could have implication on the compensation to states, he said, adding that they need Rs 1.72 lakh crore for the first four months for revenue protection.

About Rs 1.33 lakh crore has been compensated to states in the first four months, and there is a shortfall of Rs 39,111 crore, Mitra said.

The shortfall in revenue due to implementation of the Goods and Services Tax from July this year is protected for five years as per the Act.

Talking about the plight of SMEs, Mitra said there is 40 per cent reduction in their production.

Citing some examples of clusters of Tirupur, Punjab and Maharashtra, he said: "They are hit due to loss in production. The entire MSME sector provides 40 per cent of GDP and 80 per cent of employment is in the bad shape.

"The political economy... First, by demonetisation you killed the informal sector, that everybody knows. Then you have put small and medium enterprises with this pre-mature GST launch."



Mitra cautioned industry bodies to be wary of the provisions of arrest under the GST law and advised them to oppose that.

He also said that frequent changes in tax rates, forms and GSTN have confused taxpayers.

Glitches in the GST Network (GSTN) brought in manual filing which was completely done away with in the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, he said, adding, "we have gone few steps back from VAT era".

Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said these were still early days and it would be unfair to judge the GST system just yet.

"Give it another three to four months. If the government and the GST Council are as responsive as they have been, what we have in the making is a robust GST which works for business, the central government and the states," he said.

The biggest gain of GST is that it represents India's first truly genuine federal legislation. Revenues may not have increased in the last couple of months, but the regime has given states a sub-national freedom to legislate.

The transition, he said, was not as glamorous as globalisation and liberalisation, but it marks a certain move towards formalisation of the economy.

The most import aspect of the legislation was that GST changes the basic ethics of the country and the regime's transparent processes enable us to know exactly what is going where," he said.

The states, he said, have got a wonderful deal as GST guarantees revenues at 14 per cent growth year-on-year and what we have is a virtual tax insurance policy for five years, he said.

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The Delhi High Court today asked how the Rajya Sabha Chairman was made a party by former Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav in a plea challenging his disqualification from the Upper House of Parliament.

The query was posed by Justice Vibhu Bakhru while listing the matter for tomorrow to hear arguments on Yadav's plea for an interim order permitting him to attend the Winter Session which will begins tomorrow itself.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Yadav, said the Rajya Sabha Chairman, who is the Vice President of India, was made a party as malafides have been attributed to him in the petition against the disqualification order of December 4.

The matter was listed for tomorrow after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, opposed the grant of any interim relief to Yadav.

The ASG said if Yadav was permitted to participate in the Winter Session of Parliament, it would amount to his reinstatement.

Sibal contended that the Supreme Court has in the past in every similar matter permitted the legislator to participate in the session, but the person is not entitled to vote.

He argued that criticising Kumar's action of joining the BJP would not amount to voluntarily giving up the party's membership and contended that no evidence was led to show how his client Yadav had given up his party membership.

The court, which was initially going to issue notice in the matter and list it for hearing on December 20, thereafter said it will hear it tomorrow.

Yadav, in his plea filed through advocates Sneha Iyer and Nizam Pasha, has challenged his disqualification on several grounds, including that he was not given a hearing before the December 4 order was passed.

By the December 4 order, the Chairman had also disqualified Yadav's party colleague and MP, Ali Anwar.

He had disqualified them by agreeing with the JD(U)'s contention that the two had "voluntarily given up" their membership by defying the party's directives and attending events of opposition parties.

The leader of JD(U) in the Upper House, Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of opposition parties in Patna in violation of its directives.

Yadav had joined hands with the opposition after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the Grand Alliance with the RJD and the Congress in Bihar and tied up with the BJP in July this year.

Yadav was elected to the House last year and his term was scheduled to end in July 2022. Anwar's term was to expire early next year. Both were disqualified under the Anti- Defection Act.

The plea said the order has disqualified him in an "extremely casual and callous way".

"The petitioner is the Member of the Upper House of the Parliament, i.e. Rajya Sabha. His membership ought not to have been dealt with in a manner as has been done in the present case," the plea alleged.

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The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider placing Rakesh Kumar Singh and Rajeev Rautela, former District Magistrates of Rampur, under suspension and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.

The officials had granted sand storage license to one Gulam Hussain alias Nanhe on July 16, 2016, despite categorical finding recorded by the High Court in its earlier order that he was involved in illegal mining from river Kosi, according to an order issued yesterday.

The court also directed the state chief secretary to ensure that an inquiry, as directed in an order dated August 24, 2015, is now concluded within one month to identify other officials who were responsible for dereliction of duties, resulting in illegal mining.

Based on this inquiry, the state government should initiate disciplinary action against the erring officials, the court said.

The bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice MK Gupta passed this order while hearing a petition filed by one Maqsood complaining of illegal mining in connivance with the state machinery.

The bench has fixed January 16 as the next date of hearing.

According to the petitioner, Gulam Hussain was involved in illegal mining in the garb of having a storage license, which permitted him only to store sand.

Hussain's storage license was cancelled on court directions. However, the storage license was once again granted to him on July 16, 2016, despite the categorical finding recorded by this court in a previous order.

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The Delhi High Court today ordered a probe into the trust which built the famous Hanuman statue in the busy Karol Bagh area of the city, saying the 108-feet structure could not have built overnight without the "active connivance" of the local authorities.

Had the authorities done their duty, something like this would not have happened, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar observed while ordering a probe into the trust that built the idol and was maintaining it.

"Nothing would have happened, if we (civic agencies and the government) would have been doing our job," the bench said, adding that "this structure could not have been built overnight without connivance of the public authorities".

It said the land belongs to the city and not the individual sitting in the government office, so it has to be returned to the public.

Annoyed over the illegalities surrounding the Hanuman statue, the bench directed the Delhi Police to find out the details and the money deposited in the bank accounts of the trust running the temple.

It sought to know from the Municipal Corporation about the property tax paid by the trustee of the temple, which is allegedly on the right of way of vehicular traffic.

It asked the Delhi Development Authority to provide the details of officials responsible for the construction of the huge structure on the public land.

The bench directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to also provide the full particulars of the persons responsible for erection of the idol.

The court ordered an enquiry after a committee appointed by it in May this year to look into illegal constructions all over Delhi, had pointed to encroachments of up to 1170 square yards on DDA land which forms part of the Southern Ridge.

"This is clearly in the teeth of the orders of the Supreme Court regarding protection of the Ridge Area and is completely impermissible," the committee had said.

It had also said that apart from the Hanuman statue, there was unauthorised construction of multiple small and big buildings of up to four floors including a residential complex there.

The bench had then directed the authorities to take action against the unauthorised construction on public land and ensure that all encroachments on the Southern Ridge are removed immediately and the Ridge is secured in terms of the orders of the Supreme Court.

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The Allahabad High Court today rejected the bail plea of former UP minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati in connection with a gang rape case.

Justice Pratush Kumar of the Lucknow bench also turned down the plea of co-accused Vikas Verma.

Additional advocate general V K Sahi argued that the accused had gang raped a Chitrakoot woman and also tried to forcibly make physical relations with her minor daughter and, hence, the matter was very serious.

A sessions court had earlier allowed them bail but the HC had cancelled it as the prosecution was not given ample time to oppose the plea.

It had, however, permitted the accused to apply for bail afresh.

Prajapati, who was a minister in the previous Akhilesh Yadav Government in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on March 15.

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Seven persons were killed when a speeding dumper ran over them while they were helping victims of an accident involving two motorcycles near here, a police official said today.

The incident took place on Multai Road late last night when a group of persons was helping victims of an accident involving two motorbikes. Two persons were injured in the accident, he said.

Suddenly, a speeding dumper ran over them in darkness, leaving seven persons dead on the spot, Bordehi police station in-charge R K Suryawanshi told reporters here.

Their bodies were sent to the Multai Civil Hospital for autopsy, he said, adding efforts were on to trace the truck.

The injured motorcyclists were taken to Nagpur, about 100 km from here, for treatment by their family members, said Suryawanshi.

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The prestigious World Petroleum Congress (WPC) will be returning to the US after a gap of over three decades, with Houston today winning the bid for hosting the mega event in 2020.

The World Petroleum Council selected Houston, America's energy capital, as the host for the 23rd edition of the WPC which will run from December 6-10 in 2020.

Houston edged out Canada's Vancouver on a 25-10 vote to bring the so-called 'Olympics of the oil and gas industry' event to the US for the first time since 1987 -- when Houston last played host.

The event, which is held every three years, is expected to create an economic impact of between USD 60 million and USD 80 million, officials said.

The WPC attracts delegates and top energy executives from more than 70 nations. It is expected to draw more than 10,000 attendees in 2020, they said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner travelled to Bahrain for the vote and jokingly compared the bid to his three times running for mayor.

Turner emphasised Houston's oil and gas stronghold, as well as the city's diversity -- its population speaks 140 different languages and about 25 per cent of Houstonians are foreign-born.

In June 2014, Russia hosted the 21st World Petroleum Congress in Moscow, while the 22nd edition was held this year in Istanbul.

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The India-assisted emergency ambulance service in Sri Lanka would be further expanded in seven more provinces, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed to the Cabinet.

India launched the emergency ambulance service in July, 2016 for western and southern provinces of Sri Lanka through an outright grant of USD 7.6 million to uplift and improve medical facilities in the island.

"This service which is conducted in western and southern province is to be expended to other 7 provinces," the government said in a statement today.

The present agreement between the Indian entity, GVK EMRI Lanka Pvt Ltd and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine is to be extended.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka in March 2015, he had received a request for assistance for setting of the emergency ambulance service in the country.

After the visit, Wickremesinghe, wrote to Modi for support for setting up of an emergency ambulance service and its operations for the first year. Modi had assured full support. The decision was formalised in September 2015 during the visit of Wickremesinghe to India.

India's development portfolio in Sri Lanka is nearly USD 2.6 billion, out of which USD 436 million is pure grants.

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India expects Sri Lanka to be mindful of its "security concerns and sensitivities", the external affairs ministry said today while reacting to the Sri Lankan government handing over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease last week.

Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also made it clear that India's relation with Sri Lanka "stand on its own and is not dependent on our relations with any third country."



He said India was confident of the strength of enduring ties with Sri Lanka which were deep-rooted and multidimensional.

"We continue to take up with Sri Lanka issues related to the security concerns in the region and expect that our Sri Lankan friends will keep in mind our security concerns and sensitivities," he said.

Two Chinese firms - Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) managed by the China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) - and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own the port and the investment zone around it.

The port, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is expected to play a key role in China's Belt and Road initiative, which will link ports and roads between China and Europe.

In order to allay India's security concerns over the Chinese Navy's presence in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe had earlier ruled out the possibility of the strategic port being used as a "military base" by any foreign country.

Answering another query regarding reports of Maldives signing a free trade agreement with China, he said India expects that as a close and friendly neighbour, Maldives will be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its 'India First' policy.

Kumar also said that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Maldives.

Noting that India has seen reports about the Maldives- China agreement and the reports have also alluded to the manner in which the FTA was passed by the Majlis, he said it will not be appropriate for him to comment on the contents.

He also said India was committed to supporting democracy, development and stability in Maldives.

On the visit of Maldives President to China, he said, "We feel that as long as the development of bilateral relations between the two countries contribute to the peace and stability in the region, I think we should welcome that.

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India today congratulated the newly-elected alliance in Nepal and said it looks forward to working with the democratically-elected government to advance close and multifaceted partnership.

Welcoming the conduct of parliamentary polls and first ever provincial elections in the Himalayan nation, External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India has age-old, unique, time tested ties of friendship with Nepal.

"We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multifaceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity and all round development," he said.

The clear victory to the Left alliance- CPN-UML led by former premier K P Oli and the CPN-Maoist led by former premier Prachanda- is not seen as a positive development for India.

Oli has publicly criticised New Delhi for interfering in Nepal's internal matters and accused it of toppling his government last year.

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India is looking to set up a few more land ports, buoyed by the success of such integrated check posts in Agartala and other places, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said.

"We are thinking of identifying a few more (land ports). Beyond that, we have border huts, Customs stations and there are many things," Rijiju said while addressing a function yesterday to commemorate 50 years of ASEAN and 25 years of India-ASEAN Partnership.

He talked about the success and brisk business being done at land ports in Agartala and elsewhere in India, saying it is not easy to set up a land port because you have to have an outlet.

Elaborating, he said, "These borders along the eastern coast and the North-East must be hugely explored... otherwise, people think they are far away from Delhi... The heart of the country may be Delhi. But shape and size of the country is defined by its border. The country does not begin with the capital, but it begins from the border. So, borders are important."



He also suggested that the obsession with western education and issues with Pakistan must be done away with.

The home ministry has started opening various channels on the borders to improve ties with neighbours, particularly in Eastern and North-Eastern Region (NER).

The Land Ports Authority of India has taken up expansion of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh in Manipur for expansion of trade with Myanmar, India's gateway to the ASEAN, and it will be inaugurated soon.

The ICP in Agartala on the Bangladesh border has started and a few more ICPs, besides Land Customs Stations and Border Haats, will come up.

Echoing his views, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that under the North-East BPO (business processing outsourcing) scheme, the BPOs have already started working in Guwahati, Jorhat, Kohima and Imphal.

The BPOs, he said, are also going to come up in Diphu, Kokrajhar and Silchar in Assam, Dimapur in Nagaland and Agartala in Tripura. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Baleswar in Odisha have become the new centres of BPOs, too.

"The most moving moment for me was... Kashmir... today BPOs are working in Bhadarwah, Budgam, Jammu, Sopore and Srinagar," the minister added.

He also said, "The latest BPOs have come up in Chittor, Mathura, Deoria, Farukabad, Jahanabad, Gaya, Pathankot, Gwalior and Amritsar. It is new India emerging."



East India and the NER (north-east region), according to Rijiju, are rich in mineral and natural resources.

He cited the example of Dibrugarh, which contributed more to the government's revenues than India's commercial capital, Mumbai.

Myanmar has the third-highest Indian diaspora, next only to Nepal and the US, he added.

Rijiju is of the view that East Asia and South East Asia stretching from Japan and China and up to India is emerging as the world's next economic powerhouse.

India cannot be delineated from South-East Asia and East Asia, he added.

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India and Morocco today signed a pact to enhance cooperation in several areas of health sector, including non-communicable diseases and maternal, child and neonatal health.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by India's Health Minister J P Nadda and Abdelkader Amara, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Morocco.

The main areas of cooperation included non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer, drug regulation and pharmaceutical quality control, communicable diseases and maternal, child and neonatal health.

Other areas of cooperation included hospital twinning for exchange of good practices and training in administration and management of health services, an official statement said.

Nadda said both the countries share a strong and rich traditional relationship, and highlighted that India was the producer of quality generic medicines and drugs that were exported to more than 200 countries.

He said India has a strong and robust public health system, monitored through the National Health Mission.

He suggested that through this framework MoU, India and Morocco can work together in identified areas of cooperation as both countries have much to offer each other in the field of health.

Another pact was signed between the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, and the Marrakech Mohamed VI University Hospital in Morocco.

Under this MoU, both the institutes agreed to collaborate in the field of telemedicine.

"The focus areas under this MoU will be tele-healthcare, health education, technical support in controlling epidemics and support in rendering second opinion on various complicated cases," the statement added.

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India's cooking oil imports rose by 6.23 per cent to 12.48 lakh tonnes in November this year on higher shipment of crude sunflower and soyabean oil, industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) said today.

Cooking (vegetable) oil imports had stood at 11.75 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. The share of palm oil is more than 60 per cent in total imports.

Last month, the government raised import duty on edible oils to 15 per cent across the board to protect domestic growers.

Among edible oils, crude oil imports rose to 5,59,584 tonnes in November 2017 as against 5,57,364 tonnes in the same period last year, the SEA data showed.

Soyabean oil imports increased substantially to 2,73,928 tonnes from 1,64,286 tonnes, while that of sunflower oil shipments rose to 1,93,810 tonnes from 1,58,071 tonnes in the said period.

Similarly, import of RBD palmolein remained lower at 1,47,362 tonnes in November this year compared to 2,40,948 tonnes in the year-ago.

Import of canola oil increased to 40,609 tonnes from 32,195 tonnes in the said period, the data showed.

In case of non-edible oils, imports were at 23,495 tonnes in November 2017 as against 19,601 tonnes in the same month last year.

On recent hike in edible oil import duty, the SEA said that "the announcement has changed the sentiment and the market has moved upward and now prices of soyabean and groundnut touched MSP which were ruling much below prior to import duty hike."



Inadvertently, cottonseed oil duties were not raised and remained unchanged at 12.5 per cent on crude and 20 per cent on refined ones, which has created an anomaly and harming the interest of cottonseed farmers, it said, urging the government address the problem at the earliest.

As on December 1, the SEA said that edible oil stock at various ports was 8,47,000 tonnes and about 14,20,000 tonnes were in the pipeline



India's monthly requirement is 18 lakh tonnes and the current stock can meet demand for 38 days.

India imports palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia and a small quantity of crude soft oil, including soyabean oil from Latin America. Sunflower oil is imported from Ukraine and Russia.

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Eminent scientists today stressed that the country should draw an effective strategy in the next three year to control menace of Invasive Alien Species (IAS), a potential threat to biodiversity.

The view emerged at a two-day conference to assess the current status of IAS and their affect on biodiversity attented by Scientists and experts from across the country.

The national conference inaugurated by Joint Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Manju Pandey is jointly organised by Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

The meet aims at delving in detail the impact of IAS on biodiversity, impact of biological invasion on ecosystem besides, to develop a national strategy on IAS management.

Participants would also discuss its impact on food-web by altering the prey and predator ratio.

"By 2020 we (India) have to come out with a strategy on how to control IAS. Some are dangerous and some are not dangerous. But the looming threat of invasive species is there not only for India but for the entire world," Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Additional Director PV Prasanna said.

Incidentally, India had signed an agreement giving its nod to implement the Aichi Biodiversity Targets to be achieved by the end of this decade.

"The agreement says that by 2020, all invasive alien species and their pathways are to be identified and priority species are to be controlled and eradicated and measures are to be in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment," ZSI director Kailash Chandra said.

"IAS are second largest threat to the biodiversity in the world. We have to control the invasive species and prevent them entering the country. This will cause havoc if not controlled. Science along with management coupled with legal backing can help in controlling the IAS. The entire world is looking into it and India has to take the lead," he said.

"There are four biodiversity hotspots in India with around 47,000 species of plants and more than 1.6 lakh species of animals. Invasive alien species is second most serious problem after global warming. There are many species of which we have no idea about their transportation and transmission. Some exotic species are also transported from one country to another country," Chandra said.

When asked whether globalisation was another reason behind Invasive Alien Species, the ZSI director told PTI on the sidelines "It's one of the major reason behind invasive alien species. E-commerce has advanced in a big way. Even these days insects are transported from one continent to another through courier services."



Around 157 invasive alien species of fauna had been recorded and out of which 99 per cent were from the marine area, Changra said adding that the coral reef ecosystem in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa and Karnataka are under threat.

Pointing out significance of taxonomy in identifying and managing the IAS which include 90 per cent of species complexes, CR Babu, Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems, University of Delhi, stressed on the utilisation and sustainable use of the present resources and how they are impacting on climate.

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An Indian-American cardiologist in Nevada has been arrested on the charges of unlawful distribution of prescription opioids and healthcare fraud.

The accused, Dr Devendra Patel, today appeared in a federal court in Reno city of Nevada. He was charged with 36- counts of distribution of controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, and three-counts of health care fraud.

The statutory maximum penalty for distribution of a controlled substance is 10 years in prison and the maximum penalty for healthcare fraud is 10 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors alleged that from May 2014 to September 2017, Patel routinely prescribed fentanyl, hydrocodone, and oxycodone for his patients without a legitimate medical purpose and that he fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for medical tests that he did not perform.

The indictment alleges that Patel performed EKGs on his patients, so he could then order nuclear stress tests which he did not administer.

He allegedly used a poorly calibrated machine and presented his patients with fraudulent X-rays, in order to deceive his patients into thinking they had coronary issues that needed to be treated by him, the indictment alleged.

"Dr. Patel is the first person to be charged in Nevada since the formation of the Justice Department's Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit," Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre said.

"Despite his physician's oath to do no harm, Dr. Patel recklessly prescribed opioids, for no legitimate medical purpose," stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron Rouse.

Over 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016. The majority of these deaths can be attributed to opioids, including illicit fentanyl.

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An Indian worker has allegedly killed his compatriot here at a labour camp after they fought each other following an argument about who will cook first in the kitchen, media reports said today.

The 23-year-old Indian suspect, who was detained by other workers, was arrested after the police recovered the knife used for killing another 29-year-old Indian national, Khaleej Times reported.

The suspect and the victim have not been identified in the report.

Major-General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said the suspect had an argument with the victim over who would cook first in the kitchen.

"They had some disputes two months ago and they didn't speak to each other. At 8:30 pm, a heated argument between them led to a fight and the suspect stabbed the victim several times. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead," he was quoted as saying by Gulf .

The suspect was seen by other workers running on the first floor of the accommodation with his clothes covered in blood and then jumping from the first floor.

Other workers came out and caught the suspect before calling the police.

According to initial reports, the victim was the one who attacked the suspect with a knife, injuring his fingers. He then snatched the knife and stabbed the victim several times in the back.

The suspect was planning to leave the UAE on the same day as he had resigned his job.

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An Indian-American student has pleaded guilty to launching a massive cyberattack on a US university's computer network that disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of students, officials have said.

Paras Jha, 21, of New Jersey along with two others Josiah White, 20, from Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman, 21, from Louisiana also pleaded guilty to creating and operating two botnets last year, which targeted 'Internet of Things' (IoT) devices, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

"Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system," Acting US Attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a statement yesterday.

"These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students' submission of their work to professors to be graded," he said.

"The defendant's actions effectively paralysed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers' students.

"Yesterday, the defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it," Fitzpatrick said.

In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act.

According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

His attacks effectively shut down Rutgers University's central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty, and students delivered assignments and assessments.

At times, he succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to the university, its faculty, and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of USD 250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 13.

Earlier on December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal informations in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.

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IndiGo will launch direct flights to Colombo from January 20, making the Sri Lankan capital its eighth international destination.

Non-stop flights would be operated to Colombo from Chennai and Bengaluru from January 20, the carrier said in a relese today.

"It gives us immense pleasure to add Colombo as our 49th destination and cater to the needs of both business as well as leisure travellers.

"We aspire to continue providing affordable and hassle- free travel experience to our passengers within and beyond India," IndiGo President and Whole Time Director Aditya Ghosh said.

The new flights would further consolidate IndiGo's position as the fastest growing airline in India with 149 Airbus A320 and three ATR aircraft, the release said.

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His great-grandfather, Sergeant Katue, is regarded as one of the finest Papuan soldiers of World War II, fighting deep behind enemy lines in the jungles against the Japanese invaders.

He was the first soldier from Papua New Guinea to graduate from the elite military campus of the University of NSW in Canberra when, with more than 250 young officers including 14 foreign students, he marched out in front of thousands of family and friends.

CANBERRA - Officer cadet Mark Rakatani has carried the memory of his great-grandfather and the hopes of his nations defence force onto the parade ground at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

As a member of the then Australian Armys Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) he was already in action against the Japanese before the Australian 39th Battalion arrived at the front.

At Buna-Gona, soon after the Japanese landed in July 1942, Katue penetrated the Japanese lines three times to gather vital intelligence before he raised a small local force and stayed behind enemy lines to terrorise the invaders.

Captain T Grahamslaw of Angau briefing Sergeant-Major Katue (Australian War Museum)

Katue, whose portrait by war artist William Dargie is in the collection of the Australian War Memorial, was the first Papuan soldier decorated for the Kokoda campaign, awarded the Military Medal for his courageous actions.

According to the official history of the PIB, Katue urged local leaders not to support the Japanese. At one village Katue was told by a village councillor they would support the Japanese because the Japanese were paying them for their work and issuing rations to the women, it says.

When Katue shot the councillor and his main supporter, he was ringed by angry men with bush knives and spears. He ordered them to disperse and they took refuge in the bush.

After 73 days in the jungle he arrived at headquarters in Port Moresby festooned with the stripes, badges and insignia of the 26 Japanese he had killed and with a terrified enemy prisoner in tow.

Mr Rakatani said his great-grandfathers record was inspiring and he was acutely aware of the history and of his own responsibility to help set the future direction for PNG military officers.

I hope what I have achieved will be a motivation for more people to come through.

He said he looked forward to getting involved in more complex operations at home after his final year learning infantry warfare at the Royal Military College Duntroon in 2018.

There is a lot of effort being put into that so we have a specialised cell to train our troops in line with the capabilities of Australia so we can at least bring something to the table, he said. We are the best jungle war fighters, but we need to be more integrated into modern-day warfare.

A keen sportsman and dedicated Melbourne Storm and Queensland Reds fan, he played rugby league and rugby union for the academy. He said the thing he missed most about home was the food, especially his favourite dish, mumu, pig cooked on hot stones under the ground.

Watching in Canberra was his father, Colonel John Rakatani from the PNG Defence Force, who spent several years in Australia and was an instructor at RMC for two years.

Many of his colleagues are now senior officers in the Australian Army, including its most senior woman and commander of the Australian Defence College, Major General Simone Wilkie.
IT major Infosys has said a meeting of its Board of Directors will be held on January 11 and 12, 2018 to consider the audited consolidated financial results of the company and its subsidiaries for the quarter and nine months ending December 31, 2017.

The financial results would be finally approved by the Board of Directors on January 12, 2018, Infosys, India's second largest IT company, said in a BSE filing.

The company will close the trading window for the earnings release of the quarter ending December 31, 2017 in compliance with SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, it said.

Accordingly, the trading window will be closed from December 16, 2017 and will re-open on January 15, 2018, the Bengaluru-based company added.

However, the trading window restrictions shall not apply to shares tendered under the on-going buyback offer of the company, Infosys said.

The company will hold investor and analyst calls on January 12 to discuss the financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2017, it added.
India's second largest software services firm Infosys has said it will announce its third quarter results on January 12, 2018.

It will be the first result announcement after former Capgemini executive Salil Parekh takes over as the CEO on January 2, 2018.

In a regulatory filing, Infosys said its Board will meet on January 11 and 12, 2018 to consider the audited consolidated financial results of the company.

"The financial results would be finally approved by the Board of Directors on January 12, 2018," it added.

Parekh is set to assume charge at the Bengaluru-based company that is recovering from a year-long acrimony between the previous management and the founders, led by N R Narayana Murthy.

The spat, which was often public, led to the then CEO Vishal Sikka quitting in August this year.

Over the next few days, the then Chairman R Seshasayee and two others also relinquished their positions.

It was then that Nandan Nilekani -- one of the Infosys co-founders and Aadhaar architect -- was brought in as Non- executive Chairman to restore order at the embattled company.

He was also tasked with finding Sikka's successor as the shareholder sentiment was hit by the developments at the firm.

Earlier this month, the company announced that Parekh will come in as the new CEO, and U B Pravin Rao will step down as the interim CEO and Managing Director effective January 2, 2018 to continue as Chief Operating Officer and whole-time Director.

Murthy, along with some former Infosys executives, had alleged serious corporate governance lapses and questioned the high severance packages paid to ex-CFO and others.

Another major contention was the Panaya acquisition by Infosys.

The founders, citing whistleblower reports, had raised concerns about the buyout.

Interestingly, the new Board, under Nilekani, has given a clean chit to the USD 200 million Panaya deal, saying there was no merit in the allegations of wrongdoing related to the deal.

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The joy of a prison inmate who escaped from a high security prison here was short-lived as police nabbed him within hours of his giving the slip to prison authorities by scaling a 15 feet wall using a dhoti.

The remand prisoner, identified as Sahadevan, allegedly scaled a 15 feet-wall of the Vellore Central Prison for men this morning, a senior prisons official said.

He was reportedly found missing during the morning roll call, prompting officials to launch an inspection.

Officials said the prisoner allegedly scaled the wall using a dhoti.

He also used some wooden planks lying there to climb the wall, they said, adding a manhunt was later launched to nab him.

A police team subsequently arrested him from Bargur in Krishnagiri district later in the day, he said.

Sahadevan was lodged in the high security prison in connection with the murder of a woman.

The prison houses, among others, two of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Murugan and Santhan.

The other convict, AG Perarivalan, has been shifted to Puzhal prison here to receive medical treatment at a city govrnment hospital.

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US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence today that a ballistic missile fired by Huthi rebels in Yemen at Saudi Arabia last month was Iranian-made, a charge Tehran immediately denied.

Haley accused Tehran of a "blatant violation" of UN Security Council obligations designed to rein in its missile activity, further stepping up the rhetoric towards Iran which Washington accuses of going against the spirit of a historic nuclear accord.

Standing in a warehouse at a Washington military base in front of recovered pieces of two missiles, Haley said Iranian fingerprints were all over the weapons, one of which she said was fired at Riyadh's airport on November 4.

"It was made in Iran then sent to Huthi militants in Yemen," Haley said.

"From there it was fired at a civilian airport with the potential to kill hundreds of innocent civilians in Saudi Arabia."



She charged that the 2015 nuclear deal to curb Iran's nuclear program had "done nothing to moderate the regime's conduct in other areas," and accused Tehran of "fanning the flames" of regional conflict.

Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman at Iran's mission to the United Nations, said Tehran "categorically" rejects the US claims.

"This purportedly evidence, put on public display today, is as much fabricated as the one presented on some other occasions earlier," he said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif posted on Twitter a photo of Haley juxtaposed with a well-known image of former secretary of state Colin Powell appearing before the Security Council, where he provided intelligence in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war that was later found to be false.

"When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat...," Zarif wrote.

The Iranian mission said the accusations leveled by Haley were intended to divert attention from the devastating war in Yemen being led by Saudi Arabia, a key US ally.

A confidential report to the council says UN officials had examined debris from missiles fired at Saudi Arabia which pointed to a "common origin" but there was no firm conclusion as to whether they came from an Iranian supplier.

Haley said the missiles were Iranian Qiam-class short- range ballistic rockets and pointed to valves that she said proved their origin. The Qiam-1 is based on a modified Scud design.

Haley also showed other pieces of military materiel she said were provided by Iran, and after her announcement officials showed journalists pieces of an anti-tank missile, an explosive boat, drones and other gear.

"The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it," Haley said.

"These are Iranian-made, these are Iranian-sent and these are Iranian-given, in violation of the Security Council," she said.

Haley has called on the UN Security Council to take a tougher stance toward Iran, accusing Tehran of making illegal arms deals in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.

Asked about Haley's claims that the evidence that Iran had supplied the missile was irrefutable, Sweden's UN Ambassador Olof Skoog said "she may be in possession of evidence that I have not seen. The information that I have up to now is less clear."



Haley did not discuss the timeline of when Iran is supposed to have provided the weapons, or whether this may have happened before the nuclear deal was signed.

The report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, obtained by AFP, said officials were still analyzing the information.

A separate team of UN experts who inspected the missile fragments during a visit to Riyadh last month found a possible link to an Iranian manufacturer, the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, which is on the UN sanctions blacklist.

The experts, who report to the sanctions committee, found a component marked by a logo similar to that of the banned group, which is a subsidiary of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization.

In his report, Guterres said officials had seen the logo but that they were still analyzing the information.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior Iran analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told AFP that Iran's apparent willingness to risk transferring missiles to the Huthis indicates that the Yemeni theater "may not be as peripheral to Tehran as previously assumed."



"Bleeding Saudi Arabia of money and men is a clear goal for Iran as it continues its war in Yemen," he said in an email.

Aside from leading a military campaign in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has deployed expensive Patriot missiles at home to guard against incoming rockets.

Recent Iranian missile launches have triggered US sanctions and accusations they violate the spirit of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers.

"Today's revelations proved yet again that Iran's dangerous presence in the Middle East is only growing despite their attempts to deceive the world," Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said in a statement.

A Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen imposed a blockade of Yemen's air and sea ports and borders after the missile was fired at Riyadh, citing concerns that weapons were being smuggled into Yemen.
Israel carried out a series of air strikes against Islamist group Hamas in Gaza early today, the army said, hours after more rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli army also announced it would close the border crossings between blockaded Gaza and Israel -- Kerem Shalom for goods and Erez for people -- from today "due to the security events and in accordance with security assessments."



A military spokeswoman could not say whether the closure would be for one day or more.

In a statement, the Israeli army said it had targeted three Hamas military facilities in different parts of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

"The military facilities were used as training and weapons storage compounds," the army said.

"This was in response to the projectiles fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip."



A Palestinian security source said there were more than 10 strikes on the targets, which included a Hamas naval facility and a military base near the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The source said there had been significant damage to the targets, as well as lesser damage to nearby houses, where some residents suffered minor injuries.

The strikes came hours after Israel's air defence system intercepted two rockets fired from Gaza.

Such rockets are generally fired by fringe Islamist groups but Israel holds Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for any fire from the territory.

There has been an uptick in violence from Gaza since US President Donald Trump announced he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week.

There have been 12 projectiles fired at Israel from Gaza since December 6, with Israeli retaliatory strikes targeting 10 sites in the Palestinian enclave.

The recent rocket fire has not caused any casualties in Israel.

While an increase in rocket fire preceded the 2014 Gaza war, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman played down the significance of the recent launches today.

During a tour of Sderot, an Israeli town lying a short distance from northern Gaza and where rockets have often struck, he called it "a result of internal Palestinian struggles between different organisations."



One of the recent rockets hit a kindergarten in Sderot, but it struck at night and no one was hurt.

"I hope the residents of Gaza will force their leadership to invest their efforts and money in improving the strip's economy rather than digging tunnels, producing rockets and firing them at Israel," Lieberman said.

Since unrest erupted last week over Trump's declaration, four Gazans have been killed, two in clashes along the border and two Hamas militants in an Israeli air strike in retaliation for rocket fire.

One Israeli has been seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.

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Turkey's largest city Istanbul has resolved to change the names of almost 200 streets in a mass renaming campaign, largely to remove any association with the alleged mastermind of the 2016 failed coup Fethullah Gulen, a report said today.

The move was agreed by the city's municipal council, the state-run Anadolu agency said.

Turkey accuses Gulen of plotting the failed coup in July 2016 aimed at unseating President Tayyip Erdogan.

Gulen, an Islamic preacher based in the United States, denies the charges.

Ankara has since embarked on a mass purge aimed at removing any trace of Gulen's influence from public life, arresting tens of thousands of people in the process.

Two streets in the Eyup district of Istanbul called Gulen Street will in future be named after Omer Halisdemir, a Turkish soldier killed in the coup who shot dead a top coup plotter.

Another 25 smaller streets called Gulen Street will also have their names changed to remember themes and heroes who emerged from the attempted coup.

Gulen is a common name in Turkey and the streets were likely over the years named after other people with this name.

There have been repeated reports of people called Gulen moving to change their surname on the grounds it is now stigmatised.

Four streets called Parallel Street are also changing their names, Anadolu said. The word "parallel" has also become loaded in Turkey as the authorities often refer to Gulen's group as the Parallel State Structure (PDY), a term his organisation rejects.

Any road with the name associated with a former media interest of Gulen is also changing its name.

This applies to streets named Zaman (Time - a pro-Gulen newspaper), Samanyolu (Milky Way - a pro-Gulen TV channel) and Cihan (World - a pro-Gulen agency).

The campaign is not just aimed at names associated with Gulen.

Kandil (oil lamp) Street will have its name changed as this is also the name of the group of mountains in northern Iraq where the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has its base.

Names deemed morally inappropriate will also be changed.

There will be no longer a street named after the harem -- the area in Ottoman palaces where the sultan's numerous wives lived. And also no Askim (my love) Street.

It's also the end of the road for Fak (snare) Street, presumably because when pronounced in Turkish the word sounds identical to the four letter English curse.

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Drawing a parallel with the 2012 Nirbhaya case, a court here today sentenced to death a 22- year-old labourer from Assam for the rape and murder of a 30- year old Dalit law student in Kerala last year.

Ernakulam principal sessions court judge N Anil Kumar held that the brutal acts of the convict, Muhammed Ameerul Islam, definitely fit this case within the umbrella of "rarest of rare cases on par with the Nirbhaya case in Delhi".

The incident had rocked the state in the midst of the campaign for the assembly elections last year with opposition parties attacking the then Congress-led UDF government for alleged "tardy" probe and "failure" to nab the culprit swiftly.

"When collective conscience of the community is so shocked, itistheduty of the court to inflict death penalty," the court said in its order referring to the Nirbhaya incident, in which a paramedic student was gangraped on December 16, 2012 in a moving bus in the national capital. Four convicts were sentenced to death in that case.

The judge had on December 12 convicted Islam for the rape and murder of the woman at her home in Perumbavoor on April 28, 2016 and heard the defence and prosecution yesterday on the quantum of punishment.

Islam was found guilty of Indian Penal Code offences including murder, rape, house trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death and wrongful confinement.

Pronouncing the sentence today, the court, which referred to the Supreme Court's judgement in the Nirbhaya case on various aspects, awarded death to Islam for murder under Section 302 of IPC.

It also sentenced him to life imprisonment under IPC 376 A (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

It sentenced the convict to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, one year and seven years under IPC 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 449 (house trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death) respectively.

The capital punishment would be subject to confirmation by the high court and all other sentences would run concurrently, the judge said



The court also imposed fines of varying amounts on different counts.

"Thebrutalactsoftheconvictdefinitely fit this case withintheumbrellaofrarestofrarecasesona parwith theNirbhayascaseinDelhi.Judgedbytheabovestandards, when collective conscience of the community is so shocked, itistheduty of the court to inflict death penalty...," the Judge said in his 410-page order.

In the Nirbhaya case, five men and a juvenile had assaulted the 23-year-old paramedic student and a male friend in a moving bus as it drove through the streets of New Delhi.

She was thrown out of the bus -so grievously injured that her insides were spilling out - along with her male friend near the airport. After battling for life for a fortnight, she succumbed in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012. The victim was given the name Nirbhaya or 'the fearless'. The incident sparked massive protests and led to changes in anti- rape laws.

Terming it an attack "most brutal, barbaric and diabolical", the Supreme Court had in May upheld the death sentence for the four men.

A fifth accused allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail in March in 2013 and the sixth, a convicted juvenile, was sentenced three years of punishment in a reform home and released in 2015.

"Let this verdict be yet another revelation for mass movement to end violence against women and to gain respect for women and her dignity in the years to come," the court today said.

Hailing the verdict, the victim's mother said she was grateful to the judiciary for awarding death penalty to Islam who had killed her daughter in a brutal manner.

She also thanked the police, prosecution and those who stood behind her in ensuring justice for her daughter.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the death sentence was a recognition of the LDF government's "uncompromising" stand towards the safety of women.

Additional Director General of Police B Sandhya, who headed the special investigation team, said the police had carried out the probe in a professional manner.

Special Public Prosecutor N K Unnikrishnan said the prosecution could ensure justice in the case which had shaken the collective conscience of the society.

Maintaining that Islam was not guilty, defence lawyer B A Aloor said an appeal would be filed in the high court against his conviction.

The court had yesterday rejected an application filed by the defence counsel seeking further 'fair' probe contending that Islam, who only understands his mother tongue Assamese, was not given a fair treatment by the police.

The prosecution has argued that the diabolic and barbaric manner in which the crime was committed on the unarmed woman was almost like that committed on Nirbhaya, victim of the gangrape and fatal assault in New Delhi in 2012.

The Special Investigation Team probing the case had used DNA technology and verification of call record details to prove Islam's involvement in the crime.

As many as 100 witnesses were examined during the trial, which commenced in April last.

The woman, who hailed from a poor family, was raped and brutally assaulted using sharp-edged weapons at her house. The accused was held from Tamil Nadu, 50 days after the incident.

More than 100 police personnel questioned over 1,500 people in the case. Fingerprints of over 5,000 people were examined and police went over 20 lakh telephonic conversations before cracking the case.

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A Jammu and Kashmir Police team today arrested a man facing rape and kidnapping charges from Mumbai, foiling his bid to escape to a Gulf country, an official said here.

Ajaz Ahmed Malik, a resident of Poonch district's Fazlabad village, was accused of kidnapping and raping a girl in Rajouri in July. He was on the run since then, he said.

The state police had received information that he was trying to flee to a Gulf country from Mumbai after whichSub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Thanamandi, Iftikar Chowdhary contacted immigration officers there, the official said.

The accused had recently approached officials at the Mumbai airport to travel to Kuwait. But authorities blocked his passport and informed the J-K police, he said.

The official said that a team from the Thanamandi police station in Rajouri district rushed to Mumbai. They raided a location there and arrested Malik, he said.

"Further investigation into the case is going on," the official added.

SSP Rajouri Yougal Manhas appreciated the efforts of the police team for foiling the escape attempt.

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Japanese police said today they had carried out several raids, reportedly in connection to alleged shipments of food to North Korea that would contravene sanctions.

Japan has banned trade with North Korea as part of sanctions imposed on the country over its missile and nuclear programmes as well as the abduction of Japanese nationals.

Investigators raided several places on suspicion of violating foreign exchange regulations, an official from the Kyoto Police Department told AFP, declining to comment further.

According to local media, police raided a Tokyo-based commercial association affiliated with the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, known as Chongryon, the de-facto North Korean embassy in Japan.

Police also raided a firm in Tokyo, the Asahi Shimbun said, adding that they are expected to soon arrest several people on suspicion of illegally exporting foods to the reclusive state via Singapore.

During last month's visit by US President Donald Trump in Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to freeze the assets of North Korean groups and individuals.

The issue of abductions to North Korea is a highly- charged one in Japan, which suspects dozens of people were kidnapped by agents from the isolated country.

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A Japanese tourist was allegedly drugged and robbed of his belongings by a man posing as a tour guide today in Shastrinagar here, police said.

Akihiro Tanaka, a resident of Tokyo, arrived in the temple city this morning by bus from Agra.

He met the impostor during a visit to a Buddhist site in Sarnath, the police said, adding that from there they went to the Varanasi ghat for sightseeing.

The accused offered him a spiked soft drink. After consuming it, Tanaka fell unconscious. He found himself in Shastrinagar when he woke up, they said.

He was robbed of his bag that contained his visa, passport,50,000 Yen and around Rs 20,000 in cash, along with an ATM card and other items, the police said.

An FIR was registered against an unidentified person and a man hunt was launched, they added.

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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has reached a settlement with a Cortland landlord accused of failing to return security deposits to nearly 100 State University of New York at Cortland students who lived in properties he owned.

Jeff Grodinsky, who owned Vida Social Living and operated several rental properties in Cortland, agreed to return more than $43,000 to former tenants and pay $26,000 in costs and penalties. He also agreed to reform how tenants' security deposits are maintained.

The settlement is subject to approval by the Onondaga County Supreme Court.

Schneiderman launched an investigation after receiving complaints from 96 SUNY Cortland students who didn't receive their security deposits after renting from Grodinsky. The attorney general's office found Grodinsky violated state law by placing the deposits in his personal bank account instead of a separate interest-bearing account.

Grodinsky didn't return at least $43,770 in security deposits to the students, according to the attorney general's office.

"As we allege, this landlord took advantage of college students by treating their security deposits like personal funds and failing to provide refunds," Schneiderman said. "The law protects tenants' rights to their hard-earned money and my office will fight to ensure these renters get the restitution they deserve."

Visions Federal Credit Union foreclosed most of Grodinsky's properties in 2015, according to a news release. The foreclosures were due to Grodinsky defaulting on his mortgage payments.

As the foreclosure proceedings began, tenants had already signed lease agreements and paid security deposits for the 2015-16 school year. But Grodinsky did not turn over the the security deposits to Visions, another violation of state law.

Grodinsky and four of the entities he owns filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. The security deposit refunds could be paid through the bankruptcy proceedings, which are still pending. If not, the settlement agreement states that Grodinsky will be liable for the refunds.

Any past tenants who believe Grodinsky may have withheld their security deposit may file a complaint with the state attorney general's office. To submit a complaint, call 1-800-771-7755 or go to ag.ny.gov/complaint-forms. The complaints must be filed within the next 90 days.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, known for making Hyderabad as IT hub, got an appreciation from an unexpected quarter in Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao who praised him for bringing Microsoft Centre to the city.

Addressing an event organised by Tech Mahindra, KTR, as the minister is popularly known, said it was Chandrababu Naidu who convinced Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft for setting up the (Microsoft) centre here about 17 years ago when the city was not popularly known as IT destination of the county.

Naidu had served as the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh from 1995 to 2004.

"I cannot take credit for Microsoft being here. I don't take undue credit. In fact all credit goes to Chandrababu Naidu garu. I think you have to give it (the credit) him. He definitely has done his best," Rama Rao said.

KTR is the son of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao, the political rival of Chandrababu Naidu.

The minister said when Hyderabad was not well known as it is today in IT space, Naidu went all the way to Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, and convinced him.

"....Eventually the development centre happened 17 years ago," Rama Rao said while responding to a query by CP Gurnani, CEO of Tech Mahindra.

Rama Rao further said the city is now home to the top five most valued tech companies in the world due to the skill base available here.

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Chief Minister today warned Delhi's private schools of "strongest action" for allegedly harassing parents by arbitrarily increasing fees to comply with the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

The warning came after reports suggested that private schools substantially increased their fees to comply with the seventh central pay commission (CPC) recommendations.

In October, the Delhi government had allowed recognised unaided private schools on Delhi Development Authority land to increase their fees by 15 per cent as an "interim" measure to comply with the CPC recommendations, which include a nearly 25 per cent increase in salaries of school teachers.

"Parents from all over Del have met me in last few days wid complaints that schools r demanding v high fee including arrears to implement 7th Pay Commission. This must stop. I have directed Edu Dept to review the whole situation n to take immediate steps to stop this (sic)," Kejriwal said on Twitter.

In another tweet, he said: "No school shud victimize any student, else govt will not hesitate in taking strongest action."



Kejriwal also said he has ordered the education department to review the situation and take immediate steps to stop this. The Delhi government said it was monitoring and would come out with a solution within a week.

Kejriwal had today called a meeting to review the situation arising out of alleged arbitrary fee hike by private schools to implement the commission's recommendations.

Briefing reporters about the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said if private schools behave like commercial institutions, the government will "not spare them".

"If private schools are found victimising students and harassing parents, the government will not hesitate in taking strongest action against them," Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, said.

Asked about the need to audit private schools' accounts, he said if needed, the government would do the same.

Yesterday, the government said that parents aggrieved with the arbitrary hike in fees by private schools would be able to register complaints with 'Fees Anomaly Committees' in each district as it has ordered disposal of the complaints within 90 days.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today claimed the death penalty given to a labourer from Assam for the rape and murder of a 30-year-old Dalit law student was a recognition of the LDF government's uncompromising stand on the safety of women.

Vijayan said the government gave priority to the probe and ensured that the maximum punishment was given to the man.

"It was because of that, the first Cabinet meeting of the LDF government took a decision to set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case," he said.

The SIT was given clear instructions to work impartially, without being influenced, he said in a statement.

The statement was released to the media after a Kochi court today sentenced to death the 22-year-old labourer for the rape and murder of the law student in Kerala last year.

The court drew a parallel with the 2012 Nirbhaya case in Delhi, where a 23-year-old paramedic student was brutally assaulted in a moving bus by five men and a juvenile.

The Kerala law student was murdered on April 28, last year before the May 2016 assembly elections in the state.

The court held that the brutal acts of the convict, Muhammed Ameerul Islam, definitely fit this case within the umbrella of "rarest of rare cases on par with the Nirbhaya case in Delhi".

The incident had rocked Kerala in the midst of the campaign for assembly polls last year, with opposition parties attacking the then Congress-led UDF government for alleged "tardy" probe and "failure" to nab the culprit swiftly.

Vijayan said the SIT rose to the expectations of the LDF government and it was due to that the probe, which was groping in the dark during the previous UDF rule, succeeded.

The message was clear that the government would not allow anybody to escape after committing crime, he said.

The incident had turned into a political weapon, with the LDF, then in opposition, accused the UDF government of failing to ensure the safety of women. It also triggered statewide outrage and protests.

Today, opposition leader in the state Assembly Ramesh Chennithala hailed the verdict and said it was the evidences collected by the investigation team appointed by the previous UDF government that ensured maximum punishment to the accused.

The LDF had then unleashed a campaign that the UDF had sabotaged the case, he pointed out.

"All that has been proved wrong with the court verdict," he said.

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Larsen & Toubro (L&T) today said it has commissioned a 225 MW power plant in Bangladesh.

"L&T has successfully commissioned and handed over the state-of-the-art 225 MW Sikalbaha Combined Cycle Power Plant to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for commercial operation," the company said in a statement.

The power plant, located near the port city of Chittagong in southeastern Bangladesh, was inaugurated on Sunday by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Work on the project started in April 2015 and the power plant was partly commissioned in Open Cycle in May, it said.

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CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda today lashed out at the Nepali Congress leaders for dubbing the Left alliance as "authoritarian" and said that his coalition will lead the nation in line with the Constitution.

The CPN-Maoist led by former premier Prachanda and CPN- UML led by former premier K P Oli had forged electoral alliance for both the provincial and parliamentary elections.

The Left alliance bagged 116 seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system in parliamentary polls.

"I don't want to say anything to those friends who spread rumour and wrong publicity," Prachanda said, adding that the allegations against the Left coalition will be proved wrong in the near future.

"We will not move against the sentiment of federal democratic republic constitution and we will lead the nation in line with the Constitution," he added.

During the recently concluded elections, there were charges levelled by the Nepali Congress leaders that the Maoists would impose autocratic system through Constitutional amendment if they get two-third majority in the elections.

"It was wrongly publicised that the country will head towards uncertainty after the victory of Left alliance," Prachanda told journalists in Chitawan district.

Prachanda has been elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Chitawan district constituency No. 3.

He said that the Left alliance is the pro-people group.

The Left alliance was formed with key agenda of bringing political stability, economic development and prosperity in the country and the huge mandate it garnered in the election implies that the people endorsed the agenda, he added.

He assured Nepalese people that the Left alliance would work as per the aspirations of people and thus fulfill the commitments it made during the election campaign.

The CPN-UML won 80 seats, which is close to 50 per cent of the total 165 seats under the direct voting system. The CPN-Maoist and the Nepali Congress have won 36 and 23 seats respectively.

The Left alliance would form a government at the centre. CPN-UML chairman Oli is likely to lead the new government.

In the provincial assembly, out of a total 330 seats, the CPN-UML secured highest number of 168 seats followed by the Maoist Centre with 73 seats.

Voting in two-phased parliamentary and provincial assembly elections were held on November 26 and December 7.

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The Punjab BJP today sought the deployment of paramilitary forces in Patiala for the local bodies elections, alleging that the ruling Congress was misusing the state machinery to "put pressure" on SAD-BJP candidates.

The party's state vice-president Harjit Singh Grewal and its Punjab secretary Vineet Joshi in a meeting with the state election commissioner (SEC) here alleged that the ruling Congress was involved in malpractices in Patiala.

Elections to three municipal corporations -- Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala -- and municipal councils and nagar panchayats is scheduled on December 17.

They also claimed that the police and the civil machinery was being misused and SAD-BJP candidates were being "put under pressure and browbeaten" by the Congress.

"Station-level policemen in Patiala are acting like Congress workers and are threatening the opposition," the BJP leaders claimed in a release.

They said that paramilitary forces should be deployed in Patiala for the local bodies elections.

Joshi appealed to the SEC that voting should be conducted under the supervision of poll observers from neighbouring states.

"The Congress misused the state machinery during Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll and emerged victorious. It is again adopting the same measures for the state local body elections," he said.

"Hence, paramilitary forces and poll observers from neighbouring states are required to ensure free and fair elections," Joshi demanded.

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A 15-year-old girl, who was gang-raped in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh seven days ago and set on fire, today succumbed at a hospital, police said.

The girl died at the Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital where she was undergoing treatment, district superintendent of police S Shukla told PTI.

The SP said both the accused in the case had been apprehended within 24 hours of the crime.

A case under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 376 (d) (gang-rape) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was registered against them, he said. Now the section 307 would be replaced by section 302 (murder), Shukla said.

The girl was raped at Deval village, 100 km from the district headquarters, on the night of December 7.

Sarvesh Sen (21) and another person, a minor, entered the girl's house when she was asleep and raped her, police said.

When she cried for help, the accused poured kerosene kept in the house on her and set her on fire.

The girl had lost her father some years ago. Her mother had gone to visit the girl's maternal grandmother who lives on the outskirts of the village while the girl's grandfather, who is very old and deaf, was sleeping outside the house when the incident took place.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau's report, the highest number of rape cases in the country were registered in Madhya Pradesh in 2016.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Ajay Singh hit out at the BJP government in the state, saying the death came at a time when chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was being felicitated in the state capital.

Girls were unsafe and lawlessness was rampant in the state, the Congress leader said.

The state BJP this evening feted Chouhan for introducing a bill providing for death penalty for the rape of a girl who is below 12 years of age.

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A man was apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly using a fake travel ticket to see his family off, official sources said today.

A Singh was apprehended yesterday when the CISF personnel found him roaming suspiciously inside the Terminal-3 (T3) building of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, they said.

He told the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel that he used a cancelled ticket to enter the terminal to see his family off, who were travelling to Frankfurt, the sources added.

The man, an Indian passport holder, was subsequently handed over to the police, they said.

Entering an airport terminal without a valid ticket is illegal under the country's aviation rules.

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Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called on Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.

Singh met Naidu, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, on the eve of the winter session of Parliament.

Naidu tweeted about the meeting.

Singh is a Congress Rajya Sabha member from Assam.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Singh of colluding with Pakistan to ensure the BJP's defeat in the Gujarat assembly polls.

Singh hit back at Modi for allegedly spreading "falsehood and canards" to "score political points in a lost cause".

The opposition parties are likely to raise the issue in Parliament.

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The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has sacked Meghalaya state president Sanbor Shullai for reportedly hobnobbing with the BJP.

Incumbent state vice president Vijay Raj has been accordingly appointed as the working president of the party state unit.

"On the recommendation of the NCP national General Secretary in-charge NE states Praful Patel, Shullai has been relieved from the post of state president with immediate effect," NCP Secretary S R Kohli said in a letter to the state unit, a copy of which was made available to the media.

Sources close to the party said that Shullai was removed amid media reports of his hobnobbing with the BJP keeping in view Assembly elections in the state next year.

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Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today said the mindset of the urban planners in India was still in the "bullock cart age" and the municipal agencies are out of sync.

"The mindset of the urban planners in India is still in the bullock cart age. And I think somewhat reckless in making a characterisation", Puri, union minster for Housing and Urban Affairs said.

"What I see in Delhi clearly is a bullock cart approach. The way the city is developing, I blame the master plan and the administrators and the municipalities. They are out of sync," he saidspeaking at a seminar here on 'Smart Urban Planning for 21st Century: Challenges and Choices' with focus on Bengaluru's Revised Master Plan-2031.

Puri said the Master Plan was supposed to be a process rather than a conclusive statement, which provides guidelines for the physical development of the city and guides people in locating the investment in the city.

Unfortunately, master plans laid an exaggeratedemphasis on land use in Delhi rather than in applied context. Functionally, these plans pay little attention to trunk infrastructure, environment conservation and financing, he said.

The number of motor cars in any city is not an indication of economic growth but a clear indication of a downward spiral that the cities were getting into.

Bengaluru Development Minister K J George sought to allay the general apprehensions that the Karnataka government has passed the draft Revised Master Plan.

The government has published the draft revised master plan. Public could give their suggestions. Before finalising, the suggestions would be considered, George said.

He said that by 2020, all the waste water generated in the city will be treated and used for saving the tanks by filling them with the treated water.

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The body of a four-year-old boy was found on the terrace of a residential building near his grandmother's house in Musheerabad area here, police said today.

As per preliminary investigation, the police have ruled out any foul play in the matter.

The boy, who hailed from Jiyaguda, had accompanied his mother to his grandmother's house in Musheerabad and was last seen playing in his neighbourhood on Wednesday evening.

After he did not return home, his family members started looking for him. His body was spotted on the terrace of a nearby two-storey building around midnight by some relatives, police said.

"Citing postmortem report, the doctors opined that the boy apparently died after some food got stuck in his throat. Based on preliminary investigation, there is no foul play. However, we are investigating further. The boy's viscera has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory," Musheerabad Police Station Inspector S Ramchandra Reddy said.

A case has been registered under section 174 of CrPc (suspicious death).

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The body of a class 12 student, who had been missing for the last two days from New Delhi, was found on railway tracks in Gurgaon, the police said today.

They said that Diwakar, a resident of R K Puram in south Delhi, had left for his school from his residence on Tuesday but did not return home.

"On the Wednesday night, the family (Diwakar's) was informed by the Gurgaon Police about a body being found on the railway tracks in Sector-9, Gurgaon. When the family members went to the spot, they identified the body as that of Diwakar," a Delhi police officer said.

He said Diwakar's mouth was stuffed with handkerchief and his shoelaces were tied with the railway track. "We are suspecting foul play. His family members suspect that he has been murdered," the officer added.

Mahesh, a family member of the deceased, said Diwakar was a brilliant student and had no personal animosity with anyone.

"On Tuesday morning, he left for his school but did not return. When we contacted his class teacher, she informed he had not come to the school either. We enquired with his friends and then filed a missing persons complaint," he said.

The Delhi Police officer added, "We are probing the case from all possible angles and also taking help of the Gurgaon Police."



"We are examining CCTV footage of all possible roads he could have taken in Delhi and Gurgaon to ascertain how he reached Gurgaon," he said.

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The bitter Gujarat poll campaign is set to cast its shadow over Parliament's Winter Session starting tomorrow with the Congress today insisting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology for his claim that his predecessor Manmohan Singh colluded with Pakistan to influence the election.

Congress leaders raised the issue at an all party meeting held on the session eve during which Modi, who joined the deliberations later, sought opposition parties' cooperation for a meaningful session and also asked them to evolve a consensus on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar later told reporters that the government was willing to debate all issues raised by the opposition and added that the latter should also help it in conducting its business, including passage of key bills.

The government is expected to table 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including a bill providing Muslim women the right to seek maintenance in case of triple talaq.

Another key bill will be granting constitutional status to the backward castes commission. The bill was stalled in the Rajya Sabha by the opposition in the last session.

With both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha likely to be adjourned tomorrow till Monday after paying tributes to their members who passed away during the inter-session period, the results of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh poll results could have a bearing on the session.

The results are scheduled to be announced on Monday.

A respectable performance by the Congress will energise opposition ranks and embolden it in its fight against the BJP, which may be left dispirited by any poor show in Modi's and its chief Amit Shah's home turf.

However, a favourable outcome for the BJP will blunt whatever strategy its rival may plan against it in Parliament and encourage the saffron party to turn the heat on the Congress and other opposition parties.

Congress leaders, however, insisted that they will corner the government over a host of issues "irrespective" of the results.

Its leader in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that his party will raise the issue of Modi's attack on Singh besides the short tenure of the session which will have 14 sittings. The winter session in 2016 had 21 work days.

"We will be satisfied with nothing short of an apology," his Rajya Sabha colleague Anand Sharma told reporters after the all party meeting.

Azad said the government should either show evidence to support Modi's charge against Singh or action should be taken against the prime minister for levelling false allegations. The Congress had spoken to other opposition parties over the issue as well, he said.

Kumar parried queries on the demand made by the Congress and insisted that the government was willing to debate all matters raised by opposition parties.

"Running House is their (opposition) responsibility too," he said.

"We have appealed for their cooperation. Parliament's productivity has risen in the last three-and-a-half years and it should continue," he said.

Opposition members, who outnumber the BJP-led NDA alliance in the Rajya Sabha, may also find the going harder for them in the Upper House as its Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has made his displeasure clear with raucous protests it often witnesses. Naidu will preside over the Rajya Sabha for the first time after being elected as Vice President in August.

He had recently pitched for "automatic suspension" of members who rush to the well of the House to disrupt proceedings and said their names should be put in the public domain.

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The government's decision to lift a ban on Muslim women undertaking Haj pilgrimage without 'Mehram' (a male companion) has generated "positive" results, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said today.

According to a statement, Naqvi made the comments while referring to a "large number" of applications the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has received under the category.

Under the category, Muslim women aged above 45 will be allowed to go for the pilgrimage without 'Mehram' in a group of at least four.

"The Narendra Modi government's decision to lift the ban concerned has generated very positive results as Muslim women, from across the country, are applying in a large number under this category," the statement quoted Naqvi as saying.

The minority affairs minister made the remarks while launching a portal for private tour operators (PTOs) here.

"This is another important step towards women empowerment by the government," Naqvi added.

The application process for Haj 2018 started on November 15 and more than 1,000 women have applied under the category.

More than 2.63 lakh people have applied for undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage till December 13. Out of this, 1.38 lakh applications have been received online.

"It has given a boost to the ministry's decision to make entire Haj process digital. Besides, people are also applying through mobile app," he said.

Naqvi said the previous distribution formula for quota between the HCoI and PTOs (73.53 per cent and 26.47 per cent, respectively) has been retained.

A high-level panel formed by the government to work out the draft Haj 2018-2022 policy had recommended increase the quota of PTOs to 30 per cent. Naqvi said that Haj 2018 will be conducted according to the new policy.

He said the portal for the PTOs has been launched for the first time by the ministry to ensure that the entire process related to Haj becomes fully transparent.

"The portal has been developed to carry forward Modi's Digital India programme. The portal is aimed at addressing several issues of PTOs and Haj pilgrims," he added.

PTOs can apply online with required documents through the portal. These applications will be scrutinised by the Haj Division of the ministry. After this, draw of lots will be done online and seat will be allocated.

The portal also aims at displaying details of the rates, packages and facilities offered by the PTOs across the country, the statement said.

"While the entire process has been simplified and made transparent for the PTOs, it has also been clearly instructed that any discrepancies in facilities for Haj pilgrims going through PTOs will not be tolerated," Naqvi said.

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For Seetal Zalte and her husband Sagar, the 13 hours they spent outside an operation theatre in city-based BJ Wadia Hospital on Tuesday seemed endless.

However, at 5 PM, the agonising wait seemed worthwhile when a doctor broke the that Love and Prince, over one-year-old conjoined twins of the couple, had been successfully separated by a team of 20 doctors following a complex surgery.

Love and Prince now lie in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the hospital in separate cots.

Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals, said the twins were conjoined at the abdomen and hip and both had a common liver, intestine and urinary bladder.

"It was a unique surgery that involved a team of 20 doctors who planned and performed the 12-hour long complex and complicated surgery successfully on December 12," Dr Bodhanwala told reporters here.

The couple first learnt about the anomaly in the 24th week of Seetal's pregnancy when a scan conducted at Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital showed that the twins were fused waist down.

They were born conjoined with a fused liver, intestine, urinary bladder, and chest bone to Zaltes, residents of suburban Ghatkopar, in September 2016.

According to Dr Bodhanwala, the Zaltes were counselled about the medical condition of the conjoined twins, but they decided to go ahead with the delivery.

Following the birth of Love and Prince, the doctors decided to wait for at least six months before conducting a surgery to separate them.

The boys were fused in such a way that they faced each other. However, they had two individual sets of hands and legs, separate brain, lungs and heart.

"Medical staff at the hospital ensured that the parents were counselled about the condition of the twins before delivery and a decision was taken to deliver the twins at Wadia Hospital itself," Dr Bodhanwala said.

Dr Bodhanwala said Love and Prince will be kept under observation for a few days.

However, it is a long journey ahead for Love and Prince and their parents.

According to Dr Bodhanwala, Love and Prince will have to undergo multiple surgeries to ensure they remain healthy and fit enough to survive.

For doctors, the most challenging part of the surgery was to provide skin to cover both the children, she said.

Seetal Zalte is obviously exalted though she is aware about the challenges ahead.

She recalled that the doctors at Wadia Maternity Hospital had apprised them about the possible outcomes of the surgery.

"They told us that separation surgeries are possible and children can go on to live normal lives. The doctors at Wadia hospital explained me every minute detail on the day of the surgery. We did not face any difficulty and have been taking care of them as normal kids," she said.

In June 2014, conjoined twins Riddhi and Siddhi had undergone a separation surgery at the same hospital.

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A court in Mizoram's Champhai district has sentenced a Myanmarese national to 15-year rigorous imprisonment for smuggling synthetic drug methamphetamine into the country.

Additional Sessions Judge of Champhai district R Vanlalena convicted Lenpu, 28, of Tamu village in Myanmar yesterday and imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on him.

Lenpu will serve an additional one-year imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine, the judge ruled.

He was arrested on January 14, 2017 for possession of methamphetamine.

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Calling it a "turbulent period" in the healthcare system, Union health minister J P Nadda today urged the states to implement the Clinical Establishment Act for regulation of private healthcare institutions, in the backdrop of cases of alleged medical negligence and overcharging by private hospitals.

The Clinical Establishments Act was been enacted by the Centre to provide for registration and regulation of all clinical establishments in the country with a view to prescribe the minimum standards of facilities and services provided by them.

The minister said that the government is committed to bringing about proactive policy changes in the healthcare sector to make it more responsive to the needs of the common man and to create a network where the government and the private sector can work together for ensuring universal healthcare at affordable cost."In this turbulent period of the healthcare system, stakeholders must sit together to sort out the differences to evolve a policy framework that should address how to provide affordable universal healthcare to the citizens.

"The private healthcare sector cannot remain unregulated and that is why we have been asking states to implement the Clinical Establishment Act," Nadda said inaugurating the 14th India Health Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here today.

The minister pointed out that the medical profession is lacking communication skills, and the challenges as well as the impediments should be communicated to the general public.

"You cannot afford to live in silos. The challenges, impediments and advantages India possesses in the medical system should be communicated to the general public.

"At the same time, medical community should be aware of the imponderables being faced by those who are seeking medical help, particularly from the point of view of cost. Such meaningful interfaces can take the medical profession to its pristine glory," he added.

Nadda also highlighted the achievements of his government in the healthcare sector, such as increase in the health expenditure as a proportion to the GDP.

Prior to 2014, there was a cut in the health expenditure. As against this, the expenditure is increasing every successive year since 2014. For the year 2017-18, the budgeted expenditure is 27.5 per cent higher than the previous year. Of that, more than 70 per cent has already been expended, he said.

Pitching for greater cooperation between public and private hospitals to ensure universal healthcare, the minister said that a beginning has been made in this direction also.

More than 4,000 gynaecologists from private hospitals have enrolled themselves for voluntary services to the poor living in rural and tribal belts.

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, CII Healthcare Council and CMD, Medanta-The Medicity stressed the need for ensuring "some order" in the healthcare sector.

The turbulent conditions should be addressed, he said, and offered that the stakeholders would sit together with the minister after the winter session of Parliament.

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria referred to the need for maintaining quality in medical education, while creating more manpower.

The change from clinical approach to investigative medicine, he said, has increased the cost of treatment and has led to mistrust between the doctor and the patient.

"What we need is a mix of both to ensure affordable treatment to the patients," he added.

The Clinical Establishments Act is applicable to all types (both therapeutic and diagnostic types) of clinical establishments in the public and private sectors.

Till now, five states including Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Assam and all Union territories except the NCT of Delhi have adopted and implemented the Act. States like Sikkim, Mizoram, Bihar, UP and Uttarakhand have adopted the Act but are yet to implement it.

Under the Act, standard treatment guidelines are specified for 227 diseases, including dengue, chikungunya and malaria. The hospitals are supposed to abide by minimum standards in terms of infrastructure, services, staff, equipment and lighting arrangements among others.

A technical committee is to be set up to decide on charges for treatment of diseases and procedures at clinical establishments, including private hospitals.

Health facilities are supposed to display the charges for each procedure and facility to keep the patient informed in advance. Failure to adhere to these guidelines would result in imposition of penalty.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Calcutta High Court today granted anticipatory bail to three CPI(M) workers accused of being involved in violence in Nandigram on March 14, 2007 during the anti-land acquisition movement when 14 persons were killed allegedly in police firing.

Seeking anticipatory bail, the counsel for the three accused, Bikash Bhattacharya, claimed that they have been framed because of their allegiance to the CPI(M).

Bhattacharya claimed that the three have been unnecessarily dragged into the case and that they were not involved in any violence on the said date.

CBI counsel Ashraf Ali opposed their plea and submitted that there was evidence of their involvement in the violence.

Hearing both the parties, a division bench comprising justices Dipankar Dutta and A Chattopadhyay granted anticipatory bail to Prajapati Das, Rabiul Hossain and Bijon Roy, all of whom are local CPI(M) leaders.

On March 14, 2007, at the height of anti-land acquisition agitation in Nandigram, 14 persons were killed in alleged police firing on agitators.

The Calcutta High Court had on the next day ordered a CBI investigation into the police firing, taking suo motu cognisance.

The CBI had filed the first charge sheet against 39 persons in 2008 and the second charge sheet was filed against 129 persons in 2013.

On June 27 this year, the investigating agency filed a charge sheet against 12 more persons, including the three petitioners.

In 2007, the CPI(M)-led Left Front was at the helm of the state government, while the present Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee was spearheading the anti-land acquisition movement as the main opposition leader in the state.

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Nepal's Left party alliance which is set to form the next government would neither be "anti- India" nor "pro-China" and maintain good relations with both the countries, a CPN-UML leader has said.

"Both (India and China) are our neighbours, we respect both neighbours. India is our neighbour. No Nepali will be anti-Indian," said Ishwor Pokhrel, general secretary of the CPN-UML.

He stressed that his party was neither "anti-India" nor "pro-China", with Nepal having many existing trade and transit agreements with New Delhi, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

The Left alliance bagged 116 seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system in the just-concluded parliamentary polls. The governing centrist Nepali Congress has won just 21.

CPN-UML chairman Khadga Prasad, who is known for his pro-China stance, is tipped to become the new prime minister of the country.

Pokhrel said the new government would be keen to develop ties with China, which he described as a "friend" who respected Nepalese sovereignty.

"We have to maintain good relations with China. We respect the one-China policy and we are very strictly against anti-Chinese activities," he said, in an apparent reference to Tibetans crossing over to Nepal to meet the Dalai Lama.

Pokhrel said that after assuming power, the new government would implement a 15-point joint communique signed by Oli and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in March 2016 that covered transportation, trade and financial cooperation.

The Nepal government will also approve infrastructure projects with China after a majority government is formed in mid-January, including railway projects, motorways and hydroelectric schemes such as the Budhi Gandaki dam.

The Budhi Gandaki dam project was originally planned with state-owned China Gezhouba Group, but it was cancelled by the government on the eve of the elections, citing irregularities.

The procurement process for the dam project will be studied again, but it is not certain if the contract will be given to China Gezhouba, a Chinese construction and engineering company based in Wuhan, Hubei province.

"When Oli will become the prime minister, then we will take [the agreements] very seriously," Pokhrel was quoted as saying by the report.

"Nepal is keen to get involved in China's Belt and Road trade and infrastructure initiative with other nations," he added.

Oli during his brief between 2015-16 signed the Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) to improve the connectivity between Nepal and Tibet in a bid to end decades old dependency on India for daily supplies.

During his visit here last year, China in a strategic move has also agreed to extend the railway line in Tibet to Nepal to improve the connectivity by road and rail.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today restrained the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), DSIIDC and other local authorities from awarding work for commercial projects till they identified alternative landfill sites in the city.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar came down heavily on the public authorities for not putting forward any constructive suggestion to resolve the issue of waste management and for creating hurdles in providing land for waste plants.

The green panel directed the chief secretary of the Delhi government to hold a meeting with DDA, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (DSIIDC), municipal corporations and other authorities concerned within two weeks and come out with some alternative sites for setting up waste-to-energy plants.

The tribunal asked the chief secretary and the Lieutenant Governor to expedite the matter of identification of landfill sites for better management of municipal solid waste.

The bench directed all the counsels to seek clear instructions with regard to increasing the capacity of Narela-Bawana plant and the site at NTPC's Badarpur plant.

The NGT said that it was unfortunate that at a time when the national capital was grappling with the huge quantum of waste to the tune of 14,000 metric tonnes on daily basis, the authorities were involved in "blame game" and showing an irresponsible attitude.

With rapid development and massive urbanisation of the national capital, the waste generation was increasing on daily basis which has resulted in saturation of the existing landfill sites which can handle only up to 7,000 metric tonnes of waste, the tribunal said.

"While the permissible height of the landfill sites is 20 metres, in actuality it has reached height of 65 metres. The sites are being put to fire by methane generation or human intervention. The improper handling of municipal waste dumped at the sites has even resulted in the deaths of two people," the bench said



It asked the public authorities to make concerted efforts to deal with the problem of waste and establish new landfill sites in a speedy manner.

The NGT earlier directed the civic bodies and DSIIDC to come out with a clear mechanism for setting up an integrated waste management plant at Ranikhera near the Delhi-Haryana border.

The green panel noted that the pieces of land at Ranikhera which have been earmarked for the waste management plant exist in four different pieces.

The green panel proposed that the land which belonged to DSIIDC can be used for setting up the plant and it can be given a different piece of land near the area measuring 16 acres for industrial use.

The tribunal, which is looking into the issue of alternative landfill sites, had earlier ordered inspection of land at Ranikhera.

The green panel had constituted a committee to look into the working of waste-to-energy plants in the national capital.

It had also asked the Central Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to approach the Delhi government to provide more landfill sites in the city and maintain them strictly in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016.

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Telecom giant Nokia and Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-Delhi) have entered into a partnership to collaborate on futuristic technologies like data science, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The collaboration focuses on making service delivery pre-emptive and more reliable based on data science, analytics and AI, a Nokia release said.

AI refers to intelligence shown by machines.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will allow Nokia prepare its services for 5G where the networks will be more complex and demanding, it added.

At the same time, it would allow the premier institute to leverage Nokia's technological prowess in communications networking to conduct research in the identified areas.

The students and faculty of IIT Delhi will work in projects with Nokia's professionals to make networks more efficient and reliable.

IIT-Delhi research scholars from applied mathematics, statistical and computer science domains will work with Nokia's top technical minds to develop software modules based on AI algorithms with machine learning, deep learning and predictive analytics, the statement added.

Speaking on the occasion, BR Mehta, Dean of Research and Development at IIT-Delhi, said: "The collaboration will not only provide crucial exposure to our students in the new technologies but will also enable them to put theoretical topics, like analytics, to practical use.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today pitched for developing a heritage walk in Chandni Chowk, a densely populated market which has been around for more than three centuries.

Mahajan said the government and the people should come together to restore the "old splendour" of Chandni Chowk.

The market was once divided by canals to reflect the moonlight, and merchants from Turkey, China and even Holland visited it, according to the Delhi Tourism department website.

Chandni Chowk was among the biggest Indian markets.

Citing the restoration of 'Rajwada' in her constituency Indore, Mahajan said a heritage walk should be developed in Chandni Chowk.

"The old splendour of Chandni Chowk could be restored. We can definitely think of developing a heritage walk there with the help of people and the government," she said at an event.

Mahajan and the section chief and programme specialist for culture at the UNESCO's New Delhi office, Moe Chiba, also presented a citation to Union minister Vijay Goel and his son Siddhant for the restoration of the 19th-century Dharampura Haveli in Chandni Chowk.

The haveli, painstakingly restored over six years, has earned a special mention in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation this year.

The Lok Sabha speaker said the initiative could be replicated at many other places across the country.

She also said that with the help of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), work has started on maintaining and preserving the Parliament Building.

Tourism Minister K J Alphons too lauded the restoration of Dharampura Haveli and added that "Goel has shown how we can showcase our heritage to the world. It's a great example for the people to come forward. We have started 'adopt a heritage' scheme' and 14 sites have been given for restoration."



He urged Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who was present at the event, to make the monuments "alive" by allowing them to be kept open beyond 5pm and hold cultural and recreational activities there.

In a country like India, having diverse heritage, its not possible that each heritage site has to be dependent on government support, Moe Chiba said.

The restoration of Dharampura Haveli was a "totally private" initiative to restore it to its old splendour with high-quality craftsmanship and use of traditional construction material to preserve its Mughal era architecture, she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leaders of various opposition parties today criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in Gujarat and also hit out at the Election Commission for not taking action against him.

Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, NCP, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), RJD, National Conference and the Left parties, met on the eve of the winter session of Parliament to discuss key issues to be raised in Parliament.

It was "indeed shocking" that the Election Commission had failed to uphold its constitutional mandate, the leaders said in a statement.

Instead of taking action for violations, the poll panel had allowed violations by the ruling party.

The Election Commission had been indulgent in allowing the prime minister to dedicate a submarine on the day of the poll, the statement read.

"This attitude of the EC has cast ominous shadow on the credibility of the EC and the integrity of the electoral process," the leaders said.

The opposition leaders also expressed their disappointment and "outrage" over the disqualification of Sharad Yadav and Anwar Ali from the Rajya Sabha.

It was a hasty move taken without following due process, they said, describing the decision as "unfair and unjust".

The meeting was held in the chamber of the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Amongst those who attended were NCP's Tariq Anwar, TMC's Derek O'Brien, NC's Farooq Abdullah, SP's Naresh Agrawal, RJD's Jaiprakash Narain Yadav and CPI's D Raja.

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Paid has become a "menance", Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said today, and asked newspapers to use their "power" wisely for the benefit of society.

"Paid has become a menace....it has become a weakness in the society," he told a gathering at an event to mark the launch of the Delhi edition of leading Marathi daily 'Lokmat'.

He said newspapers had the power to influence society which it should use wisely for the larger benefit of people.

Making a pitch for use of mother tongue, Naidu said he rose to his current position despite studying in a school in his native Andhra Pradesh where the medium of instruction was Telugu.

Naidu said parents pushing children to speak in English reflected their "weakness". The vice president, however, clarified he was not against any language.

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Pakistan today directed its High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to the wife and mother of Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, official sources said.

The directive was issued by the Foreign Ministry following its decision last week to allow Jadhav's family to meet him on December 25 in Islamabad, they said.

The Foreign Office sources said that adequate security measures will be taken for complete safety of Jadhav's family.

An Indian high commission official will be allowed to accompany Jadhav's family during their meeting.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Pakistan yesterday rejected India's plea for consular access to Jadhav at the ICJ, claiming that New Delhi wants the access to get the information gathered by its "spy".

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to issue fresh notices to more than 45 Indian entities named in the Panama Papers list on charges of possible forex law violations, official sources today said.

The agency, they said, is investigating about 46 "actionable" cases of Indians on this global leaks list for possible violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The central probe agency will soon issue notices to about three dozen entities soon, they said.

The agency, one of the members of the multi-agency group (MAG) of investigative agencies on Panama Papers, will also submit a report of this action to this panel that will subsequently forward a consolidated report for review to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

The ED has already initiated the action of "seizing of assets" under the FEMA law in few such cases.

"Out of the 46 actionable cases given to the ED, only a few are of the nature of serious violations.

"A coordinated action plan is being undertaken by the agencies on-board the MAG and the ED action is one among them," a senior Finance Ministry official said.

The Panama Papers, released last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), contains brief particulars of 426 people, prima facie, Indians or persons of Indian origin.

The Income Tax Department has said that it has found 147 of the total of 426 of these cases "actionable".

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the policy- making body of the tax department, has recently said investigations in the Panama Papers till now has resulted in detection of undisclosed wealth of Rs 792 crore so far and the probe in these cases is on in "full swing".

The government had constituted a MAG, headed by the CBDT Chairman, of investigative agencies in April last year to probe these entities.

The MAG has so far submitted seven reports to the government.

The I-T Department has recently slapped criminal charges under the new anti-black money Act and has launched fresh assessment of stashed offshore income against over half-a- dozen Indian entities named on the list.
A Parsi trust today broke age-old traditions and informed the Supreme Court that it would allow a Parsi woman and her sisters, who have married outside the community, to visit the 'Tower of Silence' and attend prayers in the event of the death of their parents.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, which is dealing a legal question whether a Parsi woman loses her religious identity if she marries a man from a different religion, lauded the stand of 'Valsad Parsi Trust' to allow Goolrokh M Gupta and her married sisters to attend prayer in the temple of fire and the last rites of parents after their death.

Trust, represented by senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium, said, "it is agreed and declared between the petitioner and respondent (trust) that the respondent will, on compassionate grounds, permit the petitioner to attend the funeral prayers (Paldust ceremony) of her parents performed inside the prayer hall of the Bungli (bunglow) of the Tower of Silence complex (Doongerwadi) complex at Valsad."



The Tower is used for funerary purposes by the adherents of the Zoroastrian faith, in which the traditional practice for disposal of the dead involves the exposure of the corpse to the sun and vultures.

The bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said the statement of the Parsi Trust "meets the present requirement of the petitioner (Gupta) and her sisters" and made it clear that the issues relating to Gupta's constitutional rights will be adjudicated upon at a later stage on January 17.

When the court asked whether it can pass an order that now such women will be allowed to attend last prayers, the senior lawyer said he has taken instructions only from the Valsad Trust and there were several other trusts as well.

As per the tradition, a Parsi woman loses her religious identity after marriage outside the community and is consequently barred from visiting the 'Tower of Silence' in the event of death of her Parsi family members.

Subramanium, who was asked on December 7 by the court to take instruction from the Trust on allowing the woman, said in all fairness, the trust has decided to allow the woman and would arrange the priest (mobeds) for her if she cannot manage on her own to perform the last prayers.

Moreover, the children of the woman could also "attend the funeral ceremonies of their grand parents by sitting in the pavilion opposite the Bungli along with the members of the communities both Zoroastrians and otherwise".

Earlier, the apex court had said that the law does not sanction the concept of a woman's religion getting merged with her husband's faith after an inter-religion marriage.

Gupta has challenged the customary law, upheld by the Gujarat High Court in 2010, that a Parsi woman marrying a Hindu loses her religious rights in the Parsi community and hence, loses the right to visit the 'Tower of Silence' in the event of her parents' death to perform the last rites.

The High Court had held that a Parsi woman is deemed to have converted to Hinduism after she married a Hindu man.

However, the top court bench had said it was only the woman who can decide about her religious identity by exercising her right to choice.

On October 9, the apex court had referred to a five-judge constitution bench the legal question whether a Parsi woman loses her religious identity after marrying a man of different religion.

The woman, in her appeal filed in 2012, said she had married a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act and should be allowed to retain her place in the Parsi community. She had assailed the high court finding that a woman universally loses her paternal identity just because of her marriage with a man practising the Hindu religion.

She had approached the high court contending that even after her marriage with a Hindu man, she has continued to follow Zoroastrian religion and thus had the right to enjoy all privileges under the Parsi religion, including right to offer prayers at Agiari, a Parsi temple having the 'holy fire' and the 'Tower of Silence'.

She contended that her rights as a Parsi Zoroastrian cannot be denied on the ground that she has married a non- Parsi man. She had also argued that a male Parsi Zoroastrian continued to enjoy all rights available to a born Parsi, even if he is married to a non-Parsi Zoroastrian woman.

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Vice President Mike Pence plans to delay his weekend departure for the Middle East as Congress nears completion of a tax overhaul, White House officials said today.

White House officials said Pence now plans to leave for Egypt on Tuesday so he can preside over the Senate during a vote on the tax package.

Pence had been scheduled to leave Saturday for Israel, following President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. White House officials said Pence will travel first to Egypt and then to Israel.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to publicly describe scheduling details.

The officials said Pence's trip will be abbreviated after Palestinian officials and leading Muslim and Christian clerics in Egypt refused to meet with him during his trip to the region.

Trump and Republican lawmakers are hoping for a vote early next week on the delivery of a package of steep tax cuts for corporations and more modest cuts for families before Christmas. Republicans can afford to lose two votes while counting on Pence to break a tie.

White House officials said they do not expect Pence's vote to be needed on the tax bill.

Pence has been forced to adjust his schedule in the Middle East amid protests from leaders over Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Aides to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has condemned Trump's decision, said earlier this week that he would not meet with the vice president. Abbas had originally planned to host Pence, a devout Christian, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Pence is scheduled to meet Wednesday in Cairo with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, a close ally of Trump.

Pence will arrive in Israel later Wednesday for a visit to the Western Wall. The vice president will then meet Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deliver an address to the Knesset and later dine with Netanyahu.

White House officials said Pence will wrap up his trip to Israel on Friday with a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

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AUBURN  A Union Springs man will spend time in prison for stealing a 10-week-old puppy from the Finger Lakes SPCA.

In May, William Butler said he tried to adopt a pit bull puppy named Lil Jed. But, after the SPCA denied his request, he decided to break into the York Street shelter and take the dog on his own.

The SPCA said Lil Jed had come to the shelter as an owner surrender in April. He was not available for adoption at the time because he did not have all of the required vaccines.

Following several tips from the public, the Auburn Police Department found the puppy two days later at Butler's residence at 636 Farley Point Road. Officers said Lil Jed was recovered unharmed.

In October, Butler pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree burglary, a class D felony. At the time, the second felony offender said he had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he broke into the SPCA and stole Lil Jed. Butler was convicted of fourth-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property in July 2008.

On Thursday morning, Butler appeared for sentencing before Judge Thomas Leone. The 39-year-old apologized to the court and to the SPCA.

"This isn't who or what I strive to be," he said.

Leone ultimately sentenced Butler to two to four years in prison with a Willard order, which will allow Butler to serve the majority of his sentence as parole supervision while receiving intense substance abuse treatment. Butler was also ordered to pay $250 in restitution to the SPCA. He could have faced as much as seven years in prison for the burglary.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, the SPCA said Lil Jed had a happy ending. Now known as Dallas, the pup was adopted earlier this year.
Maharashtra government has received applications of over five lakh farmers claiming damage to crops due to pink bollworm infestation and they will be compensated through seed firms and disaster relief fund, Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar said in Assembly today.

"We have reports from over 20 districts of Maharashtra claiming that the cotton crop is damaged due to pink bollworm. We are in the process of panchnamas and the damage caused to the crop spread over 4.90 lakh hectares in the state," Fundkar said while replying to a discussion on problems being faced by farmers.

The ruling BJP yesterday found itself cornered in the Lower House after it came to fore that officials have failed to brief Fundkar on the issue of pink bollworm infestation.

Fundkar today denied the opposition's charge that the state government was shielding seed companies from any possible action against them over the pest attack.

"Over five lakh farmers have given application claiming damage to the crop. All these farmers will be given compensation through seed companies, insurance claims and disaster relief fund," he said.

However, the opposition remained unconvinced as the minister did not announce the quantum of compensation to be paid to cotton farmers.

Prior to the winter session, Opposition leaders had demanded compensation worth Rs 25,000 per acre for affected farmers.

"The government is making claims that the farmers will get compensation, but is not ready to contribute on its own. The minister must announce the amount today to extend relief to farmers," NCP MLA Ajit Pawar said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened saying the government would analyse the losses and ensure that every cotton producer is given the benefit.

Opposition has been demanding immediate relief to farmers saying that Bt cotton seed "BG II" has failed to protect cotton from the pink bollworm attack in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

Opposition members yesterday alleged that though the government was aware that BG II seed lacked potential to prevent pink bollworm infestation it purposefully didn't act as it "wanted private seed-producing companies to be benefitted".

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress) also slammed the government for failing to make any "concrete" announcement to benefit affected farmers.

Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, "I doubt how much financial assistance could be given to seed companies, as the seed law is weak. It is not sufficient to prosecute the companies and get enough compensation for farmers".

The opposition members then boycotted the proceedings over the government's inability to announce the compensation amount.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy and said its induction was a big step in the country's defence preparedness.

Modi boarded the submarine and unveiled its plaque, after meeting veterans of the first Kalvari who were present at the ceremony.

"Kalvari is an excellent example of our 'Make in India' programme," he said, speaking at the commissioning ceremony here this morning.

Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler were among those present at the ceremony.

Modi thanked France for this 'strategic joint project' and described the commissioning of the submarine as a "matter of pride" for 125 crore Indians.

"It is a matter of pride for me to commission this submarine. Kalvari's induction in the Navy is a big step in defence preparedness," Modi said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

"The power of Kalvari, that of a tiger shark, will strengthen our Navy," the prime minister said.

He said India has always been the first responder in times of crisis for neighbours, be it floods, water shortage or cyclones, in Sri Lanka, Maldives or Bangladesh.

During the Nepal earthquake, Indian Navy and Air Force rendered major assistance, he noted.

Modi also dwelt on the 'sabka saath sabka vikas' motto of his government and cited the successful tackling of terrorism and Naxal threats.

"So far this year, around 200 terrorists have been killed by police and security forces in Kashmir. There has been a reduction in the number of stone pelting incidents there," he said.

He said, "There has also been a decline in Naxal violence. This shows people are veering towards the path of development."



Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said submarine building is a sophisticated and exacting craft which very few countries possess in their industrial capacity.

"India has proven its capability to build submarines for the past 25 years. These are highly significant steps in the direction of 'Make in India' and 'Skill India'. Making submarines benefits industry not only by itself through orders but also through stringent quality control," she said.

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Naval Command, and top defence officials also attended the event.

"Kalvari underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment," a Navy official said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

"The technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," an official of the MDL said.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stood in a queue at a polling station in Ranip area here to cast his vote, but opposition Congress took objection to his greeting the crowd outside the booth later prompting the Gujarat election authorities to order an inquiry.

Modi, after arriving at the polling booth set up in Nishan High School of Ranip area, which is part of Sabarmati constituency, bowed to greet his elder brother Somabhai Modi who was present there. Somabhai Modi lives in the same locality.

Then the prime minister stood in the queue to cast his vote. He was seen talking to other voters while awaiting his turn.

After casting the vote, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside and were chanting "Modi...Modi".

The prime minister walked some distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road. Then he stood on the footboard of his car and waved to the crowd.

In the morning, Modi commissioned Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy in Mumbai, from where he flew to Gujarat.

The state Congress took exception to his greeting the crowd outside the polling booth. Nikunj Balar, the convener of the Congress' legal cell, said the party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission and the chief electoral officer of Gujarat against Modi's "roadshow".

A separate complaint was also submitted to the Ranip Police, he said.

In response to the Congress's complaint, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, B B Swain, said an inquiry has been ordered to probe whether there was any violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The complaint was more "anticipatory in nature", he said.

"We have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of vote (by Modi). It was more anticipatory in nature. It said there was a huge crowd (outside the polling booth) and it could turn into a roadshow," Swain said.

"We have handed over the inquiry to the Ahmedabad district election officer (the district collector). Since our MCC team was also present at the booth, it will also give its report. They (the collector and MCC team) are now finalising their overall inquiry report," Swain said.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat assembly elections was held today in 93 seats of north and central Gujarat.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The votes will be counted on December 18.

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The Polavaram multipurpose project would be completed by 2018 or by 2019 in case of any delay, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said today after meeting Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi.

"We have come to an understanding. I had a lengthy meeting with Gadkari for 3-4 hours (in New Delhi last night) and that gave me trust and self-confidence that we will complete the project," Naidu told reporters here after returning from the national capital.

We will prepare an action plan to complete the whole project by 2018 or by 2019 if there is any delay, he said.

Naidu said he explained to Gadkari in detail about the importance of Polavaram and how even a day's delay (in execution of works) could cause huge (monetary) loss.

"The (Union) minister asked us to give a month's time to the existing contractor (Transstroy India) to complete the works. If he cannot do it, then works can be entrusted to other contractors. Gadkari wanted us to go ahead with the process (of identifying a new contractor)," the chief minister said.

It may be recalled that the Centre had recently asked the state government to stall the process of selecting a new contractor for the Polavaram spillway and spill channel works, sparking a political row between the coalition partners Telugu Desam and the BJP.

Opposition parties like the YSR Congress and the Jana Sena seized the opportunity to demand publication of a white paper on the project, alleging a scam.

"We will post details of every rupee spent on the website. Where is the need for a white paper," the CM said countering the opposition.

He lashed out at opposition parties for trying to stall the project by launching a venomous campaign.

"Act with wisdom and don't create hurdles for the project. Don't cause damage to the state by creating unnecessary fuss," Naidu said.

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President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Allahabad on Saturday, December 16, to lay the foundation stone of 'Nyay Gram', a model township of the High Court here.

"On the request of the high court, the state government has provided 34.82 acres of land at Devghat, Jhalwa here for construction of a judicial academy, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,500-2,000 people and residences for hon'ble judges and staff," Justice Tarun Agarwala the high court told reporters here.

The president will lay the foundation stone of Nyay Gram in a pandal erected at the high court ground, he said. Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would be present on the occasion.

"At its inception, the strength of judges at the Allahabad High Court was six which has risen to 108 now. When the high court was shifted to its present location in 1916, it had just six courtrooms which has now grown to 64 in number in addition to the court of the chief justice.

"However, despite being the biggest high court of the country, there is no place where all the judges can assemble and deliberate on issues," Justice Agarwala said.

There are around 3,000 judicial officers in the state who not only need to be well-trained but also updated with the contemporary legislation and developments in the field of law for which periodic training is a must, he added.

The state government has nominated the Public Works Department, Uttar Pradesh, as the construction agency for the project and Rs 395.10 crore have been sanctioned, of which Rs 62 crore have been released as the first instalment.

In the second phase, the plan is for construction of 33 bungalows for the judges and 66 flats for staff.

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Russian president Vladimir Putin said today that he welcomed the United States' "awareness of reality" in the North Korea crisis after Washington announced it was ready for talks with Pyongyang without preconditions.

"This is a very good sign that shows that the American leadership is moving towards an awareness of reality," Putin said during his annual year-end press conference.

"We believe that both sides need to stop aggravating the situation," he added.

"North Korea is a closed country. It's enough for one firing (of a missile) from North Korea and the consequences will be catastrophic," he said.

According to Putin, Pyongyang feels threatened by Washington and "sees no other way for survival other than developing weapons of mass destruction."



But he said that Russia "does not recognise North Korea's nuclear status," added that "We need to be extremely careful."



On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Washington that the United States was ready to talk to North Korea "without preconditions", backing away from US insistence that Pyongyang accept in principle to disarm.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said yesterday that Moscow viewed the statement positively.

"We can state that such constructive statements impress us far more than the confrontational rhetoric that we have heard up to now. Undoubtedly this can be welcomed," Peskov said.

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Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was facing a "crisis of credibility" and had stopped talking about corruption.

Gandhi, who was on his first visit to Kerala after being elected as the Congress president, was also unsparing of BJP chief Amit Shah.

At a meeting of party workers, he asked the ruling CPI(M) to make its stand clear on its fight against the BJP and "fascist forces" in the country.

The Congress leader, who was on a day's visit here, alleged that the prime minister had "unilaterally" cancelled the Rafale fighter jet deal with France that was decided during the UPA government.

"India is no longer going to buy 136 fighter planes and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will no longer be the contractor. But the contractor now is going to be a businessman close to the prime minister," Gandhi alleged.

Claiming that Modi had stopped mentioning the word "corruption" now, Gandhi said, "The Congress had showed the country what BJP chief Amit Shah's son had done."



He attacked the Modi government over demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) and said the country's economy was badly hit by the two decisions.

Gandhi, who arrived here after a hectic electioneering in Gujarat, said his party had fought an "extremely aggressive election" in the state.

"At every level, the prime minister tried to distract the people of Gujarat," he alleged.

"Three years after he came to power, the prime minister is facing a crisis of credibility. People listen to his speeches, but no longer believe in what he says," he said.

He also said that the prime minister had failed to live up to his promise to create two crore jobs every year.

Attacking the CPI(M), Gandhi said, "I want to ask my friends in the CPI(M) whether they actually want to fight the fascist forces in the country."



"It is very important that they make their position clear at the national level because not standing against the BJP means supporting the saffron party," he said.

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Police detained around 50 people and had to resort to cane-charging to disperse a mob that tried holding a rally in support of Shambhulal Regar, the accused in the Rajsamand murder case, in Udaipur today.

Meanwhile, the Jaipur police arrested one Updesh Rana who had announced holding of the rally in Udaipur in a social media post.

"Section 144 was imposed in Udaipur yesterday, but defying the order some people tried gathering in support of the Rajsamand murder accused. We had to resort to cane- charging to disperse the crowd," ADG law and order NRK Reddy said.

"Near about 50 people were rounded up as a preventive measure," he added.

Reddy said four-five policemen were injured in stone pelting by the mod.

Rana, a resident of Uttar Pradesh claiming to be rashtriya pracharak of the the Vishwa Sanathan Sangh, was planning to visit Udaipur when he was arrested on the city outskirts, he said.

Regar had hacked and burnt to death Afrazul Khan, a daily wage labourer from West Bengal, in Rajasthan's Rajsamand in the first week of December.

He also shared the video of Khan's killing and subsequently setting him ablaze on social media.

Regar was later arrested by police.

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The Vasundhara Raje-led Rajasthan government may soon move a Bill to provide death penalty to those convicted of raping minors on the lines of a legislation passed recently by the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, a senior minister said.

"The government is currently studying the Madhya Pradesh model. The Madhya Pradesh legislation is awaiting the President's nod and we are waiting to know its fate. If it gets the nod, we will introduce a Bill in the Assembly," Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said.

On December 4, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly had unanimously passed 'The Penal Law (Madhya Pradesh Amendment) Bill-2017' to provide for death sentence to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 or below.

The legislation seeks to introduce section--376 (A)(A)-- in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) under which a person convicted of raping a girl aged 12 years or below may be awarded death penalty, life imprisonment or a minimum imprisonment of 14 years with a fine.

It also seeks to bring in section 376 (D)(A) for gang rape of girls up to the age of 12.

The convict under this section may be awarded capital punishment, life imprisonment or a minimum of 20 years in jail, besides a fine.

Under both the sections, the convict awarded life sentence will have to remain in jail till death.

According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 2016 report, cases of crime against children have shown a steady rise in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan recorded 4,034 such cases in 2016, which is 3.8 per cent of the crimes against children (98,344) registered across the country. In 2015, the state had registered 3,689 cases of crime against children.

According to the NCRB data, state police registered 728 cases of child rape in 2015, which increased to 858 in 2016.

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'Superstar' Rajinikanth is likely to meet his fans in the last week of this month, sources close to the actor said today.

This will be the second such meeting this year after the interaction in May when the actor dropped some hints of taking the political plunge.

The sources added plans were afoot to hold the fans meeting from December 26 to 31.

It is expected to be a photo session like the previous meeting and could be held at the actor's sprawling Raghavendra wedding hall here.

The political circle in Tamil Nadu is abuzz with speculation about the actor making his political entry, especially after his call earlier this year asking his fans to "prepare for war", seen as his hint of the political plunge.

At the fans' meeting in May this year, he said, "When war comes they (professionals) will come to the rescue of their motherland.. I have a profession, work, duty and so do you. Go to your places, do your duty, take care of your vocation.. Let us face the war when it comes."



He had also complained that the "system is rotten" despite the presence of leaders like DMK's M K Stalin and Anbumani Ramadoss of PMK.

The veteran star has not made any loaded statements after that but his contemporary Kamal Haasan has gone ballistic against the ruling AIADMK on corruption, hinting he might make the political plunge.

In 1996, Rajinikanth had publicly criticised the then AIADMK government led by J Jayalalithaa on the law and order front, and had backed the then DMK-TMC combine, which swept the polls.

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Bob Parker remembers sitting in the reclining seats of the Southern Cayuga Planetarium as a young student, gazing at up-close images of the Big Dipper and various constellations he wishes he would have paid more attention to at the time.

Parker, founder and president of J&B Installations in Skaneateles Falls, said the images are still seared in his memory, decades later. Now having spent more time as an outsdoorsman and seeing the tapestry of celestial bodies from skies in areas like Montana, Parker appreciates the opportunity he had to see those stars as a child.

"You kind of appreciate it more once you get to see the stars up that close," Parker said.

The Southern Cayuga Central School District Board of Education approved a resolution Monday night to accept a donation of materials and labor  at an approximate value of $85,800  from J&B to replace the planetarium roof. The planetarium is next to the school building in Poplar Ridge.

The company has assisted with other projects, but this endeavor involves more money. Parker wants students from school districts as far away as Rochester and Utica, to learn from what the planetarium would have to offer. Many of his employees, hailing from Moravia, Union Springs and Seneca Falls, also went to the planetarium as children.

"I'm picturing hopefully more schools will take an interest in the planetarium and hopefully they get more donations every year so kids can experience it," Parker said.

The initial donation was given to the nonprofit Friends of the of the Southern Cayuga Planetarium, and the group then gave the donation to the school district, Superintendent Patrick Jensen said. The district and planetarium group's mutual goal is to open the facility for regular student and community use once again. It closed in 2014, but the district still maintains the building. Parker said J&B is eyeing spring 2018 to begin work.

Michael Dempsey, the planetarium group's president, wants the building's "uniqueness" to bring in crowds as it did in the past.

"Our goal is to make the planetarium a destination location," Dempsey said.

The group has been talking to other contractors about contributions such as energy upgrades, a new dome generator, mortar fixes in between the building's bricks and a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Jensen said there had been leaks in the ceiling above the planetarium's classroom and the rest of the roof was getting older. The planetarium group's grant consultant, Sandra Souder, had worked with J&B before, and she asked the company to look at the roof.

The company inspected it and repaired the roof in October. Eventually conversations turned to J&B replacing the roof.

J&B's donations are a good "first step," Jensen said, to encourage other companies to volunteer. He said in April that the building is detached from the school district and the planetarium doesn't qualify for state aid because it's not being used by students, which made it difficult to get help.

The fact that J&B is footing the bill for the roof makes this undertaking different from a typical capital project, Jensen said. It doesn't require taxpayer approval, and with other potential contributions from different organizations, funding will come piece by piece.

Jensen praised the planetarium group's efforts to make the donation happen. Dempsey said Jensen was cooperative. Dempsey added Souder's work since she started in December 2016 was a shot in the arm for the restoration efforts.

Jensen said the district plans to use the planetarium to house its robotics and coding classes so students can operate and store their machines there. The district has been working with interim Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Superintendent Chris Todd to get the planetarium classified as a STEM classroom.

The district brought in Barton & Loguidice from Liverpool to check the planetarium for asbestos three weeks ago and Jensen received word last week the building was clean.

Dempsey said the planetarium group believes there is a need for science education, despite districts like Southern Cayuga having lost state funding.

"The need, when government can't support good education, is for people to stand up and say 'something has to be done. My self and the board members were a group who had to learn a lot and stand up and say 'This has to be done,'" Dempsey said.

He said fundraisers with lecturers and the 300-plus attendance for the planetarium's eclipse viewing party in August indicate community members are interested in science.

"All of those things speak to the fact that there's a lot of people in the community who are very, very concerned about education and very concerned about maintaining the quality of education," Dempsey said.
Closing down hospitals "randomly" due to individual errors is not in the interest of the public and nation and will directly affect the health and well-being of patients undergoing treatment, Ficci said today, asking the the media and the government not to "pre-judge" in any case.

Ficci's stand comes against the backdrop of alleged medical negligence and overcharging by two private hospitals recently.

While Fortis in Gurgaon came under a cloud because of the death of a 7-year-old girl from dengue and overcharging issues, a premature baby was wrongly declared dead by Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh in the capital.

"India is already grappling with extremely low bed density at 1.3 beds per 1,000 population, as compared to WHO recommendation of 3.5 beds. Hence, it is not in the interest of public and nation if hospitals are randomly shut down due to individual errors," said the industry chamber.

It observed that such a move will only widen the gap further and directly affect the health and well-being of patients undergoing treatment in hospitals.

"Rational and appropriate action is necessary in case of negligence or failure of the healthcare system based on proper investigation, validation based on the principles of natural justice and not based on emotional outburst," Ficci said.

While the chamber did not name any particular hospital, it asserted that the Indian healthcare industry is concerned and worried over the recent onslaught of negativity generated following a few unfortunate cases.

"While we fully support the legal and medico-legal actions that need to be taken against those found guilty by the Medical Council or by legal authorities, our request to the government and public is to give cognisance to the good work carried out by the private healthcare industry that is now being vilified," Ficci said.

It said the need of the hour is to bridge the widening trust deficit between the private healthcare providers and the government as also between the doctor and the patient.

"Under the current scenario, expeditious implementation of Standard Treatment Guidelines, Electronic Health Records and Clinical Establishments Act across the country is imperative. The affordability aspect needs to be covered with increasing penetration of health insurance through social and private health insurance schemes," said the chamber.

Max Healthcare yesterday moved a "government authority" against the cancellation of licence of its hospital in Shalimar Bagh in north-west Delhi, even as it appealed to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to "reconsider" its decision.
The Madras High Court today dismissed as not maintainable a plea for disqualifying candidates of AIADMK and DMK and Independent TTV Dhinakaran in the RK Nagar Assembly by-poll for their alleged electoral malpractices during the earlier cancelled by-election.

A bench comprising justices TS Sivagnanam and K Ravichandrabaabu dismissed the plea by BSP candidate for the by-poll AC Sathyamurthy.

He sought disqualification of the three candidates on the grounds of their alleged involvement in electoral malpractices during the April by-election, which was cancelled by the Election Commission.

During the previous election, various articles, including sarees meant for distribution among voters, valued at over Rs 1.59 crore were seized by EC officials, he submitted.

Over 40 cases were registered and 82 persons involved in such malpractices were arrested, the petitioner said.

Besides this, various incriminating materials were seized in the raids conducted by the Income Tax department at the residence of health minister C Vijayabaskar and Samathuva Makkal Katchi founder R Sarathkumar, he claimed.

Based on the complaint made by Income Tax department, the EC had on April 9 cancelled the by-election.

The petitioner claimed that Madhusudhanan, Ganesh and Dhinakaran were also allegedly involved in such offences and wanted the EC to prohibit them from contesting the by-election scheduled on December 21.

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Opposition members today staged a walk-out from the Maharashtra Legislative Council to protest the BJP-led government's failure to issue an ordinance to give five per cent reservations to Muslims.

Sanjay Dutt (Congress), Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP) and others raised the issue.

Minority Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde (BJP) said that a five percent reservation for Muslims in jobs and education had been introduced through an ordinance on July 9, 2014.

However, the Bombay High Court stayed it partially in November 2014, and the ordinance later lapased. The issue is still pending before the high court which is hearing petitions against the quota.

"Hence necessary steps will be taken as per the high court's order," Tawde said.

The reply didn't satisfy the opposition benches.

Munde and other opposition members asked why the government did not introduce a new ordinance.

Tawde said reservations can not be granted on the basis of religion, but members of minority communities who fall in BC or OBC category get the benefit of quotas for these categories.

There were heated exchanges in the House between the treasury and opposition benches over the issue, and opposition MLCs staged a walk-out.

Later, chairman Ram Raje Nimbalkar asked the government to hold a meeting on the issue and seek the opinion of the Advocate General.

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NHAI has directed staff at toll plazas to salute and give "standing ovation" to armed forces personnel travelling on official duty, in recognition of their exemplary services.

The directions follow complaints from armed forces personnel of misconduct by toll plaza staff while allowing exemption from toll fee.

In a recent policy circular, NHAI said that considering the unparallelled service of armed forces towards the safety and security of the country, such type of rude behaviour is not acceptable.

"The Armed Forces personnel deserve the highest regard and should be given due respect at the toll plaza including salute and standing ovations as deemed fit," it said.

NHAI has directed training of the toll operating staff accordingly to pay due respect to the personnel and "salute their selfless dedication to the country".

It also made it clear that verification of their identification cards should be done by senior and competent authority and not left to the untrained lowest staff.

"It is needless to emphasise that considering the extreme sacrifice of Armed Forces to the Nation in case of doubt with respect to nature of their official duty, benefit of doubt should be given appropriately to Armed Forces Personnel," said the NHAI circular.

It said a lot of complaints have been received from the armed forces personnel that toll plaza agencies are not honouring the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways directions in true letter and spirit in allowing exemption from toll fee while discharging their official duty.

In spite of armed forces personnel/officers showing their identity card and explaining that they are on official duty, toll plaza employees often use harsh language and ask for further proof.

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Saudi King Salman today issued a decree allocating 72 billion riyals (USD 19.2 billion) of stimulus funds to support the Saudi private sector.

The package aims to boost the role of the private sector in light of economic reforms to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil following a slump in crude prices.

The funds will be used to finance 16 initiatives, the largest of which earmarks USD 5.7 billion to provide subsidised housing loans to citizens, according to the official agency SPA.

The decree states that USD 1.33 billion will be used as a first instalment for the newly established exports promotion fund which will eventually have capital of USD 8 billion.

More than USD 2.6 billion will be used to support projects and USD 3.7 billion will be allocated to support construction technology, the decree said.

The remaining funds will be spent on a string of smaller projects carried out by the private sector with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness of the Saudi economy.

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The Supreme Court today allowed telecom major Vodafone to initiate the second arbitration against India by paving the way for appointment of the presiding arbitrator/chairman in connection with a tax demand of Rs 11,000 crore through a retrospective law of 2012.

Vodafone said India does not have any juridiction on the issue as there is an investment pact with the United Kingdom.

The Centre argued that it was an "abuse of the process of law" as the cause of action of the second arbitration was the same as the first one and is against the same host state.

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said that the chairman can be appointed so that the arbitration tribunal is set up but it should not commence hearing till the Delhi High Court decides the pending matter by January 10.

The top court was hearing the Centre's plea challenging the October 26 order of the high court asking the Vodafone Group to participate in the process of appointing a presiding arbitrator in its second arbitration.

Vodafone had in 2014 initiated arbitration proceedings under the India-Netherlands Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) in connection with the tax demand raised against it, which are still going on.

In the second arbitration initiated in January 2017, Vodafone had initiated the process under the similar India- United Kingdom BIPA in connection with the tax demand.

Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh said there were four findings in the high court order which were in favour of the government, but the October 26 order should not have allowed starting the process of appointment of the presiding arbitrator.

He said the high court had observed that it was an abuse of the process of law as it was against the same cause of action, facts and parties and the Centre was forced to appoint an arbitrator.

Singh said the International Court of Justice told India that either you appoint the arbitrator or it will appoint one.

The bench asked how this matter had reached the ICJ.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the telecom major, said the matter reached the ICJ as there is an investment pact between two countries.

"While the first arbitration which was initiated in 2014 by the company under the India-Netherlands BIPA is still going on, they want the second process to start under the India-UK pact," Singh argued.

The ASG, however, said he did not wish to delay the start of the process.

Rohatgi contended that the Centre had not challenged the order immediately after it was passed by the high court on October 26 and the parties even appeared before the court on the next hearing on November 17.

"When the order was passed, they were not aggrieved part then, they in fact accepted that order and didn't file the appeal challenging the order. They still have remedy and could file the appeal in high court," he said.

The court said it would like to say that the Centre may participate in the process of appointment of chairman of arbitration but the tribunal would not start hearing till the high court decides the issue.

Rohatgi said India actually does not have jurisdiction in the matter as there is an international pact and the plea of the Centre is in anticipation.

The bench enquired from the parties by when the next hearing of the case is scheduled in high court.

After being informed that it is listed on January 8, it said it expected the hearing to take place before the single judge of high court on the scheduled date and pass the relevant order by January 10.

On October 26, the high court had allowed the telecom company to participate in the second arbitration against India on the same issue of tax demand.

The high court had on August 22 restrained Vodafone from participating in the arbitration initiated under the India- UK BIPA in connection with the tax demand raised against the company in relation to its USD 11 billion deal acquiring the stake of Hutchinson Telecom.

The government is of the view that the USD 11 billion acquisition of stake of Hutchinson Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL) in Hutchinson Essar Limited (HEL) by Vodafone was liable for tax deduction at source (TDS) under the Income Tax Act.

As Vodafone had not deducted the tax at source, the government had raised the demand of Rs 11,000 crore which was subsequently quashed by the Supreme Court on January 20, 2012.

Thereafter, the government made a retrospective amendment to the Income Tax Act which re-fastened the liability on Vodafone.

Aggrieved by the imposition of tax by the retrospective amendment, Vodafone International Holdings BV (VIHBV), a Vodafone Group subsidiary, had invoked the arbitration clause under BIPA between India and Netherlands through a notice of dispute of April 17, 2012 and notice of arbitration of April 17, 2014.

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In the latest threat to quit power and an indication that it will contest the 2019 polls separately, the Shiv Sena today said it will walk out of the BJP-led Maharashtra government within one year.

The Sena, which shares a frosty relationship with its senior partner BJP, had threatened several times in the past to walk out of the NDA government.

Addressing a rally in Ahmednagar district, 240 kms from here, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray said that after quitting the Sena will come back to power on its own strength.

"The Sena will quit power in one year and come back to power on its own strength. (Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray will decide the time when the party will quit power," Aaditya Thackeray said.

Maharashtra goes to polls in 2019.

"Once that is done (the decision on quitting power is taken), all of you have to work together to bring about a change," the Sena scion said.

Launching a veiled attack on the BJP, Aaditya Thackeray indicated that issues pertaining to education remain unresolved till date and said that students keep meeting him with their demands.

"The Sena is committed to resolving the issues of students. The Sena has also created an educational application that will guide students and resolve their problems," he said.

Ever since the BJP formed government in Maharashtra, the Sena, which always projected itself as the "big brother" in the state politics, has been uneasy for having made to play second fiddle to the BJP.

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The Sikkim government today approved a proposal to ban supply of non-organic agriculture, horticulture and livestock produces in the state in a phased manner with effect from March 31 next year.

A cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling approved a proposal by Horticulture and Cash Crops department to ban supply of non-organic food items in Sikkim in a phased manner from March 31, 2018.

A notification will be issued in due course to take necessary action for compliance with the cabinet decision prohibiting entry of non-organic agricultural and horticultural and livestock products into Sikkim, an official release said.

The list of products to be prohibited for entry into Sikkim with effect from March 31, 2018 are - maize, beans, brinjal, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum, carrot, chayote, cucumber, drumstick, ladys finger, leafy vegetables, spinach, pea, radish, tomato, pointed gourd, banana, guava, mango, orange, papaya, ginger, green chilly, turmeric.

The list of products to be prohibited for entry into the State of Sikkim with effect from March 31, 2019 are: millet/finger millet, soyabean, rapeseed, mustard, onion, potato, garlic, milk & packaged milk and mustard oil cake.

The chief minister had publicly announced two days ago that his government will ban supply of fruits like banana and mango from outside from next year.

He had said that consumption of these fruits are hazardous for health of the people as it is ripened with use of chemicals.

Sikkim was last year declared itself as fully organic state though it heavily depends on markets in neighbouring states like West Bengal for supply of cereals, vegetables, pulses, poultry products and fruits to meet domestic consumption.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre to proportionally allocate Rs 7.8 crore, earmarked for setting up of 12 special courts to deal with cases involving politicians, to the concerned states.

The apex court said the governments of states where the special courts are to be set up will constitute these courts in consultation with the respective high courts so as to ensure that they are functional by March 1, 2018.

A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha also granted two months to the Centre to collect and collate data of cases involving lawmakers pending across the country.

The bench said the main issue relating to life ban on convicted politicians would be heard in the month of March.

The apex court listed the matter for further hearing on March 7.

The apex court was earlier informed by the Centre that at least 12 special courts would be set up to decide cases involving politicians as accused. The Centre had sought more time to collect and collate data of pending cases against lawmakers across the country.

The apex court had on November 1 directed the Centre to place before it details regarding 1,581 cases involving MPs and MLAs, as declared by the politicians at the time of filing their nominations during the 2014 general elections.

It had asked the government to apprise it of how many among these 1,581 cases have been disposed of within a year and how many have ended either in conviction or acquittal.

The top court was hearing petitions seeking to declare the provisions of the Representation of People Act, which bar convicted politician from contesting elections for six years after serving jail term, as ultra vires of the Constitution.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today sought the personal intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the practice of making frequent changes in the guidelines of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

In a letter to the prime minister, Amarinder urged him to direct the Union Ministry of Agriculture to refrain from making frequent changes in the operational guidelines of the RKVY, a flagship scheme.

The scheme was initiated as an Additional Central Assistance, 100 per cent grant-in-aid scheme with a mandate to increase investment in agriculture and allied sectors and provided flexibility to the states to adopt projects as per their agro-climatic zones.

A directive to the concerned ministry against recurrent changes would go a long way towards providing greater flexibility to the state governments for deployment of RKVY funds in the spirit of cooperative federalism, said the chief minister.

Noting that the guidelines of the scheme were changed and its pattern of assistance modified to 60:40 (Centre:State) sharing basis in the year 2015-16, Amarinder pointed out that even though Punjab was undergoing a transitional phase of financial stress, it was still providing its 40 per cent share in view of the importance of the scheme.

He further said during 2017-18, the criteria of inter- state allocation has been further changed, making it more favourable for the states which are non-performers, and the formula to assess this parameter has also been made more complicated.

Similarly, components within the scheme have been changed, laying more emphasis on infrastructure development with funds earmarked to the tune of 50 per cent for this purpose, while the component of productivity growth has also been linked with value addition, making it more complicated.

Funds to the tune of 10 per cent have been reserved for innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Maharashtra BJP leader Shaina NC has expressed concern over sexual exploitation of children and demanded strict action against buyers of child sex.

She said it is sad the real perpetrators of such crimes are called "customers" and let off without any proper action against them.

Shaina has started an online petition at "Change.org" demanding arrest of child sex buyers "under the strictest of laws".

During police raids on brothels, sex workers and brothel managers are arrested while customers, the primary reason for creating the demand for children to be trafficked for flesh trade, are let off with just a warning, she said.

Such child sex offenders should be booked under POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, she said.

The fashion designer-turned-politician said creation of an 'Anti-Child Predator Squad' can be considered at the institutional level to curb the menace.

Shaina's petition, 'Direct State Police to Arrest Men Who Sexually Exploit Children #AntiChildPredatorSquad', has demanded that the chief minister direct the police to make it their mandate to arrest "child predators".

Saina was speaking at the Press Club here yesterday.

On the occasion, a group of survivors, who was trafficked and pushed into flesh trade as minors, narrated their ordeal.

A 20-year-old woman narrated how, as a 12-year-old, she was sold and pushed into flesh trade.

The woman, hailing from Amravati who lost her parents when she was a child, said she felt fortunate to have been rescued and thanked a Vidisha-based NGO, Jansahas, for helping her in rehabilitation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The fate of teachers in the era of emerging e-class rooms and online teaching took centre-stage today, as students from India and abroad engaged in a debate over it.

Students from three prominent high schools from UK, Singapore and the US, and some elite institutions from India took part in the near three-hour long debate at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations here.

One of the debaters, representing St Xavier's Collegiate School, said, "Technology has not made teachers redundant. And teachers are not being replaced by technology. But technology has made the task of students easier."



The debate later ended with the resolution that teachers cannot be replaced by any emerging technology and can only make better use of new medium.

"This is incredible to think that despite hailing from different countries, we can understand each other and share different views," said Timothy Joseph, a student from Boston College High School.

S Ramalingam, on behalf of the organisers 'Calcutta Debating Circle', said the three foreign teams came from nations which are more developed than India, and hence, their arguments partly differed.

Dylan Patrick, another participant from Boston College High School said, "It was amazing how we became friends hailing from different parts of world... and debated passionately."



NPS International School (Singapore) and Model Westminster (UK) were the other two foreign participants in the debate.

Besides St Xavier's Collegiate School, the Indian contingent included Mayo College (Ajmer), The Heritage School, and DPS Newtown.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today announced granting visa to five Pakistani children, including a 10-month-old baby, for medical treatment in India.

"There is a request for medical visa from some Pakistani children - Muhammad Ahmad (10 months), Abuzar (7 years), Mohit (7 years), Zainab Shahzadi (8 years) and Muhammad Zain Aslam (9 years). We grant visa for all these Pakistani children for their treatment in India," Swaraj tweeted.

She also announced accepting request for medical visa of two other Pakistani nationals.

"Pakistani nationals Altaf Hussain and Amir Raza have also requested for medical visa. On the recommendation of Indian High Commission in Pakistan, we accept their requests too," Swaraj tweeted.

"I have received the report from Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will issue visa for your father Haji Ashique Hussain for his liver transplant surgery in India immediately and pray for his early recovery," she added.

Swaraj has adopted a sympathetic stand on granting medical visas to Pakistani nationals notwithstanding the strained ties between the two countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Telangana government today sought Israel's help to audit its cyber security policy for achieving global standards.

A top official said the government has asked the West Asian country to help devise necessary policy framework for establishing a robust cyber security ecosystem.

"Israel's National Information Security Agency (NISA)'s success in creating a formidable cyber security framework is very impressive.

"Israel's three-staged approach of ensuring robustness and resilience at the institutional level driven ably by an involved leadership at the top is worthy of emulation," Jayesh Ranjan, Telangana Principal Secretary (IT & Industries), said in a statement.

"We seek Israeli expertise in diagnosing our state government cyber policy and provide an audit report on it to help us create a secure ecosystem in Telangana," he said.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day International Cyber Security Conference 2017, Ranjan said the governments Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Hyderabad would start operations before the end of December.

The SOC will be housed at the Sate Data Centre and will focus on protecting critical infrastructure of the government, the statement said.

Shai Moses, Consul for Trade and Economic Affairs, Consulate General of Israel, said India has adequate human capital and with industry-academia collaboration can, like Israel, create abundant talent pool required to achieve global standards in cyber security.

"Israel sees great potential for business partnerships with Indian companies and we welcome the IT players to explore collaboration opportunities with Israel companies," Moses said in the statment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thailand has drastically reduced trade with North Korea amid mounting international pressure to isolate the pariah state, the government said today, as a senior US envoy arrived for talks on Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

The kingdom is one of several Southeast Asian countries to host a North Korean embassy, and once enjoyed valuable economic ties with the reclusive regime.

But the commerce ministry said today trade with Pyongyang had "plunged" and would soon be nonexistent as Thailand complies with UN resolutions to cut off North Korea in response to its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

During the first nine months of 2017 bilateral trade with North Korea amounted to USD 1.6 million, a 94 per cent decrease from the same period in 2016, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"It's expected that by late 2017 there will be no export or import of goods between Thailand and North Korea," said Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

The announcement came as US Special Envoy for North Korea policy Joseph Yun began talks today with senior Thai officials, including the National Security Council chief.

Yun's visit is part of a December 11-15 trip to Asia - including a stop in Japan - "to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign following the DPRK's latest ballistic missile test," the US State Department said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

The US embassy in Bangkok declined to provide more details on Yun's schedule in the kingdom.

The US remains frustrated that international sanctions on North Korea have not resulted in Pyongyang halting its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests.

But sanctions against North Korea have started to bite.

The UN Security Council ordered countries to stop providing guest work permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test in September.

The ban impacts an estimated 100,000 North Koreans who send some USD 500 million in wages back to the authoritarian regime in Pyongyang, led by Kim Jong-Un.

The UN and the US have called on Southeast Asian leaders to do more to sever ties with North Korea.

In August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stopped in Bangkok to pressure the government to crack down on North Korean shell companies that use the Thai capital as a trading hub.

But Washington has focused its efforts on Beijing, urging Pyongyang's longtime ally and economic lifeline to rein in Kim and his nuclear programme.

China has accepted a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang but so far resisted calls to shut a crude oil pipeline considered crucial to North Korea's economy.

US President Donald Trump's administration has swung back-and-forth between contradicting approaches to the crisis on the Korean peninsula, with Tillerson adopting a more diplomatic attitude amid fiery rhetoric from the White House.

Yesterday, the State Department said that the US position on North Korea has not changed despite Tillerson's comments that he would be willing to talk to the regime without preconditions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan today said the name of veteran filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor reflects the spirit of India as a country - full of life and zest.

In an emotional video message from Thailand, where he is shooting for "Thugs of Hindostan", the 75-year-old actor recounted a few instances from his life with Kapoor.

"The name Raj Kapoor only signifies one word - India. The Indian showman of all time. Visit any part of the world and your own Indian identity gets identified by his name... Such was and still is his presence. It will be very difficult to describe the phenomenon of Raj Kapoor.

"Was it the choice of his stories that he so passionately got involved in... To be able to read its effect into the eyes of the audience? Was it the music of his films? Every note, word, musical interval... The tune we still remember after so many years... His production elegance never seen before. His penchant for getting the right cast for every story..." Bachchan said.

The actor recalled an instance when the two of them were in Tashkent together and the organisers of the event asked Kapoor to sing a song, to which he ended up crooning to "Saare jahan se achcha..."



"No one could ever match his love, his zest for life, which reflected in his works..." he added, talking about Kapoor.

Bachchan remembered how Kapoor walked smiling in the ICU when he was recuperating after his accident on the sets of "Coolie" in 1982 and opened up a champagne, toasting to his good health - saying "With this bottle, we shall launch the ship of love again..."



He was speaking at the launch of the book "Raj Kapoor: The One and Only Showman", both an autobiography and biography.

It is a tribute to Kapoor by his five children Randhir Kapoor, Ritu Nanda, Rishi Kapoor, Rima Jain and Rajiv Kapoor.

Published by HarperCollins Publishers India, the book was presented by his daughter Ritu on Kapoor's 93rd birth anniversary.

In a tribute to Kapoor's youngest brother, Shashi Kapoor, Rishi opened the event by reading an excerpt which the late veteran actor had penned about his elder brother, Raj Kapoor, who was like a "father" to him.

Shashi passed away on December 4 at the age of 79.

Ritu quoted her father's song "Jeena yahaan marna yahaan" and said the book was a humble attempt to do justice to Kapoor's legacy in films and in life.

"(I) wanted to bring together all those people who have been touched by Raj Kapoor - in one way or the other," she said.

While Rima remembered how, as children, Kapoor's birthday was like a "national holiday" for them.

Randhir said he was aware about the love their father received from countries such as Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, but when he and Ritu travelled to China, they realised the Chinese loved him as much as the Russians.

"When they recognised us as Raj Kapoor's children, they refused to take money from us, saying that the love they got from his films they cannot (trade it) for money," he said.

The event was also attended by Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Nanda, Neetu Kapoor, Riddhimma Kapoor Sahani, Nafisa Ali, among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The third Indo-UK joint army training exercise 'Ajeya Warrior' concluded today at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.

The fortnight-long exercise, which was aimed at sharing best practices and experiences of the two armies, had started on December 1 and approximately 120 personnel from each side participated in it.

Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, during the closing ceremony, said that in the ever changing militancy environment, such joint endeavours were needed to find a solution to the global menace.

Such exercises are small, but are concrete steps in the right direction, he said.

Set in the backdrop of growing terrorist activities worldwide, the first and second editions of the exercise were held at Belgaum in Karnataka and Westdown Camp, Salisbury Plains Training Area, in the UK, in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Both the contingents gained immensely. Representatives of the armies conveyed immense satisfaction over the content of the exercise and are hopeful of more such exchanges in the future, Defence Spokesperson Lt. Col. Manish Ojha said.

He said that the exercise also contributed to the bigger goal of defence cooperation and deepening of military relations between the armies.

The closing ceremony was attended by observers and senior military dignitaries from both the armies, including British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG and Major General Robert Harry Talbot Rice from the UK.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" has won four mentions at the Screen Actors Guild awards nominations while coming-of-age drama "Lady Bird" managed three nods.

SAG awards, which are known for being an early indicator of the Oscar race, also included "Mudbound", "The Big Sick" and "Get Out" in its best ensemble performance besides "Lady Bird and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri".

Meryl Streep-Tom Hanks starrer "The Post" and Daniel Day-Lewis' last film "Phantom Thread" failed to garner any nomination at SAG despite being recognised by the Golden Globes.

Gary Oldman earned a nomination in the best actor category for his brilliant portrayal of Winston Churchill in "Darkest Hour". He will have to fight it out with Denzel Washington's critically-praised turn in "Roman J Israel, Esq.", James Franco's "The Disaster Artist", Timothee Chalamet for "Call Me by Your Name" and Daniel Kaluuya of "Get Out".

Sally Hawkins is nominated in the best female actor category for her role in "The Shape of Water" alongside Jude Dench ("Victoria & Abdul"), Frances McDormand of "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", Margot Robbie for "I, Tonya" and Saoirse Ronan for "Lady Bird".

"Three Billboards..." has earned two nominations in the best supporting actor categories for Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell.

Steve Carell ("Battle of the Sexes"), Willem Dafoe ("The Florida Project") and Richard Jenkins ("The Shape of Water") complete the top five in the supporting actor category.

The best female supporting actor category has Allison Janney of "I, Tonya", Mary J Blige of "Mudbound", Hong Chau of "Downsizing", Holly Hunter "The Big Sick" and Laurie Mecalf for "Lady Bird".

Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk", one of the best reviewed movies, earned only one nomination in the best stunt ensemble category alongside "Baby Driver", "Logan", "War for the Planet of the Apes" and "Wonder Woman".

In TV categories, Netflix dominated with 19 overall nods for television with an additional two for film. HBO came second with 12 nods.

The best ensemble performance in a drama series went to this year's critically acclaimed shows such as "The Crown", "Game of Thrones", "The Handmaid's Tale", "Stranger Things" and "This Is Us".

While the best ensemble performance in a comedy series recognised shows such as "Black-ish", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "GLOW", "Orange is the New Black" and "Veep".

The other shows which were recongised included "Big Little Lies", "The Wizard of Lies", "Genius", "Feud: Bette and Joan", "Will & Grace" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India should treat Tibet as a "core issue", Tibetan government-in-exile's President Lobsang Sangay said today, expressing concern over Beijing's growing influence in India's immediate neighbourhood.

The chief of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said Tibet is a "litmus test" and holds the "key" to Beijing in many ways and also is a potential catalyst to bring about changes inside China.

Sangay said Tibetans should have a say on the usage of water of rivers located in the Tibetan plateau, touching upon reports of highly polluted water from Brahmaputra's tributary Siang flowing into India.

"Restoring the guardianship of the Tibetan plateau to the Tibetan people is necessary," he said, speaking at the M L Sondhi Memorial Lecture here.

"India should also declare Tibet as one of the core issues like China. It should make it part of the formal dialogue agenda," he said.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had recently drawn the attention of the Centre on the river contamination which he said might have been caused due to activities on the Chinese side.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) aims to "rehabilitate Tibetan refugees and restore freedom and happiness in Tibet".

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who also spoke at the event, said India lacks a strategic culture.

"Indian foreign policy is largely driven by romantic ideas. It should end. We should have a pragmatic policy," Madhav said, underlining that China practices the "art of deception".

Sondhi was an Indian academic, diplomat, parliamentarian and a lifelong supporter of the Tibet issue.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An international umbrella body of the Buddhists today said it is working on to find out ways of resolving the Rohingya Muslims issue.

The New Delhi based International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) also condemned the violence in Myanmar following which a large number of Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighbouring countries.

"We shall actively participate in resolving the (Rohingya) crisis as far as we can access," IBC secretary Dhammapiya said.

Buddhism does not allow any sort of violence and intolerance, he told a press conference.

"We have written to concerned people in Myanmar to reconsider their stand and treat all human beings and establish peace and harmony in the region. We condemn violence on Rohingyas in Myanmar," Dhammapiya said.

According to the UN estimates, nearly 600,000 minority Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh to escape violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state since August 25 when the army launched a military crackdown, triggering an exodus.

Myanmar does not recognise Rohingya as an ethnic group and insists that they are Bangladeshi migrants living illegally in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 12, Honda China signed a cooperation agreement with Neusoft Reach Automotive Technology, a subsidiary of Neusoft Group to carry out strategic cooperation.

Apart from the cooperation in electric vehicle technology, which has already started, Honda China will also invest RMB 60 million in its car sharing service subsidiary Reachda and they will work together to expand car sharing business. The investment will give Honda China 10 percent of Reachdas stake. In the future, two companies will step up efforts to innovate the travelling mode and upgrade their services.

Wang Yongfeng, chairman of Neusoft Reach, said that his company has the same dream as Honda in their vision of future transportation while car sharing service is one of the effective measures to create intelligent transportation. Neusoft Reach is currently establishing a world leading travelling service platform. By virtue of our advantages in IT, big data and artificial intelligence, we will join hands with Honda to build a new intelligent transportation society.

Neusoft is a leading IT solution supplier and service provider in China and its subsidiary Neusoft Reach focuses on the core technologies in electric vehicle, intelligent connectivity and autonomous driving to provide platform and key technologies for next-gen vehicles.

At the 2017 International Forum (TEDA) on Chinese Automotive Industry Development held in Tianjin in September, Honda China executive officer Yasuhide Mizuno said that Honda Motor Co. will collaborate with Neusoft to develop core technology for EV and will bring its electric car to China in 2018.

MIZUNO Yasuhide restated its EV plan in China at the 2017 Honda China Media Conference. He said that 2018 will mark Hondas first EV year in China and that Honda will cooperate with its two joint ventures, Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda, to introduce a China-exclusive electric vehicle which will be built on Hondas compact SUV platform.

At the media conference, Honda also announced that the application of Honda Sensing technology will be expanded from mid-above models to compact ones. Besides, new-gen Honda Connect will soon make its presence in Hondas new products.
Turkish police have summoned an FBI official stationed in Turkey in connection with testimony in a US federal corruption case against a Turkish banker, Turkey's official agency reported.

Anadolu Agency said the FBI attache was "invited" to speak to officials after a former Turkish deputy police chief reportedly told a jury in New York that the FBI paid him USD 50,000 and US prosecutors covered his rent.

Anadolu did not name the attache.

State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed an FBI official was "brought into the Turkish ministry."



The American case has further strained already tense relations between Turkey and the US.

The testimony in the US involved the former Turkish deputy police chief, Huseyin Korkmaz, who was part of a law enforcement team leading a corruption probe in 2013 in Turkey.

He was later arrested in a 2014 investigation for alleged links to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was later blamed for a 2016 coup attempt.

Korkmaz said he fled Turkey after the coup, with evidence allegedly showing collusion by top Turkish government officials in a money-laundering scheme evading US sanctions on Iran.

Korkmaz is testifying in the trial against banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla, who has pleaded not guilty. The star witness against Atilla is a Turkish-Iranian gold trader who pleaded guilty and said he bribed a former Turkish economy minister and the former manager of state-owned Halkbank.

Turkey calls the 2013 corruption probe "a judicial coup" by Gulen's network and a precursor to the 2016 coup. Gulen denies all involvement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 40-year-old television journalist died in a road accident in suburban Kurla in the wee hours today.

Prashant Tripathi, the journalist, was heading for railway station in an auto rickshaw to catch the last train for Navi Mumbai around 12.50 am when the vehicle overturned after a collision with another rickshaw coming from opposite direction near New Mill road, said a senior police official.

Tripathi, who sustained serious injuries, was declared dead at the nearby Bhabha Hospital.

Driver of the rickshaw in which he was travelling was arrested under IPC sections 304 (A) (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving) as well as under the Motor Vehicles Act, the officer added.

Tripathi had worked with IBN-7 and P7 channels.

Tripathi's former colleague and BJP leader Sanjay Prabhakar said, "Prashant was 'always-ready-to-help' kind of journalist who was extremely humble....We have lost a good friend in a tragic way.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The phase I and phase II of the government's ambitious Ken-Betwa river linking project will be clubbed, meaning its cost will be revised, sources in the Union Water Resources Ministry said today.

The phases will be clubbed after Madhya Pradesh, one of the two beneficiary states, demanded so, the sources said.

The Centre's ambitious project, which has got almost all major environmental clearances, hit a roadblock earlier this year when the Madhya Pradesh government allegedly objected to it.

The state government had allegedly warned that the first phase of the project would not be allowed to take off if it was not reworked to incorporate three other smaller projects - Lower Orr dam, Bina complex and Kotha barrage projects - in the initial phase.

The three projects were to be implemented in the second phase, according to the original plan for the Rs 18,000-crore project, which aims to connect the rivers Ken in Madhya Pradesh and Betwa in Uttar Pradesh.

"The issues raised by Madhya Pradesh have nearly been sorted out. These works will be carried out in one phase. The cost will accordingly have to be revised," the sources said.

The project may be executed based on a 90:10 funding pattern between the Centre and the states respectively, the sources said.

They added that a meeting of officials representing the Centre and the two states is expected to be held later this month to discuss and sort out the remaining issues.

"We may be required to procure some clearances again," the sources added.

They said the Madhya Pradesh government has expressed confidence it will be able to irrigate more land under the river-linking project even if the water allocation between the two states remains the same.

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Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is warning that Iran may be defying a UN call to halt ballistic missile development even as it complies with the nuclear deal with six world powers.

The UN chief says in a report to the Security Council that the United Nations is investigating Iran's possible transfer of ballistic missiles to Houthi Shiite rebels in Yemen that may have been used in launches aimed at Saudi Arabia on July 22 and November 4.

The report on implementation of a UN resolution that endorsed the July 2015 nuclear agreement was obtained by The Associated Press.

The US Mission to the United Nations said Ambassador Nikki Haley would hold a conference today in Washington to highlight its findings as well as Iran's "destabilising activities in the Middle East region and elsewhere in the world."



In the report, Guterres stressed that the nuclear deal remains "the best way" to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

He said President Donald Trump's October 13 decision not to certify the agreement under US law created "considerable uncertainty" about its future. But, he added, "I am reassured that the United States has expressed its commitment to stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for now."



Trump, however, has left open the possibility of pulling out of the nuclear deal.

Guterres welcomed support for the treaty from its other parties -- China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, the European Union and numerous other countries.

"I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps," he said. "Similarly, I encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan."



Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and the US has focused especially on its time limits and a provision in the Security Council resolution that calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Guterres said the UN is studying debris from missiles fired at Yanbu in Saudi Arabia on July 22 and at the capital of Riyadh on November 4 and also is reviewing other information.

He said France, Germany, Britain and the United States sent a letter saying the Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle that Iran launched on July 27, if configured as a ballistic missile, is "inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called today for urgent efforts to create conditions for talks on North Korea's growing missile and nuclear threat, saying it's important to avoid miscalculations and misperceptions that "make us sleepwalk into a war."



Guterres, who met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, said the UN's objective is to avoid a conflict.

"I think we all want to avoid that things get out of control, and that misperceptions and mishandling of situations make us sleepwalk into a war that will have devastating consequences," he told journalists in Tokyo.

Guterres, who was in Japan to attend an international conference on universal health coverage, said it's important that all parties understand the urgency of finding a peaceful solution.

He said UN political chief Jeffrey Feltman visited Pyongyang last week and conveyed "a very strong message" to the foreign minister and other officials that not only that all Security Council resolutions -- which include bans on nuclear and ballistic missile tests -- must be implemented, "but there must be a sense of urgency in creating the conditions for a meaningful dialogue to achieve the denuclearization of the (Korean) Peninsula."



Japan holds the presidency of the Security Council this month and Foreign Minister Taro Kono is chairing a ministerial meeting on North Korea today that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and others are expected to attend.

Guterres said the unity of the Security Council "is crucial" on North Korea including implementation of sanctions resolutions.

Asked if he is considering a trip to North Korea to meet with leader Kim Jong Un, Guterres said: "Meetings only make sense if there is a purpose to those meetings. I'm ready to go anywhere at any time when it is useful."



Abe said he agrees that possible dialogue with North Korea must be meaningful and aimed at the country's denuclearization.

Tillerson this week made a surprising diplomatic offer of unconditional talks with North Korea. But it isn't clear whether the proposal has support from US President Donald Trump, and whether the North even wants talks.

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Sri Lankan petroleum ministry today dismissed as "false rumours" the claims of a workers' union that the Indian Oil Corporation's subsidiary in the island nation has imported "poor quality" aviation fuel.

Last month, Sri Lanka faced acute fuel shortage after authorities turned away a consignment of gasoline of Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC), a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, terming it as "contaminated".

A shipment meant for the state petroleum firm, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), was also delayed, leading to long queues of motorists at petrol stations across the nation.

"We have information that another shipment, this time aviation fuel, imported by LIOC has been proved to be of poor quality. The samples tested have proved this," claimed Bandula Saman Kumara, a trade unionist from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

"Furthermore, the consignment was the result of a diplomatic intervention violating the tender procedure," he alleged.

Reacting to the claim, a top Sri Lankan petroleum ministry official, Upali Marasinghe dismissed it as "false rumours".

The petroleum sector trade unions have been opposing the proposal to transfer operations rights of the 70 second world war era oil storage tanks in the eastern port district of Trincomalee to India.

They are claimed that the agreement would benefit the Lanka IOC, allowing it to expand further and the CPC, which is already in debt, will incur further financial losses.

They had also asked the government to shelve plans to build a new oil refinery with Chinese assistance in the southern port of Hambantota and to immediately begin repairing the existing refinery near Colombo.

Convenor of the trade unions, D J Rajakaruna said the tanks in Trincomalee would be crucial for Sri Lanka's oil storage needs but the government, instead of keeping them under the state, was trying to handover them to India.

The Lanka IOC, engaged in bunkering operations since 2002, runs 15 out of the 99 storage tanks in the lower oil tank farm in Trincomalee. The proposed joint venture would deal with the 84 tanks in the upper farm.

Sri Lanka would retain 10 of them for use by the CPC.

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The US State Department said today its policy on North Korea "has not changed," following remarks by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that Washington is ready to talk without prior conditions.

Tillerson's comments, made yesterday, were interpreted by some experts as a softening of the US position.

The Secretary of State stated the need for a "period of calm" in Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic tests before negotiations could begin.

However, he also said talks could begin "without preconditions," including without confirmation that Kim Jong- Un's regime will abandon its nuclear program.

Tillerson had said in August that "a condition of those talks is there is no future where North Korea holds nuclear weapons."



"The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said today.

"We remain open to dialogue when North Korea is willing to conduct a credible dialogue on the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," she said, adding "clearly the time is not right now" and that the State Department is "on the same page" as the White House on the issue.

Donald Trump's national security advisor, H.R. McMaster, also said today that denuclearization is "the only viable objective in North Korea."



"Talks with North Korea won't be an end in themselves," he added during a conference organised by the Jamestown Foundation research institute in Washington.

Meanwhile, he interpreted Tillerson's offer of discussions "without preconditions" as meaning that the US is "not going to relieve any pressure on North Korea, or cave in to any demands for pay offs."



Tillerson yesterday told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting -- even the weather.

"Let's just meet and let's talk about the weather if you want and talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table if that's what you're excited about," he said.

But elsewhere in his remarks, Tillerson insisted the US- led pressure campaign of economic and diplomatic sanctions would continue until "the first bomb drops.

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The US has urged Thailand to downgrade diplomatic and trade ties with North Korea, a senior Thai official said today after meeting with an American envoy, as the Trump administration pushes ahead with a global campaign to further isolate the nuclear-armed pariah state.

General Wanlop Rugsanoah, secretary general of Thailand's National Security Council, told AFP the request was made during his meeting with US special envoy for North Korea Joseph Yun, who arrived in Bangkok Wednesday evening for a two-day trip to the kingdom.

"The US asked Thailand to put more pressure on North Korea, put more trade and diplomatic pressure," Wanlop said after his sit-down with Yun in Bangkok.

He stressed that Bangkok had already significantly reduced its trade volume with Pyongyang -- down to around $1.5 million a year -- and would curtail visas to North Korean citizens.

Thailand, one of America's oldest allies in the region, is one of several Southeast Asian countries to host a North Korean embassy, and once enjoyed valuable economic ties with the reclusive regime.

But the UN and the US have increasingly leaned on regional leaders to do more to squeeze North Korea as international sanctions have not resulted in Pyongyang halting its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests.

Yun's visit is part of a December 11-15 trip to Asia -- including a stop in Japan -- "to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign following the DPRK's latest ballistic missile test," the US State Department said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

The US embassy in Bangkok confirmed Yun's meeting with the National Security Council chief took place but declined to provide more details on the discussion.

Wanlop insisted there were no meetings planned between American and North Korean officials in Thailand.

In August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stopped in Bangkok to pressure the government to crack down on North Korean shell companies that use the Thai capital as a trading hub.

Thailand said this week it had drastically slashed trade with North Korea this year, down 94 percent compared with 2016.

Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said "there will be no export or import of goods between Thailand and North Korea" by the end of 2017.

Outside of Southeast Asia, Washington has focused most on Beijing to counter Pyongyang, urging the North's longtime ally and economic lifeline to rein in leader Kim Jong-Un and his nuclear programme.

China has accepted a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang but has so far resisted calls to shut a crude oil pipeline considered crucial to North Korea's economy.

However, some of the sanctions are starting to bite.

The UN Security Council had ordered countries to stop providing guest work permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test in September.

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Vedanta Ltd today announced it proposes to raise up to Rs 500 crore via issuance of non- convertible debentures (NCDs).

"We would like to inform you that the company proposes to offer rated, secured, redeemable, non-cumulative, non- convertible debentures aggregating to Rs 500 crore," Vedanta Ltd said in a filing to BSE.

It is holding a meeting of its committee of directors next week on this issue.

"The above issuance is pursuant to the approval of the Shareholders passed vide Special Resolution at the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Company held on July 14, 2017 and the Board of Directors' resolution passed at its meeting held on July 29, 2015," the filing said.

Vedanta Ltd is a diversified natural resources company, whose business primarily involves producing oil and gas, zinc- lead-silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power. The company has a presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Australia and Ireland.

Vedanta is the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company.

(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.)
Assam Chief Minister's Vigilance Cell today arrested a retired additional chief engineer of PWD (Roads) department and manager of a bank.

The Vigilance Cell arrested Biswanath Bhattacharya as fake bills of Rs 60 lakh were passed by Tengakhat Rural Roads sub-division of Dibrugarh PWD (Roads) Division during his tenure, an official release said here.

Seven persons have already been arrested in the case including the executive engineer, engineer, junior engineer, contractor among others.

Following the direction of the chief minister to register a case in the matter, the Vigilance Cell registered a case and started investigation.

The Chief Minister's Vigilance Cell also arrested Bank of Baroda's, Hailakandi Branch Manager, Gautam Das at Guwahati for allegedly embezzling Rs 1.39 crore through Kisan Credit Card scam.

Das served as the Manager of the Hailakandi Branch of Bank of Baroda when the Kisan Credit Card scam took place between the years 2011 and 2015, the release added.

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: Volkswagen India has announced an upward revision of prices for its cars effective January which will increase price tags up to Rs 20,000.

Steffen Knapp, director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India attributed the price increase to several external economic factors as well as fluctuations in the global commodity prices coupled with local input cost and also in line with industry.

With the recent launches of Tiguan and Passat, Volkswagen now has a diverse portfolio of products in every segment for the Indian consumer.

************** Maha plans to set up horse museum at Nandurbar



The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation is planning to develop a horse museum at Sarangkheda tribal area of the Nandurbar district in over the next 18 months.

The main objective of setting up this museum is to attract tourists and generate employment opportunities for the local communities, MTDC said in a release issued here.

Sarangkheda has been an attraction of horse trading for over 300 years and people from all works of life from warriors to traders, the Nizams to farmers, the Marathas to the Mughals.

"We are looking at building a strong tourism prospects such as the horse museum to attract huge numbers of travelers all across the globe. I am certain that the museum will educate travellers about horses. Through this initiation, we are also expecting to generate job opportunities," state tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal said. ******************* America's UA brands sets up center in Pune



UA Brands, a leading American manufacturer of uniforms for the healthcare and hospitality sector, has started an all new technology driven operations center in Pune. It will operate as UA Brands International, which will be wholly-owned subsidiary of UA Brands Inc.

The Pune center will build capabilities for software development, design and creative, business intelligence, digital marketing solutions and business process management/operations for its Florida-based parent. *************** Amway Queen cookware crosses Rs 100-cr sales



Direct selling firm Amway India has said its Amway Queen, the premium cookware range has crossed the Rs 100-crore sales mark within 10 months of its launch.

"Based on the consumer feedback, we will be introducing new utensils in the coming year that reflect the unique cooking experience with Amway Queen. Our target is to achieve a leadership position within the premium cookware segment in the next one year," Amway India chief marketing officer Sundip Shah said.

Over the last few years, widening of the product basket has been one of the key strategic areas for Amway India to spur growth in the country, besides infrastructure upgrade, increased consumer access strategy, experiential marketing and brand awareness. The cookware range was developed considering the Indian food habits, culinary palate and cooking practices, he said.

Other Amway products that are in the Rs 100-crore club are Nutrilite Protein Powder, Nutrilite Daily multivitamin tablets, Glister toothpaste & SA8 liquid laundry detergent. ICICI Lombard offers cover for solar panels



ICICI Lombard General Insurance has launched an insurance policy that covers solar park owners by supporting project finance.

The product will be distributed through the company's branches and affiliated agencies.

"The viability of solar power projects depends on the performance of solar modules. Also the risks associated with this industry are different from the conventional power generation sources," the company said in a statement.

************** Unichem sells domestic formulations biz to Torrent



Pharma firm Unichem Laboratories has completed the sale and transfer of its domestic formulations business in India and Nepal, by way of a slump sale to Torrent Pharma.

Last month, Torrent announced that it would acquire branded business of Unichem's for Rs 3,600 crore in one of the major consolidations in the domestic pharma sector.

This is its fifth acquisition in the country in the last four years after acquiring selected brands of Elder and Novartis, catapulting Torrent to the list of top pharma firms.

Unichem is an integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture and marketing of large basket of pharmaceutical formulations as branded generics as well as generics in several markets across the world. It has strong skills in product development, process chemistry and manufacturing of complex API as well as dosage forms.

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As Gujarat voted in the second phase of polling today, some eye-catching scenes -- women playing garba on their way to booths and bridegrooms heading to polling stations before marriage venues -- underscored the enthusiasm of the electorate.

From youngsters to elderly, politicians to bureaucrats, people from all sections of the society came out to get inked.

His wedding scheduled for today, Harish Bhavsar, a businessman from Vatva area, was at the cusp of beginning a new life. But it did not stop him from exercising his franchise. Before heading to the wedding venue, he cast his vote.

"I didn't want to miss voting and that's why I ensured I reached here (polling booth) before proceeding for marriage," he said.

Another bridegroom, Satish Patel went to the polling booth in the Ghatlodia assembly segment here and exercised his franchise before heading to the marriage venue.

Adding colours to the democratic exercise, some women voters were seen playing garba, a popular dance form of Gujarat, on their way to a poll booth in Satellite area here.

For Ram Krishna Choksi, it was an occasion to assert his democratic right, which the 80-year-old has been doing election after election. Accompanied by his wife Urmila, he came to cast his ballot at a polling booth at a college here.

"It is the duty of every citizen to vote," said the octogenarian.

Asked about his expectation from the government to be formed after the polls, he said, "It should be clear in its ideas of welfare of the people. It should ensure that all citizens get access to cheap food, education and healthcare."



Dhaval Thakor, a first-time voter, was happy over his maiden walk to the polling booth and said he wanted the new government to deal with the issues of livelihood and create more job opportunities.

"I work at an electricity shop. I want the next government to ensure there is no dearth of jobs for people like me. I could not continue my studies after failing in the board examination, but I need a job to sustain my life," the 19-year-old said.

Senior bureaucrats, including chief electoral officer B B Swain and chief secretary J N Singh, among others, too lined up with their family members to cast their votes.

Governor O P Kohli also cast his ballot and appealed to the people to step out of their homes and exercise their franchise.

"The success of a democracy depends on voters," Kohli told reporters after emerging from a polling booth in Gandhinagar near here.

Politicians registered as voters in Gujarat, too, came out to get inked.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah were among the top politicians who cast their votes in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, minister Shankar Chaudhary, senior Congress leaders Siddharth Patel and Shaktisinh Gohil were also among political leaders who voted.

The second and final phase of polling covered 93 seats spread over north and central Gujarat today. The first phase of voting for the 182-member house, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

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The city is all set to host the World Telugu Conference (WTC) being organised by the Telangana government here from tomorrow with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating the five-day event.

President Ram Nath Kovind would be the chief guest at the valedictory function of the WTC on December 19 at L B Stadium, senior official of the state government said today.

"There will be discussions and talks on Telugu literature and culture. A documentary on Telangana culture and heritage would also be screened," the official said.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements in view of the VIPs arriving in the city. Traffic would also be regulated at L B Stadium. Passes have been issued and parking facilities have been provided, a police official said.

"As many as 3,000 police personnel are being deployed," the official added.

State civil supplies department officials said arrangements have been made to prepare food for all the delegates, in which delicacies from Telangana will be highlighted.

According to an official booklet issued for the event, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan and his Maharashtra counterpart Ch Vidyasagar Rao are also expected to participate in the inaugural programme.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, along with some of his cabinet colleagues and senior officials, held various review meetings over the event, the official added.

About 8,000 guests and representatives have registered to attend the World Telugu Conference, state Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari had said.

Srihari had said that stalls would be set up to showcase the history of Telangana, its literature, handicrafts, temples and coins.

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Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today told the state Assembly that his government will convene a meeting with banks and financial institutions to seek clarity on "conflicting directions" issued by different Central Ministries on Aadhaar.

The Chief Minister was replying to a query raised by opposition Hills State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) MLA Ardent M Basaiawmoit, who urged the state government to direct banks to stop issuing circulars forcing people to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar.

"I will have a meeting convened by the chief secretary with the bankers and financial agencies," Sangma told the Assembly on the last day of the three-day winter session here.

He said the meeting is aimed at settling down conflicting correspondences from the Reserve Bank of India and other government agencies with regards to aadhaar database linkages.

Stating that even he is "confused" on aadhaar, the chief minister said, "There is no concrete decision being passed on to the state governments," assuring the House that the government will soon seek clarity from the Centre.

The Chief Minister also maintained that the Centre should consider not making aadhaar mandatory until such time the National Population Register is in place.

"Without it (NPR), how will we know that aadhaar exercise does not go beyond Indian citizens," he said.

"Aadhaar should not be made mandatory in Meghalaya otherwise it would lead to complication for a state that is dealing with issue of illegal immigration," he said



Maintaining that aadhaar will not be adopted in Meghalaya, the chief minister said, "In respect of state government programmes, there will be no aadhaar seeded beneficiary data based required. Therefore, we will request the Centre that the same be adopted for central schemes implemented in Meghalaya."



"As of now, only Centrally sponsored schemes insist on aadhaar linked beneficiaries. It is not mandatory but voluntary keeping in mind that there are students studying outside the state," he said.

Informing that there is 6.02 lakh people enrolled with aadhaar in the state at present, he said "If aadhaar is not issued to such students they will not be eligible for entrance examinations and also for scholarships.

Earlier, Opposition members demanded the state government to issue directions to all departments to refrain from pushing people to enroll for aadhaar.

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The Delhi High Court was informed that several women prisoners in Tihar Jail are undergoing trial for offences such as rape and gangrape, which is completely contrary to law.

The submission by the expert members were made before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar, hearing a plea initiated on its own in pursuant to a letter received from Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph.

Justice Joseph had received an appeal from 612 women prisoners from Tihar Jail, complaining of overcrowding in Jail No. 6 where they were lodged, delay in disposal of their cases and their non-release on bail if they are unable to fulfil conditions of bail bonds.

They had also brought to the notice of the apex court the fact that children aged six years or more were being kept away from their mothers.

Justice Joseph had then requested the Chief Justice of the high court to take up the matter appropriately so that the cry for justice is answered in accordance with law with the promptitude with which a mother responds to the cry of her child.

Taking note of this, the bench had appointed Mrinal Satish and Aparna Chandra of National Law University as expert members to assist the court on the issue.

The members were then apprised of certain sensitive issues regarding women prisoners lodged in Jail No. 6.

Satish pointed out that charging of these prisoners with offences such as rape "is completely contrary to law".

He has informed that several women prisoners in Tihar Jail are undergoing trial for offences such as rape under Section 376(1), kidnapping with rape, gangrape, kidnapping with gangrape and voyeurism under Section 354(c) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

This information, he submitted, has been obtained from the charge sheets available with prisoners or warrants issued to the Tihar Jail by the court.

To this the bench opined that the two expert members should be given access to the records of the trial courts.

"Time is sought to place details of these prisoners and the cases in which they have been implicated in order to facilitate this court to pass a meaningful order in this case. Let such information be filed before the next date of hearing, January 15, 2018," the bench said.

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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said today that the party would "not tolerate persecution" of its workers and fight against the "arrogant" Congress government.

Addressing a large gathering on the 97th Foundation Day of the party here, Badal said a party office would be set up in Amritsar.

Former chief minister and party patron Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and senior SAD leaders also addressed the gathering.

Former chief minister Badal said the party was formed to fight injustice and that it would continue on its path.

"We have always been safeguarding personal freedom and liberty and will continue to do this," he said.

Addressing the gathering, Sukhbir Singh Badal said the party had fought for its state capital, Punjabi-speaking areas and river waters.

"Even now, I am committed to leading any agitation from the front and will not allow repression against a single Akali worker," he said.

"I will lead the fight against the arrogant Congress govt. I warn the govt we will not tolerate persecution of any Akali worker," he later tweeted.

Stating that the SAD was the oldest party in the country founded by Indians, he told the gathering, "The Congress which was older was founded by an Englishman, Allan Octavian Hume."



He said that the party reached the stage because of the sacrifices made by its workers.

The SAD president also gave the example of Parkash Singh Badal who, he said, had spent sixteen years in jail. He said that Parkash Singh Badal also had the privilege of serving as the chief minister for 19 years.

"All development you see in Punjab be it airports, dam, thermal plants or four-lane roads, were built during his tenure. Badal Sahab is also responsible for introducing old age pension, Shagun scheme and Atta Dal scheme. In direct contrast, the Congress government cannot lay claim to even one achievement or introduction of any social welfare scheme," Sukhbir Singh Badal said.

He announced that the party would establish a museum at its head office in Chandigarh and asked partymen to contribute old photographs and memorabilia.

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Bringing disappointment to developing countries like India, the talks at the WTO's 11th ministerial conference collapsed, with the US going back on its commitment to find a permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue.

The four-day conference, which ended without a ministerial declaration or any substantive outcome, did manage to make some feeble progress on fisheries and e-commerce by agreeing to work programmes.

As the US refused to engage, the 164-member World Trade Organisation (WTO) failed to reach a common ground for resolving the food security issue, a demand raised prominently by India.

Even after hectic parleys, intense lobbying and prolonged posturing, the member nations failed to break an impasse over public food stockholding, disappointing a number of member states, especially the developing ones.

Following the breakdown of talks, there was no ministerial declaration, though conference chair and Argentinean Minister Susana Malcorra made a statement highlighting the developments.

For India, failure to successfully push the food security issue was a disappointment, but the officials took comfort from the fact that the country did not yield any ground on other issues and kept its defensive interests in various fields intact.

The fate of the ministerial conference was sealed after Assistant US Trade Representative Sharon Bomer Lauritsen in a small group meeting said permanent solution to the food stockholding issue was not acceptable to America.

"Unfortunately, the strong position of one member against agriculture reform based on current WTO mandates and rules led to a deadlock without any outcome on agriculture or even a work programme for the next two years," said a statement issued by India at the end of the conference.

A dejected WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo expressed disappointment over the way the negotiations progressed and called for soul-searching among the member countries. In multilateral negotiations, he added, "you do not get what you want, but you get what is possible".

Admitting failure, Malcorra said, "We fell short on various issues, but there is life after Buenos Aires... We need to find ways for removing deadlock and move forward."



The Indian team led by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, in cooperation with the G33 grouping, had pitched hard for permanent solution to food security issue as it was crucial for livelihood of 800 million people across the globe.

Under the global trade norms, a WTO member country's food subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent of the value of production based on the reference price of 1986-88. Apprehending that full implementation of food security programme may result in breach of the WTO cap, India has been seeking amendments in the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap.

As an interim measure, the WTO members at the Bali ministerial meeting in December 2013 had agreed to put in place a mechanism popularly called the Peace Clause and had committed to negotiating an agreement for permanent solution at the 11th ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires.

However, as no agreement was reached at MC 11, the Peace Clause will continue and also the existing mandate to find a permanent solution.

"... The existing mandates and decisions ensure that work will go forward and the members will continue to work on issues such as the permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes, agriculture Special Safeguard Mechanism and agriculture domestic support," read India's statement.

Decisions to set up a work programme on fisheries subsidies and continue with the non-negotiating mandate of the existing work programme on e-commerce were in line with the positions pursued by India at the conference.

Several developed countries wanted to bring the issue of e-commerce to the negotiating table, but India opposed it on the ground that WTO rules on this emerging sector would restrict the policy space necessary for promoting domestic players.

It was also decided to continue with the current practice of not imposing Customs duties on electronic transmissions for another two years till 2019.

On the other hand, no agreement was reached on new issues like investment facilitation, MSMEs, gender and trade in absence of consensus. India was against pushing new issues on the negotiating table as it would dilute the commitment to deal with the existing ones.

According to officials, the ministers could not arrive at an agreed ministerial declaration as a few of them did not support reiteration of "key underlying principles guiding WTO and various agreed mandates".

India wanted explicit reference on commitment for completion of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and affirmation of faith in multilateralism. As some members did not agree to India's submission, the ministerial declaration failed to pass the muster.

India, the statement said, "stood firm on its stand on the fundamental principles of the WTO including multilateralism, rule-based consensual decision-making, an independent and credible dispute resolution and appellate process, the centrality of development, which underlines the DDA and special and differential treatment for all developing countries".

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By Foo Yun Chee and Julia Fioretti

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Italy's Luxottica and French glasses group Essilor are set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for their 48-billion-euro ($56.8 billion), two people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The deal between Luxottica, the world's biggest eyeglass frame maker, and Essilor, the world No. 1 lens maker, would create a company that would make products ranging from Ray-Bans to Giorgio Armani frames and have a major eyeglass retail outlet.

The European Commission, which had some initial concerns about the mega deal, declined to comment. Luxottica also declined to comment.

The deal was worth 46 billion euros when it was unveiled in January. The companies' higher share prices since then has pushed up the figure to 48 billion euros.

Luxottica's brands include Ray Ban and Persol, and licensed names such as Chanel and Armani. ($1 = 0.8454 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Julia Fioretti, additional reporting by Agnieszka Flak in Milan; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's vegetable oil imports in November rose 6.2 percent from a year earlier to 1.248 million tonnes due to an increase in overseas purchases of soyoil and sunflower oil, a trade body said on Thursday.

The world's biggest importer of edible oils bought 716,968 tonnes of palm oil last month, down 10.5 percent from a year ago, the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA), a Mumbai-based trade group for oilseed processors, said in a statement.

India primarily imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia and soyoil from Argentina and Brazil. It also imports small amounts of sunflower oil from Ukraine and canola oil from Canada.

For more details: http://bit.ly/2AWceBO

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's cabinet approved a bid on Thursday for offshore energy exploration by a consortium made up of France's Total, Italy's ENI and Russia's Novatek, in the country's first oil and gas offshore licensing round, a government source told .

"Congratulations to the Lebanese people on the passing of the oil decree and on Lebanon entering the club of oil countries," Oil Minister Cesar Abi Khalil said on Twitter in response to the decision.

Lebanon sits on the Levant Basin in the eastern Mediterranean where a number of big sub-sea gas fields have been discovered since 2009, including the Leviathan and Tamar fields located in Israeli waters near the disputed marine border with Lebanon.

Data suggest there are reserves in Lebanon's waters, but so far no exploratory drilling has taken place to estimate reserve size.

The first licensing round for exploration and production rights was re-launched in January after a three-year delay due to political problems in the country.

Total-ENI-Novatek was the only consortium to submit an offer, bidding for block 4 and block 9 of the available five blocks.

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Adrian Croft)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A former Northern Arizona University professor accused of habitually harassing and stalking U.S. Forest Service firefighters and an NAU student pleaded not guilty to all counts against her on Nov. 29.

Melissa Ann Santana, 36, is charged with five counts of felony stalking and three counts of giving false information to law enforcement after she allegedly harassed two Flagstaff-based Hotshot Firefighters and their families.

Santana had worked as an associate professor at NAU's School of Interior Design since 2012. She was arrested on Oct. 30.

The stalking occurred from February 2015 to September 2017 and was largely committed through electronic communication, according to U.S. District Court documents. Santana committed the offenses using many different identities, email addresses, social media accounts and temporary telephone numbers.

Santana is exercising her Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights, stating that she will not speak to any government officials without the presence of her lawyer, according to documents filed by her attorney, D. Stephen Wallin.

Wallin said he did not wish to comment on the case when reached by phone.

Santana met both firefighters through the online dating app Tinder. She met the first firefighter, labeled as N.L. in court documents, in November 2015, where she used the online alias Ann, 29, according to court documents.

N.L. told law enforcement that he had a sexual relationship with the married professor, meeting mostly in her NAU office and his house, until June 2016, when he ended the relationship.

The second firefighter, labeled as K.T. in court documents, was matched on Tinder with Santana, also under the alias Ann, 29 in August 2016 and told her he wanted to meet the next month. He told law enforcement that he quickly learned that it was the same person who was harassing his coworker.

According to court documents, both men received harassing messages from Santana under multiple false names such as Laura Towner and Kendall Patterson.

The messages, according to the documents, ranged from sentimental, such as a text to N.L. that said I miss you so much, to malicious, with Santana telling K.T. to be like the Granite guys and go die in a fire, referring to the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who died in the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013.

Santana also sent threatening text messages to K.T.s fiance.

In September 2016, Santana sent an email under the fake name Cathy McCarthy to multiple supervisors of the hotshot crew claiming that Flagstaff hotshots raped her 15-year-old daughter while heading to a fire near Rock Springs, Wyoming, according to court documents.

She is also accused of harassing an NAU student in 2015 by sending multiple emails, phone calls and Facebook messages to the student and his friends, according to court documents. The student told investigators that he confided about the harassment to Santana, who he said he considered a friend.

Santana is currently under the custody of the United States Attorney General. Her case is scheduled to go to trial on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018 in the U.S. Post Office Building in Prescott.

If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 40 years, according to court documents.
A large volume of articles has been written recently on the impact of automation on the information technology (IT) job market in India. Projections and predictions are particularly dire. Headlines such as "Automation to kill 70% of IT jobs"[1], "IT sector to lay off up to 2 lakh engineers annually for next 3 years"[2], etc., are all too common. Some actual job losses are also being attributed to automation [3]. Automation-related concerns have also caught the attention of policy makers, politicians, and popular media - the discussion is largely about not whether, but how many IT jobs would be lost due to automation and what should be done to stem these potential losses.

These discussions make several implicit assumptions - the biggest and most crucial one being that technology exists (or will exist soon) to replace a large fraction of the Indian IT jobs. Surprisingly, there has been a lack of discussion about these assumptions. Are they even true? In this article, I will argue that that the inherent crucial assumption that most Indian IT jobs are replaceable by technology is largely false.

The Indian IT industry contributes 9.3% of the GDP of the country and is predominantly service-based. A large fraction of the IT industry consists of software programmers and program testers. The IT industry should be worried greatly about the threat of automation only if a machine (e.g., a computer) today or in foreseeable future could replace the job of the programmers and the testers. So, let us ask the question - how good is today's technology to automatically generate or test software?

The field of computer science that attempts to automatically generate software from a high-level specification is called program synthesis[4]. Program synthesis, as a field, has been around for at least sixty years. However, the state-of-art program synthesis tools, even after all these years, cannot automatically generate software more complex than what someone with less than a month of training in computer programming can write. Furthermore, even in those instances, the generated software is often considerably slower than what a human programmer can write.

This is not too surprising if you consider what automatic generation of computer software entails. Computers are not true creative machines like humans. However, they are very good at repetitive tasks. So, the task of automatically generating software must be mapped into some sort of repetitive task for a computer to perform. In program synthesis, software requirements are first specified mathematically. A computer is then given a task to search through the space of all possible computer programs in order to find a program that meets the software specification. If a computer program that meets the specification has been found after a search, we say that the computer has automatically generated the program.

The problem with this approach is that the number of possible program is enormous for any meaningful specification.

So, the search never completes (i.e., takes infinitely long, for all practical purposes) for anything other than trivial program sizes. Stated differently, a computer can automatically generate only trivially small software programs - any program with non-trivial size (more than a page, for example) cannot be generated by a computer.

If indeed machines cannot generate computer software, we will need human programmers. It is, therefore, a very far-fetched idea that a large number of software programmers forming the backbone of the Indian IT industry will lose their jobs due to automation.

A similar argument can be made regarding software testing jobs as well. Testing software involves knowing the golden output of the software (i.e., the output that a correct software implementation should produce) corresponding to a set of software inputs and checking whether the actual software output is the same as golden output. Automating the testing process, therefore, involves generating golden outputs from a software specification as well as generating software inputs that can uncover all (or most) of the bugs in the program. An argument may exist for replacing human testers only if automated tests are at least as effective, efficient, and economical than manual testing.

Interestingly, test automation is less effective and economical than manual testing in most cases. In fact, test automation makes sense only when the software under test is not expected to change (frequently) in future and is not tightly integrated with other products. However, software today is increasingly developed using an incremental approach where changes are made till the last minute before release. Similarly, software increasingly relies on reuse to reduce development costs which, in turn, forces integration with other products.

Automation also requires that there is no tight release schedule or budget pressure since developing test automation framework is expensive both in terms of time and money. However, most software today is developed and shipped under considerably tight release schedules and under considerable budget pressure. Furthermore, for many applications, testing is an interactive, cognitive process (think evaluating the effect of a software change on the user interface) - such processes can't be automated well.

Even in (the small fraction of) scenarios where test automation is prima facie a good fit, it is not clear if it can reduce labor costs. The cost of developing and managing test automation along with the new tasks necessitated due to automation (e.g., reviewing test results) can often outweigh the labor costs of manual testing.

Unsurprisingly, practitioners consistently report dissatisfaction with test automation frameworks, going as far as calling test automation snake oil[5]. Only 6% of the practitioners, according to a 2012 survey [6], believe that that software testing can be fully automated. Even for the scenarios where test automation is used to augment manual testing, 45% think that the current tools are inadequate.

Furthermore, test automation is not a new technology - test automation frameworks are already being used to the extent they are found useful and economical. Most of the test instances that have not been automated are simply too hard or too uneconomical to automate. In fact, one may argue that poor automatability of software testing is the reason why the testing jobs were created in the first place. There is simply no reason to believe that existing program testing jobs will be lost in droves in future due to automation.

If both programming and testing jobs are safe from automation, what then is driving the Cassandrian prophecies about the impact of automation on Indian IT industry? Indian IT industry is in dire need of restructuring. Slowdown in growth, changing applications (e.g., machine learning), changing metrics (billable per hour vs billable per outcome), changing world politics ("America First"), and legacy overheads (e.g., bloated middle management - 10-15% of payroll in some companies) require shedding existing jobs and creating new ones. Retraining works in some settings, but it is uneconomical or infeasible to retrain for jobs requiring specialized knowledge (think deep learning).

Automation with its impressive recent advances and even more breathtaking promises is a convenient scapegoat - a proverbial fig leaf that allows the IT industry to make the necessary hard decisions in a volatile environment. A misunderstanding of the hardness of replacing human programmers and testers with machines further leads to erroneous analysis and wrong conclusions. The observed volatility of the IT sector and frequent job losses might be further feeding the fear of automation.

If anything, we may be entering a golden age for Information Technology. New applications such as personalized medicine, virtual reality, global scale computer vision, and autonomous systems (think drones and self-driving cars) will lead to much greater IT needs than ever before. Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly becoming a reality - IoT backends will need development, testing, and support. Untouched markets are seeing IT penetration (think a roti-maker or a 3D printer) - such markets will create new IT demands.

The Indian IT industry and policy makers must be focused on the question: how do we prepare ourselves well for these coming opportunities? All tools to improve competitiveness, quality, and efficiency must be leveraged to survive and thrive. This is not a time to entertain a bogeyman such as automation.

Author is an Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
With a total headcount of over 8000 people spread across five business units and 11 Indian cities, Microsoft has come a long way from where it began in 1990 in India with just around 25 people, operating out of a rented facility in Hyderabad. Anant Maheshwari, the technology giant's president in India, took time off from his busy schedule and spoke about its India story to Business Today on Wednesday, December 13th in Hyderabad, where it organized its annual media and analyst days. Here are excerpts:

How the needle has moved in the last one year: There are big areas where the needle has moved and I would limit it to the Indian context. If you look at the vertical focus that we have now, which is bringing both global solutions into India and creating solutions for Indian companies, the banking and financial sector is a big area of impact that we have moved on. Second, I would say, is the entire start-up community and what we call companies that want to be unicorns. Lot of work being done there by Microsoft. There is the Ola example and there are many others. The third key area is the IT industry in India. That is going through a massive shift in terms of their offerings to the rest of the world and we are enabling them in terms of their own digital fabric as to what capabilities they use either in the modern workplace or in the infrastructure or in the Azure data services as they go and provide to the rest of the world. To me, those three vertical focus areas along with manufacturing, would be the key needle movers in the last 12 months. On the otherside is the entire partner ecosystem, where it is not about partners being channels to market but where a lot of new intellectual property is being created by these partners for digital transformation solutions. When you go to a company today and talk to the CHRO or the CFO or the supply chain leader, they are not buying technology, they want to buy a solution to let us say, people development for HR. They want to buy a solution to manage risk for the CFO. They want a solution to manage supply chain, IoT automation. Now, those are solutions provided by our partners to these users to the CXOs to create value.

On movement from laptops to devices: This is the new Microsoft and I will give you my personal experience. I was sitting at an event about a month and a half back and trying to take notes on my OneNote on my Surface device balancing the Surface device on my knees and typing when 20 other people were sitting around me and I realized that it was not a very easy way to take notes at that point in time. It was on OneNote. I shut this device down and opened my iPhone. Now, it is a very different platform. I had written eight points in that OneNote on my Surface device. As soon as I opened my iPhone, I started typing point number 9 into the phone. That was the same OneNote application that had synced through the cloud already with my phone. To me that is the multi-device capability that Microsoft is really focused on. It is device agnostic and is really around true mobility that you can in the mobile first world apply in the modern workplace irrespective of the device you are accessing it from. That really is the Microsoft strategy which is irrespective of which operating system, which device you are accessing your information and content from, your experience should be good and that is where our focus and pivot is. Not just one eco-system, as in the past it used to be one Microsoft eco-system. We are running a large amount of code on both IOS and Android to make those experiences seamless.

Its revenue implications: Look at the new way of the full platform of the modern workplace which is Microsoft 365. It includes Windows, Office 365, mobility, and security. The moment you think of it as a Microsoft 365 stack to get work done, you get out of an equation of: am I losing some Windows footprint, am I gaining Windows footprint somewhere else. That equation goes away because you are taking the whole stack and seeing the power of that whole stack. From a pure revenue perspective, I would say that while the traditional engines have been the growth drivers, they may not have that high level of growth because of PC growth rate and therefore the Windows footprint on those PCs but the other growth drivers are very significant - Office 365, which is available through the cloud format to our enterprise customers, with a large number of applications now on Office, which is not just the traditional Windows, Powerpoint, Excel that many think about but even beyond that to OneNote to SharePoint, Yammer to teams and beyond. So, you look at the complete suit that comes together and creates the large consumption patterns that we have with our customers today. You look at new services around Dynamic 365, around the data and AI services, around Azure services that we are creating. All of these are completely new revenue streams which may not have existed a few years ago in the Microsoft ecosystem. In fact, among the new businesses that we are creating in India, it is predominantly cloud. Therefore, for us the entire movement to digital transformation through cloud is not just something that is nice to speak about, it makes a very big impact. Overall, our cloud growth rates in India are touching triple digits like many other geographies around the world. We are continuously looking at growing at a very fast clip on the entire cloud portfolio that we have including infrastructure, platform and software. In terms of growth rates we are definitely tracking above market growth rates.

On localisation: Many of the offerings of Microsoft are ready for the world because they are being used by our customers around the world. What you do need at times is some specific offerings that may be first initiated from a market like India and then go global and I will take the example of Kaizala. It is a great example of something that has not been done globally. It is something that was really innovated for the Indian market and is now seeing traction in other parts of Asia and Africa because they look a lot more like India in terms of their user behaviour. Now, what is Kaizala? If you really look at our modern workplace. We are saying you can create collaborative work spaces, irrespective of whether you are in the office or outside of the office. Now, if you look at the way the population works in India, roughly half a billion people go to work in India everyday and of the half a billion people, a small percentage may have email IDs and within that even a smaller percentage actually uses only email as their mode of their collaborative workplace. Most of the people are mobile only and they need very different kinds of platforms to even interact and get work done. That is a the origin of Kaizala. To me that whole insight around how to create a modern workplace in this kind of an environment was how the whole development work on Kaizala began. But it wasn't something that was just developed in India. It was something developed for India with the global intellectual property and the global presence that Microsoft has. To create something like that we went and did research in different geographies, including China, Israel, United States, Europe, and Asia to understand what is available best and from there created the right architecture for Kaizala for India. Today, already, three months after launch, it is already being applied in many government, enterprise, small and medium business situations. We have already seen a very large traction. The user numbers change on a daily basis so I do not have the exact number off-late. It is something we have not targeted at the generic social messaging market but it is really for the enterprise grade social messaging solution on which you can exchange documents, even interchange information, manage groups in a tiered fashion, have hierarchies inside the groups. It does not become just noise when you interact in a group but can do very focused interactions to get work done through a social messaging application and that as you would imagine is not something that Microsoft has done around the world. So, it has been focused to be for India. I wanted to give you an example of what we are doing for the local market and there are many examples, including Skype and Aadhaar integration, Skype Lite looking at the conditions in the Indian market.

Where to from here: Overall, in this field, a year is a very long time. The way we are moving is continuing to track how we move faster than what the market transformation rate is for digital transformation in India. That to me is the simple aspiration that we continue to lead the market and create the right path that shows that we are truly ahead in this space.
A Vijaywada bound Delhi flight carrying 100 passengers along with Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju was delayed by more than an hour on Wednesday at the Delhi airport. The passengers were already inside the Air India flight, AI 459, including the minister. The airline later suspended three staff members and issued a warning letter to the pilot for arriving late. The flight eventually took off after a delay of one and half hours.

The minister, who was also onboard, had to face an angry crowd who demanded to know why the flight was not taking off. Raju then called Air India CMD Pradeep Kharola and inquired about the reason in the delay.

"Yesterday Air India AI 459 Delhi to Vijaywada flight was delayed by around 1.30 hours with over 100 passengers including minister of civil aviation P Ashok Gajapati Raju onboard," Air India spokesperson GP Rao told ANI. He also mentioned, "Onboard passengers protested and questioned Minister Raju on the delay in the flight. Immediately, the minister asked Air India CMD Pradeep Kharola about flight delay reason."

The Air India flight was scheduled to leave at 6 am but had to wait for better visibility. This was, however, not communicated to the ground staff, who then started the boarding process on time. On top of that, the pilot was also stopped at the security check point because of an issue with his airport pass, reports mention. According to reports, he had reached 15 minutes late.

Meanwhile, Air India CMD Pradeep Singh Kharola has called for a meeting of senior officials after a flight carrying Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju was unduly delayed at the airport here, airline sources said.

Kharola has called a meeting today of senior officials, including director of operations and scheduling, the sources said.

The Air India flight, on which the minister was travelling, was delayed for long, an official in the minister's office confirmed. The flight had nearly 125 passengers.

The incident came days after Kharola took charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of the disinvestment-bound airline. About the incident, an Air India spokesperson said the CMD has taken strict action for the confusion created and subsequent delay of the flight.

"Three officials have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reporting late by 15 minutes," the spokesperson said.

with PTI inputs
Colter Peterson leaves the courtroom after pleading guilty to attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, on Tuesday in Logan. Peterson shot Deserae Turner in February 2017, and left her for dead in a dry irrigation canal in Smithfield, Utah.

LOGAN  The 17-year-old Smithfield teenager who has admitted to shooting Deserae Turner in the back of the head and leaving her to die in a dry canal bed, appeared in court Wednesday, waiting to be sentenced. Colter Peterson, one of the two boys charged with trying to kill the then 14-year-old girl, stood before a judge, a day after prosecutors gave the co-defendant, Jayzon Decker, one week left to accept a plea deal or go to trial.

Peterson appeared before 1st District Court Judge Kevin Allen for a status hearing. He never spoke, while attorneys for both sides met in the judges chambers for 20 minutes before returning to the courtroom.

Judge Allen didnt mention Deckers case specifically but said attorneys had told him there might be a resolution to some issues. He ordered Peterson to appear again in court December 19.

On October 10, Peterson accepted a plea deal, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, and robbery, a second-degree felony. As part of the plea agreement, state attorneys dropped four other charges against him of obstructing justice. The agreement also requires the defendant to testify against Decker, if the co-defendants case goes to trial, before sentencing can take place.

Police allege Peterson and 17-year-old Decker concocted a plan to kill Turner while playing video games and discussing their desire to get rid of her. She was found with a gunshot wound to the head, early in the morning of February 17. She had reportedly been left to die in a dry canal east of Sky View High School.

Peterson was the gunman, shooting Turner in the back of the head with a .22 caliber revolver. Decker is alleged to have acted as lookout, letting Peterson know when it was clear to shoot Turner.

Tuesday, Decker appeared before 1st District Court Judge Brian Cannell. Prosecutors gave him until December 19 to accept their plea agreement.

Peterson is being held in the Millcreek Youth Center. He was transferred there in October, so that he and Decker would not be housed in the same facility.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
Courtesy of the Cache County Sheriff's Office

LOGAN  A small group of people spent Wednesday afternoon searching along the Logan River for Kyle Burton. The 18-year-old Wyoming man went missing November 29 when he left his grandmothers house in River Heights.

Mykelle Nichols helped lead the groups search. She is from Lovell, Wyoming, the same town where the Burtons have lived for years. She is a sophomore at Utah State.

I have lived in Lovell my whole life and they (Burtons) have too, said Nichols. Kyle is a year younger than me in school.

The search group met at Ryans Place Park Wednesday at noon. They broke up into two teams, searching along the Logan River between First Dam and 400 East. There was no sign of Burton, who has been missing for over two weeks.

Nichols said Burtons disappearance has been so hard on his family.

Kyle came down here to find a job and get settled. He didnt know hardly anyone. He knew me and his grandparents, and were a long ways from home, like seven-hours. The poor family, they have gone through some rough times and this is just really sad, especially around the holidays.

During the last two weeks, the family and Cache County Sheriffs Search and Rescue teams have searched the neighborhoods and mountains nearby. They issued a press release asking for the communitys help, distributed posters, and used a helicopter to search a 1.5 mile radius around the neighborhood. Deputies scaled back their efforts last week, saying they would continue to follow-up on new leads.

Kyle Burtons father, Gerry Burton, said the search is now being done primarily by volunteers and friends. He is still hopeful that they will find his son.

Kyle is described as being 510 and 210 lbs. He has brown hair, blue eyes, and is friendly, but quiet and shy. He also has a surgery scar on his left knee. He enjoys acting and singing, and loves the outdoors.

The family is running a Facebook group called <a href=https://www.facebook.com/Kyle-Burton-Search-Party-133389270635465/ target=_blank>Kyle Burton Search Party</a>. Anyone who has seen Kyle or has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriffs Office tip line at (435) 755-1100.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
PHOENIX  Arizona police departments dont always reflect the racial diversity of the communities they serve, but experts disagree on the degree to which that makes a difference.

More than 70 percent of Americans believe police departments should have a similar racial composition to the communities they serve, according to a poll conducted for Race and Policing in America: Conflict and Reform."

However, some research shows that adding more minority officers to a police force isnt a panacea to improving community relations and stopping behavior such as racial profiling because there isnt a strong correlation between officer race and how they treat people. Other studies dispute those findings.

But most experts agree on one thing: Large disparities between a departments diversity and that of the community can have symbolic effects  such as diminishing trust and confidence in police. Experts also say diversity could help overcome language barriers and perception problems.

Ray A. Ybarra Maldonado, a Phoenix-based immigration and civil rights lawyer, said police departments need to recruit more people of color because personal experiences and deeper cultural understanding could help improve relationships with the community.

Its not gonna solve the problem, he said. It is not the solution to the problem, but there are a lot of benefits that a person of color can bring in any workforce environment.

While 44 percent of Arizonans are non-white, non-whites are underrepresented among officers in nearly every Arizona police department represented in a 2013 Bureau of Justice Statistics survey, according to a Cronkite News analysis of the data, the latest available.

That imbalance may be one reason tensions between law enforcement and the communities they serve have increased in recent years.

We have a terrible relationship in Arizona between the police, law enforcement and communities of color, Ybarra Maldonado said. People are very leery of the police. Theyre actually afraid of the police, and its something that we definitely need to work on here in Arizona.

Studies show socialization plays larger role in police action

Forty-six percent of Arizona voters believe police treat people differently based on the civilians race, according to a 2016 Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News survey.

But some experts say its not necessarily the officers race that makes a difference during interactions.

John Shjarback, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at El Paso, has researched the link between officer diversity and community relations. He found that simply increasing diversity in a police force did not solve a lot of policing-related problems.

He said research has shown no relationship between an officers race and how they treat members of the public.

Ronald Weitzer, a George Washington University professor and sociologist specializing in criminology, wrote in an journal article that socialization has more influence on how officers behave.

Its really not the race of the officer that makes a difference, but its their occupational identity, he told Cronkite News. He said all police graduates tend to adopt a uniform identity, and all police must enforce the same laws.

However, another recent study that examined uses of force in seven police departments across the country found that white officers used greater force on black suspects than they did on white suspects.

The study, co-authored by Arizona State University Professor William Terrill, suggests possible bias on the part of white officers. However, it by no means proves it, according to the university.

This is not, in any way, to say that police officers are racist, but it is to say that race cannot be dismissed, Terrill said in an ASU news article.

The study acknowledges that increasing diversity is not an end-all solution: In all, though, hiring more black officers is not a panacea for the ills plaguing police departments serving minority communities.

Even when a police department does more closely reflect the community, it does not necessarily ease community tension and reduce racial profiling.

In Baltimore, black officers make up 42 percent of the force, well above the national average. Still, a 2016 report by the U.S. Justice Department found the city had widespread problems resulting in people of color disproportionately being stopped, searched and arrested.

The citys black residents comprise 63 percent of the city, but account for 86 percent of all criminal offenses. The report also found that 44 percent of unjust stops were made in two primarily black neighborhoods, which only housed about 11 percent of Baltimores population.

Some Arizona residents agree with studies indicating officer race makes little difference and say adding more diversity in law enforcement wont change much  but for different reasons.

Frankie Tso, a Navajo who lives in Flagstaff, was 17 when he had his first encounter with police. He said a Flagstaff officer stopped him as he walked home from a friends house and told him he fit the description of someone who stole a 30-pack of beers from Safeway.

I was scared because Ive seen videos of people just getting brutalized for like, little stupid things, Tso said. I dont feel safe around the police. Nobody here feels safe around the police.

White officers make up nearly 88 percent of the Flagstaff Police Department, according to the departments latest annual report. But for Tso, it doesnt matter what the officer looks like: He doesnt trust police.

A cop is a cop, Tso said. It really doesnt matter if its like a black cop, a white cop, a Native cop.

Experts: Blue culture, training, laws need to change

For some officers, stepping into a uniform shifts their loyalties.

Ronald L. Davis, former director of Community Oriented Policing Services at the Department of Justice, said minority officers sometimes fall into the blue culture. He said this can negate the improvements hiring more diverse officers may bring.

Youll hear the phrase: Youre not black now, youre a cop that happens to be black, Davis said.

Ybarra Maldonado said its that blue culture that could even lead to additional problems. For example, he said police often have the perception that brown is bad and illegal.

When (officers) are part of the law enforcement culture, racial profiling is ingrained. Its in the locker room, on the lunch talks, in the cars when theyre on patrol, Ybarra Maldonado said. Simply being black or brown doesnt take racial profiling out of the equation.

Data does show a connection between race and police searches and arrests in Arizona.

When it comes to searches, Latinos, African-Americans and Native Americans are two times more likely than whites to be searched when theyre stopped while driving a car, according a Cronkite News analysis of 2011-2015 data from The Stanford Open Policing Project.

The data also indicated that Native Americans are three times more likely than whites to be arrested. African-Americans are two times more likely, and Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to face arrest compared to white counterparts.

Ybarra Maldanados wife, Angeles Maldonado, is a scholar and activist with the Institute for Border Crit Theory, a nonprofit that promotes new education theories on borderlands and race. She sat on the community advisory board that stemmed from the racial profiling lawsuit Melendres v. Arpaio. She said racial profiling will continue  even with changes in training and policies  unless cultures change.

Even if you hire new officers, and theyre going there with the best intentions, if the policing culture is one where racial profiling is happening, (it) is likely that they will do the same thing, Maldonado said.

She said officers of color may even racially profile people of their own race more often.

You are likely to discriminate or oppress people of your own race simply because you associate those practices with being closer to power, she said.

Grace Gamez, program coordinator of American Friends Service Committee, a nonprofit in Tucson, said officer training plays an important role in changing the culture. Whether its a white cop or a cop of color, if theyre trained within the same logics, chances are the results will be pretty similar, Gamez said.

Other community activists argued that if people want to see real change, they need to start looking at the laws themselves. After all, officers must enforce the laws, even if they disproportionately impact a minority community.

For example, Senate Bill 1070, the controversial immigration law that allows officers to inquire about a persons immigration status during a lawful stop, targets mainly Latinos.

Kenneth Muhammad, chairman of a conflict resolution organization in Phoenix called 10,000 Fearless Men & Women, said police often contribute to a continuous cycle of arrests.

These laws are not designed to aid us, help us. Theyre designed to make sure that we stay in our place by the lawmakers, Muhammad said.

Shjarback agreed that increasing diversity among lawmakers may make more of a difference than than the statistical matching of an organization to the community.

Adding diversity can help build trust, reach communities

Although some studies show adding more diversity to a department may not have a tangible effect on police behavior, advocates say it does make a difference in how communities feel about police.

If a police officer is going to be effective, they have to have the trust and the presentation of integrity, said Hilary Shelton, senior vice president for policy and advocacy for the NAACP.

Professors at Florida State University published a study in 2012 that found diversity helps build community trust.

Even Weitzer, whose study found that an officers race doesnt really have much effect on the ground, said that it does have an effect on the reputation of a department, its image and how people interpret police behavior.

Arizona Rep. Tom OHalleran, a former Chicago police officer, also said diversity helps build trust.

Youre not going to get the same percentages, but you have to make sure that you attempt to bring on other groups to overcome the objection that you dont care about those communities, the Sedona Democrat said.
The recent assassination of anti-Moscow Chechen activist Amina Okueva in Kyiv is yet another link in the chain of targeted killings of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrovs opponents across the former Soviet Union and beyond. A former member of Djokhar Dudayev battalion, which fought against pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine, Okueva has been a target of pro-Kadyrov Chechens since her engagement in armed conflict in Ukraine. The event demonstrates Kadyrovs capacity to persistently hunt down his enemies well outside the borders of Russian Federation. The inability and unwillingness of Ukrainian security services to protect Chechen volunteers, who participated in the campaign against Russian aggression in Donbas, leaves them vulnerable to persecution by Kadyrovs associates.

BACKGROUND: A vehicle driven by Okuevas husband Adam Osmaev came under small arms fire on the outskirts of Kyiv on October 30. While Osmaev sustained only minor injuries, Okueva died from bullet wounds to the head. Efforts by Ukrainian security services to identify and apprehend the assailants have thus far been ineffective.

Okueva was a member of the political movement Free Caucasus, she took part in the Second Chechen War, participated in the Euromaidan events in Ukraine and after the start of the Donbas War became a volunteer of the Chechen pro-Ukrainian Djokhar Dudayev battalion. She was also an active critic of both Vladimir Putins and Kadyrovs policies. As a former member of the Chechen militant underground, Okueva was among the personal enemies of Kadyrov.

Notwithstanding the importance of Okueva for Kadyrov, sources within Ukraines security services are prone to believe that the actual target of the October 30 attack was her husband. Osmaev served as the head of the Djokhar Dudayev battalion since its founder, Isa Munaev, died in combat in 2015. He was also a well-known member of the Chechen secular separatist movement, struggling for the re-creation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Above all, Osmaev is accused of plotting to assassinate Putin during the 2012 presidential elections campaign.

The October 30 assault was not the first attempt to assassinate Osmaev and Okueva. On June 1, the couple was attacked in Kyiv by a gunman who managed to inflict injuries to both of them. The contract killer, who was himself injured during the incident, was identified as Arthur Kurmakaev (Dingo), a well-known member of the Chechen mafia and a suspect in several Kadyrov-sanctioned assassinations. Along with assassinations of Kadyrovs enemies in Russia and Chechnya, Kurmakaev was also under investigation for the murder of Kadyrovs former body guard in Vienna, Austria.

IMPLICATIONS: Official statements released by Ukrainian investigators indicate two main possible motives behind the attack on Chechen volunteers. As suggested by Anton Heraschenko, adviser to the head of Ukraines Interior Ministry, the attack may have been conducted by Russian Special Forces in order to target prominent members of the counter-separatist forces. The assault could also have been another attempt by the Chechen president to settle scores with his enemies abroad. Another version, put forward by the Caucasus Knot agency, suggests that the assassination attempt on Osmaev was conducted by members of the Chechen diaspora in Europe, who financed his battalion. According to this version, Osmaev acquired large sums of money from Chechen donors in Europe and has failed to provide a credible account as to how this funding was spent.

In a statement on November 1, Kadyrov denied his connection to the Kyiv attack and accused Ukrainian secret services of assassinating Okueva, in order to distract the international community from ongoing anti-government protests and to yet again blame Russia for its problems. Kadyrov pointed out that Okueva had nothing to do with Chechnya, because she was born in Ukraine to a Chechen father and Ukrainian mother and had never continuously lived in the North Caucasian republic. Bearing in mind that Kadyrov rarely comments on Ukraines domestic affairs, let alone such relatively low-level incidents as the October 30 attack on Osmaev family, suggests that Chechen president was following the event with interest.

The events in Kyiv have two possible implications. First, an assault on members of the anti-Moscow Chechen community indicate that Kadyrov  who is known to have previously ordered and financed similar attacks  pursues his long-term strategy of exterminating his opponents regardless of their geographical location. His ability to mobilize and command pro-Moscow Chechens abroad, or to dispatch his hand-picked assassins directly from Chechnya or Russia, remains unchanged. Targets of such attacks are selected not necessarily in order of their importance for Kadyrov  Osmaev is a rather insignificant person when it comes to the security of the Chechen regime  but based on the availability of suitable individuals to conduct an attack at a particular location. For example, Kurmakaev, who was sent to assassinate the Osmaev family, had a Ukrainian passport and was supposedly residing in the country.

Second, veterans of the Donbas War, particularly from among non-ethnic Ukrainians, have become vulnerable to targeted assassinations organized by pro-Moscow forces. Ukraine seems to be unable and unwilling to provide adequate protection for non-Ukrainian volunteers of the counter-terrorist operation, most of whom are considered foreign fighters. This implies a bleak future for members of the Chechen battalion in Ukraine. The cessation of active combat in the Donbas War has resulted in decreasing financial support for the Djokhar Dudayev battalion from the Chechen diaspora in Europe, which will most likely encourage the remaining members of the battalion to return to their home countries in Europe, where many may face prosecution for participation in armed groups.

CONCLUSIONS: As attacks on Kadyrovs critics in Europe have decreased over the last several years, the head of Chechnya appears more poised to eradicating his opponents in the near abroad. Bearing in mind that the Chechen diaspora in the former Soviet republics is larger and more politically active than in the EU, Chechen special services may find it easier to recruit potential hit men. Investigations of nearly all Kadyrov-ordered targeted assassinations, including those committed in European countries and the U.S., have failed to produce a credible link connecting the crimes to Chechen president. As demonstrated by the case of Osmaev, who remained outside the Russian Federation for about five years, Kadyrovs determination to destroy his opponents is not time-limited. Although it remains unclear whether Okueva was collateral damage rather than the key target, her death reduced the number of Kadyrovs enemies and therefore was not left unnoticed by the Chechen leader.

AUTHOR'S BIO: Huseyn Aliyev is a LKAS Research Fellow at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow. He specializes in armed conflicts, non-state armed groups, and informal practices. He is an author of When informal institutions change. Institutional reforms and informal practices in the former Soviet Union (University of Michigan Press, 2017). His most recent publications appeared in Third World Quarterly (2017), Terrorism and Political Violence (2017), Security Dialogue (2016), and International Security (2015).

Image source: By en.kremlin.ru accessed on 12.11. 2017
Recently, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan proclaimed their support for and recognition of Spains territorial integrity. These announcements were obviously triggered by the outbreak of the crisis around Catalonias independence referendum. While Spains political destiny is hardly a vital interest for these governments, they do worry about the continuing episodes of minority unrest that could furnish precedents for the dissolution of other multi-ethnic or multi-confessional states like them. On this point, these three governments, probably along with all the others in what used to be the Soviet Union, have justified reasons for concern.

BACKGROUND: Their concern goes beyond anxiety that the respective minorities inside their countries might continue to agitate for independence or begin to do so. As the experience of Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan tell us, not only is there a danger that minorities might secede or rise up violently, it is very likely that behind all of these existing movements stands the Russian Federation. Many Russians cannot accept the dissolution of the Soviet Union that they (rightly or wrongly) conceived of as a Russian state. Unfortunately among them is Vladimir Putin who has publicly said that the Soviet Union was just another name for Russia. Hence the lack of acceptance in Russia of Ukraine or of its culture, and the resonance of Putins view of Ukrainians as misguided younger brothers who must be forced back into the fold.

The imperial Russian nationalism has been a prime factor in Moldovas frozen conflict as well as the continuing war in Ukraine. Putin has also said that Kazakhstan was not a state before President Nursultan Nazarbayev took the helm of the newly independent country in 1991. Given that this statement came immediately after Russias invasion of Ukraine, it is no surprise that Nazarbayev sharply criticized this view and has vigilantly moved to restrict integration with Russia through the Eurasian Economic Union to purely economic areas and to Latinize the Kazakh alphabet.

The inherent danger of indigenous ethno-religious movements seeking independence exists from the Baltic States to Central Asia. In this context it is clear that Moscow continues to support Russian speakers throughout this expanse and to use that support to delegitimize or threaten to delegitimize these states. Indeed, Foreign Minister Lavrov on October 31 invoked the concept of the Russian world, Russkii Mir, attacked foreign governments for discriminating against Russians and reiterated Russian governmental support for compatriots abroad.

IMPLICATIONS: Lavrovs remarks, like Putins, should come as no surprise. The belief that Russia has the duty and right to intervene on behalf of Russians abroad goes back to the Tsars and was also utilized by Stalin, notably in his takeover of Poland and the Baltic States in 1939-40 and then again in the post-World War II border revisions after 1945. Aside from these historical precedents, from Putin on down Russian officials have repeatedly made clear that they do not accept either the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the post-Soviet states, as well as the former members of the Warsaw Pact. Therefore, Russian trolls and media are supporting the Catalan independence movement and Putin sent Dmitri Medoyev, the foreign minister of South Ossetia to Barcelona, ostensibly to explore business possibilities. Moscow is playing the same game with regard to Bosnias Serbs, the Gagauz in Moldova, the Kurds in Iraq and Turkey, while inciting Hungary to defend its minorities in Ukraine.

Thus for Russia, nationalism abroad is a weapon with which to unhinge the status quo even as it ruthlessly represses its expression within the Russian Federation itself. Indeed, Moscow views all claims on behalf of self-determination and sovereignty outside its borders as purely contingent ones, support for which is judged on the basis of the expediency of these movements for Russia.

It is against this backdrop that Moscow is arming both Armenia and Azerbaijan, has all but incorporated Abkhazia and South Ossetia while steadily encroaching into Georgian territory, occasionally raises the issue of the Russian minority in Kazakhstan, supports the Transnistrian movement of Russians against Moldova, and invaded Ukraine. Indeed, Russian media have on occasion even raised the issue of the alleged oppression of the Karakalpak minority in Uzbekistan.

Yet, as has historically been the case, nationalism is a double-edged sword for Russia. At home, the Russian state has since the time of the Tsars repressed expressions of alternative nationality and/or religion, often setting minorities against each other. Abroad, Russia has frequently encouraged fissiparous tendencies among aggrieved minorities to furnish it with a pretext for intervening in its neighbors affairs whether they be Poland or the Ottoman Empire. All too often these exploitations of ethnic and religious animosities either ended as or were deliberately exploited to engender wars. As Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Georgia show us; that is still the case.

It is in the light of this history and current situations that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia quickly supported Madrid against the Catalan independence movement. For these states, disintegration is a real possibility, particularly when backed up by Russian agitation and military support. They all clearly recognize that the global phenomenon of populism frequently manifests itself as ethnic, racial, or inter-confessional confrontation against minorities or majorities. Therefore, these movements offer Moscow abundant opportunities for interference and exploitation. The revelations that Russian cyber war in the 2016 U.S. election often aimed to exacerbate existing ethnic, racial, and religious polarities serves as a cautionary example of what might well occur in any of these or other post-Soviet states if Moscow decides to apply itself in this fashion against them.

This constant apprehension that an ethnically disunited state invites both domestic discord and foreign intervention (even if not in the form of combat forces) has underlain much of the domestic policies of the post-Soviet states. With varying degrees of success, governments have striven to create a national consciousness and narrative (whether it is historically accurate or not) and a solid linguistic and cultural basis for the awareness of a state and/or nation where often none previously existed. This policy, whatever other merits or pitfalls it implies, can also be seen as a prudent and even proactive response to a threat that was always regarded as latent but easily able to become manifest, especially if Moscow so wanted that to happen.

Acquiescence of phenomena such as Catalonias claim to independence as legitimate precedents offers revisionist governments like Putins ample opportunities for using nationalism to destroy foreign states while also playing both sides against the middle in world politics. Therefore, to the extent that foreign governments care (and they should) about the stability of these relatively new states, they need to help them find enlightened means of resolving ethnic or religious tensions in ways that strengthen the state and domestic peace, as well as the legitimacy of these governments. The alternative is almost certainly going to be one of protracted violence.

Lavrovs speech, among many other Russian policy statements and formulations, suggests that Russia will continue to promote destabilization of its neighbors as long as it sees profit in doing so. Moscows engines of information warfare, a major instrument of ethno-religious incitement, are running at full tilt. And since they are relatively cheap to maintain they can be turned up or down, like a rheostat, as determined by Putin and his entourage. As all states in what used to be the Soviet space try harder to consolidate their independence and as Russia itself stagnates, it is very likely that Moscow will resort to playing the nationalist or religious card abroad more frequently. These states can reasonably expect more incitement at home and abroad against their territorial and political claims to integrity and sovereignty.

Moreover, if the domestic situation inside Russia continues to stagnate, as many observers expect it to do, it is equally likely that we will see both a deliberate and unplanned ratcheting up of ethno-religious tensions within Russia as aggrieved minorities struggle against the state and Putins government calculate that inciting Russians against them or minorities against each other is essential to the perpetuation of their power.

CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that the populist phenomenon of which nationalist strife is clearly a part flourishes when liberalism and/or globalization runs aground because they cannot offer genuine economic advancement to minorities. In such cases, economic stratification reinforces and aggravates political stratification, creating opportunities for ethnic or religious entrepreneurs to canalize such feelings for the purpose of violently exploiting them. The Russian state has a long history of doing just that. Thus under the present circumstances, and given the many signs of reversion to Tsarist, Soviet, and Stalinist precedents, such political outcomes cannot be excluded. And it is to avoid just such grim scenarios that Almaty, Tbilisi, and Baku have taken and will continue to take proactive actions like the refusal to offer homage to Catalonia.

AUTHORS BIO: Stephen Blank is a Senior Fellow with the American Foreign Policy Council.

Image source: By Liz Castro [CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons accessed on 12.13. 2017
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Christmas songs filled the air in the National Guard Armory as people signed off next to their names with candy cane-shaped pens on Wednesday morning.

It was the culmination of Blue Valley Community Actions Wish List program, which gives Christmas presents to foster children and families in need with help from the community.

For the past couple of weeks, Christmas trees at the Wal-Mart and Shopko in Beatrice were trimmed with little paper stars that each featured a Christmas wish list for a child in need. Shoppers could pick them up, do a little shopping and bring the gifts back to Blue Valley.

On Wednesday, those presentshidden carefully from prying eyes inside big, plastic bagswere picked up by families who were also able to find clothing, household items and even some brand-new toys donated by organizations around Gage County.

This year, the Wish List program served 68 families and 157 foster children, Blue Valley Community Actions Shelly Franzen said. Not all of the stars got picked from the trees this year, she said, but thats where the work of donors and organizations come in.

The American Legion Auxiliary, Beatrice Public Schools, St. Pauls School, St. Johns School, Wal-Mart, Shopko, Gage County United Way, Priority Printing, the Four Seasons group at the Beatrice State Developmental Center, as well as other businesses and organizations, all contributed to the cause, said Donna Leikam, whos been working with the program for more than 20 years. They also had a sizable donation of brand-new toys for families to take home, thanks to the Clatonia Cares organization.

Leikam wasnt sure exactly how long its been going on, but its been around at least since she started in 1996. She organized the project for the past 10 years, she said, but passed the torch to Franzen this year.

People have been generous this year, Franzen said. One child got a guitar hed asked for and several people brought in brand new bikes. There were no telescopes this yeara traditionally popular gift, Leikam saidbut there were plenty of science kits. There were about five skateboards donated and even some drones.

Kids also get a $25 voucher for clothes at Wal-Mart or Shopko, and parents who bring in an electric bill also get a $50 credit toward paying it.

Sometimes, the things children want most fall into place, Leikam said. Last year, she had a child who was a big fan of Harry Potter. Despite their search, Wish List organizers couldnt find appropriate gifts related to the boy wizard.

Then they got a surprising donation. A woman who had collected Harry Potter memorabilia dropped off a huge selection of all things Potter.

We could not purchase anything Harry Potter last year, Leikam said. And I was able to give that child a Harry Potter wand in a box. That mother cried, she was so happy.

But the Christmas season is not the only time that Blue Valley is looking for help. They provide services throughout the year, Franzen said. Things like homeless assistance, emergency shelters, the Head Start program and housing assistance are a few of the services they offer.

We always need donations for emergency assistance, Franzen said. Someone needing a place to stay, so we can put them in a hotel or emergency shelters. Clothing and we have a food pantry at Southeast Community College in the office there.

A lot of the physical donations that BVCA received was on display across dozens of tables in the armory. Donated clothes, toys, pots, pans and even Christmas decorations could be taken home by participants.

Blue Valley always likes to see Christmas stuff at the Wish List giveaway, Franzen said, because a lot of people dont have much to decorate with. Theyd even given away a few Christmas trees on Wednesday, which will make a perfect companion to the gifts, she said.

I love when the parent says, 'Now I've got to go home and wrap presents,' Franzen said. Because that's what I want. I want the people who are going to wrap the presents and put them under the tree.

Franzen said she hoped that people will remember Blue Valley at other times of the year and consider making a donation, no matter what it might be.

Whatever they're willing to bring or give, she said, we find a place for it.
| BY Ricki Green |

AdFest is now inviting creative and production professionals from around the world to register for Delegate Passes to attend next years festival, which runs from 21st  24th March 2018 in Pattaya, Thailand.

For the third year running, AdFest will be divided over two streams: Craft@ADFEST on 21st and 22nd March, followed by Creative@ADFEST on 23rd and 24th March.

Says Vinit Suraphongchai, chairman of AdFest: This year, we celebrated AdFests 20th anniversary and Im proud to say it was our best festival yet, demonstrating how far AdFest has evolved as a festival that celebrates creativity in our region. We are looking forward to setting the bar even higher at AdFest 2018.

Delegates can choose from three different registration packages:

Package 1: Craft@ADFEST (21st-22nd March)

Full Delegate THB21,000

Young Delegate (aged 28 or under) THB12,000

Student (full-time students only) THB10,000

Package 2: Creative@ADFEST (23rd-24th March)

Full Delegate THB30,000

Young Delegate (aged 28 or under) THB19,000

Student (full-time students only) THB15,000

Package 3: Craft@ADFEST + Creative@ADFEST (21st-24th March)

Full Delegate THB39,000

Young Delegate (aged 28 or under) THB25,000

Student (full-time students only) THB17,000

ADFEST 2018 takes place at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand.
| BY Ricki Green |

Australia Post has launched a new integrated campaign across TV, outdoor, digital and social channels via Y&R Melbourne.

The campaign focuses on the build-up preparations for Christmas and the role Australia Post plays in making delivery and collection services easier. Shipster, Australia Posts free shipping membership service that launched last month is a feature within the campaign, along with Australia Post staff starring in videos delivering informational messages  sung in a choir to the tune of popular Christmas Carols.

Says Megan Hair, head of marketing, Australia Post: Christmas is our busiest time of year so we wanted to focus our efforts entirely on our customers and our role within their lives. The creative work represents a great evolution of last years highly effective campaign and were thrilled with the results.

Australia Post

Head of Consumer Marketing: Megan Hair

Brand and Advertising Partner: Cathie Connors

Agency: Y&R Melbourne

Chief Creative Officer: Paul Nagy

Executive Creative Director: Jake Barrow

Snr Art Director: Chris Schoolman

Snr Copywriter: Katie Britton

Planning Director: Mike Hyde

Senior Account Manager: David Gallo

Producer: Zoe Rixon

Production Company: Truce

Director: Nicholas Clifford

Producer: Jim Wright

Editor: Tom Lock, Alek Janev

Sound Engineer: Sam Hopgood

Content Director: Hamish MacGregor

Content Creative: Phon Vongdara
| BY Ricki Green |

MullenLowe Profero, the global digital transformation network of MullenLowe Group, has today unveiled its new global leadership structure.

Ben Mooney joins as global head of business transformation and MullenLowe Profero Americas CEO and MullenLowe Group NY president Aaron Reitkopf adds the role of global chairman to his current responsibilities.

Mooney joins the network from Publicis.Sapient where he held the role of director of sales and partner alliances. His appointment follows a global career across Australia, Africa and the UK, with management positions at SapientRazorfish, Razorfish, ArdentDigital, BlueArc and Ryarc. In the newly formed role of global head of business transformation, Mooney will be responsible for driving new business, developing global client relationships, overseeing talent transformation and structuring deeper collaboration with technology partners. Mooney will initially be based in Sydney, and will be relocating to New York in 2018.

Reitkopf has been the agency groups Americas CEO since 2010, and was appointed the first president of MullenLowe Groups rapidly growing New York office in 2016.

Both appointments commence immediately.

In addition, founding partner and global CEO Wayne Arnold will depart MullenLowe Profero on 25th March 2018, 20 years to the day since co-founding the agency in North London in 1998. Under Arnold and the teams leadership, MullenLowe Profero has become one of the worlds most respected digital transformation agencies, growing from 4 people in a single office to 800+ team members in 15 offices globally.

Says Alex Leikikh, global CEO, MullenLowe: Appointing brave, innovative thinkers like Aaron and Ben to senior positions is testament to Waynes visionary and tenacious global strategy. Elevating Aaron to chairman from within the business reflects our values of finding quality people from within.

MullenLowe Profero is a world-leader in digital transformation by combining technology, creativity, media and experience design to create innovative and business- changing digital solutions for some of the worlds greatest brands. With double digit growth over the last five years, the agency network and its leadership team continue to excel in uncharted and fast-moving market conditions.

Says Arnold: I believe 2017 will be considered a watershed year for our industry, when the market accelerated its shift from traditional marketing communications to business transformation around digital touchpoints. Aarons elevation and the creation of a new role for Bens reflects our vision for the future of marketing. Its deeply satisfying to leave the business with strong leadership and a compelling market proposition.

I am fortunate to be in a position to take some time out, currently for a minimum of 10 months, in order to work out where I can add the most value in my professional career over the next decade and beyond. Profero was launched at the start of the modern internet tech revolution, and we are now witnessing the next stage of this evolution with technology becoming more human every day. It will be fun to work out where the next phase of growth will come from, and in some way to be part of that. However, my first step will be to stop running at 100mph for a while.
| BY Ricki Green |

Former Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne group creative director Leon Wilson is joining forces with branding and design agency Red Robyns founder Robyn Brazenall to evolve the agencys offering.

Red Robyn has been creating and supporting some of Australias most recognised brands for over 15 years. The new agency, Robyn&Leon, is restructuring around three verticals; branding and design, advertising, and brand purpose.

The restructure comes alongside a shift into new premises in William Street, Balaclava.

Says Wilson: This three-pronged structure allows us to work with clients in the way that benefits them the most. Sometimes this may involve a consumer facing design solution or advertising campaign. Other times it may involve backing up a bit to establish what the actual purpose of the brand is and then communicating that internally to everybody in the company. Having a clear sense of purpose is the most important thing any individual can have, and with brands its the same. When an organisation understands its purpose and can communicate it in an inspirational way, they not only attract the best talent but tend to outperform their competitors as a result.

Wilson has worked at some of the worlds most revered advertising agencies including Colenso BBDO, Mother London, and Fallon Minneapolis.

Says Wilson: The best agencies Ive worked at have all had a strong sense of purpose, with everyone knowing why theyre there, where theyre going, and what it takes to get them there. Likewise, in helping brands and clients succeed you have to look beyond their marketing.

Brazenall and Wilson will be joint directors of the agency, and share creative and managerial responsibilities.

Says Brazenall: From the very outset of founding Red Robyn 15 years ago Ive endeavoured to create an environment that champions creativity and has purpose driven design at the heart of everything we do. One of the benefits of being an independent agency is that were able to stay completely true to who we are, so these principles have never changed.

Working across a range of clients spanning different industries keeps our thinking fresh and original and keeps us curious. Sometimes you need to challenge the question to get to the right answer. Weve found that the best work comes from relationships that are built on honesty and respect as they allow and encourage this to happen.

Says Wilson: Robyn has created an agency with impressive branding and design credentials, as well as a strong culture. This new evolution will add to that rather than change it. We both believe that the way an idea is communicated is as important as the idea itself, so an emphasis on craft and design through to final execution will always be in our DNA.

Adds Brazenall: Im very proud of what Ive achieved to date, and couldnt be more excited about this next evolution of the agency.

Robyn&Leon are (from left to right, back row to front) Ben Tebbutt, Leon Wilson, Georgia Collister, Misha Lamb, Jessica Wall, Robyn Brazenall, Catherine Snedden, Debbie Ferris,
| BY Ricki Green |

Melbourne start-up FGMNT, has today announced a completely free and fully functional 30 day trial of the ground-breaking visualisation and efficiency tool, SITU. In the spirit of Christmas giving, the SITU team wants all agencies to experience the benefits of developing, testing and visualising campaigns in real out-of-home environments.

The power of SITU is that it allows agencies to easily drag and drop their creative concepts into a real life scene and test it through the eyes of the consumer, in VR. This opens up huge possibilities for creative agencies to hone their campaign to perfection and have full confidence that their messaging will have the unmissable impact they intended.

Its the unique out-of-home environment which presents challenges  as well as opportunities  for agencies to bring to life a creative strategy for their clients.

Thats where SITU comes in.

Says Nick Wright, CEO of FGMNT: SITU is an intuitive tool that enables you to quickly view your creative in a variety of real out-of-home scenes, shot in 360 video  then share it locally or remotely, presenting live on desktop, on your mobile or in immersive VR. Current agency tools just cant do this. SITU helps agencies create better out-of-home campaigns, streamlining internal communication and getting clients across the creative vision much faster than before.

SITU premiered on the world stage earlier this year at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, with much of its traction to date due to its partnership with Publicis Australia and oOh!media, who have influenced the products development.

oOh! have been at the forefront of new technology and innovation, and embraced SITU early on.

Says Brendon Cook, CEO of oOh!: oOh! is excited to be partnering with FGMNT and Publicis on the development of SITU.

Publicis Melbourne, co-creators of the SITU concept have been working closely with FGMNT, advising on the toolset for creative agencies.

The creative seed for SITU came directly from a need within the Publicis team, at a time when they were working to properly visualise a clients campaign. Since then, Publicis have been involved in its development and are a foundation client.

Says Andrew Baxter, chairman Publicis Australia and NZ: SITU is an amazing product  we can visualise an out-of-home landscape, or put the VR goggles on and see exactly how a campaign is going to roll out  whether it be stills or digital format  and we can change that creative up to show the client or marketer, exactly how its going to look.

Advertisers are excited by the creative insurance SITU provides, and the fact that they can preview their creative in real life as opposed to mock-ups or site cards.

oOh!media have been working with FGMNT to shoot over 100 of its out-of-home sites for the Australian library, which continues to build, along with the tools overall functionality.

Says Wright: Our relationship with oOh! has been key in shaping SITU, its features and its application in the workflow of out-of-home campaign development and execution.

SITU is designed with a simple, easy-to-use interface so that it can be used by anyone. Functionality includes quick drag and drop of static and video creative into a wide range of out-of-home inventory, with an ability to cycle through, compare creative executions and view from multiple angles. Projects can be shared with a team or with clients.

Our immediate and humble goal is to see SITU revolutionise the creative development and strategy process. There are many other use cases for SITU across the industry, such as creative testing by research agencies. We are excited to hear from users about how they are using SITU day to day.
| BY Lynchy |

Columbus Malaysia has been appointed as the performance marketing agency for leading global fashion brand, UNIQLO.

Following the appointment, Columbus is tasked with performance marketing duties, which encompass strategic planning, managing and deploying various digital marketing tools to optimise the performance of UNIQLOs online marketing campaigns. The appointment is effective immediately.

The number of internet users in Malaysia is growing by the day with more than 77% of the countrys population currently online. So its not question of why were investing in e-commerce and online marketing, but more of how to ensure that were optimising our online assets to reach the right people at the right time on the right device with the right message, a representative from UNIQLO stated.

To this end, Columbus has won us over with their innovative, data-driven performance marketing capabilities. From ideation to implementation, they are able to provide valuable insights into our campaigns performance and effectiveness in order to help us achieve strong results on our digital channels, the representative added.

Echoing UNIQLOs sentiments, Abdullah Alkury, Managing Director, Columbus Malaysia said, Malaysia is pegged as the new frontier for e-commerce, which opens up market access for brands like UNIQLO to future proof their business by offering online shopping opportunities. It is crucial that brands have the right strategies in place for a successful e-commerce business, and that includes having a robust digital marketing strategy that covers performance marketing to enhance the effectiveness of its campaigns and ultimately conversions to sales transactions.
Nancy Pelosi's legacy: From passing Obamacare to impeaching Trump

Congressional scholars and modern politicians rate Speaker Nancy Pelosi as one of the most consequential legislative leaders in U.S. and House history.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 10:57PM

Netflix teams up with DreamWorks Animation to bring a classic 1980s cartoon to life. The two will be rebooting She-Ra, which will be done under the eye of Eisner Award-winning author and executive producer Noelle Stevenson. The original series debuted in 1985 as an answer for demands of having a strong female hero in a fantasy series. It seems fitting with the way things are going in the world today that were getting a 21st century treatment for the show. She-Ra is Princess Adora, the twin sister of Prince Adam of Eternia, a.k.a. the defender of the universe a.k.a. He-Man. To combat evil, He-Man wields the Sword of Power, while She-Ra makes use of the Sword of Protection. You can watch the original She-Ra on Netflix.

On top of remaking She-Ra, a number of other DreamWorks production will be making their debut in 2018, these include DreamWorks Trolls: The Beat Goes On!, The Boss Baby: Back in Business, Harvey Street Kids, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Trollhunters (Part 3), and 3 Below from the Tales of Arcadia trilogy.
Weighing the rights of homeowners and farmers was the topic of conversation as county officials discussed updating the current zoning regulations.

The Gage County Planning and Zoning Commission has been considering regulations for months, with assistance from Hanna:Keelan Associates, a Lincoln-based firm hired to go through the regulations and make recommendations.

Through the process setback requirements, the qualifying number of animal units and how land is categorized have been key topics.

Discussions continued Tuesday night when the commission met for its monthly meeting.

We looked at considering changing setback requirements for the animal units, or consider recommending larger requirements of land area for an acreage, perhaps try to avoid a spread out situation, Commission Chairman Dennis Rosene said. For instance, Gage County will expand and continue to grow and have residences built. The question is: do we want 100 houses spread out, which will impact ag more than if we had 100 houses in subdivisions throughout the county?

How the county defines its ag districts has also been discussed, as some special use permits have drawn controversy, due to the number of residences in proximity to ag projects.

Right now, as the regulations stand, we have a density issue, Planning and Zoning Administrator Lisa Wiegand said. Regulations are set in AG-1 areas, four residences per quarter section. In AG-2 district, which is when you take your land use map and follow the map, that is five homes per quarter section.

County regulations define AG-1 as a district that is designated for general agriculture use, intended to preserve and protect agriculture production from encroachment by incompatible uses.

AG-4, an urban reserve district, is intended to provide for low-density, acreage residential development in selected areas in close proximity to towns, or in rural areas with reasonable access to major rural roads.

Generally, these districts are located near urban and built-up areas within reasonable reach of fire protection and hard-surfaced roads.

I dont see animal agriculture as a road block in Gage Countys construction business at all, commission member Terry Acton said. If were going to change policy or push something forward that we recommend, I cant even begin to see that happening. Theres so little of it going on right now.

Discussions on regulations will continue at the Planning and Zoning Commissions meeting next month.
Drones were huge in Canberra in 2016 according to Mr Morton, but this year there's unprecedented demand for quadcopters - drones with four rotor blades to keep them in the air. Carrera's Quadcopter offers first person view via its own app. Download the app to your phone and place it in the control panel for an instant heads up display. The Carerra quadrocopter also includes "return to home" functionality so if you're worried about flying it into Lake Burley Griffin, don't be.
"Having the right scales to be able to look at the data we're collecting, look at the validity and the reliability of data that we have before us, to rely and form strategic partnerships and alliances with the university sector and third party providers who do have a great deal of evidence and to link that evidence up to inform policy discussion.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Ford will reportedly move production of the Fusion and Mondeo sedans to China in 2020.



Three unnamed sources told Reuters of the plan, suggesting that the Fusion will no longer be built in Hermosillo, Mexico and that construction of the Mondeo will shift from Valencia, Spain.

Initially, it was reported that the American automaker would export the Chinese-built Fusion to North America and the Mondeo to Europe. However, Ford has since released a statement to the press indicating that there are no such plans.

We have no plans to export the next-generation Fusion / Mondeo from China to North America and Europe. Fusion / Mondeo are an important part of the Ford car lineup. We will have more information to share about the next Fusion / Mondeo at a later date, a Ford spokesperson said.

This year, U.S. sales of the Fusion have dropped by 22 per cent and Mondeo sales are down 21 per cent in Europe over 2016.

In June, Ford confirmed that it will shift some Fiesta production from Mexico to China. Additionally, the brand recently announced that it will build a future EV in Cuatitlan, Mexico, rather than in Michigan as originally planned.

PHOTO GALLERY
2017 is coming to a close and Google is marking the occasion by revealing its annual Year in Search report.



According to the web giant, Ford was the most Googled automotive brand in the United States this year. The automaker saw lots of interest in its home state of Michigan as well as places such as West Virginia and the Dakotas. The most popular searches saw customers looking for more information about the F-150, Explorer, and Fusion.

Luxury brand Lexus came in second place as consumers from California, Florida, and Georgia were interested in learning about the companys latest vehicles. Unsurprisingly, a number of people were excited about the LC and the all-new LS. Searchers were also fond of the IS and RX crossover.

Kia made a podium finish as the 2018 Stinger was a huge hit with Google users. However, the most popular searches were for the Optima, Sorento, and Soul.

Toyota came in fourth place as the company saw lots of interest in the 2018 Camry and Tacoma. Honda wasnt far behind as it was the fifth most Googled automotive brand in the United States with fans researching the Accord, Pilot, and Civic.

Rounding out the top ten spots are Buick, Acura, Tesla, Hyundai, and Dodge. The latter company saw a huge spike in interest following the debut of the Challenger SRT Demon in April.

Photo Gallery
Hyundai expects the prices of electric vehicles to plateau by 2020 due to supply restraints.



In recent years, the costs of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles have decreased rapidly, especially for the batteries themselves. The South Korean carmaker doesnt believe this trend will continue for much longer.

Not a single ingredient is going in a positive direction in terms of pricing, Hyundai Motor senior vice president Lee Ki-sang told Reuters.

So far battery prices have been declining at a rapid pace, but the pace will moderate significantly or maintain the status quo by 2020.

In the five years to 2016, lithium-ion battery cell prices have decreased by roughly 60 per cent. However, as more and more carmakers begin to produce EVs, demand for minerals including nickel, cobalt, and lithium required for batteries will rapidly rise. Consequently, supplies of these key ingredients could be stretched.

Yesterday, Hyundai said it and Kia will release 38 green models by 2025.

PHOTO GALLERY
General Motors has a long and tumultuous history in Europe as the company announced plans to phase out the Chevrolet brand in 2013. The company then focused on Opel and Vauxhall but those brands were sold to Groupe PSA earlier this year.



Given its track record of huge and consistent losses, many felt the sale of Opel and Vauxhall sealed the fate of General Motors in Europe. However, GM CEO Mary Barra has revealed that isnt the case.

Speaking to Detroit Automotive Press Association, Barra said GM would absolutely consider returning to Europe and noted Nothing keeps us from going back. A return isnt likely to happen anytime soon as Barra suggested the company would need transformative products such as autonomous and electrified vehicles to seize any opportunity that presents itself.

The Detroit Bureau also noted Barra wasnt shy about suggesting the automaker could leave additional markets besides India and South Africa. As she explained, We need to generate an appropriate return. If we dont see a path to generate appropriate returns were going to invest where we see better opportunities.

Besides talking about international markets, Barra said hopes the United States government keeps its $7,500 rebate for electric vehicles. Even if the tax credits are phased out, Barra confirmed the company is committed to launching at least 20 new electric vehicles by 2023.

Photo Gallery
Photo: Thinkstock.com The Government of BC will offer a public apology to Chinese immigrants impacted directly or indirectly by prejudicial legislation.

The Government of British Columbia has confirmed the remaining six dates for the consultation forums to right historical wrongs against the Chinese community.

Feedback from the forums will be used by the government to form an appropriate apology to be read in the provincial legislature, and supported by all parties in the BC government.

Honourable Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism, will travel to various communities and engage with Chinese citizens and associations who were directly or indirectly affected by prejudicial legislation.

The Chinese community in BC suffered legislated inequality and discrimination in periods between 1885-1947. Multiple forms of discriminatory legislation were imposed including the Chinese Immigration Act (1885) and the Chinese Exclusion Act (1923), restricting Chinese individuals from entering Canada.

Since 2002, over $9.1 million has been spent on funding programs and initiatives promoting multiculturalism, addressing racism and building inclusive communities in the province.

BC is one of the most ethnically diverse provinces in Canada, welcoming nearly 40,000 new immigrants each year.

The Apology for Historical Wrongs forums are open to the public, and are listed below.

Victoria Sunday, November 17, 2013 Consolidated Chinese Benevolent Association

2:00  4:00 p.m. 636 Fisgard Street

Victoria, BC V8W 1R6

Kamloops Thursday, December 19, 2013 Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre

7:00  9:00 p.m. 1250 Rogers Way

Kamloops, BC V1S 1N5

Vancouver Sunday, January 12 , 2014 Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver

2:00  4:00 p.m. 50 E Pender St

Vancouver, BC V6A 3V6

Kelowna Tuesday, January 14, 2014 Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites

5:00  7:00 p.m. 2402 Hwy 97 North

Kelowna, V1X 4J1

Burnaby Monday, January 20, 2014 Metro Town Hilton

7:00  9:00 p.m 6083 McKay Ave

Burnaby, V5H 2W7



Prince George Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Civic Centre  Room 208

7:00  9:00 p.m. 808 Civic Plaza

Prince George, BC V2L 5T6

Richmond Tuesday, January 28, 2014 Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport

7:00  9:00 p.m. 8181 Cambie Road

Richmond, B.C. V6X 3X9
Photo: Contributed

The number of council members in the Town of Osoyoos could be increased from five to seven next year.

On Thursday during a budget meeting, council will discuss the option of increasing the amount of councillors and what the implications would be.

The town's current representation of a mayor and four councillors is what is required for all towns and villages in the province, as a report from Osoyoos staff said.

That number could be changed, however, if a council procedure bylaw was amended.

Mayor Sue McKortoff said the discussion has come about because, at times, council has made decisions with the minimum of three members when others have been away.

"It has been brought up before. There are some communities our size that have five on council, and many that we know of that have seven," she said.

McKortoff said Coun. Carol Youngberg has been away more than any other member this year to help her sister deal with medical issues.

"That was kind of what sparked it I think. If we have less people than five, does that give a true feeling of what we're deciding on?... We don't know until we look at all of the issues that are in the budget."

A report from town staff said the stipend for councillors is currently $16,543.08, plus benefits of $1,371.36.

Adding two councillors would cost between $42,000 and $50,000, staff estimated, with stipends, benefits and expenses considered.
'Vehicle slams building' Not too surprised when this happens, or any other accidents really, ICBC, and people in general are very reactive instead of proactive.

I have an operators license to drive a forklift, which I must renew every 3 years. To renew, I have to take both a written test and a 'road' test. If I show that I am driving unsafe, or have forgotten the rules of operation, I don't pass and must not use the forklift. Yes, I know this machine only goes maybe 5km/hour at top speed, but I am driving it indoors around people, which makes it easy to have an accident if I am operating it in an unsafe manor.

My BC drivers license however, I have had for almost 20 years, have renewed multiple times, and not once have I been required to write even a written test, never mind a road test, to make sure I am still knowledgeable of driving laws, requirements, and safety. I may have even not driven the entire time between renewals and still renewed with no questions asked.

How is this safe? If we want to lesson the accidents in our roads, and make driving safer for everyone, then we should at the very minimum be requiring drivers to take a written test at every renewal, and, in my opinion, a road test at least every 2nd renewal. I understand this would be costly, but I am sure the result would decrease accidents, and claims thereby more than paying for the costs. Imagine the lives that could be saved from preventative measures.

Sheri Pybus
A local coffee house is creating a buzz in the Okanagan, but not in the way you might think.



Bean to Cup Coffee House is home to Vernon's first and only cryptocurrency ATM, in other words, it deals in bitcoin.



Bean to Cup owner Kunal Chander was approached in May by Crypto Embassy, a national company with cryptocurrency ATM's in Toronto, Vancouver, and Kelowna that wanted to put a machine in Bean To Cup.



Just by fluke they came through the cafe... and (they thought) this guy, it would probably be good to have an ATM at this location, said Chander. And, there was nothing in Vernon at the time, and one thing led to another.



It wasn't long before Chander started seeing more and more people using the machine.



I started seeing people from Salmon Arm, Kamloops, and all these areas. I've been surprised at the demographic, from the oldest to really young people, basically, they were all in here putting cash in, buying bitcoin.



The value of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin has skyrocketed in recent months, and investors are clamouring to secure their share.



In May, one bitcoin was worth roughly $2,000 USD. Since then, its value has since increased to more than $16,000 USD.



It's kind of cool to be able to say that we've helped a lot of people make some good money over the last little while.



While you can't buy a cup of coffee at Bean to Cup with your bitcoins at this time, Chander thinks it won't be long before you can.
Photo: Castanet Staff

The family of a born-and-raised Penticton man that was brutally assaulted in a nightclub last week says he has a long road to recovery.

Police announced Tuesday an investigation into an assault on Cody MacKay, 30, who was found beaten unconscious on the dance floor of the Mule Nightclub early Sunday morning.

His jaw is broken in three different places and he has had 26 stitches, said Valerie Fehling, MacKays godmother. Two of his back teeth were completely knocked out and he has severe concussions  he was unconscious for over five hours.



Fehling has created a Go Fund Me page to support MacKays recovery.



He just found out, in addition to everything else, when the time comes he has to pay for all of his own plastic surgery to reconstruct his face, she said.



MacKay has worked at the Structurlam South Okanagan plant for years and was attending his staff Christmas party Saturday night, before he and his friends decided to head to the club.



We certainly do not condone that kind of behaviour, said Mule Nightclub GM Miriam Sklar, referring to the assault. I didnt actually see it, I saw it on video.



I would prefer not to comment on it, just because I would rather leave it in the polices hands.



Video surveillance of the incident has been shared with Penticton RCMP.



Once we know who actually did it, that person will have a ban on them, Sklar said. Then they cant cause problems in our club or other clubs.



We scan people at the door, so we know who they are when they come in.



MacKay has undergone more than nine hours of surgery and will likely not be heading back to work anytime soon, added Fehling.



He doesnt know the person [who attacked him], Fehling said. From what I understand there was a little bit of beaking off before from the assailant.



From what witnesses are saying, it started with a sucker punch.



After MacKays unconscious body was removed from the dance floor, he was taken to Penticton hospital and eventually Kelowna General.



He is a very modest guy who works hard, Fehling said. He is the kind of guy who has his life together and has never caused trouble here.



The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 10.



Any witnesses of the assault are asked to contact Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
Photo: Kate Bouey Kindness meters are paying their way in Vernon.

A local agency that helps the poor is to benefit from people's kindness, and their use of kindness meters in the downtown.

Vernon's mayor is to hand over a cheque for $1,798.68 to the Upper Room Mission next week, all that from loose coins dropped in the bright orange meters by members of the public over the past 12 months.

The meters were installed in Vernon's central core in 2016 in order to reduce panhandling.

They were also an attempt to reeducate the public by encouraging them to give to homeless charities rather than to beggars.

In 2016, the Salvation Army was given $1,863.82 from the kindness meters.
Photo: Mike Biden

A two-vehicle crash on Main St. at Duncan Ave. briefly blocked traffic Wednesday evening.

Emergency crews were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m., stopping traffic in one direction while they cleared the scene.

It does not appear anyone was injured in the accident.
Photo: ottawatourism.ca/

I was not planning on mentioning the controversy surrounding a temporary ice rink the Liberal government built in front of the Parliament buildings to celebrate Canada 150.



However, a Liberal MP referred to this rink and defended the project against allegations of government waste.



Unfortunately, the member of Parliament in question failed to mention the costs to build this temporary rink. That omission of relevant fact led to many citizens asking me what was cost.



Originally, the cost to build this temporary ice rink was quoted at $5.6 million. The rink will only be open for three weeks in December. Later, it will be donated to a community near Ottawa.



The public outcry over the costs in addition to the limited schedule led to an announcement extending the opening schedule to the end of February 2018.



However, the extra costs of doing so are not clear.



I will leave it up to local citizens to decide if $5.6 million, plus additional costs not known, is money well spent for a temporary skating rink outside the House of Commons.



I have received a considerable response from many single parents, the majority of whom are single mothers, who have encountered serious difficulty in dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency.



These single parents are having their Canada Child Benefit arbitrarily denied, reduced or clawed back. I will credit the minister of National Revenue's office who has reached out and to date we have been able to successfully restore the benefits for one local single mother.

I am working on a number of other cases.



It is important to give credit where it is due and on behalf of my constituents, I appreciate the assistance of the minister`s office in these matters.



On a somewhat related theme, the House of Commons will adjourn this week.



Earlier today, the finance minister revealed details of the Liberal government tax changes affecting Canadian small businesses, effective Jan.1.



I am concerned over the timing of this announcement, being so close to the holiday season. Last year, the Liberals quietly released a report on Christmas Eve showing they would not balance the budget until at least 2050.



What is more concerning is these small business tax changes will add more discretionary power to the Canada Revenue Agency in areas such as the dividends to family members, who help run those small businesses.



My greatest concern relates to the experience I have encountered with single parents and how unfairly the CRA may use their discretionary power. This could lead to the CRA unfairly penalizing Canadian small business owners without proof of any actual wrong doing.



I have witnessed many examples where citizens do provide the required documentation only to be arbitrarily denied again by the CRA.



While I do appreciate the minister of national revenue's efforts, it is not practical to have the minister`s office continue to intervene on a case by case basis for what should not be a problem in the first place.



This leads to my question for this week:

Do you believe the Canada Revenue Agency should have ultimate and sole authority when interpreting the status of information reported by taxpayers? By extension, should there be a greater burden of proof required from the CRA before they can arbitrarily and adversely impact a taxpayer?

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Alanna Kelly

A single mother who has three children, two of whom have developmental delay, received an early Christmas present Wednesday.

Students from The Reformation Academy chipped in to donate a dish washer for Jaclyn Dryburgh and surprised her with the gift.

"She touched my heart right away because she was talking about how she is the neighbourhood mom, and she once teared up saying food is a high commodity in her house," said Lynn Busby, a student at The Reformation Academy

"People have loved on her and she wants to love on other people, I just wanted to do something for her and when I said 'what would be good for you for Christmas?"

A group of woman delivered the dishwasher to Dryburgh during the evening on Wednesday.

"I am a low income mom and every year we have been sponsored," said a surprsied Dryburgh.

Dryburgh calls the people who help her Christmas angels.

"In my family we call them the Christmas angels that way the kids know the presents aren't necessarily from mommy, but there are people out there willing to help out."

As part of the Christmas Dreams Campaign there will be a one night event for 35 single moms and their 60 some kids.

We have very little budget, we are counting on donations. What we are doing is we are putting on an event for single moms, said Busby. We just want to give as much toys, food and gifts for the moms as we can.

The event will take place on Dec. 21 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Laurel Packing House.

Donations are being accepted at 1634 Harvey Avenue.

Busby said this wouldn't be possible without the local businesses help such as Candy Cane Lane, KOLU Clothing, SWITCH Consignment, ILS Homes Inc., and Salvation Army.
Photo: CTV

Police say 34-year-old woman is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, after an altercation in Toronto that has left a four-month-old baby girl in critical condition.

Investigators say a man, woman and baby were in an apartment in the city's west end on Wednesday morning, and the two adults were arguing.

Police allege the woman made threats while holding a knife and injured the man and the baby.

Police say the man fled the apartment with the infant to seek help.

Officers arrived to find the baby with serious injuries, which police specified Wednesday were not attributed to stab wounds. The child remains in hospital.

Police say the man's injuries are considered minor.

The woman is charged with attempted murder, two counts of uttering death threats, assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.

The woman was set to appear in a Toronto court Thursday morning.
Photo: CTV

Investigators will begin combing through the wreckage of a passenger plane to find clues as to why it crashed soon after taking off in northern Saskatchewan.

Officials with the Transportation Safety Board were due to arrive in the remote community of Fond du Lac sometime Thursday to begin their probe of the West Wind Aviation ATR-42 turboprop that went down Wednesday at about 6:15 p.m., injuring several people on board.

Police and first responders quickly worked to get the 22 passengers  including an infant  and three crew out of the plane, which can seat up to 50 passengers.

"The extent of injuries is unknown, other than there were five people that required medevac attention, but they were non-life-threatening injuries," said Rick Philipenko, vice-president and chief financial officer of the Saskatoon-based airline.

"We train for incidents like this. First and foremost is the well-being of the passengers and crew. With all the hectic activity in this kind of incident it's really important to make sure that they're front and centre and that they're the focus."

A picture of the crash site shows the damaged aircraft partly on its side in the trees, with a wing jutting up in the air at a 45-degree angle but there was yet no insight into what caused the crash.

Philipenko said the area is under the control of authorities and the TSB.

"We're an observer when we're there on site. Our role primarily is to make sure the passengers and crew are looked after," he said

Darryl McDonald said his 70-year-old mother, Ernestine, suffered a broken jaw and facial injuries when the plane went down about a kilometre from the airstrip. His sister also suffered injuries to her leg.

The twin-engine ATR-42 turboprop can accommodate 50 passengers, but most typically seats 42 people along with two crew. Manufactured in France and Italy, the aircraft is designed for short-haul flights.

ATR, the manufacturer, says more than 1,500 aircraft have been sold, and it has over 200 operators in more than 100 countries, adding that, "every eight seconds, an ATR turboprop takes off or lands somewhere around the world."

West Wind Aviation, formed in 1983, operates from bases in Saskatoon, La Ronge and Stony Rapids, as well as in northern Saskatchewan. The company is First Nations and employee-owned, with Athabasca Basin Development the majority shareholder.

"Our safety record is exemplary and our customer service exceptional," the company states on its website. "Fly with West Wind and let us take care for you."

The airline acquired Transwest Air in 2016 for an undisclosed amount, adding several aircraft to a fleet that included five ATR-42-300s, Twin Otters and Beech planes at the time, and making it one of the province's largest commercial aviation groups.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The scandal-tinged defeat of Roy Moore in Alabama's special Senate election is raising faint hopes that it might embolden some decidedly reluctant Republicans to speak out in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Notwithstanding a series of explosive sexual misconduct allegations, Moore had the strong backing of Donald Trump, but still lost to Democrat Doug Jones  the first time that party won a seat in Alabama in a quarter century.

Despite Moore's obvious flaws, his defeat has also been widely seen as a repudiation of Trump's agenda, which includes tearing up NAFTA if he can't wring concessions out of Canada and Mexico.

The Trudeau Liberals have been mounting a full-court press to win support for NAFTA in the U.S., not just in Congress but among businesses as well as state and local governments.

U.S. business groups, including its Chamber of Commerce, have loudly defended NAFTA and urged Trump not to announce a U.S. withdrawal next year.

But the response from American lawmakers has been tepid at best. Capitol Hill is seized with tax reform, and some Republicans don't want to ignite a war with their hair-trigger, Twitter-friendly president or risk offending Trump supporters in their core base.

Perrin Beatty, the president of Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday the defeat of Moore resonated in meetings he had Tuesday in New York City with his American business counterparts.

"I'm hopeful that it will mean moderates will be emboldened and will be saying, 'Look ... we have to do what's good for jobs and focus on these bread and butter issues,'" Beatty said in a telephone interview from New York, where he was trying to raise NAFTA's profile as part of a tour that also included a stop in Philadelphia.

Trade lawyers in Canada and the U.S. were less optimistic that the Alabama result would make it easier to talk about NAFTA.

The trade deal remains unpopular in the northern rust belt states of Ohio and Michigan, where Trump won support in the election, he said.
Photo: Alanna Kelly

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.

RCMP are now investigating what they are calling a suspicious fire this morning at a quarry near Stewart Road.

Kelowna Fire responded to a 911 call reporting a large trailer fire in the 4800 Block of Stewart Rd West.

When they arrived on scene at approximately 7:20 a.m. the semi-trailer was fully involved.

Firefighters extinguished the fire using 1 engine and a Water Tender.

The trailer was completely destroyed in the fire as well as a UTV that was found at the scene.

The trailer housed the power plant for a rock crusher on the property and the UTV had no connection to the Gravel Pit.

UPDATE 10:22 a.m.

Fire crews appear to have a fire at a quarry near Stewart Road under control after a blaze broke out early Thursday morning. RCMP and Hazmat crews also responded after a semi tractor-trailer caught fire sending black smoke billowing into the skies above the quarry.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.

RCMP and Hazmat now on scene of a fire, possibly a vehicle or trailer burning near a quarry by Stewart Road.

Crews still on scene. Plumes of smoke can be seen in the skies above the area.

ORIGINAL 7:57 a.m.

Getting reports of a trailer fire at 4820 Stewart Road in south Kelowna.

Fire crews responded to the call at around 7:40 a.m. Thursday morning.

RCMP are also on scene at this hour.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.
Photo: Contributed

With just two weeks until the end of its Christmas fundraising campaign, the United Way North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap has yet to reach the halfway mark of its $240,000 goal.

We have 30 programs that count on United Way funding to provide services for people in our area, said Linda Yule of United Way. Last year, we were asked for 100 per cent more than we had available to distribute. We know that several of our funded agencies are being asked for more services and looking to United Way to fill that need in the community.

Yule said it would be a shame if agencies had to fundraise on their own when they should be focussing on programs that help the community.

Donations are down significantly and we are at 41 per cent of our very conservative $240,000 goal. I am very worried for programs that are making positive outcomes for local people, said Yule.

Donations can be made online by mail, by stopping by the office at 3304 30th Ave., or calling 250-549-1346 to give by credit card.

The Salvation Army is also struggling to meet its goal, sitting at approximately $219,000 of its $500,000 target.

There are nine days left in the Sally Ann campaign.
Photo: Kate Bouey A small protest over violence against women was held on the courthouse steps.

A Shuswap man accused of threatening a prostitute with a gun will be held in custody for at least another two weeks after the case was put over during a video appearance in Vernon provincial court Thursday morning.

But justice of the peace Dalene Krenz asked lawyers for word on whether an application for bail would be made for Curtis Wayne Sagmoen who, she said, had made five court appearances.

Sagmoen, 36, has six counts against him in connection with an Aug. 28 incident near Falkland where a sex worker alleges she was threatened with a gun before escaping.

There is no indication if bail is being sought, Krenz said.

The JP was assured Sagmoen's Vancouver lawyer, who did not appear, would be asked if bail would be sought.

Addressing the prisoner, who is in a B.C. correctional facility, Krenz told the Silver Creek man he would remain in custody without a bail hearing at this time.

In October, RCMP found the remains of Vernon teenager Tracy Genereaux buried at a Shuswap farm owned by Sagmoen's parents. No charges have been laid in connection to her death which is considered suspicious.

Outside the courthouse, a small group of women held up a large sign that read 'No More Stolen Sisters' in a protest over violence against women.
Photo: Trevor Nichols

The union representing Kelownas jail guards will have to resubmit its official strike notice, after the BC Labour Relations Board ruled it was illegal.



Commissionaires BC asked the board to throw the notice out, because it was sent via email instead of fax.

CUPE Local 338, which represents the 17 Kelowna jail guards, issued the now-void strike notice on Monday afternoon, and had planned to hit the picket lines Friday morning.

The union said the ruling was nothing more than Commissionaires' attempt to "derail" the strike, and that it has every intention to issue a new notice.

For more on why a union representative calls the labour relations board challenge "unusual," as well as what it means for the guards' strike plans, check out the full story on Castanet's sister business news website, Okanagan Edge.
Chemetall will expand its production site in Langelsheim, Lower Saxony, Germany. This capacity expansion will provide Chemetall enhanced scope and production of its aircraft sealants.

The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF's Coatings division operating under the Chemetall brand will expand its production site in Langelsheim, Lower Saxony, Germany. This capacity expansion will provide Chemetall enhanced scope and production of its aircraft sealants. New laboratory and office space will also be part of the expansion. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 2018.

"With this investment, Chemetall proceeds forward to a successful future as a leading global supplier to the aerospace industry. The growth forecasts are positive, and the global demand for aircrafts continues to increase. We are committed to being the supplier of choice  addressing the high demand of the global aerospace industry and its strict safety and quality standards," says Dr. Martin Jung, Senior Vice President Surface Treatment.

At the Innerstetal plant in Langelsheim, Chemetall will build state-of-the-art laboratories and offices, in addition to the capacity expansion for the production of aircraft sealing compounds. This project is Chemetall's largest single investment in the former Hans-Heinrich-Hutte. "The expansion is a clear commitment to the facility, its employees, and to the region. We create new jobs and lay the foundation for our future success," says Dr. Martin Jung. Commissioning is scheduled for 2019.

Langelsheim is the largest and most versatile Chemetall plant globally. The 200 on-site employees support the production of aircraft sealing compounds, anti-corrosive agents, cleaning products and other chemicals for the surface treatment of metals.
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University of Chicago medical students had a message for Chicagoans on Thursday: Congress is putting childrens health at risk by not renewing a childrens health insurance program.

More than 50 medical students and others gathered at Federal Plaza on Thursday to decry Congress failure to reauthorize funding for the Childrens Health Insurance Program before it expired in late September. About 255,000 children in Illinois receive coverage through the program, which is meant to help kids whose families make too much to qualify for Medicaid but still can't afford private insurance.

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Illinois has enough funding left to continue the program through September 2018, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Other states expect to run out of funds much sooner. About half of the children in Illinois who now benefit from the program would still likely be covered by Medicaid even if the state ran out of funding, according to the state. The other half could lose coverage in late 2018 if Congress hasn't reauthorized the program by then.

The programs creator, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has said the program  which enjoys bipartisan support  will be funded, but he has said Congress is struggling to come up with money for it. Program advocates in the medical community, however, worry the programs funding is being used as a bargaining chip in larger debates over taxes and health care.

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Melanie Lockridge, who said her 1-year-old daughter relies on CHIP, said Congress should resolve the issue long before Illinois runs out of funding in September. Lockridges daughter Zamarii Crosby has been at La Rabida Childrens Hospital struggling with pulmonary hypertension, Lockridge said.

I know for a fact without the program I wont be able to afford her medical care, said Lockridge, who brought her older daughter, Zariyah Crosby, to the rally. Its crazy because its like they just dont care about our kids, she said of Congress.

Gena Lenti, a first-year U. of C. medical student who helped organize the protest, said students wanted to bring attention to the issue on behalf of those who benefit from the program and might not have the means to get their voices heard. Were getting to the point where partisan politics is getting in the way of childrens health, Lenti said.

Dr. Tina Wheat, with the Erie Family Health Center, said Erie serves thousands of children on CHIP. Erie, which has 13 centers in the city and suburbs, will continue serving those patients regardless of whether they have coverage, but she said without coverage the children may have trouble accessing specialty services and medications.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
The New York Times building in Manhattan. The Times announced on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, its publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger would retire at year's end. He will be succeeded by his son, A.G. Sulzberger, 37. (Dreamstime / TNS)

New York Times publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr., who oversaw the newspaper through triumph and controversy for the past 25 years, will step down at the end of the year and hand the job to his son, Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, the company said Thursday.

The transition was expected at the Times, which has been controlled by members of the Ochs-Sulzberger family since the 1890s. The senior Sulzberger turned 66 in September, one year past the traditional retirement age for top executives at the paper. He will continue to serve as chairman of the parent New York Times Co.

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His son - known as A.G. - has been groomed as his successor for several years. He was named deputy publisher in October of last year, all but anointing him as the heir apparent among many candidates within the sprawling extended family.

A.G. Sulzberger, 37, will be the fifth generation of the family to run the Times, which has long been one of the world's most important and accomplished news organizations.

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The younger Sulzberger, a former reporter, is well-liked in the Times' 1,200-member newsroom. As befitting his family predecessors, he has held positions in various parts of the Times' operations, including at one point serving as a national correspondent based in Kansas City. He also has been a reporter for the Providence Journal and the Oregonian in Portland.

The generational transition comes at a critical juncture for all news media companies, and for the Times in particular. Intense competition from digital sources and platforms, particularly Facebook, and the erosion of retail advertising continues to wallop profits and revenues among traditional news companies and digital competitors alike.

At the same time, President Donald Trump has engaged in a long campaign to undermine the mainstream media's credibility, with a special animus toward the Times. He has repeatedly disparaged the paper's reporting on his campaign and presidential administration and referred to it as "the failing New York Times" on Twitter. His most recent attack was on Monday when he called a Times report that he watches TV four to eight hours a day "bad reporting."

Many of Trump's critiques have been inaccurate, such as that the Times "apologized" to him for its campaign coverage after his victory in November. It did not.

Perhaps boosted by Trump's assaults, the Times' digital subscription base has surged to 3.5 million customers, by far the largest of any daily news organization in the nation and more than twice the figure of two years ago. The Times' success in attracting paid subscribers may represent its future business model as its print ad base and paper franchise continues to decline.

The senior Sulzberger's long tenure at the Times has been a rocky one, beset by both triumph and failure on the journalistic and business fronts. His era as publisher spans the transition from print to the internet, an epochal change that has bedeviled many news organizations.

He took over from his father, known as "Punch," in 1992, just as the Times Co. bought the Boston Globe and a few related properties for $1.1 billion, the most expensive newspaper deal in history to that time. But the value of newspapers began to sink soon after with the advent of the digital era. The Times Co. unloaded the Globe and its other New England media assets in 2013 for $70 million to hedge-fund investor John Henry, who also owns the Boston Red Sox.

Under Sulzberger, the Times Co. shed many of the media assets it had assembled during its most profitable years, including TV stations and daily and weekly newspapers. The New York Times Co. now consists of a single large asset: the Times itself.

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The paper was heavily criticized for its often credulous coverage of the George W. Bush administration in the lead-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, prompting some internal soul-searching that produced a lengthy and sometimes searing self-critique in 2004.

But the paper has remained a pre-eminent journalistic institution. During Sulzberger's administration, the paper won 60 Pulitzer Prizes, doubling the number in all its preceding years.

In 2014, Sulzberger fired his executive editor, Jill Abramson, and named her top deputy, Dean Baquet, as her replacement. The firing and transition were fractious, splitting the newsroom, although Baquet has been a popular leader since then.

He also pushed out another woman who had risen to the company's top ranks, chief executive and president Janet Robinson, in 2011. Robinson was replaced by Mark Thompson, who formerly ran the BBC, in 2012.

In a statement, A.G. Sulzberger said of his father, "Arthur is the only publisher of his generation who took over a great news organization and left it better than he found it. The fortunate position the Times enjoys today was not a foregone conclusion; it is a direct result of the bold bets Arthur made, from taking the paper national and then international, to embracing the internet, to insisting that great journalism is worth paying for."

His father returned the compliment, saying in a statement, "A.G. embodies the values and mission of the Times. He has proven himself to be a powerful force for change, deeply dedicated to moving the company forward as the pace of transformation in our business continues to speed up."

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The younger Sulzberger was the principal author of a 2014 internal study, called the Innovation Report, that assessed the paper's weaknesses and stressed the need to turn its focus away from print and toward engaging digital readers. The study helped undergird the Times' strategy of emphasizing subscriptions, rather than advertising, as its business model.

It was followed earlier this year by another self-assessment overseen by A.G. Sulzberger known as the "2020 Report." The study had a more positive view of the Times' efforts to adapt to the changing news environment and set a series of goals is such areas as visual journalism, reader engagement, and newsroom training and diversity.
Aaron Weiner, Director of Addiction Services for Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, speaks about Edward-Elmhurst Health's plan to start recommending its doctors prescribe naloxone with certain dosages of opioids. (Stacey Wescott)

Patients who receive prescriptions for opioid painkillers at some Chicago-area hospitals might soon walk away with an additional prescription  for a drug meant to help them if they overdose.

In January, west suburban hospital system Edward-Elmhurst Health plans to start recommending its doctors prescribe naloxone with certain dosages of opioids. Naloxone, which is often sold under the brand name Narcan, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. When doctors prescribe certain doses of opioids, Edward-Elmhursts electronic system will prompt them to also check a box to prescribe naloxone.

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Edward-Elmhurst might not be alone for long. Amita Healths primary care doctors group of more than 130 physicians is considering co-prescribing naloxone and opioids and is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks, said Dr. Gregory Teas, chief of psychiatry for the Amita Health Behavioral Medicine Institute.

The changes come amid an epidemic of opioid abuse in Illinois and across the country. Hospitals and doctors have been trying a number of tactics and treatments to prevent deadly overdoses, including co-prescribing opioids and naloxone. Though questions remain about how many patients will fill those naloxone prescriptions, given their price, and whether theyll actually use the overdose antidote, many Illinois physicians are eager to give anything that might save more lives a try.

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In Illinois, 1,946 people died after overdosing on opioids in 2016, an increase of nearly 82 percent from 2013, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Nationwide, opioids were involved in the deaths of a record-breaking 33,000 people in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than half of the deaths in Illinois involved heroin. Many others involved the types of painkillers often prescribed by doctors, such as morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone.

Though opioids can be important tools in fighting pain, they also can be habit forming and lead to devastating addictions. Patients can develop tolerances to opioid drugs, leading them to take more over time to control their pain.

Doctors at Edward-Elmhurst hope that handing patients a prescription for naloxone  at the same time theyre prescribed higher dosages of opioids  will help prevent overdose deaths. We feel like were on the cutting edge of change, said Aaron Weiner, director of addiction services at Edward-Elmhurst Health.

Naloxone is already readily available to many Illinois residents, even without individual prescriptions. Illinois has whats known as a standing order that allows pharmacies and certain programs to give the drug to patients who dont otherwise have individual prescriptions for it.

But handing patients individual prescriptions for naloxone can raise awareness about the dangers of opioids, especially among those who might not realize theyre at risk, Weiner said.

In recent years, the CDC and the American Medical Association have recommended doctors consider co-prescribing opioids and naloxone, under certain circumstances, such as when patients have a history of substance abuse or also use certain other sedatives.

For the AMA, the bottom line is naloxone saves lives, said Dr. Patrice Harris, chair of the medical associations opioid task force, which made its co-prescribing recommendation in 2015. There still isnt much research on the effectiveness of co-prescribing, but one study, published last year in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that when primary care doctors co-prescribed naloxone and opioids for chronic pain, patients less often wound up in hospital emergency rooms for opioid-related problems.

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Live4Lali, an Arlington Heights-based group that works to raise awareness and prevent substance abuse, also recommends that doctors co-prescribe. It was founded after Executive Director Chelsea Lalibertes brother, Alex "Lali" Laliberte, a Western Illinois University student who grew up in Buffalo Grove, died in 2008 from an overdose of heroin and other drugs.

Were grateful that prescribers and hospital systems are willing to accept that naloxone plays a role in their treatment plans, Laliberte said.

Some, however, still have questions about widespread co-prescribing.

Dr. Michael Baldinger, medical director at Presence Saint Joseph Hospitals Harborview Recovery Center, an addiction treatment center in Lakeview, said naloxone prescriptions might be a good idea for some patients, but hes also wary of dispensing such prescriptions to all patients already getting help for addiction. Baldinger has been prescribing naloxone for about 10 years on a case-by-case basis to his patients and has seen the antidote save lives.

You dont want to give the message to the individual that you dont have confidence in their sincerity as theyre entering into the recovery phase of their illness, Baldinger said.

He also said its important doctors who co-prescribe sit down and talk with patients about how and when to use the naloxone. Naloxone also might not be very useful if patients loved ones dont know they have it, or how to use it, he said. Patients generally cant administer naloxone to themselves, because its typically given only after a person is showing signs of overdose, such as unresponsiveness.

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Theres also the issue of cost. Before insurance, the nasal spray form of naloxone can cost more than $100, and an auto-injector version can cost thousands of dollars. In Illinois, Medicaid and many insurers cover various forms of naloxone, Laliberte said.

Weiner, with Edward-Elmhurst, agrees that educating patients on how and when to use naloxone is crucial. However, he doesnt believe it sends a mixed message to patients when doctors co-prescribe naloxone and opioids.

Weiner hopes co-prescribing the drugs will bring the issue more into the open, erasing some of the stigma surrounding opioid addiction.

The majority of the time, when parents come home to find their son or daughter dead, they had no idea this was going on, Weiner said. When it comes to addiction, no one is willing to talk about it, and I think thats killing a lot of people.

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lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
This 2010 photo shows the Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' offices in the Israeli city of Netanya. Teva, the world's largest generic drugmaker, on Thursday said it would lay off 14,000 workers as part of a global restructuring meant to salvage its ailing business. (Jack Guez/ AFP/Getty Images)

Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries  which has nearly 100 employees in Illinois  announced plans Thursday to cut 14,000 jobs globally.

It was not immediately clear whether the Illinois employees, who work at a distribution center in Gurnee, will face layoffs. In an email, Teva spokeswoman Kaelan Hollon said specific layoff details had not yet been announced.

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The Gurnee distribution center was formerly part of drugmaker Allergans generic drug business, Actavis , which Teva acquired last year.

Globally, the layoffs will amount to one-fourth of Tevas workforce and are part of an effort to reduce costs by $3 billion by the end of 2019. Most of the reductions are expected to happen before the end of this year, and employees will be notified within the next 90 days.

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The company plans to consolidate seven U.S. offices  not including the Gurnee site, which is a distribution center  into one main campus whose location has not been decided, according to a statement provided by Hollon.

The company already closed its office in Cambridge, Mass., and is in the process of closing offices in Washington, D.C.; Horsham, Pa.; and Manhattan.

As part of its restructuring plan, Teva plans to also adjust prices and/or discontinue some generic drugs in the U.S. and review its research and development programs. It also will suspend its dividend on ordinary shares and cancel annual bonuses for this year.

Teva's bottom line has been hit recently by the expiration of patents on its largest branded drug, Copaxone, used to treat multiple sclerosis; pricing pressure on its core generics business; and a $35 billion debt load taken on in its acquisition of Actavis.

Teva President Kare Schultz called the restructuring plan necessary to secure Tevas future in a news release. We will implement these changes with fairness and the utmost respect for our colleagues worldwide, he said.

Israel's national trade union, the Histadrut, announced plans for a nationwide strike on Sunday. It said air and seaports, public transportation, insurance companies, banks, government offices and health clinics would close throughout the morning in solidarity with the workers  which could bring the nation to a standstill.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he called Schultz and urged him to do his utmost to protect Israeli jobs, especially in poorer outlying areas, and to maintain the company's Israeli identity. Teva has roughly 7,000 Israeli employees, making it one of the country's largest private sector employers.

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Netanyahu also spoke to Histadrut leader Avi Nissenkorn and also pledged to work to minimize the impact on local workers.

Associated Press contributed.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
Help us all to hope for a better tomorrow

I was 16 years old when I started to work at the Waukegan News-Sun after school. It was 1966.

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Waukegan was still growing as was all of Lake County and provided many of the jobs that put food on the table. The lakefront was lined up with factories and businesses. Things looked pretty good.

Little did I know anything about poverty or misfortune. We were poor, but we didn't know it. Dad worked; mom stayed home to raise their five kids. We never went hungry.

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We were lucky enough to find part-time work in high school and finally contribute to the household. We were able to afford to buy better shoes, warmer jackets.

Then came the Vietnam War and so many of our young were drafted to fight halfway around the world, much like those who were called to Korea and before that, like my father, World War II. So many folks did not come home to provide for their families. Fathers and mothers never got to see their sons and daughters who were lost in the fight to preserve our way of life.

What was that way of life? Something for all of us to ponder.

I donated my first time to a cause, Help Them To Hope, when I was 19. I was an apprenticeship in The News-Sun composing room alongside some 56 men and women, nearly all of them veterans. I awaited the call to serve, as did my brother before me.

He came home from Vietnam and I was set to leave for Nam upon his return stateside. I knew all those pressmen in the pressroom. They, too, all veterans. They sacrificed for America and our way of life.

For me, there was the draft lottery. My draft number did not come up and the Vietnam War ended. I learned so much while working alongside these News-Sun folks. They were a group of Americans, with roots from all over the world. Ethnically diverse and yet all having one very important universal characteristic: How to "pay it forward" well before the phrase became popular.

You see, in 1959, long before I was part of the newspaper's work force, these folks decided to pay it forward back to the community that gave them a means to work and prosper. They established the Hope Fund.

Impressed with the pressmen's efforts, the newspaper's owners backed this "act of kindness" allowing the Hope Fund to go public via the pages of The News-Sun. Thus, Help Them To Hope began with its first public campaign in 1959.

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Since that time, we have seen war, recession, poverty and misfortune beset the innocent of the world and those right here in Lake County. Undeterred, we continue to strive to preserve our way of life in America.

I am no longer that 19-year-old kid who witnessed the average American reach out to strangers. They gave a few bucks and gave hope to their neighbors that life can be better when someone is there to lift you up when you need a helping hand.

If you're lucky, at 19 there is nothing that gets you down. You have so little invested at such a young age. As the years go on, there comes the time when we all have a chance if, we dare, to see the realities of the world around us.

At 56 years old, a man is diagnosed with cancer, loses a job, loses medical insurance and has no idea what was in store for him and his family. It was then he knew for sure why Help Them To Hope had meant so much to so many people here in Lake County over these 50-plus years. He survived his life's misfortune.

But there are many, through no fault of their own, that without Help Them To Hope could not have weathered the storm of misfortune that occurred in their lives. The valuable lesson taught was to do what you can, always, even when you think it's so little.

We all can stop for a moment and pick up that homeless vet, feed that child or adult that is hungry; aid the battered woman who has no safe place to go; help the teen on the street after school who can't play an organized team sport because he or she can't buy the uniform or shoes needed to participate; assist the child who needs a therapy session to overcome grief of the loss of a parent. Let us not forget the matter of giving to those who cannot afford the medicine they require.

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I can go on and on to account for the more than $2.6 million collected since 1959 by the Hope Fund, which has provided compassion to Lake County residents in need regardless of age, ethnic origin, religion or social status.

This 2017 holiday season marks the 58th Help Them To Hope campaign. Fifty-eight years have gone by and you who are part of the Lake County community continue to remember the less fortunate in our midst. As Americans, we continue to strive to perfect our way of life  freedom and the hope of a better tomorrow for everyone.

Since that first campaign in 1959, every penny collected through the Help Them To Hope campaign has gone right back to the community. Why? Because that is who we are, that is who you are.

We preserve our way of life at all costs because we have been blessed to be Americans. The one constant has been your generosity in remembering loved ones through a memorial giving, paying it forward for the lesson left us by those we love.

Being an active Help Them To Hope board member, as are several former News-Sun employees and associates, we ask this time of year to think about your own act of kindness and compassion by giving this holiday season to the Help Them To Hope campaign. We are now much older and more passionate than ever about helping those that need a helping hand.

We have survived a lot as the years have gone by, and it is true when I say that it has been those friends and strangers that stood by to offer support and a kind word that can sustain us while experiencing misfortune.

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Our way of life is that of compassion; it's our national heritage. We take care of one another, because that is who we are.

Richard A. Ribando

President

Help Them To Hope, Inc.

Support carefully controlled deer hunting

I am an outdoorsman and avid bow hunter. I was blessed to absorb the tradition of hunting from my grandfather and have passed it on to all of my children. So, I am biased. But after reading Dan Moran's two articles, "Moran: Nothing to Fear During Lake County's Deer Management Season" from Dec. 5, and the followup, "Moran: Deer Management Column Sparks Debate Over County Practices" from Dec. 8, even my own personal passion for hunting as a means of conservation cannot get in the way of actual facts.

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Dan references Frank Abdnerholden's article on the topic of deer-culling from 2015. Let me update some of those statistics based on a FOIA request I made to Lake County in November of 2016. Since 2009, the county has culled over a thousand deer (1,161 to be precise). The total cost of the culling from 2009 through 2019 will total $635,000. The cost to process the venison from 2009 through 2016 was $62,762, for a total just shy of $700,000 of taxpayer dollars.

While deer management is a must, it can be accomplished without wasteful spending. According to Time magazine's article (an issue with a whitetail deer on the cover) from Dec. 9, 2013, titled "America's Pest Problem: Why the Rules of Hunting are about to Change," it is estimated that some 200 Americans die from deer/auto accidents each year, not to mention the other 1.2 million auto collisions involving deer causing $4 billion of damage a year. White-tailed deer also devastate native plants and the farm crop, yet often die cruel deaths by way of starvation due to overpopulation. So, innovative and forward thinking leaders in communities like Durham, N.C. and Rock Island, Ill., to name just a couple, have decided to allow bow hunting in their cities, embracing the roll of hunters as conservationists.

Remember, hunting seasons, such as the archery season in Illinois, are closely monitored by state wildlife biologists who increase or decrease the number of deer allowed to be harvested per season based their constant observation of deer populations. Recall that white-tailed deer at one point faced extinction, much like other North American species, but through conservation efforts there are more white-tailed deer in this country than ever.

Dan talks about the tragic accidents of hunting by referencing hunting accidents involving high-powered rifles. It is illegal to hunt deer in Lake County with a rifle. Oh, except for the sharpshooting paid sniper cullers; they are allowed kill deer that way. They are also allowed to cull deer at night with night-vision scopes; both of which are otherwise illegal in the state of Illinois. They also use silencers and bait the deer with corn or other attractants to make the killing easier; also illegal in the state of Illinois.

I am talking about archery hunting. Bow and arrow. As our state has opened up Illinois State Beach Park land to archery hunting, so should Lake County open our forest preserves. Again, instead of wasting money, the county could generate income. Here are examples of how it could work. First, require a localized hunter safety course, which would cost money to complete. No doubt, myself and many others would volunteer their time to teach a mandatory, say eight-hour class on a Saturday. Divide our forest preserves into specific game management units, where deer population reduction is needed, and charge the hunter a fee (in addition to the hunting license fee paid to the state) for being granted access to that unit for a specified period of time in October or November. Believe me, there would be more applicants than available units, so the price could be whatever the demand dictated. Require a sticker (additional revenue) for the hunter's vehicle, so that our Lake County Forest Preserve Police would know that a bow hunter is in that unit hunting.

The only laudable part of the Lake County's spending related to culling deer is the donating of the processed venison to food banks and shelters, but only after the taxpayer pays for the processing. Even if you are not a meat-eater, understand that these families in need are receiving nourishing protein; free of steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones and the like. When I provide it to my family and friends, I know that I am the one who field dressed, butchered, aged and otherwise cared for the meat from the field to the table. This is local food-sourcing at its finest. Hunters harvesting a deer though the forest preserve program could be mandated to contribute a portion of their venison to food banks after personally paying for it to be processed.

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So, I call on our local leaders, the County Board chairman and County Board members. Be progressive and open-minded, embrace a change that actually isn't a change at all and allow carefully controlled archery hunting in our Lake County forest preserves. With the right guidelines in place, this is undoubtedly a safe way to generate revenue, while ethically conserving our wildlife and protecting habit.

David Del Re, Wadsworth

Share your views

Submit letters to the editor via email to suburbanletters@tribpub.com. Please include your name and town of residence for publication. Please include phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 250 words.
Gary police are investigating the alleged assault of a West Side Leadership Academy teacher Monday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Gary Community School Corp. emergency manager Peggy Hinckley said the man, 52, was in his car eating lunch when the incident occurred.

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Hinckley said Lake County Child Protective Services has also joined the investigation and the man has been placed on administrative leave.

"We are cooperating with police and will await the completion of their investigation," Hinckley said.

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Gary Police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said Wednesday she did not yet have a report on the incident available for release.

The man couldn't be reached for comment. His attorney, Alger Boswell, of Merrillville, said the man was not seriously injured. He said the alleged assault took place outside of the man's vehicle.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Adam Frisch still trails Lauren Boebert but makes gains

The election is hovering within the threshold for an automatic recount triggered under Colorado law.
By Dezan Shira & Associates

The Chinese government has made statements concerning its view of the developing world, as Chinas Ambassador to Russia, Li Hui, spoke on Wednesday at a government news conference organized in response to the results of the 19th Chinese Communist Party Congress in October.

The two countries  leading diplomatic and military rivals of the US  have been pursuing greater relations in past years as they both embark on initiatives to modernize their military and assume a more assertive role in international politics.

RELATED: China Close to Signing Free Trade Agreement with Eurasian Economic Union

In doing so, Ambassador Li placed greater emphasis on Chinas relationship with Russia than with the US. The Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership are the most important bilateral relations in the world and, moreover, the best relations between big countries, Li told Russias Tass News Agency.

One can say that they are a classic example of the healthiest and most mature interstate relations and an important force to protect peace and stability throughout the world, Li added.

RELATED: China-Russia Bilateral Trade is Worlds Fastest Growing Opportunity Corridor

One of the key reasons the diplomat cited as being responsible for Russia and Chinas success was that they abandon the thinking of the Cold War and a zero-sum game policy. Both countries have frequently criticized the US for viewing the world in black and white, portraying Russia and China as enemies rather than partners in global affairs.

Chris Devonshire-Ellis of Dezan Shira & Associates states, China and Russia share the same Eurasian landmass and have many common interests, as well as mutually beneficial supply and demand demographics. They are bound geographically and have many bilateral trade and investment interests, not least dealing with the Belt & Road Initiative to properly open up Eurasia. This is happening now with the establishment of institutions such as the Shanghai Co-Operation Organization, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank  Russia is the second largest shareholder  and China shortly about to enter into a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. It is China and Russia who are changing the face of Eurasia, not the US or EU. This changing dynamic is one of the reasons our firm have invested in Russia and are active along the Silk Road trade corridor. These are, quite simply, the new markets to be in.



About Us Dezan Shira & Associates provide professional services, legal, tax, and related issues to foreign investors throughout China and Russia. For further assistance please contact us at either china@dezshira.com or russia@dezshira.com or visit our practice at www.dezshira.com

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

China and Russia Propose Vast Eurasian Free Trade Zone and SCO Development Bank

Both China and Russia have proposed to establish a free trade area between members of the Chinese and Russian-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The proposal also called for the expedited establishment of an SCO development bank, which would provide funding for regional projects together with other multilateral funds and development banks.

Trump Out, Xi and Putin In  China, Russia Want Asia Pacific Free Trade Deal

In the aftermath of the United States pulling out of the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week that Moscow supports the idea of setting up a free trade area in Asia and the Pacific.

Chris Devonshire-Ellis Lectures on Chinas OBOR and its Opportunities for Russian Businesses in St. Petersburg

On November 29, 2017, Chris Devonshire-Ellis, the founder and chairman of Dezan Shira & Associates, gave a lecture at the National Research University-Higher School of Economics (HSE) in St. Petersburg, Russia. The lecture was given to masters students in the Business and Politics in Modern Asia program, and addressed Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative and its opportunities for Russian businesses.

Dezan Shira & Associates
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more innovation in the equipment manufacturing sector to accelerate China's drive toward becoming a manufacturing powerhouse and bolster the real economy.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during a two-day inspection tour in Xuzhou, eastern China's Jiangsu Province.

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG), a leading homegrown manufacturer, was his first stop on Tuesday.

"Innovation is the source of business core competitiveness," Xi said after being briefed about XCMG's intelligent assembly lines and big data platform. Thanks to self-developed heavy-duty machines, XCMG is swiftly increasing its share in the global market.

China should ramp up investment and channel more energy into research and development to spur the development of the equipment manufacturing sector, Xi said. "Many core technologies cannot be bought."

Xi urged a shift from "Made in China" to "Created in China," stressing more emphasis on quality rather than speed, and encouraging homegrown manufacturers to build their own brands.

Highlighting the role of state-owned enterprises, Xi said they should serve as a major force in the supply-side structural reform, aiming for international standards and leading domestic industries to move up global value chain.

Founded in 1943, XCMG is the world's fifth largest construction machinery producer. Xi said he hopes the company will expand its technological advantage to grab a bigger market share and generate more social benefits.

After leaving XCMG, Xi visited a wetland park which used to be a subsidence coal mining area. Ecological restoration has transformed the abandoned mine into a popular scenic area.

Xi stressed economic restructuring in regions running out of natural resources and said the new concept of green development should be strictly followed.

TRIP FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT, REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT

While inspecting Mazhuang Village near the wetland park, Xi encouraged Party members to play an active role in studying and implementing the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.

Party organizations at grassroots levels should be strengthened to promote the Party's policies and decisions, lead the governance at the primary level, unite the masses and facilitate reform and development, said Xi.

During the inspection, Xi bought a hand-made sachet from an elderly villager and asked officials to improve the transparency of village affairs and information services.

Impressed by the villagers' clapper talk performance, Xi stressed the cultural-ethical development in rural areas.

Promoting material wellbeing and raising cultural-ethical standards are both essential to the implementation of rural revitalization strategy, according to Xi.

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi visited a memorial for martyrs and the Museum of the Huaihai Campaign (November 1948 - January 1949), which was among the decisive campaigns in the War of Liberation.

The campaign showed that winning a war may not only depend on the weaponry or manpower, but also on troop strategy and tactics, confidence and courage, as well as the support and assistance from the people, which often serve as more important factors, said Xi.

"By cherishing the memory of the revolutionary martyrs, we will carry on their unfinished work, emulate their spirit, remain true to our original aspirations and keep our mission firmly in mind," Xi noted.

Xi also called on the armed forces to pass on the fine tradition and train revolutionary officers and soldiers of a new era with faith, ability, courage, and integrity, and see that the forces forever preserve their nature, purpose, and character as the forces of the people.
The United Kingdom and China have agreed to raise the limit on the number of direct weekly flights between the two nations to 150 from 100. The UK government said the move was the first of several "open skies" deals struck in an effort to increase trade post-Brexit.





The deal follows an agreement in October 2016 to raise the limit from 40 to 100.





Such services are regulated internationally, typically through bilateral agreements that limit the number and type of flights.





Currently, despite the deal allowing up to 100 flights a week, there are only around 60.





UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the new agreement is an "important part of preparing Britain" for its future outside the European Union.





"It just underlines that Britain will do well, regardless of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations," Grayling said.





Several new services have been set up recently, including a direct route between Manchester and Beijing operated by Hainan Airlines, and China Airlines' renewal of a London-Taipei link.





Zheng Lei, director of the Center for Aviation Research at the University of Surrey, said the UK government may be anticipating continued growth in the number of visitors from China. Between January and June, 115,000 visitors from China arrived in the UK, an increase of 47 percent on the same period in 2016.





"They are possibly expecting more demand," Zheng said. "China is in the process of negotiating traffic restrictions with countries in continental Europe as well, including France. So, the UK is trying to get ahead and be more proactive."





Zheng said demand is what will ultimately lead to airlines and airports establishing new routes.





"Eventually, it's down to the airlines to decide whether or not to utilize the new traffic rights," he said. "If there is no demand, the airlines won't operate the route, otherwise they will lose money. Profitability is really the main concern."





Local authorities in several large UK cities, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, have lobbied extensively for direct links with China.





Denise Hill, head of market strategy at VisitScotland, welcomed the news.





"The relaxation of restrictions on flights between China and the UK is great news and we are confident that, when this results in a reappraisal of the options open to them, airlines will be encouraged by the strong performance delivered by Scotland," Hill said.




Amid the enthusiasm shown by the government and domestic technology companies for research and development of artificial intelligence, global technology giant Google announced on Tuesday the opening of its AI center in China.





Li Feifei, chief scientist of AI and machine learning at Google Cloud, announced the launch of the AI center during the Google Developer Day in Shanghai. Based in Beijing, the center will host a group of researchers supported by hundreds of engineers in the country.





The China AI center is the first of its kind in Asia. It will join similar overseas centers operating in New York, Toronto, London and Zurich.





Li will lead the center, which will focus on basic AI research. She said this is one of the first steps for Google to conduct long-term research in China.





"There are a large number of scenarios where AI technology can be applied in China. The talents here are also top-class if put in an international context," said Li.





Scott Beaumont, president of Google in China, expressed his confidence about the AI center, since he has witnessed the vibrancy of local developers and Chinese people's willingness to embrace new technologies, which is hardly found elsewhere in the world.





According to global market consultancy Roland Berger, China now ranks second globally in the quantity of AI enterprises, patent applications, and the scale of financing across the world, only next to the United States. It is expected that AI technology will create 10 trillion yuan ($1.5 trillion) in profits for related industries by the end of 2030.





Finance, automotive, medical and retail will be the four industries in China seeing the most benefits by adopting AI technology, according to Roland Berger.





Leading Chinese technology companies such as Baidu Inc, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd are making inroads into AI development in the form of self-driving cars, energy-efficient automobiles and educational equipment.





Simon Lance, managing director of global human resources company Hays in China, said that the AI sector faces a great shortage of candidates in China at the moment, since the country is "moving away from manufacturing and toward AI and robotics".





It is calculated by domestic online recruitment platform Zhaopin.com that the demand for AI talents in China has doubled so far this year, with the biggest demand for algorithmic engineers.





Regarding the rise and prospects of the AI industry in the country, the central government released the first number of national-level open innovation platforms for AI in November. AI technology has been used at Customs and procuratorates to seek innovation in different scenarios. Such adoption at the government administration level will be extended in 2018.




China is expected to complete the China-Russia East-Route Natural Gas Pipeline by the end of 2020, which will send up to 38 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to China, according to China National Petroleum Corp.





The first phase of the pipeline linking Heihe in Heilongjiang province and Changling in Jilin province will be completed by October 2019, with the rest of the domestic pipelines linking Changling to Shanghai completed by the end of 2020, CNPC, the country's largest oil and gas producer by annual output, said on Wednesday.





Li Li, energy research director at ICIS China, a consulting company providing energy market analysis, said the step will further guarantee China's energy diversification.





"Completion of the natural gas pipeline will massively help ease China's shortage of natural gas while further diversifying China's energy supply," said Li.





China's natural gas demand will continue to increase toward 2040, outstripping domestic output by around 43 percent, according to a recent report released by the International Energy Agency.





China's annual gas production will more than double to 340 billion cu m by 2040, while consumption is expected to grow even faster, reaching 600 billion cu m, it said.





The natural gas pipeline is the China leg of the Russia-China natural gas pipeline, dubbed "Power of Siberia" that will provide China with natural gas under a 30-year term, with a planned annual capacity of 38 billion cu m.





The 3,371-kilometer China-Russia natural gas pipeline starts in Heihe and ends in Shanghai, passing through Heilongjiang, Jilin, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu and Shanghai.





Work on the Russian section of the east-route pipeline began in eastern Siberia in 2014 and in China in 2015.





Han Xiaoping, chief information officer of China Energy Net Consulting, said the two countries, the world's second-largest energy consumer and the world's top energy producer, have always complemented each other as producers and exporters.





The pipeline, one of the latest examples of energy cooperation between China and Russia, benefits both countries, he said.





The "Power of Siberia" pipeline is one of the biggest Russia-China projects. The two countries signed a $400 billion 30-year agreement in 2014 to deliver 38 billion cu m of Russian gas to China annually.








The Chinese mainland resolutely opposes any exchanges between militaries or government officials of the United States and Taiwan, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.





An Fengshan, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in response to a recent speech by a Chinese diplomat reiterating that matters involving Taiwan are internal Chinese affairs.





"The day that a US Navy vessel arrives in Kaohsiung is the day that our People's Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force," Li Kexin, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in the US, said at an embassy event in Washington on Tuesday.





He also said that China would activate its Anti-Secession Law if the US sent warships to Taiwan.





Li's speech stirred heated discussion on the island, with Taiwan media describing it as the "red line" of unification by force.





"Any attempt to undermine the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity is bound to incur the Chinese people's opposition and will not succeed," An said.





He also said the mainland opposes any "Taiwan independence" activities, including public voting.





The mainland will uphold peaceful reunification and the "one country, two systems" principle; and it will promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a news conference earlier this week.





Beijing urged the United States to abide by the one-China policy and the three China-US joint communiques, and cautiously and properly handle the Taiwan issue.





"One country, two systems" and peaceful reunification are the major principles at the heart of Taiwan issues, and peaceful development is the way forward, said Liu Xiangping, professor of Taiwan studies at Nanjing University in Jiangsu province.





Li's speech, he said, was the result of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party recently attempting to bring US forces to Taiwan to back up the notion of "independence". Some forces in the USespecially in the militarythat still hold a Cold War mindset and are attempting to use Taiwan as leverage to obstruct China's peaceful rise, he added.





Li's speech was based on the premise of a US warship's arrival in Taiwan, which would violate the three Sino-US joint communiques, Liu added. The communiques state that the US recognizes one China and would gradually reduce and eventually stop arms sales to Taiwan.





"If the US were to violate the communique, it would violate international law and China would respond intensely," Liu said.





"If Taiwan authorities violate the law to sabotage the status quo, leading to the deterioration of cross-Straits relations, they should swallow the bitter result and be aware of the wrong they've committed," Liu said.




Guangdong province will issue an additional 10,000 license plates to vehicles from the Hong Kong special administrative region before the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge opens, according to a senior police officer.

Half will be issued this month, while the other half will be approved before the bridge begins operation early next year, said Zheng Dong, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department.

"Meanwhile negotiations are underway with Hong Kong authorities to grant even more license plates to Hong Kong vehicles," he told a news conference in Guangzhou on Tuesday.

"The move aims to help further expand cooperation among Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong, and better serve the economic construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."

Guangdong has issued more than 75,000 license plates to vehicles from neighboring Hong Kong and Macao, allowing them on roads in one of the mainland's economic powerhouses and home to many foreign-funded companies and joint ventures.

Zhuhai also plans to increase the quota for vehicles from Macao entering Hengqin Free Trade Zone to 800 this year. Currently, the city allows 100 vehicles from Macao to operate in Hengqin island, located at the mouth of the Pearl River.

"Vehicles from Hong Kong and Macao can enjoy the same treatment as local cars, giving them six years of exemption from any examination and inspection in Guangdong," Zheng said.

Authorities will further simplify procedures for car owners from Hong Kong and Macao to apply for license plates in Guangdong, he added.
Five people died and nine were injured in a building fire in Beijing's Chaoyang district early on Wednesday morning. Local authorities said the fire was caused by electric bicycles being charged.

The fire in Shibalidian township was reported at 1:18 am, according to the municipal fire department.

Police detained the owner of the building on Wednesday.

Firefighters were able to rescue nine people trapped by the blaze. They were taken to the hospital for injuries that are not life-threatening.

According to the fire department, the structure was built by a local resident and had four floors with more than 30 small rental rooms of less than 10 square meters each. There was only one exit on each floor.

The roof and walls were a sort of sandwich - metal sheets with foam between them. They release toxic gas if burned, according to a firefighter.

City officials have urged a thorough safety overhaul of illegally operated business venues and rental houses in Beijing.

The fire department said the two electric bicycles were on the ground floor and blocked the exit, making it more difficult for people to escape. The bikes were connected by extension cords to an outlet on the second floor.

A firefighter was quoted by Beijing News as saying that electric bicycles are not allowed in building passageways and should be charged outdoors on individual charging poles.

The fire occurred less than a month after an apartment fire killed 19 in the city's southern Daxing district on Nov 18. That fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.
Local officials in China's northern regions have been asked to visit households before year's end to ensure they have sufficient heat, according to a circular from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

The circular, released on Wednesday, also says that coal consumption should not be banned where there is no natural gas or where supplies are short.

Local authorities should encourage heating companies to solve the problem of unstable supplies of gas, the circular said.

Governments in northern China are shifting from coal to natural gas as a heat source in order to reduce pollution, but the change has resulted in delayed heat availability in some areas because of unfinished projects or gas shortages.

Heating problems reported by residents should be listed so that local authorities can take corrective action, it said.

Heating companies that contravene laws and regulations will be severely punished, it added.

Coal has long been burned for heat in northern China, a practice blamed for the smog that lingers through the winter.

An action plan released by the Ministry of Environmental Protection in August set goals to replace coal with clean energy by the end of October in 3 million households in 28 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and in Shanxi, Shandong and Henan provinces.

In an urgent circular released on Dec 7, the top environmental authority said areas that have not yet completed projects to replace coal with gas or electric heat may now use coal or any other available measures as a stopgap measure.

After a media report on Dec 5 that the delayed heat in Hebei province had resulted in symptoms of frostbite in some students, the Ministry of Education demanded "immediate" action to ensure that classrooms were warm enough the next day.
A publishing symposium highlighting two books that show pictures of hundreds of victims of Japanese biological warfare in China during World War II was held in Anda county, Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, the 80th anniversary of the start of the Nanjing Massacre.

Li Xiaofang shows his books on the victims of Japanese germ warfare in China during World War II. He was in Anda, Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday. [Liu Yang/For China Daily]





Around 30 participants, including the author, scholars and officials attended.

The two booksthe result of a major research effortinclude more than 800 photos and some 200,000 words covering the painful memories of 240 surviving victims of anthrax, glanders, plague and cholera in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. They were published in July.

In the mid-1990s, Li Xiaofang, a photographer and researcher, began to record the lives of the victims. Some of the subjects have since died.

"At the beginning of the 1990s, when I was working at a military hospital in Zhejiang, I made contact with some local residents who suffered rotten leg disease. Their symptoms were unusual," Li said. "After some years of research, I found a concentration of rotten leg disease among residents of villages in the three provinces. They were probably infected in the 1940s with anthrax and glanders by the Japanese army during World War II."

Jin Chengmin, curator of the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by Japanese Army Unit 731, said: "The two books include a great amount of firsthand evidence of Japanese atrocities, despite some Japanese politicians' attempts to whitewash the country's wartime past."

"It also shows that the atrocity was not limited to Harbin. Many people in other regions suffered from Japan's biological warfare," Jin said.

Unit 731 was a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base set up in 1935 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, by the Japanese military. It was the center of Japan's biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia.

Unit 731 is known to have conducted experiments on living people to test the effectiveness of chemicals and germ-releasing bombs.

"As a historical researcher, I want to show my respect and esteem for Li. He has provided a good vehicle for the young generation to remember history that should not be forgotten," said Zhang Haiyan, a researcher at the September 18th Historical Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

Also on Wednesday, a memorial ceremony for Nanjing Massacre victims was held in Anda, attended by 2,500 students, soldiers, police officers and local residents.

During the war, Anda was a test site set up by Unit 731 in 1941. According to the war crimes museum, more than 400 victims perished in medical experiments.
The Ministry of Justice has issued a regulation to protect lawyers' rights to arrange meetings with clients who are serving prison sentences, the authorities said on Monday.

The regulation states that if convicts are charged with previously undisclosed crimes or offenses committed in prison, lawyers can apply to meet with them. The meetings should not be monitored by prison authorities during the period of investigation, prosecution and trial, and police officers will not be allowed to attend.

A statement released by the ministry said, "The provisions are fully in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Law and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Lawyers."

According to the ministry, the regulation expands the scope of the services lawyers can offer to people serving prison sentences and also provides more convenient measures to allow them to meet with clients.

"Under the new regulation, prisons must provide timely responses to lawyers' applications to meet with clients. They must also arrange proper facilities for the meeting and allow lawyers to scrutinize case files and collect evidence," the regulation said.

Prisons must also guarantee sufficient time for such meetings, and are required to protect the professional rights of lawyers.

"If lawyers' rights are infringed by prison officers, they can file petitions or complaints about unfair treatment to prison authorities, a higher-level prosecuting department or the justice department," stated the regulation, which updates a temporary measure introduced in 2004.
A job fair for foreign-educated graduates held in Chongqing in 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]







In late October, my alma mater in the Netherlands, the University of Groningen, issued a press release announcing the completion of a doctoral dissertation which focused on the benefits of exporting highly skilled labor for the country of origin.





The study's author, Marianna Papakonstantinou, concluded that in countries with high levels of emigration of skilled labor, knowledge-intensive industries experience rapid growth. International migration of highly and moderately highly educated graduates appears to have positive effects on economic development and even stimulate the formation of human capital at home, she found.





Somewhat surprisingly, this implies that an export of skills may result in a "brain gain" rather than a brain drain, in spite of the transfer of human capital away from the country of origin.





The reasons for this seem obvious in retrospect. A significant fraction of migrants may return to their homeland with updated knowledge, experience and high-level skills gained in their host country.





In addition, some of their remittances home are likely used to fund further education by family members. Finally, migrants are often role models for those staying behind, who may, in turn, be inspired to pursue their own higher education potential.





These findings clearly have significance in the Chinese context.





Over the past few decades, large numbers of Chinese students have gained valuable international experience in the highly successful exchange programs supported by the China Scholarship Council, or CSC.





CSC grants allow talented young graduate students to embark on doctoral degrees at prestigious foreign universities. Because they bring their own funding, Chinese students with CSC scholarships are considered attractive targets for active recruitment by overseas graduate programs.





The best of these CSC-sponsored students may be awarded additional support for short-term postdoctoral research abroad immediately following the completion of their doctoral degrees.





However, even the most talented and highly skilled young graduates are obliged to return home for a minimum of two years. If they don't, their guarantors -- often their parents or other close relatives -- may be forced to repay some or all funding awarded to the student as part of their scholarship.





This is where the system breaks down for the most talented Chinese graduates. Such students prefer more flexibility in their professional pursuits. As a consequence, they find CSC scholarships insufficiently attractive, which unfortunately leads the country to miss out on the talents of its best and brightest.





These tough choices are faced by graduates at Peking University every year. Many of the top students agonize about their future choices, feeling overly restricted by the CSC's two-year return policy.





During my time at the university, I have regularly raised these issues in face-to-face discussions with senior CSC officials. Their boilerplate response to these concerns is that CSC scholarships are funded by the taxpayer, so the country has the right to insist that awardees return the favor. While I certainly have no objections to this obligation, the restrictiveness of current policies may in fact be counterproductive to this goal.





Given China's rise in the international pecking order and its robust economy, it is very likely that a large fraction of graduates who migrated abroad on the back of a CSC scholarship will eventually want to return to their home country. I have witnessed this in my own professional field; many Chinese scientists living overseas expressly indicate their keen desire to eventually take up higher-level positions back home.





With more years of international experience under their belts, their native country will most likely gain enhanced benefits from their prolonged stint overseas than if they had returned immediately upon graduation.





And even those graduates who decide to stay abroad will serve as informal ambassadors for their nation and extol the virtues of its education system. This is a scenario that I can directly relate to myself; I left the Netherlands twenty years ago, but I am happy to contribute to efforts by my embassy and the Dutch government's international education support office to promote opportunities back home -- indeed, particularly those supported by CSC scholarships.





For most expatriates, long-term emigration does not mean "out of sight, out of heart." Given the steady improvement of its higher education institutions and the prevailing pressures of the job market, China has reached a stage in its development where the imminent return of its foreign-educated graduates is no longer a necessity. The time has come for the country to consider a significant overhaul of its international student support framework -- for its own sake.





Richard de Grijs is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/RicharddeGrijs.htm





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.




 Flash





With low rates of crime, civil unrest and racial violence, country is not a risky tourist destination, international report says





China is seen as one of the safest places in the world for foreign visitors, according to an international security report and anecdotal evidence from tourists, expatriates and overseas students.





In the new Travel Risk Map 2018, the country is listed as having a "low" travel risk, which means "violent crime rates are low, and racial, sectarian or political violence or civil unrest is uncommon".





The report, now in its eighth year, is compiled and released annually in a joint venture by International SOS, the medical and travel security services company, and global risk and strategic consulting firm Control Risks.





Since the safety situation in China has remained stable, its risk rating has not changed for many years, according to Tony Ma, client liaison director in China for the joint venture.





"We haven't noticed any dramatic, massive threats at present in China; terrorism or mass shootings or killings are generally absent," he said. "Kidnappings for ransom and extreme violent scenarios are also very rare."





China has become the fourth most popular destination for tourists worldwide, with more than 60 million trips made by people from other countries last year, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.





Maria Plaza Pelayo, 24, of Madrid, who arrived in Beijing a few weeks ago, said she was impressed by China's order and safety, which has made her feel much safer than in the United States or Turkey, where she also has visited.





She said she didn't feel like she was in any danger in Beijing, as she saw efforts from professionals, including volunteers on streets, police officers on patrol and security staff in the subways, to keep order.





Liu Hongbin, a professor of public order studies at People's Public Security University of China, said continuous joint efforts on fighting crime, the deployment of technological tools to track crimes and the inclusiveness of the Chinese culture, are all reasons for China's high safety level.





"The Chinese culture has been an integration of cultures of different ethnic groups in the long history of the country. People raised in such a diverse cultural environment do not hold discrimination or hostility toward people from other cultures, making people from other countries feel secure and comfortable," he said.





Armando Raphael Lydon Busquets, 20, of California, US, said he constantly heard gunshots, police sirens and similar noises back home.





"You'd see a lot of shady people, and it would always be in the local news about something bad happening with someone," said Lydon Busquets, a student at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.





Data from the Ministry of Public Security show that China has seen a stable number of gun-related crimes in recent years and the number of gun-related violent crimes, such as murder, robbery and kidnapping, has dropped sharply.





Between August 2016 and July, police cracked about 3,800 illegal weapons cases and firearms purchases and detained 25,000 suspects, the ministry said.





The ministry launched a campaign targeting gun-related crime in July, which will run through the end of the year.





Apart from gun-related crime, the number of other violent cases in 2016, such as homicide, arson and robbery, also declined 43 percent since 2012, the ministry said.




 Flash

British Theresa May suffered her first major defeat as prime minister Wednesday night after a rebellion by a group of her own MPs.





By a margin of 309 votes to 305, the final deal that Britain strikes with the European Union on its withdrawal from the bloc will have to be approved by the Houses of Parliament.

The vote was forced during a debate on the Brexit withdrawal bill when the former Conservative attorney general Dominic Grieve put forward a measure to force May to give the final vote to MPs.

Although only around 11 Conservative rebels backed Grieve, he won support from the opposition parties, particularly the main opposition Labour Party.

The tense seven hour debate became a battle over who holds the reigns of power over Brexit, the government or parliament.

As politicians in the main chamber of the House of Commons made their passionate pleas, behind the scenes Conservative party managers were desperately trying to appease the rebels.

It had been feared the margin could have been even greater, but a last minute concession by government justice minister Dominic Rabb, led to some MPs ending their rebellion.

The Independent newspaper reported that one female MP had been reduced to tears by Conservative party managers, known as party whips.

As soon as the government defeat became apparent there were noisy shouts and cheers from Labour MPs.

Main opposition leader, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, said the result of the vote means parliament is taking back control.

He said: "This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the government on the eve of the European Council meeting. Labour has made the case since the referendum for a meaningful vote in Parliament on the terms of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Nigel Farage, co-founder of the anti-EU United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) reacted to the result on his social media site saying: "My contempt for career politicians knows no bounds."

May's government had argued throughout the day that support for the rebellion would jeopardise the chances of delivering a smooth departure from the EU.

In the hours before what was a heated debate, May assured MPs they would have a say on the final deal before Britain's exit from the EU in March 2019.

The Brexit Secretary David Davis also wrote to Conservative MPs in a vain bid to avert a rebellion, with leading rebels saying they would not back down.

Grieve defended his rebellion against the government saying it was "his time to stand up and be counted".

The Times newspaper reported the first casualty of the rebellion, saying MP Stephen Hammond had been fired from his role as vice chairman of the Conservative party.

There was no immediate response to the government defeat from May, but the Department for Exiting the European Union issued a statement about the defeat.

Their spokesman said: "We are disappointed that parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out. We are as clear as ever that this bill, and the powers within it, are essential.

"This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose."

The Times newspaper said in London the vote will not stop Brexit, and by itself it will not necessarily have any substantial effect on the way the government implements Brexit.

But the result of the vote shows that, on at least some issues, there is a majority in the House of Commons in favor MPs exerting a greater say over the Brexit process than the government would like, and potentially this could create fresh problems for the government further down the line.

It added that government ministers, facing a second defeat next week, will now be under strong pressure to drop from the bill a measure that would set in stone the March 29, 2019 the Brexit day.

"After tonight's defeat Downing Street may conclude that they will lose on that one too," says the Times.
 Flash

December 13 marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Carl Kice Brown, the last Flying Tiger pilot, who passed away peacefully at his home in Corcoran, California, three months ago.

"He had been doing well and then suddenly took a turn for the worse at the end of August and passed Sept. 8, 2017," said Julia Brown, one of the late pilot's daughters, in an email to Xinhua.

Born in 1917, Brown attended Michigan State University until 1939, when he suspended his studies to join the U.S. Navy.

In 1941, close to 300 young Americans registered to join the American Volunteer Group (AVG) and were deployed to Asia.

Organized and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault, the AVG, which came to be known as the "Flying Tigers," was a volunteer band of about 300 pilots and ground staff whose sole purpose was to help China fight invading Japanese troops before the United States officially entered WWII.

Through the introduction of his friend Tex Hill, who would go on to become an AVG squadron leader, Brown received an honorable discharge from the Navy and signed up for the AVG.

"Most of the pilots were just two to three years out of high school," Brown recalled earlier this year.

Brown participated in the Flying Tigers' first battle on Dec. 20 that year. The fighting took place over Kunming in southwest China and brought down nine Japanese planes.

According to a tribute provided by his family, Brown also took part in a mission over the Nujiang River, during which double ace pilot Bob Little was killed while flying on his wing.

After the AVG disbanded in July 1942, Brown flew as a pilot transporting supplies between India and China on a dangerous but crucial airlift route over the Himalayas.

"My father indicated that he was honored to do his duty and help the Chinese people during the war. My father spoke fondly of the Chinese people," Julia told Xinhua. Brown still drank Tsingtao beer when he was 98 years old.

In 1945 the legendary pilot returned to the United States, resumed his undergraduate studies, and graduated in 1946. He went on to receive his M.D. and J.D. degrees in the 1950s and 1980s, respectively.

"My memory of Carl Brown is that he was a great friend of my late husband," said Lydia Rossi, wife of late ace pilot Dick Rossi.

"Whenever Dick had a medical question he would call Carl and get an educated and helpful answer. They would talk on the phone to each other every month and keep abreast of what was going on in each other's lives," Lydia said.

Brown is survived by six children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Julia is the only child who has travelled to China. The trip, which she made when she was 19 years old, covered Keelung, Kaohsiung and Hong Kong.

"I truly loved traveling to China and the culture was fascinating to me as a young person," Julia said. "I would love to visit again!"

"Carl was a man who took his own path in life and did not concern himself with doing the latest popular thing. He was his own man, but he respected others," Lydia told Xinhua.

From December 1941 to July 1942, in just seven months, the AVG shot down 299 planes in over 50 battles against the Japanese, forcefully defending critical air space on China's rear front. Their bravery penned a celebrated chapter in China-U.S. friendship.

Julia said she was proud that the United States stood up to help and sent the Flying Tigers to work with the Chinese people to defend themselves.

By now, most of the Flying Tigers have passed away -- not in battle, but from old age. Squadron crew chief Frank Losonsky, 97, is now the last surviving Flying Tiger.




 Flash

Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping and Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai told French President Emmanuel Macron that China will firmly carry out its commitments under the framework of the Paris Agreement, and is willing to work with relevant parties, including France, to push forward the multilateral process of global climate governance.

Ma made the remarks when meeting Macron on Tuesday in Paris, where he was attending the One Planet Summit.

He first conveyed the warm greetings of the Chinese president and wished the meeting every success.

Ma said President Xi attaches great importance to Sino-French relations and the cooperation between the two sides on climate change.

The Chinese official also noted that bilateral relations have recently developed smoothly and are standing at a historic moment between the past and future.

China praises Macron's active support for the Belt and Road Initiative, Ma added, noting that the country is willing to work with France to maintain high-level contact and make use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms to coordinate together.

Ma also said that win-win cooperation in nuclear energy, aerospace, green finance and advanced manufacturing fields, will inject fresh impetus into the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Macron asked Ma to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi, whom he thanked for appointing Ma as a special envoy to attend the summit.

Macron said France attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and also hopes to maintain high-level contact.

France is willing to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, Macron affirmed and added that his country will also work with China to play a better role in global climate governance.

The One Planet Summit was hosted by Macron on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a landmark climate deal reached at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

During the summit, Ma maintained that with the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China will continuously and firmly support the Paris Agreement and work on the construction of a domestic ecological civilization.
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At least 39 people were killed, and another 90 injured after Saudi-led coalition aircraft struck a military police camp in the Houthi-controlled Sanaa on Wednesday, reported Reuters citing an official and witnesses. Casualties include some prisoners.

The strike is part of an air campaign by the Riyadh-led group, which has waged a war against Houthi rebels since March 2015 in support of internationally recognized President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The attacks against the Iran-backed militants have increased following the death of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh last week at the hands of Houthis. They had accused him of treason after he turned against them a few days earlier and made overtures to Riyadh.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to the lower house of parliament an agreement with Syria, under which Damascus will allow Moscow to keep its naval facility in the Syrian port of Tartus for at least 49 years.

The document posted on the website of the Russian State Duma on Wednesday states that the deal may be automatically extended every 25 years after its expiry.

Under the deal, which was signed on Jan. 18, Russia and Syria agreed to expand and overhaul the maintenance infrastructure in Tartus, which was established in 1977 and is currently Russia's sole naval support facility in the Mediterranean region.

The deal allows Russia to deploy up to 11 warships, including nuclear-powered combat vessels, to the Syrian port.

The State Duma is expected to ratify the deal later this month.

After claiming a victory against the Islamic State, Putin announced on Monday that Russia would pull most of its troops out of Syria, but would maintain the Tartus facility and the Hmeymim airbase in the war-torn country.




 Flash

The 2017 China-Yale Youth Leaders Dialogue was successfully held in New Haven and Washington, the United States, from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7.





As a key program within the framework of the China-U.S. Social and Cultural Dialogue, it was jointly approved by the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) and China's State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, and implemented by the China Youth Center for International Exchange. Members of the delegation, selected by ACYF, are promising leaders in their respective fields involving government, enterprise, youth organization, law and media.

This year witnessed the fifth term of the annual program. The Chinese delegates first spent one week at Yale University, meeting with senior faculty members and former important political figures to exchange ideas and share perspectives. The topics cover issues of common concern between the two large countries.

Many well-known American professors were invited to give lectures during the visit, through which the delegates had a better understanding of the cutting edge knowledge in environmental protection, finance, engineering and other fields, and thus broaden their horizons in interdisciplinary fields and globalization. Special lectures were also given concerning viewpoints of the current situation in China.

Pericles Lewis, professor of comparative literature at the Yale University, vice president for global strategy and deputy provost for international affairs, attended the conclusion ceremony of the program on Dec. 1.

During the rest of the trip, the delegates visited a number of government institutions and think tanks based in Washington. They held talks and discussions with leading officials and scholars from the U.S. Department of State, Albright Stonebridge Group, the U.S. China Business Council, International Monetary Fund, McLarty Associates, and the U.S.-China Policy Foundation. The two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern, including bilateral trade, intellectual property rights protection, and the reform of state-owned enterprises.

Chen Zong, president of the China Youth Center for International Exchange and head of the Chinese delegation, spoke highly of the American trip.

"Through the trip, I have become more aware of the importance of the China-U.S. relationship. We should further enhance the exchanges between young people of the two countries. We hope to see more 'experts on the United States' and 'experts on China' coming to the fore in large numbers. And that is the focus of our future work," Chen said.

Fawn Wang, assistant secretary of the Yale University and director for East Asia, believed that the Chinese delegation's visit is of profound significance.





Ms. Wang, who is in charge of the China-Yale Youth Leaders Dialogue, suggested a long-term dialogue mechanism be established in this field so as to deepen understanding between China and the United States through contacts between young leaders, scholars and elites from all walks of life.
China Aviation Daily | Dec. 14, 2017

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that Qazaq Air JSC of Kazakhstan has signed a firm purchase agreement for two new Q400 turboprops.

Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$66.8 million.

"We are delighted that Qazaq Air will continue to grow its fleet with the Q400 aircraft,"said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President, Sales, Europe, Russia and CIS at Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Since the inauguration of Qazaq Air services within Kazakhstan in 2015, the Q400 has continued to prove itself in their operations and we are excited by this further endorsement of the Q400s superior operating characteristics."

"We are pleased with the agreements reached on the acquisition of these new aircraft with Bombardier, with whom we have been in partnership since we started the airline," said Blair Treherne Pollock, CEO of Qazaq Air. "It is thanks to the Q400 aircraft, which Qazaq Air has been operating successfully since 2015, that it is now possible for us to fly our passengers to 15 destinations in Kazakhstan. To date, we have flown more than 420,000 passengers, having shown a 50% increase in passenger traffic in 2017 compared to last year. "Adding two new aircraft to our fleet will not only allow us to expand our route network inside the Republic of Kazakhstan, but also to start new flights beyond it, covering nearby cities in the Central Asian region."

Contributed by Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
Urumqi's 'central kitchen' serves the city

Updated: 2017-12-13

The recently-opened Xinjiang Baicheng Fresh Food Supply Chain, located at the Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe district), is changing the way that food makes its way into the mouths of hungry locals.

The Baicheng Fresh Food Processing and Logistics Park was put into operation in the zone in July this year as one of the 100 key projects set to benefit the people of Urumqi in 2017.

Workers put together ready meals at the Baicheng Fresh Food Processing and Logistics Park. [Photo/uetd.gov.cn]

In just a few short months the park has established itself as the city's "central kitchen", producing 300,000 servings of staples such as rice and noodles, 300,000 ready meals and 30 tons of minimally processed vegetables every day. As one of the biggest and most technologically-advanced food parks in Northwest China, it is able to produce three meals a day each to 600,000 people.

As well as production, the park also delivers anywhere within the city, taking online orders to create a complete food supply chain from farm to dining table.

Liu Cheng, president of Xinjiang Baicheng Fresh Food, said that the central kitchen area is a bacteria-free environment which adheres to the highest standards of hygiene. The park has set up a traceability system for food safety to keep track of food quality information and guarantee supervision.

Mechanized production has brought about transformation in the food industry, according to Liu. "In the central kitchen, there are two people and one machine. The machine can peel 600 kilograms of potatoes per hour as well as making 6,000 steamed buns per hour," he said.

Baicheng Fresh Food Processing and Logistics Park is put into operation in July, 2017. [Photo/uetd.gov.cn]

The park also caters schools and companies in Urumqi as well s for big events including the China-Eurasia Expo, Xinjiang Food Expo and Xinjiang Auto Expo.

Urumqi No 39 Middle School was one of the park's first partners. Xiao Haijun, director of the teaching affairs office, said the service saves time and labor and is very convenient.

"We used to cook lunch for more than 1,800 teachers and students. With the food delivery service, the number of kitchen staff has been reduced from 20 people to just seven," Xiao said.

The park will also offer a breakfast delivery service in the near future. It has ordered 100 mobile dining cars, which are expected to hit the streets of Urumqi by May next year.
For the past few weeks, headlines in the United Kingdom have been full of outrage over Christian foster children being placed with Muslim families, and vice versa.

It began in August, when The Times of Londonone of the worlds oldest and most prestigious newspapersran a sensational article about a Muslim family fostering a 5-year-old Christian girl. According to the article, they deprived her of bacon, suggested she learn Arabic, and took away her crucifix necklace.

The Times reported that several of the girls caretakers wore a niqab or burka, inferring that generally indicates adherence to a conservative, Salafi-influenced interpretation of Islam that is often contemptuous of liberal Western values. The reporter blamed government social services for placing the child without considering her religion.

The story was investigated by a senior social worker and almost entirely debunked: no food had been rejected for religious reasons; English was spoken in the home; and the crucifix was so large and valuable that the foster parents had returned it to the childs grandmother for safekeeping. The social worker concluded the girl received warm and appropriate care while she waited for her grandmotherwho is also Muslimto gain approval to take custody of her.

But the damage was already done. The Daily Mail tabloid followed up with a story detailing the reactive anger of members of Parliament, and The Sun tabloid reported that at least 101 Christian children have been placed with Muslim foster families, while 394 Muslim children have been placed with Christian foster families.

Right-wing extremist groups such as Britain First and the English Defence League jumped on the stories in order to stir up racial and religious hatred. Meanwhile, many Christians have expressed outrage at the apparent lack of attention to religious needs when placing children in foster care.

These stories, and their reactions, raise some important questionsnot just for social workers, but for all of us.

My own family is made up of three birth children, an adopted daughter, and three long-term foster children. On many occasions over the past 11 years, we have been called upon to foster children from different faith backgrounds.

One night, the emergency team called to ask if we could take one or two children from a sibling group of four. When the social worker dejectedly said that there was literally nowhere for the other children to stay, my wife offered to make room for all of themjust for the night.

And so at 2 a.m., a police van dropped four shell-shocked children at our front door. They were visibly Muslimone child was wearing a hijaband they had never stayed in an English-speaking home before. But the most urgent issue was that they were frightened, hungry, and tired. They needed milk and cookies and a bed to sleep in.

The children ended up staying with us for several weeks. We gave them halal meat and access to a Quran, as the birth parents requested. When the children returned home, we were told that their father was pleased that Christians had been looking after his children, as he felt we understood and respected the importance of faith.

If the tables were turned and my children were in foster care, I would hope they would receive the same treatment. I wouldnt expect caregivers to become experts on Christianity as my children understand it; but I would expect my children to be able to practice their faith freely.

This is basic hospitality. If vegetarians come for dinner, I dont ridicule them or force them to eat meat. I respect them as human beings capable of making rational and reasonable decisions. And as the host, I seek to go the extra mile in order to accommodate their needs.

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How can Christians do this for Muslim children in their care, or vice versa? This is the key question that needs to be asked in light of the fact that we are caring for one anothers children at the most vulnerable time in their lives.

In addition, we must look beyond the question of inappropriate placements to ask about the problem of insufficient places for placements.

There is currently a major deficit of foster caregivers in the UK. According to the Fostering Network, this shortage is about 7,000 caregivers nationwide.

This means that often there is not the luxury of discerning the best possible placement for a child coming into care. Sibling groups are often separated, as few caregivers have the availability to take more than one child. Often children are not able to continue at their own school, or must move around from placement to placement.

Local authorities do have a legal responsibility to try to find appropriate placements that take into consideration the childs religious persuasion, racial origin, and cultural and linguistic background. However, because of the shortfall of caregivers, simply finding a safe place for a child is often hard enough.

This wider picture of the problem of insufficient foster families should rightly cause Christians to be concerned.

We must ask where the church is in all of this. It is surely a stain on the churchs reputation that there are not enough foster caregivers or adoptive parents in our nation. The church has been given very clear instructions on what appropriate worship to God looks like. According to Isaiah 1:15-17, James 1:27, and Matthew 25:31-46, caring for the vulnerable is an essential part of Christian worship.

In Jesus parable of the sheep and the goats, the litmus test of genuine faith is that we are moved to demonstrate compassion to the needy. According to Jesus, if we are not showing hospitality to the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger, then it is likely we have not received the grace of Godand more than possible that we will not receive a welcome into the kingdom of God at the end of our lives.

Personally, I would rather have children fostered by Muslims than not receive the love they need in their lives. But to those who are still outraged that Muslims are caring for Christian children, I would challenge them to step up and become the families that these children need. We cannot criticize others for doing the good that we are unwilling to do ourselves.

The UK is not alone in facing a crisis in foster care. Wherever you are in the world, there are children nearby who need a bed for the night, a refuge for awhile, or a home for good. What can you do to meet the need?

Krish Kandiah is founding director of Home for Good, a fostering and adoption charity. His latest book, God Is Stranger: Finding God in Unexpected Places, was published last week by InterVarsity Press.
The church has a long history of fiddling with the Lords Prayer and debating the right wording.

Scripture itself isnt unified on the wording. The Bible gives us two versions of the prayeroften referred to as the Our Fatherone from Matthews gospel (Matt. 6:913) and one from Lukes gospel (Luke 11:24).

Additionally, today we often forget that the last two lines (for thine is the kingdom) arent from Scripture but were added later by well-intentioned churchmen who felt that ending with sin didnt tell the whole story.

Then theres the question of translations and traditions. If Matthews wording probably borrows a term that refers to financial debts in the original Greek, is it okay that many traditions say trespasses?

Pope Francis recently waded into the wording of the Lords Prayer by supporting a decision by the French Catholic church to change the wording of a line in the French translation of the prayer.

In an interview last week, Francis agreed that the new wording adopted by the French Catholic church was theologically clearer, suggesting that the previous version was not a good translation.

The phrase, Ne nous soumets pas a la tentation (roughly Dont subject us to temptation) was updated this Sunday to be Ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation (meaning Dont let us go into temptation.) In English, the phrase is traditionally rendered lead us not into temptation. The concern for the French church and the pope is that the wording may suggest that God causes people to sin.

Its not about letting me fall into temptation. Its I, the one who falls, not Him pushing me toward temptation, so as to then see how I fall, Francis said, in an Italian interview with TV2000, a television channel owned by Italys conference of bishops. No, well, a father wont do that. A father will immediately help you pick yourself up. Satans the one leading you into temptation. Thats Satans task.

The Lords Prayer is a deeply loved and familiar invocation memorized and recited by millions of Christians around the globe every week. The Roman Catholic Church considers it a brief paraphrase of the whole gospel, and for centuries theologians of various traditions have insisted that the way the church prays indicates what the church believes (Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi). So, its important to get the wording right.

But is this change a good one? We asked a group of experts for their take on this change:

I think that the pope is correct in his concern about the way the English translation can be misconstrued. (Of course, this is not the only place it can be misunderstood by those who recite it without understanding it. As I recall, they still prayed this prayer in public schools when I was little, and I wondered what it meant to make a name hollow.) The most likely sense is for God to protect us from succumbing to testing (as is clear in the parallel text in Matthew 26), and in Matthew it is parallel to deliverance from the evil one. The liturgical problem would be that people accustomed to praying the prayer a particular way might not adapt well to the change in wording. But whether they change the wording or not, the public raising of the question will help people have a better understanding of what they meanor should meanwhen they pray this prayer.

~Craig S. Keener, professor of biblical studies, Asbury Theological Seminary

It's very common for Bible teachers to note possible misunderstandings in the course of explaining a passage of Scripture. When I read the popes comments, I thought, Yes, thats exactly what a Bible teacher should do: ward off theologically and pastorally harmful misinterpretations. Furthermore, the popes perspective could be supported with an appeal to James 1:13: No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one (NRSV). On the other hand, there would seem to me to be less invasive ways to avoid the problem than what this new French translation does. The 1988 version from the ecumenical English Language Liturgical Consultation, for example, renders it more word-for-word literally as, Save us from the time of trial. Surely there's a similar middle way possible in French?

~Wesley Hill, assistant professor of biblical studies, Trinity School for Ministry

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The expression do not lead us into temptation could suggest God might do this. Others texts say he never does (James 1:1315). The rhetorical point of the request is the disciple knows that if one is to be protected from sin and temptation, God must take us there. So the sense of the request is very much protect us from temptation. It is expressed negatively to make the point. It expresses a dependence of disciples on God for every area of life while recognizing who he is and affirming a desire for his will to take place. Interestingly we call it the Lords Prayer as it comes from the Lord, but it really is the Disciples Prayer, a prayer from Jesus we are to pray for each other. (Note all the plurals showing it is not a private prayer only but what we pray as a group for each other). I would prefer a rendering that says protect us from temptation. The second part of the request is deliver us from the evil one, a point that underscores the protection idea. The one problem with let us not fall into temptation is it suggests God is reacting to us. In fact, the request is the opposite. It is a request from the disciple to be responsive to God, recognize the need to be responsive, and ask him for a leading that does not take the believer into temptation, thus for protection that the disciples recognize God must do in order for things to go well.

~Darrell L. Bock, executive director of cultural engagement and senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

This is newsworthy, in one sense, because its the pope trying to make changes to the tradition in yet another area, which will cause all the usual flutters (as indeed it already has). But in another sense, its as old as the hills. A member of my church made the exact same point about that line in the Lords Prayer a month ago: What Jesus actually said (lead us not) is different from what he should have said (don't let us fall). Personally, I think we should translate texts accurately and leave the strangeness as it is, although I can see why people and pastors (and popes) want to tidy it up. As to the meaning of the original, though, its pretty clear. Im going to stick with lead us not ...

~Andrew Wilson, teaching pastor at Kings Church London

It is important at times for readers of the Bible to struggle with the same, often intentional, ambiguities found in the original text. Further, the notion that we can change the wording to fit the meaning that we find somewhere else might actually be doing a disservice to the biblical authors intentions. The Bible is full of paradoxes, figurative language, jolting imagery. To simplify and pacify such language cuts off the legs of its literary and even spiritual power. Pope Francis translation (do not let us fall into temptation), however, subverts all this. The original text speaks clearly of God leading, not permitting. To tamper with the wording misses the connection with the Lords temptation. Matthew 4:1 compared with 6:13 reveals some fascinating parallels and major differences: Whereas the Spirit led Jesus to be tempted, Jesus asks the Father not to lead his disciples into temptation; whereas Jesus was delivered over to Satan for tempting (testing from the Fathers perspective), Jesus prays that his followers will be delivered from the evil one. It is precisely because of Jesus vicarious death and life that Christians can recite this prayer today with the full assurance that God will answer us.

~Daniel B. Wallace, executive director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts and senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary

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Editors Note: These remarks have been edited for length and clarity.

Further discussion about this topic from Dr. Wallace can be found on his blog.
National Leaders Call for Alabama to Enforce Common-Sense Regulations at Statewide Rally

Contact: Fr. Terry Gensemer, CEC For Life, 205-253-0159



MONTGOMERY, Ala., Dec. 14, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Friday, December 15th, pro-life citizens will gather on the steps of the Montgomery RSA Tower for a statewide rally calling for the revocation of Planned Parenthood of Birmingham's license, issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).



"Rally at the RSA" will feature national and local leaders, including:

Catherine Davis, The Restoration Project



Fr. Terry Gensemer, Charismatic Episcopal Church For Life



Sam McLure, The Adoption Law Firm



Natalie Brumfield, Bound4Life Birmingham



Michelle Rowe, 40 Days for Life Montgomery

This event is part of an ongoing campaign that began early in 2017 after the release of an alarming deficiency report from the ADPH regarding Planned Parenthood of Birmingham. The report revealed serious infractions that put the health of all patients at risk, including failure to sterilize medical instruments, test employees for TB and Hepatitis B, document fetal viability, or to guarantee that women view an ultrasound.



Leaders within the campaign confirm that they brought concerns about the dangerous facility to the ADPH, the Governor, the Attorney General and the Board of Medical Examiners, but not one office has taken action to assure citizens that Planned Parenthood has ceased these egregious practices, or even been inspected a second time since the last report.



Fr. Terry Gensemer of CEC For Life comments, "State agencies like the ADPH are created to protect the life of citizens, not subpar abortion facilities. This Planned Parenthood has a documented history of ignoring state laws and harming women, yet it continues to be relicensed year after year. We have solid laws on the books in this state. Our agencies just seem unwilling to enforce them."



Also in Alabama, African American women have 62% of the abortions while African Americans only make up 26% of the population. That disproportionate rate is one of the highest in the country.



Catherine Davis, a prominent pro-life leader in the Black community and Director of The Restoration Project, confirms a direct correlation between this high percentage and apathy within state agencies. She helped lead a similar campaign in Alabama just two years back, when ADPH refused to take action against an illegal abortion operation in the city of Selma which targeted low-income Black women.



Davis comments, "Most citizens believe their state public health officials work to protect them from substandard medical care. That is not the case for women in Alabama, especially Black women. The ADPH has repeatedly turned a blind eye to Planned Parenthood's violations of state laws and sound medical practices. I can't help but ask, is it because Planned Parenthood primarily eliminates the Black population?"



The Rally will take place Friday, Dec. 15th, at 11 AM directly in front of the RSA Tower located at 201 Monroe Street. Speakers will be available for comment before and after the event.
Judicial Watch Sues FBI for Records About Removal of Former Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok from Mueller Operation

Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172



WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch today filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for records about the removal and reassignment of Peter Strzok, a former deputy to the assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, from the special counsel's investigative team led by former FBI director Robert Mueller. Strzok also was the FBI's second in command of counterintelligence and chief of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's illicit email server, interviewing Hillary Clinton himself on July 2, 2016.



The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after the FBI failed to respond to an August 17, 2017, FOIA request (Judicial Watch, Inc. v. Federal Bureau of Investigation (No. 1:17-cv-02682)). Judicial Watch seeks:

All records regarding the assignment of FBI Supervisor Peter Strzok to the special counsel's investigation led by former Director Robert Mueller.



All records related to the reassignment of FBI Supervisor Peter Strzok from the special counsel's investigation to another position within the FBI.



All SF-50 and/or SF-52 employment forms, as well as all related records of communication between any official, employee, or representative of the FBI and any other individual or entity.

According to reports (here and here) Strzok was reportedly removed from the Mueller investigative team in August and reassigned to a human resources position after it was discovered that he and another FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, who worked for FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and with whom Strzok was carrying on an extramarital affair, "exchanged text messages during the Clinton investigation and campaign season in which they expressed anti-Trump sentiments and other comments that appeared to favor Clinton."



Strzok reportedly oversaw the FBI's interviews of former National Security Adviser, General Michael Flynn; changed former FBI Director James Comey's language about Hillary Clinton's actions regarding her illicit email server from "grossly negligent" to "extremely careless;" played a lead role in the FBI's interview of Clinton and is suspected of being responsible for using the unverified dossier to obtain a FISA warrant in order to spy on President Trump's campaign.



"It is disturbing the FBI has stonewalled our request about the Mr. Strzok demotion for four months," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "One can only conclude the FBI and Justice Department (including Mr. Mueller's operation) wanted to hide the truth about how Strzok's and Page's political biases and misconduct have compromised both the Clinton email and Russia collusion investigations."



Agent Strzok's texts about Hillary Clinton and President Trump are responsive to another Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit, but have not yet been produced by the FBI.



MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-sues-fbi-records-removal-former-deputy-assistant-director-peter-strzok-mueller-operation/


Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle

WASHINGTON - Texas congressmen are urging the Trump administration to ease off its effort to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement, worried they could do damage to increasingly intertwined energy markets in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"On the one hand the White House says we believe in energy dominance for our country and North America. On the other hand the U.S. trade representative is undercutting that," Rep. Bill Flores, R-Waco, said at a hearing before House Energy and Commerce Committee Wednesday, in reference to the lead U.S. negotiator on NAFTA, Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
Bubble Egg at 9188 Bellaire Blvd., is one of the few Houston shops to offer gai daan zai, colloquially dubbed "bubble waffles."

Houston food writer Mai Pham reports that the new shop debuted in Chinatown's Welcome Shopping Center just last week. "We're like an Asian Baskin Robbins," the staff told Pham.
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At age 54, Hollywood actor John Stamos is expecting a child with his fiancee Caitlin McHugh, who is due in spring 2018.

This is the first child for the Hollywood actor who famously played Uncle Jesse in the 80s hit sitcom "Full House" and helped his brother-in-law Danny raise his three daughters in their San Francisco home.

"I'll be a fun dad. I've been practicing for a long time," Stamos told People magazine. "I've done every shtick you can do with a baby on TV ... all the bits and jokes and diaper gags. I'll probably just do all that stuff."

Stamos proposed to McHugh, 31, in October in front of the castle at Disneyland, following two years of dating.

He told People magazine that he knew about the pregnancy before popping the question.

Now Playing: The actor reveals he's expecting a child with fiancee Caitlin McHugh Video: People

"The [pregnancy] happened. Then I said, I better have a ring on her finger because it's the right thing to do, and I wanted to marry her anyway," Stamos told the magazine for the Dec. 13 cover story. "So I called her parents to ask, and it was like, 'You better!' "

Stamos' proposal made headlines as he cleverly put together a short film of romantic moments from Pixar and Disney films.

The final clip was Sebastian from The Little Mermaid saying, 'Just ask the girl.'

John shared news of the engagement on Instagram where he wrote "I asked...she said yes! ...And we lived happily ever after."

RELATED GALLERY: Hollywood dads in their 60s

"Full House" aired for eight season between 1987 and 1995. He also appeared in a reboot of the series titled "Fuller House" that aired in 2016.

Stamos was formerly married to model-actress Rebecca Romijn; the two divorced in 2005.
A national fraternity was indicted Thursday by a Harris County grand jury in what prosecutors said was a brutal hazing incident at the University of Houston that left one pledge with a lacerated spleen.

The charge against Tennessee-based Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Inc. is the first for hazing to be filed in Harris County, officials said.

Now Playing: FOX 26 News reporter Damali Keith Video: Fox 26 Houston

If convicted of the Class B misdemeanor, the fraternity could face a fine of up to $10,000.

The indictment says that in November 2016 one pledge was forced to roll in vomit, spit and feces and had to go without food, drink and sleep during a three-day ritual. He was forced to sleep in a small, contained area, and in one hazing ritual, he was tackled in the dark by fraternity members, which resulted in his hospitalization, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors said the organization was charged, instead of individuals, because the people involved were complicit, indicating a pattern of bad behavior by the fraternity.

Our goal is to change the culture of fraternities, not to get rid of fraternities, but we want them to stop engaging in hazing because its illegal, prosecutor Amanda Petroff said. Theres just zero tolerance for this. We dont want anyone to get hurt, let alone killed.

The national Pi Kappa Alpha organization said in a statement that it does not control any chapter, its members or their activities. If a chapter violates the fraternitys standards, local laws or university rules, the fraternity can suspend a chapters charter. The national fraternity suspended the UH chapters charter in August 2017.

Brent Phillips, a national Pi Kappa Alpha spokesman, declined to discuss pending litigation Thursday. He said all fraternity members receive a statement on what is considered hazing and said that the fraternity does not tolerate hazing.

The fraternity suspended the chapters charter, he said, because it failed to live up to the fraternitys standards, though he did not specify how.

Unusual indictment

This is the first time in Harris County that any person or entity has been indicted on hazing charges, Petroff said. Also unusual is that the fraternity itself is facing charges, not individual students.

The decision to charge a fraternity and not individual students is not unprecedented, said Doug Fierberg, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who specializes in lawsuits involving fraternity death, fraternity rape and hazing.

Prosecution most often arises after outrageous circumstances that shock the conscious, most often when theres been significant injury or death, he said.

Still, Fierberg said, there has been a cultural change in how hazing is litigated in the last decade.

Before that, he said, seeing any charges after a hazing incident would be rare. If they existed, the charges would not be criminal, he said, and many hazing incidents at schools resulted only in internal judicial processes at the universities.

Hazing is not being tolerated the same way, he said. At some point, if you want to make a dent in changing longstanding traditions of hazing, you have to hold fraternities themselves accountable for it. They have for decades failed to take appropriate steps to change their traditions and keep potential new recruits safe.

UH grateful for action

UH said its police helped investigate the incidents, which occurred off campus.

In October, the university suspended Pi Kappa Alpha until 2023.

We are grateful that our county partners have delivered a stern message through the grand jurys decision against the fraternity, that such behavior, which jeopardizes the well being of our students, will not be tolerated, UH said in a statement.

The University of Houstons interfraternity council has 14 houses listed on its website, including Pi Kappa Alpha. About 1,265 students participated in UH Greek life in spring 2017, the most recent figures available.
Houston is full of trendy, sophisticated bars with craft cocktails, but sometimes it's fun to immerse yourself in a kitschy or old-school theme instead.

You can throw on some cowboy boots and a blingy belt and line dance your way to Spring, Stafford or Conroe for some country-style partying.
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It was nearly killing them, but the Wright family of Dayton had a secret. They couldn't share it or risk violating a contract and costing themselves thousands of dollars. But the cat is out of the bag and not only does all of Liberty County know, but the nation now knows that the Wright family of Dayton scored big on Monday night when their Christmas spirit earned them ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight champion trophy for their spectacular Christmas display.

The family known around the community as the 'Christmas Family' for their labor of love each year manifest in their front yard were overwhelmed with the news.

"It's a neat thing to do," said Paul Wright otherwise known as Mr. Christmas, nicknamed by his family and friends.

SO CUTE: Dogs vs. Elf on the Shelf makes for hilarious photos

More Information WANT TO GO? --Began Thanksgiving night and ends January 1. --The address is 8605 FM 1960 between Dayton and Huffman --Park across the street or down CR 612 to safely see the display --The light display is free to the public See More Collapse

He said he becomes a 12-year-old every year around late August and the first of September.

"My thanks for the hard work and this award," he said, "is the people who come through with smiles and thank you for our efforts."

This year, that was no easy task and it may have been the reason it pushed the Wright display over the top for the national award.

Every year, the show accepts applications from larger-than-life Christmas displays around the country and pits them against each other in a friendly competition. They select celebrity judges to visit those displays, judge them, and offer the winners a beautiful trophy and cash prize.

In their episode, the Wrights competed against the Robinson family from Red Cross, NC, the Sussin family from Saugerties, NY, and the Albrecht family of Glenwood, Utah.

Judging their show was television personality and model Carter Oosterhouse, host of Carter Can, Million Dollar Rooms and other shows.

Last year, Paul hinted to the Dayton News that they were in negotiations with ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight, but neither had committed to the other and it was a big step the family would give more thought to before applying.

By January, Wright had committed to the show.

"We were approved almost immediately by the Light Fight show executives and then we had to get approved through ABC as well," he said as best as he understood it.

The application process was arduous.

"It was like buying a house we had so many pages in the contract," he said.

For months they waited, and it wasn't until July when they received official confirmation that they were 100 percent going to be on the show.

"My wife received a text or phone call," he said, "and she came into our shop at Advanced Restoration and Collision in Huffman and told me we had been approved and then she got on the phone and called all of the kids to tell them," he said excited.

There was a celebration at the Wright home that night.

The biggest requirement - keep it a secret. Wright said it was tough, but they understood that it wouldn't be much of a surprise if they spilled the beans.

The show is taped in October and the Wrights felt they needed the full 75-90 days to get ready, so work began in earnest in the relenting heat of August.

With the hot sun beating down mercilessly as they began their annual Christmas gig, the family said they would have to work smarter, not harder.

As the sun was going down, the roof of the house would cool, giving Patty and James opportunity to work feverishly to get the grid of lights on the house. Each bulb checked individually to make sure it was working and fit the color scheme that would eventually be a part of a light show to dazzle. That same process followed for all 150,000-plus lights throughout the display.

"We started with the archways and things we didn't have to mow around," he said.

Grass was a problem because it was still growing season and they had to consider that.

"We could weed-eat after that, but it takes between 89 hours to do," he said. Very tedious.

Each of the blow molds, some dating back to the 1960s, are fragile and could be easily damaged by the high-speed weed eater.

Once the display was finished, Wright said they only had to weed eat the entire acre a few times.

"Thankfully, we've had cool weather and it has almost stopped, except for the weeds," he said.

Next up were the 20-foot trees, light curtains on the house, and the displays on the end of the house.

They were feeling fairly confident by late August until they learned they would face the wrath of Hurricane Harvey.

While the storm winds were a mere 50-60 mph at the height of the storm, it still wreaked havoc on their hard work.

"The wind got some of it because it was relentless for four days," Paul said.

The driving rain loosened the earth so much that the anchors to the arches loosened and fell.

Saturday morning after the Friday night pounding, the rain slowed and both Paul and Patty were out in the driveway in ankle deep water trying to get the arches back up.

"We drove some stakes in the ground and that helped them stay up throughout the flood. We had to get some concrete to set on the base of the [Christmas] trees because they started floating," he said incredulously.

That was Friday, but Saturday and Sunday would bring devastating news.

James and Cynthia Wright (Paul's son and daughter-in-law) lived approximately 7 miles away from his dad's home.

"We were prepared to ride it [the storm] out in hopes that everything would be alright," James said.

"I was more worried about losing power than anything," he said.

They never lost power, but they lost so much more.

"I woke up in the middle of the night [Saturday], and it was already in the car even though we had parked our cars up closer to the roads, which were higher," his wife Cynthia said.

She woke her husband up and his thought was to at least get the car out. They would take the car up to his parents, a few minutes away, and then come back.

That was at 4 a.m. They left their child with a friend that was staying with them and he drove his truck and she drove her car, but the drive turned into more than an hour when the rising water caused an impasse at almost every turn.

"It was nerve-wracking because we didn't expect anything like that," seven-months pregnant Cynthia said.

Instead of returning to his parents, which seemed futile at that point, they parked the car on a nearby road that seemed to be in a good place from flooding and returned home to get what they could out of the house and leave.

"The water was already at about five inches from getting inside my truck when we pulled in," he said, "and I told her we only had about 15 minutes to get our son and my friend who had been staying with us and get out of the house," he said desperately.

By the time the four of them had escaped the house, Cynthia was wading out in water up to her pregnant stomach. It was frightening.

Cynthia's parents, who lived by, were also in trouble and had water coming in through the vents in the house. They had between four and five feet of water in the house.

The eight years they had spent building their lives was gone in a matter of hours. Everything.

James and Cynthia along with their son Aleister, their friend and her parents and their friend were now living with Paul and Patty - a total of 11 in the same house.

They weren't used to having so many at the house, but they've made due, Paul said.

Derrick, Paul's other son, and his wife, Kelley, said after the water went down, assessment began.

"We first had to see what was down and what was damaged, then we formulated a plan to get everything back up and working," he said. They would not be denied.

The ABC network was very helpful.

"We couldn't have worked with better people," Paul said. "They gave us an extra two weeks to finish things up. They were very understanding."

On Oct. 19, a scout group from the network arrived to begin working with the family before filming.

"They introduced themselves and told us what to expect to get us ready for the big event," Patty said.

One week later, Oct. 27, there were people everywhere.

"There must have been 30 people out here," the family said.

The third night, they said, was the longest night with the reveal night occurring.

"The wind was blowing, and it was actually cold that night, so we really did need winter clothes," Paul said. They usually require them to wear Christmas attire.

About a week after they had left Dayton and the taping was finished, they received a phone call telling them that some of the footage with the family was no good and they were going to have them do a retake.

"They told us to be dressed and ready and they would drop by to shoot the footage," Paul said.

The family dutifully did as they requested and after they arrived, they asked Paul to come outside because there was a problem with the display.

"I went outside and thought there might be a fire or something," he laughed.

"Then Carter was outside," he said to his surprise.

"We thought it was too soon for them to be back," Patty said.

But they asked all the family to come outside and that's when Oosterhouse gave them the good news that they had won not only the trophy, but a prize of $50,000.

The family said they haven't even sat down to discuss how the money will be spent.

"I can assure you though, the trophy will be around a lot longer than the $50,000 will," the family chuckled.

They didn't know what set them above the competition and earned them the win, but believe it could have been the DIY projects and that Texas' size sleigh and reindeer built and designed by Derrick and Kelley.

"We're grateful," he said.

Until that check comes in, every night until Christmas, the family spends time taking turns outside at the display greeting folks who come from out of town to those in the community to see the display.

His light bill?

"Around $250 for the month," he said.

Paul said he and his family were going to have a special Christmas this year, and not just because of the prize money, but the satisfaction of being able to share their spirit with the community and now, the nation.
Fort Bend and Brazoria County officials say residents who smell rotten eggs in the area should not be alarmed -- there's nothing harmful in the air.

But environmental experts say that line of thinking doesn't track.

"It doesn't follow that some people might find the smell 'overwhelming' but there is no risk to health," said Luke Metzger, state director of Environment Texas.

The smell is emanating from an oil spill that occurred last week at a well near the Fort Bend County Tollway and McHard Road in southwest Houston, according to Fort Bend County's Office of Emergency Management.

"Right now there is no danger," said Alan Spears, the county's deputy emergency management coordinator.

Spears did not know how much oil had spilled, but said it didn't leak past the property and the clean up is being handled by well-driller IWR Operating. The phone numbers listed for the company, based in Dallas, were incorrect or did not work.

The county office released an update on the incident Dec. 7, saying that the smell likely is from hydrogen sulfide -- a colorless, flammable gas that smells of rotten eggs.

Low concentrations of the gas can irritate a person's eyes, nose and throat and may cause breathing difficulties for individuals with asthma. Prolonged exposure can cause headache, fatigue and eye inflammation, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

However, Spears said Texas Commission on Environmental Quality officials have been monitoring the air since last week and have found no danger.

"There's a bad smell, for sure, but as far as particles in the air causing serious health issues, there's none of that," he said.

TCEQ officials said Monday they are investigating odor complaints related to this spill from residents.

On Saturday, Brazoria County posted a message on its Facebook page alerting individuals to the cause of the smell and informing them that there was "no immediate threat the public."

"The well was capped and the immediate emergency was clear," the post stated. "Currently, due to ongoing cleanup of the well and our current weather conditions, residents may notice the sulfur or rotten egg odor while outdoors."

Metzger is concerned that the risks of this incident are being downplayed by officials.

"We saw that happen during [Hurricane] Harvey where government officials said there was no threat only to see dozens of people call 311 to complain of bad smells and later data showing Houston ended up having the worst smog days of the year," he said.

Spears did not know when the smell would dissipate.

"As long as they're cleaning it up, it's on the ground and they'll probably stir it up," he said.

Alex Stuckey covers science and environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey
Three families whose relatives died of heat strokes at a Texas prison are asking a federal judge to bypass a jury trial in a wrongful death suit against several top officials because the prison destroyed key documents related to the fatalities.

The federal court filing Wednesday in Houston claims prison officials shredded vital evidence at the Gurney Unit near Tyler, including inspection logs and inmate complaints from 2011 and 2012 that could have shed light on whether water was delivered, fans were working and officials were doing everything they could to prevent deaths amid brutal summer heat in the dormitories.

The shredding took place despite earlier court sanctions against TDCJ for negligence handling of records in a separate lawsuit involving a heat-related death at the Hutchins Unit in Dallas, attorneys say.

The lawyers also say the prison system held onto an email for years that showed a regional prison director had been advised by medical officials about how widespread the heat deaths were in un-airconditioned units.

An official at the Gurney unit testified under oath at a recent deposition that he had just been hired when he oversaw a routine record shredding at the facility and said no one had instructed him to preserve the case documents, according to Wednesday's motion. He also testified that the warden who knew about the litigation had approved the document destruction.

"At a minimum, it reflects absolute incompetence on the part of the agency and the fact that they failed to notify us upon learning about this abuse is particularly disturbing," Austin attorney Jeff Edwards told the Houston Chronicle in an interview. Edward's firm represents the three families in the Gurney Unit death cases, as well as hundreds of inmates moved from the geriatric Pack Unit to air-conditioned prisons after a federal judge issued an emergency injunction in a separate lawsuit.

The motion filed Wednesday in the Gurney Unit case outlines a pattern of willful foot-dragging and outright obstruction by top officials that the families say merits drastic action from U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison, who presides over the majority of the state's prison heat cases.

The families have asked Ellison to enter a ruling on the case since a jury can no longer evaluate possible evidence of misconduct by prison officials. But if the judge wants the case to proceed to trial, the families are asking Ellison to instruct jurors that any missing evidence destroyed by the prison would have favored the arguments of the inmates' family members.

"The department intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations," said Jason Clark, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, who added he had not seen the motion filed in the case.

The joint wrongful death action involving the Gurney Unit was brought in 2013 by the families of Douglas Hudson, 62, and Kenneth Wayne James, 52, who died during heat waves in the summer of 2011. A third inmate, Rodney Adams, 45, died of heat exposure in August 2012, and all three deaths took place at the Gurney Unit in Tennessee Colony near Tyler. The families sued for monetary damages but also to prevent others from dying in the future from unmitigated heat inside the facility in the summertime.

The lawsuit claims that James died after officers ignored his pleas for help for seven hours because they have a policy that inmates cannot get medical care at night unless a lieutenant approves it.

Edwards' firm, along with the non-profit Texas Civil Rights Project, jointly filed the Gurney suit and a number of other lawsuits over heat deaths at other facilities, including the lawsuit brought by family members of Larry McCollum, a 58-year-old who died at the Hutchins Unit in Dallas in 2011.

The McCollum case is awaiting a ruling from an appeals court, but a federal judge in Dallas issued sanctions in January 2015 for the prison's failure to produce documents and investigate or interview key personnel about the events surrounding his death.

The Dallas judge ordered TDCJ and University of Texas Medical Branch to pay more than $200,000 in sanctions to McCollum's relatives for the extra work it will take to litigate after these breaches in the discovery process. Edwards said that failure by the prison amounted to "not playing fair," which had a devastating effect on the McCollum family.

"The lawyers didn't do their job," Edwards said in an interview. "Memories fade, documents get destroyed and we didn't have information at the time of depositions."

The motion filed in the Gurney lawsuit states that the prison had a duty to preserve the documents and officials knew it. In the wake of the McCollum sanctions, it says, it was egregious and "unfathomable" for officials to destroy evidence, since they cannot claim in good faith that they didn't know they needed to preserve it.

According to court documents, the destruction of evidence at the Gurney Unit occurred in October of 2014, four months after Tod Gillam, a new risk manager, was hired at the facility. A log at the Gurney Unit shows that documents from the time period of the men's deaths were destroyed on this officer's watch. Gillam testified at a deposition that he didn't know he was supposed to retain records related to the case, and the warden signed off on the disposal of six boxes of documents and forty floppy disks.

In addition, the motion says, the lawyers for the prison didn't talk to or interview this risk manager until May or June of 2017. The attorneys disclosed the information about the lost Gurney documents on July 25, 2017, days after Judge Ellison issued a historic ruling ordering air conditioning in the Pack Unit case.

The court filing Wednesday also highlights a 2011 email that a regional prison director received from a hospital in Palestine informing him that several inmate deaths had occurred the previous summer where inmates had body temperature of 105 or greater. The lawyers for the inmates' families say the high-ranking prison official who received this email subsequently denied knowing that the deaths were a widespread phenomenon.

They cite this email, which the family's lawyers didn't see for years, as an example why withholding documents is egregious and unfair conduct that makes it impossible for the families to prove what the prison knew about impact of the heat and their actions related to mitigating health problems.

Ashley Frantom, daughter of Rodney Adams, the third man to die of heat stroke at the Gurney Unit, was distressed to learn about the prison's conduct in the aftermath of her father's death.

"It's upsetting to know they're hiding the truth," she said.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Send her news tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com and follow her on Twitter.
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An 18-year-old Houston man who allegedly slept with a machete under his pillow and plotted a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS appeared in federal court Thursday briefly to waive his right to a bond hearing.

Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, who was born in the United States and is the child of U.S. citizens, stood shackled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo in Houston in an olive green jail-issue jumpsuit for a swift three-minute hearing.

His lawyer, Ashley Kaper, of the federal public defender's office, said her client wished to waive his right to a hearing, meaning he'll await trial in federal custody and federal agents won't outline their allegations in open court.

The judge asked him a series of rapid-fire questions, to see if he understood he was forgoing constitutionally guaranteed rights.

"Yes, m'am," he answered four times in a soft voice each time, directing his glance at the judge.

A federal prosecutor told the judge he anticipated the trial currently set for Feb. 12 would last three to four days.

On Wednesday, a federal grand jury indicted Damlarkaya of one count of providing material support to terrorists, two counts of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and two counts of unlawfully distributing explosive information, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement.

Damlarkaya faces up to 15 years in prison for providing material support to terrorists, the Justice Department said, and the other four charges each carry a maximum, 20-year sentence. All five charges carry potential, $250,000 fines, the Justice Department said.

Kaper, the public defender, declined to comment on the allegations.

He is the eighth person in Texas and third person in the Houston area charged with supporting ISIS, according to Seamus Hughes, an expert on homegrown terrorism plots at George Washington University's Program on Extremism.

The two other cases moved swiftly through the docket. Last week, Asher Abid Khan, 23, of Spring, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Houston, pleaded guilty to attempting to join the jihadist fight in Syria on behalf of ISIS. Another man, Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, Dec. 18 after pleading guilty last year to an ISIS bomb plot in the Houston area.

BOMB PLOT: FBI says teen planned local attack after he failed make it to Syrian front with ISIS

Authorities say Damlarkaya tried to join ISIS abroad or to plan an attack in the United States. According to court documents, Damlarkaya told a federal informant online that he wanted to die in "martyrdom" and had planned a firearms attack in the United States.

Federal investigators say Damlarkaya tried to reach ISIS in Syria in 2014 and again in 2015. He also purchased the parts to make a homemade AK-47, discussed bomb-making online and contemplated attacks with Samurai swords or machetes, stating that "not all of us can get a gun or make explosives, but we can afford to buy a $15 knife."

During these discussions in August, he asked an FBI source to publish a farewell video for him, if he died in an attack, according to the criminal complaint.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Send her news tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com and follow her on Twitter.

Robert Downen is a metro reporter at the Houston Chronicle. Send him news tips at robert.downen@chron.com.
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Just a couple of blocks north of Greens Bayou, the houses in Parkwood Estates bear the telltale signs: It's a Hurricane Harvey neighborhood.

On Olana Drive, where mobile homes and modest wood-frame houses took on several feet of water in Harvey's floods, residents are still remodeling and rebuilding. Many have put their homes up on blocks to keep them out of floodwater in the next storm. Up and down the street, houses appear to teeter on slim columns of concrete; some of them quiver high in the air, balanced precariously several feet above the muddy ground.

On Thursday, one resident's friends and family were trying to raise the house at 5414 Olana  a wood-frame built in 1940  when it collapsed, crushing two men who were working underneath it.

Both men were dead by the time first responders arrived, said Al Sterkx, a spokesman for the Eastex Fire Department.

"We had to lift the house off of them," he said.

The two men who died were friends and family trying to help out after the flood, said Roxana Lee, who lives in the neighborhood.

"All I know is that they were lifting the home and the home collapsed," she said.

The modest home has flooded at least twice, once in Harvey and earlier during Tropical Storm Allison, according to Harris County engineering records.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: From landfall to recovery, what you need to know about Harvey

"They were just trying to do a good deed, and it's pretty much a good deed gone bad," Lee said.

Late Thursday, law enforcement and emergency officials had not released the identities of the two men who died.

Two additional men were at the house Thursday morning, Sterkx said, but he couldn't confirm whether they were injured in the collapse.

The house fell at least 3 feet down and 5 feet to the side when it collapsed, Sterkx said  "it went down and then back." Emergency officials who responded to the entrapment call used air bags and a hydraulic tool to lift the house up and free the men's bodies.



Sterkx noted there was equipment, including a bottle jack, at the home indicating the work to lift the structure was ongoing. Piles of concrete blocks were stacked high in front of the house.

Lee said her husband's cousin, Bobby Godwin, owns the home and was trying to get it up on the concrete blocks like many of his neighbors.

The county had not issued a permit for elevating the home, said Harris County Engineering Department spokeswoman Dimetra Hamilton. The county did issue a permit in November for residential flood recovery, but Hamilton said that permit, which allows a homeowner to restore a home to its pre-flood condition, does not authorize raising the structure.

Alanna Reed, spokeswoman for the Houston's public works department, said the city requires a permit for elevating a home, and that home elevation projects must go through the city's structural inspection department.

"We discourage people from trying to elevate their own homes," she said.

All afternoon Thursday, neighbors and victims' family members stood in clusters on the street, waiting for information and consoling one another. Dogs wandered loose up and down the block.

The collapsed addition at the back of the house slumped to one side, a rear corner propped up on a couple of concrete blocks.

Godwin's low-slung wood frame house, painted white with red trim, has a gravel driveway and a chain-link fence in front. A broad drainage ditch separates the house from the street, setting it back a bit from the road  and reminding residents just how easily it can flood.

Olana Drive became a river during Harvey, said neighbor Jorge Torres, who lives in the next block.

"Water was up here," he said, raising his hand above his waist.

Now Playing: 12:00:00 Video: Fox 26 Houston

County records show that Godwin's home has flooded before. In September 2001, after Tropical Storm Allison, he and his wife applied for a permit to repair after the home filled with 44 inches of floodwater. The county declared it "substantially damaged" then, meaning the cost to repair was more than half the value of the home.

Lee said Godwin had wanted to raise the house because he didn't want it to take on water again the next time a heavy rain came through.

"This neighborhood has just flooded over and over and over," she said. "Every time we have a flood, it floods."

***

DEVELOPING STORM: Hurricane Harvey was the most destructive storm in Houston's history. The late-August storm dumped up to 60 inches of rain on southeast Texas, but the resulting damage was multiplied by actions taken  and not taken  during the past 50 years. Our seven-part series explains why the storm's damage was both a natural and man-made disaster.

Part 1: Nature ruled, man reacted. Hurricane Harvey was Houston's reckoning

Part 2: Build, flood, rebuild: flood insurance's expensive cycle

Part 3: What's in Houston's worst flood zones? Development worth $13.5 billion

Part 4: Harvey overwhelmed some levee systems. Future storms could do worse

Click here to read all of our Harvey coverage.

GET ENGAGED:

 Where do we go from here? Seven Houston-area leaders discussed flooding causes and solutions at a Greater Houston After Harvey forum hosted by the Houston Chronicle in early December. Watch Wednesday night's keynote address by Jim Blackburn, co-director of Rice University's Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center. Read his thoughts on living around water.

 Sign up for our Facebook community to share your Harvey story, engage with other community members and ask our reporters questions.

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A former assistant property manager at a Pasadena apartment complex has been accused of stealing more than $90,000 in tenants' rent checks, leading to her termination and felony theft charges in Harris County.

Mary Haynes, who had been in charge of collecting rent at the Park at Fairmont Apartments, had allegedly been pocketing rent payments from tenants for years, according to court records. She was arrested and charged Monday.

The Park at Fairmont property manager, Jodi Corley, first suspected Haynes after realizing that 31 rent payments were missing, and that shoddy record-keeping presented puzzling holes: From March through May 2017, Haynes had allegedly been recording that rent payments were made--even though they weren't actually deposited in the corporate bank account.

Corley began interviewing tenants at the apartment complex, who showed her receipts of money orders, court records show. Their checks had been made out to Haynes, but they said the money wasn't meant to go to Haynes personally. They had thought Haynes was collecting the checks for rent.

Instead, she had been bringing them to her bank and depositing the checks into her personal account, according to the criminal complaint.

In fact, the owner of GPM Check Cashing in Pasadena, Gary Perry, told police that Haynes had been cashing similar money orders for years, and that she had told him she owned a rental property.

Park at Fairmont's corporate office, Winther Investments, initiated an audit, finding missing rent payments dating back to July 2015 and continuing through May 2017.

Police identified at least 56 money orders made payable to Haynes and deposited through Texas First Bank and an additional 95 money orders deposited into a Chase Bank account.

An employee at the Park at Fairmont Apartments said the facility would have no comment. An employee at Winther Investments said a supervisor for the property would be returning a call for comment should they decide to discuss the case.

No attorney is listed for Haynes.

She was released Wednesday on a personal bond, with her underlying bail set at $100,000 should she fail to appear in court.
Yi-Chin Lee/Staff

It didn't take long for the Democrat who wants to unseat U.S. Ted Cruz to seize on Alabama's Senate results.

Minutes after Democrat Doug Jones was declared the winner Tuesday night in Alabama, El Paso Democrat Beto O'Rourke had a fundraising email out to his supporters explaining why Cruz, the freshman Republican from Houston, is going to be the next to lose a once-safe Senate seat.
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A group of masked thieves has lifted ATMs from five Houston hotels in a week, including a heist during which one robber showed a machete to Marriott Hotel employees, police said.

Lt. Cathy Richards, of the Houston Police Departments robbery division, said the group has so far targeted ATMs that are not secured to floors or walls, allowing them to finish their heists in under three minutes.

Witnesses have said the group has ranged between four and eight men.

"These guys go straight in the front door and out the front door," she said at a press conference Thursday. "They target these hotels in the middle of the night when there is low visibility.

Now Playing: For the third consecutive night, a group of masked men have gotten away with an ATM machine out of a Marriott hotel, Houston police said. Video: METRO Video

READ ALSO: Group of masked men strike Houston hotel for second time

Richards said its unclear how much cash has been in each ATM, and that the thieves are just betting on there being something in there.

"What's unique about this group right here is that there are numerous of them," Richards said. "So I think with more of them, they feel a little bolder."

The latest robbery came around 1 a.m. Thursday when police said a group of men stormed the Marriott Hotel on JFK Boulevard. Police said a valet tried to yell at the group as they fled the lobby, after which one lifted his shirt and showed a machete.

It was the third robbery at a Marriott in as many days, and the first in which Richards said the thieves indicated that they had weapons. In other heists, she said theyve only verbally threatened hotel employees -- including telling one, dont do anything and youll get home tonight.

READ ALSO: Masked mob strikes Galleria-area hotel

Around midnight Wednesday, about five to eight masked men raided a Courtyard by Marriott in west Houston, on Westheimer in the West Chase area.

Early Tuesday morning, a group of seven to ten men hit up a Galleria-area Marriott and sped away with the unbolted ATM in two Dodge Magnums and a Chevy Impala.

A Frontier Hotel on JFK Boulevard and a Double Tree Hotel on the Southwest Freeway were also robbed late last week, Richards said.

It seems to be city-wide so far, she said.

Richards also warned citizens not to do anything that would cause you to get hurt, should they be victims of robberies.

Just be a really good witness, she said. Cooperate with what their instructions are.

A spokeswoman for Marriott declined on Thursday to comment on details of the incidents, as this is an active police investigation.

We are grateful that no one was hurt in any of these incidents, company spokeswoman Hunter Hardinge said in an email. We are working closely with local authorities and providing whatever assistance we can to aid them in apprehending those responsible for these crimes.
After surrendering to FBI officials early Thursday, a local CEO appeared before a federal judge in Houston three times Thursday to arrange bond on allegations he participated in a $32 million securities and wire fraud scheme.

By the afternoon, Ray Charles Davis, 62, had executed a $50,000 secured bond along with an additional $200,000 unsecured bond. He agreed he would not discuss business matters with two family members who are employees at the company and have been identified as potential witnesses and possibly co-conspirators.

Davis, who was CEO of Behavioral Recognition Systems Inc., a technology company, faces a 21-count indictment handed down by a grand jury Dec. 7, for embezzling money from his company, defrauding people who invested in the Houston firm and leading them to purchase shares based on false and misleading statements.

Specifically, federal prosecutors say he made false statements to investors regarding his salary, how the proceeds of their investments would be used and the financial condition of the company, defrauding his investors of $32 million and unlawfully embezzling more than $11 million from his business.

The company sells the technology behind business security systems, including video monitoring, artificial intelligence, facial recognition software and other products.

At the afternoon bond hearing Davis, who uses a feeding tube and suffers from hypoglycemia, was led into the courtroom by U.S. Marshals wearing ankle cuffs.

Davis pleaded not guilty to the charges and entered into a bond agreement. His wife was going to try to secure $50,000 before the offices shut down for the day. The judge seized his passport, but granted him permission to leave Houston to attend a Miami boat show so that he could attempt to sell an antique boat.

Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin said his client is not guilty of the charges.

"There's a lot more to this than is in the indictment," he said. "We're going to fight this, it's going to take awhile, it's going to be complex."

Davis and his son Charles face an ongoing civil suit over related matters.

Davis appeared in the morning in shackles and handcuffs in a wearing a charcoal business suit and white dress shirt and shoes.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on the securities fraud charge and on each of the 20 counts of wire fraud.

The FBI led the investigation along with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A Houston METRO worker is being hailed as a hero on social media after the agency posted a video of him saving two people from a late-night vehicle crash.

Leang "Terry" Ear was alerted to a vehicle crash near the 66th Street rail crossing in east Houston late at night on Nov. 20. According to a video posted on Houston METRO's Facebook page on Wednesday, the vehicle crashed head-on into a light post near a rail crossing.

HIGH MARKS: Federal review gives metro mostly clean marks

A cyclist is seen flagging down the Houston METRO worker, who then runs over to the vehicle and works quickly to remove the two crash victims.

"Seeing an accident, no one's around, pretty much your instinct is you gotta go, you gotta help, you gotta do what you can," Ear says in the video.

Luckily for the passengers, Ear was flagged down just in time, as the vehicle is seen bursting into flames as two people are pulled away from the crash. Both victims survived.

As of Thursday around noon, the video has been viewed 1,400 times on Facebook. Many of the comments called the worker a hero, praising his efforts in saving the passengers.

METRO planned to honor Ear for his heroism at the board of directors meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

See the whole rescue in the video above.





Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.
A Texas woman has been arrested after she allegedly let her 7-year-old son sit on her lap and help drive her car because she was too drunk to drive.

Carrie Lynn Fink, 41, of Lufkin, is being held at Angelina County Jail on charges of child endangerment and driving while intoxicated with a child under the age of 15 in the car, both which are felonies, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by Chron.com.
Police say a Dallas-area surgeon shot himself in the head with a shotgun after killing his 5-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.

Dr. Christopher Dawson, 36, killed himself early Saturday morning, a ruling by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office revealed. The medical report shows that Dawson's daughter Aubrey was shot in the head and his son Luke was shot in both the head and torso.
Now Playing: A North Side high school was placed on lockdown Thursday morning, Dec. 14, after a student received threatening text messages from her boyfriend, according to a San Antonio ISD official. Video: Caleb Downs, mySA

A San Antonio high school was placed on lockdown Thursday morning after a teenager threatened over text message to come to the school with a gun and attack his ex-girlfriend, authorities said.



The suspect, a man in his late teens, has since been arrested and the lockdown at Travis Early College High School, in the 1900 block of North Main Avenue, has been lifted. No one was injured in the incident.



Leslie Price, a spokeperson for San Antonio ISD, said the teen suspect threatened his ex-girlfriend sometime Thursday morning and that school officials initiated the lockdown.



Officer Doug Greene, a spokesperson for the San Antonio Police Department, said police responded around 11 a.m. after they were notified of the threatening texts.

RELATED: Witnesses pull man from flaming SUV after rollover crash on Broadway
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AUSTIN -- The 2018 election for the job of the state's top lawyer could be a tight race if voters go to the polls knowing about Attorney General Ken Paxton's criminal indictment, according to a Democratic pollster.

GBA Strategies, a Democratic polling operation based in Washington D.C., surveyed 500 likely Texas voters and found Paxton, the Republican incumbent, enjoyed a 7 percentage point lead over Austin attorney Justin Nelson, a Democratic newcomer, the firm reported in a memo Wednesday released by the Nelson campaign.

Once voters were informed of Paxton's 2015 felony indictment and attacks on Nelson, respondents shifted their support, giving Nelson a 1 point lead, according to the firm. The survey, which was conducted Oct. 9 through Oct. 12, has a 4.4 percentage point margin of error and 95 percent confidence interval.

Paxton's spokesman called foul on the study and expressed confidence Paxton will be reelected.

"This was a typical fundraising stunt, not a poll, conducted over 2 months ago for the sole purpose of propping up the Democrats' last-minute desperation candidate," said Matt Welch, Paxton's campaign spokesman.

Asked why he would release two-month-old poll numbers, Nelson said he thought the results would be just as valid after the Dec. 11 candidate filing deadline as in October given no other candidates filed to run for the office.

"We didn't know whether Paxton would be the only candidate on the GOP side until Monday night," he said. "The race just got set on Monday night," he said.

Months after Paxton took office, the Collin County Republican faced a pair of first degree felony criminal securities fraud charges and a third degree felony charge for failing to register with the state as an investment adviser. A federal civil court judge dismissed the charges, although Paxton has yet to face trial in state criminal court. Paxton maintains his innocence and argues he is the victim of a political witch hunt.

Paxton is unopposed in the Republican primary but is poised to face off against Nelson in the November general election.

The poll also found Texas voters split on whether they approve of President Trump, finding 49 percent approve and 49 percent disapprove.

Andrea Zelinski covers politics, the attorney general and courts for the Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.
AUSTIN -- In 16 years no employee in the Texas Senate has reported a formal sexual harassment complaint with the Secretary of Senate, the office that is supposed to handle such issues.

While some might take that to mean the Senate's stated zero tolerance approach on the issue has prevented any problems, others are questioning why potential victims don't feel comfortable reporting inappropriate behavior they experience or are witnessing.

"It seems odd to me," Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, said during a hearing on the topic on Thursday.

Garcia was more blunt after the hearing, saying zero complaints in 16 years doesn't jive with reality.

"Those numbers don't reflect what is really going on out there," she said.

That is definitely one of the issues the Senate is going to consider as it looks to revise its policies and procedures on how sexual harassment is handled, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham said. While it's laudable that the Senate has had a policy on the books since 1995 dealing with sexual harassment, Kolkhorst said there has to be a deeper review of those rules to make sure they are as good as they can be and give victims confidence they can come forward.

"Today is the beginning of a process," Kolkhorst said.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has instructed the Senate's Administration Committee, which Kolkhorst leads, to review the Senate's rules and procedures in light of the growing public attention on the topic.

That hearing comes nearly two weeks after the Texas House held a similar hearing to create new sexual harassment policies. And the hearings come as sexual misconduct has resulted in many celebrities, media personalities and politicians losing their jobs over the past two months.

During Thursday's hearing, lawmakers learned that while the Senate offers sexual harassment prevention training once every two years, not all Senators and their staffs get the training. It is mandatory training for the staff of the secretary of the Senate and for the lieutenant governor's office. But individual senators and their staffs do not have to attend the training.

Also, lawmakers got assurances from the Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw that there is no secret fund to pay out sexual harassment claims in Texas as was the case in Congress. In addition, she said that as far as she knew, there have been no payments made to settle sexual harassment claims since she became the Secretary of the Senate in 2001.

Spaw assured lawmakers that her office takes any issues on the topic with sincerity.

"I know I have always taken it seriously," Spaw said.

After the hearing, Spaw said some individual Senate offices may have handled sexual harassment issues on their own but she did not provide details. She said the only formal complaint handled by her office was in 2001, but she refused make public details of that case. She only said people lost their jobs and it was an issue between staff members and didn't involve elected senators.

One of the problems with the current system is that there is no accountability or reporting procedure for how individual Senate offices are handling sexual harassment issues, Garcia said.

"No one is tracking those numbers," she said.

State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, raised concerns too about the Senate's policies. She said the policy on sexual harassment is spelled out on Page 95 of the 95-page employee handbook. She said it appears to be because of how things are alphabetically listed, but questioned if the procedures should be earlier in the handbook.

"At first I was horrified," Zaffirini said.

While Senators said they will take reports of sexual harassment and assault seriously, a high-ranking official in the state attorney general's office this week referred to the women's "me too" stories as "pathetic" on Facebook.

"Aren't you also tired of all the pathetic 'me too' victim claims? If every woman is a 'victim', so is every man. If everyone is a victim, no one is. Victim means nothing anymore," wrote Andrew D. Leonie, an Associate Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation.

Amid criticism of his comment, the attorney general's office announced late Thursday Leonie had tendered his resignation, which was effective immediately.

"The views he expressed on social media do not reflect our values. The OAG is committed to promoting and maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment," read a statement from Marc Rylander, a spokesman for the attorney general's office.

Leonie make the comment on his Facebook page at 2:40 a.m. Wednesday when sharing an article by the Federalist titled, "Can we be honest about women?" The teaser line to the story reads, "Here's a little secret we have to say out loud: Women love the sexual interplay they experience with men, and they relish men desiring their beauty."

Reporter Andrea Zelinski contributed to this report. Jeremy Wallace writes about state politics and government for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter at @JeremySWallace.
The latest Star Wars film hits theaters Friday and fans all over the world can't wait to see where the storied franchise takes its characters.

The last film, 2015's "The Force Awakens," ended with Rey finding the long lost Luke Skywalker on a remote world. Previews for "The Last Jedi" hints that Rey is developing the Force with Luke, while the Resistance battles the New Order.
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.
ABCNews.com(PHILADELPHIA) -- A cow created a not-so-silent night in Philadelphia this week.



The cow, nicknamed Stormy, escaped not once, but twice from a living nativity scene at the Old First Reformed United Church of Christ in Philadelphia.



Stormy took off around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and hoofed it to the highway.



Philadelphia police were able to box in Stormy with their cars and tie a rope around her neck. She was guided off the highway and back to the nativity scene.



But just a few hours later police tweeted that the cow had escaped again.



According to ABC News affiliate WPVI, Reverend Michael Caine of Old First Reformed UCC had tried to stop the 1,500 pound bovine when she made her second escape, but was unsuccessful.



Stormy then headed toward the upper level of a nearby parking garage, where her handlers and police were able to capture her again. According to WPVI, one of the state troopers who responded knew how to handle the situation because he owns a cattle ranch.



Stormy was returned for a second time to her pen in the churchs nativity scene, which also includes two sheep and two donkeys.



Old First Reformed UCC said in a statement that its creche was vandalized. The gate was opened and Stormy, the cow, escaped onto the south bound ramp of I-95.



People have recently expressed concern over the animals welfare in the nativity scene, Caine told WPVI.



She's not cold. She's been shown since she's a baby. She's not unnerved by the people or the city's commotion, according to a Facebook post from the church. Life in a barn isn't always easy.



Caine told WPVI that the church has put on the nativity scene display since 1973.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
After serving the Yellowstone Art Museum for more than 11 years as executive director, Robyn Peterson took off for her home state of California to take on leadership of an art museum.

Board members, artists and patrons of the Yellowstone Art Museum gave her a sendoff last week that included T-rex sweeping her off to warmer climes and a champagne toast by Bob Durden, who has been named co-director with Carol Green to run the museum until a replacement for Peterson is found.

It may take a while.

Made it look easy

Petersons skills were multi-layered, and she always made the job seem easier than it is.

Local artists say she forged connections with them and cultural leaders say she bought in world-class art and nurtured a climate of collaboration instead of competition.

Part of her vision for the Visible Vault, beyond showcasing the YAM's extensive permanent collection, was to feature working artists.

It started with Tracy Linder, of Molt, and has included more than a dozen artists, most of whom are from Eastern Montana. One of the featured artists was Billings sculptor Brian Scott, who is hopeful that the Visible Vault artist program continues.

She immersed herself in local art and really took the time to find out who we are, Scott said.

One of the best parts of working in the studio at the Visible Vault was interacting with school groups who come through on tours.

Nobody has said no to them yet; thats the great thing about working with kids, Scott said.

Billings artist Jon Lodge, who has also served on the YAM Board of Directors, sees Petersons work from both sides.

There are many layers of preparedness and organization, getting all the details behind the scenes, Lodge said. She oversaw the whole creative process and led the board on the financial aspect to overseeing a museum.

Scott added: Shes got the Captain Kirk thing going. Maybe youve got to send the red guy to the dark planet to save the ship.

Longer stay

When she first arrived, Peterson said she planned to stay six years. Even though she missed the sunny California skies, Peterson stayed more than 11 years, a testament to how much she loved the people of Billings and the YAM.

Billings artist Patrick Zentz, whose 'Pool," on the first floor of the museum is always a big hit with visitors, said Peterson built on the permanent collection, honoring artists like Zentz by including their work in it.

As an artist, Im thrilled to have my art in the permanent collection of an incredible museum that is in the black so we know it will be here.

Having a strong leader at a cultural anchor in Montana helps secure the standing of other cultural entities, like the Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale. Darren Rich, executive director of the BSO&C, said through her hard work and passion for the arts, Peterson taught him how to lead.

I consider her as a mentor for guidance, Rich said. She set an example for strong leadership.

Collaboration between the cultural arts entities was encouraged by Peterson. Thats not always the case when arts organizations are seeking funding.

She always encouraged working together, Rich said.

As she stood under a wall-size Keith Herring graffiti painting, Billings architect Kim Olson said she appreciated the world-class art Peterson brought to Billings.

"In a place such as Billings, to have the quality of museum that we have here is phenomenal," Olson said.

And it's not just the YAM that benefited from Peterson's tenure. At the Dec. 1 ArtWalk, thousands of people were downtown, and galleries like the Toucan Gallery were so crowded, people were lined up outside to get in.

"Everything revolves around the museum," Toucan owner Mark Sanderson said. "Downtown is the cultural center of Billings and the museum is a big part of that."
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AKRON, Ohio - Detectives are searching for a driver who ran from a crash that killed a passenger in a stolen vehicle Wednesday in Akron, police said.

Investigators have not released any information about the passenger who died in the crash that happened just before 2 p.m. on Eastland Avenue near Niagara Avenue.

A 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt was westbound when it went off the right side of the road and struck a tree. The car then hit a fire hydrant, rolled over and came to a stop by a retaining wall, police said.

The driver ran from the crash before officers arrived, police said.

The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office will perform an autopsy.

Detectives learned the car was stolen Tuesday from Kipling Street near Inman Street in Akron, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Akron Police Department's detective bureau at 330-375-2490, police said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An Akron man currently serving a prison sentence for dealing heroin is now charged in federal court with selling fentanyl.

A Summit County judge in November dismissed a Common Pleas Court indictment that linked LeTroy Vaughn to the 2015 overdose death of Wadsworth man Eric Ward. But a federal grand jury indicted Vaughn Wednesday on a distribution of fentanyl charge.

Federal prosecutors say Vaughn, 26, sold the fentanyl on Sept. 27, 2015. The U.S. Attorney's Office is still trying to determine whether Vaughn can be charged in federal court in connection with Ward's death, a spokesman said.

Vaughn was first charged last year in state court in the death of Ward, a 25-year-old lead installer for Stone Tech in Richfield. Ward was found in a car in a McDonald's parking lot on Copley Road on Sept. 28, 2015, authorities said.

A Summit County grand jury indicted Vaughan on Feb. 22; by that time he was already serving a five-year prison sentence from a prior heroin trafficking case. But Common Pleas Judge Christine Croce dismissed the case Nov. 9, saying Vaughn's speedy trial rights had been violated.

Vaughn sent required paperwork from prison to the Akron Municipal Court and the city prosecutor's office after he was charged in the case, but before a Summit County grand jury indicted him, Croce wrote. That paperwork, which triggered Vaughn's right to a stand trial within 180 days, got lost and the 180-day deadline passed without a trial, Croce ruled.

"We are relieved for the victim's family that this offender will not escape justice on a legal technicality," Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said in a news release announcing Vaughn's indictment in federal court.

The federal indictment does not contain a "death specification." The U.S. Attorney's Office can add a death specification if federal prosecutors can prove a drug caused someone's death. Death specifications carry mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years in federal prison, unless prosecutors come to an agreement with a defendant.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is reviewing whether a death specification can be added to Vaughn's case to specifically link him to Ward's death, a spokesman said.

Vaughn is incarcerated in the Belmont Correctional Institution.

The federal case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio Auditor Dave Yost's has directed his staff to review Cuyahoga County's practice of awarding extra pay to salaried employees as part of the county's next state audit.

During a Thursday interview with the editorial board for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, Yost said he has followed news coverage of the pay issue. Contacted by cleveland.com over Yost's comments, county officials said Yost notified them of his concerns in a Dec. 8 letter.

As previously reported by cleveland.com, an internal county audit earlier this year found the county administration had improperly paid salaried employees extra pay for working more than 40 hours a week, amounting to about $1.7 million over three years.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish at first defended the practice -- including producing a written opinion from his law director which he said authorized it -- but on Dec. 1 backed down and apologized for his "defensiveness" over the issue. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley had found the Budish administration violated the county's governing charter by issuing the payments, since the practice had not been approved by the county's elected council.

In his Dec. 8 letter to Budish and other county officials, Yost wrote: "The [auditor's office] has determined that the opinion of Prosecutor O'Malley on this subject is well-reasoned and appears to be consistent with applicable provisions of the County charter and the County Policies and Procedures manual."

(Scroll down to the bottom of this post to read the full letter, or click here for a PDF.)

Yost's assessment on Thursday was less formal, but functionally the same: "I read both the county prosecutor's ruling on this which in essence said, 'You've got to be kidding' and then the [county] attorney's opinion which was 'Sure, you can do that, boss!'"

Yost later added: "I've already given direction that it needs to be part of the next fiscal year financial audit."

Yost indicated it was possible his office could require the county to pay the money back, depending on what his auditors find. The Budish administration this week asked County Council to grant permission to continue the practice.

Yost on Thursday also weighed in on the county's ongoing struggles to balance its checkbook. Year-end discrepancies between the county's books and bank balances total around $1.7 million, county officials have said, and may date back as far as 20 years, to the former commissioner form of county government. If they can't account for the difference, county officials have said they might write the unreconciled balance off.

"I hate to say this, but at some point it's far enough back," Yost said. "In private-sector business and in government, what you end up having to do is make an adjustment to the financials to reflect your position. Yes, that's a lot of money. But it's not in the audit world considered to be material."

Yost was in town to promote an initiative he recently launched to help the public track the fiscal condition of local governments. The state auditor's office "financial health indicators" test found nine cities, including Akron, East Cleveland, Lorain and Maple Heights, showed signs of fiscal stress in 2016.

Yost is a Republican who is running for Ohio attorney general. Budish, O'Malley and many other Cuyahoga County officials are Democrats.
The Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale Presents "Holiday Pops: A Dickens Christmas" in performances Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Alberta Bair Theater.

The holiday pops concert features Daniel Nickerson as the narrator and Bret Weston as vocal soloist.

Director Anne Harrigan said her concept for the concert was to recreate the feeling of Christmas before Black Friday, shopping malls and elevator music took over.

"We begin with the inspiring, 'God Bless Us Everyone' from 'A Christmas Carol,' and travel through a kaleidoscope of musical selections that paint a picture of the vibrancy of London life during Dickens' time," Harrigan said.

Tunes of the Dickens era, such as the Boars Head Carole and Here we come a Wassailing, will be performed along with singalongs and lesser-known melodies that evoke the festiveness of London at Christmas  without the smoke.

Vaughan Williams "Fantasia on Christmas Carols," featuring Weston, ranges from mystical to infectious and jovial, Harrigan said.

Nickerson will perform all of the characters in "A Christmas Carol," set to accompaniment.

"Just wait until you hear his Scrooge and Tiny Tim," Harrigan said.

Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" in just a few weeks in October 1843. By Christmas of that year, 6,000 copies were sold, calling for another printing. Two months after its first publication, eight stage productions were in the works.

At the time in Victorian England, Christmas as we know it today was not celebrated. Dickens helped to change that with his themes of unity, family and feasting, in "A Christmas Carol." The work was Dickens response to the egregious use of child labor in the mines and factories; it was his way of bringing these issues to the public eye. During a reading of "A Christmas Carol" in Chicago in 1867, a prominent business owner was so moved by the story he shut down his factory on Christmas Day and gave turkeys to all his employees.

"A Christmas Carol" has been adapted to the stage over 40 times and to film over 20 times, most recently in the November theatrical release of "The Man Who Invented Christmas" starring Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge. It has been adapted to TV, radio, graphic novels and other books. "A Christmas Carol" has never been out of print since its first publication over 150 years ago.

Nickerson will bring the story to the stage. Since moving to Billings in 2011, he has performed at the Billings Studio Theater, Venture Theatre, Prince Theater and Helena Theatre Company. In the fall of 2013, he took over as Youth Director for NOVA Center of the Performing Arts. He has performed as Hector Berlioz in Symphonie Fantastic, the BSO&Cs premiere of "Behind the Scenes." Most recently, he played Mother Goose and Alexander T. Wolf in the BSO&C's family concert, "The True Story the Three Little Pigs."

Weston is in his 24th year performing with the Billings Symphony Chorale. He attended MSU Bozeman and studied vocal performance under Lowell Hickman. During his vocal career, Weston has performed with Venture Theatre, Billings Studio Theatre, Rimrock Opera Company and the BSO&C. He performed as a soloist in 2016s Symphony in the Park, and most recently was a featured soloist in "Luthers Legacy" concerts in November.

Tickets are available online at billingssymphony.org or by calling 252-3610.
WESTLAKE, Ohio -- When Leslie J. Dus chats about the Westlake fixer-upper that he purchased more than a decade ago and turned into a showpiece, there's a lot more to his renovation story than ripping out walls to create a Great Room and laying beautiful floors.

There's also the part about the house having ties to Northeast Ohio's most famous homicide.

Dus' home on Bradley Road once belonged to the Eberling family, as in Richard Eberling, who some are convinced brutally murdered Marilyn Sheppard, and not her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, who originally was convicted of the 1954 slaying. Eberling washed windows at the Sheppard's lakefront home in Bay Village. He later went on to commit crimes, including an arrest for larceny that turned up cash and Marilyn Sheppard's cocktail ring, and homicide, convincing some that the wrong man was sent to prison.

"Richard Eberling was the foster child of the Eberlings, and they owned this whole area," says Dus (pronounced deuce), who, with his wife, Deborah Riggs, purchased the home in 2005. "The house was built in 1893, and it was in the Eberling family for a number of years before they sold it."

A little creepy? Not really, says Dus, who even found Sheppard's auto salesman business card stashed in a drawer of a desk that was left in the home after the Eberlings moved, and it remained there through subsequent owners.

"I thought that was kind of weird," Dus adds. "This was the guy who probably killed his [Sheppard's] wife, and they still remained in contact after Sheppard got out of jail."

As it stands now, Dus' 5,200-square-foot home with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths has gone from being severely divided inside to having a high-ceilinged, wide-open first floor - so open that it's possible to walk a complete circle from the front door through all of the living areas, back to the entrance.

"This house was very compartmentalized before," Dus explains. "We opted to blow out everything that wasn't a load-bearing wall and open it up.

Some of the home's original features, such as the living room fireplace and kitchen hearth, were kept and improved because of the character that they lend.

"I love saving history, because I have great respect for it," says Dus, who is president of Benefits Management Agency Inc., a company that sets up health and pension programs.

The fireplace was converted to floor-to-ceiling dimensions, and a mahogany surround was added. The kitchen hearth was converted to a Volga Blue Granite-topped buffet used for family and friends to self-serve. Blue Pearl Granite accents the kitchen island and the six-burner stove.

Tall windows were installed to allow natural light to flood the home. To add warmth to airy areas, Dus coffered some ceilings and added other kinds of textured wood to others. From the mahogany fireplace surround to the staircase, and from the floors to shelving, wood warms the entire home. Other floors are done in brushed and polished Brazilian black slate.

Dus believes in color.

"I chose every color in the home," he says of the terra cotta, summer red, lavender and other shades that bring the rooms to life. "There isn't a white wall in this house except for the ceilings. I think that looks antiseptic."

The walls are decorated with a lot of art, in a big variety of mediums, including paintings by his brother, Laszlo, who lives in Budapest, Hungary, and a Babylonian area rug that his mom picked up in the Middle East.

"I didn't want anyone to walk on it, so I cut it up in strips and hung it around the house," Dus says.

There were setbacks during the renovation, of course. Part of a ceiling collapsed. And, ironically, there was crime involved. With his wife and stepson living elsewhere, Dus stayed in the home while the renovation went on around him, but he decided to leave while the work was going on.

"No sooner did I move off site than the place was robbed," he remembers. "They took all of the copper, all of the workman's tools and anything else sitting here. It seems they were robbing construction sites around here."

Thanks to some nifty police work, just about everything was recovered, Dus adds.

People who are familiar with the history of the home still occasionally stop by out of curiosity, but others come for other reasons.

"We used to get people who were interested in the connection to Richard Eberling," Dus says. "Now we just get people who stop by and say 'thank you' for turning this into such a beautiful home."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You probably heard that last week Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise to his Evangelical base and ordered the United States to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

But I bet you didn't know that the idea -- sometimes called Christian Zionism -- goes all the way back to the Protestant Reformation and the Puritans.

Increase Mather, John Cotton and later, Jonathan Edwards, were all in favor of the process, which was then called "Jewish Restoration."

I am not a theologian, but if I understand correctly, the idea is that the occupation of the Holy Land by the Jewish people, as prophesied in the Bible, must flourish to bring about the end times and the second coming of Christ.

And you know what that means: Armageddon, the final battle, the last days, the 1,000 reign and the rapture.

So it doesn't seem to matter to America's 50 million Evangelicals if Trump's decision leads to unrest in the Middle East or even to a world war -- because if you're trying to bring about the end of the world as we know it, peace is the last thing you're interested in.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Officials in Lake County have filed a lawsuit against more than a dozen drug manufacturers and distributors amid an opioid epidemic that has caused thousands of deaths across the state.

The 265-page lawsuit, which was filed Monday in Lake County Common Pleas Court, claims drug companies engaged in deceptive marketing of painkillers, despite knowing the dangers the drugs could cause.

The suit alleges drug companies were acting out of greed when they allowed doctors to over-prescribe powerful opioids. Such tactics led to drug overdoses and children being born dependent on painkillers, and caused an increase in the number of resources Lake County needed to direct toward helping orphaned children whose parents were killed by overdoses or arrested for drug-related offenses, the lawsuit claims.

"Defendants' deceptive and and unfair marketing campaign deprived county residents and their doctors of the ability to make informal medical decisions, and, instead caused important, sometimes, life-or-death decisions to made based not on science, but on hype," Lake County officials said in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit names some of the largest and most powerful companies in the pharmaceutical industry as defendants. Purdue Pharma LP, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, McKesson Corporation and Cardinal Health are named in the suit.

The lawsuit asks a court to make the companies pay Lake County for costs related to the epidemic, "all legal equitable relief" and attorney fees.

Lake County's suit is one of several filed against drug companies across the state. Cuyahoga County officials previously filed a lawsuit that accuses drug companies of intentionally misleading the public about the dangers of opioids to sell more painkillers, and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed over the summer against some of the same manufacturers.

Lake County's lawsuit says that from 2006 to 2016, drug companies distributed 900,000 grams of opioids throughout the county. From 2009 to 2011, companies nearly distributed enough prescription painkillers for every man, woman and child in Lake County, according to the lawsuit.

Officials nationwide have said prescription drug abuse is inextricably linked to heroin and fentanyl abuse, and the opioid epidemic that claimed thousands of lives last year in Ohio. In 2016, more than 4,050 people died of unintentional drug overdoses across the state, with many of those being caused by opioids.

Opioid overdose deaths nearly tripled last year in Lake County, statistics show. The coroner's office attributed 72 deaths last year to heroin, fentanyl or a combination of the two drugs. That's up from the 28 people killed by those drugs in 2015 and the 27 who died in 2014, the coroner's office said.

Statistics show there were 77 drug overdose deaths in Lake County through Tuesday, but that total includes deaths caused by opioids and other drugs such as cocaine, the coroner's office said.

A Cleveland federal judge will preside over 64 lawsuits filed against drug companies by cities and counties across the country. Of the 64 cases, 16 originated from Ohio and include lawsuits filed by the cities of Cincinnati and Dayton. It also includes lawsuits filed by two Northeast Ohio cities, Parma and Lorain.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.
LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio -- Lorain County officials have filed a lawsuit against more than 20 drug manufacturers and distributors in response to the growing and devastating opioid epidemic that has wreaked havoc on the area.

The 258-page complaint filed Wednesday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court alleges that the companies were deceptive and misleading in how they marketed prescription opioids, despite knowing the dangers of the drugs.

The lawsuit names 25 large drug companies including Purdue Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Ends Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuit asks for damages and a trial.

The suit alleges companies acted out of corporate greed and prioritized profits over the well-being of Lorain County residents. It also alleges racketeering.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits against opioid manufacturers. Lake County and Cuyahoga County made similar claims in lawsuits filed recently in those counties.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine also filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state earlier this year.

Lorain County has spent large amounts of money to combat the epidemic. From 2011 to 2016 the county had a 26.2 drug overdose death rate per 100,000 population, which was among the highest in the state, the suit says.

"We're seeing so many people dying, my department didn't sign up for this," Lorain County coroner Dr. Stephen Evans said Thursday. "We are in the middle of an epidemic."

The Lorain County Coroner's office has asked county commissioners for more funding in each of the last five years in order to deal with the opioid epidemic, Evans said.

From 2000 to 2009 the county averaged about 12.5 overdose deaths a year. In 2016 that number was 132, and Evans anticipates 2017 will be even deadlier.

"We have 10 times the number of overdose deaths we have historically seen," he said. "It's become the leading problem in Lorain County, the state and the United States. Every person that dies, there's going to be costs I can't control."

Lorain County Commissioner Lori Kokoski said almost all of the county's departments have been impacted by the opioid epidemic.

"It's devastating families, it's devastating counties, costing money as far as crime with the court system and the jail and the probation department and the coroner dealing with all the deaths," she said.

Solving the issue will take more education, prevention and better methods of recovery, Evans said.

Lorain County's lawsuit seeks money to offset costs related to the opioid epidemic.

"Lorain County is not unique by any means with this," Kokoski said. "Everyone is affected and dealing with it. I can't believe this is happening in our country."

Lorain County's lawsuit alleges the drug companies spent millions of dollars on advertising that misrepresented the risks of using opioids to treat chronic pain.

Drug companies deployed sales representatives who gave misleading information to doctors who prescribed opioids, the lawsuit says.

Drug companies also directed certain doctors to deliver scripted talks, draft misleading studies and present medical education programs "that were deceptive and lacked balance," the lawsuit says.

"Defendants and the third parties whom they recruited and supported, all profited handsomely through their dissemination of these deceptions," the lawsuit says.

A Cleveland federal judge will preside over 64 lawsuits filed by cities and counties across the country. Of the 64 cases, 16 originated from Ohio and include lawsuits filed by the cities of Cincinnati and Dayton. It also includes lawsuits filed by two Northeast Ohio cities, Parma and Lorain.

Officials nationwide have said prescription drug abuse is inextricably linked to heroin and fentanyl abuse, and the opioid epidemic that claimed thousands of lives last year in Ohio. In 2016, more than 4,050 people died of unintentional drug overdoses across the state, with many of those being caused by opioids.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section.
MACEDONIA, Ohio - It's raining hard, but 10-year-old Tiffany Everhart and her best friend, Jenny, race through the downpour so as not miss even one minute of action at the Fun 'n' Stuff Amusement Park.

The girls have a list of the things they want to do and in what order. Roller skating, bumper cars and laser tag are at the top. But the bungie jump captures their attention while Tiffany's mother, Violet, pays the admission and buys tokens for the arcade.

Pizza and cherry snow cones are quickly added to the list as they walk past the concession stand.

This visit to the indoor amusement park is the reward Violet and Isaac had promised their daughter for bringing home a report card with top grades in every category. Violet, the sole source of support for this Cleveland family, has worked two overtime shifts at her factory job to pay for the outing.

Violet feels the sacrifice is for a good cause.

Two weeks into the start of this school year, Isaac and Violet removed Tiffany from the parochial school she had attended since kindergarten because of a bullying incident. Tiffany then missed a week of classes while her parents looked for a new school. But Tiffany is now thriving academically in the fifth grade at Washington Park Community School in Newburgh Heights.

At Fun 'n' Stuff, Tiffany and Jenny hold hands as they glide around the roller rink. Next stop is the bumper cars, where they bang into each other amid peals of laughter. They race at break-neck speed from activity to activity. They try out the bungie harness, then play two rounds of laser tag, before returning to the bumper cars.

Violet finds a seat where she can survey most of the play area. She sips a Coke and idly chats with a reporter while keeping a close eye on the girls, who are now roller skating.

"She's worked so hard. She definitely deserves this special day," Violet says. "She doesn't get many days where it is all about her."

The evening ends with pepperoni pizza, Cokes and a big smile from Tiffany.

What's behind that smile? She says she is going to earn another straight-A+ report card so she can come to Fun 'n' Stuff again.

A Greater Cleveland is a project of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. See the entirety of our project by clicking here.

A Greater Cleveland is a call to action to the community to help identify and remove the barriers to success faced by Cleveland children in poverty. For those moved to make donations, we ask that you consider a gift to the United Way of Greater Cleveland, which is focusing on issues of multigenerational poverty that this series will examine. Because of the sensitive family matters discussed in this series, we have provided the people we write about anonymity and are using pseudonyms to identify them.
A U.S. House committee on Wednesday advanced legislation to allow bicycles and wheelchairs in wilderness areas, a measure supported by Montana's Rep. Greg Gianforte.

After initially voting down House Resolution 1349 Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to reconsider and then passed the bill to the full House of Representatives. The resolution, brought by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., would amend the 1964 Wilderness Act to to permit the use of bicycles, strollers and other human powered wheeled implements, and motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs in wilderness acres.

The legislation lifts a blanket ban imposed by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1970s on bicycles, McClintock told the committee.

There are places where (bikes) are appropriate and others where theyre not, and land managers should be able to make that judgement without a one-size-fits-all prohibition, he said.

McClintock continued, saying that the original intent of the Wilderness Act never included a bicycle ban, and that mountain bikers should have just as much of a right to access as other recreationists. The Forest Service violated congressional intent when it issued the ban, he added.

Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., disagreed, saying that wilderness areas do not allow other forms of mechanical transport and that less than 3 percent of public lands are protected as wilderness.

(HR 1349) erodes the very core of the Wilderness Act, he said.

Gianforte, a Republican, voted for the measure. He did not weigh in during the hearing, but issued the following statement when asked for comment:

Susan and I raised our kids enjoying Montana's public lands  hiking, camping, backpacking, and hunting often  and we know the importance of preserving public access to them. This bill restores the original intent of the Wilderness Act. I don't want to prohibit those with disabilities, including veterans in wheelchairs, from enjoying our nation's wilderness.

Whether to allow wheeled implements in wilderness areas has been a hot button issue that has divided recreationists.

Proponents see bicycles and other wheeled devices as low impact and quiet modes of transportation that deserves case-by-case consideration.

Opponents see prohibiting even human-powered devices as necessary to keep the areas wild.

Montana Wilderness Association's conservation director John Todd said Wednesday that the bill would diminish Montanas wilderness areas, and that the organization was disappointed in Gianfortes vote.

Mountain bikers, including the International Mountain Biking Association, backcountry horseman, sportsmen, and conservationists all oppose this legislation because it sweeps the rug from under numerous efforts underway in Montana to find consensus over how we manage our public lands, he said in a statement. This bill also fails to acknowledge that there's room on our public lands to accommodate mountain bikers and preserve the places that Montanans hold so dear."

IMBA in its opposition has said it is interested in collaborative approaches to land management that advances both recreation and conservation.

Another national mountain-biking group called Sustainable Trails Coalition has thrown its support behind HR 1349, saying the legislation places backcountry cyclists on an equal footing with campers, hikers, hunters and equestrians.

Congressman McClintocks bill will give mountain bikers long-overdue relief from agency misunderstandings, STC board member Ted Stroll said earlier this year.
December 14, 2017

 Three International Space Station crewmembers from Russia, Italy and the United States are back on Earth, having landed after five months aboard the orbiting outpost.



Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy, Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency (ESA) and astronaut Randy Bresnik of NASA touched down on Russia's Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft on Thursday (Dec. 14), landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan at 3:37 a.m. EST (0837 GMT; 2:37 p.m. local Kazakh time).



Russian recovery forces, along with personnel from both NASA and ESA, were ready for the crew at the landing site and helped Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik emerge from the small Soyuz descent capsule. The three were provided brief medical checks as they began readjusting to gravity.







Soyuz MS-05 crewmembers Sergey Ryazanskiy, Paolo Nespoli and Randy Bresnik are seen after landing on Dec. 14. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Ryazanskiy's, Nespoli's and Bresnik's journey home began about three hours prior to their landing with the undocking of their Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft from the Rassvet module at 12:14 a.m. EST (0514 GMT). Their separation marked an end to Expedition 53, the station's 53rd crewed mission since November 2000.



"We've had an amazing expedition," said Bresnik during a brief a change of command ceremony on Wednesday. "On a personal note, it's been an honor and a privilege to serve with you guys."



Cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and NASA astronauts Mark Vende Hei and Joe Acaba, who arrived at the space station on Sept. 12 and served as members of the Expedition 53 crew under Bresnik's command, remain on board the outpost.



"Expedition 53 is finishing up, leaving ISS in a better state than it was, but guess what? It's going to be turned over to you guys and your eminently capable hands," said Bresnik to Misurkin, Vande Hei and Acaba. "It is going to go to new heights and I look forward to seeing that."



"I look forward to the Expedition 53 reunion  in 20 years, on Mars," Bresnik added with a smile.







Paolo Nespoli, Randy Bresnik and Sergey Ryazanskiy (front) with Joe Acaba, Alexander Misurkin and Mark Vande Hei on board the International Space Station on Nov. 12, 2017. (NASA)

Three more Expedition 54 members  Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos, Scott Tingle of NASA and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)  are scheduled to launch to the space station on Sunday (Dec. 17) and arrive two days later.



Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik's landing concludes their 139 days in space since they launched together from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 28. During their shared time in orbit, the three crewmates took part in and supported hundreds of investigations in the physical and life sciences.



As Expedition 52 crew members, Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik were in place to see the Aug. 21 "Great American Solar Eclipse," which spanned the continental U.S. on the planet below. The crew documented the cosmic alignment, sending back imagery of the moon's umbra moving across the Earth's horizon.



Ryazanskiy performed one extravehicular activity (EVA, or spacewalk), the fourth of his cosmonaut career, to deploy nanosatellites in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the launch of the first Sputnik satellite and to collect samples from outside the space station.



The grandson of a Soviet-era rocket scientist, Ryazanskiy, 43, now has two spaceflights to his record, including a 166 day stay on the space station in 2014. He has now logged 306 days off the planet.







Paolo Nespoli, Sergey Ryazanskiy and Randy Bresnik are seen on Soyuz MS-05 during a Dec. 7, 2017 pre-landing test. (NASA)

Bresnik conducted three EVAs, bringing his career total to five, helping to swap out a latching end effector "hand" on the Canadarm2 robotic arm and install new cameras.



Bresnik, 50, is the grandson of Amelia Earhart's authorized photographer. A veteran of a space shuttle Atlantis mission in 2009 (STS-129), he's now spent 150 days in Earth orbit.



Nespoli, 60, is to date the oldest professional astronaut to reside aboard the space station. In the course of his "Vita" (Italian for "Life," and the acronym for Vitality, Innovation, Technology and Ability) ESA mission, he spoke with Pope Francis and was the first to contribute content to Wikipedia from space.



Nespoli has now logged 313 days in space over his three missions, including a 2007 flight aboard shuttle Discovery (STS-120) and a prior expedition aboard the space station.







Soyuz MS-05 crew patch. (Roscosmos/Spacepatches.nl)

Now back on Earth, the three Soyuz MS-05 crewmates will return to their respective agencies after a brief welcome ceremony in the Kazakh town of Karaganda. Ryazanskiy will be flown back to Star City, outside of Moscow; Bresnik and Nespoli will return on a NASA jet to Johnson Space Center in Houston.



Soyuz MS-05 was the 51st Soyuz to fly to the International Space Station. It traveled a total of 58.8 million miles (94.7 million kilometers) over the course of 2,224 orbits of Earth.
Wednesday was supposed to be a day to talk about the success the pediatric nurses at St. Vincent have achieved, with all 24 of the nurses on the floor now certified pediatric nurses.

The hospital is one of just two in the United States the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board is aware of that has reached that 100 percent mark.

Instead, pediatric nurse manager Amber Pisk and Bryana Reiter, clinical supervisor for pediatrics and the pediatric intensive care unit, pitched a story about a couple needing to secure home care for their son before they could return to Bozeman.

Focusing on young patients and their parents comes naturally to these nurses, Pisk said.

In working toward our certification, the nurses gained a great deal of knowledge and skill theyre able to put toward their work in caring for these children, she said.

Reiter, who began her career as a nurse nine years ago at St. Vincent, was the first nurse at St. Vincent to achieve the national certification. It took her about a year and a half.

Nurses must work 1,800 hours in pediatrics in 24 months to take the test. The experience-based test includes 175 multiple-choice questions.

Once she earned the CPN designation, Reiter became a CPN champion, a volunteer position, to promote certification and help other nurses on her floor work to attain theirs.

There was never a goal to say we were 100 percent, Reiter said. It was very much a professional step in all our careers.

But once they all achieved it, "it was a pretty big sense of accomplishment," she said.

They will have to complete continuing pediatric nursing education to maintain the certification.

The goal is to stay up to date with the most current best practices, Reiter said.

The first-time pass rate for the exam is 77 percent, said Lori Anne Boocks, director of marketing and communications for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

I think it speaks to the commitment of care, Boocks said of the St. Vincent nurses. Even though families might not ask, the fact that they, as a cohesive group, have undertaken this as a goal and met it is exemplary.

The bottom line, Reiter said, is she and her coworkers love kids.

Being certified is a commitment to our community that we take the best care of children we can, Reiter said.
One-year-old Forest Kanode has spent the entire first year of his life in a hospital.

His parents, Gladys and Casey Kanode, would like to take him home to Bozeman  maybe even in time for Christmas. But they need help to make that happen.

The couple, both sitting on a hospital bed in the St. Vincent Pediatrics Department on Wednesday, took turns holding the toddler as they told the story of their young sons journey.

When Gladys was 37 weeks along in her pregnancy, doctors discovered her unborn child had multiple heart defects. For his safety and hers, she was sent to Childrens Hospital Colorado to deliver the baby.

He had surgery at 7 days old, Gladys said. And then he had a second heart surgery at 2 months old, and he did great with those.

Forest's heart problems were just part of what he's dealt with. He was diagnosed with a milder version of CHARGE syndrome, Gladys said. CHARGE can affect a child's eyes; heart; sinuses, esophagus and trachea; development; genitals and ears.

Each one of those things can be either zero percent or 100 percent affected, he said. Thats why CHARGE kids are such a wide range.

The baby, also born with bilateral cleft palate, underwent a third surgery at the Colorado hospital to have a gastric tube put in place to help with his feeding. By the time he was 5 months old, although his heart was healthy, he had suffered four episodes that required CPR.

Forest would do great for weeks at a time just having a nasal cannula, Gladys said. But for one reason or another, he would have these events that would (require) him to have CPR, and hed be fine 30 minutes later.

At that point, physicians didnt feel comfortable releasing the couple to return to Montana with the baby until they were certain his breathing was secure.

Ultimately the couple agreed with physicians that the solution was a tracheostomy, in which surgery creates an air passage that is connected to a ventilator to help the patient breathe. It wasnt an easy decision, Gladys said.

We knew that getting it would mean the possibility of a longer time in the hospital because of finding home nursing care, she said. But we both definitely feel it was the best decision for him.

Developmentally after the operation he skyrocketed, she said. For other kids who are his age in his position, he is doing great.

He can stand on his own. Hell likely start walking soon. Socially, hes very friendly and a happy baby, Gladys said.

After the surgery, the couple spent another month learning how to do Forests trachea care. They were transferred to St. Vincent in June.

Its a lot easier making a two-hour drive home to Bozeman than the 10 hours from Colorado, Gladys said. But theyd love to take their little boy home to his bedroom, which is all ready for him, she said.

But therein lies the rub, said St. Vincent pediatric nurse manager Amber Pisk. Since the family arrived in the spring, the nursing staff has been searching for home nursing care for Forest in Bozeman.

The staff has gone through its normal routes with nursing companies who have helped in the past.

Sometimes it can take longer just because of special needs, Pisk said. A lot of people are intimidated, since hes dependent on a ventilator and gastric-tube feedings.

The pediatric nurses thought if they could get the word out, maybe they could help find the right people for the job. The Kanodes agreed to go public with their story.

Both parents are very comfortable caring for their sons needs. They just cant do it 24 hours a day.

Were looking for nurses that are competent in their skills. We can teach them to work with a ventilator, she said. Were looking for ones with a kind heart, a willingness to learn and can be there for them in Bozeman.
As national Republicans blamed controversial GOP strategist Steve Bannon for Roy Moores loss in Alabama's special U.S. Senate election Tuesday, the Montana Democratic Party worked to tie Bannon to U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale.

Bannon endorsed Rosendale in October, support that Rosendale boasted about.

Steven Law is president of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super-PAC formed to expand the Republican majority in the Senate. In a statement sent out Tuesday night after Moore's defeat, he said: "This is a brutal reminder that candidate quality matters regardless of where you are running. Not only did Steve Bannon cost us a critical Senate seat in one of the most Republican states in the country, but he also dragged the President of the United States into his fiasco."

Moore was defeated by Doug Jones, a former federal U.S. attorney who prosecuted Ku Klux Klan members for a bombing that killed four black girls in the 1960s.

Rosendales campaign did not respond Wednesday to a request for comment on Bannons endorsement in light of Moores loss. Moore's campaign was plagued by accusations of inappropriate relationships with teenage girls when he was in his 30s.

At the time of Bannon's endorsement, Rosendales campaign said:

I was thrilled to have met with Steve Bannon a few weeks ago. Im proud to have earned the support of both Steve and the Pro-Trump group Great America Alliance."

Bannon is a former chief strategist to Trump who left that position earlier this year. Since his departure, he returned as chairman of Breitbart News and declared a "season of war" against establishment Republicans, with a goal of defeating sitting members of the Republican Party in Congress by challenging them in primaries.

Republicans also tried Wednesday to blame Bannon for pushing Trump to endorse Moore. The president had previously backed Luther Strange, who was filling the Senate seat after Trump picked Jeff Session to be attorney general. Strange lost in a runoff to Moore.

Carroll College associate professor of political science Jeremy Johnson said its hard to say what the Bannon endorsement means for Rosendale in light of Moores loss.

I dont think that's an issue in Montana as much because its not an incumbent GOP candidate hes running against, Johnson said Wednesday.

Rosendale, the state auditor, is one of a handful of Republicans running in the primary in hopes of unseating two-term U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat who won his past two races by close margins.

The race is expected to be one of the most expensive and closely watched of 2018 as Democrats attempt to take back a majority in the Senate. After Doug Jones victory, Republicans now hold a 51-49 majority.

Other Republican hopefuls include former Billings judge Russ Fagg, Big Sky businessman Troy Downing, state senator and doctor Albert Olszewski, James Dean of Havre and Ron Murray of Belgrade.

Johnson said endorsements have limited value and may help a candidate raise money but dont necessarily draw voters.

Bannons draw is greatest among the most conservative wing of the Republican Party, which could still help Rosendale, Johnson said.

I think Rosendale is trying to get that element of the Republican party to support him, so Bannons endorsement sort of fits the border narrative.

The Montana Democratic Party rushed Wednesday to tie Rosendale to Bannon.

Matt Rosendale is backed by a toxic supporter with no way of backing out now, beholden not to Montanas values, but to Steve Bannons, said Chris Meagher, spokesman for the Montana Democratic Party.

Johnson said its difficult to know if Alabamas results Tuesday could mean anything for Montanas 2018 Senate race.

In some ways Montana is actually easier to run in than Alabama. The electorate in Alabama is not as flexible. The partisanship is really hard

"Usually in Montana, while the GOP generally do better, we certainly see elections where voters are willing to split their tickets perhaps more often than usual in Alabama.

One of the reasons Jones won, Johnson said, was his ability to mobilize black voters. There could be parallels drawn between that and Democrats working to make sure Native American turnout is high in Montana, he said, though its not on the same scale.

Its a much smaller percent of the population compared to African Americans in Alabama, but its still the fastest growing part of the electorate, Johnson said. The question is if you can get people who might not vote or vote less regularly in elections to the polls.

Native people make up about 7 percent of the state's population. The Western Organization of Resource Councils reported in December 2016 that turnout on Montana's seven reservations went from 57 percent in 2012 to 59 percent in 2016. Statewide voter turnout was 74 percent.

Satellite offices have been added on three reservations after a 2012 lawsuit tribes eventually settled with the Secretary of State's Office.
One lighting strike and there it was. My livelihood was on fire. Ive been a volunteer firefighter for 16 years and a rancher for, well, my entire life. On this day, though, the day the family ranch caught on fire, I was not one or the other, but both. A rancher concerned for my land, I felt a sense of panic. A volunteer firefighter, I did what I always do  answered the call.

After a mentally and physically exhausting day, the fire began to dwindle and eventually came to a stop. Its a day I will never forget. Not just because it was my land that caught fire this time, but because it was my team that fought to put it out. I will be forever grateful for my fellow firefighters and their effort to save my grass.

I have fought many fires in my years. Small fires, big fires, land fires, house fires. None of them fully prepared me for that day. As a firefighter, we go through endless training. We repeatedly learn what to do and how to quickly do it. So much so, that when you get the call, you dont think twice about it. You put on the gear and go. That day, though, was different. For the first time, it wasnt me running to put out fires for other people, it was other people running to put out fires for me. Within seconds, I went from being the hero to witnessing the heroes. And let me tell you, it was a privilege.

I am honored to be a volunteer firefighter and to be a part of a team that fights for not only its community, but for one another. And you can be, too.

Montana has roughly 435 fire departments in the state. Of those, more than 400 rely on volunteers. In a mostly rural area like Montana, an increase of volunteers means a direct decrease in response time. The more people on a roster, the better chance a fire department has of leaving the fire hall in a timely manner with a fully staffed truck. Whether you live in the city, on the outskirts of town, or off a back-country road, volunteers are needed.

Though a firefighter myself, not all volunteers have to face the flames. Volunteer fire departments across the state are also in need of EMTs and support staff. No matter your skill level, if you have the desire to give back and the time to commit, there is a spot for you. As a volunteer, you will receive all the training and certifications you need once on site.

Giving back to my community as a volunteer firefighter has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have been a part of. When you volunteer, you not only gain a position, you gain a family. A family that goes to fight for you no matter the circumstance.

The day the ranch caught fire is the day I went from being a hero to being a witness. Today is the day you can go from being a witness to being a hero. Visit mtvolunteer.org to fill out an application and learn more.
Whats it worth to Billings to hire the city councils choice for city administrator?

Greg Doyon, the Great Falls city manager, and a subcommittee of six council members are negotiating the answer.

Billings council members balked at Doyons initial compensation request: A starting salary of $170,000 a year, up to $12,000 for moving and storage expenses, six weeks of vacation per year, the same cost of living increase other city employees receive, plus an annual merit increase between zero and 5 percent.

The subcommittee of Mayor Tom Hanel and council members Larry Brewster, Angela Cimmino, Shaun Brown, Chris Friedel and Dick Clark countered with an offer of $155,000 annual salary, four weeks of vacation, $7,000 in moving expenses, no COLA, but the possibility of a merit increase.

The subcommittee is scheduled to meet again Thursday and Friday mornings. A contract with Doyon needs to be on the council agenda for action Monday night, the last scheduled meeting of the year.

The council is trying to avoid overspending. Thats a commendable objective, but council members must remember that the goal is to hire the best candidate to lead Billings for years into a prosperous future.

The salary Doyon asked is the low end of a salary survey of what midwestern and western cities of 100,000 to 250,000 are paying their top administrators. The survey by the citys head-hunting contractor showed a salary range of $170,000 to $185,000.

The council subcommittee proposes to pay Doyon the same salary it paid Tina Volek, who retired in September. It should come as no surprise to council members that Voleks salary was below market. They were aware  or should have known  that bringing an excellent, up-and-coming administrator to Billings would require a boost in salary.

Consider the compensation package that the Bozeman City Commission agreed to pay Andrea Surratt, who went to work on Nov. 1 as that citys manager. According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Surratts starting annual salary will be $148,500, plus a $2,000 per month housing allowance, plus a $570 per month vehicle allowance, and she will receive at $10,000 raise by Nov. 1, 2018.

Surratt moved to Bozeman from North Carolina with 26 years of experience in city management, according to the Bozeman newspaper. Bozemans population is about 46,000  less than half of Billings size.

Doyons salary request is definitely not too high, compared with the recruiters market research  or with Bozeman. But granting him the same COLA he helps negotiate with employee bargaining units could create the appearance of a conflict of interest because he would be negotiating his raise, too. The city administrator deserves to be considered annually for a merit increase.

The council subcommittee and Doyon should be able to negotiate the other points of a fair contract. If Doyon and the council are immovable on their initial proposals, Billings will lose out on the top applicant for the citys top job.

We are hoping that open, thoughtful negotiations facilitated by the citys legal and recruiting consultants will conclude with Greg Doyon starting to work for Billings in February.
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"The officer with the pump shotgun played Russian on me, showing me a shotgun shell, then turning his back to me, saying, 'Listen Nigger,' and all I could see was his back, and not the shotgun or the shell, and I heard two clicks of the shotgun being . Then he turned to face me, forcing the barrel into my mouth, saying, 'Nigger! Are you going to tell us where A.D. is?'"

Darrell also alleges that they repeatedly shocked his testicles with a cattle prod. If you've seen The Deer Hunter, all of this may sound dismally familiar. There may be a reason for that: Chief Burge had been an intelligence officer in Vietnam, which is generally thought to have had some bearing on his tactics. If you ignore all the horrifying civil rights violations, the whole situation sounds like the setup for six seasons of HBO gold. You've got a military veteran cop who comes back home to a city in the grip of a terrifying, powerful new gang. Legal methods can't stop them, so he turns to the skills he learned fighting America's enemies. This time, the war is personal.

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But alas, we live in the real world. Justice was not done. Instead, Chicago wound up with a secret torture program that would've made the CIA proud. It was clear to Darrell that the whole process was so practiced that it was almost professional. "These people were very good at what they did. These people had -- John Burge had been trained, he worked at POW camps, and he knew how to extract information -- whether it be true or false -- from VCs when he was in the Army. And he took these same torture tactics back to Chicago, and he got on the police department, and he applied that. He got an all-white crew who believed like he believed, that niggers had no rights, and whatever they wanted to do to us was fair game."

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Science is pretty clear that torture doesn't work for obtaining actual useful information. But it does a great job of making people say whatever you want them to say. "First of all, you have to understand one thing: The human body is only able to take so much before you'll do anything to stop what is happening to you at the time ... There is no one who can withstand total torture in the matter of which I did without at some point breaking down. Nobody."
Fishing from a boat in December?! I exclaimed as a friend of mine told me he had heard fishing had been good recently on Lake Sakakawea. It didnt take me long to answer in the affirmative I was willing to head up to the Big Lake with him.

However, our main objective wasnt to fish. The original plan was to try to find a deer for my buddy to harvest with his muzzleloader. So, with hunting gear and fishing gear loaded into the back end of his pickup, we headed to an area near Lake Sakakawea.

As I always do when on fishing or hunting escapades, the binoculars are always at the ready because you just never know when I might need them to spot an interesting bird. The binoculars come in handy, every time. We used our binoculars to search for deer and to check out the area avifauna. Loads of Canada geese were roosting on the edge of the Lake. Never a dull sight to observe those incredible birds.

We put the binoculars away and headed to the boat landing. I couldnt believe we were going to load a boat into the lake in December. A first for me. The lake had a skim of ice near the landing and we had to bust through it for a few hundred yards before we reached open water.

Canada geese numbering in the thousands were scattered on nearby exposed islands and bare shoreline. The sound of flapping wings over ice is an incredible sound as it appears to be amplified. I wish for everyone to experience the sights and sounds of Canada geese landing nearby. We made it to our first fishing spot in the calm waters, then moved to other spots. Fish were marked on the graph but they didnt want anything to do with what we offered.

As we moved to our final spot closer toward the boat landing, a lone drake northern pintail cruised the edge of the lake in search of a spot to land and rest. I hadnt seen a pintail in nearly two months. As we fished, the eastern edge of the lake had streams of thousands upon thousands of Canada geese. The horizon appeared black at times as the number of geese on a string flapped their way south. This is the latest in the fall Ive seen this large Canada goose migration.

After the fishing trip, the fishing rods were put away and hunting clothes and gear were put on to try and attempt our luck at searching for a weary deer. Throughout our late afternoon, the skies and fields were again filled with geese. Also, a couple bald eagles were observed perching in tall trees next to a wetland. To our amazement, we only observed one deer, but saw five moose. It never gets old to see those tall gangly creatures on the open plains. Of course the moose were in range, but the deer steered away.

The following Sunday, we finally spotted nine deer. Again, too far out of reach with a muzzleloader. The geese were still around, and again, the skies and fields were filled. Bald eagles were perching in trees. An American crow was sitting atop a crossbar of a fence corner and was munching on a tasty morsel. A prairie falcon cruised overhead as it flew between tree groves. A single red-tailed hawk and a rough-legged hawk were searching for food.

Late-morning Sunday left us with no deer and no fish, but we enjoyed a fabulous weekend full of mild weather, moose, eagles, geese and more geese. I hope you have a chance to fill your eyes and ears with the outdoors this coming season and all year through.
Cloud News

VMware's Big Vision: Deliver Any Application, On Any Device On Any Cloud

Joseph Tsidulko

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Maintaining a tradition of innovation, VMware has extended its technology from the data center into public clouds, hyper-converged infrastructure, and edge devices, Muneyb Minhazuddin, VMware's vice president of solutions product marketing, told attendees of The NexGen 2017 Conference & Technology Expo.

"Our vision is to deliver any application on any device on any cloud," Minhazuddin said Wednesday at the conference in Los Angeles.

VMware has been disrupting technology since it released the hypervisor that first virtualized compute, then expanded that product into a broad private cloud solution. But the current portfolio stretches across a broad range of environments, with security embedded throughout, he said.

[Related: Here's The Only Video Interview Of VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger You Need To See This Year.]

"For VMware, innovation has been the core of how we've gone to market. We've disrupted the market in everything we do," Minhazuddin told NexGen attendees.

The company's public cloud strategy goes beyond partners currently offering VMware environmentsmost notably Amazon Web Services and IBM.

"Our cloud strategy has gone from building my own cloud to really consistent infrastructure across as many clouds as possible and consistent operations across all the clouds out there," he said.

The inclusive, multi-cloud approach is driven by the monumental change that's taking place across all verticals in what businesses expect from their technology.

"Tech used to be a support system for the business. Now, across all industries, tech is actually becoming a business," Minhazuddin said, adding companies not leveraging technology to run their businesses are being left behind.

That imperative for digital transformation is focusing attention at the top of the stack.

"What we see is it's all about the app. Your customer experience comes down to those applications," Minhazuddin said. Enterprises want more cloud-native applications, developed fast with DevOps-oriented methodologies.

"The barrier to entry is as simple as, I have an idea, I spin up an app, I host it in the cloud," Minhazuddin said.

VMware's comprehensive strategy starts with the company's bread and butterprivate cloud. Newly developed products make private clouds easier to deploy, manage and secure, he said.

With VMware Cloud Foundation, the company bundled all the elements of hybrid cloud, including NSX virtualized networking and vSAN storage, and added lifecycle automation to tackle mundane infrastructure maintenance.

That makes the on-premises environment start looking like a cloud, with the "data center running on auto-pilot," freeing IT teams to focus on delivering applications for the business.

VMware also extended vSAN into Dell-EMC hyper-converged appliances VxRack and VxRaila common request from CIOs looking to leverage hyper-converged infrastructure.

The platform then "landed into AWS," Minhazuddin said. While the deal struck with Amazon to offer VMware environments in the public cloud was game-changing as far as facilitating hybrid environments, it was only a part of VMware's grand vision.

"What we realized is there's not going to be a single destination," he said.

The strategy was to provide consistent infrastructure in the data center and to public cloud partners like AWS, IBM, Microsoft Azure for Desktop-as-a-Service, Google Cloud Platform for a managed Kubernetes container service, and thousands of MSPs running VMware environments.

But where the company didn't have a partnership that could yield consistent infrastructure, it looked to still enable consistent operations, he said.

To that end, VMware Cloud Services delivers a host of management capabilities across private and all public clouds embedded into offerings like NSX, the Wavefront monitoring and analytics platform, the new AppDefense security platform, Workspace One user management, AirWatch device management, and more.

The broad scope of its products helps customers transform their approach to cybersecurity, Minhazuddin said, an area where scale really starts to cause uncertainty for customers. "We're here to transform and lead the industry in secure infrastructure," he told NexGen attendees.

VMware built "cyber hygiene" security principles directly into its infrastructure to deliver an integrated ecosystem that always implements the "fundamental things you do to keep a state of good."

The five pillars of that approach are least privilege, segmenting networks and data, end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and patching. All the high-profile attacks in 2017 resulted from failures in at least one of those fronts, he said.

Sourena Amini, a principal engineer at Sage Software who attended the NexGen session, told CRN VMware is wisely looking to solve one of the most significant problems in cloud computingthe difficulty in moving workloads between providers.

"He was talking about how we can abstract the unit of business with unit of computing, storage and networking," Amini said. "The holy grail is to have common standards to go to any vendor. These guys are trying to make that happen at a smaller scale within their own ecosystem."

Ubiquitous standards based on APIs are still years off, Amini said, but VMware is achieving something resembling that goal on a smaller scale.

And security is an essential component of that vision. "You have to apply [security] to all, not just one vendor," he said.
Internet of things News

Three Men Plead Guilty To The Massive Mirai IoT Botnet 2016 Attack That Led To Widespread Internet Outages

Lindsey O'Donnell

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Three individuals have pleaded guilty to orchestrating and deploying the massive Mirai IoT attack in 2016, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.

The three U.S.-based individuals, Paras Jha, Josiah White and Dalton Norman, pleaded guilty to roles in the botnet attack, which was orchestrated as a distributed denial of service attack through 300,000 vulnerable Internet of Things devices like webcams, routers and video recorders.

"In the summer and fall of 2016, White, Jha, and Norman created a powerful botnet  a collection of computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the knowledge or permission of the computers' owners," according to the Justice Department.

[Related: Massive DDoS Attack On U.S. College Throws IoT Security Into The Spotlight  Again]

The attack, which occurred in October 2016, overwhelmed servers at Dynamic Network Services (Dyn) and led to the blockage of more than 1,200 websites, including Netflix and Twitter.

The three individuals were each charged with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department also alleged that between December 2016 to February 2017, Jha and Norman successfully infected over 100,000 U.S.-based computing devices, such as home internet routers, with malicious software.

These devices were used primarily in advertising fraud, including "click fraud," which is an Internet-based scheme that makes it appear that a real user has clicked on an advertisement to generate revenue artificially.

According to well-known independent computer security journalist Brian Krebs, Jha and White were also co-founders of DDoS mitigation company Protraf Solutions. The two would target companies with DDoS attacks and try to sell those companies services to mitigate the attacks, according to Krebs.

The Justice Department said that the three men's involvement with the original Mirai variant ended in the fall of 2016 when Jha posted the source code for Mirai on a criminal forum. Since then, other criminal actors have used Mirai variants in a variety of other attacks.

IoT security is a big concern for customers moving into 2018  according to information service provider Neustar, the frequency of DDoS attacks increased in 2016 due in part to IoT botnets. The Sterling, Va.-based company said it mitigated 40 percent more DDoS attacks from January through November compared with the same span last year.

The channel, for its part, plays a critical role in educating customers of the security risks inherent in deploying Internet of Things devices, especially as DDoS attacks continually evolve.

"IoT continues to be a conversation with customers who want to hear about how they can implement security solutions," said Jeff Murray, president of Control Point, a Scarborough, Maine-based operational technology solution provider. "I expect the concerns and questions around IoT security will continue and even increase in 2018, especially around operational technology."
Security News

CRN Exclusive: Security Startup BluVector Unveils Turnkey Detection and Response Tool For MSPs

Michael Novinson

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BluVector said its new BluVector-as-a-Service offering would dramatically reduce costs and time-to-market for managed detection and response, according to CEO Kris Lovejoy.

MSPs have long struggled to bring high-margin, new technologies to market because of the operational costs associated with buying and re-architecting hardware, she said.

"We are getting a lot of interest for MSSPs and MSPs," Lovejoy said. "Until today, it was hard to fulfill them because of the investment they had to make. This is a way for up to jumpstart them."

[Related: Emerging Vendors 2017: Security Startups You Need To Know]

BluVector-as-a-Service makes it possible for solution providers to deliver core managed security functions such as health monitoring, configuration, maintenance, patching, upgrading, and triaging high-priority alerts without having to allocate their own resources, according to Lovejoy.

The channel can instead devote their time and energy to quarterly threat assessments, threat hunting, forensic retainers, and deep security analytics, Lovejoy said. BluVector sells exclusively through the channel outside of the public sector, where certain clients mandate a direct relationship, according to Lovejoy.

Partners using BluVector-as-a-Service can expect to enjoy margins of between 50 percent and 60 percent after accounting for upfront hardware and software costs, according to Lovejoy. Pricing for MSPs is based on the amount of traffic being processed, Lovejoy said, and is the same regardless of the number of virtual machines under management.

Before the launch of BluVector-as-a-Service, Lovejoy said it usually took between a month a year for MSPs to get up and running on the company's technology following the contract signing. Now, Lovejoy said they could activate BluVector's offering pretty much instantaneously after signing on the dotted line.

BluVector today has five managed services partners and would like to sign an additional 10 to 20 MSPs or MSSPs by the end of next year, according to Lovejoy. At least 10 to 15 of those managed services partners should see BluVector as central to their business and sell it as part of their core portfolio, Lovejoy said.

The company's typical end customer has less than 100 employees and a small, in-house IT staff that needs to secure its intellectual property and cloud-based email system without breaking the bank, Lovejoy said. IT is roughly 10 percent of an SMBs overall budget, and security is just a fraction of that, Lovejoy said, meaning the economics must work so that businesses can afford protection at that price.

"They do not want to spend a lot of money, but they need best-in-class protection," Lovejoy said.

BluVector was founded in 2015 and recognized as one of CRN's 2017 Emerging Vendors. The company said its use of supervised machine learning allows its security teams to detect and contain advanced security threats 80 percent more quickly than traditional approaches.

SISAP, a solution provider in Guatemala City, had been relying on traditional IT security for its customers, but now plans to roll BluVector-as-a-Service out to customers that are most at risk and most worried about attacks, according to Mauricio Nanne, president and CEO of SISAP.

"We think it brings this really leading-edge technology to the possibility of us serving our customers with very effective detection and response without having to build it on our own," Nanne said.
Security News

FBI Cybersecurity Expert Abagnale: Equifax 'Sloppiness' Caused Massive Breach

Steven Burke and Michael Novinson

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Frank Abagnale, an FBI cybersecurity specialist and identity fraud expert, told CRN that the massive breach at credit reporting agency Equifax is a simple case of a company failing to patch and update critical infrastructure.

"The breach was caused because Equifax didn't do what they were supposed to do," said Abagnale, who has consulted with the FBI on most of the major cybersecurity breaches in the last 15 years including Equifax. "They didn't update their technology. They didn't fix their patches. Their sloppiness caused a hacker to access the data. So they were negligent."

[Related: 'Catch Me If You Can' FBI Security Superstar Abagnale: Federal Government Is The Easiest Target For Cybercriminals]

Equifax, for its part, has blamed what it has called a "U.S. website application vulnerability" for the breach of 145 million consumers personal information and also the breach of the credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 US consumers.

The breach resulted in what the credit monitoring company has called certain dispute documents with personal information of 182,000 US consumers.

Abagnale said for a company the size of Equifax not to "be keeping their technology up to date is absurd."

In response to Abagnale's criticism, Equifax told CRN that it has been "transparent and comprehensive" in its reporting on the scope of the breach.

"We continue to remain focused on strengthening security," the company said in the statement provided to CRN. "We have taken a number of steps to improve our data security infrastructure such as hardening our networks, changing our procedures to require closed loop confirmation when software patches are applied, rolling out new vulnerability scanning tools, and increasing accountability mechanisms for our security and IT teams. Our mission is to rebuild trust with consumers."

Abagnale, the teenage check forger turned FBI agent who was popularized in the film "Catch Me If You Can," called the Equifax breach the worst he has ever seen. "This is your name, social security number, date of birth," said Abagnale. "If I can become you it is only limited to my imagination what I can do as you."

Equifax has said the breach occurred from mid-May through July 2017. "In those two or three months that the hacker was in those systems they should have caught that," said Abagnale, confirming he was consulted on the breach by the FBI. "But they didn't. Again it was their negligence that caused that breach to occur. Now you have a lot of people who have had their identities stolen."

Abagnale said he expects the final number of Americans impacted by the breach will rise significantly. "Companies always come in with a low number first and eventually you find out it is a lot higher than that," he said.

Douglas Grosfield, CEO of Five Nines IT, a Kitchener, Ontario, strategic service provider who had his own personal credit information stolen as a result of the Equifax breach, said the credit monitoring service "betrayed the trust" of customers by not securing data.

"Because of Equifax's negligence I had to cancel my credit card and get a new one," said Grosfield. "When someone is paying you for a service and gives you their credit card information and you don't take steps to protect that information you are betraying their trust and doing them a disservice."

Grosfield's response to the measures Equifax took in response to the breach. "That is something they should have been doing all along. The barn door is open and the horses are long gone."\

All of the measures that Equifax took in wake of the breach are basic "IT 101" steps that should have been in place prior to the breach, he said.

Grosfield said he agrees wholeheartedly with Abagnale that the root of the problem is the failings of people that did not take proper precautions. "The human beings behind the technology are always the source of these issues," he said. "Social engineering or the bad guys taking advantage of the failure of employees- is the most rapidly growing threat vector we have to deal with in cybersecurity today," he said.

Five Nines, for its part, is using KnowBe4- a security awareness training tool- to educate customers on how to avoid cybersecurity breaches. "Every company should be using products like KnowBe4," he said. "What it does is teach employees how to become a human firewall. The overwhelming majority of breaches happen because people are not doing what they should be doing."

Abagnale, for his part, said the one thing he has learned in 15 years of consulting on major cybersecurity breaches is that every breach occurs because somebody in that company "did something they weren't supposed to do or somebody in that company failed to do something" that they were supposed to do.

"Hackers do not cause breaches," said Abagnale. "People do. All hackers do is look for a weak point."
Evacuation orders for residents east of Custer State Park and west of Highway 79, including the towns of Fairburn and Buffalo Gap, have been lifted. Firefighters successfully stopped the eastern progression of the fire at Highway 79, according to Travis Lipp, operation section chief from the Rocky Mountain Blue Team charged with fighting the blaze.

Fire officials' fears came true Tuesday evening as high winds hit, fanning the flames of the Legion Lake Fire in Custer State Park in South Dakota where the blaze spread from 4,000 acres to an estimated 31,000 acres overnight.

"The wind was real squirrely," said Lipp of the wind which whipped the fire in all directions.

While winds tapered overnight Wednesday, breezy conditions were expected to pick up this morning and blow in some snow that might stick in the northern Black Hills, according to the National Weather Service.

Custer State Park officials have turned their concern to the park's wildlife, including buffalo, and are putting out a call for donated hay to feed the herds through the winter. The park is home to a herd of around 1,000 bison, which designated park staff manage, and many other animals, such as elk, deer, antelope and prairie dogs.

More than 250 firefighters battling the fire braced for the Tuesday evening cold front and its as-advertised gusty winds, which officials knew carried the potential to push flames past tenuous lines barely holding the blaze in check in the rugged, timbered terrain.

Breezes from the southeast pushed smoke from the fire into Rapid City and the northern Black Hills on Tuesday and Wednesday, with more smoke entering today's weather forecasts near Buffalo Gap.

The official cause of the fire remains under investigation. The blaze sparked to life near the intersection of U.S. Highway 16A and S.D. Highway 87 North about 7:30 a.m. Monday. Park officials initially listed a wind-blown tree toppling a power line as a potential cause.

Custer State Park spokesman Kobee Stalder called the level of dryness in the timber and grassland extraordinary for mid-December.

We havent seen a lot of precipitation for probably two months, Stalder said.

 Journal staffer Candy DenOuden and Bismarck Tribune staff contributed to this report.
Never A Dull Moment

One thing's for sure: no one can accuse the telecom market of sitting still in 2017.

The industry saw multi-billion mergers and acquisitions come to a close, with others being upended and threatened by competing carriers, and even regulatory interference. And speaking of the powers that be, Net Neutrality regulations landed on the chopping block in 2017 after the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took over the reins in January.

As the telecom market continued to consolidate and carriers feel the pressure to compete in new and emerging technology arenas, there's no telling what's in store in 2018. In the meantime, CRN rounded up the ten biggest telecom stories of 2017.

Get more of CRN's 2017 tech year in review .
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BROOKFIELD  Mark DePaolis cant wait to get in.

I get excited every time I see it, he said.

DePaolis is one of four tenants already signed up to lease space at Brookfield Village, a multi-use project underway on Federal Road at the Four Corners area of Brookfield. DePaolis will open a Rich Farm ice cream franchise in building four, a dark red barn-like structure set behind the other buildings.

It will be the first Connecticut franchise of the popular Oxford ice cream shop. DePaolis hopes to move in by March or April. He is even more jazzed about the project now that the first phase of the accompanying town-led streetscape  featuring new lampposts, sidewalks and on-street parking  is complete.

I drove by at night recently and it just drives home how awesome it is, DePaolis said. From the first time I saw (the plans), Ive been on board.

DePaolis is not alone. Phase I, which includes two of four buildings, is nearing completion and is already about 65 percent leased. George Walker, the primary commercial real estate broker for the project, said other tenants include a Subway, nail salon and Italian restaurant. The Subway will relocate from a small building within the projects footprint that will be torn down.

They are all 10-year leases. Theyre long-term investments, said Walker of Advantage Realty. Brookfield Village is the nucleus of an emerging growth development area that will boom.

Three spaces remain to be leased in Phase I with rents in the $19- to $26-per-square-foot range, including built-out allowances. Due to the success of Phase I leasing, Walking is starting to pre-lease Phase II, which is set to break ground in 2018.

Walker said the lease rates are competitive because the project received a seven-year tax abatement.

The vision that Brookfield had for a new downtown is working, Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn said. Were building a vibrant downtown where people will want to go.

Brookfield Village is located within the Town Center District Zone that allows for uses such as restaurants, retail, professional and personal services, offices and medical.

Phase II will include two buildings with frontage on Federal Road. A courtyard ideal for outdoor dining will separate the buildings. All three buildings with frontage along Federal Road will have patios and landscaping to complement the new streetscaping.

The patio and courtyard lend themselves nicely to high-quality restaurants. A lot of restaurateurs want outdoor dining and this project provides that, Walker said. With Phase II we are focusing on cafes, food services and personal services  medical and retail, too.

All four buildings of the project include retail on the street level and residential rental units above. A total of 72 apartments will be included in the project.

Walker said traffic along that area of Federal Road has steadily picked up since the Route 7 bypass was built in 2007. The traffic count had dropped to about 4,000 vehicles per day when the bypass first opened, but now has about 15,000, Walker said.

Thats substantial, he said. From 3 to 8 p.m. theres a steady stream of traffic in both directions.

The popular Still River Greenway walking path will be extended across Federal Road, merging with the new streetscape and past Brookfield Village

It creates what we envision as a small New England town feel with sidewalks and lighting, Dunn said.
Attorneys argued Thursday in the appeal of the former deputy U.S. marshal who was sentenced last summer for 10 misdemeanors related to dressing room peeping in Bismarck.

As part of Michael Rivera's sentence, three of those misdemeanors were given consecutive sentences of three years total. The other seven sentences are to run concurrently.

Due to the separate charges' similarity, the prosecution before trial joined the multiple counts of three criminal cases against Rivera, totaling 22 felony and misdemeanor charges. The felonies were later dismissed.

Appellant attorney Lloyd Suhr argued that Rivera cannot be sentenced to three consecutive one-year sentences for offenses that were identical in nature.

"The offenses were not different courses of conduct," he wrote in briefs.

"Your argument is the state can't have its cake and eat it, too?" North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Lisa Fair McEvers asked at Thursday's hearing.

"Yes," Suhr said. "When did this become separate acts? Only at the time of sentencing. I think that's a problem."

Justices questioned applying other crimes to the same scenario, such as theft.

"Or if you kill three people or burn three houses down?" Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle asked.

Suhr asked the high court to look to the state's stalking statute for guidance on the definition of "course of conduct," defined as "a pattern of conduct consisting of two or more acts evidencing a continuity of purpose."

VandeWalle contended he was taking the definition out of context. Suhr said the stalking statute is a source to worthy of scrutiny.

"It provides a beginning point, when the Legislature has not necessarily provided one," said Suhr, adding that the prosecution described Rivera's conduct as "stalking behavior."

Appellee and Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Julie Lawyer highlighted the separateness of Rivera's offenses and his multiple victims.

"He committed his acts on separate days in separate locations against separate victims," she wrote in briefs.

Suhr asked the court to re-sentence Rivera to one year.

"This was unified for trial," he said. "(The sentencing) is inconsistent. It may be hypocritical."

Rivera is serving time in federal prison in Colorado with a release date in 2022. He pleaded guilty in January to one federal count of receipt of images depicting sexual exploitation of minors. In May, he was sentenced to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release.

His state sentence commences upon completion of his federal sentence, according to court records.
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BRIDGEPORT  Police officers traveled to Wethersfield Thursday for the funeral of Thomas J. Lattanzio, the suspended police officer who took his life in Seaside Park over a week ago.

Chief Armando Perez attended the service, along with members of the departments honor guard and a busload of officers on a city bus.

In an obituary published this week, Lattanzios family said that the 17-year-veteran of the Bridgeport Police Department was born in Hartford and always wanted to become a police officer.

Tommy worked undercover in some of Connecticut's worst neighborhoods. One particular assignment that was expected to last a few months lasted nearly two years since Tommy excelled in this capacity. He loved the group environment that being on the narcotics team entailed and was a joy to to have around the office, the obituary read.

Lattanzio was survived by his mother Lorraine; a sister and brother-in-law, three nieces and many cousins, aunts and uncles, according to the obituary. It said his father died in 2001.

People who knew him told Hearst Connecticut Media that he lived with his cat.

An autopsy concluded that Lattanzio took his own life. Officers found him dead Dec. 4 in his car, which was parked near the sandy beach that lines the east side of Seaside Park.

It is a tragic loss and a difficult time for the department, said Av Harris, Bridgeport police spokesman.

Harris said there are peer support teams within the department and from other departments being provided to those who need it.

We still have a tough job to do to serve this community and keep Bridgeport safe, and that is what our officers are doing every day out in the neighborhoods, Harris added. We appreciate the support we are getting from the community.

At the time of his suicide, Lattanzio had been suspended on paid leave pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation stemming from arrests at a party on Oct. 21. The probe involved complaints of excessive force against Lattanzio and another officer. The departments Office of Internal Affairs hasnt issued a final word on his conduct.

In the obituary, his family issued theirs: Tommy stayed dedicated, passionate and above all professional from the top of his hat to the tip of his shined shoes. He always did the right thing and was the epitome of a good cop.

Following Lattanzios death, a black banner has hung over the entrance to police headquarters at 300 Congress Street. Thursday, it was dusted with snow.

At the curb, colleagues getting off the night shift boarded a blue municipal bus chartered for the funeral. Waiting for the bus to take off for Wethersfield, they hugged and talked to each other.

Instead of flowers, Lattanzios family asked for donations in his name to the animal shelter, writing in his obituary that he loved animals.

Beyond the badge, Lattanzio is remembered as not just an animal-lover, but an avid concert goer with a love for music.

Tommy will be remembered for being a great guy with a huge heart. The BPD suffered a profound loss and he will never be forgotten by his brothers and sisters in blue, the obituary read.

Checks can be sent to Bridgeport Connecticut Animal Control at 236 Evergreen Street in Bridgeport. For more information, call 203-576-7727 or email animal.shelter@bridgeportct.gov.
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STRATFORD  A town resident and two Bridgeport residents were charged after two separate investigations into drug sales in Stratford, police said.

In October, the Stratford Police Narcotics Unit opened an investigation into the sale of narcotics in town. Police said the subject of the investigation  George Siler, 27, of Stratford  was providing low- and mid-level dealers with heroin.

Investigators got a search warrant for Silers residence in the 900 block of Success Avenue in Stratford and executed that warrant on Tuesday. Siler was found to be in possession of two stolen handguns, heroin and packing materials.

Police charged Siler with operating a drug factory, sale of narcotics, sale of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a daycare, illegal transfer of a firearm, obliterated serial number, theft of a firearm, two counts criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of ammunition.

Siler was held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19.

On Dec. 6, Stratford police charged two Bridgeport men after another narcotics investigation in town led them to get search warrants for their Bridgeport residences  one on Main Street and the other on Priscilla Street.

Christopher Andujar, of Bridgeport, was charged by Stratford police with operating a drug factory, possession with intent to sell heroin, possession with intent to sell crack/cocaine and conspiracy to sell heroin. Andujar was held on a $100,000 bond and appeared in court Wednesday.

Angel Santiago, of Bridgeport, was charged by Stratford police with possession with intent to sell heroin, possession with intent to sell crack/cocaine, operating a drug factory and possession with intent to sell heroin within 1,500 feet of a school. Santiago was held on a $75,000 bond and appeared in court Wednesday.

Andujar and Santiago were both found to be in possession of over half a kilo of heroin and about 160 grams of cocaine. Police also seized packaging materials.

Police did not immediately provide ages for the Bridgeport residents charged.
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Bridgeport, Norwalk and Danbury have manufacturing plants using such large quantities of hazardous chemicals that they are required to submit disaster response plans to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Since many of the facilities are in areas long inhabited by poor people  often people of color  those groups are at a higher risk of exposure to a leak, explosion or adverse health effect, a new report indicates.

In Living in the Shadow of Danger: Poverty, Race and Unequal Chemical Facility Hazards, the Center for Effective Government examined more than 12,500 facilities in 50 states, grading states based on the disparities faced by people living adjacent to or near these facilities.

Connecticut, and 25 other states, earned a D grade for its inequities. About 170,000 people  roughly 5 percent of the states population  live within a mile of these facilities. Among smaller neighborhoods affected are those in Milford, Trumbull and Shelton.

The center reported children of color under age 12 living in Connecticut were 2.2 times more likely than white children to live within a mile of one of these facilities. In many instances, residents are unaware of the dangers just blocks from their homes, the report said.

But, as in many states, little can be done because many of the facilities were built under old zoning laws and are protected.

More Information Grade: D Connecticut and 25 other states received a "D" for chemical-risk inequities correlating to wealth and race 27 Number of high-chemical-use plants in Connecticut 5% Portion of state's population living within a mile of such facilities Rating the state D: The grade Connecticut and 25 other states received for chemical-risk inequities correlating to wealth and race 27: Number of high-chemical-use plants in Connecticut 5 percent: Portion of state's population living within a mile of such facilities See More Collapse

I have to say I was traumatized that we got a D, but  people are living where they were always living, and it hasnt improved, said Edith Pestana, administrator of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Environmental Justice Program. A lot of it has to do with terrible zoning. A lot of facilities are grandfathered in. Until cities start looking at public health again, when they are rewriting their planning and zoning rules, things are not going to change.

Neighborhood dangers

The dangers are real, experts and advocates said. Between 2010 and 2014, incidents occurred more frequently at facilities in neighborhoods predominantly populated by people of color  one incident per six facilities  compared with one per 11 in predominantly white neighborhoods.

The EPA estimated in 2015 that 150 catastrophic accidents occur nationwide at regulated facilities each year.

These incidents keep happening and happening. It feels like we get a new report once or twice a week, said Anna Fendley of United Steelworkers, which represents 30,000 workers in chemical facilities across the country, including Connecticut.

The most recent incident in Connecticut took place last December with an explosion inside a warehouse at New Haven Chlor-Alkali bleach manufacturing plant. The incident did not cause any injuries, but it was a wake-up call to some nearby residents.

You have families that live on this street, said 28-year-old John Smith, who lives on Welton Street across from railroad tracks that bring 90-ton railcars of chlorine to and from the plant. I like this street. Its quiet except for the trains, but if I could I wouldnt live near here.

Attempts at oversight

Connecticuts 27 regulated facilities range from chemical manufacturers to food and beverage facilities and aerospace companies. The chemicals stored or processed include ammonia, chlorine, pentane, butane and propane, among others.

The facilities employ more than 7,000 workers and are scattered statewide, according to reports compiled by the Houston Chronicles Right-To-Know Network. The newspaper created the listing because the EPA does not have a public database of risk management plan facilities online.

In 1993, DEEP created an Environmental Justice Program to help communities exposed to higher levels of environmental pollution.

No segment of the population should, because of its racial or economic makeup, bear a disproportionate share of the risks and consequences of environmental pollution or be denied equal access to environmental benefits, according to the state agencys policy.

In 2009, the state enacted a landmark environmental justice law, which helps neighborhoods express community health concerns and negotiate with companies.

But that has done little to lessen the dangers because the law covers only new and expanding companies. Most facilities storing and processing chemicals existed before 2008.

Changes In New Haven

What can change is how municipalities handle incidents. Sometimes it takes an incident  or an explosion  to bring about change.

In New Haven, residents have long complained about the Chlor-Alkali bleach manufacturing plant, formerly H. Krevit & Co., which shook their Cedar Hill neighborhood last December. A container explosion released sodium hypochlorite, a chemical dangerous to inhale, and ripped a hole through the rear of the building. Residents heard and felt the morning blast but werent notified it was a chemical explosion for six hours.

After the explosion, the citys Office of Emergency Management updated its notification system so if that were to happen again, phone calls and text messages would go to residents within two miles of the incident. The city also plans to distribute a chemical preparedness pamphlet citywide. In March, New Havens City Plan Commission approved a site plan for Chlor-Alkali to install equipment for a greener process to make bleach using only salt, water and electricity.

Chlor-Alkalis business development manager, Arjun Murthy, now regularly attends meetings with neighbors to address concerns and said the plant has made a number of process changes inside our plant and added new equipment to ensure that something similar never happens again.
WASHINGTON  Republicans on Capitol Hill are throwing in some last-minute sweeteners to win votes for their long-cherished tax bill, but Connecticut Democrats in Congress insist its too little, too late.

The changes are largely cosmetic, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Theyre tinkering around the edges to make it more palatable. But like dead fish, (the) more it sits, the more it stinks.

Although most details of the amalgamated version of already-passed House and Senate tax bills remain under wraps, news reports say the version to be voted on next week  the last stop before President Donald Trumps desk  contains refinements both major and minor.

Among them:

Compromising on the homeowner mortgage-interest deduction. The House bill capped it at $500,000 on new loans, a home-buyer disincentive in Connecticut, where property can easily exceed $750,000. The Senate bill kept it at its current $1 million. The final bill splits the difference at $750,000.

Dropping the Obamacare mandate that all must have health insurance or face a tax penalty.

Restoration of the $250 deduction for teachers who buy school supplies out of pocket.

Restoration of the tax-free status of Personal Activity Bonds, much relied upon by affordable housing advocates in places like New Haven and Bridgeport.

Elimination of a plan to drop tuition credits for grad students and university employees, a boon to Yale University and other colleges and universities. But a new tax on major university endowments like Yales sill appears to be in place.

SALT adjustment

Of major importance to high-tax, high-cost states like Connecticut, GOP negotiators tweaked plans to curtail or drop state-and-local tax deductions for property, sales and state income taxes  SALT, for short.

Both House and Senate bills dropped the income-tax deduction and capped the property tax deduction at $10,000. Under the new version, taxpayers may mix and match income, property and sales tax deductions up to the $10,000 limit.

The final bill dropped the top rate for wealthier taxpayers to 37 percent, down from the 39.6 percent in the Senate bill and 38.5 percent in the House version. The cut in part appears to be aimed at high earners in places like Connecticut who would pay higher taxes without full SALT deductions.

No one from Connecticuts all-Democrats congressional delegation was likely to vote for the bill in any case. But the efforts to scale back some of the bills harsher elements did nothing to whet their appetites.

Millionaires and billionaires will get billions in tax cuts from a reduction in the top tax rate, and multinational corporations will still receive the vast majority of the benefits and continue being rewarded for outsourcing American jobs, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro. Meanwhile, middle class families and our most vulnerable citizens will see cuts to our social safety net programs and increased health premiums as the majority tries to fix the $1.5 trillion deficit increase they have created.

Cost limits

The Republicans last major hurdle in passing the final bill  the conference report, in Capitol Hill parlance  may come from within their own party. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said on Thursday he would not vote for the bill unless it upped the child tax credit. Rubio had introduced an amendment to the Senate bill to do just that, but it was defeated.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the only Republican to vote no in the Senate, said his concerns about the bill adding to the deficit have not been addressed, signaling he is a likely no the second time around.

At the White House, Trump did not seem too concerned about a Rubio defection. I think that Sen. Rubio will be there very shortly, he said.

Another possible roadblock might be the bills ultimate price tag. Under a Senate agreement, the tax cuts can amount to no more than $1.5 trillion over 10 years in order to pass on 51 votes. With the Senate divided 52-48 in Republicans favor  51-49 after Alabama special election winner Doug Jones, a Democrat, gets sworn in  Republicans cannot afford to lose more than two votes.

If the bill is found to be over $1.5 trillion by a non-partisan entity like the Congressional Budget Office, it would require a 60-vote threshold to pass. With all Democrats opposed, the entire measure would go down in flames.

dan@hearstdc.com
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FAIRFIELD  Is there a second act in the offing for the Community Theatre?

The long-shuttered and vacant iconic movie house that sits in a prominent place at the corner of Post and Unquowa roads, is officially for sale, with an asking price of $5.9 million.

David Gorbach, of Colonial Realty, confirmed that he is the exclusive listing agent for the property.

I have been fielding inquiries for over a year, Gorbach said, and have a list of very interested buyers.

The fact that the property is simply up for sale is good news to Keith Rhodes, a former member of the Economic Development Commission, who started an online petition in March order to get owner David Pollack and family to sell the property. Over 5,780 people have signed Rhodes petition.

The movie theater, which first opening around 1920, closed for good in 2011, after being operated by a non-profit foundation for about 10 years. Leo Redgate, the non-profits founder, was reluctant to hold a fundraiser to raise the money needed to make repairs without a long-term lease, or purchase agreement, neither of which he could secure.

In 2015, First Selectman Mike Tetreau stepped in, making calls to Pollack on behalf of Kleban Properties, which was interested in developing the property. Kleban Properties calls were never returned, and Tetreau wasnt any more successful.

It is great to see progress on the Community Theatre - getting it on the market is a very big step, Tetreau said. The Community should be the keystone to our downtown.

And the Klebans may still be interested. +We are pleased to see that the theater is on the market and are reviewing the offering materials, Evan Kleban said.

In updating his petition supporters, Rhodes said his guess is that the theater will sell for far less than the asking price, estimating it will sell in the high $3 million to low $4 million range.

Please know that this will not be an overnight process, but its great progress, nonetheless, Rhodes said.

The building is 20,083 square feet, including a 2,654-square-foot balcony.

Tetreau said he cant wait to see it being developed into something that brings people downtown. This is another step forward for our town and economic development.

With this latest action on the property, Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart said, We continue to work with the property owner, broker and prospective buyers to facilitate the sale of this iconic property.

Students at Sacred Heart Universitys Jack F. Welch College of Business graduate program even conducted a survey, and Rhodes said, 97 percent of the 1,901 people who responded were aware of the theater and were overwhelmingly positive about a potential redevelopment.

According to Vision Appraisal, the property at 1410 Post Road is appraised at $2.6 million, with a $1.8 million assessment. That, however, includes the Old Post Tavern. It was purchased by Norman Pollack in 1976 and turned over to David D. Pollack Associates, LLC.
Liberal voters and cannabis advocates can be loud and proud in Hawaii. Even conservatives in the Aloha State don't match the profile of mainland conservatives. Many are pro-gay rights, believe in climate change and even support cannabis legalization.

Perhaps that's in-part what made the island of Kauai a perfect host to the recent International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) December 1-3, 2017. Hawaii is just one stop of the ICBC conference series that takes place around the world in emerging cannabis markets like Berlin and Vancouver.

Related: 9 Business Ideas for People Looking to Cash in on the Marijuana Boom

Cannabis, culture and complications.

An abundance of locally grown cannabis and subjective law enforcement have woven the tolerance of cannabis into Hawaii's culture. It's more c'est la vie than clandestine. After all, Hawaiians are less stressful and happier than residents of any other state. In fact, as long ago as 1979 Rolling Stone named cannabis Hawaii's No. one crop, above sugar and pineapple.

If the state is so progressive, why then has it not fully legalized recreational cannabis consumption? That was one of many key talking points at this island cannabis conference.

The Hawaiian black market has worked just fine for most of its residents, so there's been no huge grassroots push for legalization. Banking and tax challenges, retail management and laws are all unappealing elements one needn't be concerned with when things are seemingly working just fine behind the scenes. And precedent hasn't been inspiring.

Related: Why Your Cannabis Business Is Failing, and How You Can Fix It

Medical marijuana legislation has been a painfully long and restrictive process in Hawaii. The state's initial Medical Use of Cannabis law was introduced in 2000 but it took 17 years for the Hawaii's first dispensary to open. Legislators hadn't thought things all the way through originally: the state law decriminalizing medical use of marijuana for registered patients didn't specify where these patients were supposed to get their supply.

Sure, you could now grow it yourself and now carry it around without problems, but if you weren't the horticulture type, there was no place to buy it other than the black market. And your friend's cousin Hopaka doesn't require paperwork.

All that changes when you factor in the state's greater overall needs, which could reach as much as $80 million in revenue by 2018 in medical marijuana sales alone. That's where legislators are trying to make a difference. An eager ICBC audience got to hear from powerful local activists and lawmakers, each having the same universal sentiment: adult-use, recreational cannabis can fundamentally change Hawaii.

"The Hawaii brand is as strong as any other in the world," declared Hawaii State Senator Will Espero (D), speaking to the ICBC audience. With nine million annual tourists, Espero envisioned how blissful "cannabis vacations" would naturally lend themselves to Hawaii's aloha reputation of warm and accommodating hospitality. Espero said he believes the current needs for state revenues outweigh the sources for it, and legal recreational cannabis can fill those needs.

"Marijuana will be legal for adult recreational use in Hawaii within the next three to five years," Espero predicted.

Related: How Will Businesses Handle Legalized Marijuana in the Workplace?

Introduced earlier this year, Hawaii's 2017 Senate Bill 548 would legalize the personal use, possession and sale of cannabis for adult use, and license and regulate retail marijuana establishments. The bill would:

Decriminalize and regulate small amounts of marijuana for personal use; Establish a licensing scheme for the cultivation, sale and use of small amounts of marijuana for personal use; Tax marijuana sales in the same manner as state excise taxes; and Subject income derived from marijuana sales to state income taxes.

Industry experts at 420 Intel feel this bill has a better likelihood of passing than other state measures this year. Since Hawaii is still dealing with the medical dispensary licensing process and even product supply, they may want to wait until dispensaries are open and firmly established before moving on to legalization.

But, passing that bill won't solve the state's production problems.

How do you move state-legalized cannabis from one island to another when the ocean is a federal territory? Products need to be tested and testing facilities aren't located on each island. Technically, you can't.

Related: Some Universities Offer Classes On Marijuana. LSU Plans to Grow It.

It's like so many other scenarios made unclear by overlapping and undermining federal-to-state legislation. The federal government stands by its laws, and states stand by their right to have their own laws, but none of that resolves anything.

Speaking at ICBC, Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D) called current federal laws relating to marijuana, "archaic." "[They] are hurting people, tearing families apart, turning everyday Americans into criminals, and negatively impacting our economy, all at a tremendous cost to taxpayers as billions are spent on an overburdened and broken criminal justice system."

In the 2018 Farm Bill, I'm working to empower Hawai?i farmers rather than big agribusiness corporations. https://t.co/LWSONm0kY5 pic.twitter.com/MKmJvAuimS  Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) October 9, 2017

Rep. Gabbard, who some consider a future presidential candidate, is a sponsor of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017 that would remove industrial hemp from the federal classification of controlled substances. This would allow farming industrial hemp in Hawaii and nationwide without fear of violating federal law.

Hemp could provide a huge economic boost to a state consistently struggling to diversify its revenue streams. And Hawaii has several good legislators who understand the economic incentives behind this crop and feel legalizing its growth would be a notch not only for the state but, across the entire country.

Speaking at the conference, professional surfer, one-time Kauai mayoral candidate, and local cannabis activist Dustin Barca suggested that introducing a community co-op in Hawaii would create a community-based economic driver that replaces seed experimentation and development. Kauai has become a testing ground for genetically modified chemical experiments for years, land there has been leased to DuPont, Dow, Syngenta and Beck's -- all corporations that chose Kauai to experiment because its tropical climate enables them to work their fields year-round.

Related: What Is Schedule I and Why Is Marijuana on the List, Anyway?

Barca, like many of the state's cannabis activists, is pushing to place power in the hands of the community and way from out-of-state global corporations. Go away federal and big commercial, "aloha" state and community.

That allegiance to state rings loudly across Hawaii when it comes to hemp, and for sensible reasons. There are over 25,000 uses for industrial hemp (including BMW parts), and the more that can be produced locally, the less dependent the state is on the mainland. This holds particularly true for agriculture; textiles; furniture; food/nutrition/beverages; paper and construction materials; as well as personal care products, up to 85 percent of which are imported.

By rejecting any need for federal approval, Hawaii's decriminalization of hemp sets the stage to nullify the federal hemp ban in practice.

All of us at the ICBC sincerely thank our attendees, exhibitors, staff, vendors and the @GrandHyattKauai for making our Kauai conference such a special one. We hope to see many of you again soon, in San Francisco. Mahalo! #ICBCKauai #Hawaii @morganheritage @Leafly @NCIAorg pic.twitter.com/CM65YtGCZh  ICBC (@IntlCBC) December 4, 2017

When you visit a destination, you learn more about it. Cannabis in Hawaii was no exception. Bringing local cannabis thought leaders, eager Hawaiian entrepreneurs and passionate activists together is precisely how to generate education around and visibility to the plant.

Related:

Hawaii Sees Legalizing Adult Use Marijuana As Huge Boon to Island Economy

Legal Marijuana Just Can't Catch a Break From Washington

Canada Is Creating a Multi-Billion Dollar Legal Marijuana Industry



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


When you've put a lot of energy and time into painstakingly building your own social brand, it makes sense to guard your reputation. Yet, a surprising number of people and even businesses have no plan of action, and in today's world, things move fast.

Related: The 7 Biggest Social Media Fails of 2017 -- So Far

Social media and the act of social branding has changed the equation virtually overnight as people discover their own individual personal brand power. Now an entrepreneur like you can be just as much a force of power as a large enterprise. But wait, large or even mid-market companies have plans and systems in place to develop and protect their online reputations because of their sheer size (and revenues). So, how can the entrepreneur or small-business owner apply these brand reputation tactics to their own personal brands? Let's learn and take action from the big guys.

Never has social customer care or social brand reputation monitoring and management been so important to the commercial airline industry as it is today. Business travelers and general passengers communicate directly with the airlines through social media for everything from purchase to tracking flights to alerts to jet card services to airline points and more.

JetBlue Airways was named No. 1 for customer satisfaction of low-fare carriers by JD Power 11 years in a row (although it lost its crown to Southwest Airlines in 2017). Just this past month, JD Power again shelled out an award to JetBlue for its loyalty program.

One factor might be that JetBlue has been planning for its social brand (and investing in it) since 2012, per a Stanford University case study. JetBlue today has over 2 million Twitter followers. So, how does the company do it?

Related: 6 Steps for Converting Loyal Customers Into Enthused Brand Ambassadors

Laurie Meacham, JetBlue's manager of customer commitment, told Spokal that JetBlue's Twitter team doesn't measure response rates on Twitter to encourage employees "to engage smartly, and for the conversations to be organic and natural. We look for opportunities to add value and connect with our customers, not just respond to every single mention that comes our way." Further, JetBlue welcomes all new flyers immediately and responds within six minutes maximum to any issues.

As an entrepreneur you can do this, too.

On the flip side of the equation, airlines like American have been faulted and lost customer loyalty by allowing bots and unmanned automatic responses to send tweets to complaining customers. British Airways was caught responding to lost luggage eight hours after the problem occurred. And as I personally witnessed on a recent business speaking trip, Delta's Twitter managers sent upset customers to an 888 number where hold times were up to one hour for delayed flight information.

In the social reputation world, you must act like a brand and act fast. With these airlines, you can see that quickness to respond and responding in a genuine way are critical to customer retention.

In general, I suggest you follow these social brand strategies daily:

1. Monitor your social media and search engine comments like a hawk.

If a bad tweet or response happens, you need to know. You can hire people to do this on a set basis, and the sophisticated ones can also find out what's going on in the blogosphere and on social media in general even when there's no crisis. If you do DIY it, make sure you not only implement a smart social media monitoring tool, but you know how to use it, and have it manned 24/7.

Related: What Factors Determine a Brand's Value?

2. Plan your response strategy beforehand.

Consider some of the standard customer complaint scenarios and picture your responses. Perhaps it's an accident happening because of your company's negligence, from a sidewalk accident to a faulty product. When England's Grenfell Tower fire tragedy happened a year ago, everyone from the architects to the outside cladding manufacturer to an appliance company that builds refrigerators had to make an immediate PR response. What this may mean to you is to review your company's products and services and determine where there could be any potential failures and write a document on how to respond that can be shared with any new staff.

3. Consider your answer carefully, but get it out soon.

In a crisis, or even in the case of a customer complaint on your Facebook page, it's vital to get a caring answer out as quickly as possible, before other consumers can add any criticism. It may seem like a small matter, but to a customer, the problem may be enormous. At the least, post a message of concern and a promise that you're looking into the matter and will respond with a solution once you know all the details.

Related: 3 Branding Goals I Know You Can Accomplish This Year

In my world, for example, many clients have launched a website or are moving sites to a new domain, which may result in broken links, error pages, Google penalties, links in disavow status, or even the site being down or disrupted. In these cases, it is critical that you continually update your social media profiles on the status of your site and content so that potential clients don't get the wrong impression of your professional online presence.

4. The customer is always right.

Try not to get drawn into a fight online. Be courteous, patient and understanding. Answer with a real name, and offer to solve the problem offline at a customer service phone number you'll provide.

During a five-day system outage in 2016, Southwest Airlines deployed emergency social media customer service effectively by utilizing its Twitter profile @SouthwestAir to get ahead of issues, sharing updates frequently on the situation and allowing customers to Tweet and DM directly to resolve problems and answer questions on flight changes and delays.

In the case of smaller businesses, your reputation, especially in the beginning when you are growing your customer base, is critical to maintain. And so, you need to be 100 percent supportive of your customers and any potential online complaints. As with any security procedure, it's better to be prepared. You have invested in your business and your online brand. Some ways of handling negativity are much better than others, and dealing with people the right way can help get across that you care. That's as true in social media as it elsewhere.

If you have a story or a comment about your online reputation, I would love to hear it. Feel free to comment here or share your story with me on Twitter.

Related Video: Are You Losing Followers? Ask Yourself These Questions.

Related:

You Don't Need to Be a Corporate Behemoth to Have a Strong Social Reputation

Here's How Taking Cybersecurity Very Seriously Enhances Your Brand

Small-Business Owners Will Trust These Brands Most to Get Business Done During the Holiday Season



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


State Sen. Ralph Kilzer, R-Bismarck, said Wednesday he is retiring after more than 20 years in the Legislature, a decision that could prompt multiple Republicans to seek the District 47 endorsement.

Kilzer, 82, who was elected to the state House in 1996 and the state Senate in 1998, said he will retire when his term ends in November 2018.

Its time, he said. I feel very privileged that the people allowed me to occupy the seat.

Kilzer said hes talked to about five people who are interested in seeking the Republican endorsement for his seat.

One contender is Tom Trenbeath, who retired about a year ago as North Dakota's chief deputy attorney general. Trenbeath said Wednesday he is seeking the Republican endorsement for District 47 Senate after talking to Kilzer about his plans.

Trenbeath previously served in the state Senate, elected in 2000 and 2004, but left in 2006 to join the attorney generals office. Trenbeath said he has missed serving in the Senate.

Ive always had the inkling that, if the opportunity arose, I would love to go back, Trenbeath said.

Next years election will be the first time in 58 years that an incumbent will not be on the ballot for the District 47 Senate seat, Kilzer said. Evan Lips held the seat for 38 years and Kilzer ran for the seat in 1998 after serving for two years in the House.

This is the first time that its truly an open seat, Kilzer said.

Kilzer is a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. During this interim, he is serving on the Budget Section, the Education Funding Committee and the Administrative Rules Committee.

Kilzer said he does not plan to endorse a candidate because he feels the seat belongs to the people.

All the people that have talked to me are well-known people in our area, Kilzer said. District 47 will have a very strong Republican candidate, and I assume the Democrats will also put forth a strong candidate.
NEW YORK (AP)  The Federal Communications Commission repealed the Obama-era "net neutrality" rules Thursday, giving internet service providers like Verizon, Comcast and AT&T a free hand to slow or block websites and apps as they see fit or charge more for faster speeds.

In a straight party-line vote of 3-2, the Republican-controlled FCC junked the long-time principle that said all web traffic must be treated equally. The move represents a radical departure from a decade of federal oversight.

In recent months, protests have erupted online and in the streets as ordinary Americans worry that cable and phone companies will now be able to control what people see and do online. On Thursday, about 60 protesters gathered in the bitter chill in Washington to protest the FCC's expected decision.

The broadband industry has promised that the internet experience for the public isn't going to change. But its companies lobbied hard to overturn the rules, contending they are too heavy-handed and are discouraging investment in broadband networks.

"What is the FCC doing today?" asked FCC chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican. "Quite simply, we are restoring the light-touch framework that has governed the internet for most of its existence."

The FCC vote is unlikely to be the last word. Opponents of the move plan legal challenges, and some hope to make it an issue in the 2018 midterm elections. There is also some hope that Congress might overturn the FCC decision.

Mark Stanley, a spokesman for the civil liberties organization Demand Progress, said there is a "good chance" Congress could reverse it.

"The fact that Chairman Pai went through with this, a policy that is so unpopular, is somewhat shocking," he said. "Unfortunately, not surprising."

Under the new rules, the Comcasts and AT&Ts of the world will be free to block rival apps, slow down competing services or offer faster speeds to companies that pay up. They just have to post their policies online or tell the FCC.

The change also eliminates certain federal consumer protections, bars state laws that contradict the FCC's approach, and largely transfers oversight of internet service to another agency altogether, the Federal Trade Commission.

What is net neutrality and why does it matter? "Net neutrality" regulations are on the chopping block. Here's a look at what that mean for consumers and companies.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat appointed by President Barack Obama, lambasted the "preordained outcome" of the vote that she said hurts small and large businesses and ordinary people. She said the end of net neutrality hands over the keys to the internet to a "handful of multibillion-dollar corporations."

With their vote, she added, the FCC's Republican commissioners are abandoning the pledge they took to make a rapid, efficient communications service available to all people in the U.S., without discrimination.

But Michael O'Rielly, a Republican commissioner appointed by Obama, called the FCC's approach a "well-reasoned and soundly justified order."

The internet, he said, "has functioned without net neutrality rules for far longer than it has without them." The decision "will not break the internet."
Man, 52, arrested for assaulting officers

GRAND FORKS -- A Grand Forks man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he threatened, assaulted and spit on police officers after being upset about having to take a urine test at a homeless shelter Tuesday.

Jeffrey Allen Shulzitski, 52, has been charged with four Class C felony charges: terrorizing, simple assault on an officer, preventing arrest and contacting law enforcement with bodily fluids. He also faces misdemeanor counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct.

According to court documents, Shulzitski became upset when asked for a urine analysis by staff members at the Northlands Rescue Mission and began to strike and scream at employees. Police caught up to Shulzitski across the street at Valley Dairy, where they say he resisted arrest, kicked and threatened officers. He reportedly spit in an officers face while being brought to a squad car.

He is scheduled to make an initial appearance Thursday in Grand Forks County District Court. He has yet to be assigned an attorney.

Woman, 81, who died in crash identified

WHITE SHIELD -- The 81-year-old northwest North Dakota woman who died in a crash with a semi was identified Wednesday, Dec. 13.

She is Blanche Mary White Eagle of White Shield.

According to the North Dakota State Patrol, she died on the scene when her pickup collided with the semi at an intersection about three miles west of White Shield.

The woman failed to yield to the semi driven by Dustin Kovarik, 37, of Garrison, said the Patrol.

Kovarik attempted to brake and steer left of her vehicle, but still struck the drivers side of her pickup with the front of his semi, the Patrol said.

Her pickup was spun around and ended up in the ditch.

Kovarik escaped injury.

- Forum News Service
JAMESTOWN  A traffic stop described as routine resulted in more than 198 pounds of marijuana being seized Monday morning on Interstate 94 in Stutsman County, according to the Stutsman County Sheriffs Office.

Sgt. Matt Thom, Stutsman County Sheriffs Office, said at around 9:30 a.m. Monday, he pulled a van over near mile marker 269, about 9 miles east of Jamestown. He said when he approached the van there was a strong odor of marijuana emanating from it.

He said a search of the vehicle yielded 198.58 pounds of the illegal drug.

Two people, Mae Thao, 31, St. Paul, and Xang Thao, 30, Redding, Calif., were charged in Southeast District Court in Jamestown on Tuesday with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver marijuana, a Class A felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. Each has a $500,000 bond. Both people are in the Stutsman County Correctional Center.

According to court documents, Thom was on patrol on eastbound I-94 near when he saw a Dodge Grand Caravan with Minnesota license plates fail to signal a lane change. He had the minivan pull over and observed two people in the vehicle, a woman who was driving, and a man. The people were later identified as Mae Thao and Xang Thao.

Thom said in court documents the two people were extremely nervous and when he asked them individually about their travel plans, their stories were not the same. He said when he looked in the rear passenger compartment of the minivan he saw the entire floor was covered with blankets. Court documents said when Thom was talking with Xang Thao, he noticed the odor of raw marijuana. After placing the Thaos in different law enforcement vehicles after the initial traffic stop, Thom went to the minivan, pulled up one of the blankets and saw multiple heat-sealed bags containing marijuana.

Court documents said after a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, $4,937 in cash was found in the van as well as the marijuana. Court documents state the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the St. Paul Police Department are also involved in this case.

Chad Kaiser, Stutsman County sheriff, said this illegal drug seizure was probably the biggest in the sheriffs offices history.

Its the biggest since Ive been with the department, thats for sure, he said.

Kaiser said he is proud of the work of his deputies have done on his case.

It makes me feel awesome, he said. It is great work, its a good feeling we can get that (the marijuana) off the street.

Kaiser said there are a lot of people who may think there is not a problem with drugs in the area, but a drug seizure of this size should dispel that belief.

We know drugs are a problem, he said, and they are flowing through our community.

Kaiser said it is no secret illegal drugs can be found in large quantities traveling on I-94 and U.S. 281.

The problem is those drugs may pass through here, but eventually they find their way back here, he said.
How do you spot a regular cannabis user?

How do you spot a regular cannabis user? Dilated eyes are one clue. So is giggling when there is nothing very obvious to giggle about. At the extreme end, manic and even violent behaviour are signs.

Another indication is the pungent smell of the drug, which can be picked up even in the open air. Im not sure I could instantly recognise it, but police experienced in these matters can.

So it is baffling that the Inspectorate of Constabulary, which is the official police watchdog, has declared that officers on the beat should stop searching people simply because they stink of cannabis.

PC Plod, on coming across someone in a spaced-out state who is giving off the unmistakeable aroma of weed, is now expected to step aside and continue on his way as though nothing is awry.

The absurd diktat was partly driven by the desire of senior police officers to reduce the use of stop and search, which is particularly resented by some in the black community. The latest figures show that black people are eight times more likely to be stopped than their white equivalents.

It may surprise some that, according to the same figures, black people are less likely to have drugs on them than white suspects. So maybe they are being unfairly targeted by overzealous police.

But if an individual smells of cannabis, whether that person is white, black or brown, the police should surely stop and search him or her. The reason is that cannabis is an illegal Class B drug, rightly deemed by our lawmakers to be potentially very harmful.

At least five forces in England have announced without apparent shame that they will turn a blind eye to cannabis if it is for personal consumption. (Above: Police arrest a man who refused to hand over cannabis at a rally in Hyde Park in 2014)

This latest pronouncement by the Inspectorate of Constabulary is further proof that many senior police officers are no longer prepared to enforce the law over either the possession or the supply of cannabis. In effect, we have the legalisation of drugs by stealth.

Duty

At least five forces in England have announced without apparent shame that they will turn a blind eye to cannabis if it is for personal consumption. Police in Avon and Somerset, Durham, Derbyshire, Dorset and Surrey are taking this lenient approach, and we can be certain others are doing so less publicly.

Meanwhile, some forces are being almost equally indulgent towards growers of cannabis. Small-scale producers routinely escape prosecution in Durham. Devon and Cornwall Police uncovered 194 cannabis farms in four years but only brought charges against 79 people. The rest were cautioned or given warnings.

All this is thoroughly bad. The police have a duty to uphold the law. If they visibly fail to do so, they are actually encouraging people to break it in the knowledge that even if they are caught they will very likely be let off.

Its not just true of drugs, of course. By disclosing that they no longer have the time to investigate low-level crimes such as burglary, the police are effectively giving thieves a green light. Steal a smartphone by all means, but better not take the Mercedes this time.

And so inveterate consumers of cannabis, and those who grow and supply the stuff on a modest scale, know they are safe even though the maximum sentence for possession is supposedly five years in prison, and a stiff 15 years for selling the stuff. In some countries such as Holland, and American states such as Colorado, they are at least honest enough to have had a public debate before  misguidedly, in my view  decriminalising cannabis. In Britain we are legitimising it on the sly while going through the charade of pretending it remains against the law.

My wager is that if there were a truthful discussion in Parliament and elsewhere, the feeble case for legalising cannabis would be rejected by most of the general public. The arguments against the drug are very strong.

Damage

Only last week it was reported that retired teacher Janie Hamilton is touring schools to warn children about the perils of cannabis. She lost her 36- year-old son to testicular cancer after his drug-induced psychosis led him to refuse chemotherapy. His death was recorded as being partly induced by his mental issues.

The link between cannabis and psychosis has been attested by so many studies that it remains a wonder to me that apparently intelligent people such as Nick Clegg, the former Lib Dem leader, can continue to argue in favour of legalising the drug.

Like many similar investigations over the years, an Israeli report in April concluded that smoking cannabis in adolescence may serve as a catalyst for schizophrenia in individuals susceptible to the disorder.A seven-year study in Australia found that teenagers who used the drug were five times more likely to develop depression or anxiety in later life. Many parents will confirm behavioural and personality changes in children who take cannabis.

The link between cannabis and psychosis has been attested by so many studies that it remains a wonder to me that apparently intelligent people such as Nick Clegg, the former Lib Dem leader, can continue to argue in favour of legalising the drug

The ill-effects need not always impact mental health though they invariably damage the individual. A New Zealand study published earlier this year found that those who smoke cannabis at least four times a week end up in less skilled jobs than members of their family. Regular users experienced more downward social mobility and greater financial problems than non-users.

At the extreme end, there is plenty of evidence that cannabis addicts can become violent. A recent case concerned Mark Loveridge, a paranoid schizophrenic with a long history of cannabis abuse who stabbed lecturer Daniel Young. He was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison in October.

Many Islamic terrorists have a history of smoking cannabis. Zahid Hussain was jailed for life two months ago for planning to set off a bomb on the Birmingham to London rail line.

The Islamic State killer Jihadi John was reportedly a heavy cannabis user

Dr Philip Joseph, a consultant psychiatrist, told the court that Hussains psychosis was probably connected to his heavy use of cannabis.

The Islamic State killer Jihadi John was reportedly a heavy cannabis user. The so-called shoe bomber Richard Reid smoked cannabis as a youngster, as did the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.

Of course, these are exceptional cases. I dont deny that regular use in moderation by adults may sometimes be harmless. But there is nonetheless a causal link between heavy use of the drug and violence.

Moreover, legalisation typically increases usage. Earlier this year, the national drugs agency in Portugal released figures which showed that the number of people using cannabis has risen by more than 40 per cent in that country over the 15 years since possession was no longer deemed a crime.

Secret

In Colorado, where the drug was legalised in 2014, there has been a spike in usage. There has also been a higher-than-expected rise in crime, and a dramatic growth in cannabis-related traffic deaths.

So I submit that in increasingly treating the possession and low-level production of this dangerous drug as a non-crime, the police are taking intolerable liberties. It is weak and feeble of the Home Office to let them get away with it.

The excuse that the police havent got the time to prosecute miscreants is a mere smokescreen. How long does it take to search someone reeking of cannabis? To be fair to the police, one or two forces such as Merseyside are reportedly resisting this latest nonsense.

Do we want our drugs policy to be determined in secret by senior police officers? Or do we prefer laws passed by our political representatives to be observed? My bet is that the vast majority of people want the latter.
Masterchef winner and the queen of quick and easy home cooking, Julie Goodwin, has revealed her tips for an impressive Christmas feast.

Speaking to FEMAIL, the mother-of-three and author said Christmas was a big family affair - but surprisingly the cooking wasn't just left up to the celebrity chef.

'At our place, everyone brings something to share so we don't leave it up to one person,' she said.

'It makes Christmas much easier and no one is left stressing.'

Masterchef winner and the queen of quick and easy home cooking, Julie Goodwin (pictured), has revealed her tips for an impressive Christmas feast

However, Julie revealed that she does like to take control of the dessert each year and prepare a ''show-stopper'' for her family.

'It might be a Christmas wreath croquembouche or a beautiful pavlova,' she explained.

She also loves to make her famous Grandma's Christmas Cake, which was inspired by her husband's grandmother.

The celebrity chef said glazing was key to making a succulent ham on Christmas Day (stock image)

'She used to make it every single year. It has different fruits, cherries and brand, but the best part is that it's covered in blanched almonds,' Julie said.

Although Julie loves spending Christmas Day by the pool with her family, food is at the heart of festive day for the winner of the inaugural season of MasterChef Australia.

Julie Goodwin has shared more than 300 recipes in her new book

'I love Christmas Eve on the back deck and having a big roast then on Christmas Day, having the lovely prawns and ham,' she said.

But what's the secret to a delicious and succulent ham?

'The glaze,' Julie replied.

'Glaze it every few minutes and don't cut too far into the fat.'

And as you'd expect, the busy mum ensures there's no waste following the festive day.

'Leftovers get a good run in our household - we don't waste anything.'

'We make all kinds of things - quiches and sandwiches,' she explained.

Banoffee pavlova roulade Serves 10-12 Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes INGREDIENTS: 8 egg whites 2 cups caster sugar 1 tablespoon cornflour 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 600ml thickened cream, whipped 4 ripe bananas, sliced  cm thick For the caramel sauce 125g butter  cup brown sugar  cup thickened cream For the candied macadamias  cup macadamia nut pieces  cup icing sugar METHOD: Preheat oven to 160*C. Grease and line a 26cm x 34cm baking tray with baking paper. Julie's Banoffee pavlova roulade In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the sugar a little bit at a time, whipping continually, until the sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks have formed. Sprinkle over the cornflour, vinegar and vanilla and gently fold through the egg whites until combined. Do this very gently so as not to knock the air out of the mixture. Spread the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 20 minutes or until just firm. When the meringue comes out of the oven, allow to cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle a fresh sheet of baking paper with cornflour and lay over the top of the meringue. Lay a clean tea towel on the bench, and carefully invert the baking dish so that the meringue comes out on top of the baking paper and on top of the tea towel. Carefully remove the baking paper from the bottom of the meringue. Julie Goodwin's Essential Cookbook by Julie Goodwin is published by Hachette Australia, $39.99. Advertisement

Outside of the kitchen, Julie is helping bring joy to many underprivileged families this Christmas too.

As an ambassador for ChildFund Australia, the much-loved home cook is asking Australians to help contribute 'gifts for good'.

'Long before I became an ambassador, my husband and I sponsored a child,' she said.

Julie on the iconic Australian Postie Bike, motorcycles used by ChildFund staff and community workers, to deliver water filters to communities without access to a safe water source; reading kits to schools and vaccines for immunisations

'Then we were taken to Uganda to meet a child we sponsored.

'It's humbling to see how much a small amount of money can achieve.'

'There are so many pockets of people in remote areas and these gifts help communities become self-sufficient.'
The new series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has been an overnight success for Amazon Studios - thanks in part to fans of the hit show Gilmore Girls.

Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino created both of the female-focused series, and it seems many devotees of their original show, all about mother-daughter duo Rory and Lorelei, have been all too happy to binge the new show on Amazon Prime since it debuted on November 29.

And those eagle-eyed superfans (including one at Buzzfeed) have been rewarded for their loyalty, as it seems Sherman-Palladino snuck a couple of Gilmore references into her latest TV hit.

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Look close! Fans of both Gilmore Girls and the new series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have been comparing the two TV shows  and noticed some Easter Eggs in the Amazon's new hit

Love it! Amy Sherman-Palladino created both shows with her husband Daniel Palladino, and while she hasn't confirmed that any references were made on purpose, fans are thrilled

Setting the scene: The new show starts with the wedding of Midge Maisel (pictured), in which she is giving a funny speech

A look inside: Fans can see the wedding decor, which is all-white and wintery

The creator hasn't confirmed whether the reference was made on purpose, but it's so specific and detailed that many fans are convinced it couldn't have been coincidental, calling it an Easter Egg in the new show.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel kicks off with the wedding of the main character, Miriam (Midge) Maisel to her husband, Joel . She's seen giving a funny speech at her own reception, which is held inside a venue that's been done up with white decorations and wintery floral centerpieces.

In a later episode, Midge (played by Rachel Brosnahan) talks to some of her new friends about what the affair was like. She says it was a 'Russian winter wonderland theme' and explains, 'Everything was white, and there were trees painted like they were covered with snow.'

'It was really, really beautiful,' she adds.

Looking back: In a later scene, she describes the affair to new friends as having a 'Russian winder wonderland theme'

Festive: She says that everything was white and looked like it was covered in snow

Hmmm... The wedding theme and even the specific words she used seem familiar to some fans of Gilmore Girls

Inspiration? Back in season two of Gilmore, Emily describes the wedding she had always thought she'd plan for her daughter Lorelai, though she never got the chance

So similar! She, too, says she thought of a 'Russian winter theme'  specifically, the Romanovs  and imagines white roses and fake snow everywhere

For Gilmore Girls fans  particularly those who have watched reruns and returned to re-binge on Netflix  that description might sound a bit familiar.

That's because it's nearly exactly what Emily Gilmore (played by Kelly Bishop) tells her daughter Lorelai (played by Lauren Graham) she had planned for her wedding.

In a season two episode of Gilmore Girls called Dead Uncles and Vegetables, Emily has an emotional conversation with Lorelai at Luke's, in which she laments that fact that she never had the chance to throw her daughter a wedding.

'I know that in a million years you'd never let me plan your wedding. I gave up on that dream a long time ago,' she says, before launching into what she'd dreamed up in her head.

'Yours was going to be a Russian winter theme  the Romanovs,' she adds.

Fans have been struck by small similarities though the shows are different. Mrs. Maisel is about a Jewish '50s housewife who enters a career in stand-up comedy after her husband leaves her

The most obvious overlap? Actress Alex Borstein appears in both shows, playing major character Susie Meyerson in Mrs. Maisel after a cameo as Drella in Gilmore (pictured)

Same person! Alex also came back in later seasons, heavily disguised, to play Emily's personal stylist Miss Celine

After a snarky quip from Lorelai ('Before the firing squad, I assume?'), Emily describes in more detail that she'd imagined 'snow white roses, trees with white lights and candles, snow everywhere, you arriving in a silver sleigh with white horses.'

'Well, it would have been beautiful,' she says.

Fans of the two series have been quick to make comparisons between them, weighing Lorelai's relationship with her mother against Midge's relationship with hers.

One overlap is particularly obvious: Alex Borstein appears in both shows. Is Mrs. Maisel, she plays a lead character, Susie Meyerson. In Gilmore Girls, she had two smaller roles: Drella, a harpist who briefly appeared in an the first season, and Miss Celine, Emily's stylist who appears in seasons three and five.

Alex helps make a less-obvious reference, mimicking the words of fellow sometimes-curmudgeon Luke Danes.

One more! Susie complaints about Midge's sons sticky hands rang familiar to fans, too

Doesn't do kids; She gripes when holding Midge's son's hand because they're sticky, which she finds disgusting and baffling

Messy: Midge explains that it's just jelly, something kids get on their hands a lot

One in the same: Gilmore Girls fans fondly remember Luke Danes' rant about kids having sticky jam hands

Two faves! The similarities could be a coincidence, but fans are thrilled nonetheless

In an early episode on the new show, Alex's character Susie visits Midge at her apartment. Midge's son holds Susie's hand, and Susie complains, 'Why is his hand sticky?' before asking the kid directly, 'Why is your hand sticky?'

'Where has his hand been that it is now currently very sticky?' she asks, prompting Midge to explain that it's just jelly and 'Children get jelly on their hands.'

The kids-with-sticky-jelly-hands idea seems lifted from a season two episode of Gilmore Girls, in which Luke worries to Lorelai about taking in his nephew, Jess.

'I don't even like kids,' he says. 'They're always sticky like they've got jam on their hands. Even if there's no jam in the house, somehow, they've always got jam on their hands!'
Ray Brooks isn't your average Santa-for-hire come Christmas.

For the past six years, the 58-year-old has played the role of Santa. He's been a store Santa for some big retailers including Kmart but his real passion is starring as Santa in his own Santa Wonderland event - a fundraiser he holds in the backyard of his home.

It should come as no surprise then that Mr Brooks of Ulverston, Tasmania, who is a former foster parent, might know a thing or two about fielding awkward and difficult questions from the many kids he sees each year.

And despite the fact that playing Santa is plenty of fun for the community-spirited Mr Brooks, he told FEMAIL there's the odd situation that still throws him.

Ray Brooks (pictured) has been running a community Christmas event for local children for the past six years

Here, FEMAIL asked Mr Brooks, aka Santa, to shed a little light on some of the most common questions he's been asked and to share his best replies.

Parents take note.

Every year, in the three weeks leading up to Christmas, Mr Brooks festoons his yard with lights, and all things Santa-related, dons his red suit and sets about playing Santa for the local children.

Though he admits the role is one he loves - he fits his Santa gig around his full-time job as a garbologist - it also comes with its share of challenges.

Of all the questions Mr Brooks has been asked over the years, the one children most often want to know is: 'Are you real?'

Each year Mr Brooks festoons his yard with lights to create a Christmas wonderland

Answering it isn't just a matter of a simple yes, Mr Brooks said.

Depending on the age and stage of the child, especially if they're a pre-teen, it's likely their belief in Santa is starting to waver.

If this is the case, Mr Brooks said he will say he's one of Santa's helpers, and the 'real Santa lives in the North Pole.'

Often though, he'll take his cue from parents standing nearby who will give him a look that will let him know whether or not it's okay for him to say he's the real Santa.

If Mr Brooks is asked if he's the real deal he won't just say yes. Instead he'll try to give the best response possible depending on the age and stage of the child

Additionally playing Santa means Mr Brooks will also field questions about the kinds of toys kids want to receive on Christmas Day.

'It depends on what they [children] ask for,' he said. 'If mum or dad give me a look I might say "Maybe, we'll have to see if it Santa can fit that into the sleigh and if it doesn't make fit, we might have to decide on something else".'

'I don't make promises that children will get the present they ask for.'

Santa's hectic schedule: In addition to hosting his annual event which runs for three weeks, Mr Brooks also has a special postbox and replies to letters personally

As well as Mr Brooks' community work, he's also set up a special Santa postbox and said he gets a lot of letters, all of which he takes time to answer personally.

Among these, he said there have been some heartbreaking requests, especially if a child has lost a parent.

'There are those letters where kids say they haven't got a mum or a dad or this time last year my dad died - things like that really hit home.

'It's really hard, but if those children come to my yard when I am dressed up as Santa, I take those children under my wing and spend as long with them.'

There have been also times when Mr Brooks said he's been asked by a child if he can bring a parent back.

If he sees children who have lost a parent he take those kids under his wing, giving them as much time with Santa as they need

'Most of the time I say "Sorry I can't bring your mum or dad back" then I go on to say that all of these lights in my yard represents someone special and your mum or dad is one of these shining lights.'

Because Mr Brooks hosts this event from his home, his three dogs take part - which usually sparks off a request for a pet, generally puppies.

If parents are standing nearby shaking their heads, he will tell children it's too cold for Santa to have puppies in the North Pole and too far for them to travel. And it's a decision for mum and dad to make.

'If a tear or two is shed, the chocolate comes out. That normally quietens a few.'

If a child sheds a tear or two over news they won't be getting a puppy at Christmas, Mr Brooks breaks out the chocolate

Kids are also endlessly fascinated with Mr Brooks' Santa beard - one he admits to having spent quite a few dollars on.

'It looks real and it often gets pulled. Most of the time I will say ouch but I am sure some of the children know it's not real.

'There is the odd child that likes to swing off the beard though.'

Mr Brooks' absolute commitment to his role as a community Santa means there's even a sleigh - complete with reindeer - parked out the front of his house.

Mr Brooks and his 'magic' sleigh which he tells kids changes into the real thing

'I often get asked why it's not real and I say "it is real, it's magic. When all you children go to bed it changes into the real sleigh and the reindeer and Santa disappear.'

Though Mr Brooks sees hundreds of kids during his community event, staying at the top of his game means making every effort to remember children's names.

'If I have done photo shoots with kids, I will often remember their names from year to year.

But he said if they are visiting him for the first time, he sometimes gets a little help.

'Mum and dad know they are going to ask that question so I always get a little whisper,' he concluded.
On November 20, 1947, Queen Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten in a Royal wedding like never seen before at Westminster Abbey.

Less than one month later, on 13 December, 1947 on the other side of the world, William, 91, and Dorothy Curtis, 88, tied the knot in Burwood, Sydney.

Both couples have recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. FEMAIL spoke to Dorothy and Bill to find out what the secret is to a happy, 70-year union.

William, 91, and Dorothy Curtis, 88, tied the knot in Burwood, Sydney, in 1947 - they are now celebrating 70 years of marriage (pictured together)

The couple (pictured together just after their engagement) tied the knot in the same year as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

The couple first met at a dance in Burwood in the forties - where Bill's friend suggested Bill walk Dorothy home (Dorothy pictured in the 40s)

The couple first met at a dance in Burwood in the forties - where Bill's friend suggested Bill walk Dorothy home.

'When I met her [Dorothy], she seemed like a smart girl, attractive, great at talking to people and with a nice personality,' Bill explained.

After dating for a short time, Dorothy told FEMAIL that Bill proposed:

'It wasn't like the proposals of today,' she said. 'We knew we both wanted to get married, and then one day Bill said: "I suppose we should get married".'

Three months later, they were married.

The couple married just one month after the British Royals - they welcomed their son (pictured with Bill) in the same year that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had Prince Charles)

'It's been terrific to celebrate 70 years of marriage and to receive a letter from the Queen,' Bill said (pictured: the couple with their letter from Queen Elizabeth)

Speaking about the ceremony itself, Bob explained that they struggled to find their date, when the local Minister said they had a spot free on Saturday 13 December:

'I said: "Dorothy won't like that date, it's the 13th, it may be unlucky",' Bill said.

But when they finally agreed to stop worrying about the date, they had a beautiful wedding, later giving birth to a son and two daughters.

Dorothy said it's 'lovely' to celebrate 70 years of marriage with Bill, as she only knows one other couple to hit 70 years - the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Getting married in the same year as the British Royals isn't the only thing the devoted have in common with the Royal couple either.

Bill was born in the same year as the Queen and Dorothy welcomed their son in the same year that Charles, Prince of Wales, was born.

'It's been terrific to celebrate 70 years of marriage and to receive a letter from the Queen,' Bill said.

The couple (pictured hours after their wedding) also shared their secrets to a happy marriage - which include 'never holding a grudge' and being 'happy'

Finally, the adorable couple shared their secrets for a long and happy marriage.

'Never hold a grudge, just get on with life and be happy,' Bill said.

He added that they have always spent time with each other and had one another's backs throughout hard times - as well as good.

Dorothy and Bill are both residents of the aged care home, Whiddon Easton Park, which is also celebrating 70 years of existence this year.
Anonymous contributions to the reward for information about missing an indigenous mother of five, Olivia Lone Bear, have more than doubled the amount offered since the search began in late October.

We cannot put into words how thankful we are as a family to receive such support from the community. Not every family that has a relative go missing is embraced in such a warm way. Our family has been uplifted how all families deserve to be. We can never repay that kindness, it means a lot, said Matthew Lone Bear, the missing woman's brother.

With the addition of three donations over the course of the past four days, the amount has grown to $21,000. Offered is a one-time, non-incremental reward for information leading to Olivias safe return home or for information leading to the arrest of someone who may have harmed her.

Ground search volunteers beyond the reservation borders and from the region are needed to aid in the search.

Earlier this month, Matthew Lone Bear said his familys relationship with tribal police in searching for his sister has been strained. No organized search began until Nov. 1, and he said his family has tried to maintain a civil accord with Three Affiliated Tribes police despite tension over the search and resources.
Their glamorous family photo shoot is a real treat for royal watchers around the world every Christmas.

And now Princess Charlene of Moncao, 39, has given fans an early sneak peek at this year's festive tableau by sharing a snap of her adorable twins Jacques and Gabrielle to Instagram.

The twins, who celebrated their third birthday earlier this week, posed in a sleigh in front of the Christmas tree looking very grown up after receiving their first ever haircut last month.

Jacques, who beamed for the camera, looked every inch the young gentleman in a white shirt and grey trousers, while his sister was pretty as a picture in a festive red dress with a matching bow in her hair.

It's been an exciting week for the youngsters who celebrated their third birthday with a wintry-themed party thrown by their parents Princess Charlene and Prince Albert.

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Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, three, pose for the Monaco royal family's traditional Christmas photo shoot

Although no pictures of the celebrations have emerged Albert, 59, opened up to People magazine about the party held at the Oceanographic Museum with friends they've made at kids club and nursery.

'Its kind of a Polar Arctic setting. Theres stuff like mechanized polar bears that move their hands and arms - it was really fun,' he said.

'Then we had a little celebration up at Roc Agel with Charlenes family, and that was nice.'

He also revealed that Prince Jacques had received a Hot Wheels launcher and truck for his birthday, while Princess Gabriella Barbie doll and the Barbie Dream Horse

Princess Charlene, 39, and Prince Albert, 59, treated their children to a birthday party at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco

The young princess tucks in during morning tea with Monsignor Barsi, the Archbishop of Monaco

There's also an exciting year ahead for the young pair who will take a 'halfway-around-the-world' trip with their parents.

In another interview with People magazine, Prince Albert revealed the family is planning a trip to Polynesia in summer 2018.

'We did a cruise with them this summer and that was fine. We'll have to break up so it's not so long for them.'

He added that while he's eager for the twins to see the world, he is not planning any official visits with them until they're a little older.

When asked if a future state visit might involve getting together with their young royal counterparts, he replied: 'Are you asking me about a royal play date with Will and Kate's kids?'

'Maybe, but a state visit with the twins to any country, not just the UK, is a few years off.'

The twins are the first children born to Prince Albert and his wife Princess Charlene who married in 2011.

Jacques with longer curls at the Sainte-Devote festivities in Monaco in January this year

Princess Charlenes with Jacuqes and Gabriella before they had their curls cut shorter

Gabriella was born first at 5.04pm, and Jacques at 5.06pm, but it is Jacques who will be the future Prince of Monaco, because of the Mediterranean principality's male inheritance laws.

The Prince was by Charlene's side as the children were delivered at the Princess Grace Hospital, which is named after Albert's mother, the late Hollywood star, Grace Kelly.

Soon after 7.30pm, 42 cannon shots rung around Monaco, confirming that the babies had been born.
She is best known as one of Peru Two drug mules, but following a stint in jail it seems Michaella McCollum is firmly set on staying on the straight and narrow.

McCollum, 24, was spotted clutching a pile of books as she headed to college in Belfast on Thursday.

The former convict, who was jailed in 2013 for attempting to internationally smuggle drugs, put on a studious display as she arrived at Millfield college.

Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum looked studious as she headed to college in Belfast on Thursday

Keeping out the December chill, McCollum, from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, wrapped up in an oversize grey coat accessorised with a tartan scarf.

The former model paired cut off pin-stripe trousers with a chic navy t-shirt as she prepared for a day of studying.

With plenty of books to carry McCollum ditched the heels opting instead for a pair of trendy white sneakers as she headed to college where she is thought to be studying Humanities and Social Science.

The former jailbird, who is believed to be carving out a media career, is barely recognisable after undergoing a dramatic makeover following her return to the UK, swapping her raven locks for long blonde extensions.

Clutching her books McCollum wrapped up from the December chill in an oversize grey coat and tartan scarf

The former model paired cut off pin-stripe trousers with a chic navy t-shirt as she prepared for a day of studying

Over the last few months, Michaella has been spotted living it up in party centres Ibiza and Marbella enjoying sun, sea and cocktails.

How the former drugs smuggler has funded her holidays is unclear, but she has been linked to a number of potentially lucrative opportunities and was recently spotted outside HMP Liverpool where her agent said she was filming a prison documentary.

She was also spotted heading to a morning of meetings at the BBC back in September. Representatives for McCollum told the MailOnline that McCollum had visited the studios today for 'meetings about upcoming projects'.

McCollum began college in May this year and is thought to be studying Humanities & Social Sciences

She enjoyed a summer of sun-soaked holidays in Ibiza and Marbella but it seems the former model is ready to settle back into her studies

It has been reported that she has been offered a 250,000 tell all book deal detailing her criminal exploits and time behind bars in Lima.

Her jet-setting lifestyle is a stark contrast to former accomplice Melissa Reid, who has landed a charity job at Citizens Advice.

Reid applied for a job at the charity after she was released from the South American jail last June.

The jet-setter, who was jailed in Peru alongside Melissa Reid (right) in 2013 for trying to smuggle 1.5million's worth of cocaine into Europe, has since enjoyed a string of holidays R

McCollum, by contrast, has been accused of capitalising on her notoriety, and in May it emerged she has signed with a talent agency.

The two were sentenced to spend six years and eight months inside a grim jail in Lima, after they were caught trying to smuggle the huge quantity of cocaine.

The ex-convict was released on parole last March after serving less than half of her sentence but initially had to stay in Peru, where she carried out voluntary work until August when she flew back to Belfast.
The Queen of Spain was all smiles today as she met children at a village in Dakar, Senegal.

Letizia, 45, who is on the final day of her four-day working visit to the west African country, was there to learn about the Village Pilote initiative, which aims to get homeless children off the streets and into accommodation.

The Spanish royal dressed for the 25-degree heat in a simple white shirt and baggy trousers as she laughed and joked with the locals.

Before leaving, she received a hug from some of the villagers and was even handed what appeared to be a large framed portrait.

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Queen Letizia was in Dakar today to learn about the Village Pilote initiative, which aims to get homeless children off the streets and into accommodation

She means business! Letizia, 45, is on the final day of her four-day working visit to the west African country after touching down in Dakar on Monday

On Monday she was met by First Lady Marieme Faye Sall, who is the wife of the country's President Macky Sall, as she touched down at Dakar airport.

Her four-day royal visit is designed to support Spanish co-operation projects including the defense of women's rights and social and economic developments in the country.

Letizia, who is the wife of King Felipe VI, kicked off her engagements on Tuesday at the Technical Cooperation Office of the AECID, where she held a meeting with Spanish and international cooperation workers.

Later, she moved on to the 'Aula Cervantes' in the Campus of the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), the country's main university.

Fond farewell: Before leaving, Letizia received a hug from some of the villagers and was even landed what appeared to be a large framed portrait (pictured)

Queen of style! The Spanish royal dressed for the 25-degree heat in a simple white shirt and baggy trousers as she laughed and joked with the locals

Busy week: To kick off her visit on Monday, Letizia was met by First Lady Marieme Faye Sall, who is the wife of the country's President Macky Sall (pictured here in Dakar today)

Warm reception: Letizia was greeted by a large chalkboard reading 'Bienvenue a La Reine d'Espagne' (Welcome to the Queen of Spain)

Important trip: Letizia's visit is designed to support Spanish co-operation projects including the defense of women's rights and social and economic developments in the country

There, she learned about the work of the Cervantes Institute in Senegal and attend a meeting with the rector of the UCAD and other academic authorities, as well as Spanish teachers and students.

She was treated to lunch at t the luxurious Terou-Ki hotel, a five star hotel with spectacular sea views, before heading on to visit to Red Cross of Dakar to learn about a project for the protection of Senegalese women's rights.

And on Wednesday Letizia travelled to the southern region of Casamance to visit a project designed to help stop the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Action-packed: Letizia, who is the wife of King Felipe VI, kicked off her engagements on Tuesday at the Technical Cooperation Office of the AECID, where she held a meeting with Spanish and international cooperation workers

Earlier in the week, Letizia learned about the work of the Cervantes Institute in Senegal and attend a meeting with the rector of the UCAD and other academic authorities, as well as Spanish teachers and students

Whirlwind trip: On Wednesday Letizia travelled to the southern region of Casamance to visit a project designed to help stop the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM)

During the sombre visit, the Queen chatted with some of the girls and women affected by FGM as she helped to launch the Spanish-supported project against the debilitating cultural tradition.

The mother-of-two is accompanied this week by the Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Ibero-America and the Caribbean, Fernando Garcia Casas, as well as the Director of Cooperation with Africa and Asia of the AECID, Cristina Diaz.

The Queen consort is on her last overseas visit before the Christmas break, which she is expected to spend at home with her husband and their two daughters.
Seven teens suffering life-threatening illnesses had their wishes come true last weekend when they attended the world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Los Angeles.

The teens ranging from 14 to 18 years old lined the red carpet as cast members including Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and John Boyega, walked by to greet them and snap a quick selfie.

This was thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation who flew the seven fans, who have conditions including leukemia and brain cancer, to the star-studded premiere.

Among the group was Tyler Woodward, 17, who said he was a Star Wars fan long before his cancer diagnosis.

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The Last Jedi cast member Mark Hamill posed with, from left, Jacob Martin, Isaac Rochin, Olivia Sava, Shannon McNabb, Tyler Woodward, Chris Alegria and Max Gavenman at the premiere of the film

Tyler Woodward, 17, from Ohio took a selfie with actress Daisy Ridley and was among the seven teens with life-threatening illnesses who had their wish granted and went to the premiere

Tyler, a longtime Star Wars fan, has leukemia and made his wish last year to go to the premiere

Tyler said he was born 'right when all the prequels were coming out' and grew up having lightsaber fights with his two older brothers.

After chemotherapy took his hair last year, he knew what he wanted from the Make-A-Wish Foundation: a trip to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere.

Tyler finished his last round of chemotherapy in October and just a week before the premiere he learned his wish had been granted.

He and his mother Karen hopped on a plane from Ohio to make it to the star-studded event that included an after party.

While Make-A-Wish couldn't promise personal interactions with celebrities, the teens and their parents had a special spot on the red carpet where they could see the stars arrive.

'I've been telling people that like 50 percent of the reason I wished for this is just so I could meet Daisy Ridley,' Tyler said before the premiere. 'But I don't really see myself being disappointed.'

Tyler wasn't the only Daisy Ridley fan.

Fourteen-year-old Olivia Sava, who, like Tyler, suffers from a form of leukemia, made a wish about The Last Jedi just after the last installment came out in 2015. She said her dad got her into Star Wars when she was little.

'I'm most excited to see Daisy Ridley,' said Olivia of Woodmere, New York, who wore a purse to the premiere that looked like the Death Star. 'She's an amazing actress and I really want to meet her.'

Their wishes came true tenfold when the actress who plays Rey stopped by and gave them hugs and took selfies.

Tyler's hands were shaking from nerves but he was able to get the shot.

Right by Tyler's side was Chris Alegria, 18, who has an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The Florida teen learned about his diagnosis when he suffered headaches and problems with his peripheral vision after being in a minor fender bender.

A scan found a large, fast-growing tumor in his brain that was removed but left Chris going through rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

While on the red carpet the teens used their illnesses to grab the attention of the stars.

Cast member Adam Driver (right) posed for a selfie with Chris Alegria, 18, (left)

Chris underwent brain surgery to remove an aggressive tumor (right) and underwent rounds of chemotherapy and radiation

In this December 9 photo, Daisy Ridley (right) who plays Rey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi signs an autograph as Tyler left, and Chris look on

'Daisy, I had cancer!' Tyler playfully shouted to the actress from far away.

'I've had brain surgery!' added Chris Alegria who wore his prom tuxedo to the premiere.

WHO ARE THE SEVEN WISHERS? Olivia Sava, 14, from New York has blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm Jacob Martin, 15, from Texas has Langerhans cell histiocytosis Isaac Rochin, 15, from Arizona has mitochondrial myopathy Tyler Woodward, 17, from Ohio has leukemia Shannon McNabb, 18, from West Virginia has severe Crohn's disease Chris Alegria, 18, from Florida has brain cancer Max Gavenman, 18, from California has brain tumors Advertisement

All seven of the wishers bonded during their red-carpet experience.

Among the group was Shannon McNabb, 18, from West Virginia who suffers from severe Crohn's disease.

When one boy sat down during all the excitement, one of the girls checked to see if he was feeling okay.

When another was trembling too much to take a photo, the boy next to him helped steady his hands.

And when the group spotted Ridley arriving on the red carpet, a buzz of collective excitement overcame them.

The red carpet outside the Shrine Auditorium, where a giant Imperial Walker towered over guests, was crowded with stars.

One by one writer-director Rian Johnson, Andy Serkis, Laura Dern, Gwendoline Christie, Benicio del Toro, John Boyega and Adam Driver came over to meet the Make-A-Wish group.

'I'm going to see it like hundreds of times before I'm dead, but it's up there in terms of being not only the best Star Wars movie, but the best movie I've ever seen,' Tyler said after the film. 'Obviously, my experience is better than most, seeing the world premiere and getting to meet all the actors first, but it was amazing.'

Established in 1980, the nonprofit Make-A-Wish Foundation aims to grant a wish to every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.

Disney, now the parent company of the Star Wars franchise, granted that very first wish: a trip to Disneyland.

The company is now involved with almost half the wishes submitted each year, and is supporting the organization this month with a $5 donation for every photo of Mickey Mouse ears shared on social media with the hashtag #ShareYourEars.

Cast member John Boyega, right, posed for a photo with Olivia Sava, 14, of New York, who has cancer, at the premiere of the film at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Shannon McNabb, 18, who has severe Crohn's disease (left) was among the seven teens who was sent to the Star Wars premiere by the Make-A-Wish foundation

The Make-A-Wish group posed at The Last Jedi premiere wearing Star Wars-themed Mickey ears.

Both Tyler and Chris brought their mothers along for the wish experience, which included a weekend in Hollywood and a trip to Universal Studios.

'My mom led me through this whole cancer fight,' Chris said before the premiere. 'Cancer sucks, to say the least, and I could always count on her... She would always comfort me. She's my best friend.'

Tyler's mother, Karen Woodward, said she was just grateful to see her son so happy.

'He's been through a lot the last year-and-a-half, with the chemo and losing all his hair and missing school and all that, so this has really been a great event... just to be able to give him something that's exciting to look forward to and that he's going to remember forever,' she said. 'It's so much fun to watch the excitement in your child. I get a lot out of that.'

After watching The Last Jedi alongside the cast, the group went to the after-party, which was modeled after a casino-like city in the Star Wars galaxy.

Guests could play table games to win souvenir Star Wars pins and pose for photos with characters from the new film.

And the Make-A-Wish kids could celebrate being among the first fans in the world to see the anticipated eighth chapter in the core Star Wars saga.
Children who routinely eat their meals together with their family are healthier than those who don't, a new study shows.

Canadian researchers tracked hundreds of children from five months old to 10 years old.

They found that the 10-year-olds were more active, had better mental health, and drank less unhealthy soda if they always ate dinner with their parents or guardians and siblings.

The researchers say this is the clearest evidence to support the unconfirmed theory that family meals are beneficial in every way, since they were able to account for all lifestyle factors - including environment and their parents' health.

New research has found children who eat dinner with their families were fitter, healthier mentally, and less inclined to eat fast food or drink soda (file image)

'The presence of parents during mealtimes likely provides young children with firsthand social interaction, discussions of social issues and day-to-day concerns, and vicarious learning of prosocial interactions in a familiar and emotionally secure setting,' pyschoeducation professor Linda Pagani, of the University of Montreal, said.

'Experiencing positive forms of communication may likely help the child engage in better communication skills with people outside of the family unit.

'Our findings suggest that family meals are not solely markers of home environment quality, but are also easy targets for parent education about improving children's well-being.'

Professor Pagani conducted the study with doctoral student Marie-Josee Harbec, following a cohort of Quebec children born between 1997 and 1998.

The study is published today in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.

The study looked at children who had been followed by researchers since they were five months old as part of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development.

At age six, their parents started reporting on whether or not they had family meals together. At age 10, parents, teachers and the children themselves provided information on the children's lifestyle habits and their psycho-social well-being.

'We decided to look at the long-term influence of sharing meals as an early childhood family environment experience in a sample of children born the same year,' Pagani said, 'and we followed-up regularly as they grew up.'

'There is a handful of research suggesting positive links between eating family meals together frequently and child and adolescent health.

'In the past, researchers were unclear on whether families that ate together were simply healthier to begin with.

'And measuring how often families eat together and how children are doing at that very moment may not capture the complexity of the environmental experience.'

When the family meal environment quality was better at age six, higher levels of general fitness and lower levels of soft-drink consumption were observed at age 10.

These children also seemed to have more social skills, as they were less likely to self-report being physical aggressive, oppositional or delinquent at age 10.

Harbec explained that the study added more weight than any other previous research on this topic.

'Because we had a lot of information about the children before age six - such as their temperament and cognitive abilities, their mother's education and psychological characteristics, and prior family configuration and functioning - we were able to eliminate any pre-existing conditions of the children or families that could throw a different light on our results,' Harbec said.

'It was really ideal as a situation.'

At a time when fewer families in Western countries are having meals together, it would be especially opportune now for psycho-social workers to encourage the practice at home - indeed, even make it a priority, the researchers said.

And family meals could be touted as advantageous in public-information campaigns that aim to optimize child development.
A miracle baby has defied the odds to celebrate his first Christmas after being born one week before the abortion time-limit.

Although his due date was February 22 2018, Arthur Brumby was born at just 23 weeks on October 31 weighing 1lb 2oz.

One of the youngest premature babies to survive in Britain, Arthur, from Nottingham, is even more of a miracle as both of his parents suffer health problems and thought they would never conceive.

Although the youngster has endured two brain bleeds and suffered a life-threatening E.coli infection during his short life, Arthur is expected to be home in March and will celebrate Christmas Day in hospital with his family.

His mother Laura Hillary, 30, a primary school teacher, said: 'He shouldn't be here. But he is, and he is wonderful', adding the youngster is a 'Christmas miracle'.

Ms Hillary and her fiance James Brumby, 31, a joiner, are fundraising to support their frequent hospital visits and anticipate time off work to care for Arthur when he is home.

Current abortions in the UK allow such procedures to be carried out before the 24th week of pregnancy as it is only after this the foetus is considered a human.

Yet, campaigners urge for the time-limit to be reduced as figures revealed earlier this year show one-third of babies born at 23 weeks survive.

Arthur Brumby will celebrate his first Christmas in hospital after being born one week before the abortion time-limit at just 23 weeks on October 31 weighing 1lb 2oz

He is a double miracle baby as both his parents (pictured) have fertility problems. His mother Laura Hillary, 30, has endometriosis and his father James Brumby, 31, has Crohn's disease

The tiny youngster is due to stay in hospital until being allowed home in March next year

WHAT IS THE ABORTION TIME LIMIT? Most abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can be carried out after 24 weeks in certain circumstances; for example, if the mother's life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability. Campaigners urge for the time-limit to be reduced as figures revealed earlier this year show one-third of babies born at 23 weeks survive. Some argue that at 23 weeks, babies can detect their mothers' movements, as well as their sense of hearing improving. They can make facial expressions and produce urine at just 14 weeks, while they can hiccup at 11 weeks. Advertisement

Told to expect the worse

Just three days after being told the pregnancy was progressing well, Ms Hillary, a primary school teacher, went into labour.

She said: 'Doctors said my cervix had shrunk to 1.8cm. It was funnelling and preparing for labour.'

Ms Hillary was rushed to hospital and given an emergency cervical stitch to prevent the cervix opening. Yet, shortly after, she began bleeding.

Doctors were unsure where the bleeding was coming from and signed her off work while she rested at home.

Yet, on October 27, Ms Hillary's waters broke while she was cooking dinner.

She said: 'It was coming out like a slow-release tap. I was in labour. I was only 23 weeks and one day pregnant.

'We went into absolute panic mode. We rang the hospital and they said to come in straight away.'

At Nottingham City Hospital, Ms Hillary and Mr Brumby were told the devastating news that their baby was unlikely to survive.

After three days of bed rest and just 34 minutes of active labour, Arthur was born naturally.

Ms Hillary said: 'He was clearly fighting to be there. The doctors were trying to put tubes in him and he was fighting them off. It was amazing to see.'

Rushed to a neonatal intensive care unit, Arthur underwent sodium and blood transfusions.

Ms Hillary said: 'He'd initially been wrapped in a plastic freezer bag to replicate the womb, but he was by this point in an incubator. He had wires coming in and out of him and was tiny.

'His skin was scaly because he was so premature. But he was wonderful.'

Since then, Arthur has endured two brain bleeds and suffered E. coli, and will require heart surgery in the future.

After four weeks, Ms Hillary was finally allowed to hold him. His father Mr Brumby got his first cuddle at five weeks.

The family will spend Christmas day together in hospital, where Arthur is expected to stay until March.

Arthur (pictured at three hours old) has already endured two brain bleeds and E.coli infection

He is also expected to require heart surgery in the future due to his health complications

Shortly after being born Arthur was rushed to intensive care and underwent transfusions

His tiny size made him the same length as a drinks bottle (pictured at two weeks old)

Arthur was initially put in a plastic bag to replicate the womb (pictured at four weeks old)

His mother said he had wires coming in and out of him, and scaly skin due to being premature

Arthur measured considerably less than 30cm shortly after he was born

He was born naturally after his mother was in active labour for just 34 minutes

Ms Hillary was finally allowed to hold Arthur four weeks after he was born

'I was advised to have a baby sooner rather than later'

Arthur is even more of a miracle baby as both of his parents suffer from health complications that affect their fertility.

Mr Brumby has Crohn's disease, which doctors warned could affect his ability to father a child due to his aggressive treatment.

Ms Hillary has also faced fertility challenges after a route smear test in 2012 revealed she had pre-cancerous cells on her cervix.

She said: 'I had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia at level two. This meant there were changes to the cells that covered the outside of my cervix. Level two meant between one third and two thirds of the skin covering the cervix had abnormal cells.'

At Nottingham City Hospital in September 2012, Ms Hillary had 1.5cm of her cervix burnt away, leaving scar tissue.

Yet in 2015 she began suffering severe stomach pains and vomiting.

Despite initially thinking it was not serious, a GP appointment and keyhole surgery revealed she was suffering from endometriosis, where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb by breaking down and bleeding is found in other parts of the body.

This is thought to affect fertility due to tissue scarring.

Surgeons burnt away the affected areas, but told Ms Hillary a hysterectomy would be the best way to ease her symptoms.

She said: 'I was advised to have a baby sooner rather than later.

'But James and I wanted to get married before having children.'

On October 25, 2016, Mr Brumby proposed to Ms Hillary while on a weekend away in Norfolk.

She said: 'It was always his plan. It wasn't just because we had been told we needed to try for children.'

After booking a wedding venue for April this year, the couple were allowed two weeks to change their minds. On day 13, Ms Hillary took a pregnancy test out of the blue, only to discover it was positive.

She said: 'I couldn't believe it. We'd not been using contraceptives for years, as we were told it was unlikely it would happen naturally.'

After visiting her GP, Ms Hillary was confirmed to be between four and six weeks pregnant.

Then, during her 12-week appointment at Nottingham City Hospital, doctors discovered her cervix only measured 3cm, which is much shorter than the average of 4-to-5cm.

As the condition put her at increased risk of miscarrying, Ms Hillary had regular hospital appointments, but was told at a 20-week scan the baby was growing well.

Ms Hillary said: 'It's not been easy. National guidelines mean my maternity allowance for a year started as soon as he arrived. But come February 22  despite him then being four months old  he will have a corrected age, so will revert to nought.

'He's likely to have problems because he is so premature.

'James has just started a new job and money is, of course, tight. We travel back and forth to hospital. We have to anticipate taking time off to care for a tiny baby who arrived so, so early.'

Donate to the couple's cause here.

Arthur's father's (pictured) Crohn's disease affects his fertility due to the aggressive treatment

Mr Brumby got to hold Arthur for the first time when the youngster was five weeks old

Arthur's tiny foot measured just half the length of an adult's index finger (pictured)

The couple did not plan to have Arthur when they did as they were organising their wedding

Yet they were thrilled to be expecting (pictured: the first time Arthur opened his eyes)

Arthur's mother had previously had pre-cancerous cells on her cervix that caused scar tissue

Ms Hillary was told a hysterectomy was the best treatment for her endometriosis, before being advised to have children soon (pictured during one of her first cuddles with Arthur)

The couple had not used contraception for several years due to their fertility problems
A young woman born to Indian parents with red hair, white skin and freckles has spent her life being shunned and bullied because people think she's diseased.

Pooja Ganatra, 24, who was born in Mumbai, has flaming ginger hair, deep emerald eyes and white skin - like that of a stereotypical Gaelic woman.

But the proud Indian was actually born to 'typically Indian' parents who thought her freckles were a birth defect - and have no idea where her unusual looks come from.

Miss Ganatra's appearance, believed to stem from her ancestors, has made her feel like a foreigner in her own country - with Indians staring and asking for pictures.

It could be her appearance was triggered by an 'evolutionary throwback', called atavism, to genes that had been passed down from her ancestors after laying dormant for years.

Because of her complexion, strangers are often shocked to discover she speaks Hindi and try to charge her tourist prices because they think she is a backpacker.

Her unusual appearance also saw her rushed to hospital as a child over fears she had a skin disease.

Her insecurities were intensified as a teenager by the overwhelming pressure to conform to 'impossible' Indian standards of beauty.

Miss Ganatra said: 'I'd love to get a DNA test one day to discover more about my ancestry because I don't know anything about it.

'I have no idea why I look the way that I do but a test into my genes could explain a lot.'

Pooja Ganatra, 24, who was born in Mumbai, has flaming ginger hair, deep emerald eyes and white skin - like that of a stereotypical Gaelic woman (pictured in a traditional dress)

But the proud Indian was actually born to 'typically Indian' parents who thought her freckles were a birth defect - and have no idea where her unusual looks come from (pictured with her father Rajesh, 51, and mother Hemaxi, 46)

Miss Ganatra, who runs her own clothes manufacturing business, said: 'When I was born, my family had never seen anyone who looked like me before because they all have brown skin, black hair and brown eyes, like most Indians.

'When my freckles started appearing everywhere when I was three, because none of my relatives had ever gotten freckles before they didn't know what they were.

'I was rushed to the doctors because everyone thought it was a birth defect or skin disease. I was always the odd-one-out at school, and was routinely bullied.

'People would always come up and ask "what are those spots on your face? Why do you have so many marks?". It was a real mental challenge.

'Even in my first year of university, I was pulled aside and told not to wear sleeveless shirts because they were "too eye catching" with my white skin.

'There was no rule against sleeveless clothing and every other girl dressed like me, yet I was singled out.'

'Relax, I'm Indian too'

Miss Ganatra added: 'Indians love to pose for photos with different-looking people from overseas, so I often get people coming up to me asking for pictures.

'It's happened more than 100 times in my life - I have to tell them, "relax, I'm Indian too".

'When I get into taxis cab drivers start speaking to me in English and are shocked when I answer them in Hindi.

She was even rushed to hospital as a child over fears she had a skin disease and told she couldn't wear sleeveless tops while studying at university

Miss Ganatra's appearance, believed to stem from her ancestors, has made her feel like a foreigner in her own country - with Indians staring and asking for pictures

'The funniest one is when I'm charged the foreigner price for public attractions because they think I'm a backpacker, so I have to prove I'm Indian.

WHAT IS ATAVISM? Miss Ganatra's complexion could be down to a genetic process called atavism - a theory once described by biologist Charles Darwin. This is when dormant genes passed down through generations suddenly strike into action and trigger a change - such as having a third nipple. Scientists often refer to this as being an 'evolutionary throwback' because ancestral genes can reappear in the case of individuals born today. In Miss Ganatra's instance, it could be that her ancestors are from the UK, or another area that is predominantly Caucasian. India was colonised by different countries and ruled by the British for over 100 years. However, the atavism process usually refers to distant ancestors. Advertisement

'When I was in America people wouldn't believe me when I told them I'm Indian. Even the customs officer at the airport had to look twice at my passport and asked me if I'm really from India.'

No siblings

After Miss Ganatra was born, her parents decided not to have any more children in case her strange looks were a sign she needed medical treatment and they wanted to be able to afford this.

While her father Rajesh, 51, has darker skin and looks 'typically Indian', her mother Hemaxi, 46, also has slightly lighter than average skin and a few freckles, although none on her face.

But it is a complete mystery to Miss Ganatra and her family why she looks the way she does.

Could be it down to her ancestors?

Considering India was colonised by different countries and ruled by the British for over 100 years, she said there is definitely a possibility her ancestors were from the UK.

Miss Ganatra said her unique appearance made it extremely difficult to fit in at school and that she would often be singled out and bullied by her classmates when she was a child.

And as a teenager, the redhead's insecurities were intensified by the overwhelming pressure to conform to 'impossible' Indian standards of beauty.

It could be her appearance, which saw her rushed to hospital as a child over fears she had a skin disease, was triggered by an 'evolutionary throwback' of her genes

Because of her complexion, strangers are often shocked to discover she speaks Hindi and try to charge her tourist prices because they think she is a backpacker

She feared she would never have a boyfriend because no one would ever find her attractive.

Now, with her typically Caucasian features, she said Indian people stare at her and often mistake her for a foreigner, but are gobsmacked when they discover she is 'one of them'.

After feeling like an outcast all her life, it wasn't until Miss Ganatra travelled overseas to Europe and America that she realised there were people out there who looked like her and she was in fact 'normal'.

Her insecurities were intensified as a teenager by the overwhelming pressure to conform to 'impossible' Indian standards of beauty

Miss Ganatra said: 'When I was born, my family had never seen anyone who looked like me before because they all have brown skin, black hair and brown eyes, like most Indians'

While her father Rajesh, 51, has darker skin and looks 'typically Indian', her mother Hemaxi, 46, also has slightly lighter than average skin and a few freckles, although none on her face

'My grandmother died when my mum was very young, so I was never able to ask her about it but I'm very curious.

'I always felt like such an oddity until I went overseas and saw all these people who looked exactly like me and it felt amazing.

'Indians are obsessed with pale skin but it has to be clear - any pimples, blackheads or blemishes of any kind are considered really ugly.

'So, while people were in awe of my white skin, they kept telling me that I'd look better if I just got rid of my freckles. They were perceived as this huge flaw.'

Freckles in the Mumbai sun

She continued: 'Freckles worsen in the sun and in Mumbai it's always incredibly hot, so my freckles have just kept appearing.

'I've tried different skin creams and medications to get rid of them, but nothing ever worked.

After Miss Ganatra was born, her parents decided not to have any more children in case her strange looks were a sign she needed medical treatment

it is a complete mystery to Miss Ganatra and her family why she looks the way she does

THE MILLION-TO-ONE ODDS FOR ANOTHER MOTHER A black mother who gave birth to a million-to-one, white, blue-eyed baby boy stunned doctors by having a second white child, it was reported in January. Financial analyst Catherine Howarth, 35, who is of Nigerian heritage, believed the rare recessive white gene that resulted in son Jonah, three, being completely white would not strike a second time. So she was stunned when the midwife handed her daughter Sophia and she was as white as her big brother. The mother from Milton Keynes, Bucks, believes she is the only black mother in the world to have given birth to two white, blue-eyed children. She said: 'When Jonah was born, a genetic specialist said he was a one-in-a-million baby. 'He said it was extraordinary with my African background that I'd had a child with blue eyes and pale skin. 'He calculated the possibility of it happening again was less than one in a million.' Advertisement

'It was even told to try extreme laser treatment or to have cosmetic surgery, but I never wanted to go down that road.'

Miss Ganatra was recently snapped by prominent Mumbai photographer Karishma Mehtha for her popular 'Humans of Bombay' Facebook page.

And now as an adult, she fully embraces her unique looks and feels much happier in her own skin.

Natural beauty is 'gorgeous'

She said: 'After a while I just got sick of trying to change myself and eventually I just decided to accept it.

'People tell me to wear foundation and powders to cover my freckles but I'm just not that type of person and I feel beautiful the way I am.

'Natural beauty is the most gorgeous thing a woman can wear.

'It took a while to learn how to love myself but now that I do, I always dress my best and bring out my biggest smile for anyone who stares at me.

'I don't care anymore if people stare at me or judge me because of how I look. I'm too busy loving myself to notice.'

Considering India was colonised by different countries and ruled by the British for over 100 years, she said there is definitely a possibility her ancestors were from the UK (pictured with her mother Hemaxi)

She feared she would never have a boyfriend because no one would ever find her attractive
A mother diagnosed with terminal cancer has been given a Christmas miracle after being told she is now free of the disease after taking a revolutionary cancer drug.

Heidi Loughlin, 35, said the world is her oyster after Kadcyla - considered the biggest breakthrough for sufferers in the last decade - helped her defy her death sentence.

Doctors warned she had just four years left to live last September, when her rare and aggressive inflammatory breast cancer worsened.

Ms Loughlin, from Bristol, described her ordeal as being like 'swimming in the wake of a ship wreck' and 'fighting an impossible battle'.

But this week, in an incredible turn of events, Ms Loughlin's latest scan has shown her body to be currently free of the disease - believed to be because of Kadcyla.

The drug was approved by Nice, the NHS' drug rationing watchdog, earlier this year for thousands of women who suffer from a rare, aggressive breast cancer.

Heidi Loughlin, 35, said the world is her oyster after a revolutionary breast cancer drug helped her defy her death sentence (pictured with her sons Noah, 4, and Tait, 3)

Ms Loughlin first noticed something was wrong when she was breastfeeding youngest son Tait (pictured together) in February 2015, and noticed a rash

Ms Loughlin, who has also undergone chemotherapy to rid her of her disease, has said she is 'so grateful' for the precious time she has been given back to spend with her sons and her partner Keith.

She said: 'Knowing what it feels like to say goodbye, the thought of having to go through that again is absolutely unbearable.

'I can dare to dream that I'll be here for a really long time. I'm only 35, I feel great. The world's my oyster now.'

On her blog, called Storm in a Tit Cup, she wrote: 'Kadcyla is the drug that is keeping me alive.

It is currently stopping my cancer from spreading any further within my body. It gives me a relatively conventional life. It buys the average patient an extra 9 months of life.

She was three months' pregnant when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive inflammatory breast cancer in 2015.

She refused chemotherapy and ignored doctor's recommendations at the time to have an abortion in order to give her baby a fighting chance.

Baby Ally Louise Smith was born 12 weeks early via c-section on December 12, 2015 - sadly she passed away just eight days later after developing an infection.

Ms Loughlin, who is also mother to Noah, 4, and Tait, 3, was told in September 2016 that her cancer was terminal.

Ms Loughlin first noticed something was wrong when she was breastfeeding youngest son Tait in February 2015, and noticed a rash.

Doctors warned she had just four years left to live last September, when her rare and aggressive inflammatory breast cancer worsened

Ms Loughlin, from Bristol, described her ordeal as being like 'swimming in the wake of a ship wreck' and 'fighting an impossible battle'

THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS Thousands of breast cancer sufferers are now be able to take a revolutionary drug following its approval for routine use on the NHS. Kadcyla, considered the biggest breakthrough for sufferers in the last decade, was previously rejected due to its cost. Campaigners reacted in anger when rationing watchdog NICE made the decision to block the medication in England two years ago. But a decision in June meant 1,200 women dying with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer - one of the most aggressive forms of the disease - can now get their hands on the life-saving drug. Kadcyla, considered the biggest breakthrough for sufferers in the last decade, was previously rejected due to its cost. But the NHS has announced it will now be available for thousands Advocates of the life-saving drug called the NHS' cut-price deal with its manufacturer as being a major victory for sufferers. Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, was behind desperate pleas to make the drug available to women in England before the new proposals were announced. She previously lambasted NICE for denying sufferers access to the drug that is available in France, Germany, Australia and Canada. A report in August criticised NICE of failing to negotiate on the price - and warned of the rigid medical assessment system. But NHS England managed to strike a deal with Swiss manufacturer Roche to make the drug, which is delivered by a drip every three weeks, available. Previously, patients could only access it through the Cancer Drugs Fund, before the responsibility was passed over to NICE last July. In clinical trials, Kadcyla was shown to extend the lives of people with terminal cancer by an average of six months. The drug, which normally costs 90,000 per patient, also dramatically improves quality of life, compared with other treatments, and reduces side-effects. Advertisement

She refused chemotherapy and ignored doctor's recommendations at the time to have an abortion in order to give her baby a fighting chance. Baby Ally Louise Smith was born 12 weeks early via c-section but passed away just eight days later after developing an infection

But this week, in an incredible turn of events, Ms Loughlin's latest scan has shown her body to be currently free of the disease - believed to be because of Kadcyla

Ms Loughlin, who has also undergone chemotherapy to rid her of her disease, has said she is 'so grateful' for the precious time she has been given back to spend with her sons

But doctors said she had mastitis - a common condition for new mothers where breast tissue becomes painful and inflamed.

She thought nothing more of it, and was overjoyed to learn she had fallen pregnant with her third child months later.

THE COMMON SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER A change in size or shape

A lump or area that feels thicker than the rest of the breast

A change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling (like the skin of an orange)

Redness or rash on the skin and/or around the nipple

Your nipple has become pulled in or looks different, for example changed its position or shape

Liquid that comes from the nipple without squeezing

Pain in your breast or your armpit thats there all or almost all of the time

A swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone Advertisement

But in September she was left devastated when tests revealed she had inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of the disease with a typical prognosis of two to five years.

And a year later, in September 2016, she was dealt a further blow when she was told she had four years to live.

Ms Loughlin, who had been documenting her cancer journey on her blog throughout this time, began compiling a bucket list of things to do before she died.

These included a Christmas trip to Disneyland Paris, road trips across Australia and the USA, getting married, and living to see her sons start primary school, secondary school and university.

And now that she is cancer-free, she still plans to throw herself into life as much as possible - as doctors suspect her cancer may eventually become active again.

She said: 'Next year that's going to be my main aim, I'm going to start thinking about what I'm going to do with the rest of my life.

'A lot of people are terrified to do that, because they think it will come back to get them.

'But actually it doesn't change - whether I spend the entire time terrified and wasting time on feeling terrible about what might happen to me, or I spend the entire time embracing the time that I've got.'

Ms Loughlin has won a legion of fans online for her up-front and brutally honest blog, called Storm in a Tit Cup, about the disease.

She has also been ticking items off her bucket list - including marrying her fiance in February and taking a road trip across America in May.

Her blog can be found here: http://storminatitcup.blogspot.co.uk/.
Male virgins can still get HPV, the first study of its kind found.

Men who have never had intercourse are still at risk of catching the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus virus (HPV) if they have oral sex, according to the researchers.

Study author Dr Alan Nyitray from The University of Texas in Houston, said: 'It reinforces the point that HPV vaccination should not be thought of only in the context of sexual behavior.'

HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the US and can cause cancer of the penis in men, while women are at risk of developing the condition in the vulva, vagina or cervix. The infection can also cause cancer of the anus or throat in both sexes.

Around 79 million people in the US are infected with HPV, which is most commonly spread by vaginal or anal sex. Up to four in five people in the UK develop the infection at some point in their lives.

In the US, vaccinations against the infection are recommended for all boy and girls aged 11 to 12. In the UK, only girls are vaccinated from 12 years old.

Controversially, certain girls report being left wheelchair bound and paralyzed after having the jab, however, global health officials have repeatedly said they are safe.

Male virgins can still get HPV if they have oral sex, new research reveals (stock image)

WHY IS THE HPV VACCINE CONTROVERSIAL? In recent years, numerous teenage girls have made headlines after claiming to have suffered devastating side effects after having HPV vaccines, with alleged complications including paralysis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Yet, global health officials have always strongly denied the jabs have any nervous system effects. As with any vaccine, there is a very small chance of a severe allergic reaction with the HPV jab, according to the Vaccine Knowledge Project at the University of Oxford. The World Health Organisation, the US Center for Disease Control and the European Medicines Regulator have 'extensively reviewed the vaccine's safety'. They conclude there is 'no credible evidence of a link between the HPV vaccine and a range of chronic illnesses'. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said in July giving boys the HPV jab is not cost effective and a girls-only program is sufficient to prevent infection. Some also worry giving the jab to both boys and girls will encourage risky sexual behavior. Advertisement

How the research was carried out

The researchers analyzed 87 male virgins aged between 18 and 70 living in the US, Mexico or Brazil.

The study's participants were followed-up every six months between 2005 and 2009.

Their genital cells were collected and investigated for 36 types of HPV.

'HPV should not be thought of only in the context of sexual behavior'

Results reveal male virgins can still become infected with HPV.

Yet, such infections occur at around half the rate of those having penetrative sex.

The researchers believe the participants may have caught HPV through oral sex.

Dr Nyitray said: 'Previous studies have found HPV among female virgins, but this is the first to find it among male virgins.

'It reinforces the point that HPV vaccination should not be thought of only in the context of sexual behavior.'

Of those who had sex within one year of the study starting, 28.7 percent became infected with HPV, while 45.5 percent caught the virus within two years.

Lead author Dr Zhiyue Liu said: 'These findings highlight the rapid acquisition of HPV after sexual debut among men and thus emphasize the importance of HPV vaccination before sexual debut.'

The findings were published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
A British man has perforated his bowel after inserting an 'unusually large' 77cm-long sex toy in his anus, a case report reveals.

The patient, whose name is unknown, used the bendy object for sexual gratification when he was drunk.

Doctors revealed he 'lost control' of the toy because he was intoxicated, allowing it to get stuck inside his rectum.

The bizarre case, published in the BMJ Case Reports, has prompted experts to warn that inserting objects can be 'highly dangerous'.

Describing the object as 'unusually large' in the journal, doctors said: 'This case is the first of its kind and exclusive due to the enormous size.'

The patient, whose name is unknown, used the bendy object, which measured 77cm, for sexual gratification when he was drunk

Doctors revealed he 'lost control' of the toy because he was intoxicated, allowing it to get stuck inside his body (yellow arrow points to the toy in his abdomen)

The patient, who was in severe pain, presented himself to the A&E department at a hospital ran by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust.

He explained to medics how he intentionally placed the non-battery-operated sex toy into his rectum while under the influence of alcohol.

Medics, led by Dr Saad Ikram, were concerned when an X-ray revealed a 'smooth shadow' in the right side of his abdomen.

The man then informed doctors, who were stunned over the size of the mass, that the sex toy measured three quarters of a metre.

The bizarre case, published in the BMJ Case Reports , has prompted experts to warn that inserting objects in the rectum can be 'highly dangerous' (diagram of the man's case)

COLORECTAL FOREIGN BODIES: THE FACTS Colorectal foreign bodies are not uncommon and occur most commonly for sexual purposes. However, cases of them resulting from medical and criminal purposes have been reported in the literature. A vast variety of objects have been reported in case studies, for example, glass bottles, cans, aerosol sprays, candles and bulbs. Sports goods, wooden rods, food items, hoover extensions, broomsticks and sexual toys have also been recorded. Advertisement

Further scans then revealed the large foreign body had perforated his bowel.

Surgeons removed the sex toy and also cut out 20cm of his large intestine, including the part that was torn.

The patient spent nine days hooked up to feeding tubes in hospital and was fitted with a stoma bag to stop waste passing through his colon.

Dr Rishi Goel, a consultant gastroenterologist at Kingston Hospital, London, told MailOnline that inserting objects 'is ill-advised and highly dangerous'.

'Foreign body object insertion into the gastrointestinal tract can lead to bleeding and perforation which may require endoscopic or surgical treatment.

'Such irresponsible behaviour can lead to a significant burden on the provision of emergency hospital care.'

The case comes after MailOnline broke the news of an Italian man who shoved up a drinking glass up his anus for pleasure shattered.

The unnamed patient, believed to be from Milan, told doctors he put the object up his bottom for 'sexual stimulation'.

But when he tried to remove the 8cm by 6cm drinking vessel, it broke and sharp pieces of glass were left scattered inside him.
Several people urged the North Dakota Department of Health to quickly implement the states new medical marijuana program during a public hearing on proposed rules Wednesday, at the state Capitol.

R. Pete Daniels, founder and CEO of Sister Havanas Foundation, which he described as a future applicant to provide medical cannabis in the state, said the state is moving at a near-stagnant pace to allow the product. Their business plans  he said they have a warehouse in Mandan lined up for a growing facility  have been delayed by the states process.

How much longer are the people of this state with qualifying diagnoses and their children going to be denied medication that has proven to work? Daniels said.

Mary Rennich of Bismarck, whose son has severe epilepsy, said its been painful to wait but was glad state officials were being careful about the rulemaking process.

I respectfully understand the speed at which its going, but if theres any way to expedite this, please just know that there are many, many people waiting, she said.

Jason Wahl, the interim director of the Health Departments medical marijuana division, said it typically takes states 18 to 24 months to implement such a program.

North Dakota voters approved the medical marijuana ballot measure last year with almost 64 percent of the vote. But state lawmakers said the new law was flawed and required changes. They rewrote it and Gov. Doug Burgum signed the bill in April.

The Health Department has said medical marijuana may not be available for patients until late next year. It hopes to present the rules to the legislative Administrative Rules Committee in March. If the rules are approved then, the earliest they could be finalized is April 1.

The 50 pages of proposed rules dive into the weeds of the states medical marijuana program and dictate how the product will be transported, packaged and tested, among a host of other requirements. Aaron Birst, representing the North Dakota Association of Counties, suggested a few clarifications in those guidelines.

The rules also describe the application process for so-called compassion centers, but the Health Department doesnt plan to accept applications for manufacturing facilities or dispensaries until at least April 1.

State law allows the department to register up to two manufacturing facilities and up to eight dispensaries, but it could allow more to increase access.

Hearing schedule

Thursdays hearings on medical marijuana rules:

9 a.m., Fargo Cass Public Health, 1240 25th St. S.

2 p.m., Grand Forks County Building, Memorial Conference Rooms on the sixth floor, 151 S. Fourth St.
One in five older Americans experience discrimination from doctors and healthcare providers, new research reveals.

Black patients were most likely to report racial discrimination, while whites and Hispanics felt that their treatment was influenced by their age, weight or income.

Recent reports have found that many members of the aging US population are not seeking medical attention when they need it, and discrimination could further discourage older people from taking care of their health.

Over the period of the study - between 2008 and 2014 - rates of discrimination reported by blacks fell - perhaps in line with the introduction of training to make medical students aware of bias - but the high overall incidence of discrimination warrants further efforts, the authors say.

Older black patients still report more discrimination than whites or Hispanics, though numbers remain near 20 percent across for patients of every race, according to a new study

Researchers surveyed nearly 14,000 patients over the age of 54 who suffered from chronic diseases.

They kept up with the patients as they made regular hospital visits between 2008 and 2014 for common ailments of old age: hypertension, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease or stroke.

Depending upon what race or heritage they were, doctors and health care workers discriminated against patients for different reasons, by the patients reports.

Black patients still report discrimination at the highest rates, though unfair treatment dropped from 27 percent to 20 percent.

About half of black patients felt that their providers discriminated against them based on their race, while age and economic discrimination accounted for 29 and 20 percent of overall reports.

The authors note that in recent years, more medical schools have implemented courses to train future doctors to be cognizant of and combat the influences of stereotyping and their own experiences.

'Institutions have put a lot of effort into cross-cultural training and sensitivity in providers office and medical schools have done a lot to recruit new doctors based on compassion rather than GPAs,' says Dr Peter Muennig, a professor at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

While reporting of discrimination among blacks dropped precipitously from 2008 to 2010, the decline tapered off after that, for unclear reasons, the report states.

Regardless, public health continues to bear out that black patients are at greater risks for chronic diseases and face worse outcomes than do White patients.

'A good deal of info that shows that African Americans receive lower care than virtually any other group, other than potentially Native Americans,' Dr Muennig says.

'This is based on 'differences in access to quality care and the care provider's racial bias,' he says.

Clearly, people who are affluent, whites and Asians are more likely to get good medical care, though, it's hard to say even what good medical care is...it might even be too much Dr Peter Muennig, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Dr Muennig says that stereotypes are deeply ingrained and go both ways: 'Providers discriminate against patients, and patients discriminate against providers.' Racial stereotypes are very strong, and they penetrate even within the racial groups that are susceptible to them.'

Prevailing media stereotypes of minorities as being more likely to use drugs and commit crimes play in heavily to health care providers' discriminatory tendencies.

Dr Muennig cites a study that found that care providers were 'much less likely to give adequate pain management for a fractured femur if the patient was black or non-white Hispanic.

'It's a very painful injury, and probably has to do with the [assumption] that if you're black, you're more likely to be using drugs,' he says.

On the other hand, 'clearly, people who are affluent, whites and Asians are more likely to get good medical care, though, it's hard to say even what good medical care is.'

For white and affluent people, good care 'might even be too much,' leading to over-prescribing, 'compared to other groups,' Dr Muennig suggests.

The disparity in mortality for blacks and whites has finally begun to narrow, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The gap is down from 33 percent in 1999 to 16 percent as of 2015, but that is still a difference of about three and a half years of life between the two races.

Counterintuitively, the wealthier black patients were, the more likely they were to report discrimination, while the opposite was true for Whites.

University of California, Berkeley epidemiology professor and study author Dr Amani Nuru-Jeter said: 'This finding is useful for continued efforts to improve healthcare experiences and suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach will not suffice.'

In a socially conservative industry like medicine, personal responsibility spills over to size, weight, socioeconomic status, race...things people would change if they could Dr Peter Muennig, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

For Hispanics, the greatest cause for concern was their age, with 27 percent reporting discrimination on that basis.

Not far behind, 23 percent of Hispanic participants said that they were discriminated based on race, while financial status and weight or physical appearance each accounted for 14 percent of discrimination.

Both whites and Hispanics felt discriminated for their weights, and Dr Muennig says that's a common phenomenon in the medical industry.

This is 'huge issue, an area where you see things changing by race. Heavier people experience discrimination based upon any measure you can think of in a medical office,' he says.

Doctors, as a group, tend to be 'socially conservative,' and have high standards for personal responsibility, Dr Muennig says.

'In a socially conservative industry like medicine, personal responsibility spills over to size, weight, socioeconomic status, race...things people would change if they could.'

'Overweight and obese people are given messages that they would be more successful, healthier and look better if only they could lose weight' by doctors who, he says, use 'negative terms' to describe these patients among themselves.

White patients said that they were discriminated against only slightly less often than did blacks, at 17 percent overall. But the reasons they believed they were treated unfairly were quite different.

Nearly 30 percent of whites said that the care they were given was influenced by their ages. Other forms of discrimination were relatively low, though whites were the only group to report gender as a common enough for discrimination for the authors to report the finding.

'If people believe they have received unfair treatment in the health care setting, that experience could negatively affect their experience with their providers, their willingness to go to their providers, and their adherence with their treatment, and thereby affect their health,' said Dr Thu Nguyen, ScD, MSPH, a University of California, San Francisco researcher and the paper's first author.
ALL THE WAY HOME by Debi Gliori (Bloomsbury 12.99)

PICTURE BOOKS

ALL THE WAY HOME

by Debi Gliori (Bloomsbury 12.99)

While Mummy penguin is hunting for fish, Daddy stays in the crowded huddle of males, looking after their precious little egg (pictured below). But then hunger drives him to wander off  until a huge gust of wind whisks him from the South to the North Pole.

Lost and lonely, he encounters some very unusual creatures, from narwhals to arctic foxes, none of whom can help him find his way home.

Luckily, a reindeer takes him to the most northerly house in the world, where a kindly man with a white beard and red trousers knows exactly where he lives, and how to fly him back . . .

Penguins, snow and Father Christmas  what more could you want in your stocking?!

KATINKAS TAIL

KATINKAS TAIL by Judith Kerr (HarperCollins 12.99)

by Judith Kerr (HarperCollins 12.99)

Judith Kerrs Mog stories have enchanted generations of children but now she introduces a new feline character, Katinka, her own fluffy white cat with an unusual tabby tail. Katinka appears to live an ordinary life catching mice and climbing up the furniture, until one night Judith wakes up to see her being followed into the woods by all sorts of animals who are entranced by her newly-acquired sparkly, golden tail.

Together they all fly up to the stars and land on the moon . . . The next day she assumes it was a dream  but was it? This delightful, gentle story from the 94-year-old author sparkles with glitter and a real twist in the tail . . .

PICK A PINE TREE

PICK A PINE TREE by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis (Walker 11.99)

by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis (Walker 11.99)

What could be more exciting than bringing home the Christmas tree and draping it with tinsel and shiny baubles?

This gorgeously illustrated book perfectly captures the ritualised frenzy of festive preparations as parents and children transform a simple pine into a twinkling centrepiece for family and friends to gather and celebrate together.

The rhyming text is brimming with energy, and if you havent put up your tree yet this will have you racing to the attic for the fairy lights.

THE SNOWBEAR

THE SNOWBEAR by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Claire Alexander (Words & Pictures 11.99)

by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Claire Alexander (Words & Pictures 11.99)

The first snowfall of winter is an invitation to rush out and build a snowman  or perhaps, a snowbear?

Flushed with the success of creating such a life-like animal, Iggy and Martina disobey their mother and go sledging down a steep, slippery hill until they end up in the dark woods  where unwelcome eyes watch them from behind a tree. They cant escape back up the icy slope  but someone comes to their rescue.

A delightfully imaginative tale for wintry bedtime reading.

OLD HAT

OLD HAT by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots 11.99)

by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots 11.99)

When he was little, Harbets Nana knitted him a hat and though it was warm and cosy and kept his ears toasty, his animal friends, with their trendy, exotic headgear, humiliate him for being Old Hat! Harbet experiments with a vivid selection of increasingly eccentric bonnets (far right) but fails to win approval  until one day he bravely does something truly original with surprising and hilarious consequences!

Emily Gravett, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Award, never fails to enchant with her witty endings and this is a joy. Hats off to Harbet!

CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION

GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS

GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo (Particular Books 17.99)

by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo (Particular Books 17.99)

What does Elizabeth I have in common with Serena Williams? Or Florence Nightingale with Virginia Woolf?

They all dreamt bigger, aimed higher and fought harder to achieve against the odds.

This tribute to 100 women who broke through barriers to excel in their chosen fields, whether those be science, the arts, sport or politics, is a welcome reminder to girls that nothing stands in their way  except a lack of self-belief.

This book started as a crowd-funded project and has become a best-seller which is the best news of the year.

Age 8+

THE LOST WORDS

THE LOST WORDS by Robert MacFarlane, illustrated by Jackie Morris (Hamish Hamilton 20)

by Robert MacFarlane, illustrated by Jackie Morris (Hamish Hamilton 20)

In 2007, the Oxford Junior Dictionary dropped from its listings many words from the natural world, words such as acorn, conker, otter and kingfisher, supposedly as a reflection of modern childrens lives.

They hadnt, however, reckoned on an impassioned response from nature lover and writer Robert Macfarlane.

His plea for young people to reconnect with nature culminated in this stunning collaboration with artist Jackie Morris, which uses acrostic spells to conjure up the beauty, movement and poetry of such iconic species as the bluebell, heron, and magpie.

Its a rallying cry from the heart and this book, which is huge in every sense, should find a place in every home. All ages

YOUNG FICTION

FATHER CHRISTMAS AND ME

FATHER CHRISTMAS AND ME by Matt Haig (Canongate 12.99)

by Matt Haig (Canongate 12.99)

In thE final instalment of his Christmas trilogy, Haigs heroine Amelia Wishart is living in Elfhelm with Father Christmas and his new wife but, as the only human child among the elves, her difference isolates her.

So when evil Father Vodol publishes a fake news Daily Truth accusing her of being the enemy, she is tempted to run away. However, when the Easter Bunny (riled up by Vodol) launches an attack on Elfhelm, Amelia is the only one who can save the day  and Christmas. A subtle contemporary message about outsiders and hate underpins this energetic, funny adventure that has charm, warmth, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic.

Age 8+

THE WIZARDS OF ONCE by Cressida Cowell (Hodder 12.99)

THE WIZARDS OF ONCE

by Cressida Cowell (Hodder 12.99)

From the author of the How To Train Your Dragon series comes this first in a sparkling new fantasy series fizzing with evil, magic, Iron Age history, laugh-out-loud jokes and a huge cast of memorable characters.

Xar, a cocky young wizard, meets Wish, daughter of a warrior queen and a sworn enemy of the wizards. Together they are forced to undertake a quest, helped by a giant, an anxious raven and a heartbreakingly engaging sprite called Squeezjoos (who youll want to take home). Cowell is a superb writer and uses words like a magician. Terrific stuff.

NEVERMOOR

NEVERMOOR by Jessica Townsend (Orion 12.99)

by Jessica Townsend (Orion 12.99)

This debut fantasy adventure has been signed up for a major film and its easy to see why.

Morrigan Crow was born a cursed child and as such is destined to die on her 11th birthday  an unwanted outsider blamed for every misfortune from stormy weather to accidents. But as her death day suddenly approaches  a year early  she is kidnapped by a mysterious stranger who whisks her away to Nevermoor where she must face four trials. Written with a wonderful deadpan humour and sharp dialogue, this is a must for the next Harry Potter generation. Age 9+

DOG by Andy Mulligan (Pushkin 10.99)

DOG

by Andy Mulligan (Pushkin 10.99)

Toms mum has left home and hes being bullied at his smart new school so to cheer him up his hard-up dad finds him a dog, Spider, the unwanted runt of a litter.

But Spiders puppy-ish boisterousness leads them both into trouble and the little dog runs away, leaving Tom heartbroken.

Spider meets a succession of wild animals who offer both good advice and malicious warnings  Mulligan doesnt duck the cruelty of the natural world and there are some pretty tear-jerking scenes.

The journey to reunite pet and boy turns into a tense thriller, narrated by Spider, in which the bonds of love and need triumph over all barriers, physical and emotional. Age 9+

THE DNA DETECTIVES: TO CATCH A THIEF by Dr Mandy Hartley (SJH Publishing 6.99)

THE DNA DETECTIVES: TO CATCH A THIEF

by Dr Mandy Hartley (SJH Publishing 6.99)

The author is a scientist and passionate about teaching children how to discover and use DNA.

This fast-paced detective romp tells the story of brother and sister Annabelle and Harry, whose adored dog, Milly, goes missing so they must race against time to discover who in the neighbourhood is the culprit.

Its a perfect combination of action adventure and scientific deduction that will inspire children to start picking up stray hairs with tweezers  so be warned.

Age 8+

TEEN

A SKINFUL OF SHADOWS by Frances Hardinge (Macmillan 12.99)

A SKINFUL OF SHADOWS

by Frances Hardinge (Macmillan 12.99)

As the English Civil War rages, Makepeace, a young orphaned girl, is claimed as the illegitimate child of the aristocratic Sir Peter Fellmotte.

But the Royalist Fellmottes have a secret  they devour the ghosts of their ancestors to keep the bloodline alive and they want Makepeace only as a vessel to host their evil spirits.

Her sole ally is a newly-discovered half-brother, James, who is lured over to the dark side, so Makepeace sets out to save him with the help of assorted querulous, internalised dead people and a ferocious spirit bear.

Hardinges The Lie Tree won the Costa Book Of The Year and this thrilling next book confirms her extraordinary talent as a writer of blackly comic historical and supernatural fiction.

A JIGSAW OF FIRE AND STARS by Yaba Badoe (Zephyr 10.99)

A JIGSAW OF FIRE AND STARS

by Yaba Badoe (Zephyr 10.99)

This hugely ambitious debut by filmmaker Badoe tackles contemporary concerns of people smuggling and sex-trafficking while conjuring an ageless world of spirits and mystical powers.

Fourteen-year-old Sante performs with a circus troupe who live off-grid, but her background torments her in dreams: as a baby she was found washed up from the sea in a chest full of treasure, apparently the sole survivor of a shipwrecked migrant boat.

When the voices of the dead call to be avenged, Sante is driven to discover the truth by confronting a ruthless gang. A blend of magical realism and brutality, this is a powerful and original novel.



PIGLETTES

PIGLETTES by Clementine Beauvais (Pushkin 7.99)

by Clementine Beauvais (Pushkin 7.99)

For the past two years, 15-year-old Mireille has topped the Pig Pageant, the appallingly cruel online vote for the ugliest girl in her school  but this year she has come third.

Already embittered by the fact her birth father, a philosophy professor married to Frances President, does not acknowedge her, she vents her frustration on her long-suffering mother and kind, patient stepfather.

But when she meets the Pig Pageant winner and runner-up, the three devise a plan to cycle to Paris where each will fulfil a dream, incidentally achieving friendship and fame along the way.

The premise is ludicrous but this is a funny, clever and excoriating portrait of bullying that will have you lining their bike route, cheering all the way.

THE BOOK OF DUST VOLUME ONE: LA BELLE SAUVAGE by Philip Pullman (David Fickling 20)

THE BOOK OF DUST VOLUME ONE: LA BELLE SAUVAGE

by Philip Pullman (David Fickling 20)

Surely the most eagerly-awaited book of the year . . . Its over 20 years since Pullman introduced us to his heroine, Lyra, in the best-selling His Dark Materials trilogy, and now he takes us back to when she is six months old.

Eleven-year-old Malcolm lives in Oxford where he is drawn into a web of intrigue from which he must rescue baby Lyra, cared for by nuns, and deliver her from her mothers malign influence into the hands of her father.

Dark and disturbing, with a familiar cast of daemons and witches, science and spirituality that challenges the power of the religious establishment. Its the first in a three book series and an extraordinary testament to the power of the imagination.

CLASSIC AND COLLECTIONS

FAIRY TALES by Hilary McKay (Macmillan 12.99)

FAIRY TALES

by Hilary McKay (Macmillan 12.99)

Id read anything by Hilary McKay and this highly original re-telling of classic fairytales is the perfect way to show off her dry humour.

Traditional stories are given a contemporary twist  McKay paints Rumpelstiltskin as the victim of a manipulative, greedy, spoilt girl who uses his flax-spinning talents for her own ends, and theres a chillingly dark and disturbing twist in the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, as told by the city mayor. But its the little princess sewing nettle shirts for her swan-enchanted brothers that will make you cry. Atmospheric illustrations (pictured) by Sarah Gibb. Age 7+

BAH! HUMBUG!

BAH! HUMBUG! By Michael Rosen, illustrated by Tony Ross (Scholastic 10.99)

By Michael Rosen, illustrated by Tony Ross (Scholastic 10.99)

Michael Rosens clever re-telling of the Dickens classic interweaves young Harry starring as Scrooge in his school production of A Christmas Carol with the story of his father, Ray, and his obsession with making money an obsession that drives him to stop watching the play to go back to his office.

In a series of flashbacks, we witness Rays debt-ridden upbringing and his gradual realisation that he was happiest when he and his wife, Lisa, first got together and had nothing.

Harrys sister, Eva, has an illness that leaves her lame (remind you of anyone?) and Rays gradual understanding of what he stands to lose if he doesnt prioritise his family mirrors Harrys own play-acting. Tony Rosss illustrations are, as ever, funny and touching. God bless us, every one!

Age 8+

NORSE MYTHS

NORSE MYTHS by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love (Walker Studio 18.99)

by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love (Walker Studio 18.99)

You could probably knock out Thor in a hand-to-hand fight with a swipe of this weighty tome! Theres a comprehensive introduction to the world of Viking myths in which the gods, led by Odin and Thor, battle with the giants and their own deceptive traitor, Loki.

The stories trace the life cycle of creation, destruction at the final battle of Ragnarok and resurgence with powerful imagery and imagination.

Dramatically re-told by Norse expert Crossley-Holland and stunningly illustrated with dark, brooding figures on every page, this is a book to be treasured for generations.

Age 9+
Last week saw the inauguration of the first phase of the strategic Chabahar port by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the presence of officials from as many as 17 countries.

India is central to this port project as it remains keen on opening a trade route to Afghanistan and larger Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan, as part of an agreement signed between India and Iran in May 2016.

Chabahar port in its earlier state

Investment

India is to equip and operate two berths in Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of $85 million (`546 crore) and annual revenue expenditure of $23 million (`147 crore) on a 10-year lease.

This will establish a 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 port is expected to be operational by the end of 2018 with New Delhi committed to developing a free trade area around the port, and finally completing the loop with a $1.6 billion (`10,000 crore) railway line to Zahedan. India has already sent its first shipment of 15,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar in October which came to Zaranj on November 11.

India's external affairs minister made a stopover at Tehran just a day before the port's inauguration while returning from Russian city of Sochi after attending the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to assess the project. To underscore the importance of this project for India, Indian minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan was present at the inauguration ceremony of the Phase 1 of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar.

Given the easy accessibility of the Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on Iran's southern coast from India's western coast, many observers view it as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment at distance of around 80 km from Chabahar.

There may be something to it but there is also a larger dynamic at play here in terms of regional connectivity. India, Iran and Afghanistan are working 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.

India has already completed the Zaranj-Delaram highway in Afghanistan, which would facilitate the trade to Kabul, and eventually beyond, to Central Asia. At a time when China's Belt and Road Initiative is attempting to redraw regional boundaries, India and other regional players are looking at enhancing their own regional connectivity profiles.

A partial view of the Kalantari port in city of Chabahar on May 12, 2015 (file photo)

Connectivity

Clearly, alleviating the Pakistani bottleneck in terms of India-Afghan connectivity is central to the project. As the Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah made it clear, 'Afghanistan used to rely only on one transit road, which was through Karachi.

That is not the case anymore. (Now) it's (also) through Chabahar.' For Kabul, overcoming its dependence on Islamabad is a key foreign policy priority and for New Delhi, enhancing connectivity with Kabul is key to sustaining its multidimensional engagement in long-term capacity building in the war torn nation.

Iran's ties with Pakistan have been historically mired in suspicion, though Tehran has assured Islamabad that it would not allow Delhi or any other country to use Chabahar against Pakistan.

Iran doesn't want Pakistan to overtly shift to the Saudi Arabia-led regional bloc evolving in the Middle East and it has even dangled the possibility of Pakistan joining the project at some future date.

Iranian workers walk near containers at the Kalantari port in city of Chabahar

Development

For Iran, the development of the Chabahar port with international assistance is a highly symbolic move to let the US know that Tehran is no longer isolated.

After Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Washington and five other major powers in 2015 to curtail its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economically debilitating sanction, the Chabahar project gathered pace as it allowed Iran to enter into negotiations with India, China, and Europe on investment and supply of equipment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Iran in May 2016 saw the two sides firming up their stakes in the project based on a strict time-line The challenge today will be to sustain this momentum in the aftermath of the Trump administration's opposition to the nuclear deal.

Geopolitical tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are rising with Tehran being accused of expanding its influence in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon through its proxies. US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has suggested that Washington 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.'

But the shadow of shifting American foreign policy priorities will continue to hang on the future of the Chabahar project even as it ambitiously seeks to reshape regional geopolitics.
Kolkata is set to make history by adding a floating market on its water front.

Officials say the proposed market is the first of its kind in India and third in Asia.

Located on the fringes on Biswa Bangla Sarani or the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in South Kolkata near Patuli area, this will be open for public in January next year.

Local councillor Arup Bhattacharya who has initiated the dream project of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim explained: 'It is one of the biggest events in Kolkata.

Kolkata is set to make history with its floating market, which officials say will be the first of its kind in India and third in Asia. The market will be opened to the public in January next year

'Now when people visit the city, they make sure they visit the Howrah bridge, Victoria Memorial or the Eco Park.

'I am pretty sure that in future, whenever somebody pays a visit to Kolkata, he will definitely stop by Patuli to visit the floating market  which will redefine tourism in Kolkata,' he said.

What makes the proposed market unique is the elevated walking path made over the water with small railings which open up to the boats parked next to them.

'There is no such other floating market in the entire country. Here you can see the platforms are actually built on the pond. Buyers can enjoy walking on the water using the pathways,' Arup explained.

Arup also added that the market will have different segments for different kinds of products.

'There will be 114 boats in the market and each boat will consist of two shops. Thus the market will have a total of 228 shops. The idea originated when the Municipal Affairs minister came across a similar market in Bangkok.

The market is being built in the Patuli area of Kolkata

'There are two floating markets and this is going to be the third one in Asia and of course the first-ever in India. The set up will be like there will be several clusters and in each different one, there will be different shops  like one will sell vegetables, the other will have grocery on sale, while there will be say another cluster for fish.

'Thus, if people would want to buy a particular thing, he could enter into the market and head straight towards the particular cluster of shops,' the Councillor said.

'Actually it would be a very different feeling. Who does not like shopping? And just imagine. He would not only enjoy shopping in this market but experience the thrill of walking on the water as well,' he concluded.
Two jets: Former General Electric boss Jeff Immelt

General Electric is investigating former boss Jeff Immelt after it emerged that during his 17-year tenure he traversed the globe with a spare private jet in tow.

The saga is providing plenty of laughs on Wall Street, if not with shareholders, though is sadly indicative of the once-mighty firm's rapid decline.

It was once ranked as the fourth-largest company in the world. Incidentally, silver fox Immelt, 61, is gracious enough to acknowledge that the two-plane arrangement was 'a terrible idea'.

Businessman Robin Birley, whose Mayfair haunt, 5 Hertford Street, is a mecca for City types, wants to open a members' club in Manhattan.

I hear that Birley is close to signing a deal on a property around Union Square, with plans to spend at least a week a month in New York.

Presumably without his beloved whippets, which are habitually splayed across his lap whenever he's in Hertford.

Redoubtable art dealer Louise Blouin has sold her West Village penthouse for $23.7million (17.6million).

Glamourpuss Louise, 59, a flame-haired temptress, has been subject to unflattering press this year over claims that she had failed to reimburse freelancers  not the first time her judgment has been called into question.

She once dated Buckingham Palace's 'entrepreneur-in-residence' Prince Andrew.

Vogue publisher Conde Nast's board convenes next week, its first meeting since company patriarch Si Newhouse passed away in October.

Chief executive Bob Sauerberg has been tasked with coming up with 74million in savings next year.

Rumours of a sale abound. It's not just this biting wind currently blowing off the Hudson River that is sending icy chills through Vogue HQ.

Bitcoin is all anyone's talking about in the financial district, as the weird crypto-currency looks set to break the $20,000 mark.

Overheard on the train to Brooklyn this week: 'When I sell my apartment, I'm only takin' bitcoin. Crypto's where it's at, baby, where it's at.'
Online supermarket Ocado has had to shell out more money on delivery drivers after a shortage in the run-up to Christmas pushed up demand and wages.

Ocado said a lack of drivers in the South East and London hit sales growth in the 14 weeks to December 3.

However, it added that the issue was now mostly rectified. Half of its 12,000 staff are drivers.

Booming demand in the UK for online groceries and internet deliveries has caused a surge in demand for drivers. Many are making as much as 250 a day across the festive season, according to recruitment company Manpower.

Bonanza: Drivers can make 250 a day in the Christmas run-up

Company sales grew by 11.6 per cent, but chief financial officer Duncan Tatton-Brown said growth would have been closer to 13 per cent were it not for the hiccup.

I dont think this is a unique problem to Ocado, he said.

Its pretty clear that employment levels in London and the South East are pretty high and theres a lot of growth in ecommerce and delivery generally.

Tim Steiner, chief executive at Ocado, added: While this driver shortage has now been largely resolved, there was some short-term impact on average orders per week over the period.

But some commentators were unconvinced by the reasoning for the sales slowdown.

Bernstein analyst Bruno Monteyn said: Management blame the slowdown largely on a lack of drivers in certain locations, but we cant see that causing such a large drop-off in orders per week growth.

Ocado began trading as a business partner with Waitrose in 2002, packaging and delivering the supermarkets online orders, and in 2014 it secured a similar deal with Morrisons supermarkets.

Until last month, the shareholders had been losing patience with the company as they waited for it to fulfil plans to sell its online technology to an overseas firm.

But Ocado redeemed itself with investors after it secured a deal with French supermarket chain Groupe Casino.

It will provide Groupe Casino with the same technology used in its own warehouse in Andover, where customer orders are prepared and stock is managed using robots.

Ocados shares soared by more than 33 per cent following the announcement.

In order to maintain its market cap of more than 2billion, analysts said Ocado will need to secure similar deals.

Steiner said that he was confident that Ocado would be able to secure more contracts, but has remained tight-lipped on any potential partners.

George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: While Ocado has always been confident of getting partners to sign on the dotted line, up until recently the investment case relied more on wishful thinking than we might have liked.

However, the agreements with Groupe Casino and an as yet unnamed European partner have lent more substance to the story.

Hopefully Mr Steiner can pull more rabbits from the hat in the coming months.
Savers who want to use apps that help them manage all their bank accounts in one place have been told they can share log in details with them, despite warnings from banks that they shouldn't.

These apps typically link to your bank account and analyse spending habits to see how much you can save each month. But most of them  including Chip, Cleo, Moneybox, Moneyhub, Money Dashboard, OnTrees and Plum  ask customers for full log-in details for online banking.

Some banks have been telling customers not to share their online banking login details with third party apps. They warn that customers may be breaking security agreements by sharing their login details, which could mean they struggle to get a refund if they later fall victim to fraud.

RBS and NatWest had previously explicitly said they didn't authorise the use of third party apps

RBS and NatWest had previously said they did not authorise the use of these apps. Halifax, Lloyds and Nationwide had also previously confirmed customers would break security agreements by giving out details.

But the Financial Conduct Authority has overruled banks that have told customers not to use their online banking login details in third party apps.

A statement from the watchdog issued this week was clear: 'Your banking terms and conditions should not prevent you from sharing your credentials with regulated account information services (AIS) and payment initiation services (PIS) providers.

'Your bank cannot hold you responsible for unauthorised transactions just because you have shared your credentials with regulated providers.'

RBS, NatWest and Nationwide have updated their terms and conditions, which now reflect this.

Third party apps include switching services from providers like Bean, which scan your regular direct debits and alert you to where you could save money.

Moneybox is another app that connects to your current account or credit card and then lets you set automatic savings contributions which are then invested.

The real reason some banks might not be thrilled with new apps Third party apps have the potential to completely transform the way we engage with our banks - and not always to the benefit of incumbents. At the moment, only your bank has access to your data, which they can use to increase profits by cross-selling to you. For example, with access to your current account information, they may be able to see that you'd be a good candidate for a personal loan. Third party apps will mean that banks no longer have exclusivity on this information. From next year, apps will allow you to drag in your current account and credit card data to one place. Then the app will be able to tell you, for example, that you're on a credit card deal considerably worse than another one available - and could switch you in an instant. Banks will no longer be able to benefit from your inertia or lack of awareness of better deals.

Apps such as OnTrees, Plum and Moneyhub meanwhile let you view all your accounts from different banks in one place so you can assess what's really going on with your finances.

The official stamp of approval from the City watchdog comes ahead of new regulation set for January 2018 called the Payment Services Directive II - also referred to as open banking.

These rules will see the biggest banks and building societies in the UK and across Europe forced to provide standard open access to all their customer data to regulated third parties - where customers give their consent.

This should mean that customers will be able to pull all of their financial accounts into one app through which they can easily switch to the best value deals on offer for savings, current accounts, loans, mortgages and even potentially energy bills.

It isn't mandatory though. In order to take advantage of open banking you'll have to opt in by downloading an app and granting it access to your other accounts.

Despite the potential advantages of open banking, a recent survey by professional services firm Accenture found roughly seven in 10 people do not want to share their personal financial data with third-party providers.

Following a wave of bungled communications from banks about the changes, customers seemed confused and even scared of open banking.

NatWest Twitter advisers weren't aware of the changes due in January 2018 though a spokesman said this was an error in internal communications and had been rectified

This is Money has received many emails and calls from readers who have been utterly bemused by the letters they've received from their banks explaining the changes.

One This is Money reader got in touch with NatWest on Twitter last month (pictured above), only to discover that the adviser in charge of the Twitter account hadn't ever heard of open banking.

A spokesman from the lender said this was an error in internal communications and had been rectified.

Five of the best banks Switching current account provider can seem like a hassle and it's hard to work out why one is different from another. To help make it easier, This is Money has rounded up the top five current accounts available today. Compare current accounts here.

An additional statement said: 'With your permission, third party providers can access your information to provide their services.

'Some third parties might ask you for your online banking log in details and password to provide their service to you. If you decide to give them this information, this means that theyll be able to see and do anything you can on your accounts.

'If you give third parties permission to access your accounts and account information, were not responsible for what they may do.'

The statement from the Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates banks in the UK, directly contradicts this warning.

The FCA said: 'Currently, businesses that provide AIS and PIS often ask you to share your bank security details with them, such as your login and passwords.

'Under existing data protection law, these businesses must protect your data and PSD2 will require these businesses to put further measures in place to keep your credentials safe and secure.

'Your banking terms and conditions should not prevent you from sharing your credentials with regulated AIS or PIS providers.

'Your bank cannot hold you responsible for unauthorised transactions just because you have shared your credentials with regulated providers.'

Which apps are safe to use? It is vital that you don't share your banking login details with just any old firm. You must check that they are authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA has a register which you can search here. Before you share your details with any third party app, double check the firm is authorised and that they are who they say they are. Never share your security details with anyone by email, over the phone or in person.

Under the new FCA guidance, if you notice a payment out of your account that you did not authorise, you should contact your bank as soon as possible.

If you did not authorise it you can claim a refund. You should contact your bank to claim a refund even if you think a PIS was used to make the payment.

Moneyhub chief executive Samantha Seaton said: 'Banks are still responsible for your money, even with the introduction of open banking, whether they like it or not.'

>> Read more on open banking and how to opt in
A tale about a monster crocodile, that would be the biggest in history is true, claims a pensioner whose late father told him stories of seeing the beast.

Doubt has long surrounded claims a 9.7-metre croc - a world record - was shot dead as it lay on the banks of a river at Mackay, in north Queensland, in the 1880s.

But Greg Ellul claims his late father Joe told him stories of paying sixpence to go with his grandfather to see the dead croc's skin hanging in a pub in the 1920s or 1930s.

Greg Ellul claims his father told him stories of paying sixpence to the see the skin of a 9.7-metre crocodile (pictured), which would be a world record, hung in a Queensland pub in the 1920s

Greg Ellul's father told him stories of going to see the dead croc hanging up in a local pub

According to reports, the reptile was shot with a high powered rifle from the balcony of the Leichardt Hotel, which overlooked the Pioneer River.

Mr Ellul, who is now 70, says his father would often recall going to view the massive skin stretched across the pub.

'Grandad took Pop to see it one day and it cost them a sixpence,' Mr Elull told Daily Mail Australia.

'He said it was 33ft and when they went into the pub the skin was right across a wall and the tail stretched onto another wall.

'His father took him to go and see it and he used to tell me it was shot in the Pioneer River on a sandbar at low tide from the Leichardt Hotel.'

A black and white photo of a massive beast lying dead on the banks of the river with rope around its mouth resurfaced earlier this year.

While the historic image hasn't convinced everyone, there is no doubt in Mr Ellul's mind.

'It's real all right, one thing the old man didn't know how to do was tell a lie,' he said.

According to reports, the reptile was shot with a high powered rifle from the balcony of the Leichardt Hotel (pictured), which overlooked the Pioneer River

An article at the time from local paper The Daily Mercury mentions the shooting of a 32-foot crocodile in the Pioneer River (pictured)

An article at the time from local paper The Daily Mercury mentions the shooting of a 32-foot crocodile and says the Australian Encyclopaedia substantiated the claim.

'J. D. Ogilvy, then curator of the Brisbane Museum, is given as the authority for stating the reptile was shot in the Pioneer River,' the article read.

The world's biggest crocodile was Lolong, a 6.17-metre beast, caught off the coast of Cairns in 2011. She died in captivity in Thailand in 2013 at an estimated age of 50.
Karen Ristevski's brother says he is one step closer to justice after the slain mother's husband was charged with her murder.

Borce Ristevski, 53, was arrested by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad on Wednesday, nearly 18 months after she vanished from her Avondale Heights home.

Shortly after the arrest, Karen's only sibling Stephen Williams said he had 'waited patiently' for charges to be laid over his sister's death.

'Today has been a surprisingly emotional day - one which I have been patiently waiting for,' Mr Williams said in a statement.

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Karen Ristevski's brother Stephen Williams (pictured together) says he is one step closer to justice after the slain mother's husband was charged with her murder

Karen Ristevski (left) with husband Borce and daughter Sarah at her 21st birthday. Mr Ristevski has now been charged with his wife's murder

'It is in no way a celebration, it's another stage in bringing my beautiful sister Karen the justice she so deserves.

'A huge thank you to the Missing Persons Squad - also to Emily, Lachlan, my cousins and work colleagues who have been very supportive through these long last 18 months'.

In March, Borce Ristevski was one of the pallbearers at a private funeral service for his slain wife.

Nine months later, he faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday accused of her murder.

In March, Borce Ristevski was one of the pallbearers at a private funeral service for his slain wife

Borce Ristevski, 53, was arrested by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad on Wednesday

'He will be pleading not guilty,' his lawyer Rob Stary told magistrate Angela Bolger.

Ristevski is accused of murdering his 47-year-old wife at Avondale Heights on June 29, 2016, according to documents tendered to court.

Ms Ristevski went missing from the couple's Oakley Drive home the same morning.

Her remains were discovered in bushland in the Mount Macedon Regional Park almost eight months later, on February 20.

Mr Ristevski is pictured being comforted by a friend while attending his wife's funeral at the St Johns Uniting Church in Essendon

Pictured, the location of where Karen Ristevski's body was found. Her husband now faces murder charges over her death

Prosecutor Andrew Tinney SC said police needed extra time to complete their brief of evidence 'because of the nature of the investigation and the ongoing work that needs to be a done'.

Mr Stary said his client had already been under investigation for a number of months.

'This man doesn't have any history and we want the matter expedited,' he told the court.

Ristevski has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court on April 18.

No one from his family was in court on Wednesday.

Friends and family of Ms Ristevski attended her funeral service at St Johns Uniting Church in Essendon in March
A group of armed men have been charged after being arrested in dramatic scenes in Sydney's Centennial Park, with more than half a million dollars in cash seized.

The organised crime squad had been monitoring the three men and tactical officers pounced just after midday on Wednesday.

They fired non-lethal gas canisters through the van's windscreen as they apprehended the trio.

Two of the men were in possession of semi-automatic pistols and the third man was carrying $650,000 in cash.

Scroll down for video

The organised crime squad had been monitoring the three men and tactical officers pounced just after midday on Wednesday

Police fired non-lethal gas canisters through the van's windscreen as they detained the trio

Police had been following the western Sydney men and, after learning they were armed, moved in as their vehicles stopped in the popular park.

'We were monitoring their movements and at the first opportunity we arrested them,' Detective Acting Superintendent Damien Beaufils told reporters.

Footage of the operation showed a white four-wheel drive with its doors open in the middle of Grand Drive, with the damaged van parked nearby.

A witness told AAP she initially thought she was watching a movie being filmed.

Police and park rangers are pictured at Centennial Park in Sydney following Wednesday's raid

Helen, who declined to give her surname, was in her car when she heard several loud noises.

'I was sitting in my car writing and then ... bang, bang, bang, bang, bang ... and I looked over and there was smoke coming out of these automatic rifles,' she said.

'First thing I thought was 'Oh it's a movie, where's the cast?''.

Helen then realised there were no cameras and, fearing for her life, she ducked down and reached for her phone to call triple zero.

'I knew to be careful and not put my head up or anything.'

One of two firearms seized by Organised Crime Squad detectives following the arrest

The three men have been arrested in Sydney's Centennial Park as part of an investigation by the state's organised crime squad

Act Supt Beaufils said it was too early to tell what the men were planning but he said the incident wasn't counter-terrorism related.

He refused to say how long detectives had been monitoring the group.

A Constitution Hill man, 27, a Crows Nest man, 34, and man from The Ponds, 39, were each charged with firearms offences, dealing with the proceeds of crime and group criminal activity.

They were refused bail and are expected to appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday.
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.
A man who attacked his former partner and her mother with a chainsaw could spend two years in jail - much to the dismay of his victims.

Chloe Griffiths, 29, and her mother Julie were injured while fighting off Chloe's ex-boyfriend Terry Purvis, 31, who was wielding a chainsaw when he attacked the pair at a Port Macquarie home in August last year.

On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Purvis to five-and-a-half years with the chance of parole after two years, according to The West Australian.

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Chloe Griffiths, 29, and her mother Julie (pictured together) were injured while fighting off Chloe's ex-boyfriend Terry Purvis, 31, who was wielding a chainsaw when he attacked the pair in August last year

On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Purvis (pictured) to five-and-a-half years with the chance of parole after two years

Chloe (pictured after the attack) and her mother said they are mortified at the judge's decision

Chloe and Julie said erupted into tears after the sentencing was announced, telling reporters they were mortified by the decision.

'I'm absolutely dumbfounded,' Julie said.

'[It's] like my life wasn't worth anything.'

Chloe called for harsher sentences as she sobbed into a tissue as her mum put her arms around her.

'They say they want to take a stand against domestic violence and it's examples like this - no one is standing up for what's right,' Chloe said.

Purvis lacerated Julie's arm in the attack, which occurred after the 31-year-old hacked his way through a fence and onto her property.

Chloe and Julie said erupted into tears after the sentencing was announced (pictured)

Julie and Chloe locked themselves in a bedroom before Purvis used the chainsaw (pictured) to cut the door down

Chloe, pictured, who suffered wounds to her hands and face, managed to take the chainsaw from Purvis

'It was fight or die at the end of the day and that's what we did,' Chloe told 7News.

The mother and daughter locked themselves in a bedroom before Purvis allegedly used the chainsaw to cut the door down.

'He was cutting a triangle around the door handle and Chloe's on the phone to triple-0 saying I think I'm going to lose my mum - don't let me lose my mum,' Julie said.

Once inside the bedroom, Chloe, who suffered wounds to her hands and face, managed to take the chainsaw from Purvis.

'It didn't matter what he did, she took him on - and she beat him - she got that chainsaw off him,' Julie said.

A five-year-old boy and a girl, seven, were at the house at the time of the incident, but were not injured.

Purvis handed himself into Port Macquarie Police Station a short time later were he was arrested.
The 'dirty dossier' accusing President Trump of asking prostitutes to urinate on a Moscow hotel bed once slept in by Barack Obama 'probably has some credibility,' the former boss of MI6 said tonight.

In his first public interview on BBC2's Newsnight, Sir Richard Dearlove said: 'I think that there is probably some credibility to the content but I wouldn't put it any more forcefully than that.'

The dossier of alleged Russian intelligence on Trump was prepared by former British spy Christopher Steele and released in January.

The dossier of alleged Russian intelligence on Trump (picutred on Wednesday) was prepared by former British spy Christopher Steele and released in January

Part of the document is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed

Steele's 35-page dossier claims that Russia collected a file of compromising information on Trump including sex tapes with which to blackmail him.

It also claims that Trump was cultivated and supported by Russia for five years before he was elected and that his contacts met with Kremlin representatives.

The dossier was published by Buzzfeed on 10 January 2017 after several media outlets refused to because they could not verify the claims.

Steele has since claimed that the dossier is 70-90 per cent accurate but Trump has called it 'made up.'

Later in his interview, Dearlove dismissed allegations that the Russians influenced the Brexit referendum to destabilise Europe but said they did influence the US election.

He said: 'I don't think there's any question that they got involved in the US election and I think probably on Putin's part that was a misjudgement.'

Brexit supporter Dearlove, who was head of MI6 from 1999 until 2004, did his first public interview to discuss an open letter he sent to French President Emmanuel Macron to persuade him that Brexit presents him with an opportunity.

Asked why he supports Brexit, Dearlove explained: 'I'm looking more generally at future of EU - we have always believed in shallow political union. If Macron is determined to integrate the union, he doesn't want us to be part of it.

'We are offering continental Europe an opportunity, we can be very supportive of a united continental Europe which will serve our interests closely. There's no disaster about the UK returning to our mid-Atlantic position which is the one we have traditionally occupied.'

Presenter Evan Davies asked if the mid-Atlantic position was a wise one to take given that the unpredictable Donald Trump holds the keys to the White House.

Dearlove replied that the US President will 'probably last only another three years' so it's not worth changing or basing policy around him.

He insisted that the 'US is still a very reliable ally to in terms of intelligence' despite US leaks over the Manchester bombings which saw pictures of Salmen Abedi's nail bomb which killed 22 in June appear in the New York Times.

The 'dirty dossier' accusing President Trump of asking prostitutes to urinate on a Moscow hotel bed slept in by Barack Obama 'probably has some credibility,' the former boss of MI6 said tonight

Presenter Evan Davies asked if the mid-Atlantic position was a wise one to take given that the unpredictable Donald Trump holds the keys to the White House

On the subject of Russia, Dearlove said: 'The EU does not have the military capability or power to balance Russia and I think that one of the ancillaries of Brexit should be an increase in our defence spending.'

The former head of MI6 also warned terror attacks on British soil are more likely as ISIS jihadis return from Syria.

He said: 'At the moment there is of course going to be a heightened risk as we've got more returnees coming back from Syria and probably Afghanistan as well.'

But the 72-year-old insisted that 'terror is containable and manageable' and 'does not present a systemic threat to the nation.'

He added: 'The chances of getting caught up in a terror attack are relatively low, although when they happen they are catastrophic. Terror attacks are horrible happenings which we are learning to deal with.'

Dearlove ended the interview on a positive note, saying that there is great hope for Britain after Brexit.

Asked if the turbulence caused by Brexit will last for decades, he said: 'I would pick closer to five years. I think we can emerge in a pretty strong position if we do not lose self-belief and self-confidence'.
Montana police said on Wednesday that a box containing the skeletal remains of three children was discovered inside a man's shed.

An investigation was launched by Missoula authorities after a warrant to search the property located on the 2100 block of South 12th Street West was obtained back on September 27.

Police were initially called to the scene after a cleaning crew said they had found a parcel containing 'bones and teeth' on the premises, according to local broadcaster KPAX 8.

An investigation was launched by Missoula authorities after a warrant to search the property located on the 2100 block of South 12th Street West (pictured) was obtained in September

Lab technicians at the University of Montana (pictured) confirmed the remains were human, determining that they were 'likely modern and not archaeological'

'Loose teeth, there was what appeared to be bone from a lower jaw, and others that were not as specifically described, but I would call them pieces of bone,' Missoula Police Sgt. Travis Welsh told the Missoulian newspaper. 'There were also rocks in this box.'

The cleaning crew had been called after the former tenant of the rental property had been evicted the previous week, KPAX reported.

Missoula Police Sgt. Travis Welsh (pictured) said that the box contained the remains of three children ranging from two to 11

'The fact that they are human makes this case unusual. Its not uncommon that people call in a report that they found bones of some kind. Typically, they are determined to be animal bones,' Welsh said.

Lab technicians at the University of Montana confirmed the remains were human, determining that they were 'likely modern and not archaeological.'

The identities of the children, aged six-to-10 years old, five-to-eight years old and two-to-four years old at the time of death, have not been made public.

'Nothing we've been able to connect them too yet, however we are working with the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children, and other missing person databases to see if that's a possibility,' Welsh said.

'The thing is, there are missing children all over the world. And the thing is, we don't know that this particular case is isolated to the city of Missoula. We don't know where the bones came from, and if they were transported from one area to another, and ended up here.'

Detectives noted that evidence of a crime was not found on the property and are currently searching for possible suspects in the ongoing investigation.




A man has been arrested for partially burning an Arizona town's $40,000 Christmas tree.

Police in the city of Mesa, which is about 37 miles from Phoenix, arrested Samuel Antone Johnson, 34, on Wednesday night.

Johnson was accused of intentionally setting the fire that destroyed the 40-foot-tall tree.

 Slide me  The Mesa Police Department arrested a man for partially burning an Arizona town's $40,000 Christmas tree. Samuel Antone Johnson, 34, has been accused of intentionally setting the fire that destroyed the 40-foot-tall tree (pictured before and after it was destroyed)

He was found nearby and allegedly admitted to setting the Merry Main Christmas Tree on fire with a book of matches.

Messa police said Johnson did not disclose a motive.

The nearly four-story tall tree is the focal point of Mesa's annual Christmas celebrations.

Johnson was booked into jail on two felonies, suspicion of arson and criminal damage for allegedly burning the city's tree.

It's unclear if he has a lawyer yet.

City officials said they are now trying to quickly find a replacement tree to erect for the rest of the holiday season.

'While this news is devastating, it certainly won't diminish Mesa's holiday spirit,' Mayor John Giles said. 'The City is working on activating the site for this weekend including a live tree that will be transplanted to a City park later this month.'

The Merry Main Street Christmas Tree was sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and more than a dozen private businesses when it was purchased.

Samuel Antone Johnson (left) was booked into jail on two felonies, suspicion of arson and criminal damage for allegedly burning the city's tree (right, before it was destroyed)

The Merry Main Street Christmas Tree was sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and more than a dozen businesses. On Wednesday, the Chamber announced that they would take the lead on a fundraising campaign (pictured) to replace the tree

On Wednesday, the Chamber announced that they would take the lead on a fundraising campaign to replace the tree.

'We are saddened by this turn of events.' Chamber President/CEO Sally Harrison said.

'Our members that stepped up to sponsor the tree are disappointed but we are excited to take on the challenge to reach out to our community and East Valley friends to raise funds to purchase a new tree as soon as possible.'

The Chamber set up a fund for the replacement tree.

'Help us bring the holiday spirit back to Downtown Mesa by supporting the Merry Main Street Christmas Tree Fund. All donations small or large are appreciated,' officials wrote on the fund's site.
Advertisement

The battle to be Britains most festive street is under way.

Across the UK, millions of fairy lights, glowing Santas and gaudy reindeer are twinkling. Some people even deck out the whole road and raise cash for charity.

Here are four of the best so far . . . but if you think your display is even better AND does its bit for charity, get in touch and well have a look!

Hollow Wood Road, Burton Latimer, Northants

Hollow Wood Road, Burton Latimer has been dubbed 'Christmas Street' by visitors

Thanks to this display, the friendly cul-de-sac has been dubbed Christmas Street by visitors who have been flocking to see it since December 2.

All 28 homes are taking part.

Jamie Featon, 39, a gravedigger for the local council and father of two, spent a whole weekend putting up lights on roofs but says it was worth it: Its so nice, you hear a lot of childrens laughter.

They are fundraising in memory of resident Jim McNeeley, who died two years ago at the age of 68 from a heart attack, just days before he was due to help build a Nativity scene.

The money will go towards installing a new defibrillator in the towns High Street.

So far, more than 1,000 has gone in the collecting box and an online fundraising page has raised 400.

Westfield Village, Hastings, East Sussex

Church Lane, Westfield, East Sussex near Hastings is bathed in a glow of multicoloured lights, candy canes, Santas, elves and bright Christmas trees

Neighbours and visitors who walk along the houses in this street are bathed in the glow of multicoloured lights, candy canes, Santas, elves and bright Christmas trees.

Around 30 houses now take part in a tradition which started in 1976, but started to truly gather momentum in the Christmas of 1999, amid the excitement of the new millenium.

There are some 200,000 bulbs, forming miles of lights on the street, which attracts up to 10,000 visitors who flock to the village with their children.

Organisers have supported their local hospice, St Michaels, for 12 years  raising 11,500 last year alone.

Brenda Munday, 86, and her husband Ken, 87, inspired the street by tying up a single string of lights to complement the community Christmas tree.

From a single string of lights we now have all sorts of attractions  we even have a train that people can sit in, Mrs Munday says.

It used to cost a fortune in electricity bills but thankfully all our displays are low-cost LED lights now.

For neighbour Roz Kennett, 50, the display is a part of village life.

Its a way of bonding and campaigning for a common cause. It just wouldnt be the same without the Christmas lights, she says.

Its a big undertaking. Ours is the biggest display but all of them are excellent and were really proud to be involved with the village this way.

Runton Road, Poole, Dorset

Runton Road, Poole, Dorset was crammed with more than 400 visitors who flocked from all over the country to see the lights last year

It all started as a bit of friendly rivalry between two neighbours, but 25 years later almost all 50 houses in this cul-de-sac are lit up with flashing bulbs, singing Santas, giant inflatable snowmen and model reindeers, sleighs and trains.

The dazzling display can be seen from half a mile away and the electricity board admits the local grid takes a bit of a hit when it is turned on.

The cost of the display adds roughly 50 on to each households electricity bill  although it might be a small price to pay for the honour of attracting 400 visitors from all over the country for the switch-on, who dig deep for charity.

Taxi driver Mick Phillips, 63, who coordinates the display, says: When people pull in to Bournemouth train station en route to Runton Road they ask to go to Christmas Street! Every year the event just seems to snowball.

John Tuvey, 60, who lives at number 49, has always taken part. I reckon Ive probably got eight to ten sets of lights on my house, which is probably somewhere in the region of 10,000 bulbs, he says.

His neighbour, Robert Crowe, 76, says: If you could see the little kids faces light up when they see all the decorations  its really heart-warming.

This year, residents are raising money for charities including Julias House childrens hospice and the RNLI.

Malcolms Way, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Malcolms Way, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire started as an expat's way to celebrate Christmas in Scotland and turned into an annual display of community spirit

What started as a way to celebrate a Brazilian expats first Christmas in Scotland has become an annual display of community spirit.

Eight years ago, Patricia Bruce persuaded her husband Tom to put up a few lights.

Gradually, neighbours began adding to the display and by 2012 it had become such a spectacle, they decided to start fundraising for the towns dialysis unit.

Over the years the residents have raised about 60,000 for a variety of good causes.

Brazilian-born Mrs Bruces husband died of cancer two years ago but the full-time mother to Melanie, ten, and Daniel, three, has taken up Toms duties and puts up lights outside her house every festive season.

The cul-de-sac had a private switch-on event which raised more than 1,800 for a local school.

Mrs Bruce, 40, says: We never thought it would be as big as this. Its a team effort from neighbours and friends and its great that so many people take part now.
Police are probing claims of a sex and drugs party from the 2million apartment where a British father fell to his death.

The married tourist, 29, was found hanging from a pergola behind the complex in the upmarket area of Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning.

It is unknown at this stage whether he fell from the roof which holds a pool or his rented tenth floor flat.

Police say they are treating the death as suspicious and said his friends admitted to drug-taking and hiring prostitutes during the trip, though it is unclear whether or not the victim took part.

Pictured: The apartment block where the 29-year-old British father fell to his death on Tuesday

Police are probing claims of a sex and drugs party from the 2million apartment where a British father fell to his death.

The married tourist, 29, was found hanging from a pergola behind the complex in the upmarket area of Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning.

It is unknown at this stage whether he fell from the roof which holds a pool or his rented tenth floor flat.

Police said his companions admitted to drug-taking and hiring prostitutes during their trip, though it is unclear whether or not the victim took part.

The man was father to a three-year-old child and leaves behind his wife, who is understood to be heavily pregnant.

It is thought the wife and his child did not accompany him on the trip but remained in the UK.

The Colunas Residence is situated in the popular tourist location in Ipanema

Local police detective Valeria Aragoa said the death was being treated as suspicious

Local police detective Valeria Aragoa said the death was being treated as suspicious.

She said: 'This could be an accident or murder  nothing is being ruled out.

'They were on this trip to have a good time. They didn't go to tourist spots, only nightclubs, taking women to their apartment. There are traces and reports of illegal drugs, like cannabis and cocaine.'

According to police, his friends told officers he used prescription drugs for schizophrenia, antidepressants and sexual stimulants.

A source told the paper: 'We were informed quite a few women apparently visited the apartment and we're looking into the possibility a woman was with the deceased at the time.

'We are confused as to how the victim met his death. There is a possibility he was disorientated and flustered about something before he fell.'

'In a statement, one of the men who accompanied the deceased told us they had not been to any tourist hotspots yet but had visited a number of bars, had drunk a lot, visited brothels and invited several call girls to the flat.'

According to investigators, agents found drugs in the rented apartment during a search.

Detectives said they had been advised by the victim's friends that he used prescription drugs for a diagnosed mental illness.

Police said they will release the victim's name once they have contacted close relatives.
Heather Young, 56, was set upon and robbed by a group of teenage girls who stole her handbag which contained $5,000 she planned to spend for Christmas with her elderly mother.

Ms Young, who has an acquired brain injury, was assaulted on November 20 as she was driving to buy cigarettes in a milk bar on Widford Street, Broadmeadows.

'There's no words I can say. It's just very upsetting' the victims told Nine News.

Heather Young, 56, was set upon and robbed by a group of three teenage girls who stole her handbag

The teen thieves yelled at Ms Young to handover her car keys, before dragging her from the vehicle.

'They seemed like kids, I was horrified' said Ms Young, still traumatized by the cowardly act.

'They just threw me on the ground like a ragdoll', she explained.

Ms Young suffered a broken leg during the assault and spent two weeks in hospital in Melbourne.

On the November 20 robbery, CCTV captured one of the teenage robbers fleeing the scene with ms Young's handbag

Ms Young suffered a broken leg during the assault and spent two weeks in hospital in Melbourne

She is still recovering from injuries caused in a hit-run crash 12 years ago, which left her with 67 broken bones and collapsed lungs.

'The ambulance scraped me up from the road. I was dead,' she described of the first incident.

During the last attack, CCTV captured one of the teenage robbers fleeing the scene with Ms. Young's handbag.

Two bystanders who witnessed the crime leapt into action, with one calling police and the other chasing the thieves.

'Thank you for the people that did help me, I'm very grateful' added Ms Young.

Half an hour after the violent incident, other security cameras captured two men of Middle Eastern appearance using the Melbourne hit-run survivor's credit card at a Coles Express in Glenroy.

'They've attempted to purchase products from the store, but it appears the transaction did not go through,' Detective Senior Constable Patrick Derksen reported.

'They obviously dont have a conscience, so theres no point appealing to them all low lives, scum of the earth,' concluded the victim of the cowardly act.

Police keep searching for the offenders who robbed Ms Young last month.

Half an hour after the violent incident, other security cameras captured two men of Middle Eastern appearance using the victim's credit card

Police keep searching for the offenders who robbed Ms Young in Melbourne suburbs of Broadmeadows
The four-pound brass lock picked by five burglars who broke into the Democratic National Committee's headquarters at the Watergate Complex in 1972 is now being auctioned off for $50,000

The lock burglars picked to break into the Democratic National Committee's headquarters at the Watergate Complex in 1972 will be auctioned off on December 14.

Bidding stars at a rather steep $50,000 for the lock, which holds unique importance in one of the most infamous political scandals in United States history.

Richard Nixon's presidential administration's attempt to cover up the break-in at the Washington D.C. complex is, of course, now known as the 'Watergate Scandal'.

Nixon, who once famously tried to claim that a president's actions cannot be illegal, resigned in 1974 due to the consequent fallout.

Since Watergate, -gate has been attached as a suffix to multiple political scandals around the world.

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's reporting on the scandal would later be immortalized by their book, which was adapted into a film, called All the President's Men.

The Oscar-winning film starred Robert Redford as Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein.

The lock will be available for bidding on December 14 from Los Angeles-based auction house Nate D Sanders

The lock was picked in Stairwell #2 at the complex in Washington D.C. Pictured is the door the locked used to be fitted to. The lock was replaced the day after the break-in, which occurred on June 17

The break-in, the subsequent revelation of Richard Nixon's administration's culpability in it and said administration's attempts to cover the incident up have become known as the 'Watergate Scandal'. Pictured is the Watergate Complex in June 2016

The lock available for auction is a four-pound brass lock from stairwell #2 at the Watergate Complex.

On June 17, 1972, five burglars tampered with the lock in an effort to break into and vandalize the DNC's headquarters.

The following morning, security guard Frank Willis alerted the police to a possible break-in, which led to the two-year investigation into what exactly happened that night.

The five burglars - Virgilio Gonzalez, Bernard Barker, James McCord, Eugenio Martinez and Frank Sturgis - were all eventually tried and either convicted of a crime or pleaded guilty.

Implicated in recruiting them was G Gordon Liddy, who served as Financial Counsel for Nixon's Committee for the Re-Election of the President (mockingly abbreviated as CREEP).

The Nixon administration sought to cover-up the incident. Meanwhile, investigators found evidence of other tactics of the 37th president's administration such as bugging opponents and illegal investigations of activist groups.

The subsequent fall-out from the scandal - which also provided revelations of other dubious Nixon administration activities - resulted in Nixon's resignation from the presidency in 1974. He is the only president to have resigned from office

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein (pictured left; respectively at left and right) investigated the Watergate scandal while working at the Washington Post. Their investigative journey was later turned into a film based on the book they wrote called All the President's Men. The 1976 film starred Robert Redford as Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein (pictured right; respectively at left and right)

Pictured is a Washington Post story published the day after the break-in showing the lock jimmied at the DNC that is now available via auction

Pictured is a New York Times report of Nixon's resignation. US Attorney General John Mitchell and White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman also resigned in the fallout of the Watergate Scandal

By the time the dust had settled, United States Attorney General John Mitchell, White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman and Nixon had resigned.

Nixon remains the only president to resign from the position.

Meanwhile, the Watergate Improvement Association requested a new lock, which was installed the day after the original one was broken.

The lock comes with notarized letters of provenance from Locksmith James Rednowers (pictured), who installed the new lock and kept the original, and Watergate superintendent Jim Herrald, who later requested the lock as a memento

Locksmith James Rednowers installed the new lock and kept the original, tampered lock for a few years, until Watergate superintendent Jim Herrald requested it as a memento.

Commenting on the lock, auction house owner Nate D. Sanders said: 'Americans fascination with Watergate has continued for nearly five decades.

'Historians and collectors will be intrigued by this lock, which symbolizes the downfall of the Nixon administration.'

The auction winner will also receive two notarized letters of provenance from Rednowers and Herrald.

The lock, complete with original key and latch, is mounted on a wood display that is about a foot tall, 10 inches wide and seven inches deep.
Foods including gourmet popcorn, coconut oil and goats milk are being offered through food banks.

Eight expensive delicacies were found during a tour of the East London depot of FareShare, which distributes donations to food banks and community groups.

While it might be assumed food banks are filled with cans and packaged foods, producers of gourmet goods need to find a use for them as they near their use-by date but are still good to eat.

The Grocer trade magazine, which revealed the food bank finds, has set up a petition calling for 100,000 more tons of edible surplus to be sent to charity. It said: It isnt only cheap cans of baked beans or economy meat youll find stored at one of FareShares 20 depots across the UK, waiting to be redistributed to charity.

Gourmet: Goats' milk, gourmet popcorn and coconut oil were found at the East London depot named FareShare, which distributes donations to food banks (file photo)

Under the headline Eight of the poshest foods we found at a FareShare depot, it listed Fiji Water, which normally sells at 17.39 for 12 bottles, as number one.

The magazine said: Filtered through volcanic rock before gathering in an ancient artesian aquifer deep within the earth, Fiji Water charges a big premium for its soft mouth-feel and untouched credentials.

Bottles can be found clutched in the dehydrated hands of A-listers the world over  as well as in FareShare depots.

The magazine also found Biona coconut oil, which costs 4.75 for 100ml. It said: Pressed from the flesh of fresh coconuts, this posh coconut oil can be slathered on skin or spooned into frying pans by health-conscious bakers. And given its 18-month shelf life, it shouldnt be ending up on the waste pile.

Also available were packs of Joe & Sephs popcorn, which is normally 4.29 for just 90g.

The Grocer said: This popcorn deserves much more love. Its handmade from air-popped mushroom [corn] kernels by a small team of London pastry chefs and rolled in gourmet flavours as delectable as espresso martini, mince pie and salted caramel.

Packs of organic chickpea puffs sold under the Hippeas brand at 99p for 22g were also being sorted for distribution to the needy ahead of Christmas.

FareShare chief executive Lindsay Boswell was grateful for all the donations:We give thanks to all those involved in ensuring this valuable food continues to reach us week in, week out. (file photo)

The magazine said: These unashamedly target those modern hippies happy to spend nearly three times as much on their snacks as youd spend on a bog-standard pack of Walkers.

They can be found on the shelves of Waitrose and Holland & Barrett, as well as securing investment from A-list actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

There was also a large number of cartons of Delamere brand goats milk, normally 1.69 per litre.

It said: Ditching cows milk has never been more trendy with coconuts, cashews and even camels all squeezed dry to provide us with dairy alternatives. Goats are no different, with this premium milk farmed from the brands very own Cheshire goats.

Other products included Higgidy pies, Tyrrells crisps and Tassimo coffee machine capsules.

The Grocer said all of the food was being saved from the bin and would go to people who needed it.

It came as The Co-op announced it will provide 100,000 meals to vulnerable people in the run-up to Christmas through its partnership with FareShare.

FareShare chief executive Lindsay Boswell said: We give thanks to all those involved in ensuring this valuable food continues to reach us week in, week out.
An 'extremely grumpy and rude' police officer has been accused of being the Grinch who stole Christmas after she shut down an elaborate suburban lights display.

For more than four years, all ten houses at a cul de sac in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs have lit up their homes to hundreds of happy Christmas light enthusiasts.

But the pretty displays came to a dramatic, albeit brief, end on Wednesday evening when a foul-tempered policewoman stormed the street after 10.30pm.

'I woke up to someone bashing on my window next to my front door,' said father-of-three Hugo Court resident Mark Morrison.

One of the many spectacular displays at Hugo Court, Narre Warren, which was brought to an end by a traffic-conscious police officer on Wednesday evening

Silent night! These lights were among those to be turned off at the request of the police officer this week

Taking the Mickey! Fans pose with a blow-up Disney character at the cul-de-sac this year

'I thought it was going to smash they were bashing that hard on it - all the lights were on outside and there were still people wandering around ...

'I got up got some clothes on and there was a lady police officer there.

'She said: "you need to shut your lights off ... you're causing traffic chaos down the road"".

When he said 'that's not my issue', the policewoman told him 'you need to shut them off now' and asked if he had a permit from the local council.

'She went from house to house to house and made everybody turn their lights off,' Mr Morrison recalled.

'She was really grumpy and rude and not nice at all.'

The decision to shut down the lights is believed to have come after a fiery altercation over a car parked on a footpath on a nearby street.

A Christmas tree constructed entirely out of VB cans (left and right) is featured in this year's display

The decision to shut down the lights is believed to have come after a fiery altercation over a car parked on a footpath on a nearby street

A local resident, Malcolm, is pictured hard at work putting up his Christmas lights this year

Sometimes hundreds of people swarm the cul de sac - and many have taken to Facebook furious about the blackout.

'It doesn't matter whether the visitors are 5 or 95, everyone comes in, forgets all their problems with a big smile and has fun.

Neighbours said people often said: 'We come to your house every year. You give our kids joy and everyone's happy.'

Several people have branded the police grinches for the light blackout, but it's understood Victoria Police believe it was an important public safety measure.

A spokeswoman confirmed police attended the street about 10.50pm due to 'ongoing traffic issues'.

'Residents were asked to turn off the Christmas light displays to assist in clearing the gridlock caused by the amount of vehicles at the location due to safety concerns.'
The Legislature's Tribal Taxation Issues Committee has drafted a bill that, if passed at the 2019 legislative session, would allow Indian tribes to levy state sales taxes on their reservations.

Tribes in North Dakota are getting less federal assistance and are looking for ways to drive revenue. At present, tribal businesses on reservations are not required to charge the state's 5 percent sales tax. Businesses that are within reservation boundaries and not owned by American Indians must collect sales tax from nontribal members. If the draft legislation passes, tribal leaders would have to reach a tax agreement with the governor. Under the draft legislation, tribal governments that reach a sales tax accord with the state wouldnt be allowed to impose other taxes on retail businesses.

Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger says the goal is to avoid dual taxation.

The draft legislation doesnt spell out how much of the sales tax collections would go to the tribes and how much to the state.

Lawmakers passed similar legislation two years ago to allow the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to impose a sales tax, but that agreement fell apart when the tribe wanted to exempt its casino and some other businesses.

While the additional revenue from a sales tax would seem appealing to the reservations, it also means a loss of some control by the tribes over taxes. Some tribes might prefer to set their own course. Recently the Three Affiliated Tribes doubled taxes on non-American Indian retail businesses that sell liquor, resulting in some halting sales.

A sales tax also might be painful for some residents of the reservations. Some live on limited incomes and paying a sales tax might be too much of a burden.

The Tribal Taxation Issues Committee plans to meet Friday with tribal leaders in New Town on the sales tax proposal. Rauschenberger said tribal leaders have indicated an interest in the sales tax.

The proposed bill isnt a sure thing and shouldnt go forward unless a majority of the five Indian reservations in the state favor it. They need to decide if its the best way to help their residents. Will the sales tax generate enough revenue to fund improvements and services and offset any difficulties it poses for residents on limited incomes? A lot of work remains to be done on the proposal before the Legislature convenes. The committee and tribal leaders need to do whats best for reservation residents.
A white man a has pleaded not guilty to shooting and killing two black men in the street and opening fire at an African-American family's home in three separate racist attacks.

Kenneth James Gleason, 23, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, allegedly shot dead Donald Smart, 49, on September 14 and Bruce Cofield, 59, on September 12, both on the side of the road and at night.

He also fired gunshots at the home of the only black family on his block - he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

The Advocate reports that Gleason entered the plea Wednesday at an arraignment before state District Judge Beau Higginbotham in Baton Rouge.

A grand jury on November 30 indicted Gleason on one count each of second-degree murder and first-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in the incidents that police have described as possibly racially motivated.

Kenneth James Gleason, 23, has been accused of shooting two black men to death in what police believe to be racially motivated. He's pictured here being escorted by police to a waiting police car in Baton Rouge September 19

Officials, who found an Adolf Hitler speech at his home, less than a gram of marijuana and vials of human growth hormone, have said Gleason approached them both in the same manner - shooting them first from inside his car, then exiting the vehicle and continuing to fire while standing over them.

Gleason supposedly shot Smart, a father of three, when he was walking on Alaska Street to his job as a dishwasher at Louie's Cafe, while Cofield, who was homeless, was allegedly murdered walking on the side of Florida Street.

Employees at the homeless center Cofield visited regularly described him as 'a private, well-dressed man who would burst out singing gospel music for those who would listen.'

Gleason supposedly shot Donald Smart (L), a father of three, when he was walking on Alaska Street to his job as a dishwasher at Louie's Cafe, while Bruce Cofield (R), who was homeless, was allegedly murdered walking on the side of Florida Street

Law enforcement officials have said they believe the two killings were random, as they have been unable to find any connections between Gleason and either Smart or Cofield.

Police say in both shootings the man was believed to have been wearing dark clothes and a tactical vest.

Also that mid-September week, Gleason was accused of targeting the only black family on the block where he lived, firing from a short distance at their front door. No one was injured, but two people were in the house at the time.

Tonya Stephens, who lives in the house, claims a bullet went through the couch, under a chair, through the back window and finally landed in her back storage shed after flying through a wall, according to The Advocate.

Although Stephens wasn't present at the time her two sons, Joshuwa Anderson, 19, and Corey Anderson, 22, were in their bedrooms watching Netflix when they heard the three shots fired.

Additionally Joshuwa says he saw Gleason sleeping topless in his red car several times.

A grand jury on November 30 indicted Gleason on one count each of second-degree murder and first-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in the incidents that police have described as possibly racially motivated. He's seen here on September 19 being escorted by police to a waiting car

Though officials have said the shootings were possibly racially motivated, East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III said they have yet to uncover any concrete evidence to confirm that motive.

Smart's family sat in the front two rows of the courtroom during the arraignment.

When Gleason announced his pleas, members of the family released audible sounds of pain; his sister wiped tears from her eyes.

Officials found an Adolf Hitler speech at Gleason's (pictured) home, less than a gram of marijuana and vials of human growth hormone

'I was hoping and praying he (would) plead guilty so the family wouldn't have to keep coming to court,' said Smart's sister, Tiquincia Smart.

'But we will be here every court day. I truly believe justice will be served.'

She said seeing Gleason in the courtroom was emotional, bringing back the memory of her brother's killing.

'I have seen (Gleason) in pictures, but to actually see him in person, just to see the human being that took my brother's life for no apparent reason was scary in a sense, but at the same time, relieved to know he's not on the street to hurt anyone else,' she said.

Tiquincia said this time of year is especially sensitive. 'And now, it's the holiday time, and it's just not the same. It's really emotional,' The Advocate reports.

The mother of Donald Smart's three children, Lakisa Flowers, said she, too, will be at every court date during Gleason's trial.

'He did not deserve to be killed and shot down like that,' Flowers said, who is now raising their children, a 12- and 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old son, alone.

'Everyday I just try to be strong for my kids. I try not to show my tears in front of them.'

Attorney Chris Alexander is representing Gleason and has denied any guilt on behalf of his client. 'At this point, we're going to request any and all evidence in the state's possession and review everything closely,' Alexander said after Wednesday's hearing.

'Our goal is to fully and completely protect Kenneth Gleason, and we intend to do it tenaciously.'

Smart's (pictured) family sat in the front two rows of the courtroom during the arraignment, he leaves behind the mother of his three children Lakisa Flowers and a son and two daughters

Moore said he has not decided if he will seek the death penalty in the case, which became an option when he was charged with first-degree murder.

'It appears to be cold, calculated, planned (against) people who were unarmed and defenseless,' he said. 'We don't need to prove motive. There are a lot of things that are unanswered.' A trial date has not been set at this time.

The attacks came at a time when Louisiana's capital already was in the grips of a surge in violence. The number of homicides in East Baton Rouge Parish has already surpassed last year's total of 62.

'Baton Rouge has been through a lot of turmoil in the last year. Has there not been a swift conclusion to this case, I feel confident that this killer probably would have killed again,' the police chief said. 'He could have potentially created a tear in the fabric that holds this community together.'
Labour's Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) cut through the bluster to describe yesterdays Commons debate as lawyer versus lawyer.

More accurately, however, it was lawyer after lawyer, for nearly all the MPs who spoke in the debate were Remainers.

Miss Hoey was using lawyer in the disparaging sense.

Here were puffed-up, prolix scriveners, fluffing out coat-tails as they sought to complicate, entangle, embugger and ensure that only they are the ones who run our country.

Labour's Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) cut through the bluster to describe yesterdays Commons debate as lawyer versus lawyer. The MP is pictured at the Brexit Conference in London last month

More accurately, however, it was lawyer after lawyer, for nearly all the MPs who spoke in the debate were Remainers. Miss Hoey was using lawyer in the disparaging sense. She is pictured showing her support for the Leave campaign ahead on the EU referendum, last year

No others need apply. Were the ruling class. We jurists are the ones who decide and you, the dirty-fingernailed electorate, can get stuffed.

Each time the Government seems to taken a substantial step towards getting us out of the Brussels gluepit, as happened with Mrs Mays December 8 agreement in Brussels, Remainers cook up another ruse to create a sense Brexit might yet be stopped.

That was their purpose yesterday: To prolong the unease.

Some pretended to be consumed with anguish about ministers imposing laws without Parliaments say.

They never protested much about that all those decades when we had our laws dictated by the EU.

Yvette Cooper, opening the hours of debate, wobbled her head and said the country should trust Parliament to be mature and sensible

Yvette Cooper (Lab, Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford), opening the hours of debate, wobbled her head and said the country should trust Parliament to be mature and sensible.

Ha! She wanted the Commons given the power to delay Brexit, though only by a couple of months.

The few Brexiteers in a sparsely attended Chamber did not believe her. Nigel Evans (Con, Ribble Valley) suggested she wanted Brexit stopped for years. Miss Cooper shook her head most forcefully and shot Mr Evans a warty stare.

Europhile lawyer Ken Clarke (Con, Rushcliffe) was at his most dismissive of the scurrilous Right wing.

He foghorned and reminisced, moving his forearm sideways like someone barging clutter off a table. He didnt much like it when a Brexiteer, Yeovils Marcus Fysh, suggested Mr Clarke was misleading the House in some of his claims.

John Baron also told the old buffer he does risk sounding very condescending

John Baron (Con, Basildon & Billericay) also told the old buffer he does risk sounding very condescending.

By the time Mr Clarke sat down he was a touch magenta round the chops. Sir Oliver Letwin (Con, W Dorset), all conversational cornices and congenial gaseousness, said the only logical possibility stemming from the Remainers manoeuvres was that they wanted to force Theresa May to leave Brexit aside.

Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) put it more bluntly. These Remoaners wanted to overturn and frustrate last years EU referendum.

Mr Davies said it was a pity anti-Brexit egghead Dominic Grieve (Con, Beaconsfield) hadnt got the courage of his convictions to admit that.

There would be a fearful backlash from the British public if the Grieves of this world had their way, predicted Mr Davies.

Around Mr Grieve a doughnut of Europhile aesthetes had formed: Sarah Wollaston, veritably haloed by saintliness, Bob Neill, jumpy as a novice parachutist, serial rebel Heidi Allen, and lawyer Antoinette Sandbach, who would later wail to the Chair that some beastly person behind her was talking too loudly.

Jacob Rees-Mogg (Con, NE Somerset) squinted at them from a safe distance.

Ed Vaizey (Wantage and Didcot) was in orange socks and, like George Freeman (Mid Norfolk), wore the sort of horizontal-striped tie favoured by middle-aged groovers going through a crisis.

Jacob Rees-Mogg (Con, NE Somerset) squinted at them from a safe distance

Mr Freeman nodded sagely as Mr Grieve said how horrible some Eurosceptics had been about him.

Mind you, Grieve himself took a pop at Iain Duncan Smith, who had apparently accused Mr Grieve of grandstanding. Ye gods. Cause for a duel on Hampstead Heath at the very least. Mr Grieve made plain he did not think IDS had been much cop when he was Tory Party leader.

On the Labour benches, Ben Bradshaw and Helen Goodman cackled as Mr Grieve worked himself into ever greater indignations. Anti-Brexit lawyer Anna Soubry (Con, pro-Brexit Broxtowe) made repeated interventions against the Government and each time ended by massaging her lips like a trumpeter.

Mr Grieve, after accusing Eurosceptics of being fixated on getting us out, ended by comparing himself to Sir Winston Churchill.
But Irish PM Leo Varadkar said the transition deal must be sorted out first

PM is in Brussels to urge EU leaders to move on to trade talks as son as possible

The Irish PM today warned that Brexit trade negotiations will not start until March as he pledged his loyalty to his country's 'new best friends' the EU.

EU leaders are expected to rubber stamp moving on to the next phase of talks at a Brussels summit tomorrow but Leo Varadkar said the details of the transition will need to be thrashed out before we turn to trade.

His comments came as Theresa May downplayed her humiliating Commons defeat on the Brexit Bill last night as she arrived in Brussels to pitch for an 'ambitious' trade deal.

The PM's authority in Brussels risks being weakened after 11 Tory rebels joined Labour to inflict a defeat on the Government and demand a meaningful vote on the deal.

Mrs May admitted the loss was 'disappointing' but insisted ministers are still 'on course' to deliver Brexit for Britain.

But as the PM arrived to press the case for trade talks, Mr Varadkar said is allegiance lies with the EU, telling reporters: 'Ireland is a member of the European Union so our best friends are the 27 member states...

'As a remaining member our very closest relations have to be with other members of the European Union just as they were our closes friends in the weeks gone by.'

Theresa May turned up in Brussels today for the gathering of leaders that is due to sign off starting trade talks

Leo Varadkar (pictured, left, arriving in Brussels for the summit today) said Ireland's best friends are the EU. While Theredsa May (pictured right) arriving in Brussels today, tried to shrug off last night's setback telling reporters ministers are still on course to deliver Brexit

Mr Varadkar said he expects the next three months of talks to be devoted to the transition deal, adding: 'And once we have that done, we can then talk about the new trading relationship.'

His comments are a blow for Mrs May who has travelled to the Belgian capital to urge leaders of the 27 other member states to kick start trade talks as soon as possible.

WHAT NEXT FOR BREXIT TALKS? What does the defeat on the Brexit Bill mean? Tory rebels joined with Labour and the Lib Dems to force the Government to give MPs a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal. This means Parliament will have to get a say several months before Britain formally quits the bloc in March 2019 so they ca n sent the PM back to the negotiating table if they want. Politicians expect the Government to give the Commons a vote in around October next year. What will happen at the summit? Theresa May has touched down in Brussels to press the case to move on to trade talks. She has already got EU leaders to agree 'sufficient progress' has been made on the divorce bill, citizens rights and the Irish border, and member states are expected to rubber stamp the decision. The PM will address a dinner of the leaders of the 27 member states tonight but the actual decision will be taken tomorrow in her absence. Mrs May is pressing the case to move on to trade talks but member states have warned details of the transition will need to be thrashed out first. Advertisement

The PM struck a bullish tone despite the shock defeat on her flagship Brexit Bill by stressing that she had won the vast majority of votes on the legislation.

She told reporters: 'I am disappointed with the amendment but actually the EU (Withdrawal) Bill is making good progress through the House of Commons and we are on course to deliver on Brexit,' she told reporters.

'We have have had 36 votes, and we have won 35 of them.'

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson today insisted that Brexit is 'unstoppable' and vowed the UK will 'get it done in a very successful way'.

Mrs May had hoped for a victorious meeting in Brussels today after finally sealing a Brexit divorce bill last week.

But she is facing fresh questions about her authority after the defeat in Westminster.

The result sparked a furious war of words between the rebels and Brexiteers, with one MP even calling for colleagues to be deselected for undermining the PM's negotiating position.

Leading Remainer Anna Souby faced heckles in the Commons chamber this morning that the revolt's ringleaders had been 'drinking champagne' in Westminster's bars after inflicting the defeat. She angrily denied taking any 'pleasure' in rebelling.

The European parliament's chief Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt also waded into the row by mocking the Vote Leave referendum slogan, saying the Commons had 'taken back control'.

But EU leaders and other MEPs suggested the amendment would make no difference as there is no chance of negotiations being reopened after October next year.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived by car for the EU gathering in Belgium today (pictured right). Mrs May is in Brussels for a key summit hosted by EU council president Donald Tusk (left)

Boris Johnson (pictured in Greenwich today with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, far right, and their Japanese counterparts Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, 2nd right, and Foreign Minister Taro Kono). He said that Brexit is 'unstoppable' despite last night's setback

European Council president Donald Tusk told journalists as he arrived at the summit that the first phase of Brexit talks were coming to an end.

But he warned that the next stage, covering a transition period and trade negotiations, would be even tougher.

'By the way, I have no doubt that the real test of our unity will be the second phase of the Brexit talks,' he said.

WHAT DOES THE RESULT MEAN? Ministers had proposed that Parliament could have a 'take it or leave it' vote on Theresa May's final Brexit deal with Brussels. If they rejected it, Britain would leave with no deal. But rebels feared the vote would come too late to give them a 'meaningful' say on the shape of Brexit. Now, as result of last night's vote, MPs and peers have the opportunity to amend any deal and in theory force Mrs May back to the negotiating table. Advertisement

And several leaders of member states sought to rally round Mrs May and downplay talk the defeat diminished her authority abroad.

Arriving shortly before Mrs May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was 'a good chance that the second phase can now begin'.

And Dutch PM Mark Rutte said: 'I think she still has formidable stature here.'

Dutch PM Mark Rutte said the UK now needed to 'make up its mind' what kind of relationship it wanted from the EU in future.

He said Mrs May had been 'wise' to 'hold her cards close to her heart' until now, but added: 'Having now hopefully passed the mark of phase one, I think we need from her to understand how she sees this relationship with the European Union.

'It is now for the UK to make up its mind.'

Answering questions in the Commons this morning, David Davis warned Tory rebels they had 'compressed the timetable' for Brexit.

And he refused to rule out trying to reverse the setback later in the legislative process, telling MPs: 'We will have to decide how we respond to it.'

The government was defeated by a margin of four votes, losing 309 to 305 and Labour MPs joined the rebels in cheering and applauding as the extraordinary result was announced last night.

The Prime Minister was at a memorial for the Grenfell tragedy at St Paul's earlier today before attending the summit in Brussels

The EU parliament's Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt gloated about the bloody nose suffered by Mrs May

Mr Grieve's amendment demands ministers pass a full law enshrining the exit deal before the Government is allowed start implementing it.

It puts huge new pressure on the Brexit timetable approaching exit day on March 29, 2019.

Rebels hope it will allow Parliament to reject anything they consider a bad deal for Britain in time for further negotiation.

UK STAYS IN ERASMUS STUDENT EXCHANGE UNTIL 2020 Britain will continue to participate in the EU's Erasmus student exchange programme until at least the end of 2020, Theresa May today said. Whether the UK stays in the programme longer will be discussed in Brexit negotiations. Speaking in a discussion on education and culture at the European Council summit in Brussels, the PM said the 30-year-old scheme had provided invaluable experiences for students and staff from the UK and Europe. She told fellow leaders; 'I welcome the opportunity to provide clarity to young people and the education sector and reaffirm our commitment to the deep and special relationship we want to build with the EU.' Advertisement

But speaking as he arrived at the EU summit today, Luxembourg PM Xavier was asked whether the bloc would renegotiate if MPs voted down a deal.

He replied: 'No.'

Danuta Hubner, a Polish MEP, who chairs the European parliament's constitutional affairs committee, said any Commons vote after the tentative date for a deal of October next year would still be take it or leave it.

'Once it is finalised and it is signed by both parties, then any change to it means reopening negotiations, meaning we will not make it within the two years (ending March 2019), meaning there is a hard Brexit,' she told the Guardian.

Mrs May left Westminster and was on the red carpet at the Sun's 'Military Awards' minutes after the humiliating defeat last night.

And today she attended a memorial for the Grenfell tragedy at St Paul's today, before heading for Brussels for the summit.

A furious Mrs May quickly sacked former minister Stephen Hammond from his role as Tory vice-chairman after he joined the revolt last night.

Nadine Dorries, Conservative MP for Mid-Bedfordshire accused the rebels of 'putting a spring in Labour's step, given them a taste of winning'.

EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker was in Brussels for the summit today

A rebellion of Conservative MPs secured a crunch Commons vote 309 to 305 - handing Mrs May her first ever legislative defeat by just four votes in an historic blow to her already shaky credibility (pictured is the vote being declared last night)

Labour MPs bunched the air in jubilation and Remain MPs across the Commons cheered and applauded as the extraordinary vote was announced (pictured)

'They have guaranteed the party a weekend of bad press, undermined the PM and devalued her impact in Brussels,' she said.

'They should be deselected and never allowed to stand as a Tory MP, ever again.'

To compound her difficulties, Mrs May faces another knife-edge vote in the Commons next week over fixing the Brexit date in law of March 29, 2019.

WELBY LIKENS BREXIT ROW TO WAR AS HE URGES 'CEASEFIRE' Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby The Archbishop of Canterbury has likened the Brexit row to the Great War as he called for a Christmas truce. Justin Welby called for a 'ceasefire' on the use of insults, 'personalised attacks' and 'pejorative terms' as the process of leaving the European Union continues. Dr Welby said: 'If we go back 103 years, we find Christmas 1914 there was a ceasefire. It would be very good to have a ceasefire from insult and the use of pejorative terms about people at this time. 'As a country, we have a future ahead of us, we have made a decision about Brexit, that is clear, both sides are saying that. 'How we do that is a question for robust political argument, but there is a difference between disagreeing and personalised attacks - and those have to be avoided. 'If we are going to make a success of Brexit, and it's perfectly possible to do and in fact we should make a success of it - it gives opportunities as well as challenges - then we need a political leadership that is united in their attitude to the future, even if divided on policy. 'Therefore we do need reconciliation and unity.' Advertisement

But Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt played down the impact today, insisting the Brexit process would not be derailed.

'I don't think it should be a surprise that in a hung Parliament, Parliament wants to reassert its right to scrutinise the process,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'But we should also be clear this isn't going to slow down Brexit, it's not going to stop Brexit.'

Asked whether MPs now had the power to force the Government back to the negotiating table, Mr Hunt said: 'Parliament can say whatever it wants but of course renegotiation is something that involves two parties.'

As the rebellion built, Justice Minister Dominic Raab offered last ditch assurances that powers in the legislation that trouble Tory rebels will not be used until the exit agreement is written into UK law.

At 6.45pm he returned to the Despatch Box to promise MPs he would turn his assurance into an amendment if MPs back down.

His concession appeared to peal off at least two Tory rebels as Vicky Ford and Paul Masterton backed down.

Two Labour MPs - Frank Field and Kate Hoey - voted with the Government.

But after Mr Grieve declared 'It's too late, I'm sorry, you cannot treat the House in this fashion' other rebels inflicted the punishing defeat.

Insisting the rebellion would go ahead this afternoon, Mr Grieve quoted Winston Churchill as warned Mrs May: 'A good party man...will put his country before his party.'

After the vote, a Government spokesman said: 'We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out.

'We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential.

'This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded it a 'a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting'.

The debate saw furious blue-on-blue exchanges as Brexiteers Bernard Jenkin and Bill Cash rose to defend the Government.

David Davis today warned the rebels they had 'compressed the timetable' for Brexit by forcing through an amendment to the flagship EU Withdrawal Bill (pictured left). Former minister Anna Soubry angrily denied heckles in the Commons about alleged celebrations of the PM's setback (pictured right)

Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan posted a message after the vote and said: 'Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process'

Mr Grieve warned the Government he had tried to be helpful but that on the issue of a meaningful vote 'we have run out of road - and all rational discourse starts to evaporate'.

He said this has led to 'confrontation' in which it is 'suggested the underlying purpose is sabotage, followed by hurling of public abuse' including by other Tories.

Signalling support for the amendment, Mr Clarke said the key thing around a meaningful vote was its timing, adding: 'The vote's got to take place before the British Government has committed itself to the terms of the treaty-like agreement that is entered into with the other members.

ELEVEN TORY REBELS ENOUGH TO DEFEAT MAY Eleven Conservative MPs were enough to defeat Theresa May. The 11 rebels were: Dominic Grieve Heidi Allen Ken Clarke Nicky Morgan Anna Soubry Sarah Wollaston Bob Neill Stephen Hammond Oliver Heald Jonathan Djanogly Antoinette Sandbach A 12th Tory in the aye lobby was John Stevenson who voted both ways - an active abstention Advertisement

'Any other vote is not meaningful.'

Mr Clarke said it was 'quite obvious' that the Government was not going to be 'remotely near' a detailed agreement by March 2019.

He added: 'It's not a question, I may say, to my desperately paranoid eurosceptic friends, that somehow I am trying in some surreptitious Remainer way to put a spoke in the wheels of the vast progress of the United Kingdom towards the destination to which we are going.

'But they don't know what Leave means, because nobody discussed what Leave meant when we were having the referendum.'

Another rebel, Antoinette Sandbach, expressed fears that a vote on a Brexit deal motion outlined by the Government could be 'meaningless'.

In an attempt to sooth rebel concerns, Mr Raab vowed powers they want to modify - that allow ministers to bring in the exit agreement using secondary legislation - would not be used until Parliament has voted on the deal as a whole.

Offering a political assurance - rather than a change to the bill - Mr Raab said: 'None of the Statutory Instruments will come into effect until Parliament has voted on the final deal.'

He urged the rebels to drop their amendment, adding: 'If we waited for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill not just to be introduced after the withdrawal agreement has been signed, but fully enacted, waiting for the full passage of that to happen we would not have the time deal with the volume of technical legislation that we need to put through under secondary legislation.

'There is no getting around the timing issue, we have got the long tail of technical regulatory secondary legislation we need to get through if we want to provide legal certainty that will make a smooth Brexit.'

Brexiteer Nadine Dorries reacted furiously to the vote, demanding the rebels be 'deselected'

The four abstaining Tories who could have made a difference Four Tory MPs are thought to have abstained in last night's vote. They included Ed Vaizey, a member of David Cameron's 'chumocracy' who was fired by Mrs May and said he was 'hurt, bitter, thoroughly p****d off' about it. He also said Mr Cameron had 'sort of stuffed the country by accident' with Brexit. Ed Vaizey (pictured) was a member of David Cameron's 'chumocracy' and was fired by Mrs May Another notable abstainer was George Freeman, who resigned his position on Mrs May's backbench policy board and has claimed the party risks being seen as one of 'nostalgia, hard Brexit and lazy privilege'. Others were Carlisle MP John Stevenson, whose seat voted strongly for Leave, and Paul Masterton, who represents the heavily Remainer seat of East Renfrewshire. Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, who has been suspended by the party over allegations of sexual misconduct, also abstained. He no longer holds the whip. Advertisement

The debate saw furious blue-on-blue exchanges as Brexiteers Bernard Jenkin (left) and Bill Cash (right) rose to defend the Government

Pictured are Tory MPs - including many of the rebels - in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May said: 'We will put the final withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU to a vote in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force.'

She said Westminster would be given a vote ahead of the European Parliament and 'well before' the date of Brexit in March 2019.

WHIP FACES BULLYING ROW OVER CLAIM MP WAS REDUCED TO TEARS Tory chief whip Julian Smith (pictured outside No 10 last month) has reportedly told backbenchers they could be sued Ministers have been hit by a bullying row after a Tory whip allegedly reduced a female MP to tears as they scrambled to try to head off a Brexit rebellion tonight. A male whip is said to have used 'bully boy tactics' to try to cajole the MP into not defying the Government on a crunch Brexit vote. The woman is said to have started crying and trembling after receiving the harsh dressing down - a claim No10 have said is 'categorically not true'. But another report says the chief whip Julian Smith has threatened to sue rebels if they make defamatory allegations about the tactics used to keep them in line. The claims have surfaced as tensions soar ahead of an expected Tory rebellion tonight on the flagship Brexit Bill demanding MPs are given a meaningful vote on the deal. It would be Theresa May's first proper defeat on a piece of legislation and a major blow for the PM ahead of a major EU summit in Brussels tomorrow. Anna Soubry, a leading Tory rebel, accused a Tory whip of overstepping the mark and resorting to bullying to strong-arm MPs into toeing the line. Advertisement

'To be clear, the final deal will be agreed before we leave and Honourable and Right Honourable Members will get a vote on it,' Mrs May told the Commons.

Answering later questions, Mrs May said the Grieve amendment could risk a 'smooth and orderly Brexit' by squeezing the timetable too far.

Former constitution minister John Penrose offered support to Mrs May ahead of the vote.

He said: 'The Government has already promised not only a full-scale vote on the EU deal as soon as it's been struck, but up to two more 'ratification votes' plus an entire Act of Parliament before it becomes law.

'That's as much, or more, than even the most fervent democrat could reasonably ask.

'The Prime Minister negotiated a far better ''stage 1'' deal last week than the doom-mongers were predicting.

'Let's not repay her by sending her off to Brussels with an unnecessary and unfair amendment that will only make her job harder.'

In an attempt to head off defeat, Brexit Secretary David Davis has written to MPs insisting there will be a vote in the Commons on the term of the exit arrangements but that the amendment goes too far.

The Brexit Department today repeated a promise there would be a Commons vote on the exit deal before it is implemented.

The Government has also promised to enshrine a withdrawal treaty in law but said this might not happen before exit day.

But Mr Grieve told Sky News: 'I have no desire to defeat my government at all, I am not a rebel, I think I have only rebelled once over a local issue in the 21 years I have been in parliament.

'I don't want to do that but the Government needs to listen to what has been said to them and at the moment unfortunately my impression of the last few days when I have been talking to the Government is it seems to be a bit of a dialogue of the deaf.

'They have sort of turned this into a battle of wills and this is a completely pointless exercise.

'They need to listen to the point that is being made and they need to respond to it.'

Junior Brexit minister Steve Baker told peers this morning: 'There can only be a vote on the withdrawal agreement.'

He said the vote on whether to follow the instruction of the referendum and leave the EU has already happened when MPs backed invoking Article 50.

And he tweeted: 'Today's amendment 7 to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill is misplaced, however well-intentioned.'

GOVERNMENT DEFEAT: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Twelve Tories rebelled against the Government tonight to consign it to an historic defeat on Brexit. But the result - a narrow four vote win - does not stop Brexit or even derail this legislation. What it does do is make significantly more complicated the path to Brexit day and rebels hope it will allow them to change the exit deal or even delay departure. The first step for the Government is to keep pushing the legislation through Parliament - there are more votes to win tonight and more debate this evening. Another dangerous day of committee stage debate is due next week, including the prospect of another defeat. Then the Bill returns to the Commons in January for more scrutiny and more changes. It must then go through the House of Lords. The amendment passed tonight demands ministers pass a full law enshrining the exit deal before the Government is allowed start implementing it. It puts huge new pressure on the Brexit timetable approaching exit day on March 29, 2019. Ministers could try to change the new amendment with re-writes of their own at the later stages. Advertisement

In a letter to MPs, Brexit Secretary Davis specifically referred to Mr Grieve's attempt to rewrite the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill and said he was responding to concerns 'by making clear that there will be a number of votes for Parliament on the final deal we strike with the EU'.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier wants the withdrawal deal finalised by October 2018 and the Government has committed to hold a vote in Parliament as soon as possible after the negotiations have concluded.

Mr Davis said the deal would have to go through the normal treaty ratification process and there would then be primary legislation on the Brexit deal.

The Brexit Secretary said: 'If Parliament supports the resolution to proceed with the withdrawal agreement and the terms for our future relationship, the Government will bring forward a Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill to give the withdrawal agreement domestic legal effect.

'The Bill will implement the terms of the withdrawal agreement in UK law as well as providing a further opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny.

'This legislation will be introduced before the UK exits the EU and the substantive provisions will only take effect from the moment of exit.'

The Government swerved possible defeat last night with concessions on so-called Henry VIII powers in the legislation.

And another very tight vote is expected next Wednesday as ministers stand behind controversial plans to write the Exit Date into the withdrawal legislation.

Yesterday, Conservative former leader Iain Duncan Smith accused Mr Grieve and his supporters of 'grandstanding' and trying to tie the Government's hands in the Brexit talks.

'I think this is looking for ways to derail the bill,' he told The World At One.

'There comes a moment when really grandstanding has to stop. Tying the Government's hands in the way that he would wish to tie them so early on is quite wrong.'
Little Ethan Joyce might not be able to sit up unaided, or walk, or even talk properly, but he can smile like an angel, particularly when he sees anything remotely Christmassy.

He loves anything to do with Christmas  the lights, the decorations, the snow, says his mother, Naomi, 31.

He gets so animated and happy the minute he sees anything festive.

Ethan suffers from severe epilepsy as a result of a rare gene mutation, but has always been full of joy. So when Make-a-Wish UK  the charity supported by the Daily Mails Christmas Quids for Kids campaign  offered to put a wish together for the seven-year-old from Somerset, his parents didnt think twice.

He gets so animated and happy': Ethan adores Christmas and was given the perfect festive gift of visiting Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland with his family

It had to be a family trip to Winter Wonderland, says Naomi, who added that Lapland or, indeed, flying anywhere, is out of the question for Ethan, given the amount of equipment he needs just to survive.

Earlier this month, Ethan, his step-sister Dakota, four, and their parents travelled by stretch limo to Londons Hyde Park for a VIP experience at the capitals most Christmassy attraction.

Wed been counting down for weeks and he was so excited and smiley, says Naomi. The weekend was more magical than we could ever imagine. Seeing Ethans face light up made all the difficult times fade away and make us feel like a normal family for once. We are so, so proud of him. His strength and determination amazes us every single day and he always has a smile on his face.

This Christmas we are asking you to help grant the wishes of more children like Ethan by donating old 1 coins to our Quids for Kids appeal. Kind readers have helped to smash the 200,000 barrier to make dreams come true for seriously ill children.

Tens of thousands of old 1 coins have been donated at branches of Nationwide Building Society for Make-A-Wish UK. You can also send a donation directly to our fund  see the coupon below  or visit dailymail.co.uk/quidsforkids.

There are is still time to donate to the appeal, which will help some of the 20,000 youngsters facing treatment in hospital over Christmas.
Thousands of isolated cash machines have been saved from closure following a public outcry.

The big banks had demanded a cut to the fees they have to pay when one of their customers withdraws money from a machine owned by an independent operator.

It was feared the proposals would make swathes of ATMs unprofitable and force them to shut down.

A new levy on ATMs could cause thousands to close down in rural locations - but campaigners have saved them from closure

But in a victory for the Daily Mail, the industry has backed down  and pledged not to reduce the fees for lone machines more than a kilometre from other ATMs.

The crisis began when the Link network, which oversees Britains 70,000 free ATMs, said it would reduce the so-called interchange fees banks pay to independent operators from an average 25p to 20p per transaction.

But the independents warned that this could force them to either close machines or start charging for withdrawals to cover their costs.

Campaigners warned as many as 5,000 towns and villages might lose their free machines, causing misery for the small businesses and vulnerable people who depend on easy access to cash.

The plans were sharply criticised by Federation of Small Businesses chairman Mike Cherry, who warned that a threat to the cash machine network is a threat to local growth all over the UK.

But Link now says it is resolutely committed to protecting cash access. It has bowed to pressure and said the fee change will not apply to machines which are on their own, with no others within a 1km (0.6mile) radius.

The Link network said: Links independent board is guided in everything it does by its public interest remit and Link is resolutely committed to protecting cash access and maintaining the geographical coverage of free-to-use ATMs.

The board would therefore like to announce that regardless of wider changes to interchange it will protect all free-to-use ATMs which are a kilometre or more from the next nearest free-to-use ATM.

These ATMs will still be subject to normal contractual and business pressures but by protecting the interchange at these sites these ATMs should not need to be removed as a result of a general reduction in interchange rates.

More than 1,000 branches are being closed by the big banks this year, and bailed-out Natwest owner Royal Bank of Scotland had announced plans to axe another 259 in recent weeks

It comes as the Prime Minister warned that High Street lenders must not forget ordinary people.

More than 1,000 branches are being closed by the big banks this year, and bailed-out Natwest owner Royal Bank of Scotland had announced plans to axe another 259 in recent weeks.

Lenders claim they are cutting back because more and more people are using the internet instead. But in Parliament yesterday Theresa May said this excuse was simply not good enough.

Of course more people are banking online, she said. This is having an impact, but we do want to ensure that all customers, especially vulnerable ones, can still access over-the-counter services.

The crisis began when the Link network, which oversees Britains 70,000 free ATMs, said it would reduce the so-called interchange fees banks pay to independent operators from an average 25p to 20p per transaction

Thats why weve established the access to banking standard, which commits banks to carry out a number of steps before closing a branch, and the Post Office has also reached an agreement with the banks that will allow more customers than ever before to use Post Office services.

So we recognise the importance of this on communities and have acted in a number of ways.

Campaigners have pointed out that the cuts to bank branches have made cash machines more vital than ever.
This is the moment a 16-year-old and his classmates exploded with joy as they found out he's been accepted to Harvard University.

Ayrton Little, 16, was surrounded by classmates at the private TM Landry College Prep in Opelousas, Louisiana, when he found out he'd gotten early admission for Harvard's 2022 class.

Little erupts with excitement at the news, as his friends scream with joy and begin chanting 'three-peat', in reference to the school sending a grad to the Ivy League three years running.

Ayrton Little, 16, was surrounded by classmates at the private TM Landry College Prep in Opelousas, Louisiana when he found out he'd gotten early admission for Harvard's 2022 class

Little told the Mail Online: 'I don't know how to describe it, it was the best feeling. It feels amazing.

'I plan to study applied maths and computer science. If I keep my grades up I will attend in the fall.

'I'm happy I got into Harvard but I'm even happier because I've made my mother incredibly proud.'

He said the news was made even more incredible because his older brother was accepted to Stanford on Friday last week.

Little struggled to put his emotions into words after finding out, but said the best feeling was making his mother Maureen proud

The news of his acceptance came after his older brother (right) was accepted into Stanford on Friday last week

Maureen Little, the boys' mother, said: 'It feels amazing. My oldest son got into Stanford on Friday and we have been waiting for a response from Harvard, and I just can't believe it.

'All the hard work has paid off and it's an incredible feeling. They've put in so much hard work and stay past [school hours] when they need to.'

Little said that he plans to major and math and computer science before working on Wall Street with the aim of opening a nonprofit to help children from a similar background to him get into Ivy League schools.

Last year, Harvard admitted 5.6 per cent of students who applied.
DeRay McKesso is suing Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, claiming she defamed him while discussing a lawsuit against Black Lives Matter that was dismissed

A civil rights activist is suing Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, claiming she defamed him while discussing a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter movement that was later dismissed.

The lawsuit says activist DeRay McKesson he was falsely arrested while attending a protest in July 2016 in which a police officer was struck in the face with a rock.

The officer sued the Black Lives Matter movement and McKesson.

Jeanine Pirro, currently the host of Fox News's 'Justice with Judge Jeanine', appeared on Fox & Friends in September and alleged that McKesson, a black man, 'directed' violence against a police officer, with the support of a federal judge, also a black man, appointed by President Obama.

After the officer's lawsuit was dismissed, Pirro 'made a series of outrageously false and defamatory statements about Mr. McKesson, including that he directed someone to hit the police officer in the face with a rock,' McKesson's lawsuit said.

The suit says the statements were extremely dangerous and continue to endanger McKesson.

The complaint says the statements made by Pirro 'are false, and were either known to be false by Defendant Pirro or were made with reckless disregard for whether they were true,' according to the Baltimore Sun.

In September Jeanine Pirro appeared on Fox & Friends, an opinion show on Fox News, and alleged that McKesson, a black man, 'directed' violence against a police officer, with the support of a federal judge, also a black man, appointed by former President Obama

Officers arrest McKesson in July 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An officer claimed he was injured during the protest

The complaint said the statements have damaged McKesson's reputation and endangered his safety, and requests an unspecified amount in damages, the Sun reports.

Fox News says Pirro's statements are protected speech.

The suit, which also names Fox News Network, was filed in New York on Tuesday.

Pirro's statements on September 29 discussed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by an unnamed police officer after protests in Baton Rouge in response to the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, a black man, by a white police officer.

The complaint said the statements have damaged McKesson's reputation and endangered his safety, and requests an unspecified amount in damages. Pictured with Beyonce

Pirro's statements on September 29 discussed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by an unnamed police officer after protests in Baton Rouge in response to the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling (pictured), a black man, by a white police officer

.@JudgeJeanine, I was found not guilty & I didn't direct any violence. In fact, I was protesting the violence of the police. Stop lying. pic.twitter.com/c1D4SM0VlB  deray (@deray) September 29, 2017

After the segment aired, McKesson wrote a letter to the network requesting a retraction. The complaint says the network refused and that Pirro did not respond to the letter.

'The problem is when you have federal judges who make decisions on politics  activist judges  not on the facts,' Pirro said on the segment.

'You've got a police officer who was injured, he was injured at the direction of DeRay Mckesson, DeRay Mckesson walks away with a hundred thousand dollars, for an organization that is amorphous, we got a problem in this country,' she said.

Pirro was referencing a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 185 arrested during the protest. A judge ruled in favor Mckesson and the protesters and said they were eligible for payments ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Director Max Stafford-Clark (left, with actor Stella Feehily in 2013) was sacked over allegations he sexually harassed three young women

Its candid portrayal of teenage girls having sex with misogynistic men caused a storm on stage 35 years ago.

Now Rita, Sue and Bob Too has been pulled from the stage it was debuted on amid claims the theatre should be seen as a safe space.

The Royal Court Theatre in London has cancelled a fortnight-long run of a touring production claiming showing the controversial play would be highly conflictual.

It comes after Max Stafford-Clark  who directed the original 1982 production and was the Royal Courts former artistic director  was sacked over allegations he sexually harassed three young women.

He had been named as director of the new production, but after the allegations surfaced he was axed.

The London theatre said it would no longer run the play in light of the allegations and sensititivies over recent grooming scandals.

Set in Bradford, the semi-autobiographical play was written by the late Andrea Dunbar when she was just 19 and made into a film in 1987.

A mix of despair and black humour, the tale of two teenage schoolgirls sleeping with older men has chilling echoes of the abuse suffered by dozens of young girls in Rotherham and Oxford.

But Adelle Stripe, who wrote a book about Miss Dunbars work and life, argued that we should not shy away from uncomfortable viewing. She told BBC Radio 4: Its very awkward for us in 2017, in these post-Savile times, to watch this play and to feel comfortable with it.

And actually in the original play, Bob, who is the central character, gets pretty much punished by Andrea.

The London theatre said it would no longer run the play in light of the allegations and sensititivies over recent grooming scandals

But in the film version it has quite a different ending and Bob actually gets both of the girls. Andrea Dunbar was furious about that and pretty much disowned the film.

The play, which has already been performed at ten venues across the country, was set to run at the London theatre from January.

But theatre insiders said axing the show, which was subsequently directed by Kate Wasserberg, was the right thing to do.

A source from Out of Joint  which is staging the revival of Rita, Sue and Bob Too  told The Guardian: We support the Royal Court 100 per cent in their response to the recent allegations in the media and understand that the Royal Court needs to be a safe space.

'We are proud of the show, written by a woman and directed by a woman, as it continues to be seen around the country.

Mr Stafford-Clark was accused of inappropriate behaviour after revelations about the sex scandal surrounding disgraced Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein. He was sacked from Out of Joint in October.

He was accused of making sexual comments to three women.

Gina Abolins, 29, a production assistant, told Out of Joints board in July that the director, who uses a wheelchair after suffering three strokes, said to her: Back in the day, Id have been up you like a rat up a drainpipe.

She claimed Mr Stafford-Clark asked her to try on a bikini and encouraged her to have casual sex so she could tell him about it.

The play, which has already been performed at ten venues across the country, was set to run at the London theatre from January

Last month, the Royal Court issued a code of behaviour to tackle sexual harassment in light of the allegations against Weinstein and former Old Vic director Kevin Spacey.

It also recently staged a five-hour reading of 150 stories of sexual harassment from people in the theatre industry.

The Royal Court Theatre said in a statement: The departure of Max Stafford-Clark from Out of Joint and the recent allegations in the media have coincided with the Royal Courts response to the spotlight on our industry and the rigorous interrogation of our own practices.

After the allegations surfaced, Mr Stafford-Clarks spokesman apologised on behalf of the director and said his disinhibited behaviour was a result of his strokes.
White teenagers have fallen even further behind their peers from other ethnic groups in getting into university, new figures show.

Data released by the university admissions body Ucas show the gap between white pupils and other groups has widened again since last year.

The proportion of English 18-year-olds from this group getting a place this summer was 29.3 per cent, while for Chinese students, the highest-performing group, it was 63 per cent.

The proportion of English 18-year-olds from this group getting a place this summer was 29.3 per cent

Among the Asian ethnic group it was 45.8 per cent, among the Black ethnic group was 40.4 per cent and among the any other ethnic group it was 40.1 per cent.

Ucas said that while entry for all groups increased this year, the increase for white pupils was the lowest, at just 1.5 per cent.

White pupils have consistently been the lowest-performing group for university entry since 2007, with the gap between them and their peers widening over the last decade.

This year, the gap between white pupils and their Chinese peers was 33.7 percentage points  up from 28.7 points the previous year.

They were also 16.5 percentage points behind their Asian peers  up from 14.2 points last year.

Universities are predominately made up of white students, because this group still makes up the lions share of the national population.

But the results show the proportion of the total white population attending is smaller than the proportion of other ethnicities.

It means that white pupils are statistically the least likely to attend university of all ethnicities, and are becoming less likely to do so as the years go on.

Ucas said that compared with pupils from the white ethnic group, those from the Chinese group were 2.2 times more likely to enter higher education this year.

Meanwhile, those from the Asian ethnic group were 1.6 times more likely, and those from the Black group were 1.4 times.

The data, which was for state school pupils only, comes amid growing concern that poor white students are falling behind at school.

Experts have previously said ethnic minority families often have a more aspirational outlook than their white counterparts, perhaps for cultural reasons

Education secretary Justine Greening has voiced concern for teenagers in isolated coastal towns across the country who do not fulfil their potential in national exams.

Campaigners have warned such youngsters may lack role models and do not have access to the same good quality teachers that pupils in cities like London have.

Experts have previously said ethnic minority families often have a more aspirational outlook than their white counterparts, perhaps for cultural reasons.

Yesterday, Ucas called for universities to take students background into account more when deciding who gets a place.

It said universities should look at contextual data  which shows where a teenager grew up, whether they were in care, their family circumstances, and so on.

The data released today also showed the gap between rich and poor getting into university has remained the same year on year.

Many universities already make exceptions for people from deprived backgrounds, allowing them in with lower grades or giving them priority over others.

Clare Marchant, Chief Executive of UCAS, said: Although our analysis shows that a record number of disadvantaged young people have entered higher education this year  with the greatest increase at higher tariff providers  gaps in participation remain wide.

While increases in attainment are the key to making more progress, it is also timely to look at other levers such as greater use of contextual data.
Terror attacks on British soil are more likely as ISIS jihadis return from Syria, the former head of MI6 warned last night.

In an interview on BBC2's Newsnight, Sir Richard Dearlove said: 'At the moment there is of course going to be a heightened risk as we've got more returnees coming back from Syria and probably Afghanistan as well.'

But the 72-year-old insisted that 'terror is containable and manageable' and 'does not present a systemic threat to the nation.'

He added: 'The chances of getting caught up in a terror attack are relatively low, although when they happen they are catastrophic. Terror attacks are horrible happenings which we are learning to deal with.'

The former head of MI6 tonight warned terror attacks on British soil are more likely as ISIS jihadis return from Syria

Police officers on Borough High Street in London after the attack there in June

It comes after five terrorist attacks in the UK this year including in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge.

Last week, new defence secretary Gavin Williamson said Britons who have fought for Islamic State abroad should be hunted down and killed.

He told the Daily Mail: 'A dead terrorist cant cause any harm to Britain.'

Dearlove, who was head of MI6 from 1999 until 2004, made his comments in his first public interview last night.

He also discussed an open letter he sent to French President Emmanuel Macron to persuade him that Brexit presents him with an opportunity.

Asked why he supports Brexit, Dearlove explained: 'I'm looking more generally at future of EU - we have always believed in shallow political union. If Macron is determined to integrate the union, he doesn't want us to be part of it.

'We are offering continental Europe an opportunity, we can be very supportive of a united continental Europe which will serve our interests closely. There's no disaster about the UK returning to our mid-Atlantic position which is the one we have traditionally occupied.'

Presenter Evan Davies asked if the mid-Atlantic position was a wise one to take given that the unpredictable Donald Trump holds the keys to the White House.

Dearlove replied that the US President will 'probably last only another three years' so it's not worth changing or basing policy around him.

He insisted that the 'US is still a very reliable ally to in terms of intelligence' despite US leaks over the Manchester bombings which saw pictures of Salmen Abedi's nail bomb which killed 22 in June appear in the New York Times.

Evans also asked Dearlove if he believed a dossier of alleged Russian intelligence on Trump which includes accusations that the President asked prostitutes to urinate on a bed in a Moscow hotel room in which former President Barack Obama once stayed with first lady Michelle Obama.

Presenter Evan Davies asked if the mid-Atlantic position was a wise one to take given that the unpredictable Donald Trump holds the keys to the White House

The dossier was prepared by former British spy Christopher Steele.

Dearlove joked: 'I won't confirm or deny that I knew Christopher,' before saying: 'I think that there is probably some credibility in the dossier but I wouldn't put it any more forcefully than that.'

One the subject of Russia, Dearlove said: 'The EU does not have the military capability or power to balance Russia and I think that one of the ancillaries of Brexit should be an increase in our defence spending.'

He then dismissed allegations that the Russians influenced the Brexit referendum to destabilise Europe before adding: 'I don't think there's any question that they got involved in the US election and I think probably on Putin's part that was a misjudgement.'

Dearlove ended the interview on a positive note, saying that there is great hope for Britain after Brexit.

Asked if the turbulence caused by Brexit will last for decades, he said: 'I would pick closer to five years. I think we can emerge in a pretty strong position if we do not lose self-belief and self-confidence'.
William Elford Leach. Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae. Title page. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00626. http://s.si.edu/2iVddtH.

Without a doubt, Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae (1815-1875) is one of the most beautiful publications dedicated to Crustacea. This work, a very special proofprint copy of which has recently been digitized and made available on BHL by the Naturalis Library, was the work of two well-known names in British natural history: the young zoologist William Elford Leach (1791-1836) and the experienced naturalist and engraver James Sowerby (1757-1822). The background and personal history of both gentlemen had a great influence on the coming about of the publication.

Illustration by James Sowerby for Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittaniae, by William Elford Leach. Tab. XXXVI. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00732. http://s.si.edu/2Bmxmnu.

William Elford Leach

William Elford Leach was one of the great British zoologists of the beginning of the nineteenth century. He started his career as assistant librarian at the British Museum and was responsible for the zoological collections. He was given the task of reorganizing the collections of Hans Sloane, which formed the basis of the museum.

Of the old carcinological collection, not much was left by the nineteenth century. Because of its deplorable condition, Leachs predecessors were forced to destroy much of the collection materials, and as a result, of the hundreds of crustaceans left by Sloane in the eighteenth century, only one specimen has survived to this day. The core of the current carcinological collections of the British Museum is formed by specimens collected under Leachs supervision. Not only did material from all over the world come in through his scientific contacts, he also donated his personal collection to the museum.

Leachs merits go beyond collection building alone. He was a gifted taxonomist with a large scientific network who was therefore aware of the developments in systematics on the European continent. He shared this knowledge with his colleagues in Great Britain, organized the collections on a more scientific basis, and wrote a series of articles about it.

The scientific names that Leach introduced were sometimes unusual and not appreciated by all. He named for instance countless genera after a certain Caroline. Leach used her (latenized) name playfully as an anagram to create genus names like Ricenela and Cirolana. Nevertheless, his work ethic was highly praised and his scientific productivity was second to none.

Sadly, Leachs career lasted only a decade. In 1821, he suffered a nervous breakdown from which he would never recover. A year later he departed from the museum. As a thank you for the enormous collections he had left behind, he received a pension from the British Museum. He did not fare much better after that. He traveled to France and Italy and died of cholera in 1836.

James Sowerby

Leach was a scientific innovator and brought the zoology in Great Britain to a higher level. Part of his success lay in his collaboration with a gifted artist. For the illustrations in Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae, he relied on the detailed and colorful imagination of James Sowerby.

Portrait of James Sowerby, by Thomas Heaphy. 1816. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/James_Sowerby#/media/File:James_Sowerby_by_Heaphy_(1816).jpg.

Sowerby was well known because of his extensive contributions to botanical masterpieces such as A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, he was an artist who actively engaged in scientific work. He maintained correspondence with naturalists and urged them to send material that he could use for detailed studies. The colors that Sowerby used in his work are vivid and meant to appeal to a large audience. In 1809, he published a theory in which he stated that the basic colors red, yellow and blue offer all possibilities for botanical, zoological and geological imagination because these colors were given by nature.

Gold-plated Crabs and The Special Collection of Bibliotheca Carcinologica

The Bibliotheca Carcinologica, a unique collection in the Naturalis Library of approximately 8,000 publications and a large reprint collection, holds two special copies of Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae. This collection was amassed by a former curator, Lipke Bijdeley Holthuis (1921-2008), who for more than half a century was the leading expert in his field of crustacean taxonomy. He was particularly interested in collecting books that had been handed down by his famous predecessors.

L.B. Holthuis presented with his book (co-authored by Pietsch) about Lamotius. Photo: T.W. Pietsch, 2007, retouched by B. Kroonenberg.

The Bibliotheca Carcinologicas first copy of Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae was specially bound for the British collector Henry Arthus Johnstone. It features a band of green morocco decorated with gilded crabs and Johnstones coat of arms.

Private binding from the library of Henry Arthur Johnstone for William Elford Leachs Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00626.

Private binding from the library of Henry Arthur Johnstone for William Elford Leachs Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00626.

Johnstones library contained much natural history and was sold in its entirety to a London bookseller in 1921. Subsequently, the books have spread all over the world.

A beautiful binding and a good provenance are of course desirable, but for Holthuis it was of greater importance that a copy was complete, and that in addition all information that provides insight into the publications history was preserved. At the back of Johnstones copy of Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae are the covers of the original seventeen plus the two later issues, revealing exact publication dates and an alternate original title, as well as providing insight into the intention of William Elford Leach with regards to the publication.

On the cover of the first issue, Leach wrote that he wanted to publish twelve or fourteen episodes. He asked British naturalists to help make the publication as complete as possible and encouraged them to accurately analyze all the rubbish that dredgers collected from the seabed. Apparently, his call was successful, because on the cover of the thirteenth issue, Leach indicates that the discovery of new species made it impossible to complete the work in fourteen episodes. The new goal was to complete it within eighteen or nineteen episodes.

Illustration by James Sowerby for Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittaniae, by William Elford Leach. Tab. XXIA. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00732.http://s.si.edu/2ysE5H4.

After the seventeenth episode that appeared on March 1, 1820, the publication ceased. Leach was unable to continue his work after his breakdown. Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae was finally completed by George Brettinham Sowerby (1812-1884) over half a century later after the publisher Bernard Quaritch had bought up the stock remnants. Quaritch was sensitive to the wish of James Sowerbys descendant to finish the publication according to the original plan. In one additional episode published in 1875 as nos. XVIII and XIX, six more plates plus a beautiful plate of a European lobster (Homarus gammarus), which had previously been unfinished, were published.

European lobster (Homarus gammarus). G.B. Sowerby, Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittaniae. Tab. XXXV. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00732. http://s.si.edu/2nRuVnp.

Printing Proofs

More than thirty years after Holthuis had acquired the fine copy from the library of Henry Arthur Johnstone, he bought a very expensive complete set of nineteen separate episodes of Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae. On the surface, it is not immediately clear why he would do this: after all, the copy he already had in his possession was complete, with all of the plates and the original covers of the episodes. Further analysis shows that this second copy purchased by Holthuis represents the proofs that William Elford Leach used to provide direction for the publication. On plate XXXIX, for example, he writes: Can the rostrum be the added to this plate?

Proof print. Illustration by James Sowerby for Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittaniae, by William Elford Leach. Tab. XXXIX. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00732. http://s.si.edu/2AvYOQ0.

The rostrum is a pointed, forward-looking deformity of the armor of a crustacean, which sometimes provides usable distinctive indication for taxonomic classification. No wonder Leach asked Sowerby if he could show that in detail. On the plate in Johnstones copy of the title, the rostrum of Spirontocaris spinus is indeed added.

William Elford Leach, Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittaniae. Tab. XXXIX. Ernst Mayr Library, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. http://s.si.edu/2kpJ46u.

Other instructions from Leach have also been neatly followed up. The proofs have no direct meaning for the nomenclature; after all, these are unpublished trials with no published names. However, they do provide a good insight into the way Leach and Sowerby worked together and which colors they had in mind.

This unique proofprint copy has recently been digitized for BHL by the Naturalis Library. You can explore it in BHL for free. Illustration by James Sowerby for Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittaniae, by William Elford Leach. Tab. XXX. Naturalis, RBR Holt 00732. http://s.si.edu/2kti99F.

Naturalis Library

The library holds a large collections of scientific, taxonomic literature on zoology, geology, botany and palaeontology. It caters to everyone interested in researching biodiversity, geodiversity and evolution. The library is almost 200 years old and contains around 200,000 books, journals, drawings, prints, icones and many other archived materials.

This blog is largely based on the chapter: Alex Alsemgeest, Malacostraca Podophthalmata Brittanniae: de drukproeven van het mooiste kreeftenboek. In: A. Alsemgeest en C. Fransen (eds.), In krabbengang door kreeftenboeken: de Bibliotheca Carcinologica L.B. Holthuis (Leiden: Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2016), p. 123-127.
Tony Boyd, 23, who was pictured at home in Scotland yesterday, had travelled to Wisconsin to help partner Sophie Kelly settle into a new life as a veterinary surgeon

A high-flying Scots medical student is facing trial in the US amid claims he attacked his girlfriend and fired a gun after finding another man in her bedroom.

Tony Boyd, 23, who was pictured at home in Scotland yesterday, had travelled to Wisconsin to help partner Sophie Kelly settle into a new life as a veterinary surgeon.

But he took a taxi to the 25-year-olds apartment only to find her hiding in the bedroom with another man, Stephen Mayer.

He flew into a rage and has been charged with attacking Mr Mayer and chasing him and Miss Kelly from the flat in the city of New Berlin in the early hours of August 11.

It is claimed he then found a handgun in Mr Mayers bag and fired one shot.

The final year Glasgow University student, now on bail in Scotland, is facing trial in the US for assault, criminal damage and firing the handgun.

But last night he claimed he never attacked Miss Kelly, originally from Dalgety Bay, Fife, and said he fired the Smith & Wesson handgun by accident.

Mr Boyd, from Troon, Ayrshire, said: I caught my girlfriend in bed with another guy, threw punches at him and chased him out of the apartment.

She ran away with him and at this point I was standing at the apartment and I was absolutely distraught.

I took his bag out the back and started emptying it and lo and behold there was a firearm. I pulled it out, a bullet goes off into the distance in front of me.

At this point there was nobody there apart from myself.

'There were no gun shots fired at anyone, there was no intention of firing gun shots at anyone.

'On paper it looks terrible, especially if you look at the police reports, but in real life I caught my girlfriend in bed with another guy.

She is trying to press charges that I had physical contact with her but that completely didnt happen.

The student, who also runs an online sportswear company, is accused of firing a gun at Sophie and a friend just weeks after she moved to the US to work as a veterinary surgeon

Aspiring doctor Tony Boyd, 23, (pictured right) of Troon, Ayrshire, was released on bail following his arrest in Waukesha, Wisconsin, for an alleged attack on Fife-born Sophie Kelly

Miss Kelly, who is from Fife, was accused by her boyfriend of 'having an affair'

Court documents allege the attack started at 3.45am after Miss Kellys co-worker Stephen Mayer came round and sat chatting to her on the sofa.

At 4am she received a text from her boyfriend saying: I know what you did.

Tony Boyd (pictured in a mug shot), 23, was released on bail following his arrest

Miss Kelly locked all the doors, but the pair claim they ran to the bedroom shortly afterwards when they heard loud crashing coming from the garage.

It is claimed Mr Boyd, who had drunk three vodkas in bars, then got in and pinned his love rival behind the door, punching him six times in the head and chest before chasing him out of the flat.

He returned to find Miss Kelly locked in the bathroom, it is said.

Court documents said: The defendant kicked the wooden bathroom door open and struck Kelly two times in the head.

After escaping she hid in the bushes and, as she called the police, heard a gunshot from Mr Mayers 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun.

Miss Kelly, who had moved to the States for a job as a veterinary surgeon a few months before the alleged attack, met Mr Mayer working at the Milwaukee Emergency Centre for Animals, where he is a supervisor.

Miss Kelly, who is now thought to be a permanent US resident, told the Daily Record: He attacked me and a friend of mine and fired a gun at us.

He was arrested and put in jail.

Miss Kelly, from Fife, moved to the US to work as a veterinary surgeon

The Scottish couple pictured together on a romantic trip to Thailand earlier this year

Boyd, who also runs an online sportswear company, is accused of firing a gun at Miss Kelly

Boyd insisted he never hit Miss Kelly and fired the gun accidentally while alone

Mr Boyd denies all charges but told police he forced the door to because he was angry and hit Mr Mayer four times.

Paul Bucher, Mr Boyds attorney in Wisconsin, said his client regretted what he called an alcohol-fuelled dispute.

Mr Boyd first appeared in court in Wisconsin on August 14, when he entered not guilty pleas.

A further hearing was set for March next year.

He has been banned from drinking and making contact with his now ex-girlfriend.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was branded arrogant last night after he become embroiled in a criminal probe over wiretapping

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was branded arrogant last night after he become embroiled in a criminal probe over wiretapping.

Judges are investigating an extraordinary spying operation in Luxembourg when he was prime minister there ten years ago.

Last night MPs expressed concern the scandal could disrupt the Brexit negotiations.

It has emerged that last week, on the day Mr Juncker met Theresa May for Brexit talks in Brussels, a Luxembourg judge opened a criminal inquiry into whether officials working for Mr Juncker had tampered with evidence.

It is possible Mr Juncker himself could now be called as a witness.

His officials have flatly rejected claims of a cover-up and yesterday they blamed the furore on Juncker-bashing over Brexit.

The criminal probe was launched by Luxembourg judge Eric Schammo, who will examine claims made by the principalitys former spy chief, Marco Mille, that someone in Mr Junckers office falsified a transcript that is a key piece of evidence in a criminal case against Mr Mille.

Mr Mille is on trial accused of conducting an illegal phone-tapping surveillance operation in Luxembourg in 2007. He insists it was not illegal because Mr Juncker, then the tiny states PM, had authorised it. Mr Juncker denies doing so.

Mr Milles trial has been halted over claims that a transcript of a covertly-recorded discussion between Mr Juncker and Mr Mille was altered.

The former spymaster alleges someone in Mr Junckers office edited the transcript to leave out segments that allegedly show Mr Juncker did consent to the wiretap mission.

Mr Juncker has been called to give evidence as a witness in Mr Milles trial, but has so far turned down eight dates offered by the court.

In 2013, he resigned as Luxembourg prime minister over the spy scandal. When he was appointed European Commission president in 2014, some critics warned it would come back to haunt him.

Last night Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who backs Brexit, said: Instead of focusing on a Brexit deal that benefits Britain and the EU, Juncker is going to be mired in a complex investigation into his time running Luxembourg when his secret agents were apparently running amok.

This will not help the Brexit negotiations, and it shows that maybe Junckers critics were right when they tried to stop him becoming EC president in 2014 by warning his past scandals would come back to haunt him.

Conservative MEP David Campbell Bannerman warned it could be a big distraction from the Brexit talks.

It has emerged that last week, on the day Mr Juncker met Theresa May for Brexit talks in Brussels, a Luxembourg judge opened a criminal inquiry into whether officials working for Mr Juncker had tampered with evidence

Mr Junckers officials pointed out he was not on trial and was not being investigated, and insisted he was happy to appear as a witness in the case as long as it did not conflict with his Commission commitments.

One said: As a result of the successful conclusion of the Article 50 phase 1 negotiations and president Junckers decisive role in bringing this about, a new wave of Juncker-bashing may seem an appealing option to the traditional anti-Brussels lobby.

But Frank Schneider, a former spy chief who is one of the defendants in the case, criticised Mr Juncker for not attending court, adding: The arrogance to not turn up is unacceptable.

He had eight different dates, Im sure he could have found the hours.

It leads me to believe that Juncker would have found himself in a very uncomfortable situation in court where he would have been cross-examined and we would have presented him with the altered transcript.
Claims a Tory whip had made a potential Brexit rebel cry were categorically denied by Downing Street last night.

A report suggested an unnamed MP  who sources said was Vicky Ford  was reduced to tears by the bully-boy tactics.

But the Prime Ministers spokesman said the claim was simply not true.

The Mail understands a conversation took place in a corridor, between Mrs Ford, Chief Whip Julian Smith, whip Chris Heaton-Harris and a senior government official.

The Mail understands a conversation took place in a corridor, between Mrs Ford (pictured), Chief Whip Julian Smith, whip Chris Heaton-Harris and a senior government official

Mr Smith (left) is understood to be furious with the claim and has suggested he could sue anyone who makes defamatory claims about the whips' activities. Right: Mr Heaton-Harris did not responjd to requests for comment

Anna Soubry, a leading Tory rebel pictured in the Commons today, said a female MP was reduced to tears and trembling after a Tory whip resorting to try to stop an expected rebellion

But sources last night described former MEP Mrs Fords meeting with as genial, and last night she voted with the government.

Mr Smith is understood to be furious with the claim and has suggested he could sue anyone who makes defamatory claims about the whips activities.

Mr Heaton-Harris and Mrs Ford did not respond to requests for comment.

The claims surfaced as tensions soared ahead of a vote on the flagship Brexit bill last night.

It was Theresa May's first proper defeat on a piece of legislation and a major blow for the PM ahead of a major EU summit in Brussels later today.

Anna Soubry, a leading Tory rebel, accused a Tory whip of overstepping the mark and resorting to bullying to strong-arm MPs into toeing the line.

She told the Evening Standard: 'It is right that the whips should exert pressure, cajole people  that's perfectly proper in my view.

'But bullying, reducing colleagues to tears and making them shake is not acceptable. It has got to stop. We are the Conservative Party, not Momentum thugs.'

Two other MPs also said they were aware of the incident with one telling the newspaper: 'The person was left shaken and upset. These were bully boy tactics.'

Tory chief whip Julian Smith (pictured outside NO 10 last month) has reportedly told rebellious backbenchers they will be sued if they make false claims about the heavy-handed tactics of his office against them.

Eleven Tory MPs rebelled against the Government and voted for Dominic Grieve's amendment to demand a meaningful vote on the deal.

During Tuesday night's Brexit debate in the Commons Tory whip Chris Heaton-Harris was reportedly spotted talking to one of the potential rebels, who was said to have been upset afterwards.

But No10 have furiously denied claims he has intimidated the MP or caused them to cry, while he told the Standard: 'You will have to go through No 10 to get any comment from me.'

Mrs May has promised to crack down on the mistreatment of MPs and their staff and bring in new employment procedures and practices to better protect them.
Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks announced that he has 'high-risk' prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery to treat it this week.

Brooks, 63, a four-term Alabama congressman, made the announcement towards the end of his speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The congressman said that he was revealing his diagnosis to explain why he might not be able to cast his votes during next week's House votes, which would cover the Republican tax overhaul bill and an end of the year spending package that would prevent a government shutdown after December 22.

During his speech on the House floor on Wednesday, Republican congressman Mo Brooks announced that he has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery for it on Friday

Brooks took to Twitter to thank people who wished him well after his announcement

Brooks said that he will be undergoing surgery on Friday. He will also have a post-surgery medical procedure done on December 20, according to The Hill.

In August, Brooks ran in the Alabama GOP primary race in an effort to be the Republican who would would run to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, after he was appointed Attorney General of the United States.

He lost the primary to Roy Moore, who in turn lost the Senate race to Democat Doug Jones on Tuesday. But, Brooks noted during his announcement that, 'In retrospect, and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life.'

He added, 'God works in mysterious ways.'

Not needing to campaign any more apparently left Brooks with enough free time to get a physical and screening. It was during those tests that his doctor discovered the prostate cancer.

Brooks (pictured with wife, Martha) said that his doctor informed him of the cancer diagnosis on Halloween. Martha was in Alabama at the time and Brooks said it was one of the loneliest nights apart during their 41-year marriage

Brooks revealed his diagnosis to explain why he might miss key House votes next week

Brooks said that his doctor informed him of the 'high-risk' prostate cancer diagnosis on Halloween evening. He described calling his wife, Martha, who was back at their Huntsville, Alabama home, to tell her about the diagnosis and said that it was 'one of the loneliest nights apart in our 41-year marriage.'

Prostate cancer runs in Brooks' family, he revealed, with his father and grandfather both suffering from the disease. His father's cancer was discovered early enough for him to be treated and live another 40 years, but his grandfather died shortly after his diagnosis.

Brooks said that he has 'a very good cure prognosis,' according to AL.com, as tests showed that the cancer had not spread beyond his prostate.

On Twitter, Brooks wrote on Wednesday morning, 'Martha and I are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support for our family during this difficult time and are optimistic for a full and speedy recovery.'

Brooks is expected to recuperate from his surgery with his wife and family.
A 187-square-mile ranch in rural Montana that was built by the late Mars Inc. co-president and had an asking price of almost $65million has been sold.

One of the state's largest ranches, the Diamond Cross Ranch was sold to Heal Holdings LLC on December 1, the Billings Gazette reports.

The asking price for the gargantuan property - larger than the European nation of Andorra - was $64.8million.

The Diamond Cross Ranch in Birney, Montana commanded an asking price of $64.8million. It was sold on December 1 to Heal Holdings LLC

Pictured is rustic, wood-paneled interior of one of the buildings on the property, which has three 'operation centers' or building complexes

The ranch is spread across 120,000 acres or 187 square miles - larger than the country of Andorra - in southeastern Montana

The ranch was developed over 15 years by Forrest Mars Jr, the heir to the Mars candy empire. Mars Jr died in July 2016 at age 84

Mars Jr, through the enormous success of the candy empire and other pursuits, was worth $25billion at the time of his death

The ranch - located in Birney in southeastern Montana - went on sale in March.

Century 21 BJH Real Estate Agent Bruce Garber says the ranch was likely bought quickly because of its large size.

The ranch was assembled by Mars candy heir Forrest Mars Jr, who died in July 2016 in Sheridan, Wyoming at age 84.

He was worth at least $25billion at the time of his death.

The Gazette reports that Heal Holdings LLC 'appear to be an investment collaboration focused on sustainable and regenerative projects'.

Pictured is an entrance to the lodge; it is not clear how many entrances the 187-square-mile property has

The ranch commands 2,000 grazing cows who can be herded and milked, among other pursuits

Heal Holdings LLC is based in Florida and is apparently 'an investment collaboration focused on sustainable and regenerative project'

The ranch features 20 miles of riverfront along the Tongue River, which is 265 miles long

The ranch has three 'operation centers,' or building complexes with lodges and barns and the like

The largest house on the property is 5,550-square-feet and has five bedrooms and two bathrooms. Pictured are grazing cows

The giant property has three 'operation centers' that have complexes of living arrangements and barns.

The largest house on the property is 5,550-square-feet and has five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The ranch also has 20 miles of riverfront along the Tongue River and has ample opportunity for hunting animals such as deer, antelope, elk and turkeys.

The property was assembled by Mars over a period of about 15 years.

Also on the property are about 2,000 grazing cows.

The property provides ample opportunity for hunting animals such as deer, antelope, elk and turkeys

The property, depending on where you are in it, is about 45 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming and 95 miles from Billings, Montana

Sheridan is described as a welcoming community of about 17,000 people and is known for its proud Western traditions

The property provides ample opportunity for exploration of its 187 miles of pristine natural beauty

The ranch was assembled over time from many different ranches by Forrest Mars Jr

Unclear is how much the property was sold for; however, it had carried an asking price of $64.8million

Pictured is a well for grazing cows. The property also boasts wild animals that may be hunted

Pictured is an operation center along the river. There are three operation centers in total

The buyers will likely stay in excellent shape due to ample walks around the spacious property

They will also likely develop a love of cows due to managing the population of around 2,000 on the property
The saga of wiretapping and subterfuge that emerged yesterday involving Jean-Claude Juncker sounds more akin to a tale of Soviet Russia or a Third World dictatorship

The saga of wiretapping and subterfuge that emerged yesterday involving Jean-Claude Juncker sounds more akin to a tale of Soviet Russia or a Third World dictatorship.

Yet it took place in a tiny west European constitutional grand duchy, a Ruritanain mini-state with 550,000 inhabitants, which the hard-drinking, outspoken Mr Juncker dominated for more than two decades.

For 18 years he was the countrys prime minister.

For much of that time he was also minister of finances, a post he held for 20 years.

He also occupied the position of minister of labour and employment.

For five years he was in all three jobs simultaneously  an extraordinary concentration of power.

His almost dictatorial control was made all the firmer thanks to his close relationship with the countrys tiny spy agency, the SREL.

Its 60 or so officers were supposed to answer to him. But the nature of their activities on Mr Junckers watch has become a scandal in itself.

Three words  we were listening  now threaten his political future. They go to the very heart of a bizarre affair, which reaches out from his past and threatens to engulf him.

They were uttered by Mr Juncker in 2007 when he was prime minister of Luxembourg, and recorded on a device disguised as a wristwatch, worn by the then head of Luxembourgs equivalent to MI5.

The secret conversation between the spymaster and his boss was about the wiretap recording of a source making claims about the countrys head of state, the Grand Duke.

Mr Juncker was in a position to authorise such surveillance by the SREL, but denied that he had to a subsequent government inquiry. That denial is now the subject of intense debate.

One extraordinary fact emerged in a 141-page parliamentary report into the spy agency, published in 2013: It had files on no fewer than 300,000 people  the equivalent of MI5 having 45million individual files on British citizens.

Rival politicians were allegedly bugged, and funds spent on cars for private use. Mr Juncker had even helped his own chauffeur join the spy agency because he wanted a more exciting life.

Rival politicians were allegedly bugged, and funds spent on cars for private use. Mr Juncker had even helped his own chauffeur join the spy agency because he wanted a more exciting life

Mr Juncker denied any wrongdoing over the SRELs activities, but nevertheless in the ensuing furore he resigned from the prime ministership.

He has admitted he likes the machinations of state to be hidden from the populace. When it becomes serious you have to lie, Mr Juncker said at height of Eurozone financial crisis in 2011. He also admitted that Eurozone monetary policy should be discussed in secret, dark debates.

Now, it seems some of his own dark secrets are about to be dragged into the light.

There is no doubt Mr Juncker, 63, has come a long way, and largely under his own steam.

He is the son of a steelworker who was forced to join the German army after Hitler annexed Luxembourg in 1940, and fought on the Russian front.

Mr Juncker grew up in a terraced house a mile from the Belval steel plant where his father worked, close to the French, Belgian and German borders.

But it was the service industries which grew around it that Mr Juncker was to develop into a haven for corporations, tycoons and despots keen to pay as little tax as possible. The reward for all this is that Luxembourgs gross domestic product per head was 83,000 in 2016, far and away the highest in the European Union. Mr Juncker, a member of the centre-Right CSV party, was made Luxembourgs minister of finance at 33. He became one of the architects of the Eurozone and a signatory of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.

By 1995, he was prime minister of Luxembourg, taking the presidency of the Council of the EU two years later.

He also became chair of the Eurozone group of finance ministers between 2005 and 2013. Remember, he was the untrained finance minister of a nation with the population of Sheffield.

Thanks to its low-tax regime foreign banks flooded in. Luxembourgs secrecy laws also hid the identities of wealthy foreign investors. All of which helped the finance sector to grow from a negligible size in the Eighties to being worth three trillion euros by the time Mr Juncker departed for Brussels.

In 2014, a whistleblower from a firm of accountants released documents that showed how the Juncker government fostered a corrosive culture of corporate tax avoidance. Amazon and Apple were among more than 300 of the worlds biggest corporations to set up subsidiaries in the duchy thanks to sweetheart deals.

This caused outrage in the UK and other major EU countries, which lost billions in potential revenue as a result.

The scandal has only just stated to unravel, following an EU competition investigation. In October, Amazon was ordered to pay Luxembourg 250million euros in back taxes.

Luxembourg gave illegal tax benefits to Amazon. As a result, almost three quarters of Amazons profits were not taxed, an EU official announced.

There was also the question of dirty money sloshing into Luxembourg. In 2014, it was alleged by a German investigative magazine that, while prime minister, Mr Juncker learned that the former leader of the African state of Congo-Brazzaville had stashed some 115million stolen from state funds in a Luxembourg bank. Nothing was done.

Given this history, along with his fervent pro-Europe outlook, his elevation to the presidency of the European Commission in 2014  for which he earns 270,000 a year, plus allowances  took place in the face of fierce public opposition from Britain.

Given this history, along with his fervent pro-Europe outlook, his elevation to the presidency of the European Commission in 2014  for which he earns 270,000 a year, plus allowances  took place in the face of fierce public opposition from Britain

Others were more discreetly doubtful of his abilities and suitability. The question of Mr Junckers drinking  he likes Glenfarclas malt whisky  became widely discussed. One diplomatic source claimed that he drank cognac at breakfast. The Dutch finance minister, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, publicly said Mr Juncker drank heavily during meetings. Others spoke of the boozy disorganisation of late-night sessions.

Last year, a video emerged of an apparently drunk Mr Juncker, taken at 2015 EU summit. There, he welcomed Viktor Orban, the hardline Hungarian prime minister, as the dictator before giving the startled leader a playful slap on the cheek. Mr Juncker has denied alcoholism, and blamed his unsteady walk on a serious car crash in 1989.

As for this latest emerging embarrassment, there will be little sympathy for Juncker in London, where his spikiness and sarcasm has won few friends on either side of the Brexit divide.

In May, he leaked details of a frosty No10 meeting with Theresa May, and a subsequent conversation with German leader Angela Merkel in which he said Mrs May was deluded.

Given that this unrepentant European federalist still wants every country in the EU to join the euro, despite the misery it has inflicted on the Greeks, Spanish, Portuguese and others, the question of who is deluded seems a moot point.
Tens of thousands of criminals released on to the streets are monitored by just a short phone call every six weeks, a damning report has revealed.

The probation watchdog warned that offenders who posed a risk to the public never had vital face-to-face meetings with supervisors.

A highly critical dossier exposed how in some cases a convict met a probation officer only once before being placed on remote supervision  phone conversations that often last less than 30 minutes and amount to little more than checking in.

The probation watchdog warned that offenders who posed a risk to the public never had vital face-to-face meetings with supervisors (stock image)

Dame Glenys Stacey, the Chief Inspector of Probation, said it was difficult to see how managing ex-prisoners over the phone could prevent them from returning to crime.

In one instance, a man given a community order after being convicted of supplying class A drugs was charged with wounding while he was being managed by telephone. Another man with more than 30 convictions, including domestic abuse, was supervised through telephone contact only on release from prison. He was later charged with beating up his partner again.

The criticisms will make embarrassing reading for the Ministry of Justice, which controversially shook-up the regime for managing about 262,000 criminals in the community in 2014.

The Government introduced the flagship 3.7 billion Transforming Rehabilitation programme in a bid to tackle reoffending, which costs society 15 billion a year.

The overhaul, which took place under David Cameron, created a National Probation Service to deal with high-risk offenders, with 163,000 medium and low-risk criminals assigned to 21 partly privatised Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). The CRCs monitor all those released on licence from prison terms of a year or less or given community sentences by the courts.

Under a payment-by-results scheme, the companies check whether criminals are complying with court requirements and help rehabilitate them by tackling behaviour, drug and alcohol problems, and help them with housing, employment, finances and debts.

Some 38 per cent of prisoners released from custody or starting court orders in 2015 went on to reoffend (stock image)

In her annual report, published today, Dame Glenys warned that some individuals managed by CRCs never met their probation worker face-to-face.

She said: Instead, they are supervised by telephone calls every six weeks or so from junior staff overseeing 200 cases or more. I find it inexplicable that, under the banner of innovation, these developments were allowed.

The report said up to 40 per cent (65,000) of the 174,000 offenders monitored by CRCs could be supervised remotely. Some 38 per cent of prisoners released from custody or starting court orders in 2015 went on to reoffend. The number of criminals committing serious violent and sexual offences while on probation since 2014 soared by a fifth  from 429 to 517.

Dame Glenys said: Regrettably, none of the Governments stated aspirations for Transforming Rehabilitation have been met in any meaningful way. I question whether the current model for probation can deliver sufficiently well.

If all these services were delivered well, there would be less reoffending and fewer people being returned repeatedly to prison. Men, women and children currently afraid of assault could lead happier, safer lives.

Frances Crook, of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: The Governments mishandled Transforming Rehabilitation programme was supposed to turn lives around, reduce reoffending and make us all safer. Instead, it has been a public safety disaster, and todays report is a sober, sensible and quietly devastating verdict.

Justice Secretary David Lidington said: We have already changed CRCs contracts ... and are continuing to review them. We are clear that CRCs must deliver a higher standard of probation services.
A Republican lawmaker, nicknamed 'The Pope,' who was facing allegations that he sexually assaulted his daughter's friend at a New Year's Eve party shot himself dead on a Kentucky bridge.

Father-of-five and pastor Dan Johnson, 57, who made headlines for posting racist pictures likening the Obamas to monkeys and once claimed he had run a morgue at Ground Zero, wrote an emotional, Facebook post just hours before killing himself.

Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said Johnson died of a single gunshot wound on Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington, Kentucky.

Billings said Johnson stopped his car at the end of a bridge in a secluded area, then got out and walked to the front of the car. He said an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.

'I would say it is probably suicide,' he said.

Authorities found Johnson after tracking his phone down following concern over his almost 200-word Facebook post.

Scroll down for video

Authorities confirmed that Kentucky lawmaker Rep. Dan Johnson, 57, committed suicide following reports that he allegedly sexually assaulted 21-year-old Maranda Richmond, who was 17 at the time of the alleged incident

Prior to his death, Johnson posted this message to his Facebook account

Authorities confirmed that Johnson was found with a single gunshot wound to the head in Mount Washington, Kentucky. They tracked down his location pinging his cellphone

Johnson, pictured with President Donald Trump in an undated photo, was a pastor who went by the nickname 'Pope'

On Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from Maranda Richmond, who was 17 at the time, saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home on New Year's Eve 2012.

According to court documents, Richmond was living at Heart of Fire City Church accommodations.

She alleged that Johnson had kissed her and fondled her underneath her clothes while he was a pastor.

Louisville police investigated the matter but closed the case and did not file charges.

Johnson told reporters Tuesday the accusations were 'totally false.'

Johnson, pictured with his wife of 30 years, Rebecca. Johnson denied Richmond's claims

On Wednesday, at about 5pm, Johnson posted a Facebook message in which he again denied the allegations levied against him and noted that PTSD 'is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer.'

'The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be. AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news,' Johnson wrote in the Facebook message, which has since been removed.

The post continued: 'Conservatives take a stand. I LOVE GOD and I LOVE MY WIFE, who is the best WIFE in the world,My Love Forever !

'My Mom and Dad my FAMILY and all five of my kids and Nine grandchildren two in tummies and many more to come each of you or a total gift from GOD stay strong, REBECCA needs YOU.

In addition to a picture with Trump, Johnson posted pictures of himself posing with former US presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton

Jesse Jackson, seen in an undated photo, is among the celebrity figures Johnson has met

'9-11-2001 NYC/WTC, PTSD 24/7 16 years is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. IT Has Won This Life . BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME. 'PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY, Only Three things I ask of you to do,if you love me is (1)blame no person,Satan is the accuser, so blame the Devil himself. (2) Forgive and Love everyone especially yourself .(3)most importantly LOVE GOD. P.S. I LOVE MY FRIENDS YOU ARE FAMILY ! GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT !'

Johnson and wife, Rebecca, have been married for 30 years.

Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, unseating the incumbent Democrat during the wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years.

He had met presidents Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

Johnson, best known for posting pictures of then-President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama comparing them to monkeys while he ran for office in 2016, denied the claims and refused to resign from his position on Tuesday, he said while speaking at his church.

Richmond claims that she had fallen asleep on the couch in Johnson's basement after attending his family's New Year's Eve party when the alleged molestation took place.

Police investigated Richmond's claims in 2013, but eventually dropped the investigation without charging Johnson. Detectives said that she stopped cooperating with the case

Johnson's church is known for its 'gun choir,' which features Johnson (believed to be pictured with sons) and others holding guns while singing Amazing Grace

'If the police or anyone involved had thought that this was a real case, don't you think they would have pursued that?' Johnson said. 'There is no way they would have let up if they thought there was something to it.'

He also claimed more than once that he ran a morgue at Ground Zero following the 9/11 terror attacks and watched the second plane crash into the World Trade Center.

Despite his claims, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting found little evidence that he was there.

No one from the medical examiner's office remembered Johnson at the scene.

Richmond, now 21, had revealed details about what she said happened on New Year's Eve in 2012 when she had fallen asleep on a couch in Johnson's basement after attending the family's New Year's Eve party.

At about midnight, she said, she woke up to find Johnson standing over her. She said that he groped her and stuck his tongue in her mouth, then put his hand down her pants and slipped it inside her vagina.

She said she begged him to stop, but Johnson kept telling her she would like it. Eventually, he left and she slipped away early that morning before he woke up.

Richmond (pictured with her father Clifford) and her parents attended Johnson's church

Police records show that she reported the incident to police. As part of the investigation, the Louisville Metro Police Department apparently recorded a phone call between Johnson and Richmond's father, Clifford, in which Johnson said he 'couldn't imagine doing that to Maranda.'

Police documents obtained by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting show a detective closed the case because Richmond would not cooperate.

Richmond denied this, saying she never once wanted to stop the investigation.

In the days leading to his suicide, both the Republican and Democratic leaders of the state House of Representatives called for Johnson to resign.

Johnson is listed as the bishop of Heart of Fire Church in Louisville. The church is known for its 'gun choir,' which features Johnson and others holding guns while singing Amazing Grace.

Michael Skoler, president of Louisville Public Media, which owns the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, said everyone at the organization is 'deeply sad.'

Motorcycle fan Johnson, with his wife, Rebecca, called himself 'The Pope' and was the pastor of the Heart of Fire City Church in Kentucky

Johnson (believed to be pictured here with four of his children), has five children with his wife Rebecca in black jacket) and seven grandchildren, with two more on the way

Maranda Richmond, a friend of Johnson's daughter, claimed that Johnson (right) had sexually assaulted her on New Year's Eve 2012, when she was 17 years old. She had fallen asleep on a couch in his basement prior to the alleged incident.

'Our aim, as always, is to provide the public with fact-based, unbiased reporting and hold public officials accountable for their actions,' Skoler said. 'As part of our process, we reached out to Representative Johnson numerous times over the course of a seven-month investigation. He declined requests to talk about our findings.'

The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol.

Former Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position after acknowledging he secretly settled a sexual harassment claim with a member of his staff.

Three other lawmakers were involved in the settlement, and all lost their committee chairmanships.

'I am very sad over the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson. Over the past few weeks in some of the darkest days of my life, he reached out to me, encouraged me, and prayed for me,' Hoover posted on his Twitter account Wednesday night.

Republican Gov. Matt Bevin posted on his Twitter account that 'my heart breaks for his family tonight.'

'These are heavy days in Frankfort and in America,' Bevin posted. 'May God indeed shed His grace on us all. ... We sure need it.'
A very public battle has erupted in North Queensland over vigilantes murdering monstrous crocodiles, with thousands of dollars at stake.

Animal rights group PETA came out on the front-foot, declaring a $6,000 bounty for anyone providing information that led to the conviction of those behind the shooting of two crocodiles in the area.

State MP Robbie Katter hit back, declaring a $10,000 bounty for anyone who dobbed in those who responded to PETA's call for information.

But days later, the Member for Traegar, and son of Bob Katter, was forced to retract his remarks, with a spokesman admitting to Daily Mail Australia the politician did not have a spare 10 grand.

Queensland MP Robbie Katter (right) tried to top a $10,000 bounty for information on crocodile killers with a $10,000 bounty for information on those who snitch, but has since had to backtrack due to a lack of funds

Four crocodiles, all four to five metres long, have been found dead in the area since April.

The headless, four metre crocodile was found in a creek north of Innisfail on April 22.

In September, a crocodile measuring more than five metres was found in the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, with a bullet in its head.

The head of another crocodile was found on Cairns Esplanade last month, wearing a pair of sunglasses and resting next to a can of beer.

On December 5, a fisherman found the bloated corpse 4.4m saltwater crocodile floating in the Mulgrave River - also with a single gunshot to the head.

Since April, four massive crocodiles have been found murdered in North Queensland (pictured: a 4.4m croc shot in the head)

Two have been decapitated and two have been shot in the head (pictured: 5.2m crocodile shot in the head)

I'm not sure I can come up with $10,000, I was speaking figuratively,' Mr Katter told Daily Mail Australia.

'I dont have the big dollars that the 'well heeled' large environmental groups have behind them. But I am serious about calling these people out and putting it right back in their face.

'They need to be held accountable for the danger they are subjecting people to by forcing their ideologies over people's lives.

'These groups are using their large financial resources to influence the arm of justice and are denying the people of the north the ability to keep their families safe when the government refuses to help them.

'I am venting the frustration that is boiling over with people that simply want safer access to their waterways, as they used to.

The head of another crocodile was found on Cairns Esplanade last month, wearing a pair of sunglasses and resting next to a can of beer (pictured: 5.2m croc shot in the head)

The body of this crocodile, measuring four metres was found in a creek near Innisfail on April 22

'People are taking the law into their own hands because they feel they have no other choice. Stop gap approaches by the State Government, such as 'educating people to live with crocs' and commissioning 3 year studies, are not providing the safety people in North Queensland are seeking.

'Not only are these animals threatening people's lives but also financial livelihoods. The tourism meccas of Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Mission Beach all are under threat from the increased level of beach closures and high increases in croc sightings.'

Mr Katter is the son of Bob Katter, who recently claimed a person was 'torn to pieces every three months in North Queensland'.

A spokeswoman for PETA told Daily Mail Australia the shootings were very concerning, and news of the second one in three months had urged them to up their bounty.

She said those who were comfortable killing a crocodile 'often don't stop there'.

'PETA is upping its reward to $6,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for either of these vicious attacks,' she said.

'People who harm animals often don't stop there and are a danger to the community at large.

'That's why it's imperative for anyone with information to contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection or Crime Stoppers.'
A man accused of punching a glass door in Matthew Guy's office before telling staff there that it was his 'constitutional right' to go on a shooting spree has been granted bail.

Rohan Brown, 46, is facing more than 30 charges including damaging property and unlawful assault.

He visited the Victorian Opposition Leader's office on April 28 and demanded to speak with Mr Guy about police corruption, the Age reports.

Rohan Brown (pictured) is seen entering the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday

According to court documents, when staff told him that the matter was one for police, Mr Brown allegedly said 'if Mr Guy couldn't help him, it was his constitutional right to go on a shooting spree.'

Staff also reported that Mr Brown knocked down a pamphlet stand and smashed the glass door as he left, according to the Age.

In court documents, Mr Brown told the court he suffers from PTSD, claiming it was triggered by bullying from police.

Brown, 46, is facing more than 30 charges including damaging property and unlawful assault

Mr Brown allegedly said 'if Mr Guy couldn't help him, it was his constitutional right to go on a shooting spree'

He added that he apologised to staff for the incident.

He admitted breaking the door to the office, but said it was an accident that happened 'in the heat of the moment.'
A speed camera operator has let off with a caution despite driving 30km per hour over the speed limit, avoiding fines and demerits.

Country police officers used 'discretionary powers' to issue to caution after the driver was caught on the Albany Highway near Kojonup, south of Perth.

The incident occurred during the Queen's Birthday weekend in September, during a double demerit period.

A speed camera operator has let off with a caution despite driving 30km per hour over the speed limit, avoiding fines and demerits (pictured is a stock image)

Driving 30 kilometres over the limit would normally be punished with an $800 fine and six demerit points.

The loss of 12 demerit points would have cost the speed camera operator his licence, The West Australian reported.

WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts has said she will look into the incident, which took place in a roadworks zone with a reduced speed limit of 80.

WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts (pictured) has said she will look into the incident, which took place in a roadworks zone with a reduced speed limit of 80

'These are disturbing allegations and I will be seeking a full explanation from the Commissioner of Police,' Ms Roberts said.

Great Southern District Superintendent Dominic Wood said his officers had made what they believed was an appropriate response.

'The officers made the decision in this case based on the driver's explanation [that the signs were confusing] and having re-driven the direction this driver came from,' he said.

'We patrol actively to keep people safe and can use discretion under certain circumstances.'

The incident occurred during the Queen's Birthday weekend in September, during a double demerit period (pictured is a stock image)

The action came amid industrial action, and the Police union has recommended officers issue cautions for minor traffic and liquor offences.

However, police officers from the same district posted comments on social media during the holiday weekend, boasting about handing out tickets.

One officer wrote about a driver losing his licence for speeding near Katanning, while another said they fined a driver $800 and took away 12 demerit points.

Assistant Commissioner for Regional WA Murray Smallpage said an independent inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Roger Stone told Vanity Fair that he is writing a book called The Unmaking of the President which will detail Donald Trump's downfall

Trump campaign adviser and conspiracy theorist Roger Stone is apparently working on a book about the downfall of the 45th president.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Stone said that he is already planning a book to be called The Unmaking of the President.

This mirrors Stone's previous book about Donald Trump, The Making of a President, which detailed the real estate mogul's outsider campaign in the 2016 election.

Stone told Vanity Fair that he believes FBI Special Counsel Robert Mueller will bring charges against Trump, most likely on 'some process-related matter'.

'It's painfully obvious,' Stone told the magazine.

The firebrand said that he hopes he will not need to write the book, but said that Trump does not know 'how bad things are'.

Stone also expressed dismay that certain officials in the Trump administration are criticizing him.

Stone said he foresees that FBI Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Trump's ties to Russian operatives and Trump officials such as Nikki Haley will bring about the 45th president's downfall. At left is Mueller and at right is Haley

Haley said on Face the Nation recently that the women who have accused Trump of sexual harassment and assault should be 'heard' and 'dealt with'

'[United Nations ambassador] Nikki Haley stuck a knife in his back,' Stone said.

Speaking on CBS's Face the Nation, Haley had said that Trump's sexual harassment and assault accusers - at least 18, per TIME magazine - should be 'heard' and 'dealt with'.

'I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up,' she said.

Her comments came right before Roy Moore, a Republican senate hopeful, lost to Democrat Doug Jones amid damning allegations of sexual assault.

The election marked the first time in 31 years that the Southern state elected a Democrat senator.

On the campaign trail, Stone became somewhat infamous for outlandish claims; for example, he pedaled a theory that Hillary Clinton confidant Huma Abedin had connections to terrorist networks or was a spy for Saudi Arabia.
Out of a senseless tragedy, they have sought ways to find meaning in advocacy.

Many relatives of the 26 children and educators killed five years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut have dedicated themselves to charity, activism and other efforts to channel their grief and, in many cases, to help prevent violence.

'You have two choices,' said Rebecca Kowalski, whose 7-year-old son, Chase, died in Newtown. 'I could be in the bottom of a bottle; I could not get out of my bed. Or, I could do what's making us heal a little bit every day.'

This undated family photo provided by Sandy Hook Promise shows sons Dylan, left, and Jake, right, with parents Ian and Nicole Hockley. Dylan was among those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. The Hockley parents were co-founders of Sandy Hook Promise, a group that lobbied for mental health care changes and gun control legislation in the months after the shooting

In this December 14, 2013, file photo, a makeshift memorial with crosses for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting massacre stands outside a home on the first anniversary of the tragedy. Five years later, residents are dealing with what it means to be from a place whose name has become synonymous with tragedy

Street artist Mark Panzarino, prepares a memorial as he writes the names of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims during the six-month anniversary of the massacre, at Union Square in New York on June 14, 2013

Lynn and Christopher McDonnell, the parents of seven-year-old Grace McDonnell, grieve near Sandy Hook Elementary after learning their daughter was one of 20 school children and six adults killed after Adam Lanza opened fire on them before killing himself

Some organizations, like the Kowalski's youth triathlon program, honor the passions of the children who were lost on December 14, 2012.

Others have jumped into the policy fray to lobby for gun control or improved mental health care. In some cases, they have traveled the country, and even the world, as recognized experts in their fields, such as Jeremy Richman, a scientist whose Avielle Foundation for the study of brain health is named for his slain daughter.

The Sandy Hook families have created a website to share each of their stories and information about the various projects they have started in memory of their family members.

The Associated Press has looked at some of these families as the nation prepares to mark the 5th anniversary of the tragic mass shooting.

In this April 8, 2013, file photo, President Barack Obama embraces Scarlett Lewis, mother of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victim Jesse Lewis, after speaking in Hartford. Her Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement has developed its own social-emotional learning curriculum being used on a pilot basis in four schools in Connecticut, Hawaii, Arkansas and New Mexico

In this August 5, 2017 photo, Rebecca Kowalski and child athletes wait for the rain to stop so they can begin the annual Race4Chase kids state triathlon at the YMCA's Camp Sloper in Southington. The Kowalski family began the Race4Chase program to honor their son, Chase Kowalski, who was among 20 first-graders killed

This undated photo provided by Safe and Sound Schools shows Emilie Parker, who was among 20 first-graders killed. Her mother Alissa Parker teamed with Michele Gay, who also lost her daughter Josephine in the shooting, to form Safe and Sound Schools. The women travel to schools around the country, giving talks that detail personal experiences on the day of the shooting, and about what can be done to make schools safer

Alissa Parker had Michele Gay's phone number on her refrigerator because Parker's daughter, Emilie, had been invited to a birthday party for Gay's daughter, Josephine.

The day before the party was to be held, both children were killed.

Parker, who had lived in Newtown less than a year and didn't know many other parents, called Gay. The two bonded over their shared loss and eventually teamed to form Safe and Sound Schools, a foundation that provides information and resources about school safety.

They travel, usually separately, to schools around the country, giving talks that detail their personal experiences on the day of the shooting and discussing in detail how their children died. They then talk about what can be done to make schools safer, everything from making sure that classrooms can be locked from the inside to involving first responders in school emergency drills.

'I feel very solid that this is what Josephine wants me to be doing, and Alissa feels the same way about Emilie,' Gay said. 'We made a deliberate choice to be guided by our children and their spirits. We wanted to be positive. We wanted to avoid the political and some of the hot button issues and be focused on the practical things that everybody can do to make the community safer.'

Kowalski said her healing has come by organizing a children's triathlon program, Race4Chase , in memory of their son, who loved to race and had competed in a similar event the summer before the shooting.

The free day camps, run in conjunction with the YMCA, teach children the fundamentals of swimming, biking, running, nutrition, strength and flexibility. At the end of six weeks, campers come together for a sanctioned triathlon.

The program has grown to 20 locations in three states.

'We originally wanted a brick-and-mortar place where families could come and work out and be together,' Kowalski said. 'We knew we were going somewhere, but we didn't know where. Chase provided us with the direction. Now, we have 20 places, and people have really embraced what the program is all about.'

In this October 10, 2017 photo, Michele Gay speaks to educators at the Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School in Groton, Massachusetts, as part of her Safe and Sound Schools initiative. Gay began advocating for school safety after her daughter, Josephine, was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting five years ago

In this November 5, 2016 photo, children participate in the fun run at the annual Vicki Soto 5K race in Stratford. The race is held by the Soto family to raise money to fund scholarships for students interested in careers in education. First-grade teacher Vicki Soto was one of 26 killed in the Sandy Hook massacre

In this August 5, 2017 photo, swimmers exit the water at the fourth annual Race4Chase kids triathlon finale in Southington. The Kowalski family began the Race4Chase program to honor their son, Chase Kowalski, who was among 20 first-graders killed

This undated photo provided by Safe and Sound Schools shows Josephine Gay, who was among 20 first-graders killed. Her mother Michele Gay teamed with Alissa Parker, who also lost her daughter Emilie in the shooting, to form Safe and Sound Schools. The women travel to schools around the country, giving talks that detail personal experiences on the day of the shooting, and about what can be done to make schools safer

While some in Newtown avoid speaking the name of the shooter, Adam Lanza, Nelba Marquez-Greene freely discusses the social and emotional problems of the man who killed her 6-year-old daughter, Ana Grace.

'I want people to remember that Adam, the person who did this, was also once 6 and in a first-grade classroom and that if we had reached out earlier, then maybe this could have changed,' Marquez-Greene said.

Marquez-Greene's Ana Grace Project works with schools in New Britain, a city just west of Hartford, to teach empathy, combat bullying and help socially isolated children.

The foundation's Love Wins campaign, created with a local teacher, builds on the existing curriculum and also brings therapists and interns into the schools to help identify children who need extra help with social skills.

Scarlett Lewis, whose son, Jesse, was killed at Sandy Hook, also has been pushing for more emotional learning in schools. Her Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement has developed its own social-emotional learning curriculum which began on a pilot basis in four schools in Connecticut, Hawaii, Arkansas and New Mexico and has been downloaded by many other schools and organizations.

'I believe this is an urgent matter,' Lewis said. 'I believe it would have saved my son's life, as well as the lives of other victims across the United States and reduce bullying.'

The family of slain first-grade teacher Vicki Soto decided to hold a 5K race in her hometown of Stratford, Connecticut, annually around her November birthday to celebrate her life.

In 2013, about 500 runners took part, many wearing outfits adorned with Soto's favorite animal, the pink flamingo. Last month's race had more than 4,000 runners and walkers.

With the proceeds, the Sotos have given out more than $90,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in education.

In this January 5, 2016 file photo, Mark Barden, whose son Daniel died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, talks before introducing President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Barden is a co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, one of the best-known organizations to form in the shooting's aftermath. The group lobbied for mental health care changes and gun control legislation in the months after the shooting

Noah Pozner, 6, was one of the victims of the massacre. He is survived by his parents, Leonard and Veronique

Twenty-seven wooden angel figures are seen placed in a wooded area beside a road near the Sandy Hook Elementary School for the victims of the shooting, including Lanza

Emily Mackay, of Stratford, received one of the first scholarships in 2014. She expects to graduate this spring from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in communications disorders and plans to get a master's degree so she can pursue a career in an elementary school as a speech pathologist.

'Being a part of Vicki's legacy has really motivated me throughout school. I will forever be grateful and honored that the Soto family believed in me to carry on Vicki's legacy and will always teach my students with her in mind,' Mackay said.

The Sotos also have established a literacy campaign at the local library that involves such things as after-school tutoring, and the creation of mentor-text learning programs.

Sandy Hook Promise, one of the best-known organizations to form in the shooting's aftermath, was co-founded by several Newtown families, including the parents of first-grade victims Dylan Hockley and Daniel Barden.

The group lobbied for mental health care changes and gun control legislation in the months after the shooting, successfully advocating for state laws limiting sales of some guns in states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois and New Jersey.

The group also was heavily involved in a failed effort in 2013 to get a federal law banning some semi-automatic weapons and expanding criminal and mental background checks for gun purchases.

The group says it had 17 families from Sandy Hook who lobbied 49 senators over seven days.

In this December 14, 2012, file photo, officials stand outside of Sandy Hook Elementary School. A 2014 report by the Office of Connecticut Child Advocate concluded that gunman Adam Lanza's actions were not directly caused by his psychiatric problems, but it noted that his mother rejected psychologists' recommendations that her son should be medicated and undergo treatment for anxiety and other conditions. Five years after the massacre, efforts to improve mental health care for young people have had mixed results

This handout crime scene evidence photo provided by the Connecticut State Police shows damage done to the front entrance at Sandy Hook Elementary School following the shooting

Pictured is Adam Lanza, who entered Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, and shot dead 20 children and six adults before turning the gun on himself

Sandy Hook Promise then switched its focus from legislation to community-based prevention programs, education and public service campaigns designed to change 'gun violence acceptance attitudes and behaviors,' said Nicole Hockley.

Among other things, the organization teaches people to recognize those who exhibit warning signs such as a bullying victim who has a fascination with firearms, has threatened to hurt themselves or others, has access to guns and has become disinterested in school.

They point to events such as one in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2015 where a counselor trained by the organization was able to identify a threat to a middle school that resulted in the arrest of a student who had told others he was planning to bomb the school and had recruited others to help shoot children.

'We absolutely know it's making a difference because we've trained over 2million children and adults in the last 2 1/2 years,' Hockley said.

The group this week launched its latest public service announcement, depicting a newscast covering a school shooting the day before it actually takes place to illustrate how knowing warning signs can prevent such tragedies.
Hillary Clinton has been spotted still wearing her surgical boot two months after she fell down some stairs in her heels and broke her toe.

The former Secretary of State was in Vancouver as part of her global book tour to promote her election memoir What Happened.

Clinton strode out onto the stage, in a striking monochrome leather ensemble. But what was most noticeable was the bulky post-op shoe on her right foot - which she has been wearing since she took a tumble and broke her toe in October.

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Hillary Clinton has been spotted still wearing her surgical boot two months after she fell down some stairs in her heels and broke her toe, during a book tour event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Clinton looked striking monochrome leather ensemble. But what was most noticeable was the bulky post-op shoe on her right foot

The 70-year-old had been on the British leg of her book tour, when she was forced to cancel several TV and radio appearances after the injury.

Recalling her tumble, she said: 'I was running down the stairs in heels with a cup of coffee in hand, I was talking over my shoulder and my heel caught and I fell backwards.

'I tried to get up and it really hurt. I've broken my toe. I've received excellent care from your excellent health service.'

Generally, toe fractures will take between four and six weeks to heal.

The boot didn't appear to slow her down and she bounded onto the stage at last night's event

She also touched on the rampant sexism in Washington and her joy at Democrat Doug Jones's victory against alleged teenage girl molester Roy Moore in traditionally Republican Alabama the night before

But almost two months to the day that Clinton took her tumble, and she still appears to be having trouble with her foot.

The former Democratic presidential candidate never elaborated on her break, more serious, or complex breaks can take longer to heal. Or, if the toe required surgery to reset it, the operation can delay the healing process.

During her campaign trail in 2016, rival Donald Trump often took swings at Clinton's health, and alluded to her alleged issues with stamina at several points during the campaign.

She also publicly stumbled during one campaign event, needing help from aides, which she later blamed on overheating.

Broken toe: The former First Lady wore a surgical protective boot on British show, Graham Norton's BBC chat show in October

Hobbling: Hillary Clinton leaving to the back door of ITV's London Studios on the Southbank of London on crutches after filming as a gust on The Graham Norton Show

Clinton also famously fell inside her home in 2013 on the eve of testimony before a House Benghazi committee. She ended up appearing sporting special prism lenses, which are used to assist people experiencing double vision.

What Happened documents her shock defeat in the 2016 presidential election

However, the former first lady seemed in rude health when she appeared in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,000 people at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Wednesday, to discuss her book, What Happened, which documents her shock defeat in the 2016 presidential election.

She also touched on the rampant sexism in Washington and her joy at Democrat Doug Jones's victory against alleged teenage girl molester Roy Moore in traditionally Republican Alabama the night before.

'As an American I'm concerned, but after last night, maybe a tiny bit less,' she told CBC.

She added that the win was evidence that the tide is turning against Trump who had endorsed the Republican candidate.

'People seem to be turning against the Trump philosophy and ideology,' she added. 'So it's a good sign, but it's by no means the end of the story.'

Clinton also tackled the sexual harassment scandal and #MeToo campaign.

'The only way we'll get sexism out of politics is to get more women into politics,' she said.
A pair of ex-Parramatta Eels players are among three men charged after being arrested by heavily-armed police on Wednesday.

The actions of the men before they were arrested in dramatic scenes in Sydney's Centennial Park had the hallmarks of a convoy of cash being transported with firearms for protection, a NSW magistrate alleged.

Dressed in orange hi-vis vests, Kigi Kamuta, 39, Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, and Royce Royal Hura, 27, were in two cars when police stopped them just before midday on Wednesday in the popular park.

Paulo was signed to the Parramatta Eels in 2010 before moving clubs, and Hura played for the Eels' under-20s side the same year.

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A pair of ex-Parramatta Eels players are among three men charged after being arrested by heavily-armed police on Wednesday (pictured is one of the arrests)

The actions of the men before they were arrested in dramatic scenes in Sydney's Centennial Park had the hallmarks of a convoy of cash being transported with firearms for protection, a magistrate alleged (pictured is a van where one arrest took place)

The trio were remanded in custody after appearing in Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

They are charged with unlawfully possessing a Smith & Wesson pistol, a Beretta pistol and ammunition as well as dealing with the proceeds of crime - namely $650,000 in cash - and participating in a criminal group.

In applying for bail for Kamuta - who has a New Zealand passport and has been in Australia for 15 years - his lawyer, Ahmed Dib, said he was off work on WorkCover, had scheduled physiotherapist appointments and supported his wife who had serious mental health problems.

His two co-accused occupied the car where the firearms were located while Kamuta was in a vehicle where a backpack containing $649,990 was found in the footwell, the lawyer said.

Mr Dib noted the firearms were not in Kamuta's possession and argued 'there is simply no evidence in the fact sheet in relation to a criminal organisation'.

But magistrate Michael Barko referred to the 'curious picture' painted by the police fact sheet.

The organised crime squad had been monitoring the three men and tactical officers pounced just after midday on Wednesday

Police fired non-lethal gas canisters through the van's windscreen as they detained the trio

Kamuta was travelling through Centennial Park, some distance away from where he lived and worked, with the cash in the car, while his co-accused were in another vehicle with the guns.

They were wearing hi-vis vests and their vehicles had the appearance of work cars, he added.

It had all the hallmarks of 'a convoy of cash being transported with firearms for protection', he alleged.

In opposing bail, police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Henningham said the evidence disclosed 'highly organised criminal activity' with the men driving from Maroubra to the park.

They had been under ongoing police surveillance, including through the use of devices recording conversations linking them to money laundering and possession of firearms, he said.

One of two firearms seized by Organised Crime Squad detectives following the arrest

Three men were charged with firearms offences after guns were allegedly found on Wednesday

Police fired non-lethal gas canisters through the van's windscreen as they apprehended the trio.

Footage of the operation showed a white four-wheel drive with its doors open in the middle of Grand Drive, with the damaged van parked nearby.

A witness said she initially thought she was watching a movie being filmed.

Helen, who declined to give her surname, was in her car when she heard several loud noises.

'I was sitting in my car writing and then ... bang, bang, bang, bang, bang ... and I looked over and there was smoke coming out of these automatic rifles,' she said.

'First thing I thought was 'Oh it's a movie, where's the cast?''.'

Helen then realised there were no cameras and, fearing for her life, she ducked down and reached for her phone to call triple zero.

'I knew to be careful and not put my head up or anything.'
Albert Maruna, 22, was arrested for soliciting an undercover officer who he thought was a 15-year-old boy for sex online

An Ohio college student was arrested after he tried to solicit an undercover police officer posing as a 15-year-old boy for sex online by offering him lube, Sprite, and chicken alfredo, police said on Wednesday.

Albert Maruna, 22, responded to a notice on a dating app on December 5, according to police in Austintown.

Maruna, who is enrolled as a student at Youngstown State University, allegedly told the officer that he didnt believe his age, which was thought to be 15, was an obstacle to an intimate relationship, WKBN-TV reported.

The officer then received nude photos Maruna took of himself, according to police.

He also engaged in sexually explicit chats with the officer, it was alleged.

You are my one and only, Maruna told the officer.

Police allege Maruna tried to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He allegedly insisted that the boy come to their meeting wearing a jock strap.

Maruna, who is enrolled as a student at Youngstown State University, allegedly told the officer that he didnt believe his age, which was thought to be 15, was an obstacle to an intimate relationship

He was charged with importuning, disseminating matter harmful or obscene to juveniles, possession of criminal tools and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

On Tuesday afternoon, Maruna arranged to meet the officer at a location in Austintown.

Maruna allegedly told the officer that he was going to bring lube, Sprite, and chicken alfredo.

When the two met, Maruna was arrested. He was charged with importuning, disseminating matter harmful or obscene to juveniles, possession of criminal tools and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Police found him with a Tupperware container full of chicken alfredo in addition to other items.

Investigators who questioned Maruna said that he did not believe sex with a 15-year-old boy was wrong.
Bermuda's senate has voted to tear up a ruling that legalised gay marriage just six months ago.

The British island territory is on course to now allow only domestic partnerships.

Senators approved the Domestic Partnership Act by an 8-3 vote yesterday after the House of Assembly had approved it 24-10 on Friday.

It must now be signed by the governor before it becomes law in the Atlantic ocean territory.

The British island territory is on course to now allow only domestic partnerships. Pictured: A stunning general view of the beautiful island, including the world-famous Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in the foreground

A Supreme Court ruling in May had made same-sex marriages legal in Bermuda amid opposition on the socially conservative island.

The ruling Progressive Labour Party took up the matter after winning power in the July election.

Opponents of the legislation said it would be unprecedented to strip the right to same-sex marriage after it had been granted in a jurisdiction and that global reaction could hurt the tourism industry.

They said it would be discriminatory because same-sex couples would have only the option of domestic partnerships while opposite-sex couples could choose between marriage or a domestic partnership.

Opponents of the legislation said it would be unprecedented to strip the right to same-sex marriage after it had been granted in a jurisdiction and that global reaction could hurt the tourism industry

'This bill in its simplest forms strips away rights from human beings,' opposition senator Nandi Outerbridge said before the vote.

Ruling party senator Crystal Caesar defended the bill, saying it would codify the rights of domestic partners, something the Supreme Court did not do in its ruling, and that it acknowledged the reality of public opinion on the island.

'Society largely does not support same-sex marriage nor is it prepared to accept it at this time,' she said.
An 11-year-old boy who died from a rare illness told his parents he was 'ready to go to heaven'.

Luca Pucella's heartbreaking words were read out at his funeral service in Bridgend on Wednesday.

He had been diagnosed with ROHHAD syndrome after rapidly putting on weight when he was two.

ROHHAD stands for rapid-onset obesity with hypothalmic dysfunction, hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation. The condition only affects 75 people in the world.

Luca died last month after suffering a seizure.

Luca Pucella, who died from a rare illness, told his parents he was 'ready to go to heaven'

Luca, pictured with his sister Sofia and parents Beth and Angelo, who died last month

In a tribute, which was read out by the Reverend Mike Komor before a packed St Mary's Church in Coity, Luca's mother Beth and father Angelo said: 'As many of you know, Luca was raised in the Christian faith, attending this very church.

'He had a strong faith and had expressed on several occasions this past few months that he wanted, and was indeed ready, to go to Heaven.

'It gives us great comfort to know that Luca is now free of trauma and uncertainty and is at peace.

'It is the duty of all of us to allow him to live on in our hearts and minds and more importantly in our good deeds.'

Luca's organs were donated and saved three lives, including a child.

Hundreds of mourners, including Luca's friends and health professionals that treated him, turned out to pay their respects to the popular schoolboy.

Rev Komor described Luca as having a 'tremendous zest for life, a determined will and a mischievous sense of humour.'

South Wales Police escorted Luca's rainbow-covered coffin to the church, where representatives of charities also came to pay their respects

In a tribute to their son Beth and Angelo recalled how - despite his diagnosis when he was two - they vowed not to let his condition rule his life.

Reading out their touching words Rev Komor said: 'We had so much fun and you were the best of big brothers to Sofia. We learned to share you with many other people  carers, nurses, doctors, teachers to name a few. They all became part of 'Luca's extended family'.

'Always the centre of attention, you filled every occasion and we are all left with countless happy memories. You had so much love to share, Luca.

'We always told you that you were special and your love certainly shone out of your every pore and was expressed in so many ways, from your love of hugging everyone, stroking every single dog that we passed, and stopping to talk to every homeless person  you truly were a 'Good Samaritan'.

'Aside from wanting to help others right up to the very end, Luca lived life as it should be lived  he seized every single opportunity that life presented with both hands and squeezed every drop out of it. He wanted to meet everyone and experience everything.

'Life is a gift  please honour Luca's memory and enjoy every moment as Luca did.'
Liberal politician John Alexander has allegedly failed to declare tens of thousands of dollars in rental income on his $4.8 million eight-bedroom luxury country estate.

Mr Alexander bought the Southern Highlands property in May, declared the purchase in June and said that he would use it for 'short-term holiday rental' purposes.

All members of parliament are legally required to declare 'any other substantial sources of income' - but the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the former media commentator 'has never declared a dollar of income from renting out the home'.

Liberal politician Mr Alexander allegedly failed to declare thousands of dollars in rental income

Mr Alexander purchased a Southern Highlands eight-bedroom country estate for $4.8 million

The MP said he would use the huge, luxurious property for 'short-term holiday rental' purposes

Fairfax Media has confirmed he received rental income from the property - websites have the house listed for $1440 per day, and reveal that is is almost fully booked until the end of January - but Mr Alexander would not disclose how much he has pocketed.

The allegation he breached the rules while serving in Parliament comes just two days before the Bennelong election on Saturday - which if true will be 'deeply embarrassing' for the candidate.

Guests staying at Mr Alexander's property have access to a swimming pool, five bathrooms, a billiards room, media room, formal library and outdoor entertaining areas, according to Domain.

Rental websites have the huge Southern Highlands estate listed at a staggering $1440 per day

Mr Alexander allegedly hasn't declared any rental income from the property since its purchase

Mr Alexander's property is almost completely booked out until the first week of February 2018

The Liberal MP declared that he had purchased the sprawling country estate in June of 2017

Investment property ownership is common among MPs - Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, David Gillespie, Warren Entsch, Ian Goodenough, Barry O'Sullivan all declare rental income from their real estate investments.

But like Mr Alexander, Labor's David Feeney, Brendan O'Connor and Kate Ellis are also allegedly 'breaching the rules' by their failure to separately disclose rental income, according to the media outlet.

These four MPs could potentially be found guilty of 'serious contempt of the House of Representatives', meaning that they could be censured and referred to the House Privileges committee.

A senior Labor source said the ALP would consider referring Mr Alexander to the Privileges committee if he wins the election on Saturday

John Alexander (left) and Kristina Keneally (right) will face off in the Bennelong by-election

Malcolm Turnbull said that John Alexander is the 'very clear choice' for the seat of Bennelong

On Thursday, it was confirmed that Mr Alexander leading Labor's Kristina Keneally in the polls 53 per cent to 47 per cent - but if Ms Keneally wins Bennelong for Labour, Mr Turnbull will lose his already-precarious parliamentary majority.

The 'battle for Bennelong' has seen the two major parties trading accusations, with Labour claiming that Mr Turnbull is anti-Chinese, among other allegations.

'I think it is desperate, demeaning, and it is disappointing,' Mr Turnbull said. 'The people of Bennelong can see through all of that. And they have a very clear choice, they have a man, John Alexander, who has been their champion.'

Meanwhile, Ms Keneally has not ruled out taking the NSW senate seat that will be vacated by Sam Dastyari following his recent resignation - with insiders claiming that she is the favourite for the seat if she does not win Bennelong this weekend.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Alexander's representatives for comment.

Fairfax Media has confirmed that John Alexander did receive rental income from the property
A homeless man made off with 300,000 after stumbling through an unlocked cash depot door as he rummaged through bins at a Paris airport.

The unidentified man was in the French capital's Charles de Gaulle terminal when he walked into the Loomis office.

He found it led to a compartment containing two bags filled with money and CCTV footage then shows him wandering off with the huge haul.

A homeless man made off with 300,000 after stumbling through an unlocked cash depot door as he rummaged through bins at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (file picture)

An investigator called it 'the perfect crime' and said police still 'don't know why the door was open at the time.'

'At first we thought it had to be a setup, but it looks like it was just luck. It's incredible,' a police source told AFP, asking not to be identified by name.

Investigators are searching for the suspect, who is believed to be in his fifties and has been identified by airport police.

The unidentified man was in the French capital's Charles de Gaulle terminal when he walked into the Loomis office. He found it led to a compartment containing two bags filled with money and CCTV footage then shows him wandering off with the huge haul (file picture)

Security camera footage is believed to show the man rifling through rubbish at terminal 2F of France's biggest airport terminal.

The heist first came to the attention of police when an alarm sounded at 5.30pm on Friday.

When officers arrived they found the money gone and the depot door open in what Le Parisien described as a massive 'blooper'.
Incredible footage has emerged showing dozens of villagers teaming up to rescue a 440lb (200kg) swamp fish that had become stranded in shallow waters.

The Mekong giant catfish, a critically endangered species, had lived in marshes in coastal province Phatthalung, southern Thailand, since 1991, becoming a local legend.

But heavy rain at the end of last month caused flooding in the region - washing the massive beast from its home into a tiny pond.

Villagers in Thailand band jump into a pond to rescue a huge catfish that had become stranded in the shallow waters

The waters subsided and on Monday morning and residents spotted the creature - nicknamed the 'Swamp King' by locals - frantically thrashing around in the shallow water.

They banded together and used a giant net to haul the wild fish out of the water and onto a motorbike trailer before racing over two miles to return it to its original home.

Footage captured the entire rescue - which took more than six hours - as they released the Pangasianodon species of catfish back into its original stretch of water during sunset.

Resident Khun Sooktong, from the Phatthalung district, said: 'This is a natural fish that was left in the marshes of the village in 1991. We call it the swamp king. It's like a monster.

'At the end of November, continuing to the beginning of December this year, rain made the swamps overflow. There was more rain this year than ever before.

'It's expected that the fish escaped from one swamp and went into another, about 3km (1.8 miles) from the village.

The rescuers use a giant net to haul the 440lb wild fish out of the water

The villagers take the fish to its original home after placing it on a motorbike trailer

Rescuers release the Pangasianodon species of catfish back in its original stretch of water

'I found it on December 12 but at the time was not able to handle it. So on Monday a lot of people came to help and it took sixes hours to release the fish to its original home.'

The Mekong giant catfish is a large freshwater fish native to the Mekong river basin and its tributaries in Southeast Asia and China. They can grow up to 10ft in length with some weighing up to 660lbs (300kg).

But they are classed by conservationists as critically endangered due to over fishing.
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It's been a bitterly cold week that has brought snow, ice and -13C (9F) lows to cast a wintry landscape over Britain.

But forecasters say the blast of arctic air will sweep away this weekend with temperatures soaring to 13C (55F) in the week up to Christmas, a welcome change to the severe weather that left thousands of people without power.

Motorists however still faced difficult conditions in Scotland and across the Pennines this morning, with further snow on high ground and icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

Four people help push a car struggling in the heavy snow in the Tameside area of Greater Manchester this morning

Motorists faced difficult conditions in Scotland and across the Pennines this morning, with snow falling in Tameside (above)

Further snow has fallen on high ground, including in the Tameside area (pictured), while there is ice on untreated roads

Seven cars collided in Leeds this morning after vehicles began skidding on black ice. A gritter can be seen in the background

Lowson Robinson clears snow from the miniature village he has built in his garden near Alston, Cumbria

The miniature village near Alston in Cumbria is pictured today as snow sweeps across northern England again

The Met Office has issued a yellow 'be aware' severe ice warning for all of Britain down to the Midlands until 11am, with sleet and snow expected mainly on the hills of northern England and western Scotland.

Temperatures today will still be below average for the time of year - 3C (37F) in Edinburgh, 5C (41F) in London and 6C (43F) in Cardiff - but there will be a fair bit of sunshine in eastern and central England.

Today will bring bright spells and showers for western areas, which may have hail and be wintry over the hills  while central and eastern areas will be mostly dry with sunny periods and a chance of a shower.

Further showers for western areas will arrive tonight, some heavy and possibly thundery. It will be drier elsewhere, but with the risk of a few scattered showers, and mist patches will affect some central areas.

Forecasters say tomorrow will be sunny for most areas after cloud clears southern England in the morning. There will be isolated showers for coastal areas with some snow for northern Scotland.

Saturday will be mainly dry and sunny for much of England, although it will be cloudier over Scotland. Sunday will again by cloudy, with fog lingering in some places, and it will be dry apart from in the North and West.

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Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: 'There will be wintry showers today and there will be sleet and snow, mainly on the hills of northern England and western Scotland. The west of the country will be most prone to snow.

'There will be quite strong winds in western areas and it's going to be cold today - in some places it will be 2C (36F) or 3C (37F). In many eastern areas it will be a dry, bright and sunny day.

'It will stay largely clear through Thursday evening but more showers will push in across England and Wales where we could again start to see a bit more snow even to low levels.

'It will feel colder in the winds tomorrow with an Arctic air from the North. It will be windiest in places like Scotland, Northern Ireland, west Wales and Cornwall and they will also be most prone to showers.

'But most of us will see some sunshine on Friday. It will be a cold night on Friday and it will be a cold start to the weekend and there could also be some patchy rain on Saturday.

'But then it turns milder next week and we could see temperatures rise into double figures, around 11 or 12C. There will be a north/south split in the run up to Christmas. There will be rain at times in the North but it will be drier and more settled down south.'

Christmas Day 2015 was the mildest on record with 16C (61F) recorded in Teignmouth, Devon, which beat the the previous of 15.6C (60F) also set in Devon in 1920 and in Edinburgh in 1896.

'Magical' images reveal the Geminid meteor shower lighting up night skies around the world with up to 150 shooting stars every hour

Photographers have captured stunning pictures of the 'magical' Geminid meteor shower as it reached its peak last night.

The celestial display is sometimes referred to as the 'king of meteor showers' as it is one of the best of the year, with up to 150 shooting stars streaking across the sky every hour.

Star-gazers from all over the world have captured stunning images of the dramatic natural display, with pme voew describing the event as one of the 'best life moments'.

A composite image of 18 images shows the Geminid Meteor Shower over the road towards Castle Howard in Yorkshire last night. Star-gazers from all over the world have captured the dramatic natural display on their cameras

Stephen Cheatley caught a very bright Geminid meteor on camera in a dramatic display over Blackpool Tower in Lancashire last night.

THE GEMINIDS The Geminid meteor shower is sometimes referred to as the King of Meteor Showers as it is one of the best of the year, with up to 150 shooting stars streaking across the sky every hour. The debris burns up when it enters the Earth's atmosphere, giving the appearance of a 'shooting star.' The shower happens when the Earth crosses paths with a trail of rocky debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon. Tonight there will still be around 15 to 30 an hour, and by Friday just the odd one or two, writes Space.com. They are bright and have a yellowish hue, making them distinct and easy to spot. Geminid meteors travel fairly slowly, at around 22 miles (35 km) per second. Advertisement

Mr Cheatley said: 'I nearly didn't bother trying to capture any meteors last night with the wild weather, but I did make the effort when it cleared to go to Blackpool Tower.

'I was very pleased to capture this one, which I have confirmed as a definite Geminid as it comes from the radiant.'

Photographer Alec Jones also witnessed the display over Souter Lighthouse in Sunderland at around 02:00 this morning.

The much-awaited Geminid shower produces shooting stars that are bright and easy to spot from all over the world.

The shower happens when the Earth crosses paths with a trail of rocky debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.

The debris burns up when it enters the Earth's atmosphere, giving the appearance of a 'shooting star.'

Twitter user MRinconPhoto, who is a freelance sports photographer, tweeted an image of a shooting star and said 'A little Geminids action near Orion'.

Another user, linsofmoss, described the display as 'magical'.

'I stepped out to watch a bit of the geminid meteor shower. One of the neighbourhood cats came to keep me company. It was a magical night', she tweeted.

'Backyard...wrapped in blankets...watching the Geminid meteor shower...best life moments', tweeted another user, anna0471, who is based in California.

Pictured is a photo taken from the Carlisle Memorial Column on the Castle Howard estate in Yorkshire. The celestial display is sometimes referred to as the King of Meteor Showers as it is one of the best of the year, with up to 150 shooting stars streaking across the sky every hour

The much-awaited Geminid shower produces shooting stars that are bright and easy to spot from all over the world. A composite image of 48 images shows the shower over the Obelisk at Castle Howard, Yorkshire

https://twitter.com/MRinconPhoto/status/941214896674414592

However, not everyone could enjoy the display.

UK-based novelist Frances Parker-Smith tweeted: 'Didn't manage to see an geminid meteors last night/ early morning. We had rain/sleet/snow showers.'

Geminids appear as a streak of light against the dark sky and in recent years there have been around 60 to 120 meteors per hour.

This picture shows the Geminid meteor shower over Souter Lighthouse in Sunderland in the early hours of Thursday December 14th. The Geminid shower produces shooting stars that are bright and easy to spot from all over the world

The vast majority are only slightly bigger than grains of sand, but they create brilliant streaks of light as they slam into the planet's atmosphere.

Tonight there will still be around 15 to 30 an hour, and by Friday just the odd one or two, writes Space.com.

They are bright and have a yellowish hue, making them distinct and easy to spot.

Geminid meteors travel fairly slowly, at around 22 miles (35 km) per second.

Stephen Cheatley caught a very bright Geminid meteor on camera in a dramatic display over Blackpool Tower in Lancashire last night (pictured). Mr Cheatley said: 'I nearly didn't bother trying to capture any meteors last night with the wild weather, but I did make the effort when it cleared to go to Blackpool Tower'

As an added bonus this year, astronomers will have a chance to study Phaethon up close on 17th December, when it passes nearest to Earth since its discovery in 1983.

The vast space rock 3200 Phaethon, described by Nasa as 'potentially hazardous', will pass 6.4 million miles (10.3m km) from Earth - which is extremely close in space terms.

The huge object is named after the Greek demi-god Phaethon, who according to legend almost destroyed Earth.

3200 Phaethon has puzzled scientists because it has features of both an asteroid and a comet.

Its unusual orbit will see it pass closer to the sun than any other named asteroid.
The widow of the Kentucky lawmaker who killed himself after a sexual assault allegation surfaced this week said she will run for his seat because he was pushed to suicide by 'high-tech lynching mobs'.

In a statement on Thursday, the day after Dan Johnson's suicide, Rebecca Johnson said she has been fighting behind her husband for 30 years and 'his fight will go on.'

'Dan is gone but the story of his life is far from over,' she said.

'These high-tech lynchings based on lies and half-truths can't be allowed to win the day.'

Johnson, who is best known for a racist comment likening Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys, shot himself Wednesday night near a road in a secluded area.

Two days earlier, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published a story detailing allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in his basement in 2013.

The widow of the Kentucky lawmaker who killed himself after a sexual assault allegation surfaced this week said she will run for his seat because he was pushed to suicide by 'high-tech lynching mobs'

Scandal: Kentucky State Rep. Republican Dan Johnson (left), addresses the public from his church on Tuesday regarding allegations made by Maranda Richmond (right) claiming that he sexually assaulted her in 2013, when she was 17 years old

In a statement on Thursday, the day after Dan Johnson's suicide, Rebecca Johnson said she has been fighting behind her husband for 30 years and 'his fight will go on'. They are pictured together left early in their marriage

On Monday the paper published a graphic account quoting Maranda Richmond as saying that Johnson had sexually assaulted her in his basement on January 1, 2013.

According to court documents, Richmond was living at Heart of Fire City Church accommodations.

Richmond said the married lawmaker groped her and stuck his tongue in her mouth, then put his hand down her pants and slipped it inside her vagina.

She said she begged him to stop, but Johnson kept telling her she would like it. Eventually, he left and she slipped away early that morning before he woke up.

Richmond went to the police. Records show investigators with the Louisville Metro Police Department recorded a phone call between Johnson and Richmond's father, Clifford, in which Johnson said he 'couldn't imagine doing that to Maranda.'

Police documents obtained by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting show a detective closed the case because Richmond would not cooperate. Richmond denied this, saying she never once wanted to stop the investigation.

Richmond was friends with Johnson's daughter, Sarah, and a member of the church where he was the pastor.

The 57-year-old said the allegations against him were 'totally false' and part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans

The story prompted state leaders of both major political parties to call for his resignation, and authorities reopened the investigation that had been closed without charges.

The accusations came amid a sexual harassment scandal involving other Republican lawmakers at the state Capitol. Nationwide, a growing number of celebrities, politicians and businessmen have been accused of sexual misconduct in recent months, leading many to lose their jobs or resign.

Johnson, who pastors a church in Louisville and has at times been called 'the pope', held a news conference from his pulpit on Tuesday, defiantly denying the allegations.

Rebecca Johnson was by her husband's side during that news conference, which the pastor began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol 'O Come All Ye Faithful.'

The 57-year-old said the allegations against him were 'totally false' and part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans.

He referenced Republican Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.

David Adams, a political operative who worked with Dan Johnson, said Rebecca Johnson was unavailable for a phone interview because she was at a funeral home.

Johnson, pictured with his wife of 30 years, Rebecca. Both of the Johnsons have denied Richmond's claims and called them 'fake news'

Richmond claims that she had fallen asleep on the couch in Johnson's basement after attending his family's New Year's Eve party when the alleged molestation took place.

Police investigated Richmond's claims in 2013, but eventually dropped the investigation without charging Johnson. Detectives said that she stopped cooperating with the case

Earlier Thursday, a sheriff said an ominous Facebook post that Dan Johnson made at about 5pm Wednesday night is part of what prompted his family to report him missing.

In the post, he asked for people to take care of his wife and wrote that post-traumatic stress disorder 'is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.'

He also wrote: 'The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be. AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news.

'Conservatives take a stand. I LOVE GOD and I LOVE MY WIFE, who is the best WIFE in the world, My Love Forever !

'My Mom and Dad my FAMILY and all five of my kids and Nine grandchildren two in tummies and many more to come each of you or a total gift from GOD stay strong, REBECCA needs YOU.

Johnson, pictured with President Donald Trump in an undated photo, was a pastor who went by the nickname 'Pope'

Prior to his death, Johnson posted this frightening message to his Facebook account, which is what prompted his family to report him missing

Johnson's church is known for its 'gun choir,' which features Johnson (believed to be pictured with sons) and others holding guns while singing Amazing Grace

The post appears to have been removed.

Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said Johnson died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Police recovered a .40-caliber pistol next to Johnson's body.

Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years.

He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after local media reported on some of his Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys.

The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools.

But he mostly stayed out of the spotlight until the investigative story broke.

Michael Skoler, president of Louisville Public Media, which owns the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, said everyone at the organization is 'deeply sad.'

'Our aim, as always, is to provide the public with fact-based, unbiased reporting and hold public officials accountable for their actions,' Skoler said.

'As part of our process, we reached out to Rep. Johnson numerous times over the course of a seven-month investigation. He declined requests to talk about our findings.'

In the Kentucky statehouse scandal, former Republican Kentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position after acknowledging he secretly settled a sexual harassment claim with a member of his staff.

Three other lawmakers were involved in the settlement, and all lost their committee chairmanships.

'I am very sad over the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson. Over the past few weeks in some of the darkest days of my life, he reached out to me, encouraged me, and prayed for me,' Hoover tweeted.

Republican Gov. Matt Bevin tweeted that 'my heart breaks for his family tonight.'

'These are heavy days in Frankfort and in America,' Bevin said in the post. 'May God indeed shed his grace on us all. ... We sure need it.'
Madeline Marx, 23, asked for exams to test whether she can plead not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of sexual battery

A 23-year-old substitute teacher from Ohio who allegedly had a sexual relationship with two students is seeking an insanity plea.

Madeline Marx has been indicted on two counts of sexual battery over claims she performed off-campus sex acts on two 11th grade pupils during her two years as a substitute teacher at Kettering Fairmont High School.

Marx sobbed in court on Wednesday as she requested medical examinations to assess whether she can enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, Fox 45 Now reported.

Clutching tissues as she stood in the dock, she was told by Judge Steven Dankof 'hang in there, you'll get through this, you'll be all right'.

Marx is accused of having intercourse with a 16-year-old boy on September 21 in the parking lot of an apartment building an eight minute drive from the school.

She is also accused of performing oral sex on a 17-year-old in the parking lot of a Big Lots furniture store around five minutes away from the school on July 19.

Marx has also been accused of sending nude photos to one of the teens.

She was arrested at the school after students went to the principal saying they were concerned about her relationships with pupils.

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The former substitute teacher from Kettering High School, Ohio, wept and dabbed her cheeks as she left the courtoom

Marx sobbed and clutched tissues as she stood in the dock on Wednesday

A friend wrapped her arm around Marx as she sat in the public gallery and waited for her appearance in front of the judge

Marx, who has been a substitute in the district for two years, was arrested (above) at the high school on November 8

Kettering police Lt. Mike Gabrielson said Marx was arrested three hours later after detectives found probable cause.

Marx has now been released on bond and ordered not to contact the two students, according to WHIO.

She originally pleaded not guilty.

'We became aware (Marx) was possibly involved with inappropriate activities with a juvenile,' Kettering Superintendent Scott Inskeep said.

'When we become aware of them then we will remove those people and not have them around our students.'

Marx had been given a four year teaching license last year that enabled her to teach grades K-12, WHIO reports.

Police said Marx admitted to sending several nude photos to one of the students via Snapchat and Instagram.

Marx graduated last year from the University of Dayton and dropped out of a fall 2013 sexual ethics class, WHIO says.

She graduated from the nearby Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in 2012.
Douglas Greenwood took his own life at the age of 61 following a long and painful battle with lung disease

A former NYPD captain who commanded officers at Ground Zero on 9/11 has taken his own life after a long battle with lung disease.

Captain Douglas Greenwood, 61, shot himself at the entrance to Greenlawn Park near his home in Suffolk County, Long Island.

After leaving the NYPD on 9/11 disability 14 years ago, following 26 years of service, he became the owner of the highly regarded Greenwich Village Bleecker Street Pizza restaurant.

Greenwood was a captain on the Manhattan South Task Force and led officers for 40 straight days at the site but because he was constantly on the radio was unable to keep his protective mask on.

Captain Greenwood worked for 40 straight says at Ground Zero, putting his health at risk

He slept in an oxygen tank for the last 10 years and continued to struggle despite surgery

Greenwood's friend of 25 years and former detective Ralph Friedman told the New York Post: 'It was constant, increasing pain. It hurt to breathe.

'He would never do something like this unless he had no choice. And he had no choice.'

Friedman explained his friend 'was in charge of all the NYPD boots on the ground'.

'He'd be commanding the scene, but he also did grunt work - everybody pitched in. Everyone was sifting through the scene for bodies, body parts.

After leaving the force, he became the owner of the highly-regarded Bleecker Street Pizza

'He could have stayed in a car. But he was right there. And it cost him his health  as it did for a lot of officers. They did very heroic work  there's no way around it. And he was right there.'

His long-time friend, photographer Kevin McCormick, said: 'He talked about shooting himself as an inevitable thing.

'He said when there's no more quality of life, I'm going to do it He knew it was coming.'

After retiring he threw himself into his new career, saying he wanted to make pizzas 'as true to my Italian grandmother's recipe as possible'.

Friends recalled Greenwood was hugely proud of his pizzeria and would sometimes eat in the dining area, pretending to be a customer so he could overhear what people said about the food.
One of Kim Jong-un's top aides has not been seen for months and may even have been executed after being accused of 'impudence', it has been claimed.

Kim's former confidante Hwang Pyong-So vanished as part of a purge of senior military figures in North Korea during a bid by the dictator to reduce the influence of the powerful army.

Hwang, the head of the military's powerful General Political Bureau, was once seen as the second most powerful man in the secretive country.

Former friends: 'Punished' military leader Hwang Pyong So, left, stands near North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in this April, 2017 photo

But he was last seen in public in early October at a gymnastics gala and, according to South Korean newspaper, JoongAng Ilbo, it is not known if he is still alive.

Since taking power in 2011, North Korea's young leader has brutally removed anyone perceived as a potential challenge to his authority, including ordering the execution of family members.

But observers say the latest move appears aimed at curbing the overgrown influence of the military, which blossomed under his late father Kim Jong-Il's Songun (military-first) policy.

Last month it was reported that Hwang Pyong-So and his deputy Kim Won-Hong, had been punished for 'impudence' towards the ruling Korean Workers' Party, which Kim Jong-Un heads.

'This is another Kim Jong-Un play aimed at tightening his grip on, and taming, the military,' Yang Moo-Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, told AFP.

Kim is moving away from the Songun policy and 'reaffirming the principle that the party is always above the military' Yang said.

Professor Koh Yu-Hwan at Dongguk University added: 'The Songun policy has always been a double-edged sword and Kim is reorganising the military that became overgrown under his father and is restoring the system of party dominance.'

Rivals: The investigation of the military political bureau which allegedly led to the punishment of Hwang Pyong So, left, was spearheaded by Choe Ryong Hae, pictured right

The NIS said the level of punishment meted out to the two men was not known, but South Korean lawmakers who attended the closed-door briefing suggested they might have been sent to provincial farms for re-education through labour.

Hwang was once seen as the second most powerful man in North Korea.

He led the high-level delegation that visited the South during the Incheon Asian Games in 2014, and made his last public appearance in October.

Kim Won-Hong had returned to office earlier this year after being sacked as minister of state security, for power abuse and corruption in mid-January.

Kim, who served as the spy chief since 2012, had played a key role in arresting and executing Kim Jong-Un's uncle Jang Song-Thaek four years ago.

The North's leader has reportedly killed more than 100 military, party and government officials, including Jang and Hyon Yong-Chol, a former defence chief who was put to death in 2015.

South Korea believes he was also responsible for the Cold War-style assassination of his half-brother Kim Jong-Nam, who was poisoned at a Malaysian airport earlier this year.
A congresswoman shocked colleagues after she said in a closed-door meeting that the clothing worn by some House members and their staff invites sexual harassment.

Ohio Rep Marcy Kaptur, who has served since 1983, made her comments during a Democratic caucus meeting on Wednesday as the group talked about the ballooning sexual harassment scandal involving several male politicians.

'I saw a member yesterday with her cleavage so deep it was down to the floor,' 71-year-old Kaptur said, two insiders told Politico. 'And what I've seen... it's really an invitation.'

Ohio Rep Marcy Kaptur made her comments about the way women dress during a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting on Wednesday as the group discussed sexual harassment

Kaptur suggested that women on Capitol Hill should follow conservative dress codes like the ones adopted in the US Army.

'Maybe I'll get booed for saying this, but many companies and the military (have) a dress code,' she said. 'I have been appalled at some of the dress ofmembers and staff. Men have to wear ties and suits.'

The Toledo-area Democrat's comments shocked colleagues in the room with nearly everyone's mouths 'wide open aghast', insiders told Politico.

She backpedaled slightly after the outrage over her comments and released a statement clarifying what she meant.

'When I was first elected to Congress my office and I became a refuge for female staffers who had been mistreated by their bosses,' Kaptur said in a statement. 'Some of them in tears many days.

Kaptur (center) suggested that women on Capitol Hill should follow conservative dress codes like the ones adopted in the US Army

'It is something I carry with me to this day and something I brought up during our Caucus meeting. Under no circumstances is it the victim's fault if they are harassed in any way.

'I shared the stories from my time here in the context of the 'Me Too' legislation and how we can elevate the decorum and the dress code to protect women from what is a pervasive problem here and in society at large.'

Congress recently relaxed the dress code for female staffers over outrage that prohibited women from wearing sleeveless dresses.

Kaptur's comments come a week after three congressmen - Democratic Sen Al Franken, Democratic Rep John Conyers and Republican Rep Trent Franks - resigned over sexual misconduct allegations.

A fourth representative, Ruben Kihuen, has also been accused of sexual harassment but has not stepped down.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said the marriage would be 'fun' and expressed delight that the couple had opted to show their 'faith' by tying the knot in church

Justin Welby has said Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'profound sense of commitment' and love provides a 'model' for the rest of the nation.

The Archbishop of Canterbury added their marriage would be 'fun' and expressed delight that the couple had opted to show their 'faith' by tying the knot in church.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: 'I am very, very sure after conversations that this is no tick-box exercise, "we ought to get married in a church".'

Dr Welby has already given his blessing to Miss Markle, who divorced film producer Trevor Engelson in 2013, marrying Harry in a church.

Voicing his pleasure about the wedding today, Dr Welby praised the couple's 'commitment'.

'There is a profound sense of commitment and seriousness both about faith and their life together which is quite inspirational,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked whether he would preside at the service, Dr Welby made clear he was at their disposal, saying: 'That is up to them.'

But he warned that at a recent wedding of one of his aides he managed to misplace a ring, sparking a hunt until it was discovered having rolled under a chair.

He joked it would make 'entertaining television' if he repeated the blunder.

The Prince and Miss Markle (pictured on a walkabout in Nottingham last month) will marry at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle as it is a place 'close to their hearts'

The Prince and Miss Markle will marry at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts', it was revealed last month.

The couple have not given an exact date for their 'fun and joyful' wedding yet, but it is likely to be on TV.

The couple have shunned a larger wedding at Westminster Abbey or St Paul's for a more intimate church service at St George's, where Harry's father Charles had a blessing after marrying Camilla in the nearby Guildhall in 2005.

Dr Welby was asked about what happened when he presided over the wedding of one of his senior staff, Ailsa Anderson, and journalist Simon Cole at Lambeth Palace.

Dr Welby has already given his blessing to Miss Markle, who divorced film producer Trevor Engelson in 2013, marrying Harry in a church

Miss Anderson, Dr Welby's head of media relations and former press secretary to the Queen, is believed to be the first divorcee to be married by an Archbishop of Canterbury in recent times.

But the wedding did not go entirely smoothly, as Dr Welby momentarily lost the bride's ring. 'We looked around for a little while, and saw it had rolled under a chair,' she told the Sunday Telegraph.

Dr Welby said today: 'I might have lost one twice actually, but the other one wasn't quite so public.

'That would certainly provide some entertaining television, wouldn't it.

But he added: 'Every wedding is profoundly beautiful even when you drop the rings.'

The Church of England agreed in 2002 that people could remarry in church, albeit under strict conditions. It insists divorcees are asked questions to ensure their previous marriage has been fully resolved and 'past hurts' have been healed.

Charles and Camilla had a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall followed by a blessing at St George's Chapel (file picture)

Dr Welby has a liberal view on remarriage, but his predecessor Rowan Williams refused to let Charles and Camilla wed in church because of their adulterous history, and because her ex-husband was still alive.

Instead, they had a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a blessing at St George's Chapel.

The last time a senior royal wanted to marry an American divorcee, it sparked a constitutional crisis. Edward VIII  Prince Harry's great-great-uncle  had to abdicate in 1936 to wed Wallis Simpson. But members of the Royal Family are no longer barred from marrying divorcees.

The royal family will pay for the event, the music, the flowers and the reception.
Two men who kidnapped a seven-year-old boy on his doorstep after distracting his mother have been captured by enraged locals and beaten in the street.

Sunny Devnani, 27, and Sudhir Sayaram, 30, from Madhya Pradesh in central India were subjected to mob justice after being caught on camera snatching young Dev Padalia as he waited for the school bus.

It came after a WhatsApp plea by the child's mother went viral, with the two men being caught by furious locals who tied them to a pole and delivered their own sentence before passing them on to police.

Dev's mum, 32-year-old Kiran Padalia, had been asked by one of the men if her brother-in-law was in the house on Monday.

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Two men who kidnapped a seven-year-old boy on his doorstep after distracting his mother have been captured by enraged locals and beaten in the street. They were tied to a pole during the punishment

Young Dev (pictured), 7, was rescued after being kidnapped on his doorstep while waiting for the school bus. Chandu Babbaria, from Morbi Police Station, said: 'The boy has been saved and handed back to the family. He is getting all the support he needs'

Sunny Devnani, 27, and Sudhir Sayaram, 30, from Madhya Pradesh in central India were subjected to mob justice after being caught on camera snatching young Dev Padalia as he waited for the school bus

She put Dev down by his nine-year-old sister when she went inside to pass on the message from the seemingly innocuous caller.

But as soon as she was out of view, sick Devnani grabbed Dev and jumped onto a waiting bike driven by Sayaram.

The two then fled the scene with Dev as the family desperately gave chase.

But thanks to a CCTV camera at the home in Gujarat, mum Kiran was able to ask for help over WhatsApp using the footage.

Her message quickly went viral.

She also attached images of the men, whom she knew. Within six house, the kidnappers had been caught by locals.

But before handing them to the police, they tied the villains to an iron pole and beat them in the street.

Thanks to a CCTV camera at the home, mum Kiran was able to ask for help over WhatsApp using the footage. Her message quickly went viral

Before handing the men to the police, they tied the villains to an iron pole and beat them in the street. Pictured: The moment of the snatch

Chandu Babbaria, from Morbi Police Station, said: 'We started searching for the boy as soon as we got the information about the incident.

'A shop owner in Wankaner village market recognized the man and boy from the picture that went viral on WhatsApp.

'He alerted us and we caught the kidnappers with the help of other villagers.

'Both the men on the bike have been arrested; however, they claim another gang were also involved in the case.

The two then fled the scene with Dev - but thanks to a CCTV camera, mum Kiran was able to ask for help over WhatsApp using the footage. Chandu Babbaria, from Morbi Police Station, said: 'We started searching for the boy as soon as we got the information about the incident'. They have now admitted their guilt

'All of them are currently on the run and the search is on to find them and question them. The arrested men have confessed they kidnapped the child to extract money from the business class family.

'We have imposed sections 365 (kidnapping), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

'The boy has been saved and handed back to the family. He is getting all the support he needs.'
The mystery Netflix subscriber who has watched children's film Bee Movie more than 300 times has been revealed as a British mother and her 10-month old son.

Gemma Chalmers has fessed up to being Europe's most prolific 're-watcher' of a film in 2017, claiming baby Jaxson throws tantrums when the cartoon is not on the TV.

Streaming giant Netflix sent social media into a fever pitch after it revealed that a UK user had viewed the animated film Bee Movie 357 times in 365 days.

Ms Chalmers, 29, said friends were quick to alert her to the post, telling her: 'This has to be you.'

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Gemma Chalmers has fessed up to being Europe's most prolific 're-watcher' of a film in 2017, claiming baby Jaxson (pictured) throws tantrums when the cartoon is not on the TV

Ms Chalmers, 29, said friends were quick to alert her to the post, telling her: 'This has to be you'

She told The Sun: 'Weve watched it multiple times a day to keep him happy.

'He watches the film from the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep at night. I know every word of that film. I am completely fed-up with it.

'Weve tried Trolls, Cars and other Disney films,' Ms Chalmers added. 'But nothing works like the Bee Movie.'

Jaxson, who lives with his mother in Peterhead, Scotland, first became obsessed with the film after he grandmother put it on to stop him from crying.

The Bee Movie was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards, although the picture was by no means a blockbuster hit.

Streaming giant Netflix sent social media into a fever pitch after it revealed that a UK user had viewed the animated film Bee Movie 357 times in 365 days

Jaxson, who lives with his mother in Peterhead, Scotland, first became obsessed with the film after he grandmother put it on to stop him from crying

Other data released by the streaming service revealed that Greenleaf, a series about a family and their sprawling megachurch in Memphis, was the most 'devoured' show in the UK in 2017 - meaning the programme had been watched for more than two hours per day.

Spoof true crime drama American Vandal was the second most popular show.

Netflix also revealed the shows fans were most likely to watch ahead of their viewing partners.

Orange Is The New Black was the show most likely to make viewers cheat on their significant other, followed by Stranger Things, Narcos, 13 Reasons Why and Star Trek: Discovery.

Riverdale, Marvel's Iron Fist, Ozark, Better Call Saul and The Crown also prompted fans to cheat and watch ahead.
Theresa May headed into the Grenfell Tower memorial service through the back door today after her response to the aftermath of the tragedy was criticised.

The Prime Minister attended St Paul's Cathedral alongside Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, members of the Royal family and survivors of the disaster.

But while many of the guests went up the front steps of the cathedral to attend the service the PM was spotted getting out of her car and heading the back way.

Once inside, the PM sat next to her Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and near the families who lost loved ones in the inferno.

It comes after Boris Johnson angrily slammed the decision to ban Tory councillors at Kensington and Chelsea from the service .

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Theresa May was spotted getting out of her car and heading into the memorial at St Paul's Cathedral through the back door. It comes after her response t the tragedy was met with fierce criticism form locals in north Kensington

Once inside Theresa May sat on the politicians' front row near the families of those who lost loved ones in the inferno

Prince Harry met with survivors and hthose who lost family in the tragedy - Britain's worst fire since the Blitz

The Foreign Secretary also accused Labour London mayor Sadiq Khan's response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy 'spineless'.

He said the Labour mayor should share some of the blame over why many victims have still not been rehoused.

The memorial marks six months since the inferno swept through the west London tower block, killing 71 people - including a stillborn baby.

The fire was the worst in London since the Blitz and the worst tower block fire in the Western world for 35 years.

The PM faced heavy criticism in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy for being slow to visit Grenfell and then for not meeting locals and only speaking to emergency service officers instead.

And when she did finally visit a church in north Kensington which had become the central hub for the relief effort she was heckled by angry crowds who surrounded her car when it was driven away.

The Duchess of Cambridge spent time speaking to the families who attended the memorial service. Entire families were killed when the fire swept through the tower bock in the summer

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were visibly moves as they listened to the service

Boris Johnson (pictured left) launched a furious attack on the London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured right) who he said should share some of the blame over why many victims have still not been rehoused

Boris Johnson (pictured today with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, far right, and Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, 2nd right, and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich) slammed the decision to back Tory councillors from today's service at St Paul's Cathedral

The image of Mrs May comes after her Foreign Secretary attacked moves to blame Tory politicians for all the failures surrounding the disaster.

Mr Johnson, who was Mayor of London before Mr Khan, accused his successor of failing to step up and play his part in rehousing those left homeless by it.

He said: 'The most extraordinary lacuna in the whole conversation about Grenfell is the Mayor of London, as Macavity-like a performance by anybody I have ever seen.

'Why did he not take charge? Why did he not find accommodation for the victims? Why was he so spineless and invertebrate? Unbelievable.'

And he also attacked the decision to ban Tory councillors from today's memorial service - while Labour politicians are allowed.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Johnson added: 'It is completely wrong to take issue in that way, to discriminate against people who have given long service to their community and who may have got things wrong but who want to do their best for the people of the neighbourhood.

'To impugn their motives and to impugn their characters is absolutely wrong.'

Mr Johnson's attack prompted a furious response from Mr Khan whose spokesman accused him of 'breathtaking ignorance of the facts'.

He said: 'On the day the Mayor joins the families of those who lost loved ones in the devastating Grenfell fire, who come together to remember those who died, it beggars belief that Boris Johnson chooses to launch such a bitter attack.

Mourners break down outside the memorial, which marks six months since the inferno swept through the west London tower block, killing 71 people - including a stillborn baby

The fire at Grenfell Tower was the worst in London since the Blitz and the worst tower block fire in the Western world for 35 years - killing 71 people including a stillborn baby.

'This demonstrates his breathtaking ignorance of the facts and lack of sensitivity, no doubt motivated by a wish to protect his friends in the council and in the government.'

Sources close to Mr Khan said he had met the victims' families many times, but as London mayor has no powers to find homes for people.

The row comes as families of those killed in the blaze head to St Paul's here they will join Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and members of the royal family for a service to mark six months since the tragedy.

Around 1,500 people - including firefighters who bravely tackled the inferno and NHS workers who battled to save the lives of those caught up in it - will attend.

They will be joined by Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
ISIS fanatics have threatened to attack the US with 'showers of bullets and explosive vehicles' in online posters showing New York's Police Commissioner James O'Neill as a prisoner.

Chilling mocked-up images show the official kneeling before a masked jihadist in Manhattan along with a message 'signed with blood' to 'The Nation of Cross'.

The online ISIS propaganda warns: 'We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Afghan. Just you wait. We are waiting too.'

ISIS fanatics have threatened to attack the US with 'showers of bullets and explosive vehicles' in online posts showing New York's Police Commissioner James O'Neill as a prisoner (pictured)

One poster makes reference to US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and comes with a picture of a bomb set against Times Square in New York

Another image shows a jihadist with his boot on Donald Trump's head along with the words: 'Wait for us. The vanguards of the conquerors are coming to you with showers of bullets and fires of the explosive vehicles.'

In a third poster, the extremists make reference to the US President's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

'The recognition of your dog 'Trump' (of) Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, will make us recognize explosives as the capital of your country,' the poster says, along with a picture of a bomb and Times Square.

The posters are the latest in a series of online threats against the US to emerge in recent weeks and were released by a pro-ISIS media outlet, according to the respected SITE Intelligence group.

Just days ago, ISIS fanatics threatened to carry out lone wolf attacks on America in chilling propaganda circulated online.

Trump and Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu were seen dressed as prisoners and kneeling before a jihadist executioner in front of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

Another image shows a jihadist with his boot on Donald Trump's head along with the words: 'Wait for us. The vanguards of the conquerors are coming to you with showers of bullets and fires of the explosive vehicles'

The picture comes with the warning: 'O Jews and worshippers of the Cross. We swear to break your necks and shed your blood in Alaqsa front yard and everywhere else, this is the promise of Allah and we will make it come true. Beware. The coming will be the most terrible and bitter.'

A separate set of images shows flames engulfing the US Capitol building in Washington DC and an extremist with a handgun in California.

They also show the Manhattan skyline and the aftermath of a truck attack in October in which a rented vehicle ploughed into cyclists and runners for about a mile along the Hudson River Park's bike path killing eight and injuring eleven others.

The picture of Trump kneeling with Netanyahu is set before the Al-Aqsa mosque compound - a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem.

A black and white ISIS flag can be seen flying from the top of the building while a jihadist dressed in black stands in front of the two leaders.

The online images emerged after a taxi driver attempted to detonate a pipe bomb a the Port Authority Bus Station subway station in New York.

This took place just days after Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, sparking violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
A pregnant wife from India has been refused entry to the UK to be with her Scottish husband because her English is 'too good'.

Alexandria Rintoul wants to join her husband Bobby in St Andrews, Fife but the couple say she's been denied a visa despite passing a higher level International English Language Testing System exam than is required.

Mrs Rintoul, 22, was shocked to learn her visa had been refused, even though she has completed a degree in English and passed an exam which would allow her to study at some of the country's top universities.

Mr Rintoul, 33, said he fears she will be too pregnant to fly or have even given birth by the time the immigration hitches are sorted out.

Alexandria Rintoul (left) wants to join her husband Bobby (shown together, right) in St Andrews, Fife but the couple say she's been denied a visa as her English is 'too good'

He said hoped to settle into their new house in St Andrews and celebrate their first Christmas as a married couple before the birth of their child next year.

Mr Rintoul said: 'We were ready to start our life together here. It would be our first Christmas in our new house and her first in Scotland.

'It was her dream and it's been taken away over such a trivial issue.'

Mrs Rintoul, a musician, sat an International English Language Testing System exam as recommended by a lawyer while she was in Edinburgh during a previous visit.

The Home Office requires an IELTS pass for immigration - but not the more advanced one Mrs Rintoul has.

Writing on Facebook, Mrs Rintoul said: 'I just want to get home to my cat, my husband and house!

Mr Rintoul (seen on the couple's wedding day) said he fears she will be too pregnant to fly or have even given birth by the time the immigration hitches are sorted out

'Im supposed to be spending money on my baby, my house, my new family and here I am paying bills for this money sucking visa refused because they arent satisfied I come from a country that speaks English...WHAT? Hahaha where do these PEOPLE go to SCHOOL?

'Ill write a whole book in English just you wait!'

In another post she added: 'It is a shame that English is not know to be considered our first language. we have 2,000 languages in this country, how do they think we communicate with each other?

'After the British Raj all the schools have made English our first language, we learn in English, fight in English, write and practice law in English. I'm writing this comment now in English.

Engineer Mr Rintoul, from Lower Largo, said: 'She passed a test that entitles her to go to university, Oxford, Cambridge, you name it.

'She should have passed the test which entitles her to wash dishes in a kebab shop.'

Engineer Mr Rintoul, from Lower Largo, is pictured with the couple's wedding album

While they deal with her application, Mrs Rintoul has been staying in hotels in Bangalore, which is a four-hour journey from her home in Shillong, in the north-east state of Meghalaya.

Mr Rintoul, who has booked a flight to India at short-notice so they can be reunited at Christmas for the first time in three months, reckons the rejection has cost them around 4,000.

The couple met when Mr Rintoul, who works in the oil and gas industry, spent a year and a half in India.

They moved to Dubai before he returned to Scotland, hoping to be followed shortly by his wife.

North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins has since stepped in to help.

He said: 'This is a very difficult time for Mr Rintoul and his family and I have made repeated calls to the UK Visa and Immigration service but, like many of my colleagues, am frustrated by the lack of communication by that department and the impact this has on constituents who are rightly worried about their loved ones.

'Too often I am finding constituents who have been left in an incredibly difficult position by a system that makes life unnecessarily stressful for people.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Some applicants for visas to settle in the UK need to pass an English language test at an approved centre that is specified in the immigration rules.

'Mrs Rintoul failed to do this and also failed to submit the necessary supporting evidence for her application. It is open to her to reapply under the priority visa service.'
Police in Charlottesville have been put on alert as the man accused of killing Heather Heyer during protests back in August appears in court.

James Alex Fields Jr is due to appear before a judge at Charlottesville Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon alongside three other men accused of violence at the rallies.

Authorities will close down several streets around the courthouse and deploy officers on the street, some of whom will be hidden, in order to manage the anticipated crowds.

James Alex Fields Jr will appear in court in Charlottesville on Thursday for a preliminary hearing, charged with killing Heather Heyer during a day of protests on August 12

Fields is accused of driving his car into a crowd of Antifa counter-protesters during a 'Unite the Right' rally, killing Heyer and wounding 19 others

The men were supposed to appear at the city's general district court, but the hearings were moved to circuit because it provides better security.

'More space, better security possible, it just works a lot better administratively,' Lloyd Snook, legal analyst, told NBC 29.

Appearing at the same session will be Richard Wilson Preston, a KKK leader accused of firing a handgun during the rally

Charlottesville Police Major Gary Pleasants added: 'We've got a couple of roads shut down around the court itself, and we've got a number of officers set up down there.

'A lot of them will not even be visible.'

Court orders are also in place barring people from bringing any electronic devices, any type of bag, or any item deemed potentially disruptive into court.

The Circuit Court Clerks Office will close at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

A nearby school has also been closed, and additional measures put in place at several others in the area.

Fields is facing a total of 10 charges including second-degree murder after allegedly driving his car into a crowd of antifa protesters on August 12, killing Heyer and leaving 19 others wounded.

The judge will consider the evidence and decide whether it is substantial enough to send to a grand jury.

Appearing alongside Fields will be Richard Wilson Preston, a KKK leader who is accused of firing a pistol during the rally and within 1,000ft of a school.

The hearings were supposed to take place at the general district court, but have instead been moved to circuit court (pictured) because it is easier to provide security there

Also appearing will be Alex Michael Ramos (left) and Jacob Scott Goodwin (right), charged with malicious wounding over the beating of DeAndre Shakur Harris

Alex Michael Ramos and Jacob Scott Goodwin are due to appear charged with malicious wounding over the beating of DeAndre Shakur Harris in a parking lot which was caught on film.

A third man, Daniel Patrick Borden, was also charged over the beating and was due to appear, but his charges have already been sent to grand jury.

Harris was also charged over the beating amid controversy, but his hearing has been delayed after prosecutors filed a motion to reduce his charge from unlawful wounding to misdemeanor assault and battery.
Chinese police have bust a gang that sold nearly 200,000 poisonous syringes to dog thieves.

The suspects, from central China, produced the syringes with toxic chemicals in their underground factory before selling them across the nation through social media, according to reports from Chinese media.

The use of poison in stealing or killing pet dogs is a common practice in China, but few suspects are arrested and punished partially due to the lack of animal protection laws in the country, sources told MailOnline.

Chinese police discovered more than 10,000 deadly darts as they raided a factory in Enshi city

One suspect points to the poisonous syringes as he confesses making and selling them to the police (left). Officers confiscated other equipment used by the gang to sell the dart (right)

The case came to light in September after a delivery driver from Huainan in eastern China's Anhui Province discovered a suspect parcel which was said to be 'pungent and soggy', reported China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.

The delivery driver gave the parcel to the police, who discovered 200 syringes inside along with springs and tails to help them shoot better.

Officers found the liquid in the syringes contained succinylcholine, a chemical that's often used in lethal injection executions.

The recipient of the suspect parcel, surnamed Chen from Wuhan in central China, admitted to the police that he had bought similar poisonous syringes a few times on the internet.

Chen also admitted that he had used the syringes to shoot and kill pet dogs before stealing them with two accomplices, surnamed Zhu and Liang.

With the information given by the trio, officers were able to track down a suspect factory that produce the syringes in Enshi, Hubei Province.

The case came to light in September after a delivery driver spotted a suspect parcel (left) which contained 200 poisonous syringes. The police located the factory (right) afterwards

Two of the suspects confessed to the police they started making poisonous syringes in April

On October 15, the police raided the factory and arrested five suspects on spot.

Officers found more than 10,000 poisonous darts in the factory which were ready to be sold, according a video report on Beijing News. They also confiscated four kilograms of succinylcholine, more than 100,000 yuan (11,260) cash and a vehicle.

Two of the suspects, surnamed Xu and Liang, confessed that they started making poisonous syringes in April and hired two helpers, surnamed Wu and Yang.

Xu and Liang said they had sold nearly 200,000 poisonous syringes around the country through WeChat and QQ, which are social media platforms in China.

All suspects, including the helpers, sellers and buyers, have been arrested. The case is under further police investigation.

The use of poison in stealing or killing pet dogs is a common practice in China. Above, a suspected dog-thief shoots a dart into a pooch attached to a gate in Guali Town in November

The dog struggles and falls down onto the ground after being attacked by the passerby

The suspect then returns on his scooter and picks up the canine which has passed out

Every year, thousands of pet dogs are poisoned and stolen in China, and as many as 20 million dogs are killed annually to satisfy the dog meat industry.

Wendy Higgins from Humane Society International UK said the practice is 'too common' in China as she called for more attention to it.

She said: 'It's a cruelty that very often sees people's beloved pets targeted, and the animals involved can suffer enormously.

'HSI's Chinese partner groups routinely find dogs and cats on meat trucks headed to slaughter who are clearly suffering toxic poisoning or who have died from poisoning before reaching their destination.'

The stolen pet dog's meat often ends up on the dinner table and their skin is used to make fashion accessories.

Jason Baker, PETA Asia's Vice President, said: 'The demand for cheap leather and dog meat means that often, animals are illegally poisoned so they can be used to make gloves, shoes or belts. The meat from poisoned animals can be lethal when eaten by humans.'

However, both animal welfare organisations praised the police effort in this particular case and call it 'encouraging'.

Ms Higgins said: 'Chinese pet owners often bemoan the fact that the police tend not to take pet theft seriously because of the absence of animal welfare laws, so it is very encouraging to see the authorities taking swift action in this instance.'
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This adorable wild red squirrel thought it had made an ingenious hiding place for its nuts: inside a snowball.

However, a great tit soon sussed him out, and flew up and plucked the nut right out of the snowball the squirrel was holding in its paws.

The poor squirrel was left stunned, and with nothing but an empty snowball, as the bird flew off with the food.

What a tit! This stunned squirrel recoiled in horror when a brave bird stole the nut he had been hiding in a snowball

The charming images, which show the small songbird fronting up to the surprised rodent, were caught on camera by local snapper Vadim Trunov in Rostov, Russia.

The 33-year-old was in a forest in Rostov feeding the squirrels, when he decided to entertain them by hiding food in the snow.

Mr Trunov said he was shocked to see the fight ensue but guessed the little bird must have been hungry to take on a squirrel more than twice its size.

It started off so well: The bird and the red squirrel were seen in a forest clearing in Rostov, Russia

My precious: The red squirrel grabs one of the snowballs with a hidden seed inside, but the great tit also wants a piece

He said: 'I made a feeding trough in the forest for squirrels and birds.

'I often go to the forest to feed squirrels but this time I also decided to play with the squirrels.

'I put some nuts in a snowball and this squirrel came over and sensed it straight away.

'The squirrel grabbed the snowball in its paws and began to take the nuts out of the snow.

Face off: The songbird flew in and plucked the nut from the snowball with ease - leaving the poor squirrel with none

'Suddenly a bird flew up and sat on a snowball, which was held by a squirrel.

'The bird pulled the nut out of the snowball and flew away.

'This brave little bird was not frightened of the squirrel and flew to her as close as possible.

'I think winter and hunger causes animals to come quite close to each other'
Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman claims children are leaving school with being able to read and write English and claims a rising number of religious schools are actively undermining British values

Children attending some faith schools are leaving without being taught to read and write in English, the head of Ofsted has said.

Amanda Spielman, the watchdog's chief inspector, also claims a rising number of religious schools are actively undermining British values.

Children are also being exposed to exposed to 'sexist and sectarian' books, she said in her first annual report after taking the job.

Ms Spielman said yesterday: 'When I see books in schools entitled Women Who Deserve To Go To Hell, children being educated in dank, squalid conditions, children being taught solely religious texts at the expense of learning basic English and mathematics, I cannot let it be ignored'.

Figures show 58 per cent of the 160 independent Muslim schools inspected are either inadequate or require improvement, more than 80 schools nationwide.

Meanwhile 54 per cent of the 60 independent Jewish schools fall in the same bottom two categories as do 33 per cent of the 110 independent Christian schools.

Some faith schools are 'actively undermining fundamental British values', a report found

A graph in the report shows a higher percentage of faith schools are inadequate, with Jewish and Muslim schools most likely to require improvement

In her first annual report, Ms Spielman said: 'In the overwhelming majority of state-funded schools, whether faith or not, these values are embedded in the school's ethos and teaching.

'However, there are also those who seek to isolate young people from the mainstream, do not prepare them for life in Britain or, worse, actively undermine fundamental British values.'

'We have found an increasing number of conservative religious schools where the legal requirements that set the expectations for shared values and tolerance clash with community expectations.

'The schools are, therefore, deliberately choosing not to meet these standards.

'This tension is also leading to the creation of illegal 'schools' that avoid teaching the unifying messages taught in the vast majority of schools in England. Both of these situations are of great concern.'

She later told the Evening Standard: 'We have a proud tradition in this country of respecting religious freedom. But there are occasions when multiculturalism can and does comes into tension with the expectation that students should be prepared for life in modern Britain.'

Some of the schools found to be inadequate had premises which were 'unsafe, even squalid'.

The report said: 'The most basic checks, such as whether staff were suitable to work with children, were not in place.

'Perhaps more significantly, in a handful of schools inspectors found instances of sexist and sectarian literature.'

The reported highlight the Al-Hijrah school in Birmingham as one where issues of 'discriminatory views about women' had arisen

Blunder sees 135 schools wrongly named as failing by Ofsted Ofsted has apologised after several schools were mistakenly featured on a list of more than 100 consistently underachieving schools. The education watchdog named 135 primary and secondary schools which have failed to record a good or outstanding inspection since 2005, but later said 11 had been included in error. All 135 schools initially named had been judged to be satisfactory, inadequate or requiring improvement at each of their last four inspections, Ofsted said. Advertisement

Focusing on one example, the report states: 'The recent case of Al-Hijrah School in Birmingham showed that an ethos that completely segregates children in school and that spreads discriminatory views about women is unacceptable.

'The fact that this reflects a cultural norm in that community does not mean that children can be disadvantaged in their education.'

Since January 2016, Ofsted has identified 291 possible settings which may be unregistered, the report said.

Around 125 inspections have taken place, 38 warning notices have been issued, 34 settings have closed or ceased operating illegally and the remaining cases remain under active investigation, the report said.

Ms Spielman called for greater powers to combat 'illegal schools'.

She said: 'Current legislation is inadequate to tackle unregistered schools.

'It limits our powers to tackle them and allows institutions to exploit loopholes about definitions of education.'

She found 'community expectations' were forced some schools to 'avoid teaching the unifying messages taught in the vast majority of schools in England'

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: 'Extremism has no place in our society.

'That's why we changed the law and the requirements on schools so that they have to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and the mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

'It is absolutely right that Ofsted reports on schools that fail to protect children or fail in any other way to meet the standards we expect, so that we can take action to ensure they adhere to the law.

'An academy could be re-brokered, and a maintained school have an interim board appointed or be converted into an academy.

'Any independent school that does not comply with the independent school standards must either improve or we will close it down.

'We always support Ofsted, local authorities and the police in tackling unregistered schools, which are illegal and unsafe.'
A teenage girl miraculously survived being hit by a train as she posed for a selfie with her friends in Indonesia.

Ely Hayati, 16, had been walking by the railway tracks with her three friends when they decided to pose for a picture and one of them got their selfie stick out.

One photo shows the moment she is struck, and show her friends laughing during the split second before they realise she has been hit.

Shocking: This image shows the moment after Ely Hayati was hit by the train, her friend have yet to realise that she is injured

Her three friends are still smiling, as Ms Hayati lies injured with her skull cracked open behind them, next to the speeding train.

The girls said their friend had been standing behind them, but went flying as a result of a heavy collision.

It is not known if she was injured by the train hitting her or when she fell onto a stone slab on the track.

The incident took place the city of Purworejo in Indonesia's Central Java Province this week.

Moment before: The quartet had been walking by the railway tracks when they decided to pose for a picture, with Ms Hayati seen in a hijab in the back

Injury: Ms Hayati was thrown to the ground by the train and her skull was cracked open

Care: Ms Hayati's skull can be seen being sown together in hospital after the incident

Subsequent images show Ms Hayati lying injured on the ground with her gaping wound partially visible under an item of clothing.

She was rushed to a local hospital by the police and pictures show her scalp having been sewn back together.

She will require further medical attention and doctors have yet to report whether she will suffer from any long-term brain damage.

Local authorities did not clarify whether the girls were walking in a restricted area next to the tracks.
Tory rebels who delivered a humiliating blow to Theresa May's Brexit Bill last night were later pictured sitting around bottles of wine in a Commons bar.

Eleven Conservative MPs last night backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal, despite government pleas to let ministers retain control.

At least, four of the rebels, Antionette Sandbach, Anna Soubry, Bob Neill and Heidi Allen, were pictured drinking glasses of white wine following the government's setback.

The photo, shared online since the vote, led to Mrs Soubry being accused of celebrating the result with champagne.

Tory Brexit rebels Antionette Sandbach (left), Anna Soubry (second from left), Bob Neill (centre) and Heidi Allen (right) sit around a table of wine glasses after inflicting a humiliating defeat on Theresa May last night

Former minister Anna Soubry angrily denied heckles in the Commons today over alleged celebrations of the PM's setback

It is not clear exactly when the picture was taken or by whom, although the MPs seem to be wearing the clothes they were in yesterday.

Ms Soubry told the Commons today that the rebels had taken no pleasure in the stinging result and turned on an MP on the Tory benches who heckled her for 'drinking champagne'.

A clearly furious Ms Soubry shot back: 'Nobody drank champagne on these benches.'

Last night's shock result sparked a furious war of words between the rebels and Brexiteers, with one MP even calling for colleagues to be deselected for undermining the PM's negotiating position.

As Mrs May prepares to head for a crucial EU summit in Brussels later, the European parliament's chief Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt waded into the row by mocking the Vote Leave referendum slogan, saying the Commons had 'taken back control'.

David Davis warned the rebels they had 'compressed the timetable' for Brexit by forcing through an amendment to the flagship EU Withdrawal Bill

The EU parliament's Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt gloated about the bloody nose suffered by Mrs May

The government was defeated by a margin of four votes, losing 309 to 305 and Labour MPs joined the rebels in cheering and applauding as the extraordinary result was announced.

Nadine Dorries, Conservative MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, said: 'The Tory rebels have put a spring in Labour's step, given them a taste of winning.

'They have guaranteed the party a weekend of bad press, undermined the PM and devalued her impact in Brussels.

'They should be deselected and never allowed to stand as a Tory MP, ever again.'

Answering questions in the Commons this morning, Brexit Secretary Mr Davis refused to rule out trying to reverse the setback later in the legislative process.

'We will have to decide how we respond to it,' he said.

Brexiteer Nadine Dorries reacted furiously to the vote, demanding the rebels be 'deselected'

A rebellion of Conservative MPs secured a crunch Commons vote 309 to 305 - handing Mrs May her first ever legislative defeat by just four votes in an historic blow to her already shaky credibility (pictured is the vote being declared last night)

WHAT DOES THE RESULT MEAN? Ministers had proposed that Parliament could have a 'take it or leave it' vote on Theresa May's final Brexit deal with Brussels. If they rejected it, Britain would leave with no deal. But rebels feared the vote would come too late to give them a 'meaningful' say on the shape of Brexit. Now, as result of last night's vote, MPs and peers have the opportunity to amend any deal and in theory force Mrs May back to the negotiating table. Advertisement

To compound her difficulties, Mrs May faces another crucial vote in the Commons next week over fixing the Brexit date in law of March 29, 2019.

She will head to Brussels today for a European Council meeting.

A furious Mrs May quickly sacked former minister Stephen Hammond from his role as Tory vice-chairman after he joined the revolt.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt played down the impact today, insisting the Brexit process would not be derailed.

'I don't think it should be a surprise that in a hung Parliament, Parliament wants to reassert its right to scrutinise the process,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'But we should also be clear this isn't going to slow down Brexit, it's not going to stop Brexit.'

Asked whether MPs now had the power to force the Government back to the negotiating table, Mr Hunt said: 'Parliament can say whatever it wants but of course renegotiation is something that involves two parties.'

Theresa May (pictured on the red carpet at the Sun Military Awards minutes after last night's defeat) has vowed to press on with her Brexit legislation

ELEVEN TORY REBELS ENOUGH TO DEFEAT MAY Eleven Conservative MPs were enough to defeat Theresa May - despite her concession winning over three others moments before the vote. The 11 rebels were: Dominic Grieve Heidi Allen Ken Clarke Nicky Morgan Anna Soubry Sarah Wollaston Bob Neill Stephen Hammond Oliver Heald Jonathan Djanogly Antoinette Sandbach A 12th Tory in the aye lobby was John Stevenson who voted both ways - an active abstention Advertisement

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the result 'a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting'.

But ministers have hinted they could try to overturn the result at a later stage in the legislation.

Two Labour MPs - Frank Field and Kate Hoey - voted with the Government.

During the debate yesterday, Ken Clarke signalled his support for the amendment, saying the key thing around a meaningful vote was its timing.

He said: 'The vote's got to take place before the British Government has committed itself to the terms of the treaty-like agreement that is entered into with the other members.

'Any other vote is not meaningful.'

Mr Clarke said it was 'quite obvious' that the Government was not going to be 'remotely near' a detailed agreement by March 2019.

He added: 'It's not a question, I may say, to my desperately paranoid eurosceptic friends, that somehow I am trying in some surreptitious Remainer way to put a spoke in the wheels of the vast progress of the United Kingdom towards the destination to which we are going.

'But they don't know what Leave means, because nobody discussed what Leave meant when we were having the referendum.'

Another rebel, Antoinette Sandbach, expressed fears that a vote on a Brexit deal motion outlined by the Government could be 'meaningless'.

Labour MPs bunched the air in jubilation and Remain MPs across the Commons cheered and applauded as the extraordinary vote was announced (pictured)

Justice Minister Dominic Raab urged the rebels to drop their amendment, adding: 'If we waited for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill not just to be introduced after the withdrawal agreement has been signed, but fully enacted, waiting for the full passage of that to happen we would not have the time deal with the volume of technical legislation that we need to put through under secondary legislation.

'There is no getting around the timing issue, we have got the long tail of technical regulatory secondary legislation we need to get through if we want to provide legal certainty that will make a smooth Brexit.'
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Late Wednesday night, Nicky J. Johns was brought back to Ocean Springs -- more than three months after investigators say he murdered another man in the parking lot of a local motel.

The 37-year-old Johns, of Columbia, Tenn., was extradited to Ocean Springs from Lafayette, La., where he was found hiding in a garbage can by U.S. Marshals following a vehicle chase along Interstate 10 near Lafayette two days after the Sept. 4 murder of another Columbia man, 37-year-old Christopher B. Rochelle, in the parking lot of the Travelodge Motel off U.S. 90 near the western end of Ocean Springs.

Marshals and other law enforcement agencies had been searching for Johns' Ford Taurus after a witness told gave investigators a description of the vehicle and identified Johns as the suspect. Once captured, he had remained jailed in Lafayette until he was extradited Wednesday.

Upon his arrival in Ocean Springs, Johns was served with a warrant charging him with murder. He is currently in the Ocean Springs Municipal Jail awaiting an initial court appearance.

The Ocean Springs Police Department were notified shortly before 4 p.m. on Sept. 4 of a dead body in the motel parking lot. Officers responding to the call found the body of a white male, face down in the parking lot with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.

At the same time investigators were examining the crime scene at the motel, Ocean Springs police were contacted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office with information on a possible witness inside a convenience store in the county. That witness provided investigators with the information on the car and identity of the suspect.

Video footage provided by police appeared to show the victim was in the driver's seat of the vehicle when a man, believed to be Johns, exited the passenger side, walked around to the driver's door, and pulled the driver -- who had apparently been shot while sitting in the car -- out of the car into the parking lot.

Johns has had multiple run-ins with the law in Tennessee over the last several years:
After a year in recovery, she is strong again and still determined to be a doctor

She was placed in a medical coma for a week and had to re-learn how to walk

In her first week, she was struck down with deadly meningococcal septicaemia

With an ATAR of 99.1, Lucy was bound for a medical degree at Sydney University

At the end of last year, Lucy Bindon was top of her class and had the world at her feet as she prepared to head to university to follow her dreams to become a doctor.

But in February 2017, she was struck down by a deadly disease just one week after starting her studies in medicine at the University of Sydney.

And if it wasn't for the fact that her cousin's flatmate was a doctor, she might not have survived beyond her 18th birthday.

Lucy Bindon (pictured in hospital) was struck down with a killer disease one week into university

If it wasn't for the fact that her cousin's flatmate was a doctor, Miss Bindon might not have survived beyond her 18th birthday.

After starting to feel ill on the first weekend into her six-year degree, Miss Bindon drove to her cousin's house for medical advice.

'When I started to go downhill further, she took me into St Vincent's but they just thought it was gastritis and said I was fine to go home,' Miss Bindon told Yahoo7 News.

But just to be on the safe side, she decided to spent the night in hospital - where she woke up in agony at 3am with a raging fever.

'I don't remember much after that,' the teen admitted.

The doctors gave her medication to manage the pain of what they thought were stomach cramps, but was actually meningococcal septicaemia attacking her immune system.

At 8am, a spreading rash alerted doctors to her real illness, and they were forced to put her in a medically-induced coma for a week.

After starting to feel ill on the first weekend into her six-year degree, Miss Bindon drove to her cousin's house for medical advice

The doctors gave her medication to manage the pain of what they thought were stomach cramps, but was actually meningococcal septicaemia attacking her immune system

But when she woke up, she was weak, disoriented, couldn't work and had no desire to ever set foot in an ICU again after having to spend another month recovering.

'Because I had been in a coma, I had lost about 80 per cent of my muscle,' she explained. 'I had to learn how to walk again...I never wanted to go back to a hospital again, I didn't want to go back to studying medicine.'

She was told that it would take a year for her to regain her full strength - but she was determined to do it faster, and returned to university to study electives.

Back to full strength and studying harder than ever, Miss Bindon flew to New Zealand recently to bungee jump 134m - and prove that she was well and truly fighting fit

But as she gradually returned to her lifestyle, her desire to be a doctor came back.

'I realised it has given me a lot of life experience, it's given me an insight into what it's like to be on the other end [as a patient],' she said.

Back to full strength and studying harder than ever, Miss Bindon flew to New Zealand recently to bungee jump 134m - and prove that she was well and truly fighting fit.
Amusing footage has emerged showing two brazen giraffes stealing food from a hotel dining room.

The brazen animals were filmed by Alex Timophy, from Moscow, as he headed down for breakfast at Kenya's Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.

The clip begins as the tourist spots the giraffes poking their head through open panes.

Two cheeky giraffes poke their heads through a dining room window at Giraffe Manor in Kenya

The animals move their heads around while scoping out some food at the hotel

As he makes his way into the dining room to find his seven-year-old daughter Amelia looking on as the lofty animals move their heads around to scout out some food.

Sat at her table, the youngster holds some pellets above her head, so the giraffe can snack before other guests give the long-tongued gannet some grub.

Mr Timophy said: 'It was Amelia's dream to visit Giraffe Manor and communicate and pet a real giraffe. She was so happy when she was there.

'She loves nature and it was a really great experience.

Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi.
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Members of the Royal Family shed tears for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire alongside their bereaved relatives at a poignant and emotional memorial service today.

Princes Charles, William and Harry were joined by the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge at St Paul's Cathedral for the service, with Kate clearly battling tears as tributes were made to those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Celebrities with links to the area were also among the 1,500 guests, including Adele, who had many friends in the Kensington community, who was seen openly weeping as she embraced others in the congregation.

She was joined by fellow singer Marcus Mumford and his actress wife Carey Mulligan, with both also seen crying as they struggled to keep their emotions under control.

After the service, the Royals were quick to engage with the families, providing comforting words and a friendly face for them to talk to and share their grief with.

It comes after Boris Johnson branded London Mayor Sadiq Khan's response to the tragedy 'spineless' after Tory councillors were blocked from attending today's service.

The Foreign Secretary launched a furious attack on the London Mayor who he said should share some of the blame over why many victims have still not been rehoused.

And he hit out at the decision to block Tory councillors in Kensington and Chelsea from attending even though Labour councillors were invited.

The blaze at the 24-storey tower in June killed 71 people and injured a further 70, while making hundreds homeless and is believed to have been started by a faulty fridge-freezer before spreading rapidly.

(From left) Prince Harry, Kate, Camilla, Prince William and Prince Charles all looked sombre as they attended a memorial service for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire at St Paul's Cathedral today

The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured sitting between her husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry, appeared to be welling up during the service

Kate, centre, was clearly affected by the emotion of the occasion, with the Royal Family praised for its response to the tragedy, while Prince Harry also made sure to raise people's spirits

Although some of the families said they had 'no trust' in the Government, they praised the Royals, including Kate, left and right, for their reaction and help since the disaster

Singer Adele, centre, who had friends in the community, was joined by Marcus Mumford, left, of band Mumford and sons and his actress wife Carey Mulligan, right, who have helped organise the charity response to the tragedy

Adele was visibly upset throughout the service and stopped to embrace members of the community as her emotional friends Mumford and Mulligan watched on in tears

Many of the guests broke down at the end of the service and were comforted by their families as the impact of the tragedy continues to affect their lives

Adele, pictured, even had to close her eyes to fight back the tears. The star previously visited the scene of the fire hours after the incident to comfort the families

Marcus Mumford, pictured with his wife Mulligan, was among those who took part in a charity football match for Grenfell

Adele, Mulligan and Mumford (pictured left to right) struggled to keep their emotions in check as they left the cathedral

The sad looks on the faces of Mumford, Adele and Mulligan, pictured, were matched by all those sitting around them

Meanwhile Theresa May was pictured arriving via a rear entrance but it is not known whether this was due to anger directed at her during the time of the incident and the subsequent banning of Tory councillors from the service

Prince Harry spent time after the service meeting families and told one widow he was 'incredibly sorry for her loss'

The Duchess of Cambridge, centre, attended a memorial service for the victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno at St Paul's Cathedral today where she comforted families of the victims

Kate also made sure to speak to members of the clergy after the service and enjoyed warm conversations with all involved

As families left the service they carried pictures of their loved ones and white roses as a tribute to those who died

A number of politicians did attend the service, including Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid.

Mrs May was spotted arriving via a rear entrance but it is not known whether this had anything to do with the public backlash she faced for a 'delayed reaction' over the tragedy in June or the banning of the local Tory politicians.

As the service ended, the Grenfell banner was held aloft and carried out of the cathedral, followed by survivors and bereaved holding white roses and photographs of their loved ones.

Maria Jafari, 38, and her family met Prince Harry at the end of the service.

Harry told her mother, Fatima Jafari, 78, that she must have been very proud of her daughter for speaking at the front, before congratulating her for taking part.

As Mrs Jafari began sobbing for her husband, who was 82 when he died, the prince asked an interpreter: 'Just tell her I am so incredibly sorry for her loss.'

Her daughter said: 'It's very, very hard. Still she (my mother) cries, every day, every second when we are talking about our father, all the memories come out again. It's six months and it's still very hard for us.'

Meanwhile the Bishop of Kensington told the community at the heart of the Grenfell Tower fire of his hope that the tower may one day become 'a symbol of the time we learnt a new and better way'.

The Right Reverend Graham Tomlin said six months on there were 'so many unresolved issues and questions', but he trusted that the truth would bring justice and heal the divides in society the tragedy had laid bare.

He told survivors and those who lost family members in the blaze that he hoped that Thursday's national memorial service would assure them that the nation had not forgotten them.

Kate, pictured, looked upset throughout the service and instantly made her way to talk to relatives once it had finished

Prince Charles, centre, was also seen speaking to bereaved relatives of victims as the Royal Family left the service

Prince William looks solemn as he greets people affected by the tragedy in West London six months ago

Armed police were on hand to provide security and spoke to some of the children to reassure them as they left

Theresa May wore a stoic expression as she sat next to Sajid Javid and Nick Hurd at the service at the cathedral

The memorial service in London focused on remembering the 71 victims of the June 14 tower block blaze

The royals leave St Paul's Cathedral following the service this morning, led by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall

Marcus Mumford and Adele, who both supported the relief effort after the fire, are pictured outside St Paul's Cathedral today

Mulligan placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of a mourner after the service as she chatted to families of victims

Adele, left, and the married celebrity couple, right, also carried white flowers after the service in tribute to the victims

Local MP Emma Dent Coad wore a green scarf to the ceremony, a colour which has come to symbolise the tragedy in North Kensington.

Earlier the Labour MP told the Press Association: 'It's a day of national mourning for something that happened in our neighbourhood and that means a lot to the survivors and the bereaved, the recognition that people from all walks of government are going to come down and grieve with them.

'That's hugely important and will mean a lot to people. I think emotions are still very raw - very, very raw - and it's as if it happened yesterday for a lot of people.'

Her Labour colleague from Kensington and Chelsea Council, Robert Atkinson, said it was right that local authority leaders avoided the ceremony.

Mr Atkinson represents the ward in which Grenfell Tower stands and publicly clashed with former council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown before his resignation.

He said: 'I think the council needs to stay in the council and do the things it should be doing. This event is for the community of North Kensington and the people of North Kensington.

'I'm here, in a humble capacity, as a representative of that community and I have to say that the Conservative group are not trusted by the people of North Kensington.'

He criticised the council for the speed at which survivors were being rehoused, with many still without a permanent home six months on.

Kate, William and Harry then left the cathedral with Kate appearing to be struggling to keep her hat on

The Duchess of Cambridge could be seen holding her pregnancy bump as she left St Paul's Cathedral this morning

The Royals (from left, Prince Harry, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles) rose with the congregation to bow their heads for a moments silence to pay respect to those who died

Politicians, royals and members of the public were all affected by the grief of the occasion at the memorial service

Bishop Tomlin told the congregation at St Paul's Cathedral: 'My hope, my prayer is that today we will pledge ourselves to change, from a city where we didn't listen, where we didn't hear the cries of our neighbours because we were too wrapped up in our own interests and prosperity, to create a new type of life together, where we are turned not inwards to ourselves, but outwards towards each other: a society known for listening, compassion and love.

'In years to come, our hope is that the name of Grenfell will not just be known as a symbol of sorrow, of grief or injustice, but a symbol of the time we learnt a new and better way, to listen and to love.'

Reflecting on the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Bishop said the response from all over London, the UK and beyond had been 'extraordinary', while the emergency services worked tirelessly.

He said he was struck by the variety of ethnicities, religions and ages that had turned out to help, calling it 'a moment we all lost our fear of each other'.

He said: 'It was a glimpse of what our society could be like, a place where we were for a brief moment more concerned about our neighbour's well-being than we were about our own.

'As we come to the end of this difficult year, as we celebrate Christmas, as we move into a new year, nothing can remove the memory of that night - nor do we want to forget those dearly loved people who were lost.

'And yet my hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future, a vision of a city where we lose our self-obsession and listen and learn from places and people that we wouldn't normally think of reaching out to.'

Harry, Kate, William, Camilla and Charles pictured sitting on the front row at St Paul's Cathedral for the service this morning. Bereaved families said it was 'wonderful' the Royals recognised the seriousness of the situation, with the Duchess of Cambridge appearing to blink back tears

Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princes Harry and William and the Duchess of Cambridge are attending a service for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire today, pictured

Many family members of the victims were seen weeping in their seats at the service, with some covering their faces as they struggled to cope with the emotions

Politicians including (from left) Emma Dent Coad, Liam Byrne, Diane Abbot, Jeremy Corbyn, Sadiq Khan, Nick Hurd, Sajid Javid and Theresa May were also among the invited guests

Clarrie Mendy, who lost two relatives in the fire and helped shape the service, called on Prime Minister Theresa May to agree to a decision-making panel to sit alongside the chairman of the public inquiry.

She said of the service: 'There were some powerful words, I'm very proud of the bishop for acknowledging the truth.

'I just hope, you know, the world was listening to this, I really hope there can be some changes in humanity for the world today. Very powerful words, I'd just like to see the action that's going to follow.'

She added: 'I strongly believe in faith, and let's hope this is the beginning of a bright new day for us all.'

Ms Mendy was one of those who met the Duke of Cambridge as the service drew to a close.

She said William had asked to be invited to the service, and that she had asked him if he would consider becoming a patron of her new group, Humanity 4 Grenfell.

She said: 'He's shown a lot of concern - I can see the compassion and the empathy he has. It's his borough and he feels it.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said after the service he wanted to change things for the 'understandably angry' residents.

He said: 'Out here, the questions still have to be answered - why, why have so many families not been rehoused?

'Why are so many still going through such stress of not knowing what the future holds? That came from all of those that delivered prayers and messages today, we have to ensure they have been rehoused.

'The inquiry has to come up with some very strong answers to some very tough questions about the building, the cladding and the performance of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.'

Ben Gabbitas, whose close friend and confidante Sheila died in the fire, hailed the royals' presence as a constant strand of support through the uncertainty of the past six months.

The 48-year-old said healing would take a long time and that 'the service and people's faith is an important part of what's getting them through'.

Mr Gabbitas said he had been immediately struck by the way the tragedy touched the nation, praising the 'almost immediate spontaneous, visceral response of people wishing to help'.

He said: 'Another unifying force was the presence of the sovereign, which seemed almost immediate again in terms of they hardly needed to be consulted.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attended the service and told grieiving families he wanted to 'change things' for them

The Labour leader, pictured embracing a relative of a victim, said there were still 'questions to answer' over the blaze

The Duchess, pictured left and right with Prince William, looked very emotional inside the cathedral this morning

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, left, also attended the service with the Princes and Kate Middleton, with families saying they were a welcome presence

One friend of a Grenfell victim said the Royals, (from left, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry) were a 'unifying force'

The Duchess of Cambridge, right, looked visibly sad as she climbed the steps to the cathedral alongside her husband and brother-in-law, who similarly bowed their heads respectfully

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall appeared to be touched by the emotion at the service as they spoke to members of the clergy

'I think the nation at that point appreciated her being present, and particularly William and Harry, and I think that was a unifying force of which there were no politicians who managed that.'

The royals' numerous visits to the community since the fire formed a thread which has led to their presence at the service, he said, adding: 'That is wonderful that there is recognition at that level, and as I said it was one of the only unifying forces and at these times I guess we are more thankful we have a royal family and its place within our society.'

A Green For Grenfell banner adorned with a heart was carried in as a hymn was sung at the start of the service, before the Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, welcomed the congregation.

He said: 'Among us are survivors of the fire in Grenfell Tower exactly six months ago; those who have lost members of their families, or their friends; those who live or work in North Kensington as neighbours and members of the local community; those who served others as frontline responders or volunteers, or who assisted with the immediate tasks of coping with the losses of lives, homes and livelihoods; and there are representatives of our national life, because this is a nation that grieves at the unspeakable tragedy, loss and hurt of that June day.

'The welcome also includes all of you watching on national television, among whom are those painfully affected who could not face such a public event, those who would have liked to be here in solidarity, those whose hearts go out to the many whose lives have been lost or changed for ever.

'In this service we come together as people of different faiths and none, as we remember before God those whose lives were lost, and pray for them to be at peace; as we are alongside brothers and sisters who have lost their homes and their community and those they love; as we commit ourselves to care for each other and to be united in the face of suffering and sorrow; as we seek each other's help and resolve to build on our hopes for a future in which the tragedy that struck the peoples of Grenfell Tower will never happen again.'

Survivors, bereaved families, the local community and first responders were joined by the royal family today

Prince William put his arm behind his pregnant wife Kate as they arrived at the cathedral for the service this morning

Prince William was seen putting a reassuring hand on the back of his pregnant wife (right) as they walked into the cathedral ahead of the 11am memorial, pausing to speak to the clergy, right

The Prince of Wales was joined by his sons Prince Harry and Prince William and his daughter-in-law Kate at the service today

Around 1,500 guests were invited to the ceremony, including families of the victims, first responders, members of the emergency services and others from the community

The Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Graham Tomlin, said he hoped the service would reassure those present that they were not forgotten by the nation, and that it would signify the start of a change.

He said: 'As we come to the end of this difficult year, as we celebrate Christmas, as we move into a new year, nothing can remove the memory of that night - nor do we want to forget those dearly loved people who were lost.

'And yet my hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future, a vision of a city where we lose our self-obsession and listen and learn from places and people that we wouldn't normally think of reaching out to.'

He added that he hoped the word 'Grenfell' would transform over time from a symbol of 'sorrow, grief or injustice' to 'a symbol of the time we learnt a new and better way - to listen and to love'.

Commemorating the dead, the Dean said: 'Let us remember, united in grief and hope and love', before the congregation held a minute's silence.'

An audio montage of voices from the Grenfell area was played to the congregation.

A male voice said of the fire: 'We were lost for words, we did not know what to do, how to react. I have never known anything like it in my life.'

Another said: 'The comfort is just being together, the comfort is just having each other.'

The Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools Girls' Choir then sang out the poignant words 'Never lose hope'.

The three royals are among more than 1,500 people thought to be attending the service at St Paul's Cathedral today

Kate arrives for the memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the six month anniversary of the tragic fire

The Duchess of Cornwall arrives for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral this morning

The service attended by (from left) Kate, Harry, William and Prince Charles provided families of those who died in the blaze an opportunity for 'words of healing and truth'

Kate did allow herself a moment to smile at her husband and brother-in-law as they spoke at the service today

The service provided families of those who died in the blaze an opportunity for 'words of healing and truth', a bereaved relative said.

Clarrie Mendy, whose cousin Mary Mendy and her daughter Khadija died in the fire, has been helping shape the multi-faith service, which will focus on remembering the 71 victims of the June 14 tower block blaze.

She said she had asked for the event to be held at St Paul's Cathedral, exactly six months after the fire, and that she hoped the names of the 53 adults and 18 children who died would be read out as a mark of respect and recognition.

Ms Mendy said: 'I think a lot of people are anticipating and looking forward to this service at St Paul's. I know there's a lot of expectations. I know there's a lot of diversity from your normal tradition.

'I just hope this service resonates with people, with the hunger people have spiritually.

'A lot of people, right now there's no trust in the Government, a lot of people have more faith and trust in their religion.'

She went on: 'I just hope it measures up to everybody's expectations and people will ... a lot of family will find healing from the messages, the sermons, and I hope it's soul-enriching.

'I hope there's words that will just echo and resonate, and say, 'yes, there is empathy, there is humanity, there is hope for the world', because I think this service is the platform that can really start to change humanity depending on the right words and - it's a church, people of god - how they convey the message to mankind.

'I hope I'm just not hoping for too much, but I am expecting a lot from this service, especially words of healing, and of truth.'

Bereaved families and survivors left the cathedral together in silence, holding white roses

Relatives of victims hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service

The crowd slowly moved forwards, many comforting each other as they went. Others held portraits of those who died

Some people held pictures of their loved ones who died in the blaze that ripped through the tower block in June

The occasion was too much to bear for some mourners, who held pictures of their loved ones and flowers as they wept

Mourners leave the service while holding pictures and wearing T-shirts to remember the victims of the fire

Clutching their flowers and photos, they paused for a moment, staring out at the bank of photographers and journalists

A banner tribute to the victims of the fire was carried into the multi-faith service as a tribute to those who lost their lives

After the emotional service this morning, mourners poured out on to the steps of St Paul's Cathedral

Mourners hold portraits of victims as they leave St Paul's Cathedral after attending the Grenfell Tower memorial service

Scenes outside St Paul's today following the service to remember those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire

People, including families of the victims and local residents, leave the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service

Survivors, bereaved families, the local community and first responders were joined by the royal family today

Council leader Elizabeth Campbell was not present at the service after some families said they would not want the council to attend in an official capacity.

She said it was only right to 'respect the wishes of those involved in the service', adding: 'I want them to know that we will be thinking of them.'

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Cressida Dick said the fire was a 'tragedy of such a scale it is almost unimaginable' and said today was a day when 'we should all reflect and remember what so many lost that terrible night'.

She added: 'My officers and staff are committed to doing everything in our power to support those so deeply affected and to carry out a thorough and effective investigation.'

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the judge leading the public inquiry into the blaze, was among those attending the ceremony, joined by lead counsel Richard Miller.

His probe has been beset by criticism in recent weeks as survivors and bereaved families called for a panel of experts from a diverse background to sit alongside him.

Members of the emergency services including firefighters who attended the blaze looked sombre as they arrived at the cathedral today

Many were in tears before the service even began, with the occasion marking the six month anniversary of the blaze

Families of victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno, pictured, have arrived at St Paul's Cathedral for a special memorial service today

Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn arrive for the Grenfell Tower memorial service in London today

Many firefighters on the scene spoke of the horrors they encountered and the lasting psychological effects

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, centre, was among those representing the Church of England at the service

Firefighters arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the blaze six months ago

The service at St Paul's Cathedral today to remember the Grenfell victims was attended by leaders of various faiths

Among the 1,500 guests was retired England footballer Les Ferdinand, right, who formerly played for Queen's Park Rangers, a professional football team close to the area

Remembering the 71: Mourners pay tribute to the high-rise victims who lost their lives six months ago

Half a year has passed since a small kitchen fire in west London became the biggest and most devastating blaze in modern British history.

Sparked by a faulty fridge on the lower floors of Grenfell Tower, flames raced through the rest of the 24-storey building in the early hours of June 14.

Some 71 people, including 18 children, died in the inferno, which prompted a giant criminal police investigation, painstaking recovery operation and several inquiries.

Police continue to investigate the blaze and a forensic examination is expected to continue until the spring. A formal inquiry has also been launched and evidential hearings are expected to begin in the first six months of 2018.

The inquiry's first strand will look into events on June 14. It is hoped this will be conducted speedily to help prevent similar fires at high-rise blocks.

In the second stage, the refurbishment of the tower will be put under the microscope, investigating how and why it came to be wrapped in flammable cladding and insulation.

It will also examine why residents' warnings were ignored and look at the response of Kensington and Chelsea Council and central Government after the fire.

Here are the names of each of the 71 victims who lived in the 24-storey west London block and which floor they lived on:

FLOOR 23

Amna Mahmud Idris - 27 - Discovered on the second highest floor of Grenfell Tower. She was formally identified on September 4, records show.

Gary Maunders - 57 - Found on the 23rd floor. He was formally identified on July 6.

Rania Ibrahim - 31 - Found with her children on the 23rd floor. She was identified on September 11.

Hania Hassan - Three - Discovered near her mother, Ms Ibrahim. She was identified on September 20.

Fethia Hassan - Four - Recovered with her family from the 23rd floor. She was identified on September 20.

Gloria Trevisan - 26 - Found on the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on June 23.

Marco Gottardi - 27 - Found on the same floor as his partner, Ms Trevisan. He was formally identified on July 6.

Fathia Ahmed - 71 - Found on the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on July 9.

Abufars Ibrahim - 39 - Died alongside his mother, Ms Ahmed. He was formally identified on June 17.

Isra Ibrahim - 33 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on September 20.

Raymond 'Moses' Bernard - 63 - Found in his flat on the 23rd floor. He was formally identified on August 26.

Mohamed Neda - 57 - Found outside the tower block, having died from injuries consistent with a fall. He was formally identified on June 23.

FLOOR 22

The blaze, pictured, broke out on June 14 and raged for more than a day, killing 71 people and injuring 70 more

Hesham Rahman - 57 - Found dead in the flat where he lived alone. He was formally identified on August 23.

Nadia Choucair - 33 - Recovered from the 22nd floor. She was formally identified on July 15.

Bassem Choukair - 40 - Recovered from the 22nd floor with his wife, Mrs Choucair, and their three daughters and grandmother. He was formally identified on July 17.

Mierna Choucair - 13 - Found on the 22nd floor with her family. She was formally identified on July 15.

Fatima Choucair - 11 - Discovered on the 22nd floor with her family. She was formally identified on August 1.

Zeinab Choucair - Three - Recovered from her family home on the 22nd floor. She was formally identified on September 20.

Sirria Choucair - 60 - Found among her dead family including grandchildren on the 22nd floor. She was formally identified on July 12.

Hashim Kedir - 44 - Recovered from his flat on the 22nd floor. He was formally identified on August 2.

Nura Jemal - 35 - Recovered from the flat she shared with Mr Kedir on the 22nd floor. She was formally identified on July 27.

Firdows Hashim - 12 - Recovered from her family home alongside parents Mr Kedir and Ms Jemal and two brothers. She was formally identified on August 2.

Yahya Hashim - 13 - Recovered alongside his family. He was formally identified on July 12.

Yaqub Hashim - Six - Recovered alongside his family from their 22nd floor flat. He was formally identified on September 20.

Mariem Elgwahry - 27 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on August 12. She had previously lived on the 19th floor with her mother.

Eslah Elgwahry - 64 - Recovered from the 23rd floor alongside her daughter Mariem. She was formally identified on July 25.

FLOOR 21

Logan Gomes - Stillborn in hospital after his parents escaped from the tower. Police formally recorded him as a victim of the fire.

Abdulaziz El-Wahabi - 52 - Recovered from his flat on the 21st floor, with his wife and three children. He was formally identified on July 7.

Faouzia El-Wahabi - 41 - Recovered from her home on the 21st floor with her husband, Mr El-Wahabi. She was formally identified on July 6.

Yasin El-Wahabi - 20 - Recovered from her family home on the 21st floor. She was formally identified on July 28.

Nur Huda El-Wahabi - 16 - Recovered from her family home on the 21st floor. She was formally identified on September 22.

Mehdi El-Wahabi - Eight - Recovered from his family home on the 21st floor. He was formally identified on September 12.

Ligaya Moore - 78 - Recovered from the 21st floor. She was formally identified on September 29.

FLOOR 20

Khadija Saye - 24 - Recovered from the ninth floor. She was formally identified on June 17.

Mary Mendy - 54 - Recovered from the 13th floor. She was formally identified on June 23.

Jessica Urbano Ramirez - 12 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on July 29.

Farah Hamdan - 31 - Recovered between the 19th and 20th floor holding her six-month-old baby. She was formally identified on June 20.

Omar Belkadi - 32 - He was formally identified on June 20.

Malak Belkadi - eight - Recovered from 20th floor. She was formally identified on June 23.

Leena Belkadi - six months - Recovered from her mother's arms between the 19th and 20th floors. She was formally identified on June 23.

Victoria King - 71 - Recovered from the 20th floor. She was formally identified on November 15.

Alexandra Atala - 40 - Recovered from the 20th floor. She was formally identified on November 15.

FLOOR 19

Mohamednur Tuccu - 44 - Recovered from close to the nearby leisure centre. He was formally identified on June 21.

Amal Ahmedin - 35 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on July 17.

Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin - three - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on September 20.

FLOOR 18

Berkti Haftom - 29 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on July 3.

Biruk Haftom - 12 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. He was formally identified on September 1.

Sakina Afrasehabi - 65 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on August 12.

Fatemah Afrasiabi - 59 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on August 12.

Isaac Paulos - five - Recovered from the 13th floor. He was formally identified on June 21.

FLOOR 17

Khadija Khalloufi - 52 - She was formally identified on June 17.

Vincent Chiejina - 60 - Recovered from the 17th floor. He was formally identified on July 3.

Kamru Miah - 79 - Recovered from the 17th floor. He was formally identified on July 13.

Rabeya Begum - 64 - Recovered from the 17th floor. She was formally identified on June 23.

Mohammed Hamid - 27 - Recovered from the 17th floor. He was formally identified on July 8.

Mohammed Hanif - 26 - Recovered from the 17th floor. He was formally identified on July 8.

Husna Begum - 22 - Recovered from the 17th floor. She was formally identified on June 23.

FLOOR 16

Joseph Daniels - 69 - Recovered from the 16th floor. He was formally identified on July 24.

Deborah Lamprell - 45 - She was formally identified on August 5.

Majorie Vital - 68 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. She was formally identified on July 6.

Ernie Vital - 50 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. He was formally identified on August 22.

Sheila Smith - 84 - Recovered from the 16th floor. She was formally identified on June 30.

FLOOR 15

Hamid Kani - 60 - Recovered from the 23rd floor. He was formally identified on July 8.

Steven Power - 63 - Recovered from the 15th floor. He was formally identified on July 6.

FLOOR 14

Mohammed Al-Haj Ali - 23 - Recovered from outside the tower block having fallen from the building. He was formally identified on June 16.

Dennis Murphy - 56 - Believed to have become trapped on the 14th floor. He was formally identified on August 26.

Zainab Deen - 32 - Recovered from the 14th floor. She was formally identified on July 7.

Jeremiah Deen - two - Recovered from the 14th floor. He was formally identified on July 29.

FLOOR 11

Abdeslam Sebbar - 77 - Recovered from the 11th floor. He was formally identified on June 25.

FLOOR 10
A woman whose husband cut off both her hands with an axe said the attack was triggered because he saw text messages she received from a male admirer.

Margarita Grachyova, 25, had her fingers crushed before her arms were severed at the wrists in a jealous rage by her spouse Dmitry, 26, a trained psychologist.

The horrific attack came after she had demanded a divorce following previous threats and violence - and the pair were living apart.

Doctors have sewn back one hand but it is still unclear if the Russian woman will regain use of it.

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Margarita Grachyova (left), 25, had her fingers crushed before her arms were severed at the wrists in a jealous rage by her spouse Dmitry (right), 26, a trained psychologist

The horrific attack came after she had demanded a divorce following previous threats and violence - and the pair were living apart. Pictured: Margarita enjoying a day at the beach before the gruesome attack

Asked in a court cage if he repented for this 'stupid thing', Dmitry said: 'Yes I do'. Before driving her to a forest where he attacked her, he messaged his mother and sister saying: 'Please excuse me. I can't live like this any longer, when I am cheated'

The other hand was so badly mangled in the barbaric medieval-style attack - during which she remained conscious - that it was impossible to save.

Doctors have sewn back one hand but it is still unclear if the Russian woman will regain use of it

'I filed for divorce,' said the distraught woman who had two children, aged three and four, with her violent husband.

'Then he saw my text exchange with a (male) colleague.'

It is believed he knew she had started dating a male colleague from work, and had followed her to the cinema.

She said he got 'jealous', adding: 'Sorry, it is very painful for me to recall all this now.'

Dmitry Grachyov has been remanded in custody until February, and faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

He immediately confessed to police that he attacked her with an axe after driving her to a forest after the pair had dropped their children at nursery school.

Asked in a court cage if he repented for this 'stupid thing' he said: 'Yes I do.'

He added: 'Stupid thing is a soft way to say it.'

Before driving her to a forest where he attacked her, he messaged his mother and sister saying: 'Please excuse me. I can't live like this any longer, when I am cheated.'

Dmitry Grachyov has been remanded in custody until February, and faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted

'I filed for divorce,' said the distraught woman who had two children, aged three and four, with her violent husband. 'Then he saw my text exchange with a (male) colleague'

It is believed he knew she had started dating a male colleague from work, and had followed her to the cinema. Pictured: The couple together before the brutal disfiguration

He crushed her fingers with the axe handle and cut her on the hip (pictured), say reports based on police sources

Earlier he had told work colleagues: 'You will soon hear about me.'

He crushed her fingers with the axe handle and cut her on the hip, say reports based on police sources.

The he axed off both her hands.

Next he drove her to hospital and handed himself into police.

Margarita's mother Inna Sheikina said: 'His jealousy was pathological.

'He was sure she was unfaithful.

'Once he even took her to be tested by a lie detector'.

Margarita agreed to this test because she wanted to prove to her husband that she was innocent.

He was convinced their younger child was not his.

The test result showed she had not betrayed him.

Before the attack, Margarita had told friends of their close relationship and said she wanted to stay with him and celebrate their wedding anniversary together. Pictured: Their wedding day

He had previously driven her to the forest in November and attacked her with a knife, demanding she give up the idea of divorce. Pictured: Margarita

Margarita said Dmitry had previously threatened to pour acid over her face. After this, Margarita and her mother demanded that he move out. Pictured: Margarita with her children

'All of us asked him to leave and he finally went to live with his mother,' said Inna. 'I spoke to him myself'

Margarita had called the police over her husband's behaviour several times before.

He had previously driven her to the forest in November and attacked her with a knife, demanding she give up the idea of divorce.

At the time he threatened to pour acid over her face.

After this, Margarita and her mother demanded that he move out.

He tailed his wife when she took their children to the cinema with her male friend from work, say reports. Pictured: Dmitry in court

'Their family pictures show what a happy family they were until recently,' said a friend. 'Then he attacks her like this in a jealous rage'

'All of us asked him to leave and he finally went to live with his mother,' said Inna. 'I spoke to him myself. '

He tailed his wife when she took their children to the cinema with her male friend from work, say reports.

After this, he initially 'promised to change his ways and wanted to get back together,' said one account.

'He helped her with the children, taking them to the kindergarten.

'He stopped threatening everybody and asked forgiveness for what he had done.'

Earlier Margarita had told friends of their close relationship and said she wanted to stay with him and celebrate their wedding anniversary together.

'Their family pictures show what a happy family they were until recently,' said a friend.

'Then he attacks her like this in a jealous rage.'

The macabre attack was near Panikovo village, near Serpukhov in Moscow region on 11 December.
This is the shocking moment a violent mass brawl broke out between women at a McDonald's in Michigan.

Mobile phone footage shows at least 10 women trading blows at the restaurant as other customers watch in horror.

During the 40-second clip, at least four women can be seen punching and kicking a woman in a red T-shirt.

Mobile phone footage shows at least 10 women trading blows at the restaurant as other customers watch in horror

Behind them in a separate confrontation, two women appear to be pulling each other's hair. They fall to the ground, where they continue to lash out at each other.

Meanwhile, a few customers appear to be trying to break up the brawl, but with no success.

It is not known what caused the fight, which reportedly occurred in Berrien, Michigan, or if anyone was arrested.

The footage was posted on LiveLeak this week and quickly went viral, racking up over 6,000 views.
These are the horrific acid burns deliberately inflicted on an Indian man so he could steal the identity of his lover's husband - who she had allegedly already murdered.

Swathy Reddy, 28, allegedly hatched the plan to kill husband Sudhakar, 32, so she could be with boyfriend Rajesh Ajjakolu, police claim.

Mrs Reddy allegedly killed her husband and then poured acid on Mr Ajjakolu before telling her husband's family that 'their son' had suffered a horrific accident and needed to be taken to hospital for facial reconstruction.

Attack: Rajesh Ajjakolu is seen with burns on his face, body and hands, after his lover Swathy Reddy, 28, allegedly poured acid on him so he could steal her dead husband's identity

Happier times: Swathy Reddy, 28, from Telangana, India allegedly killed husband Sudhakar, 32, (pictured together) so she could be with her boyfriend Rajesh

But after 11 days Sudhakar's mum and dad got suspicious when they noticed his 'mannerisms had changed' and informed the police.

The bizarre murder plot has echoes of the 1997 action movie Face/Off, starring John Travolta and Nicholas Cage, in which the pair undergo a medical procedure to swap faces.

In fact, local police say the couple took inspiration from the 2014 Indian film 'Yevadu' meaning 'who' where one of the characters has plastic surgery to assume the identity of another man.

Police officer DSP A Lakshminarayana told Gulf News that the husband had found out about his wife's affair a few days ago and that Swathi had become fearful of the fallout.

Police say the mother-of-two attacked Sudhakar, her husband of seven years, with a blunt object when he returned home on November 26.

Face swap: Murder victim Sudhakar Reddy, left, and his wife's lover Rajesh, right

Injured: Mrs Reddy tried to trick her dead husband's family that the man receiving treatment for acid burns was Mr Reddy

Rajesh arrived and after killing Sudhakar, the pair, who started an affair two years ago, took him in a rolled up mat to a nearby forest and burnt the body, police say.

Two days later, Swathi disfigured Rajesh's face and body with acid - apparently with his blessing, police say.

The bizarre murder plot has echoes of the 1997 action movie Face/Off, starring John Travolta and Nicholas Cage, in which the pair undergo a medical procedure to swap faces

She is then said to have told her husband's parents that their son had been injured by acid attackers.

Sudhakar's shocked family, believing their son was still alive, moved Rajesh to a hospital in Hyderabad and lodged a complaint to police about the apparent 'gang attack'.

But they soon became suspicious about the identity of the man they were caring for and police revised their investigation.

They are said to have raised the alarm after bringing mutton soup in to hospital - one of Sudhakar's favourites - only for the bogus patient to turn it down saying he was a vegetarian.

Officers took Rajesh's finger prints and compared them with details they held for for Sudhakar - and on receiving the results, immediately arrested Swathi.

She is then said to have admitted murdering her husband and they later recovered the body.

Rajesh has also been arrested and he will appear in court after leaving hospital.
An abused dog who was found tied up in freezing weather with his tongue cut out has died nearly a month after he was rescued in South Carolina.

Noah's Arks Rescue had been caring for Briggs, the pit bull and lab mix, since he was found in York, South Carolina, on November 19.

The sweet dog tragically died from sepsis on Tuesday night, according to the nonprofit group.

'Beautiful Briggs has crossed over The Rainbow Bridge. He got well enough to get out of the hospital and come to our Rehab Facility,' representatives from Noah's Arks wrote on Facebook.

Abused dog, Briggs (pictured) who was found tied up in freezing weather with his tongue cut out has died nearly a month after he was rescued in South Carolina

Noah's Arks Rescue had been caring for Briggs, the pit bull and lab mix, since he was found in York, South Carolina, on November 19. The sweet dog tragically died from sepsis on Tuesday night, according to the nonprofit group

Briggs had spent the last month in the organization's 24-hour intensive care unit. 'He was happy, and his weight was remaining the same. This morning [Tuesday], he did not feel well and threw up all of his food from the previous day,' the organization wrote

Briggs had spent the last month in the organization's 24-hour intensive care unit.

'He was happy, and his weight was remaining the same. This morning [Tuesday], he did not feel well and threw up all of his food from the previous day,' the organization wrote.

The group rushed Briggs to the hospital to get him stable before taking him to the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center.

'We did Life-Saving measures to get him stable, and when his body would not respond, I knew it was time to say good-bye to dear Briggs,' the group wrote.

The wounds in Briggs' mouth had become septic, which spread to his bloodstream.

'We were feeling so good about this beautiful boy. Sadly, his body was becoming septic from the infection he had in his mouth. His wounds had healed in his mouth, and he was finally approved for solid food.'

The wounds in Briggs' mouth (pictured) had become septic, which spread to his bloodstream. Noah's Arks said the antibiotic was helping his mouth but it wasn't strong enough to overcome the infection

His rescuers said that he was 'the most stoic wonderful dog that never let on when he felt bad'

When Noah's Arks found Briggs he suffered from horrific injuries all over his body

Noah's Arks said the antibiotic was helping his mouth but it wasn't strong enough to overcome the infection.

The group said Briggs was being fed through a tube, but had recently learned to eat meatballs. They had hopes that Briggs would make a full recovery.

'Each of us are devastated by the loss of Briggs. We never saw this coming and knew he would overcome this. Briggs knew how much we Loved him.

'He was the most stoic wonderful dog that never let on when he felt bad. The last three days he was loving his food and being out of the hospital. He got to walk with the other dogs and loved being outside.

An 18-year-old found the dog tied up without food or water on November 19. A York police report said Briggs was likely used for dogfighting.

'There will never be justice for what happened to this beautiful boy. All we can do is hope the people that did this are stopped and prosecuted, so no more dogs are abused or tortured,' Noah's Arks wrote on Facebook.

An 18-year-old found the dog tied up without food or water on November 19. A York police report said Briggs was likely used for dogfighting
A Conservative MP whose chief of staff is accused of raping a woman in his office has told a court he and his aide were 'like father and son'.

Samuel Armstrong, 24, is said to have abused his position to attack the young woman when she fell asleep after a night drinking in the Houses of Parliament.

The woman, in her 20s, said she felt 'like a hostage' as South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay's employee raped her twice, telling her: 'This is what you want.'

She was captured on CCTV running through the corridors of Parliament in tears in the early hours of October 14 last year.

Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay (left) told a trial that Samuel Armstrong (right), his chief of staff now accused of rape, was like a son to him

Armstrong, from Danbury in Essex, denies two counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration, claiming what happened took place with 'full consent'.

Giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, Mr Mackinlay said he was not in Parliament on the night Armstrong is alleged to have carried out the attack in his office on the ground floor of the Norman Shaw building.

The MP said he was not sure whether Armstrong 'hero-worshipped' him, but said they had a close relationship in which he would tease his young employee for working so hard he was denying himself a social life.

'Given the age difference I became like - it was almost like father and son, I suppose,' he said.

He told jurors they would go for a beer together or out for drinks and dinner with his wife Kati when they were working in his constituency office.

Armstrong, pictured with former prime minister David Cameron, denies raping the woman

The court heard that Mr Mackinlay's wife would tell Armstrong 'she was going to find one of her nieces to marry because he was too nice a young man to be single'.

Armstrong worked as a volunteer activist for the Conservative Party at university, before joining the MP's staff after he was elected in May 2015 - beating Ukip's Nigel Farage.

'He was recommended to me by various people within the party. I had known Sam through various work for the party for probably a year before,' Mr Mackinlay told jurors.

'When his university course came to an end - he finished his degree - I formalised that with a full-time position.'

Mr Mackinlay said Armstrong was appointed as his chief of staff in April last year.

The alleged rape is said to have happened in the Norman Shaw North building (pictured right)

He described Armstrong's role as 'mixed and varied', adding: 'Sam was very dedicated at it.'

He agreed with Armstrong's barrister, Sarah Forshaw QC, that her client was a hardworking, trustworthy employee who did not take a single day of holiday.

The trial continues.
The leader of Islamist militant Hezbollah has sworn to 'end' the U.S., calling for 'martyr' terror attacks in Jerusalem after Donald Trump's recognition of the city as the Israeli capital last week.

Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary General of the Lebanese militant group, made the impassioned televised speech to thousands of followers, inciting the crowd to chant 'Death to America'.

This was followed by a warning to Lebanonfrom Israel's Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, who said that if Hezbollah attacked Israel, the country would return the whole country 'back to the Stone Age'.

Threats: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, urged his followers to 'end' the U.S. and Israel and send 'martyrs' to Jerusalem in a speech where he declared 'Death to America'

In his speech this week, translated by the Washington D.C.-based Middle East Media Research Institute, Hezbollah leader Nasrallah appeared to urge followers to carry out terror attacks in Jerusalem.

'It is time that everybody knows that America is not the sponsor of peace in Palestine and the region,' he said in the televised speech

'America is the sponsor of terrorism, of occupation, of Judaization, of deportation, of burning, of destruction and of civil strife.

'America created ISIS and the takfiri [apostate] groups.

War: The Hezbollah leader appeared to urge followers to carry out terror attacks in Jerusalem

Terror leader: He He also called for 'millions of martyrs' to march on Jerusalem and said Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital spelled the 'beginning to the end'

He said the only position the Islamic nation can take regarding the United States is 'Death to America', which was followed by a crowd of hundreds brandishing Palestine flags repeatedly chanting the threatening words.

He urged followers to turn Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital into the 'beginning of the end' for the U.S.and Israel 'for all eternity'.

He also called for 'millions of martyrs' to march on Jerusalem, potentially inciting terror attacks.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a war in 2006 and often trade warnings. But in an interview on Wednesday, Intelligence Minister Katz warned that if the organisation resumed a military conflict 'all of Lebanon will be a target.'

'What happened in 2006 would be a picnic compared to what could happen...

'I say Lebanon will return to the stone age.'
This is the terrifying moment a huge snake slithered up a tractor driver's windscreen.

Karl Jarling was driving half a kilometre down a road in Gympie, Queensland, when something huge slid across his windscreen, blocking his view and giving him a fright.

'Next thing I know, this metre and a half snake has come out to say "G'day",' Mr Jarling told the Gympie Times on Thursday.

Mr Jarling was driving down the road when a 1.5m snake slithered onto his tractor's windshield

Mr Jarling believes the snake crawled into the tractor in the middle of the night and was then dislodged by the engine's vibrations.

He tried to nudge the snake off the windshield with his wipers, but had little luck.

'I pulled over and turned the wipers on full bore and used the washer fluid on him a couple of times,' he explained.

'But he took about five minutes to get the message.'

Karl was forced to use his windscreen wipers, soap and water to dislodge the huge reptile

Mr Jarling isn't a fan of snakes, but his wife and daughters thought the whole incident was rather amusing when he told them about it later.

He showed the pictures to officer-in-charge at Gympie ambulance station Wayne Sachs, who said he was '99 per cent sure' that it was a non-venomous green tree snake.

'I've had a few close calls with brown snakes before. It certainly took me by surprise,' he said. 'I'm glad I wasn't on the open-cab tractor.'
Ted Crockett, a spokesman for Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore , apparently just found out that lawmakers dont have to be sworn into office with a Christian Bible.

The lesson was delivered during a Tuesday interview with CNNs Jake Tapper.

When Tapper asked why Moore believed that Muslim Americans should be barred from Congress, Crockett said it was because the former judge thinks its unethical for Muslims to swear on the Bible. You have to swear on the Bible to be an elected official in the United States of America, Crockett claimed.

Then Tapper informed the campaign spokesman that elected officials can be sworn in on any text of their choosing. Crockett, a former county commissioner, was left speechless.

He froze for over seven seconds, which can feel like forever on live TV.

You dont actually have to swear on a Christian Bible, Tapper told Crockett. You can swear on anything, really.

Crockett pushed back: Oh no, I swore on the Bible. Ive done it three times, Jake.

Tapper replied by reminding Crockett that the Constitution does not require officials to use a Bible during their oath ceremonies: The law is not that you have to swear on a Christian Bible. That is not the law.

After the excruciating silence, Crockett attempted to redeem himself by pointing out that President Donald Trump was sworn into office with the Bible, but Tapper noted that was Trumps own choice  not the Constitutions.

And the CNN host is absolutely right.

Article VI, clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution says that state and federal officials in the legislative, executive and judicial branches are required to take an oath or make an affirmation that they will support the Constitution. But they are not required to identify with any religion, including Christianity:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

When Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), a Muslim, took office in 2007, for example, he exercised his constitutional right to religious freedom and took a ceremonial oath using a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson . Other lawmakers have taken their oaths on the Constitution itself.

After Crocketts interview aired, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), the first Hindu elected to Congress, pointed out which religious text she used to take her oath: the Bhagavad-Gita.

Founding fathers ensured religious freedom in bedrock of this country, Gabbard tweeted.
The High Court today ruled that a Home Office policy of deporting EU citizens sleeping rough is illegal.

Mrs Justice Lang ruled that the controversial policy, first introduced by the Government last year, was discriminator and breaks EU laws.

Two Polish men and a Latvian challenged the rules after they were threatened with removal from Britain when they were found on the street by police and immigration officers.

The judge ruled that being homeless was not itself a ground for deporting the men.

The Home Office said it was 'disappointed' but will not appeal the ruling.

The High Court today ruled that a Home Office policy of deporting EU citizens sleeping rough is illegal (pictured are Romanian immigrants sleeping rough in London in 2014)

Mrs Justice Lang said: 'There has been a significant increase in rough sleepers of all nationalities.

'The policy discriminated unlawfully against EEA nationals and rough sleepers.'

In a message to Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the judge urged her to 'take stock and re-consider the terms of the proposed revised policy, in the light of advice from her legal advisers'.

The Home Office reportedly told the court that rough sleeping had increased by 55 per cent across the UK and 91 per cent in London between 2010 and 2015.

It said European citizens were arriving 'intent on rough sleeping' in defiance of EU free movement rules.

Lawyers Deighton Pierce Glynn (DPG) intervened on behalf of the Aire Centre, which campaigns for rights under European law. The case was brought by the Public Interest Law Unit.

'The rounding up of EU rough sleepers who have not committed any offences and who then face being detained creates a climate of fear,' DPG told theIndependent.

'The Home Office's desire to create a 'hostile environment' for foreign nationals has been dealt a significant blow by this ruling.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We are disappointed by todays judgment. However, we respect the courts findings and will not be appealing.

'We will consider carefully what steps are necessary to ensure we reflect the judgment in future enforcement.'
A young boy who was injured in a hit-and-run accident was saved by another child after being ignored by passing adults in a Chinese city.

The boy was left struggling in the middle of a road after an electric tricycle ran him over and drove off.

The young saviour, seven-year-old Chen Jiuyi, carried the boy to safety before wiping blood off him using tissues. Other passersby, who were adults, looked on.

A boy is knocked down and run over by an electric tricycle on a road in Yulin, southern China

He is injured by the traffic accident and fails to get up while the driver just looks at him

Speaking to a reporter from Guangxi Television Station, Chen, a first-grade pupil, said: 'Teacher has taught us. When the others are in trouble, [we] should help them.'

The accident occurred on December 2 in Yulin, southern China's Guangxi Province.

CCTV footage released by Guangxi Television Station shows the victim, wearing a green top, running across a road by himself before being knocked down by an electric tricycle.

The injured boy tried to get up, but couldn't. The driver of the electric tricycle, said to be a woman, saw him struggling but chose to drive off.

As the injured boy crawled in the middle of the road, Chen Jiuyi, wearing a red top, dashed towards him to help him get up.

After struggling in the middle of the road, the injured boy is saved by another child (in red)

The young saviour, who is seven years old, helps the injured boy get up while adults look on

At least four adults were around at the time, but none of them helped the young pair. Two of them, who were on scooters, drove around the pair as Chen helped the injured boy to his feet.

Chen could be seen using all his strength to carry the boy onto the pavement. It's reported that he also looked for tissues so he could wipe blood off the boy's mouth.

The parents of the injured boy later arrived and took him to the hospital.

He is said to sustain a bone fracture on the right leg, tears to the skin around the mouth and injuries in the mouth.

Chen said: 'Teacher has taught us. When the others are in trouble, [we] should help them'

The brave boy uses all his strength to carry the injured boy to the pavement in Yulin city

A woman and her child saw the seven-year-old carrying the injured boy to safety

Chen's grandmother, Liu Haiying, told Chinese news website The Paper that she took Chen to a public square to play that day. She said the child was playing with two or three new friends, while she was chatting with her friends nearby.

She said she didn't notice her grandson had saved someone until the traffic policemen told her.

Chen's school, the Number Six Primary School of Bobai Town, gave the seven-year-old a 'Little Heroic Saviour' award to praise his behaviour.

The driver of the electric tricycle has turned herself in after the video became viral. She reportedly told the police that she suffered from dizziness at the time of the accident and 'had no idea' how it happened.

The police said the driver bears full responsibility of the accident and should pay for all medical bills for the injured boy.
A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a waitress was pushed under a train in Romania.

Alina Ciucu, 25, was killed after she was crushed under the carriages of the metro at the Dristor 1 subway station in Bucharest on Tuesday night.

Passengers initially believed the young woman had committed suicide but, after reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, police determined that she had been pushed.

The victim is pushed from behind with great force at the subway station in Bucharest

Authorities released images of the suspect and a woman was arrested overnight.

The suspect told officers she did not have a home and often slept in Bucharest's Gara de Nord station overnight.

Footage of the horrific crime shows Ms Ciucu being shoved from behind with great force by her attacker.

The victim falls on to the tracks as the other woman, who is dressed in black, kicks at her hands to stop her climbing back on to the platform before the train enters the station.

The victim attempts to climb back on to the platform as her attacker kicks at her hands. She was not able to escape before the train entered the station

It is alleged the suspect had tried to attack another woman at a different subway station earlier that day but had been fought off.

Police said the woman who had been arrested admitted that she was the person in the CCTV images.

Neither victim was known to the suspect and officers believe she may be mentally ill.
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The fire and fury of World War Two has been brought to life in a series of colourised pictures revealing the heroics of Allied forces.

Dramatic images show an 8th Air Force B-17 warplane on a bombing raid over Marienburg in Germany in 1943 and B-25s flying past Mount Vesuvius in Italy as lava and ash spewed from the volcano.

The eruption killed 57 as it destroyed the village of San Sebastiano and San Giorg in March 1944 while Allied forces were battling for supremacy in the skies.

Pictures painstakingly colourised by an expert, also show American soldiers on the beaches of Normandy after landing in France.

Fire and fury: B-25s are pictured flying past Mount Vesuvius in Italy as lava and ash spews from the top of the volcano. The eruption killed 57 as it destroyed the village of San Sebastiano and San Giorg in March 1944 while Allied forces were battling for supremacy in the skies

Dramatic images show an 8th Air Force B-17 warplane flying over Marienburg in Germany in 1943 with a massive explosion on the ground below. The images were brought to life by the photograph retoucher Mario Unger, 53, from Rotenturm, Austria

Pictures painstakingly colourised by an artist, also show American soldiers in armoured vehicles advancing up the beaches of Normandy after landing in France on D-Day. After successfully landing thousands of troops on the beaches of France on D-Day (June 6, 1944) the Allies' next task was to secure a port to allow them to transfer goods into mainland Europe from across the world

Spectacular shots also show SS-Grenadiers taking a break in Hungary in 1945

The war-time photographs were painstakingly restored and colourised by photograph retoucher Mario Unger, 53, from Rotenturm, Austria.

Separate footage and pictures shows Allied troops liberating a French city shortly after landing on mainland Europe on D-Day.

Video shows American forces bringing equipment and artillery ashore at Utah beach following the successful D-Day landing of Allied troops on the beaches there.

Utah beach was a deep-water port at the tip of the Cotentin peninsula, and was seen as essential to hold if the Americans were to bring supplies directly from North America onto mainland Europe.

Bombing raid: Bristol Beaufighter warplanes from the No. 227 Squadron RAF are pictured swooping down to attack a German ship in the Aegean Sea near the island of Kos on October 3, 1943. It was captured during the Dodecanese campaign, an attempt by Allied forces to seize the Italian-held islands in the Aegean Sea

Colourised film shows between 16,000 and 18,000 German prisoners being escorted towards the beach in Normandy, France after the successful Allied capture of the nearby city of Cherbourg. Allied command launched an offensive on the city on June 22, 1944 and, despite initially encountering some stiff opposition, by June 29 the Germans had surrendered and the German commanders had been captured

Nazi SS-Grenadiers taking a break in Hungary on January 5 1945 in another image painstakingly restored and colourised by photograph retoucher Mario Unger, 53, from Rotenturm, Austria

Further footage from the film shows between 16,000 and 18,000 German prisoners being escorted towards the beach after the successful Allied capture of the nearby city of Cherbourg, while other clips see American soldiers throwing darts at a portrait of Adolf Hitler.

After successfully landing thousands of troops on the beaches of France on D-Day (June 6, 1944) the Allies' next task was to secure a port to allow them to transfer goods into mainland Europe from across the world.

This port belonged to the city of Cherbourg, which was occupied by upwards of 20,000 German soldiers.

Over the following month the American forces slowly progressed across the Cotentin peninsula toward Cherbourg, facing little resistance as they advanced.

By June 18 they had essentially isolated the city there from any potential reinforcements and, while several German soldiers attempted to put up a fight, resistance proved futile.

Allied troops unload supplies from Utah beach in Normandy, France. Over the following month the American forces slowly progressed across the Cotentin peninsula toward Cherbourg, facing little resistance as they advanced. By June 18 they had essentially isolated the city there from any potential reinforcements and, while several German soldiers attempted to put up a fight, resistance proved futile

With Cherbourg in site in the summer of 1944, two soldiers stop for a rest and look out over the city. Allied command launched an offensive on the city on June 22 and, despite initially encountering some stiff opposition, by June 29 the Germans had surrendered and the German commanders had been captured

American troops are pictured using a portrait of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler as a darts board in another clip from the colourised video

The Mayor of Cherbourg with an American commander at a special event to mark the city's liberation. despite their defeat, several German prisoners remained stubborn in defeat, confidently telling their captors that they would be 'pushed back into the channel' within a week. In reality the allied advance would continue all the way into Berlin a little over a year later

Allied command launched an offensive on the city on June 22 and, despite initially encountering some stiff opposition, by June 29 the Germans had surrendered and the German commanders had been captured.

But, despite their defeat, several German prisoners remained stubborn in defeat, confidently telling their captors that they would be 'pushed back into the channel' within a week. In reality the allied advance would continue all the way into Berlin a little over a year later.

French citizens slowly began to return to Cherbourg shortly after it was liberated by the Allies, and a ceremony held by the Mayor of Cherbourg shortly after the city's liberation can also be seen in the film.

The entire area was left devastated by the Germans' occupation, though, and it took until mid-August for the Allies to begin using the port on a limited basis. However, the capture of the city did signal a comprehensive victory for the allied forces.

Adoring crowds of French citizens gathered round to thank their Allied liberators after they retook the city from Nazi forces

The French flag was raised once again over the northern French city of Cherbourg after the eviction of the Nazis following a huge push by Allied troops

Citizens of Cherbourg show their gratitude at being liberated from Nazi rule. The entire area was left devastated by the Germans' occupation, though, and it took until mid-August for the Allies to begin using the port on a limited basis. However, the capture of the city did signal a comprehensive victory for the allied forces

In other pictures the USS Mississippi launching at Newport News, Virginia in 1917 and Russian soldiers from as early as 1916.

Other striking colourised pictures show Tsar Nicholas II of Russia who was the last emperor of the country ruling from 1 November 1894 until his forced abdication on 15 March 1917.

His reign saw the fall of the Russian Empire from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to economic and military collapse.

Due to the Khodynka Tragedy, anti-Semitic pogroms, Bloody Sunday, the violent suppression of the 1905 Revolution, the execution of political opponents and his perceived responsibility for the Russo-Japanese War, he was given the nickname Nicholas the Bloody by his political adversaries.

Soviet historiography portrayed Nicholas as a weak and incompetent leader, whose decisions led to military defeats and the deaths of millions of his subjects.
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Prince Harry comforted the bereaved relatives of the Grenfell Tower fire victims at a memorial service today.

The 33-year-old royal joined Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall at St Paul's Cathedral in London today for the multi-faith event.

He made sure to talk to the emotional families of the victims as the service ended, including Maria Jafari, 38, who lost her father Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, in the blaze.

Scroll down for video

Prince Harry speaks to those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire following the memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral today

The 33-year-old royal made sure to talk to the emotional families of the victims as the service ended in London today

Harry speaks to those who attended the service in London today while an interpreter helps translate for some people

Harry spoke to those who had lost loved ones in the blaze which ripped through the West London tower block in June

Mrs Jafari read a poem by 13th century Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi and the Prince congratulated her for taking part. He also spoke to her mother Fatima and comforted her over the loss of her husband.

As she began sobbing for her lost love, the prince asked an interpreter: 'Just tell her I am so incredibly sorry for her loss.'

Mr Jafari, who had a heart condition, was pulled from the building by firefighters but died at the scene. Ms Jafari said when she was reading the poem she felt as though she was about to cry.

She said: 'It's very, very hard. Still she (my mother) cries, every day, every second when we are talking about our father, all the memories come out again. It's six months and it's still very hard for us.

'I wish nobody could have this in the whole life, in the whole world, I wish nobody would have to go through all these things.'

Friends and relatives of the victims of the Grenfell fire stand outside St Paul's Cathedral with photos of the deceased

Clutching their flowers and photos, the crowd slowly moved forwards, many comforting each other as they went

A mourner holds a photo collection to remember those who died in the shocking fire in West London six months ago

Prince William was pictured shortly after the disaster in June embracing Fatima Jafari as he ditched royal protocol to comfort her during a visit to an emergency shelter.

As the St Paul's Cathedral choir sang, local schoolchildren scattered small hand-made green hearts, carried in brown wicker baskets, across the front of the Dome dais.

The Ebony Steel Band, frequent performers at the Notting Hill Carnival, played a verse of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

As the service ended, the Grenfell banner was held aloft and carried out of the cathedral, followed by survivors and bereaved holding white roses and photographs of their loved ones.

Afterwards, mourners poured out on to the steps of St Paul's behind the Grenfell banner, which fluttered in the icy breeze.

Afterwards, mourners poured out on to the steps of St Paul's as they held photos of the victims aloft

The crowd paused outside for a moment, staring out at the bank of photographers and journalists stationed opposite

Survivors, bereaved families, the local community and first responders were joined by members of the royal family today

Maria Jafari (left), who lost her elderly father Ali Yawar Jafari (right) in the fire, read a poem by a 13th century Persian poet

Clutching their flowers and photos, they paused for a moment, staring out at the bank of photographers and journalists stationed opposite. The crowd then slowly moved forwards, many comforting each other as they went.

The royal family showed solidarity with families whose relatives died in the Grenfell Tower fire by attending the national memorial service along with the local community and first responders.

Prime Minister Theresa May, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were among the politicians accompanying more than 1,500 guests for the 11am service.

The memorial focused on remembering the 71 victims of the June 14 tower block blaze, and providing those affected with messages of support, strength and hope for the future.
This is the dramatic moment a car driver who thinks he has been given right of way turns right and gets hit by a bus.

The footage, filmed on a dashcam in Kingston upon Thames, London, has sparked a fierce debate about who was at fault in the crash.

The person in the car, the bus driver and the HGV operator who shot the footage have all come in for criticism on social media.

The video, taken from an oncoming lorry, shows a dark-coloured Mazda stopping in the opposite lane and then trying to make a right turn.

But as the Mazda driver attempted the manoeuvre he was given a glancing blow by a red double-decker bus coming down the opposite lane.

HGV driver Nick Elliott says he made a hand gesture to the Mazda motorist to tell him to stop, but that this was misinterpreted as it being safe to turn.

Mr Elliott posted the video on Facebook, saying: 'Car driver tried blaming me saying I waved him across when actually I put a hand up to tell him to wait.'

While the car driver says he was misled by the lorry, the bus driver has said he did not have time to react when the Mazda drove in front of him.

The video taken from a lorry shows a dark-coloured Mazda stopping in the opposite lane and then trying to make a right turn

As the Mazda driver attempted the manoeuvre he was given a glancing blow by a red double-decker bus coming down the opposite lane

The clip, posted by the HGV driver, has prompted heated discussion on Facebook about who should have acted differently, and how, in order to prevent the crash

The clip has prompted heated discussion on social media about who should have acted differently, and how, to prevent the crash.

One Facebook user called Eric said: 'Car to blame, you just don't pull across without checking. Bus could have been driving a little bit slower I believe. He stopped way before bus hit him.'

Debbie Webster commented: 'That has to be the car's fault, car has turned into the path of the bus, it's the bus's right of way, you don't pull out into oncoming traffic.'

John Smith blamed the bus driver, saying: 'Looks like he had lots of time to react to that car stopped in front of him.'

A user called Tammy Lou questioned Mr Elliott's actions, saying: 'I doubt your claim that you signalled him to stop tbh as if that were me you'd have heard me say "no stop" or something similar when he clearly thanked you for letting him go. You were silently oblivious until the actual collision.'
A man in east China died after being trapped by the neck between a pop-up TV and the roof of his new illegally modified Mercedes.

Mr Zhou, who was reportedly drunk, had been sitting on the back row while a hired chauffeur drove him and his friends home.

As he leaned forward, he accidentally pushed the button of the pop-up TV, which separates the driver's seats from the rear seats, causing the screen to rise and hit him in the neck.

Mr Zhou suffocated when he put his head through a television frame while sitting at the back

Mr Zhou was soon pinned to the roof of the six-seat car, but none of his friends knew how to retract the TV screen.

It's reported that the Mercedes had been illegally modified by an independent retailer without reference to Mercedes-Benz.

The accident occurred in 2016, but the cause of his death was only confirmed by the court and revealed last week.

A television popped up suddenly, leaving Mr Zhou's neck stuck between the screen and roof

The People's Court at the Huqiu district of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, announced the automotive retailer, which sold the car to Mr Zhou, held 70 per cent of the responsibility to Mr Zhou's death, according to a report by Jiangsu Television Broadcaster.

Mr Zhou had only been driving the car for two months before the accident took place. It's said he had not familiarised himself with the car's operating system.

It's reported that the chauffeur had to find a technician to lower the television screen before driving him to the hospital.

By the time they reached the hospital, Mr Zhou had died of suffocation.

His family claimed the car had been largely modified by the automotive dealer before being sold to Mr Zhou, and the modification included the pop-up television behind the front seats.

The automotive dealer is believed to be an independent retailer and not affiliated to Mercedes-Benz.

Local People's Court confirmed that the car had been illegally modified with potential danger

Mr Zhou's family sued the retailer and sought for compensation for the matter.

The retailer argued that drinking was the direct cause of Mr Zhou's death.

Prosecutor Li Panpan told Jiangsu Television Broadcaster an evaluation report confirmed that the additional television device was illegally installed.

The control button of the television was found to be installed at the back seat of the car only.

'It had violated the national standard. There were potential danger with this installation,' said Prosecutor Li.

The court has ruled that the retail company should take up 70 per cent of the responsibility and pay a compensation of 650,000 yuan (73,248) to Mr Zhou's family.
The boss of British shoe repair giant Timpson has slammed a rail provider after staff refused to let his 15-year-old daughter board a train because she is 'not a child'.

James Timpson, the firm's chief executive, said his teenage daughter Niamh was left stranded at London Euston when an inspector refused to let her through a barrier.

The businessman angrily tweeted a photo of the schoolgirl's ticket, on which a Virgin Trains guard had scribbled 'not a child' as he believed her to be older than 15.

Calling the company a 'disgrace', Mr Timpson lambasted the guard for leaving a young girl stranded 180 miles from her home in Manley, Cheshire.

The businessman angrily tweeted a photo of the schoolgirl's ticket, on which a Virgin Trains guard had scribbled 'not a child' as he believed her to be older than 15

James Timpson (pictured), the firm's chief executive, said his teenage daughter Niamh was left stranded at London Euston when an inspector refused to let her through a barrier

A relieved Mr Timpson, 46, added: 'Good news. Just picking Niamh up from Crewe station#

He wrote: 'Virgin Rail at Euston. Why do you stop a 15-year-old girl at the barriers [who has a valid ticket] from traveling home.

'You say she has no ID to prove how old she is. It's 7pm and she is alone now at the station. When did you have to prove how young you are? You are a disgrace.'

The tweet prompted hundreds of responses from social media users, with staff eventually allowing Niamh onto the train with her 41.95 ticket.

A relieved Mr Timpson, 46, added: 'Good news. Just picking Niamh up from Crewe station.

'Not a good experience at all of the Virgin Rail ticket inspectors at Euston. Be a kind and caring company please.'

The company responded to Mr Timpson's complaint by stressing that children who 'look' 16 or older should carry identification.

Many social media users came out in strong support of Mr Timpson's remarks on Twitter and condemn Virgin for suggesting children should carry forms of ID

The train ticketing rules for children National Rail specifies that children between the ages of 5 and 15 are required to buy a ticket to travel. In most cases, these tickets are charged at about 50 per cent of the full price of an adult. The vast majority of providers specify that children under 5 are permitted to travel for free, as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Furthermore, those children who are travelling for free with an adult 'may only occupy a seat which is not required by a fare-paying passenger'. Children travelling alone who are close to the age of 15 or 'look older' than 16 are warned that it 'may be appropriate for proof of age to be carried'. It specifies that such youngsters should carry proof of age with them when both purchasing and travelling to 'avoid embarrassment'. Calling Virgin a 'disgrace', Mr Timpson lambasted the guard at Euston (pictured) for leaving a young girl stranded 180 miles from her home in Manley, Cheshire Advertisement

A spokeswoman for Virgin Trains said: 'Customers under the age of 16 are eligible for a 50 per cent discount on fares and we do recommend that if a child looks older then it may be appropriate for proof of age to be carried when travelling.

'We're sorry for the experience of Mr Timpson and his daughter and we are in touch with them so we can look into this properly and offer a gesture of goodwill.'

Mr Timpson later revealed that he has written to the CEO of Virgin Trains, Tony Collins, asking to meet and discuss child safety.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Thanks to everyone in Twitterland for their support during our daughters nightmare with Virgin Rail.

'I have written to the CEO requesting a meeting to discuss their Child Safeguarding policies and how under 16s are treated. Kindness is not a sign of weakness.'

Timpson, currently owned by James' father John Timpson, was founded in 1865 by William Timpson and his brother in law Walter Joyce in Manchester.

Mr Timpson later revealed that he has written to the CEO of Virgin Trains, Tony Collins, asking to meet and discuss child safety.

James Timpson is appointed OBE by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace (left). The millionaire serves as chief executive of the family firm Timpson

James Timpson lives with his wife Roisin (pictured) and their three children Bede, Patrick and Niamh in Manley, Cheshire

The company is still based in Wythenshawe, Manchester and currently has over 1,325 outlets across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In January 2014, Timpson purchased the photographic services franchise Snappy Snaps, increasing its store count by 118.

John Timpson and his late wife Alex fostered 90 children and had five children of their own, of which two were adopted.

Many social media users came out in strong support of Mr Timpson's remarks on Twitter and condemn Virgin for suggesting children should carry forms of ID.

Among them was Victoria Dawson, who wrote: 'When you're fifteen you don't have ID.

'If you are lucky enough to have a passport there's no way your mum will let you carry it about in case you lose it.'

Another user added: 'Ill be honest, Im 53, and I have nothing to prove who I am or how old I am. I have my bank card, and thats it.

'I doubt if my 15 year old has anything on him to prove how old HE is. Just a ridiculous state of affairs. Are we heading towards the US standard of ID cards now?'
Two men have been arrested in California in connection with the death of a man whose decomposed body was found inside a 55-gallon oil barrel floating in San Diego Bay in October.

Timothy John Cook, 52, of Chula Vista, and Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon, 38, of El Cajon, were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murdering 28-year-old Omar Medina.

Medina's body was found in an oil drum weighed down with cinder blocks near the Chula Vista marina on October 12, nearly two weeks after he was reported missing.

Timothy John Cook, 52, and Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon, 38, were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murdering 28-year-old Omar Medina (pictured). Medina's body was found in an oil drum weighed down with cinder blocks in the San Deigo Bay in October

Police have not released information about what led to the arrests of Cook and Spurgeon other than saying that search warrants were issued at two residents in El Cajon and Chula Vista.

Music producer Medina's family had been looking for him for 13 days when his body was found in the San Diego Bay.

He was last seen on September 30, and his car was found on October 1 in Chula Vista, according to the San Diego Tribune.

After the barrel was spotted on October 12, a diver alerted authorities who smelled the odor of decomposition and put on hazardous material suits to open it.

There was no rust on the barrel when it was removed from the bay, suggesting that it was only there for a few days before being discovered.

Medina's decomposed body was found inside a 55-gallon oil barrel floating in San Diego Bay on October 12

After the barrel was spotted on October 12, a diver alerted authorities who smelled the odor of decomposition and put on hazardous material suits to open it. Pictured above, the search for the barrel

Medina's body was so badly decomposed that it wasn't identified until six weeks later, in late November.

Police have not released information on Medina's cause of death or why he was killed.

The victim's sister called Medina a 'very special man' at a press conference after the arrests.

'He would tell me that we are a very special family because there was no hate in our hearts. I apply this today,' she said, according to NBC San Diego.

An investigation into the case is ongoing, and anyone with information has been asked to call the Chula Vista Police Department at (619)422-TIPS.
Britain must 'take back control' of its share of art and wine locked away in the European Union's vaults when it leaves the bloc, a leading Brexiteer claimed today.

Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh said the EU is thought to have a wine cellar stocked with more than 42,000 bottles, and has artwork worth more than 13 million.

The former minister demanded the Government to 'promise' to not leave the goods behind for European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker to enjoy.

Tory Sir Edward Leigh (left) demanded Brexit Minister Robin Walker (right) get back Britain's share of a vast wine and art collection from Brussels

Sir Edward urged the Government to 'promise' to not leave the goods for European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker (file image) to enjoy

During Brexit questions in the Commons, Sir Edward said: 'The European Union is estimated to have a wine cellar of over 42,000 bottles and artwork worth more than 13 million - someone might say metaphorically looted from the capitals of Europe.

The EU is thought to have a wine cellar stocked with more than 42,000 bottles, and has artwork worth more than 13 million (file image)

'After we leave the party, will the minister promise to take back control of our fair share of this art and wine and not leave it to Mr Juncker to enjoy?'

Brexit Minister Robin Walker replied: '(Sir Edward) raises a very interesting question - the legal basis of those assets and liabilities has been analysed in detail and accounted for in the overall settlement.

'The scope of the settlement is laid out in the joint report.'

Working out Britain's liabilities and assets was crucial to calculating the divorce bill faced by the taxpayer for delivering the referendum.

The final tally is set to be up to 39billion - reduced from the more extreme demands from the EU Commission after British officials scrutinised the bill line by line.

Brexiteers insisted Britain has many assets inside the European Union which should be offset against outstanding liabilities.

Sir Edward's demand comes after rebel Tory MPs inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the Government over a meaningful vote on the exit deal.
The FCC is on the verge of a closely watched decision on net neutrality, and James Harris, an English teacher in Alaska, is feeling more than a little fear and uncertainty.

Harris has heard many concerns about online consumers losing access to content if the Federal Communications Commission goes through with its proposed policy shift, and he shares those worries.

He believes the risks are especially great in the sprawling, 9,000-student Kenai Peninsula Borough school district where he works. The district covers a land area roughly the size of West Virginia and digital resources are critical for delivering content to schools and students across its far-flung communities.

The FCC is scheduled to vote on the policy Dec. 14.

We have issues with equity in Alaska, period. One of the solutions weve used is the internet, said Harris, the states 2017 teacher of the year, in an interview. Its really provided us with a means to reach those students and provide them with things they normally wouldnt have.

Harris was one of many educators who submitted public comments to the FCC on the net neutrality issue, a small subset of a massive wave of opinion turned in to the agency in the run-up to Thursdays vote.

Like many in the K-12 community and beyond, Harris views of the impact of the proposed policy are largely speculative: He isnt sure how the flow of online information would change, but he is worried that the shift would affect his district and his students.

Backers of the FCC proposal say fears about consumers and K-12 districts being harmed by the plan are off-base. They predict that web users will actually benefit from the policy change.

The proposal by Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai would reverse a two-year old order by the agencys then-Democratic majority that was designed to protect net neutrality. That order subjected internet service providers to regulation through Title II of the Communications Act and section 706 of the Telecommunications Act, forbidding them from blocking or throttling content, and from engaging in paid prioritization, or assigning content to fast lanes based on monetary arrangements.

Pai says the 2015 order amounted to federal overreach that discourages internet service providers from making investments and bringing innovations that would benefit online consumers.

His proposal would require that internet service providers be transparent about their practices, and it charges the FCC and another agency, the Federal Trade Commission, to make sure companies are being forthright with customers . Fears that providers would mislead or take steps to antagonize online consumers are not realistic, the chairman says.

The internet has thrived under a light-touch approach [to regulation] for two decades, FCC officials argued in a recent e-mail to Education Week.

There is little or no evidence that providers do anything but provide their customers with access to all legal content: Its good business and what consumers, including schools, want.

A Real Hardship

Harris is not mollified by those assurances. He believes internet service providers will seek to find ways to assign content to fast-and-slow lanes in ways that could harm schools.

Big internet providers are in the business of making money, Harris said. When companies that work in the education space are not held in check--he pointed to years of complaints about the student-loan industry students lose out, the teacher argued.

Internet service providers may act responsibly in the short term after the proposed FCC policy takes hold, he said, but in the long-term, they have an obligation to their investors to make as much money as they can.

If internet service providers are given more freedom to create fast lanes for certain content, the cost is likely to be too high for many schools, Harris predicted.

The worry is about our libraries not being able to afford some of the higher-level services, he said.

Another teacher who submitted comments to the FCC, Debra Harreld, said she worries about the policy change interfering with her ability to pick and choose online resources for her students--and weakening her students ability to access web materials from home. Harreld is an intermediate gifted resource teacher and head teacher for special education in the Albuquerque school district in New Mexico.

I have to do a great deal of [online] research, Harreld said in an e-mail to Education Week, just to maintain the differentiation, creativity, and engagement that my students need.

Many of the students at Harrelds school, the Zuni Elementary Magnet School for Technology and Communications, are from impoverished backgrounds, Harreld pointed out. She regularly asks them to complete videos and online lessons, and she questions whether the FCC order would stymie their access to those materials, in school or at home.

Having a free-flow of content is essential for students so that their time working off campus is effectively used, she explained. Increasingly, education is dependent on access to the Internet.

Dawn Rossbach, who also submitted comments to the FCC, said shes still trying to understand the implications of the proposal. But any significant shift in her ability to access online materials the work that goes on in her classroom, she said.

Rossbach teaches art and media arts in the Menahga school district, a small school system in Minnesota, about three hours from Minneapolis. She regularly helps students in her classes with films, documentaries, and other web-based presentations, which requires relatively unrestricted online access.

The beauty of online learning now is that were able to navigate the world, and bring in content from wherever, Rossbach said in an interview. It would be a real hardship if rural districts dont have access to things that big districts do.

See also:
Senator-elect Doug Jones isn't jumping in with his fellow Democrats who want Republicans to scrap their tax reform plans until he can take his place on Capitol Hill.

His shocking victory in Tuesday's Alabama election will shrink the Republicans' majority by one vote, which might be enough in Washington's nip-and-tuck atmosphere to force Democrat-friendly changes.

But the law in Alabama, like most states, requires a cooling-off period before election results can be officially certified, and Jones told the 'Today' show on Thursday that he's fine with that.

'I'm going to just let that play out. I really don't have a position on that,' Jones said, sounding more patient than his future colleagues.

'You know, with the holidays and everything going on, this is a big deal. I want to make sure it's done right. So let's just see how it plays out.'

Democratic senator-elect Doug Jones of Alabama said Thursday that he's content to sit back and take his Senate seat whenever the time is right  despite his colleagues' demands that it happen before Republicans can push their tax cut plan across the finish line

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is insisting Jones should be seated before another tax vote is taken

The soonest Alabama's secretary of state can legally make Jones' victory official is December 27.

But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other liberal firebrands are demanding immediate results following Tuesday's special election.

'I call on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to listen to the people of Alabama and seat @GDouglasJones without any delay,' Warren tweeted Tuesday night, just minutes after TV networks declared Jones the winner.

Schumber tweeted the following morning: 'RT if you think Alabamas new Senator should get a vote on the #GOPTaxScam.'

McConnell has said that Luther Strange, the Republican holding the seat Jones will soon occupy, will stay in place until the end of this year's legislative session  likely just before Christmas.

Republicans want that much time to pass their final tax bill and get it to Presidnet Donald Trump's desk.

Schumer cites the 2010 special election winner Scott Brown as a case where Democrats pushed pause on Obamacare voting until he was seated  but history shows that they sidestepped him and used an odd maneuver to make his vote irrelevant

Brown (right), a Republican, had won Democrat Ted Kennedy's seat in a shocker, momentarily jeopardizing the Democrats' supermajority when they needed it to pass Obamacare

Elizabeth Warren, a far-left Massachusetts senator, issued her demand just minutes after TV networks projected Jones had won Tuesday's election

On Wednesday Schumer tweeted that Senate Democrats were 'calling on Leader McConnell to hit pause on his tax bill, & not hold a final vote on it until Doug Jones is sworn into the Senate.'

'Thats exactly what Republicans argued when Scott Brown was elected in 2010,' he added.

Brown's election neatly parallels Jones'. Now the ambassador to New Zealand, the Massachusetts Republican came to the Senate in a special election following the death of Democratic lion Ted Kennedy.

At the time, McConnell and others  then in a tiny Senate minority  were pushing back against President Barack Obama's medical insurance overhaul plans and demanded Brown get his seat before a final vote could be taken.

Republicans had just 39 votes at the time. Adding Brown meant 40 of them could launch a filibuster to throw a wrench into Obamacare.

Jones won his seat Tuesday in Alabama over Republican Doug Jones despite a presidential endorsement against him

Republicans squandered their chance to hold on to the Alabama Senate seat after nine different women accused Roy Moore of past sexual misconduct

The Senate had already passed its version of the bill, but would need to hold a second vote once the House of Representatives made changes.

Republicans' plot to stand in the way was ultimately scuttled when then-majority leader Harry Reid crafted a plan to pass the House's version through a filibuster-proof process called 'budget reconciliation.'

At the time it was an unusual tactic; now it's commonplace, and the Republicans are using the same maneuver to pass this year's tax cuts.

If they were to hit the pause button and wait for the Alabama election to be certified and Jones to take Strange's place, the tax bill could die.

That's what most Democrats want.

Democrats, notably those with presidential aspirations, have called on Mitch McConnell to swear Jones in before moving forward on tax reform

'We should absolutely not vote on the tax plan until @GDouglasJones is seated. Alabama voters have spoken and we must listen,' Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley tweeted on Wednesday.

California Sen. Kamala Harris included a petition with her own message, 'to demand Doug Jones be seated in the U.S. Senate immediately  before we vote again on the tax bill.'

That petition is run by her re-election campaign organization, collecting names and email addresses for future political organizing.

Harris is one of many Democrats in the mix as potential challengers to President Donald Trump in 2020.
No family turned up to the inquest of a seven-year-old boy whose body was 'frozen to death' after being left outside a house in Birmingham.

Hakeem Hussain died from cardiac arrest after he was left in the cold outside the Birmingham property.

His mother Laura Heath, 35, and her uncle, Timothy Busk, 56, have been arrested on suspicion of wilfully ill-treating a child.

Both have been bailed while police continue to investigate.

An inquest into his death started today at Birmingham Coroner's Court but no one from his family attended.

Hakeem Hussain died on Sunday November 26 after suffering suspected hypothermia

Emergency services were called to Mr Busk's home in the Nechells area of Birmingham on Sunday morning and found Hakeem in cardiac arrest.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.40am on Sunday November 26, inside the property.

There were reports Hakeem, who suffered from asthma, may have succumbed to hypothermia and frozen to death after spending time outside in the cold but this has not been confirmed.

A postmortem into the cause of death proved inconclusive and further tests are to be carried out to ascertain how he died.

Area Coroner Emma Brown said because a criminal investigation was ongoing she could not set a date for the full inquest. She adjourned it until January 26 next year for an inquest review.

Birmingham city council said Hakeem was known to the authority and the multi-agency Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board was deciding whether to launch a review of his case.

Laura Heath (left) and Timothy Busk (right) were arrested and released after Hakeem was declared dead at the property in Birmingham

Birmingham City Council said in a statement: 'We can confirm the child was known to us and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him.

'We are working with police and health to establish all the circumstances leading to his death. The multi-agency Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board is aware of the case and will decide whether it meets the criteria for a serious case review.'

Hakeem was a pupil at nearby Nechells E-ACT Academy.

Headteacher Julie Wright released a touching statement to the Year 3 pupil on behalf of staff and pupils.

She said: 'Hakeem was a most beautiful little boy, a great friend to many staff and children with a wicked sense of humour and an infectious giggle.'He was a warm and generous-hearted soul who was talented across many areas of the curriculum but especially so in music and the arts.

'His performance as the 'Christmas Star' in the year two nativity play last year will stay with me forever as he totally stole the show with his clear speaking voice and stage presence.

'There wasn't a dry eye in the house as he delivered his lines with poignancy, grace and humour.

'The twinkle in his beautiful eyes was as bright as the stars in the sky, and our love for him will shine out forever, from all of his Nechells family.'

She added: 'All of this week children and staff have been remembering what a great friend Hakeem was to them, and we are putting together a book of our happy memories culminating in a whole academy assembly to celebrate his many gifts and talents.

'Hakeem will be sorely missed by us all.'
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Islamist terrorist group Hamas has celebrated the 30th year since its creation with a huge rally at which its leader saluted 'the beginning of rage' against Israel.

Tens of thousands of supporters - including young children decked out in military uniforms and carrying toy assault rifles - attended the demonstration in Gaza.

The group's leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said in an aggressive speech that the US and Israel have found themselves isolated following President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

'We demand the Islamic world make every Friday a day of anger and revolution in every capital and city until we bring down Trump's decision,' Haniya said.

Tens of thousands of supporters - including young children decked out in military uniforms and carrying toy assault rifles - attended the demonstration in Gaza. The group's leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said in an aggressive speech that the US and Israel have found themselves isolated following President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

'We demand the Islamic world make every Friday a day of anger and revolution in every capital and city until we bring down Trump's decision,' Haniya said. Pictured: Members of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas, attend an event held to mark the 30th anniversary of the terrorist group

Haniya also said: 'We ask churches, the Pope and our Christian brothers to devote their Sunday prayers to Jerusalem.' He added: 'We will bring down Trump's decision once and for all'

Hamas has called for a new Palestinian uprising against Israel in response to Trump's recognition of a new Israeli capital city. Pictured: A young boy with a toy assault rifle and military clothing attends the rally in Gaza today

'We salute the beginning of rage, intifada and revolution,' Haniyeh (pictured centre left) told the large crowd that filled a sprawling lot known as al-Katiba Square in the blockaded enclave bordering Israel and Egypt

'We ask churches, the Pope and our Christian brothers to devote their Sunday prayers to Jerusalem,' he added.

He also said: 'We will bring down Trump's decision once and for all.'

Hamas has called for a new Palestinian uprising against Israel in response to Trump's recognition of a new Israeli capital city.

'We salute the beginning of rage, intifada and revolution,' Haniyeh told the large crowd that filled a sprawling lot known as al-Katiba Square in the blockaded enclave bordering Israel and Egypt.

Hamas wants to establish an Islamic state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, which includes Israel.

Masked militants marched behind the group's political officials on a raised stage.

A giant poster showing Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque and a Hamas fighter with a Palestinian flag and a rifle formed the backdrop.

'Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine', read the caption in Arabic and English.

The coastal territory suffers from 43 per cent unemployment and worsening blackouts. In recent days, rolling blackouts lasted for 24 hours, followed by four hours of electricity. Pictured: A man in camouflage gear stands in front of the gigantic rally today

Protests in other parts of the Palestinian territories, as well as across the Arab world, have broken out since Trump's announcement. Pictured: Hamas troops march during the rally

Hamas' rival, West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah, seeks to establish a Palestinian state in lands Israel captured in 1967, with East Jerusalem as a capital. Pictured: A young boy in uniform carries a Hamas flag

Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and others. Pictured: Some of the thousands of demonstrators in Gaza today. The woman on the right has a replica of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

The anniversary came at a difficult time in Hamas' turbulent history.

A decade after seizing Gaza by force, it has been compelled to seek reconciliation with Abbas' Fatah.

An Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah in October has seen Hamas give up control of Gaza crossings, but differences over collecting revenues hinder its progress.

Hamas blames an Israeli-Egyptian border blockade, lack of support from Arab and Muslim nations, and Abbas' alleged attempts to undermine the group for the hardships in Gaza.

The coastal territory suffers from 43 per cent unemployment and worsening blackouts. In recent days, rolling blackouts lasted for 24 hours, followed by four hours of electricity.

Earlier today, Israel carried out a series of air strikes against Hamas in Gaza, hours after more rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave

The group regularly taps into racist libels of the Jewish people, even mentioning The Protocols of the Elders of Zion - an early 20th century anti-Semitic fabrication claiming that Jews control the world - in its constitution.

Hamas' rival, West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah, seeks to establish a Palestinian state in lands Israel captured in 1967, with East Jerusalem as a capital.

But today's rally was attended by major Hamas figures as well as politicians from other political parties, including Fatah.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and others.

Since Trump's controversial announcement last week, at least 12 rockets or mortars have been fired from Gaza towards Israel.

In response the Jewish state's army has hit at least 10 targets in Gaza, mostly Hamas bases.

Protests in other parts of the Palestinian territories, as well as across the Arab world, have broken out since Trump's announcement.

Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, including the Israeli-annexed east, which is home to key Muslim, Jewish and Christian shrines.

Trump's decision last week has triggered Palestinian protests in the West Bank and Gaza, including some that escalated into deadly clashes with Israeli troops, but it remains unclear whether widespread Palestinian anger at the US will lead to a full-fledged uprising.

Earlier today, Israel carried out a series of air strikes against Hamas in Gaza, hours after more rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli army also announced it would close the border crossings between blockaded Gaza and Israel - Kerem Shalom for goods and Erez for people - from today 'due to the security events and in accordance with security assessments.'

A military spokeswoman could not say whether the closure would be for one day or more.

In a statement, the Israeli army said it had targeted three Hamas military facilities in different parts of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Pictured: Three Hamas troops stand in front of a sign reading 'Al Quds', a name for Jerusalem

A Palestinian security source said there were more than 10 strikes on the targets, which included a Hamas naval facility and a military base near the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza. Pictured: An angry woman points to the sky during the demonstration in Gaza today

There have been 12 projectiles fired at Israel from Gaza since December 6, with Israeli retaliatory strikes targeting 10 sites in the Palestinian enclave. Pictured second from right: Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh

While an increase in rocket fire preceded the 2014 Gaza war, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman played down the significance of the recent launches from Hamas. Pictured: Burqa-wearing Hamas supporters clap at the rally

Since unrest erupted last week over Trump's declaration, four Gazans have been killed, two in clashes along the border and two Hamas militants in an Israeli air strike in retaliation for rocket fire

In a statement, the Israeli army said it had targeted three Hamas military facilities in different parts of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

'The military facilities were used as training and weapons storage compounds,' the army said.

'This was in response to the projectiles fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip.'

A Palestinian security source said there were more than 10 strikes on the targets, which included a Hamas naval facility and a military base near the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The source said there had been significant damage to the targets, as well as lesser damage to nearby houses, where some residents suffered minor injuries.

The strikes came hours after Israel's air defence system intercepted two rockets fired from Gaza.

Such rockets are generally fired by fringe Islamist groups but Israel holds Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for any fire from the territory.

'I hope the residents of Gaza will force their leadership to invest their efforts and money in improving the strip's economy rather than digging tunnels, producing rockets and firing them at Israel,' Israeli Defence Minister Lieberman said. Pictured: A young boy in spectacles holds a Hamas sign

The recent rocket fire has not caused any casualties in Israel. Pictured: Some of the tens of thousands of demonstrators in Gaza today

A giant poster showing Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque and a Hamas fighter with a Palestinian flag and a rifle formed the backdrop

A Hamas supporter holds a miniature replica of the Dome of the Rock as she takes part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Islamist movement

There have been 12 projectiles fired at Israel from Gaza since December 6, with Israeli retaliatory strikes targeting 10 sites in the Palestinian enclave.

The recent rocket fire has not caused any casualties in Israel.

While an increase in rocket fire preceded the 2014 Gaza war, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman played down the significance of the recent launches on Thursday.

During a tour of Sderot, an Israeli town lying a short distance from northern Gaza and where rockets have often struck, he called it 'a result of internal Palestinian struggles between different organisations.'

One of the recent rockets hit a kindergarten in Sderot, but it struck at night and no one was hurt.

'I hope the residents of Gaza will force their leadership to invest their efforts and money in improving the strip's economy rather than digging tunnels, producing rockets and firing them at Israel,' Lieberman said.

Since unrest erupted last week over Trump's declaration, four Gazans have been killed, two in clashes along the border and two Hamas militants in an Israeli air strike in retaliation for rocket fire.

One Israeli has been seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.
A 34-year-old Salvadoran woman serving a 30-year sentence for a stillbirth has had her appeal rejected in court.

Teodora del Carmen Vasquez was convicted of aggravated homicide in 2007 after giving birth to a stillborn child.

Authorities accused Ms Vasquez of having had an abortion, an act considered a crime under any circumstance - even rape - in El Salvador.

Back in jail: Teodora del Carmen Vasquez had appealed her conviction for aggravated homicide, but this was rejected by judges in El Salvador this week.

Upset: Women cry outside the Isidro Menendez Judicial Center after a hearing held to review the sentence of Vasquez resulted in her losing the appeal

Anger: Her supporters are seen visibly upset outside the court in San Salvador

Last week she appeared before a court to fight for her freedom, but her appeal was rejected today.

Supporters broke down in tears outside the court in San Salvador, El Salvador, when the verdict was announced.

Amnesty International Norway has been campaigning on behalf of Ms Vasquez, and had previously expressed concern that she as to appear before the same judges who sentenced her ten years ago.

'It is deeply tragic, and very unjust,' Ina Strom, spokeswoman for Amnesty International, said after the ruling, which provoked condemnation from human rights groups.

The traumatic stillbirth took place in 2007, and Ms Vasquez, already mother to a young son, was heavily pregnant when she started experiencing labour pains while at work.

Lost hope: Ms Vasquez is seen arriving in court before her appeal was rejected

Jailed: Ms Vasquez was convicted of aggravated homicide in 2007 after giving birth to a stillborn daughter and sentenced to 30 years in prison

Hope: Ms Vasquez is set to return to Ilopango prison on the outskirts of San Salvador, where she has spent the past ten years

She called emergency services, but shortly afterwards her waters broke and she escaped into a toilet where she passed out from the pain.

She gave birth while unconscious and when she came to, she discovered that her baby daughter had been stillborn.

Authorities were called to the scene and she was arrested and accused of having had an abortion.

Innocent: Ms Vasquez was accused of having had an abortion, which is a serious crime in El Salvador regardless of the circumstance surrounding the pregnancy

Ms Vasquez was charged with aggravated homicide. Unable to afford a good defence lawyer, she was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

For the past ten years, Ms Vasquez has been incarcerated at the Ilopango prison on the outskirts of San Salvador, capital of El Salvador.

Her son Angel, now 13, has been unable to visit her.

It is thought that she will return to the prison to serve the remaining 20 years of her sentence.
Thi Nhat Ha Nguyen, 29, was arrested on suspicion of homicide on Tuesday

A 29-year-old California mother is accused of murdering her four-month-old baby and reportedly laughed when the infant's father asked what happened.

Thi Nhat Ha Nguyen was arrested on suspicion of homicide on Tuesday night by Westminster police officers.

The baby's heartbroken father, Hung Nguyen, told authorities that his girlfriend was acting strangely and that their son, Nau, was not breathing when he came home.

He tearfully told KTLA that he asked her what happened to their son and he said she kept laughing.

Hung said that he saw a mark on the baby's face and when he tried to carry him, the baby would not move.

Emergency officials tried to revive the baby boy, but were unsuccessful. The four-month-old was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.

The 29-year-old mother is accused of murdering her four-month-old baby and reportedly laughed when the infant's father, Hung Nguyen (above) asked what happened when he arrived home

Hung said that he saw a mark on the baby's face and when he tried to carry him, the baby would not move. Emergency officials arrived to the home (above) and tried to revive the baby boy, but were unsuccessful. The incident remains under investigation by police

The mother was arrested, but the baby's cause of death has not been determined.

Authorities and Hung said the boy might have suffered some sort of head trauma.

Police said it's too early to know if postpartum depression may have been a factor.

'That's always a factor and consideration when you find a young mother and a young child. Certainly our investigators will evaluate that,' Commander Cameron Knauerhaze of Westminster police told KABC.

The couple do not have any other children.

'She loved him a lot,' Hung told KABC of his girlfriend and their son. 'I don't think she did that. But who else?'

The incident remained under investigation by the Westminster Police Department Crimes Against Persons unit.
Joe Biden has said he wished he had done more for Anita Hill in 1991 when she testified against the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, claiming he sexually harassed her.

'I wish I had been able to do more for Anita Hill,' the former Vice President told Teen Vogue.

'I owe her an apology.'

Biden was chair of the Senate of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Hill testified that Thomas, her former boss, sexually harassed her.

Joe Biden has said he wish he had done more for Anita Hill in 1991 when she testified against the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, claiming he sexually harassed her

Clarence Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George HW Bush in 1991. He is pictured June 1, 2017

When he was first appointed, Anita Hill spoke in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging Thomas not to be placed on the Supreme Court and alleging he sexually harassed her. She is pictured in 1992 during one of the hearings

She spoke forward and urged the committee not to allow him to be placed on the Supreme Court.

'I believed Anita Hill. I voted against Clarence Thomas,' Biden explained.

'And I insisted the next election - I campaigned for two women senators on the condition that if they won they could come on the Judiciary Committee, so there would never again be all men making a judgment on this.'

Thomas, who is widely considered the most conservative member of the court, was ultimately confirmed and still serves on it to this day.

Throughout the testimony her character and trustworthiness were brought into question and attacked by those on the panel - and many have blamed Biden for not doing more to prevent that.

He said he regrets not being able to stop some of the attacks launched against her by his Republican co-workers.

'My one regret is that I wasn't able to tone down the attacks on her by some of my Republican friends,' he told the magazine.

'I mean, they really went after. As much as I tried to intervene, I did not have the power to gavel them out of order. I tried to be like a judge and only allow a question that would be relevant to ask.'

Throughout the testimony her character and trustworthiness were brought into question and attacked by those on the panel - and many have blamed Biden for not doing more to prevent that. Biden and Hill are pictured during the 1991 hearings

Hill (pictured during the hearings in 1991) alleged to members of the committee during her testimony that Thomas frequently spoke about the size of women's breasts, which members of the committee then said was 'not too bad,' according to the Washington Post

Thomas, who is widely considered the most conservative member of the court, was ultimately confirmed and still serves on it to this day

In 1991 Hill, who was a law professor, sat before the Judiciary Committee and gave a long testimony, detailing the alleged sexual harassment she experienced from Thomas.

Hill alleged to members of the committee during her testimony that Thomas frequently spoke about the size of women's breasts, which members of the committee then said was 'not too bad,' according to the Washington Post.

She has rejected Biden's prior public apologies and said he doesn't fully understand his 'ownership' of the hearings.

'He doesn't understand that it wasn't just that I felt it was not fair,' she told the Post in a recent interview.

'It was that women were looking to the Senate Judiciary Committee and his leadership to really open the way to have these kind of hearings.

'They should have been using best practices to show leadership on this issue on behalf of women's equality. And they did just the opposite.'
An Australian Border Force official and a former police officer are accused of helping an alleged Sydney criminal gang smuggle millions of dollars' worth of drugs into the country.

Supervisor Craig Eakin was bribed by the Jomaa family to downgrade alerts so illegal cargo would not be checked by customs, police allege.

He also allegedly passed on sensitive intelligence about suspicious packages which police were tracking and gave up information at a Brighton Le Sands cafe, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Supervisor Craig Eakin (pictured) was bribed by the Jomaa family to downgrade alerts so illegal cargo would not be checked by customs, police allege

Former Australian Border Force and NSW Police employee Johayna Mehri

The three Jomaa brothers, Eakin and former NSW police officer Johayna Mehri were arrested as part of drug raids across Sydney and Dubai in August.

Eakin receieved $100,000 from Mehri to find sensitive information when he was the supervisor of Customs House Cargo Targeting and Assessment section, according to a police statement of facts previously seen in court.

Ali Jomaa allegedly used a Blackberry to communicate with a police witness about information Eakin had given him on how to avoid detection.

On July 20 police raided Eakins home and found $99,000 Mehri had allegedly given him on behalf of the Jomaa brothers.

The case will return to court in 2018.

An Australian Border Force official and a former police officer are accused of helping an alleged Sydney criminal gang smuggle millions of dollars' worth of drugs into the country
Natalie Onay, 22, (pictured in her mugshot) was arrested Monday night after she passed out behind the wheel at an intersection in Evansville, Indiana

An expectant Indiana mother was arrested when she was found passed out behind the wheel after shooting heroin with her infant in the backseat.

Police say they responded to the life-threatening incident at the intersection of North Governor and East Columbia Street in Evansville late Monday night where Natalie Onay, 22, was unconscious in the driver's seat.

Onay admitted she injected the drug about 10 minutes before she became unalert, according to local Fox 59.

Her 10-month-old baby was unharmed and taken into custody by the Department of Child Services.

A driver behind her who witnessed the events say the five-months pregnant Onay 'did not move' as the traffic light 'cycled at least twice,' the newspaper reported.

Then, the family vehicle 'rolled forward, stopped, and was nearly hit by another car' after the driver honked for her to move.

Onay was out cold when officers arrived to the scene and had to physically remove her from the vehicle.

They found drug paraphernalia and as .10 grams grams of heroin inside.

Her 10-month-old baby (shown left with her on social media) was in the backseat, unharmed. The baby was taken into custody by the Department of Child Services

A driver behind Onay who witnessed the events say the five-months pregnant Onay 'did not move' as the traffic light 'cycled at least twice'

According to TristateHompage.com, Onay had been using heroin for years prior and told police she was clean before her relapse.

Onay was charged with child neglect, possession of a narcotic, possession of paraphernalia and driving while intoxicated.

In 2016, the coroner's office in Evansville's Vanderburgh County worked 50 fatal drug overdoses, according to Courier & Press report.

Now, Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear said the epidemic has gotten even worse.

Onay (left) is pictured with her baby who was in the car at the time and her girlfriend

'We're way up. We were past the 50th at the beginning of November,' Lockyear told the newspaper.

As of last Tuesday, the coroner's office had '65 confirmed fatal drug overdoses,' which included '24 heroin or fentanyl' while the remainder were other opiates and 'covered everything from cocaine to K2 to helium,' the report said.

Sadly, Lockyear believes it's a matter of time before the numbers rise again.

'I would say that we'll hit, at least, 70 this year ... at the rate it's going, I'd be naive to think we won't.'
The trailer for Clint Eastwood's new film about the 2015 French train attack has been released - starring the real American heroes who helped thwart the attack.

The 15:17 to Paris is based on a book the three Americans - Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos and Spencer Stone - wrote about the attack, with the help of writer Jeffrey E. Stern.

When Eastwood originally took on the project, he was looking to hire actors to play the threesome - but at the last minute it was decided that the men would play themselves.

A trailer for Clint Eastwood's new film on the 2015 French train attack was released on Wednesday

The American heroes of the attack play themselves in the film. Spencer Stone (left) and Alek Skarlatos (right) pictured in a scene from the movie

Stone and Skarlatos were on a European vacation with school friend Anthony Sadler (pictured) in a film still) at the time

None of three have acting experience, but it doesn't show in the clips released in the trailer on Wednesday.

The trailer shows bits of the attack unfolding - including Stone charging at the gunman, who is seen aiming an assault rifle at him.

Since the attack itself only played out over a few minutes, the rest of the film will detail the friends' back stories and what led up the moment that made them international heroes.

Quick-thinking: The three men leapt into action when a gunman started menacing passengers on their train to Paris

The film will cover their three friends' lives leading up to the 2015 attack (Stone pictured)

Stone is seen charging at the armed gunman in the trailer released Wednesday

The alleged terrorist's gun jammed at the moment the three friends charged at him

Stone was wounded taking the terrorist down and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment

The three friends met attending Freedom Christian School in Fair Oaks, California.

They continued their friendship into adulthood, and were on a vacation together in 2015 when the attack happened. At the time, Sadler and Stone were 23 while Skarlatos was 22.

Sadler had flown out to Europe to have a vacation with his high school friends while on a break from college. Skarlatos and Stone were in the military at the time, and were on leave.

The three friends were on their way to Paris, when the 25-year-old Moroccan gunman - Ayoub El Khazzani - came out of a bathroom on the train and started menacing riders armed with an assault rifle.

The movie's tagline is 'In the face of fear ordinary people can do the extraordinary'

Two other men tried and failed to take down the gunman before the three friends lept into action.

Sadler told CNN that Skarlatos yelled 'Get him!' before Stone started charging at the man, followed by Skarlatos and then himself.

Stone worked to restrain the gunman while Skarlatos grabbed his rifle an started beating the man over the head until he passed out.

In the process, Stone suffered multiple injuries to his hand, head and neck, but after the gunman was secured, he used his training as an Air Force medic to tend to one of the first men who tried to take down the terrorist.

The train was rerouted to a nearby station and Stone and the other passenger he was helping were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The real thing: Skarlatos, Stone and Sadler are seen in a picture from their European vacation

Ayoub El Khazzani claimed that he only meant to rob the train passengers because he was homeless. Prosecutors believe he was motivated by Islamist beliefs

Aftermath: Stone is seen being moved in a wheelchair after the attack, with blood stains covering his body

Investigators look over the train after it was rerouted in the aftermath of the attack

After the incident, the three men were called heroes both in France and back home in America.

Three days after the incident, the three men were made Knights of the Legion of Honour by French President Francois Hollande - the first of many awards for the three men.

They later were welcomed to the White House by then-President Obama to be thanked for their service.

The new film also features Jenna Fischer and Judy Greer and is due out in theaters on February 9.

At the the time of the attack, Skarlatos was an Oregon National Guardsman and Stone was in the Air Force.

Skarlatos remains a specialist in the National Guard while Stone has retired from the Air Force with the rank of staff sergeant.

Last year, Khazzani admitted he carried out the attack in the name of ISIS.

Three days after the incident, the three men were made Knights of the Legion of Honour by French President Francois Hollande - the first of many awards for the three men
Sarah Huckabee Sanders brought a pair of chocolate pecan pies to a White House press corps holiday potluck on Thursday  her effort to defuse the '#piegate' controversy and tweak the reporter who launched it.

The White House press secretary tweeted photos Wednesday night showing four pies in various stages of preparation, along with raw ingredients and the finished product. Two of them made it to the White House basement Thursday afternoon.

April Ryan, a correspondent with American Urban Radio Networks, had suggested after Thanksgiving that she believed Sanders had faked a tweeted photo of her family-recipe dessert.

Ryan turned somewhat conciliatory on Thursday at the White House party, saying 'I believe you made this pie!'  but refusing to taste it, and declining to agree that Sanders had baked the dessert that started the squabble.

'Its pie time! With or without bourbon @AprilDRyan?' Sanders tweeted Wednesday night, thanking Vice PresidentMike Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers 'for supplying the pecans from his family farm in Georgia.'

The '#piegate' tempest pits White House press secretary Sarah sanders (left) against reporter April Ryan (right), who has said she doesn't believe a photo of a Thanksgiving pie Sanders posted online depicts something she actually baked

Sanders decided to tweak Ryan by documenting her baking this time, preparing four pies for the press corps

'Let me know if you need further documentation,' the dry-witted Sanders wrote

The finished products were laid out on a table on Wednesday evening in advance of an annual party held in the basement of the White House press wing

Ryan wasn't satisfied, saying she still wants 'a pic and video if [sic] you baking it'

'Ingredients all mixed up and pies in the oven! @AprilDRyan let me know if you need further documentation #piegate,' she added.

'Okay I want to see the pics and videos. I will check it tomorrow but wont eat it!' Ryan responded.

'I wont eat the pie but I do look forward to seeing it. I am so glad you want me to view your culinary skills. I still want a pic and video if [sic] you baking it. Lol!'

True, Sanders didn't post a photo of herself elbow-deep in flour.

Also true, Ryan posted an Instagram photo of her own Thanksgiving dinner in November, thanking the catering company that prepared it.

'Happy Thanksgiving! The dinner is done. Thank you Simply Elegant Catering! It is so good!!!!' the reporter wrote.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders (right) and American Urban Radio Networks correspondent April Ryan (left) pose with chocolate pecan pies from Sanders' kitchen at a White House potluck holiday party on December 14, 2017; Ryan declined to taste it

Ryan has been in the news this week at the center of a squabble over how Omarosa Manigault-Newman's tenure at the White House ended; Ryan says she was fired and physically dragged out of the White House complex

On Thursday evening as she posed with Sanders and her pies, Ryan wouldn't admit she was wrong.

'You don't want to go there,' the reporter said when asked if she believed Sanders baked the Thanksgiving dessert.

But she agreed that the pie in front of her was home-baked, not a Safeway special.

'It's a nice pie. I believe you made this pie!' she said.

'This is our reset. Not just for me, but for all of us,' Ryan added. 'And it doesn't mean that I need to eat the pie.'

Sanders called for a group vote among White House correspondents to see if Ryan should be obligated to try the dish.

'I don't care if they take a group vote or not. I am not eating the pie!' she retorted.

Ryan's own kitchen bona fides may be in question: She posted this photo of her Thanksgiving dinner on Instagram, thanking the caterer who cooked it

Ryan is the same journalist who got into a war of words with Omarosa Manigault-Newman this week, claiming on CNN that she was fired and physically dragged out of the White House complex.

The presidential adviser and former 'The Apprentice' contestant replied on 'Good Morning America' that it was untrue and said Ryan has a personal 'vendetta' against her.

Ryan started the digital dessert fracas on Twitter after Sanders posted a picture of her Thanksgiving pecan pie against a neutral background, drawing speculation  but no proof  that it was a stock photo.

'Show it to us on a table,' Ryan jabbed.

'I am not trying to be funny but folks are already saying #piegate and #fakepie,' she continued.

'Show it to us on the table with folks eating it and a pic of you cooking it. I am getting the biggest laugh out of this. I am thankful for this laugh on Black Friday!'

Sanders joked last month that the worst thing you can accuse a southern woman of is serving a store-bought pie

How it began: Sanders tweeted this photo of a perfect chocolate pecan pie on Thanksgiving Day, prompting some on Twitter to cry 'fake'

Ryan picked up the thread and mocked Sanders: 'I am getting the biggest laugh out of this'

Responding to a journalist who shared a photo of her own baking, Ryan was more gracious but reminded everyone that she would refuse to taste Sanders' culinary creation

Responding to another reporter's photo of a homemade pie, she replied: 'See I know your husband cooks up a storm and I have eaten his food. Beautiful pic of your real pie. ... I hope they enjoyed the stock photo pie!'

Sanders made a public appearance the following week and was asked about the squabble.

'You know, being from the South, I think one of the most offensive things you can accuse somebody of is [serving] a store-bought pie,' she laughed. 'I usually make it with bourbon.'

'I make it every holiday for my family, including at Christmas, I used to make it for all of my neighbors on my street,' she added.

'So if you don't believe me, go back to Arkansas and check with them.'

At the end of Thursday's White House press briefing, Sanders pointed to Ryan's seat.

'April, I'm looking forward to having some pie with you momentarily,' she grinned.
With the swearing-in of new school board members earlier this mont, Denver now has the first all-female school board in its history, according to the district.

New members Angela Cobian, Carrie Olson, and Jennifer Bacon were sworn in for four-year terms last Tuesday, along with Barbara OBrien, who was re-elected to the board.

They join board president Anne Rowe, longtime board member Allegra Happy Haynes, and Lisa Flores.

Across the country, women make up more than 40 percent of school board members, which is more than double the average female representation in other governing bodies, according to reporting that my colleague Sarah Sparks did in 2014 . But, as Sarah reported, studies found that unless women make up a supermajority on a school board, they dont comment or endorse motions as often as their male counterparts.

I am deeply honored to work with this amazing group of people who are stepping up to guide the district and serve the community, Rowe said in a statement. Together, we are all committed to ensuring every child succeeds while being role models to our young girls who aspire to lead.

Cobian, a 28-year-old Teach For America alum and former district teacher, is also the youngest member in the boards history. She defeated Xochitl Gaytan, who was supported by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, in an expensive race to fill the seat left vacant by Rosemary Rodriguez, who retired this year.

My goal is to ensure that all of our more than 92,000 children receive the best educational opportunities from start to finish, Cobian, who works as a manager for Leadership for Educational Equity, an educational advocacy group, said in a statement. I am honored to do the important work of continuing to raise student achievement as students prepare for college and a career, improving social and economic mobility for themselves and their families.

From left to right: Barbara OBrien, Lisa Flores, Jennifer Bacon, Allegra Happy Haynes, Carrie Olson, Board President Anne Rowe, and Angela Cobian. Photo courtesy Denver Public Schools.
Bob Leuci, who died in 2015 during the filming of a new documentary about his life, was instrumental in exposing corruption within the NYPD in the 1970s

The unlikely duo met at a barbecue in Rhode Island, a young Norwegian student of photojournalism and a former NYPD detective who exposed massive corruption within the force in the 1970s. Magnus Skatvold had no idea who Bob Leuci was when he was first introduced to him, considering the New York native a fast-talking  very kind, very charismatic grandfather that was just the center of attention and telling stories and being very interested in everybody.

They struck up a friendship, and the more that Skatvold learned about Leuci, the more fascinated he became. Their relationship eventually sowed the seeds for a new documentary, which was just awarded the prestigious Pitch Perfect Award at DOC NYC film festival  a prize given to a work-in-progress during a daylong pitch event.

Blue Code of Silence is currently a 60-minute rough cut, directed by Skatvold and Gregory Mallozzi, telling the story of how Leuci brought down New York Citys most corrupt police unit  at a grave personal cost. Skatvold interviewed and collaborated with Leuci, who tragically died during the making of the film, as well as family members, friends and people connected with the story.

Leuci had agreed in the 1970s to cooperate with the Knapp Commission, which had been formed by New York Major John V. Lindsay following whistleblower revelations by other legendary NYPD officers. The commission aimed to investigate corruption within the system; Leuci, heavily entrenched in a narcotics unit and tainted by participation himself, agreed to go undercover  but insisted on exposing the whole system and not just cops.

Scroll down for video

Norwegian director Magnus Skatvold, left, met Leuci, center, at a Rhode Island barbecue in 2009 and became fascinated by the former cop and his backstory; he and co-director Greg Mallozzi, right, decided to work on a documentary project about the story

Detective Leuci, right, with lawyers Nicholas Scoppetta, left, and Mike Shaw, center, who recruited him for undercover work to unveil the widespread corruption within the police force that included taking bribes and selling drugs

His two years of work wearing a wire, under the code name Sonny, led to explosive prosecutions of dozens of law enforcement officials and at least two attempts on his life. More than 50 men were indicted as a result of his evidence and lives were ruined  leaving Leuci with a complicated view of his own involvement in the widespread exposure of police taking bribes, stealing drugs and selling them themselves and other improprieties.

I think there had been several, throughout the years, that had approached Bob and wanted to make either a documentary or a feature on him, Skatvold, 30, tells DailyMail.com. He didnt want to open that chapter again about his life  [But me] being the outsider, not knowing anything about this case beforehand, kind of not being colored by prejudice or anything like that, I think he found that very fascinating.

I was kind of like a blank page that could come in and maybe see this story in a different light, in a sense. It really started off as friends  and it kind of grew into the idea of making a documentary.

He adds: I think also, with other people that have been involved with this story, this is very painful for a lot of people  because what he did, essentially, it became a very big corruption scandal which implicated so many people. Over 50 cops were indicted for corruption because of his testimony, and two of his friends also committed suicide.

Skatvold's new documentary about Leuci's role last month won the coveted Pitch Perfect Award at DOC NYC film festival, given to promising works in progress

Some of the most interesting parts of this story is that this is a story that took place in the 70s; still, to this day, there has been so much pain and anguish in Bobs life  and talking to him, he had so much regret for what he really took part in  not the corruption, not the misconduct itself, but kind of the betrayal of his friends and colleagues.

Skatvold says: In todays society, I think we need stories about whistleblowers. We need stories about people who have really stood up against corruption and, and whats fascinating in Bobs story is that he isnt like a genuine hero. Hes a very complex anti-hero, in a sense; he wasnt like the last honest cop like Serpico, who never took a dime. He was part of the same culture that he  wanted to change. And thats kind of more of that Shakespearean undertones to this story.

Its very much a tragic story. He kind of betrayed his friends and partners, which he kind of regretted his whole life after all of this.

Leuci was born into an Italian-American family in Brooklyn on February 28, 1940 and graduated from the Police Academy when he was 21 years old. He was the first member of his family to graduate from high school.

I found what I was looking for  acceptance, connection, kinship  call it what you like  belonging just to belong, that kind of thing, he wrote in his memoir, All the Centurions, about his feelings towards law enforcement membership.

He served with the Tactical Patrol Force and Narcotics Bureau before being assigned to the Special Investigating Unit, which focused on infiltrating drug cartels. Former deputy police commissioner and journalist Robert Daley, who chronicled Leucis career in a 1978 book, wrote of the SIU: Someone once called them the Princes of the city, for they operated with the impunity, and sometimes with the arrogance, of Renaissance princes.

They could enforce any law or not enforce it, arrest anyone or accord freedom. They were immune to arrest themselves.

Skatvold tells DailyMail.com: Going into that, he finds out that over 90 percent of that unit was corrupt  and eventually he kind of, just to fit in, in a sense, starts to participate in the same type of corrupt culture himself.

He explains: After years of misconduct himself, he starts to have second thoughts. He was thinking, what kind of life was he really living here? He looked at himself more as a criminal than a cop  they were acting like gangsters, in a sense.

By a couple of prosecutors, Bob is convinced to go undercover in his own department, in his own unit. And he starts wearing a wire and collects evidence for almost two years.

Prosecutor Nicholas Scoppetta, in an interview following Leucis 2015 death, said: I did something I never did with any witness.

I brought him home, and we had dinner at my house. We began talking about corruption, and we talked through the night and into the morning. He had no stomach for what he was involved in.

He wanted to get out from under it. He said: Grabbing for cops is easy. If you investigate the whole system, that would be different. He took a chance  we took a chance  that there would be redemption and not retaliation.

Although Leuci did not initially want to implicate his friends and colleagues, the inevitable happened; of the 70 men assigned to the Special Investigating Unit, 52 were indicted as a result of his evidence  including his former partner. The corruption was so endemic that dirty cops were taking bribes and stealing drugs.

Leuci became an incredibly polarizing figure; many people either viewed him as a snitch and a traitor or a hero. He temporarily had to go into a witness protection program.

Robert Leuci was seen by many as a hero for exposing police corruption, while many others considered him a traitor and blamed him for the personal tragedies that ensued

Actor Treat Williams played a character based on Leuci in the 1981 film Prince of the City, following Robert Daley's 1978 book of the same name

Following his law enforcement career and his undercover work, right, Leuci became a writer and crime novelist as well as a professor in Rhode Island

He didnt want to be treated as an informant, Scopetta said, He wanted to be treated as an undercover agent.

After interviewing not only Leuci but others involved, Mr Skatvold says, he started to see that there were a lot of different takes on this story  I felt that was very intriguing, that there were so many different versions of what went on.

He adds: All of the people Ive talked to kind of rationalized a lot of their actions, as well: It was a corrupt culture, it was another time, everybody was doing it, it was just a part of the job. I heard a lot of things like that.

After Daley published his book about Leuci, the cop was further immortalized in 1981 film Prince of the City; he later became a crime novelist as well as teaching writing and political science at the University of Rhode Island. He died in 2015 at the age of 75  while production of the documentary was already underway.

Thats probably the worst thing that can happen to a filmmaker  that your main character dies, Skatvold tells DailyMail.com. For me, he wasnt just the main character; he was a friend. So that kind of changed everything. But luckily we had kind of what we needed, in terms of interviews with him and also speaking with his family. We also decided we had enough to continue this journey  him passing away, its going to be part of the story, in a sense.

Many of Leucis relatives, he says, were a bit skeptical, but they also knew my relationship [with Leuci]. And I have to say, my co-director and co-producer in the States also knew him personally, too; that was a big factor to the whole thing, is that they werent working from random filmmakers that just wanted to do this.

Skatvold and his team have filmed 70 to 80 percent of the footage, he says, and are working on reenactments to enhance the narrative while looking for their final funding. They hope to bring the documentary on the film circuit next year, to DOC NYC  where they just won the prestigious pride  and possibly even to Sundance.

Ive been living day and night with this project for the last three years  its always been in the back of my head, and its always developing, in a sense, he tells DailyMail.com. I think also for me, as a Norwegian, going into this subject that I clearly didnt know anything about  and just getting the story and culture and everything around it  has been a fantastic journey for me as a filmmaker to do something completely different.
A five-year-old girl is missing in the jungle in the Philippines after her father left her there as punishment for embarrassing him in front of his friends.

Felipe Eranzo admitted knocking his daughter out by hitting her on the back of the neck before leaving her unconscious in the forest at Famy, 60 miles east of Manila, to teach her a lesson.

But when he returned to the same spot, the schoolgirl, Mariafe, was nowhere to be seen and he called police for help, sparking a major search operation.

A five-year-old girl (pictured) is missing in the jungle in the Philippines after her father left her there as punishment for embarrassing him in front of his friends

Felipe Eranzo (in the black shirt) admitted knocking his daughter out by hitting her on the neck before leaving her unconscious in the forest at Famy, 60 miles east of Manila, to teach her a lesson

Eranzo told police that he had been drinking before he struck his daughter and that he had taken the youngster to the forest.

Officers then arrested him and he will face child abuse charges, GMA News reports.

Footage shows Eranzo being led around a forest in handcuffs accompanied by officials.

Last year, a seven-year-old Japanese boy was found alive nearly a week after his parents left him in a bear-inhabited forest as punishment for misbehaving.

Yamato Tanooka was found by soldiers hungry but unharmed in a hut on a military base having walked some 3.4 miles from the spot where he was abandoned.

During his ordeal, in rugged terrain on the northern island of Hokkaido, he drank from a tap near the corrugated-iron hut, and was immediately given food when he was found.

Footage shows Eranzo being led around a forest in handcuffs accompanied by officials

Yamato's parents were severely criticised by the Japanese public for forcing him out of their car on a mountain road to teach him a lesson for throwing stones at cars and people.

After the emotional discovery, the contrite father appeared before the media outside the hospital where the boy was taken for a check-up, bowing as he apologised for his 'excessive' actions.

The parents originally told police that their son got lost while they were out hiking to gather wild vegetables along with their daughter, but later admitted they had become angry with him for throwing the stones.

They ordered him onto the road, bounded on both sides by thick mountain forests, and quickly returned only to find him missing. Days of frantic searching found no trace of the child.

The boy told police that he walked to the military base, finding shelter in the hut located in the complex.
A luxury Mexican resort frequented by celebrities says a Californian doctor who claims she was sexually assaulted by a waiter is to blame for the crime, not the hotel.

The physician, who is in her 30s and wishes to remain anonymous, said the incident occurred late last year while on vacation at the luxury resort Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas.

'I woke up. I was confused, thinking I was having a dream with somebody's fingers inside of me,' she told Mercury News.

But now the resort is saying the doctor must take responsibility for the waiter's behavior with the hotel claiming she 'is guilty of inequitable conduct' and she 'voluntarily and knowingly assumed all risks.'

The incident occurred late last year at the luxury resort Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas (pictured). The resort says the doctor is to blame for what happened to her

An East Bay doctor, who is going by the pseudonym, Jane Doe, says she was sexually assaulted by an employee at Esperanza, a Cabo San Lucas resort in Mexico, during her stay in 2016

The doctor has filed a lawsuit against the Mill Valley company, Auberge Resorts, which operates the resort, alleging that the company didnt properly check the background of the alleged assailant

'I went to sleep in my hotel room at Esperanza and woke up to being sexually assaulted by a room service waiter,' the woman, known as Jane Doe, said in a statement.

'It is hard to put into words how devastating this experience has been for me and for my family. That Auberge would sooner blame a female assault victim than take any kind of accountability for their own actions is deeply depressing, and tells me that I was right to bring this case as a way of raising awareness of this critical safety issue for women.'

Her attorney, Paul Llewellyn, called Auberge's legal stance 'victim blaming' and said the resort and its attorneys 'should be ashamed of themselves.'

'The only plausible reason to include such defenses is so Auberge can argue these points at trial,' he said to the Mercury News. 'In other words, they are preserving their rights to say that a woman sexually assaulted in her hotel room by a hotel employee 'assumed the risk' by staying in their hotel, was herself to blame, and that what happened was 'consistent with the standards of care in the hospitality industry.'

The Esperanza's management company said the doctor must take the blame for the assault claiming she 'is guilty of inequitable conduct' and 'voluntarily and knowingly assumed all risks'

Llewellyn listed a number of reasons that the resort gave for their defense including:

'Defendant alleges that Plaintiff is guilty of inequitable conduct with reference to the matters in the Complaint'

'Plaintiff voluntarily and knowingly assumed all risks instant to said conduct at the time and place mentioned in said Complaint'

'If Plaintiff suffered any of the damages described in her Complaint, which Defendant denies, then such damages were causes [sic] solely or in part by the breaches, acts, or omissions of Plaintiff'

The doctor was traveling together with her five girlfriends at the time of the alleged assault.

The married mother-of-two had left dinner to go to bed early after celebrating their final night with a traditional Mexican dinner.

As she slept, the waiter that had been serving the group then slipped inside her room and began to sexually assault her, according to the original lawsuit filed in October 30.

The Esperanza has hosted celebrities like Jay Z and figures like President Obama (Pictured: Vanessa Hudgens at the Esperanza January 2017)

'I was very disoriented, as I was kind of coming to and he said something like: "It was part of the service."'

The lawsuit tells how the waiter began to take off his pants when the rest of the doctor's friends, who were only '30 to 40 feet' away, started to make their way back to the room, at which point the waiter made a run for it.

After the unidentified woman told her friends what had transpired, they confronted the waiter and demanded that the resort call the police.

'(The waiter), wringing his hands and appearing nervous, admitted what he had done, saying, "Yes, I know. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,"' the lawsuit alleged.

The hotel manager interviewed the victim and her friends later that night, but informed them that the police would not respond to the incident.

'It's important to do as a warning and as a survivor to tell my story that this can happen to anyone and anywhere,' she said.

'It was pretty devastating. It was hard to pinpoint one way. It's affected my relationship with my family, friendships, I have more anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, I'm afraid to go on vacation. It's really affected everything in my life.'

The lawsuit takes aim at the Esperanza's parent company, Auberge Resorts, which claims that they were negligent in hiring the waiter.

Initially, Auberge Resorts said that intended to 'defend itself appropriately.'

'The safety and welfare of our guests and staff is our highest priority,' the company said in a statement.

'We hold ourselves to the highest standards, including maintaining a zero tolerance policy for any type of harassment, with the goal of providing a safe and comfortable environment for all our guests and staff,' the statement added.

The incident, which occurred in November last year highlights the frustration American tourists encounter when crimes occur at Mexican resorts with local law enforcement unresponsive and staff seemingly unconcerned.

The resort has played host to a number of world famous celebrities and political figures, as well, including hip-hop artist Jay Z and former President Barack Obama.

Vanessa Hudgens and Sharon Osborne have also been pampered at the Esperanza, which 'promises a vacation you'll cherish for years to come,' according to the resort's website.

The smallest rooms at the hotel start at $675 a night and go into the thousands.
Victims of Ferne McCann's acid attacker ex have slammed the reality TV star for making a documentary telling of her hardship.

The Towie star's former boyfriend Arthur Collins injured more than 14 people in April in one the worst acid attacks Britain has seen.

But while he is awaiting sentence for the shocking crime, his former girlfriend has been appearing on TV in a documentary about giving birth to the criminal's baby.

In the show, Ferne McCann: First Time Mum, which aired on ITVBe on Tuesday, she described her life since Collin's arrest as 'absolute hell', in comments which have angered some of his victims.

Comments made by Ferne McCann during a documentary into her giving birth to her acid attacker former fiance's baby have angered the victims of his crime

She described her life since Collins' arrest as 'absolute hell', which her victims say is an insult the pain and suffering they are going through after their skin was burnt in the nightclub attack

Phoebe Georgiou told The Sun: 'It's like rubbing salt on an open wound. She has disregarded our feelings. We are the real victims.'

The 23-year-old said it felt like McCann was 'cashing in' and making money from her connection to the sickening crime.

Another, unnamed. victim told the paper's website: 'She's making money out of this, it's all just me, me, me. Every time her face pops up, I think of Arthur Collins.'

Miss Georgiou has suffered night terrors and anxiety in crowded places since the attack and now struggles to get out.

Speaking after Collins was found guilty, she said: 'It's not just physically scarring, it's mentally which is the hardest.

'Now I have a life sentence to deal with, with scars and mental injuries. And I have to see a therapist about twice a week because I'm dealing with such bad anxiety and panic attacks and sleep paralysis.'

Phoebe Georgiou, who suffered these injuries in the attack, said that, by appearing on TV and appearing to appeal for sympathy over Collins' absence, McCann was 'cashing in'

She released these disturbing images to show the extent of the damage acid can do

Collins will be sentenced next week for the attack which left at least 14 people injured

McCann is said to have told Collins that he will never see their new-born baby again.

The 27-year-old reportedly confronted her former fiance while visiting him in prison with their three-week-old daughter Sunday and told him: 'This is the last time you will ever see us.'

Collins, 25, is facing years in jail for the tit-for-tat gangland attack when he comes before a judge to be sentenced on Monday.

Just hours before the attack, he and Miss McCann had celebrated her pregnancy at a family gathering at which he spoke of his delight at the prospect of becoming a father.

McCann is said to deny 'cashing in' on the crime. Her representatives have been approached by MailOnline for comment.
All of the presenters at January's Screen Actors Guild Awards will be women, it was revealed on Thursday.

As sexual misconduct allegations against men in Hollywood continue to rock Hollywood, the SAG Awards announced that all 13 of the acting awards, as well as two stunt awards, will be presented by women.

Women have taken the spotlight at the awards show, with Kristen Bell hosting, and Olivia Munn and Niecy Nash announcing the nominations on Wednesday.

As sexual misconduct allegations against men in Hollywood continue to rock Hollywood, the SAG Awards announced that all 13 of the acting awards, as well as two stunt awards, will be presented by women

Famous actor stories that open the show will be all-female as well, Page Six reported.

'I feel pretty strongly about the women's movement,' Kathy Connell, the executive producer of the show, told The New York Times. 'Women stepped forward in such a huge way in this last year.'

She added: 'I want to salute women who are coming forward to speak at a very difficult time about very difficult subjects at great risk to themselves.'

Kristen Bell said that the fact that she has been chosen to be the show's first host means 'genitals become irrelevant'.

'Culturally there's always been a conversation about equality,' Bell told the Times. 'Now there's some mega-spotlights on this conversation and, dare I say, some pyrotechnics in the background.'

There is one exception to the all-female roster at the awards show: The award for outstanding performance by a cast will be introduced by men and women. The award itself, however, will be presented by a woman.

Women have taken the spotlight at the awards show, with Kristen Bell being the event's first-ever host

Niecy Nash (left) and Olivia Munn (right) announced the show's nominations in Hollywood on Wednesday

Martin McDonagh's black comedy crime story Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri scored the most nominations for the SAG Awards, seen as a major bellwether for the Oscars.

The movie received four nods in three categories -- best ensemble cast, best lead actress (Frances McDormand), and best supporting actor (Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell).

Joining Three Billboards in the running for best cast - the SAG's top award - are romantic comedy The Big Sick, racial satire Get Out, offbeat dramedy Lady Bird and civil rights drama Mudbound.

On the television side, three series were tied at the top with four nominations each: HBO drama Big Little Lies and - including the stunt team nominations - Netflix sci-fi thriller Stranger Things and wrestling comedy Glow.

The SAG nominations are the second major announcement in Tinseltown's glittering awards season, which climaxes with the Academy Awards in March.

From left, SAG Awards executive producer Kathy Connell, SAG Awards Committee Member Elizabeth McLaughlin, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, actors Niecy Nash, Olivia Munn, and SAG Awards Committee Chair & SAG-AFTRA Foundation President JoBeth Williams pose during the 24th Annual SAG Awards Nominations Announcement

Although less high-profile than the Golden Globes, the SAG awards are seen as more of an indicator of Oscars glory, since members represent some 1,200 of the roughly 6,000 voters for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The awards were being closely watched this year as they come with Hollywood engulfed in the worst sexual misconduct scandal in its history.

Allegations from harassment to rape have sparked the downfall of numerous powerful industry players, from movie mogul Harvey Weinstein to actors Kevin Spacey, Jeffrey Tambor and Louis C.K. to filmmaker Brett Ratner.

None of the Hollywood figures directly involved in the scandal were rewarded by SAG, although Spacey's House of Cards co-star Robin Wright was nominated.

Gabrielle Carteris, president of the SAG-AFTRA actors' union, said the flood of accusations showed that victims were feeling empowered at last to speak out.

'And if we continue to allow and to hear those voices, and then start to change... the way that we do certain things, we can actually shift our culture,' she said.

The winners of the 24th annual SAG awards will be announced on January 21 in Los Angeles, in a ceremony broadcast live on TNT and TBS.
Bill and Hillary Clinton forced the Secret Service to undermine itself by 'systematically destroying' the rules that were put in place for their protection, a former officer who guarded them claims.

In his new book, New York Times best-selling author Gary Byrne writes that the Secret Service was nearly undone by serving the Clintons with 'blind loyalty' which they took advantage of for their own gain.

Agents were allegedly forced to collude with the Clintons in the 'Chinagate' campaign finance scandal in 1996 by ignoring the contents of brown paper bags brought into the White House by Chinese officials.

The problem was compounded by Secret Service leadership mistakenly thinking that the Clintons were 'invincible,' Byrne writes.

'The view from the front lines, however, was that something, somehow, was bound to ensnare them. It was simply a matter of the right scandal,' he writes.

Byrne served in federal law enforcement for nearly 30 years first in the Air Force Security Police, then in the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service where he guarded the Clintons.

His book, Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future of the US Secret Service, which is out next month, paints a picture of an agency in crisis which could be a danger to President Trump.

Working for the Clintons: The Secret Service served the Clintons (pictured on Inauguration Day) with 'blind loyalty' which the presidential couple took advantage of for their own gain, a former officer has revealed

The 'invincible' Clintons: Byrne previously reported that Hillary was so demanding that she drove many Secret Service agents to drugs and alcohol

Byrne writes that the problems date back to the 1990s when the Clintons were in the White House.

The rot started because they would 'continually seek to systematically destroy the protocols that ensure protection', putting the Secret Service in an impossible positions.

Byrne writes that 'the agency had decided to err on the slide of blind loyalty and that was nearly its undoing'.

Referring to the Secret Service responsibility for investigating money counterfeiting, Byrne writes: 'How can a law enforcement agency maintain its integrity, say in policing counterfeiting, while admittedly having compromised integrity in the area of protection?'

For a while Secret Service did a 'good job' of keeping itself out of the various investigations into the Clintons such as the Whitewater controversy, a scandal in which the couple was investigated over their failed business venture, Byrne says.

But it was impossible to do so with Chinagate, where the Chinese government allegedly used shell companies to donate to Democrats to buy access for Chinese goods to be imported to the US.

The Clintons allegedly forced their agents to collude in the 1996 'Chinagate' scandal in which the Chinese government was accused of using shell companies to donate to Democrats to buy access for Chinese goods to be imported to the US

Scandal: In 1995, Ng Lap Seng was photographed meeting President Clinton in Georgetown. The Secret Service also knowingly allowed Chinese officials - disguised in civilian clothing - to meet with White House personnel and logged them in as 'business guests.' Seng avoided prosecution over claims he gave illegal campaign donations

The Secret Service 'knowingly allowed Chinese generals, disguised in civilian clothing, to meet administration personnel at the White House and logged them as 'business guests' at the administration's request so as to avoid transparency'.

The agency also 'willfully ignored the contents of the generals' paper bags brought to those meetings'.

The Clinton White House would later be accused of accepting bribes but with no papertrail it was very difficult to prove it.

Byrne's previous book, Crisis of Character, was just as damning about the Clintons and claimed that Hillary was so demanding that she drove many Secret Service agents to drugs and alcohol.

Hillary once threw a Bible at an agent on her detail and hit him on the back of the head, Byrne claimed. She also once gave Bill a black eye during a fight, he writes in the book.

In recent years the Secret Service has been battered by scandals of its own doing that have raised grave questions over its competence.

In 2008 an employee caused an 'immense' security breach when they left computer backup tapes on a train in Washington, D.C.

Byrne also claims Hillary once threw a Bible at an agent on her detail and hit him on the back of the head. She also allegedly once gave Bill a black eye during a fight

The scandal only came to light four years later in 2012.

That same year 12 agents were put under investigation for using prostitutes in Cartegena, Colombia, on the eve of President Barack Obama's official visit - in the very hotel where he was staying.

Byrne's book paints a picture of an agency in crisis which could be a danger to President Trump

Eight quit their posts while the others were cleared of 'serious misconduct', prompting the President to brand them 'knuckleheads'.

Amid the fallout, former Secret Service agents and commentators agreed that it was the worst scandal to hit the organisation in decades.

Last year an intruder roamed the grounds of the White House for 15 minutes even though the alarms were going off - because the Secret Service could not find him.

And in a separate bungle two Secret Service agents including a top member of the President's personal detail drove a car into White House security barricades after drinking at a late night party.

In January a senior Secret Service agent in Denver wrote on Facebook that she wouldn't 'take a bullet' for President Trump.

Kerry O'Grady, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Denver district, said that the then President-elect was a 'disaster'.

Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future of the U.S. Secret Service will be released January 2, 2018
An Ohio man has revealed the chilling message his mother sent about killing his father after he discovered a smelly crate underneath some blankets swarming with maggots and flies inside the family's home.

Howard Eubank was locked out of his family's Coventry Township home Saturday and decided to climb through a window that his mother, Marcia Eubank, 49, usually kept closed.

Once inside he found a crate that smelled badly and was surrounded by maggots and flies.

He dragged it outside and took a photo that he sent to his mother asking what was inside.

She simply replied, 'I killed your dad.'

Authorities say the woman lived with the dismembered body parts belonging to her 54-year-old husband,also named Howard L. Eubank, for five months before their son discovered the crate inside their home that's on the southern outskirts of Akron.

Marcia Y. Eubank (left), 49, was arrested on suspicion of murder Saturday in Ohio. Authorities say her husband, Howard Eubank (right), was killed in June and had his body dismembered by his wife, who left the parts in multiple bags and luggage in their home

Howard and Marcia Eubank were married in 1994. She is seen left with her grandmother center, and her husband on the right. One of the couple's two sons made the gruesome discovery of finding Howard's remains inside the family's home

She was arrested on suspicion of murder Saturday by police who responded to the gruesome scene.

Marcia was booked into Summit Count Jail after she was charged with one count of murder.

She allegedly confessed to detectives that she shot and killed him on June 13 before dismembering his body with power and hand tools and leaving them in bags or luggage around the house for five months.

Her husband's co-workers at the water supply company where he worked told police that they received a 'bizarre' text message from his phone this summer, claiming that he was suddenly moving to Texas on June 18.

She also told the same lie to his family members including the two adult sons that they shared and his three other sons from a previous relationship.

'We all thought it was odd and strange that he would just up and leave, but it never crossed our mind that she would actually murder him,' Jonathon Eubank, one of Howard's sons and a stepson of Marcia, told ABC News.

Marcia appeared in court via video link from the Summit County Jail on Monday (pictured left and right). Her bail was set at $1million. On Wednesday she pleaded not guilty to murder

He added that he's in 'shock' over the grisly discovery along with other family members.

He said that he last spoke with his father on the phone in May.

'We were talking about him coming to my wedding and how excited he was to come and how proud of me he was,' the 27-year-old said.

'And then in the middle of June, we get a message saying that he left my stepmom and went to Texas.'

'My oldest brother got a text message from my dad off his phone saying he's in Texas and he's fine.

'And then about a month or so later he posted something on Facebook, my dad did, saying he'll reach out to people when he's ready. ... Clearly, that wasn't him doing any of that stuff.

'... Periodically there would be posts on his Facebook -- one was to Marcia saying he had missed her.

Marcia confessed to police that she killed her husband inside their home by shooting him once in the back of the head after an argument in June. She then dismembered his body and hid the parts around their home (file above)

'That was one of the last Facebook posts that we had seen from his account.'

He said months went by and in August he got married, but was upset that his father did not show up to the special event.

'I don't know how you can up and just leave your kids' lives and miss probably one of the most important days of my life,' he said.

'We all thought it was odd and strange that he would just up and leave ... but it never crossed our mind that she would actually murder him.'

Months later in in October Jonathon, who lives out of state, went to the couple's home in Ohio.

He said that Marcia acted 'normally' and that he and his new wife hugged her.

'We had no idea that my dad was 20, 30 feet away from us,' he said.

Howard's family members and friends are shocked to learn what really happened to him. He is pictured above center in an undated photo

The mother pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon in Barberton Municipal Court to one count of murder. She is being held in the Summit County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Of why Marcia would allegedly kill Howard, Jonathon said: 'None of us know why. None of us know why she chose to say he went to Texas.

'Playing this whole past six months through my head is just, it's difficult.'

The couple had been married for 24 years, and had two adult children together. Howard had three other sons from a previous relationship.

Authorities said that Marcia had no prior criminal record.

Her attorney, Brian Pierce, said there is a history of verbal and physical abuse between the couple.

She will undergo a mental evaluation.

The case will be presented to a Summit County grand jury on December 22.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted along party lines on Thursday to repeal landmark 2015 rules that intended to ensure a free and open Internet, as protesters gather to oppose the change.

The 3-2 ruling sets up a court fight over a move that opponents fear will recast the digital landscape.

The meeting was evacuated before the vote for about 10 minutes on the basis of what Commission Chairman Ajit Pai called 'advice from security,' and resumed after sniffer dogs checked the building.

An FCC official told DailyMail.com that police had concerns after a bomb threat was phoned in.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, left, greeted witnesses before Thursday's meeting to vote on net neutrality

Homeland Security police evacuated the hearing room briefly after a bomb threat was phoned in

After the bomb threat was called in, officers evacuated the FCC's headquarters and called in the dogs

Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in to sweep the building and clear it before the hearing could resume

Diane Tepfer hed a sign with an image of Pai as the 'Grinch who Stole the Internet' during a Washington, D.C. protest outside FCC headquarters

Pai's victory is also a win for internet service providers like AT&T Inc., Comcast Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. that opposed the regulations, popularly known as net neutrality rules, and hands them power over what web content consumers can access.

Democrats, Hollywood and companies like Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Facebook Inc. had urged Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump, not to rescind the Obama-era rules barring service providers from blocking, slowing access to or charging more for certain content.

Consumer advocates and trade groups representing content providers have planned a legal challenge aimed at preserving those rules.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Thursday that 'the administration supports the FCC's efforts. And at the same time the White House certainly has and always will support a fair and free Internet.'

Someone called in a bomb threat during the FCC vote. Eventually the emoji will be similar to the  emoji #NetNeutrality pic.twitter.com/IEOqcI7V3O  Adam Felibrico (@AdamFelibrico) December 14, 2017

The 3-2 vote to rescind net neutrality rules could usher in big changes in how Americans use the Internet, according to consumer advocates

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat and daughter of South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, said in the runup to the vote that Republicans were 'handing the keys to the Internet' to a 'handful of multi-billion dollar corporations.'

Clyburn addressed protesters outside, raising a clenched fist, before the hearing began.

Pai has argued that the 2015 rules were heavy handed and stifled competition and innovation among service providers.

'The Internet wasn't broken in 2015. We weren't living in a digital dystopia. To the contrary, the internet is perhaps the one thing in American society we can all agree has been a stunning success,' he said on Thursday.

But companies like Netflix, worried about speed-throttling and other barriers to video streaming, lashed out quickly.

'We're disappointed in the decision to gut #NetNeutrality protections that ushered in an unprecedented era of innovation, creativity & civic engagement. This is the beginning of a longer legal battle. Netflix stands w/ innovators, large & small, to oppose this misguided FCC order,' the company tweeted.

Netflix was not amused on Thursday, tweeting its disappointment at the FCC's move

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat and daughter of South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, rallied with protesters outside the hearing room

Net neutrality rules prevented internet service providers from creating different levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems

Consumers are unlikely to see any immediate changes resulting from the rule change, but smaller startups worry the lack of restrictions could drive up costs or lead to their content being blocked.

Internet service providers say they will not block or throttle legal content but that they may engage in paid prioritization. They say consumers will see no change and argue that the largely unregulated internet worked fine in the two decades before the order was adopted.

Democrats point to polls showing the proposal is deeply unpopular and say they will ultimately prevail in protecting the rules, either in the courts or in U.S. Congress.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said in a written dissent released on Thursday that the decision grants internet providers 'extraordinary new power' from the FCC.

'They have the technical ability and business incentive to discriminate and manipulate your internet traffic. And now this agency gives them the legal green light to go ahead,' she said.

WHAT IS 'NET NEUTRALITY'? Net neutrality is the principle that internet providers treat all web traffic equally, and it's pretty much how the internet has worked since its creation. But regulators, consumer advocates and internet companies were concerned about what broadband companies could do with their power as the pathway to the internet - blocking or slowing down apps that rival their own services, for example. WHAT DID THE GOVERNMENT DO ABOUT IT? The FCC in 2015 approved rules, on a party-line vote, that made sure cable and phone companies don't manipulate traffic. With them in place, a provider such as Comcast can't charge Netflix for a faster path to its customers, or block it or slow it down. The net neutrality rules gave the FCC power to go after companies for business practices that weren't explicitly banned as well. For example, the Obama FCC said that 'zero rating' practices by AT&T violated net neutrality. The telecom giant exempted its own video app from cellphone data caps, which would save some consumers money, and said video rivals could pay for the same treatment. Pai's FCC spiked the effort to go after AT&T, even before it began rolling out a plan to undo the net neutrality rules entirely. A federal appeals court upheld the rules in 2016 after broadband providers sued. WHAT DO TELECOM COMPANIES WANT? Big telecom companies hate the stricter regulation that comes with the net neutrality rules and have fought them fiercely in court. They say the regulations can undermine investment in broadband and introduced uncertainty about what were acceptable business practices. There were concerns about potential price regulation, even though the FCC had said it won't set prices for consumer internet service. WHAT DOES SILICON VALLEY WANT? Internet companies such as Google have strongly backed net neutrality, but many tech firms have been more muted in their activism this year. Netflix, which had been vocal in support of the rules in 2015, said in January that weaker net neutrality wouldn't hurt it because it's now too popular with users for broadband providers to interfere. Advertisement

Several state attorneys general have said they will work to oppose the ruling, citing problems with comments made to the FCC during the public comment period. Other critics have said they will consider challenging what they consider to be weaker enforcement.

Net neutrality supporters rallied in front of the FCC building in Washington before the vote, and some Congress members were expected to join.

Amid chants of 'Hey hey, ho ho, Chairman Pai has got to go!', several dozen people stood in the cold to hear activists speak out against the change.

Online protesters included celebrities like 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill.

The 2015 rules were intended to give consumers equal access to web content and prevent broadband providers from favoring their own content. Pai proposes allowing those practices as long as they are disclosed.

Michael Powell, a former FCC chairman who heads a trade group representing major cable companies and broadcasters, told reporters earlier this week that internet providers would not block content because it would not make economic sense.

A University of Maryland poll released this week found that more than 80 percent of respondents opposed the proposal to rescind the rules

Democrats say they will ultimately prevail in protecting the rules, either in the courts or in U.S. Congress.

'They make a lot of money on an open internet,' Powell said, adding it is 'much more profitable' than a closed system. 'This is not a pledge of good-heartedness, it's a pledge in the shareholders' interest.'

A University of Maryland poll released this week found that more than 80 percent of respondents opposed the proposal. The survey of 1,077 registered voters was conducted online by the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland from Dec. 6-8.

Democrats have said the absence of rules would be unacceptable and that they would work to overturn the proposal if it is approved. Advocates of the net neutrality rules plan a legal challenge.

Pai's proposal is 'like letting the bullies develop their own playground rules,' said Democratic Senator Ed Markey.

Many Republicans back Pai's proposal but want Congress to write net neutrality rules. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the FCC would 'return the internet to a consumer-driven marketplace free of innovation-stifling regulations.'

A group of nearly 20 state attorneys general asked the FCC to delay the vote until the issue of fake comments is addressed.
California has not paid any of the $1.2 billion claims stemming from the Oroville Dam crisis, it has emerged.

The main spillway of the nation's tallest dam was heavily damaged in February, after heavy rains forced the dam operators to continue using it

The flows exacerbated damage to the structure, eventually carving a massive gash through the concrete spillway.

Water moved down the damaged spillway at Oroville Dam at a rate of 80,000 cubic feet per second

Nearly 200,000 people were forced to evacuate in a bid to escape what threatened to be a major disaster

A total of $1.2 billion in claims have been submitted from businesses, farms, counties and cities affected by the crisis

Chunks of concrete flew off the nearly mile-long spillway, which had not been used since the dam opened in 1968, creating a 200-foot-long, 30-foot-deep hole.

Nearly 200,000 were ordered to evacuate as the emergency spillway threatened to collapse, but disaster was averted.

Claims for damages were submitted by the hundreds from shops and restaurants that lost business, farms that got overwhelmed by surges in water, and cities and counties that had to pay for the evacuation.

The claims totaled more than $1.2 billion, including a single $1 billion claim filed on behalf of 'all affected parties' whose riverfront land was damaged by abrupt water releases from Lake Oroville.

The Oroville Dam is the tallest in America and has been in service since 1968

California's Department of General Services has so far not settled any of the claims

The state ignored warning signs about the condition of the dam's spillway and so is responsible for the compensation, most claims say.

But the Sacramento Bee reported the state's Department of General Services has so far not settled a single claim and has rejected hundreds of them.

Residents, farmers and municipal governments filed 490 claims with the state in the months following the Oroville crisis.

The DGS has rejected 347 of the claims outright, most because DGS deputy director Monica Hassan said they were 'more complex than the standard administrative claims ... the department normally receives'.

Some were denied because the claimants missed the deadline, failed to pay the filing fee or they didn't supply enough information for the claim to be evaluated.

Another 143 claims are still pending and Hassan said added 'DGS decides every government claim on an individual basis'.

Many claimants are now prepared to take their cases to court including a pair of walnut farms seeking $15 million in damages.

Although the final report has not been released, Forensic investigators have blamed the emergency on design flaws and other problems with the main spillway, including maintenance issues.
A Chicago jury has awarded $48million to the family of an eight-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered at the hands of her father and grandmother in 2013.

The decision on Wednesday brings to an end a highly emotional trial, in which jurors were so shaken by the evidence that the judge had to stop opening statements last week because one juror started sobbing.

Gizzell Ford was eight years old in July 2013 when she was found strangled to death at the home where she lived with her father, Andre, and grandmother, Helen.

A Chicago jury awarded the family of murdered eight-year-old Gizzell Ford (left) $48million on Wednesday. Gizzell was found tortured and strangled to death by her father and grandmother, Helen Ford (right), in July 2013

Her mother Sandra Mercado and maternal grandfather Juan Mercado filed the lawsuit, claiming Gizzell's death could have been prevented if a doctor who examined her in the days before her death had reported to authorities that she was being abused.

Dr. Norell Rosado was working for the county at the time as a child-abuse pediatrician, and conducted an exam on Gizzell 16 days before she died when the girl's mother and grandmother accused her mother's boyfriend of molestation.

While he found various healing wounds on her legs and buttocks, he didn't think that they were consistent with child abuse.

Attorneys for the girl's family say he should have asked Gizzell where she got the wounds though, away from her grandmother, and then immediately reported the abuse so that she could be taken out of the home.

The lawsuit was filed by Gizzell's mother and maternal grandfather, against a doctor who examined the girl just 16 days before she died. They say Dr. Norell Rosado (left, on December 7) could have saved the girl's life if he properly reported the child abuse

Throughout the trial, Rosado's lawyers argued that he followed protocol and that the only people responsible for the girl's murder were the two people who physically carried it out - the father and grandmother.

In the end, the jury sided with the family, awarding them $48million - the exact amount they had asked for.

It took them two hours to deliberate before coming to their decision on Wednesday.

When the decision was read in court, Rosado did not react.

Since he was working for the county at the time, the county's insurance provider will likely make the payout. Rosado now works for Lurie Children's Hospital.

After the hearing on Wednesday, Gizzell's mother says she got justice.

'We just wanted justice for Gizzell, and in our eyes we got it,' Sandra Mercado said. 'I just hope this doesnt happen to anyone else.'

Gizzell's father Andre was also charged with her murder, but died of a heart attack in jail before he could go to trial

Gizzell Ford's father was give custody eight months before her death, when he told a judge that her mother had become homeless.

While the mother was not homeless, and tried to explain that she was living with her father, the judge nonetheless put the eight-year-old in her father's care - despite the fact that both he and his mother, who he lived with, were convicted felons.

Gizzell's diary entries from the time show how her life became a living hell at the hands of her father and grandmother.

Once happy descriptions of herself as 'smart, courageous and beautiful' turned self-loathing when she went to live with the pair.

'I hate this life,' she wrote in one entry just two days before her death.

She described being made to squat for hours and wrote innocently: 'I know if I be good and do everything I'm told I won't have to do punishments.'

Her depraved abusers tied her to her father's bed for days on end, depriving her of food and drink and punishing her for trying to take water from the toilet bowl.

Helen constantly threatened violence with a belt she wore around her neck.

Paramedics discovered the girl's dead body in July 2013 when they were called to the home for reports of a child not breathing.

Upon their arrival, Helen Ford tried to send the paramedics away, saying Gizzell had been having one of her 'fits' but had recovered.

The EMTs pushed their way in and found the child lying lifeless, tied next to her father's bed. The body was face down on a bloody pillow, wearing just a pair of ripped green underwear. Her father was lying on the bed in his underwear and holding a laptop.

This is the apartment building where Gizzell was found dead back in July 2013. Her body was found decomposing facedown on a bloody pillow. An autopsy showed she had been strangled

A gaping wound at the back of her head was infested with maggots and the cause of death was given as strangulation. She had ligature marks on her hands and legs and traces of semen were also found on her body.

The paramedics said she had likely been dead for some time.

Both the grandmother and father were charged with her murder, but Andre died in jail while awaiting a trial.

Helen tried to explain away the abuse before her conviction, telling a court through her lawyer that she was overwhelmed by having to care for both her son and granddaughter.

The court didn't buy it though and sent her to prison for life in July.
City buildings in Newtown, Conn., will close for 45 minutes Thursday morning to provide a moment of reflection five years after a school shooting that shook the town and became a new focal point in ongoing debates about school safety and gun laws.

Unlike smaller-scale events of violence that tragically feel more routine, the details of that day are etched in public memory: On December 14, 2012, a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School where he shot and killed 20 young children and six adults before killing himself as law enforcement arrived.

The event stirred many questions. Are schools doing enough to address the mental health needs of students? Would stricter gun laws help prevent similar tragedies in the future? What is the right approach to school safety? And, most prominently, why did this happen?

School Safety Efforts Focus on Prevention

There have been 144 incidents in which a gun has been discharged in a K-12 school since the Newtown shootings, according to Every Town for Gun Safety. That number does not include the latest shootings at Aztec High School in New Mexico, where a gunman shot and killed two students before killing himself.

Contrary to popular narratives, most mass shooters dont just snap, a speaker told the American Psychological Association in 2014. In fact, shooters often leak their intentions beforehand , giving indications to peers and relatives that they plan to act violently, Anders Goranson, a psychologist and threat-assessment specialist, said in a lecture.

I think this idea of just snapped really undermines the importance of ongoing risk management and assessment, Goranson said at the time.



People need to feel empowered to share information or conversations that made the hair stand up on the back of their neck, he said. If we believe this comes out of nowhere, then why do any of these things?

School safety experts have increasingly focused on the value of prevention, giving students a safe, often anonymous way to report concerns. Thats why many states have launched phone and internet safety tiplines , like one in Colorado, that have been credited with averting many would-be shootings.

In the week of the shootings anniversary, Sandy Hook Promise, an organization founded by some families of the victims, released a public service announcement to emphasize the importance of speaking up about safety concerns. In the ad, a TV news reporter gives an all too familiar report about a school shooting with one twist: the shooting hasnt happened yet. The text at the bottom of the screen reads: student to carry out shooting tomorrow, and the people the reporter interviews discuss what they will say the next day, after it actually happens. He told some of us that his dad kept a gun in his closet, and he always talked about using it on, you know, the people that bullied him, the gunmans classmate says in the ad. Tomorrow Ill probably say that I wish I told someone.

Sandy Hook Promise, which is also known for championing tougher gun laws, has developed programs to encourage prevention in schools. Their efforts include Say Something, a program that teaches students how to recognize the signs that a peer may plan to harm himself or herself or others. As Education Weeks Lisa Stark recently reported in a story for the PBS Newshour, schools are increasingly incorporating such programs, and broader threat assessment work, into their safety plans.

Response to Sandy Hook Includes Students Mental Health, Relationships

Sandy Hook is one of several high-profile shootings that have stirred conversations about mental health, sense of belonging at school, and student well-being.

A state report about gunman Adam Lanza released in 2014 painted a picture of repeated missed opportunities by schools, relatives and mental health professionalsto intervene in a downward spiral of isolation, emotional instability, and mental illness:

The report stresses that "no direct line of causation" can be drawn from the lapses in adequate treatment and Lanza's ultimate violent acts. It includes recommendations for universal screening for mental health and developmental impairments for children from birth to age 21 and better care coordination between community, educational, and health care organizations. "Schools may not be equipped to provide, or even to import, comprehensive behavioral health or developmental supports to children, and will need significant support to ensure adequate expertise and related services for children with highly specialized needs," the report concludes.

A Connecticut state panel later recommended a series of post-Newtown interventions for schools , including coordination of community-based mental health services, risk-assessment teams that explore the behavioral and needs of students, and active instruction in healthy social development.

Newtown Remains a Talking Point in Debates Over Arming Teachers

Debates over arming teachers and school staff that were stoked after Sandy Hook continue today, sometimes surging after more recent school shootings.

Under federal law, schools are designated gun-free zones unless theres an exception created by state law. As Education Weeks Kavitha Cardoza reported in this video piece, some states have considered proposals to change their laws to allow for educators to carry guns on school campuses.

But a group of educatorsincluding survivors of the Sandy Hook shootings and other acts of school violencehave organized against such efforts. Arming teachers wont make schools any safer , they say, arguing in favor of broader efforts to address gun violence.

Preparing Students Through Safety Drills

The use of school safety drills has increased significantly since the events in Newtown. Thats in part because of a surge of state bills that were proposed after the shootings that set new state mandates for school safety and preparedness.

As I reported in September, some of those drills have gotten more complicated , teaching students tactics like how to escape out windows if a teacher instructs them to and even fight back in extreme situations. Some experts question the effectiveness of such drills. They say they provoke unnecessary fear, especially in young students. But some schools, and some parents want them in place.

Matt Holland, a teacher and a father, said in that story that he doesnt want his students or his own children to be sitting ducks in the unlikely event of a school shooting.

While, yes, statistically speaking, the chances [of a shooting] are very slim, he said, I dont want, heaven forbid, something to happen to my students or my daughter and to say, There was a small chance it would happen, and it happened. And no one ever planned for it. 

Photo: A makeshift memorial studded with crosses representing the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting stands outside of a home in Newtown, Conn., in 2013. -Robert F. Bukaty/AP-File

Related reading on the Newtown shootings and school safety:

Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox.
A woman was killed and two others left seriously injured after a vehicle slammed into a Pollo Tropical restaurant.

Zamara Gonzales, 41, was killed Friday afternoon. She was seated at a booth by the window of the restaurant in Davie, Florida, and was trapped under the car for about 15 minutes.

Surveillance footage captured the crash between a red Toyota Matrix driven by Jesus Bisball and a black Mercedes-Benz E550 driven by Stacy Masik-Mahaffy.

Zamara Gonzales, 41, was killed Friday afternoon after a car slammed into a Pollo Tropical

Gonzales was trapped under the red Toyota for 15 minutes before firefighters freed her

The driver of the Matrix lost control and plowed through the restaurant.

Firefighters freed Gonzales and gave her chest compressions. She was then taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

'I mean, everyone was just trying to get a grip on [the car] and lift it. The floor was pretty wet, so no one could really move without slipping,' a witness said to Local 10.

Gonzales leaves behind two children. She is originally from Marianao, Cuba, according to her Facebook page.

Gonzalez was seated at a booth by the window of the restaurant in Davie, Florida, when the car hit her

The flying debris also injured a man named Steve Pierre and his seven-year-old son Cameron.

Pierre was not seriously hurt, but his 18-month old daughter was sitting in a stroller just inches away.

Cameron suffered from a lacerated liver, broken rib and a pulmonary hematoma, but doctors expect him to survive his injuries.

Surveillance footage captured the crash between a red Toyota Matrix driven by Jesus Bisball and a black Mercedes-Benz E550 driven by Stacy Masik-Mahaffy

The horrifying car crash has left a woman dead and two other seriously injured after a vehicle slammed into a Pollo Tropical

The Gonzalez family told Pierre that she had taken a break from shopping when she went to the Pollo Tropical.

'That could have been me or my kids,' said Pierre to News 7. 'We were literally inches away.'

The Gonzalez family has begun preparing for a funeral to be held during the holiday season.

The Gonzalez family has begun preparing for a funeral to be held during the holiday season

The flying debris also injured a man named Steve Pierre and his seven-year-old son Cameron

A driver apparently ran a stop sign, causing the Matrix to lose control and run over a median and into the restaurant

Masik-Mahaffy apparently ran a stop sign, causing the Matrix to lose control and run over a median and into the restaurant.

Investigators say the driver of the Matrix accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake after the vehicle collision.

'I did feel the impact. I got hit in the back of the head, I got hit on my shoulder,' said Pierre.

It is currently unknown if any charges will be filed.
At least four children died and several were seriously injured when their school coach was 'cut in half' after colliding with a train in the south of France today.

The horrific accident happened close to the city of Perpignan when the vehicle 'was caught between barriers' shortly after 4pm.

A TER commuter train travelling at around 50mph ploughed into the bus, causing carnage among the party from a high school in nearby Millas.

Scroll down for video.

The smashed remains of the truck near the crash site in Millas, some 530 miles from Paris, where at least four children have died

The horrific accident happened close to the city of Perpignan when the vehicle 'was caught between barriers' shortly after 4pm

The horrific accident happened close to the town of Perpignan, when the vehicle 'was caught between barriers'. Emergency services, pictured, are now dealing with the incident

Nineteen people are thought to have been injured, seven seriously.

The bus, which was carrying around 20 students from a local secondary school, was struck by the train in Millas about 18 kilometres west (11 miles) of the city of Perpignan, close to the Spanish border.

'The bus was very badly hit,' the public prosecutor in Perpignan, Jean-Jacques Fagny, said.

All of those seriously injured or killed were all travelling in the bus and of the 12 who suffered minor injuries, three were train passengers, police sources said.

France Bleu regional radio reported that the train ploughed into the rear of the bus.

Pictures posted on French media showed the bus had been severed in two.

Around 70 emergency workers, backed by four helicopters, were deployed as part of the rescue effort and the crash site was cordoned off to the media.

The local L'Independant paper cited one of the rail passengers, named only as Barbara, as saying the impact 'was very powerful and we thought the train was going to derail'.

The reason for the collision was unclear and local politician Robert Olive described the scene as a 'vision of horror'.

The national railway operator SNCF said that 'according to witnesses, the level crossing was working as normal' but that an investigation would be carried out to confirm the cause.

But a French Transport Department spokesman confirmed that there had been 'regular complaints' about the crossing.

Families of the children rushed to the scene to try to get news of their loves ones, a reporter at the scene witnessed.

Firefighters and police work at the site of an accident in Millas, near Perpignan, southern France, on December 14, 2017, after a train crashed into a school bus at a level crossing

An emergency services vehicle which reads 'accident' is parked on the side of a road with a signpost for Millas

The bus, which was carrying around 20 students from a local secondary school, was struck by the train in Millas about 18 kilometres west (11 miles) of the city of Perpignan, close to the Spanish border

President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: 'All my thoughts for the victims of this terrible accident involving a school bus, as well as their families. The state is fully mobilised to help them.'

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe flew to Millas by helicopter from a meeting in the south-central city of Cahors.

Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne and the head of the SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, were also on their way to the accident site.

'It's a terrible event,' Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said, expressing 'profound sadness'.

The security department for the Pyrenees area, where the collision took place, said the accident involved a train travelling west from Perpignan to the town of Villefranche de Conflent.

Video images showed a long line of ambulance and emergency service vehicles near the crossing where the collision occurred

A video grab showing an emergency services vehicle driving along the road towards the crash site

The accident is the third involving several fatalities on French railways in the past four years.

In 2015, a high-speed TGV train being tested on a stretch of the line between Paris and the eastern city of Strasbourg derailed after hitting a bridge at 243 kilometres-per-hour, killing 11 people onboard.

In 2013, seven people were killed when a commuter train slammed into a station south of Paris. A signalling defect was blamed for that crash.
The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. stood in front of what she said Thursday is an Iran-made missile fired at a civilian target to accuse the country of violating international law by arming Yemeni rebels.

Nikki Haley said U.S. experts had concluded that the missile fired by Houthi rebel forces towards Saudi Arabia's capital's civilian airport was made in Iran.

Supplying such weapons was a breach of sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic, she said, and warned that the U.S. was building a 'coalition' against Tehran.

'You will see us build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what they're doing,' she said.

She spoke at a military hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling just outside of Washington where the U.S. Defense Department put the fragments of weaponry on display and explained how it concluded that they came from Iran.

The arms included charred remnants of what the Pentagon said was an Iranian-made short-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen on Nov. 4 at King Khaled International Airport outside Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, as well as a drone and an anti-tank weapon recovered in Yemen by the Saudis.

Iran has denied supplying the Houthis with such weaponry.

Accusation: Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. spoke in front of what she said was an Iran-made missile to level a charge of supplying illegal weapons at the Tehran regime

Claim: Th U.S. Department of Defense says is it has confirmed this is a Qiam ballistic missile manufactured in Iran. It numbered the nine fueling ports which it says are distinctive signs of Iranian manufacture

Denial: Iran's president Hassan Rouhani met Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday in Istanbul. On Thursday his U.N. delegation said the missile was 'fabricated'

A kamikaze drone is seen on display after US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley unveiled previously classified information intending to prove Iran violated UNSCR 2231 by providing the Houthi rebels in Yemen with arms during a press conference at Joint Base Anacostia in Washington, DC, on December 14, 2017

A magnifying glass shows a part of the guidance system to an Iranian Qiam Ballistic Missile

The jet vane housing from a missile that the U.S. Department of Defense says is a "Qiam" ballistic missile manufactured in Iran but that the Pentagon says was fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen into Saudi Arabia in 2017 shows a S.B.I. logo that appears to be from Iranian arms manufacturer Shahid Bagheri Industries

Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement that the accusation by the United States was 'irresponsible, provocative and destructive.'

'These accusations seek also to cover up for the Saudi war crimes in Yemen, with the U.S. complicity, and divert international and regional attention from the stalemate war of aggression against the Yemenis,' the statement said.

'The U.S. has long believed that Iran is providing weaponry to proxies and partners and militias throughout the region, and what we have here to show you today is proof,' said Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal, adding Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had recovered the arms and loaned them to Washington.

Saudi-led forces, which back the Yemeni government, have been fighting the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen's more than two-year-long civil war.

The unprecedented presentation by the Pentagon is part of its follow-through on President Donald Trump's new Iran policy, which promises a far harder line toward Tehran.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was due to see the weapons on Thursday. The U.S. mission to the United Nations said she would offer 'irrefutable evidence that Iran has deliberately violated its international obligations.'

Under a U.N. resolution that enshrines the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved in advance by the U.N. Security Council. A separate U.N. resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and others.

Katie Wheelbarger, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, acknowledged that there could be implications of such an accumulation of evidence against Iran, to include sanctions.

'You could see future sanctions... But the first step is at least to bring awareness and understanding and to have a similar picture of what we're looking at,' Wheelbarger said.

The Pentagon offered a detailed explanation of all of the reasons why it believed the arms came from Iran, noting Iranian corporate logos on arms fragments and the unique nature of the designs of Iranian weaponry.

That included the designs of short-range 'Qiam' ballistic missiles. The Pentagon said it had obtained fragments of two Qiam missiles, one fired on Nov. 4 against the airport and another fired on July 22.

The Pentagon cited corporate logos of Iranian defense firms on jet vanes that help steer the missile's engine and on the circuit board helping drive its guidance system. It also said the missile's unique valve-design was only found in Iran.

Bitter civil war: The Houthi rebels in Yemen are backed by Iran while the government is being supported by a Saudi-led coalition in what is seen as a proxy war. Yemen is by far the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula

Saudi advance: Forces backed by Saudi air power ave been making significant advances in Yemen against Houthi rebels but Iran is accusing the wealthy Gulf state of war crimes in its poor neighbor

Iran, it said, appeared to have tried to cover-up the shipment by disassembling the missile for transport, given crude welding used to stitch it back together.

'The point of this entire display is that only Iran makes this missile. They have not given it to anybody else,' Seal said. 'We haven't seen this in the hands of anyone else except Iran and the Houthis.'

A new U.N. report found that the July 22 and Nov. 4 missiles fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels appeared to have a 'common origin.' But the report said U.N. officials were still investigating U.S. and Saudi claims that Iran supplied them.

The Pentagon put on display other weapons with designs it said were unique to Iran's defense industry. It pointed to a key component of a Toophan anti-tank guided missile and a small drone aircraft, both of which were recovered in Yemen.

It also showed components of a drone-like navigation system like the one the Pentagon says was used by the Houthis to ram an exploding boat into a Saudi frigate on Jan. 30. The United Arab Emirates seized the system in late 2016 in the Red Sea.

'What makes these exploding boats so dangerous is not just that they can explode. It's that they have a guidance system that allows them to track and hit a moving target without an operator on board,' Seal said.

'This computer system here represents that navigational system.'
Republican Roy Moore was bluntly told by the White House on Thursday to give up his claim he could still win the Alabama Senate special election.

He had earlier refused to answer DailyMail.com's questions on Thursday as he was caught walking outside his Foundation for Moral Law office in downtown Montgomery.

At the White House Thursday, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president's actions prove that he believes the race is done.

'I think the President's position is pretty clear, in his outreach to Doug Jones directly, he called and they spoke yesterday,' Huckabee Sanders said.

When a reporter followed up and asked if the president thought Moore had lost 'fair and square,' the press secretary agreed.

'I think the numbers reflect that, and I think the President's outreach shows that,' Huckabee Sanders said.



Scroll down for video

DailyMail.com found Roy Moore outside his Foundation for Moral Law office in Montgomery, Alabama on Thursday and he refused to answer questions about the race. At the White House Sarah Huckabee Sanders said his concession speech 'should already have taken place'

Republican Roy Moore (right) was accompanied by an aide and said 'we're not talking' when asked if he planned to concede to Democrat Doug Jones, who bested him by more than 20,000 on Tuesday night

'It's in the  we put out a statement,' Roy Moore told DailyMail.com when asked if he still planned to pursue a recount against Doug Jones

Republican Roy Moore's (left) loss Tuesday night allowed a Democrat, Doug Jones, to become a senator for the state for the first time in 31 years

Republican candidate for Senate Roy Moore materialized on YouTube Wednesday night, putting out a message to supporters saying he would stay in the race until all the mail-in ballots were counted

At another point in the briefing, Huckabee Sanders suggested that Moore's concession speech 'should have already taken place.'

Moore was seen exclusively for the first time Moore has been seen out in public since election night, when he was bested by Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama's special Senate election by more than 20,000 votes and refused to throw in the towel.

'We're not talking,' he said, when asked if he planned to concede. 'It's in the  we put out a statement, ' he answered when asked if he still planned to pursue a recount.

The statement was a nearly five-minute-long message that Moore posted to YouTube Wednesday night saying, 'And the battle rages on.'

'Today we no longer recognize the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty, abortion, sodomy and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' Moore warned.

The candidate, whose campaign was upset by accusations that he preyed on teenage girls, quoted Bible verses from the book of Ephesians and a speech from President Lincoln, and stated that he was staying in the race because the 'heart and soul of our country is at stake.'

Moore hadn't been heard from since he left the stage of his Montgomery, Alabama election night party telling the crowd that 'when the vote is this close it is not over,' and advising them to 'go home and sleep on it.' He also said he would look to God.

After that Moore went dark.

Roy Moore appeared briefly at his election night fete and told supporters that he wasn't conceding

Roy Moore told supporters and reporters at his election night party that 'when the vote is this close it is not over,' instructing those gathered in the Montgomery, Alabama venue to, 'go home and sleep on it'

Moore walks off stage with his wife Kayla (second right) after telling his supporters he would not concede defeat till all the votes were in and possibly demand a recount

Three emails to Moore's spokeswoman went unreturned through Wednesday and a campaign official DailyMail.com reached by phone said he didn't know Moore's plans.

A source in Alabama's secretary of state's office told DailyMail.com that beyond an initial conversation staffers had with both teams, prompted by media interest, Moore's campaign hadn't been back in touch about a recount Wednesday.

Moore had floated Tuesday night that he would wait until the mail-in ballots, which include many military members, were counted to see if the closeness of the race would trigger an automatic, state-paid-for, recount.

He repeated that plan Wednesday night.

'In this race we have not received the final count to include military and provision ballots,' he said. 'This has been a very close race and we are waiting for certification by the secretary of state.'

In his YouTube message, however, he didn't speak of a recount.

He did, however, outline a number of things that bothered him, in a red meat message to his right-wing base.

We have stopped prayer in schools,' he said. 'We have murdered over 60 million of our unborn children.'

'We've redefined marriage and destroyed the basis of family, which is the building block of our country. Our borders are not secure. Our economy is faltering under an enormous national debt. And we have a huge drug problem,' he went on.

'We've even gone to recognize the man to claim to be a woman and vise versa,' he continued. 'We have allowed judges and justices to rule over our constitution and we have become slaves to our tyranny. Immortality sweeps over our land.'

He also spent a brief moment suggesting the multiple allegation against him, of sexual assault and harassment, were really just distractions keeping peoples eyes away from the ball.

'Even our political process has been affected by baseless and false allegations, which have become more relevant than the true issues, which effect our country,' he said.

As Moore keeps his campaign plodding along, the political world has already moved on.

At a press conference Wednesday, Jones told reporters he'd been phone by Trump, who supported Moore in the final stretch, and was invited to the White House by the president once he got to Washington.

Sen. Luther Strange, who's currently in the Alabama Senate seat, had talked to Jones too, about planning for their transition.

Huckabee Sanders also suggested Wednesday there had been not contact between Trump and Moore, telling DailyMail.com she was 'not aware' of any phone call.

Even Alabama's secretary of state, a self-proclaimed Moore supporter, told CNN Wednesday morning that ''Judge Moore is not the victor in this campaign.'

'I know a lot of people would say it's not over until it's over, but the margin of victory for Doug Jones at this particular time looks like a very difficult amount of votes to overcome as the remaining votes that are out there to be counted next week begin to be considered at the local level,' Secretary of State John Merrill said.

Recount decisions can't be made until the vote is certified later in the month, but Moore would need to get within .5 per cent of Jones for the state to pay for it.

Right now the Democrat is 1.5 per cent ahead.

Republican Roy Moore was shockingly beaten by Democrat Doug Jones (pictured) who's the first Democrat to be elected in Alabama to the Senate in 31 years

Alabama's Secretary of State John Merrill said on CNN Wednesday morning that 'Judge Moore is not the victor in this campaign,' and expressed doubt that an automatic recount would be triggered looking at the election's current vote totals

And even if Moore tried to pursue a recount that his campaign would pay for it might be mired in legal trouble.

Writing for his Election Law Blog, Rick Hasen pointed out that the two sections of the law that allows candidates to pursue what Merrill called an 'on-demand recount' don't mention the U.S. Senate as an office where the statute applies.

Under one section of the law those that can pursue a recount include candidates for 'Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Public Service Commissioner, senator or representative in the Legislature, justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the courts of appeals, judge of the circuit court or district court, or any office which is filled by the vote of a single county, or to the office of constable.'

The other section of the law mentions, 'any person declared to be elected to the office of senator or representative in the Legislature, judge of the circuit court or district court, any office which is filled by the vote of a single county, or constable.'

'Moore is not those,' Hasen noted.

ROY MOORE'S YOUTUBE MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS Good evening, tomorrow my wife and I will celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary. I want to thank her and all my family for standing with me through this long and arduous campaign and of course I want to thank all of you who stood with me in this very important battle for the future of our country. We are indeed in a struggle for to preserve our republic, our civilization and our religion and to set free a suffering humanity. And the battle rages on. In this race we have not received the final count to include military and provision ballots. This has been a very close race and we are waiting for certification by the secretary of state. This particular race was watched not only by the people of this state but by the entire nation and many around the world. Why? Because I believe the heart and soul of our country is at stake. Like most Americans I'm concerned about the future of our country, both financially and morally. After the election of Donald Trump a little over a year ago I saw a window of hope and an opportunity that we could return to our founding principles and the Constitution of the United States, which has governed us for over 200 years. Our forefathers recognized in Declaration of Independence that all men and women are created equal and endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That American dream has today been tainted by corrupt politics and a government that has become out of control and out of touch with the people. Many of those do not are the vision of those who built this country Today we no longer recognize the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty, abortion, sodomy and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our own hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." We have stopped prayer in schools. We have murdered over 60 million of our unborn children. We've redefined marriage and destroyed the basis of family, which is the building block of our country. Our borders are not secure. Our economy is faltering under an enormous national debt. And we have a huge drug problem. We've even gone to recognize the man to claim to be a woman and vise versa. We have allowed judges and justices to rule over our constitution and we have become slaves to our tyranny. Immortality sweeps over our land. Even our political process has been affected by baseless and false allegations, which have become more relevant than the true issues, which effect our country. This election was tainted by over 50 million dollars by outside groups that want to retain power in their own corrupt ideology. No longer is this about Republican or Democrat control, it's truly been said there's not a dime's worth of difference between them. It's about a Washington establishment that will not listen to the cries of its citizenry. Together we must stand against those who would take from us our country. In the word of the holy scriptures, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." The sacrifices of brave men and women throughout our history cry out to us, the living, to be dedicated to the unfinished work to which many of them gave the ultimate sacrifice. Let us here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Thank you, Merry Christmas and may God bless you. Advertisement




A planned festive skating rink is still on ice as it's nearly a fortnight late in opening, leaving paying customers furious.

The pop up festive attraction in Canterbury was meant to be open at the start of December but the project still looks nowhere near completion.

Although Britains big freeze is set to be replaced by milder weather in the coming week, a marquee has been erected and boards put down.

'A complete shambles': The ice rink opening has been delayed for two weeks, with customers paying for tickets even though it is still closed

But there is still no sign of any ice or work being done at the deserted skating venue.

The continued delays has been branded a complete shambles as customers complained they have paid money for bookings on dates that have come and gone.

Many were left angered after the booking website was prematurely made live to the public and are still awaiting a refund.

Kym Amos had paid 135 for 24 schoolchildren from St Stephens Juniors to use it on Monday, but it had yet to open and operators failed to respond to her emails.

The schools family liaison officer Mrs Amos said: It was meant to be a treat for the children, who were very disappointed when we had to tell them it wouldnt be happening.

Kym Amos paid 135 for 24 schoolchildren to visit the winter attraction, but it remained closed and organisers did not respond to her emails

Since then I have had no response from the company about getting our money back.

Its a complete shambles.

It was such a shame for our children but fortunately we were able to take them to Play Islands in Wincheap, which kindly accommodated us at short notice so at least they had a treat.

The launch of the rink was initially put back from December 1 to Saturday December 9 and then to Monday, December 11.

But on Wednesday there was no sign of any ice on the rink or any work being carried out.

The attraction is being run by company Noah and the Shed.

The city council says it has allowed the firm to use its land for the rink, but is playing no part in the attractions operation.
The Republican margin for passing a $1.5 trillion tax cut through the Senate got even tighter as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told party leaders his vote depends on a provision to extend the child tax credit to more low income families.

Rubio voted for the bill when it passed the Senate 51-49, but wants leaders to make an expanded child tax credit more refundable so it could benefit working families who could count it against their payroll taxes.

Party leaders have so far rejected that proposal, instead using funds gleaned by inching the still-slashed corporate tax rate to 21 percent and using funds to lower the top income tax bracket.

The new drama came as President Trump predicted victory 'in a short period of time' and said the tax cut 'will be the greatest Christmas present that a lot of people have ever received.'

Rubio told party leaders he intends to vote against the bill unless it includes his preferred version of the expanded credit, the Washington Post reported.

A spokesman was more nuanced, telling the Hill newspaper his vote depended on it being rufundable 'in a meaningful way.'

Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio has told leadership that his vote 'would depend on whether the refundability of the Child Tax Credit was increased in a meaningful way

'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,' the Rubio spokesman says.

President Trump, asked about the tax cut at an event on cutting regulations, said: 'Itll be the largest tax cut in the history of our country. And I will say the Republican senators and congressmen and women have been incredible.'

The president added: 'So I think we will get there. Itll be in a very short period of time. It will be the greatest Christmas present that a lot of people have ever received. Itll be something special.'

The $1.5 trillion tax cut is also smaller than cuts passed under Reagan, Johnson, and Obama as a share of the economy, Washington Post fact-checkers have noted.

Senate Finance chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah said of Rubio: 'Hes important to us.' Hatch continued, Reuters reported: 'I dont know what leadership wants to do on that. Its a problem, no question.'

If Republicans were to lose Rubio  who Trump once mocked as 'little Marco'  as well as Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker  who voted against the first version and who Trump also previously mocked as 'liddle'  they would have just 50 votes for the tax cut that is the centerpiece of the party's legislative agenda.

Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his trip to the Middle East as Republican leaders try to nail down final majority support for the tax cut.

Pence's presence ensures they can still get it through the chamber with just 50 votes, with Pence breaking the tie.

'Yesterday the White House informed Senate Leadership that due to the historic nature of the vote in the Senate on tax cuts for millions of Americans, the VP would stay to preside over the vote,' said Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah in a statement.

Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his trip to the Middle East to stay in Washington for the tax cut vote

'The vice president will then travel to Egypt and Israel, where he'll reaffirm the United States commitment to its allies in the Middle East and to working cooperatively to defeat radicalism,' she said.

'He looks forward to having constructive conversations with both [Israeli] Prime Minister Netanyahu and [Egyptian] President el-Sisi to reaffirm President Trump's commitment to our partners in the region and to its future,' she added.

President Trump has said repeatedly he wants to get a tax cut by Christmas. Conferees negotiating a final bill say there is a deal, but final details are still being worked out.

Final legislative language might not be released until Monday, when leadership had hoped to schedule a vote.

Some Republicans who voted for the initial Senate version are still pushing for changes and confirming that their demands are included in the final deal.

Arizona Sen. John McCain has been admitted to the Walter Reed Naval hospital as he recovers from side affects associated with his treatment for brain cancer.

McCain's dramatic thumbs down helped kill the GOP's effort to repeal much of Obamacare.

'Senator McCain is currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center for normal side effects of his ongoing cancer therapy,' sad his office in a statement. 'As ever, he remains grateful to his physicians for their excellent care, and his friends and supporters for their encouragement and good wishes.'

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says she got assurances from leaders and Trump of support to stabilize Obamacare insurance markets and prevent automatic Medicare cuts, but is still getting pressure from constituents opposed to the bill.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker voted against the bill earlier this month after raising concerns about the $1 trillion it would add to the nation's debt.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said he would cause 'problems' for the tax cut if he didn't get his provision to expand the child tax credit to working families

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) got concessions to vote for the initial Senate version of the bill

Other senators raising concerns are Jeff Flake of Arizona, who is retiring, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who wants to make the child tax credit refundable and therefore more beneficial to lower-income taxpayers.

He had threatened to cause 'problems' for the bill if his ideas weren't included, but it is unclear if he will follow through if leaders reject his proposal, as it appears they have done.

Leaders embraced Rubio's proposal to lower the corporate tax rate to 21 per cent rather than 20 percent. But instead of his idea of expanding the child tax credit, they used it to lower the top tax bracket from 39.6 to 37 per cent.

'If you make $40,000, we can't find the money to increase the child tax credit, but if you make a million a year we can?' he said Wednesday.
Party-goers have been warned over particularly dangerous blue-and-yellow, IKEA-branded ecstasy tablets after a teenage girl was hospitalised when taking the drug.

Police said the tablets, branded with the IKEA logo, has left a 16-year-old girl seriously ill.

Party-goers have been warned over particularly dangerous blue-and-yellow, IKEA-branded ecstasy tablets after a teenage girl was hospitalised when taking the drug

Officers warned the rogue drug which copies the branding of the Swedish furniture store has been in circulation in recent weeks.

It is believed they are copying another pill, a pink tablet embossed with the Rolls Royce logo that was particularly dangerous.

A spokeswoman for Dyfed Powys Police said: 'We are urging anyone considering taking ecstasy to firstly, not put their health and lives at risk.

'Secondly be particularly careful if offered MDMA named Ikea, blue and yellow tablets branded with the Ikea logo, or Rolls Royce, which are pink tablets embossed with the Rolls Royce logo.

Officers warned the rogue drug which copies the branding of the Swedish furniture store has been in circulation in recent weeks (sto

'In the last month several teenagers have been admitted to hospital in Pembrokeshire suffering the effects of ecstasy including dangerously high heart rates, sweating, and in one instance a patient had to be put on a ventilator.

'The most recent incident being the hospitalisation of a 16-year-old girl last night.

Sian Roberts, of Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service, said: 'We would like to discourage even the most frequent user of MDMA or ecstasy from using this drug as we are seeing life-threatening symptoms with some batches circulating.

'There is no way of knowing what is in a tablet or powder until after someone has taken it. if someone does buy and take the drug and start to feel ill, they must go to hospital immediately informing medical professionals what they have taken.'

In June, Kyle Pringle, 18, died in Jersey after taking an Ikea branded pill.
North Korea appear to have inadvertently broadcast an image of former leader Kim Jong-il inspecting one of the country's first ever atomic bombs.

A 30-minute bulletin shown on state TV from December 12, at a conference in Pyongyang, showed a portrait in the background which appeared to be of Jong-il and the explosive device.

The photograph is visible only briefly as the camera sets the scene of the conference, which was attended by North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, the son of the late former leader pictured.

North Korea appear to have inadvertently revealed an image of former leader Kim Jong-il inspecting one of the country's first ever atomic bombs

The portrait in the background appeared to be of Kim Jong-il and the explosive device

If real, it would have been taken sometime between 2006-2009 when the secretive regime carried out nuclear tests.

Hanging among other pictures of weaponry, experts have been debating whether the image resembles an atomic bomb or not.

Because of the fleeting appearance from distance, experts have yet to say definitively if the device is an atomic bomb but they do acknowledge similarities between recent photographs of Kim Jong-un inspecting what North Korea claim to be their first hydrogen bomb.

The picture appears to show Kim Jong-il, who died six years ago, inspecting a large globe-like object while in the company of senior military officials.

A 30-minute bulletin shown on state TV from December 12 at a conference in Pyongyang showed a portrait in the background which appeared to be of Jong-il and the explosive device

No public images are available of the late Kim, who was known in North Korea as the 'Shining Star', looking at a nuclear weapon but it could have been faked with computer software.

The image was first spotted by China-based Twitter user @xutianran on December 12, who said: 'Is this an A-bomb or sth [something]?', a question which had fellow North Korea watchers trying to make a positive identification.

While US arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis simply tweeted: 'This is the photo we're all ogling.'

The photograph is visible only briefly as the camera sets the scene of the conference, which was attended by North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, the son of the late former leader pictured

The picture appears to show Kim Jong-il (left), who died six years ago, inspecting a large globe-like object while in the company of senior military officials. If real, it would have been taken sometime between 2006-2009 when the secretive regime carried out nuclear tests

There are some suggestion the globe is a mock-up, as there are no records of a scientist being able to miniaturise a nuclear device at that time.

Despite this, it is not the first time North Korea has 'accidentally' gave away surprising information in the background of news reports.

The country revealed plans for a previously unknown ballistic missile types when they were mistakenly filmed on a wall chart during coverage of a visit by Kim Jong-un.
A federal grand jury in Oklahoma has indicted a 63-year-old man accused of kidnapping his stepdaughter when she was 11 or 12 years old, and holding her captive for 19 years in Mexico, during which time he fathered her nine children.

An indictment handed up in Muskogee on Wednesday accuses Henri Michelle Piette of abducting Rosalynn Michelle McGinnis in 1995 or 1996 and traveling with the intent to have sex with her.

An FBI agent says in an affidavit that Piette first had sex with McGinnis, whose mother had been engaged to him before the couple broke up, at a home in Wagoner, on the bottom bed of a bunk bed, when she was aged 11 or 12.

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Indicted: A federal grand jury in Oklahoma has indicted Henri Piette, 63 (left), accused of kidnapping his stepdaughter Rosalynn McGinnis (right) when she was 11 or 12 years old, and holding her captive for 19 years in Mexico

'Child bride': When Mcginnis was 11, she said she was forced to 'marry' Piette in the back of a van. She is pictured with him on her 13th birthday when he threw her a quinceanera

McGinnis, now 33, managed to escape from Piette last year in Mexico, where they were living with their large family, and she went to the US Embassy for help.

Piette faces additional charges of lewd molestation, first-degree rape of a victim under age 14 and child abuse by injury. He is due back in court on January 4.

Piette was arrested in Mexico in October and extradited back to Oklahoma.

When interviewed by Fox 23, a defiant Piette denied ever raping his stepdaughter, saying: 'I made love to my wife. We were married.'

He also accused McGinnis and his children of spreading lies about him.

McGinnis was nine when her mother started dating Piette, she told People Magazine in the summer. He began sexually abusing her during their relationship, she said.

When she was 11, she said she was forced to 'marry' Piette in the back of a van in an illegal ceremony that was performed by one of his own children, a boy who was 15 at the time.

In 1997, her mother broke up with Piette because he had been beating her.

He retaliated by snatching Rosalynn from school with the help of his son and going on the run, along with his three children. McGinnis said that before taking her to Mexico, they traveled through the US.

Brood: During her 19 years in captivity, McGinnis had nine children. She shared this photograph of them during an interview with People in August

She claims he introduced her to his children as their 'new mother'.

In Mexico, she said she was subjected to daily sexual assault or rape and had nine children as a result.

She claims they lived under the radar and that no one in Mexico suspected him of wrongdoing until she confided in a woman who lived near their tent in 2016.

That woman then found a missing person's poster from 1997 with Rosalynn's name on it.

In June 2016, she fled their filthy tent with eight of the nine children she had with Piette and used a pay phone in Oaxaca City to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

They were then put in touch with the US Embassy to be taken back to the US.
An 18-year-old woman and her unborn child were killed on Wednesday after their car was hit by an 'intoxicated' off-duty firefighter in Texas.

Alyssa Pimentel was able to tell her boyfriend, Isaiah Perez, 21, that she loved him before she took her last breath after they were both ejected from their Mazda SUV when 45-year-old Horace Shaw III rear-ended them.

Perez said he crawled over to 'the love of his life' and 'she said she loved me but other than that I had seen her fade away,' he told NBC.

Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Pimentel (right) and her unborn child were killed Wednesday after their car was hit by an 'intoxicated' off-duty firefighter in Texas. She was able tell her boyfriend, Isaiah Perez (left) 21, that she loved him before she took her last breath

Shaw (left) was off-duty at the time and is suspected of driving drunk. Perez and Pimentel (right) were taken to separate hospitals. Perez said he later learned doctors delivered their son, but the baby only survived a couple of minutes

Shaw, who is a firefighter for the City of Dallas, was allegedly speeding in his Mercedes when his vehicle smashed into the Mazda (pictured)

Shaw, who is a firefighter for the City of Dallas, was allegedly speeding in his Mercedes when his vehicle smashed into the Mazda.

Cedar Hill police and fire crews responded to the scene around 12.45am on Wednesday.

Shaw was off-duty at the time and is suspected of driving drunk. Witnesses told police that the Mercedes was traveling at what appeared to be more than 100mph.

Investigators were also told Shaw had been drinking at a bar before the crash, police said.

Pimentel was due to deliver her son around Christmas, according to her family.

She had just picked up Perez from work, and they were on their way home when the crash happened.

The city has placed Shaw on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation

Perez suffered a broken leg and a fractured neck. Perez and Pimentel were taken to separate hospitals. Perez said he later learned doctors delivered their son, but the baby only survived a couple of minutes, according to NBC.

Shaw and his passenger were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Pimentel's father, Joe Pimentel, told WFAA-TV that he is devastated. He said the baby boy was going to be named Josiah.

Joe described his daughter as a 'sweetheart, a kind, caring person who would have done anything for anyone.'

Alyssa's mother, Jayne Pimentel, wrote on Facebook that she was disappointed that 'an individual who is tasked with saving lives is responsible for taking the lives of our family members'.

The city has placed Shaw on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation.

Shaw faces one count of intoxication manslaughter.

He was booked into the Dallas County Jail on Wednesday evening after being released from the hospital, police said. He posted $75,000 bond.
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Britain First's deputy leader has been arrested for ranting bout Islam in a Twitter video filmed at a at Belfast peace wall, just minutes after she appeared in court accused of inciting hatred.

Jayda Fransen, 31, has been taken into custody and will be questioned by police after she was detained this afternoon by Northern Irish police.

The arrest came less than an hour after the activist stood before magistrates in the city accused of behaviour intended or likely to stir up hatred.

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Fransen faces a charge over a speech at a rally the far-Right group held in August

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) also detained the leader of the group, Paul Golding, who was there supporting his colleague.

The PSNI said: 'Detectives investigating an incident at a peace wall in Belfast on Wednesday 14 December have arrested a 31-year-old woman in the Belfast area today.'

She has been taken to a Belfast city centre police station for interview.

Fransen posted a tweet showing her at a wall used to divide Catholic residents from Protestants in the city to prevent violence. During the video post she criticised Islam.

She was in the city with Golding, 35, to answer charges arising from her speech at a Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in August.

Golding was detained by detectives investigating the same demonstration.

US President Donald Trump retweeted three unrelated anti-Muslim videos posted by Fransen.

Britain First deputy leader Paul Golding (left) was arrested after he arrived at Belfast Magistrates Court this morning with deputy leader Jayda Fransen (right)

Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

The group has since boasted it received hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Fransen, from Anerley in south-east London, was charged at Belfast Magistrates' Court with using words which were threatening, abusive or insulting during her speech.

Police had sought curbs on her ability to participate in future rallies in Northern Ireland as well as social media use.

But she took to Twitter within minutes of her release on bail and said it was a 'nonsense charge'.

'I criticise Islam and now they want to send me to prison for two years.'

The court ordered her not to go within 500 metres of any demonstration or parade in Northern Ireland as a condition of her release on bail.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall expressed doubts about whether her jurisdiction extended to the accused's social media use.

Fransen's barrister, Richard McConkey, branded the curbs on her freedom of speech, as a politician, as disproportionate.
A woman who stepped forward to accuse music mogul Russell Simmons of rape has also claimed that she was sexually harassed under another former boss, Antonio 'L.A.' Reid.

Drew Dixon told the New York Times she was working as an executive at Arista Records when Reid began sexualizing her and making unwelcome advances that often came with conditions.

The former executive would 'turn cold when she denied his unwanted overtures,' which reportedly included invitations to late-night catchups at his hotel, she claimed.

'It was a quid pro quo: "I have power, you want access, sleep with me  or I'm going to be really mean to you the next day. And there will be consequences,"' she told the Times.

Drew Dixon (pictured) says L.A. Reid sexually harassed her repeatedly when she was an executive at his label, Arista Records

Dixon said L.A. Reid, pictured, allegedly threatened her. 'It was a quid pro quo: "I have power, you want access, sleep with me  or I'm going to be really mean to you the next day. And there will be consequences,"' she said

In the business, Reid was a music legend known for his work with TLC and Mariah Carey.

But even as an executive, Dixon had little clout or autonomy in the business and she was virtually powerless to defend herself against someone like Reid who had the power to hire and fire.

Five years earlier, Dixon was working for Russell Simmons at Def Jam records as an A&R executive. During her interview with the New York Times she claimed Simmons made relentless, aggressive sexual advances towards her when she joined the company in 1992.

Dixon left to join Arista in 1996 under then-chief Clive Davis. Reid replaced Davis in 2000.

In a statement to The New York Times, Mr. Reid did not address the specific claims but apologized if his words were 'misinterpreted.'

'I'm proud of my track record promoting, supporting and uplifting women at every company I've ever run. That notwithstanding, if I have ever said anything capable of being misinterpreted, I apologize unreservedly.'

Reid left the top job at Epic earlier this year following a sexual harassment claim by a former female assistant, and Sony reached a settlement with the assistant earlier this summer, sources tell Billboard.

L.A. Reid, left, and Russell Simmons, are accused of sexually harassing women including Drew Dixon who says both abused her. They have both now stepped down from their businesses

In 2002, at the top of her game, Dixon left the music industry for Harvard Business School.

She decided that no matter how many hits she had, 'I could not have success in this industry unless I slept with somebody  a gatekeeper,' she said. 'And the fact that I would be doing it to advance my career, I would hate myself.'

Dixon told the Times how at 24, she had just recently landed her dream job at Def Jam Recordings when she says the sexual harassment by Simmons began.

She says Simmons would regularly expose his erect penis to her and talk about how much she turned him on.

At a restaurant, he allegedly pushed her into a closet and attempted to kiss her, and at one staff meeting he even asked her to come and sit on his lap, she told the Times. But she felt he was too powerful for her to confront about the harassment.

'Russell was like the king of hip-hop,' she said.

She said she hoped she could ride out the harassment until she got a bona fide hit when she could make her escape.

'I didn't want to cut off my one conduit to having any hope of a career,' she said.

But things only got worse, she said.

Dixons says he would flash his erect penis at her so often, she created a code with her male co-worker.

'I was like: "If I ever buzz you, don't pick up, don't call me back  just open my door." That means Russell is in here and he whipped his penis out,' she said.

Russel Simmons quit his business and music empire after being accused of sexual misconduct

In 1995, Dixon's first major project, creating the soundtrack for a music documentary went platinum. One evening, she was leaving a Manhattan bar, near Simmons' apartment, when she ran into the executive.

She says he told her: 'You have the No. 1 record in the country; I'll order you a car.'

While waiting for the car, she says she accepted his offer to wait inside his apartment. But Dixon said as soon as she entered the apartment with him, she realized her mistake and felt 'cornered'.

'The last thing I remember was him pinning me down to kiss me on the bed,' she said. Dixon explained that while she hadn't been drinking, and didn't think she'd been given drugs, she'd suppressed the painful memory and disassociated from the experience.

Four friends of Dixon reported that she had told them about the assault and harassment at that time.

A lawyer for Simmons said that he conceded there had been 'inappropriate conduct' with Dixon while she worked at Def Jam, he absolutely denied having sex with her.

Dixon, a rising star in the music industry, quit Def Jam a short while later and joined Arista Records, as an A&R executive. She threatened to sue her firm over unpaid expenses and to sue Simmons for sexual harassment. They company settled before any lawsuit was filed for $30,000.
A high ranking official, once described as the 'second most powerful man in North Korea', has disappeared from public life, sparking speculation he may have been executed by death squads.

General Hwang Pyong-so was once the most senior military official in the hermit state as a Vice-Marshall after the supreme leader.

The speculation comes days after Kim Jong-un visited the significant Mt. Paektu on Friday, a sign that suggested he was planning to execute a top official. Such visits to the mystical mountain often precede important decisions by North Korean leaders.

Pyong-so was reported to have been expelled from the party for 'taking bribes' and has not been seen since October.

A high ranking official once described as the 'second most powerful man in North Korea', has disappeared from public life, sparking speculation he may have been executed by death squads, just days after leader Kim Jong-un visted Mt. Paektu - a sign that suggested he was planning to execute a top aide

The speculation comes days after Kim Jong-un visited the significant Mt. Paektu on Friday, a sign that suggested he was planning to execute a top official. Such visits to the mystical mountain often precede important decisions by North Korean leaders.

His deputy Kim Wong-hong is said to have been banished to a prison camp.

The South Korean JoongAng Ilbo reported: 'If Hwang was indeed kicked out of the Workers' Party, it would practically mean the end of his political career, and possibly his life, though it is unknown whether or not he is still alive.'

'Kim visited the mountain and ordered the site managers to construct hospitable accommodations on the mountain for visitors,' the state-run KCNA reported on Saturday.

In November 2013, the despot visited the mountain with his aides a month before he executed top officials including Jang Song-thaek, his uncle and political guardian. Kim visited the mountain again in April 2015, before executing Hyon Yong-chol, a former defense chief

In November 2013, the despot visited the mountain with his aides a month before he executed top officials including Jang Song-thaek, his uncle and political guardian.

Kim visited the mountain again in April 2015, before executing Hyon Yong-chol, a former defense chief.

He had also made a pilgrimage after North Korea's fifth nuclear test in September 2016

Pictures show Kim wandering around on the snow-capped mountain with hardly a bead of sweat and wearing spotless and shiny shoes. Kim made a trip to the summit after North Korea's fifth nuclear test in September 2016.

'[Kim Jong-un's father] Kim Jong-il did the same, he visited the mountain right before announcing in 1974 his list of 10 social decorum,' said a South Korean government insider.

'Kim also visited the mountain just before executing Kim Tong-kyu, then-senior official for international affairs, in 1977,' they added.

Mount Paektu has been decreed as the 'sacred' birthplace of the secretive state's first dictator, Kim's grandfather.

Pictures released by the regime show Kim in the snowon North Korea's border with China, which the regime rewrote history to claim was birthplace of Kim Il-Sung, the Communist who ruled from after the Second World War until 1994.

He was in fact born in the Soviet Union, but the mountain, has long been integral to the country's identity.

The mountain is believed to be the site of the deadliest volcano eruption in history and fears have been raised North Korea's nuclear testing could trigger another one

It is reputedly the birthplace of the earliest Korean leader ever recorded, Dangun, who according to legend founded the early kingdom of Gojoseon in 2333BC.

The mountain is believed to be the site of the deadliest volcano eruption in history and there are fears it may erupt again as a result of North Korea's nuclear weapons testing.

A thousand years ago it exploded so violently that ash fell as far away as northern Japan.

Last month Bruce Bennett, a senior defence analyst at the Rand Corporation, warned one of the nuclear weapon tests carried out by North Korea could have a catastrophic effect.

A North Korean poster depicting leaders Kim Jong Il (left) and Kim Il Sung at the summit of Mount Paektu

The mountain is considered holy by North Koreans, with dedicated supporters of the Kim dynasty carrying out pilgrimmages

Kim was also out and about in the rest of the country, here offering his advice to local people in Samjiyon County

North Korea, formally called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), last week tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, saying the device could reach all of the United States.

Two U.S. B-1B heavy bombers joined large-scale combat drills over South Korea on Thursday amid warnings from North Korea that the exercises and U.S. threats have made the outbreak of war 'an established fact.'

The annual U.S.-South Korean 'Vigilant Ace' exercises feature 230 aircraft, including some of the most advanced U.S. stealth warplanes.

North Korea's foreign ministry blamed the drills and 'confrontational warmongering' by U.S. officials for making war inevitable.

U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster said at the weekend the possibility of war was 'increasing every day.'

He said Trump was prepared to take action against North Korea but was working to convince China, Russia and others to do more to press Pyongyang to get it to give up its weapons programs.

After the latest nuclear weapons tests, U.S warplanes, including B-1B heavy bombers (pictured) carried out joined large-scale combat drills over South Korea

U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged the Pentagon on Sunday to start moving U.S. military dependants out of South Korea, saying conflict with North Korea was getting close.

The Pentagon said it has 'no intent' to move out any dependants.

Joseph Yun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, will travel to Japan and Thailand next week to meet government officials 'to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign following the DPRK latest ballistic missile test,' the State Department.

'The United States looks forward to continuing its partnership with both these nations so that the DPRK will return to credible talks on denuclearization,' it added.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he believes the chances of dialogue to resolve the tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons program are low.

Lavrov was speaking Friday while attending an OSCE ministerial summit in Vienna.

He said 'the North Koreans have told us more than once that they need security guarantees, especially in the situation when Washington is trying to withdraw from the agreements on the Iranian nuclear programme'.
Police in Florida have arrested multiple suspects, among them the son of a prominent businessman, in connection to the death of a young mother-of-two whose body was found in a St Petersburg alley a year ago.

On December 22, 2016, a man collecting aluminium cans came upon Taylor McAllister, 22, who was deceased behind a home in the 2100 block of 63th Avenue South.

After a yearlong investigation, detectives served a search warrant on Tuesday at the Palm Harbor residence of 52-year-old Robert Butler III and took him into custody, charging him with felony possession of marijuana, failure to report a death and felon in possession of ammunition.

Justice for Taylor: Police in Florida have arrested Robert Butler III, 52 (left), in connection to the December 2016 death of 22-year-old Taylor McAllister (right)

Dumped with the trash: A man collecting aluminium cans found McAllister's body in this alley in St Petersburg, Florida, a year ago

The 22-year-old woman had twin daughters and was struggling with drug addiction

Butler's late father, Bob Butler, was the founder of Bob's Carpet and Flooring, which currently boasts 15 locations in West Florida. The first store opened its doors in 1969, according to the company's website.

The 52-year-old suspect was released from jail after posting $15,150 bail on Wednesday.

Suspect: Deonte Baker, 35, is accused of leaving McAllister's body in the alley after she passed away from an unspecified cause

Police also have named suspected associates of Butlers, identified as Deonte Baker, Quran Archer, Miriam Humphrey and Kadijah Hunt.

According to police, Baker, 35, and Archer, 25, admitted to picking up a 'barely conscious' McAllister at Butler's home in Palm Harbor. She died shortly after they left, so they dumped her lifeless body in the alley after Butler allegedly refused to let them bring the woman back inside.

Detectives have not disclosed McAllister's cause of death, but her father told Tampa Bay Times that his daughter was struggling with a pill addiction. She is survived by her young twin daughters.

Butler has an extensive criminal history, which includes arrests on drugs charges and a conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm.

'Sugar baby': McAllister's father said she was living with Butler before her death, and that he was allegedly supplying her with drugs and money, like a 'sugar daddy'

Empire: Butler's late father, Bob Butler, was the founder of Bob's Carpet and Flooring, which currently boasts 15 locations in West Florida

Bill McAllister told the paper his 22-year-old daughter was living with Butler before her death, and that based on accounts of people who knew her, the 52-year-old suspect was supplying her with drugs and money, and acting as her 'sugar daddy.'

Deonte Baker has been charged with failure to report a death and money laundering; Archer is also facing a failure to report charge, but he has not been taken into custody yet.

The two other suspects, 31-year-old Humphrey and 24-year-old Hunt, both have been charged with money laundering.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV, Anthony Scaramucci, better known as The Mooch explained why the sexual assault claims against President Donald Trump didn't stick during his campaign.

'Well I think there's a number of reasons, but I think the main one is a lot of those accusations came out during the campaign and the American people still elected him,' the Mooch told DailyMailTV host Jesse Palmer.

'So it tells you they're willing to accept, in people, some of their flaws,' the former White House communications director explained.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV, Anthony Scaramucci, better known as The Mooch explained why the sexual assault claims against President Donald Trump didn't stick

'I think the main one [reason] is a lot of those accusations came out during the campaign and the American people still elected him,' the Mooch said. 'So it tells you they're willing to accept, in people, some of their flaws,' he explained

Scaramucci was referring to the allegations made against Trump by at least 19 women, many of whom came forward after the release of the Access Hollywood tape in October 2016.

On Tuesday, another woman from Trump's past came forward to reassert her allegations that the former real estate mogul sexually assaulted her.

Mindy McGillivray told Megyn Kelly 'Today' that Trump grabbed her 'caboose' in front of Ray Charles at a 2003 concert at Mar-a-Lago and flirted with her on another occasion, upsetting, Melania.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing in all of the 19 claims.

The Mooch also talked about the recent mending of his marriage to Deidre Ball, who filed for divorce after he missed the birth of their son while serving for just 10 days as the White House communications director.

Ball first filed for divorce and kicked him out of their home in July while she was nine months pregnant.

It was reported that she filed for divorce because she was sick of his 'naked political ambition,' and his desire to get close to Trump, who she doesn't support.

But last month Ball dismissed her case in the Nassau County Supreme Court, according to court documents.

Mooch confirmed to DailyMailTV that he and his wife have 'put things beside us'.

On Tuesday, another woman from Trump's past came forward to reassert her claims that Trump sexually assaulted her. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in all of the 19 claims. The Mooch is pictured with his wife Deidre Ball, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

The Mooch also talked about the recent mending of his marriage to Deidre Ball (together left and right), who filed for divorce after he missed the birth of their son while serving for just 10 days as the White House communications director

'It's a personal issue between the two of us. I think the two of us are working super hard. At the end of the day we do love each very much and we're working hard together.'

'I think we are working on it,' he added.

Scaramucci talked about the recent Alabama Senate election in which Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore.

With all counties reporting, the Alabama Secretary of State reported Jones with 49.92 per cent of the vote, and Moore with 48.38 per cent of the vote.

When asked if Scaramucci thought the Trump White House is in any trouble after the heated election, The Mooch said: 'Definitely no on that. I think the president had great instincts. He wanted to go with a different candidate and so my guess is this is just one of those moments in time where the seat is temporarily lost.'

'I predict that in the next election... Republicans will take it back,' he added.

The Mooch also commented on Omarosa Manigault's recent White House departure.

Manigault will leave the administration on the anniversary of Trump's inauguration.

'Despite what the media reported I had a very cordial relationship with her [Amarosa],' Scaramucci told DailyMailTV.

'I think the president really likes her so I'm not exactly sure what happened or why she's resigning,' he said, noting that she is recently married.

When Scaramucci was asked about the shocking comment he made about Reince Priebus, the Mooch said he thought he was talking off-the-record to former New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza.

'Reince Priebus 'Reince is a f***ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac,' Scaramucci told Lizza over the phone in July.

The Mooch also commented on Omarosa Manigault's recent White House departure. Manigault will leave the administration on the anniversary of Trump's inauguration. 'Despite what the media reported I had a very cordial relationship with her,' he said

Before the interview ended The Mooch refused to confirm rumors about him having his own daytime talk show, saying: 'Well, we have to see'

Speaking about Lizza without mentioning his name, Scaramucci said: 'The guy that I was talking to has obviously been fired so in general he is a bad actor and a bad human being.

'And if i was on-the-record, of course, I would've never said something like that.'

Scaramucci instead blamed the comment on 'locker room talk'.

'You're a locker room guy. I'm a locker room guy. In the locker room of course I say things like that. Most Americans say things that are atypical. So no, I would say that he was just in over his head. Let's put it that way,' Scaramucci said.

Lizza was fired from The New Yorker earlier this week for 'improper sexual conduct'.

He called the decision to fire him after ten years at the magazine a 'terrible mistake' and insists he was in a 'respectful, consensual relationship' with a woman he dated.

And one person who won't be mourning his disappearance will be The Mooch.

Scaramucci was fired after Lizza published the secret recording of the phone call between him and The Mooch where the White House executive railed on Priebus.

Before the interview ended The Mooch refused to confirm rumors about him having his own daytime talk show, saying: 'Well, we have to see.'
Former Home and Away actor Martin Lynes has indicated he will fight additional charges related to an aggravated sexual assault for which he'll be sentenced next year.

Lynes, 50, was found guilty by a jury in August of digital penetration occasioning actual bodily harm on a woman at Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast in late-February 2016.

He will be sentenced in mid-March by Judge Robert Sutherland, who will also determine between four and eight related assault offences the Crown alleges occurred earlier the same day.

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Lynes, 50, was found guilty by a jury in August of digital penetration occasioning actual bodily harm on a woman at Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast in late-February 2016

Lynes' lawyer, Pat Costa, told the Parramatta District Court on Thursday his client intends to plead not guilty to the additional charges.

Lynes himself told the judge he was 'happy' to represent himself for the remainder of the proceedings to 'expedite' the process and because he had nothing to add.

'I don't want anything that can slow it,' Lynes, dressed in prison greens, said from the dock.

'I feel like you've heard my side of the story. I will put myself in your hands from today.'

Lynes (with Belinda Emmett) himself told the judge he was 'happy' to represent himself for the remainder of the proceedings to 'expedite' the process and because he had nothing to add

Lynes (pictured on Home and Away) was found guilty by a jury in August of digital penetration occasioning actual bodily harm on a woman at Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast in late-February 2016

Lynes played Dr Luke Forlano on hospital drama series All Saints and also appeared in Blue Water High, Sea Patrol, Packed to the Rafters and McLeod's Daughters.

A number of his supporters sat in the public gallery on Thursday morning including a woman who motioned a heart shape with her hands towards him.

He remains in custody and has made no application for bail.

Lynes (left) himself told the judge he was 'happy' to represent himself for the remainder of the proceedings to 'expedite' the process and because he had nothing to add
A brawny and brazen thief stole a package containing a treadmill meant for a cancer patient from a front porch - and the whole thing was caught on security camera.

Matt Elwonger bought his dad Martin a new treadmill to keep him active while he battles bladder cancer.

But when the 66-pound package arrived to his home in Raytown, Missouri, it was quickly snatched by a thief intrigued by the size of the box.

'It just looks like furniture or something,' Elwonger told Fox 4.

Matt Elwonger (left) bought his dad Martin (right) a new treadmill to keep him active while he battles bladder cancer. But when the 66-pound package arrived to his home in Raytown, Missouri, it was quickly snatched by a thief intrigued by the size of the box

Security camera footage shows the moment the thief, a woman in a blue hoodie and dark pants, runs up to the front porch, wearing only socks on her feet

She quickly wraps her arms around the package and alternates between carrying and dragging it off of the porch and down towards the road without a second glance

Security footage shows the moment the thief, a woman in a blue hoodie and dark pants, runs up to the front porch, wearing only socks on her feet.

She quickly wraps her arms around the package and alternates between carrying and dragging it off of the porch and down towards the road without a second glance.

'When I watched her carry it out, I thought, "How heavy can that be?"' Elwonger said.

'So I looked it up. The shipping weight on Amazon is 66 pounds.'

He said he thinks that's why the woman eventually dropped it. Either that, or she realized what it was and didn't want a treadmill.

'She opened it, and it wasn't what she wanted so she just threw it out in the street,' he explained.

Elwonger bought the treadmill after his father's doctor told Martin to keep moving while he undergoes chemotherapy

'I worked really hard to get that for my dad,' Elwonger told Fox.

'My brother even - a joint present from me and my brother. We all worked really hard to get it.'

After seeing the security footage Elwonger posted it to Facebook - and was shocked by how quickly people started sharing it.

A number of people also reached out to him to donate unused gym equipment to his father, and many said they were surprised by how brazen the woman was in taking the box in the first place

Elwonger bought the treadmill as a gift for his dad, who is going through chemotherapy for bladder cancer. Martin's doctor told him to keep moving, and so Elwonger and his brother were planning on giving it to their father as a surprise gift

'It hasn't even been online for 24 hours and it's been shared like 33,000 times,' he explained.

A number of people also reached out to him to donate unused gym equipment to his father, and many said they were surprised by how brazen the woman was in taking the box in the first place.

Elwonger said that surprised him too, especially because the camera isn't well hidden.

'It's right in plain sight, and she didn't care at all,' he said. 'She just came right up and took it.'

The box has thankfully been returned to Elwonger - after someone saw it in the street and recognized it from the Facebook post.

There were some rips and tears in the box, but the treadmill wasn't harmed. Elwonger got it back Wednesday night and has since assembled the machine.

He said he looks forward to giving it to his dad for Christmas.

Elwonger reported the incident to police - but the mystery thief has yet to be identified.
A doctor is accused of spiking his long-distance girlfriend's tea with four abortion pills after learning that she had become pregnant and wanted to keep the baby.

Brook Fiske, 37, detailed how her boyfriend Sikander Imran poisoned her and caused her to lose their baby boy in a recent interview with WROC.

The nurse says that she and Imran, a doctor originally from Pakistan, had been dating on and off for about three years when he moved from Rochester, New York to Arlington, Virginia for a new job in June 2016.

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Brook Fiske, 37 (pictured), says her doctor boyfriend spiked her tea with the abortion pill when she said she wanted to keep their unborn baby, against his wishes

Fiske says Sikander Imran (left and right) tried to convince her to abort the baby when he learned she was pregnant

Courtesy: WROC

Shortly after the move, Fiske says she discovered she was pregnant, but when she told Imran the happy news he was less than pleased.

'He didn't want to have a baby so he tried to talk me into having an abortion... which I didn't want to do,' Fiske said.

When she was about 17 weeks along, Fiske traveled down to Arlington to meet with Imran so they could discuss how they wanted to raise the child.

One night during the visit, she says he poisoned her tea.

'When I was drinking my tea in the evening I got to the bottom of the cup. There was a gritty substance in there and when I looked at it, I could tell that it was a pill that had been ground up,' she said.

After she refused, Fiske says Imran poisoned her tea with the abortion pill one night, causing her to go into labor and lose their baby boy (ultrasound image above)

A few hours later, Fiske says she started feeling contractions and was rushed to the hospital.

'He [Imran] immediately started crying and said that he was a horrible person and that he had done what I thought he did,' she said.

After going into labor at Virginia Hospital Center, she lost their baby boy.

Doctors conducted a blood test after the heartbreaking loss and found that she had an excessive amount of the prescription abortion pill Misoprostol in her system.

'According to the nurse at the hospital it's 200 milligrams to induce labor. So he gave me 800,' she said.

That amount shows just how desperate Imran was to get rid of the baby, since the drug is already risky for women as far along as Fiske was.

Misoprostal is typically used for early pregnancy abortions - up to 12 weeks. They are not recommended for women over 12 weeks pregnant, like Fiske was, because there's an increased risk for complications.

Sikander Imran, 32, faces charges including cause of abortion and prem

Imran was arrested on May 24 and faces charges including cause of abortion and premeditated killing of a fetus.

Records show he remains in the Arlington County Detenction Center while he awaits trial, which should start in March.

Fiske says she saw Imran in June when she testified against him in front of a grand jury.

'It was very empowering for me to face him and say what he had done...and look him in the face while I said that,' Fiske said.

Fiske's LinkedIn shows she works as a critical care nurse at the same Rochester hospital where Imran worked until transferring to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in June 2016.

His LinkedIn says he worked as a fellow in hematology/oncology and was educated in Pakistan.
Robert Hodges (pictured), 32, who was accused of killing his three children in September has pleaded guilty to the murders

A California man who was accused of killing his three children in September pleaded guilty to the murders on Thursday.

Robert Hodges, 32, said in a preliminary hearing testimony that he was in a 'deep financial crisis' when he suffocated seven-month-old Lucas first on September 13.

After several hours, Hodges then moved on to the older children, Kelvin, 11 and nine-year-old Julie.

Hodges said he had to take breaks between the killings to summon the physical and mental strength to carry out the horrific murders.

He killed Kelvin and Julie after surprising them from behind and choking them to death with a leather belt, according to the Sacramento Bee.

He then planned to kill his wife, Mai Hodges, and take his own life.

Hodges pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and attempted murder in his attack on his wife.

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Hodges said in a preliminary hearing testimony that he was in a 'deep financial crisis' when he suffocated seven-month-old Lucas (center) first on September 13. After several hours, Hodges then moved on to the older children, Kelvin (left), 11 and nine-year-old Julie (right)

Hodges said he had to take breaks between the killings to summon the physical and mental strength to carry out the horrific murders. He's pictured with his son, daughter and wife, Mai Hodges

He killed Kelvin and Julie (pictured with Lucas) after surprising them from behind and choking them to death with a leather belt

His reasoning for the killings, investigators said at the time, was to spare the family financial hardship.

Tears poured down Mai Hodges' face as each of the counts were read aloud.

Robert Hodges' voice broke as he responded 'guilty,' to the allegations, according to the Bee.

On September 13, police were called to his West Sacramento apartment complex for a domestic violence incident.

What they found was a horrific scene as the children laid lifeless inside the home.

He then planned to kill his wife, Mai Hodges (pictured), and take his own life

Hodges (pictured on September 18) pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and attempted murder in his attack on his wife. Sentencing is set for January 19

First responders immediately tried life-saving measures on the children.

Police first spoke with Hodges when he was found just after midnight in a parked car roughly seven miles from his apartment.

At the time, police said Mai Hodges was in close proximity of their murders, but did not witness them.

'She didn't go to a hospital,' Sergeant Roger Kinney said in September.

'But what he did to her was significant enough that it did merit a charge of attempted murder from our investigators.'

Mai Hodges' sister, Lyang Xvang, said the family was not aware of any problems between the couple.

'They love each other very much,' Xvang said at the time. 'I just don't understand how he made this choice.'

Xvang said her sister was a victim of domestic violence, but she didn't know the extent of her injuries.

Hodges will be sentenced on January 19.
A University of Houston fraternity has been charged in a criminal indictment with hazing after being accused of abusing pledges.

Prosecutors said that pledges were deprived of adequate food, water and sleep.

One pledge was body-slammed during a 'glow stick game' in which pledges are left to run in a field at night carrying a glowstick before being tackled unexpectedly by people wearing dark clothing.

The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (not pictured) was indicted Thursday on a charge of hazing in connection with a 2016 incident at the University of Houston

Prosecutors said that pledges were deprived of adequate food, water and sleep. Pictured, a sign at the front door of the fraternity

That particular task led to a student suffering a ruptured spleen, prosecutors said.

During the three-day ritual one pledge was forced to roll in vomit, spit and feces.

The investigation also found that pledges were instructed to go on a scavenger hunt and bring back particular items, however, some of the items to be found were not items for sale in a store and therefore had to be stolen.

A Harris County grand jury indicted the fraternity Thursday on a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of up to $10,000.

'Brotherhood and collegiate good times should be safe and hazing is not,' Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a written statement.

'It is also illegal and that should be recognized by the dozens of fraternities and sororities on college campuses all over the Houston area.'

In July, the University of Houston placed the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity under interim suspension pending an investigation.

In October, the university suspended the fraternity for activities that violate the school's hazing policy after a months-long probe revealed violations that occurred off campus.

The Pi Kappa Alpha UH Fraternity has now been suspended until 2023.

The Pi Kappa Alpha UH Fraternity has now been suspended until 2023

University of Houston police investigated the incidents, which allegedly occurred off campus.

'We are grateful that our county partners have delivered a stern message through the grand jury's decision against the fraternity, that such behavior, which jeopardizes the well being of our students, will not be tolerated,' the University of Houston said in a statement.

'Our University takes pride in the camaraderie and well-rounded experience of our students, and for many that includes participating in fraternity and sorority life. We take seriously our responsibility to train our fraternities and sororities to adhere to University policy and laws against hazing and the need to conduct themselves in a safe manner.'

A Harris County grand jury indicted the fraternity Thursday on a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of up to $10,000

The fraternity responded to the investigation by sending the following statement:

'The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity does not tolerate hazing, maltreatment of members, or any activities that do not treat individuals with dignity and respect.'

If convicted, the Tennessee-based fraternity could be fined up to $10,000.

This is not the first fraternity at UH to be suspended after allegations of hazing.

The Sigma Chi fraternity and five of its members were banned from the campus in 2015.
141217- Bougainville Citizen concerned about ABGs Progress to Referendum

By- Theresa Baranangko

The Autonomous Bougainville Government is losing its flavour and taste by being deceived by the donors financially thus dishonouring its own Constitution and the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA). This is according to Mr. Jullian Lamasam Jnr, a concerned citizen of the Autonomous Region.

Mr Lamasam acknowledged the ABG Governments effort in making sure that the aspirations of Bouginvillians through the Bougainville Peace Agreement is made successful.

However, from his perspective, he thinks that the Government is really struggling to maintain this effort due to a lot of confusion in terms of so many structures in place both in the National Government and ABG and also the Mekamui unity Government.

He said that it is so confusing to see and understand how the money is being used because of so many structures in place. He said that often the people are aware of the large amount of monies coming into Bougainville yet the outcome in terms of tangible developments in the District level, village levels or communities are hardly noticed.

He said that this is not happening because the Leaders are accessing their freedom under Amnesty and Pardon to misuse their power and misuse Government monies for their own benefits.

He said that this is because under the Peace Agreement, we do not have our own Ombudsman commission, Police Force and also the task force. Therefore, Bougainville Leaders are taking this as their privilege to misuse their power and funds and not taking into account that the BPA will cease to be in practice in January 2020.

Therefore he is urging the Government to find alternatives so that Bougainvillians can still enjoy the freedom of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in this short period of time.

He said this because according to the people, the BPA is not seen as freedom anymore but a trap and a threat and they are afraid and are more concerned of Bougainvilles Political Future and its effect on them.

Ends//


Dr. Louis Hebert (above) passed away in 2015, and left $846,648.46 to each of his three children - Lorette Taylor, Marie-Louise Marlow and Louis Paul Herbert

UPS lost a Canadian man's $846,648.46 inheritance check, and the bank who issued it is refusing to refund the missing money, according to a report.

After Dr. Louis Hebert passed away in 2015, his daughter Lorette Taylor was tasked with finalizing details of his will.

She along with her two siblings - Marie-Louise Marlow and Louis Paul Herbert - were the benefactors to each receive the nearly six-figure amount, CBC reported.

Back in February, she went to her nearby TD Canada Trust bank and obtained a bank draft, which is similar to a certified check, but the money is taken from a customer's account immediately and held by the bank until the draft is cashed.

Lorette obtained this form of payment after she claims the bank told her it was the safest way to send the large sum of money.

She was assured alongside her husband, John, that the money could be replaced if the draft was lost.

'I was told there were procedures to deal with that,' John told CBC.

He said if the draft was lost, bank officials said they would just, 'fill out some documentation and a new draft would be issued.'

Lorette and her husband sent the money via UPS from her lawyer in Georgetown, Ontario - which is about 270 miles away from her brother.

Once the draft was sent, Herbert traveled to his nearby local UPS store near Cornwall, Ontario expecting to pick up the package but it never arrived.

Lorette obtained a bank draft to send to her brother, Louis Paul Herbert (above) via UPS. But the package with the $846,648.46 draft check never made it to him

'I'm waiting at the UPS store, around 3pm because that's when they said the guys came in, nothing shows up,' Herbert told CBC News.

I came back in the evening. Nothing shows up  and I'm wondering, 'What's happened to my inheritance?''

UPS tracked the package to a parcel distribution center located north of Toronto, but after that they have no other information on it.

'While UPS' service is excellent in our industry, we are unfortunately not perfect. Occasionally, the loss of a package does occur,' spokeswoman Nirali Raval told CBC, declining to answer specific questions.

'Our records indicate that our team followed UPS protocol and an exhaustive search for this package was completed by our Operations and Security teams. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the package.'

UPS refunded Lorette the $32 it cost to mail the parcel and sent her an apology letter.

UPS tracked the package to a parcel distribution center located north of Toronto, but after that they have no other information on it. UPS refunded Lorette the $32 it cost to mail the package, but the bank is refusing to refund her the nearly six-figure amount inheritance amount (file)

'That's nice of them to say, but it doesn't solve my problems,' Herbert said.

The bank is also refusing to refund the money unless Lorette signs an agreement to pay the bank if someone cashes the lost draft. It does not expire like regular checks.

'It also said that if something happened to me, for example, my children and my heirs and my spouse and my executor would have to pay this debt,' she said.

'Well, I didn't really want to sign this.'

Lorette signed it, but claims the bank 'never paid anyone a dime'.

The bank reportedly demanded that she allow them to put a lien against her home just in case the missing draft was cashed, however, she refused.

'If the bank really wants indemnity, then UPS should sign it,' she said.

'Never in my wildest imagination did I think something like this would happen.'

Her brother said: 'I should have just driven. It's something I kick myself in the rear over every day.'

TD would not answer CBC's questions but sent a statement that said in part, 'before we can agree to a replacement or reimbursement, we need appropriate security to be in place.'

Herbet said that he needs the $846,648.46 to survive since he has maxed out his credit cards.

'TD has the money. The money is actually sitting in an account with TD. Nothing has been stolen. It's there. That's my inheritance,' he said.
Qantas and Virgin Australia have sent smart suitcases packing, banning them from the cargo hold and cabin unless their lithium-ion batteries can be removed.

The moves follow announcements from three U.S. airlines  American Airlines, Delta and Alaska  that a ban on the suitcases would take effect on January 15, with United and Southwest reportedly likely to follow suit.

Virgin Australia announced that from January 15, the airline would not carry any smart bags with built-in batteries that cannot be removed.

Qantas and Virgin have banned smart suitcases from the cargo hold and cabin unless their lithium-ion batteries can be removed

It would be permissible to take a battery removed from a smart suitcase on board in carry-on luggage, the airline said.

Qantas has not allowed smart suitcases with batteries in the cargo hold for some time, in line with its general policy on lithium batteries and dangerous goods.

In a statement, Virgin Australia said the safety of its guests and crew was the airline's 'highest priority', and its policy complied with current dangerous goods regulations.

'Virgin Australia ensures that all relevant regulations are strictly adhered to with regards to the use of portable electronic equipment with batteries installed,' the airline said.

Smart suitcases can charge devices, weigh themselves and be locked remotely via mobile phone.

The moves follow announcements from three U.S. airlines  American Airlines, Delta and Alaska  that a ban on the suitcases would take effect on January 15

Virgin Australia announced that from January 15, the airline would not carry any smart bags with built-in batteries that cannot be removed

They also contain GPS technology so travellers can track their bags if they go missing.

These features are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have a history of overheating and sparking fires.

Last year, the US Federal Aviation Administration banned Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones from all flights after issues with their batteries smoking and exploding.

Popular smart suitcase brands include Away, Raden and Bluesmart, the first two of which have removable batteries.

Global airlines body IATA has said it will issue industry-wide standards on the new luggage soon.
A woman who was suffering a 'stroke-like disease' was twice sent home from hospital by doctors after they gave her fluids to treat gastro.

Mother-of-two Carla Roberts, 52, was taken via ambulance to Gosford Hospital, on NSW's Central Coast, after complaining about severe vomiting and a headache.

According to the Express Advocate, she was put on an intravenous drip to treat the suspected stomach flu and then sent home the next morning.

But the next day the debilitating headaches and nausea returned, leaving her in such a bad state she was convinced she was dying or having an aneurysm.

Mother-of-two Carla Roberts, 52, claims she was 'basically having a stroke' when doctors from Gosford Hospital treated her for gastro and sent her home

Doctors reportedly assured her she would be okay, giving her fluids again and sending her back home again.

She claims one doctor told her she didn't have a brain bleed because she 'would be dead'.

After a week with little improvement in condition at home, Ms Roberts went to a GP for a second opinion on what was causing her to feel so unwell.

The doctor arranged a CT scan, and Ms Roberts was raced away to Royal North Shore Hospital where she was told she had reversible cerebral vasoconstriction.

'If I hadn't made it to my doctor and if he hadn't taken me seriously I would most likely lost my life,' she told the Express Advocate.

'It was a stroke basically, so I have all the side effects of a stroke.

'I'm so angry. It's just not right, I shouldn't have gone through that. I've never been so close to death.'

Ms Roberts was sent home on two different occasions after being taken to Gosford Hospital (pictured) via ambulance

People suffering the disease are at a heightened risk of getting a stroke if not treated properly and immediately.

A Central Coast Local Health District spokesperson said they were 'not aware of an official complaint from this patient or their family.'

'After being alerted by media to claims about the patient's care at Gosford Hospital, the District has made contact with the family.'

'The matter is ongoing.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Roberts for comment.
The top staffer on an independent panel investigating the swarm of allegations against members of Congress has himself been accused of harassing and assaulting women at a Pennsylvania bar.

Omar Ashmawy is staff director of the Office of Congressional Ethics, a panel created after a wave of ethics scandals to provide independent voice in ethical conduct of lawmakers.

On Valentine's day on 2015, he visited the Dimmick Inn in Milford, Pa., when the highly-paid staffer took his girlfriend for drinks.

By the end of the night, three men were arrested for assaulting Ashmawy, Foreign Policy reported.

Omar Ashmawy, the taff director of the Office of Congressional Ethics, is accused in a lawsuit of harassing and verbally abusing two women at a Pennsylvania bar. Three men are accused of beating him up the night of the alleged incident

One of them, Greg Martucci, claims in a federal lawsuit that before the alleged assault, Ashmawy was 'clearly sexually harassing' the Inn's bartender, Joey Lynn Smith.

'You'll give me drinks, but you won't f*** me,' Martucci claims Ashmawy complained to his server.

According to the suit, Martucci witnessed 'an extremely violent and belligerent' Ashmawy get verbally abusive toward Smith and Dawn Jorgenson, the wife of the owner.

Another woman who was there, Christina Floyd, also also complained Ashmawy was abusive in a statement given to police reviewed by the publication.

'I am a 5 foot 3 woman who never knew this man. I was very scared of him and was afraid he'd come back around for weeks after,' Floyd wrote police a month after the incident.

The incident happened at the Dimmick Inn in Milford Pennsylvania

Omar Ashmawy, staff director at the Office of Congressional Ethics

'I have never had a man physically harm me or scare me in that matter. He was sexually harassing, abusing and I feared for my life.'

Ashmawy disputed the accounts and noted that he wasn't arrested while his alleged attackers were.

'To be clear, I did not harass anyone that evening, physically or verbally,' he wrote Foreign Policy. 'To the contrary, I was the victim of a wholly unprovoked assault for which those responsible were investigated, arrested and charged. Any allegation to the contrary is unequivocally false.'

The suit also charged Ashmawy used his position as a Capitol investigator to try to prod the local police to act.

The suit accuses him of 'threatening to use his position as staff director and chief counsel of the Office of Congressional Ethics to induce a criminal proceeding to be brought against Plaintiff and/or others.'

According to the LegiStorm site, Ashmawy earns $168,000 per year in his position, which has lead him to open probes into a number of powerful lawmakers.

Ashmawy has moved to dismiss the suit, and other witnesses corroborate at least part of his story.

His legal brief says a witness 'called 911 after witnessing Defendant Ashmawy be attacked by three men and then one of the men involved in the attack dragging him outside.'

According to the brief the witness said it seemed like the men set up Ashmawy 'to get jumped.'

In a statement to police, he wrote that there had been a 'previous altercation' between his girlfriend and the bartender, who 'spoke fighting words to me' and that two other women abruptly came up to me.'

He wrote that three men assaulted him, choked him, and threw him to the ground.

'My handwriting is affected by the fact that I have only the sight of one eye and Im bleeding from multiple wounds to include my eye and my lip, he wrote.

The Office of Congressional Ethics did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the incident.
A friend of Dustin Hoffman's daughter claims the actor exposed himself to her while she was still in high school.

Cori Thomas was just 16 when she met the Oscar winner - who has recently been accused of sexual misconduct with multiple women. Hoffman's lawyer called the accusations 'defamatory falsehoods.'

Thomas, a high school classmate of Hoffman's daughter Karina at the United Nations International School in New York, said that in 1980 she'd joined the father and daughter for an afternoon in Manhattan, visiting bookshops and dining together at Jim McMullin's on the Upper East Side.

Her parents were supposed to be picking her up from the restaurant, but Thomas - then an aspiring actress - told Variety that Hoffman had suggested they leave a note for her parents at the restaurant, telling them to pick her up from his hotel.

Cori Thomas (left) was just 16 when she met Dustin Hoffman (right) who she claims exposed himself to her

The three went up to Hoffman's hotel room but soon after, she says that either Karina or Dustin suggested her classmate should go home 'because it was a school night and she had homework.'

She was left alone with the actor, then 43, who she says decided to take a shower as she waited for her parents to pick her up.

A few minutes later, she claims he walked out the bathroom with a towel wrapped around him.

Then the towel dropped.

'He was standing there naked. I think I almost collapsed, actually. It was the first time I had ever seen a naked man. I was mortified. I didn't know what to do.

'And he milked it. He milked the fact that he was naked. He stood there. He took his time.'

Thomas says that Hoffman eventually put on his robe but then asked her to massage his feet. As a flustered, naive teen, she did as she was asked.

'I didn't know what to do in the circumstance,' she said. 'I didn't know that I could say no, so I did it. And he kept telling me, 'I'm naked. Do you want to see?'

Thomas was a friend of Hoffman's daughter Karina (pictured with her father in 1982)

Both Thomas and Karina were classmates at the United Nations International School in New York (pictured)

Thomas, pictured in her younger days, says the esteemed actor came out the shower and dropped his towel while she was in his hotel room

She said she pretended not to hear the sexual comments.

Thankfully, the phone rang, interrupting the moment, which was her mother who had arrived to pick her up.

Thomas said she was left 'humiliated' by the incident and didn't tell her mother, attorney Zuleika Thomas, although her mom always suspected something had occurred.

Now a successful playwright and mother-of-one, Thomas said she only felt ready to talk about the incident seven years later - after the birth of her daughter - when she told a close relative.

She only told her mother what happened recently, and never confessed to Hoffman's daughter Karina, who remained a close friend and was even a bridesmaid in her wedding, until now.

Thomas is one of many women to accuse Hoffman of inappropriate sexual behavior over the years.

Kathryn Rossetter (left) says Dustin Hoffman (right) groped her almost nightly during the 1984 run of Death of a Salesman. She also says she has proof - this photo of her squeezing her breast during a picture while they were acting together

Melissa Kester claims she was assaulted by Hoffman when she was recording audio for film Ishtar in the mid 1980s.

Then a recent college graduate, Kester said she was working in the studio where Hoffman was laying down vocal tracks for the movie.

She's met the actor a couple of times previously, but on their third meeting, she said he digitally penetrated her while they were standing together in the recording booth - while her unknowing boyfriend and another sound engineer stood just feet away, on the other side of the soundproof glass, in the control room.

'He literally just stuck his fingers down my pants,' Kester said. 'He put his fingers inside me. And the thing I feel most bad about is I didn't know what to do. I just stood there. I just froze in the situation like 'Oh my god, what is happening?' It's shocking when that happens to you.'

She said Hoffman had his fingers inside her for 15-20 seconds until he finished the take.

'He kind of laughed,' she said. 'Then I just ran out of there, and I sat in the bathroom crying. I thought, 'Oh my God.' I felt like I'd been raped. There was no warning. I didn't know he would do that.'

Hoffman, she said, tried calling her after the incident until she told him never to speak to her again.

She later told a friend about the incident although didn't share all the details.

Another woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told Variety Hoffman assaulted her in the back of a car while she too was working on Ishtar, as an extra aged 22.

He'd offered her a ride home from the movie's wrap party in his driver's station wagon which quickly filled up with other people. She says they lay next to each other in the back, with other passengers just inches away, when she says he slid his hand other her skirt and 'stuck his fingers right up inside of me.'

Rossetter (right, in a recent picture) was the third woman to come forward in November with such accusations against Hoffman (left)

'I didn't know what to do. He's smiling at me. I was frozen. I was outside of my body.'

She said she was too shocked and terrified to react.

'What are they going to think of me, that I'm a whore, if a say something? What would I say? He's Dustin Hoffman.'

She said that as the driver dropped her off, he whispered to her to get a taxi to his apartment building San Remo, slipping $20 in her hand.

The woman says she was still in shock and did as he suggested.

When she arrived, they had consensual sex.

The women are the latest to speak out about allegations of Hoffman's sexual harassment or assault.

Kathryn Rossetter, who played Hoffman's mistress in the 1984 Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, and subsequent TV movie, claims he groped her on stage nightly and refused to stop even when she tearfully pleaded with him to leave her alone.

In addition to violating her on a daily basis, she says Hoffman also squeezed her breasts anytime they took pictures together.

The 66-year-old actress says being serially assaulted by her 'hero' was 'horrific' and 'demoralizing' -and something she still deals with today.

Rossetter told her story in her own words in an essay for the Hollywood Reporter, published on Friday.

As soon as they started rehearsals for the play, Rossetter says Hoffman crossed a line and started sexually harassing her relentlessly.

She says the first time he got inappropriate was three days into rehearsals, when he asked her to stop by his hotel room after the two had lunch together.

'When we stepped into the room, he jumped on the bed and said, 'Give me a back rub.' He pulled off his shirt. I didn't know what to do. I said we had to be back at rehearsal in 15 minutes. He said, 'Just a quickie.'

Rossetter says Hoffman would grope her back stage between scenes and wouldn't heed her demands that he stop. The two are pictured above acting in the TV movie of Death of a Salesman

One night, Rossetter says between scenes Hoffman lifted her slip over her head in front of a group of male crew. She says the shock of what he had done caused her to miss her cue. Hoffman pictured as Willy Loman in 1985

'I was a nervous wreck, but sat on the bed and gave a very lame rub. The maid walked in and I almost fainted. He laughed. As we prepared to leave, he looked at me and said, 'Now we have our 'hotel room.''

'Ah, I thought  Method Acting! I was his mistress and our scenes were set in a hotel room and Biff walks in. He told me to return to rehearsal a few minutes after he did and left me there,' she recalled.

But the awkward exchange turned out to be the first of many more disturbing incidents.

'That was the beginning of what was to become a horrific, demoralizing and abusive experience at the hands (literally) of one of my acting idols,' she said.

Rossetter says Hoffman went so far as to start groping her off stage, between their scenes.

'One night in Chicago, I felt his hand up under my slip on the inside of my thighs. I was completely surprised and tried to bat him away while watching the stage for my cues. After the show he was busy with the producer and director so I had no access to him to address it. It then happened almost every show. Six to eight shows a week.

'I couldn't speak to him in the moment because I was on a live mic. He kept it up and got more and more aggressive. One night he actually started to stick his fingers inside me. Night after night I went home and cried,' she said.

Rossetter recalls a particularly rough night, when Hoffman went so far as to pull her costume - a slip - over her head to expose her breasts. She says this happened in front of a group of male crew members and she later learned Hoffman had promised them a 'surprise' if they gathered near her backstage.

The shock of the violation had caused her to miss her cue to laugh and she was chewed out by her fellow actors afterward.

She says she tried to tell one of the actors what happened, but he said it was her 'fault and walked away'.

I was cautioned by some respected theatre professionals that if I [reported Hoffman], I would probably lose my job and, because he was such a powerful star, any hope of a career. It was Dustin's playpen. He controlled the purse strings.

On another occasion, Rossetter says she was summoned to Hoffman's room in the middle of the play by his dresser. She thought he wanted to give her notes on a scene, but instead he asked her to give him a massage.

'He wanted me to rub his feet. Get on my knees and rub his feet. I froze. I gave a little foot rub and ran out,' she said.

She says this happened on multiple occasions, and each time Hoffman's dresser would wait outside the room standing guard.

Rossetter said she felt 'trapped' in these situations since they were just feet from the stage. If she yelled out, the audience would hear.

And it wasn't just on the job that Hoffman harassed Rossetter. She says he regularly groped her breasts whenever they took pictures together.

While Hoffman was skilled at moving his hand away before the picture was taken, she says she once caught him in the act. She shared the image with the Hollywood Reporter.

Rossetter says she 'tried everything to get him to stop' but Hoffman was relentless.

'I tried to laugh it off, smack him and say witty, pointed things. I begged him nicely with tears in my eyes to please stop it. To no avail,' she said.

She even considered reporting Hoffman to Actors Equity, but was convinced not to by colleagues who said it could ruin her career.

'I was cautioned by some respected theatre professionals that if I did, I would probably lose my job and, because he was such a powerful star, any hope of a career. It was Dustin's playpen. He controlled the purse strings,' she said.

Hoffman declined to comment on Rossetter's essay to the Hollywood Reporter.

Hoffman's essay was published a little over a month after Anna Graham Hunter wrote a similar account of Hoffman's harassment.

In an essay also published in the Hollywood Reporter, Hunter said Hoffman repeatedly groped and harassed her when she was a 17-year-old production assistant on the Death of a Salesman movie. Since then, the Hollywood Reporter says they've heard from several more women who claim they were harassed by Hoffman as well, in incidents dating back to the 1970s

Shortly after Hunter's story was published, Wendy Riss Gatsiounis told Variety about how Hoffman asked her several sex-fueled questions during a business meeting in 1991.

Hoffman's handsy-behavior has been somewhat well known for years. Both Meryl Streep and Katherine Ross have recalled in past interviews how the actor groped them during auditions.

But it wasn't until the stories resurfaced during the ongoing 'Me Too' movement that Hoffman has faced significant public scrutiny over his actions.

On Monday, John Oliver confronted the movie legend about the allegations at a film screening, but Hoffman denied the claims in a heated exchange with the pundit.
Britain's economy and way of life are at 'catastrophic' risk from Russian submarine drones that can cut underwater cables, the head of the military warned last night.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said the vital communication cables that 'criss-cross the sea bed' were vulnerable to Vladimir Putin's forces.

There are fears Russia has the capability to tap, disrupt and even sever the underwater cables that link our internet and phone networks to the rest of the world. Many of those that serve Britain are in the Atlantic.

Sir Stuart said the Navy was now prioritising missions 'to protect the sea lines of communication' and prevent an attack that could wreak economic chaos.

Britain's economy and way of life are at 'catastrophic' risk from Russian submarine drones that can cut underwater cables, the head of the military warned last night. Pictured: HMS Somerset escorting a Russian submarine through the English Channel

'There's a new risk to our way of life, which is the vulnerability of the cables that criss-cross the sea beds,' he warned.

'Can you imagine a scenario where those cables are cut or disrupted which would immediately and potentially catastrophically affect both our economy and other ways of living. Therefore we must continue to develop our maritime forces with our allies to match and understand Russian fleet modernisation.'

He added: 'If we don't change with the threats we face, we risk being overmatched.'

Last month, Theresa May warned that Russia was meddling in elections and planting fake stories in the media in a bid to 'weaponise information' and sow discord in the West.

Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute last night, Sir Stuart said that Russia was one of a number of alarming new threats facing Britain and called for the UK to beef up its modern defences. He warned the risk posed by vessels operating in the seas 'packed with high explosives is not a theory or a movie story  it is a reality'.

The military chief made the comments in his final annual speech at the think-tank as Chief of the Defence Staff before he moves to become Nato's military committee chairman next year.

Sir Stuart said: 'In response to the threat posed by the modernisation of the Russia Navy  both nuclear and conventional submarines and ships  we along with our Atlantic allies have prioritised missions and tasks in order to protect the sea lines of communication.' Putin is believed to have a Yantar-class spy 'intelligence ship' which carries two submarines capable of destroying cables or tapping them for information.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said the vital communication cables that 'criss-cross the sea bed' were vulnerable to Vladimir Putin's forces

It is understood Russia could deploy submarines to sever communications cables spanning the world covertly. They could deploy divers from the submarines or drones armed with cutters or explosives.

Sir Stuart said the UK must continue to develop its maritime forces 'to match Russian fleet modernisation' as Moscow 'flexes its military muscles'.

He said there must be a 'total force' for tackling cyber threats as the risk from information warfare emerges. He said: 'The frequency of information warfare in all its manifestations, including fake news and cyber attacks, is now becoming better known.

'It is simply true we must adapt and not with nostalgic sentimental ways. Therefore we must modernise.'

He said this included being at the forefront of algorithmic warfare and artificial intelligence.And he warned of other threats, including advanced surface-to- air missiles and electronic warfare being developed in Syria.

Sir Stuart added: 'The risks posed by unmanned small boats packed with high explosives is not a theory or a movie story it is a reality. Therefore we need to innovate.'

Sir Stuart's comments came after Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said Russian submarine activity around Britain's coast has increased tenfold in the last six years.

A report by Rishi Sunak, a Conservative MP, published by the Policy Exchange think tank earlier this year, said the UK was vulnerable as an island nation and that undersea cables were often poorly protected and their locations publicly known.

It referenced the operation of Russia's submarines along cable routes, and the use of the Yantar-class 'intelligence ship'.

The report recommended that undersea cables should be designated as critical national infrastructure.
Breasteeding mom Sarah Salow, 30, and her family were on their way home to Phoenix when American Airlines agents tried to make her pay $150 to carry milk for her son

A breastfeeding mother was beside herself after collecting an ample amount of milk for her 13-month-old son only to be forced to leave it behind before boarding a plane.

The Salow family was traveling economy on American Airlines from Massachusetts back home to Arizona last Thursday when they exceeded the airfare's carry-on bag limit.

Mom Sarah, 30, explained to Dailymail.com her first check-in bag cost $25, the second, $35 and the third, $125. She said if there were any bags while at the gate, an additional $25 service fee was added.

'Basically my husband, son and I were on our way home to Phoenix and when we approached the gate to board our plane, we had a small, soft cooler of breast milk in stroller' when the conflict started.

Before the family's trip, the mother contacted American Airlines to make sure the cooler could be accepted, because she needed to have enough milk for the week.

She collected eight pouches for her 13-month-old son who she was required to pump exclusively for

She explained in a Facebook post that her son was 'born with a class 4 lip tie and posterior tongue tie at 9 months old' and that she exclusively pumped.

'The gentleman I spoke with that day was so warm and encouraging. He actually suggested that i carry the milk with us to ensure its safety,' she said of her previous phone call with the company.

Her son's diaper bag and backpack were personal items and the cooler containing the milk, a medical necessity.

'I told them the milk was a medical necessity, the guard said it was not,' Sarah said.

When they told her she would need to pay $150, the family had to decline.

'We are a young, growing family (so) it wasn't economical for us to spend $150 to check the cooler and we were forced to leave it behind.,' she wrote to Facebook.

Friendly passengers without personal items even offered to carry the cooler for the family but an agent would not allow it.

'I cried for the first 40 minutes (of the flight),' she said. 'I know when my husband shuts down too, he is upset.'

When agents told her she would need to pay $150, the family said they had to decline

The mother and her son took a flight on American Airlines back in October, which she described as a 'lovely' experience.

'I was shocked and confused. We had walked to the gate before with the same amount of milk and did not have a problem.'

Whether she would be flying with American Airlines in the future, Sarah said she was unsure at this time.

'I am beyond appalled and saddened by how myself and my family were treated today,' she wrote.

American Airlines spokeswoman Leslie Scott has since apologized on behalf of the company.

'It was absolutely our mistake,' Scott said in the statement.

She said there were restrictions with the new economy tickets.

However, 'strollers, diaper bags, breast pumps and breast-milk containers are among the items exempt from the restrictions,' Scott said, according to Arizona Central.

'When the basic economy tickets were introduced this year, American made it clear in policies sent to gate agents that the first three items were exempt but wasn't clear enough on the breast-milk containers.

'We wanted to make it easier for our agents and just make the policy explicitly clear so that this doesn't happen again.'
Museum collections (stock image of the Natural History Museum) are dominated by male animals with their flashy antlers and feathers

They may seem like a harmless place to take the children at the weekend to learn about whales and dinosaurs.

But natural history museums are sexist and colonialist, according to an academic at University College London.

Museum collections are dominated by male animals with their flashy antlers and feathers, leaving females, often described as' mothers', in the minority.

Meanwhile, according to Jack Ashby at UCL, the displays are dominated by animals from countries formerly part of the British Empire, such as India and Australia.

The manager of the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL believes there are human 'biases' in the way nature is represented.

He said: 'Historically, in many cases, particularly where males and females were different, and males had big horns, antlers, tusks or particularly showy plumage like a peacock, this created a bias in what was collected.'

Australian species dwarf those from China in British museums, he said, adding: 'Collecting is part of the act of colonialism.'

The museum manager spoke out following a University of Manchester study which found one museum's mammal collection was 71 per cent male and 29 per cent female. Two-thirds of birds in the same institution were male.

But his comments have been challenged by Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, who said: 'Sexism and colonialism are in the eye of the beholder. It has become too fashionable to search these out wherever there might be some hint of a difference.

'I suspect males are over-represented because they are less intelligent and more likely to get caught. When it comes to colonialism, these were the countries most often explored. Why attempt to create a problem where there is none?'

Mr Ashby said he is not critical of museums, while noting that the large blue whale skeleton newly installed in London's Natural History Museum is female (SUBS  PLS KEEP). He said: 'There are 1.5 million species described in the natural world and you can't have one of everything on display. I just want to describe that museums are a product of their own history.'

An academic at University College London (pictured) said natural history museums are sexist and colonialist

But the bias in how we talk about animals is a subject in his book Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects.

Writing on the website The Conversation, he references the Manchester University study showing that female animals are usually described as 'mothers', while the males are discussed as hunters or in a role separate to parenthood.

His article states: 'We have to wonder what messages this might give museum visitors about the role of the female.'

Museums have lots more big animals and creatures with backbones than nature does, Mr Ashby notes, while people do not like 'gross' specimens such as the Grant Museum's bisected cat.

He discusses 'political motivation' to increase knowledge of animals from particular countries.

The academic concludes: 'Museums are rightly celebrated as places of wonder and curiosity, and also science and learning. But if we look closely we can see that there are human biases in the way nature is represented. The vast majority of these are harmless foibles, but not all.'
Ten houseboats worth millions have been destroyed by fire at a marina on the Murray River.

The lavish boats were destroyed by a blaze that jumped from boat-to-boat in a 'domino effect' at Moama's Deep Creek Marina, near the Victorian and New South Wales border, on Thursday.

The fire completely gutted the boats and threatened another 100 after a giant fireball erupted at 6 pm.

Ten lavish houseboats were destroyed as a fire spread through Moama's Deep Creek Marina about 6pm Thursday

Locals were quick on the scene to assist firefighters in preventing the fire spreading further.

Brod Fenlon said he'd 'never seen anything like it before,' Herald Sun reports.

'It's devastating that we lost 10 boats, but there were 120 boats there and we managed to save most of them,' he said.

Mr Fenlon was one of about 30 people who helped release boats from the dock and push them away from the fire.

The fire left the boats completely gutted and threatened more than 100 about 6pm, with video showing one exploding into a dramatic giant fireball

'It will certainly hurt so close to Christmas, but you have to be thankful no one was injured ... it could've been much worse,' he said.

Huge explosions can be heard in the spectacular footage, with vessels engulfed in angry flames and thick black smoke surging into the air.

A faulty air-conditioning unit was reportedly to blame for the fire, but an investigation is currently underway to determine a definite cause.
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He was imprisoned and died in Durham following the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, but a Scottish soldier has now been brought back to life in new images.

Scientists have recreated the face of the soldier using digital reconstruction technology.

Researchers hope that the reconstruction will help shed light on where the soldier came from, his health, and any illnesses he suffered from during his life.

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He was imprisoned and died in Durham following the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, but a Scottish soldier has now been brought back to life - or at least his face has. Scientists have recreated the face of the soldier using digital reconstruction technology

THE SCANNING TECHNIQUE The images and video were created by researchers from Durham University, using the skull of the skeleton that was found in Durham in 2013. The process of developing the reconstruction included careful re-assembly of the skull to allow for a detailed digital scan to be undertaken. The digital scan was then used, together with information from Durham University's research on the age of the soldier at death, to build up the facial features. A previously unidentified facial scar on the soldier was identified through the scanning process and has been included in the final image. Advertisement

The images and video were created by researchers from Durham University, using the skull of the skeleton that was found in Durham in 2013.

Professor Chris Gerrard, who worked on the project, said: 'Following their discovery we have continued to conduct research on the remains, using a host of modern archaeological techniques to learn as much as possible about these individuals.

'To complement this work we asked experts at FaceLab, based at Liverpool John Moores University, to create a digital reconstruction of one of the skulls.

'The resulting image is a poignant opportunity to come face to face with a young man who lived and died over 300 years ago.'

FaceLab specialises in the reconstruction of faces for archaeological and forensic purposes.

The process of developing the reconstruction included careful re-assembly of the skull to allow for a detailed digital scan to be undertaken.

The digital scan was then used, together with information from Durham University's research on the age of the soldier at death, to build up the facial features.

The process of developing the reconstruction included careful re-assembly of the skull to allow for a detailed digital scan to be undertaken. The digital scan was then used, together with information from Durham University's research on the age of the soldier at death, to build up the facial features

WHO WAS HE? The reconstruction is based on the skull of a male, known only to the project team as 'Skeleton 22'. Analysis of Skeleton 22 has previously revealed that he was aged between 18 and 25 when he died, had suffered periods of poor nutrition during childhood and had lived in South West Scotland during the 1630s. Prof Gerrard said: 'Analysis of the dental calculus has revealed a lot about the conditions in which this man, known to us only as 'Skeleton 22', grew up. 'This information combined with the digital facial reconstruction gives us a remarkable, and privileged, glimpse into this individual's past.' Advertisement

A previously unidentified facial scar on the soldier was identified through the scanning process and has been included in the final image.

Professor Caroline Wilkinson, of Face Lab, said: 'This unique facial image was created using the very latest techniques housed at Liverpool John Moores University's Face Lab.

'This combines a 3D craniofacial depiction system with digital modelling software and facial and anatomical datasets, which can provide the most accurate and lifelike images of an array of fascinating archaeological and forensic art depictions.

'In this case, our collaboration with Durham University enabled us to draw on scans and data to create the most accurate and lifelike image possible to enable a true glimpse into the past of this Scottish soldier and how his life had been lived.

'It will join a collection of work by Face Lab reconstructing historical figures including Robert the Bruce, Richard III and St Nicholas.'

The soldier is depicted wearing a blue bonnet, brown jacket and shirt typical of Scottish soldiers of the time.

The reconstruction is based on the skull of a male, known only to the project team as 'Skeleton 22'.

Professor Gerrard said: 'Analysis of the dental calculus has revealed a lot about the conditions in which this man, known to us only as 'Skeleton 22', grew up. This information combined with the digital facial reconstruction gives us a remarkable, and privileged, glimpse into this individual's past'

Analysis of Skeleton 22 has previously revealed that he was aged between 18 and 25 when he died, had suffered periods of poor nutrition during childhood and had lived in South West Scotland during the 1630s.

Professor Gerrard said: 'Analysis of the dental calculus has revealed a lot about the conditions in which this man, known to us only as 'Skeleton 22', grew up.

'This information combined with the digital facial reconstruction gives us a remarkable, and privileged, glimpse into this individual's past.'

Professor Caroline Wilkinson, of Face Lab, said: 'This unique facial image was created using the very latest techniques housed at Liverpool John Moores University's Face Lab. This combines a 3D craniofacial depiction system with digital modelling software and facial and anatomical datasets, which can provide the most accurate and lifelike images of an array of fascinating archaeological and forensic art depictions'

The reconstruction is based on the skull of a male, known only to the project team as 'Skeleton 22'. Analysis of Skeleton 22 has previously revealed that he was aged between 18 and 25 when he died, had suffered periods of poor nutrition during childhood and had lived in South West Scotland during the 1630s

The remains of the Scottish soldiers were originally discovered in November 2013 on Palace Green, on Durham City's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Analysis concluded that they were those of Scottish soldiers taken prisoner after the 1650 Battle of Dunbar, solving a near 400-year-old mystery about what became of those soldiers who died in Durham.

Research on the remains is ongoing and the team is combining this with study of historical documents from the period.

THE BATTLE OF DUNBAR Following Parliamentary victory in the first and the second Civil Wars, Charles I had been executed in January 1649 and a Commonwealth declared in England. In June 1650 his son landed in Scotland, where he was proclaimed King Charles II. In July the English Parliament, expecting Charles to initiate a Scottish led campaign for the English crown, launched a pre-emptive invasion of Scotland. Ten thousand men and 5,000 horses from the New Model Army was sent north under the command of Oliver Cromwell. Scottish forces numbering 25,000 were raised in response, under General Sir David Leslie. Leslie fought a defensive campaign about Edinburgh, avoiding a pitched battle. Following the battle, Cromwell was able to march to Edinburgh where he eventually captured the capital following the defeat of the castle. Prisoners were force-marched towards England, to prevent any attempt at rescue, and imprisoned in Durham Cathedral (Cromwell at Dunbar, painted by Andrew Carrick Gow pictured) The New Model Army was transported by sea via the port of Dunbar. Having failed to bring Sir Leslie to battle they were forced by the weather, sickness and supply problems, to retire to Dunbar, first in early August and then again in late August. Sir Leslie, outnumbering the New Model two-to-one, saw his opportunity and marched around Dunbar to cut Cromwell's road connection to the border fortress of Berwick. Cromwell now finally had Leslie offering battle, but his New Model Army was at a severe disadvantage. Despite this, rather than evacuate by sea, Cromwell met the challenge, achieving what was arguably the most dramatic victory of the Civil Wars. Following the battle, Cromwell was able to march to Edinburgh where he eventually captured the capital following the defeat of the castle. Prisoners were force-marched towards England, to prevent any attempt at rescue, and imprisoned in Durham Cathedral. Conditions on the march and in the prison were terrible. Of the reported 6,000 prisoners, 5,000 were marched south resulting in the loss of 2,000, a further 1500 dying whilst in captivity and the majority of the survivors sold into slavery. More died as a result of capture than on the battlefield. Sources: The Battlesfield Trust/Historic UK Advertisement

The aim is to learn more about where the soldiers came from, their health and what illnesses they suffered from at different stages of their lives.

In autumn 2016 the researchers also visited the USA to learn more about what became of those soldiers who, following imprisonment in Durham, were later transported to areas including Massachusetts and Maine, USA. These soldiers worked as indentured servants in ironworks and sawmills.

Once research on the remains is completed they will be reburied at the Elvet Hill Road Cemetery in Durham, close to where the remains were originally found.

The images and video were created by researchers from Durham University, using the skull of the skeleton that was found in Durham in 2013

The Battle of Dunbar was one of the most brutal and short battles of the 17th Century civil wars, after which thousands of soldiers were marched over 100 miles from the South East of Scotland to Durham in North East England.

Around 3,000 soldiers were imprisoned in Durham Cathedral and Castle, at a time when the Cathedral was empty and abandoned.

Of those who survived imprisonment in Durham some were employed locally in coal mines, at salt pans and as weavers whilst others were sent to King's Lynn to help with drainage projects on the Fens.

Some soldiers were sent to France to fight or crossed the Atlantic to places such as Barbados and New England, where they worked as indentured servants.

The Battle of Dunbar was one of the most brutal and short battles of the Seventeenth Century civil wars, after which thousands of soldiers were marched over 100 miles from the South East of Scotland to Durham in North East England
141217FESTIVAL SET

By Aloysius Laukai



The Chairman of the Hagogohe Sasalam Hihikuma Festival, LAWRENCE BELLEH says all is set to stage the SASALAM HIHIKUMA festival at the GOGOHE Primary School grounds starting tomorrow and will end on Wednesday next week.

The highlights of the festival includes the float and presentation at the BEL ISI PARK tomorrow morning whilst the show opening will be held at the show venue at five pm in the afternoon.

The show will include Traditional arts and crafts presentations and a Miss Hagogohe crowning towards the end of the festival.

MR. BELLEH said that despite set backs by no getting many sponsors the organizers are happy the show will continue and will include a visit by tourists from the Cruise Ship Cruise North from Australia who will attend the festival on Monday.

He is inviting the people of Bougainville to travel to GOGOHE and support the fundraising efforts by the Parents and Citizens of Gogohe Primary school.

He said that the aim of the festival is to showcase our culture and make sure the date are set for tourists to attend and be part of the celebrations.

Ends


With 41 per cent of internet users admitting to looking online for health-related questions, it's important that they can find quality content.

But a new study suggests that smart assistants aren't quite as good as Google searches at providing quality advice when it comes to sexual health.

The researchers hope their findings will encourage internet users to treat health information online with caution.

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A new study suggests that smart assistants aren't quite as good as Google searches at providing quality advice when it comes to sexual health (stock image)

KEY FINDINGS - A laptop based Google search performed much better than the two digital assistants, providing 72 per cent of the best responses for the sexual health questions. - Google Assistant performed better than Siri, with 50 per cent of best responses, versus 32 per cent. - Google searches had the lowest failure rate, providing no useful response for eight per cent of the questions, compared with 12 per cent for Google Assistant and 36 per cent for Siri. - Google and Google Assistant were better than Siri at finding pictures of how to have sex. - Siri's response to, 'Tell me about menopause' was to suggest the show Menopause the Musical in Wikipedia, while the smart assistant interpreted 'STI' as a stock market code. - Google Assistant had fewer problems but responded to a question on STIs by providing a website link to the seaside resort of 'St Ives' in Cornwall. - Siri was best at locating some nearby services, such as the nearest place to buy condoms or obtain emergency contraception. Advertisement

Researchers from the University of Otago asked Apple's Siri and Google Assistant to answer questions and perform tasks.

The team selected 50 questions to test the software and then compared their answers with a laptop based Google search.

Questions were based on information from the NHS Healthy Choices site and recent sex related news - or were designed to test functionality, for example, locating services or finding images and videos on how to have sex.

Results showed that a laptop based Google search performed much better than the two digital assistants, providing 72 per cent of the best responses for the sexual health questions.

Google Assistant performed better than Siri, with 50 per cent of best responses, versus 32 per cent.

Google searches also had the lowest failure rate, providing no useful response for eight per cent of the questions, compared with 12 per cent for Google Assistant and 36 per cent for Siri.

Google and Google Assistant were better than Siri at finding pictures of how to have sex, with Siri failing to find any videos of people having sex on the internet.

Siri's response to 'Tell me about menopause' was to suggest the show Menopause the Musical in Wikipedia, while the smart assistant interpreted 'STI' as a stock market code.

Siri was best at locating some nearby services, such as the nearest place to buy condoms or obtain emergency contraception (stock image)

PORN AFFECTS SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR While the legal age to watch pornography is officially 18 in the UK and US, many children have access to the adult content. And a new study by researchers from the University of Buckingham suggests that watching pornography at a young age makes children more likely to have sex earlier and adopt 'unhealthy sexual habits' later in life. The researchers hope their findings will encourage authorities to provide better sexual education to children at a younger age. Advertisement

Google Assistant had fewer problems but responded to a question on STIs by providing a website link to the seaside resort of 'St Ives' in Cornwall.

Siri was best at locating some nearby services, such as the nearest place to buy condoms or obtain emergency contraception.

Professor Nick Wilson, who led the study, said: 'Our experiences suggest that people can find quality sexual health advice when searching online, but this is less likely if they use a digital assistant, especially Siri, instead of Google laptop searches.

'Parents too embarrassed to respond to their children's questions about sex, can reasonably say "just Google it," but we would not suggest asking Siri until it becomes more comfortable with talking about sex (or at least has an opinion).

'Clearly, the ideal is to ensure that all sexual health advice searches, including those using slang, colloquialisms, or New Zealand accents, are always directed to high quality sites with up-to-date, evidence based recommendations.'
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The 4,500-year-old secrets of the Great Pyramid of Giza's maze of hidden chambers are set to be revealed by an inflatable robot.

Researchers are building a blimp-like probe that enters ancient monuments via a 3.5-centimetre (1.4-inch) 'keyhole' drilled through a wall.

Once inflated inside the chamber, the drone flies like a blimp to explore inaccessible areas with minimal damage to artefacts or structures hidden within.

Last month, a mysterious 30-metre (100ft) void nestled above the pyramid's Grand Gallery deep within the monument was discovered by an international team of researchers.

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The 4,500-year-old secrets of the Great Pyramid of Giza's hidden chambers are set to be revealed by an inflatable robot (artist's impression). Researchers are building a blimp-like probe that enters ancient monuments via a 3.5-centimetre (1.4-inch) 'keyhole' drilled through a wall (left)

HOW IT WORKS The device enters rooms and chambers through a 3.5 centimetre hole drilled through a wall by researchers outside. It is made up of two robots, a tubular machine equipped with a high definition camera and a probe that explores the structure via a small, inflatable blimp. After the first robot has taken a series of reconnaissance images, the drone is pushed through the drilled hole before inflating itself within the chamber. Packed with an array of sensors and cameras, the remote-controlled device collects data and takes photos or video without causing damage to the fragile building. After it has completed its mission, the floating probe returns to its docking station and deflates before it is extracted via the the same tube it entered in. Advertisement

The discovery was made using 'cosmic ray imaging' in which subatomic particles that naturally rain down from the sky are used to map buildings like an X-ray scan.

Now scientists hope to use a new minimally-invasive robot to explore why chambers such as these were built.

The project has been initiated by ScanPyramids, the same group of researchers that made last month's historic Giza find, made up of engineers from Cairo University and the Florida-based HIP Institute.

Its aim is to build a robot capable of exploring the inner depths of old buildings and ancient monuments with minimal structural damage by entering through a 3.5-centimetre (1.5 inch) hole drilled through a wall.

'The main challenge is to insert a complete exploration robot in a hole that is as small as possible.' lead researcher Dr Jean-Baptiste Mouret told Digital Trends.

'It is important to use a hole as small as possible because we want to leave as few traces as we can. This what we call 'minimally invasive robotics'.'

The device is made up of two robots, a tubular machine equipped with a high definition camera and a probe that explores the structure via a small, inflatable blimp.

After the first robot has completed initial imaging to check the room is worth exploring, the drone is pushed through the drilled hole where it inflates itself within the chamber.

Packed with an array of sensors and cameras, the remote-controlled device collects data and takes photos or video without causing damage to the fragile building.

After it has completed its mission, the floating probe returns to its docking station and deflates before it is extracted via the the same tube it entered in.

The robot is being developed by scientists from France's Inria research institution and National Centre for Scientific Research, both based in Paris.

The device is made up of two robots, a tubular machine equipped with a high definition camera (pictured) and a probe that explores the structure via a small, inflatable blimp. After the first robot has taken a series of reconnaissance images, the drone is pushed through the drilled hole where it inflates itself within the chamber

The drone is pushed through a small, drilled hole (a) before inflating itself within the chamber (b). Packed with an array of sensors and cameras, the remote-controlled device collects data and takes photos or video (c). After it has completed its mission, the floating probe returns to its docking station and deflates (d) before it is extracted (e)

THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA'S 'HIDDEN VOID' News that ScanPyramids is developing a new floating probe system comes just a few weeks after the research team discovered a long-hidden narrow void within Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza. The void stretches for at least 30 metres (100ft) above the Grand Gallery - an ascending corridor that links the Queen's chamber to the King's in the heart of the pyramid. It is not known why the void exists or if there are any valuable artefacts inside as it is not obviously accessible. But it has similar dimensions to the Gallery, which is 50 metres (164ft) long, eight metres (26ft) high and around a metre (3.2ft) wide. Researchers suggested it could be a 'construction gap' - part of a trench that allowed workers to access the Grand Gallery and King's Chamber while the rest of the pyramid was built. The discovery was made after physicists took images of the inside of the pyramid using particles fired to Earth from space. News that ScanPyramids is developing a new floating probe system comes just a few weeks after the research team discovered a long-hidden narrow void (highlighted in red) within Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza Advertisement

The project team said that a floating robot will be quicker and easier to manoeuvre than ground-based probes, as it will not need to navigate stairs, rocks or falling debris.

Being inflatable, the probe is less likely to damage anything it collides with than a rotary or other flying drone, they said.

Currently, Dr Mouret said there is no 'concrete timeline' for deploying the robots inside the Great Pyramid, which will require special permits from Egypt's Ministry of Antiquity.

The Great Pyramid of Giza has been shrouded in mystery for millennia, but in November a long-held secret of its structure was uncovered thanks to particle physics. An apparent narrow void lying undiscovered deep within the ancient Wonder of the World was found by scientists using cosmic-ray based imaging. An overview of the breakthrough is shown here

WHAT WAS THE VOID USED FOR? Because no one has physically seen inside the void, what it was built for remains a mystery. The researchers say the space has remained hidden since it was first constructed 4,500 years ago. It could be one big space, but may also be made up of several chambers or tunnels. The void could be on an incline, which means it could have been used to transport huge blocks into the centre of the pyramid and was then left. Researchers suggest it could also be a 'construction gap' - part of a trench that allowed workers to access the Grand Gallery and King's Chamber while the rest of the pyramid was built. More simply, the void may have simply been left there to relieve weight from the Grand Gallery below. Advertisement

But once the device has been developed, it could be used to help map other heritage buildings and archaeological sites across the globe.

News that ScanPyramids is developing a new floating probe system comes just a few weeks after the research team discovered a long-hidden narrow void within the Great Pyramid.

The void stretches for at least 30 metres (100ft) above the Grand Gallery - an ascending corridor that links the Queen's chamber to the King's in the heart of the pyramid.

It is not known why the void exists or if there are any valuable artefacts inside as it is not obviously accessible.

But it has similar dimensions to the Gallery, which is 50 metres (164ft) long, eight metres (26ft) high and around a metre (3.2ft) wide.

Researchers suggested it could be a 'construction gap' - part of a trench that allowed workers to access the Grand Gallery and King's Chamber while the rest of the pyramid was built.

The discovery was made after physicists took images of the inside of the pyramid using particles fired to Earth from space.

These cosmic particles penetrate the rock in a similar way to X-rays, only much deeper.

The collaborative effort, between archaeologists, historians and physicists, was hailed as the biggest discovery inside the Giza landmark since the 19th century.

Described as a 'deep void', it is at least about 100 feet long and up to 230 feet above ground, running over the Grand Gallery. Its function is unknown, and scientists are now hoping a flying robot could be sent in to uncover its secrets

Made under the watch of the Pharaoh Khufu and completed in around 2550 BC, Egypt's Great Pyramid, or the Pyramid of Giza, served as the world's tallest man-made construction for thousands of years.

The structure, also known as Khufu's Pyramid, is the sole survivor of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

How it was built has long been a bone of academic contention and there is no universal agreement about its creation.

The internal structure (white dots in image) is located above the Grand Gallery - that links two of the pyramid's chambers - and traces a similar route for at least 30 metres (100ft). It could either lie on a horizontal or inclined (pictured) plane, experts said

MUON DETECTORS Muons are created when cosmic rays react with the upper atmosphere, producing a shower of particles (artist's impression), some of which decay into muons Muon detectors have previously been used to map out the inside of the Fukushima's nuclear reactor in Japan and it is hoped they can be used to explore other archaeological sites. The detectors work by using cosmic particles known as muons that have the power to penetrate deeply into most materials. The subatomic particles require only a few special instruments because they rain down naturally from the atmosphere above. Muons are created when the upper atmosphere reacts with cosmic rays, producing a shower of particles, some of which decay into muons. The elementary particles, which weigh around 200 times more than electrons, can very easily pass through any structure, even large and thick rocks like mountains. Researchers can use these tiny particles to measure the density of structures, just like X-rays pass through our bodies to visualise our skeleton. The detectors work by using cosmic particles known as muons that have the power to penetrate deeply into most materials. Researchers can use these tiny particles to measure the density of structures, just like X-rays pass through our bodies to visualise our skeleton. Pictured is the results of one of the team's muography scans on the pyramid, which helped to reveal the new structure (SP-BV) Advertisement

To find out more about the pyramid, researchers from countries including France and Japan began a project to scan the structure in October 2015.

The scientists made the discovery using cosmic-ray imaging, recording the behaviour of subatomic particles called muons that penetrate the rock.

Detectors were set up inside the pyramid, including in the so-called Queen's Chamber.

This allowed the pyramid's insides to be seen without physically disturbing it, as the results showed empty space differently from rock.

To find out more about the pyramid, researchers from countries including France and Japan began a project to scan the structure in October 2015. Researchers placed detectors in two rooms within the pyramid to collect subatomic particles as they fell from the sky, revealing the structure of the building like an X-ray reveals bone

WHAT THEY FOUND An apparent void lying undiscovered deep inside the Great Pyramid of Giza has been discovered by scientists. The internal structure is located above the Grand Gallery - that links two of the pyramid's chambers. It traces a similar route for at least 30 metres (100ft). While the precise design and purpose of the space is unknown, it was hailed by the team of academics as the biggest discovery inside the Giza landmark since the 19th century. 'This was a study about physics, it was not about Egyptology - we are not claiming anything about interpretation for this void - we are just claiming that there is a void and that's all,' study author Mehdi Tayoubi said. Despite the breakthrough, the newly discovered structure has yet to be reached in person by any researcher. Advertisement

The presence of the space, dubbed the ScanPyramids Big Void, was confirmed using three different detection technologies over several months after first being spotted, the paper said.

The results were then analysed three times.

The ScanPyramids mission is made up of researchers from Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities, the University of Cario, and the non-profit organisation the Heritage Innovation Preservation (HIP) Institute.

The team employed by-products of the cosmic ray known as muons that are only partially absorbed by stone and take noticeably different trajectories through air

HOW ARE SCIENTISTS PEERING INSIDE THE PYRAMIDS Over the course of their lengthy study, the team have used several techniques to scan Egyptian pyramids. Infrared thermography - Infrared detects infrared energy emitted from object, converts it to temperature, and displays an image of its temperature distribution to reveal objects that may be hidden. 3D scans with lasers - Lasers bounce narrow pulses of light off the interiors of a structure to map it in detail. Once the scanning is complete, the data can be combined into a highly detailed 3-D model. Cosmic-ray detectors - This detects muons that are created when cosmic rays hit the atmosphere. Muons pass harmlessly through people and buildings. Muons traveling through rock or other dense material will slow and eventually stop. The idea is to catch the muons after theyve passed through an pyramid and measure their energies and trajectories. Researchers can then compile a 3D image that reveals hidden chambers. Advertisement

'ScanPyramids Big Void is not a room or a chamber - we don't know if it is horizontal or inclined if it is composed by one or several successive structures, but it's big,' report author Mehdi Tayoubi, president and co-founder of the HIP Institute, told MailOnline.

'The Grand Gallery is an internal spectacular internal structure (47m long, 8m high) a kind of internal cathedral at the centre of the pyramid.

'This Big Void, with same size characteristics as the Grand Gallery, could be successive chambers, a tunnel. Many hypotheses are possible.'

Despite the breakthrough, the newly discovered structure has yet to be reached in person by any researcher.

Detectors were set up inside the pyramid, including in the so-called Queen's Chamber. This allowed the pyramid's insides to be visualised without physically disturbing it, as the results showed empty space differently from rock

Report author Mr Tayoubi said: 'This structure is not accessible, we don't see (that) people tried, if you look at the Grand Gallery, to access the void which is above.

'So this void was hidden, I think, since the construction of the pyramid, it was not accessible.

'We needed this technique - the right technique at the right time - to be able to identify it and discover it.'

He added they were 'very confident' the results were correct.

Because no one has physically seen inside the void, what it was built for remains a mystery.

Muons (artist's impression) are created when the upper atmosphere reacts with cosmic rays, producing a shower of particles, some of which decay into muons. The elementary particles, which weigh around 200 times more than electrons, can very easily pass through any structure, even large and thick rocks like mountains

Researchers claim the space could be on an incline, which means it could have been used to transport huge blocks into the centre of the pyramid and was then left, experts said.

'This finding is very exciting, but I don't think it's likely to be some kind of secret chamber,' Dr Kate Spence, an archaeologist at the University of Cambridge who was not involved in the study, told the Telegraph.

'I think it is an inclined ramp that was used to transport huge blocks into the centre of the pyramid and then left. The orientation leads up to the huge granite roof struts at the top of the relieving chamber.

Muon detectors (artist's impression) placed in known rooms within the Great Pyramid picked up the subatomic particles as they passed through layers of stone, meaning the scientists could map the pyramid without breaking through its walls

Researchers from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities' scientific committee suggest it could be a 'construction gap' - part of a trench that allowed workers to access the Grand Gallery and King's Chamber while the rest of the pyramid was built.

More simply, the void may have simply been left there to relieve weight from the Grand Gallery below.

The finding opens up the possibility that the void could be linked to other different and undiscovered structures within the pyramid, the study claimed.

Crucially, the authors said, it could provide a method by which scientists can finally start to piece together how the pyramid was built.

The presence of the void, dubbed the ScanPyramids Big Void, was confirmed using three different muon detection technologies over several months after first being spotted, the paper said. Pictured is the pyramid's descending main entrance hallway. The new structure is above this entrance-way

THE SCANPYRAMIDS PROJECT After muon detectors detect voids within a pyramid, the team often use thermal imaging scans (pictured) to confirm their finds The team's finding has been a long time coming after months spent trying to find the elusive 'void'. The researchers began using muon technology, thermal scanning and 3D laser mapping to lay out the pyramid's internal structure in 2015. Scanners placed in the Great Pyramid's grand descending corridor, as well as a tunnel near the north facing entrance dug out by medieval explorers, found a small structure above the structure's entrance in 2016. Thermal imaging of the pyramid confirmed a human-height, corridor-shaped void that ran parallel but above to the descending corridor. Researchers realised this corridor, labelled the ScanPyramid Northfacing Corridor, must lead somewhere, and spent the following months using mapping technology to find where it led. This has now led the team to the new structure, which sits above the pyramid's Grand Gallery. Advertisement

They added that the development 'show how modern particle physics can shed new light on the world's archaeological heritage'.

'This was a study about physics, it was not about Egyptology - we are not claiming anything about interpretation for this void - we are just claiming that there is a void and that's all,' Mr Tayoubi said.

Muon detectors have previously been used to map out the inside of the Fukushima's nuclear reactor in Japan and it is hoped they can be used to explore other archaeological sites.

The detectors work by using cosmic particles known as muons that have the power to penetrate deeply into most materials.

Despite the breakthrough, the newly discovered structure has yet to be reached in person by any researcher. Experts used several types of muon detector, which reads subatomic particles as they rain down from the sky, for their study

The finding opens up the possibility that the void could be linked to other different and undiscovered structures within the pyramid, the study claimed. Pictured is a virtual reality layout of what we know of the pyramid's internal structures so far, including the newly found structure, pictured as white dots next to the King's chamber

THE PYRAMID OF GIZA The Great Pyramid, also known as Khufu's Pyramid, is the sole survivor of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World For more than 4,500 years, Egypt's pyramids have kept their secrets hidden deep within the labyrinth of passages and chambers that lie inside their towering stone structures. But the long-running row over whether the Great Pyramid of Giza is hiding a network of previously undiscovered tunnels behind its stone walls has now been answered. The researchers confirmed the find using cosmic particles known as muons to scan the Great Pyramid of Giza. They used the scans to create maps to reveal the internal structure of the 479 feet (146m) high pyramid. Last year thermal scanning identified a major anomaly in the Great Pyramid, the largest and oldest of the pyramids at Giza and one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Those scans identified three adjacent stones at its base which registered higher temperatures than others. Those scans identified three adjacent stones at its base which registered higher temperatures than others. This led to theories that they may be hiding a secret chamber that had yet to be discovered. A team of experts then set up the ScanPyramid's project to use muons, tiny subatomic particle that are typically produced by cosmic rays smash into atoms on Earth, to peer through the pyramid's huge stone blocks, some of which weight up to 15 tons. Dr Hawass has in the past been sceptical of the usefulness of conducting such scans. He recently clashed publicly with British Egyptologists over their theory that a secret burial chamber may be hidden behind the walls of Tutankhamun's tomb in his pyramid in the Valley of the Kings. Advertisement

Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza has been shrouded in mystery for millennia, but now a long-held secret of its structure might be known thanks to particle physics. The pyramid borders what is now El Giza in Egypt

The subatomic particles require only a few special instruments because they rain down naturally from the atmosphere above.

Some archaeologists have pinned hopes on using the sophisticated technology to locate the burial place of the legendary queen Nefertiti (pictured)

Muons are created when the upper atmosphere reacts with cosmic rays, producing a shower of particles, some of which decay into muons.

The elementary particles, which weigh around 200 times more than electrons, can very easily pass through any structure, even large and thick rocks like mountains.

Researchers can use these tiny particles to measure the density of structures, just like X-rays pass through our bodies to visualise our skeleton.

The team's finding has been a long time coming after months spent trying to find the elusive 'void'.

The researchers began using muon technology, thermal scanning and 3D laser mapping to lay out the pyramid's internal structure in 2015.

Scanners placed in the Great Pyramid's grand descending corridor, as well as a tunnel near the north facing entrance dug out by medieval explorers, found a small structure above the structure's entrance in 2016.

Thermal imaging of the pyramid confirmed a human-height, corridor-shaped void that ran parallel but above to the descending corridor.

Researchers realised this corridor, labelled the ScanPyramid Northfacing Corridor, must lead somewhere, and spent the following months using mapping technology to find where it led.

GREAT PYRAMID'S CURSED TOMB REOPENED Yesterday it was reported that archaeologists in Egypt have reopened a 'cursed tomb' containing the remains of the people who built the Great Pyramid of Giza to visitors. It is the first time it has been opened to the public since its discovery almost 30 years ago. The area dates back 4,500 years and is located in the 'tribal mountain' area, near the Pyramid of Giza. The Press Office of the Ministry of Antiquities shared the revelation on Instagram with a picture of the area, saying 'Opening the workers cemetery site at Giza Plateau to visit'. Yesterday it was reported that archaeologists in Egypt have reopened a 'cursed tomb' (pictured) containing the remains of the people who built the Great Pyramid of Giza to visitors The newly opened area contains a cemetery of workers along with the graves of the supervisor of the royal palace, the supervisor of the construction workers and a man of significance who was buried with the workers, accordingto Newsweek. The site has been closed off since 1990. Archaeologists from the Ministry of Antiquities believe the man who supervised the workers filled the cemetery with curses to protect the dead from thieves. Advertisement

This has now led the team to find the new structure, which sits above the pyramid's Grand Gallery.

Some archaeologists have pinned hopes on using the sophisticated technology to locate the burial place of the legendary queen Nefertiti.

The wife of King Akhenaten, who initiated a monotheistic cult in ancient Egypt, queen Nefertiti remains an enigma, best known for a bust depicting her that is now on exhibition in Berlin's Neues Museum.

A British Egyptologist, Nicholas Reeves, believed her remains were hidden in a secret chamber in the tomb of Tutankhamun, in the southern Valley of the Kings.

In 2015, archaeologists scanned the tomb with radar hoping to find clues.

Both Reeves's theory and the inconclusive results have been dismissed by other Egyptologists.

One of them, former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass, said that an adept of the sun god Aton would never have been allowed to be buried in the Valley of the Kings.
Nasa is set to make a major announcement about a breakthrough in its alien-planet-hunting project.

The space agency is holding a live-stream event today at 1:00pm ET (6:00pm GMT) to reveal a discovery about potentially habitable worlds made by its Kepler telescope.

The satellite has been searching the stars for distant worlds using Google's AI system, which is helping Nasa find planets that may host alien life.

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Nasa is set to make a major finding from its planet-hunting Kepler space telescope. The planet-hunting satellite has been working with Google 's AI system. Pictured is an artist's impression of the potentially-habitable exoplanet kepler186f, discovered by Kepler in 2014

KEPLER TELESCOPE The Kepler mission has spotted thousands of exoplanets since 2014, with 30 planets less than twice the size of Earth now known to orbit within the habitable zones of their stars. Launched in 2009, the satellite has helped in the search for planets outside of the solar system that orbit within the habitable zone of their star. Finding these planets, which potentially have the conditions needed to grow life, helps Nasa guide future research in its search for alien worlds. In total, Kepler has found around 5,000 unconfirmed 'candidate' exoplanets, with a further 2,500 'confirmed' exoplanets that scientists have since shown to be real. It has found 30 distant worlds that are Earth-sized and orbit within the habitable zone of a star, meaning they could have surface water. Advertisement

A teleconference detailing the finds will be live-streamed via Nasa's website later today and will also be live-streamed on MailOnline.

Scientists from the Astrophysics Division of Nasa's Science Mission Directorate and Ames Research Centre, as well as a senior Google AI software engineer and an expert from the University of Texas at Austin, will speak at the event.

The public can ask the researchers questions during the live event on Twitter using the hashtag #AskNASA.

The briefing is likely to reveal Kepler's latest catalogue of exoplanets, which is set to be Nasa's best look yet at possible alien planets.

'The discovery was made by researchers using machine learning from Google,' Nasa said in a statement earlier this week.

'Machine learning is an approach to artificial intelligence, and demonstrates new ways of analysing Kepler data.'

The Kepler mission has spotted thousands of exoplanets since 2014, with 30 planets less than twice the size of Earth now known to orbit within the habitable zones of their stars.

Further studies have been able to detect some of these planet's atmospheres, and the Google AI have been used to look through this data to find potentially habitable worlds.

Launched in 2009, the satellite has helped in the search for planets outside of the solar system that orbit within the habitable zone of their stars.

The space agency is holding a press conference today at 1:00pm ET (6:00pm GMT) to reveal a new discovery made by its Kepler telescope (artist's impression) in an event that could help guide the search for alien life

Pictured is an artist's impression of Kepler-452b, a planet found in 2015 by Kepler which astronomers suggest 'may be Earth's close cousin'

Pictured are some of the planets discovered by Kepler since 2009, showing average sizes and temperatures (blue shows Earth-like temperatures, red shows lava at surface)

HOW KEPLER FINDS PLANETS Kepler has a sensitive instrument known as a photometer that detects the slightest changes in light emitted from stars Kepler searches stars within our region of the Milky Way galaxy for signs of rocky planets where liquid water might exist on the surface. The telescope has an incredibly sensitive instrument known as a photometer that detects the slightest changes in light emitted from stars. It tracks 100,000 stars simultaneously, looking for telltale drops in light intensity that indicate an orbiting planet passing between the satellite and its distant target. When a planet passes in front of a star as viewed from Earth, the event is called a 'transit'. Tiny dips in the brightness of a star during a transit can help scientists determine the orbit and size of the planet, as well as the size of the star. Based on these calculations, scientists can determine whether the planet sits in the star's 'habitable zone', and therefore whether it might host the conditions for alien life to grow. Advertisement

Last summer, astronomers revealed they'd discovered 197 new planet candidates, and confirmed 104 planets through the Kepler mission.

The planets, which are all between 20 and 50 per cent larger than Earth by diameter, orbit the M dwarf star K2-72, found 181 light years away.

At the time, the researchers, led by the University of Arizona, said the possibility of life on planets around a star of this kind cannot be ruled out.

Since its launch, the Kepler mission has been plagued by several setbacks, but has continued to spot new objects outside of the solar system.

As of May 2014, Kepler started its K2 mission, which has provided an ecliptic field of view with greater opportunities for Earth-based observatories in both the northern and southern hemispheres

WHAT WERE KEPLER'S TOP FIVE DISCOVERIES? Launched in 2009, the Kepler telescope has helped in the search for planets outside of the solar system. The satellite typically looks for 'Earth-like' planets, meaning they are rocky and orbit within the that orbit within the habitable or 'Goldilocks' zone of a star. If a planet sits within a habitable zone it means it is not too hot or too cold for water to have formed at the planet's surface, one of the key conditions for life. While the planet has found thousands of exoplanets during its eight-year mission, five in particular have stuck out. Kepler-452b, dubbed 'Earth 2.0', shares many characteristics with our planet despite sitting 1,400 light years away. It was found by Nasa's Kepler telescope in 2014 1) 'Earth 2.0' In 2014 the telescope made one of its biggest discoveries when it spotted exoplanet Kepler-452b, dubbed 'Earth 2.0'. The object shares many characteristics with our planet despite sitting 1,400 light years away. It has a similar size orbit to Earth, receives roughly the same amount of sun light and has same length of year. Experts still aren't sure whether the planet hosts life, but say if plants were transferred there, they would likely survive. 2) The first planet found to orbit two stars Kepler found a planet that orbits two stars, known as a binary star system, in 2011. The system, known as Kepler-16b, is roughly 200 light years from Earth. Experts compared the system to the famous 'double-sunset' pictured on Luke Skywalker's home planet Tatooine in 'Star Wars: A New Hope'. The Trappist-1 star system (artist's impression), which hosts a record seven Earth-like planets, was one of the biggest discoveries of 2017. Kepler spotted the system in 2016, but scientists revealed the find in a series of papers released in February this year 3) Finding the first habitable planet outside of the solar system Scientists found Kepler-22b in 2011, the first habitable planet found by astronomers outside of the solar system. The habitable super-Earth appears to be a large, rocky planet with a surface temperature of about 72F (22C), similar to a spring day on Earth. 4) Discovering a 'super-Earth' The telescope found its first 'super-Earth' in April 2017, a huge planet called LHS 1140b. It orbits a red dwarf star around 40 million light years away, and scientists think it holds giant oceans of magma. 5) Finding the 'Trappist-1' star system The Trappist-1 star system, which hosts a record seven Earth-like planets, was one of the biggest discoveries of 2017. Each of the planets, which orbit a dwarf star just 39 million light years, likely holds water at its surface. Three of the planets have such good conditions that scientists say life may have already evolved on them. Kepler spotted the system in 2016, but scientists revealed the discovery in a series of papers released in February this year. Advertisement

The Kepler mission has spotted thousands of confirmed exoplanets over the years, with 21 planets not much larger than Earth now known to orbit within their stars' habitable zones

WHAT KEPLER HAS FOUND SO FAR Kepler mission Candidate exoplanets: 4,496

Confirmed exoplanets: 2,341

Confirmed exoplanets less than twice Earth-size in the habitable zone: 30 K2 mission (2014-present) Candidate exoplanets: 515

Confirmed exoplanets: 184 Advertisement

In its initial mission, Kepler surveyed just one patch of sky in the northern hemisphere, measuring the frequency of planets whose size and temperature might be similar to Earth orbiting stars similar to our sun.

In the spacecraft's extended mission in 2013, it lost its ability to precisely stare at its original target area, but a fix created a second life for the telescope.

After the fix, Kepler started its K2 mission in 2014, which has provided an ecliptic field of view with greater opportunities for Earth-based observatories in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Because it covers more of the sky, the K2 mission is capable of observing a larger fraction of cooler, smaller, red-dwarf type stars.
Initial scans of a cigar-shaped interstellar 'comet' have yet to confirm it is of extra terrestrial origin.

Scientists began listening for signals coming from the space rock, named Oumuamua, using the world's largest directable radio telescope yesterday.

A number of prominent figures have claimed the strange object may be an alien vehicle of some kind.

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One of the world's richest men, Yuri Milner, says he remains convinced cigar-shaped interstellar 'comet' is of extra terrestrial origin. Scientists began listening for signals coming from the space object, named Oumuamua, yesterday

OUMUAMUA A cigar-shaped comet named 'Oumuamua sailed past Earth last month and is the first interstellar object seen in the solar system. It was first spotted by a telescope in Hawaii on 19 October, and was observed 34 separate times in the following week. Travelling at 44 kilometres per second (27 miles per second), the comet is headed away from the Earth and Sun on its way out of the solar system. The comet is up to one-quarter mile (400 meters) long and highly-elongated - perhaps 10 times as long as it is wide. That aspect ratio is greater than that of any asteroid or comet observed in our solar system to date. But the comet's slightly red hue  specifically pale pink  and varying brightness are remarkably similar to objects in our own solar system. Advertisement

Initial readings, taken by scientists from Breakthrough Listen, have been made public for the first time.

Experts used the Green Bank telescope in West Virginia, to follow the object for ten hours on Wednesday from around 8pm GMT (3pm ET).

They are listening for electromagnetic signals, no stronger than those emitted by a mobile phone, that cannot be produced by natural celestial bodies.

If they find them, it would be proof that extraterrestrial forces really could be at play.

So far, there has been no evidence of artificial signals emanating from the object, but sorting through the large volumes of data collected may take some time to complete.

A block of observations, the first of four which are planned, ran from 8.45pm GMT (3:45pm ET) to 2.45am GMT Thursday (9:45pm ET Wednesday).

Speaking to MailOnline about the results Andrew Siemion, director of Berkeley SETI Research Center, said: 'The most interesting property of the universe is that it gave rise to beings capable of asking about its existence.

'Thats a fascinating thing from every possible angle.

'To find technologically advanced life elsewhere could suggest that intelligence is a defining characteristic of the universe.

'Its virtually certain Oumuamua comes from another star system, so its alien in that sense.

'Whether it's artificial, thats a very remote possibility.

'We spend most of our time surveying pedestrian objects, but occasionally something special will capture our attention.

'They all turn out to be natural, until one doesnt.

'With the technology we now have, its a straightforward thing for us to look, but thats all we can do.'

Oumuamua is a Hawaiian term meaning 'a messenger from afar arriving first'.

Breakthrough Listen observed Oumuamua across four radio bands, spanning billions of individual channels across the 1 to 12 GHz range.

The instrument accumulated 90 TB of raw data over a two hour observation of Oumuamua itself.

So far, data from the S-band receiver - covering frequencies from 1.7 to 2.6 GHz - has been processed, and analysis of the remaining three bands is ongoing.

The cigar-shaped object, named 'Oumuamua by its discoverers, sailed past Earth last month and is the first interstellar object seen in the solar system

BREAKTHROUGH LISTEN Breakthrough Listen is a scientific program in search for evidence of technological life in the Universe. It aims to survey one million nearby stars, the entire galactic plane and 100 nearby galaxies at a wide range of radio and optical bands. The ambitious $100 million (76 million) project has been bank rolled by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Russian Billionaire Yuri Milner and physicist Stephen Hawking. Advertisement

Most intriguingly, it is the wrong shape for an asteroid  they are typically round.

Another oddity is that Oumuamua is flying very 'cleanly', without emitting the usual cloud of space dust that astronomers observe around asteroids.

Experts say this suggests it is made of something dense: probably rock, but possibly metal.

One astronomer claims that the space rock, named Oumuamua, could be an alien spacecraft with broken engines that is tumbling through our solar system.

Dr Jason Wright from Penn State University suggests that a broken alien spacecraft move in exactly the same way as the interstellar comet.

Oumuamua was first detected on October 19 by a long-running research programme called Pan-STARRS, which uses powerful telescopes to photograph and monitor the night sky at the University of Hawaii.

Its amazing speed has led some experts to conclude it is the first such object to have come towards us from outside our solar system.

WHERE DID IT COME FROM? Most comets follow ellipse-shaped orbits around the sun. But this comet appears to orbit at an angle, and doesn't circle the sun. Its orbital path suggests it entered our solar system from the direction of the constellation Lyra, looped around the sun, and will never return. But others have suggested that the comet did come from Earth, but interacted with Jupiter or another planet, which changed its orbit. Advertisement

Analysts also say its faintly red colour indicates it has been subjected to interstellar cosmic radiation which is harsher than we experience in our solar system.

The fact that it doesn't seem to have engines or show signs of propulsion may wreck the interplanetary-spacecraft theory.

If a radio signal does come back from the object, Professor Avi Loeb, Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University, suggests that we will need to proceed with caution.

Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'My recommendation, as in any dialogue, is that we first listen and do our best to understand what we are hearing.

'Once we figure this out, we can decide how to respond.

'Overall, I am an optimist. I believe that a very intelligent civilisation will be peaceful, and we could save ourselves millions or billions of years by learning from it.

'But there is also the possibility that such a civilisation will have hostile intentions and risk our existence, so we should deliberate carefully in any future contact with them.'
Scientists say they've figured out why an Austrian who became the first skydiver to break the speed of sound fell faster than the drag of his body should have allowed.

Felix Baumgartner jumped from the stratosphere 39 kilometers (24 miles) above Earth on Oct. 14, 2012, and landed safely on the ground near Roswell, New Mexico, nine minutes later.

Baumgartner, whose protective suit and backpack gave him a very irregular shape, reached speeds of up to 1,357.6 kph (843.6 mph) - higher than scientists had expected even for smooth objects in freefall.

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FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2012 file photo Felix Baumgartner of Austria gestures prior to speaking with the media after successfully jumping from a space capsule lifted by a helium balloon at a height of just over 128,000 feet above the Earth's surface in Roswell, N.M. Scientists say they've figured out why an Austrian who became the first skydiver to break the speed of sound fell faster than the drag of his body should have allowed. In a paper published Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 by the journal PLOS One, researchers from Munich's Technical University said irregular shapes appear to reduce the aerodynamic drag that increases as objects near the sound barrier. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)

THE JUMP 'Fearless Felix' reached speeds of up to 834 mph before his parachute opened and he landed back on solid ground five minutes later to have completed the highest and fastest skydive in history. Baumgartner became the first human to break the speed of sound during the jump, reaching a total speed of 833.9 mph. He also set records for the highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump and the fastest speed achieved by a human through the atmosphere after jumping from 128,100 feet above the Earth for the Red Bull Stratos mission. Advertisement

In a paper published Thursday by the journal PLOS One, researchers from Munich's Technical University said irregular shapes appear to reduce the aerodynamic drag that increases as objects near the sound barrier.

'Fearless Felix' reached speeds of up to 834 mph before his parachute opened and he landed back on solid ground five minutes later to have completed the highest and fastest skydive in history.

Baumgartner became the first human to break the speed of sound during the jump, reaching a total speed of 833.9 mph.

He also set records for the highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump and the fastest speed achieved by a human through the atmosphere after jumping from 128,100 feet above the Earth for the Red Bull Stratos mission.

Felix Baumgartner broke the speed of sound after 34 seconds of free fall, ultimately accelerating to as high as 833.9 mph, or mach 1.24.

Mr Baumgartner made his death-defying jump from a tiny capsule that took him up to the edge of space, which took him two-and-a-half hours to travel 128,177ft above the New Mexico desert - and less than ten minutes to land.

He landed on his feet despite moments during the descent that had silenced his mission control as he appeared to lose control and plunge into a head-over-heels spin.

A chest-mounted camera capture's Baumgartner's helmet and the edge of space

People who watched footage of the jump will remember how the daredevil fell to his knees and punched the air in triumph as the control room, packed with scientific experts and family including his teary-eyed mother, Eva, erupted into roars of applause.

Speaking afterwards he said: 'Trust me, when you stand up there on top of the world, you become so humble.

'It's not about breaking records any more. It's not about getting scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive.'

During the first part of Mr Baumgartner's free fall, anxious onlookers at the command centre held their breath as he appeared to spin uncontrollably.

A helmet mounted camera looking down from the capsule

Five cameras were attached to Baumgartner during his descent

'When I was spinning the first 10, 20 seconds, I never thought I was going to lose my life but I was disappointed because I'm going to lose my record. I put seven years of my life into this,' he said.

Trust me, when you stand up there on top of the world, you become so humble

Speaking after the jump Mr Baumgartner said: 'Trust me, when you stand up there on top of the world, you become so humble.

'It's not about breaking records any more.

'It's not about getting scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive'

Mr Baumgartner said his Stratos jump has proved that a human can survive accelerating though the sound barrier in freefall and scientists gathered a lot of information, including the first-ever physiologic data from a peron freefalling at supersonic speeds that could be used to inform future projects .
Hackers likely working for a nation-state recently invaded the safety system of a critical infrastructure facility in a watershed attack that halted plant operations, according to cyber investigators and the firm whose software was targeted.

FireEye disclosed the incident on Thursday, saying it targeted Triconex industrial safety technology from Schneider Electric SE.

Schneider confirmed that the incident had occurred and that it had issued a security alert to users of Triconex, which cyber experts said is widely used in the energy industry, including at nuclear facilities, and oil and gas plants.

Hackers likely working for a nation-state invaded the safety system of a critical infrastructure facility and halted operations, according to cyber investigators.

WHAT HAPPENED? In the incident, hackers used sophisticated malware to take remote control of a workstation running a Schneider Electric Triconex safety shutdown system, then sought to reprogram controllers used to identify safety issues. Some controllers entered a fail safe mode, which caused related processes to shut down and caused the plant to identify the attack, FireEye said. Some controllers entered a fail safe mode, which caused related processes to shut down and caused the plant to identify the attack, FireEye said. Advertisement

FireEye and Schneider declined to identify the victim, industry or location of the attack.

In a telephone interview, FireEye's Dan Scali would only say the hack happened 'recently' and that no one was hurt and that no equipment was damaged.

He said who was behind the hack is unknown.

Cyber-security company Dragos said the hackers targeted an organization in the Middle East, while a second firm, CyberX, said it believe the victim was in Saudi Arabia.

It marks the first report of a safety system breach at an industrial plant by hackers, who have in recent years placed increasing attention on breaking into utilities, factories and other types of critical infrastructure, cyber experts said.

Compromising a safety system could let hackers shut them down in advance of attacking other parts of an industrial plant, potentially preventing operators from identifying and halting destructive attacks, they said.

Safety systems 'could be fooled to indicate that everything is okay,' even as hackers damage a plant, said Galina Antova, co-founder of cyber-security firm Claroty.

'This is a watershed,' said Sergio Caltagirone, head of threat intelligence with Dragos.

'Others will eventually catch up and try to copy this kind of attack.'

In the incident, hackers used sophisticated malware to take remote control of a workstation running a Schneider Electric Triconex safety shutdown system, then sought to reprogram controllers used to identify safety issues.

Some controllers entered a fail safe mode, which caused related processes to shut down and caused the plant to identify the attack, FireEye said.

THE MALWARE THREAT The malware, which FireEye has dubbed Triton, is only the third type of computer virus discovered to date that is capable of disrupting industrial processes. The first, Stuxnet, was discovered in 2010 and is widely believed by security researchers to have been used by the United States and Israel to attack Irans nuclear program. The second, known as Crash Override or Industroyer, was discovered last year by researchers who said it was likely used in a December 2016 attack that cut power in Ukraine. Advertisement

FireEye believes the attacker's actions inadvertently caused the shutdown while probing the system to learn how it worked, said Dan Scali, who led FireEye's investigation.

The attackers were likely conducting reconnaissance to learn how they could modify safety systems so they would not operate in the event that the hackers intended to launch an attack that disrupted or damaged the plant, he said.

The U.S. government and private cyber-security firms have issued public warnings over the past few years about attempts by hackers from nations including Iran, North Korea and Russia and others to attack companies that run critical infrastructure plants in what they say are primarily reconnaissance operations.

CyberX Vice President Phil Neray said his firm found evidence that the malware was deployed in Saudi Arabia, which could suggest that Iran may be behind the attack.

FireEye believes the attacker's actions inadvertently caused the shutdown while probing the system to learn how it worked, said Dan Scali, who led FireEye's investigation.

Security researchers widely believe that Iran was responsible for a series of attacks on Saudi Arabian networks in 2012 and 2017 using a virus known as Shamoon.

Schneider provided Reuters with a customer security alert, dated Wednesday, which said it was working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to investigate the attack.

'While evidence suggests this was an isolated incident and not due to a vulnerability in the Triconex system or its program code, we continue to investigate whether there are additional attack vectors,' the alert said.

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Scott McConnell said the agency was looking into the matter 'to assess the potential impact on critical infrastructure.'
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NASA's Kepler space telescope has discovered an eighth planet in a distant star system called Kepler 90 - the first time a faraway star has been found to have the same number of planets orbiting it as our own sun.

Although the Kepler 90 solar system is not new, the eighth planet, Kepler 90i, is, after it was found using AI software in a groundbreaking project between Google and NASA.

The discovery of a system similar to our own raises hopes of finding alien life elsewhere in the universe.

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NASA's Kepler space telescope has discovered an eighth planet in a distant star system, tying our own solar system for the first time. The discovery in the Kepler-90 system was made possible with help from Google's advanced AI machine learning system. Pictured, the Kepler 90 system in its entirety, with Kepler 90i, the new planet, third from left.

KEPLER 90i FACTS The newly-discovered Kepler-90i is a sizzling hot, rocky planet that orbits its star once every 14.4 days. It is 30 percent larger than Earth, and with a surface temperature of approximately 800Fnot ideal for your next vacation. It also orbits its star every 14 days, meaning youd have a birthday there just about every two weeks. The Kepler 90 star system sits roughly 2,545 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Draco. Advertisement

The Kepler-90 planets have a similar configuration to our solar system, with small planets orbiting close to their star and the larger planets found farther away.

According to NASA, this confirms for the first time that distant star systems can be home to 'families as large as our own.'

The new planet, estimated to be about 30 percent larger than Earth, is 'not a place you'd like to visit,' said Andrew Vanderburg, astronomer and NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Texas, Austin.

'It is probably rocky, and doesnt have a thick atmosphere'. And, temperatures at the surface are 'scorching.'

According to Vanderburg, the average surface temperature is likely around 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Kepler planet hunting satellite has been searching the stars for distant worlds using Google's AI system, which used machine learning to 'find' planets in the Kepler data with up to 96 percent accuracy.

Neural networks can be trained on huge amounts of data to determine the difference between objects with great accuracy, the team explained in the teleconference.

Much like an AI can learn to spot the difference between cats and dogs, it can spot the difference between patterns associated with planets, and other types of patterns in the cosmos that could be false positives.

'After showing our model 15,000 signals, the neural network learned how to distinguish patterns from actual planets from patterns that are caused by other objects,' said Christopher Shallue, senior software engineer at Google AI in Mountain View, California.

He worked on the system as part of his '20 per cent time' at the company, where employees are allowed to work on anything they want.

COULD IT BE HOME TO ALIEN LIFE? Kepler 90i (artist's impression above) ' is probably rocky, and doesnt have a thick atmosphere', the experts say. And, temps at the surface are 'scorching,' at around 800 degrees F The Kepler-90 planets have a similar configuration to our solar system, with small planets orbiting close to their star and the larger planets found farther away. According to NASA, the discovery of the eighth confirms for the first time that distant star systems can be home to 'families as large as our own.' While the discovery is exciting, the experts say this particular system isnt the most promising for the possibility of hosting life. The new planet, estimated to be about 30 percent larger than Earth, is 'not a place you'd like to visit,' said Andrew Vanderburg, astronomer and NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Texas, Austin. The average surface temperature on Kepler 90i is likely around 800 degrees Fahrenheit. And, in the rest of the system, all of its planets are packed close to the star. All eight planets of Kepler 90 sit closer to their host star than Earth is to the sun; in our own solar system, on the other hand, only Mercury and Venus have such tight orbits. Kepler 90i is about as hot as Mercury, while the outermost planet in the system, Kepler 90h, is a gas giant roughly the size of Jupiter. Advertisement

'We used our model to identify two new planets from a set of 670 stars,' Shallue explained.

'One of these two planets is called Kepler 80g.

'The planet we are focusing on today is called Kepler 90i, which is the eighth planet in its star system.'

'This is a really exciting discovery, and we consider it to be a success,' in the use of neural networks in the search for distant worlds, the expert explained.

How AI spotted Kepler 90i: The measured brightness of a star decreases ever so slightly when an orbiting planet blocks some of the light. The Kepler space telescope observed the brightness of 200,000 stars for 4 years to hunt for these characteristic signals caused by transiting planets

In the teleconference, the researchers revealed this is the first time scientists have confirmed that stars can have 'large families of planets just like our solar system'

The star system sits roughly 2,545 light-years from Earth in the constellation Draco, and of the new planets found, Kepler 90i is the 'smallest of the bunch.'

The new planet orbits its star once every 14.4 days.

But, all of the planets in this system tightly orbit their star, which is thought to be cooler than our own sun, meaning their orbital periods are relatively short.

Before the latest AI-guided results, 'Kepler 90 was tied with Trappist-1, with 7 planets each,' says Jessie Dotson, Kepler project scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley.

'But now, it ties with our own system with the most known number of planets' around a star.

NASA says the Kepler-90 system is likely a stable system much like the recently found Trappist-1 system - but, it has surpassed the latter in the number of planets it's now known to host. Like some of the planets in our own solar system, the planets of Kepler 90 orbit close to their star

The Kepler 90 system was first discovered back in 2013. It was the first seven-planet system identified with the telescope. But, the eighth planet remained undetected for years  until Googles AI picked up on its weak signal

The Kepler 90 system was first discovered back in 2013. It was the first seven-planet system identified with the telescope.

But, the eighth planet remained undetected for years  until Googles AI picked up on its weak signal.

The space agency is holding a press conference today at 1:00pm ET (6:00pm GMT) to reveal a new discovery made by its Kepler telescope (artist's impression) in an event that could help guide the search for alien life

The AI uses light readings from distant stars to identify potential signs of a planet  and, after training on thousands of previously vetted signals, it was able to spot the previously missed patterns of the elusive eight planet.

We get lots of false positives of planets, but also potentially more real planets, Vanderburg said.

Its like sifting through rocks to find jewels. If you have a finer sieve, then you will catch more rocks, but you might catch more jewels as well.

The latest discovery is not just a planet candidate; according to NASA, the latest exoplanet has been confirmed to be 'almost certainly,' an exoplanet, with 1 in 10,000 false positive probability.

While the discovery is exciting, this particular system isnt the most promising for the possibility of hosting life.

All of its planets are packed close to the star.

All eight planets of Kepler 90 sit closer to their host star than Earth is to the sun; in our own solar system, on the other hand, only Mercury and Venus have such tight orbits.

Kepler 90i is about as hot as Mercury, while the outermost planet in the system, Kepler 90h, is a gas giant roughly the size of Jupiter.

The other newly discovered planet, Kepler-80g, is now known to be the sixth in the system.

Its roughly the size of Earth - and, its four neighbouring planets form a resonant chain, which locks the planets into a rhythmic orbital dance, that likely stabilizes the system.

The Kepler mission has spotted thousands of exoplanets since 2014, with 30 planets less than twice the size of Earth now known to orbit within the habitable zones of their stars.

Pictured is an artist's impression of Kepler-452b, a planet found in 2015 by Kepler which astronomers suggest 'may be Earth's close cousin'

Pictured are some of the planets discovered by Kepler since 2009, showing average sizes and temperatures (blue shows Earth-like temperatures, red shows lava at surface)

HOW KEPLER FINDS PLANETS Kepler has a sensitive instrument known as a photometer that detects the slightest changes in light emitted from stars Kepler searches stars within our region of the Milky Way galaxy for signs of rocky planets where liquid water might exist on the surface. The telescope has an incredibly sensitive instrument known as a photometer that detects the slightest changes in light emitted from stars. It tracks 100,000 stars simultaneously, looking for telltale drops in light intensity that indicate an orbiting planet passing between the satellite and its distant target. When a planet passes in front of a star as viewed from Earth, the event is called a 'transit'. Tiny dips in the brightness of a star during a transit can help scientists determine the orbit and size of the planet, as well as the size of the star. Based on these calculations, scientists can determine whether the planet sits in the star's 'habitable zone', and therefore whether it might host the conditions for alien life to grow. Advertisement

Further studies have been able to detect some of these planet's atmospheres, and the Google AI have been used to look through this data to find potentially habitable worlds.

Launched in 2009, the satellite has helped in the search for planets outside of the solar system that orbit within the habitable zone of their stars.

Last summer, astronomers revealed they'd discovered 197 new planet candidates, and confirmed 104 planets through the Kepler mission.

The planets, which are all between 20 and 50 per cent larger than Earth by diameter, orbit the M dwarf star K2-72, found 181 light years away.

At the time, the researchers, led by the University of Arizona, said the possibility of life on planets around a star of this kind cannot be ruled out.

WHAT KEPLER HAS FOUND SO FAR Kepler mission Candidate exoplanets: 4,496

Confirmed exoplanets: 2,341

Confirmed exoplanets less than twice Earth-size in the habitable zone: 30 K2 mission (2014-present) Candidate exoplanets: 515

Confirmed exoplanets: 184 Advertisement

Since its launch, the Kepler mission has been plagued by several setbacks, but has continued to spot new objects outside of the solar system.

In its initial mission, Kepler surveyed just one patch of sky in the northern hemisphere, measuring the frequency of planets whose size and temperature might be similar to Earth orbiting stars similar to our sun.

In the spacecraft's extended mission in 2013, it lost its ability to precisely stare at its original target area, but a fix created a second life for the telescope.

After the fix, Kepler started its K2 mission in 2014, which has provided an ecliptic field of view with greater opportunities for Earth-based observatories in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Because it covers more of the sky, the K2 mission is capable of observing a larger fraction of cooler, smaller, red-dwarf type stars.
Samsung is set to take on Apple, Google and Amazon with a new home speaker using its Bixby AI.

The new speaker will go on sale early next year, according to Bloomberg.

Samsung has already confirmed it will will 'soon' release a smart speaker designed to take on Amazon's Echo, Google's Home and Apple's HomePod.

In the hopes of keeping up with its rivals, Samsung is rumoured to be working on a new smart speaker featuring its voice assistant, Bixby

BIXBY'S KEY FEATURES - Operates through 'Quick Commands' - a feature that allows users to create custom voice commands - Uses deep learning technology to understand the way you speak, ask questions and make requests - Improves over time to recognise your personal preferences and style of speaking - Acts as an intelligent interface, and can be integrated into other apps - When an application becomes Bixby-enabled, the assistant will support almost every task that the application is capable of performing using voice, touch or text Advertisement

Bloomberg says the speakers will have a 'strong focus on audio quality and the management of connected home appliances such as lights and locks.'

It will also synchronize with TVs, Galaxy smartphones and other Samsung devices.

One prototype version of the Samsung speaker in testing is between the size of Amazons latest Echo and the HomePod, according to Bloomberg's sources.

While matte black prototypes have been seen, it is believed the final version will come in a range of colours.

Like the other smart speakers, it lacks a screen but light up on top.

DJ Koh, the president of Samsung's mobile division, told CNBC earlier this year a smart speaker was on the way.

'Maybe soon we will announce it. I am already working on it,' Koh said.

'As I mentioned I wanted to provide a fruitful user experience at home with Samsung devices, and I want to be moving quite heavily on it,' he added.

The secret project is believed to be codenamed Vega, although little is known about the details of the device.

It will use Bixby, the company's digital personal assistant currently found on the flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone and Note 8 device.

After months of delays, Samsung finally launched its Bixby voice assistant in more than 200 countries worldwide this week.

Among the countries with access to the smart assistant are the UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa  although it can only understand American English and Korean.

The launch will come as a huge relief to Samsung, which suffered major delays as Bixby 'struggled to understand English.'

Bixby is a smart assistant, similar to Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana.

It operates through 'Quick Commands'  a feature that allows users to create custom voice commands.

Koh said that this first version of Bixby is 'just a baby', but the long-term ambitions is to have the digital assistant able to control all sorts of devices.

Samsung's speaker will face stiff competition from both Apple's HomePod (pictured left), which was revealed last month, and Amazon's Echo (pictured right) and Echo Dot speakers

Apple's $349 HomePod speaker will work with Apple Music and has several speakers and a built in woofer

'In Samsung, there are many customers using Samsung TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and smartphones.

'If those kinds of devices are connected and then you can control by just using voice, that is my vision,' Koh told CNBC.

For example, users can use the command 'good night' as a shortcut for 'Turn on Do-not-disturb mode, set an alarm for 6:00am and turn on blue light filter.'

The voice assistant can also use deep learning technology to understand the way you speak, ask questions and make requests.

Sriram Thodla, senior director of services and new business at Samsung, speaks about the new voice agent named 'Bixby' that is featured on the new Samsung Galaxy S8 during a launch event, March 29, 2017 in New York City. The firm has now confirmed it is working on a speaker using the technology

For example, if you take a photo and then tell Bixby to 'send the picture just taken to Mum,' the assistant will know which photo you are referring to and will text it to your mum.

Bixby also improves over time to recognise your personal preferences and style of speaking.

A report in the Wall Street Journal previously claimed that Samsung is working on a smart speaker.

Details are very minimal, and the report does not mention any specifications, features or a release date.

THE SMART SPEAKER WARS The Samsung speaker will take on Apple's HomePod, Amazon's Echo and Google Home. Apple's speaker will have a higher price tag than the Amazon Echo range, which begins at $49 (49) for the Echo Dot. The speaker will provide a hub for appliances via Apple's HomeKit system and establish a centre inside the home to lock people in to using other Apple services, according to the report. A speaker might help customers stay loyal to other services such as Apple Music, Apple Watch, Apple TV and AirPods. Google's $130 (105) Home speaker is triggered by the phrase 'Hey Google' while Amazon's Echo uses 'Alexa'. Amazon's smart speaker is available in two versions - the full sized $180 (145) Echo shown here, and a smaller, $50 (40) version called the Echo Dot. Amazon Echo uses Microsoft's Bing search engine to provide additional information, while Google Home uses the company's own Google Search. Both Home and Echo are continually listening for commands, though Google and Amazon say nothing gets passed back to them until the speakers hear a keyword  'OK, Google' for Home and 'Alexa' for Echo. Google's Assistant software is also able to answer follow-up questions on the same topic, in a near-conversation style, but Echo as yet cannot. However, Amazon's Alexa software has a wider range of skills on offer that enable it to link up with and control more third-party devices around the home. A light comes on to remind you that it's listening. You can turn off the microphone temporarily, too. Advertisement

The WSJ now says Samsung sees the full release of Bixby voice support available for the Galaxy S8 as 'unlikely before the second half of July.'

Samsung's speaker will face stiff competition from Apple's HomePod, which was revealed last month, Amazon's Echo and Echo Dot speakers, and Google's Home speaker.

MailOnline has contacted Samsung for comment.

The connected speaker market has been growing steadily in recent years.

Amazon released its Echo range of speakers in 2014, followed by Google Home appeared a year later.

Microsoft has also opened up its Cortana assistant for use in third-party speakers.

Meanwhile, last month, Apple said its Siri-powered HomePod will be available by the end of the year.
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They previewed the prototype of their new A380 cabins, early last month.

But Singapore Airlines opened the doors to the real thing, today, after the first of its brand new fleet landed in Changi Airport on Thursday morning.

Fresh from a 13-hour flight, the sparkling Airbus A380 touched down at 10am GMT+8 after completing its maiden voyage from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France.

The aircraft is the first of five new A380s ordered from Airbus, and the first to feature all-new cabin products.

Wow-factor: Singapore Airlines opened the doors to the first of its brand new A380S in Changi Airport on Thursday morning

Capping the end of a huge $850million upgrade for the commercial carrier, the plane's arrival was marked with a greeting ceremony, which allowed by aviation fans and industry figures inside for a sneak peek.

On board, they got to view the stunning new suites, which cost from 9,500 and include double beds for maximum comfort.

Each aircraft has six suites tucked into the front cabin of the upper deck, and they are more akin to five-star hotel digs than airline seats.

Singapore Airlines describes them as a personal oasis complete with lavish furnishing and finishes.

Each suite is furnished with a separate full-flat bed with adjustable recline and plush leather chair, enabling customers to lounge comfortably in the chair or rest in bed without the need to convert the bed from a sitting position.

VIP: Fresh from a 13-hour flight, the sparkling Airbus A380 touched down at 10am GMT+8 after completing its maiden voyage from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France

Stunning: The aircraft is the first of five new A380s ordered from Airbus, and the first to feature all-new cabin products

For couples travelling together, the beds in the first two suites of each aisle can be converted to form a double bed. When not in use, the bed can be stowed completely, creating even more personal space within each suite.

Each seat is upholstered by world-renowned Poltrona Frau in fine leather, and is fully adjustable using an electronic control side panel which can accommodate a variety of sitting and lounging positions.

Each suite also has a 32in full-HD monitor that can swivel for the different viewing angles in seat and bed modes, a full-sized personal wardrobe, customised handbag stowage compartment, amenity box lined with soft leather, specially designed carpet and a feature wall with mood lighting  all exquisitely crafted to give a touch of luxury and intimacy.

Naturally, business class isnt too shabby, either.

The seats in this class are 25 inches in width, with two side wings for support. They can be reclined into a 78in full-flat bed and customers may also stretch out fully in a sun deck position to watch movies on an 18in monitor.

Looking good: A Singapore Airlines stewardess tours the newly-launched business class cabin in Singapore

Man power: Airbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Bregier and Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong can be seen sitting on the seats of the newly launched business class cabin

Dreamy: The business class aisle seats can be configured to a double bed formation for maximum comfort

In flight: The A380 delivered today will commence scheduled service between Singapore and Sydney on 18 December as flight SQ221, departing Singapore at 2040hrs and arriving into Sydney at 0740hrs the following day

There are improvements, too, for those on a budget, with premium economy passengers treated to active noise-cancelling headphones, leather seats and more stowage space for personal items.

Economy passengers, meanwhile, will sit in Recaro seats that offer more space and greater comfort through an improved design.

The A380 delivered today will commence scheduled service between Singapore and Sydney on 18 December as flight SQ221, departing Singapore at 2040hrs and arriving into Sydney at 0740hrs the following day.

It will return as flight SQ232, departing Sydney at 1215hrs and arriving into Singapore at 1735hrs.

Economy is comfortable, too: A Singapore Airlines stewardess folds up the leg rest of a seat in the newly-launched premium economy class cabin of their A380 aircraft

Nice: Economy passengers will sit in Recaro seats that offer more space and greater comfort through an improved design

Landmark moment: Fresh from a 13-hour flight, the sparkling Airbus A380 touched down at 10am GMT+8 after completing its maiden voyage from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France

Additional destinations for the new products will be revealed in the coming months, Singapore Airlines insist.

In addition to Sydney, the Airlines A380s serve Auckland, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Zurich.

Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, who was at Changi Airport to welcome the aircraft today, said: 'The Airbus A380 is a favourite among our customers and we are especially proud to be taking the travel experience to the next level with our new cabin products.

'The new products are being introduced after four years of development work and we are confident they will truly wow our customers, ensuring that we continue to provide them an unparalleled travel experience.

'The significant investment demonstrates our long-term approach to ensure we continue to lead the industry, and our confidence in the future of premium full-service air travel.'
Meet intrepid backpacker Tony Giles who has visited 125 countries around the world on his own - despite being both blind and deaf.

The intrepid explorer, 39, lost his vision at the age of 10 but learned to travel solo while commuting to his specialiast school as a teenager.

He then set himself the target of visiting every country in the world because it was 'the biggest challenge possible for a blind person'.

Unstoppable: Tony Giles, pictured here in Canada's Whistler, has visited 125 countries around the world on his own since 2001 - and continues to explore...

Since setting off on his first foreign jaunt to New Orleans in March 2000, Mr Giles has been all over the world - including every state in America.

He has fired an AK-47 on a Nevada shooting range, roamed into Malis capital during a military coup and been arrested while crossing the Ethiopian border.

He also met the love of his life, Tatiana, a blind Greek woman, and has written two books under his pen name Tony the Traveller.

His most recent trip lasted seven weeks and saw him ride through the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan on camel-back before visiting Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

He said: 'Travelling to New Orleans made me realise I could do it alone. I was by myself and didnt know where I was going and it became overwhelming.

'But I breathed deeply and told myself to go on. I spent eight or nine days there - exploring and drinking. After that I travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam in a five-month trip in 2001-02.'

Exploring: The 39-year-old pictured outside the Cathedral de la Almudena in Madrid, Spain

Now that's a tale worth telling! Mr Giles pictured in Ghana with a wild crocodile

Mr Giles, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, lost his sight at the age of 10 and is profoundly deaf, but can hear with digital hearing aids.

The clearest visual memory he recalls as a boy is watching the sunset over his home town, which he remembers as 'a big bright ball of light sinking in the distance'.

He became used to travelling long distances while commuting by train to the specialist school he attended in Coventry, Exhall Grange.

He did not let his impairments hold back his studies and graduated with a degree in American studies from Northampton University in 2001.

Since then, he has visited a country every year since his first trip, travelling to South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi in 2004-05.

Seeing the world: The backpacker pictured at Ali ben Youseff Medersa, Marrakesh

Loving life: Despite his physical disabilities, Mr Giles - seen here in Amsterdam - loves travel

He then visited Iceland and Sri Lanka in 2007 followed by Turkey and Greece in 2009, where he met his girlfriend.

Each trip is funded by a monthly private pension left by his dad who died when Mr Giles was just 16.

But he lives cheap - sofa surfing, using budget hotels and public transport wherever possible, explaining: 'I go by plane, train, bus and boat - but even travelled, for a short distance, by a donkey-pulled cart in north Senegal.'

Without his hearing aids, he says he would struggle to travel at all and would be confined his home in the UK - or need regular care.

Of his recent trip, he said: 'While Im walking through a canyon in Petra, this horse and cart goes by giving tourists a ride - I had to get out the way sharpish.

Put and about: Pictured at Paul VI Street, Bethlehem (L) and bungee jumping in the UK (R)

Partners: Mr Giles and his girlfriend, Tatiana, together in Vorosmarty Square, Budapest

'I could hear the echo in the canyon as the horse and carts traveled along the cobbled stone - thats how I knew they were coming.

'When we came out I could feel the change because the echo was different again - it gave me a good feeling for the environment.'

He then crossed the Allenby Bridge into Israel and stayed in Jerusalem.

'While in Jerusalem I caught several buses but the people are used to tourists and generally helpful,' he added. 'Some people come up to you and move you out the way - others just move past quietly.'

He has also been to every state in the USA. While on a tour of Nevada, he was taken to a gun range where he fired an AK-47 and a.44 Magnum.

'I told the instructors "By the way, Im blind" and they went off for a few minutes before returning to say I was OK to shoot. They asked me if I would like a target to shoot at and offered a pictures of Bin Laden or Saddam Hussein but I politely declined.

'I loved listening to Dirty Harry as a child so I really wanted to fire the Magnum. It was very powerful and I nearly dropped it!'.

Enjoying a well-earned sit-down: Mr Giles gives the thumbs-up while on the River Nile

Is there anywhere he hasn't been? Riding high at the Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary, Sri Lanka

In March 2012, Mr Giles crossed the border from Senegal - where a peaceful military coup saw Abdoulaye Wade step down from his role as president - and into Mali where a military coup was also taking place.

Malian soldiers attacked several locations in the capital Bamako, including the presidential palace.

'As I entered Mali, I realised that no one had tried to bribe me at the border which was unusual and there was no sign of tourists,' he said.

'I knew something was going on when I got to a little town and boarded a night bus which was meant to take me to the capital, Bamako.

'But it drove for an hour and then drove back, dropping us off at a bus station where I slept on a concrete bench. We made it to the following day and I had no idea what was going on because everyone was speaking French.

'I slept in a tent in a hostel called the Sleeping Camel where a big group of people were stuck - I wasnt in any rush.'

More than 30 people were killed in the Malian conflict and dozens more were reported injured.

Mr Giles was also arrested at the Ethiopian border while entering from Kenya in late-2013. He was held at the crossing with a group of 20 people after they tried to enter while in a truck.

It had collected them from a village half an hour before the border. The next day, he was given his passport back and traveled to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

It took three days and he then returned to the UK.

Mr Giles will spend Christmas at home before deciding where he will visit next in the New Year.
Business / Local

by Stephen Jakes

An employee with the National Railways of Zimbabwe has accused her employer of failing to settle her pay arrears for quite a long time saying this has seriously affected her family.Sinikiwe Ncube said she worked for NRZ for over 30 years and for the past four years now she walks to and from work everyday."Each and every day my children sit at home and watch other children go to school just because I cannot manage to pay their school fees. NRZ owes me thousands of dollars in unpaid salaries. Right now I am being paid a salary for the month of September 2016 15 months have been not been paid for. I am owed six months transport allowance," she said."I am owed three years bonus (2015, 2016 and 2017). I have approached the lawyers for human rights so that my basic rights can be restored. I was told that this is a labour issue I should go to the labour court and I was told that they do not interfere and I should go to the Railways employment council."She said since 2009 she have not been paid and its either its staggered or this slashed."All that the Railways Employment Council says is that the company does not have money to pay for wages. Can someone out thee please tell me how can I have a basic right restored. Can someone out there please tell me how I can get paid for what I have worked for," she said.
The interviews round on The Apprentice was excruciating and humiliating as usual - for the viewers as much as the hapless candidates who were being interrogated.

Lord Sugars choice of the two finalists and the reality of seeing the five entrepreneurs credentials (or lack of them) confirmed the joke was on us - again.

Wed sat through ten tasks and Sugars associates grilling the semi-finalists about their business plans and CVs to find the ones who prevailed were James and Sarah: the IT-based, publicity-friendly, pretty boy and the sensible non-entity. Big shock. Talk about playing it safe.

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Loving it: The interviews round on The Apprentice was excruciating and humiliating as usual - for the viewers as much as the hapless candidates who were being interrogated

Well what else would he do when he was investing 250,000?!

It was a shame though and didnt make for great television.

Next weeks show - and the whole image of the programme - would have been so much better with either Michaela, Joanna, or Elizabeth (the mavericks) instead of the two conventional/corporate suits.

Its very difficult, Lord Sugar told them all at one point in the boardroom (which was true). Youre all credible people (which wasnt).

On the contrary in fact

Left too soon: Next weeks show - and the whole image of the programme - would have been so much better with either Michaela, Joanna, or Elizabeth (the mavericks)

The more we found out about their business plans, current businesses, and previous (lack of) experience the less serious propositions they seemed, which was saying something considering how useless theyd been in the previous ten tasks.

When Sarah referred to the interviews as one long car crash she could have been referring to the entire series.

It was only a difficult choice for Sugar because they were all so bad.

Safe: the ones who prevailed were James and Sarah: the IT-based, publicity-friendly, pretty boy and the sensible non-entity. Big shock. Talk about playing it safe

Wed known Elizabeth was a bossy control freak for example but not merely a florist with three shops making 18,000 a year between them whose big idea was to expand online.

If you need to send flowers to somebody I send them for you was her pitch. Its a very simple idea.

Yes, that Interflora had already thought of and mastered worldwide.

Control freak: Wed known Elizabeth was a bossy control freak for example but not merely a florist with three shops making 18k a year between them whose big idea was to expand online

Michaelas proposal for Sugars investment (a website showing all the construction being undertaken in the UK that builders, roofers etc would pay 4,000 to subscribe to, enabling them to find work) was more viable but equally still being done by two bigger potential competitors.

In contrast Joanna was not only a seriously argumentative serial hot-head but turned out to have zero experience of the industry she wanted herself and Sugar to take on: online womens workwear. (Has she got a shop, a warehouse? asked Sugar. No she has nothing, replied one of his sidekicks. She hasnt even identified the wholesalers.)

Was he ever going to select any of them?

Doubtful.

Outbid: Michaelas proposal for Sugars investmen was more viable but equally still being done by two bigger potential competitors

Claude Littner snarled to Elizabeth: Its not an investable business and Lord Sugar agreed.

Im interested in big business. I cant see this scaling up.

He was similarly (unsurprisingly) unequivocal with Joanna, even though Joanna had won 8 of the 10 tasks she had taken part in and led her team to victory on both occasions she had been Project Manager.

I cant go into business with somebody who has no knowledge of the market at all.

Quite.

Publishing supremo Mike Soutar described Michaela as a natural entrepreneur and she had experiencing building businesses into 3 million/a year operations from scratch.

How she wasnt a better candidate than Sarah or James wasnt entirely clear.

Oops: In contrast Joanna was not only a seriously argumentative serial hot-head but turned out to have zero experience of the industry she wanted herself and Sugar to take on

Sugar himself concluded that with James he was giving my 250, 000 to a smiler with a nice haircut and that Sarah was like a bubble gum that has lost its flavour.

This was because her company bought unusual and classic confectionary in bulk and then re-packaged them into twee, hugely over-priced, gift cups.

Retro sweets was in itself a dated concept and after seven years Sarahs online company still didnt have a website that actually worked when Soutar tried to order her products.

She claimed they were unique when in fact they looked identical to at least two other companies packs, as he effectively demonstrated.

To me they dont look the same, she persisted (ridiculously) pointing out (even more absurdly): I think the bow on the top adds to the value of it.

It was hard to argue with Sugars conclusion: Im finding it quite incredible that you havent had an all-singing all-dancing website after seven years.

Bitter taste: Sugar himself concluded that with James he was giving my 250, 000 to a smiler with a nice haircut and that Sarah was like a bubble gum that has lost its flavour'

He still put her through to the final though.

Perhaps he was persuaded by her claim: its just obvious my product has huge scale-ability and growth that James and Michaelas businesses dont have.

With a website that worked they could only go up after all.

Linda Plant was even less impressed than Soutar.

Your website is appalling, she told Sarah. I could not order anything.

Thats why Im here because our business will change with a scaleable web platform, replied Sarah, who to be fair was a virtual genius at spinning criticism to her advantage.

Its all been building up to this point. I know it has the potential to be a global brand. Its limitless.

Not impressive: Claudia Collins and Claude Littner were as unimpressed with Sarahs financial projections as Plant during the tense interview stage

Claudia Collins and Claude Littner were as unimpressed with Sarahs financial projections as Plant.

You expect us to believe that in four years youre going to reach a minimum turnover of 2.6million !

Sarahs claims that she had merely been preparing the groundwork for this empire so when we do invest in the web then its really big news was totally hollow.

The business wasnt ready and wasnt going to be big news.

When her eventual rival chipped in it was probably his most articulate, intelligent, moment in the entire series.

If Sarah wanted to have an e-commerce business she couldve gone out there and done it ! he sniped.

Quite.

On the other hand, he preened to Lord Sugar, he had the energy and passion to give you 100% effort.

Spoken like a true salesman ! sniped Karren Brady characteristically tartly.

She was not wrong though.

Speaking out: Linda Plant was more succinct, describing James' projected profits after 18 months as 3million as pipe dreams and pie-in-the-sky bulls**t

He was almost impressively oblivious to the fact that his projections were based on the earnings and contracts he had made in a big company rather than the one man band start-up he was proposing Lord Sugar invest 250, 000 in.

Are your figures ambitious or are they naive? wondered Brady.

Or just made up?

Its a fine line between enthusiasm and delusion.

Linda Plant was more succinct, describing his projected profits after 18 months as 3million as pipe dreams and pie-in-the-sky bulls**t.

She also questioned James trustworthiness while Mike Soutar discovered he had falsely claimed on his website that he was a member of the leading trade body for the recruitment industry.

The killer line though was Bradys when she suggested to Lord Sugar: I think the really interest for you Alan is youre investing in him not in his business.

Thats when you realised what a complete sham the series really was.
He's the TV host whose not afraid to poke fun at himself.

And Larry Emdur has shared quite the flashback from his youth, comparing himself to Princess Leia to mark the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The 53-year-old took to Instagram to share the hilarious photo of himself from what appears to be his teens.

'How could I not repost this?' Larry Emdur has shared quite the flashback from his youth, comparing himself to Princess Leia to mark the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

In the snap, the former Price Is Right host sported luscious bouncy brunette waves.

He drew a likeness to Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia whose brown locks were styled in side buns.

He captioned his post: 'How could I not repost this for Star Wars release??? That time Princess Leia stole my look

'Throw back to some hair far far away,' he countinued, couple with funny hashtags including '#yesiwillpostthiseverytimeanewstarwarsmoviecomesout #sorrynotsorry #regretsivehadafew'

Not hot at all: His wife of 23 years Sylvie commented on the post: 'Omg thats possibly the unsexiest photo of you ever, but I still love you'

His wife of 23 years Sylvie commented on the post: 'Omg thats possibly the unsexiest photo of you ever, but I still love you.'

Larry's legion of followers also took to the post with plenty complimenting his retro look, including one who wrote: 'You wore it better'

Meanwhile others found it hilarious, like one who said: 'Just spat my water out ha ha.'

That's a treat! Last week, Larry celebrated his 53rd birthday with an extravagant weekend rental of a McLaren 570S Supercar from his wife

Back in 2014, he shared the same post comparing himself to the late Carrie Fisher, suggesting he could play the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode VII.

Last week, Larry celebrated his 53rd birthday with an extravagant weekend rental of a McLaren 570S Supercar from his wife.

His 18-year-old daughter Tia, also surprised him with a special appearance on The Morning Show with a Ferrero Rocher garnished chocolate cake.
They have enjoyed a blossoming relationship since March after meeting on Channel 4's The Jump.

And Vogue Williams wore the colour of love as she joined well-suited boyfriend Spencer Matthews at the star-studded Military Awards 2017 on Wednesday.

Looking glamorous, she flashed her toned limbs in a show-stopping ensemble at The Banqueting Hall in London.

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Classy couple: Vogue Williams, 32, flashed her toned limbs in a show-stopping ensemble while she hit the red carpet with her well-suited and booted boyfriend Spencer Matthews, 28, at the star-studded Military Awards 2017 on Wednesday

The Irish model put on a incredibly stunning display as she strutted the red carpet in an alarming red strapless maxi which featured a sultry thigh-high split - giving the floor to her lengthy pins.

Holding onto a statement handbag, Vogue paired her elegant number with metallic Gladiator heels, a ruby stone necklace and dainty hooped earrings.

She swept her blonde highlighted blonde mane to one side, which showcased her slender upper section.

Prestigious event: Held at The Banqueting Hall in London, the glitzy annual event celebrates the work of those involved in the British Armed forces

Dapper: Her handsome hunk appeared well groomed as he rocked up to the event in a midnight blue tuxedo, finished with a classic black bow and a crisp white shirt

Sizzling hot! The Irish model put on a incredibly stunning display as she strutted the red carpet in a scarlet red strapless maxi which featured a sultry thigh-high split - giving the floor to her lengthy pins

Making her entrance! Holding onto a statement handbag, Vogue paired her elegant number with metallic Gladiator heels, ruby stone necklace and dainty hooped earrings

Accentuating her natural beauty with lavender-toned makeup, the 2015 Bear Grylls: Mission Survive winner opted for faint purple applied on her inner eyes, sultry false lashes and a pop of rose toned lip gloss.

Her handsome hunk appeared well groomed as he rocked up to the event in a midnight blue tuxedo, finished with a classic black bow and a crisp white shirt.

The glitzy annual event celebrates the work of those involved in the British Armed forces.

This glamorous appearance follows a confirmation from Spencer that he will act as best man for the highly anticipated wedding of former Made In Chelsea co-stars Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor.

When asked whether he'd be at the nuptials in June 2018, Spencer told The Sun: 'I am the best man. I think hed [Hugo] be a bit peeved if I didnt turn up.'

Stunner: She swept her blonde highlighted blonde mane to one side, which showcased her slender upper section

Slender frame: Accentuating her natural beauty with lavender-toned makeup, the 2015 Bear Grylls: Mission Survive winner opted for faint purple applied on her tear ducts, sultry false lashes and a pop of rose toned lip gloss

Set to wed! It is reported that Spencer Matthews will act as best man for the highly anticipated wedding of former Made In Chelsea co-stars Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor

In contrast, despite their budding relationship, Vogue and Spencer are not on the fast track to get married as the radio personality recently denied engagement rumours.

The pair went public with their romance in March after meeting on The Jump.

They haven't been shy about flaunting their love for each other, with Spencer gushing on social media, 'never been happier in my life' while she reciprocated, 'at my happiest with this boy by my side.'

Vogue revealed the secret to success with their relationship is that they never argue in a recent interview with The Sunday Mirror.

She said: 'He is my best pal. I remember thinking we would be best friends forever. It is the first relationship where I don't have fights with people.'

Taking it slow: In contrast, despite their budding relationship, Vogue and Spencer are not on the fast track to get married as the radio personality recently denied engagement rumours

The duo are currently living together and their move came after Vogue denied reports she had moved into Spencer's Chelsea home.

Speaking during an appearance on Loose Women, Vogue revealed the pair have bought a new house together.

She said: 'We moved in together last night. He arrived home at four in the morning from Greece and forced me to get up to have a glass of champagne to toast the new house. He didn't want me to move in to his house.

'He is my best pal': Gushing about her beau, Vogue said: 'He is my best pal. I remember thinking we would be best friends forever. It is the first relationship where I don't have fights with people'

'He lives in a one-bed in Chelsea and I have a lot of clothes so that was never going to work. And I lived with two Irish boys so I think we've always wanted to have our own place so that's what we started looking at straight away.'

Previously, Vogue was married to Westlife's Brian McFadden for three years before they parted ways in July 2015.

Spencer, meanwhile, has dated a string of beauties including Louise Thompson, Stephanie Pratt, Vicky Pattison and Lauren Frazer-Hutton.
She was teased by Louie Spencer over her generous cleavage, with the dancer boldly asking if she'd had a breast enhancement.

But Charlotte Crosby turned a blind eye to speculation on Wednesday, as she showcased her ample assets in a skintight dress during a night out in Essex.

The 27-year-old took centre-stage in the figure-hugging dress as she joined forces with her glamorous Geordie Shore co-star Sophie Kasaei.

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She's got a lot of front! Charlotte Crosby showcased her ample assets in a skintight dress during a night out in Essex on Wednesday

Charlotte complemented her thigh-grazing dress with a chic pair of nude sock boots and an opulent fur coat.

Styling her glossy raven tresses in tumbling waves, the Just Tattoo Of Us star framed her features with taupe lipstick and bronze shimmer.

She was joined by an equally chic Sophie, who showed off her slimmed-down frame in velvet co-ords and racy thigh-high boots.

Looking good: The 27-year-old took centre-stage in the figure-hugging dress as she joined forces with her glamorous Geordie Shore co-star Sophie Kasaei

Chic: Sophie showed off her slimmed-down frame in velvet co-ords and racy thigh-high boots

Charlotte's outing comes after her former Celebrity Big Brother housemate Louie has noticed she looks a lot different too, after boldly asking her if she had recently had a boob job.

Commenting on her most recent sultry Instagram post, the dancer playfully jibed about her eye-popping assets while others asked, 'Where did they come from?'

'You had your t**s done darling?' Louie enquired from his Official Instagram Account, amongst a flurry of interest from her followers.

Replying to Louie, another wrote: 'defo think so as i've just had mine done 2wks ago and the same side boob etc x'

Showing her shape: It comes after Charlotte shared a busty picture to Instagram, prompting old friend Louie Spencer to ask 'You had you t**s done?'

Another said: 'I am guessing that's a yes sweetie,' while another replied: 'I been thinking same for weeks now waayyyyy to pert but look amazing (sic)'

Charlotte confirmed that she had gone under the knife to correct her congenital symmastia condition in November.

Congenital Symmastia - which Charlotte refers to as 'uniboob' - is a condition where the two breasts are joined.

They go way back: Charlotte and Louie (here in 2014) were in Celebrity Big Brother together in 2013

Bold: While others commented on Charlotte's latest post with some subtly, Louie came out and asked if Charlotte had enhanced her bust

'My uni-boob made me feel under-confident,' Charlotte explained in an interview with Heat magazine.

'It really limited what I could wear without people saying, "What the f***'s wrong with her boobs?"'

'Because I'm famous, if a picture of me is online, people say things like "What is wrong with her boobs? They're deformed! They're stuck together"' she revealed, before confessing she had the surgery because 'of the comments she got online.'

Confusion: There was some confusion among Charlotte's fans, after her picture saw her show off a sizeable chest (here in November)

Charlotte dropped four dress sizes and two-and-a-half stone in seven months during the course of 2015.

Former Geordie Shore star Charlotte went public with her 4,000 nose job in January 2016.

Charlotte has previously confessed to racking up a bill of 20,000 on her surgeries, which also include lip fillers and botox.
He jetted Down Under this month to promote his new collaboration with Australian telecommunications giant Optus.

And it seems Cuba Gooding Jr., 49, may not have packed the best clothing for the country's sweltering summer climes, with the actor looking decidedly rugged-up as he touched down in Sydney this Thursday morning.

The American actor, who is known for his roles in iconic film Jerry Maguire, was spotted leaving Sydney Airport dressed in what appeared to be snow-gear - despite soaring 40 degree temperatures.

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Forget to read the weather forecast? Cuba Gooding Jr., 49, may not have packed the best clothing for the country's sweltering summer climes, with the actor looking decidedly rugged-up as he touched down in Sydney this Thursday morning

His all-black ensemble consisted of a high-necked singlet top layered underneath a long-sleeved vest and sleeveless puffer jacket by The North Face.

He also sported a pair of thick black jeans and some sturdy leather boots.

While his cosy outfit may have raised eyebrows, he was sure to impress his sun-safety enthusiast fans by wearing a pair of sassy shades.

Man's not hot? The American actor, who is known for his roles in iconic film Jerry Maguire, was spotted leaving Sydney Airport dressed in what appeared to be snow-gear- despite soaring 40 degree temperatures

Someone give this man a fan! His all-black ensemble consisted of a high-necked singlet top layered underneath a long-sleeved vest and sleeveless puffer jacket by The North Face

Not a worry in the world! Despite the perilous weather conditions, Cuba wore a serene disposition as he waved and smiled at onlookers

Despite the perilous weather conditions, Cuba wore a serene disposition as he waved and smiled at onlookers.

With his modestly-sized wheeled suitcase rolling behind him, Cuba approached a vehicle waiting outside the terminal, with a member of his entourage rushing to open the car door.

The A-lister promptly slipped inside the car, which no doubt featured a well-airconditioned interior, before zipping away into morning traffic.

Packing lightly: With his modestly-sized wheeled suitcase rolling behind him, Cuba approached a vehicle waiting outside the terminal

Cuba will spend his Australian trip promoting Optus' new campaign centred around the launch of Apple iPhone X.

The thespian stars in the company's humourous ad campaign, which sees him becoming over-excited about purchasing his new phone.

'I really enjoyed working with Optus to shoot this series. Optus gave me the creative freedom to really own the characters and create some fun content,' he said in a public statement.

VIP treatment! A member of his entourag rushed to open the car door

New gig: Cuba will spend his Australian trip promoting Optus' new campaign centred around the launch of Apple iPhone X

Making a splash on screens Down Under! The thespian stars in the company's humourous ad campaign, which sees him becoming over-excited about purchasing his new phone

Perfect man for the job! 'I really enjoyed working with Optus to shoot this series. Optus gave me the creative freedom to really own the characters and create some fun content,' he said in a public statement

The actor currently has two films on the go; he is making his debut as a director on Louisiana Caviar from a script he wrote with Eitan Gorling.

Cuba also has a role in the drama, co-starring Richard Dreyfuss, Famke Janssen and Katherine McPhee, about a feared Russian-Israeli oligarch whose banishment from the U.S. sparks a spiraling chain of events.

In Life In A Year, he co-stars with Cara Delevingne and Jaden Smith in the weepie about a 17-year-old who sets out to give his dying girlfriend an entire life in her last year.

Busy: The actor currently has two films on the go; he is making his debut as a director on Louisiana Caviar from a script he wrote with Eitan Gorling

New film: In Life In A Year, he co-stars with Cara Delevingne and Jaden Smith in the weepie about a 17-year-old who sets out to give his dying girlfriend an entire life in her last year

Flying solo: The father of sons Spencer, 22, Mason, 20, and daughter Piper, 10, is presently single after filing for divorce from his wife of 22 years Sara Kapfer in January

The father of sons Spencer, 22, Mason, 20, and daughter Piper, 10, is presently single after filing for divorce from his wife of 22 years Sara Kapfer in January.

The People v. O.J. Simpson actor met Sara in high school and the two were married in 1994.

Sara, a school teacher, filed for legal separation in August 2014 but they didn't proceed with the divorce until Cuba filed.

According to court documents acquired by TMZ at the time, Cuba has requested joint legal and physical custody of Piper and is ready to pay spousal support.

Former flame: The People v. O.J. Simpson actor met Sara in high school and the two were married in 1994
She rose to fame on the latest series of My Kitchen Rules.

And now Courtney Ferdinands has announced that she's engaged.

The 30-year-old brunette beauty - who appeared on the cooking show with her doting mother Valerie - took to Instagram to share her happy news.

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'The love of my life asked me to be his wife': My Kitchen Rules star Courtney announces her engagement

Cute: In another image, she flaunts her stunning gold diamond ring and thanked friends and family for their well wishes

'The love of my life asked me to be his wife. A moment I will cherish forever,' Courtney wrote on Instagram, underneath a snap of her and man Daniel Pearson under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

She added the hashtags 'happiest girl alive,' 'I said yes,' and 'engaged.'

In another image, she flaunts her stunning gold diamond ring and thanked friends and family for their well wishes.

Thrilled: Courtney said she was the 'happiest girl alive'

Sweet: Daniel works at Nova and the pair recently celebrated their two-year anniversary

'Thank you to everyone who has made this engagement even more special for us. We are overwhelmed and so grateful for your calls, texts, gifts, comments, love and support during this time. How lucky we are to have such beautiful people around us,' she said.

Daniel works at Nova and the pair recently celebrated their two-year anniversary.

'It all started at Nova,' Courtney wrote on Instagram in November to mark their two-year milestone.

'I mean how could I ignore the frequency of your level 3 visits. We bonded over footy (afl of course) and continued to get to know each other over many casual/totally planned "want to get a quick coffee? Have you had lunch yet? Need to go to IGA?" dates. Fast forward to now, and we are here. HAPPY TWO YEARS you amazing human, love you to bits and can't wait for many more adventures, achievements, laughs, feeds and milestones together xx,' she wrote.

'HAPPY TWO YEARS you amazing human': Courtney shared this collage of pictures to celebrate their anniversary

In April, Courtney gushed about Daniel and hinted they were engaged.

'Who knows what's to come,' she told OK! Magazine, and went on to confess that her mother and cooking partner Valerie is hassling her for grand kids.

'She keeps throwing, 'So when am I going to get some grandchildren?'' Courtney told the publication.
He controversially revealed his favourite birthday memory earlier this year, where he enjoyed weed brownies with his ex girlfriend Emma Stone at Disneyland.

And Spiderman star Andrew Garfield has explained his relationship with hallucinogens and weed this week, saying that he felt there was too much stigma around the word 'drugs'.

In an interview with ES Magazine, the 34-year-old also went into detail his social anxiety, admitting he felt overwhelmed in larger groups.

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On a high! Spiderman star Andrew Garfield, 34, has revisited his relationship with drugs after he spoke honestly about taking weed brownies with ex-girlfriend Emma Stone (pictured) on his 29th birthday at Disneyland

Speaking on the implications of drugs, the coverstar this week said: 'The word has such a stigma'.

He went on to compare the differences between Cannabis and hallucinogens: 'Weed, I can smoke because it's just nice. But with hallucinogens, I have to do it in a very conscious way in a place where I feel free and safe and can have a freak out if I want to. I want to be able to express my insights.

He previously confessed his encounter with drugs while high on marijuana brownies with eight of his closest friends at Disneyland for his 29th birthday.

Truthful: Posing for ES Magazine this week with his Best Actor gong from the Evening Standard's Theatre Awards, Andrew gets candid about his life in Hollywood

Referring to the experience as 'heaven', he unapologetically said: 'They came out to L.A. to surprise me and we went to Disneyland and we ate pot brownies'.

The British-American actor went on to discuss how he handles public situations, which he called 'overwhelming'.

'I find it pretty overwhelming being in any social situation that involves more than five people, to be honest.'

'Overwhelming': The British-American actor went on to discuss how he handles public situations, which he called 'overwhelming'

Praising his industry, he continued: 'Outside of my closest friends and family, the theatre world is the place where I feel I most belong. Its the most welcoming community that Ive ever experienced.

Candid: Andrew said the theatre gong was the 'icing on the cake'

Praising his industry, he continued: 'Outside of my closest friends and family, the theatre world is the place where I feel I most belong. Its the most welcoming community that Ive ever experienced.

Andrew recently collected the Best Actor gong at The Evening Standard's Theatre Awards in London.

Posing on the cover of this week's magazine, Andrew holds up his trophy, something he said was the 'icing on the cake' during his acceptance speech that night.

Andrew picked up the gong for Angels In America, which saw him in the role of Prior Walter at the National Theatre, earlier this year.

Explaining that the prize had brought him to tears, he said: 'Its very hard to absorb, its very hard to process.

'But I just feel very, very lucky that I get to work as an actor and get to work on something that the world is crying out for.

The Silence actor recently starred in biographical drama film Breathe, which is centred on British advocate Robin Cavendish, who was given only three months to live while diagnosed with polio disease.

Also led by co-star Claire Foy, Andrew expressed his experience with the Manchurian actress on the touching movie: 'Shes one of the best actors Ive worked with. Its so wonderful when someone gets recognition and external validation when theyre able to deal with it.

A recipient of the BAFTA TV Best Actor award, Andrew is predicted to pick up a Oscar nomination for his his impressive turn as a paraplegic.

Read the full interview with Andrew Garfield in the new issue of Evening Standard's ES magazine.
Tiffany Haddish wasn't sore about her Golden Globes 'snub'  but she's thankful for the back up.

The actress responded on Twitter after Jada Pinkett Smith lashed out at the Hollywood Foreign Press for overlooking her Girls Trip co-star.

'Thank all of yall for your love and support, I dont know or care much about snubs because Im not nasty like that!!' the 38-year-old tweeted.

'Im not nasty like that!' Tiffany Haddish thanked her Girls Trip co-star Jada Pinkett Smith for her support after her Golden Globes 'snub'

'But I love my girl Jada and I love all of you! @jadapsmith @VanityFair #SHEREADY'

The day before, 46-year-old Jada went on a lengthy Twitter rant, accusing the HFPA - the non-profit organization that votes for the films - of refusing to even watch Girls Trip, which Jada and Tiffany both star in.

Describing the movie as 'one of the most successful films this summer', Jada said the system used to decide Golden Globes nominations was 'antiquated' and hinted that 'racism' had played a factor.

A source within the HFPA told DailyMail.com they did have a screening of Girls Trip on July 18.

Thanks : 'Thank all of yall for your love and support, I dont know or care much about snubs because Im not nasty like that!!' the 38-year-old tweeted

Angry: The day before, 46-year-old Jada went on a lengthy Twitter rant, accusing the HFPA - the non-profit organization that votes for the films - of refusing to even watch Girls Trip, which Jada and Tiffany both star in

After congratulating 'sis' Mary J Blige for her Mudbound nomination on Monday, Jada tweeted that she had 'so much to say' about breakout star Tiffany not getting one '... but I won't.'

But 21 hours later, she changed her mind, writing: 'Actually I will... here we go...

'I'm not upset about @TiffanyHaddish or @GirlsTripMovie not getting a nom... I'm discouraged about the fact that the Hollywood Foreign Press/@goldenglobes wouldn't even WATCH the movie.'

'Girls Trip was one of the most successful films this summer & Tiff was hands down the funniest person on screen in 2017 and we couldn't get eyes on the film or a press conference.

'Actually I will': 21 hours later, the actress, 46, changed her mind and went on a lengthy rant via her Twitter page

'How could a nom happen & how much more critical acclaim must a movie have to simply get a screening?'

Jada pointed out that Tiffany had even been asked to present an award.

'This isn't about shaming, this is about the need for discussion of an antiquated system,' she wrote.

'And I dare not invalidate all the many journalist and people from all walks of life who have supported this movie by defining the issue as simply... racism.

'Hollywood has systems in place that must learn to expand its concepts of race, gender equality and inclusion in regard to its perceptions of art across the board.'

Jada went on to criticize the fact The Big Sick had been completely overlooked, and scoffed at Jordan Peele's Get Out being considered a comedy.

'We couldn't get eyes on the film': Jada said 'Girls Trip was one of the most successful films this summer & Tiff was hands down the funniest person on screen in 2017'

Discussion: The star tweeted 'this isn't about shaming, this is about the need for discussion of an antiquated system'

'Illuminates the depths of the sunken place... for real,' she sneered.

The HFPA points out it is the studios themselves who chose what category to submit films under; sometimes they hedge their bets on a shot at the Best Music or Comedy, rather than compete against bigger fish in the Best Drama category.

Jada concluded: 'Moments like this occur so that we have an opportunity to discuss, recreate and regenerate old paradigms. It's all about growth. Love.'

Janelle Monae tweeted her support on Tuesday afternoon, writing 'WE see you Jordan Peele.'

On Tuesday, the HFPA reached out to Jada to remind her of the official screening it hosted in Beverly Hills on July 18.

Talk about it: Janelle Monae tweeted her support on Tuesday afternoon, writing 'WE see you Jordan Peele'

Tiffany could have slotted into either the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, or Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

The former category pitches Hong Chau (Downsizing), Allison Janney (I, Tonya), Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird) and Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water), as well as Blige against each other - one Asian, two black and two white actresses.

The latter features Judi Dench (Victoria & Abdul), Margot Robbie (I, Tonya) Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird), Emma Stone (Battle of the Sexes) and Helen Mirren (The Leisure Seeker) - all white.

The Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - which would have contained Girls Trip - meanwhile is contested instead by The Disaster Artist, The Greatest Showman, I, Tonya, Lady Bird, and Get Out.

Funny how? Jada went on to criticize the fact The Big Sick had been completely overlooked, and scoffed at Jordan Peele's Get Out being considered a comedy
A rape case against rapper Nelly has been dropped by prosecutors in Washington State.

The decision comes after Nelly's accuser refused to cooperate with the investigation claiming she wouldn't stand a chance taking on a celebrity in court.

The woman had called police in October following the alleged assault that she claimed took place on Nelly's tour bus.

But without her testimony, TMZ reported Wednesday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office determined it was unable to charge the recording artist with a crime.

Closed: A rape case against Nelly has been dropped after prosecutors in Washington State determined that without the victim's cooperation, they couldn't charge him with a crime

On October 13, a lawyer for the alleged rape victim announced that we 'do not live in a society where a 21-year-old college student can feel safe enough to pursue criminal charges against a celebrity for an alleged rape.'

Attorney Karen Koehler stated that the young woman 'wishes she had not called 911 because she believes the system is going to fail her.'

She added her client would refuse to testify in court.

Trouble: The rapper was arrested October 7 by Auburn police after a young woman accused him of assaulting her on his tour bus. She later stated she would not testify against him in court

Innocent: Upon his release without charge, Nelly posted a statement on Twitter branding the allegations false and apologizing for 'putting himself in the situation'

Auburn police arrested Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr, early on the morning of Saturday October 7 on his tour bus at a Walmart.

He was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree rape and released later that day. He was never charged with a crime.

Nelly's attorney, Scott Rosenblum, called the rape claim a 'completely fabricated allegation.'

TMZ reported that Rosenblum demanded a public apology from the accuser, telling the website t her 'reckless accusation, once investigated thoroughly, was exposed for what it was-a fabrication. A fabrication that has caused Nelly and his family to suffer emotionally and financially.'
As Kourtney Kardashian and her towering bodyguard escorted her eldest children out of art class Wednesday, her daughter Penelope debuted an edgy new hairstyle.

The 37-year-old reality star appeared to have used hair chalk to temporarily transform her five-year-old princess' brunette locks a pinkish-purple shade.

The University of Arizona grad mothered camo-clad Penelope and her son Mason with babydaddy Scott Disick, whom she split with in 2015 after nine years.

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Artistic: As Kourtney Kardashian and her towering bodyguard escorted her eldest children out of art class Wednesday, her daughter Penelope debuted an edgy new hairstyle

Fun with color: The 37-year-old reality star appeared to have used hair chalk to temporarily transform her five-year-old princess' brunette locks a pinkish-purple shade

Kourtney - who relies on stylist Dani Michelle - dressed way down in a white blouse, red track pants, and white Nike sneakers.

Clutching an American Girl doll, Kardashian covered her minimally made-up complexion with dark sunglasses and wore her raven 'lob' (long bob) down.

The half-Armenian beauty has plenty to celebrate this Thursday as son Mason will be turning 8 and her son Reign will be turning 3.

Perhaps that's why the Calabasas socialite's youngest is so prominently featured on day 13 of her family's 25-day advent calendar countdown - unveiled Wednesday.

Family fun: The University of Arizona grad mothered camo-clad Penelope and her son Mason with babydaddy Scott Disick (not pictured), whom she split with in 2015 after nine years

Relies on stylist Dani Michelle: Kourtney dressed way down in a white blouse, red track pants, and white Nike sneakers

Mommy duties: Clutching an American Girl doll, Kardashian covered her minimally made-up complexion with dark sunglasses and wore her raven 'lob' down

Birthday boys! The half-Armenian beauty has plenty to celebrate this Thursday as son Mason will be turning 8 and her son Reign will be turning 3

This year's annual Kardashian-Jenner Christmas card panorama was photographed by Eli Linnetz and creative directed by Kourtney's younger sister Kim.

Things are 'definitely serious' between the PrettyLittleThing collaborator and her toyboy Younes Bendjima, who was invited to her family's Christmas bash.

'Younes has met her kids,' an insider told People on Tuesday.

'Kourtney's family really likes him. He is the opposite of Scott. He doesn't party, isn't flashy and really treats Kourtney with a lot of respect. It's obvious that he really cares about Kourtney.'

Crawling: Perhaps that's why the Calabasas socialite's youngest is so prominently featured on day 13 of her family's 25-day advent calendar countdown - unveiled Wednesday

Single mother: This year's annual Kardashian-Jenner Christmas card panorama was photographed by Eli Linnetz and creative directed by Kourtney's younger sister Kim

'Younes has met her kids': Things are 'definitely serious' between the PrettyLittleThing collaborator and toyboy Younes Bendjima, who was invited to her family's Christmas bash (pictured Tuesday)

'Kourtney's family really likes him. He is the opposite of Scott': Kardashian has been reportedly romancing the 24-year-old boxer-turned-model as far back as October of last year when they met in Paris

Kardashian has been reportedly romancing the 24-year-old boxer-turned-model as far back as October of last year when they met in Paris.

An eagle-eyed KUWTK viewer noticed a Kylie Cosmetics brand lip gloss marked 'Kourtney' during last Sunday's episode - sparking rumors of a collaboration.

The 'pregnant' 20-year-old previously joined forces with her half-sisters Khloe and Kim on make-up after creating a clothing company with big sister Kendall.

Catch more of Kourtney and her fame-hungry family on the 14th season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which airs Sundays on E!

Sparking rumors of a collaboration! An eagle-eyed KUWTK viewer noticed a Kylie Cosmetics brand lip gloss marked 'Kourtney' during last Sunday's episode

Lip Kit mogul: The 'pregnant' 20-year-old previously joined forces with her half-sisters Khloe (L) and Kim (R) on make-up after creating a clothing company with big sister Kendall
News / National

by Staff reporter

Three rights groups have joined forces with the Democratic Alliance (DA) to set aside the diplomatic immunity granted to former Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe to shield her from trial for allegedly assaulting a South African model at a Sandton hotel four months ago.The High Court in Pretoria granted leave to Freedom Under Law (FUL), the Commission for Gender Equality and the Women's Legal Centre Trust (WLC) to intervene in the DA's application as friends of the court and to make legal submissions.The DA's application will be heard next year with a separate application by model Gabriella Engels and AfriForum to set aside International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane's August decision to recognise Grace Mugabe's diplomatic immunity.Engels laid a charge of assault against Mugabe after she burst into a Sandton hotel room and allegedly used an electric cord with a plug at the end to hit Engels on the head on August 13.Engels maintained diplomatic immunity legislation excluded granting it to heads of state who behaved in a criminal manner and caused death or injury to South African citizens, and that granting it to Mugabe was invalid.The DA said Nkoana-Mashabane's decision constituted an irrational abuse of statutory power and should be set aside as unconstitutional.Nkoana-Mashabane, in court papers, said Grace Mugabe, as the wife of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, had "spousal immunity" under international law.Not granting immunity to her would have had serious implications for international relations between SA and Zimbabwe and would have caused chaos and collapsed the Southern African Development Community summit which SA was hosting, she said.She said she had considered Engels' interest but had to recognise Mugabe's spousal immunity.FUL said the decision that spouses of heads of state had the same immunity as their partners offended SA's Bill of Rights, including the right to dignity, equality and to be free from all forms of violence.WLC said Mugabe's immunity has grave implications for the jurisprudence on violence against women and the state's obligations in respect thereof.
Rodeo Drive has over the years welcomed a fleet of famous figures into its shops.

This Wednesday, it was 34-year-old Scott Disick, who was seen emerging from Tom Ford with that 19-year-old girlfriend of his, Sofia Richie.

Scott carried a sleek Tom Ford shopping bag as he trod the sidewalk, his hair immaculately coiffed above a pair of aviator sunglasses.

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On the go: This Wednesday, 34-year-old Scott Disick was seen emerging from Tom Ford on Rodeo Drive with that 19-year-old girlfriend of his, Sofia Richie

He had kept his outfit simple and casual, flinging a black and white hoodie over a black T-shirt and teaming slightly faded jeans with Nike sneakers.

Meanwhile, Sofia - whose father is Lionel Richie - wore a sleeveless black tank top over a pair of high-waisted jeans and a gleaming pair of raven-hued boots.

The pair were glimpsed in a glinting black automobile, Scott having chosen the spot behind the whee. Sofia was sat in in the front passenger seat.

Just the day before the 19-year-old model was seen arriving at 34-year-old Disick's home in Calabasas, California, on Tuesday with her mom Diane Alexander, 50.

Alexander split from Sofia's dad Lionel Richie in 2004 after eight years and two kids.

It is unknown if this was their first meeting.

Whom for?: Scott carried a sleek Tom Ford shopping bag as he trod the sidewalk, his hair immaculately coiffed above a pair of aviator sunglasses

Stylish: He had kept his outfit simple and casual, flinging a black and white hoodie over a black T-shirt and teaming slightly faded jeans with Nike sneakers

Scott, who earlier this year was linked to Sofia's then fellow 19-year-old Bella Thorne, has three children by his on-off paramour Kourtney Kardashian.

Their son Mason's 2009 birth was immortalized on an episode of the now decade-old reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

The co-parents welcomed their now five-year-old daughter Penelope into the world in 2012, and Kourtney gave birth to her youngest child, a son called Reign, in 2014.

Chic: Meanwhile, Sofia - whose father is Lionel Richie - wore a sleeveless black tank top over a pair of high-waisted jeans and a gleaming pair of raven-hued boots

Placement: The pair were in a glinting black automobile, with Scott behind the wheel

Shotgun: Sofia was glimpsed sat in the front passenger seat

Kourtney and Scott, who'd been introduced in 2006 by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis in Mexico, last ended their romantic relationship in July of 2015.

Like Scott, 38-year-old Kourtney is currently dating someone who is more than a decade her junior - in her case, 24-year-old Algerian model Younes Bendjima.

Sofia - who has Nicole Richie for a half-sister - has previously dated Justin Bieber, who is now 23.

History: Sofia - who has Nicole Richie for a half-sister and Lionel's second ex-wife Diane Alexander for a mother - has previously dated Justin Bieber, who is now 23
She is often seen heading on a number of glamorous nights out, as a former cast member of Made In Chelsea.

And Nicola Hughes only proved her party girl status further on Wednesday night, as she attended the Pretty Little Thing Christmas bash in Manchester.

The blonde, 27, set pulses racing in a skin-tight leather mini dress, complete with a perilously low-cut neckline, as she arrived at the swanky Rosso Restaurant with her fellow guests.

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Going hell for leather: Nicola Hughes set pulses racing in a skin-tight leather mini dress on Wednesday, as she attended the Pretty Little Thing Christmas bash in Manchester

The Irish beauty certainly turned heads by going braless in the frock - which plunged into a daringly low neckline to give a flash of her cleavage to all.

Pulling into thin spaghetti straps, the dress then clung tightly to her figure with its raunchy PVC material, before cutting off high at her thigh, to leave her long and slender legs on show.

She toned her ensemble down with a casual khaki military jacket, draped loosely across her arms, before adding sky-high grey boots and a sleek leather handbag, in further chic touches.

Busty: The Irish beauty certainly turned heads by going braless in the frock - which plunged into a daringly low neckline to give a flash of her cleavage to all

She styled her hair into loose, tousled waves and added a sultry, smoky eye and pale pink lip, to complete her glamorous look.

Nicola headed out with MIC's Emily Blackwell and a number of other gal pals, but not new BFF Lottie Moss - who she has become close friends with in recent weeks, despite having both dated Alex Mytton.

Lottie, 19, is often seen hanging out with the cast of MIC and initially began dating Alex in November last year.

They were together on and off for nine months, before calling it quits on their relationship for good in July.

Confident: Pulling into thin spaghetti straps, the dress then clung tightly to her figure with its raunchy PVC material, before cutting off high at her thigh, to leave her long legs on show

Glamorous: Nicola headed out with MIC's Emily Blackwell, who slipped her slim frame into a saucy semi-sheer leotard and high-rise trousers

Two months after their break up, Alex was seen reuniting with former flame Nicola at a party - with sources claiming their 'chemistry' was undeniable.

Alex and Nicola for two years, after meeting in August 2014 while he was DJing in Ireland.

However, she was left heartbroken when he ended their romance via text, while she was enjoying a family holiday in Florence, Italy.

Speaking to New! about the incident, before their 'reunion' earlier this year, Nicola said: 'It was upsetting but then I laughed about it. He's gross, a vile human.'

Strike a pose: Emily later joined a number of equally glamorous friends for photos, as they spend their evening at the swanky Russo Restaurant
She's the former Big Brother housemate who hustled her way into starting a social media empire.

But 32-year-old Lisa Clark took a star turn of a different kind, when she channelled screen goddess Marilyn Monroe while at the launch of new Turkish restaurant Anatolia at Clemton Park on Wednesday.

The social media influencer said she was obviously a huge fan of the icon, but laughed off a comparison when she spoke to Daily Mail Australia.

Star Turn: Former Big Brother housemate Lisa Clark, 32, channelled Marilyn Monroe when she flaunted her bronzed pins at the opening of launch of Turkish restaurant Anatolia this week

'I'm just a girl who likes a new dress,' she said of outfit, which flaunts her bronzed pins, 'but of course I was having a little bit of fun with it.'

After being launched into the celebrity world by Big Brother, the housemate turned entrepreneur set up her own social media company, promoting a range of brands to her nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram.

Big fan: The social media star said she was obviously a huge fan of the icon, but laughed off a comparison when she spoke to Daily Mail Australia

'I'm just a girl who likes a new dress,' she said of outfit, which flaunts her bronzed pins, 'but of course I was having a little bit of fun with it'

Social media star: After being launched into the celebrity world by Big Brother, the housemate turned entrepreneur set up her own social media company, promoting a range of brands to her nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram

More recently, the blonde beauty has been making waves with a series of sexy snaps, which she says aims to encourage people to be more accepting of their body.

'I shot with one of my favourite photographers who reminded me that the female body is a work of art,' she explained of the racy images.

'Embrace your curves, your imperfections, your growth, your scars and above all your individuality.'

The 32-year-old also says she is happy to put her Big Brother days behind her.

'I feel like I'm done with it,' she said of the show, adding she'd prefer to stick to behind-the-scenes projects.

'I've been working hard on a number of projects.'
She underwent breast reconstruction surgery last Thursday to correct capsular contracture caused by radiation treatment.

And on Thursday, Roxy Jacenko revealed the ordeal isn't over just yet.

Speaking to Yahoo7 Be, the 37-year-old PR queen explained she will be continuing with her surgery next week.

'I am back in surgery next Wednesday': Speaking to Yahoo7 Be on Thursday, Roxy Jacenko (pictured) revealed she's headed back under the knife as she continues her breast reconstruction surgery

'I am back in surgery next Wednesday to have some further adjustments,' she told the online publication.

She added: 'Revision surgeries are always tricky.'

Despite the invasive surgery, the blonde publicist hasn't let her recovery time get in the way of her busy schedule, which involves juggling her work and family life.

On Monday, the Sweaty Betty founder uploaded a picture of herself to Instagram Story at home with a gingerbread house in one hand and surgical drains in a plastic bag in another.

Meanwhile over the weekend, Roxy looked to be well and truly on the mend as she was pictured out and about with the same bag in hand.

On the mend! On Monday, the Sweaty Betty founder uploaded a picture of herself to Instagram Story at home with a gingerbread house in one hand and surgical drains in a plastic bag in another

Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Roxy had gushed about how her husband Oliver had been the perfect support during her recovery - despite being absent 2016 cancer battle.

Oliver spent a year languishing behind bars last year after being convicted of conspiracy to commit insider trading in June.

His businesswoman wife was diagnosed with breast cancer the following month.

Tough health battle: In July last year, Roxy was diagnosed with breast cancer

'Oli is a dream': Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Roxy gushed over how Oliver Curtis (right) had been the perfect husband during her recovery

'Oli is a dream,' Roxy said on Monday, adding: 'He has been so helpful. I don't know how I did it on my own the first time around. I was so lucky to have my mum [Doreen].

Roxy credited Oliver - who is the father to the couple's two children, Pixie, six, and Hunter, three - with taking care of the family's domestic duties while she recovered.

'He has cooked, looked after the kids, even helped me to the loo and to the shower - all with a smile. One in a million,' she said.
She's one of Australia's most recognisable pop-stars, boasting a career that has spanned over three decades.

But before Kylie Minogue became the darling of Down Under, she was a fresh-faced girl growing up in suburban Melbourne in the 1970s.

This Thursday, the 49-year-old pop-star enjoyed a moment of nostalgia by sharing a throwback photo of herself as a child posing on her parents' living room couch with a cat slumped on her lap.

My how you've changed! Kylie Minogue, 49, enjoyed a moment of nostalgia this Thursday by sharing a throwback photo of herself as a child posing on her parents' living room couch with a cat slumped on her lap

Looking barely recognisable in the faded snap, Kylie wrote in the caption: 'Theres been a lot of talk about the 70 this week with #swingingsafarimovie so I thought Id #tbt back to then!!!'

Indeed, Kylie has been hot on the promotions trail for her new film Swinging Safari, which is set in 1970s Australia.

Kylie began her acting career at the tender age of 11, appearing in small roles for Australian dramas such as The Sullivans and Skyways.

New gig: Kylie has been hot on the promotions trail for her new film Swinging Safari, which is set in 1970s Australia

Rise to fame: Her profile hit new heights when she starred in Neighbours in 1986 where she played tomboy mechanic Charlene Robinson

At the age of 17, she took time off school to play a lead role in 1985 hit The Henderson Kids.

Her profile hit new heights when she starred in Neighbours in 1986 where she played tomboy mechanic Charlene Robinson.

She went on to sign with a prominent English record label and release hit albums including Kylie, Fever and Body Language.

From the screen to the stage! She went on to sign with a prominent English record label and release hit albums including Kylie, Fever and Body Language

Having spent years focussing on building her singing career, Kylie's new acting role in Swinging Safari serves as somewhat of a homecoming for the former thespian.

Speaking to Yahoo7 Be, Kylie said she was in two minds about returning to the craft of acting.

'I always get a little bit terrified because I don't do it very often but, on the hand, I feel [at] home,' she told the online publication.

The ageless stunner also explained that while she may have been hesitant about taking on a film gig, she had always loved acting.

She explained: 'I've kind of got conflicting emotions'.

'I always get a little bit terrified!' Having spent years focussing on building her singing career, Kylie's new acting role in Swinging Safari serves as somewhat of a homecoming for the former thespian
She's made a living out of showing off her stunning figure in an array of skimpy bikinis.

And Natasha Oakley once again turns heads in her latest shoot for Gritty Pretty.

The 27-year-old dares to bare, going braless in a stylish sheer dress in one of the images.

Sheer delight! Bikini blogger Natasha Oakley stuns as she goes braless in a see-through dress in another sultry beach shoot

In other frames, Natasha is pictured topless as she poses in a chic white pencil skirt.

She also poses in a plunging bikini, which highlighted her cleavage and slender frame.

Other pictures show her reclining back on a rock in slinky lingerie.

Baring all: In other frames, Natasha is pictured topless as she poses in a chic white pencil skirt

Covergirl: Natasha stuns on the cover of Gritty Pretty magazine

Natasha spoke to the publication about her perfect work life balance allowing her to travel to exotic locations all year round.

'I'm fortunate but I also work extremely hard. I work 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I haven't taken a single 'day off' in five years,' she said.

Fortunate: Natasha spoke to the publication about her perfect work life balance, allowing her to travel to exotic locations all year round

'Yes, my job does see me travel the world and visit incredible locations but for every photo that is shared on social media, hours of work isn't documented.

'The late nights packing orders, dealing with our manufacturers, managing our team in L.A and shooting thousands of images for our e-commerce platforms. It doesn't stop so I don't stop,' Natasha lamented.

Working hard: 'Yes, my job does see me travel the world and visit incredible locations but for every photo that is shared on social media, hours of work isn't documented,' she said

Non stop: 'The late nights packing orders, dealing with our manufacturers, managing our team in L.A and shooting thousands of images for our e-commerce platforms. It doesn't stop so I don't stop,' Natasha lamented

Natasha launched A Bikini A Day in 2012 alongside her pal Devin Brugman.

But at times, she and her partner struggled financially and have admitted to sharing a bed during the early days of the business.
She made the long journey to America to await the arrival of her daughter via surrogate.

And one year on, Sally Obermeder has reminisced about her six week long wait for her little girl Elyssa.

The 44-year-old told the Wentworth Courier of her memorable Wisconsin trip: 'It changed our life for the better and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.'

'I'd do it again in a heartbeat!' Sally Obermeder has reminisced her six week long wait in Wisconsin to collect her surrogate-born daughter for her little Elyssa

The Daily Edition TV presenter travelled to the midwest with her six-yer-old daughter Annabelle and sister Maha Koraiem for support, while husband Marcus stayed in Sydney.

She praised her surrogate Rachel for giving birth to a healthy baby girl, following Sally's battle with stage three breast cancer in 2012.

'Watching her give birth to Elyssa was so joyous and I was just saying to Rachel the other day that if I had limitless money one of the first things I'd do is get on a plane and go and see her,' she said, adding that she felt a special bond with her.

Support: The Daily Edition TV presenter travelled to the mid west state with her six-yer-old daughter Annabelle and sister Maha Koraiem for support, while husband Marcus stayed in Sydney

This year will be the first Christmas Sally and her family will spend together.

Back in September, the brunette beauty marked five years of being cancer free.

Speaking to Body+Soul she said: 'I feel like I've been holding my breath for five years and I can finally breathe properly again.'

Happy family: This year will be the first Christmas Sally, her husband Marcus and daughters Elyssa and Annabelle will spend together

Sisters at play: The two girls pictured having fun in the pool

'There's always a low-level anxiety you live with  will it come back? Is this going to be it?  especially before a scan.

'I know the routine well but the inner dialogue and emotion is so full on, I was nervous going to that scan and when it came back clear... My gosh, the relief!'

Aside from hosting the afternoon Channel Seven program, Sally is also an author of health books and runs SWIISH.com with her sister Maha.
He filed for bankruptcy two years ago.

But 50 Cent appears to be doing just fine new after he signed a new eight-figure deal with Starz.

The rapper has agreed to bring at least three new TV series to the network, TMZ reported.

That's a lot of fiddys! 50 Cent has signed a new eight-figure deal with Starz... two years after filing for bankruptcy

The projects include 'Black Mafia Family', 'Tomorrow, Today', and a third as-yet-unnamed show.

Fiddy  real Name Curtis Jackson  already serves as executive producer and star of Power, Starz biggest hit.

The deal extends their business relationship through September 2019.

In 2015, 50 filed for bankruptcy, around the same time he was ordered to pay $5million to a woman over a sex tape he published.

Most watched: Fiddy  real Name Curtis Jackson  already serves as executive producer and star of Power, Starz biggest hit.

The victim was Lastonia Leviston, the ex-girlfriend of his bitter rap rival Rick Ross.

50 purchased the tape from another of he ex-lovers then posted it on his website, narrating it and body shaming Leviston throughout.

He also lost a legal battle with his ex-business partners over a failed headphone deal and was slapped with a $17 million judgement in that case.

Trouble: In 2015, 50 filed for bankruptcy, around the same time he was ordered to pay $5million to a woman over a sex tape he published

According to his Chapter 11 petition, Fifty claimed he had assets between $10 to $50 million but that his liabilities were in the same range.

However, when appraisers checked into it, they found his assets total over $64 million, while liabilities were around half of that.

A judge also asked him to explain the multiple social media pics he posted showing of stacks and stacks of cash.
She's the stunning PR maven who's known for her glamorous lifestyle and shrewd business sense.

And in what is surely her raciest photo shoot yet, Roxy Jacenko has showed off her sexy side and killer body in revealing lingerie.

The 37-year-old also flaunted Nicholas Haywood jewellery worth almost $1 million in the risque snaps.

We can see why Oliver Curtis is smitten! In her most risque photo shoot yet, Roxy Jacenko (pictured) flaunted her stunning body in racy lingerie as well as a jewellery collection worth almost $1 million

The sophisticated yet sexy images feature the blonde bombshell putting on a busty display in an array of poses at PRIMUS Hotel Presidential Suite in Sydney.

In one image, Roxy donned a sheer black bodysuit that featured a plunging neckline and sapphire blue detailing and provided a glimpse of her black underwear.

Her trademark platinum blonde hair extensions cascaded over her shoulders, while she teamed the ensemble with teetering black heels.

Stunning! Another provocative snap featured Roxy in a thigh-skimming black lace slip which showcased her toned and slender pins as she gripped a wine glass

Glitz and glamour: Covering up slightly more skin in an artsy black and white photo, the mother-of-two opted for a sparkly gown which exposed her derriere

Another provocative snap featured Roxy in a thigh-skimming black lace slip, which showcased her toned and slender pins as she gripped a wine glass.

Covering up slightly more skin in an artsy black and white photo, the mother-of-two opted for a sparkly gown which exposed her derriere.

In other pictures, Roxy channelled a more angelic vibe as she protected her modesty in barely-there white attire.

Divine: In other snaps Roxy donned angelic white barely-there attire

Hefty price tag: The Nicholas Haywood jewellery collection she wore for the photoshoot was worth a staggering $736,200

Adorning her neck for the shoot was a $35,000 diamond necklace, while her collection of bracelets, cuffs and bangles and a diamond necklace worn on her wrist were priced at a whopping $163,700.

It seems no expense was spared when it came to the jewellery provided to Roxy on the day, with the publicist also decked out in $60,000 diamond studs and $7,500 gold dangle earrings.

In addition to the Sweaty Betty founder's $470,000 engagement sparkler that was gifted to her by husband Oliver Curtis when he popped the question, Roxy's jewellery price tag on the day came to a eye-watering $736,200.
He's the former Married At First Sight star, who recently got a second chance at love following his shock split from TV 'wife' Sharon Marsh earlier this year.

And things appear to be going swimmingly for Nick Furphy, 29, and his stunning girlfriend Amy-lee Dixon.

The smitten couple were snapped packing on the PDA in a tender snap shared to Instagram on Thursday.

True love! Things appear to be going swimmingly for Nick Furphy, 29, and his stunning girlfriend Amy-lee Dixon, who were snapped packing on the PDA on Thursday

The Melbourne tradie could barely keep his hands off his model partner as they cuddled up in the photo believed to have been taken last week at Albert Park.

He joked about being tied down to the Melbourne law student with use of the hashtag '#ballandchain.'

Last month, Nick sparked pregnancy rumours after posting and deleting an ultrasound photo however he told Daily Mail Australia that while the couple are in a serious relationship, the cryptic post was just for laughs.

Just for laughs: Last month, Nick sparked pregnancy rumours after posting and deleting an ultrasound photo however he told Daily Mail Australia that while the couple are in a serious relationship, the cryptic post was just for laughs

'Amy is not pregnant,' he confirmed.

His newfound happiness comes three months after his shock split from reality star Sharon Marsh.

The pair split in July after less than a year of dating and she told New Idea at the time that she just wasn't in love.

'I love Nick, but after moving to Melbourne eight weeks ago to be with him, I soon realised I'm not in love with him,' Sharon, 32, told the publication.

Split: His newfound happiness comes three months after his shock split from reality star Sharon Marsh

After moving from her hometown Perth to be with Nick, Sharon said she felt a deep inkling that something was not right.

'I told him I wanted to feel more,' the blonde added.

Melbourne carpenter Nick was left heartbroken by his lover's confession and said he was devastated when she told him.

'I started to shake and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I fell hard and fast and gave it my all.'

Nick is said to be content in his new relationship with Amy, who appears equally as smitten with the hunk.
News / National

by Staff reporter

High Court judge, Justice Alphas Chitakunye has ordered Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to reinstate three police special constabulary officers, who were unfairly dismissed over unspecified allegations of misrepresentation.The three - only identified in court papers as Yakub, Imran and Zunad Mussa - had approached the court complaining that they were unfairly dismissed after serving for periods ranging from 11 to 29 years.The trio cited Chihuri, the Police Service Commission and the Home Affairs minister, as the respondents to the summons.Justice Chitakunye said the dismissal letters given to the three on September 23 last year were null and void."After reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel, I order that the summary dismissal of the applicants by the respondents communicated by the letter of September 23, 2016, received by applicants on October 3, be and, hereby, set aside," he ruled."Applicants' personal items confiscated pursuant to the dismissal, be and are, hereby, restored. The respondents will bear the costs."The trio were employed by the Home Affairs ministry under the Police Special Constabulary Unit and on October 3 last year they were alerted to a notice of discharge.The respondents had alleged that the three were involved in criminal activities and misrepresentation, but they were not given the opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations.The trio's police apparel was later confiscated from them together with their personal items which included video cameras.
She's a shining star on and off the silver screen.

And Annette Bening had another chance to soak in the limelight on Wednesday in New York City, as she was honored at The Museum of the Moving Image in a ceremony that drew a number of Hollywood stalwarts.

The American Beauty actress, 58, posed with her husband Warren Beatty at the 31st annual gathering, clad in an elegant black pantsuit with a sheer grey scarf and black boots as she posed with a blue plaque marking the honor.

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Happy together: Annette Bening, 58, posed with husband Warren Beatty, 80, as she was honored at The Museum of the Moving Image Wednesday in New York City

The Grifters actress had her brown locks parted to the side, wearing clear glasses and accessorizing with a gold rose ring and diamond rings

Beatty, 80, was his debonair self in a black suit with a dark grey-button-up shirt and light grey tie at the glitzy gathering.

The four-time Academy Award nominee followed in the footsteps of past stars including Tom Hanks, Julianne Moore, Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise, and Beatty himself, in receiving the honors.

The museum's Michael Barker called Bening 'one of Americas finest living actresses' in a statement last month announcing her well-deserved induction, hailing her breadth of work.

Well-deserved: Annette's racked up four Oscar nominations in her prolific career

Milestone: The super-couple celebrated their 25th anniversary this past March

Hollywood romance: The couple met filming the Oscar-nominated 1991 film Bugsy

'From her Broadway debut in Tina Howes Coastal Disturbances to her emotionally complex performance last year in 20th Century Women and now as movie star Gloria Grahame in the upcoming Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool, her stunning range as an actress has always been staggering and uncompromising,' Barker said.

'We at the Museum of the Moving Image have wanted to honor her for some time but there is no question in our minds that this is so obviously her moment.'

True love: The duo held hands as they made their way into the Gotham gathering

Legend: Beatty stepped up to the podium to honor his spouse of 25 years

Smooth sailing: Wednesday's gathering was likely more pleasurable for Beatty than the 2017 Oscars, when he was handed the wrong envelope while announcing Best Picture

Hey girl! Bening shared a laugh with Brenda Vaccaro (L) and Cherry Jones (R) at the Park Avenue party

The second cutest couple at the Manhattan bash were F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce reunited 33 years after co-starring in the memorable Mozart biopic, Amadeus.

The 78-year-old Oscar winner planted a wet one on the cheek of the 64-year-old Tony winner, after having not been very friendly together on the Prague set.

The Big Apple ceremony also drew a number of notable names, including Kathryn Leigh Scott, Timothee Chalamet, Bruce Vilanch and couple Jamie Bell and Kate Mara.

Bening, who shared the silver screen alongside Beatty in the 1991 film Bugsy, celebrated her 25th anniversary with the Tinseltown icon this past March. They have four kids: Stephen, 25, Benjamin, 23, Isabel, 20, and Ella, 17.

Yes! The second cutest couple at the Manhattan bash were F. Murray Abraham (L) and Tom Hulce (R) reunited 33 years after co-starring in the memorable Mozart biopic, Amadeus

Rock me Amadeus: The 78-year-old Oscar winner planted a wet one on the cheek of the 64-year-old Tony winner, after having not been very friendly together on the Prague set

Buzzy: Call Me by Your Name actor Timothee Chalamet was snapped at the event

Sleek: Annette's Film Stars Don't Die co-star Jamie Bell and his wife Kate Mara posed together

Elegant: Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott looked nice in an all-black ensemble
Siggy Flicker during a disastrous group dinner in Italy accused Margaret Josephs of being anti-Semitic.

The 50-year-old relationship expert leveled the charge after confronting Margaret, 50, for previously referencing Hitler during an argument.

'Unless we're discussing the Holocaust, Hitler's name should not come up,' declared Siggy, whose 80-year-old father Mordecai Paldiel is a Holocaust survivor and scholar.

Relationship expert: Siggy Flicker accused Margaret Josephs of being anti-Semitic during a disastrous dinner in Milan, Itlay on Wednesday's episode

Margaret during a previous episode questioned Siggy's decision to walk in Kim DePaola's fashion show after she spread rumors about their mutual friend Teresa Giudice.

Siggy argued at the time that Kim hadn't wronged her, prompting Margaret to ask: 'But Siggy, Hitler would have not killed me. Does that make him a good person?'.

Margaret at the Milan dinner tried defending herself by claiming she needed an evil person for her Kim D. analogy and also pointed out that her children are Jewish.

Siggy then noted that she knew 'many people who married Jews who can't stand Jews'.

Took offense: Margaret took offense at being called anti-Semitic

Group dinner: The dinner started out with a group toast and light conversation

'You're anti-Semitic,' Siggy then declared causing the entire group to quiet down.

Margaret protested being called anti-Semitic, but Siggy refused to hear her out.

'Tell the b**** to sit down,' Siggy said.

Glass throwing: Danielle Staub defended Margaret and threw a glass after being dismissed by Siggy

Danielle Staub stuck up for Margaret noting that Hitler was a 'historic figure' and Siggy rudely dismissed her.

The snub didn't go over well as Danielle started throwing glasses at her prompting Siggy to call her a 'loser'.

The restaurant then booted the women out and Siggy later refused to apologize.

Piling on: Siggy taunted Danielle after she became unhinged

Loyalty tests: Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga stood up as the argument escalated

Held back: Danielle had to be restrained by Teresa as the women were kicked out of the place

Covered up: Siggy had her mouth covered up as she kept hurling insults

'You guys need to stand up for me with the Hitler thing,' she said.

Margaret meanwhile said that Siggy was assassinating her character and said their feuding had gone from 'spat to all-out war'.

The trip to Milan was organized by Melissa Gorga as a business trip for her Envy boutique in New Jersey.

No apology: The 50-year-old relationship expert refused to apologize

Margaret and Melissa before the dinner drama visited a shop to check out Italian brands.

Melissa noted that she was rebuilding her store after splitting from her business partner.

'Thanks so much Jackie,' Melissa said sarcastically in reference to her former business partner Jackie Beard Robinson.

Business trip: Melissa Gorga organized the trip to Milan for her boutique Envy

Italian brands: Margaret helped Melissa check out Italian brands for her New Jersey store

Jackie recently filed a $30 million lawsuit against Melissa and Bravo producer Andy Cohen alleging defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit accused them of acting together to accuse her of stealing merchandise from the store.

The episode also featured Teresa and Danielle visiting the stunning Duomo Di Milano and a group trip to the canals.

Tourist attractions: Teresa Giudice and Danielle checked out the Duomo Di Milano

Danielle and Siggy skipped the canals tour and met up at the hotel to discuss their dinner argument.

Siggy apologized for dismissing Danielle and hurting her feelings.

Danielle admitted becoming unhinged.

Apology offered: Siggy the day after the dinner debacle apologized to Danielle for dismissing her

'I saw red. I never want to see that color again,' Danielle told her.

Danielle again defended Margaret insisting that she just picked a poor analogy.

Siggy continued to hold a grudge against Margaret but she did give Danielle a hug.

Canals tour: Teresa chatted up an Italian tourist guide who gave them a tour of the canals

Margaret separately talked to Dolores about Siggy blowing up at her.

'I don't think you're anti-Semitic. I think you're anti-Siggy though,' said Dolores.

'I could be. I wasn't up until last night,' Margaret admitted.

Candid conversation: Margaret and Dolores later talked about the dinner drama

Teresa interjected that because Siggy doesn't like Margaret that Dolores wasn't going to give her a chance.

Dolores declared that Margaret and Siggy were never going to be friends.

'Like oil and vinegar,' quipped Teresa, causing the women to laugh.

Oil and vinegar: Dolores predicted that Siggy and Margaret were never going to be friends

'Oil and vinegar go very well together,' Melissa informed her.

The episode also featured Melissa's husband Joe having dinner with the other husbands while their wives were in Italy.

Joe shared his concerns about his daughter seeing boys and they encouraged him to trust her.

Back home: Joe Gorga meanwhile had dinner with the other husbands and shared his concerns about his daughter dating

The episode ended with Siggy calling her husband Michael Campanella who urged her to take her own advice and 'walk away from a toxic situation'.

Siggy complained that she introduced Margaret to the group and was emotionally drained from it all.

Michael told her to come home and Siggy agreed with his suggestion.
They've been married for six months but their honeymoon clearly isn't over yet.

Jamie Bell and Kate Mara put on another stylish show of togetherness on Wednesday night at a tribute in New York to Annette Bening.

Bell, 31, stars with Bening, 59, in the movie Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool and brought his bride to the event held at the Museum Of The Moving Image.

Celebrity couple: Jamie Bell and Kate Mara put on another stylish show of togetherness on Wednesday night at a tribute in New York to Annette Bening

Mara, 34, was the epitome of sophistication in a black mini dress studded with gold embellishments.

The short-sleeved number had a round neck and she paired it with black tights and black stiletto heels.

The House of Cards beauty wore her hair sleeked back into a plaited ponytail, ringed her eyes with brown liner and splashed scarlet red color across her lips.

She and her husband smiled and laughed as they walked the red carpet showing off their love for all to see.

So in love: The two stars have been married for six months but their honeymoon clearly isn't over yet

Stylish: Mara, 34, wore a black mini dress studded with gold embellishments. The short-sleeved number had a round neck and she paired it with black tights and black stiletto heels

Doting hubby: Bell, 31, wore a dark two-piece suit with a white shirt, black tie and black dress shoes. He kept one arm around his beautiful wife's back as the two posed for photos together

Bell looked sharp in a dark two-piece suit.

The British actor wore a white shirt and a black tie with black dress shoes.

The movie, based on a true story, recounts the romance between a young man (Bell) and a fading Hollywood actress (Bening) that takes place in the British sea port of Liverpool in the two years leading up to the former Hollywood bombshell's death from cancer.

The film has played the festival circuit and opens in theatres in the US in limited release on December 29.
She founded the reputable PR company Sweaty Betty, at just 24-years-of-age.

And due to the success of her In Conversation With seminars in Sydney and Melbourne, Roxy Jacenko is taking the event to the Gold Coast.

February will see the 37-year-old mother-of-two sharing her tips and trade secrets in building a brand and integrating social media into the workplace.

In Conversation with Roxy! PR queen Jacenko is set to reveal more of her trade secrets, as sold-out seminar heads to the Gold Coast in February

Roxy has grown the Sweaty Betty business into a multi-million dollar empire, representing some of Australia's biggest brands over the past 13 years.

Always one step ahead, the entrepreneur founded The Ministry of Talent in 2012, the country's first management agency solely dedicated to digital influencers.

Looking back over her career to-date, Roxy told Daily Mail Australia that the business has taught her to always take risks.

Valuable insight: The mother-of-two will share her tips and trade secrets in building a brand, and integrating social media into the workplace

Impressive: Roxy has grown the Sweaty Betty business into a multi-million dollar empire, representing some of Australia's biggest brands over the past 13 years

'From the day I started I took risks and never settled with what would be good enough or what would 'do'. I always did and continue to take risks that will see us break the rules and not conform.'

Roxy also credits her mother Doreen in giving her valuable advice in succeeding, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'She's an incredible businesswoman and is someone who has helped me since the age of 14 to be savvy with my money and invest.

'Doreen works within my business and helps with the production, manufacturing and designing of the Pixie's Bows range.

Ahead of the pack: Always one step ahead, the entrepreneur founded The Ministry of Talent in 2012, the country's first management agency solely dedicated to digital influencers

Brood: Not only a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Roxy is a doting mother to daughter Pixie, six, and son Hunter, three, with husband Oliver Curtis

Not only a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Roxy is a doting mother to daughter Pixie, six, and son Hunter, three, with husband Oliver Curtis.

Pixie and Hunter are already Instagram sensations, boasting a combined following of 134,000.

Tickets to Roxy's Gold Coast seminar are available for purchase here.
She's the former Home And Away star that now calls Los Angeles home.

And a makeup-free Samara Weaving cut a casual figure at Sydney Airport on Thursday, ahead of celebrating Christmas with her family.

The 25-year-old, accompanied by a brunette pal, dressed down in a white T-shirt with bold text emblazoned on the front, and black Nike sweatpants.

Home for the holidays! Former soap star Samara Weaving, 25, cut a casual figure in a T-shirt and sweatpants, as she landed in Sydney on Thursday

Samara ensured she was comfortable for the long-haul flight, donning a white T-shirt with a bold graphic emblazoned on the front, and loose-fitting black Nike sweatpants.

The actress accessorised simply with red Nike trainers, and carried her hand luggage in a backpack of a similar hue.

Sweeping her blonde locks into an effortless style at the nape of the neck, Samara went makeup-free, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

Low-key: Accompanied by a brunette pal, the actress wheeled two suitcases through the airport terminal

Joined by a brunette pal, the slender starlet wheeled two suitcases through the airport terminal.

At one stage, Samara pulled a concerned expression as she chatted on her iPhone.

The former Channel Seven personality gushed over heading home for the holidays, captioning a playful snap to Instagram on Wednesday: 'Bye LA! HELLOO STRAYA! Umm what's the best place to go eat in Sydney? I'm hangry in anticipation.'

Stateside: Making waves in Hollywood, Samara appears in the new Showtime series SMILF

Plot: The drama tells the story of a single mother in her mid twenties, navigating relationships, sex and her career

Making waves in Hollywood, Samara appears in the new Showtime series SMILF.

The drama tells the story of a single mother in her mid twenties, navigating relationships, sex and her career.

Having premiered on November 5 in the US, the series also stars comedian Rosie O'Donnell.

The niece of Australian actor Hugo Weaving, Samara debuted on Home And Away in 2009 as Indigo Walker, taking on the character for five years.
They have been happily married for ten years.

And Penny Lancaster proved she was still infatuated with her husband Sir Rod Stewart as they attended The Sun Military Awards 2017 held at The Banqueting Hall, London on Wednesday night.

While they oozed glamour on the red carpet, the former model, 46, and her suited and booted 72-year-old rock star other half got seriously windswept as they got caught up in the bitter, rainy weather.

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Battling the elements: While Penny Lancaster, 46, and husband Rod Stewart , 72, oozed glamour at The Sun Military Awards 2017 red carpet, they got windswept on the way home

Hot couple: Earlier on, Penny looked sensational as she posed with her other half at the annual event that honours those involved in the British Armed forces

On the red carpet, Penny was hard to miss as she put on a leggy display in her glittering gold mini-dress, which she paired with matching strappy heels.

She added a pop of colour with the statement shaggy outerwear and boasted a red manicure to match.

Holding on to her silver clutch, Penny looked every inch the blonde bombshell as she posed up a storm on the red carpet with Rod.

Penny - who renewed her wedding vows with Rod back in July at their Essex home - relied on her striking features with a simple slick of make-up.

Struggle: Penny struggled to regain her composure as she was shielded by the rain with umbrellas while making her way to an awaiting vehicle

She's reached safety! Penny looked at ease as she finally settled into the car with Rod

Eyes on her! The former model oozed glamour in a plunging gold dress and faux fur red jacket as she posed alongside the suited and booted rock star

Commanding attention: Penny was hard to miss as she put on a leggy display in her glittering gold mini-dress, which she paired with matching strappy heels

Rod complemented Penny's chic scarlet fur jacket with his red blazer, picking out the same hue in his funky creepers

The glamorous couple share Alastair and six-year-old son Aiden. Rod also has six other children from previous relationships.

Rod fathered his first child, Sarah Streeter, 53 - who was raised by adoptive parents - in his twenties with art student Susannah Boffey.

The rocker raised daughter Kimberly, 37, and son Sean, 36, from his first marriage to former model Alana Hamilton, 71.

Wrapping up in style: She added a pop of colour with the statement shaggy outerwear and boasted a red manicure to match

Happy: A beaming Penny relied on her striking features with a simple slick of make-up

Looking good: Rod complemented Penny's chic scarlet fur jacket with his red blazer, picking out the same hue in his funky creepers

Good cause: Penny and Rod battled the rainy and cold weather for the awards ceremony - which honours those involved in the British Armed forces

Rod also has daughter Ruby, 29, with model ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg, 57.

Before Penny, the musician was married to Australian model Rachel Hunter, 47, from 1990 to 2006, with whom he shares son Liam, 24, and daughter Renee, 22.

Back in July, Rod and Penny renewed their wedding vows in their Essex home after marrying ten years ago in Italy.

The intimate ceremony had just 100 guests including Rod's former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally and Penny's former Strictly dance partner Ian Waite.
It was a mid-performance wardrobe malfunction that gave Janet Jackson a run for her money.

And rock star Lenny Kravitz has insisted that his infamous trouser split of 2015 was very much an accident.

'I didnt rip them!' he has assured MR PORTER at www.mrporter.com. 'They became ripped. It was fine. But it was a little cold in Sweden. I wouldve warmed it up a little, had I known!'

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'I didn't rip them!' Lenny Kravitz insists THAT trouser split in 2015 was an accident... and brands ex-fiancee Nicole Kidman 'amazing'

It seems that the 53-year-old hasn't learnt from his mistakes, as he went on to say in the interview: 'Do I have any underwear on now? No. Thus the problems that I incur.'

The incident took place in Stockholm and became known as penisgate when his leather trousers split at the crotch and exposed his modesty.

In the same piece, Lenny talked about his former loves - namely ex-wife Lisa Bonet and former fiancee Nicole Kidman.

Nicole is amazing, he said.

Wardrobe issues: It seems that the 53-year-old hasn't learnt from his mistakes, as he went on to say in the interview - 'Do I have any underwear on now? No. Thus the problems that I incur'

Former love: In the same piece, Lenny talked about his former loves - namely ex-wife Lisa Bonet and former fiancee Nicole Kidman [pictured in 2016]

Co-stars: Nicole produced and co-starred with Lenny's 29-year-old daughter Zoe [top left] in the Emmy Award-winning Big Little Lies [pictured with Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley]

He added: 'Zoe and Nicole hadnt spent time together since she was younger, since Nicole and I were together, so that was great'

Nicole produced and co-starred with his 29-year-old daughter Zoe in the Emmy Award-winning Big Little Lies.

He added: 'Zoe and she hadnt spent time together since she was younger, since Nicole and I were together, so that was great.'

Of Lisa, the mother of Zoe, he said: 'We were mirror images of each other, male and female. It was quite extraordinary. I hope to have a great love again. I plan on it.'

He also claimed that the pair remain 'best friends'.

Former loves: Of Lisa, the mother of Zoe, he said 'we were mirror images of each other, male and female. It was quite extraordinary. I hope to have a great love again. I plan on it'

Close: He also claimed that he and Lisa remain 'best friends'

Nicole confirmed she was in fact engaged to American rock star Lenny in February.

Speaking to NET-A-PORTERs weekly digital magazine The Edit, she claimed she still holds her former flame close to her heart.

Of Zoe, she said: 'Well, I knew Zoe because I was engaged to her father. Its all in the family! I love Lenny. He's a great guy.'

Nicole, who is married to country singer Keith Urban, was in a relationship with the Fly Away star between 2003 and 2005. Lenny was even rumoured to have written his famous single Lady about Nicole.

His muse? Nicole, who is married to country singer Keith Urban, was in a relationship with the Fly Away star between 2003 and 2005. Lenny was even rumoured to have written his famous single Lady about Nicole

The secret's out: Nicole had previously revealed she'd been secretly engaged to an ex, but did not confirm his identity

Nicole had previously revealed she'd been secretly engaged to an ex, but did not confirm his identity.

'It just wasn't right. I wasn't ready. We weren't ready,' she told E! in 2007.

The Australian beauty originally got close to Lenny after renting his Manhattan apartment.

'They're very close,' her representative Leslee Dart told People magazine in 2003. 'He's very important to her. Beyond that, I don't know.'
He revealed that he didn't 'want to be pushed' into publicly coming out by denying speculation of a romance between them at the Rio Olympics last year.

And Mark Foster proved he had the loving support of his longtime pal and fellow swimmer Rebecca Adlington as they headed to The Sun's Military Awards in London on Wednesday night.

The blonde looked uber-glamorous in a plunging black gown as she arrived on the arm of the handsome athlete, who decided to openly discuss his sexuality for the first time last month.

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Supportive: Mark Foster proved he had the loving support of his longtime pal and fellow swimmer Rebecca Adlington as they headed to The Sun's Military Awards in London on Wednesday night

Meanwhile, Mark - 47- looked dapper in black tie for the event The Banqueting Hall, where members of the armed forces were honoured for the bravery.

After hitting the red carpet together, Rebecca took to Instagram to speak of her pride in her pal's courage.

She wrote: 'Ive been so lucky to be friends with @markfosterswim for 10 years. Im extremely proud of him over the past few weeks and seeing him being true to himself. Love my work husband.'

Their evening out together comes after the swimmer revealed exactly why he didn't deny the swirling rumours surrounding himself and Rebecca - insisting he didn't want to be 'pushed' into publicly addressing his sexuality.

Pals: The blonde looked uber-glamorous in a plunging black gown as she arrived on the arm of the handsome athlete, who decided to openly discuss his sexuality for the first time last month

Uber glam: The star rocked a plunging black gown before taking to Instagram to gush about her 'pride' in her friend's courage

Candid: On Loose Women earlier this month, Mark, 47, revealed he didn't deny being romantically linked to Rebecca last year, because he didn't want to feel 'pushed' into addressing his sexuality

During a candid interview on Loose Women, the swimmer finally spoke of the romance claims and confessed to feeling 'vulnerable' about coming out, as he had believed his 'sexuality' was considered 'wrong' while growing up.

Speaking to the panel of the ITV daytime show, Mark said: 'In my private life, my friends and family have always known, but then over the Olympic games with Rebecca Adlington last year there was a sensationalism that me and her were having a [thing].'

When told that would have been his 'moment' to address his sexuality, Mark defended his decision to stay silent and said in response: 'You don't want to be pushed.'

At the time, much was made of the close bond he seemed to share with Rebecca while on camera, with the pair's chemistry coming across on screen while they were working together.

Honest: The swimmer made the admission as he spoke openly of his decision to come out as gay in a recent interview

Heavy interest! His close bond with Rebecca had been heavily speculated about during the Rio Olympics - with many claiming the pair were involved, after seeing Rebecca's hand on Mark's leg while they presented together onscreen

Former Olympic champion Rebecca, who won two gold medals in Beijing, responded to the speculation with a post on her Instagram account, which said: 'Me and mark are good friends. That is all. Trust me.'

Now, Mark is glad to be able to now address those issues head-on himself and in his initial interview with the Guardian, he explained: 'There was that stuff about Becky, but she knows I'm gay and knows my other half.

'We're good mates and when she doesn't want to answer anything on live television she'll squeeze my leg and I take over. But it became a huge story. I should have said: "Don't be daft. I'm gay."'

Meanwhile, on Loose Women, Mark also spoke of the 'pressure' he felt that prevented him from coming out early on into his career and confessed that he had 'believed' his sexuality was considered to be 'wrong' growing up as a child.

Hitting back: Told by the Loose Women panel that the claims would have been his 'moment' to address his sexuality, Mark defended his decision to stay silent and said: 'You don't want to be pushed.'

Setting the record straight: Former Olympic champion Rebecca, who won two gold medals in Beijing, responded to the speculation with a post on her Instagram account, which said: 'Me and mark are good friends. That is all. Trust me.'

Mark explained: 'Going back to when I was a kid, being gay was wrong. Typically, you should meet a woman, get married, have kids, get a house and that's the way it worked in a sense - that's what you get taught.'

Having had girlfriends in the past, he admitted to 'hiding away' from his sexuality and said: 'When I did meet someone and started to have feelings towards men I was kind of going, "Well that's wrong, you shouldn't be having these feelings'"

'You get so used to not sharing your full self with people because you're going to be vulnerable and you're afraid of what people might think and you're potentially afraid of what the outcome might be regarding work or other bits and pieces.'

Reflecting on his career in the pool, swimmer Mark admitted he sometimes wonders whether his successes would have differed if he had addressed his sexuality sooner.

Woes: Mark also spoke of the 'pressure' he felt that prevented him from coming out early on into his career and confessed that he had 'believed' his sexuality was considered to be 'wrong' growing up as a child

'I never won the Olympics and I'm not saying had I been myself I would have won the Olympics, but you just don't know. I was always afraid of being in the limelight a little bit more... if you step into the limelight, people will see a little bit more of you.'

Mark is now encouraging both men and women to speak up about mental health issues and openly spoke of how therapy had helped me, adding: 'Sitting down and discussing my inner secrets... I felt a weight coming off slowly.'

His live TV interview followed Mark's first appearance in public since confirming he is gay. He had attended the CLUB LOVE gala in honour of the Elton John AIDS Foundation with a slew of other celebrities including Gareth Thomas, Pixie Geldof and model Lottie Moss.

Reflective: 'I never won the Olympics and I'm not saying had I been myself I would have won the Olympics, but you just don't know'

Stepping out: His live TV interview followed Mark's first appearance in public since confirming he is gay - he had attended the CLUB LOVE gala in honour of the Elton John AIDS Foundation

It came two days after his interview with the Guardian surfaced, in which he called upon Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, who came out in 2009, and fellow Olympian Tom Daley, who confirmed his sexuality in 2013, as trailblazers for helping him to stop 'tiptoeing around the issue'.

Mark, who carried the Great Britain flag at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, revealed he felt he had not been true to himself as he had put off speaking out for so long.

In the chat, he said: 'I'm 47, a middle-aged man, and I'm no longer competing. And I'm not the first gay sportsman to come out. Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley led the way.

'I tiptoed around the issue for so long. I got good at the dance of telling half-truths.

Praise: Mark called upon Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, who came out in 2009, and fellow Olympian Tom Daley, who confirmed his sexuality in 2013, as trailblazers for helping him to stop 'tiptoeing around' his own sexuality
THE WANDERING HEARTS



Wild Silence (Decca)





Theres an appealing rawness to this debut. A male-female quartet with a folk-rock penchant, their harmonies will elicit comparisons with Fleetwood Mac, but the acoustic instrumentation looks more to country, with Fire And Water a lively hoedown and Burning Bridges a nostalgic ballad.


She's currently in Australia on a promotional trip for '70s comedy-drama flick, Swinging Safari.

And Kylie Minogue stunned as she led the star arrivals, at the film's Melbourne premiere on Thursday.

The 49-year-old highlighted her taut torso in a pastel blue Alice McCall dress with rouched detailing.

Abs-olutely stunning! Kylie Minogue, 49, flaunted her taut torso in a blue Alice McCall dress, as she led the star arrivals, at the Melbourne premiere of Swinging Safari on Thursday

Kylie accentuated her slender figure in a pastel blue two-piece with a silver polka-dot print.

The top's rouched detailing offered a good look at the pop icon's washboard stomach, while the skirt's hemline of varying lengths added a flirty touch.

Kylie elongated her frame with a pair of silver peep-toe heels, and accessorised further with delicate drop earrings.

Svelte: The pop icon accentuated her slender figure in a pastel blue two-piece with a silver polka-dot print

In profile: The top's rouched detailing added a flirty touch

In conversation: Kylie engaged in press interviews on the red carpet

The former Neighbours star's blonde locks fell in relaxed waves, and her makeup palette consisted of a matte complexion, defined brows, subtle kohl-rimmed eyes and a glossy lip.

In high spirits, Kylie posed for a series of photos with the cast, engaged in red carpet interviews, and signed autographs for fans.

Co-star Asher Keddie, 43, sported a Grecian-style white frock, with the sleeveless design showing off her lithe arms.

Recorded: The former Neighbours star was pictured deep in conversation with a reporter

She's a good sport: Kylie later signed posters for adoring fans

Captured: The blonde beauty made time for selfie opportunities with fans

The Offspring actress teamed the look with black strappy heels and drop earrings.

Asher's fair locks fell in a centre part, tied at the nape of the neck, and her striking facial features were enhanced with a flawless complexion, bold brows, lashings of mascara and a pink lip.

The blonde beauty was warmly embraced by Kylie on the red carpet, and later joined by co-star Radha Mitchell, 44.

Vision in white: Co-star Asher Keddie, 43, sported a Grecian-style white frock, with the sleeveless design showing off her lithe arms

Monochrome: The Offspring actress accessorised with black strappy heels

Beauty: Asher's fair locks fell in a centre part, tied at the nape of the neck, and her striking facial features were enhanced with a flawless complexion, bold brows, lashings of mascara and a pink lip

Getting along swimmingly: Asher was warmly embraced by Kylie on the red carpet

Radha made a statement in a black frock with a leaf print, that revealed a glimpse of cleavage and her lean legs.

The Melbourne-born entertainer accessorised with a gold charm necklace and styled her cropped blonde locks in tousled waves.

Finishing off the look was a beauty palette consisting of a dewy complexion, bold brows, a touch of blush and a glossy lip.

Actress pals: The entertainer was later joined by co-star Radha Mitchell, 44

Fun and flirty: Radha made a statement in a black frock with a leaf print, that revealed a glimpse of cleavage and her lean legs

Family support: Asher's husband Vincent Fantauzzo joined the stars on the red carpet

Edgy: Vincent sported a crisp white dress shirt, a tailored navy suit jacket, black slim-fitting trousers and brown lace-up boots

Julian McMahon, 49, who stars as Rick Jones in the film, showed off his age-defying looks.

The Nip/Tuck actor donned a black and white abstract dress shirt, teamed with a three-piece tailored suit in a blue check.

A narrow black tie and brown leather dress shoes worked as accessories, and his bronze complexion was noticeably blemish and line-free.

What's his secret? Julian McMahon, 49, who stars as Rick Jones in the film, showed off his age-defying looks

Standing out: The Nip/Tuck actor donned a black and white abstract dress shirt, teamed with a three-piece tailored suit in a blue check

His leading ladies: Julian was joined by wife Kelly Paniagua and daughter Madison McMahon

Affectionate: Julian planted a kiss on the cheek of his stunning wife

Warm embrace: The trio looked to have shared a laugh on the red carpet

Originally titled Flammable Children, Swinging Safari is a comedy by Stephan Elliott, known for directing iconic Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Set in 1975, Swinging Safari tells the story of two teenagers who witness a blue whale being washed up on a local beach.

Meanwhile, the pair's eccentric parents spend their time catching up with the sexual revolution of the 1970s.

Highly-anticipated: Originally titled Flammable Children, Swinging Safari is a comedy by Stephan Elliott, known for directing iconic Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Plot: Set in 1975, Swinging Safari tells the story of two teenagers who witness a blue whale being washed up on a local beach

Of the times: Meanwhile, the pair's eccentric parents spend their time catching up with the sexual revolution of the 1970s

Like a family: The co-stars happily posed for photos in front of the media wall

Kylie, who now focuses primarily on her music career, admitted to Yahoo 7Be on Thursday that she had mixed emotions about the acting gig.

'I always get a little bit terrified because I don't do it very often but, on the hand, I feel [at] home,' she told the online publication.

The ageless stunner also explained that while she may have been hesitant about taking on a film gig, she had always loved acting.

She explained: 'I've kind of got conflicting emotions.'

Mixed emotions: Kylie, who now focuses primarily on her music career, admitted to Yahoo 7Be on Thursday that she had mixed emotions about the acting gig

Kylie said of acting: 'I always get a little bit terrified because I don't do it very often but, on the hand, I feel [at] home'

Humble beginnings: Kylie, who now primarily focuses on acting, is known for her role as Charlene Robinson on Channel Ten soap Neighbours
News / National

by Staff reporter

OPPOSITION Zapu leader, Dumiso Dabengwa has dismissed speculative reports that he was on the verge of rejoining the ruling Zanu-PF party to deputise President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Zapu deputy spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa yesterday told Southern Eye that contrary to the reports, Dabengwa had not been approached and did not intend to rejoin Zanu-PF, which he dumped in 2008 to resuscitate Zapu after being frustrated by then President Robert Mugabe's unfulfilled promises."How can he be considering or considered being VP in a party he is not a member? He is a member of Zapu, he belongs to Zapu structures, where he is president already. According to internal processes of the party, he has no intentions of leaving Zapu for anything except retirement," Maphosa said."Probably the rumour mill is basing their story out of this world imagination on the Unity Accord of 1987-2008. We need to remember that no champagne was popped when the 1987 Unity Accord was signed. Let us all remember that the post-1987 Zanu-PF was a result of a genocide on Zapu members and supporters as Mugabe's unbridled hunger for unopposed power drove him into killing over 20 000 defenceless civilians in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces during a moment of madness' in his push for a one-party State."Maphosa said Mugabe sought to decimate and annihilate the opposition and he succeeded on December 22, 1987 when then Zapu president Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity Accord, not by ink, but with the blood of Zapu supporters and members, who today lie in unmarked shallow graves around the country."Zapu was arm-twisted into unity with Zanu-PF. So, for anybody to imagine that Dabengwa could be contemplating joining Zanu-PF on account of the Unity Accord, is not only wrong, but is deliberately blinding themselves to the fact that we pulled out of it in 2008/9 and we assured ourselves that never again shall we be victims of forced unity, whose burden lies only with us," he said."What informed the pull-out from the Unity Accord still stands unresolved and, as such, we do not see any reason of going back on the decision to pull out . . . Dabengwa has never been approached to join Zanu-PF. He has never been approached to be a VP in Zanu-PF."Maphosa said opposition parties were preparing to take over the reins of power after winning next year's elections."We have in place a new government that is expected to lead a new dispensation, imagined or real. The opposition and civil society organisations (CSOs) are slowly becoming sober and taking up roles to contribute to the way forward," he said."Constitutional reforms are high on the agenda, as the country snails towards elections by July next year. A concerted effort to lobby for comprehensive electoral reforms now seizes the opposition players just as the new government is still learning how to walk in their newly-found shoes."Corruption, having wreaked havoc in the once jewel of Africa, must be addressed in the most transparent manner, with the net being cast as wide as it must to rid the nation of that cancer. The general public awaits with bated breath to see how this contentious issue will be solved."
Two acting greats united on Wednesday afternoon as Al Pacino and Ray Romano resumed work on the set of Martin Scorsese's forthcoming biographical thriller The Irishman.

The co-stars slipped back into their respective roles as labour union leader Jimmy Hoffa and mob lawyer Bill Bufalino while filming on location in New York City, where they were joined by an extended team of cameramen and production assistants.

Dressed in character, Pacino, 77, and Romano, 59, were filmed as they emerged from a local courthouse and made their way across a windy sidewalk, where they greeted members of the press.

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Here they come: Two acting greats united on Wednesday afternoon as Al Pacino and Ray Romano resumed work on the set of Martin Scorcese's forthcoming biographical thriller The Irishman

With hair swept across his head, Pacino in particular looked notably different while shooting his latest scenes as Hoffa - who mysteriously vanished in 1975, to be declared dead seven years later.

Romano - best known for his starring role on Everybody Loves Raymond - was equally striking in unassuming spectacles seventies period garb as Bufalino.

Legendary actor Joe Pesci, 74, who won an Academy award for his portrayal of psychopathic mobster Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas, also looked every inch the crime boss as he was led away in handcuffs by what appeared to be two special agents while filming last Thursday.

Quiet on set: The co-stars slipped back into their respective roles as labour union leader Jimmy Hoffa and mob lawyer Bill Bufalino while filming on location in New York City, where they were joined by an extended team of cameramen and production assistants

Striking: Pacino bore a strong resemblance to real life labor union leader Hoffa, who mysteriously vanished in 1975, to be declared dead seven years later

New scene: Dressed in character, Pacino, 77, and Romano, 59, were filmed as they emerged from a local courthouse and made their way across a windy sidewalk, where they greeted members of the press

Quite a difference: With hair swept across his head, Pacino in particular looked notably different while shooting his latest scenes as Hoffa - who mysteriously vanished in 1975, to be declared dead seven years later

The Home Alone star, who plays Sicilian born mafioso Russell Bufalino in the Netflix drama, was a force to be reckoned with as he sported a steely stare, slicked back locks and dark shades, paired with a vintage check suit jacket, red tie and high-waisted trousers.

The acting legend pulled a defeated expression as he was shoved into a waiting police car during the tense scenes.

He was joined on-set by on-screen brother Ray, who looked almost unrecognisable as he transformed into mob lawyer Bill.

The actor pulled a series of animated expressions as he rocked a heavy side-parting, spectacles and braces for his scenes.

Mafia don: Joe Pesci also showed his dedication to the The Irishman as they filmed in New York City last Thursday

Wow factor: Ray pulled a series of animated expressions as he rocked a heavy side-parting, spectacles and braces for his scenes as mob lawyer Bufalino

Steely: Legendary actor Joe, 74, who won an Academy award for his portrayal of psychopathic mobster Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas, looked every inch the crime boss as he was led away in handcuffs by what appeared to be two special agents

Bundled in: The Home Alone star, who plays Sicilian born mafioso Russell Bufalino in the Netflix drama, was a force to be reckoned with as he sported a steely stare, slicked back locks and dark shades, paired with a vintage check suit jacket, red tie and high-waisted trousers

The star, who was spotted getting a quick make-up touch-up, was clearly in character as he gesticulated and folded his arms menacingly while clad in a navy blue suit, with a geometric print tie.

Joe was later seen having a chat with iconic director Scorsese, 74, while clad in a baggy chocolate suit. This is the pair's fourth film collaboration.

Scorsese looked delighted to be working with his old friend again and looked stylish in a navy blue suit jacket and jeans.

He also sported a mysterious bandage on his right hand.

Similar: Joe later changed into a chocolate suit as he got into character as Russell (right)

Icon: Director Martin Scorsese was seen on set clad in a grey blazer

Old friends: This is the fourth collaboration between Pesci and Scorsese

Chatty: Joe was later seen having a chat with iconic director Scorsese, 74, while clad in a baggy chocolate suit

Double trouble: Ray wore two sets of shades on set of the soon to be hit

The film is based on real-life hitman Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran- written about in the book I Heard You Paint Houses.

The Charles Brandt written book centers around the mysterious disappearance of mob boss Jimmy Hoffa.

Hoffa was a working-class icon who turned the International Brotherhood of Teamsters labor union into a nationwide movement before falling from grace and going to jail for racketeering.

He was pardoned by President Richard Nixon and was making his comeback when he was summoned to a meeting with two mafia dons on July 30, 1975.

The 62-year-old arrived at 2pm and after waiting for half an hour called his wife and told her he would wait a few minutes more.

Charismatic: Joe shot some animated stares as he practiced his scenes

What happened? Martin sported a bandage on his right hand as he crossed the road

He was reported missing that evening, with police finding his car at the restaurant, unlocked with a pair of white gloves neatly folded on the backseat.

His disappearance became the subject of much speculation, with Giacalone and Provenzano denying scheduling a meeting with Hoffa and found not to be near the restaurant that afternoon

He was declared legally dead in 1982.

In the book, Mafia killer Sheeran revealed to Brandt that he had fired two shots into the back of his dear friend's head.

According to Sheeran, Hoffa was later cremated at a funeral home with mob connections.

The film also stars Robert De Niro, 74 and Al Pacino, 77 - the former he has joined forces with Scorsese, 74, on Casino in 1995, GoodFellas in 1990 and Raging Bull in 1980.

Cheery: Despite the apparent injury, Martin looked in great spirits

Thoughtful: Joe looked intent as he discussed a scene with a co-star

Joe also appeared with De Niro the same trio of Scorsese films.

It also stars Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin and Jack Huston.

Keitel and Paquin are also reuniting on a movie project for the first time since 1992's The Piano, which netted then child star Anna an Oscar at age 12.

Scorsese was attached to direct The Irishman from as far back as 2014 when Pacino confirmed that the film was in development.

He said that it would be Scorsese's next project after Silence.

Originally, the movie was looking to shoot in 2016 with Steve Zaillian penning the adaptation, but it was pushed back.

Mystery: The film is based on real-life hitman Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran- written about in the book I Heard You Paint Houses. The Charles Brandt written book centers around the mysterious disappearance of mob boss Jimmy Hoffa (above)

In May 2016, it was announced that the film's rights would be offered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, while Mexican producer Fabrica de Cine had offered $100 million to finance the film.

He later dropped out thanks to the movie's constantly climbing budget which led to the distributing company, Paramount, dropping their involvement.

Netflix then bought the film for $105 million and agreed to finance the film's hefty $125 million budget with a release date set for next year.

It's rumoured that Pesci turned down the offer to be in the movie 50 times before agreeing to take part.

The movie is set to wrap filming in December 2017.
Celebrations have been at an all-time high since she was crowned Queen of the Jungle after winning I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! last week.

But for Georgia Toffolo, it looked like things were catching up with her as she arrived at ITV Studios in London on Thursday morning, ahead of her first live interview since winning the much-loved reality series.

The 23-year-old reality star showed off her slimmed down frame in a figure-hugging white jumper dress, just hours after stripping down to just her gym gear on social media, while also displaying the tan lines on her feet after weeks of continuously wearing boots in the jungle.

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Things catching up? I'm A Celebrity champ Georgia Toffolo, 23, cuts a very tired figure as she arrived at ITV Studios in London on Thursday morning

Georgia, who arrived back in London on Wednesday, opted for a simple slick of make-up and kept her head down, allowing her long blonde tresses to fall in front of her face.

The Made In Chelsea star braved the freezing temperatures in a figure-hugging ribbed dress which cinched in her tiny waist. It went on to flare out in a flirty skater-style, before falling at a thigh-skimming length.

While she donned a very stylish ensemble, her pair of towering nude heels happened to showcase her tan lines - giving evidence of her time in the jungle Down Under.

The beauty then transformed for her live TV appearance, cutting a glamorous figure on screen with perfectly curled locks and immaculate make-up, as she joined This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby to discuss her jungle experience in her first interview since winning I'm A Celebrity.

Flaunting her frame: Hours earlier, Toff was seen displaying her recent weight loss as she stripped down to her revealing gym gear

Chic: The reality star showed off her slimmed down frame in a figure-hugging white jumper dress, while also displaying the tan lines on her feet after weeks of wearing boots in the jungle

Natural: Georgia, who arrived back in London on Wednesday, opted for a simple slick of make-up and kept her head down, allowing her long blonde tresses to cascade forth

Strut: While she donned a very stylish ensemble, her pair of towering nude heels happened to showcase her tan lines - giving evidence of her time in the jungle Down Under

Speaking candidly on the show, Toff addressed the insecurities she has over her skin and admitted she had brought foundation with her into the jungle, so she covered up her spots.

However, the reality star revealed that being in camp has done wonders for her complexion, with Toff confessing it hasn't been as clear as it is now since she was 12 years old.

She explained: 'I've really struggled with my skin for the best part of ten years, I hid for the last four years behind make-up and I never would have admitted that before the jungle.

Gorgeous: The beauty then transformed for her live TV appearance, cutting a glamorous figure on screen with perfectly curled locks and immaculate make-up

Honest: Speaking candidly on the show, Toff addressed the insecurities she has over her skin and admitted she had brought foundation with her into the jungle, so she covered up her spots

Detox: The reality star revealed that being in camp has done wonders for her complexion, with Toff confessing it hasn't been as clear as it is now since she was 12 years old

'I wear a lot of make-up to cover up my spots, but the amazing thing about the jungle is that, Im obviously allergic to something, because my skin hasnt been like this since I was 12 years old.'

Holly joked that Toff may be allergic to her usual stomping ground Chelsea, prompting the bubbly blonde to star giggling, before she continued: 'Yes I did take in foundation and I'm not ashamed to say I covered up my spots.

'I've found it really embarrassing over the years.'

Delight! Georgia insisted her time in camp has done 'enormous things' for her confidence, as she confessed: 'Yes I did take in foundation and I'm not ashamed to say I covered up my spots. I've found it really embarrassing over the years'

Thrilled: Toff looked just delighted to watch back her jungle highlights at the beginning of her interview

Queen: Speaking about her jungle experience, that saw her beat the likes of Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas and comedian Iain Lee to the crown, Toff said of her winning moment: 'Going over that bridge I was so taken aback'

She confessed: 'The only people that have seen me without [makeup] are my family, friends and flatmates I've lived with,' before insisting the jungle has done 'enormous things' for her confidence.'

Speaking about her jungle experience, that saw her beat the likes of Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas and comedian Iain Lee to the crown, Toff said of her winning moment: 'Going over that bridge I was so taken aback, but when it all happened I just didnt have anything to say.'

She then revealed why she had wanted to take part in the much-loved reality series, admitting: 'I left school and went straight into Made In Chelsea, I never really had a challenge, I just stayed in London.

Proving herself: She said: 'I thought, "Go on do it and see if you can prove that you are strong," I never thought I would do the things I did in there'

'I thought, "Go on do it and see if you can prove that you are strong," I never thought I would do the things I did in there.'

Toff was seen fighting her corner in camp when it came to the trials and was praised by viewers for insisting that the female campmates should be just as entitled to take on the challenges as the males.

Admitting that it was the only thing about her time in camp that had 'grinded her gears', she said: 'I'm so passive, obviously men biologically are bigger and that's annoying as a whole, but women more than make up for it mentally. I'm glad it was brought up!'

Georgia's appearance came after she was seen flaunting her new jungle figure on Instagram. The starlet slipped into her revealing gym gear to display her svelte figure and her recent weight loss, after enduring a gruelling and restrictive diet in camp.

Ab-baring: Georgia's appearance came after she was seen flaunting her new jungle figure on Instagram

Svelte: Sporting a cobalt blue sports bra, that left her honed stomach exposed, Toff slipped into a pair of form-fitting leggings as she paraded her figure on social media, as she revealed she was preparing to embark on a run

It was claimed that the celebrities had collectively lost over six stone during their time in camp, after being forced to eat a diet that mainly consisted of rice and beans, unless food was won during the show's trials.

Sporting a cobalt blue sports bra, that left her honed stomach exposed, Toff slipped into a pair of form-fitting leggings as she paraded her figure on social media.

She told fans: 'I've woken up so early and I'm so excited, so I think I'm going to go for a run down the embankment, but I think I better put some more clothes on.'

Toff had jetted back into the UK earlier this week, enjoying a lavish First Class flight back into London. The star was still on cloud nine as she enjoyed the lengthy journey home alongside her mother Nicola.

Making the most of the top notch service, the blonde beauty headed to the on-flight bar at 8am to enjoy a tipple and was seen gorging on a cheeseboard, no doubt to satisfy her cravings, as she soaked up the luxury atmosphere.

Victory: Celebrations have been at an all-time high since she was crowned Queen of the Jungle after winning I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! last week

Her celebratory flight comes after it was revealed that Toff topped the public poll every single night during this year's series.

Georgia has also seemed to spark an interest with disgraced vlogger Jack Maynard who was withdrawn from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here due to historic homophobic and racist tweets last month.

The Youtube sensation, who's profile was recently spotted on dating app Bumble, has sparked rumours he is pursuing a romance with his victorious co-star Georgia.

Speaking about his relationship with Toff, he previously said: 'Yeah, of course, I spoke to her earlier this morning. Theyre all flying back now. So Ive been speaking to them in a lovely WhatsApp group with all of us.

Happy: The star was still on cloud nine as she arrived back at London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday

Popular: Her celebratory flight comes after it was revealed that Toff topped the public poll every single night

'Ive been speaking to all of them separately as well. Everyones in it even Stanley. Amir just has no idea who anyone is, Everything you say is just "Whos this? Who said that?"'

Last month Jack was axed from I'm A Celebrity, amid claims of inappropriate behaviour towards an underage girl when he was 16-years old.

Previous tweets written by Jack, which appeared to use racist and homophobic language, were also uncovered during his time in the jungle - and met with huge backlash from fans.

Jack's agent made the decision to pull him out of the show after the remarks from five years ago resurfaced.
Her beauty has been recognised on an international level after she was crowned Miss. Universe in 2012.

And Olivia Culpo continued to turn heads as she headed out in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old model put on a seriously leggy display in racy thigh high boots, which complemented her flirty one-shouldered polka dot dress.

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Eyes on her! Former Miss.Universe Olivia Culpo, 25, continued to turn heads as she headed out in Los Angeles on Wednesday night

Olivia showcased her sartorial flair to perfection as she flaunted her sensational decolletage in the chic asymmetrical dress which fell at a daring level.

The pageant star boosted her height with a pair of thigh boot boots as she strutted along with a monochrome handbag.

The star slicked her centre-parted brunette locks into a chic bun - flaunting her gorgeous features which were enhanced with a glamorous coat of make-up.

Olivia looked every inch the California girl as she showed off her amazing abs while arriving at a hair salon in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

Wow: The model put on a seriously leggy display in racy thigh high boots, which complemented her flirty one-shouldered polka dot dress

Sensational: Olivia showcased her sartorial flair to perfection as she flaunted her sensational decolletage in the chic asymmetrical dress which fell at a daring level

Gorgeous: The star slicked her centre-parted brunette locks into a chic bun - flaunting her gorgeous features which were enhanced with a glamorous coat of make-up

The former Miss USA displayed her toned tum in a sporty crop top by PINK as she left the studio with freshly-trimmed locks styled into voluminous beach waves.

The model teamed her teeny bralet with form-fitting white leggings, featuring mesh cut-outs down the leg.

A black sweatshirt was wrapped around her waist, and Olivia shuffled along in a pair of fun, furry slides.

The beauty queen injected a touch of A-list glamour to her look with a black leather YSL handbag, while toting a bag full of hair products and goodies.

The New York-born beauty went make-up free to accentuate her stunning features and looked happy and relaxed during her day out in Los Angeles.

Having fun: Olivia flashed a huge smile as she continued on about her night

Abs-olutely fabulous: On Tuesday, Olivia looked every inch the California girl as she showed off her amazing abs while arriving at a hair salon in Beverly Hills

The fashion mogul is set to speak at a REVOLVE Beauty pop-up shop on Melrose in West Hollywood on Wednesday night.

Olivia works hard to maintain her slim figure, and likes to keep her workouts varied with favorites including yoga, running and spinning.

Speaking to The Cut in July, she said: 'I like to switch it up, and work out with a friend. Right now Ive been really loving Soul Cycle and I do Pilates very often.

'I love to do yoga, particularly outside in California because its so beautiful this time of year (and pretty much all year). I love to run.'

'I also work out with a trainer sometimes, and that consists of more circuit training. Im a big barre-class fan also.

Working up a sweat: Olivia works hard to maintain her slim figure, and likes to keep her workouts varied with favourites including yoga, running and spinning (pictured in August)

'So theres a lot of different workouts that I like to do. To me, its really important to just keep it fun, and that means adding a lot of variety and not sticking to one workout.'

But the fun-loving model - who has been dating New England Patriots player, Danny Amendola, since February 2016 - admitted her biggest weakness is her boyfriend's calorific cooking.

She told PEOPLE: 'I love this one guilty pleasure my boyfriend has made for me before.

'It's fried chicken cutlets with honey mustard and then jalapeno and theyre between two butter biscuits - like a sandwich - a fried chicken butter biscuit sandwich. Its so good.'
He has headed home to face the music after a triumphant return to TV.

And amid ongoing speculation about whether he will spend Christmas with his wife after his troubled year, Ant McPartlin focused on one special reunion upon his return to the UK on Tuesday.

The presenter, 42, headed out with his beloved pet pooch the day after he flew back to London after a two month stint in Australia for I'm A Celebrity.

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Ruff with the smooth: Ant McPartlin focused on one special reunion upon his return to the UK on Tuesday as he took his beloved pet pooch out for a walk in London

Ant was dressed like a country gent as he walked his chocolate Labrador around his neigbourhood.

Always in sync, his best pal Declan Donnelly was also following suit, and headed out for a stroll with his wife Ali Astall and their pet Dachshund.

Ant looks to be easing his way back into London life after flying home from Australia on Wednesday.

The presenting duo wore matching ensembles as they flew back together following a stellar reaction to the most recent series of their hit show, which has been on the air since 2002.

Taking it easy: Ant was dressed like a country gent as he walked his chocolate Labrador around his neigbourhood, amid claims he will spend Christmas with wife Lisa after a tough year

Puppy love: Always in sync, his best pal Declan Donnelly was also following suit, and headed out for a stroll with his wife Ali Astall and their pet Dachshund

Time to relax! After over a month in Australia, Dec looked thrilled to be finally back at his London home the previous day

The trip has been a huge success for Dec, who reunited with his best friend and co-presenter on the show, marking Ant's first time on TV following his rehab stint.

However, despite looking happy and healthy, Ant didn't look quite as happy with the prospect of his return to the UK.

The 42-year-old looked glum as he headed to the airport to catch a flight back to the UK, following rumours he will spend Christmas with his wife Lisa Armstrong, 'even if it is their last'.

Dressed in the same ensemble he jetted out of the country in, the star smiled after getting out of his taxi following a tiring 24 hour flight as he was followed by wife Ali Astall

Ready for a rest: Ali, dressed casually in a throw and jeans, looked ready to relax after a 24 hour flight

Reports: Fuelling speculation that his 11-year marriage over, Ant is said to be putting his energy into overcoming his demons and focusing on his recovery when he jets back to London (Pictured with pal Declan Donnelly and wife Ali Astall)

The pair have been living separately as Ant battled his addiction issues, with Lisa focusing on her job as head make-up artist on Strictly Come Dancing.

Ant was joined by his ever supporting sidekick Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall.

They led the latest round of campmates who have been through the trials and tribulations of the show this year.

Jungle queen Georgia Toffolo was still grinning from ear to ear as she arrived to fly home in a blue playsuit.

Downcast: The 42-year-old looked glum as he headed to the airport to catch a flight back to the UK, following rumours he will spend Christmas with his wife Lisa Armstrong, 'even if it is their last'

Firm friends: Ant was joined by his ever supporting sidekick Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall

Home for the holidays: Ali looked thrilled to be heading home after her and husband Dec's lengthy stint in Australia

Matching: The presenters were coordinated as usual in casual clothes and trainers

Reunion: Their return is just in time for Christmas, and according to sources close to Ant, he is keen to spend another festive season with his wife of eleven years, even if it is their last one

Legging it: Jungle queen Georgia Toffolo was still grinning from ear to ear as she arrived to fly home in a blue playsuit

Beaming: The champ was joined by her proud mum Nicola as they headed home after her stellar turn on the show

Family affair: WAG Rebekah Vardy also headed to the airport with her children as they jetted home in time for Christmas

Tickled pink: The brunette beauty flashed her tanned legs in a tiny denim hotpants as she pushed her own trolley

Bag it up! Vanessa White went for ripped hot pants as she carried a plethora of hand luggage

Happy families: Shappi Khorsandi held hands with her daughter as she finally headed home - after being evicted first

The champ was joined by her proud mum Nicola as they headed home after her stellar turn on the show.

WAG Rebekah Vardy also headed to the airport with her children as they jetted home in time for Christmas.

The brunette beauty flashed her tanned legs in a tiny denim hotpants as she pushed her own trolley.

Their return is just in time for Christmas, and according to sources close to Ant, he is keen to spend another festive season with his wife of eleven years, even if it is their last one.

'She's said they will see each other over Christmas,' a source told Heat of make-up artist Lisa.

'Lisa would rather stay friendly than be resentful. She doesn't want to ruin what they had  this isn't a blame game.

'Ant wants to spend this Christmas with Lisa as her husband  even if this could be the last time,' they added.

MailOnline has contacted Lisa's representative for comment.

This comes a few weeks after it was reported that Ant McPartlin will not move back in with his wife Lisa Armstrong after he returns from I'm A Celebrity hosting duties.

The ITV host, 42, is currently making his TV comeback in the jungle Down Under following his summer stint in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addiction.

Fuelling speculation that his 11-year marriage over, Ant is said to be putting his energy into overcoming his demons and focusing on his recovery when he jets back to London.

The final festive season? The pair are believed to have been living separately as Dec battled his addiction issues

A source told the publication: 'This has been a difficult time and, while both want to make things work, they are struggling to find a way to move forward together.

The insider added: 'Ants been bolstered by Im a Celebs viewing figures, which seem to show the public still support him. Lisa has been by herself, and having a good time with her pals has proved a good distraction.'

A rep for Ant McPartlin declined to comment to MailOnline.

Last month Lisa finally broke her silence on reports of marital woes with Ant following his battles with addiction.

She took to Twitter to hit back at the long-running reports that the duo have separated, as she penned on the microblogging site: 'I'm not estranged thank you', adding that she hadn't been to Australia for 10 years so it wasn't a surprise that she hadn't joined Ant in the jungle.

Viewers were delighted when Ant made his much-anticipated return to TV screens on the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! launch last Sunday night.

And it has now been revealed that the TV presenter - who looked happy and healthy during the first episode alongside co-host Declan Donnelly in Australia- has lost 'up to a stone in weight' following his recent stint in rehab.

A source told The Mirror: 'The last couple of months have been about him getting back to the Ant people know and love, and he has been exercising the knee, eating more healthily and drinking a lot less.'

Speaking of the Ant - who checked into rehab in June to battle a two year battle to painkillers after a devastating knee injury and fertility issues - a source admitted: 'He put on some weight and looked tired and had bags under his eyes.'

But with a visibly slimmed down Ant appearing on ITV screens, it was divulged: 'The results of all that, and work in the gym, are there for all to see now. He has lost up to a stone in weight and looks better than he has for years.

It was also revealed that other than the grisly series ahead, it was his 'new look and physique' which was the 'talk of the crew over the weekend.'

Broken silence: Last month Lisa finally broke her silence on reports of marital woes with Ant following his battles with addiction. She took to Twitter to hit back at the long-running reports that the duo have separated, writing: 'I'm not estranged thank you' (Pictured in 2006)

And for Ant, his recent stint in rehab was addressed as Dec opened the show by playfully joking he was planning to replace Ant with Holly Willoughby - quipping: 'No one was sure if you would make it or not!'

Beaming widely for cameras and walking to their famous perch in the jungle for the first time this series, Ant proved he was back to his best - after a summer battling drink and drug addictions.

In the duo's usual witty style however, Dec immediately opened the show by joking about his friend's much-anticipated return.

He said to viewers: 'I'm here with the gorgeous Holly Willoughby...' before adding in mock horror: 'Wait, no! Guys that's the wrong script! You've put the wrong script in!'

Turning to Ant, who was stood in mock outrage, Dec continued the joke by stating, in reference to his pal's rehab stint: 'No one was sure if you would make it or not!'

Confirming to fans he was better than ever however, the famous Geordie assured: 'I was always going to make it, come on.'

He then added excitedly: 'I'm back my friend!', before the pair sweetly hugged, to the applause of the production crew.
She's currently on holiday in Japan with her boyfriend Harley Bonner.

But Natalie Roser isn't going to let her vacation get in the way of staying up to date on current events.

In a photo shared to Instagram on Thursday, the 27-year-old posed topless in bed, using a newspaper to cover her ample assets.

Newsflash! Natalie Roser covers her ample assets with a newspaper as she poses topless in bed

The lingerie model wore just a pink G-string as she used a Japanese newspaper to strategically cover her assets.

The blonde beamed at the camera, wearing little to no makeup and showing off her endless legs.

'It's a challenge to leave the hotel when it's this perfect,' Natalie captioned the photo, tagging the hotel @peninsulahotels and adding the hashtag '#luckygirl.'

Romantic getaway: Natalie is in Japan this week with her boyfriend Harley Bonner

Had confidence issues: Despite being known for her stunning physique, Natalie recently opened up about her body issue struggles

Natalie is in Japan this week with her boyfriend Harley Bonner, the loved-up pair sharing multiple updates of their trip to Instagram.

The couple have enjoyed a whirlwind romance after meeting in late 2016, with Natalie moving to Melbourne to be with her actor beau in August.

In October Natalie and her then fiance Dan Adair called off their wedding and later split.

Despite being known for her stunning physique, Natalie recently opened up about her body issue struggles.

'My body confidence is good now, but there have always been doubts': Natalie admitted to second guessing herself if she didn't get a job

'I learnt pretty quickly that it's not necessarily me; it's about what the client is looking for to represent their brand': Natalie explained that she stopped taking it personally

'My body confidence is good now, but there have always been doubts  if you don't get a job, you think, 'Is it because my measurements are bigger than the girl who did?' she told the January edition of Women's Health.

'Little things play on your mind. But I learnt pretty quickly that it's not necessarily me; it's about what the client is looking for to represent their brand.

'Once I realised that perhaps I just didn't fit the bikinis or clothes the way they wanted, I relaxed and started to take care of myself for me,' she continued.
He is usually a firm favourite among Good Morning Britain viewers.

But Ben Shephard found himself subject to criticism during Thursday's broadcast of the breakfast show, as he was caught checking his phone mid-interview.

The presenter, 43, had been talking to former Stars In Their Eyes host Matthew Kelly alongside his co-host Susanna Reid, but appeared distracted during the chat and was seen engrossed in his mobile phone that was laid out next to him on the sofa.

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Awkward: Ben Shephard found himself subject to criticism during Thursday's broadcast of the breakfast show, as he was caught checking his phone mid-interview.

As Matthew launched into a spiel about his latest theatre show, The Box of Delights, the camera panned out to include Ben and Susanna in the shot, with the Ninja Warrior UK host sat scrolling through his phone.

Susanna, meanwhile, had been listening on as Matthew spoke, as Ben remained distracted.

His actions didn't go unnoticed by viewers and many took to Twitter to criticise the presenter, branding his behaviour 'rude', with one user claiming Ben should be 'taught some manners'.

Caught out: The presenter, 43, had been talking to former Stars In Their Eyes host Matthew Kelly alongside his co-host Susanna Reid, but appeared distract during the chat and was seen engrossed in his mobile phone

Backlash: His actions didn't go unnoticed by viewers and many took to Twitter to criticise the presenter, branding his behaviour 'rude', with one user claiming Ben should be 'taught some manners'

They penned: '@GMB interview in progress and @benshephard on his mobile phone how rude!! #teachhimsomemanners.

'@GMB @benshephard... bored? That shot of you scrolling through your phone was awkward!

'Lol @benshephard checking your phone slyly on the sofa whilst Matthew Kelly is interviewed #dontblameyou.'

MailOnline have contacted a representative for Ben and a spokesperson for Good Morning Britain.

Hitting out: One Twitter user penned: '@GMB @benshephard... bored? That shot of you scrolling through your phone was awkward!'

Having his say: Matthew was seen sharing his views on panto amid claims that it is becoming 'too rude' for children with the inclusion of 'sexualised' jokes

Meanwhile, Matthew was seen sharing his views on panto amid claims that it is becoming 'too rude' for children with the inclusion of 'sexualised' jokes.

Sharing his opinion, the star, who has appeared in pantomime over the years, claimed: 'You can be vulgar, but you can't be rude. There must be jokes that the parents can have that you don't mind the children hearing because they don't understand it.'

Former Big Brother star Josie Gibson and Linda Lusardi appeared later on in the show to share their thoughts on the debate while clad in their panto costumes.

Thoughts: The star, who has appeared in pantomime over the years, claimed: 'You can be vulgar, but you can't be rude. There must be jokes that the parents can have that you don't mind the children hearing because they don't understand it.'

Getting stuck in: Former Big Brother star Josie Gibson and Linda Lusardi appeared later on in the show to share their thoughts on the debate while clad in their panto costumes.

While Josie agreed that some scripts are now becoming 'really, really sexualised', claiming: 'It's a real skill set to keep both the family and the adults entertained and not cross that border.'

Linda, meanwhile, argued: 'I've been doing [pantomime] for 30 years and I've never had any complaints about the saucy jokes... it has to appeal right across the board.'

Josie, meanwhile, revealed her own experiences with panto and recalled an 'embarrassing' moment she had suffered on stage.

She told hosts Ben, Susanna and Kate Garraway: 'It's quite embarrassing really, but the worst one was when I got my costume stuck in my hat.

Inappropriate? Josie agreed that some scripts are now becoming 'really, really sexualised', claiming: 'It's a real skill set to keep both the family and the adults entertained and not cross that border'

'I was swivelling around and in the audience was the guy that I was in love with during school. I just kept thinking, "Oh no! Dave is in the audience."'

She also confessed: 'You shouldn't drink during panto season, it's very professional. I thought it was a laugh, but they take it very seriously.'

Suggesting she could have been speaking from experience, Josie joked: 'I dont think I will get booked for a panto again to be honest.'

She first made her panto debut as The Genie in Aladdin back in 2013. Linda, meanwhile, has featured in several festive pantomimes, with panto taking her to Gravesend to star in Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.
John Boyega appeared to claim that Prince William and Prince Harry's hotly-tipped cameos in the new Star Wars film were cut from the final version.

And now it has emerged that Mark Hamill, 66, questioned the brothers over the royal status of his character Luke Skywalker when they visited the Star Wars: The Last Jedi set in a bid to settle a debate with the late Carrie Fisher.

Speaking at the film's press conference in London on Wednesday, the actor spoke of the moment William and Harry visited Pineapple studios: 'I used that opportunity when I met the princes to try to solve something that had been bothering me since Return of the Jedi.'

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Needs answers: Mark Hamill, 66, questioned Prince William and Harry over the royal status of his character Luke Skywalker when they visited the Star Wars: The Last Jedi set

'I used the opportunity': The actor spoke of the moment William and Harry, who cameos from the film were claimed to be cut, visited Pineapple studios - pictured at Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere

Luke Skywalker is the son of Queen Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, who later became Darth Vader.

He then found out he was adopted from birth and his twin sister Leia (played by the late Carrie Fisher) had been raised as a princess - leaving Mark to question his family connections in the flick for 40 years.

When Prince Harry and Prince William - who were said to be making a cameo as Stormtroopers in the new movie - visited the set, Mark didn't waste any time.

'When they told me Carrie and I were brother and sister I said, 'Wait a minute, if Luke is Princess Leia's brother, doesn't that make me royalty? And she immediately said no.

Background: Luke Skywalker is the son of Queen Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, who later became Darth Vader

Storyline: He then found out he was adopted from birth and his twin sister Leia (played by the late Carrie Fisher) had been raised as a princess - leaving Mark to question his family connections in the flick for 40 years

'But when I met the princes I said, "I really want your opinion on this"... I said, "My mother was Queen Amidala, my father was Lord Vader, my sister is Princess Leia, doesn't that make me royalty?"'

However, once again Mark didn't get the answer he was looking for.

'Unfortunately it was a split decision because William said yes and Harry said "I need more information", so I said "Darn it. I need the ammunition to rub it in Carrie's nose! It's been going on for 40 years!"'

'Is Luke royal too?' When Prince Harry and Prince William - who were said to be making a cameo as Stormtroopers in the new movie - visited the set, Mark didn't waste any time

'Unfortunately it was a split decision': However, once again Mark didn't get the answer he was looking for

This comes after Mark's co-star John Boyega suggested the royals played Stormtroopers in Star Wars: The Last Jedi but were scrapped from the final edit, in a revelation that left This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield baffled on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old also said he 'personally apologised' to the Princes for the disappointment and claimed the Duke of Cambridge joked that he needs to 'work on his skills'.

Clearly unsure as to whether John was telling the truth, Holly and Phillip raised a few eyebrows after he dropped the shocking bombshell.

Cut? This comes after John Boyega claimed Prince William and Prince Harry's hotly-tipped cameos in the new Star Wars film were cut from the final version. Pictured at the film's premiere on Tuesday

John - who plays Finn in the sci-fi franchise - made the shocking admission on the ITV daytime show This Morning on Wednesday.

'Were they Stormtroopers?' Phil asked the actor.

Boyega answered: 'Yeah they were man, I'm sick of this. They were but they were cut out of the film.'

'So they ended up on the cutting room floor?' Phillip asked in confusion.

Hang on a tick! The actor claimed the royals played Stormtroopers in Star Wars: The Last Jedi but were scrapped from the final edit, in an interview on This Morning - leaving hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield baffled

Oh dear: The 25-year-old said he 'personally apologised' to the Princes for the disappointment and said the Duke of Cambridge (pictured) joked that he needs to 'work on his skills'

'I did personally apologise to them yesterday and said: "Sorry you were cut out of the film," John insisted.

'And Will was like: "I probably just need to work more on the skills." I was like: "Maybe bruv.''

MailOnline has contacted reps for John and Kensington Palace for comment.

While it's nigh-on impossible to identify the Princes in the new film, thanks to the Stormtroopers white helmets and full shiny suits, speculation about their role had reached fever-pitch including reports that their height has blown the secret.

Fans of the franchise may know that Stormtroopers have to be 5ft 11in to play the part of the men in white suits.

Set to storm your screens: It was confirmed earlier this year that the royals had a small part as Stormtroopers in the Episode VIII film

Claims: John said: 'Will was like: "I probably just need to work more on the skills." I was like: "Maybe bruv'

However, Prince William is a towering 6ft 2in and Harry is only a fraction less at 6ft1in, which could set them apart from the rest of the group.

According to a report in The Telegraph, the towering princes featured within a group of Stormtroopers guarding the Empire ship in the 152-minute film, as speculation mounted about their Hollywood cameo.

The duo were said to be part of a group who reprimand rebels Finn - played by John Boyega - and DJ - played by Benicio Del Toro.

Harry and William were pictured at Pinewood Studios last April, when their secret film cameo was unveiled to the public.

A source told The Mail on Sunday at the time: The line given was that they were going to have lunch and a private tour of the rest of the set.

Fighting spirit: The Royals were seen showing off their lightsaber skills during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios last year

'What really happened is that the director came over and told them it was time to get suited and off they went to the wardrobe department.

The Princes dressed up in full Stormtrooper gear and filmed a scene in which Rey - actress Daisy Ridley - and Finn infiltrate a secret base.

'The rebel characters are in a lift with Benicia del Toros character when a group of Stormtroopers enter  two of whom are William and Harry.

In the same interview, Holly slipped up live on air and revealed a major plot point.

Interviewing John the morning after the London premiere of the eighth film in the sci-fi franchise, Holly declared that iconic character Yoda is set to return in the movie.

Slip of the tongue: In the same interview, Holly revealed that iconic character Yoda is set to return in the movie. Clearly dumbstruck and slightly panicked, Holly tried to cover her tracks. 'I don't know what happens. But it's out there,' she stammered

This left John speechless, looking around the hotel room he was being interviewed from in shock.

Cringing at Holly's bombshell, he said to her: 'You can't tell the fans what happens!'

Clearly dumbstruck and slightly panicked, Holly tried to cover her tracks. 'I don't know what happens. But it's out there,' she stammered.

John was quick to reply: 'I can't reveal that.'

Oops: This left John speechless, looking around the hotel room he was being interviewed from in shock

Still flustered, Holly said: 'I don't know!'

Trying to add humour to proceedings, John joked: 'Maybe it was just another short alien. Maybe it was me on my knees.'

Still grasping, Holly added: 'You do a good Yoda impression, that's what I was getting at...'

Should the spoiler be correct, this will be Yoda's first appearance in the franchise since 2005's Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

His voice was heard in 2015's The Force Awakens when the character Rey discovers Luke Skywalker's lightsaber; but this was not an on-screen appearance.

Back again? Should the spoiler be correct, this will be Yoda's first appearance in the franchise since 2005's Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The character has appeared in every other movie in the franchise aside from the very first film, A New Home, in 1977.

Meanwhile, Star Wars: The Last Jedi has been well-received by the critics.

Taking control of the franchise from J.J. Abrams, director Rian Johnson has been lauded for his 'bold' but also 'witty' and 'nostalgic' eighth installment, which is set for release on December 15.

However, with an 152-minute running time, other critics were quick to bemoan its length, which they claim caused the plot to become 'muddled' and 'confused'.

The Last Jedi comes two years after The Force Awakens, and picks up with the Resistance fighting Supreme Leader Snoke's First Order - which is trying to take over the galaxy.

Success: It is the most highly anticipated movie of the year - and if the reviews are anything to go by, Star Wars: The Last Jedi certainly does not disappoint (Daisy Ridley pictured)

Main man: Director Rian Johnson has been lauded for his 'bold' but also 'witty' and 'nostalgic' eighth installment, which is set for release on December 15.

Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) tries to convince Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to join the Resistance, and bring hope to the rebels against Snoke's villainous rule.

Jam-packed with action scenes and exciting lightsaber sequences, Johnson's thrilling but also thought-provoking narrative received rave reviews.

The Daily Mail called it 'a brilliantly crafted, intelligent blockbuster,' while Empire claimed the flick was 'fun, funny but with emotional heft'.

Total Film commented on its 'excellent' twists and turns, calling it a 'middle chapter bursting with wit, wisdom, emotion, shocks, old-fashioned derring-do, state-of-the-art tech, and stonking set-pieces.'

The publication were also quick to praise Johnson himself, calling him a 'master' of misdirection, who leaves the viewer thrilled by its 'breakneck twists and hairpin turns'.

Moving: The Daily Mail called it 'a brilliantly crafted, intelligent blockbuster,' while Empire claimed the flick was 'fun, funny but with emotional heft'

Dragging: However, the Last Jedi's length and confused mid-section was a prominent theme in the reviews - with many critics agreeing a number of scenes were unnecessary

However, the Last Jedi's dragging length and confused mid-section was also a prominent theme in the reviews - with many critics agreeing a number of scenes were unnecessary to the story.

The Washington Post praised its action scenes, affirming it contained 'arguably the most exciting lightsaber fight in the entire franchise'.

However, they added the contrast of the thrilling action with what felt like 'fundamental failures of movie writing' resulted in a 'jarring' finished piece, including unnecessary new characters and difficult dialogue.

Others were more brutal in their criticism - with The Verge claiming 'audiences will likely come away from The Last Jedi with a lot of complaints and questions,' while Variety deemed it 'the longest and least essential chapter in the series.'

Bold: The Washington Post praised its action scenes, affirming it contained 'arguably the most exciting lightsaber fight in the entire franchise'

People were more positive with their critique, adding: 'Rian Johnson's entry into the Star Wars canon is rebelliously bold at times and full of rousing surprises, which make up for a few lulls in the lengthy two-and-a-half-hour run time.'

The Independent followed suit, praising the 'new aliens and areas aplenty' and revealing 'the movie zings with fresh ideas.'

Yet, they also claimed the action was perhaps a tool to overshadow the lacking storyline, writing: 'One of the criticisms will be that many of the plot devices feel clunky  just excuses for cool scenes.'

However, the publication confirmed the film will still 'leave fans beaming with surprise', thanks to the 'tidal wave of energy and emotion that crashes out of the screen'.

Star of the show: However, critics appeared to pin this high level of rousing emotion to Mark Hamill - who reprises his role as Luke Skywalker, first played in 1977 (above)

Critics appeared to pin this high level of rousing emotion to Mark Hamill - who reprises his famous Luke Skywalker role, which he first played in 1977.

After a fleeting appearance in The Force Awakens, Empire praised his 'moving performance', which 'perfectly captured how a gosh-and-golly farm boy can become sarcastic and embittered,' upon return to action beside the younger Daisy Ridley.

Radio Times agreed it was his fall from idol status that made the film so moving - admitting it was 'great to see [him] back in the Skywalker saddle, albeit now riddled with self-doubt and a broken spirit.'

Here he is: After a fleeting appearance in The Force Awakens, Empire praised his 'moving performance', which 'captured how a farm boy can become sarcastic and embittered'

Dream team: In the film, Rey (played by Daisy Ridley, above) tries to convince Skywalker to join the Resistance, and bring hope to the rebels against Snoke's villainous rule

Tough: Despite their winning chemistry on-screen, Daisy recently admitted she struggled learning to trust her new on-screen partner and franchise veteran Mark

Despite their winning chemistry on-screen, Daisy recently admitted she struggled learning to trust her new on-screen partner and franchise veteran Mark.

Speaking at the UK premiere she said: 'I was nervous going in, because John [Boyega] and I were no longer together, and John is my peanut.

'So I think more than anything, I learned to put your trust in those around you and it'll all turn out pretty well. Putting my trust in Mark and Rian [Johnson, the movie's director] mainly, was wonderful.'

When asked if she found it any easier the second time around, she said: 'I actually felt more nervous because I didn't know what I was doing the first time around, and you kind of think, how am I supposed to do something again when I didn't know what I did the first time?

Having a ball: However, she added: 'Putting my trust in Mark and Rian [Johnson, the movie's director] mainly, was wonderful'

Dark horse: Adam's Kylo Ren received particularly positive reviews, with the Guardian calling his appearance 'superb'

This is her moment: Meanwhile Kelly Marie Tran (above) was praised as 'terrifically good'

'And I think because people responded so well to John and I together that was a big thing too, thinking how are people going to respond when we're not together.

'So it was nerve-wracking. But again, as relationships grow and you start to get comfortable, it settles into a wonderful six months.'

The star-studded ensemble cast joining the two leads this time included John Boyega, as well as Lupita Nyong'o, Adam Driver and Andy Serkis.

Adam's Kylo Ren received particularly positive reviews, with the Guardian calling his appearance 'superb', alongside the 'terrifically good' Kelly Marie Tran.

The Last Jedi also ends with a dedication to late Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher, in her final film appearance - universally praised as the ultimate tear-jerking moment by critics.

RIP: The Last Jedi also ends with a dedication to late Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher, in her final film appearance - universally praised as the ultimate tear-jerking moment by critics
Peaky Blinders fans heaped praise on Tom Hardy after he used the C word during a tense, expletive littered exchange on Wednesday evening  despite his character appearing onscreen for little more than 10-minutes.

The celebrated actor, 40, plays Jewish gang leader Alfie Solomons in the increasingly popular BBC series following the exploits of a Birmingham-based criminal organisation in the years following World War I.

But while the show has won rave reviews following its launch in 2014, fans singled out Hardys performance during a confrontation with tattooed Italian nemesis Luca Changretta  played by Adrien Brody  and his particularly colourful choice of language.

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Well done: Peaky Blinders fans heaped praise on Tom Hardy following a tense, expletive littered exchange on Wednesday evening  despite his character appearing onscreen fore little more than 10-minutes

Appearing to threaten Changretta, the imposing Solomons surprised viewers with his blithe use of the C word while telling the gangster: Right, well, you will have to add another ton onto your bill, for being a c*** mate, alright?

Leading the charge on Twitter, one viewer raved: 'Once again, Tom Hardy stole the show on #PeakyBlinders. Alfie Solomons is one of the best t.v characters ever. Has me laughing every time he opens his mouth.'

A second wrote: 'Tom Hardy is unreal like. Bloke steals every single scene he is in.'

Well done: Viewers praised his performance as Jewish gang leader Alfie Solomons in the tense episode

Rave reviews: Fans singled out Hardys performance during a confrontation with tattooed Italian nemesis Luca Changretta  played by Adrien Brody  and his particularly colourful choice of language

Evidently in agreement, another enthusiastic viewer added: 'I absolutely ADORE Tom Hardy in #PeakyBlinders! His character is so wonderful & he plays him with such gusto. Has to be one of the best characters in this show!'

A fourth praised Hardy's overall performances on the show, writing: 'Tom Hardy has been on superb form these last two episodes.'

Elsewhere another impressed viewer enthused: 'That scene with Tom Hardy wow!'

Recurring theme: Many shared their adoration of the character across social media

Warning: Appearing to threaten Changretta, the imposing Solomons surprised viewers with his blithe use of the C word

Hardy's latest appearance comes after show creator Stephen Knight revealed the episode, titled The Dual, is its best yet.

He told Lad Bible: 'The sixth episode of season two, and I think episode five of series four will be one of the best, ever.'

Despite featuring a range of complex, multi-layered characters, Knight admitted he has little difficulty when it comes to drafting storylines.

Watch out: Right, well, you will have to add another ton onto your bill, for being a c*** mate, alright? he told the Italian gangster

'The characters we've already got I let them speak for themselves and when I write, I try and imagine how they'd react and what they'd say to each other,' he explained.

Last week viewers were left dumbstruck before the episode had actually begun on Wednesday evening, after the BBC Two announcer declared what the latest twist would be as he was introducing the show.

As the credits for MasterChef: The Professionals rolled moments before the episode was about to start, the announcer declared: 'With the Italians gunning for them, they need all the help they can get. Tom Hardy joins the fight with the Peaky Blinders next on BBC Two.'

[No] spoiler alert! Viewers qwere previously left RAGING after a BBC announcer ruined Tom's return by proclaiming his appearance moments before it started

Uproar: As the Hollywood actor's reappearance in the series had been a surprise to some, many fans were left fuming at the BBC for ruining it for them

As the Hollywood actor's reappearance in the series had been a surprise to some, many fans were left fuming at the BBC for ruining it for them.

'Why the f*** did that announcer just spoil tonights show by telling us Tom Hardy is in the show?' screeched a first fan on Twitter.

'Seriously @BBCTwo. Did your continuity announcer really have to come up with such a massive spoiler just before #PeakyBlinders? It absolutely ruined the episode,' a second person echoed.

A third posted: 'Thanks @BBCTwo for ruining the fact that Tom Hardy is back in #PeakyBlinders.'

Another wrote: 'Love the way the announcer dude just spoilered us with Alfie Solomons return before it even started!'

Peaky Blinders continues next Wednesday at 9pm on BBC Two.
She warned Chris Hughes that he was on his last chance as they reconciled after he appeared to 'kiss' a mystery woman in a drunken video.

But Olivia Attwood's beau was nowhere to be seen as she partied with her Love Island fling 'Muggy' Mike Thalassitis and a host of her former co-stars at Sheesh in Chigwell on Wednesday night.

The busty blonde showed off her sensational figure in a velvet black minidress as she joined Montana Brown, Georgia Harrison and Amber Davies at the popular celebrity haunt.

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Living it up: Olivia Attwood partied with her Love Island fling 'muggy' Mike Thalassitis at Sheesh in Chigwell on Wednesday night- without Chris Hughes

Recently reconciled: The blonde recently warned Chris he was on his last chance as they reconciled after he appeared to 'kiss' a mystery woman in a drunken video

The reality starlet oozed sex appeal in the sultry ensemble as she showed off her tremendous pins in black knee high boots.

While Olivia celebrated Georgia's birthday with her fellow Love Island pals, Mike chatted to Megan McKenna's brother Harry.

The 26-year-old no doubt rubbed shoulders with her former fling, who she pursued a romance with in the Love Island villa before rekindling her relationship with beau Chris Hughes.

Her relationship with Chris has had a turbulent few weeks after a video emerged of him appearing to 'kiss' a mystery girl.

Having fun: Mike partied with a group of guy pals at the intimate restaurant as his Love Island co-stars celebrated Georgia Harrison's birthday

Girls night out: The busty blonde showed off her sensational figure in a velvet black minidress as she joined co-stars Montana Brown, Georgia Harrison and Amber Davies at the popular celeb haunt

Rubbing shoulders: The 26-year-old reality starlet no doubt rubbed shoulders with her former fling, who documented his evening out on Instagram showing fans a platters of food

The Surrey beauty admitted she did briefly 'take a break' away from her relationship following the scandal before vowing to give him a second chance, warning him that this is his 'last shot' to make their romance work.

Taking to her column with new! magazine, Olivia addressed the incident that saw Chris with his arms wrapped around another party-goer during a night out.

She penned: 'Obviously I was taking some time out from my relationship with Chris to work out what was going on in my head.

'This is his last shot': Her night out comes after Olivia Attwood confirmed she DID briefly split with Chris Hughes following THAT drunken video

'Basically I wanted to to take a minute to assess what had actually gone on, because it's really hard when these things happen.'

While the duo have rekindled their romance, Olivia revealed she had her reservations about continuing her relationship with Chris, following his behaviour.

Standing by her man, she added: 'He said he didn't kiss anyone so... I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt - this is his last shot.'

Scandal: Chris had issued a public apology to his reality star girlfriend after appearing to 'kiss' a mystery woman in a drunken video that emerged online

Olivia's comments come after the couple have been putting on a defiant display in the wake of their romance woes.

Chris had publicly apologised to his co-star love on Twitter, admitting he 'couldn't remember' what happened, after the video, obtained by The Sun, emerged online.

Insisting that 'nothing' untoward would've happened as he would never have wanted things to escalate, Chris made a candid statement on the social media site.

He said: 'I put my arms around a stranger which I should never have done, and I still dont know why but its a lesson learnt not to be a drunk t**t.

'All of us do things we shouldnt one time of another and do stupid s**t, but nothing escalated as it never would.

'Sometimes takes an incident to sharpen up in life. Just being a drunk d**k.'

Olivia didn't seem convinced by his admission, however, tweeting then deleting afterwards: 'Boys get away with murder,' as well as 'lol' in another post that was swiftly removed.

An eagle-eyed follower spotted her response and tweeted: 'If it was her that did it she would get loads of stick but cos it's 'innocent' baby faced chris he gets away with it.

'If my man had his hands round another woman's waist like that I'd be on the warpath. He's not what he makes out he is.' (sic)

Replying to the fan before quickly deleting her response, Olivia tweeted: 'Oh Hun it would be a full blown witch hunt. boys get away with murder'.

The drama between the couple has since all blown over, however, with Chris revealing shortly after the footage surfaced online that he and Olivia are 'all good'.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he had said: 'We're good. We met earlier and we're all good.'

Romance blossomed between Olivia and Chris on the third series of Love Island, this summer. Their on/off relationship had been at the centre of the series, with the duo going onto pursue their love affair once the show had wrapped.

Since returning to home soil, the duo have been plagued by 'split' claims, but have continuously defied the rumours they have been subjected to.

Their loved-up display comes after their co-stars Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies announced they have ended their relationship, just four months after being crowned the winners of Love Island.
She is an international pop star, actress, television producer, and mother-of-two.

And Jennifer Lopez kept the midnight oil burning as she was spotted leaving her trailer to film scenes for her latest film Second Act in snowy New York City on Thursday.

The Shades Of Blue star, 48, covered up her sophisticated ensemble as she bundled up in a fur-lined parka while taking a break from shooting for the romantic comedy.

Baby, it's cold outside: Jennifer Lopez kept the midnight oil burning as she was spotted leaving her trailer to film scenes for her latest film Second Act in snowy New York City on Thursday

The Jenny From The Block songstress was in character, wearing a form-fitting tailored white blouse and grey checked pencil skirt.

Jennifer cinched in her lithe waist with a wide black belt and rocked gold hoop earrings.

Keeping cozy in the freezing weather, the star wrapped up in a black padded Canada Goose parka with a fur-lined hood, and slipped a pair of UGG boots on her feet.

Jennifer carried a huge Starbucks Coffee container as she strolled through the set.

Back to it: The Shades Of Blue star, 48, covered up her sophisticated ensemble as she bundled up in a fur-lined parka while taking a break from shooting for the romantic comedy

In Second Chance, Jennifer portrays an ambitious Costco style employee who reinvents her life and heads to Wall Street to prove that street smarts are as valuable as a college degree.

Leah Remini, Vanessa Hudgens and Milo Ventimiglia also star in the Peter Segal-directed comedy, which is said to be in a similar vein to 1988 Oscar-winning movie Working Girl.

Jennifer's latest outing comes amid claims she and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez, 42, could be set to get engaged over the holiday period.

Brrr: Keeping cozy in the freezing weather, the star wrapped up in a black padded Canada Goose parka with a fur-lined hood, and slipped a pair of UGG boots on her feet

Signature look: The mother-of-two stepped out in another warm-looking parka as she took her twins Emme and Max, nine, out for a spot of shopping and dinner on Wednesday night

The power couple - who started dating in March - are said to be 'definitely' on the right course for marriage, and their children are even keen for them to tie the knot.

A source told the new issue of People magazine: 'All the kids want Jennifer and Alex to get married.

'There are definitely talks about getting married, but Jennifer is old-school and will wait for the engagement ring before she entertains any wedding talk.'

Hot: She later shared this festive shot of this chic outfit

Double: The proud mom captured doppelganger daughter singing at a Christmas recital

The former sportsman has two daughters, Natasha, 13, and Ella, nine, with his ex wife Cynthia Curtis.

Jennifer has two kids with her musician ex husband Marc Anthony, nine-year-old twins Emme and Max.

The source added: 'They are very happy that all the kids get along and have accepted their new family. Jennifer feels Alex is her true soulmate and cant believe how happy she is with him.'
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that he will not reconstitute the Zanu-PF politburo and central committee after this week's extraordinary congress, but allow the officials to run their full terms, which end in 2019.Briefing journalists in Harare yesterday, party spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo said Mnangagwa would only co-opt other members to fill vacant posts, as part of measures to promote continuity and cohesion in the ruling party ahead of next year's crunch polls."He (Mnangagwa) assured all members that the lives of the politburo and central committee would run their full terms and that all anxiety should migrate and that members should be ready to work assiduously for the party," he said.Mnangagwa took over as Zanu-PF leader and State President following military intervention last month that forced his predecessor, Robert Mugabe out of power last month.The intervention came after Mnangagwa had been fired from both government and party. The dismissal followed serious factional fights in the ruling party between his Team Lacoste faction and G40, a rival faction that enjoyed Mugabe's backing.Moyo said the party's new secretary for agriculture, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri gave an update on the state of agriculture and assured the politburo that the country had enough maize to last until next year.Moyo also said Shiri assured the politburo that demand for command agriculture inputs for the 2017/18 season had risen and the gap would be covered by the presidential input support scheme."Party secretary for legal affairs, in his capacity as Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa gave a positive update on ZimAsset fuelled by the new dispensation. He informed the politburo that the new dispensation has brought hope and confidence in the economy and indications show positive growth," he said.Acting secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu also reported to the politburo that the party had received adequate support from the corporate world.About 7 800 people are expected to attend tomorrow's extraordinary congress with 5 295 being delegates. "The new dispensation has reignited confidence across the board. This is a good indicator of where the party will be in 2018," Moyo said.
Romee Strijd was spotted in Venice Beach, California, on Wednesday grabbing lunch.

The Victoria's Secret model's toned tummy was on full display as she walked down the boardwalk in what looked to be white house slippers.

The 22-year-old blonde beauty also flashed her cleavage in a low-cut crop top.

Runway walk: Romee Strijd was spotted in Venice on Wednesday flaunting her flat tummy as she grabbed lunch by the beach

Strijd walked by the ocean in Venice wearing slouchy high-waisted khakisa single silver chain hung from her belt loop.

She showed off her itty-bitty waist in a white v-neck crop top and looked to be wearing a pink push-up bra. The top was identical to the one she wore while shooting a VS commercial in Venice on Monday.

The Victorias Secret Angel wore white house slippers and a gold pendant around her neck. A cross hung from her ear and she sported a pair of cat eye sunglasses.

Her hair was pulled back into a low slick ponytail for the outing.

Total tan: Strijd recently walked in her third Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 21

Strijd may be naturally thin, but she loves to workout.

She told ELLE Magazine that she listens to Beyonce and Rihanna when shes getting in a good sweat session. If shes lifting weights, shell crank up the house music.

I don't enjoy cardio, but 25 minutes on the Stair-Master helps you get good bum muscles, the petite fashionista said. I love a barre class, and Pilates is great to stretch it out.

Legs for days: The Dutch model became a full-fledged Victoria's Secret Angel in 2016

Best friends: The 22-year-old bonded immediately with VS model Taylor Hill

Of course a stunner like Romee has a man. She has been dating business consultant, Laurens van Leeuwen since she was a teenager.

The couple met through his sister back in The Netherlands, but they now live in NYC together.

When talking with ELLE, the runway star said her favorite restaurant for a date is Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills.

Support system: Romee has been dating boyfriend Laurens van Leeuwen since she was a teenager. They are both from Holland and now live in NYC together

'My boyfriend and I sit outside, put our phones away and always have the best time, she said. 'The pasta is so delicious. If you go late at night, you see all these crazy cars driving past, which we love.'

The Dutch model was first discovered in Amsterdam at 14-years-old while shopping with her mom. She has since gone on to walk for Prada, Alexander McQueen, and Victorias Secret.

She is on the cover of ELLE Magazines January issue and she recently walked in her third Victorias Secret Fashion Show.
She coquettishly admitted she was unwell over the weekend, claiming she 'never gets ill'.

But Victoria Beckham was back on her platform wedges this week, spotted as she made one of her routine stops at her Dover Street fashion store.

The Spice Girl, who runs an eponymous clothing range, seemed back to herself as she strutted across the London road to enter the venue.

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Flare weather girl! Victoria Beckham braves the wintry December drizzle as she visits her London store in eye-catching peach trousers and a shiny gold blouse

Routine check: Looking typically slick, the 43-year-old made her way across the wet pavement in black wedges and dark shades - but stood out from the dingy weather with the rest of her ensemble

Looking typically slick, the 43-year-old made her way across the wet pavement in black wedges and dark shades - but stood out from the dingy weather with the rest of her ensemble.

The mother-of-four showcased a pair of peach flares and an elaborate gold blouse, with a decadent frilled high neck.

Under her arm she tucked a velvet red purse from her own collection.

She swept her brunette locks up atop her head, showing off the pair of vintage green earrings she wore on her ears.

Burst of colour: She swept her brunette locks up atop her head, showing off the pair of vintage green earrings she wore on her ears

Back to the grind: Victoria clearly had no time for lounging around after feeling under the weather at the weekend

Her make-up was pale, with a slick of gloss on her lips, and she kept her hands tucked firmly into her pockets as she strolled into the store.

Victoria clearly had no time for lounging around after feeling under the weather at the weekend.

Despite the biting December weather, the typically-busy fashionista was not letting that get in the way of her fashion empire.

Victoria had enjoyed a festive day out with her family members on Saturday, where she watched her youngest child Harper, six, learn to ice skate.

But the chilly weather left Victoria lamenting falling ill.

No rest for the wicked: Despite the biting December weather, the typically-busy fashionista was not letting that get in the way of her fashion empire

Unwell: Victoria fell ill after her weekend at the bitterly cold ice rink

Addressing her fans on Instagram, the Spice Girl insisted she is 'never sick' while feeling sorry for herself, as she sprawled out on the sofa.

Known for showing off her sense of humour online, the mother-of-four appeared to inject some humour into her latest upload, as one shot saw her dramatically extending her leggy body across her sofa.

Accompanied with a slew of gritted teeth emojis, Victoria shared her surprise at feeling poorly with a close-up shot of herself buried in her blanket and sporting a reddened nose, in a bid to show her 17.8 millions followers the extent of her sickly condition.

Just hours earlier, Victoria and her husband David had treated children Romeo, 15, Cruz, 12, and Harper to a festive outing at the Natural History Museum's picturesque ice rink.
Katie Price suffered a 'bad fall' during a horse riding session on Thursday, and is now recovering at home.

The former glamour model, 39, confirmed the accident on her Instagram page, and revealed to fans she was mending herself with 'cuddles by the fire'.

The incident comes just days after Katie was spotted looking very frail as she left the ITV studios in London - following her breakdown on Loose Women, over her mother Amy's terminal illness.

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Heartbreak: Katie Price suffered a 'bad fall' during a horse riding session on Thursday, and is now recovering at home

Tough time: The incident comes just days after Katie was spotted looking very frail in London - following her breakdown on Loose Women, over her mother Amy's terminal illness (above)

Katie revealed she had fallen off her horse on her Instagram story, by sharing a snap of herself at home watching cartoons.

Clearly shaken, the riding enthusiast admitted she was being comforted by her kids after the incident, writing in the caption: 'After having a bad fall off my horse earlier nothing better than cuddles with Bunny on the sofa with fire on.'

MailOnline has contacted Katie's representatives for more information.

Recovering: Clearly shaken, the riding enthusiast admitted she was being comforted by her kids after the incident with a snap on Instagram (above)

The disaster comes after Katie cut a visibly strained figure upon departure from ITV - having broken down in tears over her mother's illness.

The brave presenter, 39, was later praised by the British Lung Foundation for her openness, after opening up about mum Amy's condition Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), the same illness that killed Keith Chegwin.

Dressed in a cropped blue sweater and skinny jeans, Katie covered her face with sunglasses as she was seen leaving the studios.

Strained: The disaster comes after Katie cut a visibly strained figure upon departure from ITV - after breaking down in tears over her mother's illness

Her appearance came after Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, praised Katie and Amy for raising awareness on the illness.

Speaking to The Sun Online, she said: 'We're very proud of Amy and her family for being so open and honest about what they're going through. This has helped raise much needed awareness, lung disease has been neglected for far too long.'

Katie was escorted off Loose Women on Tuesday after breaking down in floods of tears while discussing her mother Amy's terminal lung condition, exclaiming: 'I don't want her to die'.

Strained: The brave presenter, 39, was later praised by the British Lung Foundation for her openness, after opening up about mum Amy's condition Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), the same illness that killed Keith Chegwin

The mother-of-five, 39, has endured a tough few months following news surfacing of her beau's affair with their children's nanny, with her mum being diagnosed just days before with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) aged just 60 - a progressive lung condition with no cure.

Katie, who recently admitted she turned to anti-depressants after learning of her husband Kieran Hayler's affair, broke down on live TV as she discussed Keith Chegwin's recent death, after he lost his battle with the same disease.

Appearing on Loose Women on Tuesday, an emotional Katie addressed Keith Chegwin's death and her mum's experience of the same condition he suffered from - losing his battle with IPF in just six months.

Emotional: Katie was escorted off Loose Women in tears over her mother's terminal lung condition... after revealing she's been prescribed anti-depressants following husband Kieran's affairs

Katie's close friend and former Celebrity Big Brother co-star Keith had been diagnosed with the same illness as her mum, and sadly passed away on Monday.

Breaking down in tears before being escorted off the set, the beauty was inconsolable as she told the panel: 'He has the same condition as my mum. Not many people know about it... there should be more awareness.

'Once you're diagnosed it's too late. It's incurable. You don't know how you get it,' she explained, before trying to compose herself.

Overwhelmed: The mother-of-five, 39, has endured a tough few months following news surfacing of her beau's affair with their children's nanny, with her mum being diagnosed just days before with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) - a progressive lung condition with no cure

'It hadn't hit me last time': Katie admitted the news hadn't sunk in when she appeared on the show with her mum Amy Price, 64, in September

Close: The Loose Women star revealed that her close friend and late comedian Keith Chegwin had offered her advice on her mum's condition just days before his shock passing

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. IPF has a prognosis worse than many cancers and most sufferers go on to develop respiratory failure and die of suffocation as their lung capacity reduces. The disease  which kills 5,300 people every year  creates a build-up of scar tissue in the lung which makes them thick and less able to take in oxygen. Regardless of treatment, people with IPF, which usually strikes those in their late 40s or early 50s - on average only live for around three to five years from diagnosis. Although still considered a rare disease, IPF has become more common in both the UK and the US over the last 30 years. The symptoms of IPF tend to develop gradually and get slowly worse over time. Symptoms can include:

shortness of breath

a persistent dry cough

tiredness

loss of appetite and weight loss

rounded and swollen fingertips (clubbed fingers) There is no cure and it's very difficult to predict how long someone with IPF will survive at the time of diagnosis. Regular monitoring over time can indicate whether it's getting worse quickly or slowly. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

Speaking of her mother's diagnosis, Katie admitted the severity of the condition 'hadn't hit her' at first. She added: 'But Keith got in touch, he was trying to help my mum.'

Katie also admitted the news hadn't sunk in when she appeared on the show with her mum in September, putting on a brave display.

'I knew about [his condition] all along. I can't believe he's gone in six months,' Katie said of mum Amy, who has been forced to sell her house as she becomes less mobile.

Delving into Amy's battle with IPF, a heartbroken Katie cried: 'My mum is getting worse. My mum had a cough for five years and thought it was asthma. How can my mum die? It might be my last Christmas with her.'

Junior and Princess will be spending this Christmas with their father Peter Andre, surely adding to Katie's woes with her worrying that Amy will miss her potentially last Christmas with them.

'She's so healthy, she's never smoked,' Katie insisted, before admitting: 'I couldn't see her for a few weeks and I had to explain to her I didn't want to see her like that, I can't see her growing old. She can't see Harvey turn 18, I love her so much.'

Ruth Langsford then escorted Katie out of the studio as her emotions got the better of her and she broke down in tears.

The panel then returned with just the three presenters, with Denise Van Outen telling viewers: '[Katie's] had a hard night. She hasn't slept... she wanted to raise awareness.'

The beauty had earlier confessed that she turned to anti-depressants to help her deal with her heartache, as just days before Kieran's infidelity surfaced, her mother Amy was diagnosed with IPF.

Inconsolable: An emotional Katie had appeared on Loose Women on Tuesday, addressing Keith Chegwin's death and her mum's experience of the same condition he suffered from - losing his battle with IPF in just six months

Struggling: 'I knew about [his condition] all along. I can't believe he's gone in six months.' she said of Keith's death, comparing his condition to that of her mum Amy's

'They won't spend their last Christmas with her (seen September)': - Junior and Princess will be spending this Christmas with their father Peter Andre, surely adding to Katie's woes

Katie said: 'I've been on medication since my mum was diagnosed. It's just been a lot to deal with.'

The TV personality admitted the medication has been 'helping' her through her family woes.

Katie first opened up about her mother's diagnosis in October, when her mum was told she was diagnosed with IPF unexpectedly after going for a routine X-Ray.

Tough times: 'Once you're diagnosed it's too late. It's incurable. You don't know how you get it,' she explained, before trying to compose herself.

Broken: 'She's so healthy, she's never smoked,' Katie insisted, before admitting: 'I couldn't see her for a few weeks and I had to explain to her I didn't want to see her like that', she stammered

The former glamour model had told The Sun at the time: 'She's got something wrong with her lungs and she's been told she hasn't got very long to live. She's on tablets... at least I'm making her laugh. Whatever is happening, we've got to be upbeat about it.'

IPF is a lung condition that causes progressive scarring of the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties and those suffering from it rarely survive more than five years past their diagnosis.

Paying her respects to Keith on Monday, Katie revealed that the TV presenter, who she remained firm friends with following their stint on the Channel 5 reality series together in 2015, had given her advice about the condition her mother is currently battling.

All love: 'I can't see her growing old. She can't see Harvey turn 18, I love her so much,' Katie said, understandably struggling to contain herself

'My mum is getting worse. My mum had a cough for five years and thought it was asthma. How can my mum die? It might be my last Christmas with her' she questioned

'I've been on medication since my mum was diagnosed. It's just been a lot to deal with,' a devastated Katie admitted

Taking to Twitter with a heart-felt post about the late star, Katie penned: 'I'm absolutely gutted that Keith has passed away.

'I only spoke to him few weeks ago and he was giving my mum advice as she is suffering with the same lung condition my mum has which is IPF an incurable disease!

'He was such a very down to earth and extremely funny and absolutely loved his wife maria and children so much!

'I will miss him and so gutted as we were all trying to fit in a date to meet up. I'm just in shock how quick this has all happened since I spoke to him.

Devasted: Ruth Langsford had to escort Katie out of the studio as her emotions got the better of her. The panel then returned with just the three presenters

Honest: The beauty confessed in an interview with Reveal magazine that she had turned to anti-depressants to help her deal with her heartache, as just days before Kieran's infidelity surfaced, her mother Amy was diagnosed with IPF

'It's just been a lot to deal with': The TV personality admitted the medication has been 'helping' her through her family woes. She had first opened up about her mother's diagnosis in October

'RIP Keith and will continue with your advice for my mum.'

Additionally Katie was left devastated in August on learning that her husband of three years Kieran had embarked on an affair with their children's nanny. It followed his previous infidelities that saw him cheat on Katie with her former best friend of 20 years Jane Pountney and close pal Chrissy Thomas.

Despite vowing to leave her beau, Katie admits that she is 'still in love' with Kieran despite his wrongdoing and he is still currently living with the star in her family home. The couple share two children together; son Jett, four, and daughter Bunny, three.

Heartbreaking: IPF is a lung condition that causes progressive scarring of the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties and those suffering from it rarely survive more than five years past their diagnosis

Sad: Katie's close friend and former Celebrity Big Brother co-star Keith had been diagnosed with the same illness and sadly passed away on Monday

She said: 'I still love him. The Kieran that I know, I love. The other Kieran... is horrible. It's just so far away from the man I married.'

Katie shared her disbelief over his cheating ways and claimed: 'It proves he has an addiction - he has an addiction because those women are disgusting.'

Seeming to reflect on her mother's diagnosis, Katie shared a photo of mum Amy to Instagram the day after Keith's passing and penned in an emotional tribute: 'I love my mum so much but time is limited and running out due to her incurable lung condition IPF nothing in the world is important to me but love loyalty support.'

Close: Paying her respects to the TV presenter, Katie revealed that Keith, who she remained firm friends with following their stint on the Channel 5 reality series together in 2015, had given her advice about the condition her mother is currently battling.

Emotional: She penned: 'I'm absolutely gutted that Keith has passed away. I only spoke to him few weeks ago and he was giving my mum advice as she is suffering with the same lung condition... He was such a very down to earth and extremely funny... I will miss him'

Firm friends: Katie and Keith had formed a close bond while joining each other in the Celebrity Big Brother house back in 2015

Reflective: Katie shared a photo of mum Amy to Instagram the day after Keith's passing and penned in an emotional tribute: 'I love my mum so much but time is limited and running out'

Keith passed away following his long-term battle with the progressive lung condition, aged 60.

The star died at home surrounded by his second wife Maria and two children Rose, who is married to White Lies frontman Harry McVeigh, and Ted who described him as a 'loving husband and father'.

His family today revealed he had been seriously ill for around six months with IPF. He told fans in a heartbreaking final tweet in September: 'Still not right. I will be back - But not for a bit yet. I'm so sorry'.

'Cheggers' became a household name presenting Swap Shop and Cheggers Plays Pop in the 1970s followed by Saturday Superstore in the 1980s.

After a high-profile battle with alcoholism he relaunched his career on Channel 4's Big Breakfast knocking on celebrities' front doors in the mid-1990s crying: 'Wake up you beggars, it's Cheggers!'.

Shock: Keith passed away following his long-term battle with the progressive lung condition, aged 60

In a statement, the entertainer's family said: 'We are heartbroken to share the news that Keith Chegwin sadly passed away following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which rapidly worsened towards the end of this year.

'Keith died peacefully at home shortly after midnight on December 11. His wife Maria, his daughter Rose and his son Ted were by his side.

'We would like to take this opportunity to thank Severn Hospice for the kindness, support and care they have shown us all over the last few weeks.'

'Keith was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private.'

Upset: Katie's latest interview addressing her tumultuous relationship with Kieran comes after reports claim she has been left 'distraught and humiliated' by the former stripper

Meanwhile, Katie's latest interview addressing her tumultuous relationship with Kieran comes after reports claim she has been left 'distraught and humiliated' by the former stripper, after learning he has been 'texting' a girl from her horse riding school, Pony Club.

A friend of the star told The Sun: 'Katie's horse school was the one thing she was most invested in. She absolutely loves it, but it has been ruined.

'When she found out Kieran was messaging one of the girls from the club, she was absolutely destroyed - this has ruined their relationship.'

They added that Katie has vowed her on/off marriage to Kieran is now 'over for good'. MailOnline had contacted representatives for Katie and Kieran for comment at the time.

Reports claim Kieran has been 'texting' a girl from Katie's horse riding school, Pony Club, and she has now vowed their on/off marriage is 'over for good' as a result

Kieran, meanwhile, is reportedly planning to get a second tattoo of Katie on his chest as part of his Christmas mission to get her back. It's also been reported he is desperate for the couple to 'have another baby' in order for him to prove his commitment to Katie.

As well as her children with Kieran, she is also mum to Harvey, 15, Junior, 12, and Princess, 10.

Katie married third husband Kieran in a romantic ceremony at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa in the Bahamas in January 2013.

The hunk had got down on one knee and popped the question to the beauty on Christmas Day in 2012. Katie has been married twice, first to Peter Andre and later to MMA fighter Alex Reid.
She received the happy news that two of her films were nominated for two Golden Globes earlier this week.

But Angelina Jolie seemed more concerned with keeping warm than award season on her latest outing.

The 42-year-old actress was all bundled up while battling weather in the twenties in New York City on Thursday morning.

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Heating up: Angelina Jolie was all bundled up while battling weather in the twenties in New York City on Thursday morning

Bonding time: The 42-year-old actress was not alone as four of her six children also braved the cold along with her including 14-year-old Pax, 11-year-old Shiloh, and nine-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne

She was not alone as four of her six children also braved the cold along with her including 14-year-old Pax, 11-year-old Shiloh, and nine-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Angelina rocked a long black Canada Goose down jacket over a matching midi dress and black leather boots.

She accessorized with a matching black beanie and large designer aviator shades combination.

Watchful eye: She stood closely by her children as they made their way around the chilly Big Applegm

Altogether now: The family made sure to stay close

Bundled up: Angelina rocked a long black Canada Goose down jacket over a matching midi dress and black leather boots

Stunning: She accessorized with a matching black beanie and large designer aviator shades combination

The Oscar-winner let her natural looks shine as she wore minimal make-up topped off with a swipe of shiny pink lip and tucked her signature raven-colored locks into the headwear.

The outing in the Big Apple comes at an exciting time for the family as she received two Golden Globe nominations.

She received nods for First They Killed My Father in the Best Motion Picture  Foreign Language category and The Breadwinner is in the Best Motion Picture  Animated category.

Angelina produced both films as each of the flicks have heavy subject matters.

Helping hand: She held onto Shiloh while exiting the big SUV

Chill: The Oscar-winner let her natural looks shine as she wore minimal make-up topped off with a swipe of shiny pink lip and tucked her signature raven-colored locks into the headwear

On-the-go: No doubt it is an exciting time for the family

First They Killed My Father is about the atrocities in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge and stars Sareum Srey Moch and Phoeung Kompheak.

Her movie The Breadwinner is about a young girl who lives under Taliban rule in Afghanistan who cuts off her hair to go to work so she can support her family.

Angelina shares her six children with estranged husband Brad Pitt after they announced their divorce in September 2016.

The split came just two years after their wedding in France in August 2014. The two infamously began dating after filming Mr & Mrs Smith together in 2005.

Hot streak: Angelina Jolie's film First The Killed My Father was nominated for a Golden Globe Award on Monday morning

Another: Her movie The Breadwinner was also nominated for a Golden Globe on Monday under the Best Animation category
Her character was gripped with heartache when her teenage son Tom ran away from home in the explosive second series final of Doctor Foster.

And Suranne Jones, 39, finds herself at the epicentre of more family grief in her latest thriller, the upcoming Sky Atlantic drama Save Me.

The actress plays Claire, whose world is turned upside down when her 13-year-old daughter Jody vanishes - leaving her convinced the youngster's distant dad Nelson 'Nelly' Rowe (Lennie James) is the kidnapper.

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Ordeal: Suranne Jones, 39, finds herself at the epicentre of more family grief in her latest thriller, the upcoming Sky Atlantic drama Save Me

The British drama, which comes to screens in February 2018, introduces a unique and unlikely hero in Nelly.

He is a man who 'likes a drink', who lives with whichever woman he happens to be sleeping with at the time  often more than one and sometimes more than two.

He is the life and soul of his local boozer: a charmer, a chancer, a fighter, a liar and, at his age, a man who should know better.

Nelly's world is shaken up when he is arrested and accused of kidnapping Jody, the daughter he barely knew existed.

Horror: The actress plays Claire, whose world is turned upside down when her 13-year-old daughter Jody vanishes

Theories: Jody's disappearance leaves her convinced the youngster's distant dad Nelson 'Nelly' Rowe (Lennie James) is the kidnapper

Jody's mother, Claire, who shared a 'summer of love' with Nelly 14 years ago, is convinced of his guilt. So Nelly sets out to clear his name, find the real perpetrator and save his daughter.

With the help of his community, Nelly will stop at nothing in his life-changing quest for the truth.

It's a a journey that will challenge him to be a better man, and atone for his past mistakes, not least towards Claire. But the further he travels, the more he realises the answers to his quest lie closer to home than he could ever have thought.

Claims: Jody's (pictured) mother, Claire, who shared a 'summer of love' with Nelly 14 years ago, is convinced of his guilt

Mission: So Nelly (pictured) sets out to clear his name, find the real perpetrator and save his daughter

Save Me is directed by Nick Murphy (Prey, The Last Kingdom, The Secret) with music by Dustin O'Halloran (Transparent, Lion).

Speaking at a Sky showcase last month, Suranne described filming the series as being incredibly 'therapeutic' for her as she coped with the grief of her mum's death.

'It was a real difficult time for me, personally,' she said.

'I'd just lost my mother and I'd just had a child, so actually going to work and telling stories like this... it's kind of therapeutic in a very bizarre way.

'It was difficult, but I came out of it feeling like something had shifted, that something had happened.'
His two-year marriage to Karen Clifton has been rocked by claims she had an affair with an accountant.

But Kevin Clifton turned a blind eye to the marital strife rumours, as he defiantly displayed his wedding ring while heading to the Strictly Come Dancing group rehearsals on Thursday.

The 35-year-old professional dancer seemed to be in great spirits as he headed to Elstree Studios in London for the training session.

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Stepping out: Kevin Clifton defiantly displayed his wedding ring while heading to the Strictly Come Dancing group rehearsals

The dancer, who was partnered with Scottish comedian Susan Calman on the show, wrapped up against the cold in a khaki longline peacoat.

He kept the rest of his look casual, donning quirky leather patch denim jeans and grey suede ankle boots with studded toe-caps.

Looking worlds apart from his polished Strictly look, he went incognito behind round-eye glasses and a blue baker boy hat.

Eagle-eyed fans have spotted that Karen and Kevin have been keeping their distance from each other during the live shows and Kevin, who made a solo arrival at the studios, could face a somewhat awkward run-in if Karen is also at rehearsals.

Rumour has it: His two-year marriage to Karen Clifton has been rocked by claims she had an affair with an accountant

Not bothered: The 35-year-old professional dancer turned a blind eye to the marital strife rumours and seemed to be in great spirits as he headed to Elstree Studios in London

Hit outing comes amid claims wife Karen had an alleged affair with accountant Stuart Wood.

But a source told The Sun that Karen ended things with Stuart after news of their alleged romance surfaced.

'It was never a long term thing and Karen realises that she made a mistake,' they explained.

'She ended things with Stuart shortly after the news broke. He is heartbroken as he thought they had a future together so has decided to accept a new job and will move to Texas next month to start a fresh chapter.'

Keeping it casual: The dancer, who was partnered with Scottish comedian Susan Calman on the show, wrapped up against the cold in a khaki longline peacoat

Lowkey look: He kept the rest of his look casual, donning quirky leather patch denim jeans and grey suede ankle boots with studded toe-caps

The source also claimed that Karen will be returning to New York to spend Christmas with her family, while Kevin heads home to Grimsby, before the two reunite in the New Year 'to discuss their future'.

This comes following claims that Karen and Kevin have 'split' after just two-years of marriage.

The duo, who have been together for seven years, reportedly first came under strain a year ago and are now living separately.

Karen then found herself at the centre of speculation she was 'dating' Stuart amid reports her marriage is 'on the rocks'.

Allegations: Hit outing comes amid claims wife Karen had an alleged affair with accountant Stuart Wood. But a source told The Sun that Karen ended things with Stuart after news of their alleged romance surfaced

Claims: 'It was never a long term thing and Karen realises that she made a mistake,' they explained

She and Stuart were spotted out together on several occasions - with Karen still sporting her wedding ring - and reports have claimed the pair are 'getting to know each other'.

It was claimed Stuart, who was seen leaving Karen's home recently, is 'absolutely besotted' with the Strictly professional and is hopeful they will have a 'future' together, despite her still being married to Kevin.

This week a source close to the Strictly camp tells MailOnline that 'heartbroken' Kevin can't accept that their relationship is over - and was 'alone' behind-the-scenes on the show at the weekend.

Hmm: This week a source close to the Strictly camp tells MailOnline that 'heartbroken' Kevin can't accept that their relationship is over - and was 'alone' behind-the-scenes on the show at the weekend

The insider says: 'Poor Kevin is heartbroken. It's making it very difficult at Strictly as all the dancers knew but Kevin did not want to accept that his marriage is over.

'But sadly the writing is on the wall. She was ignoring him throughout the show.

'Kevin was on his own before and after the show in the green room. At one point he was outside looking very upset on the phone after the show.
She announced her retirement from escorting earlier this year.

But her past profession hasn't seemed to stray far from Samantha X's mind, judging by her recent social media posts.

On Thursday, the buxom blonde, 43, took to her Instagram to share a humorous poem she had written about her time as a sex worker.

Rhyme but no reason! On Thursday, former high class escort Samantha X took to Instagram to share a cringe-worthy poem about her past profession

'There once was an escort called Sam X. Who wasn't that good at sex,' the poem read.

It continued: 'She didn't do this, didn't do that. So she charged a grand for the chat.'

Above the rhyme, Samantha had written: 'My funny poem'.

She then captioned the masterpiece: 'Current mood'.

'There once was an escort called Sam X': The humorous poem provided details about her former line of work

The blonde bombshell recently made headlines after she confirmed her relationship with Channel Nine reporter Ryan Phelan.

And in the revealing Instagram post, Samantha wasn't shy in letting her followers know exactly what her new beau thought of her handy work.

'This is my boyfriends response to my poem: "Your poem needs work... if you ever want to understand iambic pentameter come and talk to me."' she wrote in the comments section.

'Your poem needs work': The former high class escort also revealed her boyfriend Ryan Phelan was not too impressed with her rhymes

Couple goals: Ryan Phelan (left) and Samantha X confirmed their relationship last month

Last month, Samantha confirmed she was dating the journalist after giving up her sex worker gig.

She previously told Daily Mail Australia the couple 'are very happy' and Ryan made her realise it was time to 'close the chapter' and start a new life with him.

The couple met while Samantha was on a promotional tour for her book Back On Top.
She proudly showed off daughter Harper's handmade Christmas card to her earlier in the day.

And Victoria Beckham paid homage to the six-year-old's festive arts and crafts session hours later, as she stepped out on Thursday in a distinctly festive ensemble.

Looking every inch the scarlet siren, the former Spice Girl, 43, slipped into a silky red dress and glittering green stilettos as she left a British Vogue bash - held at her eponymous clothing store in London - with her husband David.

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Cute couple: David and Victoria Beckham left the Vogue party - hosted at her flagship fashion store - hand-in-hand on Thursday night

Looking sharp, he led the way as the pair exited the star-studded affair, which drew attendance from Bianca Jagger and Claudia Winkleman, as well as Victoria's supportive parents Tony and Jackie, and sister Louise Adams.

But Victoria certainly took centre-stage in her irreverent scarlet dress, which featured a demure midi hemline and cinched in her tiny waist thanks to the knotted belt.

Paying ode to her love of the oversized, the billowing garment swathed her slim frame and flashed a peek of cleavage thanks to the liberally unbuttoned neckline.

In typical Victoria style, the fashion designer matched her dazzling clutch to her emerald courts for the bash, where guests enjoyed hot Casa Cider and margarita cocktails by Casamigos Tequila - the brand created by George Clooney and Rande Gerber.

Sweeping her glossy raven tresses in an elegant chignon, the mother-of-four framed her eyes with lashings of mascara and silver shimmer.

Chest a glimpse: Victoria went braless beneath the dress and nearly exposed too much as her plunging dress came apart to show off her chest

Head turner: Victoria ensured eyes would be firmly on her for the glittering outing

Holding hands: David led the way, holding his wife's hand in a protective fashion

Looking good: Victoria stepped out on Thursday in a distinctly festive ensemble

Scarlet siren: The Spice Girl, 43, slipped into a silky red dress and glittering green stilettos as she arrived for the British Vogue bash at her eponymous clothing store

Turning heads: Victoria certainly took centre-stage in her irreverent scarlet dress, which featured a demure midi hemline and cinched in her tiny waist thanks to the knotted belt

Family affair: Victoria was also joined by her sister Louise later in the night as they grabbed dinner together following the glamorous Vogue bash

Two of a kind: Victoria's parents Tony and Jackie were also in attendance for the family meal

Her outing comes just hours after she proudly shared snaps of Harper's impressive 3D card to her and husband David.

The card, which featured a pop-up reindeer on the front, bore a sweet handwritten message from the youngster in hues of festive red and green.

The note read: 'Dear Mammy and Daddy, I love you so so much. Merry Christmas. I hope we have a nice Christmas, Love Harper xoxo.'

Playing with proportions: Paying ode to her love of the oversized, the billowing garment swathed her slim frame and flashed a peek of cleavage thanks to the liberally unbuttoned neckline

Mane attraction: She swept her glossy raven tresses into an elegant chignon

Displaying her signature wit, Victoria later shared a snap of her getting ready in her make-up room.

Holding up a lipstick to her lips, she wrote in the caption: 'Is this a whistle or a lipstick.'

Victoria clearly had no time for lounging around as she headed hastily indoors at the Vogue party after feeling under the weather at the weekend.

Preened to perfection: The mother-of-four framed her eyes with lashings of mascara and silver shimmer

Cosy: The pair made for a very handsome couple as they strolled past hand in hand

All over each other: The pair were hand in hand as they headed home after their night out

Cute: The duo seemed in good spirits as they prepared to head back to their home

Working her angles: The singer ensured she took centre-stage as she made her way inside

She made the right choice! Victoria had been agonising over whether to go for the red dress or a black beaded number earlier in the day

Despite the biting December weather, the typically-busy fashionista was not letting that get in the way of her fashion empire.

Victoria had enjoyed a festive day out with her family members on Saturday, where she watched her youngest child Harper, six, learn to ice skate. But the chilly weather left Victoria lamenting falling ill.

Addressing her fans on Instagram, the Spice Girl insisted she is 'never sick' while feeling sorry for herself, as she sprawled out on the sofa.

Cheeky: The fashion sensation shared her antics from behind the scenes as she got ready for the party

Sweet: Her outing comes just hours after she proudly shared snaps of Harper's impressive 3D card to her and husband David

Arts and crafts: The card, which featured a pop-up reindeer on the front, bore a sweet handwritten message from the youngster in hues of festive red and green

Known for showing off her sense of humour online, the mother-of-four appeared to inject some humour into her latest upload, as one shot saw her dramatically extending her leggy body across her sofa.

Accompanied with a slew of gritted teeth emojis, Victoria shared her surprise at feeling poorly with a close-up shot of herself buried in her blanket and sporting a reddened nose, in a bid to show her 17.8 millions followers the extent of her sickly condition.

Just hours earlier, Victoria and her husband David had treated children Romeo, 15, Cruz, 12, and Harper to a festive outing at the Natural History Museum's picturesque ice rink.

Fashion favourites: David and Victoria posed with the new editor of British Vogue, Edward Enninful

Catching up: The duo hosted the Christmas event in collaboration with one another

In attendance: Bianca Jagger was seen leaving the venue that night

Showing her support: Victoria's sister Louise Adams was also a guest at the Christmas party

Making an exit: Louise sashayed past in black court heels with white detailing that boosted her petite frame on the outing

Special guests: Tony and Jackie Adams - Victoria's parents - supported her that night

Staying close: The pair cuddled up to one another as they headed outside arm in arm

All-smiles: The duo seemed in good spirits on the outing and were beaming broadly

Paying a visit: Claudia Winkleman looked casual as she attended the party

Casual: In trainers and a camo jacket, the Strictly presenter chose a laidback outfit
She enjoyed a family celebration as she toasted her youngest child's first birthday on Tuesday.

And Zoe Saldana kept her adorable son Zen close to her as she arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday to catch a flight.

The actress, 39, was make-up free as she strolled through the terminal with her little man protectively strapped to her chest.

Mommy and me: Zoe Saldana kept her adorable son Zen close to her as she arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday to catch a flight

The Avatar star kept casual and comfortable for her flight, wearing a white patterned shirt, baggy ripped jeans and black leather lace-up boots.

The mother-of-three wore her raven locks scraped back from her face and accessorized with thick-rimmed red specs.

Carrying a black coat and bag in one hand, Zoe maneuvered through security with her little boy strapped to her chest in a baby carrier.

Although the actress looked cool, calm and collected, she took to her Instagram page to reveal she was feeling a little frazzled.

Come fly with me: The actress, 39, was make-up free as she strolled through the terminal with her little man protectively strapped to her chest

Up, up and away: The Avatar star kept casual and comfortable for her flight, wearing a white patterned shirt, baggy ripped jeans and black leather lace-up boots

Alongside a video of she and Zen with twins Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, three, running around by her feet, she admitted she was 'feeling sorry for myself'.

Zoe wrote: 'Can I be my own #wcw today? Feeling really sorry for myself right now and need the boost! #travelingwithkids #workingmom #workingbeforechristmas/'

On Tuesday, the actress and her husband, Italian artist Marco Perego, celebrated little Zen's first birthday.

Posting a heartwarming message on her Instagram page, it marked the first time she has shared their son's official birthday and middle names.

The image showed Zen Anton Hilario being kissed on the head tenderly by one of his twin brothers.

'Feeling sorry for myself': Although the actress looked cool, calm and collected, she took to her Instagram page to reveal she was feeling a little frazzled

Happy birthday, baby: On Tuesday, the actress and her husband, Italian artist Marco Perego, celebrated little Zen's first birthday

'Happy Birthday Zen Anton Hilario,' she told her 2 million Instagram followers. 'You came into our lives in the most 'zen' way, and today you still continue to be our little Yogi baby.

'Your Joie de Vie keeps all of us wrapped around your little finger. Your brothers are the most blessed big brothers in the world. Your brothers are the most blessed big brothers in the world.

'Thank you for choosing us to guide you through your first life years, we are honored. Zen Zen, the world will be as worthy of you as any child in this world. We will work towards that purpose every day.

'You are seen, loved, respected and protected by everyone that knows you. God Bless you baby boy!'

Doting parents: Zoe and Marco are also proud parents to twins Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, three, and they announced the arrival of Zen in February via Instagram

Zen's surprise arrival was announced by the couple - who married in London in June 2013 after a whirlwind three-month romance - on February 13 via Instagram.

The mom-of-three said in an interview with People that the couple are being 'very meticulous' about how they discuss the way they completed their family, until their youngest son is older.

She explained: 'When were there, when the time comes and our third baby is a little older, and all the forces that helped us have him with us are comfortable, then we will share it because we know it would be very positive and inspiring to many families that are looking to complete themselves and are not able to do it in the conventional way.

'Seeking alternative ways to start a family should be encouraged, should be empowered and I think we should spread that education, that information out there, when the time is right.'

Zoe is currently shooting the highly anticipated sequel to Avatar.
She found fame starring as wannabe glamour girl Mitzeee Minniver in Hollyoaks.

Yet four years after leaving the soap Rachel Shenton is swapping The Dog And Pond to possibly hop over the pond as she has made the Oscar shortlist for her short film.

The former soap star, 29, wrote and starred in The Silent Child which is battling against 10 other films the Live Action Shorts category.

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Stardom: Four years after leaving Hollyoaks Rachel Shenton is swapping The Dog And Pond to possibly hop over the pond as she has made the Oscar shortlist for her short film

The Silent Child - which was directed by Rachel's fiance Chris Overton - tells the tale of a deaf four year old girl who lives in a world of silence until a social worker teaches her how to communicate.

Rachel announced the joyous news that the film had made the shortlist by retweeting a post from the movie's Twitter account, that read: 'Cant believe were saying this - The Silent Child has made it to the Oscar Shortlist - last 10 films #GodBlessAmerica.'

She added: 'Very proud of this'.

Throwback: Rachel found fame starring as wannabe glamour girl Mitzeee Minniver in Hollyoaks - a role she played between 2010 and 2013

Shortlisted: The former soap star, 29, wrote and starred in The Silent Child which is battling against 10 other films the Oscar's Live Action Shorts category

Rachel's late father became deaf after undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and is an ambassador for the National Deaf Childrens Society.

Speaking about her passion behind making The Silent Child, Rachel previously said: 'My brilliant father lost his hearing very suddenly when I was 12 and lived the last 2 years of his life profoundly deaf.

'I witnessed first hand the huge effects deafness has on a family. I also saw him for the first time seem vulnerable and I noticed how easy it was for people to leave him out.'

Cute couple: The Silent Child was directed by Rachel's fiance Chris Overton

Back on the box: Rachel recently returned to Britain after a period of living in Los Angeles to star in White Gold. She will play a saleswoman in the second series of the BBC Two comedy

Rachel recently returned to Britain after a period of living in Los Angeles to star in White Gold.

She will play alpha female saleswoman Joanne Scott in the second series of the BBC Two comedy about an Essex double-glazing showroom in the eighties.

The new role will dash fans hopes that Rachel, who has also appeared in Waterloo Road and Holby City, might return to Hollyoaks.

Nikki Sanderson, who played Rachels onscreen sister, Maxine, on the soap, said in the summer that shed love to see the siblings reunited.

I think at the moment, Maxine needs a bit of back up and it might be nice if Mitzeee came back and helped her out, she said, adding that Rachel - whose looks have been compared in the past to Cheryl - is a very talented, wonderful, gorgeous girl.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

An MDC-T official Chalton Hwende has said 7 armed Zimbabwe Defence Forces soldiers seriously assaulted four opposition supporters and about 150 were temporarily displaced at Rasmis/Chingford farm Seluos near Norton.He said the victims reported their case at Selous Police station where statement has been recorded en-route to Hospital."Their crime was a week ago MDC aspiring candidate for Norton Member of Parliament Mr Matemera assisted about 140 people to get IDs and they all managed to register to vote. Matemera visited the farm to access on the progress of voter registration this led to the farm Manager Mr Chatima who came with 7 Armed Soldiers who started assaulted everyone at the farm. Farm manager Chatima is currently at Selous Police station where a statement is being recorded," he said."We reiterate that if the soldiers are not back to their Baracks by Wednesday, a series of action will be held all over cities in Zimbabwe."
They sparked engagement rumours earlier in the year while enjoying a romantic holiday to Europe with each other.

And on Friday, Georgia Love, 27, and Lee Elliott, 36, once again hinted that marriage is on the cards.

Uploading a flashback photo of Georgia at a wine tasting during a recent holiday, Lee captioned the post: 'Heres to the next 50 or 60 years with you.'

Are they finally getting MARRIED? Georgia Love and Lee Elliott hint they are engaged again after sparking rumours on romantic holiday

Back in August, the couple hinted at an impending engagement in another Instagram post.

One fan was quick to suggest marriage for the lovebirds, commenting underneath the photo: 'What a perfect place to put a ring on it.'

Engagement hints: They sparked engagement rumours earlier in the year while enjoying a romantic holiday to Europe with each other

The post came shortly before Lee took to Instagram again, this time gushing over Georgia, as the pair celebrated their one-year anniversary.

A photo of the couple during last year's grand finale episode of The Bachelorette, was captioned: '1 year ago today you stood across from me with that infectious smile of yours.

'And those eyes I get lost in each and every time I look into them and told me what I had been longing to hear you say...that you had fallen so madly in love with me!

Cute couple: The pair often upload cute couple snaps to their Instagram account

'One year on and I still love hearing you say that just as much as I did that night!

'We've had one hell of a ride! The highest of highs and unfortunately the lowest of lows but everything we've done, we've done together side by side!

'In the past year I've managed to fall more in love with you and could not be more excited for the next 50-60!

Concluding with a joke, Lee asked of the suit he wore during the finale episode: 'But in all our time together there's still one thing I just need to know? Seriously, did my ass look big in that!?'

In the past Lee has hinted at impending marriage plans claiming he's been 'shopping for the ring. '
She's been busy doting on her newborn daughter, Willow Wendy.

But Snezana Markoski still has all the time in the world for her eldest girl Eve, 12.

On Thursday, the proud mum, 37, was front and centre at her youngster's primary school graduation, taking to Instagram to mark the milestone moment.

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She's her mini-me! On Thursday, doting mum Snezana Markoski took to Instagram to share snaps of her daughter Eve, 12, as she attended her Year 6 graduation day

'We're so proud of our little @eve.victoria' Snezana wrote on her Instagram Stories, accompanied by a photo of Eve proudly holding up her graduating certificate.

Before sharing the snap, the beaming mum cheekily added an emoji of a graduation cap atop her daughter's head.

Snezana's snaps reveal that her tweenage daughter is fast growing into a mini-me.

Snez's double! Snezana's snaps reveal that her tweenage daughter is fast growing into a mini-me

With dark brown eyes, and long brunette hair parted at the middle, Eve is destined to look the double of her mother.

And it appears that not only does the pre-teen possess the same looks as her mother, she may also share her passion for academia.

Last year, talented Snezana graduated from Perth's Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science (Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology).

Will she follow in mum's footsteps? It appears that not only does the pre-teen possess the same looks as her mother, she may also share her passion for academia.

The beauty hasn't been shy in sharing her love of science, having paid tribute to Nobel Prize winning physicist and chemist, Marie Curie.

However, the brainy beauty is currently taking time out from her career in science as she dotes on her two-month-old Willow, whom she shares with her Bachelor beau Sam Wood.

Proud Sam was also front and centre at Eve's graduation day, similarly sharing a photo with the caption: 'Our little girl is growing up'.
Tourists visiting Tasmania are being urged to slow down on the state's roads as part of a police crackdown on speeding motorcyclists.

Tasmania Police on Thursday said riders would face licence checks and tests for drugs and alcohol in the lead-up to Christmas.

"We're asking all road users - particularly those unfamiliar with our roads - to slow down, pay attention all the time and drive to road conditions," senior sergeant Ian Mathewson said on Thursday, adding 11 motorcyclists have died on the state's road in 2017 compared to 10 at the same time last year.
The federal government's work for the dole scheme revamp is likely to hand greater control to communities in lieu of a national welfare system.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion on Thursday launched a discussion paper for the review of the coalition's controversial Community Development Program.

Following heavy criticism, the government in May promised to develop a new model in partnership with Aboriginal groups, who have been lobbying for a formalised reform process for 12 months.

Senator Scullion has already flagged introducing a wage-based system allowing participants to earn top-up money, weekly payments and more funding for community activities.

Also on the table is a shift from a national system to more local decision making and a boost in indigenous-owned service providers, who will be encouraged to hire within the community.

Other options include subsidised labour for contracting opportunities that would not crowd out existing investment and jobs, and supporting Aboriginal businesses in the delivery of commonwealth contracts.

Senator Scullion said the discussion paper outlines three potential reform pathways that could grow the remote labour market, empower communities and provide more incentives to job seekers so they can move off welfare into work.

"These are an improved version of the current CDP to provide more tailored support, a model based on the CDP Reform Bill introduced in 2015 and a wage-based model," he said.

Senator Scullion said he's engaged with remote communities, job seekers, the prime minister's Indigenous Advisory Council and CDP providers.

"This consultation has been ongoing since I became minister and I will continue to consult in the months ahead," he said.

Submissions to the discussion paper are open until February 9.

Under the current initiative, jobseekers from remote regions - 83 per cent of whom are Aboriginal - must do 25 hours of work per week to receive welfare payments.

That's up to three times longer than other unemployed people.
More than 110 people died from drowning around Australia's coastline during the past year, a slight reduction on the previous 12 months.

But the number of deaths is still 10.5 per cent higher than those recorded during 2014-15.

The National Coastal Safety report, compiled by Surf Life Saving Australia and launched by Health Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday, shows 116 out of the 152 coastal-related deaths in 2016-17 were as a result of drowning.

Men represented 83 per cent of those fatalities and women 17 per cent, with nearly a third related to swimming and wading, a reduction of 18 per cent on the previous year.

Alcohol and drugs represented a contributing factor in 19 per cent of drownings, similar to rip currents (20 per cent) and medical conditions (22 per cent).

The report confirms rip currents remain the top hazard for beachgoers, but the number of people who can identify a rip has increased 14 per cent since 2015.

Sharks are the third greatest concern, despite the number of shark-related deaths sitting at two per cent compared to 98 per cent for drowning.

Mr Hunt believes the report is a timely reminder for all swimmers to be cautious this summer.

"The message for everybody is, please watch your children, keep them between the flags and if you're out on the water ... wear a lifejacket," he told Sky News.

"We love our water, but we've got to do better."

Lifesavers last year rescued almost 11,000 people at beaches where there were flags and patrols.
Survivors of institutional child abuse are demanding the government immediately adopt the upcoming recommendations of a five-year inquiry into their suffering.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Sydney held a final sitting on Thursday to mark the end of a $500 million investigation.

Many survivors travelled to the sitting to express their gratitude to commission chair Justice Peter McClellan and his team for their "courageous" work in exposing abuse in some of the nation's best known charitable, religious and educational institutions.

Outside the commission, Joan Isaacs, who was one of the first people to give evidence against the Catholic church, praised its work.

"Not only did we have a voice but we have been heard and believed. Many, for the first time in their lives," she told reporters.

"The job of the commission is done, but the journey is not over."

While survivors were owed justice from the institutions and others, law changes were also needed to keep children safe.

"These recommendations must be implemented in their entirety and done so as soon as possible," she said.

"To be able to change the future, we have to know the truth of the past.

"We have to accept it, we have to take responsibility for it, we have to move forward."

Ray Leary, a child victim of the infamous Dolly Dunn paedophile ring, said the time for tears was over.

"I would like to let everyone know it is your time now, the royal commission is done, if you want to speak, come forward everyone is listening now," he told reporters.

"No more tears for us, we are survivors and we are going to get it out there and we are going to be dealt with."

Sandra Beaton called on the government to withdraw the part of its planned redress scheme that excluded victims who'd been to prison from receiving compensation.

"Why did they go to jail in the first place? Because of the treatment that they had as children - it has a big bearing on their adult life."

Helen Dawson said the commission's recommendations must be supported by every state and territory.

"We expect Australia's politicians to step up for bipartisan and unanimous support," she said.

Ms Isaacs also paused to remember the victims whose "endless torture" led them to find peace the only way they could, by taking their own lives.

"The true number of these victims will never be known and this breaks my heart," she said.

The royal commission's final report will be handed to Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Friday before being tabled in parliament, and then released to the public.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Police are seeking more victims of a masseur who allegedly sexually assaulted and raped clients over a 16 year period at various southeast Queensland locations.

The man worked as a masseur in the Hervey Bay and Maryborough area between 2000 to 2012 and in Brisbane between 2012 to 2016 and is described as having long grey hair worn in a ponytail, police said.

The 67-year-old man has been charged with seven counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape and will appear at the Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Ridesharing is finally coming to the Northern Territory, but it won't be Uber.

The territory government has given Western Australian company Hi Oscar the green light to operate, following criticism its multinational rival was regulated out of the market.

And all passengers will now be slugged with an extra $1 per trip.

From February the Perth start-up will unleash its fleet, meaning the Labor government will have narrowly missed its own New Year's Eve deadline to legalise the service.

"For the public, our ridesharing regulations provide Territorians with an additional safe and convenient transport option, something which has been available interstate for some time," Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said on Thursday.

She said Labor consulted widely with the taxi industry, which helped develop a model providing opportunities for all sectors.

"Once ridesharing commences, annual licence fees for commercial passenger vehicles will be reduced from the current fee of $20,240 to $5000 in Darwin, and drop from $16,445 in Alice Springs to $4000 under the new reforms," Ms Manison said.

"A $1 levy will apply to all taxi, minibus, private hire car and ridesharing trips."

Hi Oscar drivers will be required to meet the same requirements as cabbies, including undergoing criminal history and medical checks.

Cars used for ridesharing will also need to be inspected annually.

Hi Oscar has a similar model to Uber but allows female passengers to choose a female driver, and claims it will never have price surges.

The home-grown company is expanding to Australia's east coast in Melbourne and Geelong, and will soon launch in Sydney and Tasmania.

In April Uber backed away from NT launch plans, saying new fees put forward by the government made the barriers for entry too high for drivers.
Australia's first same-sex marriage will happen much sooner than expected with two Melbourne women approved to tie the knot before Christmas, waiving a mandatory four-week wait.

Megan Stapleton and Stephanie Dybal organised a December 21 wedding well before laws were passed by federal parliament, and the couple's plans make them eligible to marry sooner than the earliest date of January 9.

"They have family flying down and had everything booked and paid for back in May when no one thought the law was going to change ... so Births Deaths and Marriages approved it," their wedding celebrant and gay rights activist Jason Tuazon-McCheyne told AAP on Thursday.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused Labor of scare campaigning after it declared a vote for Liberal candidate John Alexander in the Bennelong by-election is a vote for cuts to much-needed services.

In his response, the prime minister upped the ante by stating a vote for the ALP "is a threat to our future".

Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen visited the electorate on Thursday with Labor candidate Kristina Keneally to warn voters the coalition planned to cut education and health in next week's mid-year economic update.

"If John Alexander can't look the people of Bennelong in the eye today and tell them how much they will cut Macquarie University then people are entitled to say, 'sorry Mr Alexander we won't be voting for you,'" Mr Bowen told reporters.

"Macquarie University is such an important part of the Bennelong community."

But Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull suggested Labor's attack was a scare campaign.

"The government will not be reducing the overall level of funding support for higher education from what was provided in the budget," the Liberal leader told reporters in Sydney.

"But for more detail you'll have to wait for MYEFO (the mid-year economic and fiscal update due out on Monday)."

Ms Keneally once again accused the federal government of "China phobia" following the prime minister's criticism of outgoing Labor senator Sam Dastyari's questionable dealings with Chinese donors.

Labor leader Bill Shorten sacked Senator Dastyari from his leadership roles and then said he made the right decision to quit over his dealings with Chinese businessman Huang Xiangmo.

"One of the things that has alarmed Chinese people here in Bennelong is the prime minister's rhetoric," she said.

Mr Turnbull returned fire by stating he was "particularly disappointed that they (Labor) have sought to turn Australians against each other".

"We are the most successful multicultural society in the world, bar none," the PM said before going on the declare a vote for Ms Keneally would put the economy at risk.

"Bill Shorten is a threat to our future - everything he proposes will destroy investment, destroy jobs, undermine the growth we are seeing in the economy."

The latest opinion poll suggests the Senator Dastyari saga could hurt Labor on Saturday.

A Fairfax Media-ReachTEL poll published on Thursday found half of the surveyed voters said the scandal would affect their vote in the by-election. A third of those voters said it would make them less likely to vote Labor.

The poll puts the Liberals ahead 53 to 47 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

The government stands to lose its one-seat majority in the lower house if Mr Alexander is defeated.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Four families who resided at Castle Arms Hotel in Bulawayo are counting losses after the lodging was razed down by fire.All they now own are their names, which sadly have no documentation to prove it is indeed them and a few clothes donated by well wishers.The fate emanated from a raging fire allegedly caused by an electrical fault that razed down the once flamboyant Castle Arms Motel on Thursday last week, reducing the building to ruins with tenants left homeless."All my things were destroyed by fire including my academic certificates and identity documents," said Mrs Sithabile Sibanda, an inferno victim.Edson Ncube, a caretaker at the complex has made a passionate appeal to the government through the war veterans ministry to intervene on the renovations of the building which usually houses veterans of the struggle.The Castle Arms building is very significant as it was bought by war veterans in 1980 as part of the properties to improve their welfare.The veterans of the struggle are now appealing to the government to finalise the issue of title deeds for them to put in place meaningful development for the property to realise its full potential.
WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIME MINISTER HAROLD HOLT?

WAS HE A CHINESE SPY?

One of the more outlandish theories, popularised by a British writer Anthony Grey in 1983, is that Holt had been a Chinese spy for more than 20 years, was picked up by a submarine and taken back to China before Australia's intelligence service made the discovery.

Holt's wife Zara dismissed this theory, reportedly saying he "didn't even like Chinese cooking".

WAS HE ASSASSINATED?

The year before Holt disappeared, the leader of the opposition leader Arthur Calwell survived an assassination attempt by a student at an anti-conscription rally.

After Holt's death, the police found what looked like a bullet hole in a window of the prime minister's office, bolstering the theory that he may have been murdered.

WAS IT A BOTCHED KIDNAPPING?

A book by Australian author Scott Cooper, based on details given to him by a friend and spy who died in 1974, claims that Holt was killed accidentally in a botched kidnapping that was prompted by his plan to increase troops to Vietnam.

Cooper said the plot to make Mr Holt see reason went horribly wrong as the prime minister died of asphyxiation during the kidnapping.

WAS IT SIMPLY AN ACCIDENT?

Holt's former press secretary Tony Eggleton maintains that the PM's demise was nothing more than a tragic accident.

"Basically, I think that people just find it very hard to accept that a prime minister can go for a swim on a Sunday afternoon, like anyone else, and end up misjudging the situation and drowning," he told the ABC in 2007.

"But that's what happened."

SUICIDE?

Australian National University's Professor Nicholas Brown dismissed all conspiracy theories - including that Holt took his own life - as a product of the tense political climate post-WWII.

"There's no indication he didn't intend to come back," he told AAP.
A day patrol will return to Alice Springs this summer as the Northern Territory government scrambles to address mounting community safety concerns.

From Monday, Tangentyere Council will run the service from 9am to 5.30pm to target crime, anti-social behaviour and homelessness.

It was scrapped by the previous Country Liberals government in 2012 but the day service will now work in tandem with a 6pm night patrol.

Labor will spend $55,000 to help get intoxicated people sleeping rough off the streets, connect them with support services and reduce their interaction with the criminal justice system.

Member for Namatjira Chansey Paech says people will be given access to Tangentyere's Return to Country program, which helps indigenous people return to their home communities from the regional hub.

Tangentyere will patrol pubs, bottle shops, malls and town camps as its Men's Council steps up a longstanding campaign to combat violence from bush visitors.

They're pushing a behavioural rule book warning troublemakers from surrounding Central Australian communities not to "overstay their welcome".

The guidelines urge people to learn to drink without fighting, not camp at sacred sites, "not chase after other people's wives and daughters" and not bludge off kidney dialysis patients or pensioners.

The Council's Chris Forbes says the rules were developed in the 1990s by elders fed up with bad behaviour, and once again respect needs to be shown to Arrernte traditional owners.

"Most of the old fellas have passed on, so we're trying to get the next generation of elders to be leaders and bring the old rules back," he said.

"All us blokes from the Men's Council want to live a violence-free life as well. We want to look after our kids, our partners, our women."

Mr Forbes said Tangentyere wants more federal funding to expand the program and take elders out to remote communities to "work together to get some of the mob that are running amok in town to go back out bush".
Victoria's corruption watchdog received more than 3000 complaints of police misconduct last financial year and almost 1500 were dismissed by the agency in the same period, new figures show.

A parliamentary committee overseeing the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission requested detailed figures on how police complaints were handled after the agency failed to provide them in its annual report.

The figures, released on Thursday, show there were 3164 new complaints against police during the 2016-17 financial year, and in the same period 18 cases were investigated, 921 were referred to other agencies and 1432 were dismissed, the committee reported.
The actions of three men before they were arrested in dramatic scenes in Sydney's Centennial Park had the hallmarks of a convoy of cash being transported with firearms for protection, a NSW magistrate says.

Dressed in orange hi-vis vests, Kigi Kamuta, 39, Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, and Royce Royal Hura, 27, were in two cars when police stopped them just before midday on Wednesday in the popular park.

The trio was remanded in custody after appearing in Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

They are charged with unlawfully possessing a Smith & Wesson pistol, a Beretta pistol and ammunition as well as dealing with the proceeds of crime - namely $650,000 in cash - and participating in a criminal group.

In applying for bail for Kamuta - who has a New Zealand passport and has been in Australia for 15 years - his lawyer, Ahmed Dib, said he was off work on WorkCover, had scheduled physiotherapist appointments and supported his wife who had serious mental health problems.

His two co-accused occupied the car where the firearms were located while Kamuta was in a vehicle where a backpack containing $649,990 was found in the footwell, the lawyer said.

Mr Dib noted the firearms were not in Kamuta's possession and argued "there is simply no evidence in the fact sheet in relation to a criminal organisation".

But magistrate Michael Barko referred to the "curious picture" painted by the police fact sheet.

Kamuta was travelling through Centennial Park, some distance away from where he lived and worked, with the cash in the car, while his co-accused were in another vehicle with the guns.

They were wearing hi-vis vests and their vehicles had the appearance of work cars, he added.

It had all the hallmarks of "a convoy of cash being transported with firearms for protection".

In opposing bail, police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Henningham said the evidence disclosed "highly organised criminal activity" with the men driving from Maroubra to the park.

They had been under ongoing police surveillance, including through the use of devices recording conversations linking them to money laundering and possession of firearms, he said.

The weapons were loaded and their serial numbers had been removed.

Kamuta was found with two encrypted BlackBerry phones and three were found in the other car, Sgt Henningham alleged.

The magistrate commented such phones were commonly used in organised crime.

The police facts said the NSW organised crime squad had begun an investigation into the three men although "of course it does not state why", he said.

He refused bail for Kamuta and adjourned his case to Central Local Court on February 22.

His two co-accused are expected to apply for bail in that court on Tuesday.
Speedy Sydney-to-Hobart supermaxi LDV Comanche has switched owners less than two weeks before the race.

The 2015 line honours winner and record-breaking boat was bought on Thursday by Sydney's Jim Cooney from American Jim Clark.

Veteran yachtsman Neville Crichton was scheduled to skipper the boat in this year's race but will only be aboard if Cooney doesn't go to Hobart.

Cooney has previously contested the race in the 70-foot Maserati and former line honours winner and maxi Brindabella.

"LDV Comanche is a truly awe-inspiring yacht and the chance to race to Hobart, alongside my children Julia and James with a world-class crew, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity too good to pass up," Cooney said.

"I started ocean racing 30 years ago and we have raced as a family in many parts of the world for 12 years.

"But this is an incredible opportunity for us to challenge for the world's toughest blue-water classic."

Crichton will still be involved in training the boat's star-studded crew.

Among those on board will be America's cup winner Jimmy Spithill, 11-time winner of the Transpac Race and round-the-world race winner Stan Honey, numerous other sailors with Olympic, round-the-world and Sydney-to-Hobart experience, and former NSW Waratahs prop Jeremy Tilse.

The yacht holds the 24-hour distance record for monohulls and the trans-Atlantic crossing record.

As well as the 2015 Sydney-to-Hobart, she has taken line honours in the Fastnet Race and this year smashed the monohull record in the Transpac.

With Cooney campaigning on LDV Comanche, he has withdrawn Maserati from the race.

The fleet now stands at 104 and the international contingent is 28, which is a race record.
The federal police strike force that uncovered Australia's largest alleged white-collar crime and brought down a deputy tax commissioner have ordered a Sydney woman to face court.

Deputy tax commissioner Michael Cranston was suspended and later resigned after being caught up in a multimillion-dollar fraud operation.

Cranston and two of his children, Adam, 30, and Lauren, 24, were among 10 people arrested after federal police from Strikeforce Elbrus raided 28 homes and businesses in May following an investigation into a $144 million fraud involving a syndicate of companies, straw directors and bank accounts.

Strike force officers descended on a Bondi Beach street on Thursday to search the home of a 31-year-old woman in connection with the investigation.

They seized a Subaru WRX which they will allege resulted from proceeds of crime.

The woman was ordered to appear in Downing Centre local court on January 30 where she will be charged with publishing false or misleading material to obtain financial advantage, police said.

Police allege the younger Cranstons were part of a syndicate that stole from taxpayers to fund their lavish lifestyles.

The alleged scam involved accepting legitimate payroll claims through Plutus Payroll which funnelled them to second-tier companies, rorting millions from the commonwealth by withholding PAYG tax.

While it's not suggested the deputy tax commissioner had knowledge of or involvement in the syndicate, he has been accused of unwittingly assisting it by providing information to his son, who owned Plutus.
Almost half of hospital-based nurses report being bullied as management neglects 'soft skills' in favour of promoting those with technical know-how, researchers have found.

A survey nationwide found 48 per cent had been bullied with 12 per cent of victims being targeted several times per week.

Edith Cowan University researcher Stephen Teo said the numbers "reflected the nature" of the healthcare sector.

Professor Teo said the pressure of the medical field can lead to abrupt, "snappy" behaviour which had a trickle-down effect on subordinate staff which, unless addressed, becomes normal.

Nurses were also surveyed on subtler forms of bullying such as rudeness, exclusion, unfair work distribution and negative tone and body language.

Respondents who had experienced or witnessed 'incivility' reported a 52 per cent increase in psychological distress, linked to an increase in health problems, staff turnover and decreased efficiency.

But in workplaces with leadership that was open, honest and held shared values with staff, nurses perception of rude behaviours fell 37.5 per cent, reducing stress.

"Those in charge usually make promotion choices based on a person's technical skills related to treating patients," Prof Teo said.

"Soft skills, such as managing people and relationships, are secondary."

He said the survey of 230 nurses proved there needed to be more emphasis on training hospital line managers in the human side of work.
Car company Holden has confirmed the sale of its former vehicle assembly site in Adelaide to a Melbourne-based developer.

The company says the Pelligra Group plans to turn the site into a business park with a range of industrial, manufacturing, construction, engineering, automotive and commercial uses as well as retail and recreational facilities.

Director of manufacturing engineering and facilities Matthew Goodwins said Holden was pleased that the Elizabeth site would continue to be a hub of industry and jobs in the region.
Western Australia's latest unemployment figures have been described as disappointing by the Liberal opposition.

WA's seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose from 6.0 per cent to 6.6 per cent.

Opposition Treasurer Dean Nalder said the increase came on the back of another significant jump in unemployment last month, increasing the jobless rate 0.8 percentage points in two months.

"Although there has been an increase in the participation rate, an unemployment rate of 6.6 per cent is still disappointing," Mr Nalder said.

It is the highest jobless rate since November last year and 1.2 percentage points higher than the national average.

But the latest figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, show WA had the highest increase in participation rate of 0.2 per cent, its highest since October 2015.

And there was a 10,000 increase in people returning to full time work.
Prescribed burn-offs in bushland have little impact on reducing the extent and intensity of wildfires, a study has found.

Burn-offs are a routine part of preparations for bushfire season across Australia, but modelling done by researchers in Tasmania suggests fire authorities need to target unrealistically-sized parcels of land to have any meaningful effect on taming future wildfires.

The aim of prescribed burning is to reduces the amount of combustible material in the bush so that if a fire starts it won't spread as far or be as intense.

To test how much prescribed burning would need to be undertaken in order to reduce the intensity and extent of a future bushfire, researchers from the University of Tasmania's school of biological sciences simulated more than 11,000 hypothetical fires on a typically dangerous fire-weather day in the apple isle.

They found that firefighters would need to carry out prescribed burn-offs across 31 per cent of Tasmania in order to have a significant impact on reducing the threat from wildfires.

More realistic smaller-scale burn-offs, however, had almost no effect on the extent and intensity of a wildfire.

Professor David Bowman, who helped lead the study, said the findings suggest that planned burnoffs are still necessary but not sufficient.

He believes governments and fire authorities need to consider taking a more local approach, and introduce on the outskirts of towns and cities clever landscape designs that include irrigation and green fire breaks in the form of parklands, that can work in conjunction with burn-offs to help mitigate bushfire risks.

"This is of global significance, to try to work out how we are going to coexist with flammable landscapes with an accelerating risk of climate change, which is shrinking the safe days to do planned burning but heightening the number of dangerous days when there will be uncontrolled bushfires," he told AAP.

"There's no question we need fuel management, there's an urgent need.

"Planned burning is a necessity but in my opinion not sufficient approach particularly at the broad scale. We have to start going local."

Prof Bowman said the downsides of relying on planned burn-offs to mitigate bushfire risk include smoke haze, which can cause breathing difficulties for many people in nearby communities, as well as the fact that the blazes can run out of control and can't be carried out in extremely dense bushland.

And while he acknowledges it could be expensive to introduce landscape designs to help counter bushfires, he argues they are a necessary cost for state and local governments.

"If we think about earthquakes you don't hear people complaining, certainly in New Zealand, about the cost of a house that's going to survive an earthquake," Prof Bowman said.

"Yet in the fire space we have some building regulations but surely having fire-safe communities is a good investment."

The study was published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire on Friday.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Former ZBC presenter Eric Knight has said claims that MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai sent party members to the US to seek extension of sanctions are blue lies."That is not correct. There has been a very dangerous and stinky rumour circulating on some parts of the media that MDC President Dr Morgan Tsvangirai has sent three men to the USA to talk to the powers there to either extend sanctions on Zimbabwe or to discourage the Trump Government from working with President Emmerson Mnangagwa (ED's) government."I was very much disturbed and angry just like most Zimbabweans. I could not sleep. I personally located my brother Nelson Chamisa who is also Vice President of the MDC. He was on transit and he could not pick up my call and I left him a message on whatsapp," he said."As a friend, brother and God fearing man I personally relate to and respect, I told him point blank that if this is true it would be extremely bad for everyone and I needed him to assure me its not correct. Knowing him as I do, knowing how 'not stupid' Nelly is, I could not believe he would be part of such a foolish mission."He responded once he touched down in America. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am glad to let you know that he has assured me that it is a lie from the pit of hell."Yes, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and Nelson Chamisa are indeed in the United States right now but the purpose and mission of their trip, I don't know in detail and obviously they would not disclose that."He said the only thing Chamisa told him was that it is part of the preparation of the forthcoming 2018 Elections.
The Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Bennelong has rejected claims he breached parliamentary rules by not declaring rental income from a NSW property.

John Alexander, who's trying win back the seat after resigning last month due to his dual citizenship, owns a $5 million home in the Southern Highlands, outside of Sydney.

While the May property acquisition was declared, questions have been raised about whether or not he should also have declared the rental income on the parliamentary register of member's interests.
The death of a Gold Coast teenager from a drug overdose in 2015 could lead to charges against police officers who attended the scene.

Coroner Terry Ryan delivered his findings at Southport Courthouse on Thursday into the death of 19-year-old Charlie Robertson at his Miami apartment in June 2015.

Mr Ryan found Mr Robertson's death was preventable and said police had "acted inappropriately and incompetently" in their care for the young man.

Mr Robertson was unconscious in his bedroom when seven officers from the Gold Coast's Rapid Action Patrol raided the property, looking for one of his flatmates.

Despite being unable to wake Mr Robertson, the officers left without providing him with medical assistance despite the presence of paramedics at the property, the inquest heard.

The inquest found Mr Roberston would "very likely" have survived had he received treatment.

"I consider that the attending police officers who witnessed Charlie's condition acted inappropriately and incompetently with respect to his presentation," Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan added evidence given at the inquest that officers lifting a mattress the unconscious Mr Robertson was lying on was "inappropriate" while laughter heard from officers when Mr Robertson fell from the mattress reflected "very poorly" on the officers involved.

Mr Ryan said he will refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions, meaning the officers could be potentially be charged for their actions.

Charlie's father Graham Robertson told reporters outside court the inquest had shown his son would be "100 per cent alive today" had police acted "accordingly".

The inquest heard at the time of Mr Robertson's death, frontline officers had not been trained in recognising signs of drug overdose but that this training has since taken place.
Former Home and Away actor Martin Lynes has indicated he will fight additional charges related to an aggravated sexual assault for which he'll be sentenced next year.

Lynes, 50, was found guilty by a jury in August of digital penetration occasioning actual bodily harm on a woman at Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast in late-February 2016.

He will be sentenced in mid-March by Judge Robert Sutherland, who will also determine between four and eight related assault offences the Crown alleges occurred earlier the same day.

Lynes' lawyer, Pat Costa, told the Parramatta District Court on Thursday his client intends to plead not guilty to the additional charges.

Lynes himself told the judge he was "happy" to represent himself for the remainder of the proceedings to "expedite" the process and because he had nothing to add.

"I don't want anything that can slow it," Lynes, dressed in prison greens, said from the dock.

"I feel like you've heard my side of the story. I will put myself in your hands from today."

Lynes played Dr Luke Forlano on hospital drama series All Saints and also appeared in Blue Water High, Sea Patrol, Packed to the Rafters and McLeod's Daughters.

A number of his supporters sat in the public gallery on Thursday morning including a woman who motioned a heart shape with her hands towards him.

He remains in custody and has made no application for bail.
Authorities scrambling to find a plane's emergency beacon have tracked the signal to a museum - only to find a plane that crashed 21 years ago.

Australian Communications and Media Authority investigator Holly Buckle told 3AW on Friday the EPIRB went off at Point Cook last week, but when it was tracked down they found a plane long-past its flying days.

The plane is currently being restored for display at the Royal Australian Air Force Museum, with authorities blaming corroded batteries for setting off the EPIRB.
Tziporah Malkah, the former Australian model previously known as Kate Fischer, is expected to face a Melbourne court on Friday after being accused of drink-driving.

The 44-year-old former fiancee of billionaire James Packer and star of saucy 1994 film Sirens indicated last week she might fight the charges.

Malkah is accused of driving while intoxicated in the affluent suburb of Toorak on January 3.

It is also alleged she refused a breath test after a crash, drove carelessly, reversed in an unsafe manner, and stopped on a nature strip.

But Malkah claims police officers were "bullies" that night.

Last week, the Melbourne Magistrates Court was told she was "extremely unhappy" with the way police acted, telling reporters "Vic Pol are bullies" on her way out of the building.

The former pin-up model and actress has featured on the cover of Vogue four times.
The head of Australia's competition watchdog has described Brisbane's petrol market, where drivers are paying three cents a litre more on average than in other cities, as "appalling".

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims, who on Thursday rejected BP's bid to take over Woolworths' petrol stations, said it would have caused prices across the Queensland city to jump another one to two cents.

"It's not just the average price of fuel you'll pay more, we believe if the merger proceeds you'll also have an even sharper and more irritating petrol price cycle," he told ABC Radio on Friday.
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera speaks during a press conference at the Elysee palace on September 25, 2017 in Paris

The United States, Britain and France on Wednesday asked that a Russian request to send light arms to the Central African Republic be put on hold as they seek more information on the shipments, diplomats said.

Russia has asked the UN Security Council for an exemption to an arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) to allow the arms to be shipped to its armed forces.

The first delivery of pistols, automatic rifles and ammunition is scheduled for next week.

CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera asked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the weaponry during talks at the Black Sea resort of Sochi in October.

Russia is proposing to supply the arms for two battalions totaling 1,300 men, who were recently trained by the European Union.

A council diplomat said the three countries had requested additional information, but did not block the request.

"Our only request was that the Russian delegation submit additional information on the serial numbers of the weapons ...so that we can track weapons going into CAR," said a US official.

"We think it is a reasonable request and underscores the importance of coordinating the physical protection, control, safe storage, and management of transferred arms and ammunition."

"We asked for additional information and did not oppose this request," said a spokesperson for the British mission.

France blocked a previous request last month over concerns about the storage of the weapons in the volatile country, a council diplomat said.

The Central African Republic has been struggling to return to stability since the country exploded into bloodshed after the 2013 overthrow of longtime leader Francois Bozize by the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance.

France intervened militarily to push out the Seleka alliance but the country remains plagued with violence pitting groups competing for control of resources and areas of influence.

According to the request obtained by AFP, Russia said the light arms would be stored under tight security and new storage units could be provided for the arms that will be kept in the provinces, where most clashes are taking place.

A first shipment is planned for Monday, with two others set for February 1 and April 1. It remained unclear if the deliveries would go ahead as scheduled.

Among the weapons on the list are 900 pistols, 5,200 assault rifles, 140 sniper rifles, 840 Kalashnikov machine guns, 270 RPGs and 20 anti-aircraft guns.

Russia would also provide millions of rounds of ammunition including armor-piercing cartridges, hand grenades and mortars, the document said.

Russian defense ministry officials traveled to CAR last month to review the newly trained forces and discuss the military aid.

"Having assessed the situation in CAR, the Russian side agreed with the opinion of this country's leadership on the necessity to increase the overall strength of the armed forces of the Central African Republic," said the request from the Russian mission to the United Nations.
A burnt out house is seen after the "Skirball" fire swept through the exclusive enclave of Bel Air on December 7, 2017

Firefighters in Los Angeles said Wednesday they were nearing full containment of a week-old fire caused by "an illegal cooking fire" at a homeless encampment.

The blaze, which is 90 percent under control, has scorched 422 acres (170 hectares) since it broke out in the early hours of December 6, destroying six homes in the upscale Bel Air area and damaging 12 others.

"We were not aware that there was this encampment there. If we were, we would have been encouraging them to move," said city council member Paul Koretz.

"But what makes this even more tragic is the tragedy of homelessness, and the fact that we've got tens of thousands of people living on the streets and it means things like this will happen until we get more of a handle on the problem," he added.

The "Skirball" fire burned in the same area as the devastating Bel Air Fire of 1961, which destroyed about 500 homes and led to various policy changes, including a prohibition on wood-shingle roofs.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said Tuesday it was caused by a cooking fire at an encampment in a brush area.

Up to 700 properties including a mansion owned by model Chrissy Teigen were temporarily evacuated in the luxurious suburb -- where residents include Beyonce, Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch.

Nearly 6,400 firefighters have been toiling for a week against wildfires ravaging southern California, fueled by bone dry conditions and powerful winds.

The biggest "Thomas" fire, which has charred more than 237,000 acres of land, remained only 25 percent contained on Wednesday, according to official data, as firefighters warned of an ongoing threat.

"Thomas" is the fifth biggest fire in California's history, according to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

Experts say global warming increases the risk of out-of-control blazes by drying out vegetation, making it more inflammable and easily set alight by lightning, spontaneous combustion, or fires lit by humans.

Authorities so far have reported just one fatality -- a 70-year-old woman who died in a car accident while fleeing flames in the Thomas area.
A Palestinian child rescues belongings from his home which was damaged in an Israeli air strike on a nearby Hamas base in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 13, 2017

Israel carried out a series of air strikes against Islamist group Hamas in Gaza early on Thursday, the army said, hours after more rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli army also announced it would close the border crossings between blockaded Gaza and Israel -- Kerem Shalom for goods and Erez for people -- from Thursday "due to the security events and in accordance with security assessments."

A military spokeswoman could not say whether the closure would be for one day or more.

In a statement, the Israeli army said it had targeted three Hamas military facilities in different parts of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

"The military facilities were used as training and weapons storage compounds," the army said.

"This was in response to the projectiles fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip."

A Palestinian security source said there were more than 10 strikes on the targets, which included a Hamas naval facility and a military base near the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The source said there had been significant damage to the targets, as well as lesser damage to nearby houses, where some residents suffered minor injuries.

The strikes came hours after Israel's air defence system intercepted two rockets fired from Gaza.

Such rockets are generally fired by fringe Islamist groups but Israel holds Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for any fire from the territory.

There has been an uptick in violence from Gaza since US President Donald Trump announced he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week.

There have been 12 projectiles fired at Israel from Gaza since December 6, with Israeli retaliatory strikes targeting 10 sites in the Palestinian enclave.

The recent rocket fire has not caused any casualties in Israel.

While an increase in rocket fire preceded the 2014 Gaza war, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman played down the significance of the recent launches on Thursday.

During a tour of Sderot, an Israeli town lying a short distance from northern Gaza and where rockets have often struck, he called it "a result of internal Palestinian struggles between different organisations."

One of the recent rockets hit a kindergarten in Sderot, but it struck at night and no one was hurt.

"I hope the residents of Gaza will force their leadership to invest their efforts and money in improving the strip's economy rather than digging tunnels, producing rockets and firing them at Israel," Lieberman said.

Since unrest erupted last week over Trump's declaration, four Gazans have been killed, two in clashes along the border and two Hamas militants in an Israeli air strike in retaliation for rocket fire.

One Israeli has been seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's opportunity to try to transform South Africa may have finally arrived

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is within touching distance of South Africa's top job, previously had his presidential hopes dashed and opted for life in business that brought him spectacular wealth.

After failing to clinch the ANC nomination to succeed president Nelson Mandela in 1999, the veteran trade unionist swapped politics for a lucrative foray into business that made him one of the wealthiest people in Africa.

His failure came as a surprise to many as he was seen as Mandela's preferred candidate -- with Mandela describing Ramaphosa as one of the most gifted leaders of the "new generation".

Along with President Jacob Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Ramaphosa, 65, is now a top candidate to become the ANC's new leader when the party's conference concludes next week. The winner will be well-placed to be the next president.

During his business career, Ramaphosa held stakes in McDonald's and Coca-Cola and made millions in deals that required investors to partner with non-white shareholders.

He became one of the richest men on the continent -- reaching number 42 on Forbes list of Africa's wealthiest people in 2015 with a net worth of $450 million (383 million euros).

Out of politics for a decade, Ramaphosa returned to frontline politics in 2012 when he was elected to the ANC's number-two post.

He became deputy president of the nation in 2014 and has since trodden a careful line between serving Zuma and delivering occasional, cautious criticism of his political master.

- 'A silent deputy' -

Nelson Mandela with Cyril Ramaphosa, who the South African president described as one of the most gifted leaders of the "new generation", in 1993

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, has accused Ramaphosa of being "at best a silent deputy president, and at worst a complicit one".

Born on November 17, 1952 in Soweto township west of Johannesburg -- a centre of the anti-apartheid struggle -- Ramaphosa became involved with student activism while studying law in the 1970s.

He was arrested in 1974 and spent 11 months in solitary confinement.

After studying, he turned to trade unionism -- one of the few legal ways of protesting the white-minority regime.

He founded the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982 which grew to 300,000 members and led massive mine strikes in 1987 that shook the foundations of white rule.

When Mandela was released in 1990 after 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid, Ramaphosa was a key part of the taskforce that led the transition to democracy.

Ramaphosa won global prominence as the ANC's lead negotiator in 1993, with his contribution seen as one factor in the success of the talks and the resulting peaceful democratic handover.

He then led the group that drew up the country's world-renowned new constitution.

Ramaphosa -- who is relaxed and low-key at public appearances -- has managed to steer clear of major corruption scandals but his return to politics has not been free from controversy.

His popularity was badly shaken in 2012 when 34 striking mine workers were killed by police at the Marikana platinum mine, operated by London-listed Lonmin, where he was then a non-executive director.

- 'Powerful insider' -

After failing to clinch the ANC nomination to succeed Mandela, Ramaphosa swapped politics for a lucrative foray into business

Shortly before the massacre -- the worst police killing since the end of apartheid -- Ramaphosa had called for a crackdown on the strikers who he accused of "dastardly criminal" behaviour.

Ramaphosa has four children with his second wife Tshepo Motsepe, a doctor.

Earlier this year he was accused of having affairs with several young women, which he denied.

Ramaphosa did admit to an extramarital affair but told local media that he had since disclosed the relationship to his wife.

Some saw the sudden revelations as a smear campaign by associates of President Zuma determined to ensure that Dlamini-Zuma takes the ANC top job.

The impact of the scandal was short-lived, and Ramaphosa has based his campaign on his pledge to rebuild the country's economy, boost growth and create much-needed jobs.

"Our ability to overcome these challenges has been undermined over the last decade by a failure of leadership and misguided priorities," he said in a rally speech.

"For the first time since the advent of democracy, there is a real chance that the transformation of our country may suffer significant reverses."

If he wins the leadership of the ANC and then becomes president, his opportunity to try to transform the country will finally have arrived.

"Ramaphosa has no association with any of the corruption scandals that have plagued South Africa," wrote his biographer Ray Hartley in "The Man Who Would Be King".

"But the years he spent at Zuma's side, playing the 'inside game' suggest he is more comfortable as a powerful insider than as a radical reformer."
News / National

by Staff Reporter

Self-exiled former Zanu-PF spin doctor Professor Jonathan Moyo has said the Junta will pay at the polls for humiliating former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.Moyo went on Twitter to state that in 2013 Zimbabwe adopted major anti-coup security sector reforms.Read Moyo's tweets below:"Going by the Press Statements of General Chiwenga on 14 November & ED Mnangagwa on 21 November, the coup d'etat of 15 November was clearly in pursuit of a cause of Mnangagwa's Lacoste faction in Zanu PF & was thus unconstitutional under s208 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe!""Section 88 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe says Executive Authority is derived not from the gun but from the people at an election. Anything else is a coup & illegitimate. An illegitimate govt derived from the gun can't organise legitimate & credible elections!""In 2013 Zimbabwe adopted major anti-coup security sector reforms under which ONLY the President can deploy the Defence Forces in or outside Zimbabwe as enshrined in s213 of the Constitution. Self-deployment of the Defence Forces as they did on 15 Nov is illegal!""As part of the major security sector reforms of 2013 now enshrined in s214 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the deployment of the Defence Forces which can ONLY be done by the President requires political accountability which can ONLY be done through Parliament! ""Purporting to target "criminals" around President Mugabe, the Junta & Mnangagwa violated two constitutions; Zanu PF's & Zim's to steal President Mugabe's electoral mandate, humiliate him & tarnish his legacy. The Junta will pay at the polls for humiliating President Mugabe!""With the architects of Gukurahundi leading the 15 November coup d'etat, there were gross & horrendous but still undocumented human rights violations including Military attacks on individuals & looting of homes; illegal arrests & detentions; torture & murder!""The great mass deception of Mnangagwa & the Junta is that the 15 November coup d'etat is against CORRUPTION, aimed at political opponents when the coup leaders & the Junta's key Cabinet ministers are UN-documented diamond & gold looters in #Zimbabwe & the #DRC !""There're two key questions for #Sadc #UN about the deployment of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces on 15 Nov & the ALLEGED resignation of President Mugabe on 21 Nov: 1. Was the ZDF deployment constitutional? 2. Did President Mugabe voluntarily & freely resign? ""To expect the same Junta & Mnangagwa who violently grabbed power through a coup d'etat on 15 November to organise & oversee free, fair & credible elections is the same as expecting Satan the Devil to organise & run the Church of God on behalf of Christians!""Given what has happened since the coup d'etat of 15 November 2017, the only way forward is for #Sadc #UN to #CuretheCoup by restoring constitutional legitimacy through a civilian national transitional structure to oversee free, fair & credible elections! "
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is a front-runner to lead South Africa's ruling party and a win would put her in line to become the next president

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a front-runner in the race for South Africa's ruling party leadership, faces difficulty distancing herself from her tarnished ex-husband President Jacob Zuma.

Dlamini-Zuma is an African National Congress (ANC) veteran and an experienced technocrat who has served as a minister under every leader since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

She became one of the most experienced ministers of the democratic post-apartheid era, holding the home affairs, health and foreign affairs portfolios.

She was also chair of the African Union Commission until earlier this year, but running for the ANC top job is her biggest challenge yet, with victory putting her in line to become the next president of the country.

Her former husband, with whom she has four children, is fighting multiple corruption scandals and is blamed for many of the country's economic and political problems.

As a result Dlamini-Zuma, 68, has been forced to defend herself against critics who say her elevation would mean the continuation of Zuma's rule -- and that she could shield him from possible criminal prosecution.

Speaking to AFP recently, she angrily dismissed "offensive" criticism that she was her ex-husband's hand-picked successor.

Neither the ANC nor South Africa have yet had a woman leader and Dlamini-Zuma winning the party leadership at a conference starting on Saturday would be a ground-breaking moment for the African continent.

- 'She is an enigma' -

Dlamini-Zuma winning the party leadership would be a ground-breaking moment for the African continent

Zuma has thrown his weight behind her, describing her as "bold" and "someone you can trust". But critics are yet to be convinced.

"She is an enigma... a very difficult person to judge, simply because she has always operated under someone else's shadow," said political analyst Susan Booysen.

"Her support is largely based on her husband's constituency," she said.

Born January 27, 1949, in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, Dlamini-Zuma took up politics in high school.

In the 1970s she went into exile, studying in Britain at the universities of Bristol and Liverpool, while helping organise the overseas anti-apartheid movement.

She met Zuma while working as a paediatrician at a Swaziland hospital and became the polygamist future president's third wife in 1982.

When the ban on the African National Congress was lifted in 1990, she returned home.

After the end of apartheid in 1994, then president Nelson Mandela appointed her health minister.

She took the helm at a time when millions of people were dying from AIDS.

She did not hold the health brief under Mandela's successor, Thabo Mbeki, who is accused of allowing the disease to advance through inaction and superstition.

In 1998, Dlamini-Zuma was criticised for suspending pilot trials on the use of anti-retrovirals to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, claiming they were "unaffordable".

But she championed HIV awareness schemes -- including "Sarafina II", a stage play that embroiled her in a corruption scandal over its cost.

- 'Her own person'? -

Dlamini-Zuma has defended herself against critics who say her elevation would mean the continuation of President Jacob Zuma's rule

South Africa's graft watchdog ruled that she misled parliament over the project's funding in a scandal that blemished her otherwise impressive record of public service.

Dlamini-Zuma, who divorced President Zuma in 1998, has received backing in her ANC leadership bid from several powerful corners of the party including its women's and youth wings.

But, according to Carin du Plessis, author of "Woman in the Wings: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the Race for the Presidency", some foreign diplomats report "very negative" encounters.

"If she does not like you, she is not afraid to show you," Du Plessis told AFP. "I think she might be her own person as far as it comes to governance."

But Dlamini-Zuma has been muted on key issues like corruption, carefully treading the party line and delivering speeches that promise to push ahead with Zuma's policy of "radical economic transformation" supposed to help poor black South Africans.

Known for her unsmiling demeanour and stern personality, she has campaigned hard for the ANC job, speaking at rallies across the country.

"She takes her work very seriously," said Prince Mashele, an analyst at the Centre for Politics and Research, who worked with Dlamini-Zuma's ministry when she held the foreign affairs portfolio.

"She has the rare quality of putting up very good administrators, but I thought she could do better if she was a little more affable."
Zuma has held on to the South African presidency in defiance of his critics and a string of scandals

South Africa's jovial leader Jacob Zuma is a former herdboy who fought in the anti-apartheid struggle and has held onto the presidency despite a plethora of scandals.

Now aged 75, he has survived by building a network of loyal African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers and officials, and by trading on the party's legacy as the organisation that ended white-minority rule.

Among the stains on his presidency have been allegedly fostering a culture of government corruption and leading the country into a quagmire of low growth and record unemployment.

He will stand down as ANC party chief at a conference starting Saturday but remain as national president ahead of the 2019 election.

As leader of the late Nelson Mandela's party, which has won every election since South Africa became a democracy in 1994, Zuma easily won a five-year term in 2014.

The son of a domestic worker, he has "a very strong appeal" to the working class and the poor, says Sdumo Dlamini, head of the Confederation of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), an ANC ally.

"He is a people's person and he has grown through the ranks of the working class. He knows the suffering of the ordinary folk."

- Grassroots support -

Born on April 12, 1942, in the Nkandla rural hamlet in KwaZulu-Natal province, Zuma had a rapid political ascent.

Popularly referred to as "JZ", he commands loyalty from ANC grassroots supporters awed by his journey from uneducated youth to president, with a 10-year stint as an apartheid-era political prisoner on Robben Island along the way.

When he took the reins of the ANC in 2007 in a putsch against ex-president Thabo Mbeki, Zuma inherited a party riddled with divisions.

Tensions have only deepened as the ANC has been accused of losing its moral compass.

As criticism of his reign mounted, Zuma has maintained a cheerful public facade, often chuckling when allegations against him are repeated.

But he has been significantly weakened as increasingly senior ANC figures have criticised him in public.

He was forced into a humiliating climbdown in 2015 after firing a minister of finance and appointing a man widely seen as a stooge.

As the national currency, the rand, went into freefall, Zuma bowed to pressure and re-appointed Pravin Gordhan, an admired former finance minister, to the key post.

In a tussle that symbolised his tenacious grip over the ANC, Zuma finally got the finance minister of his choice in March this year when Gordhan was ousted in a midnight reshuffle.

In 2016, Zuma agreed to pay back some of the public money spent on his private residence at Nkandla -- backing down in the face of a stinging Constitutional Court rebuke.

He has also been accused of corrupt dealings with the wealthy Gupta family, even allegedly granting them influence over his cabinet appointments.

- Zulu warrior gear -

Zuma's private life is as colourful as his political career.

A proud traditionalist, he often swaps tailored suits for full leopard-pelt Zulu warrior gear, engaging in energetic ground-stomping tribal dances during ceremonies in his village.

At ANC rallies, he is often the first to break into tuneful song.

In the past, he relished leading supporters in the rousing anti-apartheid struggle song "Umshini Wami" (Bring Me My Machine Gun), which became his signature tune.

The teetotaller and non-smoker has four wives and at least 20 children.

He joined the ANC as a teenager, becoming the strategic and ruthless head of intelligence in the underground organisation.

Before taking office, Zuma dismayed the nation during his 2006 rape trial when he told the court he had showered after having unprotected sex with his young HIV-positive accuser to avoid, he said, contracting the virus.

The claim incensed safe-sex campaigners -- not least because Zuma was head of the country's national AIDS council at the time.

Zuma was acquitted of rape but is often mocked in newspaper cartoons and depicted with a shower nozzle sprouting from his bald head.

At Mandela's memorial service in 2013, he was loudly booed by ordinary South Africans in front of world leaders.

During Zuma's time in power, South Africa has also been rocked by increasing social unrest over the failure to provide housing and basic services.

Zuma is still fighting a court order that could reinstate corruption charges against him over 783 payments linked to a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.

He is accused of seeking to usher former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma into the ANC leadership spot to protect himself from prosecution when he leaves office before the 2019 election.
Lengthy border controls are a major hurdle for trade in Africa

At the frontier between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, a long queue stretches between two checkpoints as travellers wrestle with officialdom and the inevitable demand for a sweetener in order to cross.

The headache of crossing the border at Ebebiyin, at the crossroads of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Cameroon, is typical of many frontier points in Africa, where customs hassles and kickbacks add to delays, costs and frustrations.

But the problem here carries special weight. It is enduring despite a vow by a six-nation alliance in central-western Africa to create an unprecedented border-free bloc.

"To cross by car from Cameroon to Gabon, we pay 30,000, 45,000 CFA francs (45 euros/$50 to 69 euros/$80). There's no explanation why," said Jules, a Gabonese driver.

"Where is this free movement of goods and people?" he exclaimed.

On October 31, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo declared they were setting up a barrier-free bloc to foster trade and free movement of their citizens.

Under it, citizens holding valid national ID cards or passports would no longer be subjected to entry visas or exit permits, and could visit another country for up to three months.

Today, some traders and travellers say that crossing the border has in some respects become easier.

Citizens of the six-nation Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) are no longer required to show a visa, although in theory this should only be for those with a biometric passport, an AFP reporter found.

On the other hand, people who are crossing over just for a few hours have to leave their ID at the border post, which they pick up on their return, and still have to pay a fee of 2,000 CFA francs.

"I find that the things are going a little better than before," said Judge Adolfo Nguema from Equatorial Guinea, on the Cameroon side of the border. "Before we did not cross as easily as now."

- 'Still a dream' -

Despite this, many complained that a lack of information and consistency was a problem -- and bribery was a deep source of frustration.

Hawkers swarm around travellers and merchants, proposing to carry parcels and goods across the border for a fee to incorporate the necessary inducement -- usually 1,000 or 2,000 CFA francs -- to get past the police.

"It's still a dream. Basically, we are still paying to cross from one side to the other," said Valerie Oyana, a Gabonese trader at a market at Kye-Ossi, on the Cameroon side of the border.

Standing beside a truck stacked full of giant bunches of bananas, which she sells in Libreville, the Gabonese capital, Oyana said it was standard practice to have to grease a palm with 3,000 CFA in order to get through the checkpoints.

Kye-Ossi is one of a number of market towns by the frontiers of Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, at the heart of the six-nation alliance.

CEMAC, set up in 2000, has a potential market of 30 million consumers.

Their leaders met in the Chadian capital of N'Djamena on October 31 to formally declare the borderless scheme had now been ratified by all members.

Negotiations on the deal began more than 15 years ago, driven by the idea of removing bureaucratic obstacles that cause delay and drive up costs, especially for transport companies and other service providers.

Talks culminated in a draft agreement in 2013 that awaited ratification by all its members.

The process was hampered by fears by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon -- oil-rich and relatively sparsely populated -- that they would be swamped by an influx of job-seekers from poorer members.

CEMAC has a poor history of implementing major decisions, particularly concerning economic or monetary integration. Plans that remain on the shelf include the creation of a regional airline and a single passport.

But the idea of a border-free zone remains alluring, although some customs and police officials at the checkpoints are clearly unenthused.

"Free movement is going to kill us!" one official could be overheard in conversation to another, moments after pocketing money from a traveller.
A letter made public on December 13, 2017, in Waymo's civil suit against Uber over swiped self-driving car secrets confirmed the ride-share service is the target of a US criminal investigation

A letter made public on Wednesday in Waymo's civil suit against Uber over swiped self-driving car secrets confirmed the ride-share service is the target of a US criminal investigation.

The US Attorney's Office in Northern California sent the letter to US Judge William Alsup last month to share some of what they have learned "in the course of a United States' pending criminal investigation," according to a copy of the paperwork obtained by AFP.

Alsup had referred the case to the Justice Department to look into possible criminal charges, but prosecutors remained mum after that.

Information shared by the department with Alsup sparked a courtroom furor over the possibility that Uber operated a program to hide nefarious tactics.

It also resulted in the trial being delayed a second time, with the judge setting a new start date of February 5.

The US Attorney's Office said in the missive to Alsup that they interviewed former Uber manager of global intelligence Richard Jacobs, who contended that "employees routinely used non-attributable electronic devices to store and transmit information that they wished to separate from Uber's official systems."

Attorneys representing Uber have repeatedly assured the judge no files taken from Waymo ever touched Uber servers.

Jacobs' attorney laid out his allegations in May in a letter to Uber's associate general counsel, according to the Justice document.

Alsup continues to mull whether it should have been shared during an evidence-gathering phase of the civil case.

The letter signed by Jacobs told of an effort to evade discovery requests, court orders, and government investigations "in violation of state and federal law, as well as ethical rules governing the legal profession."

Techniques used included smartphones or laptop computers that couldn't be traced back to the company, and communicating through encrypted, vanishing message service Wickr, according to the letter and a transcript of courtroom testimony obtained by AFP.

Jacobs testified that he left Uber early this year with a compensation deal valued at $4.5 million.

As part of that agreement with Uber, Jacobs remained a consultant on the payroll.

Uber executives who testified denied any wrongdoing or trail-covering.

The civil case stems from a lawsuit filed by Waymo -- previously known as the Google self-driving car unit -- which claimed former manager Anthony Levandowski took technical data with him when he left to launch a competing venture that went on to become Otto and was later acquired by Uber.

Uber is also a target of investigations and lawsuits over the cover-up of a hack that compromised personal information of 57 million users and drivers.

Uber purportedly paid data thieves $100,000 to destroy the swiped information -- and remained quiet about the breach for a year.

US justice officials are also investigating suspicions of foreign bribery and use of illegal software to spy on competitors or escape scrutiny of regulators.
Yemeni artist and detainee Moath al-Alwi's three-masted cardboard ship is part of a New York exhibit of art from current or past detainees

The art is striking -- a miniature three-masted ship in cardboard, with bits of T-shirt for the sails and threads from a prayer cap for ropes. A picture of a huge mosque at water's edge. A shadowy and faceless Statue of Liberty.

The pieces are all part of a surprising exhibit in New York with an unlikely source -- the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The John Jay College of Criminal Justice is offering art lovers a chance to examine the works of eight presumed jihadists now or once held at the detention center, which has become a symbol of America's "war on terror" -- and of the excesses committed in its name.

The prison was opened in 2002 at the US naval base on Cuba's southern coast. Some 800 suspected jihadists, swept up by American forces in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, have passed through its cells.

Former US president Barack Obama promised to close the prison amid reports of torture or arbitrary treatment.

But 41 detainees remain, and President Donald Trump, vowing a relentless war on extremists, wants to keep them there.

The exhibit of paintings and other objets d'art made by detainees is called "Ode to the Sea" and the water is indeed an omnipresent theme -- even though prisoners were able to see it only once.

A 2014 hurricane briefly forced the US military to remove the tarps blocking the detainees' view, said Erin Thompson, a co-curator of the exhibit and an assistant art professor at John Jay.

- No 'glorification' -

While the sea apparently fed the dreams -- and the nightmares -- of detainees, it is also a theme that passes the rigorous standards of Guantanamo censors, who have rejected some artworks as "overly political or angry," Thompson said.

Censors did, however, approve a drawing entitled "Vertigo at Guantanamo" -- a dizzying spiral of blue, green and red dots.

Pakistani detainee Ammar al-Baluchi told his lawyer he wanted his 'Vertigo' painting to convey the precarious feeling he says he has suffered while in prison at Guantanamo Bay

Pakistani detainee Ammar al-Baluchi, the exhibit's only artist to have been charged formally over the 9/11 attacks, wanted to convey to his lawyers the precarious feeling he says he has suffered since being "tortured by the CIA," Thompson explained.

"This art is not here to glorify him as an artist -- it's here so we can learn about his experience, his life," she said.

Of the 30 works on display, 16 come from a single detainee: Muhammad Ansi, a Yemeni.

Released from Guantanamo and transferred to Oman in January 2017, Ansi is, in a way, the man behind the exhibit, explained his New York lawyer, Beth Jacob.

- 'Demonized' -

During their first meeting, Ansi spoke to her at length about the art courses that Guantanamo first offered in 2009, and he asked if his work could eventually be displayed in the outside world.

Jacob received clearance from Guantanamo officials to take a few of his works off the island, and she showed them to artist friends in New York.

Thus was born the idea of an exhibit. Other detainees, or former detainees who had left Guantanamo along with their artworks, asked to take part.

These men "know they have been demonized," Jacob said.

Yemeni detainee Mohamad Ansi, whose work is seen here, is in some ways the man behind the exhibit, having asked for his work to be shown to the outside world

"What they hope by this is that people will see them not as the worst of the worst but as people, as humans, as people who have feelings and emotions, who appreciate beauty, who try to create that beauty.

"It's almost a cry for understanding."

For other detainees, the exhibit is a chance to "reaffirm (their) existence," said Ramzi Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York, who has also represented Guantanamo detainees.

Yemeni detainee Moath al-Alwi -- the creator of the three-masted cardboard ship -- was one of the first to arrive in Guantanamo, in January 2002, after his arrest at the Afghan-Pakistan border.

"He has seen all these other prisoners leave, and he is still there for no real reason. He has never been charged, never been tried, so it is a form of disappearance, a form of erasure," Kassem said.

- 'Caged bird sings' -

Judging by the exhibit's guest book, visitors often leave feeling both surprised and moved.

"The caged bird sings," wrote one who did not leave a name.

"To be there all this time, and to be alone and just having an art class -- how important that must have been just to keep you sane," Robert Fulmer, a coffee importer from San Francisco, told AFP.

The exhibit has apparently caused a stir at the Pentagon, after reports that some patrons wanted to buy the works on display.

Spokesman Benjamin Sakrisson confirmed to AFP that the release of artworks from Guantanamo was being suspended amid a "re-examination" of the policy.

The Defense Department had not realized before the exhibit opened that works considered US property "could be sold," he said.

Thompson confirmed that some visitors to the exhibit, which runs through January 26, had expressed an interest in purchasing certain works.

But only those by former detainees would be made available for sale, she said.

Kassem said he feels certain the potential sales are only a pretext for the Pentagon to change course.

"The moment these prisoners begin to express themselves, that they are able to show that they are human beings like everyone else... that's a threat," Kassem said.

"It runs immediately counter to the narrative that justifies not only Gitmo but the entire war on terror."
Boys take part in a training exercise with their dogs as part of a volunteer-run initiative that helps children develop caring and social skills as well as handling their animals with respect

When Thobani Gasa took his puppy for obedience training a few years ago it was just for fun. But soon his own behaviour started to change thanks to his canine companion.

Many townships in South Africa are notorious for gang-related violence but in Mpophomeni, near the southeastern town of Howick, pet dogs are helping lead the way to a more peaceful future.

On a hot Friday afternoon with their dogs in tow, dozens of children filed neatly into the grounds of the Zamuthule primary school for the weekly training session.

"I was part of the gangs, but this programme changed my life," said Gasa, 20, now a trainer.

"When I started learning about dogs, I started to focus on the dogs and abandoned gangster life."

Children wait with their dogs outside the primary school in Mpophomeni township in KwaZulu-Natal, where the popular weekly pet training draws about 100 youngsters

Eight years ago, volunteer dog trainer and retired teacher Adrienne Olivier started teaching children how to treat pet dogs. Every week some 100 children aged between eight and 15 go with their animals for the training she pioneered.

The project, which is called "Funda Nenja" -- Zulu for "learn with the dog" -- has helped to nurture kinship and respect between humans and their dogs in the township in southeastern KwaZulu-Natal province.

- 'Treat dogs with respect' -

"Coming here has taught me to treat dogs with respect," Sihle Dubazane, 13, said, while caressing his four-year-old crossbreed, Lion. "A dog has to be treated nicely, it has blood, it can feel."

Children sit in class with their puppies to listen to a volunteer tutor in a programme that not only trains dogs but helps their young owners to engage constructively with problems at home or in the community

In a classroom nearby, children and their puppies sat quietly on cream-coloured rubber mats, listening attentively to a tutor.

In the playgrounds outside, children and their dogs are clustered into three classes -- ordered from beginners to seniors, depending on their dog's level of obedience.

A better understanding of animal behaviour has helped the youngsters to understand their own.

Violence against or involving children in South Africa is alarmingly common, according to several children's charities.

A 2016 study revealed that in some parts of South Africa more than half of children are abused by caregivers, teachers or relatives.

Social worker Bongeka Ndaba works with children of the Zamuthule Primary School as part of the initiative, helping them engage with their own difficulties

Children who experience or witness violence are at a significantly heightened risk of becoming abusers themselves later in life, according to the June report of the Cape Town-based Children's Institute entitled "Out of Harm's Way?".

Vuyani Dube, 11, has been taking his dogs to Funda Nenja for just three months and already his family has noticed the change in his behaviour.

"He wasn't this disciplined and he wasn't this responsible," said Siphesihle Dube, referring to his nephew as he walked back home from the school with one of the family's three dogs.

- 'Violence is coming down' -

"Because of the history of violence involving the kids, (the project) is very, very good," said Dube. "It keeps them away from the street corners where they end up smoking."

Although there has been no scientific evaluation of the psychological impact of the dog training on the behaviour of the Mpophomeni children yet, volunteers and social workers say parents generally give positive feedback.

"I think it is because we are teaching the children that... they can communicate with the animal without resorting to violence or force... (and) it is rippling over into their everyday interactions with other people," said Olivier.

After class, children carrying snacks lead their dogs back home to face poverty, gangsterism and drugs. Social workers say parents usually commend the changes in behaviour

"If you can get a dog to do something without hitting it, surely you can get another human to cooperate through negotiation," she said.

Friday afternoons are much anticipated. The children start queuing up outside the school gate long before the lessons begin.

As soon as they are let in, children and their dogs are treated to a snack and something to drink. A veterinary nurse is on standby to check the health of all of the dogs.

Dogs in the area have traditionally been used to protect properties from intruders or for hunting, said the project's community liaison officer Winnie Sangcosi, 61.

"People are now telling me that violence is coming down. The children have forgotten about whoonga," said Sangcosi, referring to a potent local street drug. "Now they play with their dogs or study."
Hong Kong residents are split over whether the multi-billion dollar infrastructure mega-project is worthwhile

Billed as the world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, it has been touted by supporters as an engineering wonder.

But critics say the multi-billion dollar infrastructure mega-project is politically driven and a costly white elephant.

Dogged by delays, budget overruns, accusations of corruption and the deaths of construction workers, there is little prospect it will open by the end of 2017 as hoped.

Building started in 2009 on the 55-kilometre (34-mile) crossing, which includes a snaking road bridge and underwater tunnel, linking Hong Kong's Lantau island to the southern mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai and the gambling enclave of Macau, across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary.

Officials say the new bridge will boost business and cut travel time

Officials say it will boost business and cut travel time, but opponents in Hong Kong see it as another attempt by Beijing to tighten its grip on the semi-autonomous city.

Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen over the border but challenges from young pro-democracy activists and the emergence of a fledgling independence movement have riled Chinese authorities, who have warned they will not tolerate threats to China's sovereignty.

The Chinese government is "trying to blur the boundaries between Hong Kong and the other parts of the mainland", said pro-democracy lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki, who sits on the legislature's transport panel.

With its dire housing shortage and growing wealth gap there are also questions over whether the bridge is a good use of the Hong Kong government's money -- all three jurisdictions pay a portion of the costs.

The Lantau fishing village of Tai O overlooks the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

The total price tag for the project, which includes artificial islands, link roads and new border-crossing facilities, is unclear but some estimates run to over 100 billion yuan ($15.1 billion).

"Hong Kong doesn't really need it -- we've got air, land and sea connections to the mainland," said pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo, also on the transport panel.

"To Beijing it's one big gigantic symbol to link Hong Kong to the mainland."

- Loyalty test -

Officials cast the bridge as part of the Greater Bay Area project to create an economic hub linking nine southern mainland cities to Hong Kong and Macau, also a semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip says the bridge will help connections all the way to Southeast Asia, as part of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative to link with Africa, Asia and Europe through a network of ports, railways, roads and industrial parks.

Since 2011, 369 industrial accidents and nine deaths have been recorded, according to the labour department

"Although we have a boundary, we are still part of China and economic integration has been happening in a market-driven way for the past few decades," Ip said of Hong Kong's position.

"We cannot go against this trend."

However, some analysts including commentator Stephen Vines see the billions being spent on the bridge and other infrastructure links, including a new high-speed rail connection, as predominantly a political calculation -- not only by the Chinese central government, but also by local authorities.

"The political leadership in Hong Kong wants to prove its loyalty to the leadership in Beijing," Vines said.

Ip told AFP she expects the bridge crossing to open in the first quarter of 2018. Hong Kong's highways department said it could not give a time frame.

- View from the ground -

Officials put the current cost overrun of the main bridge section at 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion), partly driven by engineering challenges, which have included problems with the drifting of reclaimed land.

The original cost of that section, including bank loans, was 37.7 billion yuan.

There have also been safety concerns -- 19 lab workers have been charged over faking concrete test reports, with one man jailed earlier this month.

Since 2011, 369 industrial accidents and nine deaths have been recorded, according to the labour department.

Hong Kong residents are split over whether the project is worthwhile.

Hong Kong residents are split over whether the project is worthwhile

"I don't think it's a good thing because it's been under construction for a long time and the cost is high," says Iris Lam, 28, who works in sales.

Student Saoirse Barry, 17, described it as "another tentacle of power" for Beijing.

But Silvia Lee, 55, who runs a squid and fishball stall in the Lantau village of Tai O, which overlooks the bridge, said it could be a boost.

"If it's more convenient for people to come here, there will be benefits to the economy," she told AFP.

For Tai O resident Wong Kam Fook, 85, the crossing is now on his bucket list.

"I'm in my 80s and I'm about to die, so if I can travel down that bridge then I will do it!" he told AFP.
Gay sex is illegal in Indonesia's conservative Aceh province, which upholds sharia law

A bid to make all sex outside marriage illegal was thrown out by an Indonesian court Thursday, as concerns grow over rising intolerance in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country.

Five out of nine judges on the Constitutional Court in the capital Jakarta narrowly rejected the push to criminalise extramarital relations.

The unsuccessful petition would have affected unmarried heterosexuals and gay people, who cannot marry in Indonesia -- several months after the arrests of a group of men accused of holding a "gay party".

The court heard a judicial review filed by Islamic activist group the Family Love Alliance that sought to alter the criminal code.

"The appeal is rejected in its entirety," said the Constitutional Court's chief justice Arief Hidayat.

Under current laws, sex is only illegal in Indonesia for both homosexual and heterosexual people if it involves a minor.

However, gay sex is illegal in conservative Aceh province, which upholds sharia law. Under a local law that came into force in 2015, people can also be punished for having gay sex with up to 100 strokes of the cane.

Aceh, on Sumatra island, began implementing Islamic law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

There was a backlash against the country's LGBT community last year with government ministers publicly making anti-gay statements.

In May, police arrested a group of men holding party in two hotel rooms in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-biggest city.

Some of the men were watching gay porn and performing "deviant sexual acts", police said at the time.

Authorities named eight men as suspects and filed preliminary charges against them under Indonesia's tough anti-pornography law, which can result in years in jail.

Also this year, two men having sex were caught by a group of vigilantes who raided a boarding house in Aceh.

Indonesia has often been praised for its moderate inclusive brand of Islam, and the constitution guarantees freedom of worship for six religions.

However, the diverse archipelago's sizeable religious minorities -- mainly Christians and Muslim minority Shiites and Ahmadis -- have been increasingly targeted in recent years.
Japan and the UN said they are working together to counter the threat from North Korea

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres Thursday warned the world against "sleepwalking into war" over North Korea, as he called for diplomatic efforts to banish nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: "The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances."

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea over its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

Guterres said those sanctions need to be implemented "by North Korea first of all, but also fully implemented by all the other countries whose role is crucial".

He urged "diplomatic engagement that allows for...denuclearisation (of the Korean peninsula) to take place in a peaceful way".

"It is important for all parties to understand the urgency of finding a solution," he told reporters at a later briefing.

Speaking alongside Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe echoed the call to "fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions" and hold "meaningful dialogue toward denuclearisation".

The secretary-general's trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

Feltman said he had been told in Pyongyang that North Korea wants to avoid war and said he "fervently" hoped the "door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide".

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to Pyongyang "without preconditions", interpreted by many as a shift in the US position.

Washington's top diplomat told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting -- even the weather.

However, the White House and Tillerson's own department later stressed that the US position on North Korea "had not changed".

"The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Wednesday.

Asked about Tillerson's comments, Guterres said he would "not like to comment on expressions that sometimes might not translate exactly the thinking" of the administration.

"Dialogue must have an objective and the objective for us is to achieve the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and to do it in a peaceful manner," stressed the UN chief.

Asked if he would be willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, he said: "Meetings only make sense if there is a purpose to those meetings. I am ready to go anywhere at any time when it is useful but I'm not aiming...just to be in the cameras of the television."

"We are available, but we can only mediate when both parties accept our mediation."
Ahead of a vote by Federal Communications Commission, activists have staged protests arguing that a plan to roll back "net neutrality" rules would kill the open internet

The acrimonious battle over "net neutrality" in America comes to a head Thursday with a US agency set to vote to roll back rules enacted two years earlier aimed at preventing a "two-speed" internet.

The Federal Communications Commission was expected to narrowly pass the measure to scrap the 2015 neutrality rules, which require internet service providers to treat all online traffic equally without blocking or hampering of rivals.

Backers of the new proposal say it would encourage innovation and investment by removing heavy regulatory burdens. But critics argue it could kill the "open internet" and enable broadband firms to choose what people see or don't see online.

The rollback is being engineered by FCC chairman Ajit Pai, appointed by President Donald Trump.

As a member of the FCC, Pai was a fierce critic of the neutrality rules adopted in 2015 and earlier this month unveiled his plan named the "Restoring Internet Freedom" order.

Amid a wave of protests from online firms and activists opposing the new plan, Pai said his reforms would usher in a return to a "light-touch regulatory approach" that has allowed the internet to flourish.

The dispute over net neutrality has been the subject of several court battles over the past decade, with backers arguing strong rules are needed to guard against powerful broadband firms like Comcast and AT&T acting as "gatekeepers" that can punish rivals.

Tim Berners-Lee, the British engineer and creator of the World Wide Web, joined other internet pioneers in pleading for neutrality rules to remain.

"Net neutrality -- the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) treat all traffic equally -- underpins the internet as we know it today," Berners-Lee wrote on the online platform Medium this week.

If the rules are repealed, Berners-Lee said, "ISPs will have the power to decide which websites you can access and at what speed each will load. In other words, they'll be able to decide which companies succeed online, which voices are heard -- and which are silenced."

- 'New-age Nostradamuses' -

Chairman Ajit Pai of the Federal Communications Commission claims his plan to roll back "net neutrality" rules would encourage investment and innovation

But Michael Powell, a former FCC chairman who in 2005 evoked the principle of "four internet freedoms" -- which some say parallel net neutrality -- said activists are stirring a tempest in a teapot.

"New-age Nostradamuses predict the internet will stop working, democracy will collapse, plague will ensue and locusts will cover the land," Powell said in a guest blog for the website Recode.

"Sadly, rational debate, like Elvis, has left the building." said Powell, who now heads the lobby group for broadband firms called NCTA - the Internet & Television Association.

Powell maintained that broadband firms "highly value the open internet and the principles of net neutrality, much more than some animated activists would have you think... because it's a better way of making money than a closed internet."

Backers of the Pai plan say little will change and that any discriminatory conduct will be dealt with by another agency, the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces consumer protection and antitrust laws.

Still, the debate has hit a feverish pitch, with street protests in many cities and online, where websites ranging from Kickstarter to Pornhub putting up notices warning of the harmful potential from a rollback.

The FCC's online platform has been caught in the firestorm, with one investigation showing two million of 21 million public comments were sent with stolen identities.

Thirty-nine senators signed a letter urging the FCC to delay the vote, claiming that Pai's assertion that the plan would "restore" regulations of the past was incorrect.

"Even under the Bush-era FCC, the agency adopted open internet principles," the letter said. "The future of the internet hangs in the balance."
News / Regional

by Sithuli Ndaba

A man from Homestead area of Esigodini is in intensive care unit at United Bulawayo Hospitals after he was axed and left for dead by amakorokoza who were illegally mining and digging a service road to the farm he worked at.Thomas Mpofu was attacked by a group of seven illegal miners as he and a co-worker tried to stop the makorokozas from digging up a road on Thursday night. Mpofu was axed several times on the right side of the head and he lost his right eye on the scene. He only got to hospital hours after being injured, with police and ambulance services nowhere to be seen. He was taken to Esigodini Hospital by his employer with the assistance of a police officer from Bulawayo and BCC rangers who work in the area nearby.Mpofu's seven attackers, who fled from the scene, include Onesimo Ndlovu, Mdudusi Sibanda, Mlaleli Khumalo, Bekithemba Bhebhe, Phakamani Ncube, one only known as Super and another one only known as Nduna. Of these, Phakamani Ncube and Mlaleli Khumalo were arrested while the other five are still at large. Mlaleli Khumalo, an ex-soldier in the Zimbabwe national army is the leader of the group that was illegally mining in the farm.The condition of Thomas Mpofu was compromised by the refusal of Esigodini police to render their services to the injured Mpofu, citing lack of resources. Because of this, it was difficult to access ambulance from nearby Esigodini Hospital since a police report was needed. He was on the same night transferred to United Bulawayo Hospitals. His condition is serious in intensive care and the authorities were planning on transferring him to Harare for a specialized operation. However, Nkondlo Mthethwa, who manages the family farm at which Mpofu was attacked, said the police left them at the mercy of criminals after he made several reports which they never attended to. He said the same police refused to assist them after the attack resulting in him seeking assistance from police in Bulawayo. Mthethwa said one Inspector Chigumbura at Esigodini police could not give reasons to their failure to act on the matter and shifted the blame on his subordinates, with one female officer Zhou being in charge of the station.Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna, who is uncle to Thomas Mpofu, bemoaned the lackey service by the police, saying he had to travel all the way from Harare where he was meeting the service chiefs to come and take the injured to hospital."I am incredibly upset that I had to come all the way from Harare to see an enforcement officer at police then have to go to the army base to get things done. I mustn't be dealing with this when we have law enforcement agencies in place. It is tiresome, I am incredibly upset and disappointed by this", said Chief Ndiweni.The visibly upset Chief Ndiweni told this reporter that the major contributory factors to the poor service were corruption and under resourcing, which he pegged at the scale of 80% to 20% respectively, saying the law enforcement agencies were not serious in dealing with the matter that has affected Esigodini for a long time now, with some officers were working in cahoots with the illegal miners."The problem we have here does not start today. Historically, reports have been made about this problem in Esigodini. Had the police been serious about this they would have solved it many years ago. This is purely an enforcement matter and the police must be resourced to deal with it. Also the corruption within the force has to be dealt with, otherwise instead of losing only business and service, we are losing lives to it", the Chief said.The chief called on the law enforcement agents not to accept and promote illegality especially in the mining industry, saying the police have invested interests in the business of illegal mining and that has to stop. He said there is no way they can curb the crimes that associate with this business as they are the ones in some instances run the illegal mines or provide downstream services such as stamping and equipment hire.Esigodini police had not responded to this reporter at the time of going to print. The officer in charge was said to be out of office.
The Rohingya exodus was triggered by a Myanmar army crackdown that has been described as ethnic cleansing

At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown on rebels in Rakhine state that began in late August, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Thursday.

The figure is the highest estimated death toll yet of violence that erupted on August 25 and triggered a massive refugee crisis, with more than 620,000 Rohingya fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh in three months.

The UN and US have described the military operation as ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority, but have not released specific estimations of a death toll.

"At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children below the age of five," MSF said Thursday.

The group's findings come from six surveys of more than 2,434 households in Rohingya refugee camps and cover a period of one month.

"We met and spoke with survivors of violence in Myanmar, who are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary camps in Bangladesh," said the group's medical director Sidney Wong.

"What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured."

Gunshot wounds were the cause of death in 69 percent of the cases, according to the survey.

Another nine percent were reported burned alive inside houses, while five percent died from fatal beatings.

For children under five, nearly 60 percent died after being shot, the survey found.

Myanmar's army has denied any abuses and says only 400 people -- including 376 Rohingya "terrorists" -- died in the first few weeks of the crackdown.

But MSF said the peak in deaths coincided with the launch of "clearance operations" by the army and local militias in late August, and were evidence "that Rohingya have been targeted".
Choi Soon-Sil is accused of colluding with ousted president Park Geun-Hye to extort millions of dollars from conglomerates, including South Korean giants Samsung and Hyundai

The powerful secret confidante at the centre of the sprawling corruption scandal that brought down South Korean president Park Geun-Hye should spend the next quarter of a century in prison, prosecutors demanded Thursday.

Park's longtime friend Choi Soon-Sil -- the daughter of her religious guru -- was vilified at the massive nationwide protests last year that rocked Asia's fourth-largest economy and led to Park's impeachment.

Choi was "the alpha and omega of the scandal", a prosecutor told the Seoul Central District Court, "the very person who created a national crisis which resulted in the country's first-ever impeachment of a president."

She "took advantage of presidential authorities to seek personal profit, undermined constitutional values and rattled the government system", he added. "Please sentence Choi to 25 years in prison."

He also sought fines and asset seizures totalling 126.2 billion won -- around $116 million.

The 61-year-old is accused of colluding with Park to extort millions of dollars from conglomerates, including South Korean giants Samsung and Hyundai, and using her connection with the president to meddle in state affairs.

Choi denies all 18 charges, including abuse of power, coercion and bribery.

She was heard screaming outside a side exit after the prosecutors issued their demand, before whimpering her way through a 20-minute final statement.

"I don't want to live any longer," she told the court, wearing a black jacket with a prison number pinned on her chest. "I'd rather die to prove my innocence."

"I have been framed," she added. "I have never taken any personal gains in collusion with President Park."

The verdict will be given on January 26. If she is convicted, the judges are not obliged to follow the prosecutors' recommendation.

Her defence lawyer Lee Kyung-Jae told the court: "25 years in prison? This would amount to telling the accused to die in prison."

- 'Proved beyond doubt' -

Prosecutors also demanded a four-year prison sentence for the chairman of retail conglomerate Lotte Group, Shin Dong-Bin, and six years for a former presidential aide.

The scandal, one of the largest in South Korea's modern history, has exposed networks of privilege among the country's business and political elite and has seen a handful of officials and business leaders put behind bars.

Lee Jae-Yong -- heir to the world's largest smartphone maker Samsung -- began a five-year prison sentence in August for bribery, perjury and other charges relating to payments made by the company to Choi.

Lee was found guilty of paying a total of 8.9 billion won ($7.9 million) in return for favours including government support for his succession at Samsung after his father was left bedridden by a heart attack in 2014. He is appealing the verdict.

Park was impeached in March and was taken into custody shortly afterwards.

Her own separate trial on multiple charges including abuse of power, coercion and bribery is continuing after the court extended her detention by six months in October, prompting her defence team to resign in protest.

It is unclear when a verdict might come in her marathon case, which involves more than 100 witnesses.

But Thursday's request suggests prosecutors will demand a sentence of at least 25 years for her.

"It has been proved beyond any doubt that Choi and the former president colluded to take bribes," the prosecutor said Thursday.
Telangana State has curbed the Maoist insurgency through welfare schemes and a security crackdown

At least eight suspected Maoist rebels were killed in a gunfight with police who ambushed their hideout in southern India on Thursday.

The deaths are the latest in a long-running conflict between Indian authorities and the leftist rebels, who say they are fighting for the rights of marginalised tribal groups.

Police said they came under fire from the group when they ambushed a suspected forest hideout in Bhadradri Kothagudem district in the southern state of Telangana.

"Special police forces launched a search operation in the forest on Wednesday night to capture a group of extremists," district police chief Ambar Kishor Jha told AFP.

"They came under fire and eight of the extremists were killed."

Telangana is part of the so-called "red corridor" that passes through resource-rich areas of central, southern, western and eastern India and is mostly inhabited by underprivileged tribes.

The state was once a hotbed of Maoists rebels, but has managed to curb the insurgency through welfare schemes for tribal groups and a security crackdown.

Jha said hundreds of police were still searching the dense forests after the siege for any rebels who may have escaped.

He said police seized two semi-automatic rifles, hand grenades and ammunition from the site after a gunbattle lasting several hours.

The Maoist insurgency has claimed around 10,000 lives since it started in the 1960s, and is considered India's most serious internal security threat.

The rebels operate from jungle bases, but often descend on villages to demand protection money and recruit young men and women to their ranks.

They also oppose efforts to build new roads and infrastructure in remote areas because it undermines their long-running campaign against India's security forces.

Since his election in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been seeking to stem the insurgency by earmarking development funds for revolt-hit areas and improving policing.
Police charge in an alley during demonstrations in a Nairobi suburb, in November 2017

Kenyan security forces raped, beat and assaulted civilians during violence in recent elections, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

"There was widespread sexual violence against women and girls, and sexual attacks on men," HRW said, in a report titled, "They were men in uniform."

The violence, documented during Kenya's election in August by HRW and other rights groups, recorded "police use of excessive force against protesters, killings, beatings and maiming of individuals, looting and destruction of property."

The report was based on interviews with 65 women, three girls and three men who were sexually attacked. About half of rapes reported to HRW were gang rapes.

"About half of the women interviewed said that they were raped by policemen or men in uniform," the report read, adding that many attacks were also accompanied by torture and violence against the women's children and husbands.

At least 58 people have died during violent clashes since the August vote, which split the country along ethnic and regional lines.

The August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities".

The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing President Uhuru Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate.
China lodged an official protest with Canberra last week

China has summoned the Australian ambassador amid a growing row over allegations of Chinese meddling in politics in Australia.

"Officials of our ministry had an important dialogue with the Australian ambassador," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday, without specifying when the meeting took place.

"The Australian side is very clear with our position on bilateral relations and the relevant issue," Lu told a regular news briefing.

China lodged an official protest with Canberra last week after Australia's parliament singled out China as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference.

The legislation followed an inquiry ordered by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after media reports that Australia's spy agency had warned politicians two years ago about taking donations from two billionaires with links to China.

An Australian senator quit parliament on Tuesday over his relationship with a wealthy political donor associated with the Chinese Communist Party.
Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace have not been seen in public since he was forced to resign after a military takeover brought a sudden end to his authoritarian 37-year reign

Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe, 93, who was ousted from power last month, has flown to Singapore for a medical check-up, his ex-spokesman said Thursday.

Mugabe and his wife Grace have not been seen in public since he was forced to resign after a military takeover brought a sudden end to his authoritarian 37-year reign.

"He is in Singapore. It's part of his package as a retired president to travel overseas. He routinely goes to Singapore to meet with his doctors," George Charamba told AFP.

Charamba, who is now President Emmerson Mnangagwa's spokesman, said that the new government was keen to show respect to Mugabe.

"There is no quest to humiliate or ostracise him," he said.

"The idea was to extricate him from the clutches of the cabal which had captured him. That has been done so that his legacy comes out shining."

The military stepped in on November 14 and ushered Mnangagwa into office after a power struggle with supporters of Grace Mugabe, 52, who had emerged as Mugabe's chosen successor.

Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe from independence in 1980, is accused of brutal repression and bringing the country to economic ruin.

He has been in increasingly frail health and has reportedly battled prostate cancer.

In recent years he has made regular trips abroad for undisclosed medical reasons.

Mnangagwa was formerly one of Mugabe's closest allies, and the ruling ZANU-PF party remains in control.

Mugabe will miss the party's annual conference in Harare on Friday when Mnangagwa is expected to be confirmed as its candidate for elections next year.

The new president has vowed to revive the shattered economy by boosting agricultural production and attracting foreign investment.
Mandela died on December 5, 2013 and was buried at his home village in Qunu on December 15 at a funeral attended by presidents, royalty and several celebrities.

Nelson Mandela's family has expressed "indignation and dismay" at allegations that officials stole and misspent $22 million intended for the anti-apartheid icon's memorial events after his death in 2013.

The country's anti-corruption watchdog last week said it had uncovered evidence that millions of dollars disappeared during preparations for Mandela's memorial and funeral.

Officials are alleged to have inflated costs, awarded tenders fraudulently and generally mismanaged the huge state occasion which drew leaders from around the world.

Mandela's eldest grandson Mandla said on Wednesday that the whole family had reacted with "utter indignation and dismay" to the allegations.

"We find it incredulous that while we, as a family, a nation -- and indeed the world -- were mourning the loss of our elder, icon, leader and statesman, some people were allegedly conniving to profit financially by shamelessly siphoning off funds," he said in a statement.

"The guilty parties should face the full wrath of the law."

Mandela died on December 5, 2013, aged 95, and was buried at his home village in Qunu in the country's southeast on December 15 at a funeral attended by presidents, royalty and several celebrities.

The Public Protector watchdog said around 300 million rand ($22 million) of state funds intended for the memorial and funeral were misspent.

"It is unfathomable that a legacy built on principled action, integrity and a high degree of ethical standards should be so sullied and allegedly be associated with such criminal intent," said the family.

Opposition parties were among the first to raise the alarm, demanding a probe into how taxpayers' money earmarked for the memorial and funeral services was used just a month after the events had concluded.

Mandela's long-serving personal assistant Zelda la Grange described the funeral planning process as "chaos" in a revealing memoir published six months after his death.

"I had never experienced such chaos," she wrote of the events to commemorate Mandela's life, saying that plans were changed every few minutes.

"One could not help but wonder whether it was just eight years of bad planning, wasting money on foreign travel to consult with other countries about events of this magnitude," she said, "or whether it was a deliberate attempt to exclude from Mandela's funeral people who were not allied with the right people."
Police took nearly two months to identify a suspect, angering women's activists who accused investigators of bungling the case

An Indian court Thursday handed down the death penalty to a man found guilty of raping and murdering a law student in a brutal knife attack in southern Kerala state.

The murdered student was found dead in a pool of blood in her home in Perumbavoor town on April 28, 2016, with nearly 30 stab wounds and bite marks on her severely disfigured corpse.

Muhammed Ameerul Islam was convicted by a district court in Kerala over the gruesome attack which sparked nationwide outrage and drew comparisons with the high-profile gang-rape and murder of a Delhi student in 2012.

Prosecutors successfully sought the death penalty for the crime, describing it as "rarest of the rare" in its violent nature.

"The court sentenced him to death for murder and life sentence for rape," B. A. Aloor, Islam's lawyer told AFP.

He said his client was not treated to a fair trial and the defence team would appeal the sentence in a higher court.

Aloor said Islam was framed by police for the crime to cover up for their botched investigation, which drew protesters to the streets in the coastal state.

Police took nearly two months to identify a suspect, angering women's activists who accused investigators of bungling the case.

The victim, a member of India's lowest Dalit caste who was studying to become a lawyer, lived with her mother who was not at home when the murder took place.

The prosecution described the crime as unprovoked but some media reports say the attack was motivated by revenge over a disagreement.

The level of brutality in the attack sent shockwaves through India and was quickly compared to the fatal gang-rape of a 23-year-old medical student on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012.

That crime shone a spotlight on the rising levels of violence against women in India, sparked mass protests and led to an overhaul of rape laws that increased penalties for offenders and accelerated trials through courts.

India has a grim record of sexual crimes against women, with nearly 39,000 rape cases reported in 2016, according to government data.
Anglophones in Cameroon have long protested against what they perceive to be a bias towards the French-speaking majority

Cameroon's main opposition party on Thursday accused the government of having "militarised" two regions shaken by unrest among the country's anglophone minority.

"The Northwest and Southwest regions are heavily militarised," the head of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Jean Tsomelou, said in an interview with AFP, describing the situation as "worrying."

"We have observed troop movements in both regions. The government has spoken of thousands (of troops) who are in the Southwest and Northwest," he said.

"Abuse has been committed" against local people, he said.

In September and October, "live fire was targeted against people who were simply carrying a message of peace," he charged.

English-speakers account for some 20 percent of the nation's population of 23 million. The minority dates to the emergence of Cameroon in 1960-61 as France and Britain wound down their colonies in west Africa.

Anglophones have long protested against what they perceive to be a bias in favour the French-speaking majority.

Since November 2016, resentment has fed demands for autonomy or a separate state to which the government has responded with a crackdown, including curfews, raids and restrictions on travel.

International monitors say at least 20 and possibly 40 people have been killed since late September.

In turn, separatists have begun an armed campaign, targeting police and soldiers. Ten were killed last month alone, the authorities say.

"We condemn loss of human life on both sides," said Tsomelou, a francophone senator, adding that his party would send a delegations of MPs and senators to the two anglophone regions to urge people to be "calm and wait for a peaceful solution."

He singled out Cameroon's 84-year-old president, Paul Biya, for sharp criticism, saying he "let the situation degenerate" in the two regions in order to justify his crackdown.

"It's a problem that could have been resolved by dialogue," he said.

On December 1, Biya lashed the secessionists as "a band of terrorists" and vowed to carry out every measure "to incapacitate these criminals."
Rojda Felat, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander, waves her group's flag at the iconic Al-Naim square in Raqa on October 17, 2017

Syria's Kurds fear the steadfast ally they found in the US to successfully take on Islamic State group jihadists may now leave them to face threats from Turkey and Damascus alone.

Across Syria's north, Kurdish authorities have spent more than four years steadily building public institutions including elected councils, security forces, even schools.

They felt they had found an international sponsor in the United States, which relied primarily on the fighters of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to roll back IS in northern and eastern Syria.

But with IS holding just five percent of Syria, Kurds worry the US could withdraw support, costing them the key political and territorial gains they scored in the chaos of war.

"We are afraid of America, which has been using us as a card to play for a long time," said Rafea Ismail, a 37-year-old who sells women's accessories on the hood of his car in the city of Qamishli.

"When they're done using us, they'll forget us," he said.

Qamishli is the main hub of the autonomous administration the Kurdish authorities have run since regime forces withdrew from swathes of northeast Syria in 2012.

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard on a rooftop in Raqa on October 20, 2017

"All countries should support us because we fight terrorism. We liberated Raqa, and America should not abandon us and ally with Turkey," said Nawal Farzand, a 45-year-old Kurdish language teacher.

In March 2016, Kurdish parties announced they would seek to establish a federal system there after ousting IS from much of the area with the help of the US-led coalition.

Their biggest win was Raqa, once IS's de facto Syrian capital but captured in October by the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Weeks later, the US announced it was pulling 500 Marines from its nearly 2,000-strong force in Syria and "amending" its support to the YPG.

But the jihadists are "not finished yet," said Nassrin Abdallah, a commander in the militia's female branch, the Kurdish Women's Protection Units (YPJ).

Members of the Kurdish Women's Protection Units rest around 40 kilometres away from Raqa on November 9, 2016

Sleeper cells still stage attacks and IS fighters are active in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, she said.

"It is important for the coalition forces to stay to guarantee security and stability, since the threat from Daesh still exists," Abdallah added, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"Turkey is also a threat to the Kurdish people."

- 'Gravest' danger is Turkey -

The Kurds' rising profile had enraged Damascus, which insists it wants to recapture every inch of territory lost since Syria's uprising erupted in 2011.

But it especially alarmed Turkey, which feared the semi-independent administration in northern Syria would inspire similar ambitions among its own Kurdish community.

Ankara considers the YPG as "terrorist" because of its ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

English teacher Nada Abbas says she, too, fears the US "will abandon the Kurds after the end of the battle against Daesh."

"This would be a gift to Turkey, which doesn't accept Kurds becoming stronger," says the 30-year-old.

"It would attack us like it did in the past. The Turkish threat will not end," Abbas adds.

Nicholas Heras, a fellow at the Centre for a New American Security think tank, says Turkey poses "the gravest threat to the Kurds in Syria" -- even more than Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or IS.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip "Erdogan has made it crystal clear that as soon as the Americans are no longer in the way, he intends to crush the Syrian Kurds, all of whom he views as PKK," Heras tells AFP.

- 'Russia is the insurance policy' -

Fears of an American withdrawal may be drawing Syrian Kurds into Russia's orbit.

The YPG recently announced that its anti-IS operations in east Syria had received air support from Moscow.

Russian forces have also trained Kurdish fighters further west in Afrin -- where there is no IS presence -- and manage a buffer zone between Kurds and Turkish-backed rebels.

And Moscow has been particularly outspoken in support of Syria's Kurds having a seat at the negotiating table at talks in Geneva.

Syrian Kurds celebrate in the northeastern city of Qamishli on September 25, 2017, in support of an independence referendum in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region

"The relationship between the YPG and the Russian military is becoming a special one. The Syrian Kurdish region of Afrin is solely dependent on the Russian military, not the Americans, for protection from Turkish attack and occupation," says Heras.

Syria's Kurds may seek to protect themselves from Turkey by leveraging relationships with both Russia and the US.

"Two large foreign power patrons is better than one for the Syrian Kurds, especially because both of those patrons have an interest in holding Turkey in check," Heras adds.

"Russia is also the insurance policy for the Syrian Kurds if the United States was to ever abandon them to the mercy of Turkey."

With the frontline against IS winding down, US-led coalition forces are much more visible in urban settings, after several years of being seen almost exclusively in frontline positions.

"We want the best. It won't be possible to go back to how we were," says 50-year-old Jassem Hussein in the mostly Kurdish-held city of Hasakeh.

"This is why Kurdish unity is the most important thing."
Opinion / Columnist

All is in the hands of the junta government to decide!

Following the Team Lacoste Coup d'etat in November 2017, the continued relevance of Zimbabwean opposition political parties and their key alliances has entered a continuous road of uncertainties as their traditional political survival strategies have become open for capture by the junta government. Unless there is a swift and drastic reform of politicking strategy and approaches, the opposition fraternity is headed to a foreseeable 'no-through-road'. Same applies to Team Lacoste government. It has been left with one survival option, to capture few or all of the four pillars that compose opposition solidity or await an assured end of the honeymoon. All is in the hands of the junta government to decide.Among many actual and impending feasibility challenges, I will discuss four most important ones that have the possibility of giving the junta actual power to liquidate opposition.First and most important is an appeal to poverty-stricken masses in Zimbabwe who happen to occupy the largest share of voting citizens. It should be noted that opposition parties have been using development rhetoric that leaves poor people with a firm belief that ZANU-PF is responsible for their poverty and hopes of a better tomorrow after voting against ZANU-PF. Now that Team Lacoste government has been given a golden opportunity to prove that it was Mugabe and 'criminals around him' who caused suffering of the masses not necessarily against Team Lacoste, capturing this opportunity and making observable socio-economic deliverables to the masses will sanitize ZANU-PF to the detriment of opposition parties.It is a matter of hijacking the opposition's 'blame-it-on-Mugabe' rhetoric and re-statement of their promises and channel that glory and thanksgiving electorate support to ZANU-PF. In this regard, the opposition has to keep fingers crossed lest they lose a very important arsenal. The masses need bread on the table; they are ready to fall for anyone who promises to deliver and fall worse for those who deliver. A junta government that fails to see this does so to its own peril. There are real-life incidents where junta governments have been victims of counter-coup d'etats and civil wars because of failure to address these issues.Secondly, opposition political parties have enjoyed international support and/or sympathies particularly from the West and this has been a fibre in their politicking stamina.The alliance between the West and mainstream opposition rests in a trinity of interlinked demands and assurances:(i) assured avenues to pursue and protect Western economic interests in Zimbabwe;(ii) demand for the promotion of Western political ideals to make life worthwhile for Westerners and allies representing Western interests in Zimbabwe;(iii) promises of job creation and/or 'trickledown development' benefits for the masses resulting from Western involvement in economic activities in Zimbabwe and donor funding for party campaign.This trinity of wants and assurances has solidified opposition politics in Zimbabwe, shacking one or all of them will cause untold miseries for the opposition that has been sustained by this relationship. It will mean the end of funding and political support. The fact that those Western allies and their conduits in Africa have failed to denounce the junta and shown willingness to do deals with it is a daring surety that the junta is currently at a position to capture Western allies from mainstream opposition and harvest all benefits attached thereto.Thirdly, opposition parties have attracted more support by promising economic recovery and good governance. This involves promises to uproot corruption, promote and protect human rights and stabilize the economy. This is surely appealing to the business community, jobless youth bulge, and will be investors. Supporting opposition parties that create this sense of hope is certain but most probable to those who prove to deliver one or all of these aspirations. Now that the junta paddles a 'restore legacy' agenda, it is thinkable that if the economic recovery is seen to be in motion, human rights respected and corruption dealt with decisively, traditional and prospective opposition electorate will be captured. This is another nightmare for the opposition.Lastly, contested electoral politics have been another source of opposition sanitization and motivation in the eyes of the masses that vote against ZANU-PF. There has been a stern belief and/or sensation and political rhetoric that the mainstream opposition always wins elections which are unfortunately rigged by ZANU-PF. This has made people think that pinning their hopes on the mainstream opposition is not wasting time investing in assured political failures.The junta already seems to occupy Robert Mugabe's ready-to-be-blamed post-election office. If the junta levels the electoral environment to make people believe and trust the electoral management bodies, feel the sense of fairness in access to state media for campaign purposes and observe the impartial conduct of security services in the run-up to elections, then the blame rhetoric to sanitize the opposition in the event of an electoral defeat will crumble. The future of opposition parties will look bleaker in the post-election period and membership defections to will be assured.In conclusion, the viability of Zimbabwean opposition politics is in the hands of the current junta government and so is the longevity of Team Lacoste rule. The conduct of President ED Mnangagwa's administration, policy choices and survival strategies from now onwards will declare life or death to the mainstream opposition or to the junta itself. If the junta fails to capture these four key tenets of opposition politics, it will be left with one option; that of assuming a full-fledged despotic military regime format that relies on all forms of repression, electoral fraud and intimidation to remain in power. This sole alternative will definitely send the junta to an assured early grave through a counter-coup d'etat or civil war.Bekezela Gumbo is a Centre for Africa Studies PhD student at the University of the Free State (South Africa). His current research interests include conflict resolution through institutional reforms, political transition and enhancement of socio-economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. He taught at the department of political and administrative studies at the University of Zimbabwe where he studied. Currently, he serves as Principal Researcher at the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute  a political economy think-tank in Zimbabwe.
The Baiji refinery complex is seen on October 17, 2015 after its recapture from the Islamic State group

Iraq has begun reconstruction work at what was the country's biggest oil refinery before it was damaged by intense fighting between government forces and Islamic State group jihadists, the oil ministry said Thursday.

The aim is to complete work early next year on one of the units that will produce 70,000 barrels per day at the Baiji complex which is currently shut, said ministry spokesman Assem Jihad.

Constructed in 1975 and located 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Baghdad, the refinery produced between 250,000 and 300,000 barrels a day before IS seized it in June 2014.

Government forces retook the facility and the city of Baiji in October 2015 during fierce clashes with the jihadists but the severe damage meant that the refinery remained closed.

"The rehabilitation will allow the distribution of refined products for the north of the country and reduce our imports," said Jihad.

Baiji was particularly hard hit by the devastation wreaked by Iraq's campaign to reclaim its towns and cities from IS.

In 2016 it was declared a disaster zone by the national parliament.

Backed by a US-led coalition, Iraqi forces gradually retook control of all territory lost to IS over the past three years and on Saturday Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory against the jihadists.

But experts warn that IS remains a threat, with the capacity as an insurgent group to carry out high-casualty bomb attacks using sleeper cells.
Dozens of people attended the court hearing for Dakar's popular mayor Khalifa Sall, who is accused of embezzling public funds

A Senegalese court on Thursday delayed the trial of popular Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall on charges of embezzling public funds until January 3, as his lawyers denounced a "hasty" start to proceedings.

Sall is accused of misappropriating 1.83 billion CFA francs ($3.3 million, 2.8 million euros) -- a charge he denies and which backers say is politically motivated.

The court's president Maguette Diop called a special hearing for January 3, after ordering Sall's supporters to calm down after they packed the courtroom to catch a glimpse of a man now facing his 10th month in pre-trial detention.

Security was tight at the court in central Dakar, and Sall waved and smiled as "Khalifa president!" was shouted from the gallery as proceedings closed.

Mayor Sall, a leading opponent of President Macky Sall -- no relation -- was seen as a serious contender for 2019, when the president is also seeking re-election.

Khalifa Sall was elected to Senegal's national assembly from prison in July, but his parliamentary immunity was lifted last month to pave the way for his trial.

City officials in Paris on Tuesday pledged to create an "international observatory of mayors in danger", citing the case of Khalifa Sall, whom they said was "imprisoned because of his record and his political ambitions".
Iraqi fighters stand next to a wall bearing the Islamic State group flag in western Anbar province on November 3, 2017

Iraq hanged 38 jihadists belonging to the Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda for terrorism offences on Thursday in the southern city of Nasiriyah, provincial authorities said.

It was the largest number of executions in Iraq on a single day since September 25 when 42 people were put to death in the same prison.

"The prison administration executed on Thursday in the presence of Justice Minister Haidar al-Zameli, in Nasiriyah prison, 38 death row prisoners belonging to Al-Qaeda or Daesh (IS) accused of terrorist activities," said Dakhel Kazem, a senior official in the provincial council.

They were all Iraqis but one also had Swedish citizenship, a prison source said.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday declared victory against IS after a three-year campaign by government forces backed by a US-led coalition to retake territory seized by the jihadists.

Rights watchdog Amnesty International has voiced repeated concerns about the use of the death penalty in Iraq, which it ranks as one of the world's top executioners behind China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In a report released on December 5, Human Rights Watch criticised both Iraq's central government and the autonomous Kurdish authorities over mass trials of suspected IS jihadists.

HRW said the authorities "appear to be prosecuting all ISIS (IS) suspects in their custody under counterterrorism laws, primarily for ISIS membership, and not focusing on specific actions or crimes that may have been committed".

The New York-based group identified 7,374 cases of suspects charged under this law since 2014, and put at 20,000 the total number of people imprisoned for suspected IS membership.

It expressed concerns that the broad prosecution of those affiliated with IS "in any way, no matter how minimal, could impede future community reconciliation and reintegration".

"Iraqi justice is failing to distinguish between the culpability of doctors who protected lives under ISIS rule and those responsible for crimes against humanity," said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's Middle East director.

HRW said it regretted what it called the inconsistent application of a 2016 law granting amnesty to suspects who can show they joined IS or any extremist group against their will and have not committed a crime.

"Execution of fighters who surrender or are hors de combat is a war crime," HRW added.

IS swept across a third of Iraq in 2014 and seized several major cities including Mosul, the country's second biggest, before a fightback launched in 2015.
Palestinians walk on a poster of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence during a West Bank demonstration in protest of the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Egypt and Israel next week, despite controversy and meeting cancellations as a result of the administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Aides said Pence is to travel to Cairo and Jerusalem from Tuesday, amid demonstrations and diplomatic tensions over the dramatic shift in US policy.

President Donald Trump's administration invited almost universal condemnation earlier this month when it officially recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, effectively ignoring Palestinian claims on the city.

The city's status had been seen as a central element of any eventual peace deal.

Palestinian leaders have said Pence is not welcome and have publicly rebuffed requests for a meeting.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas cancelled a planned sit-down with Pence in Ramallah and warned that the United States no longer had a role to play in the peace process.

A top official in Pence's office accused Palestinians of "walking away again from an opportunity to discuss the future of the region."

"The President has asked Vice President Pence to go to the region to reaffirm our commitment to work with partners throughout the Middle East to defeat radicalism that threatens the hopes and dreams of future generations," Jarrod Agen, Pence's deputy chief of staff, said in a statement.

Pence's trip had also been set to focus on the role of religious leaders in the Middle East, but that plan has also faltered.

Egypt's Coptic Pope Tawadros II also cancelled a meeting with Pence, saying Trump's announcement had failed to take into account the "feelings of millions" of Arabs.

A leading Egyptian Grand Imam issued a "categorical rejection" of Pence's request for a meeting.

Any plans that Pence -- who is deeply religious -- may have had to make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem also appear to have been thwarted.

The US vice president will however address Israel's Knesset and meet the Israeli and Egyptian leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the five-day trip.

The curtailed schedule means that Pence will be in Washington as the Trump administration pushes contentious legislation to overhaul the US tax code. Pence could be called upon to break a tie in the Senate, if a vote on the bill takes places before his departure.
South Korean President Moon Jae-In (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) applaud during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 14, 2017

The presidents of China and South Korea sought Thursday to repair ties strained over a US anti-missile defence system, but the beating of a South Korean photojournalist by Chinese security cast a pall over the summit.

Relations between Beijing and Seoul have been icy since South Korea allowed the United States to install the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system to guard against threats from North Korea.

China considers THAAD a threat to its own security, and has imposed economic measures against South Korean companies in a move seen as retaliation.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In and Chinese leader Xi Jinping signalled their willingness to improve relations as they met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi said Moon's first state visit to Beijing was an "important opportunity to improve relations as we seek to find ways to carve a better path based on mutual respect and trust."

The Chinese president said he was willing to "step up" communication and coordination with Moon, stating that "we shall deepen the connection and accurately navigate the bilateral relationship."

He added the two countries could also support each other and increase cooperation as they prepared for their respective Winter Olympic games, to be hosted in Pyeongchang next year and in Beijing in 2022.

Moon praised Xi, calling him a "very sincere and reliable leader in terms of both words and behaviour".

China and South Korea were "partners set by destiny to walk the path of mutual prosperity and cooperate for world peace", he said, while acknowledging the recent "temporary difficulties".

- North Korea talks? -

Improving Sino-Korean ties has become increasingly important amid growing concern that bellicose rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang could spark war on the Korean peninsula.

Chinese honour guards stand during a welcome ceremony for South Korean President Moon Jae-In

The two leaders met amid mixed US signals that Washington is willing to hold talks with Pyongyang.

"As friendly neighbours and strategic partners, China and South Korea have broad common interests in keeping the region peaceful," Xi said.

Moon noted that he expected to "reaffirm and discuss specific cooperation" with Xi on the issue.

Their meeting came after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to North Korea "without preconditions", though it was determined to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal.

China and Russia welcomed Tillerson's remarks, even after the White House appeared to put his proposal in question by saying Trump's "views on North Korea have not changed."

- Injured journalist -

Hours before the summit, Chinese security personnel beat and severely injured a South Korean photojournalist covering Moon's attendance at a trade partnership event, according to the Korea Press Photographers Association (KPPA).

Security blocked South Korean photographers from following his delegation, grabbing one photographer by the neck and throwing him to the ground, then seized another's camera, the KPPA said.

When the Chinese guards again tried to block journalists from entering another event hall, even though they showed identity cards, a photographer surnamed Lee objected.

More than 15 guards surrounded him and "punched him repeatedly, before even kicking him on the face after he was knocked to the floor," leaving him with a bloody nose, a severe injury to his right eye, nausea and dizziness, the KPPA said in a statement.

South Korean officials lodged a complaint and demanded a formal apology from China, the Yonhap news agency said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang voiced concern over what he said he hoped was "just a minor incident".

Both countries had made "meticulous preparations" for Moon's trip "with the same goal in mind, which is that we want to make sure that this visit is very successful", Lu told a regular press briefing.
Staff of Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva gather outside its plant in Ne'ot Hovav, near Beersheba, on December 14, 2017, as management prepares to announce massive job cuts

Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva announced Thursday it plans 14,000 job cuts globally over two years as the ailing firm unveiled sweeping restructuring plans while facing low prices for generic drugs and heavy debt.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the world's largest producer of generic drugs, said its reductions would be across-the-board and in all its locations.

Its job cuts would amount to more than one quarter of Teva's global workforce of over 55,000.

Closures or divestments of manufacturing plants were planned for the United States, Europe, Israel and elsewhere.

"There's not any function where we don't have a reduction," Kare Schultz, who took over as Teva president and chief executive in November, said during a conference call to discuss the restructuring.

"Geographically, it's everywhere. So it's a very broad set of actions we're taking."

Teva also said it was suspending dividends on ordinary shares and its annual bonus for 2017 will not be paid "due to the fact that the company's financial results are significantly below our original guidance for the year."

Teva has been saddled with debt after its $40 billion acquisition of the generics arm of rival Allergan was completed last year.

The acquisition has been accompanied by low prices for generics, particularly in the United States, a major market.

Teva expects to save $3 billion by the end of 2019 with the two-year restructuring plan.

There has been deep concern over job cuts in Israel, where the company employs some 7,000 people and receives generous tax breaks.

On Wednesday, Israel's powerful Histadrut trade union confederation called a nationwide strike for Sunday following reports of the job cuts.

Teva factory workers on Thursday walked off the job and protested, including by blocking roads.

- 'Pay the price' -

According to Histadrut head Avi Nissenkorn, some 1,750 workers will be laid off in Israel.

Israeli employees of Teva, the world's biggest manufacturer of generic drugs, protest against job cuts at the pharmaceutical company's plant in Kiryat Shmona on December 14, 2017

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement he had spoken with Schultz and asked that Teva do what it could to diminish the damage to employees in Israel.

Netanyahu also told Schultz he must do whatever possible to retain Teva's identity as an Israeli company, and Schultz said he would, a statement from Netanyahu's office read.

According to Nissenkorn, Teva has received $6.2 billion in tax reductions since 2006.

"I think their plan is exaggerated," he said.

"The number of workers set to be sent home should be reduced, and not less importantly, all the factories in Israel should be saved."

Teva has faced a convergence of factors that have put it in difficulty.

Beyond low prices for generics in the United States, its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone is facing competition after US regulators approved a generic version of it.

While Teva has focused on generics, it also produces speciality drugs.

Its restructuring will include evaluating products to determine whether they should be discontinued, the firm said.

Schultz, who is Danish, has sought to turn around the fortunes of a company that in the past represented more than one percent of Israel's gross domestic product.

In late November, the company announced a new organisational and leadership structure, including combining its speciality and generics commercial businesses into one.

But the cutbacks have led to strong criticism in Israel.

"Teva is giving us a painful lesson in ingratitude and rudeness," Israeli Labour party lawmaker Itzik Shmuli said.

"After having benefited from billions in tax breaks, they are laying off. The crisis is real, and it is mostly due to mindless management. Now they want workers to pay the price."
The Syrian government's top negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari (R) has taken part in eight rounds of negotiations

The UN mediator at Syria peace talks in Geneva has "undermined" his position by appealing to Moscow to convince Damascus to hold new elections, the Syrian government's top negotiator said Thursday.

Bashar al-Jaafari harshly criticised UN envoy Staffan de Mistura for comments made to Swiss television Wednesday calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "have the courage" to convince his Syrian counterpart to allow new polls.

"His statement undermined his mandate as a facilitator of the talks, which will affect the entire Geneva process," he told reporters as the eighth round of negotiations concluded with no sign of progress.

Seven previous rounds of talks mediated by de Mistura have also gone nowhere -- and rival sides have not yet met face-to-face.

Speaking to Swiss public broadcaster RTS, the UN mediator said that Damascus's apparent military victory in Syria's nearly seven year war was not enough for President Bashar al-Assad and that new elections were needed for him to "win the peace".

De Mistura said Putin "had to convince the (Syrian) government that there's no time to lose".

"We can talk about having won the territorial war, which is temporary, but the peace also needs to be won and for that there needs to be the courage to push the government to accept" new elections, he said, stressing that such a vote should be monitored by the UN.

Jaafari emphasised that while Syria's government may have "allies, friends and people who fight with us on the ground," it enjoys "the highest possible degree of sovereignty".

- 'Nobody can influence us' -

"Therefore nobody can influence us," he said, insisting that "what the envoy mistakenly said as a linguistic slip ... does not reflect the relationship between us and Moscow."

Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces, ostensibly to combat advances by what Moscow and Damascus term "terrorist" groups.

On Tuesday, the first Russian troops began returning home after Putin ordered a pullout, saying their mission had been largely completed.

Talks this month have snagged on the issue of Assad's future, with the opposition delegation defying calls to give up its demand that the president must go as part of any peace deal.

Jaafari slammed the opposition, united in one delegation for the first time, for "placing preconditions for the Geneva talks" after a communique was published in Riyadh last month insisting on Assad's removal.

And he said Saudi Arabia and the western countries who support the opposition had "torpedoed" the talks and never wanted "Geneva to succeed in the first place".

A parallel process organised by Moscow and including fellow government ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey, is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Kremlin also hopes to convene a political congress in the Black Sea resort of Sochi which would bring together regime officials and the opposition to reinvigorate a hobbled peace process.

The opposition and Western diplomats are concerned that the Sochi meeting might be part of an effort by Moscow to circumvent the UN talks and impose a solution favourable to Assad.

More than 340,000 people have been killed since the conflict broke out in March 2011 when protests against Assad's rule sparked a brutal crackdown.
A checkpoint at the Syrian-Iraqi border point of Al-Tanf

Syrian opposition forces backed by a US-led coalition killed more than 20 Islamic State fighters and took several others prisoner, military officials said Thursday.

According to the coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq, a vetted Syrian opposition group known as the Maghawir al-Thawra detected the fighters early Wednesday in an area controlled by pro-Syrian regime forces in southern Syria, in the Al-Tanf border region.

Supported by coalition forces, the Maghawir al-Thawra "quickly and professionally conducted an operation," the coalition said in a statement.

"This is the second time in less than a month that convoys of Daesh terrorists, fleeing the middle Euphrates River valley, transited through regime-controlled territory," the statement read, using an Arabic name for IS.

"Despite the presence of Russian-backed, pro-Syrian regime forces in the area, Daesh still finds ways to move freely through regime lines and pose a threat," coalition director of operations Brigadier General Jonathan Braga added.

The coalition did not give additional details on the captured fighters, saying only "a number of Daesh terrorists were detained in the engagement, including foreign terrorists."

The coalition says 98 percent of the territory once held by IS has now been recaptured.

The Maghawir al-Thawra have been fighting IS in the tri-border area of Iraq, Syria, and Jordan since 2015.
"We believe that this offer is in the best interests of Lonmin," said the CEO of Lonmin Ben Magara

South Africa's largest gold producer Sibanye-Stillwater is to buyout Lonmin, the world's third biggest, but troubled platinum producer, for 285 million ($383 million), the companies announced on Thursday.

Lonmin, whose Marikana mine was the scene of the infamous 2012 mineworkers massacre where police gunned down 34 striking workers, has for the past five years been battling low platinum prices and high operating costs, exacerbated by labour unrest in South Africa.

"We believe that this offer is in the best interests of Lonmin," said the CEO of Lonmin Ben Magara.

Despite the company boasting of great mining assets, projects and process technology and a resilient workforce, it "continues to be hamstrung by its capital structure and liquidity concerns," said Magara.

Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman foresees the proposed buyout bringing about longer term benefits for both companies.

He also stated that the acquisition would "create a more robust business" that is better able to withstand volatile platinum prices and exchange rates.

News of the planned acquisition saw Lonmin's shares, which had fallen more than 90 percent over the past five years, jump by around 20 percent in London on Thursday morning.

Sibanye was created five years ago, as a result of the unbundling of mining giant Gold Fields, and has embarked on a massive acquisition trail to expand its footprint.

In May this year, the JSE listed company bought America's Stillwater mining company to become Sibanye-Stillwater.

Other Sibanye acquisitions include three platinum mines from Anglo American in 2015 and another Aquarius Mine in April 2016.

Both Lonmin and Anglo American had been slashing jobs in recent years, in a bid to boost margins.

South Africa is the world's biggest producer of platinum, accounting for 70 percent of global output of the mineral which is mainly used in jewellery and catalytic converters for vehicles.

Platinum prices have dropped by about 40 percent since 2011.
Russia was barred from the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang in February for institutionalised doping, though athletes who are deemed "clean" can compete under the Olympic flag

Grigory Rodchenkov, who is the source of revelations about state-sponsored Russian doping, "is under the control of the American secret service", Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"He is under the control and the protection of the FBI. For us it's not a good thing: it means he is working under the control of American secret services," Putin said in his annual press conference.

"What are they doing to him? What substances are they giving him to say everything they need him to say," Putin added.

Rodchenkov is the former director of the Moscow anti-doping lab. He fled to the United States in 2016 saying he feared for his life after the sudden death of two senior officials in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). He then provided information which led to an investigation of doping at the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.

As a result, Russia was last week barred from the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in February for institutionalised doping, though athletes who are deemed "clean" can compete under the Olympic flag.

Rodchenkov is in the FBI's witness protection programme and has made further revelations about doping.

Putin accused Rodchenkov of having psychological problems and having been involved in doping.

"How is it that this individual came to head our anti-doping agency?" Putin asked. "This is the mistake of those who made the decision, and I know very well who made the decision."

Putin promised that Russia "will cooperate" with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) "to correct the problems that we have". But he added that Russia would "defend the interests of our athletes, including in civil courts."

"I know that many international officials don't want that, but what can we do? We will be forced to help our athletes to stand up for their honour and dignity in civil courts," he said.

The 25 Russian athletes suspended by the IOC for doping in Sochi have announced their intention to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If they lose, they could appeal to a Swiss federal tribunal and finally the European Court of Human Rights.

Russia has always vehemently rejected accusations of state-sponsored doping while accepting that some of its athletes did take banned drugs.

""It's obvious that the scandal is being blown up in the run-up to Russia's domestic political calendar," said Putin, who has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in March.

"We are also to blame. It turns out we had cases of doping," Putin said, adding: "But it has to be said that this happens in other countries only in those cases it does not cause so much fuss."
Opinion / Columnist

We have had the debate on whether the targeted sanctions on Zanu PF leaders to pressure them to uphold human rights including holding free, fair and credible elections are justified or not. The debate has been reduced to meaningless one because of the denials of the facts and verbal diarrhoea coming from Robert Mugabe, his Zanu PF cronies and apologists."I can understand and forgive Peter Godwin for calling my President Mnangagwa names, I can forgive Senator Booker for being trigger happy and wanting to keep punishing the people of Zimbabwe with more punitive measures, but it's unforgivable for Tendai Biti, who claims to have the suffering masses of Zimbabwe in his heart, to call for sanctions to remain till elections are held," wrote Harare East Zanu PF MP Terrence Mukupe in Zimeye."How could any serious putative future leader of our country ask that ZIDERA remains in place?" added Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Retired Major General Dr Sibusiso Moyo.This is just nonsense because:1) All this talk of the opposition "calling for the sanctions" is nonsense because the West are perfectly capable of making their decision on foreign policy without farming it out to someone else specially Zimbabwe's corrupt and incompetent opposition. As soon as MDC leaders joined the GNU in 2009 they started lobbing the West to lift the sanction and the latter ignored them.Instead of addressing the real issues that led to the imposition of the targeted sanctions  serious human rights violations including failure to hold free elections -; Zanu PF is doing what it does best, forget the message attack the messenger even when he is just a tea boy.2) Mugabe and all his Zanu PF cronies are hypocrites because before independence they all supported the imposition of sanctions on the Ian Smith regime as another way of applying pressure on the regime to accept political reform. The White regime argued then, just as vociferously as Zanu PF has argued, that the UN sanctions cause more suffering on the black majority, but most blacks still supported the sanctions regardless because continued white rule caused even more suffering.If anything, the suffering from Zanu PF misrule has caused even worse human suffering than that caused by Smith's racist regime whilst the suffering brought by the targeted sanctions have been nothing compared by that brought by UN sanction.3) Argument that the sanction should lifted to give Mnangagwa and his team "the benefit of the doubt" that they will embrace democratic change is another nonsensical fallacy. Last month's coup was about stopping Mugabe handing over power to his wife and the G40 factions and, in the end, it was necessary to replace Mugabe himself and a few others close to him. Power was restored to the Join Operation Command (JOC), the Junta that has ruled the country with an iron fist all these last 37 years.The Junta has masterminded and executed all the vote rigging and political oppression to secure absolute power for the party's ruling elite and coordinated and corruption to secure wealth for ruling elite and their family and friends and cash to bankroll the party's vote rigging activities. The coup was about restoring JOC members' dominancy in the Zanu PF dictatorship and now that the task has been successfully completed the vote rigging, etc. will continued as before.President Mnangagwa is well aware of the demands to implement the raft of democratic reforms to designed dismantle the dictatorship and create a democratic Zimbabwe. He has said nothing about implementing any reforms in his inauguration speech or since. He knows Zanu PF will not win free, fair and credible elections and, just like his old boss Mugabe, he has no intention of giving up power and hence will not implement any reforms.The corrupt and ruthlessly oppressive Zanu PF dictatorship of Mugabe days has changed the top dog but otherwise nothing else has changed, of that we can be 100% certain. To therefore suggest we should lift the sanctions to give it the benefit of the doubt that is has changed when all the evidence on the ground says it has not changed one iota is being plane stupid.Foreign Minister Moyo has certainly played his role in JOC's treasonous vote rigging and looting activities in the past. He is the one who announced the military coup on ZTV. No doubt his ministerial posting is his reward. After decades of rigging elections it is naive to expect someone Minister and his putsch to suddenly give up JOC's carte blanche power to rig elections and risk their new found political power after just a few months in power!The Americans have decided that the sanctions against targeted Zanu PF leaders must remain in place and will be reviewed after next year's elections; they are clearly not stupid.4) Last but most important of all, the root cause of Zimbabwe's economic meltdown behind the 90% unemployment rate, the poverty that has left 72.3% of the population living on US$ 1.00 or less per day, etc. is the 37 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption under Zanu PF rule. The nation has been stuck with the regime all these years because Mugabe assisted by his right hand man Emerson Mnangagwa and others in the Zanu PF dictatorship have denied the people their freedoms and basic human rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections.The white regime of Ian Smith was under tougher UN sanctions and the economy then never sunk to the depth it has under Zanu PF although the sanctions are nowhere near as tough. Mugabe has been blaming his failure to get financial assistance from WB, IMF, etc. on sanctions when the truth is they cancelled all credit lines because his regime was failing to service its debts. Even the Chinese, his "all weather friend", have long stopped lending Zimbabwe for the same reason.Mugabe admitted two years ago the country was being "swindled US$ 15 billion in diamond revenue". No one has ever been arrested and not one cent recovered. We know the swindling has not stopped because a year ago Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, told parliament he was get 1/6 of the expected revenue from diamonds. No nation, under sanction or not, can sustain this level of economic haemorrhaging much less thrive; it is no wonder the Zimbabwe economy, with its mere US $10 billion GDP, is in total economic meltdown.The frankly the targeted sanctions have been an inconvenience at most in limiting the rich's shopping trips to sanction busting UN meetings, for example. Other than that, the fat cats have become filthy rich; they have mansions, vast business empires and have lived lavish lifestyles. The targeted sanctions been God send for Zanu PF, regime was blamed the sanction for all the nation's ills.Instead of lifting the targeted sanctions, they should have been fine tuned to include the ruling elite's family members, for example, who have been the conduit to siphon the looted wealth into the West in violation of the sanction.
Anti-personnel mines continue to kill and maim thousands each year, despite an international treaty banning their use

At least 8,605 people were killed or injured by anti-personnel mines last year, a 150 percent rise in three years, with particularly high casualty figures in Afghanistan and Yemen, the Handicap International charity said Thursday.

"The vast majority of people killed by anti-personnel mines are civilians," making up 78 percent of the total in 2016 of whom 42 percent were children, according to a new report.

"We are witnessing an alarming upsurge in the use of mines, and an unacceptable increase in the number of mine casualties," said Aleema Shivji, executive director of Handicap International UK.

Mine casualties were recorded in 56 states and territories around the world last year.

The majority of new casualties of anti-personnel mines, factory-made or improvised, and of explosive remnants of war were recorded in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.

The 2016 figures also mark a 150 percent increase since 2013, when 3,450 dead or wounded were logged.

The total number of casualties is the biggest since the first annual report was published in 2000 by the Landmine Monitor, which does research on behalf of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

Handicap International was a founding member of the ICBL which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.

The Landmine Monitor also confirmed new uses of anti-personnel mines by government forces in Myanmar and Syria between October 2016 and October 2017.

The publication of the report comes 20 years after the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines. It has now been signed by 162 state parties, but not by all countries, with the United States, Russia, China and India among the high-profile non-signatories.

"We've stepped back in time," said Jeff Meer, executive director of Handicap International in the US.

The sharp increase in casualty figures since 2013 comes after 15 years of steady decline and is "unacceptable," he said.

"War does not justify everything."

The casualties figures, though higher, remain well down on those seen before the Ottawa Treaty came into being when the number of victims annually could reach 25,000.
A police officer stands outside Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut on December 15, 2012

Of all the mass shootings to have scarred the American consciousness in recent years, the one at Sandy Hook stands out for its child victims: 20 young lives cut short inside their elementary school classroom.

Five years later, the wounds are still gaping.

At 9:30 am on Thursday, the bells of the St. Rose of Lima church in Newtown, Connecticut rang out 26 times, one chime for each life lost, as the small community came together in remembrance.

At the same hour, on December 14, 2012, a 20-year-old named Adam Lanza burst into the brick school building in Newtown armed with a Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle and two pistols. Earlier that morning, he had shot and killed his own mother at home.

He fired more than 150 times in the corridors and classrooms, killing 20 children between the ages of six and seven, and six women who worked at the school, before committing suicide.

A woman displays a photo of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting during a September 2013 press conference in Washington calling for gun reform legislation

"FIVE. YEARS. The hurt is the same. The suffering. The missing. The heartbreak. The sadness," tweeted Erica Lafferty, whose mother the school principal Dawn Hochsprung was killed trying to stop the shooter. "Nothing will ever fill this void."

In an America already traumatized by previous school shootings, at Columbine High School in Colorado or Virginia Tech university in Virginia, Sandy Hook was a shock: it was the first to target children so young.

"People ask me: how is Sandy Hook doing today? said Chris Murphy, a senator from the small New England state.

"Sandy Hook will never recover, Sandy Hook will never be the same."

- Obama's tears -

Barack Obama, in Washington on December 14, 2012

Barack Obama, then nearing the end of his first term in office, shed tears as he addressed the shooting from the White House a few hours later.

"We're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics," said Obama, who would later describe the massacre as the worst day of his presidency.

But for those hoping that Sandy Hook would push lawmakers to enact tougher restrictions on guns, the years after the shooting brought disappointment.

Post-Sandy Hook gun control legislation was defeated in Congress in April 2013, and virtually nothing has changed since then, beyond local measures taken by cities and states.

"America needs common-sense gun laws more than ever and we must not stop pushing until we get them," tweeted the former president Bill Clinton on Thursday, as he paid tribute to the victims five years on.

What Sandy Hook did bring, however, was a new awareness by schools across the United States of their vulnerability.

Since 2012, alert procedures and drills have multiplied. Doors and windows are reinforced, and schools have closer ties with police.

American schoolchildren are now taught how to respond to an "active shooter" situation, and staff are trained on how to barricade their classrooms.

- Better school security -

Recent events have illustrated the importance of these steps: when a man killed five people in rampage in northern California in November, he attempted to gain access to an elementary school but was unsuccessful.

It only took about 50 seconds for the school to go on lockdown, helping to avert a potential bloodbath.

Sandy Hook also gave rise to new organizations that take aim at gun violence in the US, which kills 90 people per day.

Mark Barden holds up a picture of his son Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook massacre, during an October vigil for the 58 people killed by a mass shooter in Las Vegas

One such group, Sandy Hook Promise, works to prevent shootings by identifying warning signs, such as young people in a situation of social isolation or showing a fascination with morbid ideas.

In a sinister twist, the shooting has also sparked flourishing conspiracy theories -- purveyed by some opponents of gun control -- who claim the massacre was staged.

A professor at a Florida university, fired from his job after insisting Sandy Hook was a hoax, lost a lawsuit this week claiming that his right to free speech was infringed.

But Lafferty, the principal's daughter, says she has suffered five years of online attacks by conspiracy theorist trolls, and the abuse continued the day of the shooting anniversary.
Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, 37, known as A.G., is replacing his father as publisher of The New York Times

New York Times publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr announced on Thursday that he was stepping down after 25 years at the helm of the renowned newspaper and handing over to his son.

Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, 37, known as A.G., will take over as publisher on January 1, 2018, the New York Times Co. said in a statement.

A.G. Sulzberger will be the sixth member of the Ochs-Sulzberger family to serve as publisher since Adolph Ochs bought the newspaper in 1896.

Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, 66, who took over as publisher in 1992, will remain as chairman of the board of directors of the company, the Times said.

"This isn't a goodbye," Arthur Sulzberger said in a note to Times staff. "But, beginning in the new year, the grand ship that is The Times will be A.G.'s to steer."

New York Times publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr is stepping down after 25 years and handing over the helm of the newspaper to his son

Arthur Sulzberger said he was stepping down "prouder than I have ever been of the strength, independence and integrity of this institution."

A.G. Sulzberger praised his father's tenure, saying he had made "bold bets" which included "embracing the Internet."

"Arthur is the only publisher of his generation who took over a great news organization and left it better than he found it," he said.

"My focus as publisher will be on ensuring the continued journalistic excellence and commercial success of The Times through a period of transformation for the news industry," he added.

The Times, which President Donald Trump considers a nemesis and frequently derides as "failing," announced recently that it now has a record 3.5 million paid subscribers, both digital and print.

A.G. Sulzberger, a graduate of Brown University, worked as a reporter at The Providence Journal in Rhode Island and The Oregonian before joining the metro desk of the Times in 2009.

He notably authored the newspaper's 2014 Innovation Report, which looked at ways to grow the online audience in an era of shrinking print sales and advertising.
Former international Liberian football star turned politician and presidential election candidate George Weah will compete against vice-president Joseph Boakai in this month's run-off poll

A Liberian opposition party formally backed George Weah for president on Thursday despite mounting a prolonged legal fight with his opponent, Vice-President Joseph Boakai, against the country's electoral commission.

Weah and Boakai are due to face each other in a December 26 run-off triggered when the two men took first and second spots respectively in an October 10 presidential election but failed to win more than 50 percent of ballots cast.

The Liberty Party, whose standard bearer Charles Brumskine complained of fraud and irregularities after he scraped third with 9.6 percent of ballots, had joined forces with Boakai's ruling Unity Party in arguing the National Elections Commission (NEC) had rigged the vote.

"You are the choice of the people," Liberty Party Chairman Benjamin Sanvee told a press conference. "Senator Weah, we endorse your presidency. We endorse your presidency because the people have spoken."

All sides accepted the Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday that Boakai and Brumskine lacked the evidence to prove sustained fraud across the nation, paving the way for the run-off to go ahead seven weeks later than planned.

The Liberty Party endorsement will give Weah significant clout in the crucial central county of Grand Bassa, which Brumskine won by a 23-point margin.

The vote is seen as a crucial test of Liberia's stability after back-to-back civil wars between 1989 and 2003 and an Ebola crisis that killed thousands from 2014 to 2016.

It would represent Liberia's first democratic transfer of power in more than seven decades.

Whoever wins will replace Liberia's Nobel Peace prize-winning president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is also Africa's first female elected head of state. She is stepping down after a maximum two six-year terms.

During her tenure, she steered the country away from the trauma of war, although poverty remains entrenched and has been one of the main election issues.
Nikki Haley says a ballistic missile fired by Huthi militants at Saudi Arabia last month had been made in Iran

US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence Thursday that a ballistic missile fired by Huthi rebels in Yemen at Saudi Arabia last month was Iranian-made, a charge Tehran immediately denied.

Haley accused Tehran of a "blatant violation" of UN Security Council obligations designed to rein in its missile activity, further stepping up the rhetoric towards Iran which Washington accuses of going against the spirit of a historic nuclear accord.

Standing in a warehouse at a Washington military base in front of recovered pieces of two missiles, Haley said Iranian fingerprints were all over the weapons, one of which she said was fired at Riyadh's airport on November 4.

"It was made in Iran then sent to Huthi militants in Yemen," Haley said.

"From there it was fired at a civilian airport with the potential to kill hundreds of innocent civilians in Saudi Arabia."

She charged that the 2015 nuclear deal to curb Iran's nuclear program had "done nothing to moderate the regime's conduct in other areas," and accused Tehran of "fanning the flames" of regional conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif posted on Twitter a photo of Haley juxtaposed with a well-known image of former secretary of state Colin Powell appearing before the Security Council, where he provided intelligence in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war that was later found to be false.

"When I was based at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat...," Zarif wrote.

The Iranian mission said the accusations leveled by Haley were intended to divert attention from the devastating war in Yemen being led by Saudi Arabia, a key US ally.

- Tougher stance -

A confidential report to the council says UN officials had examined debris from missiles fired at Saudi Arabia which pointed to a "common origin" but there was no firm conclusion as to whether they came from an Iranian supplier.

Pieces of what the US say was an Iranian built rocket fired at Saudi Arabia from Yemen

Haley said the missiles were Iranian Qiam-class short-range ballistic rockets and pointed to valves that she said proved their origin. The Qiam-1 is based on a modified Scud design.

Haley showed other pieces of military material she said were provided by Iran, and after her announcement officials showed journalists pieces of an anti-tank missile, an explosive boat, drones and other gear.

"The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it," Haley said.

Haley has called on the Security Council to take a tougher stance toward Iran, accusing Tehran of making illegal arms deals in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.

Asked about Haley's claims that the evidence that Iran had supplied the missile was irrefutable, Sweden's UN Ambassador Olof Skoog said "she may be in possession of evidence that I have not seen. The information that I have up to now is less clear."

Haley did not discuss the timeline of when Iran is supposed to have provided the weapons, or whether this may have happened before the nuclear deal was signed.

In a statement, the Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed Haley's remarks and "US condemnation of Iran's hostile activities that support and arm terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Huthi terrorist militias."

- 'Bleeding Saudi Arabia of money' -

However, the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, obtained by AFP, said officials were still analyzing the information.

A separate team of UN experts who inspected the missile fragments during a visit to Riyadh last month found a possible link to an Iranian manufacturer, the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, which is on the UN sanctions blacklist.

The experts, who report to the sanctions committee, found a component marked by a logo similar to that of the banned group, which is a subsidiary of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization.

A placard shows parts of the guidance system to an Iranian Qiam Ballistic Missile on display

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior Iran analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told AFP that Iran's apparent willingness to risk transferring missiles to the Huthis indicates the Yemeni conflict "may not be as peripheral to Tehran as previously assumed."

"Bleeding Saudi Arabia of money and men is a clear goal for Iran as it continues its war in Yemen," he said in an email.

Aside from leading a military campaign in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has deployed expensive Patriot missiles at home to guard against incoming rockets.

Recent Iranian missile launches have triggered US sanctions and accusations they violate the spirit of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers.

"Today's revelations proved yet again that Iran's dangerous presence in the Middle East is only growing despite their attempts to deceive the world," Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said.

A Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen imposed a blockade of Yemen's air and sea ports and borders after the missile was fired at Riyadh, citing concerns that weapons were being smuggled into Yemen.
A pair of US warplanes intercepted two Russia jets over a part of Syria they were not supposed to be operating in, according to the Pentagon.

At one point during Wednesday's incident, the American F-22 Raptor stealth fighters deployed chaff and flares to convince the Russian Su-25s to leave the area, and one US pilot had to 'aggressively maneuver' to avoid a midair collision.

The Russian fighters had flown into airspace controlled by the US-led coalition that is fighting the Islamic State group in Syria, crossing onto the east side of the Euphrates River near Albu Kamal.

The encounter lasted approximately 40 minutes before the Russian jets flew to the west side of the Euphrates

They 'were promptly intercepted by two F-22A Raptors providing air cover for partner ground forces conducting operations to defeat ISIS,' a spokesman said.

'The F-22s conducted multiple maneuvers to persuade the Su-25s to depart our deconflicted airspace, including the release of chaff and flares in close proximity to the Russian aircraft and placing multiple calls on the emergency channel to convey to the Russian pilots that they needed to depart the area,' he added.

The incident lasted approximately 40 minutes before the Russian aircraft flew to the west side of the river.

During and following the encounter, coalition leaders contacted Russian officers on a special hotline to try to calm the situation and avert a 'strategic miscalculation'.

The incident lasted approximately 40 minutes before the Russian aircraft flew to the west side of the river, according to the Pentagon

The Pentagon said that in early November the US verbally agreed with Moscow that the Russians would keep west of the Euphrates and the coalition would stay east.

'Since agreeing to this deconfliction arrangement, the Russians have flown into our airspace on the east side of the river six to eight times per day, or approximately 10 percent of the Russian and Syrian flights,' the Pentagon said.

'It's become increasingly tough for our pilots to discern whether Russian pilots' actions are deliberate or if these are just honest mistakes.'

Albu Kamal was IS's last urban stronghold in Syria until the army retook it last month.
US House Speaker Paul Ryan has a better-than-expected relationship with President Donald Trump, but he is reportedly mulling an exit from Congress by the end of 2018

Paul Ryan may be in his final term as speaker of the US House of Representatives and could leave Congress by year end, Politico reported Thursday, in a report that could set off a scramble for a successor.

The news outlet cited several people who know Ryan, including fellow lawmakers, congressional aides, conservative intellectuals and party lobbyists, saying they did not expect him to remain in Congress beyond 2018.

Asked directly after a Thursday press conference whether he would be stepping down soon, Ryan said, "I'm not... no."

A spokeswoman for Ryan's office, AshLee Strong, called the report "pure speculation."

"As the speaker himself said today, he's not going anywhere any time soon," she added.

But the report appeared to heighten the conjecture about the Wisconsin lawmaker's future.

Ryan, 47, made no secret about his hesitation in taking the top congressional job in 2015, after his predecessor John Boehner abruptly announced he was retiring when he faced a revolt from right-wing conservatives.

He also spoke out critically against Donald Trump during the presidential race.

But Ryan has developed a better-than-expected relationship with Trump, and has worked with him on several landmark issues including health care and the current big legislative push, tax reform.

The White House made it clear Trump wants Ryan to stay.

"The president did speak to the speaker not too long ago, and made sure that the speaker knew very clearly, in no uncertain terms, that if the news was true he was very unhappy about it," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

It is not known whether Ryan would run for his congressional seat in next November's mid-term elections. But should he announce his departure well ahead of time, it would dramatically diminish his deal-making leverage and his ability to raise money for the party.

"Ryan's preference has become clear: He would like to serve through Election Day 2018 and retire ahead of the next Congress," Politico reported.

Some Republicans in Congress were already anticipating a leadership battle.

"Brace yourselves for the mother of all barn cleanings," tweeted House conservative Thomas Massie, who has been a thorn in the Republican leadership's side.
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks at a press conference after the Strategic Dialogue on Disrupting Transnational Criminal Organizations with Mexican officials at the State Department in Washington, DC on December 14, 2017.

Mexican drug traffickers have begun to set up laboratories to produce the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday.

China up until now has been the main source of fentanyl -- up to 50 times more potent than heroin and much cheaper to produce -- shipping large amounts through Mexican narcotics networks to the US market.

"Fentanyl originally started mostly from China," Sessions said at the close of a US-Mexico bilateral meeting on transnational criminal organizations.

"A considerable amount has been shipped to Mexico and then enters across the border in some fashion from Mexico."

Now, though, he added, "We are also seeing precursor chemicals in Mexico and manufacturing labs begin to develop in Mexico. So one of the priorities I would like to see us do is to nip that in the bud, stay very intensely focused on those laboratories, and make sure that it does not become a big problem in the future."

Fentanyl is increasingly the main cause of death in the US opioid crisis, which saw an estimated 64,000 people die last year.

The epidemic has its roots in the massive over-marketing of highly addictive prescription opioids like Oxycontin as painkillers.

Moves to tighten that market have forced addicts to turn to heroin and, increasingly, cheaper but more lethal fentanyl.

"We've never seen those numbers before, or anything like it," Sessions said of the overdose death rate.

The United States has also put pressure on China to crack down on laboratories there exporting fentanyl to the US market, via multiple channels including the regular mail and parcel services.
Demonstrators hold a banner calling for an end to the Syrian conflict during a protest against the Syrian regime outside the United Nations offices in Geneva in 2014

Since the start of Syria's war in 2011, numerous diplomatic attempts to halt the conflict have stumbled, mainly over the future of President Bashar al-Assad.

Here is a summary of some of key initiatives:

- End of Arab solutions -

In January 2012, two months after an initial bid to end the violence, leading Arab diplomats adopt a plan that would transfer power from Assad to a coalition cabinet.

The Damascus government rejects the proposal, declaring "an end of Arab solutions", and vows to crush rebel movements.

- Geneva I, ambiguous formula -

On June 30, 2012 global powers meeting in Geneva draw up a plan that would install a transition government but does not spell out what would happen to Assad.

Among those involved in the proposal are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus the Arab League, Turkey and the European Union.

They differ over what the plan really means, however, with the United States saying it paves the way to a "post-Assad" period.

China and Russia, allies of Assad, insist it is up to Syrians to decide their future.

- Geneva II, no agreement -

In January 2014 the first talks between Syrian opposition groups and the government are held in Geneva under the auspices of Russia and the United States.

On February 15, after a second fruitless session, UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi calls an end to the talks and resigns.

- Russian involvement, Vienna plan -

In September 2015 Russia becomes militarily involved in the Syria war. Its role becomes a game changer by helping Assad, whose forces have struggled against Gulf- and Western-backed rebels.

In November 2015 the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) is set up in Vienna, grouping 23 world or regional powers and multilateral organisations. They include Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and, for the first time, key regional player Iran.

The group draws up a transition outline but the question of Assad's future is still not resolved.

On December 18 the UN Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution endorsing the Vienna peace process.

- Geneva: eight fruitless rounds -

In early 2016 three rounds of UN-supervised indirect negotiations are held in Geneva between regime and opposition groups. The parties do not talk face to face.

The negotiations stall over arrangements for a transition and run up against violations on the ground of a ceasefire initiated by Washington and Moscow.

In March, May and July 2017 four other rounds of indirect talks are held, without results.

A latest round of talks -- the eighth under current UN mediator Staffan de Mistura -- ends on December 14 without any direct negotiations taking place.

- Geneva overshadowed by Astana -

UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura (3rdL) and Nasr al-Hariri (2ndR) Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, SNC, attend a round of negotiation during the Intra Syria talks in Geneva

In late 2016 Russia and Iran, who back the Syrian regime, and Turkey, which backs the rebels, take over the peace process, sidelining the United States.

In late December they impose a ceasefire.

In January 2017 the three sponsors organise talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, between representatives of the regime and a rebel delegation.

Seven rounds of negotiations have since taken place and have reached an accord on the setting up of four "de-escalation" zones in key areas of Syria, opening the way for a decrease in violence while not ending it completely.

The next round is due for December 21.

Russia has also announced it is planning to hold a broad "Congress of Syrian National Dialogue" in Sochi, although the date has yet to be set.
An opposition coalition of 14 parties, which has led almost weekly demonstrations since August, appealed to leaders attending the ECOWAS summit in Abuja to put pressure on the regime

Togo's opposition on Thursday called on regional leaders to pressure the country's government to accept the reality of political change, as its supporters again protested against President Faure Gnassingbe.

A coalition of 14 parties, which has led almost weekly demonstrations since August, appealed to heads of state and government attending Saturday's ECOWAS summit in Abuja to put pressure on the regime.

Gnassingbe, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States, has led Togo since 2005 after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema.

The general himself was in charge for 38 years.

The wave of demonstrations has seen calls for the introduction of a maximum two-term presidential mandate and two-round voting system.

Opposition parties said Gnassingbe's counterparts should "put everything in place so that at the Abuja summit, the regime that has governed the country for more than 50 years takes on board and finally accepts the alternation of power".

The statement said Togo was an "unacceptable political anomaly" in the region, where two-term limits on presidents have become the norm.

"All institutions in the country are locked up in favour of a single family and... the ballot box has no meaning," it added, warning that action was needed to prevent the situation in Togo becoming "uncontrollable".

"The fight that Togo's people have been having for four months has only one goal: to allow our country to enjoy democracy."

Togo's government has opened preliminary discussions with a handful of opposition parties to pave the way for talks to end the political stand-off, as recommended by West African leaders.

But they are not part of the coalition, which has condemned the closed-door discussions and the government for wanting to organise and be part of the process, rather than allowing mediators in.
Opinion / Columnist

MY former comrades, when you and the rogue elements in the army forced the people to make a show of protesting against me and later another show of celebrating my departure, one thing you never realised was that the human spirit can never be bottled.No sooner had you thought you had managed to hoodwink the world into believing that your coup was not a coup, did the people start seeing through your criminal mischief. They realised that they had been used, and before they knew it, they discovered that they were in worse trouble than they have ever suffered under the colonial regime and later under the illegal sanctions imposed by the West!As a responsible leader, who knew the importance of traditional leaders, I had just approved the purchase of all-terrain vehicles for all our chiefs, but this has since been reversed.The chiefs don't matter just like the povo, they were useful during the liberation war, after which their usefulness expired; so they can now go hang!They can walk on foot when those who are pretending to be the leaders of the country are driving around in expensive cars this is the message that is coming from this action. That is how it starts. Next, it would be payment of bonuses come next year, there will be threats to anyone who would want to make a follow up on this bonus payment pledge, when I always made sure that our hardworking civil servants were well rewarded and on time.Next, the people will stop getting anything in terms of the presidential farming inputs and no one will be able to ask because from indications on the ground, asking any question will soon be a serious crime.These students that used to make a lot of noise about delayed payment of grants will now know that I was the best leader they could ever have when they do not just get nothing, but get themselves into real trouble if they dare protest.After that, it will be the presidential scholarships all the millions that for years I have been channelling towards making sure our people get the best education in the world will now be funnelled into other peoples' back pockets, just as everything else and no one will be allowed to ask.Before anyone can do anything, the monies that I have been paying the war veterans and others will be cut.Already a purge has started in the civil service under the guise of removing ghost workers and old people. Surely how could a 75-year old honestly say people who are 10 years younger than him are too old to be productive? How does one hope to take the country forward by dismissing experienced people?All this is being done in the name of Operation Restore Legacy! What legacy? Whose legacy when people are being impoverished overnight like this?When I left the country this week to take a breath of fresh air in the Far East, representatives of chiefs had indicated that they wanted to meet me I could sense that this had something to do with their well-deserved vehicles. Vendors also wanted to meet me. Touts also wanted to meet me. Many people were seeking to meet me. I know they would want to beg me to please not forsake them in their time of need.By the time I left the country this week, I had not even received my invitation to this week's congress of the party that I am still the lawful President and First Secretary, which to me is confirmation of its status as a non-event.Anyway, let me see what comes out of that illegal gathering so that I can plan my next move as we enter into the New Year.Kindest regards,Your one and onlyME. . . AND NOW THE NOTE BOOKShowLAST week, recycled Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, made a show of restraining government from its wasteful expenditure by cutting out some requests, like that of vehicles for ministers, chiefs, legislators and others. Dr CZ will not take him seriously until he goes a step further to demand that government's many barren conferences be held in boardrooms, or even school classrooms, instead of being held in some five star venues around the country.He will also not be taken seriously until government imposes a blanket ban on wasteful congratulatory adverts that for years have ensured that millions of the taxpayers' money goes down the drain. Anyone who feels like bootlicking should do so at their own expense.Dr CZ still does not believe what he was told this week by a very reliable source that there are people who are actually monitoring these fawning adverts to see who is not enthusiastic enough so that they could be dealt with accordingly. In the unlikely event that this could be true - which most likely it is - then we wonder how this could be different from the case in which some ZANU-PF members from Manicaland were dismissed from the party for "looking aloof" when the now disgraced former first lady, Grace Mugabe, was addressing a rally at Sakubva stadium in 2014. The more things change, the more they look the same.Award winning!AS THIS bootlicking festival continues, last week, Zimbos woke up to the following advert in the public media."His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, The Principal, Eng T Madondo, Advisory Council, Management, Staff and Students of Harare Polytechnic joins the nation in congratulating Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa on your appointment as Head of State and Government and Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. You demonstrated resilience, tenacity and composure as you rose through the echelon and fastigium of presidency. The humility you portrayed revealed the axiologies and phronesis of a leader. Harare polytechnic shares the developmental trajectory you enunciated on your inauguration and is ready to hit the ground running."The message - whatever it was trying to say - should have left presidential advisor, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, pinkish blue with envy. We hope those who were meant to be impressed with this advert were thoroughly impressed, but those like Dr CZ can see through the mischief in this message. Anyway, it was at a graduation ceremony at the same Harare Poly where in 2010, the late former higher and tertiary education minister, Cde Stanislaus Gorerazvo Mudenge, took the opportunity to lash out at the media for reporting that students were prevented from writing exams for non-payment of fees."Such a claim is playing fandango dance with the facts; it is based on a farrago of confusion which has created a phantasmagoria of conflicting images of dreamland on the minds of the public," Mudenge said leaving his audience scattered in laughter. We don't know whether the laughter was with him or at him!WICKEDAN AVID fan of Dr CZ correctly observed that it appeared like it is cleansing time because everyone is getting busy cleaning their social media walls. He wondered why people subject themselves to a life of licking others' backsides in the first place instead of just being their own man like Dr CZ.From the look of things, no one ever knew or ever got remotely associated with convicted fraudster, Wicknell Chivayo, who this week was assisting the police with some investigations regarding some funds from the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority. Only a few weeks ago, some Zimbos were waxing lyrical about Weakened - sorry, Wicknell, praising the "businessman's" acumen when it comes to the "procurement" sector. Not surprisingly, those types of posts can no longer be traced on the social media. We hope and pray something comes out of this show of investigations because it will really be the mother of all frauds in history to tell us that those armoured tanks rolled onto the streets of Harare in order to fail to nail just one criminal that was purportedly around the thankfully now former president. We were told that the operation was targeting criminals around the old man we are eagerly waiting to see these criminals lots of them not just a handful that, after all, end up going scot-free.FictionSTILL on Zimbabwean, fiction and drama, we loved the story about a purported three-hour gun battle at the unused house of outgoing police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri. The story only goes to show what the new owners of the country - just like their predecessors - think of Zimbos that they are a stupid lot. Which they are, anyway to a good extent!Regrets?STILL on quotes; as we celebrate our coup that was not a coup, here is another from the late Professor Masipula Sithole's book Struggles within the Struggle (First edition published in 1979)."Responsible leadership must promote and be seen to promote leadership by persuasion rather than by coercion. There is no doubt that the commandist and murderous political culture acquired during the liberation struggle will impact on the conduct of our politics after the struggle. If we don't take deliberate steps to exorcise this culture from our body politic, we are bound to be miserable for a long time after the struggle. We shall even think and feel we were freer during the settler regime."Revolutionary!MEANWHILE, a fan of Dr CZ remarked that the extent of Mugabe's disastrous leadership is best seen by looking at how people are relieved by Mnangagwa. He said Mugabe was so bad that even common sense by the new President seems revolutionary.African educationTHE African education system has many surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with first class marks and get admission to medical and engineering schools. The second class students get MBAs and LLBs to manage the first class students. The third class students enter politics, and rule both first and second class students. The failures join the army and control politicians who, if they are not happy with, they kick or kill. Best of all, those who did not attend any school, become prophets and witch doctors, and everybody follows them! Nxaaa!!!cznotebook@yahoo.co.uk
Efrain Antonio Campo Flores and Francisco Flores de Freitas were convicted by a federal court in November 2016 of conspiring to smuggle cocaine to the United States, after being arrested in Haiti in 2015 and flown to the US

A US judge on Thursday sentenced two nephews of Venezuela's first lady to 18 years in prison for drug trafficking, damning them as "not the most astute drug traffickers that ever existed."

Efrain Antonio Campo Flores, 31, and Francisco Flores de Freitas, 32, were convicted by a New York jury last year after being arrested in a US sting operation Haiti in 2015.

District Judge Paul Crotty imposed the 18-year jail term in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday and fined each cousin $50,000.

US government prosecutors had requested a 30-year sentence, arguing that they believed they could operate with impunity as members of the most powerful family in Venezuela.

Defense lawyers sought the minimum 10-year penalty and the two cousins apologized in court, Flores de Freitas breaking down into tears at the mention of his nine-year-old son and asking the judge for a chance to repair his mistakes.

"If they were not from Venezuela but from the Dominican Republic or the Bronx this would be a 10-year case," said defense attorney David Rody.

But "they're not the (Venezuelan) president and they should not bear the brunt of the government's ire towards Venezuela," he added.

The judge ruled that the two defendants seemed "more concerned about the impact on the family than on violating the law in the United States."

He noted that "opportunities for visitation from Venezuela will be very limited" given US travel restrictions imposed on many Venezuelans with ties to President Nicolas Maduro's government.

Their arrest and trial fanned tensions in already fraught US-Venezuelan relations, with Washington at loggerheads with Maduro and the South American oil giant mired in economic crisis.

The cousins, who are sons of brothers of First Lady Cilia Flores, were convicted of plotting to smuggle 800 kilos (1,760 pounds) of cocaine into the United States, as well as manufacturing and distribution with the intent to import.

The Venezuelan government says they were framed.

Lawyers for both defendants argued that they fell into a trap set by the US Drug Enforcement Administration in a sting operation that offered $20 million for the drugs.

US prosecutors say the men believed they were above the law as relatives of Maduro. Their aunt, Cilia Flores, was speaker of the National Assembly from 2006 to 2011.
Brazilian President Michel Temer, 77, underwent a "minor surgical procedure" to resolve a urethral obstruction at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday

Brazilian President Michel Temer has cancelled an upcoming tour of south-east Asia in January as he recovers from surgery, his office announced Thursday.

Temer, 77, underwent a "minor surgical procedure" to resolve a urethral obstruction at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

The hospital confirmed he is recovering well and will be discharged on Friday -- but doctors have advised he "avoids long distance journeys" over the next few weeks, an official told AFP.

In October, Temer underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate gland at the same hospital. He also had angioplasty in three blocked coronary arteries in November.

He was due to visit Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and East Timor from January 5-13, with the goal of attracting investments and strengthening diplomatic ties.

The foreign relations ministry will confirm new dates for the trip, the presidency said.

Temer, in office since 2016, has been charged with corruption but has enough support in Congress to legally prevent the case being sent to court.
US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured here in November 2017, discussed the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme with Trump in a phone call on December 14, 2017, the Kremlin said

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programme with US counterpart Donald Trump in a phone call Thursday, the Kremlin said.

The two heads of state discussed "the situation in several crisis zones, with a focus on solving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula", it said in a statement, without elaborating.

Washington this week said it was ready to talk to North Korea -- which has launched several intercontinental ballistic missiles in recent months -- "without preconditions".

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that while the Trump administration was still determined to force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear arsenal, it was willing to "have the first meeting without preconditions".

Putin, in his annual press conference with hundreds of journalists in Moscow Thursday, welcomed the United States' "awareness of reality" in the crisis.

However, he called on all sides to "stop aggravating the situation" and said Moscow did not recognise North Korea's status as a nuclear power.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) - Democrat Doug Jones assembled an unusual Deep South alliance to claim a Senate seat Tuesday in Republican-dominated Alabama, combining strong turnout among African-Americans and white liberals with enough crossover support from conservatives who couldn't stomach scandal-ridden Republican nominee Roy Moore.

Among those disaffected GOP voters was the state's most powerful Republican, Sen. Richard Shelby, who very well may have handed Jones his victory margin of about 1.5 percentage points.

The six-term senator made a late campaign show of declaring he couldn't vote for Moore, an evangelical populist, after allegations from multiple women who said the 70-year-old molested and sexually pursued them decades ago, when they were in their teens and Moore was in his 30s.

Democrat Doug Jones speaks Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. In a stunning victory aided by scandal, Jones won Alabama's special Senate election, beating back history, an embattled Republican opponent and President Donald Trump, who urgently endorsed GOP rebel Roy Moore despite a litany of sexual misconduct allegations. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Shelby, who was the last Democrat to win a Senate seat from Alabama in 1992 before switching parties two years later, declared the charges credible, despite Moore's denials, and the senior senator said he'd write in another Republican. Incomplete returns showed that about 1.7 percent of the more than 1.3 million Alabama voters did the same thing, almost certainly denying Moore votes that would have gone to any other Republican.

The result, driven also by surprisingly high turnout for a holiday season special election, upended the partisan splits in a state President Donald Trump won by 28 percentage points just 13 months ago. Republicans hold every other statewide office and six of seven U.S. House seats and they dominate the state Legislature.

A 63-year-old former U.S. attorney, Jones will take the seat held previously by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Jones closed Democrats' usual gap by posting wide margins in the state's four most populous counties that fall along the Interstate 65 corridor, from Mobile County on the Gulf Coast to the NASA hub of Madison County near the Tennessee border. He also dominated the counties of the Black Belt, named for the color of its soil, and added wins in the counties of the state's two largest college campuses, the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Jones also narrowed the Republican advantages in several other counties across the state, though Moore dominated in many small towns and rural areas where his evangelical appeal is strongest.

The pattern copied the second of Moore's statewide victories for Alabama chief justice - but in that 2012 race, the Republican managed to survive with a 4-point victory. This time, voter turnout tended to be higher in Jones' strongholds than in Moore's.

Jefferson County, where Jones resides in a Birmingham suburb, highlights the Democrat's success in putting together disparate groups of Alabamians - black voters in the city and western suburbs, white Republicans from the southern suburbs. Jones won 68 percent to 30 percent in Jefferson, good for a 71,000-vote advantage, about 10 times his statewide margin. By comparison, Moore's Democratic opponent in 2012 managed 63 percent in that county.

To win black voters, Jones touted his biography as the prosecutor who won convictions of two Ku Klux Klansmen who killed four black girls in the 1963 bombing of Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church. To reach conservatives and moderate Republicans, Jones focused on Moore's baggage and featured Shelby's statements about his vote in television ads that ran in the campaign's closing days.

Ultimately the race was about Moore, from the allegations of misconduct to his controversial stints as Alabama Supreme Court chief justice, where both terms ended in his removal for defying federal law, including his refusal to acknowledge the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

"I never thought ... Alabama would be so low, as it is at this point," said Rosa Thompson, a 78-year-old retired nurse from Demopolis, a Black Belt town. "We need Christians with true Christian values. Not just talk the word. We need them to live it. I think God will be pleased if we go out and vote for Doug Jones."

Moore certainly maintained his base despite the charges.

"The one that seems to be closest to God is the one I'm going to vote for," said Margie McMinn, 65, of Clanton, a retired textile worker.

In Midland City, where Moore closed his campaign Monday night with a large rally, Pam McLain, 63, said she accepted Moore's denials of sexual misconduct. "I just don't believe it. I know it happens because it happened to me I have been sexually harassed on two different jobs but I don't believe this. I think it's been too long and I just don't believe it," McLain said.

Moore won McMinn's Chilton County with 75 percent of the vote and McLain's Dale County with 63 percent of the vote. But both gave him much smaller raw-vote victories, a trend that carried across the state's less populous counties.

___

AP Polling Director Emily Swanson and writers Kim Chandler and Emily Wagster Pettus contributed to this report.
ISTANBUL (AP) - The Latest on the gathering of Islamic nations seeking a united stance against the Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital (all times local):

4:45 p.m.

Muslim nations are rejecting President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and appear set to counter it with a declaration of east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, flanked by other leaders waits for a photo-op prior to the opening session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Leaders and top officials from Islamic nations, members of 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation gathered for a summit that is expected to forge a unified stance against U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

In a draft communique distributed to reporters, the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation said Wednesday the U.S. decision was "null and void legally" and is considered an attack on the rights of the Palestinians.

The draft communique said the bloc considers the U.S. declaration as an "announcement of the U.S. administration's withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace."

The Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and an international consensus has long held that the city's status should be decided in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

OIC leaders meeting in Istanbul were expected to release a final statement later Wednesday.

___

2:10 p.m.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the only reason Donald Trump "dared" recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was because some in the region sought to establish ties to Israel.

Rouhani's comments on Wednesday came during the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Organization following Trump's decision. His comments were a stab at Iran's archrival, Saudi Arabia, referencing reports the Gulf kingdom has sought closer cooperation with Israel to counter Iran's influence in the region. Saudi Arabia has condemned Trump's decision in a rare public rebuke of Washington.

Rouhani also said the U.S. has never been an honest mediator.

He said in an English tweet earlier that the U.S. decision "is only seeking to secure the maximum interests of the Zionists and has no respect for the legitimate rights of Palestinians."

___

1:40 p.m.

The secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called on countries who have not recognized Palestine as a state to do so.

Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen told the extraordinary summit of the 57-member states Wednesday that the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is "an exceptional challenge" facing Muslim nations. He says the decision will fan violence in the region, giving extremists an excuse to sow chaos.

Turkey is hosting the OIC summit.

___

1 p.m.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on the United Nations to take charge of the Mideast peace process, and revamp it with a new mechanism since Washington is allegedly no longer "fit" for the task.

Abbas spoke at a gathering of Islamic countries hosted by Turkey on Wednesday. The summit is meant to hammer out a united stance in the wake of President Donald Trump's recognition earlier this month of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Abbas says the Palestinians are committed to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and will continue to fight violence. But he added that following Trump's move on Jerusalem, Washington is not accepted as a fair negotiator.

Abbas also said it's time for countries who accept the two-state solution to recognize Palestine as a state. He urged those who recognize Israel to reconsider, saying the Jewish state has not committed to any international resolution.

He said the U.S. decision on Jerusalem should galvanize Arab, Muslim and Christian support for the city and that it seeks to change the identity of the divided city, which is home to some of the most sacred Muslim sanctuaries.

___

12:20 p.m.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinians won't accept any role for the United States in a peace process with Israel "from now on" after the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.

Abbas says President Donald Trump's decision was a "crime" that threatens world peace. He says there will be no peace in the region if the world doesn't recognize east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

The Palestinian leader spoke on Wednesday at a summit of Islamic nations hosted by Turkey.

He says the international community has nearly unanimously opposed Trump's decision, calling it a "provocation" to Muslim and Christian sentiments and saying measures are needed to protect the identity of the divided city.

___

12:10 p.m.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Israel at the opening of a summit of Islamic nations in Istanbul, calling it a "terror state."

Turkey is hosting the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday in the wake of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as its capital - a move widely criticized across the world but hailed by Israel. The summit is expected to forge a unified position of Arab and Muslim countries.

Erdogan said in his speech to the gathering that Jerusalem is a "red line" for Muslims who will not accept any aggression on its Islamic sanctuaries. He said East Jerusalem is the capital of a future Palestinian state and called on states that have not recognized a Palestinian state to do so.

Erdogan says the "process to include Palestine in international agreements and institutions should be sped up."

___

10:20 a.m.

Leaders and top officials of the world's Islamic nations are coming together in Turkey to try and forge a united stance against President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The summit of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation is expected to be the strongest unified response yet to Washington's move by the Muslim world.

Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, addressed a pre-summit meeting of OIC foreign ministers in Istanbul on Wednesday. He says the U.S. decision aims to "legitimize Israel's attempt to occupy Jerusalem."

Cavusoglu says the OIC nations "are here to say 'stop' to tyranny."

Jerusalem's status is at the core of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Trump's Dec. 6 announcement was widely perceived as siding with Israel. It also raised fears of more bloodshed.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, flanked by other leaders poses for photographs during a photo-op prior to the opening session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Leaders and high-ranking officials of Muslim countries met in Istanbul to discuss the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Erdogan_ term president of OIC, the umbrella organisation of 57-members, has been vehemently critical of the U.S. move and said the leaders would relay a "strong message." (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, flanked by other leaders poses for photographs during a photo-op prior to the opening session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Leaders and top officials from Islamic nations, members of 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation gathered for a summit that is expected to forge a unified stance against U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gestures as he delivers a speech at an event in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. Leaders and high-ranking officials of Muslim countries will meet Wednesday Dec. 13, in Istanbul for an extraordinary summit to discuss the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Erdogan has been vehemently critical of the U.S. move and said the leaders would relay a "strong message." (Pool Photo via AP)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, in Istanbul, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. Leaders and high-ranking officials of Muslim countries will meet Wednesday Dec. 13, in Istanbul for an extraordinary summit to discuss the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Erdogan has been vehemently critical of the U.S. move and said the leaders would relay a "strong message." (Kayhan Ozer/Pool Photo via AP)
While fateful decisions made by the captain of the doomed freighter El Faro were instrumental in the ship's sinking, federal investigators spread plenty of blame around and highlighted multiple safety issues in the maritime industry that contributed to its demise.

It was a confluence of factors that contributed to the sinking of the El Faro in the fury of Hurricane Joaquin on Oct. 1, 2015, which killed all 33 people on board, the National Transportation Safety Board announced. The report concluded a 2-year investigation into the worst U.S. maritime disaster in modern history.

Among its findings the NTSB cited Tuesday the El Faro captain's unwillingness to listen to his crew's suggestions to change course from the path of a raging hurricane; a weak corporate safety culture that left crewmembers ill-prepared to deal with heavy weather. It also blamed an old ship with outdated lifeboats, open to the elements and a vessel inspection system that allowed older ships in poor condition to continue operating.

FILE - This undated image made from a video released April 26, 2016, by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the stern of the sunken ship El Faro. Federal accident investigators on Tuesday, Dec. 12, will determine the probable cause of the sinking of the cargo ship, the worst maritime disaster for a U.S.-flagged vessel in decades that resulted in the deaths of 33 mariners. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP, File)

The board issued 53 safety recommendations, which investigators hope will be adopted by the industry, maritime safety inspectors and weather forecasters to make the seas safer for future generations.

The El Faro, which means "lighthouse" in Spanish, sank between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, after losing engine power in the Category 3 storm. The NTSB retrieved the ship's voyage data recorder, or "black box," from the sea floor near the Bahamas, 15,000-feet (4,570 meters) under the surface. The device held 26 hours of data, including audio of conversations on the ship's bridge as the frantic crew struggled to save the ship and themselves.

Larry Brennan, a maritime law professor at Fordham Law School and retired U.S. Navy captain, said the NTSB's meeting highlighted major safety problems in the entire shipping industry, including the Coast Guard and so-called "classification societies" like the American Bureau of Shipping, or ABS, that are in charge of inspecting vessels for safety.

"El Faro was a worn, aged ship which succumbed to heavy weather in large part because of multiple unseaworthy conditions, poor leadership and bad decisions by the captain, ABS, the owners as well as inadequate surveys and inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard," Brennan said.

While the board found no fault with El Faro Capt. Michael Davidson's decision to leave port in Jacksonville, they did blame his reliance on an emailed weather forecasting system that contained hours-old data, rather than online updates from the National Hurricane Center. Investigators believe, based on his decisions and recorded comments, that he wasn't aware of the delay in the data and that instead of skirting the storm, he sent the El Faro on a collision course with the hurricane.

"Although up-to-date weather information was available on the ship, the El Faro captain did not use the most current weather information for decision-making," NTSB investigator Mike Kucharski said at the meeting, held in Washington, D.C.

The board also criticized the "weak safety culture" of ship owner TOTE Maritime, Inc., including the lack of employee training for dealing with heavy weather situations and flooding. A hatch had been left open, allowing water from the roiling sea to flood an interior hold; this led to the ship tilting, disrupting the flow of oil to the engines. Once the freighter lost engine power, it was at the mercy of battering swells.

In a statement, TOTE said it will study the NTSB and Coast Guard investigative reports thoroughly. "We as a company intend to learn everything possible from this accident and the resulting investigations to prevent anything similar from occurring in the future," Darrell Wilson, a company spokesman, said.

El Faro's wind gauge, called an anemometer, was broken and the 40-year-old freighter's open-top lifeboats would not have protected the crew, even if they had been able to launch them. The El Faro was legally allowed to carry lifeboats that expose people to the elements - just like the lifeboats on the Titanic and the Lusitania - due to safety-rule exemptions for older ships.

Whether the crew could have survived Joaquin's punishing winds and high seas had the El Faro been equipped with the closed-top lifeboats used by newer ships is unknown, but NTSB safety investigator Jon Furukawa said it could have helped crewmembers fighting for their lives.

"We believe that would've been the best method of departing the vessel under these conditions. It is still challenging, and we don't know if they would've survived," Furukawa said.

The board is not only recommending closed-top boats for all merchant ships, but also that the entire industry require crewmembers to carry personal locator beacons to better locate them during marine emergencies.

The El Faro had an older emergency position-indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, which did not transmit global position system coordinates, and that made locating the ship more difficult for search-and-rescue crews. Given the heavy weather, rescuers probably couldn't have reached the ship any sooner, but the board believes the new requirement would help in future sea accidents.

"I hope that this tragedy at sea can serve as a lighthouse to guide the safety of marine transportation," said Robert Sumwalt, the board's chairman.

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Follow Jason Dearen on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Two Arkansas abortion facilities were threatened with suspension - one for not listing the Red Cross on its emergency number list and another for using cloth booties on an exam table - under a new law that the abortion providers are challenging in federal court, according to documents released Wednesday.

The state Department of Health issued notices of suspension to Planned Parenthood's Fayetteville facility and to Little Rock Family Planning Services last week following their annual inspections, according to documents filed by the providers in federal court. The providers are challenging a law enacted this year requiring Arkansas to suspend or revoke abortion clinics' licenses for violating any rule or law.

The Department of Health confirmed it sent the suspension notices, which it said were the first under the new law.

The Fayetteville facility was cited for using cloth booties, which the department said in its notice are incapable of being disinfected, on its ultrasound exam room table. Little Rock Family Planning was cited for not listing the Red Cross on its emergency phone number list.

The facilities have 30 days to confirm they've corrected the problems or request a hearing, the department said in its notices. Little Rock Family Planning said it's added the Red Cross to its emergency contact list, and Planned Parenthood said it'll remove the cloth booties from the examination stirrups.

"Even if plaintiffs are able to avoid a licensure suspension actually going into effect (and thereby disrupting services), issuance of the notices of suspension itself threatens to harm plaintiffs' reputations and constitutes a different penalty imposed on abortion facilities, and abortion facilities alone," attorneys for Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents Little Rock Family Planning, said in the filing.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains operates centers in Little Rock and Fayetteville that administer the abortion pill. Little Rock Family Planning Services offers the abortion pill and surgical abortions. Planned Parenthood's Little Rock facility did not have any problems cited after its inexpection.

A judge has been weighing since August whether to strike down the new law. The providers said the suspension threats underscore their argument that the law allows the state to shut them down for even minor infractions.

"Abortion providers now face unduly harsh licensing penalties for any minor deficiency," Aaron Samulcek, Planned Parenthood Great Plains' interim president and CEO, said in a statement. "This medically unnecessary level of scrutiny, faced by no other type of health care provider, directly jeopardizes our patients' ability to continue accessing sexual and reproductive health care."

The state has argued that abortion clinics are unique, and the state has an interest in protecting the health of patients at the facilities. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said she was reviewing the latest filing in the case and would respond in court.

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Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A former conductor of the University of California, Davis, Symphony Orchestra gave up his professor titles amid allegations he sexually assaulted a former student who now works at the university.

D. Kern Holoman, who retired in 2013, relinquished the titles of professor emeritus and distinguished professor Monday after Danny Gray discussed the allegations with administrators and said he planned to write about them on his blog.

The university also revealed that Holoman was suspended for a month in 1997 over a different allegation of "unprofessional conduct" and told he could be fired if he violated the campus sexual harassment policy again.

Gray alleged Holoman sexually assaulted him when he was a freshman in 1987, later raped him and made other romantic and sexual gestures over a period of years. He said his allegations were "badly mishandled" when he told the university about them as a student but that administrators are now supportive.

Holoman apologized but said he remembers their relationship differently.

"Our memories of that time differ markedly, but the remorse is very real. I continue to treasure memories of our long friendship and its focus on the beauties of art, literature and history," he said in a statement sent to Gray by his attorney, Steven Sabbadini.

The University of California system has a history of limited transparency and lax discipline in handling sexual misconduct claims. The president's office told The Associated Press in March that a quarter of the more than 100 employees found to have violated sexual misconduct policies in a three-year window were faculty members.

The governing board paid a UC Santa Cruz student $1.15 million after she accused the university of failing to address her rape claims against professor Hector Perla in 2015. A letter in his file showed his conduct constituted sexual assault and he should be dismissed, but he resigned before disciplinary action was taken.

UC Berkeley came under intense criticism after a former law school dean, Sujit Choudhry, received only a temporary pay cut and counseling orders after a 2015 investigation found he repeatedly kissed and touched a subordinate.

In the UC Davis case, Gray said he told the university about Holoman's behavior twice while he was in school and was told by an administrator that Holoman would not be made a dean in the future.

Gray again brought up his concerns after Holoman became dean of the College of Letters and Science in March 1995. Holoman stepped down from the role in April 1996.

He referenced the allegations again this year, when the school was considering bringing Holoman back for a teaching position. It was not granted.

Gray, now director of academic employment and labor relations at the university, said the national Me Too movement of sharing stories about sexual misconduct inspired him to come forward.

"These courageous people who have started this have opened up a space where victims can see possibly, maybe, what happened to me is not something that I need to be so ashamed of," Gray told AP.

Holoman's attorney said they were not commenting further. Losing the titles means Holoman can no longer teach or pursue research related to the University of California system.

Chancellor Gary May sent a letter Monday to the UC Davis community outlining the university's anti-harassment policies and resources for victims.

"I have no doubt our own UC Davis community includes survivors and their abusers," May wrote.

Holoman possessed a celebrity status on campus, said Gray, who played violin in the symphony. The two began having lunch together on campus, progressing into an invite for lunch at Holoman's home, where Gray said the professor sexually assaulted him in a hot tub.

Their friendship continued at various points, and Holoman later raped him, Gray said.

"I regret that I lacked the moral clarity and courage to end all engagement with Holoman permanently once his predatory nature had revealed itself," Holoman wrote on his blog. "My failings aside, however, Holoman was still the predator, and I was still the victim."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A California Democratic state senator known for greeting people with hugs is now facing allegations that his behavior made women he worked with uncomfortable.

Sen. Bob Hertzberg's penchant for hugging is so well known he has nicknames such as "Hugsberg" and "Huggy Bear." As an Assemblyman, he once handed out pins reading "I was hugged by Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg."

But three women who have or still work in the Legislature told the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday that his hugs crossed into inappropriate territory.

FILE - In this April 25, 2017, file photo, state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, gestures during a hearing in Sacramento, Calif. Hertzberg is proudly known for hugging, once passing out pins reading "I was hugged by Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg." The Democratic senator is facing allegations he inappropriately hugged three of his female colleagues. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Their comments came as the California Legislature deals with multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which already prompted two Assembly Democrats to resign.

Hertzberg spokeswoman Katie Hanzlik said he will now be more mindful of whether people are comfortable with his hugs in the future.

"He understands that hugs are taken differently by different people, and while he means them as a way to connect with people he expects and respects that not everyone shares the same sentiment," she told The Associated Press.

Former Republican Assemblywoman Linda Halderman said Hertzberg repeatedly hugged her for prolonged periods of time during her term from 2010 to 2012. At one point, she told him she was not comfortable with the hugs, the Bee reported. After that, Hertzberg enveloped her in a hug and thrust into her, she said.

"It was clearly a sexual thing rather than a friendly thing," she told the Bee.

Halderman said she reported Hertzberg's behavior to Jon Waldie, former chief administrative officer of the Assembly, who said "Bob's just like that."

She said Waldie said he would speak with Hertzberg about his behavior. Waldie did not return a call seeking comment, the Bee reported.

Two other lawmakers who spoke are still in office said Hertzberg's hugs also made them uncomfortable and one said Hertzberg stopped hugging her after she told him not to. The Bee did not name them because they asked for anonymity.

Hertzberg was elected to the senate in 2014 after serving many terms in the Assembly, including as speaker.

Senate President Kevin de Leon, a Democrat, did not comment Wednesday on the allegations.

__

This story has been corrected to show Hertzberg's spokeswoman's name is Katie Hanzlik, not Havlik.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia's top court on Thursday ruled against petitioners seeking to make gay sex and sex outside marriage illegal in a victory for the country's besieged LGBT minority.

The 5-to-4 decision by the nine-judge panel of the Constitutional Court rejected the arguments of a conservative group, the Family Love Alliance, which believes Indonesia is being swamped by immoral behavior, fueled by the internet and social media. Members of the group wept as it became clear the court would not side with them.

Rights advocates had feared judges would criminalize tens of millions of people by outlawing gay and extramarital sex, setting back human rights in the world's most populous Muslim nation. Separately, some lawmakers are seeking to make homosexuality a crime in an amended criminal code that might be considered by parliament next year.

Members of Family Love Alliance, who are behind a judicial review seeking to make gay sex and sex outside marriage illegal, react in dejection after judges ruled against their case at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. The country's top court on Thursday rejected the arguments of the conservative group in a victory for the country's besieged LGBT minority. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

In the past two years, LGBT Indonesians have endured a wave of hostility that has been stoked by inflammatory public statements from conservative officials and religious groups. Police have raided gay clubs and private parties, charging those arrested under Indonesia's broad anti-pornography laws. Aceh, a semiautonomous province that practices Shariah law, caned two young men for gay sex before a baying crowd of thousands in May after vigilantes broke into their home and handed them over to religious police.

Naila Rizqi Zakiah, a lawyer at the Community Legal Aid Institute in Jakarta who argued against criminalization, said the case was important for democracy and human rights in Indonesia.

"It's such a big verdict," she said. "It means that the Constitutional Court is consistently strengthening its position as the guardian of the Constitution and also as protector of human rights."

The judges in their ruling said it's not the Constitutional Court's role to criminalize private behavior or to usurp parliament by imposing laws on it. The court's decision is final.

Judge Saldi Irsa said the petitioners were in effect asking the court to formulate a new criminal code because they feared parliament would took take too long to enact changes wanted by the Family Love Alliance.

"The argument that the process of formulating legislation takes a long time could not be justification for the Constitutional Court to take over the authority of lawmakers," he said.

In a dissenting opinion, four judges argued to outlaw same-sex relations and sex outside marriage on morality grounds.

Euis Sunarti from the Family Love Alliance said they were saddened by the failure of their case.

"We are working on the ground level and know exactly the magnitude of this problem on the ground," she told reporters.

Judges read their verdict on the case of a petition seeking to make gay sex and sex outside marriage illegal during a hearing at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. The country's top court on Thursday rejected the arguments of Family Love Alliance, the conservative group be3hind the case, in a victory for the country's besieged LGBT minority. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Opinion / Letters

Dear Mr President,Nothing will last forever and power is very sweet, just ask uncle Bob. But for how long will you succeed in deceiving the whole nation and the world by creating fake scenarios time and again?During liberation struggle you and your party misled freedom fighters to believe that Mugabe was a Zimbabwean yet its not a secret that the guy comes from Malawi. You successfully labeled the young commanders traitors and arrested them, yet these are the guys who spearheaded the Mugagao Declaration that resulted in the fall of Ndabaningi Sithole and are the same people who resuscitated the war after the assassination of Chitepo that left many Zanu commanders under arrest including Tongogara.In the early eighties you purportedly massacred more than 20,000 innocent Ndebele speaking people in pursuit of fewer than 200 disgruntled Zapu fighters. In 2002 you chased away the white community from farms through the land reform program  and you and your Zanu Pf top brass ended up with multiple farms.You fooled the whole world by pretending that our loved ones were in the DRC to protect a legitimate government yet they were really there to protect your interests. You fooled the world by flying President Kabila's corpse to Harare purporting that he was still alive.In 2005 you punished urban dwellers through Operation Murambatsvina after people had voted MDC  even the United Nation was shocked.In 2008 you successfully held the whole country hostage by keeping back election results for more than a month, only to finally announce fake results.The list is too long, Mr President, but lastly you got power through a coup but lied that you and your Generals were targeting criminals surrounding Mugabe, are Chombo, Chipanga and Hamandishe the only criminals in Zanu Pf. There are at least that many more in your Cabinet.You got the Presidency through a coup and this left you few options except to reward those military officers and ministers who helped you to the top post. But will your men perform to your expectations and enable you to leave a good legacy?Mr President, when the late President Gaddaffi came to power in Libya, it was also through a bloodless coup. He eliminated his opponents and appointed himself chairman of his party, Prime minister and Defence Minister, but eventually his leadership came to a painful and pathetic end because he and his party continued to oppress the Libyan people. You should look at what happened to him and be afraid. Zimbabweans are not yet free.Your past Mr President leaves a lot to be desired and the only honest and humble move is to admit your wrongs personally and say "I AM SORRY". Zimbabweans are prepared to forgive. We don't repay evil with evil. Even God forgives those who asks for forgiveness no matter how big their sins may appear.It is no secret Murambwi that people in ZANU PF and the nation as a whole don't like you. Those who are showering you with praises today are the same people who would be celebrating your downfall were it not for General Chiwenga and the people of Zimbabwe who worked together to remove the oldest serving leader in the world. Frankly, now that the dicataor Mugabe has gone, its now "aziva kwake aziva kwake" each man for himself. Your predecessor Mugabe won elections by hook or by crook since 1980 and your own people in Midlands disowned you. If it was not for Mugabe's magnanimity your political career would have been finished long back.You now have a golden opportunity to clean up your mess, Mr President. Remember there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. We need a free, fair and credible election in Zimbabwe for this nation to prosper. Shumba Murambwi, be our de Klerk of Zimbabwe. You now hold the keys to unlock the chains that shackle the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans. Stop the suffering of people who spend sleepless nights in bank queues, of graduates who end up being vendors, of those who live in cities where there is no clean water and where the health services have deteriorated to third world levels. Then you will have achievements to be proud of.Thank you Mr President may the Lord help you in your endeavour to make Zimbabwe a prosperous nation once again.
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) - Mariana Sepulveda has been stabbed on the street, detained by police and expelled from her high school - all for being transgender in Paraguay, one of the most sexually conservative countries in Latin America.

"I've felt hate for not being heterosexual," said Sepulveda, 32, who now works for an advocacy group. "Raising a family, having a partner, adopting children seems out of reach because there are no legal conditions for us in Paraguay."

A lack of legal protections and prevalent macho attitudes have long stoked discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in the poor, mostly Roman Catholic country. Advocacy groups fear the stigma and attacks on the LGBQT community could get worse now that the education minister has banned classes about sexual diversity in schools and even volunteered to help burn all books related to the subject.

In this Sept. 30, 2017 photo, members of a gay organization "Panambi," meaning butterfly in Guarani, protest the killing of transvestite prostitutes and demand equal rights for gays during the annual LGBQT parade in Asuncion, Paraguay. Discrimination against gay and transgender people has traditionally been the norm in Paraguay, and activists say it's becoming more evident since the conservative government recently banned the teaching of sexual diversity in schools. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

The ban was implemented in October after schools began using a United Nations Children's Fund guidebook for teachers on avoiding discrimination between girls and boys and achieving gender equality.

"We're not going to promote gender ideology," Education Minister Enrique Riera told local media earlier this year. "We're going to base ourselves on what is expressed in the constitution, which says that marriage is between a man and a woman."

Gay rights groups say the ban goes against Paraguay's constitution because it is discriminatory and ignores the recommendations by UNICEF and other international organizations.

"We're living a sad time of religious fundamentalism, intolerance and hate that places this country as the most homophobic one of the region," Somos Gay, a Paraguayan gay rights group, said in a statement. It added that "this situation has an impact on human lives. Hate crimes, bullying and violence are the disastrous consequences of this encouragement of homophobia."

Attitudes about LGBQT rights in Paraguay stand in sharp contrast to other countries in the region.

Neighboring Argentina lets people change their legal and physical gender identity without having to undergo judicial, psychiatric and medical procedures and has appointed its first transgender police chief. Uruguay's first transgender senator assumed her seat in October. In Chile, the center-left government also has been pushing measures giving greater acceptance for transgender people in general and children in particular.

But conservative institutions such as the Catholic Church retain a strong influence in Paraguay.

"There's the indifference of the state toward sexual minorities to avoid confronting the church," said Ramon Corvalan, a Paraguayan anthropologist. "The lay state thing is just a statement in the constitution. The church is still strong here."

He said that "homophobia in Paraguay has a cultural origin based in male chauvinism" that dates back to wars that shaped the country.

Nearly two of every three Paraguayans died in a disastrous war against Argentina and Brazil in 1865-70. The victorious 1932-35 Chaco War with Bolivia was also devastating. Both left a heavy imbalance between the male and female populations.

"There was an availability of many women for the men who had survived the wars in an effort to repopulate the country," Corvalan said.

Earlier this year, the U.N. Human Rights Council recommended Paraguay pass a law to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but it has not done so.

"Perhaps international organizations like the U.N. and its agencies are worried about this issue of rejection for non-heterosexuals, but in Paraguay it's not a key issue," said political analyst Ignacio Martinez.

President Horacio Cartes has also been criticized for his attitudes toward the LGBQT community. Just months before he was elected in 2013, he compared gay people to monkeys and said he would rather shoot himself in the testicles before his son married a man. Cartes later apologized, but the comments have not seemed to hurt his political career.

The ban on teaching about sexual diversity may further stall Paraguay's embrace of LGBQT rights.

At a school on the outskirts of Asuncion, students wrote a report seeking to prove that homosexuality is a "social problem." After it went viral on social media, the school principal, Margarita Aquino, apologized and acknowledged that in Paraguay's "public schools, sexual education doesn't exist."

But the leaders of some communities say they prefer it this way.

"We don't support same-sex marriage because it's not natural, and we oppose that in our schools they teach our boys and girls that being gay, trans or lesbian is a choice," said Carolina Aranda, mayor of the city of Mariano Roque Alonso. "I'm not homophobic; I have gay friends. But I don't want them to teach kids things that are not normal."

In this Nov. 2, 2017 photo, Mariana Sepulveda stands between her parents Gaspar and Isabel for a portrait at her home in Asuncion, Paraguay. The 32-year-old transgender woman has been stabbed on the street, detained by police and expelled from her high school, all for being transgender in Paraguay, one of the most sexually conservative countries in Latin America. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this Sept. 30, 2017 photo, a nun watches the annual LGBQT march in Asuncion, Paraguay. A lack of legal protections and prevalent macho attitudes have long stoked discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in the poor, mostly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this Sept. 30, 2017 photo, people perform "transvestite target practice" to protest the killings of transvestite prostitutes during the annual LGBQT march in Asuncion, Paraguay. Advocacy groups fear the stigma and attacks against the LGBQT community could get worse now that the country's education minister has banned classes about sexual diversity in schools and even volunteered to help burn all books related to the subject. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this Oct. 28, 2017 photo, Mayor Carolina Aranda, center holding a white flag, is accompanied by members of the Catholic church during a pro-Life ceremony in Mariano Roque Alonsno, Paraguay. "We don't support same-sex marriage because it's not natural, and we oppose that in our schools they teach our boys and girls that being gay, trans or lesbian is a choice," said Aranda. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this Sept. 30, 2017 photo, Stelio Barbosa lies on the street to perform the murder of a transvestite during the annual LGBQT parade in Asuncion, Paraguay. Gay rights groups say the ban on teaching sexual diversity in schools goes against Paraguay's constitution because it is discriminatory. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this Sept. 30, 2017 photo, members of a gay organization "Panambi," meaning butterfly in Guarani, protest the killing of transvestite prostitutes and demand equal rights for gays during the annual LGBQT parade in Asuncion, Paraguay. The ban on teaching sexual diversity in schools was implemented in October after the U.N. Children's Fund issued a guidebook for teachers on avoiding discrimination between girls and boys and achieving gender equality. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
BEIJING (AP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping told his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in on Thursday that Beijing wants to improve ties that have nosedived over China's objections to the deployment of an American anti-missile system.

Welcoming Moon at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing, Xi said relations had suffered setbacks "for reasons known to all."

"I hope and believe that your visit will be an important opportunity to improve relations as we seek to find ways to carve a better path based on mutual respect and trust," Xi said.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the end of a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, 14, 2017. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP)

Moon responded that there have been "temporary difficulties" between the sides, but they "provided an opportunity to think from the other's perspective."

He called the meeting a "first step to develop the mutual relations to the next level."

The two leaders later presided over the signing of seven agreements covering cooperation in areas from food safety to the Winter Olympics.

In their remarks before reporters, neither leader explicitly mentioned the U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system, known as THAAD, that China has demanded South Korea remove.

However, state broadcaster CCTV said Xi reiterated China's opposition to the deployment to Moon and said he hoped South Korea would "continue to appropriately handle this matter."

China says the system allows South Korea and its U.S. ally to spy on military activity in northeastern China. South Korea says it is necessary to counter North Korea's missile threats.

The more than one-year-old dispute has taken a heavy toll on economic ties, with South Korean businesses in China suffering massive drops in sales and China suspending group tours to South Korea that are a mainstay of the local tourism industry

South Korean soap operas have been pulled off Chinese television and the country's popular K-Pop stars banned from visiting. South Korea's Lotte business group, which provided the land for the missile defense system, was forced to suspend business in China because of the anti-South Korea sentiment.

Moon, a left-leaning lawyer, has strived to balance South Korea's close political and military ties with the U.S. with its economic dependency on the Chinese market.

While the THAAD issue appears no closer to resolution, Beijing has said it approves of a pledge from Seoul not to expand it.

That set the stage for a visit by South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to Beijing last month at which she and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed their commitment to repair relations.

But Thursday's visit was marred before the leaders met by reports that South Korean reporters following the president had been beaten by Chinese security agents in a scuffle that required intervention from South Korean presidential staff and emergency treatment for two journalists.

Seoul "regretted" that South Korean reporters were injured, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk, who issued a strong request to Beijing to investigate the case and respond with "needed measures."

North Korea was also a focus of the talks. China is North Korea's most important political and economic partner, but has enforced increasingly strict United Nations sanctions against its neighbor while seeking to persuade all parties to return to denuclearization talks.

Xi told Moon that both China-South Korea relations and the situation on the peninsula as a whole are at a key stage.

"As friendly neighbors and strategic partners, China and South Korea have broad common interests in keeping the region peaceful and promoting mutual developments," Xi said.

Moon said he expected to reaffirm cooperation with China over the North Korean nuclear issue, which he said is "threatening the peace and security of not only the Northeast Asia region but the entire world."

Despite their traditional friendship, relations between North Korea and China have hit a low point in recent years.

A visit to Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, by Chinese special envoy Song Tao last month appears to have created no breakthroughs. Song visited as part of a tradition of exchanges between the ruling parties of the two countries, but left apparently without meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

___

Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, rear left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, rear right, applaud during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping review the Chinese honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping review the Chinese honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP)
JERUSALEM (AP) - Pedestrians walk on a thick layer of soot from tires set ablaze in frequent clashes with Israeli troops. Cars navigate around potholes in streets littered with garbage. Motorists honk in a traffic jam near an Israeli checkpoint that is framed by the towering cement slabs of Israel's separation barrier.

It's morning rush hour in Ras Khamis, a neglected, restive Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem where President Donald Trump's recent recognition of the contested city as Israel's capital has been met by cynicism, defiance and new fears that Palestinians will increasingly be marginalized.

Trump's pivot on Jerusalem "is regrettable, saddening and unfair," said Yasser Khatib, 42, who runs a supermarket across the street from the barrier that separates several Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem from the rest of the city.

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo, Israeli border police officers overlooking the Arab neighborhood of Issawiyah in Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Khatib said he has strong religious ties to the city and that his family's roots go back generations. "We have no life without Jerusalem," he said as he sold snacks to school children. "Trump can say whatever he wants."

Palestinians make up 37 percent of Jerusalem's population of 866,000, up from 26 percent in 1967 when Israel captured east Jerusalem, expanded the city's boundaries into the West Bank and annexed the enlarged municipal area to its capital.

The international community says east Jerusalem is occupied territory and that the city's fate must be determined in negotiations with the Palestinians who seek a capital in the eastern sector.

Trump couched his Jerusalem comments - viewed in the Arab world as a show of pro-Israel bias - by saying he is not taking a position on the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in the city.

Yet he made no specific mention of the city's large Palestinian population, which could reach 44 percent by 2040, according to the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research think tank.

Despite Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, there are stark differences between Arab and Jewish areas after what critics say is half a century of neglect and discrimination.

"On the ground, Israel is not investing much in developing the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem," said Yitzhak Reiter, in charge of the Jerusalem Institute's mapping of the physical and social infrastructure of Arab neighborhoods.

In many spheres, "the city is still divided, with two different transport systems, two different policies on building and construction."

Israel would have to invest billions of dollars in Arab areas to reach parity with Jewish neighborhoods, he said.

For now, 79 percent of Arab residents fall below the poverty line, compared to 27 percent of Jews, according to Jerusalem Institute figures.

Welfare services maintain four offices in the Arab east, compared to 19 offices in Jewish areas, said the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. Arab schools have a shortage of hundreds of classrooms, ACRI said. The west has 34 post offices, compared to nine in the east.

Mayor Nir Barkat's office said he developed a plan "unprecedented in scope and budget allocation to reduce gaps in east Jerusalem" and made progress in alleviating "50 years of neglect" inherited from predecessors. Among other things, the city has built 800 classrooms in Arab schools, with an additional 1,000 in the pipeline, the statement said.

Jerusalem is the largest mixed city in the Holy Land, and Arabs and Jews interact in daily life, including in malls and hospitals. Many Palestinians work in shops and restaurants in west Jerusalem, typically earning more there than on the east side.

Yet east-west infrastructure gaps remain wide.

Israel may be unwilling to invest heavily in areas that could one day come under Palestinian rule, said Reiter, adding that efforts to maintain a strong Jewish majority may also play a role.

Palestinians claim Israel is trying to drive Arabs out of Jerusalem.

Ziad Hammouri, a community organizer, said Trump's new position on Jerusalem boosts Israel's attempts to "control east Jerusalem and to exclude Palestinians from Jerusalem."

One plan floated by a Cabinet minister - and opposed by Barkat - would place tens of thousands of Palestinians who live inside the municipal boundaries but beyond the separation barrier under a new Israeli-run municipality, thus sharply reducing the number of Palestinians counted as Jerusalemites.

These areas, including Ras Khamis, have seen apartment towers rise in recent years as Israel stopped enforcing building restrictions there.

East Jerusalemites desperate for housing moved there in large numbers, despite fears that they would eventually be "zoned out" of Jerusalem.

On the "Jerusalem side" of the barrier, it's difficult for Palestinians to obtain building permits, because of lack of outline plans or discriminatory zoning, said Israeli rights groups. Many Palestinians built without permits, and 88 homes were demolished in 2016, the most in a decade, ACRI said.

Barkat's office said a low share of permit application come from Arab neighborhoods, and that a high percentage of those are approved.

Since 1967, Israel has built large neighborhoods for Jews in the annexed east, now home to 212,000 Israelis.

Palestinian Ismail Siam said a one-story home he built on his land for two adult children was demolished by Israel twice in 14 months, on grounds that he did not have a building permit.

"They want to expel us from the city," said Siam, 54, standing near patches of floor tiles left from the demolished house.

The plot faces large construction sites for Jewish neighborhoods across a ravine.

Most Palestinians in Jerusalem have residency status.

After 1967, most Palestinians didn't consider the more secure citizenship option, which would have meant recognizing Israeli rule. In recent years, growing numbers have applied, but increasingly encountered bureaucratic hurdles.

Prolonged absence can put Palestinian residents at risk of expulsion; close to 15,000 have been stripped of residency rights since 1967.

Palestinians in the city can vote in local elections, but have largely refrained from doing so, to avoid the perception that they accept Israeli rule.

East Jerusalem residents also feel increasingly abandoned by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's West Bank self-rule government. Israel clamps down on Palestinian Authority activities in Jerusalem, limiting Abbas' influence in the city.

The leadership vacuum was briefly filled over the summer when Muslim clerics led a successful grassroots campaign against metal detectors Israel had installed at east Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Islam's third-holiest shrine, built on the remnants of Judaism's holiest site, is a frequent flashpoint of violence.

After Trump's decision, city residents mounted only small protests, compared to larger marches in the West Bank and elsewhere.

Activist Yara Hawari said rallying large crowds is difficult when there is no narrow objective, such as removing the metal detectors.

"What we are asking is simple, an end to colonization," she said. "But it's not as tangible."

___

Associated Press writer Mohammed Daraghmeh in Jerusalem contributed reporting.

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo Palestinians walk by a national flag in east Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo Palestinians wait for transportation in a bus station in east Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo, women sit at a coffee shop in Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo, a view of Shuafat refugee camp is seen behind section of Israel's separation barrier in Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo, Israelis cross the street in the Jewish Ultra Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo, an ultra Orthodox Jewish men walks past a shop in the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo, a woman walks past a coffeeshop market trying to press the left arrow in Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
TOKYO (AP) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday for urgent efforts to create conditions for talks on North Korea's growing missile and nuclear threat, saying it's important to avoid miscalculations and misperceptions that "make us sleepwalk into a war."

Guterres, who met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, said the U.N.'s objective is to avoid a conflict.

"I think we all want to avoid that things get out of control, and that misperceptions and mishandling of situations make us sleepwalk into a war that will have devastating consequences," he told journalists in Tokyo.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gestures while speaking during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)

Guterres, who was in Japan to attend an international conference on universal health coverage, said it's important that all parties understand the urgency of finding a peaceful solution.

He said U.N. political chief Jeffrey Feltman visited Pyongyang last week and conveyed "a very strong message" to the foreign minister and other officials that not only that all Security Council resolutions - which include bans on nuclear and ballistic missile tests - must be implemented, "but there must be a sense of urgency in creating the conditions for a meaningful dialogue to achieve the denuclearization of the (Korean) Peninsula."

Japan holds the presidency of the Security Council this month and Foreign Minister Taro Kono is chairing a ministerial meeting on North Korea on Friday that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and others are expected to attend.

Guterres said the unity of the Security Council "is crucial" on North Korea including implementation of sanctions resolutions.

Asked if he is considering a trip to North Korea to meet with leader Kim Jong Un, Guterres said: "Meetings only make sense if there is a purpose to those meetings. I'm ready to go anywhere at any time when it is useful."

Abe said he agrees that possible dialogue with North Korea must be meaningful and aimed at the country's denuclearization.

Tillerson this week made a surprising diplomatic offer of unconditional talks with North Korea. But it isn't clear whether the proposal has support from U.S. President Donald Trump, and whether the North even wants talks.

___

Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations

___

Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at twitter.com/mariyamaguchi

Find her work at https://www.apnews.com/search/mari%20yamaguchi

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, speaks as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listens during their joint news conference at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands during their joint news conference at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pose for a photo before their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, third from left, walks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, second from left, for a meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, speaks to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, during a meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pose for a photo before their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Guterres is in Tokyo to participate in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reviews an honor guard before a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, second from left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bow to their flags while reviewing an honor guard before their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe review an honor guard before their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, second from left, accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reviews an honor guard before their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Toru Hanai/Pool Photo via AP)
HYDERABAD, India (AP) - Indian police killed at least eight Maoist rebels in an attack Thursday on their hideout in a forested area in southern India, an officer said.

Police seized a weapons cache, including five rifles, from the insurgents after the clash in Telangana state, police officer Amber Kishore said. No police casualties were reported.

Kishore said the insurgents belonged to a faction of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) group which has been lying low for several years and regrouping in the state. The region is about 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of Hyderabad, the state capital.

"On receipt of information of a meeting of an armed group, police surrounded the forest area. When their attempts to escape failed, the insurgents opened fire and in retaliatory firing by the police eight members of the group were killed," Kishore said.

Indian soldiers have been battling the rebels in several states since 1967, when the militants - also known as Naxalites - began fighting to demand more jobs, land and wealth from natural resources for poor indigenous communities.

The government says the insurgents, inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, pose the country's most serious internal security threat.

In their deadliest attack in 2010, rebels killed 76 soldiers in Chhattisgarh, one of the most-affected states.
KANEOHE, Hawaii (AP) - Attorneys for a divorced lesbian couple fighting over child support in a closely watched case agreed Thursday that consent to having a baby together is a crucial issue but disagreed over whether both spouses gave it.

A woman wants to sever her parental rights to a child her ex-wife gave birth to while she was deployed with the military and is asking the Hawaii Supreme Court to overturn a family court ruling denying that request.

The justices heard arguments Thursday and seemed troubled by considering consent. Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna said that could lead to treating same-sex couples differently from opposite-sex couples.

Attorney Rebecca Copeland, left, who is representing a divorced lesbian woman who wants to dissolve parental rights, argues in front of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 in Kaneohe, Hawaii. National gay rights advocates are watching how the case plays out in Hawaii, likely the first such case before a state's highest court, experts say. A woman wants to sever her parental rights to a child her ex-wife gave birth to and is appealing a family court ruling denying that request. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

National gay rights advocates are watching how the dispute plays out, likely the first such case before a state Supreme Court, experts say.

The woman seeking to end her parental rights didn't agree to her then-wife getting pregnant through a sperm donor, wasn't there for the baby's birth and never had a meaningful relationship with the child, her attorney, Rebecca Copeland, told the justices.

The dispute reflects the "changing landscape" of families in Hawaii, Copeland said, adding that the state's laws need to change.

"They jointly made a choice as a married couple to bring him into this world," argued Peter Renn of prominent LGBT-rights group Lambda Legal, which is representing the woman who gave birth.

When discussing consent, the justices explored a variety of hypothetical situations, including a woman who stops taking birth control without her husband's knowledge and a man disputing his parental rights after finding out his wife had a child by having an affair with another man.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald said the court will issue a ruling later.

The couple, who are not identified in the confidential family court case, married in Washington, D.C., in 2013 and moved to Hawaii because of military orders for the woman seeking to end her parental rights.

Throughout the marriage, the couple talked about the possibility of having a child together, the court said. While the woman was deployed between January and September 2015, her wife got pregnant. The woman filed for divorce in October 2015, and the child was born while it was pending.

The family court denied her petition because it found that Hawaii's Uniform Parentage Act and Marriage Equality Act presumes that a legal spouse of a woman who gives birth to a baby is the parent of that child, regardless of the spouse's gender.

"This is a very important and of-the-moment question in the LGBT community right now, which is how are states going to treat parents of children where there are a same-sex marriage couple," said Cathy Sakimura, family law director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which is not involved in the case.

"Are they going to give them the same kind of recognition that any other couple would get or are they going to have a different rule applied to them?" Sakimura said.

There are a handful of similar cases nationwide, but the Hawaii dispute is likely the first involving a same-sex married couple with a child support case before a state's highest court, she said.

Most same-sex parental rights cases involve a spouse who didn't give birth to a child and wants custody, Sakimura said.

"It doesn't happen that often in the same-sex parenting world, but there are few cases where they are trying to avoid child support," she said.

In such cases, conception is a key question, Sakimura said.

"Did the spouse consent to the procedure and know about it? And that is what triggers them being a parent," she said.

The case will test marriage equality, Renn with Lambda Legal has said.

"This is unusual in that biology is being used as a shield to evade parental obligation," he said. "Equal rights come with equal responsibility."

Arguments were held in a high school auditorium because the case is being used to teach students about courts.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) - To Democrats, Senate candidate Doug Jones' stunning victory in reliably Republican Alabama is more than a quirky one-off. Instead, party leaders cast the upset as a sign of growing nationwide momentum among voters opposed to President Donald Trump and an indication that Democrats shouldn't shy away from competing in Republican territory.

Democrats were bolstered in particular by the higher turnout in Alabama among African-Americans, particularly women; young voters and voters in urban areas, along with a diminished GOP advantage in some small towns and rural areas. The Alabama returns track other high-profile elections where Democrats have pulled out victories this year, including the governor's seat and other statewide offices in Virginia, and several dozen state legislative seats around the country.

"We're feeling the sunshine from Alabama all the way in Washington state," said Gov. Jay Inslee, who chairs the party's gubernatorial campaign arm. "We're seeing a passion for voting (and) this phenomenon exists in every state. It will expand the universe of competitive races."

Democratic Sen.-elect Doug Jones waves to reporters as he and his wife Louise leave a news conference Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. Weary national Republicans breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday, a day after voters knocked out their own party's scandal-plagued candidate in deep-red Alabama. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Certainly, Alabama's Senate contest presented Democrats with a unique set of circumstances, most notably the accusations of sexual misconduct against GOP candidate Roy Moore. The allegations against Moore split the Republican Party, with Trump robustly backing the former judge after initial hesitance, and other party leaders calling for Moore to step aside.

Even so, Jones' 1.5-point win was stunning given that Trump won Alabama by 28 points just 13 months ago. And Alabama tilts far more heavily toward Republicans than many of the House districts and states Democrats will aim for in the midterm elections.

The Senate and House line-up for 2018 still poses real obstacles for Democrats as they seek a path back to the majority. But party officials also see opportunities on the horizon to flip enough seats to reclaim control of Congress, dent GOP advantages in statehouses and diminish Trump's political sway in the final two years of his term.

Democrats need to flip 24 seats for a House majority. National Democrats have a target list of about 90 seats, including the 23 Republican-held districts that Trump lost to Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.

In the Senate, Democrats must defend 10 seats in states where Trump won. With Jones' upset of Moore, they need to net a two-seat gain, and see opportunities in Nevada, where Trump lost, and Arizona, which could be a toss-up.

"Obviously the path to a majority got a little wider, but it is still a long and winding road," said Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who runs Senate Democrats' campaign efforts.

Republicans already were set to defend open governor's seats in traditional battlegrounds like Michigan and Ohio. But Inslee said the Alabama results highlight openings in GOP-held Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina, among others.

In Kansas, Democratic chairman John Gibson said his party has strong candidates running for three of the state's four congressional districts, one of which yielded a surprise single-digit loss among four similarly close special congressional elections this spring in GOP districts. Kansas Democrats also have a competitive primary for governor amid widespread dissatisfaction over outgoing Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's sweeping tax cuts that curtailed spending on education and infrastructure.

One key takeaway for Democrats after Alabama: the party can plunge resources into GOP-leaning states to help candidates, but shouldn't always make their presence known in places where an affiliation with liberal party leaders can be a turnoff to some of the voters they need to win.

Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said the party offered data support and staff to Jones, but did so far more quietly than in states like Virginia. Perez said the DNC spent $1 million on the Alabama voter turnout efforts, including registering college students to vote, sending text messages and phone calls to likely voters, and transporting voters to the polls.

Jones' campaign also had several dozen different robocalls targeting various slices of the electorate, plus a hoard of paid staffers and volunteers knocking on doors. Advocacy groups, including the NAACP and the gay rights organization Human Rights Campaign, also joined forces on the ground to identify Jones supporters.

The returns showed an uptick among the voters Democrats traditionally need a strong showing from in order to win.

Black voters cast about 30 percent of the 1.35 million ballots, despite accounting for about a quarter of the eligible voters. In Lee County, home to Auburn University, Jones won 57 percent of the vote. The county has given Democratic presidential nominees no more than 45 percent of the vote since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

Joe Dinkin of the Working Families Party, a group trying to move the Democratic Party to the left, said his group sent 100,000 text messages to voters and tested almost two dozen digital ads, with the most successful being economic messages that will get widespread use in 2018.

Dinkin said Alabama should encourage the left to make early investments even in longshot races.

"You can't predict everything," he said. "There will be other Republican candidates who've never been vetted before and make errors. You can't take advantage unless you're there."

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Associated Press reporter Alan Fram contributed from Washington.

___

Follow Bill Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP.
NEW YORK (AP) - Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is catching blame from fellow Republicans for coughing up a safe Senate seat in deep-red Alabama and foisting damaging political advice on President Donald Trump. But in the aftermath of this week's stinging Alabama defeat, Bannon is showing no signs of abandoning his guerrilla war against the GOP establishment.

Bannon wholeheartedly backed Roy Moore, the insurgent conservative who faltered in Tuesday's special election amid allegations that he had preyed on underage girls decades ago. The accusations prompted the national party to withdraw support for its nominee for a while, but Bannon stuck with Moore, headlining rallies for the candidate and convincing Trump to extend a full-throated endorsement.

But when Moore lost on Tuesday, handing the Democrats control of their first Senate seat in Alabama in a generation, Republicans turned on Bannon. The Breitbart News head already had made scores of enemies for declaring a siege on his own party.

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon speaks in support of U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore during a campaign rally, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in Midland City, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

"This is a brutal reminder that candidate quality matters regardless of where you are running," said Steven Law, head of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC for Republicans aligned with GOP leadership. "Not only did Steve Bannon cost us a critical Senate seat in one of the most Republican states in the country, but he also dragged the president of the United States into his fiasco."

Bannon's team vowed that its revolution would continue, insisting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should be the one to take the blame.

Bannon's allies dismissed the Alabama loss as little more than a temporary setback that would soon be forgotten. They expect that the Republicans cheering Moore's loss will simply enrage Trump's most loyal supporters nationwide, who already suspected some Republican leaders were trying to undermine the president's agenda.

"They're stomping on the very base they need to turn out for their candidates in the general election in 2018," said Andy Surabian, a senior adviser to the Bannon-backed Great America PAC. He contended that "the average Republican voter across the country is pointing their finger at Mitch McConnell and the Republican establishment."

Bannon's team blamed McConnell for abandoning Moore, though it was a somewhat incongruous argument after Bannon warned McConnell to stay out of Alabama when Moore won the GOP primary. On his Sirius XM radio show Wednesday, Bannon credited Democrats with "out-hustling" the GOP on the ground in Alabama - praise that doubled as a swipe at the lack of Senate Republican campaign committee field staff on the ground in the state.

The fate of Bannon's insurgency may depend on whether he can keep Trump's ear.

In the hours after Moore's loss, Trump was restrained, according to a White House official and an outside adviser not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Some in the West Wing had hoped the loss would prompt Trump to sever ties with Bannon but the president did not seem inclined to take that step, according to the two people.

Since Bannon's exit from the White House in August, he has remained close to the president, speaking to him frequently by phone, offering political advice and reminding Trump of his populist campaign promises. Though he had grown weary of the infighting Bannon initiated in the West Wing, Trump still valued his former strategist, telling allies that he felt that Bannon had a better feel for the president's base than most of his advisers. He also praised Bannon's pugnacious spirit, seeing in his former aide a brawler similar to himself.

Bannon tried to steer Trump toward Moore in the primary but the president, confronted with conflicting advice from his staff, supported incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed to the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became attorney general. But the president was never truly sold on Strange, and publicly worried he had backed the wrong candidate.

After Moore's primary win, an exultant Bannon believed it was the first victory of a GOP civil war and, later, urged the president to endorse Moore even after the sexual harassment allegations surfaced. Trump initially hesitated but then fully embraced Moore over objections from aides and Republican leadership.

Publicly, Trump on Wednesday addressed Moore's loss by acknowledging he "would have liked to have had the seat" in the Senate as he and GOP lawmakers scratch for legislative victories. But Trump also said, in what could be interpreted as a dig at those in the GOP who did not back Moore, that "a lot of Republicans feel differently. They feel very happy about the way it turned out."

Bannon's group indicated they would forge forward with plans to challenge the GOP establishment in Senate races in as many as 10 states, including Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee, though one adviser suggested that a greater effort may be made on recruiting and screening candidates.

But in the hours after the stunning defeat, many Republicans reveled in Bannon's failure.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina argued that Bannon should have called off his guns and simply backed Trump's first choice.

"When it comes to Alabama politics Steve Bannon should have followed President @realDonaldTrump lead in supporting Luther Strange," Graham tweeted. "Trump's instincts on the Alabama race proved to be correct."

And Rep. Peter King, R-NY, declared that Bannon looked "like some disheveled drunk who wandered onto the political stage."

"This is not the type of person we need in politics," said King said. "(Bannon) sort of parades himself out there with his weird alt-right views that he has, and to me it's demeaning the whole government and political process. And last night's election was a manifestation of the revulsion by the American people."

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Associated Press writer Steve Peoples in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire
MOSCOW (AP) - Three astronauts have landed back on Earth after nearly six months aboard the International Space Station.

A Russian Soyuz capsule with NASA's Randy Bresnik, Russia's Sergey Ryazanskiy and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency descended under a red-and-white parachute and landed on schedule at 2:37 p.m. local time (0837 GMT; 3:37 a.m. EST) on the vast steppes outside of a remote town in Kazakhstan.

The three were extracted from the capsule within 20 minutes and appeared to be in good condition.

Bresnik, Ryazansky and Nespoli spent 139 days aboard the orbiting space laboratory.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The race to lead South Africa's scandal-weakened ruling party, and likely the country, has put the future of the African National Congress in question. The rift between the top candidates is so pronounced that some observers warn the party of Nelson Mandela could split in two. Here's a look at the leading contenders to succeed President Jacob Zuma and lead the party toward the 2019 elections:

___

DEPUTY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 5, 2017 file photo South Africa's deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, takes a selfie at the end of the ANC's policy conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. As the African National Congress meets this weekend to choose a successor to scandal-ridden President Jacob Zuma, the race between his deputy and ex-wife, Dlamini-Zuma threatens to split Nelson Mandela's legacy. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe. File)

One of South Africa's richest businessmen, the 65-year-old Ramaphosa is a veteran of the struggle for liberation from the country's former apartheid system of white minority rule and helped negotiate the transition to democracy. He turned his connections as a former union leader into business ventures that at times have proven controversial. Many South Africans remember that Ramaphosa was a board member of the Lonmin mine at the time of the Marikana massacre in 2012, when police shot dead 34 striking mine workers.

Now deputy president, Ramaphosa has added his voice to the rising frustration in the country over Zuma and numerous corruption allegations. Last week, he even told a local radio station that he "would believe" the young woman who accused Zuma of rape more than a decade ago, before he became president. Zuma was acquitted.

Despite being part of Zuma's administration, Ramaphosa has styled himself as a reform candidate who would steer South Africa away from the corruption scandals that have hurt the economy and briefly sent it into recession this year.

___

NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA

The former chair of the African Union Commission is also Zuma's ex-wife, which brings concern from some South Africans who worry that she will act under the president's influence and perhaps even shield him from possible prosecution.

The 68-year-old Dlamini-Zuma is a doctor and former South African minister of health and of foreign affairs, and was an activist during the ANC's long fight against apartheid. She was the first female leader of the AU Commission is expected to have the support of the ruling party's women's league, which has been a fierce supporter of the president.

Dlamini-Zuma, who has a reputation for rarely engaging the media and staying conservative in her public statements, recently was appointed to a parliamentary seat. She has pledged to pursue her ex-husband's favored policy of "radical economic transformation" to bring greater equity to an economy still largely controlled by South Africa's white minority.
Opinion / Letters

Zanu PF is a de facto one-party cum one-man dictatorship and there in lay the seed of its own destruction. Robert Mugabe, being the control freak he is, has become obsessed about controlling everybody he has given those below him fancy position such as Vice President, Minister of this, CEO of that, etc. but never delegated to these individuals any real power and authority to do anything. He was so fearful of someone else out shining him.People soon learned that doing a good job in Mugabe's Zimbabwe was a curse that would cost you your job.After surrounding himself with mediocre performers with himself as the star performer out shining them all; he was the sun and everyone else was just a distant star whose luminosity is so low they are invisible as long as the sun is visible. Mugabe became the one centre of power. The problem is very little was ever done, and hence sowing the seed of self-destruction.President Mnangagwa has reportedly instructed his ministers to pick one or two projects in their relevant area of responsibility the would like to do from the list of outstanding projects discussed in cabinet but never acted upon because the control freak Mugabe would not delegate the power and authority. After 37 years of mediocre or none performance it is little wonder the country is in a serious economic mess.For 37 years the country has gone down a ruinous path and no one in the party dare tell Mugabe to change direction for fear of being fired.It came as no surprise that at the party's first Central Committee of November 19, since the forced removal of Robert Mugabe as party leader, Zanu PF resolved to amend its constitution to remove any notion of one-centre of power."A few weeks after its supreme law-making organ sat in Harare to show a radical departure from the old order, the party now appears split in two minds over the idea," reported Zimeye."Zanu PF's secretary for information and publicity, Simon Khaya-Moyo, told the Daily News recently that Mnangagwa will have the discretion to appoint VPs and the national chairperson  which goes against the spirit of discarding the one-centre of power principle."Oh dear! This is where it takes a visionary leader, capable of putting the commonwealth's interest above their own individual selfish interest, and scrap this offensive constitutional clause.Even before Mugabe formerly changed the party's constitution in 2014 to give himself power to appoint the two VPs and party chairperson, Mugabe had always tempered with the constitution to suit his insatiable appetite for absolute power. He saw to it that only his name was in the hat for the top post of first secretary of the party. So instead of there being an election it was always a coronation. He manipulated the process to fill the three senior party positions in the same way. So, instead of congress electing the candidates it rubber stamped his chosen candidates."Why should the party impose someone that a leader can't work with? It becomes dysfunctional. A leader should be able to choose his team," said Alex Magaisa."Democracy should always be tempered with mechanisms that ensure sound and efficient administration. If it's the ruling party, his cabinet should as far as possible reflect the party scenario." Mugabe selected everyone he wanted and, being the control freak that he is, he made sure they are all simpletons like Simon Muzenda and Joice Mujuru. For the last 37 years Mugabe has dominated his party and government to produce one of the corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless administrations in human history. Margaret Dongo once called Zanu PF MPs, cabinet members and senior party leaders "vakadzi vaMugabe" (Mugabe's subservient concubines) and she was right.An administration in which everyone has the confidence to express their view without fear of being fired is a positive and necessary for a competent government. A political party belongs to all its members and not just the party's top dog and all the members must have a meaningful say in who leads them. Zanu PF lost the popular support of the nation because a party in which no one was allowed to do anything was doomed to fail to delivery on its key promise of "gutsa ruzhinji" (mass prosperity). So, to stay in power the party had no choice but to deny people their freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote.After 37 years stuck with one corrupt and useless tyrant Zanu PF members should be demanding the scrapping of the one-centre of power which is just a more subtle way for one-man dictatorship. The party members' demands are the same as those ordinary Zimbabweans are making; the implementing of democratic reforms to scrap the one-party dictatorship.
ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey's coast guard launched a dramatic rescue operation Thursday to evacuate migrants stranded on rocks in the Aegean Sea.

The coast guard said in a statement that 51 migrants attempted to illegally cross to Greece on a rubber dinghy from the western province of Izmir. Authorities intervened after receiving an emergency call at 01:12 local time (1012 GMT).

Video showed a helicopter lifting a person off the rocks using a rope. The statement said five children and a woman were rescued in this way while the rest were transferred to coast guard boats with the assistance of fishermen in the area.

The coast guard said the rescue operation could only begin in daylight due to the rocky area and bad sea conditions. Helicopters dropped food and blankets in the night.

There was no information on the migrants' nationalities - among them 15 children - but more than 3.3 million Syrians live in Turkey.

At the height of the migrant crisis in 2015, more than 857,000 migrants reached Greece from Turkey. A 2016 deal between Turkey and the European Union has dramatically reduced the numbers.

Turkey's official Anadolu news agency had reported earlier 68 people were stranded.
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. WHO REPUBLICANS ARE BLAMING FOR ALABAMA SENATE LOSS

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is being singled out, but he shows no signs of abandoning his guerrilla war against the GOP establishment.

Sen.-elect Doug Jones jokes with reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. Weary national Republicans breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday, a day after voters knocked out their own party's scandal-plagued candidate in deep-red Alabama.(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

2. COMCAST, VERIZON, AT&T ABOUT TO GET MORE FREE REIN

The FCC is voting to undo Obama-era rules that kept broadband providers from exercising more control over what people watch and see on the internet.

3. DISNEY BUYING LARGE PART OF 21ST CENTURY FOX

The deal gives Disney film businesses including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox 2000. On the television side, Disney will get Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions and Fox21.

4. HOW PALESTINIANS VIEW TRUMP'S DECLARATION

Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem are at turns cynical, defiant and fearful after Trump's recognition of the contested city as Israel's capital.

5. FEDERAL JUDGES TO EXAMINE DRUG STASH-HOUSE STINGS

A potentially landmark hearing will consider evidence on whether the phony operations that overwhelmingly target suspects in black neighborhoods are racially biased.

6. DISPARITY SEEN IN GOP TAX ACCORD

Generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans would be delivered in the sweeping overhaul while middle- and low-income families would receive smaller tax cuts.

7. CORONER: ACCUSED KENTUCKY LAWMAKER'S DEATH APPARENTLY SUICIDE

Dan Johnson, a Republican state legislator accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the basement of his home, also compared the Obamas to monkeys in Facebook posts.

8. DECADE SINCE GREAT RECESSION: THRIVING CITIES LEAVE OTHERS BEHIND

Many Southern and Midwestern cities have yet to recover from the loss of manufacturing jobs that have been automated out of existence or lost to competition from China, data analyzed for AP finds.

9. WHAT GAY ADVOCATES ARE WATCHING FOR

How a child support fight between a divorced lesbian couple plays out in Hawaii, something experts say is likely the first such case before a state Supreme Court.

10. AS OLYMPICS NEAR, SOUTH KOREA AGONIZES OVER COSTS

If history is any indicator, post-games expenses and huge financial strain would be placed on Pyeongchang - one of its poorest regions.

In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 photo Palestinians walk by a national flag in east Jerusalem. When President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital, he said he was simply acknowledging reality _ but failed to mention Palestinian residents, or 37 percent of the city's population. Despite such an omission and Israel's portrayal of Jerusalem as united, the city's de facto division between Jewish and Arab areas is apparent in the stark differences on the ground. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
BRUSSELS (AP) - Poland's new prime minister made his debut Thursday at a European Union summit, seeking to persuade European partners that controversial new Polish laws on the judiciary represent necessary reforms and not threats to democracy.

Mateusz Morawiecki, 49, was tapped last week by the leader of the ruling Law and Justice party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, to replace Beata Szydlo. Her two years as prime minister were marked by bitter conflicts with the EU over migrants, the environment and the state of Poland's democracy.

His participation in the summit was a first test of whether the Western-educated former banker can bridge a deepening rift between his right-wing government and Brussels.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, and Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis arrives for a meeting of the Visegrad Group on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels and are set to move Brexit talks into a new phase as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Theresa May over her plans to take Britain out of the 28-nation bloc. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

In his first press conference, he gave a hint of why he might have been picked. He revealed that his government expects the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, to formally warn his country next week that it is in breach of EU values, and said he would be having many conversations aimed at averting the move.

Morawiecki, who is multilingual and has international experience as the former banker, is seen as better suited to the task than his predecessor.

The step would embarrass Poland and could bring the ex-communist nation closer to being eventually stripped of its voting rights in the bloc.

He told reporters he expected for the Commission to trigger what is known as the 7.1 mechanism, which involves a warning. A later step, article 7.2, would entail sanctions. He called the process unfair.

Polish lawmakers passed two new laws last week regulating the Supreme Court and the National Council of the Judiciary, a body that appoints judges, giving the ruling party control over both institutions. If the laws pass, the ruling party will be able to immediately remove a significant number of judges on the top court and chose their replacements.

The ruling party says it is seeking to purge the justice system of old communist holdovers and corrupt judges out of touch with regular people.

Europe's top human rights body, the Council of Europe, disagrees, and said aspects of the laws bear similarities to the Soviet judicial system.

In Brussels, Morawiecki sought to convince European leaders that Poland's justice system is deeply flawed and needs the change.

A former anti-communist dissident, he said that some judges still sitting on Poland's Supreme Court had passed judgments on his fellow activists in the 1980s.

He told reporters that he would compare Poland's overhaul to reforms that were required in France after the fall of the Vichy regime, or in Spain after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

"Europe should be a Europe of sovereign states who should have the right to reform their justice systems," Morawiecki said.

The laws still require the approval of the Senate and the president, and there were protests Thursday evening in some Polish cities held in last-ditch hopes of blocking them.

Poland's current isolation marks a sharp reversal for a country that has seen massive economic development since joining the EU in 2004 - which brought it an infusion of EU subsidies and foreign investment - and which until 2015 was an increasingly influential voice in European affairs. That growing clout was reflected in the election in 2014 of the Polish prime minister at the time, Donald Tusk, to lead the European Council.

"I hope that we will see a moment in which Poland will be treated again as the heart of Europe," Tusk said. "Everything is possible. It depends on the good will of Prime Minister Morawiecki, and certainly above all of the ruling party."

But, he said, "so far I have not seen the least desire for cooperation from the government."

Morawiecki appeared conciliatory on one issue that has bedeviled ties between Warsaw and European officials - widespread logging in the protected Bialowieza forest.

He said that if the EU court rules that the logging must stop, it will.

But he also made clear that Poland would give no ground on the issue of refugees, asserting his support for his ruling party's position of accepting none of the refugees stranded in camps in Italy and Greece that the bloc has tried to resettle elsewhere.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, speaks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a meeting of the Visegrad Group on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels and are set to move Brexit talks into a new phase as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Theresa May over her plans to take Britain out of the 28-nation bloc. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

From left, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki arrive for a meeting of the Visegrad Group on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels and are set to move Brexit talks into a new phase as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Theresa May over her plans to take Britain out of the 28-nation bloc. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, waits for the start a meeting of the Visegrad Group on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels and are set to move Brexit talks into a new phase as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Theresa May over her plans to take Britain out of the 28-nation bloc. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

Members of the Visegrad Group meet on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels and are set to move Brexit talks into a new phase as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Theresa May over her plans to take Britain out of the 28-nation bloc. At right is Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and left is Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

Poland's new Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, background centre, attends ceremonies in Warsaw, Poland on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, marking 36 years since the communist authorities of the time imposed martial law in Poland intending to crush the massive independence Solidarity movement, which eventually prevailed leading to the ouster of the communist regime.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People protest during the "Chain of the lights" demonstration against judicial reforms, near the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Some thousands of protesters across Poland demonstrate against proposed new legislation that may give the ruling party control over courts and a key judicial body. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
OCALA, Fla. (AP) - A Florida man has been sentenced to two years of probation for throwing his dog into traffic.

The Ocala Star-Banner reports that 56-year-old Michael Lee Britton was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to animal cruelty, resisting an officer without violence and assaulting a law enforcement officer. He has been in jail since his November 2016 arrest.

Ocala police responded last year after a woman called to report that a man had thrown a dog at her moving car. Britton said he did it because the dog had been pierced by an arrow, and he didn't want the animal to suffer. Police found no such wound.

Police say the Australian shepherd suffered internal injuries but no broken bones.

___

Information from: Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner, http://www.starbanner.com/
JERUSALEM (AP) - The Latest on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the fallout from the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (all times local):

2 p.m.

Turkey's top diplomat says it plans to open an embassy in east Jerusalem once the world recognizes an independent Palestinian state.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, following the closing news conference after the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Muslim nations of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation are rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and appear set to counter it with a declaration of east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. (Yasin Bulbul/Pool Photo via AP)

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday there was "serious determination" among countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so. "We need to succeed in this."

He says: "Once we succeed, embassies will open in the independent Palestinian state's capital, east Jerusalem."

Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of President Donald Trump's declaration last week that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Turkey hosted a meeting of 57 Muslim nations on Wednesday that rejected the decision and called for recognition of a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem.

Israel considers the entire city to be its unified and eternal capital. It would be unlikely to allow any country to establish an embassy to Palestine there.

___

8:15 a.m.

The Israeli military says it has carried out a series of airstrikes on Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip in response to new rocket attacks.

The military said Thursday that the overnight strikes hit facilities used as training and weapons storage facilities.

Gaza militants have fired rockets into Israel daily following President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital last week. Two Gazans have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops along the border and two others were killed in airstrikes.

Israel says it holds Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, responsible for all fire originating in the territory. The two sides have fought three wars since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - A Kosovo court has acquitted a Turkish man of terror charges and will not extradite him to Turkey.

Prosecutor Ali Rexha on Thursday told The Associated Press he could not extradite Ugur Toksoy after Turkish authorities offered no evidence for terror charges against him.

Toksoy, who was working for a non-governmental foundation in Kosovo, was arrested in Prizren in western Kosovo in October after Turkey accused him of participating in a failed 2016 coup attempt there.

Toksoy thanked Kosovo authorities "for seeing justice" and urged Pristina to raise its voice on the violation of human rights in Turkey.

Turkey has jailed more than 50,000 people in a crackdown against suspected supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a cleric who it accuses of being behind the failed coup. Gulen denies the claim.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the Alabama Senate race and Democrats (all times local):

7:15 a.m.

Democratic Sen.-elect Doug Jones is taking a pass on the question of whether the Senate should wait to vote on a sweeping tax overhaul until he can vote.

Democrat Sen.-elect Doug Jones speaks during an interview with The Associated Press Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in Birmingham , Ala. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Jones defeated former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice Roy Brown Tuesday He tells NBC's "Today" show he prefers to "just let that play out."

"I don't have a position on that," the former federal prosecutor said Thursday morning.

Asked if he thought he won more because of his own campaign or because of the controversy surrounding the fiery Moore, Jones said, "I think it was a combination" of circumstances that vaulted him past Moore in a close race.

Jones also said he's amenable to working with President Donald Trump if he has programs that "I think are good for the people" of Alabama.

___

3:50 a.m.

To Democrats, Senate candidate Doug Jones' stunning victory in reliably Republican Alabama is more than a quirky one-off. Instead, party leaders cast the upset as a sign of growing nationwide momentum among voters opposed to President Donald Trump and an indication that Democrats shouldn't shy away from competing in Republican territory.

Democrats were bolstered in particular by the higher turnout in Alabama among African-Americans, particularly women; young voters and voters in urban areas, along with a diminished GOP advantage in some small towns and rural areas. The Alabama returns track other high-profile elections where Democrats have pulled out victories this year, including the governor's seat and other statewide offices in Virginia, and several dozen state legislative seats around the country.

"We're feeling the sunshine from Alabama all the way in Washington state," said Gov. Jay Inslee, who chairs the party's gubernatorial campaign arm.
CAIRO (AP) - Egyptian lawyers say a prominent activist and opposition figure has been sentenced to three years over his criticism of the government's decision to transfer control over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

Defense lawyers Zyad el-Elaimy and Ahmed Fawzy said in Facebook posts on Wednesday that Islam Marei had been held in pre-trial detention since his June arrest. Charges against him included "funding terrorism" and inciting violence.

They say the sentence was passed on Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear if Marei, who is a member of the small opposition Social Democratic Party, will appeal his three-year sentence.

The 2016 Egyptian-Saudi accord to hand the Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia has drawn wide public criticism and triggered rare protests in Egypt.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi ratified the accord in June.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - The Latest on Zimbabwe's new president (all times local):

3:10 p.m.

Zimbabwe's new leader is calling for the "unconditional lifting" of sanctions that he says has crippled the once-prosperous country's development.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke to the ruling party's Central Committee on Thursday, a day before the party is expected to endorse him as its candidate for next year's election. He says the government will do all in its power to make sure the election is "credible, free and fair."

Mnangagwa was sworn in last month after Robert Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military and ruling party following 37 years in power.

Now Mnangagwa's challenge is to attract foreign investment and revive a shattered economy. His new comments promise a "robust engagement process" and measures to make Zimbabwe "a place where capital feels safe."

___

11:30 a.m.

Zimbabwe's new president is taking steps to differentiate himself from his ousted mentor, Robert Mugabe, as he tries to win over the country before next year's elections.

On Friday, the ruling ZANU-PF party is expected to endorse President Emmerson Mnangagwa as party leader and its presidential candidate. The elections are a key test of Mnangagwa's vows to strengthen Zimbabwe's democracy and attract badly needed foreign investment to revive a devastated economy.

The party congress also will endorse the recall of the 93-year-old Mugabe from the party and government, said spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo, completing last month's dramatic events that saw the military put Mugabe under house arrest, scores of thousands rally in the streets and lawmakers begin impeachment proceedings before the longtime ruler resigned.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - A Gaza eatery is offering massive discounts to North Korean diners but there is just one problem - there are no North Koreans in Gaza.

Ibrahim Raba, manager of a shawarma restaurant in Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, says he is offering the 80 percent discounts to show his appreciation for North Korea's rejection of President Donald Trump's recent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

He has also placed a large photo of reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the glass door entrance to his restaurant.

A Palestinian customer walks out of a shawarma restaurant with a poster of North Korean leader Jim Jong at the entrance of it in Jebaliya refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Arabic reads that " Raba restaurant announces 80% discount for Korean customers in appreciation of Korea's leader role toward the Palestinian cause". (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

A new Kim fan, Raba likes to quote the North Korean leader, saying: "Trump proved he is mentally deranged."

And though Raba knows there are no North Koreans in Gaza, he hopes they will come someday, perhaps after joining other foreign aid workers.
Some advice for the angry mob Sometimes, I get embarrassed for people who show up to speak at city council or township board meetings. Im talking...

Preparing teens for their futures with soft skills Businesses of every size and industry continue to identify labor shortages as a top challenge  across the country and...
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A Florida university canceled production of a play by Israel Horovitz after the playwright was accused of sexual misconduct.

Cynthia White was directing Horovitz's play "The Day Before Yesterday" at the University of Central Florida. In an Orlando Sentinel report , White said the school rescinded an invitation to Horovitz after The New York Times published allegations by nine women of sexual misconduct, including forcible kissing and rape.

Horovitz told the Times his recollection of the events differed from the women's accounts, and he apologized.

The director of UCF's School of Performing Arts, Michael Wainstein, said students' discomfort about performing Horovitz's work after the allegations became public prompted the university to choose a different play.

The students now will perform Rebecca Gilman's play "Boy Gets Girl," in which a rejected suitor becomes a threatening stalker.

___

Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A divided Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday rejected requests for unredacted autopsy reports from the unsolved slayings of eight family members.

The court ruled 4-3 that the Pike County coroner in southern Ohio does not have to release the reports with complete information.

Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, writing for the majority, said Ohio law regarding coroner records clearly exempts the redacted material as "confidential law enforcement investigatory records."

FILE - In this May 3, 2016, file photo, mourners gather during funeral services at Scioto Burial Park in McDermott, Ohio, around caskets for six of the eight members of the Rhoden family found shot April 22, 2016, at four properties near Piketon, Ohio. A divided Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, rejected requests for the unredacted autopsy reports from the unsolved slayings. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

The case before the court involved seven adults and a teenage boy from the Rhoden family who were found shot to death at four homes near Piketon, in rural southern Ohio, on April 22, 2016.

Heavily redacted versions of the autopsy reports released last year showed all but one of the victims were shot multiple times in the head, but details about any other injuries and toxicology test results weren't released.

Once a criminal investigation ends, confidential information in autopsy reports can become public records, but the process leading to a suspect can sometimes take time, O'Connor wrote.

"In order that justice might be delivered to all, patience may be required of some," the chief justice said.

The Columbus Dispatch and The Cincinnati Enquirer separately sued for access to the full final autopsies. The Ohio Attorney General's Office, which is leading the investigation, sought to shield the information, arguing that its release could compromise the investigation.

Jack Greiner, an attorney representing the newspapers, called the majority's decision "a classic case of the court making up its mind on how it wanted the case to come out and then finding a path there." He said the ruling sets a negative precedent that will allow police to put whatever they want under the "investigatory records" umbrella.

Dan Tierney, an Attorney General spokesman, said the office was pleased, and the killings remain under investigation.

Pike County Coroner David Kessler has also noted the victims' relatives raised concerns about sharing details of their loved ones' deaths.

The newspapers argued there is no evidence the full reports contain confidential information provided by law enforcement authorities, nor any evidence the autopsies were prepared with input from investigators.

The redacted reports show most victims were shot multiple times. Forty-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr. was shot in the head, upper body and torso, according to the redacted autopsy.

Justice Sharon Kennedy, writing for the minority, said the redactions on the Rhoden autopsies are inconsistent. In some cases, she wrote, details of victims' scars and tattoos were not redacted, while in others most or all that information was shielded.

The reports also don't contain any information about suspects, Kennedy said.

"The majority fails to recognize that the coroner is one degree removed from those law-enforcement officials who are empowered to investigate a murder," the justice wrote.

Other victims in the massacre included Christopher Rhoden's ex-wife, 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; their three children, 20-year-old Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden Jr. and 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden; Frankie Rhoden's fiancee, 20-year-old Hannah Gilley; and a cousin, 38-year-old Gary Rhoden.

The last victim to be discovered, 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden, who was the brother of Christopher Rhoden Sr., died of a single gunshot.

Authorities suspect there were multiple attackers who were familiar with the victims' homes and the surrounding area. The motive remains a mystery.

The office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has said Christopher Rhoden Sr. had "a large-scale marijuana growing operation," leading some to speculate the killings were drug-related.

___

Andrew Welsh-Huggins can be reached on Twitter at https://twitter.com/awhcolumbus.
LONDON (AP) - Two leaders of a British far-right group that gained publicity when it was retweeted by U.S. President Donald Trump have been arrested for allegedly stirring up hatred.

Britain First leader Paul Golding and his deputy Jayda Fransen were detained in Belfast after attending a court hearing for Fransen. She's charged with hate speech during a "Northern Ireland Against Terrorism" rally in Belfast in August.

Golding was arrested Thursday over the same rally, and Fransen was detained over a social media post criticizing Islam.

Last month Trump retweeted three videos from Fransen's account purporting to show violence by Muslims.

Trump's action drew a rebuke from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said it was "the wrong thing to do."

Britain First opposes multiculturalism and what it calls the "Islamization" of Britain.
NAPLES, Italy (AP) - Naples' Christmas artisans are at it again, turning figures from current events into ceramic characters to decorate miniature Nativity scenes that take over Italian living rooms this time of year.

Hot sellers this year include Jedi warriors from the new Star Wars movie and statuettes of U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, toting a missile and flying in a little propeller plane.

Artisan Marco Ferrigno said he made the Trump and Kim figurines as a joke. From his workshop in Naples' historic center, he said he hoped it remained a joke because the two "are starting to become a bit scary in the way they are facing off."

In this photo made from video, artisan Marco Ferrigno gives the finishing touches to statuettes of U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in his shop in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Naples' Christmas artisans are at it again, turning figures from current events into ceramic characters to decorate miniature Nativity scenes that take over Italian living rooms this time of year. (AP Photo)

Naples has been famous for centuries for its Nativity scenes depicting Jesus' birth.

In this photo made from video, artisan Marco Ferrigno gives the finishing touches to a statuette of French President Emmanuel Macron, in his shop in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Naples' Christmas artisans are at it again, turning figures from current events into ceramic characters to decorate miniature Nativity scenes that take over Italian living rooms this time of year. (AP Photo)

A Neapolitan artisan gives the finishing touches to a nativity scene featuring statuettes of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both placed behind the bars of a prison, in his shop in Naples, Italy, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Naples' Christmas artisans are at it again, turning figures from current events into ceramic characters to decorate miniature Nativity scenes that take over Italian living rooms this time of year. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP)

A Neapolitan artisan gives the finishing touches to a nativity scene featuring statuettes of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both placed behind the bars of a prison, in his shop in Naples, Italy, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Naples' Christmas artisans are at it again, turning figures from current events into ceramic characters to decorate miniature Nativity scenes that take over Italian living rooms this time of year. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP)

Statuettes of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, holding a missile, are shown in a shop in Naples, Italy, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Naples' Christmas artisans are at it again, turning figures from current events into ceramic characters to decorate miniature Nativity scenes that take over Italian living rooms this time of year. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP)
HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) - Since President Donald Trump vowed this summer to pull the United States out of an international climate accord, states looking to tackle carbon pollution have been forced to go it alone.

More than a dozen formed an alliance committed to reducing emissions in line with the Paris accord, an international agreement that aims to halt the rise in global temperatures. Several state leaders, including California Gov. Jerry Brown, were in Paris this week for a climate summit two years after the historic accord was signed. The summit offered updates on promised funding for poor countries to address climate change, the latest research on ways to cut emissions as well as the corporate world's response to the problem.

Others, wanting to be more ambitious, are taking a look at the country's only regional program that mandates emission reductions in the power sector. Known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, it covers nine states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic and is poised to expand.

This Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 photo shows energy efficient motion activated LED lights, along with window light, that illuminate the Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton, N.H. The brewhouse is taking advantage of special programs to use new technology to reduce its carbon footprint. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

"The clear signal from the Trump administration that they were going to pull back on environmental policy throws it back at the states and says, 'OK, it's your game,'" said William Shobe, a professor of public policy at the University of Virginia. "A number of states are responding, saying, 'OK, we're up to that and we're going to go ahead and implement policy.'"

The program sets limits on power plant emissions and requires them to purchase allowances equal to the amount of those emissions. Money raised through those allowances at quarterly auctions goes back to the states.

The only other program of its kind is in California , which covers the state's entire economy. It linked up with Quebec's cap-and-trade program in 2014 and will expand to include Ontario's next year.

Since it began in 2008, RGGI has led to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent in the states stretching from Maine to Maryland - 16 percent more than other states without emissions programs. The program has also sent $2.8 billion back to the states, money that has funded a range of environmental programs, including energy efficiency upgrades at a middle school and library in Massachusetts, expansion of solar power in New York, and green measures at a brewery in New Hampshire.

"Young consumers don't have any patience for companies that are not consciously involved in reducing their footprint and their impact on the planet. I think that runs pretty deep," said Peter Egelston, as he led a tour of his Smuttynose Brewing Co. in Hampton, whose facility includes solar tubes that allow more natural light into the brewery and a high-tech milling system that gets more yield out of the malted barley.

Since the November elections, Virginia announced it is taking steps to become the first Southern state to join the regional cap-and-trade program, while New Jersey has promised to rejoin the pact. If they get on board, member states would represent a combined gross domestic product of $3.9 trillion, which if they were a country would displace Germany as the fourth-largest economy, according to the Acadia Center, a nonprofit that promotes clean energy.

Virginia's climate strategy, approved last month, would limit emissions from most power plants starting in 2020, followed by a 30 percent reduction over a decade. Eligible carbon emitters would have to participate in the regional greenhouse gas program.

"We do not have the luxury of waiting for Washington to wake up to this threat - we must act now," Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in a statement.

New Jersey is set to rejoin the regional program when Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Murphy takes office Jan. 16, succeeding GOP Gov. Chris Christie, who pulled the state out of the regional agreement, arguing it drove up electricity costs.

Still, RGGI has its doubters, many who contend its success has more to do with the changing energy landscape than government regulations.

They argue the nine states were already switching from coal-fired to natural gas power plants when they joined the program - which, according to a Duke University study , was responsible for a third of the reductions. Several states also instituted renewable energy goals that led to a shift toward wind, solar and hydro power that reduce emissions.

Americans for Prosperity, the conservative advocacy group founded by billionaire Koch brothers, said the program has offered very few benefits and that such models can't solve the climate problem. It has called for New Hampshire to pull out and opposes New Jersey rejoining.

"Our view is that RGGI and other ideologically driven energy policies cause energy prices to go up, which disproportionally impacts the poor," said Levi Russell, an Americans For Prosperity spokesman.

Still, supporters say the program has been a force for good - reducing emissions and improving air quality without hurting economic growth.

And with its emission cap set to become more stringent in 2020, said Dallas Burtraw, a senior fellow at the research institution Resources For The Future, RGGI could be even more ambitious than Obama's signature climate plan if ever went national. Obama's Clean Power Plan called for cutting emission in the power sector by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. It was put on hold by the Supreme Court and is being scrapped by Trump.

"We have a great success story to tell," said Katie Scharf Dykes, who chairs the RGGI board and the Connecticut public utilities agency. "At this moment, this story is more relevant than ever before."

In this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 photo motion activated LED lights illuminate a storage room at the Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton, N.H. The brewhouse is taking advantage of special programs to use new technology to more efficiently refrigerate it's products. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
JERUSALEM (AP) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's largest generic drugmaker, on Thursday said it would lay off over a quarter of its workforce as part of a global restructuring meant to salvage its ailing business.

The company said 14,000 workers would be let go. The cuts will be scattered across Teva's global operations and will occur over the next two years, with most expected in 2018.

The announcement marked a stunning setback for a company seen as a national source of pride in Israel. With roots going back more than a century, Teva has grown into a major global player over the past 40 years with a series of acquisitions, and by developing original drugs and leading the move toward cost-saving generic medications.

Israeli flag flies outside Teva Pharmaceutical facility building in Neot Hovav, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's largest generic drugmaker, says it is laying off 14,000 workers as part of a global restructuring. The company said Thursday that the layoffs represent over 25 percent of its global work force. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

The country's main trade union scheduled a nationwide solidarity strike on Sunday, the beginning of the Israeli work week, and Teva's chief executive apologized to the prime minister for the company's dire situation.

Teva's most famous product is Copaxone, a treatment for multiple sclerosis, and it recently became one of two companies offering a generic version of the blockbuster drug Viagra.

In a letter to employees, Chief Executive Kare Schultz, who only joined Teva in September, said the restructuring is "crucial to restoring our financial security and stabilizing our business."

"We have no time to waste," he said. "We are flattening our organization both top down and sideways, with fewer layers of management and increased accountability. This will ensure better integration, improve productivity and efficiencies, and reduce our cost base."

Teva's bottom line has been hit by the expiration of patents on Copaxone, pricing pressure on its core generics business and a $35 billion debt load taken on in its acquisition of the generics business of Allergan. It also has suffered from turnover and instability in senior management ranks.

Teva's U.S.-traded stock has skidded nearly 60 percent this year. But after the announcement, its shares were sharply higher Thursday, up 14 percent at $17.98 after trading opened on Wall Street.

Schultz said the restructuring would include changes in the generics portfolio, both through price adjustments and product discontinuation. He said a "significant number" of research and development and manufacturing facilities would be closed or divested, and there will be a "thorough review" to prioritize core projects, cancel others and maintain a pipeline of new products.

The company canceled its dividend for shareholders and said annual bonuses for 2017 also will not be paid.

The company said the layoffs would affect all businesses and regions, including about 1,700 people in Israel, or a quarter of the local work force. Affected employees are expected to be notified within 90 days.

"Making workforce reductions of this magnitude is difficult, and we do not take them lightly," Schultz said. "However, there is no alternative to these drastic steps in the current situation."

In a conference call with analysts, Schultz said two priorities would be Austedo, a newly launched drug that treats Huntington's Disease, and the planned launch of fremanezumab, a treatment for migraines that is currently in Teva's pipeline.

He predicted a bright future, saying it would take about two years to get costs under control and to adjust to the loss of Copaxone sales, and several years more to regenerate growth from new drugs and a focus on profitable generics.

The restructuring will include a one-time charge of $700 million, but Teva expects to cut costs by $3 billion by the end of 2019.

"Two years from now, it's going to look good. If we do well, then in five years, it's going to look great," Schultz said.

Credit Suisse analyst Dr. Vamil Divan said in a research note that investors would be encouraged by cuts that were "larger and more rapid than what had been anticipated." He praised the company's decision to focus on its two new drugs, and also said that spreading the restructuring across the company could make it easier to execute.

He noted, however, that "there are a lot of details yet to be revealed for how they will execute this plan." He said labor strife and political opposition in Israel presented possible roadblocks ahead.

Schultz said the company will be "respectful and transparent" and work closely with employee representatives and unions.

Later on Thursday, Israel's national trade union, the Histadrut, announced plans for a nationwide strike on Sunday. It said air and seaports, public transportation, insurance companies, banks, government offices and health clinics would close throughout the morning in solidarity with the workers - which could bring the nation to a standstill.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he called Schultz and urged him to do his utmost to protect Israeli jobs, especially in poorer outlying areas, and to maintain the company's Israeli identity. Teva has roughly 7,000 Israeli employees, making it one of the country's largest private sector employers.

Netanyahu also spoke to Histadrut leader Avi Nissenkorn and also pledged to work to minimize the impact on local workers.

In a letter to Netanyahu, Schultz apologized "on behalf of Teva's previous management" for the company's dire situation, but said there was no choice. He promised that Teva's global headquarters would remain in Israel.

"I do so as a reflection of my commitment to Israel," he said.

Teva workers held demonstrations at plants and offices across the country, including a factory in Kiryat Shmona, a town near Israel's northern border with Lebanon. Dozens of workers held signs saying "Teva, this is our home," and called on the company not to close the plant.

"The feeling is tough, we are waiting for answers, we are fighting, we are not intending to go in and work and we hope that the answers will come quickly," said Libby Ben Shitrit, a worker at the factory.

A man walks out of Teva Pharmaceutical facility building in Neot Hovav, Israel, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's largest generic drugmaker, says it is laying off 14,000 workers as part of a global restructuring. The company said Thursday that the layoffs represent over 25 percent of its global work force. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. military says American-supported Syria opposition fighters killed more than 20 Islamic State fighters in an area near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders.

A U.S. officer, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Braga, said the IS fighters had slipped through an area controlled by Syrian regime forces. The Syrian government has fought against IS, but Braga said this is the second time in recent weeks that IS fighters fleeing a contested area further north have moved freely through Syrian-controlled territory.

A coalition press release said that in addition to the 20-plus IS fighters killed on Wednesday by a U.S. supported Syrian opposition force, an unspecified number were captured. A U.S. official said the detainees numbered about 15. The official was not authorized to provide details and so spoke on condition of anonymity.
PARIS (AP) - The Latest on a collision between a train and a school bus in southern France (all times local):

8:55 p.m.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that authorities don't know what led to a deadly collision between a regional train and a school bus in southern France.

In this photo provided by France Bleu, rescue workers help after a school bus and a regional train collided in the village of Millas, southern France, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. A school bus and a regional train collided in southern France on Thursday, killing four children and critically injuring several other people on the bus, the French interior ministry said. (France Bleu via AP)

Philippe, who flew to the scene of the accident Thursday night, said that the "circumstances of this terrible drama are still undetermined."

He confirmed that two inquiries are underway into the accident that left four children dead, and injured 20 other people - 11 seriously.

Philippe said that the process of identifying the dead and some of the injured is difficult. He praised the work of the first responders.

___

8:10 p.m.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has arrived at the site of a deadly collision between a school bus and a regional train in southern France.

The French interior ministry says the tragedy Thursday afternoon left four children dead and critically injured seven other people on the bus that was transporting children aged 11-15 home from the Christian Bourquin school in the village of Millas.

Philippe joined Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne and Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer who had already arrived at the scene.

The French interior ministry said that 95 emergency workers are now at the site alongside 15 police units.

Psychological help is being offered in a local sports hall from Friday morning.

___

7:25 p.m.

France's SNCF national rail authority says witnesses described the crossing gates as functioning properly at the time that a train crashed into a bus carrying children in southern France.

An SNCF official told The Associated Press that the train normally travels at 80 kilometers per hour at the location of the crash near Perpignan.

The official said "several witnesses said the barrier was down" at the time of the crash. She said 25 people were on the train at the time of the crash, and are "totally shocked."

She said that the crossing is "well-equipped" with flashing lights and the latest technology. She said it would be up to an investigation to determine whether everything functioned properly at the time of the accident Thursday evening.

The official was not authorized to be publicly named according to SNCF policy.

Four children were killed in the crash.

- By Angela Charlton

___

6:45 p.m.

The French Interior Ministry says four children have died and seven people are seriously hurt following a collision between a train and a school bus in southern France. Twelve people were more lightly injured.

The accident occurred at about 4 p.m. close to the village of Millas as the children were being taken home at the end of school.

Photos of the scene tweeted by a local television station showed the bus cut in half and the train derailed.

___

6:30 p.m.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne are traveling to the site of a collision between a train and a school bus in southern France.

Borne expressed her "very strong emotion following the terrible accident" Thursday at a crossing near to the village of Millas, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Perpignan, in the Pyrenees close to the border with Spain.

An emergency plan has been activated. The number of dead and injured was not confirmed.

___

5:40 p.m.

French authorities say there has been a "serious rail accident" in southern France involving a school bus and a regional train.

The Pyrenees-Orientales authority tweeted that the collision occurred Thursday afternoon on a railway crossing at a small town some 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Perpignan, close to the border with Spain.

Emergency services have been deployed to the site of the accident.

But French officials could not give The Associated Press any further details and didn't immediately know whether the accident had caused any injuries or deaths.

France's Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne, expressing her "very strong emotion following the terrible accident," said she was on her way to the site.

France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will go to the site.
More than 200 people became sick and five were hospitalized in Australia after an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard a cruise ship earlier this month.

Symptoms were reported by 209 guests among the 5,796 people aboard Ovation of the Seas ship, according to Royal Caribbean International cruise line spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez. The ship returned to Sydney on Dec. 7 at the end of a 14-night cruise that departed Singapore on Nov. 23. "Those affected by the short-lived illness were treated by our ship's doctors with over-the-counter medication," Martinez told The Associated Press in an email.

She said sanitation experts were flown in to perform "enhanced sanitary procedures" to supplement routine cleaning protocols and "minimize the risk of a recurrence."

Martinez said she had no details on the type of gastrointestinal illness and would not provide conditions of the hospitalized guests out of privacy concerns.

Australia's Health Department in Tasmania said five passengers required treatment at Royal Hobart Hospital, where Dr. Mark Veitch, director of public health, said in a statement that the ship was using established protocols to manage the illness and limit its spread. He added that these types of outbreaks and requests for medical assistance for passengers are "not uncommon" in big ships.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control tracks gastrointestinal illness reports on ships sailing from foreign ports to the U.S. The Ovation of the Seas outbreak falls outside CDC jurisdiction because of the ship's location.

The CDC's online database lists 10 outbreaks this year on ships in which more than 3 percent of those onboard reported symptoms of "diarrheal disease."

The husband of one Ovation of the Seas passenger hospitalized at Hobart said his wife had eaten "undercooked chicken" onboard. "Her condition continued to worsen and I thought she was going to die in front of me," said the passenger, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, citing privacy issues. He said she was recovering in the intensive care unit.

The ship has been on a New Zealand itinerary and is now headed back to Sydney.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Police firing tear gas and rubber bullets clashed with stick-wielding protesters throwing rocks outside Congress on Thursday, leading lawmakers to suspend debate on reining in Argentina's pensions.

Union leaders and social activists opposing the proposal said the legislation would cut pension and retirement payments as well as aid for some of poor families starting in March.

The measure had been scheduled to be voted on in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, but the session was suspended indefinitely as opposition and governing party lawmakers yelled at each other inside the chamber while riot police fought with protesters in nearby streets.

Demonstrators rush at police during clashes, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Argentine police clashed Thursday with demonstrators protesting reforms to the retirement and pension system. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

"If the government has a fiscal problem, it should resolve it without putting a hand in the pockets of the pensioners," opposition lawmaker said Agustin Rossi, adding that he had been engulfed by tear gas.

Argentina's largest union threatened to call a general strike if the measure was approved.

The bill, which already passed the Senate, is part of a series of economic changes pushed by the government of President Mauricio Macri to reduce Argentina's high deficit.

"We're convinced that this project is good and it reflects the will of the majority of the parliament," Cabinet Chief Marcos Pena later said at a news conference at the presidential palace. "We feel that this law must be passed this way."

Macri took office in December 2015 promising to cut bloated government spending and revive Argentina's struggling economy. But his ordering of job cuts, the elimination of tariffs aimed at protecting local industry and the slashing of utility subsidies have fueled labor unrest in a nation with a long tradition of generous state jobs and benefits.

"We're not willing to take this. The people are going through bad times and we don't deserve this," said Monica de Albuquerque, a retiree who joined in the protests.

She said it will be a "total disaster" if Macri's government goes ahead with the pension measure as well as proposals to reduce taxes and ease labor rules companies must observe.

___

Associated Press video journalist Paul Byrne and AP writer Debora Rey contributed to this report.

Police fires tear gas at stick-wielding protesters who hauled rocks and torched several garbage bins outside Argentina's Congress building and in nearby streets, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Argentine police clashed Thursday with demonstrators protesting reforms to the retirement and pension system. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Demonstrators throw rocks at police during a protest of reforms to the retirement and pension system, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Police in riot gear shot tear gas and rubber bullets at stick-wielding protesters who hauled rocks and torched several garbage bins outside the Congress building and in nearby streets. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Women take cover during clashes between police and demonstrators protesting reforms to the retirement and pension system, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Police in riot gear shot tear gas and rubber bullets at stick-wielding protesters who hauled rocks and torched several garbage bins outside the Congress building and in nearby streets. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Police launch tear gas canisters at stick-wielding protesters who hauled rocks and torched several garbage bins outside the Congress building and in nearby streets, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Argentine police clashed Thursday with demonstrators protesting reforms to the retirement and pension system. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Police fire tear gas at stick-wielding protesters who hauled rocks and torched several garbage bins outside the Congress building and in nearby streets, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Argentine police clashed Thursday with demonstrators protesting reforms to the retirement and pension system. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Demonstrators protest against reforms to the retirement and pension system, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Police in riot gear shot tear gas and rubber bullets at stick-wielding protesters who hauled rocks and torched several garbage bins outside the Congress building and in nearby streets. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
NEW YORK (AP) - When it comes to the holidays, celebrities are people, too. We asked standouts from film, TV and music to share thoughts on the holidays.

Armie Hammer, the father of two young kids, wants some family time for the holidays after helping to promote his recent film, "Call Me by Your Name." Miranda Cosgrove of "iCarly" and "Despicable Me 3" plans to shower her dog with toys left under the tree.

Kyle MacLachlan's Christmas memories are all wrapped up in stockings and what he and his brothers used to find in them. Apparently coal was involved.

This combination photo shows, from left, Miranda Cosgrove, Armie Hammer, Tatiana Maslany, Kyle MacLachlan and Salma Hayek, who have shared details of their holiday traditions with The Associated Press. (AP Photo/File)

Canadian Tatiana Maslany of "Orphan Black" isn't sure how she feels about her snowless California Christmas this year. Maybe one of Welsh hubby Tom Cullen's oranges in her stocking will cheer her up.
NEW YORK (AP) - Federal appeals judges in New York seem content to let the Supreme Court help define what the government must reveal about ending a program shielding young immigrants from deportation.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday about whether the government must reveal more about how it reached its decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. The program protects about 800,000 people, including some brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

The arguments are related to two civil cases in Brooklyn federal court that are seeking to force the government to turn over documents that may explain President Donald Trump's decision to end the program.

Appeals Judge Gerard Lynch suggested waiting until the Supreme Court rules soon in a similar San Francisco case.
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) - About 1,000 icebergs drifted into the North Atlantic shipping lanes this year, marking the fourth consecutive "extreme" ice season, U.S. Coast Guard officials said Thursday.

The Connecticut-based Coast Guard International Ice Patrol, which monitors iceberg danger in the North Atlantic and warns ships, held its annual meeting in New London to discuss 2017 and look ahead to 2018.

Greenland glaciers are retreating and storms broke up significant amounts of sea ice in 2017, freeing many icebergs, said Cmdr. Kristen Serumgard, who leads the Ice Patrol. She said 1,008 icebergs were detected in the shipping lanes in 2017, which is up from 687 icebergs in 2016.

FILE - This March 2017 photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard and made by a robotic camera aboard a reconnaissance aircraft, shows icebergs floating near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. Coast Guard says about 1,000 icebergs drifted into the North Atlantic shipping lanes this year, marking the fourth consecutive "extreme" ice season. The Connecticut-based Coast Guard International Ice Patrol monitors iceberg danger in the North Atlantic and warns ships. It held its annual meeting Thursday, Dec. 14 in New London, Conn., to discuss 2017 and look ahead to 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP, File)

The Ice Patrol classifies each season as light, moderate or extreme based on the number of icebergs. This year was the 19th most severe season since 1900.

The International Ice Patrol, which was formed after the Titanic sank, conducts reconnaissance flights that are used to produce charts showing the locations of icebergs. The unit's mission is to eliminate the risk of ships colliding with icebergs.

Serumgard is often asked whether ships still hit icebergs. She said even with modern radar, ships still miss them.

"We don't want another Titanic," she said.

The Canadian Ice Service predicted a near normal population of icebergs, which is roughly 500, in the shipping lanes in 2018, based on sea ice projections, surface air temperature and sea surface temperature. Scott Weese, a senior ice forecaster, said most icebergs will arrive near the shipping lanes in March, along with sea ice.

Coast Guard units and other agencies, such as the U.S. National Ice Center, the Canadian Ice Service and the Danish Meteorological Institute, attended the meeting.

The Ice Patrol has started to rely more on satellite imagery. Only 2 percent of the icebergs that set the limit in its charts in 2016 were found using satellites, compared to 22 percent in 2017.

Serumgard said she's hopeful the Ice Patrol can transition to relying solely on satellites to free up Coast Guard planes for other missions, though it'll take many years.

The cost of the satellite data has been prohibitive in the past, and it can be challenging to differentiate between icebergs and ships, particularly small ones, in the images, she added.
COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A 24-year-old man has entered a plea in connection with a freeway crash that killed a fire chief in southern Michigan.

Brandon Clevenger pleaded guilty Thursday in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court to reckless driving causing death. His sentencing is Jan. 29.

Investigators have said Clevenger of Battle Creek was driving nearly 90 mph (145 kph) and was distracted by his cellphone just before striking a median wall last June. His vehicle crossed lanes of Interstate 94 in Comstock Township, 135 miles (220 kilometers) west of Detroit.

Comstock Township Fire Chief Edward Switalski died after being struck as he responded to another crash.

Switalski worked for more than three decades at Pleasantview Fire District in suburban Chicago before becoming Comstock Township chief in 2013.
BERLIN (AP) - Hundreds of Holocaust survivors participated in the third candle lighting of Hanukkah in Berlin, Jerusalem and New York on Thursday - part of a tribute to survivors worldwide that was organized by the Jewish Claims Conference.

In Berlin, three survivors lit candles after sundown at the city's Jewish community center, while in Israel some 300 Holocaust survivors attended the candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray.

In New York, survivors and their families were set to come together at the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan. All three events were part of the International Holocaust Survivors Night, which was held for the first time this year under the auspices of the Claims Conference.

From left, Holocaust survivors Assia Gorban, Marlene Herzberg and Rudolf Rosenberg attend a reception and Hanukkah candle lighting at the Jewish Community Center, in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. The reception and candle lightings are part of the International Holocaust Survivors Night organized by the Claims Conference in order to honor the survivors. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Assia Gorban, a 84-year-old survivor in Berlin, said it was pure joy for her to light one of the candles and sing Hanukkah songs in the company of a rabbi and more than a dozen other survivors, most of the from the former Soviet Union.

"I understand very well that the Germany of today is not the Germany of the past," Gorban said, referring to the 1940s when the country was ruled by Adolf Hitler's National Socialists, who murdered more than 6 million European Jews.

Gorban, who immigrated to Germany in 1992, was born in western Ukraine and spent several months of her childhood in a Nazi-run concentration camp before she managed to flee with her mother and lived under false identity until the end of World War II.

Despite all the hardship she went through, Gorban said, she had a fulfilling life, worked for many years as a teacher and is now enjoying her life in Berlin with her son, three granddaughters and one great-grandson all living close by.

"My life has been a beautiful life," the energetic woman said with a big smile. "I'm nearly 85 years, but I still feel so young - honestly, my heart is like that of one who is only 40 years old."

In Jerusalem, Rabbi David Grossman lit a candle at the Western Wall in the company of survivors and officials from event-organizers Claims Conference.

"Who dreamt in those dark times when this damned one (Hitler) wanted to do: Judenrein - to clean the world of the Jewish people," he said. "And here you have the privilege to stand in the holiest place for the Jewish people and that says that the Jewish people lives on."

More than 400,000 Holocaust survivors are still alive, living in Israel, the United States and all over the world.

The Claims Conference, a group that cares for Holocaust survivors and remembers the victims that perished, said it wants from now on to dedicate the third night of the Jewish holiday to Holocaust survivors in honor of their re-emergence from darkness into light.

Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-night celebration which commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC after its desecration by a pagan ruler. Jews around the world celebrate it by lighting candles and eating fried food like jelly donuts or potato pancakes.

___

Alon Bernstein contributed from Jerusalem.

Holocaust survivors stand at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

An ultra Orthodox Jewish man poses for a picture near a large Hanukiah, a Jewish candle holder traditionally used during the Hanukkah holiday, on the third eve of Hanukkah at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's old city, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Rabbi Yitzchak Grossman lights candles on the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Rabbi Yitzchak Grossman lights candles on the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Holocaust survivors stand at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota state park known for annual buffalo roundups drawing thousands of spectators will perform an unscheduled one in the coming days to determine how a historic wildfire affected the animals.

Officials at Custer State Park located its bison herd by Thursday afternoon, and every animal found so far was alive, said Kobee Stalder, the park's visitor services program manager. However, he cautioned it's unlikely all wildlife escaped unscathed from the fire that has consumed more than 84 square miles (218 square kilometers) in the park and beyond its borders.

The park said that investigators from the South Dakota Wildland Fire Division attributed the cause of the blaze to a downed power line.

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2014 file photo, spectators watch as riders and drivers herd about 1,200 bison toward the corrals at the 49th annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup in the southern Black Hills near Custer, S.D. Custer State Park, known for drawing thousands of spectators to its fall buffalo roundup each year, is set to perform another, unexpected roundup in the coming days to inspect its bison after a historic wildfire burned through the South Dakota park this week. (AP Photo/Kristina Barker, File)

Staff will conduct on the "impromptu roundup" to assess the herd of roughly 860 bison and likely give them pneumonia immunizations because of the wildfire, Stalder said.

"Custer State Park is known for their herd of bison," Stalder said. "Every other question any time we post on social media is, you know, 'Are the bison OK?' 'Is the wildlife OK?' 'Are the burros OK?'"

The wildfire, which started Monday, is the third-largest recorded in the Black Hills. There had been no human injuries, and main park buildings have been spared from the blaze, officials said. Well-wishers have posted online with concerns for firefighters, but also for animals like the bison, the captivating national mammal.

Tens of millions of bison, also known as buffalo, once thundered across a range stretching from central Canada through the Great Plains and northern Mexico. After a century-long slaughter driven by commercial hunting for buffalo pelts, the population dwindled to a thousand or fewer near the end of the 1800s.

Now, there are nearly 400,000 bison in North America, many on private ranches and farms, according to the National Bison Association. Executive Director Dave Carter said there are as many as 20,000 buffalo in public herds, with Custer State Park's ranking among the larger ones in the U.S.

The park is just south of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the state's southwest. It's a top tourist destination, featuring hills with ponderosa pine and prairie. Visitors often drive through to see roaming buffalo and other wildlife.

As firefighters have been able to hold the blaze - it's now 50 percent contained - park officials have been able to dedicate resources toward assessing wildlife and getting more information, Stalder said.

He said officials also have found the park's southern elk herd but are still searching for another group of elk, a dozen burros and most of the pronghorn. Stalder said park staff plans to examine every herd in the park.

Becky Kienzle, a massage therapist from Dickeyville, Wisconsin, said she's been following the fire this week and worrying about wildlife in the park. The 59-year-old has been to the last eight of the fall buffalo roundups, and Kienzle said she plans on going to the park again next year.

"I've been enjoying this park for my entire 50th decade," Kienzle said. "I'm praying for most of my animals to still be there."

Stalder said staff was able to go through early Tuesday and unlock the gates within the park boundary to allow animals to escape the fire.

"We went through and gave them the best opportunity to get out of the way of danger," he said. "They're naturally smart enough to do that."

Karen Conley, executive director of the Dakota Territory Buffalo Association, said the challenge will be wildlife including buffalo in the park having enough food sources to sustain them until regrowth occurs. She said the group has been inundated with offers to help from members of the "buffalo family."

Texas resident Rhonda Price Mokerski can't count the number of times she's been to Custer State Park. The 56-year-old outdoor product wholesaler who grew up in western South Dakota said she's been worried for people and wildlife.

"We are just always bringing people to the Black Hills to experience it," said Mokerski, whose favorite park animals are buffalo and burros. "One of the 'must dos' is to go through this park."
CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on examination by judges of possible racial bias in federal drug stash-house stings (all times local):

2 p.m.

Competing interpretations of statistics are proving key in a first-of-its-kind hearing in Chicago to determine if phony federal stash-house stings are racially biased.

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2013 file photo, Chief U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo speaks from the bench in Chicago. A question raised nationwide about whether federal agents display racial bias by staging phony stash-house stings overwhelmingly in black neighborhoods is the focus of landmark hearings in Chicago.A rare panel of federal trial judges including Castillo begins two days of hearings Thursday Dec. 14, 2017, on the stings. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green File)

Many of the African-American and Hispanic suspects listening to evidence could go free if the nine federal judges hearing testimony Thursday rule that discrimination underpinned the operations.

The stings typically involve agents posing as cartel couriers who talk suspects into agreeing to steal drugs that don't exist from fictitious stash houses.

Defense expert Jeffrey Fagan testified first. He said statistics prove racial bias.

But at least one judge, Robert Gettleman, sounded skeptical as to whether statistics alone could decide the issue. He alluded to Mark Twain's quip that there are three kinds of lies: "Lies, damned, lies and statistics."

___

9:30 a.m.

An unprecedented panel of nine federal trial judges has begun hearing evidence in Chicago on whether phony stash-house stings are racially biased.

The first witness to take the stand Thursday is a law enforcement expert for the defense who is expected to testify about his conclusion that data supports the claim that the stings discriminate against blacks.

Lawyers and U.S. prosecutors fill several rows of seat, and dozens of defendants in charged in stash-house cases are sitting in the jury box. If the judge do conclude bias led to their arrests, those men could go free.

___

12:02 a.m.

The question of whether federal agents display racial bias by staging phony drug stash-house stings overwhelmingly in black neighborhoods is the focus of landmark hearings in Chicago.

A first-of-its-kind panel of federal trial judges begins two days of hearings Thursday on the stings. The operations typically involve agents posing as Mexican cartel couriers who talk suspects into agreeing to rob caches of drugs that don't actually exist.

The nine panelists each presides over a dozen separate stash-house cases. They decided to hear evidence simultaneously on the question after defense lawyers in the 12 cases all moved for the indictments to be tossed on grounds of racial bias.

How each judge rules in coming weeks could lead agencies nationwide to curtail their reliance on such stings.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's next senator, Tina Smith, could face a clear path to the 2018 unexpected general election, with support pouring in from nearly every corner of the state's Democratic party and a top potential primary challenger announcing he won't run against her.

Within minutes of Smith's appointment Wednesday to replace Sen. Al Franken, her selection was lauded by Democratic allies in labor, the state party's African-American caucus and every Democratic member of Minnesota's congressional delegation.

That included Rep. Keith Ellison, a powerful force among Democrats even after losing his bid to become national party chairman. He spent the long weekend weighing a potential run before ruling himself out and endorsing Smith in next year's election to keep the seat.

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2015 file photo, Minnesota Democratic Lt. Gov. Tina Smith speaks to attendees at the North Star Ball in St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is set to name his choice to replace Al Franken in the U.S. Senate, with the top contender seen as Lt. Gov. Smith. Dayton was expected to make the appointment Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, nearly a week after Franken announced his plan to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP, File)

While it's unclear who Republicans may put forward to run for Franken's seat next year - the field of potential candidates includes former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a fundraising juggernaut - Democrats hope uniting around Smith gives them an advantage in an surprise Senate race.

"I just decided that nobody's personal ambition is as important as us retaining that seat," Ellison said in an interview shortly after Smith's appointment. "She's going to get a running start by being appointed by the governor, and all of us are going to gather around her."

Franken's resignation last week amid a growing cloud of sexual misconduct allegations raised the stakes 2018 for top Washington Democrats. It added an unexpectedly open Senate seat to a map that has them defending two dozen blue states with few opportunities to defeat Republicans in a quest to retake the Senate majority.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pressured Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to ensure his pick to replace Franken would also run for the seat next year, according to a Democratic official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to speak freely about private discussions ahead of an announcement.

But in Minnesota, some Democrats worried giving a candidate a head start on a campaign would upset liberal voters and encourage a primary challenge - a costly hurdle given the 10-month sprint to Election Day. After her appointment and impending 2018 bid was announced on Wednesday, Smith and Dayton sought to reassure voters.

"I think anybody who knows the voters of Minnesota knows they can't be told what to do," Smith said.

A challenge from Ellison could have dragged the party into expensive endorsement and primary battles. He said he hopes his decision wards off other Democrats from challenging Smith, calling on his supporters to back her as well.

Few Democratic candidates would have the resources necessary to mount a Senate campaign that will likely need to raise $10 million or more in the next 10 months. Democrats who have launched bids for governor, such as Rep. Tim Walz, were perhaps best positioned to swap in for a Senate bid.

Walz's campaign spokesman Nick Coe said Thursday Walz is backing Smith's 2018 campaign. Two other top gubernatorial candidates, Rep. Erin Murphy and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, both applauded Smith's appointment on Wednesday.

That outpouring of support leaves little room for a serious challenger, Minnesota's Democratic party chairman Ken Martin said.

"If this was a year and a half out, I think you'd probably see a few more people who would be looking at the race. Given how close we are, time really isn't on our side," Martin said. "Most people understand the need to coalesce behind a candidate early."

Critically, Smith is well-connected to heavy-hitting Democratic donors in Minnesota, having helped run Dayton's multi-million dollar 2010 election and joined his re-election ticket in 2014. She also ran previous campaigns, like Vice President Walter Mondale's short-lived 2002 Senate race and his son's failed gubernatorial bid four years earlier.

State Sen. Melisa Franzen said she's still considering a bid, either in 2018 or 2020, when Franken's current six-year term expires. A moderate Democrat from a swing district, she said she aims to decide by the end of the year.

"I think Minnesotans like to elect their leaders rather than have something ... decided for them," Franzen said. "I am debating whether I want to go through that process, especially because (Smith) does have a lot of support."

A clearing of the Democratic field could reinforce the criticism from Republicans that Smith was hand-picked for a 2018 bid. It's unclear who the eventual Democratic nominee will face in November, though former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other Republicans have expressed interest.

"I think this is one of the core differences between our parties: We encourage and want as many people to throw their names in and run," Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said. "We're not in the business of trying to dictate who the choice should be."
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Minnesota prosecutor said he doesn't yet have enough evidence to charge a Minneapolis police officer who killed an unarmed Australian woman this summer, blaming investigators who "haven't done their job."

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is still deciding whether to charge Officer Mohamed Noor, who shot Justine Ruszczyk Damond in the alley behind her home in July. Damond had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault. As she approached the squad car, Noor fired from the passenger seat, across his partner and through the driver's window.

Damond's death sparked protests and led to a police department shake-up, including the resignation of Chief Janee Harteau.

FILE - In this May 2016 image provided by the City of Minneapolis, police officer Mohamed Noor poses for a photo at a community event welcoming him to the Minneapolis police force. Noor fatally shot Justine Damond, an Australian native on July 15, 2017. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, a Minnesota prosecutor said he doesn't yet have enough evidence to charge Noor who killed Damond, blaming investigators who "haven't done their job." (City of Minneapolis via AP, File)

Freeman was captured on video expressing his frustration at a Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation holiday reception Wednesday night, after he was asked about a charging decision. Union member Sam Sanchez recorded the conversation and posted it on Facebook. It wasn't clear if Freeman knew he was being recorded.

In the video, Freeman said he doesn't have enough evidence yet to decide whether to charge Noor, who has declined to speak with investigators.

"I've got to have the evidence. And I don't have it yet. And let me just say, it's not my fault," Freeman said. "So if it isn't my fault, who didn't do their jobs? Investigators, and they don't work for me. And they haven't done their job."

Freeman didn't name the investigators or their agency, but the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation. The BCA turned the case over to Freeman in September. The bureau issued a statement Thursday saying it continues to work with Freeman's office.

"The BCA conducts the majority of officer-involved shooting investigations in Minnesota, and the collaboration between prosecutors and investigators as a case file is reviewed under the statutes is a typical part of the review process," the BCA statement said. "State law prohibits us from providing additional details, because it is an active investigation."

Freeman had previously said he expected to make a charging decision by the end of the year. His office acknowledged the video Thursday and did not dispute its authenticity.

"We are working diligently on the case to complete the investigation as soon as possible," the statement said. "Beyond that, we cannot comment at this time."

Freeman indicated that Noor's refusal to speak had put prosecutors in a difficult position.

"I have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, (that) the moment he shot the gun, he feared for his life. And he used force because he thought he was gonna be killed," Freeman said. "But I can't. He won't answer my questions because he doesn't have to, OK? We all have Fifth Amendment rights, and I respect that. So I can't talk to her because she's gone, and the other cop just gave us some (expletive), OK? So guess what? I gotta figure out angles of the shot, gun residues, reckless use of force experts."

Freeman didn't immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press for an interview. In an email to the Star Tribune, Freeman declined to respond to questions about how investigators have failed to do their job.

"Good questions and I respect you asking them," Freeman wrote in the email. "We are working very hard to complete our review of the facts provided in the investigation to date and to assist in helping to complete the investigation."

Sanchez is also an organizer with the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, which was formed after fatal shooting of Jamar Clark by a Minneapolis police officer in 2015. Freeman decided not to charge the officers involved in that case.

Minneapolis attorney Bob Bennett, who represents Damond's relatives in Australia, told MPR he was concerned but not surprised by Freeman's comments

"I hope that the BCA hasn't so irretrievably damaged the evidence, or failed to recover evidence that should be reasonably expected to be recovered at the time that the crime occurred," Bennett said. "And I use the term crime pointedly and intentionally."

Noor's attorney, Thomas Plunkett, said he was concerned by Freeman's remark that having enough evidence to make a charging decision would be "the big present I'd like to see under the Christmas tree." He also said the job of investigators is to gather evidence, not create it.

"No lawyer wants their client placed under a Christmas tree as a present to a vocal segment of the community. That said, this case is about an officer that follows procedure and training," Plunkett said. "This led to the death of a very fine person which is a horrible tragedy, but not a crime."
BRUSSELS (AP) - A European Union leader says leaders of the 28-nation bloc have reiterated their "firm commitment" to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, in what amounts to a rebuke of President Donald Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, also tweeted at an EU summit on Thursday that the EU's position on Jerusalem - which is that the city should be the capital of both Israelis and Palestinians - remains unchanged.

Last week Trump announced that the United States was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving its embassy there from Tel Aviv. The declaration departed from decades of U.S. policy that the fate of Jerusalem should be decided through negotiations and caused international uproar.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina prosecutor won't charge police who fatally shot a 76-year-old evacuee from Hurricane Irma after the man fired shots inside a hospital where he sought treatment.

The two officers who shot Joseph Charles Cook of Deland, Florida, were responding to an active shooter in a hospital, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather said Thursday.

Merriweather's report includes security camera photos showing Cook wearing a hospital gown and carrying what appears to be a small handgun in a hallway. The prosecutor says Cook had already fired two shots in his room at Novant Health Medical Center in Huntersville.

Huntersville police officers Travis Watts and Michael Joseph responded, shooting Cook at least eight times at a nurse's station.
DENVER (AP) - A Colorado state lawmaker arrested at Denver International Airport after a security screening found a loaded handgun in her bag will not face charges, prosecutors announced on Thursday.

"The evidence in this case indicates that Lori Saine forgot the firearm was in her purse," a statement from Boulder County District Attorney Stanley Garnett's office said. "Based on the evidence presented, it is the District Attorney's position that no criminal case against Ms. Saine can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

Saine's attorney Randy Corporon was not immediately available on Thursday but has previously said that Saine forgot the gun was in her bag.

Saine, a Republican, was arrested on Dec. 5 after Transportation Security Administration officers saw the Kahr Arms 9mm semi-automatic handgun when a bag belonging to Saine went through an X-ray machine. When officers asked what she left in the purse, Saine "immediately responded indicating it was a gun, and that she was sorry," the district attorney's statement said.

Saine also told Denver Police officers she "totally forgot" about the gun, the statement said. But after being read her rights, Saine refused to be interviewed and asked for an attorney. She was then taken to jail and later gave an interview accompanied by her attorney.

Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said officers generally take anyone accused of bringing a firearm to a security checkpoint to an office at the airport for questioning. Those who cooperate are then released, Jackson said.

"We have an obligation to be able to answer certain questions and criteria to determine next steps," Jackson said. "We do need to be able to interview someone to determine intent. So that did cause us an issue and did subsequently lead to her arrest."

Officers have responded to 106 reports of a firearm found at a security checkpoint at the airport this year.

Only Saine and one other person were jailed, according to the police department. Jackson said that the other person who was jailed also refused to be interviewed.

The airport is in Denver County, but District Attorney Beth McCann said Monday that she asked the Boulder District Attorney's office to review police's report on the case. McCann, a former state lawmaker, said she worked closely with Saine on legislation in 2015 and felt another district attorney's involvement would ensure "fair and impartial consideration of the matter."

Saine was elected in 2012 and represents a largely rural, agricultural area about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Denver that's seen intense oil and gas activity and growing residential development.

She co-sponsored a bill in 2017 to repeal a ban on the sale, transfer and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. The ban was enacted after the 2012 Aurora theater and Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

State law prohibits people from carrying guns - either concealed or openly - at transportation facilities, including the airport. Passengers who want to travel with firearms can put unloaded weapons inside secure cases in checked luggage and must declare them to airlines.

Denver's airport ranked fifth highest for firearms discovered in carry-on bags in the United States last year, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Latest on a Minnesota prosecutor saying he doesn't yet have enough evidence to charge a Minneapolis police officer who killed an unarmed 911 caller this summer (all times local):

4:05 p.m.

The attorney for the Australian family of an unarmed woman who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer this summer says he's concerned by a prosecutor's comments that he hasn't filed charges because investigators aren't doing their jobs.

Minneapolis attorney Bob Bennett tells Minnesota Public Radio that he hopes the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension hasn't "irretrievably damaged the evidence, or failed to recover evidence" in the shooting of Justine Ruszczyk (ROOS'-chehk) Damond. He calls her death a crime.

Damond was shot by Officer Mohamed Noor.

Noor's attorney, Thomas Plunkett, told MPR that the job of investigators is to gather evidence, not create it.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman blamed investigators in a conversation caught on video at a holiday reception Wednesday.

The BCA, which is leading the investigation, says it continues to work with Freeman's office.

___

2:30 p.m.

A Minnesota prosecutor says he doesn't yet have enough evidence to charge a Minneapolis police officer who killed an unarmed 911 caller this summer, blaming investigators who "haven't done their job."

Officer Mohamed Noor shot Justine Ruszczyk (ROOS'-chehk) Damond in July when she approached his squad car after calling 911 to report a possible sexual assault.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is weighing whether to charge Noor.

Freeman was captured on video expressing his frustration at a holiday reception Wednesday night after he was asked why he hasn't announced charges. Minnesota Public Radio posted the video online Thursday.

Freeman's office has declined to comment.

A spokeswoman for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is leading the investigation, also declined to comment. Noor has refused to talk to the agency.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky lawmaker's resume included enough material for an award-winning memoir: He was a peacekeeper at the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, a White House chaplain to three presidents and a 9/11 first responder who gave last rites to hundreds of people at Ground Zero.

But Republican Dan Johnson's carefully crafted history crumbled this week following an extensively reported story from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. The story tore down his claims and portrayed him as a con man whose deceptions propped up his ministry of a church of outcasts in Louisville and hid a sinister secret: a sexual assault allegation from a 17-year-old girl.

Johnson denied it all, declaring his innocence from the pulpit of the church where he was the self-appointed "pope." By Wednesday night, he was dead, his body found on the side of a secluded road with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

CORRECTS TO A PROBABLE SUICIDE INSTEAD OF COMMITTED SUICIDE FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, file photo, Kentucky State Rep. Republican Dan Johnson addresses the public from his church regarding sexual assault allegations in Louisville, Ky. Johnson died Wednesday night, Dec. 13, 2017. Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings says it was "probably suicide," and an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

The death of the 57-year-old jolted Republican leaders, who were already struggling with a sexual harassment scandal that toppled the state's first GOP House speaker in nearly 100 years plus three other Republican committee chairmen. Most in the party had already turned their back on Johnson, calling for his resignation following the sexual assault allegation and his history of posting racist photos on Facebook that depicted President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as monkeys.

By Thursday, many were offering messages of sympathy while acknowledging Johnson's complex life.

"He was passionate about others, I saw it often yet he needed help himself," GOP state Rep. Jim DuPlessis, who sat beside Johnson on the House floor, posted on Twitter.

Johnson's wife, Rebecca Johnson, said her husband was the victim of a "high-tech lynching" and announced she would run to replace him in the Legislature.

Elected in 2016, he was part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP a majority in the Kentucky House for the first time in nearly 100 years. But before that, he was the pastor of Heart of Fire Church in Louisville, which prided itself on welcoming "real people."

"It was a biker church, so there was lots of leather jackets, lots of long hair and people that if you ran into them on the street, you might have a different first impression," said David Adams, a political operative who worked with Johnson on his campaign.

On the church's website, Johnson claimed to have healed sick people during a visit to South America in 1991, including the incredible story of raising a woman from the dead. The miracles were detailed in a letter from David Fischer, pastor of a church in California. Fischer told the investigative reporting center that he did not witness those events and could not point the agency to anyone who had.

On his financial disclosure forms, Johnson listed his only source of income as workers compensation from the state of New York. He said that money was from injuries he sustained while working as a chaplain immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. But the reporting center, after a seven-month effort, could find no evidence that Johnson was in New York that day.

In a Facebook message posted hours before his death, Johnson hinted that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder relating to what he witnessed in New York, details that he shared with friends through the years, including Republican state Sen. Dan Seum.

"He struggled with that. I know he did. The fact it was so horrific that he was involved in praying over these people," Seum said. "I believed him. I had no reason not to."

The sexual assault allegation came from Maranda Richmond, a former member of Johnson's church. Richmond told the reporting center she was spending the night at Johnson's house on New Year's Eve 2012 when she awoke several hours after midnight to find Johnson standing over her. She said he stuck his tongue in her mouth and put his hands down her pants and into her vagina. She said she begged him to stop and eventually he did.

The Associated Press does not generally identify victims who report sexual assault but is doing so because Richmond has gone public with her story.

Richmond's public comments match what she told police two years ago, according to police documents obtained by the reporting center. In 2013, police investigated the matter, including a secretly recorded phone call between Johnson and Richmond's father. But a detective later closed the case, saying Richmond refused to cooperate. Richmond denied that.

As a result of the center's reporting, the Louisville Metro Police Department re-opened its investigation.

Johnson held a news conference Tuesday at his church, denying the allegations with his wife by his side. He said he would not resign, calling the accusations part of a strategy to attack conservative Republicans nationwide. He saved his criticism for the media, saying he did not "want to blast this girl. I have compassion for her. I'm very sorrowful she is in this dark place in her life."

The reporting center interviewed people who were at the Rodney King riots and spoke with an expert on religious faith and the presidency. All of them said Johnson's claims were false.

He insisted it was all true.

"This whole piece was so outrageous. It was as though I had never lived or never done anything I had ever done," he told reporters.

At the end of the news conference, a reporter asked if he had ever raised anyone from the dead. Johnson stopped, turned to face the journalist and said, "God has," before walking out of the pulpit for the final time.

CORRECTS TO A PROBABLE SUICIDE INSTEAD OF COMMITTED SUICIDE FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, file photo, Kentucky State Rep. Republican Dan Johnson addresses the public from his church regarding sexual assault allegations in Louisville, Ky. Johnson died Wednesday night, Dec. 13, 2017. Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings says it was "probably suicide," and an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - A grand jury has declined to indict a sheriff's deputy in the fatal shooting of a man who had been riding an all-terrain vehicle with his girlfriend in rural Louisiana.

The grand jury on Wednesday brought no charges against the Evangeline Parish sheriff's deputy, who is white, in the July 6 shooting death of 27-year-old DeJuan Guillory, who is black, according to KATC-TV.

District Attorney Trent Brignac didn't immediately respond to calls and an email seeking comment on Thursday.

Guillory's girlfriend, Dequince Brown, was arrested on a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. In a statement four days after the shooting, State Police said the deputy was struggling to handcuff Guillory when Brown jumped on the officer's back, bit him and tried to grab his gun.

The police version has been disputed by Joe Long, a lawyer who once represented Brown and now represents relatives of Guillory. He said Brown was trying to stop the deputy from killing her boyfriend and only jumped on his back after the deputy fired a first shot at Guillory, even though the man was lying on his stomach, being handcuffed with one hand behind his back.

The district attorney told KATC that the deputy fired six shots, and three struck Guillory.

In a July 10 summary of its findings, the State Police said Guillory struck the deputy in the head, knocking him to the ground and "dazing him with a possible loss of consciousness," after the deputy stopped the all-terrain vehicle that Guillory was driving. After the deputy stood up and drew his gun, Guillory heeded a command to lie on the ground, but began to struggle with the deputy when he tried to handcuff him, State Police said.

Brown and Guillory had been riding on gravel roads that night with plans to go "frogging," catching frogs with their hands by flashlight, Long said.

The deputy had responded to a reported theft of an all-terrain vehicle just after 4 a.m. before he stopped the four-wheeler. He asked them for identification, but neither could produce any, State Police said.

The State Police forwarded its investigative report to the district attorney's office in early November. The report hasn't been publicly released. Meanwhile, Long, who represents Guillory's mother and the mother of his two young children, said the district attorney cancelled two meetings with him and his clients this month and, as of Thursday afternoon, still hadn't informed them of the grand jury's decision.

Long told The Associated Press he isn't surprised that the deputy wasn't charged. He questioned why Brown was charged before the State Police finished investigating.

"Our opinion is that everything (the district attorney) did was to clear the police officer from the very beginning," Long said. "The only way you don't get an indictment is if you don't want one."

The deputy was treated at a hospital for injuries that weren't life-threatening, according to State Police.

The sheriff's office in rural Evangeline Parish was a target of a recent Justice Department investigation. Federal investigators concluded that the sheriff's office - and a police department in the parish - routinely used unconstitutional "investigative holds" to arrest and jail hundreds of people for questioning during criminal investigations.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Jurors on Thursday convicted an Iowa woman of murder in the starvation death of her 16-year-old daughter, who weighed only 85 pounds when she died.

The 12-person jury found Nicole Finn, 43, guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and child endangerment in the October 2016 death of Natalie Finn, according to The Des Moines Register . Jurors began deliberating the case Wednesday.

Nicole Finn will be sentenced Jan. 26, but first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Iowa.

Nicole Finn is lead out of the courtroom in handcuffs Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, after a jury found her guilty on kidnapping and murder charges in the starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa.( Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP, Pool)

"In 18 years of being a prosecutor, this is the worst case I've ever seen," Assistant Polk County Attorney Bret Lucas said after the verdict.

During the trial, prosecutors described Nicole Finn as more concerned about her animals than her children. The mother of five kept three of her teens confined in a bedroom without furniture and didn't allow them regular access to food or a bathroom for months.

The children would at times climb out a window of their home and seek food from neighbors.

Neighbors and school officials reported their concerns about Natalie Finn's treatment to state child welfare authorities. After obtaining a court order and visiting the home, the officials declined to remove the girl or her siblings. A child protective worker was later fired amid inquiries by the Department of Human Services, legislators and the Iowa Office of Ombudsman.

In final arguments, the prosecution said Nicole Finn sought to kill and torment the three children, including Natalie. The defense claimed Nicole Finn was detached from reality.

Finn's ex-husband, Joe Finn, has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, neglect or abandonment and child endangerment. He wasn't living with the rest of the family when Natalie died. His trial begins Jan. 8.

Nicole Finn is lead out of the courtroom in handcuffs Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, after a jury found her guilty on kidnapping and murder charges in the starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa.( Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP, Pool)

Nicole Finn looks on as the jury is polled by the defense Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, after the jury found her guilty on kidnapping and murder charges in the starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa.( Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP, Pool)

Judge Karen Romano receives the verdict from the jury Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa. The jury found Nicole Finn guilty on kidnapping and murder charges in the starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn. ( Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP, Pool)

Nicole Finn stands as she is handcuffed by officers Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, after a jury found her guilty on kidnapping and murder charges in the starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa.( Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP, Pool)
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Thousands of protesters across Poland demonstrated against new legislation being debated by senators that gives the ruling party control over courts and a key judicial body.

The legislation on the Supreme Court and a national judicial council was passed last week by the lower house of parliament and now needs the approval of the Senate and of President Andrzej Duda who had given it the basic shape.

European Union leaders and Poland's opposition parties say the legislation threatens Poland's rule of law.

People protest during the "Chain of the lights" demonstration against judicial reforms, near the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Some thousands of protesters across Poland demonstrate against proposed new legislation that may give the ruling party control over courts and a key judicial body. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Some 2,000 gathered in front of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw with candles, the symbol of support for independent courts, to ask Duda to veto the legislation, just as he did with its previous version.

Protests were also held in many other cities.

People protest during the "Chain of the lights" demonstration against judicial reforms, near the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Some thousands of protesters across Poland demonstrate against proposed new legislation that may give the ruling party control over courts and a key judicial body. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People protest during the "Chain of the lights" demonstration against judicial reforms, near the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. Some thousands of protesters across Poland demonstrate against proposed new legislation that may give the ruling party control over courts and a key judicial body. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for remarks he made Thursday "acknowledging America's strong economic performance," the White House said.

The two presidents spoke by phone following Putin's annual press conference in Moscow.

They discussed ways to work together to address North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons program, the White House said.

In an equally brief statement, the Kremlin said in addition to North Korea, Trump and Putin discussed relations between their two countries and agreed to stay in contact. The Kremlin made a point of noting that Trump initiated the call.

During his remarks in Moscow, Putin accused those investigating potential collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign of damaging the U.S. political situation, "incapacitating the president and showing a lack of respect to voters who cast their ballots for him."

Asked to assess Trump's first year in office, Putin said he has had "some fairly serious achievements," pointing specifically to the sharp rise in U.S. stock markets.

"This indicates the confidence of investors in the American economy. This indicates they have confidence in what President Trump is doing in this sphere," Putin said. "With all due respect to those in opposition to President Trump in the United States, these are objective factors.'"

Putin also warned the U.S. against using force against North Korea. Trump has repeatedly said that all options remain on the table.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for a Christmas truce in the increasingly bitter Brexit row.

Justin Welby called for a ceasefire on the use of insults, personalised attacks and pejorative terms as the process of leaving the European Union continues.

His intervention came after Tory MP Nadine Dorries accused rebel colleague Dominic Grieve of treachery after the Government was defeated in a vote on Brexit legislation.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for a truce between opposing sides of the Brexit debate (Danny Lawson/PA)

Conservative rebels have also been subjected to intense criticism from pro-Brexit newspapers as the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill goes through the Commons.

The Govt recently nominated Grieve to be Chairman (paid) of the Intelligence and Security Committee. He has repaid that by his treachery. Were there no loyal MPs for the job,? You know, like the way Labour do it when they are in government.  Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) December 13, 2017

The Archbishop said: If we go back 103 years, we find Christmas 1914 there was a ceasefire.

It would be very good to have a ceasefire from insult and the use of pejorative terms about people at this time.

As a country, we have a future ahead of us, we have made a decision about Brexit, that is clear, both sides are saying that.

How we do that is a question for robust political argument, but there is a difference between disagreeing and personalised attacks, and those have to be avoided.

This is the moment MPs defeated the government to give Parliament a meaningful vote on the Brexit bill pic.twitter.com/H0vjI8QSPV  PA Media (@PA) December 14, 2017

If we are going to make a success of Brexit, and its perfectly possible to do and in fact we should make a success of it, it gives opportunities as well as challenges, then we need a political leadership that is united in their attitude to the future, even if divided on policy.

Therefore we do need reconciliation and unity.

On BBC Radio 4s Today programme the Archbishop also hit out at tax-dodging firms.

He said: It is clear that a company that has a turnover of several billion and yet pays only a few million in tax, something isnt quite working there, its to do with transfer pricing, theres all kinds of explanations.

But people who earn money from a society should pay tax in that society for the common good, for economic justice.
Wladimir Klitschko has raised 160,000 from the sale of the robe he wore in his final professional fight against Anthony Joshua.

The robe had a USB stick sewn into it which contained Klitschkos prediction of how the April bout would unfold.

The Ukrainian was stopped in the 11th round at Wembley by Joshua, and has since retired from the sport.

Wladimir Klitschko has auctioned off the robe he wore in his final fight (Nick Potts/PA)

Klitschko had said prior to the fight that the only person who would ever hear his prediction would be the person who bought the robe.

The money raised from the robe sale at The Charge II boxing fund-raiser at Londons Royal Horticultural Society Halls on Wednesday will go to projects supported by the Klitschko Foundation.
- 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."
Jack Wilshere is no nearer to signing a new contract despite making his long-awaited return to Arsenals Premier League starting line-up in Wednesdays draw at West Ham.

The 25-year-old has starred in the Europa League so far this season and made his first league start for the Gunners in 577 days as Arsene Wengers men laboured to a 0-0 stalemate at the London Stadium.

Wilshere was arguably Arsenals best player as the hosts almost took all three points with Javier Hernandez hitting the bar in the last minute.

England international Wilshere, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, has seemingly overcome a torrid run of injuries.

He is due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign, with manager Wenger insisting on several occasions that talks over a new deal would take place this month.

But Wilshere has still yet to hear anything from his manager and in the short term he hopes to retain his place for Saturdays visit of struggling Newcastle.

Theres no update, were in the same position we were in two weeks ago, he said when asked about contract talks.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (left) has said he intends to hold contract talks with Jack Wilshere this month (Adam Davy/PA)

Theres not really a date in the diary. Ive only read what he (Wenger) has said in the media. At the moment, Ive just played my first game in the Premier League.

Im concentrating on staying fit and staying in its team. That will look after itself and when its the right time, Im sure the boss will pull me so we can have a chat.

Theres another game on Saturday, well see what the boss does then. At the moment thats all Im focused on.

Im happy. I said before that I was happy, I was just waiting for my opportunity. It came and I think I took it well.

Its different playing in the Premier League compared to the Europa League. You dont get that much time on the ball. When you receive it you always have to check your shoulder because theres not much space in behind the midfield against teams like West Ham.

The draw leaves Arsenal down in seventh, and a point for West Ham means they are now only in the bottom three by virtue of goal difference.

David Moyes led the Hammers to a 1-0 win over champions Chelsea at the weekend before frustrating Arsenal four days later.

Add to that a strong showing in defeat at Manchester City and things are looking up, with defender Angelo Ogbonna admitting the collective approach of the squad had to be addressed following a poor start and the sacking of Slaven Bilic.

Everybody wants to show what they can do. The manager has put some basics in place which have helped us to do that, Ogbonna said.

Angelo Ogbonna (right) was part of a West Ham defence which held firm against Arsenal (John Walton/PA)

Im really proud of the team because we kept a clean sheet and we did really well. Hopefully, maybe on Saturday (away at Stoke) we can get three points.

Its not only about the clean sheets, but the way we have approached the last three games was so different than the way we approached the other games. We needed to change attitudes and the way we approach games is much better than before.
St Pauls Cathedral was the stage on Thursday for a memorial service to honour the victims of Junes Grenfell Tower tragedy in London.

People from all walks of life attended the event to remember the 71 people who died as a result of the tower block blaze.

Relatives leave the cathedral carrying flowers and photos of loved ones who died at Grenfell Tower (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Firefighters mourned victims of the blaze that caused great loss of life (Gareth Fuller/PA)

BBC image of Adele between Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan (PA)

A group gathers on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral after the service (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The Duchess of Cambridge leaving the service (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott speak with people after the service (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Prime Minister Theresa May with Communities Secretary Sajid Javid (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

People arriving for the start of the service at St Paul's Cathedral (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

More arrivals for the Grenfell Tower memorial service (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
Thousands of Romanians have paid their respects to the late King Michael I, whose coffin is lying in state at the Royal Palace before his funeral this weekend.

Michael, who ruled Romania twice and was forced to abdicate by the communists in 1947, died on December 5 in Switzerland at age 96.

Mourners arrived late on Wednesday and stayed until early Thursday to pay their respects to the late king whose coffin stood on a rostrum in a grand room.

Priests file past the coffin of former king Michael of Romania (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

It was not far from where he ordered the arrest of pro-Nazi leader Marshal Ion Antonescu on August 23, 1944, which took Romania into the war on the side of the Allies.

Outside the palace, there were thousands of candles and flowers, as mourners, many in tears, said farewell to Romanias last king.
An Islamic extremist suicide bomber disguised as a police officer has killed at least 17 people at a police academy in Somalias capital, officials said.

Twenty other officers were wounded by the blast in Mogadishu, some of them seriously.

The bomber, with explosives strapped around his torso, infiltrated the General Kahiye Police Academy and targeted officers gathering for special morning exercises, Captain Mohamed Hussein said.

The officers were rehearsing for Somalias Police Day celebrations scheduled for December 20.

The bomber walked into the police academy undetected and joined a long line of officers in the rehearsal parade before he detonated the explosives under his sportswear, Capt Hussein said.

He detonated his bomb vest having realised that his presence had drawn suspicion among officers in the queue, he said.

Relatives of the victims leave the scene of the suicide bombing (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP)

Police officer Farah Omar, who was at the scene at the time, said the bomber targeted a spot where dozens of soldiers had gathered.

He wanted to inflict a maximum damage, said Mr Omar.

The Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group quickly claimed the attack. Al-Shabab, which is allied to al Qaida, carries out frequent bombings and attacks against hotels, checkpoints and other high-profile areas of Mogadishu.

Al Shabab has been blamed for a massive truck bombing in the capital in October that left 512 dead. Only a few attacks since 9/11 have killed more people.

Al Shabab has become the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa and is being increasingly targeted by the US military after the Trump administration early this year approved expanded air strikes and other efforts against the fighters.

The US has carried out at least 32 drone strikes this year against al Shabab and a small but growing number of fighters linked to the Islamic State group, many of them defectors from al Shabab.

A drone strike earlier this week against an al Shabab vehicle carrying explosives prevented an imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu, US Africa Command said.
Two leaders of the far-right Britain First group have been charged over offences in Northern Ireland.

Paul Golding, 35, was accused of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour during a speech he made in Belfast last summer.

His deputy, Jayda Fransen, 31, appeared in court on Thursday on hate charges related to remarks she made at the same Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in the city in August.

She was re-arrested shortly after the legal proceedings over fresh comments made earlier this week beside a wall dividing Catholics from Protestants in the city to prevent violence during the Troubles. She was later charged with threatening behaviour.

The comments were posted on social media on Wednesday.

Leader of Britain First, Paul Golding (left), with Deputy leader Jayda Fransen (right) arriving at Belfast Laganside courts (Mark Marlow/PA)

The message said it was shot in the staunchly unionist Shankill area of west Belfast. During the video post she criticised Islam.

She is due to appear in court in Belfast again on Friday morning.

Golding was bailed to appear in the same court next month.

Britain First has enjoyed added prominence after US President Donald Trump re-tweeted three unrelated anti-Muslim videos posted by Fransen.

Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

The group has since boasted it received hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Its leaders face separate legal action in England.

Fransen was detained minutes after appearing before a district judge accused of behaviour intended or likely to stir up hatred arising from her speech in the summer.

The accused, from Anerley in south east London, was before Belfast Magistrates Court charged with using words which were threatening, abusive or insulting during her address in August.

Jayda Fransen's supporters outside court in Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA)

Police in court sought curbs on her ability to participate in future rallies in Northern Ireland as well as her social media use. She took to Twitter within minutes of her release on bail and said it was a nonsense charge.

I criticise Islam and now they want to send me to prison for two years, she said.

The court ordered her not to go within 500 metres of any demonstration or parade in Northern Ireland as a condition of her release on bail.

The PSNI officer said she was seeking conditions on the accuseds bail because of a planned rally  Free Speech For Jayda  on December 10 in Belfast, which was postponed due to snow. She added: We were concerned that there would be further offences.

Fransens barrister Richard McConkey branded the curbs on her freedom of speech disproportionate and said his client was pleading not guilty.

He accused police of trying to use the court to censor a politician.

He said: This lady is as entitled to free expression within the law as anyone else. If there is an offence she will be arrested like everyone else.

District judge Fiona Bagnall said she was not stopping the accused from speaking, rather preventing her from reoffending.

The court was told most of the evidence involved video footage.

Fransen is on bail facing trial over four unrelated 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. Her first Belfast case is expected to be mentioned again in the city on January 9.
Maro Itoje will be available for the start of Englands Six Nations title defence after Saracens revealed he faces a maximum of four more weeks in rehabilitation.

Itoje required surgery on a fractured jaw sustained in the 20-19 defeat at Harlequins on December 3, resulting in two plates being inserted into his face and raising the alarm that he may not be fit to face Italy on February 4.

But a visit to the specialist offered a diagnosis of up to six weeks in the treatment room, pointing to a return for the final two rounds of Saracens Champions Cup group campaign against the Ospreys and Northampton.

Maro Itoje, centre, is a big player for England (Paul Harding/PA)

Maro is probably three or four weeks away. He went to see the specialist who said a maximum of six weeks and hes already done a week and a half, director of rugby Mark McCall said.

Itoje, a Test British and Irish Lion, departed in the 48th minute at Twickenham Stoop following a collision with England team-mate Mike Brown.

The world player of the year nominee was given a reduced role in the autumn series due to Eddie Jones desire to manage his workload, missing the opener against Argentina, playing as a replacement for the visit of Australia before starting against Samoa.
It is easy to see why Top Notch is such a favourite with trainer Nicky Henderson after he set up a return to the top table with victory in the Peterborough Chase at Taunton.

Having won a Grade Two at Ascot last month, the six-year-old struck at the same level for the second race in succession when landing the two-mile-five-furlong contest, which was rerouted from Huntingdon on Sunday.

Taking over matters at the penultimate fence from stablemate Josses Hill, the 4-9 favourite quickly opened up after the last to score by three and a quarter lengths.

Top Notch and Daryl Jacob on the way to winning he Peterborough Chase (Julian Herbert/PA)

Top Notch brushes through the last fence, but nothing can stop him and jockey @DazJacob from beating stablemate Josses Hill and claiming another nice prize over fences in the Peterborough Chase at @TauntonRacing. pic.twitter.com/D0HJR62yp6  Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 14, 2017

Henderson said: We used him up a lot last year because we never thought he would make a chaser.

I was delighted with both of them, Josses Hill jumped beautifully out in front. The ground was probably sticky enough for both, but we have got the race in and got the job done.

When he was a juvenile over hurdles, Guillaume Macaire said make the most of this horse as there is no improvement in him only because he lacks that scope.

We were only just throwing him in here, throwing him in there, and now we are having to treat him like a proper good horse. I would think the Ascot Chase, then Ryanair would be the plan.

He added: If it wasnt for Bristol De Mai (in same ownership) I would have been gagging to have a go at the King George and have a look at it. You can understand why we are not going to (Bristol De Mai is on course for 1million Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown bonus) and Ascot would appear the obvious race for him.

Winning rider Daryl Jacob was equally as delighted with the victory of the Simon Munir- and Isaac Souede-owned gelding, who was left unchanged at 6-1 with Paddy Power for the Ryanair.

He said: He is a wonderful horse and one of my favourite horses in training. He is small, but he has got a massive heart.

His Ascot win was probably more impressive, but the ground was very dead out there. Im just delighted he has won.

A delighted @Dazjacob10 says he'd still like to see Top Notch tried at three miles one day in the future after his Peterborough Chase success.



Top Notch career record now reads: 20 starts, 11 wins, 7 places. #MrConsistent pic.twitter.com/IBMHYFV4eU  Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 14, 2017

Richard Mitford-Slade will not forget the 100-1 victory of Samuel Jackson anytime soon after the five-year-old provided the permit holder with his first winner under rules when taking the Ivor Brimblecombe Memorial Novices Hurdle.

Mitford-Slade said: I only got my permit 14 days ago and this is my first runner under rules.

I farm and run an equestrian business about five miles from here. I didnt want to come too far for my first runner. I had a little bit on him.

Permit holder Richard Mitford-Slade stands with 100-1 winner Samuel Jackson and @MichelNolan1 @TauntonRacing pic.twitter.com/O97ZIoulrJ  Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) December 14, 2017

James Bowen was another to celebrate his first victory at the Somerset track when galvinising the David Rees-trained Dream Bolt to glory in the Stables Business Park Handicap Chase.

Bowen said of the 6-1 winner: Turning in we had plenty left in the tank, even though I was rowing away. Once he knew he could get to that horse (Coeur Tantre) he really put his head down and tried very hard.
By Marine Pennetier and John Irish

LA CELLE-SAINT-CLOUD/PARIS, Dec 13 (Reuters) - A French-backed West African military force to tackle Islamist militants must secure its first victories by the middle of 2018 to prove its worth and ensure more concrete support from the United Nations, the French and Malian leaders said on Wednesday.

The G5 Sahel - composed of the armies of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad - launched a symbolic military operation to mark its creation in October amid growing unrest in the region, whose porous borders are regularly crossed by jihadists, including affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State.

However, France which has some 4,000 troops in the region, has bemoaned that the militants have scored military and symbolic victories in West Africa while the G5 force has struggled to win financing and become operational.

To give the force a boost, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the leaders of the five participating countries, Germany and Italy as well as the Saudi and Emirati ministers at a summit.

In a sign Gulf Arab states are upping their influence in the region, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates committed 130 million euros ($152.75 million) on Wednesday, although the initiative has not won support from key regional player Algeria.

"As far as the G5 are concerned, we are aware that the clock is ticking," Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita told a news conference after the summit of some 15 nations to discuss the force's implementation.

"There is an urgency today that we quickly achieve results in the fight against terrorism," he said, warning of a possible jihadist rush from the Middle East to West Africa.

Thousands of U.N. peacekeepers, French troops and U.S. military trainers and drone operators have failed so far to stem the growing wave of jihadist violence, leading world powers to pin their hopes on the new force.

Despite French efforts, U.S. reluctance at the United Nations has meant the force does not have direct financial backing from the U.N. making it harder to secure almost $500 million in initial funding for the operation and much-need equipment.

Macron sees the full implementation of the G5 force as a long-term exit strategy for his own forces that intervened in 2013 to beat back an insurgency in northern Mali.

"We have a very simple objective which is to have the first victories in the first half of 2018," Macron said. He added that the aim was to ensure 5,000 men were ready by then.

GULF ARAB BACKING, ALGERIA RELUCTANCE

Macron has personally backed the force, including asking Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to contribute to it and prove the kingdom's intention to tackle extremist ideology.

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday confirmed it would provide 100 million euros for the force, while the UAE will provide 30 million euros, bringing commitments to more than half the amount targeted. A separate donor conference is to be held on Feb. 23.

"Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are interested in the Sahel. Getting a seat at the table, being seen as security stakeholders, is something that fits in their respective strategies," said Jalel Harchaoui, a geopolitics researcher at Paris 8 University.

Macron said he wanted to push the Security Council to divert funds from the more than 10,000-strong MINUSMA peacekeeping force in Mali to the G5.

One notable absence in Paris was Algeria. Authorities in Paris are concerned it is not fully co-operating in tackling militants roaming along its border or pushing the implementation of Malian peace talks that it brokered.

"All those who want to take part in the Sahel coalition are welcome. I went to Algeria last week and I invited Algeria to co-operate more actively to the work today. It's Algeria's decision, but I want (their help)," Macron said in reply to a journalist's question.

Algiers remains suspicious of military activity by its former colonial ruler near its border.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia has said the mission duplicates existing activities since Algeria has already been co-ordinating counter-terrorism efforts with the G5 for over 10 years. ($1 = 0.8511 euros) (Additional reporting by Ingrid Melander in Paris and Lamine Chikhi in Algiers, Editing by Richard Balmforth)
BRASILIA, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Brazilian police raided the offices and homes of two members of Congress on Wednesday in the country's latest corruption probe as the government makes a last-ditch effort to vote on an overhaul of the national pension system.

Dubbed "Operation Apia," the probe centers on alleged bribery of civil servants and politicians in return for rigged bids on road work totaling 850 million reais ($258 million) in the state of Tocantins in central Brazil.

Federal police said in a statement they were serving 16 search warrants and delivering subpoenas to eight people in connection with the probe.

Dulce Miranda and Carlos Gaguim, lawmakers from Tocantins, are implicated in the investigation, police said.

Gaguim denied any wrongdoing, noting the accusations against him are baseless. Miranda's representatives said she would cooperate with the investigation.

President Michel Temer has said the lower house of Congress would vote by Tuesday on his proposed pension reform, which many consider crucial to reining in Brazil's surging public debt, or the debate will have to wait until next year. ($1 = 3.30 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; additional reporting by Eduardo Simoes in Sao Paulo; writing by Ana Mano; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and G Crosse)
PARIS, Dec 13 (Reuters) - All French children under the age of 16 will have to seek parental approval to open an account on Facebook or any other social network under draft legislation presented on Wednesday.

The requirement is part of a French bill that seeks to adapt data privacy regulations and improve access to the information internet companies gather, store and in many cases sell to other firms about people's online activity.

"Joining Facebook will involve parental authorisation for minors aged under 16," Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet told reporters.

She was presenting the outlines of a data privacy bill that was approved at a weekly cabinet meeting. It now goes to parliament for approval before it can become law.

The bill aims to ensure easier access for users to all the data companies collect so they can more easily seek to have certain details amended or deleted.

The minister said signing up to join a social network would involve ticking a box to confirm that approval from parents or rightful guardians had been obtained, and that the box-tick amounted to a declaration governed by law.

It was not clear how enforceable such a process would be.

Separately, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said this week that mobile phones would be banned in schools from the start of the next school year.

Use of mobile phones is already forbidden in classrooms, so the ban would likely cover their use during breaks and at lunchtime.

Blanquer said on RTL radio on Sunday that his ministry was working out the details, but some schools already had a full ban, proving that it could be done though some exceptions had to be made for teaching or emergency purposes. (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Writing by Brian Love; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Hugh Lawson)
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Mario Asbun TELCHI, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. ISRAEL MILITARY INDUSTRIES, LTD., Defendant-Appellee. No. 16-17094 Decided: December 12, 2017

Before HULL and DUBINA, Circuit Judges, and RESTANI,* Judge. Patrick James O'Connor, Justin Lawrence DiBiasio, Patricia Hernandez-O'Connor, Harper Meyer Perez Hagen O'Connor Albert & Dribin, LLP, Miami, FL, for Plaintiff-Appellant Eliot Pedrosa, Julissa Rodriguez, Eva Spahn, Stephanie Lauren Varela, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Miami, FL, for Defendant-Appellee

Plaintiff/Appellant Mario Asbun Telchi (Asbun) appeals two district court orders: (1) the order granting Defendant/Appellee Israel Military Industries, Ltd.'s (IMI) motion to dismiss and (2) the order denying Asbun's motion for relief from judgment.

Asbun, who served as an independent sales representative for IMI, is a resident of the Republic of Bolivia. IMI is a firearms manufacturer that claims to be wholly owned by the State of Israel. Asbun has no direct knowledge of and does not challenge the ownership of IMI.

In September 2013, Asbun filed this action against IMI in Florida state court, alleging breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Specifically, Asbun alleged that IMI abandoned him to defend, at his own expense, an investigation brought against IMI by the Bolivian government. IMI removed the case to federal court and claimed an entitlement to protection under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), 28 U.S.C.  1602, et seq.

Subsequently, IMI filed a motion to dismiss based, among other things, on a lack of subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction. Before ruling on the motion, the district court granted a request by Asbun for limited jurisdictional discovery. At the conclusion of jurisdictional discovery, the district court entered an order granting IMI's renewed motion to dismiss on the issue of personal jurisdiction. The district court erroneously determined that it did not have personal jurisdiction over IMI under Florida's long-arm statute. That error was later corrected by the district court in its order denying Asbun's motion for relief from judgment. In its subsequent order, the district court denied Asbun's request for relief on the basis that it did not have subject matter jurisdiction over IMI under the FSIA.

The issues presented on appeal are: (1) whether the district court correctly dismissed Asbun's complaint, in light of the limited discovery evidence; and (2) whether the district court correctly denied Asbun's Rule 60(b) motion for relief from the order on the motion to dismiss.

This court reviews questions of jurisdiction de novo. Beg v. Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 353 F.3d 1323, 1324 (11th Cir. 2003); Samco Global Arms, Inc. v. Arita, 395 F.3d 1212, 1214 n. 4 (11th Cir. 2005). A district court's factual findings are reviewed for clear error. Williams v. Poarch Band of Creek Indians, 839 F.3d 1312, 1314 (11th Cir. 2016); Aquamar, S. A. v. Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc., 179 F.3d 1279, 1290 (11th Cir. 1999) (applying the standard in a FSIA case).

With respect to rulings on motions brought under Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b)(1), the district court has discretion to relieve a party from a final judgment from mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.  Architectural Ingenieria Siglo XXI, LLC v. Dominican Republic, 788 F.3d 1329, 1343 (11th Cir. 2015) (quoting R. 60(b)(1)). An abuse of discretion occurs where the district court misapplies the law or bases its conclusions on clearly erroneous factual findings. Id. at 1338.

Under the FSIA, it is well-established that a foreign state is presumptively immune from the jurisdiction of United States courts. Saudi Arabia v. Nelson, 507 U.S. 349, 355, 113 S.Ct. 1471, 1476, 123 L.Ed.2d 47 (1993). The [FSIA] provides the sole basis for obtaining jurisdiction over a foreign state in the courts of this country.  OBB Personenverkehr AG v. Sachs,  U.S. , 136 S.Ct. 390, 395, 193 L.Ed.2d 269 (2015) (quoting Argentine Republic v. Amerada Hess Shipping Corp., 488 U.S. 428, 443, 109 S.Ct. 683, 693, 102 L.Ed.2d 818 (1989)). Thus, we must determine whether a pleaded exception to the FSIA appliesthe first or second commercial activities exception. Asbun claimed in the district court that either the action is based upon a commercial activity carried out in the United States by the foreign state or upon an act performed in the United States in connection with a commercial activity of the foreign state elsewhere[.] See 28 U.S.C.  1605(a)(2).

After reviewing the record, reading the parties briefs, and having the benefit of oral argument, we affirm the district court's order of dismissal. The commercial activity carried on in the United States relied on by AsbunIMI's mission in Miami and meetings in Miami regarding IMI businessdo not rise to the level of commercial activity as required by the FSIA. The record demonstrates that the conduct constituting the gravamen of Asbun's suit plainly occurred abroad in Colombia, Bolivia, and Israel. See Sachs, 136 S.Ct. at 39596; Nelson, 507 U.S. at 35758, 113 S.Ct. at 147778.

In sum, we agree with the district court that a fair reading of the record and governing case law demonstrates that the commercial activity exception, which is limited to commercial activity carried on and performed in the United States, does not apply here. Thus, the district court properly dismissed this case under the FSIA. We also affirm the district court's order denying Asbun's Rule 60(b)(1) motion.

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. Because of our disposition of this case, we need not reach the alternative argument of the doctrine of forum nonconveniens made by IMI.

PER CURIAM:
By Marcelo Teixeira

SAO PAULO, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Brazil's government on Wednesday published a decree laying out procedures importers will have to follow to be able to buy and unload Russian wheat in Brazil, a step aimed at improving trade ties with Moscow.

The decree, which takes effect immediately, outlines the documents importers will have to submit to bring Russian wheat to be processed in Brazil, which had not been previously allowed.

Russian grain traders have been searching for new markets after bumper harvests. Brazil also expects it will help lift a Russian ban on imports of certain Brazilian meats.

"Bilateral trade must be a two-way street. If we want to sell more to Russia, we have to open our market to them," Deputy Agriculture Minister Eumar Novacki said in an interview. "If quality and price are there, why shouldn't we buy Russian wheat?"

The move is a win for Russia, the world's biggest wheat exporter, but potentially a blow to the United States, which has seen its export market share erode amid stiff global competition.

Brazilian mills buy most of their wheat they need from Argentina, which gets zero import tax as member of Mercosur customs union. Other wheat shipments come from the United States and Canada.

"The Russians are expanding their reach. It diminishes U.S. export opportunities going forward, if and when Argentina has a problem with their crop," said Dan Basse, president of Chicago-based consultancy AgResource Co.

The decision to allow Russian wheat comes as Brazil is increasing imports after a poor harvest.

Brazil is expected to import around 7.2 million tonnes this year, the most in a decade, after producing only around 4.3 million tonnes in 2017. Brazil consumes around 11.3 million tonnes per year.

It is unclear how attractive to Brazilian mills Russian wheat will be.

Joao Batista Cardoso, a Brazilian grains trader working in East Europe for ASA Trading, believes Russian wheat will be an option for northern Brazilian states, while southern mills will likely continue buying from Argentina.

"You can source Russian wheat with 11.5 or 12 percent protein at $190 or $191 per tonne FOB Black Sea. You will pay around $30 per tonne to take it to Brazil," he said.

The decree restricts purchases of Russian wheat to mills near ports because the government has yet to study the risk of plant diseases to local crops.

Many Brazilian mills are near ports, due to the country's long history of imports. (Additional reporting by Roberto Samora and Anthony Boadle, and Karl Plume in Chicago; Editing by Alistair Bell and Lisa Shumaker)
By Colin Packham

SYDNEY, Dec 14 (Reuters) - China summoned Australia's ambassador to lodge a complaint last week over Canberra's allegation that Beijing had sought to interfere in Australian politics, a source familiar with the diplomatic action told Reuters on Thursday.

Relations between Australia and China became strained in recent weeks after Canberra said it would ban foreign political donations as part of a crackdown aimed at preventing external influence in domestic politics, sharpening the focus on China's soft power.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull singled out China as he said foreign powers were making "unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process" in Australia.

In response, China summoned Ambassador Jan Adams to a meeting at the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs on December 8 to lodge a complaint, the source said.

Speaking last week Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Turnbull's allegations were full of prejudice against China, were baseless and poisoned the atmosphere of China-Australia relations.

Turnbull's allegations have been criticised by Australia's opposition Labor Party as showing an "anti-China" bias that could jeopardise bilateral trade.

China, which is easily Australia's biggest trading partner, bought A$93 billion ($70 billion) worth of Australian goods and services last year. Australia's unshakeable security relationship with the United States, however, has limited how cosy it gets with China.

Turnbull denied indulging in anti-Chinese rhetoric, insisting Labour was using the issue to win favour with a large voter block ahead of a make-or-break by-election on Saturday that analysts said will determine his political future.

"I am disappointed they have tried to turn Australians against each other," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

(Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
By Matthew Larotonda

LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The amount of medicinal products containing illegal wildlife tissue seized by EU authorities has risen sharply in the last six years, according to monitoring group TRAFFIC and includes items from a range of animals including tigers, bears and snakes.

EU authorities made 952 seizures of illegal wildlife medicines in 2016, up from 174 in 2011, an analysis by Reuters of reports by the group showed.

A range of seized medicinal items found at a lock-up near Britain's Heathrow airport contained ingredients including Asiatic bears' stomach bile and tiger bone and a threatened species of South African cactus.

The medicines, such as Red Ant, a popular remedy from China that contains seahorse as a key ingredient, purport to treat everything from erectile dysfunction to cancer.

Many of the medicines originate in Africa, and a significant portion are destined for markets in Asia.

In the evidence lock-up near Britain's Heathrow Airport, home to a menagerie of confiscated wildlife contraband, UK Border Force investigator Jan Sowa picks up a tonic bottle from Asia, containing an entire snake.

"Most frequently we see these as tourist souvenirs, rather than serious medicinal aids," Sowa says of the snake bottle, noting its English labelling.

The United Nations estimates the global market for illegal wildlife medicines is valued at $3.4 billion. (Writing by Matthew Larotonda in London; Editing by William Maclean)
Dec 14 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Thursday.

CURRENT ACCOUNT

Romania's central bank to release current account data for October.

DEBT TENDER

Romanian debt managers tender 400 million lei ($102.19 million) worth of one-year treasury bills and 400 million lei worth of March 2022 bonds.

INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT

Romania's adjusted industrial output ROIP=ECI rose 1.0 percent on the month in October after September's 0.7 percent fall, and was up 9.6 percent on the year, data from the National Statistics Board showed on Wednesday.

JUDICIAL OVERHAUL

Romania's lower house of parliament approved on Wednesday legislation to overhaul its justice system, legislation that the European Commission, the U.S. State Department and the countrys president have criticised as threatening judicial independence.

CEE MARKETS

Central European currencies eased as investors positioned for possible hawkish signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve at the conclusion of a policy meeting later on Wednesday.

For the long-term Romanian diary, click on

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CAIRO, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Egypt's aviation minister will travel to Russia to sign protocol agreements as early as Friday to allow the resumption of Russian flights that were suspended after the 2015 bombing of a tourist jet, Egyptian sources and Russia's minister said on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo this week to discuss resuming flights and to sign a deal for a nuclear power plant as part of growing bilateral cooperation.

Two Egyptian sources said the minister would leave on Thursday for Russia, but did not confirm the date for signing the agreement.

The two governments may sign a deal on Friday allowing to resume Russian civilian flights, the TASS news agency cited Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov as saying on Thursday.

"We expect that he (the Egyptian minister) will come on Friday," Sokolov said, according to the RIA news agency. Asked whether an aviation security protocol with Egypt will be signed, he said: "We expect that it will be signed."

Moscow halted civilian air traffic to Egypt in 2015 after militants detonated a bomb on a Russian Metrojet flight leaving the tourist resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and killing 224 people on board.

The bombing and the Russian suspension were blows to Egypt's tourism industry, a key source of hard currency. The industry has been struggling after the upheaval triggered by a 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

The return of Russian flights and tours could be a massive boost to tourist numbers that are still well below the 14.7 million visitors annually Egypt saw in 2010 before the uprising a year later and the unrest that followed. (Reporting by Abdel Nasser Aboul el-Fadl; writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Michael Perry)
LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The transportation of gas to the Netherlands from Britain through the BBL pipeline will be made possible for the first time from the autumn of 2019, operator BBL Company said on Thursday.

Currently, gas can only physically be transported through the BBL from the Netherlands to Britain.

However, through modifications to the pipeline network at the compressor station at Anna Paulowna and the gas terminal at Bacton, it will be possible to transport gas from Britain to the Netherlands from the autumn of 2019.

"This will further strengthen trade between the two most liquid market areas in Europe, the Netherlands-based Title Transfer Facility (TTF) and the British National Balancing Point (NBP)," BBL Company said.

It added there was demand for British gas exports in Europe, particularly during summer.

Currently, more gas is produced and supplied to Britain from Norwegian pipelines, North Sea fields and liquefied natural gas, than is being sold.

However, seasonal storage facilities in Britain don't have enough capacity to store this surplus gas.

"The Netherlands and Germany have much more storage capacity than the UK. It is therefore expected that, during the summer months, there will be more demand for gas transportation capacity from the UK to the Netherlands, and in the opposite direction during the winter," said Luuk Feenstra, managing director of BBL Company. (Reporting by Nina Chestney; Editing by Adrian Croft and Mark Potter)
PARIS, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Dozens of African refugees, including some that had been stranded in Libya, will arrive next week in a small eastern French village as part of efforts to resettle asylum seekers whose requests have been examined directly in Africa.

The move fits into a United Nations strategy to provide protection for refugees and other vulnerable migrants who attempt to travel to Libya, often intending to make the dangerous sea crossing to Italy.

The 56 refugees, including 21 children and teenagers, will be the first to arrive in France as part of a commitment by the government in August to take in 3,000 refugees living in Chad and Niger by 2019, officials said.

The refugees, who come from countries including Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia, will live in the small village of Thal-Marmoutier, in Alsace, near the border with Germany, after nuns offered to house them in their convent, mayor Jean-Claude Distel told Reuters.

French officials interviewed 230 asylum seekers in Chad and Niger over the past two months, 25 of whom had been evacuated from Libya by the United Nations' UNHCR refugee agency, said French refugee agency chief Pascal Brice.

He added that most of them would eventually be welcomed in France.

President Emmanuel Macron has said he wanted asylum requests to be examined in refugee "hotspots" to prevent asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean on rickety boats.

Most migrants traveling through Libya towards Europe come from sub-Saharan African countries. Many fleeing poverty, repression or conflict journey across the desert through Niger, Algeria or Sudan.

More than 600,000 have crossed by boat to Italy since 2014. (Reporting by Julie Carriat; Writing by Ingrid Melander; editing by John Irish)
KIEV, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Ukraine's steel output in 2017 is likely to fall 12 percent to 21.3 million tonnes due to the loss of some capacity in the eastern regions and a lack of raw materials, Ukrainian steel producers' union Ukrmetallurgprom said on Thursday.

Output of rolled steel could fall 14 percent to 18.5 million tonnes, while pig iron production is likely to decrease by 15 percent to 20.0 million tonnes, the union said in a statement. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Katharine Houreld

NAIROBI, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The United States is suspending food and fuel aid for most of Somalia's armed forces over corruption concerns, a blow to the military as African peacekeepers start to withdraw this month.

African Union (AU) troops landed in Mogadishu a decade ago to fight al Shabaab Islamist militants and Somali forces are supposed to eventually take over their duties.

But the United States, which also funds the 22,000-strong peacekeeping force, has grown frustrated that successive governments have failed to build a viable national army.

Diplomats worry that without strong Somali forces, al Shabaab could be reinvigorated, destabilise the region and offer a safe haven to other al Qaeda-linked militants or Islamic State fighters.

The U.S. suspension of aid came after the Somali military repeatedly failed to account for food and fuel, according to private correspondence between the U.S. and Somali governments seen by Reuters.

"During recent discussions between the United States and the Federal Government of Somalia, both sides agreed that the Somali National Army had failed to meet the standards for accountability for U.S. assistance," a State Department official told Reuters last week, on condition of anonymity.

"We are adjusting U.S. assistance to SNA units, with the exception of units receiving some form of mentorship, to ensure that U.S. assistance is being used effectively and for its intended purpose," the official said.

The U.S. suspension comes at a sensitive time. The AU force - with troops from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda - is scheduled to leave by 2020. The first 1,000 soldiers will go by the end of 2017.

The State Department official said Washington would continue to support small, Somali special forces units mentored by U.S. personnel and would work with the Somali government to agree criteria that could restore support to other units.

"It is true that some concerns have been raised on how support was utilised and distributed. The federal government is working to address these," Somali Minister of Defence Mohamed Mursal told Reuters.

WHERE'S THE AID?

Documents sent from the U.S. Mission to Somalia to the Somali government show U.S. officials are increasingly frustrated that the military is unable to account for its aid.

The documents paint a stark picture of a military hollowed out by corruption, unable to feed, pay or arm its soldiers - despite hundreds of millions of dollars of support.

Between May and June, a team of U.S. and Somali officials visited nine army bases to assess whether the men were receiving food the United States provides for 5,000 soldiers.

"We did not find the expected large quantities of food at any location ... there was no evidence of consumption (except at two bases)," the U.S. team wrote to the Somali government.

At one base, less than a fifth of the soldiers listed by Somali commanders were present. The best-staffed base had 160 soldiers out of 550. Only 60 had weapons.

"Many appeared to be wearing brand new uniforms. This implied they were assembled merely to improve appearances," the letter, seen by Reuters, said.

An ongoing assessment of the Somali military this year by the Somali government, African Union and United Nations drew similar conclusions.

The joint report seen by Reuters said many soldiers lacked guns, uniforms, food, vehicles or tents. Troops relied on support from AU forces or local militias to survive.

"The SNA is a fragile force with extremely weak command and control," the report said. "They are incapable of conducting effective operations or sustaining themselves."

Most units don't have radios, leaving soldiers to rely on runners to get help when mobile networks go down, the report said. Troops lacked paper to write reports, toilets, boots and medical equipment such as tourniquets. Many slept under trees.

SNA units were at 62 percent of their authorised strength on average. Only 70 percent of them had weapons, the report said.

Although the report was deeply critical, diplomats praised the government for trying to quantify the scope of the problem.

"The government deserves massive praise for doing it and being willing to talk about it," Michael Keating, the U.N.'s top official in Somalia, told Reuters.

CASH PAYMENTS SUSPENDED

The United States also suspended a programme paying soldiers $100 monthly stipends in June after the federal government refused to share responsibility for receiving the payments with regional forces fighting al Shabaab.

Washington has spent $66 million on stipends over the past seven years but has halted the programme several times, concerned the money was not going to frontline soldiers.

One Somali document seen by Reuters showed members of a 259-strong ceremonial brass band were receiving stipends this year meant for soldiers fighting militants.

The State Department's watchdog said in a report published in October there were insufficient checks on the programme and U.S. stipends could fund forces that commit abuses - or even support insurgents.

Officially, Somalia's military is 26,000 strong, but the payroll is stuffed with ghost soldiers, pensioners and the dead, whose families may be receiving their payments, diplomats say.

Intermittent payments from the government have forced many active soldiers to sell their weapons, ammunition or seek other work - practices the U.S. stipends were designed to curb.

Washington has whittled down the number of troops it pays to 8,000 from over 10,000 but there is still no reliable payroll, said a Mogadishu-based security expert.

Defence Minister Mursal said the United Nations is creating a biometric database and plans to help the Somali government make cash payments directly to soldiers via mobile phones.

The new government will also set up a separate system for widows, orphans, and the wounded so the payroll would adequately represent military strength, he said.

UNDER ATTACK

The weakness of Somali forces has deadly consequences. The insurgency is striking with ever larger and more deadly attacks in the capital Mogadishu and major towns.

A truck bomb killed more than 500 people in October and a suicide bomber killed at least 18 at a police academy on Thursday.

Yusuf, a 35-year-old Somali soldier stationed near the Indian Ocean port of Kismayu, knows what it's like to depend on local militias and AU forces to stay alive.

On Sept. 26, insurgents attacked his base at Bula Gadud, killing 15 colleagues and wounding scores more before the local Jubaland militia and AU peacekeepers saved them.

"We lost several key members in that battle especially my close friend," he told Reuters. "We tried to retreat ... after using all the ammunition we had."

A senior Somali security source said when the attack happened, the battalion of more than 1,000 soldiers had only been issued 300 guns.

Defence Minister Mursal said the Somali troops at Bulagadud have since been sent more weapons.

Somalia's national security plan calls for a military of 18,000 soldiers, funded by the central government and operating country-wide.

Getting there will be hard. Security experts say the military is dominated by a powerful clan, the Hawiye, which would be reluctant to lose control of the lucrative security assistance revenue stream.

Many regional governments within Somalia already see the Hawiye-dominated federal forces as rivals rather than allies.

The government's ability to push reforms depends on balancing demands from federal member states, lawmakers, clan leaders and international partners, the U.N.'s Keating said.

"It's going to take a long time and its going to run into massive clan resistance," he said. "Some clans are very dominant in the security forces."

Somalia's partners also need to get serious and coordinate better, said Matt Bryden of the think-tank Sahan Research.

According to Sahan, donors - including the EU, AU, Turkey and Uganda - have trained more than 80,000 Somali soldiers since 2004. Bryden said records are so poor it was not clear if many had taken multiple courses, or just quit afterwards.

"It's like sand through your fingers - where are they all?" (Additional reporting by Phillip Stewart in Washington D.C. and Khadar Hared in Nairobi; editing by David Clarke)
By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Poland's new prime minister said on Thursday he expected the European Commission to launch an unprecedented punishment procedure against Warsaw next week after months of wrangling over the rule of law.

Several thousand people gathered in Poland's largest towns on Thursday evening to protest against a judiciary system overhaul, while the upper chamber of parliament discussed the proposed legislation.

Mateusz Morawiecki, who took over as Poland's premier this week, has defended the judicial changes pushed over two years by his predecessor from the same Law and Justice (PiS) party, saying they were necessary to heal the courts.

Western European Union peers, the bloc's executive Commission, opposition at home and democracy advocates say the reforms undermine court independence by putting them under more direct government control.

Under the legislation, parliament would have a virtual free hand in choosing members of the National Judiciary Council (KRS), a body that decides judicial appointments and promotions - a right earlier reserved chiefly for the judges themselves.

A second bill envisages lowering the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges to 65 years from 70, which would force a significant part of them to leave.

This, as well as the eurosceptic, nationalist PiS's changes to the state media, have prompted the Commission to threaten for many months to launch the so-called Article 7 against Warsaw.

PiS faced renewed accusations that it was muzzling free media after Poland's media regulator slapped a $415,000 fine on a leading, U.S.-owned news broadcaster TVN24 over its coverage of opposition protests in parliament last year.

Morawiecki rejected the view that the penalty amounted to an assault on the freedom of media in Poland, saying the country of 38 million people enjoyed full media pluralism. He expected TVN to challenge the move in courts which would make the final call.

PiS has also locked horns with the EU over large-scale logging in the unique Bialowieza forest, which Warsaw says is necessary to keep the woods healthy but Brussels and environmental groups say violate wildlife protection laws.

Bitter feuds over migration - which Morawiecki on Thursday called a political "hot potato" - have added to the growing isolation of the bloc's largest ex-communist country since PiS won elections in late 2015.

TENSIONS

Article 7 would see Poland's government denounced as undemocratic and could lead to the suspension of Warsaw's voting rights in the EU. The latter, however, is unlikely as it would require the unanimous backing of all the other EU states, something PiS ally Hungary has vowed to block.

But Morawiecki, speaking ahead of his first summit of EU leaders in Brussels, seemed to accept that the blow was coming.

"If a process has started and, as far as I understand, the decision has already been made that next Wednesday the European Commission plans to start (the procedure), then it will most likely be triggered," he told reporters.

"From the start of such an unfair procedure for us, until it ends, we will certainly talk to our partners."

A senior EU official said the Commission's head, Jean-Claude Juncker would still seek to dissuade Warsaw from going ahead with the two judiciary laws, which were passed by Poland's lower chamber of parliament.

They must still go through the PiS-dominated upper house and be signed by the PiS-allied president to take effect.

"If the court changes go through then we will trigger Article 7," the senior official said. "If the changes are postponed until January, then we will see."

Morawiecki stuck to his guns over the courts and Poland's refusal to host some of the refugees who reach the bloc. He said Poland would respect the final ruling of the bloc's top court on the Bialowieza forest. So far, Warsaw has continued the logging despite an interim order by the court to stop immediately.

Morawiecki added he would seek to convince France to soften its stance on a reform of the bloc's labour laws. President Emmanuel Macron wants them tightened because he sees them as giving too much of a competitive edge to cheaper labour from the poorer eastern Europe at the expense of France's own workers. (Additional reporting Robin Emmott in Brussels, Anna Koper in Warsaw; Writing by Jan Strupczewski and Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Richard Balmforth)
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. MARK HANNA, Plaintiff - Appellant v. JAMES M. LEBLANC, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS; LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS; LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, Defendants - Appellees No. 17-30457 Decided: December 12, 2017

Before KING, ELROD, and HIGGINSON, Circuit Judges.

Mark Hanna brought a pro se 42 U.S.C.  1983 lawsuit, alleging violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, against two Louisiana state agencies and the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The district court dismissed Hanna's claims against the two agencies for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and Hanna's claims against the Secretary for failure to state a claim. We AFFIRM.

I.

Mark Hanna's driver's license was suspended for failure to appear for or pay three traffic citations and for allowing his car insurance to lapse. In December 2015, Hanna sued the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C), the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), and James LeBlanc, the Secretary of DPS&C, for violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments under 42 U.S.C.  1983. Hanna's second amended complaint alleged that the defendants violated the Equal Protection Clause, by singling him out and imposing a $100 reinstatement fee where only a $50 fee is authorized by law. See La. Rev. Stat.  32:57.1. He also alleged that DPS&C violated his due process rights by failing to provide him with adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard before his license was suspended. Generously construing his pleadings and briefs, he argues that the notice givensending first class mail to the last address furnished to the DPS&C under Louisiana Revised Statutes  32:863(D)(1)was not reasonably calculated to notify him because he was incarcerated at the time. He also argues that Louisiana Revised Statutes  32:863(D) is unconstitutional to the extent that it allows monetary sanctions to be imposed on incarcerated persons for lapsed car insurance without prior notice or a hearing. Finally, Hanna alleged that sometime prior to December 2015, he filed a state-court lawsuit challenging the fees imposed on him. Before filing the lawsuit, Hanna claims that the OMV told him his license was suspended pending remittance of the fees. Hanna claims that he appeared at the OMV's office in Ruston, Louisiana, in December 2015 to pay the reinstatement fees, but the OMV refused to accept his payment because he had filed the state lawsuit. Hanna alleges this retaliatory act violated his First Amendment rights.

The case was referred to a magistrate judge who recommended the district court dismiss the claims against the two state agencies for lack of subject matter jurisdiction based on state sovereign immunity and dismiss Hanna's claims against LeBlanc for failure to state a claim. The magistrate judge also denied Hanna leave to amend his claims to add various unidentified John and Jane Doe state employees to his complaint. The district court adopted the magistrate judge's report and recommendation, and accordingly dismissed Hanna's claims against the three defendants and denied leave to amend. Hanna filed a timely appeal.

II.

We review a district court's dismissal of a complaint under Rules 12(b)(1) and (6) de novo, taking the allegations of the dismissed complaint to be true. Johnson v. Hous. Auth. of Jefferson Par., 442 F.3d 356, 359 (5th Cir. 2006).

III.

The district court did not err when it dismissed Hanna's claims against DPS&C and OMV based on a lack of subject matter jurisdiction under the Eleventh Amendment. Absent consent, federal courts generally lack jurisdiction to hear lawsuits against a state by that state's own citizens or citizens of another state. See Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 9798 (1984). There is no indication that Louisiana has consented to have this lawsuit heard in federal court, see La. Rev. Stat.  13:5106(A), and  1983 does not abrogate state sovereign immunity, see Quern v. Jordan, 440 U.S. 332, 345 (1979). DPS&C, as a Louisiana executive department, and OMV, as a division within that department, are entitled to the Eleventh Amendment's protection. See Champagne v. Jefferson Par. Sheriff's Office, 188 F.3d 312, 31314 (5th Cir. 1999) (per curiam); Neuwirth v. La. State Bd. of Dentistry, 845 F.2d 553, 556 (5th Cir. 1988).

IV.

The district court did not err when it dismissed Hanna's claims against LeBlanc for failure to state a claim. Hanna's claim against LeBlanc in his individual capacity relies on a showing that LeBlanc participated in the alleged wrong or that his wrongful actions were causally connected to the deprivation. See James v. Tex. Collin County, 535 F.3d 365, 373 (5th Cir. 2008). Hanna's complaint, even if construed generously, does not allege facts indicating that LeBlanc participated in or was connected to any of the alleged wrongs.

With respect to the allegedly unauthorized $100 fee and the decision not to reinstate Hanna's license when he appeared in Ruston, nothing in the Hanna's amended complaint or the attached documents indicates that LeBlanc participated in or was connected to those decisions. Hanna's due process claim fails for the same reason. The district court observed that due process in this circumstance may require fair notice and an opportunity to be heard. See Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 33235 (1976). Hanna does not argue that the issuance of first-class mail to his last address furnished to the DPS&C pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes  32:863(D)(1) would not, in most circumstances, constitute fair notice. See Armendariz-Mata v. U.S. Dep't of Justice, 82 F.3d 679, 683 (1996). Rather, he argues that in light of his incarceration, sending first-class mail to his last address was not reasonably calculated to notify him of the sanctions and his opportunity to be heard. See id. at 68283 (quoting Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 314 (1950)). However, whether LeBlanc can be deemed to have participated in failing to take actions reasonably calculated to give Hanna notice depends on LeBlanc's personal knowledge. See Armendariz-Mata, 82 F.3d at 683. Hanna pleads no facts that indicate LeBlanc knew Hanna was incarcerated. Without knowledge that Hanna was incarcerated, LeBlanc would have no reason to believe that the first-class mail would be inadequate.

The district court also properly denied Hanna leave to amend his complaint to add unidentified John and Jane Doe DPS&C and OMV employees as defendants. The magistrate judge correctly determined that such an amendment would be futile. The Johns and Janes Doe would eventually have to be replaced with real persons. At such a time, the one-year statute of limitations would have run:  1983 borrows the state statute of limitations for general personal injury actions, see Walker v. Epps, 550 F.3d 407, 411 (5th Cir. 2008), and Louisiana's is one year, La. Civ. Code art. 3492; see Elzy v. Roberson, 868 F.2d 793, 794 (5th Cir. 1989). While Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(c) can save an otherwise untimely amendment from being time barred, that amendment must relate back to the original pleading. An amendment to replace a John or Jane Doe with a real defendant would not relate back under Rule 15(c). Whitt v. Stephens County, 529 F.3d 278, 28283 (5th Cir. 2008). Rule 15(c) requires a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party and using John or Jane Doe is not a mistake. See id. at 283 (quoting Jacobson v. Osborne, 133 F.3d 315, 32021 (5th Cir. 1998)).

Finally, contrary to the arguments Hanna raises for the first time on appeal, we find no basis to conclude that either the magistrate judge or district court judge was partial or should otherwise be disqualified. See 28 U.S.C.  455(a).

V.

For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

PER CURIAM:*
By Katie Paul

RIYADH, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Al Tayyar Travel Group, Saudi Arabia's largest travel company, is planning to expand into Egypt in early 2018, its chief executive told Reuters.

The move is part of a broader restructuring to build the firm's leisure, hospitality and online sales services.

Al Tayyar announced on Wednesday that its board had approved a strategic transformation plan to consolidate its some two dozen subsidiaries into four new business units.

The plan shifts the firm's focus from a traditionally heavy reliance on government travel contracts into advising leisure travellers on tourism plans, operating hotels and developing Arabic-language platforms for online ticket booking.

"We will continue to grow [online sales], invest in and upgrade these technologies, add new products, enter into new markets and continue getting much larger market share in the local market," said chief executive Abdullah Aldawood.

The announcement comes at a sensitive time for the company, after its founder and board member Nasser bin Aqeel al-Tayyar was detained in the anti-corruption probe led by the kingdom's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Tayyar owns a 12.8 percent stake in the company, according to Thomson Reuters data. Aldawood said the firm has received payments from government agencies since the detention and has not communicated with Tayyar.

"We have received direct communication from senior ministers in the cabinet conveying the government's full faith and support for the company," he said. "We continue our business with government agencies as usual."

Aldawood said Al Tayyar plans to relocate around 30 of its existing retail locations to high-traffic areas such as malls, where they will promote aspirational tourism trips.

The company is also planning to list a real estate investment trust (REIT) on the stock market in the first quarter of 2018 and develop 30 new mid-market hotels with 6,000 rooms, building off a 2016 agreement with U.S.-based Choice Hotels.

The REIT, which Dawood said would be worth hundreds of millions of riyals, would consist of Al Tayyar's undeveloped land holdings as well as equity from third parties and debt from banks.

It will be used to fund hotel development in Mecca to cater to the increased numbers of Muslim pilgrims Saudi authorities hope to attract for the hajj and umrah pilgrimages.

Building the hotels will also help Al Tayyar avoid penalties on its undeveloped or "white" land, which Saudi Arabia is beginning to tax in a bid to boost commercial activity and address a politically sensitive housing shortage.

Aldawood said Al Tayyar would add jobs as part of the expansion in hospitality and online sales, but declined to say how many. There would be no structural layoffs, he said. (Reporting by Katie Paul Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
By Victoria Bryan

BERLIN, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Lufthansa's failure to salvage Austrian holiday airline Niki may slow expansion of the German carrier and its budget unit Eurowings, but it is still expected to benefit from the resulting drop in competition in the short term.

Germany's biggest airline dropped a bid for Niki, part of insolvent Air Berlin, on Wednesday, saying it was unlikely to be approved by the European Commission due to competition concerns.

Niki's collapse is likely to be a boon for carriers serving similar markets, including Lufthansa, TUIFly and Condor , because it removes seats from a crowded market.

"Whilst from a Lufthansa perspective they would have preferred to acquire Niki their core object of strengthening the German market remains intact," aviation consultant John Strickland said.

Although organic growth could be a little slower as Eurowings will have to find hundreds of extra staff it needs by itself, take-off and landing slots and planes coming onto the market will help.

Even before it put in its bid, some at the top of Lufthansa had queried whether it was worth bidding for Air Berlin operations, because the airline would likely benefit from its demise anyway, according to one person familiar with the matter.

Lufthansa said it would still pursue its bid for Air Berlin's smaller regional carrier LGW, with the Commission due to decide by Dec. 21, and would continue to grow Eurowings.

Following the collapse of Air Berlin in the summer, Lufthansa said it planned to grow the Eurowings fleet by around 60 planes and would need a further 3,000 staff as a result.

The planes flown by Air Berlin, Niki and LGW were leased, and Lufthansa has now taken on many of them from the lessors.

But they still need crews to fly them and it is here where Lufthansa could be slowed into its ambitions. Instead of taking on around 800 staff in one fell swoop from Niki, it will now need to take them on separately.

"This will slow down the process," a source familiar with the matter said.

Eurowings and sister company Austrian Airlines began advertising for crews on Thursday, saying they would offer shorter recruitment processes than normal for any former Air Berlin or Niki staff.

"We are continuing our growth as planned," Eurowings CEO Thorsten Dirks said.

However, should another buyer for insolvent Niki be found, Lufthansa will have to lease out some of those planes to the buyer, under an existing deal with the European Commission.

Niki's administrator began urgent talks on Thursday to find a buyer before Niki loses valuable runway slots, with Thomas Cook saying it was interested.

LIFT FOR LUFTHANSA

Lufthansa already seems likely to pick up Niki's take-off and landing slots at airports such as Vienna, Duesseldorf, Cologne, Munich, and Palma thanks to EU slot allocation rules.

Under those rules, 50 percent of slots returned to the pool are first offered to airlines not already at the airport, while 50 percent go to incumbents.

Bernstein analysts said even if Lufthansa eventually picks up the Niki planes and slots, there will still be a gap in the market before that capacity comes back and that would benefit Lufthansa in the short-term.

"This is likely to drive even more passengers onto Lufthansa (as we have already seen with Air Berlin), pushing up seat load factors and supporting yields," they wrote in a note.

The loss of Niki's capacity from the market this winter will not only benefit Lufthansa.

Bernstein analysts said tour operators would quickly need to contract plane seats for holidays they have already sold and this would support yields and seat load factors. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Georgina Prodhan and Alexander Smith)
By Kieran Guilbert

LONDON, Dec 14 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Inspired by Britain's leading role in fighting modern slavery, politicians from Commonwealth countries including Ghana, Kenya and Pakistan said on Thursday that adopting tougher anti-slavery laws and prosecuting more traffickers were top of their agenda.

Commonwealth lawmakers met with their British counterparts in London this week to discuss legislation against slavery, support for victims, law enforcement and criminal justice.

Britain passed the Modern Slavery Act in 2015 to crack down on traffickers, force businesses to check their supply chains for forced labour, and protect people at risk of being enslaved.

"Parliamentarians have an important role to play in ending this shameful practice," British politician Vernon Coaker said at the event held by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, which links legislators in former British colonies.

Politicians from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Uganda discussed issues such as sex trafficking and forced and child labour, in industries from farming to fishing.

Ghanaian lawmaker Moses Anim said many Commonwealth nations have anti-trafficking laws, yet must learn to use them better.

"We need to apply these laws to secure more prosecutions, which will act as a deterrent to perpetrators ... and make citizens more alert to the problem," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from the sidelines of the three-day event.

Raising awareness among the public and media, training law enforcers and civil society, and engaging parliament are also key to tackling slavery, said Mian Abdul Mannan of Pakistan.

"We have learned a lot about the importance of partnerships and bringing all of these actors together," the politician said, adding that Pakistan was debating new anti-slavery legislation.

Leaders of the 52 Commonwealth countries will meet in London in April for their next biennial meeting, where slavery and human trafficking are expected to be among the talking points.

Britain's anti-slavery tsar, Kevin Hyland, said these nations should look closely at Britain's landmark legislation.

"We are very keen that they have requirements around supply chain transparency, and establish an independent anti-slavery commissioner," Hyland told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

An Australian parliamentary inquiry last week urged its government to do just that as the country mulls tough new laws.

About 40 million people were estimated to be trapped as slaves in 2016, mostly women and girls, in forced labour, sexual exploitation and forced marriages, according to the U.N. International Labour Organization and the Walk Free Foundation. (Reporting By Kieran Guilbert, Editing by Katy Migiro. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
MOSCOW/WARSAW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was tired of hearing allegations from Warsaw that a 2010 plane crash that killed then Polish President Lech Kaczynski was the result of a Russian conspiracy, drawing a sharp rebuke from Warsaw.

Responding to a question from a Polish reporter at an annual news conference, Putin said it was time for Poland to move beyond the plane crash, turn a new page, and "grow up".

A Polish Air Force Tu-154 plane crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk on April 10, 2010, killing all 96 people on board, including President Kaczynski, whose twin brother Jaroslaw is now the leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party, in power since 2015.

A previous Polish government concluded that pilot error was to blame for the crash, but Law and Justice ordered a new investigation which concluded this year that the plane was brought down by explosions on board.

The crash remains deeply divisive in Poland, where many politicians emerged from an anti-Communist tradition that long saw Moscow as an enemy. Poland's defence minister denounced Putin's comments.

"In the mouth of the leader of a country that is responsible for the Katyn genocide, as well as for the Smolensk tragedy, such words are really shocking," Antoni Macierewicz told public radio PR 24, referring to a Soviet massacre of thousands of Polish officers and intellectuals during World War Two, as well as the Smolensk crash.

"President Putin should finally face the truth: two explosions which eventually destroyed the Tu-154 were incontestably identified by official expertise," Macierewicz said.

The new investigatory commission created by Macierewicz said in April this year that blasts most likely tore the plane into pieces killing all 96 people seconds before it hit the ground.

It repeated allegations that Russian air traffic controllers had deliberately set the plane on the wrong descent path. Polish prosecutors said then they would press charges against two controllers. Moscow rejected the allegations. (Reporting by Denis Pinchuk, Jack Stubbs and Vladimir Soldatkin; Additional reporing by Agnieszka Barteczko in Warsaw; Editing by Peter Graff)
By Mark Weinraub

CHICAGO, Dec 14 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures sagged to their lowest in more than two months on Thursday, weighed down by forecasts for much-needed rains in Argentina, traders said.

Wheat futures closed firm, supported by strong export data, while corn slipped.

The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade dropped 1.2 percent. Soybean futures have fallen for six of the last seven sessions.

"Argentina's dry soybean crops remain an important prop for the market," Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Tobin Gorey said in a market update. "(But) weather forecasters are becoming less confident the hot and dry conditions will persist. Any suggestion of a rain event for the region might quickly undermine soybean prices."

Rains expected this weekend in Argentina's main soy and corn growing areas will provide some relief to drought-stricken parts of the country's central farm belt.

CBOT January soybean futures closed 11-1/2 cents lower at $9.67-3/4 a bushel. Prices bottomed out at $9.66-1/2 a bushel, their lowest since Oct. 12.

The Rosario Grains Exchange boosted its estimate of Argentina's soybean crop on Wednesday evening, which weighed on the soy complex throughout Thursday's session.

"That backs up the talk we have heard for weeks from down there that the trade simply is not worried in the least about a little dryness early in the planting and growing window," Charlie Sernatinger, global head of grain futures at ED&F Man Capital, said in a note to clients.

Soybean futures also hit technical resistance following Wednesday's rally, with the January contract failing to hold support above the 100-day moving average.

CBOT March soft red winter wheat futures were 1-1/2 cents higher at $4.18-1/4 a bushel.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture early on Thursday said weekly export sales of wheat totalled 598,400 tonnes, topping market forecasts that ranged from 250,000 tonnes to 450,000 tonnes. A week ago, wheat export sales were 323,034 tonnes.

Dealers said, however, that supplies remained abundant, keeping a lid on any potential gains in wheat futures.

Farm office FranceAgriMer cut its outlook for French 2017-18 soft wheat exports outside the European Union on Wednesday for the second month in a row to take account of intense competition on world markets.

CBOT March corn futures ended down 1/2 cent $3.48-1/2 a bushel. (Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Nigel Hunt in London; Editing by Frances Kerry and James Dalgleish)
Vijitha Herath

JVP MP Vijitha Herath in an interview with Dailymirror spoke about the current political situation in the country and his partys novel way of approaching issues at hand. Following are excerpts of the interview done with Herath.

Provincial Councils are a part of our legal system though we like it or not

TNA no longer demands Federalism

Land and Police powers have to be discussed

Our thinking should be different from the war time

JVP stands for socialism with modern Sri Lankan characteristics

We asked people to close down the grocery shop of Mahinda Rajapaksa

We also ask people close down the grocery shop of the present Government

There is no difference in the level of corruption and frauds between now and then

Now we see frauds in expressways, splurging public money for the luxuries of ministers

QHow is the JVP getting ready for the elections?

This is an election which the Government declared grudgingly. We all had to fight to get this election. There is a new electoral system which is an improvement of the previous system. It will ensure better representation for women and elect members answerable to their respective electoral wards. We stand for such a system. We will contest the elections in all parts of the country. We have no issue in fielding candidates.



QThe JVP is getting ready for this election with a new political complexion. Instead of fielding members from its cadre, the party is inviting members from the civil society to contest together. What is the reason for this political change?



Of course, we extended an open invitation to progressive individuals, who dont indulge in corruption and have no record on frauds. They are also ready to forgo their monthly salaries even as elected members, to participate in the elections with us. A lot of people at grassroots level have consented. They are in our nomination lists. They will join hands with the party cadres. We will introduce a code of conduct for all the candidates. This is a precursor to the formation of a broad political front at the 2020 elections.



QThe JVP did something similar at the last parliamentary elections. Yet, some members such former Auditor General S.C. Mayadunne left the scene after the elections. Why is that?



As for former Auditor General S.C. Mayadunne, he is a person who did a lot of voluntary work. He works with the JVP even today. Yet, he is not a card holding member of the party. He resigned from his parliamentary seat over his disappointment regarding some persons elected during this time. He upheld the view that people had elected some persons unfit for such positions. So, he believed it wasnt the proper avenue for him to be in. Yet, he is still with the JVP.



QThe JVP played a role in the election of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005. In 2015, your party indirectly worked for the victory of current President Maithripala Sirisena. How do you compare and contrast the two Governments?



During each time, we took the decision that was the most appropriate in our view. In 2005, there was a need for it. We were able to defeat the secessionist forces that were at work. After the defeat of terrorism, that Government was heading in a wrong direction. We were opposed to it.

We didnt play a direct role in the election of this Government. It was an indirect role that we played as you said. In simple metaphorical terms, we asked people to close down the grocery shop of Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. At the same time, we said we couldnt vouch for the quality of items on sale at the shop of President Sirisena. This is our position.



QYou said ahead of the elections that you werent certain about the quality of items kept on sale at the shop of Mr. Sirisena.This Government has been in power for nearly three years. What have you got to say?



We said so at that time before opening the shop. Now, the shop is open. We are sure now that there is no quality in the items on sale. We are now asking people to close it down. We are ready to open our own shop. We are asking people to shop with us. We dont have any errant trading practices.

In fact, we advocate socialism with modern Sri Lankan characteristics. In literary terms, we explained that Russian shoes were too large for us. Likewise, Chinese shoes are too small. So, we say neither Russian model nor Chinese model is applicable to us



Q What is your assessment of the performance of the present rule?



To be honest, there is no difference between now and then. The same political formula is followed by the present Government. This Government vowed to take action against corruption and frauds of the former rule. It didnt happen. Corruption and frauds continue unabated. There was the Central Bank Bond Scam. There are frauds in the execution of expressway projects. The Government splurges public money for indulgence in luxuries such as maintenance of the houses of ministers, the purchase of vehicles for them etc. Compared with the previous rule, we dont see a stoppage in corruption and fraud.



QHow do you view the policies of the present Government from the perspective of socialism?

The neo-liberal economic policies, being adopted by this Government, are outdated. It was introduced in 1970s. The whole world is clamouring for something new. Even the Pope said neo-liberalism only created wars and homicides. So, the world wants a new model. Sri Lanka isnt an exception.



QHow does this model differ from what your party espoused at the time of its inception?



What matter isnt what we said in the past. There is something we utter now. Today we talk about planning, production, peoples participation and equitable distribution of wealth. It isnt to be a model purely executed by the state. The Government decides on planning of the economy. For the execution of it, both the state and the private sector play a role.



QWhat should be the specific role of the Government?



The Government should work out the policies. The private sector should be invited to play a role in their execution. The Government also plays a role in the economy. It creates a competition between the two for the forward march of the country. There are certain areas exclusively meant for the state, though.



QWhat are they?

Environmental protection is one. The Government should hold its sway on the energy sector. If its left in the hands of the private sector, it will give them undue bargaining power.



In fact, we advocate socialism with modern Sri Lankan characteristics. In literary terms, we explained that Russian shoes were too large for us. Likewise, Chinese shoes are too small. So, we say neither Russian model nor Chinese model is applicable to us. We have to make our own shoes. In fact, our founder leader Rohana Wijeweera said it.

We didnt play a direct role in the election of this Government. It was an indirect role that we played as you said. In simple metaphorical terms, we asked people to close down the grocery shop of Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa



QYour party had its own analysis of the reasons for the ethnic problem. It had its own view on power devolution as a means to resolve it. What is the current position?



The Provincial Council System isnt a solution to the national question. We stick with the same stand. Whether we like it or not, the provincial councils are a part of the system now. Then, there is a dialogue on the constitution making process. The Tamil parties, that were extreme and demanded Federalism, dont do so now. They have taken a moderate position. It is unrealistic to achieve Federalism in the country. In such a context, the JVP is agreeable to resolve the national question with certain modifications to the current provincial council system, rather than leaving room for the aggravation of the problem further. If other parties reach this position, we will fall in line to proceed with modifications to the current provincial council system.



QWhen you say modification of the system, does it mean the abolition of the concurrent list?



We arent for pruning of powers of the provincial governors. We need to discuss the land and police powers. We havent taken hard and fast positions in this regard. If we do so, it will be a barrier for talks. We have to discuss how modifications or amendments can be brought about without leaving room for separatism.



We hold the same view in regard to the concurrent list. We remain flexible. We dont say the concurrent list should remain intact. We are ready to arrive at a moderate position after talks.



QEarlier, the provincial councils were seen by your party as a stepping stone to separatism. How do you view it now?



That was the situation which remained when the separatist armed group existed. Today, nine years have lapsed after the war concluded. Today, the society has evolved. If we continue to keep battering the dead tiger literally, we cant move forward. We believe our thinking should be different from the time during the separatist armed struggle. As a party, we have embraced change. Some interpret it as a change we undertook as part of our understanding with the Government. It isnt true. In fact, we discussed the need for a change in our thinking soon after the war victory in 2009.



QBut, you didnt talk of an amendment or modification of the provincial council system then.

There was no such dialogue. Yet, we said we should start thinking afresh on the post way context. We asked for the truth and reconciliation commission.



Q Now, do you see a transformation of attitudes in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)?



In certain areas, they have undergone transformation. We are happy about it. The TNA sought Federalism. Now, they dont ask for it. The JVP is opposed to the merger of the northern and eastern provinces. The TNA knows that it is practically impossible. Yet, the TNA uses it as a political slogan.



QHow strong is the separatist ideology in the north?



There is a group taking extreme positions. It seeks regional autonomy. We see extremism both in the north and the south.



QThe JVP supported the Government to secure two-thirds for a Bill to postpone the elections to the Provincial Councils. The Speaker himself said he was also embarrassed in the way the Bill was enacted. What do you feel?



It isnt a Bill to postpone the elections, but to change the electoral system. We asked for a change in the electoral system covering all the local bodies, the provincial councils and Parliament. Already, there is a law governing the elections to the local bodies under a new system. There is no such law for elections to the provincial councils. We arent agreeable to it. That is the reason to support the Bill. The procedure adopted was flawed. Yet, it was well-intended.



QIn the same way, there is the possibility of postponing elections to Parliament. What have you got to say?



This is an opinion established by the cabal of those in the Joint Opposition. The JVP wont leave room for it.



QDo you think the UNP brought that Bill purely to change the electoral system, but not as a ruse to withhold elections?



Not only the UNP, but also the SLFP had the same objective of withholding elections. They had different interests. We had genuine interests.
Sampath Bank Head of Card Centre, Remittances & Bank Noted Operations Kusal De Silva exchanging the partnership agreement with eChannelling Head Suneth Haputhanthri (middle). Also present were (from left) Sampath Bank Executive Card Marketing Chirath Samarasekara, Sampath Bank Senior Manager Card Marketing, Remittances, KPO & Bank Noted Operations Darshin Pathinayake and eChannelling Senior Manager Finance Dhammika Alahakoon.

eChannelling PLC, the pioneer and largest doctor channeling network in Sri Lanka, has tied up with SampathCards to offer its Credit and Debit Cardholders massive discounts on eChannelling service fee. Cardholders of Sampath Mastercard and Visa Credit Cards can avail of a whopping 35% discount when using www.echannelling.com and eChannelling Mobile App. Sampath Visa Debit Cardholders can avail an attractive 20% for the same offer .This valuable offer is valid up to the 28th of February 2018.

Recognized as the responsible choice and one of the most popular Credit Cards in the market, SampathCards continues to transcend industry norms to offer their cardholders an unmatched range of benefits and value-added services to enhance their diverse lifestyles.

As a result of this partnership with eChannelling, Sampath Cardholders can take advantage of the generous discounts to attend to their health and well-being by channeling more than 5,000 specialist doctors from more than 200 hospitals in eChannellings network islandwide. This partnership is an important value addition for Sampath Cardholders.

Mobitel, the National Mobile Service Provider, has taken digital healthcare to the next level by including eChannelling PLC into its portfolio and strengthening its vital position in the telecommunications industry in the country.
The private sphere of this country and of most other post colonial societies, even India, did not open up fully to the Westernised paradigm of modernity and progress that it was supposed to. What we got instead was a fatal contradiction, since that sphere, in whatever form and sector (even education) uprooted itself from cultural sensibilities and at the same time followed the worst elements of a patriarchal, quasi-feudalistic world.

The emergence and creation of an alternative education sector, free from the constraints of the Ministry of Education was one method of catering to that world view

By denying their children a proper space to learn that language, the maw basa, they were in effect turning the need into an option: it was no longer mandatory to seep oneself in the past as before

When CEOs of global companies from our part of the world contend, in front of a panel or interviewers, that it is good karma for women not to ask for pay rises, they are pandering to the superficial elements of a culture, any culture, which does not require them to let go of their Westernised outlook. The cosmetics of such cultures (the pansakulaya, malwatti, and upparawatti as Professor Nalin de Silva memorably wrote) appeal to those who believe that even in the private sphere, a balance must be struck between the need to be nationalised and also globalised.

This was largely a legacy of the split in the Buddhist order, firstly between the laity and the clergy achieved by the British after we were colonised, and secondly between the traditionalists and the reformists, the wielders of the faith and the wielders of a new secularism, that the intrusion of Theosophy brought about. By this I am not belittling the attempts of Colonel Olcott or Helena Blavatsky, rather I am pointing out that in the Theosophist movement we see a sustained division between the worldly and the otherworldly (noted by William Ames and Heinz Bechert) that found its way to post colonial societies like ours. By artificially creating a rift between culture and society, the proponents of this new secularism had found a rationale for their offspring and even they themselves to wallow in the materialism, the crass consumerism, and Westernisation which their parents and grandparents had fervently opposed in 1956.

He subtly points out the gulf between the idealists and the pragmatists, between the devotees and the secularists, between the nationalists and the nationalists



The new secularists, who were veritable champions of the cosmetic elements of culture, were the children of the children (as I pointed out in last weeks column): they let themselves be overwhelmed by the new culture of social uplift. It was a new way of thinking, of looking at the world (they would call this positive thinking as the years went by), and the result of it all was that they were only too willing to target those who shared that world view. The emergence and creation of an alternative education sector, free from the constraints of the Ministry of Education, was one method of catering to that world view, and our new secularists, whose own children would go beyond them in being Westernised and uprooted, soon became shrewd businessmen. Those who went through this alternative education sector from the nineties can attest to the fact that these institutions were never preoccupied with the profit motive  and those behind them were not enamoured of that profit motive either, yet  because they didnt need to be: they had targeted the perfect single market, less a market, in fact, than a collective inhibited by an inferiority complex.



Gunadasa Amarasekara writes about this collective and milieu in many of his novels after Yali Upannemi and Karumakkarayo (the last two he wrote before he renounced the Western conception of literature he had been entranced by), particularly (though I have not read them yet) the cycle of stories revolving around Piyadasa (Gamanaka Mula, Gamanaka Mada, etc). He subtly points out the gulf between the idealists and the pragmatists, between the devotees and the secularists, between the nationalists and the nationalists. Its an interesting phenomenon, certainly, one which shows us that no matter how universally feasible globalisation may be, all it does at the end of the day is destroy entire collectives while preserving the cosmetic elements of the cultures of those collectives: Keatss Grecian Urn, Lawrences Arabia. For the West the East can only be salvaged through those cosmetics, an attitude largely shared by the new secularists who emphasised on rote learning history and religion in their institutions. History is not a series of dates that need to be remembered, and religion is not a series of sermons and chants that need to be memorised. They are more, much more, than what their surfaces will have you believe. The children of the children were guilty for having abandoned in their professional lives their faith and heritage, so when they targeted the cultural sensibility they themselves acceded to, they tried to ensure that both faith and heritage would remain (ostensibly) core elements of their curriculum. I remember one of these new secularists, who had sent her child to one of these institutions at the behest of an aunt, impatiently glaring at one of those commentators who on television frequently reiterated the need to know ones language properly. By denying their children a proper space to learn that language, the maw basa, they were in effect turning the need into an option: it was no longer mandatory to seep oneself in the past as before, it was rather a choice that had to be made by their children.

This was largely a legacy of the split in the Buddhist order, firstly between the laity and the clergy achieved by the British after we were colonised, and secondly between the traditionalists and the reformists, the wielders of the faith and the wielders of a new secularism, that the intrusion of Theosophy brought about



It was a half-baked world but one cant blame those who were resident in it because no culture, in this post- colonial phase of history, can survive the inhibitions of those who imbibe the Western paradigm of development and modernism. Limited to one or two periods, the maw basa (Sinhala and Tamil), the agama (particularly Buddhism), and the sanskruthiya (based largely on extracurricular activities like dancing, music, and the Hewisi Band) were by and by afterthoughts of the new secularists who wanted a premium education for their children, even though these subjects and activities had the effect of entrancing those children to the culture their elders were repudiating. The world had moved on, and the elders were still very much behind. They wanted their children to learn faster, to let go of any affiliations to their country and even live abroad. Even our nationalist politicians see no contradiction in subscribing to this attitude when it comes to the education of their offspring. Its an elephant in the room.



The debate over the international school system has so far been conducted by the rabid nationalists and the would-be modernists: the former decry any attempt at opening an alternative space in our education sector, while the latter see in that space a veritable chance of redeeming their inhibitions, their sense of inferiority, by westernising their children. No proper debate, consequently, has followed our international schools because the extremists, on either side, have so far headed it. It is my contention that the international school system as is present in Sri Lanka, particularly with respect to schools which target a bourgeoning middle class, opens up a complex interrelationship between the imperatives of culture and the imperatives of the material world, an interrelationship that I believe deserves extensive treatment in another article.
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday urged President Maitripala Sirisena not to implement the Cabinet proposal on minimum qualification for entry into medical education until the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) would announce its stance on the matter.

The Cabinet paper was yesterday put forward by Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne declaring the minimum qualification for entry into medical education as two credit passes and one simple pass in the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination in one sitting for subjects of Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Naveen de Soyza told a news conference that the SLMC should gather and arrive at a decision on this matter before the next Cabinet meeting and added that this could be considered as the second instance where Minister Senaratne had gone against the technical decision of the SLMC.

The SLMC should have a firm stance on this matter at this juncture. Even the GMOA would stand in line with the SLMCs stand. The SLMC should not consider about any private medical university or Minister Senaratne during this procedure. President Sirisena should not approve this Cabinet proposal, he added.

He said that the earlier approved minimum qualification for entry into medical education was three merit passes in 2017 which was calculated by the minimum result of the student who had qualified for the State medical faculties in the said year.

He also said Minister Senaratne was in an attempt to stand for the profit-earning institute like South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) with his proposal to degrade the minimum qualification to three simple passes which was finally decided as two credit passes and one simple pass.

Minister Senaratne does not have the authority to do so, he added. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)

Video by Buddhi
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. UNITED STATES of America, PlaintiffAppellee, v. Justin Curtis WERLE, DefendantAppellant. No. 16-30181 Decided: December 13, 2017

Before: Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain, Richard C. Tallman, and Paul J. Watford, Circuit Judges. Matthew Campbell, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington & Idaho, Spokane, Washington, for DefendantAppellant. Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney; Timothy J. Ohms, Assistant United States Attorney; United States Attorney's Office, Spokane, Washington; for PlaintiffAppellee.

OPINION

We must decide whether a Washington state conviction for felony harassment constitutes a crime of violence under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

I

In March of 2014, Justin Curtis Werle was indicted in the Eastern District of Washington for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(1), and possession of an unregistered firearm, in violation of 26 U.S.C.  5861(d). Werle pled guilty to both counts against him, and a sentencing hearing was held later that year.

The district court found that Werle had seven prior qualifying convictions under the Armed Career Criminal Act, 18 U.S.C.  924(e) (ACCA), and was therefore subject to a fifteen-year mandatory minimum sentence. This finding was based in part on the district court's determination that the Washington riot statute is categorically a violent felony for the purposes of the ACCA. A different panel of this court held that the Washington riot statute is not categorically a violent felony, and the case was remanded for resentencing in light of the opinion. United States v. Werle, 815 F.3d 614, 623 (9th Cir. 2016).

On remand, the district court imposed a sentence enhancement under U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a) due to Werle's prior convictions for felony harassment via a threat to kill under Washington Revised Code  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii), finding that those convictions were crimes of violence. The district court then calculated Werle's sentencing guideline range to be between 130 and 162 months, and concluded that a total sentence of 140 months was appropriate.

Werle timely appealed.

II

Werle argues that the district court erred in concluding that his convictions for felony harassment under  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) were crimes of violence.

A

For certain convictions involving firearms, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines provide for a sentence enhancement if the defendant has at least two [prior] felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense. U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a). A crime of violence is defined, in relevant part, as any offense under federal or state law, punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, that  has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another  U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a).

We utilize the categorical approach of Taylor v. United States to determine whether a state conviction qualifies as a crime of violence. 495 U.S. 575, 110 S.Ct. 2143, 109 L.Ed.2d 607 (1990). Under Taylor, we compare the elements of the state statute of conviction to the generic federal definition of a crime of violence. See id. at 599, 110 S.Ct. 2143. If the language of the state statute only reaches conduct that falls into the generic federal definition, a conviction under that law is categorically a crime of violence and our inquiry is at an end. See id.; United States v. CalvilloPalacios, 860 F.3d 1285, 1288 (9th Cir. 2017). But if the language of the state statute sweeps more broadly than the generic federal definition, a conviction under that statute may only qualify as a crime of violence if the statute is divisible; that is, if the statute lists several alternative elements, really several different crimes, as opposed to various means of committing a single crime. See Descamps v. United States, 570 U.S. 254, 133 S.Ct. 2276, 228384, 186 L.Ed.2d 438 (2013); Mathis v. United States,  U.S. , 136 S.Ct. 2243, 2249, 195 L.Ed.2d 604 (2016).

If the statute is divisible, we may utilize the so-called modified categorical approach as a tool for discovering precisely which statutory elements formed the basis of the defendant's prior conviction. See Descamps, 133 S.Ct. at 2281. And in doing so, we may consult a limited class of [extra-statutory] documents, such as indictments and jury instructions. See id. Once we have gathered the elements of the defendant's true crime of conviction, we return to the categorical approach and compare those elements with the generic federal definition of a crime of violence. See id.; CalvilloPalacios, 860 F.3d at 1288.

B

The Washington harassment statute provides that:

(1) A person is guilty of harassment if:

(a) Without lawful authority, the person knowingly threatens:

(i) To cause bodily injury immediately or in the future to the person threatened or to any other person; or

(ii) To cause physical damage to the property of a person other than the actor; or

(iii) To subject the person threatened or any other person to physical confinement or restraint; or

(iv) Maliciously to do any other act which is intended to substantially harm the person threatened or another with respect to his or her physical or mental health or safety; and

(b) The person by words or conduct places the person threatened in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out.

Wash. Rev. Code  9A.46.020(1) (2011). It is a class C felony to harass [ ] another person under subsection (1)(a)(i) of this section by threatening to kill the person threatened or any other person. Wash. Rev. Code  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii).

The harassment statute as a whole is not categorically a crime of violence under  4B1.2(a)(1), but felony harassment under  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) is divisible from the harassment statute generally. Washington courts have made clear that felony harassment under  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) is a separate crime that requires a unanimous jury to find a threat to kill beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Mills, 154 Wash.2d 1, 109 P.3d 415, 419 (2005) ([I]t is unquestionably true that threatening to kill is an element of felony harassment.). Werle concedes that he was convicted of felony harassment specifically under  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii), and so we need not utilize the modified categorical approach to probe into the undergrowth of his harassment convictions and discover the elements that supported them. See United States v. VenturaPerez, 666 F.3d 670, 676 (10th Cir. 2012); United States v. Kindle, 453 F.3d 438, 442 (7th Cir. 2006). Rather, we all agree that he was convicted of knowingly threaten[ing] to kill [someone] immediately or in the future [and] [t]hat the words or conduct of [Werle] placed [that person] in reasonable fear that the threat to kill would be carried out  11 Washington Practice: Washington Pattern Jury Instructions: Criminal 36.07.02 (4th ed. 2016) (WPIC 36.07.02).

But that agreement, as convenient as it was, falls away when we consider whether a conviction resting on those elements categorically includes a threatened use of physical force under  4B1.2. Werle argues that  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) is overbroad because (1) it lacks the requisite mens rea to constitute a threatened use of force, (2) it includes threats to kill in the distant future, and (3) it does not necessarily require threatened violent force.

1

Werle argues that  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) allows a conviction based on mere negligence, and so a conviction under that section cannot constitute a crime of violence. It is clear that a negligent application of force is insufficient to constitute a use of force and therefore cannot serve as the basis for a crime of violence. Leocal v. Ashcroft, 543 U.S. 1, 9, 125 S.Ct. 377, 160 L.Ed.2d 271 (2004). But knowledge, or general intent, remains a sufficient mens rea to serve as the basis for a crime of violence. See United States v. MelchorMeceno, 620 F.3d 1180, 1186 (9th Cir. 2010) ([T]o knowingly place another person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm  includes the requisite mens rea of intent for a crime of violence. (citing United States v. Grajeda, 581 F.3d 1186, 1197 (9th Cir. 2009))).

Turning to  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii), the first element of a conviction under that section requires the defendant to have knowingly threatened to kill someone. WPIC 36.07.02(1). The Washington Supreme Court has interpreted this element to require the defendant subjectively [to] know that he or she is communicating a threat  of intent to cause bodily injury to the person threatened or to another person. State v. J.M., 144 Wash.2d 472, 28 P.3d 720, 725 (2001). A knowing threat of intent to cause bodily injury plainly requires a sufficient mens rea to constitute a threatened use of physical force. See MelchorMeceno, 620 F.3d at 1186.

Recognizing the difficulty in attacking the first element of the crime, Werle argues that a different element of the crime requires only negligence: placing the victim in reasonable fear that the threat to kill would be carried out. WPIC 36.07.02(2). Werle is correct that the Washington Supreme Court has interpreted this element to require only negligence. State v. Kilburn, 151 Wash.2d 36, 84 P.3d 1215, 1221 (2004) (holding that the inquiry is whether a reasonable person in the defendant's place would foresee that in context the listener would interpret the statement as a serious threat or a joke). Nevertheless, Werle's argument is unavailing because  4B1.2(a)(1) only requires that the state crime has as an element  the threatened use of physical force. (emphasis added). It is clear that the first element of a conviction under  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii)a knowing threat of intent to kill someonerequires a sufficient mens rea, and so that element by itself may render the conviction a crime of violence. That other elements of the statute may be satisfied with a lower mens rea adds nothing to our inquiry under  4B1.2(a)(1), because requiring the state to prove additional elements only narrows the reach of the crime.

2

Werle also argues that  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) is overbroad because it covers indeterminate threats to kill in the distant future. See RCW  9A.46.020(1)(a)(i), (2)(b)(ii) (reaching threats to kill immediately or in the future). According to Werle, a threatened use of physical force must convey some prospect that the force could immediately occur. But we find no support for any such immediacy requirement in the language of  4B1.2(a)(1).

In arguing otherwise, Werle points us to our decision in MaltaEspinoza v. Gonzales, 478 F.3d 1080 (9th Cir. 2007). In MaltaEspinoza, we considered whether California Penal Code  646.9, criminalizing stalking, was categorically a crime of violence. Id. at 1083. Because the California statute reached distant threats that the defendant had no actual intent to carry out, we concluded that the statute was not categorically a crime of violence. Id. at 108384. We reasoned that such distant threats created no substantial risk of application of physical force and therefore could not qualify as a crime of violence. Id. at 1083. But importantly, we based that determination on the definition of crime of violence in the residual clause of 18 U.S.C.  16(b), rather than the force clause of  4B1.2(a)(1). See id. And under the language of  16(b)'s residual clause, the state crime must have included a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.

By contrast,  4B1.2(a)(1) does not contain the substantial risk language used in  16(b). Rather,  4B1.2(a)(1) largely mirrors the language of  16(a) and only requires a threatened use of physical force, regardless of any substantial risk that the force will actually occur. For example, in Arellano Hernandez v. Lynch, we held that a statute criminalizing threats to kill, even if there is no intent of actually carrying [ ] out [the threat], categorically constituted a crime of violence under  16(a). 831 F.3d 1127, 113031 (9th Cir. 2016) (quoting Cal. Penal Code  422(a) (2009)). Notably absent in our analysis in Arellano Hernandez is any concern over whether those threats created a substantial risk of force being applied. See id. Indeed, we similarly rejected the defendant's attempt to blur the lines between  16(a) and  16(b). See id. at 113132 (rejecting defendant's reliance on the residual clause). Thus, Werle's reliance on MaltaEspinoza and  16(b) is misplaced.

3

Lastly, Werle argues that a threat to kill does not necessarily include a threatened use of violent physical force, as required by Johnson v. United States, 559 U.S. 133, 130 S.Ct. 1265, 176 L.Ed.2d 1 (2010), because one could kill someone via the application of poison or other non-forceful means. Werle may have luck with this argument in other circuits, see, e.g., Whyte v. Lynch, 807 F.3d 463, 469 (1st Cir. 2015), but we have categorically rejected it, see CornejoVillagrana v. Sessions, 870 F.3d 1099, 1106 (9th Cir. 2017) (Therefore, violent force is present when there is physical injury for purposes of a crime of violence. ); United States v. De La Fuente, 353 F.3d 766, 77071 (9th Cir. 2003) (threat to injure constitutes a threatened use of force even if the threat was to poison the victim); MelchorMeceno, 620 F.3d at 1186 (One cannot knowingly place another in fear of being poisoned without threatening to force the poison on the victim.). By threatening to kill, Werle necessarily threatened violent physical force.

III

Because a conviction under  9A.46.020(2)(b)(ii) necessarily includes a threatened use of physical force against the person of another, we hold that a conviction under that section is categorically a crime of violence under  4B1.2(a)(1).

The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. Werle also argues that the imposition of consecutive, rather than concurrent, sentences was procedurally and substantively unsound. We address this argument in a contemporaneously filed memorandum disposition.

. While  16(a) includes threats of physical force to property, its language is otherwise identical in all material respects to  4B1.2(a)(1). See OrtegaMendez v. Gonzales, 450 F.3d 1010, 1019 & n.10 (9th Cir. 2006).

PER CURIAM:
What does Patali know about politics that Harini doesnt know?

Sri Lanka is going through great pains to get its economy in order after the
Warning: This article may contain ideas that religiously sensitive readers may find disturbing, despite efforts to keep the article balanced.

When religion and politics mix, the combination can produce either a just socio-political-and-economic order or a hypocritical world order that justifies oppression, injustice and racism.



In the United States, the First Amendment which seeks to keep Church and State separate was introduced to protect religion from the corruption of politics -- and politics being abused by some corrupt religious leaders.



Yet, secularism in politics is a myth not only in the United States but also in states such as Turkey and India where secularism is constitutionally promulgated. Religious beliefs and prejudices do play a major role in shaping world politics. The most recent example is the United States President Donald Trumps statement recognizing Jerusalem, the whole of it, as the capital of Israel, with no regard for international law, world public opinion and, above all, the Palestinian peoples right to live.

His decision was not based on justice or international law. Rather the maverick President was apparently seeking to appease a Zionist casino mogul, who made a multimillion dollar political investment in Trumps presidency, and some of the pro-Zionist Evangelical Christians, Trumps core vote base.



For these evangelicals, the Trump statement was a fulfillment of a prophecy regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. According to their theology, God still loves the Jews, despite their rejection of Jesus mission and their role in the crucifixion. These orthodox or hardcore evangelicals say that as the end time nears, the Jews will experience a religious rebirth and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This would spark a series of cataclysmic events culminating in the Battle of Armageddon, the last war of humanity. But it would also cause the Jews to finally accept Jesus as their savior. After all this occurred, Jesus would return in glory and Gods kingdom -- a thousand-year reign of peace. And it would begin in Jerusalem. (http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/08/opinions/jerusalem-israel-evangelicals-end-times-butler-bass-opinion/index.html).



Most Catholic and mainstream Christian theologians, especially churches embracing liberation theology and espousing social justice, do not subscribe to this apocalyptic interpretation.

More than a dozen patriarchs representing Palestinian Christians and Jerusalems main churches have, in a letter to Trump, rejected his Jerusalem declaration.



Our oppressors have decided to deprive us from the joy of Christmas, Patriarch Michel Sabbah, the former archbishop and Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, told his congregation.



The Bible originated in Palestine, not in the Bible Belt (in the US), but people in the Bible Belt read the Bible in a way that really makes our lives difficult, said Rev. Mitri Raheb, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem.



Pope Francis, last week, reiterated that East Jerusalem was an occupied territory. He appealed to the international community to respect the citys status in keeping with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.



The Catholic Church, Protestant churches, the Egyptian Coptic Church, Iraqs Chaldean Christians, the Greek Orthodox Christians and several other US denominations have expressed their opposition to Trumps move.



Yet, some influential Christian groups in the US are seeking to fast track the second coming of Jesus. If Jesus were to come today, whom will he support  the oppressed Palestinians who live a life of humiliation under the Israeli gun or the Zionists who have usurped the Palestinian land, their freedom and their dignity? See Mathew 25:31 onwards.



If the Zionists and their US supporters could interpret their scriptures and history the way they want in their attempt to justify their stance on Jerusalem, should not the Palestinian Muslims and Christians also have the right to interpret the scriptures and their history to assert their claim for Jerusalem?

The Quran in reference to Jerusalem says: Glory to (God) Who did take His servant (Muhammad) for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) to the farthest Mosque (in Jerusalem), whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things). - Chapter 17 Verse 1.



The Muslims also believe in a prophecy regarding the second coming of Jesus and has a narration of Jerusalem vis-a-vis events leading to end times.



Which interpretation or which religion does international law recognise?

The Zionists say Jerusalem has been their historic capital for 3,000 years. Famous Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, linguistic professor at the Colombia University, said the Zionist claim was not the only claim to this land. Its a claim among many others.



He insisted that the Arabs had a much greater claim to the land of Palestine because they have a longer history of inhabitance, of actual residence in Palestine than the Jews did. The overall Jewish actual inhabitance in Palestine throughout history, according to him, amounted to 200 to 260 years, much less than the Arabs 1,192 years.



The professor, who wrote Orientalism, a highly acclaimed critique on Western prejudice of matters East, would say the land of Palestine was inhabited or conquered by many other peoples throughout history and they included the Canaanites, Jebusites, the Assyrians, the Philistines, the Babylonians, the Israelites, the Archaemenids, the Seleucids and others.



So history has many versions.

Laws are based on principles of justice, equality and human rights. A legal system is just only if it is applied without discrimination, be it economic status, social standing or religious beliefs of the people.

Issues subjected to laws intervention -- especially a matter as contentious as Jerusalem, with followers of different religions making rival claims -- should be sorted out in terms of principles of a universal religion accepted by all. The universal religion  call it humanity -- comprises core values every established religion seeks to promote  core values such as compassion, love, justice, peace, equality and the truth without contamination.



Legends like Mahatma Gandhi believed in the universal religion. That is why Gandhi could say Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs... Surely it would be a crime against humanity to reduce the proud Arabs so that Palestine can be restored to the Jews partly or wholly as their national home.



In this abstract universal religion, there is no place for claims such as a people being chosen. Chosen does not mean superiority over other humans. If one insists that Jews are the chosen people, and therefore superior to others, arent they advocating racism, instead of eliminating it, as the universal religion demands? God cannot be a racist God. Gods universal religion dictates that no one human being is superior to another. Superiority is not judged by ones birth into a particular race, caste, tribe or economic class, but by ones righteous action. The more one is righteous and just, the more she or he is close to God.



In terms of the universal religious values such as compassion and cohabitation, the Jews have the right to live in Palestine and Israel has a right to exist within the 1967 borders, side by side with the state of Palestine -- but certainly not as colonialists to continue the imperialistic projects of, first Britain, and now the United States.



The Third Temple should not be and cannot be built on oppression and injustice.
Nominations for Local Government (LG) elections have been set for Monday, December 18 to Thursday, December 21. Before delimitations and carving out of new Wards and LG bodies, 335 LG bodies had 4,116 Councillors elected.

All LG bodies were reduced to local political power bases, taking over petty political work of the party bosses.

The Yahapalanaya Government extended the term of 234 LG bodies till May 2015 and then allowed them to stand dissolved all through two years and seven months, while the rest totalling 101 that were to have their terms end between July and October had their terms extended until end December 2015 and stood dissolved till now for two years.



Elections will now be held to elect 8,365 Councillors for 341 LG bodies in early February 2018 after over a two-year lapse.



During the year 2015 December LG bodies were allocated Rs.7, 744.2 million (7.7 bn) according to information in the Performance Report 2015 of the Ministry of PC and LG.



This is without accounting for the cost of salaries, fuel, and telephone charges etc., the Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairmen and Councillors of LG bodies.



That cost was calculated to be around Rs.02 billion. With more than double the number of Councillors and an increase of LG bodies, it would easily mean, the Taxpayers from 2018 will have to spend at least double that amount to have elected LG bodies from 2018 onwards.



Sadly, there were no public agitations anywhere in this country demanding immediate elections for LG bodies during the past two years. The reason was, people never felt, nor experienced they were without their elected LG bodies, all through these years.

In modern democracies, Municipalities even take responsibility for administration of primary and secondary schools within the national education system.

All LG functions and services that were there continued without any disruption, though without elected Councillors. LG body offices with their staff went about routine work as efficiently or inefficiently as they always did. In plain language, LG body offices functioned as usual.



This begs the question, Why then deploy 300,000 public officials spending over Rs.04 billion rupees as detailed by the Chairman of the EC at a media briefing, to have LG bodies elected?



The answer that I subscribe to as well would be, it is a democratic right to have elected LG bodies, the third tier in our governance structure, the people should not be denied of.

These funded projects dont want to understand that people have no choice in electing clean candidates from dirty nominations



Yet it does not answer the major question, for what purpose, at what public cost?

There certainly is a purpose to have elected representatives in governance structures from parliament through PCs to LG bodies that are constitutionally established with mandates and powers clearly defined. That is to plan, design and implement socio-economic and cultural development programmes to benefit the individual, community and social life, at all three levels

of governance. The Pradeshiya Sabha Act No.15 of 1987 defines the Powers of a PS ascharged with the regulation, control and administration of all matters relating to public health, public utility services and public thoroughfares and generally with the protection and promotion of the comfort, convenience and welfare of the people and all amenities within such area and that includes public spaces as well.

Today, even the educated urbanites keep electing Councillors who are mainly errand boys of parliamentarians of the area. During Rajapaksas time, he turned them into a network of everything unwanted and evil



The Act also says, PSs have established with a view to providing greater opportunities for the people to participate effectively in the decision-making process relating to administrative and development activities at a local level. An opportunity that was never allowed to the ratepayer.

Urban Councils differ only in that they are for every urban area declared to be a town by Order under Section 2 of the Urban Councils Ordinance No.61 of 1939 as amended by Urban Councils (Amendment) Act. No 21 of 2017.



So are Municipalities constituted under the Municipal Councils Ordinance No.29 of 1947 as lastly amended by Act No.57 of 1979.



Most, unfortunately, elections dont provide such opportunity to elect a Council that is capable of protection and promotion of the comfort, convenience and welfare of the people and all amenities and people dont demand such development programmes at elections. Not even at parliamentary elections, for that matter.



The perception in society including that of the educated urban middle class does not include LG bodies as elected governing bodies that should deliver at the local level for the welfare of its people.

LG bodies are not called for to plan local area development to meet their mandate. People are never allowed to participate effectively in the decision-making process relating to administrative and development activities at a local level though the Act says they should.



In modern democracies, Municipalities even take responsibility for administration of primary and secondary schools within the national education system. They also provide efficient and quality subsidised out-patient health services.



In the past after the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) took over Tramcars from its private operator the Boustead Ltd. in 1944 and then replaced Tramcars with an expanded Trolley bus service in the early 50s, the CMC provided a reasonably priced, quick commuting service that was popular within its city boundaries. Even after 1958 January when the Bandaranaike Government took over all private bus operations under the State-owned CTB, the Colombo municipality operated trolley buses as the popular mode of commuting within the city, until M.H. Mohamed as then Mayor, scrapped the service in 1964 instead of solving issues that led to a strike.



Over the decades, all LG bodies were reduced to local political power bases, taking over petty political work of the party bosses.



LG bodies were thus reduced to bear basic responsibilities of providing approval for building constructions, allotting shopping space in markets and levying ground fees from traders at weekly market fairs like the Sunday fair, collecting domestic and other solid waste and dumping them somewhere and owning cemeteries. Therefore, even without an elected Council, the Secretary or the Commissioner was able to and can continue to attend to those basic services with his or her staff.

The need to have LG bodies elected to plan and design local development with efficient services is no more seen as necessary by the people.



Today, even the educated urbanites keep electing Councillors who are mainly errand boys of parliamentarians of the area. During Rajapaksas time, he turned them into a network of everything unwanted and evil. The most suited qualification for nominations to an LG body, especially for the Chairmanship or Mayoralty, became the ability to play the role of a thug throwing about political power. Such was promoted as local power nodes with backups from numerous projects like Maga-neguma, Gama-neguma, etc.



They were also delegated powers to represent political power at the Centre in interfering with the police, hospital services, divisional secretariat work etc. Bottom line was that the ordinary innocent voter was made dependable on these political rags.



It was such unbridled local power that saw Tangalle PS Chairman involved in a rape and murder case. The Akuressa PS chairman accused of a long list of juvenile rape. The Deraniyagala PC Chairman and his goons found guilty in the gruesome murder of Noori Estate Superintendent.



In 2014 March, Chairman of the Wilgamuwa PS and his predecessor was arrested while transporting marijuana in the official vehicle.



The Kahawatte PS Chairman is one of the accused in a shooting incident during the 2015 January presidential elections along with Deputy Minister Jayasekera and a PC member. And this list is too long to be included in a half page article.



These are the types, both mainstream political parties nominate for LG elections. There are no preliminaries conducted to choose the right nomination list that could effectively and efficiently run an LG administration.



Political leaders are least worried about whom they nominate, as long as they could muster adequate votes. That often comes with caste considerations too, the political leaders are never shy about accepting. The only outcome these political leaders are after, is a show of political strength. They thus have turned LG elections into a national level power struggle, the worst that could happen for LG elections.



Today what we hear about all nominations that are ready and the wait for auspicious times, are all lists that can cater to the power struggle between the UNP and its partner faction of the SLFP with President Sirisena and the Rajapaksa factor. They would blast each other on election platforms on issues totally irrelevant to LG planning



and development. They would end up with accusations and allegations on previous and present corruptions, the Sinhala Buddhist supremacy, betraying of war heroes and compromising on power-sharing leading to separatism, none that relates to what LG bodies should attend to once elected. Yet issues they believe could give them votes to control more LG bodies than the others.

The media and those Yahapalana apologists too are counting numbers in this equation, wholly ignorant as to why this country would spend 04 billion rupees for LG elections. It is this insanity that should be challenged in social discourse. This, for now, is no priority with foreign-funded NGO leaders who tinker with what corrupt political leadership offer. With the media, they create a social opinion that can never demand good candidates from wholly corrupt political party leaders who nominate their

own stooges.



These funded projects dont want to understand that people have no choice in electing clean candidates from dirty nominations.



Clean candidate in this horrible setup is only a misleading slogan. It is thus time the people leave them aside and demand political parties run primaries in selecting candidates for LG elections. Obviously, this is not possible at this time for this LG election. But, if this is not sounded out loud, we can certainly go about as we are, without these most unwanted groups collected by political party leaders taking control of local governance at a heavy cost to the people.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which got its nominations for six local government (LG) bodies rejected, said yesterday it would seek legal consultations to reverse the decision not for all but for some of the LG bodies.

SLPP Chairman G.L. Peiris said different reasons resulted inthe rejection of their nominations.

However, we will seek legal consultations to take further action to get the decision reversed for some of the LG bodies, he told the Daily Mirror.

Accordingly, the party nominations for the Maharagama Urban Council was rejected due to a technical issue. The gender of a female candidate had been marked as male in the list.

The SLPP nomination for Weligama had been rejected by Matara District Returning Officer Pradeep Ratnayaka on the grounds that the nomination had not been submitted by a member of the party or an authorized agent.

The returning officer had taken the decision after considering the objections raised by Provincial Council Minister Jayantha Pathirana (JVP) and other authorized agents of political parties.

Meanwhile, Badulla District Returning Officer Nimal Abesiri had rejected the nomination list of Mahiyanganaya based on a technical issue of selecting opposite gender of a candidate.

The list for Badulla had been rejected because one candidate's signature had been included without the name.

The nomination list for the Agalawatte Pradeshiya Sabha had been rejected because the date of the list had been mentioned as December 17 instead of December 14.

The party had failed to mention the date of signature for the Panadura Urban Counil resulting in the list being rejected.

Prof. Peiris said the people should realise the genuine opposition was the Joint opposition and anyone who is against the conduct of the government should support the JO backed the SLPP.

The Party had submitted nominations for 84 LG bodies out of the 93 under the SLPP lotus bud sign, for seven LG bodies under the boat sign for Bandarawela and Beruwala from Independent lists.

Reporting by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk, Muditha Dayananda, Palitha Ariyawansha, Prasad Rukmal, Prasanna Pathmasiri and Sunil S. Thanthriarachchi (Lahiru Pothmulla).
The High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian today struck out an appeal by the prosecution and a cross-appeal by human rights activist Lena Rasathi Hendry against the RM10,000 fine meted out on the woman for screening a documentary on the Sri Lankan civil war that had not been approved by the Censorship Board in 2013.

Judge Mohd Sofian Abd Razak made the decision after deputy public prosecutor Zalina Awang @ Mamat informed the court that the prosecution had agreed to withdraw it appeal for a higher sentence against Hendry.

Earlier, Hendrys lawyer, New Sin Yew, told the court that his client also agreed to withdraw the appeal against her conviction and sentence and that she was currently pursuing studies in Human Rights at York University in the United Kingdom.

"My client wants to withdraw the appeal as she wants to focus on her studies, he said.

The matter was confirmed by Zalina, who said that the Attorney-Generals Chambers agreed to withdraw the appeal.

Hendry was fined RM10,000, in default a years jail, by the Magistrates Court here last March 22 for screening the document, with the title ' No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka'. She paid the fine.

The offence was committed at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Jalan Maharajalela here at 9pm on July 3, 2013.

The charge under Section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act 2002 carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to RM30,000 or both if convicted.(Bernama)
The claim made in a new show of a US science channel that the 'Ram Setu' between India and Sri Lanka is man-made has reaffirmed BJP's stand on the issue, the party said on Wednesday, asserting that it believes in the existence of Lord Ram.

"It is unfortunate that Congress has always been apologetic when it came to respecting Hindu religion. I wish once and for all this debate (on Ram Setu) is settled. We should respect Ram Setu and no damage should be done to it," Union minister Piyush Goyal told a press conference.

His Cabinet colleague and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also hit out at the UPA government for an affidavit in the Supreme Court which had questioned the belief among Hindus that the land bridge was built by Lord Ram to reach then Lanka to rescue his wife Sita, as depicted in the epic Ramayana.

"Those who filed the affidavit should explain now. The research has supported what BJP has been claiming all along...The setu is part of our cultural heritage," Prasad told reporters here. In a promo for its upcoming show, the channel quotes an archaeologist that the rocks on top of sand pre-date the sand. "This is what BJP has been saying all along," minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju said here.

BJP, Goyal said, is not apologetic about its love for Lord Ram and for the party functionaries he was an ideal human being. "A secular democratic framework allows each Indian to respect his religion. We are proud of our religion and we are proud of every religion in India," he said. (Times of India)
A courageous campaigner and strategist, but can he meet present challenges and rise again

Weerakumara Dissanayake says that his leader Weerawansa wanted to divide the SLFP

He contends that the party should take that assurance seriously and work accordingly

Yet, it is too early to predict the fate of the NFF or that of its leader

He might be pushed to exploit more and more nationalistic sentiments of the people, for the survival

Even being a strong loyalist of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has unusually taken a backseat at a time when his boss and mentor is going to face an election, the results of which might turn out to be a trendsetter.



The reason is very clear. His party is facing a crisis situation as three key leaders of his party have defected to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Maithripala Sirisena and another one seems to follow suit.



Deputy leader of the NFF Weerakumara Dissanayake, National Organiser Piyasiri Wijenayake and Eastern Province leader and former Parliamentarian Jayantha Wijesekara have already obtained the membership of the SLFP from President Sirisena last week, while PriyanjithVitharana has resigned as NFF General Secretary as well as a member of the party.

He is no longer a communist revolutionary as he was ten years ago. Nor does he seem any longer to have any serious political goal such as socialism



Although Vitharana cited health reasons for his resignation from the party and the post of General Secretary, he had attributed his decision to political reasons, while speaking to media over the weekend.



He has not revealed what his future political course of action would be, but he too might follow the other defectors, given the line of thinking of the four.



All four top leaders of the NFF had attempted to justify their decision to leave their party during their press briefings and interviews with the weekend newspapers.



Except for Vitharana other three leaders argued that they joined the SLFP to prevent the United National Party (UNP) from coming to office in 2020. However, their arguments do not seem logical or strong.



Weerakumara Dissanayake says that his leader Weerawansa wanted to divide the SLFP and that would pave the way for UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, to emerge as the President of the country in 2020.

The reason is clear; his party is facing a crisis situation as three key leaders of his party have defected to SLFP led by President Maithripala Sirisena and another one seems to follow suit



Having said that, he teamed up with President Sirisena who had already divided the SLFP in 2014 with his defection and appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe Prime Minister when the latter was commanding the confidence of only about 50 members of the Parliament.



Wijenayake observes that they have a duty to achieve national freedom and it is possible only by teaming up with the President, the leader who has the peoples mandate to rule the country.

He also contends that nobody could defeat the UNP by disregarding the President.



It is not clear as to what he meant by national freedom and how he is going to defeat the UNP with a leader who was elected to power mainly by the UNP voters and running a government with the same UNP.



Jayantha Wijesekara states that one of the objectives of the NFF was to bring in Socialism through a national freedom struggle and the President at a recent discussion with the NFF had pledged that he would not allow anybody to divide the country or to sell the national assets.

It was his NFF that initiated the Rise with Mahinda campaign after the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa. These were, no doubt milestones in the Sri Lankan political history

He contends that the party should take that assurance seriously and work accordingly. He accuses that party leader Weerawansa had demanded his resignation from the party as he suggested to contest the upcoming election on their own if the party was not given its due share of seats by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).



He also complains that he wanted to talk to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa about election arrangements, but was not given an opportunity which prompted him to talk to the President.

It is clear that Wijesekara has not resigned from the NFF on his own. He has been disposed of both by Weerawansa and Rajapaksa.



He has joined hands with the President to achieve socialism through a national freedom struggle after he was rejected by the people with whom he has been launching his national freedom struggle.

And he is now going to launch that very struggle against the people whom he was attempting to hang on until he was dumped.



This was what Weerawansa also did in 2008 as a leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) when he was sidelined by the other leaders of that party, suspecting his activities.

When he sensed that something was happening within the party against him he tried hard, during a speech in Parliament to elucidate as to how much he was loyal to the party policies. Explaining how much he sacrificed to the party, he said he could not even visit the historic Sigiriya rock fortress in his life, due to his dedication to the party activities and questioned Mage pakshaya mata wedi thibbe ey? (Why did my party shoot me?) But, after he left the party he did not want to pursue the same policies of the party which in fact he had been so much dedicated to.



Weerawansa wrote a book titled Neththa Wenuwata Eththa (Truth in place of falsehood) in 2008 in which he, quoting Soviet leader V.I. Lenin and JVP founder leader Rohana Wijeweera argued that the JVP should have joined the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the wake of the 2005 Presidential Election, at which the JVP supported Rajapaksa.



It could have helped the party, he contended, in mustering more public support and suggested to leave the government when it goes against the wishes of the people. He cited his plan as a strategy in the proletariat struggle to achieve socialism.



However, he did not walk the talk. Instead of leaving the Government, he was in the forefront in supporting Rajapaksa during the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that abolished the Independent Commissions, the institution of which his party, the JVP was instrumental to. He supported the incarceration and deprivation of pension and medals of Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and was a part of the process of impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake He, during the implementation of the strategy in his proletariat struggle wholeheartedly defended the Rajapaksa government when it brutally suppressed the agitations by the workers, fishermen and the people in Rathupaswala, killing the demonstrators.



He also defended the government when it was accused of mass scale corruption. Now he also has been accused in the courts of illegally amassing wealth.



Still, he claims that his is a national freedom struggle. Interestingly, now, the leaders of the NFF are in two camps poised to fight each other in the name of the national freedom struggle.



Yet, it is too early to predict the fate of the NFF or that of its leader, as Weerawansa is a courageous campaigner, strategist and a talented organiser who had withstood many odds in his political life.

He was a key figure in a small JVP team that changed the Sri Lankan political history many a time. Wimal was known to the people as one of the two key men who strove hard to make the JVP to rise from the ashes, after its entire leadership was decimated by the armed forces during its 1988/89 insurgency. The other person was JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva.



When the JVP meticulously used an opportunity to press a beleaguered President Chandrika Kumaratunga in 2001 to institute Independent Commissions through the 17thAmendment to the Constitution after forming the Parivasa Anduwa (Probationary Government), Weerawansa was in the forefront in the process. This was the only major democratic change in the second Republican

Constitution then.



He played a key role in 2004 as a JVP leader, in dissolving the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government, which had by then gone too far in giving in to the LTTE, during the peace process.



It was his NFF that initiated the Rise with Mahinda campaign after the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa. These were, no doubt milestones in the Sri Lankan political history.



However, it is not clear whether Weerawansa has a capable supporting team to meet the present challenges and rise again this time.



He is no longer a communist revolutionary as he was ten years ago. Nor does he seem any longer to have any serious political goal such as socialism. Therefore, he might be pushed to exploit more and more nationalistic sentiments of the people, for the survival.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. HARSON CHONG, Defendant-Appellant. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TAC TRAN, Defendant-Appellant. No. 15-50101, No. 15-50231 Decided: December 13, 2017

Before: NGUYEN and HURWITZ, Circuit Judges, and SEEBORG,** District Judge.

MEMORANDUM*

Harson Chong and Tac Tran appeal their convictions for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in violation of 21 U.S.C.  846; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in violation of 18 U.S.C.  841(a)-(b); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of 21 U.S.C.  924(c)(1)(A)(i). Tran also appeals his conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(1) and the application of a career offender enhancement to his sentence pursuant to U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1291 and affirm.

1. The district court did not err in denying appellants' motions to suppress. The district judge reasonably concluded, after viewing photographs of the scene, that an observer outside of Chong's house would be able to clearly look inside [the] open garage door and see the activity that was taking place inside. See Maisano v. Welcher, 940 F.2d 499, 503 (9th Cir. 1991). The officers saw Tran toss aside a bag of methamphetamine from their vantage point outside the garage, and lawfully entered the garage to secure it, to prevent the destruction of evidence and to protect themselves and others on the scene. United States v. Alaimalo, 313 F.3d 1188, 119394 (9th Cir. 2002).

2. Tran did not argue below that the officers unlawfully entered the curtilage of Chong's home and therefore waived this argument on appeal. See Beets v. Cty. of L.A., 669 F.3d 1038, 1043 (9th Cir. 2012). In any event, Tran does not have standing to challenge an unlawful search of the house. See Minnesota v. Carter, 525 U.S. 83, 91 (1998) (denying Fourth Amendment protection to visitors who had gathered to package and distribute drugs); United States v. Zermeno, 66 F.3d 1058, 1061 (9th Cir. 1995) (holding that using another's house as a stash house for drugs does not establish a legitimate expectation of privacy).

3. The district court did not abuse its discretion by failing to hold an evidentiary hearing on the motions to suppress. Chong only sought such a hearing to examine a deputy who testified at trial. Chong's counsel cross-examined the deputy, and nothing in his testimony suggested any deficiency in the search. Tran sought an evidentiary hearing only to attack the government's argument that the search was justified by the conditions of his parole, but the district court agreed with Tran and instead upheld the search as supported by probable cause.

4. Chong should have been given the warnings required by Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), before being interrogated in a squad car. His resulting statements, describing two sums of cash inside the house, should have been suppressed. But, the error was harmless. See United States v. Higuchi, 437 F.2d 835, 837 (9th Cir. 1971). The officers found the first sum during the protective sweep, and discovered the second after obtaining a search warrant without reliance on Chong's statements.

5. Appellants' argument that the district court erred by declining to sever their trials was not preserved for appellate review. Tran did not renew his severance motion at the close of evidence, see United States v. Sullivan, 522 F.3d 967, 981 (9th Cir. 2008), and Chong neither moved to sever nor joined Tran's motion, see United States v. Mausali, 590 F.3d 1077, 1081 (9th Cir. 2010). In any event, appellants have not shown that their joint trial subjected them to any legally cognizable prejudice. Zafiro v. United States, 506 U.S. 534, 541 (1993).

6. Chong's right to be present and represented at all critical stages of the proceedings was not violated during a pretrial status conference. See United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 659 (1984) (finding right to presence of counsel during critical stages); Rushen v. Spain, 464 U.S. 114, 117 (1983) (finding right to personal presence). Although Chong's counsel was notified of the conference, he failed to appear. At the conference, the district judge only ruled on a motion in limine filed by Tran and briefly discussed the possibility that Chong might seek a continuance. No decisions were made that affected Chong, who ultimately did not seek a continuance. Although the better practice would have been to continue the conference, Chong's Sixth Amendment rights were not violated.

7. Because the record does not make ineffective assistance of counsel plain, we decline to address the issue on direct appeal. See United States v. Daychild, 357 F.3d 1082, 1095 (9th Cir. 2004).

8. The evidence was sufficient to support Tran's convictions for possessing firearms and ammunition. The jury could reasonably have concluded that Tran was using Chong's home to store the firearms and ammunition.

9. Because robbery under California Penal Code  211 qualifies as a crime of violence under U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a), see United States v. McDougherty, 920 F.2d 569, 573 (9th Cir. 1990), the district court correctly held that Tran had at least two previous convictions for crimes of violence. The residual clause in  4B1.2(a)(2) is not unconstitutionally vague. See Beckles v. United States, 137 S.Ct. 886, 892 (2017).

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. Chong did not raise a curtilage argument in his opening brief and therefore waived it. See United States v. Kama, 394 F.3d 1236, 1238 (9th Cir. 2005).

. We GRANT Chong's motion to supplement the record.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JUAN GIL, AKA Nito, Defendant-Appellant. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ARMANDO BARAJAS, Defendant-Appellant. No. 14-50185, No. 14-50193 Decided: December 13, 2017

Before: TASHIMA and HURWITZ, Circuit Judges, and SEEBORG,** District Judge.

MEMORANDUM*

Juan Gil and Armando Barajas were convicted of racketeering conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C.  1962(d). Barajas was also convicted of conspiracy to distribute narcotics in violation of 21 U.S.C.  846. Both appeal their convictions and sentences. We affirm.

1. An application for a wiretap must contain a full and complete statement as to whether or not other investigative procedures have been tried and failed or why they reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous. 18 U.S.C.  2518(1)(c). And, a court authorizing a wiretap must find that normal investigative procedures have been tried and have failed or reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous. 18 U.S.C.  2518(3)(c). Wiretaps authorized by a state court are not other or normal investigative procedures under  2518. See United States v. Reed, 575 F.3d 900, 908 (9th Cir. 2009) (noting that the purpose of the statutory requirement is to ensure that wiretapping is not resorted to in situations where traditional investigative techniques would suffice to expose the crime  (citation omitted)). The district court therefore did not err in admitting evidence from the federal wiretap despite the previous state-authorized wiretaps.

2. The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting David Navarro's testimony. A witness's interpretations of ambiguous conversations based upon his direct knowledge are appropriate lay testimony under Federal Rule of Evidence 701. United States v. Freeman, 498 F.3d 893, 904 (9th Cir. 2007).

3. The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting packages seized during the strip search of a prisoner. The government offered evidence that the gang to which defendants belonged regularly smuggled drugs into the prison, and that one package seized in the strip search was intended to be delivered to Gil.

4. During deliberations, the jury submitted this question: Threat as used in the definition of extortion does it have to be explicit or implied? The district court replied: A threat can be explicit or implied. This response is only a part of the jury instructions and you should consider it equally with the earlier instructions. The court's response was not misleading, unresponsive, or legally incorrect. United States v. Frega, 179 F.3d 793, 810 (9th Cir. 1999). Nor did the court abuse its discretion by declining to define implied threat. See United States v. McIver, 186 F.3d 1119, 1130 (9th Cir. 1999), overruled on other grounds as recognized by United States v. PinedaMoreno, 688 F.3d 1087, 109091 (9th Cir. 2012).

5. Gil's conspiracy conviction was supported by sufficient evidence. A witness testified that Gil knew that payments he received were dependent on the success of the alleged conspiracy. The credibility of witnesses is a matter for the jury, not an appellate court. Lyda v. United States, 321 F.2d 788, 794 (9th Cir. 1963). And, Gil acknowledged in several telephone calls that payments to his wife were dependent on the continued success of the conspiracy.

6. To determine whether a RICO conspiracy qualifies as a crime of violence or controlled substance offense under the Sentencing Guidelines, we look to the predicate offenses. See United States v. Scott, 642 F.3d 791, 801 (9th Cir. 2011) (per curiam). The government presented ample evidence of qualifying predicate offenses, see U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a)(2) (defining crime of violence and listing extortion); id.  4B1.2(b) (defining controlled substance offense); id.  4B1.2 app. n.1 (explaining that 21 U.S.C.  843(b) is a controlled substance offense), and the district court reasonably could have concluded that Gil committed one of these offenses. The court therefore did not err in concluding that Gil committed a crime of violence. See United States v. Mercado, 474 F.3d 654, 65657 (9th Cir. 2007).

7. The district court did not err in finding that Gil's 2005 felony conviction for distribution of methamphetamine qualifies as a prior controlled substance offense for sentencing purposes. Gil was convicted of that offense prior to the last overt act of the instant offense. U.S.S.G.  2E1.1 app. n.4.

8. The district court did not err in finding that Barajas' prior conviction for a violation of California Penal Code  459 qualifies as a crime of violence. Section 459 categorically falls within section 4B1.2(a)(2)'s residual clause, in that it involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another.  United States v. Park, 649 F.3d 1175, 1177 (9th Cir. 2011) (citation omitted). Neither Descamps v. United States, 133 S. Ct. 2276 (2013), nor Johnson v. United States, 135 S. Ct. 2551 (2015), is clearly irreconcilable with Park. See Miller v. Gammie, 335 F.3d 889, 893 (9th Cir. 2003) (en banc). And, Barajas' vagueness challenge to the residual clause is foreclosed by Beckles v. United States, 137 S. Ct. 886, 895 (2017).

In each of these appeals, the judgment of conviction and the sentence are AFFIRMED.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. JOSEPH DYLAG, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. WEST LAS VEGAS SURGERY CENTER, LLC; TEAMWORKS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.; STEVEN KOZMARY; ROBERT BIEN, Defendants-Appellees. No. 16-15869 Decided: December 13, 2017

Before: O'SCANNLAIN, TASHIMA, and BYBEE, Circuit Judges.

MEMORANDUM*

Plaintiff-appellant Joseph Dylag filed suit against his former joint employers, West Las Vegas Surgery Center (WLVSC) and Teamworks Professional Services, Inc. (Teamworks), as well as two WLVSC shareholders (collectively Defendants). Defendants moved the district court to dismiss the complaint and compel arbitration based on an arbitration provision in the employment contract between Dylag and WLVSC. The court granted the motion in an oral ruling.

We have jurisdiction under 9 U.S.C.  16(a)(3) and review the district court's decision to compel arbitration de novo. Ziober v. BLB Res., Inc., 839 F.3d 814, 816 (9th Cir. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 2274 (2017). A party seeking to compel arbitration has the burden under the [Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) ] to show (1) the existence of a valid, written agreement to arbitrate; and, if it exists, (2) that the agreement to arbitrate encompasses the dispute at issue. Ashbey v. Archstone Prop. Mgmt., Inc., 785 F.3d 1320, 1323 (9th Cir. 2015).

1. The district court correctly held that Dylag must arbitrate his ADEA and ADA claims against WLVSC. [I]ndividuals generally may contractually agree to arbitrate employment disputes and thereby waive certain statutory rights to which they would otherwise be entitled. Nelson v. Cyprus Bagdad Copper Corp., 119 F.3d 756, 760 (9th Cir. 1997). However, an employee can only waive his right to litigate federal employment-discrimination claims in a judicial forum if he does so knowingly. Ashbey, 785 F.3d at 1323 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).

By entering into an employment contract with an arbitration provision that encompasses any dispute aris[ing] out of that contract, Dylag knowingly bargained away his right to litigate his ADEA and ADA claims against WLVSC. Compare id. at 132526 (holding that the employee knowingly waived his right to a judicial forum for his Title VII claim by signing a form acknowledging he would adhere to the employee handbook, including an arbitration agreement that the form explicitly cited), with Kummetz v. Tech Mold, Inc., 152 F.3d 1153, 1155 (9th Cir. 1998) (finding that a similar acknowledgment form contained no explicit reference to arbitration or waiver of right to sue and therefore did not constitute a knowing waiver), and Nelson, 119 F.3d at 76061 (same).

2. In contrast, while it is undisputed that Teamworks was Dylag's co-employer, the two did not share a contractual relationship. Generally, the contractual right to compel arbitration may not be invoked by one who is not a party to the agreement and does not otherwise possess the right to compel arbitration. Kramer v. Toyota Motor Corp., 705 F.3d 1122, 1126 (9th Cir. 2013) (internal quotation marks omitted). However, both signatories and nonsignatories of arbitration agreements may be bound by the agreement under ordinary contract and agency principles[,] including equitable estoppel. Comer v. Micor, Inc., 436 F.3d 1098, 1101 (9th Cir. 2006). Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Arthur Andersen LLP v. Carlisle, 556 U.S. 624 (2009), courts must apply state law in determining the applicability of these principles. Kramer, 705 F.3d at 1128.

Nevada recognizes equitable estoppel's application in the arbitration context. Truck Ins. Exch. v. Palmer J. Swanson, Inc., 189 P.3d 656, 660 (Nev. 2008). In a recent unpublished disposition, the Nevada Supreme Court applied the commonly used framework for equitable estoppel, which includes two avenues for compelling arbitration:

First, equitable estoppel applies when the signatory to a written agreement containing an arbitration clause must rely on the terms of the written agreement in asserting its claims against the nonsignatory. When each of a signatory's claims against a nonsignatory makes reference to or presumes the existence of the written agreement, the signatory's claims arise out of and relate directly to the written agreement, and arbitration is appropriate. Second, application of equitable estoppel is warranted when the signatory to the contract containing the arbitration clause raises allegations of substantially interdependent and concerted misconduct by both the nonsignatory and one or more of the signatories to the contract.

Hard Rock Hotel, Inc. v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court of State in & for Cty. of Clark, 390 P.3d 166, at *1 n.4, *2 (Nev. 2017) (unpublished) (citation omitted). In regard to the second avenue, we are confident that, like most jurisdictions that apply this framework, Nevada would require that the allegations of substantially interdependent and concerted misconduct be founded in or intimately connected with the obligations of the underlying agreement. See Kramer, 705 F.3d at 112829 (citation omitted); Rajagopalan v. NoteWorld, LLC, 718 F.3d 844, 847 (9th Cir. 2013) (Where other circuits have granted motions to compel arbitration on behalf of non-signatory defendants against signatory plaintiffs, it was essential in all of these cases that the subject matter of the dispute was intertwined with the contract providing for arbitration. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)).

Here, Dylag's ADEA and ADA claims rely on and are founded in federal anti-discrimination statutes, not his employment contract. See Kramer, 705 F.3d at 123031 (holding that claims under consumer-protection and unfair-competition statutes did not rely on and were not intimately founded in the underlying contract); Rajagopalan, 718 F.3d at 847 (holding that the plaintiff was not equitably estopped from avoiding arbitration because his statutory claims  [were] separate from the contract itself (alteration omitted)). Moreover, Dylag has not alleged that WLVSC and Teamworks engaged in substantially interdependent and concerted misconduct because he has not asserted that Teamworks suspended or fired him, participated in these decisions, or discriminated against him. And even if made, such allegations would not be founded in or intertwined with the obligations in Dylag's employment contract with WLVSC.

Finally, Defendants have not argued that Dylag's state-law claims against Teamworks rely on his employment contract or that these claims, taken on their own, would justify equitable estoppel. This argument is therefore waived. Clem v. Lomeli, 566 F.3d 1177, 1182 (9th Cir. 2009).

Accordingly, we reverse the district court only as to its order requiring Dylag to arbitrate his claims against Teamworks, and we remand the case for further proceedings.

AFFIRMED in part. REVERSED in part and REMANDED.

Each party shall bear its own costs on appeal.

I join in Part 1 of the court's memorandum and in the judgment affirming the dismissal of Dylag's claims against West Las Vegas Surgery Center (WLVSC). I cannot join Part 2, which reverses the dismissal of Dylag's claims against Teamworks Professional Services, Inc. (Teamworks). I respectfully disagree with the majority's conclusion that the district court wrongly held that Dylag's claims against Teamworks were so intertwined with the claims against WLVSC as to require arbitration.

I

The principal question regarding the claims against Teamworks is whether, as a non-signatory, Teamworks can still compel Dylag to arbitrate his claims under a theory of equitable estoppel. Specifically, the district court held that Teamworks could compel arbitration because the claims against Teamworks are identical to, for the most part, the claims against West Las Vegas  [T]hose claims are intertwined and the relationship between those two entities  [is] so close that Mr. Dylag should be estopped from denying arbitration against Teamworks. In doing so, the court relied on and followed a decision from the Second Circuit, Ragone v. Atl. Video at Manhattan Ctr., 595 F.3d 115, 12728 (2d Cir. 2010).

The majority now holds that the district court's application of the Ragone standard for equitable estoppel was in erroralthough it does not even cite the case. By the majority's interpretation, equitable estoppel should not apply unless the claims against the third party are founded in or intimately connected with the obligations underlying the agreement, Mem. at 5a requirement imposed in some courts but not (as demonstrated by Ragone) in others. Without its really addressing the issue, the majority's view seems to be that the district court erred in applying the more lenient estoppel standard of Ragone and other cases, rather than the stricter standard preferred by the majority.

The primary difficulty with this argument is that Dylag himself has never come close to making it. On appeal, Dylag states that the District Court erred allowing Teamworks, a non-signatory to the dispute resolution provision[,] to require Mr. Dylag to arbitrate his employment discrimination claims. But Dylag never attempts to explain how the district court's estoppel analysis was wrong, much less to argue a competing theory of equitable estoppel. Indeed, he does not discuss whatsoever whether (as the district court held) his allegations against Teamworks are so intertwined with those against WLVSC as to require arbitration. Instead, Dylag simply reiterates his primary argument that he never validly waived his right to sue his employers for discrimination or civil rights claims. He does not argue that Ragone is the wrong standard to apply, but rather that Ragone is distinguishable specifically because (unlike here) it involved a valid waiver of civil rights claims. That is an issue which has nothing to do with the district court's estoppel analysis, and indeed an argument the majority in fact rejects with respect to Dylag's claims against Teamworks. Mem. at 23.

The same was true in the district court. There, the court directly asked Dylag's attorney, [W]hy aren't the claims intertwined  such that he should be estopped from denying arbitration? Dylag's attorney responded, The claims would be intertwined if we're not dealing with an employment discrimination case. But you have case law here that says these federal civil rights are important.  [Y]ou have to make sure certain things are done [to waive them]. In other words, Dylag essentially conceded that the district court's general understanding of equitable estoppel was correct and that the doctrine would apply to his case, if he raised non-discrimination claims. He once again simply reiterated his primary argument that he did not knowingly waive his discrimination claims in the arbitration agreement, and thus even if the claims were intertwined with those against WLVSC, he could not be required to arbitrate them.

In its response brief on appeal, Teamworks first noted that Dylag completely fail[ed] to make any argument regarding the court's estoppel analysis, and then explained why it believes the district court's application of estoppel was indeed correct. Yet Dylag did not even bother to file a reply brief to respond to these arguments. In all, Dylag has not at any point attempted to grapple with the district court's analysis of the third-party arbitration issue or the issue of estoppel.

The majority agrees that Dylag's arguments with respect to the arbitrability of employment discrimination claims are meritless. Mem. at 23. Because these are the only arguments Dylag has ever raised to contest arbitration of his claims against both WLVSC and Teamworks, our analysis should end there. The majority's suggestion that the district court generally misinterpreted equitable estoppel law and misapplied the test for arbitration of intertwined claims against a non-signatory is simply not reflected anywhere in Dylag's own arguments. Regardless of the merits of that analysis, it is not an issue we should reach. Dylag utterly failed to analyze or to argue the law underlying the district court's determination that Teamworks can enforce arbitration through estoppel, and he has not made any argument remotely resembling that adopted by the majority. He therefore has waived any such argument, and we should not build a new case for him. See, e.g., Barnes v. FAA, 865 F.3d 1266, 1271 n.3 (9th Cir. 2017) (arguments not raised in opening brief are waived); SeaView Trading, LLC v. Comm'r of Internal Revenue, 858 F.3d 1281, 1288 (9th Cir. 2017) (same); McKay v. Ingleson, 558 F.3d 888, 891 n.5 (9th Cir. 2009) (Because this argument was not raised clearly and distinctly in the opening brief, it has been waived.).

II

Further, even if we were to consider the merits of the district court's estoppel analysis, I cannot agree that Nevada would not adopt the Ragone standard, as applied by the district court.

The majority confidently predicts that, like most jurisdictions that apply [the equitable estoppel] framework, Nevada would require that the allegations of interdependent and concerted misconduct be founded in or intimately connected with the obligations of the underlying agreement. Mem. at 5 (internal quotation marks omitted). The problem, of course, is that Nevada itself has not said anything of the sort. And although the majority only cites cases supporting its more restrictive framework, it does not even mention those that do notmost notably, of course, Ragone itself.

Under the more lenient Ragone standard, a plaintiff may be forced to arbitrate claims raised against a non-signatory where such claims are factually intertwined with a dispute against a signatory, and where there is a close relationship between the signatory and non-signatory defendants. See Ragone, 595 F.3d at 12728. There is little doubt that the district court was correct that the claims against Teamworks satisfy such standard. Indeed, Ragone itself and many cases applying it have required plaintiffs to arbitrate claims against third parties in circumstances remarkably similar to this case. See, e.g., id.; Barreto v. JEC II, LLC, 2017 WL 3172827, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. July 25, 2017); Colon v. Conchetta, Inc., 2017 WL 2572517, at *6 (E.D. Pa. June 14, 2017); Bonner v. Mich. Logistics Inc., 250 F. Supp. 3d 388, 39899 (D. Ariz. 2017).

The majority clearly disagrees with the Ragone standard. However, that standard is not such a minority view, or so obviously disfavored, as to make it clear that Nevada would disagree as well. Furthermore, the parties have not even had the opportunity to brief which standard Nevada courts would or should apply (again, because Dylag himself never challenged this issue). Because the applicable standard may be critical to the outcome of this case, I do not believe that we should decide such issue without at least full briefing from the parties or, perhaps, certification to the Nevada Supreme Court itself.

For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent from Part 2.

FOOTNOTES

. Dylag has not appealed the court's order compelling arbitration against the two WLVSC shareholders.

. Prior to Arthur Andersen, courts applied federal common law in addressing arbitration provisions governed by the FAA. See Kramer, 705 F.3d at 113032 nn.56 (discussing the required application of state law postArthur Andersen).

. Although the parties have not cited any state case law regarding this issue, the contract's choice-of-law provision selects Nevada law, which therefore applies. Ferdie Sievers & Lake Tahoe Land Co. v. Diversified Mortg. Inv'rs, 603 P.2d 270, 273 (Nev. 1979).

. The Nevada Supreme Court applied this framework in the context of estopping a contract signatory from avoiding a contractual jury-trial waiver rather than an arbitration provision, but the court noted that the same framework applies in both contexts. Hard Rock Hotel, 390 P.3d 166, at *1 n.4; see also Ahlers v. Ryland Homes Nev., LLC, 367 P.3d 743, at *2 (Nev. 2010) (unpublished) (citing to the Eleventh Circuit's widely-cited articulation of this framework in the arbitration context).
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Emilys Power for a Cure donated 600 Brave Gowns to Childrens Hospital at Erlanger on Wednesday.

Brave Gowns were created in 2015 by Summer Germann in honor of her brother Mac.

The high-quality, comfortable hospital gowns empower kids with strength, courage and hope as theyre transformed into superheroes, surfers, princesses and more.

Unlike traditional hospital gowns, which tie in the back and can gape open, Brave Gowns tie on the side and provide full coverage. Snaps along the arms allow patients to change gowns at their convenience, without needing a nurse to disconnect their IV lines, etc. As a result, the kids have less exposure to germs and a little more control over their situation.

This isnt the first time Emilys Power for a Cure has made a significant gift to the local childrens hospital. In 2008, the organization donated $300,000 to purchase a pediatric computed tomography (CT) scanner. Emilys CT Ranch, which officially opened for patient use in March 2011, provides a kid-friendly way for children in our region to be diagnosed and treated for many childhood illnesses and injuries.

To learn more about Emilys Power for a Cure, visit the website at emilyspowerforacure.com. For more information about Brave Gowns, visit bravegowns.com.

Additional gowns may be purchased for personal use or to donate to the hospital. For more information, visit Threads on Signal Mountain.
Thirty-five seconds.

Thats all it took for Handel Estivenes world to crumble around him.



When it happened, Mr. Estivene didnt know if he had been in a car wreck or if a bomb had been detonated. All he knew is the ground was shaking. Buildings were falling around him, and everything turned white with the dust from debris.



It took a moment to realize he had been in an earthquake, one of the most destructive ever.



That was Jan. 12, 2010 outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It registered 7 on the Richter scale and was responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 people. More than 300,000 were estimated to have been injured, and approximately 1.5 million people were displaced.



Thirty-five seconds felt like 35 hours, Mr. Estivene said. It happened so fast, but you were without control. You dont know if the ground is going to open up. You dont know if that building is going to fall on you. You just had to wait. And you didnt know when it was going to end. Then came the aftershocks. And more aftershocks.



Mr. Estivene was only 15 at the time, but his family made the hard decision to send him to America alone, knowing it would give him more opportunities than if he stayed in Haiti.



That is what eventually led him to where he is today: a soon-to-be graduate of Dalton State College with a degree in marketing.



Something happened to me nearly eight years ago, Mr. Estivene said. This horrible event changed my life. But now Im walking toward the stage to get my diploma.



Haiti was in political turmoil in the mid-1990s, which led to gunfire in Port-au-Prince on a regular basis. With the hospital downtown, Mr. Estivenes mother didnt feel safe giving birth there. Instead, she flew to the states to stay with her sister until Haiti was safe again.



This gave Mr. Estivene status as an American citizen. That decision is what set his path in Dalton 23 years later.



Education was so important to Mr. Estivenes family, they enrolled him in strict Catholic schools in Port-au-Prince, approximately an hour away from his home. The day of the earthquake had been an early release day at the high school.



Mr. Estivene was on the way from home, in the car with his older brother and their two best friends, when the ground began shaking.



I went from happiness in a car riding home from school to 35 seconds later with everything going totally white, Mr. Estivene said. The car was shaking. People were running, but no one could stand on their feet. They were falling. Our buildings have a lot of cement block. All the walls were falling into the street.



In a panic, Mr. Estivene began laughing hysterically and shaking all over.



Rubble filled the streets. It was impossible to drive, so the boys began running home.



Resources were already limited in Haiti, and it was clear they would be even more limited following the earthquake. Haiti was a poor country full of corruption and rebellions, he said. The country was already struggling, and in that moment, any progress that had been made was lost.



Soon the word spread that American citizens had only to show up at the airport with their passports, and they could leave Haiti.



My mom said, You either go out of the country or you live with your uncle, Mr. Estivene said. She was saying she didnt know how the country was going to be after the earthquake. Supplies were limited. Criminals had escaped jails. You were seeing death, bodies, robberies. People were hungry; they were just trying to survive.



I was the only one who had the opportunity to leave. I was the only one that was an American citizen. They made me understand it was best for the family for me to go. I knew I had to do what was needed of me.



Mr. Estivene was put on a plane to Orlando. He didnt speak English. He was given a phone number to contact an aunt when he landed, but since communications were down in Haiti she didnt know to expect him ahead of time. He expected his time in the states to be limited to a month or two and never quite felt at home at his aunts in Florida, so he asked his parents to come home.

Instead, his parents put him on another plane. This time to Atlanta to live with a family hed never met. He was confused because he wanted to go home to Haiti but his parents decided it wasnt safe for him to return yet.



Mr. Estivenes dad is a Baptist minister, and missionaries had been staying with him in Haiti. A missionary had overheard a conversation about Mr. Estivene not wanting to live in Florida and offered him a home.



The missionary made a call to his wife and asked how she felt about having a Haitian kid come live with them for a few months, he said. I got to Atlanta in February, and it was cold, and I didnt have a coat. And theres this man waiting on me Id never met before. I landed in Atlanta on Friday, and by Monday I was in high school.



My English was horrible. I came from a very strict Catholic, uniform-wearing-dont-talk-you-still-get-spanked school to an American high school with thousands of kids who had no respect for authority. I hated it.



Over time, Mr. Estivene began to adapt to life as a teenager in America, and the couple in Atlanta became his legal guardians.



They call me son, and I call them Mom and Dad, he said. I had grown up in a rebellious and corrupt country. I had to adapt. There were a lot of things I had seen that a lot of people my age in the states hadnt. I knew what it was like to go out and not know if I would ever come back home. It was quite a culture shock.



My parents  all four of them  wanted me to go to school, and I knew I had to, Mr. Estivene said. My adoptive mother chose Dalton State for me because it was far enough away but still close enough to home. It was also affordable enough for me to be able to pay for it. I trusted her to choose a good school for me.



Life at Dalton State was a stark contrast to what he experienced in the Atlanta area high school.



People were interested in my story, Mr. Estivene said. They wanted to hear about me. They didnt see me as weird like they had in high school. Everyone here knows were here to get an education. People here were interested in my Haitian culture, and I was interested in their culture.

Struggles to become proficient in English didnt hold Mr. Estivene back at Dalton State. And he soon learned how to ask for help, when to ask for help, and where to ask for help.



The campus is beautiful, and its a small community that helps each other out, he said. From start to finish Dalton State prepares you fully to be successful. My business law class taught me some of the politics involved in starting a company. My integrated marketing class taught me how to develop a brand. The professors here have given me the tools I need to succeed all the way to the end.



Your professors email you back here. You dont have to be afraid to fail. I didnt let my English stop me. I sat down and worked with my professors. And Im thankful. Its fascinating how you can sit down and talk to them.



Mr. Estivene wishes he had taken advantage of that sooner. During his freshman and sophomore years, if he struggled, Mr. Estivene dropped a class rather than go ask for help.



We value the contribution of our international and foreign-born students, said Dr. Marilyn Helms, dean of the Wright School of Business. We view them as an asset to our classes. I had the pleasure of having Handel in my Principles of Management class. When we covered international management issues I would call on Handel and other international students to add updates to our textbook examples. This gave them more practice speaking in English but more importantly, they are able to share similarities and differences among the various cultures represented. They became experts in class, and students would ask them questions. It benefited all our students.



Professors are willing to work with our students outside of class to ensure they have the best learning experience possible, she said. Our small class sizes and committed faculty make this a safe and engaging learning environment for students from all backgrounds and cultures. We welcome the diversity and internationalization; it is a part of our larger mission here at Dalton State.



Mr. Estivene isnt sure what he wants to do when he graduates. He is currently looking for a job in sales or marketing. He hopes to work in the states for approximately 10 years before moving back to Haiti where he wants to help develop local businesses to stimulate the economy there.



Going back to Haiti is hard sometimes, he said. I see friends I went to school with who didnt have an opportunity to leave like I did. They cant get a job or get into a university. Sometimes it hurts to go back to Haiti and see this kid I went to school with who was way smarter than me not have that opportunity. And here in the states there are so many who have the opportunity but dont take it seriously.



There are many times, even today, that he fears the ground is shaking. Hell look at others to see if theyre reacting, and if not, he knows the shaking hes feeling is not real.



Out of a tragedy came this, Mr. Estivene said of graduation. Its my turn to take care of my biological parents and adoptive parents. They carried me to this milestone. Now its my turn to carry them for a while. Theres no room for failure. And its only happiness from now on.
Telangana IT minister K.T. Rama Rao poses for photo along side General Electric chairman and CEO John Flannery in Hyderabad on Thursday (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: General Electric and Tata group have entered into partnership to manufacture engines for passenger jets in Hyderabad.

The factory in the city for making the CFM International LEAP engine components will augment the Make India initiative.

The two firms on Thursday announced the deal and revealed their intentions to pursue military engine and aircraft system opportunities.

Minister of IT, K.T. Rama Rao took to Twitter, to express happiness over signing the agreement. He thanked Ratan Tata, GE chairman and CEO John Flannery and Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran.

Mr Flannery who is looking forward to work with Tata group said, Our collaboration in building innovative technologies will support the Make in India vision of the Indian government.

While GE currently provides the jet engines and marine gas turbines for many Indian military applications, Tata group is a leader in the Indian defence and aerospace sector.

We look forward to working with GE to build more expertise and strengthen Indias defence manufacturing capabilities, said Mr Chandrasekaran.

GE Aviation and Tata Sons subsidiary, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), will collaborate to manufacture, assemble, integrate and test aircraft components.

The LEAP engine is the worlds leading jet engine known for its technological superiority, efficient fuel consumption, performance for powering single-aisle commercial jets.
CHI Memorial announces its RN Residency Program achieved accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It is the only ANCC accredited program in Tennessee.

ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation validates hospital residency or fellowship programs that transition registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses into new practice settings that meet rigorous, evidence-based standards for quality and excellence. Nurses in accredited transition programs, like CHI Memorials RN Residency program, experience curricula that promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary to deliver safe, high-quality care.

We are proud that our RN Residency program is recognized by ANCC as one of the highest-quality transition programs for nurses, said Rhonda Poulson, senior vice president and chief nursing officer (CNO), CHI Memorial. ANCC accreditation gives the nurses in our residency program confidence that CHI Memorial offers an elevated transition program with a clear course of instruction and reliable evaluation methods. Standardizing of orientation before pursuing a clinical specialty sets a solid foundation for long-term success.

CHI Memorials RN Residency program in its current design began in July of 2015. It is an orientation program for RNs with less than six months experience in the acute care setting. The goal is to provide a streamlined orientation experience for all new graduate RNs that provides them with the support they need to begin a successful nursing career here at CHI Memorial. The program includes participation from the CNO, human resources department, nurse managers, preceptors, education team, administrators, as well as physicians and other providers. The program begins with an intense orientation period of on-boarding education mixed with bedside experiences in multiple nursing units.

After onboarding, RN residents are matched to a home unit to continue and complete their orientation with a preceptor. The RN residency program continues to support the new nurse through monthly continuing education classes, one-on-one mentoring, as well as guidance with beginning your own professional development portfolio. In total, CHI Memorials RN Residency program is designed to walk with a new graduate nurse throughout the first year of their career at CHI Memorial.

To date, 285 RNs have completed the residency program. For more information about CHI Memorials RN Residency program, call 495-4173, or visit https://www.memorial.org/nursing.
New Delhi: The GST Network said it has introduced a functionality which simplifies the returns filing process for taxpayers.

"A new functionality has been introduced on the GST portal for ease of the taxpayers under which questions will be posed as soon as the taxpayer enters the Returns dashboard and only relevant tiles will be displayed to the taxpayers based on the answers to the questions posed," the GST Network said in a statement.

This has been started first with GSTR-3B returns (initial sales return), it added. For 'nil' GSTR 3B returns, one-click filing has been introduced as no tile will be shown to such taxpayers. Also, a help section has been provided on each page for the convenience of the taxpayer.

"Until now, taxpayers were shown all tiles with payments when they enter the Returns dashboard but now they will be shown only those tiles which are relevant for them.

"They will be asked questions and basis their response, they will be shown only relevant tiles, said Prakash Kumar, CEO of the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). The new facility will result in time savings for the taxpayers, said GSTN, which provides the IT backbone for the new indirect tax regime.
Panic among the bank depositors has arisen largely due to bail-in provisions in the FRDI Bill.

New Delhi: Industry chamber Assocham on Thursday sought removal of the "bail-in" clause in the draft Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill.

It said the panic among the bank depositors has arisen largely due to "bail-in" provisions in the FRDI Bill, cautioning that the trust in the banking system runs the risk of being eroded if the clause is not done way with.

The draft bill envisages a 'Resolution Corporation' which would prevent banks from going bankrupt by "writing down of the liabilities", a phrase some have interpreted as a "bail in".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the government is working to protect interest of bank customers and their deposits, as he sought to dispel rumours regarding the proposed FRDI Bill.

"The government's assurance notwithstanding, Sub-section 7 of Section 52 of the proposed law clearly says that the bail-in, to which depositors have strong objection to, shall not be applicable to deposits to the extent only covered by insurance," said the chamber.

In a statement, it said the intention seems to be that it should not always be the government which should take a hit for the bail-out of a bank in trouble; and let the shareholders and other stakeholders, which include even the depositors (above the limit of insured amount) be responsible for saving a financial entity.

"Now as of now, the deposits are covered only up to Rs one lakh, which is a measly sum for millions of middle class families which have kept their life time savings in bank deposits," it said.

Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said in the Indian context, the concept of "bail-in" especially by depositors should be completely done away with and their monies in the banks have to be protected at any cost.

"Otherwise, the trust in the banking system runs the risk of being eroded and the savings by the households would find way into unproductive avenues like real estate, gold, jewellery and even in the unorganised and informal financial markets run by unscrupulous people," he said.

He said the middle class families and especially the pensioners and other old-aged people have no social security and the bank deposits are their only financial security.

The so-called "bail-in" clause in the draft Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017 has been commented upon by experts as bringing potential harm to deposits, in the form of savings accounts.

The draft law, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, is currently undergoing scrutiny by a joint parliamentary committee.

The FRDI Bill proposes to create a framework for overseeing financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, non-banking financial services (NBFC) companies and stock exchanges in case of insolvency.

The 'Resolution Corporation', proposed in the draft bill, would look after the process and prevent the banks from going bankrupt.

It would do this by "writing down of the liabilities", a phrase some have interpreted as a "bail in".

The draft bill empowers Resolution Corporation to cancel the liability of a failing bank or convert the nature of the liability.
Data breaches can lead to loss of crucial data causing damage to its reputation and its business.

Hyderabad: In wake of recent cyber attacks, the issue of cyber security has developed into a business problem from being just a technical one, a top Microsoft official said here on Thursday.

Speaking at a Microsoft event, Digital Crimes Unit regional director Keshav Dhakad said, Cyber security is no longer just a technical issue but has evolved into a business one. Recent attacks gave us a glimpse of how cyber attacks can affect the operations of a business.

The year, 2017, witnessed a variety of cybercrime spanning from malware attacks to data breaches  Equifax, Deloitte and Verizon being the most notable firms to face breaches while Maersk, Merck, and FedEx were victims of ransomware.

Data breaches can lead to loss of crucial data causing damage to its reputation and its business. With cybercriminals continuously adopting newer methods, he urged businesses to also adopt modern tools such as analytics and big data to fight cybercrimes.

Cybercrimes have evolved over time and the old methods such as antivirus and firewall are no longer enough. Big data, which many are calling as the new oil, can provides us with a tonne of data, but without using analytics it would be equivalent to finding a needle in a haystack. Analytics can help fine tune the concerns, said Mr Dhakad.

He added, Microsoft has made a considerable amount of investment to set up its Digital Crimes Unit to help fight cyber criminals. Using both big data and analytics, this unit is taking the fight to the criminals.

The race for technology between criminals and security officers is quite akin to a cat-and-mouse chase. Sometimes the criminals manage to pull one off over the company and vice versa.
Sidharth was last seen in 'A Gentleman'.

Mumbai: Sidharth Malhotras contemporary Varun Dhawan, who debuted alongside him in Student of the Year, is yet to deliver a flop and has commendable blockbusters to his credit. However, the same cant be said about Sid.

The actor, whose last two releases, Baar Baar Dekho and A Gentleman have been colossal disasters, has all his hopes pinned on Aiyaary.

However, his shaky career seems to have gotten to Sid, as he posted a sinister tweet, which has alarmed his fans to no end.

The actor is also reportedly going through a widely covered break-up with co-actor Alia Bhatt.

Sid has changed his bio, hinting at an indefinite sabbatical and also changed his profile images to black.

We would like to believe it is a promotional strategy for his upcoming film, though.
Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati was refused a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification for incomplete application, and the board also decided to enforce a 68-day rule to 'stall the film', forcing makers to indefinitely postpone the release.

However, the magnum opus is not the only film to face delays because of the censor board. Journey of Bhangover, a comic thriller about five youths, also faced a delay of a month due to the film certification body.

Talking about it in an exclusive chat, the director Mahinder Singh Saniwal says, Our film was earlier set to release on 17 November. Padmavati got delayed because of the censors, and due to that same process, we also could not arrive on the scheduled date. We have now got a U/A certificate.

While hangover is a commonly used term nowadays, Bhangover is a new term, about which Saniwal explains, People talk about hangover, but Bhang cant call be called intoxication as people consume it during Shivratri and other festivals. The new idea about the term is basically about how a person reacts after consuming Bhang.

The film stars five youths, all newcomers and their adventure as they encounter a Suthradhar, played by Hemant Dubey, a cop, Yashpal Sharma and a funny terrorist, Jaideep Ahlawat.

Saniwal says that the three notable actors said yes to the roles immediately after hearing the script and Yashpal, despite apprehensions in playing a cop initially, put his life into the film.

One of the actresses, Prerika Arora, who makes her debut with the film, wanted to be an actor since childhood, having done theatre, but got the call to audition when she was an assistant director. Despite being in talks with Anees Bazmee for Mubarakan, the actress chose Journey of Bhangover as the former was taking time to go on floors.

Before joining films, I had kept big expectations for my debut film and with the way this film has been made, I certainly have expectations. We have been promoting in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune; hoardings would be put up soon and the response has been amazing. Looking at the way people have been liking the trailer, Im sure people will come to theatres and watch it, Prerika, who calls Yashpal Sharma her inspiration, shares.

For one of the heroes, Anmol Khatri, acting was always the passion, but for his bread and butter, he was a dance instructor. Talking about the shoot of the film, for which his audition at midnight got him elected, he reveals, The experience was very good. We had to travel 100 kms in the hills and get up early and be ready with make-up by 5 am.

"There was also a sort of an accident when our boat kept moving on its own, and we realised there was a problem when ropes were thrown to pull our boat. I didnt think too much before jumping into the water to hold it, after which people kind of thought Im a hero. I also got to learn a lot from Yashpal Sharma, Jaideep Ahlawat and Hemant Dubey.

Khatri got the opportunity to display his talent of dancing in the film, but admits that getting the comic timing right with all other actors was a challenge. Calling Journey of Bhangover his best launch, the debutant is extremely positive about the film, which he feels will help him immensely.

The most popular star in the film is however, 'Bigg Boss' season 11 contestant Sapna Chaudhary, who was earlier set to play one of the roles, but has performed an item song. Saniwal says the response to the song has even left the music company T-Series surprised. They had earlier taken the song very lightly, but when its teaser immediately made its way to trending videos, they wondered if Sapna has such huge fan following. They also then postponed the release of a Padmavati song to a later release date.

Will Tiger Zinda Hai, releasing a week after Journey of Bhangover, make audiences wait longer to queue up at the theatres for their movie? There would be an impact as people see the budget nowadays. That film will also be impacted as people tend to leave with family during Christmas holidays on 20th, but our film is coming before that, so we have an advantage. Im 100 per cent sure that even in second week, well get the screens we are looking for.

Saniwal feels people are always keen to see new faces on the big screen and reveals that everyone would wonder when the film ends as it is interesting from start to end, because it is not just about comedy but also has drama and emotions.

Journey of Bhangover, produced by Meenakshi Iyer and Mahinder Singh Saniwal, also starring Aradhya Taing, Jimmy Sharma and Palash Soni, hits the theatres on Friday.
It was quite ironical for Salman, who had to appear in court several times in the matter of the killing of a blackbuck while shooting for Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Known for making inopportune comments, Salman Khan spoke about the gentleness of wild animals this time.

Salman Khan may have a great heart when it comes to helping people, but he sure can be insensitive from time to time. Slammed earlier for his comment on, felt like a raped woman, during Sultans promotions, Salman had a foot in mouth moment once again.

The actor, who was present to launch a book on tigers by his politician-actress friend Bina Kak, guffawed on stage as he said, I agree with Kamal (politician Kamal Morarka), wild animals are very gentle. More than human beings. I totally agree with that.

It was quite ironical for Salman, who had to appear in court several times in the matter of the killing of a blackbuck while shooting for Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Life has come a full circle for Salman Khan now, otherwise too. The actor first launched the Being Human cycles and spoke about road safety, while in 2002, Salman was involved in an accident that led to the death of pavement sleepers in Mumbai. Salman was cleared from the case.

Cycles are okay but motorcycles are really dangerous for them (youth) and for other people around. We shoot in Film City, so I see on the highway people racing recklessly. In fact, there used to be races at (Bandra) Reclamation, I lost a friend there. I am against that. Race karna hai toh race track pe jaa ke karo. Dont use main roads and put yourself in danger, and one innocent person who is travelling with you, was Salmans refrain then. In another instance, Salman went to launch a driving school in Dubai.
Actor Salma Hayek is the latest Hollywood A-lister to come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein during the filming of Frida. Hayek accused the producer of sexual harassment in an essay published in The New York Times, titled Harvey Weinstein Is My Monster Too.

The 51-year-old actor said she initially felt grateful to Weinstein for taking a chance on her and believing in her talent enough to let her complete the movie on her favourite artist. But little did she know that she would go through hell to complete the 2002 Miramax-produced film after she rebuffed his series of advances. The actor said she had to constantly say no to Weinstein who would accost her at different places with the strangest of demands.
A new study has found that Google searchers give far better for sex advice than Apple's Siri.

In 72% of searches, laptop searches gave better input and data on questions about sexual health, researchers found, the Metro reported. Even Google Assistant outperformed Siri.

"Our findings show the importance of improving digital literacy in the general population," lead author of the study Professor Nick Wilson, from the University of Otago in New Zealand told the Metro.

"UK data suggest that only 48 per cent of 1,516 people aged 16 years or older using search engines could correctly recognise an advertisement in search results, despite these being distinguished by a box with the word 'ad'," he went on to explain.

While he does not want to shut down, Siri's abilities completely, he does suggest Google is a better option for now.

"Parents too embarrassed to respond to their children's questions about sex, can reasonably say 'just Google it', but we would not suggest asking Siri until it becomes more comfortable with talking about sex or at least has an opinion," Professor Wilson added.

He also warned that people need to treat information online, especially about lifestyle with extreme caution.

The study's findings were published in The BMI.
Pratap Chitlangiya speaking on his idea at Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.

Pratap Chitlangiya, a 2017 graduate of Department of Ship Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala has proposed a futuristic idea for green energy generation at offshore platforms at the International Conference on Ship & Offshore Technology, 2017.

The event was held at Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in association with Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), UK.

His proposition was based on the findings of a paper titled Use of piezoelectric crystals on offshore platforms authored by Dr. Sivaprasad K and him.

The event saw Chitlangiya propose the use of piezoelectric crystals on offshore platforms.

These crystals possess special properties and can generate energy when exposed to vibrations. They can therefore be used to generate energy from the wave induced vibrations on the platform.

Thus the vibrations that are usually technical obstacles for naval architects and marine engineers can be used productively for probably the first time in maritime history.

According to theoretical calculations, installing such crystals on one pillar of the platform can produce up to 276 kW of power.

Commercial Viability of the idea will increase with the advance in material science and the advent of piezoelectric crystals with higher piezoelectric constants and lower costs. Moreover, these crystals may be installed both on existing platforms and new ones.

Thus, this may be a viable green energy source in the not so distant future.

Chitlangiya is currently working as a Graduate Engineering Trainee at L&T Ltd. and Dr Sivaprasad K is an Associate Professor at the Department of Ship Technology, CUSAT.
New Delhi: Shandong province known as 'A Jewel between Beijing and Shanghai ' is placed strategically between these two cities and is easily accessible by a bullet train where you can reach 'Jinan' the capital of Shandong with a pleasant journey of 1.5 hours and four hours respectively from these great cities. There is a direct flight from Delhi to Jinan that takes approximately five hours.

Shandong, with a history of more than 5,000 years, has been the home of many historical figures and it enjoys the honor of being the birthplace of Confucius. Steeped in natural and supernatural allure, this northeastern coast of China has abundance of attractive mountains, rivers and lakes, which provides tourists unique sightseeing routes.

Centuries-old history and lots of cultural relics endows Shandong with abundant tourist resources. This is a destination that can be explored with family, friends and more!

1. Bird watching and photography

Visit the estuary in the Yellow River Delta State Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest wetland located in eastern China's Shandong Province that covers an area of about 153,000 hectares. Get a glimpse of around 1,626 types of wild animals, 368 species of birds like red-crowned crane and the white-headed crane that are under national protection.

A post shared by Mizuka (@mizuka_dikhoff) on Dec 13, 2017 at 6:59pm PST

2. Martial Art performances

Meet with more than 20 national champions at the Songjiang Martial Art School and watch the same performance that was showcased at the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the city of Heze. The martial arts performance is performed by the students of Doggie Boy Performance Art Group, which tours around the world from time to time. It is the best martial art troupe in all of China and this performance should definitely be added to your itinerary.

A post shared by China Culture (@china_culture) on Dec 13, 2017 at 6:14pm PST

3. Cherry Blossom trees in Zhongshan park

This park in Qingdao distinguishes itself from others due to the corridor of 20,000 cherry trees imported from Japan. The park features a 500-meter Oriental Cherry Road and as the road is lined on both sides by cherry trees, it is referred to as the Cherry Blossom Corridor. April and May is the ideal time to experience these cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

A post shared by Anoi_31 (@anoi_31) on Dec 12, 2017 at 8:26am PST

4. Image result for Qingdao beer museum Tsingtao Beer museum

The Tsingtao Museum and Beer Factory is an attraction that should not be missed in Qingdao. The tour involves three parts: History of Tsingtao Beer over the past 100 years, Walk through tour of how Tsingtao Beer is made and the current Brew factory production with a final stop at the bar for some samples.

A post shared by Luly (@cecil_blhr) on Dec 10, 2017 at 6:36am PST

5. A UNESCO water town Tai'erzhuang

Considered to be China's most beautiful water town 'Tai'erzhuang' has 15 km of water throughout the entire town. Visualize a Venice version of an oriental water gate opening in front of your eyes while strolling down the historical streets of Tai'erzhuang. Apart from this Tai'erzhuang consists of multiple exciting places to visit such as temples, numerous merchants, theatres, museums, talent shows, folklore performances, lion dances on poles and lightshows at night.
Long-time insurance producer DeForest DeFo Spencer has launched Spencer Benefits, a full-service employee and executive benefits brokerage firm.

The firm specializes in employee and executive benefits, large-scale life insurance policies, succession planning advisory and individual insurance solutions that protect and preserve wealth. Affiliated with NFP and Partners Financial, clients have access to national resources through a local, independent and consultative team. The firm also offers added flexibility in partnering with customers other advisors.

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Mr. Spencer is a third-generation insurance broker with over 30 years of experience. He was most recently with Brock Insurance Agency, where he designed and built their employee benefits agency  Brock & Spencer Benefits. He began his career with Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company as an advanced underwriter and marketing representative. He holds the CLU and LUTCF certifications.

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More information about Spencer Benefits can be found at www.spencerbenefits.net or 498-3040. Mr. Spencer may be reached at defo@spencerbenefits.net.
Kochi: The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, which found lone accused Ameer-ul Islam guilty in the Jisha murder case, lauded the investigation team headed by officer S. Sasidharan for making use of modern and progressive scientific methods to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The DNA technology and call data records helped in establishing the individual identity of the accusedand proving the charges against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt, special judge N. Anil Kumar observed in his judgement. In the absence of direct evidence, the prosecution mainly relied on scientific and circumstantial evidence to prove the case.

There is no direct witness to the convict entering the victims house or attacking her. The neighbours too didnt hear any sound or screaming on the evening of April 28, 2016, when the crime was committed. The investigation team succeeded in recovering the accuseds DNA from the nail clipping of the victim besides that from saliva and blood stains found in the churidar she wore on the fateful day which confirmed presence of the Assamese in the house. The probe team also managed to retrieve his DNA from a pair of slippers that he left behind while crossing the canal as he fled the victims house after committing the crime. They also recovered the knife he used and managed to trace DNA of the victim from the bloodstain in it.

The police also succeeded in tracking his movement as he fled to Assam soon after the crime, from his mobile phone and the call recordings. Special public prosecutor N K Unnikrishnan said the investigation team didnt attempt to create fabricated evidence at any stage. They failed to recover the dress worn by the accused while committing the crime. Similarly, he told cops he had thrown away the liquor bottle he had brought to the house of the victim to the empty courtyard behind her house. During the search, they recovered many liquor bottles but stated that they couldnt find out the specific one. The case was won mainly by DNA test results, he said.

Crime & conviction

April 27, 2016, 11.30 p.m.  Somebody pelts stones at the asbestos house of Jisha while she and her mother were sleeping. They check outside but find none. Next morning, they find a beedi and lighter near the house (the cops found during the probe that they belonged to Ameerul Islam)

April 28, 6 p.m.  A neighbour sees a man clad in yellow T-shirt walking from the backyard of the victims house and crossing the canal near the house.

April 28, 7.30 p.m.  The victims mother returns from work and alerts the neighbour when her daughter fails to respond to calls. Neighbours inform police who found her semi- nude body with over 30 stab wounds.

April 29  A police team under Kuruppumpady CI conducted inquest and collected crucial evidence.

June 14  SIT arrests Ameerul Islam, an Assamese native who went missing from Perumbavur soon after the murder, from Kancheepuram in TN.

September 17  SIT submits chargesheet.

April 4, 2017 Trial begins at Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulam.

December 12  Court finds Ameerul Islam guilty.

Jishas assailant had no knowledge of her caste

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, while convicting lone accused Ameerul Islam in the Jisha murder case, pronounced the Assamese migrant not guilty of two charges  evidence destruction and the violations under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989. It observed that the accused had no idea of the victim belonging to the Scheduled Caste when he committed the offence.

In the absence of knowledge on the part of accused about the caste identity of the victim, the charges under the SC/ST (PoA) Act 1989 doesn't arise, special judge N. Anil Kumar said in his judgement. As for the evidence destruction charges, the court observed that the prosecution argued that the accused told investigating officers that he had thrown out the dress he wore while committing the crime and left for home in a train on the night of April 28, 2016, the day when the crime was committed.

However, it turned out to be false and said with an intention to mislead the probe. The information leading to recovery alone is admissible and hence the charges wont apply, the court said. The court found him guilty of all other charges including rape (section 376 IPC), murder (section 302), causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state of the victim (Section 376 A), wrongful confinement (section 342 IPC) and house trespass (Section 449 IPC).

Charges warrant 20-year jail term

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, which found Assamese Ameerul Islam guilty in the Jisha murder case, is likely to pronounce the quantum of punishment on Wednesday. The proven charges against him warrant a minimum of 20 years in prison while special public prosecutor N. K. Unnikrishnan said the prosecution had demanded capital punishment. The court found the victim was brutally attacked before being raped and murdered. This falls under the rarest of rare cases and warrants capital punishment, he said.

However, defence counsel B. A. Aloor stated that the court order is the biggest punishment that can be given to an innocent individual. There is more than one person involved in the murder, but the police didnt probe this angle. Now since the court accepted the IPC 302 charge, well argue for the minimum punishment, ie life imprisonment, he said soon after the court convicted him. Islam, upon hearing the verdict, claimed he was innocent and picked up by police without any reason. Initially, he couldnt understand the judgment. The court then asked if anyone could translate the same. Adv Asha N.P., who came to watch the case proceedings, volunteered.

Rajeswari, mother of Jisha, comes out of court in Kochi on Tuesday. (Photo: SUNOJ NINAN MATHEW)

Meanwhile, the victims mother Rajeswari said she wanted the court to hand down capital punishment and nothing less. The punishment should have a deterrent effect, and no more mothers should witness such a tragedy happening to their daughters. Im satisfied with the court finding today but will go for an appeal if the quantum is anything less than the capital punishment, she said.
Fearing that she might reveal it to her parents, they killed the girl and kept her in the shelves in the house.

HYDERABAD: Three men allegedly killed a six-year-old girl after sexually assaulting her at Peddagudem village in Wanaparthy district, the police said.

The accused were identified as Ramakrishna, Narsimha and Madhu, all natives of Kollapur mandal.

Mr Venkateshwarlu, inspector, Wanaparthy, said that the father of the victim, who is a mason, knew the accused persons.

On December 10, the girl came to the construction site. On seeing the girl, the trio lured her with a chocolate and sexually assaulted her. Fearing that she might reveal it to her parents, they killed the girl and kept her in the shelves in the house. Later, they covered it with sand, said the inspector. The parents of the child made frantic searches for the child but in vain.

However, the body was found on Wednesday when foul smell emanated from the place. The police registered a case under the Pocso Act. The body was handed over to the family after a postmortem.
The Nagarkurnool police early on Thursday arrested Rajesh Ajjakolu, the co-accused in the killing of M Sudhakar Reddy who was killed on November 26. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: The Nagarkurnool police early on Thursday arrested Rajesh Ajjakolu, the co-accused in the killing of M Sudhakar Reddy who was killed on November 26.

Another accused Swati, wife of victim Sudhakar Reddy was arrested four days ago by the police.

Swati and Rajesh were in a relationship and planned to stay together.

Rajesh was taken into custody soon after he was discharged from a private hospital in the city. He was undergoing treatment for burns he sustained in an attempt to get a facial transformation to take the place of Sudhakar Reddy.

Before, being taken away by the police, Rajesh said that Swati played a key role in masterminding the murder of her husband Sudhakar Reddy.

I wanted to elope with Swati but she insisted that we kill Sudhakar Reddy as the children will not be able to stay without her. She also said that her parents will die of shock if they elope, Rajesh said.

Read Also: Hyd woman, lover in 'mutton soup' after dish exposes husband's murder

On November 26, after killing Sudhakar Reddy, the duo bought a litre of petrol and poured it on a scarf. After lighting fire with it, he kept the burnt scarf on his face so that the face could be burnt beyond recognition. Later, he lighted a stove in their house and kept his face over the flames, Rajesh told police.

Later, Rajesh got admitted at a private hospital for treatment and pretended to be Sudhakar Reddy. However, he was caught when the family members of Sudhakar Reddy got suspicious.

They lodged a complaint with the police who took Swati into custody; on questioning, she admitted to the killing.

We will produce Rajesh before a court and remand him. After taking him into police custody we will find out who played a vital role in the entire case, said an official of Nagarkurnool police.
The police examined 150 CCTVs in the city and in Bengaluru and travelled to Nepal via Kolkata in search of the suspects.

Hyderabad: The Cyberabad police, who arrested four Nigerian nationals in connection with the sensational 3.5 kg gold heist hatched by an international gang in Kukatpally on April 16, is planning to issue a red corner notice against the four absconding foreign nationals, including a Nigerian national and three persons from Peru.

The suspects, who had taken shelter in a city hotel, found a gold merchant, Abhishek Agarwal, returning with gold. After making his car tyres go flat, they decamped with the booty, while he was busy replacing the tyres.

After the chargesheet was filed, a city court issued non-bailable warrants against the absconding foreign nationals, including a woman. Though the suspects were arrested in June 2017, the chargesheet was filed recently.

Mr Vishwa Prasad, DCP Shamshabad, said a proposal will be forwarded to the state CID who will get in touch with the Union home ministry and the Interpol. Once the red corner notice is issued, they can be arrested at any airport in the country and the Interpol can also nab them in their own country, he said.

The police examined 150 CCTVs in the city and in Bengaluru and travelled to Nepal via Kolkata in search of the suspects.

They were shocked to find that the kingpins had fled the country with the gold.

Investigating officials said that the value of the stolen gold may be worth `8.75 crore, but the process of nabbing the suspects may cost the department more than the golds value.
Chennai: Following the expose of large-scale scam in the recruitment of lecturers for government polytechnic colleges, the state government on Wednesday held a meeting with top officials to decide the next course of action to be taken against the corrupt elements.

In an exclusive report on Wednesday, Deccan Chronicle highlighted about the major scam unearthed by Teachers Recruitment Board in which 220 candidates found to be qualified in written test with fake marks. The report created shock waves among the academics, administrators and the aspiring candidates.

The government has taken a bold decision to withdraw the written test results released earlier and released the new marks with original OMR answer sheets.

The mistakes were corrected with original answer sheets, an official said.

On why no action has been taken so far in the scam, he said, The government is preparing the ground to take action against the corrupt elements. All those involved in the corruption will surely get punished.

Of 2,000 candidates who were called for certificate verification over 220 candidates had qualified with fake marks in the test.

Their original marks were inflated from 50 to 100 marks to make them eligible for certificate verification. Each candidate allegedly has paid `25 lakh to `30 lakh to the touts.

Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) which has found out about the scam reduced marks for these 220 odd candidates after verifying their answer sheets.

N. Pasupathy, vice-president, Association of University Teachers (AUT), has demanded strict action against the culprits who involved in the recruitment scam.

If any TRB staff found to be involved in the corruption, they should immediately be dismissed from service, he stressed.The candidates who have found to be involved in the corrupt practices should be barred from taking part in future competitive exams.

The punitive rules will prevent the candidates from falling prey to the corrupt elements, he suggested. He further said in the light of a major scam the board should consider conducting the re-exam.

But sources said the government polytechnic colleges have the shortage of staff for more than five years and after the correcting the mistakes the recruitment activities should resume.

After the reports emerged in the newspapers and social media, why the government agencies are silent on the issue? The directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption should initiate an inquiry into the scam and take strong action against those involved in the racket. The courts should take up the issue as suo-moto case and order probe, demanded A.R. Nagarajan, adviser of NET SLET Association.

Ramadoss demands detailed inquiry

Expressing shock over the extent of the scam in the recruitment of government polytechnic lecturers, PMK founder Ramadoss on Wednesday has sought a detailed enquiry into the scam and recruitments made in the last 10 years by the Teachers Recruitment Board.

Though the TRB has thwarted a major corruption racket, we cannot let those involved in the scam to escape. Those involved in the scam should immediately be arrested as over 220 candidates would have lost their chance to become the lecturers,he demanded.

He also pointed out the huge variation in marks for many candidates in the two lists released by the board.
'Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. Election Commission it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO,' Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) complained the Election Commission over Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhis interview to a channel in poll-bound Gujarat, the Congress on Thursday hit back and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct at Sabarmati in Gujarat by holding a roadshow after casting his vote.

Calling it a matter of shame for the EC on being quiet after Modis action, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, EC acting like puppet and frontal organisation of BJP. We feel the CEC is acting like PM Modi's PS (personal secretary).

"It is a sad day for the country as EC has denigrated the Constitution," Surjewala said.

"The rules are different for the Congress and newspapers, TV channels airing Gandhi's interviews, which were not violation of the code of conduct. But at the same time, no action is being taken against the Prime Minister," Surjewala added.

"Prime Minister Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. Election Commission it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.

Congress workers marched to the Election Commission office in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote. They were stopped by police outside Sardar Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk in Delhi.

(Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Taking to Twitter, Congress leader P Chidambaram claimed the Prime Minister conducted a full fledged campaign on the day of polling, and condemned the EC for sleeping on the job.

The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

The former finance minister also appealed to the media to search its conscience and stand up against the unprecedented violation.

On the second and the last phase of Gujarat polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote at booth number 115 in Ranip locality of Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.
INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. (Photo: Twitter | @narendramodi)

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicate to the nation the naval submarine, INS Kalvari, the first of six Scorpene-class submarines in Mumbai.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai Naval Dockyard where the submarine was commissioned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Kalvari is an excellent example of 'Make in India' and will boost the Navy's might.

Modi thanked France for its collaboration in building the submarine and said, "This is a fine example of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the might of INS Kalvari will further strengthen our Indian Navy.

The Prime Minister said the 21st century belongs to Asia and the road to development will pass through the Indian Ocean. He went on to add oceans holds a special importance in the Government's policies.

Modi said he calls SAGAR (Ocean) with a special name - Security And Growth for All the Region.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

#INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy pic.twitter.com/ODggsc31wh  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

It underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment, an official earlier said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.

With inputs from PTI.
Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) has initiated a study to assess impacts of Ockhi in the fisheries sector, focusing on safety and adaptability of fishing vessels and gears to address natural calamities.

KOCHI: Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) has initiated a study to assess impacts of Ockhi in the fisheries sector, focusing on safety and adaptability of fishing vessels and gears to address natural calamities. Once the search and rescue operations are over, the CIFT team will visit Ockhi hit areas in the states and Lakshadweep to assess the damage caused to fishing equipment and will submit recommendations to state governments. Ockhi is an unprecedented disaster happened along coastal areas," said Dr Leela Edwin, Head of Department of Fishing Technology at CIFT.

"Considering the extensive damage caused to fishing equipment, a comprehensive and scientific study is required to identify the cause of damage. The main objective of the study is to identify the actual reason for the complete destruction of vessels and nets. There are reports that parts of several broken vessels and canoes are floating in the sea, an unprecedented calamity. The questionnaire and other necessary details are ready, and the CIFT officials will visit the coastal areas soon.

The study will find out whether all vessels, including those made of steel, wood and fibre have damaged or only old wooden crafts drowned. Whether technical aspects such as the quality and age of the vessel, adaptability of its safety appliances, fuel capacity and efficiency of the vessel has impacted its fate will also be looked into. Not all boats made of the same material with similar features have survived. This stresses the need for a study to improve their seaworthiness even during natural disasters, added Ms Edwin.

Implementation of the Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulations (Amendme-nt) Act 2017 recently passed by the state Assembly will help in the long-run to improve the safety standards of fishing vessels, according to experts. The government has adopted the amendments based on the CIFT recommendations. Meanwhile, Charles George, president of Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikyavedi, said they would organise workshops and training programmes with the support of scientific organisations like CIFT, NPOL and ISRO on the modernisation of fishing equipment.

Ministers offer 1-month salary to relief fund:

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Cabinet colleagues contributed one month's salary towards the Ockhi relief fund on Wednesday. The amount was handed over to chief secretary K. M. Abraham. Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P. J. Kurien contributed Rs 50,000 and former KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran Rs 10,000.
The incident took place on Multai Road late Wednesday night when a group of persons was helping victims of an accident involving two motorbikes. (Photo: Representational/File)

Betul (MP): Seven people were killed when a speeding dumper ran over them while they were helping victims of an accident involving two motorcycles near Betul, a police official said Thursday.

The incident took place on Multai Road late Wednesday night when a group of persons was helping victims of an accident involving two motorbikes. Two people were injured in the accident, the official added.

A speeding dumper ran over them Wednesday night, leaving seven dead, Bordehi police station in charge RK Suryawanshi said.

Their bodies were sent to the Multai Civil Hospital for autopsy, he said, adding efforts were on to trace the truck.

The injured motorcyclists were taken to Nagpur, about 100 km from Betul, for treatment by their family members, said Suryawanshi.
Every year, the accident cases involving drunk driving has been a cause of major concern and to avoid any further damage, the petitioner has sought the ban.

Bengaluru: The High Court on Wednesday sought to know from the state government the action taken over a representation seeking a ban on the sale of alcohol on the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Citing several cases of women being molested during last year's New Year's Eve, in addition to accidents due to drunk driving cases, a PIL is filed before the High Court seeking directions to ban the sale of alcohol on December 31 and January 1.

The petitioner, N. Nagesh, cites that the reputation of Bengaluru was badly hit due to a series of molestation cases during the previous year's New Year celebrations. Every year, the accident cases involving drunk driving has been a cause of major concern and to avoid any further damage, the petitioner has sought the ban.

The petition states that molestation incidents during the New Year revelry have tarnished the image of Bengaluru internationally and it should not be allowed to repeat.

The petitioner had earlier given a representation to the government in this regard and he claimed that no action has been taken.
Ten business professionals graduated from the Inclusion by Design Executive Leadership Program sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga on Dec. 7. Friends and family of the graduates and community members gathered for the ceremony, and Dr. Robert Dooley, dean of the School of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, served as keynote speaker.

IBD is Chattanoogas first market-based executive leadership program designed to make the business case for inclusion, officials said.



The IBD Executive Leadership Program Class of 2017 includes:

 Eduardo Centurion, The Maclellan Foundation, Inc.

 Tyna Hector, City of Chattanooga

 Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

 Ken Jones, Electric Power Board

 Meghan Scanlon Roach, SunTrust Bank

 April Lomax, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

 Chelsea Johnson, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee  Tennessee Health Foundation

 Travis Lytle, SmartBank

 Jonathan Butler, ULGC Young Professionals

 Brooke Standefer, UNUM



For more information about the Inclusion by Design Program, contact Cherita Bloodwirth-Adams at 423-756-1762 or cherita.adams@gmail.com.
Journalist and editor of Hai Bangalore Kannada weekly tabloid Ravi Belagere, who was arrested by the CCB police on charges of giving supari (contract) to kill his colleague Sunil Heggaravalli, was granted interim bail for three days by a city court on Wednesday.

Belageres advocate Diwakar moved the bail petition on Tuesday in the Sessions court. Mr. Diwakar submitted a document that had around 150 pages explaining the health condition of Belagere and argued for around one hour. Hearing the plea, the 65th Sessions Court Judge, B. Madhusudan, granted three days interim bail, till December 16, to the accused based on health grounds. The bail conditions included Rs. One lakh personal bond and two sureties. The court also directed the accused to cooperate with the investigation and not to influence or threaten witnesses.

The CCB police were directed to file their objections against granting bail to the accused, before December 16 as the interim bail ends that day.

Meanwhile, Belagere, who was in the central prison at Parappana Agrahara, was shifted to Jayadeva Hospital on Bannerghatta Road as he complained of various health problems. Till late night on Wednesday, Belagere was admitted in the jail. It is learnt that he will be going home directly from the hospital once he recovers, following the granting of the interim bail. The jail officials, after receiving the court order copy regarding interim bail and fulfillment of bail conditions, will inform the staff at the hospital and Belagere would be released.
The State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering technology and Textile Park did not furnish information when asked by AP government.

Hyderabad: In a compromise formula, the AP government has proposed retaining three Schedule 9 institutions located within the state along with assets, liabilities and employees. In return, it has offered TS three institutions located in Telangana state along with assets, liabilities and employees.

The AP government wants to retain the Krishnapatnam International Leather Complex, State Institute of Hotel Management and Vizag Apparel Park for Export. If the TS government agrees, the AP government is ready to give up its claim on the Society for Employment Promotion and Training in Hyderabad, the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and the Textile Park.

The Krishnapatnam International Leather Complex has Rs 11.3 lakh worth movable assets, Rs 3.8 crore fixed deposits in banks. The institute of Hotel Management has 5.4 acres of land valued at Rs 2.5 crore, movable assets worth Rs 10.2 lakh. The Vizag Apparel Park has a Rs 1.52-crore building, movable assets worth Rs 24.98 lakh, machinery worth Rs 21.08 lakh and Rs 4.96 crore funds. None of these three have regular employees.

Of the three institutions offered to Telangana state, the Society for Employment Promotion and Training has 12.04 acres land worth Rs 22.50 crore, a building valued Rs 5.50 crore, movable assets worth Rs 1.1 crore and Rs 32.15 crore funds and 94 regular employees.

The State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering technology and Textile Park did not furnish information when asked by AP government.

The 9th Schedule of the bifurcation Act has 91 institutions and Sheela Bhide Committee has submitted reports about 40 institutions on sharing of assets and liabilities between AP and TS. AP government has accepted the recommendations of the Sheela Bhide committee and issued orders. The TS government has said that it has accepted the recommendations but has not issued a single order.
Special units of the Telangana police along with their local counterparts are conducting combing operations in the forest area. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Six suspected naxalites of CPI (ML) Chandra Pulla Reddy (Bata) faction were killed in an exchange of fire with the Telangana police in Khammam early on Thursdsay. A few more members of the group have reportedly sustained injuries in the incident.

According to the police sources, the encounter took place at Mellamaduga forest area in Tekulapalli mandal in early hours of Thursday.

Special units of the Telangana police along with their local counterparts are conducting combing operations in the forest area. The police had got information about the group extorting money from the businessmen.

The combing operations were intensified in the Tekulapalli mandal this week following information of about the group taking shelter in the forest area.

Police sources maintained that the encounter took place when the armed members of the CP (Bata) opened fire on the combing parties. In retaliation, the police returned the fire resulting in the deaths of six naxalites. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

Additional police forces were rushed to the area to step up search operation in pursuit of the escaped ultras.
Jail. The word never fails to rouse curiousity, with atrocities in high-security units made infamous through cinema and popular culture. And nothing piques public interest quite like a celebrity receiving a sentence - will he receive special treatment? Agni Sreedhar, reformed gangster and an ex-convict who spent 10 years in prison recount some of their own experiences in the big house and explain why, despite the illicit perks available to VIPs, theres no worse place to be than jail, report M.G. Chetan and Aknisree Karthik.

Q: You were in jail for sometime. Can you share your experience?

Sridhar : I was in jail for one year and eight months. Of this time I spent one year and two months in hospital. As for life in jail, it is not life at all. Nobody wants to spend even one day in jail, not only because of how society will see you or feeling demoralised, but because the feeling of one's freedom being curtailed is just killing. I will tell you about one incident. When I was in jail, a beggar was arrested and brought in. He was desperately trying to get out on bail. When I asked him why was he so desperate when he got food and a place to sleep in jail, he said he couldnt spend even a day within four walls. What this means is , even if you are given good food and a place to sleep, you cannot be happy unless you have freedom.

How was your time in jail?

Sridhar: I was in jail between 1986 to 1988. Jails those days were literally ruled by the underworld. If there were 2,000 inmates, there were easily 500 rowdies among them. So passing the time was easy for such groups. Some played cards, some passed time singing. It does not mean that they were happy. The fact that they could not move out of the compound and from their barracks after 7 pm was enough to make them depressed. Today the news is only about VIPs lodged in prison. But the fact is those who are from the underworld are the key figures in a jail.

Its alleged that special privileges are given to VIP prisoners in jail.

As I told you, the basic requirement for a human being to lead a happy life is freedom. When its gone, everything is gone. Some VIP prisoners could be given some special privileges. But it will practically not change their life in prison by even one per cent. They may get good food compared to others, but is that enough? The feeling that you cant meet our family, friends, go out to a movie or a park can kill you physically and emotionally. Just imagine that you have all the facilities at home, but are not allowed to step out. Then your home itself becomes a jail.

Were special privileges given to VIPs during your days in jail?

I was with Jairaj, the don of those days. So we got really good food and respect from the staff. But nothing can match freedom.

One is sent to jail to be reformed. But is this happening in our jails?

Is that happening in the outside world? Reformation does not apply only to those who are in jail. What is happening in our society today shows that we all need some reformation. When the situation outside itself is pathetic, how can you expect it in jails. However, inmates should be given counselling and taught philosophy to understand life better.

Good food, visitors, later hours: It helps to be a VIP in jail and convicted babus have it best

As the iron bolts slide into place with a metallic clang at the end of the day, the value of freedom sinks in with a force so brutal that for many inmates it changes the way they react to the sound of a bolt. Certain situations, they say, cannot be expressed and can only be experienced. Imprisonment certainly counts as one of them.

A prison is intended to be a correctional centre for convicts and a place for judicial remand of undertrial prisoners. I was not aware of any law that says a prisoners social status goes with him to prison. I was under the impression that a prisoner goes to prison for his misdeeds and that he is stripped of many privileges as a free citizen regardless of who or what he is. But here is the catch. There is a difference between a prisoner and an important prisoner. Apparently, for the administration of the prison, where I spent my prime, there is a different scale for the high and mighty.

While courts do not make a distinction, the prison is entirely different. Once imprisoned a VIP should be stripped of his status and treated like other prisoners. But it is the other way round as the prisoner status is more or less removed, and the VIP status continues.

Inner courtyard inside Central Jail and (inset) the cell where V.K. Sasikala, one of the prisons celebrity inmates is lodged

Now, what exactly are the perks of this status? Is it a stroll on Brigade Road, or a shopping spree as was alleged recently? No, it is not. This is not Colombia for something as brazen as that to happen. What it means is that the VIP gets to spend more time with visitors, gets better food, gets locked up late, his movements are not restricted and he will not be shooed away like a disgusting creature when its time for lock- up. It also means that the doctors will treat the patient like well, a VIP.

Now, all of this may appear trivial, but try telling this to the faceless thousands of inmates who are treated like subterranean creatures. Two hours of extra time outside the barracks or cell is priceless. Not being waved away dismissively with a fibre lathi is an award of dignity. Not having to remove footwear before entering an officers chamber boils down to self respect. The list is endless. The point here is that it is the small things in life that count. And VIPs get all the small things and the occasional big thing too. The saddest part is that low rung young inmates, who are first time offenders, are mightily impressed by the perks enjoyed by VIPs and are overawed when they see a warden saluting them. Their eyes open wide in admiration as they see a jailor rush to open a gate for these inmates and fantasise about taking the place of the VIPs, who enjoy such perks in prison.

Heres a small comparison. I remember that one labourer was arrested by a squad for trying to sell used day bus passes for Rs10 each. He had in his possession eight such passes. He left the prison after six months and during this time he was made to sweep the grounds, pick up used cigarette butts, beedi ends and plastic tea cups and also treated badly because he was poor. But a government official, who indulges in organised looting of natural resources leading to a loss of crores of rupees to the government, gets a cool VIP room, is treated nicely and leaves the prison in one piece.

The amusing part is a government servant, who enjoys perks from the taxes paid by the public, then abuses his position and swindles public money, again has his life made comfortable in prison using public money. Public money is sadly spent on making the lives of the influential comfortable in prison and this list includes rowdies, politicians, wannabe politicians, blackmailers and the well connected. If this doesnt stink, what does?
In its final report about the incident, the airline has said the actor's mother did not want to register a complaint when she was asked by the airline crew. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Vistara has informed aviation regulator DGCA that Zaira Wasim's mother did not want to register a complaint about the alleged molestation of the actor on-board its flight, an airline source said.

The airline has informed the watchdog about it in the final investigation report into the incident submitted earlier this week.

A man has been arrested following the incident which happened on-board a Delhi-Mumbai flight on December 9. Following the incident, one Vikas Sachdev was arrested.

In its final report about the incident, the airline has said the actor's mother did not want to register a complaint when she was asked by the airline crew, the source said.

According to the source, the airline is also evaluating the possibility of setting up an internal panel to look into various aspects related to unruly passenger behaviour as per guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The detailed probe report was prepared by the airline after talking to all the people concerned about the incident, including Wasim, crew and ground handling staff.

Vistara spokesperson was not immediately available for comment about the probe report.

"We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night. We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway," the airline had said in a statement on December 10.

The "Dangal" actor, who had narrated her ordeal on the Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Instagram, had said that a passenger sitting behind her put his feet on her armrest.

In the video, which Wasim recorded immediately after deboarding the flight, the 17-year-old actor broke down several times.
Warangal: Violence broke out at the Medaram tribal shrine on Thursday when Adivasi community members protested against the swearing-in of two Lambada community members to the temple committee.

Adivasi community members have been demanding the exclusion of Lambadas from the ST category, and said Lambadas should not be included in the board meant for a tribal temple.

Some activists smashed the window panes of cars parked outside the endowments office while the swearing-in was going on inside. The car of tribal welfare minister A. Chandulals son was also damaged.

The endowment department constituted the trust board with 15 members, of whom three were Adivasis and two Lambadas, The others belonged to different groups and castes.

The Adivasis, who were opposed to the inclusion of the Lambadas, gathered outside the building to stop the programme but were stopped by the police from entering.

Amid pushing and shoving, Adivasi activists started throwing stones at the parked cars. The police arrested the agitators and shifted them to the Tadvai police station.

Thudum Debba state president Vattem Upender said they are opposed to the intrusion of Lambadas in the affairs of Adivasis. The Lambadas are least bothered about our traditions and customs, he said.

Their only aim is to make money in the name of the temple. This exploitation of adivasis must stop immediately, he said.

Adivasi employees association state general secretary Mankidi Buchanna said they had presented a representation to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and different government officials asking them to not include Lambadas in the board. Our pleas were ignored, he said. He stated that they would not allow the Lambadas to manage their affairs.

Speaking to mediapersons later, Mr Azmeera Prahlad said the Adivasi members should have sorted out the issue in an amiable manner. "We condemn this violent behaviour. We believe some persons instigated the Adivasis for their political gain, he said.
Mumbai: Union minister for women has warned Bollywood producers over sexual harassment in the Hindi film industry after a scandal that has brought down some leading Hollywood figures. Maneka Gandhi wrote to leading production houses reminding them that they are ethically and legally responsible for providing a safe, secure and inclusive work environment for all staff under the Indian law.

Bollywood has not so far faced the kind of allegations that have rocked the US film industry and led to the downfall of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

But last month a Bollywood actress said she had been harassed by an unnamed director early in her career.

Ministry of women and child development said in a series of tweets on late Wednesday that Maneka Gandhi had written letters to 24 producers urging them to comply with 2013 sexual harassment act.

The aim of this law is to ensure that no woman is sexually harassed at her workplace, she wrote.

This is to be followed in letter and spirit by all organisations in the country and I expect you to personally lead these efforts with sincerity and commitment, in accordance with all the applicable laws, Maneka added.

It follows an interview that Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar in November in which she said she had lost a few roles over the years because she didn't give in to unwanted advances.

Bhaskar urged aspiring actresses to reject parts rather than get on the couch, a reference to the casting couch culture where young women are expected to exchange sexual favours to be cast in a film. She said that the cliquey nature of Bollywood made going public with allegations difficult.

The issue is almost never discussed in Indian media or talked about openly by Bollywood stars, but aspiring actors and actresses are known to regularly share their experiences of it privately.
KANYAKUMARI: Congress President-elect, Rahul Gandhi, after giving a patient hearing to the woes of fishermen and farmers hit by the Ockhi cyclone in Kanyakumari district, promised on Thursday to exert 'tremendous pressure' on the government in his capacity as opposition leader for their quick relief and rehabilitation.

In a brief address after patiently listening to the complaints of the fisher-folks, many of whose kin remain still missing and of the farmers, who incurred a heavy crop loss in the premises of St Judes church at Chinnathurai coastal hamlet in Kanyakumari, he said, I am sad to come here to meet you at this tragic situation.

Stating that he understood the miseries of the peopleof Kanyakumari district, he said that fishers and farmers of the district have been facing a very difficult time as many have lost their close relatives in the natural calamity that hit the west coast of Kanyakumari district.

Declaring that it was his bounden duty to help the people at thissituation, Rahul Gandhi stated that though not a ruling party at the centre, Congress is well aware of its powerful role as an opposition party and would raise the issue in the parliament.

Pointing at the long-pending demands of the fishermen community for the

establishment of a separate Fisheries Ministry at the centre, Rahul Gandhi

said had there been a separate ministry, the damages to fishermen's lives would have been mitigated. "We will put tremendous pressure on the Union government to create a separate ministry for Fisheries," assured the Congress leader.

Earlier, he apologised to the people for not visiting the affected people

immediately after the cyclone as he was engrossed in the election

campaign in Gujarat, scheduled much before Kanyakumari people met with the tragedy. As the NSG that oversees the security arrangements for Rahul's visit,

permitted only a restricted number of people inside the meeting venue,

where he interacted with the affected fishermen's families and farmers,

many fumed that they could not express their plight to the Congress

leader.

Due to time constraints, Rahul Gandhi could not spend more time with

the farmers as he did with the fisher-folks that irritated the farmers,

who complained that the Congress leader "did not even care to lend his ears" to their specific grievances.
The government is giving priority to the 2BHK project and has floated tenders for one lakh houses.

Hyderabad: The GHMC standing committee, headed by mayor Bonthu Rammohan, approved a Rs 13,150 crore budget for 2018-19.

The budgetary proposal is almost double the current financial year. Eyeing several infrastructure projects, the civic body proposed Rs 10,475 crore towards capital receipts and capital expenditure which was Rs 5,151 crore in 2016-17.

The GHMC claimed that the capital expenditure has been raised mainly to take up the state governments flagship programme of double bedroom housing project at a cost of Rs 6,317 crore which is 48 per cent of the total budget.

The government is giving priority to the 2BHK project and has floated tenders for one lakh houses. They are expected to be completed in the next few months and bills would be raised in the next financial year.

Another Rs 750 crore has been proposed for road repairs and maintenance by the Road Development Corporation and the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation.
Hyderabad: A few resolutions will be passed on the concluding day of the World Telugu Conference (WTC), on December 19. Among these will be a resolution seeking that Telugu be made a compulsory subject till class XII at all schools in Telangana.

Another resolution will seek that it be made mandatory for all government and private institutions to put up signboards in Telugu, along with other languages.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has already announced the governments plans to make Telugu compulsory for students up to class XII. He is expected to announce the state governments roadmap to implement this plan at the WTC.

The government is exploring options to give Telugu more weightage in government recruitment exams in order to encourage students to opt for Telugu. Students shy away from pursuing education in Telugu because they believe that it will not help them secure jobs while the knowledge of English will.

The WTC will also pass a resolution urging all government correspondence be done in Telugu and seeking that the Official Language Commission be strengthened.

The Official Language Commission is toothless at present. The resolution will seek that the commission be given the authority to initiate action against institutions and individuals violating the norms of Telugu promotion.

Nandini Sidda Reddy, the chairman of the Telangana Sahitya Academy, says that more resolutions may be approved at the conference. They will be finalised during the course of debates and discussions, and be based on their outcomes.

Telugu name board must for offices

In light of the upcoming World Telugu Conference, the Commissioner of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corpo-ration (GHMC) has instructed officials to ensure that all private and government offices have Telugu name boards.

He has assigned zonal and deputy commissioners the task of making sure that Telugu name boards in a particular font and size, which can read from a distance, are installed at all offices
Middle Valley Church of God announced that Pastor Mitch McClure will speak on the topic, "Like Us, But Not Really" in the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday .

This sermon is part of a sermon series titled "Promises Fulfilled." This series focuses attention to the reality that God always fulfills his promises with evidence in providing Jesus as the redeemer of humanity.service on Sunday. At the conclusion of theservice, the Womens Ministry is providing a catered meal for all who wish to attend.

Each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School classes are available for all age groupings.
ALAPPUZHA: The attacks against tourists here are on the increase, but the guilty get away as the tourists, especially foreigners, do not pursue the cases. According to experts, a new legislation is needed to give speedy justice to the victims. The guilty in several cases of attacks against foreigners have escaped the long arm of law. A local person was arrested in January this year for stalking a Bhutanese woman at the busy Mullakkal street. But the case reached nowhere. On September 7, 2014, two British nationals-William Meister and Jasper Canon- were assaulted by a gang after they questioned them for misbehaving with a Spanish woman while they were sipping beer at a restaurant.

Though two persons, Ramees Khan, 21, and Azharudheen, 21, were arrested, they escaped punishment. On January 3, 2014, three foreign women, Kristine MacMillan, Candian, Jennifer Crane, American and Sacha Moreland from New Zealand, had complained to the police about indecent behaviour by the crew members. But the accused got away. In the latest incident, a woman tourist from UK was molested on board a houseboat the other day. Though Anjalose, 38, a crew member, was arrested, the woman may not pursue the case.

The culprits often go scot-free due to the prolonged legal process. The only solution is to set up a special fast track court to deal with crimes against tourists. "The untenable criminal investigation system and the delay in court proceedings are the major hurdles in meting out justice to the victims," according to Mr James Vadackumchery, well-known criminologist. "We are following an accusatorial system in such case. But in the cases relating to foreigners we have to introduce inquisitorial system. It is the responsibility of the accused to prove his/her innocence against the victims' account. In the inquisitorial system, the testimony of the victim has to be recorded as true. District-based special teams have to be set up to deal with foreign tourists' cases which should be settled before the victims leave the state. They should also get compensation from the victim relief fund of the government," he said.

Mr Switten George, member, All-Kerala Houseboat Owners Association, also said it takes a long time to book the culprits and complete the criminal proceedings. "The mindless actions by a few men can affect tourism," he said. Mr Laju Daniel, a local tour operator, said the recent incident had shamed Kerala tourism. A special police squad must be formed to investigate such cases, he said and added that sexual attacks and physical assaults on foreigners often go unreported due to the delay in our justice system.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his finger marked with indelible ink after casting his vote in the second phase of the Assembly elections in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Congress immediately called it a road show and violation of the EC code. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Almost all exit polls on Thursday predicted that the BJP is heading for a comfortable victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Though the Congress will increase its vote share, it will not translate into seats according to the polls, which were released soon after voting ended in 93 seats under the second and final phase of election in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

While three exit polls predicted that in Gujarat the BJP will get more than 115 seats it bagged in 2012, the rest said that the ruling party will comfortably cross the magic mark of 92 and score over 100 in the 182-member Assembly.

In the 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others six. However, during the Rajya Sabha elections in August this year, the Congress could manage to hold on to only 42-44 MLAs while the rest switched sides to support the BJP or quit the party.

Despite the setback, the Congress had mounted a tough challenge to the BJP by stitching alliances with Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, dalit activist Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore.

The BJP relied on the Prime Minister as it chief campaigner. Gujarat Assembly polls are being seen as a litmus test for both Mr Modi and Rahul Gandhi who was recently elevated to the post of Congress president. Both the leaders did extensive campaigning in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Going by the exit poll results, it seems the Congress wasnt able to counter the Prime Ministers charisma as well as turn the crowds at Mr Gandhi's rallies into votes.

It was the same story in Himachal Pradesh. Todays Chanakya predicted 55 seats for the BJP and 13 for the Congress.

Exit polls say Modis charisma intact

Going by the exit poll results, the Congress wasnt able to counter Prime Minister Narendra Modis charisma as well as turn the crowds at Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhis rally into votes at the ground level.

It was a repeat of the same story in Himachal Pradesh. Todays Chanakya predicted 55 seats for BJP and 13 for Congress, CSDS-ABP (BJP-38 and Congress- 29), Axis (BJP-47-50, Congress-13-20), VMR (51-17), C Voter (BJP-41, Congress 25) VDPA (BJP-56, Congress-10 and CNX (BJP-46, Congress -21)

Himachal Pradesh had a Congress government and it has never returned the same regime twice. The state also witnessed a high voting percentage which traditionally has shown anti-incumbency.

In 2012, the Indian National Congress party came to power in Himachal Pradesh when it won 36 of the 68 seats in the state Assembly.

Touted as the curtain raiser for the 2019 general elections, the Assembly polls to the two states had seen an often bitter campaign. A public spat between Mr Modi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh over his attending a dinner at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyars House had been the high point of the campaign.
New Delhi/Ahmedabad: Parties on Thursday hit out at the Election Commission for alleged inaction over the alleged poll code violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat with the Congress accusing it of acting like a captive puppet of the BJP.

Leaders of the Congress and other Opposition parties also alleged that the Election Commission failed to uphold its constitutional mandate.

At the heart of the row was the objections raised by the Congress to what it called a roadshow by the Prime Minister when he greeted the crowd outside the polling booth in Ranip area in Ahmedabad after he cast his vote. The BJP in a vigorous response to the Congress charge said it was looking for excuses before its impending defeat in the Gujarat Assembly polls for which the final phase of voting ended on Thursday.

A BJP delegation, which included Cabinet ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi among others, met the Election Commission to refute the charges levelled by the Congress.

Nikunj Balar, convener of the Congress legal cell, said the party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat against

Modis roadshow. In response to the complaint, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, B B Swain, said an inquiry has been ordered to probe whether there was any violation of the poll code.

Modi, arriving outside the poll booth set up inside Nishan High School in Ranip area, which is part of Sabarmati constituency, first greeted his elder brother Somabhai

Modi by bowing down. Then the Prime Minister stood in the queue to cast his vote. He was seen speaking to other voters while awaiting his turn.

After casting the vote, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside and were chanting Modi...Modi.

The Prime Minister walked some distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road. Then he stood on the footboard of his car and waved to the crowd.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao speaks with former TD leaders Uma Madhava Reddy and her son Sandeep Reddy who joined the TRS at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday admitted former TD minister Uma Madhava Reddy and her son Sandeep Reddy, telling them that they would have a good future in the part and would be accommodate them in suitable posts.

The two leaders had not asked for any positions when they met him two days ago, Mr Rao said at a function at Telangana Bhavan where he formally admitted the TD leaders from Bhongir district into the party.

Uma Madhava Reddy is like my sister, her son Sandeep reddy is a brilliant boy. Both will have a good future in the TRS. We dont know when opportunity strikes in politics, but they will certainly be treated well and accommodated, Mr Rao said.

Mr Rao also showered praises on TRS Bhongir MLA Pailla Sekhar Reddy, stating that he was doing a good job in the constituency, leading to speculation over who would get the ticket for the seat in the next election.

The Chief Minister said the late Alimineti Madhava Reddy was his good friend when he was in the Telugu Desam, and used to manage party affairs in Nalgonda district single-handedly. He said Madhava Reddy too was opposed to hiking power charges along with him during Mr N. Chandrababu Naidus second stint as Chief Minister. Mr Rao said the Alimineti family was known for keeping up values in politics.
Hyderabad: TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday appealed to farmers and Congress workers from across the state to participate in the Chalo Assembly rally to be held on October 27, the first day of the Assembly session.

Addressing reporters at the Gandhi Bhavan, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Chalo Assembly rally would be taken out in a democratic and peaceful manner.

He said that the agitation was being organised to expose the indifference of the TRS government towards farmers. Justifying the timing of the rally, Mr Reddy said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao never honoured the promises he made to farmers on multiple occasions on the floor of the Assembly.

Condemning irrigation minister T. Harish Raos criticism of the rally, the TPCC chief he asked the minister to clarify whether the CM should be held accountable for the commitment he had made on the Floor of the House. He said that the farmers and Congress workers would assembly at Gandhi Bhavan at 9 am on October 27 and march towards the Assembly.

Mr Reddy said that Congress was all set to return to power in 2019 and would waive crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh in one go.

He said that the conditions for the farming sector have turned so bad that thousands of farmers have committed suicide during the last three years.

Terming the farmer suicides as institutional murders, he slammed the Chief Minister and his Cabinet for not even making a mention of those suicides in their statements.
Shortly before the campaign for the final phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls ended on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Twitter handle buzzed with a series of tweets. First in Gujarati and later in English, these summed up his message to the states voters. Sentences were woven around his favourite pronouns  I and they. First-person singular was used for travel across length of breadth of the state, and receiving unparalleled affection. They, the third person pronoun, denoted our worthy (sic) opponents accused of lies spread about Gujarat, Gujarats growth and about me personally. He concluded that due to such behaviour by the Congress (though he didnt name the party) it is natural for every Gujarati to feel hurt. People of Gujarat will give a fitting reply to the negativity and lies of the Opposition. Hu Vikas Chhu... Hu Gujarat chhu (I am development... I am Gujarat)  a BJP campaign video had proclaimed earlier. Mr Modi edited this to Hu Gujarat chhu  criticising him is an affront to the state and its people! At another place in Ahmedabad, incoming Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also communicated with voters, but not from Mr Modis one-way street. He addressed his first press conference (Mr Modi is yet to call one in 43 months) after becoming his partys president-elect.

Besides claims that he was only expected to make, Mr Gandhi said something he could have done without because he was not responsible for it: I would also like to change the discourse of politics. It has become nasty, ugly and there is a lot of anger and angst. We want to do the politics of love and compassion. Mr Gandhi reiterated in his interaction that his party remained focussed on its narrative of unemployment and issues that were concerning farmers, the youth, health and education. In contrast, he pointed out, the BJP wavered from issue to issue and for the last couple of days Modiji spoke only about himself and the Congress and about me, my visit to temples and our other leaders. The difference in the conduct of the two leaders has been stark. While Mr Modi in his no-holds-barred bid to ensure that his party retained power fell from one low to another, Mr Gandhi, despite his shortcomings and questionable obfuscation of secular principles, remained consistent on what people wanted to hear. The finale was also on the same lines. Mr Modi signed off with a melodramatic flight on a seaplane that took off with scant respect for the countrys norms and laws. In contrast, Mr Gandhi stayed true to the copybook. Like always Mr Modis campaign was a spectacle where the emphasis was not on content but on the form  of his delivery, how he spoke and what were the props.

On November 27, when Mr Modi embarked on the final assault of his campaign, it was evident that it would be his most challenging political canvassing since assuming office. By then the feel on the ground amplified what had been sensed for several weeks  that a routine poll was no longer the cakewalk it was considered till a few months ago. Mr Modi had two choices at that juncture. He could either go to the people humbly and acknowledge awareness of their problems and promise to attend to these on a priority basis if his party was re-elected one more time. To help him with this line of campaign, his party had even prepared a social media message with his image where he was shown with folded hands telling people that renovation was underway in the entire country and asked people to bear with this for some time. The other option was to go ballistic and accuse his opponents of being foes of the Gujarati people, being opposed to Gujarats development and accuse them of shaming the true servant of the people that he was.

The first path called for humility and the second demanded him to be raucous and vituperative. The way the campaign ended, in the course of which Mr Modi may not have touched new personal lows because he just went back to being what he was in 2002, has damaged the countrys prestige immensely because the coarseness of his speeches werent those of a challenger but of a Prime Minister. From taking pride for having himself restored Indias dignity abroad, with this campaign Mr Modi has sullied the nations image. No nation will henceforth feel comfortable with bipartisan engagement with India and few will ever dare to go beyond the official brief. It is common knowledge that much of public diplomacy is preceded by extensive back channels of communication. Henceforth, most nations and diplomats will be wary of one-on-one informal interactions with political leaders, of both the ruling party and the Opposition, as no one is sure when even a personal call will be used as an electoral issue by Mr Modi and his party leaders.

The Gujarat campaign exposed Mr Modis limitations. Myopic denigration of a former Prime Minister, a former vice-president, a former Army Chief, former foreign secretaries and retired bureaucrats does not damage their credibility but undermines whatever chance remained for Mr Modis emergence as an international statesman. Irrespective of the verdict, he has lost the faith and respect of countless Indians who believed he had discarded the limited Hindu Hriday Samrat persona and remodelled himself as a leader with a modern outlook who could ensure that the basic necessities of the poor were met while making certain that industry could be a partner in inclusive growth. Back in 2002, Mr Modi had worried people by needlessly referring to Mian Musharraf and dragging Pakistan into the electoral discourse in all-out attempt to win. By using similar tactics and the same moniker for Indian leaders who held constitutional positions, Mr Modi has come a full circle. It is a sad moment for Indian democracy that the Prime Minister will henceforth be pulled down by the weight of old questions.
The combination of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and Communist Party (Maoist) has swept the recent parliamentary and provincial polls, and the two plan to merge soon. Such a sweeping Communist victory is an extraordinary development. Communist parties coming to power through the ballot box in a country with a multi-party setup is quite unknown, and this does require that India reorient itself to dealing with a wholly Left government in the tiny Himalayan state, which has Maoist China as a gargantuan neighbour to its north. In Nepals case, the two victorious parties have been in government with a bourgeois party, Nepali Congress, in the past but have now stormed the citadel on their own. Its to be seen if a merged Communist entity chooses to launch itself on a revolutionary path or prefers to go in the direction of social democracy.

Unlike CPN(UML), the Maoists had carried out a decade-long campaign of revolutionary violence against the erstwhile Nepal monarchy but subsequently mellowed to put its trust in Parliament. The Communist fronts overwhelming victory certainly has the first ingredients of providing political stability to Nepal, which has been wholly absent for a decade, with a succession of Prime Ministers. Perhaps stability will depend to a considerable degree on the way the CPN(UML) and Maoists are able to effect their merger. India has much experience in dealing with both, as well as with the defeated Nepali Congress, that used to be the countrys first party in a three-way race.

Its important for New Delhi to convey to Kathmandu that it places a premium on political stability in Nepal. Thus reassured, Nepals new government is enabled to see merit in its continued deep-going ties with India. These frequently come under strain due to the China factor. Of late, Beijing has sought to expand and deepen its stakes in Nepal by offering major infrastructure projects as well as prospecting for oil in the Nepal-Tibet border region. Unlike India, Nepal is on board with Chinas OBOR programme. China has also recently sought to sow the seeds of doubt and difficulty in India-Nepal relations. This is something New Delhi must be watchful about. About the time of the Doklam crisis last summer, which was the consequence of an undemarcated boundary between India, Bhutan and China in a specific area, Beijing had reportedly sought to provoke Kathmandu to try and open discussions with India on the tri-junction of Nepal and its two big neighbours at Lipulekh in Uttarakhand. The CPN(UML) leader and Nepals new Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, is said to lean toward China. Maoist leader Pushp Kumar Dahal Prachanda may be disposed to be more even-handed between India and China. This is a time for cautious diplomatic management.
On March 1, 2012, the Siang river went dry at Pasighat, the headquarters of Arunachal Pradeshs East Siang district, on the Chinese border. Three years earlier, on June 9, 2009, the same town of Pasighat saw floods like never before. The Siang was in spate and the floodwaters rose up to 30 metres, submerging almost the entire town. And now, the same Siang river is full of slag, making its water so turbid that the authorities in the frontier state have declared it unfit for human consumption after tests in laboratories. The impact is also being felt on aquatic life with fishes dying or disappearing, perhaps into clearer waters somewhere. Its a good time to find out whats going on in the Siang, and whodunnit! Were talking about the Siang because it originates in the Tibetan Himalayas as the Yarlung Tsangbo, enters Arunachal Pradesh at the great bend, flows down into the Assam plains as the Brahmaputra and empties into the Bay of Bengal via Bangladesh, where it flows first as the Jamuna and then merges with the Padma. It took a political leader from Arunachal Pradesh to bring the latest issue of the Siang waters turning black to the national limelight, with the medias help, and then, of course, a spate of letters followed from government leaders in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

The letter from Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu to Union home minister Rajnath Singh earlier this month talked of the Siang waters turning unusually turbid for the past two months, He sought a Central investigation. This was followed by concerns expressed by Mr Khandus Assam counterpart, Sarbananda Sonowal, who said: The Brahmaputra water is contaminated with bacteria and iron with laboratory tests declaring it unfit for human consumption. The Assam CM went on to say: This is a very serious issue and I and my counterpart in adjoining Arunachal Pradesh state have urged the Indian government to take up the matter with China. Several questions arise here: first, it took the state governments in Arunachal and Assam two months to react to a phenomenon that is extremely unusual  the waters of the Siang and downstream in the Brahmaputra turning turbid. Not one but several laboratories declared after tests that the iron content was unusually high. The locals showed visiting television reporters soil along the riverbanks that looked like cement slabs.

Was China carrying out certain major artificial interventions which may have caused the turbidity downstream or cement-like substances flowing down into the Siang and the Brahmaputra? For long now, reports have been doing the rounds that China was harbouring plans to divert the Yarlung Tsangbo near the great bend just as it enters India to take water to its arid northern areas. Was China then actually engaged in massive tunnelling activity? Locals have even sent off memoranda expressing just these fears to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chinese may seek to deny it, but we suspect that there is massive tunnel-building activities to divert Yarlung Tsangbo (Brahmaputra) to Xinjiang province, particularly the Taklamakan desert region, Lungkang Ering, president of the All Bogong Students Union, in the border district of East Sing, said in a letter to Prime Minister Modi. What came as a shock, and actually explains New Delhis tentativeness on issues relating to trans-boundary rivers, particularly those originating in China, was the initial response of Indian government leaders. Union minister of state for water resources Arjun Ram Meghwal said turbidity of the Siang waters could be a natural occurrence. Giving a virtual clean chit to the Chinese, he said the Siangs waters could have turned black after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Tibet that struck the Nyingchi region on November 17.

The Union ministers statement appeared premature and unconvincing, but the incident has exposed differences within the ruling BJP on water-related issues between India and China. Top Northeast BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, for instance, said China could be engaged in certain activities in the upper reaches, a development that needs to be thoroughly probed. A UN report says although China has 21 per cent of the worlds population, it contains only seven per cent of the worlds freshwater supplies. It is forecast that by 2030, Chinas water demand will surpass 800 billion cubic metres. However, Chinas supply is severely undermined by the worsening water scarcity and pollution. A 2013 report published by the Chinese authorities says the number of rivers in China has decreased from at least 50,000 over a period of 20 years to almost 23,000 in 2011. This means that in the past two decades, China has lost more than 28,000 of its rivers. Besides, the countrys wetlands have shrunk by nearly nine per cent to make way for massive agricultural production and infrastructure projects since 2003.

Does this increase the chances of China actually diverting the Yarlung Tsangbo or the Brahmaputra? India is worried that China really has a plan to divert the Brahmaputra river, to be more specific, the western route of Chinas South North Water Diversion (SNWD) projects. This is, however, a misperception. The Grand Western Water diversion Project (GWWDP) originated from the Shuotian Grand Canal Idea. When the GWWDP was first suggested, it did trigger heated discussion among Chinese scholars and government officials. Nonetheless, this radical plan is not the same as the western route of the SNWD project. The GWWDP intends to divert water from the upstream sections of six rivers in southwest China, including the upstream of the Mekong, the Brahmaputra and the Salween, to dry areas of northern China through a system of reservoirs, tunnels and natural rivers. The operationalisation of the first generating unit of the $1.5 billion Zangmu plant, located 3,300 metres above sea level, before the scheduled 2015 start date, indicates that Beijing means business in tapping the resources of the Yarlung Tsangbo. At least four other dams in the area are under various stages of construction. Its time that New Delhi puts some direct questions to the Chinese, although the answers may be hard to come by.
Has a Chinese newspaper ever published an article by an Indian external affairs minister on New Delhis views or policy perspectives? No. Never. So when the reverse happens, one is forced to take notice. Recently, on the very day that he set foot on Indian soil, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yis article articulating his countrys viewpoints on bilateral and multilateral ties and other matters was published in this newspaper  that not only shows the seminal success of the Chinese diplomatic corps but points to the gravity of existing realities. The credit for this visibly-effective foreign coup must go to the Chinese ambassador as well as officials of its foreign ministry. Its an act of exemplary public diplomacy, meticulously planned and efficiently implemented; an act worth emulating by the mandarins of Hindustan, dealing with the Hans. Lets now analyse what Mr Wang wrote on diplomacy. His piece was cleverly formulated to hurl an invincible psychological weapon, to prepare and visualise the situation for diplomatic leverage and favourable public opinion in the host country. Beijing stands tall. Its forte is surprise, deception, mobility; especially for the present regime in China. Vitamin M (money) speaks, and reigns, far beyond and above all,,, Regretfully, Mr Wangs words read and sound more like an extravagant eulogy by a flutist  poetic, self-demeaning, self-effacing and fearful panegyrist in an imperial durbar of an Oriental emperor of a bygone era, who is eternally nervous at the prospect of losing his job. Hence, he sings and parrots praise like an artificial poet with the help of some sort of an imitated national anthem composed by the emperor himself to be sung round the clock for him, across the globe. The only difference is that the (national) anthem here implies the (national) leader, supremo of the party and government; Chinas two-in-one supreme ruler!

Thus, the court poet sings song for his king-emperor-employer in five of the 12 paragraphs of his article. However, if one reads carefully between the lines, the theme really emerges loud and clear at the fag end of the article. It is solely the national interest of the Chinese state. Why not? Why shouldnt a sovereign state try to look after, propagate and programme its national interest? We will step up efforts to serve Chinas domestic development and overseas interests in line with our national conditions and the needs of our people. How profoundly authentic! It is brazen and blunt; a clear warning, but honest too. It says that China will do what it proposes to and will do it only on the basis of domestic development because the country has to cater to the national conditions and address the needs of our people. The fact is that it is a case of Chinas domestic development versus overseas interests. Clearly, China is less interested in overseas development and more interested in pursuing its overseas interests. Hence, no foreigner or overseas actor should suffer from any delusion of grandeur that Beijing would come forward to develop it. Far from overseas development, China would go for domestic development linked with its overseas interests  the twin pillars of Chinas BRI/OBOR/CPEC. Any questioning and/or doubting Thomases would only betray his/her poor understanding and assessment of the Chinese psyche. A big thank you, Mr Wang, for your clearly spelt out thoughts!

The point to note, of course, was that long before this article, the writing was on the wall. The things that are now being professed were already being scrupulously practised. Chinas overseas interests had led Beijing to take over Sri Lankas deep water port, Hambantota, for 99 years for its to failure to clear a gigantic debt of $8 billion. All for Chinas domestic development! The list doesnt end here, it just begins. The litmus test of Chinas domestic developments versus overseas interests ratio comes from Caracas too; one of its biggest state-owned oil companies (Sinopec) is suing its Venezuelan counterpart in an American court over unpaid debts. The amount of dispute is comparatively small  just $23.7 million punitive damages, over a 2012 supply-contract of $43.5 million. Nevertheless, what is important is that it was part of Chinas investments and loans that added up to more than $62 billion in oil-rich Venezuela between 2007 and 2016. Today, Caracas defaulted in its debt payment and Beijing is suing the case in the United States. Is Venezuela tomorrows Sri Lankas Hambantota? One also sees Chinese capability pertaining to Russia and Brazil (two of the five nations that comprise Brics). In the first decade of the 21st century, both Russia and Brazil were struggling to execute projects funded by Chinese currency (renminbi/yuan) loans. Russias Rosneft and Transeft took a combined loan of $25 billion in 2009 from the government-owned China Development Bank (CDB) for supplying oil to Beijing. However, on completion of the pipeline work, China renegotiated the deal and compelled Moscow to reduce the price of the oil it supplies to Beijing.

Almost similarly, Brazilian iron ore giant Vale took a $1.23 billion Chinese loan to construct 12 Chinamax shipping vessels to supply iron ore to Beijing. However, China blocked the Brazilians from supplying iron ore as soon as the delivery of ships was completed. Both Moscow and Brasilia incurred huge losses owing to their loan adventure with Beijing. Profit for China implies loss for the non-Chinese. This is business, China-style. Coming back to India, the China Development Bank filed an insolvency petition on November 24, 2017 in an Indian court against a high-profile Indian private sector giant to recover its loan of $1.78 billion, that reportedly accounts for over 30 per cent of the Indian companys secured debt. This single act of a Chinese government bank against a top Indian company is likely to hurt or halt any (or all) out-of-court settlement initiatives that affect Indian banks and financial institutions too. Seen in this light, the warm words in Mr Wangs article to persuade India over shared strategic interest look astoundingly hollow and meaningless  to China it implies Vitamin MCM (market-cash-money) for Beijing and Vitamin DBS (debt-bankruptcy-submission) for New Delhi. It should be noted Mr Wang showed a lot of warmth on his arrival and gave a warning on his departure. The choice for India is at one level simple, and yet complex. Which one is real  the warmth or the warning?
In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act. (Photo: File/ Representational)

Washington: An Indian-American has pleaded guilty to charges of launching a cyberattack on a US university's computer network, officials said Thursday.

Paras Jha, 21, of New Jersey along with two others Josiah White, 20, from Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman, 21, from Louisiana also pleaded guilty to creating and operating two botnets, which targeted 'Internet of Things' (IoT) devices, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

"Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system," Acting US Attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

"These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students submission of their work to professors to be graded," he said.

"The defendant's actions effectively paralysed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers' students. Today, the defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it, Fitzpatrick said.

In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act.

According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

His attacks effectively shut down Rutgers Universitys central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty, and students delivered assignments and assessments.

At times, he succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to Rutgers University, its faculty, and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of USD250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2018.

Earlier on December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal informations in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.
In my younger days, I loved going to the movies. They transported me to places Id never been, sometimes worlds I could have never imagined. They were fun, entertaining, and left me with happy memories. Today, not so much.

Most films these days seem saturated with violence, random sex, and a oft-subtle but clearly amoral worldview, one that stands for anything but godly values and principles presented in the Scriptures. Ive sworn off watching award shows that ooze with an unwarranted sense of elitism, self-aggrandizement, and narcissism. But occasionally, whether by accident or intent, the industry manages to produce a film I can applaud.



Recently I wrote about one of them, Same Kind of Different as Me. The other day I saw another, Wonder, starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and a little fellow named Jacob Tremblay. Its about Auggie Pullman, a boy afflicted with a rare facial deformity. After multiple surgeries, and years of being homeschooled by his mother, its time for Auggie to enter a public school to continue his education.



Predictably, his fellow students are initially repelled by his appearance. The young guy, already too aware that hes different, is forced to deal with daily emotional trauma. He even suffers betrayal by another boy who initially befriended him.



Spoiler alert: By movies end, everyone learns to look past Auggies external appearance and discover his intrinsic, inner beauty. If you dont like happily ever after films, then be sure to pass on this one.



Wonder doesnt carry an overtly Christian message, but does affirm some foundational biblical values. As someone has said, all truth is Gods truth  and the truths in this film trace back to the Scriptures.



It reminded me of the prophet Samuel seeking to identify the successor to Israels King Saul, who had proved himself quite unworthy of leading Gods chosen people. The Lord directed Samuel to Jesse, who had several sons that seemed likely candidates. However, one by one each was eliminated until the only one that remained was the humble shepherd boy, David.



When asked why He had passed over more robust, more physically impressive options, God replied, The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).



Thats not the only place that principle is mentioned. For instance, Proverbs 21:2 tells us, All a mans ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. Our intentions and motives matter.



In our humanness, we tend to become swayed by outward appearances. If someone isnt well-groomed, or appears grossly overweight, or seems hampered by some disability, were tempted to lower our assessment of them. The worlds of TV and film have accentuated these attitudes, promoting stars who are mostly beautiful, slim and curvy if theyre female, rugged and well-toned if theyre male. Weve all heard the adage, You cant judge a book by its cover, but were obviously not convinced.



God has very different criteria, however, according to the Scriptures. In fact, the Old Testament offers this amazing description of the coming Messiah: He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem (Isaiah 53:2-3).



It astounds me  especially during this Christmas season when we anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, when God became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14)  that He chose not to come as a Robert Redford, Charlton Heston, or Denzel Washington-type. Instead, even though we have no photos or portraits from the time to prove it, Jesus apparently wasnt all that much to look at.



But thats consistent with what God emphasizes in the Scriptures. He puts little stock in outward appearances. Instead, He considers the inner person, and thats where His transformational work takes place in our lives.

In 1 Peter 3:3-4 we read of what the Lord desires of wives, although the principle can be applied to men and women alike. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Gods sight.

As the film Wonder shows us, we err when we put too much emphasis on a persons eye appeal and fail to search for the individuals inner beauty. Because if were willing to invest the time and effort to take a closer look, we might find a work of art nestled inside a rather ordinary exterior.



----



Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written hundreds of magazine articles, and authored, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly re-published, Business At Its Best, Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. He edits a weekly business meditation, Monday Manna, which is translated into more than 20 languages and distributed via email around the world by CBMC International. To read more of Bob Tamasys writings, you can visit his blog, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com, or his website (now being completed), www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com. He can be emailed at btamasy@comcast.net.
The charges include supporting a terrorist organisation, using a weapon of mass destruction, destroying property by means of fire or explosives, and using a destructive device during a violent crime. (Photo: AP)

Washington: A Bangladeshi immigrant accused of setting off a pipe bomb in the New York subway system made his first court appearance Thursday via video from the hospital room where he is recovering from burns sustained in the blast.

Akayed Ullah, 27, who migrated from Bangladesh some six years ago on a family visa, was presented with the charges laid by federal prosecutors on Tuesday.

The charges include supporting a terrorist organisation, using a weapon of mass destruction, destroying property by means of fire or explosives, and using a destructive device during a violent crime.

If convicted, he could get up to life in prison. Ullah remains hospitalised due to serious burns from the pipe bomb that was strapped to his chest when it partially detonated on December 11 in a subway terminal near the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Ullah appeared through the video before the court of US Magistrate Judge Katherine H Parker.

Though he told investigators he carried out his alleged attack in the name of ISIS, he only answered 'yes' to questions from the judge about whether he understood the federal charges against him.

The federal criminal complaint released Tuesday says Ullah told authorities he "did it for the Islamic State".

"I can see you," Ullah said when asked if he can see the judge.

Ullah, who lived in Brooklyn, did not enter a plea.

He is married to Jannatul Ferdous who lives in Bangladesh. Authorities have questioned her in Bangladesh.

During his brief court appearance, federal prosecutors asked that he be held without bail. His attorney did not oppose it.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 13.

Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M Nielson requested background information on Ullah.

Grassley asked if Ullah had any criminal convictions.

Ullah was 20-years-old when his uncle, a US citizen, petitioned for Ullah's mother to receive a derivative visa as a sister of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Ullah was subsequently allowed to emigrate as a child of a sister of a US citizen benefiting from a controversial immigration occurrence known as chain migration.
The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol. (Photo: AP)

Frankfort: Dan Johnson, a Republican state lawmaker in Kentucky known for inflammatory Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys and who defiantly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, killed himself Thursday. He was 57.

Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said Johnson shot himself on a bridge in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Tinnell confirmed the death to WDRB-TV in Louisville.

Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years. He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after some of his racist Facebook posts came to light.

The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools.

But he was mostly out of the spotlight until Monday, when the Kentucky Centre for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.

At the time, the woman told police about the incident, who investigated but closed the case and did not file charges.

On Tuesday, Johnson held a news conference in the pulpit of his church, which he began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol "O Come All Ye Faithful."

He said the allegations against him were "totally false" and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.

Shortly before 5 pm (local time), Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page that he asked people to care for his wife. He wrote that PTSD "is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME." The post appears to have been removed.

The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol.

Former Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position after acknowledging he secretly settled a sexual harassment claim with a member of his staff. Three other lawmakers were involved in the settlement, and all lost their committee chairmanships.
The cyber soldiers have been integrated for six months in infantry units, and will tailor operations according to commanders' needs, said Colonel William Hartman of the Army's Cyber Command. (Photo: File/Representational)

Washington: The US Army will soon send teams of cyber warriors to the battlefield, officials said Wednesday, as the military increasingly looks to take the offensive against enemy computer networks.

While the Army's mission is generally to "attack and destroy," the cyber troops have a slightly different goal, said Colonel Robert Ryan, who commands a Hawaii-based combat team.

"Not everything is destroy. How can I influence by non-kinetic means? How can I reach up and create confusion and gain control?" he told reporters.

The cyber soldiers have been integrated for six months in infantry units, and will tailor operations according to commanders' needs, said Colonel William Hartman of the Army's Cyber Command.

The Army has for the past three years conducted training for such operations at a huge centre in southern California.

Hartman didn't give details on what the cyber troops can achieve, except to say that they would be scooping up information or intercepting planned attacks.

According to the New York Times, CYBERCOM has previously placed "implants" in ISIS networks that let experts monitor the group's behaviour and ultimately imitate or alter commanders' messages so they unwittingly direct fighters to areas likely to be hit by drone or plane strikes.

Another technique likely being employed is a common type of cyber attack known as a denial of service.

Cyber Command had previously been a subordinate part of the US Strategic Command, but President Donald Trump in August ordered the Pentagon to elevate it to its own command, in a sign of its growing importance.
Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances. (Photo: File)

Tokyo: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres Thursday warned the world against "sleepwalking into war" over North Korea, as he called for diplomatic efforts to banish nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: "The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances."

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea over its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

Guterres said those sanctions need to be implemented "by North Korea first of all, but also fully implemented by all the other countries whose role is crucial."

He urged "diplomatic engagement that allows for ... denuclearisation (of the Korean peninsula) to take place in a peaceful way."

Speaking alongside Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe echoed the call to "fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions" and hold "meaningful dialogue toward denuclearisation."

The secretary-general's trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

Feltman said he had been told in Pyongyang that North Korea wants to avoid war and said he "fervently" hoped that the "door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide."

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to Pyongyang "without preconditions", interpreted by many as a shift in the US position.

Washington's top diplomat told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting -- even the weather.

However, the White House and Tillerson's own department later stressed that the US position on North Korea "had not changed."

"The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Wednesday.
Beijing: South Korean President Moon Jae-In will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday amid mixed US signals about potential talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Relations between Beijing and Seoul have encountered their own rough patch over the US military's deployment of a powerful anti-missile defence system in the South to counter the North's threats.

Moon hopes to "normalise" ties during the visit, his office has said, after Beijing imposed economic measures against South Korean companies, a move seen as retaliation to the installation of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. China sees the deployment as a threat to its own security.

Moving past the disagreement has become increasingly important amid growing concern that bellicose rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang could spark war on the Korean peninsula.

"The highlights to watch of the visit would be whether the two sides (Seoul and Beijing) can start a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on the DPRK (North Korea) nuclear issue," said Zhu Feng, international studies professor at Peking University.

China has long refused to countenance the possibility that the North's Communist regime could collapse.

But a series of nuclear and missile tests combined with pressure from US President Donald Trump has pushed Beijing to reconsider its position and prioritise improving relations with Seoul.

"It is a very uncertain period," Zhu said. "The two sides need high-level dialogues and dialogues between militaries. These dialogues cannot really start without the normalisation of the bilateral relations" he added.

Moon's visit comes after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to North Korea "without preconditions", though it remains determined to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal.

China and Russia responded positively to Tillerson's remarks, even after the White House appeared to put his proposal in question by saying Trump's "views on North Korea have not changed."

Beijing has pressed for talks to peacefully resolve the crisis, but there are signals that it has begun to prepare for the possibility of the North's collapse.

Tillerson said Tuesday that US and Chinese officials have discussed scenarios in case the North Korean regime falls, including steps to deal with refugees crossing the border, and how to secure Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.

Washington's top diplomat said these discussions involved him, the US defence secretary and military chief, and senior Chinese officials. Such discussions were unthinkable just a few months ago.

But China's priority has been to convince the United States and North Korea to hold talks.

Beijing has also urged the US, Japan and South Korea to suspend joint military drills in the region in return for North Korea to halt its nuclear activities -- an idea consistently rejected by Washington and Seoul.
'Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, and we learned that they have been arrested in connection with their work,' says Stephen J. Adler, President and Editor-in-Chief of Reuters. (Photo: Twitter/@stephenjadler)

Bangkok: Reuters news agency called on Myanmar to immediately release its two journalists who were arrested for possessing "important secret papers" obtained from two policemen who had worked in Rakhine state, where violence widely blamed on security forces has forced more than 6, 25,000 minority Rohingya Muslims to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Information said Wednesday the journalists and policemen will be charged under the country's colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

Reuters said Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been missing since late Tuesday night.

"Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, and we learned on Thursday that they have been arrested in connection with their work," Stephen J. Adler, President and Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, said in a statement.

"We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately," he said.

The ministry posted a photo of the two journalists in handcuffs, standing behind a table bearing documents, cellphones and currency. It said they had collected "information and important secret papers related to the security forces" from the policemen, who had earlier worked in Rakhine but were now in Yangon, the country's largest city.

Rakhine state is the epicenter of the Myanmar military's brutal security operation against Rohingya Muslims. The campaign, launched in August in response to attacks on police outposts, has been condemned by the United Nations as "ethnic cleansing" and those fleeing have described widespread rights abuses by security forces.

The military, which is charge of security in northern Rakhine, and the civilian government, have barred most journalists and international observers from independently travelling to the region.

Shawn Crispin, a senior representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, also called on Myanmar authorities to "to immediately, unconditionally release" the journalists.

"These arrests come amid a widening crackdown which is having a grave impact on the ability of journalists to cover a story of vital global importance," he said.
Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating peace negotiations in Geneva, says that a military victory alone in Syria's six-year civil war was not enough for President Bashar al-Assad and that new polls were needed for him to 'win the peace'. (Photo: File)

Geneva: The United Nations peace envoy for Syria called Thursday on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "have the courage" to convince his ally in Damascus to hold new elections in the war-ravaged country.

Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating peace negotiations in Geneva, said that a military victory alone in Syria's six-year civil war was not enough for President Bashar al-Assad and that new polls were needed for him to "win the peace".

"There needs, straight away, to be a political process that includes everyone to achieve a new constitution and new elections," he told Swiss RTS television.

Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces, ostensibly to combat advances by what Moscow and Damascus termed "terrorist" groups.

On Tuesday, the first Russian troops began returning home after Putin ordered a pullout, saying their mission had been largely completed.

De Mistura said Putin "had to convince the (Syrian) government that there's no time to lose".

"We can talk about having won the territorial war, which is temporary, but the peace also needs to be won and for that there needs to be the courage to push the government to accept" new elections, which De Mistura said should be monitored by the UN.

Talks in December, the eight round of UN-brokered negotiations between the Syrian government and rebel factions, have snagged on the issue of Assad's future, with a rebel alliance insisting the president must go as part of any peace deal.

A parallel process organised by Moscow and including fellow government ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey, is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.

More than 3, 40,000 people have been killed since the conflict broke out in March 2011 when protests against Assad's rule sparked a brutal crackdown.
The court documents submitted at the UK High Court says that the claim brought by Indian banks against the 61-year-old embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya will come up for a hearing in April 2018.

London: Vijay Mallya, who is undergoing an extradition trial in a UK court over Rs 9,000 crore fraud and money laundering charges, will face in 2018 a parallel litigation brought by 13 Indian banks to freeze nearly USD 1.5 billion of his assets.

According to court documents submitted at the UK High Court, the claim brought by the Indian banks against the 61-year-old embattled liquor baron will come up for a hearing in April 2018.

"The First Respondent's (Mallya) application to set aside the Freezing Injunction is to be set down for hearing on the first available date after 11 April 2018 with a time estimate of 2 days," states the court document.

The litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice lists the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as the applicants.

Mallya and related concerns Ladywalk LLP, Rose Capital Ventures Ltd and Orange India Holdings are listed as respondents.

The claim, dated November 23, relates to a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Karnataka dated January 19, 2017, which concluded that Mallya was "liable" to the banks in the sum of INR 62,033,503,879.42 plus interest and as at November 22, that judgment sum is "still unsatisfied as to INR 98,530,512,249.42".

The "freezing order" involves Mallya and related concerns being "restrained until further order, from removing from the jurisdiction any of their assets in the jurisdiction up to a limit of 1,145,000,000 pounds and in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of any of their assets whether they are inside or outside the jurisdiction up to the same value".

The UK court had upheld the Indian courts injunction last week and given Mallya's lawyers more time to respond due to the ongoing extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates Court, which is now expected to conclude on December 20.

A ruling in the extradition case is expected a few weeks later, by mid-January.

Meanwhile, Mallya remains on a 650,000-pound bail bond since his arrest on an extradition warrant by Scotland Yard in April 2017.

Since December 4, he has been in court over five days of hearings to establish if he can be forced to return to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering involving his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines default of bank loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, has claimed that the evidence they have presented confirms "dishonesty" on the part of the businessman, who acquired the loans through misrepresentation and had no intentions of repaying them.

Mallya's defence team has been deposing a series of expert witnesses to try and establish that the default by Kingfisher Airlines was the result of business failure within a wider context of a global financial crisis and that its owner had no "fraudulent" intentions.

The extradition case returns for one of its final hearings on Thursday, when Judge Emma Arbuthnot is set to hear the testimony of prisons expert Dr Alan Mitchell, who is expected to critique Indian jail conditions as a potential "bar to extradition".

The CPS will need to demonstrate a prima facie case to show that the criminal charges against Mallya, for which his extradition is sought, are justified.

The defence, on the other hand, will try and prove that the businessman will not get a fair trial in India because the case against him is "politically motivated".

The 'freezing order' involves Mallya being restrained until further order, from removing from the jurisdiction any of their assets in the jurisdiction up to a limit of 1,145,000,000 pounds.

The freezing order restricts Vijay Mallya from removing any of his assets up to a limit of 1, 145, 000, 000 pounds until further order.
Simon Bramhall, 53, pleaded guilty to assault but not guilty to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm. (Photo: File/Representational)

London: A British surgeon on Wednesday admitted branding his initials on the livers of two patients undergoing transplants at a hospital while his colleagues looked on.

Simon Bramhall, 53, pleaded guilty to assault but not guilty to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.

The case was "without legal precedent in criminal law," prosecutor Tony Badenoch said of the offences that occurred at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

It was "not an isolated incident but rather a repeated act on two occasions, requiring some skill and concentration... done in the presence of colleagues," he said, calling it a "highly unusual and complex" case.

Elizabeth Reid of the Crown Prosecution Service added in a statement: "Simon Bramhall was a respected surgeon who assaulted two of his patients while they were undergoing surgery.

"It was an intentional application of unlawful force to a patient while anaesthetised. Those assaults were wrong not just ethically, but also criminally. It was an abuse of the trust placed in him by the patients."

Bramhall was granted bail and will be sentenced on January 12.
To celebrate the 2016 Chanukah season, Chabad will be having a Car Menorah Parade on Thursday, departing at 5:30 p.m. from 950 Vine Street traveling to the Chattanooga ChooChoo and culminating in a lighting ceremony on the ice of a giant ice Menorah at Ice on the Landing.

The parade route will travel via MccCallie Avenue and Market Street, in a unique Chanukah celebration promoting holiday awareness.

Today, the unprecedented public display of Hanukkah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival.

Chabad will present the ice Menorah and the candle lighting ceremony to spread the message of Chanukah and good cheer. Come join in the Chanukah spirit.
In a major encounter, eight Maoists of the notorious Chandra Pullareddy Dalam of the outlawed CPI (Maoists) were killed in an encounter with the Grey Hounds and the Telangana Police.



The encounter took place in the forest of Kamararm and Bodu in Tekulapalli block of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district. The encounter started on Wednesday night and continued till the early hours of Thursday.

Four of the eight deceased Maoists have been identified as Bukhya Narsimha, Sammayya, Naresh and Madhu.



On September 21, two Naxals of the New Democracy group were killed in an encounter in the same block.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has been able to reduce terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and Maoist activities.

"In the last three years we have taken lot of steps. We are taking several proactive steps," Modi said after commissioning INS Kalvari, the first of the Scorpene-class submarines, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

The prime minister told top brass of the armed forces that his government was "looking at synergy of defence power, economic power, technological power and the power of public confidence."

He said that the Indian Ocean is being given strategic importance and "we are playing the role of first-responders" in the time of crisis.

"The motto and goal is SAGARasecurity and growth for all the region," the Prime Minister stated.
A court in Ernakulam on Thursday sentenced to death Ameerul Islam, a migrant worker from Assam, who was convicted of rape and murder of Jisha - a 30-year-old Dalit law student from Perumbavoor.



The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court pronounced the sentence two days after it convicted Ameerul for the crime committed on April 28, 2016.

Judge N Anilkumar had found Ameerul guilty on charges under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 376A (inflicting injury causing death or a persistent vegetative state), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 449 (trespassing) of the Indian Penal Code. It also sentenced Ameerul to a life imprisonment, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, seven years' imprisonment and a one-year imprisonment under sections 376A, 376, 449 and 342 respectively, and awarded a total fine of Rs 1 lakh. The sentences will run concurrently.

Ameerul's lawyer B A Aloor said his client would appeal against the verdict before the High Court. Jisha's mother Rajeswari thanked the court for its verdict.

The gruesome rape and murder had left Jisha's body mutilated with 38 injuries including deep stab wounds. Investigating the case in which there were no eye-witnesses, the police built its case on scientific and circumstantial evidences.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the verdict was a judicial endorsement of the government's stand that there would be no compromise on women's safety.

Jisha was found dead in her single-room home by her mother on April 28, 2016. In May, the investigating team managed to collect the suspect's DNA sample. The Left Democratic Front government formed a new investigation team under ADGP B Sandhya and in June 2016, Ameerul was detained at Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. The police submitted the chargesheet in September 2016. The trial commenced in April this year.
Prohibitory orders (under section 144 IPC) have been clamped for 24 hours for the whole of Honnavar taluk according to Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner M N Manjunath. The orders have been imposed for the second time in the same week.



The prohibitory orders clamped on Thursday, will be in force from 11 am on Thursday to 11 am on Friday. As per law in force, congregation of more than five people in public is an offence.

The orders have been imposed in order to maintain peace said the AC and requested people of the town on the highway to cooperate. The orders don't apply to public vehicles, the AC clarified.

Why prohibitory orders?

Violence broke out on December 12, when BJP, Hindu Jagaran Vedike and Bajrang Dal activists took out protests demanding a thorough investigation into the suspicious death of Hindu activist Paresh Mesta whose body was found in Honnavar recently.

The protests were staged despite prohibitory orders clamped in the town. The protest march turned violent when police tried to prevent the march from proceeding.

The unruly mob pelted stones at the police and set police vehicles on fire.

The police had resorted to lathi charge, tear gas shells and even firing in the air to quell the mob.

'Jail bharo' campaign

Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hedge said that the BJP would launch a 'jail bharo' campaign across the state from December 19, protesting 'state government-sponsored violence'.

Talking to reporters, Hegde said the campaign would begin in Uttara Kannada district and would be held in each taluk of the district daily.

Condemns attack on school girl

Ananth Kumar Hegde also condemned the knife attack on a school girl Kavya by two miscreants on a motorbike.

The incident occurred on Thursday in Honnavar. Police said that the miscreants injured Kavya's hands and sped away.

Kavya was on her way to the Kodlagadde government high school. She is a ninth standard student.
Vijay Mallya, who is undergoing an extradition trial in a UK court over Rs 9,000-crore fraud and money laundering charges, will face next year a parallel litigation brought by 13 Indian banks to freeze nearly USD 1.5 billion of his assets.



According to court documents submitted at the UK High Court, the claim brought by the Indian banks against the 61- year-old embattled liquor baron will come up for a hearing in April next year.

"The First Respondent's (Mallya) application to set aside the Freezing Injunction is to be set down for hearing on the first available date after 11 April 2018 with a time estimate of 2 days," states the court document.

The litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice lists the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as the applicants.

Mallya and related concerns Ladywalk LLP, Rose Capital Ventures Ltd and Orange India Holdings are listed as respondents.

The claim, dated November 23, relates to a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Karnataka dated January 19 this year, which concluded that Mallya was "liable" to the banks in the sum of INR 62,033,503,879.42 plus interest and as at November 22, that judgment sum is "still unsatisfied as to INR 98,530,512,249.42".

The "freezing order" involves Mallya and related concerns being "restrained until further order, from removing from the jurisdiction any of their assets in the jurisdiction up to a limit of 1,145,000,000 pounds and in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of any of their assets whether they are inside or outside the jurisdiction up to the same value".

The UK court had upheld the Indian courts injunction last week and given Mallya's lawyers more time to respond due to the ongoing extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates Court, which is now expected to conclude on December 20.

A ruling in the extradition case is expected a few weeks later, by mid-January.

Meanwhile, Mallya remains on a 650,000-pound bail bond since his arrest on an extradition warrant by Scotland Yard in April this year.

Since December 4, he has been in court over five days of hearings to establish if he can be forced to return to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering involving his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines default of bank loans worth nearly Rs 9,000-crore.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, has claimed that the evidence they have presented confirms "dishonesty" on the part of the businessman, who acquired the loans through misrepresentation and had no intentions of repaying them.

Mallya's defence team has been deposing a series of expert witnesses to try and establish that the default by Kingfisher Airlines was the result of business failure within a wider context of a global financial crisis and that its owner had no "fraudulent" intentions.

The extradition case returns for one of its final hearings today, when Judge Emma Arbuthnot is set to hear the testimony of prisons expert Dr Alan Mitchell, who is expected to critique Indian jail conditions as a potential "bar to extradition".

The CPS will need to demonstrate a prima facie case to show that the criminal charges against Mallya, for which his extradition is sought, are justified.

The defence, on the other hand, will try and prove that the businessman will not get a fair trial in India because the case against him is "politically motivated".
The Supreme Court on Thursday approved the Centre's proposal to set up 12 special courts to deal with 1,571 criminal cases pending against MPs and MLAs.



It directed that these courts should start functioning from March 1, 2018, as fast-track courts.

A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Naveen Sinha ordered the Ministry of Finance to release Rs 7.8 crore, earmarked for setting up 12 special courts, to the state governments.

The court made it clear that the number of special courts is tentative and further directions would be issued as and when the exact number of cases are available.

It directed all the high courts to trace pending cases against MPs and MLAs and refer them to the special courts.

"We will direct the state governments to set up the special courts that must start functioning in a time-bound manner," the bench said.

The court listed the PIL filed by Delhi BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay for a ban on convicted politicians from contesting polls for further consideration on March 7.

Senior advocates Sidharth Luthra, Dinesh Dwivedi, Krishnan Venugopal and advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioner as well as intervenors, contended that the number of such special courts may not be sufficient.

To this, the bench said, "The courts are not the end. You say the number should be more. Let's not block it. Let it be set up, then we will see."

Under the scheme, Karnataka would get one special court to deal with criminal cases pending against 73 lawmakers.

Sankaranarayanan sought direction to the Election Commission to come out with the exact data about pending cases against sitting MPs and MLAs and how many cases were disposed of within a period of one year in compliance with the direction issued by the apex court on March 10, 2014.

He also submitted that several states would remain without any special courts if the number was not increased.

"It is the easiest thing to find fault. What they seem to be proposing is that they would club cases," the court said.

The bench allowed a plea by Additional Solicitor General A S Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, to grant two months to collect the data.
Harvest Outreach Ministries will host a free Christmas dinner from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23. at American Legion, 1118 North Glenwood Ave., Dalton.

This is an annual Christmas dinner to feed the homeless and less fortunate in the Dalton area, as well as anyone else who would like to enjoy a free meal. There will be plenty of food and some wonderful Gospel and Christmas music. Scheduled to sing are Debby Faye East, Shelia Reed, Craig Kirk Tyndall, Calvary's Way and others.

This traditional Christmas dinner has been in existence now for about 31 years with this ministry. Officials said, "We started feeding hot meals to the homeless and secured a kitchen which was set up like a restaurant. As time moved along we began enlarging our work to an open community kitchen letting anyone come and eat. In this we found so many that were going hungry in and around our door steps that we could not ignore this great need. So Harvest Outreach was birthed. This is a free event and we welcome all to come and share good food and fellowship with us."

For additional information, contact Shelia Reed, at 706-280-0883 or rharvest87@gmail.com.
The Supreme Court today reserved its interim order for tomorrow on a batch of pleas seeking a stay on the government's decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various welfare schemes, as the Centre extended the deadline up to March 31 next year.



A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said the final hearing on the petitions challenging the Aadhaar scheme itself would commence from January 17 next year.

Attorney General K K Venugopal, representing the Centre, said the government was willing to extend the deadline up to March 31 next year for mandatory linking of the national biometric identifier to avail the benefit of various services and welfare measures.

Venugopal, however, told the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, that the Aadhaar should be allowed to remain mandatory for opening of new bank accounts.

The government had yesterday issued a notification to extend till March 31 the deadline for mandatory quoting of Aadhaar and Permanent Account Number (PAN) for bank accounts and certain financial transactions. However, there is no word on extending the February 6, 2018 deadline for linking mobile SIM cards with Aadhaar.

On the issue of linking of Aadhaar card with mobile services, the Attorney General said that the deadline of February 6 next year was fixed in pursuance of an apex court direction and the constitution bench may consider extending this deadline also.

On November 27, the apex court had said it may consider setting up a constitution bench to hear the pleas challenging the Centre's move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for availing various services and benefits of welfare schemes.

Recently, a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had held that Right to Privacy was a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. Several petitioners challenging the validity of Aadhaar had claimed it violated privacy rights.

The Centre had on October 25 told the top court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to receive benefits of government schemes has been extended till March 31, 2018 for those who do not have the 12-digit unique biometric identification number and were willing to enrol for it.

The Attorney General had told the court that no coercive action would be taken against those who do not have the Aadhaar card but are willing to enrol for. He had said such people would not be denied the benefits of social welfare schemes till March 31.

Some petitioners in the top court have termed the linking of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) number with bank accounts and mobile numbers as "illegal and unconstitutional".

They have also objected to the CBSE's alleged move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for students appearing for examinations, a contention denied by the Centre.
Congress workers today protested outside the Election Commission headquarters here alleging that it is adopting "double standards" and not following the principle of neutrality while dealing with the Congress and the BJP.



Members of the Congress' women wing raised slogans against the poll body and carried placards demanding action against the prime minister and other BJP leaders for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in Gujarat.

Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev, who led the protest, alleged that "the EC is showing leniency and different standards for the BJP, but is initiating action against the Congress leaders".

"This is not fair for the poll body, as it should act in the same manner against the prime minister and the BJP for violating the law. The same standards and the law should apply to all, irrespective of one's party," she told PTI.

She said the Congress has already given evidence to the EC over prime minister's appeals made on December 8 and 9 when the campaigning had ended and the EC should also issue a notice.

Police had set up barricades to stop the protesters, who were briefly detained.
Their main demand was that the central government step back from the move to introduce the bill in the upcoming winter session of the Parliament. Narasimha Murthy, a lawyer and human rights activist addressed the gathering.





Sowmya Raj, an office-bearer of Karnataka Transgender Samiti told Deccan Herald that the current Bill does not understand the needs of the community members. "The Bill has multiple issues. The government did not consider our recommendations," she said.





The Bill demands the "transgender person may make an application to the District Magistrate for issuing a certificate of identity as a transgender person." It is contradictory to the Supreme Court verdict in The National Legal Services Authority vs the Union of India in February 2014 which allowed the self- identification of gender identity. "Gender identity as already indicated forms the core of ones personal self, based on self- identification, not on surgical or medical procedures," read the verdict.





The Bill criminalises begging and aims to end discrimination against them in all public spaces including schools and colleges. "They don't give any alternatives. How can we survive then," asks Shahina, a transwoman from Uttarahalli.





"The Draft bill had provisions of reservation while the current one keeps mum about it," said Raj. The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment chaired by BJP MP Ramesh Bais had recommended implementing reservation in education and job sectors. The 2015 Draft Bill also suggested OBC reservation for all trans people except those born into SC/ST communities.





"People are not willing to give us job nor treat us normally," said Kanmani, a graduate student. "Even if I wish to do a petty-shop business, I cannot arrange the money," said Sanjana, who is now living with her friends as she cannot afford to get a rented house in the city.





"The Bill speaks about the right to live in our family. But how are they going to address the identity issues of a child who has no voice in the family," asks Raj. "They don't know anything about us."





The protest was coordinated by KTS aligning with 10 other organisations like Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, Samara, Samara Society-Yeshwantpur, Payana, Sarathya, Ondede, Swatantra, Jeeva, Karnataka Mangalamuki Sangha and Karnataka Transgender Kalavidara Abhivrudhi Sangha.

Almost 300 transgenders from various districts in Karnataka, gathered at Mysore Bank Circle on Thursday to protest against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016.
NHAI has directed staff at toll plazas to salute and give "standing ovation" to armed forces personnel travelling on official duty, in recognition of their exemplary services.



The directions follow complaints from armed forces personnel of misconduct by toll plaza staff while allowing exemption from toll fee.

In a recent policy circular, NHAI said that considering the unparallelled service of armed forces towards the safety and security of the country, such type of rude behaviour is not acceptable.

"The Armed Forces personnel deserve the highest regard and should be given due respect at the toll plaza including salute and standing ovations as deemed fit," it said.

NHAI has directed training of the toll operating staff accordingly to pay due respect to the personnel and "salute their selfless dedication to the country".

It also made it clear that verification of their identification cards should be done by senior and competent authority and not left to the untrained lowest staff.

"It is needless to emphasise that considering the extreme sacrifice of Armed Forces to the Nation in case of doubt with respect to nature of their official duty, benefit of doubt should be given appropriately to Armed Forces Personnel," said the NHAI circular.

It said a lot of complaints have been received from the armed forces personnel that toll plaza agencies are not honouring the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways directions in true letter and spirit in allowing exemption from toll fee while discharging their official duty.

In spite of armed forces personnel/officers showing their identity card and explaining that they are on official duty, toll plaza employees often use harsh language and ask for further proof.
In the latest threat to quit power and an indication that it will contest the 2019 polls separately, the Shiv Sena today said it will walk out of the BJP-led Maharashtra government within one year.



The Sena, which shares a frosty relationship with its senior partner BJP, had threatened several times in the past to walk out of the NDA government.

Addressing a rally in Ahmednagar district, 240 kms from here, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray said that after quitting the Sena will come back to power on its own strength.

"The Sena will quit power in one year and come back to power on its own strength. (Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray will decide the time when the party will quit power," Aaditya Thackeray said.

Maharashtra goes to polls in 2019.

"Once that is done (the decision on quitting power is taken), all of you have to work together to bring about a change," the Sena scion said.

Launching a veiled attack on the BJP, Aaditya Thackeray indicated that issues pertaining to education remain unresolved till date and said that students keep meeting him with their demands.

"The Sena is committed to resolving the issues of students. The Sena has also created an educational application that will guide students and resolve their problems," he said.

Ever since the BJP formed government in Maharashtra, the Sena, which always projected itself as the "big brother" in the state politics, has been uneasy for having made to play second fiddle to the BJP.
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LBMC did something special this year instead of the annual LBMC Holiday Party. It held an inaugural Lending Hands event last week where employees were able to lend a hand to local nonprofits via hands-on volunteering during work hours Dec 4-8. 20 nonprofits benefitted from the 150 of LBMC employees last week across Tennessee in three locations equating to more than 700 hours and an estimated $150,000 donation to various charities across the state.

Dennis Blanton, LBMC managing partner said, When we asked our employees what kinds of activities they wanted to be involved with, opportunities to give back were high on the list! Across LBMC Chattanooga our employees decorated for the holidays at Welcome Home.

Click here for video: https://lbmc.wistia.com/medias/7f1fs3sjse
The Rajasthan Police has frozen a bank account of Shambulal Regar, the man accused of hacking and burning alive a migrant labourer and filming the barbaric act in Rajsamand district last week.



Regar is in custody for killing Mohammad Afrazul. About Rs 3 lakh was deposited in the account being operated by his wife Sita.

Regar claimed that he killed Afrazul as his associate, also a Muslim man from West Bengal, had eloped with a Hindu girl from his village a year ago.

Anand Srivastava, Inspector General, Udaipur range, said, "Money was donated by 500 people from across the country. We have frozen the account as of now and we will make a list of donors who have contributed."

Messages were circulated on social networking groups with the account number and IFSC code of Raigar's wife asking people to contribute to help the killer to pay for legal expenses.

The police also arrested two businessmen for reportedly circulating images on social media of receipts acknowledging their donations to the account.

In Udaipur district, the police has also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC and suspended internet services, following reports that some Hindutva organisations were planning a rally on Thursday in support of Regar.
Eight Maoists from the CPI (CP-Baata) were killed in an overnight encounter with the police in Tekulapalli forest of Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

The encounter began on Wednesday night and continued until the early hours of Thursday.

The encounter broke out during a combing operation by a special team of the district police.

Superintendent of Police Amber Jha said that they had been receiving inputs about the movement of Maoists in the forests.

Local businessmen and contractors were facing extortion threats from these Maoists.

"We got specific inputs about their movement in the Tekulapalli and Paloncha forest areas. We rushed our special forces there, which resulted in an encounter," Jha said. The combing operation is still underway.

Those killed include Vetti Kumar alias Rakhi, the area committee secretary, Esam Naresh alias Sudarsan, the area commander, Bhukhya Narasimha, Rasheed, Mekala Samaiah, Ramaswamy, Boina Omprakash and Tirukuluri Madhu.

Three Maoists who were injured in the encounter are missing

The police confiscated several weapons, including an SLR, two 8 mm rifles and two SBBL guns.

The killings have dealt a strong blow to the CPI (CP-Baata), a newly formed outfit, while it was regrouping after its mother group was wiped.

Apart from CPI (CP-Baata), CPI (New Democracy) and CPI (Jana Sakthi) are active in the Bhadradri area.

On September 21, two New Democracy cadres were killed in an encounter in the same block. However, some members have surrendered in the recent past.
A project in PPP model for opening India Coffee House outlets in the district has been proposed by the Coffee Board, board member Manukumar said.



Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Manukumar said that these coffee houses will be similar to that of the cafes in metropolitan cities. It has been planned to launch the outlets in Kemmannugundi Cross, Seethalaiahnagiri, Devirammana Betta, Horanadu, Shringeri and Taluk office premises. A survey in this regard is in progress. The price of the coffee served in these outlets will be lesser as compared to other cafes, he said.

"While the land will be given by the government, the Coffee Board will construct the cafes and the management will be handed over to private organisations," he said.

Subsidies for planters

The coffee board has provided Rs 9.10 crore for coffee planters between April 2017 till date towards mechanisation, warehouses, water facilities and transplantation. A subsidy amount of Rs 2.2 crore has been released by banks to 900 coffee planters towards interest, he said.

Research is on to control the menace of white stem borer. Kits have been distributed to farmers to control snails in coffee plantations, he said.

The Coffee Board has recommended maintaining a ratio of 51:49 for coffee - chikori mixing and a letter in this regard has been sent to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The board has also requested the Central government to provide subsidy to encourage coffee planters.

A memorandum has been submitted to the state government to bring white stem borer and wild snail in the ambit of Karnataka Pest Control Act, he said.

Board office bearers Pradeep Pai and M L Kallesh were present.
The average performance of Class X students of Karnataka in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science is "significantly higher" than the national average, according to a comparative assessment by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

Though there is not much difference in the average performance of the students belonging to different social groups among themselves, it is "significantly lower" in Mathematics for the scheduled caste (SC) students than those belonging to other backward classes (OBCs) in the state.

Class X boys are far ahead of the girls in the state when it comes to their performance in English. The NCERT education achievement survey team has not observe "any significant" difference in the average performance of the girls and that of the boys in the other three subjects.

"Average performance of girls as well as boys in the state was significantly higher than their respective national averages in all four subjects," the Council's State Report Card for Karnataka observes.

The council has prepared a comparative secondary school report card for each of the States and Union Territories (UTs). It conducted a study of the class X students learning level at 358 sample schools in each of the States and UTs.

"In each of the four subjects subjects, three test booklets were used to assess the learning levels in depth. The survey team used the IRT (item response theory) method for the analysis of data collected from the sample schools," an NCERT official said.

Compared to the national average of 250 points in a scale of 175 to 325 points, the average performance of the Karnataka's Class X students' in English came at 259, mathematics 260, Science 266, Social Science 266.

The NCERT's education survey for Karnataka, however, does not indicate that the students have achieved the highest level of performance in the four subjects.

A comparative analysis of the performance of the state's Class X students from different social groups indicated that schools have to help a significant number of students improve their learning levels in all four subjects even though they together stand on the higher side when compared with the students of the other States and UTs at national level.

For English, the NCERT has marked 20% of the general category students as under-performing while the percentage of under-performers in the subject came at 30 for the SC students, 24 for the OBC students and 26 for the students belonging to scheduled tribes (ST).

Percentage of category-wise under-performers in Mathematics, Science and Social Science too remained in the range of 22 to 30.

"The SC and ST students contributed maximum in the under performance group. They constitute more than 50% of the students that need improvement," the State Report Card noted.
In an incident straight out of John Travolta-Nicolas Cage starrer Face/Off, a man from Hyderabad killed his lover's husband and then tried to impersonate him with help of plastic surgery.



A Rajesh and Swathi, wife of Sudhakar Reddy, a businessman, gave Reddy a sedative and smashed his head with a rod.

They then took the body to a far off location and burnt it.

After returning home, Swathi dipped her scarf in petrol, lit it and placed it on Rajesh's face to burn it.

When the plan failed, Rajesh placed his face on the burner of the LPG stove.

Swathi then convinced everyone that miscreants threw acid on Reddy's face and admitted Rajesh to Apollo DRDO hospital under Reddy's name.

They had already struck a deal with a plastic surgeon in Sangareddy to reconstruct Rajesh's face like Reddy's for Rs 8 lakh.

Their plan, however, failed after Reddy's mother and brother realised that it was not Reddy who was admitted to the hospital after Rajesh, a vegetarian, refused to drink mutton soup, Reddy's favourite.

Reddy's family then filed a police complaint. The cops took Rajesh's fingerprints and compared with that of Reddy's using Aadhaar.

Later during separate interrogations, Swathi and Rajesh revealed the truth.

The police found a few bones and Reddy's skull at the site where his body was burnt.

After he was discharged, Rajesh told the media that Swathi was not happy with Sudhakar.

"So she became close to me. I initially proposed to elope, but Swati was not ready to leave her two children," Rajesh said.

Investigation officer Srinivas Rao said Rajesh, who has been arrested along with Swati, will be produced before the court in a day.
After the rough and tumble of the Gujarat election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday refrained from commenting on the Opposition's charges of violating the Model Code of Conduct.



Modi came face-to-face with Opposition leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Derek O'Brien at the all-party meeting convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament beginning on Friday.

Leaders of nine Opposition parties, who held a strategy meeting before joining the discussion with the government, said they would quiz Modi in Parliament on his repeated violation of the Model Code of Conduct while campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly elections and hurling insults against former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari and former army chief Deepak Kapoor.

At the meeting, the Opposition leaders flagged the issues and demanded a discussion on it during the session.

"The prime minister did not discuss these issues in the meeting," Anand Sharma, deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, told reporters.

Kumar said the prime minister renewed his pitch for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and asked political parties to reach a consensus on the issue.

Modi has been pushing for simultaneous polls, saying the almost uninterrupted cycle of polls across the country hampers government work due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and deployment of officials in elections.

"He also sought their cooperation to make the session meaningful and constructive," Kumar added.
Rajasthan becomes the first state to have Jan Sangh founder Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay's photograph on all government letterheads alongside the national emblem.



The order signed by PK Goyal, Principal Secretary, General administration department has made it mandatory for all government departments of Rajasthan to have printed pictures of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay on their letterheads.



The order dated on Dec 12, 2017, reads, "State government has decided all departments, municipal, boards and self-governance departments to use the new latter heads with the photograph of Deendayal Upadhyay".

Furthermore, the order has made it mandatory for the respective departments to paste the sticker of Deendayal Upadhyay's photograph on existing letterheads until the new ones are printed.



Earlier this year Rajasthan government issued orders mandating the use of a Deendayal Upadhyaya logo on all government advertisements. In another move, BJP had asked all their MLAs to use the logo on their official letterheads for all correspondence. Interestingly the logo features a picture of Upadhyaya along with a mention of his centenary year, 1916-2016.

'Saffronisation move'

Opposition party congress has stated this cosmetic change as an attempt to propagate the ideology of Hindutva. Speaking to DH, Congress Chief Sachin Pilot said, "This move is completely unacceptable. Deendayal Upadhyay is only a party leader for BJP. He is not any former Prime Minister or President. It becomes completely unacceptable to have his photograph on official letterheads of Rajasthan government."



Calling Deendayal Upadhyaya a Hindutva ideologue, the government's move has been thoroughly criticised by social groups by calling it unethical and unconstitutional.



Deendayal Upadhyaya, the RSS pracharak, thinker and leader of Bharatiya Jana Sangh also finds mention in major government policies and government school libraries in Rajasthan have been asked to buy complete volumes on his biography and works.



A set of 15 volumes on include letters, journals, the collection of writings and speeches of Upadhyaya.



The order has run into trouble as the volume costs Rs 6,000, which is almost four times the annual budget sanctioned for a school to buy books. Then also opposition criticised the move by calling it a multi-crore scam and another effort to saffronise education.
An international call that lasted for 17 hours has left the private company owner shocked.



Mohan Lal Bharath Kumar Jain, director of Oswal Minerals Limited, Rajajinagar, has lodged a complaint with the cybercrime police over an international call that ran into 17 hours.

The company has total 85 BSNL landlines. Every month, he used to get the telephone bill up to Rs 30,000 to 40,000. But in November this year, he received a whopping bill of Rs 6 lakh, in which a call made on October 8 alone costed Rs 5.4 lakh.

After inquiring into the call details, Jain found that the call was made on Sunday around 6 pm and continued until the next day 9 am - a total of 17 hours of one continuous international call.

He stated in the complaint that the call went from one of the lines 080a2309 0000 from the office.

While Jain has ordered an internal inquiry into the mystery phone call, the BSNL has issued a notice to disconnect all the landline connections as he failed to pay the bill.

Jain, then lodged the complaint with the cybercrime police.
Local history organization Picnooga will present its collection online on Jan. 14.

The new website will serve as a one-stop resource for its more than two thousand objects, including historical photographs and images, paper ephemera, and 3D items from its physical archive. The website soft-launched with about 80 items as part of a beta period and new items are expected to be added on a daily basis throughout December and into 2018. Users will be able to zoom in on images up to three times the size of what Picnooga has previously posted on social media, with expanded information and links to other historical resources. Objects are also searchable and sortable by featured subjects and year. Visitors can add additional history and share their memories by using the comments area on the bottom of each object page.



Picnooga is the very first crowdsourced history collection of physical and digital objects anywhere. Founded in 2014, it has crowdfunded over $10,000 in 2017 to purchase new equipment, make new acquisitions, and build out the collection website. Its mission is to bring unseen local history to the surface and make it available to everyone through technology and the web.



Visit the new collections website at http://collections.picnooga.or g/
Despite claims of zero tolerance for sexual crimes, the Central Division Cubbon Park police had let go of a man who groped a shopper at MG Road on December 11.



DH reported the molestation that happened near the metro station, but the police cite procedural challenges in arresting the man without a complaint.

The police could only book Thimmegowda, a resident of Veerabhadra Nagar, for eve teasing and creating public nuisance. After slapping a police notice, they allowed him to walk free without even a medical examination.

Thimmegowda was drunk when he groped the woman. She created a ruckus, but did not file a formal complaint with the police.

While the previous police commissioner, Praveen Sood, probed such incidents after taking suo motu cognizance, the incumbent T Suneel Kumar said it is harder to pursue the molestation case without a complaint.

"Even if we take up the case, how can we file a charge sheet without witness?" Kumar said. "Our men have taken up suitable cases against the man and we will bring it to a logical conclusion."

The incident comes nearly a year after the infamous New Year's eve mass molestation on MG Road, which falls within the jurisdiction of the Central Division Cubbon Park police station.

The only hope is that the police will stand by their word and actually act with zero tolerance towards molesters.
Following protests by apartment dwellers, the government on Thursday agreed to relax the rule on sewage treatment plants (STPs) for complexes with less than 20 units by scrapping the retrospective clause.



The relaxation, however, does not apply to apartment complexes with 50 and more units.

At a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Apartment Associations Bengaluru (FAAB), Bengaluru Development Minister K J George said an order on setting up STPs would be relaxed for existing apartments that have less than 20 flats.

George told reporters that the order would be suspended temporarily. "However STPs are mandatory for apartments in areas not connected to the underground drainage network," he said.

The federation noted that building and maintaining STPs in old apartments with less than 20 flats was not viable due to the high cost of installation and operation. They said they do not have any objection if the rule is prospective.

The government had issued an order making STPs compulsory for apartments with 20 units built after January 2016.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah finally set the ball rolling on the contentious demand for a minority-religion tag for Lingayats or the Veerashaiva Lingayat faiths.



His office on Thursday directed the Karnataka State Minorities Commission to examine petitions submitted by religious and political leaders.

Assembly polls are approaching, and the government's response to the demand is expected to swing voter sentiment.

According to a note accessed by DH, Siddaramaiah has directed the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms to forward all petitions to the minorities panel.

He has received two major representations seeking separate religion status.

The representation were received from the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha and another from a Lingayat grouping.

Divide within Congress

The Veerashaiva and Lingayat camps, comprising leaders from the ruling Congress, have been at loggerheads on the demand for a separate religion.



The Veerashaiva group comprises veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, his son and horticulture minister S S Mallikarjun and municipalities minister Eshwar B Khandre.



They hold that Veerashaiva and Lingayat are the same and that the separate religion should be christened Veerashaiva-Lingayatism.

The Lingayat camp, led by water resources minister M B Patil, mines and geology minister Vinay Kulkarni and higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, argues that Veerashaiva and Lingayat are radically different, and the religion must be called Lingayatism.



The second group says it goes by the ideals of Basavanna, revered as the founder of the Lingayat faith.



Political hot potato



Sources said the DPAR had no clue what to do with the memorandums.

"The DPAR sent the file to the social welfare department, which got back saying it had nothing to do with the separate religion question. The file then went to the Kannada and culture department, and met with the same fate. Finally, it was sent to the law department, and the advocate-general opined the State Minorities Commission should examine it," an official explained.

Leaders and pontiffs from the two camps have been exerting pressure on Siddaramaiah to take up the demand with the Centre.

Who decides then?

Under the National Commission for Minorities Act, the Centre is empowered to accord minority religious status to a community.

The State government is also exploring the possibility of according minority religious status under the Karnataka State Minorities Commission Act, the official said.



Lingayatism? Veerashaivism?

If the government accepts the demand for a separate religion, it will have to decide what to call it: Lingayatism or Veerashaiva-Lingayatism.



One camp says Lingayats and Veerashaivas are separate; another says they are the same.



Lingayats say they live by the ideals of Basavanna (12th century), who values equality and honest toil above all else.



Veerashaivas say their religion predates Basavanna. They worship a pantheon of holy men.

Watch: DH series on Lingayat religion row
A 3D printer developed to help people with type 1 diabetes could help tackle big clinical challenges, researchers say.

The Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation (PICT) 3D Printer works by delivering insulin-producing islet cells. It has been developed by an Australian research team, who have gifted it to the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), making it the first hospital in the country to receive such cutting-edge technology.

At the moment, islet cell transplantation from human donors is only carried out on people who have severe health problems from type 1 diabetes, but there is always the risk of cell donor rejection.

To tackle that problem the research team from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), based at the University of Wollongong (UOW), incorporated micro-valve ink jet dropping into the kit, which helps keep the islet cells in place. This is because the persons own cells can be used throughout the process.

This process allows for simultaneous deposition of multiple biological materials, enabling customized organs, according to RAH Director of Kidney and Islet Transplantatio, Professor Toby Coates.

The PICT Printer will allow us to make customised organs, mixing donor with recipient cells in a unique three dimensional way to provide completely new composite organoids for experimental transplantatio, said Coates.

ACES Executive Director and ANFF Materials Director Professor Gordon Wallace said: ACES at the University of Wollongong has built a collaborative clinical research network that enables us to tackle big clinical challenges and deliver practical solutions using 3D bioprinting.

In collaboration with Professor Toby Coates team at Royal Adelaide Hospital, we plan to improve the effectiveness of islet cell transplants by encapsulating donated islet cells in a 3D printed structure, to protect them during and after transplantation.

Further development is to be carried out on the printer, funded from an Australian Research Councils Linkage, Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) grant.
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Hell froze over Tuesday night when Alabama sent Doug Jones to the U.S. Senate, but Democrats shouldnt count on the cold snap to last. Republicans retain significant advantages in the state, and the unique set of circumstances that propelled Jones to a win over Roy Moore may not be present in future races.

I think its an aberration, Troy University professor Michael Slobodchikoff, chair of the universitys department of political science, said. I dont think youll see Alabama turning blue.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 52 percent of adults in Alabama identify as Republicans and just 35 percent identify as Democrats. Only Wyoming, Utah and South Dakota have larger shares of their electorate that identify as Republicans.

Slobodchikoff said a perfect storm of circumstances including a flawed GOP candidate, a quirky special election electorate, and a very well-run campaign by Jones allowed him to triumph.

Slobodchikoff said Moore was an exceptionally weak GOP candidate. Moore, a polarizing figure, has historically underperformed other Republicans at the polls and Tuesdays election was no exception.

Slobodchikoff also said that the folks who showed up for the special election were different than the electorate for most general elections in the state. African American voters turned out in higher percentages and many reliable Republican demographic groups just didnt show in the numbers needed to propel Moore to victory.

Jones campaign effort shouldnt be discounted, either. Slobodchikoff said Jones ran a near perfect campaign, making few errors and turning out exactly the voters he needed to win.

Although conventional wisdom says that Democrats will have a hard time replicating Tuesdays success, Houston County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Vaughn sees Jones election as a chance to prove to Alabamians that Democrats can deliver. Vaughn admits that Democrats face an uphill battle in the state, but Tuesdays election shows that the advantage Republicans have is not insurmountable.

We knew it could happen if we got out the vote, he said.

Vaughn said Democrats need to take the lessons learned about organizing and motivating to heart in future elections. They also need to represent the interests of the coalition of African Americans, young voters, and disaffected Republicans that pushed Jones to victory.

Vaughn said to succeed in Alabama, Democrats need to calibrate their policy positions to appeal to the more conservative preferences of Alabama voters. They also need to make the case that one-party government by Republicans has facilitated corruption and bad policy.

Vaughn also said that in an era of low voter turnout, the key to winning is to mobilize voters to head to the polls like they did Tuesday.

If we can get one-third of the blacks and one-third of the whites, we can win every time, he said.

Kenny Glasgow, a local activist, said that former felons and those currently serving time can also have a big impact on elections. Glasgow led a successful effort to extend voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences and those currently serving.

Glasgow said those voters had an impact on Tuesdays race and could have an even larger impact on races to come. Glasgow said that about 5,000 currently serving and former felons registered and voted in the election. Glasgow said the number is only a fraction of those who have not yet registered.

Glasgow said he believed most supported Jones in this election because they were turned off by Moores rhetoric concerning the restoration of felons voting rights.

And some of them were Republicans, Glasgow said.
This is the blog of China defense, where professional analysts and serious defense enthusiasts share findings on a rising military power.
File photo of Song Zhiping, Chairman of China National Building Materials. [Photo: IC]

Song Zhiping, Chairman of China National Building Materials (CNBM), has been appointed the new president of the London-based World Cement Association (WCA), the first time a representative from a Chinese organization has taken the helm of an international cement association.

Song gave his first keynote address as president at the WCA World Cement Conference in London Tuesday. More than 100 senior delegates from 29 countries attended the first edition of this global event.

WCA Chairman Emir Adiguzel commented: "We are delighted Mr. Song has accepted the Presidency of the WCA. CNBM is the world's largest provider of cement and this appointment reflects the growing importance of China in the global cement industry, as well as the WCA's commitment to connecting the cement community in all countries across the world."

In his address, Song said he wants to unite members, actively strives for support from all sectors including governments and non-governmental organizations, safeguards interests of the industry, fulfills social responsibilities and promotes the sustainable development of the global cement industry in the future.

He explained how CNBM is working to reduce overcapacity and increase industrial concentration.

"We have been increasing the degree of industrial concentration of cement in China from 12 percent in 2006 to 57 percent in 2016, which set an example for the whole industry," Song said.

As chairman of the world's largest provider of cement, with a capacity of 530 million tons per year, Song emphasized CNBM's efforts in the area of environmental protection.

"The production of cement strongly depends on resources and is sensitive to the environment... We put environment first because we know that some changes will be irreversible if the environment is damaged," he said.

Song has over 30 years of experience in business and management in China's building material industry. He has been chairman of CNBM since October 2005.




EAU CLAIRE  The state forestry tax was felled in the latest Wisconsin budget, and Republican Gov. Scott Walker says thats going to help senior citizens and young couples.

The state property tax has been completely eliminated, Walker said Wednesday in a stop at Hawthorne Aviation in Eau Claire. Thats what we promised.

The state forestry tax had been on the books since 1931 before it was was absorbed into the general budget instead of appearing as one of five taxes that had made up a property tax bill. However, it had been by far the smallest part of landowners property tax bills in the Chippewa Valley. Most of a property tax bill goes for local school districts. Other portions go the county, the city, village or town and the technical college school district.

Walker, who is running for re-election in 2018, said property taxes in Wisconsin will be lower than in December 2010, a month before he took office. That will help families, he said, and present a great opportunity for people to start new businesses and see them grow.

He said in the decade before 2010, when he was elected, property taxes had risen 27 percent. He said the current budget invests more in education, providing more money in state aid per student.

Walker said voters next year will decide whether his support of President Donald J. Trump will hurt him. But, he said, I think we have a compelling case (to make for re-election), even if there are 100 Democratic candidates.

Eleven of the Democratic candidates turned up at a forum in Eau Claire on Monday. All said they favored ending allowing investment funds to be used to buy up farmland. Some of the Democratic candidates said they were considered those investment funds would drive up the cost of farmland, making it harder for family farmers to buy land and leading to more farms owned by corporations.

That is a red herring, Walker said.Theres no evidence that anything like that is going to happen, he said, adding the majority of farms in the state continue to be family-owned.

Walker said the state getting Foxconn, a company based in Taiwan, to build a huge plant in southeastern Wisconsin will benefit the entire state, including the Chippewa Valley. He said Foxconn will be investing $1.4 billion in Wisconsin each year.

Walker shrugged off the Tuesday election loss of Roy Moore, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Alabama. I dont think it means a thing, Walker said, referring to whether Moores loss on Tuesday will be a factor in Walkers re-election campaign. Walker added he did not support Moore.

He said a recent election of a Democratic governor in Virginia was a wake up call, especially with the amount of money poured into the race by outside groups.
WASHINGTON  That special place in hell everyone keeps talking about is getting mighty crowded.

The ball got rolling in 2016 when former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright quipped that there was a special place in hell for women who dont help each other. At the time, she was introducing Hillary Clinton at a New Hampshire campaign event.

More recently, Ivanka Trump said the special place was reserved for people who prey on children. She was referring to allegations against then-Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore that he had pursued and/or made sexual advances toward teenage girls when he was in his early 30s.

Next came Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser-turned-freelance-provocateur who seemed to be mocking the first daughter when he said during a pro-Moore rally that hells special spot was reserved for Republicans who should know better but werent supporting the former judge in the special election.

Whew. Is it just me, or is it getting humid down here?

Bannon referred specifically to native Alabaman Condoleezza Rice, another former secretary of state, who had written of the election: These critical times require us to come together to reject bigotry, sexism and intolerance. Without naming anyone, she urged voters to seek leaders who are dignified, decent and respectful of the values we hold dear.

This would seem to have disqualified a raft of current and aspiring officeholders but was clearly aimed at Moore, who has said that the country was better off before the last 17 constitutional amendments, which, among other things, gave women and African-Americans the right to vote.

While Bannon railed, and Alabamans voted, the president tweeted. This time, Trump even outdid himself by insulting a female U.S. senator with sexual innuendo. Apparently miffed that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., had called for his resignation because of the multiple charges of sexual misconduct leveled against him, Trump tweeted that Gillibrand would do anything when she previously had come to him begging for campaign contributions.

One doesnt need a translator or a dirty mind to understand that he was suggesting that Gillibrand would have exchanged sexual services for cash. It was, as we say, a cultural moment.

The tweet heard round a world already agog about events in Alabama launched yet another cultural moment at least along the Washington-New York corridor. On MSNBCs Morning Joe, a female guest said the tweet made her blood boil, while co-anchor Mika Brzezinski wagged her finger at the screen and launched a soliloquy of scold at Ivanka Trump and other White House women.

It was her own version of a special place in hell for women, even a daughter, who persist in supporting Donald Trump.

It wasnt always thus, Mr. Irony interrupts. For months during the campaign, Bzrezinski and her now-fiance, Joe Scarborough, gave Trump free rein on their show. Morning Trump, some dubbed it. In recent months, perhaps in penance for helping Trump get elected with free airtime, the couple has become his morning nightmare.

Perhaps, too, Trumps personal insults of Brzezinski have turned her into a feminist avenger. On Tuesday, she peered piercingly into the camera, singeing the cameraman with her gaze, and schooled press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Today is your day (to stop supporting the president), she told Sanders, who wasnt present or anywhere listening, as far as anyone knew. This has got to stop. Do the right thing. Whereupon, Trump chortled with the glee of a schoolyard bully who delights in making the girls cry.

Brzezinskis moment wasnt quite Walter Cronkites mired in stalemate declaration of U.S. failure in Vietnam, but she clearly decided to part with journalistic tradition and make Trumps takedown her personal mission. As her message intensified, her male guests remained stoic while Scarborough had the look of a boy trying not to do anything that would attract Mommas attention.

If Trump in his strange way had hoped for such a reaction, Alabamans likely enjoyed the distraction after months under the microscope. Media attention has been so intense not only because of the tawdriness of the campaign but because the stakes were so high. Would Alabama go backward or forward?

This shouldnt have been a tough choice, but Team Bannon, Trump and Moore have effectively convinced voters that what is true is false and what is false is true. There is surely a special place in hell for such as these.
(Photo: L'Osservatore Romano)Lutheran World Federation President Archbishop Panti Filibus Musa as the LWF presents Pope Francis with a replica of the Christ of Bojaya statue at the Vatican on Dec. 7, 2017.

The Lutheran World Federation has presented Pope Francis with a replica of the Christ of Bojaya, a powerful Colombian symbol of conflict and reconciliation in a town where a divisive massacre occurred.

The statue replica comes from an area in Colombia where Lutherans and Catholics jointly work for reconciliation in a society that has long been afflicted by internal conflict.

The original crucifix, a torso without arms and legs, hangs in the village church of Bojaya, bearing strong witness to the destruction caused by the armed conflict in Colombia, and the power of reconciliation.

The Bojaya massacre was a May 2, 2002 massacre.

It occurred Colombian town of Bojaya in Choco department in western Colombia.

There FARC guerrillas seized the town seeking to take control of the Atrato River region from paramilitaries from the AUC drug trafficking group.

Nearly 120 civilians were massacred in the apparently indiscriminate attack.

LWF general secretary Rev. Martin Junge on Dec. 7 presented the gift to Pope Francis, citing the biblical verse Isaiah 53:5 that says "looking at the wounded Christ, we are drawn into God's reconciling presence that heals our wounded world and calls the church into unity."

The mutilated image of Christ became a national symbol after the massacre.

During the firefight between the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrilla and the right-wing paramilitaries, an explosive thrown by the FARC exploded inside the church.

The bomb killed 119 people, many of them children, and wounded 89 seeking shelter inside the building. The explosion also blew away the arms and the legs of the crucifix, leaving only the torso.

On his visit to Colombia in September 2017, Pope Francis prayed before the Christ of Bojaya.

"Today, we bring a replica as a visible sign of our joint work among people seeking justice, peace and reconciliation in their lives and communities, responding to the call of being ambassadors of reconciliation in our world," Junge sadi.

DEPARTMENT OF CHOCO

The department of Choco, located on the Colombian Pacific coast, is inhabited predominantly by the African-Colombian and indigenous population.

During the internal conflict, the area was contested territory between armed groups for its natural resources, and a favored route for drug and weapons trade.

The region has a long history of human rights' violations, which predominantly affect the already marginalized communities.

LWF and the Catholic group Caritas have been working to support the Colombian peace process as well as affected communities like Bojaya.

They supported the community when the massacre was brought to court in 2015.

During the peace negotiations between FARC and the Colombian government in 2015, the guerrillas went to the community asking the people of Bojaya for forgiveness.

Remarkably, in the referendum about a peace accord between the Colombian government and FARC, 96 percent of the people of Bojaya voted in favor of making peace.

At the same time the majority of the country had voted against the accord, resulting in the rejection by a small percentage. The accord was later re-negotiated and finally signed in November 2016.




Low output, steady demand keep prices of farmed shrimp up

Global farmed shrimp supplies were low during the first half of 2017, which was in keeping up with the low to moderate demand in the traditional and emerging markets, according to Globefish, the FAOs fish-trade site.

As the main harvesting season in Asia ended in October, prices were up due to steady imports from the US and China. In its latest report on global shrimp trade, Globefish said further price increases will depend on the demand pattern in the major markets, while the supply will be seasonally low in Asia until March/April 2018.

China remained the largest producer of cultured shrimp, but most of China's harvest enters the domestic market.

In contrast, India, the world's second-largest producer of farmed shrimp, is largely export-oriented. Production has been good in 2017, and is expected to be higher than 2016 due to the growing number of farming sites.

Ex-farm prices in India increased in AugustSeptember, but stabilised in October as there were increased harvests and fewer inquiries from its largest market, the US. There is also the concern of a possible ban on Indian shrimp from the EU because of the escalating number of rejections due to the presence of antibiotics.

Intensified farm inspections in India

In response to these issues, India has intensified farm inspections through more significant monitoring, implementation of good aquaculture practices and penalising farms using unauthorised antibiotics.

India and Ecuador continue to be the top two exporters in the world market with a 35% and 18% increase in supplies, respectively, during the first half. Among the other top exporters, Vietnam and China reported higher shipments during the January-June period, whereas exports from Thailand declined.

Ecuadorian shrimp exports were boosted by demand mainly from Asian markets. The top five destinations were Vietnam (+33%), the EU (+3%), the US (+10%), China (+38%) and South Korea (+50%).

During the January-June 2017 review period, the world's top five importers of shrimp were the US (+8%), the EU (+0.12%), Vietnam (+30%), China (-11%) and South Korea (-10%).

Good seasonal demand during the summer months and stable wholesale prices resulted in an 8% rise in shrimp imports by the US IN the first half, which totalled 286,800 tonnes, worth US$2.75 billion.

US shrimp price increase

The average import price increased from $9.06 per kilogramme in June 2016 to $9.61/kg in June 2017, due to the weaker US dollar.

Shrimp imports into the EU remained stagnant at 323,900 tonnes during the first half of 2017. The top five single markets were Spain, France, Denmark, the UK and the Netherlands, which all imported less compared with the same period in 2016.

Imports were lower in most of the Asian markets except Vietnam. Frozen shrimp imports into Vietnam increased by 30% during the first half of the year, totalling nearly 200,000 tonnes. Most of these imports are re-exported to China and reprocessed for other markets. The top suppliers to Vietnam were Ecuador, India, Thailand and Argentina.

Shrimp imports into China declined 11% to total 49,200 tonnes in January-June. Canada, Argentina, Ecuador, Greenland and India were China's top sources.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Many SME-s, and especially micro-merchants are struggling with the foregone purchases problem, Anders Bohlin, lead economist in the digital economy division of the European Investment Bank, tells me.

The what?

Foregone purchases, he explains, are purchases that did not happen because a small business did not accept card payments, and its customer walked away.

EUR 10 billion a year

In fact, a Barclaycard study assessed that last year foregone purchases in the UK alone amounted to almost EUR 10 billion. Thats a 25% increase since the last time they measured it. This is because:

70% of shoppers now prefer paying with a card over cash

A third of shoppers would consider walking away from a retailer if they cannot pay by card, and a quarter have done so during the past 12 months

The average adult carries less than EUR 30 in cash

Half of SMEs still do not accept credit and debit cards

The Swedish financial technology company iZettle is trying to change this by making card payments more accessible, cheaper and easier to implement than the current industrys offerings. In 2011, iZettle was the first company to develop a secure chip-card reader for a smartphone, along with an app to take such payments.

This summer they received a EUR 30 million loan from the EIB, included in the European Fund for Strategic Investments portfolio, partly guaranteed by the European Commission. The loan will allow us to further accelerate our growth and continue to level the playing field for small businesses, giving them access to tools to take on the big corporations, says Jacob de Geer, chief executive and co-founder of iZettle.

Debit card vegan truffles

EUR 10 billion could buy you a lot of peanut bars and vegan truffles. This is what Arzu Pinar and Emrullah Metin, who run a small cafe-shop in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, hope.

As is often the case for micro merchants / SMEs, it started out as a hobby. Arzu made chocolate and different kinds of sweets in her home kitchen while attending The Hague University. After shopping at a vintage market called Swan Market that sold food and anything you can image, Arzu and her husband Em got the urge to cross the aisle  to be selling at the market, instead of buying.

Initially they only accepted cash. Then they did online research to find a solution so that people wouldnt forego the peanut bar purchases because they couldnt pay by card. We came across iZettle, and we're happy as it is so easy to use, has low costs and it is a solid system to work with. It works well for us, Arzu says.

A potential unicorn

Arzu The Foodbar Supplier was not the only one to see the benefits. Around 1000 small businesses like Arzus sign up with iZettle every day, in 12 markets in Europe and Latin America, according to the company. Last year revenues increased to EUR 66.8 million. Losses, which are normal for the aggressive growth phase the company is in, were reduced by 23% year-on-year to EUR 23.7 million.

With the most recent financing round, the company was valued at $500 million and is considered one of Swedish fastest growing companies. In addition to facilitating payments, the company also provides sales tracking software, interaction with social media, meeting reporting requirements with tax authorities in some countries, and even providing funding to its clients, tailoring loan payments to the amount of sales the SME generates in any given month. iZettle software also provides entrepreneurs with stock management and business analysis.

I liked the product from the first time I used it, in a small shop around the corner of our office in Stockholm. I decided to contact iZettle straight away. The disruptive business model and agile organization made them an interesting candidate for an EIB loan. We are proud to support their vision and help empowering millions of small shops and retail entrepreneurs to sell smarter, says Jeremie Hoffsaes, working in the corporate lending division of the bank in Stockholm.

The EIB loan will be used for iZettles future research and development, including a next generation of electronic payments, machine-learning capabilities and artificial intelligence, digitalisation of commerce, and scaling of its compliance systems to be able to expand to a host of future markets, each with its separate regulation for such services.

This is good news for Arzu and Em, who are currently negotiating to opening their second restaurant, but have bigger plans as well. After that, we really want to roll out a franchise formula for our concept. Hopefully, within five years we will be all over the world, Arzu says.

Most likely, so will iZettle.
The Politics of Motherhood -- What Our Nation's Mothers Face with Health Care Law Changes Solidarity HealthShare transparent method for helping low income mothers with health needs



Contact: Eden Gordon, 202-714-6014



WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- America's Moms are coming to the forefront to speak out against Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act has crippled the American family. It's creating additional financial stress on the already restricted budgets for the middle working class and low income mothers. Solidarity HealthShare met with congressional officials yesterday, December 13 and is doing so again today, Thursday, December 14, 2017 to educate congress about health shares, price transparency and conscience protection for our nation's households.



Solidarity Healthshare is concerned about the welfare of our nation's mothers, single mother's, and the working class poor. "For Americans that have been swallowed by the financial crisis of the Affordable Care Act, Solidarity HealthShare comes along side of the middle class working American to offer a solution to rising health care costs..." stated Bradley Hahn, CEO



The Hill quoted Sen. John Barrasso "Families ought to be able to make decisions about what they want to buy and what works for them not the government," Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) "I believe if people don't want to buy the Obamacare insurance, they shouldn't have to pay a tax penalty to the IRS."



Today, families worry about the increased cost of health insurance. Most working middle class families need multiple forms of employment to pay for health insurance. Solidarity HealthShare comes along side of their members and intercedes with providers and hospitals for repricing. Solidarity Healthshare advocates on their members behalf and decreases the medical costs by their repricing.



As we are focused on our families this Christmas season, Solidarity HealthShare is featuring their Stories of Hope, Moms of Solidarity with Kellie Soper. Her story was devastating and heartbreaking, but what Solidarity HealthShare provided for Kellie and her family was a health share community, peace of mind, stress free environment and the choice of their own doctors.



"A Mother's role is to put her family at the forefront for the care of their families. Solidarity puts family first. It's a sense of peace to never have to hear in network or out network again." stated Kellie Soper, Moms of Solidarity



The Soper family's daughter Lily passed away before she was born at 42 weeks. Lily was born sleeping. Eight months after their daughters birth the billing from the insurance companies was more than $6,000. The Soper's insurance company at the time of the loss gave up on the Soper Family because they didn't want to cover the high costs from the loss of their child. Video Link: vimeo.com/247171503.



Solidarity Healthshare's quality care is recognized for their transparent pricing and referenced base pricing, to keep the medical cost low. Solidarity continues to focus their attention by helping America's Moms, mental health, single families, the working middle class and low income families.



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Children detention camp of Israel

Israeli soldiers are torturing Palestinian children who were abducted by the Israeli army.

Israeli soldiers are torturing Palestinians children who were abducted by the Israeli army in one week, since Trumps illegal recognition of occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israel. Soldiers abducted more than 230 Palestinians, including dozens of children, who are facing torture, bad conditions and humiliation.

CHILDREN DETENTION CAMP

Children detention camp of Israel was taped. Detaineed children are placing this camp situated in Hebron checkpoint, West Bank.

Dozens of children are blinfolded and hand tied

Even the children detention camp has been photographed before, the video footage of the camp is newly released. Video shows children with their eyes and hands tied up, placed in a tiny cage like a coop. As it is seen in the footage, while defenceless children are being punished by being put/huddled in these cages, coward Israili soldiers are standing right behind them with their heavy weaponry.
On the heels of Scheana Marie's split from Robert Parks-Valletta, Mike Shay has taken to his Instagram page to debut his new romance with Kolby Sue Eder.

As Shay, a Los Angeles-based musician, continues to spend time with his new leading lady, Scheana Marie has spoken out, confirming that she has not spoken to her ex-husband since the taping of the Vanderpump Rules season 5 reunion in February.

"It's been a while ... I know he's in a new relationship," Scheana Marie said during an interview with The Daily Dish on Dec. 11.

Shay has been sharing short video clips of Eder for the past few weeks. According to the clips, they appear to be quite happy with each other. Meanwhile, Scheana Marie's own new partner confirmed weeks ago that their romance had come to an end after several months.

"There was a lot of hurt and confusion and it didn't end well," Scheana Marie continued of her past relationship with Shay. "Part three of the reunion ... that was one of the most uncomfortable days of my life."

Scheana Marie became engaged to Mike Shay during the second season of Vanderpump Rules, and during the third season of the show, they got married. Now, as they remain estranged, Scheana Marie is hopeful for a future friendship.

"I would love to be friends with him one day," Scheana Marie explained. "I think one day we can be friends again because we have known each other for half of our lives but right now, it's not a time to be in each other's lives."

As for her own love life, Scheana Marie found herself single weeks ago as her former boyfriend, Robert Parks-Valletta, confirmed to his fans and followers that they had split.

Scheana Marie and Parks-Valletta started spending time with each other just weeks after she announced her split from Shay. Then in the months that followed, they began filming the sixth season of Vanderpump Rules together.

During filming, Scheana Marie's now-ex-boyfriend was accused of making out with another woman by her co-star, Lala Kent.

To see more of Scheana Marie and her co-stars, including Lisa Vanderpump, Jax Taylor, Tom Sandoval, Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Tom Schwartz, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, tune in to Vanderpump Rules season 6 on Monday nights at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV.
Kandi Burruss said that it will take her a while to forgive Porsha Williams after Williams repeated a rumor that Burruss wanted to date rape her. While Burruss has yet to forgive Williams, fans are coming for Burruss after she threw seemingly endless shade at Williams on Sundays episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo.

Kandi Burruss Flies Above The Drama?

There were multiple moments when Burruss dissed Williams. Whether it was in a confessional interview or to Williamss face, it was clear that Burruss was not a fan of Williams. In one scene, the two were forced to sit across the table from each other during a one-hour train ride in San Francisco for the girls trip.

Williams attempted to make small talk and joked that she hoped Burruss would forgive her so she could go to an Xscape concert. The group, which Burruss is a member of, is currently on tour. Burruss laughed and let Williams know she wouldnt be sending her an invite. Of course, we can't forget the moment when Burruss told Williams she looked like she had gained weight, and laughed at Williams' attempt at being a Vegan.

Interestingly enough, this came after Williams apologized to Burruss and took responsibility for the part she played in the rumors becoming a major topic of conversation last season. Burruss facial expression after Williams apology made it difficult to perceive if Burruss believed Williams.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Burruss coming for Williams in more ways than one.

Kandi saying Porsha isnt missing any meals #RHOA pic.twitter.com/Pf9qGlSxti  maria majesty (@Maria_Majesty) December 13, 2017

#RHOA hold up! How Kandi going to say Porsha was looking a little big when not too long ago she was looking the same!!  QueenGinGin (@GINGIN376) December 13, 2017

The only time Kandi wants to converse with porsha is when it involves an insult . Did her hungry ass really just call porsha chunky ? #RHOA  L. (@Go_Cinderellaa) December 12, 2017

Kandi pays Porsha dust but makes sure to talk about her every chance she gets. #RHOA pic.twitter.com/lTTlMotCa0  King of Reads (@Justinj1232) December 4, 2017

Kandi want all these apologies from Porsha but didnt think Mama Joyce owed Todd one for all the multiple lies she told on him #Rhoa pic.twitter.com/dzqXVLx7b6  SimplyShe (@Mzkelia1) December 11, 2017

How you gon say "Imma be cordial" then when Porsha says something you being petty and making lil comments?? Damn grow up Kandi!! #RHOA  Kym Elery (@Kymmie859) December 4, 2017

What more does Kandi want from Porsha? She has apologized multiple times and Kandi is still being rude af.. pathetic #RHOA  iTweetStuff (@MaterTuaXO) December 11, 2017

Chile Kandi Still Beefing With These Xscape Girls From 20 Years Ago So Porsha Dont Hold Your Breath #RHOA  ZADDDDY (@Heshades) December 11, 2017

Kandi trying too hard not to like Porsha !! But consistently has her name in her mouth #rhoa  Jerry (@X__WayneXXVII) December 4, 2017

Kandi you might as well be stuck with Porsha since youre always talking about her. #RHOA  King of Reads (@Justinj1232) December 4, 2017

#RHOA@Porsha. Please stop apologizing to Kandi Burress. Her behavior is not only old but super childish.  Litticia (@Litticia4) December 11, 2017

This bond that Kenya, Kandi and NeNe have because of their hate towards Porsha is nauseating. #RHOA  Leopard Man (@Leopard_Man_) December 11, 2017

Kandi Burruss Is "Still Dealing With Trolls"

Despite fans' reactions, Burruss has said the trip to San Francisco wasn't a bother when it came to her close proximity with Williams. Still, Burruss has defended her decision to be hard on Williams this season. While it turned out that former co-star Phaedra Parks was the one behind the speculation, Burruss isnt letting Williams off the hook either.

You cant just falsely accuse someone of trying to drug you & take advantage of you on camera with the intent of defaming them & think its just gonna be ok a month later, said Burruss recently. Im still dealing with trolls who have taken what she said & run with it even though the truth came out that it was a lie.

She went on to urge her critics to stop telling her when shes supposed to get over it. As for Williams, she has said shes ready to move on but doesnt want to push Burruss before shes ready. Meanwhile, Parks has reportedly been fired from the show. She has not made any appearances this season; even though shes a huge topic of conversation.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs on Bravo Sundays at 8/7c. Be sure to keep up with Enstars for the latest on your favorite reality stars and celebrities.
Meghan Markle has been keeping a low profile ever since the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry.

But with Christmas right around the corner, the world may get a sneak peek of what it will be like when Markle actually joins the royal family.

Spending Christmas with future in-laws might be normal for most, but for the royal family, it's a total break in tradition.

Well, some rules are just meant to be broken. That's right! Markle will be joining the royal family for Christmas this year.

Markle has already met Queen Elizabeth on a few occasions and she had no problem winning over her dogs too.

In the couple's engagement interview, Prince Harry revealed, "I've spent 33 years being barked at, this one walks in, absolutely nothing."

If the dogs love her and so does Queen Elizabeth, why wouldn't she spend Christmas the royal family?

Markle, who has two dogs herself replied, "they were laying on my feet during tea."

The couple has also had their fair share of visits with Harry's father, Prince Charles.

"The family together have been a solid support and my grandparents as well have been wonderful throughout this whole process," Harry added.

The palace hasn't confirmed as details as to where Markle will stay, but Kate and William live two miles away at their Anmer Hall estate.

On Christmas Eve, the group exchanges gifts and then attends church at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas.

Markle will join the Queen at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, about 110 miles north of London.

In other words, a regular Christmas Day has been canceled. Well maybe not canceled, but everyone will be patiently waiting to see photos of Markle, Harry, Kate, and William in one place.

The real question is: what will Markle get the royal family for Christmas?
Sexual assault allegations continue to mount as 2017 comes to a close. No matter who or what age the accusers are, one pattern is certain: there are victims who wait to tell their story. And, while many can't seem to understand why, numerous women say when they disclose such vulnerable information, their character, sex lives and behavior get called into question. Instead of their assaulter(s).

Salma's Story

In an opinion-editorial piece written for The New York Times by Salma Hayek, the Mexican-born actress details why she endured months of harassment from Harvey Weinstein and didn't publicly speak out about it.

"I had brainwashed myself into thinking that it was over and that I had survived; I hid from the responsibility to speak out with the excuse that enough people were already involved in shining a light on my monster. I didnt consider my voice important, nor did I think it would make a difference," she wrote for the publication.

Hayek continued noting that she didn't want to speak out because she would have to owe her family an explanation as to why she (and them) treated Weinstein so nicely when they saw him at various Hollywood functions. "I was ashamed to describe the details of what I had forgiven made me wonder if that chapter of my life had really been resolved," the Frida star said.

The Weinstein Nightmare

Hayek went on to explain how she met Weinstein and what she thought about him before initially meeting him: "he had a remarkable intellect, he was a loyal friend and a family man." Hayek continued, noting she was extremely excited to work with him during the 1990s because she was an unknown Mexican telenovela actress.

Unfortunately, her happiness turned dismal when Weinstein began stalking her and requesting her to take part in sexual acts. "He had taken a chance on me  a nobody. He had said yes. Little did I know it would become my turn to say no. No to opening the door to him at all hours of the night, hotel after hotel, location after location, where he would show up unexpectedly, including one location where I was doing a movie he wasnt even involved with. No to me taking a shower with him," the 51-year-old said.

"No to letting him watch me take a shower. No to letting him give me a massage. No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage. No to letting him give me oral sex. No to my getting naked with another woman. No, no, no, no, no "

Hayek divulged further by sharing that with every "no" came fiery tantrums from Weinstein. She exhaustively put into words that the mogul began to call her excessively if she didn't meet his demands. On one occasion, the Miramax producer even told Hayek he would kill her.

The Beatriz At Dinner actress said once Weinstein understood she would not succumb to his wants, he began to take away roles from her while she was under contract with his production company or he would assign difficult tasks for her to complete.

Hayek also revealed that the sex scene between her and Ashley Judd in Frida was a demand from Weinstein. He wanted his fantasies to be acted out, some way, somehow. She continued the piece noting how she became more anxious during the production of the film and Weinstein's behavior became more violent. It is said he had several outbursts at the film's previews, as well. Eventually, Frida won Weinstein's Miramax two Oscars and several nominations. Years later, he would tell Hayek what a beautiful film they made.

Salma Hayek closed her article stating that women are speaking out in droves because the culture is shifting.

"Men sexually harassed because they could. Women are talking today because, in this new era, we finally can."
Who would have imagined that George Clooney and Amal Clooney are the kind of parents who would hand out earphones to fellow passengers for having their kids onboard a long-haul flight?

The A-list Hollywood celebrities recently traveled back to their home in England with their 6-month-old twins, Alexander and Ella. According to reports, the well-meaning new parents distributed noise-canceling headphones with a sweet note apologizing in advance if their kids cry during the flight.

Babies On Board

"Our twins just discovered squawking!! Hope this helps make the flight a little quieter," the note read. Us Weekly added that the note was written on a "George Clooney stationary." It was signed by George and Amal.

The headphones featured the logo of Casamigos, the premium tequila company founded by George, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. Hollywood director, Quentin Tarantino, was one of the first-class passengers who received the custom-made headphones during the flight.

However, a source shared that the Clooneys had nothing to worry about. Alexander and Ella behaved throughout the flight.

"George was nervous," the unnamed source told the site. "But the babies didn't even make a peep."

Celebrity Parents

George, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, and Amal, a human rights lawyer, got married in a private ceremony in Italy in 2014. They welcomed their twins, Ella and Alexander, in June this year.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, the 56-year-old shared how his life has changed now that he is a father. The Hail, Caesar! star admitted that he and his wife have been deprived of sleep since their children were born.

"[S]he's more unrested than me, obviously," he said. He claimed to be an expert in changing diapers.

As celebrities, George and Amal have to deal with several other problems, namely the horde of paparazzi that follow them around. Unlike their fellow artists, the couple chose to shield their children from the spotlight of Hollywood which made the press even more desperate.

A month after their birth, The Independent reported that George is suing a French magazine, Voici, for publishing photos of the twins. The actor claimed that unauthorized photographers sneaked past the guardhouse, scaled their fence, and climbed a tree to take photos of the children. The family was staying at their Lake Como estate in Italy at the time of the incident.

George will soon return to work in the television adaptation of Catch-22, a war novel written by Joseph Heller.
From POLITICO's Morning Energy:

Meanwhile, Democrats and liberal groups asked for the tax bill to be put on hold until Alabama Democrat Doug Jones is sworn in. "There should be no votes on the despicable GOP tax scheme or other dangerous efforts to put the profits of corporate polluters and billionaires before the people until the voice of every voter is represented in the Senate," Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in a statement Wednesday.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that Russia needs to convince the Syrian government, its ally, to come up with a peace deal to put an end to the civil war. He said that a failure to do so fast through United Nations mediation could lead to a fragmentation of Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly visited Russias Hmeymim air base in Syria where he declared that the Russian forces were largely backing the Assad government against militants, following the defeat of the most battle-hardened group of international terrorists.

Mr. de Mistura urged the Russian leader to use his position of power to convince the (Syrian) government that there is no time to lose. You can think you win territory militarily but you have to win the peace. He also stressed that to win the peace, you have to have the courage to push the government to accept that there has to be a new constitution and new elections, through the United Nations.

The nearly 7-year conflict began as a peaceful uprising against Syrias President Bashar al-Assad and has developed into a full-scale civil war that has claimed lives of more than 300,000 people, displaced millions and caused a humanitarian crisis in the country and a refugee crisis in Europe.

All diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have so far failed over the demand that President Bashar al-Assad resign and his refusal to do so.

Russia first launched airstrikes in Syria in September 2015 in its biggest Middle East intervention in decades, turning the fortune in Assads favor. The Kremlin now sees its mission in the country complete and thus seeks to broker a peace deal and organize a summit in Russia  a Syrian Congress on National Dialogue  to hammer out a new constitution.
What, if anything, investigators have uncovered is not known. But The New York Times found that since taking office in 2011, Sheriff Franklin has failed to comply with court orders, has threatened critics with legal action and has not publicly accounted for tens of thousands of dollars raised through charity events.

Her activities point to questions about the broad powers afforded Americas county sheriffs, newly emboldened in the era of President Trump. Unlike appointed municipal police chiefs, sheriffs answer only to voters, giving them often-unfettered dominion not just over county law enforcement but over the jail and the lucrative service contracts that go with it.

Photo

In certain jurisdictions there is a feeling by sheriffs that this is my fiefdom  I am in charge, my way or the highway, said Sarah Geraghty, a lawyer at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, which has filed lawsuits against a number of sheriffs. Sometimes that kind of culture can lead to sort of a sheriffs-gone-wild kind of behavior.

If these officers of the law are also politicians, their politics have increasingly adhered to the idea of the sheriff as an almost mythic figure  a pure expression of democracy, local protector of the people, accountable only to the people. In recent years, a group of activist sheriffs has coalesced around such hot-button conservative issues as gun rights , immigration and the use of federal lands in the West.

Mostly we protect people from criminals, but sometimes we protect them from an overreaching government, said Brad Rogers, the sheriff of Elkhart County, Ind. He added: Im answerable to the people. I have a face and a name. Try asking the federal government for a face and a name.

The apotheosis of the idea that federal and state law is subordinate to local authority is Joe Arpaio , the former Arizona sheriff who earned notoriety for his aggressive pursuit of unauthorized Latino immigrants. After the 2012 school massacre in Newtown, Conn., hundreds of sheriffs allied with Mr. Arpaio signed a pledge not to enforce the Obama administrations gun-control proposals.

Ultimately, Mr. Arpaio was convicted of contempt for defying a federal judges order to stop violating immigrants constitutional rights. But President Trump pardoned him over the summer, seemingly endorsing his view of local authority. Indeed, the Trump administration has instructed sheriffs to disregard federal law and detain undocumented immigrant suspects longer than is constitutionally allowed. And when the president announced this month that he was drastically shrinking two national monuments in Utah, he cast the decision in terms of protecting citizens from federal overreach.

Sheriff Franklin is ideologically aligned with many conservative causes, and during the 2016 presidential race had a featured role in a national advertising campaign where sheriffs called for tougher border security. Lives are depending on it, she said on camera.

In two interviews with The Times, the sheriff said she had done nothing illegal and had not violated anyones civil rights. I have worked my tail off to try to do the right thing and make the best decisions that I can make, she said.

She said she had tried to make her agency more accountable, and added, Since I have taken office, I have attempted to train these deputies, to equip them, to manage them in the piddly little budget that Ive been given. As for the federal inquiry, the sheriff said, The F.B.I. has not informed me of any such investigation.

The sheriff makes no apologies for her belief that voters and the state constitution allow her to carry out her own vision of law enforcement. I run it based on what the public wants or likes, she said.

Officers and the Law

While some see that attitude as a defense of liberty, others worry that it is simply license for sheriffs to act as if they are above the law.

Theres a glorified notion of local sovereignty that flies in the face of 200 years of constitutional progress in the United States, said Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonprofit focusing on issues of democracy and equal rights. Sheriffs have an important role, but the fact that theyre elected does not mean theyre not required to operate within the law and the Constitution.

Earlier this year, the sheriff in Worth County, Ga., ordered his deputies to enter the local high school in search of drugs. They lined up 850 students with legs spread and hands against the hallway walls. Deputies inserted fingers into girls bras, and touched their underwear and genital areas while searching in their waistbands or reaching up their dresses, according to the Southern Center, which sued the sheriff.

Photo

The deputies had no warrant or other authority to conduct the search, the suit charged. No drugs were found.

Soraya Kawucha, a former deputy sheriff who teaches criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Tex., called sheriffs the rarely studied bastard son of law enforcement. Researchers either ignored sheriffs or made erroneous conclusions that we were no different than police departments, Ms. Kawucha said.

Because sheriffs have no direct supervision, criminal prosecution or lawsuits may be the only checks against those who abuse their power. The Georgia sheriff was recently indicted in connection with the mass search and has pleaded not guilty. The lawsuit resulted in a $3 million settlement.

In Florida, a federal appeals court ruled in 2014 that detectives from the St. Johns County sheriffs office had violated the constitutional rights of a defendant during what his lawyer had assumed was a privileged and private meeting in a closed interview room at the sheriffs office. Unbeknown to the lawyer, Anne Marie Gennusa, detectives were secretly monitoring the conversation. When the client handed Ms. Gennusa a written statement, detectives rushed in, forcibly grabbed it and arrested him, attaching the statement to his arrest report, court records show.

County governments have budgetary control over sheriffs, but little else. They can threaten to withhold money, but they open themselves up to criticism that they are endangering law and order.

In Arizona, voters kept re-electing Mr. Arpaio despite his long record of misconduct complaints. And in Putnam County, N.Y., Sheriff Donald B. Smith repeatedly and falsely accused the local district attorney, Adam Levy, of shielding an undocumented immigrant during a rape investigation. Like Sheriff Franklin, Sheriff Smith appeared in the video campaign for stronger border controls.

It took a defamation lawsuit for Sheriff Smith to finally admit this year that he had lied; the suit was settled with $125,000 in public funds. Technically, he answers to voters, but I would say he really answered to no one, said Michael Sussman, a lawyer for Mr. Levy. In November, voters finally had enough and tossed him from office.

Sheriffs can submit to voluntary state or national accreditation surveys, but their agencies rarely have their credentials taken from them for rule violations.

Some sheriffs have been in office so long that evicting them is almost unthinkable, regardless of their records.

In his book Just Mercy, the public-interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson tells the story of his client Walter McMillian , a black man with no prior felony convictions who was stopped by Sheriff Tom Tate and other officers in Monroe County, Ala., in 1987 and sent to death row for the shooting of an 18-year-old white female store clerk.

It later emerged that the officers had pressured a key witness into lying about Mr. McMillian. Lending haunting resonance to the case was its venue: Monroeville, home of Harper Lee, whose novel To Kill a Mockingbird told a strikingly similar story. Mr. McMillian was eventually freed.

How do voters feel about Sheriff Tate? He has been elected seven times and is in his third decade in office.

A Tax Loophole

Ana Franklin, the states only female sheriff, did not follow a traditional path into law enforcement. Raised in this working-class city a short distance across the Tennessee River from Huntsville and the Armys Redstone Arsenal, she ran a bridal shop, posed as a nightclub calendar girl in miniskirt and fishnets, trained German shepherds and ran a fitness center.

She was elected in 2010, defeating an unpopular incumbent. But she had another advantage, at least according to Glenda Lockhart, otherwise known as the Morgan County Whistleblower: She comes across as just the most sweet, innocent, hard-working person you could ever imagine, Ms. Lockhart said.

Photo

Now in her second term with plans to run for a third, Sheriff Franklin, 53, broke into police work in neighboring Limestone County, under the tutelage of its longtime sheriff, Mike Blakely.

It was there that she learned the importance of annual rodeos for fund-raising and publicity. No one in the state did it bigger or better than Sheriff Blakely. With a skybox selling for $650, the events have raised close to a million dollars for law enforcement and for reinvestment in rodeo operations, he estimated. Voters must take him at his word, because rodeo money is not among the nine revenue streams audited by the state, records show.

The Morgan County rodeo had been a smaller affair until Sheriff Franklin took office. She installed an A.T.M. just outside the gate, allowing people to pay cash not only for admission but for concessions. And she asked employees and volunteers to sell advertisements to local businesses. Before long, the ad book more than tripled in size.

Rick Sherman, a former deputy, said he sold ads while on duty. Im an armed law enforcement officer asking for money, and thats never a good thing, said Mr. Sherman, who left his job nearly two years ago after a falling out with Sheriff Franklin. He said he had also been asked to work without pay at the rodeo. The sheriff said she did not force anyone to sell ads or work for free.

Sheriff Franklin said the rodeo brought in about $20,000 a year in profit, but she has never publicly accounted for all the money, except to say that it went to local charities and law enforcement. She promised to produce financial records for her rodeo, but a month later gave only names of charities and no amounts. The rodeos financial records, she said, were reviewed by a C.P.A. firm.

In interviews, the sheriff gave differing accounts about who processed the rodeo cash. First she said the money went through a tax-exempt organization set up a couple of years ago called Morgan County Sheriffs Rodeo. Before that, the money was kept in a regular account, she said.

After The Times could find no group by that name registered with the Internal Revenue Service, Sheriff Franklin corrected herself, saying rodeo proceeds had actually gone to a different nonprofit: Morgan County Sheriffs Mounted Posse, founded in 1963.

Normally, tax-exempt organizations must file annual financial reports for public inspection. But Sheriff Franklins is exempt from public disclosure because of an I.R.S. loophole for charities affiliated with government agencies. The I.R.S. assumes organizations controlled by governmental entities will be good tax citizens, said Marc Owens, former director of the I.R.S. division of exempt organizations.

The Times identified 19 such organizations  not all of them related to rodeos  affiliated with Alabama sheriffs. The sheriff in Etowah County has three.

Photo

Asked to explain how their rodeo profits were managed, three sheriffs gave names of nonprofit groups that they said held the money, but a search of government records could find no such entities. One sheriff said his rodeo was a tax-exempt nonprofit, even though it is incorporated as a for-profit business.

The fact that sheriffs offices are handling large, unaudited sums of money has drawn the attention of government investigators.

That said, the value of rodeos for sheriffs in need of votes and money is considerable. Sheriff Blakely, Alabamas rodeo king, is now in his third decade in office. Recently, the first three news items on his web page were rodeo promotions.

The fourth item  a major drug arrest.

A Suspicious Investment

The mere mention of Ms. Lockhart is enough to shear off Sheriff Franklins folksy veneer. A liar, a fabricator, a crazy woman: That is how she describes Ms. Lockhart. I have never in my life heard of anything like this or been through anything like this, the sheriff said.

Ms. Lockhart stands by her postings. The diminutive grandmother became a whistle-blower after retiring as a security manager at the Redstone Arsenal, using her military research skills to shadow the sheriff and her allies.

Ms. Lockhart first took an interest in the sheriff after deputies came to her rural home in July 2011 to investigate a supposed disturbance. What happened next is in dispute, but she and her husband, Harold Lockhart, say the officers found nothing but refused to leave when asked.

Deputies arrested the couple after Mr. Lockhart, a retired military police officer, said he had had enough and was calling his lawyer. The Lockharts successfully sued the sheriff for false arrest. And while the sheriff was not present for the arrest and later said she knew nothing about it, Ms. Lockhart did not forget.

Photo

I decided then I was not going to sit back and take it, she said. Some people cant afford to fight it, so I started watching.

With a profitable construction business, Ms. Lockhart had the resources to pursue complaints big and small. I waited until employees were fired  then I would tell them I was the Morgan County Whistleblower, she said.

Earlier this year she even went so far as to hire a pilot to fly her over southern Alabama, where she videotaped a stretch of land that she believed the sheriff had secretly obtained for her horses. That suspicion, Sheriff Franklin says, is not backed by a scintilla of evidence.

There was, however, more than enough evidence to link the sheriff to Priceville Partners LLC, a get-rich-quick scheme that spread a toxic cloud over the business community.

A used-car dealership offering title loans, Priceville Partners had begun opening branches around the county, and investors were welcome. Ordinarily, law officers might investigate rather than invest in a business co-owned by the likes of Greg Steenson, who had done prison time for a multimillion-dollar check-kiting scheme. But several officers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, along with Morgan County deputies, became financially involved, records show. One agent texted another asking if he wanted a one-month $7,000 profit on a $10,000 investment. Sheriff Franklins father worked there; her daughter did the bookkeeping.

The sheriff invested $150,000. She would later say that she had not known Mr. Steenson was a co-owner, even though her daughter said that was clear from her first day on the job.

Ms. Lockhart had begun blogging about the dealership in 2015, after noticing the proximity of the lawbreaker and the law enforcers. She was not the only one watching. So was the F.B.I. in Huntsville, which soon became a popular destination for those with stories to tell about the sheriff or the dealership. In local lingo, they went across the river.

In January, after Ms. Lockhart published a copy of Sheriff Franklins $150,000 cashiers check  signed over to Priceville Partners  the sheriffs lawyer, Barnes F. Lovelace Jr., accused the blogger of obtaining it illegally. A criminal investigation has been initiated, he wrote to Ms. Lockhart. No charges have been filed.

Photo

The sheriff had once even threatened legal action against the creators of a Facebook page seeking Justice for Aubie, a golden retriever shot to death by deputies during a drug raid. She said that the dog had lunged at the officers, and that the page was intended to inflame the public. A petition with 1,600 signatures was sent to the Alabama Sheriffs Association, asking that officers be taught how to handle pets with nonlethal force. Amid fears of a lawsuit, the Facebook page came down.

Sheriff Franklins mystery check was not so easily dismissed. According to The Decatur Daily, she said that the money had come from her savings and retirement accounts. Her lawyer later said it was invested in a legitimate business, a strange description for an enterprise whose co-owner, the felon Mr. Steenson, had recently been arrested on new charges  of theft and forgery involving the dealership. The district attorney said Mr. Steenson sold vehicles for which he had no title and then forged peoples names. (Priceville Partners filed for bankruptcy last year.)

Sheriff Franklin eventually admitted the money had been withdrawn from an account earmarked for feeding inmates. For some Alabama sheriffs, that wouldnt have posed a problem. But Morgan County was different.

Hungry for Money

Ana Franklin had her eyes on inmate food money even before she took office.

In preparing for her new job, she asked the county attorney if surplus food money would be hers to keep. His answer, according to press reports at the time, was no.

That sheriffs would be able to profit from inmate food money comes down to an unusual provision of Alabama law: In most counties  Morgan included  food money is deposited not into government accounts, but into sheriffs personal accounts. Nearly a decade ago, when inmates lawyers demanded to know how much of this money Alabama sheriffs were keeping for personal use, the state sheriffs association instructed them not to answer.

But while other sheriffs have legally kept the surplus money, Sheriff Franklin was bound by a federal consent decree that all her inmate food money be used for just that  food.

Photo

That court order stems from a legal action that the Southern Center brought against Sheriff Franklins predecessor, Greg Bartlett, who had been underfeeding inmates while taking $212,000 in food money for his personal use. In a signature moment as sheriff, Mr. Bartlett paid half-price for a truckload of unsold corn dogs and for three months fed them to inmates for breakfast, lunch and dinner, earning himself the sobriquet Sheriff Corn Dog.

After the source of the $150,000 came to light, Sheriff Franklin said that because of bad legal advice, she had not realized she was violating the court order. Besides, she said, she had returned the money, and her prisoners received nutritious meals.

Ms. Geraghty, the Southern Center lawyer, disagreed. She sent the sheriff a letter earlier this year reporting inmate complaints of reduced or watered-down portions, and food that was frozen, had mold or contained rocks or, in one case, a nail. During a recent meal at which chicken was served, Ms. Geraghty wrote, many inmates reportedly received cooking liquid from the pan in place of meat because the kitchen ran out of chicken.

Those complaints, the sheriffs lawyer said, amounted to a tiny fraction of all meals served  a record any restaurant would be pleased with. Ms. Geraghty did not press her case, citing the exceedingly low constitutional bar required to satisfy the consent decrees mandate for improved food. The food order was ultimately lifted, but not before a federal judge found Sheriff Franklin in contempt of court and fined her $1,000.

The sheriffs office also did not comply with a judges order that an inmate not be allowed to work outside the jail because he posed a danger to the community. Sheriff Franklin said she had since changed jail policy to prevent that from happening again.

Sheriffs have found other ways to squeeze money out of inmates. Some take a percentage of service contracts, including commissary sales and telephone charges. In Morgan County, a company that just won the jail phone contract pays the county a 90 percent commission on all its revenue from prisoners calls. In St. Johns County, Fla., the sheriff brings in tens of thousands of dollars a year by charging inmates processing fees.

In Morgan County, the sheriff oversees 19 different income streams and collects 25 percent of inmate wages. None of this money is supposed to personally benefit the sheriff.

Sheriff Franklin said she stayed within her budget, economizing, for example, by hanging inmate clothes on the line to dry. It saved me $63,000, she said.

A Spy Mission

In October last year, armed with a warrant, the sheriffs drug task force seized Ms. Lockharts computers and electronic devices, court records show. In preparing for the raid, the sheriff hired an unusual spy  Ms. Lockharts 19-year-old grandson, Daniel Lockhart, who aspired to work in law enforcement.

Mr. Lockhart said the sheriffs technology expert had instructed him on how to plant spyware. The raid took place about a week after he said he installed the software.

Mr. Lockhart had been living with his grandparents and working in their business. He gained access to the office after hours, he said, by telling Ms. Lockhart that his girlfriend needed an office computer for homework. Ms. Lockhart said she later discovered the spyware on her home computer as well and took it to the F.B.I., which has retained it.

Photo

The sheriff denied that the seizure was retaliatory, telling the news media, Not until her personal agenda, her hatefulness and her vengeance to try and tear this office down, to take this office and myself down, and prepare for another election, did she cross the line of criminal activity.

But over a year later, Ms. Lockhart has yet to be charged, and says she broke no laws. The investigation continues, the sheriff said, though she was unsure who was directing it. Its not my investigation, she said.

Sheriff Franklin admits to hiring the grandson, but denies that she or anyone in her office asked him to install spyware. We have absolute proof,  Mr. Lovelace, the sheriffs lawyer, wrote to The Times. He produced an analysis of Ms. Lockharts business computers by a firm he hired that, he said, found no spyware. Several parts of that report were omitted, he said, because of a continuing criminal investigation that he was not at liberty to describe.

The sheriffs denial is undercut by four people who told The Times separately that they had knowledge that the sheriffs office taught Mr. Lockhart how to install the spyware. Among them was Ricky Brewer, the sheriffs former technology officer, who said he told the F.B.I. that his replacement acknowledged giving the grandson the software.

Mr. Lockhart said in a sworn statement that he had been paid several hundred dollars and participated only because he had been told that the investigation focused on the county jail warden, not his grandmother, and that she would not get in trouble.

Two months before the raid, a similar operation against another critical blogger had occurred in Terrebonne Parish, La. The sheriff there, Jerry Larpenter, accused the blogger of criminal defamation.

A federal judge, Lance Africk, found the raid unconstitutional, explaining the danger this way: If you speak ill of the sheriff of your parish, then the sheriff will direct his law enforcement resources toward forcibly entering your home and taking your belongings under the guise of a criminal investigation.

Here in Morgan County, Ms. Lockhart has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Sheriff Franklin of violating her right to free speech, invading her privacy and slandering her, charges the sheriff denies. Ms. Lockharts computers, containing vital company records, were returned only after a court hearing.

All the while, the Morgan County Whistleblower continues to fire away. There is no way of stating how terrified Sheriff Ana Franklin is right now, Ms. Lockhart wrote last month. And she added, She is scared to death that some of her loyalists will cross the river and roll.
Wess Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of the US State for European and Eurasian affairs, criticized Germany over its ongoing support for a new Russian gas pipeline to Europe and praised Denmark for passing a piece of legislation that could complicate the project. The US official said that the new cabinet in Germany offered an opportunity for the US to hamper the Russian pipeline  Nord Stream 2  which the White House fears will give Kremlin more leverage over Europes energy affairs.

Mr. Mitchell said the new German government gives Washington a chance to call on Berlin to show responsibility in a European context. Referring to the countrys support for the Russian gas pipeline, Mr. Mitchell said in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that on energy security, Germany gets it wrong, adding that Germany gets it wrong in a way that hurts other EU member states. The German Economics Ministry did not want to comment on the criticism. For us, Nord Stream 2 is a corporate project, said spokeswoman Tanja Alemany.

Mr. Mitchell, however, praised Copenhagen for a law allowing Denmark to block pipelines from crossing its territorial waters on foreign policy or security grounds. He added that other countries whose territorial waters would be traversed by Nord Stream 2 are also considering where they stand on the project, also citing environmental impact.

Nord Stream 2 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Russian state-run energy giant Gazprom and it would double Russias exports to Europe by adding another link between Russia and Germany. The $10 billion project is planned as a joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Wintershall AG, Uniper SE , OMV AG and Engie SA, despite the 100% ownership by Gazprom. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described the pipeline as unwise, arguing that the project would only boost Russias dominance as a single supplier to Europe.
LONDON, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Growth driven by client-focused investments in technology, innovative services, alliances and hiring

- Record high revenues for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 of US$26.40 billion - Revenue growth for FY2017 of 5% (in local currencies) driven by strong growth across Audit, Tax and Advisory services - Growth in all three regions (Americas, ASPAC and EMA) - KPMG invested more than US$1 billion this year in a multi-year program focused on new technology, innovation and developing new services and solutions - More than 37,000 new graduates and other entry-level professionals hired, with the total workforce growing to a record-high of 197,263 people. - KPMG network achieves gender parity for new hires, and an increase to 28% women in partner promotions across our 10 largest countries.

KPMG International today announced record aggregated network revenues of US$26.40 billion for the fiscal year ending 30 September 2017 (FY17), representing a 5% increase in local currency terms on FY16.

"The KPMG network grew strongly while continuing to transform to meet the rapidly changing demands of clients. We are making significant, strategic investments across Audit, Tax and Advisory in technology and innovative services where clients are facing their greatest challenges and disruption. As an example, KPMG firms have built leading positions in cyber security, data & analytics (D&A) and digital transformation services, bringing together leading edge technology with world-class business expertise to offer a higher level of capabilities to clients in these critical areas," said Bill Thomas, Chairman, KPMG International.

"We remain committed to meeting our public interest responsibility and continuously improving the quality of the vital work performed for clients and capital markets. The Value of Audit and Responsible Tax forums held by KPMG around the world are powerful examples of KPMG bringing together key stakeholders to discuss our profession's most complex challenges and opportunities."

KPMG firms grew across all three geographic regions:

- Americas revenues increased by 4.4%, with Tax growing by 6.7%. - Asia Pacific delivered strong growth with revenues increasing by 8.1%, with Advisory growing by 15.0%. - Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMA, including India) revenues increased by 4.0%.

Investing for future growth

"KPMG is continuing with a multi-year global investment program and this year invested more than US$1 billion in new services, technology, alliances and acquisitions, focused particularly on D&A, strategy, cyber security, digital labor and audit. This represents our most exciting, data-driven investment in the network and is transforming our technology capability and our operating model," said Bill Thomas. "Like KPMG's clients around the world, we're focused on harnessing the power of digital transformation to improve efficiency, innovation and quality."

Growth in business lines - Audit, Tax and Advisory

Audit

Total Audit revenues for the year were up by 3.1% to US$10.39 billion, building on last year's exceptional growth of 4.5%.

KPMG firms continued to win a number of significant audit appointments, particularly in Europe, where the impact of the second full year of EU audit reforms continues to drive increased movement of audit engagements.

"We remain dedicated to continuously improving audit quality by making quality the focus of everything we do. We are doing this through innovation, investing in our smart audit platform - KPMG Clara - our methodology and most importantly our people. KPMG continues to invest in new audit technology and innovation through a several hundred million dollar, multi-year, investment program. KPMG Clara now offers an automated, agile, intelligent and scalable platform for KPMG Audit professionals, bringing powerful D&A and technology capabilities together in one interface and allowing clients real-time information arising from the audit process and communication with the audit team. Through our alliance with Microsoft we are working to move aspects of KPMG Clara onto Microsoft's Azure cloud platform in certain markets, which will further enhance audit quality as well as improving efficiency," said Bill O'Mara, KPMG International's Global Head of Audit.

Tax

Tax revenues grew 5.9% over the previous year, to US$5.83 billion, driven by high demand for tax compliance services, as well as international and M&A related services, in all three regions.

"Once a highly-technical specialist capability, tax has risen on the corporate agenda. Meanwhile, the role of the tax function itself is evolving, particularly due to advancements in technology and data and analytics, highlighting new opportunities for tax departments to provide value to their organizations and beyond. Increasingly complex national and international requirements in key areas such as indirect tax, immigration, and supply chains have fueled demand for technology-enabled tax services and this is something KPMG is equipped to provide," said Jane McCormick, KPMG International's Global Head of Tax.

Advisory

Advisory revenues grew by 6.0% to US$10.18 billion, reflecting increased demand for expertise and deep industry knowledge to help clients better manage their risks, as well as plan and execute their strategy to drive growth. Investments in solutions drove strong double-digit revenue growth in Strategy services and emerging technologies such as Cyber. Particularly strong growth was seen in Asia Pacific, where Advisory revenues increased by 15%, with double-digit growth across the largest firms, including a 29% increase in China.

"The intersection between business consulting and technology is now very strong. Projects often start with a conversation with a client about a business challenge they are facing, then evolve to where new solutions with embedded technology can be developed drawing on our industry expertise, technology capability and alliances. We've focused on becoming more agile, and the speed at which we develop solutions and get them to market has increased dramatically over the past 2 years," said Mark A Goodburn, KPMG International's Global Head of Advisory.

A workforce of extraordinary talent

In FY17, the KPMG network remained a leading choice for talent, with the global workforce growing by more than 4% to 197,263 people, the highest number of individuals ever employed across the network. More than 37,000 new graduates and other entry-level professionals joined KPMG, and in our 10 largest countries we promoted more than 450 people to partner in our most recent partner class, and in FY17 we admitted more than 250 experienced hire partners across our network.

Within our leadership ranks, gender diversity continues to rise across the network. In the 10 largest countries, 28% of KPMG's latest class of partner promotions were women, and women now make up 47% of the KPMG network's workforce.

KPMG is investing significant time and resource to equip its people with digital transformation skills. As an example, KPMG in the US broke ground on a US$400 million learning, development and innovation facility in Orlando, Florida, US in mid-2017. KPMG is also working with leading universities to help educate and provide opportunities to the next generation of accounting professionals, developing the KPMG Master of Accounting with Data and Analytics Program to prepare professionals for the rapid advance of technologies that are changing the landscape of the accounting profession.

(CONTINUA)
What options do we have to invest some many to earn some monthly profit as second source of income? Other then parking your money in savings account

Hello,Not sure if this is being discussed here before or not, but I am looking forward to get guidance from those who are currently living in Australia. So,
Hi Members,Greeting! I'm planning to start immigration process and collecting information from here and there. This platform is great way to get queries resolved and I'd like to thanks everyone who is helping here.Let's jump to my pain point. My job profile is web designer cum UX engineer/designer. As per one commenter UX designer can also apply for 261313(software engineer) and few have granted 189 visa. Generally, web designer doesn't get 189 but 190. But since my roles and responsibilities are more of UX engineer. I think I should opt for 189 because there are scarcity of jobs in state visa.I'm in dilemma about skill set assessment by ACS for 261313(software engineer).2007-2009- Web designer2009-20016- Consultant web designer then senior and Principal consultant.2016-current -Tech lead application development1: if I present my responsibilities as per software engineer since I'm also involved in front end development. Would ACS look for designation or job details? Would highlighting technologies help?2: having 10 years of exeprience, I'm eligible for 15 points. Even if they wants to cut points for web designer profile (first 2 years) How much points they can deduct? My ex-employer may change web designer designation to Consultant UX designer; not sure though.3: do we need reliving/joining letter? or would referrence letter be suffice?4:do we need experience letter provided by current manager or earlier? also do I need current employer's reference letter?5: I want to apply for skill assessment first then PTE as if they don't give positive response. I will save time and money on PTE and drop the plan for forever. Is there any specific time duration for EOI submission after getting positive response?6: in which month government release visas and close the bucket? Also is there any online links to track the visa.I know these are many question but I really wants answerI'll highly appreciate your reponse.Thanks,HC
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Indicted state Sen. Carlos Uresti began a sexual relationship with Denise Cantu of Harlingen  a key witness against him  as early as 2010, telling his then-client she looked sexy, sending her lewd text messages and later consummating the friendship at a hotel room in San Antonio, she told the FBI in interview records that reveal new details of their relationship.

Calling Cantu a demonstrated liar, Urestis lawyers shared FBI records with the San Antonio Express-News after federal prosecutors filed a motion under seal last week to block some expert testimony from his upcoming criminal fraud trial.

The FBI records summarize interviews she had with federal law enforcement officials throughout their investigation.

On Tuesday, the Express-News sent a letter to the court asking it to unseal filings in the case that arent publicly available. The trials set to begin Jan. 4.

Federal prosecutors said Uresti used his special relationship of trust with Cantu to convince the grieving mother to invest in a San Antonio oil field services company that later went bankrupt.

Cantu invested $900,000 with FourWinds Logistics  which she received as part of a wrongful-death settlement after two of her children were killed in a car accident.

Prosecutors argued in a sealed Dec. 7 court filing that the sexual relationship between Sen. Uresti and Ms. Cantu provides full context to their relationship and illustrates the special relationship of trust and confidence that Sen. Uresti then exploited to convince Ms. Cantu to invest with FourWinds, Urestis lawyers said.

Uresti previously has denied having a sexual relationship with Cantu as well as any wrongdoing with FourWinds.

Prosecutors say FourWinds was a Ponzi scheme. It went bankrupt in 2015 and sparked allegations from some investors, including Cantu, that they were defrauded.

Uresti, ex-FourWinds CEO Stan Bates and consultant Gary Cain were indicted by a federal grand jury in May on a combined 22 felony counts in connection with the companys demise. Each has denied the charges.

Cantu originally lied to the FBI and federal prosecutors about her relationships with Uresti and Bates, denying having a sexual relationship with either man in a January 2016 interview because she feared her children would find out and was both ashamed an embarrassed, according to FBI records provided by Urestis lawyers.

The FBI reports show Cantu told investigators her relationship with Uresti became intimate during her wrongful-death case. She recalled Uresti telling her, Damn, you look really sexy today when they were in an elevator on the day she had to give a deposition.

Cantu told the FBI Uresti later sent her a picture of his genitals that he took in a bathroom stall while he was shopping at a Dillards with his new wife, the FBI records state.

During one of Cantus visits to Urestis law firm to meet with Uresti about FourWinds Logistics, she was pulled into a restroom by Uresti where she performed oral sex on him, the FBI records said.

The two continued to exchange sexual texts and photos with each other, off and on for the past few years, according to one of the FBI reports.

There are some discrepancies in the timeline. One of the FBI reports said the physical relationship didnt start until after the wrongful-death case was settled, which would have been in 2012 or later. But another FBI record shows Cantu said the two had intercourse in 2011. She invested in FourWinds in 2014.

Uresti and his lawyers have disputed that he ever had a sexual relationship with Cantu. Urestis lawyer Tab Turner also denied Cantus claim that Uresti sent her a lewd photo while he was at Dillards.

Everybody looked at all of the relevant phone records and thats proven to be false, he said in an interview.

The government cannot inject fictional allegations of sex from a confessed liar to a once-existing attorney-client relationship, only to then deprive Sen. Uresti of the right to defend against such bold-faced untruths, his lawyers said in a Tuesday court filing.

Uresti was part of the legal team that represented Cantu in her wrongful-death case and recommended investing in FourWinds. She lost most of the $900,000 she invested while Uresti collected a $27,000 commission. He also was FourWinds lawyer for a time and was a 1 percent owner.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell declined to comment Wednesday.

Theyre implying that (Urestis) acting inappropriately for two reasons: No. 1, hes sleeping with a client, and No. 2, that this is one method to exert control over her, Turner said of prosecutors.

Cantu has a history and pattern of lying and that no sex ever occurred, Turner added. And even if it there was a sexual relationship, he said, it was not a method of asserting control and there is nothing in the State Bar of Texas rules forbidding a lawyer from sleeping with a client.

Urestis lawyers also say Cantu denied having sex with Uresti while on the witness stand in a November 2015 court hearing in Bates personal bankruptcy case. A transcript of that hearing, though, shows Bates lawyer only asked if she had dated Uresti. They never did, she answered.

Turner noted that a lot of the details surrounding the alleged relationship may not even come up at trial. You just never know until all of the motions are ruled upon, he said.

Separately, Annie's List  a political group that works to get Democratic women elected in Texas  called for Uresti's resignation after the Daily Beast reported last week that he had assaulted and harassed women in the state capital, citing anonymous sources. He called the accusations unfounded.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | pdanner@express-news.net | @AlamoPD
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Charming Charlies suppliers held up millions of dollars worth of inventory before the critical holiday season, forcing the cash-strapped retailer into bankruptcy court after years of declining sales and merchandising mistakes, court records show.

Houston-based Charming Charlie, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, explained in the filings that many of its vendors refused to ship merchandise unless it paid upon delivery. As much as $45 million in inventory is now stranded in distribution centers and ports, and the company has reported it has only $700,000 in cash.

Charming Charlie has three San Antonio locations, at The Rim, Alamo Quarry Market and the Village at Stone Oak.

Usually retailers have always tried to file after the holiday because they could get the Christmas sales, said Reshmi Basu, reporter with Debtwire, a debt market intelligence service. In this case, the vendor issues were so big that they couldnt wait.

Moodys Investors Service on Tuesday slapped a junk-bond rating on an outstanding $150 million loan to the company and said it would no longer monitor it.

The Chapter 11 filing could mark a turning point for Charming Charlie, which grew with abandon even as other retailers closed stores to account for online shopping and other changes in consumer preferences. Court filings show how the chain of about 390 jewelry and accessories boutiques, founded in 2004 by Houston entrepreneur Charlie Chanaratsopon, has for years been collapsing under its own weight during an especially challenging time for the entire industry.

Now, the company is seeking court approval of $20 million in new financing, as well as a $35 million asset-backed loan. It said the additional funding will let it meet its financial obligations during the bankruptcy process as it restructures its debt and operations.

As part of the overhaul, the company plans to close roughly 100 store locations, primarily in Texas, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Maine and Rhode Island. It also intends to invest more heavily in its website to boost e-commerce sales and rethink its merchandise.

Company executives could not be reached for comment.

Charming Charlie stores, glitzy and inexpensive, mimic the rainbow with clusters of merchandise grouped into 26 colors. That strategy, the company said, became a problem when customers rejected accessories in certain shades, forcing the company to resort to markdowns that ate into profit margins.

In 2014, it attempted to refine the brand by eliminating some product categories. The company said the move resulted in a dramatic decline in foot traffic, eroding the profitability of what had become a disproportionately large store base.

At the same time, the specialty retail sector became even more competitive as e-commerce giants such as Amazon, as well as direct-to-consumer upstarts and other players, jockeyed for market share. Adam Melvin, an analyst at S&P Global, said that dynamic compounded the companys missteps in merchandising and marketing.

Those did occur at the wrong time, he said. As a result, its challenges were accelerated.

Late last year, Moodys downgraded its rating on the Charming Charlies debt, warning the company would likely have to amend its payment terms as its performance deteriorated. It noted that the company, a relatively small player despite its fast growth, struggled to compete against companies with larger operations, wider selections and deeper pockets.

This summer, Charming Charlie devolved into crisis mode as cash flow slowed to a trickle. The company said in court filings that lenders, questioning its creditworthiness, had already begun to cut off shipments or refuse to release them.

At the end of October, CEO Chanaratsopon and then-president Steve Lovell both stepped down as the company negotiated with lenders to obtain $4.5 million cash needed to obtain some of the holiday inventory that suppliers had been withholding.

Chanaratsopon, who now serves as non-executive chairman of the board, still controls about 70 percent of the company along with other members of his family. Private equity firm Hancock Park Capital holds most remaining shares.

Basu said the company has focused on shoring up its finances and targeting struggling stores for closure. It hasnt released details of its new strategy.

Its too soon to tell what theyre doing to do, Basu said.
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Hidden in plain sight on San Pedro Avenue is the Mexican tacos archrival: the mighty Honduran baleada. Flour tortilla, mashed red beans, crema, crumbled queso duro. Thats it. But as any fan of the basic bean and cheese taco will testify, thats enough.

Sabor Latino divides its loyalties down the middle, with Honduran baleadas, platanos and tamales on one side and Mexican enchiladas, fajitas and tacos on the other. The little cafe does justice to both sides.

Tacos: Im granting the baleada compuesta ($2.99) honorary citizenship in this taco series. It carries the spirit if not the name, starting with the baleada sencilla (simple) formula of beans, crema and cheese and revving it up with scrambled eggs and avocado. The thick, tangy crema, the aromatic queso duro and the cool avocado tilt this breakfast tacos axis just enough to point toward Honduras.

The Mexican side of the menu acquits itself well with a carne la la mexicana taco ($1.99) packed with seared beef sweetened with pico de gallo from the grill. A taco with chorizo and potatoes ($1.75) was chopped into a homogenous crumble more like a casserole, with starch and grease and spice in perfect balance in a hot corn tortilla.

Tortillas: For baleadas and tacos alike, the shop makes its own flour tortillas, with the telltale opaque windowpanes of lard that keep the fluffed up layers soft from start to finish. The handmade corn was strong, rollable and full of flavor.

Salsa: For the hardcore Hondurenos, theres a bottle of Sabor Olanchano, made with tabasco peppers but sharper and tangier than the sauce by that name in the States. Sabor Latino makes its own super-hot chile de arbol red and an outstanding mild tomatillo verde.

More from Honduras: Fried plantains are part of a complete Honduran breakfast, and Sabor Latino keeps them simple, with a quick, caramelizing sear and a pool of thick, tangy crema. Ive had great Honduran tamales., but this dry, mealy cornbread in a husk was not one of them ($2.50).

Location: 5506 San Pedro Ave., 210-832-8220, Facebook: @5saborlatino5506

Rating: Solid neighborhood option

Follow the complete 365 Days of Tacos series at ExpressNews.com/Tacos. Get 365 Days of Tacos sent to your inbox. Sign up here.

msutter@express-news.net

Twitter: @fedmanwalking
This year, as Texas became the epicenter of the national fight for transgender rights, trans Texans streamed into Austin, eager to share their stories. In hearings that stretched into the early morning hours , they tried to convince legislators to not pass a so-called bathroom bill limiting restroom access for transgender people. The legislative effort ultimately failed , but the testimony made clear what at times was lost in the larger debate. The lives of real people  students, doctors, activists, parents, even public officials  hung in the balance.

Nationally, a broader battle was playing out. Soon after taking office, President Donald Trumps administration rescinded protections for transgender students in public schools. Later on, the president announced his intention to ban transgender individuals from military service, a policy now being fought in the courts.

Against this backdrop, four transgender teenagers in the San Antonio area were simply trying to live their lives and figure out who they were. For more than a year, the Express-News followed the young men through their transitions after they started attending Fiesta Youth, a San Antonio peer support group for LGBTQ youth. Their experiences were unique, but each wanted the same thing: to be respected, accepted, understood. To be themselves.

Adam Snow sat on a chair in his bedroom and strummed his guitar, tuning it as he prepared to play one of his favorite songs.

Taped to the wall behind him was his bucket list, jotted in black marker on a sheet of computer paper. At the top, hed written, Transition/get name change. Transition had been underlined once, change twice. Further down, get diploma was scribbled in between becoming a tattoo artist and getting a second cat. At the very bottom: dont wake up miserable, punctuated with a neat check mark.

When Adam began singing, his voice was low, barely audible over the thrum of the guitar.

I dont want to hate who I am anymore.

I need to change who I am.

I just want my mother and father to see Im trying and be proud to call me their son.

The 18-year-old had first heard Proud after purchasing an album at Warped Tour the year before. He had already admired the artist, Buttons, whom he met and hugged at the music festival. When he got home, he listened to the song on repeat.

The lyrics resonated powerfully with Adam, who had long felt uncomfortable with himself. Hed felt uncomfortable at school, where other kids made fun of the way he looked. Hed felt uncomfortable at home, where his dad talked about how hed always wanted a little girl and his mother was absent.

It wasnt as if Adam hadnt tried to be a girl. He had. In seventh grade, he had forced himself to wear feminine clothes, but he had just felt like a boy in a dress. The effort also failed to convince his classmates, who called him a butch lesbian and other derogatory names, though he didnt even like girls.

When he reached Stevens High School, he had convinced many of his teachers to call him Adam and use male pronouns. But his dad told them to call Adam by his legal name. Mark Snow knew kids could be cruel to those who were different and worried about Adam being picked on.

That all eventually came to an end, after Adam dropped out during his sophomore year. He had never excelled academically  hed failed second and seventh grades  and hed begun skipping classes where he was consistently misgendered. He felt like he didnt belong. He started experiencing paralyzing panic attacks. His dad agreed to take him out of school.

Adam still had nightmares where he was back in school, where everyone treated him like a girl. Hed scream at them in frustration before waking up, terrified.

In the face of all this, Adam often isolated himself, retreating to his room at the house he shared with his dad, aunt and grandfather on the West Side. There he spent hours finding artistic outlets for his creativity. He played the guitar. He listened to music. He filled notebooks with drawings that ranged from whimsical to gothic. And he experimented with makeup.

Although he felt masculine, Adam was deeply passionate about makeup and body art, and aspired to become a makeup or tattoo artist someday. To train himself, he watched the body-painting show Skin Wars and devoured online makeup tutorials. For hours at a time  often in the middle of the night, due to his night owl tendencies  he created elaborate looks of his own, uploading the finished products to his Instagram.

One night, Adam reached into a set of clear plastic drawers to retrieve an eye shadow palette and a cup brimming with brushes. He peered into a small pink mirror and blended in an eyebrow drawn in a bright blue to match his hair; Adam liked to work with bright colors that sometimes stained his skin. He trained the handle of a brush to line up with his nostril, a trick to ensure his brows were even. He painted his lips a light Blow Pony purple. He wiped excess powder on a rainbow-stained rag. He smoothed out mistakes with a Q-tip. He bit off a chunk of grape Airheads as he worked.

For Halloween one year, Adam created a look based on the movie Beetlejuice. Another time, he obscured his mouth with a line of spiky teeth but framed his eyes with long lashes and a soft, smoky purple. Once, he transformed himself into a pop art zombie, a feat that took him eight hours.

In Adams mind, experimenting with makeup did not negate the masculinity he internally felt. It was just another facet of who he was. He knew what people probably thought about transgender men who wore makeup. But why should he have to conform to societys idea of how a man should look and act?

As soon as a trans guy wears makeup, theyd be like, Are you de-transitioning now? Huh? You want to be a girl again? Adam said. Its really annoying because you still have to conform confine to gender roles, either way.

At one time, Adam rarely left the house except for Fiesta Youth on Tuesday nights and to attend gender therapy appointments with his aunt, his biggest ally.

Like Mark, Debra Snow had been flabbergasted when Adam told her he had been born in the wrong body. But the two had always been close, and Adam continued to confide in her and help her understand. In 2016, she went with him to the Pride Parade, where Adam marveled over merchandise emblazoned with LGBTQ rights slogans. There Adam learned about Fiesta Youth, which would become a major part of his social life.

Later that year, the family found Beth Owens, a licensed professional counselor intern who provided affordable counseling to LGBTQ patients.

Debra drove Adam to the appointments and sat with him in an airy room designed to relax clients. A bamboo plant sat in the corner. A diffuser puffed lavender oil into the air. Debra sat at one end of a tan couch and Adam sat at the other, hugging a pillow to his chest. Owens settled into a chair across from them.

For a while, Adam visited Owens every week. The purpose of the sessions was to help him cope with his gender dysphoria  the intense mental and emotional discomfort he felt about his body  and work through related issues: conflicts with family members, social problems, mental health issues including depression or anxiety.

Gender therapy is a crucial resource for transgender people in the early stages of transition. It serves as a gateway to other aspects of transition, such as starting hormone therapy or legally changing a gender marker  both often require a letter from a therapist certifying the individual is ready for those steps. Owens felt the sessions were a safe space for her clients to relieve anxieties about transitioning, talk through problems and rehearse living as their true genders.

Owens asked Adam if he had made any progress toward earning his GED diploma. He hadnt. His family kept putting it off as they waited to see what treatment Adam might need for a hip injury.

So, how are things with your dad? she asked.

Oh! I told him I go to gender therapy, Adam said.

What did he say?

Adam explained that his dad had kept trying to schedule other appointments during his therapy time. Finally, he told his dad where hed been going on Thursday afternoons. His dad, slow to come around to Adams desire to transition, would come to a session soon, he said.

So far, hes taking steps forward, Debra interjected. He hasnt gone back. But Im holding my breath.

He called me Adam yesterday, Adam said, excited. I literally write down every moment he calls me Adam.

The conversation shifted to the new binder Debra had bought Adam, a type of compression undershirt that helps give the appearance of a flat chest. Owens reminded Adam to follow the safety rules for binding  dont wear one for more than eight hours, buy a big enough size.

How are you doing when you look in the mirror? she asked.

Horrible.

What do you think about?

Adam paused.

I hate it, he said.

Like your breasts, specifically?

He nodded.

I just want to cover the mirror up.

As the months passed, Adam kept telling himself that transitioning would be easy, as long as he saved enough and stuck to his plan.

Things were more complicated.

One of his biggest hurdles was the costs associated with transitioning. His family didnt have much money to spare. Without a high school diploma, he struggled to find a job. He applied to Spencers and Zumiez, but had little luck. He grew depressed and stopped looking. At one point, he managed to save $200 toward legally changing his gender marker, but he still needed an additional $400. He ended up spending it around Christmastime. Starting testosterone would be an additional ongoing expense, one that Adam wasnt sure their insurance would cover.

For a few months, money got tight. Debra could no longer afford to cover Adams $50 sessions. They stopped going. In the meantime, Adam pestered his dad, who occasionally used his male name and pronouns and drove him to Fiesta Youth but was reluctant to move forward on other fronts.

When could he start the online GED program they had found? When they had money, his father said. When could he change his gender marker? Same answer. Adam thought his dad had always been slow to act on major life decisions and figured his transition was no different.

Frustrated, Adam began spending more time in his room again.

Then in March, Mark agreed to attend a therapy session. At the office, Adam took his usual seat on the end of the couch, beside Debra. He clutched a pillow.

So, Im glad to see you here, Dad, Owens said to Mark.

She looked over at Adam.

You look really happy.

Uh huh, Adam said cheerfully.

Owens asked how his dad was doing with using the right name and pronouns. Mark called him Adam sometimes, he said, but more often referred to him by a family nickname or his middle name.

So youve reached a point where you accept Adam for who he is? Owens asked.

Oh yeah. Thats my baby, Mark said, glossing over the familys struggles. Adam didnt press him.

And Debbie, how do you feel hearing all that? Owens asked.

Im glad. Because at first, he kept on saying it was a phase, Debra said. So Im glad that hes finally come around.

The conversation shifted to Adams mother, who had been in and out of his life since he was a child. A few months earlier, Adam had reconnected with her. It had been a year since he had told her he was transgender in a text message. Her response had been blunt: Youre ruining Gods plan. She did not approve of his appearance, either. She didnt like his blue hair, the gauges in his ears, the facial piercings, the black wardrobe.

Just before Thanksgiving, she had a change of heart and visited Adam. Upon seeing each other, they both started crying. His mother said she accepted him. For a while, they talked on the phone every day. Eventually, Adam found that level of contact smothering. The calls became less frequent, then stopped altogether.

You dont have any connection with your mom now, do you? Owens asked Adam.

No, Adam said.

You think thats for the best? Owens asked.

Yeah, Adam said. She stopped calling.

Its a lost cause, Mark said.

Owens asked about Adams education, which was still stalled. After he got his GED diploma, Adam said he hoped to get his name changed and start hormone therapy. The family was switching health insurance providers, and it was unclear if the new one would cover the hormone, which Owens said can run $100 a month out of pocket. Debras eyes widened.

At the end, Owens turned to Mark.

Thank you very much for coming today. I really genuinely thank you for being so supportive of him.

Thats my baby.

A lot of parents are like, Well, this isnt the child that I wanted.

Well, that dont play with me, Mark said.

As the family walked out of the office, Mark pulled Adam to his side and kissed the top of his head.

That was the last time Adam would attend therapy for the rest of the year.

An appointment the family scheduled for a couple weeks later never happened. Money became tight again. Without the sessions, Adam felt he had few people in his life he could talk to about being trans.

Adam was glad his dad had come to gender therapy but felt little had changed. Marks acceptance and understanding of trans issues were still a work in progress. He still struggled with using male pronouns and eventually avoided them altogether, instead calling Adam my child. Their conversations about T and top surgery stalled.

Toward the beginning of summer, Adams gender dysphoria became overwhelming. He was discouraged by the fact that the physical aspects of his transition had not yet begun. He grew depressed. He stopped doing makeup when it became too difficult to see himself that way. He deleted his extensive gallery of makeup art photos from his Instagram, without telling his family.

In June, when Fiesta Youth screened a documentary about a young transgender man who got top surgery and worked on his relationship with a less than supportive mother, Adam steeled himself. It made him sad to think that none of those things would happen for him. Shortly after that, he turned 19. Fiesta Youths age range was 12 to 18 years old. He couldnt go anymore.

Having been out of school for so long, Adam felt unmotivated to touch any of the GED coursework. Instead, he got a job working in the kitchen at a Wendys. Debra worried about how his education had fallen by the wayside.

By fall, it was time for Adam to adjust his expectations.

He opened a notebook. At the top of a page, he titled it Adams life plan in pencil. Underneath, he wrote 10 bullet points, marking each item with a star. By the end of the year, he wanted things that any 19-year-old wants  an iPhone 6 Plus, a new laptop, a drivers license.

Over the next two years, he hoped to start testosterone. Undergo top surgery and legally change his name. By 2020, he wanted to have finished his high school education online. Enroll in art school. Begin working as a tattoo artist and piercer. Save up enough money for his own apartment.

At the bottom, he wrote the new age range by which he wanted to finish transitioning: 25-27 age. Beneath that: maybe 30.
BOERNE  The City Council has endorsed Carbon Companies plan for apartments next to Cibolo Creek, along with offices and retail outlets at 17 Herff Road, after the firm offered concessions that include capping the height and number of apartments.

The 4-1 council vote on Tuesday to rezone about 14 acres of the 26.6-acre property to be multifamily residential, R4, marks a reversal from its 3-2 decision last April to zone the entire newly-annexed parcel as mixed use, MU1.

Things have changed from the original proposal  for the better, said Councilwoman Nina Woolard, who made the motion. Councilman Charlie Boyd was the lone no vote.

Woolard noted Carbon Companies had codified its concessions on the project, now called Legacy at Cibolo, with deed restrictions it filed at the Kendall County courthouse in recent days.

It shows good faith that they filed the restrictive covenants, she said Wednesday.

A second and final council vote is expected in January on the rezoning request which was endorsed by city staff and the planning and zoning commission.

Were obviously happy, James B. Griffin, the developers attorney, said Wednesday. This allows for what we believe is the best possible project on this property, and should set the standard for future developments in Boerne.

The promised restrictions include limiting the total number of apartments to 238 units, limiting buildings to no higher than two stories bordering the creek and three stories elsewhere, and designing buildings to fit Boernes character.

Carbon Companies also pledged to limit outdoor lighting and to use low-impact development practices to safeguard the environment.

It also will prohibit use of the site for gas stations, car washes, sexually oriented businesses, laundromats and other specified purposes, including fast food restaurants with a drive-through.

But not everyone is reassured by the guarantees that also include setting aside 2 acres as green space, a storm water pollution protection plan and a 150-foot development setback from the center line of the creek

It was worked out ahead of time and its an agreement that smells. We could have done better, said Bob Vollmer, who helped organize a local environmental group called Inspire Boerne in response to the firms original plan.

City spokeswoman Pamela Bransford said municipal staff and boards followed all legal requirements and performed their duties in a professional and ethical manner, acting in the best interest of the citizens.

Vollmer said Wednesday that obtaining compliance if the deed restrictions are violated may require concerned citizens to file a lawsuit against the developer.

Griffin confirmed that scenario, but said, It would be a pretty simple lawsuit if the violations were real.

He told the council Tuesday that denial of the zoning change could result, under its current zoning, in construction of 132 townhomes and 100 apartments there.

Boyd said he opposed the rezoning because he doesnt consider the project a good fit for Herff Road, even with the pledged concessions.

They knew they had a project that wasnt sellable, so they improved it. They kept networking and making minor changes until they got the council support they needed for what they wanted, he said Wednesday.

Last spring, an overflow crowd turned out to urge council rejection of city staffs proposal to initially zone 12 acres of the parcel multifamily residential, and the balance mixed use 2.

But only three residents spoke at a public hearing Tuesday that preceded the first vote on the rezoning request.

Vollmers wife, Dani Vollmer, said the development will threaten the Cibolo Creek and worsen already-bad traffic along Herff Road, which was recently widened and extended from Texas 46 to connect with U.S. 87 (South Main Street).

Saying hed prefer the land be left undeveloped, resident Richard McCormick told the council, To me this whole thing has been quite a fiasco.

Resident Emily Green applauded the safeguards spelled out in the restrictive covenants during the public hearing, and suggested some be incorporated into low-impact development guidelines now being drafted at City Hall.

Mayor Mike Schultz, who only votes to break ties, echoed remarks by Griffin and Woolard that the Legacy at Cibolo could be used as a model project for future developments locally.

The council has used this whole process to really solidify the type of (development) guidelines that we are looking for around our natural resources,Schultz said Wednesday.

Absent at Tuesdays meeting were representatives of the Cibolo Nature Center, located across the creek from 17 Herff, and the adjoining Herff Farm education center.

We feel that, ultimately, we got the outcome that we had hoped for, Carolyn Chipman Evans, executive director of the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm, on Wednesday. The deed restrictions basically mirror everything we asked for last year.

zeke@express-news.net
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By the time Bongo Joe arrived in San Antonio, around the time of HemisFair, hed been a musician for decades, initially as a pianist and then as a drummer.

Known almost exclusively by his nickname, Bongo Joe became part of San Antonios rich tapestry of interesting people as he spent years downtown, playing percussion on a set of 55-gallon oil drums strapped to a motorbike.

Born in Florida, George Coleman was orphaned as a child and moved to Detroit to live with extended family. His music career began there, and he became a notable musician, but the stories about his life and times  chronicled in old newspaper stories  are nearly over the top. (He once shot a heckler with a .44-caliber handgun, gave chase to a fleeing criminal and won the right to stay in a ramshackle cabin when the rest surrounding it were demolished.)

Jim Cullum Jr., a local jazz musician, knew Bongo Joe better than most.

He was a rhythm man. He had a great sense of rhythm, Cullum said in a recent interview. He could have been a real good drummer.

Apparently, that was Bongo Joes plan, according to old newspaper stories. Hed set his sights on joining a band but could never scrape together enough money to buy a set of actual drums. So he took to beating on oil barrels instead.

He would make a show out of taking out a hammer and banging on the steel barrel like he was tuning it, Cullum recalled. But it was a show.

Bongo Joe played around Texas, in Mexico and in New Orleans. When he was younger, he also played in Detroit. According to his biography on the website of the Texas State Historical Association, Bongo Joe even played with Sammy Davis Jr.

Bongo Joe was invited to participate in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival nine times. There he played piano once with Dizzy Gillespie. In 1976 he played on a 10-city tour as part of Gerald Ford's presidential campaign, says the biography posted on the historical associations website. In 1991 he appeared on three television programs called Almost Live from the Liberty Bar that aired on the San Antonio PBS affiliate KLRN. His performances stopped in the early 1990s, when he was diagnosed with diabetes and kidney disease. He died in San Antonio on Dec. 19, 1999.

When Bongo Joe first arrived in San Antonio  attracted to play to the crowds around HemisFair  Cullums father, also a musician, befriended and jammed with him, Cullum Jr. recalled.

My father would go up there and play the clarinet with him, he said. Sometimes, the three of us would play.

That generally happened after the Cullums played their gig at the Landing, their jazz club on the River Walk, he said.

Bongo Joe tended to start playing around 9:30 p.m., and hed wrap up around 2 a.m., Cullum said.

While the historical association and Cullum focused on the musical side of Bongo Joe, San Antonios newspapers chronicled the twists and turns of the performers life here.

Newspaper clippings from the 1970s and 80s portrayed a colorful character who played his steel drums while wearing a red velvet fez hat. Hed strap a microphone to his shirt and whistle as he played. But he was in the newspaper for more than his musical talents.

In the spring of 1978, Bongo Joe did a bit more than just play his downtown shows. An April 1, 1978, article, Bongo Joe apprehends suspect in strange way, explains that Bongo Joe helped in the arrest of an alleged shoplifter.

According to the story, the suspect stole some jewelry and sunglasses and then threatened a store worker with a knife. As the suspect fled, he ran past Bongo Joe, who pulled up on his mo-ped next to a patrol car and asked the officer why that man had run past him. The cops told Bongo Joe the man was a suspect in a robbery.

With that information, Joe moved up alongside the breathless suspect and asked if he could give him a ride. The breathless person nodded yes and he, too, climbed on the bike, the story said. Joe said he told the man he looked like he needed a cup of coffee and would buy him one.

The story continues, saying that patrol officers pulled up next to the bike and inquired if everything was OK. Joe apparently gave the officers a wink.

Finally, at Fourth Street and Broadway, Joe ploughed to a halt and got off the sagging mo-ped, the story said. The trailing officers immediately closed in and apprehended the suspect as he tried to get away.

Later that night, Bongo Joe was back at his spot near Alamo and Commerce streets, banging on his drums.

In the early 1980s, Bongo Joe had a bit of a housing crisis. He was living in the 12th Street Courts near the San Antonio Museum of Art. The museum had announced it was tearing down the vast majority of the housing structures along the river but had promised that Bongo Joe could stay in the one that wouldnt be demolished. Then, it appeared that he wouldnt be able to because the tenants who were there rescinded their offer to move.

Bongo Joe threatened to permanently relocate to Corpus Christi because of the situation, causing a stir among local leaders who saw him as a special part of downtown nightlife. Ultimately, though, the San Antonio Museum Association relocated Bongo Joe to a small cabin near SAMA.

Well, it looks like Ill be staying around, he told a local newspaper reporter in a May 1982 article.

Other newspaper stories tell of Bongo Joe offering $100  everything in his savings account  for the return of his stolen mo-ped, drums and P.A. system. He later found his things floating in the San Antonio River.

Then, in the mid-1980s, Bongo Joe found himself on the wrong side of the law after he shot a heckler at point-blank range with a .44-caliber handgun. In April 1983, Bongo Joe was playing to a crowd of about 30 people, including the heckler.

According to a police sergeant quoted in a newspaper article about the incident, the heckler made a threatening motion which Joe interpreted as an attack, the story said.

The victim apparently walked to the nearby McDonalds after he was shot and was then transferred to Medical Center Hospital and was treated for a bullet wound to the chest, the story said.

Bongo Joe was jailed overnight on a third-degree felony charge and then was released on his own recognizance, according to one newspaper article. Another report said someone posted a $5,000 bond for him.

The victim, Manuel Rubio, argued at the time that Bongo Joe should be banned from San Antonio.

If he shoots customers, hes not doing a good job of representing San Antonio, Rubio said in an April 14, 1983, article. And with Fiesta just around the corner, anyone with that kind of temper doesnt belong anywhere on the streets.

Ultimately, Bongo Joe received five years probation for the incident.

He continued to play on San Antonios downtown streets into the early 1990s. He died in 1999 after a diagnosis of diabetes and kidney disease.

jbaugh@express-news.net | Twitter: @jbaugh

COMING FRIDAY: Remembering an early Baptist Settlement.
Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is calling on the Senate of Canada to pass Bill C-49, The Transportation Modernization Act as quickly as possible. This Bill will give grain farmers and shippers important tools that will create a more accountable, fair and efficient rail transportation system. Growers are concerned that without these powers in place, there will be increasing delays and costs in getting grain to market.

International customers are always looking to Canada for our top-quality grains and oilseed products, but over the years our reputation as a reliable supplier has been put into question, in large part due to our rail logistics system, said Jeff Nielsen, GGC President. We are anxious to have the C-49 measures in place as they will not only give us some competitive options but will allow shippers to hold the railways accountable when they fail to meet their contractual service obligations.

The grains sector in Western Canada is now into its most critical time as the value chain works together to move another very large crop. We are already experiencing signs of deteriorating service, continued Mr. Nielsen. With car order fulfilments decreasing, growers are becoming increasingly concerned we will find ourselves in another devastating grain backlog like we experienced in 2013-14.

To rebalance the relationship temporary measures were put in place to address the 2013-14 grain crisis, including extended interswitching distances up to 160km. Those provisions expired in August 2017 and shippers have been left with no meaningful tools to secure accountable, fair and efficient service from the railways. Bill C-49 contains legislative amendments that will give shippers permanent tools, including access to reciprocal penalties, long haul interswitching and improved data collection and transparency.

The measures contained in C-49 have been a long time coming for the grain sector, said Art Enns, GGC Vice-President. We cannot afford another year without provisions in place that are critical to rebalancing commercial relationships and creating a more competitive and efficient rail environment. Grain farmers across Canada urge the Senate to do the right thing and pass Bill C-49 as quickly as possible.

Source : Grain Growers of Canada
a Canadian Meat Business exclusive by Chuck Jolley

No shame in that, the U.S. has been the major player in the worlds economy for about three fourths of that time. In North America, what Washington has decided to do absolutely ruled the financial roost.

But the Trump administration has walked away from one economic gold mine and stands ready to abandon another. With the Trump walk-out, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been reduced from the worlds largest trading block to just another interesting association of eleven trading partners. Now, hes taking dead aim at the long-standing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), throwing some unacceptable requirements into the mix and daring Canada and Mexico to call his bluff.

Understanding that markets abhor uncertainty and that Trump is the master of that dodgy art, it might be time for Canada to just say no to their historic tight entanglements with the U.S. Over the years, his business partners have learned that when Trump talks himself into a corner, as he has with NAFTA, he does not come out willingly. Admitting he was wrong and reversing direction does not come easily to him. Better to run the ship aground than to change course.



With the U.S. under Trump, the opportunity to fulfill that prognostication seems to be here, now!

With Trumps continuing work to disentangle the U.S. from its multi-lateral trading agreements to replace them with one-by-one deals with more countries than he realized ever existed, should Canada quit spending so much time looking south for economic leadership and work harder at forging more of its own deals, completely independent of the U.S.? The strength of at least two major industries  automobiles and agriculture  might depend on it. Recent negotiations prove those efforts can benefit the Canadian economy.

Several years ago, the Canadian Cattlemens Association noted that tariff free access for Canadian beef in Japan remains a subject of interest in terms of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and also the Japan-Canada Economic Partnership Agreement (J-CEPA). With the U.S. now out of the TPP, the prospects for greatly expanded trade in Canadian beef just entered the realm of certainty. Japans loss of interest in finalizing J-CEPA might mean that agreement is permanently off the table, though.

The CCA also said this about then-Prime Minister Stephen Harpers announcement that Canada and the Republic of Korea had reached a free trade agreement, the first between Ottawa and an Asian country. Under the terms of the agreement, the 40 per cent Korean tariff on fresh and frozen beef will be fully eliminated in 15 equal annual steps and the 18 per cent tariff on offals will be fully eliminated in 11 equal annual steps.

As part of the agreement, Canada will eliminate 97.8% of its tariffs for goods imported from South Korea, and South Korea will eliminate 98.2% of its tariffs for goods imported from Canada. More specifically, Canada will eliminate tariffs on imported South Korean automobiles within two years of ratification and South Korea will eliminate a 40% tariff on imported Canadian beef within 15 years of ratification. The agreement had an effective date of January 1, 2015.

For a century-and-a-half, Canada has been labeled the country of the future, a nation with huge potential. With the U.S. under Trump taking a new look at its dominant world position and how it should  or should not  go forward, the opportunity to fulfill that prognostication seems to be here, now.

Source: Meatbusiness
RW Thomas Agri Tours 2018  Trip To Brazil



Bob Thomas

RW Thomas Inc.

www.rwthomastours.com

P 519 633 2390

Starting in 2000, I have been taking small groups of farmers from Canada, USA and Europe to experience firsthand the many backroads and best kept secrets of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Galapagos and Colombia. In response to your requests, we are now taking groups for ag-ventures into Europe, the UK, Israel and Africa too.

You're warmly invited to join us: to travel paths less trodden, to meet good friends and farmers on other continents, and to return home with a suitcase full of unforgettable experiences.

In 2018, we are planning a January Brazil agricultural tour that starts in Amazonia, visits the mega-farms in Mato Grosso, the Show Rural (best farm show in Brazil), and ends at the spectacular Iguacu Falls

TRIP DETAILS





Sat Jan 27 Toronto, Ontario to Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Meals on flight.

COPA: Dep YYZ 07:45 / 13:37 PTY Dep PTY 16:04 / 20:57 MAO :12hr

Clear Customs: Transfer & check into upscale Tropical Hotel on the

banks of the river for 4 nights. See: www.tropicalmanaus.com.br



Sun Jan 28 B L

09:00 Depart for the " Meeting of the Waters " passing the city river

front ... Houses on stilts, Floating Docks, Markets, Floating Gas

Stations, Industrial Zone . Arrive at Meeting of waters where the Amazon River joins the Rio Negro.

Lunch at a Floating Restaurant and exploration of the flooded

forest: See giant kapok trees and the water lily pads (largest in

the world). Then explore the natural channels by boat and fish

for Piranhas. Return to Manaus late afternoon cruising the Rio

Negro. Dinner on your own at the Hotel.



Mon Jan 29 B L

09:00 Depart on a Field trip to a Farm where we'll see the largest edible fresh water

fish in the world, the Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas). Tour passes through the

Rain Forest. Lunch at a typical Amazonian Fish

Restaurant near the city of Manacapuru (drinks

incl.) Visit local fish exporters and a fish farm along

the Amazon River. Return to Manaus late afternoon.

Dinner on your own at the Hotel



Tue Jan 30 B L

Morning city tour of Manaus (Banana Market, Old City Market, Fish Market,

Opera House) with lunch at a Churrascaria (Brazilian BBQ)

Afternoon visit to INPA (Amazon Research Institute) Return to the hotel.

Dinner on your own



Wed Jan 31 B

09:30 AM Guided visit to the Hotel Zoo accompanied by the Zoo Veterinarian

Check out Hotel Tropical. Drive to Manaus airport for 4.5 hr flight to Cuiaba in

Mato Grosso state. Transfer & check into Hotel Hits Pantanal for one night.

See: www.hitspantanal.com.br



Thu Feb 1 B L D

08:00 Check out. Depart Cuiaba by AC bus for Lucas do Rio Verde on the

Soybean Highway BR 163 (332 Kms from Cuiaba to Lucas (5 hrs) through

the Cerrado: Brazils newest ag frontier of mega

farms. Lunch en route at Nova Mutum. Traveling the

entire trip past Soybeans, we arrive at Lucas in time

to enjoy the pool at Odara Hotel (2 nights)

(www.odaralucas.com.br ) Group Dinner at the Hotel



Fri Feb 2 B L D

08:30 Depart to Mano Julio I Farm to see cattle feeding after soy harvest.

http://www.manojulio.com.br Lunch at the Farm. This 4,800 ha farm has

swine, poultry, dairy & beef cattle in addition to soybeans & other crops.

After Lunch we tour the cropping & cattle feedlot. Return to the hotel to

enjoy the hotel pool side. Dinner at a local Restaurant



Sat Feb 3 B L D

08:30 Depart for Q&A with ag technicians during a soybean harvest field

visit. Lunch. After lunch, a visit to Elevator / Storage facilities / Machinery

Return to Cuiaba. Check into hotel. Dinner



Sun Feb 4 B

Departure day. Time permitting, a presentation at the hotel from

Aprosoja, the state soybean association. Then travel to airport in

Cuiaba for 4 hr flight to Iguacu Falls; where Paraguay, Argentina &

Brazil meet.



Arrive 18:40 at Iguacu Falls. Meet guide. Transfer to Hotel Mabu

Thermos Grand Resort (www.hoteismabu.com.br) for 4 nights



Mon Feb 5 B

Visit farms in Parana state near Cascavel.

This state is where Agricultlure in Brazil

actually began. Youll see a contrast to the

Cerrado farms. Return to Hotel.



Tue Feb 6 B

Visit Show Rural in Cascavel: the best outdoor farm show in Brazil.

Return to Hotel. Lunch & Dinner on your own.



Wed Feb 7 B

Tour of Iguassu tourist sites: Iguassu falls from Brazil side, Itapua

Hydro electric dam, Paraguay border, etc.

Return to Hotel. Lunch & Dinner on your own.



Thu Feb 8

Check out hotel. Depart for Toronto via Sao Paulo

& Panama City. Arrive Toronto 23:52.

Flight time: 14.5 hrs

GOL Airline: Depart IGU 06:10 / 07:55 GRU

Depart IGU 13:00 / 17:05 PTY Depart PTY 18:18 / 23:52 YYZ

For more information visit www.RWThomasTours.com
To mark the release of Star Wars The Last Jedi Disney had two martial arts experts delighting Londoners with a spectacular lightsaber duel as Jedi fever hit the UK ahead of the highly anticipated release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Thursday.

Star Wars The Last Jedi

Shania West, a trained stunt fighter, and Anton Simpson-Tidy, a world champion martial arts athlete, were given Lightsabers to train with for a week before staging the duel on Londons Southbank to mark the nationwide film release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, on December 14th.

Teenagers at a London skateboard park were treated to an unexpected and jaw-dropping performance of martial arts skills, tricks, flips and swordsmanship.

From day one of our shoot here in the UK the feeling of excitement and love for Star Wars has been palpable; and if you grew up loving Star Wars, you grew up loving lightsabers commented Writer & Director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson The cast trained for months to perfect their lightsaber skills, so its really impressive to see what these two Jedi-in-training have put together in just a few days.

Disney commissioned Star Wars fan and photographer Matt Scutt to create a series of stunning light trail pictures using the famous Jedi weapon. The Instagram sensation, who has over 307,000 followers, and is famous for his long exposure photographs toured the UK this week to produce the remarkable set of images with Star Wars fans wielding a variety of different coloured sabers.

Passerby in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool witnessed the photoshoots, with Matt teaming up with Star Wars fans in each city to create images, which took over four hours each to complete.

Photographer Matt Scutt said: I've been a fan of Star Wars since I was kid  so to be given the chance to capture lightsabers in action was a dream project.

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of the UKs biggest film of all time, The Force Awakens, join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is released in UK cinemas on Thursday 14th December.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed the recent breakthrough in a joint report from Brexit negotiators from the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) under which the rights of EU citizens in the UK will be protected and vice versa. A deal has been struck by both sides to bring the first phase of Brexit negotiations to an end.There will also be no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed the recent 'breakthrough' in a joint report from Brexit negotiators from the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) under which the rights of EU citizens in the UK will be protected and vice versa. A deal has been struck by both sides to bring the first phase of Brexit negotiations to an end.#

UK and EU officials will meet this week for a European Council summit and need to provide official backing for the deal to allow the next phase of negotiations to begin.EU citizens constitute a large proportion of the retail industry in the UK, and the BRC had warned of a workforce shortage if their rights were not protected, according to British media reports.BRC hopes that consumers wont face higher costs or delays from tariffs or onerous customs barriers, BRCs Europe and international policy adviser William Bain said. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Egypts Home Textiles Export Council (HTEC) has demanded a mechanism to enable exporters of home textiles to benefit from the Central Bank of Egypts (CBE) initiative of facilitating funds for the industrial sector. President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi had earlier announced injection of LE 200 billion to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).HTEC head Said Ahmed said in a statement that surpluses in the allocations for SMEs by the CBE could be used for establishing new production lines and raising production capacity in addition to creating jobs, according to Egyptian media reports. The organisation wants a meeting with CBE governor Tarek Amer in this regard.

Egypt's Home Textiles Export Council (HTEC) has demanded a mechanism to enable exporters of home textiles to benefit from the Central Bank of Egypt's (CBE) initiative of facilitating funds for the industrial sector. President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi had earlier announced injection of LE 200 billion to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).#

Export councils were assigned by the trade ministry to prepare sectoral plans including ways to increase Egypts exports globally. The ministry of industry and trade wants to double exports during the coming period.Due to competition from East Asian nations, the home textile sector needs the CBEs initiative, Said said. Exports of home textiles increased by 3 per cent in the first nine months of 2017 to reach $375 million compared with $365 million in the same period last year, according to HTEC data. The council aims to increase its exports to $600 million by the end of 2017.Forty Egyptian companies will participate in the Heimtextil-International Trade Fair for Home and Contract Textiles to be held in Frankfurt between January 10 and 13 next year, HTEC said. The country will also participate in DOMOTEX, the annual international exhibition focussed on carpets, in Hanover, it added. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Teijin Limited, a global technology company from Japan, has announced that it has fully transferred the production of its primary polyester-fibre brands to Teijin Polyester (Thailand) Limited (TPL), a subsidiary of Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. TPL. TPL is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is the hub of Teijins strategic global polyester-fibre production.Teijins global polyester fibre business is supported by free trade agreements, such as the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ASEAN China Free Trade Agreement, as well as increasing cooperation within the group, including between Teijin bases in Japan and Nantong, China.

Teijin Limited, a global technology company from Japan, has announced that it has fully transferred the production of its primary polyester-fibre brands to Teijin Polyester (Thailand) Limited (TPL), a subsidiary of Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. TPL. TPL is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is the hub of Teijin's strategic global polyester-fibre production.#

Teijin has positioned Thailand as a hub for global operations including not only polyester materials but also aramid fibre production and sales and polycarbonate resin sales, which are expected to contribute to Teijins global business in high-performance materials. Teijin is also expanding healthcare operations and conducting R&D into advanced medical equipment, such as artificial joints, in Thailand. Going forward, Teijin intends to leverage Thailand as a core ASEAN base that will create new value for global society.The Teijin Group announced dramatic restructuring initiatives and forward-looking transformation and growth strategies in its revised medium-term management plan in November 2014. Under the plan, initiatives have included the transfer of polyester filament yarn and staple fibres production from factories in Iwakuni and Tokuyama, Japan to TPL. Also, polyester fibres production and processing have been consolidated in Thailand and Matsuyama, Japan. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2017) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Gary Barnett, Deputy Director in the Division of Trading and Markets, will retire from the agency at the end of the year.

Since January 2015, Mr. Barnett has overseen the division's Office of Broker-Dealer Finances, Office of Derivatives Policy, Office of Trading Practices, its Volcker rule team, and its participation in various global regulatory initiatives. In addition, he has been a member of the agency's Cybersecurity Working Group and its Fintech Working Group and has been its senior most representative on multiagency groups including the Senior Supervisors Group and the Supervisors Roundtable on Governance Effectiveness. In the course of his work for the agency, Mr. Barnett has provided vision and leadership in connection with advancing broker-dealer supervisory practices in the areas of capital, liquidity, margin, risk management, culture and conduct, governance effectiveness, new products, and outsourcing and vendor risk. He also significantly contributed to the agency's work on broker-dealer cybersecurity and fintech, including blockchain, big data and artificial intelligence. He focused on the uses of fintech by regulators and the ways in which new technologies may affect the regulatory approach.

"Gary has provided valuable leadership on a number of important rulemaking and policy initiatives and his dedication to promoting strong capital markets has served investors well," said Chairman Jay Clayton.

"Gary has been an insightful and innovative leader of our broker-dealer supervisory efforts," said Brett Redfearn, the Director of Trading and Markets. "Gary has made invaluable contributions by proactively focusing attention and pursuing progress on a variety of emerging issues, from risk management to cybersecurity to fintech."

Mr. Barnett said, "It has been a great honor to serve at the Commission. I have been privileged to work with extremely talented and dedicated staff members and to contribute to the Commission's important work on a number of fronts."

Before Mr. Barnett joined the SEC in January 2015, he was the director of the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight at the CFTC from 2011. Prior to joining the CFTC in 2011, he was a partner at Linklaters LLP in New York and head of its US derivatives and structured finance practice, and before that he was a partner at Shearman and Sterling LLP in New York and co-head of its structured finance and derivatives group.

Mr. Barnett earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Tulsa, his J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of law and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law. He has been an adjunct professor in derivatives regulation at Cornell Law School, is co-chair of the Practising Law Institute's annual programs on fundamental and advanced derivatives, and is a member of the New York, California and Oklahoma bars.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2017) - Watusi Capital Corp. (TSXV: WAS.H) ("Watusi") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arm's length non-binding letter of intent dated December 5, 2017 ("Letter of Intent") with Prospex SpA, BLC SpA and CALISTO SpA (collectively, the "Optionors") respecting an option to acquire from the Optionors a 100% interest (subject to existing underlying royalties) in certain mineral properties with prospective copper and gold targets located in northern Chile (the "Properties") and the purchase from the Optionors of related databases (the "Transaction"). The Properties cover 130,000 hectares of prospective projects in the Antofagasta copper region and the Maricunga gold - silver region. The Optionors are 49% owned by Altius Minerals Corporation of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Watusi was incorporated under the laws of Alberta in October 2011 and continued into British Columbia in May 2016. Its head office in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Watusi is a "capital pool company" under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. The Transaction is intended to constitute its Qualifying Transaction under the TSXV policies. Trading of Watusi's shares has been halted at Watusi's request and will remain halted pending the TSXV's receipt of satisfactory documentation and the issuance of a comprehensive press release.

Watusi and the Optionors intend to enter into a definitive agreement respecting the Transaction. Watusi will then issue a press release in accordance with the policies of the TSXV containing details of the definitive agreement and additional terms of the Transaction, including the proposed directors and officers of Watusi upon completion of the Transaction.

The Transaction

Pursuant to the Transaction, the Optionors will grant to Watusi the exclusive right and option to acquire a 100% interest in the Properties (subject to existing underlying royalties) (the "Option") and will sell to Watusi the related databases. In consideration of the grant of the Option and the sale of the databases, Watusi will issue to the Optionors, following a consolidation of its common shares on a 3-for-1 basis (the "Consolidation"), 11,200,000 common shares ("Common Shares"). To exercise the Option, Watusi must incur cumulative expenditures of at least $750,000 on the exploration and development of the Properties within 18 months from the closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"), of which at least $500,000 must be incurred within 12 months following the Closing.

On or before the Closing, Watusi will be continued from British Columbia to become a federal company under the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Consolidation will be effected and Watusi's name will be changed to "Aethon Minerals Corporation". Watusi will call a meeting of shareholders to approve these actions.

Upon Closing, the board of directors of Watusi will consist of six members, to be comprised of a new Chief Executive Officer nominated by the Optionors, one nominee of Watusi and four nominees of the Optionors. It is expected that Robert Davies will be appointed as Watusi's Chief Executive Officer upon Closing. Mr. Davies is an engineer with an MBA and over 15 years of experience in the mining industry. He has played a key management roles within Barrick, Kinross, Inmet and most recently GE Capital (Mining). Mr. Davies has been recently involved with several South American project developments in Chile, Argentina Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Sponsorship of a Qualifying Transaction of a capital pool company is required by the Exchange unless exempt in accordance with Exchange policies. Watusi is currently reviewing the Exchange's requirements for sponsorship and intend to seek a waiver of the sponsorship requirements.

Private Placement

As a condition to the Closing, Watusi will complete a private placement ("Financing") of subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") to raise minimum gross proceeds of $4,000,950 and up to $7,701,000 at an issue price of $0.51 (on a post-Consolidation basis) per Subscription Receipt. Each Subscription Receipt will entitle its holder to receive, without payment of additional consideration or further action, upon Closing, one Common Share and one common share purchase warrant of Watusi (a "Warrant") exercisable to purchase one Common Share for five years from the Closing at an exercise price of $1.02. If, after the Closing and the expiry of the four month restricted resale period, the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSXV is higher than $1.55 for any 20 consecutive trading day period, the expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated by Watusi to the 20th trading day after the end of such 20 day period by issuing a press release announcing the acceleration within two business days.

Watusi has agreed in the Letter of Intent to appoint Sprott Capital Partners, a division of Sprott Private Wealth LP, and Sprott Global Resource Investments, Ltd. as finders in connection with the Financing (the "Finders"). The Finders will have the right to allocate a minimum of $3.8505 million of the Financing to their affiliates and clients and will be entitled to receive a cash commission equal to 6% of the proceeds of the Financing raised by them and such number of finder's warrants equal to 6% of the number of Subscription Receipts placed by them. Each finder's warrant will be exercisable for one Common Share for 24 months from the Closing at an exercise price of $0.51.

The net proceeds from the Financing will be held in escrow and invested by an escrow agent to be appointed by Watusi in accordance with a subscription receipt agreement to be entered for such purpose. Watusi will be required to satisfy the necessary conditions to the release of the proceeds on or before the Closing. The escrowed proceeds, following their release to Watusi upon Closing, will be used for exploration and generative activities on the Properties and for general corporate purposes.

Cautionary Statements

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

This press release may contain forward-looking information, such as statements regarding the completion of the Transaction, the Financing and the use of the proceeds of the Financing, the resumption of trading of the Common Shares, planned corporate changes, the calling of a shareholders' meeting, the composition of the board of directors and management team following Closing, and future plans and objectives of Watusi. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions (including assumptions in connection with the continuance of Watusi as a going concern and general economic and market conditions) that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including risks relating to the ability to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Transaction and the Financing and to complete Watusi's obligations to exercise the Option. Actual results may differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. Watusi assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this release, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information unless and until required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Watusi's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedar.com.

For further information please contact:

Watusi Capital Corp.

Michael Atkinson

President, Chief Executive Officer,

Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary

(604) 689-1428

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - BP Plc (BP.L, BP_UN.TO, BP) announced that it has more than doubled the total computing power of its Center for High-Performance Computing (CHPC) in Houston, making it the most powerful supercomputer in the world for commercial research. Increased computing power, speed and storage reduce the time needed to analyze large amounts of seismic data to support exploration, appraisal and development plans as well as other research and technology developments throughout BP. The Center for High-Performance Computing provides critical support to BP's upstream business segment, where it serves as the worldwide hub for research computing. BP's computer scientists and mathematicians at the CHPC have enabled industry breakthroughs in advanced seismic imaging and rock physics research to help with reservoir modelling. BP's downstream business also is using the supercomputer for fluid dynamic research to study hydrocarbon flows at refineries and pipelines to improve operational safety. Working with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Intel using HPE's Apollo System and Intel's Knights Landing processors, the recent upgrade has boosted the processing speed of BP's supercomputer from four petaflops to nine petaflops. A petaflop of processing speed is one thousand trillion floating point operations, or 'flops,' per second. The supercomputer has a total memory of 1,140 terabytes (1.14 petabytes) and 30 petabytes of storage, the equivalent of over 500,000 iPhones. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.




DENSO CORPORATION Sadayoshi Yokoyama, Toshiko Watanabe Phone: 81-566-25-5594 Fax: 81-566-25-4509 sadayoshi_yokoyama@denso.co.jp toshiko_watanabe@denso.co.jp

TOKYO, Dec 14, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - DENSO Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation today announced to conduct the world's first test using a quantum computer to process data from a traffic IoT platform. The companies will process vehicle location and travel data in real-time from about a130,000 commercial vehicles in Thailand, aiming to establish best practices for quantum computer applications in transportation.This type of technology will be essential in the connected era, when vehicles and mobility systems need to process large amounts of data in real-time. DENSO will present the concept and overviews at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018) in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States from January 9 to 12, 2018.The test will collect and analyze location information from about 130,000 taxis and trucks in Thailand through cloud-based quantum computer devices developed by Canada-based D-Wave Systems Inc. DENSO and Toyota Tsusho will also implement quantum computer-based data analysis and processing technologies from TSquare, a traffic information service application from Toyota Tsusho group company Toyota Tsusho Nexty Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. DENSO will create an algorithm to process and analyze quantum computer-based data, and Toyota Tsusho will integrate the algorithm into a new application on TSquare's platform. Findings will help guide application development to make transportation more efficient, from traffic decongestion to route optimization for emergency vehicles.Unlike conventional computers, quantum computers perform calculations to find an enormous number of combinations simultaneously, and can analyze certain data more than 100 million times faster than conventional computers. Algorithms like the one DENSO will develop will also be key to translate the calculations into decisions, making the future of mobility a reality.About Toyota Tsusho CorporationToyota Tsusho Corporation was founded in 1948 as the trading company for the Toyota Group. Today, Toyota Tsusho operates in more than 120 countries with approximately 58,000 Group employees, all striving to contribute to the creation of prosperous societies. Toyota Tsusho continues to expand as a global leader in vehicle exports and automobile production support. The company has seven operating divisions (Metals/ Global Parts & Logistics/ Automotive/ Machinery, Energy & Project/ Chemicals & Electronics/ Food & Consumer Services/ Africa) focused around three business fields. These are the Mobility field, which contributes to future convenient societies, the Resources & Environment field, which ensures sustainable societies, and the Life & Community field, which supports comfortable and healthy lifestyles.About DensoDENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions and employs nearly 140,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, totaled US$39.8 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.Source: DensoContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Hitachi Ltd Corporate Communications Tel: +81-3-3258-1111

SINGAPORE, Dec 14, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) announced today that it held its Board of Directors Meeting in the Republic of Singapore where Hitachi's headquarters for the ASEAN region is located. This is Hitachi's first Board of Directors Meeting in the ASEAN region, and the fifth outside of Japan. Under the 2018 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi aims to become "an Innovation Partner for the IoT Era" by focusing on expanding Social Innovation Business globally. Discussion at the meeting centered on Hitachi's growth strategy from 2018 onwards and includes means of harnessing the growth potential of the ASEAN region, which is expected to drive the world economy in future.In the ASEAN region, as momentum in the regional economy accelerates with integration of the market through various partnerships including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), other various plans for the region including strategies relating to Infrastructure Export and Economic Corporation of the Japanese government, and the One Belt, One Road initiative of the Chinese government continue to raise growth expectations. In addition, Singapore and Malaysia, aiming to take the lead in introducing groundbreaking technologies and to forge ahead with nonstop industry innovations, announced their adoption of a regulatory sandbox. With a burgeoning market underpinned by a population of over 600 million people and the most advanced expertise as reflected in the wisdom of FinTech, ASEAN is a region brimming with untapped potential.ASEAN is a key region in Hitachi's global strategy. Since establishing the Singapore office in 1963, Hitachi has engaged in a wide range of enterprises and projects over the past 54 years. During this period, businesses in the region has grown to approximately 500 billion yen at present. In addition to receiving orders for major projects in 2016 including the Red Line Mass Transit System Project in Thailand, and the Proton Therapy System for the National Cancer Centre Singapore, Hitachi has been playing an active role in a wide range of social innovation projects to realize a smart, peaceful, safe, and comfortable society in recent years. Among these are an electricity distribution system which incorporates a gas-blast load-break switch that contributes to electric power network stability, elevators to support urbanization, and security systems. In Vietnam, Hitachi participated in a joint cashless settlement project and is strengthening its approaches through cooperation with local stakeholders, including an agreement to cooperate with the EEC Development Policy Committee to establish an IoT engineering center which will contribute to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project in Thailand.Bearing in mind this market environment, Hitachi's performance to date and the application of Hitachi's IoT technology, the Board of Directors discussed the ASEAN regional strategy focusing on the following four core businesses: (1) urban infrastructure to contribute to urban development, (2) digital infrastructure to contribute to social stability by enhancing efficiency and transparency of government administration, (3) enhancement of manufacturing and logistics efficiency to realize an advanced streamlined cross-border supply chain unique to the ASEAN region, and (4) a service platform that will bring about QoL improvement in people's lives by linking B-to-C companies with the aim of expanding the customer base and the middle class which requires high-quality services. Through its commitment to these core businesses, Hitachi aims to expand business in the ASEAN region from the current level of approximately 500 billion yen to 700 billion yen by 2021.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Contact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 14, 2017) - Nevada Zinc Corporation (TSXV: NZN) ("Nevada Zinc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that majority owned Generic Gold Corporation ("Generic Gold") has provided the Company with an update on exploration activities completed at the Goodman and Seattle projects, approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Mayo and immediately southwest of Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold project, Yukon Territory. The Company owns 25 million shares (approximately 75% of the issued and outstanding shares) of Generic Gold.

The work completed during the 2017 field season consisted of reverse circulation drilling, induced polarization ("IP") geophysics, soil sampling, prospecting, and geological mapping. Additionally, the land positions at the Goodman project and the nearby Seattle project were significantly increased, and a NI-43-101compliant technical report was completed. A summary of the highlights of the work completed can be seen in the accompanying map (link to figure 1).

President and CEO of Nevada Zinc, Bruce Durham commented: "When we initially acquired the main block of Goodman claims in 2010 there was virtually no history of exploration in the entire area west of the Victoria Gold property despite the fact that the Goodman property covered the headwaters of a number of gold bearing placer creeks. Solid exploration programs by us, and now Generic Gold, have resulted in the definition of a significant extension to the structural domains on the Victoria Gold property for kilometres farther to the west through the Goodman property. Numerous gold exploration targets have been defined on the property, the first of which were drill tested this year. This drilling was the first ever completed on this camp scale project located immediately adjacent to the southwest of Victoria Gold's Eagle gold deposit. Of particular importance is the fact that significant disseminated sulphides were discovered in association with quartz vein material in several locations".

The Goodman project covers an area of roughly 19 x 5 kilometres, located 40 kilometres northwest of Mayo, and is accessible by a government maintained all-season road. The project is contiguous with Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Project (Proven & Probable Reserves 2.67Moz Au (Victoria Gold Corp. Feasibility Study, October 26, 2016)), along the interpreted extension of the Potato Hills Trend. The Goodman property includes claims inside the Victoria Gold property very close to and covering the extension of the historic Peso silver mine adit. The Goodman property is also proximal to Alexco Resource's Keno Hill Silver District project and Golden Predator's Gold Dome project.

The 2017 work program consisted of:

NI-43-101 Technical Report

Carl Schulze, P.Geo, of Aurora Geosciences completed an independent technical Property of Merit report on the Goodman Project on October 13, 2017.

The report determined that the Goodman Project represents a "property of merit" due to widespread geochemical anomalies, potential geological setting, and proximity to the Eagle and Olive zones within the adjoining Dublin Gulch property held by Victoria Gold Corp. Mr. Schulze determined that the results of geochemical sampling to date indicate a gold +/- silver bearing system, with an associated pathfinder element signature, typical of Intrusion-Related Gold mineralization.

The recommendations of the report included: ground-based geophysics, including magnetic, VLF, and IP; continued extension of the existing soil sampling grids; geological mapping, prospecting, and trenching; a study on gold grains from proximal placer mining sites; and RC drilling.

This report will be filed on SEDAR by Generic Gold.

Induced Polarization Geophysical Survey

A high-resolution IP survey was completed in the Murphy's Creek area of the Goodman project. Eighteen chargeable anomalies were identified, some of which are directly coincident with geochemical anomalies identified in previous exploration campaigns.

Reverse Circulation Drilling (RC)

An RC drilling program was completed following receipt of both the Goodman 43-101 technical report and the IP survey results. Eleven drill holes were completed for 850 metres of drilling, targeting high priority geophysical and geochemical anomalies. Drilling intersected significant intervals of alteration (silica, sericite, carbonate) along with quartz veining and disseminated sulfides (dominantly pyrite, with lesser arsenopyrite and stibnite).

Soil sampling, prospecting, and geological mapping

Soil sampling and prospecting was undertaken in underexplored areas of the large property, while follow-up grid sampling and geological mapping was conducted in areas identified as anomalous in previous exploration campaigns. A total of 71 rock samples and 333 soil samples were taken during the duration of the field program.

Staking

The land position at Goodman and the neighbouring Seattle property were significantly expanded by 51 and 96 quartz claims, respectively.

The combined land package at the two properties is now roughly 12,000 hectares, or 574 Quartz claims.

Results are pending and will be released by the Company once they have been received from Generic Gold.

References

JDS Energy & Mining Inc., 2016, NI 43-101 Feasibility Study Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada, effective September 12, 2016, p. 1-11

About Generic Gold

Generic Gold was incorporated pursuant to the Business Corporation Act (Ontario) on May 30, 2017. Generic is a Toronto based mining company exploring targets in the Tintina Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory. The company purchased its Yukon property portfolio from Nevada Zinc, who currently own approximately 75% of Generic Gold's common shares. Since incorporation, Generic Gold has raised approximately $2.4 million to fund 2017 and 2018 exploration programs and has completed diamond drilling on its Livingstone project, trenching on its VIP project, and reverse circulation drilling on its Goodman project.

For information on Generic Gold's property portfolio and exploration activities, visit the company's website at genericgold.ca or contact Kelly Malcolm, President and CEO, at kmalcolm@genericgold.ca or 647-299-1153.

About Nevada Zinc

Nevada Zinc is a discovery driven, early-stage mineral exploration company with a proven management team focussed on identifying unique opportunities in mineral exploration that can provide significant value to its shareholders.

While the Company continues to maintain a significant equity interest in the highly prospective Yukon gold properties through its majority ownership position in Generic Gold Corporation ("Generic Gold"), the current focus of the Company is the exploration and advancement of the Lone Mountain Zinc Project comprised of 224 claims covering approximately 4,000 acres near Eureka, Nevada.

The Lone Mountain Zinc Project is located in east-central Nevada and is easily accessible via paved and gravel roads northwesterly from Eureka where all essential services are available. The Project includes options, leases or purchase agreements to acquire 100% interests in all properties along the key structural trend for more than 4 kilometres.

The Company has completed 83 reverse circulation drill holes on its Lone Mountain Zinc Project and recently completed an initial 13 hole core drilling program on the property. Results from the RC drilling programs showed numerous broad intervals of medium to high grade non-sulphide zinc mineralization in two locations where the zinc mineralization is located between surface and a depth of approximately 250 metres.

The Company also recently obtained the right under an option agreement to earn up to an 80% interest in the MacBride Zinc Project in northern Manitoba (see the Company's press release dated October 23, 2017).

Additional information about the Company is available on the Company's website: www.nevadazinc.com.

Bruce Durham P.Geo, President and CEO of Nevada Zinc, is a Qualified Person, as that term is defined by Canadian regulatory guidelines under National Instrument 43-101, and has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release. For further information please contact:

Nevada Zinc Corporation

Suite 1660 141 Adelaide St. West

Toronto, Ontario M5H 3L5

Tel: 416-504-8821

Bruce Durham, President and CEO

bdurham@nevadazinc.com

www.nevadazinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, the ability to complete the Business Combination, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
WINNERSH, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/17 -- Vernalis PLC (LSE: VER)

14 December 2017

LSE: VER

AGM Statement

Tuzistra XR prescriptions continue to grow steadily, despite a reduction in narcotic prescribing

Vernalis plc ("Vernalis" or the "Company") provides an update ahead of its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") being held today at 10.30 am at the offices of Covington & Burling, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH.

Highlights

Tuzistra XR prescriptions continue to grow steadily, up 85% on prior year (1 July to 1 Dec)

- With c.70% of 2017/18 cough cold season remaining, Tuzistra XR needs to see an acceleration in prescription growth to achieve the annual guidance of 105,000-115,000 prescriptions

- Next update: end of Q1 2018 - in conjunction with interim results release

- With c.70% of 2017/18 cough cold season remaining, Tuzistra XR needs to see an acceleration in prescription growth to achieve the annual guidance of 105,000-115,000 prescriptions - Next update: end of Q1 2018 - in conjunction with interim results release CCP-06, our non-narcotic cough cold product candidate, continues to progress

CCP-07 and CCP-08 NDAs remain on track for approval during 2018/19 financial year

Research business continues to perform well

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis commented: "We are encouraged by the steady growth in Tuzistra XR prescriptions, despite the general negativity, in the US, surrounding the use of narcotic-based drugs. Whilst we need to see acceleration in prescription growth to achieve our total prescription market guidance of a threefold increase in prescription volume, we are early in the cough cold season and the US commercial team is executing a disciplined plan to accelerate growth over the coming months."

Tuzistra XR and the cough cold franchise

Tuzistra XR scripts grow 85%

Tuzistra XR prescriptions for the 22 weeks from 1 July 2017 to 1 December 2017, the latest weekly data available, are up approximately 85% on the equivalent 22 week period of the prior year. Although we have seen steady growth, this growth will need to accelerate in the four months to March 2018, when typically almost half of the annual cough cold prescriptions are written (2016/17 approximately 49% of annual total), if we are to achieve our target growth of 200% over the prior year. We will provide a further update at the end of Q1 2018 when we announce our interim results for the six months to 31 December 2017.

Total cough cold market opportunity remains intact, however narcotic segment continues to decline

The growth in Tuzistra XR prescriptions seen in the first 22 weeks of 2017/18 is against a background of a continuing decline in the narcotic portion of the prescription cough cold market. Year-to-date, the combined prescribing of codeine and hydrocodone-based cough cold products is down 13% compared to the same period in the prior year, which itself was down 14% compared to 2015/16. Over the past two years, the combined prescribing of codeine and hydrocodone cough products has fallen by 25%. This decline in prescribing reflects continued public focus on the level of usage of opiate based products that are prescribed to treat pain. Although the use of opiates in a short term acute setting to treat cough cold is not the principal area of concern, we are still seeing a significant impact on prescribing.

In addition to this decline in the level of narcotic prescribing, restrictions on the size of narcotic prescriptions have also been introduced by some US States, health insurance plans and physicians. This has resulted in a decline in the average size of a Tuzistra XR prescription from approximately 160 mL in the prior year to approximately 145-150 mL in the current year-to-date. This decline in prescription size will have an impact on the net sales value of each Tuzistra XR prescription.

CCP-06, our non-narcotic cough cold product continues to progress and will allow us to fully exploit potential of franchise

The prescription cough cold market comprises both narcotic and non-narcotic based products and the dynamics highlighted above only impact the narcotic portion. This is important because of the mix of cough cold products in our portfolio. We have one non-narcotic product in development (CCP-06) and our two most advanced pipeline products (CCP-07 and CCP-08), like Tuzistra XR, are both targeting the narcotic portion of the market but include additional active ingredients that can extend their market reach.

CCP-07/08 NDAs still on track for approval during 2018/19 financial year

In April 2017 and August 2017, we announced that we had received Complete Response Letters (CRLs) for CCP-07 and CCP-08 respectively and would provide further information related to the issues raised by the FDA and the implications on the timing of their re-submissions and potential approvals. We are now able to provide updated information regarding these CRLs.

In early 2017, FDA undertook an inspection at Tris and identified certain non-product related issues needed to be addressed. Given the issues identified, FDA determined that it was unable to approve CCP-07 on its 20 April 2017 PDUFA date and instead issued a CRL, indicating that these issues needed to be addressed before re-submission of the NDA could occur. On 4 August 2017, although Tris had made good progress in addressing the issues, FDA was unable to approve the CCP-08 NDA and issued a CRL for that product. The CRL for CCP-08 indicated that the FDA wanted evidence that the issues identified in its inspection at Tris did not impact the CCP-08 NDA. This evidence includes manufacturing new batches of CCP-08 and could require repeating the pivotal bio-equivalence studies on which approval was sought.

Tris is working diligently to address the issues raised by FDA and specifically as they relate to the NDAs for CCP-07 and CCP-08. This includes the support of external expert consultants and regular discussions with FDA. We continue to believe that both NDAs are approvable and could potentially be resubmitted and subsequently approved during our 2018/19 financial year.

Moxatag

We continue to progress qualification of a new supplier of Moxatag and expect to be back in supply during 2018. We continue to focus on increasing pharmacy stocking since its re-launch in September and will provide a more detailed update when we announce our interim results at the end of Q1 2018.

Research Business continues to perform well

The research business continues to perform to plan having secured a EUR 1m milestone from the third collaboration with Servier (as recently announced) as well as two new collaborations, including one recently announced with Daiichi Sankyo.

Cash position is in line with expectations

The Company's unaudited cash position (including cash and cash equivalents and held to maturity assets), remains strong and at 11 December 2017, was  48.9 million. The cash position has been negatively impacted by the weakening of the US dollar since 30 June 2017, with a significant proportion of our cash denominated in that currency.

No additional material information or updates on trading will be given at Vernalis' AGM today. The presentation to be given will be available on the company website after the AGM.

-- ends --

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Enquiries Vernalis plc: +44 (0) 118 938 0015 Ian Garland, Chief Executive Officer David Mackney, Chief Financial Officer Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nominated Adviser and +44 (0) 20 7523 8000 Joint Broker): Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor Emma Gabriel Shore Capital (Joint Broker): +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 Mark Percy Toby Gibbs FTI Consulting: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000 Ben Atwell Simon Conway Stephanie Cuthbert Stern Investor Relations, Inc: + 1 212 362 1200 Stephanie Ascher Jane Urheim

Notes to Editors

About Vernalis

Vernalis is a revenue generating, commercial stage pharmaceutical company with significant expertise in drug development. The Group has three approved products: Tuzistra XR targeting the US prescription cough-cold market; Moxatag, a once-daily formulation of the antibiotic, amoxicillin, indicated for the treatment of tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis secondary to Streptococcus pyogenes in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older; and frovatriptan for the acute treatment of migraine. It has an exclusive licensing agreement to develop and commercialise multiple novel products focused on the US prescription cough-cold market as well as eight programmes in its NCE development pipeline. Vernalis has also significant expertise in fragment and structure based drug discovery which it leverages to enter into collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies. The Company's technologies, capabilities and products have been endorsed over the last five years by collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Asahi Kasei Pharma, Biogen Idec, Endo, GSK, Genentech, Lundbeck, Menarini, Novartis, Servier, and Tris.

For further information about Vernalis, please visit www.vernalis.com.

Vernalis Forward-Looking Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events including the clinical development and regulatory clearance of the Company's products, the Company's ability to find partners for the development and commercialisation of its NCE pipeline, the Company's ability to successfully commercialise its cough-cold products and Moxatag through its own sales force, as well as the Company's future capital raising activities. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the ability of the Company to identify and agree beneficial terms with suitable partners for the commercialisation and/or development of its products, as well as the achievement of expected synergies from such transactions, the acceptance of Tuzistra XR, Moxatag, frovatriptan and other products by consumers and medical professionals, the successful integration of completed mergers and acquisitions and achievement of expected synergies from such transactions, and the ability of the Company to identify and consummate suitable strategic and business combination transactions.

Contact:

RNS

Customer Services

0044-207797-4400

rns@londonstockexchange.com

http://www.rns.com




AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands, 2017-12-14 08:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellium N.V. (NYSE:CSTM) (Euronext Paris:CSTM) was a recipient of the 2017 Defense Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Achievement Award in the category of Enhancing Military Capability, for its contributions as part of the U.S. Army's Affordable Protection from Objective Threats (APOT) ManTech program. This prestigious award recognizes individuals from government and the private sector whose ManTech projects result in system enhancements to improve military performance. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68e38fad-3faf-4e30-a5b9-f36be acd1e8d http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf7a4334-a53f-4d16-93e8-b4675 9b3ae03 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e879c70c-2b59-4251-bce9-af68d 7e8940b Dr. Bryan Cheeseman, Team Leader, Material Manufacturing and Technology Branch of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) nominated Constellium for its efforts in development and maturation of the industrial scale processing of aluminum armor plate for forming single piece combat vehicle hulls. A collaborative team consisting of BAE Systems Land & Armaments, ARL and Constellium developed, fabricated and demonstrated enhanced hull solutions applicable to tracked combat vehicles (Military Tanks). The Constellium Defense team was tasked to come up with a large formed hull solution, increasing the underbelly protection for the warfighter. The hull plates, produced at Constellium's plant in Ravenswood, West Virginia, were live fire tested with excellent results, which were utilized by U.S. Army experts to generate requirements for future Army combat vehicles. This technique offers the Army redesign flexibility not available with alternative solutions. "The hull passed all objective threats and demonstrated capability allowing for the U.S. Military to increase the hull requirements for all tracked vehicles moving forward. This step up in threat level protection is expected to lead to decreased injuries and fatalities for our soldiers in the battlefield. Constellium is proud to be a part of this accomplishment," said Ken Blake, Constellium's Director Business Development Transportation and Industry. About Constellium Constellium (NYSE:CSTM) (Euronext Paris:CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated 4.7 billion of revenue in 2016. www.constellium.com Forward-looking statement Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Tender Offers, the Redemption, the Satisfaction and Discharge, our business, results of operations and financial condition, and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and conditions. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as, but not limited to, "believes," "expects," "may," "should," "approximately," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," likely," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions (or the negative of these terminologies or expressions). All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Many risks and uncertainties are inherent in our industry and markets. Others are more specific to our business and operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Constellium and Wise Metals to achieve expected synergies and the timing thereof, Constellium's increased levels of indebtedness which could limit Constellium's operating flexibility and opportunities; the potential failure to retain key employees, the loss of customers, suppliers and other business relationships; disruptions to business operations; slower or lower than expected growth in the North American market for Body-in-White aluminium rolled products, and other risk factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and our registration statement on Form F-3, filed on October 30, 2017, and as described from time to time in subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The occurrence of the events described and the achievement of the expected results depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Delphine Dahan-Kocher - AMERICA Corporate Communications Phone: +1 (212) 858-9963 / delphine.dahan-kocher@constellium.com Christel des Royeries - EUROPE Corporate Communications Phone: +33 1 73 01 46 73 / christel.des-royeries@constellium.com Ryan Wentling - Investor Relations Phone: +1 (212) 675-5450 / investor-relations@constellium.com
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 3:30 am ET Thursday, IHS Markit will release the German flash manufacturing and services PMI figures for December. The composite PMI is forecast to drop marginally to 57.2 in December from 57.3 in November. Ahead of the data, the euro rose against its major rivals. The euro was worth 0.8803 against the pound, 1.1655 against the franc, 1.1824 against the greenback and 133.31 against the yen as of 3:25 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


SAN JOSE (dpa-AFX) - Checkout the few notable companies that are scheduled to release quarterly financial results on Thursday, December 14, 2017.



- Growing Cloud Footprint To Bolster ADBE Q4 - COST Q1 Likely To Benefit From Holiday Weekend Sales - Growth And Diversification Strategy To Boost JBL Q1 Results - Will Cloud Propel ORCL Quarterly Performance?



Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) is due to release its Q4 results after the bell today with analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimating earnings of $1.16 per share on revenue of $1.95 billion.



The software giant is significantly growing its cloud footprint in the creative space well beyond its loyal base of creative professional customers.



On Track To Achieve Q4 Targets:



* Sees revenue of about $1.950 Bln * Projects GAAP EPS of about $0.86 * Expects non-GAAP EPS of about $1.15.



Year-Ago Numbers:



* GAAP Net income - $399.6 Mln * GAAP EPS - $0.80 * Non-GAAP net income - $452.6 Mln * Non-GAAP EPS - $0.90 * Revenue - $1.61 Bln



FY18 Preliminary Outlook:



* Total Adobe revenue of about $8.7 Bln * GAAP EPS of about $4.40 * Non-GAAP EPS of about $5.50



**



When Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) publish its Q1 financial results before the bell today analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to report earnings of $1.34 per share on revenue of $31.47 billion.



Year-Ago Numbers:



* GAAP Net income - $545 Mln * EPS - $1.24 * Total Revenue - $28.1 Bln



Positive holiday weekend sales momemtum is expected to propel the retailer's quarterly performance.



* Q1 net sales up 13.3% to $31.13 bnl from $27.47 bln last year. * Q1 Comps up 10.5% * Q1 E-commerce sales up 39% * November Comps grew 10.8% * November net sales up 13.2% to $11.26 bln from $9.95 bln last year * Sept. sales up 12.1% * Oct. sales rose 10.1%



Monthly Comparable sales, excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange, were up 7.9%, with a 8.4% rise in U.S., a 6.3% increase in Canada, and 7.2% rise in Other International comparable sales.



While this year's twelve-week first quarter included one less sales day than the first quarter last year (due to the shift of the Thanksgiving closure this year), pre-Thanksgiving and Black Friday/holiday weekend sales fell into the first quarter this year compared to the second quarter last year. Combined, these factors produced an estimated net benefit of about 1.5% in the U.S., and slightly less worldwide.



**



Jabil Inc. (JBL) is slated to report Q1 results today after the market closes. Wall Street analysts are looking for earnings of $0.79 per share on revenue of $5.5 billion.



Year-Ago Numbers:



* GAAP net income - $88.0 Mln * GAAP EPS - $0.47 * Core net income - $129.6 Mln * Core EPS - $0.69 * Net revenue - $5.10 Bln



Q1 Guidance:



* Projects total company revenue in range of $5.25 bln - $5.75 bln * Sees core EPS of $0.65 - $0.91 * Expects GAAP EPS of $0.17 - $0.49



FY Outlook



* Sees FY18 core EPS of $2.60 * Expects FY19 core EPS of $3.00



The company continues to invest in additive manufacturing in 3D print, automation and robotics, smart factory and digital platforms, as well as material sciences, to support diversified growth in revenues and income in Healthcare, Packaging, Automotive, Industrial, and capital equipment end-markets.



**



Oracle Corp. (ORCL) will publish financial results for its second quarter after the market closes today. Analysts estimate earnings of $0.68 per share on revenue of $9.57 billion for the quarter.



Year-Ago Numbers:



* GAAP net income - $88.0 Mln * GAAP EPS - $0.47 * Core net income - $129.6 Mln * Core EPS - $0.69 * Net revenue - $5.10 Bln



The results are likely to benefit from the growing customer adoption of Cloud products & services, and the company's on premise business that remains very resilient. Also, technical innovation, strategic acquisition, stock repurchases, prudent use of debt, and a dividend are expected to positively reflect in Oracle's quarterly performance.



Ingles Markets Inc. (IMKTA), NQ Mobile Inc. (NQ), Nevada Gold & Casinos Inc. (UWN), Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM), Scholastic Corp. (SCHL), and iKang Healthcare Group Inc. (KANG) are also lined up to release their quarterly results today.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Credit ratings reaffirmed as Group welcomes record visitor numbers for festive season

Luxury resort hospitality company The Resort Group plc (TRG) said today that ARC Ratings, S.A. (ARC Ratings) has reaffirmed its corporate 'BBB' issuer medium and long-term rating with a 'Stable' outlook for the Group.

The rating agency said this was driven by the Group's capacity to further develop its activities, leveraging Cape Verde as a secure, political and socially stable emerging touristic market, and its ability to generate funds with an increasing contribution from leisure and hospitality revenues.

ARC Ratings initially assigned the investment-grade credit rating to TRG in December 2016. In reaffirming the rating, the agency said TRG's key rating drivers are its strong business model, relationships with leading international hotel brands, guaranteed occupancy agreements, modest leverage and experienced management team.

TRG's experienced management board has designed a business model which allows the Group to reduce its risks by sharing part of its potential profitability with its partners, including accommodation unit investors, construction contractors, Hotels and Resort operators and international tour operators.

The company attracts strong international hotel brand operators to its hotels and resorts, including Melia, Sensimar (TUI Group), Hilton Worldwide and Steigenberger brands. The strength of these relationships is evident in the minimum occupancy agreements TRG has secured with TUI Group for at least the first three years of operation, with a potential two-year extension.

Rob Jarrett, CEO and founder of The Resort Group, said: "We welcome the reaffirmation of these investment-grade credit ratings. They are testament to the strength of our business model and our relationships with the world's leading international hotel brands and tour operators. We have the largest resort and hotel pipeline in Cape Verde, an increasingly important and popular tourist destination. The islands saw a 13% increase in visitors in 2016 and we expect our resorts to benefit strongly from the expected growth through 2017 and beyond."

- Ends -

About The Resort Group

The Resort Group plc (TRG) is a world-class luxury resort hospitality company specialising in creating five-star holiday resorts and hotels. The Group has strategic partnerships with leading hotel and tour operators, which include TUI Travel, Melia Hotels International, Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts and Hilton Worldwide.

TRG has the largest resort and hotel pipeline in the rapidly growing tourist destination of Cape Verde, with two award-winning beach resorts open at MELIA Tortuga and MELIA Dunas. In December 2016, TRG opened two new hotels, TUI Sensimar Cabo Verde and MELIA Llana Beach Hotel and the new exclusive Bikini Beach Club. There are a further 10 projects in the pipeline.

For more information about The Resort Group https://www.theresortgroupplc.com

About ARC Ratings

ARC Ratings, S.A. is an international credit rating agency based in Europe and registered with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Gathering the know-how and background of five experienced partner agencies on four continents, ARC Ratings takes advantage of its global reach, local expertise and network-based approach to best serve issuers and investors by assigning stable credit ratings that optimally identify credit risk.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214005533/en/

Contacts:

Hudson Sandler for The Resort Group

Alex Brennan and Sophie Lister

020 7796 4133

resortgroupplc@hudsonsandler.com
Agilesphere, a partnership of talented experts dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the challenges we face as a society, has been awarded the renewal of a contract to work with the Ministry of Justice. Building on the success of previous work with the department, the team will be continuing their work, transforming the digital justice service to assist English and Welsh citizens resolve civil money claims. Civil money claims allow civilians to claim money they are owed by a person or business. The reformed service will make all parts of the process from starting court proceedings through to the judgements more modern, transparent and consistent.

The service is part of wider Government reforms, with over 700m invested in the courts and tribunals system in order to make it stronger, faster and easier to use. The reforms also aim to give an improved experience for all that use it and better value for the taxpayer. Reforms include making more virtual interactions possible, such as online mediation and dispute resolution, ensuring that claims are dealt with in a proportionate way.

Commenting on the project, Jeremy Renwick, Founder of Agilesphere, said: "We're delighted to be supporting the Ministry of Justice to redesign the civil money claims service. The justice system in England and Wales is admired as one of the best in the world, and it is highly important that it keeps up with changing needs and expectations of citizens. With the existing online service not yet supporting all claims, we're focussed on making a radical shift. This service will make the whole civil money claims process more efficient, and deliver a just, proportionate and accessible experience for all users."

Having successfully completed the Discovery and Alpha phases of the project, Agilesphere is now working closely with the Ministry of Justice, alongside other consultants, on the Beta pilot phase. The work so far has evaluated the needs of citizens, establishing ideas about how to best meet these. The service being built will enable users to start small claims (less than 10,000) online and allow defendants to respond online. The continuation of the contract awarded to Agilesphere will see the team develop the solutions further, based on the technology developed during the Alpha phase. The Beta phase is set to be available for public use in 2018.

Agilesphere is a 100-strong community of experienced consultants who specialise in using agile techniques and working practices to transform services, organisations and society for the better. The organisation has supported a wide range of government and private sector organisations in delivering transformational change at scale. The civil money claims service is just one of many of the digital service projects at the Ministry of Justice that Agilesphere is supporting the department on.

www.agilesphere.eu

http://www.twitter.com/Agilesphere

www.linkedin.com/company/agilesphere

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214005543/en/

Contacts:

For further information please contact:

Lodestone Communications for Agilesphere:

Fran O'Leary

fran.oleary@lodestonecommunications.com

07980582254
Imperial Leather and Original Source owner PZ Cussons warned on Thursday that first-half operating profits will be around 10% lower than the previous period due to reduced margins in some business units in Europe and Africa. In an update for the half year to 30 November, the company said strong profitability in Asia was being offset by reduced margins in Europe and Africa as a result of the economic environment and competitive trading conditions. However, the performance of these businesses is ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4:00 am ET Thursday, IHS Markit will release Eurozone composite PMI for December. The index is seen at 57.2 in December versus 57.5 in November. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major rivals. While the euro fell against the pound, the yen and the greenback, it rose against the franc. The euro was trading at 0.8801 against the pound, 1.1670 against the franc, 1.1826 against the greenback and 133.34 against the yen as of 3:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2017 / Drilling the first holes into a lithium prospective basin is a high risk business, because if you miss, or the lithium grades are low, the market tends to punish the company vigorously by selling hard as investors turn their back on the stock and move on to their next gambling frenzy. On the other hand, this could create an outstanding buying opportunity for those that still believe in the company and know that - in most cases - it's never the first hole that makes a discovery.

This could very well be true for Belmont Resources Inc. (TSX.V: BEA; Frankfurt: L3L1) and its Kibby Basin Project in Nevada, 65 km north of the famous Clayton Valley.

In June of this year, the lithium explorer reported assays from its first 2 holes, showing up to 200 ppm lithium in sediments. This was a promising discovery as it made official that there is lithium in the Kibby Basin. However, investors - at that time - were not looking for "promising" results in sediments, they wanted to see high-grade lithium in aquifers as that's also the pay zone in the near-by Clayton Valley. So as they did not get what they wanted to see, the stock took a dive at 5 cents and reached a bottom 4 months later at 2.5 cents. After a recent financing at 3 cents for the next round of exploration, the stock currently trades at 5 cents again. With management and insiders taking the lion's share of that financing, this may give confidence that they still believe to hit it big time with the next round of drilling.

And today, Belmont made a striking announcement that could be the missing piece of a puzzle for the question of where to drill the next couple of holes on its large property to finally discover high grades of lithium in the aquifer pay zone.

The full report can be accessed with the following links:

English (web version): http://rockstone-research.com/index.php/en/research-reports/3950-The-Missing-Puzzle-Piece-to-Discover-Lithium-Aquifers-in-the-Kibby-Basin-of-Nevada

English (PDF): http://rockstone-research.com/images/PDF/Belmont7en.pdf

German (PDF): http://rockstone-research.com/images/PDF/Belmont7de.pdf

German (web version): http://rockstone-research.com/index.php/de/research-reports/3951-Das-fehlende-Puzzle-Stueck-zur-Entdeckung-von-Lithium-Aquifer-in-Nevadas-Kibby-Basin

Disclaimer: Please read the full disclaimer within the full research report as a PDF as fundamental risks and conflicts of interest exist.

SOURCE: Rockstone Research
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4.30 am ET Thursday, the Office for National Statistics is scheduled to release UK retail sales for November. Economists forecast retail sales to grow 0.4 percent on month in November, slightly faster than the 0.3 percent increase seen in October. Ahead of the data, the pound rose against its major rivals. The pound was worth 0.8796 against the euro, 1.3277 against the franc, 1.3443 against the greenback and 151.67 against the yen as of 4:25 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the global aviation community are invited to registerfor World ATM Congress 2018 - the world's largest international air traffic management (ATM) exhibition and conference.

Air navigation service providers (ANSPs), aviation industry leaders, government representatives, manufacturers, and suppliers are welcome to attend World ATM Congress 2018. Held in Madrid on 6-8 March 2018, World ATM Congress offers unparalleled insight into key issues in the ATM industry, hands-on experience with the latest products and innovations, and the opportunity to engage each other on the newest solutions to challenges in ATM.

Expected to draw well over 7,500 attendees from 130+ countries and territories, World ATM Congress 2018 will welcome over 80 ANSPs, government organisations and aviation industry partners, and more than 220 exhibitors.

The Conference Programme theme is Rapidly Changing Skies - Around the World, and it will explore how the ATM industry is embracing a golden opportunity for proactive, transformational change and overcoming current challenges. Renowned aviation industry leaders Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu (ICAO) and Eamonn Brennan (EUROCONTROL) will give keynote addresses, while Nancy Graham (Graham Aerospace International) and David McMillan (ATM Policy Institute and Gatwick Airport) will chair CEO-level sessions on autonomous operations and changing partnerships. The Conference will also include new quick-fire speed chats on changing skies in the regions.

World ATM Congress 2018 features six education theatres in its world-class Exhibition Hall. New this year is the FABEC Ops Theatre, a forum dedicated to ATM operations and the unique challenges facing airspace users. The theatres will provide over 100 hours of programming, including product launches and demonstrations, panel discussions, research findings, and more.

Registration is now open, with discounted early registration rates available up to 31 January 2018.

About World ATM Congress

World ATM Congress (www.worldatmcongress.org) is the world's largest international air traffic management (ATM) exhibition and conference attracting over 7,500 people each year.

Operated by CANSO in partnership with ATCA, World ATM Congress brings together the world's leading product developers, experts, stakeholders, and air navigation service providers (ANSPs). Aviation thought leaders gather for three days of conference sessions, product demonstrations and launches, contract closures, and educational and networking opportunities in Madrid, Spain.

Contact Abigail Glenn-Chase

Telephone 1.703.299.2430

Email Abigail.Glenn-Chase@worldatmcongress.org

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/619315/World_ATM_Congress_Logo.jpg
Invesco Asia Trust plc

Half-Yearly Financial Report

For the Six Months to 31 October 2017

KEY FACTS

Invesco Asia Trust plc (the 'Company') is an investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Investment Objective

The Company's objective is to provide long-term capital growth by investing in a diversified portfolio of Asian and Australasian companies. The Company aims to achieve growth in its net asset value (NAV) in excess of the Benchmark Index, the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index (total return, in sterling terms).

Investment Policy

Invesco Asia Trust plc invests primarily in the equity securities of companies listed on the stockmarkets of Asia (ex Japan) including Australasia. It may also invest in unquoted securities up to 10% of the value of the Company's gross assets, and in warrants and options when it is considered the most economical means of achieving exposure to an asset.

The Company is actively managed and the Manager has broad discretion to invest the Company's assets to achieve its investment objective. The Manager seeks to ensure that the portfolio is appropriately diversified having regard to the nature and type of securities (such as performance and liquidity) and the geographic and sector composition of the portfolio.

Full details of the Company's investment limits are on page 6 of the 2017 annual financial report.

Performance Statistics

The Benchmark Index of the Company is the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index (total return, in sterling terms).

Terms marked ' are defined in the Glossary of Terms on page 65 of the 2017 annual financial report.

SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 OCT 2017 Total Return Statistics(1): -Net asset value' (NAV) 14.8% -Share price 13.4% -Benchmark index' 15.5% Capital Statistics AT 31 OCT AT 30 APR % 2017 2017 CHANGE NAV' 330.0p 291.3p +13.3 Share price(1) 287.0p 257.0p +11.7 Benchmark index(1) - - +13.5 Discount' per ordinary share: -cum income 13.0% 11.8% -ex income 11.7% 10.3% Average discount over the six months/year (ex income)(1) 10.1% 10.9% Gearing' : -net cash 2.0% 2.6%

(1)Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT INCORPORATING THE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Chairman's Statement

Performance

Asian equity markets have continued to make strong gains over the past six months, underpinned by an upturn in corporate earnings revisions and solid global economic expansion. Sentiment towards Asian equity markets benefited from stable economic growth in China, helped by robust consumer spending, and evidence that the authorities are succeeding in their attempts to rebalance the economy away from investment-led growth. While the markets have risen, Asia continues to be an attractive place to invest for the long-term given our portfolio manager's perspective and focus on valuations.

I am pleased to report that the Company's strategy has delivered a solid performance albeit marginally behind the benchmark's return. Over the six month period to 31 October 2017, the net asset value per ordinary share on a total return basis increased by 14.8% compared to the benchmark index, the MSCI All Countries Asia ex-Japan Index, which returned 15.5% (in sterling terms). Over the same period, the Company's share price return was less at 13.4%, a direct consequence of the discount to net asset value widening from 10.3% to 11.7%. Rising discounts generally were a feature in the sector, with the average across our peers increasing from 7.6% to 8.0%. Over the six month period under review, the Company's average discount (ex income) was 10.1%, marginally above the Board's desired discount of 10%.

On a longer term basis, the NAV and share price total returns of the Company continue to be excellent, with both comfortably ahead of the benchmark as shown in the table below.

Total Return 3 years 5 years 10 years NAV 63.8% 116.3% 174.1% Share Price 61.3% 114.6% 180.5% Benchmark 51.5% 78.0% 103.6%

Tender Offer and Discount

As detailed in my Chairman's Statement in the 2017 annual financial report, the Company sought and was granted shareholder approval on 10 August 2017 to implement a 15% tender offer. As a result 15% of the Company's ordinary issued share capital (12,514,241 shares) was bought back at a 2% discount to NAV. The price per share was 312.8857p. Following this share buy back the share capital consisted of 74,999,881 ordinary shares including 4,085,406 shares held in treasury.

As also explained in my Statement, the Board concluded that a continuation of the tender arrangement was not in shareholders' long term interests and therefore this arrangement has been discontinued. The Board remains committed to seeking to control the discount, and believes that it is desirable that the Company's shares should trade at a price that, in normal market conditions, represents a discount of less than 10%. Accordingly the Board sought, and obtained, shareholder approval to buy back up to 14.99% of its shares at the AGM, and will use this facility if the Board determines this to be in the best interests of shareholders and the Company.

Dividend

For the six months to 31 October 2017, the revenue per ordinary share was 4.65p (2016: 3.64p). As has been the case in previous years the Board does not intend to pay an interim dividend. At the last AGM held on 10 August 2017, a final dividend of 4.30p per share was approved and this was paid to shareholders on 14 August 2017.

Borrowings

The Manager has the freedom to borrow within a range set by the Board according to the overall limit of the Company's investment policy which permits gross gearing of up to 25% of net assets. The Board has set a working range of up to 15% of net assets. In practice, borrowings in the period have been minimal so that net gearing was generally less than 1%. At 31 October 2017, the Company, on a net basis, was not geared and held cash of 2.0%. At the date of this report the Company remains ungeared.

Board Composition

Through the Nominations Committee, the Board regularly reviews composition and succession planning for the Company. Following the retirement of the Audit Committee and Management Engagement Committee Chairman James Robinson at the last AGM, Fleur Meijs has taken over the chairmanship of these committees. To further strengthen the Board, an external facilitator, Trust Associates, was engaged to conduct a search for an additional Director and consequently Neil Rogan was appointed as a non-executive Director on 1 September 2017. Mr Rogan has broad experience of investment companies both as an investment manager and as a non-executive director. He was director of Global Equities at Henderson Global Investors and has held senior positions as an investment manager at Gartmore Investment Limited. The Board believes that Mr Rogan will bring a wealth of investment management experience to complement the current skills and experience on the existing Board.

Carol Ferguson

Chairman 14 December 2017

Portfolio Manager's Report

Market Review

Asian equity markets, as measured by the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index (total return), rose 15.5% over the six months to 31 October 2017 in sterling terms. Factors that have improved investor sentiment include: corporate earnings growth forecasts being revised up to 20% for 2017 from 10% at the beginning of the year, a weaker US dollar, and President Trump's failure to implement disruptive trade policies.

China's equity markets led the rally, benefiting from increasing earnings expectations. This stemmed not only from the higher growth sectors such as e-commerce, internet and consumer discretionary but also from the more structurally challenged industrial sectors that are experiencing improved pricing power from capacity rationalisation. High debt levels remain a concern in China but the market has reacted positively to the government's determination to rein in some of the more risky areas of the non-bank financial sector. This has been achieved without a significant negative impact on the liquidity of the broader banking system or on real economic activity.

The South Korean market was among the best performing in the region despite tensions caused by North Korea's aggressive behaviour and a related Chinese boycott of South Korean products. A key market driver was Samsung Electronics' share price performance which rose due to the strength of its semiconductor business and the company's actions to enhance shareholder returns.

India's equity market also rose but underperformed the region as economic activity remained weak. The economy continues to struggle to digest the excess capacity and bad debt created during the last cycle. It is also one of the few markets to experience downward revisions to earnings forecasts. Recently, however, the government's plan to recapitalise state-owned banks drove the market higher as it is expected to strengthen bank balance sheets, speed up the resolution of bad debts and provide a boost to economic growth over the medium term.

Finally, the Taiwanese equity market outperformed as technology stocks rose on increased pricing power as a result of favourable supply/demand dynamics and anticipation that new Apple products will drive the revenue growth of Apple's suppliers.

Portfolio Review

In the six months to 31 October 2017, the Company's net asset value increased by 14.8% (total return, ). This performance was marginally behind that of the benchmark which rose by 15.5% (total return, ).

The Company's exposure to hardware technology companies contributed significantly to performance. For example, MediaTek, a Taiwanese semiconductor design company with substantial cash on its balance sheet, was the largest contributor to relative performance. MediaTek's profits have been pressured by the weakness of its mobile chip division. However, new products being introduced in 2017 and beyond should improve MediaTek's competitive and cost position leading to better profitability. The market has begun to take account of this positive change. Given how low MediaTek's margins have become, small increases in margin will have a significant positive impact on its bottom line. Also in Taiwan, two small cap stocks added considerable value. Yageo's share price rallied as the passive component manufacturer raised prices across its product range, while Chroma ATE rose due to evidence of strong demand for its test instruments and automated testing products. The attraction of Chroma is its exposure to new growth areas within technology - electric vehicles, lithium batteries, laser diodes (used in facial recognition) and graphics processing units (used in advance computing) - while its consistently high margins highlight its technology advantages that have been hard for competitors to replicate.

Our stock selection in Indian equities also added value this year. For example, the real estate company, Sobha, outperformed as a number of positive regulatory changes are expected to stimulate the market and lead to higher market shares for the leading property companies. Lower mortgage rates are an additional positive for the sector. Also in India, a large private port operator, Adani Ports, benefited from improving volume growth expectations due to increased containerisation of cargo and a ramp-up in volume at new ports. The company has also addressed some of the market concerns about its inter-group transactions. We believe that Adani is one of best ways to play an eventual revival in Indian economic growth.

Elsewhere, Minth, a Chinese auto-parts manufacturer, performed strongly thanks to robust order growth and product upgrades which have driven sales and margin growth. In our view, this company's large order backlog offers a high level of revenue visibility in the medium term, while its valuation remains reasonable.

Conversely, Korea Electric Power (Kepco) performed poorly over the period. The company saw its share price weaken due to lower utilisation of its nuclear plants, consistently high coal prices and uncertainty about future tariff policy. The shares are trading at close to trough valuations and we believe the market is underappreciating the government's incentive to ensure that the company generates an acceptable return on capital. Without this, Kepco will be unable to deliver on the government's desire to transition the power generation mix away from coal and nuclear towards renewables.

In South Korea, the financial holdings detracted from performance during the review period. DGB Financial's share price suffered from uncertainty surrounding a potential acquisition despite quarterly results showing that core profitability remains stable. Also, Korean Reinsurance was impacted by the high number of typhoons this year. However, we view this as a temporary impact on earnings and believe that the market is underestimating the strength of the underlying profitability of the business. Even after taking into account the typhoon losses, the company trades on 6x earnings with a 4.6% dividend yield.

The Company's lack of exposure to Alibaba and underweight position in Tencent had a negative impact on index relative performance as both of these companies' share prices benefited from solid results and positive guidance from the companies. Over the reporting period, some Chinese internet companies that the Company does own in size such as Netease and JD.com experienced a lull in performance. However we view this divergence in performance as temporary.

Outlook and Strategy

Asian markets have recovered strongly from the lows in February 2016, rising by close to 70% in sterling terms. There are several reasons to expect returns to be more modest in future. Firstly, valuations are now less attractive than before. The MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index is now trading at 13.2x 2018 expected earnings and 1.8x trailing book value. While reasonable against other global equity markets, these valuation multiples are above their long-term averages. Secondly, as a result of higher valuations, further sustainable market performance is likely to become more reliant on a continuation of positive earnings momentum. However, two important drivers of the improved macro environment for earnings, Asian export growth and Chinese economic growth, have now peaked. In a number of Asian countries, export growth has accelerated to over 20% year on year. This is unsustainable in the current global demand environment. There is also clear evidence that Chinese economic momentum is now slowing as a result of policy tightening and slower credit growth. While consumption has been quite resilient so far, property sales, infrastructure investment and exports are all now slowing. So, while there are always exceptions to be found, it is unlikely that Asia can experience a broad-based acceleration of earnings against this backdrop. Thirdly, Asian market performance has been quite narrow in 2017 with returns coming disproportionately from the technology sector, both internet and technology hardware. This is similar to trends seen in other global equity markets. The technology sector has also dominated Asia's earnings revisions so the good performance has been based on sound fundamentals. However, we feel less optimistic about future returns given the record valuations seen in some internet stocks and the risk that we are nearing the cyclical earnings peak in some areas of technology hardware.

Our response to this has been to gradually reduce the Company's longstanding overweight exposure to the technology sector. Since the beginning of the financial year, we have moved from being 4.8% overweight technology to 1% underweight. By contrast we have reinvested in stocks that, in our view, remain attractively valued and have the potential to grow further.

For example, we have added exposure in the energy sector. While we do not have a strongly bullish view on oil prices, we observe that the industry is under significant pressure below $50 per barrel. As a result, we have focused on energy companies that are profitable at $50 or above. We introduced Inpex, a Japanese oil and gas company, whose most important asset is about to start producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Australia. We expect this will make a dramatic change to its earnings capability over the next few years. We also added to CNOOC - we believe its oil reserves, as well as management's focus on profitability and asset returns, are being underappreciated by the market. CNOOC has a free cash yield of 6% at $50 per barrel.

From a country perspective, India remains the largest overweight in the portfolio. India is differentiated by the fact that it is at the bottom of its business and credit cycles. Meanwhile, under Prime Minister Modi, India has begun to deliver on its economic reform agenda. The implementation of the Goods & Services Tax, the approval of the new Bankruptcy Code and the recapitalisation of the state-owned banks are forming a solid foundation for future economic growth. It is notable that after a long period of disappointing economic and earning trends, there are recent signs that the economy has started to accelerate. Our preferred way to gain exposure is through the financial sector. In particular, we have added to ICICI Bank. ICICI Bank has been impacted by asset quality problems in the large corporate sector but we now believe that we have passed the peak of this problem and that the bank's return on equity will gradually normalise. This should lead to an increase in valuation.

Another source for attractive investment ideas is South Korea which is amongst the cheapest markets in Asia. This discount partly results from the high representation of cyclical stocks in the market and the uncertainty caused by aggressive behaviour of the North Korean regime. However, South Korea's history of poor corporate governance has also been a significant factor in the discount. This is best demonstrated by the low average dividend pay-out ratio which is about 20% lower than the average for Asia ex Japan. However, we believe that this is beginning to change for the better with positive implications for valuations. Firstly, Samsung Electronics has moved to a capital return policy which outlines that at least 50% of free cash flow will be returned to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks. As South Korea's most successful company, Samsung's more shareholder-friendly actions are likely to be copied by other business groups. Secondly, the Korea National Pension Service, a large shareholder in many South Korean companies, has become more forceful in demanding better shareholder returns. We see value in a number of sectors in South Korea such as banks, insurance, autos and utilities.

Ian Hargreaves

Portfolio Manager14 December 2017

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Under United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law), the Company has identified the Directors as related parties. No other related parties have been identified. No transactions with related parties have taken place which have materially affected the financial position or the performance of the Company.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risk factors relating to the Company can be summarised as follows:

Strategic Risk

Market Risk

A significant fall and/or a prolonged period of decline in the markets is which this Company invests will negatively affect the performance of the portfolio, as could other macro events including Brexit.

Investment Objectives

The Company's investment objectives and structure are no longer meeting investors' demands.

Wide Discount

Lack of liquidity and lack of marketability of the Company's shares may lead to a stagnant share price and wide discount, with a persistently high discount leading to continual buy backs of the Company's shares and shrinkage of Company.

Management Risk

Performance

The risk that as a result of the portfolio manager's decisions, the Company could consistently underperform the benchmark and/or peer group over 3-5 years.

Key Person Dependency

The risk that the portfolio manager (Ian Hargreaves) ceased to be portfolio manager or is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable.

Currency Fluctuation Risk

The movement of exchange rates may have an unfavourable impact on returns as nearly all of the Company's assets are non-sterling denominated.

Third Party Service Providers Risk

Unsatisfactory Performance of Third Party Service Providers

Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to the Company could have a materially detrimental impact on operations; could affect the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its investment policy; and expose the Company to reputational risk.

Information Technology Resilience and Security

The Company's operational structure means that all cyber risk (information and physical security) emanates from its third party service providers (TPPs). This cyber risk could include fraud, sabotage or crime perpetrated against the Company or any of its TPPs.

Regulation and Corporate Governance Risk

Failure to Comply With Relevant Law and Regulations

The failure to ensure regulatory compliance, or adverse regulatory or fiscal changes, could damage the Company and its ability to continue in business.

In the view of the Board, these principal risks and uncertainties are as much applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review.

GOING CONCERN

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Directors consider this is the appropriate basis as they have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least 12 months after the approval of this half-yearly financial report. In considering this, the Directors took into account the diversified portfolio of readily realisable securities which can be used to meet short-term funding commitments, the ability of the Company to meet all of its liabilities and ongoing expenses from its assets, and revenue forecasts.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

in respect of the preparation of the half-yearly financial report

The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report using accounting policies consistent with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

- the condensed set of financial statements contained within the half-yearly financial report have been prepared in accordance with the FRC's FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting;

- the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules; and

- the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required on related party transactions.

The half-yearly financial report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditor.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Owen Jonathan

Director14 December 2017

TWENTY-FIVE LARGEST HOLDINGS AT 31 OCTOBER 2017

Ordinary shares unless otherwise stated

The industry group is based on MSCI and Standard & Poor's Global Industry Classification Standard.

MARKET VALUE % OF COMPANY INDUSTRY GROUP COUNTRY '000 PORTFOLIO Samsung Electronics - ordinary shares Technology Hardware & Equipment South Korea 9,980 6.7 Samsung Electronics -

preference shares 5,310 Baidu - ADR Software & Services China 8,968 3.9 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Taiwan 8,434 3.7 HDFC Bank Banks India 7,704 3.4 Hyundai Motor - preference shares Automobiles & Components South Korea 7,663 3.3 AIA Insurance Hong Kong 7,169 3.1 MediaTek Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Taiwan 6,945 3.0 CNOOCR Energy China 6,337 2.8 NetEase - ADR Software & Services China 6,312 2.8 JD.com - ADR Retailing China 6,307 2.8 Chroma ATE Technology Hardware & Equipment Taiwan 5,947 2.6 Industrial & Commercial Bank Of ChinaH Banks China 5,813 2.5 Tencent Software & Services Hong Kong 5,791 2.5 China MobileR Telecommunication Services China 5,665 2.5 CK Hutchison Capital Goods Hong Kong 5,565 2.4 Qingdao Port International Transportation China 5,159 2.3 United Overseas Bank Banks Singapore 4,649 2.0 HSBC Banks Hong Kong 4,604 2.0 Korea Electric Power Utilities South Korea 4,580 2.0 MINTH Automobiles & Components China 4,489 2.0 UPL Materials India 4,453 1.9 Samsonite International Consumer Durables & Apparel Hong Kong 4,029 1.8 Sobha Real Estate India 3,957 1.7 ICICI Banks India 3,955 1.7 Hon Hai Precision Industry Technology Hardware & Equipment Taiwan 3,856 1.7 153,641 67.1 Other investments 75,379 32.9 Total investments 229,020 100.0

ADR: American Depositary Receipts - are certificates that represent shares in the relevant stock and are issued by a US bank. They are denominated and pay dividends in US dollars.

H: H-Shares - shares issued by companies incorporated in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

R: Red Chip Holdings - holdings in companies incorporated outside the PRC, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and controlled by PRC entities by way of direct or indirect shareholding and/or representation on the board.

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT

SIX MONTHS TO SIX MONTHS TO 31 OCTOBER 2017 31 OCTOBER 2016 REVENUE CAPITAL TOTAL REVENUE CAPITAL TOTAL RETURN RETURN RETURN RETURN RETURN RETURN '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 Gains on investments at fair value - 31,477 31,477 - 55,416 55,416 Losses on foreign currency revaluation - (256) (256) - (274) (274) Income - note 2 4,505 - 4,505 3,807 - 3,807 Gross return 4,505 31,221 35,726 3,807 55,142 58,949 Investment management fee - note 3 (236) (709) (945) (205) (615) (820) Other expenses (286) (4) (290) (270) (1) (271) Net return before finance costs and taxation 3,983 30,508 34,491 3,332 54,526 57,858 Finance costs - note 3 (5) (15) (20) (8) (24) (32) Return on ordinary activities before taxation 3,978 30,493 34,471 3,324 54,502 57,826 Tax on ordinary activities - note 4 (359) - (359) (249) - (249) Return on ordinary activities after taxation for the financial period 3,619 30,493 34,112 3,075 54,502 57,577 Return per ordinary share Basic 4.65p 39.17p 43.82p 3.64p 64.57p 68.21p Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 77,851,717 84,405,678

The total column of this statement represents the Company's profit and loss account prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards. The return on ordinary activities after taxation is the total comprehensive income and therefore no statement of comprehensive income is presented. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are presented for information purposes in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations of the Company. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period.

CONDENSED RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS

CAPITAL SHARE REDEMPTION SPECIAL CAPITAL REVENUE CAPITAL RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE TOTAL '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 For the six months ended 31 October 2017 At 30 April 2017 8,751 4,373 85,722 137,616 6,563 243,025 Final dividend for 2017 - - - - (3,587) (3,587) Net return on ordinary activities - - - 30,493 3,619 34,112 Tendered shares bought back and cancelled - note 6 (1,251) 1,251 (39,520) - - (39,520) At 31 October 2017 7,500 5,624 46,202 168,109 6,595 234,030 For the six months ended 31 October 2016 At 30 April 2016 8,874 4,250 89,965 71,348 5,671 180,108 Final dividend for 2016 - - - - (3,086) (3,086) Net return on ordinary activities - - - 54,502 3,075 57,577 Shares bought back and cancelled/held in Treasury (123) 123 (3,633) - - (3,633) At 31 October 2016 8,751 4,373 86,332 125,850 5,660 230,966

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

Registered Number 03011768

AT AT 31 OCTOBER 30 APRIL 2017 2017 '000 '000 Fixed assets Investments held at fair value through profit or loss - note 5 229,020 236,238 Current assets Amounts due from brokers 788 917 Tax recoverable 227 167 VAT recoverable 19 15 Prepayments and accrued income 129 308 Cash and cash equivalents 4,589 6,236 5,752 7,643 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Amounts due to brokers (124) (240) Accruals (618) (616) (742) (856) Net current assets 5,010 6,787 Net assets 234,030 243,025 Capital and reserves Share capital 7,500 8,751 Capital redemption reserve 5,624 4,373 Special reserve 46,202 85,722 Capital reserve 168,109 137,616 Revenue reserve 6,595 6,563 234,030 243,025 Net asset value per share - basic 330.0p 291.3p Number of 10p ordinary shares in issue at the period end - note 6 70,914,475 83,428,716

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting Policies

The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting and the Statement of Recommended Practice Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts, issued by the Association of Investment Companies in November 2014 as updated in January 2017. The financial statements are issued on a going concern basis.

The accounting policies applied to these condensed financial statements are consistent with those applied in the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2017.

2. Income

SIX MONTHS TO SIX MONTHS TO 31 OCTOBER 31 OCTOBER 2017 2016 '000 '000 Income from investments Overseas dividends 3,857 3,325 Special dividends - overseas 384 194 Scrip dividends 107 107 UK dividends 152 181 Deposit interest 5 - Total income 4,505 3,807

No special dividends have been recognised in capital (31 October 2016: nil).

3. Management Fee and Finance Costs

Investment management fees and finance costs on any borrowings are charged 75% to capital and 25% to revenue. A management fee is payable quarterly in arrears and is equal to 0.75% per annum of the value of the Company's total assets less current liabilities (including any short-term borrowings) under management at the end of the relevant quarter.

4. Investment Trust Status and Tax

It is the intention of the Directors to conduct the affairs of the Company so that it satisfies the conditions for approval as an investment trust company. As such, no tax liability arises on capital gains. The tax charge represents withholding tax suffered on overseas income.

5. Fair Value Hierarchy Disclosures

The fair value hierarchy analysis for investments at fair value at the period end is as follows:

AT 31 OCTOBER AT 30 APRIL 2017 2017 '000 '000 Level 1 - The unadjusted quoted price in an active market for identical assets that the entity can access at the measurement date. 229,020 236,238

6. Share Capital movements

(a) Ordinary Shares of 10p each SIX MONTHS TO YEAR TO 31 OCTOBER 30 APRIL 2017 2017 Number of ordinary shares: Brought forward 83,428,716 85,462,391 Tendered shares bought back and cancelled (12,514,241) - Shares bought back and cancelled - (1,225,493) Shares bought back and held in Treasury - (808,182) Carried forward 70,914,475 83,428,716

















(b) Treasury Shares SIX MONTHS TO YEAR TO 31 OCTOBER 30 APRIL 2017 2017 Number of treasury shares: Brought forward 4,085,406 3,277,224 Shares bought back into Treasury - 808,182 Carried forward 4,085,406 4,085,406 Ordinary shares in issue (including treasury) 74,999,881 87,514,122

(c) As announced on 10 August 2017 the Company undertook a tender offer of 15% of its shares in issue at 312.8857p per share. Fixed costs and expenses of the tender offer amounted to 365,000, giving a total cost of 39,520,000. No shares, except for the tender offer shares, were bought back in the period or subsequent to the period end.

7. Dividend per Ordinary Share

The Company paid a final dividend of 4.3p per ordinary share for the year ended 30 April 2017 on 14 August 2017 to shareholders on the register on 14 July 2017.

8. Status of Half-Yearly Financial Report

The financial information contained in this half-yearly report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the half years ended 31 October 2017 and 31 October 2016 has not been audited. The figures and financial information for the year ended 30 April 2017 are extracted and abridged from the latest published accounts and do not constitute the statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the Report of the Independent Auditor, which was unqualified and did not include a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

By order of the Board

Invesco Asset Management Limited

Company Secretary

14 December 2017
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/17 -- Nemaska Lithium Inc. ("Nemaska Lithium" or the "Corporation")

(TSX: NMX)(OTCQX: NMKEF)(FRANKFURT: N0T) is pleased to announce the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of its 100% interest in the Sirmac Lithium Property ("Sirmac") to Abe Resources ("ABE") (TSX VENTURE: ABE), a mineral resource company specializing in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. The Sirmac Property consists of 24 mining claims having a total area of approximately 1,100 hectares located approximately 180 kilometres North-West of Chibougamau, in the province of Quebec.

Under the agreement, ABE will make a $250,000 cash payment and issue 15,000,000 common shares. For as long as Nemaska Lithium holds at least 10% of ABE common shares, it will be entitled to a pre-emptive right in any future equity offering. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and closing is expected shortly following receipt of approval.

In addition, Nemaska Lithium will (i) have a right of first refusal to purchase Sirmac concentrate (intended for further processing at its Shawinigan hydro-metallurgical facility); (ii) be entitled to receive a 2% fee, in cash, on all gross proceeds from sales of lithium products originating from Sirmac concentrate and not purchased by the Corporation; and (iii) act as an exclusive marketing agent for all lithium salts originating from Sirmac concentrate and not purchased by the Corporation.

"We believe the transaction will foster and accelerate the development of the Sirmac property, in all likelihood years ahead of when we could develop it, given our focus on building the Whabouchi Mine and Shawinigan plant. Eventually, Sirmac could represent an additional, reliable source of concentrate for Nemaska Lithium. We remain very bullish on the demand for lithium salts and as such, we can contemplate increasing our production capacity in Shawinigan in the future and potentially needing additional sources of concentrate," commented Guy Bourassa, President and CEO of Nemaska Lithium.

In addition, Nemaska Lithium is also pleased to announce that the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources ("MERN") has issued a mining lease for the Whabouchi Lithium Project in compliance with Section 100 of the Mining Act. This lease comprises the mining and surface rights necessary to exploit the Whabouchi deposit, and is valid for an initial period of 20 years (expiring October 25, 2037). The lease can thereafter be renewed every 10 years for the duration of the mining operation. In addition, Nemaska Lithium has obtained the required leases for the Occupation of the Domain of the State as per Section 239 of the Mining Act, allowing the use of lands for tailings disposal, concentrator and ancillary installations, and other facilities necessary for mining activities.

"The aforementioned leases are important as they allow us to move forward with operating the Whabouchi mine site," commented Simon Thibault, Director of Environment and Social Responsibility at Nemaska Lithium. "To date, we have secured all the major permits and authorizations required for the construction and operation of the Whabouchi Mine and will continue to apply for the few remaining ones as they are required during the development of the mine, as is standard practice in the industry."

About Nemaska Lithium

Nemaska Lithium's vision is to "Facilitate access to green energy through its products and processes, for the benefit of humanity". It intends to become a lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate supplier to the emerging lithium battery market that is largely driven by electric vehicles, energy storage, cell phones, tablets and other consumer products. The Corporation is developing in Quebec, Canada, one of the most important spodumene lithium hard rock deposit in the world, both in volume and grade. The spodumene concentrate produced at Nemaska Lithium's Whabouchi mine will be shipped to the Corporation's lithium compounds processing plant to be built in Shawinigan, Quebec. This plant will transform spodumene concentrate into high purity lithium hydroxide and carbonate using the proprietary methods developed by the Corporation, and for which the Corporation holds nine issued patents and several patent applications that are pending in different countries, covering different aspects and improvements of its proprietary technology for preparing high purity lithium hydroxide and carbonate, in an eco-friendly fashion.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to, any information as to the accelerated development of the Sirmac property and its ensuing benefits for the Corporation as well as the demand for lithium salts, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, those related to (i) the future sales and marketing arrangements between the Corporation and ABE, (ii) the Sirmac property becoming a reliable source of concentrate for the Corporation, (iii) an eventual increase of the Shawinigan plant capacity, (iv) ABE's plans to build on past works at Sirmac, and (v) generally, the above "About Nemaska Lithium" paragraph which essentially describe the Corporation's outlook constitute 'forward-looking information' or 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of certain securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect.

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada including, but not limited to, the cautionary statements made in the "Risk Factors" section of the Corporation's Annual Information Form dated October 5, 2017 and the "Risk Exposure and Management" section of the Corporation's quarterly Management Discussion & Analysis. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Further information regarding Nemaska Lithium is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on the Corporation's website at: www.nemaskalithium.com.

Contacts:

Mr. Victor Cantore

Investor Relations

514 831-3809

victor.cantore@nemaskalithium.com



Ms. Wanda Cutler

Investor Relations

416 303-6460

wanda.cutler@nemaskalithium.com

www.nemaskalithium.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/17 -- Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: AGI) (NYSE: AGI) ("Alamos" or the "Company") today reported results from the positive feasibility study conducted on its Lynn Lake Gold Project ("Lynn Lake"), located in Manitoba, Canada. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Feasibility Study Highlights

-- Declared an initial Proven and Probable mineral reserve of 26.8 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 1.89 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au"), containing 1.6 million ounces of gold -- Average annual gold production of 170,000 ounces over the first six years and 143,000 ounces over the first 10 years with life of mine production of 1.5 million ounces -- Life of mine total cash costs of $645 per ounce of gold and attractive mine-site all-in sustaining costs of $745 per ounce -- Initial capital estimate of $338 million and total life of mine capital, including sustaining capital and reclamation costs, of $486 million -- After-tax net present value ("NPV") of $123 million at a 5% discount rate and an after-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 12.5%, representing a 4.6 year payback using base case gold and silver price assumptions of $1,250 and $16.00 per ounce, respectively and a USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of $0.75:1 -- The Company has also identified a number of opportunities to enhance the overall economics of the project through an evaluation of a smaller, higher grade mine plan, employing contract mining, and incorporating exploration success over the past year which has not be factored into the feasibility study

"We acquired the Lynn Lake project in 2016 for $20 million and with the completion of the feasibility study, have outlined solid base case economics for the project with an after-tax net present value over $120 million. As we advance the project through permitting over the next two years, we see excellent potential to further enhance its overall economics through a number of avenues, including incorporating recent exploration success. We expect stronger economics prior to making a construction decision. With its location in one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world, Lynn Lake is an important piece of our longer term growth strategy," said John A. McCluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feasibility Study Highlights - December 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Production ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mine life (years) 10.4 Total gold production (000 ounces) 1,495 Total silver production (000 ounces) 1,263 Average annual gold production(1) Years 1 to 6 (000 ounces) 170 Years 1 to 10 (000 ounces) 143 Total ore mined (000 tonnes) 26,803 Total waste mined (000 tonnes) 195,188 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total material mined (000 tonnes) 221,991 Waste-to-ore ratio(2) 7.28 Average grade (grams per tonne) Gold 1.89 Silver 2.99 Recovery (%) Gold (Average MacLellan and Gordon) 92% Silver (MacLellan only) 49% Average mill throughput (tonnes per day ("tpd")) 7,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost per tonne of ore(3) $36.06 Total cash cost (per ounce sold)(4) $645 Mine-site all-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold)(4) $745 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Costs (millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-production capital expenditure $338.0 Sustaining capital expenditure $126.6 Reclamation costs $21.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total capital expenditure $485.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Base Case Economic Analysis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- IRR (after-tax) 12.5% NPV @ 0% discount rate (millions, after-tax) $279.0 NPV @ 5% discount rate (millions, after-tax) $123.4 Gold price assumption (average, per ounce sold) $1,250 Silver price assumption (average, per ounce sold) $16.00 Exchange Rate (US Dollar/Canadian Dollar) 0.75 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Average annual production excludes pre-commercial production 2. Reported waste-to-ore ratio is over the life of mine and includes overburden as waste. The waste-to-ore ratio during commercial production is 7.06:1 3. Total unit cost per tonne ("t") of ore includes royalties and silver as a by-product credit 4. Total cash costs and mine-site all-in sustaining costs include royalties and silver as a by-product credit

Mineral Reserves and Resources

An initial Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve totaling 26.8 Mt, grading 1.89 g/t Au and 2.99 g/t Ag, containing 1.6 million ounces of gold and 2.6 million ounces of silver has been declared at Lynn Lake reflecting the successful conversion of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources at the Gordon and MacLellan deposits. Only Mineral Reserves have been incorporated into the mine plan and economic analysis.

Mineral Reserves - Effective as of December 1, 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Oz Ag Oz Classification Tonnage Au Grade Ag Grade Contained Contained (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) (x1000) (x1000) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gordon Proven 2.31 2.82 210 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Probable 6.41 2.27 468 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Proven & Probable 8.72 2.42 678 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MacLellan Proven 9.55 1.91 5.01 586 1,539 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Probable 8.53 1.32 3.79 361 1,039 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Proven & Probable 18.08 1.63 4.43 947 2,578 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Lynn Proven 11.86 2.09 4.03 796 1,539 Lake ---------------------------------------------------------------- Probable 14.94 1.73 2.16 829 1,039 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Proven and Probable 26.80 1.89 2.99 1,625 2,578 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Mineral Reserves reported are in agreement with the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves -- The Mineral Reserve is estimated using metal prices of US$1,250/Au oz and US$15.00/Ag oz. -- Totals may not add up due to rounding. -- The estimates were carried out using cut-off grades of 0.69 Au g/t for Gordon and 0.47 Equivalent Au g/t for MacLellan and a metallurgical Au recovery of 89-94% for Gordon and 91-92% for MacLellan. -- The estimate of Mineral Reserves was carried out under the supervision of Efthymios Koniaris, PhD., P.Eng. of Q'Pit Inc.

Mineral resources from the Gordon and MacLellan deposits detailed below have not currently been included in the mine plan but represent potential upside through their incorporation into the mine plan with higher metal prices and additional infill drilling.

Open Pit Mineral Resources - Effective as of December 1, 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MacLellan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au oz Ag oz Category Tonnage Au Grade Ag Grade Contained Contained (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) (x1000) (x1000) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured 2.11 1.86 5.34 126 362 Indicated 2.24 1.24 4.24 89 305 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured & Indicated 4.35 1.57 4.77 215 667 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 0.75 1.62 2.80 39 67 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gordon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonnage Au Grade Ag Grade Au oz Ag oz Category (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) Contained Contained (x1000) (x1000) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured 0.01 1.72 n/a 0.47 n/a Indicated 0.45 1.96 n/a 28 n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured & Indicated 0.46 1.96 n/a 29 n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 0.62 1.30 n/a 26 n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonnage Au Grade Ag Grade Au oz Ag oz Category (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) Contained Contained (x1000) (x1000) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured 2.12 1.86 5.31 127 362 Indicated 2.69 1.36 3.53 118 305 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured & Indicated 4.81 1.58 4.32 244 667 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 1.37 1.48 1.53 68 67 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- The Mineral Resources are reported at an assumed gold price of US$1,400/ounce, and an assumed silver price of US$22.00/ounce -- The Mineral Resource estimate was completed by Mr. Jeffrey Volk, CPG, FAusIMM, Director of Reserves and Resources for Alamos Gold Inc. -- Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources estimated will be converted into Mineral Reserves. -- Mineral Resources are stated as contained within potentially economically open pit above a 0.42 g/t AuEq cut-off for MacLellan and a 0.62 g/t Au cut-off for Gordon. Mineral Resources include external dilution from outside the 0.50 g/t Au grade solid. -- Numbers may not add due to rounding. -- Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves.

Economic Analysis

Lynn Lake's estimated base case after-tax IRR is 12.5% and after-tax NPV is $123 million, using a 5% discount rate based on an economic analysis conducted as part of the Feasibility Study. This represents a 4.6 year payback assuming a gold price of $1,250 per ounce, a USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of $0.75:1, and incorporates only Proven and Probable mineral reserves. The project economics are sensitive to metal price assumptions and input costs as detailed in the tables below.

Lynn Lake After-Tax NPV (5%) Sensitivity ($ Millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -10% -5% Base Case 5% 10% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Price $36.5 $83.2 $123.4 $166.8 $206.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian Dollar $186.0 $156.9 $123.4 $93.5 $57.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Costs $154.4 $139.2 $123.4 $107.5 $97.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Costs $169.0 $146.7 $123.4 $99.7 $81.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lynn Lake After-Tax NPV (5%) and IRR Sensitivity to Gold Price ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Price After-Tax NPV5%($M) After-Tax IRR (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,100 $17.5 6.1% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,200 $92.7 10.6% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,250 $123.4 12.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,300 $158.3 14.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,400 $222.7 18.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,500 $289.8 21.5% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Project Overview

The Lynn Lake project is comprised of the Gordon and MacLellan deposits which are located approximately 30 kilometres ("km") apart (straight line). The two deposits will be mined using conventional open pit mining methods with a centralized processing plant and tailings management facility to be located at MacLellan.

Permitting

The Project Description for Lynn Lake was submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) in July 2017, initiating the federal Environmental Assessment (EA) process. Final Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) were received in November 2017. An EIS document is currently being prepared that will be submitted to satisfy federal and provincial EA requirements. The EIS is being prepared utilizing environmental baseline information that has been compiled through extensive field investigations over a two-year period. The Company has also engaged area First Nation communities and Metis organizations in its project planning activities. The permitting process is expected to take approximately two years followed by two years of construction.

Mining

Both the Gordon and MacLellan deposits will be developed using conventional shovel/truck open pit mining methods with owner mining assumed within the Feasibility Study. The Gordon and MacLellan deposits are expected to operate concurrently for the first six years of operation, with Gordon to be depleted first given its higher grades and lower stripping ratio. As the Gordon pit nears depletion, mining equipment will be transferred to MacLellan and utilized over the remainder of its mine life.

Following a one year pre-production period at Gordon and two-year pre-production period at MacLellan, combined mining rates are expected to range between 20.5 and 27.0 Mt of material per year over the first seven years. This includes peak mining rates of 13 Mt at Gordon and 24.7 Mt at MacLellan.

Loading of ore and waste rock is planned to be carried out with two 300 t class hydraulic shovels and two front end loaders, paired primarily with 144 t capacity mine trucks. Ore from MacLellan will be hauled to the primary crusher (located to the south of the pit). All ore from Gordon will be transported approximately 55 km to the process facility at MacLellan via a fleet of 23 highway trucks, each with a capacity of approximately 30 t.

Processing, Metallurgy and Infrastructure

Lynn Lake's process plant has been designed as a conventional milling operation with a nominal capacity of 7,000 tpd. The proposed plant design is based on leach/carbon in pulp ("CIP"), and will consist of crushing, grinding, thickening, pre-aeration and leaching, CIP, cyanide detoxification, carbon elution and regeneration, and gold smelting.

The flow sheet incorporates the following major process operations:

-- Two-stage crushing and stockpile, -- Semi-autogenous grinding (SAG), -- Ball mill grinding and classification, -- Leaching and CIP adsorption, -- Desorption and gold room, -- Tailings detoxification and disposal, -- Fresh and reclaim water supply, and -- Reagent preparation and distribution

Based on test work, gold recoveries from Gordon are expected to average 92.9% and gold and silver recoveries from MacLellan are expected to average 91.4% and 49%, respectively. Over the life of mine, combined gold recoveries are expected to average 92.0%.

Power to the MacLellan site, which will host all the process facilities and major infrastructure, will be supplied from Manitoba Hydro through the commercial electricity grid. The existing power line to the Town of Lynn Lake will be modified from 69kV to 138 kV, and a 7 km 138kV overhead line will be built to the MacLellan site.

The Gordon site's electrical demands will be met by two 300 kW diesel generators in duty/standby configuration.

The tailings management facility ("TMF") will be constructed approximately 3 km northeast of the planned open pit and plant site at MacLellan. Additional dam raises are planned for years two, six and nine to accommodate the life of the mining operation. The majority of operational water required for the process plant will be reclaimed from the TMF.

Operating Costs

Total cash costs are expected to average $645 per ounce and mine-site all-in sustaining costs $745 per ounce, net of silver as a by-product credit over the life of mine. Total operating costs are expected to average $36.06 per tonne of ore processed. This includes average mining costs of $2.21 per tonne of material mined across the Gordon and MacLellan deposits and haulage costs of $7.45 per tonne of ore from the Gordon deposit.

The breakdown of unit costs is summarized as follows.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Cost(1) $/t Processed LOM $M ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mining(2) $17.77 $470.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haulage(3) $2.43 $64.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Processing $10.84 $287.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- G&A $5.33 $141.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Refining, Transport, Royalties and Ag Credit ($0.31) ($8.2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL Operating Costs $36.06 $954.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Operating costs exclude working capital 2. Average mining cost during the production period is $2.21/t mined with a strip ratio of 7.06:1 (7.28:1 including pre-commercial production) 3. Haulage costs are reported per total tonne milled. Haulage costs per tonne of Gordon ore hauled average $7.45

Royalty

There is a third-party royalty on a portion of the production in the first two years coming from the Gordon deposit which totals approximately $8.1 million.

Capital Costs

The initial capital cost for the Lynn Lake project is $338 million. The main components of this include pre-production mining activities, site preparation, construction of the process plant and tailings management facility and other onsite and offsite infrastructure. The Feasibility Study assumes capital leasing of mobile equipment. The onsite pre-production period spans 24 months.

Camp infrastructure to accommodate the workforce will be located within the Town of Lynn Lake and will be utilized throughout the construction and operations phases.

A breakdown of the capital requirements is detailed as follows.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Cost ($ Millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mining $61.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Process Plant $72.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utilities and Services $17.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Onsite Infrastructure $41.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Offsite Infrastructure $24.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tailings Management $17.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indirects $40.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPCM $21.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Owner's Cost $12.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contingency $28.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Initial Capital $338.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sustaining Capital $126.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reclamation and Closure Costs $21.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Capital $485.6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taxes

The Lynn Lake project will be subject to provincial, federal and mining taxes. Over the 11 year mine life, Lynn Lake is expected to pay total taxes of approximately $131 million for an effective tax rate of approximately 32%, with no taxes payable until year four.

Additional Opportunities

Incorporating exploration success to date and ongoing potential

Alamos has a large exploration package with more than 40,000 hectares of mineral tenure in northern Manitoba covering the majority of the Lynn Lake Greenstone Belt. This belt consists of the Northern Agassiz Shear (55 km long) and Southern Johnson Shear (40 km long) complexes (see Figure 1 at the end of this press release).

Since consolidating ownership of Lynn Lake in early 2016, the primary exploration focus has been on infill drilling the main deposits (MacLellan and Gordon), re-assessment of the data, structural and vein studies, reprocessing and re-interpretation of geophysics, mappings and sampling and target generation. More recently, additional scout drilling programs along strike from known deposits has also been undertaken.

The Feasibility Study has not incorporated exploration success over the past year including newly outlined mineralization adjacent to both the Gordon and MacLellan pits. Both have the potential to increase the mineable ounces within the mine plan. Drilling from the Burnt Timber deposit has also yielded encouraging results.

MacLellan

Drilling to the northeast has identified a new zone of mineralization along strike and adjacent to the MacLellan pit. This zone and the following intercepts are located outside of existing mineral reserves and resources in the pit wall in an area defined as waste. Additional drilling will be completed to further assess this new zone during the winter freeze when access is possible.

Previously released highlight intercepts include:

-- 17MCX003: 10.5 metres ("m") at 1.49 g/t Au (71.0 - 81.5 m) and 39.0 m at 1.78 g/t Au (89.0 - 128.0 m) -- 17MCX012: 18.5 m at 3.67 g/t Au (8.0 - 26.5 m) -- 17MCX013: 13.5 m at 2.58 g/t Au (34.0 - 47.5 m) -- 17MCX014: 38.0 m at 2.03 g/t Au (67.5 - 105.5 m) -- 17MCX019: 7.0 m at 3.57 g/t Au (148.5 - 155.5 m) and 16.0 m at 6.68 g/t Au (169.0 - 185.0 m)

Gordon

Similar to MacLellan, drilling immediately south of the Gordon mine area has identified mineralization outside of current mineral reserves and resources, in an area in the pit wall defined as waste. The higher grade nature of some of these intercepts including, 20.69 g/t Au over 6.1 m (17FLX007, previously released), outline the potential for additional high-grade mineralization. Follow up drilling and study is scheduled for the winter drilling season.

-- 17FLX007: 2.6 m at 8.36 g/t Au (1.6 - 4.2 m), 6.1 m at 20.69 g/t Au (14.4 - 20.5 m) and 4.0 m at 5.97 g/t Au (126.5 - 130.5 m)

Burnt Timber and Linkwood

The Burnt Timber and Linkwood deposits have not been contemplated as part of the Lynn Lake Feasibility Study but represent potential upside given the significant existing mineral resource and additional exploration potential. The Burnt Timber and Linkwood deposits are located south of MacLellan along the Johnson shear and host a combined Inferred mineral resource of 1.6 million ounces of gold (44.4 Mt grading 1.09 g/t Au). The Burnt Timber and Linkwood mineral resource areas are located approximately 26 km by road from MacLellan.

At Burnt Timber, a small high-grade pit was historically mined and a re-assessment of past drill results indicate that this zone has not been closed off to the northeast. Additionally, a 2 km gap has been identified in the historic drilling between Burnt Timber and Linkwood. Both of these areas will be a focus during the 2018 winter drilling season.

Owner versus contract mining

Contract mining has been identified as a viable alternative to owner mining which has been assumed in the Feasibility Study. There is potential to enhance the overall economics of the project through the reduction of upfront capital requirements.

Smaller, higher grade mine plan

Through raising the cut-off grade, a smaller, higher grade mine plan is being evaluated as an opportunity to improve the project economics with a smaller milling operation requiring lower initial and ongoing capital.

Project Background

The Lynn Lake project is located in northern Manitoba, approximately 820 km northwest of Winnipeg. The project is comprised of two historical gold mines, MacLellan and Gordon respectively located approximately 7 km northeast and 37 km east of the Town of Lynn Lake. The distance between the Gordon and MacLellan sites is approximately 30 km. Private all-weather gravel access roads connect both the MacLellan and Gordon sites to Provincial Road (PR) 391.

The MacLellan mine was formerly operated as an underground gold and silver mine between 1986 and 1989. The Gordon site, historically referred to as the Farley Lake Open Pit Mine, previously operated as two open pit gold mines from 1996 to 1999.

The feasibility study for the Lynn Lake project was consolidated by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. ("Ausenco"), an international engineering firm with extensive experience in both the construction and operation of mining projects, in collaboration with third party consulting firms and Alamos Gold's technical team.

Technical Disclosure

Chris Bostwick, FAusIMM, Alamos Gold's Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Bostwick is a Qualified Person within the meaning of Canadian Securities Administrator's National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

The Feasibility Study has been prepared by the following independent Qualified Persons (QPs) along with Alamos' internal technical staff.

-- Eddie McLean, B.Sc. (Met), FAusIMM, Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. -- Efthymios Koniaris, PhD., P.Eng., Q'Pit Inc. -- Jeffrey Volk, CPG, FAusIMM, Alamos Gold Inc. -- Karen Mathers, P.Geo, FGC, Stantec Consulting Ltd. -- Paolo Toscano, MASc., P.Eng., Alamos Gold Inc. -- Paul Staples, P.Eng., Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. -- Rui Couto, MASc., P.Eng., Golder Associates Ltd.

With the exception of Mr. Bostwick, Mr. Volk, and Mr. Toscano each of the foregoing individuals are independent of Alamos Gold. They are all Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The Company will file a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of the date of this release.

About Alamos

Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from four operating mines in North America. This includes the Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario, Canada and the Mulatos and El Chanate mines in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a significant portfolio of development stage projects in Canada, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. Alamos employs more than 1,700 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. The Company's shares are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "AGI".

The TSX and NYSE have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates

All resource and reserve estimates included in this news release or documents referenced in this news release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the "CIM Standards"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. The terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. These definitions differ materially from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Industry Guide 7") under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in very limited circumstances. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including without limitation statements regarding outcomes of the Lynn Lake feasibility study, any related economic analysis, gold grades, recoveries, potential mineralization, reserves and resources, exploration results, permitting timelines and requirements, expected costs (operating and capital), taxes, and other future plans and objectives of Alamos, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to expectations with respect to ongoing exploration, changes in mineral resources and conversion of mineral resources to proven and probable reserves, and other information that is based on forecasts of future operational or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Alamos' expectations include, among others, risks related to ongoing permitting requirements and refinements, the actual results of current exploration activities, further conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as Lynn Lake project plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of gold, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Alamos' Annual Information Form and other disclosures of "Risk Factors" by Alamos, available on SEDAR and EDGAR. Although Alamos has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Table 1: Lynn Lake Annual Mine Production Schedule ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Y-2 Y-1 1 2 3 4 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gordon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ore Tonnes Mined (kt) 0 120 1,647 1,651 1,805 1,738 1,406 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Grade (g/t) 0.00 1.82 2.79 2.36 2.09 2.19 2.52 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Ounces (oz x1000) 0 7 148 125 122 122 114 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waste Tonnes Mined (kt) 0 3,790 9,352 11,303 11,195 8,762 4,639 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MacLellan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ore Tonnes Mined (kt) 0 251 1,060 1,227 906 1,213 2,242 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Grade (g/t) 0.00 1.64 1.79 1.68 1.36 1.41 1.78 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Ounces (oz x1000) 0 13 61 66 40 55 128 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Grade (g/t) 0.00 3.47 5.18 5.19 3.89 3.69 3.92 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Ounces (oz x1000) 0 28 177 205 113 144 283 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waste Tonnes Mined (kt) 1,523 3,221 8,464 12,867 13,106 12,857 18,529 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Process Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Process Nominal Capacity (t/d) 0.00 Variable 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Mill Feed (kt) 0 322 2,555 2,555 2,555 2,555 2,555 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Grade Contained (g/t) 0.00 1.59 2.51 2.28 1.91 2.06 2.63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Contained (oz x 1000) 0 16 206 187 157 169 216 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Grade Contained (g/t) 0.00 2.70 1.97 2.08 1.38 1.42 2.67 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Contained (oz x 1000) 0 28 162 171 113 117 220 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Production (oz x 1000) 0 15 191 173 145 156 200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Production (oz x 1000) 0 14 79 84 56 57 108 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Cash Costs (US$/oz) - - $565 $604 $741 $688 $526 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mine-Site AISC (US$/oz) - - $716 $819 $947 $775 $555 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waste:ore ratio n/a 18.9 6.6 8.4 9.0 7.3 6.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1: Lynn Lake Annual Mine Production Schedule ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gordon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ore Tonnes Mined (kt) 356 0 0 0 0 0 8,723 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Grade (g/t) 3.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.42 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Ounces (oz x1000) 40 0 0 0 0 0 678 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waste Tonnes Mined (kt) 844 0 0 0 0 0 49,886 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MacLellan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ore Tonnes Mined (kt) 2,168 1,866 1,813 2,507 2,110 715 18,080 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Grade (g/t) 1.81 1.42 1.40 1.43 1.80 2.31 1.63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Ounces (oz x1000) 126 85 81 115 122 53 947 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Grade (g/t) 5.46 4.72 3.80 3.86 4.47 5.65 4.44 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Ounces (oz x1000) 380 283 221 311 303 130 2,578 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waste Tonnes Mined (kt) 22,553 21,263 15,197 11,241 3,895 585 145,302 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Process Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Process Nominal Capacity (t/d) 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Mill Feed (kt) 2,555 2,555 2,555 2,555 2,555 930 26,803 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Grade Contained (g/t) 2.04 1.27 1.18 1.42 1.59 1.91 1.89 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Contained (oz x 1000) 167 104 97 116 131 57 1,625 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Grade Contained (g/t) 4.66 3.53 3.50 3.84 4.17 4.99 2.99 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Contained (oz x 1000) 383 290 288 315 343 149 2,578 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au Production (oz x 1000) 154 94 88 106 120 53 1,495 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ag Production (oz x 1000) 188 142 141 155 168 73 1,263 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Cash Costs (US$/oz) $605 $935 $879 $672 $482 $658 $645 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mine-Site AISC (US$/oz) $659 $981 $915 $773 $524 $671 $745 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waste:ore ratio 9.3 11.4 8.4 4.5 1.8 0.8 7.3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1105931fig1.pdf

Contacts:

Scott K. Parsons

Vice President, Investor Relations

(416) 368-9932 x 5439




OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE.TO, CVE) announced the company plans to invest between $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion in 2018, with the majority of the budget allocated to sustain base production at the company's oil sands operations. Cenovus is planning additional workforce reductions of approximately 15% and expects to achieve further cost efficiencies through continued improvements in areas such as drilling performance, development planning and optimized scheduling of oil sands well start-ups. Cenovus Energy said the combined net proceeds from its recent asset sales will be used to fully retire the outstanding amount on the company's asset-sale bridge facility. The company is also currently marketing a package of non-core assets in the Deep Basin to further streamline its portfolio and reduce leverage. 'Our priorities for 2018 are to reduce costs and deleverage our balance sheet while maintaining capital discipline. The sooner we can achieve our long-term debt ratio goal, the sooner we can move to balance returning cash to shareholders with disciplined investments in high-return growth,' said Alex Pourbaix, Cenovus President & CEO. Cenovus Energy also announced that Kieron McFadyen, Executive Vice-President & President, Upstream Oil & Gas is leaving the company on January 15, 2018. Drew Zieglgansberger will expand his executive responsibilities to become Executive Vice-President Upstream. Ivor Ruste, the company's Chief Financial Officer, will retire on April 30, 2018. The company said an executive search will be conducted for the role and will consider both internal and external candidates. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 14, 2017) - TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSXV: TXR) (OTC Pink: TRXXF) (FSE: TX0) is pleased to announce high-grade surface sampling results from the Ryan Lake area on its Northbelt property, one of eight new high-grade target areas identified on the Yellowknife City Gold Project during fieldwork this summer (see maps here).

Exploration this summer focused on defining the surface extent of polymetallic mineralization associated with the Ryan Lake intrusion originally identified in 2013. A total of 230 surface outcrop samples were taken in the Ryan Lake area with assay results up to 97.7 g/t Au, 32.4 g/t Ag, 2.09% Cu, and 0.32% Mo. The gold mineralization at surface is widespread and appears to stretch for 3.8 km along the eastern contact with the Ryan Lake intrusion, with high grade molybdenum mineralization overlapping the gold and covering 3.0 kilometers of that strike length. The high grade gold trend also appears to extend gold mineralization identified at Shear 17 (see news release of August 4, 2015) a further 2 kilometers north of its previously known extent.

Joe Campbell, CEO of TerraX, states "The Ryan Lake porphyry intrusion has now developed into a significant exploration target, with potential for world class size and grade. This exciting target has been developed over 4 years and is now a priority for immediate drilling in 2018."

Background History of Ryan Lake Porphyry Gold Target

Initial surface exploration in the Ryan Lake area in 2013 identified molybdenum-gold-copper-silver mineralization associated with veins within the Ryan Lake Porphyry intrusion and in mafic volcanics near the contact with the intrusion. In late 2013 a buried carbonate altered porphyry with well mineralized quartz veins was observed in a drill hole extending below the Barney Shear Zone, located approximately one kilometer from the surface expression of the Ryan Lake intrusion (4.0 m 7.73 g/t Au, 0.13% Mo; and 7.44 g/t Au, 14.5 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu reported Dec 3, 2013). Significant Au-Cu-Ag mineralization was also reported in drilling within the mafic volcanics next to the porphyry intrusion (26.5 m @ 0.59 g/t Au, 11.3 g/t Ag, 0.15% Cu reported Dec 3, 2013).

Surface outcrop sampling in 2014 confirmed the presence of wide spread and very high grade veins associated with the intrusion (up to 141 g/t Au; 445 g/t Ag; 3.01% Cu; 6.35% Mo reported August 19, 2014). Subsequent surface work conducted in 2015 included chip sampling on mineralized zones which are sub-parallel to the contact of the Ryan Lake intrusion and included 2.0 m @ 21.40 g/t Au on Shear 17 (reported August 4, 2015). TerraX drilled a new hole into the Barney porphyry target in 2016 and intersected high grade veins up to 1.0 m @ 16.0 g/t Au, and broad areas of molybdenum including 52 meters of 0.02% Mo (reported June 6, 2016). All these results pointed to a strong probability of a large porphyry hosted gold-molybdenum-copper-silver deposit in the area.

A total of 609 samples have now been taken in the Ryan Lake area, including 52 chip samples see maps here). Individual highlights from outcrop samples include:

Up to 141.0 g/t Au , with 5 samples greater than 30 g/t and 54 samples greater than 1.00 g/t Au

, with 5 samples greater than 30 g/t and 54 samples greater than 1.00 g/t Au Up to 6.32% Mo , with 53 samples greater than 0.10% Mo

, with 53 samples greater than 0.10% Mo Up to 3.01% Cu , with 44 samples greater than 0.10% Cu

, with 44 samples greater than 0.10% Cu Up to 445 g/t Ag, with 32 samples greater than 10 g/t Ag

Assay values in 2017 sampling range from nil to highs of 97.7 g/t Au, 32.4 g/t Ag, 2.09% Cu and 0.32% Mo. Sampling included insertion of certified standards and blanks into the stream of samples for chemical analysis. Samples were prepared at ALS Chemex's laboratory in Yellowknife and shipped to their Vancouver facility for gold analysis by fire assay and other elements by ICP analysis. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. It should be noted that, due to their selective nature, assay results from grab samples may not be indicative of the overall grade and extent of mineralization on the subject area.

TerraX's summer field exploration program at Yellowknife is now complete, with over 5,600 surface samples taken from outcrop throughout the property. Assay results are still pending from over 3,500 samples as well as biogeochemical and lake sediment surveys completed this fall throughout the property. Results will be reported when received and interpreted. All assay results will be used for targeting the next drill campaign in early 2018.

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Joseph Campbell, the Chief Executive Officer of TerraX, who is a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

About the Yellowknife City Gold Project

The Yellowknife City Gold ("YCG") encompasses 440 sq km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, TerraX controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 km of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople.

The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering 45 km of strike length along the main mineralized break in the Yellowknife gold district, including the southern and northern extensions of the shear system that hosted the high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The project area contains multiple shears that are the recognized hosts for gold deposits in the Yellowknife gold district, with innumerable gold showings and recent high-grade drill results that serve to indicate the project's potential as a world-class gold district.

For more information on the YCG project, please visit our web site at www.terraxminerals.com.



On behalf of the Board of Directors



"JOSEPH CAMPBELL"



Joe Campbell

CEO

For more information, please contact:

Samuel Vella

Manager of Corporate Communications

Phone: 604-689-1749

Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684

svella@terraxminerals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts, the completion of due diligence and the results of exploration activities - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) the voice of the global business travel industry recently honored Torsten Kriedt, Vice President for Product Strategy and Innovation at BCD Travel, with the prestigious Luoma Award. Gehan Colliander, Chair of the GBTA Europe Advisory Board, presented the award during GBTA Conference 2017 Frankfurt in partnership with VDR last month.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214005148/en/

BCD Travel's Torsten Kriedt accepts the GBTA Luoma Award (Photo: Business Wire)

GBTA established the Luoma Award in 2011 in honor of Jutta Luoma, the Executive Director of the Finnish Business Travel Association. The Award recognizes a volunteer who supports the development of GBTA and its local market partners in Europe. That person works in the best interests of GBTA members in Europe and the business travel industry. The individual is independent-minded, willing to raise new ideas within the sector both publicly and privately, and effective in providing direction for European travel and meetings management.

"These are significant thresholds," said Colliander of the award. "I am pleased to honor my European Advisory Board colleague Torsten Kriedt with this year's Luoma Award. Torsten has been an outstanding contributor to GBTA in Europe."

Kriedt has served as an active member of the GBTA Europe Regional Advisory Board since 2014. He is also a regular contributor to GBTA conferences and was a key contributor on the re-launch of the GBTA Managed Travel Index benchmarking toolkit.

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA's 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org.

Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. (VDR)

The VDR represents the interests of German industry and deals with the general and competitive conditions surrounding business trips and mobility. It campaigns for efficient, economical, safe, unhindered, worldwide travel possibilities for companies. The VDR with its over 530 member companies represents a total annual turnover in the business travel sector of more than EUR 10 billion.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214005148/en/

Contacts:

Global Business Travel Association

Catherine McGavock, +44 (0) 7980 588181

cmcgavock@gbta.org

or

Nikki Stimson, +44 (0) 7764 618199

pressfra@gbta.org

or

Colleen Lerro Gallagher, +1 703-236-1133

cgallagher@gbta.org
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company announced that it has been positioned as a 'Leader' in The Forrester Wave: Next-Generation Infrastructure Outsourcing, Q4 2017 report. Authored by Bill Martorelli with Eveline Oehrlich, Aaron Kinch, Peter Harrison, and Peggy Dostie, the report was published on October 31, 2017.

The report evaluated 15 service providers on 24 criteria applicable to next-generation infrastructure outsourcing providers. The criteria included market penetration, cloud capabilities, customer experience, innovation and vision for the future of workplace services.

The report states, "Wipro has long been associated with the infrastructure outsourcing landscape and has represented a big part of the success of the Indian supplier segment Wipro has a high percentage of revenues associated with infrastructure management relative to most competing Indian suppliers."

Kiran Desai, Senior Vice-President and Head Global Infrastructure Services, Wipro Limited said, "We believe that Wipro's position as a 'Leader' in The Forrester Wave: Next-Generation Infrastructure Outsourcing, Q4 2017 report reinforces our commitment to our customers, and is a testament to the value we bring to them. We continually invest to enhance our capabilities to ensure delivery of world-class infrastructure services that help catalyze digital transformation and accelerate business performance for our clients."

To view the full report, "The Forrester Wave: Next-Generation Infrastructure Outsourcing, Q4 2017" please visit: http://www.wipro.com/microsite/Wipro-is-ranked-as-leader-in-the-forrester-wave-next-generation-infrastructure-outsourcing-Q4-2017/

About Wipro Limited

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 160,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future.

Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214005691/en/

Contacts:

Wipro Limited

Shraboni Banerjee

Shraboni.banerjee@wipro.com
PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE, India, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Metal & Metal Manufactured Products Market by Metal Type and Metal Manufactured Products: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023," the global metal & metal manufactured products market was valued at $710,531 million in 2016, and is projected to reach $866,605 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2017 to 2023. The iron metal segment occupied a significant share of the global market in 2016.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/647229 )



Metals are one of the most important constituent of several commercial and industrial applications. Metal manufactured products are formed through fabrication of different types of metals, chiefly by means of bending, cutting, and assembling processes and further undergo variety of finishing processes such as powder coating, paining, and deburring. These are meant for direct sale in market or are assembled to form more complex structures for different end-user industries.

Do Enquiry for Sample Report@https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4504

Increase in demand from various end-use sectors, such as & aviation, healthcare, electrical & electronics, energy & power, infrastructure, personal care, and others drive the growth of the market. Apart from that, technological advancement and rise in demand for metals in automotive industry are some other factors that support the expansion of the market. However, fluctuation in raw material prices and replacement by substitutes are expected to limit the market growth. Flourishing metal market in developing economies and surge in usage of recycled metal & products is anticipated to provide numerous opportunities to the market.

The metals analyzed in the report are aluminum, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, gold, indium, iron, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, and molybdenum. Among these, aluminum, chromium, and iron, occupied major share of the market in 2016 and is projected to do so during the forecast period as well.

Do Enquiry before purchasing Report@https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4504

The metal manufactured products considered in the report include wires & cables, jewelry & ornaments, electrical & electronics, bars, sheets, rolls, pipe fixture & fittings, pipes, molded components, rebar, and others. Wires & cables, electrical & electronics, and pipe fixtures & fittings were the prominent segments of the global market in 2016.

Key findings of the study

Asia-Pacific was the dominant region occupying nearly 50% share of the market in 2016 in terms of value.

was the dominant region occupying nearly 50% share of the market in 2016 in terms of value. Pipe fixtures & fittings is the fastest growing product segment with 3.3% CAGR in value terms during analysis period.

LAMEA is one of the fastest growing region of the global market with CAGR of 2.9% in value terms in the forecast period.

Aluminum metal was one of the major segment of the market in 2016 and is anticipated to grow at the significant CAGR of 4.5% in value terms during the analysis period.

Jewelry & ornament is second fastest growing segment with a significant CAGR of 3.1% during the analysis period.

In 2016, Europe and Asia-Pacific collectively accounted for around three-fourths of the global metal & metal manufactured products market, and are expected to grow at the significant CAGRs during the forecast period. LAMEA & Asia-Pacific is expected to possess the highest CAGRs owing to the ongoing urbanization, rise in disposable income, and industrial developments in these regions.

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Comprehensive competitive analysis and profiles of major market players (manufacturers and key users of metal & related products) in each country is detailed thoroughly in the report.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Token Systems Specialises in RFID Cashless Wristbands, Advanced Access Control and More

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2017 / Ticketbooth CEO, Simon Guerrero and COO, Matthew James have today announced the public launch of a new event tech company, Token Systems, which specialises in RFID cashless wristbands, advanced access control and experiential activations for events.

To learn more about Token Systems and the services they provide, please visit http://www.gettoken.com.

Ticketbooth is a bootstrapped company, and still with no external investment is now one of Australia's Largest Event Ticket Companies and is also providing ticketing services to various regions of the globe including United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

"We want to take our experience from growing Ticketbooth and apply that to our new venture to launch Token Systems on a global scale," said Ticketbooth CEO, Simon Guerrero.

Token's RFID technology, which is not currently offered by ticketing giants Ticketmaster, Eventbrite and Ticketek, is expected to become the norm at events within the next 12 months.

"We've designed Token to reduce onsite costs, introduce additional revenue streams and speed up bar/vendor sales. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovation within the industry, and are constantly ensuring that we can help our clients make their events bigger and better," Guerrero says.

"After seeing a handful of RFID companies launch unsuccessfully, we took our comprehensive understanding of the event landscape and paired it with our engineering mindset to create the perfect RFID access and cashless payment platform. The goal for Token is not to run every event ourselves, but to white label out to ticketing agents and bar management companies who will be certified in Token Systems."

Guerrero, previously a mining engineer and James, who studied a double major computer science and engineering, developed the Token platform alongside a world-class engineering team, originally from Minsk, Belarus. They are led by Sergey Dudik, who has over 10 years experience with Biometric Access Control and GPS Area Control Systems, and is also the brains behind the RFID technology used at the latest annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Mesh network technology, multi-currency support and multiple layers of redundancy for data transfer are the key factors that set the Token platform apart from competitors. Allowing organisers to run their event without any internet on-site, yet still move active data from top-up stations, to bars and food vendors and back to base again, the risk of losing valuable customer or transactional data is next-to-nothing.

Debuted at Vanfest Music and Arts Festival in Australia over the weekend, Token's RFID technology allowed organisers to turn the event completely cashless. In order to purchase food and drinks on-site, festival-goers loaded funds onto wristbands at one of the site's designated 'top-up stations', and then purchased items at vendors with a simple 'tap' of their wrist.

Matt Clifton, Vanfest Founder and owner of Manly's Insitu and Donny's Bar, said, "It was amazing to see sales data live across all bars and vendors and nice to know that cash wouldn't go missing for the first time In my eyes, this alone pays for the implementation of RFID on site."

Whilst attendees themselves voiced their preference for the cashless payment system for its ease of use and increased security, bar managers also reported an increase in consumption and sales due to the speed of processing sales and reduction of time customers spent waiting in line to buy a drink.

Token is currently available in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland and the US, with more countries to follow in the upcoming months. Partnership and reseller opportunities are available for ticketing companies and bar/staffing agencies, with full integration already developed for all ticketing platforms.

To find out more, head to http://gettoken.com.

For media enquiries, please contact media@gettoken.com.

About Token Systems:

Token Systems was designed to reduce onsite costs, introduce additional revenue streams and speed up bar/vendor sales. The company's founders pride themselves on being at the forefront of innovation within the industry, and are constantly ensuring that they can help their clients make their events bigger and better. For more information, please visit http://www.gettoken.com.

Contact:

Simon Lovell

lovell@ticketbooth.com.au

(949) 555-2861

SOURCE: Token Systems
29% Zn Over 51.2 Metres Sampled at the Surface

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2017) - Zinc One Resources Inc. (TSXV: Z) (OTC Pink: ZZOF) (FSE: RH33) ("Zinc One") is pleased to report additional results from an ongoing surface-sampling program at its Bongara Zinc Mine Project in north-central Peru. Highest grades include a surface channel sample (C-008-17) with 31.92% zinc over 32.2 metres, a surface channel sample (C-009-17) that yielded 28.98% zinc over 51.2 metres, and 36.50% zinc over a 6.0-metre depth in an exploration pit (P4-17). They were all located in the southern end of a 1.4-kilometre long trend of zinc mineralization in the area referred to as Mina Grande - Fase C Zone, Click here for map (https://zincone.com/projects/bongara-project/bongarita-mina-chica-samples/).

Jim Walchuck, Zinc One President and CEO commented, "It is important to understand that, as at many areas at the Mina Chica and Bongarita mineralized zones in the northern end of the known mineralization, our pit sampling to date at Fase C did not reach the base, or footwall, of the mineralization. This means that at this time we are unable to accurately determine the apparent thickness of the mineralization in areas with widely-spaced historic drilling, thus providing potential upside for high-grade zinc mineralization. We are optimistic that our surface and pit sampling, combined with the results from our recently-approved drill program, will better delineate and expand the known mineralized zones.

The mineralization of the Fase C zone continues to impress our team with an approximate 100-metre wide zone with high-grade surficial mineralization - a rare and unique combination of two very favourable factors for the development of this project."

Geology and Results

The sampling program commenced at the northern end of the trend of known high-grade, zinc oxide mineralization at or near the surface. The results reported herein include the next phase of samples that are from the Mina Chica zone at the northern end of the trend as well as from the Mina Grande-Fase C zone at the southern end.

The Bongara zinc-oxide mineralization is stratabound and is hosted by carbonate rocks. The host rock at Fase C is principally dolomite and the zinc-oxide mineralization occurs in fractures and as disseminations. Field mapping and observations indicate the mineralization is essentially flat-lying across a north-plunging anticlinal axis at Bongarita, dips approximately 60o eastward along the eastern flank of the anticline at Mina Chica, and appears to be subhorizontal along the anticlinal axis where it possibly plunges southward at Mina Grande - Fase C. Of note is that at the southernmost extent of Fase C, five aligned pits include a soil with anomalous zinc that overlies high-grade, zinc-bearing dolomites whose base was not encountered [click here for map] (https://zincone.com/projects/bongara-project/bongarita-mina-chica-samples/); this geometry supports the notion that many of the pits along the 1.4-kilometre trend whose samples yielded only anomalous zinc may be overlying high-grade zinc zones that were not reached, thus providing for further upside potential. Furthermore, the other pits and surface samples at Fase C, which are located approximately 200 metres northwest of the aforementioned pits, demonstrate that mineralization, whose base was not penetrated, extends at least 125 metres in a northeasterly trend, and is almost 100 metres wide; within this corridor, three historical inclined drill holes are known to have intercepted between 15 and 21 metres (not true thickness) of high-grade zinc mineralization. The tables below highlight select results from Mina Chica and Fase C Zones. Since the true strike and dip of the stratabound mineralization are not certain, the sample thicknesses from the pits do not necessarily represent the true thickness of the mineralized body. Additional maps and a summary of all results are available at www.zincone.com.

MINA CHICA ZONE

Channel/Pit ID From

(m) To

(m) Length/Thickness

(m) % Zn % Pb Pit Thickness

(m) % Zn PT6-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 24.93 0.04 PT6-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 18.25 0.05 2.00 21.59 P331-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 20.21 0.05 P331-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 29.50 0.04 P331-17 2.00 3.00 1.00 38.61 0.01 P331-17 3.00 4.00 1.00 18.55 0.02 P331-17 4.00 5.00 1.00 20.87 0.02 5.00 25.55

MINA GRANDE FASE C ZONE

Channel/Pit ID From

(m) To

(m) Length/Thickness

(m) % Zn % Pb Pit Thickness

(m) % Zn P305-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 2.20 0.77 P305-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.37 0.94 P305-17 2.00 3.00 1.00 19.12 6.37 P305-17 3.00 4.00 1.00 25.97 1.65 2.00 22.55 P309-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 3.04 0.68 P309-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.03 1.02 P309-17 2.00 3.00 1.00 12.45 1.24 P309-17 3.00 4.00 1.00 31.46 1.66 P309-17 4.00 5.00 1.00 27.00 1.90 3.00 23.64 P4-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 48.63 0.87 P4-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 38.83 1.41 P4-17 2.00 3.00 1.00 31.10 1.59 P4-17 3.00 4.00 1.00 26.22 1.75 P4-17 4.00 5.00 1.00 38.65 1.28 P4-17 5.00 6.00 1.00 35.55 1.11 6.00 36.50 P96-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 24.56 5.32 P96-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 34.53 2.97 P96-17 2.00 3.00 1.00 23.47 8.77 P96-17 3.00 4.00 1.00 27.42 2.34 P96-17 4.00 5.00 1.00 32.73 1.27 P96-17 5.00 6.00 1.00 24.06 0.56 6.00 27.80 P22-17 0.00 1.00 1.00 4.45 1.17 P22-17 1.00 2.00 1.00 24.58 10.00 P22-17 2.00 3.00 1.00 40.14 2.79 P22-17 3.00 4.00 1.00 40.00 2.33 3.00 34.91

MINA GRANDE FASE C ZONE

Channel/Pit ID From

(m) To

(m) Length/Thickness

(m) % Zn % Pb Channel Length

(m) % Zn C-008a-17 0.00 2.00 2.00 44.08 1.07 C-008a-17 2.00 4.00 2.00 35.49 0.57 C-008a-17 4.00 6.00 2.00 48.73 0.89 C-008a-17 6.00 8.00 2.00 36.66 0.45 C-008a-17 8.00 10.00 2.00 19.35 1.37 C-008a-17 10.00 12.00 2.00 18.00 1.43 C-008b-17 12.00 14.00 2.00 39.14 0.74 C-008b-17 14.00 16.00 2.00 37.06 0.47 C-008b-17 16.00 18.00 2.00 18.85 0.31 C-008c-17 18.00 20.00 2.00 37.13 0.52 C-008c-17 20.00 22.00 2.00 18.20 0.24 C-008c-17 22.00 24.00 2.00 25.80 1.38 C-008c-17 24.00 26.00 2.00 42.49 0.57 C-008c-17 26.00 28.00 2.00 38.55 0.63 C-008c-17 28.00 30.00 2.00 31.81 0.61 C-008c-17 30.00 32.20 2.20 20.50 4.97 32.20 31.92 C-009-17 0.00 1.50 1.50 36.47 3.75 C-009-17 1.50 4.00 2.50 19.70 5.74 C-009-17 4.00 5.90 1.90 16.65 4.78 C-009-17 5.90 8.00 2.10 33.26 2.69 C-009-17 8.00 10.00 2.00 37.91 3.82 C-009-17 10.00 12.00 2.00 33.18 2.55 C-009-17 12.00 14.00 2.00 43.07 1.49 C-009-17 14.00 16.00 2.00 33.88 1.24 C-009-17 16.00 18.00 2.00 37.46 2.41 C-009-17 18.00 20.00 2.00 39.03 1.09 C-009-17 20.00 22.00 2.00 41.56 1.79 C-009-17 22.00 24.00 2.00 33.81 0.56 C-009-17 24.00 26.00 2.00 40.88 1.35 C-009-17 26.00 28.00 2.00 25.90 1.10 C-009-17 28.00 30.00 2.00 20.70 0.70 C-009-17 30.00 32.00 2.00 6.67 0.45 C-009-17 32.00 34.00 2.00 30.47 0.62 C-009-17 34.00 36.00 2.00 39.19 0.40 C-009-17 36.00 38.20 2.20 30.44 0.52 C-009-17 38.20 40.40 2.20 14.40 0.46 C-009-17 40.40 42.60 2.20 3.47 0.35 C-009-17 42.60 44.90 2.30 9.19 0.39 C-009-17 44.90 46.90 2.00 40.10 1.20 C-009-17 46.90 48.90 2.00 33.21 1.46 C-009-17 48.90 51.20 2.30 33.36 2.00 51.20 28.98

Sampling and Analytical Protocols

Zinc One follows a systematic and rigorous Quality Control/Quality Assurance program overseen by Zinc One's Chief Operating Officer, Bill Williams.

Surface sampling in outcrops is a manual channel sample; in the case of pits, the sample is channeled vertically. The sample is photographed. The sample is placed into a pre-labeled, plastic bag, properly sealed, and identified with a unique sample number. At the project site, Zinc One independently inserts certified control standards, blanks, and duplicates, all of which comprise approximately 30% of the sample batch, to monitor sample preparation and analytical quality. The samples are stored in a secure area until such time they are shipped to the ALS laboratory in Lima, ISO9001 certified, for preparation and assay. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed, pulverized and then a four-acid digestion is applied, followed by the ICP-AES analytical technique for 33 elements, including lead; zinc is assayed by the same method for values up to 20% and if zinc exceeds 20%, it is analyzed by titration methods. The laboratory also inserts blanks and standards as well as includes duplicate analyses.

About Zinc One Resources Inc.

Zinc One is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of prospective and advanced zinc projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. Zinc One's key assets are the Bongara Mine and Charlotte-Bongara Zinc Projects in north-central Peru. The Bongara Zinc Mine Project was in production from 2007 to 2008, but shut down due to the global financial crisis and concurrent decrease in the zinc price. Past production included 20% zinc grades and recoveries over 90% from surface and near-surface zinc oxide mineralization. High-grade, zinc oxide mineralization is known to outcrop between the mined area and the Charlotte-Bongara Zinc-Oxide Project, which is nearly six kilometres to the NNW and where past drilling intercepted various near-surface zones with high-grade zinc. Zinc One is managed by a proven team of geologists and engineers who have previously constructed and operated successful mining operations.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Bill Williams, COO and Director of Zinc One, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

For more information, please contact:

Monica Hamm

VP, Investor Relations

Zinc One Resources Inc.

Phone: (604) 974-5274

Email: mhamm@zincone.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zinc One cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zinc One's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on the Bongara Zinc Oxide Project and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zinc One does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
PARIS, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

HEC Paris has just launched its Private Equity Value Creation Hall of Fame which will feature Private Equity Funds who have generated exceptional level of value to their investors, the so-called LPs.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160921/410458LOGO )



All funds from vintages since 2000 (included), classified as "Buyout" focused funds in thedatabase maintained by industry-leading data provider preqincan be considered possible members.

The first inductee is the 2000-vintage fourth fund by San Francisco-based Hellman and Friedman. The fund raised $2.2 billion and by the time it was fully liquidated had returned a net multiple of 2.8x to investors.

The Hall of Fame is an initiative of HEC Paris Professor Oliver Gottschalg, associate professor ofstrategy at HEC Paris and co-founder of its Private eEquity Observatory research centre. Gottschalg and his team screened data on realized returns for 2,500 funds and rapidly reduced them to a handful of exceptional funds that came close to the qualifying criteria for the Hall of Fame.

He said, "I realized that it is not obvious from the outside to spot the 'best of the best' of all PE funds of all time and that this information would be useful for investors and for the asset class in general. It would demonstrate how strongly value creating private equity as an asset class and a governance structure can be - countering some of the widespread criticism that private equity only levers up equity and rides macro trends. It would also give investors some idea about which GPs had been at the top of this 'game' over the past 20 years."

To qualify for the HEC Private Equity Value Creation Hall of Fame, a Private Equity fund must meet the following three criteria:

at least $2 billion in cash-on-cash alpha gain, i.e. overall returns in excess of the stock market;

in cash-on-cash alpha gain, i.e. overall returns in excess of the stock market; "PERACS Alpha", i.e. annualized returns in excess of the stock market, of at least 15 percent per annum;

at least 2x cash-on-cash multiple.

Through these criteria, heavy emphasis is placed on value creation in excess of public market equivalent returns, which are a proxy for the "opportunity cost" of an LP's PE investment.

The assessment of value creation is based on cash-on cash net value creation based on cash flows from- and to the LPs after deduction of any deal-level or fund-level fees (including carry and management fees), ignoring the remaining net-asset-value.

The funds featured in the HEC Private Equity Value Creation Hall of Fame should be substantial in terms of the scale of value creation, so a requirement in terms of a total amount of "Alpha Dollars" of value generated has been included. This helps eliminate cases in which performance may have been driven by one or a few individual highly successful deals.

In order to verify the data, thousands of PE funds will be screened annually based on commercially available cash flow information on them, using the preqin cash flow database as the primary source of data.

About HEC Paris:

Specializing in management education and research, HEC Paris offers a complete and unique range of educational training totomorrow's decision-makers: the Grande Ecole program, Specialized Masters, MSc, Summer School, MBA, Executive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive MBA, Doctorate and a wide range of executive and executive programs.

Created in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris, a founding member of the Universite Paris-Saclay, brings 138 full-time professors, more than 4,400 students and 8,000 executives and managers to its Campus each year.
BERLIN, GERMANY -- (Marketwired) -- 12/18/17 -- Note to editors: To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: Bombardier INNOVIA Monorail 300

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today that the CRRC Puzhen Bombardier Transportation Systems Limited (PBTS), a joint venture (JV) between Bombardier Transportation and the Chinese CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC), has been awarded its first monorail contract in China. The order is to provide the BOMBARDIER INNOVIA Monorail 300 platform, along with a total of 240 cars to Wuhu City in Anhui Province. The total contract is valued at approximately 1.785 billion CNY (229 million euro, $270 million US). Bombardier owns 50% of the shares in PBTS, which is consolidated by Bombardier Transportation's partner CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Limited.

Planned to open in 2020, the new 24-station, 30.3km Line 1 and the 12-station, 16.5km Line 2 Phase One, will be the first two monorail lines in Wuhu and will form the rail transportation backbone in the city. PBTS' scope under this contract will comprise the design, supply, Line 1 installation with 28, six-car trains and Line 2 Phase One installation with 18, four-car trains.

Jianwei Zhang, President of Bombardier China said, "We are very proud to have been selected by Wuhu city to provide our first, and the most modern monorail system in China. Medium capacity monorails are a highly-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative to metros and Bombardier's experience, having delivered monorail technology for over 20 years including operating and maintaining these systems, was the core reason why Wuhu city chose our joint venture. This choice will ensure that Wuhu gets a reliable and green transportation system that better serves its passengers. We are confident that the monorail will become an icon for Wuhu city and we will see more Bombardier Monorail systems in other Chinese cities in the future."

Bombardier Transportation is the world's leading supplier of fully automated, driverless monorail systems. The INNOVIA Monorail 300 system is its latest evolution in medium capacity monorail technology. The combination of lightweight carbody design and other advanced system technologies results in substantial energy savings compared to other monorail and metro technologies. The INNOVIA Monorail 300 also brings futuristic aesthetics, spacious interiors and a smooth ride for passengers. Its inter-car walk through provides free passenger flow and enhances passenger safety, and its flexible seating arrangements permit optimization of the system to suit customer specific requirements. Fully automated driverless operation also allows for frequent, safe and reliable service, attracting more passengers and generating more revenue.

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation is a global leader in rail technology and offers the broadest portfolio in the industry. It covers the full spectrum of rail solutions, ranging from trains to sub-systems and signalling. The company also provides complete transport systems, e-mobility technology and maintenance services. As an innovation driver, Bombardier Transportation continuously breaks new ground in sustainable mobility. It provides integrated solutions that create substantial benefits for operators, passengers and the environment. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Bombardier Transportation employs around 37,150 people and its products and services operate in over 60 countries.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada and our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we posted revenues of $16.3 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to Editors

To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feed section.

Bombardier and INNOVIA are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

You can also contact one of our worldwide contacts for specific press inquiries.

Contacts:

Li Wang, Media Relations China

+86 10 85172268

li.wang@rail.bombardier.com



Group Media Relations

+49 30 98607 1687

press@rail.bombardier.com




-- Study designed to determine differential diagnosis in depression patients -- Study designed to monitor patient data following pharmacological treatment SYDNEY, Australia and MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medibio Limited (MEB or the Company) (ASX:MEB) (OTCQB:MDBIF), a mental health technology company that has pioneered the use of objective biometrics to assist in the screening, diagnosing, monitoring and management of depression and other mental health conditions, is pleased to announce the first prospective clinical trial with Mayo Clinic under a 5-year Master Clinical Trial Agreement that was signed in October of this year. This initial study, undertakes the prospective diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of both unipolar and bipolar depression, along with the depressive subtypes (melancholic and atypical). The primary goal is to characterize longitudinal autonomic, circadian, and sleep patterns, as classified by the Medibio Analytics Platform (MAP), following the initiation of a standard pharmacological treatment for a new or recurrent, moderate-to-severe major depressive episode of both the unipolar and bipolar type. Additionally, MAP will be used to characterize patterns unique to the bipolar type depression. The research study team will be led by Mark A. Frye, M.D., at Mayo Clinic's Rochester campus. Dr. Frye, the chair of Mayo's Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his psychiatric training at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. He completed a subsequent research fellowship in the Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. While at NIMH, his area of research was focusing on the neurobiology of depression and bipolar disorder. "We have been eager to get this initial study started with Dr. Frye and Mayo Clinic, as this kicks off our first of many collaborations in mental health between our organizations. The importance of this study is to look at bipolar depression and differential diagnosis with our analytics platform, which can ultimately drive getting the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Mayo remains a leading academic center of excellence that the world looks to for innovative solutions to global problems," says Jack Cosentino, Medibio's CEO and Managing Director. "The Mayo Clinic Depression Center has focused our research efforts on studies that have the potential to innovate our clinical practice; making a positive impact on patients' lives," says Dr. Frye. It is estimated that 350M people worldwide suffer from depression. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Two major challenges in the clinical practice of mood disorder is distinguishing major depressive disorder from bipolar depression and individualizing treatments for patients who struggle with depression. As treatment options markedly differ in these two mood disorders, biomarkers to help accurate diagnosis and guide treatment would be of tremendous clinical value. About Medibio Limited Medibio (ASX:MEB) (OTCQB:MDBIF) is a mental health technology company that has pioneered the use of objective biometrics to assist in the screening, diagnosing, monitoring and management of depression and other mental health conditions. The company was founded in Australia, with offices located in Melbourne (Vic), and U.S. offices in Minneapolis, MN. Medibio is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange Ltd and trades on the OTCQB Venture Market. Investors can find additional information on www.otcmarkets.com and www.asx.com.au. Further Information: Website: www.medibio.com.au Medibio Shareholder Enquiries: Jack Cosentino CEO and Managing Director Medibio Limited jack.cosentino@medibio.com.au T: +1 (952) 465 4787 Australian Media Enquiries: Peter Taylor NWR Communications peter@nwrcommunications.com.au T: +61 (0) 412 036 231
CHICAGO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Cision Ltd. ("Cision" or the "Company") (NYSE: CISN), a leading global provider of software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals, announced today that on December 14, 2017 its wholly owned subsidiary, Canyon Valor Companies, Inc. (the "Borrower") has entered into an incremental facility amendment (the "Incremental Amendment") to the credit agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and a syndicate of commercial lenders from time to time party thereto entered into on June 16, 2016, as amended (the "Credit Facility"). The Incremental Amendment provides for an incremental $75 million dollar-denominated term loan facility (the "Incremental Facility"). The proceeds from the Incremental Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, working capital purposesand investments, which may include one or more strategic acquisitions. The Company is currently in active negotiations with respect to two acquisitions.The Company cannot provide any assurances that it will be successful in consummating these strategic acquisitions.

Interest is charged on the Incremental Facility, at the Borrower's option, at a rate based on (1) the adjusted LIBOR (a rate equal to the London interbank offered rate adjusted for statutory reserves) or (2) the alternate base rate (a rate that is highest of the (i) Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch's prime lending rate, (ii) the overnight federal funds rate plus 50 basis points or (iii) the one month-adjusted LIBOR plus 1%), in each case, plus an applicable margin. The margin applicable to loans under the Incremental Facility bearing interest at the alternate base rate is 3.25%; the margin applicable to loans under the Incremental Facility bearing interest at the adjusted LIBOR is 4.25%, provided that each such rate is reduced by 25 basis points if the first lien net leverage ratio of Canyon Companies S.A r.l. and its restricted subsidiaries under the Credit Facility is less than or equal to 4.00:1.00 at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter.

The Borrower is obligated to make quarterly principal payments under the Incremental Facility of $2.588 million (which amount may be reduced by the application of voluntary and mandatory prepayments pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility), with the remaining balance due June 16, 2023. The Borrower may also be required to make certain mandatory prepayments of the Incremental Facility out of excess cash flow and upon the receipt of proceeds of asset sales and certain insurance proceeds (in each case, subject to certain minimum dollar thresholds and rights to reinvest the proceeds as set forth in the Credit Facility).

The obligations under the Incremental Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of Canyon Companies S.A r.l. and each of its subsidiaries organized in the United States (or any state thereof), the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Ireland, subject to certain exceptions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Cision cautions you that statements included in this release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause Cision's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expected use of proceeds and potential acquisitions. The risks and uncertainties relating to Cision are contained in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cision's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at www.sec.gov. Cision assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.

About Cision

Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN) is a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals. Cision's software allows users to identify key influencers, craft and distribute strategic content, and measure meaningful impact. Cision has over 3,000 employees with offices in 15 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information about its award-winning products and services, including the Cision Communications Cloud visitwww.cision.comand follow Cision on Twitter@Cision.

Investor Contact:

Jack Pearlstein

Chief Financial Officer

Jack.Pearlstein@Cision.com

Media Contact:

Nick Bell

VP, Marketing Communications

cisionpr@cision.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/467136/cision_logo.jpg
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2017 / Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (Frankfurt: M1N) (OTC PINK: MTEHF) ("Maxtech" or the "Company") is pleased to announce Maxtech has signed the membership agreement with the International Manganese Institute (IMnI) of Paris, France.

"The International Manganese Institute (IMnI) is a not-for-profit industry association that represents manganese ore and alloy producers, manufacturers of metallurgical products or chemical compounds, trading houses, industry service providers, companies involved in Mn business development, universities and research organizations around the world. Founded in 1975, with headquarters in Paris, France, IMnI's mission is to provide vision and guidance to the Mn industry by promoting economic, social and environmental responsibility and sustainability to all stakeholders. IMnI produces monthly and annual market research reports, available to members (by annual subscription). Public research reports are also available free of charge. The reports offer the industry's best detailed regional and country-level analysis of the manganese ore and alloy markets, and how they relate to the steel industry. In addition, the reports provide analysis of production, consumption, trade data, inventory changes, and unit consumption for both manganese ore and alloys." (www.manganese.org)

Manganese (Mn) is an essential plant mineral used in fertilizers, with key functions in a number of photosynthetic processes. Manganese is a dominant component in steel production, and because of the industry's steady growth, it ensures that manganese remains as one of the most widely used elements in the world. On the technology side, electric vehicles, off-the-grid power systems, and other energy storage applications will require significant amounts of high-quality manganese. Battery demand for Manganese sulfate will increase from 9.7 kilotons in 2017 to 32 kilotons in 2020 to 106 kilotons in 2026 (Cairn Energy Research Advisors).

"Joining the IMnI and aligning Maxtech with global leaders in discussions about the usages of manganese and its effects on the Green Revolution is integral to the company's future successes. After our participation in the latest conference in Miami, we determined membership in the IMnI was necessary. As one of the few Canadian members, we look forward to contributing to the organization and supporting their manganese coalition and initiatives," stated Peter Wilson, CEO, Maxtech Ventures Inc.

About Maxtech Ventures Inc.

Maxtech Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based diversified industries corporation with gold and manganese mineral properties. Its focus is on mining and the products that are derived therefrom.

For additional information see the Company's website at http://www.maxtech-ventures.com

Email to info@maxtech-ventures.com

Phone: 604-484-8989

Further information about the Company is available on www.SEDAR.com under the Company's profile.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," "anticipates," and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE: Maxtech Ventures Inc.
PRINCETON, New Jersey, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --MIAX Options Exchange (MIAX Options) has reached an important milestone as it celebrates the 5th anniversary of its launch. Successfully launched on December 7, 2012, MIAX Options began by listing a single symbol before rolling out additional symbols thereafter. Today, MIAX Options lists and trades options on over 2,700 multi-listed classes and is recognized within the options industry for its exceptional technological capabilities, risk assessment and management as well as quality customer service.

Since its launch in 2012, over 850 million contracts have been executed on MIAX Options, all while the exchange has experienced uptime of 99.99999681%. Additionally, MIAX Options has been able to increase its market share over the past five years, with a current market share of 5.25% for 2017 to date. This increase was due in part to its three successful Equity Rights Programs, the last of which, ERP-III, was closed on in June 2017, as well as the rollout of key functionality including the MIAX Price Improvement Mechanism (PRIME'), Complex Orders and cPRIME during that time period.

Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIAX Options, said, "This is truly a great milestone in the history of our company, and we would like to thank all of our investors, directors and employees for their unwavering support and continued commitment to MIAX Options over the past five years." Continued Gallagher, "We would also like to thank those MIAX Options member firms that have participated in one or more of our three Equity Rights Programs. These programs have proved invaluable in helping to grow our market share and building strong business relationships with member firms. With ERP-III underway, current member firm participants Barclays, Citadel Securities, IMC, Morgan Stanley & Co., Optiver US, Susquehanna Securities, Two Sigma Securities, and Wolverine Trading have been great supporters of both the program and MIAX Options in general.

"MIAX Options was designed to be one of the fastest and most reliable trading platforms in the world, and we are pleased that our exchange has continued to meet or exceed the trading and customer service expectations of our member firms since launch," said Douglas M. Schafer, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of MIAX Options. "We are also honored that our trading platform has been recognized for its exceptional performance capabilities over the past five years, having been named 'Best Overall Exchange' at the Fund Technology and WSL Awards in 2017. Such recognition is a testament to the talent of our employees and their dedication to providing our member firms with a superior trading experience."

Added Shelly Brown, Executive Vice President - Strategic Planning and Operations of MIAX Options, "We continue to work closely with our member firms to assess their trading behavior and develop new functionality and protections to address their trading needs. We are very proud of the quality of functionality that has been rolled out on MIAX Options since 2012, including the PRIME Price Improvement auction, Complex Orders and Complex PRIME functionality, and are excited for the new functionality that we are currently working on for future releases."

John DiBacco, Jr., trader at Virtu Financial LLC and current director of MIAX Options, commented, "I am pleased to see the great growth of MIAX Options over the past five years and wish the entire team continued success."

For further information regarding MIAX Options, please visit www.MIAXOptions.com or contact MIAX Trading Operations at TradingOperations@MIAXOptions.com.

Corporate Communications Contact: Dominique Prunetti-Miller

+1 (609) 897-1465

dprunetti@miami-holdings.com

About MIAX Options and MIH

Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX Options) is a fully electronic options trading exchange and wholly-owned subsidiary of Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH). MIAX Options currently lists and trades options on over 2,700 multi-listed classes. MIAX Options' unparalleled system throughput is approximately 38 million quotes per second. The average latency for a single quote on MIAX Options is approximately 24.19 microseconds for a round trip. At the 99th percentile, the latency on MIAX Options is approximately 26.89 microseconds. At the 99.9th percentile, the latency on MIAX Options is approximately 48.24 microseconds. MIAX Options is part of the MIAX Exchange Group along with MIAX PEARL, LLC (MIAX PEARL), MIH's second options exchange. MIAX PEARL launched trading operations in February 2017.

The MIAX Exchange Group has assembled a team with deep rooted experience in developing, operating and trading on options exchanges, and its trading platforms have been developed in-house and designed from the ground up for the unique functional and performance demands of derivatives trading. MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL leverage the MIAX Exchange Group's industry leading technology and infrastructure to provide their member firms with both traditional (MIAX Options) and maker-taker (MIAX PEARL) pricing structures. The MIAX Exchange Group's executive offices and National Operations Center are located in Princeton, NJ. The MIAX Exchange Group also maintains a Miami Operations Center in Miami, Florida, which contains the Miami Annual Meeting and Conference Center and the offices of MIAX Technologies and MIAX Global.

In addition to MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL, MIH is the parent holding company of Miami International Technologies, LLC (MIAX Technologies) and MIAX Global, LLC (MIAX Global). MIAX Technologies is MIH's technology subsidiary for the sale and/or license of the trading technology developed by the MIAX Exchange Group. MIAX Global focuses on merger, acquisition and joint venture activities of MIH. MIAX Global also provides technology and other services outside of North America, with its initial concentration being on Europe and Latin America.

Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of MIH, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer; solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical or current facts of MIH, together with its subsidiaries, including MIAX Options (collectively, the Company). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company; the competitive position of the Company; potential growth opportunities available to the Company; the expectation with respect to securities, options and future markets and general economic conditions; the effects of competition on the Company's business; and the impact of future legislation and regulatory changes on the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
Milan Nitzschke, president of EU ProSun and spokesman for the AEGIS industry association, explains what China's quest for market economy status has to do with the new European anti-dumping directives, and what effect they will have on the measures against Chinese PV manufacturers.The EU Council and the European Parliament issued new anti-dumping rules in Strasbourg on December 13. They will officially come into force on December 20. Milan Nitzschke speaks to pv magazine about what the changes mean. pv magazine: What are the most important changes to the previous anti-dumping regulation?? Milan Nitzschke: The most important change is that not too much changes. The entire anti-dumping law was at stake. That's off the table now. On the contrary, the new regulation makes anti-dumping measures in the EU more legally secure in the future. Does the EU Commission still have as much room for maneuver in its decisions in anti-dumping procedures as before? Yes, even more so than before. Since we are dealing with enormously complex economic issues in commercial legislation, not every detail must be included in the legal text. Accordingly, much depends on assessment and discretion. The EU is responding with the new regulation to China's aspirations to gain market economy status. What is the current stand? This triggered the whole process. When China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, it was stated that the country did not have market economy status. Then the negotiators believed it possible the economic constitution of China could change within 15 years. Consequently, since 2016, there has been an provision to provide evidence in commercial law proceedings. China has reinterpreted that provision, and said 2016 was the starting point of its economic status. The EU has so far not accepted this and, thus, has not recognized China as a market economy? Right. After 15 years, China sued the European Union before the World Trade Organization Arbitration Court in Geneva. What sounds like legal bluff would have a massive impact on commercial law and the future of the industry in Europe. In fact, China today is further from a market economy than it was in 2001. The government's economic expansion policy is more aggressive than ever, prices are determined by subsidies and government regulations, and government loans finance dumping prices on foreign markets. If China were legally recognized as ...

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BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/17 -- Colabor Group Inc. (TSX: GCL) ("Colabor" or the "Corporation") today announces changes to its Board of Directors (the "Board").

Following the Board's decision to increase the number of members on the Board to 8 members, the Corporation announces the appointment of Mr. Denis Mathieu and Mr. Warrant White to its Board, effective as of January 1st, 2018.

M. Denis Mathieu has a vast experience in the distribution sector. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Novexco Inc., a Canadian leader in the distribution of office supplies and products. From 2007 to 2015, Mr. Mathieu worked for Uni-Select Inc. the largest distributor of auto parts in Canada, notably as Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. He had previously held various management and executive positions with Transcontinental Inc. and the Laurentian Group Corporation. Denis Mathieu is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agrees du Quebec and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Universite Laval and a MBA from Universite de Sherbrooke.

For his part, Warren White is a seasoned leader with an impressive track record in information technology. Mr. White served as Senior Vice President, Global Business Engineering at CGI from 2003 to 2012. He previously served as Vice President, Information Technology and Procurement for Alcan Aluminum, as well as Vice-President, Strategic Planning and CIO for Dominion Textile. In addition, over the past decade, he has served on the boards of four publicly traded companies. Warren White is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agrees du Quebec and holds a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy and a MBA from Concordia University.

The Corporation also announces the appointment of Mr. Raymond Pare to its Board as the Fonds de Solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec's nominee, in replacement of Ms. Elaine Zakaib who recently resigned as director of the Corporation. This appointment is effective immediately.

Mr. Pare was Chief Financial Officer of the SAQ from November 2015 until August of this year when he joined Sotramont Canada inc. as an associate partner. Between 2003 and 2015, he held several executive positions at Alimentation Couche-Tard inc., including the position of Vice-President and Chef Financial Officer during his last years. Mr. Pare also acts as strategic advisor for Groupe SPI inc., a distribution and consulting company in the field of health and safety. Mr. Pare has a Bachelor degree in Accounting from Universite du Quebec and a MBA in Financing, and is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agrees du Quebec.

"I would like to thank Ms. Zakaib for her contribution and availability, we wish her the best of luck," said Robert Cloutier, Chairman of the Board of Colabor. As for the appointment of the three new highly qualified directors, Mr Cloutier indicates "it reflects Colabor's desire to form a first-level board of directors. The recognized skills of MM. Pare, Mathieu and White will be important assets for the Board and the whole organization. In addition, their rigor and work ethic will contribute to the maintenance of good governance. On behalf of all Board members, I wish them the warmest welcome," said Robert Cloutier, Chairman of Colabor's Board of Directors.

ABOUT COLABOR

Colabor is a distributor and wholesaler of food and non-food products serving the foodservice market (cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, restaurant chains) in Quebec, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, as well as the retail market (grocery stores and convenience stores).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements reflecting the opinions or current expectations of Colabor Group Inc. concerning its performance, business operations and future events. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results or events may differ.

Contacts:

Investors: Groupe Colabor Inc.

Jean-Francois Neault, CPA, CMA, MBA

Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer

450-449-0026 ext. 1308

450-449-6180 (FAX)

jean-francois.neault@colabor.com

www.colabor.com



Media: Maison Brison Inc.

Pierre Boucher, CPA, CMA

Partner, Executive Vice-President

514-731-0000 ext. 237

514-731-4525 (FAX)

pierre@maisonbrison.com






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United Nation's top expert on torture has pointed towards the continuing practice of torturing detainees at the US detention center in Guantanamo Bay, and sought access to one of the most notorious American prisons to interview its inmates.



The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer, appealed to the US Government to end a pervasive policy of impunity for crimes of torture committed by US officials, and to bring its own perpetrators to justice.



A Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA's detention and interrogation program in 2014 publicly acknowledged the systematic use of torture in US custody.



Melzer said he was particularly concerned about detainees who had faced prolonged detention in almost complete isolation.



He highlighted the case of Ammar al-Baluchi, the nephew of alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of arranging the financing for the biggest terrorist attacks that shook the United States.



Named 153 times in the Senate report, Al Baluchi is said to have suffered relentless torture for three-and-a-half years in CIA 'black sites' before being moved to Guantanamo Bay.



Al-Baluchi has been held in isolation at the US naval facility in Cuba for more than a decade, the Special Rapporteur said.



'In addition to the long-term effects of past torture, noise and vibrations are reportedly still being used against him, resulting in constant sleep deprivation and related physical and mental disorders', Melzer said in a statement.



The Special Rapporteur strongly reminded the US authorities that violating the ban on torture and ill-treatment in custody is listed among the most serious international crimes.



Melzer reiterated his request for permission to conduct an official visit to the Guantanamo Bay and to interview inmates there.



Despite repeated requests, UN Special Rapporteurs on torture have consistently been refused access to the high-security military jail and other such US detention centers.



After releasing more than 600 detainees, currently, around 60 men are held at the U.S. naval base in southeast Cuba. The military jail was set up in 2002 by former president George W. Bush to hold suspects who are suspected of committing terrorist activities against the United States.



Due to the facts that the inmates are detained indefinitely without trial and some of them were severely tortured, this camp is considered as a major breach of human rights.



But President Donald Trump is skeptical of potential threat posed by the release of terrorism suspects in GTMO, and has made it clear that its closure is unlikely.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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FORM 8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY

A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE

Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")

1. KEY INFORMATION

(a) Identity of the person whose positions/dealings are being disclosed: Magnetar Capital Partners LP (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):

The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient N/A (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:

Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Sky plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: December 13, 2017 (f) Has the discloser previously disclosed, or are they today disclosing, under the Code in respect of any other party to this offer? No

2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security: 50p ordinary

ISIN: GB0001411924 Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Derivatives (other than options): 18,044,171 1.05% (3) Options and agreements to purchase/sell:

TOTAL: 18,044,171 1.05%

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open derivative or option positions, or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other executive options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

(a) Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit

(b) Derivatives transactions (other than options)

Class of relevant security Product description

e.g. CFD Nature of dealing

e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a long position 390,000 10.1355

(c) Options transactions in respect of existing securities

(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type

e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii) Exercising

Class of relevant security Product description

e.g. call option Number of securities Exercise price per unit

(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security Nature of dealing

e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

4. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:

If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"

None

(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:

(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or

(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:

If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None

(c) Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? No

Date of disclosure: December 14, 2017 Contact name: Julianna Ethell Telephone number: 847-905-4688

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service and must also be emailed to the Takeover Panel at monitoring@disclosure.org.uk. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 14, 2017) - ELCORA ADVANCED MATERIALS CORP. (TSXV: ERA) (FSE: ELM) (OTCQB: ECORF), (the "Company" or "Elcora"), is pleased to announce the development of graphene infused Lithium-ion batteries for fast charge applications.

Graphene among other applications has exceptionally high electrical and thermal conductivity. Currently li-ion battery technology is restricted by recharging time which Elcora plans on addressing through the application of graphene properties. Given these characteristics graphene could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion battery technology and result in a major impact in the future of Li-ion applications.

Elcora is uniquely positioned to develop graphene infused Li-ion batteries for several reasons:

Elcora produces high quality graphene in its advanced graphite processing facility on-demand

Elcora produces high purity Lithium-ion anode battery powder from the same facility

Elcora's supplies the feed-stock for both graphene and anode powder fabrication processes

Elcora has expertise in graphene and Lithium-ion battery technology and is presently working with strategic partners in development of applications.

Elcora has its own in-house Lithium-Ion R&D Battery Lab

Elcora may improve Lithium-ion battery performance by optimizing thermal and electrical conductivity of the electrodes. Battery electrodes use carbon black as a conductivity promoter. The carbon black used in traditional electrodes may be replaced/supplemented with graphene produced using Elcora's environmentally friendly processing techniques. The highly conductive graphene should influence charge transfer kinetics, allowing for faster charging times compared to conventional electrode formulations.

Unlike carbon black, high-quality graphene has a relatively short shelf life (weeks if not days) and requires understanding of proper dispersion techniques. Elcora can produce its own graphene, that can be used in electrode formulation experiments immediately after fabrication. This synergy ensures that the graphene is of the highest quality before being infused into the battery electrode.

Elcora's goal is to develop proprietary battery technology that can store more capacity and deliver more power at lower cost.

Commented CEO Troy Grant, "We believe Elcora's production of both graphene and anode powder along with our expertise and strategic relationships with third parties is a perfect fit to our end goal of addressing the energy storage market."

About Elcora Advanced Materials

Elcora was founded in 2011 and has been structured to become a vertically integrated graphite & graphene company. Elcora mines, processes, and refines graphite. That graphite is converted to graphene or graphite powder for Li-ion batteries. As part of the vertical integration strategy, Elcora has secured high-grade graphite from its interest in the operation of the Ragedara mine in Sri Lanka, which is already in production. Elcora has the tools and resources for graphite and graphene vertical integration.

For further information please visit the company's website at http://www.elcoracorp.com. Continue to watch for updates on the development work by tuning into https://youtu.be/5shbT68Trno.

For further information please contact: Troy Grant, Director, President and CEO, Elcora Resources Corp.,

T: +1 902 802-8847 F: +1 902 446-2001.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock Exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Elcora, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Elcora's expectations are exploration risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Elcora with securities regulators.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.
Laguna, California--(Newsfile Corp. - December 14, 2017) - As a follow-up to CERESLabs opening their doors to the investor community last week, Sachin Barot, CEO, announces the formation of their Advisory Board to assist in positioning the company for the global marketplace. The Board will ensure that the infrastructure and operations will meet the highest standards for an analytical cannabis laboratory. Additionally, the Board will provide guidance in the company's practices and processes, plus insights in the areas of global research and new product development.

CERESLabs appointed Dr. Pritesh Kumar as Chair. Dr. Kumar brings a team of 40+ international scientists to help establish initial operations, provide proprietary scientific staff training, and serve as assets for the company's expansion plan.

"Dr. Kumar's expertise in cannabis research, analytical testing methodology, purification technologies, and laboratory protocols, as well as his work with the global scientific community, will be invaluable in achieving the highest standards for our testing facilities," said Barot, CEO of CERESLabs.

Dr. Kumar is the Founder of KYDS LLC, a company which provides purification and state-of-the-art analytical testing services to permitted Industrial Hemp Processors / Growers within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The company is an authorized agent and acts on behalf of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA).

Dr. Kumar earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, with a focus in cannabinoid pharmacology, from the University of Louisville. He has conducted pharmacological testing of FDA-approved drugs as potential ligands for the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) and investigated the pharmacology of cannabinoids. Dr. Kumar has been published in numerous scientific journals including the European Journal of Pharmacology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. He is also an active member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS).

"I am looking forward to working with the CERESLabs team to develop the scientific infrastructure necessary to achieve the highest quality cannabis laboratory testing facilities in the world," said Dr. Kumar.

Dr. Kumar's first appointees to the CERESLabs Advisory Board are recognized leaders in their respective fields: Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo, a global public health visionary, and Bill Stephenson, well-known for his role in global institutional trading and technology.

Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo, ScMD, PhD, MBA

Dr. Belluzzo is an internationally recognized corporate and non-profit leader currently working as the Clinical Director for xRapid where she co-authors and orchestrates clinical research and oversees regulatory processes. xRapid is responsible for the first commercially available app with the functionality to quickly and accurately diagnose major diseases. Dr. Belluzzo is also co-owner and Director of Global Health Initiatives for DrInfo, a groundbreaking centralized health information system in New Zealand and Australia with a goal of global reach.

"It's exciting to be collaborating with an accomplished group of individuals working toward the common goal of providing safe and appropriate cannabis products for all end users," states Dr. Belluzzo.

Bill Stephenson

Mr. Stephenson is the Founder of the Alpha Innovation Required (AIR) Summit, which is a highly successful financial technology event and community for asset managers and investment banks. Mr. Stephenson is the Chief Strategy Officer at a start-up technology company that has created an innovative performance and risk analytics platform for the financial trading community. Previously Mr. Stephenson was the Global Head of Trading at Franklin Templeton Investments where he held trading and leadership positions over a 20-year span. In 2014, Mr. Stephenson was named as one of the top 100 Most Influential People in buy-side trading by The Trade magazine.

According to Stephenson, "If you're going to invest time or capital in the cannabis space, analytical research and testing is the most interesting corner of the market. I am joining CERESLabs because they have scientific expertise, leadership, and the ability to attract the right strategic investment partners."

About CERESLabs

CERESLabs is an accomplished group of professionals dedicated to becoming the global leader in analytical cannabis laboratory testing. Key strengths include international scalability, speed to market, and grounding in proprietary scientific research methodologies and technologies.

CONTACT

Sachin Barot

Co-Founder, CEO of CERESLabs

213-536-7533 | info@CERESLabs.com | CERESLabs.com
MCLEAN, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/17 -- According to the Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) Multifamily Apartment Investment Market Index (AIMI), in the third quarter multifamily investing conditions grew modestly stronger across many of the metropolitan markets it tracks. Created by Freddie Mac, the widely used analytical tool combines multifamily rental income growth, property price growth and mortgage rates to provide a single index that measures multifamily market investment conditions.

A rise in AIMI from one quarter to the next implies an increasingly favorable environment for multifamily investment opportunities, while a decline suggests that attractive investment opportunities are becoming more difficult to find compared to the prior period.

AIMI's Quarterly Results

In the third quarter, AIMI experienced a quarterly increase in 11 of the 13 markets it tracks. At the national level, AIMI remained largely flat (0.01% growth). Only Atlanta (AIMI: -0.43%) and Seattle (AIMI: -1.34%) saw declines.

Driving these quarterly numbers was growth in net operating income (NOI) across 10 local markets and nationally, though no market produced exceptionally strong NOI growth. Three markets -- Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Seattle -- saw NOI contraction. Moreover, every market experienced property price growth over the quarter, although it was minimal in some markets, such as Chicago and Philadelphia. Finally, like the second quarter, this quarter saw declines in mortgage rates, which played the largest role in AIMI's quarterly increases.

AIMI's Annual Results

On an annual basis, the story for the Index was much different. AIMI decreased nationally and in every market except for Orlando (AIMI: 1.10%). Annually, NOI grew nationally and in 12 metro areas. Only Houston did not experience NOI growth. At the same time, annual property prices grew in every market, but in 11 areas those prices increased at a rate that is lower than the pre-recession average. New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Orlando were among the most significant examples of price growth below the pre-recession averages. Finally, as happened last quarter, mortgage rates jumped 24 basis points year-over-year -- remaining a significant driver of AIMI's decline in most markets.

"In the third quarter, modest growth in net operating income, taken together with declines in mortgage rates, resulted in moderate increases in AIMI from the previous quarter," said Steve Guggenmos, vice president of Freddie Mac Multifamily Research and Modeling. "Annually, NOI growth was more significant and more pervasive. However, increases in mortgage rates over the past 12 months were more impactful, and once again drove AIMI's annual declines. Overall, AIMI continues to reflect the current market reality -- continued strong demand and a limited supply of rental units."

In addition to national and local values, AIMI also provides a sensitivity table that shows how the Index value adjusts based on changes in certain underlying variables. Additional information about AIMI is on the Freddie Mac Multifamily website and includes FAQs and a video.

Freddie Mac Multifamily helps ensure an ample supply of affordable rental housing by purchasing and securitizing mortgages on apartment buildings nationwide. Roughly 90 percent of the mortgages purchased support rental units for lower income households. Freddie Mac securitizes about 90 percent of the multifamily loans it purchases, thus transferring the vast majority of the expected credit risk from taxpayers to private investors.

Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we've made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders, and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac's blog FreddieMac.com/blog.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Christopher Spina

703-388-7031

Christopher_Spina@FreddieMac.com




VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2017 / TIMIA Capital Corporation ("TIMIA" or the "Company") (TSX-V: TCA) is pleased to announce its newest investment into Wagepoint Inc. This is TIMIA's 3rd new investment in the past two months.

Wagepoint's payroll automation solution helps over 4,000 small businesses across Canada and the United States pay their employees - all with one easy cloud-based format. Wagepoint has recently launched a partnership with Intuit Canada where an Intuit-branded version of Wagepoint is now embedded inside Quickbooks Online. For more information on how Wagepoint makes payroll simple, fast, and friendly, visit www.wagepoint.com.

The financing facility is $2.0 Million total, with a first disbursement of $750,000 and a further $1,250,000 to be disbursed upon certain milestones being met over the next 24 months.

TIMIA has completed 4 new deals in 2017, with 3 of these deals closing in the last 2 months. This most recent investment brings the total number of active investments in the TIMIA portfolio to 7 and the disbursed $ value of active investments to $7.8 Million.

"Wagepoint is an exciting addition to the TIMIA portfolio," commented Mike Walkinshaw, CEO of TIMIA. "We look forward to working with them as they grow their business."

About TIMIA Capital Corporation

TIMIA Capital Corporation is a specialty finance company that provides revenue financing to technology companies in exchange for payments tied to revenue and bonus payments upon exiting the investments. The alternative financing option complements both debt and equity financing while allowing entrepreneurs to retain a greater share of their business. TIMIA's target market is the fast-growing business-to-business software-as-a-service (SaaS) segment. TIMIA is managed by a seasoned investment team with a track record of originating and managing debt and equity investments, as well as monitoring, compliance, and workouts. For more information about TIMIA Capital Corporation, please visit www.timiacapital.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Walkinshaw

Chief Executive Officer

TIMIA Capital Corporation

(604) 398-8839

IR@timiacapital.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. The Company disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statement.

SOURCE: TIMIA Capital Corporation
The Belgium-based Company Complements new PRN Health Subsidiary

DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --STRATACACHE and PRN today announced the acquisition of iDKLIC, a digital marketing and signage provider in the healthcare industry based in Brussels, Belgium. Expanding its global footprint of scalable customer engagement and activation technologies at the point of decision, iDKLIC will operate within the newly formed PRN Health Ltd. division as part of its current wellness product offerings. PRN currently provides interactive pharmacy displays and touchscreens for today's leading wellness retailers.

Changes in both patient profile and healthcare delivery are leading pharmacies to evolve from small medicinal counters to inspiring well-being centers, evolving the in-store experience to an entirely new level. PRN Health's digital solutions are a strategic part of enhancing the patient journey in a retail environment.

iDKLIC provides thousands of pharmacies in Europe with turnkey and customizable content management, digital signage solutions and interactive digital advertising networks. Its Pharmaseen platform currently operates in Belgium, France, Ireland and Luxembourg, with multiple expansion opportunities throughout Europe. Pharmaseen is a unique health communication channel created specifically for the pharmacy retail environment. It attracts, engages and educates the audience while triggering point-of-decision upsell opportunities.

The partnership will give PRN, which provides unique point-of-sale and highly visible advertising solutions to convenience stores and pharmacies, an expedited entry into the growing health and wellness market in Europe and a solid foundation upon which to build and expand. PRN will expand iDKLIC's proven platform for serving independent pharmacies in the US. iDKLIC will have access to STRATACACHE's expansive Global network of field support, operations and customer support infrastructure as well as investment capital to support expansion into new markets and regions.

iDKLIC's co-founder and CEO, Jean-Charles Figoni, will remain as CEO and will continue to lead the company's expansion in Europe. He stated: "Since 2006, our company has been receiving a positive response from advertisers and customers. Our concept is established in over 1,250 pharmacies, reaching 2 million impressions per day. We are looking forward to further expanding the number of pharmacies and advertisers in Europe."

"iDKLIC has built a successful model for serving European pharmacy customers," said Kevin Carbone, CEO of PRN. "With access to the technology, operational expertise and investment capital of PRN and STRATACACHE, iDKLIC can now deliver its proven value-added model to more pharmacy customers in more countries across Europe. The acquisition will also give PRN access to a proven platform for serving independent pharmacies and regional drugstore chains in North America."

Jean-Charles Figoni added: "At our end, we were fully aware that STRATACACHE would help us achieve our mission and realize our vision in a faster, more professional and integrated manner."

Learn more at www.prn.com and www.idklic.com.

About PRN, LLC

PRN, a STRATACACHE company, is the leading digital media company specializing in digital solutions that activate shoppers along the path-to-purchase right up to the point-of-sale. With the LIFT interactive point of purchase network at convenience stores, in-aisle interactive touchscreens and smart video signage, PRN's solutions can be found in over 18,000 retail locations. Providing turn-key solutions to retailers, PRN 's services include brand advertising and network monetization, content strategy and consumer experience, product design and integration and technical support. With headquarters in San Francisco, PRN has over 25 years of experience in retail technology and shopper activation. To learn more, visit www.prn.com, follow them on Twitter @PRNllc, or like them on Facebook.

About iDKLIC

iDKLIC is a digital marketing specialist in retail pharmacy. Its technology and services are present in more than 1,250 pharmacies across Europe. With its roots in the heart of Europe, iDKLIC responded to a need from the pharmacy retail market: maximize direct communication with the customer and trigger impulse purchases with high-in return products. With its creativity, innovation and application of new technologies, iDKLIC will improve healthcare outcomes thanks to its new approaches to traditional challenges across multiple channels and areas in the healthcare industry. To learn more, visit www.idklic.com follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter @iDklic or like them on Facebook.

About STRATACACHE

STRATACACHE, Inc. is the leading provider of intelligent digital signage, digital merchandising, mobile enablement and analytics and rich media customer engagement at retail. These solutions help influence customers at the point-of-decision, generating new sales opportunities and enhanced retail profitability. With over 2 million software activations globally across multiple platforms, we have the deepest footprint in the market and consistently enhance our offerings to better serve our customers. STRATACACHE is based in Dayton, Ohio and serves 28 countries with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Bentonville, Dallas, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, London, Oslo, Sittard, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Adelaide, Luxembourg and Bangalore. Learn more about STRATACACHE and its family of companies - Scala, PRN, Carmanah Signs, Optika, SuperLumin, enVu, RDM - www.stratacache.com, following us on Twitter @STRATACACHE or liking us on Facebook.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/619263/Premier_Retail_Networks_Health_Logo.jpg
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc / Index: AIM / Epic: EOG / Sector: Oil & Gas

14 December 2017

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc ('Europa' or 'the Company')

Result of Annual General Meeting

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, the AIM traded Ireland and UK focused oil and gas exploration, development and production company, held its Annual General Meeting today.

All resolutions were passed on a show of hands.

Details of the votes For and Against for each resolution are detailed in the table below:

For Against 1 57,420,573 99.95% 28,315 0.05% 2 57,422,037 99.95% 28,915 0.05% 3 56,405,035 98.18% 1,043,853 1.82% 4 56,405,035 98.18% 1,043,853 1.82% 5 56,404,435 98.18% 1,044,453 1.82% 6 56,869,837 99.00% 572,051 1.00% 7 56,217,207 97.87% 1,222,680 2.13% 8 56,162,428 97.99% 1,152,460 2.01% 9 56,193,628 98.04% 1,121,260 1.96%

* * ENDS * *

For further information please visit www.europaoil.com or contact:

Hugh Mackay Europa + 44 (0) 20 7224 3770 Phil Greenhalgh Europa + 44 (0) 20 7224 3770 Matt Goode finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Simon Hicks finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Emily Morris finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Frank Buhagiar St Brides Partners Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Susie Geliher St Brides Partners Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7236 1177

Notes

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc has a diversified portfolio of multi-stage hydrocarbon assets that includes production, exploration and development interests, in countries that are politically stable, have transparent licensing processes, and offer attractive terms.

In 2017 Europa produced 113 boepd. Its highly prospective exploration projects include the Wressle development in the UK and seven licences offshore Ireland with the potential to host gross mean un-risked prospective and indicative resources of 4.7 billion barrels oil equivalent and 1.5 tcf gas across all seven licences.
A PLN 40 billion (around 9.4 billion) Polish support scheme for renewable energy was approved by the European Commission, pushing for an increase of green energy in the country's energy mix. Meanwhile, Guernsey-based Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund has agreed to provide financing for ReneSola's 55 projects in Poland, each with a capacity of 1MW.Looking to underpin Poland's energy transition, the European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a renewable energy scheme and a reduced levy to finance the scheme for energy-intensive users. The scheme, with a total budget of PLN 40 billion (around 9.4 billion), will provide state support to producers of electricity from renewable energy, which will be selected by means of competitive auction. The first two rounds took place in December 2016 and June 2017 and additional auctions will be organized until 30 June 2021. Financed by a surcharge levied on electricity consumers, the scheme will be applied to small installations with a capacity of up to 500kW, which can benefit from a feed-in tariff, and installations with a capacity of more than 500kW, which will receive a premium on top of the market price of electricity. According to the EC, beneficiaries will only receive the premium if, in the coming years, the market price of electricity is below the bidding price submitted in the auction, in order to help them compensate for costs that cannot be recovered from selling electricity in the market, ...

Den vollstandigen Artikel lesen ...
LONDON, Dec. 14,2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb today announced the appointment of Brian Church as Executive Vice President and Head of International Property for Chubb's Overseas General business, effective 1 January 2018. In this role, Brian will have responsibility for all of Chubb's retail commercial property insurance business throughout Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Formerly Executive Vice President and Head of Major Accounts Property for Chubb in the United States, Brian will relocate from New York to London and report to David Furby, Division President, Commercial Property & Casualty, Chubb Overseas General. Brian succeeds Jarrod Hill, who in a separate announcement was appointed Country President of Australia and New Zealand.

Brian has more than 17 years of experience in the insurance industry. Since joining the company in 2005 as a property underwriter, Brian has held various underwriting and management roles working extensively across domestic and multinational property business in the US. He assumed his current responsibilities as Head of Major Accounts Property in 2012.

Prior to joining Chubb, Brian worked as an underwriter at Zurich and AIG.

David Furby, Division President, Commercial Property & Casualty, Chubb Overseas General, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Brian to this key leadership role in our international business. He brings extensive experience and property expertise, which will prove invaluable in the future development of our business internationally."

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com/uk

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/324916/Chubb_Logo.jpg
Regulatory News:

Pollen peak Whole season Number of

patients Clinical efficacy Number of

patients Clinical efficacy Placebo Treated Reduction in

CSMS3 P value Placebo Treated Reduction in

CSMS3 P value All patients1 136 264 -15.5% 0.04 95 201 -17.9% 0.03 The most affected patients (50% total population)1 67 136 -19.8% 0.05 46 108 -24.4% 0.05 Patients recruited in Belgium2 13 24 -35.1% 0.03 8 12 -53.7% ns 1 R. Mosges et al EAACI 2017 2M. Shamji et al EAACI 2017 3 CSMS: Combined Symptom and Medication Score 4 ns: non significant

ASIT biotech (ASIT BE0974289218) (Paris:ASIT) (BSE:ASIT), a Belgian biopharmaceutical company specialising in allergen immunotherapy, reviews and details the results of the first Phase III trial with gp-ASIT+presented by Professor R. Mosges (University of Cologne) and Professor M. Shamji (Imperial College London) at the 2017 Annual EAACI Congress (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology).

The efficacy of gp-ASIT+ is measured by the reduction in symptoms and the intake of common rescue medications like antihistamines or intranasal corticosteroids during the pollen season. This is referred to as a reduction in the Combined Symptom and Medication Score (CSMS). This score is calculated on the basis of data on symptoms and medication use recorded every day in a diary by each patient.

The results presented to the EAACI show that over the course of the whole pollen season, gp-ASIT+ resulted in an average reduction in the combined score of 17.9% for the entire study population, close to the threshold of 20% required by the registration authorities. The effects of gp-ASIT+ were greater and exceeded this threshold of 20% (24.4%) for the most allergic group of patients (representing 50% of the total population). These effects were even more marked (53.7%) for patients recruited in Belgium

The differences in efficacy between these groups of patients are linked to variability in the severity of their allergy as well as differences in pollen levels between the regions of Europe in which the study was conducted. The exceptional results achieved in Belgium can be explained by the optimum combination of patients who were severely allergic and a normal season in terms of grass pollen exposure.

This optimum combination in Belgium created the best possible conditions for conducting the study into the immunological mechanism of gp-ASIT+ as initially planned. This study showed that gp-ASIT+ was capable of achieving development of an optimal immune tolerance in only 3 weeks, whereas competing products take months, or even years, of treatment to achieve comparable results.

The results of this first study in Phase III confirm that gp-ASIT+ is capable of achieving a reduction in the combined score above the threshold of 20% demanded by the registration authorities. In view of this, for its next clinical trials with gp-ASIT+, ASIT biotech has decided to maximize chances of success, in particular by using electronic diaries to significantly improve patient monitoring and by recruiting more patients with a severe allergy.

Within this context, the latest response from the FDA, which focuses on a limited number of clarifications on the gp-ASIT+master file, can be seen as a positive, significant advance in the definition of the clinical development plan in the United States. This development plan will be discussed at a meeting with the FDA.

About Ralph Mosges Mohamed Shamji

https://www.asitbiotech.com/company/scientific-committee

About ASIT biotech

ASIT biotech is a Belgian clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and future commercialisation of a range of breakthrough immunotherapy products for the treatment of allergies. Thanks to its innovative ASIT+ technology platform, ASIT biotech is currently the only developer of AIT product candidates consisting of a unique mixture of highly purified natural allergen fragments in an optimal size selection. This innovation results in a short treatment, expected to improve patient compliance and real-life effectiveness. ASIT biotech's product pipeline entails two novel ASIT+ product candidates targeting respiratory allergy with the highest prevalence (i.e. grass pollen: gp-ASIT+ and house dust mite: hdm-ASIT+), that could significantly expand the current immunotherapy market. The Company believes that its innovative ASIT+ platform is flexible and would be applicable across a range of allergies.

ASIT biotech has a headcount of 22 staff members, at its headquarters in Brussels and a laboratory in Liege, Belgium.

Further information can be found at: www.asitbiotech.com.

Forward Looking Statements

All statements in this announcement that do not relate to historical facts and events are "forward-looking statements". In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "continue," "ongoing," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "seek" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategies, plans, objectives, targets, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this announcement and, without prejudice to the Company's obligations under applicable law in relation to disclosure and ongoing information, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this announcement.

Important Legal Notice

This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for shares of ASIT biotech SA (the "Company" and the "Shares"). Any purchase of, subscription for or application for, Shares to be issued in connection with the intended offering should only be made on the basis of information contained in the prospectus and any supplements thereto, as the case may be. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus and the information contained herein is for information purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. Investors should not subscribe for any Shares except on the basis of the information contained in the prospectus that the Company expects to publish after its approval by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority, and which can then be obtained at the Company's registered office and on www.asitbiotech.com.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or to any U.S. person within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company has not registered, and does not intend to register, any portion of the intended offering of Shares in the United States, and does not intend to conduct a public offering of Shares in the United States.

This announcement and the information contained herein are not for publication, distribution or release in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction.

The Company is responsible for the information contained in this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214006063/en/

Contacts:

ASIT biotech

Thierry Legon, Tel. +32 2 264 03 90

CEO

investors@asitbiotech.com

or

Media and Investor Relations France

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky Pierre Laurent, Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 92

asitbiotech@newcap.eu

or

Media Relations Belgium

Laure-Eve Monfort, Tel.: +32 2 290 90 93

monfort@comfi.be


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - After moving to the downside in morning trading, treasuries rebounded over the course of the trading session on Thursday before closing roughly flat.



Bond prices climbed well off their lows of the session to finish the day slightly higher. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its prices, edged down by less than a basis point to 2.346 percent.



The recovery by treasuries came amid an uncertainty about the outlook for the Republican tax reform plan after Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., indicated his opposition to the legislation currently being negotiated.



Rubio wants an expansion of the proposed child tax credit, while Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., voted against the original Senate bill due to concerns about the cost of the plan.



Republicans can only afford to lose two votes in the Senate and still pass the bill with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence.



The initial weakness among treasuries came following the release of a batch of upbeat economic data, including a report from the Commerce Department showing a bigger than expected increase in retail sales in the month of November.



The report said retail sales climbed by 0.8 percent in November after rising by an upwardly revised 0.5 percent in October.



Economists had expected retail sales to increase by 0.3 percent compared to the 0.2 percent uptick originally reported for the previous month.



Excluding a modest decrease in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales surged up by 1.0 percent in November after climbing by 0.4 percent in October.



A separate report released by the Labor Department showed an unexpected decrease in initial jobless claims in the week ended December 9th.



The report said initial jobless claims dropped to 225,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 236,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 239,000.



Another report released by the Labor Department showed import prices increased in line with economist estimates in the month of November, while export prices rose by much more than anticipated.



The Labor Department said its import price index climbed by 0.7 percent in November after inching up by 0.1 percent in October.



Export prices rose by 0.5 percent in November after ticking up by 0.1 percent in the previous month. Economists had expected export prices to edge up by 0.2 percent.



Meanwhile, the Commerce Department released a report showing a modest decrease in business inventories in the month of October.



The Commerce Department said business inventories edged down by 0.1 percent in October after showing no change in September. The slight drop in inventories matched economist estimates.



Trading on Friday may be impacted by reaction to reports on New York manufacturing activity and industrial production.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/17 -- Osisko Mining Inc. (TSX: OSK) ("Osisko" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce it has commenced drilling with two drill rigs on its 100% owned Osborne-Bell gold deposit located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, Quevillon Township, Eeyou Istchee James Bay Region, Quebec. Located 17 kilometres northwest of the town of Lebel-sur-Quevillon and 112 kilometres west of the Windfall Lake gold deposit, Osborne-Bell is part of Osisko's Quevillon Project, which consists of a 2160 square kilometer land package hosting approximately thirty known gold showings. A map showing the location of the deposit and project is posted on our website at www.osiskomining.com.

The 50,000 metre drill program will re-evaluate the historical Osborne-Bell resource, and test regional exploration targets on the Quevillon Project. The Osborne-Bell deposit has seen significant historical drilling, which Osisko intends to re-log as part of the ongoing program.

The Company is also currently completing a 27,000 kilometre high-definition magnetic survey and 5,400 kilometre V-TEM airborne survey over the Quevillon Project.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed, prepared and approved by Mr. Mathieu Savard, B.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ 510), Vice President Exploration - Quebec, who is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About the Osborne-Bell Gold Deposit

The Osborne-Bell gold deposit is located 15 km north-west of Lebel-sur-Quevillon and 115 km to the west of the Windfall Lake gold deposit. A resource estimate was completed by Maudore Minerals Ltd on the Osborne-Bell gold deposit on October 26, 2012 (see press release on October 29, 2012 at www.sedar.com) which refers to an indicated mineral resource of 8,463,800 Tonnes at 2.0 g/t Au for 546,299 oz and an inferred mineral resource of 8,115,800 Tonnes at 4.8 g/t Au for 1,258,990 oz. During the acquisition of the Osborne-Bell gold deposit from Deloitte Restructuring in March 2017, Osisko had access to confidential information indicating that the historic mineral resource estimate for the Osborne-Bell gold deposit could possibly be significantly reduced. Osisko intends to explore the Quevillon project and unlock the potential of the newly acquired Quevillon project as well as the Osborne-Bell gold deposit.

For further details regarding the 2012 mineral resource estimate, key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resources presented in respect of the Osborne-Bell Gold Deposit of the Comtois Property, please see the " 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate - Osbell Deposit, Comtois Property", dated effective date October 26, 2012 and filed on SEDAR on December 7, 2012 under the issuer profile of Maudore Minerals Ltd at www.sedar.com.

About Osisko Mining Inc.

Osisko is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal resource properties in Canada. Osisko holds a 100% in the high-grade Windfall Lake gold deposit located between Val-d'Or and Chibougamau in Quebec and holds a 100% undivided interest in a large area of claims in the surrounding Urban Barry area and nearby Quevillon area (over 3,300 square kilometres), a 100% interest in the Marban project located in the heart of Quebec's prolific Abitibi gold mining district, and properties in the Larder Lake Mining Division in northeast Ontario, including the Jonpol and Garrcon deposits on the Garrison property, the Buffonta past producing mine and the Gold Pike mine property. The Corporation also holds interests and options in a number of additional properties in northern Quebec and Ontario. Osisko continues to be well financed with approximately $190 million in cash and investments.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the Osborne-Bell gold deposit and Quevillon project; the current 50,000 metres drill program; the significance of results from the ongoing drill program at the Quevillon project; the significance of the thirty known gold showings, if any; the significance of the high-definition magnetic survey and V-TEM airborne survey over the Quevillon Project, if any; the type of drilling included in the drill program; potential mineralization; the ability to realize upon any mineralization in a manner that is economic; the ability to complete any proposed exploration activities and the results of such activities; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking information". Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information.

This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Corporation at the time it was made. This involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Osisko to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the ability of exploration activities (including drill results, high-definition magnetic surveys and V-TEM airborne surveys) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management's geological modelling; the ability of Osisko to complete further exploration activities, including drilling; property interests in the Osborne-Bell gold deposit and Windfall Lake gold project; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; the global economic climate; metal prices; dilution; environmental risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Osisko cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Corporation that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither Osisko nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. Osisko does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

Contacts:

Osisko Mining Inc.

John Burzynski

President and Chief Executive Officer

(416) 363-8653

www.osiskomining.com




Snap Interactive & Zacks Proudly Present: Public Blockchain Companies: How to Play the High Growth Blockchain Thesis in the Stock Market

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2017 / Snap Interactive, Inc. ("SNAP," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us") (OTCQB: STVI), a leading provider of live video social networking applications building on blockchain and other innovative technologies, today announced that it will co-host the Blockchain Investors Evening with Zacks Investment Research on January 17, 2018 from 5:00 - 8:00PM in New York City, New York.

The Blockchain Investors Evening will be an opportunity for blockchain investors to network with other investors and capital markets experts interested in the space and to speak directly to senior executives of publicly-listed companies embracing blockchain technology. The Blockchain Investors Evening will be highlighted by hosting speaker and panel moderator, Lou Kerner, a former Goldman Sachs equity analyst and a highly influential Crypto blogger, as well as a member of SNAP's Blockchain Advisory Board. Guest speakers drawn from public blockchain companies, analysts from Zacks and legal experts from Pryor Cashman LLP will be on hand to answer investor questions.

"We believe New York is one of the world's hubs of innovation in blockchain, as well the preeminent world financial center," said Alex Harrington, SNAP's Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to bringing those two communities together, showcasing leaders of blockchain-focused public companies and discussing blockchain technology opportunities. We at SNAP are excited to co-host this event as an opportunity to tell our story to what we anticipate will be a large group of active investors."

The evening will be sponsored by Pryor Cashman LLP and PCG Advisory Group. The event will be held at the offices of Pryor Cashman LLP on the 40th floor of 7 Times Square in New York. Attendees will receive complimentary admission with registration. Tickets are limited and an RSVP is required.

For more information, please contact: IR@snap-interactive.com

About Snap Interactive, Inc.

Snap Interactive, Inc. is a leading provider of live video social networking applications building on blockchain and other innovative technologies. SNAP's product portfolio includes Paltalk and Camfrog, which together host one of the world's largest collections of video-based communities, and Backchannel, a secure video messaging app built on blockchain, due to launch in 2018. The company also offers FirstMet, a prominent interactive dating brand serving users 35 and older. Snap has a long history of technology innovation and holds 26 patents related to video conferencing and online gaming. For more information, please visit http://www.snap-interactive.com.

To be added to our news distribution list, please visit http://www.snap-interactive.com/investor-relations/investor-alerts.

IR Contact:

IR@snap-interactive.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential," or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic, industry and market sector conditions; the ability to effectively integrate the operations of the Company and AVM; the timing and amount of any future repurchases of the Company's common stock, if any; user acceptance of our updated applications; the Company's ability to institute corporate governance standards or achieve compliance with national securities exchange listing requirements; the Company's future growth and the ability to obtain additional financing to implement the Company's growth strategy; the ability to increase or recognize revenue, decrease expenses and increase the number of active subscribers, new subscription transactions or monthly active users; the ability to enter into new advertising agreements; the Company's ability to generate positive cash flow from operations; the ability to diversify new user acquisition channels or improve the conversion of users to paid subscribers; the ability to anticipate and respond to changing user and industry trends and preferences; the intense competition in the online dating marketplace; the ability to release new applications or derive revenue from new applications; and circumstances that could disrupt the functioning of the Company's applications. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Snap Interactive, Inc.
Complix, a Hasselt, Belgium-based biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of transformative Cell Penetrating Alphabody (CPAB) based oncology therapeutics, received a 0.5m grant.

The Flanders Government through the Flemish Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) provided the grant.

The company will use the funds to further develop its CPAB platform addressing targets within the nucleus of cancer cells.

Complix is a biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of transformative Cell Penetrating Alphabody[TM] (CPAB) based therapeutics against a number of intracellular targets, that play an important role in oncology.

Complix is able to design and generate CPABs that can address targets both in the cytosol and the nucleus of the cancer cell.

The company has an ongoing strategic collaboration with Merck & Co to develop novel CPAB based therapeutics against two selected intracellular cancer targets. Under the terms of this collaboration, which was recently expanded, Complix is eligible to receive up to $280 million in upfront and development and regulatory milestones as well as tiered mid-single digit royalties on global sales revenues.

Since its foundation in 2008, Complix has raised more than 27 million through several rounds of venture financing.

FinSMEs

14/12/2017
Insikt, a San Francisco, CA-based white label lender to underbanked families, closed a $50m Series D funding.

The round, which brings the companys total funding to $100m, was led by Grupo Coppel, with participation from existing investors First Mark Capital, Revolution Ventures and Colchis Capital.

The company intends to use the funds for further growth in existing and new markets.

Led by CEO James Gutierrez, Insikt leverages data and relationships of its partners to make affordable, credit building loans accessible to underbanked people across America who lack a credit score. Since late 2014, the company has processed more than 325,000 applicants across 30 partners in California, Texas, and Illinois totalling 620 stores and made 125,000 loans.

Insikt also began operating in Arizona last month.

FinSMEs

14/12/2017
Pace, a London, UK- and Vienna, Austria-based startup that uses machine learning and dynamic pricing to help hotels maximize revenues and occupancy, raised 2.5m in seed funding.

The round was led by InterGlobe, with participation from Seedcamp, Speedinvest and Amadeus Capital Partners.

The company intends to use the new funds for further science and technology development, as well as for expansion of its commercial teams.

Founded in London in 2016 by Jens Munch, John-Paul Clarke and Jason Pinto, Pace is a science and technology company that uses machine learning and proprietary algorithms to provide real-time pricing for the hotel industry. The software enables hotels to understand the connection between price and bookings, allowing them to respond immediately, to improve revenues and optimize occupancy.

Built on machine learning, Pace fully automates pricing decisions within 24 hours of integrating with a hotels property management system. Currently targeting boutique and independent hotels, the company is working in closed beta with 20 properties across 5 markets, including innovative brands such as Pragues Emblem Hotel and the Teleport Hotels in Amsterdam and Hague.

FinSMEs

14/12/2017
Throtle, a NJ-based data onboarding company focused on deterministic identity resolution, raised a Series B funding of undisclosed amount.

The round was led by global credit risk and information solutions provider TransUnion, with participation from Auren Hoffman, the founder and former CEO of LiveRamp.

The company will use the funds to expand its growth and development efforts.

Founded in late 2015 by Paul Chachko, CEO, Throtle is a data onboarding company focused on deterministic matching, identity resolution, and closed loop enablement for brands and companies to run their omnichannel marketing efforts. The company now has 45 employees and offices in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland.

In conjunction with the Series B financing, industry veteran and innovator David Moore joined Throtles board of directors. Moore was the founder and CEO of 24/7 Media, acquired by WPP in 2007. He has more than 35 years of experience in digital and media technology, including his current roles as chairman of Xaxis and president of WPP Digital.

FinSMEs

14/12/2017
New Delhi: The screaming headlines are back and Captain G R Gopinath must surely be smiling. The pioneer of Indias LCCs, the airlines which worked out a model to keep costs low so that airfares remain within reach of the common man, is back again with his famous fares of just Re 1. Gopinath had created a huge movement with Re 1 fares when he initiated Indians into affordable flying in 2003 through budget airline, Air Deccan. The way he stimulated the market not only encouraged other LCCs to take birth in India, it prompted them to subsequently also come up with ridiculously low fares. This, of course, eventually led to an industry mired in red ink and Deccan itself flew into history. Gopinaths airline accumulated debt and was eventually bought by Vijay Mallya. Mallya merged Deccan with his own Kingfisher in 2008, but then we all know what eventually happened to this merged airline.

It is interesting to note how Gopinath and Mallya struck a deal for the merger of Air Deccan with Kingfisher. In the book, The Vijay Mallya Story, the author refers to Gopinaths conversation with a reporter. Gopinath told a reporter later that what impressed him about Mallya was how badly he wanted the airline (Deccan) and how swiftly he had moved to bag the deal. When some reporter asked him whether that meant the deal had been made without any due diligence or checking the balance sheet, Captain Gopinath replied that it was true that during the negotiations, neither Mallya nor his officials ever asked to examine the books. They took Captain Gopinath's assurances at face value because they were eager to go through with the deal".

Of course, Gopinath continued to be in the airline business, though with venture like Deccan Charters, etc, in the intervening years, after selling off Air Deccan to Mallya. Whether analysts found his first innings successful or not for flyers, Gopinath was close to God then and remains something of a reverential figure even now. Social media has been abuzz with excited prospective flyers seeking details of the Re 1 fares, routes and frequencies of Deccan flights in the airlines second innings. The excitement is similar to that seen in 2003, when the airline first said it will offer a chance to fly, virtually for free. This time, Deccan starts its first flight on 23 December, 2017 from Mumbai to Nashik.

In this second innings, Deccan is expected to fly 20-seater planes on regional routes under the UDAN scheme of the government, where some seats on each aircraft are covered under a subsidy and fares anyway capped at Rs 2,500 per hour of flying. There would likely be no airport taxes, jet fuel would be cheaper for such flights and there would be some other incentives as well to make the flights viable for operators. The governments endeavor under UDAN is to provide connectivity to remote areas by offering sops to operators who can keep costs low by flying smaller aircraft while availing a range of concessions.

This piece quotes Gopinath as saying, Some of the initial lucky people will be able to get Rs 1 fare also, even though most tickets will start at about Rs 1,400 for a 40-minute Nashik-Mumbai flight, a distance that would take four hours to cover by road. Air Deccan will also operate daily return flights between Nashik and Pune and Mumbai and Jalgaon. By January, the airline plans to station a second aircraft in Delhi to connect the city with Agra, Shimla, Ludhiana, Pantnagar, Dehradun and Kullu.

So should Air Deccan take fares at Re 1 level again, even if for a few seats? Gopinath was unavailable for comments but some twitter reactions showed peoples concern at the well being of an airline which is obviously offering at least some seats virtually for free. Mohandas Pai, former director, Infosys said, No, No, No not again. Captain Gopinath pl do not let us down by such harebrained schemes, you need to be viable and survive!

No, No, No not again. Captain Gopinath pl do not let us down by such harebrained schemes, you need to be viable and survive! #AirDeccan https://t.co/8UvmwDQ80e  Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) December 13, 2017

A Twitter user, Sanjeev_Pomani suggested that the airline should focus on sectors which require more than an overnight journey by train and that there should be daily flights between these city pairs. This user even suggested some viable routes to the Captain: Mumbai to Belgaum/Mysore, Bangalore to Udaipur/Jodhpur, Bangalore Shirdi/Tirupati, Bangalore Belgaum, Mumbai Udaipur/Jodhpur.

#AirDeccan or Any Regional Flights Must Focus Sectors Which takes more than Overnite by Train may not be Viable if not Daily Even Weekend Flights Mumbai to Belgaum/Mysore Bangalore to Udaipur/Jodhpur Bangalore Shirdi/Tirupati Bangalore Belgaum Mumbai Udaipur/Jodhpur  Sanjeev_Pomani (@Pomani_Sanju) December 13, 2017

Meanwhile, the flying public may remember Gopinath for Re 1 fares but he has been a pioneer in more ways than one. Gopinath started the era of online ticketing, introduced the Indian airline market to a low cost model which then prompted others to jump in the fray. SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir all followed the pioneer in launching operations in a market which, before Gopinaths daring, was almost entirely overtaken by full service airlines Air India and Jet Airways. Will his second innings bring about changes in the way airlines do business on regional routes, changes as momentous as in the first innings?

The regional connectivity scheme UDAN was launched by the government earlier this year and Air Deccan was among the first batch of airlines to get routes under the scheme. UDAN has not only made it possible for some of Indias over 400 ghost airports to come back to life, it has also spawned some new airline operators with a fleet of smaller aircraft who see viability in these tier II and tier III routes with government support on taxes, etc. The revival of Air Deccans flights is very much a part of this subsidy-driven scheme. Now, Gopinath should ensure that Deccan remains viable to continue with the commendable task of offering connectivity to Indias hinterland. Deccan got permission to fly on 34 routes under UDAN phase I.
New Delhi: The Income Tax Department on Wednesday conducted survey operations at major bitcoin exchanges across the country on suspicion of alleged tax evasion and detected several lakh entries of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) in their databases, official sources said.

The operations that began early morning at nine major exchanges in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi were on till last reports came in.

Sources said the taxman has deployed an heavy assortment of software cloning and mirror imaging devices to drain out 'complete details' of emails, addresses and correspondence IDs of the investors and players from the computers.

They said that the sleuths detected a number of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and customer IDs in these databases and prima facie about 20-25 lakh such entities have been traced.

Entries of HNIs suggest that they were trading on these exchanges.

"Out of these, about 8-10 lakh entities would be active for transactions. However, the operations are still on and final findings will emerge later," a senior official here said.

The operations were supervised by the Bengaluru investigation wing of the department as the sleuths have worked on these cases for long and have conducted similar actions in 2013 in the Karnataka capital.

The surveys, under section 133A of the Income Tax Act, are being conducted for "gathering evidence for establishing the identity of investors and traders, transaction undertaken by them, identity of counter-parties, related bank accounts used, among others", they said.

A survey action under I-T law pertains to the tax officials making a surprise visit to the business premises of the party under action but not their residential ones.

The trigger for the action is understood to be the huge spike being registered in the value of the bitcoins and other virtual currencies in the recent past in the country.

A huge amount of black money converted into white, post-demonetisation, by using bitcoins is also under the scanner of the department.

Earlier this month, there was a spurt in the value of a bitcoin. It rose from under $10,000 at start of the year to close to $20,000, before a sharp 20 per cent plunge within hours.

The survey teams, the sources said, were armed with various financial data and inputs about the working of these exchanges and this is the first big comprehensive action against them in the country.

Bitcoin, a virtual currency, is not regulated in the country and its circulation has been a cause for concern among central bankers the world over for quite a while now.

The Reserve Bank of India has also cautioned users, holders and traders of virtual currencies, including bitcoins.

The government has also said that it does not recognise cryptocurrency as legal tender in India as of now.

In March, the Union finance ministry constituted an Inter-Disciplinary Committee to take stock of the present status of virtual currencies both in India and globally and suggest measures for dealing with such currencies.

The committee has submitted its report to the government and it is being examined.

Bitcoins were in news recently after a massive global ransomware attack WannaCry hit systems in over 100 countries.

The cyber criminals demanded a fee of about $300 in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin for unlocking affected devices.
17:48 (ist)

Highlights

For the first time prime minister Narendra Modi talked at an event organised by industry body Ficci which had earlier tried to bring Modi on board on several occasions but failed. This time Modi chose to speak. His address at Ficci coincided with the ongoing Gujarat assembly elections.

The state has 182 MLAs and one of the few provinces in country that do not have an upper house of the legislature. Modi spoke at the event just one day after campaigning for the second phase of polling ended on Tuesday.

Modi used the event organised by Ficci to take on the Congress. He said UPA was responsible for NPAs. According to some estimates, India's banking sector is reeling under the burden of huge amount of bad loans. Some industry watchers put the figure at more than Rs 10 lakh crore.

The Modi government has unveiled a banks' recapitalisation plan which will cost the government Rs 2.11 lakh crore. Modi also spoke in favour of maintaining health of banks as well as safeguarding interests of depositors.

The campaign for Gujarat assembly elections has seen verbal assaults from both the Cogress and the BJP at each other. Narendrta Modi at his first Ficci speech listed out his government's pro-poor and pro-common man policies. He went on to say that people in country were now fed up of corruption, black money and systemic hurldes in the way of the citizens.

He said even after 70 years of India achieving independence, the poor still has to run hear and there to avail even small government beneft. He said Jan Dhan Yojna bridged the gap between the poor and the banks substantially. He praised his gvernment's direct benefit transfer scheme for cooking gas (LPG).
The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill proposes to create a framework for overseeing financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, non-banking financial services (NBFC) companies and stock exchanges in case of insolvency.

The 'Resolution Corporation', proposed in the draft bill, would look after the process and prevent the banks from going bankrupt. It would do this by "writing down of the liabilities", a phrase some have interpreted as a "bail in".

The draft bill empowers Resolution Corporation to cancel the liability of a failing bank or convert the nature of the liability.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recently said the government's massive Rs 2.11 lakh crore capital infusion plan in banks was to strengthen banks and there was no question of any lender failing.

Here is a ready reckoner:

What is bail-out?

Bail-outs mean injection of funds into a distressed financial institution, most typically done by Governments. The first major bail-out of a too big to fail bank happened when the US government recapitalised the Continental Illinois Bank in 1984. Bail-outs can happen through capital injections (state funds injected into the bank in exchange for shares), and/or through government guarantees to third parties some or all of the liabilities of the failed bank, and/ or through government guarantees to the failing bank itself the value of some the banks doubtful or distressed assets.

What is bail-in?

Bail-in was a tool developed post the global financial crisis, in response to developing a tool of resolution that would give the benefits of a bail-out, but at a lower or no cost to the common tax-paying person. The tool is to be used in conjunction with other resolution tools. Very simply put, the tool seeks to recapitalize a failing institution by writing off some or whole of its debt, and converting debt into equity. This has an impact on the banks balance sheet (due to reduced interest liabilities on the debt). If debt is converted into equity, the bank sees an increase in its capital, again meeting regulatory capital requirements. Thus, debt holders become equity holders.

Can bail-in be used to convert all debt into equity, or cancel all debt?

No, while there are jurisdictions which allow statutory compulsory bail-in, including the EU, the UK, and the US, in India, the now controversial Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 (FRDI) does not allow this. It states that the only those liabilities can be cancelled where the instrument creating it contains a provision to the effect that the parties to the contract agree to the liability being eligible for a bail-in, and the cancellation will have to respect the hierarchy of claims. Further, only those liabilities can be bailed-in which are specified by regulations in advance, to be permissible to be subject to bail-in. Drafting of any such regulation will be done with the regulator (RBI for banks), and be subject to public consultation.

Why is it useful?

Regulators across the world see it as integral to addressing the too big to fail problem, since for large banks and other large financial institutions, it is not in the public interest for them to enter insolvency due to the interconnectedness of the banking system (the insolvency of one bank can cause wide spread problems in financial markets) and the range of essential services they provide to customers and other industries. Disruption to these services could have serious repercussions for the economy. Doing so optimises the prospect of salvaging the viable part of an institution. The tool of bail-in becomes most advantageous when resolution authorities fail to find a willing buyer for a failed financial institution, and effecting a full or partial transfer of the firm proves difficult.

Will my deposit insurance be taken away?

No, the maximum amount of money that is insured on a single deposit in a bank is currently Rs. 1 lakh. This amount was fixed years ago, and the FRDI Bill does not seek to reduce the amount, and rather increase the limit. Deposit insurance money, pension liabilities, liability in lieu of holding client assets etc. are explicitly excluded from the purview of bail-in.

So are my bank deposits safe?

There are a number of checks against the arbitrary use of this tool. First, the Resolution Corporation can only use the tool in consultation with the regulator. Second, this tool can only be used prospectively, that is, in the future, either on classes of liabilities that are specified in regulations in the future, or on instruments where parties in the future will agree to some liabilities in the future. Third, the Corporation will have to send a report to the Central Government, to be laid in Parliament, explaining why a bail-in instrument was necessary in a particular case. Fourth, if any creditor, including a depositor receives any money on account of bail-in, which is less than what they would have received during liquidation, then they will be compensated for the difference. Hence, bank deposits will not be touched, even with the passage of this Bill.

Is bail-in the solution to all problems?

No, bail-in is an essential addition to the resolution toolkit. However, to manage a financial crisis, what is needed is a comprehensive resolution regime, along with a prudent regulatory framework.

Are our banks, specially our public sector banks safe?

Yes, our banks are safe, and so are our deposits. The safety and recovery of our banks continues to be in the domain of the RBI. The new Bill simply puts in place a regime to manage failure when all else fails. The objective of the Bill is to protect depositors and consumers of the financial system, and ensure that our financial economy does not crumble when a crisis hits. If required, the Government will always bail-out our banks and keep our deposits safe.

However, the aim is not to incentivise big banks to take excessive risks and bank on the government to save them. This creates a very toxic, cyclic environment of taking risks, and asking the government to save banks using our tax money. This is exactly what happened in the global financial crisis. Thus, the aim is to step up the monitoring on these banks, and design a legal framework to manage failure effectively, if and when it happens.

Bail-in does affect shareholders and creditors property rights. But resolution authorities may only use resolution tools  including bail-in  when this is necessary, with regard to the public interest. And no creditor will be worse off following a bail-in than would have been the case had the whole firm been put into insolvency.

(The author is Senior Resident Fellow (Corporate Law and Financial Regulation), Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. She helped draft the Financial Resolution Bill)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its interim order for Friday on a batch of pleas seeking a stay on the government's decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various welfare schemes, as the Centre extended the deadline up to 31 March next year.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said the final hearing on the petitions challenging the Aadhaar scheme itself would commence from 17 January next year.

Attorney General K K Venugopal, representing the Centre, said the government was willing to extend the deadline up to 31 March next year for mandatory linking of the national biometric identifier to avail the benefit of various services and welfare measures.

Venugopal, however, told the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, that the Aadhaar should be allowed to remain mandatory for opening of new bank accounts.

The government had on Wednesday issued a notification to extend till 31 March, the deadline for mandatory quoting of Aadhaar and Permanent Account Number (PAN) for bank accounts and certain financial transactions. However, there is no word on extending the 6 February, 2018 deadline for linking mobile SIM cards with Aadhaar.

On the issue of linking of Aadhaar card with mobile services, the Attorney General said that the deadline of 6 February next year was fixed in pursuance of an apex court direction and the constitution bench may consider extending this deadline also.

On 27 November, the apex court had said it may consider setting up a constitution bench to hear the pleas challenging the Centre's move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for availing various services and benefits of welfare schemes.

Recently, a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had held that Right to Privacy was a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. Several petitioners challenging the validity of Aadhaar had claimed it violated privacy rights.

The Centre had on 25 October told the top court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to receive benefits of government schemes has been extended till 31 March, 2018 for those who do not have the 12-digit unique biometric identification number and were willing to enrol for it.

The Attorney General had told the court that no coercive action would be taken against those who do not have the Aadhaar card but are willing to enrol for. He had said such people would not be denied the benefits of social welfare schemes till 31 March.

Some petitioners in the top court have termed the linking of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) number with bank accounts and mobile numbers as "illegal and unconstitutional".

They have also objected to the CBSE's alleged move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for students appearing for examinations, a contention denied by the Centre.
London: Vijay Mallya, who is undergoing an extradition trial in a UK court over Rs 9,000-crore fraud and money laundering charges, will face next year a parallel litigation brought by 13 Indian banks to freeze nearly $1.5 billion of his assets.

According to court documents submitted at the UK High Court, the claim brought by the Indian banks against the 61-year-old embattled liquor baron will come up for a hearing in April next year.

"The First Respondent's (Mallya) application to set aside the Freezing Injunction is to be set down for hearing on the first available date after 11 April 2018 with a time estimate of 2 days," states the court document.

The litigation in the Queen's Bench Division of the commercial court in England's High Court of Justice lists the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as the applicants.

Mallya and related concerns  Ladywalk LLP, Rose Capital Ventures Ltd and Orange India Holdings  are listed as respondents.

The claim, dated 23 November, relates to a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Karnataka dated 19 January this year, which concluded that Mallya was "liable" to the banks in the sum of INR 62,033,503,879.42 plus interest and as at 22 November, that judgment sum is "still unsatisfied as to INR 98,530,512,249.42".

The "freezing order" involves Mallya and related concerns being "restrained until further order, from removing from the jurisdiction any of their assets in the jurisdiction up to a limit of 1,145,000,000 pounds and in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of any of their assets whether they are inside or outside the jurisdiction up to the same value".

The UK court had upheld the Indian courts injunction last week and given Mallya's lawyers more time to respond due to the ongoing extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates Court, which is now expected to conclude on 20 December.

A ruling in the extradition case is expected a few weeks later, by mid-January.

Meanwhile, Mallya remains on a 650,000-pound bail bond since his arrest on an extradition warrant by Scotland Yard in April this year.

Since 4 December, he has been in court over five days of hearings to establish if he can be forced to return to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering involving his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines default of bank loans worth nearly Rs 9,000-crore.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, has claimed that the evidence they have presented confirms "dishonesty" on the part of the businessman, who acquired the loans through misrepresentation and had no intentions of repaying them.

Mallya's defence team has been deposing a series of expert witnesses to try and establish that the default by Kingfisher Airlines was the result of business failure within a wider context of a global financial crisis and that its owner had no "fraudulent" intentions.

The extradition case returns for one of its final hearings today, when Judge Emma Arbuthnot is set to hear the testimony of prisons expert Dr Alan Mitchell, who is expected to critique Indian jail conditions as a potential "bar to extradition".

The CPS will need to demonstrate a prima facie case to show that the criminal charges against Mallya, for which his extradition is sought, are justified.

The defence, on the other hand, will try and prove that the businessman will not get a fair trial in India because the case against him is "politically motivated".
Buenos Aires: The World Trade Organizations biennial meeting ended in stalemate on Wednesday after US criticism and member country vetoes, raising questions about the bodys ability to govern increasingly disputed global trade.

Ministers gathered in Buenos Aires were never expected to agree on major trade reforms, but even relatively minor proposals on e-commerce and fishing subsidy curbs ran aground.

We have not achieved any multilateral outcomes, European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told a news conference. The sad reality is that we did not even agree to stop subsidizing illegal fishing.She said the meeting laid bare the deficiencies of the WTO negotiating system, which requires unanimity among all 164 member countries. She said the United States was partly to blame, but other countries also held up progress.

Procedural excuses and vetoes from one member or another, cynical hostage taking, have led to the sobering result of today, Malmstrom added.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo added that WTO members needed to do some real soul searching about the way forward and realize they cannot get everything they want.

Absent any agreements, trade ministers focused on the WTOs post-conference work programs, such as efforts to improve market efficiency and curb excess industrial capacity, WTO spokesman Ken Rockwell told reporters.

Some 70 member countries, including the United States, European Union, Japan and Brazil pledged to forge ahead with an effort to negotiate rules on electronic commerce after a broader deal among the full membership failed. Absent from the group were China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer set an acrimonious tone at the start of the conference with sharp criticisms of the WTO. The 23-year-old trade body requires unanimity among all 164 WTO member countries to reach any agreement.

Lighthizer told WTO ministers on Monday that it was impossible to negotiate new rules while many of the current rules were not being followed, and that the WTO was losing its focus and becoming too litigation-focused. Even the perfunctory joint ministerial statement looked in doubt at the conference, known as MC11.

America First

Driven by President Donald Trumps America First strategy and a preference for bilateral deals, the United States had already blocked ambassadors from drafting a ministerial text in Geneva that included references to the centrality of the global trading system and to trade as a driver of development.

USTR spokeswoman Emily Davis denied that the United States was the problem in the lack of negotiated outcomes, saying the Obama administration had raised similar WTO grievances.

The United States has remained engaged throughout MC11 to achieve progress where possible, Davis said in an emailed statement, adding that Lighthizer made honest remarks on issues the United States has been raising for years.

Lighthizer left Buenos Aires for Washington on Tuesday night, missing the final day of the conference.

The failure to reach any major deals meant that negotiations on the same topics will continue into 2018, with no deadline and no heavyweight ministerial momentum to get agreement.

But on Tuesday, the European Union and Japan joined the United States in vowing to combat market-distorting policies, such as those pervasive in China that have fueled excess industrial capacity, including subsidies for state-owned enterprises and technology transfer requirements.

An EU source familiar with negotiations over the statement said it was instigated by Japan, partly as a means to coax Washington into working multilaterally to solve such problems rather than resorting to unilateral trade restrictions.
In the wake of sexual harassment and misconduct revelations against some of the biggest and powerful names in Hollywood, there has been another addition to the long list of sexual harassers that include the likes of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, Matt Lauer to name a few.

According to a report by Variety, a Hong Kong-based film executive Bey Logan, who has had professional and personal relationship with the disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, has been accused of sexual misconduct.

Hong Kong's HK01, in one of its detailed investigative reports around the #MeToo campaign, had first brought the news of Logan's misconduct when an unnamed actress alleged that Logan was an accomplice as well as a participant in many instances of sexual misconduct.

It was reported that Logan, who is also a martial arts expert, would harass actresses on and off the sets. In addition to that it is also alleged that he sent actresses to Harvey Weisnstein's hotel room whenever he was in the city where acts of sexual misconduct were forced upon those actresses.

A total of seven women have reported against Logan to HK01. One of these actresses happen to be the Indonesian-Chinese actress Sable Yu who was the lead actress in the film Snowblade that was helmed by Logan himself. She said he had told her during the film's production that sleeping with Weinstein would only open better opportunities. Also, she was subjected to sexual assault by him which ranged from walking naked to completely inappropriate moves.

However, Logan maintained that "many of the accusations made against me are either untrue or taken out of context. I categorically deny any criminal wrongdoing. I have never forced myself on a woman." He further added that he will now step back and take time to reflect on my behavior and the values which I should uphold.
Five years ago, on this day, the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre took place in the small town of Newtown, Connecticut. The mass shooting took not only America, but the world by storm. People were shocked at the sheer horror that unfolded on 14 December, 2012.

Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old perpetrator of the massacre, attended Sandy Hook Elementary School for four and a half years and lived with his mother not too far away from where the massacre took place.

Sandy Hook massacre attracted attention of the entire world. America's gun problem; its almost fetishistic infatuation with dangerous firearms, had finally reached the breaking point, or so it seemed. President Obama, who would always come out to issue a statement after a mass-shooting, cried in front of the cameras. The victims this time were children. Twenty children, aged seven and six, were shot to death by Lanza.

Five years on, America's love affair with semi-automatic and automatic guns remains intact. The government, despite a tragedy of such grieve proportions, weren't able to bring in gun laws that could put an end to the manic hoarding of guns in America.

But, we did get movies and documentaries that talked about gun violence in America and the way forward to sensible gun laws. Today, on the fifth anniversary of Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, we take a look at some of these movies and what they portray.

Newtown



Based on the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre  the worst school shooting in history  the traumatized community of Newtown, Connecticut finds a new sense of purpose in this intimate story of resilience. Newtown is a documentary and features the people whose lives were changed forever after the shooting took place. Directed by Kim A Snyder, the movie remembers the children who lost their lives to senseless violence and attempts to reopen old wounds so that the people never forget what transpired that day. It's a heartbreaking documentary to watch as the whole town comes together to try and heal wounds that would never heal.

Midsummer in Newtown

Another documentary based on the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, in Midsummer in Newtown a group of artists from New York travel to Newtown to work with kids from the local school system to mount an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Directed by Lloyd Kramer and The Documentary Group, Midsummer in Newtown follows the children's journey as they explore Shakespeare's language for the first time. It showcases how children, who were present during the time of the shooting, use their inner strength to come together and heal.

The Armor of Light

American politics is steeped in two things: God and guns. You cannot win an election if you don't profess your belief in, and love for, God. You also might not win an election if you don't support the second amendment, or the right of an individual to own firearms. In American politics, guns are indispensable. In The Armor of Light, an Evangelical minister and the mother of a teenager killed in gun violence, travel across America to try and figure out why American politics is so deeply immersed in the ownership of guns, why do Americans consider owning firearms a right from God, and whether it is possible to be a pro-life and pro-gun at the same time.

Under the Gun

The trailer for Under the Gun sheds light on a lot of interesting facts about guns in America, for example, in America, there are more gun stores than Starbucks and McDonald's combined! What led to this situation? How did America start to form policies where a person on the terror watch-list can't board the plane but can buy a gun? What is the role of the National Rifle Association in pushing the agenda of guns in America? Under the Gun, release around last years US Presidential elections, is a great watch to understand the situation of guns in America.

Bowling for Columbine

Directed by Michael Moore, this Academy Award winning documentary came into existence after the Columbine School Massacre. It's a look at America's love affair with firearms and the pathology of violence in the United States; the country with the highest gun-murder rate in the world. It also examines why Canada - a country with 7 million guns for a total of 10 million households - doesn't suffer from the same gun violence that America does. Also, there is a cameo appearance by Marilyn Manson! Bowling for Columbine is an absolute essential watch to understanding the problem.
Homeland season 7 now has a premiere date and a first trailer.

The show's seventh season will debut on 11 February and stars Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, Elizabeth Marvel, Linus Roache, Maury Sterling, and Jake Weber. Morgan Spector and Costa Ronin will also be joining this season.

When the last season ended, we saw President Keane (Elizabeth Marvel) break the promise she made to Carrie (Claire Danes) after an assassination attempt was made on her life. President Keane arrested 200 members of the intelligence community without presenting a case against them. At the beginning of the new season, Carrie has left her job in the White House, moved back to Washington D.C., and starts living with her sister Maggie (Amy Hargreaves). She then plans to take on the Keane administration and secure the release of the 200.

Watch the trailer below!



The new season is taking a lot of cues from the headlines in the newspapers about America's current administration. Homeland, in the run up to the 2016 US Presidential elections, based President Keane's character on a liberal politician. After the victory of current President Donald Trump, Homeland's direction changed and Keane, following an assassination attempt on her life, turns into an authoritarian who will do anything to keep power intact. Carrie is angry throughout the trailer and is out to save the White House and the United States. The country is in freefall, tearing itself apart! warns Carrie Mathison in the trailer. The new season will be an interesting watch, especially under current circumstances.
New Delhi: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has written to leading film production houses of Bollywood, urging them to comply with the prevention of sexual harassment law to provide a "safe, secure and inclusive" work environment for women.

Top filmmakers like Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Ekta Kapoor, Mahesh Bhatt, Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Subhash Ghai, among others, were personally written a letter by the minister.

With this effort, the ministry wants to extend the reach and implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition Redressal) Act, 2013.

The minister has also asked the filmmakers to acquaint themselves of the Act and other relevant laws and implement all relevant actions without delay.

"The aim of this law is to ensure that no woman is sexually harassed at her workplace. This is to be followed in letter and spirit by all organisations in the country and I expect you to personally lead these efforts with sincerity and commitment, in accordance with all the applicable laws," she said in the letter.

The minister said that as the leaders of their organisations, they are "ethically and legally accountable to provide a safe, secure and inclusive work environment for the safety of not only their direct employees, but all outsourced and temporary staff as well".

On 7 November, Gandhi had launched an online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment electronic-Box (SHe-Box) for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace.

The complaint management system has been developed to ensure the effective implementation of the Act, the minister had said.

This portal is an initiative to provide a platform to working women to file complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace under the Act.

Late last month, Gandhi had tweeted, "Thanking Finance and Corporate Affairs minister Arun Jaitley for considering the WCDs request to amend relevant rules under the Companies Act, 2013, for womens safety".

The amendment would ensure that the Board of Directors of all the companies duly report on the constitution of ICC under the Act
On 13 December, veteran actor Saira Banu, wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleging that a builder  Samir Bhojwani  was threatening to oust her and her husband Dilip Kumar from their residence in Pali Hill, Mumbai.

Banu's letter to the CM requested him to protect them (her and her husband) from Bhojwani. Banu alleged that the builder had faked documents in his bid to seize the couple's property, along with threatening the elderly pair to hand over their property to him.

Earlier in August this year, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Banu and Kumar in their long drawn legal battle over the Bandra property. 2,412 square yards in size, the Pali Hill property was bought by Dilip Kumar alias Yusuf Khan in 1953. In 2006, Kumar entered into an agreement with Prajita Developers Pvt Ltd which entailed developing the property further. However, no construction took place. The court restored possession of the house to Kumar and asked him to return Rs 20 crore to Prajita Developers Pvt Ltd.

Bhojwani on the other hand, claims that the property was purchased in 1980 by NN Bhojwani, his late father, from the Mulraj Khatau Trust. "In 2010, after the bungalow was demolished, I filed a case for vacant possession because the lessee had breached the covenant of the lease," said Bhojwani, according to a Time of India report.
This Friday, an array of films are releasing in cinema halls for moviegoers to pick and choose from. There's Ferdinand for kids, Monsoon Shootout for those who like their films dark and gritty and then there is Star Wars: The Last Jedi  which unarguably is the big release this weekend.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

What's it about: Rey discovers new powers under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker. However, there is an inkling in the trailer towards a possible union between Rey and Kylo Ren, which leaves us with the big question  Will she join the dark side?

Who's in it: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, and Gwendoline Christie among others.

Why it may work: It looks like the film has already worked, with reviewers calling it the "the most enjoyable blockbuster of the year". For one, it's Star Wars and the film does not strategies to pull viewers to the theaters. The filmmakers have done a great job picking up the best from the previous installments and stitching them all together to deliver a massive entertainer.

Monsoon Shootout

What's it about: A novice cop joins the crime branch of Mumbai and has to shoot a criminal as part of his first assignment. However, he finds himself in a huge fix, unable to decide whether to pull trigger as both actions come with immoralities.

Who's in it: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tannishtha Chatterjee

Why it may work: The film was supposed to see a theatrical release almost four years ago, however the release repeatedly kept getting stalled. Siddiqui had shot for Monsoon Shootout immediately after Gangs Of Wasseypur. With several hits to his credit, Siddiqui now has the ability to single-handedly pull the audiences to the theaters. He is also essaying a role that falls in a genre he seems to have mastered  crime thrillers.

Ferdinand

What's it about: Ferdinand is an animated movie about a young bull who runs away from a training camp in Spain after his father does not return from an encounter with a matador.

Who's in it: The film features the voices of John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Anthony Anderson, Bobby Cannavale, Peyton Manning, Gina Rodriguez

Why it may work: 2017 has been the year of children's films. With Coco, cementing itself at the box-office, it won't be a stretch to say that Ferdinand could also see a similar fate. Also, John Cena is voicing the main character. Now that's a killer combo.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indias central tax authority is investigating bitcoin exchanges to try and find a way to tax transactions, an official said on Wednesday, even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has warned against dealing in virtual currencies. FILE PHOTO: A token of the virtual currency Bitcoin is seen placed on a monitor that displays binary digits in this illustration picture, December 8, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoThousands of transactions are taking place every day in unregulated cryptocurrency exchanges and the Income Tax Department has launched surveys in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, spokeswoman Surbhi Ahluwalia said. We are looking at collecting information about modus-operandi of bitcoin exchanges, investors, their source of investment and possibility of collecting tax, Ahluwalia told Reuters. Last week, the RBI said it was concerned about bitcoin, just days after the cryptocurrency hit a record high of just under $11,800, stocking fears that a rapidly swelling bubble could burst. The RBI had previously said those trading in virtual currencies were doing so at their own risk, given that the central bank had not given a licence or authorisation for any company to deal in such cryptocurrencies. The tax official declined to comment on the central banks concerns, saying the tax department was looking only into the tax implications. The government has set up a panel to decide on Indias stand on cryptocurrency. This year, the government told parliament that the use of virtual currencies like bitcoin was not authorised by the RBI and could result in breach of anti-money laundering laws. Bitcoin hit another all-time peak on Tuesday, two days after the launch of the first ever bitcoin futures on a U.S. exchange as investors grew optimistic that the $20,000-mark is within reach.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Jaipur: The third Indo-UK joint army training exercise 'Ajeya Warrior' concluded on Thursday at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.

The fortnight-long exercise, which was aimed at sharing best practices and experiences of the two armies, had started on 1 December and approximately 120 personnel from each side participated in it.

Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, during the closing ceremony, said that in the ever changing militancy environment, such joint endeavours were needed to find a solution to the global menace.

Such exercises are small, but are concrete steps in the right direction, he said.

Set in the backdrop of growing terrorist activities worldwide, the first and second editions of the exercise were held at Belgaum in Karnataka and Westdown Camp, Salisbury Plains Training Area, in the UK, in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Both the contingents gained immensely. Representatives of the armies conveyed immense satisfaction over the content of the exercise and are hopeful of more such exchanges in the future, Defence Spokesperson Manish Ojha said.

He said that the exercise also contributed to the bigger goal of defence cooperation and deepening of military relations between the armies.

The closing ceremony was attended by observers and senior military dignitaries from both the armies, including British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG and Major General Robert Harry Talbot Rice from the UK.
New Delhi: In light of the increasing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, Australia is willing to join the Malabar naval exercise if invited by the other three participating nations of India, the US and Japan, a senior Australian official said on Wednesday.

"Australia, of course, stands very willing to join Malabar should we be invited to do so," Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia Frances Adamson said at a media round table.

"But that invitation could only come from the other three," Adamson, who was here to participate in the inaugural 2+2 Foreign Secretaries and Defence Secretaries Dialogue between India and Australia and the fourth India-Australia-Japan trilateral meeting, said.

Originally started by India and the US in 1992, Japan became a permanent member of the Malabar naval exercise in 2015 after participating in some earlier editions. Australia took part in the 2007 exercise but left thereafter.

Regarding the 2+2 Dialogue on Tuesday, Adamson said that both sides shared their perspectives on the region with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific, "and within the Indo-Pacific, a particular focus on the Indian Ocean". Stating that Australia is an Indian Ocean country as much as it is a Pacific country, she said that the conversation quickly turned to cooperation in the maritime domain and the importance of maritime domain awareness.

"We have been over a period of many years now developing a bilateral defence relationship, including through Ausindex, our bilateral naval exercise, including through the exchange of senior level visits, including discussions of a whole range of maritime issues," she said. "But it is not limited to maritime domain either. The conversation also includes practical dimensions to our military-to-military cooperation."

Regarding Wednesday's India-Australia-Japan trilateral meeting, Adamson said that the three sides discussed North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, counter-terrorism, cyber security and regional security issues.

Referring to the white paper on Australia's new foreign policy released in November, she said that it recognised that India now sat in the front rank of Australia's international partnerships. "Beyond an increasingly important economic relationship, our security intents are congruent, particularly in relation to the stability and openness of the Indian Ocean," she said

The white paper also encourages India's strategic engagements with East Asia and the US. "In addition to our bilateral relationship, Australia's trilateral and quadrilateral dialogues with India are an essential part of our approach to order-building in the Indo-Pacific," Adamson said.

India, Australia, the US and Japan last month discussed the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region at a quadrilateral meeting in the Philippines on the sidelines of the East Asia and Asean summits.

Adamson said that the white paper sets five priorities fundamental to Australia's future. The first is to promote an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific in which the rights of all states are respected. "We seek a region in which our ability to prosecute our interests freely is not constrained by the exercise of coercive power," the Australian official said in what can be seen as a veiled reference to China's aggressiveness in the South China Sea.

The second is to deliver opportunities for Australian businesses globally and stand against protectionism. This includes an India Economic Strategy. The third is to ensure Australians remain safe, secure and free by guarding against terrorism, cyber, transnational crime and foreign interference. The fourth priority is to promote and protect the international rules that support stability and prosperity and enable cooperation to tackle global challenges and the fifth priority is to step up support for a more resilient Pacific.

Adamson also said that Australia would be supportive if India decided to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) a forum of 21 Pacific Rim member economies.

To a separate question on when the first consignment of uranium from Australia will reach India after the two countries signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, she said that no governmental obstacles remained and only the commercial contract was awaited.
Chandigarh: A medium danger avalanche warning was issued on Thursday for some avalanche prone districts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

City-based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) issued a medium danger avalanche warning valid for the next 24 hours starting at 5 pm on Thursday.

The warning exists for avalanche-prone slopes in Ganderbal, Bandipore and Kargil districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and for Himachal Pradesh, the areas include Lahaul and Spiti, as per an advisory by the SASE.

"People are advised not to venture into avalanche prone slopes/areas during the warning period," it said.

Many places in Jammu and Kashmir have been witnessing fresh snowfall since Wednesday.

Gulmarg, Haddan Taj, Neelam-II, Pharkian, Drass, among other places in Jammu and Kashmir received snowfall of 5 centimeters, 2 centimeters, 10 centimeters, 6 centimeters and 10 centimeters, respectively.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday permitted a mentally challenged rape victim to abort her 22-week-old foetus.

In a significant order, the court also ruled that as the victim was mentally challenged and incapable of taking her own decisions, her legal guardian  in this case her mother  must be allowed to take the decision on her behalf.

A division bench of Justices RM Borde and Vibha Kankanwadi held that the victim (or her legal guardian) had the right to decide whether she wished to continue the pregnancy which was the result of a sexual assault.

The bench cited the Supreme Court's 2009 order that had held that a woman's right to exercise her reproductive choices was part of personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.

"The freedom of making choices is an integral part of a woman's personal liberty and it cannot be taken away," the bench said.

As per the plea filed by the victim's mother, the victim, a resident of Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, was allegedly raped by an unknown person in November this year.

When the family realised that she was pregnant, they visited a local hospital for medical termination of the pregnancy.

However, the hospital refused though the victim was only 18 weeks pregnant.

The hospital authorities refused to perform abortion on the ground that the victim, with hearing and speaking disability and mentally challenged, was not capable of giving a clear consent for the procedure.

Subsequently, the victim's mother moved the high court, seeking permission to abort the foetus.
New Delhi: Culture, connectivity and commerce will shape India's relations with the ASEAN bloc, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday.

Addressing a function in New Delhi to celebrate 50 years of ASEAN and 25 years of India-ASEAN Partnership, Prasad, the IT and law minister, said the ASEAN countries proudly flaunt their cultural moorings rooted in ancient India.

He said the 3 Cs  Culture, Connectivity and Commerce  will shape the country's ties with the ASEAN bloc.

The importance New Delhi attaches to ASEAN is evident from the fact that leaders of all the ten ASEAN member nations will attend country's next Republic Day celebrations, he said.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the Home Ministry has started opening various channels on the borders to foster relations with neighbours, particularly in Eastern and North-Eastern Region (NER), an official release said.

The Land Ports Authority of India has taken up expansion of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh in Manipur for expansion of trade with Myanmar, India's gateway to the ASEAN, and it will be inaugurated soon, he said.

Rijiju said the ICP in Agartala on Bangladesh border has started and few more ICPs besides land customs stations and border haats will be set up. Rijiju said East India and the NER are rich in minerals and natural resources.

He said many will be surprised to learn that Dibrugarh contributed more to the government's revenues than the country's commercial capital, Mumbai.

Myanmar has the third highest Indian diaspora, next only to Nepal and the US, he said.

Rijiju said East Asia and South East Asia stretching from Japan and China and upto India is emerging as the world's next economic powerhouse.

India cannot be delineated from South East Asia and East Asia, he said.
Mumbai: Under the soft glow of the overhead lights of the courtroom, Taher Fakhruddin  Syedna Taher Fakhruddin to his followers  was escorted to the witness chair. A cream-coloured blanket was quickly spread across it by someone in his entourage before he settled in. Large screens had been set up in key parts of the courtroom. Justice Gautam Patel had set aside three days for Fakhruddin to be examined  a process that began on Friday and went on until the end of Tuesday.

Fakhruddins claim that he is the true Dai al-Mutlaq, or leader of the 1.5-million strong Dawoodi Bohra community is a continuation of a claim made by his father, Khuzaima Qutbuddin. Qutbuddin, the half-brother of the 52nd Dai filed a suit in April 2014 seeking that he be declared as the 53rd Dai, following the latters death in January of the same year. His contention was that he had been secretly conferred nass  the official declaration of succession  in December 1965, a private anointment that he claimed was nevertheless valid.

Mufaddal Saifuddin, the son of the 52nd Dai, who took over as the 53rd Dai when his father passed away had on the other hand contended that he had been officially anointed successor, and had the support of the majority of the community. Qutbuddin, who had served as the mazoon  or the second in command  moved court against Saifuddin.

These competing claims have been before the court since 2014. One of the key issues the court had earlier framed is what constitutes a valid nass and whether it was conferred on Qutbuddin. Qutbuddin gave his evidence in 2015, before he passed away in March 2016 in the USA. Since then, his oldest son has taken forward the claim to the position, now seeking that he be anointed as his fathers successor, and thus the rightful head of the community.

Friday was the first appearance for Fakhruddin in court as a witness, and questioning lasted three days. It will continue over three more days in January.

He took the stand swaddled in white shawls and remained placid through his testimony. He spoke in English throughout (his father had given evidence in Gujarati as well). The deputy chief translator SMSG Khan assisted the stenographer from time to time with Arabic words or spellings.

No, his father had never told him of the secret nass. No, he had never asked him directly. But he had had an inkling that his father had been appointed mansoos or the successor designate. I cant point to a particular day, he said. It was a progressive, growing realisation. What had shaped this? People had bowed to him reverentially and used honorific expressions, he claimed.

He had only found out about the secret conferment of nass on his father a day after the 52nd Dai passed away. It had, he said, not been in his place to ask.

On Friday when Fakhruddin's lawyer Anand Desai examined him, he had stated that it was not compulsory or necessary that others need immediately know about the conferment of nass. There are, he said. Historical reasons justifying keeping such a conferment private, including to prevent opposing forces from attempting a disruption in the chosen order.

He averred that nass once conferred was irrevocable and final. It cannot, he said, be changed or superseded. The nass is as I have said only done when there is divine inspiration

The room, redolent of decades of history was dense with the black robes of advocates and the white kurtas of the Bohra men on both sides. Entry had been limited to 25 people from each side, with names submitted in advance to prevent overcrowding. A posse of policemen and women lined the corners of the room.

A member from Saifuddins group sent over a statement on Friday evening, calling the suit unsubstantiated and frivolous. Having failed to convince the community of his claim, his father had resorted to making his claim in a civil court just over three years ago, the emailed statement from Mustafa Abdulhussein said. These are matters that ought to be settled within the community, not a civil court. Now, after the claimants demise, his son has continued to drag the community, its sacred religion and traditions into the court again. His false claim is plainly seen for what it is in the community, which is fully functional and firmly behind Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The case is of little interest to the community and the claimants agitation in and outside the court only have a nuisance value.

Nothing substantially new has emerged in Fakhruddins account so far. From questioning by the opposing counsel Iqbal Chagla, the court heard of his background  he studied at Greenlawns school, then in Cairo, later in SOAS in London. He moved to the US in 2002 where he had first run an Indian food and spice import business, and later acquired a farm in California in 2011 which grew cherries. Finally, another business had followed: a hedge fund.

Beyond establishing the facts of his life, the court heard issues of doctrine, practice, previous occasions when the position of the Dai had been under dispute, and factual details. It also heard that Fakhruddins wifes parents and siblings had so far not offered misaq or the oath of allegiance to him. He didnt know whether they had to his father. On what exactly misaq meant, he said, every person must decide whether to believe in the faith or not. If you believe in the faith, giving misaq is an obligation.

Eventually, the testimony closed with questions on whether Fakhruddin knew whether his father had sought legal advice on the nass conferred in secret. He said he didnt know.

Perhaps the most dramatic moment emerged not from anything the witness said, but from what a lawyer in the gathered crowd did. On Tuesday morning, Justice Patel interrupted proceedings to upbraid an advocate who seemed to have been recording everything on her phone. If the parties wanted the proceedings recorded, he did not mind, but not in this covert fashion. It turned out she belonged to neither side. Singled out and chastened, she slunk out of the courtroom, policewomen trailing her.
Hyderabad: Police said they have killed eight Naxalites belonging to a newly-formed extremist group, which allegedly indulged in extortion and violence, in a gunbattle in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana.

The encounter took place at around 6.30 am on Thursday in a forest area under Tekulapalli mandal, a senior police official said. According to the official, a police team had launched a combing operation in the forest area after receiving information about the movement of armed extremists. At about 6.30 am, the police team noticed people in olive green uniforms carrying weapons, after which they warned them to surrender.

"However, instead of surrendering, the armed men started firing at the police party. The police maintained maximum restraint...but as there was no way to stop them from firing and in self-defence the police party retaliated," the official explained.

The encounter continued for about 20 minutes. Following a search at the scene, the police found eight bodies with fire arm injuries, the official said. He said six fire arms - one SLR (self-loading rifle), three SBBL (single barrel breech load), two other weapons, eight kitbags, some Naxalite literature were recovered.

"No policemen were injured in the incident. Six of the deceased have been identified," he said. They belong to different districts of Telangana. After verification, it was concluded that they belonged to CPI(ML) Chandra Pullareddy (CP) Bata, he added.

According to the police, the men were formerly associated with the 'Jana Shakti' group of Naxals. On 24 July, a new group called CPI(ML) Chandra Pullareddy (CP) Bata was formed, which they had joined.

"All the group members followed the same ideology of Naxalites and were involved in multiple cases of murder, attempt to murder and extortion," the official said.

The group members were active in four districts  Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Kothagudem and Khammam. They indulged in extortion from businessmen, conducted land settlements and civil panchayats, put up pamphlets and created terror in the society, according to the police.

On 3 December, the police had arrested three armed extremists of the group in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district and seized a rifle, two grenades, several rounds of ammunition, empty magazines, six kitbags and seven cell phones from their possession.
Kolkata: Amid raging anxiety among parents over safety of children in the wake of recent incidents of

alleged sexual assault in city schools, four prominent institutes in Kolkata have approached the CISF to draw a foolproof security plan for them.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) specialises in security matters and is tasked with the upkeep of government infrastructure projects and facilities across the country.

Confirming the development, CISF director general OP Singh said 15 schools across the nation, including four from the city, had approached the paramilitary force for security- related suggestions.

"At least 15 schools across the country, including four from Kolkata, wants a security plan for their premises," the CISF DG told PTI over the phone from New Delhi.

Singh said the CISF personnel would not be able to man the schools but drawing a foolproof security plan was not an issue for them.

The four Kolkata schools that have approached the CISF are La Martiniere for Girls and La Martiniere for Boys, St Xavier's Institution (Panihati) and he said. Other prominent schools that have sought help from the force include Doon Public School and Delhi Public School.

A spokesperson of La Martiniere for Girls said the paramilitary force carried out a security audit on the school campus.

"The CISF officials had come for a security audit a few days ago. Now they will submit the assessment report to help us bolster our safety measures," she said. The school authorities will decide their future course of action based on the report, the spokesperson added.

The two recent cases of sexual assault in prominent schools here have triggered angry protests by parents, who demanded adequate safety measures for their children and immediate action against the culprits. The incidents came close on heels of a minor boy's killing at a Gurugram school in September.
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Wednesday decided to hand over the investigation into the mysterious death of Hindu activist Paresh Mesta to the CBI, police said.

"The state government has decided to handover the inquiry into the death of Mesta to the CBI on the request of his father Kamalakar Mesta," Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Hemant Nimbalkar told IANS from Karwar.

"I have directed the state Director General of Police and Chief Secretary to complete the formalities and hand over the probe to the CBI at the earliest," state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters.

The 19-year-old's mutilated body was found on 8 December floating in a lake at Honnavar, a coastal town in Uttara Kannada district, about 490km northwest of Bengaluru.

According to Mesta's family, he went missing on 6 December. "My son did not return home after visiting a temple on 6 December. There were clashes in the town that day after which he was found missing. We suspect he was kidnapped and murdered. I want his killers punished," his father told reporters at Honnavar earlier on Wednesday.

Police, however, denied Mesta's family charge that he was abducted and killed by some members of another community. "Mesta's body has been sent for autopsy, whose report will reveal the cause of his death. The report is expected in 8-10 days," said Reddy.

Suspecting foul play, the opposition BJP demanded a National Investigation Agency or Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Mesta's unnatural death, alleging that he was "murdered by Jihadi elements".

Mesta's death sparked off unrest in the coastal towns of Kumta, Sirsi and Honnavar during the last two days, as hundreds of BJP cadres and right-wing activists held protest rallies and sought action against the alleged killers.
New Delhi: India expects Sri Lanka to be mindful of its "security concerns and sensitivities", the external affairs ministry said on Thursday while reacting to the Sri Lankan government handing over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease last week.

Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also made it clear that India's relation with Sri Lanka "stand on its own and is not dependent on our relations with any third country."

He said India was confident of the strength of enduring ties with Sri Lanka which were deep-rooted and multidimensional.

"We continue to take up with Sri Lanka issues related to the security concerns in the region and expect that our Sri Lankan friends will keep in mind our security concerns and sensitivities," he said.

Two Chinese firms - Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) managed by the China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) - and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own the port and the

investment zone around it.

The port, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is expected to play a key role in China's Belt and Road initiative, which will link ports and roads between China and Europe.

In order to allay India's security concerns over the Chinese Navy's presence in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe had earlier ruled out the possibility of the strategic port being used as a "military base" by any foreign country.

Answering another query regarding reports of Maldives signing a free trade agreement with China, he said India expects that as a close and friendly neighbour, Maldives will be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its 'India First' policy.

Kumar also said that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Maldives.

Noting that India has seen reports about the Maldives- China agreement and the reports have also alluded to the manner in which the FTA was passed by the Majlis, he said it will not be appropriate for him to comment on the contents.

He also said India was committed to supporting democracy, development and stability in Maldives.

On the visit of Maldives President to China, he said, "We feel that as long as the development of bilateral relations between the two countries contribute to the peace and stability in the region, I think we should welcome that."
New Delhi: 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, an official said on Thursday.

The committee will visit the spot and submit a detailed report to the Ministry within certain period about the loss of property caused by Ockhi that hit Tamil Nadu and Kerala on 30 November.

The Home Ministry official said that Tamil Nadu and Kerala were in the process of preparing memorandum of seeking central assistance.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday that his government has sought Rs 1,843 crore from the Central government to mitigate the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi. Kerala has also demanded Rs 300 crore for immediate relief.

Cyclone Ockhi, which in Bengali means 'eye', went on make landfall in Lakshadweep on 2 December and caused extensive damages to houses, power lines and other infrastructure in the islands and coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

It dissipated near the south coast of Gujarat on 6 December.

The Home Ministry official said that thousands of houses and large areas of standing crops were damaged due to the cyclone.

He also said over 2,391 people from Tamil Nadu and 8,566 from Kerala had been evacuated far while over 600 fishermen of both the states are still missing after the cyclone rampaged through parts of south and western India.

As many as 433 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 186 from Kerala were yet to be traced, the official said, adding that that house-to-house verification process was going on and a final figure of the missing fishermen would be known once the process was over.

Several fishermen had ventured into the sea in boats and "small crafts" before Ockhi approached the coastal region, authorities say. The anxiety is about the people who had gone in such small vessels.

As of now, 63 people have lost their lives in Kerala and 14 in Tamil Nadu during the cyclone.
Bengaluru: The two-week long eighth edition of the India-Maldives joint military exercise, 'Ekuverin', will be conducted from Friday at Belagavi, about 505 kilometre from Bengaluru.

The bilateral annual exercise is a 14-day joint military training between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), which is held alternatively in India and Maldives since 2009.

'Ekuverin' means 'friends' in the Maldivian language. The seventh edition of the exercise was held at Kadhdhoo, Lammu Atoll, Maldives in December, 2016.

The focus of the exercise is to acquaint both armies with each other's operating procedures in the backdrop of a counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist operations in an urbaner semi-urban environment under the United Nations (UN) Charter, with an overall aim to enhance interoperability between the two armies, an official release said.

It said the exercise will see the contingents hone their tactical and technical skills, and also provide an opportunity for the two armies to activate the Joint Operations Centre at Belagavi.

The MNDF will be represented by a team comprising two officers and 43 other ranks, while the Indian Army by three officers, as many junior commissioned officers and 39 other ranks belonging to a Gorkha Rifles Battalion (Sirmoor Rifles).

The opening ceremony of the exercise, scheduled for Friday will witness a fly past by the Army Aviation team along with a march past by the contingent from both the countries in the presence of the pipe and drums band of the Gorkha Regiment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on the Indian Navy while commissioning the Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari in Mumbai on Thursday morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi said it is a moment of great pride for India. "Today is a day of pride for the 125 crore people of India. I congratulate all the citizens and the Indian Navy on this historic achievement. Dedicating the INS Kalvari submarine to the nation is a huge honour for me," Modi said. This is his second public appearance since the campaigning for the second phase of Gujarat election ended.

Describing it as big step forward in the defence sector, Modi said INS Kalvari is a shining example of 'Make In India'. "This is the perfect example of 'Makes In India'. I wish to congratulate every worker, every employee whose sweat is involved in the creation of Kalvari," he said.

The prime minister also thanked France for extending cooperation in the building the Scorpene-class submarine. "I also thank France for its cooperation in building Kalvari. The submarine is also an excellent example of the rapidly growing strategic partnership between India and France. The 'tiger shark's strength will strengthen our navy," said Modi.

Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited, was commissioned into the Navy by Modi in Mumbai on Thursday.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

Hailing the 21st century as the Asia's time to shine, Modi underscored the geopolitical importance of India in the Indian Ocean. "The 21st century is India's belongs to India. And the development in the 21st century is today taking place through the Indian Ocean. As a result, the Indian Ocean occupies a special place in the government's vision and policies," he said. Modi further addded that the Indian Ocean stands for "S.A.G.A.R: security and growth for all in the region."

Modi lauded the Indian Navy and it's efforts to strengthen ground in the Indian Ocean. "We are fully vigilant about our global, strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean. Therefore, India's modern and multi-dimentional navy leads stability for the whole region. The country's regional framework is also being strengthened," he said.

The prime minister called the Indian Ocean an important asset for the world. "The strategic power of the sea provides us with economic clout for developing the nation. India is serious about the challenges the countries face in the region as well," said Modi.

"Be it terrorism via sea, piracy, drug smuggling or illegal fishing, India is playing an important role to combat them," he added.

Modi also said that India's role in the Indian Ocean is to ensure development for all in the region. "Our mantra of development with everyone is the same in the water. Considering the entire world as a family, India is constantly performing its global responsibilities. We are first responders for neighbour countries in times of their crisis," he said, mentioning the Sri Lanka floods, Nepal earthquake, Yemen crisis etc.

He also called the Indian Navy a custodian of humanity in the Indian Ocean and said that countries around the world are keen to work with India. "We are matching shoulders with military from around the world. Nations want to walk with India on the path of peace and stability," Modi said.

Talking about the defence sector and the government's approach to it, Modi said, "In the past three years, defence and security has been leading a change in the entire ecosystem. Our attempt is to create a synergy between defence, economic, international relations, public confidence; a change that is demanded from the times we are in."

"Our government's security policies have had a favorable impact not only on the external security of the country but also on the interior. You all know how terrorism is being used as a proxy war against India," said Modi in his address.

Hailing the INS Kalvari, Modi said it took 12 lakh man days to construct the submarine and that the skill set Indian companies and engineers obtained in the process is a treasure which will prove fruitful to the nation in times to come.

Besides Kalvari, Modi also hailed security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern states and Naxal-hit states for stabilising the regions.

With inputs from PTI
The Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court has sentenced Muhammed Ameerul Islam to death, after finding the 23-year-old guilty of rape and murder of 30-year-old Dalit law student Jisha in Kerala last year.

Islam was found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 302 (murder), 376 (rape) and 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

Islam, a migrant labourer from Assam and the lone accused in the case, was charged with brutally raping and murdering the woman, a law student, at Perumbavoor in Kerala on 28 April, 2016.

He was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules.

As many as 100 witnesses were examined during the trial which commenced in April last year. The prosecution had described it as "rarest of rare" case.

The victim's mother had expressed hope that justice will be delivered in the case. She demanded capital punishment for the accused.

The woman, who hailed from a poor family, was brutally assaulted using sharp-edged weapons before being murdered at her house.

Islam, who had left Perumbavoor soon after committing the crime, was arrested from Kancheepuram in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, 50 days after the incident.

The incident was in focus during the state Assembly polls campaign last year, with political parties attacking the then Congress-led UDF regime for "tardy" progress in the probe and failure to nab culprits.

The LDF government, after assuming power on 25 May last year, changed the investigation team and entrusted the probe to ADGP B Sandhya in its first Cabinet meeting.

More than 100 police personnel had questioned over 1,500 people. Fingerprints of over 5,000 people were examined by the SIT personnel who went through over 20 lakh telephonic conversations before reaching Islam.

Police have said blood-stained footwear found from a canal near the victim's house was one of the key evidence in identifying the culprit.

With inputs from PTI
Women's activists are not overly jubilant over the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court verdict awarding the death penalty to the lone accused in the sensational Jisha murder case  that they compared with New Delhi's Nirbhaya case.

This is because of several grey areas they find in the case. Prominent women activist and advocate TB Mini pointed out many loopholes in the prosecution's case. She feels that these could come handy to the convict to escape harsh punishment when the case goes to the high court for confirmation of the death penalty or if he files an appeal.

Sessions court judge N Anil Kumar awarded capital punishment to 24-year-old Ameer ul-Islam, a migrant worker from Assam, after finding him guilty of raping and murdering Jisha. The 30-year-old Dalit law student was found dead in her house at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district on 28 April, 2016.

Mini told Firstpost that the biggest lacuna in the case was the absence of witnesses. The court has convicted Ameer relying on scientific and circumstantial evidence. Mini said she had strong doubts whether the death penalty will stand before the court of law merely on the basis of the available evidence.

Retired superintendent of police Subhash Babu also aired similar apprehensions. He said that he did not expect a capital punishment in the case considering the evidence available to the police. He said that it will be hard for the prosecution to defend the death penalty in a higher court.

He pointed out that Supreme Court had quashed the death penalty awarded to the convict in the Soumya murder and rape case that has many similarities with the Jisha case. The apex court altered the capital punishment awarded to Govindachami, the lone convict in the case, with an observation that death penalty cannot be awarded if there is an iota of doubt.

Women's activists are sceptical about the outcome of the case in a higher court as advocate BA Aaloor, who saved the life of Govindachami, is pleading for Ameer as well. Mini said Aaloor was an expert in picking holes in the prosecution cases.

"Unfortunately, there are several holes in the Jisha case that the defence lawyer could turn into the advantage of his client," added Mini.

The lawyer said the failure of the police to explain a third fingerprint found at the crime site was the biggest lapse in the case. This raises strong suspicions that more people might have been involved in the crime. The police had filed the chargesheet in the case without making any attempt to trace the man behind the third fingerprint.

She said there were also flaws in the autopsy, which was conducted by a medical student at the Alappuzha Medical College. Though Jisha's body was sent for a post-mortem before noon the day after the murder, the doctor's report said the body was brought to the medical college in a decomposed condition.

Usually, a dead body starts decomposing after 38 hours. We don't know how Jisha's body had decomposed in less than 12 hours. The post-mortem report has not explained this. I don't know how the court has accepted it as part of scientific evidence produced by the police," exclaimed Mini.

The lawyer said there were several such contradictions in the 1,800-page chargesheet filed by the police. Mini said that she will be able to comment on the fate of the case only after knowing how the lower court judge had received them.

Curiously, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) had also brought several lapses in the investigation and scientific evidence collected by the police to the notice of the government. In a 16-page confidential report submitted to the home secretary, the then VACB director Jacob Thomas said that the third fingerprint found at the crime site was sufficient ground to suspect the involvement of other people in the crime.

The report prepared on the basis of an internal investigation conducted by the agency said that the police had hurriedly filed the chargesheet without explaining this and other weak points in the case. Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra rejected the VACB report saying that the involvement of the agency in the case was unwarranted.

Kozhikode-based women activist P Geetha, who had pursued the case, said the probe into Jisha's murder was flawed from the very beginning. She alleged that the attempt of the local police was to cover up the case. The news regarding the death was relegated to obit pages in the local dailies at the instance of the police.

"The crime scene was not cordoned off and no police official was posted there to guard the body. Police allowed the body to be cremated soon after the post-mortem the next day. There was no mention of sexual assault suffered by Jisha in the first information report (FIR) lodged by Kuruppumthura police," said Geetha.

The rape of Jisha came to light only after her classmates in the law college accessed the post-mortem report. But by then, many vital pieces of evidence in the case were destroyed. Ameer was arrested from Tamil Nadu after more than a month.

Geetha said that it was difficult to believe that the poor migrant worker from Assam had enough clout to influence the police and other agencies involved in the investigation to cover up the case. She firmly believes that the lapses could be part of an attempt to save the hidden forces behind the case.

"The lapses in the police investigation may be acceptable to the court. But they are not sufficient to convince the people, who suspect foul play in the investigation of the crime, which was committed in the run-up to the Assembly election," Geetha added.

She believes that the case that became a major issue in the election may have influenced the poll outcome to a big extent. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) had shifted the focus of their campaign to women protection based on the case and it got a handsome dividend from it.

The women's activist also wonders how Ameer got the money to hire a senior lawyer like Aaloor, who charges a hefty fee from his clients. She said there were several other mysteries in the case. The people of Kerala can believe justice is done to Jisha only after clearing the mystery surrounding the case. Till then, it will continue to haunt the mind of every Malayalee, she added.

Aaloor has been maintaining that his client was innocent. He believes that Ameer was framed in the case. The lawyer said that he had tried to establish this during the trial but the court did not allow him to make his points.

"The court has acted like a mouthpiece of the prosecution. The court was more interested in satisfying the public sentiments instead of examining the merit of the arguments," he said, adding that he will get sufficient opportunity to argue his points when the cases move to the higher level.

He told reporters after the verdict that his client will challenge the sessions court verdict in the high court. He has expressed confidence that his client may be spared of the death penalty in case he doesn't comes out unscathed.
Bengaluru: A city court on Wednesday granted interim bail on health grounds to Kannada tabloid editor Ravi Belagere who was arrested for allegedly hiring a contract killer to kill one of his colleagues.

The 65th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court granted a three-day bail till 16 December to Belagere who made the plea for relief citing his health condition.

Belagere, who brings out "Hai Bangalore", was sent to Parapanna Agrahara Central Prison two days ago after a local court remanded him to 14-day judicial custody till 23 December.

He was staying in the hospital ward of the jail.

The court had directed the police to provide proper medical treatment to Belagere, who is suffering from different ailments, at the prison.

Belagere was arrested from his house in Bengaluru on 8 December on charges of hiring a "supari" (contract) killer from Vijayapura in north Karnataka to kill Sunil Heggaravalli.

He was produced before a magistrate at the latter's residence on 8 December and remanded to police custody.

The police had got the lead about the alleged plot to eliminate Heggaravalli when contract killer Shashidhar Mundewadi was questioned in connection with a probe into the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Based on the inputs, Belagare was arrested and a pistol and double barrel gun were seized from his possession.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly had earlier passed a resolution sentencing Belagare and Anil Raju, the editor of tabloid Yelahanka Voice, to one year in jail for their alleged defamatory articles against state legislators.

The Assembly recently rejected a plea by both the journalists to reconsider its decision.

On a petition by the journalists earlier this week, the Karnataka High Court directed the Assembly not to pursue the proceedings against them until further orders.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing the Maharashtra Assembly Thursday, admitted his government made mistakes implementing the farmers' loan waiver scheme but stated that those errors were later rectified. He added that the scheme would continue until 'every eligible farmer was included'.

For the past two months, Firstpost has been reporting on the Maharashtra government bungling its historic Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver scheme.

Fadnavis was speaking in the Assembly after Opposition parties raised several questions over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanmaj Yojana (CSMSSY), where outstanding loans up to Rs 1.50 lakh are being waived. The farmers who repay their loan regularly will get a rebate up to Rs 25,000 as an incentive. Fadnavis announced the scheme on 24 June and tried to waive the loan before Diwali. But due to various problems, technical errors and duplication in various farmers' accountsmany had the same Aadhaar numberthe scheme was delayed.

The attempt miserably failed because the data provided by cooperative, public and private sector banks did not match the details provided by farmers who uploaded their information on Aaple Sarkar portal. In his reply, Fadnavis said: "It is true that we made some mistakes while implementing the loan waiver scheme. But later, we rectified our mistakes. There was a lot of pressure to announce the loan waiver scheme before Diwali. So, in our hurry, we made some mistakes".

Fadnavis added that over 1 crore farmers submitted online applications in just 45 days, and that the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) had 89 lakh entries of farmers' loan waiver accounts. After online processing, we received 77 lakh entries and after scrutiny, that number was reduced to 69 lakh, Fadnavis said.

"Of these 69 lakh accounts, 43 lakh accounts have been validated and Rs 20,734 crore has been allocated for disbursal. Of these 43 lakh accounts, 28 lakh are eligible for loan waiver scheme, while the rest are eligible for incentive reward scheme," Fadnavis claimed. He added that money has been disbursed in 22 lakh accounts till date, the process was ongoing and is reviewed on a daily basis.

Fadnavis also gave a region-wise breakup of the money to be disbursed: Rs 5,754 crore for Vidarbha, Rs 6,000 crore for Marathwada and Rs 3,704 crore for North Maharashtra. "When we announced the loan waiver, we did not mention any condition of land holding but we insisted that the benefits would go to real farmers," Fadnavis added.

The Maharashtra government invited severe backlash when it hurriedly distributed certificates to some farmers, terming them as 'beneficiaries of loan waiver scheme'. Defending himself, the chief minister said the government simply followed a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report over the 2008 loan waiver scheme of Congress-led UPA government which recommended that farmers who are beneficiaries be issued certificates.

Defending the state government, the chief minister passed the buck: "There were some over-enthusiastic district collectors who on their own, went ahead and distributed certificates to many farmers. The previous loan waiver scheme of the Union government had some loopholes. The flaws were misused by banks and some individuals as well. The cumulative amount of such irregular loan waiver was Rs 4,000 crore for Maharashtra during UPA government, which is 39.43 percent of the total cover of the scheme."

Fadnavis also shared a break-up of the report: "According to the CAG report, 13.5 percent farmers who were eligible did not receive benefits. Then, there were 8.5 percent accounts which were not eligible for loan waiver. Another 3.51 percent accounts had no proper documentation while banks had charged faulty interests on accounts which amounted to 7.96 percent of the total cover. There were other mistakes as well. One bank gave us data of 6.50 lakh farmers who could be eligible for loan waiver scheme. When we used our filter system, only 1.50 lakh accounts were found to be authentic. This is how we filtered every banks data as per our rules. We found some ghost accounts and we filtered it through our Aadhaar-based system."

Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan raised an objection to this statement and demanded details of such "ghost accounts", but did not get any reply as Fadnavis left the Assembly. Speaking to reporters outside Assembly in Nagpur, Chavan alleged: "It was the Union Bank of India, which has been named by the chief minister at a function earlier. If the bank had five lakh ghost accounts, then it should be probed thoroughly. If the findings are serious, then the state should take legal action. The chief minister himself has used the word ghost account on the floor of the House, hence there should be a thorough probe."

Talking to Firstpost, former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said that he was not happy with the answers he received from Fadnavis in the Assembly. "The government is simply playing around with numbers," he said. "The names of beneficiary farmers have been announced but no money has been deposited in their bank accounts till date. The question of loan waiver is more important in the state, but the government is resorting to delays upon delays. More than four months after this scheme has started, not a single rupee has been deposited in farmers' accounts. If nationalised banks aren't cooperating with government on loan waiver scheme, then what action will the government take on banks?"

With inputs from PTI

Read other stories in our series on the farm loan waiver here and here
New Delhi: Max Healthcare on Wednesday moved a "government authority" against the cancellation of licence of its hospital in Shalimar Bagh in north-west Delhi, even as it appealed to the DGHS to "reconsider" its decision.

The development comes four days after the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Delhi government's heath department had cancelled licence of the hospital for alleged medical negligence in multiple instances, including a case in which one of the twins was found alive after being declared dead by doctors.

"Following the due process of law, we have filed an appeal with the appropriate authority against the cancellation of registration of Max hospital, Shalimar Bagh," the Max group said in a statement on Wednesday night.

A spokesperson of the Max Healthcare, when asked to elaborate about the appropriate authority approached, only said, "It is not a court authority but a government authority. And, the appeal was filed today."

The hospital group also appealed to the government to "reconsider their decision of cancelling the hospital's registration".

"Earlier, we had also requested the Delhi government to review their decision and restore the registration," the statement said, while claiming that the "decision has caused significant inconvenience to thousands of patients and local residents and this is further compounded by unavailability of suitable alternatives for their medical needs in the vicinity".

Max Healthcare authorities declined to share details on the appropriate government authority approached by them.

However, Delhi High Court advocate Ashok Agarwal, claimed, in such cases, "the appellate authority is the Lt Governor's office".

"As per the Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953, in cases related to cancellation of licence, the appellate authority is the L-G office," Agarwal, also a member of the Delhi High Court-appointed EWS Monitoring Committee for hospitals, said.

Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh on a monthly basis treats around 14,000 patients in the OPD, attends to over 1,600 emergency patients and additional 3,000 are treated in inpatient wards, the hospital group said.

"In compliance with the cancellation order, not only did we have to turn down the OPD and new IPD, but, planned procedures such as 171 chemotherapies, 63 surgeries and 241 dialysis sessions had to be cancelled, rescheduled or transferred," the hospital group claimed in the statement.

"In the interest of public welfare, we urge the government to reconsider their decision of cancelling the hospital's registration," it said.

The Max Hospital case pertains to one of the premature twins, wrongly declared dead on 30 November at the hospital where he was born, and who died during treatment at a nursing home in Pitampura a week later.

Both the babies were declared stillborn by the hospital and handed over to the family allegedly in a polythene bag. But to their utter horror, they found that the boy was still alive, while they were on way to do their final rites.
The first of the indigenous Scorpene-class submarines, INS Kalvari, was commissioned in the Indian Navy on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries. Commissioning of the submarine, named after the first Foxtort-class submarine INS Kalvari, comes just days after the navy observed the golden jubilee of its submarine wing.

INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines built by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited. The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

It's after a gap of 17 years that a submarine that was built indigenously in India was being commissioned in the Indian Navy. It would be the 16th submarine as part of India's fleet, a figure that has long been in dire need of upgradation. To put this in perspective, China has 68 submarines, while the US has 70. North Korea is the world leader with 78 submarines.

Why is INS Kalvari so important for India

The navy is betting on INS Kalvari to sharpen its underwater attack capabilities. It was part of Project-75 of the navy, which involves a collaboration with French defence firm DCNS at a cost of Rs 3.5 billion. Its construction started in May 2009 and two submarines were supposed to be commissioned this year, but the project has fallen behind schedule.

The first four submarines will be conventional, while the last two are to be equipped with the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which will enable the vessel to stay underwater for longer duration.

All six diesel-electric attack submarines will be equipped with an anti-ship missile, which has a proven record in combat, besides other weapon systems. In May this year, the navy successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile from INS Kalvari.

A second Scorpene submarine, INS Khanderi, is also undergoing trials and is likely to be inducted shortly.

Salient features

The Scorpene submarine is designed to operate in all theatres of war, including the tropics. It is capable of handling various missions such as anti-surface warfare (attacking surface ships), anti-submarine warfare (destroying submarines), intelligence gathering, mine-laying and area surveillance. The Kalvari was built with a special kind of high-tensile steel that is capable of withstanding high yield stress. This feature allows it to withstand pressure exerted by water and hydrostatic force, while diving deeper to enhance stealth. It is also capable of carrying weapons that can be easily reloaded at sea, a report on Hindustan Times said.

Measuring 67.5 metres in length and 12.3 metres in height, it can carry 18 torpedoes and travel upto 1,020 kilometres underwater. It can also dive to depths of upto 300 metres. And given the silent diesel electric motor it is equipped with, it can also be stealthy and avoid detection.

A report on NDTV said the heart of the Kalvari's weapons system is a 'SUBTICS' (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System) suite which processes information from the sonars onboard the submarine in detecting targets which can then be engaged with torpedoes or missiles. It has an attack and search periscope equipped with Infrared/Low Light Level cameras and Laser Range finders to spot targets on the surface of the sea.

'Reincarnation' of the original INS Kalvari

In keeping with the India's mythologies and naval tradition, the Kalvari is a "reincarnation" of the first Indian submarine to be commissioned into the Indian Navy, on 8 December, 1967, the Hindustan Times report added.

The previous Kalvari served for nearly three decades, before being decommissioned in May 1996. "In true nautical tradition, she will now be reincarnated, by Mazagon Dock, once again a powerful predator of the deep, guarding the vast maritime interests of our nation," the navy was quoted as saying in the report.

With inputs from PTI
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Mumbai late Wednesday night to attend the commissioning ceremony of Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari on Thursday.

"The prime minister landed at Mumbai at around 11 pm and proceeded to the Raj Bhavan where he will stay overnight," an official told PTI.

He was received at the airport by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited, will be commissioned into the Navy by Modi in Mumbai on Thursday.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.
New Delhi: Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Wednesday appreciated the strengthening of bilateral relationship between India and Singapore in various sectors, including trade and investment, connectivity, defence and security.

Modi made these remarks during his meeting with visiting Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The prime minister also warmly recalled their long association, and congratulated Goh Chok Tong on assuming charge as the chairman of the governing board of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy earlier this year, an official statement said.

"The prime minister welcomed the momentum imparted by the exchange of several high-level visits between India and Singapore in recent years, and appreciated the strengthening of the bilateral relationship in all sectors, including trade and investment, connectivity, defence and security," the statement said.
The news from across the border in Nepal is undoubtedly disconcerting for India unless it adapts to new circumstances speedily and effectively.

That the country's Left alliance  forged between the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist and the CPN-Marxist Centre  has won a majority of seats in the recent Parliamentary elections and is expected to form the next government is seemingly good news for China, which has close links with them, to the detriment of India.

It is in fact quite on the cards that the two Left parties would eventually merge, strengthening the Leftists further.

The centrist Nepali Congress party of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who heads a loose alliance that includes the pro-India Madhesi parties from Nepal's southern plains and former royalists, has been virtually mauled.

Evidently, the open Indian support to the Madhesis at the height of the blockade organised by them which bled Nepal considerably a couple of years ago hurt the common man in Nepal grievously. It was a characteristic misstep that India took which it is ruing now.

Landlocked as Nepal is, it would be foolhardy for it to rub India on the wrong side too hard but the cold reality is that there is no love lost between Nepal's Left parties and India. Some of that antagonism has now rubbed off on the people at large.

If the new government is formed with KP Oli at the helm, as seems likely, this country can hardly forget that the last time he was prime minister his relations with India were conspicuously strained.

Some mending of fences can surely not be ruled out but below the surface, there would predictably be distrust and suspicion of each other's intentions.

What has harmed India's interests in Nepal is that this country is perceived to be persisting in its big brotherly attitude. The victory of the Left is an indication that India's patronising attitude has not gone down well with people at large. That it was a major electoral plank of the Communists speaks for itself.

Indian political leaders and bureaucrats have been rubbing it in perpetually that Nepal cannot do without India and that any flexing of muscles by a Nepalese government would be suicidal for them. It has reached a stage where this may not be said explicitly but it is perceived nevertheless.

That this has hurt the pride of the Nepalis who look upon India as a neo-colonial power breathing down their neck, is an albatross that India will have to wear around its neck for a long time. It will always be a reminder that the patronising attitude has done a lot of harm to India.

China, which has always been nibbling at India's influence in the region must be grinning from ear to ear at the indiscretions of the Indian powers-that-be.

It had feared that with a BJP government at the helm in India, the psyche of Hindu solidarity would bring the two countries closer. However, that hope, to China's delight, has been belied for various reasons.

That China has been assiduously wooing Kathmandu has been all too clear but that the people of Nepal would turn away from India through the democratic process was not anticipated. Clearly, Indian foreign policy has been outsmarted by China in Nepal.

One can only hope that the Nepalese people would realise in due course that China is a slippery ally. The manner in which Pakistan is sinking into deep debt on the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, it would be too late for Islamabad to realise the price it would need to pay for its friendship with the insidious 'Chinese dragon'.

Nepal too would be lured by short-term gains and long-term debts which would plunge the country into huge financial difficulties if it does not control the Chinese machinations.

The Maldivians are getting inextricably linked to Chinese strategic designs while the Sri Lankans have been inviting investment from Beijing with a little more caution but are getting sucked into the Chinese vortex slowly but surely.

That the Narendra Modi government in India is alive to Chinese designs is borne out by the axis that India is forming with the United States, Japan, and Australia to counter China, but any action to beat the Chinese at their own game would need to be consistent and cleverly played.

On Nepal, the first task for India would be to drop the patronising attitude and to genuinely help that country to not require to depend heavily on Chinese investment and largesse. India has in the past done much in terms of large projects to harness energy. More Indian projects to generate local employment may be in order.

Instead of insulating Nepal from regional forums, India would do well to encourage them to join such fora and to assert their influence as equal partners in the quest for growth and development.

In political terms, India must shed its reservations and befriend the communists in Nepal wholeheartedly. It is time we reconcile with ground realities.
COLUMBUS  A 24-year-old Columbus man who led police on a wild chase on a stolen all-terrain vehicle last summer was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison.

Platte County District Court Judge Robert Steinke sentenced Craig Gresham, who turns 25 on Saturday, for theft-receiving stolen property $1,500-$5,000 and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest in connection with the July 17 incident.

Gresham, who pleaded no contest to the charges, must spend 12 months on post-release supervision and pay $1,053 restitution. Steinke gave him credit for 68 days already served in the county jail.

In exchange for Gresham pleading no contest to the charges, the county attorneys office dismissed two counts of criminal trespassing.

According to court documents, Gresham was arrested inside a south-central Columbus apartment building following the roughly 30-minute pursuit. The chase began near Sioux Drive and 27th Street, just north of Columbus Motor Company, when an officer attempted to stop the four-wheeler.

Gresham fled on the ATV, which was reported stolen in Columbus, driving through yards, fields and the Pawnee Plunge Water Park parking lot during the pursuit. The chase stretched from north-central to southeast Columbus and eventually the Loup River levee and Pawnee Park before Gresham abandoned the ATV and fled on foot.

He ran into an apartment building and kicked open a door in an attempt to hide from officers, according to court records, but was arrested without further incident.

Columbus Police were assisted in the chase by the Platte County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol and Husker Helicopter, which tracked the suspect from the sky.
The Pakistan foreign ministry on Thursday asked the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav, according to media reports.

Kulbhushan Jadhav Case: Pakistan directs the high commission in Delhi to provide visa to wife and mother who are scheduled to meet Jadhav on 25th December.  IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) December 14, 2017

According to Pakistan-based Geo TV, Islamabad has also agreed to provide maximum security to Jadhav's family during their visit to Pakistan. The Indian High Commissioner too will be allowed to meet Jadhav.

Pakistan had earlier decided to allow relatives of Jadhav to meet him on humanitarian grounds. The Pakistan foreign ministry in its statement had said that Jadhav's mother and wife would be allowed to meet him at a prison on 25 December.

MEA had earlier sought a sovereign guarantee from Pakistan on the safety and security of Jadhav's wife and her mother-in-law if they visit.

India had several times tried to arrange a meeting of Jadhav with his family members. Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj had even written a "personal letter" to the advisor to the prime minister of Pakistan on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, asking for approval of Jadhav's mother visa application of so that she may travel to Pakistan.

Further, the MEA also said they should not be questioned or harassed, and that a diplomat from the Indian High Commission in Pakistan should be permitted to accompany them throughout their stay.

Jadhav, 46, was arrested by Pakistan from the restive Balochistan province in 2016 and was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism.

A press release from Pakistan's foreign ministry website stated that Jadhav had "confessed" in a Pakistani court "that he was tasked by RAW to plan, coordinate and organise espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities aimed at destabilizing and waging war against Pakistan".

India has claimed that he was kidnapped from Iran, where he ran business after having retired from the Navy

India had even approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May seeking a provisional stay to the execution of Jadhav which was granted. The court had fixed 13 June, 13 September and 13 December as dates for India to file its documents and for Pakistan to file counter-documents. The order was made after taking into account the views of both the parties.

With inputs from agencies
Jaipur: Police in Rajsamand district have frozen a bank account in which 516 donors had transferred Rs 2.75 lakh for fighting the court case of Shambhulal Regar, who is in custody for hacking a Muslim migrant labourer to death, burning the body and filming the barbaric act.

Two local businessmen were also arrested for allegedly circulating images on social media of receipts acknowledging their donations to the account of Regar's wife, police said.

"Rs 2.75 lakh was deposited into Sita's bank account, details of which were circulated on social media. 516 people from across the country deposited the money for fighting Regar's case. Police have frozen the account," IG (Udaipur Range) Anand Shrivastava said.

SHO, Bhim police station, Gyanendra Singh said two businessmen, Prakash Singh and Dinesh Singh, were arrested under relevant sections of the law for circulating receipts of donations on social media.

The administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Rajsamand after some right-wing groups announced to take out processions in support of Regar on Thursday. "All processions, rallies and protests have been banned and those who defy the rule of law will be dealt with accordingly," Shrivastava said.

Regar, 36, had hacked Mohammed Afrazul to death and burnt the body on 6 December. Afrazul had migrated to Rajsamand from West Bengal for work.

Regar had roped in his 14-year-old nephew to film the killing. After the barbaric act, Regar posted videos of the killing with inflammatory and communal comments to defend the act.
Mumbai: Invoking Babasaheb Ambedkar, Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednessday said he embraced Buddhism only after he was convinced that Dalits would not get justice in the Hindu religion and asked all members of the community to do so.

"Only when Babasaheb Ambedkar was convinced that Dalits would not get justice in Hindu religion did he convert to Buddhism. Lakhs of Dalits converted as well," Athawale, the minister of state for social justice and empowerment, said in a statement issued in Mumbai.

According to the statement, Ambedkar had given opportunity to staunch "Hindutvavadis" to make amends but that did not happen, and hence he converted.

"All Dalits should give up Hinduism and embrace Buddhism to stop atrocities against them," Athawale said.

Athawale, the chief of the Republican Party of India (A), also slammed BSP chief Mayawati and said instead of issuing repeated threats, she should once and for all convert to Buddhism.

Mayawati, addressing a rally at Nagpur on 10 December, had attacked the BJP and the RSS, and said that Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities were facing castiest, religious and communal discrimination from the so-called custodians of the Hindu religion.

Mayawati had warned the BJP and the RSS that if their attitude towards the backward sections of society didn't change, she would embrace Buddhism with crores of others.
Mumbai: Accused-turned-approver in the Sheena Bora murder case Shyamvar Rai on Wednesday told a court in Mumbai that he harboured no evil intentions against the deceased as claimed by the defence lawyers.

Niranjan Mundergi and Shreyansh Mithare, lawyers of accused Sanjeev Khanna, told Rai that he was keeping her photograph at his residence which too was denied by him.

Rai told the court it was not necessary for him to keep Sheena's photograph with him.

Mundergi and Mithare claimed that police had detained Rai and started interrogating him about disappearance of Sheena before Rai's actual arrest in August 2015.

Rai also told the court that on the day of Sheena's murder in April 2012, he did not notice how much liquor Sheena's brother Mikhail had consumed.

According to CBI, Mikhail was also supposed to be killed along with Sheena but the accused later dropped the plan.

The murder came to light in August, 2015 after Rai, arrested in another case, spilled the beans and Mumbai police arrested key accused Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna, and Rai.

Later, Indrani's husband Peter Mukerjea, a former media businessman, was also arrested. The victim was also in a relationship with Peter's son.
New Delhi: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said "paid news" had become "menace" and media outlets should ensure "sensibility" in their news than focusing on "sensationalism".

"Paid news is not news. It has become a menace. It weakens the society. You (news outlets) have power to influence people, use it wisely," Naidu said after launching the Delhi edition of Marathi daily Lokmat.

He also said that news should not be mixed with views.

"Information with confirmation is great ammunition. However, many channels are coming in the market. There is competition. But truth cannot be sacrificed," he said.

"Views should be restricted to editorial pages. There has to be sensibility and not sensationalism."

Media did have "right to break" anyone's sentiments, he added.

Naidu also appealed to journalists to focus on agriculture and rural issues as there were sentiments among people from rural areas that they were not getting attention.

"You (journalists) have to support them. You are their voice of downtrodden people and you take their issues to Delhi," he said.

He said regional languages should be respected saying he didn't feel content until he read a Telugu newspaper everyday.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Prakash Javdekar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal were among the leaders who attended the edition launch ceremony.

Kejriwal said journalism had always faced difficulties and even today difficulties could be seen.
The draft Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA) was approved at a meeting of the state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Wednesday. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Winter Session of the state legislature, which commences on Thursday.

The law has been modelled on the the lines of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to combat land mafia, mining mafia and organised crimes in the state.

The bill mandates the constitution of an Organised Crime Control Authority under the Principal Secretary (Home). District magistrates will head these bodies at the district-level. It also provides for powers to police to confiscate the property of criminals found guilty. The cases under the law will be heard by a special court.

The Tribune reported that the bill covers crimes like kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, manufacturing/sale of illicit liquor, acquiring contracts using muscle power, organised exploitation of forest produce, wildlife trade, fake medicines, grabbing government and private properties, and rangdari (extortion). Further, like in the MCOCA, the Uttar Pradesh law will allow the state to intercept wire, electronic or oral communications and present them before a court as evidence against the accused, according to a report in The Telegraph. There will also been an "appealing authority" constituted under the chairmanship of a retired high court judge to hear cases decided by the special courts.

The punishments envisaged in the law vary from a minimum of three years to capital punishment, said DNA. It also provides a fine of Rs 5 to 25 lakhs and extends the period of filing chargesheet from 90 days to 180 days. The Hindu reported that state security would also be withdrawn from persons booked under the the law. The law will add to the already existing Gangsters Act, which seeks to keep a check on crime syndicates.

A similar law was passed by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2007-08 when Mayawati was chief minister but had to be withdrawn after then President Pratibha Patil refused to give assent for the law.

Parallels with MCOCA

The Telegraph report quoted Srikant Sharma, the Uttar Pradesh energy minister, as saying, "We have formulated the UPCOCA bill after a thorough study of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and similar laws in Karnataka and Gujarat."

The inspiration from MCOCA is quite clear in the Uttar Pradesh law. Death penalty is a common punishment in both laws as is the presence of special courts to try cases. The permission to intercept wire, electronic or oral communication too is a feature in both laws.

Further, the provision regarding forfeiture of property which has been trumpeted by the government as one of the salient features of the Uttar Pradesh law is present in the Maharashtra law as well.

Opposition attacks bill

Opposition parties have claimed that the bill has the potential to be misused against politicians and student leaders, and there are already enough laws to deal with organised crime in the state, according to The Indian Express. They have said that they will oppose the bill whenever it is table in the house.

Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhray told The Pioneer said that his party would oppose the law inside and outside the legislature. This law is meant to target Muslims. The Samajwadi Party will not allow this, he said. Since the ruling BJP does not have a majority in the Upper House, it would be a struggle for the government to get the law passed in the Vidhan Parishad.

The government has asserted that checks are in place to prevent the misuse of the bill, said The Indian Express report. It said that the property can only be attached with court permission and cases can be registered only once a two-member committee comprising the Divisional Commissioner and a DIG-rank officer gives its approval. Even a chargesheet can only be submitted once approval is taken from the zonal Inspector General of Police concerned.

The bill was met with approval by former DGP Prakash Singh who told Hindustan Times that it is necessary as there is no law in the state to deal with organised crime. Since MCOCA was enacted in 1999 many states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and New Delhi have brought similar laws.

'Match bullets with bullets'

It had earlier been reported by The Times of India that the Yogi government could bring about such a law following a sudden rise in crime after the elections. After this, the chief minister had given free rein to the police while pursuing hardcore criminals. "Goli ka jawab goli se dena hoga (We have to match bullets with bullets)," he has said repeatedly to emphasis his resolve to end organised crime.

The report also quoted a state official who said, "Uttar Pradesh is the second state after Maharashtra to have an exclusive law against organised crime. And it could become possible because of the CM's relentless efforts and strong resolve to fight against criminals."

With inputs from agencies
Mumbai: A Mumbai court on Wednesday sent Vikas Sachdev, arrested for allegedly molesting a teenage Bollywood actor aboard a flight, to judicial custody till 22 December.

He was produced before the Dindoshi court in suburban Malad after his two-day police custody ended. The police sought his further custody, saying statements of passengers and the victim were yet to be recorded.

However, Sachdev's lawyer Harvinder Singh Anand opposed extension of his client's police custody saying he cooperated with the police in the investigation and that there was no evidence that he tried to hamper the probe.

After hearing the arguments, the court sent the accused to judicial custody till 22 December. Sachdev also moved an application for bail, which will be heard on 15 December.

The bail plea said the arrest of the accused was illegal on the ground that he was not aware of the FIR lodged by the victim at the time of his arrest, nor was he served any notice under the Criminal Procedure Code to appear before the police.

The actor, during the flight, never complained about the alleged incident to the crew or filed any complaint upon landing at the airport, it contended, calling her allegations an afterthought.

Sachdev was arrested on Sunday for allegedly molesting the film actor on board a Delhi-Mumbai flight. The 17-year-old actor, in an Instagram post, said the passenger sitting behind her was rubbing his foot against her back and neck while she was half-asleep.
It rarely happens that a western classical guitar festival gets sold out a week in advance, but in Kolkata in mid December, one festival is the exception to this rule. Chances are that during this festival, you will be able to witness the rare Theorbo and Baroque guitar being played in one concert. About 100 young aspiring classical guitarists from across the country are heading to Kolkata, for three days from the 15 to 17 Decemberto get free lessons from internationally renowned maestros. The Calcutta International Classical Guitar Festival (CICGF) is one=of-its-kind because it offers musicians, luthiers, composers and music aficionados an opportunity to interact with Grammy award-winning artistes and legendary composers in an informal setting, as well as the chance to attend some unusual concerts at Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Kolkata.

Since 2010, this niche music festival which is away from media glare, has been going strong on the strength of the exposure and opportunities it creates for the dedicated musicians, who throng the city from obscure places like Rewadi in Haryana, Banglore, Darjeeling, Nagaland, Assam and Delhi to name a few.

The music of a region is associated with cultural identity and memory, and as an instrument, the guitar appeared rather late on Indian landscape. Associated neither with folk or classical music, in our memory its has lived as an instrument played in and for Bollywood films, especially in songs in the 60s which were filmed on nightclub dancers. If the modern guitar came to be linked to colonial influences and the Church, which explains its greater popularity with and visibility in the north east and Goa, till 1970s, the classical guitar was spoken of as a mysterious entity in India, even by jazz musicians. To acquire a luthier-built instrument was almost an impossibility, nylon strings had to be imported and sheet music could be acquired only if you knew someone who could copy the scores by hand. Photocopiers were not even part of the imagination.

Even though western classical music was taught in schools run by Christian missionaries, inspired by the Trinity College London examination system, the focus remained on instruments like the piano and the violin. Of the many important by-products of the liberalisation of economy in the 90s, an important one has been availability of recorded music and musical instruments which opened the gates for the growth of the classical guitar in India. It was only the Internet that made it easier for music lovers to access written music and aspire to play this instrument, many years later. Until then, guitar competitions, festivals, workshops and the Indian Guitar Federation, which has been a major influence, were the only avenues where artists could explore it.

Western classical music played on a traditional Spanish (nylon-string) guitar has a dedicated following among some, but its not popular when it comes to the mainstream music scene. Students who wish to pursue careers in this instrument have very little exposure to live concerts and international-standard education. The CICGF was started to fill this gap. As an result of the unbroken chain of annual festivals focused on concerts and education, guitarists in different parts of the country have organised themselves and formed similar societies with informal guitar associations in Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Goa, Nagaland, Darjeeling, Delhi and Shillong. After the conclusion of CICGF, the Guwahati International Classical Guitar Festival and the Shillong International Classical Guitar Festival will follow, increasing the popularity of the genre. While the CICGF left a permanent mark on people within the community of classical guitarists, it has also become an eagerly-awaited event for concert-goers in Kolkata and the rest of country.

In its eighth edition, the CICGF will feature concerts by Pavel Steidl (Czech Republic), Marcin Dylla (Poland), Johannes Moller (Sweden), Miguel Trapaga (Spain), Paco Renteria (Mexico), Le Maestrio (France) and a closing performance jazz guitarist Amyt Datta, who will play with Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and Pt Subhen Chatterjee's Karma.

The visiting maestros don't just perform; they also teach during the day. Classical guitarists from all over India can get access to all nine concerts spread across three days, get two free lessons from the maestro of their choice and avail of lodging and boarding facilities too. Students who previously learnt at the festival volunteer as organisers and help facilitate the young students' learning.

The Calcutta International Classical Guitar Festival includes a national-level classical competition presented by the Instituto Cervantes New Delhi and Embassy of Spain in India. This year, it will be held on 14 December. Prizes include a trip to Spain and the chance to participate in the Cordoba Guitar Festival; a formal recital at the Instituto Cervantes; a prize guitar by Manuel Rodriguez; and strings and guitar accessories by Savarez. Last year's winner Dipankar Singh thoroughly improved his right-hand technique after receiving tutorials in Spain, and this year's competition too will open up new possibilities for classical guitar lovers in India, who often feel frustrated due to the lack of international exposure.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Wednesday said he was surprised and amused to see former prime minister Manmohan Singh so angry on the eve of the second phase of polling in Gujarat, as Singh "did not exhibit such belligerence earlier".

"We want to ask respected Manmohan Singhji why was he not angry and anguished when a chief minister (Narendra Modi) was called 'maut ka saudagar' (trader of death)?" Shah asked.

"The prime minister of this country, who is respected worldwide, was called 'neech' (base person) by his party colleague Mani Shankar Aiyar, but we are yet to see its condemnation from Manmohan Singhji," Shah said.

"Where was Manmohan Singhji's anger when Rahul Gandhi tore an ordinance which his Cabinet had cleared? Where was his concern for the dignity of the Prime Minister's Office?" the BJP leader said.

He said he was "amused" to see the Congress party "so desperate" before the Gujarat elections.

"Just a day before polling, both Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singhji are only maliciously attacking the prime minister. It was only after the secret meeting was exposed that Manmohan Singhji said that the discussion was confined to India-Pakistan relations. Why did he try to hide it (earlier)?" Shah asked.

Amit Shah's remarks come two days after Manmohan Singh had hit out at the BJP and Prime Minister Modi, saying they were "spreading falsehoods" to "score political points".

Singh issued a statement after reports of him attending a meeting where a Pakistan envoy was present. Denying that any discussion about the Gujarat election took place at the meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's residence, Singh said that Modi is losing ground in Gujarat and his fear of the imminent loss is quite evident.

Dr. Manmohan Singh shows the mirror of truth and gives a reality check to Prime Minister Modi, who has been driven by canards & false propaganda in face of imminent defeat in Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/QLQiPQDHxI  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 11, 2017

Earlier, on 7 December, Manmohan had said the people of Gujarat have seen though the "lies" propagated by the BJP during its 22-year-rule in the state, and took a dig at the ruling party over the 'Gujarat model' of development, saying it only benefited the top one percent of the society.

He also said the "achhe din" promise made by the BJP was "nowhere to be seen". Singh had also attacked Modi over demonetisation and GST rollout, saying, "Modiji has betrayed the trust that the people of Gujarat had reposed in him."

The Congress leader had also demanded that the Centre should release the relevant documents and files relating to demonetisation.

With inputs from agencies

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Kolkata: Upcoming Assembly bypoll in West Bengal's Sabang constituency on 21 December would be a litmus test for both the ruling Trinamool Congress as well as the BJP, which has been trying to emerge as the principal opposition party in the state.

The TMC is making all efforts to woo voters in Sabang, a traditional Congress bastion, by fielding Gita Rani Bhunia, wife of former Congress leader Manas Bhunia, who had defected to the Mamata Banerjee-led party earlier this year.

BJP nominated Antara Bhattacharya while the Congress fielded Chiranjib Bhowmick, a local leader. The CPM's Rita Mandal will contest as a Left Front candidate.

Bhunia, who had won the seat as a Congress candidate in last year's Assembly polls, was elected to Rajya Sabha on a TMC ticket, necessitating the bypoll.

The Congress had fought the 2016 Assembly polls in the state in alliance with the CPM-led Left Front and Bhunia had secured 59.70 percent votes. TMC bagged 36 percent votes.

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that Bhunia had betrayed the Congress and the people of Sabang for his personal gains. "The people will give him a befitting reply. The result will serve as a lesson to Congress MLAs who had defected to other parties for their personal gains," he said.

Bhunia, however, dismissed all apprehensions and said the TMC will win the seat. "The people of Sabang constituency know what I have done for them during my tenure as an MLA. The TMC will win by a big margin."

Notwithstanding defection of many party leaders to the TMC in the last one year, the Congress is hopeful of retaining the seat. A former state Congress president, Bhunia had been holding the turf since 1982, except for two phases in 1996 and 2001, when the Biplabi Bangla Congress, a Left Front partner, won the seat.

To embarrass Bhunia, the Congress is using a video in its poll campaign, where the Rajya Sabha MP is seen attacking the TMC regime and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee before last year's Assembly election over alleged misrule.

BJP, which has been making inroads into the state, is also leaving no stone unturned to increase its vote share. The saffron party had secured only 2.6 percent votes in Sabang in the 2016 Assembly polls. "We will win Sabang seat this time. The people of this constituency have seen the double standards of Manas Bhunia. They would no longer trust him," state BJP president Dilip Ghosh claimed.

The bypoll is also seen as a test of organisational capability of Mukul Roy, the former national general secretary of Trinamool Congress who joined the BJP recently. Roy said that he doesn't have a magic wand and it would be wrong to say that the bypoll would be a test for his abilities but he is certain that the BJP will do well. "Given the trend in the last few elections, I can say that BJP will come out with flying colours," he said.

The CPM is campaigning hard to make its presence felt in the region. Although the CPM leadership has decided to go it alone in the bypoll, a large section of the party's district leaders feel that an alliance with Congress like they had in the last Assembly election, would have helped both parties.
COLUMBUS  4-H leader Jim Mueller has spent much of his classroom time over the last four-plus decades getting his young students to ask probing questions, share their answers and figure things out together.

All I want is to teach kids how to think, Mueller said about his Platte County chick hatching embryology program.

Egg hatching during the 21 days of incubation allows third-grade students at schools throughout the county to trace the stages of chick development from embryo to birth and beyond. The program began decades ago at Emerson Elementary School in Columbus.

Hopefully that (collaborative) way of learning things helps the kids learn a little bit about life, the 68-year-old Mueller said.

The programs start at Emerson was a reaction to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extensions mission to shape 4-H programming to become more educational through school enrichment. The local program began with one incubator, but the growth trajectory was almost immediate.

The second year it exploded, said Mueller, noting that the 4-H program now has 19 incubators, many donated by other schools in the state. Others schools also send Extension trainees to Columbus to learn about setting up an embryology program.

Im proud of our embryology program, said Mueller, who will end a 45-year career with the Extension program when he retires in mid-January.

The 4-H/youth leader, who grew up in Platte Center and lives on a farmstead between Columbus and Lindsay, has also become well-known in elementary classrooms for his bacteriology program that gives students a primer on how quickly germs can develop and grow.

We study the history of diseases and how fast they reproduce, said Mueller, who gets out the petri dishes to give kids a birds-eye view of the process.

It surprises them when they see the bacteria that can grow on a strand of their hair in a petri dish over the course of two days, Mueller said.

They know they have germs, but it grosses them out really bad," Mueller said with a smile.

The 4-H leader has also established rocketry and robotics programs for area students, and provided 4-H livestock leadership and quality assurance training and service at Platte County Agricultural Park, Columbus Sales Pavilion and the Nebraska State Fair.

Mueller also looks back fondly on his involvement in the nearly 50-year-old three-day Junior Camp for kids ages 8 through 11 held at the beginning of summer each year at Whispering Cedars between Genoa and Fullerton.

For many kids, Mueller said, the camp held at Baptist Church Campground is their first time away from home and theyre learning how to cope with other campers in the real world.

The camp, he said, offers good counselors and activities such as a rappelling wall, nightly campfire, hiking, crafts and Native American speakers.

The kids take ownership while theyre at the camp and grow up so much in two or three days, Mueller said.

He has also been a part of Nebraskas Largest Classroom at the state fair in Grand Island, an educational event that gives thousands of K-6 students and teachers from scores of schools a look at the range of animals found on Nebraska farms and allows them to participate in hands-on activities.

The Platte County 4-H/youth leader has been getting out the shears for the state fair for four or five years, giving passing kids and teachers a shot at grooming a sheep.

Between classes one year, Mueller passed the shears over to Mike Johanns, former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator, who was touring the fairgrounds. The former politician promptly bent down and sheared the sheep like it was a long-practiced skill.

I asked him if I found a ringer, Mueller said.

Yes, Mueller said Johanns answered, Im from Iowa and we had a dairy farm and sheared sheep while I was growing up.

I was impressed by his shearing ability, Mueller said.

The Extension employee is ready for retirement  he plans to get more sleep, fix some things up around the farm and travel with his younger brother  but hes going to miss the thousands of kids hes come to know over the last 45 years.

The lifelong bachelor may not be seeing the kids in his classrooms very much longer, but theyll probably continue to rush up to him when hes shopping in local stores to say hello and introduce him to their parents.

I love all these kids, Mueller said. Ive never been married, but Ive got one big family.
New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main Opposition party.

The Congress's complaint came soon after the Election Commission issued a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by 18 December, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ashok Gehlot, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala handed over a memorandum to the poll body, demanding strong action against Modi and other BJP leaders for addressing press conferences and events on the eve of last phase of polling in Gujarat.

"We are going to the Election Commission with a memorandum demanding action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal and others for violating the model code," Anand Sharma told reporters before meeting the poll panel.

He said the Election Commission should remain non-partisan.

Earlier in the day, Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress, saying that banks were pressured under its rule to give loans worth thousands of crore to select industrialists and termed it as the UPA government's biggest scam.

A day before his home state Gujarat goes to the final phase of polling, Modi attacked "economists" in the UPA for handing him a "liability" of non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans, while hard-selling his central government's pro-poor schemes.

Surjewala said the Election Commission on Wednesday acted against news channels for airing the interview of Rahul Gandhi which was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Congress memorandum said: "The Election Commission is duty bound to be fair and impartial. We have to regrettably state the apparent discrimination and an apparent advantage being given to the ruling party miltates against this notion."

It also requested the poll body to immediately withdraw its order directing registration of an FIR against news channels for telecasting the interview of Gandhi.

"In case the yardstick of violation of model code of conduct is to be applied as is being done by EC order, register an FIR against prime minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union minister Pyush Goyal, BJP state president Jeetu Vaghani and other BJP leaders for flouting the model code of conduct," the memorandum said.

It also demanded that Election Commission give directions to all print and electronic media outlets not to carry any news item with regard to elections and not to live telecast pictures of leaders casting votes.

Surjewala alleged the Election Commission order is an attempt to "suppress the media", and claimed the BJP was exerting pressure on the poll panel for it.

He said Modi had given interviews ahead of 2014 general elections but no case was registered then. "These double standards will not be allowed," he said.

"New norms for justice by ECI-: FM, BJP leaders hold a PC in Ahmedabad and release Manifesto on December 8 - No FIR. Modiji does 4 public meetings in december 9 - No FIR. Amit Shahji does a PC at Ahemdabad today - No FIR. Piyush Goyalji does 2 PCs today - No FIR. Rahuljis interview - FIR. Jai Ho!," Surjewala tweeted.
New Delhi: After BJP's attack on Congress on the "Ram Setu" issue, the party defended itself by saying "Lord Rama was "omnipresent" and BJP was trying to divert attention from the development issues of Gujarat.

"Lord is omnipresent, he is everywhere, he resides in every substance and particles, Ram is present in the entire universe.

"You can see him in an idol, because that is a matter of faith. But it would have been good had the BJP respected the Ram in the hearts of the people in Gujarat, the Ram in the expectations and desire of Gujarati people ... the Ram hidden in people belonging to Patidar community, who were attacked by the BJP, and also against whom false complaints were filed, the Ram who resides in 30 lakh unemployed youth, the Ram in the farmers of Gujarat.

"They should have respected the Ram who is hidden in the pain and Sufferings of Dalits, who were attacked in Una. The Ram hidden in people belonging to backward classes who are being exploited. They should have been given due respect by the BJP," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala added.

Surjewala also said: "The truth is BJP is only diverting attention. They are not talking about issues. Gujarat election is not about Congress vs BJP, but the contest is between the people of Gujarat and BJP. They cannot hide the misrule of 22 years by taking Ram's name."

After an US science channel claimed that the 'Ram Setu' between India and Sri Lanka is man-made and not natural - a stand which the BJP takes, the ruling party had seized the chance to attack the Congress.
New Delhi: Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that the party would leave the Centre with no choice but to ensure the passage of a Bill which provides for 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, and hinted at major changes within the party organisation in favour of them.

Addressing the All India Mahila Congress-organised "I am Courage" event, he said that the Congress would build pressure on the ruling party for an early passage of the Women's Reservation Bill or the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

Gandhi, who will formally take over as the Congress president later this week, said as the party "don't have a woman president anymore, we have to compensate for that".

He said that the party had exerted pressure on the government for bringing pro-people changes in the Goods and Services Tax, which he had earlier described as 'Gabbar Singh Tax'.

"The same way we will give a clear message to the government that it will have to bring women reservation. The Congress party will not give any choice to it. We will fulfil the role of the opposition party in doing so," he said.

This was Gandhi's first address at a public function after being elected the Congress president.

He said he has done so since he accorded importance to women, who will have to play an important role in spreading the Congress ideology across the country.

Gandhi said on one hand is the ideology of the BJP and the RSS, where women have no role and cannot enter their functions, while on the other side is the Congress ideology.

Hinting at a larger role for women in the Congress party, he said, "I have come here to give one clear message that the biggest change in the party will be for women."

Gandhi's comments for a bigger role for women in the party came amid speculation that his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may also play some active political role in the party under his leadership.

"We have to work on transforming the Congress party and a fundamental part of that transformation, in my mind, is going to be the role of women in the Congress party at every single level. There is a central difference between the people we fight, between the BJP and us," he said while narrating how women were around Mahatma Gandhi and never seen at RSS events.

The Congress president-elect said there should be a road map for the coming times and will have to systematically and actively prepare women at every level in the party to contest elections and ensure they have their representation.

"We have to mention Congress president Sonia Gandhi ji who has pushed your agenda, sometimes silently but mostly openly and she has helped push a number of women forward. Unfortunately we don't have a woman president anymore. So we have to compensate for that and see woman chief ministers in states. We will work on that together," he said.

Gandhi also lauded the Congress general secretary and secretaries in Gujarat, who launched a vigorous campaign in the state and connected very well with the workers and the people of the state, and said their act needs to be replicated in other states too.

"I have seen the way the merger of the Congress state unit and people of Gujarat, I want such work to be replicated in every state - respect public and hear them out and together systematically contest elections," he said.

He also lauded the role of Sheila Dikshit as the Delhi chief minister for many years for which the party respects her, but who had to suffer a "nasty and untruthful" campaign against her.

Among others who were present at the function include Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former union ministers Anand Sharma and and Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and former union minister Mohsina Kidwai inaugurated the "I am Courage" workshop on Wednesday.

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity in Gujarat and the much-touted state's model of development will be pitted against Rahul Gandhi's call for change on Thursday as the state will vote in the second and final phase of election.

Campaigning for high-stake Gujarat Assembly election concluded on Tuesday, however, there is no end to controversies, attacks and counter-attacks which are freely being thrown about between the two major parties in the fray.

Rahul's interview to Gujarati channels

While acrimonious exchanges ruled the entire poll campaign, things got heated up on Wednesday after the Election Commission issued a show cause notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for "prima facie" violating the provisions of the election law and the model code by giving interviews to TV channels in Gujarat.

It asked Gandhi to respond to the notice latest by 18 December evening, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him. The counting of votes is also scheduled on that day. The notice said the display of his interviews by TV channels fell within the definition of "election matter" under Section 126 (3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and their telecast within 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll amounted to violation of Section 126 (1) (b) of the Act.

"...By giving such interview and its display on TV channels on December 13, you have, prima facie, violated the...provisions of para 1 (4) of the Model Code of Conduct, Section 126 (1) (b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Election Commission's lawful instructions in this regard," it said.

The BJP had complained the Commission about the interviews.

Election Commission's notice started an ugly political war on Wednesday evening with the Congress demanding that the poll panel should then issue notices against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal for violating the code of conduct.

Rahul's interview became the latest flashpoint between the BJP and the Congress, with the latter accusing Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Union minister Piyush Goyal of "threatening" journalists in the name of the poll code.

Congress spokesperson and communications department in-charge Randeep Surjewala, who led a party delegation to the EC office, said the same rule should apply to Modi, Jaitley and Shah as well. "Why didn't the EC do anything when the FICCI chairman made a pro-Modi speech today? Action should also be taken against the PM for holding the Mann ki Baat radio programme during elections."

"If Arun Jaitley can release the BJP vision document a day before Phase 1 voting, should he not be booked for model code of violation? If Amit Shah can make poll-related statements in Ahmedabad, should be not be booked? We appealed to the EC to not show double-standard in applying rules," Surjewala told reporters outside the EC office.

Surjewala also alleged that the move was meant to suppress the voice of the media. "In 2014 elections, Modi ji even showed the BJP symbol on voting day but EC didn't act. BJP held a press conference just before the first phase of the Gujarat election. These double standards won't work and the first FIR should be filed against PM Modi and other BJP leaders, instead of the press," ANI quoted him as saying.

Congress delegation submitted a memorandum to ECI demanding immediate registration of FIR against BJP leaders in the context of them violating the model code of conduct.If FIR can be registered against news channels for telecasting Rahul ji's interview then why not against BJP? pic.twitter.com/AbOzlUU1R2  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 13, 2017

Modi's speech at FICCI

While speaking at the inauguration of 90th FICCI Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Modi merely stopped short of naming Congress and also Gujarat thus keeping it within the permissible limits of the Model Code of Conduct but taking to his political opponents to task.

The Model Code of Conduct states: "Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work" and "All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are "corrupt practices" and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters,

intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station."

While carefully avoiding words that might lead to a violation of the poll conduct, and more importantly, offer the Congress fodder to launch an attack, the prime minister tore into the policies and the alleged scams that took place during the UPA regime. Moreover, he spoke as a chief guest at an event and not at a political rally.

"These Non Performing Assets of the national banks was a much bigger scam than the Commonwealth games, coal gate, 2G scams. This was, in a way, an open loot of the public money, by those sitting in the government through the help of industrialists and businessmen. Did any agency attempt to wake up those who were watching this scam silently?" Modi asked.

Although the prime minister's speech was to an industry body, he smartly packaged it with the achievements of his government, faults of the previous government at the Centre while delivering an underlying message to those who are eligible to use the electronic voting machines (EVMs) on Thursday in Gujarat.

Remaining within the ambit of the neat conduct mandate, Modi sought to showcase how his government made life easier for the underprivileged class.

"We had a system where the poor always to fight for their rights. They had to fight for little things. When the poor wanted to open a bank account or wanted a gas connection, the system became an obstacle. They had to pay commission to get their own pensions and scholarships," the prime minister said.

Modi's 'roadshow' in Ahmedabad

On Thursday, the Congress called a presser while polling in various districts was going on and alleged that Modi violated poll code with his "roadshow" at Ranip in Ahmedabad where the prime minister cast his vote.

Speaking to the press, Surjewala alleged that the Election Commission of India is turning a blind eye to the "poll code violations" committed by the BJP. "The Election Commission is working under pressure from the BJP. It is not working independently of the executive," Surjewala said.

The Congress also claimed that the Election Commission is running away from its constitutional responsibility, adding that the BJP is using EC as a "puppet" to win Gujarat. "Under Modi era, EC has become the puppet of the BJP. The Election Commissioner has compromised on his integrity. A meek EC is prostrating to the Modi government," the Congress leader alleged.

On Thursday, after casting his vote, Modi walked amid his supporters near the polling booth but he did not address any gathering.

158 complaints on violating code of conduct registered with State Election Committee

According to a report in The Indian Express, at least 158 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct are registered with the State Election Commission. However, inquiries by election officials in the state have not resulted in any perceptible action yet, except notices being issued to the "accused violators".

The archbishop's 'malafide' letter

In November, the Gujarat Election Commission sent a notice to the Archbishop of Gujarat's Gandhinagar seeking an explanation for his letter that urged the Christian community to vote for those "open to secularism". The notice further enquired why Thomas Macwan's letter should not be interpreted as a violation of the model code of conduct.

Macwan, in his letter, wrote,"Nationalist forces are on the verge of taking over the country. The elections of Gujarat State Assembly can make a difference!" His letter expressed concern over the "growing insecurity among the minorities, OBCs, BCs, poor and so on." Though no political parties were mentioned in the letter, it explicitly talked about attacks on "our churches, church personnel, faithful or institutions."

"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, faithful or institutions," he wrote.

Macwan's letter was widely construed as anti-BJP, the ruling party in Gujarat. Macwan had also said that the elections are "significant for the future course of our country". "The recitation of the Holy Rosary at individual, community, family and parish levels will be of great help. Encourage your faithful to pray the Rosary," he said.

In the letter, the Archbishop had also cited examples of how such prayers saved Europe during the victory at Lepanto (referring to the battle of 1571 in which Holy League of Venetian and Spanish empires defeated Ottoman Empire in the Gulf of Patras), and how "protecting hand of our beloved Mother Mary defeated communist governments and dictators in a number of countries".

The archbishop clarified to the EC that he had no "mala fide intention" against any party.

Don't care about Election Commission, says BJP's Bhushan Bhatt

A BJP candidate in Gujarat, who was caught on camera assuring voters to pay petrol expenses for them, was issued a show-cause notice by the Election Commission. Bhushan Bhatt, son of Gujarat assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt, in a video clip was heard telling voters that they will be paid the petrol expenses for their two-wheelers for attending the rally held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sabarmati last week.

The clip also showed Bhatt telling his party workers "do not care about the poll panel." "Our PM's rally is at Sabarmati Riverfront. Before that, arrange a rally of 4,000 to 5,000 two-wheelers here (Khadia) and then come to that venue. I am telling you again, just don't worry about the EC. I don't care about the EC. Let them do whatever they want to," Bhatt is purportedly heard telling his supporters in the video.

The clip was widely circulated in Gujarat. Bhatt is contesting from Jamalpur-Khadia. Under the code of conduct any kind of payments to voters in any form - cash or kind - is banned that is put in place ahead of elections.
Ahmedabad: Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and Congress leader Alpesh Thakor on Thursday cast their votes in Gujarat, where polling is underway for the second and final phase of assembly elections on 93 seats.

Patel and Thakor, the face of OBC community in Gujarat, cast their ballots at different polling stations in the Viramgam assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district. Thakor, who spearheaded the OBC campaign in the state before formally joining the opposition party, was among the first voters to exercise their right to franchise.

Voting for the second phase began at 8 am.

The 40-year-old OBC leader is now the Congress candidate from Radhanpur in Patan district, where he is taking on BJP's Lavangji Thakor. Thakor sounded confident about his party, which is in the opposition for over two decades, winning this election. "It is a matter of happiness for me that I was the first voter to cast vote at my polling booth. We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society," he told reporters after coming out of the polling booth.

Tejashriben Patel had won from Viramgam in 2012 as the Congress candidate. She later switched side and is now the BJP candidate from the same constituency. She is pitted against Congress' Lakhabhai Bharwad.

Hardik Patel, who has taken a pro-Congress and an anti-BJP stance, told reporters he has appealed to his supporters to cast their votes against the saffron outfit.

Asked which party is he backing after he exercised his franchise, the 24-year-old quota stir leader said, "We are fighting against the BJP. Thus, it is natural that we will be supporting the Congress."

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase which covers 93 seats in north and central Gujarat. The first phase of voting for the 182-member house, held on 9 December, covered 89 seats.

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Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Voting ended in 93 Assembly seats in the north and central Gujarat in the second and final phase of polling on Thursday amid reports of malfunctioning EVMs, clashes among party members and Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation. Around 2.22 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise to choose between the two main contenders  the BJP and the Congress  in the state which witnessed an acrimonious campaign. A total of 851 candidates were in the fray for the second phase and the overall voter turnout recorded was around 68 percent.

Those in the queue at polling stations would be allowed to vote even after the closure of polls, State Election Commission officials said. Over 47 percent voter turnout was recorded till two pm, they said.

While Sabarkantha district recorded the highest voter turnout of 56 percent, the lowest polling of 41.23 percent was recorded in Chotta Udaipur district.

Despite the morning chill, people could be seen queuing up outside the polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his ballot after waiting in a queue at a polling booth in a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district. Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

Shah, Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel exercised their franchise earlier in the day. Advani voted at Shahpur Hindi school. The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her ballot at a booth in Gandhinagar.

Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high-stakes battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who has floated Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain told reporters that polling took place in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

Clashes reported in different areas

But with the stakes high in Gujarat, the BJP and the Congress were locked in a war of words after Modi voted in Ahmedabad and then went around the area, flashing his finger with the voter mark.

While the polling was largely peaceful, two incidents of clashes were reported in Mehsana and Vadodara districts, police officials said.

Giving details of the two clashes, a police officer said at least three persons were injured in the first incident at Hasanpur village of Visnagar taluka in Mehsana, where workers of two different parties came to blows.

"The situation was under control and the polling process was not affected," Mehsana Superintendent of Police (SP), Chaitanya Mandlik, said.

Another incident took place at Wankaner village of Savli taluka of Vadodara district, where some villagers got into a scuffle, the officials said.

There were clashes reported in Anand too where police reached on time to take control of the situation.

Malfunctioning EVMs

The EC received complaints from five places that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were connecting to external devices via Bluetooth, but after inquiry, it was found that there was "no substance" to the complaints, poll officials said. Complaints of EVMs getting connected to the external devices via Bluetooth were received from Patan, Kheda, Mehsana districts, Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad district and Godhra in Panchamahal district. Voting was also temporarily stopped in Chhaniyana village as voters alleged EVM rigging.

On Saturday, during the first phase of the Assembly polls, the Congress had complained that some EVMs in Porbandar were connecting to external devices via Bluetooth. However, the EC had said that the apprehension of possible EVM tampering through Bluetooth technology was baseless.

The EC also said that there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

However, Swain said,"We gave proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which face problems were changed in time so as to avoid any delays encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said.

Complaints of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation

A total of 44 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct was received by the CEO Gujarat on Thursday.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, Modi showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabarmati constituency, amid chants of "Modi, Modi". He walked a certain distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

However, the Congress alleged that Modi's roadshow was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and accused the EC of bias.

In Delhi, several Congress workers were detained on Thursday as they staged a protest march against the Election Commission for issuing a notice against party's president-elect Rahul Gandhi for his TV interviews but alleged that it had failed to apply the same standards for Modi for holding a roadshow after casting his vote.

The party also submitted a fresh memorandum to the EC on Thursday demanding action against Modi for the roadshow in Ahmedabad. In its memorandum, the party called upon the EC to follow the dharma of the Constitution, implement the law and register an FIR against the prime minister.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on 9 December, covered 89 seats. The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for the prime minister and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on 18 December.

With inputs from agencies
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The second phase will see 851 candidates contest for the 93 Assembly seats. Elections will be held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts from 8 am to 5 pm.

A total of 14 districts in north and central Gujarat will go to polls on Thursday. A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 places.

Congress seeks ban on any telecast of any leader casting his or her vote

The sitting MLA from Abdasa and Congress candidate from Mandvi, Shaktisinh Gohil will be casting his vote in Gandhinagar. State Congress President Bharatsinh Solanki will exercise his voting right in Borsad town of Kheda district. Another Congress candidate Siddharth Patel will be casting his vote from Dabhoi.

In a statement on the eve of the second and last phase of the Gujarat assembly polls, he claimed that the state suffered a lot of discrimination and injustice under the UPA government but is now developing fast, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm in the Centre.

Pitching the Gujarat Assembly polls as a battle between "dynastic rule and rule of development", BJP chief Amit Shah tonight asked people to vote in large numbers to help the rule of development win.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ashok Gehlot, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala handed over a memorandum to the poll body, demanding strong action against Modi and other BJP leaders for addressing press conferences and events on the eve of last phase of polling in Gujarat.

The Congress's complaint came soon after the EC issued a show cause notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by 18 December, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

The Congress on Wednesday petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party.

Former chief minister Anandiben Patel and deputy chief minister Nitin Patel will vote at the Shilaj Primary School at S P Ring Road and at the Sanskar Bharti School at Kadi, respectively, reports News18.

The Election Commission has deployed hundreds of companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, 12 companies of Rapid Action Force and 19 companies of the State Reserve Police Force for the election.

Prominent candidates in the fray for today's battle include state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana, Alpesh Thakor (Radhanpur), and Jignesh Mevani (Vadgam). In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress has given ticket to foreign- educated young face Shweta Bhrambhatt against BJP's sitting MLA Suresh Patel.

According to The Indian Express , three polling stations in Vadodara City Assembly Constituency have reported malfunctioning of EVM machines. Election officers have started replacing the machines to start voting.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61. The NCP won 2 seats while the JDU won one seat. The now-defunct Gujarat Parivartan Party won two seats.

The presiding officers of these booths had forgotten to wipe out the mock drill poll results necessitating the re-election.

Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat BB Swain said the poll panel has cancelled the results stored in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in six booths in four constituencies of the first phase of elections.

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday ordered repolling in six booths, where first phase polling was held on 9 December. The repolls will be held on 14 December.

Speaking to Times Now, PAAS leader Hardik Patel claimed that today's polling will reveal "people's power". Hardik, who has been campaigning against the BJP, however, refused to talk about his former associate Dinesh Bambhania's allegation that he had a 'fixing' with the Congress.

Speaking to reporters after voting in Mehsana, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that he prayed to god for his as well as the BJP's victory in the polls. "I prayed to god for more development of Gujarat," Patel added.

According to The Economic Times , low turnout was witnessed at almost every booth in Juhapura, the Muslim-dominated area of Ahmedabad. Some booths recorded as low as 20 votes till 9.30am, the report added.

"May god bless Gujarat," she told the reporters while emerging out of the poll booth.

Modi's mother was accompanied by her younger son Pankaj Modi and other family members. After casting her vote, the prime minister's mother, who is in her 90s, showed her inked finger to media persons outside the poll booth.

According to India Today, the voter turnout till 10 am has only been around 9.6 percent.

They tried to talk about vikaas. But after realising that there has been no vikaas, they stopped talking about it. When they spoke about corruption, then there was Jay Shah issue. They have failed in state The reception that Rahul Gandhi has got wil translate into votes and there will be 'navsarjan," Congress spokesperson Nitish Vyas told India Today.

Speaking to India Today, PAAS leader Hardik Patel said, "Vote against those who oppressed us. I am confident that six crore Gujaratis will win on 18 December."

Amit Shah going to a temple after casting his vote was interesting. Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi had concluded their election campaign by going to Ambaji and Jagannath temple , respectively. In the run up to elections, Rahul visited over two dozen temples, on an average visiting one temple every second-third day. This election would also be remembered for Congresss Hindutva push. The party also attempted to give a new identity to Rahul, from non-Hindu to Shivbhakt who was not just a Hindu but a Janeudhari Hindu. But will pro-Hindu makeover for Rahul Gandhi and Congress work?

Look at the names of BJP leaders who have voted in Gujarat today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, co-founder of the party and 'margdarshak' LK Advani. The list is enough evidence to show why the electoral outcome of this state matters so much for the BJP. Modi is an MP from Varanasi but while he is based in New Delhi, he has remained a voter from Gandhinagar. Shah boasts of of winning three Assembly elections with record margins. Jaitley is a Rajya Sabha MP from the state. Advani has been an MP from Gandhinagar since 1989. However, this time around, he did not campaign. Gujarat clearly is not just another state and election here is not just another election for the BJP.

A total of 63 complaints of EVM malfunctioning have been received so far, Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain said. "Total 34 machines have been replaced while others started functioning after technician attended to them. No incidence of violence reported anywhere," Swain added.

He said the development model of Gujarat is "praised across the country". "I believe this tempo should be maintained, and the people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model," he said.

"I would like to appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers to cast their vote to take ahead the journey of development," Amit Shah told reporters after coming out of the polling booth.

He came to the polling booth at the Naranpura sub-zonal office to cast vote along with his wife Sonal Shah and son Jay Shah.

BJP president Amit Shah today cast his vote at a polling booth in the Naranpura area here, and appealed to the public to come out to vote in large numbers to carry forward the "journey of development"

As of 11 am, Vadodara district has recorded a voter turnout of 14 percent. Meanwhile Ahmedabad district has recorded a turnout of 9.6 percent till 10 am.

At 11 am, the overall voter turnout in Gujarat is 19 percent, CNN News18 is reporting.

"Out of total machines deployed for second phase of Gujarat Polls, 1.63 percent of the VVPATs were replaced after mock polls. 0.88 percent of the Ballot Units and 0.86 percent of Control Units were also replaced," said BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer.

According to latest reports, 26 percent voting was recorded in Banaskantha district, while Ahmedabad district recorded a total turnout of 23.80 percent at the same time.

Up to noon, Sabarkantha district registered a total voter turnout of 36.56 %. In Aravalli district, the total voter turnout till noon was pegged at 31.95 percent. Overall, the voter turnout is around 39 percent till noon.

There were several complaints made to the Election Commission against the electronic voting machines in and around Vadodara city. At many places, the polling was halted due to such malfunctioning.

"Under Modi era, EC has become the puppet of the BJP. The Election Commissioner has compromised on his integrity. A meek EC is prostrating to the Modi government," Surjewala said.

The Congress also claimed that the Election Commission is running away from its constitutional responsibility, adding that the BJP is using EC as a "puppet" to win Gujarat.

"The Election Commission is working under pressure from the BJP. It is not working independently of the executive," Surjewala said.

Speaking to the press, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the Election Commission of India is turning a blind eye to the "poll code violations" committed by the BJP.

The prime minister walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waived to the crowd.

After casting the vote at the Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of "Modi Modi".

"We have received two complaints regarding presence of Bluetooth in polling booths in Ghatlodia and Mehsana. We sent observers to the spot," Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain was quoted as saying by NDTV.

According to The Indian Express , clashes between two groups have been reported in Savli Assembly Constituency in Vadodara. Few two wheelers were set on fire. According to the report, it may have been a communal clash. Voting has been suspended for a while. Security personnel have reached the area to bring situation under control.

While the voter turnout in central Gujarat's Kheda was 46.42 percent, it was 45 percent in north Gujarat's Banaskantha.

Congress to protest outside the Election Commission office in Delhi at 3.15 pm, India Today reported. According to the report, the Congress will gherao the premises of the apex poll body to protest the inaction against BJP's alleged violations of election code of conduct.

Speaking to media persons, BJP in-charge for Gujarat, Bhupinder Yadav said that the Congress is a classic case of 'grapes going sour", adding that the party had praised the EC for its "integrity" when it delivered a verdict favourable to Ahmed Patel.

OBC leader Alpesh Thakor sounded confident about his party, which is in the Opposition for over two decades, winning this election. "It is a matter of happiness for me that I was the first voter to cast vote at my polling booth. We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society," he told reporters after coming out of the polling booth. - PTI

Congress workers march to EC in protest over PM Modi's roadshow, stopped by police near Patel Chowk in Delhi

Swain says MCC team was also present there, and they are finalising the enquiry report

"We received a complaint from a person, apparently when he switched on Bluetooth on his mobile phone it connected to the machine. We are checking this at every place. Senior officers and observers are at the spot to check this," said BB Swain. - NDTV

Earlier, on 24 April 2014 while polling for parliamentary election was in progress in different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi had arrived in Varanasi to file his nomination paper as a candidate. Modi did not utter a word but he repeatedly waved to the sea of people accompanying his cavalcade prompting the Congress to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission as a violation of poll code . The poll panel did not find anything objectionable later after conducting an enquiry.

"The complaint by the Congress was filed at 11.51 a.m. before Prime Minister Modi even reached the polling booth. The complaint was filed that as a huge gathering was there at the venue, there was a possibility of a road show being held when Modi arrives. We have ordered the Model Code of Conduct team to look into the matter and the Ahmedabad collector will be reporting to us on it," he said.- IANS

A total of 44 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct was received by the CEO Gujarat on Thursday.

Earlier, on 24 April 2014 while polling for parliamentary election was in progress in different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi had arrived in Varanasi to file his nomination paper as a candidate. Modi did not utter a word but he repeatedly waved to the sea of people accompanying his cavalcade prompting the Congress to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission as a violation of poll code . The poll panel did not find anything objectionable later after conducting an enquiry.

Clash between Congress and BJP workers during voting in Tower Bazar area in Gujarat's Anand, earlier today; vehicles vandalized during protest. Police reached the spot, situation now under control. pic.twitter.com/bdQRayXx3E

"The complaint by the Congress was filed at 11.51 a.m. before Prime Minister Modi even reached the polling booth. The complaint was filed that as a huge gathering was there at the venue, there was a possibility of a road show being held when Modi arrives. We have ordered the Model Code of Conduct team to look into the matter and the Ahmedabad collector will be reporting to us on it," he said.- IANS

A total of 44 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct was received by the CEO Gujarat on Thursday.

Don't see any code of conduct being violated because PM didn't campaign for his party,he did not utter a single word but only showed his finger with an ink mark which can be interpreted as to send a message to people vote who to vote for:S Kashyap,Constitution expert #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/IdFyGL1gLl



The second phase of elections in Gujarat on Thursday will see polling held for 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions of the state, with a host of VVIPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, descending on Ahmedabad to cast their vote.

Meanwhile, in the so-called 'dry' state of Gujarat, the police and administration have seized around Rs 53 crore worth of goods for violation of the state's liquor prohibition policy. The seizure was carried out as a special drive and a part of the election procedure.

Special deployment of the police has been made for the elections and for law and order.

The second phase will see 851 candidates contest for the 93 assembly seats. Elections will be held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts from 8 am to 5 pm. A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 places.

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Gujarat's office has completed all the necessary procedures and claimed to be fully prepared for the day.

Apart from the 112 general observers deployed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the Gujarat elections, 70 counting observers have been appointed by the ECI for counting of votes registered in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) which will be carried out on 18 December in 37 selected regions of the state.

To take care of the law and order situation, the ECI has deployed hundreds of companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), 12 companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 19 more companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) for the election.

Modi will be casting his vote at Nishan Vidyalaya in Ranip area of Ahmedabad, while Amit Shah will be in the city to cast his vote from his former state assembly constituency, Naranpura. Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitely will cast his vote from Vejalpur region of Ahmedabad.

Former deputy prime minister and senior BJP leader LK Advani too will be in Ahmedabad to cast his vote from Khanpur area. The sitting MLA from Abdasa and Congress candidate from Mandvi, Shaktisinh Gohil will be casting his vote in Gandhinagar.

State Congress President Bharatsinh Solanki will exercise his voting right in Borsad town of Kheda district. Another Congress candidate Siddharth Patel will be casting his vote from Dabhoi.

During elections in the second phase, 1,700 of the critical poling booths will be covered under the web casting with constant monitoring of these booths.

On the seizures made, Additional Director General of Police (DGP) adminstration, Mohan Jha said, "Since the date of announcement of the assembly polls, the administration has seized Rs 23.50 crore worth Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and Rs 30.06 lakh worth of country liquor and confiscated Rs 23.16 crore of other goods like the vehicles used for transportation, amounting to Rs 52.97 crore worth for the violation of the prohibition law that is effective in the state. We have also arrested 26,913 persons for violation of prohibition in 33,191 cases."

Jha said, "Under the law, the police have filed 1,59,486 cases under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Out of the total 56, 490 licensed arms in the state, 51,974 have submitted, while 4,436 are exempted with remaining only 80 arms that have not been submitted. The police have issued non bailable warrants to 60,989 persons and also confiscated 92 illegal arms, 122 cartridges and 100 grams of explosives."

The Flying Squad and the Static Surveillance Teams (SST) have seized Rs 2.52 crore of unaccounted cash in 22 cases and in five cases bullion worth Rs 4.14 crore have been seized. Out of these 16 cases have been handed over to the Income Tax (IT) department.
Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote in Ahmedabad after waiting in a queue to exercise his right at a polling booth set up at a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at the Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of "Modi Modi".

The prime minister walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waived to the crowd.

Earlier in the morning, Modi commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy in Mumbai and from there he flew to Gujarat to cast his vote.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat assembly elections is underway on Thursday in 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The votes will be counted on 18 December.

Click here for LIVE updates on second phase of Gujarat polling

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Gandhinagar: The first few hours of polling in the second and final phase of the Gujarat elections on Thursday saw very few voters following a dip in the temperature. Ten percent voting was recorded in two hours, an official said, adding the process will pick up as the day progresses.

There were several complaints made to the Election Commission against the electronic voting machines in and around Vadodara city. At many places, the polling was halted due to such malfunctioning.

Over two crore voters will chose from 851 candidates who are in the fray in this last phase of polling that began in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm.

There were reports of skirmish in Dhanera town in the Banaskantha, where a poll official was attacked by a group, police said.

Many bigwigs, including Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel have cast their vote.

Jaitley cast his vote in Ahmedabad; Nitin Patel cast his vote from the Kadi region; Solanki reached his native Mendarda village in Borsad to cast his vote and Hardik Patel cast his vote in Viramgam.

At many places in urban areas, people themselves were seen creating awareness and urging members of housing societies to come out and vote.

Though the weather has turned chillier than it was in the first phase on 9 December, when Gujarat recorded over 60 percent polling, it is believed that after the day warms up, more polling will take place.

Click here for LIVE updates on second phase of Gujarat polling

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
While Nebraska Republicans reacted cautiously Wednesday to their party's Senate loss in Alabama, Nebraska Democrats saw a ray of hope in the outcome.

Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who criticized the Republican National Committee's financial support for embattled GOP nominee Roy Moore, said the election of Democratic nominee Doug Jones on Tuesday night was nothing to celebrate.

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer deflected direct comment on the results, suggesting "this was a race focused on Roy Moore and the people of Alabama made their decision based on that."

Sasse said he couldn't have voted for either of the Alabama candidates.

"As soon as the (earlier) Alabama primary was over, a lot of pro-life conservatives like me knew that there wouldn't be anything to celebrate in December either way in this race between two terrible candidates," he said.

When the national GOP decided to resume pumping money into the race on behalf of Moore despite mounting evidence of Moore's aggressive and improper sexual contact with underage girls when he was in his 30s, Sasse had tweeted his outrage.

"This is a bad decision and very sad day," he tweeted.

"A political party must be about more than expediency," Sasse later tweeted. "To have any future, a party must have some fundamental convictions and commitments."

Associate Democratic State Chair Frank LaMere said Jones' victory "represents the repudiation of the 'fake patriotism' of Donald Trump and the hope that fair-minded Alabama voters gave to all Americans."

"The first deeply red state has fallen under the Trump administration," LaMere said. "Who is next?" he asked.

Democratic State Chair Jane Kleeb said the Democratic victory in Alabama "shows our party must invest in our base  African Americans, Latinos, women and young people  while reaching out to targeted Republicans who stand with American values."
Ahmedabad: BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday cast his vote at a polling booth in the Naranpura area in Ahmedabad, and appealed to the public to come out to vote in large numbers to carry forward the "journey of development"

He came to the polling booth at the Naranpura sub-zonal office to cast vote along with his wife Sonal Shah and son Jay Shah.

"I would like to appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers to cast their vote to take ahead the journey of development," Amit Shah told reporters after coming out of the polling booth.

He said the development model of Gujarat is "praised across the country".

"I believe this tempo should be maintained, and the people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model," he said.

After casting his vote, the BJP chief went to the Kameshwar Shiva temple with his family members to offer prayers.

In a message posted in Gujarati language on Twitter, he said, "Today is the second and final phase of voting, and the BJP has fulfilled the trust of the people since last two decades through its world-class developmental works."

"Every single vote of yours is important to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that the journey of development continues. I would appeal to all voters in this phase to vote in large numbers," he said in the message.

Amit Shah was an MLA from Naranpura Assembly constituency before getting elected to the Rajya Sabha in August this year.

In 2012, he won from this constituency with over one lakh votes.

The party has this time fielded Kaushikbhai Patel to contest against Congress's Nitin Patel.

The voting for the second and final phase of Gujarat assembly elections is underway on Thursday on 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat.

After an acrimonious campaign, around 2.22 crore voters would be exercising their franchise on Thursday to choose between the two main contenders, the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 851 candidates are in fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting, held on 9 December, covered 89 seats of the 182-member House.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61. The counting of votes will be taken up on 18 December.

Click here for LIVE updates on second phase of Gujarat polling

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday asked the Election Commission why it picked on the party's president-elect Rahul Gandhi for giving media interviews while leaving out BJP leaders who did the same thing.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram accused the poll panel of sleeping on the job and also asked people in Gujarat to exercise their franchise and "change" the BJP government in the state.

"Yesterday, PM made a speech. BJP's President gave an interview. Railway Minister gave an interview. Why have all these escaped the EC's attention? Why pick on only Mr Rahul Gandhi's interview?" Chidambaram said.

The former finance and home minister said the BJP petitioning the Election Commission is an act of "desperation". An interview after the campaign ends is the norm for every candidate and every campaigner in every election, he said.

"Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?" Chidambaram asked.

The second and final phase of the Gujarat elections is being held on Thursday. The votes will be counted on 18 December.

Accusing the Election Commission of "sleeping on the job", he said the images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM conducted a full fledged campaign on polling day.

"Shocking violation of Rules," he said.

Chidambaram also asked the media to stand up to "this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct" and condemn the poll panel for allowing this "gross abuse".

"Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day."

Chidambaram added that Gujarat voters must ignore the "diversionary tactics" of BJP and focus on only one thing: "Vote to change the government after 22 years".

"Don't underestimate the power of your vote. Every vote can bring about change. To my fellow citizens of Gujarat: Every vote matters. Just go out and vote. Vote for a change of government after 22 years," he tweeted.

The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for "prima facie" violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels. Gandhi was asked to reply by 18 December, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

The Congress has also petitioned the poll body for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party.

The Congress claimed that no FIR was registered against BJP president Amit Shah and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal for holding press conference in Ahmedabad and Delhi respectively.
As voting for the second phase of the Gujarat election ended Thursday, a slew of exit polls unanimously predicted a comfortable BJP victory over the Congress. Seven out of eight exit polls showed the BJP getting well over 100 seats in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, way over the 92 seat majority mark.

If these predictions hold true, the BJP would have fallen short of Amit Shah's famous pledge that the BJP would win 150 seats in the Gujarat Assembly, but enough to easily retain control of the state. The Congress meanwhile, would have made some inroads into Gujarat, but not nearly as much as they would have hoped. The BJP currently holds 120 seats and the Congress 43 seats in the Gujarat Assembly.

According to the Times Now-VMR exit poll, the BJP was predicted to nab 113 seats in the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly, while the Congress was predicted to win 66 seats. The ABP-CSDS exit poll predicted the BJP nabbing 117 seats and the Congress 64 seats. According to The Republic-CVoter exit poll, the BJP was predicted to win 115 seats and the Congress 74 seats. The Sahara Samay-CNX exit poll predicted that the BJP would win between 110-120 seats and the Congress 65-75 seats.

The India Today-MYAXIS exit poll predicted that the BJP would get between 99-113 seats and the Congress would fetch between 68-82 seats. The TV9 exit poll predicted that the BJP would win 108 seats and the Congress would win 74 seats. The NewsNation-BARC exit poll predicted BJP nabbing between 109 and the Congress getting between 70 seats. According to Today's Chankya exit poll, the BJP is predicted to win 135 seats and the Congress 47 seats. According to CNN-News 18, Todays Chanakya was the only pollster to get the 2014 projection correct.

Overall picture from Gujarat Exit Polls results

Gujarat Exit Poll BJP Congress Times Now 113 66 Republic TV 115 65 Sahara 110-120 65-75 TV-9 108 74 India Today 99-113 68-82 ABP 117 64 NewsNation 109 70 Todays Chankaya 135 47

According to the CVoter exit poll, the BJP lost some of the Patidar votes as compared to 2012: 10 percent of Leuva Patidar and 12 percent of Karwa Patidar vote. However, the BJP seemed to have offset these losses by making gains elsewhere. The party increased its vote share with Ahir by 9.9 percent compared to 2012, Rabari by 7.7 percent and Kadariya 8.3 percent. The BJP also improved their vote share with ST Koli community by 9.3 percent as compared to 2012.

The Congress made gains with both Leuva Patidar and Karwa Patidar, gaining 16.5 and 18.9 percent with these groups respectively as compared to 2012 election, according to the CVoter exit poll. The Congress also gained with Patel Kshatriya by 10 percent, but lost 5.4 percent Ahir and ST Bhil community by 8.2 percent compared to the 2012 election.

In the first phase in Gujarat, voting was held on 9 December for the 89 seats of 19 districts of Saurashtra and South Gujarat region, with a total of 977 candidates in the fray. The second phase of voting, conducted on 14 December, saw 851 candidates in the fray for 93 Assembly seats. According to the Election Commission, phase two saw 68.70 percent turnout, which was lower than the turnout in 2012. Counting for the Gujarat polls, along with that of Himachal Pradesh, will be held on 18 December.

A look at how accurate have exit polls been in the past

Exit poll surveys in the past have exhibited mixed accuracy in predicting election results. In the five states that went for Assembly polls last year, the exit poll surveys by most agencies were largely accurate about Assam (BJP), Kerala (Left Democratic Front), Puducherry and West Bengal (Trinamool). However, Tamil Nadu proved to be a hard nut to crack for most agencies as they completely failed to predict the outcome.

Almost all of them had predicted that the DMK-Congress alliance will win the election, however, Jayalalithaa's AIADMK swept the polls in a historic win.

In Uttar Pradesh, while no polling agency was able to successfully gauge the BJPs seat-count, almost all of them predicted that it would be the single largest party. So it was.

How it works

The surveys conducted by several agencies predict which party is leading the elections on the basis of interviews conducted right after voters cast their ballots. However, these predictions are conducted on a relatively small sample size as compared to the entire electorate, and their accuracy is not a guarantee.

Critics say the projections of these surveys can be influenced by the choice, wording and timing of the questions, and by the nature of the sample drawn. Nonetheless, media houses along with other agencies employ utmost carefulness to get the surveys as close to the actual results as possible.

A fractious build up

On Wednesday, acting on a complaint by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Election Commission issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by giving an interview to TV channels even after the campaign for Gujarat polls had formally ended. The Election Commission said, "Explain why action should not be taken against you for violating provisions of MCC, failing which the commission will decide the matter without any further reference to you." Rahul is supposed to file his reply before 5 pm on 18 December.

Earlier in the day, the Gujarat BJP unit's legal cell wrote to Election Commission alleging that Rahul's interview given to a few regional channels was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Election Commission norms place a bar on calling for votes after the end of the campaigning phase. The saffron party, which complained against the Congress for the second time, also pointed out that the MCC was already in place at the time the interview was aired, News 18 reported.

Meanwhile, the Congress party rebuffed the allegations of MCC violation and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "panicked attempts" to "threaten people in the name of Election Commission."

"The BJP is blatantly using Election Commission of India as a tool for its political gains, which demeans the independent institution," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said at a hurriedly convened press conference. The party also said that the BJP was making an issue out of non-issues as a distraction tactic.

Surjewala also accused BJP of "threatening journalist" out of its "Rahul Gandhi phobia." Surjewala said that Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was trying to suppress local media for reporting on the Congress party. He said that the news channels which aired the Rahul interview were "receiving angry phone calls" fro the Prime Minister's Office.

"When Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi gave interviews to a few Gujarati news channels, BJP in the name of Election Commission, threatened to jail the journalists of those channels for broadcasting it. We condemn this arrogant behaviour of BJP," Surjewala said.

On Monday, former prime minister Manmohan Singh hit out at Narendra Modi and said he was spreading "falsehoods" to score political points. Singh issued the statement after it was reported that he met a Pakistani envoy at the residence of Mani Shankar Aiyar. Singh, in his statement, denied that any discussion about the Gujarat election took place at the meeting, said that Modi was losing ground in Gujarat and his fear of the imminent loss was evident.

At a rally on Sunday, Modi alleged that the "three-hour secret meeting" was attended by Pakistan's high commissioner, its former foreign minister,and former vice-president Hamid Ansari, The Times of India reported. According to the report, Modi further charged that the Congress and certain entities in Pakistan may be working together to prevent the BJP from winning the Gujarat election.

The report also quoted Jaitley as saying detractors only had to follow media reports to understand how well the current dispensation had fared in the matter where Modi's history of responding to terror attacks was concerned.

On Sunday, Modi also attacked the Congress over Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'neech' comment and his reported recent meeting with Pakistani officials, alleging that Pakistan was interfering in Gujarat Assembly elections. Modi, who was speaking at a rally in Palanpur in Banaskantha, sought an explanation from the Congress over its top party men who met leaders from the neighbouring country.

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
As polling for the Gujarat Assembly election ends and the nation, not just the state, waits for the verdict it's time to take stock of the portends that emerged at the end of an acrimonious campaign. Among several conclusions, the one that leaps out is how under Rahul Gandhi, a desperate Congress is trying to move to the right of centre as a political force in an attempt to mimic the BJP.

There's nothing soft about Rahul's breathless temple run. It's hard Hindutva. If Hindutva is an exclusionary impulse as opposed to the inclusiveness of Hinduism, then the deracinated Gandhi dynast seems intent on adopting its doctrines with all the ferocity of a neo-convert.

This shift indicates three things. One, the Congress has been unable to counter the BJP narrative that it is perceived as a 'pro-minority party' and has decided that only a rightist tilt will save the party from extinction. Two, after decades of being the centrifugal force in most electoral battles, Muslims are slowly becoming invisible and depoliticised from elections. Three, all these are happening in light of a larger Hindu awakening, and the median of Indian politics is finally undergoing a self-correction.

Some of these impulses are slow churning and won't be immediately apparent. The one that catches instant attention is the way Rahul has embarked on a set of affirmative and negative actions to pose as the new 'Hindu Hriday Samrat'.

The affirmative action constitutes a series of well-publicised panderings to Hindutva signifiers. The furious temple hoppings fall in this category. By all accounts, the new Congress boss has visited nearly 30 temples in Gujarat. Some commentators have argued that these visits do not signify soft Hindutva. 'It is simply what Hindus do'.

This is an invalid argument. Rahul didn't need to turn his temple-hoppings into an exclusionary act to reinforce his Hindu credentials. In fact, given his lineage and parentage, Rahul could have been the poster boy of India's syncretism. As the party boss, he could have answered BJP's barbs with a proud proclamation that he is the symbol of a multi-ethnic, multi-faith India and reclaimed the secular legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru's Congress.

As Meghnad Desai asks in The Indian Express: "Rahul is a Hindu and a Parsi and a Christian Catholic. It is rare for any Indian political leader to be able to claim this degree of diversity. The nervousness of the Congress about his religion is surprising since secularism is claimed to be its strong card. Has the Congress forgotten the meaning of secularism in its haste to adopt Hindutva lite?"

It is not so much a case of "forgetfulness" as a strategy to challenge the BJP, and Congress' adoption of Hindutva tropes is an admission that its version of 'secularism' is dead. Repeated electoral failures have convinced Rahul that to effectively counter the BJP, he needs to shed his "secular" image  a tag that has become corrupted and poisonous  and take a 'right turn'. The shift is palpable when we look at his past behaviour.

His pilgrimages, before Gujarat, had always been a 'balanced' affair. Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Gandhi scion had taken an arduous trek to Kedarnath and showed up at countless mandirs to prove his 'bhakti'. However, he had also visited three mosques, six dargahs, three gurdwaras and one cathedral during that time.

A Congress poll strategist had told The Times of India's Subodh Ghildiyal in 2016 that Rahul is a secularist, not an atheist, and he goes to temples and mosques alike. "The Gandhi family has never said he is an atheist. There is no problem in visiting religious places. What we proudly say is that we are secular. The objection is when some politician goes to one place and promotes one faith".

Therefore, what we see in Gujarat is not Rahul practising 'Hinduism' or even 'soft Hindutva' but a rather hard-edged version of the tenet that seeks to squeeze BJP's electoral space. In this respect, Rahul's actions are deeply political. His 'faith' is a manifestation of a political urge rather than a religious impulse.

The Congress boss has sought to reinforce this hard Hindutva image with a dazzling array of signifiers. He appeared during the filing of nomination for party president's post sporting a prominent 'tilak' on his forehead. Pictures soon emerged of rudraksh beads adorning his neck and a spokesperson insisted during the Somnath Temple controversy that "Rahul is not only a Hindu but a 'janeu-dhaari' Hindu'.

#WATCH: Randeep Surjewala says, na kewal Rahul Gandhi Hindu dhram se hain parantu wo janeu dhaari Hindu hain. pic.twitter.com/9G4WJ6Ggb3  ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017

Rahul didn't need to take the 'sacred thread' route to declare himself as a 'Hindu' but the fact that he did indicates that Congress didn't want to leave anything to chance. It was a delicious irony to see the president-elect of a party that seeks to stitch a rainbow coalition involving subalterns, reinforce his Brahmin chauvinistic identity.

Affirmative action presented one part of Rahul's strategy. The other part to hammer home Congress' 'Hindutva party' image  were a series of negations. It was interesting to note the lengths to which Rahul was ready to go to 'purge' himself and his party of a 'pro-minority' image.

To begin with, the word 'Muslim' was conspicuous by its absence during the entire length of Congress' campaign. It was almost as if the minority community in Gujarat, that represents roughly 10 percent of the population, was invisible.

Amit Dholakia, professor of political science at Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara, told Livemint that "in this election, no one has made a visible outreach to the minority community, particularly the Congress. The only one who has spoken about it is (Dalit activist) Jignesh Mevani but that too in just one constituency."

The KHAM (Kshatriyas, Harijans, Adivasis and Muslims) was replaced by a KHAP (Patidars for Muslims) tactic. It was a stunning negation of an electoral strategy that had long been the fulcrum of Congress campaigns.

Rahul cautiously avoided any reference to Congress' favourite electoral trope  the 2002 riots. So complete was the transformation that the new president, who had a ready quip in social media on nearly every topic, had not a single thing to say about the brutal murder of a Muslim labourer in Rajasthan, a BJP-ruled state.

One would have thought such a heinous act of crime would feature at the very centre of Congress' Gujarat campaign and Rahul would not let go of this opportunity to show that minorities are not safe under the BJP. A complete and utter silence points to the Congress president-elect's desperation to avoid any topic that might give BJP the chance to polarise the electorate. A more concrete instance of Congress' abjuration of 'secular' credentials could be hard to find.

Congress moved swiftly to scotch rumours about Ahmed Patel's candidature as a chief minister, and even 'disowned' a functionary called Salman Nizami. According to The Financial Express, "Nizami was reportedly appointed as the joint secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee in 2014 at the behest of Rahul."

The reason behind Congress' action is not hard to understand. It must pose as a 'new Hindutva party' to shake BJP out of its comfort zone, and it sees no electoral loss in the bargain because it reckons Muslims will vote for it anyway, regardless of whether an outreach is made, or not.
Ahmedabad: An over 29 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first four hours of polling on Thursday for the 93 seats in the second phase in the north and central Gujarat regions during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cast his ballot.

"A voter turnout of 29.30 percent has been recorded till 12 pm. While the highest turnout of 36.56 percent was registered in Mehsana district, the lowest polling of 23.92 percent took place in Ahmedabad district," Election Commission officials said.

There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter-Verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts, they said.

Polling in the 93 seats has been proceeding peacefully, the officials said.

The prime minister cast his ballot after waiting in a queue at a polling booth in a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabarmati constituency, amid chants of "Modi, Modi".

He walked a certain distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the footboard of his car and waved to the crowd.

However, the Congress alleged that Modi's roadshow was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and accused the EC of bias. Despite the morning chill, people could be seen queuing up outside the polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

While the prime minister voted around noon, Shah, Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel exercised their franchise earlier in the day. Advani voted at Shahpur Hindi school.

The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her vote at a booth in Gandhinagar.

Patidar quota agitation spearheads Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former Member of P Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high-stakes battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who has floated Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

Gujarat chief electoral officer BB Swain told reporters that polling was on in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

"We are live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security has been properly deployed and the staff reached on time," he said. "We have given proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which face problems are changed in time so as to avoid any delays encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of Gujarat Assembly elections is under way today in 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat.

Around 2.22 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose between the two main contenders, the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on 9 December, covered 89 seats.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on 18 December.

Follow our LIVE blog to get latest updates on phase two of Gujarat Assembly Elections here

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Hours after Congress AICC secretary Rajeev Satav was beaten up through the night by Gujarat Police in Rajkot, I met one of the Congress workers at breakfast. "We just wanted to meet our detained candidate Indranil (Rajyaguru)," he said. "The police did not let us in. When we resisted, they beat us up black and blue."

Earlier that evening, on 2 December, Indranil, who contested against state chief minister Vijay Rupani, had been detained for protesting at the chief minister's residence. His brother had been beaten up by BJP cadres after a scuffle. Satav, being the Congress man-in-charge of Saurashtra, had gone with several other workers to meet his candidate. Instead, they met Gujarat Police in a bad mood.

The worker I met was bruised, but he evidently got a kick in recollecting the turn of events. The Congress campaign had been throwing up promising signs. It indicated they may be getting under the skin of the Goliath. By beating up their opponents over a lame excuse, the BJP state government had confirmed its nervousness. The adrenaline of the worker was all about that confirmation.

The catalyst of BJP's nervousness has been Hardik Patel, the 23-year old Patidar leader causing nightmares to a party in power for 22 years in Gujarat, and a clear majority in Delhi. OBC leader Alpesh Thakore and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani are also key players to have messed up BJP's caste equations, but nobody is hurting BJP as much as Hardik. Not even Rahul Gandhi, who has run a consistent campaign focussing on jobs, growth and farm distress.

In all fairness, similar reports had been written about BJP's vulnerability in Saurashtra ahead of the 2012 Assembly elections. It was Keshubhai Patel then, instead of Hardik, who was expected to dent BJP's cinch over the dominant Patel community.

However, the churn on the ground suggests that Hardik would be able to do what Kesubhai could not, particularly in rural Saurashtra, and among lower-income groups.

He began his campaign against the BJP with reservation as the focal point more than a year ago. As the elections came closer, he cleverly phased out reservation from his speeches and harped on BJP government's misrule, jobless growth and the exclusivity of the Gujarat Model that has failed to reach the interiors.

Rasangpar village in Morbi is merely an example of Hardik's connect. The village has a significant Patidar population. I was told before entering the village that it had voted for the BJP en-mass. A couple of hours later, after much effort, I had failed to meet a single voter who still supported BJP.

Most of the rural Patidars are farmers, who have been dealing with increasingly unviable economics behind farming. An example of cotton convincingly explains the farm distress. When Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, 20 kilograms of cotton would be sold at Rs 1,200 and he would castigate the UPA-ruled Centre for not increasing it up to Rs 1,500.

Today, the prices have plunged to Rs 850-900 for 20 kilograms, and the production costs have tripled. Farmers accuse Modi of duplicity and echo what Hardik has been implying. "We were loyal to the party for decades, but what did we get in return? Bullets," they said, referring to the deaths of 14 protesting Patidars at the hands of Gujarat Police. "We do not really love the Congress, but it is time to vote out the BJP."

The farm distress is coupled with water scarcity, something that Saurashtra has been dealing with for years. In 2012, just before the elections, Modi had launched an ambitious scheme to permanently end the region's water woes through a network of pipelines that would channelise floodwater from Sardar Sarovar Dam and fill up 115 dams in Saurashtra.

But as the 2017 state elections are set to conclude, hardly 30 percent of the scheme has been executed, and even Surendranagar, from where three of the four pipelines take off to supply water to the entire region, gets drinking water only twice a week for 20 minutes. An overwhelming majority of villages too, solely depend on erratic monsoons. Villagers across Saurashtra, particularly Patels egged on by Hardik, believe the Gujarat Model is not meant for them.

The Patels have been siding with the BJP since the 1980s when Congress-ruled Gujarat and left them out of its KHAM (Kshatriya Harijan Adivasi Muslim) equation. The urban Patidars, most of them traders and businessmen, still seem to back Modi, or so they say. Largely the trader community has kept its cards close to its chest.

However, the mood on the ground has forced the BJP to play the communal card and polarise the election by making some bizarre claims. The conspiracy theory of Pakistan wanting to make Ahmad Patel the chief minister and accusing former prime minister Manmohan Singh of treason is merely a continuation of previous campaigns.

He did it in 2002 with "Miyan Musharraf", followed it up with "no Aaliya-Maliya-Jamaliya can come to Gujarat" in 2007. By the time 2012 arrived, he did not need to seek votes by making Hindus insecure, for the Congress was in doldrums at the Centre, and he had established himself as a Hindutva icon in Gujarat.

Gujarat is a state of deep anti-Muslim sentiment and an exaggerated sense of provincial pride, particularly visible in urban areas, which remain BJP's citadels.The communal undertones here are hard to miss.

When someone says BJP has maintained law and order, they basically mean the BJP has kept the Muslims in check. When someone says the Congress government could lead to riots, they imply that Muslims would think of themselves as equal citizens.

The sentiment pre-dates Modi, but he is perpetuating it for sure, in order to desperately retain his core constituency. He knows the anti-Muslim rhetoric is likely to make a difference predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas, which form about a formidable 45 percent of Gujarat, where, in spite of the anti-incumbency, the public would think twice before deserting the man who "showed Muslims their place in 2002".

The communal colour is accompanied by Gujarati Asmita and incessantly painting Rahul and Congress as "outsiders". TV ads keep describing Modi as "our man in Delhi", and slogans of "Gujarat ki jeet, Modi ki jeet" keep reverberating through the streets. However, the Congress can take a lot of heart from the fact that it has forced Modi to nervously dump "vikas" precisely where it was supposedly born.

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Congress is on its way to losing one more state from its already lean kitty as various exit polls have predicted the return of BJP to power in Himachal Pradesh, with the current Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal set to become the next chief minister.

Even before the voting happened, BJP president Amit Shah had announced Dhumal as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate breaking a party tradition of not announcing the name of the chief ministerial choice before the counting was over.

According to the CVoter exit poll, BJP is likely to get 41 seats in the House of 68, which is a 15-seat jump from its 2012 tally of 26. The halfway mark in the state Assembly is 34. The poll says that Congress will secure 25 seats, which is an 11-seat fall from its last tally of 36 seats, thus pushing it out of power in the hill state. Others will get two seats, coming down from six in the last election.

In the 2012 Assembly election in the state, Himachal Lokhit Party had won one seat while five Independents became legislators.

The swing in vote share trends as observed by the CVoter exit poll was evidently in favour of BJP in Himachal Pradesh. The vote share of the party rose to 47.6 percent this time from 38.5 percent in 2012. In the Lok Sabha election in 2014, the vote share for the party was at 53.8 percent, thanks to the Narendra Modi wave then.

The vote share for the Congress also went up from 42.8 percent in 2012 to 44 percent this year. The Others recorded a drastic fall when it comes to vote share slipping from 18.7 percent in 2012 to 8.3 percent this year with a huge swing of 10.4 percent.

CVoter Himachal Exit Poll : Vote Share Party 2012 VS 2014 LS 2017 Exit Poll Swing BJP 38.5 53.8 47.6 9.2 Congress 42.8 41.1 44 1.2 Others 18.7 5.1 8.3 -10.4 Total State 100 100 100 0 CVoter Himachal Exit Poll : Seat Share Party 2012 VS 2014 LS 2017 Exit Poll Change BJP 26 4 41 15 Congress 36 0 25 -11 Others 6 0 2 -4 Total State 68 4 68 0

In its exit poll, Today's Chanakya gave BJP a whopping 55 seats with an error margin of plus/minus seven seats while giving Congress a minuscule 13 seats again with an error margin of plus/minus seven seats. Others get none with an error margin of plus/minus three seats.

Notably in Today's Chanakya exit poll, 61 percent of the respondents sought a change of government in the state while 30 percent did not opt for change. Around 35 percent respondents rated Singh as a poor chief minister while 26 percent of those taking the survey thought he was good; 29 percent respondents said Singh's performance could be rated as average.

All caste including  Brahmin, Rajput, SC, ST and OBC  covered in this exit poll voted far more for the BJP than the Congress making it evident that anti-incumbency was in fact quite high against the Congress government.

The Sahara Samay-CNX prediction gave 46 seats to the BJP and 21 to the Congress in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. The India Today-Axis My India exit poll gave 47-55 seats to the BJP and 13-20 seats to the Congress.

The Times Now-VMR and Zee News-Axis exit polls predicted that the BJP would win 51 of the total 68 Assembly seats in the state.

While the Times Now-VMR exit poll gave 16 seats to the Congress and one to another, the Zee News-Axis poll gave 17 seats to the party in power in Shimla.

There are a total of 68 seats in Himachal Pradesh, elections to which were held on 9 November. A party needs 35 seats to be able to form a government.

The final results will be out on 18 December.

Himachal Pradesh Exit Poll BJP Congress ABP-CSDS 35-41 26-32 Zee News-Axis 51 17 News X 42-50 18-24 News Nation 43-47 19-23 Sahara Samay 46 21 Today's Chanakya 55 13 India Today 47-55 13-20

Among other exit polls, the NewsX survey predicted that the BJP would win 42-50 seats and the Congress, 18-24.

In a surprise to many politicians, S Chauhan had reported for Firstpost that the voter turnout was over 80 percent in around a dozen assembly segments. Most unexpectedly, Hamirpur district recorded the lowest polling while Sirmaur topped the tally. Dhumal contested from the Sujanpur seat in Hamirpur district but it wasn't motivational enough for most of the voters to exercise their right to franchise.

More than 37 lakh voters sealed the fate of 337 candidates on 9 November in the state and all electronic voting machines are secured in 100 strong rooms in 48 different locations across the state.

With inputs are PTI
New Delhi: Seeking to corner the government on several issues, the leaders of key opposition parties will meet on Thursday to work out their floor strategy for Parliament's Winter Session beginning Friday.

The session is scheduled to end on 5 January.

Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi may attend the meeting to be chaired by the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, opposition sources said.

It will be held at Azad's office in Parliament ahead of the all-party meeting in the evening on Thursday.

"Gandhi had attended such a meeting in the past too. So, he may come for the meeting of the opposition parties tomorrow (Thursday) as well," they said.

According to them, the leaders may take up the issues such as the killing of a Bengali worker in BJP-ruled Rajasthan, GST and demonetisation.

"Plus, there are issues relating to the agrarian crisis and the devastation caused by Cyclone Ockhi in southern state," they added.

Besides the Congress, the leaders of the Left parties, Samajwadi Party, BSP, NCP and others are expected to take part in the scheduled discussion.
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed as not maintainable a plea for disqualifying candidates of AIADMK and DMK and Independent TTV Dhinakaran in the RK Nagar Assembly by-poll for their alleged electoral malpractices during the earlier cancelled by-election.

A bench comprising justices TS Sivagnanam and K Ravichandrabaabu dismissed the plea by BSP candidate for the by-poll AC Sathyamurthy.

He sought disqualification of the three candidates on the grounds of their alleged involvement in electoral malpractices during the April by-election, which was cancelled by the Election Commission.

During the previous election, various articles, including sarees meant for distribution among voters, valued at over Rs 1.59 crore were seized by EC officials, he submitted.

Over 40 cases were registered and 82 persons involved in such malpractices were arrested, the petitioner said.

Besides this, various incriminating materials were seized in the raids conducted by the Income Tax department at the residence of health minister C Vijayabaskar and Samathuva Makkal Katchi founder R Sarathkumar, he claimed.

Based on the complaint made by Income Tax department, the EC had on April 9 cancelled the by-election.

The petitioner claimed that Madhusudhanan, Ganesh and Dhinakaran were also allegedly involved in such offences and wanted the EC to prohibit them from contesting the by-election scheduled on 21 December.
IANS

Britain will set the minimum standards for the content for younger users that social media giants, including Facebook and Twitter, have on their platform.

According to a report by The Telegraph, Facebook and Twitter will have to adapt their websites for younger users after ministers caved in to a campaign by charities.

The government will legislate for a code of practice setting out minimum standards for the "age-appropriate design" of sites, with companies failing to abide by the rules facing the possibility of large fines, the report said.

The move comes three days after British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned a social media giant to stay away from his children.

He was speaking against Messenger Kids for under-13 children to video chat and message with family and friends launched by Facebook last week.

"Facebook told me they would come back with ideas to prevent underage use of their product, but instead they are actively targeting younger children.

"Stay away from my kids please Facebook and act responsibly!" Hunt tweeted.

Not sure this is the right direction at all. Facebook told me they would come back with ideas to PREVENT underage use of their product, but instead they are actively targeting younger children. Stay away from my kids please Facebook and act responsibly! https://t.co/XrwfSHsUMj  Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) December 5, 2017

The report said that people who support the move of introducing a code of practice said the safeguards would include applying the highest possible privacy settings to children's accounts by default so their information is not automatically made public.

The move would also ensure terms and conditions are written "in a language children will understand" so they will know what will happen to content they post and how they can get it removed.

In September, the European Union (EU) gave an ultimatum to Facebook, Twitter and other social media companies to rid their platforms of hate speech or face legal consequences.

The European Commission, the EU's top regulator, said the social media firms are still failing to act fast enough. It said it would pass laws allowing the bloc to impose punishments on companies that fail to act.

European regulators have been pushing social media firms to remove racist and violent posts from their platforms in a timely manner for years. Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Google had all pledged to do more.
iStock/Thinkstock(HOUSTON) -- The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was indicted on Thursday for a 2016 hazing incident in which pledges were allegedly deprived of adequate food, water and sleep, according to prosecutors.



A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, indicted the Tennessee-based Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity Inc. following concurrent investigations by the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the University of Houston. The indictment does not charge any individual criminally, but it subjects the fraternity to a fine of up to $10,000 as well as conviction for hazing, including mental and physical abuse.



An official representative for the fraternity will have to be present for court hearings, prosecutors said.



Brotherhood and collegiate good times should be safe and hazing is not, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement announcing the charge. It is also illegal and that should be recognized by the dozens of fraternities and sororities on college campuses all over the Houston area."



In a statement, Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity Inc. said it "does not tolerate hazing, maltreatment of members, or any activities that do not treat individuals with dignity and respect."



Pi Kappa Alpha emphasized that the hazing allegations outlined in the indictment occurred within the former Epsilon Eta chapter, whose charter was suspended in August after the international fraternity learned of the alleged misconduct.



"Epsilon Eta Chapter was a separate, unincorporated association composed of adult male undergraduate students attending the University of Houston," the statement read. "The Fraternity does not control any chapter or its members or their activities; however if a chapter violates the Fraternitys Standards or any rules or regulations from the host school or any applicable local, state or federal agency, the Fraternity retains the right to suspend a chapters charter."





Thursday's indictment focuses on the treatment of one student at the University of Houston who was allegedly abused, like others, during a "brutal three-day rite" while pledging the fraternity in November 2016, prosecutors said.



Prosecutors said the pledge was forced to roll around in vomit, spit and feces and go without food, drink and sleep throughout much of the ordeal. At one point, the pledge was ordered to run across a rural stretch of land in the darkness while holding a glow stick in what was apparently known as a "green light game," prosecutors said.



The pledge was then unexpectedly tackled by fraternity members, who were dressed in dark clothing and lying in wait, prosecutors said. He was later hospitalized for a lacerated spleen.



In July, the University of Houston placed the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity under interim suspension pending an investigation. In October, the university suspended the fraternity for activities that violate the school's hazing policy after a months-long probe revealed violations that occurred off campus.



"Today we are grateful that our county partners have delivered a stern message through the grand jurys decision against the fraternity, that such behavior, which jeopardizes the well being of our students, will not be tolerated," the University of Houston said in a statement reacting to the indictment Thursday.



The Harris County district attorney praised the university's efforts in the wake of the 2016 incident.



The University of Houston showed resolve in conducting a thorough investigation and holding the fraternity accountable, Ogg said.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Page Content

Since the publication in 2013 of the Strategic Guidelines on the sustainable development of European aquaculture, the European Commission has been working closely with Member States to address the obstacles hindering the development of the sector, primarily at the national level. As highlighted in the European Committee of the Regions' Opinion on " The Future of European Aquaculture ", however, Regions have a key role to play in creating the right conditions for the development of EU aquaculture, through efficient licencing procedures, spatial planning, promotion of local products and other initiatives.

The European Commission and the European Committee of the Region have the pleasure to invite you to attend a joint event dedicated to regional actors of the aquaculture sector:

"EU aquaculture  Farmed in the EU Regions"

The Conference will be held on 2nd February 2018 in Brussels, at the European Committee of the Regions and will be open to Member States representatives, Regional Authorities and other stakeholders. The event will take place in meeting room JDE 51, Rue Belliard 99-101, 1040 Brussels, with registration starting at 08:30 a.m.

The draft programme is enclosed for your information.
Reuters

Russian-based operatives placed three adverts on Facebook in the run-up to Britains 2016 referendum on EU membership, spending just 97 cents to raise the issue of immigration, the social media platform said on Wednesday.

Russian-based operatives placed three adverts on Facebook in the run-up to Britains 2016 referendum on EU membership, spending just 97 cents to raise the issue of immigration, the social media platform said on Wednesday.

Russia denies meddling in Brexit or the U.S. election. Facebook sent its findings to the Electoral Commission which is examining how digital campaigning is affecting politics in Britain, including activity funded from outside the country.

Facebook said it had examined whether any account profiles or pages linked to the Internet Research Agency (IRA) had funded ads during the Brexit vote. The IRA is a Russian organization that according to researchers employs hundreds of people to push pro-Kremlin content on social media.

We have determined that these accounts associated with the IRA spent a small amount of money ($0.97) on advertisements that delivered to UK audiences during that time, Facebook said.

This amount resulted in three advertisements (each of which were also targeted to U.S. audiences and concerned immigration, not the EU referendum) delivering approximately 200 impressions to UK viewers over four days in May 2016.

A separate cross-party British parliamentary committee is also investigating whether any Facebook ads were bought by Russian-linked accounts around the EU referendum and the 2017 UK election.

The issue of whether Russia intervened in the 2016 U.S. presidential election is the subject of multiple investigations. Facebook said in October that Russia-based operatives published about 80,000 posts on the social network over a two-year period in an effort to sway U.S. politics and that about 126 million Americans may have seen the posts during that time.

The Electoral Commission, which oversees the running of British elections, said it would say more about its findings in due course.
tech2 News Staff

American fashion watch brand Fossil on Wednesday announced the launch of Misfit Vapour, its Android Wear 2.0 powered smartwatch, in India. The smartwatch will be sold exclusively through Flipkart and is priced at Rs 14,495.

The Vapour was announced by Fossil back at CES in January and was announced globally at the end of October. The smartwatch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices but does bring more to the table for Android users since it features Google's Android Wear 2.0 which is only available on a select list of devices so far.

The Vapour gets a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with a pixel density of 326 ppi and 4 GB of internal storage. The watch is powered by a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset that consists of a quad-core ARM Cortex A7 CPU. The Misfit Vapour also comes with a heart-rate monitor as well as other sensors including an accelerometer, gyroscope and an altimeter.

The Misfit Vapour comes with a 2-year International warranty when bought from Flipkart and is available in three colour variants, jet black, stainless steel and rose gold. The jet black and stainless steel variants of the watch come with a black strap while the rose gold variant comes with a midnight blue strap.

Android Wear 2.0 brings the Google Assistant to watches, while also featuring the Google Play Store, through which watchmakers are expected to push out firmware updates. The smartwatch is capable of recording speed, time and distance utilising its built-in GPS system, though it does require to be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth for the GPS to function.
Reuters

All French children under the age of 16 will have to seek parental approval to open an account on Facebook or any other social network under draft legislation presented on Wednesday.

The requirement is part of a French bill that seeks to adapt data privacy regulations and improve access to the information internet companies gather, store and in many cases sell to other firms about peoples online activity.

Joining Facebook will involve parental authorisation for minors aged under 16, Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet told reporters.

She was presenting the outlines of a data privacy bill that was approved at a weekly cabinet meeting. It now goes to parliament for approval before it can become law.

The bill aims to ensure easier access for users to all the data companies collect so they can more easily seek to have certain details amended or deleted.

The minister said signing up to join a social network would involve ticking a box to confirm that approval from parents or rightful guardians had been obtained, and that the box-tick amounted to a declaration governed by law.

It was not clear how enforceable such a process would be.

Separately, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said this week that mobile phones would be banned in schools from the start of the next school year.

Use of mobile phones is already forbidden in classrooms, so the ban would likely cover their use during breaks and at lunchtime.

Blanquer said on RTL radio on Sunday that his ministry was working out the details, but some schools already had a full ban, proving that it could be done though some exceptions had to be made for teaching or emergency purposes.
tech2 News Staff

Samsung's latest flagship the Galaxy S9 is reportedly going to be launched at the CES in January 2018 and some leaked schematics have shed some more light on the phone's design. An unexpected feature of this design shows us a single camera setup at the back of the device.

The schematics, posted on Twitter by Slashleaks are inconsistent with previous leaks and rumours which indicated that Samsung would be implementing the dual-camera setup in the S9 as well. However, the Google Pixel 2 also implemented a single camera system and produced stunning photos and simulated bokeh effect which relied heavily on machine learning based post processing. Samsung could also be going with a similar approach by implementing a single lens system.

Another design change seen in these leaked schematics, which is also inconsistent with earlier rumours, is the presence of the fingerprint reader on the back of the device and not under the display. According to The Verge, recent showcasing of in-display fingerprint sensors by Synaptics had propelled rumours that S9 might be the first one to implement this technology.

If the schematic is accurate, the fingerprint sensor has moved below the camera lens from it's original position beside the lens. This should avoid smudging of the lens from accidental touching while reaching for the fingerprint sensor.

On the front, the design looks quite the same as that of the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. No complaints over there as the S8's Infinity display was quite flawless and we have mentioned so in our comprehensive review of the device. However, all this information should be taken with a grain of salt as these are alleged leaks, and nothing has been officially confirmed.

Recently, a report by the Korean Herald, has suggested that Samsung is planning to pack the device with an improved iris scanner. The report states that Samsung could be looking to expand its iris scanning technology to its budget and mid-range offerings by the end of 2018 or early 2019.
IANS

The next flyby target of NASA's New Horizons mission which is an icy world billion kilometres past Pluto might have a small moon as orbital company, new data suggests. The New Horizons probe, which flew past Pluto in 2015, is set to encounter the Kuiper Belt object, referred to as 2014 MU69, on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, 2019. "We really won't know what MU69 looks like until we fly past it, or even gain a full understanding of it until after the encounter," said New Horizons science team member Marc Buie, of the Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colorado.

Buie offered an update on the analysis of MU69 this week at the American Geophysical Union meeting in New Orleans. Scientists were already excited to learn earlier this year that MU69 might be either peanut-shaped or even two objects orbiting one another, or what's known as a binary. The data that led to these hints at MU69's nature were gathered over six weeks in June and July, when the team made three attempts to place telescopes in the narrow shadow - an event known as an occultation - of MU69 as it passed in front of a star.

The prospect that MU69 might have a moon arose from data collected during a different occultation on July 10 by NASA's airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Focused on MU69's expected location while flying over the Pacific Ocean, SOFIA detected what appeared to be a very short drop-out in the star's light. Further analysis of that data, including syncing it with MU69 orbit calculations provided by the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, opens the possibility that the "blip" SOFIA detected could be another object around MU69, Buie said.

"A binary with a smaller moon might also help explain the shifts we see in the position of MU69 during these various occultations," Buie added. "It's all very suggestive, but another step in our work to get a clear picture of MU69 before New Horizons flies by, just over a year from now," Buie said. That flyby will be the most distant in the history of space exploration. Discovered in 2014, the object MU69 is more than 6.5 billion kilometres from Earth.
Kano: Boko Haram fighters battled Nigerian soldiers for about an hour as they tried to take over a military base, in the latest attack against troops in the restive northeast.

A former local government official, a civilian militia member and a motorist, who witnessed the shooting on Wednesday, said the Islamist militants tried to storm the outpost in the village of Mainok in Borno state.

Troops managed to repel the attack with the help of reinforcements but it comes after a series of similar raids targeting soldiers that is likely to stoke fears of a resurgence.

Lawan Bukar Wasaram, a former chairman of the Kaga district where Mainok is located, said "large numbers" of Boko Haram militants tried to take over the base.

"So far, 14 of the attackers have been killed and two of their (pick-up) trucks impounded," he told AFP. "The situation has been brought under control by troops."

A leader of the civilian militia in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, some 60 kilometres east of Mainok, gave a similar account, although he put the death toll at nine.

"They attempted to overrun the military base but troops fought back. They had reinforcements," he added.

Motorist Laminu Isa was travelling to Maiduguri from the capital of neighbouring Yobe state, Damaturu, when he and hundreds of other drivers were caught up in the shooting.

"We had to turn to nearby Jakana village and waited until the fighting stopped," he said.

"They came in eight pick-up trucks. We saw them when they crossed the roads and many of us stopped in panic. But they told us they weren't after civilians."

"Their main target was the military so they touched no one among the motorists."

Isa said the gunmen came from the direction of Buni Yadi in Yobe, which links up with the Sambisa Forest in Borno  the long-time base of factional leader Abubakar Shekau.

An increase in attacks, including against "hard" military targets, was expected as it has happened before when the Nigerian Army changed senior commanders in the northeast.

Last week, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru was redeployed after just seven months in charge.

The army maintained it was a routine transfer but it followed increased violence in recent weeks, including a suicide bombings that caused heavy civilian casualties.

At least six soldiers died in two separate Boko Haram ambushes earlier this month near Damboa, south of Maiduguri.

The upsurge in attacks could also be an indication that Boko Haram is feeling pressure and is fighting back to secure weapons, ammunition, food and supplies.
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa Mays government was defeated on Wednesday, when lawmakers forced through changes to its Brexit blueprint that ministers said could endanger Britains departure from the European Union. An Anti-Brexit protestor waves EU and Union flags outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain December 5, 2017. REUTERS/Simon Dawson In a blow to May, already weakened after losing her Conservative Partys majority in a June election, the 650-seat parliament voted 309 to 305 in favour of an amendment to hand lawmakers more say over a final exit deal with the EU. Up until the last minute of an often bitter debate in parliament, Mays team tried to convince lawmakers in her party to give up their demands and side with a government fearful that the move will weaken its hand in tough Brexit negotiations. Members of Parliament (MPs) are debating the EU withdrawal bill, which will repeal the 1972 legislation binding Britain to the EU and copy existing EU law into domestic law to ensure legal continuity after Exit Day on March 29, 2019. In focus on Wednesday was an amendment put forward by Conservative lawmaker and former attorney general, Dominic Grieve, who wants parliament to have a meaningful vote on any deal before it is finalised and for it to be written into law. There is a time for everybody to stand up and be counted, Grieve told parliament earlier, criticising some fellow members of the Conservative Party for calling him a traitor over his decision to vote against the government. He dismissed a last-minute pledge by justice minister Dominic Raab for government to write the promise of a meaningful vote into law later on its journey through both houses of parliament as coming too late. The government was disappointed by the vote, a spokeswoman said in a statement, adding that this amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. But with May due at an EU summit on Thursday to encourage the other 27 leaders to approve a move to the second phase of Brexit talks and begin a discussion about future trade, the defeat comes at a difficult time for the prime minister. DEEP DIVISIONS The EU withdrawal bill has been the focus of seven days of often bitter debate, underscoring the deep divisions over Brexit not only among the Conservatives but also in the main opposition Labour Party and across the country. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May meets the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov, at 10 Downing Street in London, December 11, 2017. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleIt has also highlighted Mays weakness. In June, she gambled on a snap election to strengthen her partys majority in the 650-seat parliament but instead bungled her campaign and ended up with a minority government propped up by the 10 votes of a small, pro-Brexit Northern Irish party. Since then she has struggled to assert her authority over a Conservative Party which is deeply divided over the best route out of the EU. This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the government on the eve of the European Council meeting, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement. Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control. Earlier, May had tried to persuade lawmakers to vote with the government for her Brexit blueprint, saying Grieves amendment would put added time pressure on a government which wants to make Britain ready to leave the EU in March 2019. That could be at a very late stage in the proceedings which could mean that we are not able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we wish to have, she told parliament before an hours-long debate on the exit plan. Her spokesman said the government had in good faith come forward with a strong package of concessions to deal with the spirit of the amendment. Pro-Brexit lawmakers fear the amendment could force Britain to weaken its negotiating stance by offering parliament the opportunity of forcing ministers back to the negotiating table if it feels any final deal is not good enough. Raab said that could convince the EU that Britain would not walk away from a bad deal. Actually if that looked likely wed end up with worse terms, and wed be positively incentivising the EU to give us worse terms, he told parliament.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Montgomery, Alabama: Still-uncounted ballots are unlikely to change the outcome of the US Senate race in Alabama enough to spur an automatic recount, the state's election chief said Wednesday as Democratic victor Doug Jones urged Republican Roy Moore to concede.

Speaking during an afternoon news conference in Birmingham, Jones said a concession from Moore is the "right thing" to do, and that 'it's time to heal."

But Moore hasn't budged after a stunning loss in a reliably GOP state. "Realize, when the vote is this close, it is not over," he told supporters at his election-night party in Montgomery late Tuesday. Moore did not make any public statements or appearances Wednesday.

Jones is leading Moore by about 20,000 votes, or about 1.5 percent, with all precincts counted.

A 2003 Alabama law triggers an automatic recount when the winner's margin of victory is less than half of 1 percent. Jones' margin is currently about three times that threshold. To obtain an automatic recount, lingering ballots  such as those mailed in by military personnel  would first have to significantly reduce Jones' margin of victory, Secretary of State John Merrill said.

"It would be very unlikely for that to occur," Merrill said.

There are three types of votes yet to be counted that could somewhat alter the margin between Jones and Moore: the ballots from military personnel and other overseas voters; provisional ballots that have to be reviewed to ensure they are valid; and write-in votes. Write-in votes are counted only if they exceed the difference between the first- and second-place candidates, which in this case they do. There are approximately 22,000 write-in ballots.

The secretary of state will tell counties Monday whether write-in votes must be tabulated. On Tuesday, counties will count those, if necessary, along with the provisional ballots and overseas ballots. The state canvassing board will declare whether an automatic recount is needed, when it meets sometime between 26 December and 3 January. The recount would begin within 72 hours of that decision.

According to the nonpartisan elections group FairVote, statewide recounts are rare, and reversals even rarer. Statewide recounts between 2000 and 2015 resulted in an average margin swing of 282 votes between the front-runners, according to a report from the group.

At least one fellow Republican who knows what it's like to lose an election urged Moore to accept Jones' win. "Roy Moore won't concede; says will wait on God to speak," former Arkansas Governor and unsuccessful Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee tweeted. "God wasn't registered to vote in AL but the ppl who voted did speak and it wasn't close enough for recount. In elections everyone does NOT get a trophy. I know first hand but it's best to exit with class."

Alabama lawmakers passed the seldom-used recount law in 2003, following an election dispute between then-Governor Don Siegelman and Republican challenger Bob Riley. The law also was invoked in 2004 when a proposal to delete unenforceable segregationist language from the state constitution narrowly failed.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - No negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behaviour, a White House official said on Wednesday, raising questions about U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillersons offer to begin talks with Pyongyang any time and without pre-conditions. FILE PHOTO - A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File PhotoGiven North Koreas most recent missile test, clearly right now is not the time, a White House official told Reuters. Tillerson said on Tuesday the United States was ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk, appearing to back away from a key U.S. demand that Pyongyang must first accept that any negotiations would have to be about giving up its nuclear arsenal. The White House has declined to say whether President Donald Trump, who has taken a tougher rhetorical line against North Korea than Tillerson, gave approval for the overture. A day after Tillersons comments at Washingtons Atlantic Council think tank, the White House official, who declined to be named, laid out a more restrictive formula for any diplomatic engagement with North Korea. The administration is united in insisting that any negotiations with North Korea must wait until the regime fundamentally improves its behaviour, the official said. As the secretary of state himself has said, this must include, but is not limited to, no further nuclear or missile tests. In his speech, however, Tillerson did not explicitly set a testing freeze as a requirement before talks can begin. He said it would be tough to talk if Pyongyang decided to test another device in the middle of discussions and that a period of quiet would be needed for productive discussions. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Wednesday appeared to walk back part of Tillersons proposal, saying there would have to be a suspension of North Korean nuclear and missile tests for an undefined length of time before any talks could take place. And we certainly havent seen that right now, she told reporters, insisting Tillerson had not unveiled a new policy and was on the same page as the White House. Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over North Koreas weapons advances have grown this year and recent exchanges of bellicose rhetoric have fuelled fears over the risk of military conflict. Tillersons relationship with Trump has been strained by differences over North Korea and other issues, and he has seen his influence diminished within the administration. Senior administration officials said late last month that Trump was considering a plan to oust Tillerson, though the secretary of state has dismissed that. Tillerson said in his speech that Trump has encouraged our diplomatic efforts. Trump, however, tweeted in October that Tillerson was wasting his time trying to negotiate with North Korea. CHINA, RUSSIA WELCOME TILLERSON OFFER Tillersons overture came nearly two weeks after North Korea said it had successfully tested a breakthrough intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that put the entire United States mainland within range. North Korea has made clear it has little interest in negotiations with the United States until it has developed the ability to hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear-tipped missile, something most experts say it has still not proved. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said following Tillersons speech that China welcomed efforts to ease tension and promote dialogue to resolve the North Korea standoff. Russia also welcomed Tillersons statement, the Interfax news agency cited Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying. Ahead of Tillersons speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to develop more nuclear weapons while personally decorating scientists and officials who contributed to the development of Pyongyangs most advanced ICBM, state media said on Wednesday. Despite that, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tillersons remarks followed speculation North Korea might be willing to talk having announced it had completed a major milestone with last months missile test and suggested he was trying to take advantage of a potential opening.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Johannesburg: South Africa's jovial leader Jacob Zuma is a former herdboy who fought in the anti-apartheid struggle and has held onto the presidency despite a plethora of scandals.

Now aged 75, he has survived by building a network of loyal African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers and officials, and by trading on the party's legacy as the organisation that ended white-minority rule.

Among the stains on his presidency have been allegedly fostering a culture of government corruption and leading the country into a quagmire of low growth and record unemployment.

He will stand down as ANC party chief at a conference starting Saturday but remain as national president ahead of the 2019 election.

As leader of the late Nelson Mandela's party, which has won every election since South Africa became a democracy in 1994, Zuma easily won a five-year term in 2014. The son of a domestic worker, he has "a very strong appeal" to the working class and the poor, says Sdumo Dlamini, head of the Confederation of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), an ANC ally. "He is a people's person and he has grown through the ranks of the working class. He knows the suffering of the ordinary folk."

Grassroots support

Born on 12 April, 1942, in the Nkandla rural hamlet in KwaZulu-Natal province, Zuma had a rapid political ascent. Popularly referred to as "JZ", he commands loyalty from ANC grassroots supporters awed by his journey from uneducated youth to president, with a 10-year stint as an apartheid-era political prisoner on Robben Island along the way.

When he took the reins of the ANC in 2007 in a putsch against ex-president Thabo Mbeki, Zuma inherited a party riddled with divisions. Tensions have only deepened as the ANC has been accused of losing its moral compass. As criticism of his reign mounted, Zuma has maintained a cheerful public facade, often chuckling when allegations against him are repeated.

But he has been significantly weakened as increasingly senior ANC figures have criticised him in public. He was forced into a humiliating climbdown in 2015 after firing a minister of finance and appointing a man widely seen as a stooge. As the national currency, the rand, went into freefall, Zuma bowed to pressure and re-appointed Pravin Gordhan, an admired former finance minister, to the key post.

In a tussle that symbolised his tenacious grip over the ANC, Zuma finally got the finance minister of his choice in March this year when Gordhan was ousted in a midnight reshuffle. In 2016, Zuma agreed to pay back some of the public money spent on his private residence at Nkandla  backing down in the face of a stinging Constitutional Court rebuke.

He has also been accused of corrupt dealings with the wealthy Gupta family, even allegedly granting them influence over his cabinet appointments.

Zulu warrior gear

Zuma's private life is as colourful as his political career. A proud traditionalist, he often swaps tailored suits for full leopard-pelt Zulu warrior gear, engaging in energetic ground-stomping tribal dances during ceremonies in his village. At ANC rallies, he is often the first to break into tuneful song.

In the past, he relished leading supporters in the rousing anti-apartheid struggle song Umshini Wami (Bring Me My Machine Gun), which became his signature tune.

The teetotaller and non-smoker has four wives and at least 20 children.

He joined the ANC as a teenager, becoming the strategic and ruthless head of intelligence in the underground organisation. Before taking office, Zuma dismayed the nation during his 2006 rape trial when he told the court he had showered after having unprotected sex with his young HIV-positive accuser to avoid, he said, contracting the virus.

The claim incensed safe-sex campaigners  not least because Zuma was head of the country's national AIDS council at the time. Zuma was acquitted of rape but is often mocked in newspaper cartoons and depicted with a shower nozzle sprouting from his bald head.

At Mandela's memorial service in 2013, he was loudly booed by ordinary South Africans in front of world leaders.

During Zuma's time in power, South Africa has also been rocked by increasing social unrest over the failure to provide housing and basic services. Zuma is still fighting a court order that could reinstate corruption charges against him over 783 payments linked to a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.

He is accused of seeking to usher former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma into the ANC leadership spot to protect himself from prosecution when he leaves office before the 2019 election.
Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier

"When you shake a veteran's hand today, look them in the eye and give them a heartfelt thank you," said USAF Ret. Col. Jen Fullmer, parade grand marshal, who spoke at the event.
Islamabad: Pakistan has asked nearly a dozen foreign aid groups to wrap up their activities in the country for failing to "re-register" under a regulation promulgated two years ago, officials said on Thursday.

Pakistan had in 2015 introduced a new, tough registration criterion for international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) after allegations of "anti-state" activities surfaced against some foreign aid workers.

Several foreign NGOs have since re-registered but some of them failed to fulfil the standards set by the government, according to an official of the Interior Ministry. "We have asked those (which failed to re-register) to wrap up operation within 60 days after losing bid to re-register," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The official refused to identify the foreign aid groups or give the exact number of NGOs but said that nearly a dozen of them could be hit by the decision.

Media reports suggested that about 20 foreign aid groups, including Open Society Foundation of American billionaire George Soros and Action Aid, have been asked to leave. The problem surfaced in 2015 when 'Save the Children' was asked to leave the county for alleged "anti-state" activities, a charge strongly refuted by the group.

The story of Pakistan's "mistrust" towards foreign NGOs goes back to 2011 when Dr. Shakil Afridi, who helped America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) track down Osama bin Laden, was arrested for carrying out a fake vaccination campaign.

Afridi was arrested soon after Laden's killing in the famous Abbottabad compound raid by US Navy Seals in May 2011. He was later sentenced to jail for alleged links with militants and is still battling against his conviction.
Islamabad: Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday decided to approach the Interpol for the arrest of former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar who is currently in London, officials said.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the anti-corruption organisation's executive board presided over by Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal (retd), Dawn online reported.

Dar, who is receiving medical treatment in London for a heart condition, has an arrest warrant issued against him after he missed multiple court appearances in a corruption reference filed against him by the NAB.

The former Finance Minister is accused of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income.

"Ishaq Dar is not suffering from any disease that cannot be treated in Pakistan," the NAB Chairman was quoted as saying in a declaration issued by the bureau. Dar was declared a "proclaimed absconder" by the accountability court after he repeatedly failed to join the trial, he added.

The accountability bureau will now ask the Interior Ministry to contact the France-based Interpol secretariat for the issuance of "red warrants" against Dar, the daily reported.

Earlier this week, accountability court Judge Mohammad Bashir in a judgment regarding the status of Dar as a proclaimed offender observed that the undertrial former Finance Minister does not seem to have a serious heart condition.

During the case proceedings, Dar's lawyer had submitted a new medical report and told the court that "his client was suffering from chest pain and a minor issue in a coronary artery and, therefore, could not appear in court".

However, the judge said that "when all the medical reports are kept together, it seems that they are procured with the purpose to linger on the (corruption) case".
Johannesburg: South Africa's ruling ANC party will hold a conference starting Saturday to elect its new leader in a hotly contested two-way race seen as a pivotal moment in the country's post-apartheid history.

The winner will be well-placed to be the next president, but the ANC has lost much popularity since Nelson Mandela led it to power in the euphoric 1994 election that marked the end of white-minority rule.

Soaring unemployment and government corruption have fuelled frustration among millions of poor black South Africans who face dire housing and education and continuing racial inequality.

President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been marred by graft scandals, will step down as ANC chief but remain national leader ahead of general elections in 2019.

Competing for the party leadership are his ex-wife, former African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman. The battle could split the ANC party and the conference threatens to be acrimonious, forcing both candidates to issue last-minute calls for unity.

"This is a democratic process  it is not a fight amongst enemies," Dlamini-Zuma said at her final major speech before the conference. Ramaphosa stressed at the weekend that the party "should rally behind whoever is elected".

Dlamini-Zuma, 68, headed the African Union until earlier in 2017, and is a former home, foreign and health minister. But her critics say she would pursue President Zuma's failing economic and political policies, and would be his proxy to protect him from criminal prosecution for graft. The couple had four children together before divorcing in 1998.

'So much at stake'

Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader, led the historic negotiations in the 1990s to end apartheid before launching a business career that made him one of the country's wealthiest men. He is often accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his deputy since 2014.

"There is so much at stake and the two candidates are very close in the race," Amanda Gouws, a politics professor at Stellenbosch University, told AFP. "We will either see a new president (Ramaphosa) who may be able to stabilise the country and do something about the economic and political decline, or a continuation of what we have at the moment. "At the congress in 2007, we had fighting, chair-throwing, screaming, shouting and long delays  all of that may happen."

Gouws said that the thousands of party delegates could be offered bribes for their votes, and that President Zuma was lobbying hard for Dlamini-Zuma to emerge victorious. "It is an open secret in the ANC that votes can be bought. It does not augur well," she said. "Zuma is very afraid of being prosecuted after he leaves office if Dlamini-Zuma doesn't win, so he is really trying to make sure she does."

The ANC is still South Africa's biggest party by far, but the 54 percent it won in local elections last year was its worst poll result since 1994  underlining its sharp recent decline in popularity.

2019 election looms

Ramaphosa is widely seen as a stronger candidate than Dlamini-Zuma to lead the ANC in the 2019 general election, though she has the loyal support of some senior ANC officials.

If Ramaphosa loses the party leadership battle, some experts believe the party could split. "The decision made at the conference will probably determine whether the ANC has got a chance of winning in 2019," Susan Booysen, an analyst at Wits University in Johannesburg, told AFP. "After ten years of damage, this is a moment where they have almost their last chance. I truly think it can go either way. The two main factions are really antagonistic and I cannot see how they can coexist in the future. Should there be a split, it could put the ANC below 50 percent of the vote (in a general election) and determine whether the ANC stays in power."

Opposition parties the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters both hope to exploit the ANC's woes in the 2019 election, with one possible outcome being a coalition government.

The ANC conference starts on Saturday and finishes on Wednesday, though some are predicting a messy stalemate.

"Given the various disputes and the current lack of a frontrunner... the conference could be delayed or disrupted," said the London-based Eurasia risk consultancy group.

Other leadership hopefuls include parliament speaker Baleka Mbete, presidency minister Jeff Radebe and Zweli Mkhize, the party treasurer.
Mogadishu: A suicide bomber blew himself up inside the main police academy in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Thursday with several people feared dead, police said.

Witnesses said the police were gathering for their early morning parade, and were crowded in an open square when the bomber attacked.

"A man wearing an explosive vest entered the camp disguised as a policeman, and blew himself up," police officer Mohamed Abdulle said. "There are casualties, and many injuries."

Abdulle did not immediately have a toll for the number killed but said he feared there could be several dead.

"Medical rescuers are still working on evacuating the casualties," Abdulle said.

The police camp is Somalia's biggest police academy.

"Some of the police were already in lines, and others were gathering, when the man in police uniform entered and blew himself up," said bystander Hussein Ali. "Ambulances have been rushing the wounded away and taking the dead bodies."

There was no immediate claim of responsiblity for the attack.

However, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabaab has repeatedly attacked police officers in its decade-old battle to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Mogadishu.

The Shabaab lost its foothold in Mogadishu in 2011 but has continued its fight, launching regular attacks on military, government and civilian targets in the capital and elsewhere.
London: Britain must urgently negotiate a post-Brexit transition deal "within a matter of weeks", UK lawmakers said.

Obtaining a transition period is an "urgent priority" if the UK is to avoid a no-deal scenario when it exits the European Union in March 2019, according to Parliament's powerful cross-party Treasury Committee.

"Speed is of the essence," Conservative MP and Treasury Committee chair Nicky Morgan said. But arrangements should be kept "straightforward" to ensure speedy negotiation, as delay caused by "arguments over arcane points of principle" would damage the economy, she added.

The government should be prepared to accept the transition terms offered by the remaining 27 EU members, even if this means retaining the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and the supremacy of EU law, the committee said.

"That is a price worth paying for stability and certainty after 30 March 2019," Morgan added.

Although the report calls for a "standstill" deal to incorporate existing EU treaties into the withdrawal agreement, it also says that the UK should be able to start establishing "independent trade relationships" during the transition.

Certain sectors including financial services, particularly exposed to trade with the EU, may need an "adaptation period" to be added on to the time-limited transition period.

Prime Minister Theresa May has committed to seeking a two-year transition for the UK to give businesses time to adapt.

A no-deal scenario would mean Britain and the EU would fall back to World Trade Organisation rules to trade with each other, creating a series of trade barriers such as a 10 percent tariff on imports and exports of cars. Some 130,000 UK firms which currently trade only with the EU would be dealing with customs procedures for the first time if there is a no-deal scenario in March 2019, according to the Treasury Committee report.

A new round of negotiations covering Britain's future trading relationship with the remaining 27 members of the bloc will open on Friday at a summit in Brussels, but EU negotiating guidelines have been revised to say talks on trade will not start until March.
Jerusalem: Israeli forces on Thursday intercepted two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, while a third came down inside Israeli territory, the military said.

"The IAF (Israeli Air Force) successfully intercepted two rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel," the Israeli military said on Twitter.

"A short while ago, an additional rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory and fell in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council, southern Israel," it added.

Israeli public radio reported the rocket exploded in a field and that there were no casualties.

Militants in the Palestinian enclave have fired both rockets and mortar rounds into Israel over the past week amid anger over US president Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Israeli Air Force hit the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip earlier in the day, lightly wounding three people, after Palestinians fired at southern Israel, the military and Gaza security officials said.

Three Palestinians were lightly wounded in the strikes, the health ministry in Gaza said. No casualties were reported on the Israeli side.

Trump's announcement last Wednesday has sparked protests across the Palestinian territories, with four people killed and hundreds wounded in clashes or retaliatory Israeli air strikes so far.
Tokyo: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday warned the world against "sleepwalking into war" over North Korea, as he called for diplomatic efforts to banish nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: "The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances."

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea over its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

Guterres said those sanctions need to be implemented "by North Korea first of all, but also fully implemented by all the other countries whose role is crucial."

He urged "diplomatic engagement that allows for ... denuclearisation (of the Korean peninsula) to take place in a peaceful way."

Speaking alongside Guterres, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe echoed the call to "fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions" and hold "meaningful dialogue toward denuclearisation."

The secretary-general's trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

Feltman said he had been told in Pyongyang that North Korea wants to avoid war and said he "fervently" hoped that the "door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide."

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to Pyongyang "without preconditions", interpreted by many as a shift in the US position.

Washington's top diplomat told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting - even the weather.

However, the White House and Tillerson's own department later stressed that the US position on North Korea "had not changed."

"The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Wednesday.
Beirut: Air strikes by a US-led coalition killed 23 civilians Wednesday in a village held by the Islamic State group in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said.

"At least 23 civilians, among them eight children and six women, were killed Wednesday before dawn by air strikes carried out by the US-led coalition, targeting a village controlled by Islamic State on the eastern banks of the Euphrates river," the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The observatory, which gathers eye-witness reports from the ground, said the civilians were hiding inside a house and were all members of the same extended family.

US-backed forces are currently battling to capture the last scraps of Islamic State-controlled territory in the area and on Tuesday took a village adjacent to the one that was hit, the monitor said.

A US military spokesman said a detailed assessment of the allegation of civilian casualties would be made but said the coalition strikes "only valid military targets".

"We apply rigorous standards to our targeting process and take extraordinary efforts to protect non-combatants," US army Colonel Ryan Dillon said in an email.

Earlier Wednesday a spokesman for the coalition said fighters with its support cleared six kilometres (four miles) of territory along the eastern bank of Euphrates river over the past day.

"Islamic State is weak but still a threat - terrorists lurking in Mid-Euphrates River Valley," spokesman Ryan Dillon wrote on Twitter, using another acronym for Islamic State.

The jihadist group has lost the vast bulk of the territory it captured across Syria and Iraq in 2014 after a string of gruelling offensives.

The Iraqi government and Russia, which backs the forces of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, have both declared victory over the jihadists.

The US-led coalition has admitted to unintentionally killing 801 civilians in the more than 28,000 air strikes it has conducted across Syria and Iraq since its formation in 2014.

Monitoring group Airwars insists that number is well below the true civilian toll of the bombing campaign, estimating that almost 6,000 innocent lives have been lost.
Beijing: South Korean president Moon Jae-in will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing Thursday amid mixed US signals about potential talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Relations between Beijing and Seoul have encountered their own rough patch over the US military's deployment of a powerful anti-missile defence system in the South to counter the North's threats.

Moon hopes to "normalise" ties during the visit, his office has said, after Beijing imposed economic measures against South Korean companies, a move seen as retaliation to the installation of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system.

China sees the deployment as a threat to its own security.

Moving past the disagreement has become increasingly important amid growing concern that bellicose rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang could spark war on the Korean peninsula.

"The highlights to watch of the visit would be whether the two sides (Seoul and Beijing) can start a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on the DPRK (North Korea) nuclear issue," said Zhu Feng, international studies professor at Peking University.

China has long refused to countenance the possibility that the North's Communist regime could collapse.

But a series of nuclear and missile tests combined with pressure from US president Donald Trump has pushed Beijing to reconsider its position and prioritise improving relations with Seoul.

"It is a very uncertain period," Zhu said. "The two sides need high-level dialogues and dialogues between militaries. These dialogues cannot really start without the normalisation of the bilateral relations."

Possible talks?

Moon's visit comes after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to North Korea "without preconditions", though it remains determined to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal.

China and Russia responded positively to Tillerson's remarks, even after the White House appeared to put his proposal in question by saying Trump's "views on North Korea have not changed."

Beijing has pressed for talks to peacefully resolve the crisis, but there are signals that it has begun to prepare for the possibility of the North's collapse.

Tillerson said Tuesday that US and Chinese officials have discussed scenarios in case the North Korean regime falls, including steps to deal with refugees crossing the border, and how to secure Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.

Washington's top diplomat said these discussions involved him, the US defence secretary and military chief, and senior Chinese officials.

Such discussions were unthinkable just a few months ago.

But China's priority has been to convince the United States and North Korea to hold talks.

Beijing has also urged the US, Japan and South Korea to suspend joint military drills in the region in return for North Korea to halt its nuclear activities -- an idea consistently rejected by Washington and Seoul.

But "Pyongyang can't have its cake and eat it, too, the state-run China Daily warned in an editorial Thursday.

"It cannot expect Washington to engage in direct peace talks with it, while at the same time making such talks more difficult by continuing with its missile launches and nuclear tests."

In Tokyo, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that the worst outcome would be for the world to "sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances."

Thaw

With concerns about the peninsula's stability mounting, South Korea and China issued identically-worded statements last month on their mutual desire to improve relations.

They did not state any specifics, but Beijing has demanded that Seoul formally promise not to deploy any more THAAD launchers and not to join any regional US missile defence system.

On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing had reached "some consensus" with Seoul on THAAD.

In a limited sign of improved ties, China's state tourism board approved Seoul-bound group tours from some parts of the country last month.

A business delegation including executives from South Korean giants Samsung, Hyundai and LG, is accompanying Moon on the trip, which began Wednesday and is the president's first state visit to China since he took office in May.
Chinese authorities have commandeered supplies of natural gas to heat homes, forcing chemical plants and factories to shut down, after efforts to clear smog-choked air by banning coal use backfired by causing energy shortages in frigid weather.

The disruption highlights the government's difficulties in its campaign to clean up China's smog-choked cities and reduce reliance on coal.

The latest shortages stem from Beijing's effort since 2013 to shift 3 million households in China's north to gas. That boosted demand while supplies failed to keep pace.

The overall economic impact is unclear, but gas supplies to factories and other industrial users in areas throughout China have been reduced or cut off.

"The situation is quite serious due to the suspension of gas supplies to industrial and commercial consumers in hopes of meeting the demand from civilian use," said Chen Yunying, a gas industry analyst for ICIS in Shanghai.

On Tuesday, German chemical giant BASF invoked "force majeure," or forces beyond its control, for a disruption in supplies of MDI, an ingredient in polyurethane used in packaging, from its facility in Chongqing in the southwest. BASF said it had no word when gas supplies would resume.

The gas company in the central city of Wuhan, a center for auto manufacturing and other industries, announced last week supplies to commercial customers were being shut off "to ensure people's basic needs."

China, the world's biggest energy consumer, is investing heavily in solar, wind and other renewable energy to help clean up its despoiled environment. But it is forecast to rely on coal for at least two-thirds of its energy for the foreseeable future.

On Monday, the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank announced it approved a $250 million loan to connect some 220,000 rural Chinese households to a natural gas distribution network

State-owned energy companies have invested billions of dollars to develop shale gas and other sources, but supplies have failed to keep pace with surging demand.

Total gas consumption from January to August rose 17.8 percent from a year earlier, outstripping a 10.8 percent production increase, according to a Cabinet planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission.

Combined with unexpectedly low imports, that left China with a 10 billion-cubic-meter shortfall this winter, according to Chen of ICIS. He said that compares with total annual consumption of about 220-230 billion cubic meters.

News reports say the swift switch in northern China left some households without heat after coal was banned.

The business news magazine Caixin said its reporters found nearly half the 300 households in Zhouzhou, a village in Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, had no heating for several weeks in temperatures as low as -6 C (21 F). It said farm families had been ordered to dismantle coal-fired furnaces before gas pipelines were laid to their homes.

"The government's effort to shift from coal to gas as an energy source is a good policy that can improve air quality," said Chen of ICIS. "But during implementation, some governments went too far and rushed to cut coal supplies when they hadn't found supplemental gas supplies yet."

The city government of Beijing, which in March closed its last coal-fired power plant, issued an emergency order last week to restart a coal-burning generator.

Natural gas supplies about 7 percent of China's total energy, according to the government. Beijing wants to raise that to 10 percent by 2020 and to 15 percent by 2030, according to the NDRC.

China's annual gas production is forecast to more than double to 340 billion cubic meters in 2040, with shale gas a major contributor, according to a report this week by the International Energy Agency. But it said consumption should grow even faster, reaching 600 billion cubic meters.

To boost imports, government oil companies are spending billions of dollars to build pipelines from gas fields in Russia and Central Asia.

On Wednesday, China National Petroleum Corp. announced it was speeding up laying pipe for a 3,371-kilometer-long line from Russia. Construction began in 2015 and is due to be finished in 2020.

Imports of Russian gas "will have far-reaching significance for optimizing China's energy structure, cutting emissions and improving air quality," the official Xinhua News Agency said.

___

AP researchers Yu Bing and Shanshan Wang contributed.
Disney (DIS) has reached a deal to acquire certain assets of 21st Century Fox (FOXA), the parent company of FOX Business, for approximately $52.4 billion in stock.

Ticker Security Last Change Change % DIS THE WALT DISNEY CO. 91.55 -2.44 -2.60% FOXA FOX CORP. 30.63 +0.14 +0.46%

The transaction has a total value of $66.1 billion, including 21st Century Foxs debt. Assets included in the deal are Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios, along with cable and international TV businesses. Disney Chairman and CEO Robert Iger will extend his tenure through 2021.

Im convinced that this combination, under Bob Igers leadership, will be one of the greatest companies in the world, Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox said in a statement.

Rosecliff CEO Mike Murphy told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria that this is Disneys largest acquisition to date, it is actually larger than all of its previous acquisitions combined. He noted that Disneys competitors should be concerned.

Commenting on the transaction, Iger said, The deal will also substantially expand our international reach, allowing us to offer world-class storytelling and innovative distribution platforms to more consumers in key markets around the world.

Immediately prior to the acquisition, 21st Century Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network into a newly listed company that will be spun off to its shareholders.
European Union nations bickered openly over migration policy Thursday in an east-west divide centered on several nations that refuse to accept refugee quotas.

The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia announced that they planned to spend around 35 million euros ($41 million) to beef up EU borders after the four countries  known as the "Visegrad Four"  were criticized for failing to show solidarity with the rest of the bloc.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte still thought it was "shameless" and said shirking responsibility by not taking in their share would wither the EU. "If we allow this then we get an EU where people go to shop for whatever they like," and give little back, he said.

Greece and Italy have had to play host to tens of thousands of migrants who have landed there after crossing the Mediterranean or Aegean seas, severely stretching the two countries' resources. They have called for help from EU partners.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country has taken in the largest number of refugees, said the announcement by the Visegrad nations was welcome but not enough.

"We need solidarity not just in regulating and steering migration ... on the external borders. That is good and important, but we also need internal solidarity," Merkel said. "In my opinion, there cannot be selective solidarity among European member states."

EU Council President Donald Tusk said the divide "when it comes to migration, it is between east and west." He there have been complaints that eastern members were happy to get aid from their richer western partners but unwilling to live up to their part of the bargain of being in a joint endeavor.

"The European Union is not only an ATM when you need support," said Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. "Cooperation means solidarity and responsibility."

The issue of migrants and refugees was high on the agenda of a two-day EU summit in Brussels that started Thursday  and some saw the border funding move by the four nations as a cynical ploy to avoid accepting refugee quotas.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said their contribution will help save European funds. And, he added, "if we will see good projects in the future, first of all projects that are effective, we are ready to spend even more money because we really want to show solidarity."

Despite the tensions, the discussion at the summit dinner table remained within bounds, Rutte said. "It was fine because we can all take a little hit. If it is the spirit of 'I like your drawing if you like mine,' we get nowhere."

Hungary saw tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and others pass through its territory in 2015 looking for shelter in richer northern European nations. Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered the construction of a border fence to keep migrants out.

Orban said Thursday that the border funds will help defend the EU's borders with the outside world and will also contribute to EU work in Libya, where many migrants leave for Europe.

After more than 1 million refugees entered Europe in 2015, the EU introduced a refugee-sharing plan to help overwhelmed Greece and Italy.

The four Visegrad nations voted against the quotas, but were legally bound to accept refugees as the decision was made by a majority vote. Still, Hungary and Poland have taken in no refugees under the plan, while the Czech Republic has accepted only 12.

The EU Commission wants to introduce a permanent mechanism that would oblige countries to take in quotas of refugees if a migrant surge hit one or more EU nations. The Visegrad nations remain firmly against migrant quotas.

"Quotas do not work. They are ineffective," Fico said. "The decision on quotas really divided the European Union."

Disagreement over how to manage the migrant challenge has created distrust between EU neighbors and fueled anti-migrant parties across Europe, slowly threatening to undermine the entire European project.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is important not to get bogged down in old disputes and solidarity can take different forms.

"We need to be able to express solidarity without getting trapped in any excessive roadblocks" about the past, he said. "I think everyone needs to make an effort."

____

Raf Casert contributed.
This hasn't been Uber's year, and it looks like the bad news will keep rolling in for the company right through the last few days of 2017.

In the latest scandal for the ride-sharing company, it's had its operating license suspended in the United Kingdom city of Sheffield, as of Dec. 18. The decision follows a similar one made in September to prevent Uber from operating in London.

The suspension is the latest in a lineup of incidents that prove the company needs to get its act together before it can even think about going public.

The problem: Profits over customers

Uber's license was suspended in Sheffield simply because the company failed to respond to questions from the local authority's licensing team about the management of its app.

"If it chooses to appeal this suspension it can continue to operate until the appeal is heard," Sheffield city council officials said in a statement. "If it decides against an appeal the suspension will come into force."

This news comes just two months after the Transport for London office revoked Uber's operating license in the capital. Uber's appeal for that decision is set to be held on Dec. 11.

Disgraced Uber CEO Travis Kalanick may have been ousted in June, but his mistakes are still showing up and his influence is still being weeded out at the company.

When will Uber start putting its drivers and riders in first place rather than its profits?

Just this May, during Kalanick's last month as CEO, Uber came under fire for using its "Greyball" software to deny rides to authorities in places its service was banned or restricted. Authorities were shown a fake interface that showed imaginary drivers on the screen.

But perhaps the most glaring example of Uber's selfish modus operandi to date came in November, when it was revealed that the company -- also during Kalanick's much-too-long reign -- had secretly paid hackers a $100,000 ransom to keep quiet about the October 2016 hack of 50 million rider accounts and 7 million driver accounts.

The shady deal was put in place by Uber's former chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, who has since stepped down. In addition to the payoff, the company also met with the hackers and made them sign a nondisclosure agreement to be sure the hack was never made public.

Rather than alerting the public about its mistake, to ensure drivers and riders could take steps to protect their personal information, Uber immediately sought to bury the breach. Time and time again, Uber continues to put its $70 billion business ahead of its loyal customers and drivers.

Can a new CEO fix the Kalanick problem at Uber?

The silver lining to these latest examples of carelessness, in Sheffield and with the hackers, is that new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi seems to understand the seriousness of both. He has the humbleness and the maturity to admit they were 100% unacceptable.

"None of this should have happened, and I will not make excuses for it," Khosrowshahi wrote in a blog post. "While I can't erase the past, I can commit on behalf of every Uber employee that we will learn from our mistakes. We are changing the way we do business, putting integrity at the core of every decision we make and working hard to earn the trust of our customers."

In October, Khosrowshahi flew to London to try to work things out with the Transport for London authorities. In addition, he was the one to ask Sullivan to step down after the $100,000 payout was uncovered.

The new leader is clearly aware of Uber's problems with public trust and is going the extra mile to fix its reputation. In fact, at a staff meeting in early November, he made it very clear that he was taking Uber's values in a different direction when he presented a set of new rules for the company.

First and foremost was the following: "We do the right thing. Period."

The fact that Uber itself revealed information about the hack shows that Khosrowshahi is serious about that rule. The company said it uncovered details about the breach during a board investigation into Uber's business practices.

Let's hope Khosrowshahi will choose to do the right thing in the U.K. And here's another rule for Uber: "Put your customers and drivers before profits. Period."

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The U.S. Federal Communications Commissioners divisive decision Thursday to overturn Obama-era net neutrality regulations meant to maintain an open and free internet sets up a legal fight that will have major implications for how consumers stream and view content on the web.

The FCC voted 3-2 along party lines to overturn the rules. The repeal means that internet providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will no longer be required to treat all internet content equally.

Service providers will be able to slow down or entirely block content, or to prioritize their own services over those of rival companies. Critics argue that the net neutrality repeal is a blow to consumers, as it could empower companies to charge users to use certain internet content or features, while FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says the ruling will spur competition.

Here are five things to know about todays decision.

The White House and GOP leaders support repeal

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump supports the FCCs decision to overturn net neutrality.

The Trump administration supports the FCCs effort to roll back burdensome regulations but as we have always done and will continue, we certainly support a free and fair internet. Anything beyond that, I would refer you to the FCC.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said the Obama-era rules threatened the free and open internet that has done so much to advance modern society.

"The Trump administration's action to roll back this egregious government overreach into the most innovative space will benefit all users of the internet. As Chairman Pai outlined today, the way to protect consumers is to put the Federal Trade Commission back on the beat to crack down on those who would abuse open access. This new plan of action will open new avenues for telemedicine, distance learning, and future innovations."

The repeal will likely impact your wallet

Critics of the net neutrality repeal have long argued that an end to the rules would allow internet service providers to charge more for faster internet speed or to create exclusive content bundles similar to how cable companies market channels to users.

Scott Vernick, a cybersecurity legal expert and partner at Fox Rothschild, told FOX Business that companies like Netflix or Amazon could pay ISPs more money for preferential treatment, which could mean that streaming services will charge users more to offset their own costs.

Some companies are already speaking out

Netflix, Microsoft and Reddit are just a few companies that have criticized the FCCs net neutrality repeal.

Were disappointed in the decision to gut #NetNeutrality protections that ushered in an unprecedented era of innovation, creativity & civic engagement. This is the beginning of a longer legal battle. Netflix stands w/ innovators, large & small, to oppose this misguided FCC order, Netflix said in a statement.

Several groups are preparing for a legal fight

Left-leaning public interest groups, including Public Knowledge, Free Press and Common Cause, are preparing to challenge the FCCs decision, Reuters reported. The Internet Association, a trade group which represents industry giants like Facebook and Google, also sharply criticized repeal attempts.

The fight isnt over. [The] Internet Association is currently weighing our legal options in a lawsuit against todays Order, and remains open to Congress enshrining strong, enforceable net neutrality protections into law, the groups president, Michael Beckerman, said in a statement.

Telecom giants are downplaying the impact

The major ISPs have already vowed not to block or throttle content for users. Comcast addressed many common criticisms in a blog post, stating that it had no plans to create internet fast lanes via paid prioritization agreements.

We have repeatedly stated, and reiterate today, that we do not and will not block, throttle, or discriminate against lawful content. These fundamental tenets of net neutrality are also key components of our core network and business practices  they govern how we run our internet business, Comcast said.
After suffering through months of conflict and stalemate over the adoption of a fiscal year 2018 budget, about halfway through the year, Connecticut is still coming up short on revenue.

A new report by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) showed that revenue from state sales and personal income tax have fallen around $208 million short of projections. The state is one of just 17 that has dipped into its rainy day fund for survival over the past year. That rainy day fund balance is currently at $213 million, according to NASBO.

Meanwhile, under the budget adopted in October, state lawmakers made spending cuts to everything from education to public assistance programs. The state also attempted to generate revenue from a tax hike on cigarettes to $4.35 per pack from $3.90 per pack, which could increase even further under a new proposal.

On Wednesday, Gov. Dannel Malloy (D-Conn.) released a suggested series of measures aimed at rebalancing the budget, which include raising the state sales tax as high as 6.9%, removing the exemption for nonprescription drugs, raising the cigarette tax to $4.60 per pack and cutting municipal aid.

I understand that these options will be almost universally objectionable, and that there is little appetite among you or your members for making such adjustments to your budget, Malloy wrote on Wednesday.

The proposals would cumulatively raise $303 million, according to the governor.

Despite having a per capita personal income that is more than 143% of the national averageaccording to Moodys Investors Service the states economy continues to lag behind others. Revenue shortfalls in the state registered around $450 million for the last fiscal year. Debt outstanding levels and unfunded pension liabilities relative to revenues are among the highest of any state in the country, Moodys said in May.

Adding to Connecticuts troubles, a slew of high-profile businesses have committed to relocating their headquarters from the state. General Electric (NYSE:GE), Aetna (NYSE:AET) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:ALXN) have all announced plans to relocate, with GE and Alexions respective moves to Boston scheduled for completion next year, while Aetna will head to New York.
This was definitely not your fathers Oldsmobile, because he never had the chance to buy it.

The last Oldsmobile ever built is going up for auction on Dec. 15. The 2004 Alero is still owned by General Motors and until recently was part of the GM Heritage Center collection.

The dark cherry sedan rolled off the line at Lansing Car Assembly in Michigan on April 29, 2004 and was signed under the hood and in the trunk by all of the workers at the now-shuttered plant.

GM had announced plans in 2000 to eliminate what was at the time Americas oldest car brand, due to its unprofitability. Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer would follow it into the history books a few years later, leaving the automaker with four core American brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.

The Alero is being offered at the State Line Auto Auction in Waverly, N.Y., which is one of GMs top outlets for selling company-owned and off-lease cars. The automaker has not said why it has decided to let the car go.

2004 Aleros typically sell for under $5,000 today, but few have practically no mileage or come with a manufacturer's statement of origin, like this one.

Only dealers are authorized to bid at the auction, so it is very likely the historic ride will end up as a showroom showpiece, rather than your dads driveway.

Along with the Alero, GM is also auctioning off a 1996 Oldsmobile Cierra and 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass, both the last of their models built.
CNN faced widespread mockery and skepticism Wednesday after the network claimed an unidentified gym locker room thief sent a tweet from Anderson Cooper's account that called President Trump a "tool" and a "pathetic loser."

In a statement, CNN claimed the tweet in question was sent from a phone belonging to Cooper's assistant in New York while Cooper himself was in Washington D.C.

"[Cooper's] assistant inadvertently left his phone unlocked and unattended at the gym early this morning," the statement said, "and someone took the phone and sent the Tweet."

CNN added that Cooper's assistant has worked with him "for more than a decade" and is "the only other person with access to Anderson's Twitter account."

The network's convoluted explanation led to incredulity and ridicule on social media. BuzzFeed reporter Chris Geidner, who like Cooper is gay, tweeted in response, "I have never met a gay man who has left his phone unlocked and unattended at the gym, but OK."

James Hasson, a contributor to The Federalist, sarcastically asked, "Who among us hasn't opened an unlocked gym locker, found an unlocked smart phone among its contents, used it to log into the owner's twitter account, and upon seeing it was Anderson Cooper's, sent a tweet at the President and then put the phone back exactly where it was?"

Shortly before CNN issued its statement, Cooper deleted the tweet and sent a new message, claiming he was asleep and just woke up to find out someone gained access to my twitter account.

We are looking into how this happened, he added.

CNN tweeted that it was "working with Twitter" to secure Cooper's account. However, Twitter declined comment when asked if the company was working with CNN to figure out who allegedly hacked Coopers verified account. The Twitter spokesman ignored several requests for additional information, referring Fox News to CNNs communications team.

CNN did not respond when asked if the alleged perpetrator was identified or if the investigation is still ongoing.

The initial tweet from Cooper's account came in response to Trump explaining why Republican Roy Moore wasn't able to win Tuesday's Alabama Senate special election race. "Oh, really? You endorsed him tool! Pathetic loser," read the tweet.

While opinion hosts such as MSNBCs Rachel Maddow and Fox News Sean Hannity offer scathing commentary on a regular basis, Anderson is portrayed as a down-the-middle newsman. He even moderated a 2016 presidential debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Because of Coopers alleged bi-partisanship, the initial tweet took the Internet by storm. Cooper is the face of CNN, the network that has an ongoing feud with President Trump. While Trump often refers to CNN as fake news, a personal attack from the networks biggest star would have presumably escalated the beef to new heights.

Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders shut down CNNs Senior White House Correspondent Jim Acosta when the reporter tried to hijack a press briefing with grandstanding  which has become a signature move of Acosta.

CNN also had to issue a correction on Friday after The Washington Post debunked the network's report claiming the Trump campaign had early, secret access to hacked DNC emails from WikiLeaks. The network on Friday inaccurately trumpeted that Congressional investigators obtained a mysterious 2016 email that was sent to Trump and other top aides, including Donald Trump Jr., which contained information on how to get a sneak peek at hacked information that WikiLeaks had acquired. The email, as CNN reported, offered a decryption key to access the files  but the network botched the date on the email, rendering the entire report irrelevant.

On Monday, CNN backtracked a report from earlier this year that faulted Attorney General Jeff Sessions for failing to reveal meetings he had with Russian officials when he applied for his security clearance  a disclosure he wasnt required to make. CNN also was widely mocked on Monday morning for a segment on Trumps soda intake amid unfolding breaking news related to the terror attack in New York City.
Allegations of sexual misconduct against television host Tavis Smiley surfaced Wednesday, and PBS since has suspended distribution of his self-titled talk show, Variety reported.

His nightly program has aired on PBS since 2004. PBS does not produce, fund, or employ Smiley or his staff, but it does distribute the Tavis Smiley program, according to the outlet.

Effective today, PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley, produced by TS Media, an independent production company, an announcement from PBS said.

The company made the decision after an investigation into Smileys behavior uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, the statement said.

FAKE DOCUMENTS TRIED TO LOB SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS AGAINST CHUCK SCHUMER

Smiley allegedly had sexual relationships with multiple staff members, some of which reportedly felt that their relationship with the TV host was connected to their employment status.

Some said Smileys behavior generated a hostile work setting, Variety reported.

The accusations are just the latest against a PBS star. Longtime talk show host Charlie Rose was fired from PBS and CBS after several women accused him of of sexual harassment.

According to Variety, sources said PBS hired an outside law firm to conduct the investigation against Smiley, which consisted of interviews from 10 employees of TS Media, some of which were past employees. The interviewees were reportedly of different genders, races and employment roles within Smileys production company.

Representatives for Smiley did not respond to Fox News' requests for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A former NBC News production assistant revealed Thursday that she had a month-long sexual relationship with disgraced "Today" anchor Matt Lauer in the summer of 2000 that included a rendezvous in his dressing room.

Addie Collins Zinone's account was published by Variety. She said the relationship with Lauer was consensual, but added, "I ultimately felt like a victim because of the power dynamic."

She added, "He went after the most vulnerable and the least powerful -- and those were the production assistants and the interns."

Lauer was fired from NBC last month over claims of sexual misconduct. Hours after Lauer's dismissal was announced on "Today," the show that had been his domain for nearly two decades, Variety and The New York Times published reports detailing allegations of the host's tawdry behavior -- including that he sexually assaulted one woman in his office until she passed out.

Reps for Lauer did not return calls and emails from Fox News requesting comment.

MATT LAUER SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS INCLUDE EXPOSING HIMSELF, GIFTING A SEX TOY

Zinone, then known as Addie Collins, said Lauer first reached out to her in June 2000, when she was about to depart NBC for a job at a station in her home state of West Virginia. In his initial message, Lauer wrote, "i [sic] hope you wont drag me to personnel for saying this. but you look fantastic." A month later, on July 12, Lauer wrote to her again, saying "OKNOW YOURE KILLING MEYOU LOOK GREAT TODAY! A BIT TOUGH TO CONCENTRATE".

Zinone said she and Lauer went to lunch that same day under the guise that he would offer her professional advice. Instead, she said, Lauer used it as "an opportunity for him to come on to me."

"Heres how I should have known what I was getting myself into," Zinone said. "When we left, he told me: 'You leave first, and Ill leave after.' In no lunch Id ever had at 'Today' had anyone suggested we leave separately, as if something was up."

Later that afternoon, Lauer asked Zinone to "meet me" in his dressing room. Zinone says she responded, "matt, think about this firstyou have a wife."

Zinone says her first sexual encounter with Lauer "happened in his dressing room above [the show's studio, 1A], which was empty in the afternoons."

Zinone also claims Lauer tried to have sex with her in his office at NBC, which featured a now-infamous button that allowed him to lock the door without getting up from his desk.

"It was embarrassing, because his secretary was sitting outside," she said. "He wanted to do stuff. I was like, 'No. I'm so in over my head. I'm not a performance artist.'"

REVELATION OF MATT LAUER'S 'SECRET DOOR BUTTON' RAISES EYEBROWS

She said their final encounter occurred at Staples Center in Los Angeles, where Lauer was covering the Democratic National Convention.

"He was looking at a script, and he leaned over and said to me, 'Do you see that bathroom over there? Meet me there in five minutes,'" Zinone said. " ... So I wentand we had an encounter. He was like, 'Alright. Ill see you later.' He had no interest in making sure I was cool."

Zinone said she was coming forward to "squash any doubts about the allegations from other women against Matt Lauer." She also criticized NBC News management, saying there was "no way [Lauer] could have gotten away with it without others above him making these situations go away  manipulating, strategizing, whatever it is they did to wield their power against the powerless."

She continued, "He was the golden boy. His contract always got renewed for millions of dollars more, and he was the face of NBC. How is any woman supposed to go up against that?"

Click for more from Variety.
Morgan Spurlock, best known for directing the 2004 documentary "Super Size Me," took to social media Wednesday to declare that he is part of the problem, writing that he was accused of rape in college and cheated on his wives.

The letter was published on the social media site Twit Longer and shared by Spurlocks Twitter account. The letter read that Spurlock was inspired to come forward in light of all the recent harassment allegations in the media.

I wonder, When will they come for me? he wrote.

He pointed to a one-night-stand while in college. He wrote that they were both drunk and wrote, She said she didnt want to have sex, so we laid together, and talked, and kissed, and laughed, and then we started having sex.

He wrote that the woman began to cry and he comforted her.

I believed she was feeling better, he wrote. She believed she was raped.

He mentioned that he once paid off an employee whom he would refer to as hot pants, and was unfaithful to every wife and girlfriend I have ever had.

The only individual I have control over is me, he concluded. So starting today, Im going to be more honest with you and myself. Im going to lay it all out in the open. Maybe that will be a start. Who knows. But I do know I've talked enough in my life ... I'm finally ready to listen.

He later tweeted that he is seeking help.

USA Today reported that Spurlock recently sold a sequel to "Super Size Me" to YouTube for $3.5 million.

The original film examined the effects of fast food on human health as Spurlock ate nothing but hamburgers, fries and the like for an entire month.
Ford model Caron Bernstein claimed to the New York Daily News on Thursday she was reportedly raped by celebrity photographer Terry Richardson in 2003, but the lewd lensman is saying that anything they did was consensual.

The 47-year-old stunner said she was initially excited to collaborate with the 52-year-old snapper on a topless photo shoot to promote her music career. However, she said Richardson quickly snuffed out her hopes during the session.

Bernstein claimed that after he positioned her in a chair, he took some photos, exposed his penis and then forced himself into her mouth.

It was like literally being shot with a stun gun, she told the newspaper. My brain just went on pause. I wasnt doing anything. I wasnt performing as a model.

Bernstein said she couldnt remember if the alleged attack took seconds or minutes.

I was like a deer in the headlights, she explained. I wasnt drugged, I wasnt handcuffed. Thank God that never happened. But in a weird way, that would have made it easier to forgive myself for not fighting him off.

Richardsons lawyer Brad D. Rose told the New York Daily News he denied the allegations.

Ms. Bernstein knowingly and willingly posed for these photographed and at all times prior to and during the shoot, any contact she had with Mr. Richardson was consensual, he said.

Bernstein, a former lingerie and runway model, was comfortable with nudity and admitted to agreeing to pose topless for Richardson. She described how Richardson said he wanted to capture a fragrance called Sex, which would be included in an editorial layout for V Magazine. According to Bernstein, someone from the shoot handed Bernstein a pair of white panties and she changed in the bathroom.

I would never walk in somewhere and agree to a sex act with a stranger. Ive never done that in my entire life  Caron Bernstein

Thats when Richardson allegedly began snapping with a simple point-and-shoot camera, she claimed. Once the others in the room exited to an outside deck, Bernstein said Richardson then allegedly ejaculated on her chest and took more photos.

A rep for the fashion magazine told New York Daily News they werent aware of a 2003 editorial featured assigned to Richardson.

Caron Bernstein agreed to shoot sexually explicit photographs with Mr. Richardson, which had no connection to an editorial or advertising campaign for a fragrance product, said Rose.

The New York Daily News added they reviewed more than 30 negatives from that shoot and images snapped in succession revealed Bernstein in different positions with semen on her breasts. However, her face was cropped out of those photos.

A photo of Bernsteins upper torso was used in an early edition of Richardsons 2004 coffee table book, titled TERRYWORLD.

Bernstein insisted she never agreed to perform oral sex on the photographer.

I didnt know this man from Adam, she said. I would never walk in somewhere and agree to a sex act with a stranger. Ive never done that in my entire life. Never in a million years.

Bernstein added after the alleged incident, she quickly ran to her friends nearby boutique crying.

This isnt the first time Richardson has been accused of sexual assault. Many brands and magazines have cut ties with Richardson over the years after several models described being reportedly assaulted by Richardson. However, he has since kept busy and even recently shot the August 2017 cover of Vogue China with Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke.

Bernstein said shes hoping coming forward now will encourage other victims to share their stories.

People might try to discredit me, but Ive had more than my fair share of 15 minutes of fame, she said. And its not monetary. Im financially more than fine. Im not a martyr and Im not a saint, but if I could stop this from happening to one other person, I would be proud, and maybe I could get some kind of closure.
A train collided with a semi-truck in Lakeland, Fla., early in the morning on Wednesday and left the roadway littered with food and the air smelling of bacon.

A CSX train was en route from Winter Haven to Jacksonville when it struck a semi-truck that had stalled on the train tracks, FOX 13 reports. The truck driver reportedly got out of the vehicle and attempted to contact CSX to warn them about his presence on the tracks.

However, the train, which was carrying 48 loads of mixed freight, did not receive the message and smashed into the truck, splitting it in half.

TRACTOR-TRAILER CARRYING VODKA OVERTURNED NEAR PHILADELPHIA

The crash resulted in dozens of boxes of frozen food scattered around the roadway. The boxes were filled with meats such as beef, chicken and seafood.

No injuries were reported and the CSX crews and Lakeland police were on site to help clear the roadway. The agencies were able to move the train around 5:45 Wednesday morning, First Coast News reports.

The Colorado Meat and Seafood Company that was expecting the delivery said they no longer wanted to the food, so CSX employees began tossing the scattered packages into a nearby dumpster. While the cleanup progressed, groups of people began to show up and retrieve the thrown away food.

People are hungry, Jessie Woulard told Fox 13. Some people are so hungry theyll wash it off. Everybody needs something. Its Christmas.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

The people who showed up might have been lured by the smell in the air.

I gotta be honest, it smells like bacon, Fox 13's Alcides Segui commented on the mess.

The authorities allowed people to take the food for at least an hour, until they had to clear the area in order to reopen the tracks.
Despite plummeting sales, Subway franchise owners are protesting corporate managements decision to bring back the $5 footloong promotion as they believe the hammy gimmick will further slice their profits.

On Nov. 30, the owners of the fast-sandwich chain told employees via memo that theyre pouring $25 million into marketing through Spring 2018 in hopes of boosting traffic across the restaurants 44,000 locations, the New York Post reported.

They also announced the $4.99 footlong sandwich promotion will hit menus again as of January.

AIR 'SMELLS LIKE BACON' AFTER SEMI-TRUCK CRASH SPILLS MEAT ONTO ROADWAY

Meanwhile, over 400 franchise owners have already signed a petition protesting the return of the special.

The national promotional focus over the past five years  has decimated [us] and left many franchisees unprofitable and even insolvent, wrote Virginia franchiser Mitesh Raval in a Dec. 6 letter to the chain, according to the Post.

Subways management, however, insists that the local owners arent seeing the bigger picture.

WOMAN CALLS 911 OVER SRIRACHA DISPUTE WITH PIZZA RESTAURANT

The shareholders do understand the magnitude of this situation, company CEO Suzanne Greco said. A Subway spokesperson added that most locations do support the return of $5 footlongs.

The Connecticut-based chain has not had an easy go of it in recent years, as rivals such as McDonalds have increased their sandwich offerings and several scandals have made headlines.

In 2015, company spokesperson Jared Fogle was slammed with 15 years behind bars for trading in child pornography and paying for sex with underage girls. In 2016, the company also vowed to remove Azodiacarbonamide from its bread after public concerns over the safety of the ingredient. And earlier this year, a Canadian study claimed that Subways chicken contained only 50 percent real chicken meat.



FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Back at the storefronts, some owners voice concern that it's not the recipes, but the tactics, that are at the root of Subways troubles.

Nothing has increased sales. We have a stale food menu, says Yogesh Dave, a former development agent who once ran 215 of the chains New Jersey locations.
An international student from Seoul says she was harassed by another customer at a Starbucks in California for speaking Korean.

Annie An shared details of the incident on social media, where she described the unpleasant encounter at a Walnut Creek location of the coffee chain.

This is the most unexpected and unbelievable day for me this entire 2017, An wrote in her post. She described how the woman began complaining about her speaking Korean, saying things like: This is America. Use English only, I dont want to hear foreign language, and Your language is disgusting.

An recorded part of the encounter on her cell phone, which she then posted on Facebook.

In the video, a Starbucks employee is seen defending An, telling the woman An has the right to speak whatever language she wants and that if she has a problem with it, she can leave.

The woman continues to argue with the employee, saying that An can sit and be quiet, fine, but I dont want to hear your language.

The woman then begins typing on her computer and says, Youre going to be in trouble when I get this letter out. Another Starbucks customer who appears to have gotten involved in the situation responds, saying Youre pressing numbers over and over again.

MCDONALD'S, STARBUCKS AND OTHER US CHAINS BOYCOTTED IN SAUDI ARABIA OVER JERUSALEM DECISION

At this point, the Starbucks employee informs the woman that he would like her to leave the store. OK, now Im asking you to leave. If you dont want to leave Im going to call the police, he says.

An wrote in her post that shortly after she stopped recording, three police officers arrived and the woman left.

Thanks for the Starbucks employees tried to stop the situation and called the police for us, An wrote. I wish [none] of immigrants and international students experience this s---- thing.

A spokesperson for Starbucks told Fox News in a statement, "As the video shows, our partners [employees] take great pride in making sure our stores are welcoming environments, where our customers enjoy a culture of warmth, belonging and everyone is welcome. We want everyone who visits our stores to enjoy their visit.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Ans post has over 400,000 views, 4,000 shares and 1,000 comments as of Thursday afternoon. Many of the comments were in support of An and praising the Starbucks employee for defending her.

Thank you Starbucks for doing the right thing! What a vile, vile woman, one user wrote.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Your language is just as beautiful as any other, please don't let this fool bring you down! another commented.
If you have a booze lover on your holiday shopping list, a simple bottle of red wine or run-of-the-mill whiskey probably won't suffice.

In the hopes of coming up with something a little bit, well, better, Fox News met up with Pamela Wiznitzer, the creative director and bartender at Seamstress Bar in New York City. She's an expert when it comes to seasonal spirits, so there was no one better to ask about picking the perfect present for the booze lover in your life.

The Beer Lover

Sam Adams Utopias is a unique brew that you wont find on tap at your local watering hole. Its fantastic beer that uses small batches mixed with vintages from 1992, and the kicker is that it's served at room temperature, says Wiznitzer. The $199 beer  yes, $199  is meant to be sipped slowly too, so it pairs well with Sam Adams' new line of cigars. [Sam Adams] did a collaboration with Ted cigars to create three different types of cigars all infused with Sam Adams ales," Wiznitzer says.

The Cocktail Connoisseur

Do you have a friend who likes to mix up special concoctions? Wiznitzer suggest NOLET'S Silver Dry Gin ($49.99), shipped straight from Holland. Its a phenomenal gin with great botanicals such as peach rose and raspberry. Its perfect ina gin and tonic, or even in a seasonal Tom Collins, she adds.

The Wino

Home entertaining can be expensive and stressful, says Wiznitzer, so what better way to help out the host than with a pre-bottled sangria like Riunite ($9.99). While Sangria is typically a summertime sipper, Wiznitzer says it makes a great mulled wine, too. Get yourself a crock pot, throw in the sangria, some spices and some fruit, let it sit, and you have yourself a perfect mulled wine for those cold holiday nights.

Check out the rest of Wiznitzers suggestions in the video above, including her favorite picks for the tequila drinker and Scotch sipper in your life.
One of the youngest survivors of last months Sutherland Springs church shooting is requesting holiday cards be sent to him this Christmas as he continues to recover from the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.

Ryland Ward, 5, does not yet know that his stepmother and two sisters were among the 26 killed in the Nov. 5 massacre at First Baptist Church, The Star-Telegram reported.

The boy was shot five times in the elbow, stomach and leg, and is having issues with his kidney and a shattered femur. Doctors are hopeful that he can head home in six to eight weeks, which means hell spend the holidays in the hospital. To help lift his spirits, hes requested holiday cards be sent to him with photos of pets or a $1 inside.

SANTA PAYS SPECIAL VISIT TO HOSPITAL'S TINIEST PATIENTS

You got so many nice people that are sending a card and a dollar to Ryland, Sandy Ward, Rylands grandmother, told KSAT. He does really enjoy that a lot.

Those looking to help make Rylands wish come true can send cards to

Ryland Ward

P.O. Box 174

Sutherland Springs, Texas, 78161

A GoFundMe page to help cover Rylands medical expenses has raised more than $135,000 of the $200,000 goal.
A man's on-and-off girlfriend said he spiked her drink earlier this year with a high dosage of abortion pills, killing their unborn baby.

Brooke Fiske told WROC that Sikander Imran, a 32-year-old doctor, moved from Rochester, N.Y., to Arlington, Va., when she discovered she was pregnant.

He didnt want to have a baby so he tried to talk me into having an abortion, which I didnt want to do, Fiske told WROC.

Fiske said she went to Virginia to speak with Imran about the baby when she was 17 weeks pregnant. She said one night she discovered a mysterious substance at the bottom of her cup of tea.

5-YEAR-OLD TEXAS CHURCH SHOOTING VICTIM WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS

When I was drinking my tea in the evening I got to the bottom of the cup, Fiske said. There was a gritty substance in there and when I looked at it, I could tell that it was a pill that had been ground up.

Fiske said she began to have contractions a few hours after she consumed the pills. She said Imran confessed to giving her the pills.

He immediately started crying and said that he was a horrible person and that he had done what I thought he did, Fiske said.

Fiske was rushed to Virginia Hospital Center, where she went into labor and lost her son. She said tests showed she had Misoprostol, an abortion pill, in her system.

According to the nurse at the hospital, its 200 milligrams to induce labor. He gave me 800 [milligrams], Fiske said.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE FLU IS RUNNING RAMPANT IN NEW YORK

The man was taken into custody on May 24 and charged with cause of abortion and premeditated killing of a fetus of another, according to court documents.

Fiske said she has not seen Imran since June, when she testified against him in court.

"It was very empowering for me to face him and say what he had done and look him in the face while I said that," Fiske said.

Imran remains in custody in the Arlington County Detention Center. He was slated to start his court date Wednesday, but it was moved to March 12 due to additional charges.
A former fertility doctor in Indiana who was accused of using his own sperm to impregnate his patients pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to investigators, but received no jail sentence.

Donald Cline, 79, was given a one-year suspended sentence by a Marion County judge, according to Fox 59. Cline had pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice, and faced up to three years in prison.

The former doctor initially wrote to investigators denying allegations that he inseminated his patients with his own sperm, but 18 months later he admitted during a phone call with one of the people he fathered through sperm donation that he used his own sperm to inseminate patients when a donor wasnt available, WRTV reported.

FERTILITY DOCTOR ALLEGED TO HAVE INSEMINATED PATIENTS WITH HIS SPERM TO PLEAD GUILTY

Cline reportedly said he couldve done this up to 50 times.

Indiana law doesn't specifically prohibit fertility doctors from using their own sperm.

Not only did Dr. Cline abuse his position of complete trust with his patients, his decisions will have lasting impact through generations of the impacted families, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said after the sentencing. There were significant limitations to how a criminal case could proceed against Dr. Cline, but ultimately he admitted to his actions and to intentionally misleading investigators.

Paternity tests indicate Cline, who retired in 2009, is likely the biological father of at least two of his patients' children, according to court records. Those children allege that DNA tests show he may be the father of at least 20 others.

FERTILITY DOCTOR ACCUSED OF SWAPPING DONOR SPERM WITH HIS OWN

Some of the now-adult children of Cline's former patients filed a complaint with the Indiana attorney general's office in 2014 after they became suspicious that Cline had inseminated some of his patients with his own sperm.

Court documents show that Cline told six adults who believed they were his children that he had donated his own sperm in the 1970s and 1980s.

He had told his patients they were receiving sperm from medical or dental residents or medical students and that no single donor's sperm was used more than three times.

COUPLE WHO STRUGGLED WITH INFERTILITY FOR 13 YEARS BECOME PARENTS

One of Clines former patients told WRTV that she wants accountability in a situation like this.

When someone has misled someone, particularly in the field of medicine, there is accountability to it, Liz White said. Second, I want a state statute so it becomes a crime, not an ethical issue.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Miami day care center closed on Tuesday after two children died of suspected meningitis. The states health department confirmed that a 22-month-old boy died of pneumococcal meningitis on Dec. 3, while the second childs death is still being investigated, Local 10 reported.

The second child, a 2-year-old who attended the YWCA Carol Glassman Donaldson Child Care Center, died Dec. 10, authorities said.

They dont know yet if the deaths are related, Jose Galan, an assistant director with Miami-Dade County, which owns the building that houses the day care center, told Local 10.

SEASONAL FLU KILLS MORE GLOBALLY THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT, STUDY FINDS

A letter sent home to parents last week had warned that a child was recently diagnosed with meningitis, but did not disclose that the boy had died. It was initially suspected that the boy was suffering from pneumonia, the Miami Herald reported. The second child is also thought to have been diagnosed with pneumonia.

Both children received the required vaccinations to enroll in day care, which includes a pneumonia vaccine, the Miami Herald reported.

The Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Children and Families plan to inspect the day care center before it reopens, Local 10 reported.

We are devastated by the death of two small children who attended this child care facility and we continue to grieve with their families and loved ones, a Florida Department of Children and Families spokeswoman said, in a statement. DCF is committed to working closely with the Department of Health while we conduct a joint inspection at the Carol Glassman Donaldson Child Care facility in Miami-Dade County. Administration at the child care facility has voluntarily closed until they are cleared for reopening by DCF and DOH.
Santa Claus stopped by to visit with a Texas hospitals tiniest patients recently, as staff did their best to help spread holiday cheer. First Memories Texas, a volunteer group that works with families of premature or critically ill children, coordinated the visit with Texas Childrens Pavilion for Womens neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The visit, which saw the babies dressed in matching Santa garb and hats, helped lift the spirits of concerned parents and relatives who endure the daily stressors of having a child in the NICU.

Its been difficult, April Neal, whose son Wyatt was born Nov. 8 at just 27 weeks, told InsideEdition.com.

MAKE-A-WISH SENDS 7 KIDS TO MEET STAR WARS STARS AT PREMIERE

Neal compared the emotions of the NICU to being on a rollercoaster, and said that its difficult since many family members havent been able to visit with her son. Santas visit marked the first time that Wyatt had been dressed in clothes since his birth.

The Santa visit reminded me of the holiday and how special it is to have Wyatt, she told the news outlet.
A school district in southeast Iowa has apologized after disciplining a student for dress-code violations when she covered her head after losing her hair during cancer treatments.

Chloe Terpenning, 15, was disciplined last week at West Burlington High School for not following the school's dress code regarding head wear, the Hawk Eye reported . Chloe is currently in remission, after completing five rounds of chemotherapy and 15 days of radiation in July for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

TEEN REDUCED TO TEARS OVER CHARTER SCHOOL'S DRESS CODE

Chloe received permission in the beginning of the school year to cover her head until she felt comfortable. Chloe had been bullied about her hair loss at Burlington High School and had recently open-enrolled at West Burlington High School.

Despite receiving permission, Chloe was sent home last month for covering her head with her hood. She then spent three days in a school office last week for wearing a beanie made for cancer patients.

Superintendent David Schmitt said West Burlington Independent School District has apologized to Chloe for its insensitive approach to dealing with her hair loss.

"It was an error of judgment on our part and we regret making this mistake," Schmitt told the newspaper. "The school district has taken action to make sure this doesn't happen again."

District officials also emailed Chloe an apology.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Chloe has also started a petition to end the head wear policy for current and future cancer patients. She had collected over 5,500 signatures as of Tuesday.

Chloe and her mother will meet with Schmitt on Friday to discuss the school's dress code. Chloe said she needs "a sincere apology ... not an email" from the school's principal and associate principal, and the superintendent.

"I'm not moving on. I'm fighting for future patients," she said.
Buzz Aldrin has apparently been bitten by the fashion bug.

Following his much publicized catwalk debut during the New York Fashion Week earlier this year, Aldrin, 87, has teamed up with a backpack company called Sprayground to design a line of Mission to Mars-themed bags and apparel.

HOW BUZZ ALDRIN SNAPPED THE UNIVERSE'S FIRST 'SPACE SELFIE' in 1966

Comprising of gloves, a parka, a cap and two backpacks, Aldrin and Spraygrounds Mission to Mars collection is emblazoned with patches, emblems and texts that read Mars commander and Moon, Mars and beyond, among other inscriptions.

The gloves are also emblazoned with the slogan Get your a-- to Mars  a catchphrase Aldrin adopted from the 1990 film Total Recall as somewhat of a personal mantra.

The Mission to Mars collection also incorporates a couple of technological touches, such as touchscreen-sensitive fingertips on its Mars Shark Gloves and solar panels on the back of its soon-to-be available Solar Panel Backpack, which also comes complete with USB ports allowing the wearer to plug low-battery devices directly into the bag.

THE SILLIEST FASHION FADS OF 2017

Aldrins fashion line follows his appearance at Februarys New York Fashion Week, during which he and Bill Nye The Science Guy modeled shiny, futuristic garments for designer Nick Grahams fall/winter collection.

Prior to collaborating with Sprayground, Aldrins Share Space Foundation offered Mars-themed apparel and souvenirs including bags, hats and patches emblazoned with Get your a-- to Mars.



Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, has long been a proponent of sending astronauts to the red planet, specifically in order to seek out new colonization options for the human race.

"The moon landing was a monumental achievement for humanity, but theres no greater mission than mankinds journey to Mars, he told USA Today in March.

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For the second time in two months, someone who has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State has plotted to kill innocents in New York City and has executed his plot.

According to police, at the height of the Monday morning rush hour this week, in an underground pedestrian walkway that I have used many times, in the middle of Manhattan, a permanent legal resident of the United States named Akayed Ullah detonated a bomb he had strapped to his torso in an effort to kill fellow commuters and disrupt massively life in New York.

The bomb was inartfully constructed, and it injured slightly four people nearby and Ullah himself seriously. He survived, was captured on the spot and is now in the joint custody of the New York Police Department and the FBI in the prison ward of Bellevue Hospital.

Ullahs wounds had barely been addressed by emergency room physicians when the calls began to resonate in the government and in the media to strip him of his constitutional rights and ship him to a military facility in South Carolina or at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

These voices argued without access to any evidence that because the Islamic State is a foreign power with an army that has sworn to do harm to Americans and destroy our way of life, its soldiers have no constitutional protections when they go about their destruction. Ullah is a soldier of this foreign army, this argument goes, and should be treated as a soldier under the Geneva Conventions. That means he should be removed from the civilian judicial system and interrogated and tried by the military.

This argument essentially suggests that the police in New York or the FBI or the president somehow possesses the lawful authority from some unstated source, before guilt has been adjudicated, to suspend Ullahs fundamental rights. This view of human liberty treats personal rights -- even those guaranteed by the Constitution -- as if they were gifts from the government offered in return for good behavior. Yet it defies history and the plain meaning of the Constitution.

Ullahs rights to legal counsel and to a jury trial are expressly guaranteed by the Constitution; hence, no government official, no matter how powerful or well-intended, can interfere with them. The right to counsel attaches whenever anyone is confined against his will, charged with a crime or interrogated by authorities -- whichever occurs first. The right to a jury trial attaches whenever the government wants the life, liberty or property of any person. The constitutional language guarantees these rights to every person -- not citizens, not Americans and not just good people.

In Ullahs case, the harm authorities say he caused occurred in the U.S. -- while he was physically and lawfully in the U.S., where he was apprehended -- so it is extremely unlikely that the crowd that denies the supremacy of the Constitution will get its way.

The failure to respect Ullahs rights because he has said he was inspired by a foreign power would commence a slippery and horrific slope, down which any person who is hated or feared or appears foreign or different or misunderstood at any given moment might be pushed.

As a practical matter, the NYPD and the FBI are far better at gathering evidence than the military, and federal prosecutors are far better at getting convictions than are their military counterparts. It is a Hollywood-infused myth that Guantanamo Bay produces results. It does not. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been waiting in Gitmo for 15 years for his military trial.

When voices in the government clamor for the removal of fundamental liberties, it is often to mask the governments own failures.

I have argued for many years that government surveillance will turn us into East Germany -- a modern-day totalitarian society that collapsed in 1989.

I have also argued that surveillance doesnt work. The place in which the Monday explosion occurred is one of the most video-surveilled in New York. Do the police watch these videos in real time as was promised when the cameras were installed? They do not.

As well, Ullahs mobile phone recorded his whereabouts and communications prior to the explosion, also in real time, and the National Security Agency had all this, in real time. Did the NSA share it with the NYPD? It did not.

Some in government have asked what good the Constitution is if it fails to keep us safe. That is a bit silly, isnt it?

The Constitution is a piece of paper on which is written the supreme law of the land. Its purpose was to establish the federal government and to limit all government. But it is only as valuable to personal freedom as is the fidelity to it of those in whose hands we repose it for safekeeping.

If the people we have hired to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution can cut corners to get to bad people, what will protect us when they want to cut corners to get to the rest of us?

When President Abraham Lincoln cut constitutional corners during the Civil War, he was unanimously rebuffed by the Supreme Court. The case, Ex parte Milligan, involved a civilian whom the government sought to try in a military court.

The high court wrote: The Constitution of the United States is a law for rulers and people, equally in war and in peace, and covers with the shield of its protection all classes of men, at all times, and under all circumstances. No doctrine, involving more pernicious consequences, was ever invented by the wit of man than that any of its provisions can be suspended during any of the great exigencies of government. Such a doctrine leads directly to anarchy or despotism.

This danger of the mob's approving the curtailment of constitutional protections for unpopular monsters is as real today as it was after the Civil War. We must vigorously guard against it.
Editor's note: The following column originally appeared in the City Journal.

Akayed Ullah, the 27-year-old ISIS-inspired immigrant from Bangladesh, was the only person seriously hurt this past Monday, when he detonated his bomb in the crowded underground passageway between the Port Authority bus terminal and the Times Square subway hub. Three bystanders suffered minor injuries.

The botched terror attack prompted a self-congratulatory press conference, at which Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio applauded the police and other first responders for capturing the perpetrator of the latest terror attack in New York City and taking away a cell phone that might have triggered another bomb. The governor and mayor vowed that such attacks would not disrupt life in New York. All Ullah managed to do was upend the citys morning rush hour. His crowning achievement was inconvenience.

Still, at the news conference, John J. Miller, the NYPDs commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, reminded listeners that there have been 26 terrorist plots aimed at the city since 9/11, most foiled through a combination of what he called intelligence, investigation, and interdiction. New York was fortunate in another respect, said Michael Sheehan, a former NYPD counterterrorism commissioner. Ullahs botched attack reflected yet again a lack of connectivity between a lone wolf and the Islamic State, al-Qaida, or other terrorism sponsors. In that sense, he noted, such attacks are signs of strategic weakness, not diabolical genius.

But New Yorkers know all too well that the citys previous narrow escapes have sometimes resulted from what the Wall Street Journal called dumb luck. Had part of Ullahs homemade pipe bombfashioned from Christmas tree lights, among other things, and strapped to his chest with Velcrofully detonated, his attack could have been devastating. Ullahs was the first attempted suicide bombing here, but the third attack in New York by an Islamist terrorist in the past 14 months. Sayfullo Saipov, another militant Muslim loser, managed to kill eight people in a truck-ramming attack on a Hudson River bike path on October 31. Since 2014, there have been at least 16 vehicular attacks, from Barcelona to New York. Half occurred in 2017.

President Trump blamed Americas lax immigration policies for the attack and issued a statement promoting his proposed restrictions. He called on Congress to end the extended chain migration that gives priority to individuals related to legal immigrants already in the country. He also said that an executive order restricting the entry of nationals from six majority-Muslim countries and North Korea, along with Venezuelan government officials, which the Supreme Court recently permitted to take effect, would help reverse the immigration flows that he claims allow far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to access our country.

Though chain migration and immigration lotteries violate common sense in light of the terrorist threat, some of Trumps other assertions are problematic. The executive order he has proposed does not restrict immigrants from Bangladesh, Ullahs country of origin. Though Ullah immigrated in 2011 on a family-immigration visa, according to the federal complaint filed Tuesday, he did not begin his radicalization until 2014, three years after his arrival here. Even the most diligent pre-immigration vetting would probably not have identified him as a Muslim extremist. Moreover, a 2007 NYPD report by Mitch Silber and Arvin Bhatt, Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat, argued that the most violent, extreme interpretations of Islam were likely to be embraced not by Muslim immigrants (like Ullah), but by their sons and daughtersin particular, converts to Islam. Also, experts caution that painting all Muslim immigrants with a broad brush can alienate community members who might otherwise be willing to volunteer information about peculiar behavior or potential terror plots. Having family, friends, and acquaintances report suspicious activity is crucial to preventing terror, said Richard Clarke, a former counter-terrorism and cyber-terrorism adviser to Republican and Democratic presidents.

To continue reading Judith Miller's column from the City Journal, click here.
The days of ultra-liberal feminists in the media and Hollywood brainwashing women into believing they speak for the majority of us are coming to an abrupt and final end.

Conservative women have increasingly risen to more prominent positions with larger platforms and louder microphones, making it harder for their voices to be drowned out by the shrieks of the extreme liberal women.

MSNBCs Mika Brzezinski erupted in hysterics on Morning Joe Tuesday, demanding all women who work in the White House  including the President Trumps daughter, Ivanka  turn their backs on the president over a tweet he sent in response to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., calling on him to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct. The president fired back saying that Gillibrand would do anything for campaign contributions.

Some people accused the president of making a sexual connotation about Gillibrands behavior with his tweet. The White House said there was no sexual connotation and said that Gillibrand is not unlike many politicians in Washington, and is an example of a broken system that can be bought off.

Brzezinski went on to say that women in the White House dont care about this country and are worth nothing unless the president deletes his tweet. She also singled out White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, saying that if Sanders defended the president at the Tuesday press briefing  in other words, if she did her job  she should resign.

Brzezinski kept at it on Wednesday, directing her fire at First Lady Melania Trump, saying that her platform against cyberbullying is a joke and telling Ivanka Trump to go home.

Brzezinskis outbursts are just the latest evidence weve seen that as more conservative women rise, far-left women are becoming more and more unhinged and hateful. They are terrified because their jig is up  and they know it.

This was also the case when comedian Chelsea Handler unleashed her middle school mean girl on Sanders last week. Handler viciously mocked Sanders appearance in a promotional video for Handlers Netflix show. She justified it by saying that Sanders deserves to be taken down because shes pure evil.

Pure evil? Wow. When I think of pure evil, I think of Osama bin Laden, Adolf Hitler or Charles Manson  not a female White House press secretary who defends the president of the United States.

Nobody can say those safe spaces arent doing their job.

As intelligent adult women, we conservatives watched Handlers video and felt like we were watching an episode of one of those catty tween shows  the kind I never let my kids watch. Its like we were transported back to the superficial world of junior high, where appearance and body image are the biggest problems in the world.

Note to Handler: Youre no longer in 8th grade. Most of us have graduated from the superficial to the real world and you should too. The issues were tackling now are much bigger than makeup.

Part of being a grownup is being able to disagree by having an intelligent conversation using facts. However, as weve seen, when the facts get in the way of all the fiction liberal feminists try to peddle, they take their fight back to the playground.

For far too long, conservative women leaders have flown under the radar, but now we have a White House full of strong conservative women. The ultra-liberal feminists are absolutely losing their marbles over it.

The far-left women are scared to death and want the cat put back in the bag, so to speak. There is a president who was supposed to be anti-woman in the Oval Office, but the West Wing  specifically the Press Office  is stacked with women in high-powered positions who speak on behalf of his administration every day.

Echoes of feminist hissy fits from the likes of Brzezinski and Handler are being heard all over the place at the threat of losing their claim to the XX chromosome. And Im sure we havent heard the last of them yet.

In Michelle Obamas speech at the Democratic National Convention, she famously said that when they go low, we go high. Handler and Brzezinski certainly havent taken that advice.

Conservative women are finally realizing we are not alone. Women who were once afraid to speak up because they always assumed they were in the minority are now finding their voice and discovering there are more women out there like them than they ever realized.

Ultra-liberal feminists are in full-on panic mode. However, watching the extreme attacks that people like Mika Brzezinski and Chelsea Handler pull doesnt help their cause with women outside of their bubble.

Out here in the rest of the world, where real women live, most of us find tactics like the assaults on Sanders to be vile and disgusting.

When we go high, their true colors show.
Republican Roy Moore is still not conceding defeat in Alabamas special election for a U.S. Senate seat -- 24 hours after Democrat Doug Jones claimed victory.

In a video posted to YouTube on Wednesday evening, Moore says his campaign is still waiting for the election results to be certified by the Alabama secretary of state.

Moore notes in the video that military and provisional ballots remained to be counted.

Ballots from overseas can continue to come in until noon next Tuesday, Secretary of State John Merrill said, according to AL.com.

Merrill said final results will be certified by the state canvassing board between Dec. 26 and Jan. 3, AL.com reported.

Election results showed that Jones defeated Moore by 49.9 percent to 48.4 percent.

In most of the remainder of the nearly five-minute-long video, Moore thanks supporters and then lists numerous ills that he believes are plaguing the country.

Abortion, sodomy, and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he says.

Even our political process, he later notes, has been affected with baseless and false allegations which have become more relevant than the issues which affect our country.

He later laments that the Alabama race was tainted by over $50 million from outside groups who want to retain power and their corrupt ideology.

No longer is this about Republican or Democratic control, he adds. It has truly been said that there is not a dime's worth of difference between them. It is about a Washington establishment which will not listen to the cries of its citizenry.
Donald Trump Jr. spoke to the Senate intelligence committee for nine hours Wednesday, concluding his third interview on Capitol Hill as part of probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The closed-door meeting staff came a week after he spoke to lawmakers on the House intelligence committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee interviewed him in September.

TRUMP JR. ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO LEAKS OF HOUSE PANEL INTERVIEW

All three panels are investigating the meddling and whether President Donald Trump's campaign was involved. Investigators have been looking into a June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer that Trump Jr. and other campaign officials attended.

The top Democrat on the Senate intelligence panel, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, has said he wants Trump Jr. to return for a public hearing.

On Tuesday, Trump Jr.'s attorney asked the House Intelligence Committee to investigate how portions of his client's testimony were leaked to media outlets while Trump Jr. was still being interviewed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A second woman has come forward alleging that Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., made inappropriate sexual advances toward her  claiming he asked her to sit on his lap and sent dozens of suggestive Facebook messages and hundreds of text messages.

The woman, a lobbyist who has not been identified, told The Nevada Independent that Kihuen touched her thighs or buttocks three separate times without her consent when he was a state senator.

She also said he sent her a shirtless photo and asked her to sit on his lap.

The once-rising star of the Democratic Party allegedly texted her: What color are your panties?

When she didnt respond, he allegedly wrote, Makes me sad. My day cant go on without knowing.

The lobbyist told the Nevada paper she didnt think Kihuen thinks what he did was wrong.

I think he just thought he was playing around, which, I dont think he realized the position he probably put people in, she said.

Kihuen's office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment from Fox News.

The new allegations come as Democrats remain divided on how to handle the situation.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, who heads the Democrats campaign arm, have called on Kihuen to resign.

In Congress, no one should face sexual harassment in order to work in an office or in a campaign, Pelosi said in a statement. The young womans documented account is convincing, and I commend her for the courage it took to come forward.

Pelosi made the statement after BuzzFeed first published allegations of unwanted sexual advances made by Kihuens then-campaign finance director.

While Pelosi was quick to call for Kihuens resignation, others in the party like Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., have taken a wait-and-see approach.

Kihuen is the latest lawmaker on Capitol Hill whose political future could be in jeopardy following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold announced Thursday he would not seek reelection after he was accused of calling staffers "f---tards" and sexually demeaning them and their spouses.

Former staffers accused Farenthold of routinely commenting on the size of womens breasts and making jokes about being on redhead patrol because he was attracted to women with red hair.

His former communications director Michael Rekola also told CNN that in July 2015, Rekola was leaving the office so he could get married when Farenthold told him he better have your finacee blow you before she walks down the aisle- it will be the last time.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., resigned earlier this month after a tidal wave of resignation calls by members of his own party. Eight women accused Franken of inappropriate behavior. Thirty-six Democratic lawmakers demanded he step down.

Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., the longest-serving member of Congress, also retired following allegations he sexually harassed multiple women.
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn., left 26 dead in December 2012, lawmakers across the U.S. made attempts to prevent similar horrors.

Five years later, the results are uneven at best.

In the wake of the shooting, perpetrated by 20-year-old Adam Lanza, U.S. Senate Democrats introduced a bill to create a federal ban on assault rifles  reviving an old expired 1994 law that prohibited the manufacture for civilian use certain semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition magazines.

Opponents argued that the previous law prohibiting assault fires made no impact on crime, while advocates -- namely U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. -- said the 1994 law was effective at reducing crime.

But as fact-checkers pointed out, both sides used selective statistics from a series of studies that, in reality, found the impact mixed.

Also introduced: A bipartisan bill called the Manchin-Toomey Amendment, aimed at ordering universal background checks in all states for all firearms.

But neither measures passed a Democrat-controlled Senate, leaving lawmakers in Washington without a response to one of the deadliest school shootings to date.

Following the vote on federal background checks, National Rifle Association chief lobbyist Chris Cox said the amendment would have criminalized certain private transfers of firearms between honest citizens, requiring lifelong friends, neighbors and some family members to get federal government permission to exercise a fundamental right or face prosecution, USA Today reported.

He added: "As we have noted previously, expanding background checks, at gun shows or elsewhere, will not reduce violent crime or keep our kids safe in their schools."

Compromises under Trump

Since the election of President Donald Trump, gun-control advocates have been skeptical of seeing legislation on firearms in the near future -- largely because Trump was backed by the National Rifle Association during the 2016 presidential election.

But the Trump administration has shown a willingness to compromise. After the Oct. 1 Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and more than 500 injured, there were calls to outlaw the so-called bump stock devices that convert semi-automatic rifles to automatic.

While the NRA initially was open to federal review of such devices, it has since come out against any attempts to legislate a ban against it. The bill (aimed at banning bump stocks) goes beyond banning bump stocks, it could ban things like aftermarket triggers, bolts, or other components, the NRAs Twitter account wrote in October.

And yet, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) announced last week that it started a review of the legality of bump-fire stocks.

"The Department of Justice has the duty to enforce our laws, protect our rights, and keep the American people safe," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. "Possessing firearm parts that are used exclusively in converting a weapon into a machine gun is illegal, except for certain limited circumstances. Today we begin the process of determining whether or not bump stocks are covered by this prohibition.

At the same time, gun-rights advocates scored a victory this week after a bill making concealed-carry gun permits valid across state lines passed the House. It now faces a tough Senate battle as it needs the votes of at least eight Democrats to make it to Trump's desk for a signature.

State-led efforts

But as the attempts to legislate in Congress failed, local politicians in some states have taken the task to their state-level chambers, where strides were made to enact some form of gun control.

Around 210 measures aimed at limiting access to firearms were enacted since the Sandy Hook shooting, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Four states  Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Delaware  have passed legislation to create background checks for gun buyers following the massacre. A number of states have also widened their existing gun control laws.

In Connecticut, five years since the shooting in Newtown, state lawmakers made multiple changes to the gun laws. They broadened the definition of assault weapons  banning more than 150 gun models  and prohibited the sale of large capacity gun magazines, New England Public Radio reported. The state also has a registry of weapon offenders and universal background checks.

Ron Pinciaro, executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, said the sweeping changes to gun laws in the state made a massive impact on the homicide rate. If you look the homicide rate, I think it worked out that there were 92 gun homicides per year in Connecticut on average. Last year  2016  there were 53. Pinciaro told the radio station.

No easy answers

But measures focused on restricting firearm access after a mass shooting fail because only a small number of people die in such instances, making it difficult to convince the public as an overwhelming majority of shooting deaths occur in suicides, gang-related shootings and in domestic violence cases.

Far more people were killed in these ways than in mass-shooting incidents, but few of the popularly floated policies were tailored to serve them, wrote Leah Libresco, a statistician and former writer for data-journalism site FiveThirtyEight, after the Las Vegas shooting.

The statistician said there are no easy answers regarding gun violence and most suggestions by lawmakers would not tackle the less-shocking yet more-prevalent gun deaths. Two-thirds of gun deaths in the country are suicides, according to her, while other gun deaths consist of young men being killed at the hands of other young men, often related to gang loyalties or other street violence. In addition, 1,700 women are murdered every year, mostly as the result of domestic violence.

I cant endorse policies whose only selling point is that gun owners hate them. Policies that often seem as if they were drafted by people who have encountered guns only as a figure in a briefing book or an image on the news.
Multiple politicians have been accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, leading to ethics investigations and resignations.

Here are the Republicans and Democrats who have been accused of sexual misconduct this year.

John Conyers

Nearly a half-dozen women who previously worked for Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., recently accused him of sexual misconduct. Many of the women claimed Conyers harassed or touched them inappropriately.

Conyers has denied the allegations. Still, many of his colleagues encouraged him to step down.

The representative, who was first elected in 1964, retired on Dec. 5. At the time of his retirement, Conyers endorsed his 27-year-old son, John Conyers III, to replace him. Its not yet clear if he plans on running for his fathers old seat.

Blake Farenthold

Republicans said Texas GOP Rep. Blake Farenthold won't seek re-election amid sexual harassment allegations.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters on Dec. 14 that Farenthold was making the right decision to retire, citing the unacceptable behavior that has been alleged.



The news comes after the House Ethics Committee announced in early December that it was expanding an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Farenthold.

The committee said it would investigate whether Farenthold sexually harassed a former member of his staff and retaliated against her for complaining. The committee also said the panel would review allegations that Farenthold made inappropriate statements to other members of his official staff.

Lauren Greene, a former communications director in the congressman's office, alleged in a 2014 federal lawsuit that she was sexually harassed and fired soon after complaining of a hostile work environment. Farenthold said when the case was settled in 2015 that he didn't engage in any wrongdoing.

Following the announcement, Farenthold said he was "relieved" that the Ethics Committee would look further into the case.

"Once all the facts are released, I'm confident this matter will once and for all be settled and resolved," Farenthold said. "I'm also pleased the Committee on Ethics recognizes, as per their statement, that I have cooperated fully with the committee's investigation and acknowledged a decision has been delayed because of difficulty obtaining live testimony from other witnesses.

"This investigation increases the transparency the public deserves and what I've wanted since the beginning."

Al Franken

At least eight different women have accused Democratic Minnesota Sen. Al Franken of sexual misconduct.

Many of the women allege that Franken forcibly kissed them, groped them and made unwanted sexual advances.

Franken, a comedian turned politician who has been in office since 2009, was first accused by Los Angeles radio anchor Leeann Tweeden, who claimed Franken forcibly kissed her during a 2006 USO tour.

After more women came forward, Franken faced a Senate Ethics Committee investigation, and many Democrats encouraged Franken to step down.

Franken, who has apologized for his actions, announced in early December that he will resign from the Senate "in the coming weeks." Fox News confirmed on Wednesday that the senator will resign on Jan. 2. He will be replaced by Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith the following day.

Trent Franks

Arizona Rep. Trent Franks stepped down in early December amid news reports that he allegedly pressed a former aide to carry his child. Franks reportedly offered her $5 million to act as a surrogate.

Franks first announced his resignation on Dec. 7, saying that he would formally step down in January. But after his wife was admitted to the hospital, his plans changed and his resignation was effective as of Dec. 8, 2017.

The representative was reportedly encouraged to step down by Speaker Paul Ryan, who learned of an House Ethics Committee investigation into his behavior.

Franks admitted that discussing surrogacy with two of his female staffers made certain individuals uncomfortable.

Ruben Kihuen

A former aide, identified only as Samantha, recently accused Nevada Rep. Ruben Kihuen, a first-term lawmaker, of repeatedly making sexual advances toward her during the 2016 congressional campaign.

On two occasions, she said, he touched her thighs without consent. She also claims that the representative propositioned her for dates and sex on multiple occasions despite her repeated rejections. Buzzfeed first reported the former aides allegations.

"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 in a statement following the report. "But I want to make it clear that I don't recall any of the circumstances she described."

A top House Democrat said Kihuen should resign amid the allegations. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said she found Samanthas allegations to be convincing, the Associated Press reported. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, who heads the Democrats campaign arm, has also called on Kihuen to resign.

On Dec. 14, a second woman came forward with allegations against Kihuen. The woman, who is currently unnamed, first told the Nevada Independent that the representative made inappropriate sexual advances toward her, like touching her thighs or buttocks, as well as sending her suggestive Facebook and text messages.

Shortly after the second woman came forward and one day after House Ethics Committee said it had opened an investigation into the harassment claims against him, Kihuen announced that he would not seek re-election.

"I want to state clearly again that I deny the allegations in question," Kihuen said in a statement.

"However, the allegations that have surfaced would be a distraction from a fair and thorough discussion of the issues in a reelection campaign. Therefore, it is in the best interests of my family and my constituents to complete my term in Congress and not seek re-election."

Roy Moore

Roy Moore, a former Alabama judge and the 2017 Republican candidate in the United States Senate Special election in Alabama, was accused of having inappropriate sexual relations with teenage girls while he was in his 30s, the Washington Post reported in a bombshell report about a month before the special election.

Since the report, additional women have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations.

Moore has vehemently denied the accusations, once calling them the definition of fake news.

After the allegations came to light, however, many Republicans called on him to step aside from the campaign. But others, like President Trump and Steve Bannon, continued to stand by Moore despite the accusations.

Moore lost the election to Doug Jones on Dec. 12.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The GOP-led Ohio state Senate on Wednesday passed a ban on abortions based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome, and Republican Gov. John Kasich has sent signals that he will soon sign the measure into law.

Lawmakers voted 20-12 in favor of the ban, which would prohibit doctors from performing an abortion if doctors know that it is being sought, "in whole or in part," to avoid a Down syndrome pregnancy.

Doctors who violate the ban would lose their medical license and face a fourth-degree felony charge, including up to a $5,000 fine and 18 months in prison. Mothers would not be punished by the law.

Three Republicans voted against the measure, which was opposed by all of the state Senates Democratic lawmakers.

The bill has also divided the disability community in Ohio, with some disability advocates testifying against the proposal because, they said, it prioritizes Down syndrome over other disabilities.

"This bill sends a very clear message, that some disabilities are more worthy of life than others and that one disability -- Down syndrome -- is the most worthy," Jane Gerhardt, a woman whose daughter suffers from Down syndrome, testified Tuesday, according to local reports.

The ACLU has characterized the bill as an unconstitutional effort to usurp well-established abortion rights.

A group of abortion-rights activists staged a silent protest in the Senate chamber after the Down syndrome bills approval, standing in a row wearing T-shirts that spelled out "Stop the Bans."

The legality of aborting fetuses with Down syndrome, a genetic abnormality that causes developmental delays and other serious medical problems, has recently been debated in other states. Indiana and North Dakota already have passed laws like the one that Ohio is advancing.

The Indiana measure, enacted in 2016, was blocked by a federal judge on constitutional grounds after a lawsuit by the ACLU. An appeal by state officials is pending.

The 2013 North Dakota law has not been challenged, so courts have not yet had the ability to rule on its constitutionality. The states sole abortion clinic, in Fargo, says the issue hasnt arisen under its policy of not performing abortions after 16 weeks into a pregnancy.

The Ohio vote was a key policy victory for Ohio Right to Life, the states oldest and largest anti-abortion group.

Both the House and the Senate sent a loud message that we are a society built on compassion, love, equality, said president Mike Gonidakis. We expect Governor Kasich will sign this legislation, as he said he would in 2015. Every Ohioan deserves the right to life, no matter how many chromosomes they have.

Kasichs spokesman declined to say what the governor would do. Kasich has said in recent weeks that he thought the measure seemed appropriate, but that he would review it when he received it.

Last December, Kasich vetoed the so-called "Heartbeat Bill," which would have banned abortions after a heartbeat is detected -- typically about six weeks into a pregnancy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump signed into law Tuesday legislation that bans the U.S. government from using products created by Kaspersky Lab, a Russian cybersecurity company, amid suspicions it was vulnerable to Kremlin influence.

The ban, introduced as part of the annual defense spending bill, codifies a directive issued by the Trump administration in September that federal agencies get rid of Kaspersky Labs software, hardware and other services within 90 days, Reuters reported.

The ban on Kaspersky Lab products signals growing tensions between Russia and the U.S. and its key allies over fears that the company has ties to Russian intelligence and that its prducts could be used for espionage.

The case against Kaspersky is well documented and deeply concerning. This law is long overdue, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., told Reuters. She called the companys software a grave risk to U.S. national security.

"The case against Kaspersky is well documented and deeply concerning. This law is long overdue."  U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

Earlier this month, Britains main cyber security agency warned the British government about using Kaspersky Lab products in government systems.

Recent reports suggest Russian state-sponsored hackers exploited a Kaspersky bug at least once to hack and steal classified secrets of the personal computer of a former U.S. National Security Agency employee, the Washington Times reported.

The Russian-based company denied working with Russian intelligence, but admitted that a bug in its antivirus software unintentionally swept up an NSA hacking tool during a malware scan of a customers personal computer in 2014.

The firm in October offered to let the U.S. government see its softwares source code and be subjected to independent inspection in future updates in order to address the concerns. U.S lawmakers welcomed the suggestion but said it was not sufficient, according to Reuters.

Kaspersky Lab issued a statement Tuesday saying it has serious concerns about the new law prohibiting U.S. federal agencies from using its products because of its geographic-specific approach to cybersecurity.

All software, including various products more widely deployed in government networks than Kaspersky Lab software, can have vulnerabilities exploited by a malicious cyber actor, the company added Wednesday, according to the Times.

Yet, Congress failed to address this fact or take a comprehensive look at federal IT sourcing policies to determine what improvements, if any, Congress could make to existing statutory and administrative authorities related to protecting government networks.

Last week Kasperksy announced plans to close its Washington office but open offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto, Bloomberg News reported.

In November, Kasperksy founder Eugene Kaspersky said the loss of U.S. government business would have little impact on its revenue, but the negative publicity resulting from the ban could hurt overall income by as much as 8 percent, the Guardian reported.
The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to repeal Obama-era net neutrality rules, a move that Republicans say would preserve a free and open Internet but has triggered protests from consumer groups, Internet companies and Democratic lawmakers.

The repeal passed on a 3-2, party-line vote.

It is time for the Internet, once again, to be driven by engineers and entrepreneurs and consumers rather than lawyers, accountants and bureaucrats, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in remarks before the vote.

Pai, a Republican, announced plans in November to eliminate the rules, calling for a light-touch regulatory approach to the Internet. A longtime opponent of the regulations, Pai had signaled plans to undo the rules since taking over as chairman of the FCC this year.

In a moment indicative of the heated atmosphere surrounding the proposal, the FCC hearing room in Washington was briefly cleared Thursday just before commisioners were set to vote on repealing the rules.

Pai was delivering a prepared statement on the vote when he was handed a note and stopped mid-sentence.

On advice of security, we need to take a brief recess, Pai said.

After the room was cleared, law enforcement officers with dogs were seen surveying the room. A few minutes later, commissioners and others were let back in, and the meeting resumed.

The net neutrality regulations imposed utility-style regulation on Internet service providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon to prevent them from favoring their own digital services over their rivals  for instance, by blocking or slowing certain content.

Pai argues the net neutrality rules adopted during the Obama administration discourage the Internet service providers from making investments in their network to provide better and faster online access.

HOW THE FCCS MOVE ON NET NEUTRALITY COULD IMPACT CONSUMERS

Democratic Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who opposed the proposal, said Thursday shes among the millions who is outraged because the FCC is pulling its own teeth, abdicating responsibility to protect the nations broadband consumers.

There has been a darker side to all of this over the past few weeks, she said. Threats and intimidation. Personal attacks. Nazis cheering. Russian influence. Fake comments. Those are unacceptable. Some are illegal. They all are to be rejected.

House Speaker Paul Ryan celebrated the move after the vote.

Despite its unassuming name, the Obama administrations net neutrality regulation threatens the free and open internet that has done so much to advance modern society," the Wisconsin Republican said in a statement. "The Trump administrations action to roll back this egregious government overreach into the most innovative space will benefit all users of the internet."

Bob Quinn, AT&Ts senior executive vice president of external & legislative affairs, responded to the vote by saying they do not block websites, nor censor online content, nor throttle or degrade traffic based on the content, nor unfairly discriminate in our treatment of Internet traffic.

In short, the Internet will continue to work tomorrow just as it always has, Quinn said.

Still, there have been hundreds of public protests against Pai's plan and more than 1 million calls to Congress through a pro-net neutrality coalition's site.

Smaller tech websites such as Reddit, Kickstarter and Mozilla put dramatic overlays on their sites Tuesday in support of net neutrality. Twitter on Wednesday was promoting #NetNeutrality as a trending topic. Other big tech companies were more muted in their support.

Aside from nixing restrictions that keep broadband providers from blocking or collecting tolls from services they don't like, the change also bars state laws that contradict the FCC's approach and largely transfers oversight of Internet service to another agency, the Federal Trade Commission.

Public-interest groups Free Press and Public Knowledge are already promising to go after Pai's rules in the courts. There may also be attempts to legislate net neutrality rules, which the telecom industry supports. Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, on Tuesday called for "bipartisan legislation" on net neutrality that would "enshrine protections for consumers with the backing of law."

But that will be tough going. Democrats criticized previous Republican attempts at legislation during the Obama administration for gutting the FCC's enforcement abilities. Republicans would likely be interested in proposing even weaker legislation now, and Democrats are unlikely to support it if so.

Pai, meanwhile, put out a cheeky video with The Daily Caller to assure the public they could still do all their favorite things on the Internet without net neutrality rules.



Fox News' Jodie Curtis and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Two Republican senators indicated Thursday they were holding back support for the final $1.5 trillion GOP tax reform bill unless a larger child tax credit is included.

The strongest statement came from the office of Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.

Senator 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, said Rubio spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas.

Conn Carroll, a spokesman for Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee, also said Lee is "undecided" on the bill in its current form.

Sen. Lee continues to work to make the [child tax credit] as beneficial as possible to American working families," Carroll said.

Rubio and Lee have advocated for a $3,000 tax credit per child in the bill.

My requests have been reasonable and direct, Rubio told Fox News on Thursday, saying the Republican leadership is aware of his demands.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES AMERICANS WILL SEE TAX CUTS BY FEBRUARY, IF PLAN PASSES ON SCHEDULE

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the only Republican to vote against the original version of the tax bill passed by the Senate, also told Fox News he is undecided on whether he will vote for the final version of the bill.

The House and Senate have passed separate tax bills, but they now have to blend them into a final piece of legislation. Senior Congressional aides told Fox News late Thursday that the final bill leaves in place a deduction for the interest on student loans and would not start taxing graduate school tuition waivers.

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, also confirmed Thursday that the final legislation would reduce the top tax rate to 37 percent from 39.6 percent.

During the White House press briefing Thursday, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders suggested the president will negotiate with these senators.

Look, we are really proud of the work that we have done already up until this point with Senator Rubio, already doubling the child tax credit, taking it to $2,000 per child, she said. We are going to continue working with a senator.

Republicans, with a 52-48 majority in the Senate, can only afford to lose two votes in the Senate. Vice President Mike Pence would have to break a tie in that case.

Fox News Mike Emanuel, Chad Pergram and Serafin Gomez and Fox Business Adam Shapiro contributed to this report.
The death of a state representative -- who apparently committed suicide Wednesday after being accused of molestation -- sent more shock waves through a Kentucky Statehouse already rocked by other sexual misconduct scandals.

State Rep. Dan Johnson, 57, appeared to have shot himself just days after a woman reportedly alleged that he had sexually assaulted her on New Years Day in 2013 when she was 17, according to police and the local coroner. An autopsy was planned for Thursday.

The accusation against Johnson was published Monday by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (KyCIR), which also cast doubt on the Republicans claim that he had set up a morgue at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

According to KyCIR, Johnson forced himself on his accuser.

Johnson said at a news conference at his church Tuesday that the claim absolutely has no merit, before adding he was very sorrowful that his accuser was in this dark place in her life.

The former pastor who reportedly called himself the pope initially said that he did not remember what happened on the night in question because he had been drugged at a bar.

He later backtracked and said he did recall that he never entered the accusers room, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.

Fiery Facebook post

On Wednesday, Johnson again denied the accusation in a fiery final Facebook post.

The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be, Johnson apparently wrote. AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news. Conservatives take a stand. I LOVE GOD and I LOVE MY WIFE, who is the best WIFE in the world, My Love Forever!

Johnson also wrote that post-traumatic stress disorder was a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.

After Johnsons death, Louisville Public Media, which oversees KyCIR, said it was deeply sad to learn of Johnsons death and would grieve for his family, friends, church community and constituents.

The episode unfolded less than two months after at least four Kentucky lawmakers, as well as the chief of staff to the states House speaker, were linked by the Courier Journal to a confidential settlement of a sexual harassment claim by a female staff member.

The newspapers report prompted Gov. Matt Bevin in November to call upon "every individual in the Kentucky Statehouse involved in wrongdoing to resign.

Of the five individuals named by the Courier Journal, two have acknowledged some wrongdoing.

Rep. Brian Linder admitted to signing the settlement and apologized for causing grief and embarrassment" and acknowledged that he had made "some mistakes," the Courier Journal reported.

'Saved by God's grace'

Jeff Hoover, Kentuckys Republican House speaker, resigned his leadership position shortly after news of the settlement broke.

He acknowledged in a news conference that he was wrong to send what he said was consensual text message banter to a female colleague.

I have asked for and received forgiveness from God, my family, my wonderful wife, Karen, and my daughters, Hoover said.

The Courier Journal published some of the text messages apparently sent by Hoover, who described himself on Twitter as a Sinner saved by Gods grace.

If you decided to send a photo of the black lace g string, I wont share. For my eyes only, read one of the texts.

After Johnsons death, Hoover exhorted his followers on Twitter to treat accusations of misconduct with healthy skepticism.

I am very sad over the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson, Hoover tweeted. Over the past few weeks in some of the darkest days of my life, he reached out to me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. Prayers for his wife, children, grandchildren and all affected by this sad event.

In America, those accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Persons posting accusations on social media as truth, and those who are self righteous and indignant over mere accusations must do better. Personal attacks dont have to be part of politics, he continued.

In 2015, Thomas Clay, the lawyer who represented Hoovers accuser, won a $400,000 settlement for three women in a sexual harassment and retaliation case involving Kentucky House Democrats, the Courier Journal reported.

The women worked at the state Legislative Research Commission, a state agency that heads administrative functions in the Kentucky Statehouse.

Clay said at the time that he was not optimistic that the settlement would fix the culture at the state Capitol, WFPL reported.

We still have the same people, Clay said.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly personally told former "Apprentice" star Omarosa Manigault Newman that her White House employment had been terminated, despite her insistence to the contrary.

Fox News has learned that Kelly gave Omarosa -- as she is commonly known -- the news in the White House Situation Room, a subterranean space under the West Wing where electronic and recording devices must be surrendered at the door.

The details of Omarosa's dismissal emerged Thursday, hours after the reality star denied she was fired in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America." She also denied reports that she she made a scene while being escorted from the White House grounds and tried to enter the executive residence to see President Donald Trump.

"Where are the pictures or videos?" Omarosa said at the time. "If I had confronted John Kelly, who is a very formidable person, it would garner someone to take a photo or a video."

However, the nature of the Situation Room's restrictions mean that neither Omarosa nor anyone else would have been able to record her conversation with Kelly even if they had wished to.

The Secret Service issued a statement Wednesday saying it was not involved in Omarosa's "termination process" beyond deactivating the pass giving her access to the White House complex.

The Associated Press, citing two White House officials, reported that Omarosa was escorted from the White House complex Tuesday night but was allowed to offer her resignation.

Omarosa was an assistant to the president and director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison, working on outreach to various constituency groups. She enjoyed a close relationship with the president, holding her April wedding at Trump's hotel blocks from the White House.

Last month, Politico reported that Omarosa had brought members of her 39-person bridal party to the White House for a photo shoot, reportedly drawing the ire of Kelly and other senior staffers.

Kelly took away Omarosa's ability to come and go from the Oval Office as she pleased. She had also drawn Kelly's ire by occasionally going around him to slip news articles to the president.

On "Good Morning America," Omarosa commended Kelly for bringing "much needed order" to the West Wing, but said her access to Trump, with whom she had a close professional relationship for more than a decade, was not limited or restricted.

"The president reads a lot of news, watches a lot of news, and if he had a question, he would call and ask me," she said. "Certainly I had more access than most, and people had problems with that. People have problems with my 14 year relationship with him."

Fox News' John Roberts and Brooke Singman contributed to this report, along with The Associated Press.
House Speaker Paul Ryans political future returned to the speculation spotlight Thursday amid reports that hes eyeing an exit from Congress after the 2018 midterms.

Politico Magazine published a lengthy article, detailing how Ryan has made it known to confidants this will be his final term as speaker. On the cusp of a major legislative victory  passage of a tax overhaul  Ryan would, the thinking goes, spend 2018 trying to tackle entitlement reform, while fundraising in an all-out campaign to keep the House majority.

Then he could return to Wisconsin, leaving it all on the field.

Ryan and his aides were quick to dismiss the chatter publicly.

No, Ryan replied, chuckling when asked at the end of a Thursday press conference if hes quitting soon.

This is pure speculation. As the speaker himself said today, hes not going anywhere any time soon, spokeswoman AshLee Strong said in a statement.

Another source close to Ryan said: Speaker Ryan is fully committed to advancing a bold conservative agenda in 2018 and protecting the majority. Any gossip to the contrary is completely baseless and without merit.

The statements did not speak to whether Ryan might consider stepping down in early 2019, however, ahead of the next congressional term and after the midterm elections.

Ryan reluctantly took the speakership after John Boehner stepped down in 2015.

Despite his rocky relationship with then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, he has mostly maintained an alliance with the president  chiding Trump over controversies like his response to the Charlottesville, Va., violence, while staying in lockstep on legislative priorities like the tax overhaul.

The Politico article noted, however, that Ryan is approaching a rocky period, when hell have to muscle through a series of critical bills and could be forced to strike deals with Democrats to make it happen. Politico reported that Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., two likely successors, have been meeting with lawmakers loyal to them to strategize about what might happen if and when Ryan leaves.

The Huffington Post also ran an article speculating about Ryans future.

Former GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Fox News contributor, said Thursday on Outnumbered Overtime that while he does not have inside knowledge, it wouldnt surprise me if Ryan retires after the midterms.

It is an incredibly difficult job to be Speaker of the House, he said, adding that passing tax reform could allow him to say hes done the biggest thing he can possibly accomplish.

Chaffetz also said he would not be surprised if Ryan even declares its time to make a change after returning from the holiday break.

Ryan aides, though, note the speaker recently transferred $1.9 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee, he is fully geared up for a re-election, and he has helped the NRCC win four special elections in 2017.

Fox News Chad Pergram and Mike Tobin and Fox Business Networks Blake Burman contributed to this report.
At Smiles Department Store, window dresser Jack Frost is a big believer in an old-fashioned Christmas. The title character of Yours Truly, Jack Frost, doesnt even know what a credit card is!

Theatre Harrisburg has rounded up a talented bunch of third- through seventh-graders for its production of Tim Kellys allegorical tale about the war between Christmas spirit and Christmas greed.

Evilina of the Muggleworth Advertising Agency, who believes money is the answer to everything, wants the good-natured Frost to sign over his Frost formula and begin selling shoddy products like Jack Frost Burgers and Jack Frost T-shirts.

Who will win outEvilinas malicious marketing or Jack Frosts holiday goodwill?

Theatre Harrisburgs youth show, which also includes a Christmas carol sing-along, is on stage through Sunday at the Krevsky Center in Harrisburg.

Christmas shows

Yours Truly, Jack Frost, is just one of a batch of holiday shows currently on central Pennsylvania stages, as area theaters offer Christmas treats ranging from the classic to contemporary.

Offerings include two productions of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, one by Open Stage of Harrisburg and the other by Totem Pole Playhouse at Gettysburgs Majestic Theatre. Another beloved show is Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballets annual production of George Balanchines The Nutcracker, this weekend at Hershey Theatre and featuring musical accompaniment by conductor Stuart Malina and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.

The Playhouse at Allenberry wants to charm audiences with a more contemporary offering, The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever,

Meanwhile, Hershey Area Playhouse is offering an old chestnut in A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Gamut Theatre Group puts a comedic spin on Dickens with A Popcorn Hat Christmas Carol for children.

Comedy

Then theres The Santaland Diaries, a hilariously subversive look at Christmas retail that nonetheless manages to display sleigh loads of holiday spirit.

Open Stage is once again offering the one-man show based on an essay by David Sedaris about his experience as a Santa elf at Macys Department Store in New York City. Jeff Luttermoser will take over the starring role as Crumpet the Elf, taking over a role that Open Stage Artistic Director Stuart Landon handled the past several years.

Ive truly fallen in love with Crumpet, Landon said. The character is a hoot to play. It was a lot of fun seeing Jeff ... take on the role.

Performances of The Santaland Diaries will be at Open Stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, plus 9:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22. A special performance also is on tap at Harrisburgs River City Blues Club and Dart Room, starting at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Due to language and subject matter, The Santaland Diaries is recommended for mature audiences.

Thriller

Rhoda Penmark seems like a typical 8-year-old girl, polite and charming. But her mother begins to suspect Rhoda has a dark side when one of her young classmates drowns mysteriously and her babysitter dies from a fall down the stairs.

The Bad Seed, a classic thriller that opens Jan. 12 at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, created a sensation in 1954 when William March published his novel of the same name. While murderous children are almost a staple in contemporary horror films  from Stephen Kings Children of the Corn to The Ring  March was playing in mostly undisturbed waters at the time.

March, who died a month after his novel was published, did not see it become a bestseller or know of the hit play and movie that followed. His influential work continues to resonate with audiences even after more than 60 years.

LTMs production, adapted from Marchs novel by Maxwell Anderson, is the fourth show of the community theaters 67th season. This creepy show, which may make a nice change for audiences after Decembers relentless holiday cheer, runs through Jan. 28.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle spoke out Thursday, after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to get rid of Obama-era "net neutrality" rules.

The move was slammed by many Democrats, including Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass, who said he was intending to introduce legislation "that would restore the Open Internet Order."

Read on for a look at politicians' reactions to the Thursday vote.

Tammy Baldwin

"The @FCC just voted to end #NetNeutrality in a move that allows internet service providers to turn the internet into an uneven playing field, with fast lanes for some and slow lanes for others," Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., tweeted, calling it "not right."

Richard Blumenthal

"Todays rollback of #NetNeutrality is a brazen betrayal of American consumers, innovators, students, and entrepreneurs  all of whom will suffer tremendously without a free and open internet," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., tweeted.

Cory Booker

"This is an outrageous assault on a fair and open internet," Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., tweeted. "Mark my words, this decision will not last! We will reverse it by winning future elections."

Catherine Cortez Masto

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., tweeted that the vote "has now granted permission to ISPs to play favorites w/ customers who can afford to pay more, while leaving others behind. No one should be denied access to quality broadband. I'll fight to ensure the internet remains free and accessible to all."

Ted Cruz

"I commend @AjitPaiFCC & the FCC for repealing these oppressive Obama-era regulations and restoring freedom to the internet," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tweeted. "The message for gov regulators & Congress should be simple- the internet should be free of taxation, censorship, & regulation."

Susan Davis

Rep. Susan Davis, D-Ca., called the vote "unacceptable" on Twitter.

"Thank you to everyone who contacted my office," she said. "Don't be discouraged because this fight is not over. I will be pushing in Congress to overturn this decision that will hurt consumers."

Dianne Feinstein

"#NetNeutrality is the latest decision by the Trump administration in an effort to systematically repeal and destroy EVERYTHING we achieved over the last eight years," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Ca., tweeted. "Im concerned about any policy that could harm consumer access to the internet."

Kirsten Gillibrand

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted, "The @FCC just voted to repeal #NetNeutrality, a move that attacks freedom of speech for the millions of people who use the internet every single day."

Tom Graves

"#NetNeutrality regulations stifled innovation and competition on the internet and did nothing to protect consumers," Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., tweeted. "Returning to a free and open internet will ensure the online marketplace continues to flourish while increasing broadband access for rural and low-income Americans.

He said in another tweet, "I commend @AjitPaiFCC & @FCC for approving a plan to restore internet freedom. Its the result of an open and transparent process that provided all relevant documents and information to the public ahead of the vote. The plan will repeal Obama-era #NetNeutrality regulations."

Kamala Harris

"The @FCC just repealed #NetNeutrality rules in a party-line vote, handing a big win to multi-billion-dollar broadband companies," Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Ca., tweeted.

Maggie Hassan

"A free and open internet is essential to consumers, innovators, and our economy as a whole  the Republican-led @FCC's vote to repeal #NetNeutrality hurts the American people and our economy," Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., tweeted. "I will keep speaking out and keep fighting for a free and open internet."

Mazie Hirono

"The @FCC is supposed to protect consumers & the public interest on the nations communications networks," Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, tweeted. "They failed that mission today, but the fight isn't over. #SaveNetNeutrality."

Tim Kaine

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also tweeted about the vote.

"Horrible step backwards for a free and open internet," the senator wrote.

Dan Kildee

Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., tweeted, "If we can't convince President Trump's FCC, then Congress must act to protect #NetNeutrality."

Amy Klobuchar

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., tweeted that the vote to repeal net neutrality is "bad for consumers, businesses & rural areas. These rules hold internet providers accountable & promote competition/innovation. This isnt the last word on net neutrality, & Ill keep fighting for a fair, free & open internet."

James Lankford

Sen. James Lankford, R-Ok., tweeted, "There is often an appropriate need for regulations, but I have always preferred less federal regulation, not more. Moving forward, we must be cautious about issuing preemptive regulations & examine the market need for such rules."

Ed Markey

"I plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution that would restore the Open Internet Order and reverse the @FCCs historic mistake of repealing #NetNeutrality," Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., tweeted.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

"I support an open Internet, but there is a better way to ensure consumer protections without disrupting the free flow of information and innovation that has made it a cornerstone of the 21st Century economy," Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wa., said in a statement. "The heavy-handed rules from the Obama administration stifled investment in rural communities, like those in Eastern Washington, and created uncertainty for ISPs in meeting the requirements of those rules. What I want is for everyone to come to the table to find a bipartisan, legislative solution that will protect consumers while not harming investment, innovation, and free-market principles.

Nancy Pelosi

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Ca., tweeted that net neutrality "is central to saving families money, creating good-paying jobs, and empowering small businesses."

Lucille Roybal-Allard

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Ca., said she was "deeply disappointed" by the vote, which she said "jeopardizes Americans free speech and our nations thriving internet economy."

Jack Reed

"We will work in Congress to invalidate the #FCCs action & keep the Internet open & free for all," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., tweeted.

Paul Ryan

"Despite its unassuming name, the Obama administrations net neutrality regulation threatens the free and open internet that has done so much to advance modern society," Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement. "The Trump administrations action to roll back this egregious government overreach into the most innovative space will benefit all users of the internet."

He continued, "As Chairman Pai outlined today, the way to protect consumers is to put the Federal Trade Commission back on the beat to crack down on those who would abuse open access. This new plan of action will open new avenues for telemedicine, distance learning, and future innovations."

Bernie Sanders

"We must do everything we can to stop this egregious decision from taking effect," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tweeted.

In an earlier tweet, Sanders called the vote "an egregious attack on our democracy."

Steve Scalise

"Americans want better internet access and they want it to be cheaper," House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., tweeted. "The internet is not broken; the federal government does not need to come in and fix it."

Eric Schneiderman

"I will sue to stop the FCCs illegal rollback of #netneutrality," New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, tweeted. "New Yorkers and all Americans deserve a free and open internet."

Jeanne Shaheen

The FCCs vote to repeal net neutrality regulations will threaten equal access to an open and free internet, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., tweeted.

Debbie Stabenow

"Todays FCC vote overturning #NetNeutrality protections is terrible for all Americans who want equal access to a free and open internet," Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., tweeted. "I will introduce a resolution with @SenMarkey and others to reverse this decision!"

Tom Udall

"Todays vote to repeal #NetNeutrality rules is a major blow to the internet as we know it," Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., tweeted. "@AjitPaiFCCs legacy will be leading the surrender of the free & open internet to corporations, letting ISPs create internet toll lanes, & stifling online competition, innovation & dynamism."

Peter Welch

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., called the move "a disaster for consumers," adding that he would "soon introduce legislation that will overturn this horrible decision."
The wife of Kentucky State Rep. Dan Johnson, who killed himself on Wednesday amid a bombshell report's accusations of sexual assault, announced Thursday that she would pursue her husbands seat, saying his fight will go on.

Dan Johnson, a preacher and a Republican, committed suicide Wednesday on a bridge in Mt. Washington, according to Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell. The coroner confirmed that Johnson died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and the weapon was found near the 57-year-old's body.

The statement from Johnsons widow, Rebecca, said she was running for the position because these high-tech lynchings based on lies and half-truths cant be allowed to win the day.

Dan is gone but the story of his life is far from over, she said.

His death occurred just days after the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published a detailed set of allegations from a woman who claimed that Johnson sexually assaulted her when she was 17.

KENTUCKY STATE REP. DAN JOHNSON COMMITS SUICIDE AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ACCUSATIONS EMERGE, OFFICIALS SAY

The lawmaker denied the accusations on Tuesday, calling them totally false. He said they were part of a nationwide strategy for defeating conservative Republicans, referencing claims also made against Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

But the next day, Johnson posted an ominous message on his Facebook page, part of which prompted his family to report him missing, the sheriff said Thursday. In the post, he asked for people to take care of his wife and wrote that post-traumatic stress disorder is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.

The post appears to have been removed.

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS DEATH STUNS STATEHOUSE ALREADY BESET BY SEX SCANDAL

The woman who made the accusations against Dan Johnson, Maranda Richmond, said she attended a New Years Eve party at his house in 2012. She reportedly fell asleep on the couch, and in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2013, claimed she woke up to him kneeling over her and alleged he assaulted her. Richmond said that she reported the episode but Louisville police closed the case without charges. The case has since been reopened.

Johnson was elected to the State Legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years.

The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Johnson sponsored a number of bills involving religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools. But he was mostly out of the spotlight until the investigative story broke.

A potential opponent for Rebecca Johnson could be former State Rep. Linda Belcher, a Democrat, who hinted at a possible run for the seat in 2018, WHAS 11 reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The last thylacine, more commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger, died in captivity in September 1936, more than 80 years ago.

A creature that first appeared 4 million years ago, the thylacine became extinct for a number of reasons, such as encroachment by humans on its territory, and disease.

But now, thanks to advancements in DNA research, some scientists believe it may be possible to bring it back from extinction.

According to a new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution, scientists have been able to find the complete nuclear genome of the thylacine. A team led by developmental geneticist Andrew Pask of the University of Melbourne sampled tissue from a one-month old thylacine found in 1909 in its mother's pouch. The sample had been preserved in alcohol.

245-MILLION-YEAR-OLD FOSSIL LOOKS LIKE DARTH VADER, SCIENTISTS SAY

Tasmanian tigers have long been a source of curiosity, nearly 80 years after their extinction, due to their odd appearance.

They were this bizarre and singular species. There was nothing else like them in the world at the time, Charles Feigin of the University of Melbourne, Australia, said in comments obtained by Nature.com. They look just like a dog or wolf, but theyre a marsupial.

The oldest thylacine, known as Dickson's thylacine, first apepared 23 million years ago, according to Australia's Lost Kingdoms. The largest version, known as Thylacinus potens, grew to be the size of a wolf and survived until approximately 8 million years ago.

The nuclear genome holds significant amounts of information about the thylacine population, which the team suspects began to shrink between 70,000 and 120,000 years ago, before humans lived on what is now known as Australia. Feigin believes that a cooling climate led to the habitat of both the tylacine, as well as the Tasmanian devil, shrinking.

SCARY MARSUPIAL LION WITH INCREDIBLY POWERFUL BITE ONCE DOMINATED AUSTRALIA

Can it be done?

University of Melbourne associate professor Andrew Pask said that getting the genome is the first move towards bringing it back, but cautioned a return would not happen anytime soon.

It is technically the first step to bringing the thylacine back, but we are still a long way off that possibility, Pask said, according to Nature.com. We would still need to develop a marsupial animal model to host the thylacine genome, like work conducted to include mammoth genes in the modern elephant.

Gene sequencing is still a relatively new technology, having only been around since the early 1970s, but Pask believes it is our duty to try and bring it back if we can.

Ethically, we actually owe it to species like that, the species we wiped off, Pask added. If we could bring it back, we should.

Others, however, are more skeptical of whether science can actually bring back the Tasmanian tiger from extinction.

University of California, Santa Cruz evolutionary geneticist Beth Shapiro has worked before with genome sequencing of extinct animals and said they cannot be brought back.

The thylacine is extinct, because we made it so. We cannot bring it back, Shapiro said. When I see the videos or images of the last thylacines, these are harsh reminders of the pressing need to develop technologies to stop other species from becoming extinct.

Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia
Incredible pictures showing the capture of a famous German U-boat during World War II will go on auction in the U.K. this weekend.

The pictures are part of an extensive archive of artifacts that belonged to Royal Air Force Officer Group Captain Montague Whittle, who commanded the RAF station in Iceland during World War II.

Its an incredible archive of material, explained Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, in an email to Fox News. Coming from a RAF officer of this importance takes it to another level completely.

GERMAN WORLD WAR I SUBMARINE DISCOVERED INTACT WITH 23 BODIES INSIDE

The incredible aerial photos show the capture of submarine U-570 by British forces in August 1941. The U-Boats crew, who were on their first patrol, raised the white flag after the sub was damaged by depth charges dropped from a British bomber on Aug. 27, 1941.

This U Boat was one of the few to be captured during WWII and the submarine images are shown in graphic detail with the date and time they were taken shown on each image, explained Aldridge.

Some reports have linked the submarine to Allied forces attempts to crack the Nazis famous Enigma code although there are conflicting accounts of what happened to the subs Enigma coding machine and codebooks.

WRECKAGE OF LOST WORLD WAR II BOMBER DISCOVERED IN THE NORTH SEA

It was publicly stated that, after their surrender, U-570s crew had destroyed and thrown overboard the subs Enigma machine and codebooks. However, a confidential report by U.S. Navy officers dated Sept. 28, 1941 suggests that the valuable coding device may not have been destroyed. According to Defense Media Network, the report noted that At least one German receiving or transmitting instrument had been removed . . . by the British. The report added that a large cabinet had been removed from the forward corner of the control room by admiralty personnel soon after the capture and sent to England . . . In view of the vagueness of the information on the site as to the exact nature of this instrument it is considered important that accurate information be obtained from the Naval Attache London.

British forces already had valuable Engima material in their possession by the time that U-570 was captured. Months earlier, in May 1941 an Enigma machine and codebooks were captured from the German submarine U-110 after her surrender to the Royal Navy.

Nonetheless, U-570s capture is noteworthy because the U-boat was captured by an aircraft. The subs crew raised the white flag to a Lockheed Hudson bomber flown by RAF Squadron Leader James Thompson.

USS WARD, SHIP THAT FIRED FIRST AMERICAN SHOTS OF WORLD WAR II, FOUND IN PHILIPPINES

Other Whittle artifacts in the lot include 5 pilots logbooks, personal notebooks and personal letters, including a condolence letter from King George VI following the Group Captains death in 1942. Whittles Wing Commander and Group Captain shoulder flashes are included in the archive, along with photos of the officer.

The lot, which will be auctioned on Saturday, has a pre-sale estimate between $2,686 and $4,030.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Towering thinker Sir Isaac Newton carved a now-barely visible doodle of a windmill into a stone wall in his childhood home, according to a news release from the National Trust.

The drawing was discovered at Woolsthorpe Manor, the Lincolnshire, England,home where Newton was born in 1642, said the National Trust,which protects the house and other heritage sites in the United Kingdom.

Newton is famous for his laws of motion, theory of universal gravitationand an experiment that involved shooting sunlight through a prism to create a rainbow effect (and inspire a very famous Pink Floyd album cover). But before Newton was a Sir, he was a boy  and apparently that boy had a thing for drawing on walls. [The Mysterious Physics of 7 Everyday Things]

Chris Pickup, an independent conservator and doctoral candidate at Nottingham Trent University in England made the discovery while investigating the manor. Pickup used a photographic technique called reflectance transformation imaging (RTI). By bathing the interior walls of the manor in light coming from multiple different directions, Pickup was able to capture details of the surfaces that would be otherwise invisible to the naked eye, including the faded outlines of Newton's alleged doodle.

"It's amazing to be using light, which Newton understood better than anyone before him, to discover more about his time at Woolsthorpe," Pickup said in the news release. "I hope that by using this technique, we're able to find out more about Newton as man and boy and shine a light on how his extraordinary mind worked."

Young Newton

Newton was born at the manor on Christmas Day, 1642, and spent the first few years of his life at the house. Decades later, in 1665, Newton returned to Woolsthorpe when the University of Cambridge, where he was studying, closed due to an outbreak of the plague. It was at Woolsthorpe that Newton performed many of his experiments involving light and optics, including the famous work with prisms that led him to conclude white light contains all other colors in combination. An apple tree still standing in the nearby orchard is said to be the very tree that inspired Newton to develop his law of universal gravitation, after watching an apple drop from the branches to the grass below.

The newly identified drawing is thought to have been inspired by a mill that was built near the manor during Newton's childhood. The construction of any mechanical object would have likely stoked the boy's curiosity, the National Trust said.

"The young Newton was fascinated by mechanical objects and the forces that made them work," Jim Grevatte, a program manager for the Illuminating Newton series at Woolsthorpe Manor, said in the release."Paper was expensive, and the walls of the house would have been re-painted regularly, so using them as a sketch pad as he explored the world around him would have made sense."

Newton-era drawings were previously discovered on the manor walls in the 1920s and 1930s, after various farmhouse tenants peeled away the old wallpaper. In 1752, Newton's friend and biographer William Stukeley wrote that the walls and ceilings of Newton's home were "full of drawings, which he [Newton] had made with charcole. There were birds, beasts, men, ships, plants, mathematical figures, circles & triangles."

There was "scarce a board in the partitions about the room" that Newton hadn't scrawled upon, Stukeley wrote.

Originally published on Live Science.
Hackers managed to invade the safety system of an infrastructure facility in what analysts are calling a watershed cyberattack that stopped plant operations, according to investigators.

Reuters reports that FireEye disclosed the incident on Thursday, saying that the hackers  likely working for a nation-state  targeted Triconex industrial safety technology from Schneider Electric SE.

Schneider confirmed the incident and said it had issued a security alert to customers of the technology, which is used in the energy industry at nuclear facilities, and oil and gas plants.

Neither company identified the specific victim, industry or location of the attack. Two cybersecurity firms speculated that the victim was either in Saudi Arabia or generally somewhere in the Middle East.

Although hackers have increasingly focused on targeting utilities and other critical infrastructure, this incident marks the first report of a safety system breach at an industrial plant by hackers, security experts told Reuters.

5 TIPS TO AVOID GETTING HACKED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

These types of attacks, which experts fear could be used by nation-states or terrorist groups, could allow hackers to turn off safety systems in advance of any broad attack.

The attack demonstrates that plant safety systems could be fooled to indicate that everything is okay when hackers are potentially damaging a plant in the background, Galina Antova, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Claroty, told Reuters.

This is a watershed, Sergio Caltagirone, head of threat intelligence with Dragos, added. Others will eventually catch up and try to copy this kind of attack.

In the incident, hackers used sophisticated malware to take remote control of a workstation running a Schneider Electric Triconex Tricon safety shutdown system, seeking to reprogram controllers used to identify safety issues.

During that incident, some of the controllers entered a fail safe mode, which caused related processes to shut down and caused the plant to identify the attack, FireEye confirmed to Reuters.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 Thursday to end Obama-era regulations that dictate how providers treat the accessibility of content on the Internet.

The repeal of the net neutrality regulations could usher in big changes in how Americans use the Internet, a radical departure from more than a decade of federal oversight.

The change has also sparked nationwide protests from consumers who worry cable and phone companies will have greater control over what they see and do online.

The 2015 regulations were created to ensure that Internet service providers (ISPs) treat all online content and applications the same.

While reading about net neutrality, you may come across certain terms. Here are some which may be helpful.

Broadband: This commonly refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access, the FCC says.

Items like cable modem service, fiber optic technology and wireless broadband all fall into this category, it explains.

FCC VOTES TO REPEAL OBAMA-ERA NET NEUTRALITY RULES, AFTER 'SECURITY' THREAT

General Internet conduct standard: A vague rule that allows the FCC to regulate open Internet practices.

The agency says on its "Restoring Internet Freedom" webpage that the rule "gives the FCC far-reaching discretion to prohibit any ISP practice that it believes runs afoul of a long and incomplete list of factors."

Internet service provider (ISP): Companies like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon which offer web access to consumers.

Net neutrality: The current rules impose utility-style regulations on ISPs to prevent them from favoring their own digital services over those of their rivals.

HOW THE FCC'S MOVE ON NET NEUTRALITY COULD IMPACT CONSUMERS

Broadband service providers cannot block or deliberately slow speeds for Internet services or apps, favor some Internet traffic in exchange for consideration, or engage in other practices that harm Internet openness, the FCC says.

Throttling: When ISPs purposely slow traffic.

Fox News' Kaitlyn Schallhorn and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tensions between North Korea and the United States show no signs of abating. If anything, the threat of war and a North Korean nuclear attack continued to escalate.

Now, enemies of the U.S. will soon face the most advanced fighter jet in the world - with even more firepower.

The F-35 lightning II is the world's first fifth-generation fighter jet. It has extraordinary stealth capabilities that will allow the aircraft to fly deep into enemy airspace without detection.

MEET THE ARMY'S NEW PISTOL

For the very first time, the nation's most advanced fighter jets, the F-35's, are deployed in Asia as a theater security package (TSP). At Kadena Air Force Base in Japan, these incredibly advanced new joint strike fighters stand ready with America's extraordinary pilots to maintain security and ensure stability in the region if necessary.

Made by Lockheed Martin, this new military aircraft is called a multi-role fighter because of its versatility and its ability to take on a range of missions. The pioneering technology on board will allow the F-35 to conduct intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions like never before.

'Tis the season for better bombs

But the F-35's can also deploy as formidable attack aircraft that can bring mind blowing capabilities to any fight, armed with some of the most advanced and devastating weapons in the world.

The US Air Force is adding Raytheons GBU  49 Enhanced Paveway II bombs to their F35. It will make America's new joint strike fighter even more lethal.

Flight testing with the bomb is underway this month and the Air Force is expected to receive 400 guidance kits by the end of next month.

Ever more deadly, potent weapons are underway to arm the trailblazing fighter jet.

MAKING MUNITIONS SAFE: HOW CAN WE STOP AMERICAN BULLETS, BOMBS AND MISSILES FROM KILLING AMERICAN TROOPS?

What is a GBU  49?

Crucially, it will give the F-35A's the ability to hit moving targets with powerful bombs.

Right now, the ability to strike moving targets could be described as less than ideal. Pilots have the option, for example, to manually direct munitions like a GBU  12 to a moving target.

Similar to the Small Diameter Bomb II slated to arm fighters in the future, the GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II is designed to strike moving targets.

PODCAST: LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE A HELICOPTER CRASH WITH THIS SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXPERT

Why does a bomb like this matter?

Threats to Americans and security are not always stationary.

And it is not easy to hit a moving target. when you put hitting a moving target in the context of flying a fighter jet at speeds far faster than sound travels-it becomes even more difficult.

Consider a scenario where an ISIS bomb maker, who has killed countless Americans with his bombs, has been tracked to a compound. By the time American fighter jets reach the area, the bomb maker has jumped in a vehicle to flee.

The F-35s harness a massive Pratt and Whitney engine to deliver astonishing fighter speeds of approximately 1,200 mph. So now the fighter jet traveling at these immense speeds must still accurately hit a rapidly maneuvering vehicle to stop the bomb maker before he can kill more Americans.

Or take another hypothetical scenario involving a dangerous dictator. He announces he is travelling to a nuclear weapons facility to launch a nuclear weapon at U.S. home soil.

To protect the United States, the F-35s could theoretically penetrate the country's airspace undetected, but would need a bomb that could precisely and reliably strike the dictators vehicle racing towards the installation.

This is just one example of why these sorts of bombs, smart powerful bombs that can precisely hit a moving target, are important.

PODCAST: MASTER HOW TO SURVIVE A BRIDGE COLLAPSE + MORE WITH THIS TOP SPECIAL OPS INSTRUCTOR

How does it work?

As you would expect, the details that go into the American military's powerful bombs are closely held.

But here's what can be shared: the GBU  49's have lasers built into them that allow the bombs to calculate how far a target will move. This way they can anticipate where the target will be for a successful strike.

With their advanced technology, they turn dumb bombs into so-called smart bombs.

This means that the immense power of American-made bombs can precisely hit their intended targets. These smart-bombs play a key role in making sure a threat is eliminated, while importantly reducing collateral damage and unintended casualties thanks to the precision.

The GBU  49 Enhanced Pave Way II is one type of Paveway. The Paveway is new to the F 35, but Paveways are not new.

Paveways have in fact been a bomb of choice for some time. If you take Operation Iraqi Freedom, for example, more than 50 percent of the precision guided weapons fired from the air to hit targets on the ground were in fact Paveways, according to Raytheon statistics.

The GBU-49s are similar to the Paveway IVs that have already been integrated on the United Kingdom's joint strike fighters too much success.

WHAT IS THE NUCLEAR ARSENAL AVAILABLE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP?

What's next?

These GBU-49s will bridge the gap until other planned bombs arm the F-35As.

Other highly-anticipated and highly lethal munitions include the Small Diameter Bomb II. These laser designated munitions will also be integrated to the F-35As.

Like the GBU  49s, they will strike moving targets with precision. And they will do so in all kinds of challenging weather and at a range of more than 40 miles. It is also hoped these bombs can be fired without coming out of stealth.
This is a rush transcript from "Your World," December 13, 2017. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

NEIL CAVUTO, "YOUR WORLD" HOST: Now to the man many Republicans say, if he had gotten that nomination, all of this would be a moot point.

Of course, at the time, Luther Strange did not. Alabama's present senator with us right now.

Senator, very good to have you.

SEN. LUTHER STRANGE, R-ALABAMA: Thank you, Neil, very much. Glad to be on with you today.

CAVUTO: How do you feel, all this? Must be mixed emotions.

STRANGE: It is bittersweet.

I have loved my time in the Senate. I think we have accomplished an awful lot, even with the disappointment of repeal and replace of ObamaCare. So, it's disappointing. But I have been honored to serve and looking forward to the next chapter.

CAVUTO: It's no accident that a lot of folks have said and polls seem to indicate that, had you gotten that nomination, all of this drama around this battle wouldn't have been necessary, that you probably would have won. We will never know for sure.

STRANGE: Right.

CAVUTO: But are you bitter?

STRANGE: No, I'm not bitter at all. I'm not one to look back.

And I have got a little motto in our family. There's no whining in politics. I accepted the appointment, expecting it to be for two years to give time for me to become a good senator. The governor came in and changed the date of the primary, moved it up a year, which threw us all into this situation.

And so turnout was involved, a lot of factors, the failure to repeal and replace, as I said. I'm proud of my service, though. I think we have accomplished an awful lot.

And I'm going to do everything I can to help Doug Jones get into the Senate. And, hopefully, he will work with Republicans and Richard Shelby and get things done, too.

CAVUTO: Do you think he's going to be like a Joe Manchin-type Democrat, one who, maybe because of the times and the state and the environment in which we live and in which the state he represents, he has to be?

STRANGE: You know, Neil, I have known Doug Jones for 30 years. He's a former prosecutor. I'm a former attorney general.

I talked to him. And my advice to him was, do what I have done. Get to be close to Richard Shelby, our senior senator.

CAVUTO: Right.

STRANGE: No one in the history of our state has ever done more for Alabama or the Republican Party, frankly, than Shelby.

If he does like I have -- and I think we have the best working partnership and friendship of any senator, two senators in the country. And it's paid dividends for our Alabama. And if Doug Jones is smart, he will work with Shelby to try and advance our state.

I have done that and that would be my recommendation to Doug.

CAVUTO: Any recommendation for Roy Moore? He's still fighting this.

STRANGE: I'm...

(LAUGHTER)

STRANGE: I'm -- I'm not going to give Mr. Moore any advice. I made my case against him. The voters chose otherwise in the primary, and that brings us to today. But he's on his own.

CAVUTO: What did you think of all of these accusations that came up after this battle for the primary? What do you think?

STRANGE: Well, as a former prosecutor, they were very troubling to me, very troubling.

It's unfortunate that that information wasn't available to the primary voters. That's one of the things that you can't control.

CAVUTO: Right.

STRANGE: That's history. But I think it made a difference in the election yesterday.

CAVUTO: Now, the president supported you in that primary. Many others did as well.

STRANGE: Yes.

CAVUTO: Steve Bannon did not. He thought that a better, fresher, different, more rowdy alternative would be someone who is not you, someone who is not associated with the establishment, and he went for Roy Moore. How do you feel about him?

STRANGE: Well, I think he had a bad day yesterday.

I was proud to have the president's support, the vice president's support, Richard Shelby's support. And for someone who has only been in Washington for like two months at the time, I sure got to be part of the establishment in record time.

So, hopefully, we have had enough of that talk. We're going to be focused on getting conservatives who actually have records of accomplishment. And that's what I was running on. I have actually gotten things done. We have a lot of rhetorical conservatives like to talk a lot, talk a big game, but are they really getting something done?

That's what we need in Washington, Neil.

CAVUTO: Do you think Steve Bannon is that type of conservative?

STRANGE: I don't -- I have never seen him accomplish anything. He has accomplished one thing that I don't think anybody is America thought was possible. And that's getting a Democrat elected in the state of Alabama.

CAVUTO: Now, there are a lot of people are going to say, all right, hopefully, Steve Bannon, this will be a lesson not to try to find primary challengers to established incumbents. Do you think he honors that?

STRANGE: You know, I haven't given Steve Bannon a bit of thought.

But I have talked to my colleagues in the Senate, my Republican colleagues, and I have said to them, I was kind of the coal mine in the canary, the proverbial canary there.

(LAUGHTER)

STRANGE: When we didn't get what -- done what we said we would do -- and I was only there a few months -- I said I will be a test. And that's exactly what happened.

When we didn't repeal and replace ObamaCare, the voters were rightfully mad, no one matter than I was. But I was the one guy hanging out there to take it out on. And we see where we ended up.

CAVUTO: You know, Senator, a lot of people don't know a lot about Doug Jones. We know his civil rights record. We know he's a good and decent man, as are you.

A lot of guesswork a to what and how he would vote, if it ever became necessary, and this tax cut thing were pushed back, on the tax cuts. Would he be an automatic no vote? What do you think?

STRANGE: Well, the Republicans have -- the Democrats have voted together in lockstep since the year I have been here.

CAVUTO: Yes. Yes.

STRANGE: So, I'm not expecting anything different.

But it goes back to what I said before. If Doug Jones is smart, he will develop a close working relationship with Richard Shelby and watch what he does, because it's going to be good for Alabama, it's going to be a conservative position. It's ultimately going to be good for America.

And, frankly, that would be good for Doug politically if he wants to have any kind of career in Alabama.

CAVUTO: What about you? This is a term that is -- it's finishing, actually, originally Jeff Sessions' term.

STRANGE: Right.

CAVUTO: So, in 2020, when the president is running for reelection, assuming he wants to, this seat opens up again. Are you interested in it?

STRANGE: Are you trying get me divorced, Neil?

(LAUGHTER)

STRANGE: I'm not sure what is...

(LAUGHTER)

STRANGE: I'm honored to have served as attorney general for two terms, as a senator. I'm proud of my record.

And I think that will be up to -- I make plans, God decides in the end. And -- but I want to stay involved and make a difference for my state. It's a beautiful place with wonderful people. And we have a bright future ahead of us.

CAVUTO: All right, and I admire how you wouldn't take my tacky bait there.

(LAUGHTER)

CAVUTO: Finally, on the tax cut, Senator, it's looking like in the proposal that was released today out a conference, the top rate goes down a little bit, the corporate rate goes up a little bit to 21 percent.

They're confident they can get this through, signed, sealed and delivered by Christmas by the president. You think it's doable?

STRANGE: I do.

I have made a lot of predictions on here, Neil. I'm not sure that they have all come true, but this one I feel confident in. And my hope is that the best Christmas present I could give to the people of my state would be able to vote for that bill before I leave the Senate.

And that's the commitment I have gotten from the leadership. I think we are going to get there, and I'm 100 percent behind doing it.

CAVUTO: Any possibility that some of these senators that are balking at certain provisions that are included -- I know Susan Collins was nervous about lowering that top rate, said it wouldn't be a good idea. I don't know if that makes her a no vote.

Separately, Rand Paul is concerned about this latest spending measure to get us beyond this two-week hump, that it could add to the debt, so he doesn't look predisposed to like it. Senator Corker is -- of course, he was a no vote on tax cut, doesn't see anything that would change that right now.

Are you worried?

STRANGE: Well, I'm -- I'm cautiously optimistic. Let me put it that way.

When you have a narrow margin and such a narrow window here, any one or two senators can blow up the whole thing. But I just think there's too much on the line for our economy overall globally and domestically and our Republican brand, our promises.

CAVUTO: All right.

STRANGE: We have got to get it done.

CAVUTO: Senator Luther Strange, thank you very, very much. We appreciate it.

STRANGE: Great to be with you. Thanks again.

CAVUTO: All right, merry Christmas.

END

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Jennifer Williams loved the color red.

A 1993 graduate of Boiling Springs High School, she was known for her singing voice, Converse sneakers and courage in the face of adversity.

The obstacles she faced as a student, recalled Keith Roden, choral director. She was in a major accident, but bounced back from that when she should not have.

As an adult, Williams developed cancer and died Dec. 11, 2008, at her home in Mount Holly Springs. She was 33 when she died.

The tribute to her life could have ended with her funeral, but her classmates had other ideas. They wanted to celebrate the spirit of the girl they knew as Jennifer Chestnut in the context of the holiday season and a tradition that began in 1967.

Powerful moment

Every year, the annual Holiday Choral Concert showcases the talents of South Middleton high school and middle school students with ensembles performing selections of sacred and secular music.

Since 1967, each concert has ended with high school chorus alumni taking the stage with current chorus members for the singing of the Hallelujah chorus from Handels Messiah. The concert scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the Brenneman Auditorium will mark the 50th anniversary of what has become a seasonal staple for the Boiling Springs area community.

In December 2008, chorus alumni contacted Roden a week before the concert and asked if arrangements could be made for each chorus member to wear a red ribbon pinned to their robes in honor of Williams.

There was a scramble to make their request a tribute that included explaining the back story to the students before the concert and to the audience during the event.

It was a powerful moment, said Roden, recalling how classmates of Williams stepped onto the stage and sang their hearts out. Jennifer was a special kid that stood out above all others.

For 29 years, Roden has put together the annual concert with its signature finale. To mark the 50th anniversary, he is encouraging as many alumni as possible to attend the event next Tuesday and take the stage in celebration of a milestone.

Please make a special effort to come out, Roden said. I would love to see the stage filled.

Sierra Harvey, Class of 2018, is an alto on the chorus. She designed an illustration for a special T-shirt that is on sale to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Her work also appears on the concert program cover. Admission is free.

Past-present connection

Roden, who is choral director for both the high school and Yellow Breeches Middle School and also is the music department chair, is not sure what inspired the start of the special Hallelujah chorus sing in December 1967.

The tradition was deeply entrenched in the community by the time he arrived at the South Middleton School District in 1988. Like any new choral director, Roden wanted to implement changes and leave his mark on the program. But he learned right away from the high school student body that the Hallelujah sing is not something to be messed with. Roden has embraced the tradition.

For me, its a sense of community that connects the past with the present, he said. Its a common thread from generation to generation. The students Roden taught in the early stages of his career are now the parents of his current choir members at both the middle school and high school.

During the Hallelujah chorus, mothers and fathers sing with sons and daughters. College students join their younger siblings on the stage. There are people as old as 60 that Roden doesnt recognize. And these alumni take the tradition seriously.

They do not just come along for the ride, Roden said. They know it as if they had graduated yesterday. They spent four years in high school singing it. Its part of them. This tradition is held in very high esteem by the school and the community.

Not going away

While many schools across the country have moved away from performing sacred music at holiday concerts, South Middleton has kept it a part of the repertoire, especially the Hallelujah chorus.

Its a great example of the Baroque period of music, Roden said of the masterpiece by German composer George Handel. Its a great teaching tool for me. Its a challenging piece of music accessible to different levels of choir.

Though normally associated with Christmas, the Hallelujah chorus is actually sung toward the end of the Messiah oratorio in a section known as Gods Ultimate Victory. Its a song of triumph, Roden said.
Which airline is the cheapest? Easy: All of them.

Wait, let me rephrase that: Any airline can be the cheapest, depending where and when you fly, and theres a simple trick to finding the cheapest airline every time you shop.

Arent the ultra-discounters always cheapest?

Allegiant, Frontier and Spirit often have dirt-cheap fares  dont feel bad for them; they make lots of money on everything from bag fees to soft drinks and seat selection  but they are not always the cheapest. Take a look at these round-trip prices for flights in mid-February, which were found earlier this week. (But keep in mind, fares can and do change quickly.)

New York to Ft. Lauderdale:

JetBlue: $137

Spirit: $142

HOW TO TRAVEL WITH JUST A CARRY-ON BAG

This may seem surprising, considering Ft. Lauderdale is one of Spirits operating base cities, but thats how the fares worked out in this scenario. Lets look at another example, with these round-trip fares from Alaska Airlines and Spirit in February.

San Francisco/Oakland to Los Angeles:

Alaska, $77

Spirit, $93

Here's yet another instace of a larger carrier offering a cheaper round-trip flight than Spirit.

Chicago to Houston:

United: $79

Spirit: $81

The fares are almost identical but the edge goes to  surprise, the big carrier. Please not that we're not suggesting Spirit doesnt have good deals; it often does, and sometimes its fares are vastly cheaper. But thats the point  Spirit and other super-cheap airlines are often cheaper, but not always cheaper.

5 TIPS FOR GETTING THROUGH THE AIRPORT QUICKER

Why would more expensive airlines ever be as cheap as an ultra-discounter?

To get you to buy their tickets, of course. Airlines know that if they dont meet or come close to the very cheapest fares, they wind up getting buried deep in the results of shoppers search queries and no one will see their prices. On routes that matter most to airlines, they will offer competitive pricing. Its how airlines win the airfare game; shoppers win by comparing prices.

How to find the best deal for every flight?

Compare fares on an airfare comparison search site, like FareCompare or one of the many others out there. If you dont compare  e.g., you simply go to your favorite airline's website  you could still get a deal, but you also might be paying more than you have to.

Where does Southwest fit in?

Southwest is the lone U.S. airline that does not share fare data with search sites, so every smart shopper should to a two-step comparison. First, go to a comparison site and check out the best fares for your itinerary; then, in another browser window, click over to Southwest to see what it offers. Then, compare the prices then book your trip.

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Remember, only you can say which is the best travel itinerary for you. A cheap fare helps, but it might involve a longer route than you have time for, or it arrives too early/late for your liking. Just take a moment to consider all your options, and remember that the best deals aren't reserved for only the lowest-cost carriers.
Christmas in one area of Pennsylvania came earlier this year when an anonymous donor paid the layaway bills of 200 families at a Walmart store in Everett.

An unidentified man, referred to as Santa B by store employees, paid off the layaway bills for families who couldnt immediately afford Christmas gifts, Walmart workers told WJAC.

Santa B reportedly paid more than $40,000 in bills to the Walmart location  to give struggling families an easier holiday season.

The store has been notifying the families of Santa Bs generosity.

In this area you dont hear a lot, I mean you hear small things where somebody pays somebodys grocery bill or things like that, but this was pretty big, employee Barbara Karns told the news station.

SECRET SANTA PAYS OFF NEARLY $50G OF LAYAWAYS AT WALMART IN NEW JERSEY

Kristen Martin, who reportedly put an XBox and other toys on layaway, told WJAC that she couldnt wait to get to Walmart. I was like driving and shaking. Look at me, Im shaking. Its crazy.

And while the gifts are for her children, Martin said Santa Bs Christmas spirit means more to her.

I think it means more to me, but I think theyll be happy. I remember when I was growing up for Christmas. I was just telling my mom the other day that I want my kids to have Christmas like that, Martin said.

This isnt the first year Santa B has gotten into the Christmas spirit. Last year, he reportedly paid for more than $46,000 worth of layaway items at the same Walmart store.
Two young sons of a deputy sheriff for Montgomery County, Pa., were killed by a house fire Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

The victims have been identified as Deputy Bryan Lukens son 11-year-old Bryan, Jr., and 6-year-old son Parker.

Our office is devastated to learn about this tragedy, Montgomery County Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lukens family as they grieve their losses.

Officials say the bodies of the boys were found on the second floor of their house in Schwenksville.

OFFICER SHOT IN INDIANAPOLIS IN GOOD CONDITION, POLICE SAY

Lukens remains hospitalized with injuries in the burn unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital but is expected to be released later today, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post, adding that the deputys wife Tracy and daughter Soffia, 9, were released from another hospital.

The blaze killed the family pets, Fox 29 reports.

The station also said a friend of the familys set up a GoFundMe. More than $100,000 has been raised.

Please pray, pray for this family, especially now around the holidays. ... This is a horrible tragedy, neighbor Kim Munsell told NBC Philadelphia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A state representative in Kentucky shot and killed himself Wednesday evening, officials said -- just days after a report emerged in which a woman said he sexually assaulted her when she was 17.

Rep. Dan Johnson, a preacher and a Republican, shot himself on a bridge in Mt. Washington, southeast of Louisville, Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell told WDRB. His body turned up on a riverbank near the bridge and the weapon reportedly was found at the scene. He was 57.

Earlier Wednesday evening, WDRB said Johnson took to Facebook to post about the accusations leveled against him, claiming they were false and only GOD knows the truth.

On Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman claiming that Johnson sexually assaulted her in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2013.

The woman said she attended a party at his home on the night of the incident. She reportedly fell asleep on a sofa and woke up to Johnson kneeling over her, before she claimed he assaulted her. The woman said she reported the incident but Louisville police closed the case without charges.

Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that the accusations were totally false. But leaders of the state Republican and Democratic parties had called for the representative to resign.

His Facebook post added that PTSD 24/7 16 years is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. IT Has Won This Life. BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.

The post also read, I LOVE GOD and I LOVE MY WIFE, who is the best WIFE in the world,My Love Forever ! My Mom and Dad my FAMILY and all five of my kids and Nine grandchildren two in tummies and many more to come each of you or a total gift from GOD stay strong.

Michael Skoler, president of Louisville Public Media, which owns the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, said everyone at the organization is "deeply sad."

"Our aim, as always, is to provide the public with fact-based, unbiased reporting and hold public officials accountable for their actions," Skoler said. "As part of our process, we reached out to Representative Johnson numerous times over the course of a seven-month investigation. He declined requests to talk about our findings."

Just terrible news from Kentucky tonight on the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson. I cannot imagine his pain or the heartbreak his family is dealing with tonight. Kelley and I pray for his loved ones, Sen. Rand Paul tweeted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Los Angeles Fire Department now has an eye in the sky to help monitor the flames tearing through parts of Southern California, officials said.

In a video post by the department on Thursday, the drones were launched for the first time in an operational environment, heading to an aerial location over the Skirball Fire.

The Skirball Fire has burned 422 acres and is 85 percent contained, according to an update Monday by the LAFD. Six structures were destroyed and 12 structures were damaged in the blaze, the update said.

THOMAS FIRE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOINS LISTS OF DESTRUCTIVE BLAZES IN THE STATE

The drones, which the post said flew for about 30 minutes, were not used to put out flames but rather helped firefighters get a better idea of the condition of the area, KPCC reported.

LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas told the outlet that two flights took off that day.

One of them was just for a visual image from the sky to get an idea of the amount of property damage from the air, he said. The second purpose was to locate hot spots, where the fire is still smoldering. Once we have that information, we can dispatch our firefighters to those exact locations.

TECH TITANS VOICE CONCERNS OVER CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

The price of using drones is another argument for their continued use, Terrazas told KPCC.

Were going to be able to eliminate the need to rent an infrared camera, and then fly in our helicopters over the fires, he said.

Terrazas added, Its going to be a significant saving by using these drones.

According to StateScoop, the department now owns a total of eight drones. They reportedly will work with fire departments in Austin, Texas and the sheriffs department in Ventura County to help grow the potential use for equipment.
An Ohio college student who reportedly prepared to meet and have sex with an underage boy was arrested when the boy he was supposed to meet turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Albert Maruna, 22, was arrested Tuesday after traveling to Austintown, where he planned to meet the teen but instead met the cop, WOIO reported.

FLORIDA MAN WHO EXCHANGED SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MESSAGES WITH 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

The Youngstown State University student allegedly had sexually graphic conversations through an app with the 15-year-old boy after the suspect reached out on Dec. 5, WFMJ reported.

Maruna, according to investigators, sent naked photos of himself to the teen and planned to meet on Tuesday. Maruna reportedly agreed to bring lubricant, a chicken Alfredo dish and Sprite.

The man admitted to investigators he had hoped to have sex with the teenage boy, according to WFMJ.

When Maruna was arrested, police discovered he was carrying an iPhone, a MacBook and three zip drives  in addition to a bottle of Astroglide lubrication, Vaseline lotion, two bottles of Sprite, and chicken alfredo in a Tupperware container.

CONNECTICUT MAN HAD SEX WITH GIRLFRIEND'S CORPSE IN HOPE OF REVIVING HER, POLICE SAY

Police reportedly found other sexually graphic conversations on Marunas cell phone, and investigators are working to determine the ages of those involved in the conversations.

Maruna faces charges including attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and possessing criminal tools, and is being held in the Mahoning County Jail, WFMJ added.
Mesa Police officials say a man has been arrested, on suspicion of arson and criminal damage for allegedly burning the city's $40,000 Christmas tree.

The nearly four-story tall tree is the focal point of Mesa's annual Christmas celebration. It was destroyed by a fire early Wednesday that police say was intentionally set.

According to police, 34-year-old Samuel Antone Johnson was found nearby, and allegedly admitted to setting the "Merry Main Christmas Tree" on fire with a book of matches.

Police say the man did not disclose a motive.

Johnson has been booked into jail on two felonies, and it is not clear if he has a lawyer yet.

Read more from Fox 10 Phoenix.
A California woman who cashed nearly $300,000 worth of her dead mother's Social Security checks for 24 years, financing her own car payments, airline tickets and hotel stays along the way, was sentenced Tuesday to 13 months in prison.

Federal prosecutors said Emma Carter-Alexander, 66, began taking care of her mother, Dorothy Griffin, around April 1991. Soon, Carter-Alexander was approved by the government to receive -- and cash -- Griffin's Social Security checks, something Carter-Alexander, of Vallejo, Calif., did every month.

And when her mom died in 1993, Carter-Alexander didn't stop.

The arrangement, which included dutifully sending annual reports to the Social Security Administration documenting how the money was spent, ended in February 2017. During the 24 years the government sent the checks, Carter-Alexander cashed in on $298,168.20, the Sacramento Bee reported.

She used the money to pay credit card and car bills, buy airline tickets and finance hotel says -- as well as shop in numerous stores, court documents said.

In addition to 13 months in prison, Carter-Alexander was ordered to repay the money to the government, starting with quarterly payments of $25 while she's incarcerated.

Its a puzzling case, U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez said. This is an individual who, but for this crime, has done a number of admirable things in her life.

The Sacramento Bee reported Carter-Alexander, who had no prior criminal record, said she was deeply remorseful.

Court documents, however, showed how Carter-Alexander ensured the check kept coming.

Ten years after her mom died, Carter-Alexander moved from Houston to California -- and filed a change of address for her mother. She also signed each annual report, documents that warned against making false statements under penalty of perjury.

At any point, Carter-Alexander could have come clean and stopped the payments to her deceased mother, the sentencing memo stated, according to the Sacramento Bee. Instead, Carter-Alexander sought to conceal her conversion of public funds, and by doing so was able to continue her fraud for over 20 years.

Carter-Alexander was ordered to surrender to authorities by Jan. 23.
A cup helped solve a 30-year-old murder in the state of Washington, police say.

Police say new DNA evidence that emerged from a drinking cup led to the arrest Tuesday in the rape and murder of a teenage girl who was last seen going for a jog with her family dog.

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that 50-year-old Timothy Forrest Bass was arrested on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and rape in connection to the killing of Mandy Stavik.

"He's been a suspect for several years, but he was not a suspect when the crime occurred," Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said at a news conference.

Stavik,18, was last seen alive on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1989, when she went for a jog from her home in Deming, located east of Bellingham, around 1:50 p.m. with the family dog, according to the sheriff's office.

"The dog returned home several hours later, but Mandy did not," the sheriff's office said.

Three days after she went missing, her naked body was found along the South Fork of the Nooksack River. Authorities said she was raped and think she may have been alive when she was dumped in the river, according to The Bellingham Herald.

I think this about the biggest case ever in Whatcom County, Elfo told reporters at a news conference, adding that detectives have worked the case doggedly for decades.

Prosecutors said new DNA technology helped them finally connect Bass -- a neighbor who watched her jog in front of his home -- as a suspect in Staviks death. A co-worker had provided police with a cup that Bass had left his DNA on after drinking from it, police told Q13 FOX.

"I think this about the biggest case ever in Whatcom County"  Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo

ARREST IN DECADES-OLD MURDER OF 14-YEAR-OLD CALIFORNIA GIRL

Deputies forwarded DNA samples from Mr. Bass to the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory, who reported that this DNA matched DNA recovered from Mandys body in 1989, Elfo said.

According to Whatcom County Superior Court records obtained by The Bellingham Herald, Basss wife filed for a domestic violence protection order in August 2010. In the court filing, she alleged physical and verbal abuse and sought to protect herself and their three children but then terminated the order a few months later. The 50-year-old has no criminal convictions in Washington.

Stavik, who graduated from Mount Baker High School in 1989 where she was an athlete, an honor student and a cheerleader, was attending Central Washington University at the time of her murder.

Max Zender, who was only 7-year-old when Stavik was murdered, told Q13 Fox said the killing left the town "very devastated."

"Anytime something tragic happens in a small town area, it affects everybody," he said.
An alleged serial "porch pirate" accused of stealing everything from bed frames to ice climbing equipment has been busted by Colorado police.

Christopher Seth, 22, is facing a felony theft charge and up to three years in prison after he reportedly was seen swiping a package containing $200 worth of socks from a home in Boulder on Friday.

Seth admitted to driving around neighborhoods and using his girlfriend as a lookout while taking packages left outside homes by delivery services, KDVR reported, citing Boulder police documents.

A search of Seth's car and apartment netted 44 items believed to have been stolen from porches, officials said. Cops told the station the combined value of the packages -- now in police custody -- was $6,561, and included shampoo, Steve Madden boots, ice climbing equipment and a bed frame, among other items.

Police documents also said several of the packaging slips in these boxes listed items that were not recovered at Christophers residence, KDVR reported.

Seth has a status conference Jan. 3 and was released on $1,000 bond, according to the Boulder Daily Camera. His past criminal history includes a guilty plea to driving while ability impaired and a pending indecent exposure case in county court,
MONACA, Pa.  A woman who worked at a Penn State satellite campus apparently was shot dead by her estranged husband in a university parking lot on Wednesday, and the man then killed himself, police said.

Multiple shots were fired just before 4 p.m. near a Penn State Beaver dining hall, where the woman worked, state police Lt. Eric Hermick told WTAE-TV . An officer heard the shots and lots of screaming and responded to the scene, where he found the woman and her estranged husband dead beside her car, he said.

Hermick said the husband apparently had lured the woman to the parking lot.

"There was a ruse set up to get her outside of her workplace," Hermick told the news station.

Penn State Beaver, about 35 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, issued a 3:56 p.m. alert that shots were fired but said the situation was contained.

There was never a threat to the general campus population, Hermick said.

"I know there's often panic about college campuses and talk about active shooters, but that's not the situation," he said. "It appears to be some type of domestic violence issue here."

About 650 students attend the school, but not many were on campus because it's finals week, Penn State Beaver spokeswoman April Johnston-Smith said. The campus has been closed for the day, she said.
A registered child sex offender caught wearing a Santa Claus suit at a holiday party in Illinois last year may not have to spend a day behind bars after he pleaded guilty and received probation.

Taylor Blaul, 33, of Crystal Lake, pleaded guilty to attending the holiday event in October, the Chicago Tribune reported. On Wednesday, Blaul was sentenced to probation and 60 days in jail but he won't have to serve unless he violates his probation.

Blaul pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse in 2015. Authorities said Blaul sexually abused a young boy over the span of four months, including one time at a water park. Blaul was sentenced to four months in jail and three years of probation," The Chicago Tribune reported. He also had to register as a sex offender.

VEHICLES CRUSHED AFTER STRONG WINDS COLLAPSE GAS STATION CANOPY IN ILLINOIS

Blauls probationary period was repealed due to the conviction but it would have ended in 2018. His new probationary period would last until Dec. 2019.

In December 2016, Blaul, who was working as a paid volunteer at the Animal House Shelter, was reported to police for dressing and impersonating Santa Claus at a holiday party. Erin Shea, a high school classmate, reported Blaul to police after she went to the shelter to adopt a dog and saw Blaul dressed as Santa. Shea told authorities she was aware of his criminal history. Shea testified at his hearing Wednesday and claimed she saw a young boy sitting on his lap.

HITLER-THEMED HOMEWORK UPSETS PARENTS OF ILLINOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Blauls lawyer, Daniel Hoffman, said the suspects supervisors were aware of his history but employees were not. Hoffman objected to Sheas claim that a young boy was sitting on Blauls lap, citing police reports.

Blaul apologized to the judge and claimed he was not expecting to work with children when he took the job. He said he felt uncomfortable saying "no" when he was asked to dress as Santa Claus, but he ultimately agreed.

At the time of his arrest, Blaul was employed as a clinical director at a counseling center in Woodstock. All mentions of Blaul were subsequently removed from the centers website.
Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz, cousins in Pennsylvania accused in the deaths of multiple men in July, pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing on Thursday. The move reportedly puts the option of the death penalty back on the table for prosecutors, who previously arranged a plea deal for DiNardo if he pleaded guilty.

DiNardo, whos charged in four deaths, and Sean Kratz, whos charged in three, both pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of murder and corpse abuse.

In July, DiNardo admitted to killing the four missing men and told investigators where they could find the bodies. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to take the death penalty off the table.

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed notices of aggravating circumstances in the case, essentially allowing them to pursue the death penalty if the cousins are convicted, Fox 29 reported. The district attorneys office told the outlet that the filing was normal and would not interfere with DiNardos plea deal, assuming he pleaded guilty.

PROSECUTORS MOVE TO KEEP DEATH PENALTY AN OPTION IN SLAYING

"We made an agreement with Cosmo DiNardo, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub told reporters. We're the district attorney's office: We honor our agreements. So should Mr. DiNardo decide to uphold his end of the bargain, we will not seek the death penalty against him."

Kratz's lawyer, Niels C. Eriksen Jr., said he commended the district attorney for extending to DiNardo an offer that removes the death penalty as punishment but was "disappointed and confused by today's action of certifying Mr. Kratz's case for capital punishment."

"DiNardo is the admitted killer," he said. "We look forward to challenging the evidence and the aggravators at the appropriate time."

Kratz gave authorities conflicting stories in July when he was interviewed about the missing men. He claimed that he had not participated in the slayings and vomited after the first man was shot, according to Detective Martin McDonough.

DETECTIVE: COUSINS WENT FOR CHEESESTEAKS AFTER 4 MEN KILLED

He initially thought that he could talk his way out of his involvement here, McDonough said.

The disappearances of Mark Sturgis, Tom Meo, Dean Finocchiaro and Jimi Taro Patrick over the summer sparked an exhaustive manhunt on a 90-acre farm owned by DiNardo's parents in Solebury, 30 miles north of Philadelphia. The victims ranged in age from 19 to 22.

Police used cadaver dogs and heavy construction equipment and brought in dozens of officers from the region to assist in the search until they finally found three of the men buried in an oil tank about 12-feet in the ground.

DiNardo told police that he crushed one of the men with a backhoe after shooting him and tried to set three of the bodies on fire before burying them in the metal container, court documents show. He also told authorities that he lured the men to the farm under the assumption he was going to sell them marijuana.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An 18-year-old pregnant woman was killed early Wednesday in a crash caused by an off-duty firefighter suspected of driving drunk, the Dallas Morning News reported, citing police.

Alyssa Pimentel, who was eight months pregnant, was driving with her boyfriend, Isaiah Perez, 21, through a suburb of Dallas. As she merged onto traffic, another car rear-ended her, ejecting the two passengers from the vehicle.

Pimentel died at the scene and the baby was reportedly delivered at a hospital. The baby only survived for less than an hour, reports said. Her boyfriend was taken to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Police and fire crews arrived at Highway 67 at Cedar Hill around 12:45 a.m.

Horace Shaw III, 45, a Dallas firefighter who was reportedly driving fast and under the influence of alcohol, police allege, according to the report. Shaw was arrested and faces a charge of intoxication manslaughter. Investigators were told Shaw had been drinking at a bar prior to the crash, police said.

Shaw and his passenger, another male, were hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening, the report said. The other passenger has not been identified.

Alyssas mother, Jayne Pimentel, expressed her disappointment that "an individual who is tasked with saving lives is responsible for taking the lives of our family members."

Perez said Pimentels due date was Christmas and that he had planned to propose, having already bought a ring, FOX 2 reported.

After being released from the hospital, Shaw was booked into the Dallas County Jail, police said. He has been placed on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation.
An Evergreen State College professor who was captured on video harassing her white co-workers resigned after reaching a financial settlement with the college.

Naima Lowe, a self-described black queer artist and educator who taught video and performance art at Evergreen State, received $240,000 from the college after she filed a discrimination and hostile work environment claim, according to college spokesperson Zach Powers.

Lowe has been on personal leave since the beginning of the school year after she claimed she was the victim of online attacks on her, according to a letter sent to colleagues. She officially resigned Dec. 6.

Lowe came under fire after she was caught on video berating her white co-workers.

You are now these motherf***ers that were pushing against, Lowe told her co-workers on the schools Equity Council in a viral video earlier this year. You cant see your way out of your own *ssThis sh** is literally going to kill me.

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE TO HOST WHATS UP WITH WHITE PEOPLE? EVENT

In a 2015 video that recently surfaced, Lowe is again heard making racist comments toward white people, the Campus Reform reported.

White supremacy...lives and breathes within every single white person standing here right now, Lowe said. I refuse to shut my mouth and let white people set this agendathe white gays, the white middle class assimilationist motherf***ing gays, took over the [gay] movement with their assimilationist goals.

There has been at least five high-profile Evergreen employees who have resigned since last spring following a series of protest at the college relating to accusations of racism and intolerance, according to The Olympian, a local website. Rashida Love, director of the colleges First Peoples Multicultural Advising Services program, also resigned last month due to online threats.

MOST BIZARRE COLLEGE COURSES 2017: HOOKING UP, QUEER RELIGION AND SEXY VAMPIRES

Racial tension at the Washington state college was heightened when a professor, Bret Weinstein, who has since resigned, was targeted by a mob of students after he took issue with a demand for a day of absence where all white people were asked to leave the campus for a day. The student mob shut down the campus for several days and accused Weinstein of being a racist. At the time, Weinstein had to be escorted out of the campus for fear of his life.

Weinstein and his wife, Heather Heying, a fellow Evergreen professor, filed a $3.85 million tort claim in July claiming Evergreen failed to protect its employees from repeated provocative and corrosive verbal and written hostility based on race, as well as threats of physical violence. They resigned in September as part of a $450,000 settlement with the college.

UNIVERSITY EVICTS CHRISTIAN CLUB OVER LEADERSHIP FAITH REQUIREMENT

Stacy Brown, the chief of Police Services at the college, resigned after she was also targeted by protesters who alleged institutional racism.

Lowe did not respond to request for comment.
A firefighter was killed battling a massive blaze northwest of Los Angeles that is now considered to be Californias fourth largest wildfire in the states history, fire officials announced Thursday.

The firefighter was identified as 32-year-old Cory Iverson of Escondido, an 8-year veteran of Cal Fire. He left behind a pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter.

"His bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten," Gov. Jerry Brown said.

The details of his death remain unknown as authorities say the so-called Thomas Fire will likely keep growing and threaten communities.

CAL Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said in a press release that the firefighter was a CAL FIRE engineer from the San Diego unit.

Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions, Pimlott said.

State officials said the wildfire straddling coastal Ventura and Santa Barbara counties covered 379 square miles. That surpassed a blaze that burned inland Santa Barbara County a decade ago.

Some evacuations were lifted and the risk to the agricultural city of Fillmore was diminishing. But coastal enclaves to the west remained under threat as crews protected hillside homes in Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria.

Schools were closed and many roads remained shut down. The USA Water Polo Women's National Team match against the Netherlands scheduled for Saturday in Santa Barbara was moved to Orange County.

The National Weather Service said extreme fire danger conditions could last through the weekend due to lack of moisture along with a likely increase in wind speeds. Gusts were expected to top 35 mph by midday Thursday.

THOMAS FIRE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOINS LIST OF DESTRUCTIVE BLAZES IN THE STATE

Firefighters made some progress Wednesday on corralling the fire, which continued to spread mostly into national forest land.

Since the blaze broke out on Dec. 4, it has burned destroyed 970 buildings  including at least 700 homes. Flames threatened some 18,000 buildings and prompted evacuations of about 100,000 people. Covering more ground than the city of San Diego, it was 30 percent contained.

To the south in San Diego County, firefighters came very close to containing another major wildfire a week after it broke out.

That fire burned down 157 structures, most in its destructive first hours. It also killed 46 race horses at a training center, and left one of their trainers with serious burns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The president of Florida State University says he has no timetable yet for reinstating Greek activities on campus after they were suspended in November following the death of a fraternity pledge.

John Thrasher told The Associated Press in an interview that he will study suggestions from many groups over the coming month, seeking to have more definitive ideas on how to proceed by the end of January.

"I want to be deliberate about it and understand the ramifications of what we do," Thrasher said in an interview as the university began wrapping up its fall semester. "There are no silver bullets for the cultural aspects that are out there as far as drinking. I can't change all that. I think we will come up with good ideas and move ahead."

Thrasher suspended all Greek activities on campus on Nov. 6, three days after what police described as the apparent alcohol-related death of Andrew Coffey, a 20-year old junior who was a pledge at Pi Kappa Phi.

Penn State and Louisiana State universities also suspended Greek activities earlier this year due to student deaths, but Florida State's move triggered a bigger impact nationally. Since Florida State's announcement, Texas State, Ohio State and Michigan have also issued suspensions of Greek activities either due to a student's death or incidents involving fraternities and sororities.

Thrasher said that during the past month he has talked to faculty, students, clergy and other university presidents. He also held closed-door meetings with student organizations.

"I think the fact we did what we did gave other campuses the courage to make a bold statement and get attention of folks which has been a positive," Thrasher added.

During the suspension, the only events Greek life members can conduct are meetings with the university or their national chapter. Students are allowed to remain as residents in their fraternity or sorority houses. Thrasher also banned alcohol at all student organization events during the suspension.

A county grand jury will meet next week to consider whether anyone will be charged in Coffey's death, which remains under investigation by FSU and Tallahassee police.

Tallahassee Police said indications showed alcohol was involved in Coffey's death but the state Medical Examiner hasn't yet released its report.

Thrasher said he will appear before the grand jury to discuss what happened from an overview standpoint and to discuss what he hopes to do moving forward. He is optimistic though that revised policies could be in place by late February.

The suspension of Greek activities wasn't the only issue Thrasher had to deal with in recent months.

A week of classes was lost to Hurricane Irma early in the semester. And then there was the resignation Dec. 1 of football coach Jimbo Fisher, who went to Texas A&M after signing a 10-year, $75 million contract. Oregon coach Willie Taggart  a native of Palmetto, Florida who grew up as a Florida State fan was hired less than a week later.

For Thrasher, who turns 74 on Monday, it was the most hectic semester of his four-year tenure. But he said he was satisfied that things were handled well.

"With everything that went on, we don't lose sight this university is on the rise," he said. "I'm optimistic about 2018 and having a great year. I do know in the spring we won't have any hurricanes, we won't lose any football games and I believe our head coach will be solid."
The illegal immigrant who was acquitted of the murder of Kate Steinle late last month is seeking a new trial for his firearm possession conviction.

Lawyers for Jose Ines Garcia Zarate on Thursday claimed that the judge presiding over the murder trial failed to properly instruct jurors before they acquitted him.

Zarates lawyers argued in court papers that the jury shouldve considered the claim that he didnt know he was holding a gun when it fired on San Franciscos Pier 14 in July 2015.

Lawyers also argued their client didnt hold the gun long enough to warrant a firearm possession conviction.

The judge declined to include those instructions and jurors convicted him of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

KATE STEINLE CASE JUROR DEFENDS DECISION, SAYS MURDER WAS 'A FREAK ACCIDENT'

Zarate was acquitted of both first and second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the trial. He was also found not guilty of assault with a semi-automatic weapon.

After Zarate was acquitted in Steinles death, U.S. immigration officials said he would be deported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Two men filed a lawsuit in Chicago against Lyft after one of its drivers allegedly drew a gun, ordered them out of the vehicle and shouted a homophobic slur.

Charlie Calvin, 31, and another passenger, who is not identified in the lawsuit filed Wednesday, requested a ride home on Sept. 1 while they were in Boystown, a well-known gay neighborhood in Chicago. They were paired with Lyft driver Jaleesa Rance.

The men had been out with friends and were leaving the club Sidetrack early in the morning.

An argument ensued after the men pointed out that the driver had taken a wrong turn, according to police and the lawsuit.

Not long into the ride, Rance allegedly pulled a 9MM hand gun out of the center console, pointed it at Calvin, and told both men to get out of her vehicle.

The lawsuit states that the Lyft driver followed them out of the car, pointed the gun at them again, and yelled, Ill blast you and used the slur.

LYFT DRIVER KILLED, PASSENGER WOUNDED IN CLEVELAND SHOOTING

Rance, who fled the scene, was arrested by police shortly afterward and charged with aggravated assault and unlawful use of a handgun. Officers allegedly recovered a gun from her vehicle with 18 live rounds.

Calvin and the other passenger took a photograph of Rance pointing the gun at them with her finger on the trigger.

The event has left Calvin and the co-passenger "emotionally distressed" and "fearful," according to a statement from their lawyer.

A civil lawsuit, filed in Cook County, Ill. on the mens behalf, names Lyft and the driver as defendants and seeks at least $100,000 in damages.

Lyft promises a safe, weapons-free, discrimination-free experience, LegalRideshare attorney Bryant Greening said in a statement. The company failed our community when its driver allegedly pointed a gun in the faces of two young men because of their sexual orientation.

A Lyft spokesperson would not comment on the lawsuit. But, in a statement to Fox News, the company said it immediately took action after learning about the allegations.

"These allegations are disturbing. The behavior being described violates multiple Lyft policies, including our non-discrimination and no weapons policies, the statement said. As soon as this incident was reported to us, we deactivated the driver and reached out to the passenger to offer our assistance."

Nevertheless, the incident highlights the ongoing problems facing ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber, from harassment and discrimination to outright violence.

Guns, violence, homophobia: these are all concerns we hear about often, Greening said. Yet, the rideshare companies seem to lack the motivation to protect passengers and drivers.
A California man convicted for torturing and murdering his girlfriends 8-year-old son could be sentenced to death.

A seven-woman, five-man jury, which deliberated for about seven hours over three days, recommended Wednesday that Isauro Aguirre, 37, be put to death for the May 2013 savage killing of Gabriel Fernandez.

We were plucked out of our everyday lives and brought together to serve, the jury foreman said, according to the Los Angeles Times. We came together to bring justice for Gabriel.

The childs mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, is awaiting trial and also faces a possible death sentence.

Gabriel died on May 25, 2013, two days after paramedics arrived at his Palmdale home and found him unconscious with a cracked skull, broken ribs, burned and bruised skin, missing teeth and BB pellets lodged in his groin.

His death triggered widespread reform of the Los Angeles County child-welfare system.

There is nothing worse in our society than a grown man murdering and torturing an innocent little boy, Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami told jurors during his closing statement earlier this week.

Aguirre beat Gabriel to death with his fists and his hands  in front of Gabriels own brother and sister. What type of man would do that? Hatami said. Not a man with any goodness in him.

Aguirres public defender, John Alan, asked for mercy for his client, claiming he was gentle, kind, patient, [and] respectful.

"The death penalty is not required for even the most heinous crime," he added.

Alan said Aguirres violent actions were at least, in part, intersected with Pearls.

[Pearl Fernandez was] violent, abusive and neglected her children even before she met Isauro. Even her own family considered her a danger to her children, Alan said.

Aguirre was convicted of first-degree murder on Nov. 15. His sentencing is scheduled for March 8.

Two former Los Angeles County social workers  Stephanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement  and supervisors Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt are awaiting trial on one felony count each of child abuse and falsifying public records involving Gabriel.
Quick Opinion: With this weeks release of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," it only makes sense to revisit something in the "Star Wars" universe for this weeks "Rewind Review." "Rogue One" is the most recent "Star Wars" film ahead of "The Last Jedi," and a standalone story that has its strengths and weaknesses when put up against some of the other "Star Wars" films. Although the characters are mostly forgettable and the pacing of the plot is lackluster at times, the action scenes on some of the newly introduced planets are outstanding. The ending battle on Scarif makes it all worth it for diehard "Star Wars" fans.

Taking a Closer Look: The decision to make this movie sounded like a cash grab when the project was first announced. Just a group of producers making money off the "Star Wars" brand by building off a plot point from the original trilogy. "Rogue One" takes place in between Episode III and Episode IV. A group of rebels go on a mission to steal the Death Star plans. The plans are the key to finding a weakness in this giant planet-destroying weapon of mass destruction. Even though the idea for this story sounds like something that would be used primarily for fanfiction, the end result of "Rogue One" is a worthy addition to the collection of "Star Wars" films.

"Rogue One" is free from the pressures of being a part of a trilogy. It stands alone, giving it the space to do things a little differently from its predecessors. Right away, the film jumps right into action without the use of the signature opening crawl in space. "Rogue One" does enough to feel like a "Star Wars" film while simultaneously creating its own unique, ominous tone.

The various planets are each fun to explore. The end battle on Scarif really highlights the cinematography efforts. These elaborate fight scenes take place on what could be a tropical paradise if it wasnt being used as an imperial military base.

The lack of character development is the main disappointment here. Other than the droid, K-2SO, none of these characters display any kind of distinguishable personality traits. Rather than giving us someone memorable, like Han Solo or even recently, Rey, we are left with a set of characters who only function to move the story forward toward the end goal of retrieving the Death Star plans.

Standout Scene: The brief appearance of Darth Vader is without question the most memorable takeaway from this film. Vader boards a Rebel ship and mows down a handful of Rebel fighters with ease. His momentary, yet terrifying presence, reminds us that he is one of the greatest villains of all time.

Where to Watch: You can stream Rogue One on Netflix.

Matt McCafferty is a film critic contributor for The Sentinel and writes Rewind Reviews of movies available for streaming. You can follow Matt on Twitter @Matt_McCafferty.
A Missouri man who's been charged after allegedly tackling a woman in a road-rage infused incident in suburban St. Louis last week remained on the loose Thursday, officials said.

Scott Heatherly, 50, was charged Tuesday with assault and two counts of property damage, FOX2NOW reported. The Arnold Police Department, however, said it were unable to locate him.

APD Lt. James Jones said the suspect was aware of the charges and would surrender -- though he hasn't yet. A judge ordered Heatherly be held with bail set at $50,000 when taken into custody.

MISSOURI MAN CHARGED WITH PHONE THREATS TO GEORGIA MOSQUE

Heatherly followed a woman in his truck Friday because he believed she threw something at his vehicle while both were on Interstate 55, police said. Heatherly followed the woman, who has not been identified, closely, flashing the truck's lights, the woman later told police. She said she called her husband, who told her to stop in a parking lot.

Authorities said a security camera from the parking lot reportedly captured the crucial chain of events: Heatherly walked to the womans window, argued with her and then began kicking her car, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

After the woman got out of the car to take pictures of the suspect kicking her vehicle, Heatherly tackled her, took her phone and threw it across the parking lot, officials said. An off-duty deputy witnessed the incident and attempted to stop the suspect. But authorities said Heatherly drove off -- nearly striking the woman with his truck.

MISSOURI CITY OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF TEASING CO-WORKER WITH GUN

He was very close to hitting the victim, Jones said. She had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An 8-year-old New Jersey girl committed suicide during a timeout in her bedroom Sunday and may have been inspired by a story of a Colorado girl who took her own life weeks ago, law enforcement said.

Essex County prosecutors said Imani McCray was found hanging in her Newark home  eerily similar to the case of Ashawnty Davis, a 10-year-old from Aurora, whose death last month gained national media attention.

Family and paramedics tried to resuscitate the 8-year-old girl after she was found, but she died at University Hospital in Newark.

As investigators seek to uncover why McCray hanged herself a week before her 9th birthday, sources told WNBC that the girl had seen the story on Davis death on Facebook.

Prosecutors told the news station they are trying to determine if McCray was copying what she read or if she hanged herself in a case of tragic playacting.

Davis hanged herself in her bedroom at the end of November after a video of a fight with an alleged bully was posted online, her parents said.

Authorities said there is no indication that McCray was a victim of bullying.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called the incident "tragic."

"It's just a horrible, horrible thing, no matter what the circumstances were around it, anytime an 8-year-old child is dead is just horrible," he said, according to NJ.com. "My heart goes out to them. I hope it's not bullying, I hope it isn't a copycat, I hope it's not none of those things. ... We just have to do better, you know all of us, as a community, as a society, we just have to do better."
Vice President Mike Pence will delay and curtail his upcoming trip to the Middle East to be on hand for an upcoming Senate tax vote and take into account the unwillingness of Palestinians and others to meet with him while in Egypt and Israel.

The White House said Thursday that Pence now plans to leave for Egypt on Tuesday so he can preside over the Senate during a likely vote next week on the Republicans' sweeping tax package. Pence serves as president of the Senate. Pence also shortened the length of his planned trip to the region after Palestinian officials and leading Muslim and Christian clerics in Egypt said they would refuse to meet with him.

Pence had originally been scheduled to leave Saturday for Israel, following President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said the vice president now would travel first to Egypt and then to Israel.

"Yesterday the White House informed Senate leadership that due to the historic nature of the vote in the Senate on tax cuts for millions of Americans, the VP would stay to preside over the vote," Farah said in a written statement.

Trump and Republican lawmakers are hoping for a vote early next week on a package of steep tax cuts for corporations and more modest cuts for families, a top Trump legislative priority. Republicans, who hold a narrow 52-48 majority in the Senate, can afford to lose just two votes while counting on Pence to break a tie.

White House officials said they do not expect to need Pence's vote. But Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Thad Cochran of Mississippi have missed votes recently because of health issues. Pence's decision to preside over the Senate would ensure he's available to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary.

Pence also was forced to adjust his schedule in the Middle East amid protests from leaders over Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Aides to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has condemned Trump's decision, said earlier this week that he would not meet with the vice president. Abbas had originally planned to host Pence, a devout Christian, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Pence is scheduled to be in Cairo on Wednesday for a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, a close ally of Trump's. Pence will arrive in Israel later Wednesday for a visit to the Western Wall. The vice president will then meet Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deliver an address to the Knesset and later dine with Netanyahu.

White House officials said Pence will end his visit to Israel on Friday by meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. White House officials said Pence had no plans to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

The status of Jerusalem has been a central issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Trump's announcement last week was widely perceived as taking the side of Israel. The decision upended decades of U.S. foreign policy and countered an international consensus that Jerusalem's status should be decided in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, who claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

The White House has said Trump remains committed to the goal of peace and notes he has not taken a position on the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or resolution of its contested borders.

Trump has set an ambitious goal of brokering Mideast peace and tasked his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner to help lay the groundwork for direct negotiations. Kushner and other top Trump aides have traveled to the region to meet with Palestinians, Israelis and officials from Arab nations.

Pence's trip is scheduled to end on Dec. 23 with a pre-Christmas visit with troops stationed at the United States' Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

___

On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at @KThomasDC.
ISIS threatened to unleash more terror attacks on New York City and depicted NYPD Police Commissioner James ONeill at the mercy of a knife-wielding jihadi fighter in a frightening new poster released Thursday -- just three days after an ISIS-inspired Bangladeshi man detonated a pipe bomb in a busy subway passageway.

The poster, obtained by MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor, showed ONeill as an ISIS captive, dressed in the trademark orange jumpsuit worn by ISIS prisoners and kneeling in front of a New York City backdrop underneath the phrase: A message signed with blood to the nation of cross.

A smaller caption read: We will do more Ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Afghan.

Just you wait, we are waiting too, the ominous message ended.

The threat comes just days after 27-year-old Akayed Ullah detonated a screw-packed pipe bomb attached to his body in a crowded subway passageway near Port Authority during the morning rush hour. The bomb didnt go off as planned, preventing a potentially deadly massacre. Ullah was the only person seriously hurt in the incident, though three other people suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Ullah, who faces terrorism and weapons charges, told authorities he planned the attack for the Islamic State and was angry about U.S. policies in the Middle East, the criminal complaint stated. Before the attack, Ullah wrote on Facebook: Trump you failed to protect your nation.

Just hours after the episode, ONeill said in a news conference that New York City will not live in fear.

"But if you see something suspicious you have an obligation to come forward and tell us, ONeill said.

The suspect reportedly chose to detonate the bomb in the a passageway because he saw a Christmas poster there.
Stormy the cow was on the loose in Philadelphia. Not once  but twice. And the rogue cow caused quite the traffic scene when he hoofed it across a busy highway.

The bovine made its first escape from the Old First Reformed Church of Christ in the city's Old City neighborhood around 3 a.m. Thursday and wandered onto Interstate 95. It had to be corralled by police with their cruisers, according to FOX 29.

Hours later, the cow made a second break for it. Instead of heading for a highway again, Stormy took to the city streets and eventually was found on the fourth floor of a parking garage.

Stormy was eventually led back to the church and given a full breakfast to keep her occupied, according to FOX 29.

Philadelphia Police said they're investigating the how the bovine broke free. No injuries were reported by officers involved in the capture or the cow.

Police also joked on the unusual situation, writing on Twitter "If you're in the area of 4th and Market, beware of traffic delays. A cow is loose. Again. No, we can't believe we're tweeting this either."

The departmental added, "You know, you start your day saying "well, being a cop is a tough job, but at least I won't have to catch a cow today." But, then wouldn't you know it? You're wrangling a bovine. Then you say, "Well, at least I'll never have to do that again...."

A pastor at the church told FOX 29 they believe someone may have tampered with the latch, allowing the cow to push the gate open. The churchs living nativity scene has been a tradition in the neighborhood for decades.

After the incident, Stormy was eventually loaded on a truck and sent back to a farm. She has since been replaced by another bovine named Ginger, a smaller cow, according to FOX 29.
A man charged with raping and killing a Massachusetts teacher's aide after abducting her from her night job in 1992 has pleaded not guilty.

Gary Schara was held without bail after pleading not guilty Thursday in Hampden Superior Court to murder, aggravated rape and kidnapping charges in the death of 24-year-old Lisa Ziegert (ZEE'-guhrt). He has been held since pleading guilty to similar charges in district court.

Ziegert was a teacher's aide at Agawam Middle School when she disappeared from the card and gift store where she was working alone. Her body was found in a nearby wooded area four days later.

Schara was arrested in September after testing confirmed his DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene.

Schara's public defender did not contest bail and did not comment.
Two men and a woman were arrested Tuesday in connection with a Thanksgiving Day incident in which a Connecticut man was thrown 45 feet off a bridge, police said.

The unidentified victim survived the fall, but was still recovering from unspecified injuries, according to police.

The victim and his brother had tried to intervene when they saw suspect Gregory Rottjer arguing with his girlfriend, Jennifer Hannum, as the couple walked across the Derby-Shelton Bridge, the Connecticut Post reported.

The victim told police that he told Rottjer, 25, to chill out. Cellphone video of the confrontation shows Rottjer going after the victim who can be seen backing up with his hands in the air, WFSB-TV reported.

Rottjer and his friend, Matthew Dorso, then began to argue with the victim and his brother. A short time later Rottjer then allegedly threw the victim off the bridge and into the icy water below, police said.

The suspects then fled the scene, but police tracked them down using a cell phone that one of them left behind.

Rottjer was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault and reckless endangerment. Dorso was charged with third-degree assault and Hannum was charged with interfering with an officer, the Post reported.

They are set to appear in court on Dec. 22.

Rottjer was being held on $250,000 bail.
An unarmed Texas man who was shot and killed by an Arizona police officer in a controversial, widely seen videotaped slaying was the victim of "an execution," the man's wife said this week, adding she felt "betrayed" by jurors who acquitted the cop of murder.

Laney Sweet said her husband, Daniel Shaver, 26, of Granbury, was executed in 2016 as he begged for his life. Arizona police in the Phoenix-area suburb of Mesa fired Officer Philip Mitchell Brailsford, 27, after the shooting.

"I've been fighting for two years and screaming. Finally, now, it took people watching my husband die a very horrible, inhumane death for people to care," Sweet told CBS News on Tuesday.

FORMER ARIZONA COP ACQUITTED IN SHOOTING WAS A FAILED ACTOR, REPORT SAYS

Video of the incident showed officers ordered Shaver to exit his hotel room, lay face-down in a hallway and refrain from making sudden movements -- or risk being shot.

Shaver, sobbing as he begged police not to kill him, was ordered to crawl toward the officers. As he inched forward, Shaver reached toward the waistband of his shorts. Brailsford said he fired his rifle because he believed Shaver was grabbing a handgun in his waistband. Later, however, investigators found Shaver was unarmed. Two pellet rifles related to his pest-control job were later found in his hotel room.

"It was an execution," Sweet said. "You had a man begging for his life, and he was shot five times for what? For his elbow coming up too high? For being confused? For being compliant? Why did he deserve to die? He didn't."

Video of the shooting was released to the public Thursday after Brailsford was found not guilty by jurors.

"I just don't understand how anybody could watch that video and then say 'not guilty,' that this is justified," Sweet said. "That Daniel deserved this and that Philip Brailsford doesn't deserve to be held accountable for his actions."

EX-ARIZONA POLICE OFFICER ACQUITTED IN FATAL HOTEL SHOOTING

Sweet told CBS News she believed the reason Brailsford shot her husband was because of how he was trained.

"I think this goes back to the Mesa Police Department's training, that this is really how they're trained," Sweet said.

Sweet said the incident has affected her family. The couple has two young daughters, including an 8-year-old who Sweet said now needs psychiatric help.

"She tried choking herself while she was at school [Monday], and told her friend that she wanted to die," Sweet said. "So I spent all last evening with her in the hospital getting her psychiatric help."

Sweet said her daughter told her she did it to be with her dad.

Sweet and Shavers parents have filed separate wrongful-death lawsuits against the city of Mesa. The widow has also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the shooting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An 18-year-old entered a blended plea deal Monday in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old Utah girl he was accused of luring from her home with a story about a lost cat in 2015.

Jayden Matthew Sterzer, 18, pleaded guilty to rape in juvenile court. He also entered a guilty plea to "murder and sexual abuse of child in adult court," the Salt Lake Tribune reported. The blended plea deal would allow him to stay in a juvenile detention center until he turns 21 and then is transferred to an adult prison.

Police said he was 15 when he lured his neighbor, Kailey Vijil, from her home in West Valley City, a suburb of Salt City, asking the young girl if she could help him find his cat. The young girl was found strangled and left in a horse pasture a few hours later, police said. Medical examiners determined the victim was sexually assaulted and strangled, FOX13 reported.

UTAH MAN JAILED IN VENEZUELA ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL ON WEAPONS CHARGES

The case was put on hold after the teen was charged with aggravated murder and rape in July 2015 because his lawyers argued he had mental disorders and intellectual disabilities and did not understand the charges.

Intellectually he operates at the level of about a third grader, Michael Sikora, Sterzers attorney said. It was just very important to try and do what we could to keep him in the juvenile system for the next three years because we just dont think he was in any way, shape or form prepared for a lengthy stint at the Utah state prison.

Last month, a judge determined Sterzer was fit to stand trial after getting treatment for his disabilities.

POLICE: 2-YEAR-OLD UTAH GIRL KILLED BY SIBLING HANDLING GUN

There was really no resolution as I said that would be complete justice but they are satisfied with this resolution, Spencer Banks, an attorney for Vijils family said.

Sterzer was slated to appear in court on Jan. 19, 2018 and was expected to speak before he was admitted to the juvenile facility.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Canadian officials are investigating why a human foot washed ashore on Vancouver Island last week, marking the 13th foot to appear along the British Columbia coastline in the last 10 years, according to reports.

Mike Johns, 56, told CTV Vancouver Island News he was walking along the Jordan River on the southern part of the island Thursday when his dog made the stunning fund.

"She was sniffing the bones so I stopped and took a look, and I saw the bones and noticed it was attached to a shoe," Johns told CTV.

Johns added that the foot was totally intact. The ankle bone still worked and the bones were attached at the base of the knee. Photos of the foot showed it inside a sock, within a black shoe.

Its just a freak thing that it happened to be here, Johns told The New York Times of the finding.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), along with the Coroners Service of British Columbia, reportedly confirmed that the find was in fact a human foot.

"It's an ongoing investigation. There's no risk for the public at all," RCMP Constable Sean Heidman told CTV.

Johns brought the foot home before reporting it  but investigators advise against that.

"In this case, someone out walking their dog[s] took the bones home. Certainly no ill intent there, but if people do see something like that in the future, call us before touching the remains, Andy Watson of the Coroners Service told the CBC.

Watson also told The Times that the foot could belong to someone from Alaska or Oregon, hundreds of miles away, and may have traveled the distance due to extremely high tides that can flood coastal areas during the area's winter months.

The foot is reported to be the 13th found along British Columbias coast since 2007.
The European Union and African Union say at least 3,100 migrants who were stranded in Libya have been returned to their home countries in the past two weeks.

A new task force that also includes the United Nations aims to repatriate another 15,000 migrants from Libya by February.

The effort comes after recent footage showing African migrants in Libya being auctioned as slaves. Several African nations have begun bringing home hundreds of their citizens.

Up to 700,000 migrants are thought to be stranded in dozens of detention camps across the chaotic North African country. Libya is a popular launching spot for migrants attempting the often dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean to Europe.

Some aid groups have accused the EU of contributing to the problem by making entry more difficult.
The Argentinian submarine that vanished last month was being chased by a British helicopter and Chilean ship shortly before disappearing, one of the doomed vessel's sailors told his sister in a "strange" message that was one of the last sent from the sub.

The sister's account, made public Wednesday, was immediately blasted by Argentinian military officials as "completely untrue." But Jessica Medina, whose brother Roberto Daniel Medina served aboard the sub, told Argentina's La Gaceta newspaper in an exclusive interview that she received the message on WhatsApp just days before the vessel vanished Nov. 15.

"It was that weird message in which he told us he was looking for a British helicopter and a Chilean ship, but unfortunately we did not continue with that conversation, he stayed there. That was the last message," she said. In his messages, the sister said her brother told her the ARA San Juan was sailing close to the Falklands -- referred to as Malvinas by Argentina -- on Nov 3.

"On Monday we were looking for an English helicopter and yesterday the Chileans. There is a lot of movement there," reads the message sent by Medina to his family's WhatsApp group.

Jessica Medina added "many" other families from missing crew members also received reports from loved ones that they had been fleeing a British helicopter around the time of their disappearance.

CREW IN MISSING ARGENTINA SUBMARINE REPORTED A FIRE, LEAK IN FINAL MESSAGE

Jessica Medina claimed she did not make the message public after the vessel went missing because she did not feel "capable." But she said she eventually made the decision to do so in hopes the lead investigator saw the report.

"I think we're not the only family that has something like that, I think there are a lot of them. Judge Yanez will have to investigate," she said, referring to the lead investigator.

A Royal Navy spokesperson, however, told The Mirror the sister's claims are "completely untrue," adding the British don't have any anti-submarine helicopters based in the Falklands.

Last week, U.S. and Russian ships joined the search for the submarine in the South Atlantic with deep submergence vehicles that allow the ships to examine undersea areas nearly 20,000 feet deep.

The San Juan disappeared as it was sailing from the southernmost port of Ushuaia to the coastal city of Mar del Plata after a patrol.

The navy has said the vessel's captain reported water entered the snorkel and caused one of the submarine's batteries to short circuit. The captain later communicated by satellite phone that the problem had been contained, the navy said.

RESCUE MISSION FOR ARGENTINE SUBMARINE CREW ENDS, SEARCH FOR SUB CONTINUES

Some hours later, an explosion was detected near the time and place where the San Juan was last heard from. Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi has said the blast could have been triggered by a "concentration of hydrogen" caused by the battery problem reported by the captain.

The German-built TR-1700 class submarine was commissioned in the 1980s and was most recently refitted between 2008 and 2014. It was built by a subsidiary of Germany's ThyssenKrupp that is no longer operational.

Balbi said a group of navy officials who traveled to Germany in late November to obtain more information about the design of the submarine had returned to Argentina. He said they will submit all documents to a local judge investigating the sub's disappearance.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia because of the stalled peace process in Ukraine.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said at Thursday's summit of the 28 EU leaders that they were "united on the roll-over of economic sanctions on Russia."

The EU has been largely unsuccessful with its efforts to push Russian President Vladimir Putin into making sure pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine end the conflict there.

The sanctions are just one part of a raft of measures the EU has imposed on Russia for its role in the conflict in Ukraine and misuse of Ukrainian state funds.

Thursday's extension had been widely expected.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Thursday that she had "undeniable" evidence that Iran has been funneling missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen in violation of U.N. resolutions.

The evidence Haley unveiled included segments of missiles launched at Saudi Arabia from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. She said the missile parts bear markings showing they originate in Iran and that they have technical specifications that are specific to Iranian-manufactured weapons.

"The evidence is undeniable," Haley told reporters in a hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington. "The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it."

U.S. officials have long suspected Tehran of supporting the Shiite Houthis in Yemen, which has been locked in a vicious civil war since 2015. On Wednedsday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the world body was investigating Iran's possible transfer of ballistic missiles that may have been used in launches aimed at Saudi Arabia on July 22 and Nov. 4.

Haley said the recovered missile fragments came from a weapon that targeted the main airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

"Just imagine if this missile had been launched at Dulles Airport or JFK, or the airports in Paris, London, or Berlin," Haley said. "Thats what Iran is actively supporting."

Haley said the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers "has done nothing to moderate the regimes conduct in other areas ... It's hard to find a conflict or a terrorist group in the Middle East that does not have Irans fingerprints all over it."

Haley vowed that the U.S. would rally other nations to push back on Iran's behavior.

"The fight against Iranian aggression is the worlds fight," said Haley, who later added, "We must speak with one voice in exposing the regime for what it is: a threat to the peace and security of the entire world."

For months, we've seen Iran disregard international laws and norms by continuing its provocative ballistic missile testing. Now, with the evidence unveiled today by Ambassador Haley, Iran has been caught red-handed flagrantly violating the prohibition on transferring missile technology to third partiesnamely the Houthis in Yemen, former Sen. Joe Lieberman, now the chairman of the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, responded.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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At the doors of the Syrian capital, children with wrinkled faces and arms like sticks are going hungry because President Bashar Assad's forces, supported by Russia and Iran, are blocking trucks filled with humanitarian relief.

As the government and its opponents wrap up another fruitless round of talks in Geneva, humanitarian officials warn that conditions outside Damascus have reached crisis levels, with the government maintaining a siege on the eastern Ghouta suburbs that has trapped close to 400,000 people without enough food, fuel or medicine for the winter.

They say patients with empty stomachs and kidney failure are dying in their beds waiting for evacuation to hospitals just minutes away.

The fighting in Syria's nearly seven-year war has tapered off in many areas since local cease-fires took hold, but the suffering in eastern Ghouta  Damascus' once fertile hinterland, now cut off from the world  has only gotten worse.

According to the U.N., roughly one in eight children are malnourished in eastern Ghouta  a shocking jump from one in 50 in May.

A top U.N. humanitarian official for Syria, Jan Egeland, said last week the government is refusing to allow convoys in. It has also refused to approve a list of nearly 500 people urgently needing medical evacuation.

"We have people here who are only eating a meal every two or three days," Ismael Yasin, a member of eastern Ghouta's local council. told The Associated Press via Skype. "People's faces are turning yellow from hunger."

The siege cast a cloud over the eighth round of U.N.-sponsored talks in Geneva, which concluded Thursday without any results. The head of the opposition's delegation, Nasr Hariri, said the impasse on Ghouta reflected the international community's "shame, impotence, and dereliction."

"It's shameful that we have to go into negotiations so that they (the government) give us some loaves of bread," said Hariri.

The U.N. envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, called the Ghouta blockade and others like it a "medieval" approach to war. Amnesty International said last month that the government's use of sieges against civilians - a tactic it called "surrender or starve" - was a crime against humanity.

But the tactic has proven brutally effective for the government, which in the last two years has managed to recapture a constellation of towns around Damascus using the same playbook. In Zabadani and Daraya, the government executed its strategy so completely that it managed to completely depopulate the two towns, which had a combined population of about 100,000 people before the war.

The government has followed the same strategy to restore its authority over the cities of Aleppo and Homs. The government denies besieging opposition areas, saying the militants, who it refers to as "terrorists," withhold aid.

At least three rebel factions still claim a presence in eastern Ghouta, and send shells whistling into the capital on a daily basis.

In mid-November, a powerful faction called Ahrar al-Sham captured parts of a military base in the region, prompting the government to respond with waves of airstrikes and shelling that killed over 200 civilians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Ahrar al-Sham said it attacked the base in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Shortages have gotten so dire that residents are eating out of the trash and parents are skipping meals so their children can eat, Jakob Kern, the World Food Program's top official in Syria, told The Associated Press.

"They look exhausted, they look tired, and there is this despair in their eyes," said Kern, who entered eastern Ghouta with one of the few aid convoys the government has allowed in recent weeks.

The convoys have provided just a trickle of relief - supplies for tens of thousands of people that will last only a month or less, at a time when hundreds of thousands are in need.

Photos from eastern Ghouta show children gaunt with hunger, their skin wrinkled and aged. Mothers are not producing milk to feed their infants, and baby formula is too scarce and expensive for most families to afford. Driven by desperation, some residents are trying to eat animal fodder.

Since at least 2015, there have been Syrians dying every winter of starvation and other medical ailments made worse by the bitter cold. Families in besieged areas, as well as camps for the displaced, burn furniture, plastics, and even the doorframes and roof supports of their homes to cook and stay warm, as the cost of fuel has soared far beyond reach for most.

Much of the country, including the hilly terrain around Damascus, sees freezing rain and snow in the winter months.

Egeland said last week that 12 people have died waiting for medical evacuation from eastern Ghouta. They were on a U.N.-drawn list first submitted six months ago that has yet to be approved by the government, and now contains 494 names. The U.N.'s children agency said Sunday that 137 children require immediate evacuation for conditions that include kidney failure, severe malnutrition and conflict wounds.

Egeland, in pointed remarks in Geneva, placed full blame on the government for impeding aid shipments across the country.

Eastern Ghouta saw large protests in the early days of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising against Assad. Government forces surrounded the area in 2013, but for most of the last four years, they turned a blind eye to tunnels and above-ground smuggling. Activists say local commanders made huge sums of money from checkpoint bribes, and traders got rich selling to a captive market. Patches of farmland also provided some food.

The government tightened the noose this year, closing the tunnels and nearly all the crossings. Food in eastern Ghouta at one point was up to 85 times more expensive than in Damascus, just a few minutes' drive away, according to the WFP.

"We need for the siege to be lifted," said Anas al-Dimashqi, a local media activist. "Not just in front of the cameras, as the government does every now and then."
A key member of Kim Jong Un's inner circle touted as a powerful military figure mysteriously vanished from public life recently, sparking rumors he was executed by a North Korean death squad after allegations of bribery, recent reports indicated.

Hwang Pyong-so, a vice marshal who held the most senior position in North Koreas military, hasnt been seen in public since Oct. 13, sparking rumors of his death.

Kim has previously dispatched his enemies via a variety of gruesome methods, including shooting them with anti-aircraft weaponry at a close distance and feeding them to a pack of ravenous dogs.

News about Hwangs troubles within Kims regime emerged in mid-November, when South Koreas spy agency reported the top aide and his deputy, Kim Won-hong, were expelled from the militarys General Politico Bureau and punished, Yonhap News Agency reported.

A rare inspection on the bureau was conducted after reports of impure attitude toward the volatile regime. The spy agency said it was looking into details about their punishment.

If Hwang was indeed kicked out of the Workers Party, it would practically mean the end of his political career, and possibly his life, though it is unknown whether or not he is still alive, South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo reported, according to the Telegraph.

KIM JONG UN KILLED UNCLE, HALF-BROTHER OVER 'CHINA COUP PLOT,' REPORT SAYS

Kim Won-hong was reportedly sentenced to one of North Koreas prison camps. As for Hwang, many of Kim Jong Uns recent actions indicate the man who the dictator has trusted for about a decade was executed -- possibly by the infamous firing squad that also killed Kims uncle Jang Song Thaek.

The two officials allegedly had been receiving favors for promotions, the Telegraph reported. Kim ordered the two officials to be punished as a warning to others.

Kims visit to the countrys Mount Paektu over the weekend hinted at Hwangs possible execution. Kim usually visits the sacred mountain before he makes a significant decision, much like his father and grandfather had done, Korea Jongang Daily reported.

The leader previously visited the mountain with his aides in November 2013, a month before ordering the deaths of several officials, including Jang, who was branded worse than a dog and a despicable human scum. The bodies were then lit on fire with flamethrowers.

KIM JONG UN VOWS MORE 'QUALITY' NUCLEAR WEAPONS, HONORS ROCKET SCIENTISTS

Kim also made a trip to the mountain before he executed former defense chief Hyon Yong-chol in April 2015.

North Koreas Korean Central News Agency did not mention Hwang in its statement about Kims visit, but said the despot was celebrating his big achievements in November.

Hwang rose through the ranks and, in 2014, was named the senior deputy director in the central party, North Korean Leadership Watch reported. South Korean spies believe Kim was pitting Hwang against Choe Ryong-hae, the vice chairman of the Central Committee of North Koreas ruling Workers Party, to ensure they were forever loyal to the leader, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Just like during the original Christmas, Jesus' birth will not be celebrated in Nazareth this year -- though this time, it's being blamed on President Trump.

Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has caused a backlash in the region, particularly among Muslims, and the reaction's reverberated to Nazareth, where the town's mayor, Ali Salam, announced Thursday that all planned Christmas events would be canceled.

Our identity and faith cannot be bargained, Salam, a Muslim, said, according to 10 News. [Trumps] decision has taken away the joy of the holiday and we will cancel the festivities this year.

Nazareth, the northern Israeli town which is home to a population made up mostly of Muslims and Christians, is scrapping all holiday plans, including a Christmas market and festival.

The annual events are a huge tourist attraction during the Christmas season. Nazareth is believed to be Jesus Christ's childhood home, though he was born in Bethlehem. Still, Nazareth is an important point on the Christian Christmas pilgrimage.

Trump's announcement last week reversed decades of U.S. policy and made America the only country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The city is also claimed by the Palestinian population, and Jerusalem is home to some of the most sacred sites in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Trump has also ordered the U.S. embassy moved from Tel Aviv, though that process is likely to take years.

Trumps announcement triggered violent protests, with terror group Hamas calling on supports to start an uprising against Israel. Two protesters have been killed in clashes with soldiers.
The topic of North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda this week as South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day state visit to China.

Moon was scheduled to meet Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Korean Herald reported.

The South Korean leader's first visit to China since taking office in May is aimed at mending bilateral ties strained by a dispute over the deployment of an anti-missile system, the Associated Press reported.

South Korea has resisted China's demands to withdraw the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), which it says is needed to counter the threat of North Korean missiles, the report said. Beijing has said it approves of a pledge from Seoul not to expand it.

North Korea has conducted 11 missile tests since Moon took office, the Korean Herald reported.

Meanwhile, Moon would also like to see trade flourish again between the two countries, Arirang reported. Top executives from about 220 South Korean businesses, including Samsung, Hyundai Motor, LG, and others, joined with Chinese firms for a business roundtable.

The South Korean president will attend a joint business forum, where he will deliver a speech, his office told the Korean Herald.

This year marks 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two East Asian countries, according to Arirang.

The Moon-Xi meeting will mark the third bilateral summit between the two leaders, the Korean Herald reported.
At least four school children were killed in southern France on Thursday after a train and bus collided, the French Interior Ministry reported.

Another 19 people were reportedly injured on the bus, including 11 critically, during the incident near Pergignan, local news website LIndependant reported.

Emergency services have been mobilized and a crisis co-coordination unit [has been] set up, a local official told Reuters.

Witnesses said the school bus, thought to be carrying students as young as 11, was reportedly cut in two during the collision, Sky News reported.

The accident occurred at about 4 p.m. local time close to the village of Millas as the children were being taken home at the end of the day.

It was a very violent crash -- it seemed as if the train would derail, a woman, named Barbara, who was on the train told LIndependant.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that authorities don't know what led to the deadly collision.

Philippe, who flew to the scene of the accident Thursday night, said that the "circumstances of this terrible drama are still undetermined."

A France's SNCF national rail authority official told The Associated Press the train normally travels at 80 kilometers per hour, adding "several witnesses said the barrier was down" at the time of the crash. She said 25 people were on the train at the time of the crash and they are "totally shocked."

She said the crossing is "well-equipped" with flashing lights and the latest technology. She said it would be up to an investigation to determine whether everything functioned properly at the time of the accident Thursday evening.

The official was not authorized to be publicly named according to SNCF policy.

Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne described it as a "terrible accident" and said on Twitter that she was heading to the scene - around 530 miles from Paris.

Borne and Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer were at the scene Thursday evening along with 70 firefighters, 10 emergency ambulances and four helicopters.

Blanquer tweeted: "France is in mourning."

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "All my thoughts go to the victims of this terrible accident and their families. The government is fully mobilized to give them emergency help."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I agree with Roy Moore. There really is a God.

But Im talking about a sane compassionate God  not the bigoted, homophobic, hate-filled God that Moore sought to impose on Alabama and this benighted nation. Im talking about a God whose spirit burned bright in the hundreds of thousands of citizens who pulled us back from the amoral abyss Tuesday night. Im talking about the people who saved us from the most repugnant manifestations of Trumpism.

Trump and Moore made quite a team: a lying serial sexual harasser and a mall-trawling serial teen harasser. Moore functioned as Trumps mini-me, attacking female accusers and spewing the usual tinpot tripe about fake news.And Trump assumed he had political muscle in a state that he won last year by 28 points. Instead, the two credibly accused pervs  along with Trumps dirtbag doppelganger, Steve Bannon  suffered an ignominious defeat.

Did Trump have muscle in Alabama? Nope. According to the exit polls, 51 percent of voters said his repeated endorsements of Moore wasnt a factor, and among those 56 percent voted for his opponent, Doug Jones. That was the ballgame right there.

By the way, Trump won 62 percent of the presidential vote in 2016, but his Alabama approval rating has dropped to 48 percent. Even in Alabama, hes bleeding badly. Combine that with everything else we know  his national approval rating in the latest Pew poll is 32 percent; his party lost the gubernatorial races last month in Virginia and New Jersey; his party trails by roughly 10 points in the generic midterm election balloting  and its possible that Alabama is his dead canary in the coal mine.

So much for the losers (including Alabamas white evangelicals, who betrayed their morals by giving Moore 81 percent of their votes). Lets put our hands together for the winners:

African-Americans. By turning out in numbers that far exceeded expectations (29 percent of last nights electorate, with 96 percent of their votes going to Jones), they pulled Alabama into the 21st century. Apparently it didnt sit well with these black citizens that Moore was openly pining for the good old days of slavery and musing that America would be better off without the constitutional amendment that guarantees equal protection of the law. Nor did it probably sit well that Trump came to Alabama and denounced kneeling black athletes as SOBs.

Women. Theres no way of knowing whether they were turned off by Moores cruising of teens, or his stated belief that America would be better off without the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, or his belief that Muslims shouldnt serve in government, or his belief that America is evil because it allows gay marriage, or his alliance with a president whos accused of harassment by at least 16 women. Whatever the mix, the numbers tell the tale: They favored Jones over Moore by a whopping 16 points, 57 to 41.

Moores female accusers. By a 20-point margin, women voters said the allegations about Moore were true. Indeed, among mothers with children under 18, Jones won by 34 points, 66 to 32.

Richard Shelby. Last weekend, Alabamas senior Republican senator put country above party, urging his constituents to write in a distinguished Republican. He thus defied Trump, Bannon, the Republican National Committee (which sent Moore $150,000), and his own state GOP. Though Shelbys influence is hard to measure, he deserves some of the credit for arresting our race to the bottom. Which brings us to...

Senate Republicans. Theyre winners too, inadvertently so. A Moore victory wouldve made their lives hell. A Moore defeat frees them from conducting an ethics investigation and contemplating expulsion. A Moore defeat spares them from having to answer press questions every time Moore opened his yap. They get enough grief as it is from Trumps moronic tweets.

On the other hand, Jones ascent to the Senate narrows the Republican majority to 51-49, which means the GOP has even less margin for error as it labors to deliver legislative wins for Trump in 2018. The party still seems determined to enact a tax reform bill that screws the working- and middle-class voters, a bill most Americans strongly oppose, and Jones wont be sworn in until after its passed. But theres hope for 2018 that at least a few Republican senators will read the Alabama tea leaves and act in the national interest.

As conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin says, If pure, undistilled Trumpism is a dud in a deep-red state, perhaps Republicans will conclude it is a failed political philosophy for the country at large.

If so, then there truly is a God.
A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber has killed at least 10 people at a police academy in the capital.

Capt. Mohamed Hussein said that the bomber who infiltrated Gen. Kahiye Police Academy Thursday targeted police officers during their regular morning exercises.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Somalia has frequent attacks from the Islamic extremist rebels of al-Shabab, who are allied to al-Qaida.
Tanzania's government is urging the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation into the killings of 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers last week in eastern Congo.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made the comments to the state broadcaster as he led hundreds of mourners in an emotional ceremony for the slain peacekeepers in the commercial hub, Dar es Salaam. The event was attended by the U.N.'s top peacekeeping official, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

Majaliwa says Tanzanians want to know what exactly happened and "we want legal actions against all those involved."

The Dec. 7 attack was the deadliest single assault on a U.N. peacekeeping mission in nearly 25 years. One of dozens of rebel groups in the region is suspected in the hours-long attack that also wounded more than 40 peacekeepers.
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Thousands of Romanians have paid their respects to the late King Michael I whose coffin is lying in state at the Royal Palace before his funeral this weekend.

Michael, who ruled Romania twice and was forced to abdicate by the communists in 1947, died Dec. 5 in Switzerland at age 96.

Mourners arrived late Wednesday and stayed until early Thursday to pay their respects to the late king whose coffin stood on a rostrum in a grand room, not far from where he ordered the arrest of pro-Nazi leader Marshal Ion Antonescu on Aug. 23, 1944, which took Romania into the war on the side of the Allies.

Outside the palace, there were thousands of candles and flowers, as mourners, many in tears, said farewell to Romania's last king.
The Syrian city of Palmyra stood for decades as a shining example of ancient civilization, a caravan stop on the Silk Road that served as the capital of Queen Zenobias empire.

The citys meticulously preserved Greco-Roman ruins landed it UNESCO World Heritage Site status, making it a top tourist attraction in the Middle East and a mecca for archaeologists and historians.

Now the city once known for its priceless ancient art and artifacts has been ravaged by ISIS, the terror group that has defiantly destroyed the cultural heritage of the lands they occupy. But even as it set about destroying some of the worlds most priceless and beautiful structures  declaring many of the treasures sacrilegious idolatry -- ISIS also launched the highly profitable trade of selling these supposedly unholy relics on the black market.

Now that ISIS has largely been driven from Palmyra, Fox News got an up-close look at the destruction the group wrought on what only a few years ago was a stunningly preserved ancient city.

Before the terrorists swept in, the old city of Palmyra, or Tadmur as it is known locally in Arabic, was something of an archaeological sanctuary deep inside the south-central desert of Syria. It was the countrys premier site for studying ancient Greek, Persian, Roman and Islamic cultures, representing life in the area from the early centuries of the first millennium. It was also a sacred place for prayer, first for suppliants in the Baalshamin Temple and then for Eastern Orthodox Christians at the now-decimated ancient monastery of Mar Elian.

ISIS had control of Palmyra twice, both times wreaking havoc on history. The insurgents first took over in May 2015, and the ancient Roman theater served as the backdrop for ISIS militants to publicly execute dozens of captured Syrian regime soldiers and smash ancient artifacts to bits. Subsequently, ISIS social media accounts were filled with photographs depicting the decimation, including the beheading of ancient statues.

A native of Syrias Palmyra, Abu Mohammed, who studied archaeology in Italy in the early 1980s, was asked by the Islamic State to join their team after they first overran the ancient city. He was in need of money, so he agreed.

I worked in Palmyra for 18 years. This is why they asked me to work for them  digging and exploring, Mohammed, 55, explained from the Turkish city of Mersin, where he was spreading out a selection of smuggled precious antiquities. ISIS was making a lot of money from looting. It was its biggest income after oil.

Mohammed, a pseudonym, was made to sign an official contract with ISIS Al-Rikaz office -- the office responsible for antique trading and finance -- pledging not to sell any antiquities outside their jurisdiction. He worked with a team of six other archaeologists, he said, unearthing sculptures of bronze and stone and also good jewelry. Many of their findings were sent to a secret storage unit in a basement of their so-called caliphate capital of Raqqa, where they were held and then sold.

I earned good money. ISIS treated me good and I worked for them for two years, Mohammed said.

The Syrian Army reclaimed the city in March 2016, only for ISIS to invade successfully again in December. By early March 2017 the city was back in the hands of Syrian forces -- but littered with landmines to ensure more annihilation.

Mohammed estimated that ISIS destroyed around 15 percent of the artifacts in its reach, mostly to make propaganda videos to tell its followers that the items were forbidden in Islam. Despite being allegedly forbidden in Islam, the terror group discreetly went on to sell the vast majority to boost their bankroll.

"When I saw those videos of ISIS destroying them  I couldnt sleep for days.  Daham Alasaad

Artifacts that survived the occupation and fighting have been trafficked globally -- routed not only through neighboring Turkey, but Jordan and Lebanon, as well. Palmyra locals told Fox News that several ISIS fighters are still lurking in nearby mountain areas, and the smuggling trade continues to flourish outside Syrias borders.

Today, Mohammed, who escaped Syria in April of this year, reaps such benefit with a full-fledged illicit trade in Turkey.

I have staff who still smuggle from different areas over the border for me, he said. And when I ran away I collected many antiques, and some Im waiting to arrive here.

Mohammed claimed that while business is not as good as it used to be because the black market is now full of antiquities from Syria, he still manages to sell his small goods, primarily to customers from Germany, Italy and the Arab world. He operates through word of mouth, closing his sales first by sending photos of the items to the potential customer, and if they like it they pay half the price. He then takes the item further south to a designated meeting point, where an interlocutor collects the rest of the money and transfers the item to its new owners hands.

I keep my money in banks with different account numbers, or I transfer the money to gold, Mohammed said, adding that he feels no guilt for bartering archaeological treasures. Im sending these artifacts out into the world, otherwise they would have been destroyed by the war.

SHOULD U.S. TAXPAYERS PAY TO REBUILD THE FORMER ISIS STRONGHOLD?

WHO ARE THE ISLAMIC MILITANTS LIKELY BEHIND THE DEATH OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS?

Palmyra native Daham Alasaad, who for several years before the Syrian war was a prominent Palmyra tour guide  observed Mohammeds pilfered items up close, including an ancient Greek head and a statue of a Hercules God, and affirmed that they appeared to be authentic.

It broke my heart seeing these items like this, and when I saw those videos of ISIS destroying them  I couldnt sleep for days, Alasaad said. I was so proud of my ancient city.

A representative from the Syrian governments Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums told Fox News that they are close to finishing their damage assessment of the historic city -- using drones and 3D maps -- in an effort to determine next steps. And George Papagiannis, the media chief for the United Nations cultural body UNESCO said that they have not yet determined even if Palmyra will undergo repairs at all given that their guidelines only allow for reconstruction in exceptional cases.

Discussions in the international scientific community have been ongoing since the first wave of intentional destructions hit Palmyra, ranging from keeping the destruction visible as a testimony of the tragic events that hit the site, to full reconstruction as a means to defy destruction, he said. We have not had the opportunity to fully evaluate the site and make that determination. The situation remains volatile in the whole area, and the roads leading to it are still military zones.
Turkey's official news agency says the coast guard has launched a dramatic rescue operation to evacuate migrants stranded on rocks in the Aegean Sea.

At least 68 migrants were attempting to illegally cross to Greece on a rubber dinghy from the western province of Izmir. Anadolu Agency said authorities intervened after receiving an emergency call.

Video showed a helicopter lifting a person off the rocks using a rope. Anadolu said two helicopters and a boat were dispatched for the operation.

There was no information on the migrants' nationalities but more than 3.3 million Syrians live in Turkey.

At the height of the migrant crisis in 2015, more than 857,000 migrants reached Greece from Turkey. A 2016 deal between Turkey and the European Union dramatically reduced the numbers.
Matt Calvin, co-owner of the Catherine W. Jones McKann Center at 1001 Princess Anne St. and 215 William St., presented potential ideas for development of the property at a breakfast Tuesday for area business leaders organized by the Fredericksburg Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The feedback weve been getting is that the building is beautiful, but overwhelming, Calvin said. Were trying to simplifycreate a visual effect to help people see ideas, and simplify the pricing.

Calvin and Ryan Jenkins, who own Battle Creek Construction in LaPlata, Md., purchased the former home of the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center for $1.6 million following an auction in February 2016.

Constructed in 1927 to house The Planters National Bank, the stately Georgian Revival-style building on Princess Anne Street operated as a bankalthough under different names and ownershipfrom that time until it was put up for sale by BB&T in 2004, when the Fredericksburg Area Museum board purchased it and the adjacent former Carley retail shop at 215 William St.

The two properties were joined as part of a 2006 renovation project by the museum. The William Street portion, which dates to the early 1800s, has about 3,700 square feet, while the building on Princess Anne Street has about 9,000.

We work a lot with historic buildings, and from that work we really admire and appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of this property, Calvin said, explaining that both he and Jenkins live in King George County and do a lot of business in Fredericksburg.

We understand that families here have parents and grandparents who frequented the bank, he said. Its been a notable part of historic Fredericksburg for all these years and we would never want to take that away.

Battle Creek Construction has partnered with Kansas City-based Clockwork Architecture and Design to ignite new interest in developing the property for business use. Clockwork is known for its work nationwide in repositioning and redevelopment of real estate properties.

Were very fortunate to have Clockwork on board, Calvin said. Theyve done work for Google and Teslathey understand the needs of businesses as well as maintaining the history here.

At the breakfast meeting Tuesday, Chester Bartels, a principal at Clockwork, presented renderings of how the two buildings could be used as business space. For the bank property, Bartels showed diagrams of a potential restaurant, with the bank vault a central design feature.

It could be an authentic farm to table kind of restaurant, possibly with a test kitchen, which would fit in nicely with the rich food culture of Fredericksburg, Bartels said.

The former Carley retail building would have its own address and entry on William Street, with small, leasable footprints.

That area would lend itself well to set up companies, young companies very much in keeping with the connectivity that the bank building has always had with the community, Bartels said. I think theres an opportunity to have an incubation or support network for some smaller businesses.

The third floor of the bank, tucked up under the roof with a skylight, could house any number of possible businesses or organizations.

It would be perfect for a yoga studio or physical therapy, something of that sort, Bartels said. Maybe a speakeasy or private club, or even a dinner theater. Its a very unique space that lends itself to some refreshing opportunities.

Calvin stressed flexibility as potential tenants come forward.

Were open to other ideas, he said. Were willing to modify according to their needs.

Also, Calvin has a plan for simplifying the pricing of each space. Instead of giving a square foot price, well do whats considered a modified gross lease, so if you wanted to plug into a particular office space, here is your full rental rate plus utilities, he said.

Bartels commented that the property has been well cared for. Its in excellent condition, he said. The previous owner took great care to restore parts of the building, it speaks to the quality of stewardship here.

Calvin concurred. We love that building, he said. We want to breathe life back into it. We want to put businesses in there so people can come and see that building and admire and enjoy it. Thats what it was built for.
J.F. Fick Inc., the Fredericksburg regions exclusive AnheuserBusch beverage distributor, has been sold to the largest AnheuserBusch distributor in the state.

Virginia Eagle Distributing Co., which is headquartered in Augusta County, purchased the 78-year-old, family-owned company under a non-disclosure agreement earlier this month.

President and CEO J.F. Fick III decided to sell because his children didnt want to continue on with the business in the same way he did, and he thought we would be good stewards of the business, said Scott Heinz, chief operating officer of Virginia Eagle Distributing. It was a strategic fit with our company. We overlap with a lot of the same retail customers.

The purchase gives Virginia Eagle its seventh location around the state, and expands its service area to Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania. The purchase will help it compete with Premium Distributors of Virginia, which is based in Alexandria, he said. Premium is owned by Reyes Holdings, which operates one of the largest beer distribution organizations in the United States.

In todays beer world, you have to have economies of scale to be competitive, Heinz said.

Virginia Eagle, like Fick, distributes domestic, imported and craft beers as well as cider, malt and non-alcoholic beverages. Its local craft beers include those from 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Co. in Stafford and Richmond-based Strangeways Brewing, which has a location in Fredericksburg. A distribution agreement with Adventure Brewing, which has locations in Stafford and Spotsylvania, is in the works, Heinz said.

Virginia Eagle has eliminated the trucking company that was part of J.F. Fick because AnheuserBusch has its own trucking service. It is keeping the remaining staff, upgrading the companys technology, and will offer a more competitive health care policy beginning Jan. 1, he said.

Virginia Eagle will spend about $150,000 total on charitable donations in 2018, Heinz said, with $25,000 going to those in area J.F. Fick had serviced. The local beneficiaries will include the Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg.

We have a tremendous affinity for veterans groups, Heinz said. Most of our donation dollars go to veterans groups. We have a strong belief that you just cant do enough for veterans.

Virginia Eagle is a relative newcomer compared with J.F. Fick. It started seven years ago with one warehouse in Verona, which is in Augusta County.

Fick dates back to March 6, 1936, when its founder and namesake turned a one-car garage behind a grocery in Triangle into a warehouse. He and a helper used an old pulpwood truck to deliver Budweiser and Michelob to his wholesale customers.

Three years later, beer was being shipped to J.F. Fick by rail from St. Louis and Newark, N.J., to Quantico. Sales to surrounding military bases would account for about half of its business during World War II, and a second route was added by the late 1940s.

By 1949, J.F. Jack Fick Jr. had joined his father in the family business, and he became its sole owner and president in 1958. The business continued to grow and move to larger and larger warehouses.

In 1973, it moved from Prince William County to Midway in Stafford County, where a 15,000-square-foot office and warehouse was built on a 9.5-acre tract. The company also dismantled its old warehouse and moved it there, where it became the fleet maintenance facility.

Jack Ficks youngest son, Magruder Fick, joined the corporation as vice president in 1975, and the company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1986 by getting AnheuserBusch to bring one of its trademark Budweiser beer wagons and a team of Clydesdales to the Spotsylvania Mall for a guest appearance. AnheuserBusch Clydesdales also were a highlight of the companys 75th anniversary celebration in 2011.

By then, John F. Fick III was the companys president and his sister, Nancy Fick Campbell, was executive vice president. Theyd seen the need for even more warehouse space, and moved the company to its current 54,000-square-foot facility on six acres in the Four-Mile Fork Industrial Park in Spotsylvania County.

They also helped a number of charities, including The Mary Washington Hospital Foundation, Moss Free Clinic and the Marine Corp Heritage Foundation.
Side issues  some of them created by the president himself  have obscured the accomplishments of the Donald Trump administration during his first year in office.

The economy is the most obvious one. From anemic growth in the previous administration, it is now growing at around 3 percent, which economists say is ideal. The stock market continues to set records, fattening retirement portfolios.

Unemployment is at its lowest level since 2000. It is also at a 17-year low for African-Americans, and it has dropped for all other major racial and ethnic groups. The black community is unlikely to give the president much credit because of its addiction to the Democratic Party, even though that party has taken their votes for granted and done little for them.

The good economic news may be penetrating the largely negative media coverage. The Wall Street Journal reports: Although President Donald Trumps overall approval ratings have dropped to the lowest point of his presidency, he is getting significantly higher marks in one important area: his handling of the economy.

During the campaign, candidate Trump promised to increase the number of manufacturing jobs. Critics said he couldnt do it because those jobs were gone forever. A White House statement claims that 159,000 manufacturing jobs have been created since the president took office. This contrasts with the final year of the Obama administration, when manufacturing jobs were being trimmed at an average of 1,000 per month, according to the statement.

The Treasury Departments Office of Tax Policy estimates that the administrations economic policies will increase tax revenue by $1.8 trillion over 10 years.

On his visits to China, Vietnam and South Korea, the president achieved trade deals worth more than $270 billion that will benefit American companies and their employees.

The caliphate in Iraq and Syria established by the Islamic State has been effectively destroyed, primarily because the president lifted rules of engagement and allowed the military to go after the terrorists as if this is a real war, which it is, and not a conflict where one side is burdened by rules and the other isnt.

Illegal immigration has declined substantially even before a wall is constructed.

The president is fulfilling other promises. He is populating the federal courts with judges who are subject to the constraints of the Constitution and dont have a history of legislating from the bench.

Unnecessary regulations on businesses imposed by the previous administration are being rolled back, which is helping to fuel the economic boom.

There is much more, but these accomplishments are being obscured by some of the presidents own actions and rhetoric. He continues to bring up the 2016 election and remains critical of Hillary Clinton. It is unnecessary. Instead, he should be touting the tangible and verifiable successes his administration is producing.

Next year the administration plans to tackle welfare reform and finalize a plan on immigration that includes a decision on what to do about the dreamers, children of illegal immigrants who were brought to America at a young age, and chain migration.

Another priority in the new year should be the liberation of poor and minority children from failing public schools. Trump promised to do this during his campaign. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has been a champion of school choice, and she, along with the president, should begin a show-and-tell series of events that feature children who were learning nothing in their former schools and are now in private or charter public schools where they are getting a real education and feel safe.

The president is starting to get credit on the economy. He will earn more if he exercises self-discipline, controls the content of his tweets and adopts an optimistic message while toning down  way down  the anger and the criticism of others.

The Democrats are offering nothing. A Washington Post headline from earlier this week read: Despite recent wins, Democrats remain divided about what they stand for.

Its a great opportunity for the president and the Republican Party to remind voters not only what they stand for (if they know), but what they are accomplishing.
A man who is awaiting sentencing for what Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Olsen described as "one of the worst rapes ever" in Stafford County is now listed in court records as a victim in a major crime.

Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, 27, was one of two inmates at the Rappahannock Regional Jail who were badly beaten by another inmate in August, court records show.

Robert Walter Hunter, 41, of King George County was indicted this month by a Stafford grand jury on two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Flores Sibrian will be facing the possibility of four life sentences plus 20 years when he is sentenced next month in Stafford Circuit Court. He was convicted of rape, abduction with the intent to defile and other charges for sexually assaulting a young King George woman after ramming his vehicle into hers as she drove east on State Route 3 in Stafford on Oct. 31, 2016.

The incident began about 3 a.m. near Sherwood Forest Farm Road in southern Stafford. The victim was on her way home from a party when her vehicle was struck.

The evidence shows she got out of her vehicle expecting to exchange insurance information when Flores Sibrian grabbed her and dragged her down an embankment. He then sexually assaulted her for at least 90 minutes.

He left behind DNA and a shirt that helped investigators eventually track him down at a work site in North Carolina, where he was arrested. Flores Sibrian, a native of El Salvador who is in the country illegally, told police he was drunk that night and didn't remember anything, but admitted that the shirt recovered was his.

Prosecutor George Elsasser said the jail incident in which Flores Sibrian was an alleged victim involved a dispute over a microwave that initially didn't involve him. Hunter reportedly cut the line and was confronted by fellow inmate James Carnagey.

The police report said Hunter attacked Carnagey, who was using a crutch, knocking him to the ground. He then used the crutch to pummel him.

Flores Sibrian tried to break up the assault and Hunter ended up using part of the broken crutch to beat and choke Flores Sibrian, Elsasser said.
The Culpeper County Planning Commission on Wednesday night tabled for 30 days a request by Power Grid LLC to rezone approximately 100 acres along McDevitt Drive from rural to light industrial in order to build a data center campus similar to Terremark.

The facility, according to Michael Armm, would consist of three structures of approximately 290,000 square feet each and employ about 150 workers in high-paying jobs.

The issue was tabled at the request of county staff because of several minor technical reasons and to allow the Virginia Department of Transportation to further study traffic implications.

Of primary concern, according to county planner Sam McLaren, is the intersection at McDevitt Drive and State Route 3, which is already heavily used during rush hours.

Armm said the facility will generate minimal traffic, adding the property is not contiguous to the intersection. Nevertheless, Power Grid is willing to work with the town and county to place a traffic circle there, Armm said.

Armm added that the land in question, part of the old Kay Anders property, is a perfect location for a data center campus because there is plenty of fiber optic cable available, a Rappahannock Electric substation is located on McDevitt Drive and the town water plant is less than a mile away.

Germanna Community College and Terremark are also just up the street.

Attorney Butch Davies, also representing Power Grid, said that Frank Turnage Drive, which splits the property, would need to be moved so as not to divide the campus.

That project would be done at Power Grid expense. Turnage Drive, built with revenue sharing funds, was supposed to provide a second entrance into Germanna, but construction stopped short of the college when funds ran out. Right now it is essentially a dead-end road.

Armm said that Power Grid would take advantage of tax incentives the county now has in place for such companies. He said that in the long run, taxpayers would benefit significantly from lower personal property and real estate taxes as well as the quality jobs.

Armm and Davies had no objection to the 30-day delay.

In other action, the Commission voted 8-0 (chairman Sanford Reaves was missing for personal reasons) to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the county code be amended to allow 100-foot utility pole microspots to allow Virginia Broadband to provide high-speed internet service to homes that are in difficult areas to reach.

The need for internet overrides the [location and aesthetic concerns], said commissioner Cindy Thornhill.

The meeting was the first for new commissioner Paul Bates.
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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Theres nothing wrong with supply-side economics that division by 10 wouldnt cure.

That quip came from Charles Schultze, the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in Democrat Jimmy Carters White House. It meant that improving incentives to work and invest would promote economic growthbut not nearly as much as tax-cutting enthusiasts believed.

The point applies to the politics of tax cuts, too. Both parties are exaggerating the impact the tax bill making its way through Congress is likely to have in the next elections.

A lot of Republicans on Capitol Hill think passing a tax cut is vital to their re-election chances. They believe it will show that they can accomplish something, reassuring their core supporters.

Doing nothing, youre running as the gang that couldnt shoot straight, former Republican congressman Tom Davis tells me. They also think that voters will appreciate the higher take-home pay they will get as withholding tables are adjusted for the new tax code.

Finally, many Republicans believe that the bill will boost their candidates by amping up economic growth. Its a theory that conservatives have often invoked when arguing among themselves about how to design the bill. FreedomWorks, a conservative group, warned Senate Republicans, If we dont make the corporate tax rate reduction immediate, Americans wont see the impact of economic growth and job creation by November 2018.

All of these effects are likely to be small. Not everyone who gets a tax cut is going to realize it. President George W. Bush cut taxes twice during his first term, in a less complicated way than the current tax bill does. Yet when he ran for re-election, only a fifth of voters believed he had cut their taxes.

Its true that one detailed analysis of the Senate tax bill shows it significantly boosting growth in 2018. Contrary to the FreedomWorks forecast, its the delay in the reduction of the corporate tax rate that generates the extra growth. The bill lets companies write off the full cost of their investments in 2018creating a more powerful incentive to invest when the tax rate is higher.

Strong growth usually helps the party in power. But we may be living through a time that is an exception to that rule. The economy has been doing pretty well already, while President Donald Trump is unpopular and getting more so.

Democrats, meanwhile, may be overestimating how much the unpopularity of the tax bill will matter in the next election. For example, Chris Cillizza of CNN looks at survey data and concludes that the Republican tax bill is a major motivator for Democratic base voters and will drive Democrats to the polls to show their anger and disapproval.

Such data can be misleading, though, because a lot of those angry Democrats would be angry about something else in the absence of that tax bill. Or about someone else: Trump as president may be motivation enough for Democrats to vote.

What may help the Democrats is not the bills overall unpopularity, but its unpopularity with a specific group: relatively affluent voters in high-tax states. Both the House and the Senate versions of tax reform scale back the deduction for state and local taxes, resulting in a net tax increase for many of these voterswho have already been turning away from the Trump-era Republican Party.

What may help the Republicans, on the other hand, is that passing the tax bill will give them something to say for themselves. Next fall, they may be able to say that the economy is booming and that they helped it get that way.

Whether they will be right or wrong about it, its the best argument they are likely to have at their disposal. Republicans in competitive races are probably not going to want to talk about the presidents Twitter feed instead.

Passing a tax bill looks likely to be the major legislative accomplishment of this Congress. That doesnt mean its going to be a dominant issue in the election. My guess is that passing it will be a modest net plus for Republicans. But whatever you think the political effect will be, divide it by 10.

Ramesh Ponnuru is a Bloomberg View columnist. He is a senior editor at National Review, visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and contributor to CBS News.
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This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department and the Benton County Sheriffs Office. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Corvallis Police Department

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12

SCAM: 11:56 a.m., 1600 block of Southwest 49th Street, Corvallis. A woman reported she lost $500 in a scam. She said she was contacted via text about a loan and had $800 placed in her bank account. She was instructed to buy $500 in Steam cards from Walmart and provide the company the card codes, which she did. The woman later discovered the $800 had been withdrawn from her account.

DUII: 6:28 p.m., Southwest 35th Street and Southwest Washington Way, Corvallis. Police assisted Oregon State Police troopers with a DUII crash that caused a car fire. Samantha Scott, 26, allegedly crashed the car and was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Andrew Leitzel allegedly fled from the crash. Scott told police there is an order forbidding her and Leitzel from having contact, which might be why he ran. Police searched the area but did not find Leitzel.

CAR VERSUS PEDESTRIAN CRASH: 9:20 p.m., Northwest Monroe Avenue and Northwest Kings Boulevard, Corvallis. A man reported a car grazed his right leg as he was crossing Monroe Avenue on the east side of the intersection. The man, who was uninjured, said the driver did not stop. Police found the driver using a car description and license plate number. He said he did not recall hitting someone or seeing a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Police did not cite the driver.
After the climate conference : Tent city to be taken down before Christmas

Bonn Following the climate conference in November, some pathways in the Rheinaue are still closed to the public. The grassy area called the Blumenwiese will be reseeded in spring.

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Just over a month ago, politicians, climate researchers and non-governmental organizations met at the Cop 23 in Bonn to discuss the concrete implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement. In the Rheinaue, traces of the climate conference can still be seen: Workers are dismantling the tent city which had been erected for the event. By the end of December, the pavilions and function rooms should be completely removed. Parts of the Bonn zone are still standing on the Blumenwiese, and even on the grassy area behind the Deutsche Welle, the Bula zone is still recognizable. Security officers control the access roads to both areas. Charles-de-Gaulle-Strae is still closed to motorists and pedestrians. In some spots, signs point the way to the individual entrances: "Gate J", for example, stands on one of the big signs.

Responsible for the construction and dismantling of the tent city is the Hamburg company Vagedes & Schmid. "The dismantling is going very well, at the moment we are even slightly ahead of schedule," says Beate Frey-Stilz, head of the project team for the Cop 23 at the Federal Ministry for the Environment. In the first days after the conference about 1500 workers were on the construction sites. "Now there are about 300 to 350 people working there", says the project manager. On the evening the conference ended, the furnishings of the individual country pavilions were carried away, followed by more furniture and finally the individual tents.

Rain and snowfall has made the demolition work difficult in recent days. "Of course, the work on wet grounds is more difficult than if it were firm and dry, but we adjusted to that. In this respect, everything is going according to plan," explains Michael Vagedes, managing director of Vagedes & Schmid.

Most of the built-in materials had been rented by the event management company. The individual parts go back to the suppliers for use again at other events. A small portion of the material cannot be recycled and will be disposed of properly. The newly laid network of electricity and water pipes, however, will remain. " After the tent material has been completely dismantled, the driveways are to be removed as the last step," says Frey-Stilz. In order for trucks to be able to drive on the narrow pathways at the Rheinaue, they were widened with mats. As of December 20, they will be open again for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Blumenwiese area, however, will remain closed until the lawn is restored. After the dismantling of the pavilions, brown muddy areas without grass will become visible and these will need to be brought back to their original condition. "Of course, the timetable for restoring the grass depends heavily on the weather. It should ideally start in January," says Vagedes. The grass seed can only be planted at warmer temperatures, probably from mid-March." The contract between the city and BMUB states that the area should be restored by April 1, 2018," says city spokeswoman Monika Horig. According to current planning, the Blumenwiese should be open again to pedestrians in May, making it accessible for "Rhine in Flames" on the first weekend of May.

More than 22,000 participants from 190 nations traveled to Bonn for the twelve-day conference. In addition to Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. politicians Al Gore and Arnold Schwarzenegger participated.
Warning of wind gusts : Weather service warns of storm in Bonn and region

Bonn The German Weather Service has issued a storm warning for Bonn and the Rhine-Sieg district. Residents should beware of falling and flying objects carried by the wind.

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According to the German Weather Service, people living in Bonn and the Rhine-Sieg district can expect storm gusts from the southwest with speeds up to 95 km / h on Thursday. In some areas, there will be heavy rainfall. Falling branches from trees or other objects carried by the wind may present dangers.
The Albany Fire Department on Tuesday night responded to two fires within 10 minutes, deploying 20 firefighters and pulling resources from three other agencies, according to Safety Division Chief Chris Labelle.

The first call, at 1520 Powell Way SE, came in at 11:04 p.m. Three engines and two medic units responded with 20 personnel, and spent a little more than two- and-a-half hours fighting the fire.

The call to a second fire came at 11:14, a first-alarm, calling two engines from to first fire to 3815 Marion Street SE, in a contractor's trailer behind Oregon Sno Temp. The crews there spent a little more than an hour and a half on the scene.

Units from Corvallis, Lebanon and Tangent were called in as back-up.

Both fires were determined to have been caused by electrical wiring. There were no injuries at either.
AREAFADA! Charly Boy Rain Curses On Nigerian Pastors & Politicians Who Own Private Jets

bohlah at 14-12-2017 06:24 AM (4 years ago) (m)

Popular entertainer, social media crusader, activist, and son late High Court Judge, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly boy, on Wednesday described pastors and politicians, who own private jets as bastards.



The veteran entertainer and convener of OurMumuDonDo made the remark while frowning at the sorry state of Nigeria Airways. In a post via his Twitter handle, he shared some photographs juxtaposing other countries national carriers with the dead Nigerian Airways.

Popular entertainer, social media crusader, activist, and son late High Court Judge, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly boy, on Wednesday described pastors and politicians, who own private jets as bastards.The veteran entertainer and convener of OurMumuDonDo made the remark while frowning at the sorry state of Nigeria Airways. In a post via his Twitter handle, he shared some photographs juxtaposing other countries national carriers with the dead Nigerian Airways.

See what he posted below:-

What a shame, Nigeria dont even have a national air carrier yet there are over 100 private jets owned by con men/pastors called men of God and thieves called Leaders/politicians. May the revolution consume the bastards. A post shared by CharlyBoy Oputa (AreaFada) (@areafada1) on Dec 13, 2017 at 2:17am PST See what he posted below:-

Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 14-12-2017 06:24 AM (4 years ago) | Addicted Hero

johnnychuks2 at 14-12-2017 06:34 AM (4 years ago)

(m) Make jah jehovah punish all there families, children and children children too. Every single person in nigeria that call himself man of god. And all the politicians. Thieves Posted: at 14-12-2017 06:34 AM (4 years ago) | Upcoming Make jah jehovah punish all there families, children and children children too. Every single person in nigeria that call himself man of god. And all the politicians. Thieves Reply

kacylee at 14-12-2017 06:44 AM (4 years ago)

(f) abeg tell them make them hear I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 14-12-2017 06:44 AM (4 years ago) | Addicted Hero abeg tell them make them hear Reply

ehudomalt at 14-12-2017 07:57 AM (4 years ago)

(m) I like dis guy for some reasons Posted: at 14-12-2017 07:57 AM (4 years ago) | Upcoming I like dis guy for some reasons Reply

ruthie at 14-12-2017 08:09 AM (4 years ago)

(f) Grandpa aka area papa..God n sit down! Posted: at 14-12-2017 08:09 AM (4 years ago) | Hero Grandpa aka area papa..God n sit down! Reply

Haso112 at 14-12-2017 08:56 AM (4 years ago)

(m) HMMMMM.... NA WA OOO,WHICH WAY NAIJA? Posted: at 14-12-2017 08:56 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac HMMMMM.... NA WA OOO,WHICH WAY NAIJA? Reply

cypanyahucha at 14-12-2017 09:36 AM (4 years ago)

(m) Just the reality Posted: at 14-12-2017 09:36 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac Just the reality Reply

felicilin at 14-12-2017 09:44 AM (4 years ago)

(f) good for them Posted: at 14-12-2017 09:44 AM (4 years ago) | Hero good for them Reply

emytex74 at 14-12-2017 11:54 AM (4 years ago)

(m) Failed country Posted: at 14-12-2017 11:54 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac Failed country Reply

crocatum at 14-12-2017 12:38 PM (4 years ago)

(m) Ghana is becoming advanced and there is order there, Ethiopia is becoming advanced, other Africans countries are becoming advanced, the truth be told, our government is not trying at all, they are a disappointment. We can only move forward by admitting our mistakes, our failures and our lack of vision. Posted: at 14-12-2017 12:38 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac Ghana is becoming advanced and there is order there, Ethiopia is becoming advanced, other Africans countries are becoming advanced, the truth be told, our government is not trying at all, they are a disappointment. We can only move forward by admitting our mistakes, our failures and our lack of vision. Reply
We had a conversation recently with a pair of mid-valley business leaders who shared their concerns about the Oregon economy.

More specifically, they were worried about the health of the economy in Oregon's rural areas  such as, for example, the eastern portion of Linn County.

They're right to be worried.

Even though Oregon continues to enjoy a remarkable (if long delayed) economic recovery from the Great Recession, it's the state's more urban areas that have benefited the most from the boom. To be sure, some of the recovery's effects have trickled down to rural areas, but fundamental questions remain about how best to ensure a strong economy for those regions. Expect that to be a key issue in next year's gubernatorial race, although the fact of the matter is that rural Oregon does not have the electoral clout that it used to a few decades ago.

In any event, the business leaders called our attention to another reason to be worried about the economic health of rural counties: A key economic statistic, the labor force participation rate, tends to be lower in rural counties than in the state's urban areas.

The labor force participation rate measures the percentage of people 16 and above who are either working or actively seeking work. Nationally, the number has been declining since 2000, a trend that has caused some worries among economists.

In Linn County, according to numbers compiled by the state Employment Department, the labor force participation rate in 2016 was 58.7 percent. (The rate for all of Oregon was 62.6 percent, but Patrick O'Connor, a regional economist with the Employment Department, says it tends to hover around 70 percent in the state's urban areas. The 2016 labor participation rate in the United States was about the same as the Oregon rate, 62.6 percent.)

O'Connor offers some cautions about reading too much into this number: To a large extent, he says, it's driven by demographics  if an area tends to skew older, retirees will naturally drive the rate lower. Also, he says, another demographic factor is at play: Since 2000, the rate of women participating in the workforce has been declining.

But even after you take all that into account, the fact remains that the economic opportunities available in rural parts of Oregon are not as robust as they are in the state's urban areas.

Big shifts in the state's economic picture help explain part of the reason why: If, for example, you live in an area of the state that used to rely on timber as an economic mainstay, chances are good that your job prospects are a lot cloudier than they used to be. Some former timber towns have managed to reinvent themselves. But many others have not been able to do that  and if jobs aren't available in the forests around your hometown, chances are you're going to need to go elsewhere if you want to work. It augurs poorly for the future of small-town Oregon.

In the meantime, although unemployment levels are at historic low levels  a good thing  employers throughout the region are complaining about their ability to find the skilled labor they need to replace workers who have retired. Efforts underway to tie training options more closely to openings in the job market are promising, but need more time to fully blossom.

And there's this to remember as well: Economic expansions don't last forever. Contractions are inevitable. We need to be preparing for the next one, because it will come, sooner or later.

State officials and legislators, as they prepare for what looks like a busy short session starting in February, would do well to keep all this in mind. And this as well: The rising tide of economic recovery has not lifted all of Oregon's boats evenly. (mm)
Touching Video Of 99Yrs Old Inmate Who Is Currently The Oldest Man In A Nigeria Prison, Enugu

felicilin at 14-12-2017 11:39 AM (4 years ago) (f)

A Nigerian man, Celestine Egboluche is unarguably the oldest man in a Nigerian prison. The 99-year-old man from Imo State has spent 17 years in prison.

Evangelist Christian Okezie Chukwuka who paid the old man a visit at the Enugu Maximum prison also met the man's biological son Mr. Paul Egboluche over an undisclosed crime(s).

A Nigerian man, Celestine Egboluche is unarguably the oldest man in a Nigerian prison. The 99-year-old man from Imo State has spent 17 years in prison.Evangelist Christian Okezie Chukwuka who paid the old man a visit at the Enugu Maximum prison also met the man's biological son Mr. Paul Egboluche over an undisclosed crime(s). Read what Mr Christian shared on Facebook:

Read what Mr Christian shared on Facebook: Quote "These is the video of the elders in the (CC) DEATH ROW Cell in Enugu maximum PRISON. 99 yrs old papa name Mr Celestine Egboluche from Imo State whom has spent 17 yrs in prison with his biological son Mr Paul Egboluche, and 78 Yrs old man Kanayo Arize from Anambra State.

Please the whole world, join me to plead to Enugu State government to free our fathers in Enugu prison who has spent 17 years together with his son in that prison. While the tall old man is 78 years. Both of them have suffered enough.

May the God of mercy breath in mercy into the Governor of Enugu and Anambra to show them mercy. The land of Enugu prison have swallowed so many souls, but these two old people will not be allowed to be swallowed by that red rocky land in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Any question on how to reach them, please contact me.

And if you have access to the government official that could lead to Governor, please contact me so these old ones will go home and be buried proper when die. Evangelist Christian Chukwuka Abounding Grace Foundation."





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTKJx5hOz7s

Post Reply Posted: at 14-12-2017 11:39 AM (4 years ago) | Hero

blowout at 14-12-2017 11:59 AM (4 years ago)

(m) so what crime(s) did they commit to be on death row. tell us the full story. Posted: at 14-12-2017 11:59 AM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac so what crime(s) did they commit to be on death row. tell us the full story. Reply

ruthie at 14-12-2017 12:06 PM (4 years ago)

(f) THIS MAN MUST BE A HARDENED CRIMINAL TO BE LOCKED UP AT THIS OLD AGE...HE MUST HAVE COMMITTED A WICKED CRIME ...AND NOW SUDDENLY WE SHOULD PLEAD BECAUSE OF HIS AGE! NO WAY! Posted: at 14-12-2017 12:06 PM (4 years ago) | Hero THIS MAN MUST BE A HARDENED CRIMINAL TO BE LOCKED UP AT THIS OLD AGE...HE MUST HAVE COMMITTED A WICKED CRIME ...AND NOW SUDDENLY WE SHOULD PLEAD BECAUSE OF HIS AGE! NO WAY! Reply

cypanyahucha at 14-12-2017 12:11 PM (4 years ago)

(m) WEtin d man do? You no tell us! Posted: at 14-12-2017 12:11 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac WEtin d man do? You no tell us! Reply

Haso112 at 14-12-2017 12:31 PM (4 years ago)

(m) DEM FOR TRY FREE THEM MAN NA.... AT 99 YEARS OF AGE, WHAT PUNISHMENT IS HE SERVING AGAIN? Posted: at 14-12-2017 12:31 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac DEM FOR TRY FREE THEM MAN NA.... AT 99 YEARS OF AGE, WHAT PUNISHMENT IS HE SERVING AGAIN? Reply

Haso112 at 14-12-2017 12:32 PM (4 years ago)

(m) Quote from: ruthie on 14-12-2017 12:06 PM THIS MAN MUST BE A HARDENED CRIMINAL TO BE LOCKED UP AT THIS OLD AGE...HE MUST HAVE COMMITTED A WICKED CRIME ...AND NOW SUDDENLY WE SHOULD PLEAD BECAUSE OF HIS AGE! NO WAY!



YOU EHN, I DEY ALWAYS TALK AM SAY ''THANK GOD SAY YOU NO BE JUDGE'' YOUR HEART STRONG PASS MUGABE OWN... Posted: at 14-12-2017 12:32 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac YOU EHN, I DEY ALWAYS TALK AM SAY ''THANK GOD SAY YOU NO BE JUDGE'' YOUR HEART STRONG PASS MUGABE OWN... Reply

Platinum1982 at 14-12-2017 12:35 PM (4 years ago)

(m) Like all comment here, Evangelist pls tel us his crime and if worth pleading wit d government of enugu state we will use every avaialble medium to reach him Posted: at 14-12-2017 12:35 PM (4 years ago) | Upcoming Like all comment here, Evangelist pls tel us his crime and if worth pleading wit d government of enugu state we will use every avaialble medium to reach him Reply

crocatum at 14-12-2017 01:22 PM (4 years ago)

(m) Just as everybody has said, what are their crimes, maybe they were framed up or maybe someone rich was angry and connived with the police to lock them up, or maybe they committed some serious crime, we absolutely know nothing, at least the father should be relased, he is old and probably tired and should rest. Posted: at 14-12-2017 01:22 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac Just as everybody has said, what are their crimes, maybe they were framed up or maybe someone rich was angry and connived with the police to lock them up, or maybe they committed some serious crime, we absolutely know nothing, at least the father should be relased, he is old and probably tired and should rest. Reply

benosky4 at 14-12-2017 01:48 PM (4 years ago)

(m) very old man indeed, but why is he in prison and why should he be freed? #MyVerdict. Posted: at 14-12-2017 01:48 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac very old man indeed, but why is he in prison and why should he be freed? Reply

mirolam at 14-12-2017 03:37 PM (4 years ago)

(f) This man doesnt look 99 years old to me. Just my opinion. Posted: at 14-12-2017 03:37 PM (4 years ago) | Upcoming This man doesnt look 99 years old to me. Just my opinion. Reply

james987 at 14-12-2017 04:11 PM (4 years ago)

(m) Give them parole.. Posted: at 14-12-2017 04:11 PM (4 years ago) | Hero Give them parole.. Reply

Wazubia at 14-12-2017 04:40 PM (4 years ago)

(m) UNTIL YOU TELL US WHAT THEY DO. Posted: at 14-12-2017 04:40 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac UNTIL YOU TELL US WHAT THEY DO. Reply

kacylee at 14-12-2017 07:04 PM (4 years ago)

(f) eyah, this brought tears to my eyes... death row at that age? O Lord have mercy...Enugu state govt. una abeg free the OLD ones there, let them breathe the breath of freedom before they die at least I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 14-12-2017 07:04 PM (4 years ago) | Addicted Hero eyah, this brought tears to my eyes... death row at that age? O Lord have mercy...Enugu state govt. una abeg free the OLD ones there, let them breathe the breath of freedom before they die at least Reply

SweetDaddy1 at 14-12-2017 08:35 PM (4 years ago)

(m) Been on death roll means it was a murder case why say undisclosed crime. If they committed murder there should be no mercy. Posted: at 14-12-2017 08:35 PM (4 years ago) | Gistmaniac Reply

proly at 14-12-2017 10:05 PM (4 years ago)

(f) 99 years wetin still remain again...nawaoooooo Posted: at 14-12-2017 10:05 PM (4 years ago) | Hero 99 years wetin still remain again...nawaoooooo Reply
/THIS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./

TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Largo Resources Ltd. (TSX - LGO) (the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the closing of the second tranche ("Second Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of Units (as defined below) at a price of $0.82 per Unit (the "Offering Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $35.5 million (the "Offering"). In order to accommodate demand, Largo has also increased the size of the Offering by an additional $500,000 since its press release of December 7, 2017 announcing the initial increase from $25M to $35M.

The Corporation raised gross proceeds of $21,416,544.30 in the Second Tranche through the issuance of 26,117,737 Units and also settled long-term debt of $5,991,686.51 (the "Debt Settlement") through the issuance of an additional 7,306,934 Units to an arm's length lender (see below), for an aggregate issuance under this Second Tranche of 33,424,671 Units. Combined with the gross proceeds raised in the First Tranche of $8,091,769.84 through the issuance of 9,868,012 Units and including the Debt Settlement, the Offering has resulted in effective proceeds to the Corporation of approximately $35.5 million. No finders' fees were paid and no finders' warrants were issued in connection with the Offering. The Corporation intends to use the proceeds for working capital.

Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Corporation and one half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of $1.15 for five years from the closing (each a "Unit").

As contemplated by the press release dated December 1, 2017 issued in connection with the closing of the First Tranche, the Corporation entered into an agreement with Banco Pine S.A. ("Pine") to effect the Debt Settlement resulting in the conversion of all of the debt outstanding to Pine in Canada, being $5,991,687.51 (the "Debt"). As set out above, Pine will receive 7,306,934 Units in full and final satisfaction of the Debt as part of the Second Tranche closing.

Mark Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer for Largo, stated: "The tremendous results of this non-brokered financing give us the working capital we need at corporate to focus our resources and time on operations and debt restructuring in Brazil. The Debt Settlement represents the first step in our efforts to improve our capital structure and drive better results for Largo moving forward. We believe that 2018 will be a strong year for vanadium and with closing of our Offering, we are now in an ideal position to benefit from this."

Arias Resource Capital Fund II L.P. ("ARCF II") and Arias Resource Capital Fund II (Mexico) L.P. ("ARCF Mexico") purchased an aggregate of 9,844,857 Units in the Second Tranche for gross proceeds to the Corporation of $8,072,782.74. Prior to the closing of the Second Tranche ARCF II and ARCF Mexico, together with Arias Resource Capital Fund L.P. (collectively the "ARC Funds") owned 57.3% of the Corporations then issued and outstanding Common Shares and following closing of the Second Tranche, the ARC Funds will own 55.5% (or 62.1% in the event that the ARC Funds and its affiliates exercised all of the convertible securities held by them) of the Corporation's issued and outstanding Common Shares. The shareholders of the Corporation approved the creation of the ARC Funds as a control person of the Corporation at the annual and special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation held on June 27, 2013.

The sale of Units to ARCF II and ARCF Mexico constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Corporation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of securities being issued to insiders nor the consideration being paid by insiders exceeded 25% of the Corporation's market capitalization. None of the Corporation's directors expressed any contrary views or disagreements with respect to the foregoing. The Corporation did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of the insiders of the Corporation had not been confirmed at that time.

The securities issued in the Offering are subject to a hold period.

About Largo Resources Ltd.

Largo Resources Ltd. is a strategic mineral company focused on the production of vanadium pentoxide at its Vanadio de Maracas Menchen Mine. Vanadium is primarily used as an alloy to strengthen steel and reduce its weight. Vanadium enhanced steels are used in a vast and growing range of products that are used and encountered every day; including, rebar, automobiles, transport infrastructure etc. As trends in the steel industry now demand increasingly stronger and lighter products for advanced applications, the use of vanadium is expected to grow over the medium and long term. Largo also has interests in a portfolio of other projects, including: a 100% interest in the Currais Novos Tungsten Tailings Project in Brazil; a 100% interest in the Campo Alegre de Lourdes Iron-Vanadium Project in Brazil; and a 100% interest in the Northern Dancer Tungsten-Molybdenum property in the Yukon Territory, Canada. For more information, please visit www.largoresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance or results, since it involves risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Some of the factors on which the forward-looking statements are premised include (but are not limited to) the lack of material changes to general economic, market and business conditions. Forward-looking information is subject to the risk that those factors will not materialize, and to other risks, including the price of vanadium in 2018. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume and expressly renounces any obligation to update any forward-looking information, which is only applicable on the date on which it is given.

SOURCE Largo Resources Ltd.
LONDON and CALGARY, Dec. 14, 2017 - Mkango Resources Ltd. (AIM:MKA) (TSX-V:MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango") announces that following the exercise of warrants over 151,515 common shares without par value in the share capital of the Company (New Shares), it has received an aggregate cash consideration of 10,000 and is today issuing the equivalent number of New Shares. The warrants are being exercised at 6.6 pence each.

The New Shares will rank pari passu with the existing shares and application has been made for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM (Admission). It is expected that Admission will become effective and dealings in the New Shares will commence at 8:00a.m. on 18 December 2017. The New Shares will also trade on the Toronto Venture Exchange.

In accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR 5.6.1R) the Company hereby notifies the market that immediately following Admission, its issued share capital will consist of 102,879,224 shares. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury. Shareholders may use these figures as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

About Mkango Resources Limited

Mkango's primary business is the exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as "the warm heart of Africa". The Company holds three exclusive prospecting licenses in Malawi, the Phalombe licence, the Thambani licence and the Chimimbe Hill licence.

The main exploration target in the Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earths' deposit, which features carbonatite hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s. Mkango completed an updated Pre-feasibility Study for the project in November 2015.

In November 2017, Mkango entered into an agreement with Talaxis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble Group Limited, whereby, subject to regulatory approval, Talaxis will fully fund a feasibility study for Songwe by investing 12 million (C$20 million) for a 49% interest in the project. Talaxis will also have the option to acquire a further 26% interest in the project by arranging funding for project development.

In addition, by investing a further 2 million (C$3.3 million), Talaxis may acquire a 49% interest in a new venture to be established by Mkango focused on neodymium alloy powders, magnet and other technologies. This includes the collaboration with Metalysis Ltd announced in September 2017, which is focused on advanced alloys using neodymium or praseodymium with other elements for permanent magnet manufacturing.

Permanent magnets are critical materials for most electric vehicles, direct drive wind turbines and many other high growth applications. Neodymium is a key rare earth component at Songwe.

Talaxis and Mkango have also agreed to cooperate as preferred partners on rare earths projects worldwide and on other projects in Malawi.

The main exploration targets of Mkango's remaining two licences are, in the Thambani licence, uranium, niobium, tantalum and zircon and, in the Chimimbe Hill licence, nickel and cobalt.

For more information, please visit www.mkango.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, without limiting the foregoing, delays in obtaining financing or governmental or stock exchange approvals. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

For further information on Mkango, please contact:

Mkango Resources Limited William Dawes Alexander Lemon Chief Executive Officer President will@mkango.ca alex@mkango.ca Canada: +1 403 444 5979 www.mkango.ca @MkangoResources Blytheweigh Financial Public Relations Tim Blythe, Camilla Horsfall, Nick Elwes UK: +44 207 138 3204 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Nominated Adviser and Broker Jeff Keating, Caroline Rowe UK: +44 20 3470 0470

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other securities of the Company in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) and may not be offered or sold within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.


VAL-D'OR, QC, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - ABE Resources Inc. (TSXV: ABE) (OTC: ABEPF) (the "Company" or "ABE") is pleased to announce the signing of a definitive asset purchase agreement (the "Agreement") for the arm's length acquisition (the "Transaction") of a 100% undivided interest in the Sirmac Lithium Property (the "Sirmac Property") from Nemaska Lithium Inc. ("Nemaska Lithium") (TSX: NMX) (OTC: NMKEF) (FRANKFURT: N0T). The Sirmac Property consists of 24 mining claims having a total area of approximately 1,100 hectares located approximately 180 kilometres North-West of Chibougamau, in the province of Quebec.

Under the Agreement, ABE will make a $250,000 cash payment and issue 15,000,000 common shares of ABE to Nemaska Lithium and assume a pre-existing 1% net smelter return royalty on certain of the claims comprising the Sirmac Property. The Transaction remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

"We identified the Sirmac Property as our top lithium project pick and initiated discussions with Nemaska Lithium," commented Yves Rougerie, President and CEO of ABE. "The property has an historical resource of 318,324 tonnes grading 2.04% Li 2 O for the #5 Dyke completed in 1994* and has at least twelve sparsely outcropping pegmatite dykes, most of which have yet to be tested by drilling. Nemaska completed more than $2-million of exploration work on the Sirmac Property after its acquisition in 2011 consisting of 72 shallow drill holes totalling 3,415 meters and extensive trenching and channel sampling of the #5 Dyke and we plan to build on that work immediately."

Under the Agreement, Nemaska Lithium will have a pre-emptive right to participate in any future equity financing as long as it holds at least 10% of ABE's issued and outstanding common shares. In addition, Nemaska Lithium was granted the following additional rights:

(i) a right of first refusal to purchase any concentrate originating from the Sirmac Property for further processing at its Shawinigan hydro-metallurgical facility; (ii) the right to act as exclusive marketing agent for all lithium salts from concentrate originating from the Sirmac Property; (iii) the right to receive a 2% marketing fee, in cash, on the gross proceeds from the sale of lithium products derived from concentrate originating from the Sirmac Property sold by Nemaska Lithium (and from any concentrate otherwise sold by ABE that is not purchased by Nemaska Lithium); and (iv) a right of first refusal to reacquire the Sirmac Property in the event that ABE wishes to sell or otherwise assign and transfer its right, title and interest in and to the Sirmac Property.

"We believe this transaction will foster and accelerate the development of the Sirmac Property, in all likelihood years ahead of when we could develop it, given our focus on building the Whabouchi Mine and Shawinigan plant. Eventually, Sirmac concentrate could represent an additional, reliable source for Nemaska Lithium. We remain very bullish on the demand for lithium salts and as such, we can contemplate increasing our production capacity in Shawinigan in the future and potentially needing additional sources of concentrate," commented Guy Bourassa, President and CEO of Nemaska Lithium.

Mr. Rougerie added, "With the addition of the Sirmac Property we will actively explore two highly prospective battery material properties. The Company will continue to explore the recently acquired Dome Lemieux property in the Gaspesie region of eastern Quebec. We should have results from the 3D model on the Dome Lemieux out shortly. Both copper and lithium are very important minerals in lithium ion batteries and we are well positioned in both commodities with such excellent projects."

About ABE Resources Inc.

ABE Resources Inc. is a Quebec mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of mineral deposits of economic potential primarily in the province of Quebec. The Dome Lemieux property was acquired when ABE acquired Pioneer Resources Inc. The property is in the same structural corridor that hosts the Gaspe Copper Mine in Murdochville, 50 km to the ENE, which produced approx. 142 Million Tonnes @ 0.85% Cu from 1955 to 1999, the Madeleine mine, 18 km to the NNE, which produced approx. 8 Million Tonnes @ 1.08% Cu and 9.0 g/t Ag prior to 1982 and the Sullipek deposit, 15 km to the E, which has historical copper resources.* These three deposits are not within the property limits. Please note that the results obtained at these three deposits are not necessarily an indication of the mineralization present on the Dome Lemieux property.

The information of scientific or technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Yves Rougerie, geo, President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Rougerie is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

*The above-noted mineral resources estimates are historical estimates and should not be relied upon, as they pre-date and are not compliant with NI 43-101. While the Company considers these historical estimates to be relevant to investors as they may indicate the presence of mineralization, a qualified person has not done sufficient work for ABE to classify the historical estimates as current "mineral resources" or "mineral reserves" (as defined in NI 43-101) and the Company is not treating these historical estimates as current "mineral resources" or "mineral reserves".

For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.aberesources.ca or contact us at info@aberesources.ca.

NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the ability of ABE to obtain all required approvals and consents and to complete the Transaction; the terms and conditions of the proposed Transaction; and the business and operations of ABE upon completion of the proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the ability of ABE to execute and achieve its business objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. ABE disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE ABE Resources Inc.
TSX: RMX | OTQXC: RBYCF

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Rubicon Minerals Corporation (TSX: RMX | OTCQX: RBYCF) ("Rubicon" or the "Company") provides an update of its 2017 Exploration Program at the Phoenix Gold Project with the remaining drill results from its planned 23,500-metre drill program and further observations.

Assay Results Highlights (as of December 14, 2017) representing approximately 4,592 metres ("m") of drilling:

Infill and step-out drilling program at the 610-, and 685-metre levels  with the objective of potentially upgrading and growing the 2016 Mineral Resources ("Mineral Resources")(not true widths, more details in the 'Qualified Persons and QA/QC' section below):

610-17-23: 18.41 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au") over 2.5 m (including 31.14 g/t Au over 1.2 m)

610-17-07: 12.81 g/t Au over 1.9 m (including 24.28 g/t Au over 1.0 m)

685-17-04B: 8.39 g/t Au over 2.8 m (including 16.89 g/t Au over 1.0 m) and 9.21 g/t Au over 2.6 m (including 13.83 g/t Au over 1.6 m)

2017 Exploration Program Update

The Company completed all of its originally planned 23,500 m of drilling and has received the remaining assay results from the outstanding 4,592 m of drilling (approximately 1,375 assays). The Rubicon team, together with Golder Associates Inc. ("Golder") and T. Maunula & Associates Consulting Inc. ("Maunula Associates"), is continuing to evaluate the data with the objective of updating the geological model for the F2 Gold Deposit at the Phoenix Gold Project. Due to being under budget and ahead of schedule, Rubicon has elected to drill an additional 5,000 m from the 610- and 685-metre levels before year-end and has completed 4,143 m from this drilling to-date.

The Company has advanced 41.5 m in exploratory underground development at the Phoenix Gold Project on the 122- and 244-metre levels into the mineralized envelope identified by Golder and the Rubicon team. Underground development will continue throughout the first half of 2018. Upon completion of the development, the Company will move into a test mining phase. Details of the 2018 test mining plans will be forthcoming in a future news release in early 2018. Rubicon remains on schedule to deliver an NI 43-101 Technical Report and updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the second half of 2018.

Golder is concluding test modelling to finalize the modelling methodology to be used for the 2018 Mineral Resource Estimate. The new methodology will incorporate stratigraphic controls based on correlations observed between the mineralization and stratigraphy, along with the controls for a variety of vein orientations as identified in the structural study. These enhancements will improve the representativeness of the geological model, but Golder is uncertain at this time what impact the re-interpretation will have on the Mineral Resource Estimate. In addition, Maunula Associates will continue to act as a third-party independent consultant who will conduct a peer review at key milestones throughout the exploration program.

Golder has completed numerous Qualified Person (QP) site visits at the Phoenix Gold Project and has concluded that the geological and analytical procedures put in place by Rubicon for the 2017 Exploration Program are consistent with standard industry practises and that the data is of sufficient quality to support the ongoing Mineral Resource modelling.

Structural Geology  Further Discrepancies Observed; Analysis Ongoing

Rubicon and its consultants are analyzing the structural observations and data to determine the relationship between the structures, the stratigraphy, and the gold mineralization at the F2 Gold Deposit. Based on observations and data from the detailed underground structural mapping and oriented core drilling program collected to-date, Golder is developing a working theory on the structural geology of the F2 Gold Deposit whereby the impact of some of the structural controls on gold mineralization were not as significant as interpreted in the previous structural model. However, further analysis is required (and ongoing) to develop a fulsome and substantiated interpretation on the key structural factors that control and contribute to the gold mineralization at the F2 Gold Deposit. The revised structural interpretation will serve to provide additional modelling constraints on the geometry and distribution of mineralized units and controls on mineralization within those units as part of the updated F2 Gold Deposit geological model that is currently in progress.

Summary Assay Results and Diagrams

At the end of the news release, readers will find the following:

Table 1: Summary of 2017 Drilling Assay Results, up to December 14, 2017.

Diagrams 1-4: Infill and step-out drilling at the 610-metre level, plan and section views.

Diagrams 5-8: Infill and step-out drilling at the 685-metre level, plan and section views.

Please see our news releases on September 18, 2017 and November 16, 2017 for previously released assay results and diagrams from the 2017 Exploration Program.

Additional Observations up to December 14, 2017

The Rubicon team and its consultants have produced additional observations from the 2017 Exploration Program. Readers are cautioned that these observations could change as the Company advances its exploration activities. Rubicon believes there is inadequate information at this time to provide interpretations on an updated geological model and to update the Mineral Resources for the F2 Gold Deposit. The following is an additional observation:

More high-grade gold intercepts encountered from flat-angled drilling at the 610- and 685-metre levels: Rubicon continues to encounter higher-grade gold intercepts at the deeper portions of the F2 Gold Deposit (from 488-metre level and below), as displayed in Diagrams 3, 4 and 6.

The Company intends to provide periodic updates as it completes the various elements and analysis of the exploration program.

CEO's Comments

Rubicon President and Chief Executive Officer George Ogilvie, P.Eng., stated, "Observations and data collected from the 2017 Exploration Program have enhanced our understanding of the F2 Gold Deposit. At this juncture, we have observed drill intercepts that are generally higher grades and wider horizontal widths compared to the 2016 Mineral Resource block model. Moreover, drill intercepts from deeper parts of the deposit are showing generally higher grades than the upper portions of the deposit, which support and enhance historical drilling results, whilst we continue to notice discrepancies compared to the previous lithological, mineralization, and structural interpretations."

"We are more than half way towards finalizing our structural interpretation and representative geological model, the result of which will allow us to deliver an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the second half of 2018. We will provide more details on our 2018 Exploration Program, which includes plans for exploratory underground development, trial mining and additional infill drilling, early next year. At the same time, we intend to provide our 2018 budget following approval from our Board of Directors."

Qualified Persons and QA/QC

The content of this news release has been read and approved by George Ogilvie, P.Eng., President and CEO, and Mark Ross, B.Sc., P.Geo., Chief Mine Geologist, for Rubicon. Both are Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101.

Underground drilling was conducted by Boart Longyear Drilling of Haileybury, Ontario and was supervised by the Rubicon exploration team. All assays reported are uncut unless otherwise stated. All samples reported herein were performed by SGS Mineral Services of Red Lake, Ontario. All NQ core assays reported were obtained by fire assay with AA-finish or using gravimetric finish for values over 10.0 g/t Au.

Intercepts cited do not necessarily represent true widths, unless otherwise noted, however drilling is generally intersecting interpreted mineralized zones at a high angle. True width determinations are estimated at 65-80% of the core length intervals for the 305-metre level drilling, and estimated at 75-95% of the core length for the 610- and 685-metre level drilling. Rubicon's quality control checks include insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates to ensure laboratory accuracy and precision.

About Rubicon Minerals Corporation

Rubicon Minerals Corp. is an advanced gold exploration company that owns the Phoenix Gold Project, located in the prolific Red Lake gold district in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Additionally, Rubicon controls over 280 square kilometres of prime exploration ground in Red Lake and more than 900 square kilometres of mineral property interests in the emerging Long Canyon gold district that straddles the Nevada-Utah border in the United States. Rubicon's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (RMX) and the OTCQX markets (RBYCF). For more information, please visit our website at www.rubiconminerals.com.

Rubicon Minerals Corp.

"George Ogilvie, P.Eng."

President and CEO

Table 1: Summary of 2017 Drilling Assay Results, up to December 14, 2017

*Previously released assay results

















Drill hole

number Type Elevation Total

Depth

(m) From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Grade

(g/t Au)













New results



























610-17-07 infill/step-out 610-metre level 462.0 351.7 353.6 1.9 12.81





including 352.6 353.6 1.0 24.28







443.5 449.3 5.8 3.63















610-17-22 infill/step-out 610-metre level 521.0 359.3 361.1 1.8 3.08







432.2 432.9 0.8 3.44







485.4 487.4 2.0 3.17







512.2 514.0 1.9 4.75





including 512.2 513.0 0.9 9.48















610-17-23 infill/step-out 610-metre level 525.0 443.9 445.0 1.1 3.20







449.3 451.8 2.5 18.41





including 449.7 450.9 1.2 31.14















610-17-24 infill/step-out 610-metre level 568.3 no significant assays















685-17-03 infill/step-out 685-metre level 477.0 365.3 368.0 2.7 1.72















685-17-04B infill/step-out 685-metre level 405.0 85.2 88.0 2.8 8.39





including 85.2 86.2 1.0 16.89







133.0 134.0 1.0 13.62







147.0 148.0 1.0 5.32







322.0 323.7 1.8 3.25







358.5 361.1 2.6 9.21





including 358.5 360.0 1.6 13.83















685-17-05 infill/step-out 685-metre level 399.0 128.0 129.0 1.0 2.99







149.0 150.0 1.0 4.30







198.0 199.0 1.0 8.77















685-17-06 infill/step-out 685-metre level 402.0 90.0 91.4 1.3 1.79







102.0 103.9 1.9 2.89







318.6 322.0 3.4 2.72





including 319.0 320.1 1.1 5.38















Previously released results

























*244-17-04 structural 244-metre level 99.0 28.4 39.4 11.1 115.19



including 28.4 30.0 1.7 758.70



including 37.4 39.4 2.0 7.76















*244-17-05 structural 244-metre level 42.6 20.6 23.0 2.5 3.11





35.0 40.0 5.0 5.17





including 38.0 40.0 2.0 7.00















*244-17-06 structural 244-metre level 48.0 8.7 10.3 1.6 11.62





29.0 33.6 4.7 5.17





including 29.0 30.9 1.9 7.40















*244-17-07 structural 244-metre level 83.6 21.4 28.5 7.1 5.33





including 26.7 28.5 1.8 14.17





48.5 49.5 1.0 3.82















*305-17-01 structural 305-metre level 133.0 27.7 30.0 2.3 15.32





including 27.7 29.2 1.5 23.40





60.6 63.3 2.7 3.95





70.4 73.4 3.0 4.43





including 71.2 72.2 1.0 6.61















*305-17-02 structural 305-metre level 72.0 36.6 38.0 1.4 5.29





44.3 45.6 1.3 5.18





57.9 59.4 1.5 7.80















*305-17-03 structural 305-metre level 66.0 58.5 64.0 5.5 4.69





including 58.5 59.5 1.0 9.76















*305-17-04 structural 305-metre level 125.7 55.0 59.5 4.5 3.62





78.5 80.0 1.5 4.74





91.0 93.5 2.5 3.69















*305-17-05 structural 305-metre level 82.0 40.5 44.0 3.5 7.15





including 42.3 44.0 1.7 12.70





57.0 58.5 1.5 4.64





63.0 65.0 2.0 3.27















*305-17-06 structural 305-metre level 87.2 42.2 45.3 3.1 3.20





59.3 71.9 12.6 6.83





including 59.3 61.0 1.7 29.70





including 68.8 70.5 1.7 10.78















*305-17-07 structural 305-metre level 146.1 40.0 42.0 2.0 3.32





61.1 66.0 4.9 4.27





89.7 93.4 3.7 3.62















*305-17-08 structural 305-metre level 150.0 no significant assays















*305-17-09 structural 305-metre level 108.4 44.0 51.4 7.4 58.22



including 49.3 51.4 2.1 199.66





75.9 80.7 4.8 4.33















*305-17-10 structural 305-metre level 69.4 64.8 68.4 3.6 7.75





Including 66.6 68.4 1.8 13.58















*305-17-11 structural 305-metre level 110.0 102.1 105.9 3.9 8.24





including 102.1 103.6 1.6 19.83















*305-17-12 structural 305-metre level 119.3 98.0 99.5 1.6 5.50















*305-17-13 structural 305-metre level 184.0 46.1 47.2 1.1 4.75







55.6 57.0 1.4 5.10















*305-17-14 infill/step-out 305-metre level 303.0 118.4 127.0 8.6 8.09



including 118.4 121.3 2.9 22.27





284.1 287.3 3.3 6.88



including 284.1 286.0 2.0 11.17















*305-17-15 infill/step-out 305-metre level 326.0 130.3 141.1 10.8 8.54





including 130.3 131.8 1.5 21.90





including 139.3 141.1 1.9 23.31





209.0 211.0 2.0 4.97





including 210.0 211.0 1.0 9.36















*305-17-16 infill/step-out 305-metre level 357.9 151.5 157.7 6.2 6.72



including 151.5 153.3 1.8 16.38















*305-17-17 infill/step-out 305-metre level 324.0 100.3 102.0 1.7 6.06















*305-17-18 infill/step-out 305-metre level 331.05 282.6 292.5 10.0 6.13





including 288.9 292.5 3.7 9.50















*305-17-19 infill/step-out 305-metre level 360.0 215.8 220.5 4.7 7.78





231.6 236.0 4.4 4.69















*305-17-20 infill/step-out 305-metre level 350.0 141.5 143.2 1.7 7.39





155.3 159.9 4.7 21.52





including 155.3 156.8 1.5 44.02







193.0 194.8 1.9 5.61















*305-17-21 infill/step-out 305-metre level 475.0 111.0 111.5 0.5 4.88







156.7 157.6 0.9 4.10







183.0 186.6 3.6 11.06





including 185.0 186.6 1.6 20.80







229.5 232.6 3.1 10.12





including 231.4 232.6 1.2 16.54







236.5 237.2 0.7 6.16







264.5 265.6 1.1 6.69







268.6 268.8 0.3 9.78







284.0 285.0 1.0 5.97







351.4 351.8 0.4 4.87







358.8 359.3 0.5 4.87















*305-17-22 infill/step-out 305-metre level 442.0 212.3 221.0 8.7 9.78





including 212.3 218.2 5.9 13.65





339.8 342.3 2.5 7.41





357.4 359.0 1.6 5.13















*305-17-23 infill/step-out 305-metre level 501.0 213.0 221.0 8.0 1.20







265.0 269.0 4.0 1.18







278.5 278.9 0.4 8.25







317.3 322.0 4.7 1.22















*305-17-24 infill/step-out 305-metre level 329.0 177.6 178.2 0.6 3.05







182.7 183.5 0.8 3.73







192.5 194.2 1.7 4.58















*305-17-25 infill/step-out 305-metre level 281.4 no significant assays















*305-17-26 infill/step-out 305-metre level 138.7 no significant assays















*305-17-27 infill/step-out 305-metre level 402.0 172.0 172.5 0.4 3.80







206.3 207.6 1.3 3.95







209.8 210.1 0.3 3.85







397.4 398.7 1.3 1.48















*305-17-28 infill/step-out 305-metre level 376.2 141.7 143.5 1.8 6.44





including 141.7 142.4 0.7 12.02







187.5 189.0 1.5 3.13







287.7 288.3 0.6 3.33















*305-17-29 infill/step-out 305-metre level 300.0 109.4 110.4 1.0 4.74







145.0 146.0 1.0 1.91







190.0 196.0 6.0 5.24





including 190.0 192.0 2.0 7.82















*305-17-30 infill/step-out 305-metre level 351.0 168.0 170.5 2.4 7.76





including 168.0 169.0 1.0 15.14







177.0 178.2 1.2 3.36







180.5 180.9 0.5 3.00







223.5 225.0 1.6 8.05















*305-17-31 infill/step-out 305-metre level 321.0 246.1 246.7 0.6 3.16







292.5 293.7 1.3 5.37







295.8 297.0 1.2 5.80















*610-17-01 infill/step-out 305-metre level 547.3 447.0 451.0 4.0 6.70





Including 448.4 450.0 1.7 15.14















*610-17-02 infill/step-out 610-metre level 543.8 542.0 543.8 1.8 9.69















*610-17-03 infill/step-out 610-metre level 540.0 465.7 467.6 2.0 4.69





496.4 498.4 2.0 3.28





507.7 509.2 1.5 6.60





535.0 537.5 2.5 10.90





including 535.0 536.6 1.6 16.97















*610-17-04 infill/step-out 610-metre level 512.0 434.5 440.0 5.5 9.75



including 435.5 438.5 3.0 16.83















*610-17-05 infill/step-out 610-metre level 496.0 366.5 368.0 1.5 5.39















*610-17-06 infill/step-out 610-metre level 507.0 359.0 361.0 2.0 6.60





373.0 376.0 3.0 6.03





including 374.4 376.0 1.6 11.42





442.0 448.5 6.5 12.89





including 442.0 446.6 4.6 17.73















*610-17-08 infill/step-out 610-metre level 424.0 406.5 415.8 9.3 5.21





including 406.5 410.6 4.1 7.56















*610-17-09 infill/step-out 610-metre level 404.5 no significant assays















*610-17-10 infill/step-out 610-metre level 426.0 405.7 407.5 1.8 10.51







415.6 418.5 2.9 5.80















*610-17-11A infill/step-out 610-metre level 446.7 315.0 317.0 2.0 5.38







396.0 397.9 1.9 1.33















*610-17-12 infill/step-out 610-metre level 414.5 310.0 311.0 1.0 3.40







317.0 318.0 1.0 3.63







383.7 384.3 0.6 7.94







391.0 391.5 0.5 8.19















*610-17-13 infill/step-out 610-metre level 435.0 306.7 307.3 0.6 6.52







328.0 329.8 1.8 4.10







338.0 340.0 2.0 3.42







361.7 362.4 0.6 4.60















*610-17-15 infill/step-out 610-metre level 418.5 393.0 395.0 2.0 7.30





including 394.0 395.0 1.0 13.78















*610-17-18 infill/step-out 610-metre level 480.0 327.0 330.0 2.9 6.84





including 327.6 329.2 1.5 12.34







336.2 337.7 1.6 5.04







345.7 348.8 3.1 10.04





including 345.7 347.5 1.8 16.82







449.4 452.0 2.6 9.24





including 450.9 452.0 1.1 11.51







464.8 466.1 1.3 8.43















*610-17-19 infill/step-out 610-metre level 477.0 333.0 336.0 3.0 7.64





including 335.0 336.0 1.0 21.99







366.1 369.0 2.9 5.29





including 367.5 368.3 0.8 17.32







440.3 448.0 7.7 14.30





including 443.2 448.0 4.8 21.43















*610-17-20 infill/step-out 610-metre level 475.0 351.0 354.3 3.3 1.37







450.7 451.4 0.7 3.73







453.0 454.1 1.1 3.02















*610-17-21 infill/step-out 610-metre level 499.0 329.5 331.0 1.5 4.60







343.0 345.0 2.0 3.83







485.5 486.5 1.0 5.75







494.0 498.0 4.0 7.24















*685-17-02 infill/step-out 685-metre level 378.0 322.0 324.7 2.7 6.62





including 323.2 324.7 1.5 8.91







328.1 328.8 0.6 5.46

Cautionary Statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and other Cautionary Notes

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "intends", "may", "will", "should", "plans", "anticipates", "potential", "expects", "estimates", "forecasts", "budget", "likely", "goal" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may or may not be achieved or occur in the future. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the objectives of the exploration work currently being done at the Phoenix Gold Project, details of the planned exploration at the Phoenix Gold Project, the expected timing and details of exploratory underground development and potential test trial mining at the Phoenix Gold Project, the preliminary observations from the Company's 2017 Exploration Program and the details of Golder's modelling methodology for the 2018 Mineral Resource Estimate.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and represent management's best judgment based on facts and assumptions that management considers reasonable. If such opinions and estimates prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rubicon to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery or throughput rates; uncertainty of mineral resources, inability to realize exploration potential, mineral grades and mineral recovery estimates; actual results of current exploration activities; actual results of reclamation activities; uncertainty of future operations, delays in completion of exploration plans for any reason including insufficient capital, delays in permitting, and labour issues; conclusions of future economic or geological evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents and other risks of the mining industry; delays and other risks related to operations; timing and receipt of regulatory approvals; the ability of Rubicon and other relevant parties to satisfy regulatory requirements; the ability of Rubicon to comply with its obligations under material agreements including financing agreements; the availability of financing for proposed programs and working capital requirements on reasonable terms; the ability of third-party service providers to deliver services on reasonable terms and in a timely manner; risks associated with the ability to retain key executives and key operating personnel; cost of environmental expenditures and potential environmental liabilities; dissatisfaction or disputes with local communities or First Nations or Aboriginal Communities; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social conditions; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or obtain adequate financing to fund our capital expenditures and working capital needs and meet our other obligations; the volatility of our stock price, and the ability of our common stock to remain listed and traded on the TSX.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Rubicon disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the risk factors identified in the Company's annual information form dated March 29, 2017 under the heading "Risk Factors" and in other continuous disclosure documents of the Company filed at www.sedar.com for a discussion of the factors that could cause Rubicon's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are further cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors is not exhaustive and it is recommended that prospective investors consult the more complete discussion of Rubicon's business, financial condition and prospects that is included in this news release. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

SOURCE Rubicon Minerals Corp.
TSX, NYSE American

Symbol: TMQ

VANCOUVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX, NYSE-MKT: TMQ) ("Trilogy" or "Trilogy Metals") is pleased to announce that South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32) ("South32") has committed to fund the US$10 million 2018 program and budget for the Bornite Project. The funds, which represent the second tranche of US$10 million, maintains the Option Agreement (see below) in good standing, and will be transferred before January 31, 2018. The 2018 program will include in-fill and off-set drilling to better define and expand the high grade copper resources at Bornite. The 2018 Program was recently approved by the joint Trilogy-South32 Technical Committee.

Trilogy Metals recently completed the first US$10 million exploration drill program at Bornite that was funded by South32. The 2017 program had been previously approved by the joint Technical Committee and was focused on drilling the extensions of mineralization last drilled by the Company in 2013. Results of this year's exploration program at the Bornite Project were released by Trilogy Metals on September 18, 2017 (https://Trilogy PR Sep 18 2017) and December 4, 2017 (https://Trilogy PR Dec 4 2017). The 2017 drilling program doubled the size of the known mineralized footprint and continues to demonstrate that the high-grade Bornite copper resource system is open to further expansion.

Agreement

On April 10, 2017 Trilogy announced it had entered into an agreement with South32 whereby Trilogy has granted South32 an option to form a 50/50 joint venture with respect to Trilogy's Alaskan assets, known collectively as the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP"), which includes the Arctic and Bornite Projects, the Exploration and Option to Lease Agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. ("NANA"), and the remainder of Trilogy's state mining claims along the 100km volcanogenic massive sulphide belt. South32 must contribute a minimum of US$10 million each year, for a maximum of 3 years, to keep the option in good standing ("Initial Funding"). South32 may exercise its option at any time to form the 50/50 joint venture ("JV"). To subscribe for 50% of the JV, South32 will contribute a minimum of US$150 million, plus any amounts Trilogy spends at the Arctic Project over the initial three years to a maximum of US$5 million per year (the "Subscription Price"), less an amount of the Initial Funding contributed by South32 (https://Trilogy PR April 10 2017).

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most- prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, the future operating or financial performance of the Company, interpretation of drill results, planned expenditures and the anticipated activity at the UKMP Projects, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2016 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Bornite Technical Report have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource and reserve information contained therein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth in this press release or the Bornite Technical Report may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.
Lawmakers from Texas and Florida are exceedingly anxious that hurricane recovery aid will be sidelined in next weeks government funding scramble amid internal disputes over who should get how much cash.Congress was widely expected to approve its next multibillion-dollar disaster request as part of the year-end spending bill. But with just days to go until the Dec. 22 deadline when government funding expires, lawmakers are still haggling over the fine points of the next round of disaster aid.House GOP leaders are now preparing to take up a stopgap spending bill next week that would not include any money for hurricane relief, potentially causing problems for passage if members from affected states rebel.In a closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon, GOP leaders cautioned lawmakers that the disaster package may not be ready by next week, according to members who were in the room.The biggest holdup is over how much money should be spent on rebuilding in the Lone Star state, according to lawmakers briefed on the talks. Appropriators are still sifting through a massive binder of requests, worth over $61 billion, from Texans alone.
The blaze that swept through the hills of Los Angeles' Bel-Air section last week, destroying six homes and damaging a dozen others, was sparked by a cooking fire at a homeless encampment in a nearby ravine, city officials said Tuesday.The encampment was nestled in a canyon several hundred feet from Sepulveda Boulevard and the 405 Freeway, hidden from passing cars. For several years, it had been home to an unknown number of people, officials said.Investigators said the fire had not been set deliberately and they have not found any of the people who lived there. The camp _ one of scores of makeshift communities that have grown along freeways, rivers and open space across Los Angeles _ was largely destroyed in the fire, leaving authorities with little evidence.News that one of Los Angeles' most affluent neighborhoods was damaged in a fire sparked by some of the city's poorest residents added a sober note to the incident, with some officials saying it underscores the need to do more to house the homeless.This "makes a tragic event even more tragic," said Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, whose district includes Bel-Air. "The saddest thing is that we have so many homeless people. And they are everywhere in the city. And that sometimes causes serious problems."A new task force for fire prevention will tackle some of those questions, officials said. The panel will consider mandatory evacuations of hillside and brush area encampments during days or seasons of high fire risk, and education campaigns to discourage outdoor fires when winds pick up."But given the topography of ... all the hills in our city, we could do that 24 hours a day and still miss a lot of people," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. "Just like ramping up efforts to try to anticipate terrorist incidents, you can never get to zero risk. And I think it would be a mistake to think we could."Nickie Miner, vice president of the Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council, said residents had long worried about the fire hazard from hillside homeless encampments, but "all the agencies' hands seemed to be tied.""We knew it was only going to be a matter of time before something horrible happened," Miner said.Miner said she was skeptical of the proposed campaign to educate homeless people about fire risks. Los Angeles needs a massive regulatory overhaul like the one that followed the 1961 Bel-Air fire, she said, which should include eliminating hillside encampments.Humans are usually the cause of fires in Southern California, including sparks from car crashes, farm equipment, cigarette butts or camping fires, officials said.Debate about camps and the fire danger come as Los Angeles is struggling with a rise in the homeless population. An annual count in May found that the homeless population of Los Angeles County had soared 23 percent to nearly 58,000 people in the last year. The homeless population in the West L.A. service area _ including Bel-Air and Brentwood _ rose 18 percent from 4,659 to 5,511 in the same time period, the count found.Photos taken of the Sepulveda encampment in September and shared with the Los Angeles Times showed a cluster of green and olive tarpaulins stretched across a canyon and camouflaged by treetops and brush.The camp is "a little obscure," Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority spokesman Tom Waldman said. An outreach team had not visited the ravine for at least a few months, and possibly as long as a year, he said.Fire investigators found evidence that people had been cooking and sleeping there, but did not find anyone to interview, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Peter Sanders said. The department has no suspects. The size of the encampment before the fire was unclear, because the area was so badly burned.All that remained Tuesday was a scorched portable stove, a pot, a cheese grater, several fuel canisters and the remnants of a boom box. Burned pages of the Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia littered the charred brush and rocks in the canyon.The Skirball fire erupted early last Wednesday, scorching chaparral-covered hillsides east of the 405. The blaze closed the highway during morning rush hour and forced the evacuations of a large swath of Bel-Air, one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the country.In less than a day, the blaze destroyed more than 400 acres. Six homes were destroyed and a dozen more were damaged.The Skirball fire was 85 percent contained Tuesday, with 69 firefighters still working to mop up the operation, officials said.A few miles west of Bel-Air, residents of the Pacific Palisades section have been looking at ways to reduce the risk of fire in homeless camps. A community group there, the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, persuaded the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to post signs declaring a high fire severity zone along a bluff where homeless people congregated.The sign allowed authorities to cite and clear homeless people from the area, said Maryam Zar, a member of the group's board of directors."The city as a rule does not sign on to the idea that homelessness is a criminal problem," Zar said. "Our whole strategy is a bundle of different solutions, and for us, it's working."
A Kentucky lawmaker who on Tuesday denied accusations that he molested a 17-year-old girl in 2012 died Wednesday night of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Bullitt County coroner.State Rep. Dan Johnson died of a single gunshot wound on Greenwell Ford Road at an undetermined time Wednesday night, Bullitt County coroner Dave Billings confirmed.Gov. Matt Bevin tweeted the following statement Wednesday night: "Saddened to hear of tonight's death of KY Representative Dan Johnson...My heart breaks for his wife and children...These are heavy days in Frankfort and in America...May God shed His grace on us all...We sure need it..."The Republican Party of Kentucky and leaders of the House Republican Caucus called for Johnson to step down Monday after the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published a lengthy article saying that Johnson allegedly forcibly kissed, groped and used his finger to penetrate a 17-year-old girl, despite her asking him to stop, on New Year's Eve 2012.Backed by friends and family, Johnson denied the allegtions in a press conference, Tuesday.In a Facebook post that has since been deleted but was posted before his death, Johnson said "The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be."Johnson went on to say PTSD is a sickness "that will take my life," asked for everyone to "Forgive and Love everyone especially yourself" and "blame no person, Satan is the accuser so blame the Devil himself."David Adams, a friend and occasional spokesman for Johnson, said he hadn't been able to reach Johnson's cell phone Wednesday night."The only thing I'd say is to honor his wishes and blame only Satan," Adams said.Johnson served as the "bishop" of the Heart of Fire Church in Louisville, a church he said reached out to people who might not be welcomed at other churches. He became a state representative in 2016, after beating Democratic incumbent Linda Belcher.During the campaign, the Republican Party of Kentucky denounced Johnson over racist Facebook posts. They called for his resignation after the KyCIR article Monday. Wednesday, they expressed their sympathy for his family."This is a tragic situation," said Mac Brown, the chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Dan Johnson."House Speaker Pro Tempore David Osborne, R-Prospect, also asked for prayers for the Johnson family."It is with great sadness that we have received confirmed reports of the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson this evening," Osborne said. "Please keep his family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time."Johnson was a controversial figure in the House of Representatives, but former House Speaker Jeff Hoover said Johnson offered him encouragement after Hoover stepped down as Speaker over sexual harassment allegations in November."I am very sad over the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson," tweeted Hoover, R-Jamestown. "Over the past few weeks in some of the darkest days of my life, he reached out to me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. Prayers for his wife, children, grandchildren and all affected by this sad event."In America, those accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent until proven guilty," Hoover added, "Persons posting accusations on social media as truth, and those who are self righteous and indignant over mere accusations must do better. Personal attacks don't have to be part of politics."Louisville Public Media, which produced the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting article, said it reached out to Johnson several times over the course of reporting the article."All of us at Louisville Public Media are deeply sad to hear that State Representative Dan Johnson has died, apparently of suicide. We grieve for his family, friends, church community and constituents," Michael Skoler, the president of Louisville Public Media, said in a statement. "Our Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting released a report on Johnson this week. Our aim, as always, is to provide the public with fact-based, unbiased reporting and hold public officials accountable for their actions."Johnson's death produced a strong reaction on Twitter, with several politicians asking for prayers for Johnson's family."Just terrible news from Kentucky tonight on the passing of Rep. Dan Johnson," tweeted U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. "I cannot imagine his pain or the heartbreak his family is dealing with tonight. Kelley and I pray for his loved ones."
As North Carolina lawmakers debate whether to change how judges are picked, all the Democrats on a key committee protested Wednesday by walking out of a meeting they said was unfair and not very transparent.Judges in North Carolina currently run for office, just like officials in the legislative or executive branches. But Republican lawmakers are considering changing the system so that judges are appointed instead of elected. More than a dozen laws passed by the Republican-led legislature have been overturned in court in the last few years.In a meeting Wednesday of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Republican lawyer Scott Gaylord, who has represented the General Assembly in court, was scheduled to testify. So was a representative of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.But the committee's chairman -- Republican Sen. Dan Bishop of Charlotte -- started the meeting by announcing that he wouldn't allow Cooper's representative to talk. Cooper had sent Don Stephens, a judge who retired last month after serving more than 30 years. He was Wake County's top Superior Court judge when he hit the mandatory retirement age of 72.Bishop said that since Stephens isn't employed by Cooper's office, he wouldn't let him speak. Democratic Sen. Jay Chaudhuri of Raleigh told Bishop that was "a missed opportunity." A fellow Democrat, Sen. Floyd McKissick of Durham, then asked permission to speak.Bishop denied him several times but eventually let McKissick ask a question. McKissick asked for Stephens to be able to give his presentation. Bishop disagreed, saying he's the committee chairman and gets to make that decision.Then McKissick, Chaudhuri and the third Democrat on the committee, Joel Ford of Charlotte, stood up and walked out without another word. The meeting proceeded without them. At the end of the meeting the remaining Republicans introduced a new set of proposed election maps for judges and district attorneys -- an issue that was not on the public agenda for the meeting.Bishop told the committee that the new maps were drawn to address potential problems with a set of maps proposed by House Republicans that could draw lawsuits.McKissick came back into the room after the meeting ended to get a copy of the new map proposals and said no one had informed him ahead of time that they would be presented Wednesday.Reached later in his office, Ford said he doesn't think Democrats abdicated their right to be heard about the future of the state's judicial branch. He and his Democratic colleagues have participated in past committee meetings, he said, and he's beginning to think the Republicans on the committee aren't interested in Democrats' input."If we're not going to allow him to speak, how sincere are you, really?" Ford said. "... It would make you think they have a preconceived notion of how this is going to go."Later on Wednesday, Stephens provided the written speech he said he had planned to give if he had been allowed to speak. In it, he sharply criticizes the General Assembly for what he says is partisan meddling in the judicial system, purely out of retribution."Has the legislature simply declared the quality of the judiciary to be poor because some judges have disagreed with the legislature in their decisions?" Stephens' notes read. "... The fact that we are having this conversation impugns the integrity of every sitting judge in North Carolina, be they Republican or Democrat."Cooper's spokesman, Ford Porter, said in a press release that Stephens should've been allowed to speak."This legislature wants to take over the courts for political purposes and is threatening an independent judiciary," Porter said. "They fear a distinguished jurist like Judge Stephens would shine a light on what they are trying to do."A spokeswoman for the top Senate Republican, Phil Berger, disagreed."The Democrats' political stunts today show they will do anything to preserve North Carolina's existing, unconstitutional judicial system for the benefit of their political party," Shelly Carver said in a press release. "To date, the Senate has held more than 14 hours of hearings and debate, incorporating ideas from across the political spectrum and from many groups impacted by changes to our judicial system."Democrats have also criticized the committee's openness. Ford told Bishop during the meeting he didn't like that it was being held in a room without audio -- unlike many areas in the legislature -- which deprived the public of the chance to listen in remotely.The meeting later moved to a second room, which also didn't have audio. Bishop said he supports transparency and hopes to have more open meetings in the future, but that there weren't any rooms available Wednesday. However, Ford said afterward that he knew of at least two rooms the committee could have used that were open and had audio streaming capabilities.
Description

GIS - 14 December, 2017: The core mission of Government is to strive towards the creation of an inclusive and more equitable society by ensuring the social integration of the vulnerable groups in the mainstream society and that all strata of the society benefit from an equal economic empowerment. The core mission of Government is to strive towards the creation of an inclusive and more equitable society by ensuring the social integration of the vulnerable groups in the mainstream society and that all strata of the society benefit from an equal economic empowerment.

The Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, Mr Alain Wong, made this statement during a key remittance ceremony under the Full Concrete Housing (FCH) Unit Scheme, yesterday at Cascavelle. The FCH project is a joint collaboration of the National Empowerment Foundation and the Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment.

In his address, Minister Wong underlined that the project seeks to provide support to needy families by providing them a place of comfort, with proper amenities. A house, he emphasised, implies having a safe and secure environment conducive to good familial relations and most importantly ensures the proper development of children.

Mr Wong underscored the underlying aim of the scheme which is to ensure a proper upbringing of children, who are the future of the country, in a healthy environment. He urged parents to demonstrate a sense of responsibility, discipline, and make necessary sacrifices to earn a living, achieve financial independence and stability, and improve their social status and to inculcate these values to their children.

The Minister further reiterated Governments commitment to provide support to the poor and vulnerable people. He outlined that the various measures, programmes and actions interlock to provide relevant assistance and empower the vulnerable group. These measures include the setting up of: Minimum Wage, Negative Income Tax, Community Working Group, School Premium, subsistence allowance, training programmes and allocation of various grants and schemes.

Three beneficiaries residing in Black River received the keys of their housing unit. The FCH Unit project concerns some 117 families eligible to the scheme. The housing units range from 40 m-50m.On the occasion, plants were distributed to the beneficiaries and a tree planting ceremony was held to symbolically represent the need of self-sufficiency, respect for the environment and sustainable living.
The training course aimed at equipping participants with essential techniques to better respond to the needs of the rapidly-changing environment of revenue administrations in Africa. Participants were from: Cameroon, Mauritania, Niger, Benin, Togo, Tchad and Mauritius.

On this occasion, the Director General of the MRA, Mr Sudhamo Lal, highlighted that the MRA has been working closely with various regional and international organisations to capitalise on capacity-building programmes to enhance the potential of the human capital so as to meet changing challenges in the field of taxation. This is the reason why the EMT course has been designed to meet Africas needs for efficient tax systems as well as for African Tax Administrations to have the required qualified personnel, he said.

The EMT, Mr Lal emphasised, is an innovative and advanced course which aims at preparing auditors to hold leadership positions in the domains of tax administration and public finance. The programme has enabled participants to undergo on-the-job training in various tax departments of the MRA and has also helped them improve their skills in the English language, he added.

For his part, the Executive Secretary of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), Mr Logan Wort, highlighted that this long-term training capacity-building programme has provided participants with the technical expertise and know-how to broaden their skills in the field of taxation. He urged the professionals, as future tax leaders, to be the drivers of change for a prosperous Africa.

EMT course

The EMT course is a fifteen-month course which is offered in collaboration with the Ecole Nationale dAdministration of Senegal, the Universite Alioune Diop de Bambey, the ATAF and the MRA.

It is held six months in Senegal followed by three months in Mauritius. For the final six months, participants have to finalise their projects/theses in their respective home countries.
2014: $683.52 million

2015: $995.59 million

2016: $1.31 billion

2017 (January to October): $1.26 billion

Total: $4.25 billion

2014: $699.2 million

2015: $996.18 million

2016: $1.31 billion

2017 (January to October): $1.28 billion

Total $4.29 billion

(TNS) No longer will backwards math be needed to determine marijuana sales in Colorado.The Colorado Department of Revenue on Tuesday published a mother lode of previously unreleased sales data for the states marijuana retailers.We know this information is highly desired by the general public, media and researchers, Mike Hartman, the Colorado Department of Revenues executive director, said in a statement. To that end, in our efforts to be as transparent as possible, we will now provide aggregate sales data. That, coupled with state tax revenue data already provided, will give an accurate picture of the financial footprint of this burgeoning industry.Revenue Department officials, in releasing the monthly and annual sales data, also announced plans to release monthly marijuana sales reports showing total sales for retail and medical marijuana dispensaries. The reports will include countywide information.The historical and future sales data can be accessed here Prior to Tuesday, the state released monthly reports outlining taxes and fees revenue remitted by marijuana shops. The reports did not provide sales data.In an effort to comprehensively report on this first-of-its-kind industry, The Cannabist developed formulas verified by state officials and economists to tabulate monthly sales estimates . The calculations, however, could not be truly infallible as the monthly tax receipts contained the potential for variance because of incomplete, amended or late returns.Those caveats and that potential for variance increased this fall when the reports started reflecting a new taxing structure enacted in July.At that point, the retail marijuana special sales tax rate increased to 15 percent from 10 percent and exempted recreational marijuana products from the 2.9 percent state sales tax rate. Accessories or other goods not containing marijuana are still subject to the standard 2.9 percent sales tax rate.But when the July report came out, the column indicating revenue remitted at the 2.9 percent tax rate contained figures that appeared to be inflated, Larson Silbaugh, senior economist for the Colorado Legislative Council Staff, told The Cannabist at the time.It was one indication of a period of transition that likely would even out over subsequent months.Based on the sales data released Tuesday, here are the official annual and year-to-date sales data for Colorados marijuana retailers, with Cannabist calculations included for historical reference:Official Colorado sales dataUnofficial sales data calculated by The Cannabist
ATLANTA  South Bend, Ind., a city of slightly more than 100,000 residents where blighted buildings have long been a struggle , has deployed a smart sewer system that could save $500 million in government costs related to overflows. And at the MetroLab Network Annual Summit at Georgia Tech Dec. 13, Mayor Pete Buttigieg pointed to the project as an example of what cities have to gain from collaborating with academia.

South Bends sewer system now generates 16 million data points, making it the most densely sensored sewer system in the world, said Buttigieg, noting that info from the sensors helped reduce overflows by 70 percent. The $500 million in potential savings would be massive for any city, but is especially significant for a town like South Bend where per capita income is less than $20,000.South Bend made this happen in large part by collaborating with the University of Notre Dame and other local institutions to attract talented young technologists and foster a culture of innovation in its city hall.

This sort of work is foundational to MetroLab and its summit. The network of dozens of cities and universities nationwide was started in 2015 as part of the White Houses Smart Cities Initiative. It works to pair city policymakers with academic resources in order to foster projects that can be deployed to improve infrastructure, public service and environmental sustainability. Day one of the MetroLab Summit saw key policymakers involved with the network discuss the past, present and future of civic innovations relationship with higher ed.

In addition to Buttigiegs keynote speech about innovation blossoming in South Bend, the first half of the two-day event also included a panel that featured Buttigieg, former Baltimore mayor and Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley, and Stephen Goldsmith, former mayor of Indianapolis, deputy mayor of New York City and current director of the Innovations in American Government Program at Harvards Kennedy School of Government.

Throughout Buttigiegs speech and the subsequent panel, a three-tiered picture of the relationship between college towns and universities within them emerged  College Town 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0.College Town 1.0, they said, was essentially limited to a city and school working together on relatively basic things like sponsorships and practical questions about neighborhoods. College Town 2.0 seeks to accelerate cooperation and ensure towns are better for having universities in them and universities are better for being located in the towns.

College Town 3.0, OMalley said, means reaching a point where the university and city are integrated into a very inclusive, repeatable process for innovation. To do this, mayors must regularly convene those involved, he continued, giving internal context and meaning to the work. Productive relationships between mayors and university presidents, or representatives of the two, are also vital.

Goldsmith emphasized the importance of taking a broader view of relationships between cities and institutions, one that supersedes arbitrary obstacles such as geography. He noted that during his time as deputy mayor of New York City, there was a problem with child welfare in his jurisdiction, but a foremost researcher on the subject was doing his work in Chicago and the issues there. Coincidence presents another challenge.

Too often these relationships have been dominated by the coincidence of whether the research agenda of the university professor matches the priorities of the mayor, Goldsmith said.

Moving forward, Goldsmith suggested that better organization of urban challenges and the academic research related to them would benefit both cities and researchers.Another obstacle discussed by the panel was creating innovation programs that can survive politics, entrenching them in government so they arent later disowned when a new administration sweeps into city hall or the state house and supports only the initiatives and programs created under its watch. The speakers agreed that transparency with the public can demonstrate value in a way that embeds innovation in culture, creating public expectations for it to continue that ultimately protect it from the fickle winds of politics.

When asked how cities without access to prestigious universities like Notre Dame could follow suit, Buttigieg noted that basically every city in the country has a community college system nearby, and that those schools are perhaps just as important as academic powerhouses because they provide access to underserved students. These students, he explained, often have firsthand experience with problems academia and government technologists are trying to address from afar. This knowledge leads to more nuanced, deeper and authentic perspectives, as well as urgency to solve challenges.

Working with students at those schools, Buttigieg said, also ties into a larger benefit of these sort of collaborations  specifically the recruitment aspect. It directs talented people into gov tech who likely would not otherwise find their ways into the sector. Once there, they can do meaningful work that benefits the community and gives them a sense of purpose. There is, Buttigieg said, a larger existential crisis that could potentially be lessened.

Even more than the crisis of politics, Buttigieg said, I think we can offer something when it comes to the current American crisis of purpose.
(TNS)  University of Maryland and Capital One on Tuesday announced a partnership to develop a workforce pipeline in data analytics, machine learning and cybersecurity.Capital One is investing $3 million through an endowment gift to advance machine learning and the two plan to create an innovation lab where students will apply classroom lessons to real-world problems.This partnership will not only help attract and retain top faculty and students, but will also propel UMD to national prominence and excellence in these critically important fields, said Mary Ann Rankin, senior vice president and provost at University of Maryland.Just over $2 million of Capital Ones gift will be used to endow a faculty chair in the department of computer science. The remaining $900,000 will support research and educational initiatives in machine learning, data analytics and cyber security.The innovation lab will be located in the University of Marylands Discovery District, a planned research and economic development hub along the Baltimore Avenue corridor.Capital One scientists and researchers will help the university develop academic courses to be offered through the its First-Year Innovation & Research Experience program.At Capital One, we are steadfast in our belief that machine learning and data analytics can greatly enhance our customers experience, and we are proud to support the next generation of technology innovators from UMD that will continue to harness these opportunities more broadly, Adam Wenchel, a vice president at Capital One, said in a statement.The Maryland Department of Commerce committed $2.1 million in August to endow two additional professorships, and to support research, education and entrepreneurship initiatives.The partnership is part of the universitys Greater College Park initiative, a $2 billion public-private investment to revitalize the Baltimore Avenue corridor and College Park campus.
(TNS) - Large, high-intensity wildfires are an inevitable and natural part of life in California. The destruction of our communities is not. But many of the political leaders we elect and planning agencies we depend upon to create safe communities have failed us. They have allowed developers to build in harms way, and left firefighters holding the bag.The fires raging in Los Angeles County and Ventura are an urgent signal that we need to start asking the hard questions  about the true cost of expanding the local tax base with new residences in high fire hazard zones. We need to stop having the same conversation over and over again, a conversation laced with non-sequiturs and focused on outdated, ineffective solutions. The devastating loss of life, the destruction of so many family homes, and the dangers faced by those who protect us demand nothing less.Some blame the current rash of wildfires on dead trees in forests  even if those fires are nowhere near a forest, or dead trees. (Members of Congress seem to have bought this explanation and theyre now pushing a bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) that would encourage more logging in the West.) Some blame climate change, claiming, for example, that rising temperatures are responsible for the devastating Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa in October  despite the fact that a bigger and just as fierce fire burned much of the same area in 1964. (Climate change is making our fire seasons worse, but it isnt responsible for every big fire.) Yet others blame firefighters for creating dense stands of chaparral in fire suppression efforts  when thats the only way chaparral naturally grows, dense and impenetrable.The standard procedure to reduce wildfire risk is to clear habitat. We have spent millions of dollars doing this for nearly a century. Nevertheless, our homes keep burning.Thats because while vegetation management such as fuel breaks and prescribed burns can help during non-extreme fire events, they do little to suppress extreme events. But if anyone questions vegetation management in the backcountry, the typical response is that the projects will work as designed for 90th percentile weather conditions. Thats absurd. Imagine if we designed buildings to withstand only 95th percentile earthquake movements, or what you would feel as a result of a magnitude 2.5. We need to protect communities from fires that actually do the damage.How do we do this? As University of Colorado geographer Gregory Simon has observed, since we are choosing to spread cities farther and farther out into wildland areas, we need to recognize that fire disasters arent natural, theyre social. And they require social solutions.Planning agencies need to push back against pro-development forces in government, whose willingness to build in known fire corridors borders on criminal neglect. The recent devastation of the community of Fountaingrove in Santa Rosa, for example, was both horrible and predictable. (The area has now burned twice in 53 years.) Local leaders need to restrict development in such areas.In the smaller picture, local governments need to impose strict fire codes in new communities throughout California, require older communities to retrofit their properties, and enforce proper defensible space regulations. That means 100 feet of thinned vegetation, not bare ground. Hundreds of feet of bare ground make a home the target for wind-driven embers.Such policies would cost significantly less than the $9.4 billion wildfire-related claims submitted statewide as of Friday.We also need to examine the best practices of other fire-prone regions. Communities in Australia often install external, under-eave/rooftop sprinklers, which have proven quite effective in protecting structures during wildfires. (Australians understand that wet homes do not ignite.) Such systems should be standard in all new developments in high fire hazard zones. It is likely they would have protected many of the homes consumed in Venturas Thomas fire this week.Agencies like Cal Fire need to begin addressing the question, How do we protect lives and property? rather than How can we stop a wildfire? Right now, Cal Fire is focused on the latter, with its misguided Vegetation Treatment Program. A focus on the former would mean at least noting land-use problems in planning documents. It would mean spending as much time and money on helping people retrofit homes as on vegetation treatments. Communities including Idyllwild and Big Bear have taken advantage of FEMA pre-disaster grants to replace flammable roofing and install ember-resistant vents. Such long-term solutions, unlike fuel breaks, do not require costly maintenance.Trees, shrubs, grasses or homes will all provide the necessary fuel for a wildfire. Its part of Californias story. As we do with earthquakes and floods, our goal should be to reduce the damage when wildfires arrive, not pretend we can prevent them from happening at all. That mindset starts at the planning department, not the fire station.ABOUT THE WRITERRichard Halsey is the director of the California Chaparral Institute.2017 Los Angeles TimesVisit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) - When the phone rang at 4:50 a.m. Thursday, I woke up on high alert. No one calls that early with good news.When I saw the caller ID said CSUN Emergency, my heart started racing. My youngest son, Cameron, attends California State University-Northridge. High alert shifted to dread.It turned out the call was just to inform us that CSUN was canceling classes that day due to poor air quality and transportation issues stemming from the massive Southern California wildfires. What a relief. But there was no chance I would go back to sleep without finding out how close the fires were to CSUNs dorms and what the strategy was for putting the fires out.The latter was of particular interest because Ive been writing and editing stories and editorials on California wildfires ever since the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, which killed 25 people, destroyed more than 3,000 homes and resulted in $1.5 billion worth of damage.A quarter century later, neither the state nor the federal government has figured out an effective way to combat these wildfires.The Southern California fires hit just two months after the massive devastation caused by the Wine Country fires. They have destroyed 790 structures, burned 175,000 acres and displaced 90,000 from their homes. This demands a major shift in strategy.My brother Bob concurs. He is the fire chief of Walla Walla Countys rural Fire District No. 8 in the state of Washington. He texted me Friday to tell me his crew was next on a shortlist to head south and help fight the Southern California fires. One strike team of fire engines from Walla Walla and the nearby Tri-Cities had already left that morning.I knew thats what firefighters throughout the West routinely do whenever another region needs help. But it raised my interest in Californias strategic thinking to an even higher level.As proud as I am of my brothers efforts over the years to save lives and homes, I know how dangerous it is. About 80 firefighters have lost their lives fighting fires in the United States this year.As the impact of climate change continues to grow, California and other states need to put considerably more resources into both preventing wildfires and, when they do start, reducing their impact.We need not accept Gov. Jerry Browns warning Saturday that the firestorms in Southern California are the new normal. The state Legislature, Congress and local governments must find the political will to make fire prevention a higher priority.The alternative is to accept an increase in the number of wildfires that go out of control and jump into urban, residential areas, causing billions of dollars of damage in California and throughout the West.For starters, California and the federal government need to stop robbing their fire prevention budgets to pay the increasing costs of fighting fires.Eight years ago the federal Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture submitted the FLAME Act (Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement), a comprehensive wildfire strategy crafted in collaboration with state and local governments. A special emphasis was placed on reducing the severe challenges of wildfire on areas of high-risk. Its a major problem for Western states.It set three specific goals: Establish enough reserves for the Forest Service and Interior Department to effectively prevent and extinguish wildfires. Manage vegetation and increase the use of controlled burns to improve the resiliency of forests and range lands. Engage homeowners and communities in being more proactive to reduce both the risk of fires and the impact when they occur.The funding has not been forthcoming, primarily because members of Congress, heavily influenced by either environmentalists or the logging industry, cannot agree on proper forest management techniques. Instead, President Trump wants to cut $300 million from the Forest Services firefighting budget and $50 million from the wildfire prevention budget.Im well aware of the presidents desire to shrink government, but this is outrageous.The Wine Country fires caused an estimated $3 billion in damage. The Southern California fires are estimated at $1 billion so far.And thats not counting the costs of fighting the fires. Every dollar invested in fire prevention now would save hundreds of dollars in potential damage from wildfires in 2018.Im relieved that the Southern California fires remain far enough away from my sons dorm that they dont pose a threat. And my brother and his crew havent yet been called on to head south. But 2018 will bring more dry conditions and high winds that will make Western states vulnerable to even greater devastation.Firefighters and property owners in rural areas need to demand sufficient funding to make California as safe as possible from wildfires.2017 the San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)Visit the San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) at www.mercurynews.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) - The 1992 benzene spill in Superior is a rare example of an incident that prompted Twin Ports authorities to order a mass evacuation.But the efforts undertaken to alert the public about that hazard bear little resemblance to how a similar situation would be handled a quarter-century later, said Dewey Johnson, emergency management coordinator for St. Louis County."Things have changed since Toxic Tuesday," he said. "The expectation of the public is that it comes to device in your hand."For the first time, area authorities say they have the ability to reach nearly every person in a fixed area, delivering instant information in the event of an emergency situation.The Northland Alert system, announced at a news conference Wednesday, can send text messages with emergency details and instructions to every cellphone in a set location. And, unlike previous alert systems, it does not require an opt-in from individual users."This is really designed for us to get our message out to the public when we need people to evacuate or shelter in place," Johnson said.The alerts are handled by St. Louis County's 911 emergency communications center, which first had to receive authorization from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The cities of Duluth, Hermantown, Hibbing and Virginia are also partners in the venture.Johnson said the system will only be utilized in critical situations, such as extreme weather, flooding or a wildfire, when lives are potentially in danger. The alerts will be sent to cellphones en masse, similar to Amber Alert notifications.An optional subscription service also exists, allowing users to request additional alerts on weather, road closures, water and gas outages and other incidents that do not require immediate emergency action.Duluth Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj, who doubles as an emergency manager, said the city received some criticism for not spreading timely information during the July 2016 storm that caused widespread power outages and wind damage.Krizaj said the reality is that frequent updates were sent through existing methods such as news releases and social media  but those don't always make it to people in a timely manner."We think this system will be a little more friendly to users," he said.Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, a mother of two teenagers, said her family will be subscribing for beach condition alerts. She touted the system as an effective way of reaching everyone who lives, works or visits the area."We are a regional center; we do have a lot of people coming in and out everyday," she said. "Approaching this from a broader, regional standpoint will provide more effective, coordinated communication."To sign up for additional alerts and manage contact preferences, visit northlandalert.com.2017 the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.)Visit the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.) at www.duluthnewstribune.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) - Only a decade ago, the idea of using flying cameras to solve crimes seemed like something out of a made-for-TV science fiction film.Today, however, fiction has become a reality, and police agencies across the country increasingly are turning to these miniature aerial platforms to help in their work.Defined in legal terms as unmanned aerial systems, but more commonly known as drones, they're also helping survey storm damage, checking hard-to-reach areas on bridges and towers, showing off real estate or scouting out possible construction sites.But it's their use by police and other law enforcement agencies where drones have received the most public attention.Lt. Christopher Hermance, who commands the Special Tactics Unit at the Dover Police Department, is the agency's chief UAS pilot. He is backed up by two other pilots. All have undergone initial flying instruction as well as tactical training in drone use, and are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees drone use in the United States.Law enforcement agencies in Wilmington and Ocean View, as well as the Delaware State Police also are using UAS technology as are DelDOT, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the state fire service.Using DEMA funding, Dover police bought two unmanned aircraft in 2016, paying about $12,500 for the aircraft, batteries, controllers, cameras and other equipment.Both have different capabilities, and each is used as the situation warrants.During 2017 the department has used the UAS to monitor crowds during public events such as the Firefly Music Festival and to survey homeless camps. Hermance and his team also have used the equipment for public exhibitions at Dover schools.In April, a Dover police UAS flew over a rally supporting Delaware's Muslim community, held outside Legislative Hall."The objective is not to be noticed," Hermance said. "But it gives us an idea of what's going on on a large scale."They've also been used to provide aerial photography of crash scenes, such as a crash."The officers doing the reconstruction were able to do their math calculations using the physical images of the road we gave them," Hermance said.Drone operators must operate under tight restrictions imposed by the FAA, Hermance said.Pilots fly the aircraft using a remote control tied to an iPad or similar device. The operator is required to keep the drone in sight with the naked eye at all times. Depending on the aircraft used, Hermance works in tandem with another officer who controls the camera and makes the video record. Each uses a global positioning system that keeps the drone in contact with more than a dozen satellites at one time.In general, drones only may fly during daylight hours, and the vehicle can go no higher than 400 feet. Pilots must observe additional restrictions if they're operating near an airport or a military installation such as Dover Air Force Base.Use of the drone for law enforcement on a case-by-case basis and the pilot is the final authority on when and how each flight is conducted, meaning Hermance can overrule the chief of police on an operation if he deems it necessary."We operate under strict parameters and safety is always first," he said. "When you're flying you have to be prepared to fly safely."In Wilmington, Master Sgt. Adam Ringle serves as director of the city's police department's UAS flight operations. He has two assistant pilots to fly five operational unmanned vehicles.Unlike Dover's smaller vehicles one of Wilmington's drones can carry objects if needed, including rope used in water rescues."We can tie off the rope and fly it out to someone in the water," Ringle said. "That's really awesome because we can patrol the waterways and get help to people quickly."Wilmington's drone program came about both as a need to get more information during criminal investigations and as a way to save money."We were frequently asked to go up in a helicopter to take photos for juries," he said. "Aerial views are unlike any other, but it costs $3,000 an hour to use a helicopter."It took about two years for the idea to become a reality, but the drones since have proven their worth, Ringle said."You can do things from the air that you can't do from the ground," he said. As an example, Ringle can use a drone to look for a suspect in hiding instead of risking an officer to conduct a foot surveillance."If you can accomplish a task without putting an officer in harm's way, that's a huge benefit to the department and the public."Although the FAA regulates drone operations, it does not oversee how the UAS is used to gather information on people or property; that is left up to individual states or municipalities. Delaware set forth those rules in 2015, making it a crime to fly over large sporting events or critical areas such as government buildings, utilities, ports, rail yards or drinking water facilities unless a property owner grants written permission.However, it exempts law enforcement agencies, leaving it up to each jurisdiction to formulate its own rules.Dover has developed its drone use policy after reviewing regulations created by other municipalities and the International Association of Police Chiefs, said department spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman.Wilmington also has developed its own rules, Ringle said."We have a very strict written policy that was done in conjunction with our legal counsel for the entire city," he said.Using drones to gather evidence falls under the same strictures as any other investigative operation, Hermance said: judicial consent is required."If an officer in a police car or on foot sees a crime in progress, he can go directly in," he said. "But we can't go around the city and look in peoples' windows."If the police have probable cause to think a crime has been committed, they must convince a magistrate to allow a drone to gather the evidence. It's no different from the legal process needed to get permission to physically search a building or car, he said."If drones are up, they're being used for a specific purpose," Hoffman said. "We're not cruising the streets or cruising downtown looking for violations of the law.""But if we see [a crime], we will take appropriate action," Hermance added."It also makes it safer for the officer and the public," Hoffman said.Wilmington officers also require probable cause before employing a UAS, Ringle said."Everything we've learned in our training applies, even if you're doing it from the air," he said.While drones can -- and are -- used to survey and protect special events, they can't be used to target specific people, Ringle said."For example, if you know a guy in a red jacket will be somewhere selling weed and you go fly just for that explicit purpose, looking for a known person at a known time, that will get thrown out [of court]. It's illegal search and seizure," he said.How police write their drone use regulations and how those regulations are applied are matters of concern to privacy rights advocates, including Delaware's ACLU."We definitely have a position on this," state ACLU Executive Director Kathleen MacRae said.While the group has mounted no specific challenges to drone use, they have identified some concerns regarding individual privacy, she said. Primarily, MacRae wants a department's drone use policy set down in writing with a public review."From a general point of view, the police should not be allowed to used a drone in a way that would be more invasive than using a police helicopter," she said."We certainly would want to make sure police departments have specific, clear policies in writing that are open for public review that have been developed by a public body, a city council or advisory council, should the mayor set one up."MacRae cited a US Supreme Court case, heard Nov. 28, regarding search and seizure of cell phone records. In that case, the ACLU has argued a police department's search of a suspect's cell phone information violated the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable search and seizure.Using a cell phone -- or a drone -- to target a specific individual should be considered unconstitutional, she said."If you're using a cell phone to get specific evidence to a crime, that's OK," she said. "But if you look at all data in a cell phone and see that person and all of his contacts, that's a different story," MacRae said.While the ACLU would like police departments to subject their drone policies to public scrutiny, MacRae doesn't think that will happen soon."I'm not surprised a public body hasn't identified the policy," she said. "The police would resist."But the ACLU is not against police using UAS, as long as it's done properly, MacRae said."We understand drones have very useful purposes and they can be a tool for law enforcement as long as there are rules and safeguards for determining their usage," she said.Ringle said his department is not releasing its guidelines on the use of drones."Since our policy is 99.9 percent FAA rules and procedures relating to the appropriate utilization of UAS aircraft, we will not be providing a copy of the policy at this time," he said.However, Dover's police department has an eight-page written policy on the use of drones, approved in October by Chief of Police Marvin Mailey.In its policy statement, the document says, "The Dover Police Department recognizes concerns relating to privacy and First Amendment rights associated with the use of UAS aircraft."It is the DPD's policy when using UAS to not interfere with or violate such rights," it adds.Also, the policy addresses a number of issues, including hazards, launch and landing zones, what to do if communications between the drone and the controller are lost, use during emergencies and training requirements.Under the policy, drones may be used to take photographs or record video of crime scenes, monitor civilian disturbances or protests, and search rooftops or other structures for discarded weapons or contraband during a police operation.The chief of police also may authorize drone use under circumstances where he or she feels it necessary.While Dover police department has made its drone policy a matter of public record, Mayor Robin Christiansen feels that policy should not be subject to review by Dover's city council or any other civilian board.Under Dover's charter, the chief of police, and hence the department, answers to the city's chief executive."I have great concerns about relegating police tactics to run them through a committee or anything like that," Christiansen said. "The mayor and the chief of police are in charge of the police department, and we make sure the place is run judiciously."The last thing I as mayor or as a citizen would do is to undertake any police tactic that would violate anyone's civil rights," he said.2017 Dover Post, Del.Visit Dover Post, Del. at www.doverpost.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
People sometimes send me books unsolicited. One such book isI have not read it. I have not even opened it! It is the Christmas season and ... I'm busy ...What I did do was read the letter that Michael Mabee sent along with the book. You can read it below, but I find the contents right on the money. I don't know if his book is worth much as a read, but if it follows his reasoning in the letter  it could be useful. After we stopped planning for the nuclear holocaust, once the Soviet Union was dissolved, so too our planning for a national-scale disaster went the way of the dodo bird.In a more limited scale, it is the type of planning that I've espoused for large regional disasters that don't allow for the free movement of resources into the disaster area. Puerto Rico is a small footprint, but a prime example of how bad, bad can be.Dear Mr. Holdeman,I have followed your blogs on the EMP [electromagnetic pulse] threat with interest and share your concern that we are not doing enough to educate elected officials and our partners about the risks from an EMP. I thought you would be interested in the new edition of my book on the subject.I have been studying the vulnerabilities of the U.S. critical infrastructures for years and our lack of preparedness for a national-scale disaster. As you know, civil defense gradually morphed into emergency management over the years and I believe we lost something vital in the process.Our modern emergency management system depends on outside resources being brought into the disaster area. But what if substantially the whole country became the disaster area? While our current EM system works for local and regional-scale disasters, there is no plan for a national-scale disaster. Towns and cities across the country assume that somebody is coming to rescue them and most emergency managers are wired to believe that outside resources will be available shortly. But in a national-scale disaster, the cavalry will be not be coming for a very long time. Our communities will be on their own  survival will be a local issue. The United States is not prepared for a national-scale disaster.But there is much that emergency mangers can do. I believe that we need more resilient communities that have a plan to function on their own for a long period of time in the event of a national-scale disaster. Challenging? Yes. Impossible? No. There is much we can do ahead of time to mitigate the loss of life. This is the message I am trying to get out to emergency managers, communities and anyone who will listen.
(TNS)  Half of Greeley, Colo., residents who had internet speeds tested are dealing with speeds slower than the Federal Communications Commission standard, and large swaths of the city have no reliable internet access, a consultant hired by Greeley reported Tuesday during a Greeley City Council work session.The information prefaced an update from Glenwood Springs-based NEO Connect CEO Diane Kruse, whose company was hired to study city-provided broadband services in Greeley and Windsor.Greeley residents voted Nov. 7 to allow Greeley to explore setting up broadband services, and now the city is studying the matter, surveying residents and building a plan that could come before voters again as soon as the November 2018 election.Greeley joined dozens of municipalities that have explored setting up their own internet service. Longmont provides its own retail internet option, an option that already has the largest market share in the city. The wave of city-provided broadband has its genesis in slower-than-desired internet, among other issues, something Kruse pointed to with data her consulting firm already has gathered in Greeley.That data, based on 393 speed tests, show 49.5 percent of those tested fell below the FCC standard for broadband speed, with 90 percent of the speed tests administered in north and east Greeley showing failure to meet that standard.The FCC standard, 25 megabits per second, is the minimum speed at which the FCC defines "broadband," and it's the lowest speed Netflix recommends for ultra high-definition video streaming.It's also the threshold for many government grants available to communities with internet access issues. Service providers in Greeley paint a different picture, reporting to the FCC that 95 percent of customers have access to 25 megabits per second speeds.Access to service, period, is another issue, with chunks of the city suffering from a lack of access altogether, according to the consultant's data.Greeley City Councilwoman Rochelle Galindo, who represents Ward 1, said it makes sense the north and east parts of town  the parts in her ward  struggle with internet access. It's an older part of town, and internet infrastructure also is older.Still, Galindo said she's excited to get more information from the study, something that should come this spring.Mayor John Gates said the scope of the problem surprised him, but he stressed the city still should proceed with caution when it comes to setting up its own service.If the city goes that route, there will be a fight. Fort Collins residents just passed an internet service plan in the face of $900,000 in spending against the measure  money that came mostly from the broadband industry, according to reporting from The Fort Collins Coloradoan.
Roughly five years after Oklahoma began to unify information technology (IT), that process is largely finished and has saved the state hundreds of millions of dollars, officials toldBy centralizing IT under the auspices of the chief information officer, the state has saved more than $350 million in reduced IT spend and cost avoidance, Oklahoma Chief Operations and Accountability Officer Matt Singleton said, noting that number is based on the states new, final quarterly reports.Since beginning IT consolidation, Singleton said Oklahoma technology officials have successfully completed unification at 77 of 78 agencies identified; and an additional 33 agencies that effectively volunteered.As for the 78th agency identified, Singleton said: Were working with them, but pronounced unification otherwise substantially complete.During unification the state completed 1,171 agency-specific and statewide projects focused on IT and enhancing the client experience, Singleton told, during a conversation that included CIO James Bo Reese and Chief Information Security Officer Mark Gower. But additional updates continue, including for public safety agencies.IT officials discovered public safety had had some pretty unique needs around CJIS compliance, Gower said, referring to federal Criminal Justice Information Service standards agencies are required to meet.The CISO said that instead of bearing the cost to make the entire state data center CJIS-compliant and meeting partner needs as well, the state decided to expand and further securitize an existing data center at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation facility.We  expanded that facility so we could unify what I believe is going to be 14 of our existing public safety agencies, Gower said. As we go about not only moving them into this new facility, we also are going to be undertaking a significant modernization of some of the systems that public safety uses.Reese, who has been state CIO since November 2014, was named president of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) executive committee in October. Among the state-level IT best practices and innovations that he may advocate for as president is cybersecurity, which Reese said is extremely important for his state.Unification, Reese said, actually facilitated the improvement of state-level cybersecurity in Oklahoma as by definition, it reduced siloing by the individual agencies.Being that we were siloed, we were very much responsible for our security network technology within the individual agencies. It was very duplicative and it wasnt secure, Reese said. Being able to create a single pane of glass through our consolidation really gave Mark and his team the visibility across the state that wed never had before.Gower described the protection of Oklahomans and their data as pretty paramount to everything that we do here, and noted the state has offered security awareness and training that began piloting in 2014 and went live last year.Currently, the CISO said, employees in about 60 percent of state agencies have been educated through the hourlong training, available online through a vendor over the course of a calendar year  and as a result, the states cybercommand has received more reports of potential cyberincidents.Thats the measure you want to go for. The net results for the state: citizens may not see it but I hope they can feel it, Gower said, calling it no coincidence that security topped the list of  State CIO Top Ten Policy and Technology Priorities for 2018  for the fourth consecutive year.Having a trained workforce for Oklahoma is paramount, he added.Unification, Reese added, has also facilitated data-driven decision-making and data governance  both of which are important state-level best practices as well.In June, Reese testified to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He called for greater collaboration and participation from federal agencies, and highlighted federal cybersecurity regulations that pose obstacles to state IT unification and risk-based cybersecurity investment.Since ascending to lead NASCIOs executive committee, Reese said the organization has formed a working group to hear from states about federal regulations theyd like to see harmonized.That includes, the CIO said, mapping those regulatory environments, finding out where theyre different, where theyre the same and coming up with what we consider the gold standard, and opening a dialogue with the federal sector.We have such a short amount of time to make a positive impact in our citizens lives and I think this is an opportunity, Reese said. If we look at it as  a partnership we can truly make a difference on a national scale in what we do how we do it and how we invest in cybersecurity and get a return.The 2018 edition of NASCIOs Top 10 CIO priorities included shared services and digital government, but not legacy modernization, which ranked fifth on the 2017 list. Singleton said that signals to him more of a focus on how to accomplish things.Shared services is a model. Agile is a model. To me, I think that signals a shift in mindset in state CIOs. Were not spending the next year talking about it, Singleton said.But he and Reese have discussed using NASCIOs reach and grasp to assist CIOs and their organizations nationwide.One of the things he keeps talking to me about is this playbook idea, where every state encounters the same types of challenges. The real power of NASCIO is the connections that it enables and facilitates across that space. And so, a playbook of IT unification would really be of great value to states, Reese said.That is exactly what we have been talking about picking up, he added.Elsewhere in the tech landscape, officials recently launched Innovate Oklahoma, an opportunity for residents to submit challenges and agencies to make their needs known via the states innovation portal and for developers to offer solutions.Participants have provided solutions to three challenges focused in health and human services and child welfare. These solutions are about to be available for leadership approval, Singleton said, describing officials as really excited about where this is headed. Simultaneously, officials have held discussions about technology with citizen groups around the state, and Innovate Oklahoma has been a central topic.
Lose your cellphone in the house? If youre an Xfinity Mobile (from Comcast) customer, finding it may have just gotten a whole lot easier  all you have to do is ask.Comcast recently introduced a new feature called Phone Finder for its customers with a wireless service plan. Just say Xfinity Mobile, find my phone into your X1 voice remote, and your device will be called. Youll have to specify whose phone youre looking for if you have multiple lines or give the 10-digit phone number of the phone you want found. If someone else finds the phone before you do, theyll hear a pre-recorded audio message explaining the reason for the call when they answer.Just make sure you dont lose your Xfinity remote too.
Fast-charging stations from ABB can now be found on key roads across Bulgaria with plans underway to further extend the network to include all major roads and highways by the end of Q1 2018. ABBs Terra53 fast chargers now cover the international routes from Sofia to the Greek border, with installations in key locations including Sofia, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Blagoevgrad, Sandanski, Rakov-ski, Stara Zagora, Liubumetz and Bourgas.

Terra53 integration partner and customer eMobility International is developing and managing an infrastructure of fast charging stations, operating under the brand Eldrive. It is supporting users in their understanding of electric mobility and enabling them to easily navigate to the nearest charging station or e-car rental station.

The most popular installation, Terra 53 CJG, offers compatibility with all-electric vehicles on the Bulgarian market, using the CHAdeMO, CCS and Type 2 AC standards and provides charging cycles between 15-60 minutes, depending on the capacity of the car battery.

The Terra 53 multi-standard DC charging station is a configurable single-, dual- or tripoutlet 50 kW fast charging station, operational in hard weather conditions from - 35 degrees to + 55 Celsius. Remote condition monitoring and remote troubleshooting are also important advantages of ABB chargers. By connecting chargers, service solutions and people, ABB is able to diagnose more than 90% of the service cases remotely, solving more than 60% of these cases without any site intervention in the past two years. This results in significant savings on downtime, traveling, transportation, man-hours, and resources. The Terra 53 is suited for use at highway rest stops, gasoline stations, car dealerships and busy urban areas, such as public parking lots.
Effective immediately, applications for the conversion and conversion of seagoing ships to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel can be submitted to the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). The aim of the BMVI funding program is to promote the use of LNG in German maritime shipping. The funding is provided by the Mobility and Fuel Strategy (FMD), which will provide around 278 million (US$331 million) for all means of transport by 2020.

We want to be a pioneer in reducing emissions in shipping. That is why we promote the transition to alternative drive systems and accelerate their dissemination. We look forward to many innovative project ideas. Christian Schmidt, Executive Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure

Marine LNG contributes to reducing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. In contrast to conventional oil-based marine fuels, LNG does not cause any emissions of sulfur oxides (SO x ). NO x emissions are reduced by up to 90% and particulate emissions by about 98% compared to conventional fuels.

Applications may be submitted by companies that own a ship or plan to build a new ship, as well as corporations and public law institutions. Depending on the size of the company, projects can receive up to 60% of the eligible costs.
The beloved childrens book The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, with illustrations by Robert Lawson, was published in 1936. But the simple, pacifist story about a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight has resonated across generations.

Its a natural progression that this favorite character would find a home on the big screen in an animated feature, Ferdinand, but perhaps the filmmakers behind the raucous Ice Age movies arent exactly the right team to adapt this elegant story to the screen.

The peaceful spirit of Ferdinand the bull is celebrated in the film, directed by Carlos Saldanha, but the rather sparse story has been filled out with the typical animated feature fare of manic action, a coterie of wise-cracking animals, body humor, dead parents, car chases, dance-offs and pop music. Elegant and simple, this film is not.

To flesh out the story of Ferdinand to feature length, the team of writers has given the protagonist a dramatic upbringing. The young and gentle bull flees his ranch after his father is chosen for a bullfight and never returns. He ends up at the home of a flower farmer and is taken in by his daughter, Nina (Lily Day), where girl and beast grow up together in a perfect harmony.

But Ferdinand (John Cena) becomes too large and unruly for his own good, and after wreaking havoc on a flower festival, hes shipped back to the ranch, where hes reunited with his childhood friends. They headbutt and tussle to be chosen by the matador El Primero (Miguel Angel Silvestre), but Ferdinand is the odds-on favorite due to his hulking size and clumsiness that masquerades as ferociousness. When the bulls realize theyre being sent to the chop shop if they cant perform, it inspires an all-out revolt, as they hatch an escape plan with the help of three resourceful hedgehogs and a sassy goat (Kate McKinnon).

Despite the mania, and the influx of characters wackier than the next (a trio of snobby German Lipizzaner horses are truly random), Ferdinand contains some resonant messages about prioritizing gentleness and love over competition and violence, and about not judging a book by its cover.

With a lovely voice performance from Cena, the spirit of Ferdinand does shine through. But the rest of the story filler is mostly forgettable.
Dec. 14, 2012

A gunman with a semi-automatic rifle killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., then committed suicide as police arrived. Adam Lanza, 20, also had fatally shot his mother at before carrying out the attack on the school. The next day in the News & Record: Investigators were trying to learn more about the gunman, Adam Lanza, and questioned his older brother, who is not believed to have been involved in the rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary. Police shed no light on the motive for the nations second-deadliest school shooting. In tight-knit Newtown on Friday night, hundreds of people packed St. Rose of Lima church and stood outside in a vigil for the 28 dead  20 children and six adults at the school, the gunmans mother at home, and the gunman himself, who committed suicide. People held hands, lit candles and sang Silent Night. 
GREENSBORO  U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles has refused a request to hold a crucial hearing in North Carolinas racial gerrymandering case two weeks sooner than scheduled.

Ruling on behalf of the 3-judge panel overseeing the lawsuit, Eagles said the Republican legislators were seeking to impose their own expedited schedule on the court, the special master and other parties at virtually the last moment.

The court anticipates that the January 5 hearing will begin with a short presentation by the special master as to his recommendations, Eagle said in the order. Thereafter, each side will have one hour to present oral argument in support of their position.

Representing current and former Republican leaders in the General Assembly, Raleigh lawyer Phillip Strach filed a petition earlier this week to advance the Jan. 5 hearing by at least two weeks.

Strach asked that Eagles and the two other federal judges presiding over the lawsuit brought by 31 protesting voters reschedule the hearing on or before Dec. 22, citing the time pressure of the approaching 2018 election cycle.

Strach said the Republican-led legislature needed time for a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or to take action on its own to fix any problems with state House and Senate districts.

Strach represents state Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), state House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), state Rep. David Lewis (R-Dunn) and former state Sen. Robert Rucho (R-Matthews) in the lawsuit.

The 3-judge panel agreed with the voters that 28 state House and Senate districts had been racially gerrymandered to favor GOP candidates when election lines were redrawn in 2011.

The decision was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court and legislators apparently fixed 24 of the flawed districts in another round of redistricting this summer, leaving four  two of them in Guilford County  that still concerned the judges.

They selected Stanford University law professor Nathaniel Persily as special master to suggest ways to resolve problems with the remaining districts. His proposed plan would be the subject of the Jan. 5 hearing.

In his petition to move up that hearing by at least two weeks, Strach also requested that the trio of judges enter their final ruling in the case by Jan. 10, when the General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene in Raleigh.

Issuing a final ruling on or before January 10, 2018 will protect the states ability to seek meaningful Supreme Court review and take additional legislative action if necessary, Strach said in the petition.

Eagles did not address that request in her order.
The North Carolina General Assembly is not entitled to another shot at fixing any remaining racial flaws in its most recent redistricting efforts, voting rights lawyers contend in newly filed court papers.

Attorneys for 31 voters who successfully sued the legislature for racial gerrymandering are urging a three-judge, federal panel to resolve the lingering flaws on its own by adopting a special master consultants recent recommendations.

While courts generally are obligated to give the legislature the first chance to remedy violations in a redistricting plan, they are not required to give the legislature limitless chances to do so, lawyers Allison Riggs and Edwin Speas assert in their joint petition.

A lawyer for current and former Republican leaders of the General Assembly has urged the judges to issue a final ruling in the case by Jan. 10, so that the General Assembly could either reconvene in Raleigh to fix any agreed-upon shortcomings or appeal the panels decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

But if district courts had to keep giving legislators second chances to fix flawed voting maps, the incentive for a legislature to enact a full remedy would be nonexistent: It could keep reaping the benefits from unconstitutional actions for an entire decade by making only minimal corrections on each remedial pass, contend Speas of Raleigh and Riggs of Durham.

At issue is recent criticism leveled by GOP legislative leaders at an outside experts report aimed at settling the lawsuit presided over by the panel of judges in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

The judges ruled late last year that the Republican-led General Assembly engaged in partisan, racial gerrymandering during the legislative redistricting that followed the last U.S. Census in 2011.

Legislative redistricting is the process by which the state House and Senate redraw election districts after each census to account for population shifts and make sure that each legislator represents roughly the same number of voters.

But the process can be manipulated unfairly to political ends, which is what the U.S. District Court panel found had occurred in Raleigh during the redistricting process six years ago.

After that finding was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, the Greensboro-based panel gave the General Assembly a Sept. 1 deadline to come up with a new plan that fixed racial gerrymanders in a total of 28 state House and Senate districts where the demographics were out of whack.

Legislators succeeded to a large extent this summer, correcting problems to the courts apparent satisfaction in 24 of the disputed districts but not in the remaining four  two of them in Guilford County.

The panel that includes U.S. District Judges Catherine Eagles of Greensboro and Thomas Schroeder of Winston-Salem, and appellate Judge James Wynn of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals then hired a special master  an expert judges call upon to carry out a court order  to suggest ways of fixing the four problem districts.

The special master, Nathaniel Persily of Stanford University, filed his plan earlier this month.

Persily is a prominent professor of law at Stanford and a nationally recognized expert in election law who has worked as a court consultant in redistricting cases in several other states.

But a lawyer for the Republican leadership of the General Assembly recently filed court papers criticizing the recommended solution that Persily submitted Dec. 1 and asking the federal panel to make its final ruling in the lawsuit soon enough for legislators to take action, if necessary.

At a minimum, the court should issue a final order forthwith so that meaningful appellate action may be taken, or the legislature may redraw the districts, if necessary, as it stands ready to do, Raleigh lawyer Phillip Strach argued on behalf of the Republican leadership.

Strach maintained that the trio of judges has yet to clearly define what was wrong with the four districts that remain in question and that the Stanford professors proposed changes to those districts were no better than what the General Assembly had come up with this summer.

Persilys redrawn districts differed markedly from the General Assemblys latest versions only in that each of the special masters had fewer black residents of voting age and each favored future Democrat candidates, Strach claimed.

Other than these two differences, the special masters plan boils down to a beauty contest between his districts and the challenged districts, Strach said in his written motion filed last week.

The districts under discussion include state House District 57 and state Senate District 28 in Guilford, another Senate district near Fayetteville and a second House district in the Goldsboro area.

In their response to Strachs criticism filed Wednesday, Riggs and Speas countered that Persily did no more to the legislators plan than was necessary to bring the four, questionable districts into compliance with voting law.

They urged the court to adopt Persilys recommendations in full, noting that time is of the essence because the filing period for next years elections begins Feb. 12.

The recommended plan does not favor Democrats,  Speas and Riggs said, adding that it instead uses generally accepted nonpartisan guidelines to eliminate the discriminatory effect of the 2011 racial gerrymanders.
GREENSBORO  The white flags are up and waving around the city.

For those in need of a safe haven from the brutal winter weather, theyre an invitation to come in and get warm.

And with overnight temperatures this week dropping into the 20s, once again the citys needy will be looking for places flying the white flag so they know where to go to get warm.

Eric Maple is one of the lucky ones  hes got a place to stay. It wasnt always that way.

From March to November, Maple slept under bridges and in abandoned cars. Then he was able to get one of the 100 beds at Weaver House, which is operated by Greensboro Urban Ministry.

Prior to me coming here, there were some cold nights out there, said Maple, 53. Sleeping under a bridge is not safe, and the fear of somebody walking up on you is scary.

A cold front passed through the Triad on Tuesday, bringing with it frigid temperatures and wind gusts up to 43 miles per hour  the areas first extended cold snap of the year  according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures today and Friday will be in the mid to low 20s  and the community is mobilizing.

Outside of Greensboro Urban Ministry and the Interactive Resource Center, some local churches are also opening their doors.

Susan Danielsen, a spokeswoman for the Greensboro Police Department, said if officers spot people in need, theyll take them to one of the warming centers.

But having enough room can be tricky.

There are 100 beds  84 for men and 16 for women  at Weaver House. Between Dec. 1 and March 31, the shelter is open to those in need of a place to stay.

Michael Pearson, the director, said the slots fill up fast  especially during extreme weather. Wednesday night, there were only three beds available for men, Pearson said.

A lot of people show up when the other ... locations like the IRC and YWCA are full, Pearson said.

Like the Interactive Resource Center, Weaver House also opens its lobby to the public as a warming center.

For people needing shelter for more than a night, Pearson said some Greensboro churches have joined forces with Weaver House.

New Jerusalem, at 2505 Fairview St., has a shelter that can house 20 women, while West Market United Methodist Church, at 302 W. Market St., has beds for 15 men.

Faith Step Ministries Church and Grace Community Church  both on West Gate City Boulevard  each have 12 beds for men.

Those like Maple who fill the shelters and warming centers at night are appreciative.

Maple, who moved to Greensboro two years ago from New Jersey, said he plans to stay at Weaver House through the winter while he gets his life back in order. Laid off from a job earlier this year, he now has two jobs as a cook.

Without a bed at Weaver House, he said hed be just another homeless person looking for a place to get warm.

You do what you have to do, he said.
HIGH POINT  The citys police department has been sharing how impressed it is with how High Point Central High Schools staff handled a lockdown Monday.

They did a phenomenal job, Lt. Curtis Cheeks said. I dont think you could have done it any better.

Police rushed to the school about 2 p.m. Monday after receiving a call of a shooting there. A glass door to the outside had been shattered, but no one was injured.

Police arrested one juvenile suspect who doesnt attend the school for shooting the firearm. Later, officers arrested a 15-year-old student at the school who they say was a willing participant. That student has been suspended and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Cheeks said the target of the shooting was a student in what is believed to be a gang-related incident.

Cheeks said the police investigation found that the student let the other juvenile into the building during one of the lunch periods, and then after the alleged shooter came back out of the building, he shot through a glass door that was just outside the cafeteria and fled the campus.

Cheeks said getting everyone behind locked classroom doors in a school with about 1,600 students, especially teenagers, is no small feat at any time. School officials, he added, got everyone to secure locations and remained there at a time when likely hundreds of students were in the cafeteria and others were in the halls.

Thats what makes it that much more important, he said.

Cheeks said the staff knew what to do and were able to help police officers as needed.

I know from my experience, even trying to get smaller businesses to evacuate, they havent been able to do it as quickly as they were able to do at that school, he said. You could tell the training that theyve done prepared them to execute a lockdown successfully.

Cheeks said police worked with school officials to review security camera footage and figured out the person in the video wasnt a student at the school.

Police then used social media to spread the suspects photo.

A juvenile court counselor recognized the person in the photo and was able to provide a name.

A parent brought him in and police arrested him Monday evening.

The school stayed on lockdown until dismissal at 3:45 p.m., Cheeks said. At some point, he said, the lockdown was modified to allow for supervised movement around the school. Adjacent Ferndale Middle School also went on lockdown.

Cheeks said police have been maintaining a presence at High Point Central since the incident  not because of concern, but as a reassurance to parents and students.

We want to help return some normalcy to their school day, he said.
Steve Bannon and his alt-right movement have helped accomplish something no one in a quarter-century has been able to do: get a Democrat elected in Alabama.

Alabama is one of the most reliably Republican states in the country. The last time a Democrat was elected was in 1992, and no Democrat has won more than 40 percent of the vote in a Senate race there since 1996. So it takes a special kind of stupid to pick a candidate who can lose to a Democrat in Alabama.

Not just any Democrat, but an uncompromising pro-abortion Democrat. Alabama is one of the most pro-life states in the union. According to the Pew Research Center, 58 percent of Alabama voters believe that abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, while only 37 percent disagree. And yet the Democrats won with a pro-abortion extremist on the ballot. How extreme? In September, Meet the Press host Chuck Todd asked Doug Jones what limitations he would support on abortion. He could not name one. I am a firm believer that a woman should have the freedom to choose what happens to her own body, he said, and Im going to stand up for that and Im going to make sure that that continues to happen.

Yet, Jones won in pro-life Alabama. Why? Because Bannon and his allies forced Alabamians to choose between a pro-abortion Democrat and an alleged sex predator. Bannon helped nominate a man who was credibly accused of pursuing and sexually molesting teenage girls  and then stood by him when his loathsome alleged conduct was exposed. Bannon counted on distrust of the mainstream media and conservative voters repulsion at the Democrats pro-abortion views to put his man over the top. It didnt work. Because, while the states evangelical Christian majority is appalled by abortion, they are also appalled by grown men who prey on high school girls.

Now Bannon wants to replicate his disastrous Alabama strategy in Republican primaries across the country. He has announced that he is seeking challengers like Roy Moore to take on every GOP incumbent except Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas. Bannon is busy taking the GOP back to the glory days of 2010, when Republicans nominated such terrible Senate candidates that they lost very winnable senate races in places such as Delaware and Nevada  losing the chance to retake control of the Senate. The difference is, back then, the stakes were not so high. Barack Obama was president, and unless Republicans could win 60 votes, a few more GOP Senate seats would have made little difference.

But today, a few GOP Senate seats can make all the difference, because Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House. President Donald Trump was already struggling to get his agenda passed with 52 seats in the Senate. Thanks to Bannon, that number has been whittled to 51. That makes it harder for Trump to advance any of his remaining agenda next year and complicates his ability to confirm judges and get other nominees through the Senate.

Jones victory also put the Democrats within striking distance of taking back control of the Senate in 2018. If that happens, the Trump presidency is over. The resistance will control Congress, and Trumps ability to pass conservative legislation and continue appointing conservative judges  especially another Supreme Court justice  will be gone. Moreover, Democrats will run the Russia investigation and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as majority leader will have unbridled subpoena power. Trump could face impeachment.

That is the future if Trump does not learn the lesson of Alabama and tell Bannon to back off. The goal in 2018 should be to expand Trumps governing majority, not lose it. Instead of targeting vulnerable Democrats and strengthening the Trump presidency, Bannon is busy destroying the Trump presidency.
Doug Jones briefly put his Senate victory in historical perspective Tuesday night.

This vote  this vote, Ive said it before, Alabama has been at a crossroads. We have been at crossroads in the past. And unfortunately we have usually taken the wrong fork. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, you took the right road.

Hes correct. From the time of slavery, to secession and the Civil War, to the long era of Jim Crow, Ku Klux Klan terrorism and defiance of desegregation, Alabama put itself on the wrong side of history.

So it was good news for Alabama and a relief to most Americans that voters rejected the candidacy of Roy Moore, a man whose sympathies and attitudes seem rooted in those mistakes of the past.

The outcome of the special election for a U.S. Senate seat was close, but a victory by a Democrat over a Republican in a deep-red state was extraordinary  especially given the vocal support for Moore by President Donald Trump.

It is to Trumps shame that he urged Alabama voters to elect such a deeply flawed candidate. Even before recent allegations surfaced about Moores inappropriate sexual conduct toward teenage girls when he was in his 30s, he was known for antiquated ideas and demagoguery. Twice he was removed from the Alabama Supreme Court for refusing to follow federal court orders, making himself a 2000s version of George Wallace. He was in no way fit to serve in the U.S. Senate, and his presence there would have been an embarrassment to the country, his state and the Republican Party.

Moore was so bad that Alabamas senior Republican senator, Richard Shelby, did not vote for him. The man whose seat was open, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, wouldnt say how he voted. Senate Republicans threatened to greet Moore with an ethics investigation if he were elected.

None of that deterred the president from investing his own political capital in Moore, which exposed a weakness. Even in a Republican stronghold, there is a limit to Trumps political influence. Other Republicans should be warned.

While this election may not propel Democrats on a Southern winning streak, the anti-Trump party can be encouraged. Moore won a large majority of older, white, Alabama voters, especially in rural areas. But a strong turnout of African-Americans made the difference for Jones, who also did better than other Democrats among women, younger voters and people with college degrees. He won by overwhelming margins in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Huntsville. He did relatively well among college-educated, moderate Republican voters in suburban areas.

If Democrats can repeat that formula in other Southern states in 2018, they can start to reclaim congressional and legislative seats theyve been losing to Republicans for the last couple of decades. Trumps presidency may create a surge of enthusiasm that translates into bigger turnouts of voters willing to give Democrats another chance. It happened in Virginia last month. At the very least, Trumps insensitivity to minorities and women makes it much harder for Republicans to expand their aging base of reliable supporters.

Suddenly, Republicans cant take winning for granted in the South. Trump was right in this Wednesday tweet: If last nights election proved anything, it proved that we need to put up GREAT Republican candidates to increase the razor thin margins in both the House and Senate.

Although Trump embraced him, and the two voiced similar views, Moore was a disaster. Trump may yet prove to be just as damaging to his party.

But the presidents words apply to Democrats, too. They have to field great candidates  men, women, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, young and old, gay and straight, of many religious beliefs or none, from all professional backgrounds. In other words, people who reflect America and its future. Thats how to stay on the right road.
WENTWORTH  Edy Nelson Vustillo Sanchez, of 1212 Meadow Road in Eden, was sentenced Monday to 192-291 months in prison by Rockingham County Resident Superior Court Judge Edwin Wilson.

Sanchez, now 19, was charged with felony first-degree sex offense, stemming from an incident on Dec. 16, 2015.

That day, while his mother was providing childcare in their home, Sanchez lured a 5-year-old into his bedroom upstairs, where he sexually assaulted the child, according to a news release from Rockingham County District Attorney Tom Keith.

Eden police arrested Sanchez the following day, and jailed him under a $150,000 secured bond.

Sanchez was admitted into the Polk Correctional Institute on Monday.

Sanchez will have to register as a sex offender and be subject to satellite-based monitoring for the remainder of his life.

Previously, Sanchez received probation and a suspended sentence for two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, on Feb. 6 and Nov. 23, 2014, when he was 16 years old.

Eden Police Department did an outstanding job and continued to investigate and cooperate with the District Attorneys Office, states the news release. As a result, the State was able to obtain a guilty plea in the case and keep the now 7-year-old from having to testify in court.

If anyone has any information on any other potential victim, they can contact Detective Jamie Buffkin with the Eden Police Department at 336-623-9240.
As we move into 2018, it's fair to expect that the coming year will demand of SEO experts a lot of innovation, quick-footedness and smart work, to make sure their websites keep getting the greatest visibility possible on search engine result pages. Here are several SEO trends likely to dominate in 2018.

Related: Google's New Mobile-First Index and the Death of Desktop SEO

Mobile-first indexing -- a game-changer

Google's 2016 announcement of its coming mobile-first index is the final call for websites to hop on board the mobile-readiness juggernaut. The SEJ Annual Report suggested that around 60 percent of traffic is coming from mobile devices; and the likelihood is that Google probably won't delay implementing its mobile-first index beyond 2018. This may mean that websites whose mobile versions are suffering from common issues will experience a sudden dip in rankings.

So if you want to get in on this trend, begin by taking your website through the Google Mobile-Friendly Test; it crawls your website like Googlebot and shows you what you need to improve. The test couldn't be any easier.

Next, take your website through Google Page Speed Insights; again, this is a brilliant and super-easy to use tool, with a lot of insight on factors you can target to improve page-loading speed for your mobile website.

This is another great tool you can use to evaluate the mobile-fist index readiness of your website. It will compare your mobile and desktop pages for common issues and important SEO signals (such as hreflang tags, rel="prev/next", and canonical), and for content issues (page title, alt="text", links, etc). It also evaluates structured data markup, apart from checking your website's mobile friendliness via Google's APIs.

Voice search -- poised to go bigger.

Because of the increasing proportion of voice searches, it's natural that search engines (with Google, of course, leading the way) are emphasizing voice search, and optimizing their algorithms accordingly. Throughout 2018, voice search is likely to become increasingly important, slowly but surely requiring website SEO leads to re-think and voice-charge their keyword strategies. Below are some ways to boost your voice search SEO:

Rather than single or two-word keywords/phrases, voice search emphasizes more "humanized" search strings; such as "Fun places to visit for Christmas in NYC" instead of "NYC Christmas options."

Questions are the core of how humans interact with machines; this will need to reflect on how brands choose keywords. For instance, you'll likely see more of "What to do in NYC on Christmas?' rather than "NYV Christmas options."

Microdata elements such as your business's name, location, phone number, brands, prices and address are important parts of voice searches. Think about creating a comprehensive site map for your website with these information bits easily available.

Voice search and mobile readiness go hand in hand; in the latter half of 2015, for instance, 40 percent of mobile users started using voice search. So, any marginal effort you put into either mobile-readiness or voice-readiness will deliver tremendous benefits.

LSI -- empowering the move toward highly comprehensive and relevant content

Latent semantic indexing (LSI) is a natural language processing technique that analyzes relationships between a set of documents and the terms they contain, producing a set of concepts related to the documents and terms. Slowly and steadily, latent semantic indexing has helped Google:

Identify related terms for keywords by researching through billions of pages

Use these findings to evaluate whether a web page offers truly comprehensive content related to a topic

Related: SEO 2018: 15 Rules for Dominating Online Search Results

Because of LSI, it will become increasingly impractical for tricksters to fool Googlebots into treating their web content as valuable, and will even attract penalties. To improve your own web content so that it appears to Google as highly relevant, check out Website Auditor, and follow these steps:

Go to content analysis, then TF-IDF, and select a webpage.

The app will take you to Google search results.

There, it will analyze the top 10 pages and calculate TF-IDF scores for each term used on each page.

This will give you a list of highly relevant phrases sorted on the basis of the number of competing websites using them.

You can include these terms in your content (it's possible to edit your website content right from within Website Auditor).

SERPs --ever evolving

It's almost like nobody noticed: Google has made so many incremental changes to its search engine result pages (SERPs) that today, the No. 1 spot on the search result list is not the only treasure SEO enthusiasts are digging for. Local packs, featured snippets, knowledge panels and more can be found, too: In short, Google has continued to add more dimensions to its SERPs.

Here, Rank Tracker is a pretty useful tool, helping you track your website's performance on 15 Google SERP components. MWhat's most important is that it tells you which SERP features are triggered for your keywords, and which ones your keywords rank for. This insight can help you target the most valuable SERP feature where you can claim your space and get tremendous visibility.

Related: 8 SEO Trends You Need to Pay Attention to in 2017

Final words

SEO is a lot like language. It keeps on evolving. New ideas evolve into well-known words, then slowly lose their sheen, and ultimately get replaced by brighter and more novel expressions. This guide will help you evolve as well. So, get started!

Related:

4 SEO Trends Likely to Have a Maximum Impact in 2018

9 Key Questions to Ask an SEO Company Before Hiring It -- or Firing It

#6 Tools for Effective Customer Acquisition



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


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Those dreaming of a White Christmas may get their wish.

On Thursday, the National Climate Prediction Center said La Nina conditions strengthened during the past month.

It happened because of below-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Without getting deep in weather speak, that means an increased chance of below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation during the winter.

Add those two things together and you get an increased chance of snow.

The centers holiday forecast from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5 favors cooler and wetter conditions for much of the Northeast, including Connecticut.

The NWS does not do long-range forecasts for snowstorms.

In the next few days, well have a better idea of whether or not those White Christmas dreams will come true.

The National Weather Service has a snowfall map HERE that shows current snow cover across the Northeast. Some areas in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have up to 18 inches for a likely White Christmas.

Historically in Connecticut, Norfolk tops the list with a 72 percent chance of a White Christmas. Danbury has a 35 percent chance, Bridgeport and the southwest Connecticut shoreline has a 21 percent chance.

The last White Christmas in Connecticut was in 2010 when more than a foot of snow covered parts of the state.

Of course, people have different definitions and opinions of what makes a white Christmas.

Among them:

Any snow falling on December 25th.

Any snow covering the ground on December 25th.

At least 1 inches of snow falling on December 25th.

Merriam-Websters definition is a Christmas when there is snow on the ground or when it is snowing.

So far this month, snowfall has been above normal. Sikorsky Memorial Airport has already received 4.4 inches of snow; the normal amount is 2.3 inches.

The record snowfall for December happened in 2003 when Sikorsky airport had 17 inches. The lowest total was in 1999 when no snow was reported.

Heres our coverage of Thursdays morning snowfall.

UPDATE: 9:03 AM

The snow is over in southwest Connecticut.

By 10 a.m., the rest of the snow will be out of Connecticut.

UPDATE: 8:45 AM

Radar images show that the snow is coming to an end.

The last of the snow is hugging the Long Island Sound shoreline into and eastern Connecticut.

The sky is also starting to brighten in Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk.

Snow is still falling at a moderate rate from East Haven to Stonington.

UPDATE: 8:24 AM

A four-car accident just off I-95 in Bridgeport has been difficult to clear due to the slippery conditions.

Police called for sand to give cars in the fender-bender traction on the inclined intersection, at Fairfield and Railroad Avenues.

UPDATE: 8:15 AM

Some schools districts that had delayed openings have now decided to have no classes.

Among the schools now closed are Ansonia, Emmett OBrien Tech, Bullard-Havens, Derby, Lauralton Hall, Naugatuck, New Milford, Notre Dame High School (Fairfield), Oxford, Seymour, Thomaston, Watertown and Wolcott.

For the complete list of closings, click HERE.

UPDATE: 8:10 AM

Heres the highest statewide snowfall totals reported by the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network as of 7 a.m.

Hebron: 1.7 inches.

East Hartford: 1.5 inches.

Wallingford: 1.3 inches.

Newtown and Naugatuck: 1.1 inch.

Darien, Stratford and Watertown: 1 inch.

Norwalk, Brookfield and Seymour: 0.8 of an inch.

Bethel: 0.7 of an inch

UPDATE: 8:01 AM

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton was up early Thursday morning.

In a 4:41 AM tweet, Mayor Mark said: Morning all of you short ones..2 hour delay for the Danbury Public Schools.

UPDATE: 7:52 AM

A number of parents complained on the Norwalk Public Schools Facebook page saying they didnt get an email or phone calls informing them of a two-hour delay.

Started to drop off child to NHS then saw only a few cars and checked here. No call in advance means I was unable to notify my employer of being late to work in a timely manner, Sandi Dolitz Vasquez posted.

Norwalk schools replied in a post:

If you did not get a call, please check with your school to make sure your phone number is entered into the system correctly. Same with your email for districtwide communications including the newsletter (and make sure to add Norwalkps to your contacts or safe senders list so that messages are not blocked.) We're working on adopting an online system where in the future you will be able to update your own registration and contact information online, but for now, schools enter it from the forms you provide at the beginning of each year.

UPDATE: 7:42 AM

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for upstate Litchfield, Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties:

Light snow this morning may result in hazardous traveling conditions on untreated surfaces, especially bridges and overpasses. Motorists are urged to travel with care, leave plenty of room between neighboring motorists and allow some extra time to reach your destination this morning.

UPDATE: 7:35 AM

Snow continues to fall across Connecticut.

The state DOT is still reporting no major accidents on the states roadways in southwestern Connecticut.

There are however, a number of crashes on I-84 in upstate Connecticut in Farmington and on I-91 in Cromwell.

INITIAL POST:

Light snow is creating slick road conditions and widespread school delays Thursday morning.

Before sunrise, a dusting to a half-inch has fallen across southwestern Connecticut. The National Weather Service says snow is expected to end by 10 a.m.

While major roads like I-95, I-84 and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways are clear, the shoulders and exit/entrance ramps are snow covered.

Secondary roads are especially slippery with local police reporting dozens of accidents.

At 7 a.m., the state Department of Transportation reported no accidents on major roads, which are mainly wet. DOT reports that the average speed on I-95 and the parkways are near normal.

Many school districts have between a one to two-hour delayed opening. For an updated list click HERE.

Just before 5:30 a.m., the temperarture ranged from 19 degrees in Oxford to 24 at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford.

No delays are being reported on Metro-North. We ask that you please take extra care when traveling and allow for additional travel time. Customers should use caution when entering and exiting trains, on platforms and staircases, it says in a service advisory.

State Police are urging drivers to give themselves extra time to get to their destination. Drivers should also reduce speeds and give extra distance between vehicles.

The NWS says it will be cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 32. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph.

Staff writer Cedar Attanasio contributed to this report.
Kevin Hagen | Getty Images

There are very few actors that are quite as lauded as Meryl Streep. Her most recent role, as The Washington Post's first female publisher, the late Katharine Graham, has garnered her a 31st Golden Globe nomination, the most that any actor has received in the award show's 75-year history.

Earlier this month at the Massachusetts Conference for Women in Boston, Streep, who is no stranger to acclaim for her work, shared the praise that meant the most to her. It was three words from her mother: "you are capable."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





I am certainly glad to see that after months and months of meetings, and discussions with the state, at last the New Lebanon School will be built. On the other hand, it follows the lead of other schools with regard to the outrageous price for all our schools, with the high school leading that race.

In this space I have brought out the fact that there was a fine way to get a new school which could have been for less money and would not have disturbed the children at all. There are several firms that produce buildings already built and require just a foundation. As the owner of one of these houses, it has lasted for over 30 years with not one bit of a problem of any kind. At the time I checked with a well-known architect who said that eventually all building will be like this. Still, it seems to me that those in charge of building in our town do enjoy spending the towns money in all directions.
SPRING CREEK  The Spartan wrestling team swept the weekend with wins in the Evanston Duals and Evanston Invitational in Wyoming.

The Spartans overtook Evanston 63-8 in their dual on Thursday, Dec.14. The Spartans that contributed pins in the duals match included: senior Anthony Chavez, senior K-Ci Slade, senior Josh Tripp, junior Dyllan Fuchs, sophomore Riley Fuchs, freshman Chase Milligan and freshman Bear Browne.

Turning around for the Evanston Invitational on Dec. 9, Spring Creek wrestled its opponents individually, but contributed to the overall team score. The Spartans placed first in the invitational with 288.5 points. The top-five teams of the invitational included Bear River with 222 points, Rock Springs with 173, Green River with 149 and Evanston with 96 points.

Tripp, Chavez and Slade each placed first with three pins a piece. Freshman Beau Chacon earned his keep with a first-place finish with a 5-0 record and a single pin.

The first-place winner from the Spartans junior varsity squad was sophomore Eli Mohr.

Second-placing Spartans on the varsity team in the invite included Dyllan Fuchs with a 3-1 record, as well as Xavier Edson. Junior Clay Campbell also placed second with a 2-1 record with one pin. Junior varsity second-place winners included Trey Sharp and sophomore Marc Piazza.

Third-placing Spartans on the varsity team included junior Chandler Hill with a 4-1 record and three pins. Senior Jace Saxton and Riley Fuchs both recorded 4-1 records with two pins. Sophomore Stettson Wells placed third for the junior varsity team.

Fourth-placing Spartans on the varsity team included Milligan and junior Caden Constable, both closing with 3-2 records and two pins. Sophomore Jeff Guthrie also placed fourth with a 2-2 record and one pin. Junior varsity place holders in the fourth slot at the invitational included freshman Otto Sharp and junior James Fisk.

Fifth-placing Spartans on the varsity included junior Austin Wirth with a 3-2 record and three pins and sophomore Kodis Campbell with a 2-2 record. Junior varsity fifth-place wrestlers included sophomore Jacob Taylor and Adam Davis.

Sixth-placing varsity wrestlers included freshman Browne and senior Gabriel Scripter with two pins and a 2-3 record each. Sophomore Hunter Hood also placed with a 1-3 record and one pin for the varsity team.

This makes three season wins for the Spartans.

Spring Creek will travel Dec. 15 and Dec. 16 to Reno to compete in the Tournament of Champions.
Friedman and Bloomfield at the Spotted Pig. Photo: David Howells/Corbis

In a detailed, harrowing New York Times report, ten women accused restaurateur Ken Friedman of sexual harassment. Among other things, the allegations included groping, texting employees for nude photos or group sex, demanding sex, and condoning his friends (including investor Mario Batali, who has been accused of harassment himself  and has denied nothing) sexual harassment. Much of the report centered around the Spotted Pig, the first in a series of successful restaurants that Friedman opened with chef April Bloomfield and one where employees reportedly nicknamed the private third-floor space the rape room. Bloomfield has not escaped scrutiny following the report.

In the article, employees say they would turn to her for help, but as former server Trish Nelson told the Times, her response was always the same  Thats who he is. Get used to it. Or go work for someone else. Bloomfield responded to the paper with her own statement, saying she immediately referred both incidents of uninvited approaches to outside labor counsel and spoke to Ken about boundaries, but apologized for having let down our employees. Bloomfield also said, My energies are directed to the kitchen, food preparation, and menu development. Her initial statement and characterization by former employees has been widely seen as inadequate by commentators and members of the industry. In response to the article and fallout, Bloomfield has released a second statement. In it, she says that I fell short, and I am filled with anger for her staffs humiliating and degrading treatment. She goes on to write, I would never suggest anyone accept unprofessional treatment and claims to have lectured Friedman, but also claims that she is only now learning the extent of the events. As with her initial comments, the response has been divisive, with many responding that her apology has been inadequate.

Bloomfield does not name Friedman in the apology, and part of the message is cryptic. As Times critic Pete Wells pointed out, its not entirely clear what Bloomfield means by it is over. Earlier this week, Grub reached out to Friedman and Bloomfields representatives, BeccaPR, to ask if Friedman would remain an owner of the restaurants. The firm says that it has decided to part ways with the restaurant group, and that it forwarded the note to the appropriate people.
Notorious toast-defiler Vegemite has marked summers arrival in the southern hemisphere with a highly polarizing recipe, even for Australians  who, lets be clear, while great people, still happily eat lots of terrible foods:

Brace yourselves Australia  its time for VEGEMITE Icy Poles! the companys official account tweeted, ironically hashtagging the warning with #Chilled. This was followed a couple of hours later by a link to a real recipe:

We weren't kidding with this one! Check out the recipe https://t.co/WWhFHJqFBs  Vegemite (@Vegemite) December 13, 2017

First of all, Time for icy poles sounds like what you maniacally cackle after burying your friends ski gear in the snow overnight. And icy poles made of Vegemite? Its easy to understand why Aussies are terrified. Granted, Vegemites creation has its fair share of insane defenders, but mostly people are suspicious of the idea of savory yeast globs frozen to Popsicle sticks, even as Australia faces a continentwide heatwave.

It will NEVER be time for Vegemite icy poles. https://t.co/AIbN2w2Lbo  Roslyn Grundy (@onetui) December 13, 2017

Vegemite ice-cream is coming TO Australia? Where has it been? Who had it first? Why is it a thing? #itisSAVOURYnotSweet pic.twitter.com/OrLYxriuYa  Platy  (@sy5starplaty) December 13, 2017

The most recent addition to the "Everything in Australia is trying to kill you" list https://t.co/J4f3msbnAl  Dr Andrew Watt (@Doctor__Watt) December 13, 2017

a grave injustice has been done here. we are no better than the beasts in the field https://t.co/QktvPQtWI2  Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) December 13, 2017

Not even if rat-arsed drunk  hopzilla (@trinnybopper) December 13, 2017

scotland: deep fried mars bars.

australia: hold my beer pic.twitter.com/Kk6yWXsZer  Mark the facepalmer (@manlyvibemark) December 13, 2017

Look I am as legit a vegemite fan as the next rightminded Aussie but absolutely no way to this thing right here https://t.co/1c0ynzHZbz  Helen Davidson (@heldavidson) December 13, 2017

When I eat ice cream I think Fark me this could use a good dose of Vegemite. Dont know about you guys.  Jon Tuxworth (@Tuxy81) December 13, 2017

Like wealth, vegemite is only good if it's spread.https://t.co/Oe8YSUBXXQ  Australian Unions (@unionsaustralia) December 13, 2017

BRACE YOURSELVES AUSTRALIA



IT'S TIME FOR SOUVLAKI SMOOTHIES



PULLED PORK MILKSHAKES



SMOKED SALMON CAKE https://t.co/LheBzbTsGi  Jason Imms  (@jasonimms) December 13, 2017
ELKO  Theater arts, education and businesses synonymous with the local art scene were recognized at the third annual Mayors Arts Awards presented Tuesday at City Hall.

Receiving the honors were Sandy Beeler as Individual Artist; Patty Fox for Art Education; Duncan Littlecreek Gallery for Arts Organization; and Elko Broadcasting Co. for Service to the Arts. The awards were presented by Mayor Chris Johnson and the City of Elko Arts and Cultural Advisory Board.

Johnson gave each honoree a Nevada desert bighorn sheep sculpture made with found materials by artist Barry Crawford.

Beeler, an on-air personality with Ruby Radio, was recognized for her work as an actress, director, painter, film producer and radio personality, Johnson said, noting that she is known for her improvisation skills and for serving as a master of ceremonies at annual events.

She also sits on the board of directors for Ghost Light Productions and has participated in more than 20 productions by Ghost Light, Silver Stage Players and Great Basin College, recently directing for Play Festival.

Beeler received the sculpture with her son by her side and said she was happy the Mayors Arts Awards honored the performance arts and other non-traditional forms of art, thanking them for the honor.

Thank you for recognizing performance art as an art, which in its right has its own kind of power, Beeler said. She later praised the Arts and Cultural Board for being open to accepting all forms of art in their selection process.

Its fun to see different art forms recognized, Beeler said.

For more than 40 years, Fox has taught art in Elko schools, teaching at GBC for more than 20 years. Before retiring this year, Fox developed a permanent collection of previous art instructors at GBC that is currently on exhibit at the Leonard Student Center.

She is also a full-time artist, working mostly in watercolor, but said she likes to dabble in all mediums, Johnson said, adding that her award-winning work is part of permanent collections of many museums and galleries.

Im really privileged and honored to be chosen for the Art Education award, Fox said, thanking the board for the honor. It has been my life and my focus in Elko for many years. Its been very rewarding. I think Ive taught most everybody in Elko County how to draw.

After the presentation, Fox reflected on the relationships the honorees had with each other after living in the community for many years.

I think its a great group that we have together. Weve all kind of grown up together and its fun to see that were all being represented here today, so thats fun for me, Fox said.

The award for Arts Organization was presented to Duncan Littlecreek Gallery owners Jacques Errecart, Jennifer Anderson and Joan Anderson for their support of art, music, theater, poetry and storytelling based out of their downtown location.

In addition to exhibiting contemporary artwork by local and out-of-town artists, the DLC hosts weekly live music acts and theater productions including Poe and Pints and Bard in the Yard, Johnson said.

If youre looking for art in the atmosphere of downtown Elko, the Duncan Littlecreek Gallery and Wine Bar is a sure bet, Johnson said in his introduction.

During the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, their open mic night is one of the most popular in town with poets and storytellers.

The three owners are also involved in art-related organizations including the Elko Parks Foundation, Johnson said, noting that Joan Anderson served on the Arts and Cultural Advisory Board from 2008 to 2016.

Errecart credited his partners for the award, saying they each had the same goal of creating a place for artists in Elko.

I always tell people that the Duncan Littlecreek is actually kind of a confluence of three very distinct personalities, but we all share a common vision and that is we just want to elevate the value of art in this community, Errecart said.

To be recognized for following our vision is quite an honor. Thank you.

Joan Anderson said after the ceremony the award was meaningful for the years of effort theyve put into making the DLC a venue for artists in the Elko area.

We feel really honored to be chosen for the organization, Anderson said. Weve been working hard for a lot of years to bring more art culture to Elko. Were really grateful getting this.

The Service to the Arts award was given to Elko Broadcasting Co. for featuring artists and promoting art-based organizations in the community through radio stations KELK and KLKO.

They give artists and art organizations valuable airtime, entire shows and news features, not just public service announcements, Johnson said, listing several events including the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, National Basque Festival, Elko County Fair, the Silver State Stampede and Art in the Park.

Elko Broadcasting will always give airtime to any of our local art and cultural institutions, as well as including the California Trail Center, the Western Folklife Center, the Northeastern Nevada Museum, the Elko County Art Club, the Lamoille Womens Club and many, many others, Johnson said.

Paul Gardner accepted the award with on-air personality Lori Gilbert, explaining to the audience that the company [doesnt] do things as much as our employees do things. Lori Gilbert has been at the forefront of our microphones and service to our community for a long, long time.

We do well by doing good and if we can do good for our community well continue to do well for ourselves, Gardner said. Thank you very, very much.

D. Ray Gardner, who with his wife Ginger Gardner purchased Elko Broadcasting in 1972, was also in attendance, along with Pauls wife Ketra.

Gilbert said after ceremony that she was happy to represent a family-owned radio station and being part of a community radio station that represents [and] reflects our community through our news and our programming, especially arts and culture.

Catherine Wines, chairwoman for the Arts and Culture Advisory Board, said this years recipients joined a nice list of the art leaders in the community.

Were just thrilled with everybody. Everybody was so deserving and its really becoming a prestigious list.




Haiti - Justice : Revocation to the Procuratorate of Port-au-Prince !





Heidi Fortune, the Minister of Justice, has dismissed in a letter approved by Prime Minister Lafontant, Myrlande Prevost Dupiche Substitute of the Commissioner of the Government, to the Court of First Instance (TPI) of Port-au-Prince. Letter in which he explains to Me Dupiche :



"[...] Referring me to the damning report submitted against you to the Minister of Justice and Public Security by your immediate superior, Me Clame Ocnam Dameus, on the release of several detainees indicted on the orders of the Office of Instruction and thereafter; referred to the Criminal Court without the assistance of a jury to be tried for checkbook theft, fraud, forgery in private writing and complicity of forgery in private writing to the detriment of the restaurant 'Le Tifany 2000', it was decided to put an end to your duties as Substitute of the Government Commissioner.



This decision is effective upon receipt of this [...]"



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Bac 2016-2017, list of fraudsters and sanctions





Following the announcement in early November by Meniol Jeune, the Director General of the Ministry of National Education of the taking of sanctions against the perpetrators of fraud during the organization of State exams of Bac for the year 2017 and beneficiaries, the Ministry of Education has made available this week the list of candidates and fraudulent institutions.



Download the list of 87 fraudulent candidates, the type of frauds and sanctions taken by the Ministry : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/CAS-DE-FRAUDE-2017.pdf



For frauds such as: takeoff of photo, use of the phone during the passing of the tests, falsification of names and order numbers, introduction of copy in the examination rooms etc... the guilty students were sanctioned by a prohibition of participation for two years in official exams.



Download the list of schools involved in a duplicate fraud : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/LISTE-DES-ECOLES-SANCTION---2014-2015.pdf



This fraud consists of a student who has obtained an average of less than 5, in a school to be admitted to a higher class in another school with an average greater than 5 for the same school year 2014 - 2015. The students involved will be obliged to resume classes for whom the average passage was not obtained if they wish to continue their studies until the end.



The schools concerned, depending on the seriousness of the fault, may have their terminal class prohibited and even the withdrawal of their operating license. He pointed out that the measures against the fraudulent school principals, go from the suspension in the activities of the new state examinations, through the request for a quarterly report on the regular operation of their establishment, until the closing of their philo class for a period of two years from September 2018.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22570-haiti-education-the-ministry-punishes-fraudsters-and-beneficiaries-of-state-exams-2017.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21465-haiti-flash-bac-2017-d-1-disciplinary-instructions-schedules-and-subjects.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21600-haiti-education-state-examinations-fraud-444-cell-phones-seized.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21465-haiti-flash-bac-2017-d-1-disciplinary-instructions-schedules-and-subjects.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Funeral Service for Manno Charlemagne

On Friday, December 15, 2017, a funeral service will be organized for parents, relatives and fans of Manno Charlemagne at "Pax Villa funeral room".



Hearing of the former PM Garry Conille

Wednesday, as part of the assassination of Alix Gassan following the disappearance of Robert Marcello, former Prime Minister Garry Conille under the Martelly Government, was heard by Judge Morin.



Visit of the construction site of the State University Hospital

Wednesday, Robin Diallo, Charge d'Affaires of the United States Embassy and a delegation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Dominican Republic, visited the work of the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH) which could be completed by December 2018. Recall that USAID supports the construction of the HUEH to the tune of 25 millions dollars in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD) for 26 million the rest being the responsibility of the Government of Haiti.



Education : General mobilization with a view to...

Josue Merilien Coordinator of the National Union of Haitian Normalians (UNNOH) announced a general mobilization from mid-January 2018 to force the Government If it does not meet the demands of teachers among others: the payment of salary arrears before the end of December; a base salary of 75,000 Gdes; health insurance and the application of a salary grid...



Canadian-Haitian Partnership

The Ambassador of Canada to Haiti, Andre Frenette and the Head of Cooperation received this week the Minister of National Education Josue Agenor Cadet and the UNESCO Country Representative Paul Gomis, to discuss Canadian-Haitian partnership and education and training projects.



The DPC initiates one thousand police officers

The Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) is back at the National Police Academy, for the initiation of a thousand police officers (28th promotion) to the basics of risk reduction and the functioning of the National System Risk Management (SNGRD).



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Cathedral Gorge State Park, located in southeastern Nevada, gives first-time visitors the impression that they have just taken a rocket to the moon.

The otherworldly landscape is a concoction of buff-colored cliffs, canyons and hoodoo-like formations. These are the remains of what was once a Pliocene lake bed. Years and years of erosion carved patterns and gullies into the siltstone and clay shale. This act of Mother Nature created amazing views unparalleled by any other place in Nevada.

The park was named for the spires and steeple-like formations that jut out of the dusty earth, resembling an earthen cathedral.

As state parks go, the landmass of Cathedral Gorge is fairly small. According to Wikipedia, the area is about 1,600 acres. This makes it a great place to explore on foot and a number of hikes wind throughout the premises. There is a four-mile loop trail that encircles the more remote spots in the terrain.

Day entry fees are $7 per vehicle but the entry also allows travelers to visit the other nearby state parks.

The park is a dramatic destination for a day trip but amenities are also supplied for longer stays. The area has 22 campsites with tables, shade and grills. Some places have RV hookups for the big- rig drivers. Sites are first come, first served. Restrooms and hot showers are located close by.

Camping is limited to a two-week period. Fees for camping and electrical use do apply. Check the website for details. Large groups can reserve a space designated for day or overnight use.

Because of cool winters and hot summers the most popular times to visit the park are spring and fall.

Its kind of slow right now, said Dawn Andone, park interpreter for Eastern Nevada state parks. We will pick up again on Presidents Day weekend until June. Then September through November are pretty busy.

Besides the incredible scenery, people who visit the reserve have a good chance of viewing different types of wildlife. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon and you are likely to catch glimpses of jackrabbits  those long-eared critters that are as common as dirt in Nevada. Mule deer also roam the region. The likes of seeing a wily coyote are highly possible.

Our flying friends frequent the natural area and birders might spot clever ravens, majestic red-tailed hawks or a variety of songbirds. The information center has a list of all wildlife in the area.

Human presence has been on the scene for at least the last 10,000 years when Anasazi, Fremont and Paiute Indians used the land for hunting and food gathering.

Mormons settled nearby Panaca in 1864 because there is plenty of water in the region for sustaining farming and livestock.

Like the history of so many town sites in our state, silver was discovered and Bullionville was established nearby. The settlement came to an end but the cemetery is still located north of the park.

In 1924, Gov. James Scrugham set aside the area for preservation. Cathedral Gorge became one of Nevadas first four state parks in 1935. At the time it was a popular place for picnicking and other outdoor recreation. Actors used Cathedral Gorge for open-air plays and vaudevilles because of its impressive setting.

Speaking of play, many children love visiting this grand site where they can run in and out of the many crevices created by erosion.

Not too long ago, our family embarked on a monumental road trip, covering more than 10,000 miles in a Pontiac Vibe over the course of two and a half months, said Z Publishing writer Tara Schatz. We stayed in campgrounds. We never made reservations. We cooked all our meals over a fire or a little camp stove.

Schatz called the gorge a magical place.

The park is open 365 days of the year. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a daily basis except holidays.

Go and discover this mystical realm where  with just a little bit of imagination  one might view trolls or fairies tripping about.

Mere mortals can reach Cathedral Gorge by taking the turnoff from Highway 93 north of Panaca.

Visit the parks website at parks.nv.gov/parks/cathedral-gorge or give them a call at 728-4460.
Tenerife poised to launch new PDO

By Barnaby Eales

A surge of interest in distinctive terroir-driven wines has spurred on Tenerife winemakers in the sub-tropical Canary Islands to launch a new Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) scheme.

Known for producing low-intervention wines from indigenous grape varieties grown on Volcanic soils, Tenerife producers grow between three and five million kilos of grapes each year.

In the 1990s, the island of Tenerife created five wine appellations, but now producers have presented a new model for Tenerife wine, involving the entire restructuring of the rules based on a new pyramid structure of quality levels including village wines, single vineyard wines and even wines from singular plots of land.

In late November, Tenerifes wine producers launched official procedures with the presentation of a plan for the PDO to local authorities.

At the base level of the pyramid structure of the new Tenerife PDO, growers on the island will be able to source grapes from elsewhere on the island.

The move could help growers on the southern part of Tenerife who have suffered from drought in recent years. Meanwhile, producers hope that the higher echelons of the pyramid structure will create added value for the islands distinctive top wines.

This new model is about protecting quality, and adding value, not volume, Borja Perez, producer and general secretary of the Tenerife Vineyard Owners and Viticulture Association, told Harpers.

We cannot compete in terms of volumes with larger PDOs on mainland Spain, but we can in terms of quality. Average prices for land in Tenerife are higher than mainland Spain and we have extra costs of transportation, he said.

Perez said the average price for land for vines in Tenerife was now 83,000 (73,000) per hectare, in comparison with an average price of 15,000 (13,210) per hectare on mainland Spain.

Meanwhile Jonatan Garcia, owner at the renowned Tenerife producer, Suerte del Marques, told Harpers that prices for land in the north of Tenerife had shot up to 200,000 (176,164) per hectare.

Garcia endorsed the move to create a new Tenerife PDO.

I am in favour of the new Tenerife PDO as long as it is well structured and respects specific viticulture areas like Valle de la Orotava, he told Harpers.

Perez said a new PDO for Tenerife was required to modernise and update the existing appellations on the Island.

Meanwhile, he said the generic Canary Islands PDO, created in 2011, which uses the Canary Wine brand for international exposure, was not suitable for Tenerife producers.

Under the Canary Islands PDO, you can make wine from grapes grown from anywhere in the Canary Islands. However, there is a vast difference in climate between Lanzarote, near Morocco, which for example, has about 200ml of rainfall a year and the western island of La Palma on the other side, which has say, 1500 ml of rainfall each year, said Perez.

Allowing producers just to do what they want was not the way forward, he added.

The new Tenerife PDO will have stricter rules [than the Canary Island PDO] particularly with regard to authorisation from the tasting panel, he told Harpers.

Moves to promote Tenerife wine separately from Canary Island wine have however sparked criticism in the past from the Canary Island PDO promoters who wish to promote Canary Island wine as a whole, rather than wine from individual islands.

Together with the Canary Islands PDO, Tenerifes sister islands, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Lanzarote each have PDOs for their individual islands. Tenerifes new appellation, could in the future, absorb the islands existing five appellations.

Monte Lentiscal, a former appellation on the island of Gran Canaria, was absorbed into the Gran Canaria PDO in 1999.

Perez and fellow producers including the Suerte del Marques, export more than 90% of production internationally and now producers on the island want to safeguard wine production and increase value with a new structure of rules.

What counts is quality and differentiation for Tenerife,  he said.
This week, Dr. Boyce is facilitating an intensive culture change process with a mining client in the South, and he asked if I could take the lead in writing our submission for this edition of Mining Quarterly. In so doing, I recalled that sometime during the late 1980s, I submitted an essay to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Our high school teacher said that three of the students would win a monetary prize and be invited to attend a luncheon off campus. That was enough for me to move out of my comfort zone and give the contest a shot. I had experience with the VFW through my grandfather, and pictured the members reading anything I wrote as some young freshman (even though I was a junior) grinning at my naiveite.

The focus I chose was one thing I knew well at the time  my own childhood. My essay covered each of my family members including: grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, teachers, neighbors, and stepparents. Titles had less to do with responsibilities and more about bloodlines and age. Behaviors had to do more with experience and personal motivation than age and bloodlines. No one was acting responsibly within their traditional role, yet everyone there pitched in whether they liked it or not, and thus the youngest of us had to answer to many chiefs. Not many of these chiefs agreed with each other or even coordinated with each other.

To the observant youngster (me), success in anything  including the simple act of getting breakfast or to school on time  seemed an impossibility. At one point, there had to be at least 20 people residing in a four-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house (a fact that I lived with but not many would admit to today). Try to get your needs met when you dont have access to resources in a situation like that, and you hear people saying odd things like you want dinner huh? Well, they want ice water in hell, too. My family members were blue collar workers, tradesmen, union and nonunion alike. Some worked during the daytime and a few preferred to work graveyard shifts for Union Pacific Railroad, United Airlines, the U. S. military, UPS and more.

One said: The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Another: Children should be seen and not heard. I was categorized as a shy kid. This changed when I joined the drama club in high school. Family wondered, how could she be onstage when she cant speak up for herself? I realized then that I never spoke up because no one let me have my turn to talk.

I did win this VFW gig. The crux of the essay was that I was  who I was  because of the village that raised me. I never had the influence of one but of many. For example, I never drank it, but I happened to like the smell of Cremora as that is what my grandfather used to put in his coffee while filling up the biggest Coleman thermos I had ever seen to take with him on the late-night shift at Shell. We know that what we do may influence others even in ways that cannot be detected. Therefore, I would like to think that somehow my tiny essay had some influence on a book that was later published titled something like It takes a village  .

I met Dr. Boyce in fall 2003. It took me some time, even with psychology, business and work-related experience to decipher exactly what he was doing when he talked about going on-site to a mine or working with builders and other trades. At the time, I was managing a high-rise property in San Francisco and had not quite converted to this idea that we can get people motivated without focusing on punitive action. In the business of real estate, that can also be challenging. Since then I have been able to accompany Dr. Boyce to workshops, training sessions, and speeches from California to the Netherlands.

I enjoy hearing the thoughtfulness and the tenacity of people we have encountered along the way. Its a humbling experience when we see several large corporations follow the advice of experts, including Dr. Boyce, to empower their employees and allow them to participate in important decision-making processes, especially when those decisions could lead to life or death. I have also learned to track the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Indeed, there is a season for everything, including injuries. You can get ahead of that by having training and continuing education at the right time of the year.

Many may write better than me. But for culture change, there is no one better than Dr. Boyce. We all know that it takes a village to get the job done. Consider this next time you are invited to present something to your co-workers, write an article or work with a steering team: Never turn down an opportunity to contribute, no matter how insignificant you believe that opportunity to be. You may not know the positive or far-reaching effects of what you say or how it may lead to positive behavior change. When its your turn to talk, write or make your PowerPoint, take it; or when the situation dictates, agree to take someone elses turn. Communication is not the only way we can influence people, it is THE way we influence people through words and actions.
10 Worst States to Live In If Youre Struggling to Pay Off Student Loans

by Elyssa Kirkham, Student Loan Hero, December 5, 2017 (excerpts)

Feel like youre scraping together just enough money to make your student loan payments each month? Are you close to missing payments  or even defaulting on your student loans?

Such student debt struggles are increasingly common. National trends show the following:

Nearly a quarter of Direct Loan borrowers are on a income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, according to a Nov. 2016 report from the Government Accountability Office. Thats an increase of almost 150 percent from the 10 percent of borrowers on an IDR plan in June 2013.

Student loan default rates are rising. A Sept. 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Education shows 11.5 percent of borrowers entering repayment in 2014 defaulted within three years, up from 11.3 percent in 2013.

But where a borrower lives can have a major impact on their ability to pay off their student debt , according to our new study.

If youre a resident of one of the worst states to live in with student debt, youre more likely to struggle to keep up with payments.

1. Hawaii

Disposable income devoted to student loan payments: 22.17 percent

Average student loan balance: $25,851

Average annual wage: $49,430

City with highest average wage: Honolulu, $51,080

The average student loan debt for residents living in Hawaii is one of the lowest in the nation, and workers earn wages near the national average. However, thats not enough to make up for costs of living that are 34 percent higher than the national average.

High costs of living stretch Hawaii workers paychecks thin and leave them with far less disposable income than residents in other states, making it the worst state for student loan affordability.
Hawaii among worst states for economic freedom

The 2017 Economic Freedom of North America report helps explain why life is tough in the Aloha State

News Release from Grassroot Institute

HONOLULU, Dec. 14, 2017 >> Hawaii moved up a notch nationwide in 2017 in terms of economic freedom, but the Aloha State still is near the bottom, according to factors from 2015 analyzed in the Economic Freedom of North America report, released today by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in conjunction with Canadas Fraser Institute.

Kelii Akina, Ph.D., Grassroot Institute of Hawaii president, cited onerous taxation and regulation as the primary drivers behind the state ranking 45th out of 50 states, up from 46th the year before.

The Economic Freedom index is a good way to measure government interference in the free market, Akina said. Unfortunately, in Hawaii, we find that red tape and excessive taxes have throttled our economic freedom, thus raising the cost of doing business, limiting economic growth in the state.

Hawaii scored worst for its top marginal income tax rate, its income tax and payroll tax revenues as a percentage of income, and especially for its sales taxrevenue as a percentage of income  registering a dismal 0.6 out of a possible 10 due to its regressive state general excise tax.

Also notable was its low score for labor market freedom, as measured by union density, or percentage of workers in Hawaii who belong to unions.

Where the state performed better was in its comparatively low property taxes and minimum-wage laws.

For Hawaiis residents, the significance of the states low economic freedom ranking is most likely felt in the pocketbook. In 2015, states with the highest levels of economic freedom had an average per capita income that was 7 percent above the national average, versus roughly 5 percent below the national average in the least-free states.

Hawaii must change, Akina said, from a state that routinely ranks among the lowest in economic freedom and promise to one that leads the world. And that begins by adopting policies that promote lower taxes, less government intrusion and free enterprise.

Akina said similar studies have shown similar results, including Rich States Poor States, in which Hawaiis economic outlook for 2018 was ranked 43rd out of 50, and the State Business Climate Index, in which Hawaii ranked 26th nationwide in 2017 in terms of favorable business climate.

Akina said Hawaii policymakers would do well to heed the recommendations of this latest report, which endorse economic freedom as the path to greater prosperity and social well-being.

Time and again, Akina said, we are given the reasons why our state is falling behind in economic outlook, and it comes down to the excise tax, high marginal tax rates and government regulation. And yet, lawmakers continue to try to raise those taxes and put more restrictions on business owners.

Akina said, if we want to put more money into the pockets of working men and women in Hawaii, we must embrace policies that will increase  not lower  our economic freedom ranking. This year, the Legislature should take this guide as a model and look for opportunities to lower taxes, increase employment and cut government spending.

For the third year in a row, New Hampshire had the highest level of economic freedom among all U.S. states. It scored 8.3 out of 10 in this years report, which measures government spending, taxation and labor market restrictions, using data from 2015, the most recent year of available comparable data.

Rounding out the top five freest states were Florida and Texas (tied for 2nd), South Dakota (4th) and Tennessee (5th).

For the third year in a row, New York was ranked the least free (50th), followed by California (49th), New Mexico and West Virginia (tied for 47th), and Hawaii and Mississippi (tied for 45th).

Fred McMahon, the Dr. Michael A. Walker Research Chair in Economic Freedom at the Fraser Institute and report co-author, explained that, The freest economies operate with comparatively less government interference, relying more on personal choice and markets to decide whats produced, how its produced and how much is produced.

As government imposes restrictions on these choices, theres less economic freedom and less opportunity for prosperity, said The Economic Freedom of North America report, also co-authored by Jose Torra, research director at the Mexico City-based Caminos de la Libertad, and Dean Stansel, research associate professor at the ONeil Center for Global Markets and Freedom in the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.

It measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of U.S. states and Canadian provinces support economic freedom.

This years publication ranks 92 state and provincial governments in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It also updates data from earlier reports in instances where that data have been revised.

Download the full report here or at fraserinstitute.org and fraserinstitute.org/economic-freedom .

For more information on the EFNA Network, datasets and previous Economic Freedom of North America reports, visit www.fraserinstitute.org/economic-freedom . You can like the Economic Freedom Network on Facebook at facebook.com/EconomicFreedomNetwork .

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is an independent, nonprofit research and educational institution devoted to promoting individual liberty, economic freedom and accountable government.

Its president, Dr. Akina, is a recognized scholar, public policy spokesperson and community leader in Hawaii. He is an expert in East-West philosophy and ethics, has taught at universities in China and the United States, and continues as an adjunct instructor at Hawaii Pacific University. In 2016, he was elected trustee-at-large for the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

###

PBN: Hawaii among worst states for economic freedom, study says
A complaint should be initially raised with the employees direct manager or supervisor, if appropriate and if not, then the next most senior manager or Human Resources;

If the complaint cannot be resolved locally, or if the complaint involves the employees manager or supervisor, it should be escalated to a senior leader or to Human Resources;

A preliminary fact-finding exercise/assessment of the complaint may be conducted where appropriate;

A formal investigation maybe conducted where appropriate;

Complaints may be the subject of conciliation or mediation;

Complainants will be not be subject to victimisation or reprisal action; and

Vexatious complaints will not be tolerated and the vexatious complainant may be subject to disciplinary action.

Confidentiality and procedural fairness

Claims of workplace bullying should be treated with confidentiality, as far as is possible. Effectively, this means that those involved will be instructed not to discuss the complaint and that the allegations will only be divulged on a need to know basis.



Equally, the alleged perpetrator must be afforded procedural fairness and must be provided with an opportunity to respond to the allegations.



Nature of the allegations

The nature of the bullying allegations will usually determine the immediate steps to be taken by the employer.



For example, a complaint that involves allegations of low-level bullying which may be better categorised as workplace conflict or a difference of opinion may be able to be addressed locally, whereas a complaint that involves serious allegations of systematic and ongoing bullying behaviours may require a formal investigation to be undertaken.



Further, the relationship between the complainant and the alleged perpetrator will also be relevant.



If for example, the complaint is made by one employee against another employee in the same team and there is the risk that the bullying will continue, or it involves a complaint by one employee against his/her supervisor, employers should consider whether the employees should be separated until the complaint has been resolved.



What to do with informal complaints

Employees may approach supervisors, managers or HR to make an off the record complaint and indicate that they do not want to make a formal complaint.



Even in these circumstances, supervisors, managers and HR should treat every complaint as formal and apply the grievance procedure. Failure to respond to a complaint once it has been heard can lead to allegations that the person (or employer) failed to take action to deal with the matter once they were put on notice of it.



Vicarious liability

A failure to fully and properly respond to a complaint of bullying could expose employers to liability where, for example, the employer or individual employees knew of the conduct and behaviour but did not do anything.



Employers could be held vicariously liable in negligence claims arising from the action (or some cases inaction) of their employees while individuals could be found to be personally liable if there has been a breach of work health and safety laws.



In the recent decision of Robinson v State of Queensland [2017] QSC 165, an employee suffered psychiatric injury as a result of breaches of duty of care by the employer. The Court found the employer vicariously liable for its Chief Executive Officer (CEO)s conduct toward the employee, described as managerial mistreatment which included: unjustified blaming and humiliation of the employee, belittling the employees concerns and isolating the employee. Further it also held that the employer was vicariously liable for the CEOs omissions as she failed to take timely and determinative action in response to other complaints lodged against the employee. The Court awarded the employee over $1.4 million.



Investigations

Depending on the seriousness of the allegations made, the employer may wish to conduct an investigation or an investigation may be required if the policy or procedure states that an investigation will take place.

An investigation must be conducted impartially and could be undertaken internally by a neutral employee or an external investigator could be appointed.



Outcomes

The outcome of a complaint of bullying in the workplace should be communicated to the complainant and the alleged perpetrator, including whether the allegations are substantiated or not substantiated. Similarly, any recommendations which may arise or areas that need to be addressed should also be communicated.



Where an investigation is taking place, any disciplinary action can only commence after the investigation has completed.



Ultimately, the key to responding to workplace bullying claims will be to ensure that they are they are managed in a timely manner and fully addressed, regardless of the content of the allegations. Left unaddressed, workplace conflict can escalate to workplace bullying, exposing employers to liability for failing to respond to these behaviours.



This is part three of a series of articles on bullying by Shane Koelmeyer, Director, Workplace Law. To read part one, click here or to read part two, click here.
The state-owned airline has cancelled dozens of flights and experienced considerable delays in recent days due to severe weather conditions in Central Europe and heavy snowfall at Helsinki Airport. Its woes have been compounded further by an overtime ban introduced by the Finnish Aviation Union, according to a press release from Finnair .

Finnair has announced it expects to be able to resume regular operations for the most part on Thursday.

We are extremely sorry for the delays and cancellations. We apologise to all our customers for the disruptions, Piia Karhu, the head of customer experience at Finnair, said on Wednesday.

She also admitted that the airline was not fully prepared to assist the number of people who were stranded at the airport due to a lack of hotel capacity in Southern Finland.

We delivered all available sandwiches, beverages and blankets to our customers at the airport during the night, and showed resting areas for families, elderly people and other passengers needing immediate rest. However, our measures werent sufficient in this situation, and we apologise sincerely for that, said Karhu.

Staff members of Beijing Capital International Airport were at Helsinki Airport on Monday to learn how airports are operated under extreme weather conditions.

Welcome to learn how world famous snowshow works! Beijing Airport staff already here studying. Difficult weather conditions forecasted for Tuesday at Helsinki Airport, a spokesperson for the airport tweeted on Monday.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Jussi Nukari  Lehtikuva
Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday reported that voter support for the party has plummeted by as much as six percentage points over the past twelve months to 14.8 per cent, its lowest level since the second half of 2011.

The Centre was stripped of its status as the third most supported political party in Finland in August by the Green League, which has been on a similar downward trajectory since its popularity peaked at 17.5 per cent in August. Voter support for the opposition party, regardless, remains higher than in the first half of the year, at 15.4 per cent.

The National Coalition, on the other hand, saw its popularity creep up by 0.8 percentage points from the previous month to 22.2 per cent in December, its highest level in 2017.

The Social Democratic Party recorded no change in support and remains the choice of 19.0 per cent of Finns, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

The Left Alliance continued on the upward trajectory it has been for the past three months by recording a 0.5 percentage point increase in voter support to 9.3 per cent. The Finns Party, by contrast, continued to lose support for the second consecutive month, dropping from 8.7 to 8.0 per cent.

Less than five (4.4) per cent of respondents revealed that they would cast their vote for the Swedish Peoples Party and over three (3.3) that they would cast their vote for the Christian Democrats.

Fewer than two per cent (1.6%) of the 2,356 people surveyed by TNS Kantar between 14 November and 10 December voiced their support for the Blue Reform. The poll thus indicates that voter support for the ruling three-party coalition has increased moderately from the previous month, from 38.1 to 38.6 per cent.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Jussi Nukari  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
THE owner of a houseboat that was vandalised has condemned those responsible.

James Murphy, 72, is angry after two windows on his Dutch-style barge La Bouverie were damaged as the vessel was moored on the river near Mill Meadows in Henley.

The windows, in the main bedroom and bathroom, were repeatedly kicked, so the aluminium frames and the locks broke.

Mr Murphy, a retired graphic designer, said: One doesnt expect these things to happen in Henley. I find it incomprehensible.

When I was their age you never thought of doing anything like that, you had respect for other peoples things.

The incident happened at about 5pm on December 5. Three windows on a narrowboat moored nearby were also smashed, as the Henley Standard reported last week.

Four men who were seenin the area at the time are thought to have been responsible.

Mr Murphy said: Id just got into my dressing gown to have a shower and heard this dreadful commotion.

I came back into the lounge and heard these violent kicks.

It was so loud I thought initially it was someone running over the roof.

They kicked in both my front windows. They must have kicked each one about six times.

Fortunately, they both have laminated glass so they didnt smash but the internal frames and locking devices were damaged.

They wanted to smash them but because the glass wouldnt break they kept on kicking until they caved in.

Mr Murphy, whose 70ft boat has been moored in Henley for about three weeks, said: One doesnt normally get this type of vandalism on boats  this is wanton destruction, which is crazy.

[The vandals] should be castrated in order to stop them from breeding, in my opinion.

The incident has not soured his opinion of Henley, however.

Mr Murphy said: Its just one of those unfortunate things. Wherever one goes one runs the risk of meeting some scoundrels.

It would be a sad day if I was to say sorry, Henley is the dumping ground of Britain because its not. Henley is a wonderful place and I have splendid views here.

The other boat that was damaged belongs to Nicola Pitt, who lives in Henley.

Her partner Andrew Selden said: Two of the windows were smashed and the third one was knocked in and forced out so the frames damaged as well.

Its just disappointing and a bit sickening really.

Police are investigating and analysing CCTV footage.

The moorings are owned by Henley Town Council and are run by boat hire firm Hobbs of Henley.
Nov. 13

Stephen Mathew Annis pleaded no contest to coercion and was given a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail and ordered to complete 26 domestic violence counseling sessions, and pay $640 in fees and fines.

Nov. 14

Austin Carson Allen pleaded guilty to minor purchasing or consuming an alcoholic beverage, minor loitering in a place where alcohol is sold, and resisting a public officer. He was given a suspended sentence of five days in jail and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and pay $1,065 in fees and fines.

-

Ashley Marie Carter pleaded guilty to possession of a document or personal identity information to establish a false proof of age and minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage and was given a suspended sentence of five days in jail and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and pay $710 in fees and fines.

-

John Gerald Lemke Jr. pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, basic speeding violation, and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway and was given a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail and was ordered to serve 48 hours in jail with credit for eight hours served, complete six alcohol and drug counseling sessions, complete DUI school and pay $1,270 in fees and fines.

-

Lela Micheal Rainwater pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving with disregard of safety of person or property and was given a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail and was ordered to serve 48 hours in jail with credit for 19 hours served, complete six sessions of alcohol and drug counseling, complete DUI school and pay $1,160 in fees and fines.

Nov. 16

Reanne Nichole Arrington was found guilty of two counts of use or possession of drug paraphernalia and was given a suspended sentence of 10 days in jail and ordered to attend 52 self-help program sessions and pay $710 in fees and fines.

-

Sonny Waite Hogue pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace and was ordered to pay $80 in restitution and $355 in fees and fines.

-

Harold James Larson Jr. pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace and was given a suspended sentence of 10 days in jail and was ordered to serve 161 hours in jail with credit for time served, and pay $355 in fees and fines.

Nov. 27

Rosalina Rodriguez pleaded guilty to driving without a valid drivers license and was ordered to play $65 in fees and fines.
Dec. 12

Cory J, Barb, 32, of Wells was arrested under a felony warrant at the Elko County Jail for battery by a prisoner. Bail $20,000



Dawn A. Gardner, 40, of Elko was under warrant arrest at 676 Commercial St. for three counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail $3,614



Joshua J. Gemberling, 34, of Elko was arrested at the Elko Jail Courthouse for petit larceny. No bail.



David R. Green, 37, of Reno was arrested under a felony warrant at the Elko County Jail for three counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime, and one count of failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail $52,035



Tony M. Latham, 67, of Carlin was arrested at Third and Chestnut streets for driving under the influence above the legal limit, failure to maintain a proper lane, and for an open alcoholic container in the vehicle. Bail $1,610



Parkin D. Lewis, 30, of Spring Creek was arrested at the Elko County Jail for overdriving/starving/injuring/abandoning an animal. No bail.



Riannon K. Miller, 37, of Tracy, California, was arrested on a warrant at Washoe County Sheriffs Office for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail $524



Jean A. Ortega, 40, of Elko was arrested on a warrant at 2210 N. Fifth St. for two counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail $3,640



Esteban Rodriguez, 49, of Burley, Idaho, was arrested on U.S. 93 at mile marker 74 for driving under the influence above the legal limit, and for an open alcoholic container in the vehicle. Bail $1,385


ELKO  Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital issued a statement Wednesday disavowing any current affiliation with Dr. Devendra Patel, who was arrested Tuesday on federal opioid and fraud charges.

Dr. Devendra Patel has no connection to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital. He has not been affiliated in any way with the hospital for a number of years, said the statement.

A release from the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday listed Patels business name as Northeastern Nevada Cardiology.

There has been some confusion regarding the name Northeastern Nevada Cardiology, stated NNRH. Although Dr. Patel apparently labeled his private practice as such, this dba is legally licensed by Northeastern Nevada Physician Practices LLC. This group consists of physicians who are, in fact, employed by the hospital. Northeastern Nevada Physician Practices LLC and the cardiologists who are a part of it have no association and no connection with Dr. Patel or his private practice.

According to U.S. District Court records, Patel filed a civil lawsuit on Oct. 23 claiming employment discrimination and harassment based on race and national origin against NNRH owner PHC-Elko Inc.

The hospitals response stated that Dr. Patel relocated to Elko in 2004 and entered into an Agreement Regarding Relocation and Retention of Physician Services with the Hospital. The corporation denied, however, that the agreement constituted an employment agreement, and further denies that Plaintiff was ever an employee of the Hospital.

The hospital stated Patel maintained medical staff privileges following the expiration of that three-year agreement until the end of 2016, and during that time he utilized the equipment and services of the Hospital to provide cardiology service to patients.

The hospital denied that its management or staff spread untrue rumors about his practice and created a hostile working environment.

Patel was warned that if he was fired by five patients in a one-year period, the MEC would revoke his medical staff privileges, the hospital stated in its response to the complaint.

All decisions made and actions taken by Defendant with respect to Plaintiffs medical staff privilege were privileged, immune and/or justified based on legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons and were in good faith, without malice, and without any intent to injure or harm him; and therefore, were not in violation of any law, PHC-Elko Inc. stated.

Prior to the lawsuit, Dr. Patel states that on or about March 21, 2016, he filed a complaint against NNRH with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission.

He was scheduled to appear Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Reno, where he faces 36 charges of illegally prescribing opioids such as as oxycodone and hydrocodone; and three counts of health-care fraud.
The relationship had been tense for months.

By the time the Nevada Department of Agriculture terminated its agreement with the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign in late October, the groups were barely communicating. They could no longer see eye-to-eye. For months, the nonprofit and the agency claimed that a 2013 agreement had been breached. The deal, once seen as a solution to avoid sending Nevada horses to slaughter had become the latest sideshow in the fierce debate over managing wild horse populations in Nevada, one that often pits advocates against agricultural interests.

On Tuesday, the Nevada Department of Agriculture board ditched the agreement and directed the state agency to transfer ownership of about 3,000 horses on the Virginia Range near Reno.

There is so much passion around this issue, said Jim Barbee, who directs the department, which oversees the states livestock, including feral horses. I get that. I understand that. [But] there is so much responsibility to adhere to the states laws that its just an absolute challenge.

Barbee cast the move, which passed the board 8-1, as a step toward transferring responsibility of the horses to a non-profit with resources to care for the horses. He argued that the move would give local parties more say in management. But during more than two hours of public comment, dozens of horse advocates said the action could put the horses at risk of slaughter.

One commenter referred to the plan as a death warrant.

The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign came with a letter from an attorney: It is our opinion that transfer of ownership of the Virginia Range horse herd violates NRS Chapter 569.

The statute governs how the department handles feral livestock.

A representative for the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center asked the board not to vote on the plan, saying that mustangs are a big draw for businesses, like Tesla, looking to locate at the park.

They wont build in a site that has poor or sloppy environmental management, said Kris Thompson, the project manager for the industrial park. This kind of agenda item would drive people away. The Virginia Range horses are a global phenomenon in the business world.

As proof, he submitted an Instagram post from Tesla CEO Elon Musk (viewed 736,000+ times) that shows mustangs near the Gigafactory and an MSNBC Money article about the post.

Through the Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Range horses are property of the state. In effect, the boards proposal called for the wholesale adoption of the mustangs, which would remove the responsibility from the state and make them the property of a third-party group.

Nevadas horses but on federal land

To understand how Nevada got into the business of managing horses on land that does not belong to the state, you need to understand the complex laws that govern Western horses.

In 1971, Congress required the Bureau of Land Management to protect wild horses as a symbol of the West. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act defines a wild horse as a horse that is unbranded or unclaimed. Horses that are domesticated but escape are feral horses.

After working to reduce populations in the Virginia Range in the 80s, the BLM declared it a wild horse free area. That meant legally there were no horses that fell under the jurisdiction of the federal government. But there were some horses that remained on the range  feral horses.

The BLM recognized the difficulties that they were going to have in that area, Barbee said after the meeting on Tuesday. When they depopulated that [herd management area] and declared it wild horse free, in one fell swoop it changed the status of any remaining horses there.

The responsibility for these horses then fell to the state. With a few exceptions (like the BLMs wild horses), states play the primary role in managing wildlife. The horses, in effect, became the states issue, as feral livestock, which the agriculture department oversees.

Horses are successful in the wild, with few natural predators and a tough digestive system. And the Virginia Range herd grew and grew to its current population of about 3,000. On a fact sheet, the department said it can only support 300-600 horses, citing a 2001 range inventory report. Advocates contest these findings, arguing that the report only surveyed a fraction of the range.

Still, the department said overpopulation caused problems. Several horses were killed in traffic accidents, and homeowners in the Virginia Range would complain about horses in their yards.

When the department rounded up excess horses, they could be adopted by advocates or sold to an auction, at which point the state would transfer ownership of the horse. Barbee said during his tenure, to the best of his knowledge, advocates adopted all the horses that went to auction.

But the word auction can make an advocates skin crawl. Once the state transfers its ownership of the horses, a new owner could send the horses to slaughter. U.S. slaughterhouses closed when the federal government defunded inspections in 2007. But horses can still be sent to slaughter across the border, a practice that put the BLM under scrutiny, ProPublica reported.

Amid outcry over the auctions in 2013, advocates reached a deal with the state. The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign would enter into a cooperative agreement with the agency.

In a press release at the time, one advocate called it a win-win solution.

The cooperative agreement falls apart

On Oct. 25, Deniz Bolbol, communications director for the wild horse campaign, was sitting at her desk when she received an email from the state agency. It was marked Importance: High.

I saw an email from the department and I knew it was bad news, said Bolbol, who served as the campaigns point-of-contact for the cooperative agreement. They never contact me.

The letter informed her that the department had decided to terminate their agreement, and it came as a surprise to Bolbol. It left her suspecting that there was an ulterior motive at play.

Its political or personal, or both, she said. I dont know which.

Although the relationship between the two parties had frayed  both claimed breaches in the original agreement  Bolbol was confident that they could still resolve their differences.

From the departments perspective, the letter was a long-time coming.

AWHPCs refusal to perform all management portions of the agreement prevented the group from fulfilling the goal of the agreement, which led to this decision, the termination letter reads.

The department said it was also concerned about public safety in the area.

Since mid-July 2017, more than 43 horse-vehicle collisions have occurred in the Virginia range area, including 28 incidents on highway 50, 5 incidents in south Reno and more than 10 incidents on USA parkway, Chris Miller, an agriculture enforcement officer said in an email.

The cooperative management agreement began to break down in 2016 after the wild horse campaign proposed an amendment to the agreement and subsequently focused their efforts on a birth control program rather than management. Bolbol said that an official who is no longer with the agency, agreed verbally to the amendment. But the department had never signed onto it.

Meanwhile, the wild horse campaign  believing it had the departments blessing  began operating as if the amendment was in effect, shifting its focus from management to birth control. In its letter, the department cited the campaigns shift to birth control as a reason for termination.

To Bolbol, this rationale is Kafkaesque.

It took more than a year for the department to terminate the agreement after the amendment was proposed (Barbee said the delay was because of the legislative session and turnover).

And she said the reason her group proposed the amendment was because the agency had breached the cooperative agreement, the same thing they accused the campaign of doing. She said the department circumvented the agreement by working with local groups on management issues, potentially leaving the wild horse campaign, which had an insurance policy, liable.

I cant be legally liable for stuff like that, she said.

The department said it had a responsibility to resolve immediate public safety issues.

During the July 2016 meeting, our enforcement officer said it became clear that AWHPC was not able to quickly respond to public safety threats, when [Bolbol] indicated her staff and volunteers did not possess any of the equipment necessary to move feral horses (like a horse trailer), Doug Farris, the departments Animal Industry division administrator wrote in an email.

After the letter in October, both sides took their grievances public. The advocates called on Gov. Brian Sandoval to intervene. Barbee wrote an op-ed for the Reno-Gazette Journal. Groups that had once pledged to work cooperatively were accusing each other of spreading misinformation.

Preventing horses from going to slaughter

Then the Nevada Board of Agriculture, which oversees the department, stepped in. One of the board members requested that an item be added be added to the boards December agenda.

The agenda item, approved Tuesday, directed the department to transfer ownership of its feral horses to a non-profit animal advocate organization through a request for proposal process.

Its goal, the department said, is to give the horses to a non-profit group, like the Humane Society, that could administer their management and prevent them from going to auction.

It is the intent of this motion to find a reputable, historically known organization, Barbee said.

Sandovals office released a statement on Tuesday saying that the governor is supportive of the Department of Agriculture working alongside any organization that will humanely help manage or adopt the Virginia Range horse population.

Barbee said the department had already spoken to groups that might be interested. The next step is drafting a request for proposal, which will be reviewed by the attorney generals office.

Horse advocates have their misgivings and worry that a group, once the horses are their property, could send the horses to an auction and they could end up being slaughtered. Some of their wariness stems from a board discussion in 2011 about slaughtering horses.

Dozens of advocates showed up in Sparks to testify against the plan. Some suggested that transferring ownership would favor agricultural interests that have feuded with advocates over federally-controlled wild horses.

There are backroom deals being done, and there is a bigger play in motion here, said a commenter in Sparks. This is government working against the people and instead working for special interests.

In an interview after the vote, Paul Anderson, who chairs the agriculture board, said he would never have placed the motion on the agenda if he suspected foul play.

In no way have I heard that there is any backroom deal, he said. It was disheartening to [hear] the comments that were coming through, thinking that we were out to do some evil deed here.

At the end of the day, even Barbee conceded that the state can only do so much to ensure that the horses do not end up at a slaughterhouse. Once horses are adopted, they leave the states jurisdiction.

There are no absolutes in this life we live, he said at the meeting. At the end of the day, they would become private property and [their owner would] have, as such, private property rights. Thats no different than the horses we have previously adopted out to [nonprofit] organizations like were discussing. Once that brand slip is written out and signed by both parties, they are no longer our property. They are the property of the entity they have been adopted out to.

Over the years, the BLM has faced similar wariness with its adoption program. In 2015, a government report found that more than 1,700 federally-controlled horses were sent to slaughter, despite agency policy to prevent such sales.

In its sale contracts, BLM asks that buyers agree to not knowingly sell or transfer ownership of any listed wild horse and or burro to any person or organization with an intention to resell, trade, or give away the animal for processing into commercial products.

Tossing the problem to someone else?

In some ways, the federal government saddled the Department of Agriculture with this problem. The department is not the states chief wildlife agency, yet they are managing 3,000 horses.

The plan to transfer ownership allows for more local control of the horses, Barbee argued.

This pushes it to a local issue, Barbee said. It removes all of the static of it being at the state legislature, to where the people that are really impacted  the people that really see those horses every day and care greatly for those horses  can directly communicate with what hopefully will be a new organization that owns the horses and come up with solid plans.

Some worry that could come at a cost to city services and local law enforcement.

Reno Councilwoman Naomi Duerr said the city would prefer working with a government, rather than a nonprofit in managing the wild horses. She said there is concern that management and enforcement could fall to local law enforcement.

If you move forward with passing the horses to a third-party, our concern is that you would be passing part of your unfunded mandate onto us, Duerr said at the meeting.

Although Duerr remained neutral on the proposed motion, she said that the board should consider giving the cooperative agreement one more chance.

But agriculture officials are frustrated with the status quo.

As a cattle rancher, we have been dealing with the federal government and state government for years, said David Stix, one of the board members. But the government, in some cases, cannot do certain things, and one of the things is manage animals [The BLM] has done a very poor job managing and I think the state has, {too}.
ELKO  A tax reform bill passes about only once every generation, said Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and members of the U.S. Senate recently passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Franky its a pretty good piece of leg for the state of Nevada, Heller said in a press call with staff from rural Nevada newspapers Dec. 13.

Heller described the bill as an attempt to grow the economy, add jobs and make America competitive in the worldwide economy, but critics say the legislation is a ruse.

The Senate version of the bill includes doubling the standard deduction per couple, doubling the child tax credit and providing tax rate decreases for households and businesses.

For the average middle class family in Nevada  assuming an income of about $55,000 a year with two children  tax relief would total about 35 percent, Heller said.

He added that lack of economic growth over the past 10 years led to a reduction in the average familys spending power by an estimated $7,000 a year.

This is truly a middle class tax relief bill, he said. Im thrilled thats the way it worked out.

Across the country, small businesses and corporations would also see a tax rate decrease per the version that the Senate passed. The reductions could help these businesses create jobs and keep them in the U.S.

Heller said 5,100 large businesses that have moved abroad over the past 10 years likely would have stayed if the tax system had been more competitive.

Those businesses would still be located in America, he said.

The legislation is now in the conference committee, where representatives appointed by House and Senate leaders will attempt to produce a final report from the Senate and House versions of the bill.

When the House version of the tax bill passed, U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., said he examined the effect the legislation would have on District 2.

After having devoted almost the entire week with everyone in my Washington office to determine how this bill would affect individual taxpayers, joint filing taxpayers, and businesses, he said in a statement, Ive come to the conclusion that for the vast majority of federal taxpayers in CD-2 [Congressional District 2], this bill results in simplified filing and a tax cut for most CD-2 federal taxpayers.

Amodei also described the impact of the House version on businesses. The maximum tax rate on business would be 25 percent, and federal taxes rates on corporate taxable income would be reduced from up to 35 percent to a flat rate of 20 percent.

Each of these changes will help businesses and corporations expand, hire new employees, increase wages, and also give them the resources they need to stay competitive in the global marketplace, Amodei said.

Officials from the Democratic Party decried the tax bill and Hellers support of the Senate version, saying the legislation would cut taxes for the rich and corporations at the cost of the middle class while raising health insurance premiums.

Senator Heller promised this year to protect Nevadans health care and put forward real middle-class tax relief, and his vote for this Republican tax plan is now the latest in a chain of broken promises, said U.S. Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev. Instead of strengthening the ladder of economic opportunity for the next generation, Dean Hellers tax bill is a deceptive ruse to burden working families with tax hikes and premium spikes.

Heller said he expects a vote on final passage of the tax bill by early next week before returning it to the House.
WINSTON-SALEM  The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem now has a large building for its Christmas toy-distribution program, which will begin today and run through Friday.

The Salvation Army is using the former E.G. Forrest Food Service warehouse at the intersection of Trade and Ninth streets, said Bob Campbell, a spokesman for the organization. The agency had been searching for another location for its program for several weeks.

Once the word got out that we had a need, we had multiple options, Campbell said. This building best suited our needs.

The Salvation Army had used a former car dealership site on Peters Creek Parkway for years to sort donations and as its hub for its Christmas giveaway to children. However, the Salvation Army officials learned in January that the building had been sold, and the organization needed to find a new site.

The Salvation Army hosts the Angel Tree and Stuff a Stocking each year, soliciting toy donations for children through age 12, as well as asking area churches and businesses for toy donations.

The toy-distribution program will serve about 20,000 families and 5,000 children in four counties including Forsyth County, Campbell said. The warehouse at 901 Trade St. has about 19,000 square feet, and the Salvation Army is using about half of that space.

For three days, families will drive up to the warehouse, and the toys will be loaded into their vehicles, he said.

Displaying the Christmas spirit, the warehouses owners provided the building to the Salvation Army free of charge, Campbell said. The owners wish to remain anonymous, he said.

They wanted to do a good deed, Campbell said. We are extraordinarily grateful to them. We were caught in a bind, and they were helpful.

The organization had collected more than 4,000 toys as of late last week, said Cali Colbert, the Christmas coordinator for the Salvation Army. A group of about 20 volunteers is preparing the toys for the distribution.

Last Thursday, Dollar General employees participated in the volunteer program.

We are elves, Santas and as well as donors, Colbert said. The majority of children we serve would not receive a gift for Christmas.

Brian Hayes, of Sherrills Ford, said he happily volunteered for the effort.

Its part of our service to others, said Hayes, a Dollar General employee. For some of these children, it will be their entire Christmas. Im sure they are looking forward to it.

Laura Owens Bailey, of Lexington, said the volunteers work is part of the joy and excitement of Christmas.

We cant see it, but we know it will be put a smile of their (the childrens) faces on Christmas Day, said Bailey, another Dollar General employee.

Dennis Long, of Montgomery, Ala., Dollar Generals director of loss prevention for the Southeast, said helping the Salvation Army enriches the lives of the volunteers by giving back to the local community and children.

Kim Rominger, of northern Davidson County, said the volunteers have captured the spirit of Christmas.

I want to see children being happy, waking up and seeing something from Santa Claus, she said. Everyone deserves something.
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The Congress is hoping that its strategy of striking a fine balance between Patidars and Thakors, who come under the Other Backward Class, will work in Thursdays second phase of polling in 93 constituencies in the crucial Gujarat assembly elections.

The party had taken a cautious approach as far as the reservation issue is concerned given that two communities are in almost equal numbers in north and central Gujarat. While Patidars are demanding reservation in education and jobs within the constitutional framework, the OBCs are against any move to tamper with the existing quota limit of 49%.

In the past two decades, Patidars have overwhelmingly voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while the OBC votes got divided between the Congress and the ruling party.

Of the 93 seats going to polls on Thursday, 61 are in central Gujarat and 32 in north Gujarat. The BJP had won 52 in the 2012 assembly elections and the Congress 39. The ruling party is strong in urban areas given that it holds 21 of the 23 seats that fall in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Gandhinagar municipal corporations.

The test of the popularity of the three young leaders  Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani  will be put to test in the second phase. Mehsana, the epicentre of the Patidar agitation led by Hardik, and Patan which has a sizeable number of Thakors, will be crucial for both the parties. Mevani too hails from Mehsana.

For its part, the Congress is upbeat over its performance in the first phase of polling in 89 constituencies, a majority of which are in Saurashtra and Kutch. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma claimed that his party will win 45-50 seats in the first phase.

But the worry for the Congress is the tribal belt where the BJP has worked hard this time. The ruling party is banking on the support of tribals to make up for the losses it might suffer due to the Patidars angst. The Congress, on its part, is hoping that its traditional vote base will remain intact.

Former prime minister and Congress leader Manmohan Singh and Ashok Gehlot address a press conference in Surat. (PTI File Photo)

This is for the first time since 1995 that the Congress is looking at its best chance yet to wrest Gujarat from the BJP.

At stake for the Congress is a crucial momentum that it needs ahead of other state elections in 2018 and the general election in 2019.

A win in Gujarat will not only cement the position of Rahul Gandhi but also boost the Congresss chances of retaining Karnataka  where elections are due in March-April  and ousting its arch-rival from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan later in the year.

As part of its strategy, the Congress has not declared its chief ministerial candidate and party leaders suggest this works to their advantage and checks factionalism.

But, importantly, there is also the lack of a credible face in Gujarat for the Congress, which has leaders like Captain Amarinder Singh in Punjab and Virbhadra Singh in Himachal Pradesh. The campaigning, largely, has been around Gandhi.

Gandhi has campaigned extensively in Gujarat, taking on the BJP over issues such as the note ban, goods and services tax (GST), job losses, farm distress and its development model. He even coined the phrase Gabbar Singh Tax for GST in one of his election rallies.

But as the polling date drew near, the campaign narrative shifted to Gandhis temple visits, Ram Mandir issue and political mud-slinging.

The counting of votes will take place on December 18.

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The second and final phase of the bitterly fought Gujarat assembly elections ended on Thursday evening amid a war of words between the ruling BJP and an aggressive Congress. (Follow exit polls LIVE updates here)

Balloting closed at 5pm with an estimated 60% of the 2.22 crore electorate exercising their franchise in 93 constituencies across 14 districts of northern and central Gujarat.

Nearly 50 per cent polling was seen by 3pm, the Election Commission said. One official said the overall polling could even cross 70%.

Thursdays fight for Gujarat, ruled by the BJP for 22 long years, ended more or less peacefully. Voters, however, complained about malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at some places.

The sluggish voter turnout in the first few hours due to the winter chill gave way to visible enthusiasm as the day progressed. Long queues of men and women were seen outside polling booths almost everywhere.

Read | Congress brands EC Narendra Modis puppet, files complaint against PMs roadshow

But with the stakes high in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress were locked in a war of words after Prime Minister Narendra Modi voted in Ahmedabad and then went around the area, flashing his finger with the voter mark.

A furious Congress complained to the Election Commission that Modi held a roadshow in Ranip area.

After casting his vote, Modi stood on the steps of his vehicle and waved to the cheering crowds. His 97-year-old mother Hiraba, who lives in Gandhinagar with Modis younger brother Pankaj Modi, also voted in Gandhinagar North.

The Congress accused the Election Commission of becoming a captive puppet in the hands of PM Modi, who it said was brazenly breaking rules in a final bid to save the BJPs sinking ship in Gujarat. It said the Election Commission was ignoring the BJPs and Modis violations of the model code of conduct. Congress activists staged a demonstration outside the office of the poll panel in New Delhi.

BJP veteran LK Advani, the Lok Sabha member from Gandhinagar, cast his vote at a booth in Hindi Vidyalaya in Shahpur area of the old city. Finance minister Arun Jaitley voted at a booth in Chimanbhai Institute at Vejalpur area.

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and his wife Sonal Shah display victory sign after casting their votes for the second phase of Gujarat state assembly elections in Ahmadabad on Thursday. (AP Photo)

Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel too voted on Thursday. Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who has virtually thrown his lot with the Congress, exercised his franchise in Viramgam.

A skirmish took place between two groups in Hasanpur village in Visnagar at Mehsana. The police used batons to disperse the mob. Ten persons have hospitalised.

The districts were elections were held on Thursday included Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur.

A total of 25,575 polling booths were set up in 14,523 places.

There were several complaints regarding malfunctioning EVMs in and around Vadodara city, halting polling temporarily.

A clash also erupted in Dhanera town in Banaskantha district, police said.

The first round of polling to elect a 182-member Gujarat Assembly took place on December 9. The votes will be counted on Monday.
Gujarat votes today.

It decides the fate of 93 seats across 14 districts of northern and central Gujarat in the second and final phase of assembly elections. Voting in 89 seats happened in the first round on December 9.

It decides if the BJPs hold over Gujarat remains tight or it has ceded ground to the Congress. It decides if the troika of Hardik Patel-Alpesh Thakor-Jignesh Mevani has taken the sheen off the Gujarat development model or the state continues to believe in it despite 19 years of uninterrupted BJP rule.

It decides if Amit Shahs much touted booth management demolishes yet another political challenge as it did in Uttar Pradesh or it falls flat like it did in Delhi and Bihar.

Answers to these will be known on December 18, where the results will be declared, but the BJP is war ready for the last round of voting.

It won 53 of these 93 seats in 2012. The Congress got 39 and one seat each went to the Nationalist Congress Party and an independent.

The second round is as crucial for the BJP as the first phase. It covers urban centres such as Ahmedabad and Vadodara  the BJPs stronghold  and Mehsana.

The BJP dominated Ahmedabad, winning 17 of 21 seats, Vadodara (9 of 10), Patan (3 of 4) and Mahesana (5 of 7) in 2012.

But it was challenged this time. Mehsana is the epicentre of the Patidar stir for reservation in jobs and education in 2015. The movement led by Hardik Patel troubled the BJP in other parts too. Patidars have a strong presence in and around Mehsana, and the BJP worked overtime to limit any possible damage because of the communitys anger after police firing killed several Patidar protesters last year.

Mehsana is also the hometown of Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani, who became a prominent leader protesting against the Una flogging. Members of cattle vigilante flogged several Dalit men in Una last year on the suspicion of cow slaughter.

The battle of Patan, too, has become interesting with the entry of OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, the Congress candidate for Radhanpur. The Thakore community has a sizeable presence, concentrated mainly in northern Gujarat.

BJP is confident the troika will prove to be a non-starter. Alpesh and Jignesh are on a sticky wicket, a BJP general secretary said. If they are so popular, why did they get pinned to their seats?

The BJPs election strategists said Alpeshs hold over Thakore voters is exaggerated, and results would prove the community and other OBCs prefer Narendra Modi over Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP is confident it will not only keep its hold in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Mehsana and Patan districts but also improve its tally in Anand district, where it won just two of the seven seats in 2012.

Anand is the home of Amul Dairy, a milk cooperative whose chairman Ramsinh Parmar, a Congress MLA, switched loyalty to the BJP in August and is contesting on a BJP ticket from neighbouring Kheda district this time. The BJP won just two of six seats in Kheda in the previous polls.

The potato basket of Banaskantha is Gujarats third largest district and accounts for nine assembly seats, five of which went to the Congress in 2012.

The BJP tried to win over the tribal populace with several welfare schemes. It promoted tribal faces, a strategy that it believes will pay dividend in Sabarkantha district, whose three of four seats went to the Congress in 2012. Sabarkantha, Kheda and Anand districts have a large tribal population.

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Laura Pekarik bakes cupcakes and sells them from a food truck. Her truck provided a great opportunity, letting her open a business without having to spend big to hire a staff and rent space in a building.

Instead of renting a whole brick and mortar and managing a team of people, it was just me and one baker, she explains.

But increased regulations, such as new rules that forbid trucks to park near established restaurants, make life hard for people like Pekarik.

It became ever more difficult to find parking locations when we went to the city (Chicago) to try to sell our cupcakes, she says. I would have customers calling me trying to find us and I was like, Im trying to find a parking spot! Ill post as soon as I land.

Jumping through hurdles like that forced her to waste gas, money and time, so she cut back her business and rarely, if ever, drives to Chicago. Every moment that were driving around and not parked in a location with our window open meant that we couldnt sell.

Food truck operator Joey Vanoni is tortured by regulations, too. He sells pizza in Baltimore.

That rescued him from unemployment. After serving in Afghanistan, he couldnt find a job. But then he learned about food trucks. It really started taking off right around the recession ... 2008, he told me for my YouTube video this week. A lot of restaurant entrepreneurs  capital they had was not enough to go out and start a restaurant on their own. Banks werent willing to give loans. So the food truck phenomenon really took off.

But now Baltimores anti-food truck rules make that harder. Vanoni is not allowed to park within 300 feet of any established restaurant selling the same product. Since there are pizza restaurants all over town, that leaves him few places to park.

Why do bureaucrats create hurdles like that?

People who trust government assume its to reduce congestion, or something like that.

But the real purpose is to protect already-established restaurants. They dont like competition. No business does.

They shouldnt have to face such competition, argues Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney. He sets food truck parking rules in his district.

A brick and mortar is a much more stable enterprise, he says. Im going to be prejudicial towards those kinds of businesses.

Tunney has another reason to be prejudicial. He owns brick and mortar restaurants in the area. At least he discloses that.

Regulations that limit food truck operations are a protectionist scam, says Dick Carpenter of the libertarian law firm Institute for Justice. Carpenter says such rules are a bottleneck that established businesses use to kill competition.

The rules, like demands for licensing of florists, moving companies, hair dressers, tour guides, etc., are passed by politicians. But often these politicians are in cahoots with owners of established businesses.

But in the case of food trucks, is the competition fair? I asked Carpenter. The guy who opened the restaurant and had to pay real estate taxes  and pay for his building. Isnt he getting ripped off by these new guys?

That assumes the food truck operator doesnt pay expenses of the same type, answered Carpenter, but they do. Food truck operators pay taxes, they pay rents, and through their rents they pay property taxes.

With the help of the Institute for Justice, Pekarik and Vanoni are suing Chicago and Baltimore, arguing that its unconstitutional for regulators to favor one industry over another.

Its been a long battle, says Carpenter. This case with Laura: five years and going. Food truck owners face very organized opposition, he adds. The restaurant association has so much influence over those who are elected officials.

All these battles against bottleneckers are important, argues the Institute, because Americans have a right to economic liberty  the right to earn a living in an occupation of their choice, free from excessive government interference.

Getting rid of that interference will give us all more choices, even if its just one cupcake and pizza slice at a time.
Opposition finds it misleading and insensitive yet the ruling party intends to go whole hog to draw a political mileage in view of 2018 assembly elections from the state governments capital punishment for rape bill passed in the state assembly during its winter session more than a week back.

The bill aims at amending Indian Penal Code (IPC) to award from a minimum life sentence to capital punishment to a convict who is involved in rape with a girl of 12 years and below. It also has a provision in it for a harsher punishment for a stalker.

State BJP leadership has asked its cadre to propagate the governments act in introducing the bill at the grassroots level while chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be feted for his step at a function at the state capital on Thursday, two days ahead of Nirbhaya gang rape anniversary, by several organisations under the aegis of the BJP.

Addressing the partys women wing leaders a few days back the state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan said, There is no one in the country like Shivraj Singh Chouhan who has taken so many steps for women empowerment. We have to propagate the historic decision on capital punishment to rapist among people.

Chauhan didnt forget to mention the BJPs ambitious Abki baar 200 paar plan in context of 2018 assembly elections and made an appeal to party leaders to work for it vigorously.

The BJPs decision to take a credit for the bill and fete the CM is misleading and insensitive. First, they have no qualms in drawing a political mileage from rape of women in society for their political gains and second, they are doing all this despite knowing full well that the bill cannot lead to an amendment in the IPC on serious offences like rape as its beyond the purview of a state, said Pankaj Chaturvedi, state Congress spokesperson talking to the Hindustan Times.

Leader Opposition in the state assembly Ajay Singh raised a question against felicitation saying the bill was yet to get Presidents assent.

Though the Congress supported the bill in the assembly out of political compulsions so that it is not projected as anti-women by the ruling party, the party MLAs including the leader Opposition also expressed concern that such a bill, if it leads to an amendment in the IPC, may drive a rapist to kill the victim in order to obliterate the evidence.

Madhya Pradesh once again topped the crime chart on rape incidents in the country as per the latest National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)s statistics for 2016 to underline Madhya Pradesh as one of the most unsafe states in the country for women. The ruling party feels a harsher punishment to rapist will check effectively crimes against women.

Recently, reacting upon the NCRB report for the year 2016 Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted, Ground reality of security of women in Madhya Pradesh- highly shameful. 4882 rape cases in 2016, Madhya Pradesh no. 1 again in rape incidents.
The quintessential heroine -- on and off screen -- is not for actor Kangana Ranaut. I have myself as the priority always. I do not subscribe to the theory that good girls dont think about themselves and they are all for sacrifice. My life is my life and I want to make the most of it, said Kangana over phone from Mumbai when asked about the learnings that she wants girls to draw from her life.

I want to utilise my potential and see who I am. Its not just about my brother, son, husband or my mother. Somewhere, I do not subscribe to the quintessential heroine, who is an ultimate Indian woman who puts everyone before her and she comes in the end for herself, added the three-time National Award winner, who is also the brand ambassador of Reebok India.

In that capacity, she attended the second edition of the brands FitToFight Awards, which felicitated select women for their spirit and courage. Coming from a small town in Himachal, Kangana made her debut in Bollywood with Gangster - A Love Story in 2006. Even though her style and accent were criticised initially, she made a mark with her strong performances in films like Fashion, Queen, Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Her next project is Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi, a biopic on Rani of Jhansi. Off screen, she has been actively talking about her struggle in the industry -- professionally and personally. So bold and fearless is the actress that she openly tagged filmmaker Karan Johar as a flagbearer of nepotism during his own chat show, sparking a debate in the industry.

It has been a challenge for her to face the bitter realities of society. It was most definitely very challenging for me to come from a small town which anyway is not very tolerant to aspirational women, especially ambitious women. You are seen as a vamp if you are ambitious, if you want to make your own money or if you dont want to be dependent. Women who make their choices and who fight for their rights will always be the ones who will be seen as rebels, she said.

But she feels that as long as you dont think you are doing something wrong, it is absolutely fine. I never judge myself for my instincts and for my fighting spirit, she said.

Nevertheless, she admits having a voice of their own for women is difficult even in the 21st century. It is very difficult. These medieval social norms are very convenient for them (some people), so women and men are going to be hassled by these.

Talking about breaking the long societal norm that girls dont fight, Kangana said, A modern woman is not going to keep her mouth shut if she is taken for a ride or sexually harassed or if she is not given her salary. She is not going to keep quiet and thats why these conventional forces, these old-school minds, these patriarchal or chauvinist people, are going to be bothered and hassled.

And that is why she relates to the FitToFight campaign. I feel somewhere women are manipulated to believe that the so-called good girl doesnt answer back, she doesnt argue -- everything which is against the spirit of survival... That has been instilled in a girl child. I feel that we have got to fight that demon which has been instilled in our conscience. We have got to get rid of it because that is why many women succumb to social pressure. It is impossible for us not to strike back unless we give up on our lives, because when you are faced with choice between survival and surrender, humanity has survived, and it is because of the fighting spirit.
Actor Kangana Ranaut has come to the support of a teenage Bollywood actor who recently accused a co-passenger on a flight of molesting her. Kangana has applauded her bravery but also called it a frightening situation with people judging her for not taking a firmer stance against the perpetrator.

The 17-year-old had made an Instagram stories video after the flight from Delhi landed in Mumbai on Monday. She accused a man sitting behind her of putting his foot on her armrest and touching her back and neck with his feet while she was half asleep.

She said she raised and alarm and confronted him about it on the flight, after which he apologised. He was later arrested by the police but his wife defended him saying he was tired after attending his uncles funeral and had put his feet up on the armrest while asleep. She accused the actor of having made the allegations for publicity.

Since the actor made the accusations, several of her co-stars in Bollywood and her fans have supported her stance. There are also some who are calling it a publicity stunt and asking why she didnt speak up on the flight itself.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Kangana, however, unequivocally stood by the teen when asked to comment on the incident during a press event on Wednesday. The actor was at the launch event of Shobaa Des latest book, 70 And To Hell With It, when she was asked by journalist Barkha Dutt to comment on the controversy. I want to bring to your notice this young girl, who has spoken about this harassment that she faced in a flight. But look at the backlash she is getting. It is so upsetting. I mean there are witnesses, who are claiming that the innocent man just happened to put his foot on the armrest and thats the only crime that the person committed. If anyone is going to put foot on my armrest, its open to interpretation, that if this is emotional or sexual harassment or personal because you are in my intimate space and I will interpret it. Your fellow passengers cant tell me that his innocent leg was resting, she said.

Kangana Ranaut poses for a photograph during the book launch. (AFP)

A young girl decides to step up and say that she has been harassed, there are so many things like your own parents, people who wish you well and your management companies, they tend to tell you, Dont associate yourself with something dark. You are the girl, who wants this brand, that brand, who wants this and that film. For that young girl to go against all of that and speak up. Now, I am not in that position so I dont know what kind of harassment it was. But everyone agrees on one thing that the foot was on her armrest. This is wrong. It is very wrong. Why are we judging and trolling her? In this kind of environment, which is so frightening, who will speak up?, she added.

She also revealed what she would have done had she been in her place. Most people saying that he was just keeping his foot on the armrest, taking an innocent nap. For me, it is highly offensive. I would have broken his leg. So, I think it is arguable. I am not dissecting or jumping to the conclusion and no one should play judge whether it is me or media or social media, she said.

Kangana will be seen next in Manikarnika, in which she will play Rani of Jhansi, Laxmibai.

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Actor Tannishthaa Chatterjee, who was last seen in Sanjai Mishras Kadwi Hava, is outraged that film industry failed to come together as protests raged against Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati. She also condemned the death threats issued to Bhansali and the films lead star, Deepika Padukone.

The actor, who has received critical acclaim for her films including Parched, The Angry Indian Goddesses, UnIndian and Chauranga, said, It is ridiculous that anyone can issue death threats in this country and no action is taken by the authorities. The kind of reasons they have given for their protest are stupid, Why have you shown her dancing! First of all, no historian has corroborated yet that Queen Padmini actually existed and secondly, dance and song is intrinsic to Indian films.

Tannishtha will soon be seen along with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vijay Varma in Monsoon Shootout that hits theatres on Friday.

Tannishtha in a still from Monsoon Shootout.

Right from natya shashtra to Parsi theatre - the two things that have inspired Indian films - we express ourselves through dance and songs. Our films are essentially musicals. Do they even understand? she asked.

She was also appalled at the lack of unity in the industry. This was one big film where people should have united and protested against the vandalism and goondaism. At least as a symbol we should have voiced our protest against such censorship, but that did not happen. Javed (Akhtar) and Shabana (Azmi) ji tried their best but not enough people gathered for the protest, she added.

Talking about the silence on sexual harassment in Bollywood, she claimed the environment has gotten better. I think people do not make such advances anymore. Maybe the rise of more and more women directors and producers caused the change. With more women coming into power, people do not find it easy anymore to ask for sexual favours. I believe incidences of casting couch have reduced in the past few years. In a film festival like MAMI, 55% of the films were by women directors. So there is an improvement we have made on that front.

Moving on to her upcoming film Monsoon Shootout, the actor said,  I have a very small role in Monsoon Shootout. It is basically a boys film, with all the guns and gangsters in the narrative. However, I must add that my role is not a showpiece for the sake of having a woman in the mans life. It has its own gravitas.

Tannishtha claimed she shot in the dirtiest areas ever for the film. I have played poor characters in my earlier films but all of them were shot in villages. For Monsoon, we shot in the dingiest of Bombay slums. And I had never been to those places before so the location was a real challenge for me. Also, I had just finished a shoot in London when I landed in Mumbai and began shooting for the film. The transition was too drastic for me to handle.

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Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer spy thriller Tiger Zinda Hai will not release in Pakistan after it failed to obtain a clearance from the countrys Central Board of Film Censors. The film is a sequel to 2012 hit, Ek Tha Tiger, which was also denied censor certificate in the country and it remains one of the many Hindi films that have been banned in Pakistan.

Geo Films, which has the distribution rights for the film in Pakistan, had started publishing the release of the film with the note subject to censor clearance but its release on December 22 is unlikely now. The first part, Ek Tha Tiger, was also not cleared for the release in Pakistan.

Sources said the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage has refused to grant a No-Objection Certificate for the film upon CBFCs recommendation. Pakistan-related scenes are reportedly the basis for the films non-clearance.

In the spy thriller, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Salman plays the role of a Raw agent who falls in love with Pakistani spy Zoya (Katrina) and together they team up to fight against terrorists. The upcoming film is the sequel to the 2012 actioner Ek Tha Tiger, which was directed by Kabir Khan. It featured superstar Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as Indian and Pakistani agents.

Hollywood action coordinator Tom Struthers ,of Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises fame, has choreographed the action sequences in Tiger Zinda Hai.

Tiger Zinda Hai is slated to hit theatres on December 22.

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On March 9, 1858, a British court declared Delhis last king, Bahadur Shah Zafar, guilty of rebellion, treason and murder before exiling him to Rangoon in the then British-controlled Burma. The trial was approved and confirmed a month later by N Penny, major general commanding, Meerut division.

One hundred and fifty nine years later, the 42-day trial conducted at Diwan-e-Khaas of the Red Fort by British prosecutor Major F Harriott lies preserved word for word at the Delhi archives in the form of a hardbound book comprising 262-pages.

Apart from the handwritten trial papers, the Delhi archives is a repository of over 10 crore rare documents comprising Mughal firmans (imperial orders), maps, land acquisition award statements, jail records, manuscripts and government orders narrating the historical and political journey of Delhi since 1803.

So far accessible to only researchers, the treasure trove will soon be just a click away for those interested in the history of the national capital. An ambitious digitisation and microfilming of archival records project started by Delhi government is underway with the target of converting 4 crore documents in the first phase by 2020.

An official with a copy of the trial of Bahadur Shah Zafar. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Some of the records are so old that they might get damaged. So, it is required to preserve them in digital and microfilm formats for posterity, said Sanjay Garg, the chief archivist of the department of archives of Delhi government. The city government is the second repository of records from early 19th century after the National Archives of India.

Mughal firmans to land acquisition for Lutyens Delhi

In September 1803, East India Companys forces under general Gerard Lake fought the Marathas in what is popular as Battle of Delhi, or Battle of Patparganj  named after the area now in east Delhi. The earliest documents at the Delhi archives relate to this battle. The British emerged victorious, but they allowed Shah Alam II  the blind emperor of Delhi  to issue firmans in Persian language, many of which are also preserved at the archives.

Documents being scanned for digitisation at Delhi archives. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

There are different sizes of royal seals in Persian language depending on the hierarchy in the Mughal courts on the firman with gold marks, said Ashutosh Kumar Jha, assistant archivist pointing at A letter from General Lake Sahib to Zaib-un-Nisa Baigum dating October 8, 1802.

The transfer of power to the British crown in 1958 followed setting up of a new administration and eventually the construction of the new capital, Delhi, in 1912. The archives also have records of land acquisition during this historic shift of the national capital from Kolkata to Delhi.

From photographs to award statements of land acquired from the owners, we have rare documents that bear testimony to how the present day Delhi came up, said Sandeep Singh, assistant archivist. In one of the records dating March 1913, an individual named Ram Das was awarded a compensation of Rs 172, two paisa and nine annas for his 285.38 acre of land acquired by the government in Khanpur. The deal was signed by Kamruddin, revenue assistant, Delhi province.

Rare documents are being preserved using high-end scanners from Germany which can digitise about 50,000 pages each day. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Photographs, honorary titles, jail documents

The repository at the archives includes pictures of construction of historical buildings housing Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan in early 20th century. Originally called House of Parliament, the Sansad Bhawan was designed by the British architect Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in 1912-1913 and was constructed between 1921 and 1927.

A poster of a debate being organised by Delhi Students Federation on May 29, 1937 at Arabic College Hall (Ajmeri Gate) is in the section of rare documents showing how teachers would support students concerns. The debate on why the proposed scheme of educational reconstruction of Delhi University will be detrimental to the best interest of the students community and the cause of education in the country, had C Eyre Walker, principal Arabic college, S Dutt, principal Ramjas College, and BB Gupta, principal Ramjas inter college among speakers.

A rare document dated April 7, 1912 is testimony to how Khan Bahadur title was awarded to one Chaudhari Nabi Ahmed on the occasion of His Majesty, the King- Emperors Birthday.

The Delhi archives is a repository of over 10 crore rare documents comprising Mughal firmans, maps land acquisition statements, jail records, manuscripts and government orders. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Digitising 10 crore rare documents

The digitisation project, billed as the largest in Asia, envisages digitisation of 10 crore records stored in the four specially constructed floors of the Delhi Archives building in Qutub Institutional Area. In the first phase, four crore records are expected to be ready and uploaded on the website of the Delhi archives website over a span of 30 months at a cost of Rs 25.4 crore.

The project was fist conceived in 2011 but was taken up by the incumbent government on August 31 this year. Led by Garg, a 100-member team of archivists, scholars and employers are busy with the digitisation task using computers and high-end German-made scanners.

We have got eight scanners for now. We digitise about 50,000 pages each day, Garg said.

A collection of old newspapers at the archives includes a copy of Hindustan Times, Evening News, published on September 25, 1948. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Once digitised, the records would be transformed into microfilms.

The thumbnails of the records with some information would be available on the website. For higher resolutions, one has to pay, Garg said

A welcome move

Its a welcome move to preserve and digitise records particularly Bahadur Shah Zafars trial. The public will know who sided with British and who was with revolutionaries in the first war if Independence, said historian Rana Safvi, who has translated Zahir Dehlvis Dastan-e-Ghadar which comprises eyewitness account of the 1857 uprising against the British

An old invite of Delhi Student Federation, now DUSU (Delhi University Student Union), at Delhi archives. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Established in 1972, the Delhi archives is a repository of non-current records of Delhi government under the department of art and culture. It is responsible for preservation of the archives and making them available research and references.

We are committed to make knowledge more accessible to the common people. This is an important step towards preserving our precious heritage. While digitisation will ensure preservation of documents, making them available to a larger audience through a website and outreach events will play a key role in dissemination, said Manish Sisodia, the minister of Art, Culture and Languages said in a reply from his office.

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The iconic Jama Masjid is in urgent need of repair, with parts of its external facade and internal structure crumbling, according to the custodians of the grand 361-year-old mosque in old Delhi.

The centrepiece of the heritage city of Shahjahanabad, the Masjid is being threatened by rampant water seepage, which has eroded the structural integrity of the main dome and peeled off layers of sandstone and plaster from its walls and intricate parapet carvings.

The Shahi Imam of the Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, says he had written a letter last year to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking help for the urgent repair of the structure, and made several appeals to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) telling them that the situation is fast becoming dire.

Jama Masjid damage: ASI, disaster body teams inspect structure after HT report

I specifically told both the PMs office and the ASI that lack of maintenance was resulting in permanent damage. In particular, the main prayer chamber and three domes require instant restoration, Bukhari told Hindustan Times.

Tariq Bukhari, general secretary of the Jama Masjid advisory council points to cracks in the mosque. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

Comments from the PMO were not immediately available.

ASI spokesperson DM Dimri said the relaying of the mosque floor and a few other maintenance works were in the pipeline. However, he said the ASI was not aware of serious damage to domes and parapets.

An estimate has been prepared for restoration of its flooring. The tendering process is going on, the ASI will soon start work at Jama Masjid. As the mosque is not an ASI-protected monument, the responsibility of its regular monitoring and maintenance is not with us, Dimri said.

A caretaker at the Jama Masjid points to sandstone coming off the wall of one of the minarets. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

The responsibility of the management and protection of the mosque lies with the Delhi Wakf Board. We dont have enough funds to restore the mosque and always need external assistance for this project, said an official of the board who asked not to be named.

Bukhari said the last major renovation was carried out by the ASI around 10 years ago, when he had sent a similar request to the body.

This process of taking the ASIs help goes back to 1956. Back then, the structure had started decaying and lightning has caused serious damage to one of minarets . Since the Wakf Board has no adequate funds and expertise, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had roped in the ASI, which has been doing repair work from time to time since then, Bukhari said.

Tariq Bukhari, general secretary of the Jama Masjid advisory council, points to cracks inside the dome. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

According to the mosques custodians, the central dome of the principal prayer hall is now the worst affected, with white seepage marks clearly visible. In addition, the wall joints, minarets, and smaller onion-shaped domes have developed cracks, causing rain water to seep in and weaken the structure.

Portions of the eaves of all four chhattris (dome-shaped pavilions) have started chipping. Several marble finials on the smaller domes on the northern and southern gates have fallen and the large pinnacle on the central dome of the prayer hall has tilted.

The 17th-century mosque, originally named Masjid-i Jahan Numa, is one of the largest in India, built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. Its construction was started in 1648 after the completion of Shahjahanabad. It took six years and cost Rs 10 lakh at the time.

It is visited by an average of 5,000 tourists and 1,000 worshippers every day.

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Private schools in Delhi may not be able to hike their fees without reason in the wake of the 7th pay commission, as the government has asked the district-level deputy directors of education to ensure that fee anomaly committees functioning in their areas look into the matter.

Delhis chief and deputy chief ministers will also be meeting with local MLAs and education department officials on Thursday to hold further discussions on the issue.

In a bid to address complaints that the government has allegedly received from parents against fee hikes in schools, they issued a notice on Wednesday asking the district deputy directors of education to constitute a three-member committee, comprising themselves, an education officer of the zone and a chartered accountant, at every district to look into such grievances.

The decision comes after the Delhi High Court, last month, asked the government to constitute the panels before December 5.

Parents can register their complaints with the committee in the prescribed format by paying a processing fee of 100 and private schools have been asked to make their financial records available for inspection.

We had been getting complaints from parents about fee hikes in private schools, citing the seventh pay commission. While some of them landed up at the chief minister and deputy chief ministers offices and the officer of the deputy director of education, others were addressed to MLAs. Since it was impossible to deal with it at a central level, we needed to have a decentralised systematic approach to the matter, said Atishi Marlena, advisor to deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on education.

She said that the issue of fee hike is not limited to a select few schools, but is a problem across the board.

The fee anomaly committees, which, according to Marlena, had existed on paper since 1999 as per the recommendations of the Justice Duggal Committee constituted by the Delhi High Court, is the answer to this need for a decentralised system.

The committee is expected to look into every complaint within 90 days and any unjustified fee hike will be rolled back and parents reimbursed.

The inspection will happen at two levels. In the preliminary phase, we will enquire if the schools have any money in their reserve funds, as the pay commission guidelines clearly state that if such funds exist then fees cannot be hiked. We may also get the chartered accountant to in the committee to do an audit of a schools accounts, said Marlena, adding that the committees will be fully functional as soon as they hire chartered accountants.

According to government sources, Sisodia and chief minister Kejriwal have been meeting regularly over the past week to discuss the matter. Sisodia also reviewed the issue with education officers on Wednesday. Sources have also said that Kejriwal and Sisodia will be meeting MLAs and education department officials on Thursday to take stock of the fee hike issue.

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The Delhi government on Wednesday constituted a nine-member committee to formulate norms capping the profit margin of private hospitals in the city.

The committee will establish norms for the maximum profit that a hospital can make on the sale of medicines and investigations. The committee will also recommend behavioural protocols for hospital staff.

The committee will be headed by Delhis director general of health services and will also include senior doctors from the Delhi Medical Council and Delhi Medical Council and the national president of India Medical Association Dr KK Agarwal, according to the health minister.

The committee has been asked to submit its report by the end of the month.

The move comes after allegations of overcharging and negligence against four private hospitals in NCR.

Recently, the licence of Max hospital, Shalimar Bagh, was cancelled after the government found it negligent in wrongly declaring newborn dead. Fortis Memorial Research Institute was accused of overcharging in the treatment of 7-year-old dengue patient, when an amount of Rs 16 lakhs was charged for 15-day treatment. Fortis hospital, Noida was accused of overcharging when a farmer was asked to pay Rs 1 lakh for the treatment of his daughter who died within four hours of admission. In case of BL Kapur hospital, a family has alleged that the body of their child who had undergone a bone-marrow transplant was not released till the dues of Rs 9 lakh was paid.

The Clinical Establishment Act passed by Parliament also aims at the same objective, but Delhi is yet to adopt the central law. When asked about this, the Delhi health minister said the state government was working on it and the law was likely to be in place as the Delhi Health Act in two months time.

Single doctor run clinics will not be covered under our law, thats the big difference from the central law, Jain disclosed.
The Delhi Police have arrested a man who allegedly shot at his girlfriend following an argument over her drinking habit. He then called the police and lied to them claiming that the woman was shot at during a snatching bid.

Police said the accused, Bunty Grover, shot at the girl, Piya Malhotra, at her residence in Moti Nagar in the early hours of Monday. Bunty then rushed Piya to Safdarjung Hospital, making a call to the PCR on the way. He claimed that four armed persons snatched a gold chain from his wife and also fired at her near Dhaula Kuan flyover, said police.

However, when the police cross examined him, there were several contradictions in his statement. After treatment, Piya told the police it was Bunty who had shot at her.

There were gaps in the chain of events that was narrated to us by Bunty. He was asked where exactly the snatching-cum-shooting had taken place. We asked him to take us to a place where she was shot and he led us to a location, which was far from the spot he had claimed the incident had taken place in the PCR call. Also asked to share details such as when and from where the couple had left or where they were returning to, he gave different answers each time, said DCP (southwest) Milind Dumbere.

The police also found that Bunty had a previous criminal record and he had been jailed for some time too.

Top Delhi cop says snatching a major problem, calls for change in law

He was interrogated during which he confessed to his crime and admitted that he had shot Piya after an argument between the two. He also revealed that two of his aides, Akash Tyagi and Tushar Barua, had helped him in the crime. Akash and Tushar were also nabbed later, said DCP Dumbere.

During interrogation, Bunty said that after coming out on bail in an attempt to murder case, he came in touch with Piya but they soon started quarrelling. Bunty wanted Piya to quit drinking, which she was not ready to do.

He told us that in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, he had called Piya a number of times but she did not respond. Bunty then drank heavily with Akash Tyagi and Tushaar Barua and gambled for sometime where he lost money. A few hours later, the trio went to meet Piya at her residence in Sudarshan Park, Moti Nagar. The couple, both inebriated, once again had an argument, said Dumbere.

In a fit of rage, Bunty then took a pistol that Akash Tyagi was carrying and fired at Piya. The bullet hit Piya in her right leg.

Later, Bunty panicked and cooked up the snatching story, said Dumbere.
Editor:

Really glad to learn that state and federal authorities have pressed charges against Dr. Patel.

My wife and I in 2005 went to Patel for routine heart check-ups. From these initial appointments Patel advised for additional services. These additional services were rendered by non-professional workers in his office. More services were advised. The bills were growing.

Finally, after several thousand dollars in payments, I felt the whole service was suspect. I refused to pay the last bill of nearly two thousand dollars. It went to collection. I filed a complaint with the Nevada State Medical Examiner's office in Reno in 2007 against Patel. It went nowhere. The collection service pressed for payment. I wrote to the collection service that Patel's services were bogus. The collection was stopped.

Several Elko locals who went to Patel for heart check-ups or heart issues also complained to me about what they perceived as "phony services." One moved to Twin Falls, Idaho to be closer to a legitimate cardiologist.

Medical services should and must be rendered by honest and competent professionals. Rural citizens must not be taken advantage of by physicians whose main game is personal enrichment.

David Murray

Reno
A woman and her paramour allegedly slit the throat of her minor daughter after she found out about their affair and threatened to inform her father in east Delhis Ghazipur area, police said on Thursday.

The police were informed around 10 pm yesterday about a six-and-a-half-year-old girl, a class 1 student in a government school, going missing from her house, they said.

After a few hours, the girls body was found with her throat slit on the terrace of the building where she stayed, the police said.

The residents of the building were questioned and the police became suspicious about the girls mother, they said.

During investigation, it emerged that the girls mother was having an extra-marital affair, the police said.

A couple of days ago, the girl had seen her mother with her paramour and had threatened to inform her father about the affair, they added.

The girls mother hatched a plan with her paramour to allegedly kill her daughter, the police said, adding that the accused have been detained.
New Delhi

Teams from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the Delhi Wakf Board (DWB) carried out an inspection at the Jama Masjid on Thursday, hours after the Hindustan Times highlighted how cracks caused by water seepage were threatening the iconic 361-year-old mosque in old Delhi.

The four-member ASI team -- the national watchdog of heritage monuments  was led by Rajendra Dehori, deputy superintendent (archaeology) at the agencys Delhi division.

He said that the team made a preliminary assessment of the damage to the monument. We will take stock of the cracks and crumbling walls in the monument. It will be followed by a proper survey by a team of officials from the director general (north division), which is the final decision-making authority. They will decide when the restoration work can be initiated, Dehori told Hindustan Times.

In a front-page report capturing the damage to the Mughal-era mosque, HT had highlighted how the Jama Masjid was in urgent need of repair because parts of its external facade and internal structure were crumbling. The custodians of the mosque, including its Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari, said that the monument was plagued by rampant water seepage that was damaging the central dome and parapet carvings.

They also said that they had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention, and made several appeals to the ASI to help with restoration work.

Restoration work was last carried out at the Jama Masjid 10 years ago by the ASI after a report prepared by conservation architect Naveen Piplani. The Masjid is not an ASI-protected monument and its custodian is the Delhi Wakf Board, which says it neither has the funds nor the expertise to get repair work done.

The four-member DDMA team led by district project officer Neelofar Nizami, took photographs of damaged portions. A preliminary report would be prepared based on the inspection, which will be handed over to the district magistrate. Since the masjid witnesses a heavy footfall, especially during the Friday prayers, efforts were needed to keep a check on the damage and ensure proper monitoring to avoid any mishap, said an official accompanying the group.

Nidhi Srivastava, district magistrate (central district), said a team of officials was sent following the directions from divisional commissioner Manisha Saxena to evaluate the extent of damage. It will submit a report on Friday.

Cracks in domes, pillars, and arches are clearly visible. Stones at some places have left their original positions. The structure requires major renovation, which may take years, said a member of the visiting team who asked not to be named.

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The crumbling structure of Delhis Jama Masjid is testimony to the administrations neglect of the Capitals heritage. The 17th century mosque built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan has started degenerating for the lack of regular maintenance.

Conservation architect Naveen Piplani had prepared a report in 2006 on behalf of the Delhi Wakf Board  the custodian of the mosque. The report explained the reasons that led to the deplorable state of the structure. The report had pointed out that increasing population pressure and new structures coming up in the neighbourhood were harming the mosque.

Jama Masjid damage: ASI, disaster body teams inspect structure after HT report

The last restoration of the grand structure was undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 10 years ago on the orders of the Delhi High Court.

Parapet wall: Layers of plaster have eroded, exposing the Lakhori bricks. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

The ASI restored the missing inlay work and revived the internal water system. White marble surface was cleaned and the lime concrete terracing was relaid. The agency also replaced damaged columns, bases and plastered the parapets.

As Jama Masjid is not a protected monument, its regular monitoring and repairing is not done by the agency. As and when, the ASI is requested, it does the job, said DM Dimri, spokesperson, ASI.

Dome (external surface): Water has seeped into the crevices of the sandstone dome above the prayer area. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

He added the agency is not aware of any damage to its dome and parapet.

We have prepared a plan to relay its floor for which the tender process has already started. We will soon start the repair work, he said.

Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari told Hindustan Times that the disrepair of the mosque might also be attributed to its peculiar status.

The mosque is under the jurisdiction of Delhi Wakf Board. The ASI had been doing its repair since 1956 under a special arrangement, he said.

Southern Gate: Broken marble onion domes over the gate. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

An wakf board official said the agency is unable to take over of its regular monitoring and restoration due to lack of funds.

The annual budget of Delhi Wakf Board is only Rs 1.5 crore. A major portion of the fund is spent on the salary of the imam and scholarships. We also lack expertise to undertake repair of such a historical monument. For years, the ASI has been repairing Jama Masjid, he said.

Tariq Bukhari, general secretary, Jama Masjid Advisory Council (JMAC), suggested that before initiating any plan for the mosques renovation, a comprehensive study should be carried out to assess the damage.

Centra Dome (inside): It is a double dome structure and the water seepage is so heavy that the moisture has now started reaching the inner dome from the outer structure. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

The foundation of the mosque is supported by vast stairways on three sidesnorth, south, and east. In the east, there was a pushta (back support), which was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in 1975 during anti- encroachment drive. This weakened the eastern wall, he said.

The study would also be required to ascertain the intricate damage to the walls, domes and the structure since it is not a modern structure. The special plasters used by the engineers of Shahjahan have to be protected. For this, the immediate need is to arrest the seepage of water and then a comprehensive restoration work could be started, Tariq Bukhari said.

Northern exterior wall: Plaster has come off the wall, stone slabs and pillars are wearing off too. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

The Jama Masjid, originally named Masjid-i Jahan Numa, is one of the largest mosques in India. Its construction started in 1648 after the completion of Shahjahanabad. It took six years and cost R 10 lakh. Emperors trusted noble Saadullah Khan and then governor of Delhi, Khalil Ullah Khan, supervised the construction of Jama Masjid.

Arches in the main corridor: Cracks in the stones attached together with special plaster. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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The 11th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has failed to arrive at any decision. This is not entirely unexpected. Without naming the US, Indias official statement has blamed its opposition to grant a permanent solution on public stock holding (PSH) for food security for the failure. In an earlier statement, India had warned that a failure to resolve the PSH issue could irreversibly damage the credibility of the WTO as an institution.

Such statements should not be taken as hyperbole. The multilateral trading arrangement is in deep crisis. This is the second successive ministerial in which the WTO has failed to agree upon an effective work programme. There has been no closure to the Doha Development Round which was adopted in 2001. In his speech at the closing ceremony, director general Roberto Azevedo has underlined the need for keeping development and inclusiveness at the heart of WTOs work. He has also warned against expecting both multilateralism and walking out with everything you wanted to work at the same time. If the Doha Round is to succeed, developed countries have to be willing to grant more concessions at the WTO. With Donald Trump at the helm of affairs in the US, this does not seem likely. The USs withdrawal from the Paris climate accord shows that it might not be ready to honour even its existing commitments at multilateral forums. The demise of the multilateral trading system under the aegis of the WTO will be a big loss for third world countries, including India.

Despite all its limitations, the WTO provides to its members an opportunity for transparent dialogue on an equal footing. There cannot be a decision unless there is unanimity, which means no one can play big brother. There has also been a reasonable degree of success in at least bringing the issues of link between trade and development on the agenda of WTO. This is in stark contrast to the opaque manner in which mega-regional trade agreements are being negotiated. Indias own regional trade agreements have led to a faster rise in imports than exports. A big reason for this is our failure to augment domestic economic capabilities to reap export markets which have opened up through such treaties. And last, but not the least, it was China that stood firmly with India against US pressure in this ministerial. Solidarity among developing countries is a prerequisite for moving towards a more equitable global trade order.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday warned Delhis private schools of strongest action for allegedly harassing parents by arbitrarily increasing fees to comply with the recommendations of the seventh pay commission.

The warning came after reports suggested that private schools substantially increased their fees to comply with the seventh central pay commission (CPC) recommendations.

In October, the Delhi government had allowed recognised unaided private schools on Delhi Development Authority land to increase their fees by 15% as an interim measure to comply with the CPC recommendations, which include a nearly 25% increase in salaries of school teachers.

Parents from all over Del have met me in last few days wid complaints that schools r demanding v high fee including arrears to implement 7th Pay Commission. This must stop. I have directed Edu Dept to review the whole situation n to take immediate steps to stop this (sic), Kejriwal said on Twitter.

In another tweet, he said: No school shud victimize any student, else govt will not hesitate in taking strongest action. Kejriwal also said he has ordered the education department to review the situation and take immediate steps to stop this. The Delhi government said it was monitoring and would come out with a solution within a week.

Kejriwal had on Thursday called a meeting to review the situation arising out of alleged arbitrary fee hike by private schools to implement the commissions recommendations.

Briefing reporters about the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said if private schools behave like commercial institutions, the government will not spare them.

If private schools are found victimising students and harassing parents, the government will not hesitate in taking strongest action against them, Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, said.

Asked about the need to audit private schools accounts, he said if needed, the government would do the same.

Yesterday, the government said that parents aggrieved with the arbitrary hike in fees by private schools would be able to register complaints with Fees Anomaly Committees in each district as it has ordered disposal of the complaints within 90 days.
The body of a Class 12 student, who had been missing for the last two days from New Delhi, was found on railway tracks in Gurgaon, the police said on Thursday.

They said that Diwakar, a resident of RK Puram in south Delhi, had left for his school from his residence on Tuesday but did not return home.

On the Wednesday night, the family (Diwakars) was informed by the Gurgaon Police about a body being found on the railway tracks in Sector-9, Gurgaon. When the family members went to the spot, they identified the body as that of Diwakar, a Delhi police officer said.

He said Diwakars mouth was stuffed with handkerchief and his shoelaces were tied with the railway track. We are suspecting foul play. His family members suspect that he has been murdered, the officer added.

Mahesh, a family member of the deceased, said Diwakar was a brilliant student and had no personal animosity with anyone.

On Tuesday morning, he left for his school but did not return. When we contacted his class teacher, she informed he had not come to the school either. We enquired with his friends and then filed a missing persons complaint, he said.

The Delhi Police officer added, We are probing the case from all possible angles and also taking help of the Gurgaon Police.

We are examining CCTV footage of all possible roads he could have taken in Delhi and Gurgaon to ascertain how he reached Gurgaon, he said.
Press Trust of India

letters@hindustantimes.com

Betul (MP) Seven people were killed when a speeding dumper ran over them while they were helping victims of an accident involving two motorcycles near Betul, a police official said Thursday.

The incident took place on Multai Road late Wednesday night when a group of persons was helping victims of an accident involving two motorbikes. Two people were injured in the accident, the official added.

A speeding dumper ran over them Wednesday night, leaving seven dead, Bordehi police station in charge RK Suryawanshi said.

Their bodies were sent to the Multai Civil Hospital for autopsy, he said, adding efforts were on to trace the truck.

The injured motorcyclists were taken to Nagpur, about 100 km from Betul, for treatment by their family members, said Suryawanshi.
As many as eight Maoists belonging to CPI (CP-Baata), a newly-formed extremist outfit, were killed in an encounter with police in Tekulapalli forests of Telanganas Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Thursday morning.

According to police, the encounter took place during a combing operation by a special party police of the district in the forests near Bethapud village of Illendu block, following a tip off.

We have been receiving inputs about the movement of some extremists in the forests indulging in extortions from contractors and local businessmen, Bhadradri Kothagudem superintendent of police Amber Kishore Jha told HT.

They got specific inputs about their movement in the Tekulapalli and Paloncha forests and launched a search, which resulted in an encounter, he said.

As per preliminary information, four of the extremists killed in the encounter were identified as Vetti Kumar alias Rakhi (area committee secretary of Manuguru-Kothagudem), Esam Naresh alias Sudarsan (area commander), Azad and Madhu, all of CPI(CP-Baata).

We are yet to identify others, the SP said, adding that the combing operations are still on.

The police forces confiscated several weapons from the encounter spot. They include an SLR, two 8mm rifles and two SBBL guns along with eight kit bags.

The SP said CP-Baata (Path of Chandra Pulla Reddy) appeared to be a regrouping of the Maoists belonging to erstwhile CPI (Chandra Pulla Reddy), which was wiped out long ago.

Apart from CP-Baata group, there are other Naxalite outfits  CPI (New Democracy) and CPI (Jana Sakthi), which are moving in the area. Some of them surrendered to the police recently, he said.

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Whats a rodomontade? The lesser known brother of lemonade? A close cousin of covfefe?

Congress leader Shashi Tharoors use of the word in a tweet on Thursday sent Twitter furiously looking up dictionaries to find what it means.

Tharoor, known for his impressive vocabulary and his use of unusual English words, had a message for people who send him parodies of his writing and speaking style, tweeting:

To all the well-meaning folks who send me parodies of my supposed speaking/writing style: The purpose of speaking or writing is to communicate w/ precision. I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea i want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones!  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 13, 2017

Tharoor may have slipped in rodomontade deliberately to make a tongue-in-cheek point, but it is an actual word, albeit an arcane one.

The Oxford Shorter Dictionary describes it as A brag, a boast; an extravagantly remark or speech. Boastful or inflated language or behaviour; or extravagant bragging. Boast; brag, rant. Bragging, boastful, ranting.

Online dictionary Merriam Webster defines rodomontade as bragging speech or vain boasting or bluster. The word originates from Italian poetry, referring to Rodomonte, a fierce and boastful king who appears in a late 15th century epic, Orlando Innamorato.

This is not the first time Tharoor has introduced a new word to his Twitter audience -- remember farrago?

In May, Tharor posted a scathing response to a TV journalists reporting of his wife Sunanda Pushkars death, tweeting, Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalist.

Farrago launched a hundred memes and jokes, and now its time for rotomontade to enjoy its moment in the sun.

Twitter users were torn between amusement, admiration and expending effort looking up what the word actually means. Some wondered if Tharoor was a paid agent of dictionaries, others said he should change his name to Shashi Thesaurus. But one thing is certain: Dont challenge the parliamentarian to a game of Scrabble.

Heres how Twitter reacted to this new word:

Learning English? Follow my friend @ShashiTharoor for words you never knew existed & will struggle to ever use in a sentence but by golly they sound impressive. #rodomontade   Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 14, 2017

@ShashiTharoor guy is a paid agent of oxford english dictionary 1850 edition. inki CBI jaanch honi chahiye   manavsaraf (@manavsaraf) December 14, 2017

I can rodomontadely say that day by day I read your rodomontaded tweets in English, I will be rodomontaded of my improved English. A rodomontade Jai Hind sir.  Kanatunga (@Kanatunga) December 13, 2017

Haha ....  A clarification that needs a clarification!! ... We've got our new 'farrago' now ..  Arun (@Armenon83) December 13, 2017

lemonade ka bada bhai rodomontade. thanks for yet another word...  maruti (@Maruti_P_Naik) December 13, 2017
The Congress on Thursday alleged that non performing assets of public sector banks have increased by Rs 5.05 lakh crore in 42 months of the NDA government and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready for a probe into it by an independent agency.

Addressing a joint press conference, AICC general secretary incharge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot and Congress communications incharge Randeep Surjewala said the increase of NPAs in 3.5 years of the BJP government is the biggest scam.

The prime minister yesterday said that NPA is the biggest scam. He should then answer why is such a big scam happening under his nose?

Will the prime minister tell how NPAs of public sector banks and commercial banks have increased so much ever since his government came to power. Will Modiji hold an independent inquiry by an independent agency into the rise in NPAs of banks during his regime, Surjewala asked.

He challenged the prime minister to answer why NPAs had risen in the last 42 months under him and why people who have taken public money from banks running away.

The prime minister must also tell why has his government waived loans of wilful defaulters worth Rs 1,88,287 crore in last three years, he asked.

Giving figures, the Congress leader said while in 2014-15 the government has waived Rs 49018 crore worth of loans, in 2015-16 Rs 57586 crore of loans and in 2016-17, loans of Rs 81683 crore have been waived, totalling Rs 1,88,287 crore.

Quoting RBI figures, Surjewala said gross NPAs of public sector banks in 2013-14 were Rs 2,27,264 crore, but in the RBI report released on October 24, this has increased in June to Rs 7,33,137 crore, showing a clear increase of Rs 5,05,873 crore in 42 months of Modi government.

Similarly, he said gross NPAs of scheduled commercial banks in 2013-14 were Rs 2,63,372 crore and as per the rating agency CARE these gross NPAs increased to Rs 8,29,338 crore.

Thus, in 42 months of Modi government, it has increased by 5,65,966 crore, he said.
Erdogan urges recognize Jerusalem as "occupied capital of Palestine". (video)

Voice of America During the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Erdogan made a scandalous statement. Turkey, in the person of Erdogan, which currently holds the Organization of Islamic Cooperation(OIC), uniting 57 countries, held an extraordinary summit calling on international law and justice states to recognize Jerusalem as the "occupied capital of Palestine". In response to the US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, 21 Muslim country leaders met in Istanbul on Wednesday under the auspices of the OIC. Mahmud Abbas was the one who expressed the most sophisticated criticism. He evaluated Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as "a crime." "The United States decided to refuse its role of a mediator and its authority, losing its role in political processes. Because of the United States attitude towards Israel, we are not going to accept its involvement in political processes. This is our position," announced Mahmud Abbas, leader of Palestine. King of Jordan Abdullah II, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Iran Hassan Rouhani were among the 22 officials attending the conference. One of the mpst frequently asked question is whether the anger caused by Donald Trump's announcement, burst in Muslim world, will solve the political disputes, particularly those present between the Arab leaders.
The Congress has petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party.

The Congresss complaint came soon after the EC issued a show cause notice on Wednesday to the partys president-elect Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ashok Gehlot, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala handed over a memorandum to the poll body, demanding strong action against Modi and other BJP leaders for addressing press conferences and events on the eve of last phase of polling in Gujarat.

We are going to the Election Commission with a memorandum demanding action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal and others for violating the model code, Anand Sharma told reporters before meeting the poll panel.

He said the EC should remain non-partisan.

Earlier in the day, Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress, saying that banks were pressured under its rule to give loans worth thousands of crores to select industrialists and termed it the UPA governments biggest scam.

A day before his home state Gujarat goes to the final phase of polling, Modi attacked economists in the UPA for handing him a liability of non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans, while hard-selling his central governments pro- poor schemes.

Surjewala said the EC acted against news channels for airing the interview of Rahul Gandhi which was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Congress memorandum said: The Election Commission is duty bound to be fair and impartial. We have to regrettably state the apparent discrimination and an apparent advantage being given to the ruling party militates against this notion.

It also requested the poll body to immediately withdraw its order directing registration of an FIR against news channels for telecasting the interview of Gandhi.

In case the yardstick of violation of model code of conduct is to be applied as is being done by EC order, register an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, finance minister Arun Jaitley, Union minister Piyush Goyal, BJP state president Jeetu Vaghani and other BJP leaders for flouting the model code of conduct, the memorandum said.

It also demanded that EC give directions to all print and electronic media outlets not to carry any news item with regard to elections and not to live telecast pictures of leaders casting votes.

Surjewala alleged the EC order was an attempt to suppress the media, and claimed the BJP was exerting pressure on the poll panel for it.

He said Modi had given interviews ahead of the 2014 general elections but no case was registered then. These double standards will not be allowed, he said.

New norms for justice by ECI-: FM, BJP leaders hold a PC in Ahmedabad and release Manifesto on December 8 - No FIR. Modiji does 4 public meetings in december 9 - No FIR. Amit Shahji does a PC at Ahemdabad today - No FIR. Piyush Goyalji does 2 PCs today - No FIR. Rahuljis interview - FIR. Jai Ho!, Surjewala tweeted.
New Delhi

India on Thursday expressed concern over the contamination of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh and said it has ascertained certain facts on the issue, which figured during the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here.

External Affairs Minister Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said the ministry was coordinating with the water resources ministry while referring to existing mechanisms between India and China to deal with issues pertaining to waters.

Naturally, it is a matter of concern to us. We are coordinating with water resources ministry. We have ascertained certain facts, Kumar said.

He was asked about the Siang river water unfit for human consumption, amid speculation that the water was contaminated due to China. The Siang river, which flows as Yarlung Tsangpo from southern Tibet, becomes the Brahmaputra river in Assam.

Last week, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had expressed concern over the high content of Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) in the Siang 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.

Kumar also said the issue had come up during the meeting between Swaraj and Wang. However, he did not elaborate.

The spokesperson also rejected suggestions that there were heated exchanges during the meeting between the foreign ministers of India and China. Swaraj and Wang met on December 11 on the sidelines of Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting.

All issues were discussed but not in a manner it was projected, he said while reacting to media reports carrying Wangs remarks.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang had told Swaraj that although the standoff ended eventually through diplomatic means more than two months later, lessons must be learned and efforts must be made to avoid such an incident in the future. The standoff put the bilateral relations under severe pressure.

The ministry had issued a statement regarding the issues discussed in the meeting that included the Doklam episode.

Both the external affairs minister and the Chinese foreign minister noted the challenge it (Doklam) had posed to the relationship and expressed satisfaction that it was resolved with the disengagement of troops at the face-off site through concerted diplomatic communications, the MEA statement had said.

Chinese and Indian troops were locked in a 73-day border standoff from June 16 when Indian soldiers stopped Chinese personnel from building a key road close to Indias chickens neck corridor.

On August 28, India announced the disengagement between the soldiers of the two countries.

The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.
The Congress on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), saying the sinking ship of Prime Minister Narendra Modis campaign is being saved by the poll panel.

In Ahmedabad, the party also filed a complaint with the EC against Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by holding a roadshow even as voting in the second phase of Gujarat elections was underway.

Later in the day, Congress workers marched to the Election Commission to protest against Modis roadshow. They were stopped by the police outside Sardar Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk in Delhi and many were detained.

The Election Commission of India has set different standards for the BJP and the Congress. What is the reason for the poll panel to behave like a frontal organisation of BJP, asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala at a press conference in New Delhi. (Phase 2 voting LIVE updates)

It is a great shame that PM Narendra Modi has turned all constitutional institutions into his puppets, the Election Commission of India being one of them, added Surjewala.

Achal Kumar Joti, the target of the Congress diatribe, took over as chief election commissioner in July. A 1975-batch IAS officer, Joti was the chief secretary of Gujarat when Modi was chief minister. He was also a secretary in the industry, revenue and water supply departments in the state.

The Gujarat elections will not be decided by photo-ops, sea planes and road shows. It will be decided on progress and issues related to development.  Randeep Surjewala, Congress spokesperson

The Congress attack comes a day after the Election Commission sought an explanation from party president-elect Rahul Gandhi for appearing in TV interviews ahead of the second phase of voting in Gujarat, which it said was a violation of the model code of conduct.

The EC, on Wednesday, also filed FIRs against TV channels that aired the interviews, saying rules prohibit display of any election matter within 48 hours of the start of polling.

The Congress, however, accused the poll panel of favouritism and questioned why it has not taken similar action against Modi who allegedly made political statements at a business meeting on Wednesday when he targeted the previous UPA government.

The Election Commission of India filed an FIR on TV channels based on a complaint by BJP member within 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the Commission has denigrated the Constitution of India. This shows how the institution has become a captive puppet of the BJP, said Surjewala.

The party said Modi also addressed four public rallies on December 9, the polling day for the first phase of elections in Gujarat.

PM Modis roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. The Election Commission, it seems, is working under pressure from the PM and the PMO, said Ashok Gehlot, Congress Gujarat in-charge, at the press meet.

In Ahmedabad, Modi, while leaving the polling booth at Ranip locality after casting his vote, held up his inked finger and greeted the crowd. He also stood on the side-step of his SUV, which moved slowly through the street for some distance, which the Congress says is akin to a political roadshow.

Gujarat chief electoral officer BB Swain said the panel will look into the complaint.
All seven exit polls on Thursday showed the BJP was headed for a win in Gujarat after the two-phase assembly elections concluded in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

Analysts earlier predicted the Congress could give the BJP, which has been in power in the state for 22 years, a fight this time around.

Gujarat has seen a bitter and intense campaign from both sides over issues ranging from vikas, demonetisation and GST to unemployment and rural distress. The final week saw personal attacks, with Congress Mani Shankar Aiyar calling Narendra Modi a neech kisam ka aadmi and the prime minister retorting with a Pakistan collusion charge.

The contest in Gujarat, Modis home state, will be keenly watched for signs of voter reaction to some of Modis radical economic policies that made doing business far more complicated and raised the cost of compliance. For the Congress, the stakes have never been higher  Gujarat will be the first test of Rahul Gandhi as Congress president.

Opinion and exit polls in India have a chequered history. The grand alliance of the JD(U), RJD and the Congress proved all exit polls wrong in 2015 as it was declared the winner of a shrill and bitterly fought Bihar assembly elections.

Exit poll predictions for Gujarat:

AGENCY BJP Congress+ Others Todays Chanakya 135 +/- 11 47 +/- 11 0 +/- 3 Times Now-VMR 113 +/- 3 66 +/- 3 3 +/- 3 TV9-CVoter 108 74 0 NewsX-CNX 110-120 65-75 2-4 News Nation 124-128 52-56 1-3 India Today-Axis 99-113 68-82 1-4 ABP-CSDS 117 64 1

Here are the live updates:

9.14pm: Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza says exit polls have been wrong in elections before. I dont know how much you trust the exit polls. We have seen exit polls in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Punjab. All of them proved to be wrong. So, how much can one trust the exit polls.

We will wait for the 18th for the real results. Lets not take these exit polls too seriously. We have seen them go wrong in many states in the past, Oza says. Definitely we are winning in Gujarat.

7.50pm: Quick look at all exit polls for Himachal Pradesh:

A look at all exit polls for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017. The surveys predict a drubbing for the Congress in the hilly state.#BattleForGujarat #ElectionsWithNews18



Read Here: https://t.co/vcSqo143eg pic.twitter.com/bqkQqQ6gEJ  News18 (@CNNnews18) December 14, 2017

7.14pm: We are confident that BJP wont be able to win Gujarat this time, Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani tells News18. Mevani is contesting the election as a Congress-backed Independent.

7.12pm: ABP exit poll predicts Congress will lose Himachal Pradesh. BJP to get 38 seats, Congress 29.

7.07pm: Exit poll prediction by Todays Chanakya for Gujarat Elections 2017: BJP 135  11 (Plus / Minus 11) seats; Congress: 47  11 (Plus / Minus 11) seats; Others: 0  3 (Plus / Minus 3) seats.

7.03pm: Final projection of Times Now-VMR survey for 182 seats in Gujarat: BJP: 113; Congress: 66; Others: 3

7pm: Congress will get more than 100 seats and BJP will get less than that: Congress leader Rajeev Shukla tells Times Now.

6.50pm: ABP-CSDS projects win for BJP in Gujarat with 117 seats, Congress likely to get 64.

6.42pm: Final turnout during second phase of polling in Gujarat is 68.70 %, says EC.

6.40pm: In Himachal Pradesh, News24 projects win for BJP with 55 seats; Congress to get 13 seats.

6.38pm: NDTVs Poll of Polls

#GujaratElection2017 | Updated poll of exit polls gives 111 of 182 seats to BJP, Congress to get 71#AssemblyElections2017 #ExitPoll



*Health warning: exit polls often get it wrong pic.twitter.com/HkhrwIEqRA  NDTV (@ndtv) December 14, 2017

6.35pm: ABP exit poll for Central Gujarat region (40 seats) based on data till 2pm: BJP: 21-27 (47% vote share); Congress: 13-19 seats (42% vote share).

6.30pm: It is clear from the exit polls that the 150+ number that Amit Shah was expecting is not there: JD(S) Kunwar Danish Ali tells Times Now.

6.25pm: NDTV Poll of Polls for Himachal Pradesh (68 seats): BJP: 49, Congress: 18

6.20pm: Be it Akhilesh Yadav, Omar Abdullah, whosoever Rahul Gandhi has stood by, has flopped. Watch what happens to the three youths in Gujarat: BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi tells ABP News.

6.14pm: We are going to get 150 seats says Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

6.12pm: NDTV Poll of Polls predictions for Gujarat (182 seats): BJP: 112; Congress: 70.

6.08pm: ABP exit poll for North Gujarat region (53 seats) based on data till 2pm: BJP: 32-38 (49% vote share); Congress: 16-22 seats (42% vote share).

6.05pm: Todays Chanakya exit poll for Himachal Pradesh: BJP 55; Congress 13.

6.03pm: India Today Axis poll vote share projections for Gujarat: BJP: 47%, Congress: 42%, Others: 11%

6.01pm: The ABP exit poll figure for the first phase of Gujarat elections (Saurashtra and South Gujarat) with 89 seats: BJP: (34+24) 58 seats; Congress: (19+11) 30 seats.

5.58pm: CSDS survey for South Gujarat projections: BJP: 21-27; Congress: 9-13, Others: 01.

5.57pm: SAHARA SAMAY-CNX survey shows BJP will get 110-120 seats, Congress 65-75.

5.55pm: The NewsX-CNX Exit Poll numbers put the BJP at 115, Congress at 65.

5.50pm: On exit polls projecting a win for BJP in Gujarat and Himachal, Shahid Siddiqui, editor, Nai Duniya, tells Times Now: If these are the final numbers, then there will be big question mark on Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

5.43pm: India Today projects a sweeping win for BJP in Himachal Pradesh with 47-55, Congress to get 13-20.

5.40pm: Republic-Jan Ki Baat prediction for Gujarat: BJP: 108; Congress: 74.

5.34pm: BJP likely to sweep the 54-seat Saurashtra-Kutch region: BJP: 31-37, Congress: 16-22, Others 0-2.

5.29pm: This is what the outgoing Gujarat assembly looked like: BJP: 115; Congress: 61; Others: 6

5.26pm: CNN-News18 Mega Poll of Polls: Well-known economist Surjit Bhallas prediction for Gujarat:

BJP: 125; Congress: 57

5.23pm: Times Now-VMR projects a win for BJP with 109, Congress gets 70.

ABP-CSDS projects a win for BJP with 91-99; Congress with 78-86.

5.19pm: News channel ABP has tied up with CSDS (Centre for the Study of Developing Societies) for their exit poll.

5.04pm: Voting for second phase of Gujarat elections ends.

4.50pm: What is an exit poll: It is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations, unlike an opinion poll, which is conducted before the voter actually votes. Results of exit polls are generally considered to be more trustworthy than that of opinion polls.
Gujarat recorded an average 68.7% turnout in the second phase of voting for 93 seats in the states central and northern parts on Thursday. With this, the overall polling in the two-phase election  expected to set the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls  is around 68 per cent, the Election Commission announced.

In 2012, the voter turnout in the second and last phase of polling for 95 seats was 71.85 per cent and 70.75% overall for all the 182 seats.

While the average phase II voter turnout was less than the last assembly election, it was still higher than the turn out in 2007 and 2002, when the voting percentage was recorded as 59.77% and 61.54 %.

In the regions that went to polls on Thursday, the BJP had won 52, Congress 39 and NCP and independent one each.

Tribal district Dahod recorded the lowest turnout of 60 % and border Sabarkantha, which has a significant other backward classes (OBCs) population, recorded the highest turnout of 77%.

This last phase sealed the fate of 851 candidates including Deputy CM Nitin Patel(Mehsana), OBC leader Alpesh Thakor(Radhanpur), Congress supported independent Jignesh Mevani(Vadnagar).

The first phase of voting on December 9 had recorded 66.75% turnout in 89 constituencies spread across Saurashtra-Kutch and south Gujarat. Phase I, too saw a 5 % dip in overall voter turn out. Results of Gujarat as well as of Himachal Pradesh that voted on November 9 will be declared on December 18.

The polling day started with the controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi turning his exit after polling into a brief road-show. The Congress filed a complaint with the election commission, alleging that the PM had violated the model code of conduct by holding a roadshow even as polling was underway. The complaint is being examined by the poll panel.

Senior BJP leaders including its national president Amit Shah, finance minister Arun Jaitley and former deputy prime minister L K Advani also cast their votes.

The EC officials said the voting was more or less peaceful, barring a few incidents reported from Visnagar, Savli in Vadodara and Banaskantha. As many as 10 people were injured in Hasanpur in Visnagar constituency in Mehsana after a clash between two groups. The police resorted to lathi charge to control the situation.

EC officials said three complains of EVMs linked to Bluetooth devices were received, but all proved to be wrong.

Two complaints were made by the Congress about Bluetooth connections found in polling booths in Ahmedabad, and one was made by a lady in Vadodara. After examination, they were all found to be incorrect and the lady gave in writing that she is satisfied that the EVM was not connected to any device, an EC official said.

Poll panel officials said no complaints were received about VVPAT machines recording incorrect votes. During polling hours 120 ballot units, 102 control units and 409 VVPATS (paper trail machines) were replaced for malfunctioning not tampering, the official said.

North Gujarat, with 32 seats, was the centre for both Patidar agitation for OBC status and protest by the OBC communities to counter Patidars demand. However, leaders of both the movement, Hardik Patel(Patidars) and Alpesh Thakor(OBC) have joined hands with the Congress. Also, Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani contested as an independent from Vadgam, against whom the Congress had not fielded any candidate.

It was the region, where the Congress in 2012 remained ahead with 17 seats, where as the BJP was limited to 15.

Urban pockets of Ahmedabad and Vadodara cities in central Gujarat are strongholds of the BJP. Here, the BJP had won 37 and the Congress 23 seats.

The BJP has fielded candidates on all 93 seats while Congress, which has a seat-sharing arrangement with Bhartiya Tribal Party of Chhotu Vasava, has 90 nominees in the fray.

Both the BJP and Congress made claims for victory after polling ended at 5pm.

We thank people of Gujarat for electing development instead of politics of caste and community by the Congress, said Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, adding, The BJP is winning seat more than what all exit polls have predicted.

Congress senior leader Arjun Modhwadia said: The people of Gujarat has rejected 22-year-old BJP rule, which was nothing but a model of hollow promises. The voters have chosen the Congress.

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The National Green Tribunals clarification on Thursday that it did not declare the Amarnath cave shrine as a silent zone failed to pacify Kashmiri Pandits and Shiv Sena, who accused the environment watchdog of interfering in their religious affairs.

The NGT on Wednesday reportedly barred the chiming of bells or chanting of mantras in the vicinity of the famed cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas to preserve its eco sensitivity, triggering protests.

Following criticism, the green tribunal said silence should only be maintained in front of the ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Linga, a natural formation in the cave.

The All Parties Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC), a frontal organisation of internally displaced Kashmiri Pandits, termed the order a Talibani diktat.

The cave shrine is one of the major holy shrines of the Hindus and draws thousands of pilgrims when it is opened to the visitors for a short period of time in summer.

APMCC chairman Vinod Pandit said that it has become a norm in India to poke nose into the religious affairs of Hindus by such institutions and warned that provoking Hindus every now and then would be disastrous for the communal harmony in the country.

He said that institutions such as the NGT should refrain from playing with the sentiments of Hindus and restrict themselves to the job they are assigned with.

King C Bharati, a senior journalist and national spokesperson of the APMCC while condemning the order, challenged the NGT to stop them from chanting religious mantras as it amounted to negate the basic spirit behind the most pious pilgrimages of Hindus and direct interference into their religious beliefs.

He said that APMCC would form a squad of hundred volunteers who would visit the shrine next year and chant religious mantras and ring the bells. He dared the NGT to arrest them.

Advocate Arun Kandroo, general secretary of the APMCC, said despite Amarnath Shrine Boards effort to convince the NGT about the sanctity of the chanting of mantras, the tribunal deliberately issued the order to provoke Hindus.

Far-right regional political party Shiv Sena has also castigated the NGT order.

Speaking to media state unit president of the outfit Dimpy Kohli said that this will hurt the religious sentiments of Hindu pilgrims.

He appealed the government of India to stop hurting religious sentiments of the Hindus on one pretext or the other.

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Almost 18 years after the country cleared an ambitious submarine-building programme to scale up its undersea warfare capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India-built INS Kalvari into the navy in Mumbai on Thursday.

It is the first conventional submarine to join the naval fleet in 17 years.

INS Kalvari is the first of six Scorpene submarines being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, under licence from French firm Naval Group, previously called DCNS. The submarine should have been inducted into the navy more than five years ago but problems relating to transfer of technology led to missed deadlines in the ~23,562-crore programme called Project-75.

The navy hopes to induct the remaining five diesel-electric attack boats by 2020.

Military affairs experts said the commissioning of INS Kalvari would be a significant milestone in the navys submarine-building programme but the country needs to push harder to meet the target of building 24 submarines by 2030.

The government set this target in 1999 to sharpen the navys underwater prowess.

The navy commissioned INS Sindhushastra in July 2000, but the Kilo-class submarine imported from Russia wasnt part of the 1999 plan. INS Kalvari is the second submarine to roll out of MDL after the yard built INS Shankul, a German HDW Type 209 boat commissioned in May 1994.

Project-75 has finally come to fruition and thats great news. But we have a long way to go in terms of establishing undersea dominance, said Sudarshan Shrikhande, a retired rear admiral.

According to him, modern submarines have high combat effectiveness compared to boats built in the 60s and 70s. The navy would need several dozens of these boats in the coming decades and we need to move very fast.

The Scorpene submarines are expected to become the mainstay of the Indian fleet, replacing the ageing Russian Kilo-class and German HDW vessels that are almost three decades old.

India operates a fleet of 14 conventional submarines, including INS Kalvari, nuclear-powered attack boat INS Chakra leased from Russia and INS Arihant, the homegrown submarine that can launch nuclear ballistic missiles.

The commissioning of INS Arihant last year completed Indias nuclear triad or the ability to launch strategic weapons from land, air and sea.

The second Arihant-class submarine, called INS Arighat, was reportedly launched in November and is likely to join the naval fleet in 2021. Navy officials are not authorised to speak about the secret programme to build nuclear ballistic missile submarines.

India plans to deploy four Arihant-class boats to reinforce Indias strategic deterrent force at sea. This endeavour does not come under the 1999 submarine-building plan.

Indias sub-sea power is way behind Chinas. The neighbours underwater capability is far superior with more than 60 diesel-electric attack submarines and a mix of 10 nuclear attack submarines and nuclear ballistic missile submarines.

It will not be easy for India to match the Chinese underwater fleet in the near future, said retired Commodore C Uday Bhaskar, the director of Society for Policy Studies.

We have to focus on using our underwater capabilities in a more innovative manner to meet the desired political objectives, he said.

The navy has set the ball rolling for building another six advanced conventional submarines in the country under Project-75I as part of the overall scheme to deploy a robust underwater force.

Under the Rs 60,000-crore programme, the vessels will be built by an Indian yard in collaboration with a foreign defence contractor under the defence ministrys strategic partnership model. It seeks to bring high-end military technology into the country for manufacturing cutting-edge military equipment.

But the project remains on the drawing board, despite the defence ministry granting acceptance of necessity for the submarines a decade ago.

The submarine fleet is well below desired levels. And thats because of poor policies at the highest levels of the government, Bhaskar said.

The navy sent a request for information to half-a-dozen foreign manufacturers this July seeking details to build submarines in India. With acquisition of weapons governed by a detailed set of standards, inking a final contract could take several years.

As far as Project-75I is concerned, little progress has been made in the past 10 years. Thats the sad tale of weapon acquisition in India, said a retired navy chief, who did not wish to be identified.

Bigger than the Scorpene, the Project-75I submarines will be equipped with air-independent propulsion systems to increase their submerged endurance to nearly three weeks. Conventional submarines have to surface almost every second day to operate their air-breathing diesel engines, running the risk of detection.

The Project-75I boats will also have land attack missile capability.

At his annual Navy Day press conference on December 1, navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba announced that Indias plan to build nuclear-powered attack submarines was taking shape. The process has started, he said, without disclosing details.

The government approved the plan to build six nuclear-powered submarines in 2015, tweaking the 30-year submarine-building programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 1999.

That plan laid the roadmap for inducting 12 conventional submarines by 2012 followed by an equal number before 2030.

Our priority is to have a fleet of 18 new conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered boats, a senior navy officer said.

While Project-75 and Project-75I are expected to churn out 12 diesel-electric boats, six more submarines are planned under the yet-to-be announced programme Project-76.

The best practices of Project-75 and Project-75I will dictate the design of the newest boats under Project 76, the officer said.

(This is the first of a five-part series on Indias military mettle.)
A local court in Keralas Ernakulam on Thursday sentenced a migrant worker from Assam to death for raping and killing a 29-year-old Dalit woman, a brutal crime that triggered widespread protests in the state.

The trial court said while delivering the verdict that it was one of the rarest of the rare cases and Ameer ul Islam never deserved any sympathy. It observed that the accused did not show any remorse after committing the heinous crime and he was a big threat to society.

He was found guilty by the court on Tuesday.

Islam was also sentenced to 14 years in jail and fined of Rs 5 lakh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. A translator informed him about the details of the verdict and he heard it without any expression.

The mother of the victim said she was happy with the verdict.

No other girl should undergo such a fate. Such heavy punishment will act as a strong deterrent in curbing mounting crime against women, she said.

The special investigation team head BS Sandhya, ADGP, said she was also happy that the convict got maximum punishment.

The woman, a Dalit law student from Perumbavur near Kochi, was found murdered in her one-room house on April 28, 2016. The police arrested Islam after groping in the dark for two months.

The trial in the case started in April 2017 and was completed in eight months. As many as 100 witnesses were heard and 291 documents and DNA test reports were presented during the trial.

The prosecution mainly relied on scientific and circumstantial evidence to crack the case in the absence of direct evidence. The investigation team succeeded in recovering the accuseds DNA from the nail clipping of the woman beside bloodstain and saliva found in her clothes she wore on the day she was raped.

The team also managed to retrieve Islams DNA from a pair of slippers he left behind after committing the crime.

While delivering the verdict the court also lauded the scientific investigation carried out by the special investigation team.

The DNA technology and call data records helped to establish the identity of the accused beyond any reasonable doubt, special judge N Anil Kumar observed in his judgment.

Islam, hailing from Nagaon district of Assam, worked for almost eight years in different parts of the southern state as a labourer. He was living in a small house at least 500 metres away from the womans house when he committed the crime.

The prosecution said he stalked her on several occasions and entered her house after ensuring that she was alone at home.

Her mother, a casual labourer, found her dead and disembowelled in her house with more than 30 stab wounds.

The brutality brought back memories of the December 16, 2012, gangrape in Delhi that is regarded as a tipping point for the countrys tolerance of sexual crimes. Like the Delhi case, thousands took to the streets in anger in Kerala after the murder.
Smoke from her wood-fired chulha reflected the helplessness and anger swirling inside Jarina Begum, cooking for her family of eight in a neighbours courtyard in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The woman in Dubari village of Mau district shouldnt be using a clay hearth and burning firewood. She has a stovetop, a cooking gas cylinder and the governments blessings in the form of a subsidy that gets debited into her bank account every time she buys a refill.

But Begum and husband Noor Alam, a cart-puller earning about Rs 6,000 a month, are too poor to pay the subsidised price for a refill. Humare sar par chhat nahee hai, gas ka paisa kahaan se laayen (where do we get money to buy cooking gas when we dont have a roof over our head)? asked the mother of six whose mud-and-thatch hut was destroyed by a thunderstorm.

Her fate belies the momentary stardom thrust on the family last year. And it reflects the distance between well-meaning policy and practice.

Begum was selected along with nine more women to be the countrys first recipients of the central governments cooking gas scheme for people living below the poverty line.

Called the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Rs 8,000-crore project in UPs Ballia on May 1, 2016, with an aim to provide 50 million free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to women in poor households over three years. Ujjwala was an instant hit and more than 30 million connections were given in the first 19 months.

Begum and her husband were flown to New Delhi to meet the petroleum and natural gas minister. They had a paid-for holiday of their lifetime in the national capital for three days.

Back home, the couples ordeal didnt change. The family continued to struggle for each meal. There was never any question of saving money to rebuild their rain-ruined hut. In the last eight months, Begum has bought just two refills.

Humara mazak bana diya hai  humey plane mein Dilli lekar gaye, itna paisa kharcha kiya. Sarkari afsar aaye, humara video banaya  gas lagney ke baad Jarina ki zindagi badal gayi  Koi aakar dekh hee nahi raha hai ki hum aaj kaisey guzara kar rahen hain  Itnee mehngi gas bharwaney ka paisa kahaan se layen? she snapped, stirring the broth pot.

[They have reduced us to a joke. They spent so much, took us to Delhi in a plane. Government officials came, made our video. Jarinas life changed after we got a gas connection. But now, nobody takes notice of how we are living. We dont have the money to refill such costly gas.]

Reporters, television crews and officials thronged Alams modest home after the launch of the cooking gas scheme. The trickle continued even after their house was damaged, prompting Satinder Singh of Shaheed Paras Indane Gas Service, the areas LPG dealer, to build the single-room with an asbestos roof for the family.

In a corner of the room sits the prized gas stove, but without fuel in the cylinder.

A similar ordeal has besieged Guddi Devi of Jigni Khas village in Ballia district  another chosen first recipient. Devi is back to using an earthen chulha, burning cow-dung cakes, kept next to a dual-burner LPG stove in the kitchen.

She uses the stove sparingly to save fuel: for quick snacks or tea for guests, but not for daily cooking. Devi has taken just two refills in 2017.

Guddi Devi prepares cowdung cakes in Jigni Khas village in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. (Arvind Gupta/HT Photo)

Emergency mein gas use kartey hain, khaana to lakdi pe hee banatey hain (we use the gas stove during emergencies, but do everyday cooking in the wood-fired hearth), said Renu Chaurasia of Garwar village.

The Chaurasias have taken only three refills since they got an Ujjwala connection in December 2016.

The majority of poor households took a stove and the first LPG cylinder on a loan of around Rs 1,500 offered with the scheme. They have to pay the market price for LPG cylinders till the loan is repaid. Its tough for these families to pay the subsidised price, let alone buy cylinders at the market price, which is Rs 819 in Ballia. That is around Rs 334 more than the current post-subsidy price of Rs 485.

Devis gas agency, Pragya Indane Gramin Vitrak in Garwar, has around 2,300 Ujjwala connections. It registers about 20% refills a month from these beneficiaries.

With the rising cost of LPG and alternative cooking options in rural areas, even refills in regular LPG connections are not registering 50% sales. Though the subsidy amount is credited directly in the users bank accounts, it is difficult for poor households to spare Rs 800 at the time of buying refills, said Vimal Gupta, the proprietor of Pragya Indane.

The dismal rate of refills raises questions. The government and oil marketing companies have succeeded in rapidly expanding LPG coverage among poor households, but these are not translating into a surge in LPG consumption.

In 2016-17, of the 3.22 crore new LPG connections, 2 crore were PMUY beneficiaries. While the rate of growth in LPG consumers on a year-on-year basis jumped to 16.2% in 2016-17 from 10.2% in 2015-16, the rate of growth in LPG consumption rose by just 80 basis points to 9.8% from 9% in 2015-16.

The three-year average price of a subsidised LPG cylinder is about Rs 429. Assuming that a cylinder lasts six weeks, the median number of cylinders used by households with LPG as primary fuel would be nine cylinders a year. And a family would have to spend Rs 429 every six weeks for a refill. Thats big money for poor families.

For most Ujjwala consumers, food and education come first and cooking and health come next. The rise in LPG prices is deterring them from taking refills  from Rs 597.50 in August to Rs 814 in November, said Rajesh Kumar Gautam, president of LPG Association, Ballia.

The mindset of the poor is to use one cylinder over three to four months.

The 4,23,024 regular LPG connections in Ballia are clocking in refills at the rate of 60-70% a month, while 95,815 Ujjwala connections are registering just 25-30% refills a month, says Gautam.

Abhishek Jain, senior programme lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, says while Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojanais a step in the right direction it would be useful to know how the sustained use of the fuel is evolving. As per the 2011 census, while 53% of households in India had an LPG connection, only 28% used it as the primary source of cooking. This implies that despite paying for the connection, over half of the households having LPG were not using it as their primary cooking fuel, says Jain.

The petroleum and natural gas ministry hails the scheme as a big success, but does not give details on the average number of refills or broader consumption patterns. Several emails to the ministry asking for refill data remained unanswered despite repeated reminders.

Dharmendra Pradhan, minister, petroleum and natural gas, while inaugurating the India chapter of Women in LPG last week said, We have studied the first year consumption pattern and have found that about 60 per cent of the beneficiaries on an average bought four refills. This is a very encouraging trend and we hope the number will increase in future.

The NITI Aayogs India Energy Security Scenario 2017 predicts that 35% of rural households will still be reliant on biomass for cooking by 2032.

Its not hard to guess why. The family of Guddi Devi has three school-going children and finds it difficult to spare Rs 819 for an LPG cylinder. But dung cakes come free, with two cows in the backyard.
A 21-year-old man allegedly hacked a 17-year-old girl to death after she rejected his proposals of marriage in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, but police said the couple formed a suicide pact as their family members were opposed to the relationship.

Residents of Garhishyam said the Class 11 student was returning from college on Wednesday evening with her cousin and others when she was stopped by Amarpal on the outskirts of the village. He then allegedly dragged her near the village graveyard and hacked her with a sharp-edged farming instrument before escaping.

According to the locals, Amarpal wanted to marry the girl but she rejected his proposal and that he often used to harass her.

Shamlis superintendent of police (SP) of Ajay Pal Sharma said that the two were in love but their families did not approve their relationship.

Since the families were not ready for their wedding, the two decided to end their lives, Sharma said.

Sharma added that Amarpal first killed the girl and then tried to commit suicide on a railway track, where he was spotted and arrested by the police.

Officials said the boy had given the girl mobile phones twice so that they could remain in touch but they were spotted by her grandmother and taken away from her.

The family members of the girl could not be reached for their comment.
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There is a need in the country to have a national outlook and respect all Indians irrespective of their caste and creed, vice president M Venkaiah Naidu said on Thursday. The Press, he said, must help develop that national outlook.

Naidu, who was speaking at the launch of Marathi daily Lokmats New Delhi edition, also cautioned journalists against passing off comments as news.

There are too many news channels now...news should be conveyed as news...There is a trend of mixing news with views, Naidu said. There is an urban-rural divide in the country and there is a feeling that Parliament and Press dont pay attention to rural India, he said.

The vice president, who was earlier the information and broadcasting minister in the current BJP-led government, also spoke on regulation of the media.

Self-regulation is the best regulationThere should be self-regulation otherwise the law will have to step in, he said. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was among the guests that included several ministers, reminded the audience of American journalist Walter Lippmanns maxim that facts are sacred.

The media has an important role to play...Pressures of various kinds can curb the freedom of the press, he warned.

Naidu, who egged on Union minister Nitin Gadkari to speak to the audience in Marathi, also stressed that people should speak in their mother tongue. I read 18 newspapers but I am not done till I have read a Telegu newspaper, he said.

As the worlds fastest growing economy, the world has its eyes on India, Gadkari said, stressing the need for all organs of democracy to work well.

The occasion also marked 100 years of the Marathi newspaper which was launched in Nagpur.

Lokmat media group chairman and former parliamentarian Vijay Darda also announced the launched of its digital venture with Lokmats coming to the national capital.
A teacher of a government college in Odisha was arrested on Wednesday evening after an audio-tape of a purported conversation between his wife and a minor girl about his sexual exploitations was circulated on social media.

The audiotape which was leaked a few days ago detailed how the physical education teacher of an autonomous college in Nayagarh district was forcing minor girl students into physical relations.

Though the girl in the audiotape did not lodge a complaint, police took suo motu cognizance and arrested Suryamani Pradhan alias Kalia.

Nayagarh superintendent of police Ashis Singh told HT that Pradhan, 42, has been charged with rape under IPC and Pocso Act as the victims were minor.

In the 18-minute-long audiotape, a girl is heard telling the teachers wife that Kalia sir sexually assaulted her friend Pooja in a toilet of the hostel and later threatened her of deducting marks in practical examination if the matter is revealed.

Sir also exploited several others in his bedroom, the girl told the teachers wife.

During the conversation between the two, the teachers wife also admitted there were multiple instances of her husbands sexual transgressions.

The SP said the incident happened in 2015 when Pradhan was running a private hostel near the college where the alleged victims were staying

There were at least 40 girls in the hostel. We have sufficient evidence to prove that the accused sexually exploited several girls in the hostel. He is a serial offender, the SP said. We are collecting more evidence and have asked girls to come forward with any complaints against him.

The girl whose voice in the audiotape led the police to initiate the investigation was a Plus-Two student in the college till last year.

She and her friend have now shifted to a nearby college and mustered courage to speak to the teachers wife.

College principal Dasarathi Biswal said he has suspended the teacher. As I never received any complaint against him, I could not take any action earlier. We have now formed a sexual harassment cell in the college where girls can lodge complaint, the principal said.

Last month, police had arrested an Odia lecturer of a college in Malkangiri district over sexual exploitation of a minor student.

Early this week, chief minister Naveen Patnaik told the state assembly that 5,935 rape cases have been reported in Odisha in the last three years.
Pakistan directed its high commission in New Delhi on Thursday to issue visas to the wife and mother of Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, official sources said.

The directive was issued by the foreign ministry following its decision last week to allow Jadhavs family to meet him on December 25 in Islamabad, they said.

The foreign office sources said that adequate security measures will be taken for complete safety of Jadhavs family.

An Indian high commission official will be allowed to accompany Jadhavs family during their meeting.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on Indias appeal pending the final verdict by it.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected Indias plea for consular access to Jadhav at the ICJ, claiming that New Delhi wants the access to get the information gathered by its spy.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.
The Congress-led opposition is likely to attack the government on key economic and corruption issues when the winter session of Parliament begins on Friday.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be bolstered by Thursdays exit poll results that gave clear mandates to the BJP in both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources in both camps indicated that the impact of the Gujarat results is likely to be felt in the House.

Even if the Congress is unable to get majority but increases its tally in the Gujarat assembly, we will certainly see a more aggressive face of the principal opposition party, said a senior party strategist.

The sessions first full day will be on Monday  when assembly election results will be declared  as the first day is likely to be adjourned after obituary references to three former parliamentarians.

The government pushed back the session from its usual schedule to ensure that it doesnt clash with the Gujarat poll campaign. The BJP, however, faced flak from the opposition parties who accused the government for trying to curtail the length of the winter session.

The government has listed nine new bills, including one to criminalise instant triple talaq, for the short session.

It also intends to pass 24 bills which are stuck in either of the two houses.

The Congress, along with other opposition parties such as the Left, Trinamool Congress and DMK, had often stalled the governments bills in Rajya Sabha and disrupted proceedings in the Lower House, where the BJP-led NDA enjoys a brute majority.

Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who spoke about tough measures against disruptions, told Rajya Sabha TV on Thursday that the Opposition must have ways to express their views.

My appeal to the government is allow the opposition to express their point of views, he said.

Naidu, who will run his first full session as the chairman, also added that if the government and the opposition cant agree on debates and smooth proceedings, he will decide how to run the House.

If they agree, then fine. Otherwise, as the chairman, I will decide to how run the House, he added.

In the monsoon session, the Lok Sabha functioned for just 67% of its allotted time while the Upper House could utilise only 72% of the allotted time.

Naidu reminded the MPs that the House has to effectively highlight the will, aspirations and hope of the people but also added that the lawmakers should respect the mandate.

At the end of it you can either talk out or walk out, said Naidu, in an apparent signal to the opposition.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called an all-party meeting to appeal to all MPs for smooth functioning of the House.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sought the oppositions cooperation for a constructive winter session of Parliament which starts on Wednesday even as the Congress insisted on an apology from him for attacking his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat election campaign.

Speaking at an all-party meeting on the sessions eve, Modi again pitched for simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies saying that holding elections once in five years will boost development.

Briefing reporters on Modis remarks, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the prime minister appealed to leaders of all political parties to help build a consensus on the matter.

The prime minister urged the parties to rise above partisan politics to support the proposal.

Modi has been pushing for simultaneous polls, saying an almost uninterrupted cycle of polls across the country hampers government works due to enforcement of model code of conduct and deployment of officials in elections.

He also sought their cooperation to make the session meaningful and constructive, Kumar said.

Congress leaders raised the issue of Modis claim during a speech in Gujarat that Singh colluded with Pakistan to influence the state polls, and said they will raise it in Parliament.

We will raise the issue in Parliament. Either the government prove the claim or the prime minister apologise. Nothing short of an apology will satisfy us, its leader Anand Sharma said.
Nearly a dozen policemen including a senior official were injured on Thursday when hundreds of activists, allegedly belonging to right-wing Hindu outfits, pelted stones at security personnel in Udaipur during a protest demonstration against a provocative video clip.

Police caned the slogan-shouting activists who were demanding action against unidentified people blamed for circulating the video clip that purportedly shows a group of people shouting inflammatory slogans against Hindu organisations and demanding death for Shambhu Lal Regar (37), accused of hacking a Muslim migrant labourer and setting the body afire.

The incident took place near the Court Circle in Udaipur around 5pm when the activists gathered for the protest demonstration defying prohibitory orders, in Udaipur and Rajsamand, that banned assembly of more than five people.

The injured policemen included the additional superintendent of police, Sudhir Joshi. At least 20 activists were detained, police said.

The violence capped a day of protests and demonstrations forcing the administration to cut off internet in both districts on Thursday.

Regar is in custody over the killing of 50-year-old Afrazul Islam last week and making a video clip of the murder. The two adjacent districts are bristling with tension since the killing.

The latest video clip, apparently shot at the Chetak Circle in the historic city of Udaipur, has been widely circulated on social media and through messaging apps such as WhatsApp.

Udaipur range inspector general of police, Anand Shrivastava, said the prohibitory orders will remain in force for a couple of days depending on the situation.

Internet services have been suspended till midnight Thursday but will be reviewed and the ban extended, if required, he said adding that the video slip has been sent to the forensic science laboratory for ascertaining its authenticity.

In Udaipur, small groups of Hindutva activists gathered at different places in the city or took out bike rallies and were being detained by policemen.

Udaipur additional superintendent of police, Brajesh Soni, said police caned a group of about 50 people Chetak Circle, where a statue of the former Mewar king Maharana Prataps horse stands. Udaipur was the capital of the former Mewar kingdom.

Soni said 20 of the slogan-shouting activists were detained.

Several Hindu outfits, led by the Bajrang Dal, also called for a demonstration on Friday.

Representatives of these organisations met the Udaipur superintendent of police Rajendra, Prasad Goyal, and demanded action against those shouting communal slogans.

The SP assured us action against the guilty. If they do not act, we will hold a protest on December 15 by Hindu organisations, said Indrajit Singh, state chief of the Bajrang Dal.

Police detained Thakur Updesh Rana, a self-styled activist, in Bagru on the outskirts of Jaipur, for disturbing public peace, according to Bagru station house officer, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Rana had posted a video online on Tuesday calling for a rally in Udaipur on Thursday and exhorting Hindus to participate in large numbers.

In another video posted on Wednesday, Rana said he was going to Udaipur to meet Regars family, and dared the administration to arrest him.

Indrajit Singh of Bajrang Dal said they do not support Rana.

He is only a social media hero. He has no base or support on the ground. We have nothing to do with him. He was coming to vitiate the atmosphere here, Singh told HT.

Six persons  four from Rajsamand and two from Udaipur  have been arrested in the past few days for posting inflammatory messages online following the Muslim labourers murder.

The Rajsamand police have also frozen a bank account of Regars wife after the number shared online asking people to contribute money for the family.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commissioned the first of the six Scorpene submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy and said its induction was a big step in the countrys defence preparedness.

Modi boarded the submarine and unveiled its plaque, after meeting veterans of the first Kalvari who were present at the ceremony.

Kalvari is an excellent example of our Make in India programme, he said, speaking at the commissioning ceremony here this morning.

Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler were among those present at the ceremony.

Modi thanked France for this strategic joint project and described the commissioning of the submarine as a matter of pride for 125 crore Indians.

It is a matter of pride for me to commission this submarine. Kalvaris induction in the Navy is a big step in defence preparedness, Modi said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

The power of Kalvari, that of a tiger shark, will strengthen our Navy, the prime minister said.

He said India has always been the first responder in times of crisis for neighbours, be it floods, water shortage or cyclones, in Sri Lanka, Maldives or Bangladesh.

During the Nepal earthquake, Indian Navy and Air Force rendered major assistance, he noted.

Modi also dwelt on the sabka saath sabka vikas motto of his government and cited the successful tackling of terrorism and Maoist threats.

So far this year, around 200 terrorists have been killed by police and security forces in Kashmir. There has been a reduction in the number of stone pelting incidents there, he said.

He said, There has also been a decline in Naxal violence. This shows people are veering towards the path of development.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said submarine building is a sophisticated and exacting craft which very few countries possess in their industrial capacity.

India has proven its capability to build submarines for the past 25 years. These are highly significant steps in the direction of Make in India and Skill India. Making submarines benefits industry not only by itself through orders but also through stringent quality control, she said.

Maharashtra governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, vice-admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Naval Command, and top defence officials also attended the event.

Kalvari underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment, a Navy official said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster Indias maritime prowess.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

The technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons, an official of the MDL said.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.
The Supreme Court on Thursday referred the issue of fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs to the governments expert body, Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), for a fresh review of their safety, efficacy and therapeutic justification before recommending action.

After the examination by the DTAB or a sub-committee constituted by it and hearing all concerned stakeholders, the expert body will be required to forward its report to the government for action within six months, held a bench headed by justice Rohinton F. Nariman.

The court kept out of the purview of its order the 15 FDCs that were licensed prior to 1988. It also held that status quo be maintai- ned in the case of the 329 FDCs being referred to DTAB for review.

Welcoming the order, the All India Drugs Action Network said the courts directive clears way for the government to take steps to weed out large numbers of irrational, unscientific and hazardous FDCs prevalent in India.

The 344 FDCs account for only about 5% of the value of total FDCs in India, approximately half of which are considered to be irrational. The government should proactively take advantage of the space afforded by this order to weed other irrational FDCs in the interest of patient safety, said S. Srinivasan, co-convenor of the network.

Pfizer Ltd, the Indian unit of US-based drug maker, whose Corex cough syrup was part of the FDC drugs banned by the Centre, said it fully supports the government in its goal of eradicating irrational combinations and medicines not duly approved by state and central regulators through a consultative process.

In January, the Centre had filed an appeal against a December 2016 ruling of the Delhi high court quashing its 10 March, 2016 notification banning 344 FDC drugs citing health risks and lack of therapeutic justification.

On 31 March, SC stayed proceedings in all HCs against the ban on 344 FDC drugs. An FDC drug contains two or more active ingredients in a fixed ratio.
A Parsi trust in Gujarats Valsad has decided to allow a 46-year-old Parsi woman married outside the community to attend the last rites of her family members in the Tower of Silence when the need arises, the Supreme Court was informed on Thursday.

We got it straight from the high priest and not the trust members. In deference to this courts suggestion (asking the trustees to reconsider the ban), which was made for a community that is diminishing, the high priest has agreed to let the petitioner attend all death ceremonies and also offer prayers, senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told a five-judge constitution bench.

Subramanium said the area where a ceremonial bath is given to the dead bodies will be accessible to them.

The top court was hearing a petition filed by Goolrokh Gupta who challenged the rationale behind the Gujarat high court order that upheld Valsad Parsi Anjuman Trusts decision to bar her from offering prayers at the Tower of Silence after she married a Hindu man.

She said her marriage was under the Special Marriage Act that gave her the right to practice her own religion and not disown it.

The high court had ruled that once a woman marries a man outside her faith, she loses her belief and right to practice her religion. The high court observed the woman chose to even change her name.

The courts suggestion to sort out the issue was made when a woman lawyer  a Parsi married to a non-Parsi  told the court on a query that such a restriction was not prevalent in Delhi. Some other Parsi women said this was unique to the particular trust in Gujarat.

The constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra last week asked Subramanium to speak with members of the Valsad trust and inform it about their decision on December 14.

The bench recorded the senior advocates statement and passed an interim order. It, however, said it would hold a detailed hearing on whether such a ban can exist on January 17.

This meets the present and immediate requirement, the bench said, praising the high priest and Subramaniums efforts in resolving the issue.

With regard to the other rights raised by the petitioner the hearing shall be next year. The rights claimed by the petitioner deserve to be decided in accordance with law, the court ordered.

Parsis are among the smallest minority groups in India and follow the Zoroastrian faith, an ancient pre-Islamic religion of Iran. Marriages outside the community are not encouraged by conservatives and under traditional laws, lineage passes through fathers but not mothers and children of Parsi women who marry non-Parsis are not considered Parsis.
Bengaluru FC defeated FC Pune City 3-1 in an away match of the Indian Super League encounter on Thursday. Fr Bengaluru, Miku scored a brace while Sunil Chhetri scored one goal. Pune scored one through Adil Khan. Get full football score of FC Pune City vs Bengaluru FC here.

If you cant see full score of Pune vs Bengaluru, click here.
Vladimir Putin: Do you want such Saakashvilis to destroy the country? (video)

Ksenia Sobchak, a well-known TV-host asked a question to the RF President Vladimir Putin at a press conference today, presenting herself as a journalist of Dozhd TV. She reminded that she was going to run for presidency in Russia's upcoming elections. "Because you are not involved in debates, it is not possible to get in touch with you, so I decided to ask my question this way," she said to Vladimir Putin. The issue was related to the election campaign. "The problem is that the opposition representatives either are not allowed to participate in the election campaign or obstacles are created for them. I feel it on myself." Sobchak brought the example of Aleksey Navalkin, who also was not allowed to bring forward his candidacy. She also faced obstacles: people were afraid to communicate with her, while renting territories problems rose, and so on. "I know that being in opposition in Russia means that either you will be killed, or imprisoned. Why is the government afraid of fair competition?" Vladimir Putin explained that the opposition should present people with a clear plan of opposition actions. Going against everyone was not an opposition plan. "What do you suggest for solving the issues that are under discussions today? And speaking about persona, do you want people like Saakashvili to be a lot among us? Those whom you mentioned are Saakashvilis. Do you want such Saakashvilis to destroy the country? And, of course, the competition should and will be."
Chief minister Vasundhara Rajes decision on increasing the upper age limit for government jobs to 40 years instead of 35 will backfire in view of lack of employment opportunities, opposition leaders and economists said.

As Rajasthan enters the poll year, Raje announced on Wednesday an array of schemes, including relaxation in upper age limit for government jobs. Celebrating the fourth anniversary of her government, she also said 1.40 lakh more government jobs will be up for grabs soon.

It is another poll sop. Where are the new jobs? Tinkering with the age data will not provide job opportunities, state Congress president Sachin Pilot said.

State BJP president Ashok Paranami, however, said, Our government is a well wisher of youths, and the decision is taken to promote them by providing more opportunities.

Economist VS Vyas said, The governments decision will be ineffective as people will not wait till they are 40; rather it will benefit only those who are already employed, especially in the private sector. If the governments objective is to solve the unemployment problem, then it will not serve the purpose.

Budget Analysis Rajasthan Centre coordinator Nissar Ahmed said, How does it hold any importance in creating jobs? Increasing the age will make more people eligible for government jobs. Without increasing opportunities, we are increasing applicants.

CPI (M) leader Amra Ram said, The government is not providing new jobs, rather taking away many, such as Vidhyarthi Mitr (teachers). Schools and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation motels are being privatised. Over 20,000 schools are closed.

Hitting out at privatisation business, Ram said, Thousands of applicants line up for the jobs advertised by the government. People who did not get through (for jobs) till 35 years, how could they do it at the age of 40? They (government) will just loot through forms and examinations fees.

State BSP president Sita Ram said, The government is not advertising jobs. Why this drama? BJP promised 15 lakh jobs in last elections. If they could have worked in a systematic way, any change in age limit would not have been needed.

BOX: Socio Economic Caste Census 2011

Employment and income characteristics (rural) in Rajasthan:

Total households  1,02,23,073

Number of households with salaried jobs 925475

Percentage of households with salaried jobs  9.05%

Number of households with salaried jobs:

Government sector  570156 (5.58%)

Public sector  62625 (0.61%)

Private sector  292750 (2.86%)
The state government has cancelled the appointment of 502 medical officers after they failed to join duty within the stipulated dates.

The health department has also directed all the chief medical and health officers (CMHOS) in the districts not to allow these doctors to join any hospital, officials said.

Director, public health, VK Mathur issued the order on December 11.

The health department had given appointment to 911 officers, selected by the Rajasthan University for Health Sciences, Jaipur, on July 12. They were told to join by July 28. Another 259 doctors, appointed on September 26, were required to join by October 9. Of the 1170 medical officers recruited, 502 did not join duty within the scheduled time, officials said.

Mathur said the appointments were cancelled after the medical officers ignored notices directing them to join duty. It was a necessary step, so that the process can be started for the fresh recruitment, he said.

In Barmer district, 32 appointments were cancelled  the highest in the state; 28 were cancelled in Bhilwara, 16 each in Nagaur, Alwar, Sriganganagar and Pali, 17 each in Ajmer and Banswara, 13 each in Hanumangarh, Sikar and Pratapgarh, 11 each in Rajsamand 11 and Dungarpur, 8 each in Kota, Jalore and Churu, 25 in Jodhpur, 14 each in Bikaner and Jhunjhunu, 4 each in Dausa, Sawai Madhopur and Bundi, 22 in Baran, 23 in Dholpur, 6 each in Tonk, Karauli and Jaisalmer, 15 each in Jhalawar and Chittorgarh, 20 in Udaipuar, 5 in Sirohi, and 1 in Jaipur, the order said.

Sanjay Thakur, a health activist, said the cancellations shows that doctors do not want to serve in rural areas. Only one appointment has been cancelled in Jaipur, but 32 in Barmer. This shows the attraction of urban areas. How can the government improve health services in rural areas given this scenario?

It was claimed during the selection of medical officers that the recruitments would strengthen health services in the state.
Amid prevailing tension in Udaipur over circulation of a communal video, representatives of Akhil Bharatiya Regar Mahasabha and some Muslim groups on Thursday urged the government to ensure communal harmony in the state.

The appeal comes after Shambhu Lal Regar allegedly hacked a migrant Muslim labourer to death in Rajsamand and burned his body last week.

He also uploaded a video of his gruesome act on social media along with other videos where he made inflammatory remarks against a section of the society.

Situation remained tense in Udaipur as Section 144 of CrPC (prohibiting assembly) was imposed in Udaipur and Rajsamand on Thursday.

In a joint statement, the organisations said enmity was being created between Dalits and Muslims through glorification of the accused.

Shambhu was influenced by some communal organisations, alleged the statement signed by representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Ambedkarite Party of India and Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity among others.

The statement also demanded that authorities should stop those glorifying the accused, making inflammatory speeches and indulging in rumour mongering on social media.

We want that a judicial enquiry be conducted in the matter and action be taken against those who might have instigated the accused, said Surendra Kumar Mohanpuriya, state president of Regar Mahasabha.

Anil Kotwal of Dr Ambedkar Welfare Society said it was the responsibility of the state to allay the fear and insecurity that has gripped a section of the society.
The Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA), which was waiting to happen for a decade now, is likely to see the light of the day after the state cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to the bill.

Incorporating the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) legislated in 1999, the bill will be tabled in the winter session of the state legislature commencing from Thursday.

The BSP government had in 2007 decided to bring UPCOCA to check organized crime. A team of senior officers was then sent to Maharashtra to study the implementation of MCOCA. In March 2008, the then chief minister Mayawati tabled the Bill in the legislative assembly.

The long and short of it In 2007, Mayawati BSP government decided to bring UPCOCA to check organized crime. The BSP government sent UPCOCA to the centre for presidential assent but the then Congress led UPA government opposed the Act fearing that it might be misused against the minority community. Now once again the BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath has taken it up expressing its desire to break the backbone of the crime syndicates flourishing in the state.

The BSP government sent UPCOCA to the centre for presidential assent but the then Congress led UPA government opposed the Act fearing that it might be misused against the minority community. Denial of the President approval and scathing attack launched by arch rival Samajwadi Party terming the BSP anti-Muslim put Mayawati on the back foot. It was dumped silently before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Also, the BSP, which grabbed power in 2007 riding on the law and order issue, saw top gangsters, including Mukhtar Ansari, Brijesh Singh, Dhananjay Singh, Bhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit, Umakant Yadav, Jitendra Singh Babloo and Abhay Singh, joining the BSP rank, forcing the party to go slow against organized crime, said RK Prasad, a teacher in VBS Purvanchal University.

A senior state government officer said the deliberation for the law actually started during the BJP government under Kalyan Singh (September 1997- November 1999). Singh constituted the Special Task Force to eliminate top gangsters active in the state and planned to break the nexus between criminals-politicians-contractors-government officers. Officers were directed to study MCOCA passed by Maharashtra government in 1999. But before the orders could be put on a roll, Kalyan Singh resigned as CM.

Now once again the BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath has taken it up expressing its desire to break the backbone of the crime syndicates flourishing in the state.

The state government has already directed the state police to launch a drive against hardened criminals. Already, police have killed around 30 criminals in encounters in various districts. The UPCOCA will help the state government in breaking criminal-politician-contractor-government officer nexus, said a senior police officer.

Talking to HT, former DGP and architect of police reforms Prakash Singh said, UPCOCA is necessary as there is no law in the state to deal with organized crime. The fear that the law will be misused cannot restrain the state from enacting the legislation.

Read more: Uttar Pradesh bill UPCOCB to curb organised crime, allows seizure of properties during probe

MCOCA is in force in Maharashtra since 1999. Other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Delhi, have enacted a similar law.

Singh said the Second Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Veerappa Moily (2007) had stated that the incidents of organized crime was on the rise in the country and if not checked they had the potential to threaten national peace and security.

Along with a central law, the Commission had suggested setting up of special courts, enhanced punishment, special evidence rules, circumstances under which confession to police officers could be admissible in trials, protection of witnesses, forfeiture and attachment of property of the criminals and authorization for interception of communication, Singh said.

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Two women students of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) were not able to hold their excitement after they were chosen to share their experiences before President Ram Nath Kovind. The President will be the chief guest at the universitys convocation which is scheduled on December 15.

The two chosen students are Sushma Verma, the youngest Indian to get enrolled in a PhD course at the age of 15 and Neelu Sharma, 27, a PhD scholar of mass communication.

Sushma Verma, the youngest Indian to get enrolled in a PhD course at the age of 15 (HT Photo)

Its a double delight for Sushma as she had received medal from PM Narendra Modi at BBAUs convocation in January 2016 and now she has got a chance to speak in front of President Kovind.

Read more| BBAU convocation: Golden glory despite humble origins

Im at a loss of words as I dont know what I will speak in front of the President. It was surprised when vice-chancellor RC Sobti told me that I was chosen to speak at the convocation, says Sushma, who already holds the distinction of being the youngest postgraduate at 15 and youngest matriculate at seven which found her a place in the Limca Book of Records.

Neelu Sharma, 27, a PhD scholar of mass communication. (HT Photo)

I was told that Ill get a minute or two to share my views. I feel honoured that the university chose me. This is a lifetime achievement, Sushma said.

Even Neelu Sharma was overwhelmed when the V-C informed her that she has been chosen to speak before the President. This is a big moment for me. I never expected this. Im thrilled that the university has bestowed this honour on me, she said.

Read more| Lucknow: BBAU dalit student says no to medal

Neelu got admission in the PhD course under the single girl child scheme. In April, she lapped UGC Swami Vivekananda single girl child scholarship wherein she is getting 30,000 per month as a research fellow. She also bagged the fellowship of 1000 British pounds from a UK-based organisation.

We have chosen these girls for their achievements. We are really happy to have them as our students and the university has a lot of expectations from them. Im sure President Kovind will be delighted to meet these students, said V-C RC Sobti.

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A fresh political controversy erupted in Uttar Pradesh with former chief minister Mayawati accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of hounding her partys Dalit mayor during the Tuesdays oath taking ceremony in which the BJP and the BSP stood divided on singing Vande Mataram, the national song.

Sunita Verma, the Meerut mayor belonging to the BSP, had refused to sing Vande Mataram during the oath taking ceremony. Her refusal angered the BJP corporators who started singing the national song in chorus. This was followed by chants of Jai Sri Ram. The BSP corporators, who were outnumbered by those of the BJP, retaliated with Jai Bhim, their partys slogan.

Though the BJP failed to get its mayor elected in Meerut, its corporators outnumber those of the BSP. There 38 BJP corporators against 28 of the BSP in the 90-member corporation.

The Congress and the Samajwadi Party hardly have any presence in the Meerut Municipal Corporation, where independents stood third after the BJP and the BSP.

Some tension between the BSP and the BJP was also reported from the Aligarh Municipal Corporation where also the BSP defeated the BJP for the mayors post. In Aligarh, the BJP has demanded action against a BSP Muslim corporator for taking oath in Urdu.

But Meerut was the place where the major controversy erupted. With numbers on their side, the BJP corporators were angry at Vermas announcement that she would reverse her predecessor Harikant Ahluwalias decision to make singing of the national song compulsory in the corporation.

The BJP corporators started singing Vande Mataram during the oath taking ceremony even as the BSP mayor remained seated.

We respect the constitution but the manner in which the BJP tried to create chaos during the oath taking ceremony was most reprehensible, Mayawati said.

The issue is expected to kick up political dust in the most populous state with the BSP likely to take up the issue during the winter session of the UP assembly beginning Thursday.

Whats more, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, which has consistently favoured Vande Mataram, has already planned a mammoth show of strength in Meerut in February. The latest controversy could only spice up the political war between the BJP and the BSP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Yogesh Verma, a former BSP lawmaker and husband of the Meerut mayor, defended his wifes decision not to sing Vande Mataram. He said in future too the proceedings of the Corporation would be carried on as per the constitution.

Verma found a ready backer in Mayawati who asked the government to explain if singing Vande Mataram was compulsory under the constitution.

Though Vande Mataram, penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, has been accorded the status of national song, its singing hasnt been made mandatory under the constitution.

The BJP has always been in favour of singing the song as it sees the lyrics as an ode to the motherland. A section of the Muslims have cited religious grounds to justify their opposition to certain passages of the national song. In fact, seven Muslim corporators in the previous Meerut Municipal Corporation had defied the orders of the then mayor on singing it and had been suspended.

Whats wrong with Vande Mataram? Mayawati and her party must make it clear if they have any problem with singing the song in praise of our motherland. There is nothing wrong with singing the national song and we are proud of our cadre who sang it, UP BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.
A Japanese tourist, who reached Mughalsarai on Thursday, alleged that his bag containing clothes, important travelling documents including visa and passport, was stolen by a person claiming to be a guide from Varanasi.

According to police officials, Akiro Tanaka, 20, got off the train at Mughalsarai on Thursday morning when a man claiming to be a guide contacted him. While they were speaking, the man snatched his bag and ran away.

GRP officials said that Tanaka went to the office of deputy superintendent of the station SK Singh and narrated the incident. Singh informed GRP and RPF sleuths and a team reached his office.

Singh later provided 1500 to Tanaka and instructed GRP and RPF sleuths to take him to tourist helpline in Varanasi.

Assistant tourist officer Vikas Narayan said that Tanaka along with the GRP team contacted officials at Varanasi tourist helpline at Cantt railway station.

A train ticket to New Delhi was arranged for Tanaka who was also given Rs 1,500. He boarded Mahamana Express for New Delhi. After reaching New Delhi, He would go to the Japanese embassy.

He was provided money required for the fare from New Delhi railway station to the embassy and was given address and numbers of the Japanese embassy, Narayan said, adding that Tanaka lodged a complaint at Sigra police station. Police said an FIR had been lodged following Tanakas complaint.
A dalit student of the Babasaheb Bhimarao Ambedkar University (BBAU) has refused to accept medal at the universitys convocation on December 15. President Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest at the event.

Sudhakar Pushkar, who belongs to scheduled caste, said he was doing so because of university administrations discriminatory attitude towards dalit students.

Officials are harassing the dalit students in the university. Dalit students are rusticated and punished severely which is not the case with general category students. You cannot have two separate rules for student community, he said.

Sudhakar, who is pursuing PhD from the university, said his protest was against the system prevailing in the university and it had nothing to do with the Presidents visit.

A UGC audit report had recently flayed Ambedkar university for the caste politics prevalent on its campus. The final death knell for the university is the role of caste and the part it has played in completely polarising the institution into various groups, special interests, political groupings, the report had said.

Read: UGC warning to Bhimrao Ambedkar University faculty on discrimination against SC, ST students

It may be recalled that dalit students had also protested during PM Narenra Modi visit to BBAU convocation in January 2016.
The state cabinet on Wednesday approved Uttar Pradesh Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Promotion Policy-2017 to attract investment and create more jobs in MSME sector in Uttar Pradesh.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the meeting of the cabinet that also approved Uttar Pradesh Information Technology and Startup Policy 2017 and Uttar Pradesh Electronics Manufacturing Policy 2017.

This way, the cabinet has approved major policies ahead of the UP Investors Summit being organized in Lucknow on February 21 and 22. The state government has been holding roadshows in major cities to attract investors for the summit.

UP government spokespersons and ministers Siddharth Nath Singh and Shrikant Sharma later briefed media persons about the cabinet decisions and said incentives in accordance with provisions of Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development and Employment Promotion Policy would be provided for setting up new MSMEs. The new policy provides for making cheaper land available for setting up MSMEs. The policy provides for setting up of industrial parks and estates of over 20 acres.

The state cabinet approved higher specifications for setting up of modular transplant ICU on third floor of Shatabdi Phase-1 of King George Medical University in Lucknow. Singh said after completion of the project kidney, liver and heart transport would be possible at the KGMU.

The cabinet also approved biometric and Aadhar based attendance system for its employees and officers to mark attendance in Uttar Pradesh Secretariat. The new system will ensure that the government staff reached the secretariat on time.

A proposal to set up Nyay Gram Township for Allahabad High Courts judges and staff at Devghat village of Allahabad was also approved. The state governments finance expenditure committee has approved an estimated cost of Rs 395 crore for the project. The township will have an auditorium building, judicial academy, administrative building, training centre, library and non-residential buildings.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to amend rules for refund of amount of unused stamp papers. Amended rules will empower state government to refund the amount of four to eight year old unused stamp papers. Assistant commissioner stamps and deputy commissioner stamps have been empowered to refund amount of up to two year old and two to four year old unused stamp papers.

A proposal to set up a tehsil level integrated village fund under the provisions of Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code was also approved.

The proposal to implement Uttar Pradesh Rice Export Promotion Policy (2017-2022) for five years from November 11, 2017 to November 6, 2022 also got the cabinet nod. Under the policy, the exporters will be given exemption in Mandi fees and development cess.
Local musicians play classical tunes on a boat carrying foreign tourists from Dashashwamedh Ghat early in the morning as the visitors enjoy the beauty of Varanasis famed riverfront.

Musicians and boatmen have come up with this innovative way to draw more tourists to the ghats for Kashis magical sunrise, known as Subah-e-Banaras. Each ride takes an estimated 90 minutes, spanning the length of Varanasis unbroken chain of ghats.

Shivkumar Shukla, a local tabla player involved in the venture, says, I have performed on a boat on the Ganga on several occasions in the past. But playing the tabla among foreign tourists is an entirely new experience. We have thought of this way to make the foreigners visit memorable.

The tourists get to choose from a combination of tabla-sitar, flute-sitar, flute-tabla and tabla-flute, sitar and harmonium.

Shukla says the innovation introduced a few months ago is attracting many tourists, including domestic ones. While many tourists prefer sitar, others ask for a combination of tabla and sitar, or sitar and flute. The artistes are roped in accordance with the demand of the tourists. Dhruv Kumar Mishra, another local musician, plays the sitar.

As tourists board the boat, I start playing tabla and Atul Kumar plays flute. The boat moves along the river slowly as the tourists look at the ghats, enjoying and applauding the tunes, Shukla adds.

A musical ride on a small boat with five people costs Rs 7,000, Rs 11,000 on a medium-sized boat and Rs 15,000 for a large boat. The tourists usually book an entire boat. The cost per person comes to Rs 1100.

Francoise Sutra, a French tourist, says, It is a wonderful experience. Great tunes, great ghats. Many other tourists react in a similar way.

Because of the innovation, the tourists now prefer manual boats to diesel engine ones.

Tourists now take manually operated small boats, which are noiseless, to enjoy Subah-e-Banaras and listen to live classical tunes. Diesel boats make a lot of noise and emit fumes, Shukla says.

With the trend expected to catch on, the income of small boat operators will increase.

Boating with live classical tunes of flute and tabla is really a great experience. I never thought of such a mind blowing experience during my trip to Varanasi, Ravi Kumar, a resident of Mumbai, says. He was delighted to know that he can enjoy live classical tunes while boating.

Vinod Nishad aka Guru, president of the Maa Ganga Nishadraj Association (organisation of boatmen), has played a crucial role in the new initiative.

We have received a very good response. Foreign tourists like it. They are overjoyed when they come to know that they will get a chance to enjoy the classical tunes, he says.

He gets in touch with hotels and makes arrangements according to the demands made by the tourists.

Another boatman Prabhu Manjhi, who also ropes in the artistes, says, If tourists demand live music while boating, we bring the artistes. They play instruments and tourists enjoy the boat rides and the scenic view of the ghats, stretched over seven and a half kilometres.

Gunjan Kumar, a resident of Patna, says: I saw a group of tourists enjoying live tunes on boats. This is a new beginning. When I visit the city the next time, I would like to experience boating while listening to classical tabla and flute tunes.

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A tiny replica of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus and a plastic cat squatting on sushi: just two of the weird-and-wonderful capsule toys that have become a multi-million-dollar craze in cute-obsessed Japan. The industry is now worth an estimated 30 billion yen ($265 million), with the fastidious attention to detail in the toys appealing to the Japanese sense of precision along with a well-documented love of all things kawaii or cute.

One store, in Tokyos famous Akihabara electronics district, is crammed with around 500 capsule toy vending machines stretching out as far as the eye can see. When I see something I want, I keep on turning the crank until I get it, said Shota Makita, a 23-year-old careworker on the hunt for a fun toy.

Capsule toys have been around for more than 40 years but the craze really took off in 2012. (AFP)

Theres a sense of excitement about not knowing what Ill get, said Makita, one of a growing number of adult consumers of capsule toys, known as gachagacha or gachapon in Japanese after the cranking sound. Store manager Yo Kono says the customer base has changed in the 16 years the shop has been open.

In the beginning, visitors were mainly male anime fans... but recently the number of customers is growing with more female visitors and foreign tourists, Kono said.

A man turns the crank of a vending machine during his hunt for capsule toys at a store in Tokyos Akihabara district. (AFP)

Cheap and Instagram-worthy

Capsule toys have been around for more than 40 years but the craze really took off in 2012 when Tokyo-based manufacturer Kitan Club launched its Koppu no Fuchico (Fuchico at the edge of a glass) product. This figurine of a woman wearing a typical office workers clothes, whose arms or legs were designed to hang over the edge of a glass, became an instant hit with adults.

We never thought of targeting children. Their numbers are dwindling and adults have more money, said spokesman Seita Shiki. Shiki chalks up the Fuchico capsules success to the fact it is cheap and Instagram-worthy.

Capsule toys displayed at Tokyo-based manufacturer Kitan Club. (AFP)

Fans have been sharing photos of Fuchico on social media, which helped boost its popularity without the company even needing to advertise, he boasted. Fuchico was launched just as social media started to be used widely. It fit with the times.

Kitan Club, which makes various kinds of capsule toys, saw its sales grow from 800 million yen to 1.2 billion yen after the launch of the Fuchico series. The capsule toy became so popular that the company was asked to create a pop-up shop at the cult Paris concept store Colette and to hold an exhibition in Taiwan.

The miniature trinkets nestled inside plastic bubbles target adults as well as children and ride the wave of social media as the ultimate Instagram-ready accessory. (AFP)

Very Japanese

Now, many manufacturers are making capsule toys to appeal to adult consumers, helping to expand the market to around 100 new items each month. Manufacturer Bandai, which occupies around 70% of the capsule toy market, said the products sell well because they are expertly made and come in huge varieties.

When Bandai began making capsule toys exactly 40 years ago in 1977, the majority of them were cheap, sold mostly at 20 yen, and were of poor quality, general manager Toshikazu Saita said. A wide variety of quality products are available at only 200 or 300 yen. I think thats a reason why theyre so popular now, said Saita.

He said the quality of the products was down to specialists who hand-carve prototypes by paying attention to angles and colours. The attention to detail is very Japanese, he said.

But to keep costs down, the actual toys are manufactured in China using the Japanese design as a prototype. Shiki of Kitan Club agreed that attention to detail was what set Japanese capsule toys apart. For example, Fuchicos knees and elbows are slightly sprayed with red paint to make them look real, he explained. This adds one extra step but we feel we have to do this even if it adds to the cost, he added.

It certainly appeals to Nana Sakuma, 26, who snapped up four capsule toys in the shape of Japanese food stalls from machines in the Akihabara store. She said: Im really happy to find toys that are so real. When I see real things turned into miniatures, I find them irresistibly cute. I cannot help but buy them.

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The state government will act against 72 private blood banks that overcharge patients in the next three months, public health minister Deepak Sawant said on Thursday.

Legislators Eknath Khadse (BJP) and Shashikant Shinde (Nationalist Congress Party) raised the question of commercialisation and profiteering by some of private banks. There have been instances of blood banks charging patients more than the stipulated prices, they alleged.

Replying to it, Sawant said action has been initiated against 72 of the 328 blood banks in the state and it will be completed within 3 months.

The minister said the government was serious about implementation of the Clinical Establishment Act, as suggested by the Centre, to curb overcharging and profiteering by doctors and hospitals. He said the state was apprehensive about some of the clauses in the draft sent by the Centre as they could act against the interest of the patients.

Admitting that 1.8% of the blood collected goes waste, Sawant said the percentage is still less than the national average of 2.04%. He said the government is considering a centre at KEM hospital in Mumbai to separate plasma from blood to avoid wastage.

Sawant also told the legislative Assembly about the action was taken against 20 quacks in a special drive.

Replying to another question, Sawant said that during a special drive undertaken from March 15 to May 31, 81 bogus doctors have been booked and first information reports have been registered against 20 of them. We screened 37,068 hospitals and found 6,742 of them were not complying with the rules. Environment-related rules have been flouted by 2,084 clinics and doctors. One hundred and sixty nine clinics and hospitals have been penalised, while 27 of them have been sealed. We also found violation of the provisions in Medical Termination Act 1971 by five sonography centres that faced action, he said.
Two years after being booked for molesting a girl and spending several months in jail, the sessions court last week declared the accused a minor and transferred the case to the Juvenile Justice Board.

It was at a later stage we realised that the investigating officer had done nothing to check the age of accused. His parents are illiterate to know their rights. Hence, we checked proof and certificates, that revealed his age is 17, a juvenile said the teenagers advocate.

A resident of Nehru Nagar, he was accused of stalking and molesting a girl from his locality. However, the defense had claimed that it was a love affair and several letters were exchanged between them.

It was claimed that as the girls parents became aware about the alleged association, the girl distanced herself. However, he followed her to several places after which the girls family lodged a complaint.

The teenager was arrested on August 28, 2015, and released in December the same year.

The court had issued a non-bailable warrant as he failed to appear in court. However, during the trial he had shifted to Rajasthan. He was arrested in October this year again and was in jail since, his lawyer said.

The defense lawyer had moved a plea in September and said that the investigating officer had not followed guidelines set by the Supreme Court.

The investigating officer said that he had not done the ossification test of the accused. He also admitted that he had not informed relatives or parents of the boy about his arrest, claims the application.

The family produced his original birth certificate issued by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Rajasthan, and also sought ossification test.

After examining evidence, the court on December 6, accepted that he was a minor. The case has now been transferred to juvenile court.

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In what could set alarm bells ringing for the state, a total of 5,004 new leprosy cases were detected in Maharashtra this year, of which 41% cases are multibacillary cases, indicating that they are highly infectious.

Leprosy, a contagious bacterial infection, declared eliminated at the national level a decade back, is finding its way back, worrying state doctors as more active cases are coming to light.

Among leprosy cases, multibacillary cases are the most worrisome, as these patients have a high bacterial count as compared to paucibacillary cases, in which the bacterial count is low and are non-infectious, said Dr Vivek Pai, founder of the Bombay Leprosy Project, a city-based non-governmental organisation that has been treating leprosy patients in the state for over two decades.

Patients with multibacillary leprosy have very high bacterial count, and are active sources of transmission. In these patients, the disease is progressive compared to patients with paucibacillary infection, he said.

To classify patients into multibacillary and paucibacillary cases, doctors conduct smear tests of the skin to examine the sample under a microscope. Alternatively, patients with less than five skin lesions are diagnosed as paucibacillary, while all others are diagnosed as multicavillary, said a state official who was involved in the survey.

Additionally, findings revealed that 11% of the total active cases were found in children, another example of active transmission of disease in the society, said experts. Children have a lower immunity than adults, which is why they catch the infection faster. The findings suggest that the proportion of cases in children is higher than the national trend, which is 9.6% of the total number of leprosy cases, Dr Pai said.

The active cases came to light after the state conducted a survey between September 5 and 20, 2017 covering a population of 4 crore across 22 districts. In the previous round of the survey, conducted between September 19 and October 5, 2016, 4,134 new cases where detected.

Dr Sanjeev Kamble, joint director of health (TB and Leprosy), Maharashtra, said that this year, the maximum number of cases- 514 and 345- were detected in Palghar and Gadchiroli, respectively. He, however, added that the number of cases with visible disabilities is on a decline.

All the active cases that were detected in the survey have been put on treatment at local primary health care centres, he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the exact mechanism of transmission of leprosy is not known. However, it says, at least until recently, the most widely-held belief was that the disease was transmitted by contact between cases of leprosy and healthy persons. More recently, the possibility of transmission by the respiratory route is gaining ground.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Pratibha Girkar won the civic by-poll in Kandivli on Thursday, bagging a total of 9,591 votes. Pratibha, daughter-in-law of late BJP corporator Shailaja Girkar, defeated the Congress candidate by 7,607 votes. This victory has upped the BJPs strength in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to 83 seats.

The Shiv Sena backed the BJP candidate in this election.

The Sena, however, continues to maintain a small lead in the BMC, with 84 sitting corporators, one more than the BJP. It also has the support of four Independent corporators, while the BJP is backed by two Independents.

The issue of six Maharashtra Navnirman Sena corporators defecting to join the Sena is pending with the Konkan Divisional Commissioner.

Ward number 31 fell vacant after Shailaja Girkar passed away following a heart attack in September. Two candidates  the BJPs Pratibha Girkar, and Congress Neelam Madale  contested in the by-poll held on Wednesday. Girkar won 9,591 votes and Madale bagged 1,984 votes; 229 opted for NOTA (None of the Above).
The Bombay high court on Thursday questioned the validity of the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) decision to drop charges against 14 Muslims (nine arrested and five wanted) booked in connection with the 2006 Malegaon bomb blast case, and book four purported Hindu extremists instead.

How can you name these four persons, when two competent agencies (Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Central Bureau of Investigation) have not said anything about them in their charge sheets, the division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice NW Sambre asked the NIA. The bench was hearing a petition filed by ATS challenging the NIA special courts April 2017 decision to discharge all the accused booked by ATS and bail pleas of the four arrested by the NIA.

The comment came after a lawyer of one of the accused arrested by the NIA, pointed out that the ATS had conducted a detailed investigation into the case, arrested 9 persons, recorded some of their confessions and filed the charge sheet. Subsequently, the CBI had confirmed the findings. Besides, the Supreme Court had upheld the application of stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case. Despite all this, the NIA filed its own charge sheet, with completely different conclusions. Against this backdrop, the judges sought to know, as to how there could be two different charge sheets.

NIA defended its charge sheet saying it is based on evidence gathered during its probe, where it concluded that the blasts were carried out by a Hindu group. It cited the statement of RSS member Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Mecca Masjid blast, where he said in 2010, that the 2006 Malegaon blast was the handiwork of late RSS Pracharak Sunil Joshis boys.

NIAs probe revealed that Manohar Nawaria, Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh, Shiv Singh, Sunil Joshi, Ramchandra Kalsangra, Ramesh Mahalkar, Sandeep Dange, and others, had conspired to commit terrorist acts at various places in India, specifically in Malegaon.

NIA also said that ATS claim, that accused Mohammad Jahid Ansari planted the bomb at Malegaon on September 8, 2006, was wrong. It claimed Ansari was in Yavatmal on that day. It also claimed Shabbir Batterywala, who allegedly supplied the explosives, was in judicial custody from August to September 2006.
Several city colleges have written to the University of Mumbai (MU) requesting that the first-year Masters in Arts (MA) exams be postponed. Their contention is that because of the delay in online assessments, all colleges were forced to accept admissions to post-graduate courses till mid-October, which has given them little time to complete the required portion.

Normally, admissions are over by August, and teachers get nearly three months to complete the portion before exams. This time, we started classes only after mid-October and then had to break for Diwali holidays. Students have barely attended classes for one month, said the principal of a suburban college, who did not wish to be named. She said her college has sent a letter to the varsity requesting that the MA exams be postponed from December to January, so that teachers get some more time to finish whats required.

Most colleges were shut between October 15 and November 7 for Diwali holidays. Though we conducted extra lectures during vacations, we could not force students or teachers to change their holiday plans, so full-fledged lectures began only in November, said the coordinator of a college in south Mumbai, requesting anonymity. Its unfair to expect teachers to finish the full portion of a semester in six weeks.

The original deadline set by the university to complete admissions to PG courses was August 21. However, after it failed to announce all results by then, the MU asked colleges to keep their admissions open till all results were announced. This process, however, took two more months, and colleges had to accept admissions till mid-October, when all results were finally released.

After repeated requests from colleges and students, MU recently agreed to postpone the exams of first-year MSc and MCom students, for the same reason. However, it has not done so for the MA course. Basically, the university is not taking action until we complain, so we have written to the authorities about the problem. Hopefully, they will change the dates before exams begin, said Dinesh Panjwani, principal of RD National College, Bandra.

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Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a bid to retaliate to the attacks by the opposition, claimed on Thursday that of the loan waiver granted by the previous government in 2008-09, 39.43% was extended to ineligible beneficiaries. He alleged that politicians and their relatives had been the ones to benefit most from the previous loan waiver.

The Maharashtra government implemented a loan waiver of Rs10,000 crore, including Rs6,000 crore released by the Centre, in 2008-09. About 39.43% of the amount or Rs4,000 crore has gone into the wrong hands. 13.5% of eligible farmers were not able to avail the benefits, while 3.51% did not submit their documents during Congress rule, Fadnavis said in the legislative assembly on Thursday, while responding to the debate around the agrarian crisis, initiated by the treasure benches.

The Comptroller and Auditor General had passed strictures on these irregularities.

Reading out the names of the officer bearers of the district central cooperative banks or the credit societies, he said that some of the individual beneficiaries, holding key positions in local level financial institutions, had received a huge amount ranging from Rs9 lakh to Rs38 lakh. Without naming the MLA in question, he alleged that as many as 8 members from his family had received the benefits of the waiver.

He further claimed that his government has been careful in ensuring that the mistakes committed in 2008 would not be repeated.

The delay in the disbursement of the waiver announced by us was primarily due to the fact that we required time to verify the applicants details, he said. The opposition has been targeting us for reducing the number of beneficiaries of the waiver from the preliminary estimate of 89 lakh farmers. While it is true that the number of actual

beneficiaries has dropped, it is only due to the fact that the banks had provided inflated figures of the pending loans and names of the account holders. One

nationalised bank had given the names of 6.5 lakh account holders, while the actual figure was 1.29 lakh.

According to Fadnavis, the loan waiver given by the Congress-led government was so full of flaws that six suicide-hit districts in Vidarbha received only Rs287 crore. Under the Fadnavis administration, the 11 districts of Vidarbha collectively received Rs5,754 crore and Marathwada received Rs6,000 crore, as opposed to the Rs1,500 crore and Rs1,700 crore received by them respectively, in 2008-09.

He added that the state government has released Rs20,734 crore to the banks to be credited to the accounts of 43.17 lakh farmers with the verified data. He said that out of the 77 lakh applications they received, 69 lakh were found eligible, after eliminating the applications by income tax payers, relatives of elected representatives, and government employees.

The opposition staged a walk out in the assembly, stating that the government has disappointed farmers who were expecting the announcement of a compensation, including cotton farmers who were affected by a pest infestation.

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The Bombay high court on Thursday questioned the practice of some civic hospitals of putting a mark on forehead of a dead body to identify the deceased, as was done in case of bodies of people who died in a stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station on September 29.

There must not be such marks put on foreheads of the deceased persons, said a division bench of justice Naresh Patil and justice NW Sambre, while hearing a petition seeking criminal action against railway officials who marked the bodies of those who died in the stampede.

The petitioners lawyer, Nitin Satpute, said the doctors at KEM Hospital had put numbers on the foreheads of the bodies as identity marks. You [government and civic hospitals] must be more responsible, the judges told additional public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde, who represented the state government.

It requires some common sense and humane approach to avoid such bad practices, the judges said. The bench also sought to know from Shinde if there were any guidelines, fixed procedural norms to be adhered to before and during post-mortem on people who die in disasters and contingencies.

Satpute also pointed out that instead of taking action against the KEM Hospital staff members who put the marks, criminal cases have been registered against the relatives of the deceased who complained about it.

During the course of hearing on the PIL, the bench also commented upon the lack of preparedness of the state and civic administration to tackle contingencies and disasters. Unfortunately, we are not well equipped to manage such disasters and calamities, the judges said.
In a bid to revive the partys dwindling fortunes, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has decided to undertake a statewide tour of Maharashtra as he gears up for the legislative Assembly elections of 2019. Thackeray has decided to tour Maharashtra after January 20, 2018 to tap into his popularity in interior Maharashtra. He is expected to visit at least 50 constituencies where MNS can build or expand its base.

Before Thackerays tour, MNS leaders will crisscross the state in December and January, keep a tab of their issues, and submit a report to the MNS chief.

According to sources, Thackeray wants to field candidates in at least 170 out of 288 Assembly constituencies for the 2019 elections. The team of senior leaders who will tour the state ahead of Thackerays visit are expected to evaluate the chances of MNS winning a seat in a particular constituency. Following this, the party will shortlist 170 constituencies for contesting elections.

A source close to Thackeray, on the condition of anonymity said, Leaders will tour entire Maharashtra and study constituencies where MNS received the maximum votes in 2014 Assembly elections, or lost by a very small margin, so that they may have a chance of winning from there. Thackeray will focus on these areas this time.

Sachin More, a spokesperson for the party said, There is a tentative plan at present and nothing is final. The partys top leaders plan to sit down soon and draft a route. The number of constituencies (Thackeray) will visit can be increased at this time. Then a formal announcement will be made.

An MNS leader said, During the tour, Thackeray plans to pick development issues close to the region he visits, which is why some senior party leaders will first undertake a study tour.

The success of this tour could become a much-needed breather for Thackeray, whose party has gone through a series of electoral defeats recently. In the 2014 Assembly election, MNS won only a single seat, in contrast to the 13 seats that it bagged in the Assembly elections of 2009. Similarly, at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation level, MNS won only seven seats in the civic polls of 2017, in contrast to 28 seats in 2012. However, this further came down to a single seat, as Shiv Sena poached six out of its seven corporators.
Two days after a city-based NGO released a white paper on the plummeting number of admissions and expenditure on children in municipal schools, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday termed the report as and not entirely true.

A BMC education officer said that contrary to the report published by Praja Foundation, which mentions corporations yearly budget per child as Rs 52,142 (which reduces to Rs49,835 after first round of deduction), the civic body actually spends Rs24,589 per child.

The annual budget allocated for education by the BMC goes through several deductions and concessions, after which we are left with Rs24,589 per student. We ensure that every penny is spent on them, said Mahesh Palkar, BMC education officer.

The NGO report also mentioned how the parents blamed poor quality of education as one of the reasons for them choosing private institutes over municipal schools. The civic officials alleged that even these numbers were skewed.

Their survey report is based on just 400 families, which cannot represent lakhs of students studying in BMC schools, said Palkar. He added that unlike the report, which mentions that the overall SSC passing rate of BMC schools was 68.1%, the actual passing rate was 76.97% in 2016-17.

However, BMC officials agreed that number of students enrolling in municipal schools has decreased over the years. This they said was owing to aspirations of parents and availability of free education in private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

They also agreed that the dropout rate in civic schools has fallen owing to the efforts put in by the corporation. We have conducted seven out of school surveys to identify students who were absent from classrooms for more than a month and have managed to get them back, added Palkar.

Milind Mhaske project and managing trustee of Praja Foundation told HT that the annual budget figure mentioned by them in the white paper is a combined figure for both primary and secondary education.

The BMC in its statement is only mentioning their budget for primary education, which is Rs 24,589. Our report states figures for primary and secondary sections. They are not really pointing at discrepancies in their statement but giving information on the various projects to curb this problem, and we appreciate that, said Mhaske.

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After receiving requests from several city colleges, asking it to postpone the first-year Masters in Arts (MA) and Masters in Commerce (MCom) exams, the University of Mumbai (MU) has agreed to do the needful. Colleges said owing to the delay in online assessments, all institutes were forced to admit students to post-graduate courses till mid-October. This they said gave them little time to complete the portion.

Normally, admissions are over by August, and teachers get nearly three months to complete the portion before exams. This time, we started classes only after mid-October and then had to break for Diwali holidays. Students have barely attended classes for one month, said the principal of a suburban college, who did not wish to be named. She said her college has sent a letter to the varsity requesting that the MA exams be postponed from December to January, so that teachers get some more time to finish whats required.

Most colleges were shut between October 15 and November 7 for Diwali holidays. Though we conducted extra lectures during vacations, we could not force students or teachers to change their holiday plans, so full-fledged lectures began only in November, said the coordinator of a college in south Mumbai, requesting anonymity. Its unfair to expect teachers to finish the full portion of a semester in six weeks.

The original deadline set by the university to complete admissions for PG courses was August 21. However, after it failed to announce all results by then, the MU asked colleges to keep their admissions open till all results were announced. This process, however, took two more months, and colleges had to accept admissions till mid-October, when all results were finally released. The varsity had rescheduled first-year MSc students for the same reason.

On Thursday, members of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) visited MU officials and asked them postpone of MA and MCom exams.

Sadly, the university doesnt take action until we complain, so we submitted our demand in writing. We are glad they have finally agreed to reschedule the exam, said Dinesh Panjwani, principal, RD National College, Bandra.

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Upset over delayed and cancelled road works, the civic body in a meeting on Wednesday decided to stall new proposals for road works in the city.

Members of the committee rejected proposals for road works costing around Rs50 crore.

They ordered an inquiry into a proposal to repair 11 internal roads in Malad (W) using paver blocks, which were banned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) last year after the Standing Technical Advisory Committee suggested not to use paver blocks for main roads.

Of the 12 proposals of road repair, three were recorded or rejected by the committee from final approval.

According to the rejected proposal, the cost of repairing roads with paver blocks would be Rs17.66 crore.

Municipal councillors and party leaders also demanded an inquiry into the project consultant as use of paver blocks for new roads work is illegal.

The committee had first used the paver blocks in 2002, but they loosened and formed potholes. In 2015, the BMC started removing paver blocks and started laying roads using asphalt.

Other proposals with a total budget of Rs 150 crore have been put on hold, said leader of opposition in BMC, Ravi Raja.

Municipal councillors of the committee said that finishing all road work within a year of approval would reduce costs by at least 5 per cent.

Work on a lot of roads in Andheri(W) including New Link road and Walawalkar road has been stalled due to metro work after tendering, said councillor Rajul Patel.

Samajwadi Party leader Rais Shaikh said the BMC cancelled 30-40 roads in S and T wards after giving work order.

We have found that after passing proposals for over 250 road works earlier this year, 25 per cent of them have been deleted without committees knowledge. We demand a report be made on all current road works and why previous works were cancelled, said Raja.

The standing committee said it would not pass new proposals for road works till inquiry is completed.
The Maharashtra government on Thursday hinted at taking action against former Mumbai University (MU) vice-chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh and filing an FIR against the firm responsible for implementing the varsitys Online Marking System (OMS) for evaluating answer sheets.

In response to questions raised by members of the treasury and Opposition, the state government told the Legislative Assembly that the implementing firm was found responsible and that action would be initiated once the three-member committee investigating the goof-up submitted its report.

The Opposition demanded that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed against the agency and then vice-chancellor. Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said criminal action should be taken against the VC as he is responsible for the mess that has affected lakhs of students.

Ravindra Waikar, minister of state for higher education, told the lower house: Even the MU issued a work order to it [the agency] without entering into an agreement, and it is a serious lapse on its part. The firm and MU officials are responsible for the goof-up, and an FIR will be lodged against them once the report is submitted.

Pawar also wanted to know why Waikar was not being held responsible and sacked for the fiasco. The conditions laid down in the tender should be tweaked so that heads of companies can be held responsible in these kind of situations, the senior NCP leader suggested.

Waikar explained that the MU had awarded the contract to Bengaluru-based information technology firm Merit Trac Services Pvt. Ltd. as its quote was lower than those of three other firms.The government decided to put in place an OMS on the basis of a report by the Rajesh Agarwal committee in 2013, he added.

The university adopted the OMS for the first time this year, hoping to flush out mismanagement and make it transparent. However, lack of preparations and infrastructure led to major delays as well as errors in assessment and, consequently, the declaration of results.

When Congress MLA Nitesh Rane asked whether the government planned to revert to offline assessments, Waikar said the government was keeping all options open, but that the decision to implement the OMS was taken to ensure transparency and speedy assessments.
After proposing Churchgate-Virar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Panvel elevated rail corridors, the railways is now toying with the idea of another elevated corridor, this time between CSMT and Kalyan. The officials have decided to scrap the Churchgate-Virar elevated corridor, which was later reduced to Bandra-Virar.

Union railway minister Piyush Goyal, in a recent meeting, directed the Central Railway (CR) officials to conduct a feasibility study for a CSMT-Kalyan elevated rail route. Such an elevated corridor will help ease the pressure on the overcrowded main line of the CR, the minister said.

The CR officials said they will have to consider issues such as existing road over bridges, overhead wires and possible height of the elevated corridor. The study will be conducted based on the instructions of the railway minister. Goyal has also asked us to look at other ways to ease the pressure on the congested CSMT-Kalyan line, said a senior CR official.

This is not the first time the idea of an elevated corridor between CSMT- Kalyan is being talked about. In the railway budget of 2012-2013, former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi had announced the pre-feasibility study of the CSMT-Kalyan corridor and had also sought a study for the Virar-Diva-Panvel and the CSMT-Panvel elevated corridors. The CR earlier had estimated the cost of the CSMT- Kalyan elevated corridor at Rs20,000 crore.

Moreover, the railways has shelved the Bandra - Virar elevated corridor project. The project was dropped after the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the body that handles railway infrastructure building, and Western Railways said the corridor will not be feasible. The process of acquiring land for the project and its financial viability has forced the railways to reconsider the project. With the state government building Colaba-Seepz line, which runs almost parallel to the Western line (Churchgate-Virar) up to Andheri, there are doubts over the response the elevated rail corridor would get.

Officials said the MRVC will now be extending the Western Railways harbour line up to Borivli and look at constructing two more lines between Borivli and Virar. The work on Harbour railway till Goregaon is in its final stages. Since the Bandra- Virar elevated corridor project has been dropped, work on extension of the harbour rail till Borivli will begin. said an MRVC official.

Meanwhile, the MRVC is tweaking the proposal for the cost of the CSMT- Panvel elevated corridor project which will be sent to the Railway Board for approval.
After a St Xaviers College student was found dead in Matheran on Tuesday, his father said the 17-year-old was a happy-go-lucky teen and not depressed. Mast Daga was excited for his 18th birthday in February and had recently ordered headphones from an online shopping portal, said his father, Naresh.

Daga went missing around 12 noon on Monday. His body was found the next day. The post-mortem report revealed that he suffered a heart attack. The report indicated multiple fractures, leading police to suspect he collapsed and fell in the valley.

My son was preparing for his design exams, which were in January. He had applied to the Unitedworld Institute of Design and the Indian School of Design & Innovation, said Naresh.

He added that Daga did not seem stressed or under any kind of pressure the day he left home. He was our only child. We are in shock, he said.

He said he gave his son Rs4,000 a month as pocket money. He never asked for more, said Naresh.

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A journalist was killed in a road accident at Kurla on Thursday morning. He was travelling by autorickshaw to his residence in Kalwa at 1am, when another autorickshaw crashed into the vehicle near Baba Hospital, Kurla.

According to the police, he was travelling with a relative and had boarded the autorickshaw from Bandra. They added that due to the speed at which the autos were travelling, both the vehicles overturned after the collision.

The deceased, who has been identified as Prashant Tripathi, used to work for a television channel. Passers-by rushed Tripathi to the nearest hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. According to eye witnesses, the auto driver had fled the scene after the accident.

The police traced the driver, identified as Yasin Shaikh, through the number of his auto rickshaw. Shaikh was located in Nalasopara and was arrested on Thursday morning.

A police officer said that a case has been registered against Shaikh under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
When you have an icon for a father, there is no way you cannot be influenced by him. And, if he happens to be your teacher as well, then the influence becomes even stronger. Anoushka Shankar shared such a bond with her father and guru, late Pandit Ravi Shankar. Interestingly, the British Indian sitarist reveals that he always saw in her the gift of making music for cinema. Anoushka has recently, and for the first time, scored the music for an entire film, the restored version of Shiraz: A Romance of India (1928). She had earlier partly composed for films, the latest example being the closing credits for the Judi Dench and Ali Fazal starrer Victoria & Abdul, in collaboration with Thomas Newman.

He [Ravi Shankar] used to tell me that my music is very cinematic. Whenever he heard my non-film compositions, he would say, You should be great if you move into films because you make very cinematic music. So, it was nice to hear that [from him], she smiles.

Her answer takes us to the question whether her legendary father, whose memorable compositions include The Apu Trilogy (1955, 1956, 1959), Neecha Nagar (1946), and Gandhi (1982), discussed film compositions with her. Anoushkha reveals, I thin he really enjoyed his film music experiences. He didnt do it very often, and only said yes when he really loved it. And he did some incredible work for the few films he did, obviously the most iconic being the whole Apu Trilogy. So, he would speak about that and about what it was like [creating soundscape for films].

Meanwhile, Anoushka, whose last released album was Land of Gold, is working on her next. So, every time she is creating new music, does her loving bapi inspire her? The sitarist answers in the affirmative, adding, Its impossible to pick a part. Even when I am doing something completely original, I am still his student. I still learnt from him; its likely my brain works in a way that is influenced by him. So, I cant say this one is influenced by him and that one isnt, its hard to answer.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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In yet another incident of police taking on robbers in Ghaziabad, a 30-year-old man was shot and injured during an encounter with Ghaziabad police in Vaishali on Thursday night.

A police constable sustained bullet injuries in the crossfire and was rushed for treatment.

According to police, the incident took place around 8pm near Shopprix Mall in Vaishali. Two men broke the window of a parked car and tried to escape with a laptop kept inside the car.

The owner of the car raised the alarm and police teams deployed near the mall gave chase. The pillion rider took out a pistol and opened fire at the police team and one of our constables sustained a bullet injury to his shoulder, said SC Dubey, station house officer, Indirapuram.

In the retaliatory fire by the police, the pillion rider sustained a bullet wound to his leg and fell along with the vehicle. In the melee that ensued, the second man fled while the injured one was taken into custody and rushed to a private hospital for treatment.

The police said the injured man was identified as Venkatesh, who hails from Chennai, and is presently staying at Madangir in Delhi.

Ventakesh was taken into custody and the Apache bike was also seized. His wife is also lodged at Tihar jail in Delhi in a case of kidnapping. We are trying to ascertain his criminal history. We have also deployed teams to track the second accused, Dubey said.

This is the third such encounter in Vaishali.

On November 13, a robber sustained a bullet injury during retaliatory firing by police near Vaishali metro station. This was after a duo barged into the jewellery shop and shot the owner during the robbery bid.

On October 25, a duo accused of robbing a cash collection agent at Noidas Spice Mall, was chased and shot by police teams at Vaishali. During the incident, one man was injured in his leg and was arrested while the other fled the spot.

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To reduce traffic congestion during peak traffic hours on three important roads in the city, the Noida traffic police has prohibited the entry of heavy goods carriers for over eight hours in the morning and evening. The ban came into effect on Thursday morning.

The three routes on which the movement of trucks and trailers has been banned from 7.30am to 11am and from 5pm to 10pm are Kisan Chowk to Sector 71, Sector 71 to Barola bypass and Kulesra to Pari Chowk in Greater Noida. The step is aimed at streamlining traffic on these congested routes.

Superintendent of police (traffic) AK Jha said the step has been necessitated to streamline traffic on these routes. During peak traffic hours in the morning and evening, there is a heavy movement of vehicles on these three routes. Movement of goods carriers during these hours adds to the congestion, he said.

Jha said the traffic personnel deputed on these routes have been directed to restrict the movement of goods carriers. We have already informed the transporters and industrialists to follow the restrictions. However, we will start imposing fines in a day or two once the signage, with the prohibited timings, are put in place, he said.

The signages about the entry restriction will be installed at Tigri, Greater Noida West, Sector 71, Barola, Kulesra and Pari Chowk, the SP said.

Jha said the ban on the movement of heavy goods carriers during peak hours was already in place on Master Plan-III Road stretch from Kalindi Kunj to Sector 71 crossing. This has now been extended up to Kisan Chowk as the road has become very congested with the increase in population in Greater Noida west.

The road is also used by commuters to go towards Ghaziabad. In view of the increasing traffic load on the route, trucks coming from Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Greater Noida West and Surajpur will be prohibited to ply from Kisan Chowk to Kalindi Kunj and back during peak traffic hours.

Similar restrictions will be in place on the route from Sector 71 crossing to Barola bypass and from Kulesra to Pari Chowk via Yamaha factory and Surajpur.

The existing routes on which the movement of goods carriers is prohibited are Dadri-Surajpur Chhalera Road, Master Plan (MP)-I Road, MP-II Road and MP-III Road from Kalindi Kunj to Sector 71 crossing. Restrictions on these routes came into effect from November 15, 2014.

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The Ghaziabad municipal corporation plans to introduce mobile biometric devices to record the attendance of its over 3,500 sanitation workers as it looks into the problem of absenteeism and proxy attendance.

Residents had recently written to the district magistrate complaining about the irregularity of the sanitation staff. DM Ritu Maheshwari ordered an inquiry in the matter and deputed additional city magistrate Sanjay Bansal to head it.

For the purpose of the inquiry, I have written to the corporation to provide a ward-wise list of all sanitation staffers. We will conduct surprise checks to track employees who abstain from work, affecting the cleaning and garbage-lifting activities, Bansal said.

In the existing system, sanitation workers mark their attendance manually in a register that is maintained by the cleaning supervisor in each of the 100 wards. This register is later checked by inspectors of the health department and senior officials.

Accepting that absenteeism and irregularity of the sanitation staffers was a challenge, corporation officials said the problem, however, has reduced. To overcome the issue of proxy attendance, we plan to procure mobile biometric devices to record the attendance, municipal commissioner CP Singh said, adding that monitoring of attendance registers is done regularly.

The longitude and latitude of the supervisors location will be fed into these devices. A staffers attendance will be recorded only when s/he arrives at the specific location. This will help us keep check irregularity and reduce other malpractices, Singh said.

However, many councillors said the biggest challenges with the sanitation workforce was of underemployment.

As per our estimate, only 60-70% of the available workforce is put to work on a daily basis. Some of them dont even put in the required number of hours, Raj Nagar councillor Rajendra Tyagi said, adding that if the potential of the same workforce is fully utilized with checks and balances, the city can be rid of its unhygienic surroundings.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Smart City challenge and Swachh Survekshan in 2018, the corporation started skill development training for its cleaning staff.

This will help staffers do their work better and bring qualitative improvement in the citys sanitation, officials added.

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A spin in the new car of a friend ended in tragedy for three youths in Noida on Wednesday night, after the speeding vehicle hit a divider near Atta Underpass.

A Class 12 student of DPS Indirapuram was killed, while two of his friends from the same class sustained injuries in the accident that took place around 1.30am.

According to police, the car  a Ford Figo  hit the divider and toppled several times near Atta Underpass in Sector 18. The boys were rushed to district hospital in Noidas Sector 30. Later in the night their parents shifted them to a private hospital in Ghaziabad, where one of the boys  Raghav Mehra  succumbed to his injuries. The other two injured, Rehan and Yavesh, all resident of Ghaziabad, were admitted to the Ghaziabad hospital with grievous injuries.

The car, police said, was badly damaged trapping its occupants in the wreck for nearly 15 minutes before being rescued by police and rushed to a hospital.

Police said Rehans father had bought the car two days before the incident. On Wednesday evening, the trio took the car and drove to Noida. They went to DLF Mall and Great India Place Mall in the evening and later went to Greater Noida for a joyride.

Abhinandan, circle officer of Noida City-1 said, The trio was taking a joyride in the newly bought car. Seeing the intensity of the impact, it seems the students were speeding when the accident took place.

The deceased, Raghav, was driving the car at the time of the accident. The condition of the other two boys  Rehan and Yavesh  is said to be out of danger, police said.
Internet search giant Google will provide a one-time grant of $1 lakh (nearly Rs70 lakh) to the Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) of the Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) to promote research and strengthen its infrastructure.

With this money, the state university plans to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory at the CAS in Lucknow for research and training students to develop android applications. AKTU intends to develop the laboratory at CAS within the next two months.

The grant was announced on December 5 at the 49th financial meeting of AKTU which was presided by vice-chancellor Dr Vinay Pathak and other representatives of the university.

According to representatives of Google, India, the grant was provided under the companys initiative to create a highly skilled tech workforce that is readily employable by the industry and helps spur innovation. To achieve this goal, we launched our Mobile Skilling programme aimed at benefitting more than two million student developers in India. Were doing it through various channels and by engaging with a variety of partners. This grant is a part of the effort to set up mobile development labs for students, a Google representative said.

Talking to Hindustan Times about the one-time grant, CAS director Professor Manish Gaur said, It is a matter of pride for us that such a reputed MNC is investing in a university of Uttar Pradesh. Google had sanctioned this amount earlier but the finance committee of the university had to approve the grant. This grant has been given under the Google Code Lab Development initiative. It is an investment Google intends to put in our students. Google representatives have requested us to put the outcome of all our research on an open-source platform so it can be accessed by the public for free, Gaur said.

Gaur said the amount will be spent in two parts.

We want our students to learn android developing skills and trainers from Google will help with this. Secondly, we also want to develop a world-class laboratory for computer science at the Centre for Advanced Studies where students can get access to all the updated equipment and software. We wish to promote research among students and this amount will be used judiciously, Gaur said.

There are over 600 colleges affiliated to AKTU across the state and over 150 of them are in Noida and Ghaziabad.

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Disposing a PIL filed by former law minister Ashwini Kumar, the Supreme Court recently refrained from directing the central government to frame a stand-alone law against custodial torture. This was against the backdrop of the governments admission in court that it was seriously considering the 273rd report of the Law Commission that recommended the ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading forms of Treatment (CAT). The CAT, adopted by the UN in 1984 and signed by the government in 1997, has not yet been ratified. Once ratified, it shall be imperative upon the central government to enact a special domestic law against torture.

It is not for the first time that the apex court has expressed its concern over the custodial torture perpetrated by the police. There are a plethora of laws emanating from cases like Nandini Satpathy (1978) and DK Basu (1997) that have held that since custodial torture violates a citizens fundamental right to life with dignity, the state shall be responsible for any third degree method used by the police to extract confession from accused persons. This unfortunate image of being a brute force, inherited from the British Raj, has been stalking the Indian police for decades. In fact, it seems to have become embedded into our society, perhaps based more on perception rather than actual experience.

More than having a new and stand-alone legislation on custodial torture, the need is to hammer on the root cause of the problem and not to ponder only on the symptomatic treatment. The police require institutional changes. The Malimath Committee had recommended that an investigating officer (IO) should not investigate more than ten heinous offences in a year and investigation be separated from the law and order duties to improve its quality and avoid short-cuts methods and indulgence in torture, but the report did not get its due credit.

Its implementation needed the induction of more IOs, which will mean an extra burden on the exchequer. The Apex Courts directions given in the Prakash Singh (2006) case have been circumvented. The use of scientific methods to facilitate investigation is yet to become a norm. The role of forensics still remains secondary. Interrogation tools have not improved over time. Training, the backbone of any institution, is still considered a less privileged and loop-line posting by senior police officers. Due to public and media pressure, police often fall prey to short-cut methods of investigation. Therefore until police infrastructure is improved and departmental bottlenecks are eliminated, even a separate law against torture will not prove to be a panacea.

In fact, a statute does not ipso facto bring about a change in the behaviour and attitude of the targeted section of society. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, during the introduction of the anti-dowry bill in the Parliament in 1961, had made an observation that legislation cannot by itself normally solve deep-rooted social problems. One has to approach them in other ways too. This observation still holds good; not only for the social problems but also for the tarnished image of the police.

The police must change its attitude and behaviour while dealing with witnesses, suspects and criminals. The state must invest more in its enforcement agencies and ensure that the police lose its perpetual tag of being abusive and torturous. The prevailing discussions about reforms in criminal justice system, particularly policing, must manifest in action. Irrespective of the enactment of a new law, human rights of all must be protected, be it against the state or the police.

RK Vij is a senior IPS officer in Chhattisgarh

The views expressed are personal
A Muslim woman teacher had to pay with her life for disobeying her husbands diktat to leave her job in northeast Bihars Purnia district.

Tabassum Ara, 26, a teacher at government-run Talimi Markaz school at Janta village in Baisi police station area of Purnia, 370 km northeast of state capital Patna, was stabbed to death allegedly by her husband on Tuesday.

The incident took place when Ara, returning home Purnia on a motorcycle with her brother after taking her BA part-2 examination at Katihar, 28 km south of Purnia.

Raza told the police that Ara was married to Mohammad Aslam of Panisadra village in 2010 but she was treated well by her husband. On Tuesday, Aslam forced me to stop my motorcycle at Baisi Circle and attacked us repeatedly with a knife. We were taken to Purnia district hospital, where Ara died during treatment, added Raza, whose condition was said to be stable.

The victims father, Tanzeem Alam of Asja Mabaiya village in the district, said Aslam used to beat Ara and threaten her with dire consequences if she did not leave her teaching job.

He said: My daughter wanted to teach uneducated Muslim girls. Despite working at Talimi Markaz, she did not discontinue her studies.

He also alleged that Aslam and his family used to torture her for dowry and pass indecent comments whenever she prepared to leave for the school.

Meanwhile, Baisi police SHO TP Singh said Aslam had been sent to jail and investigation in the case was underway.
Stung by media reports of viral audio recordings of three councillors purportedly seeking monetary favours, the mayor of Chandigarh has chosen to shoot the messenger instead.

As two of the councillors are from her party BJP and one independent, mayor Asha Kumari Jaswal on Wednesday wrote to the senior superintendent of police (SSP), Nilambari Vijay Jagadale, that they had brought into my knowledge that the recordings are fake, so the reporters be associated in inquiry.

Whats in the clips? On November 26, a recording of a conversation reportedly between BJP councillor Bharat Kumar, who is chairman of the MC sanitation committee, and a representative of Lion Company, which was given mechanised-sweeping contract, went viral. In it, the councillor is allegedly asking for monetary favours every month. In it, the mayor said, a forensic test would be conducted to check the clip. That has not happened. On December 5, audio clip purportedly of independent councillor Dalip Sharma surfaced, wherein he is allegedly seeking money from a woman for getting her work done. The woman alleged in a complaint to the deputy commissioner, too, that the councillor took Rs 12,000 from her to provide a water connection. On December 11, audio of phonecall purportedly between a door-to-door waste collector and a contractor surfaced in which Rs 2,000 per rehri is being sought in the name of a BJP councillor, Vinod Aggarwal . The waste collector claims one Pappu has asked him to pay Rs 2,000 per month. He seeks to know what it was all about. To this, the contractor replies, A tender (contract) for the entire ward (26) has been taken and every collector with a rehri has to pay Rs 2,000 each as per local councillor Aggarwal.

The mayor wants that the source of circulation of the recordings and their authenticity be brought into public domain. Her chief concern is that appropriate action be taken against those who lowered the image of the MC through the recordings.

However, the Congress wondered why she did not send the recordings for forensic tests as the matter involves a grave issue, according to councillor Davinder Babla. The mayor had earlier promised that.

Of the three recordings, the first one that went viral on social media was on November 26, purportedly between BJP councillor Bharat Kumar, who is chairman of the municipal corporations sanitation committee, and a representative of Lion Company, which was given contract for mechanised sweeping . In it, the councillor is allegedly asking for monetary favours every month. The mayor had said the audio would be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), but nothing has been done. Wednesdays letter, instead, turns the issue around.

It is sad that the mayor is trying to put restrains on the media, said Chandigarh Congress chief and former mayor Pardeep Chhabra, We will not allow this happen. Babla said, She is challenging the media. Instead of writing to the SSP, the mayor should have sent all the audio clips to the CFSL to know the truth.

Press club condemns

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Press Club condemned the mayors action. In a statement, club secretary general Barinder Singh Rawat said, We condemn the pressure tactics like summoning to journalists... The journalists are only reporting what is happening in society, therefore they should not be harassed.

Revealing the identity of the source is against the ethics of the profession, and the mayor and UT police should know this. If the administration and police continue to put pressure on journalists, then the press club will launch an agitation, the statement read.
Police arrested all the four accused involved in making extortion calls to owner of a hotel in Burail, who was allegedly abducted at gunpoint in the SUV he was travelling in on December 8.

Police arrested Prince, Aman, Moni and Aslam from a hotel in Kajheri. The four made extortion calls to Mohammad Kalam of Burail, who owns Hotel Suncity Palace in Sector 45, and demanded 2 lakh on behalf of gangster Kali.

Kalam had complained that on December 8, he was abducted at gunpoint from the Sector-42 lake in the Scorpio car he was travelling in. He had said the accused drove him around the city before throwing him out of the moving vehicle near a jungle area of Mohali.

Before throwing him out, the accused had asked him to pay 2 lakh to have his vehicle back. Afterwards, Kalam said he received calls from an international number whereby he was again asked to come to the Sector-42 lake to pay money. Kalam on December 10 came to the lake and handed over 50,000 to Prince, who took the money away without giving back the vehicle. It was then that Kalam approached the police, saying that the accused had threatened to kill him despite taking money.

We have arrested all the accused, but are yet to recover the vehicle, said Sector-36 station house officer (SHO) Nasib Singh.

The Sector-36 police have booked all the four under Section 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt) and 506 ( criminal intimidation ) of the Indian Penal Code and various sections of Arms Act.

Extortion calls made via WhatsApp

Sources in the police said the accused had used WhatsApp, a messaging app, to make extortion calls to Kalam. The sources claimed the accused had used numbers from UK for making the calls. The numbers are now switched off.

WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption, which means any calls made or messages sent through the app are encoded in a way that they can't be intercepted by a third party, even by WhatsApp itself.

Extortion calls made for Kali, a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang

Complainant Mohammed Kalam, owner of Hotel Suncity Palace, Sector 45, on December 8 had received a call on his mobile, asking for money on behalf of Kali Rajput, who is a gangster from Punjab. The caller had asked Kalam to meet Kali at the Sector-42 lake.

As per sources in the police, Kali Rajput is a resident of Balongi in Mohali and is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi group. Kali, who is wanted in cases of extortion, murder and attempt to murder, had come in contact with Bishnoi during his stay in jail. Sources added that Kali had helped Bishnoi escape the custody of Ropar police in January 2015 from a dhaba at Dehri village on the Landran-Banur road when the Ropar police was bringing him back from Abohar after a court hearing.

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Winter fog marked its arrival on Wednesday as two flights from the Chandigarh airport got cancelled and six others, including the recently started one to Bangkok, were delayed. This is not new here, but what worries that there is no solution in sight. Not until 2019.

The airport that got a new terminal worth Rs 1,400 crore in 2015 still has no navigation system for operations during inclement winter conditions. A glimpse of that was seen on Wednesday when fog engulfed the airport. The day was saved when operations began after 11 am.

Air Indias Chandigarh-Delhi flight at 7.25 am could not operate because the visibility did not allow the 70-seater aircraft to land at 6.55 am. Then the Chandigarh-Mumbai flight was cancelled at 3.20 pm because the aircraft was stuck with a Chandigarh-Pune flight that departed three hours late in the morning and could not come back on time for Mumbai passengers.

The state carriers manager at the airport, RK Negi, said two buses were arranged for passengers of the cancelled flight to fly them from Delhi instead. The operations during winter season are always tough here but it is something beyond our control. We try to accommodate our customers in every possible way, said Negi.

The Bangkok flight carrying nearly 40 passengers had to be diverted to Jaipur as it could not be allowed to land at 9.20 am.It only came back here at 12.30 before it departed again at 1.30 pm. Then Jet Airways three flights  all to Delhi before noon  were delayed for two hours. IndiGos 8am departure for Delhi ended up becoming 11.30 am. SpiceJets Delhi flight at 8.30 am too ran late by two hours. Air Indias Chandigarh-Pune flight was operated at 12.30 pm instead of 9.15 am.

And the foggy conditions are here to stay. There is high possibility of thick fog cover in the next 48 to 72 hours. Then there will be foggy spells as the winter season thickens, said meteorological department director Surender Paul.

This is certainly bad news for us, said an airline manager unwilling to be named. He said, Hundreds of crores were spent on creating terminal, but the airstrip is yet not be upgraded to the extent that it can allow flights during days of low visibility.

The work has started but it will certainly take time. These things should have been done much in advance since everyone knew how weather is always unpleasant ever since air operations began here, he added.
Potato growers in Kurukshetra and its adjoining districts are facing a tough time with a fall in the commodity prices right in the beginning of the harvesting season.

This is for the third consecutive years that the potato farmers are forced to sell their produce below 5 per kg in the open market at Kurukshetras Pipli , considered the potato hub of the state.

Last year, when the farmers did not get reasonable prices for potato, they stored their produce in cold stores thinking they may get a better deal later on.

But most of the farmers did not take their produce back and the cold store owners had to sell their potato at 2 per kg to make up for storage charges.

This year, the farmers are facing twofold problem as the prices have fallen to 5 per kg and the per acre production has gone down by about 20-30 per cent, said Rajinder Singh, a farmer from Kurukshetra.

Also, the bad weather for the past two days has also added to their woes as rain has not only delayed the harvesting but has also increased labour charges. The farmers are paying 5,000 per acre for harvesting potato to empty their fields for wheat.

I earned only 5,000 after selling the three-acre produce at 62,000. Many farmers could not earn the production cost, said Rajesh Kamboj, a farmer from Yamunanagar district.

The farmers blame the government for poor pricing policy for vegetables. They said potato is being sold at 10-12 per kg in the market but they have to sell it at 5 per kg for lack of market and buyers.

There is only one potato mandi (market) in the entire state (in Kurukshetra) and the traders make the most of the farmers helplessness. Even the farmers from neighbouring Punjab also sell their produce in this market, said Ram Kumar, a farmer, demanding the government should allow trading of this commodity in other districts also.

The traders said they cannot fix the prices which depend on demand.

The production of potato has increased manifold in Kurukshetra, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts in the past few years and this is the only reason behind the fall in prices, Vinod Kumar, a trader at the Pipli grain market, said.

The acreage under potato has declined to nearly 9,000 hectares from the last years 12,000 hectares in Kurukshetra and adjoining districts. State agriculture department deputy director Karam Chand said prices have fallen despite fall in acreage.

The state government had earlier announced to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for all vegetables, but officials said the matter was still under consideration and the it may take few more years to become a reality.

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After a fresh bout of snow in parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, tourists from plains have started rushing to the hill state.

Though heavy snowfall in higher reaches has intensified cold across the state, increasing bookings and queries have cheered up the tourism industry that eyes big profits.

Snowfall occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday at Narkanda, Manali, Rohtang and other tourist resorts in Himachal.

The Met department had predicted snow in advance, but hotels have seen rise in bookings only after the fresh snowfall.

Occupancy in hotels at Manali has seen an increase of 10% to 20% in the past two days.

Tourists are preferring Manali over Shimla as it did not snow in the capital town even as snowfall was recorded in other parts of district.

However, hotels beyond Shimla towards Narkanda and Kufri have seen a marginal increase in occupancy.

In Manali, a large number of tourists have been arriving after heavy snowfall at Rohtang and surrounding areas.

Tourist rush has increased and more tourists are expected in next few days, said Manali Hotelier Association President Gajender Thakur.

He added, Tourists have been enquiring about accommodation. The occupancy at hotels in Manali has already reached 70%.

In Shimla district, less number of tourists have reached Kufri and Narkanda since these places received a mild snowfall.

Tourist arrival is more than that of the last week but not as per our expectations, said Hari Das, a tourism business operator.

Jeet Ram, a taxi operator, said, Tourists have been enquiring about snow and preferring Manali over Shimla and surrounding places.

Mandeep Singh, a tourist from Ludhiana, said, Earlier we had planned to visit Shimla, but since more snowfall occurred in Manali region, we changed our plan.

Harjinder Kohli from Amritsar said, We booked hotels online. We are hopeful that more snowfall will occur tomorrow in Manali town.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation deputy general manager BS Chauhan said, After snowfall, the enquiries have increased. The occupancy rate has gone up to 60% to 70%.

COLD INTENSIFIES

Meanwhile, heavy snowfall in higher reaches has intensified cold across the hill state. Several roads are blocked while some areas are facing power outage due to snowfall.

During the past 24 hours, Gondla in Lahaul and Spiti recorded 32cm snowfall, Kalpa (Kinnaur) 10 cm and Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti) 9 cm.

In Shimla, Narkanda recorded 6 cm snowfall. The heavy snowfall in higher reaches led to power outage in some areas of Tikkar, Jubbal and Chaupal of Shimla.

Meanwhile, rain lashed several parts of the hill state. Sarkaghat (Mandi) received 58mm of rainfall, Pandoh (Mandi) 39mm, Palampur (Kangra) 33mm, Chamba 28 mm, Dharamshala (Kangra) 27mm, Baijnath (Kangra) 25mm, Kotkhai (Shimla) and Nurpur (Kangra) 20 mm each and Mandi 19 mm.

Residents of Shimla also woke up to a rainy morning and the town was engulfed in dense fog later in the day.

The night temperature has fallen by few notches in higher and mid reaches of the state.

Shimla meteorological centre has forecast more snow and rain in the next 24 hours at some places at higher reaches in the state.

Centre director Manmohan Singh said, Snow is likely to occur at some places in Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Mandi and Shimla districts.

During the past 24 hours, Keylong recorded a minimum temperature of -4.9 degrees Celsius, Kalpa -1 degree, Dalhousie -0.2 degrees, Manali 0 degree and Shimla 3.4 degrees.

Shimla deputy commissioner Rohan Chand Thakur said, An advisory has been issued, asking tourists visiting Shimla to come well-prepared in the wake of snowfall and intensified cold.

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This weekend, Siddharth Chandekar will woo city audiences with two Marathi plays, Magna Talyakathi, and Yugant. The Zenda (2009) actor has been busy with theatre for a while now and is happy with the way his career has been shaping up.

His current plays feature veterans such as Prasad Oak, Chinmay Mandlekar and Nivedita Saraf, among other names. Speaking about working with these actors, he says, I have learned many things from them. All of it has become a part of me. I have been fortunate to experience something like this. Both the plays have given me a kind of exposure and experience that films and television havent so far.

The Online Binline (2015) actor feels that while on stage, an actor should learn to surrender completely to the director. He says that a celebrity can have baggage, but an actor on stage has to behave like a rookie and carry no baggage whatsoever.

I have been a bit choosy about my projects, but I cannot pick a reason as to why I select a project. Sometimes, I love the script but the character offered to me isnt great, or the character is brilliant, but the script isnt very good. However, I choose roles only when I feel I can associate with the project.

Speaking of his theatre days in the city, Chandekar shares, I remember, in 2007, Mrunmayee Deshpande (actor) and I were participating in a prestigious state-level, one-act play competition through SP College, Pune. We were to reach Mumbai at 4.30pm and our performance was scheduled at 6pm. However, due to an unfortunate incident, we got late and reached the venue after three hours. Ruparel College in Mumbai was gracious enough to switch slots and we were alloted a 11pm slot. We reached Mumbai at 10.30pm, changed in the bus, performed, and even won.

Chandekar feels that some films are worth the gamble and the screen time or other aspects dont matter. However, he says theatre is like an exercise. For one to undertake any exercise, ones core muscle has to be strong. For an actor, theatre is the core muscle. It is never easy to strengthen it, but you have to do it. But once you have achieved that, you lose your inhibitions to perform and the reality is portrayed.

IBOX:

1. Magna Talyakathi

Where:Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, JM Road

When: December 17

Timing: 5.15pm

2. Yugant

Where: Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, JM Road

When: December 17

Timing: 9.30pm

ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop
Scientists have identified a 99-million-year-old fossilised tick on a dinosaur feather, leading people to compare the discovery with a scene from the movie Jurassic Park.

Scientists say they have found chunks of Burmese amber carrying ticks that drank the blood of feathered dinosaurs some 99 million years ago, the National Geographic reported.

A tick was found in a possible dinosaur feather found encased in a lump of amber. Another parasite was discovered in a separate piece of amber from the same region and had swollen to eight times its original size, suggesting that it was engorged with blood when it died.

The plumage likely belonged either to a feathered dinosaur or a primitive type of bird known as an enantiornithine. The discovery, which was first reported in the journal Nature Communications, offers evidence that animals in the past were also parasitised by creatures such as ticks and lice, said National Geographic. The parasites likely plagued all feathered animals in the Cretaceous forests of Myanmar that produced the amber.

But, unlike Jurassic Parks storyline, researchers say that the blood is too degraded to yield DNA that could be used to clone the extinct creatures, or even to identify this ticks last victim, said NBC News.

The movie and the Michael Crichton novel it was based on showed dinosaur DNA being extracted from mosquitoes embedded in amber and used to makes clones of dinosaurs. DNA is extremely fragile and unlikely to survive from such a long time.

Researchers are excited about these samples because they showcase an additional parasitic critter. Along with the ticks, the team found microscopic hairs from carpet beetle larvae, creatures that are commonly found in birds nests today.

A special feature of amber is the ability that the resin has to capture small pieces of the environment in an almost unaltered way, Perez-de la Fuente, a paleo-entomologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in the UK, told National Geographic. Based on the amber contents, scientists say that the fossils offer hard evidence of nesting behaviour in the host animals.

The research shows how much can be gleaned from specimens preserved with the level of detail that amber provides, said Ryan McKellar, an expert on amber fossils at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Canada.
Shandong Province, also known as the jewel between Beijing and Shanghai is placed strategically between these two cities. It is easily accessible by a bullet train and you can reach its capital Jinan within 1.5 hours (from Beijing) and four hours (from Shanghai). There is a direct flight from Delhi to Jinan that takes approximately five hours.

Shandong, with a history of more than 5,000 years, has been home to many historical figures and it enjoys the honour of being the birthplace of Confucius. Steeped in natural beauty, this northeastern coast of China has an abundance of mountains, rivers and lakes, which provides tourists unique sightseeing routes.

It boasts of centuries-old historical and cultural relics. It is a destination that can be explored with family and friends as well.

Zhongshan P ark in Qingdao has a corridor of 20,000 cherry trees imported from Japan. (Shutterstock)

* Cherry blossom trees in Zhongshan park

This park in Qingdao distinguishes itself from others due to the corridor of 20,000 cherry trees imported from Japan. The park features a 500-meter Oriental Cherry Road. As the road is lined on both sides by cherry trees, it is referred to as the Cherry Blossom Corridor. April and May is the ideal time to experience these cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

* Bird watching and photography

Visit the estuary in the Yellow River Delta State Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest wetlands located in eastern Chinas Shandong Province. It covers an area of about 1,53,000 hectares. Catch a glimpse of around 1,626 types of wild animals, 368 species of birds, like red-crowned crane and the white-headed crane, which are under national protection.

* Martial art performances

Meet with more than 20 national champions at the Songjiang Martial Art School and watch the performance that was showcased at the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the city of Heze. The martial arts performance is performed by students of Doggie Boy Performance Art Group, which tours around the world from time to time. It is the best martial art troupe in China and this performance should definitely be added to your itinerary.

The Tsingtao Museum and Beer Factory is a must-visit. (Shutterstock)

* Tsingtao Beer Museum

The Tsingtao Museum and Beer Factory is an attraction that should not be missed in Qingdao. The tour involves three parts: history of Tsingtao Beer over the past 100 years, walkthrough tour of how Tsingtao Beer is made and the current brew factory production with a final stop at the bar for samples.

* The UNESCO water town Taierzhuang

Considered to be Chinas most beautiful water town, Taierzhuang has 15 km of water throughout the entire town. Visualise a version of an Oriental watergate opening in front of your eyes while strolling down historical streets of Taierzhuang. Apart from this, Taierzhuang has multiple temples, theatres, museums, talent shows, folklore performances, lion dances on poles and light shows at night.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
Macao traditionally celebrates the end of the year with barrel-loads of fun and exciting events. Christmas carols and Markets pump up the atmosphere prior to the New Year in squares, hotels and establishments all over town.

Taipa Village Cultural Association will present emerging Portuguese illustrator Ana Aragaos first solo exhibition as its closing event for its 2017 artistic programme. Hosted by Taipa Village Art Space, the exhibition entitled Imaginary Beings will showcase a unique collection of abstract illustrations.

As Ana Aragao opens her debut show in Macao, we hope to broaden horizons in two directions: those of the artist whose current work is inspired by local architecture, but who has never set foot on Macanese soil; and on the other, those of local art connoisseurs in understanding that professional illustration also has a place in art galleries, said Joao O, President of the Executive Board, Taipa Village Cultural Association.

The lights display will focus on the architecture and local attractions of Macao. (Shutterstock)

Macao Light Festival 2017  AMOR MACAU will be staged till December 31.Through fascinating light artistry, the event will portray the cultural diversity and touching stories of the city. The production team of Macao Light Festival 2017 will include over a hundred local transmedia creators specialising in diverse areas such as animation, music, films and multimedia. The production team combines innovative technology and local artistry with the history and culture of Macao for fascinating displays on the architecture and local attractions of Macao.

There will be interactive light installations and games to ensure the audience gets to participate. For instance, AnimArte Nam Van will be transformed into the Playground of Lights and present an amalgam of music, dances, games and so forth.

The Maze of Flowers at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre will immerse participants into a mysterious sea of roses and let them project blessing lanterns beneath the canopy next to the maze. In addition, The Light in the Soul  Light Art Exhibition will be held at the exhibition gallery on the ground floor of Oriental Foundation, showcasing artworks with elements of light created by local artists Jose Drummond, Joao O and James Chu.

Outdoor mini concerts by local musicians and an outdoor screening of the local movie Love in the City will be staged in town. Admission is free and audiences can enjoy romantic local productions in the beautiful glow of illuminations.

Moreover, the festival will also feature two local catering establishments to present Light Dinner, an array of feasts that blend light projections and culinary delights into dining experiences, riding on the creative momentum given by the designation of Macao as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
The country may be going crazy about Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharmas wedding right now but one must not forget where the frenzy on social media around weddings originated a year ago. Television actors Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiyas wedding in July 2016 got Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sharing their photos for days.

Divyanka, the star of hit daily soap Yeh Hain Mohabbatein, is still reigning supreme on Instagram with her adorable photos. To celebrate her 33rd birthday, she is currently in Bangkok with Vivek. While we can surely expect her to post party pictures shortly, there is no harm is looking back at all the pictures she has posted so far from her many travels around the world.

There are pictures from her honeymoon in London, a recent visit to Budapest with the cast of her show, a family trip to the Himalayas and more. Check them out and take some travel inspiration of your own.

Budapest:

Candid pictures are the most loved ones. Thanks for this one @i.m.abhishekk. A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:34am PDT

A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Oct 26, 2017 at 4:30pm PDT

A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Oct 27, 2017 at 4:39am PDT

Phi Phi Islands:

Off to Phi Phi Island with Jaadu ! #Dhooopp A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Dec 11, 2017 at 7:27pm PST

Amalfi Coast:

Because 'share and care' is better than give and take. Happy 1st year of this wonderful adventure love! A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Jul 13, 2017 at 2:22pm PDT

Stop hitting on me. I'm married! A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Jul 9, 2017 at 11:49pm PDT

It's impossible not to be in love here... #AmalfiCoastExperience A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Jul 14, 2017 at 12:26am PDT

Isle of Capri:

I asked for a few drops, you gave me an ocean! In gratitude for this #5Million times love.  A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Jul 23, 2017 at 10:18pm PDT

Goa:

#MotherNature is a poetess and you- a part of the poetry. Which stanza you want to be included in, the choice is yours! That day I chose the #GoanSunset... Next I hope it's a #HimalayanSunrise. -Div A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Mar 17, 2017 at 9:05am PDT

#JustGoa A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Nov 14, 2017 at 12:55am PST

Italy:

Local specialities add character to your holiday.. #LemonSorbetto brightening up our day! A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Jul 11, 2017 at 1:06pm PDT

In #Godfather's city.. A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Jul 10, 2017 at 12:08am PDT

Australia:

Stop waiting for the next secret door to lead you to your dream. Just step in... You may thank yourself for the beautiful surprises you might get. #Australia #ThrowbackPic. A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Jan 9, 2017 at 1:53pm PST

London:

#Honeymoon #Boat #Breeze... A perfect recipe for #TitanicPose! How could we not do it! A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Jan 3, 2017 at 3:42am PST

Isn't #AliceInWonderland too old? My latest favourite - #Div in #WinterWonderland! #LivingAFairytale. #PictureCredit - Hubby @officialvivekdahiya A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Dec 28, 2016 at 5:26pm PST

Paris:

A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Dec 25, 2016 at 5:53pm PST

Divyanka hails from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and got her first big shot on television with Zees Banoo Main Teri Dulhan. She then starred in Yeh Hain Mohabbatein with Karan Patel and Anita Hasnandani in 2013. Her husband, Vivek Dahiya was also a part of the show. The two then appeared together on Nach Baliye as contestants in 2017.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown on rebels in Rakhine state that began in late August, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Thursday.

The figure is the highest estimated death toll yet of violence that erupted on August 25 and triggered a massive refugee crisis, with more than 620,000 Rohingya fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh in three months.

The UN and US have described the military operation as ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority, but have not released specific estimations of a death toll.

At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children below the age of five, MSF said.

The groups findings come from six surveys of more than 2,434 households in Rohingya refugee camps and cover a period of one month.

We met and spoke with survivors of violence in Myanmar, who are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary camps in Bangladesh, said the groups medical director Sidney Wong.

What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.

Gunshot wounds were the cause of death in 69% of the cases, according to the survey.

Another 9% were reported burned alive inside houses, while 5% died from fatal beatings.

For children under five, nearly 60% died after being shot, the survey found.

Myanmars army has denied any abuses and says only 400 people -- including 376 Rohingya terrorists -- died in the first few weeks of the crackdown.

But MSF said the peak in deaths coincided with the launch of clearance operations by the army and local militias in late August, and were evidence that Rohingya have been targeted.
Arms provided by the United States and Saudi Arabia to Syrian opposition groups frequently ended up in the hands of Islamic State, an arms monitoring group that analysed weapons found on the battlefield said on Thursday.

Conflict Armament Research (CAR) said most Islamic State weapons were looted from the Iraqi and Syrian armies. But some were originally provided by other countries, mainly the United States and Saudi Arabia, to Syrian opposition groups fighting against President Bashar al-Assad.

These findings are a stark reminder of the contradictions inherent in supplying weapons into armed conflicts in which multiple competing and overlapping non-state armed groups operate, the group said in a 200-page report.

CAR documented at least 12 cases of weaponry purchased by the United States that ended up in Islamic States hands, either captured on the battlefield or acquired through shifting alliances within the Syrian opposition. Most of these items later ended up in Iraq, the monitor said.

In one case, it took only two months for Islamic State fighters in Iraq to get their hands on a guided anti-tank missile the United States bought from a European country and supplied to a Syrian opposition group.

All of the items were made in EU states, and in most cases the United States broke contractual clauses prohibiting retransfers by giving the weapons to armed groups in Syria.

Evidence collected by CAR indicates that the United States has repeatedly diverted EU-manufactured weapons and ammunition to opposition forces in the Syrian conflict. IS forces rapidly gained custody of significant quantities of this materiel.

CAR said it similarly traced numerous items used by Islamic State back to exports from Bulgaria to Saudi Arabia, and that these were also subject to non-retransfer clauses that should have barred them from being supplied to Syrian warring parties.

Around 90 percent of weapons and ammunition used by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq were made in China, Russia, and Eastern European countries, CAR said, with China and Russia alone accounting for over 50 percent.

These findings support widespread assumptions that the group initially captured much of its military materiel from Iraqi and Syrian government forces, the report said.

Russian-made weapons used by Islamic State in Syria outnumbered Chinese ones, presumably reflecting Russian supplies to the Syrian regime, CAR said.

Russia is allied with Assad and launched air strikes in Syria in September 2015, its biggest Middle East intervention in decades, turning the tide of the conflict in his favour.

On Saturday Iraq declared final victory over Islamic State, which seized more than a third of the countrys territory in 2014. Last week Russia declared victory over the group in Syria.

CAR reported last year that Islamic State had been making its own weapons on a scale and with sophistication matching national military forces, and that it had standardised production across its realm.
A leader of a British far-right group whose anti-Islamic posts were retweeted by U.S. President Donald Trump was arrested in Northern Ireland on Thursday minutes after being bailed over a separate incident.

Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of the fringe anti-immigrant Britain First group, appeared at a court in Belfast to face charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting words in a speech at a rally in the city in August.

She was remanded on continuing bail until January 9 on condition that she does not go within 500 metres of any rally or demonstration before the case is finished.

As she left court, Fransen, 31, was then arrested over a separate incident that occurred on Wednesday, a police source told Reuters. Britain First said its leader Paul Golding, 35, had also been arrested as he accompanied Fransen to the courthouse.

A police spokeswoman said a 31-year-old woman had been detained for questioning by detectives about an incident in Belfast on Wednesday.

Police said a 35-year-old man had also been arrested on Thursday and that he had also been detained over a speech at the same rally as Fransen in Belfast in August.

Trumps sharing of Fransens anti-Muslim videos, posted on Twitter, provoked outrage in Britain last month, drawing a sharp rebuke from Prime Minister Theresa May and straining relations between two close allies.

An attempt by police to restrict Fransens use of social media - Twitter and Facebook - was rejected by the judge on Thursday.

Fransen was fined last month after being found guilty by a court in England of religiously aggravated harassment for shouting abuse at a Muslim woman wearing a hijab.

Her lawyer told Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday she would be pleading not guilty to the charges she faces in relation to the August rally.

Golding is a former senior figure in the far-right British National Party and founded Britain First in 2011.

The group describes itself as a patriotic political party and street movement. Critics denounce it as a racist organisation.
China accused the United States on Thursday of interfering in its internal affairs and said it had lodged a complaint after US President Donald Trump signed into law an act laying the groundwork for possible US navy visits to self-ruled Taiwan.

Tensions have risen in recent days after a senior Chinese diplomat threatened China would invade Taiwan if any US warships made port visits to the island which China claims as its own territory.

On Monday, Chinese jets carried out island encirclement patrols around Taiwan, with state media showing pictures of bombers with cruise missiles slung under their wings as they carried out the exercise.

On Tuesday, Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2018 fiscal year, which authorises the possibility of mutual visits by navy vessels between Taiwan and the United States.

Such visits would be the first since the United States ended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and established ties with Beijing.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said while the Taiwan sections of the law were not legally binding, they seriously violate the One China policy and constitute an interference in Chinas internal affairs.

China is resolutely opposed to this, and we have already lodged stern representations with the US government, Lu told a daily news briefing.

China is firmly opposed to any official exchanges, military contact, or arms sales between Taiwan and the United States, he added.

Proudly democratic Taiwan has become increasingly concerned with the ramped up Chinese military presence, that has included several rounds of Chinese air force drills around the island in recent months.

Taiwan is confident of its defences and responded quickly to the Chinese air force drills this week, its government said, denouncing the rise in Chinas military deployments as irresponsible.

Taiwan presidential spokesman Alex Huang, speaking to Taiwan media in comments reported late on Wednesday, said the defence ministry had kept a close watch on the patrols and responded immediately and properly.

Taiwan can ensure there are no concerns at all about national security, and people can rest assured, Huang said.

Both sides of the narrow Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from its giant neighbour, have a responsibility to protect peace and stability, he added.

Such a raised military posture that may impact upon and harm regional peace and stability and cross-strait ties does not give a feeling of responsibility, and the international community does not look favourably upon this, Huang was quoted as saying.

Relations have soured considerably since Tsai Ing-wen, who leads Taiwans independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, won presidential elections last year.

China suspects Tsai wants to declare the islands formal independence, a red line for Beijing. Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China but will defend Taiwans security.

Taiwan is well equipped with mostly US weapons but has been pressing for more advanced equipment to deal with what it sees as a rising threat from China. The United States is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
China has denied it demanded full ownership and the right to operate the Diamer-Bhasha dam in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region, the countrys top planning body has said, adding Beijing and Islamabad continue to be in contact over the project.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) dismissed reports that China had not only claimed ownership of the dam but also wanted collateral security for the project in the form of another operational dam.

India has raised objections to the construction of the dam as its site is in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is claimed by New Delhi as part of the undivided Jammu and Kashmir state.

In November, Pakistan withdrew its bid to include the dam in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a senior official saying Chinese conditions for financing the dam were unacceptable.

At the time, the Chinese foreign ministry had denied any information on the development.

The CPEC is the flagship project under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-billion dollar connectivity project that spans Asia.

NDRC deputy director Wang Xiaotao told Pakistani counterparts that the question of China demanding ownership of the dam does not arise.

Currently, the two sides are maintaining contact on the cooperation project of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. However, the project has not yet been included in the list of energy projects under the Economic Corridor, and the trade authorities of China and Pakistan also didnt conduct any exchanges on the development plan of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Wang was quoted as saying during the a meeting of the CPEC joint committee last month.

Therefore, there is no Chinese request for full ownership of the Diamer-Bhasha project, its right to operate and make another in Pakistan hydropower station as collateral and so on. There are inaccurate aspects in reports of Pakistan media on the project of Diamer-Bhasha, or it just represents the position of individual officials, Wang said.

The NDRC issued a statement on the meeting last week. The theme of the meeting, according to the statement, was Dream become Realistic.

Work on the dam is at a preliminary stage though the foundation stone was laid in 2011. When completed, the dam is expected to generate 4,500 MW of electricity.

Pakistan has struggled to get the dam financed from international institutions such as the World Bank because of Indias opposition.

The Chinese statement further said CPECs progress has been smooth, with consensus between the two countries to connect the BRI with Pakistans Vision 2025 in the format of a 1+4 cooperation framework. This will comprise energy, transportation, infrastructure and industrial cooperation with Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea in Pakistans Balochistan province.

It added the CPEC joint committee had held five training sessions for 200 civil servants and workers of the Pakistani government to enhance their operational capabilities.
A Delta flight travelling from Shanghai to Seattle made an emergency landing on Thursday in Tokyo due to a possible fuel leak, a Japanese transport ministry official said.

None of the flights 220 passengers and crew members was hurt in the incident, the official said.

Delta 588, a Boeing 767-300, left the Chinese metropolis at 12.50pm Chinese time (0450 GMT), according to the company.

Its pilot declared an emergency to the Japanese aviation authority as the plane flew over Japan, the official told AFP.

At 3.27pm (0627 GMT), the pilot told the air traffic service that there might be a possible fuel leak from the right wing, the official said.

An emergency was declared. The aircraft landed normally at Narita airport at 4.21pm (0721 GMT), he said.

The airport dispatched 15 fire engines but they did not see any evidence of fuel leaking from the plane or any fuel dripping on the airports runway, the official added.
A retired fertility doctor in Indianapolis who is accused of inseminating patients with his own sperm is set to plead guilty to charges that he lied to investigators.

Dr Donald Cline is scheduled to appear in a Marion County court on Thursday, when a judge is expected to sentence him on two counts of obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors say the 79-year-old Cline initially wrote to investigators denying he used his own sperm.

According to court records, paternity tests indicate Cline is likely the biological father of at least two of his patients children. Those children allege online genetic tests show he might be the father of 20 others.

No other charges were filed against Cline because Indiana law doesnt specifically prohibit fertility doctors from using their own sperm.
Canadian officials are investigating after a human foot washed up on the shores of British Columbia  marking the 13th time in the past decade that tides have carried a sneaker-clad foot on to its coastline.

The grisly find was made earlier this month by Mike Johns as he walked his dog along the scenic southern coast of Vancouver Island. After a large object tangled in sea kelp captured the dogs attention, Johns leaned in for a closer look.

What he saw was a fibula and tibia attached to a left foot, all of it encased in a white sock and black Velcro shoe. By the looks of it, the foot was totally intact. The ankle bone still worked and the bones were attached at the base of the knee, Johns told CTV News.

After calling police, Johns carried the foot home for safekeeping, worried that high tides might wash the foot back into the ocean or that it would attract the attention of wildlife in the area.

The find was the latest in a series that has sparked speculation around the world . Since 2007, another dozen feet have washed up in British Columbia, each of them clad in running shoes.

Some point to natural disasters, such as the 2004 tsunami, or plane or boat accidents at sea. Others theorise that the feet might be the work of a serial killer or organised crime.

At times pranksters have also sought to add fuel to the fire. Weve had people put dog foot skeletons in runners and leave them on the beach, Barb McLintock of the BC coroners office told the Guardian the last time a foot washed up in February 2016. And somebody even used old chicken bones.

In the past dozen cases, the provincial coroners office has ruled out foul play, noting that none of the feet showed signs of trauma. They have identified eight of the feet, saying they included two pairs, and determined that the remaining lone feet belonged to men.

All of the individuals either committed suicide or died accidentally, with their feet naturally coming apart from their bodies during decomposition, said the coroner.

The ubiquitous presence of running shoes might explain some of the mystery; made with light but durable materials, the shoes both protect the foot from decomposition and act as a flotation device that pulls it to the surface.

In the latest case, authorities are now attempting to identify the foot and a cause of death. Police are scouring databases to see if there are any matches with missing persons cases and have said that foul play is not suspected at this point.

The investigation is in its early stages and could eventually be broadened, said Andy Watson of the BC Coroners office. It may even include working with agencies south of the border, because with the tides and the coastline this could have come from another jurisdiction too.

Watson said he wasnt sure why the number of feet found in British Columbia had climbed into double digits in recent years. I dont really have a succinct reason as to why that is, he said. You know, you look at the sheer nature of the geography and how big the coastline is.
An Indian-American student has pleaded guilty to launching a massive cyber attack on a US universitys computer network by creating a giant botnet that paralysed the internet, officials said.

Paras Jha, 21, of New Jersey along with two others Josiah White, 20, from Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman, 21, from Louisiana also pleaded guilty to creating and operating two botnets last year, which targeted Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.

Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system, acting US attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a statement on Wednesday.

These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students submission of their work to professors to be graded, he said.

The defendants actions effectively paralysed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers students.

... the defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it, Fitzpatrick said.

In a guilty plea before US district judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

His attacks effectively shut down Rutgers Universitys central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty, and students delivered assignments and assessments.

At times, he succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to the university, its faculty, and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 13.

Earlier on December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal informations in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.
The commander of Iraqs biggest Shia Muslim paramilitary group told its fighters on Thursday to take their orders from the national military and cut their ties with the groups political wing.

Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Iran-backed Badr Organisation, also called on the groups fighters to withdraw from the cities under their control.

The move paves the way for Amiri to stand in parliamentary elections on May 12.

Participation in the election by members of Iraqs Iran-backed Shiite paramilitaries, collectively known as Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), has been hotly debated in Iraq. PMF members cannot run for office unless they formally resign their posts.

Amiri is the second commander to issue such a call in as many days. He called on those in charge of his armed wing to cut their ties with the groups political party, which holds 22 seats in the Iraqi parliament.

I also call on all my brothers, the commanders of various formations, to clear cities of all signs of militarisation, he said in a speech.

Badr, which says it is loyal to both Iraq and Iran, is the biggest group within the PMF, which fought alongside security forces against Islamic State.

Sunni Muslims and Kurds have called on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who declared victory over Islamic State last week, to disarm the PMF, which they say are responsible for widespread abuses.

The PMF were officially made part of the Iraqi security establishment by law and formally answer to Abadi in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Abadi has said the state should have a monopoly on the legitimate use of arms.

Qais al-Khazali, head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, announced a similar move on Wednesday when he said he would place his fighters under Abadis command. The fighters and their political wing were now separate entities, he said.

Powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr set out conditions on Monday for his followers to give the government the weapons they used to fight Islamic State.

Iran-backed Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, which has about 10,000 fighters and is one of the most important militias in Iraq, said last month it would give any heavy weapons it had to the military once Islamic State was defeated.
Islamic State threatened attacks on U.S. soil in retaliation for the Trump administrations decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, one of the groups social media accounts reported on Thursday without giving any details.

In a message on one of its accounts on the Telegram instant messaging service titled Wait for us and ISIS in Manhattan, the group said it would carry out operations and showed images of New Yorks Times Square and what appeared to be an explosive bomb belt and detonator.

We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria and Afghan. Just you wait, it said.

The recognition of your dog Trump (sic) Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will make us recognize explosives as the capital of your country.

Washington triggered widespread anger and protests across the Arab world with its decision on Jerusalem. The disputed city is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, and is home to Islams third holiest site. It has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.

Islamic State was driven out of its Iraqi and Syrian capitals this year and squeezed into a shrinking pocket of desert straddling the border between the two countries.

The forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare there. Militants including people claiming allegiance to Islamic State have carried out scores of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States over the past two years.
Nelson Mandelas family has expressed indignation and dismay at allegations that officials stole and misspent $22 million intended for the anti-apartheid icons memorial events after his death in 2013.

The countrys anti-corruption watchdog last week said it had uncovered evidence that millions of dollars disappeared during preparations for Mandelas memorial and funeral.

Officials are alleged to have inflated costs, awarded tenders fraudulently and generally mismanaged the huge state occasion which drew leaders from around the world.

Mandelas eldest grandson Mandla said on Wednesday that the whole family had reacted with utter indignation and dismay to the allegations.

We find it incredulous that while we, as a family, a nation -- and indeed the world -- were mourning the loss of our elder, icon, leader and statesman, some people were allegedly conniving to profit financially by shamelessly siphoning off funds, he said in a statement.

The guilty parties should face the full wrath of the law.

Mandela died on December 5, 2013, aged 95, and was buried at his home village in Qunu in the countrys southeast on December 15 at a funeral attended by presidents, royalty and several celebrities.

The Public Protector watchdog said around 300 million rand ($22 million) of state funds intended for the memorial and funeral were misspent.

It is unfathomable that a legacy built on principled action, integrity and a high degree of ethical standards should be so sullied and allegedly be associated with such criminal intent, said the family.

Opposition parties were among the first to raise the alarm, demanding a probe into how taxpayers money earmarked for the memorial and funeral services was used just a month after the events had concluded.

Mandelas long-serving personal assistant Zelda la Grange described the funeral planning process as chaos in a revealing memoir published six months after his death.

I had never experienced such chaos, she wrote of the events to commemorate Mandelas life, saying that plans were changed every few minutes.

One could not help but wonder whether it was just eight years of bad planning, wasting money on foreign travel to consult with other countries about events of this magnitude, she said, or whether it was a deliberate attempt to exclude from Mandelas funeral people who were not allied with the right people.
Russian President Vladimir Putin kicked off an annual press conference Thursday, his first major public appearance since announcing he would seek a new six-year term in March 2018 elections.

The marathon event has in the past lasted up to almost five hours and this year more than 1,600 journalists were accredited.

Proceedings began with a question from a Moscow radio station on the reasons the president was seeking re-election, after the long-expected confirmation of his candidacy last week.

To improve quality of life for Russians, said Putin, who has been in power since 1999 and could become the countrys longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin if he wins a fourth term.

Putin said he would stand for election as an independent candidate rather than with the backing of his traditional party, United Russia, despite counting on the support of the political forces that share my point of view about the development of the country.

A journalist asked about the state of the opposition in polls in which Putin will face only nominal competition and is all but certain to cruise to victory.

According to a survey published by independent pollster Levada on Wednesday, 75 percent of Russians would be prepared to vote for Putin in March, despite having yet to hear any specific campaign pledges.

Is it up to me to form the opposition myself? Putin replied. I think in politics, as in the economy, there should be competition. I will strive for this.

One of these opponents is Ksenia Sobchak, a former socialite turned liberal TV presenter who many suspect is running as Kremlin spoiler candidate to split the opposition and boost interest in the polls.

Sobchak, whose father was Putins political mentor and who is rumoured to be the presidents goddaughter, was at Thursdays event as a journalist for opposition television channel Dozhd and was expected to be allowed to ask a question.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is officially barred from appearing on the ballot paper because of a criminal conviction, which he says was politically motivated.

Putins main challenge will be to convince Russians to vote at all in an election that he is widely expected to win. According to Levada, only 28 percent of Russians said they were certain to vote in March.

- Carnival atmosphere -

As in previous years, there was something of a carnival atmosphere in the press conference hall with journalists holding signs to attract the presidents attention and one reporter even dressed as the Russian equivalent of Father Christmas, an AFP correspondent said.

Signs offered an indication of the sort of question the reporters would ask if given the floor by the president and slogans included children, agriculture, Krasnoyarsk is choking, and spiritual foundations.

Placards larger than A3 would be banned from the hall, the Kremlin press service said.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin spent all of the previous day preparing for his 13th such press conference.

The president typically answers questions on a broad range of topics -- from foreign policy to the state of provincial roads to his private life -- and receives televised requests from the far corners of Russia.

On Thursday he said it was obvious that the Russian economy was growing and said grain exports had been brilliant.

We have reached a stage of confident development, he said.

A crash in oil prices in 2014, along with international sanctions imposed over Moscows actions in Ukraine, helped push Russia into its longest recession since the Kremlin strongman came to power.

The countrys economy returned to growth only at the end of last year with a tepid 0.3 percent expansion.
The first meeting of a Russian-North Korea military commission is discussing the implementation of a 2015 agreement on preventing dangerous military activities signed by the two nations in 2015, Russias embassy to Pyongyang said on its Facebook page on Thursday.

Russias defence ministry delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday. It will stay in North Korea until Saturday, an embassy official told the RIA news agency.
A capsule carrying US, Russian and Italian astronauts from the International Space Station landed in Kazakhstan on Thursday after a five-month mission, a NASA TV live broadcast showed.

The spacecraft brought back Randy Bresnik from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Sergey Ryazanskiy from Russian space agency Roscosmos, and Italys Paolo Nespoli with the European Space Agency.

The capsule landed in the windswept and snow-covered steppe in Kazakhstans central Karaganda region at 2.37pm (0837 GMT).

Smiling Ryazanskiy was the first to emerge from the capsules hatch, assisted by rescue workers.

The trios departure has reduced to just three the crew of the ISS, a $100 billion lab that flies about 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.

On December 17, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishege Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will blast off from the Baikonur cosmodrome, also in Kazakhstan, to join the ISS crew.
US executions and new death sentences rose slightly in 2017 from a year ago but remained the lowest in decades as capital punishment has declined in the country, a survey released on Thursday showed.

The United States had 23 executions so far in 2017, with no more scheduled for the year. This is up slightly from 20 last year, the lowest since 1991, but far fewer than the record of 98 in 1999, according to the study from the Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit capital punishment monitor.

For the past several years more states have offered life in prison without parole as an alternative sentence.

Legal battles over death penalty protocols and pharmaceutical companies banning sales of drugs for lethal injections due to ethical concerns have also caused executions to drop.

The long-term trend seems consistent. It looks as though we are going to remain with a comparatively low number of executions and a comparatively low number of new death sentences, Robert Dunham, the centers executive director, said in a telephone interview.

Four inmates were exonerated from death row in 2017, bringing the total since 1973 to 160, the report said.

Since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, there have been 1,465 executions, with 545 in Texas, the most of any state.

While 31 states have the death penalty, Texas and Arkansas accounted for about half of all US executions this year.

But in a sign of the changing times, Harris County in Texas, once known as the buckle on the execution belt for sending more people to the death chamber than any other nationwide, accounted for zero executions or death sentences in 2017, the study said, the first time this has happened since 1974.

Harris County, home to Houston, received a new district attorney, when Kim Ogg, a Democrat, took office in January. Ogg favors the death penalty but said she wanted to use it sparingly for the worst of the worst crimes where there is no question of guilt.

Our policies reflect the wishes of the community at large. We have not abandoned the death penalty. But we are selective. We have to be, Tom Berg, first assistant district attorney for Harris County, said in a telephone interview.
The US State Department said Wednesday its policy on North Korea has not changed, following remarks by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that Washington is ready to talk without prior conditions.

Tillersons comments, made Tuesday, were interpreted by some experts as a softening of the US position.

The Secretary of State stated the need for a period of calm in Pyongyangs nuclear and ballistic tests before negotiations could begin.

However, he also said talks could begin without preconditions, including without confirmation that Kim Jong- Uns regime will abandon its nuclear program.

Tillerson had said in August that a condition of those talks is there is no future where North Korea holds nuclear weapons.

The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Wednesday.

We remain open to dialogue when North Korea is willing to conduct a credible dialogue on the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, she said, adding clearly the time is not right now and that the State Department is on the same page as the White House on the issue.

Donald Trumps national security advisor, HR McMaster, also said denuclearization is the only viable objective in North Korea.

Talks with North Korea wont be an end in themselves, he added during a conference organised by the Jamestown Foundation research institute in Washington.

Meanwhile, he interpreted Tillersons offer of discussions without preconditions as meaning that the US is not going to relieve any pressure on North Korea, or cave in to any demands for pay offs.

Tillerson yesterday told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting  even the weather.

Lets just meet and lets talk about the weather if you want and talk about whether its going to be a square table or a roundtable if thats what youre excited about, he said.

But elsewhere in his remarks, Tillerson insisted the US- led pressure campaign of economic and diplomatic sanctions would continue until the first bomb drops.
80's Rock Saviours Are Sweeney's Men In Brilliant New Radio Documentary

Ken Sweeney travels to Georgia to hear how REM set out from their home town of Athens as evangelists for a new alternative music which returned to simple melody and jangling guitars. Featuring contributions from REM's Michael Stipe and Mike Mills, producers Joe Boyd and Mitch Easter, members of 10,000 Maniacs and Athens band Pylon, various REM road crew, long time REM associate and tour guide Paul Butchart, and REM manager Bertis Downs, Sweeney goes in behind classics from 'Radio Free Europe' to 'Nightswimming' to get the full ballistics on what made REM so special in the first place.

Downs himself has this to say about the production, ""REM: Out Of Athens really captures the time and the place. Well researched and always interesting, We'd like to thank Ken for coming all the way to Georgia to make it."

It's hard to credit now, but there was a time when the biggest bands in the world reached that elevated position through years of thankless road work, playing gigs and shaking hands, inspiring those who came after them. As Mike Mills tells Sweeney, "We didn't pave the way (for Nirvana), we just gave them a template, we showed that it could be done, and, if you hold through to your own selves, you can still become successful, you don't have to do what the man tells you to do."

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Sweeney knows a bit about this road lark himself, having released albums and singles under the name 'Brian' in the 90s. He's a dab hand at this documentary jazz too, last year's In Search Of The Blue Nile received rave reviews, including nods from Peter Gabriel and Ryan Adams. That programme was dedicated to the late George Byrne, formerly of this parish. There is little doubt that George would approve of this one too.

REM: Out Of Athens airs on RTE Radio One at 2pm on Thursday 28th December, but Hot Press is (Shiny) Happy to share it with you People right here.
Montgomery Co. Jail via Fox 45

A Kettering, Ohio, teacher will seek an insanity plea to defend herself in court from accusations of sexual contact with two students, Dayton Daily News reports.

Madeline Marx, 23, appeared in court on Wednesday to ask for a competency hearing, which was approved. The former Kettering Fairmont High School substitute teacher will undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
While southern Texas residents enjoyed a rare winter wonderland last weekend, the spate of cold weather has had an adverse affect on the local endangered sea turtle population.

The NOAA Fisheries laboratory in Galveston picked up 18 cold-stunned green sea turtles last weekend in Christmas Bay, following a precipitous water temperature drop that accompanied a cold front and brought snow to the region.

C0ld-stunned sea turtles are not a unique phenomenon. They frequently pop up when the first major cold front of the year hits the Gulf Coast. But the number of turtles picked up last weekend exceeded the total amount found in all of January and February. For the first time on record, the average sea surface temperature in the Gulf of Mexico never fell below 73 degrees last winter.

The cold-stunned turtles are typically juvenile green sea turtles that migrate to the bay to feed on algae and seagrass. Cold-stunned turtles will float at the surface of shallow waters, unable to dive away and appearing almost lifeless, with minimal response to touch.

"It fluctuates from year to year, so we've had 50 in a day and this was 18 in a weekend but cold-stun season actually runs through February so this is at the forefront," said Lyndsey Howell, a research fishery biologist at the NOAA laboratory in Galveston.

The conditions of the water are key, with lower tides leaving the turtles more exposed to cold weather. Usually when water temperatures start to cool, the sea turtles instinctively swim south toward warmer waters. However, the 18 found in Christmas Bay didn't have that option because the bay has no southern exit.

"Sea turtles don't do well with water temperatures less than 50 degrees," said Chris Marshall, the lead turtle researcher at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

"They get real lethargic and just start to slow down. It can cause some real health problems, even kill them," Marshall said. "We've lost a lot of turtles in this area of Texas this winter already."

Volunteers picked up the cold-stunned turtles in the bay and took them to the laboratory in Galveston, where they are slowly nursed back to health. This process involves gradually heating the turtle's body temperature by putting them in dry tubs in an air-conditioned room (roughly 60 to 65 degrees) for the first 24 hours before placing them in warmer water. Once the body temperature stabilizes and a veterinarian determines they are no longer at risk, the turtles are released back into the Gulf, but only if water has warmed to a safe temperature.

Turtle researchers say that the silver lining to the increased number of cold-stunned sea turtles is that the endangered population is increasing.

"As we see the population increase, the opportunities for events like this to happen obviously will increase," said Joanie Steinhaus, the campaign director for the Turtle Island Restoration Network. "But this has been a really mild year. There have been years where over 1,000 turtles have been cold-stunned."

In the meantime, turtle researchers encourage the public -- be it fishers or beachgoers -- to keep an eye out for cold-stunned turtles this winter, particularly with another cold front expected this weekend.

The Turtle Island Restoration Network operates a hotline that the public can call if they see a cold-stunned turtle in the water: 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).
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Deputies are investigating a daring high-noon robbery in The Woodlands where the assailant used an unconventional get-away technique.

Law enforcement with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office responded to the BBVA Compass Bank on Research Forest Drive near Alden Bridge Drive around noon Thursday. Early reports indicate the robber held up the bank with a note demanding money and escaped on a silver Razor-style scooter.
This week, Alabama voters elected a Democrat to the Senate for the first time in a generation.

That is a sentence no one would have anticipated reading, or writing, a year ago. Alabama is such a deep-red state it makes Texas look temperate, if not conciliatory. In 2016, Donald Trump carried its electoral votes by a 28-point margin.

And just a few months ago, Alabama Republicans nominated Roy Moore to be their candidate in the special election for the seat once held by Jeff Sessions, who had been tapped to lead the Department of Justice as Trump's attorney general.

Voters who weighed in during the primary had respectable options, including Rep. Mo Brooks and the incumbent, Luther Strange, who had been appointed by the governor to serve as Sessions' replacement. The fact that they chose Moore was suggestive. His public record is notable, primarily, for being overtly contentious.

Moore believes that homosexuality should be illegal, for example, and that Muslims should be barred from serving in Congress. He was twice elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, in 2001 and 2013, but never managed to serve a full term in that capacity before being removed from office.

"We have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress," he said at his victory party on Sept. 26, after clinching the nomination by beating Strange in a runoff.

Why Moore therefore wanted Alabamians to vote for him was a mystery - one that only deepened over the next 10 weeks, as decent people all over the country recoiled at allegations that he had sexually assaulted a number of teenage girls, and the revelation that, in Moore's opinion, the last time America was great was the antebellum era, "even though we had slavery."

In any case, Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney, narrowly edged past him Tuesday in the general election.

In keeping with his habit of believing himself to be above the law, Moore has yet to concede the election. Regardless, he lost it. And his defeat will have practical consequences. Republicans will still control the Senate after Jones is seated, but by the narrowest possible margin.

"Take this opportunity, in light of this election, and go ahead and fund that CHIP program before I get up there," said Jones, at his own victory party Tuesday night, referring to the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Still, many Republicans are relieved by Moore's defeat, and all of them should be.

Disregard of principles

Most of them had cottoned on to the fact that for Moore to win would be a mixed blessing, at best, for the conservative cause. He would, perhaps, have been a reliable vote for tax reform, or anything else that might be on the president's somewhat inchoate agenda. At the same time, Moore has a record of brazen disregard for core principles such as rule of law and due process. Multiple women have described him, credibly, as a sexual predator. And he embarrasses himself on alarmingly casual basis, as he did on election day, when he tried to ride a horse to the polling station.

The man is a bad apple, clearly. Most Republicans could see that. Their party nearly sent him to the Senate anyway.

It's true that a handful of Republican leaders disavowed Moore in a meaningful way - and he drastically underperformed, compared to normal Republicans running statewide in Alabama. Most party leaders, however, were equivocal on the subject, especially after Moore won Trump's full-throated endorsement.

40 percent turnout

And the results of the actual election make it clear that the reason Republicans lost the Senate seat is that Democrats exceeded expectations. Jones is a highly qualified candidate, although many Republicans piously asserted that in light of his pro-choice views, he was a morally unacceptable option. In addition to that, he ran an effective campaign. On the eve of the election, the secretary of state's office projected that 25 percent of Alabama voters would turn out; in the end, 40 percent did, despite dauntingly long lines at many polling stations.

Disgust at Moore - or Trump, or Republicans more generally - surely mobilized some of those voters, in addition to explaining why many stayed home. But that would have made no difference if Jones had not been poised to take advantage of an opportunity that Democrats were not expecting.

Part of a pattern

In the wake of Moore's defeat, then, Republicans should take a moment to thank Alabama Democrats for saving their bacon. After that, they need to grapple with the fact that they got lucky. Although Moore is a bad apple, he is also a symptom of a systemic problem with the contemporary GOP - one that predates the 2016 election, and is not confined to Alabama.

I know that, because I've been covering Texas politics since 2007. I wish it weren't the case. But the evidence is dispositive. The United States has two major political parties. Both of them are vulnerable to nominating, or electing, the occasional bad apple, and neither party has been beyond reproach when confronted with unpleasant revelations about one of their own. But in this regard, Democrats have a demonstrably better record than Republicans, at least lately.

Let's consider the case of Ken Paxton, our attorney general. In May 2014, he was reprimanded by the Texas State Securities Board for violating the Texas Securities Act. By doing so, he effectively admitted to a felony violation of a law that he had voted to create, some years earlier, as a member of the Texas Legislature.

Several weeks later, in the Republican primary runoff, Paxton clinched the party's nomination. Since July 2015, he has been under indictment. Some of the Texans who voted for Paxton might be convinced that he is, as his defenders have insisted, the victim of a politically motivated investigation. Others might believe that lawlessness is an attribute in an attorney general. Many would argue that insofar as Paxton is a Republican, he was preferable to the Democratic option. But my point here is simply that Moore's nomination is part of a pattern, in which Republicans nominate someone demonstrably unsuitable for high office and then act as if an unfortunate accident inexplicably befell them.

Agenda over character

They've been doing so busily in the wake of the Alabama Senate election - casting Moore as an anomaly, and pointing fingers at the subset of Republicans who loudly supported him. I find myself puzzled, reading such reactions. Granted, most national political commentators haven't spent much time reporting on Texas' attorney general, or our agriculture commissioner, Sid Miller. But do they not remember the last presidential election?

Not long ago, Republicans believed in the concept of personal responsibility, or claimed to, at least. And, in fairness, some of them still do. Others have abandoned the pretense, in favor of arguing that ultimately, a candidate's character matters less than whether he will vote for the party's agenda. That's a cynical calculation under any circumstances, and in some cases, like Moore's, it proves self-defeating.

But all too often, it doesn't. And so I hope that all Republicans heed the advice that their leader gave on Wednesday.

"If last night's election proved anything, it proved that we need to put up GREAT Republican candidates to increase the razor thin margins in both the House and Senate," the president tweeted.

Trump is right. And if that's too ambitious for his party, perhaps Republicans can, at least, make an effort to nominate candidates who have never flouted the law, wallowed in bigotry, or abused any of the Americans they hope to represent.
Hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude oil that spilled in Fort Bend County last week after an oil rig blowout should be cleaned up in the next few days, company officials said, a relief for residents who say the "burnt rubber" smell is giving them headaches, burning eyes and nausea.

About 240,000 gallons of crude and 30,000 gallons of sludge had been removed by midday Wednesday, one week after the rig near the Fort Bend County Tollway and FM 2234 in southwest Houston blew Dec. 6.

The well was capped the next day, and driller IWR Operating, LLC called in Haz Mat Special Services, an environmental cleanup company from La Porte, to manage the site. But the smell has continued to hover over nearby neighborhoods in Fort Bend and Brazoria counties as the cleanup crews stir up the sludge while removing it.

Texas health officials say the smell poses no danger to human health or safety, but residents say they are feeling the effects.

"The smell is really, really intense," said Tennille Warren-Phillips, who lives about six miles east of the drill site in the Shadow Creek Ranch development of Pearland. "You most definitely cannot go outside."

Warren-Phillips said she noticed the smell right away on Dec. 6 as the intense odor settled onto her neighborhood. Her neighborhood Facebook group has been busy with discussions about the smell.

"It's been a popular topic: 'What is that foul odor?' " she said.

Clean-up underway

The Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees drilling in Texas, is monitoring the clean-up.

"The well is under control and spilled fluids are contained," said Ramona Nye, RRC spokeswoman. "Our inspectors have found no evidence of the spill impacting area waterways, homes or public land."

Steven Childers, Haz Mat's vice president of emergency response, said Wednesday the well blew after experiencing what he called "an unexpected pressure-up"  a "kick," as it's known in the industry. At 2,880 feet deep, it encountered a pocket of pressure that overpowered the amount of mud packed in to prevent the oil from shooting up.

"They had not weighted their mud for that kind of pressure," Childers said. "It came up around, up through the casing on the outside of the drill stem, and it was over."

A 30-mph wind that day created a "pretty heavy spray," Childers said.

For the past week, 50 to 60 workers have been mopping up oil and removing the oil-soaked dirt from the area; much of the oil will be recycled. So far, the equivalent of about 30 tanker-trucks worth of crude and four tanker-trucks full of sludge have been removed.

'A very pungent odor'

Officials with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality began investigating neighbors' complaints Dec. 7 and "detected odors consistent" with hydrogen sulfide in the community and near the well site.

Low concentrations of the gas can irritate a person's eyes, nose and throat and may cause breathing difficulties for individuals with asthma. Prolonged exposure can cause headache, fatigue and eye inflammation, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

"When TCEQ staff have noted odors, low levels of hydrogen sulfide ... have been detected below levels that would be a health concern," said Brian McGovern, TCEQ spokesman.

He noted that "persistent, strong odors have the potential to cause, indirect, odor-related health effects," such as headache and nausea.

"It's just sulfur," Childers said  a byproduct of petroleum crude oil exploration.

"It's not in every field, but in this field it's prevalent," he said. "There's a vein of sulfur that's in the salt dome they're drilling into."

What's in the air, Childers said, "is the same sulfur people use in medications, that people use in their gardens, that people use for snake repellent. It's just got a very pungent odor."

If the weather cooperates, Childers said, the crew should finish scooping up the oil-saturated dirt by Saturday or Sunday. That means the smell should dissipate after the weekend.

Alex Stuckey covers science and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Alyson Ward writes about the Houston area.
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Houston transit officials moved forward Thursday with a proposal to use a slice of a downtown bus depot for a homeless shelter, leaving much of the contentious debate for city council members.

Residents and business owners close to the proposed site along McKee and Buffalo Bayou vehemently opposed the plan in comments to the Metropolitan Transit Authority board. Many said they only learned about it in the past few days. They also cited crime and property value concerns, along with the sense that Metro was rushing ahead.

Board chairwoman Carrin Patman, pushed for the approval Thursday citing the need to proceed in deference to the city. Patman said transit officials have the same safety questions, and feel they are addressed.

SHELTER SPACE: Houston proposes Metro site for 'low-barrier' homeless shelter

If we had a concern that it wasnt going to be safe for our staffers to be in proximity to this location, we would not move forward, she said.

Citing the opposition of the local residents, Metro board member Jim Robinson opposed the plan, as did Lisa Castaneda. Patman and board members Lex Frieden, Sanjay Ramabhadran and Christof Spieler approved the proposal.

The proposed low-barrier shelter, which will require City Council approval, would use 5,000 square feet of the bus depot, beneath one of eight covered areas, to house people. The citys general plan, although they have not announced specific details, would cordon off the encampment, provide 24-hour security and act as a gathering spot for social services to transition those homeless interested in permanent housing toward opportunities.

Metro would spend $100,000 to fence the area and make other changes so it could continue to use the rest of the site to store buses.

FUTURE OF TRANSIT: Metro drawing up long-term regional plan

Officials noted Metros role was merely as a landholder, stressing the city would operate and maintain the space. City elected officials, ultimately, would finalize the plans.

Board members avoided debating the merits of the project.

Fundamentally it feels to me this board is not the appropriate solution for homeless challenges, Spieler said. I think it is important for these concerns to be heard and the appropriate venue is city council.

Spieler stressed he was agreeable to using the spot as a temporary shelter, but opposed turning over the space permanently because of Metros own needs and his skepticism that the location is a valid long-term shelter site.

Metros approval stipulates the agreement is for a six-month pilot program.

Simply passing this today gets the process moving, Patman said.
Few things are more stressful for a parent than having their newborn baby in the Intensive Care Unit.

Fortunately, Houston's Texas Children's Hospital is helping spread the holiday cheer.

Working with First Memories Texas, a volunteer organization that helps comfort families with premature or critically-ill children, the hospital hosted Santa Claus in an adorable Christmas-themed photo shoot.

CUTE: Freak out occurs after Houston gender reveal party turns into marriage proposal

Now Playing: Having a newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit is hard on parents. Fortunately for the babies at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite's neonatal ICU, theres 82-year-old David Deutschman. He holds the babies whose parents cant b Video: Fox2Detroit

In a prepared statement, April Neal, a mother whose son was born 13 weeks early and is being cared for at the Houston hospital, said the merry visit helped her family through a difficult time.

"We were told Santa would be visiting a few days beforehand and I was so excited  I was even able to dress up my son for the very first time, which was really special," Neal said. "I was a little bit emotional during Santa's visit, and grateful for an experience that normalized the NICU for families. I will always cherish these photos and was excited to share them with family and friends."

"It's wonderful that Texas Children's has volunteer organizations that help put these events together for families  they help bring a little holiday joy and spirit to families who are going through challenging times," she said.

See images from the heartwarming photoshoot above.

Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93.
Williamson County Judicial Records

A former Texas middle school teacher is accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old she met at church.

Nicole Marie-Faires Andrews, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator/student, records show. Both charges are second-degree felonies.
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WASHINGTON  The White House said Wednesday that it is withdrawing the nomination of Jeffrey Mateer to be a federal judge in Texas, following outcries in the Senate over past remarks he made linking transgender rights to "Satan's plan."

The decision came as Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett was confirmed to a position of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, overcoming objections from Democrats about Tweets that they said reveal bias against gay and transgender people.

GOP OPPOSITION: Top Republican calls on Trump to 'reconsider' nominee

The U.S. Senate voted 50-47 along party lines to confirm Willett, one of two Texas jurists up for positions on the federal appeals court based in New Orleans.

Now Playing: Ten finalists have been selected for five federal judge vacancies in South Florida. President Donald Trump is expected to nominate his choices in the next few months. Video: Sun-Sentinel

A final vote is scheduled Thursday on former Texas Solicitor General James Ho, who was nominated along with Willett by President Donald Trump. A procedural vote to move forward on Ho's nomination passed later Wednesday by a slightly wider 53-47 margin.

The votes for Willett and Ho come as some top Republicans, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, had urged Trump to reconsider two recent federal court nominations, including that of Mateer, an aide to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

A White House official, speaking on background, told the Chronicle that Mateer's nomination will no longer go forward. White House officials also decided to withdraw the nomination of Brett Talley, Trump's nominee to a federal court position in Alabama. Democrats had criticized Talley, a Justice Department official, because he had never argued a case in court.

Mateer came under fire for controversial remarks he made in a series of speeches in 2015, including one in which he linked a transgender child to "Satan's plan." He also equated same-sex marriage with "bestiality," and defended the controversial practice of "conversion therapy" for gays and lesbians.

GREEN LIGHT: Judge clears Trump's pick for consumer agency

Gay rights sand civil liberties groups cheered the White House decision.

"Jeff Mateer's extreme rhetoric and hateful comments are disqualifying for any public official and should have prevented Donald Trump from nominating him to begin with," Chad Griffin, president of national LGBTQ organization Human Rights Campaign. "We thank the senators who expressed concern about this dangerous nominee and the many supporters who joined us to #StopJeffMateer."

Paxton's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In recent confirmation hearings and press conferences, Democrats also accused Willett, an avid Twitter user, of showing insensitivity in a tweet that they said mocked a transgender high school student.

They also attacked a memorandum he wrote in 1998 to then Texas Gov. George W. Bush that was critical of the wording on a proclamation declaring "Business Women's Week."

Willett, dubbed Texas' "Twitter Laureate," denied any attempt to denigrate transgender youths and argued that he was trying to remove partisan references in the Bush proclamation praising women in business.

Texas U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, who recommended Willett and Ho to the White House, offered strong praise on the Senate floor, as did Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Cornyn and Cruz have praised Willett, the son of a truck stop waitress, and Ho, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, as the embodiments of the American Dream.

"I have known the both of them for decades," Cruz said in a floor speech Wednesday. "Both are close friends. Both are brilliant lawyers. Both have spent decades earning a reputation as principled constitutionalists who will remain faithful to the law and will not impose their own policy preferences from the bench. Beyond that, both Don and Jim are testaments to the American Dream."
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AUSTIN -- No state played a bigger financial role in trying to elect Roy Moore to the U.S. Senate outside of Alabama than Texas.

Individual campaign donors from Texas combined to give the failed Republican nominee nearly as much money as contributors in California, New York and Florida combined.

Texans were responsible for just over $400,000 in donations through the end of November, according to the latest campaign finance disclosure reports. Those numbers are sure to climb as donations over the last two weeks are tallied by the campaign.

While the Republicans who rallied to help Moore were disappointed with the outcome, Democrats were delighted at their own financial response to Alabama where more than $300,000 from Texas went to help Democrat Doug Jones. They believe the Republican defeat will create momentum for Democrats in Texas and nationwide going into the 2018 campaign.

"We saw an opportunity," said Missouri City resident Mark Kahn, who had never contributed to a Senate race before donating $2,700 to Jones' campaign.

Some Texas Republicans had been backing Moore for months. Among the biggest Texas donors to Moore:

Lee Roy Mitchell, founder of the Cinemark USA movie theater chain from Dallas.

Physician and conservative activist Lawrence Gelman from McAllen.

Same-sex marriage opponent and conservative activist Steven Hotze and his wife Janie Hotze from the Houston area.

All four gave at least $8,100 each to Moore's campaign.

Hotze also used a new political action committee he created in June called Restore Our Godly Heritage PAC, to help Moore. That PAC has spent at least $91,000 on radio ads and other unspecified "ad productions."

At a speech in Alabama last month in support of Moore, Hotze said he was backing the former judge because he is "unswerving in his principles to uphold the Constitution and his Christian values."

Texas Democrats are feeling heartened by what they saw in terms of financial support coming from their party, too. More than $300,000 in donations flowed from Texans to Democrat Doug Jones, who won the race according to unofficial results.

Jones' top Texas donors included Dallas heiress Patricia Walker and New Braunfels resident William Holliday. Both gave over $3,100 to Jones. University of Texas professor Mona Mehdy of Austin and Edward Lam, a Grapevine accountant for Exeter Finance each gave just over $2,700 each to round out Jones' top four.

Kahn, a venture capitalist, said he felt the Alabama race offered a great chance to demonstrate his opposition to President Donald Trump.

"It just makes life harder for the president," Kahn said, relishing Tuesday's results.

Trouble for Cruz?

El Paso Democrat Beto O'Rourke, emboldened by the Alabama results was quick to reach out to his supporters Tuesday night to present himself as the next big upset candidate.

"If you weren't sure if our campaign to take on Ted Cruz was possible, you have to know it is now," O'Rourke's campaign said in a fundraising email minutes after Jones was declared the winner in Alabama. "Next stop, Texas 2018."

O'Rourke's campaign was quick to point out that President Donald Trump carried Texas by 9 percentage points, while he carried Alabama by 28 percentage points. If Alabama can produce such an upset, so too can Texas, according to their logic.

"The blue wave that is sweeping the nation has reached the South," said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.

Some Texas Democrats took to Twitter to express their approval of Alabama's results.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, wrote simply: "Trump is toxic."

U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat, wrote: "Good has prevailed and our country is on the way to a new day."

Texas Republicans were largely quiet on the Alabama results.

"Our focus has been and will be on winning Texas elections," Republican Party of Texas chairman James Dickey said. "We have strong candidates in every contested race, and we are more grateful than ever that we live in the great state of Texas."

Cruz, who endorsed Moore earlier in the campaign but pulled that support later as allegations of sexual misconduct mounted against Moore, also had little to say on the results. Cruz made no mention of the race on social media and his campaign did not respond to a request for comment as of late Wednesday. But Cruz did react to another race. Three times in the last two days, Cruz retweeted posts about his former chief of staff Chip Roy who is running for a San Antonio based seat in Congress in 2018.

But while Cruz and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn both rescinded their support for Moore, other Texas Republicans kept fighting for Moore to the end. In the closing days, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Tyler Republican, went to Alabama to help campaign for Moore.

"Roy invited me out to this rally tonight. I met him many years ago. I know the kind of difference a man of principle can make. He's no racist; and, he's dedicated his life to making America a better place, yet (is) being tried in the media," Gohmert said in a statement to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Some Texas donors early on tried to keep Moore from the nomination and gave to other Republicans in the race, like U.S. Sen. Luther Strange.

Just over $100,000 from Texans went to Strange's campaign. His top Texas donor was Ross Perot Jr., president and CEO of Hillwood Investment Properties of Dallas. Perot gave $8,100 to the Strange campaign. Ray L. Hunt, chairman of Hunt Consolidated in Dallas, was the next biggest Lone Star State donor, giving $5,400 to Strange.

Jeremy Wallace writes about state politics and government for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter at @JeremySWallace.
Open your medicine cabinet and take a look at the pill bottles inside. If you're like millions of other Americans, you might find some leftover opioids.

Don't be surprised. Physicians in our country write an estimated 200 million opioid prescriptions each year. As many as 92 percent of their patients don't use all the pills they're given, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Surgery. Even well-intentioned doctors prescribe too many opioids, their patients take too many pills and average Americans become addicts.

Now, it's about time some of the parties responsible for this national health crisis are held accountable. Harris County has filed suit against a host of drug manufacturers, distributors, doctors and even a pharmacist to hold them civilly liable for their roles in the opioid epidemic. County Attorney Vince Ryan argues that pharmaceutical makers knew from the outset the drugs they were selling were addictive. The lawsuit pointedly describes what happened next.

"Driven by profit, defendants engaged in a campaign of lies, half-truths and deceptions to create a market that encouraged the over-prescribing and long-term use of opioids even though there was no scientific basis to support such use," the suit says.

The harrowing truth is that major pharmaceutical companies have marketed highly-addictive painkillers to doctors for more than a decade, downplaying the danger and triggering a national epidemic. Meanwhile, drug makers, trade associations and other groups bankrolled by the pharmaceutical industry have paid politicians more than $140 million to block efforts to restrict access to opioids like Vicodin and Oxycontin.

A startling investigative report conducted by The Washington Post and CBS' "60 Minutes" recently revealed that several members of Congress, in a lobbying drive fueled by a number of large drug distributors, undermined the Drug Enforcement Agency's dogged efforts to stem the illegal flow of opioids onto America's streets. For example, one drug distributor shipped 11 million doses to a county with a population of 25,000 people. But under pressure from members of Congress taking campaign cash from drug interests, the DEA changed some of its rules and deprived its agents of the ability to crack down on such suspicious sales.

Now drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, killing 52,404 people in 2015. Most of those deaths involved an opioid, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Every day, roughly 91 Americans die from opioid overdose.

But the damage doesn't stop with prescription drugs. Patients who take opioids recommended by their doctors discover they're addicted only after they exhaust their supply of legal pills. If they can't obtain opioids, all too many of them turn to street dealers who supply them with heroin. A Houston physician specializing in addiction recently told the Chronicle's editorial board about an average-looking man in a business suit who broke down in tears as he confessed he never imagined himself becoming "a man who'd stick a needle in his arm." He had become hooked on a legally prescribed opioid, then progressed to heroin.

Harris County joins a long list of governments suing major pharmaceutical manufacturers over the opioid epidemic. At the same time, Texas has joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 state attorneys general that have launched investigations into various opioid makers.

If the deadly narcotics these manufacturers have been selling came from poppy fields or coca plants in South America, our government would fight it with everything the failed war on drugs could muster. Instead, the pushers peddle their products in our neighborhood pharmacies and sell shares of their companies on Wall Street. Now they need to answer for the epidemic from which they've richly profited. Lawsuits like the case filed by Harris County are a good start.
Consider it poetic that massive voter turnout in cities such as Birmingham put Doug Jones over the top in Tuesday's U.S. Senate election in Alabama.

It was in that city where Jones, a Democrat, successfully prosecuted KKK members who had murdered four young girls in the infamous 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

If that was all Jones had accomplished, there would be no arguing that he had lived a life of public service and earned his place in our history books.

But this week he stepped up yet again and helped the nation avoid a continuing descent into political depravity by vanquishing an aspiring theocrat and alleged child molester - Republican candidate Roy Moore. The entire nation would be stained by the election of a man who has lamented the end of slavery, called for the criminalization of gays and lesbians, questioned the rights of women to vote and twice had to be removed from office for his refusal to adhere to the U.S. Constitution.

The Republican Party, too, has been saved from itself as Moore's defeat helps to relieve the deadweight of a potential senator hounded by allegations of pursuing sexual relationships with teenage girls while he was in his 30s.

The next step should be a delay on major votes in the Senate until Jones is seated. This was the process that Republicans demanded, and Democrats provided, after Scott Brown was elected in a Massachusetts 2010 special election.

The parallels of that election are hard to avoid: A victorious underdog and harbinger of a coming political wave.

Plenty of Texas Democrats have already pointed to Alabama as a sign that they can win statewide.

We're not so sure.

Jones' nail-biter victory doesn't heal whatever political sickness allows a man like Moore to become the top choice in a Republican primary and end up a few thousand votes away from the U.S. Senate.

Visions of a Hispanic wave turning Texas blue remain a mirage, while African-American voters have long been a part of Alabama politics.

And, for all the potty politics that have dominated our state over the past year, no candidate has been revealed as an alleged child molester.

That's not to say Texas Republicans shouldn't worry. Their ranks include a veritable rogues gallery of men like Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been indicted for fraud; Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller of "Jesus Shot" infamy and U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, who paid $84,000 of taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment claim.

Republicans and Democrats alike should use their party primaries in March to filter out the extremists and unqualified. But as in Alabama, it's going to take robust turnout - something elusive in Texas - early next year if we're going to elect true public servants.
WASHINGTON - The first time ended badly, so when, 156 years later, Alabamians were incited to again try secession, this time from the national consensus that America is a pretty nice place, they said: No. No, that is, to rubbish like this:

Interviewer: "[Ronald Reagan] said that Russia was the focus of evil in the modern world."

Roy Moore: "You could say that very well about America, couldn't you?"

Interviewer: "You think?"

Moore: "Well, we promote a lot of bad things, you know."

Interviewer: "Like?"

Moore: "Same-sex marriage."

Interviewer: "That's the very argument that Vladimir Putin makes."

Moore: "Well, then, maybe Putin is right, maybe he's more akin to me than I know."

In April, Alabama's Republican governor, Robert Bentley, resigned one step ahead of impeachment proceedings arising from his consensual affair with an adult woman. Eight months later, Alabamians spurned presidential pleas that they send to the U.S Senate a man credibly accused of child molestation. But the dispiriting truth is this: Behavior that reportedly got Moore banned from the Gadsden, Ala., mall was, for most Alabama Republicans, not a sufficient reason to deny him a desk in the U.S Capitol.

Although the president is not invariably a stickler for precision when bandying factoids, he said the Everest of evidence against Moore did not rise to his standards of persuasiveness. This fleeting swerve into fastidiousness about facts came hard on the heels of his retweeting of a video of a Muslim immigrant in the Netherlands beating a young man holding crutches. Except the villain was born and raised in the Netherlands. Undaunted, Trump's remarkably pliant spokesperson, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, defended her employer from the nitpickers: What matters, she said, is not that the video is unreal but that "the threat" (of turbulent Dutchmen?) is real.

Moore was such a comprehensive caricature - Sinclair Lewis could not have imagined this Elmer Gantry - that the acid rain of reports about his sexual predations, and his dissembling about them, almost benefited him by distracting attention from: the remunerative use he made of a "charitable" foundation. And his actions as a public official that by themselves sufficed to disqualify him from any public office. He is an anti-constitutional recidivist, twice removed from Alabama's highest court for his theocratic insistence that his religious convictions take precedence over U.S. Supreme Court decisions, so he could not have sincerely sworn to "support and defend the Constitution" and to "bear true faith and allegiance to the same."

When reports of Al Franken's misbehaviors against adult women surfaced, the National Republican Congressional Committee pounced: "Democrats who took Senator Franken's campaign money need to  return his donations." (They totaled $15,500.) When, 18 days later, Trump endorsed Moore, the Republican National Committee immediately sent $170,000 to Alabama. If the RNC, which accurately represents the president's portion of the party, did not have situational ethics it would have none.

Moore has been useful as a scythe slicing through some tall stalks of pretentiousness: The self-described "values voters" and "Evangelicals" of pious vanity who have embraced Trump and his Alabama echo have some repenting to do before trying to reclaim their role as arbiters of Republican, and American, righteousness. We have, alas, not heard the last from them, but henceforth the first reaction to their "witness" should be resounding guffaws.

Elation is in order because a gross national embarrassment has been narrowly avoided. But curb your enthusiasm because nationally, as in Alabama, most Republicans still support the president who supported the credibly accused child molester. Alabama, however, has perhaps initiated the inevitable sorting of Republicans who retain a capacity for disgust from the Vichy Republicans who have none. After the president's full-throated support of the grotesque, he should be icily shunned by all but his diehard collaborators.

By basking in the president's approval, Moore became a clarifier. Henry Adams, great-grandson of the second president and grandson of the sixth, was unfair to the 18th when he wrote, "The progress of evolution from President Washington to President Grant, was alone evidence enough to upset Darwin." By joining Steve Bannon's buffoonery on Moore's behalf, the 45th president planted an exclamation point punctuating a year of hitherto unplumbed presidential depths. He completed his remarkably swift - it has taken less than 11 months - rescue of the 17th, Andrew Johnson, from the ignominy of ranking as the nation's worst president.

Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com.
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aysias deputy minister of HR has warned employers about dismissing female staff who take 90 days maternity leave, saying they could face investigation and prosecution for doing so.Although there is no specific clause stating that private sector employers cannot terminate the service of a female worker for taking 90 days maternity leave, we have to uphold the principle law which is the Federal Constitution, said Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib.Employers cannot terminate the service of female workers when they become pregnant; these women have contributed much to help their companies to thrive, he continued.Ismail was speaking in the Senate when he made the comments and urged anyone to come forward if they thought someone had been unfairly terminated due to pregnancy or maternity leave.If the employer terminates the service of a female staff for taking 90 days leave, report the matter and the ministry will investigate, he said.During the tabling of Budget 2018 on Oct 27, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that the mandatory maternity leave for the private sector had been increased from 60 to 90 days  matching the public sector.The proposed 90-day maternity leave would be in two phases, with the first phase involving consultation with the stakeholders to get their views and feedback. The second phase would involve amendments to Section 37 of the Employment Act 1995, Section 83 of the Sabah Labour Ordinance Chapter 67 and Section 84 of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance Chapter 76.
Residents Petition For Pittsfield Officers to Have Walking Beats

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A group of residents has petitioned the City Council to have police officers do regular foot patrols.

Will Singleton presented the petition to the City Council on Tuesday. He believes regular walking patrols will greatly improve officer's relationship with the residents.

"We can't afford not to take this step," Singleton said. "We think police foot patrols will bring great benefits to our community."

Singleton wants officers assigned to walking beats. He said the officer will get to know everybody on the beat much better and vice versa. He said officers will "be walking encyclopedias of who's who" in the neighborhood. As residents get to know the officer, trust will build between them.

"The officer will be up close and personal with every element of the community," Singleton said.

Resident Linda Kelly said, "this makes a huge difference in the attitude of the community." She said when she lived in Boston, walking beats reduced the number of crimes -- from petty larceny to drug trafficking to breaking and entering.

Residents Craig Gaetani and Alex Blumin also voiced support for the petition.

This isn't the first time the city has been petitioned for walking beats in recent years. In 2014, downtown merchants got together to ask for foot patrols. However, that was faced with resistance by those in the Police Department and the former administration, both of which said patrol officers have too many calls to handle throughout the city to be dedicated to being on foot downtown.

Former Mayor Daniel Bianchi ordered specific shifts for walking downtown, which was on overtime. But, that quickly grew in cost and was stopped. Downtown Pittsfield Inc. teamed up with the Police Department to create a downtown ambassador program. That brings extra eyes to the downtown without taxing the Police Department itself.

This year, Mayor Linda Tyer and Police Chief Michael Wynn launched what is being called a "park and walk initiative" in which officers are required to leave their cruisers and walk a portion of the beat for 15 minutes.

Singleton said, "that is a start, but not enough." The City Council referred the petition to the Public Health and Safety Subcommittee for more discussion.

In other business, the city, the Pittsfield Economic Development Agency, and Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp. have finalized the intergovernmental agreements to share services. The three organizations are combining efforts to hire a business development manager who will be in charge of specifically seeking out businesses to help them relocate to the city or grow in the city.

"I would expect this will launch in the first quarter," said PEDA Chairman Mick Callahan.

A candidate search for the business development manager is currently underway. According to PEDA member Pamela Green, seven finalists have been interviewed and a second round is expected next week.

"I think we have some really great candidates out there," Green said.
An artist's rendering of Williams College's planned South Street dorm. The entrance at left faces South Street.

Williamstown Planning Board OKs New Williams Dorm

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Planning Board on Tuesday gave the OK to Williams College's plan for a new dormitory and discussed zoning bylaw changes the board may bring to town voters in May.

The college was before the board to seek a parking determination and a finding of functional equivalency for the planned 40-room residence hall to replace Garfield House on South Street.

College attorney Jamie Art explained that the new dorm will have fewer than half as many parking spaces as the existing structure, part of the college's initiative to reduce vehicular usage on campus and promote healthy lifestyles.

"Right now, I think there are 16 spaces by the existing Garfield dorm," Art said. "Our proposal is to reduce that to seven spaces.  There's an ongoing effort to try to encourage more walking and biking. Having lots of parking immediately adjacent to dormitories is counter productive to the goal of getting people to walk or ride their bike to get to class, Spring Street or the library.

"We can manage parking by finding other spots for people eligible to bring cars to campus. We would rather not have the bulk of those spots next to people's dormitories."

Three members of the five-person board heard the college's application. Tuesday's meeting was attended by one other member, Chris Winters, who, as a Williams employee, recused himself from the conversation.

The remaining board members were complimentary of the college's efforts to cut down on parking and commented favorably on the lighting plan for the dorm.

The college is planning 10-foot poles for exterior lighting using a full cutoff fixture, Art said.

"In regard to lighting, you've kept most of it going toward another campus building instead of down the street where you have more non-campus residents," board member Amy Jeschawitz said, referring to the new residence hall for the Center for Development Economics, to the north of the Garfield Hall replacement.

Planner Ann McCallum, who has taken the lead on the board's efforts to redefine lighting standards in town, encouraged the college to look at lower temperature lights when it comes time to install the fixtures in the design, but generally expressed her approval.

"[South Street resident] Roger Lawrence, who has been active in lighting issues, called me today," McCallum said. "He's away and wanted me to take a look at the lighting. His concern is not to have too much in a residential district. I think the lighting you've proposed is something he'll be happy with."

Not so impressed was Charles Bonenti, a former chairman of the town's Historical Commission, who used Tuesday's hearing to express his displeasure at the aesthetics of the planned dorm.

While recognizing that the Planning Board had no jurisdiction over the college's design choices, Bonenti encouraged Williams to rethink its recent architectural decisions.

"All the renovations the college has been doing in recent years have been changing the look and nature of Williamstown to a great degree," Bonenti said. "This is an example of a street where many buildings that were college buildings looked like houses, so it had the look of a residential neighborhood. It's losing part of that.

"I thought the CDE [residence hall] was a bland, pedestrian answer to the need for new space behind the CDE building, and I think the same could be said about this. There's a blandification of Williamstown going on with this -- block buildings like the new science center, and from what I've seen of the inn, it's the same.

"It's sad. We're losing our architectural diversity. There's nothing the town can do about that. I just put it out there. I think the '62 Center was the last building of merit I've seen put up in some time."

Art said the college plans to break ground on the dorm replacement project after the end of the academic year and noted that Horn Hall, opened in fall 2016, provides the "swing space" the college needs to take buildings like Garfield Hall offline in order to do needed upgrades.

McCallum continued her discussion on lighting with an initial presentation to her colleagues of a proposed lighting bylaw for annual town meeting 2017.

Her proposal, still a work in progress, aims to encourage less glare from lights used in public areas. It also changes the town's regulation from one based on foot-candles to one based on lumens and degrees Kelvin.

Both her proposed bylaw and one that modifies the rules for housing in several parts of town are available on the town website and will be the focus of more conversation by the board starting in January.

On Tuesday, Jeschawitz encouraged her colleagues to look at the bylaw that she and Susan Puddester have been developing along with Town Planner Andrew Groff. In addition to creating new zones that recognize the actual lots that exist in the town's existing General Residence district, the proposed bylaw, acting on data acquired in a study supported by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, would create more opportunities for multi-family housing in town among other changes.
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This Isnt Our Last Love Letter



Dear Don Don,

Way back in 92



I walked into the room and knew



Never felt this way before



I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes



And the feeling grew



As I took a seat I knew



A love that would have my heart



Forever



I knew



Way back in 92





They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true



We were the exception to that rule



Our love had no where to hide



A spark set fire



As if this is how the universe started





I never doubted our love or what we could do



Together we grew



Forming a bond everlasting



That became our glue



My euphoria was YOU



Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared



For how fortunate we were :



to have and to hold

through sickness and in health

Til death do us part



Until we are together again



This isnt our last love letter



I love you with all my heart and soul



Yours forever,



Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow)





Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus.









A True American Hero

I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus.



I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years.



I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years.

But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us.

In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about.



Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle.

I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life.

I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life.

No one will ever do what he did.

I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO





David Jurist

IMUS IN THE MORNING

FIRST DAY BACK!
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An artist has created a powerful installation to highlight the ongoing refugee crisis.

British war artist Arabella Dorman, who first visited Lesbos in 2015 after spending time on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan, said "nothing compared" to what she witnessed on those beaches.

"It was so shocking to see the level of trauma, especially among children, the innocents caught up in war," she told the Guardian.

"There were thousands of items of clothing discarded by refugees. I was struck by the concept of the empty garment, evoking the hidden presence of the person who had worn that item. These clothes reveal what is now being forgotten."

People view an installation artwork called Suspended, composed of items of clothing discarded by refugees on their arrival at Lesvos, by artist Arabella Dorman, at St James's Church on Piccadilly in London (AP)

There are among 700 items of refugees' clothing, found on beaches and fields around the Greek island, in the artwork which Dorman calls "Suspended".

People view an installation artwork called Suspended, composed of items of clothing discarded by refugees on their arrival at Lesvos, by artist Arabella Dorman, at St James's Church on Piccadilly in London (AP)

The piece is currently hanging in the nave of St James's Church in Piccadilly, London, and aims to bring the refugee crisis back into mainstream consciousness, and to raise money for the Starfish Foundation, which helps refugees.

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Theres no escaping the tide of Eighties nostalgia thats washed over pop culture recently, and LA-based trio LANY (pron. LAY-nee if youre wondering), with their blend of dream pop and RnB, are riding the wave.

The sold-out show at the Shepherds Bush Empire kicks off with an atmospheric set from London four-piece Colouring - whose soaring synth rock is punctuated by club rhythms and hints at a Radiohead influence.

LANY, formed in 2014 and touring their self-titled debut album, come on to the arpeggio-like intro of Dumb Stuff, with the largely teenage audiences ecstatic cheers reaching fever-pitch as frontman Paul Klein bounces into view.

He works the crowd effortlessly with waves and hair-flicks, but is visibly delighted with the reception, and has a passion onstage that lets you forgive his blatant hipster cool.

The bands sound combines Kleins earnestly delivered vocals with lush layers of texture from Les Priest on keyboards, and Jake Clifford Gosss persistent, chunky rhythms.

Tracks from early EPs like fan-favourite Made in Hollywood  which sums up what this band are all about: California summer, coming of age and young love  get huge receptions.

From the album, Hurts, with its Nineties RnB vibe, is a highlight. A slowed down, acoustic version of Pancakes is similarly well-received, even more so when it segues into a cover of Harry Styles Sign of the Times.

The encore predictably features the albums lead single, Super Far, followed by ILYSB, LANYs biggest hit, rounding off a solid set which keeps a great pace despite the fact the album itself can, at 16 tracks, feel a little long and samey.

Kleins lyrics arent particularly challenging (sunset drives, texting, women whove spurned him) but they dont need to be: LANY make fine, carefree pop that takes you back to summer days and simpler times.
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McDonalds has launched the McVegan burger across Finland and Sweden.

The McVegan burger was first offered on a trial basis in Tampere, Finland between October 4 and November 21.

However, the fast food chain received such a positive response from their consumers that theyve decided to make it a permanent fixture on the menu.

McDonalds teamed up with Swedish vegan food company Anamma to create the soy-based burger.

It will be available from December 28 across Finland and Sweden.

The test in Finland blew all the expectations out of the water, said Staffan Ekstam, McDonalds head of food strategy in Sweden.

We can now offer our guests a vegan burger developed in Sweden. Our ambition is that there should be something on our menu for all of the 400,000 guests who visit us every day.

Recommended This 1kg Christmas burger is full of festive flavour

Many people feel that the decision to add a vegan burger to the McDonalds menu just goes to show how much progress has been made to increase awareness around veganism.

A Twitter user from California wrote: Just the fact that there is a permanent @McDonalds item called the McVegan boggles my mind and makes me feel like the world is truly evolving.

While it is exciting that McDonalds is making great efforts to make their menu more inclusive, some are keen to hear when the McVegan burger will appear in branches worldwide.

Haley Marie Shaw, a vegan from Texas, tweeted: Pumped that the McVegan that McDonalds has been serving in Scandinavia will be permanent!

When will they bring the McVegan to the states though??

Its not yet certain whether McDonalds will be adding the McVegan burger to menus in countries other than Finland and Sweden in the near future.

The Independent has reached out to representatives from McDonalds for comment.
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Dismay boiled over social media after the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal net neutrality rules.

In a 3-2 vote, commissioners moved to scrap 2015 regulations that barred internet service providers from sorting customers into different tiers.

While commissioners in favour called the rules cumbersome and said they obstructed innovation, the widely anticipated move had for weeks drawn outrage from people who warned that commissioners would allow providers to control how users experience the internet by slowing or halting service.

Elected officials who had opposed the change weighed in, including a Congressman representing Silicon Valley, and multiple members of Congress said they would offer legislation to reverse the FCC. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called the move illegal and vowed to sue, presaging what will likely be a number of legal challenges.

So too did companies, like Netflix, whose service is founded on swift internet access.

Advocacy organisations that had fought the move issued calls to organize, saying the fight should shift to persuading Congress to enact new rules.

The vote unleashed a flood of tweets decrying the vote. Some users warned that a scarcity of service providers where they lived would mean they were at the mercy of newly empowered corporations.

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. 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Others played on the notion that the move would mean degraded service for people who could not afford a faster option.

Those concerns echoed the warnings of the two FCC commissioners who opposed the move, warning it would give service providers sweeping authority to determine who sees what online.

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel issued a call to action, saying this is not over and urging people to continue raising a ruckus.

The White House backed the change, with press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying the administration supports the effort to roll back burdensome regulations.effort to roll back burdensome regulations.

Because presidents have the power to appoint FCC commissioners, the agency tends to vote along partisan lines. Donald Trump elevated Ajit Pai, who championed the net neutrality rollback, to his current role as the panel's chairman.
Geologists have found evidence that a meteorite hit the Isle of Skye around 60 million years ago.

They made the discovery while exploring volcanic rocks on the island which they thought were volcanic flow deposit.

When they analysed the rock they discovered it contained rare minerals from outer space - vanadium-rich and niobium-rich osbornite, which have never been reported on earth.

The minerals have, however, been collected by Nasa's Stardust Comet Sample Return Mission as space dust in the wake of the Wild 2 comet.

A second site, seven kilometres away, proved to be a two-meter-thick layer of ejecta - material ejected from a crater - with the same strange mineralogy.

At the first site, at An Carnach on the Strathaird Peninsula, the geologists zeroed in on a meter-thick layer at the base of a 60-million-year-old lava flow which they thought was an ignimbrite (a volcanic flow deposit).

Dr Andrew Beard of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at Birkbeck, University of London, was one of the co lead-authors of the paper.

He said: "When we discovered what it was we were very surprised and it was a bit of a shock because we were not expecting that.

"We initially considered it to be volcanic rock so it was a bit of a shock when we realised what we had found."

Dr Beard said it was worth the arduous trek to the first site which was in a recess at An Carnach.

He said: "It took us about two hours to get to the site. we could see in the distance that there was a recess at the base of the cliff and if you get a recess it usually shows there is a different type of rock there.

"We persevered across horrendous terrain and crawled up the slope to the recess."

The researchers pin the impact to sometime between 60 million and 61.4 million years ago.

Lead co-author Dr Simon Drake, an associate lecturer in geology at Birkbeck, University of London, said it was hard work crossing the boggy terrain to reach the site.

He said: "We were sinking in up to our thighs. I distinctly recall saying to Andy Beard, 'this had better be worth it'. It was worth it."

The team published their discovery in Geology this week.

The second site was south west of Broadford.

Researchers said the discovery is the first meteorite impact described within the British Paleogene Igneous Province (BPIP) and raises questions about the impact and its possible connection to Paleogene volcanic activity across the North Atlantic.

Dr Drake has collected samples from another site on Skye that also yield strange mineralogy, including another mineral strikingly similar to one found in comet dust.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US has voted to kill off net neutrality, a move that could completely change how the internet works.

As expected, the FCC board voted 3-2 in favour of repealing the Obama-era protections.

The result hands an enormous amount of power to internet service providers (ISPs), which will no longer need to treat all internet traffic equally.

Republican commissioners Ajit Pai, Michael ORielly and Brendan Carr voted in favour of repealing the net neutrality rules, while Democratic commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mignon Clyburn voted to keep the rules in place.

Net neutrality protests  in pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Net neutrality protests  in pictures Net neutrality protests  in pictures Lindsay Chestnut of Baltimore holds a sign that reads "I like My Internet Like I Like my Country Free & Open" as she protests near the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, where the FCC is scheduled to meet and vote on net neutrality. The vote scheduled today at the FCC, could usher in big changes in how Americans use the internet, a radical departure from more than a decade of federal oversight AP Net neutrality protests  in pictures Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems. Getty Images Net neutrality protests  in pictures Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems. Getty Images Net neutrality protests  in pictures Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems. Getty Images Net neutrality protests  in pictures Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net nutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lead by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the commission is expected to do away with Obama Administration rules that prevented internet service providers from creating differnt levels of service and blocking or promoting individual companies and organizations on their systems. Getty Images

Almost as soon as the vote came down, elected officials and advocacy organisations decried the change and vowed action to reverse it, foreshadowing struggles likely to play out through the courts and in Congress.

Multiple attorneys general promised a legal challenge, with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman calling the vote illegal. California State Senator Scott Wiener said he would introduce a California-specific bill enshrining net neutrality.

Allowing internet service providers to discriminate based on content undermines a free and open Internet. Todays action will seriously harm consumers, innovation and small businesses, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement announcing a planned lawsuit.

Members of Congress also weighed in to assail the vote, previewing the likelihood that the fight over net neutrality will now move to Capitol Hill. While opposition has largely flowed from Democrats, some Republicans have also said Congress should settle the matter. Multiple members pledged to introduce resolutions allowing Congress to review and overturn the FCCs action.

The proposal had been put forward by FCC chairman Ajit Pai, who was elevated to his current role by Donald Trump and used to work for Verizon.

Let's be clear. Following today's vote Americans will still be able to access the websites they want to visit, commissioner Pai said at today's meeting.

The main complaint consumers have about the internet is not and has never been that there are service providers blocking access to content. Its that they don't have access at all or not enough competition.

The White House backed the change.

The Trump administration supports the FCCs effort to roll back burdensome regulations, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

According to Mr Pai, net neutrality has taken us in the opposite direction from consumer preferences, and resulted in a decline in investment in high-speed networks.

The rules prevented ISPs from blocking content, throttling connections to certain sites and services and providing preferential treatment to others.

Supporters of net neutrality believe this will result in ISPs carving the internet into fast and slow lanes, and customers being charged more.

They also say it could harm competition. ISPs that have their own video services, for instance, could choose to slow down customers connections when they tried to use a competing service, such as Netflix.

Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel were fiercely critical of the move.

I dissent. I dissent from this legally lightweight, consumer-harming, corporate-enabling, destroying internet freedom order. I dissent because I am among the millions outraged, outraged because the FCC pulls its own teeth advocating responsibility to protect the nations broadband consumers, said commissioner Clyburn, echoing the thoughts of many net neutrality proponents.

As a result of today's misguided action, our broadband providers will get extraordinary new powers. They will have the power to block websites, the power to throttle services and the power to censor online content, said commissioner Rosenworcel.

They will have the right to discriminate and favour the internet traffic of those companies with whom they have a pay-for-pay arrangement and the right to consign all others to a slow and bumpy road.

Our broadband providers will tell you they will never do these things, they say just trust us.

Recommended Internet erupts in outrage after net neutrality repeal

But know this, they have the technical ability and business incentive to discriminate and manipulate your internet traffic and now this agency gives them the legal green light to go ahead and do so. This is not good.

As they mull a legislative response, members of Congress will face pressure from advocacy organisations  and potentially powerful technology firms  who have registered their disapproval of the FCC decision. Vowing that the war is far from over, the American Civil Liberties Union circulated a petition pushing Congress to act.

While large tech companies opposed the move, some of the most prominent ones have been fairly muted in their criticism. Others, like streaming content giant Netflix, have been at the vanguard. Netflix responded to the FCCs move by tweeting: "This is the beginning of a longer legal battle.

Netflix stands with innovators, large & small, to oppose this misguided FCC order, the company said.

Overturning the FCC's action would need approval from a Republican-controlled Congress, but Mark Stanley, a spokesman for the civil liberties organisation Demand Progress, said in a statement that there is a good chance Congress could reverse it.

The fact that Chairman Pai went through with this, a policy that is so unpopular, is somewhat shocking, he said. Unfortunately, not surprising.
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An influential committee of MPs has thrown its support behind a Brexit transition agreement that sees EU laws continue to reign supreme, stressing that it would be a "price worth paying" for stability after March 2019.

The Treasury Select Committee is urging the Government to put forward transition deal proposals that are straightforward and "simple" enough to "negotiate within a matter of weeks," before businesses start activating their Brexit contingency plans that include moving operations and staff.

"Speed is of the essence," Conservative MP and Treasury Select Committee chair Nicky Morgan said.

Recommended European Parliament backs move to next phase of Brexit talks

The UK Government should be prepared to accept transition deal terms offered by the EU, she said, adding that delays caused by "arguments over arcane points of principle" risk damaging the economy.

"This may well include accepting EU rules beyond those of the Single Market and Customs Union; and it is likely to involve retaining, on a temporary basis, the jurisdiction of the ECJ (European Court of Justice), and the direct effect and supremacy of EU law.

"That is a price worth paying for stability and certainty after 30 March 2019," she said.

The recommendations come after a leaked copy of the EU's draft guidelines for future Brexit talks detailed potential terms of a transition agreement.

The document, as reported by the Financial Times, suggested that the UK will have to comply fully with EU trade policy and not strike its own deals, even though it is due to fall out of EU agreements with more than 50 other nations when it leaves in 2019.

In addition, the European Council is set to look at the question of the ECJ's jurisdiction in the case of a transition period.

The Treasury Select Committee said that for certain sectors including financial services, an effective "standstill" transition period - which would see the same or similar rules of trade applied immediately after the UK leaves the EU - would likely require a separate "adaptation period" once the terms of a future trading relationship are hammered out.

Without a similar agreement, the committee said there is a risk of a "no deal" Brexit that would force the UK back into World Trade Organisation tariff arrangements.

"The consequences of failing to reach an agreement are dramatic and damaging.

"Many businesses will begin to prepare for a 'no deal' outcome - moving jobs and activity, and incurring potentially unnecessary expenditure - early next year," Ms Morgan said.

The first quarter of 2018 has been dubbed the "point of no return" for banks, insurers and asset managers, that are expected to start moving staff and part of their UK business to rival financial hubs including Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt and Luxembourg, where they can continue to benefit from passporting rights that give financial services cross-border access to EU clients.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

Banks like JP Morgan - which currently has 16,000 staff in the UK - will ramp up operations at a number of its EU sites with plans to move up to 1,000 London front and back office roles, while HSBC has said it is on course to shift as many as 1,000 jobs to France, where it already has a full-service universal bank after buying up Credit Commercial de France in 2002.

Miles Celic, chief executive of financial services lobby group TheCityUK, is also pushing for a transition arrangement.

"This isn't just about business leaving the UK. It is about the very high risk of jobs, capital and inward investment leaving Europe," he said.

"The resulting fragmented markets will be of benefit to no-one, with costs likely to increase for customers right across the continent."

PA
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Heathrow Airport announced a public consultation on the proposed development of a third runway at Europes biggest airport, saying it aimed to mitigate the environmental impact of expansion.

Prime Minister Theresa May backed a 16bn expansion of the London hub in October 2016, after decades of Government indecision.

But the plan has been controversial, with critics highlighting the possible impact on air quality in London and noise levels in the local community.

Heathrow said it would seek the views of locals on the environmental impact of expansion and how the airspace around Heathrow is managed.

Over the past year, weve been working hard to evolve our expansion plans and have come up with several new options to deliver it more responsibly and affordably, said the airports executive director for expansion, Emma Gilthorpe.

The new discussions are separate from a previously announced Government consultation on a National Policy Statement on airports, and is focused on the airports plans for infrastructure and the impact on the local community.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling has said that the Government aims to give the go-ahead to the new runway in the first half of 2018.

The latest consultation will launch on 17 January and run for 10 weeks.

Reuters
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IMAX is close to sealing a deal that could see it open cinemas in Saudi Arabia.

The cinema technology firms chief executive Richard Gelfond said that he hopes to open up to 20 theatres in the conservative country within three years.

Weve heard rumblings for the past year that this was going to happen, Mr Glenfond told CNBC. For the size of this market, theres a big opportunity.

A 35-year ban on cinemas in the Kingdom was lifted on Monday, in the latest social push by Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi disposable income is set to lure in cinema giants to the Kingdom, presenting ideal opportunities for more premium cinema experiences.

"Since the market is not that price sensitive, and likes premium luxury goods, this will be a strong market for IMAX," Mr Gelfond added.

The first cinemas in Saudi Arabia are expected to open in March 2018. So far, Saudi filmmakers and movie buffs have been able to circumvent traditional censors by streaming movies online and watching films on satellite TV.

Despite there being no movie theatres in Saudi Arabia, the Government has backed a Saudi film festival that's taken place for the past few years in the eastern city of Dhahran. This year, some 60 Saudi films were screened.

The Saudi Government says the opening of movie theatres will contribute more than 90bn riyals (17bn) to the economy and create more than 30,000 jobs by 2030.
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Babies born less than two miles from a fracking site are at risk of health problems that could hamper them later in life, new research has found.

Mothers who lived within 1km (0.6 miles) of a fracking site saw a 25 per cent increase in the likelihood that their child would be born at low birth weight, be born prematurely or have other congenital issues, the study found.

Being born at low birth weight (less than 5.5lbs) has been linked to a number of future health risks, including higher risks of asthma and ADHD, as well as poorer education attainment and future professional success.

Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", is a fossil fuel extraction process which releases gas trapped in shale rock underground by pumping water, sand and chemicals into it at huge pressures.

This fractures the rock and allows the gas to escape through fissures and out through the well where it can be used to generate electricity.

Researchers from Princeton University studied birth data for 1.1million children born in Pennsylvania between 2004 and 2013 and mapped their mothers address against fracking sites.

Living within a kilometre of a well site had biggest impact on lowering average birth weights, cases of low birth weight, and a decreases in babies overall health score, they found.

The overall health score gives a measure of babies' prematurity, any birth defects, or health issues at birth.

How fracking works and where it could happen Show all 2 1 /2 How fracking works and where it could happen How fracking works and where it could happen 02-FrackingHowItWorks.jpg How fracking works and where it could happen 02-FrackingMapWeb.jpg

However, there were impacts visible up to 3km (1.8 miles) away, although these were about one third to half the size.

Overall, the results suggest that the introduction of fracking reduces health among infants born to mothers living within 3 km of a well site during pregnancy," the paper, published in the Science Advances journal states.

We find the largest effects for mothers living within 1 km of a site  a 25 per cent increase in the probability of a low  birth weight birth (<2500 g) and significant declines in average birth weight, as well as in an index of infant health.

Low birth weight is a risk factor for numerous negative outcomes, including infant mortality, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, lower test scores, lower schooling attainment, lower earnings, and higher rates of social welfare program participation, it adds.

These negative impacts could be as a result of the heavy industrial traffic and air pollution which comes from living near a fracking site.

There are also cases where polluted water used in fracking has contaminated water supplies.

Fracking is a major source of energy in America and there are nearly 130,000 registered well sites across the United States.

Its expansion in the US has led to a cheap energy boom and prompted the Conservatives to push for a UK "fracking revolution" in their 2017 manifesto.

This is despite data showing that it can lead to water supplies being contaminated with radioactive material,and geologists warning the UKs shale gas reserves have been overhyped.

Fears over its environmental and health impacts have led to protests at sites prospecting for shale gas across England.

"Given the growing evidence that pollution affects babies in utero, it should not be surprising that fracking, which is a heavy industrial activity, has negative effects on infants, said one of the report's authors, Henry Putnam, a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton.

 Fracking safe for environment

There is a clear impact on health, though thankfully it appears to be localised.

The authors say this latest study should be looked at by policy makers deciding whether to permit more fracking sites, it should also be cause for more research to identify the exact cause of the health impact.

While we know pollution from hydraulic fracturing impacts our health, we do not yet know where that pollution is coming from -- from the air or water, from chemicals onsite, or an increase in traffic, said co-author Katherine Meckel, assistant professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

A spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute told The Independent that while this showed a real health impact, environmental and genetic factors, rather than fracking, were the cause.

"This report highlights a legitimate health issue across America that has nothing to do with natural gas and oil operations.

"It fails to consider important factors like family history, parental health, lifestyle habits, and other environmental factors and ignores the body of scientific research that has gone into child mortality and birthweight."

"The natural gas and oil industry invests millions in scientific research every year to ensure the health and safety of the communities where we operate, live and work and will continue working hard to bring affordable and reliable energy to Pennsylvanians.
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The true story of actress Madge Meredith, who died on 19 September at the age of 96, is every bit as compelling as the plots of the B-movies in which she made her name.

Born Marjorie May Massow in Iowa Falls, she overcame a stammer to win a scholarship to the Rice School of Theatre in Massachusetts.

Then, after a spell in New York, she headed for Hollywood. Her big break came when she was talent spotted while working as a cashier in the cafeteria at 20th Century Fox. On the condition that she get a nose-job, she was given a contract and her first small role in Phil Bakers 1944 comedy Take It Or Leave It.

In 1945, Marjorie Massow became Madge Meredith. With her career in the hands of a new manager  Nicholas The Greek Gianaclis  Meredith seemed set for stardom. A part in Randolph Scotts Western Trail Street was going to be her breakthrough. However before the film was released, Meredith and Gianaclis fell out over a property deal. Gianaclis evicted Meredith from a house hed helped her buy in the Hollywood Hills. She subsequently successfully sued him for possession of the property. But within days of winning back the deeds to her home, Meredith was under arrest, after Gianaclis claimed shed hired three hit men to kidnap both him and his bodyguard.

After a four-week trial, in front of a jury of 11 women and one man, Meredith and the hitmen shed supposedly hired were convicted of two counts of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy. She was sentenced to five years. As she was sent to Tehachapi prison, she told the press I know in my own heart Im innocent of any crime.

'Film Cinderalla sought for Kidnap Questioning'

Humphrey Bogart believed her. As did fellow actress ZaSu Pitts, who began a letter writing campaign to have Meredith freed. Pittss campaign attracted the attention of amateur sleuths, retired banker Herbert Schofield and Charles E Wilson, a retired real estate broker. They worked hard to unravel the truth of Merediths case and in 1951, a breakthrough came when Merediths co-defendant, Albert Turner, suggested that Gianaclis had staged his own kidnapping. He claimed married Gianaclis was motivated by thwarted personal affection for his actress client.

Meredith left prison on 15 July 951, her 30th birthday, having spent two and a half years inside. Reporting on her release the LA Times wrote, She ran from the main entrance and refused to look back as the big chain link gates  clanged shut on the past

With his perjury revealed, Gianaclis lost his American citizenship. Meanwhile Meredith won back her house for a second time and returned to acting, gaining roles in The Rocco Case, To Hell and Back and The Ten Commandments among others. A credit on The Littlest Hobo marked her official retirement from acting in 1964.

Meredith devoted her retirement to fighting for fellow victims of injustice.

However she is thought to have appeared as an uncredited extra in Kevin Costners 1995 sci-fi extravaganza Waterworld. The legendarily expensive feature was filmed in Hawaii, where Meredith made her home.

She is survived by her husband Mack Hatayama and their two children, a son and a daughter. Mourners at her funeral were invited to wear Aloha attire.

Madge Meredith born 15 July 1921, died 19 September 2017
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Actress Salma Hayek says she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances by producer Harvey Weinstein, who allegedly threatened to kill her in a fit of rage when she turned him down.

Joining actresses like Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd and Lupita Nyong'o, Hayek detailed her alleged experiences to the New York Times. The producer has denied all allegations against him.

She said she repeatedly said no to the producer's sexual advances over a number of years, at "hotel after hotel, location after location, where he would show up unexpectedly".

Recommended Harvey Weinstein accused of violating sex trafficking laws at Cannes

Every refusal was met with his "Machiavellian rage," she said, and in one "attack of fury" he said: "I will kill you, don't think I can't," she claimed.

"Knowing what I know now, I wonder if it wasnt my friendship with them  and Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney  that saved me from being raped," Hayek told the newspaper.

Hayek say she was approached by reporters last fall about her experiences with Weinstein, but chose not to discuss them publicly because she thought she had made peace with her past.

"In reality, I was trying to save myself the challenge of explaining several things to my loved ones: Why, when I had casually mentioned that I had been bullied like many others by Harvey, I had excluded a couple of details," she explained.

Hayek worked with Weinstein on a biopic of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, which she had steered.

The film's production was a constant push and pull between Weinstein and Hayek, she says, and after he agreed to produce the film she says she began getting unwanted advances from him.

He allegedly asked her to let him watch her take a shower, give him a massage, perform oral sex and get naked with another woman.

Hayek firmly said "no" to all of these requests and says she paid the price in Weinstein's rage.

She said he also constantly made it a challenge for her to get Frida made. Eventually, in order to make sure the film would see the light of day, she hired lawyers for a "bad faith" defence against Weinstein.

Of course, Weinstein fired back with a list of demands "to clear himself legally."

He reportedly wanted a free rewritten script, $10m in financing, plus an A-list director and cast.

While Hayek met Weinstein's demands, he persisted.

He coaxed her into doing a full-frontal nude sex scene in Frida, she says - even though it wasn't in the script.

Hayek ended up experiencing a "nervous breakdown" when she was about to film the scene. She says she was "crying and convulsing" when she thought of doing this section of the movie, just to please Weinstein.

Hayek took tranquilisers to calm herself down.

"As you can imagine, this was not sexy, but it was the only way I could get through the scene," she recalls.

Hayek's sexual harassment story is just one of at least 30 accounts that have been made public against the once-powerful producer.

Weinstein has said that all sexual acts were consensual, while his legal team have called a number of the other allegations "false".
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Scientists may have discovered why the more older brothers a boy has, the likelier he is to be gay as an adult.

Known as the fraternal birth order effect, numerous studies have found a correlation between the birth order of boys and male sexual orientation.

Now researchers say increasing levels of antibodies in a mothers immune system could play a role.

Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight harmful bacteria and viruses. But pregnant women sometimes produce antibodies against fetal molecules, such as when their foetus has a different blood group.

Anthony Bogaert, a professor in social psychology at Brock University, Canada, believes that some women who are pregnant with boys produce antibodies that neutralise a protein made by the Y chromosome; the DNA molecule that determines sex in humans.

Mr Bogaert and his team speculated that these maternal antibodies might play a role in determining the sexual orientation in their sons.

 Neo-Nazi leader quits movement and reveals he is gay with Jewish heritage

The team took blood from 142 women and the samples were screened for antibodies to a brain protein only found in males, since only boys have the particular protein-producing Y chromosome.

The protein, known as NLGN4Y, plays a role in how neurons communicate with each other and is made at the surface of brain cells, so easier for antibodies to locate.

The researchers found that the mothers of gay sons with older brothers had the highest levels of this antibody, followed by the mothers of gay sons with no older brothers. Mothers with straight sons had even less, and mothers with no sons had the least.

The team speculates these neuron-attacking antibodies build up in womens bodies every time they are pregnant with a son. The higher the concentration, the likelier the boy is to be gay, the researchers suggest.

Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander Big Gay Kiss protest - In pictures Kashmira Gander

It could affect brain structures that moderate attraction, Mr Bogaert told the New Scientist. The mothers immune response may alter the typical function of these brain structures.

He added: I wouldnt say weve solved the fraternal birth order effect puzzle, but we are getting close to finding a mechanism.

However, at 142 women, the research involved only a small sample size, so no strong conclusions can yet be drawn over the reasons for the fraternal birth effect.

The phenomenon is also only estimated to impact 15 per cent of gay men.
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Bones belonging to an extinct species of giant penguin have been unearthed in New Zealand.

Based on available parts of the birds skeleton, researchers who analysed the fossils estimate it stood at least as tall as man, at around 1.77 metres.

The new species, named Kumimanu biceae, lived around 60 million years ago, making it one of the oldest known types of penguin.

Recommended New dinosaur that moved underwater like a penguin discovered

The remains, which are documented in the Nature Communications journal, provides new insights into the evolution of the penguin lineage.

This specimen is not the first giant penguin to be unearthed. In fact, gigantism  the evolution of great size  is common in the penguin family tree.

Remains of other large penguins, including one as tall as 2 metres, have been found in Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand.

The specimen's age has led the researchers to conclude that the penguin lineage evolved to be large multiple times, as this species appears to be quite distinct from penguins that appeared more recently in evolutionary history.

The discovery of this new species, combined with previous knowledge of the fossil record, has led the scientists to conclude that penguins evolved to be large shortly after they gave up on flight and took to the water.

Giant penguins appear to have become common following the end of the age of dinosaurs, as around this time predatory marine reptiles also became extinct.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

This could have allowed penguins to occupy the positions in the food chain left vacant.

The demise of giant penguins, on the other hand, coincided with the emergence of whales and seals, which may have competed with them for resources.

However, the reasons for the gradual evolutionary shrinking of these birds in more recent times are still unclear.
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A City lawyer accused of having a stash of indecent pictures told jurors his "devastating" HIV diagnosis drew him into hosting drug-fuelled sex parties at his luxury flat.

Tim Varchmin, 44, a former senior lawyer at Barclays in Canary Wharf, was allegedly caught with images and video clips of children on his computer and mobile phone in October 2014.

When police raided his home in upmarket Lancaster Gate, west London, they also uncovered crystal meth on a glass coffee table next to a crack pipe, jurors were told.

Varchmin, originally from Hamburg, denied any of it was his, claiming he would invite men for "chem-sex" parties and give them free rein to do what they wanted, the Old Bailey heard.

Giving evidence, he became tearful when he described finding out he had a particularly drug-resistant strain of HIV, along with his fellow German-speaking boyfriend Jacob.

He said: "In October or November 2012 I was very sick. I thought it was just a cold in the beginning. I got weaker and weaker and my bones were hurting and I had to stay in bed all day."

On how it affected his relationship, he said: "I felt betrayed and then again nobody knew who had brought it into the relationship.

"We were accusing each other and nobody was sure any more. It turned out he cheated on me with his ex-boyfriend who he was living with in a flat share in east London.

"We bonded together but at the same time it was devastating. It was a love-hate relationship."

Daniel Cohen, defending, asked: "Did your diagnosis have any impact on your lifestyle?"

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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. 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The defendant said: "It is a life-changing event. It's something you have to come to terms with. That bonded us together but at the time time we were fighting over it. We developed a more aggressive sexual life.

"We had the feeling that now these stages of HIV were not a concern any more, we could have more sex with other men, unprotected sex as well. That was our idea."

Varchmin told jurors the pair began inviting more men to the flat for "chill-out" sex and drugs parties and took mephedrone because it "makes you horny".

The only other drug he had tried was "G" (GHB) but only Jacob took the harder drug crystal meth and ended up losing his job as a waiter because of it.

He said: "It started with the drugs. The effect is you are very drawn to devices. You would be constantly on your phone looking for guys. You want to chat, meet, do things.

"People who take methadrone are looking for more guys on Grindr and invite them in. At peak times we had five or six. It was a bit of a revolving door.

"It was a group of gay men hanging out, listening to music. There would always be guys who would walk off into rooms and have sexual intercourse."

Varchmin said he gave these people access to the computer the indecent images were found on.

The prosecution have claimed the defendant had searched the internet for indecent images of children using German words.

However, Varchmin said he also gave his German boyfriend a key to his flat and access to all his devices because he was "jealous" about the people he was talking to.

Officers found 45,000 images and 106 movies on the defendant's mobile phone and computer, the vast majority of which were "adult porn", the court has heard.

Of more than 100 indecent images, many of them were duplicates, the court heard.

Varchmin denies seven charges of possessing indecent images of children and possessing 830 milligrams of crystal meth.

PA
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Two people were killed and three others wounded by stabbings in the southern Dutch city of Maastricht on Thursday evening, police said.

Police said in a statement there were two stabbing incidents within a few hundred metres of each other in a residential neighbourhood in northern Maastricht, which borders Germany and Belgium.

Local media reported neighbours as saying they were startled by loud shouting.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. 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Police tweeted to say their investigations gave them no reason to suspect a terrorist motive.

One person has been arrested, they added.

A police statement said: On the Botsaarsstraat there was a fight at 9pm and one man died as a result of a stabbing. The identity of this man is still unknown. The suspect fled.

Ten minutes later, another stabbing took place on Joseph Postnesstraat. A woman was killed but her identity is not known.

In this second incident, two people were also injured. They have been transferred to the hospital. The nature of their injuries is unknown. Afterwards, a third injured person was found in a nearby mosque. That person was also transferred to the hospital.

Research has shown that there is no reason to assume that these incidents have a terrorist motive. The police are still investigating these incidents in the neighbourhood.
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The leader of far-right group Britain First, Paul Golding, has been arrested in Belfast over a speech made in the city.

Deputy leader Jayda Fransen claimed he had travelled to the city to support her at a court appearance for allegedly using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the same event.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed a 35-year-old man had been arrested at Laganside courts but did not say what offence he was suspected of committing.

Detectives investigating speeches made at the Northern Ireland Against Terrorism Rally on Sunday 6 August this year have arrested a 35-year-old man, a spokesperson said.

He has been taken to Musgrave PSNI station for interview.

Ms Fransen, who gained international notoriety after her Islamophobic tweets were shared by Donald Trump, claimed Mr Goulding was arrested on "trumped-up charges".

The 31-year-old was detained in London and flown to Belfast over a speech made at the rally in August.

Around a dozen people in the public gallery watched her appearance, which was adjourned until later on Thursday to hear a bail application.

The deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, Jayda Fransen (PA)

Prosecutors said footage and transcripts of Ms Fransens speech constitute the offences, arguing for restrictions to prevent her speaking at further rallies.

A lawyer for Ms Fransen told the court: This lady is as entitled to free expression within the law as anyone else.

If there is an offence she will be arrested like everyone elsethe idea that she be prevented from speaking in my respectful submission is completely disproportionate.

Britain First styles itself as a political party but has been condemned by campaigners as a far-right extremist group.

It calls on supporters to join the British resistance and secure a future for British children and has become known for paramilitary-style invasions targeting mosques.

Theresa Mays official spokesman said it was wrong for the US President to share Britain First's messages, accusing the group of seeking to divide communities through their use of hateful narratives which peddle lies and stoke tensions.

"British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudice of the far right, which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency, tolerance, and respect, he added.

Additional reporting by PA
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Two leaders of the far-right group Britain First have been charged over offences in Northern Ireland.

Paul Golding, 35, was accused of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour during a speech he made in Belfast last summer.

His deputy, Jayda Fransen, 31, appeared in court on Thursday on hate charges related to remarks she made at the same Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in the city in August.

She was re-arrested shortly after the legal proceedings over fresh comments made earlier this week beside a wall dividing Catholics from Protestants in the city to prevent violence during the Troubles. She was later charged with threatening behaviour.

The comments were posted on social media on Wednesday.

The message said it was shot in the staunchly unionist Shankill area of west Belfast. During the video post she criticised Islam.

She is due to appear in court in Belfast again on Friday morning.

Mr Golding was bailed to appear in the same court next month.

Britain First has enjoyed added prominence after US President Donald Trump re-tweeted three unrelated anti-Muslim videos posted by Ms Fransen.

Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

Recommended Britain First leader Paul Golding arrested in Belfast

The group has since boasted it received hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Its leaders face separate legal action in England.

Ms Fransen was detained minutes after appearing before a district judge accused of behaviour intended or likely to stir up hatred arising from her speech in the summer.

The accused, from Anerley in south east London, was before Belfast Magistrates Court charged with using words which were threatening, abusive or insulting during her address in August.

Police in court sought curbs on her ability to participate in future rallies in Northern Ireland as well as her social media use.

She took to Twitter within minutes of her release on bail and said it was a nonsense charge.

I criticise Islam and now they want to send me to prison for two years, she said.

The court ordered her not to go within 500m of any demonstration or parade in Northern Ireland as a condition of her release on bail.

The PSNI officer said she was seeking conditions on the accuseds bail because of a planned rally  Free Speech For Jayda  on 10 December in Belfast, which was postponed due to snow.

She added: We were concerned that there would be further offences.

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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 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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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Ms Fransens barrister Richard McConkey branded the curbs on her freedom of speech disproportionate and said his client was pleading not guilty.

He accused police of trying to use the court to censor a politician.

This lady is as entitled to free expression within the law as anyone else," he said.

If there is an offence she will be arrested like everyone else.

District judge Fiona Bagnall said she was not stopping the accused from speaking, rather preventing her from reoffending.

The court was told most of the evidence involved video footage.

Ms Fransen is on bail facing trial over four unrelated 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 29 January alongside Mr Golding, who faces three similar charges.

Her first Belfast case is expected to be mentioned again in the city on 9 January.

PA
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A woman who claims she was raped in a Conservative MPs office by his chief of staff told her boyfriend she gave the story to the press just hours after the alleged attack, a court has heard.

Samuel Armstrong, 24, is said to have assaulted the young parliamentary worker when she fell asleep after a night drinking in Westminster.

The woman claims the aide, who works for Craig Mackinlay MP, raped her twice after calling her a bitch when she turned down an invitation to go back to his flat in Clapham, southwest London.

The woman, who is in her 20s, was captured on CCTV running through the corridors of Westminster in tears in the early hours of 14 October last year.

Southwark Crown Court heard she sent a message to her boyfriend 15 hours after the alleged assault, which said: Keeping you in the loop. Ive given it to Harry Cole who works for The Sun. It will either be in the Mail on Sunday or The Sun front page on Monday.

A later message said: The media already knew so this is my way of controlling it to ensure I get a sympathetic writer.

Asked about the messages by Mr Armstrongs barrister, Sarah Forshaw QC, the woman insisted she did not sell the story and explained it had been a friend who spoke to The Sun.

I really didnt want my identity to come out and it was a state where I had absolutely no control in the event, so I wanted a little bit of control, she said.

Mr Armstrong, from Danbury in Essex, denies two counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration in the early hours of 14 October 2016, claiming what happened took place with full consent.

Ms Forshaw suggested the woman made the allegations after becoming distressed as she tried to leave the Palace of Westminster at around 2am following consensual sex with Mr Armstrong.

Cross-examining the witness, she said: When it was over you were not upset with him at all, were you?

The woman replied: Yes  I was completely confused and devastated in the truest sense of that word.

The complainant admitted having sent a request to follow Mr Armstrong on Twitter on 3 September this year, but told jurors it was an accident, and said later: I never want to speak to him again.

Ms Forshaw asked her: I dont suggest you have deliberately set out to lie to get Sam in trouble. I suggest you told a lie at the time and once you had told it you couldnt take it back?

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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

The woman replied: You would be incorrect.

Ms Forshaw said: You dont have any animosity towards Sam even now, do you.

The alleged victim said: No. Its something I have struggled with in the last year.

When it was put to her that everything that happened in Mr Mackinlays office was with her consent, she added: No, absolutely not.

The trial continues.
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The face of a 17th-century Scottish prisoner of war who died after being captured by Cromwell's troops has been revealed using the latest digital technology.

The soldier was among 3,000 marched south in 1650 following the short but bloody Battle of Dunbar to the then abandoned Durham Cathedral.

In 2013, between 17 and 28 skeletons were found in a mass grave close to the cathedral and Durham University experts carried out extensive research on the remains to identify them.

Recommended Ancient Roman texts shed light first Londoners 2000 years on

Archaeologists have collaborated with Liverpool John Moores University's Face Lab specialists - who used sophisticated software to create a digital image of one of the soldiers.

They took parts of the skull of a man aged 18-25 known as Skeleton 22, carefully rebuilt them and made a scan to work from to rebuild his face.

What emerged on screen was a wide-mouthed man with a strong nose. He has been depicted wearing a blue bonnet and the brown jacket typical of a Scottish soldier of the time.

Professor Chris Gerrard, of Durham University's Department of Archaeology, said: "The resulting image is a poignant opportunity to come face to face with a young man who lived and died over 300 years ago."

Professor Caroline Wilkinson, of Face Lab, said: "Our collaboration with Durham University enabled us to draw on scans and data to create the most accurate and lifelike image possible to enable a true glimpse into the past of this Scottish soldier and how his life had been lived."

Bone testing has revealed Skeleton 22 had suffered periods of poor nutrition while growing up in south-west Scotland.

Around 1,700 prisoners died in Durham and their remains could be buried around what is now a world heritage site.

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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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Some of those who survived were transported to the US and Barbados, while others were set to work in mines.

Once the studies have been completed in 2018, the remains of all the skeletons will be buried in a local churchyard.

After Oliver Cromwell's unexpected victory over Scottish forces who supported Charles II, around 6,000 were captured, with 1,000 of the sickest being freed.

A further 1,000 of the hungry, defeated soldiers died on the gruelling march south, while many escaped and some were shot for refusing to walk further.

Face Lab has already reconstructed historical figures including Robert the Bruce, Richard III and St Nicholas.

PA
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Members of the royal family have joined bereaved families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire for a memorial for the 71 people killed in the blaze.

A banner bearing a green heart and the word Grenfell was held aloft by mourners, who also clutched white roses and photographs of the dead.

As they left the memorial, held at St Pauls Cathedral, the bereaved called on politicians to deliver justice.

But, six months on from the blaze, how close are we to achieving such a sense of completion? Here are the central issues at play.

Homelessness

Two days after the disaster, the Prime Minister promised families would be rehoused within three weeks. In November, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) said every survivor would be able to move into a new home before Christmas.

But Grenfell United, a support group of Kensington residents, said earlier this month four out of five families made homeless were still searching for permanent accommodation, while almost half face Christmas in a hotel.

Leaving the memorial on Thursday, Mr Corbyn told reporters: Families who suffered in the fire should not be in hotels, should not be in bed and breakfasts. For goodness sake, were the sixth richest country in the world  cant we house 400 families?

Even if the households still living in emergency accommodation are offered permanent housing soon, there are concerns residents will face more restrictions and less secure tenancy arrangements if they move elsewhere.

The inquiry

Survivors continue to say they are not placed at the centre of the probe into the tragedy, despite repeated assurances from its chairman Sir Martin Moore Bick and the advisers who surround him.

Core participant status has now been granted to 424 individuals and groups, which allows them access to evidence and the right to suggest lines of questioning.

But it does not afford them decision-making capabilities, and survivors have petitioned the Prime Minister to appoint community representatives to the inquirys main panel.

Survivors of the disaster have also expressed anger that the scope of the public inquiry does not examine the broader issue of the Governments social housing policy.

On the weekend, the UKs human rights watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it would launch its own inquiry into the disaster, which will look into whether the human rights of Grenfell Tower residents were violated.

The probe promises to reveal whether the Government failed in its duties to protect life and provide safe housing.

David Isaac, Chair of the EHRC, said: The Grenfell Tower fire has become a symbol of the inequality that exists in our country.

From the right to life to the duty to provide adequate housing, there are several areas where the state fell short in its duties to its citizens, and these must be properly addressed.

Fire safety and building regulations

The Grenfell tragedy, in which plastic-fllled cladding spread flames between apartments, compelled the Government to examine the building materials used in tower blocks across the country.

We cannot and will not ask people to live in unsafe homes, Ms May announced a week after the fire.

But inspections revealed hundreds of blocks were clad in Grenfell-style panels, and thousands of people are still living in homes where this has not been removed or replaced.

In the weeks following Grenfell, 262 tower blocks were discovered to have similar cladding, including 161 social housing buildings and 26 student halls of residents.

Meanwhile, just 2 per cent of the UKs council and housing association-owned buildings have full sprinkler systems, according to a BBC investigation published in September.

Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Dany Cotton, has also called for all tower blocks to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems in the wake of the disaster.

She said on Tuesday a fire of a similar size to that at Grenfell could happen again.

Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Show all 31 1 /31 Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn hugs a woman after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prince Harry leaving after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures A woman appears emotional as she leaves the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn consoles a mourner AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners carry pictures of victims of the fire and white roses as they leave St Paul's cathedral AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners carry white roses as they leave St Paul's cathedral after attending a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn consoles a relative of a victim AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners leave after attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Labour opposition party leader Jeremy Corbyn embraces a mourner AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners hold up photos of victims as they leave St Paul's cathedral after attending a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Service members carry a Grenfell banner Rex Features Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prime Minister Theresa May attends the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Marcus Mumford, Adele and Carey Mulligan attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Attendees hold a banner at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures The Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott arrive at St Paul's Cathedral REUTERS Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Members of the public gather outside St Paul's Cathedral ahead of the Grenfell Tower national memorial service Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People arrive for the Grenfell Tower Memorial Service Rex Features Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Former footballer Les Ferdinand (right) arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Police officers arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire REUTERS Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images

Residents immigration status

The Government has proposed an immigration amnesty to survivors of the blaze, although survivors are suspicious of the offer, according to resident support groups.

Campaigners claim there are loopholes in the amnesty that could allow the state to deport people if they come forward, meaning many could be afraid to seek help.

The Home Office is yet to publish figures for the number of undocumented immigrants who have tried to access support through the scheme.

Funds raised for the victims

In total, 24m has been donated to the main Grenfell charitable funds, the Charity Commission said last week. Of this, around two-thirds  16.1m  has been distributed.
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Bereaved families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire were among around 1,500 people who attended St Pauls Cathedral on Thursday for a memorial service.

While some mourners held white roses, others clutched photographs of their loved ones who died in the inferno. A banner with a green heart and the word Grenfell was held high at the forefront of the mourners, who moved as a group when they left the building.

Several members of the royal family  including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry  attended the ceremony to pay their respects, six months on from the fire that killed 71 people.

Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May also appeared, entering through a side door, rather than the main entrance.

Prince Harry comforted one bereaved woman as she cried at the end of the service. Firefighters managed to pull 78-year-old Fatima Jafaris husband, Ali Yawar Jafari, from the building, but the 82-year-old died at the scene. As Ms Jafari broke down, the Prince said to an interpreter: Just tell her I am so incredibly sorry for her loss.

Her daughter, 38-year-old Maria Jafari, said: Its very, very hard. Still she cries, every day, every second when we are talking about our father, all the memories come out again. Its six months and its still very hard for us.

The Independent spoke to the family of 63-year-old Raymond Bernard, who was also known as Moses.

Mr Bernard, who was described as really caring, lived alone on the 23rd floor with his King Charles spaniel, Marley.

Despite living on his own, investigators processing the charred remains of the tower identified seven people in his flat, including three children.

Maureen Smith, the mother of his long-term partner, said Mr Bernard had opened his door to families who had fled up the tower in a desperate attempt to escape the flames. The act of compassion was typical of him, she said.

The children he sheltered had been put to bed in the bedroom, she said, while the adults gathered in the living room next door.

As Mr Corbyn left the ceremony he was surrounded by mourners who begged him to deliver justice.

Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Show all 31 1 /31 Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn hugs a woman after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prince Harry leaving after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures A woman appears emotional as she leaves the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn consoles a mourner AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners carry pictures of victims of the fire and white roses as they leave St Paul's cathedral AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners carry white roses as they leave St Paul's cathedral after attending a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn consoles a relative of a victim AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners leave after attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Labour opposition party leader Jeremy Corbyn embraces a mourner AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners hold up photos of victims as they leave St Paul's cathedral after attending a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Service members carry a Grenfell banner Rex Features Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prime Minister Theresa May attends the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Marcus Mumford, Adele and Carey Mulligan attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Attendees hold a banner at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures The Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott arrive at St Paul's Cathedral REUTERS Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Members of the public gather outside St Paul's Cathedral ahead of the Grenfell Tower national memorial service Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People arrive for the Grenfell Tower Memorial Service Rex Features Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Former footballer Les Ferdinand (right) arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Police officers arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire REUTERS Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images

He hugged one woman tightly as she shared her experiences and said he found the ceremony very moving.

Asked what next for the survivors of the fire he told reporters: Of course we have to mourn those who died as a result of the fire, but families who suffered in the fire should not be in hotels, should not be in bed and breakfasts  for goodness sake, were the sixth richest country in the world, cant we house 400 families?

Six months on from the fire, four out of five families made homeless are still searching for permanent accommodation, while almost half face Christmas in a hotel. Two days after the disaster, the Prime Minister promised families would be rehoused within three weeks.

Dr David Ison, Dean of St Pauls, welcomed the guests to the service, extending his words to those painfully affected who could not face such a public event, those who would have liked to be here in solidarity and those watching on television. He led the congregation in a minutes silence, which the council observed separately at the town hall.

Recommended What I learned from the Grenfell families about the inquiry

Conspicuously absent was leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) council, Elizabeth Campbell, who stayed away at the request of families.

She said it was only right to respect the wishes of those involved in the service, adding: I want them to know that we will be thinking of them.

The Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Graham Tomlin, said he hoped the service would reassure the Kensington community that they were not forgotten.

He said: As we come to the end of this difficult year, as we celebrate Christmas, as we move into a new year, nothing can remove the memory of that night  nor do we want to forget those dearly loved people who were lost.

And yet my hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future, a vision of a city where we lose our self-obsession and listen and learn from places and people that we wouldnt normally think of reaching out to.

Local schoolchildren scattered small hand-made green hearts, carried in brown wicker baskets, across the front of the dome dais as as the St Pauls Cathedral choir sang.

The Ebony Steel Band, which regularly performs at Notting Hill Carnival, played a verse of Leonard Cohens Hallelujah to the congregation.
Britain is marking six months since the deadly fire at Grenfell Tower that claimed 71 lives with a national memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral (AFP/Getty Images)

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A memorial service was held at St Paul's Cathedral on Thursday morning to honour the 71 victims who died in the Grenfell Tower fire in west London.

Six months on from the disaster, more than 1,500 people attended the service, including Prime Minister Theresa May and members of the Royal Family.

Families of victims and survivors of the 14 June tragedy also attended the memorial alongside members of the wider community and first responders.

Please allow the blog a moment to load.

The service included messages of support for the bereaved, and a banner with the Grenfell Heart - a symbol of unity over the disaster - was displayed within the building.

Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Show all 31 1 /31 Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn hugs a woman after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prince Harry leaving after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures A woman appears emotional as she leaves the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn consoles a mourner AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners carry pictures of victims of the fire and white roses as they leave St Paul's cathedral AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners carry white roses as they leave St Paul's cathedral after attending a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn consoles a relative of a victim AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners leave after attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Labour opposition party leader Jeremy Corbyn embraces a mourner AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners hold up photos of victims as they leave St Paul's cathedral after attending a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People hold photos and flowers as they leave after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Service members carry a Grenfell banner Rex Features Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prime Minister Theresa May attends the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Marcus Mumford, Adele and Carey Mulligan attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Attendees hold a banner at the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures The Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott arrive at St Paul's Cathedral REUTERS Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Members of the public gather outside St Paul's Cathedral ahead of the Grenfell Tower national memorial service Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Firefighters arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures People arrive for the Grenfell Tower Memorial Service Rex Features Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Former footballer Les Ferdinand (right) arriving for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral PA Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Police officers arrive at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire REUTERS Grenfell Tower memorial service: in pictures Mourners arrive at St Paul's cathedral for a Grenfell Tower National Memorial service AFP/Getty Images

Following the service, families and survivors held up images of loved ones who had died in the blaze.
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The High Court has ordered the Government to stop deporting homeless EU citizens under a controversial policy that has been ruled unlawful.

Mrs Justice Lang said measures introduced last year were discriminatory and violated European law, following a challenge by two Polish men and a Latvian.

The three men were all facing removal because they were found by police and immigration officers sleeping rough.

Mrs Justice Lang said homelessness alone did not meet the legal requirements for deportation, even if accompanied by offences including begging, drinking and nuisance.

There has been a significant increase in rough sleepers of all nationalities, she said. The policy discriminated unlawfully against EEA [European Economic Area] nationals and rough sleepers.

Her ruling found the practice unlawful on three grounds, including by allowing banned systematic verification  effectively sweeping for people to deport without reasonable grounds.

The judge issued quashing orders throwing out the Home Offices policy as published in February and ordered it to pay the claimants legal costs.

The Government published a revised policy shortly before the High Court hearing, which was too short to be considered and had not received ministerial approval.

Mrs Justice Lang urged the Home Secretary to take stock and reconsider the terms of the proposed revised policy, in the light of advice from her legal advisers.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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 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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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The Home Office said it would not be appealing the judgment and would consider carefully what changes to make to future enforcement.

The Independent understands operations targeting migrants sleeping rough have stopped and there are no immediate plans to draw up a new policy.

The claimants were represented by the Public Interest Law Unit (PILU), which pieced the case together over nine months after being alerted by day centres and charities including North East London Migrant Action.

Lawyers crowdfunded 7,000 to bring the case, which was initially refused permission for a High Court hearing.

Paul Heron, a solicitor at PILU, said the deportations started before Brexit but came to a head as growing numbers of migrants were detained or served with papers to leave.

Hopefully this will stop the idea of promoting a hostile environment in its tracks, he told The Independent.

The Governments argument takes the issue out of context, and the context is austerity ... these people are a symptom of something they created.

We felt this was the thin end of a potentially very big wedge  if they get away with this what do they do to British rough sleepers?

The Royal Courts of Justice in London, where the High Court ruled the Governments policy illegal (PA)

There are other ways of dealing with the issue and this is not the best way.

They were supported by lawyers Deighton Pierce Glynn on behalf of the Aire Centre, which campaigns for rights under European law.

Lawyer Zubier Yazdani said the High Court had sent a strong message to the Home Office that its removal of rough sleeping EU citizens is totally unlawful and discriminatory.

This ruling serves as a reminder to the Home Office that EU law still applies as it always has done and no gloss that the Home Office wants to put on the rights of EU citizens can change the meaning and effect of that, he added.

Matthew Downie, the director of policy at homelessness charity Crisis, welcomed the ruling against the disturbing policy.

It has been shocking to witness how some of the most vulnerable members of our society have been treated, in many cases taking them away from the help they were getting to resolve their homelessness, he added.

Our own clients have been severely affected by these detentions, sometimes with tragic consequences. This is no way to treat people. This policy has been brutal and indiscriminate, but with this ruling, it must come to an end immediately.

Many rough sleepers go on to be detained in immigration removal centres including Brook House, which has been at the centre of a scandal over abuse perpetrated by G4S guards.

Marineta and Teofil, a Romanian couple who were detained at Yarls Wood for a month after being arrested, told the Public Interest Law Unit they lost five months of their lives, earnings and job opportunities because of the enforcement.

 G4S accused of 'culture of intimidation' against asylum seekers

Now we feel like we have to start again, they said. We are Europeans. We have the same rights as anyone else, and deserve to be treated like any English person in the same situation.

I know its to do with Brexit, but this is the wrong way to make people go.

In its witness statement, the Home Office said rough sleeping had increased by 55 per cent across the UK and 91 per cent in London between 2010 and 2015, claiming that European citizens were arriving intent on rough sleeping.

Rough sleepers could damage the reputation of central London areas as a tourist destination, they had an adverse impact on the amenities of residents and other visitors, and public authorities incurred costs in managing the problems which they caused, said a summary of the Governments argument.

Central and Eastern European citizens made up around 10 per cent of recorded rough sleepers in London in 2007 but the total had risen to more than a third by last year.

The European Commission previously raised questions about the legality of the Home Offices policy, saying EU citizens have the right to live in other European countries irrespective of whether they are homeless or not.

Removals have soared since Brexit, with almost 5,000 EU citizens deported in the past 12 months  the highest number on record and a rise of 14 per cent on the previous year.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said it works to ensure genuinely vulnerable people receive the care they need and said it aimed to comply with the Free Movement Directive.

We are disappointed by todays judgment, he added. However, we respect the courts findings and will not be appealing.

We will consider carefully what steps are necessary to ensure we reflect the judgment in future enforcement.
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The public is being put at risk by the Governments failing privatisation of probation services as criminals commit murder and sexual offences while supposedly under supervision, a damning report has found.

HM Inspectorate of Probation said private companies commissioned in a 2014 overhaul of the service were failing to properly assess the risk of harm in half of cases, supervising thousands of convicts with phone calls every six weeks.

Some junior officers working for Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) are handling more than 200 cases each, despite officials warning that a maximum of 60 can be taken on safely.

HM Chief Inspector of Probation, Dame Glenys Stacey, questioned whether the current two-tier system could ever deliver the public protection and rehabilitation needed.

If these services are delivered well, there will be fewer children in care, fewer adults and children living in fear of assault, fewer people sleeping on the streets and fewer people in prison, she told a briefing in London.

These services arent very visible but they really do matterneglected prisoners are more likely to reoffend.

In a damning assessment of the picture across England and Wales, Dame Glenys said the Governments Transforming Rehabilitation programme had overestimated revenue for private companies taking on parts of the probation service, forcing them to make cuts to staff and services.

Probation trusts were replaced by the new National Probation Service (NPS) and 21 CRCs, owned by eight separate organisations with different constitutions.

Rehabilitation and monitoring work for prisoners being released has been outsourced to private companies (Getty) (2016 Getty Images)

They were intended to handle only low-risk offenders, alongside a programme preparing prisoners for release and community service, but are now handling a large number of medium risk convicts.

Individuals assessed originally as presenting a medium or low risk to the public can go on to commit very serious further offences, the report warned.

It found the NPS was protecting the public well but the work of CRCs was unsatisfactory in half of cases.

Since the reforms in 2014, the number of convicts committing a serious further offence while under probation supervision has risen by 20 per cent, from 429 to 517.

A significant proportion are convicted of murder, manslaughter or sexual offences, the report found.

Some convicts may only undergo one face-to-face meeting with CRCs before being assigned a risk category and pushed into remote offender monitoring by telephone.

Dame Glenys admitted there was no way of ensuring probation officers were speaking to the person they had been assigned, adding: The risks are apparent.

I find it inexplicable that, under the banner of innovation, these developments were allowed, the inspector continued.

We should all be concerned, given the rehabilitation opportunities missed and the risks to the public.

She said the inspectorate had uncovered a number of cases where unsuitable candidates were being supervised by phone  a method used for 40 per cent of people on probation under some CRCs.

Inspectors found prisoners were not properly being prepared for release, or monitored adequately afterwards (Getty)

In one case, a Class A drug dealer attacked a man with a crowbar while under telephone supervision.

Another convict was assessed as low-risk after a short prison sentence for driving while disqualified, despite having more than 30 previous convictions including domestic abuse and violent assaults.

The alarm was not raised when he moved back in with a former partner who he had abused  even after eight police call-outs  and contact was lost until he was charged with another attack on his partner.

The inspectorate concluded that rehabilitation efforts were failing in more than half of both CRC and NPS cases, seeing prisoners released without homes, jobs, rehabilitation programmes or education opportunities.

More than 260,000 people were under probation supervision last year, including 40,000 who served sentences under 12 months.

Many are handed community or suspended sentences, including unpaid work (60,000 cases a year) or Rehabilitation Activity Requirements (75,000 cases a year).

Dame Glenys said the programmes aim to change peoples approach to life but the freedoms introduced are not being used in the manner intended.

She said some people were being stood up by CRCs after attending at agreed times to carry out work, while companies were counting short meetings as a day of activity under a loophole in contracts.

The inspectorate found the agreements and resulting financial pressures to be the cause of most failures, alongside delayed IT system updates by the Ministry of Justice.

The Governments aspirations were not hardwired into contracts and CRCs have had to make some hard choices between whether they keep staff or whether they keep paying other providers for services, Dame Glenys said.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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. 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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 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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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In some CRCs, staff numbers have been pared down in repeated redundancy exercises, with those remaining carrying exceptional caseloads.

The companies have been left struggling by a funding model that predicted revenue far greater than that being received, following unanticipated changes in sentencing towards less profitable options.

Some CRCs are suffering significant losses through the financially unattractive contract, the inspectorate found.

Dame Glenys said that although it would be impractical to suggest pulling the plug on the failing system, there must be a sustainable model and for these services to improve.

Its a matter for the Government to decide where it goes next, she added.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said campaigners had foreseen the emerging public safety disaster of privatisation.

Hoping the damning report was a large and rusty nail in its coffin, she added: Breaking up the public probation service, with a large part of it handed to private companies, created a fragmented, two-tier system that was never going to work.

The problems stretch far beyond worries about funding  this is a fatally flawed model.

Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said many had warned against the ill-conceived privatisation effort.

The Government now needs to be as determined in remedying the problems in the probation system as it was in creating them in the first place, he added, calling for the establishment of a unified public sector service.

David Lidington, the Justice Secretary, said: It is reassuring that the NPS - which supervises high-risk offenders - is doing a good job overall and we will use this incisive report to continue improving it.

We have already changed CRCs contracts to better reflect their costs and are continuing to review them. We are clear that CRCs must deliver a higher standard of probation services.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Our reforms to probation mean we are now monitoring 40,000 offenders who would previously have been released with no supervision at all.

Probation officers use their professional judgement to assess the level of supervision an offender needs.

In some cases, lower risk offenders can be supervised by telephone after a thorough, face-to-face risk assessment, and their continued suitability for this type of monitoring will be kept under review.
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Robot investigators could be widely used in future to examine documents in complex cases, the head of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has suggested.

David Green said he would like to see the possibility of employing artificial intelligence "carefully examined" after using technology to sift through a cache of 30 million documents disclosed by Rolls-Royce during a major investigation.

He also said it was now "pretty clear" that his agency would continue as an independent body after the government dropped plans to have it taken into the National Crime Agency.

Recommended Robot that can learn like a baby developed by Berkeley team

The SFO director set out how the Rolls-Royce documents had been examined by a computer algorithm which had the ability to learn as it went along.

The technology was trying to find legally privileged documents which could not be used in the case, but Mr Green suggested that in future similar methods could be used to identify useful evidence in investigations.

He told MPs: "During the Rolls-Royce investigation, which continues because we haven't yet made charging decisions on individuals, Rolls-Royce the company showed what was described in court as extraordinary co-operation.

"A measure of that is that they referred to us a chunk of 30 million documents, mainly digital.

"In doing so they said 'We are well aware that this material does contain material subject to legal professional privilege' which we are not entitled to have and we have to quarantine.

"They agreed with us that we could search the material and sift that out. They also agreed with us that we could use artificial intelligence to do that task."

Using the algorithm "it probably took a tenth of the time it would have taken" using the normal method, which would have involved using around 30 lawyers to sift through the material.

"Also, we found it was more reliable than human intervention," he told the Justice Select Committee.

He suggested that "in time, the criminal courts will be looking towards this methodology", particularly in relation to the disclosure of evidence by the prosecution to the defence.

"The other interesting angle is actually in investigation, with a view to sifting out for relevance and so forth, which would be a not dissimilar thing."

Mr Green told MPs: "We haven't got robots working yet, we've used them once in connection with Rolls-Royce. It's very much a possibility and an aspiration for the future."

Committee chairman Robert Neill asked: "You are certainly convinced that robotics offers real opportunities?"

"Absolutely," Mr Green replied.

In Theresa May's election manifesto, the Tories vowed to incorporate the SFO into the National Crime Agency.

But the recently published economic crime strategy only set out plans to give the NCA power to direct the SFO.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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

Mr Green, who will stand down in April, said: "I think it's pretty clear that the independence of the SFO will continue."

He said he was "pretty relaxed" about the NCA being given the power to direct the SFO, adding that it already had that relationship with police and had only used it once since 2013.

"In all honesty, quite what this adds, I don't know. But insofar as it is intended to increase and guarantee co-operation between the many agencies on the economic crime waterfront, who could possibly object? I certainly don't," he said.

"I do not think that this power of direction impinges on SFO independence."

PA
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Theresa Mays government was handed a defeat on the Brexit bill as 11 MPs rebelled and backed an amendment to give Parliament a much greater say in leaving the European Union (EU).

Amendment seven, tabled by the former attorney general Dominic Grieve, requires any Brexit deal to be approved by a separate Act of Parliament before it can be implemented.

Mr Grieve and his fellow rebels feared the Government using so-called Henry VIII powers to put Brexit into effect without giving MPs a say on the detail.

The legal expert told the Commons that without this critical change Ms Mays flagship European Union (Withdrawal) Bill had the potential to become a very worrying tool of executive power.

Instead, his amendment now opens the way for MPs to send the Prime Minister back to Brussels to seek a better agreement, if hers is rejected by Parliament.

Ms May had previously said Parliament would be offered a take it or leave it proposition, but the Bill as it stood effectively left ministers with the power to enact any Brexit deal regardless of the vote.

Mr Grieves amendment was designed to change clause nine of the Brexit legislation, which gave the Government power to use its newly granted sweeping powers to implement a deal.

Its original ninth clause read: A Minister of the Crown may by regulations make such provision as the Minister considers appropriate for the purposes of implementing the withdrawal agreement if the Minister considers that such provision should be in force on or before exit day.

But Mr Grieve's amendment added the clause that it should be "subject to the prior enactment of a statute by Parliament approving the final terms of withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

 Tory rebellion leads to defeat of Government over Brexit amendment

The statute sought by the Beaconsfield MP would undergo full parliamentary scrutiny  meaning it could be rewritten by MPs, potentially leaving the Government vulnerable to further revolts over elements of the withdrawal deal.

He said he had no option but to push his amendment to a vote because the Bill gave ministers the biggest Henry VIII power ever conferred on Government with no justification.

Im obviously pleased with the outcome because I felt it was a vote which had to be taken, particularly in view of the intransigence and difficulty we had in trying to reason with the Government over the last few days, Mr Grieve said.

I have to say it was the only thing open for me to do and Id like to emphasise  it doesnt stop Brexit in any way. It actually was intended to try to make sure that Brexit takes place in an orderly manner.

Speaking on the BBC's Newsnight Mr Grieve said he was not trying to interfere with the Government's negotiating strategy.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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

A Government minister told MPs minutes before the crunch vote that clause nine was absolutely necessary to make sure we can fully implement the withdrawal agreement.

But after Mr Grieves amendment passed, Number 10 said the change would not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day.
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Conservative ex-cabinet minister Dominic Grieve has said he does not care about knives being out for me over his role in forcing changes to Theresa Mays Brexit plans, as he warned the Prime Minister she faces a second defeat.

The former-attorney general and ten other Tory MPs who drove the Government to give Parliament a greater say on EU withdrawal, faced a torrent of abuse overnight from eurosceptic fellow Conservatives and the Brexit-backing press.

But Mr Grieve said it is not going to affect what I do one jot as he signalled Conservative rebels are prepared to defy the Government again when it tries to bring forward plans to enshrine the date of Brexit in law next week.

He was backed by fellow Conservative Stephen Hammond, stripped of his senior party job after rebelling, who also would not rule out voting against the Government again.

They spoke after helping to inflict an embarrassing defeat on Ms May as she tried to push her EU Withdrawal Bill through the Commons, which led one eurosceptic Tory to brand Mr Grieve and other rebels idiots while another accused him of treachery and said they should all be deselected as MPs.

But making clear he would not be deterred from trying to improve the Prime Ministers Brexit proposals, Mr Grieve said the Government would be defeated again unless it withdrew plans to enshrine the date of Britain's exit in law as March 29 2019  something he and others claim will make crashing out of the EU with no deal more likely.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

He said: I hope very much it won't be necessary because if the Government comes back with that date, I'm sure the Government will be defeated and I have no desire to defeat the Government or be involved in the Government's defeat a second time.

I've been in Parliament for 20 years and apart from HS2, I don't think I've ever rebelled before.

He went on: Not only am I open to negotiation, my whole life is negotiation.

Mr Grieve appeared on BBCs Newsnight hours after the vote, which followed angry clashes in and outside the Commons with eurosceptic fellow Tories.

Ms May arrived in Brussels for another crunch EU summit on Thursday, with the vote in Parliament raising questions as to whether she has the political authority to deliver any Brexit deal agreed on the continent.

But Mr Hammond, whose vote against Ms May saw him sacked from his job as vice-chair of the party, said the result would help create space for Parliament to properly scrutinise the eventual Brexit deal and to have a fair say on it.

 Tory rebellion leads to defeat of Government over Brexit amendment

Asked whether he too might rebel on the plan to enshrine the Brexit date in law next week, he said: I hope not.

But he added: Theres a week to go, plenty of time for negotiation.

I think many people will view that proposition as unnecessary, probably not a good way to negotiate.

Conservative Nadine Dorries, who consistently rebelled against David Camerons administration as it tried to bring in equal marriage legislation, demanded her fellow Tory MPs be stripped of their seats in Parliament for treachery against the Prime Minister.

She tweeted that they had, put a spring in Labours step, given them a taste of winning, guaranteed the party a weekend of bad press, undermined the PM and devalued her impact in Brussels.

Tory Sir Desmond Swayne told the Commons the rebel amendments simply aimed to delay Brexit, dismissing them as sanctimonious guff and Mr Grieve and their other advocates as idiots.

He added: Now we see the real motive and of course he was assisted by others, who comrade Lenin would have properly referred to as useful idiots.

Senior Tory Bernard Jenkin said: To dress this attempt to reverse Brexit as an argument in favour of parliamentary sovereignty is nothing but cant.

 David Davis on Brexit: 'You don't have to be very clever to do my job'

But Mr Grieve also said he would not be affected by criticism from fellow Tories, adding: I'm not very concerned about knives being out for me.

I'm in Parliament to do my duty by my constituents and by my country. Knives can be anywhere, I'm not going to be bothered by that in any way at all.

He went on: I'm sorry to hear if colleagues think so ill of me but it's not going to affect what I do one jot.

Mr Grieve said he had been willing to discuss with the Government how to come to a compromise that would address the concerns he and others had over Brexit plans.

Desmond Swayne branded fellow Tories as 'idiots' for rebelling against Ms May's Brexit plans (House of Commons)

But he said: I'm sorry that the negotiations foundered, it was a spectacular foundering, I can't deny that ... but there appears to have been a complete breakdown within Government as to how to answer perfectly legitimate points.

It is slightly worrying but I've no doubt people will learn from the experience.

Up to now Ms May had promised Parliament a say of sorts over the final deal she agrees in Brussels, but as it stood it would be a take it or leave it vote and ministers would retain powers to enact any deal without first gaining Parliaments permission.

The change forced by rebels, backed by Jeremy Corbyns Labour MPs, means the terms of any Brexit deal must now first be approved with a full Act of Parliament  effectively allowing MPs to re-write parts of the deal before any of it is implemented by Ms May.

 Dominic Grieve calls Government Brexit strategy incoherent and stupid

This morning Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the defeat would not derail the Brexit process.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: I don't think it should be a surprise that in a hung Parliament, Parliament wants to reassert its right to scrutinise the process.

But we should also be clear this isn't going to slow down Brexit, it's not going to stop Brexit.

When it comes to the unity of the Conservative Party, the big picture is not actually what happened last night but what happened last week, because people said it would be absolutely impossible for Theresa May to get a deal with Brussels that united the Cabinet and the party, and actually she got a fantastic agreement which met all our red lines and allowed us to move on to the next stage of the negotiations.

Asked whether MPs could force the Government back to the negotiating table if they rejected the Brexit deal, Mr Hunt said: Parliament can say whatever it wants, but of course renegotiation is something that involves two parties.
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Austrias Prime Minister has said he hopes that Brexit can be reversed, hours after British MPs voted to give themselves a veto on Theresa Mays final deal.

Arriving at European Council summit in Brussels, Christian Kern said Brexit would likely throw up problems that are not easy to solve.

I hope that it could be reversed, because there will be a lot of big issues, challenges, [that are] not easy to solve, and there will be a lot of tensions in domestic political area in Great Britain, so who knows, the Federal Chancellor told reporters on the doorstep of the summit.

But asked how likely he believed Brexits reversal he replied: Good question. I dont know.

Mr Kern, who is soon expected to leave office when ongoing coalition talks conclude, appeared unphased by Parliament giving itself a vote on the final Brexit deal.

Such a very big international contract and agreement, in our case in Austria would be agreed by the Austrian parliament, so thats just exactly the situation were going to have in the United Kingdom. I dont see any additional obstacles, he said.

Austria will be taking up the European Councils rotating presidency during a crucial period for Brexit negotiations: between July and December 2018. Mr Kern is unlikely to be Prime Minister then, with right-winger Sebastian Kurz likely to prevail in coalition talks with the far-right FPO.

Mr Kerns reaction to the news that MPs will be given a vote contrasted with that of other EU leaders national leaders arriving at the summit. Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, told reporters in Brussels that Parliaments decision last night to give itself a vote would make negotiations more complicated.

This is not good for Theresa May ... as soon as she negotiates something she will have to go back to London to get approval from her Parliament,a and this is not making her life easier, he said.

This doesnt change anything on the agenda, its just going to make it more complicated for the UK government.

Mr Bettel replied no when asked by reporters whether the EU would re-open negotiations if MPs reject the deal.

However, Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, said he expected the PM to be able to pass any deal.

Yes, I do think so. I believe that in UK society and also in political circles theres widespread support for a reasonable negotiated exit of Britain from the European Union, he said.

I still think she has a formidable stature here and last week Friday showed all of us that we should not underestimate Theresa May. Shes a formidable politician, he said.

He added that the question of whether Parliament should get a vote was up to Parliament and the Government in the UK, how to exactly calibrate that relationship.

National leaders are arriving in Brussels today for the two-day meeting, where they will start by discussing the EUs response to the migration crisis and a new bloc-wide defence pact.

 Tory MP Stephen Hammond defies whip to give Parliament meaningful say on Brexit

On Friday, after Ms May has returned to the UK, leaders of the EU27 will discuss the progress made in Brexit negotiations and are expected to formally agree to move to the next phase of talks  following the recommendation of the European Commission and European Parliament.

Leaders will also discuss plans for tighter integration of the European Union economies, with attention likely to be focused on a plan to create a fully fledged European Monetary Fund to replace the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The ESM gives eurozone members instant access to financial assistance when they have budget problems.

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

Though the Brexit element of the summit was initially expected to be straightforward, Ms Mays defeat last night has added an extra element to proceedings  raising concerns in European capitals that the PM might not be able to enforce whatever deal she negotiates.

The Prime Minister is expected to speak to leaders at a working dinner on Thursday evening before flying back to the UK.

Following Ms Mays triggering of Article 50 in March this year, the UK has until March 2019 before it automatically leaves the bloc. This period can only be extended by a unanimous vote of the European Council  a meeting of all the EUs national leaders.

There is no legal consensus on whether Article 50 is unilaterally revocable, though Council president Donald Tusk has previously suggested in passing that negotiations could end in no Brexit.
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Theresa May has implicitly accepted EU plans to postpone Brexit trade talks until March, amid concern that the British Government does not know what sort of trade deal it wants from the process.

Speaking to European national leaders over dinner at a summit in Brussels on Thursday night the PM accepted that priority should be given to talks on the transition period rather than the trade framework.

Leaks of a draft statement expected to be agreed to by the EU27 on Friday show leaders will call on the United Kingdom to provide further clarity on its position on the framework for the future relationship before talks about it can properly start in March next year.

While Downing Street officially still says it wants trade talks to start as soon as possible, Ms Mays comments represent the first time the Government has agreed to put trade on the backburner. The PM is understood to have made no serious intervention at the dinner urging the timetable  set to be agreed by the same leaders the next day  to be sped up.

The climbdown on the delays is likely to put more pressure on Britain's negotiators, who are racing against the clock to get a deal done before Britain automatically leaves the EU under Article 50 in March 2019. It also comes after the Prime Minister lost a key House of Commons vote on Wednesday night that will give hostile MPs from all parties the opportunity to interfere with the Brexit process.

I make no secret of wanting to move on to the next phase and to approaching it with ambition and creativity, Ms May told the leaders over dinner.

I believe this is in the best interests of the UK and the union. A particular priority should be an agreement on the implementation period so we can bring greater certainty to the businesses in the UK and across the 27.

Striking a positive note after her progress made last Friday, Ms May added: While many will say that the last few months show how difficult these future negotiations will be, the EU and UK have demonstrated what can be achieved with commitment and perseverance on both sides.

Speaking earlier in the summit today at a session on education and culture, the Prime Minister also stated her intention for the UK so stay in the Erasmus universities programme until at least 2020.

She said the announcement would provide clarity for young people and the education sector, although Downing Street still says any decision on whether the UK will stay in the education programme Erasmus after 2020  when the current funding round runs out  will be subject to negotiation.

The European Commission on Thursday evening said it could not speculate on the UKs participation in the programme, which allows students to take a year studying abroad in a different EU country.

The European Council will continue to follow the negotiations closely and will adopt additional guidelines in March 2018, in particular as regards the framework for the future relationship. It calls on the United Kingdom to provide further clarity on its position on the framework for the future relationship. Leaked draft European Council text set to be agreed tomorrow

Eyebrows were raised in Brussels about the future of the trade framework talks earlier this month after Downing Street confirmed that the Cabinet had not actually discussed what trade deal the Government wanted. The Prime Ministers spokesperson said the discussion would be had before Christmas.

The Governments general level of preparedness for the process was also called into question after Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted that 58 government studies into Brexits effect on the economy which he previously claimed included excruciating detail and repeatedly claimed existed, did not actually exist.

Although talks about the political framework for the UKs future trade relationship with he EU can begin in March according to the current timetable, the European Commission made clear ahead of the summit that it believes the bulk of trade negotiations for a full and free trade agreement will be conducted during the transition period.

The PMs acceptance of the European Councils timeline also holds echoes of the beginning of negotiations earlier this year, when she accepted that separation issues would be dealt with before moving onto trade talks.

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

At the summit the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with Joseph Muscat, the Maltese Prime Minister, and Mateusz Morawiecki, the new Prime Minister of Poland, who took office after a party coup earlier this month.

Other discussed at the summit on Thursday included the inking of plans for closer European defence cooperation and the on-going controversy over mandatory refugee quotas for EU countries. On Friday the EU leaders will discuss plans to create a European Monetary Fund to help out member states in financial difficulty, and after that they will formally decide whether sufficient progress has been made in Brexit talks to move to the next phase.

Ms May, who is flying home on Thursday evening, is expected to formally respond to the leaders decision on Brexit from the UK.
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A transition period after Brexit where the UK continues to accept EU rules would be a price worth paying for economic stability, an influential Commons committee has said.

Cross-party MPs on the Treasury Committee said the Government should consent to a standstill transition deal with Brussels, which would likely include remaining in the single market and customs union, and accepting judgements from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) after Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019.

The move will provoke anger amongst pro-Brexit MPs, many of whom feel Britain should not accept any EU rules after the official exit day. Several Tory former Cabinet ministers, including Iain Duncan Smith and Nigel Lawson, recently declared that remaining under ECJ jurisdiction was a red line Theresa May should not cross.

Recommended Brexit deal to be made into legally binding treaty before trade talks

But in a strongly-worded report, the Treasury Committee warned that businesses could start activating their Brexit contingency plans in the New Year if there is no deal in on the cards and would risk damaging the economy due to arguments over arcane points of principle.

Conservative chair Nicky Morgan, a former cabinet minister, said: The consequences of failing to reach an agreement are dramatic and damaging. Many businesses will begin to prepare for a no deal outcome  moving jobs and activity, and incurring potentially unnecessary expenditure  early next year.

Transitional arrangements must therefore be straightforward enough to negotiate in a matter of weeks.

Speed is of the essence. Delays to agreements caused by arguments over arcane points of principle could damage the economy. The Government should be prepared to accept the terms on which transition is offered by the EU27.

This may well include accepting EU rules beyond those of the Single Market and Customs Union; and it is likely to involve retaining, on a temporary basis, the jurisdiction of the ECJ, and the direct effect and supremacy of EU law.

That is a price worth paying for stability and certainty after 30 March 2019.

It comes after leaked papers detailing EU plans for future talks revealed the UK would have to comply with EU regulations after Brexit, including new rules made after Britain leaves the bloc.

For certain sectors, including financial services, an effective standstill transition period would likely require a separate adaptation period once the terms of a future trading relationship are hammered out, the committee said.

Without a similar agreement, the committee said there is a risk of a no deal Brexit that would force the UK back into World Trade Organisation tariff arrangements.

The first quarter of 2018 has been dubbed the point of no return for banks that are expected to start moving staff and part of their UK business to rival financial hubs in Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt and Luxembourg.

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

Banks like JP Morgan  which currently has 16,000 UK staff  will ramp up operations at a number of its EU sites with plans to move up to 1,000 London front and back office roles, while HSBC has said it is on course to shift as many as 1,000 jobs to France, where it already has a full-service universal bank after buying up Credit Commercial de France in 2002.

Ms May put forward plans for a two-year implementation period in a speech earlier this year, although the terms of the arrangement are still under discussion.

A Government spokesperson said: The Prime Minister proposed a strictly time-limited implementation period in her Florence speech, to give people and businesses time to prepare for our future partnership with the EU.

Our goal is to agree the details for how this will work as early as possible as doing so is in the interests of businesses both in the UK and the EU.
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Theresa May is set to arrive in Brussels for a key EU summit on Thursday having suffered a damaging defeat in Parliament over her central piece of Brexit legislation.

The Prime Minister is to use the EU event to try and make the case for moving Brexit talks on to trade negotiations quickly, but European leaders will now be left wondering if she still has the political support in London to deliver any deal.

There were cheers from opposition MPs in the House of Commons when it emerged the Government had been forced to accept changes to its EU Withdrawal Bill, which it is now claimed will guarantee Parliament a meaningful final vote on any Brexit deal Ms May agrees.

Recommended The 11 Tory rebel MPs who voted against the Government

The embarrassing defeat  the first inflicted on Ms May as she pushes through her Brexit plans  came after Jeremy Corbyn ordered Labour MPs to back an amendment to her legislation proposed by ex-Conservative attorney general Dominic Grieve.

The result immediately exposed deep divisions on the Conservative benches, with reports of a heavy-handed Government whipping operation creating tension, blue-on-blue clashes in the Commons and one Tory rebel sacked from his senior party position within moments of opposing Ms May.

Rebels braced themselves for a wave of abuse from the Brexit-backing media, but insisted they had no choice but to put principle before party and vote against the Government.

Ms May was supposed to enjoy something of a victory at the EU council summit on Thursday, expected to rubber-stamp the judgment that sufficient progress has been made on divorce issues to move on to the next phase of talks.

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

But with difficult obstacles already arising in Brussels, the defeat in London lays bare the difficulties Ms May will have in delivering anything she agrees on the continent.

Following the blow, the Government immediately hinted it may try a parliamentary counteroffensive later in the legislative process to undo the change forced upon it.

A Government spokeswoman said: We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out. We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential.

She added: We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose.

The key vote in the Commons came over Mr Grieves amendment seven, with the legal expert insisting it was necessary to prevent Ms May's flagship Brexit legislation becoming a very worrying tool of executive power.

Up to now Ms May had promised Parliament a say of sorts over the final deal she agrees in Brussels, but as it stood it would be a take it or leave it vote and ministers would retain powers to enact any deal without first gaining Parliaments permission.

The change means the terms of any Brexit deal must now first be approved with a full Act of Parliament  effectively allowing MPs to re-write parts of the deal before any of it is implemented by Ms May.

Ministers are now under heavy pressure to drop another part of Ms Mays proposals that would fix 29 March 2019 as Brexit day  opening the way for the Article 50 period to be extended to ensure Parliament can approve any deal before the UK drops out of the EU.

That part of the Bill was to be voted next week, but after the defeat Downing Street may conclude it will lose that too.

Ms May's whips applied heavy pressure on Conservative rebels and Justice Minister Dominic Raab offered minor concessions in the Commons, but rebels said it was too little too late.

In the end the Government was defeated by 309 votes to 305, a margin of just four votes. In total 11 Tory MPs voted against the Government, including eight former frontbenchers. A further Conservative MP abstained.

Speaking after the vote Mr Grieve struck a sorrowful tone, saying he didnt wish to rebel against the Government, its not something I make a habit of doing.

He added: To my mind I had no option but to continue with this. I had hoped even during the course of the afternoon that the Government would try to do something.

But the proper thing to do was to table their own amendment, and so when five minutes before the end they come along and say well actually they are going to make a concession that was not fully explained, and I have to say falls a bit short of whats needed, I had to make an immediate decision.

Dominic Grieve led the Tory rebellion on the Brexit bill (Getty)

Another ex-minister Stephen Hammond was sacked from his party role of Conservative vice-chairman after he rebelled with a heavy heart.

He said afterwards: I made it very clear that for me this was a point of principle and just occasionally in ones life, one has to put principle before party.

I know that sounds pompous, but Ive never done it before.

He added: The Government could have been a little bit swifter of foot. I think there was a way out of this, we were all very close, but the Government chose not to go that way.

Conservatives Nicky Morgan and Anna Soubry also voted against the Government (Getty)

Ex-cabinet minister Nicky Morgan, also among Conservatives who refused to budge, tweeted that Parliament had acted to take back control of the EU Withdrawal process.

Meanwhile Anna Soubry MP said the Government had got to stop playing silly games and realise that times had changed since the Bill was drafted before the election, when Ms May had a Commons majority.

Labour said their whips efforts to convince Brexiteers in their own party to vote for Mr Grieves amendment had been crucial.

Leave-supporting Labour MPs all backed the Tory backbench amendment to inflict defeat on the Government.

 David Davis on Brexit: 'You don't have to be very clever to do my job'

Mr Corbyn said: This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting.

"Labour has made the case since the referendum for a meaningful vote in Parliament on the terms of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said: This is a momentous day for Parliament and a humiliating defeat for Theresa May.

Conservative rebels were braced for a deluge of abuse from the Leave-backing media on Thursday, with Brexiteers in their own party already attacking them in and outside the chamber.

Nadine Dorries demanded her fellow Tory MPs be stripped of their seats in Parliament, tweeting that they had, put a spring in Labours step, given them a taste of winning, guaranteed the party a weekend of bad press, undermined the PM and devalued her impact in Brussels.

Sir Desmond Swayne told the Commons the rebel amendments simply aimed to delay Brexit, dismissing them as sanctimonious guff and their Conservative backers as idiots.

He added: Now we see the real motive and of course he was assisted by others, who comrade Lenin would have properly referred to as useful idiots.

Senior Tory Bernard Jenkin said: To dress this attempt to reverse Brexit as an argument in favour of parliamentary sovereignty is nothing but cant.

Desmond Swayne, former International Development Minister (House of Commons)

Hours after the vote, Ms May was on her way to Brussels to push European leaders to begin discussing the EUs future trade deal with Britain.

The Prime Minister needs Brexit talks to move on to trade as quickly as possible, but European negotiators are warning that how the transition period plays out must be decided first.

It is an early sign that the withdrawal agreement  reached after torturous negotiations and including a UK commitment to pay some 39bn to Brussels  has not automatically opened the way to trade talks.

 PMQs: Theresa May refuses to back down on Brexit amendments in exchange with Anna Soubry

A leaked draft of a text to be considered by the EU27 leaders on Friday suggests that trade talks may not start until after a subsequent summit in March.

The Cabinet, let alone the wider Conservative party in the Commons, is split over how the transition will take place, giving rise to concerns over how easy it will be for Ms May to deliver an agreed position in the light of the Commons defeat.

The European Parliament's chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt tweeted: British Parliament takes back control.

European and British Parliament together will decide on the final agreement. Interests of the citizens will prevail over narrow party politics. A good day for democracy.
 Close Theresa May: Im disappointed with the amendment, but the EU withdrawal bill is making good progress

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Theresa May has arrived in Brussels and is set to urge European leaders to officially approve an agreement to move Brexit talks onto the second phase.

But it comes after the Prime Minister faced an embarrassing defeat in the Commons on Wednesday on the Governments Brexit legislation.

Asked about the defeat, inflicted after 11 of her own MPs defied her instructions to oppose the amendment, Ms May said the result was disappointing but insisted the legislation was still making good progress in the Commons.

I'm disappointed with the amendment but actually the EU Withdrawal Bill is making good progress through the House of Commons and we're on course to deliver on Brexit, she told reporters in Brussels.

At a dinner later this evening with the leaders of the EU 27, the Prime Minister will repeat her case for moving the talks on to trade negotiations, which she sees as crucial to offering certainty for businesses.

They are all but certain to approve the deal to move to phase two on Friday, after Ms May has Brussels, launching a new stage of talks that could be hampered by divisions at home and differences with the EU.

This liveblog is now closed, but you can see all of todays developments in Westminster and Brussels below.
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A European Union leader has warned that the UK will be unable to renegotiate a new Brexit deal if Parliament votes to reject the one struck by Theresa May next year.

The suggestion that the UK could crash out without a deal if MPs refused to back what Ms May returns with comes after the Government lost a key vote in the House of Commons that saw Tory rebels team up with Labour to ensure MPs get a vote.

Arriving at a European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday just hours after Ms Mays defeat, Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg, said the UK would not be given the opportunity to renegotiate.

Recommended European Parliament backs move to next phase of Brexit talks

No, he told reporters when asked. To think Theresa May will negotiate something, we will negotiate something, and then again [Ms May] will go back to Westminster is not good for the position of the negotiations.

Westminster should trust that Theresa May will do the best for the UK. Westminster shouldnt, even before we start negotiations to have in their heads that they dont trust the prime minister.

He added: This is not good for Theresa May ... as soon as she negotiates something she will have to go back to London to get approval from her Parliament and this is not making her life easier.

This doesnt change anything on the agenda, its just going to make it more complicated for the United Kingdom government.

Also arriving at the same summit Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, said he believed Ms May would still be able to pass the deal she negotiated.

Yes, I do think so. I believe that in UK society and also in political circles theres widespread support for a reasonable negotiated exit of Britain from the European Union, he said.

National leaders are arriving in Brussels today for the two-day meeting, where they will start by discussing the EUs response to the migration crisis and a new bloc-wide defence pact.

On Friday, after Ms May has returned to the UK, leaders of the EU27 will discuss the progress made in Brexit negotiations and are expected to formally agree to move to the next phase of talks  following the recommendation of the European Commission and European Parliament.

On Friday leaders will also discuss plans for tighter integration of the European Union economies, with attention likely to be focused on a plan to create a fully fledged European Monetary Fund to replace the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The ESM gives Eurozone members instant access to financial assistance when they have budget problems.

Xavier Bettel, prime minister of Luxembourg (EbS)

Though the Brexit element of the summit was initially expected to be straightforward, Ms Mays defeat last night has added an extra element to proceedings  raising concerns in European capitals that the PM might not be able to enforce whatever deal she negotiates.

The Prime Minister is expected to speak to leaders at a working dinner on Thursday evening before flying back to the UK.

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

Following Ms Mays triggering of Article 50 in March this year the UK has until March 2019 before it automatically leaves the bloc. This period can only be extended by a unanimous vote of the European Council  a meeting of all the EUs national leaders.

There is no legal consensus on whether Article 50 is unilaterally revocable, though Council president Donald Tusk has previously suggested in passing that negotiations could end in no Brexit.
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Theresa May has twice refused to rule out dropping part of her Brexit plans to avoid a second humiliating defeat in the Commons next week.

Rebels who gave the Prime Minister a bloody nose to secure a meaningful vote on the withdrawal deal have warned her she faces another loss over enshrining the exact Brexit date in British law.

It gives Ms May just a few days to decide whether to press ahead with the move  which she announced in a blaze of publicity last month  or accept she is beaten and pull back.

Recommended Tory MP who led Brexit rebellion against May receives death threats

Arriving in Brussels for the EU summit, she twice ducked questions asking if she was preparing to compromise, to avoid a repeat of Wednesday nights debacle.

Instead, she insisted the EU Withdrawal Bill was making good progress, with the Government having won 35 of the 36 votes staged so far.

So the Bill is making good progress and we are on course to deliver Brexit, were on course to deliver on the vote of the British people, the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile, Downing Street said there were no plans to withdraw the amendment to put the exit date on the face of the Bill, before a vote next Wednesday.

At the start of the week, the No 10 spokesman insisted the amendment would go ahead  a firm commitment no longer being given.

Pro-EU Tories fear putting the date  11pm, on March 29, 2019  on the statute book will make it harder for Parliament to force a change of course and prevent a no deal exit, if the talks fail.

Significantly, the rebels are the same Conservative MPs who defeated the Prime Minister on Wednesday, to give Parliament an effective veto on the withdrawal terms.

When Ms May announced her amendment to put the Brexit date on the Bill, she described it as firm proof she would not tolerate dissent  making it hard to climb down.

But Dominic Grieve  who led Wednesdays revolt  said: If the Government comes back with that date Im sure the Government will be defeated. The warning was echoed by Ken Clarke, a second dissenter.

In the Commons, David Davis, the Brexit secretary, did not answer when his Labour shadow, Keir Starmer, asked whether he would drop the ill-conceived gimmick.

In Brussels, Ms May sought to dismiss the significance of Wednesdays defeat  even though it could help Parliament delay Brexit if the talks go badly.

Weve won 35 out of 36 votes on the EU Withdrawal Bill, it is making good progress in the House of Commons and that means we are on course to deliver on the sovereign vote of the British people and thats what well be doing, she said.

The claim ignores the fact that the Government were forced to accept another amendment  to limit the use of so-called Henry VIII powers  to avoid a likely defeat.

Mr Davis warned the meaningful vote defeat left a very compressed timetable for implementing Brexit by the departure date, with a smooth and orderly exit.

We will have to think about how we respond to it, but as always we take the House of Commons view seriously and will continue to do so, he told MPs.
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Britain's statistics watchdog is considering an investigation into comments made by Theresa May following complaints that they misrepresented the extent of homelessness.

The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) confirmed concerns had been raised after the Prime Minister claimed in Parliament that statutory homelessness peaked under the Labour government and is down by over 50 per cent since then.

Ms May made the claim as she clashed with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions earlier this week.

While statutory homelessness did peak under Labour in 2003, it fell significantly in the following seven years before they lost power and has subsequently risen under the Conservatives' watch.

Some 10,100 families in England were accepted as homeless during between April and June 2010, when the coalition government was elected. At the time of Ms May's comments this week the figure stood at 14,400.

Since then it has climbed to 15,290, up six per cent in the last year, according to the latest government statistics.

Those numbers also understate the true scale of homelessness because they refer only families who are unintentionally homeless and have been offered assistance by their council. People were who receive no help or are given assistance under other schemes are not taken into account.

Ms May's comments were referred to the UKSA by Lib Dem peer Olly Grender, who last year raised concerns about the Government's use of the same statistics.

She told The Independent: "It seems particularly worrying, as we learn today of the increase in homelessness, that this government is still using spin rather than understanding and solving the problem."

Baroness Grender's previous complaint prompted UKSA to rebuke the Department for Communities and Local Government. The department claimed homelessness had halved since 2003 but glossed over the fact this referred only to those who met the narrow definition of statutory homelessness, while the overall number of homeless people had not dropped.

In a letter responding to her concerns, Ed Humpherson, the authority's director general, described the department's use of figures as disappointing and said they were potentially misleading to the public. He added he would seek a commitment from department staff that they will give greater clarity on data usage in the future.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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

UKSA confirmed it had received a complaint about Ms May's comments this week. A spokesman said: A concern has been raised with the UK Statistics Authority, and we will respond in due course.

John Healey, Labours shadow secretary for housing, said: This is a shameful attempt by Theresa May to mislead the public and hide the Conservatives appalling record on homelessness.

The facts are clear - homelessness fell at an unprecedented rate under Labour but has risen under the Conservatives. Only a Labour government will deal with the crisis of rapidly rising homelessness in towns and cities across the country.

The Independent has approached Number 10 for a comment.
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Eleven Conservative MPs took the tough decision to vote against their own party on Wednesday, even though many have the kind of loyal voting record a chief whip would pay good money for.

They did so knowing it would mean vitriol, abuse and accusations that they are conniving to block Brexit, but claim ministers left them with little choice.

Now the rebels are setting out their real reasons  ranging from helping Theresa May to get Brexit right, fixing what they say was a badly worded and unnecessary part of the Prime Ministers legislation and ensuring Parliament has its proper say.

Former minister Stephen Hammond told The Independent: There are people who are saying this is all about scuppering Brexit. Obviously I voted Remain, but this is not about that.

I understand that we are going to leave  everyone does. This is about making sure the process under which we do it is the right one.

I find it very odd that people are extrapolating so much out of it.

As it stood before last night, Ms May had promised Parliament a say of sorts over the final deal she agrees in Brussels.

But it would have been a take it or leave it vote, with ministers retaining so-called Henry VIII powers to enact any deal without first gaining Parliaments permission  something set out in Clause 9 of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

Now, Parliaments decision to adopt the rebel amendment seven to the bill means the terms of any Brexit deal must first be approved with a full Act of Parliament  effectively allowing MPs to rewrite parts of the deal before any of it is implemented by Ms May.

Another of the rebels, Jonathan Djanogly MP, said: I think we did the right thing, absolutely, yes.

He agreed that the vote against his own leaders plans was not about defeating the Government, undermining the Prime Ministers negotiations or stopping or hindering Brexit.

 Tory rebellion leads to defeat of Government over Brexit amendment

He said: What this was about was saying that in some cases parliamentary sovereignty must be respected, that when we look at these Henry VIII powers  which give huge power to Government to basically do whatever it wants  that before those are used, there must be a vote in the House of Commons on a bill that will look at the terms on which we leave.

This is the biggest decision we have taken since the war. Parliament should look at these issues.

Mr Djanogly highlighted, as did others, a failure of government ministers and whips to properly engage with people raising concerns over a period lasting weeks in the run-up to the vote.

He told BBCs Daily Politics: I think collectively voices were ignored.

One very telling thing was that the rebel votes yesterday were not indicative of the upset in the party.

If you actually run through the debate, you will find people who are Remainers, you will find people who are extreme Brexiteers, attacking Clause 9 and these Henry VIII powers and saying in some cases that it should be scrapped altogether at report stage.

He pointed out that the Governments promise to bring forward another piece of legislation, the Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill, now negated the need for Clause 9.

Dominic Grieve, the former Attorney General behind amendment seven, explained that with the new bill would come the specific powers allowing the Government to do everything it needed  without the broader sweeping powers that the rebels effectively vetoed last night.

The Beaconsfield MP told The Independent: Instead of engaging sensibly, the Governments behaviour through the debate was really rather odd.

There we were, I have been doing three weeks of engagement, gradually improving the bill. And here at the end of it, they brought down a complete wall.

They hadnt spoken to me since Monday, when they fobbed us off with a written ministerial statement, and they were simply not engaging on the key issue. I dont know why that is the case.

Ministers had claimed that they could not let go of Clause 9 Henry VIII powers to start implementing Brexit, because they may need those powers to start doing so before the newer bill  which rebels say negate the need for the powers  was passed.

But Mr Grieve and others did not accept the argument. Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry has a theory about why the Government would not back down.

The real problem is they couldnt be seen to be giving in to me, Dominic Grieve, Nicky Morgan, Ken Clarke and so on, because they always have to keep sweet the hard Brexiteers, she told The Independent.

Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker Reuters Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders EU President Jean-Claude Juncker greeting Theresa May at the EU Commission in Brussels PA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May poses for a picture with European Council President Donald Tusk REUTERS Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker walks behind British Prime Minister Theresa May EPA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker address a press conference at the European Commission in Brussels AFP/Getty Images Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at a press conference with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis (L) and Michel Barnier (2-L), the European Chief Negotiator of the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 enter the room by the emergency exit to attend British Prime Minister Theresa May press briefing on Brexit Negotiations in Brussels. EPA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis (L), Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (2-L), European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (2-R) and European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (R) in a meeting on Friday morning AFP/Getty Images Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders European Council President Donald Tusk addresses a media conference at the Europa building in Brussels AP

Now the hard Brexiteers may number 15 or 20, and what Theresa has to do is make it clear that they are not running our country  thats what this is all about.

Thats why it could and should have been avoided, all they had to do is accept amendment seven, its good in law and its great politics and they couldnt do it, because they havent the courage to see off these people and so it had to be put to the vote and astonishingly we won.

Many of last nights rebels, and other MPs who did not vote against the Government, have signalled they may rebel over the Governments plans to put the date of Brexit on the face of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

They called on ministers and whips to adopt a more engaging approach and properly listen and take account of their concerns.

But on Thursday, less than 24 hours after the bruising defeat, Brexit Secretary David Davis sidestepped calls to ensure the Government does not undermine Parliaments decision to ensure MPs have greater role in Brexit.

Mr Davis told the Commons that Wednesdays vote would lead to a very compressed timetable for ministers, adding that the Government will have to think about how we respond to it.

He added: Now those who want to see a smooth and orderly exit from the European Union hopefully will want to see a working statute book.

So we will have to think about how we respond to it, but as always we take the House of Commons view seriously and will continue to do so.
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Eleven Congolese militia fighters were jailed for life on Wednesday for raping dozens of girls as young as 18 months during ceremonies meant to give the men supernatural powers, rights groups observing the trial said.

Human rights campaigners hailed the court's verdict as a landmark decision in a country where they say rape by armed groups is commonplace and often unpunished.

The fighters from Djeshi ya Yesu - the Army of Jesus - militia were accused of raping at least 37 girls near the village of Kavumu in Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province between 2013 and 2016, the rights groups said.

Recommended 14 UN peacekeepers killed and more than 40 injured in Congo attack

According to the prosecution, the group's leader, provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike, employed a spiritual adviser who told the fighters that raping very young children would give them mystical protection against their enemies.

Militia members, including Batumike, were also convicted of murder, membership in a rebel movement and illegal weapons possession. The court ruled that the rapes and murders amounted to crimes against humanity, the rights groups said.

The crimes triggered an international outcry. Rights groups accused the government of a slow response.

This was necessary. The victims have been waiting. It's a strong signal to anyone who would contemplate this kind of offence, Charles Cubaka Cicura, a lawyer for the victims, told Reuters after the verdict was announced.

Millions died in eastern Congo in regional wars between 1996 and 2003, most from hunger and disease. Dozens of armed groups continue to prey on local population and fight for control of the area's rich natural resources.

Experts say Congo has made some progress in combating sexual violence and several high-level militia and army commanders have been prosecuted in recent years, but the problem remains pervasive.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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This trial demonstrated that justice can be served in the Congo... even when the accused wield significant power and are highly organised, said Karen Naimer of Physicians for Human Rights, one of the groups supporting the victims.

The mobile court which set up in Kavumu village allocated $5,000 in compensation to each rape victim and $15,000 to the families of men murdered by the militia, the groups said.

Reuters
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Dan Johnson, a Republican state lawmaker in Kentucky who defiantly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, died in an apparent suicide on Wednesday night, the county coroner said. He was 57.

Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said Johnson died of a single gunshot wound on Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Billings said Johnson stopped his car at the end of a bridge in a secluded area, then got out and walked to the front of the car. He said an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.

I would say it is probably suicide, he said.

Recommended Kentucky politician denies child sexual assault claims

Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years. He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after local media reported on some of his Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys.

The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools. But he was mostly out of the spotlight until Monday, when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.

At the time, the woman told police, who investigated the incident but closed the case and did not file charges.

On Tuesday, Johnson held a news conference in the pulpit of his church, which he began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol O Come All Ye Faithful. He said the allegations against him were totally false and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.

Shortly before 5pm on Wednesday, Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page that asked people to care for his wife. He wrote that PTSD is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME. The post appears to have been removed.

Michael Skoler, president of Louisville Public Media, which owns the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, said everyone at the organisation is deeply sad.

Our aim, as always, is to provide the public with fact-based, unbiased reporting and hold public officials accountable for their actions, Skoler said. As part of our process, we reached out to Representative Johnson numerous times over the course of a seven-month investigation. He declined requests to talk about our findings.

The sexual assault accusations against Johnson were revealed as a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers was unfolding at the state Capitol. Former Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position after acknowledging he secretly settled a sexual harassment claim with a member of his staff. Three other lawmakers were involved in the settlement, and all lost their committee chairmanships.

I am very sad over the passing of Representative Dan Johnson. Over the past few weeks in some of the darkest days of my life, he reached out to me, encouraged me, and prayed for me, Hoover posted on his Twitter account Wednesday night.

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

Republican Governor Matt Bevin posted on his Twitter account that my heart breaks for his family tonight.

These are heavy days in Frankfort and in America, Bevin posted. May God indeed shed His grace on us all... We sure need it.

Reuters
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A civil rights activist is suing Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, claiming she defamed him while discussing a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter movement that was later dismissed.

The lawsuit states that DeRay McKesson was falsely arrested while attending a protest in which a police officer was struck in the face with a rock. The officer sued the Black Lives Matter movement and McKesson.

During an appearance on Fox News, the lawsuit claims Pirro falsely stated that McKesson directed someone to hit the police officer in the face with a rock. The suit says the statements were extremely dangerous and continue to endanger McKesson.

Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Show all 15 1 /15 Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Hawk Newsome, a Black Lives Matter activist, leads a protest outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Hawk Newsome (C) leads a chant during a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, US. January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Carol Garza, a Black Lives Matter supporter, protests outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower A Black Lives Matter supporter protests in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter supporters protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter Kandy Freeman marches in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty

Fox News says Pirro's statements are protected speech.

The suit, which also names Fox News Network, was filed in New York on Tuesday.

AP
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A single tweet by a teenage girl has revived her fathers ailing bakery business after thousands of people responded to her appeal for help.

A Mexican immigrant who has been in the US for decades, Trinidad Garza, 73, opened La Casa Bakery and Cafe in Houston, Texas two years ago.

However, business slowed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and a week ago he was on the brink of shutting up shop.

He told my mom he was thinking about selling, and he even had an offer, his 18-year-old daughter Jackie told the ABC13 news channel.

She added that her parents were having to throw out the bread and cookies they had made each day because no one had bought them.

Faced with her dad losing his business, Ms Garza tweeted a video of him making Pan Dulce, a Mexican pastry, along with an explanation of his situation and the bakerys address.

Spread the word. One retweet could bring in a potential customer, she said.

Since then the video has been seen 1.1million times and retweeted almost 60,000 times.

With the flood of publicity, business has picked back up and this week the bakery is selling out of Pan Dulce and other Mexican treats.

Overnight our business doubled, its been going really well, Mr Garza, who started baking when he was 12-years-old, told the Mundo Hispanico news channel.

Ms Garza set up a website and Twitter page for the bakery and has been posting updates on its sudden success. They later shared a photo of rows of emptied baking trays with the caption: Twitter did that.

New customers have been sharing photos and videos of their trips to the bakery.

And its all because of Mexican bread - thats what I like most, that Im spreading my culture. Im very proud of where Im from and where my parents are from, said Ms Garza.
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Police in Michigan have been criticised after handcuffing an 11-year-old girl and holding her at gunpoint before putting her into the back of an officers vehicle.

The girl said she had been left shaken and upset by what happened and no longer felt comfortable standing near her houses rear door, where police had entered.

It made me feel scared and it made me feel like I did something wrong, Honestie Hodges told local media. Im afraid to open or go near my back door because of what happened. They had police cars over on this street, they had police cars all along the ally.

The incident happened in the city of Grand Rapids as the girl was preparing to leave her home to go to the shops. Police said they were looking for her 40-year-old aunt, who had been accused of stabbing another relative nearby.

The whole time they are telling her to come down, Im telling them, Shes 11 years old. Thats my daughter. Dont cuff her, the girls mother, Whitney Hodges, told NBC.

 Black Lives Matter UK: London City Airport expansion cannot go ahead

Grand Rapids police said they detained the girl and two other women, including the girls mother, as they left the exited the house,

Police issued a statement Monday saying they handcuffed the women and the girl because officers had not determined if they were suspects. Police said the women were not armed.

Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Show all 15 1 /15 Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Hawk Newsome, a Black Lives Matter activist, leads a protest outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Hawk Newsome (C) leads a chant during a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, US. January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Carol Garza, a Black Lives Matter supporter, protests outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017. Stephanie Keith/Reuters Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower A Black Lives Matter supporter protests in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter supporters protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Black Lives Matter organises march to Trump Tower Black Lives Matter Kandy Freeman marches in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty

The department has launched an internal investigation into what happened.

The 11-year-old was handcuffed for a total of two minutes while she was brought back into the alley and patted down to make sure that she did not have anything dangerous on her, said Grand Rapids Police Department spokeswoman Cathy Williams.

The girl was then placed in the police cruiser for about 10 minutes. She was later allowed to stand in the alley with her other siblings.

An internal investigation was launched the day after the incident following a complaint from the girls family.
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A day after losing the Alabama senate race to Democrat Doug Jones, Roy Moore has issued a stark new statement refusing to concede the election.

In a message issued by the campaign Wednesday evening, Moore said his campaign is still waiting for the official vote count from Alabama officials.

In this race, we have not received the final count to include military and provisional ballots, the candidate said. This has been a very close race and we are awaiting certification by the Secretary of State.

Recommended Roy Moore loses to Doug Jones in historic Alabama result

Moore's statement put the stakes of the election in dire terms, hitting on many of the fire-and-brimstone themes that attracted conservative and evangelical voters to his camp.

We are indeed in a struggle to preserve our republic, our civilisation, and our religion and to set free a suffering humanity, Moore proclaimed. Today we no longer recognise the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty. Abortion, sodomy, and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

On Tuesday, Alabama voters elected Jones with 50 percent of the vote to Moore's 48 percent in a special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The margin between the final votes was larger than the required .5 percent for a recount in Alabama. Moore was widely expected to win the race - a Democrat hasn't held an Alabama senate seat in 25 years - until allegations of sexual misconduct emerged in reports from The Washington Post.

We have stopped prayer in our schools, Moore said in his statement.

Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Show all 12 1 /12 Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones speaks to reporters after voting Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore (L) and his wife Kayla ride their horses to the polling station to vote AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones David Watson waves in a Santa suit as he holds a Doug Jones sign AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks to the media as his wife Kayla (R) looks on AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones casts his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Roy Moore speaks to the media after he rode in on a horse to vote AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic candidate Doug Jones greets supporters after casting his ballot AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore departs on horseback after he cast his ballot in Gallant REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters wait in line to cast their ballot at a polling station setup in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Senatorial candidate Doug Jones (L) greets voters outside of a polling station at the Bessemer Civic Center Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the Fire Department Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones speaks with the media after casting his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church Reuters

We have killed over 60 million of our unborn children. We have redefined marriage and destroyed the basis of family, which is the building block of our Country. Our borders are not secure. Our economy is faltering under an enormous national debt. We have a huge drug problem. We have even begun to recognise the right of a man to claim to be a woman, and vice versa. We have allowed Judges and justices to rule over our Constitution , and we have become slaves to their tyranny. Immorality sweeps over our land.

The Washington Post
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A court in El Salvador has upheld the 30-year sentence of a woman jailed for what she says was a stillbirth.

Teodora Vasquez, 37, has been in prison for nearly ten years.

She says she called an ambulance and collapsed after suffering severe abdominal pain while heavily pregnant in 2007. She awoke to find that her baby had died and police officers were accusing her of inducing an abortion.

Abortion is illegal in all cases in El Salvador and carries a maximum sentence of eight years. However, women suspected of committing abortions are often charged with aggravated murder instead, as Ms Vasquez was in 2008.

Recommended El Salvador rape survivor jailed for 30 years under murder laws

Her lawyer, Victor Hugo Mata had said there were glaring errors in her first trial.

The appeal was heard by the same judges who sentenced Ms Mata ten years ago, prompting criticism from human rights groups.

The court said that the evidence against Ms Vasquez had not been categorically disproven.

On hearing the new verdict Mr Mata said, The scientific evidence has not been fully analyzed. The scientific evidence does not show what the court has concluded.

Last year Amnesty International presented 250,000 signatures to the Salvadoran government demanding Ms Vasquez be freed.

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

Responding to the decision, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnestys Americas Director, said: Teodoras tragic story is a sad illustration of everything that is wrong with the justice system in El Salvador, where human rights seem to be a foreign concept.

Instead of punishing Teodora for being a woman, authorities in El Salvador must urgently take a hard look at their outrageous anti-abortion law and take immediate steps to repeal it.

The charitys El Salvador representative, Ina Strm, who was at the trial, said: The room was in tears when we heard the verdict. The family is devastated. This is such a tragedy and the injustice is beyond words.

As the lawyer pointed out, if someone is intending to kill their baby, they would not call 911 as Teodora did.

El Salvador has had one of the worlds strictest abortion laws since 1997. Although abortion is completely banned in six other countries  Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, Suriname, Andorra and Malta  El Salvador is particularly strict in its enforcement of the law.

Doctors are legally required to report women they believe may be planning an abortion or risk long prison sentences themselves, leading to what activists say is the criminalisation of miscarriages and stillbirths.

According to the Salvadoran charity Citizens Group for the Decriminalisation of Abortion, 27 women are currently serving sentences of between 6 and 35 years for aggravated homicide in connection with abortions.

Last year the government, lead by President Sanchez Ceren, proposed a reform to allow abortion in cases of rape and human trafficking or where the womans life is at risk, but it has not passed congress.

Chile introduced a similar reform to its abortion law in August.
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Following the stunning election of Democrat Doug Jones in the Alabama Senate race, its even more likely to be a dramatic and vicious battle for control of the US Senate and House of Representatives next year.

Democrats now only need a net gain of two seats to win a majority in the 100-member upper chamber. Meanwhile, the party needs a net gain of 24 to retake control of the 435-member House.

Planned resignations and announced retirements are hitting Republicans harder. Of the 18 House members who have announced that they will not seek re-election in 2018, more than two thirds are Republican. Additionally, both House congressmen who will retire over the next few months are also part of the GOP. Special elections to fill those seats have not yet been announced.

As moderate Republican members get ready to depart Congress, conservatives want stronger allies in their seats, while Democrats see opportunities to turn them blue.

The campaign committees for both parties are looking at the 23 Republicans defending districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, and the 12 held by Democrats in districts that President Donald Trump won as vulnerable seats to flip.

In regard to the Senate races, several are expected to be very competitive. Mr Jones was able to pull off an upset in a deeply conservative state  strengthening Democratic momentum going into 2018  but many party members still face tough re-election contests next year.

Several incumbents, such as Democratic senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, are running for re-election in states that overwhelmingly went to Mr Trump last year.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz is also up for re-election. While many wouldnt consider the Lone Star State a political battleground between Democrats and Republicans  the state has been a reliable Republican stronghold for the past few decades  a former Obama administration official sent a warning to Mr Cruz in the wake of Roy Moores defeat in Alabama.

Be afraid, @tedcruz. Be very afraid wrote former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro on Twitter. Mr Castro served as the mayor of San Antonio prior to joining the Obama administration.

Here are some possible big battlegrounds in 2018.

Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Show all 12 1 /12 Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones speaks to reporters after voting Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore (L) and his wife Kayla ride their horses to the polling station to vote AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones David Watson waves in a Santa suit as he holds a Doug Jones sign AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks to the media as his wife Kayla (R) looks on AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones casts his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Roy Moore speaks to the media after he rode in on a horse to vote AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic candidate Doug Jones greets supporters after casting his ballot AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore departs on horseback after he cast his ballot in Gallant REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters wait in line to cast their ballot at a polling station setup in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Senatorial candidate Doug Jones (L) greets voters outside of a polling station at the Bessemer Civic Center Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the Fire Department Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones speaks with the media after casting his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church Reuters

Arizona

Republican Senator Jeff Flake has announced he will not run for re-election in 2018, likely upending the race for his seat by doing so. Its looking to be a tough primary fight for Republicans in the Republican-leaning state. The winner of the could face Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema, who is considered the Democratic Senate primary front-runner.



Florida

In 2016, President Donald Trump won 49 per cent of the vote in Florida while his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton won 48 per cent. This fact alone could make Democratic Senator Bill Nelsons re-election bid his toughest yet.

Indiana

The state handily went to Mr Trump in 2016 and is the home of Vice President Mike Pence. The Democratic incumbent, Senator Joe Donnelly, won his underdog race for the Senate in 2012 partially as a result of blunders by his Republican opponent. He may not get so lucky in 2018.

Missouri

Missouri is another state that strongly preferred Mr Trump over Ms Clinton last year, with 57 per cent of the vote going to the Republican candidate. Mr Trump has already targeted the re-election bid of Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill on Twitter, predicting a Republican candidate will take her seat in 2018 because she has opposed his proposed tax cuts.

Nevada

Republican Senator Dean Heller won his last election by just 1 point, and his state has become more Democratic since then. Nevada was also of the few battleground states Ms Clinton won in 2016, when Nevada voters also elected the USs first Latina senator, Catherine Cortez Masto.

Minnesota

With the resignation of Senator Al Franken, Minnesota politics could get wild next year. The state legislature is controlled by Republicans, while the biggest statewide elected offices  governor, attorney general, and both US Senate seats  are controlled by Democrats. It has not yet been announced when the special election will be held to fill Mr Frankens Senate seat. Additionally, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar is running for re-election in 2018 for a third term.
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The mayor of Chicago has a message for Donald Trump: stay away.

Our motto: a city hell never sleep in. We dont want him there, Rahm Emanuel said on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

A prominent Democratic powerbroker, Mr Emanuel served in Congress and then as Barack Obamas chief of staff before departing the White House and becoming mayor of Americas third-largest city.

Since Mr Trumps ascension, Mr Emanuel has promoted Chicagos opposition to the presidents policies, including as a sanctuary city that limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

After Mr Trump decided to let lapse a program protecting young immigrants who are in the country illegally, Mr Emanuel declared the city a Trump-free zone.

He reiterated that description during his appearance on Mr Colberts show and detailed. other initiatives Chicago has taken that clash with the Trump administration. Those include suing the Environmental Protection Agency and embracing measures to limit climate change.

Inside Obama's Chicago machine Show all 4 1 /4 Inside Obama's Chicago machine Inside Obama's Chicago machine Pg-28-campaign2-getty.jpg Getty Images Inside Obama's Chicago machine Pg-29-campaign4-afp.jpg AFP Inside Obama's Chicago machine Pg-28-oabamamen-getty.jpg Getty Images Inside Obama's Chicago machine Pg-6-obama-ap.jpg AP

Donald Trump is driving forward looking through the rear-view mirror, Mr Emanuel said.

The lack of love is mutual. Mr Trump regularly portrays Chicago as an example of failed liberal policies, pointing to its high murder rate.

In June he cited rampant crime to say he was sending in Federal help, a claim that he did not elaborate or act upon.
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A longtime ally of Donald Trump has already begun writing his political obituary.

Political strategist Roger Stone is writing a book chronicling Mr Trumps tumultuous presidency, and he already has a title: The Fall of Trump.

That title, Mr Stone told Vanity Fair, corresponds with his sense that Mr Trumps presidency is in peril but the President is not hearing the truth about how bad things are.

Multiple threats could derail Mr Trump, according to Mr Stone, including Robert Muellers investigation of potential collaboration between the Russian government and the Trump presidential campaign.

That probe has already penetrated Mr Trumps inner orbit, leading to charges against multiple former campaign officials. Former campaign aide George Papadopoulos and former campaign surrogate Michael Flynn, who briefly served as Mr Trumps National Security Adviser, have both pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI; former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges, calling them false and unfounded.

It is now painfully obvious Mueller will bring charges, Mr Stone told Vanity Fair.

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

The only people who dont seem to know it are the President and his attorneys, Mr Stone said. One of those attorneys, Ty Cobb, said this week that Mr Mueller had concluded conducting interviews and told multiple outlets he hoped for an appropriate and prompt conclusion.

Mr Stone also singled out Nikki Haley, the Trump administrations ambassador to the United Nations, who said over the weekend that women who have accused the President of sexual misconduct should be heard.

Nikki Haley stuck a knife in his back, Mr Stone said.

 Donald Trump sexual harassment accuser: 'Let's play for round two'

More than a dozen women have accused Mr Trump of unwanted advances, including unsolicited touching or kissing. Mr Trump and the White House have called those allegations false and dismissed the women as liars.

But dozens of Democratic legislators have called for hearings on the allegations. New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand has said Mr Trump should resign, drawing a broadside from the president.
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White House officials have claimed they purposefully leave information on Russian interference out of Donald Trumps daily briefings for fear it will upset him.

Current and former administration officials told the Washington Post they frequently plan the Presidents daily brief (PDB,) around his suspected emotional reactions. Information about Russia, and its alleged attempts to influence the American political system, is among the most likely to set him off.

If you talk about Russia, meddling, interference  that takes the PDB off the rails, a former senior US intelligence official told the Post.

For that reason, officials occasionally avoid putting new information about Russia in the oral briefing, leaving it to the written briefing notes instead. At other times, officials said, they place information at strategic times throughout the briefing to keep the President from flying off the handle.

Even the National Security Council does not raise the issue of Russian interference outside of its own, lower levels, for fear of angering the President, a former high-ranking Trump administration official said.

Brian Hale, a spokesman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, did not directly dispute these accounts, but told the Post that the intelligence community always provides objective intelligence  including on Russia  to the president and his staff".

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

The CIA, NSA, and FBI have all concluded with high confidence that Russia attempted to influence the 2016 election on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. The directors of all three intelligence agencies told Mr Trump earlier this year that they had captured Mr Putins explicit instructions on the project, according to the Post.

Still, the President has repeatedly downplayed the agencies findings and suggested that other countries could be responsible for the interference, too.

I think it could very well have been Russia but I think it could very well have been other countries, and I wont be specific, Mr Trump told reporters over the summer. But I think a lot of people interfere. I think it has been happening for a long time.

 Trump-Russia investigation: who has been charged in the Mueller probe

Among the more than 50 current and former US officials interviewed by the Post, explanations for the Presidents hesitance to accept this information differed. Some said Mr Trump fears that acknowledging Russian meddling would give credibility to allegations that his campaign colluded with Moscow.

Others, however, said insinuations that Russia  and not Mr Trump alone  had bolstered his election victory were simply a threat to the Presidents ego.

If you say Russian interference, to him its all about him, a senior Republican strategist said. He judges everything as about him.
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A manhunt is under way for Indias first ever Happiness Minister after he fled an arrest for murder charges, say police.

Lal Singh Arya, 53, disappeared on Tuesday after being named a suspect in the murder of opposition politician Makhanlal Jatav.

Mr Jatav, from the Congress party, was shot dead while out campaigning for another candidate in April 2009.

An arrest warrant was issued last week by a court in Bhind.

Mr Arya has previously denied the charges.

He is the head of Indias only Department for Happiness. Set up by the government in the central state of Madhya Pradesh in 2016, it is tasked with improving the happiness and tolerance of its citizens and putting a smile on everyones face through services such as free yoga and meditation classes.

Mr Arya, of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had been due to appear before court on December 19th.

Police were unable to find him at his home, his official residence or in his home town.

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. 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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

Police teams are still looking for him. We are positive that we will track him down by then, Superintendent Prashant Khare told AFP.
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International aid group Doctors Without Borders said its field survey has found at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed between August and September in a crackdown by Burma's security forces.

The group, known by the acronym from its French name, MSF, said in a statement made available Thursday that it had conducted the survey in refugee camps in Bangladesh, and estimated that at least 6,700 Rohingya died in Burma's Rakhine state between 25 August and 24 September.

About 630,000 Rohingya have fled Burma into Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing.

The estimate of the number of deaths announced by the group compares to Burma's government figure of 400 in September as a result of attacks on police posts by Rohingya militants.

Recommended Rohingya women reveal rape and torture inflicted by Burma forces

According to MSF, the dead included at least 730 children younger than five. Burma's Information Ministry had said that most of the 400 dead were extremist terrorists who died during the military's clearance operations.

International aid and rights groups have accused the military of arson, killings and rapes of Rohingya villagers. Burmese authorities blamed Rohingya militants for the violence.

Though more than 1 million ethnic Rohingya Muslims have lived in the country for generations, they were stripped of their citizenship, denied almost all rights and labelled stateless.

The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest 'clearance operations' by Burma security forces in the last week of August, MSF Medical director, Sidney Wong, in a statement.

Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Show all 10 1 /10 Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Rohingya refugee Mohamed Jabair, 21, reveals the burns on his bod, which he said he sustained when his house was set on fire in Myanmar REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Refugee Momtaz Begum, 30, at Balukhali refugee camp. Begum told how soldiers came to her village demanding valuables.After beating her, they locked her inside her house and set the roof on fire. She escaped to find her three sons dead and her daughter beaten and bleeding REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Imam Hossain, 42, sleeps at Kutupalang refugee camp, near Cox's Bazar. Hossain said he was returning home after teaching at a madrassa in his village when three men attacked him with knives REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Rohingya refugee Setara Begum, 12, at Nayapara refugee camp. The home of Begum and her siblings was hit by a rocket. The young girl received no treatment for the severe burns to her feet. Her feet healed but she has no toes. Her mother said: 'She has been mute from that day, and doesn't speak to anyone. She only cries silently' REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Mohamed Heron, 6, and his brother Mohamed Akter, 4, show the burns on their bodies at Kutupalong refugee camp. The boys' uncle said the burns resulted from Myanmar's armed forces firing rockets at their village Reuters Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Kalabarow, 50, at Leda refugee camp, in Bangladesh. Kalabarow said her husband, daughter and son were killed when soldiers fired on her village in Maungdaw. She was hit and lay on the floor pretending to be dead for several hours before a grandson found her. During their journey to Bangladesh, a village doctor amputated her REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Ansar Allah, 11, at Leda refugee camp in Bangladesh. Allah showed a large scar  the result of a gunshot wound. His mother Samara said: 'They sprayed us with bullets, as our house was burning' REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Anwara Begum, 36, at Kutupalang refugee camp, near Cox's Bazar. Begum said she woke to find her home in Maungdaw township in flames REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Abdu Rahaman, 73, at Leda refugee camp in Bangladesh. Rahaman, a merchant from Maungdaw, was ambushed while walking on a mountain path with other refugees. A machete thrown at his feet severed three toes REUTERS/Jorge Silva Bullets and burns: injured Rohingya refugees Nur Kamal, 17, described how soldiers assaulted him after they found him hiding in his home in Maungdaw. His uncle found him unconscious in a pool of blood. It took them two weeks to get to Bangladesh. Kamal said: 'We want the international community to help us obtain justice' REUTERS

She said the findings were staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member dead as a result of violence, and horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.

MSF said that among children below the age of five, more than 59 per cent who were killed during that period were reportedly shot, 15 per cent burnt to death in their homes, 7 per cent beaten to death and 2 per cent died due to land mine blasts.

Since the Burma's military conducted operations against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine state, the civilian government has barred most journalists, international observers and humanitarian aid workers from independently travelling to the region.

MSF said the numbers of deaths are likely to be an underestimation as we have not surveyed all refugee resettlements in Bangladesh because the surveys don't account for the families who never made it out of Burma.

AP
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Campaigners have rescued more than 170 dogs being bred for meat in horrific conditions at a farm in South Korea.

The Humane Society International (HSI) has begun an international operation to transport the animals from the site in Namyangju, near Seoul, to safety in the UK and North America.

A total of 50 dogs have already been flown to Pearson Airport in Toronto, Canada, where they are in the process of being moved to shelters in Quebec.

Thirteen of the rescued dogs will be flown to shelters in the UK next year after completing quarantine.

Executive director of HSI Canada, Rebecca Aldworth, said: This horrific dog meat farm is one of the worst HSI has ever seen and I am thrilled we are shutting it down for good.

More than 170 dogs and puppies were intensively confined in cramped, filthy, barren wire cages positioned over months of accumulated waste.

The dogs had no protection from the freezing temperatures. Many had open sores on their bodies and were severely emaciated because they received little food or water.

The dog meat farm in Namyangju is one of an estimated 17,000 dog farms in South Korea breeding more than 2.5 million dogs a year for human consumption.

Most Koreans do not eat dog regularly and opposition to the practice is growing in the country, where production of the meat is neither classified as legal or illegal.

However, more than 30 million dogs are thought to be slaughtered across Asia for food each year.

In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade Show all 13 1 /13 In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China A cat climbs up the cage at the slaughterhouse, trying to escape. This cat was later rescued by Peter Li In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China A slaughterhouse butcher transfers a cat to a cage, to be handed off to Peter Li. Shortly after, Li rescued the cat from the slaughterhouse AP/Humane Society International In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Two kitchen knives are shown stuck in an iron cage, which are used to butcher dozens of dogs and cats every day. These knives have to be sharpened daily due to the number of animals they're used to slaughter In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Caged dogs sit on the side of Renminzhong Road, waiting to be transferred to a slaughterhouse in a narrow alley AP/Humane Society International In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Workers are shown getting the day's dog and cat meat prepared for sale in the morning In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Dog meat is displayed in the marketplace In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Residents pick their dog meat from a stand on Riverside Road In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China A woman on her moped transports more than 10 dogs, which had just been slaughtered, to her market shop for sale AP/Humane Society International In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Hundreds of pet dogs await their own death in a slaughterhouse, while they watch as their companions are slaughtered in front of them AP/Humane Society International In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China A group of cats from Sichuan Province arrive at Renmin Middle Road on a truck, and wait to be transported on carts to a slaughterhouse in a narrow alley In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China A truck arrives in Yulin with nearly 1,000 dogs of various breeds crammed into narrow wire cages with no space to extend their limbs. According to the driver, the truck came from Sichuan, 800 miles west of Yulin. The traumatized dogs waited in silence for the next stop on their journey In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Dogs are hung up for sale for meat in Dong Kou market, as a dog looks on In pictures: Inside the Yulin cat and dog meat trade China Peter Li holds a puppy's collar found at a slaughterhouse AP/Humane Society International

One Korean dog farmer of 20 years, who only gave his name as Mr Kim, said he was planning to quit the profession after working with HIS.

He added: I originally started farming dogs because I heard it would make money, but now in South Korea even in the summer the trade has reduced by about one third.

I also have a young child, and the dog farming business wont look good for her because she really likes dogs.

All animals brought to the UK will be cared for by shelter All Dogs Matter, before being made available for adoption.
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A young British woman is fighting for life in an Australian hospital after picking up an ultra-rare strain of blood poisoning - from a stray kitten.

Scarlet Goodrich, 22, faces Christmas in a hospital in Melbourne after being struck down with meningitis, blood poisoning and swelling of the brain.

She is critically ill after picking up the illness at a fruit farm where she worked.

Now her friends and family are raising funds for her care, and to bring her home to Teignmouth, Devon, when she is well enough.

When she does fly home, it is likely that she will have to be accompanied by a nurse.

Scarlet has undergone emergency surgery, but her condition has improved since she first went to hospital suffering severe back pain.

She still requires constant care and her brain is being constantly monitored.

She has also had small doses of chemotherapy to try to tackle the toxins attacking her body.

Scarlett's uncle has said her rehabilitation could take up to two years SWNS

Her uncle, Christian Goodrich, said: "Even when she is well enough to leave hospital, the doctors say her rehabilitation will take a minimum of six months, and could take up to two years."

Scarlet has been living and working in Australia for the past 15 months on a work visa.

She has been working with an agency which finds work for backpackers doing tasks such as picking fruit.

She went into hospital at the end of November, and her mother Alethea has since flown out to be at her bedside.

Mr Goodrich added: "This has come as such a shock to the family. It's a very rare and unusual scenario which has baffled the doctors and specialists.

"She had contracted pneumococcal meningitis as well as a mutated strain of toxin plasma.

"She's also got acute ADEM, which is a swelling of the brain, and last week had to have an emergency operation.

"The doctors think she might have picked up this very rare and unusual toxin from a stray kitten she came into contact with while fruit picking on a farm.

"This week she is doing somewhat better, and making small steps to recovery.

"She has battled through the meningitis and the toxin, so it is mainly the ADEM which doctors are trying to address."

ADEM is acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord which can lead to seizures and coma. It is normally treated by using anti-inflammatory drugs.

Mr Goodrich added: "Once she is well enough, in the next two to three months, she will hopefully be OK to be flown back to the UK and continue her rehabilitation from her home in Teignmouth, surrounded by her friends and family."

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

A JustGiving page has been set up for Scarlet and has so far raised almost 2,000 towards its 3,000 target.

"Lots of her friends and family in Torbay have been raising money in lots of different ways, and sharing across social media," said Mr Goodrich.

""She has an amazing medical team around her, and she has some very good friends here in Devon.

"She is making progress in baby steps, but we don't know what the long-term implications are. None of the doctors has ever come across a case like hers before."

SWNS
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Legislation to ban foreigners from buying homes in New Zealand will be introduced, as the countrys housing crisis continues.

In a move that could become a test-case for other nations suffering housing shortages, the country will only allow those who hold a residential visa to buy existing homes.

It means overseas developers and individuals will have to build new homes if they want to purchase residential property.

The ban will come into effect early next year, the country's Housing Minister Phil Twyford and Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage said.

Recommended New Zealand becomes first country to fully ban vaginal mesh

Purchases of homes by offshore speculators push first home buyers and families out of the housing market, said Mr Twyford.

The legislation is designed to tackle rising property prices in New Zealand, which have fuelled a housing crisis and pushed homelessness rates to the highest in the developed world.

The issue dominated Octobers elections, which saw Labour prime minister Jacinda Ardern ending nine years of government by the conservative National Party.

It will mean, for practical purposes, that foreign buyers will not be able to buy residential property unless they are either increasing the number of residences and then selling them or converting the land to another use. They will need to be able to show that this will have wider benefits to the country, said Ms Sage.

Property prices have increased 57 per cent over the last decade, as the country has become an attractive destination for the super-rich and for Chinese investors.

Around 40,000 people in New Zealand, or one per cent of the population, are living on the streets or in emergency accommodation, according to a Yale University study published in July.

There will be exceptions to the new rules for those who can prove that their purchase will increase housing supply, for example by increasing the number of residences within a property in order to sell it on afterwards.

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

There is also an exception for those who can convince the Overseas Investment Office that they intend to live in New Zealand long-term. If they leave the country later, they will have to sell their property.

Australian citizens will be exempt from the new rules.

Discussion of the plans has contributed to a spike in property sales, which jumped 17.8 per cent in November as foreigners looked to buy before the new regime came into effect.

However, some have questioned the moves effectiveness, with the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) estimating that only 3.8 per cent of buyers are from overseas.

"Given international buyers are such a small part of the market we were interested to understand what impact the Government believes the foreign buyer ban will actually have," said Bindi Norwell, its chief executive.
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Theresa May arrived in Brussels on Thursday in time to see the official launch of the programme under which European states will integrate their defences, something Britain had avidly pressed for during the 1990s, but will not be a part of as it searches for its post-Brexit future.

The road to todays Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) began with the Anglo-French European Union defence accord 19 years ago. But the UK subsequently turned against extending this across the EU, holding that it may speed up the creation of an EU force, to the detriment of Nato.

The European states have repeatedly found themselves having to depend on the US to be bailed out militarily in recent times. They were unable to act in the Balkan conflict in the 1990s with any effect until the US stepped in. They were also forced to ask Washington for help after running out of bombs and missiles during the bombing of Muammar Gaddafis regime in Libya, a campaign which had been primarily instigated by David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy.

But reliance on America has become increasingly uncertain with the coming of Donald Trump, who had repeatedly threatened to curtail support in retaliation against European states not spending enough on defence.

He failed to affirm Americas commitment to Article 5, under which Nato states must come to the aid of an ally under attack, at his first Nato summit as President even when he was unveiling a memorial to the 9/11 attacks, the only time the Article has ever been invoked in the Alliances history.

The allegations of clandestine Russian backing for Mr Trump during the US election campaign, the questions about the links between his camp and the Kremlin, and subsequent claims of Moscows interference in the French and German elections, have also reinforced the feeling that Europe must do more to protect itself over security and intelligence.

Speaking about European defence cooperation, former German foreign minister Jocshka Fischer said: Its sad that we needed Donald Trump to give us a boost, but whatever, it is the right outcome.

The EUs foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, wanted to stress broad support for the programme to which 25 countries have signed up. No one EU country can provide security to its citizens on its own. Thats why three-quarters of EU citizens support this, she said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The argument that the European initiative would be divisive and would undermine Nato is, it appears, being resolved. Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, will attend some of the EU summit and plans are being drawn up for regular liaison.

Non-EU states, like Britain in the future, will be able to join the integration programme, but only after negotiations, as an exception, with agreement on providing funds.

Recommended Emmanuel Macron calls for EU army and shared defence budget

The UK has indicated that it would like to cooperate with the EU on the issue. Boris Johnson said last month: Well be looking at the new European plans for defence and security cooperation. Were like a flying buttress to support the cathedral and we think there is a lot op promise in the ideas and we will be backing them up.

However, there is a feeling among Europeans in the project that the continuing political turmoil in the UK makes any prospective plan by London uncertain.

There is also a degree of scepticism about the British Foreign Secretarys pronouncements. The ambassador of one West European state said: Just one example: this is a man who led a Brexit campaign which claimed, falsely, that 100 million Turks can come to Britain if Britain stays in the EU. Then after Brexit he went to Turkey and said that Britain will do its best to ensure that Turkey joins the EU.

We also dont know what the composition of a British government will be even in the near future. The feeling is that Pesco will go ahead without the UK being factored into the equation for the time being.
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Four children have been killed in a crash between a train and a school bus in southern France.

The French interior ministry confirmed four teenage children had died. Local media reported that seven other people had been seriously hurt, with a further 12 lightly injured.

The Pyrenees-Orientales authority tweeted that the collision occurred on Thursday afternoon on a railway crossing at the small town of Millas, about nine miles west of Perpignan and close to the border with Spain.

The countrys prime minister Edouard Philippe and transport minister Elizabeth Borne said they would travel immediately to the crash site.

Emergency and public services are fully mobilised, Ms Borne said on Twitter, describing the crash as a terrible accident.

Speaking later from the area Mr Philippe said the circumstances of this terrible drama are still undetermined.

He confirmed that two inquiries were underway into the accident that left four children dead and 20 others injured  including 11 seriously.

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

Frances SNCF national rail authority said witnesses described the crossing gates as functioning properly. Regional President Carole Delga told broadcaster France-Info that it appears that there was no mechanical problem at this crossing.

However, the head of the regional administration, Philippe Vignes, told reporters that investigators would examine whether everything worked properly and also look into reports that batteries in the automatic gate system had recently been stolen.

He said seven of the injured and some of the dead had not been identified by late Thursday.

Some 70 firefighters, 10 emergency ambulances and four helicopters responded to the crash.

The school bus was transporting children home from the Christian Bourquin school in the village of Millas. It was carrying around 20 children aged between 11 and 15, the local authority said.

Psychological help was being offered at a local sports hall from Friday morning.

President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet: All my thoughts for the victims of this terrible accident involving a school bus, as well as their families. The state is fully mobilised to help them.

An image posted by France Bleu showed the white bus had been smashed in half in the crash.

The vehicle was carrying children aged between 13 and 17.

An SNCF spokeswoman said the train was running at about 50mph at the time of the accident, about 4pm, and that 25 people were on board. Three of them were slightly injured.

It was a classic crossing, well equipped and lit. Several witnesses confirmed that the barrier had come down so it worked, the spokeswoman said, adding that an investigation would have to clarify what had happened.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A total of 38 suspected Isis fighters in Nasiriyah in southern Iraq have been executed on charges of terrorism, the justice ministry has said.

The deaths on Thursday mark the largest number of executions in a single day since 25 September, when 42 people were put to death in the same prison on charges ranging from killing members of the security forces to making car bombs.

Tens of thousands of people are currently being held in Iraqi jails accused of affiliations with the extremist organisation.

 Shocking photos emerge of suspected Isis fighters held in overcrowded prison

Prime Minister Haider al Abadi formally announced the US-backed Iraqi coalition had defeated the jihadists - who blitzed across the country from neighbouring Syria in 2014 - last week.

Under Iraqi law, being found guilty of being a member of Isis carries a sentence of life imprisonment or death.

Human Rights Watch warned earlier this month that the mass trials of Isis fighters seen in recent months are rife with due diligence violations.

All appeal options available to the condemned had been exhausted, according to the statement.

Processing suspected fighters is expected to clog up the Iraqi justice system and prisons for years to come.
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Undercover Israeli police pounced on Palestinians demonstrators near Ramallah, arresting three of the protesters.

The detentions came during a stone-throwing protest on the outskirts of the West Bank city, police said.

The Israeli officers were disguised and, according to two reports, carried Palestinian flags, before they drew their weapons and made the arrests.

Recommended Muslim world calls for E Jerusalem recognition as Palestinian capital

The demonstration took place days after Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Israeli Police said on Twitter: "Today, the Border Police undercover unit arrested 3 suspects, during serious civil disturbances in Ramallah. During the events tires were torched, Molotov cocktails & stones were thrown at the security forces. There were no casualties among our forces."

In footage posted by the police, an undercover operative throws what appears to be a stun grenade, before more agents move in.

Palestinians have clashed with Israeli troops across the West Bank and along the Gaza border since Mr Trump's announcement on 6 December.

At least two Palestinians have been killed and scores more were wounded.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The Israeli military also said it intercepted two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel in the latest barrage by Palestinian militants.

The army said in a statement that the Iron Dome missile defence system downed the rockets as they headed towards Israel. A third projectile hit an open area in southern Israel. No injuries were reported.

Palestinian militants have fired about a dozen rockets at Israel in the week since Mr Trump's announcement.

Hamas had called for a new armed uprising in response to the declaration.
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Footage of undercover Israeli border police infiltrating, attacking and arresting Palestinians throwing stones has emerged from a protest in the West Bank.

The plain clothes officers, known as mustarabeen, were filmed by AFP journalists at a protest near the DCO checkpoint between Ramallah and the settlement of Beit El in the occupied West Bank  a popular spot for demonstrations.

More than 100 Palestinians were present at yesterdays protest. An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) statement said some people threw stones, burned tyres and threw petrol bombs at Israeli soldiers.

In Wednesdays footage, several men, faces covered with masks, keffiyehs and balaclavas, suddenly pulled out guns. Some fired into the air and one detonated a smoke bomb. Several protesters were held in headlocks or kicked and punched.

The move, coupled with an advance from the armed forces, caused the protesters to scatter, effectively ending the violent demonstration. The mustarabeen then cross behind the Israeli lines.

Three Palestinians were arrested during the incident, police said.

Police arrest Palestinian following protests against Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (AP)

There has been widespread unrest across the West Bank and Gaza since President Donald Trumps 6 December decision to recognise the contested city of Jerusalem as Israeli.

Four Palestinians have died in the clashes, and one Israeli soldier was seriously injured in a Jerusalem stabbing attack.

Israeli mustarabeen  or mistaarvim in Hebrew  are Arabic-speaking agents who disguise themselves as Arab to infiltrate various elements of Palestinian society.

Palestinians frequently accuse the Israeli security forces of such tactics, but it is rare for officials to comment on strategy.

Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Show all 22 1 /22 Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of Difa-e-Pakistan Council a coalition of right wing Islamic parties, burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump, during a protest in Quetta, Pakistan EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli police scuffle with a Palestinian protester outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn pictures of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protesters outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on 7 December 2017 AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organization, chant slogans as they burn Israeli and US flags during a protest against Donald Trump in Peshawar REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinians paint an 'X' over the face of a picture of US president Donald J. Trump which was painted on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors burn the Israeli flag and a poster of US President Donald Trump in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party rally against Donald Trump in Lahore AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn the US and Israeli flags in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A poster depicting U.S. President Donald Trump is burnt during a protest against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes that followed protests against US President Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters shout slogans against Donald Trump EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops during protests AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party chant anti-American slogans during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistanis burn a representation of the U.S. flag during a protest rally in Hyderabad AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Young Palestinian women look on as smoke billows from burning tyres as fellow Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops AFP/Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protesters burn a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump at a protest in Islamabad REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protestors shouts slogans against US President Donald Trump as they hold Palestinian and Turkish flags during a protest near the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors put their feet over a picture of US president Donald Trump during a protest in the West Bank City of Nablus EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistani protesters burn tires at an anti-Donald Trump rally in Multan AP

Israel has been sending undercover officers into the middle of Palestinian protests for decades, said Gary Spedding, a cross-party consultant on Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

It allows the Israeli military and border police to identify protesters they wish to arrest and detain. They may also use the opportunity to incite stone throwing so as to justify the use of excessive force.

[The tactic] helps to sow distrust, confusion and is aimed at stifling dissent and protests.

Israeli media speculated that the squad deployed to the DCO protest was from Yamas, part of the border control police.

Cogat, the Israeli military administration in the occupied West Bank, did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment.

Israel has been sending undercover officers into the middle of Palestinian protests for decades (REUTERS)

The last high profile incident involving the mustarabeen captured on video by international media was in 2015, when an undercover soldier shot a Palestinian in the leg as he was being restrained by three soldiers.

Also on Wednesday, Israeli officials said at least 13 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.

In response, Israel carried out fresh air strikes in the Strip on what it said were Hamas military facilities, and on Thursday closed two checkpoints into the territory. It is not clear when the border will reopen.
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The guardian of the most sacred site in Christianity has refused to meet US Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Jerusalem next week.

Adeeb Joudeh, the custodian of the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, will not welcome Mr Pence if he chooses to make an official trip to the Old City.

Mr Joudeh, a practising Muslim, said his decision was in protest against President Donald Trumps controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement released this week, he said: It has come to our attention that Vice President Pence intends to make an official visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and asked me to receive him officially.

I absolutely refuse to officially welcome the American Vice President Mr. Mike Pence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and I will not be physically in church during his visit.

This is an expression of my condemnation of President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel."

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains the two holiest sites in Christianity, the place Jesus Christ was crucified and the empty tomb where he is said to have been buried and resurrected.

Muslim families have been tasked with opening and closing the shrine since at least the 16th Century as part of an agreement by the three Abrahamic faiths aimed at maintaining the fragile balance between religious groups in Jerusalem.

Representatives for Mr Pence denied a visit to the church was ever on the agenda for the Vice President, who was born into a Catholic family and now identifies as an evangelical Christian.

His press secretary, Alyssa Farah, said on Twitter Mr Pences office had not extended an offer to visit the holy site.

A senior church official played down the weight of Mr Joudehs statement.

He told the Times of Israel: We didnt receive any formal or informal request and if there is a request, there is a status quo procedure to respect involving the three communities.

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Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. 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Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. 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It is not up to one of the key keepers to decide anything about this kind of issue.

Mr Trumps decision last Wednesday to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has raised tensions in the city and across the Middle East.

The move has been hailed in Israel but widely condemned by Arab countries and the USs western European allies.

Protests in the West Bank led to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian demonstrators, in which at least two demonstrators were killed and hundreds injured.

Lebanese security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators outside the US embassy in Beirut on Sunday, while the Arab League has called on Mr Trump to reverse his decision.
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A video of a five-year-old being told she looks like a terrorist after attending a Jerusalem-related protest in Los Angeles has sparked outrage from pro-Palestinian activists.

In footage posted to Twitter, protester Rawan Yasim filmed her encounter with Donald Trump supporters who showed up as part of a counter-protest over the US presidents decision to recognise the contested city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

She and members of her family, including young cousin Talia Shehada, were on their way home from a demonstration on Sunday when Ms Yasim alleged a counter-protester called the little girl a terrorist.

You called my five-year-old cousin a terrorist?, Ms Yasim asks a man wearing American flag shorts after she has begun filming the interaction.

She looked like one, he retorted, as members of his party laughed. It doesnt matter what age you are."

The counter protesters began filming their own video as an argument erupted over the limits of freedom of speech. Representing over here Trump-style, one of the counter-protesters says.

The little girl said the racist remark made her feel sad.

Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Show all 22 1 /22 Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of Difa-e-Pakistan Council a coalition of right wing Islamic parties, burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump, during a protest in Quetta, Pakistan EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli police scuffle with a Palestinian protester outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn pictures of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu following Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protesters outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on 7 December 2017 AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organization, chant slogans as they burn Israeli and US flags during a protest against Donald Trump in Peshawar REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinians paint an 'X' over the face of a picture of US president Donald J. Trump which was painted on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors burn the Israeli flag and a poster of US President Donald Trump in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party rally against Donald Trump in Lahore AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn the US and Israeli flags in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A poster depicting U.S. President Donald Trump is burnt during a protest against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Israeli forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes that followed protests against US President Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protesters shout slogans against Donald Trump EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital A Palestinian protester wears a Guy Fawkes mask used by the anonymous movement during clashes with Israeli troops in Hebron AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops during protests AFP/Getty Images Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Supporters of a Pakistani religious party chant anti-American slogans during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistanis burn a representation of the U.S. flag during a protest rally in Hyderabad AP Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Young Palestinian women look on as smoke billows from burning tyres as fellow Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops AFP/Getty Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protesters burn a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump at a protest in Islamabad REUTERS Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Protestors shouts slogans against US President Donald Trump as they hold Palestinian and Turkish flags during a protest near the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Palestinian protestors put their feet over a picture of US president Donald Trump during a protest in the West Bank City of Nablus EPA Protests erupt after Trump recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital Pakistani protesters burn tires at an anti-Donald Trump rally in Multan AP

We started passing by the counter protesters and they were parked, actually, right next to us, Ms Yasim told AJ+.

They were yelling at my mom and aunt too because they were wearing a hijab.

I mean obviously Ive been called those things before. I just want the world to know you dont call a five-year-old a terrorist.

The US president shocked even some of his county's closest allies on 6 December by following though with a campaign trail promise to formally recognise the holy city as Israels undivided capital.

Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 in a move that has never been recognised internationally. Both sides claim it as their capital and the city's status remains a major stumbling block in peace talks.

While welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, many other world leaders - including the US Middle Eastern allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia - have expressed concern that the controversial move could spark renewed violence in the region and wider Muslim world.

Four Palestinians have died in clashes in Gaza and the West Bank and protests across the globe continue.
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Meet intrepid backpacker Tony Giles who has visited 125 countries around the world on his own - despite being blind and deaf.

Daredevil Tony, 39, lost his vision at the age of 10 but learned to travel solo while commuting to his special school as a teenager.

He then set himself the target of visiting every country in the world because it was the biggest challenge possible for a blind person.

Since setting off on his first foreign jaunt to New Orleans in March 2000, Tony has been all over the world - including every state in America.

Tony has fired an AK-47 on a Nevada shooting range, roamed into Malis capital during a military coup, and been arrested while crossing the Ethiopian border.

He also met the love of his life Tatiana, a blind Greek woman, and has written two books under his pen name 'Tony the Traveller'.

His most recent trip lasted seven weeks and saw him ride through the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan on camel-back before visiting Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Tony said: Travelling to New Orleans made me realise I could do it alone. I was by myself and didn't know where I was going and it became overwhelming.

But I breathed deeply and told myself to go on. I spent eight or nine days there - exploring and drinking.

After that I travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam in a five-month trip in 2001-02.

Tony, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, lost his sight at the age of 10 and is profoundly deaf but able to hear with digital hearing aids.

The clearest visual memory he recalls as a boy is watching the sunset over his home town, which he remembers as a big bright ball of light sinking in the distance.

Tony became used to travelling long distances while travelling by train to the special school he attended in Coventry called Exhall Grange.

He did not let his impairments hold back his studies and graduated with a degree in American studies from Northampton University in 2001.

Tony has visited a country every year since his first trip, travelling to South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi in 2004-05.

He visited Iceland and Sri Lanka in 2007 followed by Turkey and Greece in 2009, where he met his girlfriend.

Each trip is funded by a monthly private pension left by his dad who died when Tony was just 16.

But he lives cheap - sofa surfing, using budget hotels and public transport wherever possible.

I go by plane, train, bus and boat - but even travelled, for a short distance, by a donkey-pulled cart in north Senegal.

Tony riding an elephant in Sri Lanka (Tony Giles/SWNS)

Without his hearing aids, Tony says he would struggle to travel at all and would be confined his home in the UK - or need regular care.

Of his recent trip, he said: While Im walking through a canyon in Petra, this horse and cart goes by giving tourists a ride - I had to get out the way sharpish.

I could hear the echo in the canyon as the horse and carts travelled along the cobbled stone - thats how I knew they were coming.

When we came out I could feel the change because the echo was different again - it gave me a good feeling for the environment.

He then crossed the Allenby Bridge into Israel and stayed in Jerusalem.

While in Jerusalem I caught several buses but the people are used to tourists and generally helpful, he added.

Some people come up to you and move you out the way - others just move past quietly.

Tony graduated with a degree in American studies from Northampton University in 2001 and has been to every state in the USA.

While on a tour of Nevada, Tony was taken to a gun range where he fired an AK-47 and a .44 Magnum.

He said: I told the instructors By the way, Im blind and he went off for a few minutes before returning to say I was OK to shoot.

They asked me if I would like a target to shoot at and offered a pictures of Bin Laden or Saddam Hussein but I politely declined.

I loved listening to Dirty Harry as a child so I really wanted to fire the Magnum. It was very powerful and I nearly dropped it!

In March 2012, Tony crossed the border from Senegal - where a peaceful military coup saw Abdoulaye Wade step down from his role as president - and into Mali where a military coup was also taking place.

Malian soldiers attacked several locations in the capital Bamako, including the presidential palace.

Tony said: As I entered Mali, I realised that no one had tried to bribe me at the border which was unusual and there was no sign of tourists.

I knew something was going on when I got to a little town and boarded a night bus which was meant to take me to the capital, Bamako.

But it drove for an hour and then drove back, dropping us off at a bus station where I slept on a concrete bench.

We made it to the following day and I had no idea what was going on because everyone was speaking French.

I slept in a tent in a hostel called the Sleeping Camel where a big group of people were stuck - I wasnt in any rush.

More than 30 people were killed in the Malian conflict and dozens more were reported injured.

Tony was also arrested at the Ethiopian border while entering from Kenya in late-2013.

He was held at the crossing with a group of 20 people after they tried to enter while in a truck.

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It had collected them from a village half an hour before the border. The next day, he was given his passport back and traveled to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

It took three days and he then returned to the UK.

Tony will spend Christmas at home before deciding where he will visit next in the New Year.

SWNS
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Virgin Trains came under fire for not allowing a 15-year-old girl to board a train with a child ticket.

Niamh Timpson, daughter of Timpson Shoe Repairs CEO James Timpson, was at London Euston on 12 December when staff refused to let her on the train to Crewe unless she proved her age, essentially stranding her in the capital.

Mr Timpson shared his frustration on social media, tweeting: Virgin Rail at Euston. Why do you stop 15 year old girl at the barriers (who has a valid ticket) from traveling [sic] home.

"You say she has no ID to prove how old she is. Its 7pm and she is alone now at the station. When did you have to prove how young you are? You are a disgrace."

He included a picture of his daughters ticket, which staff had written NOT A CHILD across.

Mr Timpsons tweet was shared over 6,000 times, favourited 13,000 times and received more than 500 comments.

Virgin Trains staff eventually let Niamh onto her train home according to Mr Timpson, who tweeted: "Good news. Just picking Niamh up from Crewe station. Not a good experience at all of the Virgin Rail ticket inspectors at Euston. Be a kind and caring company please."

A spokeswoman for Virgin Trains told The Telegraph: "Customers under the age of 16 are eligible for a 50 per cent discount on fares and we do recommend that if a child looks older then it may be appropriate for proof of age to be carried when travelling.

"Were sorry for the experience of Mr Timpson and his daughter and we are in touch with them so we can look into this properly and offer a gesture of goodwill."

However, as many people pointed out on Twitter, children dont often have ID to prove their age.

Shaz Hussain tweeted: "This is so crazy, at 15 years old why and how would you have any ID to prove your age? Surely a lack of ID would show she is a child."
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From the very start, there were very powerful people who did not want to see justice for one of the most shuddering atrocities of the civil right era.

The bomb that struck Birminghams 16th St Baptist Church detonated at 10.22am on 15 September 1963, tearing apart walls and ceilings, and blowing in windows. More than 20 people were injured and four young girls were killed - 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins and Cynthia Wesley. The girls were all wearing their best Sunday school dresses.

Two years later, FBI Director J Edgar Hoover refused to prosecute four four men identified by his local agents, Robert Chambliss, Thomas Blanton, Bobby Frank Cherry and Herman Cash. In 1977, Chambliss, who was known as Dynamite Bob, was eventually convicted and died eight years later in prison. Cash died in 1994 without being charged.

Bomb victims Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins and Cynthia Wesley (AP)

Then, after a gap of two decades when the case was pushed aside, someone decided to reopen the investigation into the remaining two suspects and demand evidence the FBI had withheld for decades. Among the 9,000 documents and tapes was a recording from a listening device placed in the Blantons kitchen which caught him telling his wife about planning and building the bomb.

The prosecutor who dug up the evidence, and who in May 2001 secured the conviction of Blanton and the following year of Cherry, was Doug Jones, the man who just stunned the political world by beating Roy Moore to become the next US senator from Alabama.

Even almost four decades after Hoover had originally sat on the case, Jones still had to fight to prosecute the men. Many in the community, including some African Americans, believed the past, however painful, was best left undisturbed.

 Doug Jones has won Alabama senate election

Jones, the senior federal prosecutor of the state, was not among them. He told the court: Its never too late. Its never too late for the truth to be told. Its never too late for the wounds to heal. Its never too late for a man to be held accountable for his crimes. It is never too late for justice.

In a break during the trial, he told The Independent, which was covering the case: This is important for the families of the children and its important for the people who were in the church.

He added: On a wider scheme, its important to try and put into proper perspective what was happening in 1963.

Thomas Blanton, jailed for life, had a parole request turned down in 2016 (AP)

The families of the little girls who had lost their lives to the KKK barbarity, when violence and discrimination was being stoked by the likes of Alabamas white supremacist and segregationist governor, George Wallace, sat in the front row during the trial.

They sat and listened to the prosecution case and to the witnesses, whose memory of the blast was still sharp.

Sarah Rudolph, formerly Collins, the only one of the group of five young friends waiting in the church basement that morning to survive, told the jury that she hurt shouting Addie, Addie, Addie, but that their was no response from her friend.

Doug Jones, who beat Roy Moore, during the 2001 trial of Blanton (Fox News)

There will never be any closure for me, said Mrs Rudolph, who lost an eye in the blast. Every time I go into the bathroom and put my make-up on, it always comes back to me. The scars on my chest and arms and my legs and my face will always remind me.

Cherry died in prison in 2004. He was 74. Meanwhile, in the summer of 2016, an Alabama parole board refused an early release for Blanton, who was sentenced to life in prison and who is now aged 79.

This week, many people in Alabama have talked of Jones dedication to the African American community that was underscored by his decision to bring the case. One suspects it was one of the reasons he was able to persuade so many African Americans, especially black women, to go out and vote for him.

Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Show all 12 1 /12 Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones speaks to reporters after voting Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore (L) and his wife Kayla ride their horses to the polling station to vote AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones David Watson waves in a Santa suit as he holds a Doug Jones sign AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks to the media as his wife Kayla (R) looks on AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones casts his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Roy Moore speaks to the media after he rode in on a horse to vote AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic candidate Doug Jones greets supporters after casting his ballot AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore departs on horseback after he cast his ballot in Gallant REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters wait in line to cast their ballot at a polling station setup in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Senatorial candidate Doug Jones (L) greets voters outside of a polling station at the Bessemer Civic Center Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the Fire Department Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones speaks with the media after casting his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church Reuters

His campaign had not been seamless. There was controversy over one advertisement designed to reach out to black voters but was deemed in poor taste and black taste. Yet, Shadaria Alison, an African American activist and writer, said she believed his credentials were solid. He has been consistent, she said.

Plenty of people in the state did not want Jones to win the seat. Moores campaign sought to smear him as a liberal and criticised his views on the legal right of women to have an abortion. Despite his record as a prosecutor, Trump somehow claimed he was weak on crime.

In the end, 70 per cent of white voters opted for Moore, while 30 voted for Jones. His victory was borne by the better than expected turnout from black women, 98 per cent of whom cast their ballots for him.

The quietly-spoken Jones displayed, as he did two decades ago, that he was not easily stopped.
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So they did it. In a nail biting vote last night, Tory rebels and opposition MPs won the right to have a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal. While it might not revolutionise British politics as we know it, the vote was a welcome victory for democracy in this bitterly divided country.

Being a complete politics geek, I watched the debate. And it was heartening to see MPs arguing the insanity of the fact that without the amendment, Westminster would probably be the only national parliament in the EU not to get a say on the UK-EU withdrawal agreement.

As things stand, Parliament has very little say on trade agreements agreed with other countries. Basically, in constitutional terms, the Government uses the Queens power (the royal prerogative) to do as they please on trade. Parliaments consent is assumed unless it can pass a motion that has the effect of delaying ratification, but this is a fiddly procedure that has never been used. In effect, Parliament is sidelined from the negotiation and approval of trade agreements.

And despite this amendment passing, Westminster is still not guaranteed a meaningful vote on the final trade deal between the UK and EU. Amendment seven was about getting a vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, which is almost certainly not going to include an agreement on the long term future UK-EU trade relationship. That comes after the UK leaves and could take many years to conclude.

 Brexit bill: Grieve warns Theresa May of second defeat and says he does not care about 'knives being out for me'

So when it comes to the trade relationship with what will still be the UKs biggest trading partner, Westminster MPs will not have a say, while even local assemblies in places like the Belgian region of Wallonia will. I dont expect the Belgians would be happy if the Greater London Assembly or Stormont got a vote on a UK-EU trade deal while their national parliament didnt. But that is exactly the situation we have.

So while the victory on the meaningful vote on Brexit was very welcome, its time for MPs to turn their attention to that other piece of Brexit legislation coming up  the Trade Bill. The second reading is scheduled for early January. After that, MPs will have a short window of opportunity to amend the Bill to ensure that Parliament has a meaningful say on future trade deals.

Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker Reuters Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders EU President Jean-Claude Juncker greeting Theresa May at the EU Commission in Brussels PA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May poses for a picture with European Council President Donald Tusk REUTERS Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker walks behind British Prime Minister Theresa May EPA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker address a press conference at the European Commission in Brussels AFP/Getty Images Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at a press conference with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis (L) and Michel Barnier (2-L), the European Chief Negotiator of the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 enter the room by the emergency exit to attend British Prime Minister Theresa May press briefing on Brexit Negotiations in Brussels. EPA Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis (L), Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (2-L), European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (2-R) and European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (R) in a meeting on Friday morning AFP/Getty Images Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters Brexit bonhomie as May finally seals agreement with EU leaders European Council President Donald Tusk addresses a media conference at the Europa building in Brussels AP

The alternative is too terrifying to comprehend. We could be doing dodgy deals with Donald Trump or Saudi Arabia while ignoring human rights concerns. Liam Fox would love nothing else but to sign agreements that include ratchet clauses (locking in privatisation forever) and ISDS (letting corporations sue you for making policy they dont like). All of these things are the very opposite of Taking Back Control and will arguably bind the hands of future UK governments much more than EU membership did. The only way to ensure that this doesnt happen without the proper Parliamentary and public scrutiny is if the Trade Bill is amended.

So, this is a message for Dominic Grieve, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston, Kenneth Clarke and all the others who bravely put democracy above party yesterday. Your country needs you again. Please follow the logic of your vote on Amendment seven yesterday to its conclusion and back trade democracy.

Alex Scrivener is a campaigner for Global Justice Now
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Nobody really sees Alabama for what it is. The state plays home to a patchwork quilt of proud, progressive and hardworking people. Its a gorgeous place with fascinating prospects and limitless potential  but most people on the planet couldnt tell you one good thing thats ever come out of Alabama.

They look at places like Birmingham or Montgomery and see the brutal scars of racism and bigotry. They remember lynchings, church bombings, segregation and murder. Even today, they see the Ku Klux Klan, transgender bathroom bills and the final remnants of a dying white aristocracy. Theres so much more to it than that  but even the faintest sparks of progress are constantly being extinguished by Alabamas ham-fisted and complacent Republican lawmakers.

Well, not anymore.

Last night, the people of Alabama finally got the opportunity to remove their GOP shackles, toss them into the states infamously muddy backwaters and send Donald Trump a crystal-clear message: his campaign of hatred and fear has no place in blood-red Alabama.

 Steve Bannon: There's a 'special place in hell' for Republicans who don't vote for Roy Moore

Thats right: for the first-time in 25 years, the state has voted to send a Democrat to the US Senate. Tuesdays special election was being held to replace the empty seat of Trumps exhausted lapdog, Jeff Sessions, and nobody really expected the Democrats to put up a good fight.

But as the race began to unfold in earnest last month, voters from all sides of the political spectrum realised the election wasnt just about ticking a box. It set the stage for a complete reversal of the fragmented Republican Partys thin grip on the Senate  and simultaneously served as a state-wide referendum on Donald Trump and his train wreck premiership.

Perhaps thats why the GOP nonsensically allowed Alabama Supreme Court justice and accused child molester Roy Moore to run for office. Youd be forgiven for spotting the odd parallel between Moore and his larger-than-life hero, Donald Trump. Both men have spent their political careers actively attempting to deny people basic human rights, both were considered underdogs in their respective primaries and both are facing multiple allegations of sex abuse.

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

Party members probably thought Moore would be able to replicate Trumps oddball success and ride a wave of partisan spite all the way to Washington  and the scary thing is, they were almost right. Alabamas voters thought long and hard on Tuesday to decide what was worse: sexually assaulting a 14-year-old-girl, or being a Democrat. Over 48 per cent of people ultimately decided being a Democrat was worse.

Thankfully, and perhaps unexpectedly, rhyme and reason narrowly prevailed.

Instead of a disgraced Trump wannabe, a wafer-thin majority of voters named Democrat Doug Jones their new Senator. And you know what? Hes got a pretty stellar vision of the way life in Alabama could (and should) be.

Jones was the federal prosecutor responsible for securing convictions against members of the KKK for murdering four little girls in the harrowing 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Hes a middle-of-the-road Democrat whos anti-corruption, supports same-sex marriage and civil rights, is keen on Obamacare and even acknowledges the existence of climate change.

Translation: hes a hard-working moderate capable of bridging the gap between Alabamas diverse and historically fragmented communities. Hes got experience reaching across the table to secure the ears of both Republicans and Democrats alike  in fact, Tuesday nights election was so close that there was no way Jones could have pulled off a win without snatching up a decent slice of the GOP electorate.

Today, Alabamians have unlocked a brand-new chapter in their states incredibly rich story. Instead of falling backwards on their arses with another conservative caricature, voters will be able to move forward and prove to the world that progress and liberal values are truly alive and well in Americas Deep South.

Will Doug Jones have an easy life in Washington? Hell no. The virgin Senator will be stepping into a hostile, Republican-controlled body dominated by petty spats and bureaucratic gridlocks. But his win has fanned the momentum of a rapidly recovering Democratic Party  and more important still, its shown the planet exactly what real, hardworking American folks think about the real Donald Trump.
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The former Facebook executive Chamath Palihapitiya has claimed that social media is destroying how society works. For two years, I have had a blog on Facebook that celebrates difference and encourages the building of community, and Palihapitiyas characterisation of social media is not one I recognise.

So ubiquitous and influential has social media become that it is easy to forget that we are still in the early dawn of its age. When cars were as old as social media is now, there were no seatbelts, no airbags, no driving tests, and no breathalysers. Safety measures and design features that we take for granted were totally unimaginable.

The first pedestrian to be killed by a car in the UK, Bridget Driscoll, was killed by a car travelling at four miles per hour. Witnesses said she had frozen in front of the vehicle and seemed bewildered.

In 2017, we are no longer bewildered by cars travelling at four miles an hour. We have adapted to what was once new technology, and the road death rate in the UK continues to fall year after year, even as the number of cars on our roads continues to rise. Road deaths in 2016 were 1792  less than a fifth of what they were in 1941, when deaths peaked at 9,169.

All new technologies are subject to cynicism. When umbrellas first arrived in the UK, users reported being abused and called Frenchmen in the street. But just as we got used to umbrellas and cars, there are now millions of people who are starting to develop ways to make social media the safe, empowering, life-enhancing tool that they believe it can be.

 Mark Zuckerberg announces AR plans for Facebook

I have had the privilege of meeting some of these people through my blog. People like Maz Saleem, whose father Mohammed was murdered in a terrorist attack in Birmingham in 2013.

Maz founded a page on Facebook called Education for Peace in Remembrance of Mohammed Saleem RIP which fights against Islamophobia and stands up for the rights of refugees. The page now has more than 18,000 followers.

Before social media, Maz Saleem would have had to appeal to a powerful person  probably white, probably male, probably not a Muslim  to get permission to be heard. In the social media age, the power is all hers.

I have written about Martyn Hett, who used social media to create funny videos about Coronation Street, to promote his mums craft fair and to entertain millions of people. When Martyn was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing, my post encouraging people to #BeMoreMartyn went viral and encouraged thousands of people to be braver, to leave abusive relationships, to change jobs, or, in the case of one woman, to post a photograph of her beautiful disabled son, when previously she had been too afraid to do so.

Martyn Hett used social media to make the world a better place, and through social media he has continued to make peoples lives better even after death.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 17 November 2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons to deliver his autumn statement PA 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 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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

People like Maz and Martyn appreciate that what social media lacks in factual accuracy, it makes up for in its ability to build relationships. Social media is a tool, and like all tools, whether its effects are good or bad lies entirely in how it is used.

To claim that social media is destroying society is like claiming that bricks are the cause of Trump's border wall or that turkeys and crackers are the reason we have family arguments at Christmas. Social media is a way of managing our relationships, but it is not responsible for the quality of those relationships. We are.

By improving our skills of communication, by making social media a place to contribute, to organise, and to pull together, it may yet be the most glorious invention we have ever created. We hold the keys, the compasses, the maps, and the directions. Where we end up is entirely in our hands.
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I left Ireland at age nineteen, thinking that by the time I was old  that is in my thirties  abortion would have been made legal in the country. I am now in my thirties and it is still very much illegal.

However, things might be changing. Ireland is preparing for a referendum on abortion in May or June 2018. Yesterday, the terms were voted by the Eighth Amendment committee in favour of a motion to recommend making the termination of pregnancy lawful with no restriction up to twelve weeks. The terms will be published on 20 December.

Never more than now, the country will need the support to campaign for the clearing of the law on abortion.

 Ireland to hold abortion referendum in 2018

As it stands, the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution equates the life of a pregnant woman with that of an embryo or foetus and criminalises any woman or doctor that will carry out an abortion. Abortion pills are illegal, termination is also not permitted if foetal abnormalities are detected, if the womans health is affected, or in cases of rape or incest. A woman who seeks an abortion after rape can face an equal or longer prison sentence than her rapist  up to 14 years in prison.

Many rape pregnancy survivor cases have been cast into the public eye. The Miss X case (1992), the Miss C case (1997), the Miss D case (2007), the Miss Y case (2014). These women, some teenagers, were either granted to travel abroad to terminate their pregnancy due to their threat of suicide, or forced to continue their pregnancy.

The reality is that 10 per cent of all Irish women will experience penetrative sexual violence in their lifetime and a proportion of them will become pregnant as a result. In 2013, 8 per cent of females attending a Rape Crisis Centre reported they became pregnant as a result of rape, representing 75 women.

The prohibitive culture against abortion in Ireland is further exemplified by the death of Savita Halappanavar and Bimbo Onanugam. Savita was a 31-year-old Indian dentist who was denied an abortion at Galway hospital, despite her miscarriage of an unviable foetus. The reason given: Ireland is a Catholic country.

Groups like MERJ (Migrants and Ethnic-minorities for Reproductive Justice) have brought to light the true discriminating character of Irelands abortion law. Emily Waszak, co-organiser, mentioned 40 per cent of birth deaths are migrant deaths. These are women born outside of Ireland, some of whom would have been denied travel due to their status as migrant ethnic minorities, such as the case of Nigerian born Bimbo Onanugam, who died at the Mater Hospital in 2010, due to a ruptured uterus caused by induced labour.

Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Show all 5 1 /5 Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights REUTERS

Catholicism has a lot to do with this law, but its not the only driver behind it  the situation is far more complex and full of contradictions.

Even when the World Health Organisations best practice on abortion states that abortion services must be regulated to prevent unsafe terminations, the pro-life side will condemn a woman for killing babies. This pro-life narrative has always been one of shame  the vocabulary is punitive, and years of this mindset has not made it easy for Irish people.

There is no consideration from the pro-life side for the trauma that women deal with in relation to unwanted pregnancy and the process of abortion  let alone pregnancies as a result of sexual assault and rape itself.

Of course, misogyny reigns, but considering the last Magdalene Laundry closed in just 1996, this does not come as a surprise. The laundries kept women confined in working institutions, some for their whole life, because of their sins  having children out of wedlock or prostitution. In some cases, these women were victims of sexual assault. Apparently that counted as a sin.

Travelling has been the other focal issue alongside health care. Women seeking medical assistance travel, ironically, to the country that brought in the law against abortion in Ireland in the first place in 1861  Britain.

In 2016 only, 3,265 women have travelled from Ireland to the UK for abortion services. And this number is an underestimation, as not all women will provide their Irish addresses at UK abortion clinics.

Travelling is a further financial, psychological and emotional burden. Women who need visas to travel abroad and re-enter Ireland may have to wait six to eight weeks for the necessary documents, or in some cases may not be able to travel. Asylum seekers must apply and pay for an emergency re-entry visa from the Department of Justice and a visa to enter the UK or the Netherlands. In this case, Brexit might only create a further barrier.

Nevertheless, as Ailbhe Smyth (Convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment), put very well, in the past 40 years Ireland has pulled itself out of a very traditional and patriarchal frame of reference when it comes to women.

Things are changing. The mobilisation of the last few years has seen up to 30,000 people take to the streets with an enormous increase in visibility compared to the last referendum in 2002, with #repealthe8th becoming the number one hashtag in Ireland in 2017. Organisations such as Strike 4 Repeal, the London Irish ARC and the Abortion Rights Campaign in Ireland are ready to campaign, canvass and mobilise people now more than ever to put an end to what is clearly a dehumanisation of women.

Women in Ireland are tired of being treated as second-class citizens. If abortion was to become safe, free and legal it would be an incredible win.

There are more factors to be implemented on the agenda, in my opinion. Psychological training will be needed for doctors who up until now, have had no preparation, as well as support for women having abortions. The country is still divided over the matter. Women might still have to face discrimination and shaming. The fight wont stop at the legislation  we has to continue to build a safe culture for women who have been mistreated for centuries.

Traditionally, when Ireland wants a revolution, she gets one. Lets hope this will be the next.
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If there was anything to beat in mediocrity the childish and delinquent declaration by Donald Trump that Jerusalem is Israels capital, it was the pathetic response from Muslim states. For there in Istanbul this week were all the tired old men to whom we have listened for so many years, none sadder or more woebegone than the ageing and useless President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas.

There were supposed to be 57 heads of state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in the Turkish capital, but some were simply too old and senile  the comatose Bouteflika of Algeria, for example  or too busy shouting abuse at other Arabs states or bombing Yemen. Oh yes, of course, they demanded that the international community accept east Jerusalem as Palestines capital  a capital for a state that doesnt exist and, at this rate, never will. It was just more claptrap from an organisation (thats already changed its name twice) which offers no hope, no initiative, no justice and no future to the people of its collective autocracies.

Faced with American failure in the Middle East, some of these gentlemen thought that perhaps the UN can be a new mediator in the region. Heavens above. The old UN donkey has been brought clip-clopping to Jerusalem and the West Bank and to countless other locations (Lebanon included, of course) that surely by now you dont even have to suggest its presence. The donkey will just turn up of its own accord.

 Donald Trump officially recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital

The world  an interesting concept in Middle East terms  and America will only become worried if these tired men have courage. Or what we used to call the courage of their convictions. If America has hurled itself out of peace-making  which it supposedly has, although I wouldnt count on Abbas keeping his phone off the hook if the White House calls  then these potentates should be considering a diplomatic boycott of the United States, or the breaking off of relations or even a mild but increasingly severe oil boycott. There was a time when they did this sort of thing.

But thats not going to happen. The Saudis are bombing Yemen and boycotting not America but Qatar, and the Iranians  at least Rouhani approaches the status of a statesman  are waiting to see what mischief the Saudis will yet do to Lebanon. Oddly, it was Lebanons own President, Michel Aoun, who talked of conspiracies, silence and impotence and the danger of ethnic cleansing. No philosopher  hes another ex-general  but he got it about right. It was the only serious speech in Istanbul. It might have been wise if Abbas had contested the Trump decision at the international court, but the Palestinian leadership is so uninspiring (and corrupt) that I doubt if it even dreamed of such a move.

And thats the problem. If you have a delinquent American president, you need serious young people  international lawyers, negotiators, experienced diplomats  to defend the peoples of the Middle East. There are UN resolutions enough to apply to Jerusalem and the occupied territories. But no, not a word did we hear of these. It was as if apathy and hopelessness guide these figures. Turkish President Erdogan at least declared that Washington could no longer be a negotiator. But so what? Hes not an Arab and hes stitched up his own country into a semi-dictatorship.

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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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. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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For the truth is that these Muslim leaders are no longer valid. They do not represent anyone. They may glance towards Moscow in the coming weeks but they are about as relevant as Tsarist Russia or the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They represent failed states with neither morality nor courage to show for their presence at the Istanbul summit. They should speak for the Muslim world. They believe they represent Muslims. They are the second largest international community after the UN.

Perhaps it is to the academics of the Middle East, the professors of law and history, that the region should turn (not the pseudo-Salafists from the Gulf). Perhaps it is the teachers and philosophers who can break this hideous impasse in Palestine. They do discuss this in their own universities  just such a conference is taking place in Beirut at the moment  but there is something missing. They do not have power. There are no Edward Saids left  and how much we miss Said today. His excoriating language would have blistered Washingtons conceit.

And so we are left with only tragedy. I suspect the roots to this lie back in the Great War of 1914-1918, not just in the Balfour Declaration whose mournful hundredth anniversary we mark this year but in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the failure of the Arabs to seize control of their own lands in those days. There is a fine history of the Middle East in the Great War (A Land of Aching Hearts by Leila Tarazi Fawaz, published three years ago by Harvard University Press) which shows the extent of the suffering of the region, the mass hunger, the starvations, the plagues of locusts. And then Edmund Allenby reached Jerusalem  using gas on his journey there, by the way  and the die was cast.
The South Kingstown School Committee announced this week that it is reviewing a proposed memorandum of agreement that spells out the purpose and function of having police officers in its schools. The agreement sets clearly-defined roles about addressing student conduct and says school administrators would be responsible for enforcing the code of conduct and responding to routine disciplinary violations while resource officers would not serve as school disciplinarians or to enforce school regulations but, rather, would be on site to investigate and respond to potential criminal offenses and intervene in situations in order to maintain safety. Do you believe that having dedicated police officers inside locals schools makes students safer? Why or why not? Let us know in this week's poll question below.

You voted:
Seeking Counsel

Enjoy the premiere of local producer Josiah McMillers film Seeking Counsel, which tells the story of a reverend who has to come to grips with issues of addiction in his family. ScreeningS takes place at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

Lalah Hathaway at the Egyptian Room

Soulful songstress Lalah Hathaway will perform at the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre on Friday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at livenation.com.

Black Lives Matter Community Care

On Saturday, Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Indy10 Black Lives Matter will be giving out clothing, toiletries and supplies to people who are experiencing homelessness. The group will meet across from the Central Library, and the community is welcome to attend. Individuals can donate items for the giveaway at the Kheprw Institute, 3549 Boulevard Place, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, until Dec. 22.

PAWS to read at Glendale

Beginning or reluctant readers are invited to read to a non-judgmental registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories! Its a great way to improve a childs reading skills and self-confidence. The event takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 19, starting at 6 p.m. at IndyPLs Glendale branch. Learn more at indypl.org/events.

Latin Dance Party

Dance the night away each Thursday at the Jazz Kitchens Latin Dance Party. The cover charge is $7 and ladies get in free until 10 p.m. There will be a full dinner menu offered from 510 p.m. and free dance lessons at 8 p.m. The night will feature Latin music ranging from salsa, merengue, bachata and more.
No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any mans permission when we ask him to obey it.  Theodore Roosevelt, Third Annual Message, Dec. 7, 1903

A claim this week by President Trumps personal lawyer that the president cannot obstruct justice because he is the chief law enforcement officer sparked immediate comparison to Richard Nixons notorious 1977 statement, When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal.

While the Senate Judiciary Committee did approve a charge of obstruction of justice against Nixon in 1972, Nixons 1977 statement to interviewer David Frost referred to another article, considered but rejected by the committee: the secret bombing of Cambodia. The committee also rejected an article regarding Nixons personal finances and failure to pay taxes.

Nixon famously resigned before the House of Representatives could vote on the three articles of impeachment  in addition to obstruction, the committee approved articles charging him with abuse of power and contempt of Congress. But it was widely accepted the House would vote to impeach.

In a memo prepared for Watergate Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski, the legal team argued not only that no man in this country is so high that he is above the law, but the offense of obstruction was of particular concern:

Failure to deal evenhandedly with the President would be an affront to the very principle on which our system is built. And this failure would be all the more severe because of the nature of the crime in question, a conspiracy to obstruct justice, the purpose of which was to place certain individuals beyond the rule of law. The result would probably be greater public disrespect for the integrity of the legal process than has already been created by public knowledge of attempts by the nations highest officials to put themselves beyond the law.

Twenty-three years later, Congress would vote to impeach President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

The special prosecutor investigating Clinton, Ken Starr, wrote in his report, An effort to obstruct justice by withholding the truth from the legal process  whether by lying under oath, concealing documents, or improperly influencing a witnesss testimony  is a federal crime. There is substantial and credible information that President Clinton engaged in such efforts to prevent the truth of his relationship with Monica Lewinsky from being revealed  .

No president is above the law. Nixon and Clinton were not, and Trump is not. Nor is the president the chief law enforcement officer in the nation; the attorney general holds that distinction.

President Trump, of course, has not been charged with obstruction of justice or any other offense. But his lawyers claim represents a dangerous and un-American view.

Thomas Paine, in his revolutionary pamphlet Common Sense, wrote, But where, says some, is the King of America?  In America the law is king.

John Adams enshrined the concept in the Massachusetts Constitution with the often-quoted phrase a government of laws, not of men.

It has been a common rhetorical device in modern American politics for rivals to accuse one another of placing themselves above the law, particularly when protesting some executive action or another. But with the notable exceptions of Nixon and Trump, its unheard of for a U.S. president to claim that privilege for himself. Its disputed whether King Louis XIV of France really said Letat, cest moi  I am the state  on his deathbed in 1715, but its certain that the expression has consistently been held up as the antithesis of American rule of law.

There are nine current members of the Senate who voted to convict President Clinton of obstruction of justice in 1999. They would be hard pressed, now, to agree with Trumps legal team that the offense does not exist.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.
When I heard President Donald Trump would visit the new Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, I rolled my eyes and asked myself why would he, a man who has been incredibly divisive throughout his campaign and during his first year in office, want to attend the opening of a museum whose very focus is in stark contrast to his agenda?

And then I reminded myself who our president is: a man who loves the limelight and a man who continuously attempts to rewrite his own history by denying the obvious truth of his words and actions. Of course he would want to attend such a historic event  even if his political stances on various issues are in direct conflict with the ideals of equality and justice that the people featured in the museum stood (and sometimes died) for.

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the adjacent Museum of Mississippi History are located in downtown Jackson, the states capital. Not far from the museums is my alma mater, Jackson State University, one of several Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the state.

I spent five years of my life in Jackson, five formative years that helped shape me into the person I am today. As a freshman, I remember how drastically different Jackson was compared to Indianapolis. One of the biggest differences I noticed almost immediately was the heightened racial tension. In Jackson, even in the late 90s, it was clear how some whites felt about Blacks. I had never before experienced the looks of hatred that some caucasian strangers gave me. I couldnt understand how they could be so angry toward someone theyd never met or even spoken to. Many of my friends from the north and I quickly got a crash course on where it was safe to go and areas we should never go alone or after dark. It was truly a culture shock for me, but I quickly assimilated to the culture, ever cautious of the warnings from other students and trusted adults at the university.

Sadly, nearly 20 years after I left Mississippi, many of those same unwritten codes exist in Jackson and surrounding cities. While the state has diversified in many ways, it still drastically lags behind more progressive states.

The reason it is important for me to provide insight into the culture of Mississippi today  and even Mississippi of years ago when 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered for allegedly whistling at a white woman, or the Mississippi where countless lynchings have occurred over the years  is because it speaks to the tone and culture that still exists in the state. That is why Trumps appearance at the opening of the museum was so disappointing.

Blacks in that state have experienced so much despair and adversity that run generations deep. The museum is something that is not only an accurate representation of history, but is also an acknowledgment of Black pain. To have such a museum in a state that is still considerably conservative is a tremendous accomplishment; however, to have a man who has been so contentious and inflammatory toward Blacks and other minorities present at the event was not only inappropriate, but also grossly disrespectful. Only the day prior to his attendance at the museum, Trump publically campaigned in support of Roy Moore, an Alabama judge known for his discriminatory philosophies who has been accused of sexual misconduct.

Due to the growing controversy leading up to Trumps visit, the White House and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History created a separate private program featuring the president as a compromise. The fact that opposition to Trump was strong enough to garner a completely separate event further illustrates why he simply should not have visited the museum.

Change cant happen without knowledge, so perhaps the president soaked up some much-needed education about the not-so-distant past that could help in his current role as commander in chief. The United States is more divided now than it has been in decades. Revisiting the dark past could help in restoring the future. At least one can only hope.

I look forward to visiting the museum during my next trip to Mississippi. I look forward to honoring the efforts of those people who advocated against injustice and discrimination. I am confident this museum will be just as impactful and popular as its counterparts around the country.
Two Indianapolis families have a new place to call home this month, thanks to a church, a nonprofit and more than 500 community volunteers. The church, Eastern Star, donated two lots to Habitat for Humanity, and volunteers braved the cold alongside the future homeowners to build the homes.

On a chilly Saturday morning, friends, family and volunteers gathered outside of the homes for a ribbon cutting ceremony, and the owners received the keys to their new homes.

Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson with Eastern Star Church says his goal goes beyond building houses. He hopes to revitalize one of Indys most vulnerable neighborhoods.

The unemployment rate in the 46218 ZIP code (4.6 percent) is higher than for the whole of Marion County (4 percent), and the median household income of 46218 residents is $25,292, a little over half of Marion Countys median of $42,378. Over 38 percent of residents in the area live at or below the poverty line.

46218 is one of the most economically deprived communities in the nation, not just in Indiana, explained Johnson. When you look at the life of Jesus Christ, Jesus would go find the least, the lonely, the left out and he would make changes. We are trying to follow the model that Jesus set, so thats why we are here.

Two children prepare to cut the ribbon to Ashley Fingers new home. (Photo/Curtis Guynn)

Johnson grew up in the neighborhood he now serves in what he calls a broken home. It was the members of the surrounding community that mentored and helped him get to where he is now. Johnson started The ROCK Initiative to enhance the range of housing options available near the church while building a sense of community among neighbors. Johnson plans to build 40 homes in the 46218 ZIP code over the next five years, all to be sold at affordable prices. For each home the church builds in Indy, they plan to build another in Haiti.

We are also taking the homes that are rundown and abandoned, buying those and renovating them. We already own some apartments with 20 units, and we are building new apartments. On the first floor there will be community service-oriented businesses. We have a federal credit union coming in, we have a behavioral health business and we want to have a fresh food co-op there, said Johnson. Our goal is to make this neighborhood a place people can afford to live at, but also a nice community. We also have a financial freedom aspect where we show people how to manage money from a biblical perspective. After they get in a house, they need to know how to take care of it and manage their money.

Jasmine Britton, one of the recipients of a Habitat home, said before receiving the house she took part in financial counseling from the church.

The classes helped me learn how to budget. We talked about ways to save money for the future, and it was through Dave Ramsey, and it was pretty neat, said Britton. Britton will be moving into the home with her children, and she is thankful to the church and volunteers for helping her get to the place she is now.

In addition to developing housing, the church is donating tech equipment to a nearby school and mentoring the students.

We are trying to bring this community together for a goal, so they can accomplish the things they feel that they need, said Johnson. It was community that came together to pour into me, so its a privilege to be doing it for others now.

To learn more about The ROCK Initiative, visit easternstarchurch.org.

Jasmine Britton receives a new Bible to take into her new home.
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North Korea Has Already Deterred USA

By Ryan Cooper

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - For the last several decades, the idea that Iran is run by "Mad Mullahs " has been one of the most common racist stereotypes in American foreign policy discourse  and that is saying something. The idea is that the Iranian leadership is so brown and Muslim that if they get a nuclear weapon, they would immediately use it on Israel or the United States, despite the certainty of overwhelming retaliation. The desired conclusion, obviously ordained in advance, is that we must immediately invade to stop them from getting one.

Not only is this utter hogwash (Iran acts pretty much like any middle-ranking power would in its place), the only people in the world in positions of high influence who actually behave like foreign policy suicide bombers are American neoconservatives, like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). He has been agitating for a pre-emptive strike on nuclear-armed North Korea if they don't stop their long-range ballistic missile program.

Graham and Co. need to put a sock in it. North Korea has America deterred and there's nothing we can do about it.

So far, this hasn't sunk it, as Graham has been eagerly stumping for war with North Korea for months now. In August, he said that President Trump told him he is ready for war; in November he said "we're headed to a war if things don't change;" and just last week he said that the military should start shipping soldiers' families out of South Korea.

The implicit justification has been just the same as the mythical Mad Mullahs  we must launch a pre-emptive war of aggression to halt North Korea's weapons development, because they might use it on us.

The first problem with Graham's logic is he and his president are at least somewhat responsible for the latest round of weapons development from North Korea. From almost his first minutes in office, President Trump and his bootlicking sycophants in the party (of whom Graham is a fairly recent addition ) have been furiously stoking tensions with North Korea: personally insulting Kim Jong Un , declaring the Navy is sending aircraft carrier battle groups into the Sea of Japan as a show of force (though not really ), threatening to destroy the country , and on and on.

It's not a coincidence that the North Korean weapons buildup came immediately after Trump took office. The country's leadership is pretty clearly calculating that only the capability to hit big American targets with a nuke can successfully deter the Trump regime  since the ability to hit our allies in Japan and South Korea has not slowed the constant macho posturing.

The second problem is that it ignores history. North Korea, despite being a totalitarian police state, is absolutely within its rights to view the United States with naked distrust. Not only did the American military recently invade Iraq on false pretenses, it also conducted terror bombing on North Korea itself on a quasi-genocidal scale during the Korean War, killing between 650,000 and two million people  or roughly 7-20 percent of the entire population at the time. (The equivalent fraction of the current American population would be roughly 23-65 million people.)

People have a tendency to remember that sort of treatment, and behave accordingly. As former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara argues, this sort of empathy is critical in any military or diplomatic situation : "We must try to put ourselves inside their skin, and look at us through their eyes, just to understand the thoughts that lie behind their decisions and their actions." North Korea is not going to trust Lindsey Graham when he says " I don't want a war. " They're going to assume that he's lying and trying to gin up a pretext to start a war, and they're right to do so. Therefore, more chest-thumping belligerence can only inspire accelerated nuclear development.

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Finally, the third problem is that we absolutely cannot afford a war with North Korea. Indeed, it was already an unacceptable choice even leaving nukes aside, given the heavy artillery emplacements just north of Seoul. Just with its conventional weapons, North Korea could probably kill hundreds of thousands if not millions of South Koreans (and tens of thousands of American soldiers) in a matter of minutes. Limited nuclear capability that could hit Tokyo, Seoul, or Hawaii only adds to that moral calculus.

And now, North Korea has developed ballistic missiles which look probably capable of hitting anywhere in the mainland U.S . Even if that capability is exaggerated, it completely rules out a war of aggression. Even for the most genocidal racists who value an exciting new foreign war over the lives of millions of South Koreans and Japanese, an aggressive attack is now simply too much to risk for Americans, too. Which American city would Graham be willing to reduce to radioactive cinders? Los Angeles? Washington, D.C.? New York City? Charleston?

If Americans could live with Stalin's Soviet Union, we can live with North Korea today. All we need is for people like Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump to shut up.

This article was originally published by The Week -

====

Tillerson: U.S. willing to meet with North Korea with no preconditions.

Tillerson's new North Korea strategy praised by China and Russia  but undermined by Trump

Russian delegation arrives in North Korea as Tillerson softens US stance

The War Game

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U.S. Surrenders On Syria - Resistance Turns Eyes On Israel By Moon Of Alabama December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - This New Yorker piece is notable for its arrogant headline, and several false assertions. Those may be necessary to divert from its real message - the U.S. surrender to the realities of Syria: Trump to Let Assad Stay Until 2021, as Putin Declares Victory in Syria [T]he Trump Administration is now prepared to accept President Bashar al-Assads continued rule until Syrias next scheduled Presidential election, in 2021, according to U.S. and European officials. The decision reverses repeated U.S. statements that Assad must step down as part of a peace process.

...

The Trump Administration says it still wants a political process that holds the prospect of Assads departure. But it has concluded that it may take until 2021, when the next election is scheduled, to pull it off.

...

U.S. officials worry that Assad could win the 2021 Syrian election, one way or the other, and remain in power for years to come. The U.S. "lets Assad stay" because there is simply nothing else it can do without waging a large scale war. It has tried everything else - and lost. In 2012 it attempted to assassinate Assad, but he wasn't at the security meeting that the CIA blew up. It send 100,000 Takfiri fighters from all over the world to Syria and shipped in ten-thousands of tons of weapons and ammunition. The global anti-Syrian propaganda campaign in favor of the Takfiris was unprecedented. It tried to build a political opposition and sponsored it with hundreds of millions. It lastly invaded the country and tried to split it by force. It failed on all fronts. The U.S. decision reflects the Administrations limited options, the military reality on the ground, and the success of Syrias Russian, Iranian, and Hezbollah allies in propping up the beleaguered Assad regime.

...

The Syrian opposition groups backed by the United States have been ineffectual. They have squabbled among themselves and split into factions.

...

Diplomatically, Washington has been marginalized by the powerful troika of Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which now dominates the peace process. In 2013 the author of the piece, Robin Wright, presented the Israeli dream of a split up Middle East.

bigger It was a remake of the "Blood Borders" map peddled in 2006 by the neoconservatives Col. Ralph Peters. That gain was an updated version of a map of a "New Middle East" by Bernhard Lewis published in Foreign Affairs. Those maps went into the trash-bin when the U.S. had to leave Iraq. Wrigth's cartographic expression of imperial arrogance will end there too. Wright is heavily wired in Washington. She is part of the *borg* and held/holds positions at the U.S. Institute of Peace (which plans wars), the Wilson Center, Brookings and Carnegie Endowment. That she has now given up on her ludicrous map likely reflects the leading opinions within those institutions. Never Miss Another Story Get Your Free Daily Newsletter One wonders if the military junta in the White House is on board with this. It continues to dream of keeping Syria and Iraq under its thumb: Col. John Thomas, spokesman for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), said that the international coalition forces would remain in Syria to support the operations of the Arab-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces until the conclusion of negotiations on a political solution in Geneva. He added that the US forces would continue to fight terrorist organizations close to al-Qaeda in Syria, including al-Nusra Front, regardless of ISIS presence. Dream on. Yesterday Putin visited Syria. He declared victory and announced that part of the Russian troops in Syria would return home. He made sure that everyone, the U.S., the Turks, the Saudis and the Israelis, understood that the troops would be back in no-time if they try to reignite the war: "If terrorists again raise head, we will deliver such strikes on them that they havent seen so far," Putin told the Russian military. Another member of the Syrian alliance, the Lebanese party Hizbullah, is now refocusing on Israel. Trump's hail-Mary pass of illegally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital came just in time to give new impetus to the resistance: Mr Nasrallah called on the resistance axis  a reference to Hizbollah and its Syrian and Iranian allies and patrons  to devote all its power and time to the Palestinians. I call on all the resistance factions in the region to unite and put one common strategy and practical plan to face this threat, he said. It was Israel that was behind (pdf) the campaign to dismantle Syria and Iraq. It utterly failed and the revenge will be harsh. Hizbullah is better armed and trained than ever. Battle experienced Iraqi and Iranian groups stand ready. The Syrian army is much better trained and equipped than before the war. The Iraqi resistance leader Qais Al Khazali recently visited south-Lebanon and took a look over the border into Israel. He was surveying the new battlefield. Israel's great new alliance with Saudi Arabia has not helped its position. The Salman tyrant and his son are in an insecure position and their great relations with Trump have tanked , allegedly over the issue of Jerusalem. The Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahoo is under pressure at home. The corruption accusation accumulate and his time in office is now limited. Who will replace him? What is the new plan the Zionists will come up with to react to the changed situation This article was originally published by Moon Of Alabama - ==== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. This website encourages readers to use the "Report" link found at the base of each comment. When a predetermined number of ICH readers click on the "Report" link, the comment will be automatically sent to "moderation". This would appear to be the most logical way to allow open comments, where you the reader/supporter, can determine what is acceptable speech. Please don't use the report feature simply because you disagree with the author point of view. Treat others with respect, remembering that "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still."- Benjamin Franklin. Please read our Comment Policy before posting -
Youre Fuc*ed: The Acquittal of Officer Brailsford and the Crisis of Police Impunity

By Jeffery Robinson

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Two words stick in my mind when I think of the video of Daniel Shaver begging for his life before he was shot and killed by Officer Philip Brailsford of the Police Department in Mesa, Arizona. The two words were written on the dust cover of the AR-15 rifle Braisford used to kill Shaver:

Youre fucked.

We have seen this movie before. Daniel Shaver was not armed or committing any crime when was he shot to death by Brailsford. Like many previous police shooting videos, this one shows police behaving much more aggressively than Mr. Shaver. And like previous videos, a jury acquitted the officer of all criminal charges. But this video showed us two things about policing culture in America that stand out. First, the video shows Shaver begging for his life while he tried to follow contradictory instructions screamed at him by an officer. And Shaver was white.

Shaver had a job killing pests. Sometimes he used a pellet gun to get the job done, and he was seen holding the gun by people at the hotel. When the police were called, they were told a man had a gun so they had to be careful.



I get it. But how far does that information take us?



At trial, the officer emphasized the danger of a potentially armed person and claimed that what he did was consistent with his training. But if that ends the inquiry, it will be almost impossible to convict a police officer of a crime for shooting anyone. There is an argument that this is already the reality in America.

In the 12 years between 2005 and April 2017, only 80 officers have been arrested on murder or manslaughter charges for on-duty shootings, according to work by Philip Stinson, an associate professor of criminal justice at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. The Washington Post reported that between 2015 and 2017 police shot and killed 2,884 people. Police shoot and kill numerous people every year and are hardly ever held accountable.

Shaver and a companion had been ordered out of a hotel room and told to get on the floor. The video shows him being neither hostile nor resistant. On the video you can hear one of the officers screaming, If you make a mistake, another mistake, there is a very severe possibility youre both going to get shot  if you move, we are going to consider that a threat, and we are going to deal with it, and you may not survive it. The police are screaming that the cost of a mistake is death  what kind of training teaches that as a proper way to deal with people?

Do you think an innocent person might get nervous if an AR-15 was pointed at him while the police officer was screaming commands, including, Make a mistake and I will kill you? Would you get nervous?

Not only was the officer shouting in a very hostile voice, the orders were contradictory. Do not put your hands down for any reason, he tells Shaver. Your hands go back in the small of your back or down, we are going to shoot you, do you understand me? Shaver, who is now in tears, says, Yes, sir.

But immediately after, the commands change, Crawl towards me, and Mr. Shaver lowers his hands to the floor and begins moving toward the officers.

A few seconds after beginning to crawl, Mr. Shaver seems to twist slightly to his right, and as he does so someone shouts, Dont! Officer Brailsford begins firing the first of five shots. As predicted by the other officer, Shaver did not survive.

There is no training that justifies the behavior seen on the video. Screaming at a person that is crying cannot be a legitimate technique for officer training. And if Shaver did something threatening, why was Brailsford the only officer who fired his weapon, not just once or twice, but five times?

And Daniel Shaver was white. Deliberate or unconscious racial bias played no role. Black or brown skin was not a proxy for a threat. This video demonstrates how far we have gone as a country in accepting the culture of police violence. Policing in America has advanced to the state where anyone can be killed for no good reason.

The jury that acquitted Brailsford did not hear about the two words that were on his dust cover because the judge excluded that evidence. The laws in virtually every state do a great job of protecting police. Snoop Dogg has said that policing in America is a Resident Evil, its all on camera and they still dont believe you. This is the police/community relationship we have created for ourselves.

Discussion of police training is not unimportant  it can be the difference between life and death. Dont assume that police violence will be limited to Black and brown people  the culture of violence will not exempt white people.

Eugene ODonnell , a former police officer and a professor at John Jay College of Criminal, was quoted in The New York Times saying What people as humans will see is someone drunk and emotionally distraughtThe police will read that differently. In some sense its an argument without end: The police are just going to add this up a different way.

Can any of us be safe in a society where police officers are trained to have a perspective that is other than human? How is it possible that a trained officer thinks the appropriate response to a mistake is five bullets from an AR-15? If Americans dont work to change laws so that police can be held accountable for unnecessary violence, get ready for more executions and more brutal videos .

Jeffery Robinson , ACLU Deputy Legal Director and Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality

This article was originally published by ACLU -

====

The Brutal Police Execution of Daniel Shaver



Sadly I've studied 100s of videos of American police executing non-violent, unarmed people. This is one of the worst I've ever witnessed.



This happened in January of 2016, but the judge just released the video.



A grave injustice. pic.twitter.com/O3UjLb3mZJ  Shaun King (@ShaunKing) December 8, 2017

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Advocating for Israel Pays Well: Salaries of Nonprofit Heads



Heads of nonprofits that support Israel receive compensation in the hundreds of thousands of dollars up to, in a few cases, over a million dollars.



By If Americans Knew

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Politicians reaping money from the Israel lobby (e.g. Tom Cotton received close to a million dollars from the Emergency Committee for Israel; Haim Saban and his wife donated $11.5 million to pro-Clinton super PACs, along with large sums to the Clinton Foundation) are not the only ones to benefit from supporting Israel.

Executive directors of nonprofits that support Israel receive compensation in the hundreds of thousands of dollars up to almost $2 million.

The Forward recently compiled a list of their earnings. It reported that Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center received $818,148 and that his spouse and his son also work for the center, giving them an annual total $1.4 million.

According to the Forward the Hiers were not alone in surpassing a million dollars compensation  in 2016, the CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland received compensation of $1.3 million, and in 2014 the CEO of Bostons Jewish federation received almost $2 million.

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Below are some members of the Forwards list for 2016

(All the individuals below head up organizations that spend part or all of their time in activities supportive of Israel):

Marvin Hier Simon Wiesenthal Center $818,148

David M. Schizer American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee $735,181 1 Howard Kohr

American Israel Public Affairs Committee $720,194

Marc Terrill The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore $664,489

Gerrald Silverman Jewish Federations of North America $636,559

Barry Shrage Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston $634,572

Matthew Brooks Republican Jewish Coalition $632,950

Izzy Tapoohi Birthright Israel Foundation $609,056 1

Steve Nasatir Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metro Chicago $564,955

Stephen Hoffman Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland $546,515

Jonathan Greenblatt Anti-Defamation League $545,441

David Harris American Jewish Committee $539,016

Eric Goldstein UJA Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York $530,000

Jay Sanderson Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles $525,594

Jacob Solomon Greater Miami Jewish Federation $519,436

Matthew Levin Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County $507,430

Eric Fingerhut Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life $495,307

Gil Preuss Jewish Federation of Greater Washington $487,450 1

Jeremy Fingerman Foundation for Jewish Camp $460,501

Josh Block The Israel Project $460,160

Malcolm Hoenlein Conference of Presidents Of Major Jewish Organizations $452,693

Daniel Grossman Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco $449,750 2

Morton Klein Zionist Organization of America $448,063

Doron Krakow Jewish Community Centers Association of North America $445,000 2

Russell Robinson Jewish National Fund $435,011

Naomi Adler Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia $432,199

Janice Weinman Hadassah $409,818

Daniel Mariaschin Bnai Brith International $405,708

Jeffrey Finkelstein United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh $351,798 1

Dov Ben-Shimon United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey $352,236

Robert Bank American Jewish World Service $330,000

David N. Myers Center for Jewish History $325,000 2

Scott Kaufman Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit $323,065

Michael Makovsky Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs $315,000 3

Brad Hirshfield CLAL (National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership) $309,734 3

Eric Robbins Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta $308,578 1

Irwin Kula CLAL (National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership) $289,984 3

Jeremy Ben-Ami J Street $259,203

Roz Rothstein Stand With Us $246,127

Jeffrey Cooper ORT America $235,000 1

Stosh Cotler Bend The Arc $233,579

Debra DeLee Americans for Peace Now $228,866

David Zweibel Agudath Israel of America $220,058

David Bernstein Jewish Council for Public Affairs $205,160

Nigel Savage Hazon $202,811

Idit Klein Keshet $153,462

Shoham Nicolet Israeli-American Council $135,672 3

For full list go to The Forward .

This article was originally published by If Americans Knew -

====

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Why the Documentary Must Not Be Allowed to Die

By John Pilger

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - I first understood the power of the documentary during the editing of my first film, The Quiet Mutiny .

In the commentary, I make reference to a chicken, which my crew and I encountered while on patrol with American soldiers in Vietnam.

It must be a Vietcong chicken  a communist chicken, said the sergeant. He wrote in his report: enemy sighted.

The chicken moment seemed to underline the farce of the war  so I included it in the film.

That may have been unwise.

The regulator of commercial television in Britain  then the Independent Television Authority or ITA  had demanded to see my script.

What was my source for the political affiliation of the chicken? I was asked. Was it really a communist chicken, or could it have been a pro-American chicken?

Of course, this nonsense had a serious purpose; when The Quiet Mutiny was broadcast by ITV in 1970, the US ambassador to Britain, Walter Annenberg, a personal friend of President Richard Nixon, complained to the ITA.

He complained not about the chicken but about the whole film. I intend to inform the White House, the ambassador wrote. Gosh.

The Quiet Mutiny had revealed that the US army in Vietnam was tearing itself apart. There was open rebellion: drafted men were refusing orders and shooting their officers in the back or fragging them with grenades as they slept.

None of this had been news. What it meant was that the war was lost; and the messenger was not appreciated.

The Director-General of the ITA was Sir Robert Fraser. He summoned Denis Foreman, then Director of Programmes at Granada TV, and went into a state of apoplexy. Spraying expletives, Sir Robert described me as a dangerous subversive.

What concerned the regulator and the ambassador was the power of a single documentary film: the power of its facts and witnesses: especially young soldiers speaking the truth and treated sympathetically by the film-maker.

I was a newspaper journalist. I had never made a film before and I was indebted to Charles Denton, a renegade producer from the BBC, who taught me that facts and evidence told straight to the camera and to the audience could indeed be subversive.

This subversion of official lies is the power of documentary. I have now made 60 films and I believe there is nothing like this power in any other medium.

In the 1960s, a brilliant young film-maker, Peter Watkins, made The War Game for the BBC. Watkins reconstructed the aftermath of a nuclear attack on London.

The War Game was banned. The effect of this film, said the BBC, has been judged to be too horrifying for the medium of broadcasting.

The then chairman of the BBCs Board of Governors was Lord Normanbrook, who had been Secretary to the Cabinet. He wrote to his successor in the Cabinet, Sir Burke Trend: The War Game is not designed as propaganda: it is intended as a purely factual statement and is based on careful research into official material  but the subject is alarming, and the showing of the film on television might have a significant effect on public attitudes towards the policy of the nuclear deterrent.

In other words, the power of this documentary was such that it might alert people to the true horrors of nuclear war and cause them to question the very existence of nuclear weapons.

The Cabinet papers show that the BBC secretly colluded with the government to ban Watkins film. The cover story was that the BBC had a responsibility to protect the elderly living alone and people of limited mental intelligence.

Most of the press swallowed this. The ban on The War Game ended the career of Peter Watkins in British television at the age of 30. This remarkable film-maker left the BBC and Britain, and angrily launched a worldwide campaign against censorship.

Telling the truth, and dissenting from the official truth, can be hazardous for a documentary film-maker.

In 1988, Thames Television broadcast Death on the Rock, a documentary about the war in Northern Ireland. It was a risky and courageous venture.

Censorship of the reporting of the so-called Irish Troubles was rife, and many of us in documentaries were actively discouraged from making films north of the border. If we tried, we were drawn into a quagmire of compliance.

The journalist Liz Curtis calculated that the BBC had banned, doctored or delayed some 50 major TV programmes on Ireland. There were, of course, honourable exceptions, such as John Ware

Roger Bolton, the producer of Death on the Rock, was another. Death on the Rock revealed that the British Government deployed SAS death squads overseas against the IRA, murdering four unarmed people in Gibraltar.

A vicious smear campaign was mounted against the film, led by the government of Margaret Thatcher and the Murdoch press, notably the Sunday Times, edited by Andrew Neil.

It was the only documentary ever subjected to an official inquiry  and its facts were vindicated. Murdoch had to pay up for the defamation of one of the films principal witnesses.

But that wasnt the end of it. Thames Television, one of the most innovative broadcasters in the world, was eventually stripped of its franchise in the United Kingdom.

Did the prime minister exact her revenge on ITV and the film-makers, as she had done to the miners? We dont know. What we do know is that the power of this one documentary stood by the truth and, like The War Game, marked a high point in filmed journalism.

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I believe great documentaries exude an artistic heresy. They are difficult to categorise. They are not like great fiction. They are not like great feature movies. Yet, they can combine the sheer power of both.

The Battle of Chile: the fight of an unarmed people , is an epic documentary by Patricio Guzman. It is an extraordinary film: actually a trilogy of films.

Part 2

When it was released in the 1970s, the New Yorker asked: How could a team of five people, some with no previous film experience, working with one Eclair camera, one Nagra sound-recorder, and a package of black and white film, produce a work of this magnitude?

Guzmans documentary is about the overthrow of democracy in Chile in 1973 by fascists led by General Pinochet and directed by the CIA.

Almost everything is filmed hand-held, on the shoulder. And remember this is a film camera, not video. You have to change the magazine every ten minutes, or the camera stops; and the slightest movement and change of light affects the image.

In the Battle of Chile, there is a scene at the funeral of a naval officer, loyal to President Salvador Allende, who was murdered by those plotting to destroy Allendes reformist government.

The camera moves among the military faces: human totems with their medals and ribbons, their coiffed hair and opaque eyes. The sheer menace of the faces says you are watching the funeral of a whole society: of democracy itself.

There is a price to pay for filming so bravely. The cameraman, Jorge Muller, was arrested and taken to a torture camp, where he disappeared until his grave was found many years later. He was 27. I salute his memory.

In Britain, the pioneering work of John Grierson, Denis Mitchell, Norman Swallow, Richard Cawston and other film-makers in the early 20th century crossed the great divide of class and presented another country.

They dared put cameras and microphones in front of ordinary Britons and allowed them to talk in their own language.

John Grierson is said by some to have coined the term documentary. The drama is on your doorstep, he said in the 1920s, wherever the slums are, wherever there is malnutrition, wherever there is exploitation and cruelty.

These early British film-makers believed that the documentary should speak from below, not from above: it should be the medium of people, not authority. In other words, it was the blood, sweat and tears of ordinary people that gave us the documentary.

Denis Mitchell was famous for his portraits of a working-class street. Throughout my career, he said, I have been absolutely astonished at the quality of peoples strength and dignity.

When I read those words, I think of the survivors of Grenfell Tower, most of them still waiting to be re-housed, all of them still waiting for justice, as the cameras move on to the repetitive circus of a royal wedding.

The late David Munro and I made The Silent Death of Cambodia in 1979.

This film broke a silence about a country subjected to more than a decade of bombing and genocide, and its power involved millions of ordinary men, women and children in the rescue of a society on the other side of the world.

Even now, Year Zero puts the lie to the myth that the public doesnt care, or that those who do care eventually fall victim to something called compassion fatigue.

Year Zero was watched by an audience greater than the audience of the current, immensely popular British reality programme Bake Off. It was shown on mainstream TV in more than 30 countries, but not in the United States, where PBS rejected it outright, fearful, according to an executive, of the reaction of the new Reagan administration.

In Britain and Australia, it was broadcast without advertising  the only time, to my knowledge, this has happened on commercial television.

Following the British broadcast, more than 40 sacks of post arrived at ATVs offices in Birmingham, 26,000 first-class letters in the first post alone. Remember this was a time before email and Facebook.

In the letters was 1 million  most of it in small amounts from those who could least afford to give. This is for Cambodia, wrote a bus driver, enclosing his weeks wages. Pensioners sent their pension. A single mother sent her savings of 50.

People came to my home with toys and cash, and petitions for Thatcher and poems of indignation for Pol Pot and for his collaborator, President Richard Nixon, whose bombs had accelerated the fanatics rise.

For the first time, the BBC supported an ITV film. The Blue Peter programme asked children to bring and buy toys at Oxfam shops throughout the country. By Christmas, the children had raised the astonishing amount of 3,500,000.

Across the world, Year Zero raised more than $55 million, mostly unsolicited, and which brought help directly to Cambodia: medicines, vaccines and the installation of an entire clothing factory that allowed people to throw away the black uniforms they had been forced to wear by Pol Pot. It was as if the audience had ceased to be onlookers and had become participants.

Something similar happened in the United States when CBS Television broadcast Edward R. Murrows film, Harvest of Shame , in 1960. This was the first time that many middle-class Americans glimpsed the scale of poverty in their midst.

Harvest of Shame is the story of migrant agricultural workers who were treated little better than slaves. Today, their struggle has such resonance as migrants and refugees fight for work and safety in foreign places. What seems extraordinary is that the children and grandchildren of some of the people in this film will be bearing the brunt of the abuse and strictures of President Trump.

In the United States today, there is no equivalent of Edward R. Murrow. His eloquent, unflinching kind of American journalism has been abolished in the so-called mainstream and has taken refuge in the internet.

Britain remains one of the few countries where documentaries are still shown on mainstream television in the hours when most people are still awake. But documentaries that go against the received wisdom are becoming an endangered species, at the very time we need them perhaps more than ever.

In survey after survey, when people are asked what they would like more of on television, they say documentaries.

I dont believe they mean a type of current affairs programme that is a platform for politicians and experts who affect a specious balance between great power and its victims.

Observational documentaries are popular; but films about airports and motorway police do not make sense of the world. They entertain.

David Attenboroughs brilliant programmes on the natural world are making sense of climate change  belatedly.

The BBCs Panorama is making sense of Britains secret support of jihadism in Syria  belatedly.

But why is Trump setting fire to the Middle East? Why is the West edging closer to war with Russia and China?

Mark the words of the narrator in Peter Watkins The War Game: On almost the entire subject of nuclear weapons, there is now practically total silence in the press, and on TV. There is hope in any unresolved or unpredictable situation. But is there real hope to be found in this silence?

In 2017, that silence has returned.

It is not news that the safeguards on nuclear weapons have been quietly removed and that the United States is now spending $46 million per hour on nuclear weapons: thats $46 million every hour, 24 hours a day, every day. Who knows that?

The Coming War on China , which I completed last year, has been broadcast in the UK but not in the United States  where 90 per cent of the population cannot name or locate the capital of North Korea or explain why Trump wants to destroy it. China is next door to North Korea.

According to one progressive film distributor in the US, the American people are interested only in what she calls character-driven documentaries.

This is code for a look at me consumerist cult that now consumes and intimidates and exploits so much of our popular culture, while turning away film-makers from a subject as urgent as any in modern times.

When the truth is replaced by silence, wrote the Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, the silence is a lie.

Whenever young documentary film-makers ask me how they can make a difference, I reply that it is really quite simple. They need to break the silence.

This is an edited version of an address John Pilger gave at the British Library on 9 December as part of a retrospective festival, The Power of the Documentary, held to mark the Librarys acquisition of Pilgers written archive. http://johnpilger.com/ This article was originally published by Information Clearing House -

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Trump Says Recognising Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel Will Bring Peace  it Will do Quite the Opposite



Trump has turned away from any notion of fairness in peace negotiations and run with Israels ball



By Robert Fisk

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - I was called by an Irish radio station in Dublin to respond to President Donald Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. What did I think was going on inside the US Presidents mind, I was asked? And I replied immediately: I dont have the key to the lunatic asylum. What might once have seemed an outrageously over-the-top remark was simply accepted as a normal journalistic reaction to the leader of the worlds greatest superpower. And re-listening to the speech that Trump made in the White House, I realised I should have been far less restrained. The very text of the document is insane, preposterous, shameful.



Goodbye Palestine. Goodbye the two-state solution. Goodbye the Palestinians. For this new Israeli capital is not for them. Trump did not even use the word Palestine. He talked about Israel and the Palestinians  in other words, of a state and of those who do not deserve  and can no longer aspire to  a state. No wonder I received a call in Beirut last night from a Palestinian woman who had just listened to the Trump destruction of the peace process. Remember Kingdom of Heaven? she asked me, referring to Ridley Scotts great movie of the 1187 fall of Jerusalem. Well its now the Kingdom of Hell.



Its not the Kingdom of Hell, of course. The Palestinians have been living in a kind of hell for a 100 years, ever since the Balfour Declaration declared Britains support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, when a single sentence  in which our beloved Theresa May takes such pride  became a textbook for refugeedom and the future dispossession of the Palestinian Arabs from their lands. As usual, the Arab response this week was sickening, warning of the dangers of Trumps decision, which was unjustified and irresponsible  this piece of fluff produced by King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the so-called protector of Islams two holiest places (the third being Jerusalem, although he didnt quite manage to point that out)  and we can be sure that in the coming days many an emergency committee will be formed by Arab and Muslim institutions to deal with this danger. They will, as we all know, be worthless.



But it was the linguistic analysis of Noam Chomsky when I was at university  he later became a good friend  which I applied to the Trump speech. The first thing I spotted was, as I mentioned above, the absence of Palestine. I always put the word in quotation marks because I dont believe it will ever exist as a state. Go and look at the Jewish colonies in the West Bank and its clear that Israel has no intention that it should exist in the future. But thats no excuse for Trump. In the spirit of the Balfour Declaration  which referred to Jews but to the Arabs as existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine  Trump downgrades the Arabs of Palestine to Palestinians.



Yet even at the start, the chicanery begins. Trump talks about very fresh thinking and new approaches. But there is nothing new about Jerusalem as Israels capital, since the Israelis have been banging on about this for decades. What is new is that  for the benefit of his party, Christian Evangelicals and those who claim to be American supporters of Israel  Trump has simply turned away from any notion of fairness in peace negotiations and run with Israels ball. Past presidents have issued waivers against the 1995 Jerusalem Congress Act, not because delaying the recognition of Jerusalem would advance the cause of peace but because that recognition should be given to the city as a capital for two peoples and two states  not one.



Then Trump tells us that his decision is in the best interests of the US. But he cant explain how  by effectively taking America out of future peace negotiations and destroying any claim (admittedly dubious by now) that the US is an honest broker in these talks  this will benefit Washington. It clearly wont  though it might help Trumps party funding  since it further lowers American power, prestige and standing across the Middle East. Then he claims that like every other sovereign nation, Israel has the right to determine its own capital. Up to a point, Lord Copper. For when another people  the Arabs rather than just the Jews  also want to claim that city as a capital (or at least the east of it), then that right is suspended until a final peace comes into existence.



Israel may claim all of Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital  as Netanyahu also claims that Israel is the Jewish state, despite the fact that more than 20 per cent of the people of Israel are Muslim Arabs who live inside its borders  but Americas recognition of this claim means that Jerusalem can never be the capital of another nation. And heres the rub. We dont have the slightest idea of the real borders of this capital. Trump actually acknowledged this, in a line that went largely unreported, when he said that we are not taking a position on  the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem. In other words, he recognised the sovereignty of a country over all of Jerusalem without knowing exactly where that citys borders lie.

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In fact, we dont have the slightest idea of just where Israels eastern border is. Does it lie along the old front line that divided Jerusalem? Does it lie a mile or so to the east of east Jerusalem? Or does it lie along the Jordan river? In which case, goodbye Palestine. Trump has awarded Israel the right to a whole city as its capital but hasnt the slightest idea where the eastern border of this country is, let alone the frontier of Jerusalem.



The world was happy to accept Tel Aviv as a temporary capital  as it was to pretend that Jericho or Ramallah was the capital of the Palestine Authority after Arafat arrived there. But Jerusalem was not to be recognised as the Israeli capital even though Israel claimed it was. Then we have Trump stating that in this most successful democracy, people of all faiths are free to live and worship according to their conscience. I trust he wont be telling that to the more than two and a half million Palestinians in the West Bank who are not free to worship in Jerusalem without a special pass, or the population of besieged Gaza who cannot hope to reach the city. Yet Trump claims his decision is merely a recognition of reality. I suppose his ambassador in Tel Aviv  soon, presumably, in Jerusalem (if only, so far, in a hotel room)  believes this tosh; for it was he who claimed that Israel only occupied 2 per cent of the West Bank.



And this new embassy, when it is eventually completed, will become a magnificent tribute to peace, according to Trump. Given the bunkers into which most US embassies in the Middle East have turned, its going to be a place with armoured gates and pre-stressed concrete walls and lots of inner bunkers for its diplomatic staff. But by then, I suppose, Trump will be gone. Or will he?



As usual, we had the Trump waffle. He wants a great deal for the Israelis and Palestinians, a peace agreement that is acceptable to both sides  even though this is not possible when hes recognised all of Jerusalem as Israeli before the so-called final status talks, which the world still fondly expects to take place between both sides. But if Jerusalem is one of the most sensitive issues in these talks, if there was going to be disagreement and dissent about his announcement  all of which he said  then why on earth did he make the decision at all?



Only when he descended into Blair-like verbosity  that the future of the region was held back by bloodshed, ignorance and terror  did it really become too much to stomach any more of these lies. If people are supposed to respond to disagreement with reasoned debate, not violence, what is the recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital supposed to produce? A debate, for heavens sake? Is that what to rethink old assumptions means?



Enough of this twaddle. What more folly can this wretched man dream up and lie about? So what was going on in his befuddled mind when he made this decision? Sure, he wants to follow up on his campaign promises. But how come he decided to honour this promise but could not bring himself to say last April that the mass murder of a million and a half Armenians in 1915 constituted an act of genocide? He was obviously frightened of upsetting the Turks, who deny the first industrial holocaust of the 20th century. Well, hes sure upset the Turks now. Id like to think hed taken that into account. But forget it. The guy is crackers. And it will take many years for his country to recover from this latest act of folly.

This article was originally published by The Independent -

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Trump's Jerusalem move: All the latest updates

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The U.S. is Not a Democracy, It Never Was



By Gabriel Rockhill

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " -One of the most steadfast beliefs regarding the United States is that it is a democracy. Whenever this conviction waivers slightly, it is almost always to point out detrimental exceptions to core American values or foundational principles. For instance, aspiring critics frequently bemoan a loss of democracy due to the election of clownish autocrats, draconian measures on the part of the state, the revelation of extraordinary malfeasance or corruption, deadly foreign interventions, or other such activities that are considered undemocratic exceptions. The same is true for those whose critical framework consists in always juxtaposing the actions of the U.S. government to its founding principles, highlighting the contradiction between the two and clearly placing hope in its potential resolution.

The problem, however, is that there is no contradiction or supposed loss of democracy because the United States simply never was one. This is a difficult reality for many people to confront, and they are likely more inclined to immediately dismiss such a claim as preposterous rather than take the time to scrutinize the material historical record in order to see for themselves. Such a dismissive reaction is due in large part to what is perhaps the most successful public relations campaign in modern history. What will be seen, however, if this record is soberly and methodically inspected, is that a country founded on elite, colonial rule based on the power of wealtha plutocratic colonial oligarchy, in shorthas succeeded not only in buying the label of democracy to market itself to the masses, but in having its citizenry, and many others, so socially and psychologically invested in its nationalist origin myth that they refuse to hear lucid and well-documented arguments to the contrary.

To begin to peel the scales from our eyes, let us outline in the restricted space of this article, five patent reasons why the United States has never been a democracy (a more sustained and developed argument is available in my book, Counter-History of the Present ). To begin with, British colonial expansion into the Americas did not occur in the name of the freedom and equality of the general population, or the conferral of power to the people. Those who settled on the shores of the new world, with few exceptions, did not respect the fact that it was a very old world indeed, and that a vast indigenous population had been living there for centuries. As soon as Columbus set foot, Europeans began robbing, enslaving and killing the native inhabitants. The trans-Atlantic slave trade commenced almost immediately thereafter, adding a countless number of Africans to the ongoing genocidal assault against the indigenous population. Moreover, it is estimated that over half of the colonists who came to North America from Europe during the colonial period were poor indentured servants, and women were generally trapped in roles of domestic servitude. Rather than the land of the free and equal, then, European colonial expansion to the Americas imposed a land of the colonizer and the colonized, the master and the slave, the rich and the poor, the free and the un-free. The former constituted, moreover, an infinitesimally small minority of the population, whereas the overwhelming majority, meaning the people, was subjected to death, slavery, servitude, and unremitting socio-economic oppression.

Second, when the elite colonial ruling class decided to sever ties from their homeland and establish an independent state for themselves, they did not found it as a democracy. On the contrary, they were fervently and explicitly opposed to democracy, like the vast majority of European Enlightenment thinkers. They understood it to be a dangerous and chaotic form of uneducated mob rule. For the so-called founding fathers, the masses were not only incapable of ruling, but they were considered a threat to the hierarchical social structures purportedly necessary for good governance. In the words of John Adams, to take but one telling example, if the majority were given real power, they would redistribute wealth and dissolve the subordination so necessary for politics. When the eminent members of the landowning class met in 1787 to draw up a constitution, they regularly insisted in their debates on the need to establish a republic that kept at bay vile democracy, which was judged worse than the filth of the common sewers by the pro-Federalist editor William Cobbett. The new constitution provided for popular elections only in the House of Representatives, but in most states the right to vote was based on being a property owner, and women, the indigenous and slavesmeaning the overwhelming majority of the populationwere simply excluded from the franchise. Senators were elected by state legislators, the President by electors chosen by the state legislators, and the Supreme Court was appointed by the President. It is in this context that Patrick Henry flatly proclaimed the most lucid of judgments: it is not a democracy. George Mason further clarified the situation by describing the newly independent country as a despotic aristocracy.

When the American republic slowly came to be relabeled as a democracy, there were no significant institutional modifications to justify the change in name. In other words, and this is the third point, the use of the term democracy to refer to an oligarchic republic simply meant that a different word was being used to describe the same basic phenomenon. This began around the time of Indian killer Andrew Jacksons presidential campaign in the 1830s. Presenting himself as a democrat, he put forth an image of himself as an average man of the people who was going to put a halt to the long reign of patricians from Virginia and Massachusetts. Slowly but surely, the term democracy came to be used as a public relations term to re-brand a plutocratic oligarchy as an electoral regime that serves the interest of the people or demos. Meanwhile, the American holocaust continued unabated, along with chattel slavery, colonial expansion and top-down class warfare.

In spite of certain minor changes over time, the U.S. republic has doggedly preserved its oligarchic structure, and this is readily apparent in the two major selling points of its contemporary democratic publicity campaign. The Establishment and its propagandists regularly insist that a structural aristocracy is a democracy because the latter is defined by the guarantee of certain fundamental rights (legal definition) and the holding of regular elections (procedural definition). This is, of course, a purely formal, abstract and largely negative understanding of democracy, which says nothing whatsoever about people having real, sustained power over the governing of their lives. However, even this hollow definition dissimulates the extent to which, to begin with, the supposed equality before the law in the United States presupposes an inequality before the law by excluding major sectors of the population: those judged not to have the right to rights, and those considered to have lost their right to rights (Native Americans, African-Americans and women for most of the countrys history, and still today in certain aspects, as well as immigrants, criminals, minors, the clinically insane, political dissidents, and so forth). Regarding elections, they are run in the United States as long, multi-million dollar advertising campaigns in which the candidates and issues are pre-selected by the corporate and party elite. The general population, the majority of whom do not have the right to vote or decide not to exercise it, are given the choiceoverseen by an undemocratic electoral college and embedded in a non-proportional representation schemeregarding which member of the aristocratic elite they would like to have rule over and oppress them for the next four years. Multivariate analysis indicates, according to an important recent study by Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence. The results provide substantial support for theories of Economic-Elite Domination [], but not for theories of Majoritarian Electoral Democracy.

To take but a final example of the myriad ways in which the U.S. is not, and has never been, a democracy, it is worth highlighting its consistent assault on movements of people power. Since WWII, it has endeavored to overthrow some 50 foreign governments, most of which were democratically elected. It has also, according the meticulous calculations by William Blum in Americas Deadliest Export: Democracy , grossly interfered in the elections of at least 30 countries, attempted to assassinate more than 50 foreign leaders, dropped bombs on more than 30 countries, and attempted to suppress populist movements in 20 countries. The record on the home front is just as brutal. To take but one significant parallel example, there is ample evidence that the FBI has been invested in a covert war against democracy. Beginning at least in the 1960s, and likely continuing up to the present, the Bureau extended its earlier clandestine operations against the Communist party, committing its resources to undermining the Puerto Rico independence movement, the Socialist Workers party, the civil rights movement, Black nationalist movements, the Ku Klux Klan, segments of the peace movement, the student movement, and the New Left in general ( Cointelpro: The FBIs Secret War on Political Freedom , p. 22-23). Consider, for instance, Judi Baris summary of its assault on the Socialist Workers Party: From 1943-63, the federal civil rights case Socialist Workers Party v. Attorney General documents decades of illegal FBI break-ins and 10 million pages of surveillance records. The FBI paid an estimated 1,600 informants $1,680,592 and used 20,000 days of wiretaps to undermine legitimate political organizing. In the case of the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement (AIM)which were both important attempts to mobilize people power to dismantle the structural oppression of white supremacy and top-down class warfarethe FBI not only infiltrated them and launched hideous smear and destabilization campaigns against them, but they assassinated 27 Black Panthers and 69 members of AIM (and subjected countless others to the slow death of incarceration). If it be abroad or on the home front, the American secret police has been extremely proactive in beating down the movements of people rising up, thereby protecting and preserving the main pillars of white supremacist, capitalist aristocracy.

Rather than blindly believing in a golden age of democracy in order to remain at all costs within the gilded cage of an ideology produced specifically for us by the well-paid spin-doctors of a plutocratic oligarchy, we should unlock the gates of history and meticulously scrutinize the founding and evolution of the American imperial republic. This will not only allow us to take leave of its jingoist and self-congratulatory origin myths, but it will also provide us with the opportunity to resuscitate and reactivate so much of what they have sought to obliterate. In particular, there is a radical America just below the surface of these nationalist narratives, an America in which the population autonomously organizes itself in indigenous and ecological activism, black radical resistance, anti-capitalist mobilization, anti-patriarchal struggles, and so forth. It is this America that the corporate republic has sought to eradicate, while simultaneously investing in an expansive public relations campaign to cover over its crimes with the fig leaf of democracy (which has sometimes required integrating a few token individuals, who appear to be from below, into the elite ruling class in order to perpetuate the all-powerful myth of meritocracy). If we are astute and perspicacious enough to recognize that the U.S. is undemocratic today, let us not be so indolent or ill-informed that we let ourselves be lulled to sleep by lullabies praising its halcyon past. Indeed, if the United States is not a democracy today, it is in large part due to the fact that it never was one. Far from being a pessimistic conclusion, however, it is precisely by cracking open the hard shell of ideological encasement that we can tap into the radical forces that have been suppressed by it. These forcesnot those that have been deployed to destroy themshould be the ultimate source of our pride in the power of the people.

Gabriel Rockhill is a Franco-American philosopher and cultural critic. He is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Villanova University and founding Director of the Atelier de Theorie Critique at the Sorbonne. His books include Counter-History of the Present: Untimely Interrogations into Globalization, Technology, Democracy (2017), Interventions in Contemporary Thought: History, Politics, Aesthetics (2016), Radical History & the Politics of Art (2014) and Logique de lhistoire (2010). In addition to his scholarly work, he has been actively engaged in extra-academic activities in the art and activist worlds, as well as a regular contributor to public intellectual debate. Follow on twitter: @GabrielRockhill

This article was originally published by Counterpunch -

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Yes, The Neocons Are Back



A new cabinet will mark neocon ascendancy



By Philip Giraldi

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Back during the admittedly brief shock and awe period that immediately followed on the Trump electoral victory, it appeared that there might be an actual realignment of American foreign policy. The neoconservatives virtually unanimously had opposed Donald Trump in the most vile terms, both in the GOP primaries and during the actual electoral campaign, making clear that Hillary was their choice for a future full of unrelenting, ideologically driven warfare to convert the world to democracy. By that metric, one would assume that Trump would prefer to be roasted on a spit rather than have neocons on his national security team, and many in the punditry did agree with that analysis and went on to share that view.

At the time, I agreed, but I did note that the neoconservatives have proven to be remarkable resilient, particularly as many of them have remained true to their Democratic Party values on nearly everything but foreign policy, where they are irredeemable hawks, hostile to Russia and Iran and always reliably in the corner of Israel. In short, many neocons can be unmasked as Hillary Clinton Democrats if one looks at them issue by issue, which certainly helps to explain some subsequent developments.

Some Washington observers who actually care about such things have been writing how there has been a kumbaya process going on between self-described conservative neocons and liberal interventionists. Katrina vanden Heuvel describes the progressive hawks as the essential-country crowd, borrowing a phrase from ex-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

There are inevitably minor disconnects between the two groups based on their motives for aggression  Democrats claim to do it to bring democracy and freedom while Republicans say they do it to enhance national security. Both are lying in any event as it all comes down to great power rivalries, with big powerful nations pushing smaller weaker nations around because they are able to get away with it and feel more comfortable if everyone lines up behind them.

So everyone in Washington and New Yorks financial services industry agrees that a more assertive America is a better America even when the reality is that no one winds up with either democracy or security. Which brings us to the latest shuffle in the Donald Trump cabinet and what it is likely to mean down the road. Multiple sources are predicting Tillerson out and Mike Pompeo in at State Department with Pompeo replaced at CIA by Senator Tom Cotton. The White House is denying the story, calling it fake news, but it is clear that Trump is uncomfortable with the current arrangement and Tillerson will be gone sooner or later.

Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State replaces a somewhat bumbling businessman adept at dealing in energy futures contracts who has been struggling with reducing States enormously bloated payroll. Pompeo, a real hard-nosed political hardliner who tends to see complex issues in fairly simplistic ways, has become a presidential confidant, briefing Trump frequently on the state of the world, most recently pushing for the horrific decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In a recent speech , Pompeo criticized the CIA, observing that it had both forgotten how to spy, which is almost certainly true, while adding that it will have to become more vicious to accomplish its mission of making the United States safe. Pompeo would like to turn the United States into an unleashed wrecking ball directed against the enemies of the American Way and he appears intent on starting that process in the Middle East.

And Pompeo will be replaced as CIA Director by Tom Cotton. The less said about Tom the better, but I will attempt to summarize in 8 words here: Tom is completely owned by the Israel Lobby. In his 2014 election as junior Senator from Arkansas, he received $1 million from the Emergency Committee for Israel headed by Bill Kristol as well as additional assistance from the Republican Jewish Coalition. In March 2015, Tom paid those supporters back when 47 Republican United States Senators signed a letter allegedly written by him that was then sent to the Iranian government directly, warning that any agreement over that countrys nuclear program reached with President Barack Obama would likely be overturned by the Congress. The letter, which undercuts the authority of the American president before an international audience, was signed by the entire Republican Party leadership in the Senate and also included then presidential contenders Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz.

I do not wish to imply that Cotton and Pompeo are somehow stupid, but they do tend to see the world in a very monochromatic fashion, just like their boss. Pompeo was first in his class at West Point and Cotton graduated from Harvard as an undergrad and also from the Law School. Trump claims to be the smartest person in the room no matter where he is standing. But for all the academic credentials and other posturing, it is hard to imagine how the new choices could possibly be worse from a common-sense perspective unless one includes Nikki Haley, who is, fortunately, otherwise engaged. Haley really is stupid. And ambitious. And is also owned by the Israel Lobby, which appears to be a thread that runs its way through all the Trump foreign policy appointees.

What is wrong about the whole Trump team is that they all seem to believe that you can go around the world kicking the shit out of everyone without there being any consequences. And they all hate Iran for reasons that continue to be obscure but may be connected to their relationships with  you guessed it  the neoconservatives and the Israeli Lobby!

Yes, the neocons are back. I noted back in October that when Pompeo and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster wanted a friendly place to drop by to give a policy speech that would be warmly received they went to the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), whose marketing masthead slogan is Fighting Terrorism and Promoting Freedom. FDD is currently neocon central, used like the American Enterprise Institute was when Dick Cheney was Vice President and needed a friendly audience. It is headed by Canadian Mark Dubowitz, whose passion in life is making sure that sanctions on Iran are enforced to the letter. Unfortunately, it is not easy to deport a Canadian.

Neocon watchers will undoubtedly note that big names like Brill Kristol, the Kagans, Michael Chertoff and Max Boot will not be showing up in government. True, but that is because they will instead be working through their foundations, of which FDD is only one. The Alliance for Securing Democracy, which has recently sprung up in lobby-land, markets itself as bipartisan, and transatlantic but it actually is pure neocon. Its goal is to expose Putins ongoing efforts to subvert democracy in the United States of America and Europe. It includes the usual neocon names but also has the loyal Democratic opposition, including ex-CIA Acting Director Mike Morell and Jake Sullivan, both of whom were top level advisers to Hillary Clinton.

The replacement of former political appointees in the government has been so slow in Trumps first year that it has actually benefited the neocons in their recovery. Many survivors of the two previous administrations are still in place, nearly all of whom reflect the hawkishness prevalent during 2001-2016. They will be supplemented by second and third tier neoconservatives, who will fill in the policy gaps, virtually guaranteeing that the neocon crafted foreign policy that has been around for the past sixteen years will be here for some time longer.

What all this means is that, now that the Palestinians have been disposed of and the Israelis rewarded, we can expect armed conflict with Iran within the next year, followed by increased hostility towards Moscow as Russiagate continues to play out. I do not even want to guess at what kind of insanity the gang in the West Wing Situation Room will come up with for dealing with North Korea. The good news is that the builders of home bomb shelters, a booming enterprise when I was growing up back in the 1950s and 1960s now used to cultivate mushrooms, will be back in business.

Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is www.councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform@cnionline.org .

This article was originally published by Unz Review -

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Washingtons Secret Wars

By Bill Van Auken

December 13, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The Trump White House Monday issued a so-called War Powers letter addressed to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and the president pro tempore of the Senate, Orin Hatch, to keep the Congress informed about deployments of United States Armed Forces equipped for combat.

In 1973, against the backdrop of the debacle of the Vietnam War, the US Congress, overriding the veto of then-President Richard Nixon, passed the War Powers Act. The aim of the legislation was to prevent future presidents from waging undeclared and open-ended wars with little or no accountability to Congress, which under the US Constitution has the exclusive power to declare war.

It gave the president the right to use military force at his discretion for up to 60 daysitself a huge concession of power to the executive branchbut required withdrawal after a total of 90 days if Congress failed to vote its approval of military action.

While still on the books, the War Powers Act has long ago been turned into a dead letter by the quarter century of US wars of aggression that have followed the Stalinist bureaucracys dissolution of the Soviet Union, all waged without a declaration of war by Congress.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have willingly acquiesced in the de facto concentration of dictatorial power in the hands of the commander in chief in the all-important matter of the waging of foreign wars.

The latest letter from the Trump administration, however, represents another qualitative step in this protracted degeneration of American democracy and the elimination of the last pretenses of civilian control over the military. Failing to even keep Congress informed about US combat deployments, the document, for the first time, omitted any information about the number of troops participating in Washingtons multiple wars and military interventions.

The letter acknowledges that the US is continuing and escalating the longest war in its history, the 16-year-long intervention in Afghanistan, stating that the American military is engaged in active hostilities against not only Al Qaeda and ISIS, but also the Taliban and any forces that threaten the viability of the Afghan government and its security forces. How many troops are engaged in this open-ended conflict is kept secret.

Similarly, the letter refers to a systematic campaign of airstrikes that have killed and wounded tens of thousands in Iraq and Syria, along with the deployment of ground troops in both countries. But again, their number is concealed.

It also mentions, for the first time, that a small number are deployed inside Yemen, where a US-backed Saudi force is carrying out a near genocidal war that has left millions on the brink of mass starvation.

It goes on to make reference to US military operations in Libya, East Africa, Africas Lake Chad Basin and Sahel Region and the Philippines, as well as deployments of forces in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Cuba.

In sync with Trumps War Powers letter the Pentagon has issued a report listing the current location of fully 44,000 troops deployed across the globe as unknown. During a Pentagon press briefing last Wednesday, Army Col. Rob Manning declared that the US militarys aim was to balance informing the American public with the imperative of operational security and denying the enemy any advantage.

This was the same specious argument made by Trump last August when he announced his plan for an escalation of Americas war in Afghanistan. We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities, he said. Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on. Americas enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will.

The Trump White House has removed caps imposed on troop levels under the Obama administration, leaving it up to the military commanders to escalate US deployments at will. Obamas caps themselves were routinely circumvented through so-called temporary deployments that saw far more troops sent into US wars than were officially on the books.

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The secrecy surrounding troop deployments has been highlighted in recent months following the October firefight in Niger that killed four special operations troops and brought out in the open the deployment of some 1,000 US troops in the central West African country and on its borders, an intervention about which leading members of the US Senate claimed to have known nothing. This was followed by the so-called slip of the tongue by the commander of US special operations forces in Iraq and Syria who told a Pentagon press conference that 4,000 US troops were on the ground in Syria. He quickly caught himself and repeated the official figure of 500. Subsequently, the Pentagon allowed that the real number was over 2,000.

Meanwhile, figures posted by the Pentagon last monthwith little media attentionrevealed that the number of US troops deployed in the Middle East as a whole had soared by 33 percent over the previous four months, with the sharpest increases taking place in a number of Persian Gulf countries, indicating advanced preparations for a new US war against Iran.

These deployments are kept secret or effectively concealed not out of any concern about tipping off the enemy, which in virtually every case is well aware of the level of US military aggression against their countries. Rather, it is aimed at keeping the information from the American people, which has no interest in continuing the ongoing military interventions in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, much less launching new and potentially world catastrophic wars against Iran, North Korea and even China and Russia.

In terms of the waging of semi-secret wars abroad, as with attacks on democratic rights and the social conditions of the working class at home, Trump represents not an aberration, but rather the culmination of protracted processes that have unfolded under both Democratic and Republican administrations, which have ceded ever greater power over US foreign policy to US military commanders. This trend has only deepened under Trump, with an active duty general serving as national security advisor, and two recently retired Marine generals filling the posts of defense secretary and White House chief of staff.

With US forces on the borders of North Korea, China, and Russia on a hair-trigger, the continuous assertion of ever greater war-making powers to the military brass massively increases the danger that a miscalculation, misunderstanding, or accident could quickly lead to full-scale nuclear war.

Trumps further assault on the War Powers Act has elicited no protest from the Democrats in Congress. They are not opposed to the governments domination by the military or the drive to war. Their differences are merely of a tactical character, expressed in a campaign of anti-Russia hysteria waged in collaboration with sections of the US military and intelligence apparatus in preparation for a new and far more terrible conflagration.

Both parties represent a parasitic financial oligarchy that relies ever more heavily upon militarism and war to defend its wealth and domination. These parties, along with the other institutions of the US ruling establishment, have no interest in reining in the generals or upholding constitutional government and democratic rights. Rather, they are collaborating in the emergence of a system based upon the unfettered domination of the military, working in tandem with Wall Street, in which elections, the Congress and other civilian bodies are becoming little more than window-dressing.

This article was originally published by WSWS -

Copyright  1998-2017 World Socialist Web Site

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Two African ladies residing in Holland have finally tied the knot thereby bringing the issue of same-s*x marriage to the forefront of public discussions.

As the dusts on the controversial legalization of homos*xuality in Ghana seems to have settled, some pictures have once again resurrected the topic.

Pictures showing yet to be identified Ghanaian lesbians tying the knot have gone viral. Unconfirmed reports suggests that the two love birds got married in a private ceremony in Holland.

One of the pictures show the ladies beautifully dressed in Ghanaian-made kente while another also show the ladies dressed in their white wedding apparel.

Many have criticised the ladies for embarrassing the the nation outside the shores of Ghana. The discussion on homos*xuality became very prominent in recent times after President Akufo-Nana Addo in an interview with Al Jazeera news opined that Ghana may legalize homos*xuality should there be strong demand for it.

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An Abuja-based beauty queen who was crowned Miss Confluence Queen in 2015, has passed away as her family and friends have been thrown into mourning, sorrow and tears.

Heres a press release from Glees Models on the death of the beauty queen;

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It was indeed heartbreaking when we learned that Her Majesty, Queen Blessing Achenyo Alfa has made advancement through the path of glory and perfect rest. Her charismatic gesture, intelligence and affectionate concern for humanity and social reform will never be forgotten.

Unfortunately, several faithful friends have managed to nurse the loss of their sister, friend, colleague, role model, mentor and beauty Queen. The sad news gave birth to series of heart-felt deliberations and questions that challenged the love of God for humanity, why should such a young lady with the heart of an Angel be made to leave the surface of the earth this early, God in his infinite should have considered her contributions to mankind, but we cannot question God, this was the expression of her friend, Eniola when she spoke with our reporters.

In a tribute written to towel the tears of crying relatives and friends over the loss of Queen Blessing Alfa, the significance of her affectionate relationship with friends, colleagues and family was carefully highlighted; it says Oh! Death why would you feed us with painful memories of our beloved friend, sister, Beauty Queen and a motivator who sacrificed everything at her disposal to make us happy? This is a loss we cannot recover from for a long time! A heartbreak that will leave a scar till we all join you at the great beyond.

Queen Blessing Alfa played several roles in different ways to all of us. she was selfless and personally involved in all that concerns us in sincerity and humility. In tears, we wished we could turn back the hands of the clock to where destiny cannot eternally separate us but its unfortunate. We were all hopeful together for the future as we conglomerated in the same proximity but as man proposes God disposes.

As we met her in different places, events and circumstances, she left indelible marks in our lives and times. Tears roll down our cheek with the thought of her unprecedented demise which has left us all in shock and disbelief. Late Blessing Achenyo Alfa as a promising young entrepreneur who believed in her craft empowered a lot of youths through seminars to impact on generations.

Indeed, leaving a footprint on the sand of time. She was celebrated, honoured and embraced by all and sundry especially as he displayed high level of simplicity and humility to all who had encounter with her.

High profile fashion events and pageants had the colourful impacts of her Ankara bags and shoes on display as supports for us, Her noble personality on red carpets arrested attention from distance and her prayers at our challenging times uplifted our spirits but her forever absence cripples our strengths at this moment!

Queen Blessing Alfa your step into the ladder of beauty queens to make impression has been cut short, we bleed, we cant express how much pain we feel but in our hearts, you hold a special place till we meet to part no more.

In Peace may you find absolute rest, our beloved friend and human enlarger.

(Wake keep & Service of Songs holds this Thursday @ 14th December, 2017 by 5:00pm at Saraha Estate, B- Road, After Charlyboy, Gwarinpa Abuja while Burial/ Interment takes place at her hometown Agudoko Anyigba, Kogi State by 10:am on Saturday, 16th December, 2017)
John Mongella, a regional commissioner in Tanzania, has announced that pregnant teenagers will be arrested and charged to court, local news portal The Citizen reports.

Mongella, speaking on Monday, said pregnant teenagers have a tendency to not divulge who it was that got them pregnant.

They should be taken to court, he said, and should be forced to testify and name the persons who impregnated them. He said:

There have been a tendency of pregnant schoolgirls not to mention the name of a person who impregnated them. This is a challenge when one is required to testify in court.

Directors and district commissioners in the Mwanza region have been ordered to locate all pregnant schoolgirls and take them to court.

This is following a move in June by Tanzanian President John Magufuli, where he upheld a law that bans girls from returning to school after they have given birth.

Both the upholding of the law and the move by Mongella have been described as an infringement against the human rights of the girls.a
An autopsy report is being awaited by the Lagos State Police Command to clear the air on the cause of death of an electrician, Idris Lasisi, who was found dead in the attic of a pharmacy on Abraham Adesanya Low Cost Housing Estate in Ajah on Monday.

The family of the deceased alleged that he was murdered, claiming that there were bloodstains in his mouth and neck while his phone was not found.

But the pharmacist, identified only as Bayo, claimed that the father of one was electrocuted.

It was gathered that Bayo was being quizzed by the police at the Ogombo division on the circumstances surrounding the electricians death.

It was learnt that Bayo had engaged Idris to do some electrical work at the pharmacy on Saturday.

At about 7pm, the 33-year-old was said to have called his wife on the telephone, informing her that he was rounding off.

The wife, Bunmi Lasisi, explained that after awaiting his return for hours, she called his line, but it indicated that it was not reachable.

She said she went to bed, thinking he had gone to pass the night at his elder brothers residence in Lakowe, Ajah.

She said, We visited his mother on Saturday at Owode, Ajah. He said he wanted to do a job for Mr. Bayo and he went there from Owode. Around 7pm, he called me and said he was about to leave the pharmacy. He asked me what he should buy for me and I told him to buy apples.

I waited for him till around 9pm and his line was not reachable. The following day, I tried calling him again, but his line did not connect. He went there in a car; so I thought he was using it for commercial purposes and believed he would soon return home.

I informed his mother and she called his elder brother to know his whereabouts. The brother said he did not see him. We called his friends; they said they didnt see him. It was on Monday that we traced him to the pharmacy and found his corpse in the attic.

He had injuries in the neck and armpit and blood was in his mouth. The owner of the pharmacy claimed that he was electrocuted; but he was not, he was attacked. He used an earpiece, but we did not find his mobile phone. His car was on the premises.

The deceaseds mother, Samiat, urged the police to conduct proper investigation into the matter, saying she suspected foul play.

The elder brother, Ramon Lasisi, explained that Bayo claimed to have invited another electrician on Saturday to check the roof after workers at the pharmacy complained that they did not see him (Idris).

He said the electrician did not see him. How did they find his corpse on Monday? If he was electrocuted, blood would not come out of his body. The electrician has also been arrested. My brother was probably attacked and the assailants tried to make it look as if it was an electrocution. His phone is also missing, he added.

Bayo, who spoke briefly with our correspondent on the telephone from the station, absolved himself of any wrongdoing, saying the blood from the corpse could be due to decomposition.

He said, I am at the station now. He had been working for us for about eight years. It was when I wanted to open the shop on Monday morning that I discovered his corpse and I informed the police immediately. He was electrocuted.

However, Bayos representative, who did not want his name in print, later gave PUNCH Metro his account of what transpired at the pharmacy from Saturday to Monday.

He said, On Friday, Bayo invited the man to fix an electrical fault at the store where the incident happened. He did not come. On Saturday, he came and went to the attic. Workers at the store did not see him come down. They looked around for him and called Bayo when they did not see him.

Bayo told them to check him in the attic. The two workers are a woman and a fat man. They could not climb up. His car was outside and he had a flat tyre. So, they thought he was running around to fix the tyre.

When they wanted to close, they called Bayo again, saying they had not seen the man and that the electrical fault had not been fixed. He told them to look for an electrician to go up and check if the man was there. The electrician went up, used a torch to look around, but said he did not see anybody. The store was closed afterwards.

The representative explained that the shop opened the next day for operations and closed at the normal time without the workers noticing any strange occurrence.

He added, By Monday when they wanted to open the shop, they noticed liquid dripping from the ceiling and strange odour. The owner reported at the Ogombo Police Station. In the course of decomposition, the body will swell and the skin will tear. The body fluid will come out. That was what happened.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, said investigation had commenced into the incident, adding that an autopsy would be conducted on the deceased to ascertain the cause of death.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram were on Thursday put on high alert after four military vehicles went missing during a raid on an army post in the restive northeast.

A message sent to all military bases across the region called for all units and troops to remain at alert and not be taken by surprise.

Two armoured cars and two all-terrain pickup trucks were taken after the jihadists tried to take over a military base at the village of Mainok in Borno state on Wednesday.

Troops repelled the assault with reinforcements from the nearby town of Benisheik. The attack was the latest against hard military targets in recent weeks.

At least nine Boko Haram fighters were killed in the hour-long shootout, which forced motorists on the Maiduguri-to-Damaturu road to take cover until it had ended.

The army message, which was seen by AFP, also said: All troops to ensure they check all vehicles and not to assume as BHT (Boko Haram terrorists) may disguise as own forces.

Initial assessment at the moment suggests that 2 VBL (armoured vehicles) and 2 Hilux (pick-up trucks) are missing and for the moment we assume carted away.

Source: ( AFP )
A Nigerian man who had only just recently returned from Libya, has recounted the horrific experiences he had in the war-torn state.

Endurance Omeyo is one of the recent Nigerians to return home from Libya. The man has lamented how his leg was amputated and how he bought freedom with N250,000.

Daily Post reports that Omeyo from Uromi in Edo State said he went to Libya in 2016, after he lost his father and was frustrated.

He recounted how he got arrested while fleeing Libya on his way to Italy and had to bail himself with sum of N250,00 from a friend to buy his freedom.

Upon his release, he was shot while with some friends and had his leg amputated.

He was among 245 more Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya on Tuesday night

Omeyo who spoke to reporters said: I come from a very poor home. I lost my father about 12 years ago and only my mother was left to be facing the stress.

That is why I went to Libya to cross the sea and go to Italy, but unfortunately, I couldnt make it as we were arrested while on the sea.

We were 160 people on that boat but 110 died and only 50 of us survived. They now took us back to prison in Libya.

According to him, he spent over a month in captivity before a friend from Italy sent him N250, 000 which he used to buy his freedom from his captors.

The 28-year-old said a few weeks after, he was shot while in company of two friends, which led to the amputation of his leg.

I spent months in the hospital, until my mother went to borrow N400, 000 which was used to perform three surgeries on me and that is why I am alive today, he disclosed.

The returnees were assisted back to Nigeria by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) after expressing interest to leave Libya where they had been stranded enroute Europe.

They comprised 66 adult females, 74 adult males, four children and six infants.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Thursday admonished judges to be wary of the antics of politicians as Nigeria gradually stepped closer to the 2019 general elections.

Speaking in Abuja while declaring open this years edition of the Annual Conference of Justices of Court of Appeal, the CJN gave this charge against the background that soon the tempo of political activities will pick up.

He therefore warned judges to be wary of the company they kept, adding that politicians, in their desperation to have their ways, could ridicule and embarrass judicial officers who opened their doors to all comers.

The CJN said, Let me remind us that our salvation remains in our hands; so in the approaching frenzied political activities leading to the 2019 general elections let us continue to watch the company we keep, the people we open our doors to lest we unwittingly open ourselves to ridicule and embarrassment as the politicians will do anything not necessarily legal, to have their way including destroying our hard earned reputation and integrity.

The CJN who said he was desirous of leaving behind a judiciary that has been returned to its glory as a noble and enviable institution in every sense of the word, added, Your level of preparation, coupled with the determination of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to bequeath to Nigeria a legacy of credible election process, will guarantee the peace and stability we all desire.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Come Wednesday, December 20, TDA Multimedia, in partnership with Hallpoin International, an ecommerce brand, will be staging the 2017 edition of Tush Awards.

According to the Project Director, Engr. Dayo Oyeniran, this years award, the 9th successive edition, would hold amidst positive expectation from majority of the Nigerian youth populace.

Voting for the 21 Youths/Celebrities Categories and 14 Student Categories which started some days ago on the organisers website ended on Monday, December 11.

Among those penciled down for the Role Model award for this edition include; Chairman of IBD IMPEX limited, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun, popularly called Dende, Mercy Aigbe, Hon Desmond Elliot, Hon Adijat Oladapo, Comrade Obasi of NANS, Mr Tola Onayemi, The Head of Trade Remedies Authority at Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).

According to Oyeniran, there are hundreds of nominees for this years edition which includes Students of over 20 Tertiary Institutions, and Celebrities like Tekno, Olamide, Young John, Ebuka Obi, Tenie, Lota Chukwu, Kenny Blaq, Joro Olumofin, Ankara Gucci amongst others

The Host for this edition includes former HIP TV Anchorman (Femi Daniel) and Star FM Lagos OAP, Pat Obilor, he stated.

There would lots of side attraction on the day like Fashion Runway and Exhibition, Music, Comedy, Games and ticket is exclusively available on their website.

source: Thenation
A 200-level female student of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Dorcas Oluwatimilehin Olanrewaju, has recounted her ordeal at the hands of ritualists and how she narrowly escaped death.

According to Sunday Tribune, the lady was heard being interrogated by the security personnel believed to have visited her Omu-Aran family residence after her release last Friday morning.

Dorcas who is the daughter of the chairman, Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, Mr. Layi Olanrewaju.

She recalled that she left her off-campus hostel at about 11:16 a.m. last Thursday, after picking up her course registration form but could not find a commercial motorcycle to convey her back to campus.

According to her, in the process of trying to get an alternative transportation, she flagged down an Ilorin-colour painted taxi which unknown to her was being operated by ritualists.

Noting that she was the only KWASU student in the cab, Dorcas further narrated that two passengers occupied the front seat while she was the third passenger at the back. She added that no sooner had the taxi taken off than a female co-passenger sitting next to her complained of cold and requested that the side glass be wound up.

I became unconscious afterwards, said the victim, stressing that she regained consciousness in the den of ritualists in the evening of the fateful day.

Dorcas said she was blindfolded and driven to an unknown location, where she met 12 other victims  male and female.

We were kept in a room. When they touched me, the woman said I was not pure They started touching my body with some things and the woman said they should go and keep me somewhere, that they dont need me now, that Im in my period and it is not the time they need people who are menstruating,

I think around 2:00 a.m., one of them called me and started asking me questions. He said where am I from, and that do I know what I was doing there? I said no, that I just found myself here and that I was supposed to be in school writing my exam. At times, they (the ritualists) speak in Hausa but it was not audible.

They would stay by the door and later open the door and talk. And sometimes, they would come inside and just parade and go. When I got there, we were 13 but I left five people there. The man told me that I should not worry, that he would not allow them to touch me. So, he took me out and that was when I knew we were in a compound. He covered my face and locked me up in the boot. I knew they entered the car and were talking about Ekiti State.

They dropped me around 5.00a.m. I knew when we got somewhere, I was almost losing consciousness and the man said he had forgotten to put water in the radiator and he came to the boot, took me out and told me to go.

I didnt know I was in Omu-Aran. It was when I started walking around 5:00 a.m. and I got to the roundabout (close to First Bank) before I realised that I was in Omu-Aran.

If they took people out, it was their screaming that we would hear. I wrapped my school ID card in my back pocket and did not leave any trace that I had a phone on me.

Her friends account

Her course mate who resides on campus (name withheld), said they were together at the College of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), where their department (Mass Communication) is domiciled, until around 10:00 a.m. on the fateful day when she left for her off-campus accommodation to pick up her course registration form, which she forgot.

She said after waiting for her call some 30 minutes later, she looked around for her without success.

After the examination, I went everywhere searching for her, still without any breakthrough. So, I later went to my hostel to see if she was waiting for me there. I also had to go down to her hostel but didnt see her either. I asked her hostel mates the same thing. I didnt want to call home, so that her parents would not panic, as I was anxiously waiting for her call.

Around 6:54 p.m. I saw a text message that she has been kidnapped and that I should call her brother and inform him. Immediately I called her brother, they came to Malete that night. After I saw the message, I went to Safety Unit to report and the Safety Unit called the police station (in Malete) to report it.

She said she was the only one (student) in the taxi. A female ritualist was beside her and that was the woman she said was feeling cold.

At about 1:16 a.m. the following day, we were still communicating because they didnt know she had the phone on her and I was asking her the situation of things and she said somebody called her out and was asking where she was from and she told them she was from Omu-Aran. So, in the morning, I sent her a text message asking her the situation of things but she didnt reply. I was even scared but the message delivered. That means the phone was still on.

When they called her, she was even thinking that it was her turn, but they took her inside the car and drove her to Omu-Aran and dropped her in front of her fathers house, the friend said.

KWASU insists only one student kidnapped, released

Apparently trying to put the incident in its correct perspective, KWASU management has clarified that only one student was kidnapped, as against the conflicting figures in some media reports. Speaking through its Director, Office of the University Relations, Dr Isiaka Aliagan, the university management said, We dont know where people get the statistics they are bandying about. To the knowledge of the university, we only have one student who was kidnapped but she was eventually released.

Stressing that security has been beefed up within and outside the campus since the incident, the Aliagan said KWASU would stop at nothing to protect its students.

Aliagan, who stated that the kidnapped female student has since been reunited with her family, challenged anyone with contrary facts and figures to make them public instead of disparaging the university.

Aside the victim, none of our students or staff has been reported missing, he insisted.

The university spokesman, however, assured parents, guardians, and other stakeholders that security operatives were making efforts to track down the perpetrators and guard against a recurrence of such incident.

He said the University Safety Unit, in collaboration with security operatives, has intensified its patrol operations to protect lives and properties of students, staff, and visitors to the institution.

Management wishes to urge students to be security conscious, to patronise only registered transport and to report strange persons or movements around their hostels and campus, he advised.

Mr Layi Olabrewaju, Dorcasfather also spoke to Newsmen

He said ;

What can I say again? I thank God for everything. Its all about answered prayers. So, we thank God. Sure, it was an harrowing experience. I wont want any parent to have it at all. Shes quite young for that kind of bad experience. She shows expression of shock like that sometimes when she remembers what she passed through. All the same we thank God for His protection and blessings in our lives.

I appreciate the management of the school, colleagues of my daughter, the DSS, Police and other agencies and individuals for their prayers, efforts, and support. All have performed creditably well in ensuring her freedom. The family will still need their prayers for her to get over the trauma fast.

I also want the school to improve security around the students to discourage future occurrence. Nothing should be left out to achieve this, he pleaded.

Culled from Tribune
A beautiful lady identified as Asikiya George apparently proposed marriage to a young lawyer, Timilehin who just graduated from the Nigerian Law School.

After being called to bar, an anxious lady decided to ask a random Twitter user, Timilehin his groom price as she wants his hands in marriage.

This flirty move lighted up Twitter as its an anomaly for a lady to pay the groom price of a man in the African setting. It is always the other way round as its tagged brideprice.

It is not clear if Timilehin accepted her romantic offer.

See the tweets below:

-Gistreel
A businessman has been arrested and arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for trying to deceive a man he owed millions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 arraigned one Uwakwe Osita Samuel before Justice C.O. Ajah of Enugu State High Court on a three-count charge bothering on Issuance of Dud Cheque to the tune of N2,100,000 (Two Million ,One Hundred Thousand Naira only).

Uwakwe, was said to have issued three Good Shepherd Microfinance Bank Limited Cheques to settle a financial obligation in favour of the petitioner, who had reported that the cheques when presented for payment within three months of its issuance, was dishonoured due to insufficient fund.

The offence was contrary to Section1 (1) (a) and (b) (i) & (ii) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act. Cap D11 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act,2004 and punishable under same Act.

When the case was called up, prosecution Counsel, B.N.Obasi-Eze asked that the defendant be docked to take his plea. Uwakwe pleaded not guilty to the charges necessitating the defence counsel, J.E.Orji to move motion for the defendant which was opposed by the defence counsel.

However, the presiding judge who decried the rising number of dud cases in recent times, admonished those within his court to be cautious in dealing with issue involving issuance of cheques. He noted that having considered the administrative bail earlier granted to the defendant, he had to grant him bail in the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira Naira only) and one surety in like sum.

He said the surety must be a civil servant that must live within the jurisdiction of the court. The case has been adjourned to February 6, 2018 for trial.
A judge at an High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, Alkali Gana, on Wednesday sentenced one Yahaya Umar, a middle aged man, who was found guilty of raping a 13-year-old female internally displaced person, IDP, to 14 years imprisonment .

Mr. Umar, a reportedly unrepentant paedophile, ran into trouble waters on September 21, 2016 when he lured the victim, Hajja Ibrahim, from the camp to a hotel room where he forcefully had sex with her.

Her case is just one amongst hundreds of such that happen in the nearly 30 IDP camps dotting the state.

Concerned parents and officials at Abbaganaram IDP camp reported the matter to police and Mr. Umar was arrested and arraigned.

The charge sheet reads, That you Yahaya Umar (male), on or about 21st September 2016 at about 1900 hours at railway quarters Maiduguri , within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed rape on one Hajja Ibrahim of IDPs camp Abaganaram primary school , in that you forcefully had sexual intercourse with her and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 283 of the penal code laws of Borno State.

Mr. Umar pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

He told the court that he did not take the girl to the Rainbow hotel where the alleged rape occurred but only helped a girl wandering at night by taking her to his home and giving her shelter till the next day.

But the prosecuting counsel disagreed and invited five witnesses to testify against him. Copious evidence and exhibits were tendered.

Mr Umar was the only witness in his defence.

All the testimonies and evidence of witnesses as well as the defence were examined by the trial judge, who described Mr. Umar as a predator of minors.

In his ruling after the testimonies, the judge pronounced Mr. Umar guilty as charged.

I believe the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses . They impressed me as witness of truth. Accused person in his defence stated that the victim wanted a place to stay hence he took her to his house and harboured her until the following day.

You can tell this type of information to the marines. It is a matter of common knowledge that there is curfew in Maiduguri and everybody is expected to be at home before 10 p.m.

The court is at a loss why the accused person should carry the young girl to his house. He is not a truthful witness. I have watched his demeanor in the witness box. He did not impress me as witness of truth.

I disbelieve his testimony.

The judge said the court is of the opinion that the prosecution has proved its case beyond any iota of doubt.

I find him guilty as charged and hereby proceed to convict him. Predators of minors should beware, they do not deserve any clemency. The convict has committed a heinous crime. He does not deserve any sympathy knowing the conditions the IDPs are going through.

But the judge did not conclude his ruling without a word of caution to parents who are IDPs.

Parents and guardians should desist from compromising or condoning any abuse against their wards. He is sentenced to maximum prison term of 14 years with hard labour, he ruled.

The court had also called on security agents to beam their attention on activities going on in hotels and motels following the revelation of the prosecuting witness.

According to a UNICEF report, at least one underaged girl is raped everyday in most IDP camps by a fellow male IDP or officials managing their camps.

Borno and Yobe State governments recently had to refute reports exposing how rape, forced prostitution and officials engaging in seduction of underaged teenagers were rampant in the camps, without checks by the authorities.

Source: ( Premium Times )
Nigerian artist, Mayorkun, is on the cover of the newest issue of Accelerate TVs magazine The Cover. In the interview following the cover feature, he speaks to Oluwaseun Ashiru, on his style and how it influences his music, and more.

On his ideal signature outfit

Sweat shirts and pants

On the difference between how he dresses on stage and in his daily life

Im a very causal person, so at home I hardly wear chains or white shirts and for performances, I wear something more up-do; but if its a student show youd never see me wear a suit. So the type of show I go for determines my look or how I dress. Even while I was working at a bank I never wore suits. Ha-ha. I wear suits now for weddings or corporate events

On how fashion affects the direction of his music video

I think some particular fashion sense appeals to certain types of people, for example Migos in their music video for tee shirt they are dressed like Eskimos, so you see black people dressed like Eskimos and that appeals to the people it appeals to. So sometimes you can see me dress like a UK boy or an African just to appeal to my audience.

Here are the photos:

source: Stargist
A Minister of Happiness has been declared wanted over a murder link, sparking a serious manhunt over the development.

The Indian Police on Wednesday, revealed that they had launched a manhunt for Lal Singh Arya, the Minister of Happiness.

According to Agence France Presse, AFP, this was after the state politician vanished when an arrest order by the court was issued against the minister over an alleged murder.

Lal Singh Arya, whose only mandate is to put a smile on the face of his 70 million constituents, is wanted in connection with an alleged murder of an opposition politician in 2009.

Madhya Pradesh in January became the first state in India to create a happiness ministry, making headlines with the appointment of Arya to head this rosy department.

But the 53-year-old from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party disappeared without a trace after a court in Bhind district issued a non-bailable warrant for his arrest over an alleged connection to the murder.

Local police told AFP they were hopeful of catching Arya before he is scheduled to appear in court on December 19.

Police teams are still looking for him. We are positive that we will track him down by then, Prashant Khare, police superintendent in Bhind, told AFP by phone.

Police launched the hunt Tuesday for the minister when he was not found at his residence, the Press Trust of India reported. Arya was tasked by the state in January with responsibility for the happiness and tolerance of its citizens.

The happiness ministry is modelled on the gross national happiness index used by Indias northerly neighbour Bhutan as a measure of its success.

Madhya Pradesh hopes for its own such happiness index, and has promised social programs including yoga, meditation and free religious pilgrimages for senior citizens.

The states chief minister said in January the ministry would even rope in psychologists to counsel people on how to be always happy.
The new market in Owerri, Imo State was torched by some yet to be identified youth as protests over the demolishing continues.

The popular spare parts market in Owerri, New Market Owerri, was yesterday set ablaze by some arsonists thereby throwing people into panic and disarray.

An eyewitness who reported the news on social media claimed the governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha was disgraced publicly when the angry traders threw pure water sachets at his convoy.

One social media user based in Imo posted this on Facebook:

After a confrontation between Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and market men and women in New Market Owerri today Wednesday, 13th December, 2017, were Governor Okorocha was reportedly thrown pure water sachets for forcefully ejecting the shop owners out of business and means of livelihood by demolishing their shops.

The governor, thereafter warned them to leave before Friday . Shockingly before the Friday deadline, New Market Owerri was this Night Set on Fire by unidentified persons.

Photos below:
Nigeria is reportedly set to pay as much as $50 million to the Swiss government and lawyers in order to recover $321 million Abacha loot.

Acccording to a report by SaharaReporters , the Federal Government of Nigeria will has paid a sum about $50million as the cost of recovery of the countrys funds stolen and stashed abroad by a former military dictator, late General Sani Abacha, his family and associates. The cost of recovery is contained in details of the negotiations for the recovery of assets obtained by Saharareporters which spelt out the deal between the Federal Government with the authorities of Switzerland and other parties, including lawyers involved in the process.

The details, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, indicate that Nigeria will pay 3million Swiss Francs to the State of Geneva, Switzerland to cover its expenses. It will also pay $9,703,141.67, equivalent of 4 percent of the gross amount of $242,578, 541.72 recovered in Liechtenstein in December 2013 and June 2015. Equally, the Nigerian government will pay 4 percent of the gross amount of the forfeited Luxemburg assets, a figure to be determined in due course by Messrs. Enrico Monfrini and Christian Luscher and in their favour as their professional fees and expenses.

In addition, the Federal Government will pay the Swiss Francs equivalent of $6,792,199.17 of the gross amount recovered from Liechtenstein in 2013 and 2014 as well as 2.8 percent equivalent of the forfeited Luxemburg assets to Mr. Monfrini. The exact figure, the documents stated, will be provided in due course by Messrs. Monfrini and Luscher as settlement of the fees and expenses of lawyers to the Abacha family.

Also to be paid to Mr. Monfrini is the Euro equivalent of the sum of $5million as retainer fee for the legal action to be filed against MM Warbug and Co SA and other potential defendants. The sum of $750,000 will equally to be paid to an advisory firm, HBK Investments Advisory SA in settlement of their professional fees in relation to the management of the Luxemburg assets. The negotiation details equally stated that the balance of the forfeited Luxemburg assets be converted to dollars and paid into a special recovery account of the Federal Government with the Bank for International Settlements, Basle, Switzerland.

Before the payment is made, the documents stated, Mr. Monfrini should, at least a week in advance, be notified of the exact dollar amount and value of the transfer via a letter confirming that the funds were forfeited in the context of the Abacha proceedings and are being transferred an allocation to Nigeria.

In addition, the forfeited shares of companies holding the Luxemburg assets should be remitted to Mr. Monfrini.

The details were contained in a letter by Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to Mr. Oliver Journot, Attorney-General of Geneva. Dated 14 July 2014, the letter confirmed to the Swiss authority that Nigeria on the one hand and Mohammed Sani Abacha, Abba Abacha and their affiliates, on the other, had entered into a repatriation agreement. The letter indicated that the Luxembourg fund formed part of the asset, which parties agreed to forfeit and repatriate to the Federal Government.

Also, the Federal Government, via a letter dated 6 January 2016, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) appointed Messrs. Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) and Temitope Isaac Adebayo of Tope Adebayo LLP to represent the it in attending meetings, negotiating the settlement and taking other steps necessary under the international mutual legal assistance to recover monies looted by General Abacha, his family and associate. The lawyers were to ensure the repatriation of the approximately $300million hitherto held by the Canton of Geneva in Switzerland.

In a letter addressed to Mr. Michael Lauber, Attorney-General of Switzerland Messrs. Okpeseyi and Adebayo said all the payments directed in the former Attorney-Generals letter were made by the Swiss authority on or about 23 December, 2014, leaving the funds meant for Federal Government unpaid. In the letter, dated 4 February 2016, the lawyers said they understood that the Luxembourg fund, previously held by the Canton of Geneva, had come under the control of Swiss Federal Authorities in Berne and that same has been transferred to a designated account under Mr. Laubers control.

The lawyers also stated that Nigeria is willing to provide a comprehensive plan of how the fund will be utilized.

Having learnt a great deal from the experience of Nigerias recent history in recovering looted funds through the assistance and co-operation of foreign countries, we note that you may want to have a statement of use to which the funds will be deployed upon release of same to Nigeria. Consequently, we have advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately come up with a full plan for the utilization of the monies and a proposed supervision mechanism, said the lawyers.
It was a family reunion for Star Wars star, John Boyega at the UK Premiere of the movie recently in London.

The 25-year-old who played favourite Finn in the film, invited his sisters Blessing and Grace, father Samon, mother Abigail, and his two nephews JJ and Ezra.

This premiere was relatively stress-free for John Boyega, who nearly missed the LA premiere when bad weather in Atlanta forced his flight to be grounded.

Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyongo and Mark Hamill also made an appearance.

Boyega began acting at Theatre Peckham, a local performing arts centre in London for talented children aged 9 to 14. He spent almost every day after school at the theatre, as well as weekends.

At 16, he moved to South Thames College to study performing arts and joined the Identity School of Acting in Hackney. He enrolled at Greenwich University but as his career took off, he left to concentrate on acting.

Source: Punch
The Nigerian senate has accused a Nigerian agency of spending as much as N368 million without proper appropriation.

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, NNRA, has been given until Friday to account for N368 million (N367,811,850) it generated internally and spent in 2017.

The government agency generated N490 million up till November 2017 and allegedly spent 75 per cent of the fund  N367,811,850  without appropriation by the National Assembly.

The agency failed to provide details of how the fund was expended.

These revelations were made on Wednesday when the management of the agency appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

The Chairman of the committee, Tayo Alasoadura, demanded that the agency explain why money initially paid into the Treasury Single Account, TSA, was withdrawn without National Assembly approval.

In preparing this (2017 budget performance), there is no key to show why 25 per cent is remitted and you did not show the balance. What did you do with the balance because it is not captured in the budget?

I know what the law says but in preparing your budget, you should be explicit about why you remitted only 25 per cent of your IGR. Where is the balance of N367, 811, 850.

In response, Director-General of NNRA, Dim Lawrence, said the fund was spent on recurrent expenditure of the agency.

What we did with the balance is that we improvised. The law provides that we spend this balance in our day to day operation. That is what is used for running the office.

The senators were however infuriated by the DGs explanation.

A member of the committee, Andrew Uchendu, said the agency has been in the habit for years.

If the amount being referred to was not captured in your budget performance for 2017, then how do we proceed with the project defence for 2018? If that huge sum was not accounted for, then we have not started budget defence.

Why did you not do that before coming today? Because you are coming to budget defence and that amount of money was generated and utilised and you didnt think it was necessary to account for it? You wanted the senate to raise the issue before you take action? Mr. Chairman, I have had so many experience with them over the years. It is not acceptable at all.

The vice chairman of the committee, Gershom Bassey, insisted that the agency explains how the money was withdrawn from the TSA and spent.

Any amount internally generated must have the approval of the National Assembly before you go ahead to spend. So what you have done without our approval is an infraction to the existing law. So you would have to provide this committee with what you have spent.

This money that you have spent, were they paid into the TSA? So the N490 million was paid into the TSA. Let us have the evidence that it was done. It appears there are a number of omissions in this account. How do you explain this N367 million?

In his submission, another member of the committee, Baba Kaka, berated the agency for presenting a poor budget performance.

Your budget is supposed to be all encompassing. You cannot come and be telling us here cock and bull stories like we dont know what we are doing, he said.

The committee requested the NNRA to provide details of how the N367.8 million was spent on or before December 15 before considering the 2018 appropriation.

I think our resolution is you provide us how you expended this N367 million for refractive approval because what you have done is against the law, Mr. Alasoadura said.

You cannot spend a dime without the approval of the NASS. You must also project what you will expend this year and also how you are going to spend it and present it to this committee.

For us to review and appropriate and it would go to plenary, the one for 2018 must be done properly for transparency. We frown at this. Prepare 2018 budget with comparative analysis.
A beautiful female netizen identified as Asikiya George apparently proposed marriage to a young lawyer, Timilehin who just graduated from the Nigerian Law School.

After being called to bar, an anxious lady decided to ask a random Twitter user, Timilehin his groom price as she wants his hands in marriage.

This flirty move lighted up Twitter as its an anomaly for a lady to pay the groom price of a man in the African setting. It is always the other way round as its tagged brideprice.

It is not clear if Timilehin accepted her romantic offer.

See the tweets below:
Leadership

The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has put a lie to a speculation that he may be picked by President Muhammadu Buhari as his running mate in 2019, describing the report as a classic case of utterly and irredeemably-fake news.

The Sun

Chudi Offodile, a former House of Representatives member played a key role in the November 18, Anambra governorship election. In this interview he shared his views on a number of issues including the governorship poll, South East politics and chances of APC in the next election.

Vanguard

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to forthwith, issue Certificate of Return to Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the validly elected representative for Anambra Central Senatorial District.

Punch

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, Abuja, has ordered that 86 luxury vehicles, together with four houses and a quarry plant in Abuja, belonging to a civil servant, Mr. Ibrahim Tumsah, be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

Thisday

Justice Ibrahim Auta, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, has said the judiciary, especially the judges have become victims of corruption in the country.

Daily Times

NLC chastises Ayade over early payment of Dec. salary in CRiver

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Cross River State Council has chastised Governor Ben Ayade for paying December Salary on November 30, describing it as deliberate attempt to impoverish workers in the state.

Guardian

The Producers Forum of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(PENGASSAN) has said it is working in partnership with the Federal Government to urgently address fuel scarcity in some parts of the country.

Daily Trust

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, Wednesday played host to governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, barely three days after the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tribune

No fewer than 20 vehicles and four commercial motorcycles were on Wednesday afternoon burnt when a tanker laden with petrol fell and spilled its content on the Festac Link Bridge in Awuwo Odofin (LGA) of Lagos State.

The Nation

A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has described the partys newly-elected National Working Committee (NWC) as one of the best set of national leaders the party has ever produced.
Daddy Freezes Free the sheeple movement seems to be paying off, as one Pastor, Ufuoma Benard has publicly repented of collecting tithe.

The Warri based Pastor who shared the result of his one month search for the foundation of tithing in the Bible, wrote;

After one month of poring through the Bible and critically examining both sides of the arguments for and against TITHING I publicly repent for receiving tithes. I am convinced Daddy Freeze is right. No more tithing in my ministry.

I am a pastor but I dont know everything. I am a work in progress. I learn everyday and from everyone. I am open to new things. I am not stuck in dogma and tradition. I am a liberal person. I hate fanaticism. I am not interested in making money through church business or attracting large crowd or having branches of my church in every street and road. I am only interested in sharing the truth as I know it. The truth I am sure will set the people free from dogma, superstition, manipulation, ignorance and poverty.
A Nigerian Big Boy who calls himself Owoboy has showed off pictures of himself sleeping in bundles of Naira notes on his Social Media, and has said hes in search of a lady whod be his baby mama.

Below is what he shared on Facebook;

Source: Naijaloaded
Late Nollywood actress, Moji Olaiya who began her acting career with Wale Adenugas production, Super Story and starred in several Nollywood movies of Yoruba and English genres has topped the search space on Google.

Today, Google announced the results of its 2017 Year in Search, offering a unique perspective on the years major moments and top trends based on searches conducted in Nigeria.

In addition to showcasing what people, places, and things were trending around the globe this year, the 2017 Year in Search list also offers insights into what the top trending news moment for Nigerians was in the last 12 months, as well as the new music and movies that got their attention.

The most searched person on Googles year-end list was Moji Olaiya, the sad news of her death two months after giving birth shook the Nigerian social media space.

Coming in second place was notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike  popularly known as Evans. Adesua Etomi was third on the list, likely because of the announcement of her engagement to Banky Wellington.

Its no secret that people turn to Google for answers to questions they are embarrassed to ask their friends. This years top What is queries included President Buharis state of health, JAMB and WAEC results, what a female Hyena is called, what Monkeypox is and Bitcoin.

This years most searched events and stories of interest by Nigerians include symptoms of Monkeypox, political news in other African countries, the IPhone 8 release and celebrity weddings.

Heres the full list  Year in Search 2017:

Nigerias Most Searched People

Moji Olaiya

Evans the kidnapper

Adesua Etomi

Donald Trump

Mr. Eazi

Efe

Jide Tinubu

Olumide Bakare

Dammy Krane

Eric Arubayi

Nigerias Most Searched Stories and Events

ASUU Strike

Moji Olaiya dead

Monkeypox outbreak

IPhone 8 / IPhone X Launch

New president in Gambia

Adesua and Banky Wedding

Anambra Elections

Mayweather vs Mcgregor fight

Zimbabwe Coup

Catalonia Referendum

Nigerias Most Asked Questions: Ok Google? WhoHowWhat

Is Buhari dead?

How to check JAMB results

How to check WAEC results

What is a female Hyena called?

What is Monkeypox?

What is bitcoin?

What is MMM?

Who is Bobrisky?

How to check BVN

Where is Nnamdi Kanu now?

Nigerias Most Searched-for Songs

Olamide  Wo

Davido  Fia

Davido- Fall

Patapaa Ft. Ras Cann  One Corner

Davido  If

Runtown  Mad over you

Kiss Daniel  Yeba

Tekno  Go

Mayorkun  Mama

Tekno Ft. Wizkid  Mama

Nigerias Most Searched for Movies/TV Series

Fast and Furious 8

Wonder Woman

Game of Thrones season 7

Big Brother Naija 2017

Justice League

Thor Ragnarok

Jenifas Diary Season 7

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

The Wedding Party

Better call Saul

Nigerias Most Searched Sports People

Philippe Coutinho

Romelu Lukaku

Tiemoue Bakayoko

Anthony Joshua

Ousmane Dembele

Floyd Mayweather

Nemanja Matic

Cheick Ismael Tiote

Ivan Perisic

Kylian Sanmi Mbappe

Nigerias Most Searched Near Me quieres

Restaurants near me

Nail Salon near me

Clubs near me

Food near me

Movies near me

Jobs near me

To see more information about Googles Year in Search across the globe and to watch our annual video, visit http://www.google.co.ng/2017

This information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what Nigerians have been searching for and asking Google this year. Google processes more than 40, 000 search queries every second.

This translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide.
A plane has crashed to the ground just some moments after it took off from an airport, a development which has sparked swift rescue operations.

A plane has been destroyed after it smashed into the ground just moments after it took off from a Canadian airport, Daily Star UK reports.

The aircraft was reportedly carrying 25 people when it took off from Fond-du-Lac airport in Saskatchewan.

Emergency services raced to the crash site along with search-and-rescue teams in a desperate bid to locate survivors.

Several people suffered injuries, but there were no reports of fatalities.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesman Paul Dederich said: The rescue effort is the priority right now.

Officers found the aircraft less than one mile away from the airstrip.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will investigate the crash.

The crash is believed to have happened shortly after 8pm, local time.
Three Fulani herdsmen have been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for attempted murder and unlawful possession of an AK-49 rifle.

The suspects names were identified as Mohammed Bello (40), Muhammed Momoh (30) and Yisau Umoru (18).

It was gathered that they were arrested following information received by the police that one Ige Orisade was attacked and injured by the herdsmen.

The victim was reportedly attacked on his farm at Oke-Odo, Oja-Odan, when he confronted the suspects to know the reason they allowed their cattle to graze on his farm, destroying his farm crops in the process.

The state Police Public Relations, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said an argument ensued between the farmer and the herdsmen, adding that the herdsmen subsequently attacked him with machetes and escaped.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said, On the strength of this information, the Area Commander, Ilaro, Titus Musa, dispatched a team of policemen to the scene and the bush was thoroughly combed in conjunction with local vigilance group.

At the end of the search, the three herdsmen were arrested.

The items recovered from the suspects are one AK-49 rifle, with serial number, 513; 49 live ammunition, 26 live cartridges and two machetes.

He said efforts were on to apprehend other suspects.

The PPRO said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered immediate transfer of the suspects from the division to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Rivers State Police Command and the Department of State Services have arrested 13 women who allegedly specialised in illegal sale of naira notes.

The women were accused of selling new currencies to members of the public, who would later spray them at parties.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, told newsmen on Wednesday that a total sum of N2.9m of various denominations were recovered from the suspects.

Omoni explained that the suspects, who were arrested on Tuesday at Garrison, Rumuola and Rumuokwurusi areas, were currently being interrogated by the DSS.

He stated that Section 21, Sub-section 1 of the Nigerian Constitution had made the sale of naira notes, coins and any other legal tender an offence.

The state police spokesman pointed out that that the sting operation by the police and the DSS was carried out in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Omoni said, On Tuesday December 12, 2017, men of the command and the Department of the State Services, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, clamped down on illegal naira vendors.

In all, a total sum of N2.9m was recovered from the suspects. Investigation is on to ascertain the sources of the new naira notes.

The operation shall be a continuous exercise by the relevant security agencies with a view to clamping down on persons illegally dealing in Nigerias legal tender.

Omoni also cautioned against the act of soiling the naira notes, spraying them at parties and writing on them, adding that security agencies would not spare any person caught in such acts.

The naira note is one of our symbols of national identity and should be respected; or else, the long arm of the law will catch up with offenders, he said.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
April Joju Muse took to her Facebook profile on Tuesday, December 12, to share the video she made while the police officer was trying to make his way into her car.April Joju Muse took to her Facebook profile on Tuesday, December 12, to share the video she made while the police officer was trying to make his way into her car.

Looking at the video, Muse could be heard screaming at the officer claiming that he scratched her car. The Police officer then decided to attack her with pepper spray to shut her up. He put his hand into her car and she tried to wind up her glass to stop him. He then angrily broke it and went to to spray her face as she warned that his actions were being recorded.

She was heard saying:

You scratched me. You want to prove that you are a policeman, I am recording you, continue. Muse posted the video with the caption: My dear friends if I die, please look for me at Ajiwe police station. I was brutalized on my way to work. Ive posted a video.

According to Nigerian rapper, Ruggedybaba, the police officer involved has been arrested. He disclosed this in a post on Instagram.

Read below;

At the sit down with the police and concerned youths this morning, I got loads of tags on the Video of an officer assaulting actress April Muse. I immediately told and showed @opetodolapo who was seated beside me and she swung into action. When it was my turn to speak, it was one of the things i spoke about and @aleeygiwa and oga Moshood were shocked and all got on their phones to see the video. Just an hour after, the Lagos Force PRO of @policenglagos @chikeotigodwin just announced that the officer from Ajiwe police station that assaulted actress April Muse has been arrested.

The Lagos state Police Force released a statement saying the officer has since been dismissed, and April has now confirmed that he also paid for the glass he broke.

In a post on her facebook page, she wrote;

Two reasons Im grateful. The gas could av bn a gun, the man could av bn lynched. Either way, a life could av bn lost. And the situation was savaged before it could be taken advantage of..

But then i ask, if i wasnt able to get a video clip, would it still have been in my favour going by the way the mopol tried to turn the table around? So many have fallen victim and have been wasted, forgotten.

Honestly, you my Friends made it happen. We won today, as a team, we exposed the bad eggs soiling the effort of the few good guys in the Nigerian police force that mean well. In good there is bad ,and in bad there is good, but we can make the police force av a greater number of good guys. We won today through individual and collective efforts, we will keep winning. My eyes??? I hope she gets better.

To those asking, I wasnt compensated to drop case. (The Mopol paid 10k naira for the glass as I had my hustle to attend to, and thats all) I didnt meet with the Commissioner of Police as widely speculated. Im grateful guys. #ReformNigerianPolice #EndPoliceBrutality#Ourlivesmatter

source: Facebook
An aide to the Akwa Ibom governor has accused Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari of abandoning the people to economic hardship and fuel crisis, while giving more care to his cows.

Filling stations across Akwa Ibom, for instance, now sell fuel at N170 against the government approved price of N145.

Governor Udom Emmanuels media aide, Essien Ndueso, on Thursday posted on Facebook, photos of Mr. Buharis recent visit to his ranch in Daura. He said of the photos, Today, we are in an administration that cows fare better than human beings.

Apparently mocking the president, Mr. Ndueso said, If the cost of grass were to increase, or if anyone were to temper with the comfort of these cows, I am sure Baba would come back and take urgent actions.

Today fuel is N180 and those who earn their wages monthly from worshipping Baba on Facebook are also suffering the same fate, he said.

The governors aide, who also criticised the human rights community in the state for not speaking up against the increase in fuel price, dared a well-known Buhari supporter in the state, Imaobong Akpan, to lead a campaign against the increase.

But Ms. Akpan reacted by asking Governor Emmanuel to call his aide to order.

This is a president that has been the most magnanimous to the welfare of Nigerians, and specifically the governors through the regular and timely release of budget support funds, Paris club refunds, and other social intervention funds meant to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, of which Gov Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Essiens boss is a major beneficiary, she tol, Thursday.

It is on record that Mr. President has been very kind to the people of Akwa Ibom State through the various appointments and other strategic partnerships meant to grow the economy of Akwa Ibom.

The fuel crisis in the country is traceable to deliberate sabotage which I believe the government is addressing and therefore should not be politicised, she said.
Erstwhile Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri, has blasted the heck out of social justice crusader, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, for calling Nigerian pastors conmen.

Charly Boy had in a viral video called out Nigerian pastors for owning a fleet of private jets at a time the country does not have a national airline.

The self-styled Area Fada went on to call the pastors conmen.

He wrote:

What a shame, Nigeria dont even have a national air carrier yet there are over 100 private jets owned by con men/pastors called men of God and thieves called Leaders/politicians. May the revolution consume the bastards.

In his reaction, Mr. Omokri, who is also a pastor, tackled Charly Boy, describing his unwarranted attack on pastors as opportunistic.

While absolving the pastors of blame for the countrys inability to successful own and run an airline, the former presidential aid advised Charly Boy to direct his anger at his state governor, Rochas Okorocha, who is busy using the states resources to erect statues in honour of foreign leaders.

See his response below
An electronic dealer,identified as Eche Israel at the Alaba International Market, Ojo, have been arrested, after he was allegedly shot by some operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the Mile 2 area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the 30-year-old trader had finished from work around 6pm on Friday and was heading home on a motorcycle when he was stopped by the officers.

During an exchange that allegedly ensued, the victim was said to have queried the officers for stopping him and asked the motorcycle rider to move on.

He was subsequently shot in the waist.

The officers were alleged to have shot continuously into the air to scare away residents, who had thronged the scene.

He was allegedly put in the boot of the car the SARS men brought and driven away.

A cousin of the victim, Mary Israel, said a family friend, who witnessed the shooting, called the attention of the family to the incident.

She said they had been to different police stations in the state, including the SARS office at Ikeja, adding that Eches whereabouts had remained unknown.

She said, He deals in electronics in Alaba market. He had finished the days work and was going to his house at Ajegunle around 6pm on Friday when the officers asked him to stop. They parked a red vehicle beside the road.

They found a Samsung phone on him and some money. The man questioning him was not in uniform, so he argued with him and asked why he was being questioned. The policeman held him by the trousers when he asked his motorcycle rider to move on.

They shot him in the waist. The motorcycle rider fled. He was thrown into the boot of the vehicle and the policemen drove off.

They didnt find anything incriminating on him. He is not a robber or a thief. He has his business and a family. He is a responsible man.

Another family member, Blessing Israel, said the policemen were identified with their police-crested AK-47 guns, adding that one of the men also flashed his ID card at residents when they tried to mob them.

We have been to SARS Ikeja, Mile 2 Police Station and the Federal SARS at Alagbon. We just returned from the Adeniji Adele Police Station. They all said there was no suspect named Eche Israel with waist injury in their cells. Where else can we go? There has been no word about him since last Friday, she added.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
A woman who went to the hospital with very itchy eyes, has shocked doctors after they found something truly horrifying inside them.

A woman who went to hospital to check her eyes, was horrified when doctors revealed the reason why her eyes were irritated.

According to Daily Star UK, the woman, who has been named only as Xu, went for a check-up after noticing a persistent itch across her lash-line.

Horrifyingly, parasites were found living on her skin as a result of her not changing her pillow case for five years.

Initially, a pharmacist had recommended that Xu takes eyedrops to cure the illness.

But weeks later, her condition worsened to the point that her lids began sticking together.

The patient was eventually persuaded to visit her local hospital in the central Chinese province of Hubei.

The doctors carrying out the examination found 100 eyelash mites living in her lashes.

They informed her that a colony 10 eyelash mites could live in one single follicle. She was then diagnosed with blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

Xus symptoms reportedly cleared up after she received treatment.

Sleeping with dirty pillow cases can have other negative impacts on your health.

Some of the most common ailments are allergic reactions or skin irritation.

Those who experience acne or blackheads on a regular basis are advised to be extra vigilant with washing their bedding.

Many of us put our pillow cases in the laundry ever week, but one cleaning guru recommends that you do this chore even more regularly.

Expert Shannon Lush recently told news.com.au: Human skin is protein, and lots of nasties live in protein.

If youre showering once a day, you can wash your sheets weekly.

However, pillowcases should be changed every second day without fail.

Its against your face, and your hair holds more dirt than anywhere else on the body. Its like a mop.
A suicide bomber from Somalias Shabaab insurgents killed 18 police officers and wounded 15 others on Thursday when he blew himself up inside the countrys main police academy, the forces chief said.

Witnesses said the police were gathered in a square ahead of their early morning parade when the bomber attacked in the capital Mogadishu.

The assault is the latest in a decade-old battle by the jihadists to overthrow Somalias internationally-backed government.

Eighteen members from the police were killed, and 15 others were wounded, after a suicide bomber blew himself inside the academy, acting police chief General Muktar Hussein Afrah told reporters.

The attacker disguised himself in a police uniform to access the camp, Afrah said.

Some of the police were already in lines, and others were gathering, when the man in police uniform entered and blew himself up, said bystander Hussein Ali, describing the carnage.

Medics and ambulance teams rushed to take the wounded to hospital and collect the corpses.

Officers said the toll could have been far worse had the attacker detonated his bomb in the centre of the crowd.

The bomber could have inflicted more casualties if he could have managed to reach the midpoint where most people were, police officer Ibrahim Mohamed said.

Later Thursday, police attended the funerals of some of their colleagues killed in the attack.

The Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabaab claimed responsibility and put the toll at 27 dead.

It was martyrdom operation, in which the mujahedeen targeted the police academy camp, a statement posted on a pro-Shabaab website read.

The Shabaab lost its foothold in Mogadishu in 2011 but has continued its fight, launching regular attacks on military, government and civilian targets in the capital and elsewhere.

A UN report last month warned that an Islamic State faction in the north of the country had grown significantly over the past year, carrying out attacks in the Puntland region and receiving some funding from Syria and Iraq.

Source : (AFP)
Two Nigerian teachers have been shortlisted for the prestigious Global Teacher Prize, funded by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  the Vice President of the United Arabs Emirate, Prime Minister and Emir of Dubai all rolled into one.

The two teachers are Messrs Ayodele Odeogbola and Itodo Anthony, who teach in Abeokuta, Ogun State; and Otukpa, Benue State, respectively.

Al Maktoum funds the award through the Varkey Foundation, his not-for-profit organisation established to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children throughout the world.

Our mission is that every child should have a good teacher, the Foundation says on its website.

The Global Teacher Prize is a $1m award presented annually to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession. Citizens of any country are free to apply.

The first award was presented in 2015, and 2017 marks the first time that any Nigerian teacher would feature on the finalists list.

According to the sponsors of the award, the prize serves to underline the importance of educators and the fact that, throughout the world, their efforts deserve to be recognised and celebrated.

Ayodele Odeogbola teaches STEM Education and Global Studies to 11-15-year-olds in Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State.

According to his bio on the GTP website, Odeogbola is passionate about developing his learners to be future leaders and become stakeholders in their world, using collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication, combined with innovation and new technology to transform learning.

In class, he has chosen gifted students as leaders to head groups and review every learning activity  many of these have gone on to become leaders in higher education.

Rather than teach the same thing in the same way to all, Ayodele seeks to match the different needs, potentials and learning paths of each child, his biography reads.

The second nominee, Itodo Anthony, teaches at the Gateway Excel College, Otukpa, Benue State.

At the beginning of his career in a small rural school , not many people understood why Anthony would get a masters degree from a UK university and end up teaching in a village for peanuts.

But this was part of his mission  to elevate the teaching profession to a place of pride, to say with his own life that the profession is a noble one whose value is not tied to how much we earn, his biography says.

When Anthony teaches in class, he tries to introduce positive values from other parts of the world to broaden pupils view of life, educating them about the virtues of justice, institutional soundness, community service, and value creation

In line with tradition, the Top 10 finalists will be announced in February 2018, while the winner will receive his/her prize in March.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday met some governors of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), the meeting was held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting preceded a larger meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum scheduled for the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The governors will still meet with Osinbajo on Thursday on the auspices of the National Economic Council.

As of the time of filing this report, the meetings agenda had not been made public.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Jeremy D. Morley concentrates on International Family Law. The firm works with clients around the world from its New York office, with a global network of local counsel. Mr Morley is the author of "International Family Law Practice", the leading treatise on international family law in the U.S., and "The Hague Abduction Convention", published by the American Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a former law professor.
In its decision of November 15 2017 in the legal cases Geissel and Butin (C-374/16 and C-375/16), the ECJ held that the address, where the issuer of an invoice carries out its economic activity, does not have to be specified in the invoice for the purpose of input VAT deduction.

In the ECJs view, it is sufficient that the postal address used in the invoices is an address at which the supplier is contactable. This is a clear rejection by the ECJ of the rather narrow German point of view. The decision is also important as regards the recipients address.

On April 6 2016, the two VAT Senates of the Federal Fiscal Court referred two cases to the ECJ for a preliminary ruling (V R 25/15 and XI R 20/14). Both Senates wanted to know whether the necessary postal information, which must be stated on an invoice, i.e. the full address (in accordance with section 14, paragraph 4, No. 1 of the German VAT Act and Article 226 No. 5 of the VAT Directive) requires the invoice address to correspond with the address where the issuer of the invoice carries out its economic activity. While the Fifth Senate considered the address of an economic activity to be necessary, the Eleventh Senate considered a postal address to be sufficient.

Facts

The plaintiffs in both proceedings operate in the automobile trade industry.

Both claimed input VAT deductions from incoming invoices in which the suppliers merely stated their respective postal addresses. The tax office denied input VAT deduction on the grounds that the necessary information, i.e. the full address, was missing from the invoices. The address, where the issuer of an invoice carries out its economic activity was considered by the tax office to be decisive.

The two competent tax courts held different views. Thus, the Federal Fiscal Court referred, to the ECJ, the question as to whether an address means the address where the issuer of the invoice carries out its economic activity.

Reasons for the ECJs decision

In the ECJs view, the concept of address does not require that the issuer of the invoice carry out any economic activities there. The postal address, where the issuer of the invoice can be reached by mail, is sufficient as an indication of address.

Based on its interpretation of the wording, the ECJ clarified, that the concept of address covers any kind of address, including a postal address. It is not possible for member states to lay down more stringent requirements than those in the VAT Directive. With reference to the Senatex decision (C-518/14), the ECJ held that an invoice was merely a formal condition of the right to deduct VAT, rather than a material condition. It follows that the detailed rules regarding the indication of an address cannot be a decisive condition for the purposes of the deduction of VAT.

Taking into consideration the purpose of Article 226, No. 5 of the VAT Directive, the ECJ held that the aim of the requirement of an address for the issuer of an invoice was to identify the said issuer of that invoice. Thus enabling the tax authorities to carry out the necessary checks to determine whether the deducted VAT amount was reported in the suppliers VAT return and whether it was ultimately paid. The essential piece of information was the suppliers VAT ID number. This number is easily verifiable by the tax authorities and is obtained only in the course of a strict registration procedure. In contrast, the importance of a postal address is of secondary importance.

Consequences

The ECJ decision is practical and also convincing in terms of content. The ECJ upholds its view, which it clearly expressed in the decisions of Senatex (C-518/14) and Barlis 06 (C-516/14): Turning away from formal conditions and strengthening substantive law.

It is a widespread practice that companies use PO Box addresses, etc. as invoice addresses. Based on the ECJ decision, companies may continue this practice.

Further, the increasing importance of digitalisation is leading to the dematerialisation of a great number of business administrative activities. Determining the precise place of economic activity may no longer be terribly easy in many cases and will not be necessary for the purposes of invoicing in the future.

The ECJ decided on the suppliers address. The same reasoning will undoubtedly also apply to the address of the issuer of the invoice and the recipients address. There is no apparent reason why these addresses should be treated differently. The tax authority has previously held that purely indicating a post box address is sufficient (see section 14.5, paragraph 2, sentence 3 of the German VAT Circular). Now, national case law will have to give way to this view.

This article was written by Thomas Streit, partner and lawyer at KUFFNER MAUNZ LANGER ZUGMAIER in Germany.
As a key initiative for President Trumps administration, the proposed tax reform is generally aimed at addressing, among others, three main issues: (i) making the Internal Revenue Code simpler; (ii) lowering both individuals and businesses income tax rates; and (iii) implementing international tax rules to repatriate offshore investments.

Although generally similar to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act originally approved by the House of Representatives on November 16, the amended tax reform bill approved by the Senate somehow diverges on different important issues that are still to be discussed by Congress, but it is at least consistent in addressing these three issues that will most certainly become law at some point early next year. If passed, it will represent the most significant reform that the Internal Revenue Code would have suffered since Regans 1986 Tax Reform Act.

To name a few of the most relevant changes related to business taxes, the reform includes proposals to:

Permanently reduce the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 20%;

Impose a minimum tax on deductible payments made to foreign related entities. Originally, a 20% excise tax was proposed to be applied to payments made to foreign subsidiaries, but this is still an item open for discussion by Congress;

Implement a mandatory toll tax on previously untaxed foreign earnings. A 14.49% tax rate is proposed on previously untaxed foreign cash and cash equivalents, with a reduced 7.49% tax rate for illiquid assets, allowing for payment of the tax liability over a period of eight years;

Implement a territorial tax system by providing for a 100% dividend received deduction on certain foreign-source dividends received by US corporations;

Limit business interest deductions in certain cases;

Encourage transfers of intangible property from CFCs to US parent companies;

Allow businesses to immediately write off the costs of new equipment during the next five years, instead of depreciating the value of assets over time, ending after five years.

Out of these specific changes, the permanent reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 20% has caught most of the international forums attention since such a drastic alteration could directly and indirectly impact economies that rely upon multinationals setting up shop in their jurisdictions driven by their own version of a tax friendly environment, as well as on investments from private equity firms that will have more incentives to invest their money in the US.

In Mexico, the corporate income tax rate is currently 30%  by no means the most competitive all around  but if compared to the 35% rate applicable to American businesses, it could prove to be somehow appealing. However, once the American corporate income tax rate is effectively reduced, saving up to a third in taxes will most certainly sound like a good enough driver to force many multinationals into migrating across the border. Of course other circumstances should also be weighted-in prior to migrating companies out of Mexico into the US, the most relevant of which are, for instance, that Mexican labour costs are still significantly lower than those in the US and that the maquiladora regime requires paying marginal taxes for manufacturing operations in Mexico. Nevertheless, our view is that Mexico will have to adjust accordingly in order to avoid investment leakages.

Likewise, from a Mexican perspective, the reach of the reforms enactment in that a 20% excise tax could be applicable to payments made to foreign related parties would also spread across multinationals that currently rely upon supply chain structures designed to manufacture products in Mexico, benefiting from the maquiladora regime. The maquiladora regime has been traditionally used by multinationals seeking for cheap manufacturing costs under advantageous tax environments (i.e. permanent establishment and import VAT exemptions), which also allow them to export products back into the markets in which the goods are finally retailed.

It would also be interesting to evaluate the real impact that the reduction of the corporate income tax rate will have on investments made by US private equity firms in Mexico since many large infrastructure projects take advantage of tax incentives, such as the accelerated depreciation of fixed assets, which might have more weight in the returns of the investors. Projects with no tax incentives in Mexico would definitely have a hard time competing against US projects for capital.

The corporate income tax rate reduction and the territorial tax system implementation would imply that the US tax regime would be considered as a preferential tax regime or tax haven (REFIPRE), with all of the underlying tax implications that this entails.

Although a thorough analysis should be made once the definitive reform bill is passed, both the Mexican governmental authorities and the private sector should evaluate how these reforms could impact Mexican investments and should therefore assess the implementation of the appropriate measures to counter any negative outcomes.

Currently, the newly appointed Mexican Minister of Finance Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya has taken the position that it would still be premature for Mexico to react with a parallel tax reform. However, he has not rejected the possibility of enacting a tax reform prior to President Pena Nieto leaving office in order to preserve foreign investments in Mexico.

This article was written by Oscar Lopez Velarde Perez and Juan Jose Paullada Eguirao of Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C. for International Tax Review.

Oscar Lopez Velarde Perez (olopezvelarde@ritch.com.mx)

Juan Jose Paullada Eguirao (jpaullada@ritch.com.mx)

Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C.

www.ritch.com.mx
A comprehensive approach

Guaranteeing the right to abortion isnt enough. We know that economic, cultural, religious, and systemic barriers prevent many people from accessing abortion care even where its legal and available.

Our solution: We work across institutions and communities to build sustainable abortion ecosystems. In such an ecosystem, people have the information they need to make decisions about reproductive health, theres community and health-system support for human rights and abortion access, and laws and policies support full bodily autonomy.
Earlier this month the Irish Examiner launched its Christmas Charity appeal in aid of St Vincent de Paul.

We asked our readers: What is the little thing you remember most about Christmas?

It is the little things that make Christmas memories so special, and gathered together they can amount to something so much bigger.

That is why we are donating 20c to St. Vincent de Paul from every copy of the Irish Examiner sold on Saturday, December 16.

Here are some of our readers favourite little memories of Christmas. They didnt disappoint.

Dad cooking a fry on Christmas morning. Dad never cooks. Was a tradition that lasts to this day

- Shane Kenny

I was brought up with only my father and grandmother, we didnt have that massive family reunion during Christmas or an overwhelming amount of presents nor food but the love, warmth and joy us three felt was what I remember the most. Sitting underneath the Christmas tree opening presents while my father watching me with a big smile all while grandmother watching us both with a tremendous amount of love. Three generations sharing a magical evening with laughter, joy and love, just how Christmas is supposed to be!

- Senja Kaarela

It was a frosty Christmas morning in 1955, I was six years old. I had been a good girl throughout the year, so was totally devastated, when there was no present under the tree. The familiar sound of my father s bicycle bell, on his way home from the Beet Factory in Mallow broke the silence on that holy morning. The sight that greeted me, glued me to the ground. It was Santa himself presents and all. He explained to me that his sleigh had broken down and my father had loaned him his bike to finish his rounds. Pure Magic.

- Mary Crowley

Our house is a mad house - its old, loud and messy but its open, warm and cosy and its the only place I want to be this Christmas. My best memories are a blazing fire in the fireplace, a turkey roasting in the oven, candles lighting on the table and the sounds of us all pulling crackers!

- Emer Breen

We had good Christmases but without much money at all. One Christmas our Surprise was a hot water bottle each. I was very disappointed and tossed it aside and did my best to storm out of the room. When I later returned to the sitting room I could see my brother crouched down at the Christmas tree, head bent with intent. As I drew closer I saw that he had the hot water bottle close to his face as he read the rubber etched instructions to the letter. It was a lesson in gratitude that has stayed with me for life.

- Barbara Wells

My earliest Christmas memory was finding a little doll in the fireplace that Santa must have dropped on his way back up the chimney. Such excitement! Still remember it to this day.

- Catherine Barry

Making the turkey stuffing on Christmas Eve with mam and all nine of us around her and it had to be potato stuffing with onion and god knows what herbs and then having to make it again on Christmas morning cos we would have eaten the whole lot before going to bed where we got very little sleep.

- Mary Kellett

My lovely mother writing Christmas cards and me helping her with them as she got on in years. This is my first Christmas without her and her absence will be very noticeable. I also remember the smell from the kitchen as she baked the Christmas cake and her prodding it with a knitting needle to check that it was cooked. She will be sorely missed this year.

- Caitriona Lacey

Neighbours dropping into my mothers kitchen, some we rarely saw but each year without fail they donned their Sunday best and the made the effort to call in. People spilling into the front room the air full of chat and laughter. Her homemade punch was lethal, laced with smuggled poitin but smelling sweet and innocent. The warmth of the welcome stays with me even if each individual day was different somehow.

- Kerry Lawless

Mine was having my son home last Christmas from Australia I hadnt seen him in almost ten years. My daughter was only ten when he left so it was great to have the whole family home. He also was able to spend time with his granny who passed away in the following February. She thought she would never see him again

- Mary Kellett

1960s childhood treats, Christmas day for one day only!!! 1. Cornflakes instead of porridge. 2. Red lemonade instead of milk or water!! 3. Drank out of a fancy glass instead of a cup. 4. Christmas dinner in the parlour with a white tablecloth, good delph and cutlery no less. 5. All creating a memory thats hard to recapture. Tis the simple things you know!

- Bernie Kirwan

My lovely Mam (RIP) lining the Christmas cake tins with greaseproof paper in the inside and brown paper on the outside, baking the cakes and smell all around the house, just lovely. When settled and cold days later she would ice them and I would sit up on the chair and follow her with my eyes till they all looked wonderful, like snow on top and she would place the Santa figure and little Christmas tree on each one and a bright red bow around them, just magical.

- Grace Kelly

Tobins heading off to Mass on Christmas morning 1954. Newly shod pony tacked by six o clock sharp, Trap lanterns lit, to disperse the dense dark. Hats, rugs and mittens, the ice-cold to debar. Were ready, the journey is not far. Mam, Dad and children are snugly tucked in, In the darkest of dark our pilgrimage begins. Clap goes the pony, crunch the trap wheels, Flicker the dim lights as the Church now nears. Neighbourly greetings, how richly they blend, Heavens choice blessings unlimited descend. Blest is this morning, belt is this ride, Blest are we together, celebrating Christmastide.

- Mary Tobins

I remember my mum taking me and my sisters to Cashs on Patrick Street now Brown Thomas to see a Santa Movie. It was in Black and white. We then visited Santas Grotto and got a gift bag and had our photo taken. It seemed to take hours. It was very exciting. Sometimes we went to Buckleys Store also to see Santa where they had real deer.

- Bernadette Sexton

Having actual long socks hanging from the chimney which my parents would fill with loose sweets, an apple and oranges. It was such a simple time when there were no great expectations. Im 52 now so its a reflection of how simple things were as money was so much tighter. But the excitement we felt as children was as if we have gotten the moon.

- Laura OMahony

Every year before Christmas my wonderful neighbour Mrs. Murphy bought the ingredients to make THE important Christmas cake to send to her son in New York. I would help her weigh the ingredients and mix them with the strong wooden spoon. When she wasnt looking I would plunge my index finger into the earthen ware bowl and scoop out a glob of the precious mixture. What a steal! I wasnt the only one breaking the law. Mrs Murphy nervously acquired a bottle of poitin every August to preserve the cake for its crossing of the Atlantic. What a lady!

- Maria Power

Pick up tomorrows Irish Examiner where a full page is dedicated to peoples memories and dont forget, 20c from every copy of the Irish Examiner sold this Saturday, December 16, is being donated to SVP
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Brexiteers need to acknowledge that they created the difficulties surrounding the Northern Ireland border.

The Taoiseach said that he is trying to resolve the issue and ensure that Northern Ireland can retain the "peace and freedom of movement" it has had for the past 20 years.

Speaking on his arrival at the European Summit in Brussels ahead of Brexit negotiations, Mr Varadkar said: "My message to all of the people in Northern Ireland is, what we want to continue on the island of Ireland is exactly what we had for the last 20 years, which is peace and freedom of movement and free trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland and indeed between Ireland and Britain."

Back at the @EPP summit in Brussels today, good discussions on Brexit, migration and monetary union, and preparing for European Council pic.twitter.com/eh6COqPKJG  Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) December 14, 2017

He added: "What is disrupting that is Brexit and I would hope that some of the people who supported Brexit and campaigned for that would realise, or at least acknowledge, that they are the ones who created this problem and I am one of those people who is trying to resolve it, trying to retain what we have had for 20 years ... Thats what I am working towards."

Mr Varadkar said he is happy with the "maintain full alignment" agreement that was made last week.

"In this backstop scenario the UK and Northern Ireland in particular would maintain full alignment with the rules and regulations of the internal market and customs union.

"That gives us a very strong assurance that there wont be a hard border on the island of Ireland," he added.

Mr Varadkar said that while there are those who want to "spin" what was agreed for their own "political reasons", the language of the agreement is "pretty clear".

Speaking about the meaning of full alignment, he said: "Our view is [the Joint Report] is very strong language. Maintain means keep as it is of course. Full means full not partial and alignment means keep in line."

Earlier Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said that a Brexit transition period needs to be closer to five years than two.

Speaking in the Dail on Thursday Mr Coveney insisted that businesses need time to adapt to any new realities in the context of Brexit.

He also said that, in his view, the commitments that the UK Government has made to Ireland and the rest of the EU are "cast-iron".

Mr Coveney was referring to comments by UK Brexit Secretary David Davis earlier this week that the breakthrough Brexit deal was not legally binding, but rather "more a statement of intent."

The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Theresa May had a short discussion at the end of the evening. They are planning to meet in the new year to discuss Brexit and the Northern Ireland Executive, which collapsed in January.

Following Mr Varadkars comments the DUP accused him of "politicking".

The partys deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, said: "Mr Varadkar continues to make incomplete commentary around the agreement reached last week. He should stop politicking ahead of his general election and start respecting the unionists of Northern Ireland."

Mr Dodds insisted that as a result of the text of the agreement reached last week between the EU and the UK "Northern Ireland will not just leave the European Union along with the rest of the United Kingdom but it will leave the single market and the customs union along with the rest of the United Kingdom".

He added: "There will be no so-called special status forcing Northern Ireland to stay inside the EU.

"The agreement last week makes it clear that the UK remains committed to preserving the integrity of its internal market and Northern Irelands place within it, as it leaves the EUs internal market and customs union."

- Press Association
The leader of the far-right Britain First group has been charged over a speech he made in Northern Ireland.

Paul Golding, 35, was arrested by detectives in Belfast today while he was at court supporting deputy leader Jayda Fransen during her appearance on charges related to remarks she made at the same Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in the city in August.

Golding has been charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour and is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' court on January 10.

Fransen, 31, was re-arrested at the court in Belfast on Thursday.

She was detained minutes after appearing before a district judge accused of behaviour intended or likely to stir up hatred arising from her speech in the summer.

Fransen was re-arrested by detectives for questioning about a suspected offence in the city earlier this week.

She was detained after she featured in a tweet on Wednesday purporting to show her at a wall used to divide Catholic residents from Protestants to prevent violence during the Troubles.

The message said it was shot in the staunchly unionist Shankill area of west Belfast.

During the video post she criticised Islam.

She and Golding were taken from the Laganside court building to a Belfast city centre police station for interview.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland later announced that Golding had been charged.

Britain First has enjoyed added prominence after US president Donald Trump re-tweeted three unrelated anti-Muslim videos posted by Fransen.

Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

The group has since boasted it received hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Its leaders face separate legal action in England.

Prior to her re-arrest, Fransen, from Anerley in south east London, was before Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with using words which were threatening, abusive or insulting during her speech in August .

Police in court sought curbs on her ability to participate in future rallies in Northern Ireland as well as her social media use.

She took to Twitter within minutes of her release on bail and said it was a "nonsense charge".

"I criticise Islam and now they want to send me to prison for two years," she said.

The court ordered her not to go within 500 metres of any demonstration or parade in Northern Ireland as a condition of her release on bail.

The PSNI officer said she was seeking conditions on the accused's bail because of a planned rally - Free Speech For Jayda - on December 10 in Belfast, which was postponed due to snow.

She added: "We were concerned that there would be further offences."

Fransen's barrister Richard McConkey branded the curbs on her freedom of speech disproportionate and said his client was pleading not guilty.

He accused police of trying to use the court to censor a politician.

"This lady is as entitled to free expression within the law as anyone else.

"If there is an offence she will be arrested like everyone else."

District judge Fiona Bagnall said she was not stopping the accused from speaking, rather preventing her from re-offending.

The court was told most of the evidence involved video footage.

Fransen is on bail facing trial over four unrelated 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.

Her Belfast case is expected to be mentioned again in the city on January 9.
Three pro-life members of the committee on the 8th amendment say they will issue their own report on the process.

The Committee this evening began the work of finalising its report for the Oireachtas.

Senator Ronan Mullen, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick and Deputy Mattie McGrath say the process was flawed and has arrived at what they call "cruel and unjust recommendations".

"This Committee in no way subjected the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly to anything resembling critical scrutiny. The fact that it endorsed the vast majority of Citizens Assembly recommendations illustrates how little critical and independent thinking took place in the Committee.

"We will not be party to any report or recommendations that attempt to lend parliamentary legitimacy to the destruction of unborn human life and to interventions at odds with best medical practice in the protection of women and their unborn children, their life and their health.

"In the light of our decision we will issue our own joint assessment early next week," their statement said.

Here is their statement in full ...

As members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, we have attempted at all times to seek a fair and thorough analysis of issues pertaining to the Citizens Assembly report and recommendations on the Eighth Amendment.

Despite our efforts, and our reservations expressed from the outset, the Committee failed to do its job. A majority on the Committee only interested itself in the case being made against the Eighth Amendment, and felt no obligation to examine how the Eighth Amendment has protected the human life, human rights and human dignity of women and their unborn babies.

The systemic imbalance in the functioning of the Committee precluded any fair assessment of the issues. An unacceptably flawed process has led inevitably to cruel and unjust recommendations.

The votes taken by the Committee yesterday represent the natural outcome of this flawed process.

The Committee is now working with its Secretariat in the preparation of a Report. We believe yesterdays votes represented a tragic denial of the human rights of unborn children.

We think the votes reflect badly on the Committee and on those who voted to recommend stripping unborn children of legal protection.

We will not associate ourselves with any report basing itself on such an unacceptably discriminatory and exclusivist view of human rights and human dignity as these votes represent.

No process and no report has the right to recommend the denial of anybody elses human rights.

To query our position by suggesting that the Report of the Committee is merely indicative would be just a poor example of political spin.

This Committee in no way subjected the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly to anything resembling critical scrutiny. The fact that it endorsed the vast majority of Citizens Assembly recommendations illustrates how little critical and independent thinking took place in the Committee.

We will not be party to any report or recommendations that attempt to lend parliamentary legitimacy to the destruction of unborn human life and to interventions at odds with best medical practice in the protection of women and their unborn children, their life and their health.

In the light of our decision we will issue our own joint assessment early next week.

Peter Fitzpatrick TD, Mattie McGrath TD, Senator Ronan Mullen.
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
By Juno McEnroe

Leo Varadkars main task at the crucial EU summit will be to lock down the special deal on a frictionless border and ensure it is, what one official termed, David Davis proofed.

British Brexit negotiators are scrambling to claw back respect and a secure footing in talks after the UK Brexit secretary did his best to undermine last weeks hard-fought deal.

But there is no walking back, no backsliding from the Brexit phase one conclusions. That will remain Irelands position. More importantly, the big EU guns are rolling in behind Dublin.

In fact, Davis attempt to derail an agreement by suggesting the deal promising no hard border and aligned regulations North and South was just a statement of intent if anything has focused minds and instead united EU figures.

Ironically it leaves Ireland in a stronger position. It looks certain now there will be a special clause in guidelines for the next phase of talks, on a future trade deal between Britain and the bloc, that the phase I deal is binding.

It is being flagged as the David Davis amendment, a sign that Londons posturing has in fact ensured there is a much stronger guarantee for Ireland.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barmier has also pledged that he will suspend the talks on trade and transition if Britain reneges on the phase one deal.

The meeting in Brussels of EU leaders will look to agree guidelines on trade talks, with EU council president Donald Tusk warning there is a tight ten-month window to conclude all negotiations.

Businesses here and in Britain want certainty on any new tariffs or trade deals. So it is important that Dublin also has a strong say here too. But it is understood Dublin wants to tone down, so to speak, the EU summit. We totally respect where Britain is, said a government source.

It is believed the guidelines for phase two will leave an escape hatch for London, where developments or changes to red line issues can be examined by the EU taskforce. This may arise if there were political developments in Westminster, or a desire to be more aligned to the customs union. While Tory Brexiteers might scoff at such a clause, the wording of this will be discreet, sources expect.

The reality of seismic shifts by London on Brexit was brought home yesterday with the leader of the largest party in the European Parliament saying a growing number of people in Britain supported a second referendum on EU membership.

Manfred Weber told MEPs in Strasbourg: The British people realise that Brexit means losing many things, but not gaining anything.

But these are Britains losses. Irelands losses must be minimised. As European Parliament Brexit Guy Verhofstadt told MEPs: Ireland cannot become collateral damage of Brexit.

Only a genuinely bulletproof and binding deal on the North this week among EU leaders will ensure this.
As a strategic plan for Oberstown Detention Campus is launched today, progress is already underway to ensure the interests of the child are central to everything done at the facility, writes Ursula Kilkelly.

Unlike many other countries, where punitive policies waxed and waned, Ireland has in recent years witnessed steady but significant progress towards a modern youth justice system based on principles of welfare and diversion.

Also rare by international standards, this has been enabled by clear law and policy, not under a justice minister, but under a dedicated minister for children and youth affairs.

In Ireland in 2017, most young people who come into conflict with the law are first admitted to the Garda Diversion Programme.

Only those whose offending is serious or persistent appear before the criminal courts.

In line with best practice, the courts prefer sanctions that keep young people in their families and in their communities to the ultimate sanction of detention.

As a result, the numbers being sent to detention have continued to fall in recent years.

Few would question the principle set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that depriving children of their liberty should be a measure of last resort, used only when no other measure is appropriate.

The convention also requires that in the exceptional circumstances where children are detained, they must be held not in adult prison, but in facilities that are appropriate to their needs.

This combination of factors means that those young people who end up in detention are not only the most serious of young offenders, they are frequently children with complex and acute needs.

In Ireland, these young people are detained in Oberstown Children Detention Campus, the national facility that provides care and education for children referred there by the courts.

A process to develop the campus has been underway in recent years with newly built residential, school and health facilities, and in June 2016 the new campus came into existence, with the appointment of a new board of management.

Today, building on these reforms, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, will launch Oberstowns strategic plan for the future. This plan seeks to give meaning to the international childrens rights standards in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Ireland is a party.

Informed by the principles of the best interests of the child and the right of the child to be heard, and building on a period of consultation with staff and stakeholders, the plan commits the campus to a series of actions that aim to provide young people in detention with care and education that meets the highest international standards.

Our research shows many of the young people who spend time in Oberstown have survived extraordinary adversity in their personal and family lives.

They have frequently had poor school experiences, suffered from mental health and addiction and display the kind of challenging behaviour that frustrates many state interventions and supports.

Their time in Oberstown, while a punitive sanction to deprive them of their liberty, can nonetheless provide these young people with a unique opportunity to face up to the harm caused by their offending and to equip them with the life skills to cope better as they move into adulthood.

As the strategic plan is launched by the minister, progress is already underway to ensure that the interests of young people are central to everything we do in Oberstown.

This is reflected in our integrated approach to placement planning, which looks to ensure that young people receive the supports they need to enjoy their rights to education, healthcare and positive family relationships.

Oberstown is also committed to ensuring, in line with a childrens rights approach and with national policy, that young people can participate in decisions made about them at all levels.

Earlier this year we adopted a strategy for the participation of young people in decision-making, which identifies the measures necessary to promote the role of young people in decisions made that affect them at individual, unit, and campus levels.

A representative campus council and a young persons advisory group have been set up to help ensure that the views of young people are taken into account on day-to-day concerns.

In order to promote better understanding of the circumstances experienced by young people detained in Oberstown, we have begun to collate and publish research and data on young people.

This research is shared with stakeholders at our regular briefings on developments on campus.

This reflects our understanding that, while Oberstown alone is legally responsible for the care of young people, the support and collaboration of a range of stakeholders is essential if we are to successfully deliver on our commitments to young people.

The circumstances of young people detained in Oberstown will always make it challenging to provide them with care and education in a safe and secure environment.

The clear direction set out by our new strategy, however, means that the achievement of that goal in line with childrens rights standards, is now much closer.

Professor Ursula Kilkelly is head of School of Law, UCC and chairperson of the board of management, Oberstown Children Detention Campus.
British Prime Minister Theresa May will travel to a critical European Union summit with her authority diminished after Tory rebels inflicted a humiliating House of Commons defeat on the British Government in a major Brexit vote.

MPs proclaimed Parliament had "taken back control" of the Brexit process after they defeated the Government to ensure a "meaningful vote" on the withdrawal deal.

Theresa May will hope it does not damage the confidence of EU leaders in her authority to conduct Brexit negotiations as they prepare to rubber-stamp a move forward to trade talks.

In a night of high drama, rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve told the Government it was "too late" as ministers made last-minute concessions in an attempt to head off the revolt.

He saw his amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill squeezed through the Commons on a majority of four amid tense scenes.

It means MPs and peers will be given more control over the Governments implementation of the withdrawal agreement, as ministers will have to pass a statute, which can be amended, before it takes effect.

Ms May who attempted to reassert authority by sacking Tory vice chair and Brexit rebel Stephen Hammond, could face questions about the votes implications at a dinner with the other 27 EU leaders today, who she will urge to begin trade talks as quickly as possible.

The European Commissions assessment that "sufficient progress" has been made on divorce issues to move Brexit negotiations on to their second phase gave the British prime minister a huge boost just last week.

And the EU27 are expected to green-light phase two when they meet in Ms Mays absence on the second day of their two-day summit in Brussels on Friday.

But the political capital she has built up was dealt a damaging blow by todays vote, which led to bitter recriminations in the Conservative Party, with 11 MPs joining opposition parties in backing the amendment, and a handful of others abstaining.

The European Parliaments chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt tweeted:

British Parliament takes back control. European and British Parliament together will decide on the final agreement. Interests of the citizens will prevail over narrow party politics. A good day for democracy. https://t.co/yV6e6FjWWG  Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) December 13, 2017

Backers of a "soft" Brexit, including Tory rebels Nicky Morgan and Anna Soubry, also hailed the result.

Ms Morgan tweeted:

Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process #Article7  Baroness Nicky Morgan (@NickyMorgan01) December 13, 2017

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who will be cheered by the fact that only two of his own Brexiteer MPs rebelled to back the Government, said: "This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Mr Grieve said he had no option but to push his amendment to a vote because the Bill gave "intransigent" ministers "the biggest Henry VIII power ever conferred on Government" with no justification.

The former British attorney general evoked Winston Churchill during the debate, telling the Commons: "Theres a time for everybody to stand up and be counted" and stressing he put "the country before the party".

He said his amendment would not stop Brexit but the vote provoked a furious backlash from Leavers.

Tory Nadine Dorries called for the deselection of rebel Tories for "undermining the PM", while accusing Mr Grieve of "treachery".

In dramatic scenes in the Commons, Tory rebels shouted "too late" as justice minister Dominic Raab outlined his concession and Government whips buzzed around the chamber in an attempt to win over rebel MPs.

As the division was called, would-be rebel Vicky Ford appeared to be wavering between division lobbies before being ushered towards the Government side by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Brexiteer MP James Cleverly.

Earlier, Ms Soubry revealed she had found a woman MP "upset and shaken" on Tuesday evening after a whip tried to persuade her not to revolt.

Downing Street said it would "respect the will of MPs" but a Government spokeswoman suggested it may seek to amend the Bill during later stages of its passage through Parliament.

In a further setback, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned progress at the Brussels summit may not mean an immediate start to the trade talks which Mrs May is seeking.

Mr Barnier told MEPs the European Council would initially concentrate on the terms of a transition to the post-Brexit relationship, while he would focus on turning last Fridays deal into a legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement.

Michel Barnier

A leaked draft of a text to be considered by the EU27 leaders on Friday suggests that trade talks may not start until after a subsequent summit in March, when a further set of guidelines will be produced.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the defeat would not derail the Brexit process.

"I dont think it should be a surprise that in a hung Parliament, Parliament wants to reassert its right to scrutinise the process," he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

"But we should also be clear this isnt going to slow down Brexit, its not going to stop Brexit.

"When it comes to the unity of the Conservative Party, the big picture is not actually what happened last night but what happened last week, because people said it would be absolutely impossible for Theresa May to get a deal with Brussels that united the Cabinet and the party, and actually she got a fantastic agreement which met all our red lines and allowed us to move on to the next stage of the negotiations."

Asked whether MPs could force the Government back to the negotiating table if they rejected the Brexit deal, Mr Hunt said: "Parliament can say whatever it wants but of course renegotiation is something that involves two parties."
Some Ryanair pilot employees who joined the Irish Airline Pilots Association (Ialpa) plan to strike next Wednesday, four days before Christmas.

The blame for the disruption will fall equally at Ryanairs door because of its rostering fiasco which led to cancellations this year but also at the pilots themselves, a well-paid profession.

Some pilots are seeking collective bargaining and negotiating rights. But the proposed strike is nothing but a turf war and, as in any war, the first casualty will be the truth.

Terms and conditions may not, after all, be the main issue in this dispute. Its about who runs Ryanair  the management or the unions.

The Ialpa group which is making the running has Aer Lingus pilots as the majority of its membership.

Who would stand to gain if Ryanairs costs had to increase because of union inflexibility. As we all know, Ryanair is no saint but we would be foolish to think that the pilots have any higher order agenda.

The unions have been marginalised in much of the private sector, particularly the electronics and communications firms. The public sector remains a bastion of union influence which is not always benign.

Unions want to recover the strength and membership of over a decade ago when they had the ear of the government and were de-facto members of the golden circle.

There have been some interesting cases in recent times. Some Garda unions had warned against sanctioning their members over the penalty points scandal.

Both the Garda bosses and a watchdog decided it would take too long and cost too much and be too difficult.

The Ryanair battle is between rival corporate forces. But this type of industrial actions has no place in a modern economy. There is still a role for Government  after all, most strikes hit the consumer before anyone else.
The Kilderry Bends are on a national secondary road, on the busy main artery between Tralee and Killorglin in mid Co Kerry.

The N70 route between Milltown and Killorglin is among the 50 worst roads in the country. Works are to begin shortly and to be completed in mid-2019.

Kerry County Council confirmed yesterday that Cork-based Sorenson Civil Engineering Ltd had been appointed the main contractor.

The development of the new 3.5km section of the main Milltown-Killorglin road between Knockavota to Tinnahally will provide for improved access on one of the busiest routes between the north and south of the county and will eliminate a series of dangerous bends at Kilderry, a council spokesman said.

Mayor of Kerry, councillor John Sheahan said the Tralee-Killorglin route was one of the most important arteries in the county with 6,500 vehicles using it daily.

Planning approval for the Kilderry scheme was granted three years ago and the land acquisition process is nearing completion.

However, north Kerry was being left behind in road improvement works while persistent problems on the network in south Kerry needs to be tackled, the monthly county council meeting heard.

Council chief executive Moira Murrell and its roads director Charlie OSullivan had met senior officials from Transport Infrastructure Ireland recently over critical infrastructure in the county, including the N22 Farranfore to Killarney Road scheme which had been shelved since the downturn.

Vulnerable sections on the Ring of Kerry National Secondary Route at Molls Gap and mountain stage had also been raised, and approval obtained to proceed with solutions to junctions such as that of Killarneys Lewis Road on the N22 bypass.

However, Listowel-based councillor Jimmy Moloney said in a report issued several south Kerry roads were mentioned but not one route from north Kerry was detailed including its main artery, N69.
Tourism Irelands end of year review revealed that after some lean years during the downturn, Irelands tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength.

The last year was the strongest on record in terms of visitors numbers and revenue, with 10.6m tourists bringing in almost 5.8bn in revenue.

Growth was recorded in all the main markets around the world, with the exception of the UK  with record numbers arriving from north America, mainland Europe, Australia and developing markets.

Tourism Ireland is now the fourth most popular tourism board in the world on Facebook (almost 4.1m fans), number four on Twitter (457,000 followers) and number three on YouTube (40.8m views).

By year-end, Tourism Irelands international website, www.ireland.com, will have attracted around 19.3m visitors.

Access to Ireland for tourists also improved dramatically over the year, with the introduction of new routes introduced by a range of carriers.

These included a Qatar Airways service between Doha and Dublin; an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin from Miami, as well as expanded services on Aer Lingus flights from Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando.

There were more than 550,000 direct, one-way airline seats to the island of Ireland available during summer 2017  a record and a 4% increase in capacity over summer 2016.

Next year will also see a host of new routes come on stream. These include a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Dublin  Irelands first ever direct flight from the Asia-Pacific region; new Aer Lingus flights from Seattle and Philadelphia; Air Canada services between Toronto and Shannon and between Montreal and Dublin and increased Ryanair services from Germany.

Irish Ferries will introduce its new ferry, the WB Yeats, in July which will mean double the number of sailings between France and Ireland, with daily departures in alternate directions.

CEO of Tourism Ireland Niall Gibbons said once again Irelands unique offerings continue to draw in record numbers of visitors from all over the world.

Throughout 2017, Tourism Ireland undertook a packed programme of promotions, to bring Ireland to the attention of travellers everywhere. A major focus of our activity was Irelands Ancient East, Dublin, the Wild Atlantic Way and Northern Ireland; other important themes have included screen tourism and, in particular, Game of Thrones, he said.

Mr Gibbons said the target for 2018 was to develop overseas tourism revenue by 5% to 6bn for the economies north and south.

We are heading into 2018 in a position of some strength, based on the success of 2017.

Over the coming weeks and months, Tourism Ireland will once again leverage the huge global popularity of Star Wars for Irish tourism.

We will launch the first phase of our new Star Wars campaign next week, targeting fans of the science fiction franchise everywhere.

In 2018, Tourism Ireland will create stand out for the island of Ireland around the world, highlighting iconic experiences like the Wild Atlantic Way, Irelands Ancient East, Titanic Belfast and the Causeway Coastal Route.

We will also promote Dublin and Belfast, in particular for shoulder and off-peak travel, he said.
Leo Varadkar will meet his counterparts in Brussels today at a summit where EU banking, migration concerns, security matters and Brexit among issues will be discussed over two days.

But Irelands concerns and recently secured backstop on preventing a border will be front and centre of the summit, where leaders are set to agree to move onto phase two of the Brexit talks on a future trade deal between Britain and the EU as well as the transition period.

Speaking in advance of travelling to Brussels, government sources confirmed the special clause would be integrated into the guidelines for negotiations on phase two of the Brexit talks.

It will prevent London walking back on the deal agreed last week which will allow regulations North and South to be aligned even if Brexit talks collapse.

Mr Varadkar told the Dail: It is important to stress that this agreement will be held in all circumstances, unless and until all other possible options for the future relationship between the EU and the UK have been agreed.

He said Ireland would hold a specific position in the phase two talks. There will continue to be a distinct strand on Ireland in phase two of these negotiations.

His comments came as EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier pledged the phase one deal would be built into the Brexit outcome. In the European Parliament, he said: We will not accept any going back on this joint report. This progress has been agreed and will be rapidly translated into a withdrawal accord that is legally binding in all three areas and on some others that remain to be negotiated.

He said the next talks would focus on a short and defined transition period and initial parts of a future relationship with the bloc.

The support for Ireland and the phase one deal came after surprise comments from Britains Brexit secretary David Davis last week, who called it a statement of intent, remarks which have sparked a backlash and are now one of the main reasons EU members are likely to agree to strengthen the deals terms.

A US decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, security issues including the Permanent Structured Cooperation, and concerns about migration and resettlement will also be addressed by EU leaders.

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Simon Coveney has said the Department of Foreign Affairs has stopped circulating a weekly Brexit report to key Irish officials following a leak last month.

The document outlined criticisms of Britains performance in Brexit talks from interviews with ministers, politicians, civil servants and others in the EU.

Department secretary general Niall Burgess was speaking to officials about the leak, the Tanaiste added.
The departments assistant secretary Teresa Cody said some consultants had engaged in private practice at levels that significantly exceeded the levels provided for in their contracts.

This may arise in relation to the level of private activity undertaken on-site, or they engage in significant levels of off-site private practice although their contract does not provide for this, said Ms Cody.

While the HSE was responsible for ensuring consultant compliance with their contracts, hospital groups are responsible for reporting individual consultant compliance.

The committee met to discuss the oversight and monitoring of hospital consultant contracts highlighted by RTEs Primetime Investigates.

Committee chairman Michael Harty said members were very concerned by the revelations that some consultants were consistently in breach of their contracts.

Many consultants are allowed, under their contract, to do extra paid private work within public hospitals, with the breakdown mainly 80% public patient and 20% private patient.

Ms Cody said the department was working closely with the HSE to find a solution to ensure compliance is monitored more effectively and, more importantly, breaches were dealt with appropriately.

Health Minister Simon Harris has established an independent expert review group to examine the impact of separating private practice from the public hospital system, one of the key recommendations of the Slaintecare report. Ms Cody said the group would conclude its work by the end of next summer.

The national director of the HSEs acute hospitals division, Liam Woods, said the health authority fully accepted that it must have measures in place to ensure robust oversight of contract compliance.

Mr Woods said the HSE was taking a number of additional steps in conjunction with the department to strengthen existing controls in this area.

He added that activity data at hospital and national levels did not suggest private patients treated in public hospitals were seen out of sequence or ahead of a public patient with a greater clinical need.

Mr Woods said the public hospital system sought to charge and collect 620m in private income every year but this was proving difficult to achieve. The HSE will be short in its income collection by about 90m in the current year, he pointed out.

However, he insisted the HSE was neither targeting private patients nor urging hospitals to take measures to manage cost because of the income shortfall.

He pointed out that nearly 80% of hospitals private income came from patients arriving in the emergency department or maternity services, with the balance coming from inpatient elective work.

The vice-president of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr Peadar Gilligan, said the RTE investigation, in focussing on the alleged actions of a tiny number of unidentified doctors, was missing a much larger point.

We do not have sufficient medical specialists to deliver the type of care that is taken for granted by patients in most other comparable countries, he said.

The president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, Dr Tom Ryan, said most consultants worked well over their contracted hours to care for patients who relied on an under-resourced and understaffed healthcare system.
Negotiations at the council of fisheries ministers concluded in Brussels yesterday at 7.30am with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed revealing that 40,168 tonnes of whitefish quotas had been agreed, worth 152m, alongside Irelands quota for prawns which amounts to 10,729 tonnes, valued at 83m.

The minister said the whitefish quota represented an 8% increase in value from last year and a 3% increase in volume, with a 15% increase in prawns, worth over 10.6m directly to the Irish fleet. He described it as the biggest single increase in over a decade.

Mr Creed said the rebuilding of cod and haddock stock had been due to successful conservation measures carried out over recent years.

The rebuilding of many of our stocks is also demonstrated by a 34% increase in our whitefish quotas off the north-west coast and a 64% increase in the Irish Sea compared to five years ago  both areas where stocks were depleted.

In the North-West, there will be a 20% increase in monkfish, a 21% increase for horse mackerel and a 26% increase in haddock for the ports of Greencastle and Killybegs, while the 15% rise in the prawn quota, worth 10.6m, will benefit Clogherhead Co Louth, Howth Co Dublin, Union Hall Co Cork, Castletownbere Co Cork Dingle Co Kerry, and Ros a Mhil Co Galway. Castletownbere and Dingle will also benefit from the 13% rise for albacore tuna.

Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, said the industry recognised the role of the minister and his officials in working closely with us, taking on board our concerns to try and achieve the best possible outcome under the Restrictive relative Stability Policy in 2018. The estimated return for our fishing industry is close to 270m.

We welcome the increases achieved on Celtic Sea demersal stocks such as cod, haddock, whiting and nephrops as well as Celtic Sea herring that was potentially going to suffer a massive cut of 62% but under the precautionary management plan sees this cut reduced to a significant 30%, he said.

He said a number of proposed reductions, in advance of the negotiations, on some key stocks had been unjustifiable and arbitrary.

We give credit to the negotiating team after hearing this has been corrected and instead of cuts we see increases of 15% for our nephrops, cod, increases in haddock and monkfish in the North-West and in horse mackerel, blue whiting and albacore tuna are welcome.

However, all the news is not so positive, the mackerel fishery sees a cut of 20%, a huge cut is seen in our whiting of 19%, coupled with a 11% cut to our haddock ... 7% cut to our hake fishery, he said.

The Killybegs Fishermens Organisation welcomed the outcome as generally positive but CEO Sean ODonoghue said Brexit would cast a long shadow.
The group pointed out that damage payouts in Irish defamation cases were up to 10 times higher than in other jurisdictions.

These high costs threaten the existence of local and national papers, said the board of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) in New York.

The board of WAN-IFRA expresses its solidarity with Irish newspapers seeking to have Irish law brought into line with that in other developed democracies, the board said in a statement.

The newspaper body also emphasised the importance of a free press in challenging power. It reiterates the importance of a free, independent and vibrant press holding governments and the powerful to account, unhindered by repressive defamation laws, read the boards statement.

It cited a decision by the Irish Supreme Court, where an award of 1.25m was made against one newspaper and how this was criticised by the European Court of Human Rights, in that the use of juries in press cases leads to unpredictability and extraordinarily high awards.

The WAN-IFRA board also acknowledged the need for laws to protect, from unjust attack, the reputation of individuals.

However, it endorsed the regularly stated view of the European Court of Human Rights that unpredictable and excessive awards of damages and legal costs have a chilling effect on the media.

The board also said the excessive nature of awards had an effect on the right of the public to be informed about issues of significance.

WAN-IFRA represents more than 18,000 publications in 120 countries.

While it recognised that the Government had undertaken a review of Irelands defamation laws it officially called legislators to immediately implement changes so as to reduce or eliminate the threat posed to freedom of expression by our current defamation regime.

A statutory review of the Defamation Act 2009 was launched by the Department of Justice in November 2016 but has not completed.

The then Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced the start of a public consultation process. Ms Fitzgerald said the review would focus on how to further develop redress that is accessible, affordable and effective for all concerned.

She said: While this review is a statutory requirement, it also examines significant issues for our society. Defamation law needs to strike the right balance between two important rights  the right to freedom of expression in a democratic society, and the right to protect your good name and reputation against unfounded attack.
Leo Varadkar has also suggested that a name as Gaeilge should be chosen to make it unique, while others in the Dail proposed calling it after political figures such as WT Cosgrave or Kathleen Lynn.

Mr Varadkar said that Health Minister Simon Harris is now of the view that the Phoenix Childrens Health title will not be used as it is already the name of a hospital in the US. This name had initially been chosen after 300 suggestions were put forward during a consultation process.

The Taoiseach said he is open-minded on what the 1bn hospital, to be located at St Jamess Hospital in Dublin, will be but added: My favourite name is Starship which is what the childrens hospital in New Zealand is called.

It was not called that by politicians, rather it happened by accident because it looks like a starship and that is what the kids started to call it. It was subsequently adopted as the official name of the hospital. As it is taken, I do not think we can use it, however. 

He said as we enter Bliain na Gaeilge it would be appropriate to have an Irish-language name.

If we are going to choose a unique name, I would like it to be as Gaeilge. I do not mean someones name translated into Irish but rather an Irish word, he said.

However, responding to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams who suggested the hospital be named after suffragette and 1916 volunteer Kathleen Lynn, the Taoiseach said it should not be about politics, a political figure or make a political point of any sort.

Mr Adams interjected to claim Ms Lynn was a doctor, to which the Taoiseach responded: Doctors can be political figures too, as Deputy Adams may know. I may even be one myself.
Some charges including theft carry an option for a defendant to have their case dealt with by indictment rather than summarily at district court level.

Yesterday at Cork District Court, defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said Michael Murphy, from 36 Riverview Estate, Tower, Blarney, Co Cork, wanted to go to trial before a judge and a jury on the charge of stealing two paninis on a Ryanair flight.

He is electing for trial on indictment on the Section 4 theft, Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Olann Kelleher clarified that the alleged theft of 10 worth of food was to be dealt with by indictment. Mr Buttimer said: Yes, jury trial.

Judge Kelleher said: He is entitled to do that.

The case was adjourned until January 24 on the application of Inspector Ronan Kennelly to allow time for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Other charges arising out of the investigation of an alleged incident of air rage incident on board a Ryanair flight from Tenerife to Cork in May were also adjourned to the same date.

Mr Murphy appeared before Cork District Court on a total of five charges arising out of the incident on board the flight on May 1, 2017.

Mr Murphy, aged 35, is charged with assaulting air stewardess, Antonia Villano, on board Ryanair Flight FR1401 from Tenerife to Cork contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act. He is also charged with being intoxicated to such an extent that he might give rise to a reasonable apprehension that he was a danger to himself or others on board the flight.

Mr Murphy is further charged with making a threat to Antonia Villano to damage property belonging to Ryanair, namely the aeroplane cabin contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act.

He is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace contrary to Section 2A of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

Finally, he is charged with stealing two paninis to the value of 10, the property of Ryanair on board the flight contrary to the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

Inspector Brian ODonovan previously stated the prosecution would allege that Mr Murphy took two paninis without paying for them leading to an incident from which the other charges stemmed.

Co-accused Stacey OMahony, aged 20, of 1 Innishmore Square, Ballincollig, Co Cork, represented by Eddie Burke, solicitor, had her case adjourned to December 20 on charges of stealing the 10 worth of food, being drunk and a danger, being threatening and abusive, and assaulting Michela Ferri during the alleged incident.
Noel Buckley, aged 37, of Monard, Whitechurch, Co Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court yesterday to a charge of attempting to rob Richard Cronin outside An Brog on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.

Detective Garda Cormac Crotty said the crime was carried out after 4am on August 7, when the injured party, Mr Cronin, walked out of the premises with a bag containing the case.

As he walked to his car he saw Noel Buckley staring at him. Noel Buckley opened the passenger door of the car and said to Mr Cronin, You are fucked now. He then said, Give me that.

Mr Cronin told him to get out of the car. Noel Buckley grabbed him around the head and there was a bit of a struggle for 20 seconds, said Det Garda Crotty yesterday.

Buckley did not get away with the cash and he walked towards Parnell Place.

Mr Cronin phoned for the gardai and followed him a distance in his car.

He later identified Buckley to gardai.

The defendant was very drunk at the time. Eddie Burke, defence solicitor, said Buckley was shocked by his own behaviour when he was shown CCTV of the incident.

The defendant initially claimed that his belief was that the injured party was drunk and he was stopping him from driving, but there were no grounds for this.

Judge Olann Kelleher said: He was stopping a man from drink driving?

Mr Burke said that the defendant had since offered apologies to the injured party.

Det Garda Crotty said: He contacted me a few times to apologise, to be fair.

And the injured party did not want to make a victim impact statement.

He said it was not overly serious.

Judge Olann Kelleher put sentencing back until January 4 on the charges of attempted robbery, assaulting Mr Cronin, engaging in threatening behaviour, and being drunk and a danger.
Nikita OSullivan from the Glen in Cork has set up a Go Fund Me Page in order to raise funds to erect a headstone in memory of her aunt, Kathleen OSullivan, 43, who was found dead outside the homeless shelter on Andersons Quay in the city at about 11am last Wednesday.

Ms OSullivan has issued a plea to the relevant authorities to address the crisis.

There should be a big thing happening about it. People should just get together and stop it. There cant be people on the streets anymore especially in the cold. To think of Kathleen dying there and then another person dying there would be sickening. We are trying to raise money for Kathleens funeral costs and her gravestone. We dont want this to happen to anyone else.

Nikita OSullivan, with Katie Hanlon, lays a wreath in commemoration at the spot where her aunt died. Picture: Provision

Nikita said mother-of-two Kathleen had a big personality and a great sense of humour.

She was very funny. I couldnt have a bad word to say about her. She was the nicest person you would ever meet. She has been homeless for a good couple of years. Kathleen also lost her aunt Helen on the streets (as she died homeless). It is crazy. I dont think it has hit me yet.

Kathleen was a comical person. She was a joker. She was always cracking jokes. She always watched out for other people. She lost her son, her mother and her dad and two of her brothers and had a hard life. I havent even had time to think. I am just keeping going.

Since the death of her aunt, Nikita has gone out on the streets herself with the Helping Corks Homeless charity in order to assist those in need.

It helped me to go around. It puts your mind at ease to know you are helping another family to not go [through] what we went through. We dont want anyone else to go through what we did.

Kathleen OSullivan died sleeping rough in Cork. Her niece Nikita, right pictured with Christina Chalmers of Helping Corks Homeless Picture: Michael MacSweeney

A vigil in memory of Kathleen OSullivan took place yesterday outside Brown Thomas in Cork. People were asked to wear a pink item of clothing as it was Kathleens favourite colour.

Ms OSullivan was laid to rest last Saturday. She is survived by her son Edmund and four of her siblings. She was predeceased by her son Anthony.

Contributions can be made to the Kathleen OSullivan Go Fund me Page gofundme.com/kathleen- o-sullivan-head-stone
A CPO is where certain public bodies can take land without the consent of the owner and usually occurs to allow a public infrastructure project, for the common good, to go ahead.

Raymond Byrne, the commissioner of the LRC, said proposals are under 23 headings to which the public are invited to make submissions.

He pointed out there are two key points within the 23 headings.

There are over 70 pieces of legislation dealing with CPOs and we are asking should we have a single piece of legislation? he told the Irish Examiner.

As public bodies were established, they were given their own powers to carry out CPOs, and this is the reason why there were so many pieces of legislation.

The LRC has now posed the question to tidy up the process.

While most [CPO] rules are similar, not all are the same. In the main, when there is a need for someones land for housing that has to be approved by An Bord Pleanala. Thats the standard approach.

However, the IDA [Industrial Development Authority] can confirm its own CPO, said Mr Byrne.

So we have asked: would it be better if all confirmations are decided by An Bord Pleanala? he added.

The second key issue in the proposed overhaul of the CPO process relates to who can object.

At the moment really only landowners, where their land is being CPO-ed can object to it. But what about neighbouring land, say if its a big environmental project? We have asked that more people be allowed to object, even if it is not directly affecting their land, explained the LRC commissioner.

Another significant question posed by the LRC report is in connection with the landowner, whose land is being pursued, to be able to carry out a proposed project themselves.

Could the owner themselves say: Let me do the project? Could you allow the landowner to do it rather than the State authority if they were a developer? stated Mr Byrne.

He pointed out the paper being published today contains questions to overhaul the process through reforms, not explicit recommendations.

The public has until the end of February to submit their views on the paper and Mr Byrne estimates consulting will continue through 2018.

The LRC is an independent statutory body whose main role is to keep the law under review and to make proposals for reform.

To date, the commission has published over 200 documents such as consultation papers, issues papers and reports, containing reform proposals. The majority of the proposals have influenced the drafting and content of reforming legislation.
Lawyers for Mr Bailey opposed the application as un-stateable and disputed the States argument that the Court of Appeal decision had been based on a plain error.

Having heard arguments yesterday, the three-judge appeal court reserved judgment on the application.

The State contends the Court of Appeal decision, last July, allowing one ground of Mr Baileys appeal against a High Court jurys March 2015 dismissal of his damages case was based on error and there were strong reasons why it should not stand.

The ground of appeal was whether the High Court trial judge erred in not allowing the jury decide if alleged leaking by gardai of confidential information to solicitors for media organisations, prior to the hearing of Mr Baileys libel cases in 2003, breached his constitutional right to privacy.

Mr Bailey claims gardai disclosed information to the media from statements made by Marie Farrell, a key witness in the murder investigation, before the Circuit Court libel proceedings.

The Court of Appeal said that particular claim was not statute barred and the trial judge, Mr Justice John Hedigan, was wrong not to let it be decided by the jury.

Luan O Braonain, counsel for the State, yesterday said the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to set aside a finding where there are strong reasons for doing so.

The strong reasons were the Court of Appeal decision involved a plain error with fundamental consequences for the parties and for the administration of justice, he said.

It was very important finality be achieved.

The trial judge, contrary to what the Appeal Court judgment indicated, had not made a statute barred ruling refusing to let the alleged wrongful disclosure issue go to the jury, he argued. The Court of Appeal erred in treating a no case to answer observation by Mr Justice Hedigan as a ruling.

There was also no admissible evidence to support the claim of alleged wrongful disclosure of witness statements to the media, he submitted. What was involved was hearsay and not testimony that could be relied on to support Mr Baileys claim.

Martin Giblin, counsel for Mr Bailey, said the States application was un-stateable and the Court of Appeal should approach the issue of jurisdiction in this matter with caution.

The alleged wrongful disclosure issue should have been permitted go to the jury and, contrary to what the State argued, there was evidence to support that claim. Much of the evidence was elicited by the State in its cross-examination of Marie Farrell and it had to live with the consequences of that.

Ronan Munro, also for Mr Bailey, said evidence given to the High Court included evidence from a retired garda superintendent Dermot Dwyer, about conversations with Ms Farrell prior to the libel hearings. There was a range of evidence from which it could be inferred gardai leaked information to media, he said.
It comes as the Mother and Baby Homes Commission has already said it will be difficult to establish the facts surrounding the burials of children who died in all of the homes it is investigating.

On Tuesday, the expert technical group advising the Government about managing the Tuam site outlined five options which the Government could pursue when managing the location. These range from doing no further investigative work to a full forensic excavation and analysis of all human remains.

However, that report also revealed Ireland may be bound by human rights law to investigate the deaths to the fullest degree possible.

These include human rights issues around the right of an individual to a respectful and appropriate burial, said the report.

There is also the possibility that there may be an obligation under international human rights law, including under the European Convention on Human Rights, arising from the right to respect for family life. This could arguably entitle living family members to know the fate of their relatives. There is an obligation on the State, pursuant to the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hEireann) and under human rights law, to fully investigate the deaths so as to vindicate the right to life of those concerned.

As a result, Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone has asked Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Professor Geoffrey Shannon, to examine these issues and to report to her on the matter.

If Prof Shannon finds that these rights exist, then it may influence which of the five options the Government chooses when dealing with the Tuam site, or indeed any of the other institutions where children are known to have died.

The Irish Examiner has previously revealed that death registers for two of Irelands largest mother and baby homes  Bessborough and Sean Ross Abbey have been in the possession of the HSE and latterly Tusla since 2011. These registers contain the names of around 800 infants, their dates of birth and dates of death and causes of death.

A number of adoption rights groups and survivor groups have called for the fullest possible examination, not just of the Tuam site, but of all angel plots and sites of former mother and baby homes.
There are time machines. You might not believe me, but there are. Perhaps not stylish ones like Marty McFlys Delorean machine, but we have them.

In an essay written by Hugh Leonard in the 80s, he utilises an allusion to Prousts work In Search of Times Past to illuminate this idea.

For Proust, the simple act of dipping a Madeleine in a cup of tea transported him back to the days of his childhood. For Leonard, polishing shoes had the same effect. In this banal act, he found his way back to the Christmas of his childhood.

Well, I have my own time machine, my own Delorean. Whenever I stand back from the annual Hogan Christmas tree and bask in the splendour of it all with my wife and kids, I immediately quantum leap back into the skin of a young boy.

A boy who believes in the magic of it all. My brothers are there, Im 6, maybe 8. My middle brother is squinting, goose-stepping the circumference of the great tree figuring out if the symmetry is off, we need more tear drops on the left side, this is ridiculous, and who put the star next to the tinsel?

The Rainman of Christmas trees, that was his nickname. My neighbours daughter is there, much to the annoyance of my brothers, whose protestations are met with eye rolls from my mother and myself. My father doesnt make the memory.

He must be somewhere else. And every year as I step back from the tree, I make my way down through the sinuous recesses of my mind to that time. And every year as I slowly come to consciousness, out of that memory, I think about what Leonard was saying in his essay.

For Leonard, the only true paradises are those we have lost. There is a profound sense of yearning for times past in his essay. He suggests that the 1980s were certainly not a time of magic and wonder. He is suspicious of the video machine toiling away recording different programmes.

The child of the 1980s, as Leonard saw it, was overindulged to the point of not being able to see the newness and wonder in Christmas. I was a child of the 1980s. I dont remember overindulgence. I remember simplicity. I remember the Christmas tree, my grandmother, the end of her sherry containing stories about the War and her husband.

I remember the summit of the day; calling over to my friend trawling through whatever goodies we had received that year. It certainly wasnt a bounty. I remember the turkey sandwich his father always made and not wanting to go to sleep, for sleep would usher in the furthest point to Christmas.

Leonard was a child of the 1930s, or the hungry 30s, as they are also known. This time is his lost paradise. The 80s are my last paradise. I wonder, what he would make of our world today. The world of rapid information and technological dissemination. A world of social media and digital TV. I cant but help think that my own children do not have that same wonder I had as a child of the 1980s.

I often feel that they receive so much throughout the year that Christmas has lost some of its magic. Its just another day they get more stuff. Or is that the flaw of each generation? Woody Allens Midnight in Paris explores this idea.

At the stroke of midnight, Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is transported back to the 1920s in Paris. Pender is a struggling novelist and has a particular penchant for this time in Pariss history. Its a time of great jazz and artistic expression.

Pender meets a plethora of his heroes, T.S Eliot, Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Dali, to mention a few.

But what he finds is that all these celebrated artists living in this great time are looking back to a previous time they believe is much more significant and interesting than the time they are living in. And I think thats what Leonards story brings up for me.

I think we always look back to times past through rose-tinted glasses. Nostalgia claws her way into our thoughts so that we find the present deficient somehow. So when I view my own children as not having the same wonder and excitement as I had, perhaps Im doing them a disservice.

Perhaps, Im wrong. And perhaps Leonard is wrong when he says true miracles only happen once a year, maybe the real miracles are those small moments that occur every day. The moments that we dont see because we see them so much.

The ghosts of our Christmases past are always in our present. As adults, its easy to lose our own sense of wonder about it all. We can be dismissive of the present, because the past tends to be perfect. But we must remember that we are building future memories for our own children.

This Christmas will soon be a golden memory for your child that will sustain them in the future. Try to be present this Christmas, and enjoy the now. After all, its all we really have.

I wonder do my children have the same wonder I had as a child of the 1980s.
How adorable are these Santa Christmas decorations? Theyre the creation of Argentinean Guadalupe Cabrera, who sketches, designs and handmakes every piece herself in her studio in Dublin. Available to purchase online for 12 here.

A lovely addition to any Christmas stocking is our very own Irish Examiner / Evening Echo 2018 Calendar. Its called Times Gone By and weve scoured our archives to include a beautiful selection of black and white images of Cork. One of my favourites is the photograph of Patricks Hill captured in 1905. Besides the clothing of the people and the horse and cart, it hasnt changed a whole lot. Readers can order online from Irish Examiner photo sales website or pop into our Oliver Plunkett Street shop, Tel. 021 4802 393. The calendar is yours for 10 and a donation of 1 from every calendar sold will be made to Cork Penny Dinners.

Exciting times people. First, we get the news about a spanking new online shopping channel giving me, I mean, everyone, access to IKEA 24/7. Now we hear that Carrigtwohill in East Cork is being lined up by the Swedish retailers for its second full retail store here in the Republic. Oh, happy day.

I love this Touch Mel London serving bowl from Avoca, what beautiful colours. Perfect for festive dinner party. Its 36.95, find out more here.

You cant beat a piece of art that makes you think. Presenting Crop Rotation by the talented Wexford-born artist, Jimmy Lawlor. This is part of the Killarney Art Gallerys Christmas Exhibition 2017. Gallery owner, Declan Mulvany, promises theres something for everyone here. Find out more at here.

I love these Irish-made Arckits that have just hit the shelves. Perfect for any budding builders out there, theyre the brainchild of Irish architect, Damien Murtagh. He says he hopes the play kits will encourage kids to use the power of their imagination to design and build their own dream cities. If your little ones are into Lego or Minecraft, these kits will be right up their street.

See what I did there? They come with unique components inspired by iconic styles of world architecture and can be built as solo units or with each other. They start at 19.99 to 69.99 and are available worldwide in the likes of MoMA and Guggenheim New York. Here youll find them in Easons, Art&Hobby, and Arnotts.

I spotted this traditional design at the Tiny Traders Village in Galway recently. Theyre made by Michael Mhat and this one is 20, he has lots more designs, check them out here.
DIRECTORS APPOINTED: Non-executive directors Anne Taylor and Adebayo Emanuel have been reappointed to mental health trust, Oxleas NHS Trust, from November 1 until October 31, 2005. Mrs Taylor sits on the remuneration committee and is also complaints convenor for the trust. Mr Emanuel is a member of the audit committee and works closely with the Mental Health Act managers.

CLUB FOR KIDS: The Your Time After School Club offers children from eight to 11 years a choice of activities including arts, crafts, sports and games. The club is primarily for children attending local schools, in particular Royston, Churchfields, Alexander Primary and Balgowan. The club runs during term-time, Monday to Friday from the end of the school day until 6pm at The Studio, in Beckenham Road, Beckenham. Call 020 8464 3333.

CHILD'S MUSIC: Monkey Music is an exciting and versatile approach to music for babies and young children aged six months to five years. Sessions are run by an experienced music specialist with children in small classes according to their age. Call Karen Watts on 020 8314 5205.

FOR VOLUNTEERS: Community Links Bromley can help match potential volunteers with the right kind of voluntary work, as well as offering advice on different charities. To volunteer, call 020 8315 1905.

October 10, 2001 17:05
FROM time travelling doctors to alternative universes  Island Con have announced two more guests for next year's convention.

Joe Pantoliano and Sylvester McCoy who will be joining Islanders at Cowes Enterprise College next October.

With more than 100 film, television and stage credits, Joe Pantoliano is best known for playing Guido in Risky Business, Cypher in the Matrix. The Emmy-award winning Hollywood actor will join Sylvester and Ethan Phillips who was announced earlier in the week.

Sylvester McCoy played the 7th Doctor Who, and the wizard Radagast in the Hobbit Trilogy.

Island Con organisers have said there are more guests to be announced, including a major headliner on Christmas Day.

Island Con returns to Cowes on October 20 and 21 and you can buy tickets here.
Newly enacted rental ordinance back on agenda The town council is considering the formation of a working group to potentially amend the ordinance that governs short-term rentals, which was passed unanimously in August. Ron Ratcliffe, serving as...

LITTLE WOMEN, BIG STAGE The Jamestown Community Theatre will perform a five-show production of the Broadway musical Little Women, a coming-of-age-story based on the classic 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott. The story follows...

Fire chiefs want to boost tax breaks for volunteers In an effort to attract new volunteers and preserve its current membership, the fire department is proposing to increase tax abatements for its membership. Volunteerism is a dying breed right...
HILLSBORO, Ohio  A year removed from our newspapers endorsement of Donald Trump for president, the most frequent question I get in emails and letters are from Trump critics asking whether I regret the endorsement.

I find it an odd question. Its reflective of a similar theme often directed at Trump supporters in columns from many of our nations leading op-ed writers, especially after a presidential tweet-storm or inflammatory comment or action. Will President Trumps supporters finally desert him? they ask.

Through the years, it became an accepted tenet of American politics that promises made and personas adopted by presidential candidates to win votes would be abandoned or ignored in the Oval Office. By contrast, the argument could easily be made that few presidential-level politicians have been as indistinguishable as Trump, the candidate, from Trump, the president.

Trump has remained as constant as the northern star. Has Trump really behaved in some new manner that wasnt on full display during the campaign? The outrageous tweets, the bluster, the self-aggrandizement, the insults  Trump the commander in chief is virtually identical to Trump the neophyte candidate.

But in addition to consistently exhibiting what many see as negative attributes, Trump has also tried to keep his biggest campaign promises on repealing Obamacare, securing the border and cutting taxes, and he stayed true to his word with his pick of Neil M. Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. Now, his declaration of U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital fulfills another pledge. No one who backed Trump as a candidate, with all his flaws, has been given much reason to abandon him.

Liberals seem to think the tax bill and other administration priorities will wake Trump country to the phony populism of its champion, but Trumps voters always understood that business was going to benefit from having such an avowedly pro-business president. Really, the only supporters who might have cause for disillusionment are those who argued, or hoped, that once he assumed the presidency Trump would pivot, becoming more presidential. But that would probably be the one act that would cost Trump his base.

Among all of candidate Trumps missteps and outrages, the one that was thought to most assuredly guarantee his demise was the infamous Access Hollywood tape and the ensuing allegations of numerous women claiming Trump sexually assaulted them. Those instances are the most frequently enumerated in the correspondence I receive suggesting the need for endorsement regret.

But apparently lost on many is that, in the 1990s, the left won the argument that these stories dont matter, and that peoples private lives and attitudes, as sordid and problematic as they may be, do not determine their effectiveness as a public servant. So convincingly did President Bill Clintons defenders win that debate that even many on the right came to accept it, which is in part why Trump is immune on the topic.

During the campaign, Trump famously boasted that he could shoot someone and not lose support. That is not literally true, although one could be forgiven for wondering about it. But the point he was making to the media was to quit wasting their time trying to discredit him with lurid details of his private life and times.

Even now, though, the left, along with Never Trumpers on the middle and right, keep waiting for Trump supporters to wake up, to realize their horrendous mistake, perhaps even rending their garments in an act of self-flagellation.

But the voters who coalesced around Trump understood that everyones closet has skeletons, a belief proved truer with each passing day. Through a lifetime of celebrity, laid bare in the media, Trumps closet door has long stood wide open. No new revelations about his personal life were going to shock or shake his supporters.

The lefts sudden post-Clinton awakening on issues of boorish behavior and sexual harassment has been fascinating to watch. The recent claims against Democratic Party stalwarts such as Sen. Al Franken and Rep. John Conyers Jr. have had Democrats pushing for political death sentences in hopes of maintaining the moral high ground. There apparently is no need for courts, judges or juries, and evidence is optional, as long as a claim is determined to be credible by a panel of hastily assembled media pundits.

But in light of the recently exposed feet of clay of so many of Trumps fiercest critics in Hollywood, Washington and the media, making examples of Franken and Conyers is a case of too little, too late. The hypocrisy has been exposed, the high ground surrendered. It turns out that the calls for Trumps supporters to wake up were coming from a lot of people who were blissfully snoozing away.
After a lengthy special election campaign in Alabama, Democrat Doug Jones has defied long odds to become the first Democrat since Howell Heflin left office in 1997 to represent the state in the Senate. While the upset ended Roy Moores hopes for national office, it did not end his effect on the Republican Party, which is still moving sharply in Moores direction  91 percent of Republicans who voted supported him.

In many ways Moores campaign was reminiscent of the era when whites across the South waged war against the black freedom movement in an effort to preserve the Jim Crow order and in doing so transformed the national party system.

Just two days before facing the voters, Moore vowed, I will bring Alabama values to Washington, D.C. Moores promise spoke to the stakes in this election for Alabama, the Republican Party and the nation itself.

Republicans today face a changing electorate, one in which white voters alone can no longer deliver a majority nationally. Yet it appears likely that the right-wing populism embodied by Moore  which combines resentment of elites with an assertion of white, Christian, patriarchal authority  may gain a grip over the party by fusing a message that calls for law and order, attacks immigrant and LGTBQ communities and employs tactics of voter suppression.

This strategy represents the culmination of a transformation of the Republican Party that has progressed in fits and starts since the 1960s. After decades of struggle, the Moore wing of the party may be on the verge of wresting control away from traditional conservative elites whose views sometimes overlap, but who reject the populists views on issues like trade and immigration, as well as their unvarnished rhetoric on racial and sexual issues. Southern politicians have been key players in this populist revolt, because they have long found political success in stoking resentment against meddling outsiders who threaten to undermine both the values and the sovereignty of their home states. Across the decades, everyone from pro-slavery senators in the 1840s to Confederate leaders during the Civil War to the architects of massive resistance in the 1950s and 1960s held up white supremacy at home as a defense against outside forces who would destroy the Southern way of life.

Like racial populist leaders of the mid-20th-century South such as governors Ross Barnett (Miss.), Lester Maddox (Ga.), and George Wallace (Ala.), whose popularity stemmed from thumbing their nose at federal authorities, Moore has built his political career on resistance and refusals that shocked many Americans, but electrified certain white populist elements of the electorate (white men without college degrees supported Moore with 79 percent of the vote in his losing effort). In Moores case, this defiance centered more on religion than race, although the two are commingled in his politics.

As chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2001, Moore commissioned a 5,000-pound granite sculpture of the Ten Commandments to be placed outside the Supreme Court building, only to have a federal court order it be removed. Moore refused, making him a hero to evangelicals even as he was kicked out of office. He returned to the bench in 2012, only to be booted once again, this time for ordering probate judges and their employees to refuse to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court.

While his signature concern is religious conservatism, Moore  like Attorney General Jeff Sessions before him  is also steeped in the racially charged politics of both the South and the nation. These politics distinctly overlapped as Moore racialized Muslims and warned that whole communities in the United States are now living under Sharia law. But anti-black racism has always been a staple of right-wing politics in Alabama, as elsewhere.

One top Moore campaign funder, for instance, was Michael Anthony Peroutka, a former board member of the neo-Confederate League of the South, an organization that calls for secession and the establishment of a white-ruled nation in the Deep South. Moore also delivered an invited address to the Council of Conservative Citizens, the white nationalist successor of the infamous White Citizens Councils from the era of Massive Resistance. He was a strong proponent of birtherism,  the baseless conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was born in Kenya, not Hawaii. And he has waxed nostalgic about the antebellum era when slavery was in place.

Moore has also benefited from the return of another element of the Jim Crow era, the denial of the franchise which is critical to Republican fortunes as the nation grows more diverse.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Alabama Republican Party has actively worked to restrict the vote, in part to suppress black voter turnout. A 2011 photo ID law was described by one of its sponsors as intended to undermine the black power structure in the state. Indeed, over 100,000 registered voters do not have a photo ID they can use at the polls, and blacks and Latinos are twice as likely as whites to lack the necessary documentation.

But perhaps the way that Moores campaign most recalled the politics of the civil rights era is in the way that it is helping to reconfigure national politics.

Like George Wallace, Moore may presage a decisive shift toward a hard-right racial politics in the Republican Party. During his 1968 presidential campaign, Wallace attacked liberal elites, protesters and criminals, using a thinly veiled racial rhetoric that called for law and order and an end to forced busing. This rhetoric resonated with white voters across the country, showing that in some ways, as Malcolm X said, the Mason-Dixon Line runs along the Canadian border.

Wallaces campaign success prodded his Republican rival, Richard Nixon, to make appeals to what he called the Silent Majority, which targeted white voters on the basis of opposition to the black freedom movement and related struggles of the 1960s.

In the intervening decades, there have been tensions in the GOP between traditional conservatives and right-wing populists, often pitting neoliberal economic elites against those who link race to relative deprivation in a politics of outsider grievance. Fusing these two factions worked well for Republicans in the 1980s, but tensions over issues like immigration, free trade and corporate welfare spurred episodic revolts, spearheaded by populists like Pat Buchanan who chafed at the dominance of the traditional conservatives. Moores campaign, however, illustrates that something more fundamental has shifted, that in the Trump era white populism is now ascendant within the Republican Party.

In the wake of Mitt Romneys loss to Barack Obama, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus acknowledged, We need to campaign among Hispanic, Black, Asian, and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them, too. We must recruit more candidates who come from minority communities.

The partys autopsy that reached these conclusions, however, omitted any discussion of the growing economic divide in the country and within the party. Trumps revolt from below capitalized upon that blind spot to destroy the vision of neoliberal multiculturalism laid out in the RNC report. Instead of a party that would embrace immigration reform and visions of corporate diversity as it accelerated economic inequality, the party now is committed to a base of white voters who combine economic and racial grievance  while still, it should be noted, accelerating economic inequality.

Once considered a theocratic zealot of almost cartoonish proportions, Moores primary victory over traditional Republican Luther Strange demonstrated that not even Trump himself (who initially backed Strange) could prevent the partys rightward shift toward authoritarian nationalism.

Then, as if to test the proposition, a new, jaw-dropping threshold was crossed when even charges of pedophilia failed to end Moores candidacy. Indeed, Moore went on to receive the endorsement of both Trump and the Republican National Committee after the accusations became public. This is a result of the steadfast support Moore received from his base in Alabama, but also of his rising stature as a symbol of a new era in Republican politics.

The most recognizable champion of right-wing populism in the United States, Stephen K. Bannon, put his considerable weight and that of his website Breitbart behind Moore. Bannon sees Moore as the kind of insurgent candidate who can help upend the Republican establishment from below while Trump does so from above, replacing the status quo with a populist-nationalist party realignment that can govern for the next 50 years, as Bannon is fond of saying.

The fact that both Bannon and Trump energetically supported Moore speaks to the national importance of the race at a time when the party is undergoing the greatest transition it has experienced since the 1960s. There will continue to be a few prominent Republican voices who will denounce the latest outrage from the growing numbers of politicians on the far right, and as they did Tuesday night, the moral failings and incendiary politics of candidates like Moore may cost the GOP seats. But the GOP is becoming a party in which dissenting voices now matter far less, ceding ground to the voices of Moore and Trump and the base that supports them.
We were pleased to hear that Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has a plan to acquire a food truck with the primary purpose of serving kids who need a little extra food when school is out, as the Journals Sarah Newell reported last week.

Over the last several years, weve seen a decline in students coming to the brick and mortar sites in the summer, Lauren Richards, child nutrition director for the district, told the Journal.

In 2015, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina noted that only about 15 percent of the eligible children received the meals available to them during the summer. Transportation wasnt consistently available to them.

This will help.

The truck will serve popular hot foods as well as fruits and vegetables, Richards told the Journal.

About $200,000 has been budgeted for the truck. The school system hopes to bid it out by January and have it ready to roll by June 18, the Journal reported.

The final route hasnt yet been set. We want to bring the food to where (children) are, Richards told the Journal.

School officials will be working with the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem and community centers to determine where the service is needed, Richards told the Journal.

I think its an incredible opportunity, Richards told the Journal. We agree.

The school system will continue to serve breakfast and lunch at about 20 school locations during the summer, Monday through Thursday, with prepackaged food to take home for the weekend.

Childhood hunger is a serious problem, with 1 in 4 North Carolina children not sure of the source of their next meal. Its a harsh indictment of our priorities, to be living in a land of plenty with so many hungry children despite the efforts of schools and volunteer organizations to help. Its tempting to turn away from the problem, or blame it on irresponsible parents and forget about it.

But these are children. Theyre not responsible for their own well being. The outcome of ignoring them would be dire.

Thanks to the system, theyll have one more resource next summer.
SARAH SQUIRE, Winston-Salem

Stand up, Burr

In 2017, grief and worry redefined my operating system as President Trumps rhetoric replayed in my mind. Some Republican writers eloquently rejected his divisiveness and bigotry in this forum. Very few Republicans did the same on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Richard Burr has stated that he will not seek re-election. At a time when GOP senators tiptoe around Trumps words, Burr has less to lose.

To be fair, in the midst of the Russia investigation, Burr has tremendous responsibility as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Motivations to avoid White House drama are understandable.

Yet this is more than drama  it is a poison that infiltrates America.

We need prominent Republicans to reject this damaging trend. By doing so, Burr would benefit his legacy, and more important, our country.

As the White House manipulates politics of fear and division, silence from other Republicans deepens our wounds. I am waiting for Richard Burr to demonstrate his full potential as a leader. In his final term, this opportunity is critical.

I am not a member, but I still wonder and care: What does the GOP stand for?

Sen. Burr, I am weary of Trumps answers. Im listening for yours.

***

LEONA AMOSAH, Winston-Salem

A clean Dream Act

Standing beside Dreamers from all over the country, the resounding roar of chanting filled my ears: Si se, si se puede!

At a rally near the Capitol in Washington, DC, I witnessed people from all walks of life imploring Congress and the president to protect Dreamers, or undocumented immigrants who are protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

DACA grants two-year deportation deferrals to people who came to the U.S. as children and who meet certain requirements, such as a lack of a criminal record. Because of recent actions taken by President Trump, though, many people are losing their DACA status or have already lost it. This has created significant ambiguity and uncertainty for undocumented immigrants.

North Carolina has the seventh-highest number of Dreamers in the nation. As a proud North Carolinian, an immigrant and a 2017 graduate of UNC, I want my undocumented friends and their families to have the same access to solid educational opportunities as I did.

Support for a Clean Dream Act that demilitarizes the border zone directly accords with my representatives pro-family values. As the granddaughter of immigrants, Rep. Virginia Foxx should understand the plight of families seeking opportunities and better lives for themselves in the U.S. I therefore urge Rep. Foxx to support a Clean Dream Act that offers educational opportunities to Dreamers without imposing border security measures that will likely tear apart families in the border areas.

Amosa is a Young Fellow at the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, D.C.  the editor

Please submit letters online to Letters@wsjournal.com or mail letters to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Letters are subject to editing and are limited to 250 words. For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/opinion/submit_a_letter.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported [press release] Monday that sanctions against the Peoples Democratic Republic on North Korea have a negative effect on aid efforts.

High Commissioner Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official website] told the UN Security Council that 13 million of the 17 million North Koreans facing food shortages rely on aid provided by the UN. Sanctions on imports and money transfers have disrupted delivery of food aid.

Zeid said the heightened state of military tensions on the peninsula has led to more corruption in state-run aid distribution systems and increased violations of human rights. The high commissioner highlighted increased surveillance for the general population and mistreatment or torture of detainees in prisons and work camps. Some of the commissioners information about the wide spread inhumane practices came from interviews with escapees and from the condition of U.S. college student Otto Warmbier who died shortly after being released from North Korea in a vegetative state.

Zeids presentation to the Security Council was met with opposition from some council members. Russia, China and Bolivia vetoed the resolution to hear the report, claiming that human rights is under the sole authority of the Human Rights Council. In response, representatives for the other members asserted the role human rights violations play in the Security Councils mandate to promote peace.
A dozen militiamen in eastern DR Congo were jailed for life Wednesday for raping about 40 children, including a baby, in what was judged a crime against humanity.

The defendants were said to belong to a militia group called "Djeshi ya Yesu" -- meaning "Army of Jesus" in Swahili -- led by South Kivu provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike.

The children, ranging from babies aged just eight months to a 12-year-old girl, were kidnapped and raped between 2013 and 2016.

A large crowd gathered in the area before Batumike and the 11 others were convicted by the military tribunal and "sentenced to life in prison for the crime against humanity by rape and murder".

The verdict was delivered in a packed courtroom, concluding a trial that began on November 9 in Kavumu, South Kivu.

The sentences are considered a victory for campaigners fighting a culture of impunity often said to exist against the pursuit of justice for victims of sexual crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"For too long those who commit rape in the Congo have thought they were invincible," said Physicians Against Human Rights, an NGO.

"Slowly, there are signs that impunity is not inevitable."

Many of the assaults happened at night, according to Congolese surgeon Denis Mukwege, who had sounded the alarm.
It was a historic verdict pronounced on Wednesday December 13 by a military court in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo, in the trial of some 20 members of the Army of Jesus militia (Jeshi la Yesu in Swahili) accused of rape and murder. Local politician Frederic Batumike, head of this militia, and 11 of his co-accused were sentenced to life in jail. Two others were sentenced to one year, while six were acquitted. Their trial concerned the rape of some 40 children aged 8 months to 12 years in Kavumu, South Kivu, between 2013 and 2016.

The trial lasted 17 days, during which the prosecution and civil parties brought evidence in a tireless attempt to convince the three military judges that these were widespread and systematic acts constituting crimes against humanity. This is a rare victory against impunity in this part of the DRC where crime is part of daily life and rape has often become commonplace. The civil parties therefore have reason to be pleased. We are satisfied with the work of the court, said Charles Cubaka Cicura, spokesman for the civil parties lawyers. Even if the material reparations seem minimal, we are pleased to see these criminals convicted and sent to prison to serve their sentences. Even a provincial lawmaker has been convicted, which is a strong signal for the fight against impunity in the DRC.

During the 17 days of hearings, the civil parties fought hard against the accused, who denied all the allegations against them and rejected the testimonies. Provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike, whose immunity was lifted to allow the trial, went further, trying several times to destabilize the court by accusing two of the judges of bias. But his demands that the two judges be recused were finally thrown out.

Innovative investigation methods

The investigation phase was just as delicate if not more so for the prosecution and civil parties, given the tender age of the victims, some of whom were still being breastfed. Added to that was the fact that the accused abducted girls while their parents and neighbours were asleep. The Congolese authorities and civil parties therefore had to rely on scientific expertise in order to implicate the militia members. It was mainly the American NGO Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the local Panzi hospital of renowned Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege (the man who repairs women) that gathered the medico-legal documentation on the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on the survivors. These were innovative investigation techniques which allowed the crimes to be linked to the militia.

Special protection for victims

The lawyers and civil parties also requested and obtained from the court certain measures to protect the victims, such as use of codenames for victims and witnesses, use of screens to protect the identities of civil parties and witnesses and voice scrambling during court testimonies of witnesses and civil parties. The trial was conducted in a very professional and almost unprecedented way in the DRC with regard to protecting the identity of some witnesses to safeguard their security and avoid re-traumatizing little girls who were victim of these abominable crimes, says Susannah Sirkin of Physicians for Human Rights. In particular, the court kept the welfare of victims at the heart of its work, it worked in collaboration with experts, members of civil society, NGOs and judicial authorities, gathered the evidence in a rigorous and scientific way. She called on other Congolese courts to take inspiration from this to deliver justice to the many victims of violence.

Politician convicted

Daniele Perissi, who heads the DRC programme of Swiss NGO Trial international, stresses how important it is that a political personality and militia leader has been convicted. This is the first time in the DRC that a sitting politician has been found guilty as a hierarchical superior of crimes committed both by himself and the militia he controlled and funded.

But lawyers for provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike say this was a political trial and a witch hunt against an opponent of the South Kivu government. They have five days to give notice whether or not they will appeal. If they do not do so within the five days, this judgment will be final.
EBRD to provide EUR 150 mln loan to Ukrzaliznytsia to modernize railways in south Ukraine

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) would provide a EUR 150 million loan for the electrification of 253 km railway line Dolynska-Mykolaiv-Kolosivka, in south Ukraine.

EBRD Senior Adviser Anton Usov told Interfax-Ukraine that the EBRD board made the decision at a meeting on December 13.

The railway line will be connected to the high voltage grid and a second track on single track sections of the line will be installed.

"The project aims to increase the efficiency of the railway operations and the capacity for port hinterland traffic in Odesa region," the bank said.

The Borrower is Ukrzaliznytsia, a vertically-integrated railway company fully owned by the government of Ukraine.

According to a posting on the bank's website, the senior loan of up to EUR 150 million consists of tranche 1: up to EUR 124.5 million for the electrification of Dolynska-Mykolaiv railway line (148 km), double tracking of the single-track sections on the line, and construction of a high voltage line; and tranche 2: up to EUR 25.5 million for the electrification of Mykolaiv-Kolosivka railway line (105 km).

The total cost of the project is up to EUR 367.9 million.

As reported, the European Investment Bank (EIB) on November 23, 2016 approved the EUR 150 million loan for the implementation of this project. Ukrzaliznytsia will also use own contribution and grant funding of the technical cooperation assignments.
Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

I've been using a sanitary napkin for more than 25 years already. I had my menstrual period at an early age and that time, sanitary napkins are the ones readily available in the sari-sari store and supermarket. It was only in college when I saw a tampon box inside my friend's bag. I wondered what it was and why she's using that kind of sanitary protection. I didn't bother asking but from that moment, my curiosity on how to use a tampon did not leave my mind.





Fast forward today, I've read a lot of things about using a tampon. There are more myths than facts but after researching and asking friends who have tried a tampon, I finally decided to give it a try. I'm a first timer and I was satisfied using this kind of sanitary protection. No leaks, no rashes, and best of all I can do physical activities that I'm afraid of doing when I have my monthly period. Meet Ladouce Tampons- a European brand now available in the Philippines.





Product Review: Ladouce Tampons





Why I've decided to try a tampon?

As what I've said in the introduction, I've experienced leaks, rashes, and darkening of the inguinal area because of the traditional sanitary napkins.

I've tried several brands already and the type of pads they are offering always give irritation so I have to change more often but still I develop rashes during and after my menstrual period.

I'm really curious how the tampon works and I want to debunk the myths attached to it.

I'm after the soft, secure, and safe promise of Ladouce Tampons so I'm sold.

Product Review: Ladouce Tampons



Ladouce Tampons

Ladouce is providing women with sanitary protection by offering several hygienic products.

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Sleeping with a tampon is okay as long as you change regularly. Since the protection is 6-8 hours, you should use a new tampon before going to bed.

Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

Ladouce Tampons sizes



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The smallest of the three tampon sizes.

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This size will absorb around 6-9 grams of menstrual flow.

If you're a first time user, this size is for you.





Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

Ladouce Tampon Mini





2. Ladouce Tampons Normal

This size is best for moderate menstrual flow.

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If you're already on the second day of menstruation, try changing from mini to normal.

Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

Ladouce Tampon Normal

3. Ladouce Tampons Super

This size is best for heavy menstrual flow.

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Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

Ladouce Tampon Super



Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

Product information





size: mini, normal, super

2 boxes of 16 tampons per box





price: mini- 349 php (Around $6.93+)

normal- 369 php (Around $7.33+)

super - 391 php (Around $7.76+)





place bought: Free





instructions for use: WASH HANDS properly before and after using the tampon. Follow the instructions below





Product Review: Ladouce Tampons Infographic instructions

Product Review: Ladouce Tampons

How to insert Ladouce Tampon





made of: 100% natural, soft, and sterile body-friendly materials like viscose and a cotton string.





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Ladouce tampons are made of 100% natural, soft, and sterile body-friendly materials like viscose and a cotton string

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None so far.

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Always remember to WASH HANDS PROPERLY before and after using a tampon. Proper hygiene is important. There's no harm in trying so if you want to try a tampon, the brand that you should try is Ladouce. Inform yourself by reading facts about tampon especially in Ladouce website where you'll learn a lot of things. It's made from soft materials, it stays inside that's why I feel secure during my monthly period and I know it's safe to use as long as you follow the instructions and be mindful of proper hygiene not only when you have a monthly period but in all times.





Have you tried using a tampon?





For more information about Ladouce Tampons Philippines

Ladouce Tampons Like them on Facebook:

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Good Times!~




The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has relaxed the rules for importing cash foreign currency by residents to Ukraine.

The NBU said on the website that at present, individual Ukrainians can bring cash to the country in the amount of more than EUR 10,000 in equivalent, if the money are declared in the full amount, and if there are documents confirming the withdrawal of cash from accounts in financial institutions and a receipt for the implementation of a currency exchange transaction with that cash for an amount exceeding EUR 10,000 in equivalent.

According to resolution of the NBU Board No.127 dated December 12, 2017 amending the instruction on the movement of cash and bank metals across the customs border of Ukraine, which came into force on December 14, later Ukrainians will be able to import this sum without supporting documents, only mentioning the sum in their declarations.

At the same time, the NBU said that the export of cash by resident individuals to the amount of more than EUR10,000 in equivalent is carried out with documents confirming the withdrawal of cash from their own accounts in banks and receipts for the implementation of a currency exchange transaction with this cash, in the event of such an operation took place, for an amount exceeding the equivalent of EUR 10,000.
Creditors and top managers of Mriya agroholding are close to the completion of talks on debt restructuring, Head of CIS, Global Financial Advisory Russia at Rothschild Inc. Giovanni Salvetti has said in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda publication.

"It looks like that we are very close to debt restructuring. This is a complicated process due to different character of all creditors, including banks, bonds at local and international levels," he said.

He said that after default of the company since 2015 have provided working capital to the company, which no one else was ready to provide.

"In fact, they saved the company, retaining its integrity and all 3,000 employees. Unfortunately, due to the alleged fraud committed by the previous owners and managers the creditors lost a large amount of money provided to Mriya in the past," Salvetti said.

He expects that the investigation into the fraud would continue for several years.

He said that the company would be put up for sale at a certain stage.
KEARNEY  Little Johnny isnt paying attention in class. He sleeps most of the time. When hes awake, hes disruptive.

Is he lazy or does he have behavioral issues, is he hungry or cold, or do his parents constantly fight while trying to make ends meet.

Those are issues teachers often see in the classroom with children of low-income families and part of a training exercise Wednesday for Kearney middle school teachers.

Nearly 100 Kearney Public Schools teachers and community members took part in the Community Action Poverty Simulation course at Sunrise Middle School. The training was to give teachers a taste of some of the challenges low-income students face.

Unless you experience poverty, its hard to understand, said Ruth Vonderohe, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator. There are so many things we take for granted.

I dont think teachers really realize how tough it is for some people, she added.

The program has been taught for at least 12 years, although this is the first year the training has been provided in Buffalo County.

Vonderohe taught the two-hour course and challenged teachers to get active in the lives of their low-income students and find organizations to help them and their families.

I think thats important that they take the next step, she said. Just knowing what is really in our community and be more empathetic with the kids when they dont come to school for three or four days in a row because they cant.

During the training, teachers were put into 30 low-income families and role-played real-life scenarios of a month in poverty and in need of some type of the 17 services offered.

Dan Fong, an English teacher at Horizon Middle School played the role of a disabled father living with his daughters family. He knows all too well how a rough home life can affect children and that school may be the least of a childs worries.

Early in his career, Fong had a student who was doing poorly in class. It wasnt until he spoke to a school counselor that he learned the student was being abuse at home.

Sometimes, as a teacher, youve got to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Yes, weve got to hold them accountable, but youve got to balance it, too, he said.

SMS physical education teacher Brian Hagan played a 9-year-old with behavioral issues during the training. He often baby-sat his 1-year-old sister. An older sister attended college, while their father spent time at social services trying to get food stamps.

It really opened my eyes to what a lot of our kids go through. To live every day is really a huge struggle for some of our families, he said.

After the exercise, teachers talked about their roles, the struggles they faced and how it made them feel. Kris Grassmeyer may have had one of the most challenging roles.

The HMS math teacher played an unemployed mother of two teenagers whose husband just left her with $10 and an empty bank account. Her son sold drugs and had recently gotten his girlfriend pregnant, while her daughter was having trouble at school.

By the second week of the exercise, Grassmeyer didnt feel guilty her son was a drug dealer.

I was so excited that he actually got money, and that we were all, hopefully, going to pay the rent or, hopefully, something else, I wasnt even angry that he had sold drugs, she said. It was almost a relief that part of our responsibilities were going to be taken care of.

@HubChic
Representatives of the economic department of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine are alarmed with the temporary suspension of the automatic invoice blocking system for administration of value added tax (VAT), acting Head of the State Fiscal Service Myroslav Prodan has written on his Facebook page.

"Representatives of the United States point out our success in introducing the unified register of VAT refunding However, representatives of the United States are alarmed with the temporary suspension of the automatic invoice blocking system for administration of VAT. Investors are concerned about the fact that the return of the system to the test mode could offset the large progress reached by the State Fiscal Service in the area of VAT administration," Prodan wrote on Wednesday, after a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Embassy where the participants discussed the issues exercising the U.S. business and investors regarding their operations in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada passed amendments to the Tax Code (bill No. 6776-d), foreseeing in particular, the suspension of the risky VAT system for two months.
A Sarpy County woman who was found Wednesday with a gunshot wound to her head had been shot Dec. 7, Sarpy County sheriff's officials say.

Cheri Langill, 67, was found Wednesday morning in the basement of her home. Her husband, Karl Langill, 68, was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in the couple's garage. It's not clear how long he had been dead, Sarpy County Chief Deputy Sheriff Greg London said.

Just after 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, Sarpy County sheriff's deputies responded to the Lakewood Villages housing addition, just south of 48th Street and Nebraska Highway 370 outside Papillion city limits. The first deputy who arrived had to force his way into the house, London said.

A friend of Cheri Langill's had contacted the Sheriff's Office because she was concerned about her, London said. Such "check well-being" calls are common, he said. Often, London said, they come in from children who live out of state who ask that deputies check on their parents.

London said he couldn't say what prompted the deputy to break into the house. He did say, however, that "the deputy realized that this was not your typical 'check well-being' call."

The deputy announced his presence when he entered the house. Cheri Langill heard him and started screaming, London said.

"She'd still be laying there if the friend hadn't called 911," London said.

Cheri Langill told the deputy she didn't know where her husband was. Karl Langill's body was found after a search of the house.

Investigators determined that Karl Langill shot his wife once in the head with a .22-caliber pistol during a domestic dispute Dec. 7. Investigators found the pistol inside the house.

Cheri Langill remains at the Nebraska Medical Center, where she was taken after the shooting.

"Considering she got shot in the head," London said, "I think she's in pretty decent shape."

A deputy was headed to the hospital Thursday afternoon to interview Cheri Langill, London said.

Preliminary autopsy results on Karl Langill determined his cause of death. London said Langill had started his wife's car in the garage, but it had run out of gas.

London said sheriff's officers who reviewed the incident Wednesday afternoon were surprised that Cheri Langill wasn't overcome by carbon monoxide.

"It was an extremely unusual call," London said.
Im writing in response to the Dec. 7 Hub Opinion, NAFTA is no more? It seems unthinkable. While I greatly appreciate the Hubs position and understanding of the critical importance of NAFTA to Nebraska agriculture, the piece failed to give appropriate credit to some members of Nebraskas Congressional delegation for their efforts to support NAFTA.

I can tell you first hand that Sen. Ben Sasse and Rep. Adrian Smith understand the importance of NAFTA and the risks of withdrawing to Nebraska agriculture. It was Sasse who, a few months ago, orchestrated an opportunity for me and leadership of other agriculture groups to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Rob Lighthizer (who was the Trump nominee for the USTR post at the time) to discuss the importance of international trade, (including NAFTA), to farm and ranch families and our states broader economy.

Similarly, Smith has continued to push the administration that the baseline for NAFTA renegotiation must be no harm to current agriculture trade. Smith made that clear going back to his questioning of Lighthizer when he first came before the House Ways and Means Committee shortly after Lighthizers appointment.

Whether its Sen. Deb Fischer, Sasse or Smith, members of Nebraskas congressional delegation are advocates on our behalf when it comes to NAFTA. They know full well it will take all of our collective efforts to successfully deliver that message to the president.

Steve Nelson, Axtell
Shortly after the founding of our nation, American citizens engaged in a debate about what kind of country they and later generations would live in. No one understood the value of rural Americans more than Thomas Jefferson. Writing to John Jay, Jefferson stated, Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands. Jefferson understood the products of rural America, through trade, would be our connection to the world and groundwork for our freedoms.

That sentiment still rings true. I am proud of the work in the Senate and by the administration to support the prosperity of rural America.

Nebraska is the second largest ethanol-producing state with 25 ethanol plants that have the capacity to produce more than 2 billion gallons of renewable fuel annually. Biofuel contributes $5 billion to Nebraskas economy every year, and Nebraskans fill more than 1,300 full-time jobs related to its production.

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I was happy to see that the Environmental Protection Agency announced the finalized 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations and 2019 biomass-based diesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The final rule set the total renewable fuel volume at 19.29 billion gallons. This included 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel and 4.29 billion gallons of advanced biofuel.

These volumes provide clarity for Nebraskas ag producers and innovators focused on the future of biofuels. Moreover, the final rule illustrates a commitment to rural America. It will continue to foster investment in the Americans who feed the world and provide renewable energy solutions to match our countrys energy needs.

Good agriculture policy also relies heavily on trade that is both smart and fair. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Nebraska ranks fifth in the country in the value of its agricultural exports. Over 90 thousand jobs rely on exporting Nebraskas high-quality products through the North American Free Trade Agreement.

I support fair trade because it helps Nebraskans provide for their families.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with President Trump at the White House and expressed my support for trade agreements. During our conversation, I highlighted the significant role the NAFTA plays in expanding agriculture exports and creating manufacturing jobs in the United States. I urged him to safeguard the competitive advantage our agriculture producers and manufacturers have worked so hard to build as his administration negotiates with our North American trade partners.

As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I also met with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and again emphasized the value of NAFTA to rural America. I look forward to continuing these discussions with the president and his administration in the weeks to come.

Rural America puts food on tables all over the world and serves as the foundation for a healthy, growing economy. For our country to continue moving forward, we need to ensure that our farmers and livestock producers have stable and dependable markets for their products. I work every day to make sure that continues to happen.

Sen. Deb Fischer is Nebraskas senior representative in the U.S. Senate.
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The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) expects the mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to arrive in January 2018 and the allocation of the next tranche of the loan under the EFF program in the second quarter of the coming year, acting head of the NBU Yakiv Smolii has said.

"We expect that the mission could come by the end of January, respectively, the revision of the program in February-March, the tranche is possible in the second quarter," he said at a briefing in Kyiv.
Leslie McBain whose son died following an opioid addiction talks to reporters at a news conference regarding the impact of opioid overdose on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa on Thursday, November 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Somali police cadets make their way to bury their colleagues, following a suicide bomb attack on a police academy in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. An Islamic extremist suicide bomber disguised as a police officer killed more than a dozen after infiltrating the Gen. Kahiye Police Academy and detonating explosives strapped around his waist and torso, police said. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) expects the growth of Ukraine's international reserves in 2018 from $15.54 billion to "slightly lower" than $19 billion, deputy head of the NBU Oleh Churiy has said.

"Our forecast by the end of this year is that forex reserves will be slightly lower than $19 billion," he said at a press conference in Kyiv.

Churiy noted that this forecast is based on the understanding that by the end of this year Ukraine will not receive the next tranche from the International Monetary Fund under the EFF program.

"At the same time, we expect next year to receive two tranches for a total of $3-3.5 billion. Due to the receipt of these funds in forex reserves and other related financing from international organizations, in particular, the European Commission, we will be able to replenish our forex reserves in the following year," the banker said.

As reported, Ukraine's international reserves in 2016 increased by 17%, to $15.54 billion. At the beginning of December this year, they amounted to $18.91 billion, or 3.7 months of future imports, increasing in November by 0.9%.

In late October this year, the National Bank announced it expected the continuation of cooperation with the IMF and the growth of reserves to $22.1 billion (or 4.2 months of future imports) at the end of 2018.
IMF mission trip to Kyiv not on agenda, Ukraine has to comply with program requirements

A visit of the mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Kyiv in the framework of the fourth revision of the program of cooperation with Ukraine is currently not on the agenda, IMF Deputy Spokesman William Murray has said.

"We have no review mission planned at this stage. We still have this way to go with Ukraine to complete this review," he said at a briefing in Washington.
Ukraine reports 30 attacks on its troops in Donbas, one killed in action in past day

Illegal armed formations violated the ceasefire in Donbas 30 times, as a result of which one Ukrainian soldier was killed in action, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters reported.

"In total, there were 30 instances of the violation of the ceasefire by the Russian-terrorist forces in the past day. In more than half of the cases, the ATO's forces suppressed the aggressor's fire activity," the press center said in an update posted on Facebook on Thursday morning.

Militants in the Luhansk region opened fire from grenade launchers after dark to shell defenders of the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska and Luhanske.

In the Donetsk sector, the outskirts of the town of Avdiyivka saw most of escalation in the second half of the day.

"The enemy repeatedly opened fire from 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and machine guns to attack our positions here," the ATO HQ said. "Some areas of this front-line town were under enemy sniper fire. Besides, the occupiers used infantry weapons to shell the defenders of Kamyanka, Pisky and Butivka coalmine."

In the Mariupol sector, Russian mercenaries used small arms to fire at the Ukrainian defenders of the village of Hranitne.

In the evening, fire reduced in intensity, the ATO HQ said.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) does not yet have enough evidence to serve a notice of suspicion to the former leader of the Ukrop Party, businessman Hennadiy Korban, but he is still a suspect in a number of cases, and his procedural status could be changed, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has said.

"The court found him [Korban] guilty, the verdict came into legal force, that is, at that time Korban was deprived of liberty in a legal way, through a suspended sentence, so he is tried from a legal point of view," he said on the HARD program on the ZIK television channel on Wednesday, December 13, while commenting on Korban's return to Ukraine.

At the same time, Lutsenko said that a number of other criminal proceedings, in which Korban was listed, had been analyzed.

"At the moment, we do not see enough evidence to serve him a notice of suspicion," he said.

At the same time, Lutsenko added: "In several cases he [Korban] is still a suspect. If we have enough evidence, I do not rule out that in these cases there may be a change in his procedural status."
Kilkenny man Bobby Kerr is to leave the business he set up and helped make into a household name, coffee chain Insomnia.

The company said today that its founder and chairman Bobby Kerr will leave the business in the coming weeks and will sell his shares to other shareholders in the business.

Mr Kerr said he will now focus on his broadcasting career and will also step up his activity in Angel Investments and non-executive board participation.

Insomnia is the country's biggest coffee chain and the 15th largest in Europe. It has 150 stores across Ireland and the UK after it was started in a Galway bookshop in 1997.

It employs 400 people throughout Ireland directly in its company-owned stores, along with a further 350 people through its concessions and franchised stores.

Bobby Kerr spent many of those 20 years as the company's chief executive before changing his role to chairman in 2010.

"The legacy that Bobby leaves and the exceptional leadership team whom have a breadth of global management experience, gives me enormous confidence as we navigate this new period of growth and innovation," commented the company's chief executive Harry O'Kelly.

Mr Kerr's departure will see some changes in the senior management team at Insomnia as John Clohisey becomes chairman. The current CFO Barry Kehoe joins the board of directors and Dara O'Flynn also joined in December.
Lutsenko hopes for special confiscation of at least UAH 5 bln from Yanukovych's entourage next year

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has said he hopes for a special confiscation of at least UAH 5 billion in 2018 as the funds that were stolen by the entourage of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych from the country's budget.

"Next year, we will continue a special confiscation... We are planning to seize several billion [hryvnias] of other funds of an organized criminal group led by Yanukovych," he said on the HARD program on the ZIK television channel late on Wednesday, December 13.

He specified that the issue concerned about UAH 5 billion.

"There will again be 1.5 billion [hryvnias] in the hands of the state and the government... And I will demand that the government assume commitment and political responsibility so that all the funds can reach the people next year," Lutsenko said.
SAO PAULO, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The Brazilian government is still working toward holding a lower house vote on its landmark pension overhaul bill next week, Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Wednesday, contradicting earlier remarks by a senior senator. Romero Juca, the government's leader in the Senate, had earlier said that lower house lawmakers had agreed to delay the vote on the unpopular bill to February, close to next year's presidential and parliamentary elections.

(Reporting by Lais Martins; writing by Bruno Federowski Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
HANOI, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0412 GMT.

December 14 USD/VND mid-point 22,443 USD/VND interbank 22,714/22,717 USD/VND unofficial 22,780/22,800 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.34/36.56

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.8-1.1

1 week 0.8-1.2

1 month 2.1-2.5

3 months 4.5-5.0

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016, the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom)
Former Head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects of Ukraine Vladyslav Kaskiv has examined the materials of the pre-trial investigation, and his case should be sent to court, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has said.

"If I'm not mistaken, they [NABU] took away 80% of this case in April, and nothing has been done since then until the last moment, although yesterday I saw some activity... And there is no notice of suspicion for Kaskiv there. At the same time, we were left alone with a case for seven million [hryvnias] and as part of this case we found Kaskiv, extradited him to Ukraine, and now we served him a notice of suspicion. And today, if I'm not mistaken, he studied the case materials. The case should be sent to court," Lutsenko said on the HARD program on the ZIK television channel late on Wednesday, December 13.

He noted that the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) currently accused Kaskiv in the case for only UAH 7 million, whereas the case for UAH 700 million was in the NABU, which makes him anxious.

"He has already transferred these seven million hryvnias to the budget, that is, he compensated for possible losses. He is a person who has recently had his fifth or sixth child born, and he says that he did not contest the decision on his extradition, and these three circumstances, as his defense team things, lead him to a suspended sentence," Lutsenko said.

He expressed hope that the NABU "will do its work faster" and bringing all charges against Kaskiv would change the decision in favor of a real term of imprisonment, rather than a suspended sentence.

As reported, Kaskiv was declared internationally wanted under Part 5, Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on charges of "large-scale misappropriation of property by an official through abuse of office and through collusion with a group of persons" and under Part 2 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on "forgery by an official." He is suspected of entering into a criminal conspiracy in 2012 with other persons to embezzle the means of the state budget of Ukraine in the amount of about UAH 7.5 million.

On September 8, 2016, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office received confirmation from Interpol that Kaskiv had been arrested in Panama. On September 12, a court in Panama granted Kaskiv a $600,000 bail, after which he applied for political asylum.

On November 1, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said that Kaskiv had been extradited from Panama to Ukraine and taken to the Main Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office.

On the same day the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv decided to remand Kaskiv into pretrial custody for two months and set bail at UAH 160,000. The court also ordered Kaskiv to turn in all passports and to be available to investigators, as well as to inform them of his whereabouts.
(Recasts, adds comments from WTO leader, trade expert)

By Luc Cohen and David Lawder

BUENOS AIRES/WASHINGTON Dec 13 (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization failed to reach any new agreements on Wednesday, ending a three-day ministerial conference in discord in the face of stinging U.S. criticism of the group and vetoes from other countries.

The stalemate dashed hopes for new deals on e-commerce and curbs to farm and fisheries subsidies and raised questions about the body's ability to govern increasingly disputed global trade.

The frustrations led some ministers, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, to suggest that negotiations among smaller groups of "like-minded" WTO countries were a better approach going forward.

"We have not achieved any multilateral outcomes," European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told a news conference. "The sad reality is that we did not even agree to stop subsidizing illegal fishing."

She said the meeting laid bare one of the WTO's biggest deficiencies - that all agreements must have the unanimous consent of all 164 member countries. She said the United States was partly to blame but that other countries also blocked progress.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo added that WTO members needed to do some "real soul searching" about the way forward and realize they cannot get everything they want.

"Progress was going to require a leap in members' positions," Azevedo said at the event's closing ceremony. "We didn't see that."

He said U.S. moves to block WTO appeals judges, which could disrupt the body's dispute settlement system, were not discussed as a formal topic, but several ministers voiced concerns in statements at the conference.

The failure to agree on new deals means that talks on the same trade topics will continue. WTO delegates agreed to set a new goal for a reaching a comprehensive fisheries subsidy by the time of the next ministerial conference in 2019.

Trade ministers instead emphasized the WTO's post-conference work programs, such as efforts to improve market efficiency, curb excess industrial capacity and improve subsidy transparency.

'PLURILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS'

Malmstrom said "short-term plurilateral arrangements within the WTO framework" were the best way forward. Two such arrangements came together at the Buenos Aires conference.

On Wednesday, some 70 members, including the United States, European Union and Japan, pledged to forge ahead with negotiating rules on electronic commerce after a broader deal among the full membership failed. Absent from the group were China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia. The EU and Japan joined the United States on Tuesday in vowing to combat market-distorting policies, such as those pervasive in China that have fueled excess industrial capacity, including subsidies for state-owned enterprises and technology transfer requirements .

"The potential focus on plurilateral negotiations between like-minded countries is a natural and positive outcome, if it turns out to bear fruit," said Chad Bown, a senior fellow and trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.

Bown said a good template would be the 1996 WTO Information Technology Agreement, which initially had just 29 countries lowering tariffs on IT products. That has since expanded to 82 countries covering 97 percent of trade in the sector.

The WTO conference's chair, former Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, defended the WTO's need for unanimity among its large and unruly membership, saying it was the still the best forum to deal with trade disputes.

"Let's better work to strengthen WTO, because the alternative is the jungle," she said.

AT FIRST, "AMERICA FIRST"

The conference began with Lighthizer setting an acrimonious tone with sharp criticism of the WTO, telling ministers on Monday that it was impossible to negotiate new rules while many of the current rules were not being followed, and that the WTO was losing its focus and becoming too litigation-focused. Driven by President Donald Trump's "America First" strategy and a preference for bilateral deals, the United States had pushed against ministers drafting a perfunctory ministerial that included references to the centrality of the global trading system and to trade as a driver of development. The statement was ultimately blocked.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in Buenos Aires and David Lawder in Washington; Additional reporting by Eliana Raszewski in Buenos Aires; Editing by Andrew Hay and Peter Cooney)
CBOE CEO, Ed Tilly, sees more exchange consolidation coming. "The synergies that are inherent in a deal in the exchange space  because at the end of the day these are huge technology companies  still make sense." Reported by Financial News.

CME changed the payment date for its $3.50 annual variable dividend to 16-Jan-2018 from 15-Jan-2018.

CME will require a 47% initial margin on Bitcoin futures and a 43% maintenance margin.

CBOE created the Cboe Gemini Bitcoin Futures Index, a new strategy performance benchmark index that replicates a constant one-month position in Cboe XBTSM Bitcoin Futures.

ICE Clear Credit, ICE Clear US and ICE Clear Europe are considering using customer funds to invest in French and German sovereign debt, reported by Global Investor.

DB1: EEX Exchange Council approved new contracts including a Liquid Milk contract as well as the introduction of further short term power contracts.

ENX won recognition by the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) to provide Approved Publication Arrangement (APA) and Approved Reporting Mechanism (ARM) services.

LSE: shareholder advisory group PIRC recommended that shareholders abstain in a vote to oust chairman Donald Brydon according to Reuters.

SGX cleared the worlds first futures contract for LNG delivered to Dubai, Kuwait and India.

DB1 and several associations warned that MiFID ll rules on the provision of research services will fundamentally change and will cause challenges to smaller issuers.

DB1: Eurex received approval to launch a settled-to-market model for OTC IRS trades, letting subscribers use variation-margin payments in disbursement. Reported by FOW.

CME post-trade head, Kim Taylor, will retire at year-end, according to Reuters.

trueEx's post-trade processing arm, TruePTS, signed Citigroup and JP Morgan as its first clients after the platform resolved a legal dispute with legacy post trade provider, IHS Markit.

Vanguard plans to use blockchain in index data updates.

.

SIFMA expects the SEC to allow broker-dealers to submit client-trading information without revealing personal identifiers attached to each individual investor, according to Bloomberg.

European Commission allowed European investors to continue trading in shares listed in stock exchanges in the United States, Australia and Hong Kong after MiFID II comes into force on 3-Jan.
* Vietnam's robusta at $50-$75/T discount to London March contract

* Trade thin on low prices, weak demand

* Indonesia premium rises further to $130/T to Jan contract

By Mi Nguyen

Dec 14 (Reuters) - Vietnam's coffee supply was steady as good weather supported harvesting but trading was thin, while Indonesian markets were also subdued due to low stocks, traders said on Thursday.

Farmers in Vietnam's main coffee-growing province Daklak sold coffee beans at 36,000-37,000 dong ($1.58-$1.63) per kg, lower than last week's range of 37,300-37,600 dong, and tracking a decline in London prices, traders said.

The London ICE March futures contract fell as low as $1,686 a tonne on Tuesday, the weakest for the third position since June 2016.

Traders said 5 percent black and broken grade 2 robusta was quoted at a discount of $50-$75 per tonne to the ICE March futures contract , compared to a discount of $65-$75 per tonne a week earlier.

Weather is supporting the current harvest in Vietnam's coffee belt region of Central Highlands, ensuring supply, but falling prices discouraged farmers and exporters from selling too many beans, while buyers were also not keen, traders said.

Earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture revised up its forecast for Vietnam's 2017/2018 coffee crop output, including a small amount of arabica, to 29.9 million bags from a previous estimate of 28.6 million bags.

The USDA expects Vietnam's robusta output to reach 28.6 million bags for the 2017/2018 crop and exports to hit 25.5 million bags, both were adjusted higher from previous estimates.

Vietnam's coffee exports in November was revised up from a previous government estimate to 100,000 tonnes, or 1.67 million 60-kg bags, customs data showed. Rabobank expects Vietnam's production in 2018/2019 to climb to 29.4 million bags, from 28.7 million bags in 2017/2018, while CoffeeNetwork sees a global coffee surplus of 3.7 million bags in 2018/2019, up from an anticipated 0.9 million in the prior season. In Indonesia, the grade 4 defect 80 robusta was set with a $130 a tonne premium to the January contract , compared to a $110-$120 premium last week, a Lampung-based trader said.

Traders are only fulfilling previous contracts, the trader said, adding he expects activity to remain thin through the new year holidays as traders await the harvest season. ($1 = 22,714 dong)

(Reporting by Mi Nguyen; Additional reporting by Mas Alina Arifin in Bandar Lampung; Writing by Mai Nguyen, editing by David Evans)
SINGAPORE, Dec 14 (IFR) - Asian new issues were mixed in secondary markets in low trading volume, as more participants head off for the year-end holidays.

Moves to raise benchmark rates in the US and China had minimal impact on the credit markets.

The Federal Reserve yesterday announced a widely expected and priced-in rise of 25bp, followed by China today to raise rates by 5bp, an increase too small to affect sentiment.

"Trading activities are really low and quite a number of investors that bought into recent primary issues have locked the paper away, so a lot of the new issues are trading flat to reoffer levels," said one debt syndicate banker.

One outperformer was Yangzhou Urban Construction's 4.375% 2020 bond, which has rallied 10bp inside reoffer of 245bp over Treasuries.

Among deals priced yesterday, China Orient Asset Management's 4.375% 2027s were slightly firmer at 204bp/202bp over Treasuries against reoffer spread of 205bp.

But the small size of US$250m for the 4.25% perpetuals made the paper less liquid and indications were heard around reoffer at par.

Bank of Chongqing's 5.4% AT1 notes were also range-bound and quoted flat to reoffer at par.

Underperforming the new issues were CIFI Holdings' 5.375% perps, which stayed weak at 98.00/98.542 - broadly unchanged from yesterday and below reoffer at par.

Asian credit spreads were tighter with the iTraxx Asia ex-Japan IG index indicated at 70.5bp/71.25bp, pulling in 1.5bp from yesterday's close.

(Reporting by Kit Yin Boey; Editing by Vincent Baby)

Keywords: MARKETS ASIA DEBT/
Dec 14 (Reuters) - Australian casino operator Crown Resorts said on Thursday it has signed several divestment deals as part of its ongoing debt reduction strategy, including the sale of its interest in a Las Vegas site for $300 million to a unit of Wynn Resorts Ltd .

The company said in a statement it expects gross proceeds of $264 million from the sale of the Las Vegas site.

Crown has been retreating from a decade-long foray into the global gaming hub since 18 staff were arrested for gambling crimes in China last October amid a broader crackdown on corruption. (Reporting by Christina Martin in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
MOSCOW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is running for re-election in March, has proposed writing off some of the tax debts accumulated by Russian individuals and small businesses.

A total of about 80 billion roubles ($1.4 billion) would be written off under Putin's proposal, a high-ranking official told Reuters.

Speaking at his annual news conference, Putin said that some of the debt accumulated because of flaws in Russia's tax system.

"I think that people should be freed from these payments, and it should be done in the most de-bureaucratic way, without the need to apply to a tax inspection," he added.

He estimated that debts of 42 million people worth 41 billion roubles should be written off.

The high-ranking official told Reuters that Putin was speaking about debts for property tax and penalties accrued before 2015 that the tax service recognises as uncollectible.

The debts of 2.9 million self-employed entrepreneurs worth more than 15 billion roubles should also be written off, Putin said.

He also proposed writing off profit tax, accumulated by some Russian citizens on their so-called waived debts.

According to the high-ranking official, the latter would mean writing off 22 billion roubles.

($1 = 58.8600 roubles)

(Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya and Polina Nikolskaya, writing by Polina Devitt, editing by Larry King)
COPENHAGEN, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Denmark's borrowing needs will be unchanged at 95 billion Danish crowns ($15.05 billion) next year, the central bank said on Thursday.

The bank said it will target sales of 65 billion crowns worth of domestic government bonds and 30 billion crowns of T-bills. It will also open a new index-linked bond that will mature in 2030.

The balance on the government's account is expected to be around 100 billion crowns at the end of 2018, the bank said.

($1 = 6.3106 Danish crowns)

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; editing by John Stonestreet)
LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The euro strengthened and euro zone bond yields rose after the European Central Bank on Thursday revised its growth forecasts upwards. The euro hit a nine-day high of $1.1863 as ECB President Mario Draghi set out the revision to the growth forecasts and said further growth surprises were possible.

Germany's 10-year bond yield hit the day's high and was up 3 basis points on the day at 0.34 percent at one point during his speech.

Euro zone stocks and blue-chips were little changed by the rise in the euro, trading down 0.3 to 0.4 percent, the levels they were at before Draghi began speaking.

(Reporting by London Markets Team; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)
Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: AGI; NYSE: AGI) says a feasibility study for its Lynn Lake gold project in Manitoba projects average annual production of 170,000 ounces over the first six years and 143,000 ounces over the first 10 years, with life-of-mine production of 1.5 million ounces. The company also declared an initial proven and probable mineral reserve of 26.8 million tonnes grading 1.89 grams per tonne of gold, containing 1.6 million ounces of gold. Alamos lists life-of-mine total cash costs of $645 per ounce of gold and mine-site all-in sustaining costs of $745 per ounce. Alamos also lists an initial capital estimate of $338 million and projected total life-of-mine capital, including sustaining capital and reclamation costs, of $486 million. "We acquired the Lynn Lake project in 2016 for $20 million and with the completion of the feasibility study, have outlined solid base-case economics for the project with an after-tax net present value over $120 million, says John A. McCluskey, president and chief executive officer. As we advance the project through permitting over the next two years, we see excellent potential to further enhance its overall economics through a number of avenues, including incorporating recent exploration success. We expect stronger economics prior to making a construction decision.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Coeur Mining: Palmarejo, Kensington Exploration Encouraging

Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE: CDE) says results from its expanded exploration programs for Palmarejo in Mexico and Kensington in Alaska are encouraging. The company is hoping to find additional high-grade resources near current operations to build reserves and extend the lives of mines. Among the favorable results, the company cites a finding at the new Nacion-Dana deposit at Palmarejo that include 4.4 meters (14.4 feet) at 19.9 grams per tonne (0.58 oz/t) of and 1,875.4 g/t (54.7 oz/t) of silver. Given the high relative success rates of near-mine drilling at deposits with significant untapped potential like Palmarejo and Kensington, we believe allocating higher levels of capital to exploration at these two operations makes strong strategic sense. Both of these properties have been historically under-drilled and we are generating new discoveries and positive results after only 18 months of funding these higher levels of investment, says Mitchell J. Krebs, president and chief executive officer. At Palmarejo, we have made seven new, high-grade discoveries located near existing underground infrastructure. At Kensington, we are working to expand higher-grade areas such as Jualin and Raven that have the potential to yield higher margin production and cash flow.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Guyana Goldfields Developing Mine-Optimization Plan For Aurora

Guyana Goldfields Inc. (TSX: GUY) says it expects to release an optimized mine plan for its Aurora Gold Mine in the first quarter. The plan is expected to smooth the life-of-mine production and cost profiles, allowing for consistent operating and financial results while reducing overall capital, operating costs and further improving cash flows, says the companys announcement. Officials want to eliminate large variations in production and costs year-over-year, potentially expand processing throughput, and study whether to shift from an owner-operated mining fleet to contract mining to reduce capital costs. We expect to deliver the updated mine plan, along with an updated reserves and resources statement accounting for 2017 mining depletion, as well as 2018 production and cost guidance, in Q1 2018," says Scott A. Caldwell, president and chief executive officer.
COPENHAGEN, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Iceland's new majority left-to-right government aims to reduce treasury debt by 50 billion Icelandic crowns ($480 million) in 2018, it said in connection with the presentation of its budget for 2018 on Thursday. That would bring the treasury debt ratio to 31.7 percent of the gross domestic product by year-end. The proposed budget includes 35 billion Icelandic crowns surplus on treasury operations. ($1 = 103.8600 Icelandic Crowns)

(Reporting by Teis Jensen; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Former Georgian President and leader of the Ukrainian Movement of New Forces Party Mikheil Saakashvili during his time in pretrial confinement in Kyiv decided he is not afraid of serving prison time.

"I tested myself in prison. It turns out that I do not fear imprisonment at all, not even in its worst form. The first day was difficult, when they put me in the cell and told me I would be there for several years, and then several more years in a prison cell in Georgia. However, on the second day I was in good shape. I have tested myself in all situations and do not fear prison or bullets," Saakashvili said in an interview with Georgia's First radio station.

"When we are triumphant in Ukraine, we will move on to Georgia. If they don't let me restore order in Ukraine and send me to Georgia first, then we will restore order there and come back to Ukraine. Believe me, I have enough stamina and energy for both countries," Saakashvili said.

As reported, Saakashvili was detained in Kyiv late on December 8, 2017. He was charged under Part 2 of Article 256 of the Criminal Code (assisting members of criminal organizations and concealing their criminal activity), which foresees from five to ten years of imprisonment.

Kyiv's Pechersky District Court on December 11, 2017 rejected arguments by Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) to remand Saakashvili to house arrest and released him. PGO officials said they would appeal the ruling.
JAKARTA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Indonesian state-controlled port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Pelindo III) is considering selling up to $1 billion of bonds in 2018 for refinancing, Chief Executive Ari Askhara said on Thursday.

The company has yet to decide whether to sell dollar- or rupiah-denominated bonds, Askhara told reporters, adding that he estimated the company could set pricing at a premium of around 50 basis points to the government's 10-year dollar bonds.

In 2014, the company sold $500 million in global bonds with a 4.88 percent coupon.

(Reporting by Cindy Silviana; Writing by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
OSLO, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Norway's central bank plans a first rate hike in late 2018 and rates could more than triple in the following years from the current record-low 0.5 percent, a top official said on Thursday.

"We expect unchanged rates until the autumn of 2018 and then a gradual increase to somewhat above 1.5 percent by the end of 2020, Executive Director Ida Wolden Bache of Norges Bank's monetary policy department told a news conference.

Governor Oeystein Olsen separately said the bank expects a rate hike in late 2018.

(Reporting by Camilla Knudsen, writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche)
* Otkritie bank, once Russia's biggest private lender, bailed out

* State inherits three pension funds from rescue

* Central bank plans to merge them, under its wing - sources

By Tatiana Voronova and Elena Fabrichnaya

MOSCOW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Russia's central bank is preparing to merge three pension funds of bailed out bank Otkritie to create the biggest non-state pension fund in Russia, while guaranteeing payouts to their 7.7 million members, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

The funds had been indirectly controlled by Otkritie Holding, the former parent of Otkritie bank. Once Russia's largest private lender, it was rescued in August by the central bank, which was then lumbered with the three pension funds too.

The Russian central bank has since increased the estimate of the overall cost of the bailout, which includes the three pension funds, Lukoil-Garant, Eletroenergetiki and RGS, to 456 billion roubles. The former owners of Otkritie bank, led by the holding company's chief executive Vadim Belayev, failed in an attempt to merge them to form the biggest non-state pension fund in Russia with funds under management of 519 billion roubles ($9 billion).

Two people close to the two funds and a person close to Otkritie, which declined immediate comment, told Reuters that the central bank has decided to merge the three funds.

The central bank declined to comment on the plan, which will result in a pension fund larger than that of top lender Sberbank , which has 430 billion roubles under management.

It was not immediately clear why the central bank would merge the funds, other than potential synergies, although one of the people said the new structure would make it easier for Otkritie bank's new head, Mikhail Zadornov, to manage.

The central bank has said that it planned to sell the financial assets it was cleaning up - Otkritie bank and B&N bank - once they return to the financial health. ($1 = 58.7274 roubles)

(Reporting by Tatiana Voronova and Elena Fabrichnaya; writing by Katya Golubkova; editing by John O'Donnell and Alexander Smith)
EDINBURGH, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Scotland's economy will grow at a slower rate than that of the United Kingdom overall during the next five years, the Scottish Fiscal Commission forecast on Thursday.

Scottish gross domestic product growth would be 0.7 percent in 2017 and 2018, 0.9 percent in 2018, 0.6 percent in 2020, 0.9 percent in 2021 and 1.1 percent in 2022, the forecasting agency said in figures published to coincide with the Scottish budget.

Britain's GDP is expected to grow 1.5 percent in 2017, 1.4 percent in 2018, 1.3 percent in both 2019 and 2020, before picking back up to 1.5 percent, and finally 1.6 percent in 2022, according to Britain's Office of Budget Responsibility.

(Reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary, editing by David Milliken)
PRETORIA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - South Africa's current account deficit narrowed slightly to 2.3 percent of GDP in the third quarter, as an increase in agricultural exports was offset by declines in sales of mining and manufactured goods, the central bank said on Thursday.

The deficit was larger than the 2.05 percent shortfall economists surveyed by Reuters had expected, driven by the net decrease in the volume of exports.

The trade surplus however continued to grow, rising to 71 billion rand ($5.25 billion) from a revised 64 billion rand in the prior quarter, the Reserve Bank said in its quarterly bulletin.

($1 = 13.5137 rand)

(Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; editing by John Stonestreet)
STOCKHOLM, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Apartment prices in Sweden rose 1 percent in the September- November period from the same period a year earlier, data from an association of Swedish real estate agents showed on Thursday.

Prices of single-family homes rose 6 percent, the Svensk Maklarstatistik association said.

Compared with the August-October period this year, apartment prices were down 3 percent, while single-family home prices fell 1 percent.

Property prices have surged in recent years, outpacing wage growth, and authorities have long warned about high debt levels.

Last month, Sweden's government gave a green light to the financial regulator to impose a further tightening of mortgage-repayment rules on big borrowers. The recent slow down in prices is long overdue, according to the central bank and others, but should not have a big impact on the economy. (Reporting by Johan Sennero; Editing by Simon Johnson)
STOCKHOLM, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Sweden's central bank bought 1.306 billion Swedish crowns ($156.22 million) worth of government bonds in a reverse auction as part of its quantitative easing programme, it said on Thursday. It bought 681 million crowns of 2020 bonds at an average yield of -0.504 percent and 625 million crowns of 2023 bonds at 0.041 percent. Investors offered to sell the Riksbank 681 million crowns and 2.7 billion crowns in the two bonds respectively. ($1 = 8.3599 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Johan Sennero; Editing by Simon Johnson)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
OSLO, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Norway's central bank issued the following economic forecasts in a monetary policy report on Thursday after keeping rates unchanged at 0.50 percent. The forecasts are shown in comparison with the figures given in the bank's previous report. Figures (percentage change unless stated):

2017 2018 2019 2020 Dec Sept Dec Sept Dec Sept Dec Sept Mainland GDP 1.9 2.0 2.3 2.0 2.2 2.0 1.9 2.1 Core CPI* 1.4 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.9 1.5 2.1 1.7 Deposit rate 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.9 0.7 1.4 1.2 Oil invest. -2.0 -1.0 +6.0 1.3 +6.0 7.0 +3.0 4.1 Unemployment** 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.4 Annual wages 2.4 2.4 2.9 2.8 3.6 3.3 4.0 3.7 Import-weighted FX (I-44) index 104.5 103.8 104.4 102.4 102.1 100.5 101.1 100.1 NOTES: * Core CPI is the consumer price index adjusted for tax changes and excluding energy products. ** Unemployment as calculated by NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration)

(Reporting by Oslo newsroom)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November as the holiday shopping season got off to a brisk start, pointing to sustained strength in the economy. The Commerce Department said on Thursday that retail sales rose 0.8 percent last month. Data for October was revised to show sales gaining 0.5 percent instead of the previously reported 0.2 percent rise. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales increasing 0.3 percent in November.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Bernadette Baum)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
KAMPALA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The Ugandan shilling was unchanged on Thursday amid subdued demand for dollars from both importers and commercial banks. At 0928 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,615/3,625, unchanged from Wednesday's close. UGX Spot Rate.................... Ugandan Shilling Money Guide.... Calculated Cross Rates.......... Deposits..................... Deposits & Forwards............. Uganda Equities Guide....... Uganda All Share Index........ Shilling background ..... Ugandan Debt Guide............ All Uganda Bonds............. Uganda T-Bills.............. Uganda Benchmark............. Central Bank ................ Ugandan Contributor Index.... Uganda Coffee Prices....... (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has issued an order to Head of Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) Vitali Klitschko with respect to KCSA officials due to the violation of the requirements of the legislation on ethical conduct, prevention and settlement of the conflict of interests.

A statement posted on the NACP's page on Facebook on Thursday says that after the checks conducted at KSCA, a number of violations of the requirements of the law on preventing corruption were recorded.

"In particular, KCSA's anti-corruption program was not approved on time, the possibility of making reports on corruption through the official website of the body was not ensured, and the decision was made to appoint two people to posts that foresee the holding of a responsible or particularly responsible position, without conducting a special check," the statement reads.

In addition, it was established during the checks that KCSA had not informed NACP about 37 cases of non-submission and untimely submission of income declarations regarding civil servants who work or worked there.
(Adds details of release, background)

OTTAWA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Canadian new home prices edged up by 0.1 percent in October on strength in the capital, Ottawa, while prices in Toronto rose for the first time in five months, Statistics Canada said on Thursday.

Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a 0.2 percent increase from September. Prices increased by 3.5 percent compared to October 2016.

Ottawa recorded a 1.0 percent gain on improved market conditions and new developments. Prices were unchanged in 15 of the country's 27 metropolitan areas.

Toronto and Vancouver, Canada's hottest markets for the past few years, posted modest increases of 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent respectively. Provincial governments in Ontario and British Columbia have both taken measures to clamp down on foreign buyers blamed for soaring prices.

The new housing price index excludes apartments and condominiums, which the government says are a particular cause for concern and which account for one-third of new housing.

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Graphic - Canada new housing prices Graphic - Canada economic snapshot ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
(Adds details, background)

By Elias Thorsson and Teis Jensen

COPENHAGEN, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Iceland's new government said on Thursday it aimed to reduce treasury debt further in its 2018 budget, but gave little clue about how it will expand infrastructure and welfare spending as the economy revives from a banking collapse almost a decade ago.

Finance minister Bjarni Benediktsson hailed a planned rise in infrastructure investment but the opposition Social Democrats said the plans were inadequate and the public had been betrayed.

The budget proposal was presented by Benediktsson, a former prime minister who become finance minister in a new government coalition led by Katrin Jakobsdottir of the Left-Green Movement.

Benediktsson called a snap election after less than a year in government, as a scandal involving his father prompted a government ally to drop out of his ruling coalition.

Jakobsdottir, whose Left-Green Movement emerged as the second biggest party in the Oct. 28 elections, has been criticized by voters and party members for entering a coalition with Benediktsson's right-wing Independence party.

The finance ministry said it would increase allocations to healthcare, education, environment and transport -- all leading issues in the election -- and aim to reduce treasury debt by 50 billion Icelandic crowns ($480 million) in 2018.

However, it was largely based on the budget from this fall, according to Jon Bjarki Bentsson, chief economist at Islandsbanki.

"The tone indicates that they are attempting to find a happy medium between the different viewpoints," Bentsson said referring to the Left-Greens and Independence Party.

"All large scale changes and policy decisions will wait until the next couple of years," he said.

The proposed budget includes 35 billion Icelandic crowns surplus on treasury operations, bringing the treasury debt ratio to 31.7 percent of the gross domestic product by year-end.

"I would say this is a strong result for the treasury. The surplus is slightly less than what we proposed this fall, because we are increasing infrastructure investment," Benediktsson told state broadcaster RUV.

However, the budget proposal was criticized by the Social Democrats, who were part of initial government coalition talks but eventually were left out.

"It is clear that families, middle-to-low income people and in fact all of the public is badly betrayed by the budget put forth by Katrin Jakobsdottir," a party press release said.

"The budget is a far cry from what the public has been requesting in terms of infrastructure investments and miles away from what the Left Greens promised before the elections."

($1 = 103.8600 Icelandic Crowns)

(Writing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Editing by William Maclean)
(Adds details)

LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - South Africa's precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater has agreed to buy Lonmin in an all-share deal, valuing the troubled platinum producer at about 285 million pounds ($382 million), the two companies said on Thursday.

Lonmin, the world's third biggest platinum producer, has faced the combined pressures of low platinum prices and challenges of operating in South Africa, where laying off workers to improve profitability is a fraught issue. Its share price in London was up 18 percent by 0822 GMT, while Sibanye-Stillwater's fell 2.6 percent in Johannesburg trade.

"The flexibility inherent in the larger regional PGM (platinum group metals) footprint will create a more robust business, better able to withstand volatile PGM prices and exchange rates," Neal Froneman, chief executive officer of Sibanye-Stillwater, said in a statement.

He said the acquisition would "deliver longer term benefits for all stakeholders."

Under the offer, each Lonmin Shareholder will receive 0.967 new Sibanye-Stillwater shares for each Lonmin share, the companies said in their statement.

Following the completion of the deal Lonmin shareholders will hold around 11.3 percent of the enlarged group.

"Doubtless welcome news to long suffering Lonmin shareholders averting the need to dig into their pockets once again to refinance the company in its regular three to four year refinancing cycle," Marc Elliott, analyst at Investec bank said.

He added Sibanye management could get the most value from Lonmin's smelting and refining assets and could also be betting on a rebound in the price of platinum group metals.

Lonmin's share price has halved this year because of uncertainty about the future of a company, which has repeatedly called on its investors for cash.

In November, Reuters reported on its array of measures to save cash after it delayed its annual financial results pending conclusion of a business review. (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru and Barbara Lewis in London; Editing by Adrian Croft)
Ukraine hopes that the United States will help release hostages held in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia, Verkhovna Rada First Deputy Chairperson Iryna Gerashchenko has said.

"We are counting on U.S. assistance in the release of hostages and political prisoners who are illegally held in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the occupied Crimea and Russia. Sanctions against the Russian Federation should remain in place until the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and until all illegally detained citizens of Ukraine are released," the Ukrainian parliament's press service quoted Gerashchenko as saying following her visit to the United States.

She also noted that in order to establish peace in eastern Ukraine it is extremely important to establish control over the section of the Russian-Ukrainian border, as well as to deploy a UN peacekeeping force throughout the temporarily occupied territory of Donbas.

In addition, Gerashchenko stressed the need to provide defensive weapons to Ukraine to protect Ukrainian territories.

"The U.S. defense budget for 2018 envisages $350 million as assistance to Ukraine in the security sector. It is very important that U.S. assistance programs to Ukraine envisage funding in 2018 for programs on humanitarian demining and rehabilitation of servicemen injured in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone," she added.

She also said that the United States remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in resolving security and humanitarian issues.

"We look forward to continuing constructive dialogue with the United States in 2018," Gerashchenko said.
Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Ten months after taking office and seven months after beginning a redesign of the department that critics say has hollowed it out, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is making a push to be more transparent and open and boost sagging morale  starting with the first of what will be many town halls on where the agency stands.



The push, described by a senior State Department official, comes as questions about his future continue to haunt Tillerson, after a White House plot to oust him was leaked to the press two weeks ago.



But Tillerson doubled down on his plans to revamp the nations foreign service agency and pushed back on continued reports that it was being dismantled.



In particular, after a monthslong multimillion-dollar process that included 35,000 State Department and USAID employees taking an online survey, 300 in-person interviews and employee-led teams narrowing those ideas down with the help of two outside consulting firms, Tillersons big reveal today was six changes to IT systems and personnel policy.



Some of the ideas got applause from those in attendance in Washington, such as an end to the hiring freeze for employees spouses at posts around the world. But that freeze was implemented by Tillerson, and a broader one remains in place for department employees. Its been the cause of much frustration for missions and diplomats, although the State Department counters that Tillerson has signed 2,400 exemptions and denied only one to two dozen.



Tillerson also got applause for announcing a streamlining of the security clearance process, which was frustrating for me, he said to laughs, and for changes to personnel policy that allow employees on medical or maternity leave to telecommute instead of use up leave time.



But after months of planning that was seen as secretive by Capitol Hill and cuts to staffing through attrition, resignations, retirements and buy-outs, critics called it a small pot to show for his efforts.



These are drops in a bucket compared to the magnitude of issues facing this department, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. These problems have been needlessly inflicted by this administration ... It will take a lot of hard work to help State and USAID recover from the damage the freeze and rudderless redesign have done.



Tillerson referred to some bigger changes coming down the line, including upgrading and integrating the IT and HR systems, streamlining the process for policy to be created and raised to his attention and eliminating duplicative systems and processes.



He said that there will be no embassy or consulate closures but that there will be a re-evaluation of how many people are needed at various posts  citing London, Paris and Rome as missions that will likely be cut back.



These new projects are two or three years in the future, he said  implying that he was sticking around to see them through.



In the face of the reports that he was being ousted, Tillerson was at his most passionate talking about organizational performance, saying finding ways to increase it has been one of the things Ive gotten the greatest satisfaction from in his career  and that he did not necessarily enjoy diplomacy.



The actual task at hand of dealing with North Korea? I dont enjoy that, he told the room of employees and those watching at posts around the world. But I enjoy working with Susan Thornton on it, referring to the acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs as an example of a colleague hes gotten to know.



Unleashing the talent of the departments personnel seemed to be his top priority.



It is all about our greatest asset, you the people  how do we develop the talent that resides inside of you, the capability inside of you, and then do we enable you to put it to work on behalf of the American people, he added. Thats what the redesign is about, nothing more, nothing less.



A senior State Department official said that Tillerson acknowledges, understands and respects how people feel but blamed the low morale on a messaging problem. We have to do a better job to communicate to internal and external audiences the accomplishments and achievements, his vision for the U.S.s position in the world, and he is committed to doing that, the official said.



To that end, Tillersons senior aide R.C. Hammond, who worked with him through the transition and became his de facto spokesman, is out. Tuesday was his last day at the department after a tsunami of bad headlines for his boss over his first 11 months in office.



Tillerson will play a more public role now as he and his team seek to combat the narrative that he is gutting the department.



He praised the work of foreign service officers and civil servants, especially those who have been filling roles in acting capacities and who have faced attacks from conservatives who see them as holdovers from the Obama administration.



At a speech later in the day, Tillerson acknowledged that there are lots of open positions. Ive got nominees for them. Id love to get them in place. It makes a big difference. He thanked those who have stepped up in the interim  and tried to offer a bit of humor about the delays, often the result of infighting with the White House.



Some people seem to want to observe that theres nothing happening at the State Department because Im walking through this hollowed-out building and listening to the echoes of the heels of my shoes as I walk down the halls, he said to laughs at that speech, before the Atlantic Council in Washington.



In addition to the speech, the public push will include an editorial planned for sometime next week.



But some of what Tillerson said in the town hall didnt seem to help the new push. He recounted how he did not know any State Department employees or diplomats in his previous career, shrugging his shoulders with a laugh and saying, Sorry.



Asked whether he enjoyed his job, he laughed for a bit before saying, I am learning to enjoy it. Look, its  this is a hard job.



Tillerson tried to open up and show a different side of himself, including his admiration for the culture of the American West, where your word is your bond, he said. He added that thats a philosophy he has carried with him throughout his global diplomacy in the private sector, in oil deals with foreign leaders.



Critics point out Trump has backed away from deals that the U.S. previously pledged its support to, like the Paris Climate Accord, the Iran nuclear deal and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that work is continuing in the exclusion zone at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant to prepare for putting into operation an industrial complex for receiving and processing solid radioactive waste accumulated during the plant's existence.

"Today we bow with deep respect to the cleanup workers of the accident at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. We bow to the bright memory of the heroes who saved Ukrainian land and, without exaggeration, the whole world from the spread of the radiation threat," Poroshenko said in his address to the people on the occasion of Day of Honoring Chornobyl Cleanup Workers, which was posted on the website of the head of state on Thursday.

He noted that the Ukrainian side, together with foreign partners, was working to improve the new unique shelter facility at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

"The reconstruction of all existing systems of the protective circuit and control of the facility, including ventilation and fire-fighting systems, was performed in extreme radiation conditions. The work is continuing to prepare for the commissioning of an industrial complex intended for receiving and processing solid radioactive waste accumulated during the existence of the plant," Poroshenko said.

He thanked donor countries, international organizations, "all those who are not indifferent," and who have helped over the past decades and are currently providing necessary support to Ukraine in eliminating the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster.

"Step by step, we are jointly implementing a number of important security and environmental projects to ensure the transformation of the exclusion zone into a promising, useful area," the president said.

At the same time, he said, the state should direct efforts to address issues of medical and social security for Chornobyl cleanup workers.

"I am convinced that the key to solving Chornobyl-related problems will continue to be international solidarity and coordinated work for the sake of a safe future for future generations," Poroshenko said.
The White House said Wednesday that now is not the time for talks with North Korea, a day after the top U.S. diplomat offered unconditional dialogue with the nuclear-armed regime.



U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that Washington is "ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk," and is willing to have the first meeting "without precondition."



It was unclear whether the diplomat had approval from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been dismissive of any effort to negotiate with Pyongyang.



"Given North Korea's most recent missile test, clearly now is not the time," a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said in emailed remarks to Yonhap.



North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, breaking a 75-day pause in weapons testing from the regime. The new missile, according to Pyongyang, is capable of delivering a nuclear weapon to all parts of the U.S. mainland.



"Administration policy on North Korea has not changed," the spokesperson said. "As we have stated repeatedly, we are open to the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, with the aim of de-nuclearizing the Korean peninsula."



For talks to take place, North Korea must first refrain from further provocations and "take sincere and meaningful actions toward denuclearization," he added.



Citing Tillerson, the spokesperson said the U.S. will "know it when we see it" as to the right time for talks.



"The administration is united in insisting that any negotiations with North Korea must wait until the regime fundamentally improves its behavior," he said. "This Administration will not repeat the failed policies of the past." (Yonhap)




Hana Al-Gallal, left, a human rights activist and former education minister of Libya, speaks during the Korea-Middle East Forum hosted by the Korea-Arab Society at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Nov. 27. / Courtesy of Korea-Arab Society



By Kang Hyun-kyung



The prolonged conflict in Libya, which has continued after a series of popular uprisings in the Middle East spread to the North African country in 2011, has torn Hana Al-Gallal's life apart.



Al-Gallal, a human rights activist and Libya's former minister of education, lost her friends and relatives as some of them were assassinated. She was separated from her relatives and then fled to Amman, Jordan, in 2013 after security in Benghazi had gone from bad to worse.

She has since lived in Jordan and raised awareness of dismal human rights conditions of the Libyan people.



Al-Gallal said her experience of the Arab Spring was traumatic. "It hurt. It was painful," she said during an interview with The Korea Times on Nov. 28 at Lotte Hotel in Seoul.



The revolt in Libya made initial progress. It led to the termination of the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi who had been in power since 1969. Gaddafi was captured and killed on Oct. 20 2011, months after the uprising occurred.



The overthrow of the authoritarian leader, however, came at a political price. Libya has been mired in years-long political turmoil and plagued by chaos and revolutionary armed conflict. Instability has shown no signs of abating as two rival factions ? the democratically elected government and opposing National Salvation Government based in Tripoli ? opened fire on each other to secure their control of the territory of Libya.



Amid bruises and scars left by the civil war, there has been some positive development for women? the status of women has been improved, albeit subtly.



Women were encouraged to take a larger role both at home and in the workplace as men are dying as a result of the armed conflicts. Women there today have a greater say than ever before.

Al-Gallal said the Arab Spring has become the milestone event for the women's rights movement in the Middle Eastern country.



"(During the Arab Spring) we fought for a quota for women in the parliament and succeeded in getting it. But the chaotic circumstances facing Libya makes it harder for us to play a more active role to move the country forward."



Al-Gallal said the progress made during the chaotic years was a half success. "We didn't have the experience partly because we didn't have freedom of expression (during the repressive Gaddafi era). We are not succeeding as much as we had hoped, partly because we had high expectations."

She taught students at the University of Benghazi before the anti-Gaddafi protests occurred in February 2011.



The Arab Spring has since transformed her into a vocal activist. In a piece contributed to the British media Independent published on March 17, 2011, she pleaded with the international community for help and assistance for her fellow Libyans.



"Please do something. We are desperate for your help. You must do it now," she wrote in the article, titled "He (Gaddafi) Will Kill Everyone. Do Something. Please..." "Whenever he gets to Benghazi, he will deny us of our lives, too."



Representing the voices of Libyan rebels, she made the plea weeks after the security forces opened fire on the anti-Gaddafi revolts. The popular uprisings continued to spread to other cities, putting the nation into conflicts between Gaddafi-backed security forces and the rebels.



Following the Arab Spring, many Libyan people have been displaced. Some migrated to neighboring countries on land routes or to Europe through dangerous maritime journeys across the Mediterranean Sea which often cost them their lives. For those who managed to survive, hardships still awaited them in the foreign lands. During the Arab Spring, women like Al-Gallal worked at various occupations in the country such as journalists, humanitarian workers and government officials of the Transitional National Council.



"Women were one of the main forces fighting against the Gaddafi regime. The only thing they didn't do was they didn't carry weapons," she said.

The women's rights movement in Libya has taken a different course, compared to feminism in the West.



In the West, activists accuse men of having created the system that facilitated gender-based discrimination and so men are often depicted as the enemy.

But the campaign for women's rights in Libya is based on "mutual gains."



"We want men to be our partners," Al-Gallal said. "They are not our enemy. It'll be counterproductive to our culture and destructive to social cohesion of the country, if we, women, consider men as our opponents."



The local culture and unique circumstances Libya faces made the country unfit for Western-born feminism, she said.



"When it comes to the empowerment of women, I think we'll need to build our own model based on our own culture and history, because the situation we are facing is very different from that of the West where the feminism campaign was born and started to flourish," she said.



In the Middle East, Oh Eun-kyung, a professor at Dongduk Women's University in Seoul, said there have been efforts to empower women. "There are roughly two groups of activists there," she said. "One is the campaign to empower women in the context of Islam, and the other is a group of women who look to the West to follow in the footsteps of the women's rights movement there."



Oh said both models seem to be unfit for the women's rights movement in the Middle East. Women's rights are not fully protected in the Islam-based activism because, intended or not, Islamic law allegedly imposes repressive measures on women. The Western model is not replicable, either, in the Middle East because social and cultural settings of the two worlds are very different.

Oh said the feminist movement in Korea could be more feasible with Middle Eastern activists and they can look at Korea for inspiration.



"Korea and the Middle East have some commonalities," she said. "Both are based on patriarchal cultures. The male-dominated Confucian culture has shaped Korea, and Islam is also patriarchal. The two cultures greatly affected and defined the role of women in their society."



The women's rights movement led the Korea parliament to introduce the sex trade ban in 2004 and quotas for women in decision-making positions in government and in the private sector.

Still male domination in higher-ranking positions is salient and a glass ceiling exists. But an increasing number of women fill positions in government and in the private sector in Korea.

According to Oh, what Korea learned from its successes and failures can inspire women in the Middle East.



"We could think of possible cooperation such as holding a seminar or a forum or other types of academic cooperation to share our experiences with the activists and academics in the Middle East to help them reduce their possible trials and errors in their movement to empower women there," she said.






President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing before holding bilateral talks, Thursday. / Yonhap



By Kim Rahn



BEIJING  President Moon Jae-in and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping failed Thursday to narrow their gap over a U.S. anti-missile system deployed in South Korea, reiterating each of their previous stances.



They reconfirmed the different opinions despite the two governments' earlier agreement in October to end the row over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, and move forward.



In a summit at the Great Hall of the People, Xi reiterated his country's opposition to the deployment of THAAD, which he claimed would undermine his country's security interests.



The Chinese president also expressed the hope that Seoul would pay attention to the issue and "cope" with it properly, according to a press announcement by South Korea.



The two countries earlier decided not to issue a joint statement after the summit.



Although Seoul and Beijing agreed Oct. 31 to restore relations despite the THAAD row, Beijing has wanted Seoul to take more steps to ensure the missile defense system is not used against it.



Regarding Xi's remarks, Moon said the two nations need to recognize the Oct. 31 agreement, saying, "It is important to restore and improve relations between the two nations based on mutual respect."



Xi also said, "It takes time to recover from breakdowns; but relations are recovering fast and I hope both countries will make efforts so such discord will not recur."



On North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, the two leaders agreed on four principles: no war on the Korean Peninsula is acceptable; to firmly stick to the idea of the denuclearization of the peninsula; that all relevant problems should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiations; and an improvement in the inter-Korean relations will eventually help address the issue.



Considering the need for cooperation with other counties in resolving the North Korea issue, the two leaders agreed on holding various talks such as South Korea-U.S.-China or South Korea-China-Japan dialogue. They also decided to faithfully carry out United Nations Security Council resolutions to impose sanctions to push the North toward negotiations.



Moon and Xi also agreed to set up a hot line for closer and more direct communications.



MOUs



The two leaders signed seven memoranda of understanding (MOUs).



According to one, the two countries will soon start a new round of negotiations on their free trade agreement (FTA) to include the services and investment sectors.



They also agreed to bolster cooperation on the environment, such as tackling fine dust, by establishing a center in Beijing to study the issues and set up a five-year joint measures program from 2018.



In healthcare, Seoul and Beijing will share knowhow on medical insurance operations, infectious diseases prevention and control, and the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare systems.



The two nations will also cooperate in animal-related quarantine and jointly work on developing environment-friendly energy, and expanding related businesses, while South Korea will deliver its knowhow developed for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics operation to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics organizer.



In the evening, the leaders had a state dinner, which was also attended by government officials, heads of Korean companies who accompanied Moon, as well as actress Song Hye-kyo, volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung who has recently joined Chinese club Shanghai Guohua Life, and Korean actress Choo Ja-hyun and her husband Chinese actor Yu Xiaoguang.



They then enjoyed cultural performances jointly organized by the two nations to mark 25 years of diplomatic ties.


By Lee Kyung-min







Forty-seven men who fled to the Philippines after committing crimes here have been returned to Korea, police said Thursday.





According to the National Police Agency, the suspects arrived at Incheon International Airport around 4 p.m. and were immediately taken into custody.





They are among 91 who have been extradited from the Southeast Asian country. Of 485 suspects who fled overseas this year, almost a third, or 199 people, ended up in the Philippines, police said.





The extradition follows mounting criticism from Koreans living in the Philippines who are concerned about Korean fugitives becoming involved in crimes there.





Of those returned to Korea, 39 were allegedly involved in fraud amounting to 46 billion won ($42 million), including one involving cryptocurrency worth 30 billion won.





One of the suspects, who had been avoiding law enforcement authorities the longest, faces criminal prosecution 20 years after fleeing in November 1997. Other suspects were allegedly involved in assault, drug-related offences and theft. Interpol had wanted 11 of them.





Police said they would continue to cooperate with the Philippines in tracking down suspects. Ninety Koreans are currently detained under immigration department supervision in the country.


Seen are national identification cards, which will be exported to Iran. / Courtesy of Korea Minting, Security Printing and ID Card Operating Corp.



By Kim Yoo-chul







Korea Minting, Security Printing and ID Card Operating Corp. (KOMSCO) has struck a deal with Iranian authorities to supply 5 million integrated circuit chipsets for use in National Identity (NID) Cards in the Middle Eastern country, the Korean company said Thursday.







The contract calls for the Korean company to export the agreed volume of its in-house chip operating system-embedded chipsets, called JK21, to unidentified Iranian electronic passport manufacturers by next year.







"The latest deal is the second in the product category after KOMSCO won a similar contract from a company in Central Asia last year," a KOMSCO spokesman said. He also noted the Iranian deal was a result of collaboration with a Korea-based security solutions provider named SME Networks.







KOMSCO said efforts to clinch the deal have been ongoing for more than five years. The two companies developed what they called "customized technology" upon Iran's request. KOMSCO declined to disclose the monetary value of the agreement.







In Iran, every permanent resident above the age of 15, whether a citizen or not, is mandated to hold a valid NID Card. Also, the NID Cards are compulsory for many things in Iran and Iranian Missions abroad for obtaining a passport or driver's license or for any banking procedures.







The KOMSCO-patented chipsets have improved security, helping card holders to protect personal data even when the cards are stolen or missing, as the chipsets have security processors which have cutting-edge data encryption technology.







"The Iranian contract will help KOMSO find new customers. We are hoping many will find us. But we will try to find future customers to expand the business," a KOMSCO official said.







As of October this year, KOMSCO so far supplied about 3 million such chipsets in the Central Asian region.


Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. / AFP



By Bhavan Jaipragas





China must urgently consider cutting its oil exports to North Korea by at least half to force the isolated regime to "change course" on its nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes, the former secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has said.

Ban's comments in an exclusive interview with This Week in Asia echoed US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who on Tuesday said further unilateral Chinese oil sanctions  which would go beyond those mandated by current UN resolutions  were the surest way to force Pyongyang to the negotiating table.

"Given the extraordinary pace of the situation unfolding before us, China needs to at least consider a partial embargo  say half of its exports  if we want to change the current course that North Korea is on," Ban said a day before his three-day visit to Hong Kong.

The veteran diplomat and Julia Gillard, the Australian former prime minister, are to address the Asia Society Hong Kong's gala dinner on Thursday.

Ban acknowledged that a complete embargo was anathema to Beijing, which fears the collapse of Kim Jong-un's regime would bring instability and a flood of refugees to its shores.

China has said international efforts to pressure Kim to back down from his nuclear ambitions must adhere to a four noes' policy: no regime change, no regime collapse, no accelerated reunification, and no military deployment anywhere north of the 38th parallel that divides the Korean peninsula.

While there is no publicly available data on North Korea's energy use and imports, the US energy agency EIA estimates that in 2016 the country imported around 6,000 barrels of oil products a day from China.

That figure is about 40 per cent of the North's estimated total daily oil consumption of 16,000 barrels, itself a drop in the ocean compared to South Korea's consumption in 2016 of 2.6 million barrels a day.

Crude oil is carried from China to North Korea via the 30km "Sino-DPRK Friendship Oil Pipeline", which has been in operation since 1975.

In a speech on Tuesday at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, Tillerson said President Donald Trump "would like to see China cut the oil off".

"The last time the North Koreans came to the table, it was because China cut the oil off. Three days later the North Koreans were at the table talking," he said.



Despite the tightrope situation facing Chinese leaders, Ban hoped Beijing would "wisely and tactfully play a vital role in utilising its power to ensure the international community's safety from any impending security threat".

With Washington officially stating that Pyongyang could be just months from gaining the ability to strike the US mainland, Ban said the superpower was facing its "most serious security challenge since the end of the cold war".





"For South Korea, this is the most dangerous security crisis since the Korean war in 1950," Ban said.

He added: "The US' determined will to deter North Korea's security threat at all costs is undoubtedly loud and clear. As the current situation seems to be evolving into a collision course, it would be wise for North Korea to take note of the serious repercussions their actions may [have]."

Pyongyang has made no indication it will change tack, however.

On Tuesday, state news agency KCNA reported Kim as saying the isolated country would "victoriously advance and leap as the strongest nuclear power and military power in the world".



Such sabre rattling has intensified following the November 29 test launch of the Hwasong-15 ICBM, which Pyongyang claims can land a nuclear warhead anywhere in the US.

Subsequent UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea limit imports of refined petroleum products to two million barrels a year, a cut the US says amounts to about 30 per cent of Pyongyang's oil intake.

Washington had initially demanded a complete oil embargo, but Russia and China  veto-wielding members of the Security Council  were not in favour.
South Korean soldiers patrol along a military fence near the demilitarized zone dividing the two Koreas in the border city of Paju. / AFP



By Zhenhua Lu





Strained relations between Beijing and Seoul over the deployment of a US missile defence system have made it "more difficult" for North Korean refugees or defectors to pass through China before reaching South Korea, a former US special envoy said.



Robert King, former US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, told a US House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday that Beijing at times has allowed North Korean refugees to travel into the South via China when the Chinese capital has maintained good relations with Seoul.

But after South Korea decided to install an American-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, or THAAD, system on the Korean Peninsula earlier this year, triggering a year-long diplomatic stand-off between Seoul and Beijing, North Korean refugees could hardly pass through China, King said.

Beijing, viewing the deployment as a threat to its own security, reacted furiously, hitting South Korean businesses with a host of punitive measures and banning group tours to the South, in moves seen as economic retaliation.

King's comments coincide with the beginning of South Korean President Moon Jae-in's official visit to China on Wednesday and his third meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the following day. The two neighbouring countries agreed to resume relations last month after tensions flared over THAAD.

"I am hopeful that the recent indications of better ties between Beijing and Seoul will lead to easier conditions for defectors to pass through China," King said in his testimony to the foreign affairs panel.

"Virtually all" North Korean refugees flee the North through China, the ex-special envoy said. Most choose to settle in South Korea because of the familiar language and culture and family members already living there, he said.

The number of refugees leaving the North annually has declined recently owing to tighter border control by Pyongyang, King said. After peaking at nearly 3,000 in 2011, the number fell to fewer than 1,500 in 2016. "Numbers thus far this year look to be even lower," he said.

The past two decades have seen about 30,000 North Koreans flee the reclusive country and resettle in the South, according to King's testimony.
Russian court to consider measure of restraint for Hryb on Dec 15 - father

Russia's Krasnodar Regional Court has moved to December 15 a session on choosing a measure of restraint for Ukrainian citizen Pavlo Hryb, who is being held in Russia, his father, Ihor Hryb, has said.

"The FSB decided to complicate our life and postponed the court session on considering the measure of restraint for Pavlo until December 15, possibly to make sure that foreign diplomats could not get to the court," he wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday, December 13.

Earlier, Hryb reported that the court would hold a session on a measure of restraint for his son on December 19.

As earlier reported, Ex-Ukrainian State Border Guard Service official Ihor Hryb said on August 28 that Russian special services had abducted his 19-year-old son Pavlo during a visit to Gomel, Belarus, where he went on August 24 to meet a girl whom he had met and talked to only on social-networking sites. It was agreed that Pavlo would return the same day. After he failed to return the next day, Ihor Hryb travelled to Gomel to look for him.

He said that in Belarus he had learned that Pavlo was on a Russian list of wanted persons in connection with a terrorist attack, and that a search had been initiated by the Russian Federal Security Service's Directorate for the Krasnodar region in Sochi.

It was reported on September 7 that Hryb was in a detention facility in Krasnodar, Russia.

On September 15, Pavlo Hryb's sister Olha Hryb said her brother was transferred from jail to hospital. According to her, neither Ukrainian consuls, nor Ukrainian doctors were allowed to visit the detainee.

Ukrainian doctors arrived in Russia on October 12 to examine Hryb, who is being held in a pretrial detention center in Krasnodar and does not receive the necessary medical care, but the Russian side didn't allow them to examine the Ukrainian.

On October 18, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Krasnodar (Russia) extended detention term for Ukrainian Pavlo Hryb until January 4, 2018.
The occupation of Crimea, some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, more than 10,200 Ukrainians killed and 24,500 wounded are the consequences of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said.

"The consequences of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine are the occupation of part of Ukrainian territory - the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the continuing numerous serious human rights violations in the occupied territory, over 10,200 dead and 24,500 wounded citizens of Ukraine, the death of 298 passengers from flight MH17, destroyed houses and vital infrastructure facilities, and more than 1.5 million IDPs," the ministry said in a statement on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (XXIX) "Definition of Aggression," which was released by the ministry's press service on Thursday, December 14.

The statement notes that the severity and scale of actions committed by Russia against Ukraine continue to grow.

"As history shows, such actions entail responsibility, which will inevitably come both for the Russian Federation and its top leadership," the ministry said.

In this regard, Ukraine welcomes the ongoing efforts of the international community on criminalizing the international crime of aggression in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

"We call on the Russian Federation to comply with UN GA resolutions 68/262 and 71/205, stop armed aggression against Ukraine, withdraw its regular armed forces from Ukrainian territory, illegal armed forces controlled and financed by them, mercenaries, weapons and military equipment, to cancel all acts aimed at legalizing the attempt to annex Crimea, Sevastopol, as well as the puppet formations of the aggressor state in the occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the statement reads.

Kyiv also calls on the world community to jointly resist the attempts of the aggressor states, including Russia, to use aggression as a way of conducting foreign policy and imposing uncivilized and destructive rules for world order.
Georgia's ex-president and leader of the New Forces Movement political party Mikheil Saakashvili has said the case against him and his arrest in Ukraine is a joint operation of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), something that Russian President Vladimir Putin has practically confirmed.

"Putin cannot forget me! Doesn't it seem deliberate that his arguments completely correspond with the thoughts and terms used by officials on Bankova Street [the Ukrainian presidential administration] in Kyiv? I am sure that the 'case' against me and my arrest are the result of a joint FSB/SBU operation. Believe me, because I have enough experience behind me to not simply make up such a statement. And Putin practically confirmed this today," Saakashvili said on his Facebook page on Thursday.

He said Putin is fine with the current situation in Ukraine and does not want to change it.

"But he hates me and is afraid of me the way the devil fears holy water," the politician said.

Russian media on Thursday reported that Putin during his annual press conference described Saakashvili's actions in Ukraine as a spit in the face of the Ukrainian and Georgian peoples.

"I think that what Saakashvili is doing is a spit in the face of the Georgian people and the Ukrainian people," Putin said.

According to the Russian president, Saakashvili previously was president of an independent country and now "carries on in Ukraine on that nation's squares and screams to the entire world that he is a Ukrainian.
A new stage in NATO-Ukraine cooperation could see this country join the enhanced opportunities program, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said.

"Military experts in partner countries have concluded that Ukraine meets all the criteria required of a potential Program participant," Turchynov said at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the SNBO spokesperson said.
KYIV. Dec 14 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The entry into force of the law, which reduces to three the number of international postal items that are not subject to value added tax, will make impossible the work of express carriers and postal operators, Director General of Ukrposhta Ihor Smeliansky has said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, Ukrposhta, postal and logistics companies Nova Poshta, Intime, TMM Express, Aramex (International Express LLC), Meest Group, Delivery Group, as well as the Ukrainian Direct Marketing Association have appealed to President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko with the request to veto this law. In addition, four more Ukrainian representative offices of well-known international postal operators, according to President of the Ukrainian Direct Marketing Association Valentyn Kalashnik, also support the need for vetoing, but they do not have the right to sign the appropriate appeal until it is agreed with the parent companies.

"Considering the fact that today most of the postal items are inexpensive - up to $10, and Ukraine is not ready to implement such administrative measures, we consider it necessary to ask you to veto this law and return it to the profile committee of the Verkhovna Rada for revision," the document reads.
Louarn Sorkin has busy fingers. She loves to crochet hats, scarves and baby items. Back in 2007, she decided to turn her crafty creativity into something much more than a hobby. Sorkin and her girlfriend, Donna Papera, started the Creative Yarn and Girlfriend Therapy Group. Today the group boasts 36 members and continues to grow.

After crocheting hats and scarves since 2004 for The Salvation Army and Just in Time (a nonprofit that helps foster youth transition out of the system), I saw a need for a greater number of hats and scarves to keep more people warm, Sorkin explained. So Donna and I enlisted the help of friends who also wanted to give back to our community and have fun together at our monthly luncheons.

Some members crochet, some knit, and others use a loom to make their cozy creations. Most of the volunteers learned their craft from their mothers or grandmothers, and are happy to return to such a relaxing pastime while participating in community service.

They work during the year to amass more than 1,000 items to give away each holiday season. Since the group began, theyve created and donated more than 9,000 hats, scarves and baby items.

La Jolla volunteer Ellen Gruer said she heard about the group through another volunteer, and was thrilled to combine her love of knitting with her commitment to serve. Living in San Diego, how many sweaters do you need? But living in San Diego outside in the winter at night you sure could use a hat and scarf, she laughed.

Knitter Jeri Horton, also from La Jolla, joined the group five years ago. Her specialty is knitting baby blankets and hats for older kids.

What really spoke to my heart, Horton explained, was that the scarves and hats were going to so many worthy agencies that gave them to those in need  children undergoing chemo, foster children and teens, the homeless, senior citizens and pregnant wives of deployed servicemembers. I also found the ladies involved to be generous, kind and loving toward perfect strangers. Who could say no?

Each club member purchases the yarn used as a donation to the cause. They also share yarn with each other. As word got out about the group, other knitting clubs and stores started donating large amounts of yarn.

Sorkin recalls one craft-shop owner who was closing his store and gave them 1,000 bolts of yarn. Thats bolts, not skeins. We stored it in my garage and it took us three years to go through it, she said.

The items are donated to The Salvation Army for programs that provide services to homeless people, seniors and children. They also give scarves to transitioning foster youth through the nonprofit, Just in Time. In addition, the group donates baby items to the Home Front program at Miramar Air Station. They put on a monthly shower for pregnant military moms with no local family around while their husbands are deployed. They further provide hats for an orphanage in Mexico.

Sorkin says her favorite charity is a heartwarming project called Happy Hats. We make hats for the children going through chemotherapy at Rady Childrens Hospital. They have a huge holiday party at the Ronald McDonald house, and every year we pass out delightful, colorful Happy Hats.

The heartwarming part is when they ask if their siblings can have one, too. Since the siblings tend to get lost in the shuffle of doctors appointments and cancer treatments, we voted to add 50 more hats to our original gift of 200 hats so we have extra hats for patients and siblings. Sorkin alone makes 80-100 Happy Hats throughout the year for this group of children. She admits they have a special place in her heart: After going through chemotherapy myself this past year, I truly appreciate the importance of a snuggly hat to keep your head warm after losing all of your hair.

Sorkin serves on several charitable boards and has cofounded three large non-profit organizations. After all that service, she sees the Creative Yarn and Girlfriend Therapy Group as a more relaxing departure. We come together as girlfriends without the worry of being asked to chair an event, serve on a committee or write a check. Its guilt-free! she laughed.

 WANT TO KNOW MORE? The Creative Yarn and Girlfriend Therapy Group meets once a month at members homes where girlfriends bring dishes to share for lunch and show and tell about their monthly creations. If youre interested in joining, contact Louarn Sorkin at louarn.louarn@gmail.com
Cindy Greatrex pleaded not guilty to all charges at her arraignment for felony grand theft in San Diego Superior Court this afternoon. A trial was set for Monday, March 12. The former chair of the La Jolla Park & Recreation, Inc. board is accused of stealing more than $67,000 from the organization.

At the hearing, Greatrex, 51, showed up with a new lawyer, John D. Kirby, who asked Judge Michael Smyth to replace Paul Neuharth as Greatrexs attorney of record. At first, Kirby entered a plea of guilty on all charges on Greatrexs behalf, after which Greatrex corrected him and he apologized. The peoples attorney, Chandelle Konstanzer, said she was not informed of the change in counsel before court.

Greatrex, who is free on $70,000 bond, is accused of writing company checks for $67,935.96 from La Jolla Park and Recreation, Inc. payable to herself or cash, and cashing them into her personal accounts. Greatrex claims the funds in question were used to reimburse herself for purchasing grant-writing fees that she did over a long period of time on behalf of the Rec Center.

The trial will be held in the new downtown courthouse slated to open in January, assuming no plea bargain can be struck at a readiness conference set for Jan. 30.
Most of the stories you hear about mysterious things atop Mt. Soledad  the Munchkin House, the troll bridges  are bunk. Except the one about the World War II bunker at 7110 Via Capri. That story is 100 percent true.

Mt. Soledad residents, meet your neighbor  the Old Blockhouse. Nicknamed that by long-ago residents, the fortress-looking structure was a U.S. Army command post from World War II. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941), cement-fortified bunkers were built all around Mt. Soledad and atop Cabrillo National Monument. But the Old Blockhouse was unique. Because the land on which it sits is taller (800 feet above sea level) than any nearby coastal vantage point, it was used by the Signal Corp. as its primary San Diego lookout for Japanese ships, subs and airplanes attempting to mount what the Army saw as a highly probable sequel to Pearl Harbor. (Had that attack been attempted, the Old Blockhouse would probably have earned a mention in every history book.)

Because of its height advantage, the Old Blockhouse also functioned as a communications center, a hub for radio transmissions and land lines to military bases all over the Pacific and perhaps as far west as Hawaii. Harry Masters, former director of San Diego Countys unified Civil Defense agency  which occupied the building from 1954 to 1961, after the government determined it was too sturdy to be demolished  told the San Diego Union-Tribune in 1965: It was linked with Fort Rosecrans and someone told me a dredge crew ran into some cable when it was digging the silt out of Mission Bay some years ago. The cable apparently ran under the sea between Mt. Soledad and the Point Loma post.

Built either before World War II or during the months immediately following Pearl Harbor, the Old Blockhouse originally had windows and very little protection from conventional bombardment. Then, apparently, it was fortified with concrete and steel that was 18-inches thick at the base, and the windows were cemented over. It was also furnished with an air intake, separate from main building and built into a man-made hill, that could pull in fresh air from 100 feet away.

It was ready for Japan.

The current owner of the Old Blockhouse wouldnt allow the Light a peek inside. However, according to the U-T story: A ground level contains a labyrinth of rooms and offices, but there are two levels below the Mt. Soledad brushlands. There are two immense rooms, used as the hub of a communications network. The two big rooms apparently were used for charts and maps, and the officers in charge could watch the men at work from balconies that stretch around the cavernous halls.

Who owns it?

Scripps Institution of Oceanography never wanted to own the Old Blockhouse. It just received it as part of an 11-acre parcel from the Templeton Foundation. That was an educational nonprofit the California Superior Court ordered dismantled in 1965 for improprieties committed by its directors. Since UC San Diego, the University of San Diego and the former California West University were invested in the foundation, they split its assets, with Scripps awarded the Mt. Soledad property because the superior court judge preferred its usage proposal.

In 1966, Scripps built the first microwave antenna on its newly acquired site, directly adjacent to the Old Blockhouse. Currently, it is part of the High Performance Wireless Research & Education Network (HPWREN), a wireless infrastructure that broadcasts  to other antennas in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties and to UCSDs supercomputer center  real-time data about earthquakes, fires, floods and astronomical events.

Scripps tells the Light it used the Old Blockhouse actively through 2010, and then for sporadic work through 2012. It is currently chained off to cars and peppered with no trespassing signs. (Despite the warnings, trespassers have been a nuisance for decades, and, in 2012 or 2013, thieves even stole some heavy and expensive sheets of lead  imported from medieval monasteries for their unique chemical properties  stored there.)

Scripps also built a little white structure next door at 7120 Via Capri in 1966. The first occupant of the Scripps Radiocarbon Lab was a nuclear physicist named  no fooling!  Dr. Suess. (Hans Suess was no relation to Theodor Dr. Seuss Geisel, although the mail of the two La Jolla residents would frequently get mixed up by the Post Office.) Suess  who emigrated from Germany in 1950, was recruited by Scripps in 1955, and became one of the four founding UCSD faculty members in 1958  researched the distribution of carbon-14 in the oceans and atmosphere.

Scripps was very badly contaminated with carbon-14, because people were using it as a tracer and in experiments, said marine chemistry professor emeritus Jeff Bada, who worked in the Radiocarbon Lab from 1982 to 1992. So (Suess) approached the university and convinced them they needed a facility free of radiocarbon contamination. Suess shared the lab with Scripps Research oceanographer Dr. Theodore Folsom, who studied the distribution of bomb-test radiation in the oceans. (This is where the lead was originally employed, to shield their experiments from cosmic rays.) When Suess became ill, Bada conducted similar work, and was followed by a researcher named Peter Williams. After Williams died in 1994, Bada was tasked with cleaning and closing up shop for good.

Whats ahead?

The things todays Mt. Soledad residents tend to notice most about the Old Blockhouse is how run down it looks and on what a prime slab of real estate it sits. It is chronically underutilized and neglected, La Jolla resident Richard Daniel wrote in a letter to the Light. It is presently, and has been for many years, an eyesore to the surrounding neighborhood.

Scripps has no immediate plans to tear down or remodel the Old Blockhouse. First of all, its very difficult to demolish a building constructed to withstand artillery fire. (In fact, some of the eventual landowners of neighboring parcels featuring lookout stations simply built their houses using the stations as foundations!)

We did explore selling the land back in the early 2000s, said Cammie Ingram, Scripps director of capital planning and space management, but we could not get enough money for it. Ingram said the university prefers selling land only when the sale can fund new university buildings in the $50 million range. The low value, Ingram said, is probably due the nearby TV towers for KFMB and KGTV, which transmit at around 15kW, about 15 times the HPWREN towers output. (Signs all around the property warn that radio frequency fields exceed the FCC rules for human exposure, which apparently is not conducive to multimillion-dollar dream house building).

Its probably not going to ever reopen as a research lab, either. Even though it has been occupied before by academics, its difficult because the people who would be up there would not be around their colleagues, Ingram said.

One thing its never going to be, Ingram promises, is commercially developed. People have said, Its such a beautiful site, why dont you make it into something like a restaurant?  Ingram said. Were not going to do anything that will upset the neighbors  cause any kind of noise or attract excessive crowds or traffic. Whatever use we develop it for in the future, it will be compatible with the neighborhood.

The old Radiocarbon Labs fate is more certain. Scripps says to expect the building  which sits completely dilapidated and fenced off  to be demolished sometime soon.

Shocking historical find!

While cleaning up the Radiocarbon Lab in 1994, Jeff Bada said he made a shocking discovery tying the whole site back to WWII in an unexpected way: I picked up a vial, it was in German. I wasnt sure what to make of it. It was obviously something that was carefully prepared. I took it back down to Scripps and one of my colleagues said, Oh my God, do you know what that is? 

During WWII, Hans Suess had been part of a team of German scientists studying the potential mass production of heavy water at a Norwegian plant called Vemork. Heavy water is useful in nuclear reactions, and the Nazis  to whom Suess and his colleagues reported  were attempting to build the worlds first nuclear weapon at the time. (Had they succeeded, well, lets not think about that.)

According to the 1999 book Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy by Per F. Dahl, Suess betrayed the Nazis in 1942, revealing the specifics of their atomic plans to a Norwegian colleague at Vemork whom he knew to be in contact with the British. Suess also told him the Nazis couldnt possibly go nuclear for at least five more years. (This exchange of information may have had a major impact on WWIIs outcome.)

What Bada had discovered at the Radiocarbon Lab was a vial of Suess original heavy water from Vemork, which Suess had apparently kept for sentimental reasons and accidentally left behind. Bada said he gave the vial to a colleague who worked with the Department of Defense and never saw it again.

I kick myself for not saving it and making sure it got into a good home, because obviously, it was an important relic, he said. It was just a stroke of luck that little vial was found and not thrown away.
That bag of frozen cauliflower sitting inside your freezer likely sprang to life in a vast field north of Salinas, Calif. A crew of men and women here use a machine to drop seedlings into the black soil. Another group follows behind, stooped over, tapping each new plant.

It is backbreaking, repetitive work. Ten-hour days start in the cold, dark mornings and end in the searing afternoon heat.

More than 90% of Californias crop workers were born in Mexico. But in recent years, fewer have migrated to the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Researchers point to a number of causes: tighter border controls, higher prices charged by smugglers, well-paying construction jobs and a growing middle class in Mexico that doesnt want to pick vegetables for Americans.

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As a result, the average farmworker is now 45 years old, according to federal government data. Harvesting U.S. crops has been left to an aging population of farmworkers whose health has suffered from decades of hard labor.

Older workers have a greater chance of getting injured and of developing chronic illnesses, which can raise the cost of workers compensation and health insurance.

The slowdown is happening, said Brent McKinsey, a third-generation farmer and one of the owners of Mission Ranches in Salinas. You start to see your production drop, but its difficult to manage because there arent the younger people wanting to come in and work in this industry.

After a long day hunched over, cutting and bunching mustard leaves, Gonzalo Picazo Lopez, a farmworker, said the pain shooting down his leg is acting up. Lopez has been working in the fields since the 1970s, when he crossed over from Mexico. At 67 years old, he looks timeworn, with silver hair and a white beard. Deep lines mark his face.

As Lopez described how he carefully picks the leaves with his right hand and bunches with his left, he opened and closed his fingers with difficulty.

In 2015, my left hand started to hurt, Lopez said. I went into work one morning, and my hand was cold  ice cold.

Lopez is a U.S. citizen and has Medicare. He hopes to work for almost another decade, until his wife, who is 61 and picks broccoli, can collect her maximum Social Security benefit.

Only workers with legal status agreed to be interviewed for this story. Most farmworkers, however, are not working in this country legally, and their health coverage is spotty. They are employed by subcontractors who are supposed to offer them health insurance, but seven years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, theres no good accounting for how many employers are complying with the law.

Many farmworkers dont have health insurance and pay what they can for medical care. Those who have immigration papers, rely on Medicaid.

Chronic pain is a common complaint at Clinica de Salud in Salinas. Nearly all of the patients at this community clinic are farmworkers.

Oralia Marquez, a physicians assistant at the clinic, said older farmworkers often develop arthritis, back pain, foot infections and breathing problems from pesticides.

Many of her patients, like Amalia Buitron Deaguilera, also struggle with diabetes. Deaguilera is 63, and she is losing her vision from the disease.

When I was working in fields, said Deaguilera, who has Medicaid for insurance, I never had time to take care of myself and my health.

Workers in the fields who have diabetes often cannot take their insulin because they have no place to refrigerate it, Marquez said. And they miss doctors appointments during the busy harvesting seasons because many dont get paid when they dont work.

Most of our patients want just something to relieve the pain and to continue working, she said. Most of the time they dont ask for disability. They dont ask for days off. They say they dont have time to miss days.

Some of the oldest workers may be more likely to have legal status. If they have been working in the U.S. since 1982, they may have been able to benefit from President Ronald Reagans amnesty law passed in 1986.

Field laborers often delay healthcare, and that can lead to serious medical problems. Compared to older whites, older Latino farmworkers are much more likely to end up in the hospital, according to researchers at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Cal State Fresno.

Faced with an aging and dwindling workforce, Mission Ranches McKinsey says farmers are trying to mechanize planting and harvesting to reduce their labor needs.

But machines can only do so much, McKinsey said. You can replace the human hand in a factory, perhaps. But out here, the fields are bumpy and the winds are strong, and you need people to bring the plants to life.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

svarney@kff.org

Twitter: @SarahVarney
Federal regulators voted on Thursday to repeal Obama-era net neutrality rules for internet traffic  a major victory for telecommunications companies and another milestone for the Republican deregulation push under President Trump.

The 3-2 party-line vote by the Federal Communications Commission tears down the controversial utility-like oversight of internet service providers that was put in place by Democrats in 2015 to try to ensure the uninhibited flow of data online.

That strict regulatory structure will largely give way to market forces. Internet service providers now will be required only to disclose their online practices, with the Federal Trade Commission policing them for anti-competitive practices.

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Republicans said they are simply restoring government oversight of the internet to where it was before 2015, reestablishing the light-touch regulatory approach that allowed the online ecosystem to flourish and develop into an economic force.

The internet is the greatest free-market innovation in history, Ajit Pai, the Republican who took over as FCC chairman in January and pushed the repeal, said before the vote.

Entrepreneurs and innovators guided the internet far better than the heavy hand of government ever could have, Pai said.

Underscoring the intensity surrounding net neutrality, Pais comments were interrupted when FCC security officers ordered the packed meeting room cleared. The meeting was suspended for about 10 minutes while the room was swept after an apparent bomb threat.

Pai and other opponents of the net neutrality rules said they have led to reduced investment in broadband networks  a point supporters dispute.

Democrats  urged on by consumer advocates, digital rights groups and online giants such as Amazon, Google and Facebook  said the tougher federal oversight is needed because the internets increasingly vital role in business and daily life is vulnerable to exploitation by telecom companies.

As a result of todays misguided action, our broadband providers will get extraordinary new powers, said Jessica Rosenworcel, one of two Democrats on the five-member FCC who voted against the repeal.

They will have the power to block websites, the power to throttle services and the power to censor online content, she said. They will have the right to discriminate and favor the internet traffic of those companies with whom they have a pay-for-play arrangement and the right to consign all others to a slow and bumpy road.

Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building Thursday to protest the repeal of net nutrality rules. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images )

The FCCs net neutrality rules prohibited AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and other broadband and wireless internet service providers from selling faster delivery of certain data, slowing speeds for specific video streams and other content, and blocking or otherwise discriminating against any legal online material.

To enforce the rules, the FCC classified broadband as a more highly regulated utility-like service under Title 2 of federal telecommunications law.

AT&T, other telecom companies and industry trade groups sued to block the rules, arguing that the FCC exceeded its authority in approving the regulations. But a federal appeals court upheld the regulations last year.

Democrats, consumer advocates and web companies blasted the repeal.

The FCC just gave Big Telecom an early Christmas present, by giving internet service providers yet another way to put corporate profits over consumers, said New York Atty. Gen. Eric T. Schneiderman, a Democrat, who plans to lead a multistate lawsuit to stop the FCCs move.

California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra issued a statement decrying the repeal. His office said he was reviewing the legal options.

Santa Clara County officials said they intended to file suit challenging the repeal.

We are at the heart of Silicon Valley, said county Supervisor Joe Simitian. The FCCs action harms start-ups, small companies, and businesses generally, who rely on a level playing field to compete.

Other net neutrality supporters also are expected to sue, arguing that the FCCs about-face just two years after the regulations were enacted is an arbitrary and capricious move that violates the Administrative Procedures Act.

Telecom companies praised the repeal, while saying they are committed to the principles of net neutrality and have no plans to change their practices.

The FCC vote does not mark the end of the Internet as we know it; rather it heralds in a new era of light regulation that will benefit consumers, said David L. Cohen, Comcasts senior executive vice president.

But the companies have hedged on whether they would start charging additional fees to transport video streams or other content at a higher speed through their network in a practice known as paid prioritization.

Pai has said paid prioritization could accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles and home health monitoring, which would need reliably fast service.

But net neutrality supporters worry telecom companies will set up toll lanes on the internet, cutting deals with some websites to deliver their content faster and squeezing out start-ups and small companies that lack the money to pay for faster service.

Thursdays vote was the latest battle in a war that dates to 2003 over how to ensure that the internet remains an open network. Over the years, net neutrality has become a rallying cry for liberals and online activists concerned that telecom companies would become powerful gatekeepers for the communications platform of the 21st century.

Dozens of protesters rallied outside the FCCs headquarters Thursday morning, and demonstrations urging the agency to keep its net neutrality regulations have taken place across the country and online in recent months. Pais home in the Washington suburbs has been targeted, and he has said his family has been harassed.

Nearly 24 million online comments on both sides of the issue flooded the FCC this year as it reconsidered its net neutrality regulations. Highlighting the contentious stakes in the fight, millions of those comments appear to be fakes, with some originating from Russia.

Dozens of net neutrality supporters demonstrate outside FCC headquarters ahead of todays repeal vote. pic.twitter.com/MHp0eAhogK  Jim Puzzanghera (@JimPuzzanghera) December 14, 2017

Net neutrality supporters left flowers in front of the FCCs headquarters, contending the repeal of the online traffic rules will lead to the death of the internet as we know it. pic.twitter.com/RjuwKuGM2g  Jim Puzzanghera (@JimPuzzanghera) December 14, 2017

President Obama was a major advocate of net neutrality regulations, and the repeal is another step by Republicans to dismantle his legacy.

Obama was an early net neutrality supporter as a senator, and, in an unusual move for a president, injected himself directly into the FCCs consideration of the regulations in 2014 by publicly urging the independent agency to assume the utility-like oversight of telecom companies.

The FCC, then controlled by Democrats, approved the rules in early 2015 in a 3-2 vote.

Trumps election last year switched the FCC majority to Republicans. Trump tapped Pai, a commissioner who was an outspoken opponent of the net neutrality rules, to be chairman.

Even before Pai was selected, he said he wanted to fire up the weed whacker to eliminate burdensome regulations and predicted that the net neutrality rules days are numbered.

The fight now will shift to Capitol Hill.

Democrats in the House and Senate said they would push Congress to halt the FCCs repeal, a move unlikely to succeed with Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

But there is bipartisan support for net neutrality, and some lawmakers want to pass net neutrality legislation that would enshrine some of the principles in law.

That would give the FCC the specific authority to enforce them without using utility-like oversight that some fear could lead to rate regulations and other burdensome regulations. Legislation also would end what both sides of the debate call a merry-go-round of different FCC approaches to the issue depending on which party controls the agencys majority.

I call on Democrats and Republicans who want to preserve a free and open internet to work together on permanent consumer protections, said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) after the FCC vote.

jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com

Twitter: @JimPuzzanghera

UPDATES:

2:00 p.m.: This article was updated to note that Santa Clara County officials intend to sue to stop the repeal and California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra was reviewing the states legal options.

12:50 p.m.: This article was updated with reaction to the vote.

10:10 a.m: This article was updated with the FCC vote and comments from commissioners.

7:20 a.m.: This article was updated with protesters rallying outside FCC headquarters.

This article originally was published at 6:30 a.m.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the worlds largest generic drugmaker, said Thursday that it would lay off over a quarter of its workforce as part of a global restructuring meant to salvage its ailing business.

The company said 14,000 workers would be let go. The cuts will be scattered across Tevas global operations and will occur over the next two years, with most expected in 2018.

The announcement marked a stunning setback for a company seen as a national source of pride in Israel. With roots going back more than a century, Teva has grown into a major global player over the past 40 years with a series of acquisitions and by developing original drugs and leading the move toward cost-saving generic medications.

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The countrys main trade union scheduled a nationwide solidarity strike Sunday, the beginning of the Israeli work week, and Tevas chief executive apologized to the prime minister for the companys dire situation.

Tevas most famous product is Copaxone, a treatment for multiple sclerosis, and it recently became one of two companies offering a generic version of the blockbuster drug Viagra.

Tevas bottom line has been hit by the expiration of patents on Copaxone, pricing pressure on its core generics business and a $35-billion debt load taken on in its acquisition of the generics business of Allergan. It also has suffered from turnover and instability in senior management ranks.

In a letter to employees, Chief Executive Kare Schultz, who joined Teva in September, said the restructuring is crucial to restoring our financial security and stabilizing our business.

We have no time to waste, he said. We are flattening our organization both top down and sideways, with fewer layers of management and increased accountability. This will ensure better integration, improve productivity and efficiencies, and reduce our cost base.

Tevas U.S.-traded stock has skidded nearly 60% this year. But after the announcement, the shares climbed 10.2% to finish Thursday at $17.30.

Schultz said the restructuring would include changes in the generics portfolio, both through price adjustments and product discontinuation. He said a significant number of research and development and manufacturing facilities would be closed or divested, and there will be a thorough review to prioritize core projects, cancel others and maintain a pipeline of new products.

The company canceled its dividend for shareholders and said annual bonuses for 2017 will not be paid.

The company said the layoffs would affect all businesses and regions, including about 1,700 people in Israel, or a quarter of the local workforce. Affected employees are expected to be notified within 90 days.

Making workforce reductions of this magnitude is difficult, and we do not take them lightly, Schultz said. However, there is no alternative to these drastic steps in the current situation.

In a conference call with analysts, Schultz said two priorities would be Austedo, a newly launched drug that treats Huntingtons disease, and the planned launch of fremanezumab, a treatment for migraines that is in Tevas pipeline.

He predicted a bright future, saying it would take about two years to get costs under control and to adjust to the loss of Copaxone sales, and several years more to regenerate growth from new drugs and a focus on profitable generics.

The restructuring will include a one-time charge of $700 million, but Teva expects to cut costs by $3 billion by the end of 2019. Two years from now, its going to look good. If we do well, then in five years, its going to look great, Schultz said.

Credit Suisse analyst Vamil Divan said in a research note that investors would be encouraged by cuts that were larger and more rapid than what had been anticipated. He praised the companys decision to focus on its two new drugs, and also said that spreading the restructuring across the company could make it easier to execute.

He noted, however, that there are a lot of details yet to be revealed for how they will execute this plan. He said labor strife and political opposition in Israel presented possible roadblocks ahead.

Schultz said the company will be respectful and transparent and work closely with employee representatives and unions.

The announcement marked a stunning setback for a company seen as a national source of pride in Israel. With roots going back more than a century, Teva has grown into a major global player over the last 40 years with a series of acquisitions, and by developing original drugs and leading the move toward cost-saving generic medications.

Later on Thursday, Israels national trade union, the Histadrut, announced plans for a nationwide strike on Sunday. It said airports and seaports, public transportation, insurance companies, banks, government offices and health clinics would close throughout the morning in solidarity with the workers  which could bring the nation to a standstill.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said Netanyahu called Schultz and urged him to do his utmost to protect Israeli jobs, especially in poorer outlying areas, and to maintain the companys Israeli identity. Teva has roughly 7,000 Israeli employees, making it one of the countrys largest private-sector employers.

Netanyahu also spoke to Histadrut leader Avi Nissenkorn and pledged to work to minimize the impact on local workers.

In a letter to Netanyahu, Schultz apologized on behalf of Tevas previous management for the companys plight, but said there was no choice. He promised Tevas global headquarters would remain in Israel.

Teva workers held demonstrations at plants and offices across the country, including a factory in Kiryat Shmona, a town near Israels northern border with Lebanon. Dozens of workers held signs saying Teva, this is our home, and called on the company not to close the plant.

The feeling is tough. We are waiting for answers, we are fighting, we are not intending to go in and work, and we hope that the answers will come quickly, said Libby Ben Shitrit, a worker at the factory.

UPDATES:

2:35 p.m.: This article was updated with Teva shares closing price, details about next weeks strike and the Teva CEO Kare Schultzs apology to the prime minister.

This article was originally published at noon.
6 December 2017, Cairo, Egypt  the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and NIBULON, a Ukrainian company with over 26 years of experience in the field of grain production, storage, transportation and export, signed the Memorandum to focus on improving the efficiency of Egyptian companies involved in grain production, storage and transportation.

Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant DirectorGeneral and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, and Oleksiy Vadaturskyy, General Director of NIBULON, signed the Memorandum on the sidelines of the forum "Promoting Sustainable Investment in Egypt's Food Security".

The forum organized by the Government of Egypt, FAO, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development convened around 200 participants from both the public and private sectors, including policy makers, project developers, international financial institutions (IFIs), and direct and institutional investors from around the world.

Sustainable Investments

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular to help end hunger and malnutrition by 2030, will require greater public-private sector cooperation, strategic alliances and innovation. Promoting sustainable investment in Egypt's food security and acknowledging the urgency in scaling up efforts to enhance the food security situation in Egypt is at the core of FAOs agenda.

Capacity Building

By combining the expertise of FAO and the private sector, important efficiency savings and knowledge transfer can be achieved.

NIBULON has exported grain to more than 60 countries and exported more than 747,000 tons of wheat under the tenders of the UNs World Food Programme since 2009. NIBULON ensures product quality due to its state-of-the art certified laboratories.

NIBULON is a member of the International Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM), the Ukrainian Grain Association, and the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation. The company also successfully works with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the International Finance Corporation and others.

Thus, NIBULON will share knowledge and experience through joint events and meetings organized with FAO on grain storage, logistics and transportation; company participation in policy dialogue through industry associations, public-private working groups and other mechanisms; and identifying investment needs and opportunities in the grain sector.

In addition, the company will participate in field trainings in Egypt and Serbia on the improvement of grain storage and logistics for local specialists and international grain sampling and analysis standards for inspection services in Egypt with the full support of the FAO office in country.

Towards Zero Hunger

"This agreement is another impressive step in the efforts to scale up FAOs work towards eradicating hunger and improving the food security situation in the region," Abdessalam Ould Ahmed stated. He highlighted that "the technical expertise NIBULON bring will certainly help to improve storage and logistics, reduce food losses, and such collaboration adds an extra element in achieving the SDGs in the region".

"Theres room for improvement and more work is needed to improve grain storage, transportation, sampling and testing to benefit the people in Egypt and its neighbouring countries," Ould Ahmed stressed.

In turn, Oleksiy Vadatursky pointed out the need to act in tackling malnutrition and hunger, which "should not have a place in the world we all live in. NIBULON, as a responsible Ukrainian grain producer and a reliable exporter, shares FAOs vision of zero hunger."

"Today, NIBULON is ready to share its knowledge along the grain supply chain with FAO and its partners so we can advance in achieving our common goal of the zero hunger world," he added.

Expanding Cooperation

During the visit to Egypt NIBULONs delegation headed by its General Director Oleksiy Vadaturskyy also visited the Egyptian Ministry of Supply and Internal Trading and met with the Minister Ali El Moselhi and Deputy Minister Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Ashmawy. They discussed the issue of the company participation in the investment projects aimed at development of port infrastructure, elevator capacity and navigation along the Nile to increase efficiency of internal logistics and to ensure stable food security in Egypt. In addition, at the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation they discussed the cooperation between Ukraine and Egypt in agricultural sector with the Minister Abdul Moneim El-Banna and Deputy Minister Dr. Safwat El Haddad.

The representatives of NIBULON also met with Hennadii Latii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Egypt, and Hryhorii Nochkovskyi, First Secretary on Economic Issues of the Embassy. Upon negotiations, the Ambassador invited the delegation of NIBULON to participate in the reception dedicated to the 26th anniversary of Armed Forces of Ukraine held at the Embassy of Ukraine in Egypt on December 6. Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Egypt, in particular Assistant of the Chief of General Staff, diplomats, representatives of public and media, as well as Ukrainian community in Egypt participated in the event.

The guests observed a Moment of silence to pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the protection of Ukraines territorial integrity, visited a photo exhibition dedicated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Wal-Mart is providing workers with an app aimed at helping them budget their money and get paid before payday.

The retailer said Wednesday that it teamed up with financial technology start-ups Even and PayActiv to provide an app to 1.4 million Wal-Mart workers.

The Even app automatically plans ahead for bills and savings goals and will show workers how much they can safely spend. It will also allow workers to access cash before a scheduled payday up to eight times a year for free.

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Wal-Mart said it will cover the costs for Even for both full- and part-time workers at Wal-Mart, Sams Club and its e-commerce sites. Users will have to pay a fee if they want to get paid early more than eight times a year.

The service should help workers avoid expensive short-term payday loans, Wal-Mart officials told the New York Times in an interview. Workers who are less worried about cash issues feel more confident and more settled at work, Judith McKenna, Wal-Marts chief operating officer, told the newspaper.

Critics and labor groups said the service is another sign that Wal-Mart doesnt pay its workers enough.

Living paycheck to paycheck is too common at Walmart and that is the problem that Walmart should be trying to solve, said the Organization United for Respect at Walmart.

Wal-Mart pays new workers $9 an hour. Thats above the $7.25 hourly federal minimum wage but below what some of its rivals pay. Target, for example, has a minimum hourly wage of $11 and plans to grow it to $15 by the end of 2020.
Petra Axolotl knew her chances of getting an H-1B visa were slim. She had an MBA from Wharton and a job offer at Twitter, but luck would decide the Dutch data scientists fate  and in 2016, it did not fall in her favor.

Axolotl missed out in the lottery for the coveted visa but remained determined to work in Silicon Valley, a place she considered the global capital of tech innovation. The plan was to reapply in 2017.

Then Donald Trump became president, and she found herself preparing to move somewhere else entirely: Canada.

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Unlike many liberal-leaning technology workers in Silicon Valley, Axolotl doesnt consider herself anti-Trump. But the new administrations position on immigration  the unexpected travel bans, the anti-immigration rhetoric, the presidents tweets about scrapping entire visa categories  made her question whether the U.S. was the right country for her.

Trump seemed too unpredictable, she said. She was preparing to start a family with her partner, and lets say something happens in the U.S. and I cannot stay  it will be more complicated when you have a child. I could have handled this kind of unpredictability two years ago. But now? Not anymore.

Uncertainty in the United States has been a boon to Canada, which since the election has seen a surge in immigration and interest from tech workers and entrepreneurs.

In-bound inquiries to the Vancouver Economic Commission, an agency in British Columbia that helps entrepreneurs and companies get set up in the region, have increased 400% this year, said Ian McKay, chief executive of the commission. The number of tech workers from around the world migrating to Canada is on track to beat 2016s total by 18%, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Though election-related calls to move to Canada arent unusual  actress Susan Sarandon said in 2008 shed move to Canada if John McCain won; performer Cher pledged in 2015 shed move to Jupiter if Trump won  surveys of tech workers in the U.S. suggest some are seriously considering making the move. In a survey of its users, job search start-up Hired found that 40% of respondents said they had thought about leaving the U.S. since the 2016 election, of which 32% said Canada was their top choice.

Hired didnt ask respondents their reasons for considering a move, but it was likely the result of uncertainty around immigration policies generated by the election, said Lindsay Scott, Hireds head of communications.

Canadas sudden desirability is a confluence of several factors, said Bill Tam, former president of the British Columbia Tech Assn. Its proximity to the U.S. helps, and it goes without saying that similarities in culture, language and quality of life make for an easier transition. But cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal have also become tech hubs in their own right, and over the last decade have fostered homegrown success stories such as Slack, Shopify and Hootsuite. Major game development houses such as Ubisoft, Electronic Arts and Bioware have studios in Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal.

The Canadian government has also laid the groundwork to make the region more tech-friendly, Tam said. There are tax incentives for companies that invest in research and development. Students who study at public Canadian universities are offered a path to permanent residency. And a new, fast-tracked workers visa established this summer allows companies to bring foreign talent to the country without having to go through the rigmarole of a lottery.

When the government launched that program and said well help you get an overseas employee to Canada in two to three weeks, I was like, come on, theres no way, said Yishay Waxman, founder of Toronto start-up Platterz, which hired Axolotl this year.

Applying for an H-1B visa can be a months-long process, and the path to permanent residency in the U.S. can take years. For Waxman and his foreign hires, though, from the day we filled out the forms to the day my three engineers were in the country, it was about 10 days.

Data scientist Petra Axolotl at Platterzs Toronto office. (Cole Burston / For The Times )

Its not just start-ups that are making the most of Canadas immigration programs. A growing number of established technology companies eager to capitalize on the talent graduating from Canadian colleges, such as Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Uber, have set up shop up north. And one of the upsides to having a presence in Canada, according to immigration attorneys, is that American companies wanting to attract and retain foreign talent can offer their Canadian locations as friendlier, more stable alternative to the U.S.

The company is happy because theyre saving this highly skilled worker, and the highly skilled worker is happy because in Canada theres a pathway to get immigration, said Stephen Green, an immigration attorney with Green and Spiegel in Toronto. Its considered on-shoring because were so close to the U.S.

Silicon Valley isnt yet panicking about the politics-driven brain drain, though. In a Bay Area Council poll released this year, 40% of Bay Area residents said they want to move away from the region within the next few years  up from 33% last year. But the key motivating factors were cost of living, traffic and housing, with only 5% saying the Trump administration was the worst problem facing the Bay Area.

U.S. tech companies arent exactly hurting either under the Trump administration. Silicon Valley giants have continued to reap enormous profit and grow their market value: Facebooks market capitalization rose 51% this year, Googles by 30%, and Apples by 66%. The Republican tax bill would allow companies that have stashed hundreds of billions of dollars in profits offshore  including Google and Apple  to bring some of those profits home at greatly reduced tax rates, according to analysts.

Facebook declined to comment on whether its recruitment efforts in the U.S. have been affected by the current political climate. Google did not respond to a request for comment.

And while H-1B visa demand declined for the first time since 2014, the number of applicants seeking visas remains almost triple the available supply.

Recruiters from Canada say Silicon Valley has lost some of its shine over the last year among workers from outside the United States. Foreign-born tech workers once adamant about going to or staying in the Bay Area are now more receptive to job offers from Canada, they say. And investors are more willing to consider Canada than in the past, according to startup founders.

I have never seen the appetite the way I see it now for U.S. investors wanting to invest in Canadian companies, Waxman said. Five to 10 years ago if you had a start-up in Toronto, no American VC would even take a meeting.

Axolotl said going to Canada was the right move for her. She has started blogging about her experience. She had considered Australia and New Zealand, but Canada had the more robust tech industry, and its path to permanent residency  which took only eight weeks  sweetened the deal.

Ultimately, people are looking for some security, said Andrea Gilbrook, director of talent programs at Ontario tech incubator Communitech. They want to feel like theyre being welcomed, and theyre excited to put down roots and settle.

tracey.lien@latimes.com

Twitter: @traceylien
In Richard Geres latest film, Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, released earlier this year, Israeli writer and director Joseph Cedar lends Gere perhaps his most profound role yet: Norman Oppenheimer, a New York Jewish businessman who connects parties together for profit. The veteran actor inhabits the role with much vulnerable nuance and potent skill.

Its an entertaining but a difficult movie, Gere says by phone from his Beverly Hills hotel before flying out to Moscow later that evening. [Normans] not Madoff. The guy is not a thief, hes not hurting anyone. Hes honest in that he really does want to deliver these things he promises people. And thats why in the end he finds a way to give everyone what he originally promised them. He ultimately gets what he wanted; he will eternally belong. Hes the hero of the story. He just wanted to be at the table.

You had about nine months to prepare for this role, which I assume is a true luxury for an actor?

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Obviously, the character Norman is pretty far away from me. Joseph is meticulous, and wrote an incredibly beautiful screenplay. He had a lot of poetic stuff  much of which found its way into the Norman that started to emerge. We were doing rewrites throughout that whole period. Im asking questions, a lot of which he hadnt thought about.

I understand before you took the role you asked him, Why me?

Yes. Were friends, and he gave me the script, and I called him and said, Joseph, this is a beautiful script, but Ive got to be honest with you, why me? If I was directing and producing this movie, I dont think Id go to me. There are certainly a lot of other actors you would think of first, for this rather schlubby New York Jewish character.

What did he say?

Look, I know. But I dont want them. I want to see what youd bring to the table. I want to find something that isnt obvious, and not the first thought. So we started working very slowly at how to arrive at Norman. And it was incredibly surprising, how he emerged, this guy to the point where I felt completely comfortable with him, getting in and out of him.

Where did all the physical stuff come from? That bouncing sort of walk versus a strident stride 

Its funny, after I saw the film I could see where a lot of this came from. I wasnt thinking about this at all, but when I looked again at the film, Im seeing a lot of Charlie Chaplin in there. These kinds of holy fools who are a little jittery and displaced, homeless.

 Kenneth Turan reviews Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, directed by Joseph Cedar and starring Richard Gere, Lior Ashkenazi, Michael Sheen, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Steve Buscemi and Dan Stevens. Video by Jason H. Neubert.

And thats the other thing, is Norman homeless? The audience sees him without a home the entire story.

Hes like a turtle, he carries his home with him, you know? Hes got that coat, and all his items, his phone and earphones. I do think hes kind of a holy fool, I do. I dont know if hes conscious of it but he does function in the world like that. Like the Tramp. And when I said that to Joseph about the holy fool, he said, Yes, but he still wants his 7%.

One odd but intriguing thing about Norman is that no matter how much hes dumped on and humiliated, he never seems to get angry.

I kept asking these questions about him in the beginning. What does he do with all this humiliation? Does it build till he has to explode? Joseph didnt have an answer for that. What he did say was  and this was from a deep Jewish experience: You cant afford to express anger; youll be the first one jettisoned, so you dont show that emotion. You evolve other emotions; empathy, understanding, more sympathetic things. You keep your eye on the prize.

We actually have a scene  where he has his own name card at the big table, and that was an enormous thing for Norman. Its not that he doesnt feel the humiliation, he is just so quickly able to transform it. And thats unusual in all the characters Ive played.

What about that ending?

Hes conscious of the world hes in [the betrayal] at that point. How we played those scenes is not someone avoiding the pain, the pain is washing over him. And he still makes that decision to make his life meaningful by making everyone achieve their wishes. Hes very calm at the end, for sure. He feels like hes done it finally.

WATCH: Video Q&As from this seasons hottest contenders 

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Over the course of six films directed by Guillermo del Toro, Doug Jones has played, among other creations, a duplicitous faun, a fearsome child-eating ogre known as the Pale Man and the blood-red ghosts that haunt the falling-to-ruin estate in 2014s Crimson Peak. But the filmmakers 1960s-set aquatic fairy tale The Shape of Water afforded the actor the opportunity to play an entirely new animal  a romantic leading man who finds a heartfelt connection with Sally Hawkins mute cleaning lady, Elisa.

Despite the love story at the heart of the film, for Jones, the process of bringing the creature to life remained the same as previous roles.

My challenge is to make that character look like he woke up that way that day, not like hes a guy in a suit, he said. But for the films creative team, designing and building the elaborate creature suit and makeup that Jones wears on screen was a laborious, painstaking endeavor. Del Toro himself financed three years of development and design on the creature, which took dozens of artisans and craftsmen to conjure using foam, silicone and state-of-the-art digital technology.

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WATCH: Video Q&As from this seasons hottest contenders 

Well before the film, which opened last week, had a green light from Fox Searchlight, the filmmaker had recruited artists David Grasso and David Meng to sculpt in clay a rough form of the creature. To refine his facial features, Del Toro turned to sculptor and creature designer Mike Hill, whose previous film credits include 2010s The Wolfman and 2006s Apocalypto and who has done personal work for the writer-director in the past, including building lifelike sculptures for his suburban Los Angeles retreat known as Bleak House.

Hill did pencil sketches of the face of the creature (whom the filmmakers eventually nicknamed Charlie for the former Star-Kist mascot Charlie the Tuna) trying to find the perfect combination of animalistic and human traits. I realized that this thing had to be attractive because it has a relationship with Sallys character, Hill said. He gave the Amphibian Man voluptuous male-model-type lips  a strong jaw, a cleft chin, all the things that make a man handsome, which is a fine line because you also have to get back to that no-nose and huge eyes that a fish has.

Working from Hills designs, the artists at Legacy Effects created facial appliances from silicone that could be applied directly to Dougs skin. The creatures body, however, was a foam-rubber suit that stretched from Jones feet up to his neck and down to his wrists (the hands were added separately so they could be removed more easily to give Jones the use of his own hands as needed during filming). Del Toro, who began his career as a special makeup effects artist, felt strongly that silicone should be used sparingly because of the way it can read on screen once it has been painted.

He had a fear of it being slimy, says Legacy Effects supervisor and co-creature designer Shane Mahan, who previously worked with Del Toro on 2013s Pacific Rim. What we did, though, [was] we had hybrid areas that were silicone areas like the fins, the gills, the webs of the fingers just to catch backlight, so that in the audiences mind at least, it telegraphs as familiar, like the webbing of a frogs foot or a fishs gill. Theres light you see through that.

Both the facial appliances and the body were designed to cleave as closely as possible to Jones head and impossibly lean frame to keep the suit from sagging and the head from seeming too bulbous; the application process took roughly three hours. The suit itself from the neck down had to be skin-tight so there wouldnt be funny wrinkles when youd bend an arm or a knee, Jones said. It was so incredibly skin-tight that it took three people to help me get it on  it was a shimmy act. If it was set to music, it would have been the perfect dance number.

For the creatures gills, Mahan devised a mechanism that could be discreetly tucked into the back of the suit and could be operated remotely on set. For the eyes, Jones wore specially crafted lenses created out of acrylic resin by the artist known as Kazu, which snapped magnetically into a housing on his face shaped not unlike a bandits mask. The design gave the makeup artists the ability to easily remove or switch out the lenses as needed during filming.

For extreme close-ups, I had eyes that I couldnt see anything out of, Jones said. I had to know the geography of the room pretty well before we put those eyes in. We had other versions of the eyes I could see a little bit more through  the pupils had been cut out for wide shots where Id have to move across a room or swim around underwater.

Eye blinks, along with other micro-expressions such as the furrowing of the brow, were added digitally in post-production. Each shot, however, was based on scans of Jones own expressions. All were completed under Del Toros specific supervision. Wed do a take of animation and hed say, No, no. Thats too much. The brows need to come down, said visual effects supervisor Dennis Berardi of Torontos Mr. X. He would act it out for us. He would take his glasses off and say, This is what I want, and he would literally do the facial expression.

The team at Mr. X also carefully enhanced one of the creatures most unique qualities  his subdermal bioluminescence. Mahan initially came up with the idea of including the effect as part of the creatures anatomy, drawing inspiration from deep-sea creatures. The suits Legacy built for the production (four primary creature suits were constructed) were highlighted with an invisible ultraviolet paint that when illuminated by a specific kind of light on set would burn bright blue.

But the digital flourishes were always intended to be subtle  the goal was simply to amplify the emotion inherent in Jones original performance, delivered as it was under difficult physical conditions, and to underscore the magical qualities of the creature at the heart of Del Toros romantic fable. Doug has a lot of experience emoting through special-effects makeup, Berardi said. Our approach really was to try to retain as much of Doug as we could and replace only what we had to replace.

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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.
True-crime aficionados will probably get the most out of Killing for Love, a documentary from Marcus Vetter and Karin Steinberger re-examining the 1985 murders of wealthy Virginians Derek and Nancy Haysom, and the separate prosecutions that put their daughter Elizabeth and her German boyfriend, Jens Soering, a diplomats son, in prison.

College students in obsessive love at the time of the killings, their official narrative at the time of their arrest was that erudite wild girl Elizabeths seething hatred for her parents, whom she alleged were abusive, spurred her nerdy, knightly beau to do the deed. But the case becomes more complicated when Elizabeths about-face in testifying against Soering, his changed story about what happened, and unexamined clues suggest a different version of events.

Interviewing investigators, journalists and lawyers who first worked on the case  some of whom now questioning whether justice was served  the German filmmakers are fairly open in presenting their movie as an argument for their countrymans release and repatriation to Germany. And its a convincing one. (Soering is interviewed; Elizabeth refused.)

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Though overlong, and pitched a little too heavily toward cable-TV sensationalism when long stretches of the young lovers overwrought mash notes are heard in voice-over by Imogen Poots and Daniel Bruhl, Killing for Love is still a gripping murder mystery about the fated coupling of a pair of calculating romantics too smart for their own good, and the limits of the American justice system.

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Killing for Love

In English and German with English subtitles

Not rated

Running time: 2 hours, 3 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Royal, West L.A.

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Better screen representation for older actors starts with not making movies like The Leisure Seeker, a soggy East Coast road trip saga in which Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland valiantly pretend that rogue treatment of debilitating illnesses has its funny/endearing side.

They play the Spencers  John (Sutherland), a retired English professor with Alzheimers, Ellen (Mirren), his devoted, bedridden, Southern-belle wife  who take their long-cherished 1975 Winnebago Indian on one last RV vacation, without anybodys knowledge, especially their worried adult children (Christian McKay, Janel Moloney). If the premise already triggers your aversion to the contrived application of disease and highway adventure to matters of the heart, Italian director/co-screenwriter Paolo Virzis adaptation of Michael Zadoorians novel  his first English-language film  wont add anything to your wariness other than trite situations and shallow insight.

John chats up waitresses about Hemingway or zags into bouts of jealousy in which he thinks he and Ellen are much younger, while she nurses his memory loss with slide shows and a steady stream of tart patter. Mirren is expectedly fizzy, Sutherland admirably true to the ups and downs of his affliction, and the hard, sentimental horizon ahead is so clear the movie is blinded to any detours that might enliven or illuminate this most cliched of scenarios. The stars are as imprisoned as their characters respective frailties.

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Whats even more alarming is Virzis last movie, Like Crazy, is this ones exact opposite: a deliriously enjoyable, truly offbeat, desperation-driven travelogue. The Leisure Seeker, on the other hand, is a slow lane slog.

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The Leisure Seeker

Running time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

Rating: R, for some sexual material

Playing: The Landmark, West L.A.

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March 8, 2018: Updated to reflect new theater when re-opening following December qualifying run,
Devastating events befall the Raineys, the family at the center of photographer Jonathan Olshefskis low-key but radiant filmmaking debut. And yet the lasting impression that Quest makes is not one of despair or ruin. Through eight years of filming  years that stretch from Barack Obamas first presidential campaign to Donald Trumps  the director discovers an everyday American story of extraordinary strength.

The film takes its title from the hip-hop handle of Christopher Rainey, who with his wife, Christinea, runs a basement recording studio in their north Philadelphia home. Respected neighborhood figures, they play a parental role to many of the rappers they mentor, all while raising a daughter and working jobs that barely keep them afloat  he delivers coupon circulars, and she works at a womens shelter. Care for an infant grandson is added to the mix when Christineas eldest son, William, undergoes treatment for a brain tumor.

Olshefski excerpts and shapes the passing years with a fluent intimacy that makes the calamitous intrusion of random gun violence, and its lasting effect on the Raineys daughter, PJ, all the more shocking.

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The familys dignity and resilience are inseparable from their frontline activism in their neglected, predominantly black corner of the city. They listen in horror as candidate Trump exhorts the African Americans to give him a chance, but they understand too that Obamas high-minded rhetoric hasnt improved their day-to-day lives. Quest captures the way those lives go on, not just as they must, but with stunning grace.

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Quest

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica

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Animating the most adorable creatures  puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc.  usually results in an even cuter cartoon creation. However, Hedgehogs first sin of many is the disservice it does to its titular animals. In this animated movie, the normally Instagram-worthy darlings are reduced to bland characters unlikely to elicit an aww or even vague interest by the audience.

Bobby the hedgehog (voiced by Anthony Padilla) is the bravest and boldest of his kind, but when he is injured in a fight, he loses his memory. Befriended by a pigeon named Hubert (Jon Heder), he embarks on an adventure and may rediscover his identity along the way. Meanwhile, a virus threatens the nearby human population, and an evil scientist (Chevy Chase) blames animals for its spread and is capturing them and destroying their homes.

Hedgehogs is a Chinese production directed by Jianming Huang, and the English-language track suffers from the bad dubbing that plagued 70s kung fu movies. That problem could be overlooked if the movie had any narrative clarity, but this family film feels episodic and entirely aimless. Set pieces that could have been fun feel rushed, and its unclear whether the problem originates with moments that werent animated or if connecting scenes and shots were cut in post-production. Viewers will have to fill in the lost bits with their imagination, but Hedgehogs does little to inspire the extra effort.

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Hedgehogs

Rated: PG, for action and some mild rude humor

Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes

Playing: AMC Orange 30

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(Xinhua) 07:45, December 14, 2017

Participants pose for a group photo during the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 13, 2017. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday urged the Islamic world to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused any U.S. involvement in the peace process. (Xinhua/Anadolu Agency)

ISTANBUL, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A summit of Islamic countries held in Istanbul on Wednesday declared East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine to counter a U.S. decision in favor of Israel.

The summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also invited all countries in the world to "recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital," said the draft final communique unveiled at the conclusion of the one-day meeting.

The heads of state and government present at the summit rejected as "null and void" and condemned "in the strongest terms" the unilateral decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the communique said.

The leaders described the U.S. move as an attack on the rights of the Palestinian people, a "deliberate undermining" of all peace efforts, "an impetus to extremism and terrorism," and a threat to international peace and security.

They reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine, warning Washington of "all the consequences" of not retracting its decision.

Without stepping back, the U.S. would lose its role as a sponsor of the peace process, cautioned the leaders from the OIC, the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nationswith a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.

Addressing a press conference following the summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the United Statesis no longer an honest broker of peace.

"We cannot accept any more the United States as a peace broker, because basic requirements of being a peace broker are to be honest and objective," he said.

Trump broke long-held U.S. practice by announcing his decision on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city, sparking days of violent clashes in the Gaza Strip and West Bank as well as protests in other Arab countries.

Speaking at the press conference, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also signaled the end of U.S. mediating role, "because a peace process can only be conducted with an objective mediator."

Saying Trump "will play and dance by himself," Erdogan urged the U.S. president to reverse his "wrong decision," stressing that "insisting on a mistake has no benefit to anyone."

The summit communique also urged the UN Security Council to protect the legal status of Jerusalem and end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian land.

Addressing the opening session of the summit, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pledged to cooperate without preconditions with all Islamic countries to defend Jerusalem, while King Abdullah II of Jordan spoke of the need to offer support to enable the Palestinians to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as the capital.

Israel occupied the eastern part of Jerusalem in 1967 and declared Jerusalem as its undivided capital in 1980, but all countries have continued to keep their embassies in Tel Aviv so far.
Note: A version of this review previously appeared in the Calendar section on March 2, 1998.

For more than 50 years, producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory, most often in collaboration with writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, made films renowned for their civility and sophistication. Many were adaptations of literary classics and have been celebrated for the quality of their acting and impeccable sense of time and place.

The trio hit its stride in only its second feature, Shakespeare Wallah (1965), which remains one of its finest accomplishments. Shashi Kapoor, a handsome matinee idol of the Indian cinema as well as a splendid actor, had married actress Jennifer Kendal, whose parents Geoffrey Kendal and Laura Liddell had toured India for years with their Shakespeare troupe. Ivory and Jhabvala wrote a script in which the Kendals, including their other actress-daughter Felicity, would pretty much play themselves. (Jennifer Kapoor served at this films costume designer.)

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Shakespeare Wallah exerts a tremendous emotional pull as the troupe finds it harder and harder to survive in a post-colonial India because so much of its audience has returned to the UK. The slight plot concerns Kapoor, cast as a rich playboy, pursuing Felicitys Lizzie. With a lovely, evocative score composed by Satyajit Ray, Shakespeare Wallah is a tribute to the gallantry, talent and courage of the Kendals. Its gentle humor, however, has a Chekhovian cast.

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Shakespeare Wallah

Not rated

Running time: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Playing: Ahrya Fine Arts, Beverly Hills

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H.P. Lovecraft meets the Three Stooges (by way of Men in Black) courtesy of The Thousand Faces of Dunjia, an insanely over-the-top live-action cartoon of a sci-fi-fantasy martial arts adventure.

The Chinese import, set in a non-specific place in time, concerns the efforts of the supernaturally gifted Wuyin Clan to get their hands on a powerful cosmic device to defeat alien enemies from beyond the sky.

Theyre both assisted and hampered in their efforts by Dao (Aarif Lee), a gung-ho but somewhat dim-witted police recruit who gradually becomes schooled in the fine art of dealing with bug-eyed monster fish and sultry shape-shifters (the latter sweetly played by Dongyu Zhou).

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A collaboration between respected director Yuen Wo Ping, whose talents as a skilled action choreographer are memorably on display in The Matrix trilogy and Quentin Tarantinos Kill Bill films; and commercially successful Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark, who penned the unapologetically madcap script, the CG-drenched production could never be accused of being standard issue wuxia.

Still, over the course of almost two hours, all the amped-up visual effects and slapstick silliness can become awfully exhausting, making a hinted-at sequel ultimately feel like a threat.

Dunjia could have easily sufficed with a few hundred fewer faces.

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The Thousand Faces of Dunjia

In Mandarin with English subtitles

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

Playing: AMC Santa Anita 16, Arcadia; AMC Atlantic Times Square, Monterey Park; AMC Puente Hills 20, City of Industry

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Clare Vivier is not afraid of treading new ground. She has become a fashion-girl favorite with her eponymous handbag and accessories line, Clare V., fusing preppiness with elements of French-girl cool to great effect.

Since starting Clare V. in 2008, she has ventured into clothing, footwear and jewelry. Now, shes taking on her next challenge: the beauty industry.

Fragrance was something Ive been wanting to do for a while, said Vivier of her first perfume, Angie (50 ml, $95), which launched in November and is available at Clare V. stores and www.ClareV.com. Scent can be so sentimental, and it seemed like a nice extension of the brand weve built, which has so many personal elements to it.

One of those personal elements can be seen in the logo. The word Angie is written in the handwriting of Viviers late father, Manuel Guerrero.

Clare Vivier at her Silver Lake store. (Emma Feil)

Angie is my middle name and what my family has always called me, Vivier said. We created the Angie logo from his handwriting on one of the many letters he sent to me over the years. It all ties into how fragrance is such a personal thing  and this one, particularly so.

But it wasnt only family that served as a muse for Viviers inaugural fragrance.

I love how the fragrance evokes so many memories of my past, including the places Ive lived, she said. Vivier, who has seven U.S. stores, is no stranger to travel and passport stamps. Ive lived away from my family since I left for college in San Francisco. From there, I went to Paris and then Los Angeles.

Working with Linda Sivrican from L.A.-based Capsule Parfumerie, Vivier handpicked scents inspired by the cities shes called home or places that hold special memories for her.

There are green notes from France, bright citrus from Italy, and hints of California chaparral, Vivier said. I particularly love the California element because [the perfume] is produced locally in Los Angeles.

Designer Clare Vivier worked with Linda Sivrican from L.A.-based Capsule Parfumerie to create the fragrance called Angie, which was introduced in November. (Clare V.)

The result is an eau de parfum that fuses hinoki, bergamot and geranium with softer notes of citrus and cuir. I leaned on [Sivrican] and her team to lead me in the right direction, knowing what I was looking for in an eau de parfum, the designer said. Im used to working with my hands to shape and manipulate the bags were designing, always trying to get them to what I envision. With a fragrance youre relying on such different senses and instincts.

While the fragrance is Viviers first foray into the beauty arena, it will certainly not be the last for the designer. Expansion into beauty is a big step for us, she said. The goal was to build out our brand beyond handbags. We know our customers come to us for so much more, and we are now in the position to round out the Clare V. lifestyle experience with a step further into the world of CV.

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New York-based brand Michael Kors might not as widely known for its mens offerings here as for its womens, but thats likely to change with the rapid expansion of the brands footprint in Southern California. As the company rolls out new lifestyle stores, Michael Kors mens selections are being highlighted with their own dedicated spaces.

In November, a Michael Kors store opened at the revamped Westfield Century City shopping center. The 3,800-square-foot boutique offers the full Michael Kors Collection and Michael Michael Kors labels in addition to the brands menswear offerings. On Dec. 8, the brand opened an expanded, 4,500-square-foot store at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, and additional boutiques are expected to open in 2018 on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

The brand is tapping into the ongoing demand for laid-back luxe in the menswear market. Mens knits are a core component of the line, as are polo shirts that come in 15 colors. Premium pieces include hand-burnished leather jackets and lush shearling coats. Prices are $78 to $2,000.

Repossis unisex Antifer ring. (Repossi)

Repossi

Gaia Repossi hasnt deviated from the legacy of the Repossi brand founded in 1920 in Turin, Italy, by her grandfather, Constantin, who began making high-end jewelry exclusively using diamonds. Almost a century later, the younger Repossi, the brands creative director since 2007, eschews trends in colored stones.

Just diamonds, said Repossi, 31, during a November visit to Los Angeles for the launch of the jewelry collection at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Weve always been a fine-jewelry line.

The Paris-based designer uses her training in the arts and her modernist mind-set to create pieces that have found favor among A-listers. Cate Blanchett has worn Repossis signature ear cuff, a slender stick of rose gold that affixes across the top of the ear.

Weve reintroduced classics, which you could imagine on the red carpet yet are modern enough to wear every day, Repossi said. New offerings include the Antifer, a unisex series of single or stacked rings in geometric shapes. Here, you can see the $26,000 Antifer eight-row ring in pink gold set with diamonds.

Repossi, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, www.saksfifthavenue.com, www.repossi.com

Los Angeles brand Civetta makes intentional jewelry using stones that have historical or symbolic significance. (Civetta)

Civetta

At a different price point and aesthetic is Civetta, a Los Angeles brand that uses stones for its jewelry such as watermelon tourmaline and black onyx. (Kate Hudson has been seen wearing a custom black onyx Mala necklace and other Civetta pieces.)

Its not just a piece of jewelry, Michelle Thomas, founder of the line, said. We use stones that are historically known for having certain properties. Some stones go back to biblical times.

Thomas has incorporated gemstones into a new limited-edition holiday offering that includes a chunky garnet pendant flecked with amber and a bracelet made with sparkling beads of gold hematite. Hematite also shows up in cubed dangling earrings. Selections are $50 to $195.

Newly opened in Beverly Hills is luxury Swiss lingerie and loungewear brand Hanro. The 1,800-square-foot store is the first West Coast outpost for the 133-year-old brand. (Hanro)

Hanro

Los Angeles affinity for easy loungewear  pieces that work well hanging out at home or brunching with friends  led to the decision by Swiss brand Hanro to open its first Los Angeles boutique.

The 1,800-square-foot Beverly Hills location, in the site of a former sushi restaurant, opens Thursday, offering a full range of luxe lingerie, sleepwear and loungewear for men and women. And the store, which was constructed using olive ash, concrete and bronze, is illuminated by a substantial skylight.

Jan Snodgrass, U.S. president of Hanro, said the brands strongest growth has been in loungewear, and that the offerings in the new boutique would reflect that.

In Los Angeles especially, its more about dressing comfortably, he said. Loungewear is something we will continue to expand on. Hanro selections include cotton drawstring pants, ankle-skimming caftans and shirt dresses loosely belted in addition to the offerings of underwear, pajamas and nightgowns. Prices are $26 to $600 for women and $36 to $700 for men.

Hanro, 9475 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, shop.hanrousa.com

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Animal care officials confirmed Thursday that they are investigating the death of 29 horses at a Sylmar ranch during the fast-moving Creek fire last week.

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control issued a lengthy statement last week in which they shared their officers efforts to save horses at Rancho Padilla. The statement did not include details about an investigation.

The ranch boarded its own horses, but also rented stalls to horse owners.

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We are actually looking into it and investigating the entire situation, Don Barre, a spokeswoman for the department, said Thursday. We cant say anything about the investigation until its over.

The fire was first reported at 3:43 a.m. on Dec. 5. The family who owns the ranch said they awoke to flames and were instructed by a fire crew to leave.

The department received a request for help at 8:45 a.m. Animal control officers rescued as many horses as they could, and broke the padlocks off 10 stalls, the department said in a statement.

An unprecedented loss of life: The grim toll of Southland fires on animals born to run 

A member of the Padilla family has stated that she told owners who boarded their horses at the ranch not to put locks on their stalls. Twenty-nine horses perished.

In an interview last week, Danny Ubario, deputy director of operations for the countys animal control department, said the department was trying to set up an interview with the ranch family.

The department wants to determine if the family had an evacuation plan in place and understand all the details of what happened, he said.

I dont know who the actual locks belong to. I can only presume the horses were padlocked and each different owner had their own set of locks, Ubario said. I dont really know.

It is unclear what the outcome of the investigation could be.

1 / 41 Virginia Padilla, left, who lost 29 horses at her Padilla Ranch on Little Tujunga Road is comforted by horse trainer Shelby Hope. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 41 Maria Kirkland, right, waves and calls for her husband who walked down a canyon to check on their home in Indian Springs Ranch. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 41 Gail Thackeray is distraught over loss of her home and two horses after the Creek fire swept through Indian Springs Ranch. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 41 Smoke from the Creek fire hangs in the air above the San Fernando Valley as seen from the 14 Freeway Wednesday morning. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 41 Marinwood firefighter Brandon Selvitella knocks down smoldering embers on a hillside off Wentworth Street in Sunland-Tujunga. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 41 Oscar Martinez saddened by the death of 29 horses at Padilla Ranch. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 41 The Creek fire burns into the night in the Shadow Hills. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 41 A firefighter monitors the Creek fire as it burns a house inear the intersection of Johanna Avenue and McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 41 A home and cars in the path of the Creek fire are engulfed in flames near the intersection of Johanna Avenue and McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 41 A structure burns on McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 41 Judy Hofmann-Sanders can only watch as her home is consumed by the Creek fire along McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 41 A structure burns on McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 41 Firefighters battle the Creek Fire as it burns near a church along Foothill Boulevard in Sylmar. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 41 A vehicle is engulfed in flames as the Creek Fire burns near the intersection of Johanna Avenue and McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 41 Jessica Farrell evacuates her mothers dog Hazel as the Creek fire threatened homes at the end of Esko Avenue in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 41 A firefighter battles a blaze on McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 41 A structure burns on McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 41 The sun peers through a bank of smoke from the Creek Fire in Sunland. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 41 Firefighters hit hotspots while trying to save homes along Hillrose Street from the Creek fire in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 41 Ziggy Hosn hits hot spots on his brothers property along La Canada Way in Sunland. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 41 Jarrald Ingram, 33, hits hot spots where embers from the Creek Fire were threatening homes along along Bengal Street in Sunland on December 5, 2017. Ingram, who lives in downtown Los Angeles, was trying to make his way to his fathers home and couldnt get there because of a police barricade. He decided to help defend the homes in the area with a garden hose. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 41 A firefighter stands next to a house thats completely engulfed in flames in the Creek fire along Hillrose Street in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 41 A structure burns on McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 41 LAPD officers evacuate a pair of horses as the Creek Fire burns along Foothill Boulevard in Sylmar. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 41 A structure burns the path of the Creek Fire near the intersection of Johanna Avenue and McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 41 Judy Hofmann-Sanders surveys the area after her home was consumed by the Creek fire along McBroom Street in Shadow Hills. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 41 Smoke from the Rye fire obscures Interstate 5 near Magic Mountain (lower right) in Santa Clarita. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 41 Gina Donaldson evacuates her horse as the Creek fire bears down on Foothill Boulevard in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 41 Firefighters try to stop a portion of the Creek fire from jumping the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 41 Peter Hernandez waters down the roof of a friends house as the Creek fire approaches in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 41 Caltrans workers move cones against a backdrop of the Creek fire along Wheatland Avenue in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 41 Two firefighters confront flames along Kagel Canyon Street in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 41 A woman evacuates her horse as the Creek fire bears down on Foothill Boulevard in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 41 Firefighters try to control a pile of railroad ties and a trailer burning to protect the structure near Dexter County Park in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 41 Firefighters try to control a pile of railroad ties and a trailer burning to protect the structure near Dexter County Park in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 41 A fireman keeps an eye on surrounding structure near a smoldering tree in Kagel Canyon in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 41 Firefighters try to control a pile of railroad ties and a trailer burning to protect the structure near Dexter County Park in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 41 A horse that got spooked by flames and fell behind a structure is rescued from the fast-approaching Creek fire in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 41 An early morning brush fire that broke out in the Kagel Canyon area above Sylmar on Tuesday charred thousands of acres and damaged homes. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 41 Alex Grigoryants uses a hose to protect his home, located on Kagel Canyon Street in Lake View Terrace, from the Creek fire. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 41 A firefighter climbs a hill to confront flames along Kagel Canyon Street in Lake View Terrace. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The department has conducted other investigations, including one on cock-fighting and another earlier this year regarding 80 snakes and a pool full of alligators at a Thousand Oaks home.

In San Diego County, at least 46 horses died at San Luis Rey Downs, a thoroughbred training facility, during the Lilac wildfire.

The County of San Diegos Department of Animal Services said they are not investigating the deaths at the training facility.

Ive heard about the stories that horses were locked in stalls and things like that, said Daniel DeSousa, director for the countys Department of Animal Services, about the fire at Padilla ranch. That was not the case down here. This fire moved so rapidly through the San Luis Rey Downs area and through that whole riverbed  people were trying to do heroic efforts just to try and rescue these horses.

The thoroughbred facility in Bonsall accommodates 495 horses and at least 450 were there when the fire struck on Thursday, according to a spokesman for the California Horse Racing Board. Officials said about 360 surviving horses from San Luis Rey Downs were moved to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

I dont think anybody could have saved all these horses, based upon how fast this fire was moving and how destructive it really was, DeSousa said.

For more California news, follow @brittny_mejia

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Johnson Amendment: In the Dec. 13 California section, a photo caption with an article about churches ability to engage in political activity said the Rev. Mike Kinman of All Saints Church in Pasadena had given a 2004 sermon that triggered an IRS investigation of the church. The sermon was given by a previous rector; Kinman joined the church in 2016.

Mexican candidate: In the Dec. 13 Section A, an article about Mexican presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador described Felipe Calderon as having been a businessman before winning the presidency in 2006. He was a politician most of his working life.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers representative, by email at readers.representative@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.
More than a week after the Thomas fire ignited in Ventura County, destroying hundreds of homes and displacing thousands as it grew into a massive inferno, firefighters are now in a race to protect the pristine coastal communities of neighboring Santa Barbara County before a shift in powerful winds forecast for this weekend.

Across the mountain ridges above Santa Barbara, Summerland and Montecito, firefighters Wednesday were building containment lines, clearing brush, digging breaks and setting small backfires to burn fuel, all in an effort to create barriers to stop the forward march of the fire.

Conditions so far this week have been favorable, allowing firefighters to attack the flames on the southwestern flank of the blaze as it moves west toward the Santa Ynez Mountains.

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But the National Weather Service was forecasting sundowner winds blowing southeast at up to 35 mph Friday night, followed by Santa Ana winds Saturday that, at up to 45 mph, could steer the fire toward the southwest.

When the wind starts pushing it, we can throw everything we have at it and its not going to do any good, Mark Brown, an operations section chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told Santa Barbara residents Wednesday night.

The stakes are high. If the fire moves into Santa Barbara and Montecito, nearly a quarter million residents and 62,000 structures worth $46 billion would be at risk.

When the wind starts pushing it, we can throw everything we have at it and its not going to do any good.  Mark Brown, Cal Fire operations section chief

As firefighters well know, sundowner winds are notoriously unpredictable. The winds occur when hot air from the Santa Ynez Valley rises and swiftly pours over the mountain passes toward the Pacific Ocean, as if a person pressed a thumb over the end of a hose.

It creates very erratic wind conditions, which are very difficult to predict and very difficult to fight fire in, said Capt. Brendan Ripley, a fire behavior analyst with the Ventura County Fire Department. It moves fire in different directions. It changes throughout the day.

If crews cant finish the containment line across a roughly six-mile stretch in the mountains fast enough to stop the fires march west, firefighters may have to burn the fuel themselves  a risky proposition and a scary sight for residents.

Its a proactive approach to fight the fire on our terms instead of on Mother Natures terms, Brown said. Its well-coordinated if we do it. Weve had numerous subject-matter experts put the plan together. Its been vetted at all levels. All the local authorities have looked at it and approved it.

Fire officials stressed that this plan would be used only if the weekend wind events occur as predicted and if crews cant make a stand and fight the fire directly. The controlled blaze would burn up to 4,000 acres and be started when winds are favorable for firefighters.

The Thomas Fire, feeding on thick chaparral brush which hasnt burned in generations, approaches homes in Montecito. (David McNew / Getty Images )

Meanwhile, firefighters hoped to slow the blaze by building breaks into areas with less vegetation because those areas burned in the last decade, said Chris Childers, a battalion chief with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

About 600 fire engines are jammed into the narrow, winding roads in the Santa Barbara County foothills. Trucks are spraying retardant on grassy hillsides and firefighters are wrapping small, indefensible buildings in protective metallic sheeting that looks like tinfoil to reduce the chances they ignite.

As smoke cleared and visibility improved, a conga line of low-flying helicopters started arriving at a county park in Santa Barbara off Highway 154 to pick up fire retardant. Officials said 33 helicopters and eight airplanes were dropping water and retardant on the blaze.

1 / 73 John Bain and Brandon Baker try to stop a fire from burning a strangers home in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 73 A brush fire moving with the wind sends embers all over residential neighborhoods north of Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 73 A family packs up and evacuates as a brush fire gets closer to their home in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 73 John Bain and his friends, all from Camarillo, came to help as brush fires move quickly through residential neighborhoods in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 73 Strangers band together to help put out a palm tree on fire and stop it from burning homes. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 73 The Hawaiian Gardens apartments burn in Ventura. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 7 / 73 Residents help with the fire attack on Buena Vista Street in Ventura. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 8 / 73 Residents watch the Thomas fire on Prospect Street in Ventura. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 9 / 73 Firefighters are deployed to battle the fire in a Ventura neighborhood. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 73 A chimney is all that stands of a home as a brush fire continues to threaten other homes in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 73 Remnants of a home as a brush fire continues to threaten other homes in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 73 A home burns on a hillside overlooking Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 73 Palms are consumed in the Thomas fire. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 14 / 73 Emma Jacobson, 19, center, gets a hug from a neighbor after her family home was destroyed by fire in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 73 Olivia Jacobson, 16, wipes tears as she looks at her familys home, destroyed by the brush fire on Island View Drive in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 73 Aerial view of the Thomas fire in Ventura County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 73 Noah Alarcon carries a cage with the family cat while evacuating from Casitas Springs. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 18 / 73 Smoke from the Thomas fire crosses over Lake Casitas near Ojai. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 19 / 73 A Ventura County firefighter battles a blaze on Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 73 Ventura County Firefighter Aaron Cohen catches his breath after fighting to save homes along Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 73 Aerial view of homes burned to the ground in the Thomas fire in Ventura County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times ) 22 / 73 A home between Via Baja and Foothill Road burns in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 73 Amanda Leon and husband Johnny Leon watch as firefighters fight to save homes along Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 73 Chino Valley firefighters fight to save a home along Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 73 Embers continue to burn at sunset Tuesday in a home on Ridgecrest Court at Scenic Way in the Clearpoint neighborhood of Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles TImes) 26 / 73 A firefighter battles the Thomas fire along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 73 Firefighters try to protect homes from the Thomas fire along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 73 A firefighter battles the Thomas fire along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 73 Edward Aguilar runs through the flames of the Thomas Fire to save his cats at his mobile home along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs in Ventura County. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 73 Jeff Lipscomb, left, Gabriel Lipscomb, 17, center, and Rachel Lipscomb, 11, look for items to recover from their burned home in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 73 A traffic collision temporarily clogged lanes on the northbound 101 Freeway between Solimar and Faria Beaches as the Thomas fire burned in the hills. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 73 The Thomas fire burns towards the 101 Freeway and homes between Solimar and Faria Beaches. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 73 Fire personnel keep an eye on the Thomas fire on Toland Road near Santa Paula. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 34 / 73 A train on the Rincon coast passes a burning hillside from the Thomas fire. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 35 / 73 The Thomas fire burns along the 101 Freeway north of Ventura on Wednesday evening. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 73 A firefighter battles the Thomas fire in the town of La Conchita early Thursday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 73 A resident cries as the Thomas fire approaches the town of La Conchita early Thursday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 73 Burned palm trees are left standing between the 101 Freeway and Faria Beach as the Thomas fire reaches the Pacific Ocean. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 73 Firefighters battle Thursday to protect the resort city of Ojai from encroaching flames. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 73 Casey Rodriquez helps a friend move belongings after the Thomas Fire destroyed most of an apartment building on North Kalarama in Ventura. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 73 A burnt-out bus near Maripoca Highway. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 73 The Thomas fire burns in the Los Padres National Forest, near Ojai. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 73 A huge plume of smoke rises north of Ventura as seen Sunday afternoon from the Ventura pier, as the Thomas fire threatens parts of Carpenteria and Montecito. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 73 The Thomas Fire burns in the Los Padres National Forest, near Ojai, Calif. on Friday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 73 Residents react as they watch the Thomas Fire burn in the hills above La Conchita at 5 am Thursday moning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 73 Mary McEwen and husband Dan Bellaart prepare to evacuate their home on Toro Canyon Road in Montecito as the Thomas fire burns. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 73 Carpenteria resident Chris Gayner, right, photographs a plane in the hills of Carpenteria. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 73 From left, residents Michael Desjardins, his neighbor Patty Rodriguez, daughter Mikayla, wife Veronica, mother in law Amanda Buzin, and son Mikey keep an eye on the Thomas fire in Carpenteria. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 73 Mary McEwen cheers as she sees fire crews make their way up a hill past her home on Toro Canyon Rd. in Montecito. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 73 Dan Bellaart and wife Mary McEwen comfort each other in the backyard of their home that includes an avocado ranch on 9 acres of land on Toro Canyon Road in Montecito, as the Thomas fire burns in the background. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 73 Carpinteria resident Jay Molnar, 55, mouth and nose protected against the smoke, views flames glowing in the hills above the city on Dec. 11, 2017. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 73 Sacramento firefighters battle a blaze in Toro Canyon in Carpenteria at dusk Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 73 Josh Acosta, superintendent with Fulton Hotshots looks for ways to fight fire consuming a structure threatening two homes high up Toro Canyon in Carpenteria at dusk Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 73 A motorcade passes on tHighway 126 carrying the body of a Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, who died Thursday morning while battling the Thomas Fire. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 73 Santa Paula City officials, Police and Firefighters salute from a bridge as a motorcade passes on the Santa Paula Freeway 126 carrying the body of a Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 73 Forest Service crews cut and clear dense brush for contingency lines off of East Camino Cielo in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Montecito and Santa Barbara to help stop the Thomas fire from advancing. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 73 A hotshot crew from Ojai marches towards their assignment to protect structures on East Mountain Drive in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 73 Firefighters monitor the flames Saturday from a staging area near Parma Park in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 73 Flames slowly make their way down a valley behind a home in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 73 Flames whip around power lines as they move through Sycamore Canyon on Saturday, threatening structures in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 73 Smoke billows over Santa Barbara as the Thomas Fire continues to threaten the area on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 73 Bill Shubin, deputy fire chief of the Santa Rosa Fire Department checks on flames burning near homes north of East Mountain Drive in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 73 A fire truck pulls responds to fires burning near homes on East Mountain Drive in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 64 / 73 Brian Good, from US Forest Service, leans forward against the wind, and holds up a Kestrel to measure wind speeds up to 50 mph on Gibraltar Road in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 73 A plume of smoke moves south as winds as high as 50 mph blow down Gibraltar Road on the west fork of Cold Spring Trail in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 73 Flames and a big plume of smoke threaten homes on Gibraltar Road near Gibraltar Rock, outside Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 73 The sun rises as fire crews prepare for another day of fighting the Thomas Fire, in Montecito, Calif., on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 73 An aircraft makes a water drop over a hot spot up in the mountain range at Gibraltar Rock near Montecito, Calif. on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 73 Humboldt County firefighters Bobby Gray, left, hoses down smoldering flames inside a destroyed home, as Kellee Stoehr, right looks on, after the Thomas Fire burned in Montecito, Calif. on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 73 A home on Park Hill Lane was destroyed by the Thomas fire in Montecito, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 71 / 73 Humboldt County firefighters Lonnie Risling, left, and Jimmy McHaffie, right, spray down smoldering fire underneath the rubble of a home that was destroyed by the Thomas Fire, in Montecito, Calif., Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 73 Fire crews help the Behrman family retrieve their familys personal belongings out of their burned home, in Montecito, Calif., on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 73 In the foreground of the ridges that were burned by the Thomas Fire, Rusty Smith stands outside his home that survived the flames that were kicked up by Saturdays wind event and threatened his home in Flores Flats on Gibraltar Road, near Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

As of Thursday morning, the Thomas fire had burned more than 242,500 acres and was 30% contained. It has destroyed more than 900 homes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since it began Dec. 4 near Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula. In its first day, the fire spread southwest, toward Ventura, and northwest, eventually hugging Ojai before pushing to the Central Coast.

With containment lines now protecting Ventura and Santa Paula, firefighters there have been on a seek and destroy mission for any lingering hot spots that could threaten avocado groves, fire officials said Wednesday.

This fire is a beast and youre gonna kill it, Martin Johnson, Santa Barbara County fire division chief, told fire crews at a morning briefing. I have no doubt.

Authorities said it will probably take months for fire officials to determine the cause of the Thomas fire.

Serna from reported from Ventura, Panzar from Santa Barbara and Hamilton from Los Angeles.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

javier.panzar@latimes.com

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

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UPDATES:

8:05 a.m.: This article was updated with new acres burned.

This article was originally published at 3 a.m.
A firefighter died Thursday while battling the Thomas fire as authorities braced for new powerful winds that could pose threats to homes in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Officials said a combination of Santa Ana and sundowner winds will hit the area from Thursday through Sunday, bringing new dangers to a fire that now ranks as the fourth-largest in the states modern history.

As they prepare for the new battle, firefighters were also grappling with loss.

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I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident, Chief Ken Pimlott, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said in a statement. Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers and all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions.

Pimlott identified the firefighter as fire apparatus engineer Cory Iverson, 32.

Iverson was assigned to the fire as a part of a strike team from Cal Fires San Diego unit. He started with Cal Fire in 2009. He is survived by his wife, Ashley, and their 2-year-old daughter Evie. The family is expecting a second daughter this spring.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Corys family and all of his friends and co-workers throughout the department and the fire service, he said.

He said an accident review team would investigate the circumstances of Iversons death.

While we continue to process this tragic loss, we must keep our focus on the fire. The fire fight in front of us continues to go on, he said. The communities we are protecting are depending on us, and we will not fail.

At 4 p.m., the body of the firefighter was loaded into a hearse and taken away, with firefighters lining the road in tribute.

Just hours before Iversons death, Pimlott appeared at a morning briefing where he emphasized safety over complacency. Its during what seems like the least dangerous times  while mopping up hot spots, cutting burned trees or striding though charred rubble  that most injuries occur, he said.

While strategy was discussed as usual, there was an emphasis on staying vigilant as the fires eastern flank winds down. A retiring corrections officer warned firefighters not to become complacent during this incident, and said that should they find themselves relaxing, they should think about their colleagues who have been injured or lost their lives in seemingly low-risk situations.

Despite a couple of days of reduced winds and feverish efforts by firefighters to establish new containment lines, the 249,500-acre Thomas fire has surpassed the size of the Zaca fire, which scorched Santa Barbara County in 2007, according to Dave Zaniboni, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Firefighters hope the 240,207-acre Zaca fire burn scar, as well as the younger vegetation it contains, will help them fight the Thomas fires growth along its western edge.

Firefighters have taken advantage of a two-day lull in winds to increase fire containment to 35%. Those efforts could be tested soon, however, as forecasters predict a new blast of Santa Ana winds Thursday, and sundowner winds over Santa Barbara County on Friday.

In Thursdays incident report, fire officials said they didnt expect to reach full containment of the blaze until Jan. 7  more than three weeks from now.

The state of California began keeping records of wildfire acreage in 1932. While other large fires raged on the West Coast prior to that year, those records are less reliable, according to Cal Fire.

At the morning briefing Thursday, fire commanders said another day of extremely low humidity and moderate winds would greet firefighters as they continued to build containment lines above Carpinteria, Montecito and Santa Barbara.

The mountains north of the coast produce notoriously unpredictable and dangerous conditions for firefighters, said fire behavior analyst Tim Chavez. In the Matilija wilderness, which straddles the border between the two counties, observers saw 50-foot flames backing down a hillside overnight, he said. Its unusual to see flames that tall working their way down a mountain, officials said.

This thing is 60 miles long and 40 miles wide, Chavez said of the blaze. Theres a lot of fire out there.

Gusty Santa Ana winds are expected for Los Angeles and Ventura counties Thursday, said Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service. In the mountains, gusts of 55 mph are possible.

In the valleys, 15 to 25 mph gusts are predicted, with some gusts of up to 40 mph, Seto said. Over the past few days, a break in the weather has allowed firefighters to increase containment.

Thats the thing, its just going to do the opposite now. The humidities are still down in the single digits, Seto said. These winds, especially in the mountain areas, are really going to start blowing the fire around again. What it does is carry the embers further down and can create more fires.

1 / 73 John Bain and Brandon Baker try to stop a fire from burning a strangers home in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 73 A brush fire moving with the wind sends embers all over residential neighborhoods north of Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 73 A family packs up and evacuates as a brush fire gets closer to their home in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 73 John Bain and his friends, all from Camarillo, came to help as brush fires move quickly through residential neighborhoods in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 73 Strangers band together to help put out a palm tree on fire and stop it from burning homes. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 73 The Hawaiian Gardens apartments burn in Ventura. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 7 / 73 Residents help with the fire attack on Buena Vista Street in Ventura. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 8 / 73 Residents watch the Thomas fire on Prospect Street in Ventura. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 9 / 73 Firefighters are deployed to battle the fire in a Ventura neighborhood. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 73 A chimney is all that stands of a home as a brush fire continues to threaten other homes in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 73 Remnants of a home as a brush fire continues to threaten other homes in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 73 A home burns on a hillside overlooking Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 73 Palms are consumed in the Thomas fire. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 14 / 73 Emma Jacobson, 19, center, gets a hug from a neighbor after her family home was destroyed by fire in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 73 Olivia Jacobson, 16, wipes tears as she looks at her familys home, destroyed by the brush fire on Island View Drive in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 73 Aerial view of the Thomas fire in Ventura County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 73 Noah Alarcon carries a cage with the family cat while evacuating from Casitas Springs. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 18 / 73 Smoke from the Thomas fire crosses over Lake Casitas near Ojai. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 19 / 73 A Ventura County firefighter battles a blaze on Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 73 Ventura County Firefighter Aaron Cohen catches his breath after fighting to save homes along Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 73 Aerial view of homes burned to the ground in the Thomas fire in Ventura County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times ) 22 / 73 A home between Via Baja and Foothill Road burns in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 73 Amanda Leon and husband Johnny Leon watch as firefighters fight to save homes along Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 73 Chino Valley firefighters fight to save a home along Cobblestone Drive near Foothill Road in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 73 Embers continue to burn at sunset Tuesday in a home on Ridgecrest Court at Scenic Way in the Clearpoint neighborhood of Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles TImes) 26 / 73 A firefighter battles the Thomas fire along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 73 Firefighters try to protect homes from the Thomas fire along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 73 A firefighter battles the Thomas fire along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 73 Edward Aguilar runs through the flames of the Thomas Fire to save his cats at his mobile home along Highway 33 in Casitas Springs in Ventura County. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 73 Jeff Lipscomb, left, Gabriel Lipscomb, 17, center, and Rachel Lipscomb, 11, look for items to recover from their burned home in Ventura. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 73 A traffic collision temporarily clogged lanes on the northbound 101 Freeway between Solimar and Faria Beaches as the Thomas fire burned in the hills. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 73 The Thomas fire burns towards the 101 Freeway and homes between Solimar and Faria Beaches. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 73 Fire personnel keep an eye on the Thomas fire on Toland Road near Santa Paula. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 34 / 73 A train on the Rincon coast passes a burning hillside from the Thomas fire. (Michael Owen Baker / For the Times) 35 / 73 The Thomas fire burns along the 101 Freeway north of Ventura on Wednesday evening. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 73 A firefighter battles the Thomas fire in the town of La Conchita early Thursday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 73 A resident cries as the Thomas fire approaches the town of La Conchita early Thursday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 73 Burned palm trees are left standing between the 101 Freeway and Faria Beach as the Thomas fire reaches the Pacific Ocean. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 73 Firefighters battle Thursday to protect the resort city of Ojai from encroaching flames. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 73 Casey Rodriquez helps a friend move belongings after the Thomas Fire destroyed most of an apartment building on North Kalarama in Ventura. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 73 A burnt-out bus near Maripoca Highway. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 73 The Thomas fire burns in the Los Padres National Forest, near Ojai. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 73 A huge plume of smoke rises north of Ventura as seen Sunday afternoon from the Ventura pier, as the Thomas fire threatens parts of Carpenteria and Montecito. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 73 The Thomas Fire burns in the Los Padres National Forest, near Ojai, Calif. on Friday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 73 Residents react as they watch the Thomas Fire burn in the hills above La Conchita at 5 am Thursday moning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 73 Mary McEwen and husband Dan Bellaart prepare to evacuate their home on Toro Canyon Road in Montecito as the Thomas fire burns. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 73 Carpenteria resident Chris Gayner, right, photographs a plane in the hills of Carpenteria. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 73 From left, residents Michael Desjardins, his neighbor Patty Rodriguez, daughter Mikayla, wife Veronica, mother in law Amanda Buzin, and son Mikey keep an eye on the Thomas fire in Carpenteria. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 73 Mary McEwen cheers as she sees fire crews make their way up a hill past her home on Toro Canyon Rd. in Montecito. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 73 Dan Bellaart and wife Mary McEwen comfort each other in the backyard of their home that includes an avocado ranch on 9 acres of land on Toro Canyon Road in Montecito, as the Thomas fire burns in the background. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 73 Carpinteria resident Jay Molnar, 55, mouth and nose protected against the smoke, views flames glowing in the hills above the city on Dec. 11, 2017. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 73 Sacramento firefighters battle a blaze in Toro Canyon in Carpenteria at dusk Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 73 Josh Acosta, superintendent with Fulton Hotshots looks for ways to fight fire consuming a structure threatening two homes high up Toro Canyon in Carpenteria at dusk Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 73 A motorcade passes on tHighway 126 carrying the body of a Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, who died Thursday morning while battling the Thomas Fire. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 73 Santa Paula City officials, Police and Firefighters salute from a bridge as a motorcade passes on the Santa Paula Freeway 126 carrying the body of a Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 73 Forest Service crews cut and clear dense brush for contingency lines off of East Camino Cielo in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Montecito and Santa Barbara to help stop the Thomas fire from advancing. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 73 A hotshot crew from Ojai marches towards their assignment to protect structures on East Mountain Drive in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 73 Firefighters monitor the flames Saturday from a staging area near Parma Park in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 73 Flames slowly make their way down a valley behind a home in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 73 Flames whip around power lines as they move through Sycamore Canyon on Saturday, threatening structures in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 73 Smoke billows over Santa Barbara as the Thomas Fire continues to threaten the area on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 73 Bill Shubin, deputy fire chief of the Santa Rosa Fire Department checks on flames burning near homes north of East Mountain Drive in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 73 A fire truck pulls responds to fires burning near homes on East Mountain Drive in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 64 / 73 Brian Good, from US Forest Service, leans forward against the wind, and holds up a Kestrel to measure wind speeds up to 50 mph on Gibraltar Road in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 73 A plume of smoke moves south as winds as high as 50 mph blow down Gibraltar Road on the west fork of Cold Spring Trail in Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 73 Flames and a big plume of smoke threaten homes on Gibraltar Road near Gibraltar Rock, outside Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 73 The sun rises as fire crews prepare for another day of fighting the Thomas Fire, in Montecito, Calif., on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 73 An aircraft makes a water drop over a hot spot up in the mountain range at Gibraltar Rock near Montecito, Calif. on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 73 Humboldt County firefighters Bobby Gray, left, hoses down smoldering flames inside a destroyed home, as Kellee Stoehr, right looks on, after the Thomas Fire burned in Montecito, Calif. on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 73 A home on Park Hill Lane was destroyed by the Thomas fire in Montecito, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 71 / 73 Humboldt County firefighters Lonnie Risling, left, and Jimmy McHaffie, right, spray down smoldering fire underneath the rubble of a home that was destroyed by the Thomas Fire, in Montecito, Calif., Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 73 Fire crews help the Behrman family retrieve their familys personal belongings out of their burned home, in Montecito, Calif., on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 73 In the foreground of the ridges that were burned by the Thomas Fire, Rusty Smith stands outside his home that survived the flames that were kicked up by Saturdays wind event and threatened his home in Flores Flats on Gibraltar Road, near Montecito. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Winds will be north to northeast, and usually the Ventura side is more affected than the Santa Barbara side, Seto said.

But its still going to have an effect up in the mountain areas of Santa Barbara, he added. Winds up there will be up to 25 mph and a little gusty, so theres still going to be a big concern up in that area, he said.

Throughout mountain areas on Thursday theres a greater risk for large fire plumes, which can cause erratic fire behavior.

It carries the heat up, and it looks like a thunderstorm cloud, Seto said. From there, the fire could spread out. Sometimes they collapse, and its a strong down-rush of winds and it spreads the fire.

Sundowner winds are expected Friday into Saturday in the Santa Barbara area. On Sunday, winds are expected to return to offshore conditions, Seto said.

The fire has destroyed more than 900 homes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since it began Dec. 4 near Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula. In its first day, the fire spread southwest, toward Ventura, and northwest, eventually hugging Ojai before pushing to the Central Coast.

joseph.serna@latimes.com | Twitter @JosephSerna

brittny.mejia@latimes.com | Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia

javier.panzar@latimes.com | Twitter: @jpanzar

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UPDATES:

7:41 p.m.: Updated with wind forecast and updated numbers.

4:55 p.m.: This article was updated with the name of the firefighter.

4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with more details from the Cal Fire chief.

1:00 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the death of the firefighter.

12:45 p.m.: This article was updated with the death of a firefighter.

10:04 a.m.: This article was updated with details on Cal Fire wildfire records.

9:55 a.m.: This article was updated with details on homes destroyed and an expected containment date.

This article was originally published at 8:50 a.m.
Swastikas and other graffiti were found on Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills earlier this week, and authorities are investigating the actions as a hate crime, it was reported Thursday.

The vandalism, which also included the writing of a gang name and a profane drawing, occurred between late Sunday evening and early Monday morning on a sign near the street and on a guard shack at the entrance of the synagogue, the Daily News reported.

Its a symbol normally used for hate purposes placed on a Jewish temple, LAPD Det. Nick Abbinanti told the newspaper. Authorities said they have no suspect information, but that they did find similar tagging in the area about three to four miles away, on an alley wall in the West Hills area.

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In a statement, Temple Aliyah officials said the guard shack was desecrated with tagging that included swastikas.

We immediately contacted the LAPD ... and before parents and children could arrive for school, our security team inspected the synagogue grounds to ensure the safety of our children, the statement said. The offensive symbols and other taggings have already been removed.
(Xinhua) 07:50, December 14, 2017

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a national memorial ceremony on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre.

Some other senior officials were also present at the ceremony held in the square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in the eastern city of Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.

President Xi Jinping meets with survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, after a state memorial ceremony on December 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

At the ceremony starting at 10 a.m., Xi and the senior officials joined about 10,000 representatives of all walks of life and paid silent tribute to the massacre victims as sirens howled over the city.

Eight large wreaths were presented to the memorial altar by guards of honor, followed by 80 teenagers reading out a declaration of peace.

Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then China's capital, on Dec. 13, 1937 and embarked on more than 40 days of slaughter. About 300,000 civilians and unarmed Chinese soldiers were brutally murdered, and over 20,000 women were raped.

Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2017 shows the scene of state memorial ceremony for China's National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims at the memorial hall for the massacre victims in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

In a speech at the ceremony, Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said China was holding the memorial ceremony in honor of the Nanjing Massacre victims, compatriots killed by the Japanese invaders, national heroes who sacrificed their lives for victory, as well as international soldiers and friends who joined the Chinese in fighting.

"The commemoration is meant to proclaim the Chinese people's firm stance on maintaining peace and their sublime aspiration for peaceful development," he said. "War is a mirror, which makes people better understand the value of peace."

China and Japan should take into consideration the fundamental interests of their people and contribute to peace, he said.

"The world should work together to maintain international order and system with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter at the core," Yu said.

He said Chinese people are willing to work with people from around the world in building "a community with a shared future for mankind," make contributions to world peace and global development, and uphold international order.

Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2017 shows the scene of state memorial ceremony for China's National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims at the memorial hall for the massacre victims in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Following his speech, six Nanjing citizens struck the Bell of Peace at the site, while 3,000 doves signifying peace flew over the memorial square.

After the ceremony, President Xi visited the exhibition in the memorial hall and signed his name on the visitors' book.

He also met some survivors of the massacre and relatives of foreign friends who contributed to the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The ceremony was presided over by Huang Kunming, head of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Publicity Department.

Veterans, officials from central and local Party and government departments and the military, representatives of the non-Communist parties, personnel without Party affiliation, people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, relatives of foreign friends, foreign diplomats, survivors, and victims' relatives attended the event.

In February 2014, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, designated December 13 as the "National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims."

Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2017 shows pigeons flying during the state memorial ceremony for China's National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims at the memorial hall for the massacre victims in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo: Xinhua]
In what critics call a weakening of U.S. support for democracy in Latin America, the Trump administration appears to be prioritizing concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking from Honduras over the countrys violent and flawed election process.

The administrations relative silence on last months disputed election in Honduras, where a right-wing incumbent and friend of the White House has been accused by opponents of stealing votes, is reminiscent of Americas ideologically driven Cold War policies.

Over the last quarter of a century, Washington sought to fortify democracies across the region and bolster ties overall. When President Obama ended more than half a century of hostility with Cuba, all of Latin America applauded.

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The Trump administration is acting more selectively, however, chiefly criticizing leftist leaders.

The State Department has labeled the Nov. 28 decision of Bolivias Supreme Court to eliminate term limits as a step back for democracy, for example. The move allows leftist President Evo Morales to seek an unprecedented third term.

The White House also has walked back some Obama-era reforms easing trade and travel with Cuba, citing human rights abuses by Havanas leftist leaders.

But in Honduras, a longtime U.S. strategic ally, the administration has appeared supportive of increasingly autocratic President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

The Central American nation voted for president on Nov. 26. Hernandez was running for reelection after he had stacked courts with supporters who helped him change the Honduran Constitution to allow another term.

Vote counting initially put Salvador Nasralla, a popular TV host, ahead. Then the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which was in charge of counting votes, mysteriously went silent for more than 24 hours. When it released results again, Nasrallas lead had dramatically shrunk and Hernandez soon moved to the lead.

Opponents and international monitors cried foul and the impoverished nation of 9 million has been engulfed in tension and violence since. At least 14 people have been killed and dozens injured, mostly by government security forces firing on unarmed demonstrators, according to Amnesty International.

Despite the turmoil, the Trump administration announced Dec. 7 that it was certifying the Honduran governments compliance with a 12-point program to improve human rights and corruption safeguards. The certification is required to release its share of nearly $650 million in U.S. aid allocated this year for three Central American countries.

Hernandez used the certification to claim U.S. support for his government and, by extension, his candidacy.

On behalf of the Honduran people, I thank the United States and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for recognizing our progress, Hernandez said last week.

His supporters claimed a boost Saturday when Heide Fulton, the top-ranking U.S. diplomat in Honduras, appeared beside an embattled electoral commission official who critics say helped Hernandez commit fraud.

Fulton said she believed a planned partial vote recount would resolve irregularities and said the United States is ready to work with whomever is the winner.

Most of the opposition is demanding a complete new election.

Tillerson, in certifying Honduras, said the country had taken effective steps to counter criminal gangs, drug traffickers and organized crime, as well as protect the rights and lives of political dissidents, journalists and others.

Human rights activists counter that the countrys sky-high homicide rate has fallen but killings of journalists, environmentalists, trade unionists and others remain a serious problem. They also say Hernandez and members of his government are dogged by accusations of looting a public health fund as well as drug trafficking.

Congressional Democrats who specialize in Latin America expressed dismay at the State Department action.

Certifying [Honduras] in the middle of election crisis is a huge blunder, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Ontario), who was born in Guatemala, wrote on Twitter, asking if the State Department was biased, head in the sand, or just incompetent?

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said U.S. diplomats were keeping a close eye on Honduras.

Congress allotted about $650 million in the 2017 budget for Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala in an effort to cut crime and improve economic conditions there sufficiently to stem immigration. The three countries had to pledge to work to keep their citizens at home.

Hernandez has appeared eager to cooperate, making him a favored, known commodity in Washington.

The Trump administration wants continuity with Hernandez, who they know will support policies on drug interdiction and undocumented immigration, said Rosemary Joyce, an anthropologist at UC Berkeley who has studied Honduras for decades.

Hugo Noe Pino, a prominent economist in Honduras who supports Hernandezs opponent, said Washington has helped legitimize the embattled electoral tribunal, citing Fultons appearance, even as international election observers have raised questions of possible fraud.

The U.S. thinks Hernandez will be the best ally and provide the most stability, he said.

One reason, he said, is Hernandez has a friend in the White House. President Trumps chief of staff, John F. Kelly, had led U.S. Southern Command, which has a task force in Honduras.

But Pino said the U.S. strategy could backfire.

People feel deceived and frustrated, he said. If Hernandez is declared winner, it will create more instability and probably push more illegal immigration northward.

Wilkinson reported from Washington and Linthicum from Mexico City.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter

kate.linthicum@latimes.com

Twitter: @katelinthicum
Call it not talking about the Wall in the Room.

Senior U.S. and Mexican government officials on Thursday pledged to continue working together to fight international drug-trafficking organizations and other cross-border criminal enterprises.

They would not, however, be drawn into discussing ways that President Trumps vows to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and efforts to renegotiate the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement have soured relations between the two nations after two decades of improving ties.

Trumps belligerent remarks about Mexico and Mexicans during the campaign last year, and his insistence that Mexico will pay for the proposed multibillion-dollar border wall, which the Mexican government refuses to do, have added to the strains.

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But Mexican officials insisted Thursday that negotiations to improve security from transnational crime and terrorism would not be derailed.

I want to be absolutely clear: Mexico will cooperate with the United States in security matters because it is in the interest of Mexico and Mexicans, said Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray.

No bilateral issue will change our focus on security, agreed Mexicos interior minister, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong.

They and Mexicos acting attorney general, Alberto Elias Beltran, met at the State Department with Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan for the latest high-level meeting on improving border security and combating drug trafficking. Among other measures, they signed a memo of cooperation for sharing biometrics of known criminals.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was scheduled to preside but went to lunch instead at the White House with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis.

Trump threatened to pull out of NAFTA during the campaign last year, and Mexican officials hinted at the time that they might slow cooperation in stopping illegal immigration northward if he did. But with the U.S., Mexico and Canada negotiating to redraft parts of the trilateral accord, Mexican officials on Thursday appeared determined to dispel that notion.

At least in public, they also avoided addressing the impact of U.S. demands to rewrite key provisions in the trade deal, changes that could hurt Mexicos economy. Mexico faces presidential elections next year, and Trump has managed to rev up anti-American sentiment to a level not seen there in years.

Instead, each official emphasized cooperation and agreed that drug-trafficking networks had to be fought along every link in the chain, as Videgaray put it at a news conference, from production and distribution in Mexico to purchase and consumption in the U.S., and all the financial facilitators in between.

Close collaboration is the only way we can tackle a problem that has no respect for borders, Sullivan said.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter
A Kentucky state lawmaker accused of molesting a teenager committed suicide Wednesday after denying the allegation and refusing calls by leaders of both parties to resign, according to local media reports.

State Rep. Dan Johnson, also a pastor who called himself pope, was the subject of an extensive report published Monday by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. It accused the Republican lawmaker of molesting a 17-year-old girl in his churchs basement in 2012.

Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell told WDRB-TV that Johnson killed himself on a bridge in Mount Washington, Ky.

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Saddened to hear of tonights death of KY Representative Dan Johnson, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a fellow Republican, tweeted Wednesday night. My heart breaks for his wife and childrenThese are heavy days in Frankfort and in America...May God shed His grace on us all...We sure need it...

In a Facebook post Johnson apparently published to his account earlier Wednesday, he said he had 24/7 post-traumatic stress disorder and cannot handle it any longer, according to WDRB-TV. (The post appears to have been taken down or is not publicly available.)

The post also denied the molestation claim and said: only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be. AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news. Conservatives take a stand.

Kentucky politicians had called for Johnson to resign after publication of the report on a seven-month investigation alleging wide-ranging misbehavior and lies by Johnson, who was first elected to office in 2016.

matt.pearce@latimes.com

Matt Pearce is a national reporter for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @mattdpearce.

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A Republican lawmaker in Kentucky facing sexual assault allegations has committed suicide.

Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell says state Rep. Dan Johnson shot himself Wednesday on a bridge in Mount Washington, Ky. Tinnell confirmed the death to WDRB-TV in Louisville.

The 57-year-old Johnson was elected to the state Legislature in 2016. On Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013. Louisville police investigated the matter but closed the case and did not file charges.

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Johnson told reporters Tuesday the accusations were totally false. He posted a message on Facebook on Monday night saying that PTSD is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.
As Gov. Jerry Brown took a climate-change advocacy lap around Europe last month, he had reason to hope that one glaring flaw in Californias fossil-fuel-emission policies would escape notice: For all of the states laudable efforts to reduce demand for fossil fuels, it has done nothing to reduce the supply of oil produced in the state. California is the third-leading oil producer in the U.S., and much of that oil is almost as dirty as the notorious crude from Canadas tar sands. By the time this extra-heavy oil is extracted, refined and consumed, it contributes much more to climate change and air pollution than lighter crude produced elsewhere.

The truth is that Brown has so far declined to take on Big Oil. Thats why hecklers at the November Bonn climate conference chanted at him, Keep it in the ground! and why he momentarily lost his composure, shouting back, Lets put you in the ground!

Brown argues that the state must keep pumping oil until the transition to clean energy is complete. And, he says, the states environmental regulations ensure that oil produced here will be cleaner than oil produced in less-developed countries.

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But another reason for oils staying power in California is the oil industrys political might. According to a report in February by investigative journalists at the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity, Big Oil spent $122 million on lobbying and campaign contributions in the state in the previous six years. As the report put it, the oil industry routinely spends more on lobbying than any special interest in California, and invests heavily in attack ads and mailers to influence our elections.

According to the report, those outlays have helped the likes of Chevron to win new drilling permits despite evidence that the wells may contaminate aquifers used for drinking water. California oil producers also have successfully resisted a proposed ban on fracking and avoided the imposition of a tax on oil extraction, a levy assessed in all other leading oil-producing states, including Texas. Since 2009, a year before Brown started his second stint as governor, the number of active oil and gas wells in the state has increased 23%, according to a 2017 report by Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog.

While new wells are coming online, drillers continue to exploit even the dirtiest dregs of the states existing fields. At Kern Countys Midway-Sunset oil field, the states oldest and biggest oil field, all thats left after 120 years of pumping is crude with the consistency of peanut butter, so thick that it must be injected with steam to get it to flow  as much as 40% of the nearly 200 million barrels of crude produced in the state has similar characteristics. To extract such oil and refine it (mostly into gasoline) requires natural gas to create steam. One byproduct, petroleum coke, or petcoke, is so dirty it cant be burned in the U.S. It is sold and shipped to other countries, including India, where it may be used instead of a cleaner fuel: coal.

If Brown truly believes that climate change is an existential crisis, he should instruct state regulators to stop approving new oil wells.

Officials could begin addressing these gaps in Californias green resume by collecting assay data on what its wells and refineries produce, so the increasingly carbon-heavy composition of the states oil could be tracked and regulated. The state should also promote innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of its extra-heavy oil, as Canada is doing. There, the government has financed such promising approaches as using microbes to convert the chemical energy in crude oil into electricity while the crude is still in the ground. And California should ban the export of petcoke.

Measures like these are no-brainers, but theyre far from sufficient. As a September 2016 report by Oil Change International, a Washington-based advocacy group, showed, the potential carbon emissions of reserves in the worlds operating oil fields and coal mines are enough to warm the planet beyond the limit set by the 2015 Paris climate accord. To meet that goal, expansion of the oil and gas industry must stop, and undeveloped oil must be left in the ground. What better place to start leaving it there than California?

Brown argues that as long as the state sharply cuts its oil dependency, as his policies prescribe, oil supply and extraction will simply fall away. But balancing state demand against production ignores the realities of the market, in which demand for oil in other parts of the world remains high.

If Brown truly believes that climate change is an existential crisis,as he has said, he should instruct state regulators to stop approving new oil wells in California. Until that happens, along with new controls on existing production, the state wont be on a path towards climate stability.

The timing is propitious. Californias economy is thriving and diverse, so the managed decline of oil wouldnt deliver a crippling blow. And Brown says he isnt running for office again, so he has nothing to lose. While his two pet mega-projects, high-speed rail and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta twin tunnels, face uncertain futures, taking on Big Oil is more important, and could prod other leaders to follow. Keeping it in the ground is the most powerful legacy he could leave behind.

Jacques Leslie is a contributing writer to Opinion.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook
To the editor: Considering that polls indicate most Americans agree with law professor Hiroshi Motomuras assertion that the Dreamers who qualified under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program contribute so much to our society, perhaps they should be granted permanent legal status. (The Dream Act could bring the rule of law back to immigration policy, Opinion, Dec. 7)

That can then be used as a starting point in enacting further immigration reform, which would include the strictest border, interior and employment enforcement, so it wont be necessary to ever revisit this issue again.

Jim Redhead, San Diego

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..

To the editor: I looked up the definition of vigilante, which Motomura uses to describe immigration enforcement in the Trump administration. The words is defined as a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily or, more broadly, a self-appointed doer of justice.

This doesnt sound like what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is doing. In fact, it is performing its mission by enforcing existing laws regarding immigration.

Motomura believes that since it is extremely difficult to come here legally, its OK to come and stay illegally. Well, its not. Our immigration policy must put the needs of U.S. citizens above those of other countries.

The Dream Act is just another amnesty for illegal immigrants who have no right to be here and should be repatriated as soon as possible.

Randle C. Sink, Huntington Beach

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Petition drive to repeal California gas tax increase temporarily slows down By Patrick McGreevy A motorist prepares to gas up her vehicle in San Rafael, Calif., in 2015. ( (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)) Paid signature-gatherers for a ballot measure that would repeal gas tax increases may be hard to find on the streets of California this week. Organizers say its not a money issue, adding that they needed to briefly halt paid signature-gathering to catch up on collecting petitions from volunteers. The petition drive has so far collected more than 327,800 verified signatures of the 587,407 needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot, according to Dave Gilliard, the political strategist behind the drive. We knew it was popular but the incredible pace is even faster than we expected so we outran the capacity of our verification operation over the Christmas holiday and told our crew managers to slow down so we could catch up, Gilliard said. We will be back up to speed by the end of this week. The gas tax and vehicle fee increases signed by Gov. Jerry Brown are expected to raise $5.2 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and expanded mass transit. The gas tax jumped from 18 cents to 30 cents per gallon on Nov. 1, and vehicle fees of at least $25 kicked in Jan. 1. The gas tax repeal petition is breaking records for both paid and volunteer signatures and were using the next two weeks to catch up on validation of signatures already received, said Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio talk-show host. As a grass-roots-funded effort we are also continuously raising funds and volunteer support. We are highly confident well qualify this Initiative for the November 2018 ballot. Facebook

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State pot bureau ready to enforce Californias new marijuana laws as license applications flood in By Patrick McGreevy The state has issued 104 licenses for retail stores to sell marijuana for recreational use in California and 239 other applications for those permits are pending, officials said Tuesday. An official with the state Bureau of Cannabis Control added that the agency is prepared to begin taking enforcement action against pot shops that are not properly licensed. The bureaus enforcement team is ready to respond to any complaints it receives and start doing compliance checks and site visits at any time, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the bureau. Selling marijuana without a license is a crime punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $500. Those convicted of engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license will also be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of the license fee for each violation. A new report issued Tuesday indicated the bureau has issued 478 temporary licenses to firms to test, distribute and sell medical and recreational marijuana, which began Jan. 1 after voters approved a legalization initiative, Proposition 64, in 2016. Businesses have received 153 licenses to sell marijuana for medical use. Another 1,458 firms have applied for licenses that are still being processed. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has separately issued 207 licenses to marijuana growers. Facebook

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Two possible instances of discrimination reported after California issues drivers licenses to immigrants here illegally By Jazmine Ulloa The California Research Bureau on Tuesday released its first report on incidents of discrimination under a 2015 state law that has provided drivers licenses for hundreds of thousands of immigrants here illegally. Researchers found no complaints have been made against government agencies tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws. But two possible instances of discrimination were reported in focus group interviews conducted by Drive California, a coalition of advocates studying the impact of the new law. In one case, a woman in Fresno was told her license was not a valid form of identification at a retail store, though it was unclear whether the incident reflected intentional discrimination or simple ignorance of the license marking, the report states. A MoneyGram clerk in another case denied a license holder the ability to cash a check. The same person was later rejected again at a bank. The state Department of Motor Vehicles has issued 960,000 AB 60 drivers licenses as of Nov. 30. The state research bureau produced the report for the Legislature as part of the new law, which declares discrimination against an AB 60 license holder a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Facebook

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California lawmaker proposes requiring panic buttons for hotel workers in response to widespread sexual harassment By Patrick McGreevy More than half of hotel workers surveyed report being sexually harassed at some point. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) Alarmed by a survey indicating sexual harassment of hotel housekeepers is widespread, a California state lawmaker on Tuesday proposed requiring employers to provide panic button devices to their employees so they can summon help if abused by a guest. The bill to be introduced Wednesday by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) would also require individual hotels to impose a three-year ban on guests who engage in harassment on the property. We want to protect our most vulnerable women workers, hotel maids who are going into rooms alone, from sexual harassment, said Muratsuchi, who co-authored the bill with Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward). The legislation signals that concerns over sexual harassment that dominated the state Legislature last year will continue to be an issue for lawmakers as they begin the new legislative year Wednesday. Harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, comedian Louis C.K. and other high-profile men have involved sexual misconduct in hotel rooms. A survey in July by Unite Here Local 1 found that 49% of female hotel workers in Chicago had experienced a guest answering the door naked or exposing himself. The report titled Hands Off, Pants On, found 58% of hotel workers said they had been sexually harassed by a guest. Californias Unite Here Local 11 has been calling for the action proposed in the legislation. It is the intent of this measure to protect hotel employees from violent assault, including sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and to enable those employees to speak out when they experience harassment on the job, said the introduction to the legislation introduced by Muratsuchi. In addition to requiring hotels to provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in rooms, the bill requires hotels to take written complaints from employees and keep them for five years. Any complaint backed by evidence including a statement given under penalty of perjury would result in a guest being banned from a hotel for three years. Hotels would also be required to post a notice on the inside of hotel room doors warning guests about the consequences of sexual harassment. Updated at 4:10 pm to include comment from Assemblyman Muratsuchi. Facebook

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Money, Republican malaise and Tom Steyer: These are the things to watch for in Californias 2018 statewide elections By Seema Mehta Get ready, California. What had been a behind-the-scenes dash for cash closely watched by few other than political observers is about to burst into public view. Voters this year will decide who will succeed Democrat Jerry Brown as the next governor and whether they will send Sen. Dianne Feinstein back to Washington. Before the June 5 primary, candidates will ramp up their campaigns with messages on television and stuffed into mailboxes. Heres a primer on the states two marquee races. Read More Facebook

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Fickle L.A. County is pivotal in the race for California governor By Phil Willon Home to a quarter of Californias 5.2 million registered voters, Los Angeles County is the biggest prize in Californias 2018 race for governor. For two hometown Democratic candidates especially  former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang of Torrance  doing well in L.A. County is essential if they hope to best the front-runner, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Yet this overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold continually bedevils even the most adept campaigns. Read More Facebook

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A renewed brawl over single-payer healthcare in California is on deck for 2018 By Melanie Mason Carolyn Angela Chen, a registered nurse, gives a free hepatitis A vaccination to Glenn Gardner, 52, at Joshua House Clinic (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) California officials are bracing for healthcare battles in Washington to have a major impact on the states budget and programs. Activists and politicians are planning a showdown over whether or not to establish a single-payer healthcare system in the state. And prescription drug manufacturers are the target of a number of bills meant to target the rising costs of medication. Sound familiar? Turns out the brewing healthcare battles in California in 2018 arent all that different from those from 2017. Heres a primer on the upcoming healthcare agenda in California: Read More Facebook

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How California lawmakers plan to protect the online privacy of consumers in 2018 By Jazmine Ulloa (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) With federal regulation rollbacks and a rise in data breaches, California lawmakers this year are looking for ways to protect consumers and their personal information. Some legislation under consideration could give people more notice and control over what data is collected, without having to pay for privacy or better services. Other bills could provide free credit freezes for consumers and require new privacy features for products that connect to the internet. Read More Facebook

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2018 will see California motorists pay more to the state to repair roads and bridges By Patrick McGreevy The new year brings with it new vehicle fees in California ranging from $25 to $175 depending on the value of your car, but Republican lawmakers are hoping to qualify a ballot measure in November to repeal the higher charges. The fees and a 12-cent increase in Californias gas tax last year are part of a plan by Democrats to raise more than $5.2 billion annually to deal with a backlog of road and bridge repairs. Petitions to qualify a repeal initiative are circulating now. Read More Facebook

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A rent control battle tops the list of California housing issues to watch in 2018 By Liam Dillon A new-home community in Anaheim in 2016 (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers arent wasting any time in tackling one of the most contentious issues in state housing politics this year. On Jan. 11, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee is set to hold a hearing on legislation that could lead to a dramatic expansion of rent control policies across the state. The debate over rent control could spill over onto the 2018 ballot, where Californians also could see proposals to expand or curtail the property tax restrictions ushered in 40 years ago by Proposition 13. Lawmakers will have to wrestle with how to follow up a package of housing bills that passed last year. The measures provided new funding and regulations designed to encourage homebuilding, but are unlikely to make an appreciable difference in housing costs. Read More Facebook

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Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is resigning By John Myers Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas abruptly announced his resignation from the California Legislature on Wednesday, citing health reasons. Ridley-Thomas, a Democrat from Los Angeles, informed Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) Tuesday night. The reason for this difficult decision is that I am facing persistent health issues, Ridley-Thomas, 30, said in a written statement on Wednesday. On December 18th, I underwent surgery for the fifth time this year. Although I expect a full recovery, my physicians advise that I will need an extended period of time to recuperate. Earlier this year, Ridley-Thomas was absent from work for more than two weeks. Staff members initially said the absence was a personal leave, then said the time off was due to unspecified medical reasons. His resignation letter on Wednesday offered no additional details. When I resume public life, I intend to remain active in civic affairs, where my passion lies, he said in the statement released by his office. Ridley-Thomas was first elected to the Assembly in a 2013 special election. He is the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Before winning elected office at age 26, the younger Ridley-Thomas worked as an aide for Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price and managed a 2012 Assembly campaign in San Bernardino County. In a statement about his sons decision, Mark Ridley-Thomas said he and his wife more than anyone, have seen him struggle with health challenges this year, and we fully support his decision to step down from the state Legislature so that he can recuperate with complete rest, in accordance with his doctors orders. His solidly Democratic district includes the west Los Angeles neighborhoods of Westwood, Culver City, Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills. He is chairman of the influential Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, which oversees all tax-related legislation. Ridley-Thomas is a proponent of changes in the operation of the state Board of Equalization, though his plan would have allowed the agency to ultimately retain many of its duties. A more substantial shake-up was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in June. Ridley-Thomas was the author of a bill signed into law in October giving the Los Angeles Unified School District the power to preserve some of its existing single-gender schools. He was unsuccessful, though, in an effort to stop local governments from imposing taxes on streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu. Ridley-Thomas departure will require a special election in 2018. He is the fourth Southern California legislator to leave office this year. The election of Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) to Congress also required a special election. The other two lawmakers Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills)  stepped down in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, which both men have denied. A special election to fill Bocanegras seat will be held on April 3, with a potential runoff on June 5. A special election date has not yet been set for Dababnehs seat. My colleagues and I wish Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas all the best going forward as he deals with his health challenges, Rendon said in a statement. The Assembly will continue to assist the residents of the 54th Assembly District until a new assemblymember is seated. This post was updated with comment from Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, as well as more information about special elections. It was originally published at 11:10 a.m. Facebook

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California Senate Democrats are considering some ideas to counter the GOP tax plan By Liam Dillon Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Democrats in the California Senate are planning to write legislation to lessen the effects of the elimination of popular tax breaks in the GOPs overhaul of the federal tax system. To finance broad-based corporate tax cuts and reductions in individual tax rates, the GOP plan caps the deductibility of state and local income and property taxes  a benefit used often in suburban areas of California. The Republican tax scam disproportionately harms California taxpayers, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said in a statement. Our hard-earned tax dollars should not be subject to double-taxation, especially not to line the pockets of the Trump family, hedge fund managers and private jet owners. De Leon, who also is running for U.S. Senate, said the state Senate is working with law professors at UCLA, UC Davis and the University of Chicago to develop the legislation. Ideas being considered, according to a de Leon spokesman, include: Reducing state personal income taxes through a tax credit program and offsetting that amount through payroll taxes.

Allowing individuals to make voluntary gifts to the state of California, which would be deductible as a charitable donation under federal law. The deduction for the donated amount would replace the state and local tax deduction. Lawmakers return to Sacramento in January.

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L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti admits considering a 2020 bid: I am thinking about this By Seema Mehta Eric Garcetti (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Its no secret Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is interested in running for president. When reporters ask about his intentions, he has used all sorts of ways to deflect, typically by saying hes focused on his day job  for the moment. But speaking in Spanish to a Univision reporter this week, Garcetti edged ever closer to the telltale admission hes actually considering it. I am thinking about this, said Garcetti, who is partly of Mexican heritage but learned Spanish attending private school. The majority of time goes to my work as mayor of Los Angeles, but every [citizen] should think about what our role is in these difficult times, in these dangerous times. Garcetti added that he expects many mayors to run for president, and noted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently visited Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest. Garcetti has long been rumored to be flirting with a White House bid, and he has fueled such speculation by traveling out of state to places such as the early presidential primary state of New Hampshire to campaign for a mayoral candidate. Facebook

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Gov. Brown makes judicial appointments, including attorney who helps train Legislature on anti-sexual-harassment policies .@JerryBrownGov makes two court of appeal and 33 superior court appointments including Lauri Damrell in Sacramento. Damrell, an attorney at Orrick, testified at the Assemblys recent hearing on sexual harassment, outlining the assemblys current prevention efforts.  Liam Dillon (@dillonliam) December 22, 2017 Facebook

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Californias former top cop forms marijuana distribution firm in new age of legalization By Patrick McGreevy Former California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer is going from enforcing laws against marijuana to legally distributing the drug under the states new rules that allow the sale and possession of pot for recreational use. With state-licensed sales of marijuana starting Jan. 1, Lockyer has co-founded a firm, C4 Distro, that will distribute packaged marijuana concentrates and edibles to stores in Los Angeles. He says Californias new regulated system has a chance to be a model for the rest of the country. For me as somebody who was on the law enforcement side for so many years, I saw the inadequacies of the effort to regulate something just by calling it illegal, Lockyer said. I think legalizing will help stabilize and help legitimize this industry and result in better consumer protection and other public benefits. Lockyer, a Democrat who served in the state Assembly and was leader of the state Senate, has co-founded the firm with Eric Spitz, who was chairman and president of the former parent company of the Orange County Register. The businessmen aim to get their products to pot shops in L.A. in late January or early February, Spitz said. Asked if he uses marijuana himself, Lockyer, 76, said, Not in any recent times, but there were college years. He said he sees his involvement in the marijuana industry as a mixture of helping to pay for his kids college tuition and public service to help the new regulations work. This whole industry has to come from the dark side to the light, he said. By focusing on delivery to as many as 700 stores that might open in Los Angeles, C4 Distro hopes to capture a targeted market while other firms distribute statewide. The business has a warehouse in southeast Los Angeles County and is close to applying for a distributors license from the state, Lockyer said. Lockyer served a quarter century in the state Legislature before he was elected as state attorney general in 1999. He left that office in 2007 when he was elected as state treasurer, serving until his retirement from politics in 2015. Before co-leading a group that bought the Register newspaper in 2012, Spitz served as chief financial officer at Narragansett Brewing Company. Spitz left the Registers Freedom Communications in 2016. 2 p.m.: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said Spitz left Freedom Communications in 2015. Facebook

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House passes disaster aid bill with wildfire funding, 18 Californians vote no By Sarah D. Wire (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Eighteen of Californias 53 House members voted no on an $81-billion disaster aid package Thursday, which includes funds for Californias recent wildfires. The 17 Democrats and one Republican voted no on the bill, which passed the House by a 251 to 169 vote. The Senate is not expected to take up the bill until January, when Congress returns from its holiday break. The entire California delegation had recently signed onto a letter asking for the disaster aid. In a speech on the House floor before the vote, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) pleaded with colleagues not to take a political stance on a disaster aid bill. Dont play politics on a vote to give aid to the people of Texas, to the people of Puerto Rico and to the Virgin Islands, to the people of Florida, and to the people of California that are still fighting the fires. Dont play politics on a bill where you hope to maybe stop another. That would be the worst of any politics Ive seen played here, McCarthy said. Here and now, right before Christmas, dont vote against aid for Americans who just lost everything. Several of the Democrats who voted no also voted against the spending bill Thursday, and said that they felt they could not support either because the bills did not include Democratic priorities for the end of the year, including protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Others said the aid bill doesnt provide enough money for California and doesnt treat Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands fairly in terms of competing for the funds. The 18 representatives voting no were: Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro)

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)

Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles)

Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park)

Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana)

Anna Eshoo (D-Menlo Park)

Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles)

Ro Khanna (D-Fremont)

Barbara Lee (D-Oakland)

Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove)

Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Downey)

Linda Sanchez (D-Whittier)

Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough)

Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin)

Norma Torres (D-Pomona)

Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) Facebook

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Three California House members cross party lines on spending bill to keep government open By Sarah D. Wire Three California House members crossed party lines Thursday on a vote to pass a spending bill that will keep the government open until mid-January. Democratic Reps. Jim Costa of Fresno and Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert joined the majority of Republicans to vote for the bill. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine joined Democrats to vote against it. The bill, which funds the government through Jan. 19, passed the House 231 to 188, right before representatives left for the holidays. Costa said in a statement that he voted yes because keeping the government open is Congress job, but he called the vote a continuation of the dysfunction in Washington. It further illustrates the damage that results from partisan politics and irresponsible leadership. It is unacceptable that we have to resort to funding the government for weeks at a time because we cannot sit down together  Democrats and Republicans  and negotiate a real budget bill, Costa said. Hunters staff said the congressman was concerned that military spending in the bill was extended for only a short period. He had wanted the spending to be extended until September. Facebook

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Poll points to all-Democrat runoffs in California races for governor and senator By Seema Mehta Californians could see two Democrat-on-Democrat contests in the states premier races in 2018, according to a new poll released Thursday. In the gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom remains the front-runner with the support of 26% of likely voters in a Berkeley IGS poll. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came in second with the backing of 17%. The poll found notable demographic differences in the two mens bases of support. Newsom had strong leads in the Bay Area, where he once served as the mayor of San Francisco, as well as among white voters, liberals and the wealthy. Villaraigosa saw strong backing in Los Angeles County, among Latino voters and among those who earned less than $40,000. Republicans splintered in the race, placing businessman John Cox and Assemblyman Travis Allen in a tie for third place with 9% each. Two other Democrats, state Treasurer John Chiang and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin, each won the support of 5% of likely voters. If Republicans fail to consolidate behind a candidate in the June primary, voters will for the first time see no GOP candidate on the November ballot for governor. Its a repeat of what occurred in the 2016 U.S. Senate race, and what is likely to occur again in the 2018 U.S. Senate race if the field does not grow. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has the support of 41% of likely voters in her reelection bid, but her rival, fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, won the support of 27%, according to the poll. There is no GOP candidate in the race. Feinstein, who has served in the Senate for a quarter-century, has enormous advantages in fundraising, name recognition and support among powerful political groups. However, the poll found that nearly one-third of likely voters said they are undecided or would like to support another candidate. Facebook

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California legislator wants to curb sexual harassment in Hollywood and eating disorders for models By Melanie Mason Fashion models show off the BCBG MAX AZRIA Spring 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week. (Richard Drew / AP) A new proposal by a California assemblyman is taking aim at two of the more criticized phenomena in the entertainment industry: sexual harassment and unhealthy body standards for fashion models. The legislation, by Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), would require the states Occupational Safety and Health Standards to adopt guidelines for fashion models in an attempt to combat the prevalence of eating disorders and excessive thinness in the industry. This is the second time Levine has tried to take on the fashion industry. His similar bill to impose standards on models sputtered in 2016. This time, Levine also is trying to address the prevalence of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry by requiring that talent agencies  which represent actors, performers and other artists  provide training on sexual harassment and how to identify and prevent inappropriate behavior. I believed women who told me their stories of abuse when I introduced legislation to provide workplace protections in the fashion industry in 2016 just like I believe them now, Levine said in a statement. Its time that law reflects societys rejection of sexual harassment in all workplaces, including Hollywood. My bill aims to address the problem before it starts, but also empowers survivors with the tools to report these cases. Facebook

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Local Indivisible group picks Democrat to endorse against Rep. Duncan Hunter By Christine Mai-Duc Ammar Campa-Najjar, 28, is running against Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) With an already crowded field of contenders hoping to unseat Rep. Duncan Hunter and months to go before the candidate filing deadline, one local activist group has made an early endorsement in the race. Indivisible CA50, made up of activists mostly in San Diego County, announced Thursday that its endorsing Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat and public affairs consultant whos challenging Hunter. The endorsement comes as liberal activists and interest groups all over the state are grappling with whether  and how  to winnow down the dozens of candidates vying for 10 GOP-held seats in California. The group held more than half a dozen endorsement meetings to allow members throughout Hunters district to vote on their preferred candidate. One of the candidates, Pierre Beauregard, dropped out of the race recently and endorsed Campa-Najjar. In a statement Campa-Najjar said in a statement that the nod represents the enthusiasm of hundreds of progressive grassroots activists. Indivisibles national political director Maria Urbina said the endorsement was the first made by any California chapter in the 2018 midterms. Aside from Campa-Najjar, two other Democrats are running for Hunters seat: Josh Butner, a school board trustee and former Navy SEAL, and realtor Patrick Malloy, who ran last year and lost to Hunter by nearly 27 percentage points. Hunter will also face at least two GOP challengers: Shamus Sayed and Andrew Zelt. Hunter is not considered to be particularly vulnerable in next years election, but an investigation into his alleged misuse of campaign funds has caused at least one election handicapper to move his race from solid Republican to the likely Republican column. Facebook

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San Francisco is getting a new mayor and creating a political star. Who will it be? By Mark Z. Barabak San Francisco is the city everyone loves, even if they hate it. The stately Victorians, like a gingerbread dream come to life. The majestic Golden Gate Bridge, standing like heavens portal above the fog. The plucky cable cars, scrabbling up its impossible hillsides. It can almost make you forget the bands of ravaged homeless, the paralyzing traffic, the scent of human waste wafting from sidewalks outside the citys posh eateries and palatial tech headquarters. San Francisco is getting a new mayor, owing to the sudden death of incumbent Ed Lee. All of the grandeur, and all of the grit, accompany the position. To say the race is wide open  Lee having died just about a week ago  is an understatement. Read More Facebook

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure over a fix for Dreamers By Sarah D. Wire California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is under pressure from activists and fellow Democrats to withhold support for a spending bill that would avert a government shutdown in exchange for protections for people brought to the country illegally as children. Feinstein said in October that protections for so-called Dreamers are the most important thing we can get done, but the senator known for her moderate bent said this week that she wont try to block the end-of-the-year spending bill over it, and has not offered an explanation. Dreamers this week flooded Feinsteins five California offices and her office on Capitol Hill. Two UCLA students refused to leave her Capitol Hill office after three hours Tuesday and were briefly detained by police. On Wednesday, about a dozen students and parents returned and were asked to leave after about 30 minutes of shouting in her office lobby. Read More Facebook

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The GOP tax plan passed. Now Democrats have another big issue to use in the midterms By Sarah D. Wire As GOP leaders in Congress met behind closed doors to hash out the details of their massive tax overhaul, a group of UC Irvine graduate students met in Rep. Mimi Walters district, fretting about how the plan could cost them money. About 20 miles north, dozens of activists in top hats stood outside Rep. Ed Royces Brea office as they chanted, Shame on you! And up in the Central Valley, protesters gathered outside Rep. Jeff Denhams Modesto office to sing Protest ye dreary congressman  Remember that he voted to take healthcare away. To save himself from taxes now, so you will have to pay. Read More Facebook

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Kevin de Leon to Feinstein: Dont come back to California without forcing a government shutdown over Dream Act By Jazmine Ulloa State Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), left, and Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), right. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Taking direct criticism to the woman he is attempting to unseat in next years U.S. Senate race, California Senate leader Kevin de Leon on Wednesday urged Democrats to block a year-end spending bill as leverage to pass a Dream Act  clean of GOP demands for increased border security. At a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, De Leon commended Sen. Kamala Harris for pledging to block the measure, saying he could not understand why her colleague Sen. Dianne Feinstein had failed to take a similar stance in pushing for legislation to protect the so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. Dreamers make up hundreds of thousands of Sen. Feinsteins constituents, and while talking a good game on Dreamers, when it comes to standing up and supporting them, she is AWOL, said De Leon (D-Los Angeles), who has attempted to position himself to Feinsteins left as he campaigns for her seat. His statements follow days of demonstrations by young protesters at legislators offices in Washington and California. The coalitions of activists have been calling on Democrats to hold up the spending bill, a move that could force a government shutdown. They want to pass Dream Act legislation that would provide protections and a path to citizenship to young people without legal residency in the U.S. At least two young protesters were arrested Tuesday outside of Feinsteins Capitol Hill office, and more demonstrations took place at her offices in Washington and San Francisco on Wednesday. Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) have sponsored Dream Act legislation but have not pledged to hold up the spending deal. A separate bipartisan group of senators is advocating punting the issue to January. President Trump has asked Congress to come up with a solution by March. Standing next to De Leon and immigrant rights advocates on Wednesday, state Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) said advocates had to double down the shame on any Democrat who thinks its time to wait on the issue. De Leon said they had made that message clear to Schumer, saying, It is time to find your spine, sir. To Pelosi and Feinstein, he said: Dont come back to California if you havent demonstrated your leadership and your courage to stand up for these young men and women. I can tell you this, De Leon said. If the Republicans were on the other side, they wouldnt hesitate for a nanosecond to shut down the government to move forward what they believe in. Facebook

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12 California Republicans vote to support tax overhaul for a second time; Rohrabacher and Issa say no By Sarah D. Wire The House gave final approval for the GOP tax bill Wednesday, with 12 Republicans in the state delegation again voting in favor of the bill. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Darrell Issa of Vista voted no. The House and Senate both passed the bill Tuesday, but, because Democrats raised procedural objections that forced the bill to be changed in the Senate, the House had to vote on the bill again Wednesday before sending it to President Trump for his signature. Though many California taxpayers are expected to see an initial income tax cut under the plan, a significant number probably will have higher taxes because of the lost deductions. Analysts also expect the biggest cuts to flow to corporations and the states wealthiest residents. Republicans are expected to head to the White House later Wednesday for a celebration with Trump. No House Democrats, including the 39 from California, supported the bill. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) was not present for the second vote, but she voted no on Tuesday. See the Republican votes here: Facebook

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Californias Democratic senators vote no on GOP tax bill Californias @SenKamalaHarris and @SenFeinstein join rest of Democrats in the Senate in voting no on the GOP tax bill, which passed 51-48 along party lines. Sanders, who is an Independent, voted with Democrats.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "At a time when wages have stagnated and working Americans are trying to do more with less, this tax plan pulls the rug out from the middle class to give billions to those who already have so much. This is an attack on our values, and Americans deserve better," Harris said.  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 "Californians will be hit especially hard by the cap on the state and local tax deduction, making it more difficult for communities to pay for services that our families rely on, Its no wonder a bill that primarily benefits the wealthy is so unpopular..." Feinstein said  Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) December 20, 2017 Facebook

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GOP tax overhaul passes House with help from a dozen California Republicans By Sarah D. Wire Despite weeks of consternation from some California House Republicans, a dozen of them joined their colleagues to pass an overhaul of the U.S. tax code Tuesday. Two  Reps. Darrell Issa and Dana Rohrabacher  voted against the plan. In the weeks before the vote, Republican Reps. Mimi Walters of Irvine and Steve Knight of Palmdale cited new caps on popular deductions as reasons they were uncertain about whether to vote for the bill. Both worked behind the scenes on changes and ultimately supported the bill, which passed the House on a near party line vote 227-203. Knight said hes satisfied the changes are enough to to turn what would have been a tax increase into a tax cut for his constituents. Read More Facebook

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More than half of Californians oppose GOP tax bill, according to new poll By Sarah D. Wire House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) arrives for a news conference about the tax plan. (Win McNamee / Getty Images) More than half of Californians oppose the GOP tax bill expected to be approved by Congress today, and just 20% believe it will have a positive affect on their families, according to a poll released Monday. Just over half of California voters, 51%, oppose the tax bill, and 30% support it, according to the newest IGS Poll, a survey by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. And the belief falls largely along party lines, with Democrats opposing the bill by a more than 4-to-1 (67% to 15%) margin and Republicans supporting it 3 to 1 (60% to 21%). The House and Senate are expected to vote on the tax bill Tuesday. Californias Republican members of Congress largely support the bill despite some concerns about how cuts to the state and local tax deduction and mortgage interest deduction might affect Californians. Democrats in the delegation oppose it and have said they will use the vote against vulnerable Republicans in the 2018 midterm elections. When asked about the impact they think the bill will have on themselves and their families, just 20% of the polls respondents said they think it will benefit them directly, while 40% foresee a negative impact. About 27% do not expect much of an impact, and 13% said they dont know if theyll be affected. The poll of a random sample of 1,000 registered voters was completed by telephone in English and Spanish from Dec. 7 to 16. Facebook

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A quick look at some of the biggest tax changes for Californians By Sarah D. Wire (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) Congressional Republicans are framing their tax cut bill as a Christmas gift that will give Americans an average tax cut of $2,059. For Californians, especially in the wealthier areas along the coast, the situation isnt as clear-cut. When the measure comes up for a vote in the House on Tuesday morning, its expected to pass along party lines. At least two Republicans say they will join Democrats in the California delegation to oppose the plan because they fear it will hurt their constituents bottom line. Take a quick look at what some of the biggest changes in the tax bill might mean for average Californians. Read More Facebook

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Lawmakers, pot growers say Californias marijuana cultivation rules favor big corporate farms By Patrick McGreevy Californias new rules allowing marijuana cultivation favor large corporate farms despite a promise in Proposition 64 that small growers would be protected, according to a group of state lawmakers and marijuana industry leaders who called Monday for the policy to be changed. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued emergency rules last month that allow for small and medium-sized farms of up to a quarter acre and one acre, respectively, to get licenses for the first five years. That five-year head start for small farms was promised in Proposition 64, the initiative approved last year by voters that legalized growing and selling marijuana for recreational use. Individuals and businesses can get only one license for a medium-sized farm, but the new rules do not set a limit on how many small-farm licenses can be obtained by one person or business. That could allow a corporation to assemble a 20-acre farm by obtaining 80 licenses for a quarter-acre each, opponents worry. Democratic state Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Mike McGuire of Healdsburg, Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) and the California Growers Assn. asked for swift action by the state agricultural department to change the rule. This is clearly a broken promise, McGuire said. For two years, every discussion has included a cap on cannabis grows and the Department of Food and Agriculture needs to fix this massive loophole they have created. This last-minute revision rolls out the red carpet for large corporations to crush the livelihood of small family farmers. With cultivation licenses set to take effect next month, the lawmakers also promised legislative hearings on why the rules were drafted to disadvantage small, mom-and-pop farms. California only has one chance to get this right, and it is already on the wrong path with this last-minute change that flies in the face of what the backers of Prop. 64 promised, said Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Assn. This single decision will hand over the California marketplace to multinational corporations and a wealthy few at the expense of thousands of growers who are ready to play by the rules and provide economic opportunity in communities that until recently were criminalized or  at the very least  marginalized. The industry estimates there are about 3,500 independent growers on track to get a state license in the first half of 2018. Allens group estimates that number could grow to as many as 10,000 or 15,000 by the end of 2020, but not if large corporate farms are allowed in early. The agricultural agency issued a response later: A one-acre canopy limit has not been in proposed regulations at any point and was not included in the emergency regulations due to the fact that Proposition 64, the law guiding the process, did not provide authority to include it. However, local jurisdictions may impose that limitation on their own if it meets the needs of their constituents. Updated at 5:10 pm to include comment from agricultural agency. Facebook

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Final tax bill dramatically softens blow to mortgage interest deductions in California By Christine Mai-Duc Last-minute changes to the Republican-led tax overhaul seem to be tailor-made to entice support from California GOP lawmakers, several of whom voted against a previous version passed in the House last month. The House version, passed with the support of all but three California Republicans, had proposed capping the mortgage interest deduction at loans of $500,000 or less. Republicans in high-tax, expensive states had voiced concerns the bill would have major effects in their districts. But the final version of the bill dramatically slashed the percentage of new mortgages that would be affected if the package becomes law. *New mortgages over $500,000 include data through Sept. 2017. New mortgages over $750,000 include data through Oct. 2017. Source: Times analysis of data provided by CoreLogic The particulars of the mortgage interest provision and other popular deductions were major sticking points as House and Senate negotiators hammered out a compromise between the two versions. A previous Times analysis showed that more than half of new mortgages this year in Rep. Dana Rohrabachers coastal Orange County district exceeded the $500,000 cap laid out in the House version. Text of the new bill released Friday outlined a cap of $750,000, which would apply to just under a quarter of new mortgages there through October 2017. Rohrabacher was one of three California Republicans, along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) who previously voted against the measure. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) said she supported the House version after receiving assurances from leaders that the bill would be changed to account for the loss of deductions, The percentage of new mortgages over the cap dropped from 48% to 14%. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), whose district had 1% of mortgages exceeding the $500,000 cap proposed previously, saw that share drop almost to zero; 27 of 7,515 mortgages in his congressional district this year have been for more than $750,000. The House is expected to vote on the final tax bill Tuesday. Facebook

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A major change to Proposition 13 takes its first step toward the 2018 ballot By Liam Dillon A commercial property in San Bernardino County that could face higher property taxes under a proposed ballot measure (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Proponents of making a dramatic change to Californias landmark Proposition 13 property tax restrictions took their first step to getting a measure on the November 2018 statewide ballot Friday. The change would allow the state to receive more tax dollars from commercial and industrial properties by assessing them at their current market value, an effort known as split roll because existing tax protections on homes would remain in place. Advocates of the measure, including the League of Women Voters of California and community organizing nonprofits California Calls and PICO Network said the change could raise billions of dollars that could be spent on public schools and community colleges. I think the cumulative effects of the unfair tax system have gotten to the point where its created crippling economic impacts on the state, said Melissa Breach, executive director of the League of Women Voters of California. Backers filed their proposed initiative Friday. The attorney generals office will prepare an official title and summary for the measure and it will receive a financial analysis. From there, advocates will decide if they will collect signatures to put the measure on the ballot. Proposition 13 passed in 1978 amid concerns that rising property taxes could force people out of their homes. The ballot measure limited property taxes to 1% of a propertys value at the time of purchase and ensures that the assessed value on which taxes are based can only increase by a maximum of 2% a year  no matter how much a propertys market value goes up. Split-roll measures have been long debated in state politics, but business groups and anti-tax groups have expressed substantial opposition to the idea, arguing that it would cause major harm to the states business climate. Breach said she expected an avalanche of big money against the measure should it go forward, but said that her organization wouldnt get involved without believing it could raise sufficient funding.S For the record 1 p.m., Dec. 18: An earlier version of this post said the split roll ballot measure would allow California to charge higher tax rates on commercial and industrial properties. It would allow the state to assess those properties at current market value, not charge higher rates. Facebook

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Three more women accuse California assemblyman of sexual misconduct By Melanie Mason Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills) (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) A Los Angeles woman has filed a police report alleging Democratic Assemblyman Matt Dababneh had sex with her without consent four years ago, adding new allegations of sexual misconduct to those that led the politician to announce his resignation last week. He says her claims are false. Nancy Miret, 26, told The Times that when she was 22 and a recent college graduate, she spent time with Dababneh over two months in late 2013, primarily at his Encino apartment. At the time, Dababneh was running for Assembly to represent the western San Fernando Valley. They had consensual sex on one occasion, but after that, Miret said she had multiple nonconsensual sexual encounters with Dababneh that left her traumatized. Miret, who now works in commercial real estate, is one of three women interviewed by The Times who have made new allegations concerning Dababnehs behavior. These allegations are false and Im confident that when all the facts are in, it will clearly show that these claims are not true, Dababneh told The Times. Read More Facebook

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San Diego business is first in California to be issued license to sell marijuana for recreational use By Patrick McGreevy A San Diego medical marijuana business is the first firm to be issued a license by the state of California to sell marijuana for recreational use, officials said Thursday. Torrey Holistics received two of the first 20 licenses granted by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control this week to sell or distribute marijuana, although the licenses do not take effect until Jan. 1, according to bureau chief Lori Ajax. An additional 180 firms have applied for licenses but they are being processed. Last week, we officially launched our online licensing system, and today were pleased to issue the first group of temporary licenses to cannabis businesses that fall under the Bureaus jurisdiction, Ajax said in a statement. We plan to issue many more before January 1. The bureau is issuing temporary, four-month licenses to firms initially, but will eventually require firms to undergo background checks and pay a $1,000 application fee for yearlong permits. Tony Hall left a chemical distribution business two years ago to start Torrey Holistics with a friend and classmate at San Diego State. He said he was ecstatic to have the first recreational permit in California. He also obtained a new license to continue selling marijuana for medical uses. We feel fricking great about it, he said Thursday. Its just exciting. This is a once in a multi-generational event, he added, likening it to the end of prohibition. Added Ruthie Edelson, the firms marketing director, We will be open at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Last year, voters approved Proposition 64, which makes California one of eight states that allow the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational uses. Facebook

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Conservative activist group files a lawsuit over Los Angeles County inactive voter list By John Myers A Washington-based conservative-leaning activist group filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging Los Angeles County officials are refusing to cancel the registrations of voters who are ineligible to cast a ballot. The legal action by Judicial Watch comes four months after the organization first accused elections officials across the state of maintaining registration lists that are larger than their voting-age population. The lawsuit also names Secretary of State Alex Padilla as a defendant and alleges the voter lists violate the National Voter Registration Act, or NVRA. They dont care about removing ineligible registration, said Robert Popper of Judicial Watch. I think we have a very strong lawsuit. The lawsuit names four Los Angeles County voters as co-plaintiffs and asserts that a countys two lists of voters  the file of active voters and those whose registration has been placed on inactive status  should be combined into a single total. The inactive list includes people who havent cast ballots in recent elections and havent responded to inquiries from elections officials. Though the names on that list are considered voters, they are not counted in official registration reports and are not mailed election material. Popper led an effort earlier this year to estimate the size of each countys voting-age population using the Census Bureaus American Community Survey. He said the surveys five-year average of county populations was then adjusted by focusing just on the estimate of those over the age of 18, and then comparing that with the combined active and inactive voter lists. Popper dismissed any concern that the resulting number might be skewed by the different standards used by counties for the inactive list, which could include names of voters who moved or died and thus be an imperfect guide. I believe that a court is going to accept our numbers, he said. Dean Logan, the registrar of voters in Los Angeles County, said his staffs practices are consistent with federal law. This lawsuit appears to fundamentally interpret the requirements of the NVRA in a manner inconsistent with ensuring voter enfranchisement and appropriate list maintenance, he said. The lawsuit also alleges that Los Angeles elections officials failed to provide Judicial Watch with requested data about the size of the inactive list, and accuses Padilla of failing to address the groups concerns about California not following NVRA rules. In a statement on Thursday, Padilla said county inactive-voter files are not out of compliance with the law. He criticized Judicial Watch for its baseless assertions, bad math, and flawed methodology. Local elections officials have said very few inactive voters show up on election day, and that any who do would be asked to cast a provisional ballot  one that isnt counted unless the voters eligibility is confirmed through additional review. Popper insisted that if the list is never used, theres no reason to keep it. Judicial Watch, which sued for access to Hillary Clintons emails in 2016, alleged that its calculations show 11 California counties with questionable voter registration totals. Facebook

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Voters in California GOP districts may get calls asking them to thank their member of Congress for tax plan By Sarah D. Wire Voters in four key Republican-held congressional districts could get a robocall starting Friday urging them to call and thank their member of Congress for supporting the tax bill. Its a last minute effort by American Action Network, a politically active nonprofit connected with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) that has spent millions to shore up Republican support for the bill. The robocalls include the members office number. The four California members being targeted are Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock, David Valadao of Hanford, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Mimi Walters of Irvine. All four represent districts that backed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and are Democratic targets in 2018. Knight and Walters had been particularly vocal about their concerns with the plan, saying it might raise taxes for their constituents. The final text of the bill is set to be released Friday, with a vote expected early next week. In total, American Action Network plans to place 1 million robocalls in 29 districts nationwide. Facebook

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Merry Christmas Republicans in Congress: Funny or Die video goes after California lawmakers over DACA By Christine Mai-Duc As members of Congress try to pass a controversial tax bill and a measure to keep the federal government funded, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is hitting Republicans hard over another unresolved issue: the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children who could face deportation if lawmakers dont act. Amid negotiations over a long-term spending bill, Democratic leaders have been pushing their GOP colleagues to include a fix for those who were granted temporary protection under President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA. President Trump announced an end to the program earlier this year and gave Congress a March deadline to address it. Funny or Die and BOLD PAC released a video Friday featuring comedians skewering GOP members, including two in California, for their inaction. In the video, Oscar Nunez, best known for his role on The Office, calls out Reps. Steve Knight (Palmdale), Ed Royce (Fullerton), Carlos Curbelo (Florida) and John Culberson (Texas), who get to go ahead and celebrate as thousands of Dreamers are banished from the only country theyve ever called home. How many broken promises can fit in a stocking? Nunez asks later. Im asking for a congressman. The political action committee says its spending six figures on the weeklong buy, which will go out nationwide across Funny Or Dies social media channels. They are known for blasting out irreverent, often viral parodies that play to young audiences. The video will also be targeted to constituents in each of the four congressional districts. A separate video released by the ACLU last week also urged members of Congress to strike a deal on DACA. Many California Republicans have remained mum on the issue, particularly those facing tough races in 2018. So far, only Reps. David Valadao (Hanford), Jeff Denham (Turlock) and Mimi Walters (Irvine) have pressured fellow Republicans to come up with a solution before Congress breaks for Christmas. Following Trumps decision, Knight said the issue should receive attention by Congress. Royce, who has taken hard-line stances on immigration in the past, urged his colleagues to provide a permanent, legislative solution that gives certainty to these kids. Neither elaborated on what that solution should be. Facebook

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For a prominent California consumer group and savvy political consultants, documents reveal a close financial relationship By John Myers If theres a clear mantra for Consumer Watchdog, one of Californias most visible and vocal advocacy groups, its that hidden financial relationships shouldnt shape politics and public policy. The Santa Monica-based nonprofit has spent more than three decades reprimanding politicians and interest groups for doing the bidding of those who give them money. Its official motto is expose, confront, change. We are loud, and we speak more of a populist truth than the way people usually talk to each other in Sacramento, said Jamie Court, Consumer Watchdogs president. Read More Facebook

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Regional director resigns from California Democratic Party amid sexual misconduct claims By Jazmine Ulloa A regional director with the California Democratic Party submitted his resignation on Thursday, nearly two weeks after a 23-year-old woman reported that he sexually assaulted her last year, spurring party leaders to seek his ouster. Craig Cheslog served as Region 2 director spanning the East Bay, Napa, Sonoma and the Clearlake areas. In a statement, his lawyer, Mary P. Carey, said she and her client were confident that a full and fair exploration of this matter, undertaken in an appropriate, fact-governed venue, would exonerate Mr. Cheslog. We are prepared, if necessary, to put forward the facts of this matter in just such a venue, she said. Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman and other officials initially called for Cheslogs removal in a Nov. 29 letter to state party secretary Jenny Bach. They said he was seen acting in an inappropriate and sexually aggressive manner toward a member of the party in a public area of the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel, following a Nov. 18 executive board meeting. The level to which this activity advanced made a number of those in attendance uncomfortable, the letter stated. It added that another member reported that Mr. Cheslog raped her at a CDP executive board meeting the previous year. Party officers said the incident occurred during a weekend where the prevention of sexual harassment of women in politics was a dominant theme in the wake of the #metoo movement. Before the meetings conclusion on Sunday, the California Womens Caucus approved a resolution making clear that sexual harassment, bullying and other forms of abuse are grounds to lose endorsements and be stripped of party membership. Maddy Dean, who was not named in the letter, spoke at the meeting about her experiences of sexual harassment in the movie industry, and told the Times that she reported Cheslog. She said she could not provide further details about her allegation as she explores possible legal paths moving forward. This was about protecting other women and in particular other young women, she said of reporting the assault. In his own letter to Bach on Thursday, Cheslog did not acknowledge any wrongdoing. He said he was stepping down to prevent any personal misconduct allegations from creating a distraction with the party at a critical moment in national and state politics. I am confident of the results that would be forthcoming in a fair, fact-based exploration of this matter, he said. Since the report, Cheslog has been fired from his job at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate media and technology. He also has stepped down from his position on the Acalanes Union High School District Board of Trustees. The conduct represented a serious violation of both company policy and the way in which our employees are expected to conduct themselves in the community at large, Common Sense spokeswoman Corbie Kiernan said in a statement. We immediately suspended Mr. Cheslog and conducted an investigation. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Cheslogs employment with Common Sense was terminated. 4:05 p.m.: This post was updated with Cheslogs resignation from the school board. Facebook

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Sen. Bob Hertzberg will cooperate with investigation into unwanted hugs By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Bob Hertzberg works at his Senate Chambers desk. He faces an investigation into unwanted hugging (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) said Thursday he will cooperate with a state investigation into complaints from a former legislator that she was uncomfortable with his repeated hugs after she asked him not to touch her. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said Thursday that a team of outside attorneys will investigate a complaint by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Hertzberg has made her uncomfortable with hugs that were too close and lasted too long. Hertzberg, well-known for hugging other lawmakers, said he supports having any allegations investigated by the two outside law firms. I just learned of the investigation, and will fully cooperate, he said. The use of an independent third party investigator is essential to improving transparency and trust in the system. Halderman said Thursday she was encouraged that her concerns will be investigated, but said it was disturbing  that attorneys for one of the law firms selected, Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, contributed more than $90,000 in campaign funds to sitting legislators including Hertzberg. Halderman, a surgeon, served in the state Assembly from 2010 through 2012 and said Hertzberg hugged her multiple times even after she asked him to stop because she was uncomfortable. The last incident occurred in a hallway of the Capitol, she claimed. I told him I dont care to be hugged. Dont touch me,  Halderman recalled. He then grabbed me and pinned my arms to my side and used his hands to press my lower back into his groin and he essentially pinned me so I couldnt push off of him to get away the way I ended previous hugs. It was certainly so over the line, she added. Halderman said a current female senator and assemblywoman also have complained about inappropriate hugs from Hertzberg. However, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) defended Hertzberg, saying she has known him for many years and he has always acted as a gentleman. I have never felt uncomfortable with him, and have always felt his hugs were a display of affection - which I appreciate, she said. I consider him a dear friend. Updated at 5:30 pm to include comment from Sen. Galgiani. Facebook

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Rep. Maxine Waters asks Justice Department to investigate fake letter tweeted by Republican opponent By Sarah D. Wire (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Rep. Maxine Waters is asking the Justice Department to look into a fake letter posted to Twitter by her Republican challenger that falsely indicated the congresswoman wants to resettle tens of thousand of refugees in her Los Angeles district. The GOP candidate, Omar Navarro, posted the letter on what looks like official House of Representatives letterhead to Twitter on Monday. The letter, which purports to be from the congresswoman, says the congresswoman wants to bring refugees to her congressional district after the 2018 election and perhaps even once I have secured the Speaker of the House position. Navarro accompanied the tweeted letter with a message: According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District. As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. Its been retweeted more than 680 times. But the letter is a forgery and a fake, her chief of staff, Twaun Samuel, said in a news release. The letter, dated June of this year, also contains several inaccuracies. It references multiple committees and subcommittees Waters does not serve on, and lists an address for a district office that has been closed for nearly a decade. Waters filed a complaint about the tweeted letter with the House general counsel, who forwarded the complaint to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and the fraud section of the Criminal Division for the United States Department of Justice. The complaint states that Waters has not communicated with the letters purported addressee  Teri Williams, who is president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles-based OneUnited Bank, about any refugee resettlement program. Impersonating a federal official and misusing a federal seal are federal crimes. Navarro, who is backed by big name far-right conservatives, said Thursday that the letter was sent to his campaign through Facebook by a person he didnt know. He said neither the Justice Department or Waters staff has asked him about the letter. I dont know if its real or not, so I put it out there, Navarro said, adding that he believed his followers would help him determine if it is real. It doesnt say that I know. Its according to this document  what, am I supposed to send it to her and get an email back from Maxine? According to this document, Maxine Waters wants more terrorists, like the one who bombed NYC, in Californias 43rd District.

As Congressman of CAs 43rd District, I will oppose such policies. #VoteNavarro2018https://t.co/vO8YUsyPp3 pic.twitter.com/k7ef0H20if  Omar Navarro (@RealOmarNavarro) December 11, 2017 Facebook

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Sen. Tony Mendoza refuses to take a leave of absence amid harassment probe By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), left, talks earlier this year about a pending bill with Sen. Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado Hills). (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Defying pressure from legislative leadership, state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) refused Thursday to take a leave of absence until an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him is concluded early next year. Mendoza has denied allegations by former employees that he treated three female aides inappropriately, inviting them to hotel stays and asking one to visit his home to work on her resume. I am very disappointed that certain Senate Rules Committee members are apparently asking me to take a leave of absence or resign before any investigation has even begun and without giving me an opportunity to defend myself, Mendoza said in a statement. This is contrary to the very concept of due process, which is a pillar of our American system of fairness and judicial prudence. These actions bypass any process in a rush to judgment. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) earlier Thursday called on Mendoza to take a leave of absence. Mendoza had previously been stripped of his leadership positions, including chairmanship of the Senates committee on banking and insurance. Mendoza questioned statements urging him to step down, saying they leave him concerned about the fairness of the investigation. He also said he has been disappointed that he has been told he cannot publicly address allegations. I was not appointed to the position I hold, but was elected by the voters in my district, he said. I am grateful to the voters in my district and thank them for their trust and their continued support. The Senate owes them an opportunity to hear the truth. I assure them that I will vigorously defend myself to clear my name. Facebook

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State Senate leader asks Sen. Tony Mendoza to take leave of absence amid sexual harassment investigation By Patrick McGreevy (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Senate leader Kevin de Leon said Thursday he has strongly suggested that Sen. Tony Mendoza take a leave of absence until the completion of an investigation by outside attorneys into allegations that Mendoza sexually harassed three former aides. Given the severity of the allegations against Senator Mendoza I do not believe he can perform the duties in Sacramento right now while the investigation is being conducted, De Leon told a packed news conference in his Capitol office. I believe Its the right thing to do, its the fair thing to do, to take a leave, he said. The Senate leader also said the outside attorneys have been asked to investigate complaints by former Assemblywoman Linda Halderman that Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) inappropriately hugged her on multiple occasions in a way that made her uncomfortable, even after she asked him to stop. De Leon also announced the hiring of two law firms to handle the Mendoza and Hertzberg investigations, and all future probes of harassment and abuse involving Senate employees. Mendoza, a Democrat from Artesia, did not immediately respond to the request to step aside. De Leon, a Democrat from Los Angeles who had been Mendozas roommate before the allegations were made public, said he made the suggestion to Mendoza in a meeting Thursday morning. If Mendoza refuses to take a leave, the Senate has the power to suspend him without pay, but De Leon said that is not currently under discussion. There is an effort underway to force his expulsion in January when the Legislature returns to Sacramento. Former Mendoza employees have claimed that he gave inappropriate attention to a female fellow and intern, inviting one to his home and hotel and giving the other alcohol in a hotel even though she was underage. Another former female aide told the Sacramento Bee that Mendoza invited her to one-on-one dinners and a weekend at Pebble Beach. Mendoza has denied the allegations. The Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and Van Dermyden Maddux law firms have been retained for two years, according to Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), who participated in their selection. Have you experienced sexual harassment in government or politics? Tell us your story   In addition, the state is contracting with Weave, a Sacramento crisis-intervention organization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, to provide counseling and to establish a hotline for Senate employees who are victims of sexual assault. The hotline number is 1-800-729-1443. America is finally reckoning with entrenched inequities in our personal and professional relationships and in workplaces of every type, De Leon said. Nowhere is this reckoning more important than in the halls of power  our political institutions. Facebook

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Watch live: California Senate leader addresses sexual misconduct at state Capitol Facebook

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California state senator pledges to bring back net neutrality rules just as FCC votes to repeal them By Jazmine Ulloa Demonstrators rally in support of net neutrality outside a Verizon store in New York on Dec. 7. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Moments after the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to roll back net neutrality regulations, a state senator pledged to introduce legislation that would preserve open internet protections for consumers in California. Net neutrality is essential to our 21st century democracy, and we need to be sure that people can access websites and information freely and fairly, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in a statement. If the FCC is going to destroy net neutrality and create a system that favors certain websites just because they can pay more money, California must step in and ensure open internet access. The announcement of the proposal came shortly after the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality in an expected 3-2 party-line vote, with Republicans calling for an end to the utility-like oversight of internet service providers. The Obama-era rules put in February 2015 barred broadband and wireless companies, such at AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. from selling faster delivery of certain data, slowing speeds for certain video streams and other content, and discriminating against legal material online. Before the vote, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai argued loosening the regulations would allow the online economy to flourish. FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the the two Democrats on the commission, said the rollback would inhibit the openness that has made the U.S. internet the envy of the world. Supporters of net neutrality are expected to file suit to try to halt the repeal plan. Weiners attempt to institute net neutrality rules in California could have challenges. The FCC order states that allowing state and local governments to adopt their own separate requirements, which could impose a heavier burden on companies, could disrupt the balance between state and federal regulations. The preemption of state and local net neutrality measures is something that could be challenged in court. Amid such legal battles state legislation could face heavy lobbying efforts from internet providers arguing against uneven regulations. A bill by Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) was shelved last legislative session over similar disputes. It would have enshrined in state law other FCC regulations that were rolled back this year by President Trump and Congress. The Internet privacy rules limited what broadband providers can do with their customers data. The bills defeat capped a behind-the-scenes battle that pitted telecom companies against state internet service providers and brought other bills to a halt in the state Senate as negotiations unfolded over legislation that would have had national significance. UPDATES 7:57 a.m.: This post was updated with additional information about the potential legal case. LA Times reporter Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report. Facebook

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L.A. County sheriffs office failed to follow policy for issuing concealed weapon permits, audit says By Patrick McGreevy Handguns are displayed at the Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas in 2016. ( (John Locher / Associated Press)) The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has repeatedly failed to follow its own rules for issuing concealed weapon permits, the state auditor concluded in a report released Thursday. L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell disputed some of the key findings of the audit, saying state officials misinterpreted the policy. The department policy requires applicants to provide convincing evidence of a clear and present danger to life or of great bodily harm to get a license, but the audit found the department issued 24 licenses during the last few years without sufficient evidence. Most of the 197 active licenses in L.A. County as of August went to current or former law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, the audit found. The lieutenant in charge of reviewing applications told auditors that people in law enforcement satisfy the departments requirements by the nature of their jobs. However, making that decision based solely on the applicants profession both directly contradicts Los Angeless written policy  which specifically states that no position or job classification in itself shall constitute good cause for issuance  and has led the department to treat applicants inequitably based on their occupations, the audit says. McDonnell said the audit identified some legitimate issues, and the department has added a checklist to the application process in order to show requirements have been met. But he disagreed on the reports sweeping conclusion that the department consistently failed to follow its own policies. The LASD policy simply requires that the applicant provide convincing evidence that his or her life or physical safety is threatened, the sheriff said. He said the policy does not require additional documentation of that evidence if sufficient information is provided in the application. Auditors also concluded that Sacramento County issued some licenses without proper documentation and that San Diego Countys renewal process led it to inappropriately renew some licenses. Facebook

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Anti-Issa effort discloses donors: Leo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Ted Danson and more By Joshua Stewart A political group that has brought professional political organizers into the campaign against Rep. Darrell Issa has received its most significant contributions to date  from actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities. Fonda gave $100,000 to Flip the 49th! Neighbors in Action, which recently registered as a political committee to get Issa, R-Vista, out of office. Comedian Bill Maher gave $15,000 to the group, a rebuke of a politician who has twice appeared on his talk show. Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer gave $2,500, as did Academy Award recipient Leonardo DiCaprio. Actor Ted Danson gave $1,500. Flip the 49th gave the The San Diego Union-Tribune a list of donors more than a month before its required to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Read More Facebook

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California Senate GOP leader: Release Capitol whistleblowers from non-disclosure agreements By Melanie Mason California Senate Republican leader Patricia Bates is wading into the sexual harassment debate that has swept up the Capitol and is calling on her Democratic colleagues to allow whistleblowers to speak out by releasing them from non-disclosure agreements. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) wrote in a letter to the Democratic legislative leaders  Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount)  that Senate Republicans are calling for the Legislature to allow victims or witnesses who may have signed such agreements to share their experiences publicly. This release from NDAs would empower victims of sexual harassment, create a new atmosphere for resolving sexual harassment or discrimination concerns, increase public awareness and transparency, and ensure that both the Senate and the Assembly fulfill their obligations to the public and their employees for providing a safe and welcoming workplace environment, Bates wrote in the letter, dated Dec. 12. The Republican senator also laid out suggestions to improve the Legislatures handling of sexual harassment complaints, such as jointly convening both houses rules committees  which act as the chambers human resources departments  to have a comprehensive, bicameral and bipartisan review. Bates wrote that the Joint Rules Committee should consider the assigning of an outside entity for assuming responsibility for all issues regarding sexual harassment. She said the California Highway Patrol or an inspector general could serve that function. Bates is currently serving on a panel designated by the Senate Rules Committee to select an outside law firm to investigate sexual harassment complaints. De Leon, in a statement, said he agreed with Bates that sexual harassment is a bipartisan, bicameral problem that requires bipartisan, bicameral solutions. Many of these recommendations we are already pursuing and evaluating in some form and we look forward to working in collaboration with Senator Bates  as we did with the independent selection panel  on additional reforms in the weeks to come, De Leon said. With regard to non-disclosure agreements, De Leon spokesman Jonathan Underland said the Senate is discussing with attorneys and anti-harassment experts about what options are available without violating the privacy rights of past victims. John Casey, a spokesman for Rendon, said the Assembly does not ask for NDAs in settlement agreements. The Speaker agrees with both the Legislative Womens Caucus and the Rules Committee chair that any sexual harassment policy should be both bicameral and bipartisan, Casey said. Facebook

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California plans to send out licenses for pot sales this month  but they wont be effective until Jan. 1 By Patrick McGreevy Patrons shop at Bud and Bloom, a Santa Ana marijuana dispensary, last year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California officials said Wednesday they plan to use email before the new year to send out some licenses to sell marijuana to speed up the transition to a regulated market. The licenses will not go into effect until Jan. 1. Proposition 64, which legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use, required the state to begin issuing licenses by Jan. 1. Because that date is a state holiday, the bureau originally planned to begin sending them out on Jan. 2. That has changed. Much of the date discussion  Jan. 1 versus Jan. 2  was based on whether or not wed be able to be open on a state holiday, said Alex Traverso, a bureau spokesman. The solution to that issue was to issue licenses with an effective date of Jan. 1 since licenses will be issued electronically. That eliminates the need to have the office open on Jan. 1. He said that, as of Wednesday, the bureau has not yet sent out any emails with licenses approved to begin operating Jan. 1. Facebook

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Californias budget director makes last ditch effort to urge GOP members to vote against tax plan By Sarah D. Wire House Republicans hold a news conference after the House passed the GOP tax bill. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) As closed-door negotiations over the final tax bill come to an end, the head of the California Department of Finance is making a last-ditch effort to convince Republicans in the states congressional delegation to vote against the plan. In a letter to the entire delegation Wednesday, Finance Department Director Michael Cohen detailed 10 issues in the current tax proposals about which the state is worried. Some of Cohens concerns may be addressed in the deal that House and Senate leaders said they reached Wednesday morning. Details of the agreement are not yet public. Cohens concerns range from potentially billions less in federal funding available to California to offset the $1.4 trillion the plan is expected to add to the federal deficit, to the environmental effect of ending green energy tax credits. Californias 39 Democratic representatives are expected to oppose the final tax bill, which could come before both chambers of Congress by early next week. Three California Republicans  Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Tom McClintock of Elk Grove  voted against the original House version, and several other California Republicans have indicated they might be willing to vote against the final plan. Cohen specifically pointed to issues that have been raised by the uncertain House members, including the proposal to lower the cap on the mortgage interest deduction, the plan to limit state and local tax deductions and the elimination of a deduction for uninsured personal property damaged in natural disasters such as fires. Facebook

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California lawmakers have fought sexual misconduct on military bases, farms and college campuses. Will they police their own house? By Jazmine Ulloa Over the past decade, California lawmakers have worked to help curb sexual violence in the workplace and other spheres of public life. They have pushed college campuses to keep better track of incident reports, created whistleblower protections for military officers who file claims and established sexual harassment training for farmworkers and janitors. Now, as more than 140 women have come forward in an open letter to denounce a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in the California Legislature, activists and employment lawyers say lawmakers have not held colleagues and staffers to the same standards demanded of those in other fields. Members [of the state Assembly and Senate] are quick at pointing the finger at other folks, said Fiona Ma, a former Democratic assemblywoman from San Francisco who is now running for state treasurer. But they dont want to look inside and fix their own house, air their own dark, dirty laundry. Read More Facebook

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Californias cap-and-trade climate program could generate more than $8 billion by 2027, report says By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown signs an extension of Californias cap-and-trade program in July. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Although Californias cap-and-trade program was designed to combat climate change, a new analysis predicts it could also provide significant cash  as much as $8 billion in a decades time  for state and regional programs. The report issued Tuesday by the independent Legislative Analysts Office projects a wide range of revenue generated by the sale of permits for companies to emit greenhouse gases beyond a state-ordered emissions cap. The most recent auction of those emission permits brought in more than $800 million. The analysis warns that annual cap-and-trade revenue beyond 2020 is highly uncertain, and offers a possible range from $2 billion in 2018 to almost $7 billion in 2030  the final year of the program under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown signed in July. The estimate of $8.3 billion in 2027 is the high-water mark for any year in the report. Researchers cite a number of factors that make a specific prediction impossible, including future technology that allows industries to cut greenhouse gas emissions easily and thus pass on purchasing emission allowances. While it is clear that there will be additional revenues to the state beyond 2020, the amount that will be generated annually is highly uncertain, the report reads. Money collected from the sale of pollution permits is required to be spent on programs combating climate change. A portion of the money also is earmarked for the states high-speed rail program. The report urges lawmakers to provide oversight for future decisions made by the California Air Resources Board, the agency that has taken the lead on climate change efforts. In particular, the analysts warn that allowing businesses to stockpile too many permits  ones bought at current low prices  could lead to excessive greenhouse gas emissions in future years, potentially even causing the state to miss its annual benchmark as soon as 2024. Facebook

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Vice President Pence meets with California lawmakers about massive fires By Sarah D. Wire Briefed bipartisan group of California reps on the fed response to #CAwildfires. @POTUS approved an emergency declaration last Friday & @forestservice is providing air & ground assets including 1,000 personnel. Together, we will help the people of CA restore, rebuild & recover. pic.twitter.com/zn7QdbCZOQ  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 12, 2017 A handful of California representatives discussed the federal response to their states wildfires Tuesday with Vice President Mike Pence. Attending the West Wing meeting were House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara). It was a very bipartisan-spirited meeting. He clearly understood the significance of the fires and the impacts, Brownley said after the meeting. She said Pence offered federal assistance and recognized that recovery was going to be very important and that we want to work together to make sure that we can get the resources needed. President Trump signed an emergency declaration for the Southern California fires last week. Pence visited California this fall to view fire damage in Northern California. He stayed engaged and specifically wanted to make sure that FEMA and the other organizations were continuing to meet or exceed all expectations, Issa said after the meeting. We mostly thanked him for the fact that hes taken a personal interest and his team has been at the heart of the domestic coordination. There was no discussion about reinstating a federal tax deduction for uninsured damage repairs that would end up in the House and Senate tax bills, Brownley said. If you cant deduct uninsured property loss, its devastating. It would be devastating, Brownley said. Facebook

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We must talk about the health aspects of climate change, Schwarzenegger says in Paris By Kim Willsher (Thibault Camus / Associated Press) He showed up at Paris City Hall on Monday on a green bicycle and wearing a green tie to talk climate change with the mayor. But Arnold Schwarzenegger almost didnt make the trip from Los Angeles. One of the wildfires scorching Southern California was threatening his home. Luckily we have extraordinary firefighters, he told a group of officials and journalists. The actor and former governor of California was speaking in Paris as the founder of R20, a nonprofit based in Geneva that aims to help regional, state and local governments reduce their carbon emissions by developing clean energy sources. Read More Facebook

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A special recall election for state Sen. Josh Newman would cost a lot more than waiting for the June primary, state says By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) faces a recall campaign (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) State finance officials said Monday it would cost about $2.67 million for a special election on the recall of state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), but only $931,000 to put his potential recall on the regular June primary ballot, which will also feature races for governor and congressional seats. The savings  and the time it took to complete the financial assessment  could give ammunition to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown to put the recall measure on the primary ballot, possibly improving Newmans chance of staying in office. The higher turnout expected in the primary might benefit Newman as he tries to fend off the Republican recall drive. The financial analysis was a new requirement of a law approved this year by the Democrat-controlled Legislature that has slowed the Newman recall. Brown and legislators now have 30 days to review the election cost report. The deadline for calling a special election was last week, 180 days before the June 5 primary, although state officials have been known to extend such deadlines. In this case, that is unlikely. Carl Demaio, a former San Diego City councilman who is leading the Republican-funded recall, denounced the lengthy new process Monday, but said it will not save Newmans political career. This is about a shameful tactic by Sacramento politicians to keep politicians who break public trust and engage in misconduct in office for as long as possible, he said. Republicans launched the recall after Newman voted with the majority of le
The Democratic win Tuesday in Alabamas U.S. Senate race may have seemed the most striking example yet of the bitterly negative tenor of American politics in the last several decades, as it has veered from one political pole to the other like a frenetic metronome.

Doug Jones victory over Republican Roy Moore by little more than 1 percentage point followed by only a year Donald Trumps 28-point victory in the same state. The two men had almost nothing in common other than their shared good luck in running against a widely disliked member of the opposing party.

Trumps victory in Alabama and similar states was in great part driven by animosity toward Democrat Hillary Clinton. Jones success rested on Democratic anger at Trump, reinforced by opposition to the controversial Republican candidate, Moore. The metronome needle that flew far to the right in 2016 swung back to the left in 2017.

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But Jones now stands as an example of something harder to accomplish: an effort to find some middle ground amid the clashing and vitriolic emotions of partisans on both sides.

At his first news conference as senator-elect, Jones noted that he had received calls of congratulations from Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as well as from Democratic leaders and future colleagues of both parties.

Jones said that he was open to listening to everyone. To those for whom that didnt fully register, he added a more explicit self-description.

Im a lot more center-of-the-road politically, he said.

That is lonely territory in both parties, but recognizing it as vital could be essential if Democrats are to follow their definitive wins in 2017 with victories in their effort to gain control of one or  as some Democrats were contending in the dreamy hours after Tuesdays win  both houses of Congress.

Not every district in which they need to compete is royal blue; many have repeatedly elected Republicans. The Democratic congressional majority elected in 2006, in response to anger at President George W. Bush, included many Democrats elected in such reddish districts; most of the seats were claimed back by Republicans in subsequent elections in which Democrats were derided as too liberal.

The limits of animosity as an organizing principle can be seen in the faltering experience Republicans have had in the last year. The party controlled both houses of Congress and the White House but have yet to pass substantial legislation backing up a Trump campaign promise.

The GOP spent the eight years of President Obamas tenure voting scores of times against his signature healthcare program. But they spent so little time on their own alternative that they have yet to figure out how they would replace it.

Republicans now risk repeating that stumble by passing a tax plan with only GOP votes.

Now that they are in ascendancy, Democrats face the same crosscurrents: how to animate voters who hate Trump and yet also stand for something that goes beyond despising the incumbent. That requires something that Democrats have yet to concoct: a unified message.

Divisions have crept up in areas such as whether to support universal healthcare or a higher minimum wage. The wounds formed in the caustic presidential primaries last year have hardly been salved; indeed, factions continue to fight.

Democratic strategists continue to caution that simply being against Trump is not a sufficient message in many areas of the country that will need to turn their way.

Weve lost credibility in the Midwest, in places like Pennsylvania. The Democratic Party is seen as being out of touch, elitist, without any good ideas on economic or pocketbook issues, said Jones campaign pollster, Paul Maslin. Were going to have to give people a sense weve turned the page and were not the same old same old.

We cant just be anti-Trump, he added.

With three victories in little more than a month, in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey as well as the Alabama Senate race, Democrats have benefited from activism that caught even party veterans by surprise. Managing that is not always easy.

Tides are important, but you still have to paddle, said Obamas former chief strategist, David Axelrod, issuing a caution amid expectations of a Democratic wave next year.

He cited Jones campaign as one that hewed to the values of the state in which it was being run, and not to the more liberal demands of national Democrats. The same attention to state views marked the successful November election of Ralph Northam as Virginia governor.

Theres a lesson in that, Axelrod said. Every part of the country is different and its important to run a campaign thats suited to a candidates own environment.

So far, Republicans have helped Democrats by defining themselves in unpopular ways: They have backed a tax plan that may raise taxes on substantial parts of the middle class. They have spoken of cuts to Medicare and Social Security  immensely popular programs.

Those moves would hit voters in areas where Republicans locked up their White House and legislative victories.

Already, they have allowed Democrats to define themselves in opposition.

The basic framework is Democrats represent the interests of the people and not the powerful, said Tad Devine, a key strategist for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. Theyre concerned about preserving the progress weve made on healthcare and not falling backwards. Moving the economy forward for people who need not just a job, but a job that provides a living.

Being against Trump is not enough, Devine added. Its going to take us a long way, though, and present us a lot of opportunities.

Virginia represented a test case. Trump was such a dominant political figure throughout the election that the states candidates rarely had to talk about him. Instead Northam and Democratic legislative candidates focused on bread-and-butter issues like traffic, schools and the environment. Voters relished the focus on their own lives, and responded by giving Democrats historic wins.

Lala Wu, one of the founders of Sister District, a political advocacy organization that flooded Virginia with nearly 25,000 volunteers before the November balloting, said her volunteers found voters hungry for solutions instead of partisan ranting.

We were sparked by the Trump election, but I think over the past year as weve learned more and taken action, we are now motivated by something that feels less like resistance and more like forward progress, she said.

Trump will always be an incredible catalyst for activists who oppose him, she added, but that is not necessarily enough to convince typical voters.

People care about the policies that affect their lives, she said.

Barabak reported from Birmingham and Decker from Los Angeles.

For more on politics from Cathleen Decker 

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker

mark.barabak@latimes.com

Twitter: @markzbarabak

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The latest from Washington

Updates on California politics
The Chinese mainland resolutely opposes any exchanges between militaries or government officials of the United States and Taiwan, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

An Fengshan, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in response to a recent speech by a Chinese diplomat reiterating that matters involving Taiwan are internal Chinese affairs.

"The day that a US Navy vessel arrives in Kaohsiung is the day that our People's Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force," Li Kexin, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in the US, said at an embassy event in Washington on Tuesday.

He also said that China would activate its Anti-Secession Law if the US sent warships to Taiwan.

Li's speech stirred heated discussion on the island, with Taiwan media describing it as the "red line" of unification by force.

"Any attempt to undermine the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity is bound to incur the Chinese people's opposition and will not succeed," An said.

He also said the mainland opposes any "Taiwan independence" activities, including public voting.

The mainland will uphold peaceful reunification and the "one country, two systems" principle; and it will promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a news conference earlier this week.

Beijing urged the United States to abide by the one-China policy and the three China-US joint communiques, and cautiously and properly handle the Taiwan issue.

"One country, two systems" and peaceful reunification are the major principles at the heart of Taiwan issues, and peaceful development is the way forward, said Liu Xiangping, professor of Taiwan studies at Nanjing University in Jiangsu province.

Li's speech, he said, was the result of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party recently attempting to bring US forces to Taiwan to back up the notion of "independence". Some forces in the USespecially in the militarythat still hold a Cold War mindset and are attempting to use Taiwan as leverage to obstruct China's peaceful rise, he added.

Li's speech was based on the premise of a US warship's arrival in Taiwan, which would violate the three Sino-US joint communiques, Liu added. The communiques state that the US recognizes one China and would gradually reduce and eventually stop arms sales to Taiwan.

"If the US were to violate the communique, it would violate international law and China would respond intensely," Liu said.

"If Taiwan authorities violate the law to sabotage the status quo, leading to the deterioration of cross-Straits relations, they should swallow the bitter result and be aware of the wrong they've committed," Liu said.

Xinhua contributed to this story.
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
Gilligan the octopus was putting on a show, and her aquarist was delighted.

We cant make any promises with an octopus, said Angelina Komatovich, who takes care of the giant Pacific octopus at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Most of the time shes hiding in a corner.

Not Saturday.

Gilligans eight arms were spread wide as she glided across the middle of her tank. As she moved, the double rows of white suckers lining each of her appendages were on full display.

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The octopus is the hardest thing Ive ever had to draw, said childrens book author and illustrator Jan Brett, as she stared in wonder at the alien-looking creature. That, and the innocence of children.

It was 8:15 a.m. and Brett and I were in for a treat. The aquarium had invited us to have a tentacles-on interaction with Gilligan in honor of Bretts latest book, The Mermaid, a traditional Goldilocks tale with a mermaid and three octopuses twist.

(Note to readers: Octopuses is indeed the proper plural of octopus. I checked.)

As long time octopus lovers, we were both excited, but Brett was more prepared. She had been eating fish for the past three weeks, and had deliberately avoided garlic and onions.

I want to taste good to her, the author said.

Her strategy worked, almost too well. When Komatovich led us to a metal platform above Gilligans tank, the octopus hungrily wrapped her arms around Bretts wrists and used her suckers to slowly guide them in the direction of her mouth.

Every once in a while, Komatovich would reach over and pull an octupus arm off Brett. The suckers made a loud, satisfying popping sound as they came unstuck. They also left behind what looked like a row of perfectly round octopus hickeys.

 Childrens book author and illustrator Jan Brett meets Gilligan the octopus at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Shes really strong, Brett said. Im feeling a little alarmed.

But she still kept her hands in the 48-degree saltwater tank and repeatedly called the octopus Sweetie.

Brett is an animal lover, and her more than 40 books feature a menagerie of characters including badgers, polar bears, skunks and turtles. To help make her drawings more accurate, she tries to meet the animals that appear in her illustrations in person.

She said that in her experience, octopuses are most similar to elephants in terms of personality.

They are both mischievous, she said. You always have to watch your back with an elephant, and I feel the same way with the octopus.

What I love about octopuses is how dramatically different they are from us. They can change shape and color and they are so squishy that even a very large octopus can squeeze its body through a hole the size of a quarter.

Also, their blood is blue, they have three hearts and their pupils are horizontal slits. Seventy percent of their nerve cells are in their arms, and they taste and smell through their suckers.

And theyre smart. Komatovich has a box of toys for her eight-arm wards to keep them from getting bored.

Im big on octopus enrichment, she said.

Deborah Netburn of The Times and Gilligan the giant pacific octopus at the Aquarium of the Pacific. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )

Brett said that octopuses were the perfect underwater counterpart to the three bears in the Goldilocks story because they are formidable and slightly off-putting, but also clever and adorable.

She got the idea to put the cephalopods in her book when she spotted a small pink octopus waving its arms in the current while snorkeling off the Japanese island of Okinawa.

That encounter reminded her of another experience shed had with an octopus in an aquarium in Florida years ago, when she noticed the animal following her with its eyes.

I was having a mind meld with this octopus. And in the back of my mind, I always remembered that this is a creature that is very undiscovered, she said.

Before finishing The Mermaid, she met another octopus at the New England Aquarium in Boston, near where she lives. Under the watchful eye of the aquarist there, she was able to commune more directly with this one, arm to arm.

She wrapped her arms around my arms and was pulling me into the tank, Brett said. She also used her funnel to splash us.

It seems that splashing is a special octopus trick, because Gilligan did that too. Twice. Once she hit our shoes, but the other time she nailed us full on in the face with a cold blast of water.

Komatovich apologized, but Brett laughed it off.

She was just about to leave for a book event in the aquariums auditorium, and she thought it would be perfect to show up wet.
Scientists have made a skin-crawling discovery: Ancient ticks, trapped in amber, that fed on the blood of feathered dinosaurs nearly 100 million years ago.

The specimens, described in the journal Nature Communications, include the oldest dinosaur parasite to be found together with remains from its extinct host  and offer a smoking gun in the long, intimate history between ticks and dinosaurs and their living descendants, birds.

I was astonished, study coauthor Ricardo Perez-de la Fuente, a paleontologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, said of the discovery. It was something we werent expecting at all.

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Scientists have suspected that the blood-sucking bugs dined on dinosaurs for millions of years  in fact, theyre still afflicting birds, dinosaurs only living descendants, today. But its been difficult to establish that relationship, let alone study it, because its been a challenge to find fossils that include both ticks and the remains of the dinosaurs they lived on.

Direct evidence  of an organism and the remains of another one, the host, is extremely rare in paleontology, Perez-de la Fuente said.

The big break came in the form of ancient Burmese amber specimens that had been bought online by private collectors who donated the finds to museums. (One of the collectors, Scott Anderson, is listed as a coauthor on the paper.)

One of the specimens, a 99-million-year-old hard tick known as Cornupalpatum burmanicum, was found actually entangled in a plume from a feathered dinosaur  a telling sign that the tick had latched onto the feather before it was trapped in golden sap.

It was a very unexpected surprise, Perez-de la Fuente said.

The scientists had to work harder to establish the link between the other specimens, identified as Deinocroton draculi, and feathered dinosaurs. Attached to these ticks bodies were tiny hairlike setae from specialized beetle larvae that live in nests and eat tough-to-digest organic material like skin or hair.

Given that many feathered dinosaurs are thought to have built nests, the beetle setae offer a clue as to where these ticks were getting their meals, the paleontologist said. (It cant have been from the nest of a modern bird because the evidence indicates that birds emerged much later, the scientist said.)

One of the ticks was also found engorged with blood  but that doesnt mean there will be a real-life Jurassic Park anytime soon, Perez-de la Fuente said.

For one thing, he pointed out, it would have to be called Cretaceous Park, named after the later period during which these amber fossils formed.

On a more serious note, the 1993 film featured dinosaurs brought to life thanks to a blood-engorged mosquito trapped in amber. But in reality, DNA has a very short half-life, and such genetic information would not be recoverable.

DNA is a fragile molecule, he said.

The scientists say they hope to find more amber specimens bearing clues about this complex relationship  one that could tell them more about dinosaurs ecology, environment and the spread of disease. And they suspect that this parasite-host relationship goes back much further than 300 years, though it will take more fossils to know for sure.

We dont expect to get the oldest fossils from the fossil record, Perez-de la Fuente pointed out. Ticks could have been up to 300 million years old, but we dont have paleontological evidence of that.

Ultimately, D. draculi went extinct  perhaps around the same time as the dinosaurs, wiped out thanks to the asteroid that slammed into Earth some 66 million years ago. But other tick species continued to thrive, as did the birds that some of them dined upon.

amina.khan@latimes.com

Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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The Island Hotel in Newport Beach has changed its name to the Fashion Island Hotel.

The 295-room hotel, built in 1986 by the Irvine Co., will be closely aligned with Fashion Island, integrating amenities, activities, personal shoppers and more. It also will serve cocktails and food inspired by fashion designers.

Adding fashion to the hotel name bolsters the alignment between these two important properties while emphasizing Fashion Island as an iconic and luxury destination, Ralph Grippo, president of Irvine Co. Resort Properties, said in a statement. We are always looking for innovative ways to engage with and meet the needs of our guests. Packaging the hotel and Fashion Island together is a win-win for both the company and our customers.

The hotel also was recently renovated, an 18-month process that updated all the rooms and public areas.

Iron Press discontinues food service at SOCO restaurant

The Iron Press, a waffle sandwich and craft beer restaurant in Costa Mesas South Coast Collection, announced that it is no longer serving food.

Rather, it will limit service to its craft beers and wines from 4 p.m. to closing every day.

In a Facebook announcement, the company said Iron Press food is still available at its Anaheim location.

The change comes while Iron Press is working on expanding with a new location in downtown Los Angeles. The Costa Mesa location opened in 2012.

Mark Perry named Segerstrom Center board chairman

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa announced Thursday that Mark Perry has been selected as chairman of the board of directors, succeeding John Ginger.

Perry has been a member of the centers board since 2011 and has served on the Board Development Committee and Long-Range Planning Committee.

He and his wife, Carol, recently chaired the centers 44th annual Candlelight Concert. He is executive vice chairman of the Global Commercial Bank for Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Perry will serve a three-year term as Segerstrom Center board chairman, beginning Jan. 1.

Mothers Market adopts family and hosts blood drive

The corporate headquarters of Mothers Market & Kitchen, a Costa Mesa-based grocery chain, is adopting a family of five through Share Our Selves, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit.

It will donate gift cards, food and clothing.

On Wednesday, the Costa Mesa location of Mothers Market at 1890 Newport Blvd. will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will receive a coupon for free juice.

Blood donations will benefit Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach.

Costa Mesas Bistro Papillote to close

Bistro Papillote in the OC Mix in Costa Mesa will close Dec. 24.

The French restaurant opened in 2015. Its replacement has not been announced.

According to the Orange County Register, its owner, chef Laurent Brazier, is taking a position as executive chef for Anaheim White House Catering.

Restaurant Marin relocating; Arc expands with pizza concept

Restaurant Marin in Costa Mesa is moving to Newport Beach early next year, according to a news release.

Marin, in South Coast Collection, opened in 2016. The concept is from Noah and Marin von Blom, who operate Arc, also in SOCO.

Marin is being replaced with Arc Pizza House, an extension of Arc.

Villa Real Estate president named Realtor of the Year by Newport board

Steve High, president and partner of Villa Real Estate, has been named Realtor of the Year for 2017 by the Newport Beach Board of Realtors.

High helped found Villa in 2013. It now has 150 agents in four offices in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

Winery Restaurant wins industry award

The Winery Restaurant and Bar in Newport Beach has been named the 2017 Restaurant of the Year by the Orange County Concierge Assn., according to a news release.

It also won the award in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

New jiu jitsu studio opens in Huntington Beach

A new jiu jitsu studio has opened in Huntington Beach and is offering an anti-bullying program.

De La Riva Jiu-Jitsu is at 5482 Business Drive.

For more information, call (714) 373-9393 or visit delarivajiujitsuhb.com.

Costa Mesa planning commissioner joins O.C. Business Council

Byron de Arakal, a public relations professional and a member of Costa Mesas Planning Commission, has joined the Orange County Business Council as vice president of communications. He starts work Jan. 2.

We are thrilled to welcome Byron to the OCBC team council President and Chief Executive Lucy Dunn said in a statement. He is widely respected in Orange County and Southern California as a gifted communicator known for his common-sense approach to issues and policy development. His acumen for persuasive communications, combined with his experience in land use and transportation, will be instrumental in advancing our housing and mobility initiatives.

De Arakal is a former Daily Pilot columnist and executive editor of Orange Coast magazine. The past 26 years he has served as president of IAP Communications LLC, a strategic communications firm he founded.

Saywitz hires 2 new property management supervisors

The Saywitz Co., a Newport Beach-based commercial real estate brokerage firm, has hired Christina Huapaya and Diana Liston as property management supervisors.

Combined, they have 25 years experience in the real estate industry. They will work out of Saywitzs Newport office.
(Global Times) 08:09, December 14, 2017

China on Wednesday slammed a report that accused the country of violating human rights by collecting DNA samples in Northwest China's XinjiangUyghur Autonomous Region, saying there's no need to spend time on such false statements.

According to a Wednesday report from the New York-based Human Rights Watch, authorities in Xinjiang are collecting DNA samples, fingerprints, iris scans and blood types of all residents in the region between the age of 12 and 65, quoting experts as saying it's "a gross violation of international human rights norms."

Collecting such information has been partly advocated in Xinjiang, such as the cities of Yining and Korla, since the second half of the year, for accurate demographic and diverse biological information in the regions, government documents show. For instance, in Korla, photos and finger prints are collected and will be included in the new version of ID cards, while DNA, iris and blood type information will be entered in a local biological database, government documents show.

In Yining, such information would be collected for a demographic database to help accurately identify people and for information-sharing among government departments.

China's government has the right to take measures it deems as proper to protect national security, and the collection of such information is not harmful to the residents, nor does it affect people's rights, Turgunjan Tursun, a professor at Zhejiang Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Such measures, as well as the collecting of fingerprints in other cities in China, help secure public security, and claims of human rights violations are groundless, he added.

The organization has always made false statements on issues involving China and I suggested there's no need to spend time on such remarks, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily briefing on Wednesday.

"Xinjiang has witnessed economic development and social stability, and the people there are living and working in a joyful mood, a scene that some people overseas might be unwilling to see," Lu said.

China's government will continue to protect the national unity and the prosperity in the region and promote the development of the region, he added.
Newport-Mesa Unified School District Supt. Fred Navarro will receive a bonus of $34,450 for his performance in the 2016-17 school year, for which he was rated exceptional by the board of trustees.

The board unanimously approved the merit bonus Monday night. The supplemental pay will go to a tax-sheltered annuity selected by the superintendent.

A tax-sheltered annuity, also known as a 403(b) account, is similar to a 401(k) in that it permits some of an employees income to be placed in an account for later use. The deferred income is generally not subject to federal or state income tax until it is distributed, according to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The IRS also allows employees to put money in the accounts individually.

Each school board member typically completes a superintendent evaluation at the end of each academic year, said board member Karen Yelsey. Trustees then get together and rate the superintendent as a group.

Navarros performance is based on nine standards of governance: vision, mission and beliefs; work and school culture; leadership and personal integrity; communication and advocacy; community relations; fiscal and facilities; human resources and annual goals and priorities.

Based on the criteria, he did a great job and the trustees appreciate his commitment, Yelsey said.

Navarro, who took the helm at Newport-Mesa in 2012, also completes a self-evaluation, but it is not available to the public under state law.

In a one-sentence statement Wednesday, Navarro said, I am grateful for the opportunity to work here at Newport-Mesa.

Merit pay is based on whether the superintendent receives a rating of exceptional, proficient or standard.

Navarro is receiving the maximum amount hes eligible for in a year because he received the exceptional rating.

The merit pay is in addition to salary increases the board approved last month for top district administrators, including the superintendent.

Navarros salary will rise 2.5% to $282,844 for the 2017-18 school year and to $289,915 in 2018-19, according to the district.

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella

UPDATES:

3:25 p.m.: This article was updated with Navarros statement.

This article was originally published at 3 p.m.
The living room looked like any other during the holidays  a homey space dotted with old furniture and presents piled high beneath a Christmas tree. It took only 40 seconds for it all to be consumed by flames.

Each year, roughly 200 house fires are caused or made worse by Christmas trees. About four of those fires typically result in a fatality.

No one died in this fire, and it didnt occur in a quaint suburban home. It was in the back of a shipping container in a Glendale industrial park.

The fire was ignited on purpose by members of the Glendale Fire Department at the Glendale Fire Training Center on West Chevy Chase Drive as part of a larger demonstration highlighting hidden hazards people may encounter during the holiday season.

After two minutes, the contents of the living room were mostly ash. The presents were all obliterated and a smoke detector that was furiously beeping during the blaze had partially melted off the ceiling.

You can see the amount of destruction caused with one Christmas tree, Glendale Fire Capt. Jon Payne said.

Last year in Glendale, Christmas trees played a part in about 10 fires per GFD Capt. John Payne pic.twitter.com/z1NpsLXTuD  Andy Nguyen (@Andy_Truc) December 13, 2017

Aftermath of the tree fire demonstration in Glendale pic.twitter.com/VUV9aY0nbm  Andy Nguyen (@Andy_Truc) December 13, 2017

Payne said the department investigated about 10 fires last year that involved Christmas trees. Either the trees were the primary cause of the flames or helped fuel the fire, he said.

Contributing factors to a tree fire include a heating source being placed close by, overloaded electrical sockets and trees that have gone without water for a long time.

The tree that Glendale firefighters lit up spent two weeks drying out before being set ablaze by a toaster oven, according to Payne.

Preventing a fire can be as simple as regularly watering a tree and displaying it far away from a heating source. Having a tree professionally sprayed with flame-resistant flocking  a white substance with the appearance of snow  can also help prevent a fire.

Another holiday hazard is accidental poisonings, something that significantly affects children this time of year.

Cyrus Rangan, a physician with the California Poison Control System, said the flurry of activities in homes during the holidays can lead to decreased parental supervision.

It also means that children are getting into substances that they should not be getting into, he said.

Rangan said dangerous items can include broken holiday decorations, toy batteries, food from questionable sources and even marijuana products.

No matter what you think about the legal or illegal aspects of it  its still a very poisonous substance to have around children, he said.

Rangan said the ill effects of children consuming marijuana products, such as edibles, include an upset stomach and vomiting in addition to the drugs disorienting effects.

If a child is suspected of ingesting a harmful substance, 911 should be called immediately .

He said that any potentially dangerous hazards or substances to children should always be kept out of sight and out of reach.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc
An Islamic extremist suicide bomber killed at least 17 people and injured 20 at a police academy in Somalias capital Thursday, police said.

The bomber, with explosives strapped around his waist, infiltrated Gen. Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu and targeted officers gathering for special morning exercises, Capt. Mohamed Hussein said.

The officers were rehearsing for Somalias Police Day celebrations scheduled for Dec. 20, Hussein said.

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The Somalia-based extremist group Shabab quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. Shabab, which is allied with Al Qaeda, has carried out frequent attacks against hotels, checkpoints and other high-profile areas of Mogadishu.

Shabab has been blamed for the massive truck bombing in the capital in October that left 512 dead. Only a few attacks since 9/11 have killed more people.

Shabab has become the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa and is increasingly targeted by the U.S. military after the Trump administration early this year approved expanded airstrikes and other efforts against the fighters.

The U.S. has carried out at least 32 drone strikes this year against Shabab and a small but growing number of fighters linked to the group Islamic State, many of them Shabab defectors.

A drone strike earlier this week against a Shabab vehicle carrying explosives prevented an imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu, the U.S. Africa Command said.

UPDATES:

12:25 a.m.: Updated to raise the death toll from 10 to 17.

This article was first published at 11:50 p.m.
(Xinhua) 08:45, December 14, 2017

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and other Asian communities across large U.S. and Canadian cities have paid homage to victims of the infamous Nanjing Massacre that shocked the world in its brutality when Japaninvaded China 80 years ago.

In New York City, home to the largest Chinese American population, people from a dozen Chinese associations gathered at a square in Manhattan's Chinatown on Wednesday to mourn the nearly 300,000 people brutally killed in the 1937 massacre.

"We gather together to remember hundreds of thousands of people who were killed 80 years ago in Nanjing," said Zheng Shigan, president of the United Fujianese of America Association, organizer of the event.

"We hope more people to know about this part of the history and to treasure the peace and stability we have today," he said at the event during which participants wore white flower and presented wreaths.

Zeng Xianqiu, general secretary of the association, said young people should also learn about the history so that such tragedy would never be repeated.

The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the day when Nanjing fell to Japanese aggressors, who went on a six-week-long slaughter of civilians and surrendered soldiers who had put down their arms. About 300,000 Chinese were killed, and 20,000 women raped during the massacre.

On the U.S. west coast, representatives from the Chinese community and students of a Chinese-language school held a ceremony Tuesday night to mark the 80th anniversary at the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall in downtown San Francisco.

The participants observed one minute of silence in the candle-lit hall solemnly adorned with sombre black-and-white pictures of World War II victims.

They said the remembrance was held to honor the victims of the Nanjing Massacre and that they, as overseas Chinese, will never forget the hardships and sufferings inflicted upon the Chinese nation.

They expressed their sense of pride for seeing China constantly growing into a stronger state with a profound traditional Chinese culture.

Florence Fang, founder of the WW2 Pacific War Memorial Hall who presided over the ceremony, said the event that was held simultaneously with the national memorial activity back in China on the same day of Dec. 13, 2017 will arouse stronger patriotism among the overseas Chinese and let them unite more closely to remember history and safeguard peace.

On Sunday, hundreds of people from the Chinese, Korean and Philippine communities in San Francisco gathered to honor the 300,000 Chinese victims in the Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking in the Western world.

Jennifer Cheung, chairwoman of the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition and one of the organizers of Sunday's event, said that the memorial activity was staged to promote peace instead of harboring hatred towards the Japanese people.

In neighboring Canada, members of the Ontario provincial parliament held a moment of silence on Wednesday to recognize Ontario's first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Toronto.

They said people must keep in mind the history of the Nanjing Massacre in order to educate the young generation and prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

Hundreds of people also took part in a public candlelight vigil event in front of the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto.

With the passing a motion in October designating Dec. 13 annually as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day, the parliament of Ontario, home to Canada's largest Asian community with more than 3 million of Asian descent, becomes the first regional legislature in Western countries to adopt the motion.

The province of Manitoba also joined a growing movement in Canada to recognize and commemorate the Nanjing Massacre, with a motion of this kind passing its second reading with unanimous consent in its legislature.

Also in Vancouver, hundreds of people gathered in a gymnasium in the Chinatown on Tuesday to remember the victims of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.

The Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations and the Chinese Association of Greater Vancouver jointly hosted the event, which took place at the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Center.

Before the ceremony, visitors viewed photographs posted to the wall of the gym of atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors against Chinese men, women and children.

China's newly instated Consul General to Vancouver Tong Xiaoling attended the event. She called the massacre one of the darkest days in human history.

"I feel so sad," she told Xinhua in an interview. "When I look at these pictures I feel so sorry for those ... men and women who were slaughtered by the Japanese invaders."
(Xinhua) 09:02, December 14, 2017

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) said Wednesday that it had sped up laying natural gas pipelines connecting China and Russia, a major energy cooperation between the two countries.

Welding of the northern part of the 3,371-kilometer east-route natural gas pipeline has begun, the company announced.

The pipeline originates in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and terminates in Shanghai in the east. Construction began in June 2015 and will be completed in 2020.

Upon completion, the pipeline will provide China with 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia annually. It will have far-reaching significance for optimizing China's energy structure, cutting emissions and improving air quality.

The Russian part of the pipeline began construction in eastern Siberia in 2014.

The rise of natural gas use is the result of the government promoting it as a cleaner alternative to coal.

China aims to raise the use of natural gas to 10 percent of the country's energy mix by 2020 and 15 percent by 2030, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

China's demand for natural gas will continue to soar toward 2040, outstripping domestic output by around 43 percent, according to an International Energy Agency report published Tuesday.

On Dec. 9, CNPC announced that the Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, jointly launched by China and Russia, has begun operation.

The Yamal LNG plant is expected to have three production lines by 2019 with a total capacity of 16.5 million tonnes of LNG per year.
(Xinhua) 09:07, December 14, 2017

SHANGHAI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Five former workers at a Shanghai day care center were arrested on the charge of child abuse Wednesday, local prosecutors said.

The suspects have been in detention since the case was reported to the police on Nov. 8.

The suspects were caught on camera in a Ctrip day care center, appearing to abuse young children, Changning district people's procuratorate said

Leading travel agency Ctrip established the center, run by a third-party organization, in 2016 to help employees with childcare for children under three years old, the minimum age for kindergartens.

The district people's procuratorate has dispatched prosecutors specializing in child criminal cases to assist the police in the investigation, promising to safeguard the legal rights of the minors involved.

Video footage showing carers abusing children went viral online, leading to an intense public outcry. One clip showed a female employee throwing a girl's schoolbag on the floor and pushing her violently, causing her to fall and hit her head on the corner of a table.

In another video, a child cried after being forced to eat something, which his parents later claimed was wasabi.

In early 2016, Shanghai magazine "Modern Family" signed a contract with Ctrip to run the day care center. It later subcontracted the center to a third-party organization, but controlled financial affairs of the center.

The Women's Federation of Shanghai, to which the magazine is affiliated, apologized to the public for a "lack of supervision and management." The president of the magazine was fired.

Ctrip has sought new management for the center and said it would allow employees to see surveillance video of classrooms on their mobile phones in the future.
Easton officials plan to meet in early 2018 with law enforcement and judicial officials on a proposal to reduce penalties for possession of a small amount of marijuana in the city.

Council voted 6-1 Wednesday night to approve a resolution calling for further research on the change, which a handful of other Pennsylvania cities have pursued, as well.

Creating a local summary offense on marijuana for police to enforce is at odds with the misdemeanor crime established by the state, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said.

"And we don't really have the right to change that," he said Thursday. "Whenever a city ordinance is superseded by state law, the state law takes precedence."

Council's action is a step back from what Councilman Peter Melan originally proposed to be voted on Wednesday night. Officials changed the wording of the resolution to direct the city solicitor's office to research a potential new law, rather than draft one for council to vote on.

Melan said earlier this week he envisions city police one day issuing a citation similar to a traffic ticket for possession of a small amount of marijuana or related paraphernalia.

He will coordinate the forum to be held in January that city officials hope will draw participation from city police, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, the three district judges serving Easton and county Judge Craig Dally, who is charge of the county's drug court.

Without the input, city police could charge someone with the new summary offense only to have a judge upgrade the charge to a misdemeanor, Panto said.

Councilman Ken Brown cast the lone vote against moving ahead on the proposal.

The discussion comes as Pennsylvania is about to begin prescribing medical marijuana in spring 2018.

Still, local attorney Joshua Fulmer told council on Wednesday that Pennsylvania is lagging behind modernization of marijuana laws around the country, WFMZ-TV69 reports. Jeff Riedy, director of Lehigh Valley's chapter of the marijuana advocacy group NORML, was among speakers to note New Jersey's push to legalize recreational use of the drug right across the Delaware River from the city, the report states.

"The national trend is toward the acceptance of marijuana," Riedy told council, according to WFMZ.

With a misdemeanor carrying the potential for prison time and related court costs, some of which are borne by suspects who may pay fines and fees, enforcing existing marijuana laws is costing Pennsylvanians while other states are reaping revenue from legalization, officials have noted.

Colorado, for example, reports marijuana taxes, license fee revenue of $617,767,334 since retail sales began in 2014.

Morganelli, a Democrat, has come out in support of decriminalization, like Easton is researching, as opposed to legalization. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has also said he supports decriminalization. State Rep. Bob Freeman, a Democrat whose district includes Easton, said earlier this week he has not seen much traction in efforts to get a bill passed to change marijuana law, beyond the state's embrace of medical marijuana.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Pennsylvanians can close out 2017 with a bang.

Tucked into Act 43, part of a revenue packaged signed into law Oct. 30 by Gov. Tom Wolf, was an expansion of consumer fireworks sales to Pennsylvania residents.

The fireworks outlets clustered around the Easton interchange of Interstate 78, the last exit before New Jersey, confirmed Wednesday they have applied for the expanded-sales license.

At least for now, Phantom Fireworks, Sky King Fireworks and TNT Fireworks in Williams Township are continuing to operate under the state's 2004 fireworks law that allows Pennsylvania residents only to buy novelty fireworks -- fountains, sparklers, spinners and smoke bombs. Out-of-state customers can buy whatever they want from the Pennsylvania stores.

"Once we get our new certificate, it's just a matter of a couple of days hopefully, and the entire showroom will be open for Pennsylvania residents," Joe Mazak, assistant manager at Phantom Fireworks of Easton, said Wednesday.

Pennsylvania had 82 bricks-and-mortar fireworks retailers licensed under the old law, said Walter Remmert, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards that is in charge of fireworks laws.

All 82 may continue to operate for 90 days, through Jan. 28, 2018, under the old law, but they must apply for a new license under the new law to be able to continue selling consumer fireworks after that.

About half have applied, Remmert said. As of Wednesday, statewide, three Odd-Lot Outlet locations had received the new licenses. All of them are a short drive from the Lehigh Valley, in the Tannersville and East Stroudsburg areas of Monroe County.

Pennsylvanians can now walk into those Odd-Lots and buy consumer fireworks previously off limits to them.

So what's a consumer firework?

The American Pyrotechnics Association standard for consumer fireworks defines them as:

a ground or handheld sparkling device, cylindrical fountain, cone fountain, illuminating torch, wheel, ground spinner, flitter sparkler, toy smoke device or wire sparkler/dipped stick.

aerial devices such as sky rockets and bottle rockets, missile-type rocket, helicopter or aerial spinner, roman candle, mine and shell devices and aerial shell kits, also known as a reloadable tube.

audible ground devices like a firecracker or chaser.

Top sellers at Phantom for New Year's Eve celebrations include reloadable mortars that sell for $15 to $250 and a type of mine and shell device known as a cake. Those go for $60 to $250 and create a repeating aerial display with a single fuse, Mazak said.

Beyond novelty and consumer fireworks is a class known as display-grade fireworks, which remain prohibited for the general public, said Remmert, with the state Department of Agriculture. Also illegal under federal law are explosive devices known as an M-80, M-100, blockbuster, cherry bomb or quarter- and half-stick.

In addition to expanding sales in stores, under the new law, temporary tents will be able to be licensed to sell consumer fireworks instead of just novelties, Remmert noted.

He cautioned that use of fireworks may still be subject to local laws.

Pennsylvania's move to expand consumer fireworks laws sets a new tax of 12 percent, in addition to the sales and use tax already imposed. The state projects additional revenues in 2017-18 from the expanded sales to total $2.6 million, and to grow to $9.3 million in 2018-19, according to the fiscal analysis of the measure.

The license application fee is $2,500 for a long-term facility and $1,000 for a temporary tent, on top of annual license fees ranging from $3,000 to a tent to as much as $20,000 for the biggest stores.

The law budgets 2 percent of consumer fireworks taxes, up to $2 million a year, for emergency medical service grants and volunteer firefighter training.

Remmer said he couldn't pinpoint when the expanded-sales licenses would be granted, as each application requires an inspection of the store. Asked whether the 40 applications on hand can be procdessed in time for New Year's, he said: "I'm hoping."

Meanwhile, Pennsylvanians at the Easton area stores will continue to find their choices limited. But not for long.

"We are looking forward to serving the residents of Pennsylvania," Brock Strickland, director of retail for TNT Fireworks, said Wednesday.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A bust organized by a team of federal and local law enforcement agencies netted 5 pounds of methamphetamine and three arrests, authorities in Bucks County said Thursday.

Andres Ramirez Orozco, 30, of San Leandro, California; Joel Javier, 26, of Philadelphia; and Travis Smith, 30, of Willingboro, New Jersey; were arrested Tuesday in Bensalem, and charged with of possession with intent to deliver meth and conspiracy.

All three were in Bucks County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $950,000 bail each, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

The bust was the result of cooperation between the Drug Enforcement Administration's Philadelphia Field Division, the Bucks County District Attorney's Drug Strike Force, and the Bensalem Township, Falls Township, Middletown Township and Philadelphia police departments.

Javier brokered the drug deal for Orozco, prosecutors allege. Orozco reportedly told police he works as a concrete contractor in California.

On Monday afternoon, a DEA agent saw Javier pull up to a house in the 6000 block of Tulip Street in Philadelphia.

After briefly going inside the home, Javier sat outside with an unidentified man until Orozco pulled up and the two began speaking, authorities said.

The DEA agent watched Javier packing a soft designer bag with items and placing it in Orozco's vehicle before both men drove off, court papers say. That same bag was later found in a hotel room that Orozco rented in Bensalem, police said.

On Tuesday, police saw Javier's car, Orozco's car and Smith driving a Toyota with New Jersey plates arrive together at the Holiday Inn Express, 3327 Street Road in Bensalem, the affidavit states.

Officers watched as Javier and Smith sat together briefly in a fourth vehicle before Javier removed a white shopping bag from the Toyota's trunk and placed it inside the car, according to the affidavit.

Officers moved in to make arrests, and found the 5 pounds of meth in a white shopping bag in the Toyota with Smith and an unidentified woman, authorities said.

Smith told police that he was a heroin user who agreed to drive Javier, whom he identified as his dealer, to Bensalem in return for $500, police said.

The 5 pounds of methamphetamine equals 10,000 individual doses, police said, and is estimated to be worth $225,000.

"This seizure represents a significant amount of methamphetamine that will not end up being distributed on our streets and in our communities," Gary Tuggle, special agent in charge of the DEA's Philadelphia Field Division, said in a statement. "The DEA, working with our law enforcement partners here, will continue to aggressively target the drug traffickers that seek to damage our neighborhoods."

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bethlehem police asked for the public's help Wednesday in identifying the perpetrator of multiple thefts in the city.

Police released a photo said to show the man, who poses as a contractor, enters businesses and commits thefts, according to police.

Police asked anyone with information on the man to call the department at 610-865-7187 or Detective Moses Miller at 610-997-7674.

Allentown police on Wednesday also asked, via their Facebook page, for the public's help in finding two commercial robbery perpetrators.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE SHARE. ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY - Commercial ROBBERY Suspect's Anyone who recognizes them is... Posted by Allentown Police Department on Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The unemployment rate has dropped by nearly a third in Laois but remains higher than the national average according to the latest findings from Census 2016.

The figures also show that retail was the biggest single employer in April 2016 when population was was counted.

The workforce has risen in Laois by 1,000 to more than 39,000 while the number of Laois people at work has risen by more than 3,000.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) today (Thursday 14th December) publishes the final Census 2016 (thematic) report, Profile 11  Employment, Occupations and Industry.

Profile 11 shows that the number of people at work in Ireland in April 2016 increased to just over 2 million (+11.0%). The numbers of people looking after the home/family continued to decline, falling by 10.1% to 305,556 while the numbers of retired persons increased to 545,407, up 88,013 (19.2%) on 2011.

Laois highlights

In April 2016, the largest (broad) industrial sector in the Laois was the wholesale and retail trade, accounting for 4,972 workers (14.8%).

Human health and social work activities was the next largest, with 3,980 workers (11.9%). The top five was completed by education (8.4%), manufacturing (8.2%), and public administration and defence; compulsory social security activities (7.6%).

The 2,431 persons working in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing sector (7.2%) was 10 fewer (-0.4%) than in 2011. A further 1,976 persons (5.9%) were employed in construction compared with 1,643 five years previously.

Total unemployment in the Laois was 6,068 giving an unemployment rate of 15.3%, compared with 21.4% in April 2011. Nationally, the unemployment rate recorded by Census 2016 was 12.9%. Of the unemployed in the county, 616 (10.2%) were first-time job seekers.

Among the unemployed in Laois, 78.0% were Irish nationals, compared with 79.0% in 2011, while 22.0% were non-Irish nationals, down from 21.0% five years previously.

See below summary of some of the headline employment results from Census 2016 for County Laois, together with comparisons for Leinster and the State as a whole are attached for information. {Note: the top five industry sectors in the province/State may not be the same as the top five in the county, but the relevant figures at provincial and State level are included for comparative purposes.}

Deirdre Cullen, Senior Statistician, commented: This report analyses the world of work in Ireland in 2016, with a particular focus on changes in the numbers at work by occupations and industrial sectors. It also looks at the profile of the non-Irish national population in the workforce. Profile 11 completes the suite of Census 2016 results which has included two summary reports, eleven detailed reports and Small Area Population Statistics. Together, these results provide a comprehensive picture of Ireland in April 2016. All of this data is now available on the CSO website.
The public is being urged to donate blood in that run up to Christmas to ensure hospitals have enough stocks available to treat patients especially babies, in emergencies.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is concerned that blood supplies will be difficult leading in to and over the Christmas/New Year period and is urging donors to make a special effort to give blood in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Traditionally holiday periods and especially the lead into the Christmas/New Year festivities present significant challenges in sustaining the blood supply. On any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals, said Operations Director, Paul McKinney.

Christmas day and New Years Day both fall on a Monday, which is an important collection day, especially collecting blood for babies and could have a serious impact on the blood supply. We are running additional clinics in the weeks before Christmas and 4 special clinics on Saturday 23rd December, to make sure there is blood available for patients over this period.

The demand for blood is constant. We supply product 365 days a year and will issue blood for transfusion to hospitals on Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day and New Year's Day, so we are urging donors to give a priceless gift this Christmas, the gift of blood, he said.

A mobile donation unit will visit the Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow on Wednesday, December 27 from 4.30pm until 8pm.

Clinic details can be obtained on www.giveblood.ie.
Unwrap a host of fantastic content this Christmas on RTE Player with a selection box of luxurious food, extended scenes from Baz and Nancys Holy Show and Dermot Bannons US Homes not to mention new and classic box-sets.



Missed out on the first series of RTEs Striking Out? Nows your chance to familiarize yourself with the life of Tara Rafferty (Amy Huberman) and friends before series two hits our screens in January with series one box set of Striking Out on RTE Player.

Set your lives to binge mode and your faces to grin mode with all three side splitting series of Bridget & Eamon and recap on all of the goings on in Salon Confidential.

Not to mention entire box-sets from old favourites such as Hardy Bucks, The Clinic and Fade Street.



Relive some the best interviews from The Late Late Show in 2017 including Ryan Tubridys trip Stateside to meet Hilary Clinton, the haunting moment where Finbar Furey and Christy Dignam sang together and the notorious Conor McGregor among others.

Salivate over a series of Christmas Food recipes including the ever popular Buttermilk Turkey from Neven Maguire and his infamous Plum Pudding Parfait.



Watch Baz and Nancys Holy Show on RTE One, Wednesday 20th December at 9.35pm as Baz Ashmawy brings his devoutly Catholic mother, Nancy on a quest for the Holy Grail a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Catch up with the full show on RTE Player which will also feature exclusive clips including an entertaining road trip and a nativity scene to remember.



As Irelands favourite architect visits some incredible homes stateside in Dermot Bannons New York Homes on RTE One, get to RTE Player for some additional home tours including a tiny apartment in Manhattan cleverly designed to give a sense of space, a cubed shaped holiday home in the Hamptons and an iconic Brownstone House in Brooklyn.



As Irelands number 1 broadcaster video-on-demand platform, RTE Players offering continues to evolve with exclusive clips and extras and the addition of series box-sets alongside other online only exclusives.

Avoid the annual arguments over who gets to watch what with RTEs Christmas Movies available to watch live on RTE Player. Discover a host of Christmas binge-worthy content now on RTE Player.

Read more: Bus Eireann has released its Christmas/New Year service schedule.

Visit Leinster Express dedicated Christmas 2017 page here.


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A Mountrath man who was part of a group of youths who broke into Mountrath GAA Club and started a fire, burning flags and chairs at the side of the pitch, has paid 100 of a total 500 compensation.

Codie Doheny (19), 62 Kiln Lane, Mountrath, was charged with trespassing, and arson, at the Mountrath GAA Club, on July 16, 2016.

When the case first came before Portlaoise District Court in July, Inspector Maria Conway gave evidence that on that date, a group of youths entered the grounds of Mountrath GAA Club and set fire to a number of items.

Chairs, flags and tyres were all burnt and the group remained at the grounds for around two hours.

500 of damage was caused, said Inspector Conway.

Defence, Mr Declan Breen said that his client had been drinking earlier in the day and his group gravitated towards the GAA grounds, which had easy access.

As darkness was falling someone decided to light a small fire at the side of the pitch, fueled by tyres and flags.

Judge Catherine Staines asked did the accused have 500 in court to pay for the damages, to which Mr Breen replied that he did not as he has to pay 1,000 compensation in the circuit court by November 28 and is currently on 100 per week social welfare.

Judge Staines told the accused: People work very hard to get these chairs and flags to help young people in sport. This is very unfair.

Telling him that the money would eventually have to be paid, Judge Staines adjourned the matter to December 7 to await the finalisation of the circuit court case. She also directed an up to date report on the accused for that date.

When the case returned to court last week, defence, Ms Anne Manning said her client had 100 compensation to offer.

She said he is still paying compensation in the circuit court on another matter.

Hes doing his very best, said Ms Manning.

Directing that the 100 go to St Fintans GAA Club, Judge Staines put the matter back to May 3, 2018, for the payment of the balance.
A popular Laois pub has won a special award for free mini-bus service which the Road Safety Authority says 'stops drink driving and may save lives'.

RSA chaiperson Liz McManus presented Tommy Treacy with the Special Recognition Award for the service he provides at well-known thatched bar and restaurant on the old Dublin-Cork/Limerick road at The Heath, Portlaoise.

Treacys is just 5kms from Portlaoise but is not served by public transport. For nearly a decade the pub has provided a free taxi service to all customers within a 12kms range. Their 8-seat mini bus is PSV licensed and insured.

"This service has undoubtedly stopped drink driving and in turn may save lives," said the RSA citation.

Speaking to the Leinster Express Tommy said he was delighted to accept the award. He said the service operate seven days and may do more than one run a night. Tommy himself gets behind the wheel himself but also has a driver.

While he believes many people 'don't take the chance anymore' to drink and drive, he says the free service stops people taking the chance and 'make all the difference'.

He started the service because he saw that there was a need, especially with the restaurant side of his business, where groups of people might be looking for transport.

Tommy said the investment is significant in the service. He said the insurance is 3,000 a year alone. This year he invested in a new bus which cost 40,000. A hackney licence is also needed.

"We wouldn't be able to run it if we didn't have a thriving restaurant business," he said.

Tommy does not think a public transport service for pubs in rural areas would work. He believe publicans would be encouraged to run such services like his if they were to get VRT refunds and some relief on the insurance.

He said a lot of rural pubs now only open two to three nights a week and added that new drink driving restrictions was harsh.

Treacy's were among 25 individuals and organisations were honoured for their commitment and dedication to road safety at the tenth annual Leading Lights in Road Safety Awards which were presented by RSA Chairperson Liz ODonnell and RSA Chief Executive Moyagh Murdock in Croke Park today. MC for the day was RTE News Correspondent Teresa Mannion, with awards presented in categories including media, education, business, emergency services and public sector.

Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD said: Congratulations to everyone who received an award today and on behalf of all road users, thank you for your commitment and dedication to making our roads safer. Id like to particularly commend Richard Alcorn, a true inspiration. His bravery in not only dealing with the aftermath of such a life-changing incident but also using his experience to teach others, is why he is so deserving of the RSA Leading Lights in Road Safety Supreme Award.

Ms Liz ODonnell, Chairperson of the RSA presented the awards, saying: Road safety is about making the roads we share with our family, neighbours, friends and colleagues a safer place. Its about keeping our local communities safe. And thats why we are recognising the great work being celebrated here today. Work that is helping to make communities right across the country safer for all. Work that is making a difference and saving lives.

Ms Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said: We received over 160 nominations across the Leading Lights awards categories this year. The high quality of projects being entered meant that is was the toughest year yet to pick winners. Id like to commend those who sent in nominations, who recognised Leading Lights in their school, office or community, who are making a difference, and put them forward for awards. It is thanks to them that we hear about the great work being done around the country to promote road safety.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 9, 2017. File photo: Reuters / Thomas Peters

Washington (People's Daily) - US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced a preliminary investigation into countervailing duty (CVD) and antidumping duty cases against China.

In what US media reported as a self-initiating investigation, US Commerce Department determined China exporters received countervailable subsidies between eight to ten percent.

In 2016, imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China reached an estimated $8.6 million.

In November, a statement on the website of China's Ministry of Commerce, Wang Hejun, director of the ministry's Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau, said he hoped the US would stick to the consensus recently reached by the two countries' heads of state on trade and act to promote "healthy and stable" trade relations.

US Commerce Department is scheduled to announce its final CVD decision next spring. If an affirmative determination is made and International Trade Commission (ITC) jury also agrees, then a CVD order will be issued.

If the Commerce Department reaches a negative conclusion or the ITC jury is not in agreement with the findings, then continued investigations will cease.

The Trump administration has made it a priority to enforce US trade laws. After Trump took over at the Oval Office, he appointed Wilbur Ross to lead the Commerce Department.

This year the Commerce Department has initiated roughly 80 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, a 52 percent increase when compared with the 52 "initiations" launched the previous year.
A Government promise of a flood warning service, that could have helped Mountmellick in November, was not implemented but Met Eireann says it wants to start work on the project.

With Mountmellick recovers from a devastating floods, Met Eireann has launched a new strategy in which says it wants to start work on a flood warning service promised in 2016 by the Government.

Entitled Make Ireland Weather and Climate Prepared  the plan aims to shift Met Eireann's focus to predicting the impact of weather. A key area is on flooding

"Since the beginning of the millennium Ireland has suffered a number of damaging flood events. In response, the Government made a decision in January 2016 to establish a National Flood Forecast and Warnings Service (NFFWS). The first phase in development of this service is the establishment of a national Flood Forecast Centre in Met Eireann," says the plan.

Met Eireann says it intends to engage with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and other stakeholders in the establishment ensuring that the Flood Forecast Centre is delivered in a timely and efficient manner.

This will involve the acquisition and development of new skills and capacities, building a team of hydrometeorologists

and support staff, and the installation of related technical infrastructure.

"The operational delivery of national-level flood alerts and advisories will be enabled, providing the level of confidence in flood forecasts that is currently evident for Met Eireanns weather forecast services and enhancing Irelands climate resilience with respect to flooding," it says said.

The strategy is built around 6 goals:

1. Moving to impact based services;

2. Providing enhanced climate services;

3. Establishing a new flood forecast service in support of the OPW;

4. Providing an effective authoritative voice on meteorology in Ireland;

5. Sustaining an expert, professional workforce;

6. Supporting Irelands meteorological infrastructure, and an enterprise environment for weather and climate services.

Met Eireann says it wants to make a big shift toward impact based forecasting.

"A paradigm shift from a forecast of what the weather will be to what the weather will do or cause to happen. This alignment of forecast information with hazard vulnerability will make it easier to make decisions or take actions to mitigate the

effects of high impact weather events," says the plan.

Met Eireann says the strategy is underpinned by Met Eireanns core role as Irelands National Meteorological Service of helping society protect life and property, and is aimed at supporting economic and environmental resilience, and promoting wider societal wellbeing.

See strategy here
Aimed at young people in Kildare, a new hard hitting play by Celbridge's Cathy Conlon which tackles the subject of suicide, is due to be staged in Maynooth in the New Year.

Out of the Blue will be performed on January 4 at 4pm at The Glenroyal Hotel with proceeds going to the Abbey Community Project Celbridge.

Out Of The Blue, narrated in turn by Banjo, an eighteen year-old who has died by suicide, and in part, by his mother, Alice, offers a review of Banjos life as he speaks from the grave, recalling the events leading to his death.

SEE ALSO: Hundreds turn out for Hope(D) Vigil March in Newbridge

Banjo is about to sit his Leaving Certificate, but is disenchanted with life, and sees little point in doing exams. Unable to disclose his distress out of fear that it may seem unmanly, he plummets further and further into a depressive state which manifests in displays of anger and excessive drinking. Eventually he decides to end his suffering by taking his own life. In death he is seen to regret his decision, as he realises that help had always been available to him. Now, he is left to observe the devastating effects of his actions on those left behind.

Out Of The Blue examines the role of addiction in suicide ideation and addresses the possible causes for drug addiction, such as non-disclosure of distress particularly in young males which leads to a sense of alienation and loneliness.

I wrote this play for the Celbridge drama group and the story sort of wrote itself, says Cathy, who has noted the substantial increase in suicide in Celbridge/Maynooth and other parts of Kildare in recent years.

I personally know people who lost loved ones to suicide, and I saw the devastation of those who were bereaved in this way.

Cathy worked for some years in the Dublin public library service, in areas affected by the illegal drug trade. In many of these areas suicide was at a premium level. Later, her knowledge of the subject was increased through Sociology studies, Conlon took as a mature student in Maynooth University.

There are many broader societal reasons for suicide ideation, such as relationship breakdown and the non-disclosure of distress in men in particular, Conlon says.

This led me to explore the subject in greater detail, and so, when the local drama group in Celbridge approached me three years ago and asked me to write a short play, I decided to focus on this particular area.

The plays production prompted requests for repeat performances which drew a large audience each time. The aim now is to target students 16+ who would benefit from the plays anti-suicide message. People of all ages are welcome to attend, supporting the Abbey Community Project, a charity dealing with the issues of suicide and addiction.
A CHRONIC drug user has been jailed for his role in two robberies at stores in Limerick city on consecutive days last year.

Michael Gammell, aged 31, whose most recent address is at Clare Road, Ennis pleaded guilty to charges relating to an incidents at Topaz, Dooradoyle on September 28, 2016 and at Centra, Upper William Street the following day.

During a sentencing hearing, Garda Dean Landers said on each occasion, Gammell approached the counter on the pretence of buying something.

He said he tried to grab cash from the tills when they were opened and that during the incident at Topaz an 18-year-old employee was warned he would be killed if he reported the crime to gardai.

The defendant escaped with around 150 in cash from Topaz while he did not get any cash from the Centra store.

Garda Landers agreed with Brian McInerney BL, defending, that the accused man presented himself at the public office of Henry Street garda station around two hours after the incident at Centra saying he was out of control and needed to be taken off the streets.

Mr McInerney told the court his client, who had attended at University Hospital Limerick a short time earlier, told gardai he had a bad few days and needed to go into jail.

John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, said while nobody was physically injured both incidents were terribly unpleasant for the workers.

Judge Tom ODonnell was told both of the offences were captured on CCTV and that the defendant made full admissions following his arrest.

He has a number of previous convictions and is currently the subject of a suspended prison sentence.

Imposing sentence, Judge O'Donnell said the threat of violence was an aggravating factor as was his previous record.

He has a bad record, he is clearly a recidivist, he said commenting that Gammells drug addiction is clearly at the bottom of his difficulties.

He noted the defendants admissions and said his early guilty plea was a mitigating factor in the case.

The judge said the offences had be treated seriously and that a custodial sentence was warranted in the circumstances.

He imposed concurrent three and-a-half year sentences  backdating them to the date of Gammells arrest.
A SOCIAL media appeal has been launched for a missing man who was last seen in Limerick.

Friends and colleagues of Will Tiernan, who is from Tipperary, have launched the Facebook appeal after he was last seen on Denmark Street in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

To all my facebook friends. We are missing our friend and colleague since Mon night. Hes from the Nenagh area but last seen in Denmark street, Limerick. I kindly ask you all to share this post. Last seen wearing this jumper, says one post.

The photo in the post of Mr Tiernan was taken on the night and he was still wearing this jumper when last seen with his work colleagues in the Icon nightclub, according to another post.

Mr Tiernan, from Coolbawn, Tipperary, studied at UL and works as a psychriatic nurse for the HSE Mid-West, according to his Facebook page.

Gardai have been contacted for further information about the appeal.
TWENTY households in an estate in County Limerick are continuing to rely on a water tanker and a supply of bottled water because of hydrocarbons in the piped supply to their homes.

But, almost four months after sampling of the water began, no explanation has yet been found for the higher than expected presence of hydrocarbons detected in the water supply to OConnor Park in Ardagh.

Since September, the residents of the estate have been advised not to drink the water or to use it for cooking, ice-making or brushing teeth. However, Irish Water told residents, unless any petrol-type odour is noticed, this water can be used for toilet flushing, bathing, showering, laundry and dishwashing.

This advice is on a precautionary basis, Irish Water has stressed repeatedly.

While the level of hydrocarbons detected is above expected background levels, it does not breach the Drinking Water Regulations, a spokesman for the company said.

This would appear to be a localised issue, the spokesman told the Limerick Leader this week, explaining that the water from the local water treatment plant is free from hydrocarbons.

In an attempt to identify the cause, sampling has been taking place at a number of locations in the area.However, we have not yet been able to ascertain a definitive source of the problem. We are continuing to investigate and it is also planned to carry out flushing of the pipe network after which the water will be retested, he said.

Changing the water supply is unlikely to address the problem, he added.

This appears to be a localised issue related to the pipe network supplying the estate, he continued. However, some hydrocarbons, at low levels, have previously been detected in the network in Ardagh village. It is thought that this may have been coming from OConnor Park, so a non-return valve has been fitted on the pipe into the park and regular monitoring is carried out on the Ardagh supply.

Irish Water has been working closely with Limerick City and County Council in a bid to identify and resolve the source of the problem, the spokesman said.

We have also been liaising with the HSE and the EPA in this regard.

Bottled water was delivered to the 20 households some weeks ago and more is expected to be delivered before Christmas. A tanker with water remains on the estate and is topped up regularly.

The spokesman apologised for any inconvenience caused to residents and thanked them for their patience.
COLOURFUL stationery retailer Smiggle is to open its first store in Limerick, creating a number of jobs in the process.

The Australian retailer, which arrived on Irish shores earlier this year, will open its fifth new store of the year at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick, creating eight jobs.

The new Smiggle store will open in the Crescent on Monday and managing director John Cheston said it will be great to see the publics reaction in Limerick on December 18.

With over 120 stores now open in the UK and Ireland, Smiggle has proved to be a real success with consumers. We are thrilled to be introducing our products to local areas and giving fans greater opportunity to purchase our unique products.

"There really is nothing like Smiggle anywhere else on the high street, he said of the retailer, which creates original, fun and affordable stationery.

Its important for us to inject fun into everything we do  from product design to store design, we will always focus on delivering to our fans the most original and playful stationery possible. We know how important it is to have the right tools for festive fun, added Mr Cheston.
PROSECUTORS are seeking increased prison sentences for two men jailed for a fatal burglary at the home of a 62-year-old in Limerick.

Cousins Michael Casey, 34, with an address at Clonlong Halting Site, Southill, in Limerick and David Casey, 22, with an address at Carragh Park, Belcamp, Dublin 17, had pleaded guilty to a series of burglaries, including one at the home of John O'Donoghue at Toomaline, Doon, on August 27, 2015.

Judge Tom ODonnell sentenced both men at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to four-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final year suspended on December 15, 2016.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking a review of the men's sentences on grounds that they were unduly lenient.

Counsel for the DPP, Thomas O'Malley BL, submitted this Thursday morning that the sentence was too low for the burglary of the ODonoghue household when one considered the harm that was caused in that particular case.

Mr O'Malley said there was a second victim to consider - Mr ODonoghue's surviving sister  who had to watch her brother drop dead in front of the family home as he was about to confront the two intruders.

Of course they didn't for a moment intend to harm anybody, Mr O'Malley said, but they had to take their victim as they found him.

He said offenders who engage in residential burglary must take account of the fact they might disturb somebody and that this kind of thing can happen. Somebody could become ill or die as a result of the fright.

There was an inherent risk in burglary and there had to be a punishment that reflected that harm, he submitted.

He said David Casey was on bail at the time the burglaries were committed and the sentencing judge did not allude to that in his sentencing remarks.

Mr O'Malley said the sentencing judge failed to specify the headline sentence before making appropriate adjustments for any personal circumstances of the accused.

He said headline sentences function to send out a message, to censure the criminal conduct involved, and were important for general deterrence. This kind of repeated residential burglary was conduct that is the cause of tremendous public concern at the present time.

He said the offences were not committed impulsively or opportunistically but the Caseys had selected and targetted four different dwellings as part of a burglary spree on the same day.

Mr O'Malley said one of the houses was ransacked and inadequate attention was given to that aggravating feature by the sentencing judge.

He said the thrashing of a home added to the trauma and distress suffered by the homeowners. There can be few greater traumas than going home and finding your home thrashed.

Mr O'Malley said it was important to clarify that these were dwellings because of the constitutional protection that is afforded to the dwelling. He said the offences were a constitutional violation perpetrated by private parties and the state's role was to vindicate that right.

He said the Caseys satisfied themselves up to a point that the houses were unoccupied but they didn't deserve any credit for choosing to enter houses that were unoccupied at the time.

Consecutive sentences would not have been unreasonable and if not, then the sentence for the most serious offence - involving the death of Mr O'Donoghue - should have been higher, Mr O'Malley submitted.

Counsel for David Casey, Michael Bowman SC, said what happened after the incident couldn't aggravate the offence and there was no evidence the cousins deliberately walked past Mr O'Donoghue as he was having a fit or a heart attack.

Mr Bowman said David Casey was 20 at the time of the offence He had his own personal difficulties and appeared to have progressed significantly while in custody.

Counsel for Michael Casey, Vincent Heneghan SC, said the final year of the sentences were suspended on condition both cousins be of good behaviour for six years from the date of sentence. That indicated that the Circuit Court judge had measured the gravity of the offences that were before him, he submitted.

Mr Heneghan said the Circuit Court judge did not hand sentence down there and then but adjourned the case to consider all aspects.

He said the judge did not miss a thing save for the headline sentence and he clearly started much higher than where he ended up having regard to mitigation for the guilty plea, remorse and admissions.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court hoped to have a decision, if not a judgment in the case, on Monday.

Before the appeal hearing commenced, Mr Justice Birmingham said he would be asking the registrar of the court to write to the Irish Prison Service expressing the court's disappointment with prisoners being made available to court on time.

Mr Justice Birmingham said the court appreciated the prison service had their own difficulties but when an appeal listed for 10.30am commences at 12.10pm it requires explanation.

This really is a major difficulty, the judge said.

On an earlier occasion, prosecuting counsel, John G O'Sullivan BL, referred to the case as a fatal burglary.
AN industry initiative which aims to develop the Mid-West into a hub for global aerospace manufacturing excellence is in line for funding worth up to 250,000.

The Emerald Aero Cluster group is a cluster of 14 indigenous manufacturing firms, brought together with the purpose of increasing aerospace manufacturing export revenues for its members.

Limerick members include Takumi precision engineering and Croom Precision Metal. Its hoped the initiative will result in the creation of an extra 420m in revenue exports, and 200 new jobs.

Now, the group has been given money under the Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund. The grant is worth between 50,000 and 250,000.

The fund, which is an open national competitive call to support regional projects, is provided by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, through Enterprise Ireland and is a key action to support the Regional Action Plan for Jobs and the Action Plan for Rural Development.

Fine Gael general election candidate, Senator Maria Byrne said: This is great news for the Emerald Aerocluster CLG project, and will help drive employment in Limerick and across the Southern Region.

As a Government we need to continually challenge ourselves on how to create jobs outside of the main cities. Thats exactly what this fund does. It will directly support innovative projects here in Limerick and in our region as a whole and in doing so, help to create rural jobs.

Ms Byrne added, By creating jobs in rural Ireland we can convince young people to live in rural areas.

Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection Pat Breen added: Im delighted that Limerick has secured funding through the Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund, which will further support job creation in the mid west region. The Emerald Aerocluster group is an important development for Irelands growing aerospace industry, providing an opportunity for smaller aerospace companies to collaborate, win larger contracts and increase jobs for the sector.

Of the 21 projects across all regions, 11 projects in the Southern Region of the country, which includes counties Limerick and Clare, have been approved for funding of 14.2 million, subject to grant conditions, Minister Breen said.

Julie Sinnamon, who heads Enterprise Ireland, added: Supporting regional development and working with businesses to achieve their global ambition is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland. This competitive fund was launched at the end of May and attracted very strong interest. The winners were selected through a stringent evaluation process.
On the night of December 13 Canadian time, a flight carrying 22 passengers and three crew members crashed shortly after taking off. The plane was found one kilometer away from the Fond-du-Lac airport in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) news release issued shortly after 8 p.m. CST, several were injured yet no reports of fatalities. "Additional emergency rescue resources are on the way to the scene from the Royal Canadian Air Force and Search and Rescue," reported CBC.

RCMP spokesperson Paul Dederich says that rescue efforts are a priority. The cause of the crash is under investigation by Transport Canada. Investigators are expected to arrive in Sask. airport on December 14.
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Any attempt to play down, distort, or even wipe out the history of the Nanjing Massacre will not be tolerated by China, and would only turn the sad memory into a righteous power that can inspire all human beings around the world, Chinese media outlets reported.

China has paid a great price for its current peace, which has consumed blood and lives. The country will unflinchingly defend peace, and will uncover the brutality of the past, wrote a commentary released by Peoples Daily on Dec.14.

The remarks come on the heels of the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre on Dec.13. Chinese President Xi Jinping led a citywide minute of silence during a memorial held in Nanjing on Dec.13, with Yu Zhengsheng, head of Chinas parliamentary advisory body, urging China and Japan to draw lessons from history and look forward to the future.

It was the second time President Xi had attended the event since China marked its first national memorial day for the Nanjing Massacre in 2014.

Ambassadors from Asian countries that were invaded by Japan during the WWII, as well as representatives from countries including Israel, also participated in the memorial, while over 440 overseas Chinese communities carried out memorial events worldwide, Peoples Daily reported.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who arrived in Beijing for a four-day visit, also made a speech to offer condolences to the victims.

Japanese troops killed about 300,000 civilians and unarmed Chinese soldiers in the 40-odd-day slaughter. Despite irrefutable evidence and facts, some right-wing Japanese politicians have repeatedly denied the massacre. The Nanjing Massacre, like many other infamous war atrocities by Japanese invaders, is now merely an incident in Japanese textbooks.

By holding the national memorial, China wants to draw lessons from history, as well as calling for the public to cherish and defend peace. Justice, peace, and the people will be the winner, and we have faith in this iron law of history, the commentary added.
Cassidy McDonald is working on her project. (Photo: Yangtse Evening Post)

A group of foreigners living in Nanjing has established a website to introduce the Nanjing Massacre, hoping that their efforts can raise Western awareness of the inhuman brutality that occurred in Nanjing in 1937.

Many westerners have never heard of the Nanjing Massacre. I couldnt believe such a barbaric tragedy until I visited the memorial hall of the massacre myself, Frank Hossack, the founder of nanjinger.com, a website that introduces Chinese culture to foreigners, told Yangtse Evening Post.

As a Scottish who has been living in Nanjing for 14 years, Hossack has been posting articles introducing the Nanjing Massacre at every anniversary of the horrific incident. His website had posted seven articles ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre on Dec.13, introducing historical facts and foreigners who helped Chinese citizens during the war.

Cassidy McDonald, an American student who wrote one of the articles, told Yangtse Evening Post that she was shocked when she saw the evidence of the massacre, noting that she would unveil the truth she knows about the tragedy.

Ive never heard anything about Wilhelmina Vautrin back in the States, despite the fact that she had saved many Chinese refugees during the war. Im writing an article for a U.S. media outlet to share her story with Americans, as well as the truth of the Nanjing Massacre, said McDonald.

Being a Christian missionary in China for 29 years, Vautrin is well-known in China for her care and protection of a large number of Chinese refuges during the Nanjing Massacre, while her diaries have become solid evidence confirming the Japanese invaders brutality.

Japanese troops killed about 300,000 civilians and unarmed Chinese soldiers in the 40-day slaughter. Despite irrefutable evidence and facts, some right-wing Japanese politicians have repeatedly denied the massacre.
China contributes the most to the worlds disaster research papers, according to a report released by the global information analytics business Elsevier on Dec. 13, China News reported.

About 27,000 papers on disaster science were published from 2012 to 2016, a quarter of which by China.

Disaster science involves research into all stages of disaster management, types of disaster, and certain disaster events.

The report also pointed out that the disaster papers attach importance to major disasters happening in certain regions.

For example, China focuses mainly on climatic disasters, Japan on earthquakes and tsunamis, the U.S. on meteorological and biological disasters, and Brazil and India on environmental disasters.

In addition, researchers call for strengthening international cooperation in research to reduce the risks and impact of disasters, as many countries in the world with relatively weak research abilities, including Haiti, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, often suffer from natural disasters.
Bangkok (People's Daily)  A total of 810,807 Chinese tourists visited the Philippines in the first 10 months of 2017, which shows 39.28 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2016, according to data released by the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the Philippines on Tuesday.

Dancing and singing performance in a Shangopping mall in Davao, southern Philippines. (Photo: Zhang Zhiwen)

Based on increased Chinese tourists, Secretary of Tourism Wanda Teo said that they are optimistic to reach the goal of at least 6.5 million tourists as described in the National Tourism Development Plan (2017-2022).

The department will continue aggressive marketing efforts, including social media. We will promote emerging or developing destinations to entice more visitors from across the globe, said the DOT chief.

Starting next month, Philippine Immigration will set up a Mandarin Chinese course for 50 officers to welcome and offer better services for the increasing number of Chinese tourists, according to local newspapers.

So far, South Korea, China and the United States are the top three tourist markets for the Philippines.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  The As and Cardinals, who had conversations about outfielder Stephen Piscotty throughout the winter meetings, appeared close to reaching an agreement Wednesday night.

The Chronicle reported early Wednesday that the teams could strike a deal before the end of the winter meetings Thursday. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports had reported Wednesday night that terms had been reached that would send two minor-leaguers to St. Louis, but multiple sources indicated that though the deal was close to completion, it had not been finalized.

St. Louis was looking for prospects off Oaklands 40-man roster, and though the As will not move any of their top young players, two players the Cardinals were seeking were infielder/outfielder Yairo Munoz, who hit a combined .300 with Double-A Midland and Triple-A Nashville last season, and second baseman Max Schrock, who hit .321 with Midland.

The Cardinals, in need of relief help, previously had asked about Liam Hendriks, sources told The Chronicle. Hard-throwing Frankie Montas was another possibility, as was power-hitting corner infielder Renato Nunez, who is out of options.

Piscotty, 26, is from Pleasanton and played at Stanford. His mother, Gretchen, was diagnosed with ALS this year, and St. Louis had been open to the idea of trading him to either the As or Giants if the possibility arose. The Cardinals, who already had a glut of outfielders, reportedly have a deal in place for Miami outfielder Marcell Ozuna, freeing them to deal Piscotty.

I dont know if I can empathize with Piscotty. You just hurt for him, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday. You cant even really go there to understand him and at his age and what it is that he had to endure, or what that is like for a family. I think its really just understanding that it is very, very difficult. You let him know that you care. You acknowledge. You have compassion. Were trying to be supportive for him, and we have to look to do anything we can.

On Wednesday afternoon, Oakland general manager David Forst downplayed the possibility of finalizing a deal in the next day or two, saying, I wouldnt place odds on it. ... When you see a press release, thats when its done.

The As are careful not to acknowledge trades before physicals are conducted; players have been known to fail physicals occasionally, nullifying transactions.

Piscotty, who played at Amador Valley High School, is signed through 2022 with a team option for 2023, and the As specifically have been looking for a young, right-handed-hitting outfielder under long-term control.

We came in with specific targets, and we made progress with those things, Forst said. But someone asked me, Are you going to leave with a right-handed-hitting outfielder? Im leaving with my luggage. Thats about all I know. ... It doesnt do anybody any good to guess.

The As also are looking for a left-handed reliever, and if they acquire an outfielder via trade, as appears more than likely, they probably will go after a free-agent left-hander, with Tony Watson among the potential targets. The As have spoken to a handful of agents, according to Forst.

Weve had a lot of conversations, Forst said. Youre seeing, slowly but surely, relievers coming off the board, so things are happening. Weve spent a good amount of time on that as well.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser
Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

Houston-based Hilcorp Energy and international energy trader Vitol are teaming up to potentially build a new crude export terminal in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi and Houston are leading the way as the nation rapidly increases its exports of crude oil since Congress lifted the decades-old ban two years ago.
Oil companies expect to spend billions more next year on drilling wells and pumping oil across the United States, a financial boost for firms that sell tools and equipment, farm out crews for rigs and fracking fleets and employ thousands across Texas.

A survey released Wednesday of more than 300 oil companies indicates the industry plans to boost U.S. oil field spending  the lifeblood of local oil field services companies  by 15 percent in 2018 to more than $100 billion.

If oil prices stay high enough to support those investments next year, it would mark the second year in a row in which U.S. drillers led a global spending hike as crude prices recover from the markets collapse in 2014. Companies lifted U.S. spending 49 percent in 2017, according to the survey by New York investment bank Evercore ISI.

The pace of overall North American spending through the recovery will moderate in 2018 as companies look to live within cash flow, James West, an analyst at Evercore, said during a conference call with investors. But 2018 could be the first in several years that commodity prices surprise to the upside.

All told, companies that produce oil and gas will spend $385.5 billion around the world, up $24.8 billion, or 7 percent, over 2017. More than half of that increase  $13.3 billion  will be spent in the U.S. Still, global spending will come in about 50 percent below the industrys 2014 peak.

Over time, those investments will put more drilling rigs to work next year. This month, Evercore said, oil companies could take out some 5,000 U.S. onshore drilling permits, the biggest monthly haul of the year, as domestic oil prices rise vault above $55 a barrel. State agencies issued 2,460 drilling permits this month through Dec. 8.

On Tuesday, the Energy Department said it expects U.S. oil prices to average $57 a barrel next year, about $2 per barrel higher than its forecast last month. And it now expects domestic crude production to reach 10 million barrels a day by the middle of 2018, rather than by the end of the year, as it predicted before the recent rally in crude prices. U.S. oil prices slipped 54 cents Wednesday to settle at $56.60 a barrel in New York.

In its monthly forecast, the Energy Information Administration said it expects U.S. oil output to rise an average 800,000 barrels a day next year, while Canada, Brazil, Norway and others add another 700,000 barrels a day. It also expects OPEC to lift production by 200,000 barrels a day.

Meanwhile, oil demand could rise 14 percent to 1.6 million barrels a day next year. But that demand growth, as strong as it is, the EIA said, is not going to be able to keep up with rising supplies, increasing global liquid fuel inventories by an average of 50,000 barrels a day next year. Still, that is a downward revision from its forecast that oil stockpiles would grow by 290,000 barrels a day next year.

Thats in part because the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries efforts to curb the global oil glut over the past year appear to be paying off, as worldwide oil inventories decline.

Last month, just before OPEC met in Vienna to extend its oil production cuts through the end of next year, the groups output fell to the lowest level since this summer, according to secondary sources cited in the cartels monthly oil market report on Wednesday.

The 14 member nations of OPEC pumped 32.4 million barrels a day in November, down by 133,500 barrels a day compared with October and down 273,000 barrels a day compared with September.
This week in 1815, Jane Austen was preparing for her 40th birthday on Dec. 16. But rather than looking forward to the gifts she might receive, her thoughts were occupied by what she was in a position to give. "Emma" would soon be published, and Austen was entitled to complimentary copies. Feeling obliged to offer most of these dozen books to relatives, she was left with only three. These she earmarked for wildly different recipients: an amateur-writer friend, Anne Sharp; the best-selling novelist Maria Edgeworth; and the prince regent, who had already sent a request to the author for a copy. What's more, he wanted Austen to dedicate her novel to him.

The stories behind Austen's choice of these three recipients reveal moral dilemmas that still speak with uncanny resonance to women today.

Austen was distressed by the demands of the prince regent, a man she'd long despised for his famed womanizing. A few years earlier, when a royal sex scandal swept the nation, her sympathies had rested with his estranged wife. "Because she is a woman," the novelist explained privately to a female friend, "& because I hate her Husband."

But then, as now, it was dangerous to stand up publicly to a powerful man - especially once he had set his sights on you. On recently receiving a royal command to visit one of the prince's residences, Austen had felt duty-bound to attend. It was in these lavishly decorated chambers, heavy on crystal and gilt, that she had been invited to dedicate "Emma" to His Royal Highness.

Austen abhorred the prospect of associating herself with a philanderer who flaunted his wealth when most of the country was struggling to make ends meet, and so she'd dared to ask the court librarian whether she might avoid making the requested dedication. Since his response failed to offer reassurance, Austen grudgingly concluded that she could not risk spurning the ruler of the land.

Nonetheless, she could console herself that such a dedication might help her leverage greater financial security and literary acclaim - aims she was not shy to admit. And she could at least reserve her final copies of "Emma" for two fellow female writers, although her reasons for choosing each of them could not have been more different.

Maria Edgeworth, then one of Britain's most famous novelists, was far better known than Austen. A resulting endorsement from this established author could have brought Austen improved sales and greater recognition. But Edgeworth failed even to acknowledge receipt of the gift. She would later confess to admiring Austen's novel, but - perhaps protecting her space at the top - she never openly praised her literary peer.

In contrast, Austen's response to the work of her contemporary offers inspiration to ambitious women today. Using one of the few outlets available to her, she publicly complimented Edgeworth's work within the pages of one of her own novels, "Northanger Abbey." This sisterly act demonstrates the importance of talented women amplifying each other's achievements.

Austen's behavior feels particularly relevant in the current climate, since it is only by working together that women will overturn the threatening behavior that still too often prevails among powerful men. The little-known story behind Austen's class-defying friendship with Anne Sharp - an amateur playwright who'd worked as one of the family's governesses - suggests that these two women understood the importance of female solidarity in the face of male entitlement. By selecting Sharp as the final recipient of a precious copy of "Emma," Austen chose to favor this unlikely friend over her own brother, Sharp's former employer.

By this stage, Sharp had confided in Austen about the trials she had endured over the course of her working life. In one home, she had suffered the advances of a man who held power over her - a common problem for governesses, who, as neither typical servants nor family members, were vulnerable to predatory upper-class men. Austen, long aware of her friend's isolation, had always gone out of her way to help. This included looking for alternative employment for Sharp and inviting her to stay to get her out of harm's way. And Austen accepted without question the governess' allegations of sexual harassment.

Sharp would have made a far more fitting dedicatee for "Emma" than the licentious prince regent. She would have understood the predicament of the heroine, who finds herself trapped in a carriage with a man who repeatedly takes hold of her against her will. When he ignores her quiet attempts to rebut his advances, Emma summons the courage to speak - her voice a gift of resistance to all who read of this struggle today and dare to say, "Me Too."

---

Midorikawa and Sweeney are the authors of "A Secret Sisterhood: The Literary Friendships of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, and Virginia Woolf."
Well Go USA Entertainment

The team behind "The Thousand Faces of Dunjia" - director Yuen Wo Ping and writer-producer Tsui Hark - have decades of experience in Hong Kong and Hollywood. Tsui was a mainstay of Hong Kong's new wave in the 1990s; action choreographer Yuen brought that movement's energy to the "Matrix," "Kill Bill" and "Lethal Weapon" franchises. But their latest project is designed for the broader taste of the mainland-China market.

"Dunjia" is a comic adventure tale that jumbles myth, sci-fi, kung fu and lots of slick but cartoonish CGI. The plot, which owes a little to "Men in Black," pits a clan of guardians against aliens hidden among the population of pre-modern China. The prize is the Dunjia, a powerful doohickey that - as the title suggests - could be just about anything or anyone.
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Editor's note: This story is about one of the 22 nonprofit organizations that receives funding from United Way of Laredo. United Way aims to raise $1.6 million this year. To donate to United Way, call 956-723-9113 or visit unitedwaylaredo.org.

Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo actively changes people's lives on a daily basis.

The agency is more than just a band aid for the hardships people face; it is the solution and answer to people's call for help.

Catholic Charities has been present in Laredo since the 1970s. Its objective to reduce poverty across the community and provide relief to economically distressed families and individuals has saved lives.

Gerardo Gutierrez, 52, is one such individual.

RELATED: Nonprofit provides guidance to children with the help of locals

Gutierrez's labor hours were drastically cut following a restructuring at his workplace. This had a harsh impact on his income and he and his wife began struggling economically. Under the Homeless Prevention Program, Catholic Charities helped Gutierrez and his wife with food, blankets, paying utility bills, rent and finding a place to live.

"Thanks to the prayers and help from (Catholic Charities) I was able to look for another job. I found a more stable job and my situation has improved a lot," Gutierrez said. "Thanks to (Catholic Charities) I was able to get an apartment and now me and my wife have a roof over our heads and a place to sleep."

Gutierrez falls under the umbrella of the Homeless Prevention Program. This program is among the many offered by Catholic Charities. It consists of helping families in need pay for rent and utilities to prevent them from becoming homeless.

READ MORE: Bethany House helps homeless Laredoans get back on their feet

"On behalf of myself and my wife, we are very grateful for this help which was a great blessing," Gutierrez said.

The Homeless Prevention Program has been in place for over 10 years. It assisted an average of 20 families per month in the last year alone. This program has a budget of approximately $5,000 per month.

Catholic Charities is one of the many nonprofit organizations in the city that receives funding from United Way. It has an average annual operating budget of $600,000.

The $20,000 that United Way has been contributing annually for more than seven years mostly go toward the Homeless Prevention Program.

"The ultimate goal is to help families and we help people to ultimately become self sufficient," Ben De La Garza, bookkeeper, said.
SCHENECTADY  Pastor James Bookhout recounted his reaction several years ago when the owner of the vacant building next door to his Bridge Christian Church offered to sell it to him for $800,000.

"I said if you don't donate it to the Bridge, it's going to fall behind in taxes," he replied, adding prophetically that "we believe that God is giving it to us for the community."

Bookhout, a devout Christian, didn't budge even as the same man kept on dropping his asking price on building at 731 Crane St. that once housed a Rite Aid store.

In September, the city acquired the property through foreclosure, and recently agreed to sell it to Bookhout for $1, according to Rachel Ward, the city's deputy corporation counsel.

Not long after that, Bookhout, citing the food pantry and short term housing and other charitable work his church does to help indigent people in Mont Pleasant, asked city leaders for the property, which shares a common wall with the church.

Though they now have different addresses, the properties at one time was one building, that was subsequently subdivided.

"The Bridge church has done a lot for the community especially for people in Mont Pleasant ... so it was just a perfect fit," said Ward. "It was really important to us that we try to work with him."

She is scheduled to meet Thursday with Bookhout to finalize the deal and discuss the church's plans for what the pastor said will be a youth center.

"It's going to turn this whole community around because we so need this," said Bookhout on Wednesday.

Once it's up and running, he said the facility will also be used to host concerts, weddings, and political and special events and he wants to have activities for seniors as well.

But they must first get the approvals from city planning officials to fix up the inside of the building, which Bookhout described as one big open space.

The pastor said they will also apply for grants and will hopefully secure some donations to help pay for the renovation costs. Again, he leaned on his faith.

"If God can provide the building, he certainly can provide independent donors to really support it," added Bookhout.

The 10,004-square-foot property was built in 1995 and has 50 parking spaces, according to information online about a September 2016 auction where the opening bid was listed at $200,000.

Pat Smith, president of the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association, said the youth center will fill a void in the community.

"There's enough kids and teenagers down in this end (of Mont Pleasant) and it's centrally located and easy to get to," she said. "I think there is a need for it and it will serve an excellent purpose."

Meantime, the city is continuing to work on several fronts with a group of activists, many of whom live in Hamilton Hill, who are trying to acquire the Carver Community Center at 700 Craig St. and convert it into a community center to serve needy families in the neighborhood.

As of Wednesday, the group, which calls itself 'Miracle on Craig Street,' has raised $36,615 through the youcaring.com crowd funding site.

In 2013, the center closed because of financial problems.

Ward, the city lawyer, said Wednesday that they are doing an environmental assessment of the building, which may contain asbestos, to determine the cost to clean it up, something they hope to have done by early spring.

"We don't want to pass that cost to the Miracle on Craig Street," she said, noting she has put the group in touch Community Builders Inc., a Boston-based developer currently working on a multi-phase nearly $50 million residential development in Hamilton Hill.
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The quartz crystal oscillator used in quartz watches has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Miniaturised by a team of researchers at the Centre Electronique Horloger in Neuchatel, this technology is now at a turning point in its history. One the one hand, it has reached an exceptional level of performance and maturity  to the point that its legitimate to wonder how much more improvement is possible. But on the other, its threatened by the advent of wrist-mounted super-computers that take their time data from remote servers, rather than calculating it natively.

A quartz watch costs practically nothing. Even from a well-known brand, the entry price for an analogue watch is around CHF 20. Its even possible to pick up discounted models for less than one franc on Amazon. A quartz movement costs practically nothing, too. Online, a good quality quartz movement retails for around ten francs. A quartz movement requires virtually no energy. A 90 mAh battery, which costs 80 centimes, will last 3 to 5 years. A quartz movement can be wound by wrist action, a battery, an accumulator or solar energy. It can switch to standby mode without losing track of the elapsed time. It can even drive a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, an alarm, and 50 different timers. And for this negligible sum, it tells the time with supreme accuracy, losing no more than a couple of minutes a year.

Its cheap, reliable, stable, with no moving parts and no lubrication; its unaffected by magnetism or gravity, resistant to temperature fluctuation thanks to temperature compensation mechanisms, and easily mass-produced. It was the ultimate dream of progress in watchmaking... before it became a nightmare. In the 1980s, the logic of economies of scale, industrial investment and cheap labour pushed Swiss watchmaking into a rut, and Japanese manufacturers swiftly forged ahead, followed by the Chinese. Despite the high-end models produced by Girard-Perregaux and F.P. Journe, high-precision efforts at Longines, and the multifunctional timepieces made by Tissot and its Japanese competitors, quartz has no place at watchmakings high table. The problem is that it now risks being hounded out of the entry-level sector too.





Longines Conquest VHP: astonishing precision, identical to the model of the same name launched in the 80s.  Longines

And yet, analogue watches have stood the test of time. Digital watches, which are easier to read, easier to light, easier to make and more accurate than watches with hands, did not take over the world after all. Which proves that time has a special place in our hearts, and that we still like to read it in the traditional  perhaps even archaic  manner. The sun dial and its gnomon, ancestors of the hand, are imprinted on our reptilian brains.



For the same price as a metal analogue quartz watch such as those produced by dozens of Swiss brands, todays clients can choose to buy a smartwatch. Inside is a processor, an accumulator, a network card and a controller for the screen and/or buttons. But  thanks to the calculation and connection abilities of the smartwatch  no quartz oscillator to provide the time. Nevertheless, quartz has reached such a pitch of perfection that no major leaps in quality can be expected. And even if they could, most people wouldnt be able to see the difference. More precise than one second per year? An autonomy of 6 years rather than 5?





Seiko 9F62 quartz calibre: improved timekeeping and display properties in an analogue quartz watch  a rare phenomenon.  Seiko

When Swatch Group complains that its movement suppliers are still struggling, we should take notice. When exports of Swiss watches priced at less than 200 francs have fallen steadily since 2015, and continue to fall, despite the fact that the industry is picking up, that might provide an explanation. Will quartz, the watches it drives and the brands that sell them be obliged to rethink their approach?
Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz was recently notified that the City of Laredo made a 2017 list of the safest cities in the U.S., ranking No. 39 in Texas.

"Laredo has earned this recognition," Saenz said. "The data speaks for itself. The numbers that were used to arrive at this conclusion were uniformly collected from cities throughout the United States and they tell a story. The first part of the story is one about a border city that is mindful of a higher quality of living of its residents by consistently enforcing the rule of law and controlling crime.
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49th District Court Judge Jose Lopez has declared a mistrial in the case of a Laredo man facing a murder charge.

Court records state that the defendant, Michael Molina, contacted a person outside of the courtroom. That person then communicated with a sister of one of the jurors. In turn, she contacted the juror in question, records state.

No further details were available. The Webb County District Attorney's Office and the 49th District Court declined to comment. Molina's attorney, Jose Tellez II, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Molina, 26, is charged with first-degree felony murder in connection to the homicide of 19-year-old Rodolfo M. "Rudy" Garza. His trial began Monday with jury selection. On Tuesday morning, the courtroom was sealed off to the public so jurors could be questioned individually, the court's docket states.

The defense asked the court to issue a subpoena for the person who was allegedly contacted by Molina and a motion for mistrial was granted at the urge of the defense, the court docket states. Molina was admonished and reminded that cellphone use is prohibited during the trial, including breaks, according to the docket.

Also, a request to revoke Molina's bond was denied by the court. A new trial date is set for March 5.

RELATED: Laredo man broke into ex-wife's home, threatened her with pocket knife

Laredo police said the homicide case unfolded at around midnight July 3, 2015, when officers responded to an injured person report in the 2000 block of Mallorca Drive.

First responders discovered that Garza had been shot in the head. He was rushed to a local hospital and later taken to San Antonio, where he died.

Molina was seen running from the scene, according to court documents. He was the last person to see Garza, records state.

Before finding Garza with a gunshot wound in her backyard, his mother told police that she saw Molina "packing his Xbox stuff in a hurry and she asked for her son's ... whereabouts," the complaint states.

Molina allegedly told the mother that Garza was in the restroom.

Records state the mother "did not think anything of it" and continued with her own business. She later noticed that Molina had left the home.

Garza's mother went to the backyard and found her son unresponsive, bleeding from the head.

"(He) had a single gunshot wound to the head, which appeared to be of a small caliber," the complaint states.

It adds, "Family members stated that they thought it was a suicide but suspected foul play after they could not find a gun next to (Garza)."

Police detained Molina after a lookout was issued.

Molina told LPD that he was inside Garza's room playing Xbox when he learned that he was missing and later found shot in the backyard, the complaint states.

READ MORE: Internet sensation La Gordiloca arrested, faces charges of misuse of official information

"Molina stated that he went to give (Garza) chest compressions and provide medical aid until the paramedics took over," according to the document.

His statement contradicted what Garza's mother told police, according to LPD. He also denied owning a firearm.

Molina could not explain to police a box of shotgun shells that were found by detectives in his black gym bag. The bag was located in a living room in the 2000 block of Mallorca.

In addition, Molina had no explanation for an empty gun case found inside of his room and two boxes of live ammo for a .22-caliber, which was the same make and model found at the crime scene, according to police.

"Molina stated that the ammo was old and that he got it in 2012 during the Zombie Apocalypse era," the complaint states.

Police said they recovered a .22-caliber semi-handgun and a cut-off shotgun in the attic of Molina's parent's home in the 2000 block of Mallorca.

MORE ON LMTOnline.com: CBP takes $4M worth of drugs off the street in one bust at Juarez-Lincoln bridge

The complaint states that the .22-caliber firearm could have been used in the homicide.

Molina's arrest record dates back to 2009 with a couple of arrests for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone.

Later on, he was arrested on charges of evading arrest, theft, assault and family violence by impeding breath and circulation, police records show.
Harris County officials have agreed to pay half of a $12 million improvement project to rebuild part of Richey Street in Pasadena, a spokeswoman for Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman said.

The certainty of the project was unknown until August, when Morman's office made the decision to set aside the funds. Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner told City Council he had reached out to Morman to discuss a 50-50 funding partnership around the same time.

The work on the almost 1.5-mile stretch of four-lane Richey Street from Texas 225 to Southmore Avenue will include adding a dedicated left-turn lane in the center of the road in places, wheelchair-accessible sidewalks on both sides and a detention pond west of Richey and south of Harris Avenue, said Mark Gardemal, deputy director with Pasadena Public Works.

New storm sewers, additional street lights, replacement of some traffic signals and repaving parts of the road are also in the plan.

"It's intended to be a renewal in the corridor and improve drainage and eliminate, as much as we can, flooding that has plagued this area," he said. "We're trying to be sure that this project allows for improvement in the years to come for the area west of Richey where they experience flooding and to increase flow out of the subdivision."

He said hundreds of homes surrounding Richey Street were damaged during Harvey, and that the detention pond should provide some protection from future flooding, although more retention and sewer upgrades are needed to protect all area homes.

The project is in the design phase, and Gardemal hopes the plan will be completed by January. He expects bidding for contracts to begin in March and construction to start in May. The project should be completed in between a year and 1 1/2 years after construction starts.

"I think all the leadership sees the urgent need to try to impact as many people as we can in terms of the next storm season," Gardemal said. "To get enhanced drainage is one of the ways to have the most impact for every dollar spent."Gardemal said he believes Richey was the most attractive choice to the county for a partnership out of a handful of road improvement options - like Preston and parts of Red Bluff Road - because of its connection to south Houston and into Houston city limits.

However, the spokeswoman for Morman said their office yielded to Pasadena's opinion that it was the highest area of need at this time.

Funding for remaining $6 million comes from sales tax in Pasadena which are, in part, funneled to Pasadena Second Century Corp., said Gardemal. Second City is a nonprofit dedicated to economic development in the area and a separate entity from the city, but Pasadena's council must approve its budget.

Council approved the inclusion of the Richey project cost in the corporation's budget in October.

City Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler has cautioned his fellow council members to slowly release funds towards the project in piecemeal fashion to avoid past mistakes.

"From Pasadena Boulevard to rodeo arenas to fairgrounds to hotels, (we approved contracts) exceeding $11 million for design and those projects never came to fruition," Wheeler said previously. "They were never done."With the design phase for the Richey Street plans coming to an end in January, Gardemal is asking for residents and commuters through the area to heed traffic directions when the road project begins.

"If everyone will just drive carefully as we build it, within a year or year and a half, they'll have a beautiful corridor there."
WASHINGTON - A District of Columbia employee who has conducted mental evaluations on hundreds of criminal defendants as a forensic psychologist has been removed from that role after concerns surfaced about her educational qualifications, according to city officials.

Officials with Washington's Department of Health said Reston Bell was not qualified to conduct the assessments without the help or review of a supervisor. The city said it had mistakenly granted Bell, who was hired in 2016, a license to practice psychology but that license this month was been downgraded to "psychology associate."

While Bell has a master's degree in psychology and a doctorate in education, she does not have a PhD in psychology, which led to the downgrade.

Bell's situation prompted the Council for Court Excellence, a nonprofit that advocates for improvements to the city's criminal justice system, to raise concerns about the hundreds of defendants Bell had evaluated. Forensic psychologists help the court determine if arrestees are competent to stand trial or require treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital, the city's public psychiatric hospital.

"Based on the qualifications of Dr. Bell, it is possible that, based on her recommendations to the court, defendants may have been inappropriately sent to Saint Elizabeths, released to the community for outpatient restoration, or released without any recommendation for treatment at all," the council wrote in a Dec. 8 letter to Washington, D.C., auditor Kathleen Patterson.

The council also wrote it had "additional concerns that many, if not all, of the evaluations she conducted throughout her tenure at (Department of Behavioral Health) have put the criminal cases associated with those evaluations at risk for review by the courts."

In a Wednesday letter to Patterson, Tanya Royster, director of the Department of Behavioral Health, defended Bell's work and said her agency hired Bell only after the city licensed her as a psychologist.

"We take your concerns seriously, but after reviewing the matter we do not agree that Dr. Bell did anything wrong or that her reports were not well-qualified and supported expert opinions when rendered," Royster wrote in her letter.

The agency said Bell has been reassigned her to other duties because the department does not have enough psychologists to supervise her during criminal evaluations.

Bell did not respond to emails seeking comment. Phyllis Jones, a spokeswoman for the Department who said she was speaking on behalf of Bell, said Bell declined to comment because the matter was a personnel issue.

The questions regarding Bell's assessments come amid ongoing tensions between D.C. Superior Court judges and the behavioral health agency over the city's handling of defendants who may suffer from mental illness. The Department of Behavioral Health also oversees St. Elizabeths Hospital.

In recent months, judges have criticized the agency for what they say is a failure to timely examine criminal defendants who are suspected of mental illness. Judges have highlighted a case where a defendant reporting for a psychological examination was turned away because the agency did not have a qualified psychologist available, and said other defendants have been held too long in jail despite court orders that they be taken to St. Elizabeths for treatment.

The Council's letter was forwarded to judges at D.C. Superior Court. A hearing before Judge Milton Lee is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Lee has been one of the judges most critical of the Department of Behavioral Health.

At an October hearing before Lee, city officials told the judge the agency is understaffed and they planned to spend about $100,000 to contract out with local doctors who can conduct the inmate evaluations.

Bell was one of two full-time employees who examined criminal defendants on behalf of D.C. Superior Court. In past years, there have been as many as four people tasked with that job.

Laura Hankins, general counsel for the District's Public Defender Service, said her agency was concerned about Bell, but also believes there are larger problems with the behavioral health agency's ability to keep up with the needs of defendants.

"Anyone tasked with conducting forensic competence screenings should have the proper qualifications, clinical skills and licensure. The insufficient number of qualified forensic psychologists has resulted in defendants being turned away after arriving at their scheduled appointments and in court cases being continued," Hankins said.

She said her agency believes there "is a larger problem of DBH's callous disregard for the disruption their delays and unavailability cause to the lives of particularly vulnerable defendants and to the Court."

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office, which oversees the prosecution of most criminal cases in the District, declined to comment.

Tom Lalley, a spokesman for the District's Department of Health, said the District granted Bell a psychologist license in October 2015 "in error." The District hired Bell as a forensic psychologist a year later at a salary of $90,254, officials said.

Lalley said the city looked into Bell's qualifications in November after it"received information" about her education and training. Officials declined to elaborate.

Lalley said Bell previously worked as a clinical psychologist and a school psychologist in Virginia, including for Fairfax County Public Schools and the George Mason University Center for Psychological Services.
Albany police

ALBANY  City police said the 60-year-old woman who was last seen Wednesday morning on Second Avenue has been found and is safe.

Police did not give details on where Marilyn Soto Torres was found but said she was in good health and was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital as a precaution.
BRUSSELS - European leaders were ready Thursday to give a green light to a crucial new stage of Britain's negotiations to leave the European Union, as fresh divisions in London highlighted the challenge Prime Minister Theresa May faces selling any deal to her own country.

A humiliating parliamentary vote on the eve of the EU summit underlined May's weakness as she prepared for initial trade talks with the bloc. Pro-EU members of May's own Conservative Party joined forces with the opposition Wednesday to override their leader's wishes by giving lawmakers a vote on the final Brexit deal.

The move followed an interim agreement, announced last week, in which May capitulated on the European Union's key demands about how much money Britain will owe as it leaves; the rights of the 3 million EU citizens in Britain; and the bloc's desire for an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The commitments were so wide-ranging that British negotiators struggled to explain how they would hold to them and also deliver on May's vows to ultimately have a full split from the EU.

As May entered the meeting with EU ministers on a drizzly Brussels afternoon, she sought to put a brave face on the parliamentary vote, which she lost 309 to 305.

"I'm disappointed" she said of the lawmakers' rebellion, but added: "We're on course to deliver Brexit. We're on course to deliver on the vote of the British people."

European leaders have threatened that if Britain's Parliament rejects the Brexit deal agreed to by the May government last week, the EU will not be in the mood to renegotiate. Brussels officials were unsettled by comments last weekend by Brexit Secretary David Davis, who said the deal was only "a statement of intent" rather than something real and binding.

Still, most heads of state indicated Thursday that they planned to approve moving on to the next stage in the second day of meetings on Friday.

Davis's dismissive remarks made clear that resolution of many thorny issues has been postponed rather than finalized.

Such statements cause concern, said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

"An eyebrow was raised here and there because of that comment," Rutte said as he entered the summit locale. "But I think it makes it more necessary to have as soon as possible that deal of last Friday in legally binding text, so that we cannot have a misunderstanding on what was exactly agreed."

European leaders plan to find a way to "David-Davis-proof" the agreement, said a senior EU official who spoke under ground rules of anonymity to brief reporters before the summit.

"The joint report is a binding document, not an exercise in sleight of hand to enable us to move on to the second phase," European Parliament President Antonio Tajani told lawmakers Thursday.

There was also a flurry of worry over whether May's government would stick to its promise to keep open the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which might require Britain to adopt rules and regulations nearly identical to those in force now.

Irish leaders have made clear that an open border is a red line for them, and they have been backed by the 26 other remaining EU nations.

Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, told Sky News, "I have absolute confidence and trust in the prime minister and the British government that they will stand by the political agreement that was made last week."

But it remained unclear whether the full implication of May's commitment had filtered into Britain's political consciousness. The prime minister has separately promised that there will be no special EU regime for Northern Ireland that could create a split with the British mainland - and that Britain will enjoy expansive new opportunities to forge an independent trade policy with the rest of the world.

The commitments do not appear to fully add up, since an open border with Ireland would force British regulations and policies to be closely aligned with those of the European Union. European diplomats involved in the negotiations said ahead of this week's summit that they did see some contradictions, but they said that was May's domestic political problem to solve, not theirs.

"You could imagine a situation in which the rules are more or less identical after Britain leaves," said Fabian Zuleeg, the head of the European Policy Center, a Brussels-based think tank. But, he said, "the whole purpose of Brexit was to have policy divergence."

No matter how the Irish issue is resolved, Britain's freedom to follow a path independent of Europe seems likely to be postponed, with trade talks between the two sides stretching on for years. For now, Britain increasingly appears headed for a limbo transition state after its formal exit, in which it will be subject to EU rules and payment obligations without having a role in decision-making as the trade deal is worked out.

Some EU leaders are already worried that the unusual degree of unity among the remaining 27 member countries in the first stage of talks with Britain will fall apart in the trade discussions, given nations' competing interests. Disagreements would probably only impede a deal, rather than improve London's bargaining power, since European countries each hold a veto on the overall bargain.

"The real test of our unity will be the second phase of Brexit talks," the European Council's president, Donald Tusk, said Thursday.

---

Booth reported from London. Karla Adam in London contributed to this report.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, one of the administration's most uncompromising critics of Russia, said last week that the Kremlin's meddling in elections in the United States and Europe is part of an "active threat of a recently resurgent Russia."

This week, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster tore into Russia for pioneering "new generation warfare" involving campaigns of "subversion and disinformation and propaganda" to pit Americans against each other and destabilize democracies.

The remarks by two key members of the Trump administration's national security team reflect a growing concern that Russia is expanding its influence around the world at a time when the Western pillars of Europe and the United States are focused on their own domestic problems.

Against that backdrop, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is about to launch a two-year analysis of Russia's activist foreign and military policies, called "The Return of Global Russia: A Reassessment of the Kremlin's International Agenda." The project aims to spotlight ways in which the Kremlin's influence has spread far beyond Russia's immediate neighbors and is now rooted in countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"Obviously, the Russian role in the U.S. election and what Rex Tillerson referred to as the use of hybrid warfare has generated much attention in the wake of Ukraine and the events around the election," said Andrew Weiss, who oversees Carnegie's research on Russia and Eurasia. "What needs to be assessed is seeing the broader level of Russian foreign policy ventures. It's our ambition to see what patterns emerge, and how it's likely to evolve."

Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election, a matter being investigated by congressional committees and Special Counsel Robert Mueller, grew out of suspicions in Russia that it was itself under siege.

According to Weiss and Paul Stronski, a fellow in Carnegie's Russian and Eurasia Program, the Kremlin believed that mass protests in Moscow in 2012 were propelled by Western efforts to promote democracy in Russia, and ultimately to bring about regime change. Two years later, Russia annexed Crimea and bolstered pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Weiss and Stronksi say Moscow is now trying to systematically undermine democracies such as the United States and alliances like the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It has set about making deals and offering financial aid to friendly governments and interfering in countries that it perceives as adversaries. Depending on the region, it can find markets for Russian military equipment, unchain Moscow from the isolation imposed by sanctions over its intervention in Ukraine or simply be a thorn in the side of one of its chief adversaries, Washington.

In the past year alone, Russia has provided debt relief and wheat to the embattled Maduro government in Venezuela and has built facilities in Nicaragua to train Central American forces to combat drug trafficking.

In the Middle East, besides sending warplanes that helped the Syrian government beat back Islamic State militants and anti-government rebels, it has forged a partnership with a warlord in Libya and conducted joint military exercises with Egypt. Last month, it signed a preliminary agreement for Russian warplanes to use Egyptian air bases.

In Africa, it has deals to build nuclear power plants in Ghana and Nigeria, while plans to build the plants in South Africa have stalled amid controversy over Moscow's role in the country.

Meanwhile, Russian interference is suspected not only in the United States, but also in several countries across Europe, including France, Germany, Britain and Spain. In many cases, the primary tools are social media and state-run Russian news outlets, such as RT and Sputnik, that push pro-Kremlin views.

Recently, questions have been raised about whether Russia is preparing to spread disinformation in advance of the 2018 elections in Mexico - an allegation rebutted in Sputnik Mundo, which interviewed a Mexican sociologist who labeled the fears groundless and laughable.

"Some of it may be obnoxious behavior just to wag their finger at the United States and amplify anti-American sentiment in the Mexican body politic," Weiss said. "But at the same time, as seen in the U.S. election, a small investment can have a big impact and take on a life of its own."

The Carnegie project intends to examine the scope of Russia's activities abroad, which Weiss in an initial analysis co-written by Stronski said is designed to "compensate for lackluster socioeconomic conditions at home."

The project aims to analyze how Russia's tactics are evolving, identify which operations may be more annoyance than menace and examine which pose major threats to the West.

"We will try to determine where this matters to our interests and where it doesn't," Stronski said. "We pose a lot of questions that we don't have clear answers to yet. Over a two-year period, we want to get a better sense of the economic, security, political and economic threats Russia may pose and come up with policy guidance. We need to not just look backwards, but at how they're adapting."
Egypts aviation minister will travel to Russia on Friday to sign a protocol deal to allow the resumption of Russian flights between Moscow and Cairo, which were halted following the 2015 downing of a passenger jet, Russian state news agency Sputnik said on Thursday.

We expect that he will come on Friday, Sputnik's Arabic website quoted Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov as saying.

Asked whether a flight resumption protocol with Egypt will be signed, the minister said: We expect that it will be signed.

Sokolov told reporters on Monday that flights could be resumed in early February.

Moscow grounded all civilian passenger flights to Egypt in 2015 over security concerns after a Russian A321 airbus crashed in Sinai shortly after taking off from Sharm El-Sheikh. All 224 people on board were killed in the crash.

An Egyptian aviation ministry source told Sputnik the minister would leave for Russia on Thursday, to complete procedures to resume flights between the two countries and to sign an aviation security protocol.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo to sign a deal for a nuclear power plant and discuss resuming flights.

The downing of the Russian flight has dealt a blow to Egypt's tourism industry, a major source of hard currency, with tourist numbers dropping by some 50 percent in the first half of 2016 year-on-year.

Russians used to make up the largest single tourist group in Egypt, contributing to about a fifth of foreign vacationers in the country as of 2015, according to official data.

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China summoned Australia's ambassador in Beijing amid friction between the two nations after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government accused the Asian powerhouse of political meddling.

Ambassador Jan Adams was called in by China's Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Dec. 8, while three days later China's ambassador to Australia held talks with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Ties have been strained since Australia last week introduced laws to crack down on interference by overseas powers, banning foreign political donations and toughening up definitions of treason and espionage. Turnbull singled out China's influence when his government pressured opposition Senator Sam Dastyari to quit over his ties with a Chinese businessman who has links to the Communist Party.

Other Western nations, including the U.S., U.K. and Germany, have expressed concern about Chinese spying and propaganda activities. In New Zealand, there is growing concern that China may be attempting to influence domestic politics via local Chinese communities, and intelligence agencies last week highlighted the dangers of espionage by foreign states.

The stakes for maintaining cordial ties with Beijing are higher for Australia, which is the most China-dependent developed economy. Chinese demand for iron ore and coal has helped power Australia's 26-year run of recession-free growth.

Turnbull's so-called foreign interference legislation, which is yet to pass parliament, will require people or organizations acting in the interests of foreign powers to register and disclose their ties. Turnbull has denied the legislation is targeted at any one country, but said earlier this month the case of Senator Dastyari was a prime example of Chinese influence in Australian politics.

The Labor senator was recorded in June 2016 defending China's military buildup in the South China Sea, contradicting government policy and that of his party. Dastyari's credibility also came under attack after he acknowledged a Chinese company had paid a $1,280 (A$1,670) travel bill, and that he'd warned a Chinese businessman that his phones were being tapped by Australian intelligence agencies.

After China criticized the proposed legislation and "irresponsible remarks" made by Australian government officials, Turnbull hit back.

"Modern China was founded in 1949 with these words: 'The Chinese people have stood up'," Turnbull told reporters at the weekend, switching between Mandarin and English. "So we say, the Australian people stand up."

China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he was "astounded" by the remarks.

The nation also lashed out last month after Australia published its foreign policy white paper and warned of "the unprecedented pace and scale of China's activities" in the South China Sea. The foreign ministry labeled those comments as "irresponsible."

In publishing the paper, Turnbull acknowledged the tightrope that Australia walks, between supporting its main security ally the U.S. and biggest trading partner China.

"This is the first time in our history that our dominant trading partner is not also a dominant security partner," he said.

--With assistance from Matthew Brockett Stephen Tan and Peter Martin
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U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is asking the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to investigate the West Contra Costa County jail in Richmond where multiple federal detainees have complained that theyre not allowed to use the restrooms.

It has been reported that the conditions are so deplorable that detainees are requesting deportation over pursuing claims in immigration court, Feinstein wrote to Thomas Homan, acting director of ICE, on Dec. 5.

The agency oversees the West County Detention Facility, a minimum-security jail where more than 200 immigrants, about 40 of them women, have been detained by ICE. The Contra Costa County Sheriffs Department runs the jail and holds a $6 million-a-year contract with ICE.

Feinstein stepped in after The Chronicle reported in November that female inmates complained that most jail cells in the facility have no toilets, and that they were locked up for 23 hours at a time. They said that jail staffers often delay letting them out of their cells to use the bathroom. One inmate described hearing women screaming and pounding on their cell doors.

The allegations suggest ... female detainees have had to relieve themselves in biodegradable bags and even their personal clothes, Feinstein told Homan. Others have complained about inadequate medical care at the facility.

Feinstein asked that Homan immediately investigate these allegations and report back to me about your findings.

The senator made her request the day after California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced that his office will look into the allegations of mistreatment at the jail.

Becerra had responded to a request from Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, to investigate.

ICE officials could not be reached for comment.

Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston has denied the womens allegations, but said in November that his department has launched a full investigation.

The complaints of mistreatment were documented in a September letter to a San Francisco activist group, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement, and signed by 27 female inmates.

After The Chronicle published its first story, inmates said conditions grew worse.

The Sheriffs Department has not reported on its investigation.

Becerra is required by law to report to state lawmakers by March 2019.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
WASHINGTON - House Republican leaders filed a government funding bill late Wednesday that bows to the wishes of conservative lawmakers but is widely seen as unpassable in the Senate because of Democratic opposition.

The move sets up a showdown between the two chambers and the two parties ahead of a deadline of midnight Dec. 22 to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The House bill provides funding for the military through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2018, and temporarily extends all other government funding until Jan. 19. The legislation also includes a GOP-written reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program and federal funding for community health centers.

What it does not include are any of the top priorities for Democrats, including provisions dealing with the immigration status of "Dreamers," funding to subsidize premiums in the insurance markets created under the Affordable Care Act, more money to combat the opioid addiction crisis or any increase in spending levels for nondefense agencies.

All of those are provisions that most conservatives oppose but that the Senate could add to the year-end spending package to secure its passage. The House bill is the first step in a dance that could either result in a long-term bipartisan accord, a third short-term stopgap or a pre-holiday government shutdown.

Bipartisan negotiations are underway to raise the spending caps imposed under a 2011 law. Doing so will require Republicans and Democrats to compromise on both defense and nondefense spending levels, but an agreement has been elusive.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., said in a statement that the bill, with its short-term extensions for most agencies, is "not the preferred way to do the nation's fiscal business." But he said it would give negotiators more time to agree on aggregate spending levels.

Senate Democrats, who can block Republicans from passing any spending legislation under the chamber's 60-vote filibuster rule, said this week that they would reject the House Republican approach.

"We urge you to keep your commitment to the bipartisan budget negotiations and forego any plans to consider partisan legislation," Democratic senators wrote Tuesday. "There is a better path - let the bipartisan negotiation continue in good faith so that Democrats and Republicans can produce a budget agreement that fully funds our homeland security, health care, and Veterans' needs."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday that the GOP bill was "not going to fly" and reiterated that Democrats expect spending levels to increase equally for the Pentagon and all other matters.

The House bill filed Wednesday exceeds the current $549 billion statutory defense cap, spending $582 billion plus $68 billion in uncapped overseas war funding. Republican defense hawks have insisted on the higher military spending levels, and some dared Democrats to oppose it.

"We have to get defense done, and I find it hard to believe that the Democrats would play politics with that," said Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala. "I would hope that the Democrats understand that they are playing with fire."

Some Republicans, including Byrne, proposed Wednesday that House lawmakers could simply pass the GOP's funding bill next week, then leave town for the Christmas holiday - a maneuver that, they believe, would force the Senate to pass the more conservative bill.

But some GOP lawmakers said such a move would invite a disastrous holiday federal shutdown, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., would not say Wednesday if Republican leaders were even entertaining the idea.

Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., who chairs the Appropriations subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs, called the House bill an outgrowth of "the usual tactical tantrums and navel-gazing that we engage in from time to time as we create these self-inflicted dramas."

Dent said that "we all know how this is going to end," predicting that the Senate would strip out the defense funding and send back a more bipartisan bill. "I don't know what the Senate will do. But I know what they will not do: They will not take the House bill as presently presented."

Democrats are also pushing for passage of the Dream Act, legislation that would give legal status to thousands of immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, as well as funding to combat opioid abuse, support veterans and shore up underfunded pension plans.

Talks on a potential solution on the fate of dreamers, an emotionally charged element of the years-long fight over immigration policy, have been intense between Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the Capitol. Negotiators and party leaders tracking the discussions have said little publicly about their status. GOP leaders insist the issue will be kept out of the next spending bill, while in recent days Democratic leaders have avoided saying whether it's still a must-have item.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., who is the longest-serving Latino in the Senate and is regularly consulted on immigration matters by top party leaders, cast doubt on the eventual success of ongoing immigration talks, saying, "I don't think we're as close as some people think."

He called the fate of dreamers "the motherhood and apple pie of immigration" that should be easily resolved by Democrats and Republicans. In anticipation of a potential deal, Menendez said he has warned dreamers in his state about "what's being asked in return" in a compromise for granting them permanent legal protections.

Republicans continue to press for changes in how U.S. Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement can target, detain and deport undocumented immigrants across the country. Some also are pushing for more federal dollars to fulfill Trump's pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Several GOP proposals also target so-called "chain migration," or exactly how many people a new U.S. citizen can bring with them into the country.

"I will have to swallow to have to deal with some of the border things that are being talked about, some of the monies that are being talked about - but I will do it if it means permanency for dreamers," Menendez said in an interview with a group of Latino congressional reporters.

The key to reaching any agreement lies in top-line spending levels. Under the 2011 budget law, government spending on "discretionary" programs funded year-to-year cannot exceed $549 billion for defense and $516 billion for nondefense items in 2018.

Democrats want equivalent increases in both categories for the next two years, following a model previously used to lift the caps in 2013 and 2015 under President Barack Obama. Together, the potential agreement could add roughly $200 billion in federal spending - a notion that vexes conservatives who want GOP leaders to stand firm against Democratic demands, especially under a Republican president.

That has shaped the House GOP approach. McCarthy on Wednesday accused Democrats of slowing down progress on a bipartisan deal by pulling out of a White House summit meeting last month. He called on Democrats to support the House bill.

"We have a real concern about where our military readiness is right now, and we do not want to delay that any further," McCarthy said. "I don't think anybody on either side would want to play politics with the military."
Two appointees of Maryland's Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who are at the center of a standoff between him and top Democrats, must be paid the salaries that the state began withholding this summer, an Anne Arundel County judge ruled Thursday.

Circuit Court Judge Ronald Silkworth ordered Treasurer Nancy Kopp, a Democrat, to retroactively pay former planning secretary Wendi Peters and acting health secretary Dennis Schrader their salaries and benefits dating back to July 1.

Hours after Silkworth's ruling, Attorney General Brian Frosh, a Democrat who represents Kopp in the lawsuit, filed a notice of appeal.

"This was always a case that would be settled in the appellate court," Raquel Coombs, a spokeswoman for Frosh said. She declined to respond to any other questions about the ruling.

Peters and Schrader stopped receiving their paychecks following a contentious battle with Senate Democrats over the confirmation of their appointments.

Hogan nominated Peters and Schrader to their positions in 2016, while the legislature was adjourned.

He withdrew Schrader's nomination late in the 2017 session. At the time, his spokesman, Doug Mayer, said the governor did not expect action on the nomination because the Senate committee had not scheduled a vote on it. Hogan withdrew Peters' nomination after the Senate panel rejected her as unqualified, a description that the governor's office vigorously disputes.

After the session ended, the governor reappointed Peters and Schrader in acting capacities. They were paid until June 30, the end of the 2017 fiscal year. Kopp refused to pay them after that date, citing budget language approved by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly that bars paying appointees whose recess appointments are not acted on by the end of the legislative session.

At that point, Mayer offered more details for why Hogan had pulled Schrader's nomination, saying Senate President Thomas Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert, threatened to kill the appointment unless Hogan forced the state hospital commission to block a new cardiac program at Anne Arundel Medical Center. The program was seen as potentially jeopardizing a hospital project that Miller supports in Prince George's. Miller denied making the threat.

In his ruling, Silkworth called Maryland's budget language an "impermissible attempt to legislate. . . . It also seeks to limit the Governor's recess appointment authority, which it cannot do."

After about a month of working without pay, Peters and Schrader filed the lawsuit. Schrader's annual salary is $174,417. Peters, who was reassigned in September to another position that does not require Senate confirmation, was getting a salary of $137,749.

"Cabinet officers cannot be compelled by the legislature to work for free," said Timothy Maloney, an attorney for Peters and Schrader. "It violates the separation of powers and inhibits the governor's constitutional authority to make recess appointments."

Maloney said he hoped the state would change its mind about appealing. "This whole exercise has been a huge distraction from the orderly administration of government, and an ever larger waste of taxpayer money," he said.

Mayer also called for an end to the saga, saying it was "far past time . . . to stop this sad political game."

Through a spokesman, Miller referred questions to Frosh's office.
Alabama's surprising election outcome upended the expectations in both parties for next year's midterm campaigns, with Democrats emboldened by signs of a resurgent voter base and Republicans sensing new vulnerabilities.

The victory Tuesday by Democrat Doug Jones to represent that heavily conservative state in the Senate was the latest example in a string of elections this year that Democratic leaders think represent a growing backlash against President Donald Trump - and a potential building wave for 2018.

"People know that this is a political earthquake," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who is running the Democrats' 2018 Senate campaign efforts. "And what this does is provide a real shot in the arm for Democrats across the country."

From elections last month in suburban communities outside New York City and Philadelphia and the battleground of Virginia to Tuesday's stunner in Alabama, Democratic candidates exceeded the party's past performance among key voting groups. Black voters, for instance, turned out as a slightly greater share of the electorate Tuesday for Jones, who is white, than they did in 2008 and 2012 to elect Barack Obama.

Republicans, who on Wednesday sought to push for speedy passage of their massive tax-cut bill, were buzzing about how their hopes of retaining power on Capitol Hill after 2018 suddenly looked dimmer.

No Republican "should feel safe about anything" Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday. "Our party is in turmoil."

In several cases, the Democratic victories have been driven by a potent combination of motivated base voters and wavering moderates who have been wooed by Democratic candidates seizing the political middle ground, in both style and substance.

"Democrats have a chance to occupy the center of the electorate in no small part because Republicans have vacated the center in such a dramatic way," said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster who helped Democrat Ralph Northam win the Virginia governorship in November.

The fuel for the emerging Democratic confidence is the rejection of Trump, his disruptive nature and the Republican policy proposals that have been coming out of Congress, political analysts say.

In past years, low presidential approval - Trump's stands at a historically low 37 percent in polling averages - predicts major losses for his party in the midterm elections. In some polls, a majority of the country disapproves of the Republican tax plan working its way through Congress, compared to about 1 in 4 who support it.

In addition to high black turnout in Alabama on Tuesday, exit polls showed that women went sharply for Jones, by a margin of 57 to 41, in a race that featured a Republican candidate, Roy Moore, who was accused of sexual misconduct. Self-described moderates broke for Jones 3 to 1, a far higher rate than Obama enjoyed in the state during his presidential races.

The results have raised Democratic hopes of retaking the House next year and making a run at winning a Senate majority. Democrats need to flip at least 24 seats to take the House, including a half-dozen seats rated as leaning toward the Republican candidates. To win the Senate, Democrats will have to hold 10 seats in states won by Trump and pick up two others, most likely in Arizona and Nevada.

Democrats are cheered by their ability in several of these races to put forward candidates who are able to rise above the daily political combat, implicitly contrasting their political styles with the pugilism of Trump and his former adviser Stephen Bannon, who backed Moore in Alabama and is looking to back anti-establishment candidates in GOP primaries next year.

"If you noticed, Doug wasn't just talking about sexual harassment issues. He was saying this is bad for business in Alabama," said Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. "That was a nice way to bring it all back to the economic issues which are so important and where Democrats can do well."

Jones, who holds liberal views on social issues such as abortion and gay rights that put him out of step with many Alabama voters, won by casting himself as a bland "center-of-the-road" former federal prosecutor of high moral character, a message that implicitly contrasted him with Moore and allowed him to mobilize his base while winning over moderates.

His strategy replicated that of Northam, the mild-mannered governor-elect of Virginia, who won on a message of collaboration that drove near-record Democratic turnout.

It's a tough formula for Republicans, who find themselves struggling to turn out their own voters as Democrats beat them among independents and Republican leaners. "Sky-high Democratic enthusiasm and a Democratic candidate who attempted to look as anodyne as possible - those are two assets that Democrats were able to exploit," said Steven Law, a Republican strategist working on 2018 Senate races.

Zac McCrary, a Democratic pollster involved in the Alabama race, said the takeaway from recent elections is that internal Democratic divisions have been dissipating in the era of Trump.

"There is a lot of chatter about 2020 and the Hillary wing versus the Bernie wing, and all this kind of stuff," he said. "But I think generally what we have seen in these special elections is that those ideological gradations have not been that relevant. Any decent candidate can harness the anti-Trump sentiment."

The lessons also have big implications for the struggle taking place within the Republican Party.

After the Alabama results came in, Bannon privately groused to others that the blame should be placed on the Republican National Committee for being outperformed on the ground and on Senate leaders for withdrawing money from the race after the sexual misconduct allegations came to light.

Other Republicans think the embrace of a base-first strategy by Bannon and Trump is increasingly pushing the party to a wipeout in 2018. "If Bannon becomes the face of the Republican Party, that would be a disaster," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. "I grew up with a lot of loudmouths in Queens who were like Bannon. None of them ever ended up in the position Bannon was."

Still others are hopeful that the recent results will prove to be exceptions rather than rules, driven by the particular personalities in each case. "When I look at Alabama, I don't think you can take anything away from that," said Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y. "That was not about national politics, or deficits or debt or health care. That was a unique election, and it's over with."

The next staging grounds for this fight are contested Republican primaries in Arizona and Nevada, where Bannon is pushing more disruptive candidates to face middle-of-the-road Democratic nominees in the general election.

"Clearly capturing that grass-roots energy and reaching out to moderate Republicans is something we saw in both the Alabama race and the Virginia race," Van Hollen said. "In both campaigns, the candidates were not chasing after the latest Trump tweets."

In two races, it is a formula that has worked, and Republicans have yet to find a strategy for counteracting it.
Cairo hosted on Wednesday a crucial and timely symposium titled Spread no Hate: A Global Dialogue on Hate Speech against Migrants and Refugees, held by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

The symposium, the fifth edition since 2015, hosted a panel of media icons from all over the world who shared similar thoughts about the topic of how we portray the other.

"The world has witnessed the largest wave of mass migration since World War II," explained Nihal Saad, chief of cabinet and spokesperson of the high representative of UNAOC, highlighting the global efforts of the United Nations to emphasise the point that "diversity enriches every society."

Radhia Achouri, director of the United Nations Information Centre-Cairo, says that the number of refugees and immigrants has risen from 13-15 million in 2000 to 22.5 million today.

As such, idea for the Together Campaign came together. The campaign focuses on similarities rather than differences between peoples.

Among the various awareness activities of the campaign is the ongoing Global Migration Film Festival in Cairo, which hosts documentaries telling the stories of immigrants. Achouri says that the idea behind this is to put oneself in the place of "the other."

Achouri also says that media plays a very important role in influencing our perception of the issue of migration.

Chaker Khazzal, a Palestinian author and journalist who grew up in the refugee camps of Lebanon, says that media outlets often focus on violence committed by some immigrants while turning a blind eye to the success stories of immigrants.

Hate speech has become omnipresent to the extent that it was propagated throughout the American elections," Lamia Rady, one of the symposiums key speakers and head of the Arabic Language Service of the Associated Press, told Ahram Online.

"We had to report on it, we had to denounce it. There are ethics and regulations that politicians have to follow, but if the people elect someone who propagates hate speech as the president of the most influential country in the world, then we cannot stay silent, Rady said, adding that the media must also showcase examples tolerant speech.

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THIS STORY WAS CORRECTED ON DEC. 14. THE STORY CORRECTS GRAPHS 4 AND 18 TO REFLECT THIS CORRECTION:

A Washington Post story about the growth of shared-parenting legislation across the country incorrectly referred to the mother of activist Christian Paasch's son as his ex-wife. They were never married. The story also identified the National Parents Organization as a fathers' rights advocacy group. It has broadened its mission to include parental equality and children's rights.

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The every-other-weekend dad, born from two generations of soaring divorce rates,was once a conventional part of American culture. In recent years, more couples have been agreeing to parent after divorce as they did in marriage: collaboratively.

Now lawmakers are accelerating this trend toward co-parenting, with legislatures in more than 20 states considering bills this year that would encourage shared parenting or make it a legal presumption - even when parents disagree.

Kentucky this year passed a law to make joint physical custody and equal parenting time standard for temporary orders while a divorce is being finalized. Florida's legislature overwhelmingly approved a bill last year to presume equal time for child custody plans, but it was vetoed by the governor. And in Michigan, lawmakers are considering a bill that would make equal parenting time the starting point for custody decisions.

The legal push for custody arrangements follows years of lobbying by fathers' rights advocates who say men feel alienated from their children and overburdened by child-support obligations. This movement is gaining new traction with support from across the political spectrum, as more lawmakers respond to this appeal for gender equality and, among some conservatives, the frustration of a newly emboldened constituency of men who say they are being shortchanged.

Critics of the bills, including women's rights groups and some legal associations, contend that stricter laws will roll back important protections against abusive or controlling former spouses and take discretion away from judges who are tasked with deciding what is in the best interest of children. They also say that the bills, which would directly apply to only the 10 percent or so of divorcing parents who cannot come to an agreement, are unnecessary because more divorcing parents are already choosing shared custody.

Laws that require joint physical custody could also lead to the elimination of child support in some states, women's advocates say, disrupting a system that was designed to help women who have historically been paid less in the workforce while performing more unpaid labor at home.

"That disparity in assets and earning power doesn't simply disappear at separation," said Molly Dragiewicz, an associate professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia who wrote a book about domestic abuse and divorce.

Proponents emphasize that the bills overwhelmingly address parents who are otherwise fit and not abusive. They say that family courts are out of step with modern families and that the current system benefits highly paid lawyers while depriving millions of children of the chance to build meaningful relationships with their fathers.

"The way the system is set up now, two parents enter the courtroom. When they leave, one is a parent and the other is a visitor," said Christian Paasch, 37, chair of the National Parents Organization of Virginia, a fathers rights group.

A presumption of shared parenting would replace the "winner takes all" approach currently embedded in the law, he said, and replace it with a new message: "You will both still be parents, and you both matter to your children."

For more than a century, court decisions were guided by the "tender years doctrine," a vestige, legal scholars say, of the cult of domesticity that put women on a pedestal as instinctive caregivers.

That began to change in the 1960s and 1970s, as more women joined the workforce and as no-fault divorce laws ushered in a wave of divorces. The guiding principle in custody rulings changed to a more flexible and gender-neutral "best interest of the child" standard, and states overturned previous rules that disallowed joint custody.

But despite changing laws, judges continued to use their discretion to award primary physical custody overwhelmingly to mothers in many places, reflecting a lingering bias, many say.

Fathers' rights groups have worked to make the laws stronger.

Statutes in the District of Columbia include a presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of a child, except in cases of abuse or neglect. In Maryland, fathers' rights groups have promoted bills that would create a presumption of joint legal decision-making and equal parenting time, but they have not made it out of committee.

In Virginia, Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, is introducing a bill that would require judges to communicate in writing the rationale for their custody decisions.

This "baby step" might open the door to more joint custody decisions, she said, because a written ruling could give parents something to use for appeals and provide a chance to evaluate whether bias is influencing decisions. Favola sees both sides of the issue: She wants to make a statement that children benefit from having two involved parents, she said, but she believes that the existing "best interest" legal standard makes sense, since joint custody is considered best practice unless there are mitigating circumstances.

Paasch, who has been advocating for a stronger shared-parenting law in Virginia, said he believes that judicial bias played a role in his custody case. When the Air Force veteran and federal employee was separated a decade ago, he was afraid he would lose a connection to his son, then a year old.

He and his son's mother could not agree on a custody arrangement, so they went to court, where Paasch asked for primary custody. A court-appointed investigator tasked with representing the interests of his child recommended equally shared custody. A judge in southern Virginia instead gave primary custody to the mother and granted Paasch visitation, he said.

He appealed and in a settlement worked out an agreement to have physical custody for almost half the time.

Today, he talks with his son almost every day and has physical custody about 30 percent of the time, when his son has breaks from school.

Maintaining close contact and being involved in important decisions have required frequent court intervention. If the laws had given fathers more explicit rights, he believes, the process would have been less contentious.

"It took us eight years and eight or nine times in court and about 15 attorneys to get to this point," said Paasch, who has remarried and whose new wife, Kristen, has also become involved in the fathers' rights movement.

Extensive social-science research shows that children benefit from having an involved father. Children with active fathers tend to have higher self-esteem and better academic records.

A meta-analysis of research on the effects of shared parenting on children in 15 countries also showed benefits across a range of emotional, behavioral and physical health measures.

"The custody laws in our country were based on the sexist belief that mothers are better than fathers at raising children," said Linda Nielsen, a professor of adolescent and educational psychology at Wake Forest University. ". . . Well, the research does not support that."

Fathers' rights advocates frequently cite a broader set of statistics showing worse outcomes, such as a greater risk of incarceration or dropping out of high school, for children raised in any single-parent households, including those in which parents never married, a category that represents 40 percent of all U.S. births today.

This can be misleading, some academics say, because never-married parents are far more likely to be very poor, which by itself can lead to negative outcomes for children.

Some researchers question what conclusions can be drawn from studies that show benefits from shared parenting, since children being raised in joint custody arrangements probably have parents who get along better - a situation that would not necessarily extend to those compelled to adopt shared custody.

"It's not the amount of parenting time but the quality of parenting and the quality of co-parenting that matter," said Robert Emery, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and the author of "Two Homes, One Childhood."

"Kids don't count the minutes and the percents, but they sure respond if they have a good relationship with their mom and dad or if they are caught in the middle of a war zone."

Rather than giving courts the power to make these changes, Emery and others recommend alternative resolution strategies.

Many states are promoting mediation and the creation of parenting plans in lieu of custody litigation. Such plans spell out in minute detail how each parent will take responsibility for the care of each child. Studies show that this process usually leads to a more equitable division of parenting time.

Many states, including Virginia, have also changed the vocabulary of child custody to promote a less adversarial outcome, with "decision-making" and "parenting time" replacing "legal custody" and "physical custody."

But for many fathers, a gradual approach to change is unsatisfying if they are separated from their children now.

Many become politically involved through local divorce-support groups, where they go to receive legal counsel, vent frustrations and get support from other men, although some of these fathers' groups have drawn heavy criticism for promoting the notion that false claims of domestic abuse are widespread.

A growing number of stay-at-home dads and younger dads are also pushing for family court reform, because they are committed to caregiving and want to redefine gender roles.

Shared parenting can be a boon to women, they say, giving them a chance to return to school or invest in work or new relationships, just as it can help men break out of their previous roles.

"If we are going to create a new generation of men who view caregiving and work at home as meaningful work, we have to be willing to let them into spaces we traditionally don't let them into and create protections for them in the event that their marriages don't last," said Mark Greene, a divorced father and writer who has shared custody of his son.
WASHINGTON - There's an American flag out front and a stylish, gray doormat at the door. A hotel doorknob tag asks visitors "Please Do Not Disturb" in five languages.

The neighbors have barbecues and bikes parked outside. Next door, a front entrance is flanked by smiling scarecrow decorations.

The side yard has an array of high chairs, baby seats and toys. There is a sign explaining all the kid gear: "Hungry and tired/need help getting kids out of the system/trying to get full custody. . .I really miss my kids," Father of 7.

The "home" is an Ozark Trail tent that's been pitched in northeast Washington, just over a mile from the U.S. Capitol. It sits a few steps away from a glittering new REI, the upscale retail chain that sells all kinds of outdoor gear, including, of course, tents.

The father of seven has joined a sad community of homeless people who are enduring the winter in tents - big, compact, with high-tech rain flies and piles of shelter blankets - along the underpasses squeezed between some of the newest money in town.

These encampments have become a recurring sight in a part of town where the city's breakneck gentrification boom and affordable housing crisis are on shameful display.

Official District of Columbia plays whack-a-mole with the tent cities, pulling up with garbage trucks and sweeping them away when they become too large. The encampment, just outside a subway station, was last vaporized in June. It's taken six months for the tents to creep back, to show homeless people not as desperate panhandlers, but as people with possessions and porch decorations and a chair to sit outside and watch the crowds go by.

Their little enclave almost looks looks like a Christmas product display for the pricey gear the REI sells.

I don't want to sound like I'm dissing REI. It's an amazing store. And breathtakingly expensive. The first thing you see when you walk in is a leaf green beach cruiser with balloon tires that sells for about $1,500.

Over the years, I have ventured into an REI with the notion of buying camping gear or a ski jacket. Hilarious. No way can I buy anything. So I always leave financially chastised, promising to spare myself the humiliation next time I try.

"Oh, I don't even go in there," said Julius Brown, 35, a citizen of the tent city one street over from the REI. "I am barred from Harris Teeter. All around me are condos with swimming pools on the roof. Literally there is a swimming pool on the roof. And people pay $3,000 a month for a one-bedroom. This is all around me. It's the epitome of gentrification."

Brown has been on the street 13 years. At the moment, he's worried about finding a way to give his two children, 17 and 15, some Christmas gifts.

"They have a roof over their heads, they're not homeless or anything," he said. "But it would be nice if they could get a present from their dad."

Walking past was a local legend, Miss Joyce. She doesn't want her full name in the paper, but she said she refuses to sleep in a tent.

"It's against the law to have a tent, and I believe in life, liberty and obeying the law," she said.

She is 65, and she has spent six winters outside. She sleeps in her chair, some mornings waking up covered in snow.

"She is the hardest of the hard out here," Brown said, admiringly.

They sleep right around the corner from the "Wunder Garten," where a woman in a full-length fur coat was attending a private party in the "climate controlled pavilion."

This month, the Garten "will be transformed into a magical space - think twinkly lights and tasty food at the Pop-Up Cafe, s'mores and snuggy blankets around a fire pit and sipping hot chocolate and hot toddies".

So it's kinda like the folks living outside, but without having to feel like it's outside.

This smashcut of the haves and have nots is the kind of thing we'd recount with horror if we encountered it while traveling abroad. And yet, we've somehow come to accept this state of our capital.

Officially, homelessness in Washington is declining - down 11 percent since last year. When it comes to families, that number dropped by 16 percent in a year. But that's not the full picture because the 7,500 people that officials counted last January is still higher than it was just two years ago.

Homelessness has vexed Bowser for her entire term, rising by 9 percent since she took office. And it has given a devastating distinction to her term. Washington outpaced all of the nation's big cities in homelessness, according to last year's United States Conference of Mayors report on homelessness nationwide.

That's right, Washington soundly beat New York on this, and Los Angles and Houston and Chicago. The homeless rate in the nation's capital is twice the national average. There are 124 homeless people for every 10,000 folks in Washington, according to the report.

It all comes down to affordable housing. All those cranes and endless construction zones are not making homes for working class families.

It's a simple math problem.

The District's recent affordable programs "are ill-matched to need," explained Claire Zippel, in a report for the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, where she's an analyst covering affordable housing.

Since 2010, the "affordable rental units" that the District of Columbia has produced are for households with about half the average, median income in the region - that's between $55,000 and $88,000 for a family of four.

The truth is, 75 percent of the families in trouble make closer to $33,000 for a family of four, her report said.

So how is that supposed to work?

While the city is paying millions to house families in hotels and millions more on shelters, we're not solving the real problem: a lack of affordable housing.

These folks who are so good at establishing homes - the front porches, the decorations - on the streets of Washington aren't all broken. The system is.

T
Washington

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's surprising diplomatic offer of unconditional talks with North Korea hinges on two big X factors: Does the North even want talks, and is President Donald Trump fully behind his top diplomat?

Tillerson's overture came two weeks after North Korea tested a missile that could potentially carry a nuclear warhead to the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Trump has vowed to stop the reclusive government from reaching its goal, using military force if necessary.

After months of pressure tactics and military threats, many via presidential tweet, the new U.S. posture appears to reflect the Trump administration's official policy of "maximum pressure and engagement." China, which has urged dialogue, and U.S. ally South Korea, which fears disruption to the Winter Olympics it hosts in February, both welcomed Tillerson's proposal.

"We are ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk. And we are ready to have the first meeting without preconditions," Tillerson said at the Atlantic Council think tank on Tuesday, adding that the North would need to pause its weapons testing. It has conducted more than 20 ballistic missile launches and one nuclear test explosion this year.

Trump has described North Korea as the nation's most pressing national security crisis. Over most of his tenure, he has focused on pressuring Kim Jong Un's authoritarian government to abandon its weapons of mass destruction pursuit, through economic restrictions and diplomatic isolation.

But Tillerson, who will address a U.N. Security Council meeting on North Korea Friday, also has progressively eased the threshold under which he says the U.S. could hold direct discussions with North Korea.

In March, he said the North first had given up its nuclear weapons. A month later he demanded "concrete steps" reducing its threat. Tillerson said this summer talks could happen after the North stopped missile tests. And on Tuesday, for the first time, he dropped the condition that North Korea at least agree that the goal of any conversations be elimination of its nuclear arsenal.

North Korea hasn't yet responded to Tillerson, who called it "unrealistic" to expect North Korea to enter talks ready to relinquish a WMD program it invested so much in developing.

"Let's just meet and we can talk about the weather if you want to. We can talk about whether it's a square table or a round table if that's what you are excited about," Tillerson said. "But can we at least sit down and see each other face to face and then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work towards."

North Korea, which now describes its nuclear force as complete, isn't showing interest in dialogue. At least yet.

Last week, U.N. political chief Jeffrey Feltman made a rare visit to North Korea and met the nation's foreign minister  a member of the powerful Politburo. Feltman, a former U.S. diplomat, said senior North Korean officials told him "it was important to prevent war."
The Treasury Department is investigating the expenditures of housing agencies in 18 states and the District of Columbia that used federal funds aimed at bailing out homeowners in danger of losing their properties to foreclosure, alleging that some misspent the money and will have to repay it.

So far, the Treasury's Office of Special Inspector General has identified $3 million in questionable expenses that include bonuses, barbecues and a vehicle allowance. But Treasury officials say that a review of the expenses is ongoing, and that the figure could increase or even decrease because some housing agencies are disputing the charges.

The allegations are contained in a 93-page audit that Treasury's inspector general issued in August on the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which the government established in 2010 during the Great Recession.

The audit focuses on TARP's Hardest Hit Fund, a $9.6 billion program that provides financial assistance and counseling to homeowners in D.C. and the 18 states at risk of losing their property. Each program is overseen by those states' housing finance agencies and is required to provide reports and financial statements to Treasury.

"Every dollar that's spent on something that's not necessary is a dollar more that a taxpayer has to spend," Special Inspector Christy Goldsmith Romero said in a phone interview. "Or a dollar that could go to homeowners. So we are taking the strict view because that's the strict view that's required by law."

"We are committed to working with the states administering Hardest Hit Fund programs to ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly and to prevent waste and abuse," a Treasury Department spokesman said in a statement. "Treasury is actively reviewing state expenditures and will seek to recover any that violated program requirements so that they can be deployed to prevent avoidable foreclosures and stabilize neighborhoods."

The inspector general is scrutinizing use of TARP funds by Alabama, Arizona, California, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Treasury has demanded that Nevada and North Carolina repay some unauthorized expenses, according to the inspector general's office. But neither the audit nor Treasury officials specify whether all or just some of the 18 states and D.C. have misspent TARP funds and are being asked to repay them. They also don't detail how much has been repaid so far.

The report criticizes the D.C. Housing Finance Agency's handling of a data storage system used to manage its HomeSaver program. According to the audit, D.C. hired a contractor named CounselorDirect to manage the online application for the program. D.C., according to the audit, charged $258,333 to TARP to prepay five years' worth of data storage and access after the program had shut down. TARP regulations require programs to retain records for only three years, according to the audit.

D.C.'s housing agency disputes the claim that the program had shut down, saying in a statement to The Post: "The Agency's HomeSaver Program did not shut down in 2013 and instead a new tax lien extinguishment program (HomeSaver Phase II) was rolled out while the unemployment and underemployment program was concluding. In fact, the Agency's HomeSaver Program is still active and the Agency continues to close and fund HomeSaver loans."

The inspector general also questioned the large amount of TARP dollars spent on meals. According to the audit, approximately $200 was charged to TARP for a continental breakfast with Treasury and $964 was charged for two continental breakfasts and snacks during training sessions for about two dozen housing counselors.

For its part, the D.C. housing agency said in its statement that the counselors spent several hours on site and that the training was useful.

Goldsmith Romero launched the investigation on the recommendation of Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, who was concerned about unauthorized spending in Nevada's Hardest Hit Fund program. The state so far has had to repay approximately $82,000 for such expenditures as bonuses to the former chief executive and a $500-a-month vehicle allowance for the same CEO.

Moreover, the audit asserts that officials from the Nevada Affordable Housing Assistance Corp., the subcontractor hired to carry out the program, used TARP funds for some meals and legal expenses that should not have been charged to the program.

"Goldsmith [Romero]'s job is the result of some things I have learned over a couple decades in Congress," Grassley said in a phone interview. "You've got to have somebody to watch out for taxpayer money."

Michael Holliday, chief financial officer of Nevada's Housing Division, said in an interview that the agency is cooperating with Treasury.

"We feel really confident that, yeah, they did some dumb things," Holliday said. "I don't think any of them were done out of bad intent. I think it was just bad decision-making. But everyone feels really good that they've turned over every stone."

Of the more than $11,000 in questionable meal expenses, North Carolina officials spent $2,749.69 of TARP funds for four catered barbecues that served 50 to 60 people at three of the events and 90 people at the fourth, including Treasury officials, according to the audit. It also asserts that North Carolina spent more than $7,000 in bonuses to employees.

"We repaid some of the expenses and we're reviewing additional expenses to determine if any others should be allowable or unallowable under the federal program," said Scott Farmer, executive director of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. "We did repay a good portion of those meals."

Farmer said his agency is reviewing whether some of the more than $7,000 in expenses for bonuses actually may have been extra hours for staff that are allowable but were categorized incorrectly.

The Inspector General's office also plans to investigate other expenses that the 18 states and D.C. incurred relating to travel and conferences.
Egypt has affirmed its support for Somalia's fight against terrorism after a suicide bombing attack killed at least 18 officers at a police academy in Mogadishu on Thursday, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Cairo emphasised its "full support for the Somali government to rebuild state institutions and achieve security and stability in the country," the statement said.

A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman blew himself up inside a police training camp, killing at least 18 officers and injuring 15 others.

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The top Egyptian appeals court upheld on Thursday death sentences against three members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood for killing the son of a judge in 2014.

In 2016, a criminal court in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura sentenced to death five men, two of which were in absentia, for killing the victim outside his home in September 2014.

The defendants were convicted on charges including premeditated murder, belonging to an outlawed group and disrupting public order.

The victim, the 26-year-old son of judge Mahmoud El-Sayed El-Merly, was shot dead while he was on his way to work in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura.

Mahmoud El-Sayed is a senior judge in the Cairo appeals court who presided over a number of high-profile cases of political figures over the past six years.

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A former Texas middle school teacher is accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old she met at church.

Nicole Marie-Faires Andrews, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator/student, records show. Both charges are second-degree felonies.
A disgraced Houston-area military recruiter convicted at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for sexually preying on high school girls was freed from prison Wednesday after serving 4 years of a 27-year sentence, the Air Force said.

An Air Force appeals court threw out the most serious charges against Airman Basic Jaime Rodriguez and sent the case back to a lower court for resentencing. There, the court gave him six years. Hed earned enough good-time credit at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to be released before Christmas.

It wasnt clear where Rodriguez would live, but Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said he would be supervised by a federal probation officer through June 2019. He will have to register as a sex offender.

The Air Force Clemency and Parole Board establishes conditions of supervision which typically include finding and keeping a job or being enrolled in school, she said. They are required to stay out of trouble and are subject to no-notice inspections of their home and place of work. They are also subject to polygraph examinations.

At a highly publicized trial at Lackland, Rodriguez, a recruiter in Lake Jackson, was found guilty in 2013 of aggravated sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, nonforcible sodomy, aggravated sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact and exposure. He also pleaded guilty to six other charges and 22 counts of misconduct before the jury passed sentence on all the charges.

Rodriguezs fortunes began to turn in his favor in 2016, when the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals dismissed several offenses with prejudice, including the more egregious crimes. The court also affirmed other findings of guilt, but the Air Force said the offenses dismissed with prejudice could not be retried when he was resentenced to six years in prison, a dishonorable discharge and reduction to the lowest rank.

Military appeals courts have the unusual power to second-guess the judgment of trial courts by reconsidering evidence and deciding anew whether the defendant should have been convicted by a judge or jury. Their ability to set aside a conviction based on factual insufficiency differs from civilian appellate courts in most states, which are limited to deciding if verdicts are reasonable given the evidence.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Geoffrey Corn, a professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston, and another military lawyer, Rachel Vanlandingham, said the appeals courts decision was based on its conclusion the governments evidence at trial was factually insufficient to support two of the most serious charges  aggravated sexual assault by causing bodily harm and abusive sexual contact by causing bodily harm  and both factually and legally insufficient to back up the consensual sodomy charge.

Failure to put on evidence to support every element of a crime constitutes legal insufficiency. The appeals court said it had reviewed the trial record, and making allowances for not personally observing the witnesses, we are not convinced of appellants guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the sodomy charge. Corn said the appeals judges decided prosecutors failed to prove penetration occurred and to prove Rodriguez knew or should have known that the victim, identified as Airman 1st Clas BS, did not consent to a sex act.

Vanlandingham, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and a professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, blasted the decision, saying the appeals court had abused an anachronistic, unique power that civilian courts generally do not have to substitute its judgment for that of the jury.

There is a seeming trend by military appellate courts to abuse this power when it comes to sexual assault and rape cases, she said. And Congress needs to take a fresh look at why the military courts retain a power that allows them to disbelieve rape victims, when the juries who actually heard from these victims in fact believed them.

A jury of eight male officers found Rodriguez guilty amid an unrelated sex scandal at Lackland that saw 35 military training instructors investigated for assaults and harassment of 69 recruits and technical training students.

The scandal, with its allegations that commanders often protected sex offenders while victims were drummed out of uniform, helped spark congressional investigations, changes in military law and a massive makeover of Air Force basic training.

Then a technical sergeant and 13-year veteran, Rodriguez got one of the longest sentences in the history of the Air Forces training command. Just one year after his trial, revamped classes in a recruiting school at Lackland used his case as a cautionary tale of inappropriate behavior. The resulting program still trains recruiters to do the right thing all the time.

While Rodriguez was not part of the Lackland cases, one thing was at the heart of both  a power imbalance that made it easy for predators in uniform. Sixteen witnesses at Rodriguezs trial told similar stories. He met potential recruits at his office, career fairs and in schools, and testimony showed he repeatedly tested the waters to see if they were receptive to his advances, flattering them and following up with flirty comments and text messages.

One who was 16 when they met described him as initially professional, but said he later sent her flirtatious texts that devolved into detailed descriptions of his sexual fantasies. One involved a ritual: He'd shutter the blinds of the office, lock the door and hang up a closed sign before taking the women to a back office.

Rodriguez also used his job to cultivate intimate relationships that included a pair of adulterous affairs, according to testimony.

Prosecutors argued that Rodriguez badly damaged the service. One mother described her daughter as an outgoing teenager and an overachiever who excelled in high school band and JROTC, but had trouble trusting people after Rodriguez sought to have sex with her. The girl joined the Navy, not the Air Force.

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HIDALGO  U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Wednesday the border with Mexico needs more wall and the Trump administration will fight to get it.

Physical barriers do work, Nielsen said while standing a few feet from an existing section of border fence. We have to stem the tide of illegal border crossers and a wall is a proven tool.

Even as fewer immigrants were caught by U.S. Border Patrol agents during the 2017 fiscal year, ending in September, a recent uptick in apprehensions and a spike in attacks on border agents underscore the need for more wall, according to Nielsen.

A week after her Senate confirmation, Nielsen visited the Texas border, calling attention to the death of Rogelio Martinez, a border agent killed last month in West Texas, and the 786 attacks on border agents during the 2017 fiscal year, up from 403 attacks in 2016.

The FBI has searched the vehicle of two brothers, one of whom is in the country illegally, after an informant said they were involved in Martinezs killing, but local law enforcement officials have said Martinez could have been hit by a vehicle or died in a fall and officials have not said an assault took place.

The department continues to mourn the death of Border Patrol agent Martinez, who recently gave his life in the line of duty, Nielsen said. While we await the results of the FBI investigation, what we do know is this year saw a horrifying increase in assaults on Border Patrol agents.

Nielsen, who replaced White House chief of staff John F. Kelly, said the Trump administration hopes to begin wall construction soon, but noted that quite a few issues have not yet been sorted out.

Earlier this week, the National Butterfly Center filed a lawsuit against DHS calling for the government to comply with federally mandated environmental assessments. A section of wall is planned to slice through the 100-acre nature and wildlife sanctuary.

The Trump administration has already waived environmental laws to replace a small stretch of border wall in California, and it expected to do the same in the Rio Grande Valley, where it plans to build 28 miles of new levee wall and 32 miles of new border wall.

The agency is testing and evaluating prototypes for Trump's border wall outside of San Diego.

I think the idea of any assessment  is to share the results with the community and then have a discussion about how to proceed, Nielsen said in response to questions about the butterfly center lawsuit.

In a short statement on plans to reform the nations immigration system, Nielsen said lax standards have led to an explosion in dubious asylum claims, causing a backlog in the immigration court system and crowded detention centers.

Border security is both stopping the illegal entrants, and also expeditiously removing those who come into our country illegally, Nielsen said.

Nielsen was in Austin on Tuesday where she praised Texas controversial law banning so-called sanctuary cities, and urged other states to follow Texas example. The administration is further urging Congress to deny certain grants and funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, she said.

I have one message for those thinking of coming here illegally, Nielsen said with her back to the border fence. Youre time is up, we will no longer stand for this.
WASHINGTON - The day after suffering a political blow in the Alabama special Senate election, congressional Republicans sped forward with the most sweeping tax rewrite in decades, announcing an agreement on a final bill that would cut taxes for businesses and individuals and mark the party's first major legislative achievement since assuming political control this year.

Party leaders in the House and Senate agreed in principle to bridge the yawning gaps between their competing versions of the $1.5 trillion tax bill, keeping Republicans on track for final votes next week with the aim of delivering a bill to President Donald Trump's desk by Christmas. The House and Senate versions of the tax bill started from the same core principles - cutting taxes on business sharply, while reducing rates and eliminating some breaks for individuals - but diverged on several key details.

In the end, more of the Senate bill appeared to be included in the final version, though lawmakers continued to make significant changes from the legislation that passed either the House or Senate.

The changes included a slightly higher corporate tax rate of 21 percent, rather than the 20 percent in the legislation that passed both chambers and a lower top individual tax rate of 37 percent for the wealthiest Americans, who currently pay 39.6 percent. But the bill will still scale back some popular tax breaks, such as the state and local tax deduction and the deductibility of mortgage interest.

More Information Tax breakouts 21 percent The changes included a slightly higher corporate tax rate, rather than the 20 percent in the legislation that passed both chambers. 37 percent This would be the new lower top individual tax rate for the wealthiest Americans, down from 39.6 percent. $750,000 The cap set on the popular deduction for interest on mortgage debt. See More Collapse

In a break from the House bill, the agreement would allow taxpayers to continue to deduct high out-of-pocket medical expenses, and it would retain a provision allowing graduate students who receive tuition stipends to avoid paying taxes on that benefit. Also included in the consensus bill is the Senate's repeal of the Affordable Care Act requirement that most Americans have health insurance or pay a penalty and a provision opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to energy exploration.

Cost remains unclear

Still unclear is the overall cost of the revised legislation, which cannot exceed the $1.5 trillion bucket lawmakers have allowed if they want to pass the bill without Democratic support. Several of the provisions added by the Senate to help pay for the overall bill were either reversed or scaled back in the consensus version, and some tax breaks eliminated by the House were added back in.

The announcement that Republicans had overcome their differences to get to a consensus bill added more fuel to an already fast-moving sprint to the finish line. Republicans dismissed requests by Democrats to delay a vote until the new senator from Alabama, Doug Jones, is sworn in.

"I see no need to wait for Doug Jones to become a senator. We vote all the time in lame-duck sessions with retired and defeated members casting votes," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the majority whip, told reporters that he was confident the final bill will be approved next week. The heads of the tax-writing committees in the House and Senate, Texas Rep. Kevin Brady of The Woodlands and Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, each proclaimed a bill "close" to completion.

In a compromise between the bills, the deal would cap the popular deduction for interest on mortgage debt at $750,000 for newly purchased homes, a higher cap than the $500,000 limit in the House-passed bill but lower than the $1 million limit that currently exists and remains in the Senate-passed bill.

The agreement would cut the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, which is lower than the current 35 percent rate but higher than the 20 percent that Trump had, until recently, said was nonnegotiable. The corporate rate will go into effect in 2018, rather than 2019, as the Senate bill originally called for, according to a senior Republican congressional aide.

The bill also allows individuals to somewhat choose how to use their state and local tax deduction, giving them the ability to write-off up to $10,000 in property taxes, income or sales taxes paid or a combination of property and sales or property and income taxes.

That move is intended to alleviate the concerns of House Republicans, particularly those from California, over the bill's treatment of the state and local tax deduction.

Lawmakers also yielded to concerns by business groups about the Senate's last-minute inclusion of the corporate alternative minimum tax, which was added as a way to pay for the bill but faced stiff blowback from companies who said it would restrict their ability to use the research and development tax credit.

Agreement in principle

In an effort to assuage concerns that wealthy individuals would face a potential tax increase, the top individual income tax rate will drop to 37 percent, down from the current rate of 39.6 percent in the Senate bill and the 38.5 percent in the House bill. And the lower rate will apply to more people, allowing those with income levels below the $1 million cutoff outlined in both the House and Senate bills to claim the marginal rate.

The conference bill will preserve the individual alternative minimum tax, which the House bill had eliminated and the Senate bill retained in a watered-down form. But it will apply to even fewer taxpayers than the Senate bill would have, the congressional aide said. The alternative tax, which was put in place to ensure high-income earners didn't exploit loopholes to avoid paying taxes, would kick in for individuals earning $500,000 and above and couples earning $1 million or more.

It is not clear if all Republican senators will roundly endorse the deal, which contains provisions that Collins and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida had raised concerns about earlier this week. Collins has said she's not in favor of a lower individual rate, and Rubio has pushed for a more generous child tax credit.

Still, none of those concerned senators indicated on Wednesday that they were opposed to the bill taking shape under the agreement in principle, an encouraging sign for Republican leaders.

The Senate bill narrowly passed 51-49, with Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., voting against the legislation, and other lawmakers, such as Collins, only getting on board once certain changes were made, such as expanding the medical expense deduction. Corker said on Wednesday that "nothing has alleviated the concerns" that caused him to oppose the bill, which were rooted in a desire not to add further to the national debt.

Closing argument

The agreement was finalized on Wednesday morning, hours before the first and only scheduled public meeting of the congressional conference committee formed to work out the differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions of the bill.

"Let's understand what's happening today is a sham," said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee. "Nobody ought to mistake this conference for real debate."

Trump delivered what was dubbed a closing argument for the tax bill from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, flanked by five families who each took the microphone to extol the benefits of the tax bill on their households and communities.

"As a candidate I promised we would pass a massive tax cut for the everyday, working American families who are the backbone and the heartbeat of our country," Trump said. "Now we are just days away from keeping that promise. We want to give you the American people a giant tax cut for Christmas."

Trump added that if the bill were to be signed in that time frame, Americans would begin seeing tax cuts reflected in their paychecks by February, citing the Internal Revenue Service. "The cynical voices that opposed tax cuts grow smaller and weaker, and the American people grow stronger," Trump said.
ISTANBUL - Leaders and officials of Muslim nations declared East Jerusalem the Palestinian capital Wednesday at a summit meeting in Istanbul, producing the strongest response yet to President Donald Trump's decision to recognize the city as Israel's capital.

The gathering of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation was held to form a unified response from the Muslim world to Trump's decision last week. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey was the host.

The meeting condemned in a communique Trump's "unilateral" and "dangerous declaration" as an effort to change the status of Jerusalem. It said that it considered the action a violation of United Nations resolutions and legally null and void.

It also said it took Trump's declaration as an announcement that the U.S. was withdrawing from its role as a sponsor of peace for the region.

Among the 30 leaders present were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Michel Aoun of Lebanon, President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, and the emirs of Kuwait and Qatar..

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela also attended by special invitation of Erdogan.

A conservative Muslim, Erdogan has made the Palestinians' fate a leading cause of his politics, styling himself as a leader of the wider Muslim community. He criticized some Arab states for what he called their weak response to Trump's decision, suggesting they were intimidated by the United States.

Abbas said at the gathering that Trump had committed the "greatest crime" with his declaration, and that the Palestinians would no longer accept any role of the United States in peace negotiations with Israel.

"Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine," he said, adding that the United States was giving it away as if it were an American city. "It crosses all the red lines."
The syndicate also called on security apparatuses to reveal the circumstances behind the arrest of a third journalist earlier this month

Egypts press syndicate council called on Thursday for the release of journalists Hossam El-Seweify and Ahmed Abdel-Aziz, who were arrested last week after covering a protest at the syndicate headquarters in Cairo against US President Donald Trumps recent decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"The council condemns the arrest of the journalists, who were doing their job by covering the sit-in, the council said in a statement released after an urgent meeting, adding that there have been repeated incidents involving the arrest of journalists in recent months.

The statement called on the state to provide all necessary healthcare to the arrested journalists, adding that the syndicate will provide them with legal assistance.

The syndicate also called on security apparatuses to reveal the circumstances behind the arrest of journalist Islam Abdel-Aziz Farahat, who was arrested at Cairo International Airport earlier this month while on his way to board a flight to Kuwait.

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Egypt will open the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in both directions for four days starting Saturday for humanitarian purposes and to allow the passage of students, state-run news agency MENA reported.

Since March, the crossing has been opened occasionally to allow Palestinians stranded outside Gaza to return home.

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The U.S. administration is serious about getting a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, but its proposed plan is still being put together, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said.

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and eventually move the U.S. Embassy in Israel there has angered the Palestinians, who question Washington's role as a sponsor of Middle East peace.

Trump's adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is leading efforts to restart negotiations, though his bid has shown little public progress so far.

"We believe the Trump administration is serious about bringing peace between Israelis and Arabs," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a former ambassador to the United States, told France 24 television late on Wednesday.

"They were working on ideas and were consulting with all parties, including Saudi Arabia, and they are incorporating the views represented to them by everybody. They have said they would need a little bit of time to put it together to present it."

Trump's decision ends a 37-year-old US foreign policy position of not recognising  along with the international community  Israel's 1980 decision to annex occupied East Jerusalem and designate a "unified Jerusalem" as an eternal capital for Israel.

The Trump administration argues that any credible peace plan would put the Israeli capital in Jerusalem, and that moving past the question can help unblock a peace process frozen since 2014. Washington says Trump's decision does not affect Jerusalem's borders or future status which can still be decided in talks.

Trump's aides say the peace plan could be released early next year and the U.S. president has said he hoped for an agreed two-state deal between the two sides.

Jubeir emphasized that Riyadh continued to support a two-state solution, which Washington had indicated to the Saudis was its working proposal.

"Whether the administration's proposals are acceptable to the parties remains to be seen because I don't believe that the plan the US. administration is working on has been finalised yet," he said.

Jubeir also denied the Sunni Muslim kingdom had any relations with Israel despite sharing Israel's concern about the regional influence of Shia Iran. He repeated that Riyadh had a "roadmap" to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel should there be a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Israel also says it is waiting for Washington to finish drawing up a peace plan.

"The Americans are preparing a peace deal. They did not tell us the details. They did not speak about a Deal of the Century. Rather, they asked what we can accept, and they asked the Palestinians the same thing. And they will offer  as they put it  something creative, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said in interview with Saudi-owned news site Elaph, published on Wednesday.

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Galway man Colum OMeara did not know much about Longford hurling when he was informed by a friend about the vacant managers job. He still is working with limited knowledge of the county but that does not matter to OMeara because its a new experience for both him and the players.

Speaking to the Leader the new hurling boss admitted improving and developing players are his main targets: I want to improve and develop every player and to bond the team a bit more. I dont know much about Longford over the years but its all about bonding. If you have respect for a team-mate you are going to try a bit harder and he will hopefully do the same for you.

By everybody doing that you are going to have a better team. If everybody only improves a small bit, sure its going the right way.

OMeara has experience of managing in the lower tier competitions having trained London to their first Nicky Rackard Cup title in 2005 while he was living in London at the time. Although back home when they got to the Christy Ring Final in 2012, he still helped out as the Exiles claimed the title.

Its clear from talking to OMeara that hurling is his life and for him its all about the team and the jersey.

Its not who you are, what you are or what club you are from - you are a Longford man when you pull on the jersey. Thats the way I put it to the lads. Its not Slashers, Clonguish or Wolfe Tones.

To me it doesnt matter where you are from when you are with me in the dressing room and the training pitch and hurling field.

When he was first appointed Longford manager OMeara contacted over 60 players. For the last few training sessions he has had over 30 players attend with others promising to make a return. Joe OBrien is out with an ankle injury but OMeara is hopeful that down the road the influential player will be back.

OMeara said: Everything is going well but sure we are only at the start of the road. To improve Longford hurling is the target. Fitness will follow. Thats the way I look at it. I want to give everyone a fair chance, treat everyone the same, bond everyone together and please God get a result or two on the board and drive on again.

Longfords first competitive game under OMeara is at home to Louth in the Kehoe Cup on Saturday 30 December. He admitted it will be only like a challenge match due to only being new in the job.

The real hurling comes after the Kehoe Cup. I want the players to be able to compete in the National League and hopefully come Nicky Rackard time to be winning the group and getting to the last four. After that you never know what can happen.

The Killimor native has brought his own selectors with him and has three helpers; one from each club in the county to act as go betweens. One person OMeara would love to have with him on this journey is his friend and former Galway star Tony Keady, who sadly passed away in August.

OMeara was joint manager with Ahascraigh-Fohenagh with Keady.

We used to see each other four times a week and talking on the phone seven days a week. Everyone you work with you can learn something from them and you definitely could learn from Tony, concluded Colum as he looks ahead to the challenge of managing the Longford hurlers.
The Government is coming under heightened pressure this week to fast-track new commercial rates legislation to ease the burden felt by cash-strapped businesses.

Fianna Fail Longford-Westmeath TD Robert Troy has gone on the offensive this week, accusing government bosses of effectively deserting hard pressed firms in the lead up to Christmas.

In a forthright and curt assessment of Ireland's present day commerical rates system, Mr Troy singled out Local Government Minister Eoghan Murphy for particular criticism.

There are hundreds of businesses here in Longford and Westmeath, and right across the country, which have seen their rates dramatically increase over the past number of years, he said.

In some cases the increases have been over 400%.

This has put massive pressure on these businesses, many of which are family run enterprises, and could even threaten their futures.

This Government has been promising to address this issue for years but no concrete action has been taken.

Mr Troy said his party had attempted to step in by publishing its Valuation (Amendment Bill) 2017 earlier this year.

Fianna Fail's Transport, Tourism and Sport spokesperson said references to the drafting of a Rates Bill back in April were of scant relevance to the daily hardships facing businesses.

Its clear that despite positive soundings, this Government does not see this important issue as a priority.

These are local businesses employing local people  the backbone of our economy, he added.

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Longford firms braced for new commercial rates valuations
Longfords best young entrepreneurs were announced last week at the County Final of Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition and Warren Belton of Magna Clave was named Overall Winner of IBYE for Longford.

Run by the Local Enterprise Offices, IBYE is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland.

The Award is now in its 4th year and attracted almost 1,500 applications nationwide in 2017. Michael Nevin, Head of Enterprise in Longford said the search to find Irelands best young entrepreneur began in earnest back in August.

We were delighted with the calibre of entries and after a very successful Enterprise Day, Bootcamp and County Final, Im pleased to confirm that the future of enterprise and job creation in Longford is bright, he added, before pointing to the winners.

On the day there was joy for Tess Gillen, aged 34 of Longford Fitness, winner of the Best Established Business award.

The company was joined by Niall Mimnagh, aged 29 of Mimergy in Longford, who took the runner up title in this category.

Meanwhile, the Best Start Up category became a hard-fought contest with Lorna Halligan and Daniel Skukalek, aged 30 and 29 of Nine Arches in Ballymahon eventually emerging victorious. Marie Reilly (29) of Love Culture in Longford was named runner-up.

Many innovative new business concepts emerged in the Best Business Idea category, continued Mr Nevin.

The winner was Warren Belton (24) of Magna Clava in Longford while Robert Higgins (28) of Harp Productions in Granard scooped the runner up title.

The adjudicators in this years competition included Michael Keenan, of Grant Thornton; Geraldine Stewart of The Business Clinic; Seadna Ryan, Mark Atterybury, Enterprise Ireland and Geraldine Reynolds, Local Enterprise, Leitrim.

The awards ceremony was attended by other special guests including Cllr Seamus Butler and Cllr PJ Reilly.

IBYE Co-ordinator for Longford, Catherine Kane added; Each of the winners and runners-up will share in an investment fund of up to 50,000 from the Local Enterprise Office to help grow and develop their business.

The three category winners go forward to the Regional Finals in Donegal in January. The team in Local Enterprise Office Longford will be providing intensive supports between now and then to prepare them for the regionals and hopefully Longford will have a representative at the IBYE National Finals in March.

Stay up to date with the competition by following on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. Find out more about supports available to entrepreneurs of all ages by visiting www.localenterprise.ie.

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Video: Longford's Brian O'Rourke and CitySwifter bidding for glory at Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) Final
Business / Finance

Cryptocurrencies have a combined market cap of $300 billion and its value only shows its transactional value, it doesnt even begin to show what the underlying blockchain technology means to Real Estate

Dec 14, 2017 | By Jonathan Ho

A growing number of investors are attracted to Dubai, one of the worlds hottest real estate markets and theyre making their real estate purchases with bitcoin (via BitPay). Property developments like The Aston Plaza & Residences development at Dubai Science Park offers apartments that can be purchased in solely in bitcoin or a combination of bitcoin and fiat currencies. In fact, a growing number of real estate purchases using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have become such a phenomena that esteemed tech universities like Cornell have dedicated departments to study this emergent, fast growing fintech trend.

Cryptocurrencies and smart contracts are emerging into a rich spectrum of new financial instruments, blending finance with computer science in unprecedented ways. The Initiative of Cryptocurrencies and Contracts or IC3 is an initiative of faculty members at Cornell University, Cornell Tech, UC Berkeley, UIUC and the Technion.

Cryptocurrencies enable the quick, frictionless transfer of value across the globe, this enables someone in Russia to be able to easily send bitcoins to purchase land in Belize.  Emin Gun Sirer, Associate Professor, Cornell University to CNBC

A Growing number of Real Estate transactions use Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin

British entrepreneurs Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowmans bitcoin based Aston Plaza & Residences are among the growing number of luxury properties being transacted with cryptocurrencies like bitcoins and it is a growing trend in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London and even Dubai. Aston Plaza & Residences initial tranche of 150 apartments will be sold at a starting price of 30 BTC worth $133,918.

Ben Shaoul, president of Magnum Real Estate Group is redeveloping a building on Manhattans Lower East Side and his $700,000 to $1.5 million condominiums will also accept Bitcoins which he believes will give him an edge against his competitors. Tellingly, Shaoul, also an art collector, told CNBC that he wasnt going to convert his cryptocurrency payments into fiat currency either, as art galleries were increasingly receptive to cryptocurrency transactions.

That said, Michael Wan, Senior Associate Director of Savills Residential Pte Ltd is cautious on cryptocurrencies and what it means for real estate financing and purchasing,

I think the unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies and its volatility make a poor financial medium for real estate transactions, especially when youre exchanging something digital for brick and mortar buildings with land. But, there could be some use for cryptocurrency payments for use in month-to-month rentals  Michael Wan, Senior Associate Director of Savills Residential Pte Ltd

According to CNBC, ManageGo, a Brooklyn, New York-based rental platform offers landlords and tenants payment and maintenance scheduling services through digital applications, added Bitcoin to the list of payment modes. The tenant uses bitcoin and then ManageGo converts the bitcoin to dollars using Coinbase, a digital cryptocurrency broker. The landlord gets the rent payment in dollars. Since bitcoin is extremely volatile, the value is locked in at the time of the payment.

Blockchain technologies tapping on new market of crypto-affluents growing rapidly

Meanwhile, the sky-rocketing values of Bitcoin have created a new breed of crypto-affluents which companies like Aditus and now Propy are positioned to tap on. Propy follows Aditus in tapping a community of newly minted millionaires and billionaires looking to spend their crypto-assets.

To [bitcoin or ethereum users], holding just crypto is like holding everything in one basket, so users are looking to diversify through purchases like real estate. They will use us because its an easier way to diversify their investment and use cryptocurrency right away, Propy CEO Natalia Karayaneva told Benzinga.

Where Aditus serves as a smart invitation platform which facilitates the interaction between premium high end merchants and brokers and their community of crypto-affluents. Propy offers their members a way to diversify their crypto-assets into tangible real estate without the hassle of transferring your investments to fiat currency. Propy recently closed its first blockchain powered real estate deal in October in the Ukraine, approved by the government. Propy is now looking into enter California.

Growing tokenisation of assets, from gold to real estate

Aditus partner Digix, was among the pioneering batch of Blockchain powered start ups to present a compelling argument for the tokenisation of assets. Digix backs their DGX token with grams of gold and there is a rising number of Blockchain start ups offering tokens backed by real estate.

Real Estate Revolution (REX) provides universal access to real estate information through a global listing service and streamlines the transaction process via sale and lease smart contracts to provide tokenised real estate.

ATLANT introduces tokens backed by real estate, and with a revenue generation model similar to Maeanas, allows their token to represent portions of property to split rental income generation and capital appreciation from the underlying real estate. Furthermore, REIDAO includes a Public Trust Company to create the link between the tokens and the actual properties.

Cryptocurrencies have a combined market cap of $300 billion and its only the beginning to what the underlying blockchain technology means in terms of value creation

For more information on how Aditus connects crypto-affluents to premium merchants and brokers, please visit www.aditus.net
The UN mediator at Syria peace talks in Geneva has "undermined" his position by appealing to Moscow to convince Damascus to hold new elections, the Syrian government's top negotiator said Thursday.

Bashar al-Jaafari harshly criticised UN envoy Staffan de Mistura for comments made to Swiss television Wednesday calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "have the courage" to convince his Syrian counterpart to allow new polls.

"His statement undermined his mandate as a facilitator of the talks, which will affect the entire Geneva process," he told reporters as the eighth round of negotiations concluded with no sign of progress.

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The United States on Thursday presented for the first time pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen, describing it as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating UN resolutions.

Reuters was given advanced access to the military hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling just outside of Washington where the US Defense Department put the fragments of weaponry on display and explained how it concluded that they came from Iran.

The arms included charred remnants of what the Pentagon said was an Iranian-made short-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen on Nov. 4 at King Khaled International Airport outside Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, as well as a drone and an anti-tank weapon recovered in Yemen by the Saudis.

Iran has denied supplying the Houthis with such weaponry.

"The US has long believed that Iran is providing weaponry to proxies and partners and militias throughout the region, and what we have here to show you today is proof," said Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal, adding Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had recovered the arms and loaned them to Washington.

Saudi-led forces, which back the Yemeni government, have been fighting the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen's more than two-year-long civil war.

The unprecedented presentation by the Pentagon is part of its follow-through on President Donald Trump's new Iran policy, which promises a far harder line toward Tehran.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was due to see the weapons on Thursday. The US mission to the United Nations said she would offer "irrefutable evidence that Iran has deliberately violated its international obligations."

Under a UN resolution that enshrines the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved in advance by the UN Security Council. A separate UN resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and others.

Katie Wheelbarger, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, acknowledged that there could be implications of such an accumulation of evidence against Iran, to include sanctions.

"You could see future sanctions... But the first step is at least to bring awareness and understanding and to have a similar picture of what we're looking at," Wheelbarger said.

Iran Links

The Pentagon offered a detailed explanation of all of the reasons why it believed the arms came from Iran, noting Iranian corporate logos on arms fragments and the unique nature of the designs of Iranian weaponry.

That included the designs of short-range "Qiam" ballistic missiles. The Pentagon said it had obtained fragments of two Qiam missiles, one fired on Nov. 4 against the airport and another fired on July 22.

The Pentagon cited corporate logos of Iranian defense firms on jet vanes that help steer the missile's engine and on the circuit board helping drive its guidance system. It also said the missile's unique valve-design was only found in Iran.

Iran, it said, appeared to have tried to cover-up the shipment by disassembling the missile for transport, given crude welding used to stitch it back together.

"The point of this entire display is that only Iran makes this missile. They have not given it to anybody else," Seal said. "We haven't seen this in the hands of anyone else except Iran and the Houthis."

A new UN report found that the July 22 and Nov. 4 missiles fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels appeared to have a "common origin." But the report said UN officials were still investigating US and Saudi claims that Iran supplied them.

The Pentagon put on display other weapons with designs it said were unique to Iran's defense industry. It pointed to a key component of a Toophan anti-tank guided missile and a small drone aircraft, both of which were recovered in Yemen.

It also showed components of a drone-like navigation system like the one the Pentagon says was used by the Houthis to ram an exploding boat into a Saudi frigate on Jan. 30. The United Arab Emirates seized the system in late 2016 in the Red Sea.

"What makes these exploding boats so dangerous is not just that they can explode. It's that they have a guidance system that allows them to track and hit a moving target without an operator on board," Seal said.

"This computer system here represents that navigational system."

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A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman blew himself up inside a police training camp in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Thursday and killed at least 18 officers, officials said.

Police spokesman Major Mohamed Hussein said the attacker strapped explosives to his body and infiltrated the General Kahiye Police Training Academy during an early morning parade.

"Police were preparing for the 74th anniversary of police day. As they wanted to start exercise, a suicide bomber came in and blew up himself. We lost 18 police officers and 15 others were injured," Muktar Hussein Afrah, Somalia's deputy police commander, told reporters at the blast scene.

"Police will always continue their work despite death."

Police earlier put the death toll at 15.

Reuters witnesses who attempted to visit the site of the blast said police had sealed it off. Hours later when they were allowed in, a witness saw body parts suspected to be from the bomber on the ground in the field where police officers had been training.

The witness said the ground nearby had also been washed to remove blood stains and people were burying bodies at the police academy.

The militant Islamist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack and gave a higher death toll.

"We killed 27 police (officers) and injured more," Abdiasis Abu Musab, the group's military operations spokesman, told Reuters. Al Shabaab carries out frequent bombings in Mogadishu and other towns.

The group, which is allied to al Qaeda, is waging an insurgency against the U.N.-backed government and its African Union allies in a bid to topple the weak administration and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam.

The militants were driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and have since been steadily losing territory to the combined forces of African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Africom said the U.S. military had conducted an air strike on a vehicle they said was strapped with explosives some 65 km southwest of Mogadishu.

Thursday's attack comes at a time when the African Union is finalising plans to trim its peacekeeping mission called AMISOM.

The 22,000-strong AU force is scheduled to leave by 2020 and some security experts say al Shabaab could find it easier to stage attacks as the peacekeeping forces are reduced because government forces will find it hard to replicate their work.

At the same time, Somalia could become a safe haven for militants linked to al Qaeda currently in Yemen, the experts said.

The peacekeepers were deployed to help secure a government that has struggled to establish central control in a country that plunged into civil war in the early 1990s.

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Four intact child burials, a cemetery and a headless statue of Greek goddess Artemis have been discovered by different missions

There have been a series of antiquities discoveries in Aswan in the last few weeks, officials have said.

The Swedish-Egyptian mission working in the Gebal El-Silsila area has uncovered four intact burials of children, while the Austrian mission at Kom Ombos archaeological hill discovered a large segment of a First Intermediate Period cemetery, and the Egyptian-Swiss mission working in the old town of Aswan has unearthed a small incomplete statue that probably depicts Greek goddess Artemis.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Ahram Online that the four child burials date to the 18th dynasty (549/1550 BC to 1292 BC.).

They consist of a rock-hewn grave for a child between two and three years old; the mummy still retains its linen wrapping and is surrounded with organic material from the remains of the wooden coffin.

The second burial, he went on, belongs to another child aged between six and nine years old, who was buried inside a wooden coffin, while the third burial is of a child between five and eight. Both of these graves contain funerary furniture, including amulets and a set of pottery.

The fourth burial is also of a child between the age of five and eight.

The new burial discoveries are shedding more light on the burial customs used in the Thutmosid period as well as the social, economic and religious life of people during that period, Maria Nilsson, head of the Swedish mission said, adding that the mission has succeed during its previous excavation works to uncover many burials but the newly discovered ones have a special significance.

More excavations and studies on the site will reveal more about the death rituals conducted in this site during the period, she said.

The Egyptian-Austrian archaeological mission in Kom Ombo led by Irene Foster uncovered a part of a cemetery from the First Intermediate Period, with a number of mud-brick tombs.

Numerous pottery vessels and grave goods were unearthed.

Foster explains that the preliminary study revealed that it is mostly built on top of an earlier cemetery. Below the cemetery, Foster told Ahram Online, the mission has uncovered remains of an Old Kingdom town with a ceiling impression of King Sahure from the 5th Dynasty (2494 to 2345 BC).

In the ancient town of Aswan, the Egyptian-Swiss mission, headed by Egyptologist Wolfgang Muller, unearthed a statue of a woman that was missing its head, feet and right hand.

Abdel Moneim Saeed, general director of Aswan and Nubia Antiquities, said that the statue is carved from limestone and measures 14cm by 9cm in width and the thickness of its bust is 3cm and the lower part is 7cm.

A preliminary study on the statue reveals that the dress she wears is similar to that of Artemis, Greek goddess of hunting, procreation, virginity and fertility, combined with the Egyptian goddesses Isis and Bastet.

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With the year drawing to an end, Google presents its Year in Search 2017; which takes a look at the trending topics in Singapore of 2017 that had us looking to Google Search for answers.

Besides sniffing out the most trending Google searches on pop culture, major news events and more, the list also includes offers a fascinating insight into the most popular travel-related Google searches in Singapore.

The results? It seems that our neighbours in Asia continue to be popular travel destinations, with Penang (in first place), Batam, Seoul and Krabi holding top ranks on the list of popular travel searches here.

Scroll through the gallery above to find out which destinations were Singapores most searched on Google of 2017, and check out our concise suggestion of things to do there!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

Read More:

The best places to travel to connect with your emotions, according to Lonely Planet

8 Epic destinations in Southeast Asia for an unforgettable New Years Eve
Homeowners watching the concrete in their basement walls -- and the value of their homes and life savings -- crumble due to pyrrhotite contamination in that concrete got some rare good news in November.

The IRS, in a move strongly backed by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, said homeowners can deduct the property and casualty losses they suffer from tainted concrete when they file their tax returns under a set of rules already established for victims of contaminated Chinese-made drywall.

But the Republican-backed tax reforms now winding their way through Congress, and due for a final vote next week, would eliminate the deduction, said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut.

Courtney represents some of the Connecticut communities where the pyrrhotite contamination is more common and came to light sooner. The problem is only now showing up in Massachusetts.

Neal said in a written statement that he continues to work on the issue.

"I have been actively working on the crumbling foundation issue with my colleagues who represent Connecticut," Neal said. "It was recently brought to my attention that this problem may have crossed state lines and impacted homes in southern Massachusetts as well. I am committed to continuing to work with the IRS to provide guidance and assistance to those who are affected. As we saw in Connecticut, a federal-state partnership was necessary to find a solution. I am hopeful that with the assistance of the state of Massachusetts and the state legislative delegation a path forward will be forged for those afflicted."

Courtney said Neal was important in securing the IRS tax guidance for affected homeowners because Neal is the ranking Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee, Congress' taxation and tax-collecting committee. Courtney said Neal is involved in the conference committee hammering out differences between the House and Senate tax bills, but time is running out.

Courtney said the new tax law might take force early in 2018, just a matter of weeks after homeowners were told they could take the deduction.

"There is no way for anyone to know what their loss is by then, especially because the guidance came out just before Thanksgiving," Courtney said.

Affected homeowners in both Connecticut and Massachusetts will likely be able to claim the deduction for just the next three years, even if language in the Republican bills is not changed, Courtney said.

That's because tax legislation looks forward -- it doesn't change policy in past years. The homeowners could claim the loss in 2017 even if they don't find out what that loss is until a subsequent year.

"We have reassurance that because the guidance came out in November 2017 for the 2017 tax year, taxpayers who get their walls repaired in the next three years will be able to file an amended tax return," Courtney said.

IRS rules say that taxpayers can file amended returns for only three years.

As it stands, the House version of the bill eliminates the deduction from tax law entirely. The Senate version would eliminate it for disasters that are not declared disasters by FEMA. Neither the Chinese drywall contamination, which caused walls to off-gas toxic fumes and was described as a slow-motion hurricane in Florida, nor the pyrrhotite foundations have been declared a disaster by FEMA.

Courtney said he hopes to join with Florida lawmakers whose constituents dealt with the Chinese drywall to save the tax write-off.

A company called Becker Quarry in Willington, Connecticut, sold the pyrrhotite-contaminated stone to the now defunct JJ Mottes concrete company from 1983 until 2017, when they agreed to stop. JJ Mottes concrete was used in thousands of homes in that time, both in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Pyrrhotite reacts with oxygen and water, weakening the concrete until it falls apart.

A crumbling foundation puts homeowners in a terrible position. Repairs can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and homes have little value to use as collateral to borrow money and do the work. Some homeowners let the property slip into foreclosure, others continue living with the problem, knowing the home is worth only what the real estate would sell for minus the cost of demolishing the home.

Homeowners also go to towns for abatement on their real estate taxes because their homes are worth less than they're assessed. This can hurt communities that rely on their residential tax base.

Courtney said the IRS tax deduction isn't the only thing the federal government can do or is doing in Connecticut. Towns and cities there can use federal block grant money from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"That's not a big number," Courtney said. "However, this year's (Connecticut) Community Development Block Grant allotment, $1 million, was directed to let towns do the testing on homeowners' concrete."

Connecticut towns and the state can also use a federal loan guarantee program designed to fight blight to fix broken foundations.

"There were always rumors, even as we were dealing with the problem in Connecticut, that some of the concrete had made its way up there to Massachusetts," he said. "Those rumors were true."
SPRINGFIELD -- Longtime Peter Pan Bus Lines employee William "Willie" Taylor, believed to be the first black bus driver in the U.S. to make an intercity long-distance run, died Monday following decades of service.

"He was awesome," said Peter A. Picknelly, chairman and CEO of Peter Pan. "Anybody can drive. But to be a great bus driver you have to deal with hundreds of people every day. He just had a great personality. He was a happy guy. My grandfather hired him. My grandfather promoted him."

Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3 p.m., with a memorial service Monday at 11 a.m., both at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres, 21 Tinkham Road, Springfield.

Peter Pan plans to lead his funeral process ion with the company's bus named in Taylor's honor.

Taylor was born either in October 1929 or in October 1930 -- he always said the church with the records burned down -- as the sixth of eight children born to a farmer in Durham, North Carolina.

His uncle gave him a job driving trucks. The truck-driving job brought him in 1951 to Springfield, where he quickly found work at the old Springfield Armory.

He came to work at Peter Pan in 1953 cleaning buses part time. He wanted to help his father buy a new set of tires, said Maureen Jaconetta, a 38-year Peter Pan employee who knew Taylor well.

"When the tires were bought, he liked working here so he stayed on," Jaconetta said.

Taylor was fond of saying how Picknelly's grandfather, company founder Peter C. Picknelly, had him fill a bus with food and drive to Monson and Hampden to relieve victims of the flood of 1954.

The job cleaning buses turned into a job driving the buses in 1963.

"I've driven from Boston to Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, from Key West, Florida, to Glens Falls, North Dakota," Taylor told The Republican columnist Tom Shea in 1998. "Every mile was fun. I kept my eyes wide open and tried to take it all in. I'd like to say it was a dream come true, but I never even dreamt this kind of life."

Jaconetta said Taylor, at least in the 1960s, would avoid driving south of Washington because he knew how police in the South could treat a black driver.

But mostly he was warmly received. B.B. King once asked him to be his personal driver, Taylor told Shea. Elizabeth Taylor personally thanked him for his service to her crew when she was in the area in 1965 filming "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf."

"Everybody loved this man," Jaconetta said. "He was just such a sweet person. A heart of gold."

Taylor retired, for the first time, in 1998. But he returned part time cleaning buses and then supervising the bus cleaners. He retired all the way in December 2015.

Jaconetta recalled newer drivers asking Taylor for advice, including the best way to navigate snow.

"He'd just say one word -- slow -- in that southern accent of his," Jaconetta said.

He told Shea the same thing. From the 1998 column:

"'Better getting there a day late and alive,' Willie Taylor liked to say on days when the weather wasn't cooperating. 'I'm carrying precious cargo.'"

Peter Pan plans to lead his funeral process ion with the company's bus named in Taylor's honor.
A longtime presence among the region's dining out venues, Villa Rose Restaurant has recently undergone a major facelift -- spruced up interiors, new furnishings, and an expanded, three-season dining porch.

We're pleased to report that the back of the house has been revitalized as well.

Based on our recent experiences there, we'd categorize it as one of the most proficient restaurant kitchens around.

The current menu at the Villa Rose draws its inspiration from a number of sources.

Italian culinary traditions are well represented, as in dishes such as Veal Parmesan ($20) and Pork Milanese ($17).

Choices like Fish & Chips ($17) and charbroiled New York Strip ($25) cater to mainstream sensibilities, while the likes of Steak a Lisboa ($25) pay homage to the flavors of Portugal.

Appetizers at Villa Rose are equally multicultural, as represented by options like Grilled Olive Bruschetta ($9), Maine Crab Cakes ($10), Garlicky Steamed Mussels ($10), and Flaming Chourica ($10).

We started off a very enjoyable dinner with an order of Cheesy Risotto Balls ($9). Shatteringly crispy on the outside and lushly soft and rich within, the four balls were topped with chips of fresh mozzarella. Served in a puddle of homemade marinara that was bright with sunny tomato flavor, the risotto balls also benefited from a dusting of grated Parmesan.

The restaurant's Surf n' Turf ($32) wasn't particularly creative, but it was flawlessly executed. The neatly trimmed filet steak was broiled just as we'd specified; four baked stuffed shrimp constituted the "surf" component of the plate.

Those shrimp were particularly worthy of praise. Typically "seafood" stuffing is boring stuff, more crumbs than anything else. Not at Villa Rose, however, where the mixture mounded into the butterflied shrimp was flavorful and moist, thanks to a good measure of minced seafood in it.

Served with garlic mashed potatoes and a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, the plate represented a first-class example of restaurant cookery.

Our reaction to the Veal Scaloppini alla Marsala ($22) we ordered was equally enthusiastic. Lightly breaded cutlets of good veal had been sauced with a classic demi-glace and generously garnished with sliced mushrooms; the fruity caramel flavor of the dish's namesake wine subtly infused the mushroom topping.

Also paired with the aforementioned garlic mashed and veggies, the veal was a memorable knife-and-fork encounter.

Entrees at Villa Rose come with attractive side salads or a cup of soup. The latter was a Portuguese kale soup the day we visited. It offered tender cooked kale and coins of chourica in a creamy, slightly smoky potato broth.

Villa Rose has a fully stocked bar and offers about three dozen different wines on its list. The majority of bottle prices are under $30.

The establishment's dessert list is a combination of made elsewhere and house-prepared selections. Those of likely commercial origin include a chocolate lava cake and an Italian lemon tort; prepared on the premises options typically include several light-and luscious cheesecake variations.

The Ladyfinger Cheesecake ($5) we sampled combined sponge fingers, creamy filling, and cherry topping into an entirely satisfactory dessert experience, while a Chocolate Trifle ($6) swirled together a rich cream filling and chocolate cake crumbs.

In addition to its regular dinner menu, Villa Rose maintains a separate pub roster that features small plates, salads, and sandwiches such as an onion-ring-topped Smokehouse Burger ($12) and a Chicken Parm Sandwich ($10).

A children's menu of kid-friendly choices like Mac & Cheese, Chicken Tenders, and Pasta with Meatballs (all $9) is available as well.

Though the restaurant's dining room is an oasis of understated elegance, the lounge is also a popular place for a relaxed dinner. In addition to a good-sized bar at which to enjoy a drink or a sandwich, the space is furnished with pub-height tables and chairs.

Always a favorite with Ludlow-area locals, Villa Rose, we'd suggest, currently qualifies as a dining destination, offering some of the best food to be found in Springfield's suburbs and beyond.



Name: Villa Rose Restaurant

Address: 1428 Center Street, Ludlow

Phone: (413) 547-6667

Website: villaroserestaurant.com

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.

Entree Prices: $17 - $32

Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Handicapped Access: Accessible, with restroom equipped for wheelchairs

Reservations: Accepted












Boston's proposed ban on plastic bags is unconstitutional, according to Novolex Inc., a packaging company that makes plastic and paper shopping bags.

The Boston City Council unanimously passed a plastic bag ban on Nov. 29 and sent it to Mayor Marty Walsh's desk. The proposal bans single-use plastic bags and creates a 5-cent fee for paper bags and thicker plastic ones.

Proponents of the bag ban say it will reduce litter and the burden on the city's solid waste disposal system.

A representative of the company Novolex sent a letter to Walsh asking him to return the proposal to the Council for changes or consult with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.

The company's representative is Jack Hart, a former state senator from South Boston who closely worked with Walsh, a former state representative from Dorchester, at the Massachusetts State House.

"Perhaps the most glaring of the ordinance's flaws is its unconstitutional provision requiring retail establishments that provide bags to their customers to charge and retain a per-bag fee set by the ordinance," Hart wrote.

The ordinance will directly affect "the manner in which a retail establishment provides products to its customers," he wrote.

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office disapproved of a similar ordinance in 2015 in Williamstown, Hart added in the two-page letter.

"This fee provision runs afoul of Section 7(5) of the Home Rule Amendment, Mass. Const. amend art. 2, which prohibits municipalities from enacting 'private or civil law governing civil relationships except as an incident to an exercise of an independent municipal power,'" Hart's letter said.

Walsh told reporters the day after the City Council passed the ban his office has received calls from people upset about the ban. He also raised concerns about the ban's potential costs to the elderly.

"Certainly, people say, 'It's only five cents on a bag.' Yeah but we're nickeling and diming our seniors," Walsh said. "It's five cents here, it's five cents there, utilities go up, all the costs are going up and not going down. So I'm going to take a good review of it before I sign it."

Walsh added: "I mean I think it's a great idea of getting plastic bags off the streets and off our trees and off our areas but I just want to make sure that it works for everyone."

A spokeswoman said Thursday the mayor hasn't yet taken action on the proposal. He has until Monday, Dec. 18, to take action or it goes into effect without his approval.
A family member of former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is due in court Thursday, facing sexual assault charges.

Bernard Sigh, brother-in-law to Deval, stands accused of assault to rape and assault and battery of a household member. He is scheduled to appear in Quincy District Court for a dangerousness hearing.

He was arraigned Monday and ordered held without bail.

Sigh, 65, is accused of assaulting a woman in her apartment on Saturday. His attorney said sex between Sigh and the woman was consensual.

He pleaded guilty in 1993 to raping his wife, Patrick's sister, while living in California where he served time before moving to Massachusetts.

Patrick was accused in a 2014 lawsuit of pressuring a former chairperson of the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board to resign after seeking to have Sigh register as a sex offender. He accused the former chair of "inappropriate" handling of the case.

Patrick served as governor of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. Earlier this year, allies of former President Barack Obama reportedly urged him to run for president in 2020.
The brother-in-law of former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick is being held without the right to bail after he was arraigned Monday in Quincy District Court on charges of domestic assault and battery and assault with the intent to rape, the Boston Globe reported.

Bernard Sigh, 65, was arrested over the weekend after the alleged victim told authorities that she found Sigh in her closet wearing only underwear. WCVB-TV reported that the woman said he grabbed her several times when she tried to flee the apartment and she later relented to sex with him after he threatened her.

Sigh told police the sex was consensual.

The woman said she was able to escape the apartment the next morning and contact police.

This is not Sigh's first rape allegation. In 1993, he pleaded guilty to a charge of spousal rape while living in California and served time in jail and on probation.

His conviction came to light when Patrick made his first run for governor in 2006. The Boston Herald reported Sigh's conviction and that he had not registered as a sex offender in Massachusetts. A hearing board had earlier ruled Sigh did not have to register for the California case.
EAST LONGMEADOW -- A gas station and convenience store on Shaker Road has one more regulatory hurdle to clear before it can open, possibly as early as next week.

Atlantis Fresh Market on 227 Shaker Road passed fire department inspections of its alarms and fire suppression systems for its gas distributors on Thursday, East Longmeadow Fire Lieutenant Brian Daponde said.

Now, the gas station / convenience store, which will sell Shell-branded gasoline, must undergo an inspection by the town health department before opening, said Town Council President Kevin Manley.

Director of Pubic Health Aimee Petrosky said in an email that the department is waiting for paperwork from the Mount Vernon, New York-based Atlantis Management Group, which owns the gas station / convenience store chain, before it inspect the store. Petrosky said she hopes to receive necessary paperwork by Friday.

"It's actually a pretty exciting opportunity for the town," Manley said in an interview.

Manley and others on the Town Council have fielded questions about the store's planned opening since the summer, when a construction crew built the 6,500-square-foot structure, which then was left vacant for months.

At a Town Council meeting Tuesday, Kevin Ranno, of AMG Group, said the project stalled because of a corporate merger that occurred during construction.

Springfield gas station chain Leonard E. Belcher Inc. originally started construction of the store, but AMG bought the company along with Food Bag, another chain of area gas station / convenience stores, Ranno said. The project slowed with corporate reorganization, but is now on track to open as early as next week.

"Everyone at the Town Hall has been extremely cooperative," Ranno told councilors Tuesday. "We're very eager to open."

Over the past two weeks, town councilors granted all necessary permits, including a license to sell beer and wine, for AMG's Atlantis Fresh Market to open once all health and safety inspections are passed, Manley said. The store is approved to operate from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

AMG operates gas stations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to its website. The East Longmeadow Atlantis Fresh Market store will be the only one in Massachusetts, Ranno said Tuesday.
SPRINGFIELD -- Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said Thursday a judge's setting of $50,000 cash bail for a murder defendant is "a terrifying precedent and one that I don't want to see repeated."

On Wednesday, Hampden Superior Court Judge David Ricciardone set bail at $50,000 for Rafael Martinez, charged with the Oct. 30, 2016, fatal shooting of Eddie Olivo in Springfield.

Martinez, 35, of Springfield, had been held without right to bail since his arraignment after the shooting. Nikolas Andreopoulos, Martinez's lawyer, had asked for the bail hearing Wednesday.

"This cannot happen -- where we have murderers getting out on bail," Gulluni said."This presents the likelihood of flight."

"What is the court system becoming for the community it is supposed to serve?" Gulluni asked. He said he believed Martinez will post bail in the case.

Ricciardone said if Martinez posts bail he will be outfitted with a GPS tracking device and have a curfew mandating he is home between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Gulluni said a GPS tracking device can be cut off by a defendant who can then flee. He said a murder defendant, even after posting $50,000 cash bail, would have incentive to flee as opposed to facing life in prison.

"Is his life to him worth $50,000?" Gulluni said.

He said it is unprecedented to have bail set for a murder defendant unless there are mitigating circumstances such as a suppression of evidence or a change in the case.

Andreopoulos had asked Ricciardone to set bail at $30,000, saying that was the amount his family could raise. Assistant District Attorney Matthew W. Green asked Ricciardone to order Martinez continued to be held without right to bail.

"Indeed, I'm frustrated," Gulluni said. "Enough is enough."

He said Martinez shot the victim seven times as he (the victim) sat in the driver's seat of his car.

Police found Olivo, 36, shot inside a 1999 Saab in Martinez's 30 Jardine St. driveway in the Liberty Heights neighborhood. The shooting happened about 10:30 a.m.

Green told Ricciardone in the bail hearing that the facts of the case are strong for the prosecution.

Police found the victim slumped over in the driver's seat. Martinez had a white towel in his hand, which he put on the ground and which contained a gun, Green said.

Both Green and Andreopoulos referred to surveillance video of the shooting from Martinez's own security camera.

Green said the two men knew each other and were friends. He said Olivo's girlfriend had lent Martinez $30,000 from the sale of her house, but she had trouble getting it back.

Olivo was assisting her in trying to collect the loan, Green said.

Andreopoulos said it is clear the shooting was self-defense. He said the video does show Martinez shooting into the car. It then shows Olivo getting out of the car, bleeding, but holding a shotgun, he said.
HOLYOKE -- Fire extinguishers? No. Elevators? No. Emergency lighting and dormitories? No and no.

A state audit said Thursday that the Holyoke Soldiers' Home put residents at risk because the facility failed to document whether inspections were done of everything from fire extinguishers and elevators to emergency lighting and dormitories.

"Without required inspections and testing of this type of equipment being performed and documented, there is a higher-than-acceptable risk of equipment malfunction or failure, which could create safety issues," said the 16-page document issued by Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump.

The audit showed that the facility for aging military veterans at 110 Cherry St. was unable to provide proof that inspections had been done of the fire pump system, fire alarm system and fire extinguishers, elevators, emergency lighting, dormitories and housekeeping.

Unidentified Holyoke Soldiers' Home officials said in the audit that inspections in many cases were done but that the documentation failed to show up when the Commonwealth Asset Management Information System (CAMIS) was upgraded in 2016.

The Holyoke Soldiers' Home is working with representatives from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to ensure inspection information is entered into the CAMIS, the audit said.

The audit covered July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2016. It was part of the state agency's standard schedule and not prompted by a complaint or problem, Bump spokesman Michael Wessler said.

"In this performance audit, we examined the scheduling of nursing personnel, overtime incurred by nursing personnel, facility and equipment inspections and preventive maintenance, and facility corrective maintenance work orders performed in response to issues identified during facility inspections," the audit said.

The Holyoke Soldiers' Home is a healthcare facility at 110 Cherry St. that provides long-term care, outpatient services, hospice care, a dental clinic and a veterans' assistance center for military veterans. Care is provided in two buildings: the main, 247-bed facility and a 30-room dorm, by a staff of about 300.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill in November to study the Holyoke Soldiers' Home's long-term capital needs.

Bennett W. Walsh, Holyoke Soldiers' Home superintendent, told The Republican the study was "incredibly important."

"These individuals are experts. They can provide an outside opinion on what's the best use of our infrastructure and also our existing structures and buildings and the green space that we have," Walsh said.

Emergency lights should be tested for 30 seconds every month and the fire pump should be tested weekly, the audit said.

Holyoke Soldiers' Home officials could not substantiate that required dormitory and housekeeping inspections were done. The facility's handbook on policies and procedures said that dorm inspections are supposed to be done monthly, the audit said.

"(Soldiers' Home) officials told us that the three inspections for which documentation was missing did occur but the inspection forms were misfiled and could not be located," the audit said.

The facility failed to provide documentation that any of the required daily housekeeping inspections of the areas where veterans receive nursing care services were done, the audit said.

"Such inspections are required to ensure that these areas are maintained in accordance with the facility's health and safety quality standards," the audit said.

"(Soldiers Home) officials told us that the daily housekeeping inspections were performed but that either they had not been documented or the documentation had been lost," the audit said.

Under a new policy, monthly dorm inspections will be filed electronically "accessible to Administration and the Housekeeping Supervisors," the audit said.

Holyoke Soldiers' Home officials also told the auditors that they had an "undocumented practice" of doing rounds to gauge the need for facility maintenance.
GREENFIELD -- Lawyers for an Athol pair accused of killing an elderly Orange couple argued to suppress evidence in a dramatic courtroom proceeding.

Joshua A. Hart, 25, and Brittany E. Smith, 28, are accused of killing 95-year-old Thomas A. Harty during a Oct. 5, 2016, home invasion, and fatally injuring Joanna Fisher, Harty's 77-year-old wife. Fisher, who spoke to police after being found by health care workers the next morning, died five weeks later.

Hart and Smith allegedly stole cash, credit cards and the couple's Toyota Matrix before fleeing to Virginia, where they were apprehended in a rented U-Haul parked outside a Rockbridge County Walmart. Each faces two murder charges.

In Franklin County Superior Court Monday, defense lawyers Brian E. Murphy and Mary Anne Stamm questioned the interrogation methods used by Lt. Steven Funkhouser of the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office and Stephen Bushay of the Massachusetts State Police, reports the Greenfield Recorder.

Audio recordings of the police interrogations were played aloud as friends and family members of Harty and Fisher sat in the courtroom. During the interview with Bushay, Hart admitted to killing Harty with a kitchen knife and described his methods, according to the newspaper.

Police and prosecutors say Harty and Fisher, who used a wheelchair, had been watching TV when the two-hour home invasion began. In addition to the murder charges, Hart and Smith are charged with home invasion, armed robbery, conspiracy, larceny over $250, larceny of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. The two denied Harty's murder at a January arraignment, and denied murdering Fisher in April.

Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jeremy Bucci is prosecuting the case, which is being heard by Judge John Agostini. The motion hearing continued Wednesday.
SPRINGFIELD -- Damion Harper often stops for lunch at Penny's Southern Style Soul Food on Page Boulevard in Springfield.

Last month Harper, a member of the Army National Guard who served three tours in Iraq, noticed a small jar with a letter attached asking customers to help bring Penny's owner Ana "Penny" Serrano's sick mother to Springfield from Puerto Rico.

"I just felt compelled to do something," he said.

Harper is a member of the Richard Allen Lodge #30 Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons on Berkshire Avenue, and he went to them for help.

"He told us how her mother, though resilient and resourceful, was in desperate need of medical attention," said Everett Handford, head of the lodge.

He said one of the common misconceptions about the Free Masons is that they are a secret society.

"It isn't true. We are a fraternal brotherhood that prides ourselves on three basic tenants -- faith, hope and charity," he said. "We act when we see injustices in our community and we react when our community is in need."

The group agreed that Serrano was in need and quickly raised $600 to help ease the costs of her mother's trip to Massachusetts.

Handford, Harper and fellow Richard Allen Lodge members Robert "Cee" Jackson and Kevin Holbrook stopped by the restaurant recently to meet Serrano.

"It is such a blessing," said Serrano, who has owned the soul food restaurant for a decade. "It means a lot to me that they would do this for my family."

Serrano's mother endured Hurricane Maria and her cement home is still standing in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, but flooding destroyed most of her belongings.

With no running water or electricity Serrano's mother was using candles to light the house. Several weeks ago she severely burned her foot and leg with a candle.

"She burned her whole foot and part of her leg. She went to the hospital where they treated her, but she is a diabetic and the foot got infected," Serrano said.

When her mother told her what was happening Serrano knew she had to bring her to Springfield.

"She has a lot of medical conditions and with her diabetes I could not risk leaving her there untreated," she said.

With the help from the Richard Allen Lodge #30 and customers who have given donations Serrano was able to bring her mom to Springfield two weeks ago. She is now getting medical treatment and preparing for the cold winter months.

For Harper it is a relief to know that the lodge members were able to help.

"Being a Mason and being in the military I want to help people when possible," he said. "I'm just thankful to the members for coming together to help Penny and her mother."
SPRINGFIELD -- Two Springfield men are facing drug-trafficking charges after a raid of their Pine Point home led to the recovery of 23,000 bags of heroin, an unspecified quantity of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and nearly $13,000 in cash, according to Springfield police.

Brian A. Santiago, 23, and Javier Torres, 46, both of 162 Gresham St., were arrested at the scene after police executed a search warrant around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.

The Springfield Police Strategic Impact Unit, under the direction of Capt. Brian Keenan, arrested the pair on charges of heroin trafficking and marijuana possession with the intent to distribute. Santiago also faces possession of ammunition without an FID card.

They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Springfield District Court.
NEW YORK--The United Nations envoy to North Korea returned from that country deeply worried about the prospects for bringing an end to Kim Jong Un's nuclear weapons program, according to a European member of the Security Council who was briefed on the visit.

The envoy, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, reported that the North Koreans don't believe the time is right for negotiations, according to the diplomat, who asked not to be identified discussing a closed-door briefing. Kim's regime plans to continue developing its nuclear program until it achieves a deterrent capability, the person said.



Feltman's trip to Pyongyang followed a late-November missile test that North Korea said showed it can now reach the entirety of the continental U.S. Most military analysts, however, say it's not clear North Korea can yet put a miniaturized nuclear weapon on that type of missile, protect it from burning up on re-entry in the Earth's atmosphere and successfully deliver it to the U.S.



"Under-Secretary-General Feltman conveyed to Council members in vivid terms his deep concern about the situation in the Korean Peninsula," Jose Luis Diaz, a spokesman for Feltman said. "There is in Pyongyang a somewhat different assessment of the issue."



After meeting with the Security Council on Tuesday, Feltman told reporters he was unsure about the effect of his discussions in Pyongyang.



"I think we've left the door ajar," Feltman said. "I fervently hope that the door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide."



U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will take part in a Security Council meeting Friday focused on North Korea. On Tuesday, Tillerson said that the U.S. is prepared to talk with North Korea after a "quiet period" without nuclear or missile tests.



"Let's just meet. We can talk about the weather if you want," Tillerson said in a speech Tuesday at the Atlantic Council in Washington. "We can talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table if that's what you're excited about."





But Tillerson's remarks generated confusion about whether the U.S. is looking to have talks without preconditions. After his speech, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement she said was in response to Tillerson's comments: "The president's views on North Korea have not changed. North Korea is acting in an unsafe way not only toward Japan, China, and South Korea, but the entire world. North Korea's actions are not good for anyone and certainly not good for North Korea."



And while Tillerson said he was willing to meet North Korean officials, he made clear that the U.S. refuses to accept an outcome that leaves the country with nuclear weapons. North Korea must be ready to "make a different" choice with regard to its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs for talks to continue, Tillerson said.



Lu Kang, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said at a news briefing Wednesday that China welcomed all efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue and hopes the U.S. and North Korea could "walk in the same direction, taking some meaningful steps toward dialogue and contact."



Ambassador Joseph Yun, the U.S. Special Representative to North Korea Policy, is in Asia this week to meet regional officials "to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign" on North Korea, though the State Department said he will not be meeting North Korea officials.





--By Kambiz Foroohar, Bloomberg News
The search for Polar Seltzer's mythical seltzer flavors could draw people to Boston as the Worcester-based company is placing vending machines in the city to support arts education.

The Impossibly Good vending machines full of half-pint cans of Unicorn Kisses, Yeti Mischief, Mermaid Songs and Dragon Whispers are being placed around Boston this holiday season.

"For the next couple of weeks only, we've dropped some special vending machines around Boston," Polar said. "They're filled with Impossibly Good sparkling seltzers waiting to be purchased by generous folks to raise money for the arts in school. Let unicorns, dragons, mermaids, and yeti tickle your imagination while enjoying the epic refreshment of doing good."

Every dollar spent is going to local schools. Polar said the company is working with Myran Parker-Brass, executive director for the art of Boston Public Schools, to help fund and support visual art education and programs. People are asked to use the #SeltzerJr to spread the word.

A vending machine was also placed at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.
The Marianapolis Preparatory School community will remember sophomore Connor Tronerud with a celebration of life on Saturday, honoring the 15-year-old from Sutton.

Connor was a dynamic and witty teenager who always had a high GPA. He loved playing with his iPad and Nintendo, and snacking on peanut butter cookies.

Connor took his own life on Dec 4. In a heartbreaking obituary, his family wrote that the emotional struggle he endured from bullying is what led to Connor's death.

"We will always hold Connor close to us, and we offer prayers of comfort and peace for his family," Marianapolis Head of School Joseph C. Hanrahan wrote in a statement.

The Thompson, Connecticut, school is offering counseling services to students who need extra support ahead of Christmas break on Dec. 20.

Hanrahan wrote that Connor was "an inquisitive and committed student," adding that his willingness to help others made him a special member of the Marianapolis community.

"Connor was an enthusiastic participant in many school activities and our community is comforted that he found so much joy both as a student and a camper for six summers at Marianapolis' Camp Stonewall," the statement reads.

Though Connor loved camp and felt safe there, social media proved to be overwhelming and harmful, his family wrote.

Hanrahan said that the school responds quickly to issues including cyberbullying.

"Marianapolis is a community of faith, inclusivity, and unconditional love," the statement reads. "We are continuously vigilant to aggressive incidents of any kind, including cyberbullying, and whenever an issue is identified or reported we respond swiftly and compassionately with the safety of our students as our top priority."

The office of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. was notified of Connor's death, a spokeswoman said. His suicide remains under investigation.

A message to the State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Windham, Connecticut, was not returned.

"Marianapolis promotes a culture of transparency encouraging our entire community to raise any issues of concern and providing support services whenever there is a need," Hanrahan wrote.

In the wake of Connor's death, his family has established a GoFundMe page to raise money for bullying prevention and self-harm awareness education.

As of Thursday morning, the page had raised more than $13,000 after being launched with a $1,000 goal.

On Facebook, family members and friends have uploaded profile pictures of Connor, some with a border that reads, "Be a friend, not a foe. Stop bullying. Stand up. Speak out."

The celebration of life at Marianapolis on Saturday will be private and not open to the public or the media at the request of Connor's family, the school said in a statement.
Few compiling a list of the best-known U.S. senators outside their home states would be likely to include Kirsten Gillibrand, the New York Democrat who has been representing the Empire State since 2009, among those at the top of the roll.

Though President Donald Trump has been doing his best of late to change that.

Here's the rundown of recent events: On Monday, in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Gillibrand said:

"President Trump has committed assault, according to these women, and those are very credible allegations of misconduct and criminal activity, and he should be fully investigated and he should resign.

"These allegations are credible; they are numerous," Gillibrand continued.

Though someone secure in his position would very likely have said nothing by way of response, Trump apparently wasn't blessed by his creator with the restraint gene. So he did what he does and hit back.

In a post on Twitter just past 8 o'clock the following morning, Trump wrote:

"Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office "begging" for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump. Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked -- USED!"

Though it's impossible to know what exactly the president was thinking by including quotation marks around the word "begging," there would seem to be little doubt about Trump's intended meaning with the six words he included inside the parentheses: "and would do anything for them."

It was sexual innuendo, plain and simple.

Though a great many saw it that way, the White House said that those who did were reading into the president's words something that simply wasn't there.

Said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, answering a question regarding the sexual implications of the tweet: "I think only if your mind is in the gutter would you have read it that way."

Yeah, sure.

And Trump's recent retweets that included videos from a British anti-Muslim hate group were equally innocent, right?

It's entirely possible that history will come eventually to treat Trump as a sort of accidental president. His only real talent -- except for surviving multiple bankruptcies -- was endlessly promoting his own name, his own brand. And though he seemed to have run for president as something of a lark, as just another bit of business hucksterism, he promoted himself all the way to the highest office in the land. Yet once there, he had no clue about what to do, how to act. Instead of recognizing that he's got the most important job on the planet, he behaves as though he's the host of some tawdry TV game show.

Increasingly, people are seeing past the facade, recognizing that Trump is even worse than an empty suit. Because an empty suit has no mean, angry core that congenitally lashes out after any slight, any provocation, real or imagined.

Gillibrand, who'll be running for re-election to the Senate next year, has been mentioned as a possible contender for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2020. Though she said recently that she's got no interest in the top job, the history of politicians who've made such statements only to later renege on them could fill a book.

If Gillibrand does, in fact, have designs on the presidency, she'll need to develop a solid national profile. One could think of Trump's needless, sexist tweet as helping to set the cornerstone for Gillibrand's campaigns to come.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Thursday sued the U.S. Department of Education and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for failing to discharge student loans for students who attended Corinthian Colleges.

Healey said the department, under President Donald Trump, has not processed a single student loan discharge application for former Corinthian students.

"(Attorneys General are) suing Secretary DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education to protect students who have waited in vain for the department to follow the law and give them the relief they've been promised," Healey said in a conference call with reporters.

Healey was joined in the suit by attorneys general from New York and Illinois, with a similar suit being brought in California by Attorney General Xavier Becerra. All the attorneys general are Democrats.

Corinthian Colleges, which went by the name Everest Institute in Massachusetts, had campuses in Chelsea and Boston. The national chain of for-profit schools went out of business and filed for bankruptcy. The U.S. Department of Education under former President Barack Obama said the college committed fraud by falsifying job placement rates.

Former Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed suit against Corinthian Colleges in 2014, alleging that the school misrepresented its training programs and job placement rates and used high-pressure sales tactics to push students into high-interest taxpayer-backed loans. A judge found Corinithian liable for violating the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act.

The U.S. Department of Education, under Obama, announced that it would forgive the debt of Corinthian Colleges students if they filled out a form to apply for loan forgiveness.

Healey submitted a group application, asking the Department of Education to forgive the loans of 7,000 Massachusetts students even though they did not submit individual applications. The attorney general of Illinois submitted a similar application for students in that state. The department, under DeVos, rejected the applications.

According to the lawsuit, the department has also ignored all pending applications from individual students since Trump took office. As of July, there were 65,000 repayment claims pending, including 1,000 from students in Massachusetts. By November, there were approximately 95,000 unprocessed claims, according to the lawsuit.

The Department of Education then garnished wages or withheld tax refunds from thousands of former Corinthian students in order to collect loan repayments.

"Approximately 100,000 applications from students cheated in the worst way are sitting in boxes somewhere in Washington, D.C.," Healey said. "Students who have been victimized, lied to and cheated need the department's help, and instead the department is taking their pay."

The lawsuit says students who defaulted on student loans are now unable to take out new loans to continue their education. Students may also have their credit scores lowered and their opportunities for employment hurt.

The attorneys general are asking a U.S. District Court judge to declare that all student loan debt incurred by students at Corinthian schools is not legally enforceable by garnishing taxes or wages; to order the department to refund any money that was garnished; and to order the department to discharge all student debt from these students.

Becerra said the money to provide relief is already available through legal settlements. "We're just wondering why Secretary DeVos decided to sit on this settlement and not take action to relieve the financial suffering of students and families," Becerra said on the conference call with Healey.
Paul Heroux, the Attleboro Democrat who came under fire for attempting to stay a state representative while serving as a mayor, has settled campaign finance violations, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance said Thursday.

The campaign finance issues date back to 2015 and 2016 and concern disclosures, prohibited contributions, record-keeping and personal use of campaign funds, according the independent agency.

A review of his campaign finance report came after Heroux asked the agency to help figure out a discrepancy with his account, according to the agency.

The Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) said the issues were resolved through Heroux agreeing to pay $2,500. Heroux made a $1,435 payment to the state's general fund and repaid his committee $1,065 for personal use of campaign funds.

According to OCPF, Heroux's committee didn't disclose $2,737 in contributions and $3,766 in expenditures. Approximately $900 in campaign funds were deployed for personal use.

His 2016 year-end campaign report had an ending balance of $16,808 while the actual balance was $13,780.

Heroux, who was elected to the Massachusetts House in 2012, agreed to an "enhanced" reporting schedule for 2018 and 2019, with additional paper reports during that timeframe.

In November 2017, he beat incumbent Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, but indicated he wanted to finish his House term by staying through 2018.

That led Gov. Charlie Baker to criticize Heroux for saying he would like to hold down both jobs, and Heroux to say he plans to resign from the House after all.

According to the Sun Chronicle, Heroux is expected to resign from the House on January 2, 2018. He had not submitted a formal resignation letter as of Thursday.
A federal investigation has been opened into Bryon Hefner, husband of state Sen. Stan Rosenberg, following allegations of sexual misconduct brought against him.

FBI agents are reviewing if Hefner offered political favors in exchange for sexual ones, the Boston Globe reports, citing two people with knowledge of the investigation.

Hefner's attorney, Tracy Miner, said she is unaware of any federal investigation. Neither she nor Hefner have been contacted by the FBI, she told MassLive.

A Rosenberg spokeswoman said, "We don't comment on Bryon Hefner."

Hefner, who married Rosenberg last fall, has been accused by four men of sexual misconduct. Three of the four men who spoke to the Boston Globe on a condition of anonymity alleged Hefner groped them while one said Hefner kissed him without his consent.

The Globe story was based on interviews with 20 people "who have dealt with Hefner or know his alleged victims," details incidents in 2015 and 2016, prior to when Hefner and Rosenberg were married.

In one incident, Hefner is alleged to have grabbed a man's genitals while they were together in back of a Prius, while Rosenberg sat in the front of the vehicle.

"He participates in official functions and he uses his influence with the Senate president as a part of his tool-belt of harassment techniques," one of the four men told the Globe.

Earlier this year, he sent a text message with a picture of male genitalia to a person who works in state politics. After indicating that they were not receptive to this, Hefner responded "i figured he was your type. i'll keep looking." The text exchange was shared with MassLive.

Rosenberg, D-Amherst, has denied knowing of these allegations prior to publication.

"To the best of my recollection I was not approached by anyone with complaints during or after the alleged incidents made in this article or I would have tried to intervene," he said in a statement.

"I have repeatedly made clear that Bryon was to have no influence on what happens in the Senate," Rosenberg said during an emotional press conference the day after news broke. "He has no influence over policy, the internal operations of the Senate, or any Senate related business. If Bryon claimed to have influence over my decisions or over the Senate, he should not have said that."

Hefner has gone into treatment for alcohol abuse, Rosenberg said.

He declined to take reporters' questions, citing an impending independent investigation.

Hefner, 30, was accused in 2014 of running an anonymous Twitter account that ridiculed outgoing Senate President Therese Murray. Following the incident, Rosenberg, 68, declared there would be a "firewall" between his personal and professional matters.

Rosenberg has stepped down as Massachusetts Senate president, pending the investigation. The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ethics is appointing an independent investigator to look into the allegations and concerns Rosenberg violated Senate rules.

MassLive reporter Gintautas Dumcius contributed to this post. The post was updated with a comment from Hefner's attorney.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined more than a dozen colleagues from across the United States this week in asking the Federal Communications Commission to delay a vote on so-called net neutrality rules following reports that fake public comments were submitted to the agency on the issue.

Healey and 17 other attorneys general penned a Wednesday letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and agency commissioners raising concerns about the impact the possibly fraudulent submissions could have on the agency's ability to reach a legitimate conclusion on the controversial issue.

They urged the FCC to hold off from considering net neutrality until their offices have completed their respective investigations into the alleged fake public comments.

The attorneys general pointed to the New York AG's office investigation into FCC public comments submitted on the net neutrality rollback, or "Restore Internet Freedom" proposal, which found a pattern of fake submissions using the names of real people.

They noted that several other AG offices have also received complaints from consumers indicating distress over their names being used in such a manner, and estimated that more than 1 million fake comments may have been submitted across the U.S.

Likening the practice to "identity theft on a massive scale," the attorneys general argued that the findings should give the commission pause.

"Woven throughout the Administrative Procedures Act is a duty for rulemakers to provide information to the public and to listen to the public ... But, if the well of public comment has been poisoned by falsified submissions, the commission may be unable to rely on public comments that would help it reach a legitimate conclusion to the rulemaking process," they wrote. "Or, it must give less weight to the public comments submitted, which also undermines the process."

The attorneys general called on the FCC to immediately delay consideration of the net neutrality proposal until their offices can determine exactly what comments should be considered, to cooperate with law enforcement investigations and "to take more care to ensure the integrity of the process in the future."

"While not all of us may agree on any given policy, we stand together today as prosecutors of fraud and as defenders of the democratic process," they wrote. "It is essential that the commission gets a full and accurate picture of how changes to net neutrality will affect the everyday lives of Americans before they can act on such sweeping policy changes."

Aside from Healey, attorneys general from Oregon, California, Delaware, Hawaii, D.C., Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Virginia also signed on to the letter.

The FCC on Thursday is expected to consider the net neutrality proposal, which would return broadband internet access service to its prior classification, reinstate the private mobile service classification of mobile broadband and eliminate the commission's Internet Conduct Standard, among other things.

Critics say the changes could let Internet providers decide what websites and online services their customers can see and use and at what cost.
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, led more than a dozen Democratic colleagues Thursday in announcing a push to reverse the Federal Communications Commission's controversial vote repealing Obama-era internet regulations.

Markey, who has been an outspoken critic of efforts to roll back the 2015 regulations, said he and 15 other senators plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution that aims to undo the FCC's Thursday action and fully restore net neutrality rules.

Calling the commission's ruling "an historic mistake," the senator pledged to fight the decision in the courts and halls of Congress.

Markey contended that the CRA, which allows Congress to overturn federal agencies' regulatory actions through a simple majority vote in both the House and Senate, will allow lawmakers to "correct the commission's misguided and partisan decision and keep the internet in the hands of the people, not big corporations."

"Without strong net neutrality rules, entrepreneurs, inventors, small businesses, activists and all those who rely on a free and open internet will be at the mercy of big broadband companies that can block websites, slow down traffic and charge websites fees in order to increase their profits," he said in a statement.

Noting that the CRA is co-sponsored by several Democrats, Markey added that Republicans must make a choice: To "be on the right side of history and stand with the American people who support net neutrality, or hold hands with the big cable and broadband companies who only want to supercharge their profits at the expense of consumers and our economy."

I plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution that would restore the Open Internet Order and reverse the... Posted by Senator Edward J. Markey on Thursday, December 14, 2017

The CRA resolution will be formally introduced once the FCC rule is submitted to both chambers and published in the federal register, according to Markey's office.

Aside from Markey, others backing the measure include: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon; Maria Cantwell, D-Washington; Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island; Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin; Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico; Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; Gary Peters, D-Michigan; Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan; Patrick Leahy D-Vermont; and Bernie Sanders I-Vermont.

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pennsylvania, plans to introduce a similar resolution in the House.

Congressman Richard Neal, D-Springfield, also said he was disappointed by the FCC's ruling and "fully intend(s) to support" Doyle's resolution.

"This move undermines and reverses consumer protective regulations already in place that allow for a level playing field in the e-commerce marketplace," he said in a statement. "I have heard from constituents across the First Congressional District of Massachusetts and the overwhelming majority of them are worried about what this will do to the guarantee of an open, free internet."

The FCC approved the "Restoring Internet Freedom" proposal, which called for repealing Obama-era standards that subjected internet providers to Title II utility-style regulations, on a 3-to-2 vote during its Thursday open meeting.

Supporters of the proposal said it was needed to address the "heavy-handed, utility-style regulation on internet service providers" the commission imposed in 2015 -- rules which they argued led to a drop in broadband investment and stifled innovation.

Opponents, however, have raised concerns that the commission's decision could lead to internet service providers slowing down, blocking online traffic or setting up internet "fast lanes."
The Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) proposal to roll back the 2015 Open Internet Order (OIO) has generated widespread debate. Fact is, its complicated.

Consumer Protection. The principles of network neutrality are that Internet providers should not block access to lawful content, throttle traffic or engage in discriminatory pricing schemes. A related theme is protection of consumer privacy (i.e., Internet providers should not sell or market consumers personal information). MTA member companies have not and do not engage in discriminatory blocking, throttling or discriminatory pricing regardless of the presence or absence of net neutrality rules. MTA members also protect their customer data and do not sell or market personal information.

Title I vs. Title II. Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 (the law that provides jurisdiction to the FCC) applies to advanced "information services." When updating the law in 1996, Congress intended to keep new information services relatively free of regulation. Title II of the Act governs legacy telecommunications services and subjects them to "legacy" common carrier regulations.

Consumer broadband services prospered as "information services" under the "light touch" Title I statutory framework until 2015, when the FCC for the first time applied network neutrality rules under Title II to these services.

The proposed FCC Order restores broadband regulation to pre-2015 status. Oversight of retail broadband would return to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has primary authority over antitrust enforcement and consumer protection matters with respect to other mass-market services.

Regulatory (Dis)Parity. The current OIO rules apply only to retail broadband Internet service providers (ISPs). Other dominant players in the Internet ecosystem, such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Netflix and others are not subject to FCC rules. The new rules introduced uncertainty into market decisions regarding new services and products that could be offered by ISPs.

This disparity is confusing for consumers  and potentially harmful. For example, Google was fined $2 billion this year by the European Union for blocking access to its search engine unless consumers paid discriminatory prices. With its Android operating system, Google is perhaps the worlds largest telecom provider.

Meanwhile, Google and Amazon are in a trade dispute over carrying one anothers content. Public Knowledge, a consumer watchdog organization, said, "Google is setting a disappointing precedent by selectively blocking customer access to an open website." Amazon and Google are putting consumers in the middle of a corporate battle between the two technology giants." (Communications Daily. 12/8/17.)

Privacy. The FCCs 2015 OIO rules presented the prospect for new heavy-handed, privacy regulations that would have applied only to retail broadband ISPs. However, the fact is that "edge" providers like Google and Facebook collect and market massive amounts of consumer data subject only to FTC oversight of their disclosures regarding use of such data.

As FCC Chairman Pai recently said, the role and responsibility of edge providers in promoting net neutrality must not be overlooked. "They might cloak their advocacy in the public interest," he said, "but the real interest of these Internet giants is in using the regulatory process to cement their dominance in the Internet economy."

Ex ante vs. ex post regulation. A recent blog in Reason.com put the net neutrality debate in perspective.

"The debate has never been over "regulation" vs. "no regulation" of ISPs. Rather, its a question of whether it is more appropriate for an oversight body to observe market activities and intervene when foul play is suspected, called "ex post regulation," or whether a beefed-up precautionary regulator should preemptively prohibit new service innovations until private bodies can prove them to be in the public interest, known as "ex ante regulation." (Reason.com. Dec. 5, 2017.)

A New Framework. The 2015 OIO tried to fit a square peg in a round hole.

We need common rules of the road that apply evenly to all players in the Internet ecosystem. The FTC can and will guard against unfair business practices by all those that interact with consumers, and it can and will enforce consumer privacyit has already brought over 500 privacy enforcement actions, including some against both Internet Service Providers and edge providers

However, as a technical expert in network interoperability and connectivity, the FCC must continue to play an important but targeted role in regulating wholesale transactions governing interconnection among operators in the broadband marketplace. The FCC also will be needed to ensure continued investment in our nations broadband infrastructure and to close the digital divide pursuant to its universal service mandate. Indeed, the way we pay for and support universal broadband infrastructure is broken.

In 2017, Google and Facebook alone are expected to generate over $100 billion in advertising revenues; yet they contribute nothing to the universal service mechanisms that support the rural broadband networks they use to reach their customers. Imagine how much more broadband infrastructure could be deployed sooner and farther if these operators contributed their fair share to cost of building the information highway.

Whether its Title I or Title II, the FTC or the FCC or some other regulatory construct, the inextricable role of the Internet in our lives calls for common rules of the road to guide the behavior and interaction of all broadband and edge providers in a rational, ex post regulatory environment.

Geoff Feiss

[email protected]

Montana Telecommunications Association

http://www.telecomassn.org

406.442.4316 (office)

406.594.0424 (mobile)
In todays modern marketplace  crammed with competitors, fickle consumers and e-commerce decisions  it takes more than initiative, drive and passion to achieve success with a new business. Entrepreneurs need to be more conscious of the market, as well as aware of what their customers expect in order to see returns on their business investment.

These arent the only requirements. Entrepreneurs need to be brave, taking action when required without getting distracted from goals. More, they need to know how best to act, which requires constant research and reading in order to stay aware of global and industry trends.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2017/12/12/14-ways-modern-entrepreneurs-can-achieve-business-success/#5a26fbed4afc
The Montana World Affairs Council https://www.montanaworldaffairs.org/ , a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is "bringing the world to Montana and Montana to the world," will have a new Executive Director. Council Board President, Charlie Oliver and the Board of Directors announced the appointment of Janet Rose as Executive Director in the New Year.

Established in 2000, the Council offers opportunities to better understand current events and international issues through people-to-people diplomacy, distinguished speakers, and educational outreach programs. Council founder, retired Ambassador Mark Johnson, says Montanas late Senator Mike Mansfield, described the vision for the Council best  "Montanans have room to live, to breathe, and above all, to think with a breadth of view which goes to the far horizon and beyond."

Rose has worked in international affairs as a journalist, executive director and senior development director. Early in her career, Janet was based at the United Nations covering international affairs for the BBC and other news outlets. As a journalist, Rose traveled throughout the Middle East, Central and South America, covering meetings on the Panama Canal and writing about border tensions between Israel and neighboring nations. Rose is former Executive Director of the International Wildlife Film Festival and Media Center, and recently returned to Missoula full-time after a four year tenure with the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center as the Zoos Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives. Janet was also former Director of Communications for International Programs of the Wildlife Conservation Society and head of Development and Communications for Save the Chimps, an organization that works with Dr. Jane Goodall.

Janet has called Montana home for more than two decades, and with her husband, raised two daughters in a rural community outside of Missoula. Raising children in a rural school district and working with youth programs across the state she says, gave her a first-hand understanding of the need and importance of exposing young people to international issues. "We are fortunate in Montana, to be in many ways insulated from the influences of the wider world, but curious as to the role that we can play in shaping that world. Our lives can be enriched by understanding global issues and the impact these affairs have upon us here in Montana." The World Affairs Council achieves this through a wide range of acclaimed youth education programs, including Academic WorldQuest, Distinguished Speaker Series, Council in the Classroom, and a popular radio program, Council on the Radio hosted by Robert Seidenschwarz featuring interviews with international leaders."

After a national search, Rose was selected to lead the Council and says, "I am honored and thrilled to be joining an organization that I have admired and followed. I watched its growth and evolution and the impact of its programs, as well as the quality of speakers the Council brought to Montana. I hope to continue these efforts and expand our reach to more rural schools where youth have fewer opportunities to be exposed to global affairs." Rose also hopes to build more educational partnerships with tribal leaders and schools on Indian reservations.

Rose adds, "There is no other organization like the Montana World Affairs Council, and its impact on global education for thousands of young Montanans is great. Through the World Affairs Council we have an opportunity to bring important issues to diverse audiences. I treasure this opportunity to contribute to the future of our youth and our communities. I hope many will join us."

***

The Montana World Affairs Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering global awareness and understanding in Montanas classrooms and communities. https://www.montanaworldaffairs.org/

You can view previous Montana World Affairs Council events recorded by MCAT here: http://162.219.73.99/Cablecast/public-site/index.html#/search?channel=2&query=Montana%20world%20affairs%20council
PFL Tech Inc. is a marketing technology company that provides sales enablement and marketing automation solutions, as well asprinting, mailing, and fulfillment services. They also provide some great Montana Jobs.
State regulators this week set the terms for a proposed wind-power project near Martinsdale, in central Montana  but the developer said Wednesday those terms make the project "uneconomic" and unable to go forward.

"These terms would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for any new (small, independent renewable) projects to be constructed in the state of Montana," TransAlta Corp. spokeswoman Tracey Hatcher told MTN News.

By Mike Dennison  MTN News

http://www.kpax.com/story/37061774/psc-sets-terms-for-wind-project-developer-says-theyre-unworkable
"For small to medium to national organizations, for events and fundraisers of any size, in any format  live, virtual or hybrid  the platform is built for scale."
The National Society of Black Engineers, based in Alexandria, Virginia, reports that it has more than 500 chapters and more than 17,000 active members worldwide. The organization, founded in 1975, works to widen the pool of engineering talent to include more people of color.

Opoku-Ware is president of Techs NSBE chapter and previously was a member of a chapter in Ghana, where Tech has a longstanding partnership with the University of Mines and Technology.

DUNCAN ADAMS [email protected]

http://mtstandard.com/news/local/montana-tech-chapter-of-national-organization-seeks-to-encourage-people/article_809e6225-4b04-54f5-9025-cd4b25f69480.html#tracking-source=home-featured
Innovation

Celebrating the opening of our latest state-of-the-art facility

The FLEx Center will help us continue to harness the power of leading-edge science with agility
Metropolitan News-Enterprise

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Page 1

Watchdog Group Brings Action to Force Purging Voter Lists of Ineligible Persons

Suit Filed in U.S. District Court Against Logan, Padilla

By a MetNews Staff Writer

Judicial Watch, a nonprofit advocacy group headquartered in the District of Columbia, and others brought suit in federal court yesterday alleging that adequate efforts are not being made to purge ineligible persons from the voters rolls and seeking action at the state and county levels to clamp down on illegal voting.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges:

Eleven of Californias 58 counties have registration rates exceeding 100% of the age-eligible citizenry.

It adds that data published by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission shows that Los Angeles County has a registration rate of 112% of its adult citizen population.

On a statewide basis, it avers, there is a registration rate of about 101% of the age-eligible citizenry.

Federal Statute Cited

The action seeks a declaration that Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla are in violation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 which requires states to conduct a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters and an order that they come into compliance with it.

It further seeks an order to develop and implement a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove from Los Angeles Countys rolls the registrations of ineligible registrants.

By not removing names of voters who have not voted in two consecutive federal general elections, the complaint says, fraud is facilitated. It explains:

Inactive registrations which may be voted by mail or in person on election day are particularly vulnerable to fraudulent abuse by a third party, because a voter who has moved to a different state is unlikely to monitor the use of or communications concerning an old registration, adding:

Inactive registrations are also inherently vulnerable to abuse by voters who plan to fraudulently double-vote in two different jurisdictions on the same election day.

Los Angeles County

It alleges that Los Angeles County has the highest number of inactive registrations of any single county in the country.

The plaintiffs are seeking access, which has been denied, to voter registration records.

Plaintiffs, in addition to Judicial Watch, are Election Integrity Project California, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clarita, and four lawfully registered voters.

Heading the attorneys for the plaintiffs is Charles H. Bell Jr. of the Sherman Oaks and Sacramento law firm of Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk, LLP. He immediate past general counsel to the California Republican Party and is a past president of the Republican National Lawyers Association, of which he is presently general counsel.

Copyright 2017, Metropolitan News Company
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Amanatidis, departs today, 14 December 2017, for Kyiv, where he will take part in the 37th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).



BSEC is the oldest, most institutionally mature and representative regional economic organization in the Black Sea region.



BSEC has 12 member states in the wider Black Sea region, while 13 other states and the European Commission have observer status, and 7 states are sectoral dialogue partners.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Terens Quick, is visiting Armenia to attend the second trilateral meeting on diaspora issues with the Cypriot Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots, Fotis Fotiou, and the Armenian Diaspora Minister, Hranush Hakobyan.

Within the framework of his visit, Mr. Quick and his Armenian counterpart will tomorrow sign a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on diaspora issues. He will then meet with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Garen Nazaryan and the President of the National Assembly, Ara Babloyan. He will also be received by the head of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians.

Finally, Mr. Quick will visit the Genocide Museum, where he will lay a wreath in memory of the victims.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, will meet with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, at 10:30 on Friday, 15 December, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions will focus on issues of Mr. Hahns portfolio.

Following their meeting, at about 12:30, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the European Commissioner will make joint statements to the media.
N. KOTZIAS: It is a pleasure to have with us my friend Edward and the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia.

Yesterday, here at the Ministry, we had an interesting discussion with hundreds of our staff, based on the positions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Today, we continued our talks, one-on-one and with the delegations. We underscored the steps we have taken since our last official meeting and since my official visit to Armenia. We already have the trilateral meetings between Greece, Cyprus and Armenia on diaspora issues. And this evening, Mr. Nalbandian will be departing with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Terens Quick, for another such meeting in Armenia.

We agreed to establish the trilateral relationship between Greece, Cyprus and Armenia on a permanent basis, similar to the other trilateral cooperation schemes we have in the eastern Mediterranean. Our next meeting will be a two-day meeting. On the second day, we will invite Iran to discuss the issues and the potential for cooperation in the wider region.

We agreed to step up our cooperation on all levels and in the key sectors associated with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Cooperation between our Directorates and the regions where we have shared interests.

Of particular importance is our cooperation regarding the European Union. Greece has expertise on this and can pass it on, transfer it to Armenia, via visits from Armenian officials competent for EU affairs and through visits of our experts to Armenia.

We will attach special importance to Greeces support for Armenia, including with regard to visa liberalisation within the European Union.

We agreed to exchange visits next year. On our visit to Armenia, in the first half of the year, we will co-organize a business forum aimed at developing our economic relations, which are at a much lower level than our political relations.

We will look in particular at how we can collaborate in sectors of cutting-edge technology. We know that Armenia has a long tradition, dating back to the Soviet era, of being a pioneer in various technology sectors, in energy issues  especially renewable energy sources  health and tourism.

It is well known that Armenia always supports Cyprus-related issues firmly and in a spirit of friendship. We are always grateful for our friendly countrys positions. I also want to say that Greece supports the Minsk process, regarding the special problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is a special case in the international scene and in international law.

We support the stances of the leaders of Europe, Russia, the U.S., who are participating in the Minsk process. We support the three principles, as expressed by them. The principle that the problem must be resolved by peaceful means and not through military force or the threat of use of force. The solution should be based on ensuring the territorial integrity of the region and the self-determination of the population living therein.

I found very interesting that, despite the complexity of the problem and the great tension surrounding it, in the past year there have been six meetings  if Im not mistaken, Edward, there were six  between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is the reverse of the conduct we saw in Korea, where the leadership of Korea told us that their biggest problem with North Korea is that they lack the channels of communication through which to discuss their differences.

I say this because it is obvious that, even if you have disagreements  and disagreements of strategic importance, in fact, regarding the issue being discussed  you have to talk. There must always be channels of communication. Nothing could be more foolish in foreign policy than confronting your geographical neighbours, your neighbouring states, with the same stubbornness one might witness in a block of flats, if we arent on speaking terms with one of our neighbours.

We also very much believe in and support the reforms in the friendly state of Armenia. Our cooperation in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, of which Armenia will be holding, if Im not mistaken, next years chairmanship. We support many of each others candidacies in international fora. In addition, we want to develop our cultural and educational relations.

Greek-Armenian relations are relations of friendship, appreciation and shared sorrows. In 1996 we recognized the Genocide perpetrated against the friendly Armenian people. The museum in the countrys capital is very moving. I was moved when I visited it.

May the friendly people of Armenia always experience development, growth and as much peace as possible, and may the role of this wonderful country  small in size but great in history  grow and gain in importance in the global and regional system.

I am always happy to meet with you, Edward. Our one-on-one talks on the course of regional affairs are always very deep, and we always learn from each other.

We thank you very much for being here, in Greece, yesterday and today, and we hope our meetings and collaboration intensify on every level.

Thank you very much.



E. NALBANDIAN: Dear Nikos, ladies and gentlemen, first of all I would like to thank my dear friend and colleague Nikos Kotzias for the invitation and his warm welcome.

Armenia and Greece are brotherly peoples, bound by centuries old cordial relations and traditionally deep mutual sympathy, support and solidarity. We meet frequently with Minister Kotzias in different international fora. I recently hosted him in Yerevan and now I am glad to be in Athens to continue our discussions.

Earlier today I had the honour to meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Pavlopoulos, and we changed views on the Armenia-Greece relations.

My visit started yesterday with a lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Foreign Minister Kotzias said, and I would like to thank once again for the opportunity he gave me to share our approach on regional issues and present Armenias foreign policy priorities.

At our meeting with my colleague we touched upon the implementation of the agreement reached during last years official visit of the Armenian President to Greece.

As Minister Kotzias mentioned, we have discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral and mutual agenda.

We touched upon ways of further deepening our political dialogue, strengthening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and partnership in the areas of defence, education, science, technology, culture, tourism and many other fields.

We exchanged views on the potential for enhancement of our economic relations that could be explored further on the level of the intergovernmental commission and through the organisation of business forums. The possibilities for engagement of the Greek companies in the free trade zones in Armenia, the use of the potential provided within the framework of EU-Armenia relations, prospects of development of cooperation between Greece and the Eurasian Economic Union were among the issues also discussed.

We highlighted the solid legal framework between our two countries that could serve as a basis for further enhancement of our ties.

In this regard, during our meeting in Yerevan, we agreed with Minister Kotzias to create a special working group between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Greece to take into consideration what has been done and explore new avenues.

I am glad that this group has already been established and even held its first meeting this October here in Athens, headed by Secretary General of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, who also discussed in Yerevan with my colleague the possibilities of cooperation between sizeable Armenian and Greek diasporas.

We continue the exchange of views on this issue till today and I am glad that our two Ministries are actively engaged in exploring the full potential of such ties and interaction.

The cooperation between our parliaments is also very important. We believe that bilateral visits of parliamentary delegations could enhance the dialogue between our parliamentarians as well as strengthen our cooperation in the framework of international parliamentary assemblies.

All talks were focused on the intensification of our interactions within international organizations, notably the UN or ECEE, the Council of Europe and others.

As you probably know, next year Armenia will host the summit of international organization of La Francophonie, which units 84 countries, Greece among them, so I presented to my colleague the preparations ahead of the summit.

In a few days Armenia will assume chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation. So we have touched upon the upcoming ministerial meeting in Kiev.

Within the context of Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement we have exchanged views on prospects of developing cooperation between Armenia and the European Union.

We also discussed regional and international issues. We touched upon the Cyprus issue. Mr. Kotzias presented the recent developments with this regard. Armenia supports the Greek and Cypriot efforts in this regard.

I briefed my colleague on the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process, the efforts exerted by Armenian and the OEC ministerial group of co-chair countries to advance the peaceful settlement of the issue. We highly appreciate the balanced position of Greece in support of these efforts and the fact that it agrees with the approaches of the three co-chairs of the ministerial group of the OEC.

And, of course, we had an exchange of views on a number of other regional and international issues.

Dear Nikos, thank you very much for the warm hospitality and very interesting, meaningful and fruitful discussion.

Thank you.

COORDINATOR: Questions from the media.

JOURNALIST: A question for Mr. Nalbandian.

Minister, would you like to tell us more about the prospects for cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, and how Greece could best contribute to this cooperation.

E. NALBANDIAN: We had a comprehensive discussion with my colleague, the Foreign Minister, about the possibilities of our cooperation, also taking into consideration the context of a new CEPA agreement between Armenia and the European Union.

This is a very comprehensive agreement. The name itself, CEPA, means that this is a very important and serious document. CEPA means Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

So, we have many fields of sectoral cooperation according to this agreement. We have an economic part, and we have a political part and we are looking forward to work closely with one of our closest friendly countries in the European Union, first of all, to pass the ratification process as quick as possible and then to start the implementation of the paragraphs of this agreement.

The dimensions in this agreement are very different, very multi-ranged.

COORDINATOR: Next question, please.

JOURNALIST: Minister, your relations with Turkey  I am addressing His Excellency Mr. Nalbandian  are not very good. While - from what the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs said - you have met six times with Azerbaijan. How much has the dialogue moved forward in your relations with Turkey? Have you asked for Greeces collaboration in this sector, as there are open channels of communication between Greece and Turkey.

And, Mr. Kotzias, could you give us an assessment of the Turkish Presidents visit to Greece?

Thank you.

E. NALBANDIAN: Concerning our meeting with the Azerbaijani neighbours, yes, I informed my colleague about the last 6 meetings between Foreign Ministers of Armenia and of Azerbaijan that were held only during this year. But we had also a Summit in Geneva, in October of this year. In general, the meeting of the Summit in Geneva passed in a positive mode. But immediately after this meeting, Azerbaijan returned back to the warmongering statements and false accusations.

The last meeting between Foreign Ministers we had in Vienna was a very long one, about a four hours meeting, a very detailed discussion. And, in general, it also passed in a positive mode. But immediately after the meeting, I said we have to wait and see the developments. Why? Because, as I mentioned, the Summit in Geneva was also in a positive mode, but then, the Azeris continued their warmongering statements and accusations, which we now all see.

The important point from the Vienna meeting was that we agreed to continue our meetings and discussions. We are planning to have the next meeting in the second part of January.

Concerning our relations with Turkey and all that, this is an initiative of the President of Armenia. For the normalisation of our relations, we not only started, but also concluded negotiations with Turkey, by signing two protocols in Zurich on the establishment of the diplomatic relations, the opening of borders and the development of our relations. We signed these agreements.

But since then, Turkey refused to ratify and implement these agreements. These agreements couldnt remain hostage of this very strange situation, where the Turkish side is not able to ratify and respect the agreements reached and also implement them.

So, as said the President of Armenia, we will consider these agreements as invalid in spring of next year if, till then, there is no other development from the Turkish side.

Thank you.

N. KOTZIAS: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give its assessment tomorrow in front of the Parliament. I will say only this: According to the opposition, Mr Erdogan's visit failed before it began. In my assessment, made after the visit took place, it was a success.

It is a difference of timing. They assessed the visit before it took place. We assessed the facts. Secondly, it was a visit that adhered to its programme and itinerary, as opposed to what happened in 2004, when Mr. Erdogan -as some of you may remember- made four speeches in Thrace that had not been agreed upon, and went four hours over schedule, because he spontaneously visited various areas and villages where the majority of the population was Muslim.

The visit was a success because our President and our Prime Minister had frank and open talks with the Turkish President. They touched upon issues that each of us knows exist, and I think that the other side spoke more realistically as the talks progressed.

I believe that President Erdogan gained a better understanding of Greeces positions, and, to a great degree, he appeared as if he took them into account. The visit also succeeded because we reactivated the channels of communication, which was vital, because these channels closed following the attempted coup in Turkey. It also succeeded because we prepared for a number of meetings. We are already discussing a visit by the Migration Minister, Mr. Mouzalas, to Turkey.

And we had the preparations for G2G meetings in February. As I said earlier, we must not keep things bottled up in our relations with a neighbour. We should focus on how to influence him and how we can prompt him towards a positive agenda and in the direction we want. In order to recreate better conditions for resolving the problems that exist.

When problems exist, they have to be discussed and resolved. They dont exist so that you can look at them, be dismayed and complain about them. Journalists can do that, but politicians cannot.

Thank you.

COORDINATOR: Next question, please.

JOURNALIST: Though I think you have already partially answered this... I wanted to refer more to the speech the Turkish Prime Minister made in the Turkish Parliament yesterday, where we heard that he raised the issue of the Aegean, islands, etc. What is your assessment of this development, given that an effort is being made, as you said, to reopen the channels of communication?

N. KOTZIAS: First of all, we made it absolutely clear and I also talked to the Turkish leadership that international law exists to be implemented and to be understood. On the other hand, it is good for certain parties to be careful about how they raise certain issues.

For a very long time now, the Kemalist opposition in Turkey has been critical of the Turkish government because, they say, it has allowed Greece to seize 18 Turkish islands in recent years. The Turkish Prime Minister didnt raise an Aegean issue. He responded to the opposition, saying that his government hasnt allowed a single rock, or island to be seized.

There is a saying: Much ado about nothing. They talked about seizure of islands the opposition asked, and the government responded that it hadn't allowed any seizure that have never been seized, because, based on international law, they have always belonged, at least in the 20th century, to the Greek polity.

But a clarification needs to be made, and I ask you to pay attention to this: when the opposition in Turkey said, they have seized islands from you, the Turkish Prime Minister responded that they havent seized any islands.

In my opinion, the problem isnt what the Turkish Prime Minister said. Rather, it is this deeply flawed view that the Turkish opposition has put on the agenda of the Turkish Parliament. Greece hasnt seized any islands. Greece is a very pacifist power. I know that some people dispute territory, and for decades now they have been talking about grey zones, and I say this publicly, for the first time: if their criteria are implemented, we will probably find grey zones in Turkey.

JOURNALIST: (off microphone)

N. KOTZIAS: According to the criteria some people use not the Turkish government, but some people- to determine "grey zones", Im arguing that some rocky islets that belong to Turkey will be included in this category. I am saying this publicly for the first time.

JOURNALIST: To the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs: I wanted to ask you, following the latest rapprochement we have seen between Turkey and Russia, whether you have seen a change in Moscows stance on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh.

. NALBANDIAN: On Nagorno-Karabakh, there is a common position of three co-chair countries of the OSCE Group, expressed in five statements. And this position has not changed. It is expressed regularly and last time in Vienna, a few days ago, in the framework of the OSCE meeting. The Foreign Minister of Russia, the State Secretary of the United States and the Head of the French Delegation were also there.

In other words, the conflict has to be resolved on the basis of three principles of International Law, i.e. non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity and equal rights and self-determination.

And the three co-chairs expressed, at the same time, the necessity to implement the agreement reached. And, in particular, the agreements reached in Vienna, Saint Petersburg and Geneva Summits.

That means, first of all, respect of trilateral cease fire agreement, the creation of a mechanism of investigation of the violations of the cease fire agreement on the line of contact and on the border. And expansion of the team of the personal representative of the Chairman in Office of the OSCE.

All these agreements were reached during the last three Summits, as well as many times before. Many times Armenia declared and reconfirmed its commitment to fully respect and implement these agreements. But, unfortunately, Azerbaijan is trying to take a step back.

And the last statement of the three co-chair countries in Vienna, and before that in Hamburg, were a vivid demonstration that the international community will not tolerate no respect of the agreements reached in the level of the Presidents. And with the support of the Three Co-Chair countries, which have a mandate for mediation and support for the peaceful solution of this conflict.

Thank you.

N. KOTZIAS: I would like to thank our interpreters. Without their efforts we would be unable to do a lot of our work here at the Ministry, at least in the way we do it. I thank you for the trouble you go to, what you do for us. I have to say this every time. The same goes for the technicians who helped make this press conference possible.

Thank you.
N. KOTZIAS: We had the pleasure of hosting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the friendly country of Colombia. We exchanged views on the further development of our bilateral relations. We talked about Colombias very interesting peace process and we congratulated them.

It is a model from which we can all learn. Colombia is a very interesting country because it is developing its economy, it has a great culture, and we have to take advantage of all this in our bilateral cooperation.

We also discussed the development and the general situation in our regions, the crises and wars in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as issues of economic development and its different facets in Latin America.

M. A. HOLGUIN CUELLAR: I would like to thank Minister Kotzias for the excellent reception. The truth is, I wanted to come to Greece earlier, but due to the peace process in my country it wasnt possible.

But it is a great pleasure to be here. I met with Minister Kotzias last September, and of course we had the opportunity to talk about the importance of our bilateral relations and how these relations can be strengthened even further.

I talked to Minister Kotzias about the opportunities that exist in Colombia  which is now at peace  in various sectors, including the business sector. I also mentioned the potential for olive oil to enter our market.

We also talked about security issues. I explained everything we have done in this sector and the ways in which we can pass on our experience and thus ensure further cooperation and improvement in our relations.

Finally, I would like to say that tourism was another key sector that we talked about. There is no doubt that there is a great deal of room for cooperation in this sector. Colombia, which, as I said, is now at peace, has improved its links with various cities in our country, so I would say that it is an exceptional opportunity for us to make it possible, through tourism, for anyone who is interested to get to know a gorgeous country.

Thank you.
KINDE -- When most people hear the words "discussion meet," they immediately think of a heated debate.

That's what usually happens when people get together to solve a big problem.

But that wasn't the case for some North Huron students. They actually had a productive discussion that led to results as part of the Michigan Farm Bureau Youth Discussion Meet.

Held each year in the fall, the contest is a chance for students to develop their public speaking skills while analyzing and discussing current problems affecting the agriculture industry. Though students bring many different ideas into the discussion, their goal is not to prove that their own solution is the best. Rather, students collectively examine possible solutions and further their understanding of the subject.

Students follow a semi-structured set of steps during the meet. They give a 30-second opening statement, then have 20 minutes to freely discuss any facet of the topic. After the body of the discussion comes the closing statement, which students are given one minute to prepare for. The closing statement outlines the main points of the body of the discussion and gives students the opportunity to make any final remarks.

The participants are graded on six categories: Opening statement, closing statement, delivery, problem solving skills, analysis of the topic, and cooperative attitude.

After students are judged on these criteria at the regional contests, the top three students from each region have the opportunity to compete at the State Youth Discussion Meet.

Casey Baranski, Kelsie Goretski, Ty Knoblock, Hannah Mills, Lindsey Ritter, and Ben Zaleski all competed in the regional division of the contest, held at Delta College. After three rounds of the regional contest, Goretski and Zaleski moved on to the state semifinals in Grand Rapids. After the state semifinals, Zaleski had the opportunity to advance into the state finals.

The discussion meet taught these young adults valuable communication skills that will be necessary as they leave high school and enter adult life. The success of these students shows that when many people work to solve a common goal, amazing things can happen.
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MIDDLETOWN  Wesleyan University student Linne Halpern is fascinated by fashion.

The 22-year-old senior, double majoring in English and American studies and minoring in American literature and visual culture, sees the world through the lens of ones choice of attire.

Im really drawn to the storytelling abilities of clothing. Clothing says so much about a person and has the ability to speak a silent language, she said. You get dressed every morning with whatever is comfortable, whatever is convenient, whatever is the easiest to wear throughout your day.

Theres an artfulness involved in that process and people choose to engage with that artfulness more or less depending on their interest in it, but its always saying something about a person by what they choose to wear, Halpern said.

Cleveland born and raised, Halpern is co-editor of the student-run online literary magazine Reverberations with Sage Marshall, a 21-year-old junior majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing.

Launched last January, the site is filled with work by young writers, including Halpern and Marshall, who subjectively examine various forms of art.

We are interested in the way that emotionally affective responses of art can be weaved into analytical analyses, Marshall said.

Reverberations has published work from students at Columbia, Dartmouth and Washington universities, The New School, and several still in high school  ranging in age from 18 to 30.

Getting a perspective from young writers is very important to the editors  not only because there are so few venues for budding authors to express themselves, but also, these young talents are just finding their voices.

Its a really interesting time in peoples lives to write personally about their work, because peoples identities are still in question and developing and changing in different ways, Marshall said. I think a lot of that is reflected in the way we engage with art.

As they approach the first anniversary of Reverb, the two are inviting creatively inclined people throughout the Middletown community to send in their writing.

Halpern hand-created the waves logo on this visually rich site with a Tiffany blue theme by cutting out magazine clippings and formed a collage of waves.

The whole idea of reverberations as a name and ideology for us is that art, and peoples responses to art, reverberate off of themselves, creating further ripples and further responses to art, Halpern said.

Both grew up reading extensively as children  so a segue to writing and eventually editing was a natural progression.

We thought it would be a good experience to launch Reverberations as well as adding value and bringing in a new type of publication for young people at Wesleyan and elsewhere to engage with art in a more meaningful way than weve seen from campus newspapers and publications like that, said Marshall, whos into hiking, mountain biking and fly fishing.

A lot of it was we were seeing this type of writing, reading it and really appreciating it, but also we werent seeing it from student publications at Wesleyan and elsewhere, said Marshall, who was born in New York City, then moved to Telluride, Colorado, at 9.

I was a huge fantasy geek, Marshall said of his reading choice at a young age. Lord of the Rings, Eragon and The Golden Compass were a few of his favorites.

Essays are interspersed with 250- to 500-word reviews of works, or Fresh Thoughts, along with a newer section,Dialogues  informal interviews with artists practicing in different genres.

I find essays way more interesting, more emotionally resonant, Marshall said. Im not necessarily interested in reading about someone breaking down all the parts of a movie and dissecting them. Im more interested in how they experience the movie, he explained.

Both spend between seven and 10 hours a week on the magazine, editing pieces and often helping local writers who submit a piece that needs some work.

Well work up multiple drafts and send comments back and forth, Halpern said. Its an in-depth experience thats mutually beneficial for the writer, in developing their voice, and getting the work and talent that we like to see on the site, said Halpern, who became especially enamored of Joan Didions Slouching Toward Bethlehem at 18.

Reverb is always looking for fresh submissions from writers.

Its a balance between retaining a very high quality of work but also working very closely with our writers and trying to be that non-intimidating space for submissions, Halpern said.

They draw upon the talents of fellow students who help out with copy editing and graphic design.

Presently, writers arent compensated for their pieces, although, Marshall said, theyd like to monetize Reverb some time in the near future.

Each has written professionally: Halpern freelanced for Teen Vogue and Man Repeller, and similar lifestyle, fashion and culture publications, while Marshall wrote his first piece after graduating from high school for the Colorado-based Mountain magazine, where he still submits work. Hes also interviewed musicians for the Denver alt weekly Westword.

Each has a distinct writing voice, something the editors have grown more and more to appreciate in one another.

Linnes writing is very emotionally honest, Marshall said. Shes not afraid to show her feelings and to show her emotions in a way most people can identify and empathize with. I think thats her greatest strength as a writer. Her prose is both bubbly and serious at the same time. It pulls its punches in an interesting way.

Halpern also appreciates her colleagues uncanny ability to feel for his subjects.

He comes from very specific and particular worldview, she said. He has had a lot of experiences that bring you into a world, but also, at the same time, he has such a deep capacity for empathy, which allows him to really understand character.

Hes able to relate to people very different from himself and write about them in a way thats really honest and respectful and dignified, said Halpern, who contrasts her more expressive style. I have a tendency to be flowery and overly extensive and dramatic at moments, and Sage just really cuts through all the bull-, she said.

For information, visit reverberationsmag.com.

Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@hearstmediact.com.
Americans are spending an average of $1 billion per day online during the 2017 holiday season, staying on pace to top $100 billion for the first time.

That data from Adobe Analytics confirms projections for continued growth in online shopping during a season where overall spending is expected to grow by 4 percent - and it raises questions for Michigan retailers: How much of that are they able to capture?

Many retailers in the state are using strategies that mirror those used by national stores in the dramatically changing retail realm, allowing them to carve out their own online niche - and, in some cases, compete against major online sellers.

The Michigan Retailers Association plans to ask members about whether they saw a holiday bump in sales during its next survey round, said spokesperson Meegan Holland.

"One study estimates that at least two-thirds of spending increases will happen online this season," Holland said. "That's all the more reason why we're helping retailers think about e-commerce options, if they haven't already done so."

Ideally, Holland said, the stores with physical locations are using online tools "so they can engage with customers in multiple ways."

During the holidays, that reach becomes more critical.

"The best scenario? Offer free ship-to-store deals," Holland said, "so they can provide customers with the convenience of online shopping, but get the foot traffic in the store."

Creating a seamless online-to-store experience is a goal of national retailers, too. Many are building their brands to convey the so-called omnichannel approach, with Walmart's name change - it's no longer Walmart Stores Inc. - an example.

One Michigan retailer that uses its web presence to drive in-store sales is Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in Okemos.

Much of the store's inventory is listed online, and it actively sells its Michigan State University pieces through SpartanJewelry.com.

But the goal, Kulka said, is "we want people to come in. When they get here ... we can give them an experience."

The merchandise online allows a customer browse before getting to the store, and consider different options. And it elevates the store as potential customers consider where they'll make a purchase.

Online-only options are aggressive, but the Okemos store is faring well against the competition.

"Our web presence is critical to be competitive with online shopping," Kulka said.

The presence - with a web page and via social media - "need to be appealing enough to draw people in so they just don't shop online," she added.

Other Michigan retailers are competing head-to-head with the nationals. One example is Schuler Books, based in Grand Rapids.

The company stocks large selections in its stores, which include locations in Okemos, Lansing and Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor.

But it also maintains a large and vibrant online sales site, thanks to its affiliation with the American Booksellers Association.

Schuler wants its customers to use the online sales site if they want the convenience of virtual shopping. It's a model that's working.

"We've seen our average percentage going up," said Charity McMaster of Schuler, noting that is happening despite online giant Amazon continuing to use books as loss leaders. "... That's a nice thing to hear. It puts a dent in the perception that online has to be in one place."

And, she added, it allows shoppers to keep their spending local.

According to data analysis, said Schuler manager Tim Smith, most of the sales are not to out-of-area or -state shoppers who find the store via a search engine.

Instead, they come from people searching for the store. That, he said, reinforces how the in-store experience influences shoppers no matter how they make their purchase.

Changes this year at Schuler include adding "shelf talkers," or signs on shelves with QR codes that can be scanned with phones to provide more information or create a wish list.

Mobile optimization is changing how the store interacts with customers, McMaster said, with searches and sales becoming easier.

"Not only can you come into store, but you can be online and done," McMaster said. "We've made a nice, easy way to get things coming to your house. We'll even gift wrap for you."

Zingerman's Mail Order in Ann Arbor was created years ago to provide a national outlet for the local products made for the Zingerman's Deli and other related businesses.

It will generate about $15 million in sales this year, with half of that in November and December, said Valerie Neff-Rasmussen. That represents about a 5 percent increase over 2016.

The company recognized that many shoppers are using mobile devices to shop online, so last fall it invested in upgrades to its online shopping cart function. Mobile traffic jumped as much as 50 percent, Neff-Rasmussen said.

Stragegically, she said, "it's just a bigger way of helping people get to our site."

Zingerman's is known for the quality of its ingredients, which doesn't make it a value play. The company doesn't compete on price, marking its message as different among many year-end sales pitches.

Neither Kulka nor Schuler Books push the discounting and deals, they said.

While each have different types of products, both join Kulka in emphasizing that their in-store expertise helps make a retail experience for customers that leads to sales.

"We are seeing more and more that our operation is a crossover between instore and online," Smith said. "Someone might come in and have done some research online - we can go a lot deeper to help them find (recommendations)."

Kulka said she shops online and understands the convenience. But she also hopes shoppers recognize the value of knowing where that online business is based and who benefits.

Holland estimates that up to 68 percent of money spent in Michigan in some format - in person or online - stays in the state.

"If you value local businesses, you have to support them -- even the big stores - to keep them here," Kulka said.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - President Donald Trump has labeled the North American Free Trade Agreement as a "job killer."

Don't tell that to Birgit Klohs, president of The Right Place Inc., the economic development agency for West Michigan.

Klohs says the 23-year-old trade agreement has been good for Michigan and any attempts to get rid of it could result in a costly trade war.

"It was not a job killer for Michigan. In fact, in West Michigan alone, almost 50,000 jobs depend on exports and many of those are going to Canada," Klohs said after her agency's annual economic forecast breakfast on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Klohs and James Robey, an economist for the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, were optimistic about West Michigan's economy in 2018, predicting it would continue to out-perform the state and national economy despite a shortage of workers.

"We had a great 2017 and our pipeline for projects is very robust," Klohs said. But if NAFTA happens, all bets are off."

The ongoing negotiations to reform NAFTA, which could be completed by spring, are flying below the radar in the Michigan business community, she said

"The changes we're looking at are very detrimental to our automobile, furniture and agricultural industries," said Klohs. Any efforts to place tariffs on foreign made goods will either raise prices in the United States or result in a trade war that will harm the flow of trade, she said.

"Let's put it this way, protectionism has never worked," said Klohs. "It sounds good because you want to protect U.S. jobs. But you're cutting off the free exchange of goods."

NAFTA could be "tweaked" after 23 years, but Michigan would be harmed more than any other state by eliminating NAFTA and replacing it with individual trade agreements with nations, she said. "It needs a serious re-work, but it doesn't need to be thrown out. "

Klohs' concern about NAFTA was the largest cloud on the horizon at the end of a year in which West Michigan continued to out-perform that state and national economy.

Overall, West Michigan's economy showed a 2.5 percent growth in employment while construction jobs grew by 8.9 percent, Robey said. Manufacturing employment grew by 3 percent while service jobs grew by 2.1 percent, he said.

Looking forward, Robey said West Michigan's economic growth will continue to be held back by a labor shortage. With an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, many of the 21,000 persons who are actively looking for work may lack the skills or education to fill the jobs that are out there, he said.
LANSING, MI -- It started as a normal delivery for Mark Clark last Friday when he arrived at the 127 Party Store in Hudson. It ended with a life-changing purchase that has Clark constantly fighting back tears of joy.

"Every time I start to talk about winning, I know if I don't laugh I'll cry because I'm so happy to have had such good fortune and to be able to retire securely someday and take care of my family," Clark said.

Clark says it's hard to talk about winning because he still doesn't know how to feel about winning $4 million playing the Michigan Lottery's Millionaire's Club instant game. The 47-year-old truck driver from South Rockwood says he didn't even know he'd won such a large prize when he first scratched off the ticket.

"I deliver fuel to the 127 Party Store every day, and on Friday I stopped to buy a Millionaire's Club ticket on my way out the door," said Clark. "I always just scratch the bar code off and scan it to see if it's a winner. This time, the ticket said to see the clerk, so I handed it to the store's owner.

"He scanned the ticket and told me I'd have to go to the Lottery to claim the prize. As we were talking, he scratched the rest of the ticket and then looked at me with a shocked look on his face and said: 'Mark, you just won $4 million!'"

After discovering the win, Clark said he took his fuel truck back to the shop before informing his family.

"I gathered my family in the house and called my aunt on the phone," said Clark. "When I told them all the good news, they couldn't believe it and were so happy for me. It's been an overwhelming experience."

Clark visited Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing on Wednesday to claim his big prize. He chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $2.5 million, rather than annuity payments totaling $4 million.

With the winnings, Clark says he plans to buy new vehicles for himself and his son, a bass boat and of course give his family a spectacular Christmas.
ANN ARBOR, MI - State officials are investigating whether two group homes were improperly unlicensed after a resident died and the homeowner was arrested last weekend.

Police believe Everett J. Thompson, 64, died sometime between Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 and was found by fellow residents on the floor of the group home where he lived at 515 Monroe Ave. in Ypsilanti.

However, police say the owner of the home, Annie S. Swanson-Walls, 57, moved his body to a group home at 524 Madison Street, directly behind the home in which he died, and then lied to officers about finding Thompson unresponsive in a bed there.

Swanson-Walls was arrested Sunday and her husband was also detained, questioned and released, Ypsilanti police Lt. Deric Gress confirmed.

All residents were removed from the homes after state officials recommended alternate placement.

A group home, located at 524 Madison Street in Ypsilanti, seen on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Police say the group home owner, Annie S. Swanson-Walls, moved the body of Everett J. Thompson, 64, to the Madison address after he died at a nearby Monroe Street group home sometime between Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017.

Swanson-Walls was arraigned Wednesday, Dec. 13 on charges of concealing the death of an individual, a felony, and failure to report the discovery of a body, a misdemeanor.

Thompson was considered a vulnerable adult and while no foul play was suspected, police were continuing to investigate the death and the relocation of the body, Gress said.

He declined to comment further, noting the matter was still under investigation.

Swanson-Walls was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

She faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted of the felony and up to one year in jail and $1,000 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor.

Her Ann Arbor-based attorney, Robert McCoy, declined to comment.

Swanson-Walls is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on Dec. 21 and a preliminary examination on Dec. 28.

In the meantime, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services' Adult Protective Services unit and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs have opened investigations into the two group homes.

Adult Protective Services investigates abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults who are unable to protect themselves because of advanced age, or physical or mental impairment, said MDHHS spokesman Bob Wheaton.

"As a result of the incident and arrest, MDHHS Adult Protective Services is not convinced that residents in the two homes have proper care and custody," Wheaton said. "Adult Protective Services has recommended all vulnerable residents find alternate placement. The local Community Mental Health agency is handling placements."

Seven people lived at the Monroe address in addition to Thompson, and two lived at the Madison address, Wheaton said. By Wednesday evening, all residents had been removed from the homes.

Now, licensing and regulatory affairs officials are investigating whether either home required adult foster care licenses based on the services provided.

On Tuesday, individuals at the Monroe address identified themselves as relatives of the owner who were stopping by to deliver food to residents. They declined to comment, but said the home was an independent living facility.

Neither home had a license, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs public information officer Pardeep Toor said.

However, licenses are required if a facility provides, in addition to room and board, personal care, supervision and protection to 20 or fewer unrelated persons who are aged, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or physically disabled, for 24 hours a day, five or more days a week, for two or more consecutive weeks for compensation, he said.

Under Michigan law, if it's determined the facility should have had a license, the facility must stop providing care or apply for a license within 30 days of receiving notice.

If the owner does not apply for a license in the prescribed period, but continues to operate, it's a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Repeated failures to gain proper licensing is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $75,000 fine.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Members of the University of Michigan's Board of Regents have declined to form a committee to investigate divesting the university's endowment from certain companies alleged to commit human rights violations against Palestinians.

Six of the eight Board of Regents members signed a joint statement Thursday, Dec. 14, noting that they strongly opposed any action involving the boycott, divestment or sanction of Israel.

Regents Shauna Ryder Diggs and Kathy White did not sign the statement. Diggs noted in an email that she is in favor of addressing statements, deliberations and responses to a resolution in an open meeting.

The statement by the majority of regents reads, "We must consider the broad landscape of university stakeholders including all students, our faculty, staff, alumni and the citizens of the State of Michigan.

"We remain committed to the university's longstanding policy to shield the endowment from political pressures."

UM Student Government President Anushka Sarkar presented a resolution calling on university leaders to investigate divestment from companies that contribute to human rights violations against Palestinians.

In a letter to the student community at UM stating she would sign the resolution, however, Sarkar addressed some of the controversies surrounding it that might undermine efforts to build campus support toward future efforts to have the university appoint an ad hoc committee to investigate the ethical and moral implications of its investments.

Sarkar said she provided some changes to the resolution that she presented to the Board of Regents on Dec. 7, removing any mention of Israel or specific companies alleged to have committed human rights violations against Palestinians.

Initially brought to the assembly by the student organization Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), the resolution included companies like Boeing, Hewlett-Packard and United Technologies - all of which SAFE alleged contributed to the attack on Palestinians in occupied territories.

References to those specific companies were removed from a separate version of the resolution Sarkar presented to the Board of Regents, with the intent of preserving the spirit of the resolution - to investigate UM investments that may be tied to the violation of Palestinian human rights - without unnecessarily targeting a country or faith, or limiting the scope of the committee to three companies.

Sarkar said Thursday that she was not surprised the Board of Regents opted not to investigate divestment, but hopes the spirit of the resolution she submitted can be a starting point for further discussions down the road.

"... I fully anticipated that the Board would reject the version of the resolution that passed the Assembly because of its mention of Israel," Sarkar said. "That is why I offered a redlined version that removes mention of Israel and the particular companies, but obviously, even that version of the resolution was rejected by the Board of Regents. I believe the redlined version of the resolution should serve as a starting point for future versions of this resolution in coming years.

"I believe the authors and advocates of this resolution do not intend to target Jewish people, and I do not believe that criticism of Israel is inherently anti-Semitic," Sarkar noted in her guidance to CSG members. "I believe the University of Michigan should not invest in companies that endanger the lives of Palestinian people."

SAFE had brought similar resolutions before CSG since 2014 that were voted down before the resolution passed with 23 members voting in favor and 17 against the motion stating that three companies "violate Palestinian human rights," while five members abstained. The resolution was passed after 10 previous attempts since 2002.

Sarkar said the "lack of explicit clarity" surrounding the initial resolution's intent caused her to caution the campus community that advocates for the resolution in coming years, including SAFE's first version of the resolution proposed to the assembly, which included citations from the "Boycott, Divest, and Sanction" (BDS) Movement. The citations ultimately were replaced when Jewish students pointed out the discrepancy "between the intent of the authors to separate this resolution from the BDS movement versus its continued and clear ties to the movement," Sarkar said.

She also was critical of the CSG assembly's vote to block UM professor Victor Lieberman from speaking prior to the vote at the meeting, with some members claiming that allowing him to speak would have created a power gradient between professors and students. Lieberman had been allowed to speak against previous divestment resolutions in the past.

"Voting to prevent Victor Lieberman from speaking fostered uncontextualized dialogue around this issue, especially as another speaker with parallel credentials could have spoken, too," Sarkar said. "As such, CSG will conduct a review of its guest speaker practices and regulations in advance of the next Assembly meeting."

After the resolution initially passed on Nov. 15, UM noted it has been the university's longstanding policy to shield the endowment from political pressures and to base its investment decisions solely on financial factors such as risk and return.

The Board of Regents echoed those sentiments in their joint statement Thursday.

"Most importantly, our university has long been a community that seeks to study and improve the human condition through our research and scholarship," the statement reads. "We work together to better understand the most complex challenges we face on campus and beyond. We do this work through active engagement in the world around us. To boycott, divest or sanction Israel offends these bedrock values of our great university."

UM officially divested resources on two occasions in its history - from South Africa in 1978, and in 2000, when it divested from the tobacco industry. In 2015, UM CSG approved a resolution to create an ad hoc committee to investigate endowment investments in the fossil fuel industry.

UM's investment policy calls on its Board of Regents to appoint the ad hoc committee to investigate the ethical and moral implications of its investments when the following conditions have been met:
ANN ARBOR, MI - Several Washtenaw County school districts are stating their opposition to bills that would allow people with concealed carry licenses to bring guns into schools.

The state House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is considering bills passed by the state Senate in November that would allow people with extra training to concealed carry in places like schools, day care centers, stadiums and bars.

Those areas are typically considered "gun-free zones," although a loophole in the law currently allows for open carry in those areas. The bills passed by the Senate would ban open carry in places like schools, and instead allow concealed carry for people who complete an extra eight hours of training.

The boards of education for Ann Arbor Public Schools, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and Dexter Community Schools have taken issue with the proposed legislation - though their reasons for opposing the bills vary.

Dexter Schools board of education focused on the local control issue in a resolution the board voted on Monday.

"We don't want to get in to whether guns should be allowed or not be allowed, but we do believe local government should have some say and local schools should have the option (whether they want to allow concealed carry)," Superintendent Chris Timmis said ahead of the board meeting.

Ann Arbor Public Schools took a strong stance on gun control in general in a resolution the board passed unanimously on Oct. 25, saying legislators "possess the accountability to create a safe or unsafe environment."

The AAPS resolution notes the "increasingly destructive mass shootings" in the United States and the "lax gun policies" that grant access to guns to the mentally ill and people deemed too dangerous to be on an airplane.

The concealed carry bills would "compromise the ability to maintain a safe environment," the AAPS resolution states, and the school board called on legislators to vote no on the bills.

Ann Arbor Public Schools has been involved in legal battles over people bringing guns into schools, after Michigan Gun Owners sued the district in 2015 over its policies prohibiting guns in schools.

In December 2016, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that said AAPS has the right to enforce a district-wide gun ban.

The WISD board passed a resolution on Nov. 14 opposing the concealed carry bills. The trustees said based on their responsibility to provide for the safety of students, they advocate for schools to be gun-free zones and called on Gov. Rick Snyder to oppose the concealed carry bills and instead support local decision-making on the topic.

Chelsea School District trustees also considered two versions of a resolution in opposition of the Senate bills related to concealed carry in schools at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 11, before deciding to table the issue, said Superintendent Julie Helber.

"While the board could collectively agree that local control gives school districts more flexibility in establishing individual policies, they decided that they would like to further discuss the wording of any statement or resolution prior to voting," Helber wrote in an email.
FLINT, MI - A 26-year-old Flint man has been charged with multiple felonies in an early morning crash in April 2017 resulting in the death of 4-year-old Tristen Laron Crain.

Nearly three months after Flint police issued a warrant for his arrest, Markee Kirome Smith turned himself in for arraignment before Genesee County District Judge Nathaniel C. Perry on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Smith faces five felony counts in connection with the crash, including:

Operating while intoxicated causing death.

Manslaughter with motor vehicle.

Reckless driving causing death.

Fail to stop at an accident when at fault resulting in death.

Fail to stop in a personal injury accident.

He is free on a $30,000 surety bond.

Smith's arraignment comes eight months after the April 18 vehicle crash at East Lyndon and Summit on Flint's north side, where prosecutors claim he was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed into a car containing Tristen and his grandmother, Cynthia Crain, on the way to Tristen's Head Start preschool program.

With airbags deploying in both vehicles, Crain's Dodge sedan crashed into a utility pole, while Smith's Chevrolet Express van sailed through a nearby fence, crashing into a tree, police at the scene said.

The boy and his grandmother were both hospitalized, Tristen in critical and Crain in good condition.

Crain was released. Tristen, after a week on life support, died.

Police said Smith was arrested after hospital bloodwork showed he was intoxicated, but he was released shortly after.

For Tristen's mother, Latoya Crain, the charges feel like "too little, too late."

"For him to get bond, I feel like that was a slap in the face," she said. "We've seen drug dealers who get locked up for less ... now he gets to spend another Christmas with his kids while I'm at the cemetery."

She said she feels "let down" by the city she grew up in.

"I am disgusted with the Flint Police Department and Flint," Crain said. "My son was poisoned by the water, I have the paperwork to prove his speech impediment was from the lead. Now a car hits him against a utility pole and they can't even get the guy. I'm kind of in disbelief."

Flint police spokesperson Detective Tyrone Booth said the department had been actively searching for Smith, but that the process takes time.

"We are not idly sitting doing nothing," Booth said. "It's evident that we are doing something by the fact that we put the information together and submitted it to the prosecutor's office requesting a warrant for arrest ... If you don't want to be found or if you are running from law, it's not like we have the ability to know where every person is at every given time, so it makes it a little difficult because we have to find you. That search can take time, and can be disappointing to family members of those who are victimized by crimes, but I assure you that we are working hard to bring to justice this person."

However, Matthew Norwood, Smith's attorney, said that his client was not immediately made aware of the charges against him five months after the crash, and that he turned himself in as soon as he was able to do so.

"He wasn't running from anything," Norwood said, adding that the case is still in the discovery stage, where new information is still being collected. "My client is pretty upset and devastated that a young child lost his life, but there are a lot of factors that are not being reported that we are still researching. His heart goes out to the family of the victim."

Smith is scheduled for a probable cause conference before Genesee County District Judge William Crawford on Thursday, Dec. 21.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- After an 11-year-old was handcuffed at gunpoint, a group of pastors and clergy want the U.S. Department of Justice to review the training and policies of Grand Rapids police.

The Rev. Jerry Bishop of Lifequest Ministries was among about 30 clergy members who gathered Wednesday, Dec. 13 at Brown Hutcherson Ministries on Jefferson Avenue SE to talk about the issue.

He believes the issue is one of "cultural competency" as police do their jobs.

"There are far too many incidents that keep popping up to just disregard it and say we don't have a problem in our community,"' Bishop said. "The community is on edge and tempers are flaring."

The girl, Honestie Hodges, was handcuffed and detained briefly while police looked for a relative, a suspect in a Dec. 6 stabbing. The girl, her mother and another family member were leaving her home when they encountered police outside.

Police ordered the three females, one by one, to walk backwards toward officers before they were handcuffed. They were freed once police determined they were not involved in the stabbing investigation.

Grand Rapids police Chief David Rahinsky has admitted officers should have used better discretion when interacting with the girl.

Bishop said the girl's handcuffing is one of three police incidents that have made him question the policies and training of officers.

The other two involved a March 24 incident near the Kroc Center where five black youth were held at gunpoint because of a large fight with a report of a gun seen; and a 15-year-old struck with a flashlight in 2014 after he ran from police and refused to show his hands after being pulled to the ground.

The teen struck by the flashlight, who police believe dropped a gun during the chase, settled a lawsuit with police for $95,000 earlier this year.

"These are not random acts," Bishop said. "We can no longer believe that this (police) system is going to correct itself."

Grand Rapids Deputy Chief Eric Payne attended the clergy meeting and said the clergy group has a right to make a requests with the Department of Justice.

But he also said the police department is already involved in an initiative, the 21st Century Policing program, to review the department's policies and procedures.

"We are participating in that already and I'm hoping for some good outcomes," he said. "We're already taking steps to address some of the concerns raised."

Payne said a 21st Century Policing task force already has gathered three times to work on issues that came up with a recent traffic stop study that showed racial bias in the department.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Philosopher Alvin Plantinga, who won the 2017 Templeton Prize valued at $1.4 million, is donating $595,000 to his alma mater Calvin College.

Plantinga graduated from Calvin College with a degree in philosophy in 1954 and was a professor of philosophy at the college from 1963 to 1982.

"The funds will be used to support the work of an intellectual community that provided him -- as both an undergraduate student and a faculty member--with the space to ask challenging questions and explore new ground in his field, leading to a flurry of impactful discoveries,'' according to press release Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Plantinga is described as valuing Calvin as a place where faculty and students have the freedom to integrate their faith and learning.

The bulk of the funds he's donated will work to advance the college's thought leadership in the academy and the broader world through faculty research and student scholarships.

The prestigious Templeton Prize is one of the world's largest annual awards given to an individual and honors a living person who has made "an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works.''

Plantinga, 84, work spans over 50 years. He is credited with breaking new ground in philosophy of religion.

"Plantinga is an intellectual giant, and at Calvin he walked among other giants of Christian academia,'' said Matt Walhout, dean for research and scholarship at Calvin College.

"His generation modeled the kinds of teamwork and mutual support that allow Christian scholars to thrive. Calvin honors their legacy by continuing to invest in world-class faculty scholarship."

Plantinga received the 2017 Templeton Prize at a September ceremony at The Field Museum James Simpson Theatre in Chicago, Ill.

Plantinga is described as "an American scholar whose rigorous writings over a half century have made theism - the belief in a divine reality or god - a serious option within academic philosophy.''

Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, professor of philosophy at Calvin College, said the Reformed tradition has always valued and championed the life of the mind as a way to glorify God.

"Calvin College's holistic faith-integration model of scholarship is both intellectually fruitful and culturally winsome," she said.

"The church needs good scholars and thoughtful members, and Calvin College encourages its faculty to use their professional expertise to bear on issues important to churches and communities of faith. Calvin has held in balance that commitment to academic excellence and that robust faith-engagement. It's hard to keep those two things together, but here it is part of our DNA.''

Walhout said Calvin hires faculty who are experts and potential world-changers. He said school leaders want them to continue with their professional work, and hope they will "bring their work to church" in the sense of helping other Christians understand its importance.

"That way, our students get a cutting-edge education in their major fields, but they also get to see how their specialties fit into a much bigger picture," said Walhout.

"This integrated approach can make a Calvin education pretty exciting for students and faculty alike."

Established in 1972 by the late global investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton, the prize is a cornerstone of the John Templeton Foundation's international efforts to serve as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind.

Plantinga received his Master's degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Yale. He is the John A. O'Brien Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, where he taught for 28 years until retiring in 2010.

He and his wife, Kathleen, reside in Grand Rapids.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Lead Marketing Agency has acquired Wynott Advertising & Design.

The purchase came after looking at several potential deals, said Tom Sullivan, the Grand Rapids firm's president and co-owner.

"Acquiring an established firm like Wynott Advertising & Design means that we've increased our expertise, resources and creative services very quickly," Sullivan said in a statement.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed by the Grand Rapids firm located at 2311 E Beltline Ave SE.

Sullivan started Leads in 2008 with Matt Tiedgen, the firm's co-owner and vice president.

Clients including Brann's Steakhouse & Grille, Two Men & A Truck, Biggby Coffee, Grand Rapids Griffins, Consumers Energy, Northpointe Bank, Grand Valley State University and Busch's Fresh Food Market.

This has been a busy year for the firm. It has hired a creative director, expanded its digital advertising services and added a financial and strategic growth manager.

The investment was made to shift Lead to a full-service marketing agency. The staff has grown to 11 employees.

"We now will lead the marketing strategy, create the message, place both digital and traditional media in a very targeted fashion and analyze the data all under one roof," Tiedgen said.

Founded in Grand Rapids in 2004 by Scott Hagley, Wynott has provided traditional advertising services to clients including Silver Bullet Firearms, Fence Consultants, Grapids Heating & Cooling, Distinctive Catering, Design 1 Salon & Spa and the West Michigan Whitecaps.

Hagley will join Lead as an account manager.

Other recent hires include Eddie Bullinger as creative director. Bullinger was partner and creative director at Murdoch Marketing in Holland since 2006.

"Eddie brings major-market talent and experience to Grand Rapids," said Sullivan. "We think companies will be thrilled with his ability to produce design that communicates the authentic message of each brand."

The agency has brought on Dan Gardiner joins as senior graphic designer, and Jeannesa Martin as digital specialist.

Gardiner brings 20 years of professional experience to Lead's creative department, while Martin is a recent Ferris State University marketing graduate with a specialty in social media marketing.

In the summer, the agency contracted with veteran advertising agency consultant Steve Koskela to serve as chief financial officer and strategic adviser. Koskela's 27 years of experience includes acting as chief financial officer of North American Operations for TBWA Chiat Day in Los Angeles, and most recently as managing director of sjk advisory group, which he will continue to operate, while working with Lead.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Lawsuits between the city of Grand Rapids, its police unions and a fired police officer over a "non-recorded" phone line in the police department are no closer to resolution.

A federal judge on Thursday, Dec. 14, granted fired Grand Rapids police Lt. Matthew Janiskee the ability to seek out more information about the phone line in the department.

This is the second time U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo has allowed Janiskee more time to gather information about the phone line as Janiskee counter-sues the city. The motions for discovery are delaying the judge's ability to respond to the city's request for summary judgment in the case.

As the lawsuits drag on, the city is racking up a hefty bill to defend itself in court. The city has spent $91,429.06 in fees from contracted law firms from March to August of this year on the battle against Janiskee alone.

The lawsuits between the city, its police unions and Janiskee began in February 2017 as the city sought a federal judge's opinion on whether it broke wiretapping laws in recording the phone line.

The city claims it recorded line 3407 accidentally, discovering the recordings on the phone line as it probed Janiskee's direction of a crash scene investigation Nov. 19, 2016, that allowed former Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Josh Kuiper to avoid a drunken driving charge.

Janiskee counter-sued, claiming the city violated state and federal wiretapping laws by recording and listening to the calls.

As a result of his first discovery motion, Janiskee and his attorneys discovered the phone line in the department - line 3407 - had in fact been recording since 2010.

"The judge looked at what we already found and ... he said there's enough here for you to do more," said Andrew Rodenhouse, Janiskee's lawyer.

Janiskee is now trying to determine who in the police department instructed the city's contractor to record line 3407, and to mark the line as "non-recorded" in the phone system.

"Somebody created a work order," Rodenhouse said. "Someone ordered that line to be recorded."

Rodenhouse said the work order would have likely been made in an email -- but as the city only retains emails for one year, that email from 2010 no longer exists.

Judge Maloney on Thursday granted Janiskee 60 additional days for discovery to depose Lt. Patrick Merrill and Deputy Chief David David Kiddle, who were involved in setting up the phone system with the contractor in 2010, as well as to determine which officers in the police department were on the "project team" in the installation of the phone system.

The city claims it is "not knowable" whether anyone specifically requested the phone line be recorded.
ADA TOWNSHIP, MI -- A lightly used Kent County park is expected to triple in size within the next few years.

Chief Hazy Cloud Park, located just across the river from Amway's sprawling complex in Ada, is currently about 120 acres and includes roughly 1 mile of Grand River frontage.

A series of state grants, combined with local funds set aside for the project, are expected to help Kent County expand the property to about 373 acres and 3 miles of river frontage.

Last week, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board signed off on a recommendation for the state allocate about $1.5 million to help pay for purchasing about 125 acres adjacent to an in-progress expansion of Chief Hazy Cloud.

Kent County Parks Director Roger Sabine said preserving the section of riverfront property, once part of the holdings of local gravel mining companies, is a priority for the county.

"It's been long-term strategy to keep on buying the land downstream from the original Hazy Cloud," Sabine said.

Chief Hazy Cloud Park was originally much smaller -- only 1.45 acres until 1944 and 24 acres until 2007, when a $1.1 million state grant helped the county add 98 acres and 1,900 feet of river frontage.

There has been interest in further expansion, Sabine said, though no expansions have occurred in the 10 years since. That's part of the reason the pending land purchases are so exciting, he said.

"It's a long time coming," Sabine said.

Though overcrowding of the small park prompted expansion decades ago, the park system's master plan recognizes use of the park has been "relatively light" recently. One of the primary users of the park is bicyclists, who use it as a staging area for nearby bike routes, the plan states.

"However, with the acquisition of 98 acres in 2008 and the possibility of adding more undeveloped river frontage, the park is likely to once again become a regional favorite in the Kent County Park system," the plan states.

Sabine said the purchase is less about building the park needed today than about what future county residents will want and need.

"As a community grows, we also have to think about park lands and think about what is going to be needed 20-30 years in the future," he said. "If you don't buy it now you're not going to have it in the future."

If the county doesn't seize it's opportunity, Sabine said, the land would likely be swallowed up by future development and the chance to set it aside for a park would be gone.

Without the core park land set aside in the 1920s and 30s -- like Fallasburg Park, Townsend Park and Johnson Park -- Sabine said Kent County's park system would be much less than what it is today.

"We're just trying to do right now what was done for the community back in the 30s," he said. "Just looking ahead and getting ready for the needs of the future."

A previously received Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $2.1 million is expected to help Kent County buy about 145 acres just northwest of the current park. That purchase is expected to cost about $3 million, with Ada Township, Kent County Parks Foundation and the county's General Fund all expected to help make up the difference.

Sabine said the county hopes to purchase that acreage within the first few months of 2018.

"We are in process right now," he said.

The $1,561,000 grant recommended by the Trust Fund board last week is the first of two expected to help fund a further expansion of another 125 acres. In addition to another about $3.1 million in state grants for that purchase, the county and township will add a 30 percent matching portion to help cover the total estimated purchase cost of more than $4 million, Sabine said.

Like the already pending purchase, the long strip of property would stretch from the Grand River to Pettis Avenue. Together, they would add more than two miles of river frontage and about 270 acres to the existing park.

Included in the information released with the announcement of grants awarded by the Trust Fund board this month is acknoledgement that the Chief Hazy Cloud Park expansion would help accomplish a larger environmental goal set by local leaders. The property is identified within a corridor in the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds' Green Infrastucture plan.

The plan identifies the paths of rivers together with natural areas and greenspace as priorities for preservation.

Just aross the river from the proposed property purchase is Roselle Park, a 240-acre nature preserve that was once home to the Ada Beef Company.

Another major property purchase in West Michigan was also founded in the most recent round of Trust Fund grant awards.

Ottawa County's $4.2 million grant, when combined with another $4.2 million expected next year, will help cover the cost of purcahsing a 353-acre sand mining property along the Grand River just upstream from where its channel opens into Lake Michigan.

Michigan's Natural Resources Trust Fund was set up through a voter-approved amendment to the state Constitution in 1984. It draws its funding from state-owned mineral leases and royalties.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Palmer Elementary School student Sheenay Paw held up the sleeve of a blouse to inspect it as Grand Rapids Police Department Officer Ricky Urena searched over another rack of clothing in the Meijer clothing department.

The officer and the 10-year-old were looking for a shirt for Sheenay's mom for Christmas, which was a little difficult as Sheenay did not know what size she wears.

Sheenay and Urena both participated in the Shop with a Hero event held at the Meijer at 1997 East Beltline Ave. NE on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Community Police Officer JP Guerrero said 20 kids total from four schools were selected and paired with Grand Rapids officers. Each child was given a $100 gift card donated by Meijer to buy gifts for their family and themselves.

The schools, Aberdeen Elementary, Coit Creative Arts Academy, East Leonard Elementary, and Palmer Elementary, were asked to select the kids, as they knew who were most in need.

This was the fourth year for the event, but this year a couple things were different.

For one, Santa Claus was able to take some time away from the North Pole to come visit the kids. Their faces lit up as he entered the room and he told them he was nice and full from eating a bowl of cookies that morning.

The second difference was the Grand Rapids Police Foundation donated money for four bicycles to be donated to some of the children. The children from the schools were asked to submit essays on who their heroes were. The children who wrote the four winning essays won the bicycles.

One of the winners was Sheenay. After the whole group took a photo together she scampered away to start shopping, her pigtails bouncing.

Her shopping list consisted of finding gifts for her niece, two of her sisters, her mom and her dad.

She and Urena strolled through the store together, Urena pushing the cart with Sheenay walking alongside.

Sheenay pursed her lips as she inspected the different hair accessories she could get for one of her sisters. Urena checked the price on each item to keep the two on track for their $100 Meijer gift card.

In the end, Sheenay said she found everything she was looking for. She was really happy, as she loves shopping and had never used a gift card before.

She said her plan was to give the toys to her family that night as a surprise since they did not know she was going to go shopping with a police officer that day.
WYOMING, MI -- A 25-year-old Wyoming man who was shot by police Tuesday, Dec. 12, remains hospitalized two days later and has not yet been charged with a crime.

Kent County Undersheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said the man was in good condition and was being supervised at a local hospital as of Thursday, Dec. 14 while he recovers from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police won't release the name of the man until he is officially arraigned, but confirmed that he was a resident of the complex where he was shot.

The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. Tuesday when three Wyoming Department of Public Safety officers responded to a "domestic situation" at Ramblewood Apartments in Wyoming.

While on scene, one officer fired their weapon and struck a 25-year-old man inside the apartment complex. Police said the man was armed, and that they recovered a gun.

Officers rendered aid to him before he was transported to an area hospital for treatment, police said.

Police have not released the names of any of the officers involved in the incident. One officer has been put on paid administrative leave, per department policy, while the Kent County Sheriff's Department investigates the shooting.

LaJoye-Young said it's still early in the investigation. The involved officers are given "a couple sleep cycles" before being interviewed by detectives with the sheriff's office.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on today has taken a note on the current state of affairs of the Company.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 84.85 and 52-week low Rs 48.10 on 20 December, 2016 and 11 August, 2017, respectively.Currently, it is trading 30.23 percent below its 52-week high and 23.08 percent above its 52-week low.Market capitalisation stands at Rs 56.81 crore. Source : BSE

Read More
By Satish Gupta of astrostocktips.in

Todays planetary position: Moon will be transiting in Libra. Jupiter & Mars in Libra. Sun, Mercury & Venus in Scorpio. Lord Saturn in Sagittarius. Lord Rahu in Cancer. Ketu in Capricorn. Pluto in Sagittarius. Neptune in Aquarius & Uranus in Pisces.

BE CAUTIOUS: Astrological position about stock market is uncomfortable & highly deceptive. It is sell on every rise.

RAHUKAL TIME: - 13.30-15:00

Planet Mercury, which controls our mind (Buddhi) is transiting in Sagittarius is in retrograde position from December 3, 2017 to December 23, 2017. Be cautious, as one is likely to take wrong decisions, resulting in financial losses, depending on its position in individual horoscope.

Following sectors will be receiving astrological support:

Hospitals: Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Dr Agrawals Eye,Kovai Medical, etc

Technical analysts/researchers can be worst affected (since Planet Mercury is significator of this profession). Persons with Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio & Sagittarius ascendant/Rashi need to be extra vigilant.

To identify and buy such stocks at right time and exit at right time. Timing is most crucial element in investing or trading. This timing can be known through Financial Astrology. Astrology is only science which can predict future correctly & guide us about sectors which have to outperform.

Every year with commencement of new Samvat (Hindu New Year), astrologically, based on planetary position, certain new sectors start getting strong astrological support & start outperforming, while some others sectors which were performing earlier start underperforming. Some sectors/stock remains laggards. Based on our experience of over 18 years as Financial Astrologer, stocks of astrological supported sectors outperform resulting in exorbitant gains irrespective of market behavior, either bull market or bear market.

PREDICTING BULLISH SECTORS OF NEXT SAMVAT 2074

Every year we release sectors of new Samvat in the month of March/April when new Samvat starts. But this year, we shall prepone release of next Samvat sectors, which are going to get strong astrological support & stocks from those sector outperform markets. Purpose of releasing sectors of next Samvat earlier is that investors & traders should get maximum advantage of down trend of markets by good timing.

We firmly believe that these special astrological positions present very unique opportunities to investors and traders both. This opportunity, if utilized properly, can safeguard your existing portfolio and simultaneously optimize your future investments and trading also. So we request you not to wait till march 2017 but contact us early and subscribe or renew the Sectors of Samvat 2074. After all Successful investing and trading is all about good timing only.

Needless to mention our innumerable past predictions, where most stocks from the SECTORS of SAMVAT gave exorbitant returns & certain stocks appreciated by over 500 percent.

During current Samavat 2073 among other sectors  DES/CHEMICAL/SUGAR sector was predicted by us, received strong astrological support & out performed and gave exorbitant return. Many stocks from DYES/ CHEMICAL sector appreciated by over 500 percent.

: 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.
LONGi Green Energy Technology Company might become the first foreign entity to set up a solar equipment manufacturing facility in India

According to a Mint report, the company is yet to finalise the developments with the Indian Government on the same. Our company are (is) still in further discussion about investment and capacity to be built in India as well as other details. It will be disclosed in future, a company spokesperson said.

The proposal follows government norms that mandate companies to have a local manufacturing capability in order to bid for the 20 gigawatts (GW) tender. The report states this tender is the worlds largest solar power tender till date.

The other Chinese firms that have been looking at solar equipment manufacturing in India include; GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited and Trina Solar Limited.

The Chinese solar panel manufacturing industry, with production capacity of 70 GW per year, sees India and the US as major markets. Indian solar manufacturers account for only 10.6 percent of the market share, according to consulting firm Bridge to India.

The Indian government also looks to give out 100 GW of solar and wind contracts by March 2020, of which 20 GW are to be solar projects, as it looks to catalyze the production of domestic manufacturing of solar power equipment.

The Bhadla solar park auction in Rajasthan in May saw tariffs falling all-time lows of Rs 2.44 a unit. Such low tariff rates are also attributed to the influx of solar modules supplied, where prices plunged by as much as 30 percent, with Chinese imports adding to the glut.

India has stated a target of 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy generation by 2022. Of this, 100 GW would be from solar power, 60 GW of the wind, 10 GW from biomass and 5 GW from hydropower.Recently, Haridwar-based Patanjali Ayurved was reported to be investing around Rs 100 crore in its Greater Noida facility to produce solar panels.
PPAP Automotive is buzzing in trade; the stock is up 250 percent this year. In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Abhishek Jain, CEO & MD of the company spoke about the latest happenings and gave outlook for the future.

We have been focusing on developing Hyundai as a customer for the past six years and this year we had some breakthrough with them, so soon we will start supply for their current model, said Jain.

He further said that we are trying to replace import substitute for them.

Eon is the first model (vehicle) which Hyundai is experimenting for localisation with us and if we matchup with all the expectations of Hyundai then they will start giving us more models to localise, he added.

We are continuously scouting for new business opportunities with addition of new customer and products, added Jain.

Talking about utilisation, he said our current utilisation is at 80-85 percent.
The logo of Foxconn, the trading name of Hon Hai Precision Industry, is seen on top of the company's headquarters in New Taipei City, Taiwan June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Eason Lam - RC17331422A0

Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group plans to invest Rs 6,000 crore to set up a 200-acre plant in the special economic zone at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai. The move by the world's largest contract manufacturer could come as a big boost to the NDA government which has been frequently accused by the opposition parties of failing to generate enough jobs in the country.

Foxconn manufactures products for global electronic and information technology companies such as Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia, Kindle, Xbox One etc and is one of the largest employers around the world.

Foxconn communicated to the port authorities that the JNPT project has the potential to generate employment to approximately 40,000 people, reports The Economic Times.

Speaking with the newspaper, Union Shipping and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari responded in the affirmative but refused to divulge any further details.

The special economic zone at JNPT has a total area of 277 hectares (684 acres) of which 77 hectares (190 acres) is reserved for developing infrastructures such as road and common facilities. Many companies have evinced interest in setting up units at the SEZ.

The Shipping minister said the JNPT SEZ is likely to get an investment of about Rs 60,000 crore.

JNPT is the largest port on the western coast of India and handles 40 percent of volume in the country. Favourable factors such ready availability of skilled manpower and logistics facilities could have prompted the company to consider JNPT as the most likely venue for setting up its project.
Moneycontrol Research

Germany's first chancellor Otto von Bismarck was particularly known for his terse comments, among other things. One such comment was when he said that if you like laws and sausages you should not watch either one being made.

Even 120 years after Bismarcks death, the comment still makes sense, especially in the Indian context where the government of the day typically fights a never-ending perception battle when it tries introducing a new law or a change in policy.

The introduction of the Handling of the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill (FRDI), 2017, by the government is a textbook case of how not to introduce a bill to the public. With the dark days of demonetisation still fresh in their mind, the people of India are wary of any steps taken by the government as money is concerned.

Though the bill has been sent to the joint parliamentary committee, which is studying the bill and is expected to submit its report in the winter session, some media reports fuelled by social media messages are causing panic among investors and depositors. But rather than clarifying its position on the bill as soon as the first reports were out, the government waited for social media to go absolutely berserk before the Finance Minister came out with a pacifier.

A common fear among the public with respect to the bill is that the money deposited by a customer in his or her bank account can be used to bail-in these banks. The other concerns expressed by people ranged from the money in the bank being converted into a fixed deposit or shares of the bank. A few messages and commentaries revealed that people were also worried about their whole deposits getting lost.

Before addressing some of these fears, let us first look at what the existing rules mean for depositors and then deliberate on the changes that are expected if and when FRDI is implemented in its current form.

India has historically been a country where not only bank accounts, but even mutual funds are considered safe places to park ones money. No depositor has ever lost his or her money despite the Deposit Insurance Corporation providing a cover of only Rs 1 lakh for both the principal amount and interest earned. The cover was only Rs 1,500 in 1962, when the corporation was incorporated, but was increased to Rs 1 lakh in May 1993.

However, the insurance company did not have much work to do as depositors of banks going under were taken care of by merging the failed banks with bigger banks.

Coming to FRDI, here is what section 52 - the section of the FRDI bill that deals with bail-in, has to say:

the Corporation may, in consultation with the appropriate regulator, if it is satisfied that it is necessary to bail-in a specified service provider to absorb the losses incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the specified service provider and to provide a measure of capital so as to enable it to carry on business for a reasonable period and maintain market confidence, take an action under this section by a bail-in instrument or a scheme to be made under section 48.

Section 48 details the method and time of resolution and provides for all possible means to ensuring that the depositors money is safe. It calls for transferring the whole or part of the assets and liabilities of a specified service provider, or creating a bridge service provider, or merger or amalgamation of the specified service provider, as well as the acquisition of the specified service provider, in whole or in part.

In other words, the bill talks of ensuring that the depositor is insured and protected by the relevant regulator in all possible ways, as is the case even now. Although FRDI details the processes for how the depositors money is protected, what is not spelled out yet is the cover provided on the loss of ones deposit and interest.

Given the path the government has chosen in the case of smaller banks, where they are being asked to merge with bigger ones, the cover amount is not so much of an issue as the government allowing a bank to collapse. Still, the government should have made a reference to it in the bill to allay public fear.

In any case, depositors need not worry as subsection (7) of Section 52, which talks of the bail-in instrument or scheme, clearly states that this section shall not affect any liability owed by a specified service provider to depositors to the extent such deposits are covered by deposit insurance. It also talks of not affecting any liability that the specified service provider has by virtue of holding client assets.

Subsection (7)(e) of Section 52 talks of not affecting any liability any liability, so far as it is secured  thus covering all secured deposits. Subsection (7)(f) takes care of the liability owed to employees or workmen including pension liabilities of the specified service provider, except for liabilities designated as performance based incentive.

Depositors have little to worry about in India as even failed mutual funds, as was seen in the case of Unit Trust of India, have been bailed out by the government using taxpayer money. All the depositor has to ensure is that they are part of a bigger entity. After all, if the political damage is big enough, all depositors are bound to get paid, irrespective of the bank or financial entity involved.

A classic case is the Saradha Chit fund, where the state government repaid the depositors with taxpayer money. Political capital outweighs financial capital by a mile, particularly in a country like ours. One look at farm loan waivers, where even borrowers have been taken care of, should be enough to dismiss any worries one might have about the bill.
9. Vishwaraj Sugar Industries: Listed on October 15, 2019 on the BSE and NSE, the stock has returned 33 percent so far. It had an issue size of Rs 60 crore. (Representative Image Source: Reuters)

Industry body ISMA today asked the government to seek preferential duty structure from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for Indian sugar, which is expected to be in surplus on account of higher output estimates for the 2018-19 marketing year.

While Bangladesh levys import duty of USD 150 per tonne on sugar, Sri Lanka imposes USD 100. The two neighbours import about 25-30 lakh tonnes of sweetener annually, ISMA said.

"India's sugar production may exceed in 2018-19 marketing year than 251 lakh tonnes estimated for the current year. So we may have surplus sugar for exports in 2018-19," Indian Sugar Mills Association Director General Abinash Verma said at ISMA's 83rd annual general meeting.

"Therefore, we are requesting the government to seek preferential import duty from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for Indian sugar," he said. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September.

ISMA President Saritha Reddy said preferential tariff treatment for Indian sugar is needed as global prices may not be viable for such exports, especially when domestic sugarcane prices are highest in the world.

"There are many countries which offer preferential import duty to the neighbouring countries under regional cooperation like Indonesia offers to Thailand and Australia. Such preferential trade tariffs should be offered for sugar imports by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to India," she said.

Urging the government to take timely action on this issue, Reddy said, "Efforts should be started from now itself, so that these markets are available for Indian sugar exporters at concessional import duties from the beginning of the next year, when we would like to export sugar.

" Exports to neighbouring nations is possible as India is very close to large sugar deficit countries having good business and trade relations. India has a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and SAARC Free Trade Agreements (SAFTA) with both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
State Finance Ministers open up on goods and services tax (GST) glitches and the shortfall in revenue collection.

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, who is also a part of the GST Council has hinted that there's a consensus in the GST Council on reducing the number of GST slabs to three, that is five, fourteen and twenty eight percent respectively.

Modi, who was speaking to the media on the sidelines of FICCI's 90th AGM also said that a call on inducting petroleum products, real estate and electricity in the GST regime can be taken once GST revenues stabilise.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Haseeb Drabu said he expects more items to be shifted to 18 percent from 28 percent slab in the next meeting.

However, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra lashed out at the Centre for hasty implementation of GST saying that though the states had estimated a losses of Rs 55,000 crore in the full fiscal on account of GST, the losses incurred have already crossed Rs 39,000 crore in the first four months of the indirect tax regime.
RN Bhaskar

The governments decision to set up special courts to deal with cases against elected representatives has been hailed as being one that could deal a body blow to criminal politicians.

With respect, this author believes that the governments offer is mere hogwash. The Supreme Court should reject it for being nothing but that.

True, there are (as of 2014) as many as 1,581 Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) facing prosecution in a mind-boggling 13,500 cases. The numbers must be higher today. And would only have increased since then. On its part, the government too said in its affidavit to the apex court that it does not have data on how many of these cases have been decided and whether any new case has been filed against an MP or MLA between 2014 and 2017. It has sought more time to collate that information (it is also a sad commentary on governance when even numbers of cases are not available in an era of electronic databases and communication).

It may be recalled that on November 1, the Supreme Court had asked the government to come up with a scheme to set up special courts for trying criminal cases against legislators. The court was hearing a PIL filed by Delhi BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking a lifelong ban on convicted politicians contesting elections.

"As per the directions of the Honble Supreme Court of India, it is proposed to have 12 special courts with an estimated expenditure of Rs 7.80 crore over a period of one year to dispose of all cases involving political persons," the Law Ministry said in its affidavit. Incidentally, even though the government is willing to set up these special courts, it is not willing to impose a life-long ban on the holding of public posts by such convicted legislators.

The problem lies elsewhere

Yes, an early conviction of a legislator will help. Only a bit. It will not stanch the criminalisation of politics. This is because criminalisation of politics begins precisely where the police does not inspire confidence, and the adjudication of crimes at lower courts is terrible.

Consider a simple instance. If a father finds his daughter being teased or molested in a slum, what would he do? Would he go to the police? Or would he prefer to go to the local dada (slumlord) and ask him to protect his daughter. Ask any slumdweller. He will tell you that such a father would go to the dada because he is guaranteed redressal almost immediately. The vulnerable need protection now; not merely the promise of protection several years later.

Remember, this is precisely the ability to dispense justice that made the notorious Dawood Ibrahim popular with his people. He adjudicated over land disputes. And even when he moved to Dubai, builders would go to him to settle property deals. His ability to deliver justice made him more powerful  and dreaded  than the local police.

And that is what the slumdweller also does. He sends word to the troublemakers asking them to desist. And if they dont, he will use other means  even extra-legal methods  to prevent a person in his territory from being troubled. In turn, it is quite possible that police complaints are registered against the dada. That does not bother him. He knows how to deal with cases at the police station and at the level of lower courts.

That is why the dada is a protector for the poor father. And when he stands for elections, it does not matter how many cases he has against his name. He remains a protector for the father and thousands of other slumdwellers like him. They will vote for him. Calling him a criminal will not deter them. For societies where law and order has broken down, this protector is more important and relevant for people that the police or the courts.

Fair is foul, and foul is fair

It is in this manner that the illegitimate gains legitimacy, and the legitimate begins to appear illegitimate.

Does the government really want to stop criminalization of politics? Then let it arm the courts with the power to suspend and dismiss from service policemen who do not register cases against errant persons within 24 hours. Arm the courts with powers to dismiss the police when they make out a poorly drafted chargesheet which has so many loopholes that it will not stand up in a court of law. Ditto for policemen who choose not to follow the due process of investigation (remember the Aarushi case?) or fail to record evidence diligently.

At the same time, arm the higher courts with powers to immediately try (and dismiss with penalties) judges of lower courts where culpability is obvious, and where judgements have been pronounced without checking for collusion or incompetence on the part of the police. In other words, isolate politicians from the police system, and from the appointment of judges at lower levels.

When the poor father is convinced that his grievances and fears can be redressed almost immediately, he will then go to the police station, not to a slumlord. Then there wont be the need for a dada at all.

The present system advocated by the government will leave a ruling party with powers to slow down the drafting of charges against politicians who support the current government. Watch how chargesheets have not been filed against key politicians even today, even though everyone is aware of their complicity in crimes. For instance, there is a politician who aggressively pursued the auctioning of police posts to the highest bidder. Everyone knows about it. A former police commissioner, Julio Ribeiro, has written public articles against such a practice. Yet the politician remains under investigation for several years. But no conviction has been launched.

Three things

If the Supreme Court is keen on stemming the criminalization of politics, it must compel the government to do three things.

First, compel the government to draft rules to ensure that cases get registered within 24 hours and that the case papers are well drafted. Failure to do these will result in dismissal (currently, when an aberration is exposed, the policeman stands suspended, and then re-inducted into service when public memory has faded). This may mean that police reforms that have been pending for decades are pushed through. The Supreme Court has these powers. It must exercise them, for the sake of humanity and law enforcement.

Second, the courts must compel the government to increase the number of lower level judges, and arm itself with powers to set up speedy adjudication measures in place in case there is a suspected judicial complicity or incompetence. Such aberrational judges need to be weeded out quickly. If that is not done, these wobbly kneed dispensers of justice will rise in the ranks and corrupt even the high level judges.

Third, ensure that all cases against all misdemeanours are chargesheeted, tried, and given a conclusion. It is easy for people to decide to approach another higher level of courts, if the cases at the lower level are decided within a year. But 10 years or more is long enough to wear out a person, except the one who is wallowing in ill-gotten wealth. A man who is dispossessed of his wealth does not have the stamina to wait for 10 years or more. Delays in justice only benefits the wrongdoer, not the victim.

An anecdote

The present offer of the government is laughable. It needs to be reminded of an episode which took place in Singapore.

A girl of Indian origin had a dispute with a Singaporean shopkeeper who promised to buy goods from her, but did not pay up the agreed amount on the grounds that she offered similar goods to another shopkeeper at lower prices. The girl protested, pointing to the contract. But the shopkeeper was dismissive. Distraught the girl returned home, knowing that she could not fight the clout of the shopkeeper who was extremely well connected.

On being taunted by her husband (that she was more merciful to the shopkeeper than to him), the girl penned a complaint to the local court. To her surprise the court asked her to approach the specified judge within a week. She went there. The documents were examined by the clerk, and sent to the judge with his notings. The process lasted barely 10 minutes. The shopkeeper was also there. He was asked to produce his copy of the contract. The clerk noted that there was no clause which permitted the shopkeeper to withhold payment.

In ten minutes the judge called both parties in. He asked the shopkeeper if there was anything in the contract that allowed him to withhold payment. The shopkeeper began protesting. The judge merely asked him to reply in a yes or a no. When the no was blurted out, the judge merely stated in his order that the full payment with interest should be made within a month, and that the schedule of payment could be recorded with the court clerk.

The girl was ecstatic. She thanked the judge and began to walk away. The judge called her back. He said Madam, could you tell me why this complaint is being made two months after the incident took place? She said that she was undecided. The judge told her, This time the court is excusing you. But next time, if you cannot complain immediately, you will have to be fined. Do you want to make a mockery of the process of law? Do you think evidence can stay alive for so much of time?

Then look at the way even murder cases like that of Sheena Bora drag on for years. At such times, the Supreme Court too must ask  Do you think evidence can stay live for so long?.

In other words, the governments offer remains an act of tokenism. It is not a clean solution.
India is discussing setting up refineries and LNG plants in Indonesia, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.

In an attempt to increase its presence in its eastern neighbourhood, India is selling diesel to Bangladesh via rail.

"Recently, we have dispatched the first consignment of diesel to Myanmar," he said at India-ASEAN Partnership@25 conference here. "We are currently in consultation with Indonesia for partnering in the refining and LNG sector."

He, however, did not give any details. Stating that India's presence in the ASEAN region has been historic, he said one of the country's oldest overseas

oil and gas fields was acquired in 1988 in Vietnam.

"We also have oil and gas assets and equity in a gas pipeline in Myanmar. Today, we have a growing engagement with ASEAN region in the hydrocarbon sector," he said.

ASEAN region, he said, is also a source of crude oil and LNG to meet India's hydrocarbon requirement. Last year, India imported 6 million tonnes of crude oil from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, accounting for 2.8 percent of the total crude oil imports, which is an increase of 12 percent from the year

before.

It also imported 1.45 million tonnes of LNG mainly from Singapore and Malaysia accounting for 7 percent of the total LNG imported.

India also imported one million tonnes of petroleum products and some quantities of LPG from the region, he said. Pradhan said there is a healthy collaboration between oil majors Indian Oil Corporation and Petronas of Malaysia.

The two companies, he said, are working in India and third country. The Malaysian national oil company is a reliable partner in technology.

"Our oil marketing companies are also in the process of increasing their foot prints in the retail marketing segment in the ASEAN countries," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, has invited heads of ASEAN countries next month.

"It is our tradition that we call foreign dignitaries on the occasion of our Republic Day. First time sinceindependence heads of ten countries would be visiting the

country," he said.

India and ASEAN together represent one-fourth of world's total population. "It is our endeavour to work together. We have a shared culture and long-standing economic ties. If you work together it will have a great impact on the world's economy," he said.

ASEAN is India's 4th largest trading partner, accounting for 10.2 percent of its total trade. Investment flows are also substantial both ways, with ASEAN accounting for about 12.5 percent of investment flows into India since 2000.
Government bonds (G-Secs) recovered following renewed demand from corporates and banks, and the interbank call money rates also ended higher due to good demand from borrowing banks amid tight liquidity situation in the banking system.

The 6.79 per cent government security maturing in 2027 went-up to Rs 97.69 from Rs 97.40 yesterday, while, its yield eased to 7.13 per cent from 7.17 per cent.

The 6.68 per cent government security maturing in 2031 rose to Rs 95.3450 from Rs 95.11, while its yield edged down to 7.22 per cent from 7.25 per cent.

The 8.15 per cent government security maturing in 2026, the 7.16 per cent government security maturing in 2023 and the 6.84 per cent government security maturing in 2022 were also quoted higher to Rs 105.25, Rs 100.45 and Rs 99.47 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), purchased securities worth Rs 30.20 billion in 5-bids at the overnight repo opertions at a fixed rate of 6.00 per cent as on today, while its sold securities worth Rs 190.75 billion from 55-bids at the overnight reverse repo auction at a fixed rate of 5.75 per cent as on December 13.
The US Federal Reserve followed through on an expected interest-rate increase and raised their forecast for economic growth in 2018. The Central Bank has also projected for three hikes in the coming year.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Shane Oliver, Head - Investment Strategy & Chief Economist at AMP Capital Investors and Seth R Freeman, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at EM Capital Management shared their views and readings on the same.

Also watch Katalin Gingold of Cartica Capital and Mark Matthews of Bank Julius Baer discussed about the same as well as shared their outlook on Gujarat Elections' possible outcome.

Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview.

Latha: How should an emerging market investor read the happenings in both, the Fed as well as in the White House in Capitol Hill?

Matthews: Both are positive. On the one hand, the Federal Reserve did acknowledge that tax cuts will accelerate gross domestic product (GDP) growth and reduce unemployment. But at the same time, they basically have not changed their forecast for interest rates next year or the year after and there were two dissenters, so Kashkari and Evans were the two voting members who asked that they not raise rates.

So on balance, you have got a still dovish Federal Reserve at the same time as the tax cuts look like they are really going to happen and that probably the much bigger surprise because I think the consensus was that they would not happen, that it was too complicated, there were too many differing voices in Congress, but it looks like they will be cutting the top rate of individual income tax from 39 to 37 and then the effective corporate tax rate will go from 27 to 21. And of course, 27 to 21, that is a very big drop. It makes the US globally competitive.

Sonia: What is your own view? Do you think the double impact of tax cuts and a higher GDP growth that came in from the outlook is something that could take equity markets higher in the near-term?

Gingold: I think they could but not really because of the higher GDP growth or because of the tax cut, but because of this very accommodative monetary policy will remain and tightening will be very gradual. So I think that global synchronised recovery, good real economy, low inflation, will remain and the Fed will tighten very gradually. So, in a sense, today's announcement has not really changed our view in terms of our outlook for equities and especially global equities.

Anuj: If you are following the Indian politics, we have an important state election which is going through and today is of course, the second phase of that. Your thoughts on whether that has the potential to change things here?

Matthews: Yes it would if BJP lost Gujarat after having it for two decades and obviously the Prime Minister comes from there, the market reaction would be bad because people would start to worry about the general election in 2019 and people would worry that in order to win the general election in 2019, the government would embrace much more populous policies which would widen the budget deficit.

Latha: We have this important state election that is underway, results due on Monday. How are you approaching that? Can an adverse vote against the BJP change your investments in India?

Gingold: I do not think it will change our investments because we are very long-term focused and we really do believe in the long-term secular story of India. We do not change the portfolio very frequently. Clearly the Gujarat elections are very important and would have implications in terms of our beliefs whether the reforms that Modi has started will continue or not, we do not think we will lose or BJP will lose the Gujarat elections, but clearly the volatility could be higher going forward if there is more uncertainty over the political capital and strength of BJP in the coming state elections in the next year.

Sonia: So since you did mention that you believe in the long-term story of India, have you recently increased your allocation to the Indian market and what kind of an upside do you foresee?

Gingold: We have not increased our allocation. We have been really stable over the year and we were very surprised how well India has done this year given it has really missed out, at least the economy has missed out most of the cyclical recovery that we have seen everywhere else. We maintain our allocation nevertheless. We see very interesting sector-specific and company-specific drivers that give us high double digit earnings growth and we think these are sustainable for years to come so this is sort of the return expectations over the medium term that we have for our Indian holdings.

Anuj: In that case, how would your portfolio approach be for India? We have seen financials and consumption drive the market rally. Is that likely to continue?

Gingold: Yes, we remain invested in these two sectors. I spend really very little time thinking about which sectors will do well and which sectors will not. I am really more focused on the company specific drivers. But broadly, these two sectors have very strong secular drivers, very strong cyclical drivers as well.

Our consumer companies are doing very well because they are taking market share from the unorganised sector. Our financials are doing well because they are benefitting from this massive move into financial assets. And I think these both, cyclical and structural background remains very positive for this sector. So I do not see why they cannot continue performing very well. If they are delivering the earnings growth, there is no reasons they should derate.

Latha: How are you looking at life beyond elections? As you point out, a loss for the BJP would perhaps hit the market in the near-term, but how much of a downside at all are you expecting and will the Indian market once again start looking only at the other factors, the global markets, the Fed, global growth and the yield curve in India.

Matthews: If the BJP lost Gujarat, I would say there would be between 10 and 15 percent downside in the Indian stock market and long-term, I find it difficult to believe that we will get a 2018 as good as 2017 because 2017 was really good and it is hard to get two of those in a row. Sometimes you can, but the market is 15 percent more expensive than it was at the beginning of the year. There is good earnings growth, that is true. So, I would say that it should be a good year next year, but not as good as the one that we are exiting now.

Sonia: You were telling us about some of your top holdings in the Indian markets and you do have holdings in names like TVS Motor Company, Marico, Shree Cements, Page Industries. A lot of these companies are very rural focused. What is the story there? Do you see a significant pick up in terms of rural demand over the course of the first half of 2018 and would you stick to some of these names despite the gains that they have given?

Gingold: We are sticking to them and really the story for us is not the rural pick up. We are not particularly bullish on the rural economy. There could be some cyclical pick up for sure because of the agriculture economy, but the years of the Congress, when rural economy was roaring because of a lot of handouts and very high price increases are way behind us, so it is really not a structural, more of a short-term cyclical issue.

Nevertheless, our mains are doing very well. They are not only exposed to the rural economy and I think the rural economy will find a much more sustainable growth driver over time as the capex cycle in India picks up and that will generate a lot of jobs and a lot of those jobs will be in the rural economy. That being said, it is probably not a very near-term story. We do not really see a recovery in the capex cycle in the near-term, but longer term, we are quite positive that it will find a more stable footing. Nevertheless, our stock holdings are not because of the rural economy exposure.

Latha: Are you shuffling your positions in India? We have after all seen an increase in yields and an uptick in Indian inflation.

Now we have not made any changes, but the major difference for me was in July when the public sector bank recapitalisation was announced and we now like the public sector banks in general. They are all, with the exception of SBI, well below their highs of the previous 10 years and so that is one sector that we have become attracted to in light of the policy changes.
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The equity benchmarks during previous week extended its consolidation in the range of 10,000-10,400 ahead of key event of the outcome of the assembly elections in Gujarat (December 18).

Structurally, the current correction from life-time highs of 10,490 bodes well as the index is seen forming a strong base at elevated support near psychologically important 10,000 mark.

The overall price structure continues to stay robust as the index has retraced its 25 sessions rally off September lows (9,687-10,490) by less than 61.8 percent in past 26 sessions.

In the entire upmove since 2017, the index has not corrected for more than two-three weeks in a row, with two weeks of decline already behind us.

We expect the index to form a base around 10,000 levels ahead of the Gujarat elections outcome being the strong support in the near-term.

Going forward, we expect the index to eventually move higher towards 10,600 in coming weeks being the 123.60 percent external retracement of the entire decline from 10,490-10,033. Last weeks low at 10,033 is formed at key support as it is the confluence of following key parameters:

> Key trend line connecting December 2016 and September 2017 lows and November month low at 10,100> 61.8% retracement of October rally (9,687-10,490) placed at 9,994

> Equality of current correction from 10,490 with September correction (10,178-9,687=490 points) at 10,000 levels

Here is a list of top 3 stocks which could give up to 20% return in the next 6 months:

Asian Granito India: BUY | CMP  509 | Target  610 | Stop Loss  460 | Upside  20% | Time Frame 6 months

The share price of Asian Granito India has remained in a secular uptrend since May 2014 as it continues to form a higher peak and higher trough in all time frames. Within this structural uptrend, the stock has undergone periodic phases of consolidation providing fresh entry opportunities for investors to ride the uptrend.

We believe the sideways consolidation over the last 12 weeks has approached maturity and the stock provides a good entry opportunity with a favourable reward/risk set up for medium-term investors to ride the next up move within the larger uptrend

Time-wise, the recent corrective consolidation has already taken 12 weeks over the preceding six weeks up move from Rs 380 to Rs518, which was price wise retraced by just 38.2%. Shallow price wise correction and elongated time wise consolidation highlights the robust price structure

The key support base for the stock is placed around Rs460 region being the trendline support joining previous lows May 2017 (Rs333) and August 2017 (Rs380) which also coincides with the 50% retracement of the current up move placed around Rs460 levels

Considering the robust price structure and above-mentioned technical observations, we expect the stock to continue with its current uptrend and head towards Rs598 in the medium term as it is the price parity with the previous up move Rs380 to Rs518 (518-380=138 points) added to the recent trough of Rs460 project upside towards Rs598 in the medium term

Brigade Enterprises: BUY | CMP  298.00 | Target  350.00 | Stop Loss  280.00 | Upside  17% | Time Frame 1 months

The share price of Brigade Enterprises has recently registered a breakout above the five months consolidation in the broad range 295 and 240 and in the last two weeks is seen consolidating above the same, thus offering a fresh entry opportunity to ride the next up move in the stock.

The share price of Brigade Enterprises has seen a strong rally from November 2016 to June 2017 rallying from Rs140 to Rs300. Since then, the stock has been consolidating in a narrow 55 points range for the last five months signalling a positive price structure.

The stock on Wednesdays session witnessed strong volume of almost double of the 5 days average volume of 1 lakhs share per session indicating larger participation in the stock as it consolidates at the breakout area.

The weekly MACD (E-12/26/9) is seen sustaining above the positive territory and has recently given a buy signal moving above its nine periods average thus highlights the overall positive price structure and indicates build-up of positive momentum which augurs well for the stock from a medium-term perspective

We expect the stock to head towards 350 in the coming month being the measuring implication of the breakout from the last five months consolidation (Rs295-240=55 points) added to the breakout area of Rs295 projects upside towards Rs350 (295+55=350)

Huhtamaki PPL: BUY | CMP  356.00 | Target  395.00 | Stop Loss  320 | Upside  12% | Time Frame 1 month

Huhtamaki PPL has broken out of a 30 months consolidation range of 331 and 201 during current month trade. The breakout coming in the form of three advancing soldiers candle pattern on the monthly chart.

After registering a six-fold gain between 2013 and 2015, the stock entered a period of consolidation over the next two years. Over the last few months, the consolidation has been accompanied by expanding volume.

The key observation in the price chart of Huhtamaki PPL is that the stock has completely retraced its recent 14 months declining leg (Rs326-201) in just 3 months. Faster retracement of the last falling segment in less than half-time interval highlights a structural turnaround and signals resumption of the next major up move

We feel the stock is likely to continue heading higher and advance towards Rs400 levels, being the 161.8% external retracement of the preceding corrective decline (Rs326-201).

: The author is Head Technical, AVP at ICICI Direct.com Research. 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.
To understand more about asset quality, to understand banking sector and the financial sector generally, CNBC-TV18 spoke to Ashish Gupta, MD-Investment Banking-India, Head of Research at Credit Suisse India.

The deadline for lenders to resolve the default cases in the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) second list ended yesterday and as per some reports 22 out of 28 companies will go to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

According to Gupta, the provisioning requirement in th second list is higher because RBIs second list has newer NPAs with lower provisions.

Market should not look at provisioning requirement for six months but at 18 months, said Gupta.

He said banks need 65 percent provision coverage on stressed assets. The aggregate provision coverage amongst banks is 42-43 percent.

He said at Rs 13 lakh crore loans we could be at the peak of impaired loans in banking industry.

Post recapitalisation of PSU banks, they are expected to do well, he said.

He said although during recapitalization news they shifted some weight from NBFCs to PSU banks, for all NBFCs the business case does not go away just because yields have gone higher.

Many of NBFCs have strong asset franchise, very strong niche business - like gold financing, rural financing, truck financing etc and these competitive advantages for them would continue, said Gupta.

So, the house is still positive on NBFCs that can sustain high growth rates.

When asked about credit growth, he said it should not be difficult to see double-digit growth in Q1FY19 on back of nominal GDP growth in double-digits.

Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview.

Latha: The second list has also gone, the deadline ended yesterday, what is your sense of the provisioning that will be needed. Do you think considering that most of them have gone to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), banks are largely provided?

A: We actually are not yet fully aware that of the list of 28-29 cases that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had, how many are actually going to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Of course in terms of numbers, whatever reports we get, more than 20 are going but I think from provisioning side what is more important is in value terms, so, are some of the larger companies going or not going, that is probably more important.

In terms of provisioning requirement, that actually is higher in the second list because many of the companies in the second list were newer NPAs, so banks had lower provisions to start off with and therefore the incremental provision requirement if all these second list of companies goes, is about 0.5 to 1 percent of loans for individual banks.

Latha: In the beginning of the year, you had put out a report saying that with the aging of NPAs itself, Rs 85,000 crore more of provisioning will have to be done by the banking sector. Now what does your provisioning number stand at, I am on the aggregate number, you said 0.5 percent of the total book to 1 percent, we find that arithmetic a little difficult, you tell us how much more provisioning will be needed.

A: That arithmetic has got complicated because some of the provisioning is getting up-fronted. So, if you look at the IBC cases, just because of aging, you might have not needed so much provisioning but RBI mandated more upfront provisioning. I think at this point of time, what market should look at in not just provisioning what is needed in the next six months, but more look at what is the aggregate provisioning needed on the next 18 months because we now have a fair bit of idea, what is the total pool of stressed assets that are out there in the system. For the first time we are getting some sense what is the loss given default or haircut these will mandate.

So yesterday was also or day before was the last date for getting bids on Monnet Ispat and so as those details come out, I think banks will have a fair bit of idea on what is the extent of provisioning that is needed on the entire pool of stressed assets and where they are currently. Our estimate is that banks at aggregate today only have about 42-43 percent provision cover, but what they need is about 65-70 percent provision cover over the next 18 months and that is why the capital that is being provided by the government comes in handy.

Sonia: Have the bad loans in the banks moderated in the last say two to three months and also with more cases now falling under the NCLT, when do you expect to see a peak as far as the NPA cycle is concerned?

A: I think we should differentiate between the bad loans, impaired loans, and the NPAs. So as per our aggregation, today the NPAs in the banking system is about Rs 8 lakh crore or about 10 percent of loans, but the total impaired loans is about Rs 13 lakh crore or about 16 percent. So there are a lot of loans sitting in restructured, watch list, Strategic Debt Restructuring (SDR), etc. and these are pieces which we believe will probably flow into NPA over the next 12-18 months.

So in that sense, the NPA number will continue to trend up but we are actually more hopeful that the aggregate bad loan number at that Rs 13 lakh crore is close to peak. So if you work out on base of provision requirement based on that number, I think we should hopefully not get too much negative surprise.

Anuj: In that case, how to approach the PSU banks because we had a big rally after that recapitalisation, half of those gains have been given up, how to approach that space now.

A: I think one thing we clearly have to wait for is the details of the recapitalisation plan. Our strategy within PSUs has been to look at banks that have stronger core operating profitability. Within the PSUs, I think one part that is well appreciated is the extent of impaired assets they have on their book but I think an equally important part is how the core operating profitability is and some of them, the core operating profitability, is fairly weak and therefore the concern is even when you provide for this NPA, even after you get the capital, how much profit they can generate, what return on assets (RoA), return on equity (RoE) you can generate.

However, there are three or four PSU banks that have good core operating profitability and we believe for investors who have a one to two year time investment horizon and can tide through this period where there is this uncertainty of when the recapitalisation will come and of course there will be a big dilution, but after that, as this bad loan mess gets cleared off their book, you get to a scenario where they start trading this down their core profitability.

Latha: Your compliance allows you to name those.

A: We cant name those.

Latha: What about, let me come to the bigger theme which we want you to address, NBFCs, now that we have seen yields going to 7.2 percent and of course the non 10-year yields have even got a 7.4 percent, are you trimming NBFC positions and if you are, what are you replacing them with?

A: We took some weight off the NBFCs and we added PSU banks at the time of the recapitalisation. What we however still believe is that not all NBFCs, the business case goes away just because yields have gone higher. The fact is many of the NBFCs are strong, asset franchised, they have very strong niche businesses, someone is good in gold financing, someone is in good in rural financing, someone does truck financing very well, and those are competitive advantages that continue. Of course there is some tempering of expectations of margin expansion because the funding costs, etc. has gone higher, but I think for those NBFCs that can sustain their growth rates, we are still positive on.

Latha: Will you give them 8 times like some very good NBFCs got?

A: Valuations is a concern so we have a trimmed weights on the NBFCs where we felt either the valuations are excessive or the relative risk-on margins is higher. The framework there is those NBFCs that are doing more plain vanilla lending, say just salaried mortgages or are more dependent on bond market for the funding, so, those will see a larger pressure on their profitability.

Sonia: Coming back to the overall picture, you told us about how the impaired loan situation could be at a peak now. What about credit growth? Are you noticing any signs as far as credit offtake is concerned?

A: There, the situation is not as bleak as generally borne out. I think the 5 percent credit growth that we had last year had several one-offs as well. And with the kind of nominal GDP growth that we have in double digit, it should not be too difficult to get a double digit credit growth. Last year, we had several other factors impacting credit growth. Some credit growth went to the bond market because there was excess liquidity and bond yields were low.

Now we are seeing reversal of that and therefore, some credit growth to the banks will come back from the bond market. You also had those three months of demonetisation where credit growth was actually negative. So if you look at sequential trend in credit growth this year that indicates that by first quarter of next year you will be in double digit credit growth.

Latha: Generally, what is the sense about growth in the economy itself? Through the finance sector, obviously you are a proxy for, you are measuring even growth. Can we be confident that things will pick up, the GST disruption will be behind us and FY19 the growth numbers are going to be much better?

A: Clearly, the outlook is positive for next year. There is a pick up from the slowdown we saw in the last six months, but of course, it is a mixed pack. You still do not see the investment side, new project announcements that really picking up. But on the consumption side, services side, trade side, things are fairly good. Exports is one area, particularly manufactured exports, that has been a disappointment, but services export, tourism, those are actually still doing better.

Latha: Corporate banks or retail banks, what is your preference?

A: We actually now have a mix of both corporate and retail. We are not so exclusively concentrated on the retail banks. In our top picks there is a mix of both corporate and retail banks. In retail banks as well, there are some names we do not like, we think valuations are excessive and growth is not supportive of valuations. The key will be pockets where there is growth, whether it is corporate banks, retail banks, NBFCs, they will continue to do better.
Puneet Pal has stepped down as Head, Fixed Income of BNP Paribas Mutual Fund, from December 12, the fund house said.

Subsequently, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has changed the management of eight debt schemes that were co-managed by Pal and Mayank Prakash.

Prakash will solely manage BNP Paribas Flexi Debt Fund, BNP Paribas Money Plus Fund, BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund, BNP Paribas Government Securities Fund, BNP Paribas Medium Term Income Fund, BNP Paribas Short Term Income Fund, BNP Paribas Overnight Fund, and the debt portfolio of BNP Paribas Monthly Income Plan.

All other features of the scheme will remain unchanged.
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The state-run Corporation Bank said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enforced restrictions on it under the prompt corrective action (PCA) on account of steep rise in bad loans and the need to raise capital.

The lenders net non-performing loans have crossed 10 percent and it incurred a loss of Rs 1,035 crore in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, as per an report in the Economic Times. Corporation Banks capital adequacy ratio is at 10.23 percent, but it needs to sustain at the level of 10.87 percent for March 2018.

The PCA is imposed by RBI to restore financial health of troubled banks. It is triggered when a bank falls short of certain regulatory requirements such as minimum capital, returns on asset and size of non-performing assets.

As a preventive measure to avoid banks going broke, RBI has taken in cognizance couple of trigger points to assess and monitor banks and take corrective actions against them when needed, through PCA. The concerned bank then has to follow a mandatory action plan given by the RBI based on each of the trigger points.

Once PCA is initiated, Corporation Bank will face restrictions on accessing costly deposits, borrowings from inter-bank market and entering a new line of business or expenses incurred for opening new branches and so on. It will also have to take initiatives to contain its NPAs.

However, Corporation bank issued a statement saying the PCA will not materially impact the banks performance and rather, it will help in internal control of the banks activities, the newspaper reported.

In a span of 10 months, Corporation Bank is the eighth bank, including UCO Bank Central bank of India and IDBI bank , against which PCA has been initiated.
Moneycontrol News

Bangalore-based Teabox has raised USD 7 million in Series B funding led by RB investments, with participation from existing investors such as DBS Bank Ltd.

Founded in 2012 by ex-KPMG executive Kaushal Dugar, the company has built an end-to-end supply chain all the way directly from the farmers to the cup. Dugar who was based in Singapore returned home in 2012 to help modernise the family-owned tea trading business based in Siliguri. The company later moved its tech headquarters to Bangalore.

Teabox's funding comes days after another tea trading firm Vahdam teas raised USD 1.4 million led by Fireside Ventures.

The funds will be primarily used for expanding companys back-end infrastructure including cold chain processing centers and to support growth in key markets, Teabox said.

We feel that Teaboxs dynamic team and its innovative supply chain of tea from plantations to cup will enable them to provide the freshest tea to consumers worldwide and redefine the category, said Harshavardhan Bothra, RB Investments.

We dont want to miss out on this huge potential and this investment is going to help us push the levers in this direction, said Kaushal Dugar, Founder, and CEO of Teabox, which has raised investments in the past from Accel Partners and Ratan Tata.

Teabox had last raised a debt round from DBS Bank in 2016.
Rajat Bose of rajatkbose.com told CNBC-TV18, "A disclosure from my side, I also hold Infosys in my portfolio. Having said that, Infosys has been on an uptrend from September; somewhat in the middle of September below Rs 900 level it has started moving up. Currently close to about Rs 1,000 levels, hovering around that and there is some resistance around Rs 1,050 and Rs 1,100 happens to be a very strong resistance."

"Any move from here, would be resisted around Rs 1,100, I would say that one can ofcourse book profits at that level but whether he/she will enter in TCS or some other stock, that is completely his/her choice. For me, the technical stoploss would below Rs 950 on closing price basis; the position that I hold, suppose it were to fall below for any reason, say any adverse reaction on Gujarat polls or whatever, if it closes below Rs 950, I will book losses and get out," he added.
A technician is pictured inside a desalter plant of Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, September 30, 2016. Picture taken September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave - RTSS6X9

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The broking house CLSA has reiterate buy rating on Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) with a target of Rs 225 per share.

According to CLSA the stock is already building worst case on HPCL acquisition, while the fears of overpaying in the pending HPCL acquisition have made the company underperform Oil India.

The firm sees USD 7.7 billion worst-case value leakage assuming HPCLs acquisition is at 80 percent premium.

However, the market concerns are overdone on pending HPCL deal, it added.

Also Read - ONGC seeks access to data room to fix HPCL acquisition price

The stock gained 15 percent in the last 3 months.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 212 and 52-week low Rs 155.30 on 31 January, 2017 and 27 June, 2017, respectively.

Currently, it is trading 12.67 percent below its 52-week high and 19.22 percent above its 52-week low.

The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 13.80 per share. (Sep, 2017). The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was 13.42. The latest book value of the company is Rs 144.58 per share.

At 09:35 hrs Oil and Natural Gas Corporation was quoting at Rs 184.70, up Rs 0.95, or 0.52 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
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Building products and solutions provider Everest Industries shares rallied 10.6 percent intraday Thursday after brokerage house Ventura has initiated coverage on the stock with buy rating.

It has set a target price for the stock at Rs 712, implying a potential upside of 35.56 percent over Wednesday's closing price.

The research house said the government policies to promote housing sector is positive factor for the company.

Boards and panels segment will lead to better profitability while new product launches in roofing segment will maintain growth momentum, it added.

Ventura said the change in product mix will boost profitability of the company and will reduce dependence on roofing. Margin expansion and debt repayment to boost return ratios, it added.

It expects revenue, operating income and net profit of the company to grow at a compounded rate of 11 percent, 53 percent and 173 percent, respectively, by March 2020.

The research house said the company will also have benefits from low base of previous financial year, which was impacted by demonetisation and high material costs.

At 12:40 hours IST, the stock price was quoting at Rs 545.00, up Rs 19.80, or 3.77 percent on the BSE.
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Shares of Tata Communications was up over 2 percent intraday on Thursday hitting a high of Rs 754 per scrip at opening bell after the board approved demerger of around 773 acres of surplus land to a separate company and listing it subsequently.

Research and broking firm IDFC Securities has reiterated an underperform rating on Tata Communications with a target of Rs 655 per share. However, the house feels that approval for demerger of surplus land is a positive for the company adding that the stock price is already reflecting value unlocking from the listing of de-merged entity.

We like Tata Communication's services portfolio, but business execution needs to improve for constructive view, it added.

Tata Communications last week was selected as global loT connectivity partner by International fleet management application provider.

Anthony Bartolo, Chief Product Officer, Collaboration, Mobility and IoT at Tata Communications said, "With Tata Communications MOVE, DRVR only needs to deal with one service provider that takes care of multiple deployments across international borders."

At 11:08 hrs Tata Communications was quoting at Rs 709.40, up Rs 14.85, or 2.14 percent. It has touched an intraday high of Rs 758.00 and an intraday low of Rs 706.80.
The Supreme Court on Thursday referred 344 fixed combination drugs, also called FDCs, to the government's Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for a fresh review of their safety, efficacy and therapeutic justification before recommending an action.

The recommendations of the DTAB or its expert sub-committee would have to be made to the Central Government within six months, after which the government will act further if and where necessary. The Supreme Court order gives temporary relief to pharmaceutical companies, but the possibility of a ban is still in the air.

The apex Court also clarified that for the exercise of powers under Section 26 (A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the DTAB need not be mandatorily consulted by the Government in order to be convinced of reasons for banning a medicine. The court remarked that the Government could be justified in declaring a ban if it finds that the drug has been banned in other countries.

The Delhi high court in December 2016 had set aside a government notification that banned 344 FDC drugs, made by combining two or more drugs into a single dose, on the grounds that the statutory Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) had not been consulted by the Government.

The pharmaceutical companies represented by eminent lawyers such as P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Gopal Subramaniam argued before the court that there were certain perversities and anomalies in the Professor Kokate Committee Report that found these drugs to be irrational and unsafe, based on which the government banned them.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare last year had banned 344 FDCs, estimated to affect around 6,000 brands, after an expert committee declared them unsafe for human health. The drug makers immediately challenged the governments ban in high courts across the country, with Delhi high court alone receiving over 450 petitions seeking interim relief on their specific brands.

In January this year, the health ministry moved the apex court challenging Delhi high court order that revoked its ban.

The government had previously filed a transfer petition asking for all pending FDC petitions to be transferred to the Supreme Court. In all, the 294 FDCs that were banned way back in 1997 also got transferred to the Supreme Court, after government challenged a stay order by the Madras High Court in 2008.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the government to take suitable action. All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), which was party to the government petition, welcomed the court order.

"The 344 FDCs account for only about 5 percent of the value of total FDCs in India, approximately half of which are considered to be irrational. The Government should proactively take advantage of the space afforded by this order to weed other irrational FDCs in the interest patient safety, said S Srinivasan, co-convenor of AIDAN.

"The order clears the ground for the Government to rapidly take steps after due consultation with expert bodies or consideration any other information to weed out large numbers of irrational, unscientific and hazardous FDCs that are unjustifiably prevalent in India," AIDAN said.

The ban had impacted several popular brands, including Corex, DCold Total and Vicks Action 500 Extra, among others.
Battle for Gujarat

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani insisted on Thursday that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win 150 out of the 182 seats in Gujarat, even as the majority of exit polls predicted a tally of around 110 seats.

Exit polls suggested the BJP would achieve clear majorities in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Most polls gave the BJP 110-120 seats in Gujarat, short of the BJP President Amit Shah's stated target. The party had won 115 seats in the 2012 Assembly elections. Today's Chanakya, which was the only agency to correctly predict the 2014 Lok Sabha elections results, said the BJP would win 135 seats in Gujarat.

"We are going to get 150 seats," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani told CNN News18.

"Our target is 150 and we are very sure we will reach closer to the target," Sudesh Verma, a BJP member said.

The Congress, which is estimated to win around 70 seats in Gujarat and lose power in Himachal Pradesh, was skeptical about the projections.

Emphasising how the end result is often different from the projections made in the exit polls, Tom Vadakkan, National Spokesperson of the Congress, said: "Im quite skeptical of exit polls, it just gives an idea. I would say lets keep the suspense alive until December 18".

Swapan Dasgupta, a the BJP Member of Parliament said, "While CSDS is a good organisation which gives you a social trend, its predictions are not as robust as it seems."

Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who backed the Congress, said he remained about confident about change in the state.

Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, who is contesting as an Independent candidate, said: "This time, I think, BJP will definitely lose and it will not get more than 80 seats at any cost. We will win Vadgam from where I am contesting."
SUMMARY: All the exit polls predict a clear BJP majority in both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP is

BJP

expected to wrest power from the Congress with a massive majority. In Gujarat, theis projected to win around 110 seats on average, just short of the 115 seats out of 182 it won in 2012.

21:00 That it's from our live coverage. Visit our Assembly Elections 2017 page for more news and analysis. Thank you and good night.

20:40 The Election Commission has said no FIR has been lodged against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating election law by giving interviews to TV channels which were aired hours before the second phase of Gujarat polling was to begin this morning.

Briefing media about the voter turnout in the second phase, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said: "No FIR has been lodged against Rahul Gandhi. Only a notice has been issued to which he has to respond in five days."

20:05 More skepticism from the Congress.

The media was appreciating the Congress' campaign, they were saying that the Congress was fighting at the grassroot level, said Congress Rajeev Shukla. So, the media's feedback was in favour of the Congress party. So, now if somebody says we are going to lose, I dont believe that.

19:51 "We are going to get 150 seats," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani told CNN News18. Find out how other leaders from the BJP and the Congress reacted to the exit polls.

19:32 Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani says the exit polls have got it wrong and that the BJP will end up with less than 80 seats when the results are declared on Monday.

19:13 We finally have the Today's Chanakya exit poll for Gujarat. Breaking with all the other pollsters, it gives the BJP a huge majority in Gujarat with 135 seats. The Congress will just 47 seats in the state, as per its estimates.

19:06 Here's what psephologist and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav has to say: Vote share estimates of all major polls show a clear lead for BJP: CSDS-ABP 9% Axis-India Today 5% MVR Times Now 6%. That looks clear and decisive, though we cant be sure of the number of seats.

18:50 ABP-CSDS-LOKNITI has released its final projections for Gujarat. It says the BJP will win 117 seats and the Congress will bag 64 seats. Before voting took place, this was the only agency that had predicted a close contest.

18:47 Meanwhile, the Election Commission has just announced that the overall turnout for phase 2 of the Gujarat Assembly polls is 68.70 percent, which is a bit lower than the 2012 figure.

18:45 Missed all the action? Here's a round-up of what the exit polls have predicted for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

18:34 While the BJP is a clear winner in Gujarat according to the exit polls, its projected tally of around 110 seats is well short of the 150-seat target set by BJP chief Amit Shah.

18:20 Today's Chanakya indicates that 51 percent of voters in Himachal Pradesh chose the BJP. The Congress, on the other hand, will receive 38 percent votes.

18:15 The TV9-C Voter survey predicts that the BJP will win 39 out of 63 seats in central Gujarat, while the Congress will win 17 seats in Saurashtra.

18:05 According to India Today-Axis, the BJP will win 99-113 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress is likely to get somewhere between 68 and 84 seats.

18:03 TV9, too, says the BJP will comfortably win Gujarat with 107 seats to the Congress' 74.

18:02 The Republic-Jan ki Baat poll has updated its prediction for Gujarat. It says the BJP will 115 seats, the same as its 2012 tally.

17:58 Important to note here that the ABP-CSDS were the only pollsters to predict a close contest in the build-up to voting in Gujarat. They're suggesting a clear majority for the BJP now.

17:52 In the tribal belt of South Gujarat considered a key factor in these elections, ABP News-CSDS has predicted that the BJP will win 31-37 seats while the Congress will emerge victorious in 16-22 seats.

17:50 C-Voter has put out predictions for vote share in Gujarat. It says the BJP is likely to bag 47.4 percent votes, the Congress 43.3 percent and Others 9.3 percent.

17:47 Sahara is predicting 110-120 seats for the BJP in Gujarat and 65-75 seats for the Congress in the state. So all three exit polls are suggesting a similar trend so far.

17:45 Republic TV's exit poll suggests a similar trend to Times Now in Gujarat. It predicts 108 seats for the BJP and 74 for the Congress.

17:43 News Nation too predicts a clear BJP majority in Himachal Pradesh with 43-47 seats. The halfway mark is 35.

17:40 Another exit poll. This time it's Himachal Pradesh, where India Today says the BJP will register a clean sweep with 47-55 out of the 68 seats up for grabs. The Congress is the ruling party in the hill state.

17:35 Here's the first exit poll. Times Now projects that the BJP will win 109 out of 182 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress will bag 70 seats.

2012 results: BJP - 115, Congress - 61

17:35 In case you're wondering, an exit poll is a survey conducted of voters soon after they exit the polling booth. It's different from an opinion poll, which is conducted during the campaign.

17:30 Back to the controversy over the PM's 'roadshow' today. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Gujarat BB Swain has called the Congress party's complaint alleging Model Code of Conduct violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "anticipatory" as it had been filed before the incident actually took place.

17:24 Himachal Pradesh had registered a 74 percent turnout when voting was held on November 9. The state has 68 Assembly seats and the majority mark is 35.

17:19 The predictions for Himachal Pradesh are expected at around 5.30pm.

17:13 Current estimates coming out of Gujarat suggest a 57 percent turnout for the second phase of polling.

17:05 Earlier opinion polls had predicted a clear BJP majority, but well short of the party's target of 150 seats. Will the exit polls provide a different picture?

Exit polls to come out shortly

With the second phase of the Gujarat assembly elections coming to an end today, it is time for the exit polls to come out -- the first straw that tells us which way the political wind is blowing.

Starting 5 pm, Moneycontrol will start its live coverage of Gujarat elections exit poll, crunching together numbers from various agencies as well as providing on-the-fly live updates, commentary and analyses.

Also expected today will be exit polls for Himachal Pradesh elections, voting for which took place last month.

Stay tuned to our live blog, and our special Assembly Elections 2017 page.

16:45 Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi speaks to CNN-News18: We are not like the Congress that has made a mockery of a Constitutional institution. We have not influenced any constitutional body.

16:30 On PM Modi's roadshow, the Election Commission says it has sought a report from the district collector.

16:20 The Congress has held a press conference on Narendra Modi's 'undemocratic' roadshow. Watch it here.

16:05 Ground report captures disaffection with BJP but love for Modi

With the election campaign in Gujarat reaching a crescendo, few would have initially thought the polls would be as bitterly-fought as they turned out to.

The sentiment on ground was unmistakable: hardcore supporters of the BJP say they have been affected by the party's policies, namely demonetisation and GST. But even they can't think of not voting for the party.

Those opposed to the BJP, though, see this election as the first in decades where they think the Congress has a serious chance.

Watch this video report.

16:00 Some Congress workers protesting against the Election Commission in Delhi have been taken into preventive custody, reports News18.

15:55 Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, the face of the OBC community in Gujarat, exercised his franchise at a polling station in the Viramgam constituency of Ahmedabad district.

We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society, he said.

15:45 Newspaper ads pitch for BJP, Congress

Even as the BJP and Congress continue to trade barbs over alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct, it has emerged that the Ahmedabad editions of some major Gujarati dailies carried ads this morning featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging voters to support the BJP.

According to Newslaundry, two of the ads contain a signed message from the prime minister. The Model Code of Conduct prohibits display of election matter 48 hours ahead of voting.

The Congress has inserted an ad in at least one local daily as well, according to the report.

15:35 Hundreds of Congress supporters have gathered outside the party's headquarters in New Delhi to protest against Narendra Modi's 'roadshow' in Ahmedabad today, which they claim was in violation of the code of conduct.

15:25 A high-level BJP delegation led by Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nirmala Sitharaman is on its way to the Election Commission to complain about the Congress.



Cast my vote for the 2017 Gujarat polls. pic.twitter.com/mXd9GTRvtb

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

15:00 Election Commission responds to Congress' allegations

Responding to allegations levelled by the Congress against BJP and the Election Commission, the EC has said, "It is not right to say that we didn't give the Congress an appointment or delayed one. It was sought around 8:15 pm and after consulting with others in the commission, the meeting was granted at 9:15 pm. It's completely wrong to say that we are biased because when the Rajya Sabha polls order was against the BJP, did they complain?"

14:53 Clashes reported in Vadodara

Clashes between two groups have been reported in Savli constituency in Vadodara. Few two wheelers were also set on fire, according to The Indian Express.

Voting has been suspended for a while even as security personnel have reached the area to bring situation under control, the report added.

14:44 Clashes reported in Vadodara

Clashes between two groups have been reported in Savli constituency in Vadodara. Few two wheelers were also set on fire, according to The Indian Express.

Voting has been suspended for a while even as security personnel have reached the area to bring situation under control, the report added.

14:40 BJP defends PM Modi, says it was a 'spontaneous gathering'

Replying to Congress' allegation that Prime Minister Modi had violated the Model Code of Conduct by holding what they called was a 'road show', BJP spokesperson GLV Narasimha Rao told CNN News18, "Every party is entitled to make allegations if they see violations. What you are seeing here is a spontaneous gathering".

14:33 Voter turnout as of 13:30:

Gandhinagar: 45%Kheda: 45%Dahod: 44%Baroda: 44%Patan: 44%Mehsana: 47%

Chhota Udaipur: 44%

Average voter turnout till 13:30 has been recorded at 44.30%.

14:27 Here's a look at the 24-year-old's political journey so far

14:19 Voting stopped in Simlaj village after complaints of EVM malfunction

The voting at Simlaj village in Aravalli district was stopped earlier after the Election Commission received complaints that the EVM did not allow pressing of the 'Congress' button, according to a report by News18.

It remains unclear if the voting there has resumed.

14:13 Two groups clashed earlier today in Hasanpur of Visnagar in Mehsana district. As many as 10 people were injured, according to a report by TV9 Gujarati.

1336: "The EC had on Wednesday promised to take action against PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who violated the Model Code of Conduct. Today, it says they will take action after polling closes," Surjewala said.

1330: "Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing? The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full-fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job. Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day. Stand up Media, to this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct. Condemn the EC for allowing this gross abuse," Congress leader P Chidambaram has tweeted.

1326: The prime minister's 'antics' are destroying democratic processes, he added.

1325: The Prime Minister is going against democratic processes, Surjewala says.

1320: The Prime Minister has breached poll code norms, says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala. Such "roadshows" are a violation and show that the Election Commission is a "front" of the BJP.

1319: The Congress is holding a press conference now.

1300: Compared to phase 1, less than 50 percent cases of EVM replacements were witnessed in phase 2 of Gujarat Assembly Election. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer.

Out of total machines deployed for second phase of Gujarat polls, 1.63 percent VVPATs replaced after mock polls. The EC also replaced 0.88 percent ballot units and 0.86 percent control units, he added.

1245: 39 percent voter turnout recorded till 12 pm.

1245: The Congress "will expose the double standards of an Election Commission subservient to whims of BJP and the entire scam on NPAs. PM holds a road show & pliable agencies subvert the Constitution. Is the EC acting as PS to PM abdicating its Constitutional duties?" Congress MLA Randeep S Surjewala said on Twitter.

1230: After casting vote at Ranip booth, PM Narendra Modi waved to the crowd outside. The Congress is alleging that the huge crowd and such his crowd acknowledgment is violating the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct. "PM Narendra Modi held a roadshow after casting his vote, when he walked alongside his motorcade for a stretch and acknowledged the crowd," says Congress.  News18.com

1222: PM Narendra Modi has cast his vote at Ranip voting booth.

Ahmedabad: 9.64%Mehasana: 15.36%Gandhinagar: 14.91%Vadodara: 12.81%

Dahod: 0%

12:09 PM Narendra Modi has arrived at Nishan High School of Ranip locality to cast his vote.

12:04 On my way to cast my vote in Ahmedabad: PM Modi tweets

12:01 19% voter turnout seen in phase 2 till 11 am: CNN News 18

11:59 PM Modi to cast his vote shortly

1130: Reports of malfunctioning EVM from one booth each in Mehsana, Vadodara, and Dhatlodia of Ahmedabad are coming in.

1111: At 10 am, average voter turnout in Anand district is at 13 percent and 11.77 percent in Patan district.

1048: The Congress has petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party.

The Congress's complaint came soon after the EC on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

1041: PAAS leader Hardik Patel is confident of a strong show by the Congress in Gujarat. "Congress will win nearly 100 seats," he said, after casting his vote at Viramgam.

1025: Temple runs and caste equations: A look at the Congress campaign in Gujarat

1023: Situated just 21 kilometres from Ahmedabad, Sanand is an important marker on India's industrial map. The city came into prominence close to a decade ago when Tata Motors shifted its Nano car project here from West Bengal's Singur in the wake of a farmers' agitation.

Narendra Modi was Gujarat's chief minister at the time and his decision to rescue Tata's dream of making a car for the common man cemented his image as a progressive leader. Some political pundits say it was this masterstroke that propelled him from chief minister to prime minister.

Moneycontrol visited Sanand, where Narendra Modi's decision to rescue Tata's dream of making a car for the common man cemented his image as a progressive leader.

Read More: This constituency helped turn CM Modi into PM Modi

1015 After Vadodara, Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur has witnessed a dysfunctional EVM. Voting was halted for about 50 minutes, before the EC fixed the machine.

1010: "I am sure that BJP will achieve the target it has set for itself and the party will again form the government. Our candidate will get more votes than what I had got, and the Patidar factor is not going to affect us," Patel told reporters after casting her vote," former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel said after casting her vote.

1007: "Main Gujarat ki janta se appeal karta hoon ki vo bhaari maatra mein aayen aur vote karein, vikas yatra ko qayam rakhein," Jaitley said after casting his vote.

1003: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has arrived at polling booth no.961 in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur.

1000: Former Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela has cast his vote in Gandhinagar's Vasan village. Vaghela had quit the Congress party ahead of the Gujarat assembly elections and joined Jan Vikalp  a party floated by his supporters.

0940: Bharat Solanki, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief, has urged people to turn out in huge numbers for a people-friendly government.

0920: Amit Shah has cast his vote.

0915: BJP President Amit Shah has arrived to vote at Naranpura sub-zonal office. Battleground Gujarat is a battle of prestige for the party chief and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

0901: The electioneering for the second phase concluded on Tuesday after Modi took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show.

According to The Indian Express , three polling stations in Vadodara City have reported EVM malfunctioning. Election officers are replacing the machines to start voting.

0840: In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by PM Modi, Congress has given ticket to foreign-educated young face Sweta Bhrambhatt against BJP's sitting MLA Suresh Patel. Modi had vacated the constituency after becoming the PM in 2014.

0840: Pitching the Gujarat assembly polls as a battle between "dynastic rule and rule of development", BJP chief Amit Shah late Wednesday asked people to vote in large numbers to help the rule of development win. In a statement on the eve of the second and last phase of the Gujarat assembly polls, he claimed that the state suffered a lot of discrimination and injustice under the UPA government but is now developing fast, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm in the Centre.

0835: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben has arrived to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar.

0835: The Vadgam SC seat is another key constituency from where independent candidate Jignesh Mevani is fighting the election on Congress support against the BJP's Vijay Chakravarti.

0830: To bring you up to speed, late Wednesday, the Congress petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by industry body FICCI where he attacked the main opposition party.

READ MORE: Congress seeks action against PM Modi, Amit Shah for violation of model code

0825: BJP leader Amit Shah is expected to cast his vote at Naranpura sub-zonal office in Naranpura.

0822: Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel has cast her vote in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia constituency. BJP's Bhupendra Patel is up against the Congress's Shashikant Patel in this seat.

0821: Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress, is seeking election from Radhanpur constituency. Lavingji Thakor of the BJP is contesting against him.

0820: What's at stake?

0815: A snapshot of BJP and Congress candidates contesting in Gujarat Phase 2 polls

0811: According to ECI, 25,558 polling stations are set up. Total 2, 22,96,867 voters are eligible to cast votes. Of them 1, 15, 47,435 are male voters while 1, 07, 48,977 are females. 455 voters belong to third gender.

0810: Prominent candidates in the fray for today's battle include state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana against Jivabhai Patel of the Congress.

0805: A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for 93 seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat, in the final phase of the polls, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to exercise their franchise.

0800: Voting for the second phase of the crucial Gujarat Assembly polls has begun after the high-voltage campaign witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi leading the electioneering for their parties.
The two-week long eighth edition of the Indo-Maldives joint military exercise, 'Ekuverin', will be conducted from December 15 at Belagavi, about 505 km from here.

The bilateral annual exercise is a 14-day joint military training between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), which is held alternatively in India and Maldives since 2009.

'Ekuverin' means 'friends' in the Maldivian language.

The seventh edition of the exercise was held at Kadhdhoo, Lammu Atoll, Maldives in December, 2016.

The focus of the exercise is to acquaint both armies with each other's operating procedures in the backdrop of a counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist operations in an urban or semi-urban environment under the United Nations (UN) Charter, with an overall aim to enhance interoperability between the two armies, an official release said.

It said the exercise will see the contingents hone their tactical and technical skills, and also provide an opportunity for the two armies to activate the Joint Operations Centre at Belagavi.

The MNDF will be represented by a team comprising two officers and 43 other ranks, while the Indian Army by three officers, as many junior commissioned officers and 39 other ranks belonging to a Gorkha Rifles Battalion (Sirmoor Rifles).

The opening ceremony of the exercise, scheduled for tomorrow, will witness a fly past by the Army Aviation team along with a march past by the contingent from both the countries in the presence of the pipe and drums band of the Gorkha Regiment.
The commissioning of the first Scorpene-class submarine - 'INS Kalvari' - into the Indian Navy reaffirms the giant strides taken under the 'Make in India' programme, defence PSU Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) said today.

The induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game-changer in the field of underwater warfare and its commissioning has added another feather in MDL's cap, the shipbuilder said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the submarine at the naval dockyard here today.

"The commissioning of INS Kalvari reaffirms the giant strides taken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in the ongoing 'Make In India' programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production (Ministry of Defence)," the MDL said in a statement.

"MDL is constructing six Scorpene-class submarines with technology transfer from M/s Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) of France," it read.

Commodore (retd) Rakesh Anand, the chairman and managing director of MDL, said the induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game-changer in the field of underwater warfare due to its superiority in all operational aspects.

He also highlighted the aspect pertaining to completion of all weapon firings prior to commissioning of the submarine which, he said, was indeed a unique achievement.

The technology used in the submarine has ensured superior stealth features, such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons, the MDL said.

An attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube- launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface, it said.

The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention given to various signatures. These stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines, the statement said.

The Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions, such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance, it said.

The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force.

It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations, it said.

"The building of the Scorpene was indeed a challenge as the complexity of the simplest of tasks increased exponentially due to all work having to be done in the most congested of spaces," the MDL said.

"This complexity was further aggravated due to the stringent tolerances required to be achieved. However, these challenges were successfully overcome by MDL, without any compromise in quality," it said.

The second of the Scorpenes under construction at MDL, Khanderi, was launched in January 2017, and is undergoing rigorous sea trials.

The third Scorpene, Karanj, is being readied for launch shortly.

The remaining three submarines are in various stages of outfitting. The project is expected to be completed by 2020, the MDL said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

As is the tradition, ships and submarines of the Navy, are 're-incarnated' after decommissioning, the MDL said.

So it is with Kalvari. The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after almost 30 years of yeoman service to the nation.

"The experience and expertise that MDL has gained from the Scorpene project together with enhanced and upgraded infrastructure has ensured that the shipyard is fully geared for undertaking construction of the next generation submarines," it said.
Narendra Modi

Prime Minster Narendra Modi today appreciated the strengthening of bilateral relationship between India and Singapore in various sectors, including trade and investment, connectivity, defence and security.

Modi made these remarks during his meeting with visiting Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong here.

The prime minister also warmly recalled their long association, and congratulated Goh Chok Tong on assuming charge as the chairman of the governing board of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy earlier this year, an official statement said.

"The prime minister welcomed the momentum imparted by the exchange of several high-level visits between India and Singapore in recent years, and appreciated the strengthening of the bilateral relationship in all sectors, including trade and investment, connectivity, defence and security," the statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Mumbai to attend the commissioning ceremony of Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari today.

"The prime minister landed at Mumbai at around 11 pm and proceeded to the Raj Bhavan where he will stay overnight," an official told PTI.

He was received at the airport by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited, will be commissioned into the Navy by Modi here tomorrow.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.
The Supreme Court has reserved order in Aadhaar case. It will pass an interim order on Friday and the next hearing will be on December 17.

The government has said that it is ready to extend Aadhaar deadlines for most services till March 2018. Keeping in mind the new accounts opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana, MNREGA scheme and other schemes, the government is proposing this extension.

The government has also added that several new bank accounts are being opened under MNREGA, Jan Dhan Yojana and other schemes.

The Centre also said that Aadhaar is being used only for identification purposes and no other information is being shared with telecom companies and banks.

The apex court had received multiple pleas challenging linking of Aadhaar with a number of services in which petitioners had said that several fake Aadhaar cards are floating in the system. They added that change in deadlines to link Aadhaar with new bank accounts will not make much difference.

The applicants in their pleas had earlier termed linking of Aadhaar number with banks and mobile numbers as illegal and unconstitutional. They have also objected to the CBSE decision to make Aadhaar compulsory for students appearing for examinations.

The applicants have argued that the government cannot compel people.

A number of civil activists have raised concerns relating to privacy and security of data under Aadhaar. They also fear that due to the lack of security features associated with Aadhaar-linked financial transaction, the system is prone to financial frauds.

While implementing the farm loan waiver in Maharashtra, the state government found out that many villagers have common Aadhaar number.

Officials in Jharkhand governments have published the list of citizens on their websites mentioning names, address, bank account details, Aadhaar numbers giving details of persons receiving old age pension. Similarly, in Punjab, around 20,000 citizens applying for low-cost housing in Ludhiana and Jagraon found that their Aadhaar has been leaked.

Former Indian Captain MS Dhonis unique identification number was posted on Twitter by the enrolment agency in March.

A nine-bench constitutional bench of Supreme Court declared Right to Privacy as fundamental under article 21 of Indian constitution in August.

While the government on Wednesday extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar with bank accounts, linking of permanent account number (PAN) was earlier extended by three months to March 31, 2018.

The deadline for linking mobile number with Aadhaar number is February 6, 2018.

However, the cut-off date for linking Aadhaar to mutual funds, insurance policies, employee pension scheme and other schemes remains December 31, 2017.
Congress party's vice president Rahul Gandhi holds a memento of Hindu Goddess Durga presented to him during an election campaign rally in Gandhinagar on Monday. (PTI)

For more reasons than one, this years assembly election in Gujarat has been an eye opener. The fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party has had to pull out all the big guns in its not-so-modest repertoire for the campaign is indicative of some sand shifting beneath its feet.

For the last couple of decades, Gujarat has been one of the partys strongest forts and for the better part of that duration, it was unthinkable that the BJP would have to struggle through an election as long as Narendra Modi was alive and well. But even Modis reputation and charisma, not to mention all the hours he took out from his busy schedule just to campaign in the state, could not keep the Congress from posing its arch rival a serious challenge.

This year, as has been the case in the last four or five assembly elections, it was very apparent from the beginning that the Congress did not have one charismatic leader who had it in him or her to sway voters. But call it timing or fate, this happened to be the first time the BJP did not have one either. And trying to make the most of this, newly elected party president Rahul Gandhi put his best foot forward.

Gandhi, who has been the face of the Congress partys campaign in Gujarat right from the outset, had very little going for him when it all started. He was only vice president of the party back then, had a very unenviable reputation as a politician, and was the subject of much ridicule. But the newest Gandhi to hold the party presidents post can sleep peacefully knowing he has come a long way from there and is being taken seriously for the first time in living memory.

One of the highlights of Congress campaign this time was that it was marked by a subtle Hindutva approach, which did no harm to the partys popularity in Gujarat. Just like his opponent, Gandhi began his campaign with a visit to the iconic Somnath Temple. The intent was to softly declare that he was as Hindu but the plan backfired when opposition leaders found out that the Gandhi scion had checked himself into the temple as a non-Hindu visitor. Prime Minister Modi, who was campaigning only 25 km from the temple on that day, made sure to mention that Gandhis great-grandfather and Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had been opposed to the building of the temple.

Gandhi quickly tried to parry the attack by saying it was the partys media coordinator Manoj Tyagi who had made the mistake. He went on record to say that the members of his family have long been bhakts of Lord Shiva and started a series of temple visits that quickly earned the name temple run from the opposition. According to Congress officials, Gandhi visited close to 25 temples during the campaign. A DailyO report noted that the party was trying to shed the pro-minority image it had acquired under Sonia Gandhis tenure and as a result, Muslim voters were left largely unaddressed in the partys manifesto.

Of course, the soft Hindutva approach was not the only weapon the Congress deployed. For all his shortcomings, Gandhi seemed to have worked really hard on his oratory skills and came across as a noticeably more refined public speaker. With the support of the Patidar community, which has been at loggerheads with the BJP for the last couple of years after the state government came down heavily on its protests for reservation, the Congress president managed to make himself heard in way that we had never seen him do before.

Gandhi also used social media to good effect when he started asking one question a day to the ruling government and the Prime Minister about controversial issues. He posed 14 questions in all and this incited a response from the BJP, which recently published a list of metrics comparing todays Gujarat with the one it took over in 1995.

Through his speeches, Gandhi tried addressing the anger simmering in different groups across the state towards the BJP, particularly the Patidars, the Dalits and the Other Backward Castes (OBCs). All three communities have chosen young leaders for themselves and this was instrumental in them seeing Gandhi in the same light. His Jai Bhim, Jai Bhavani and Jai Sardar chant is but a manifestation of securing the caste matrix, which is what many believe will be the key to Congress winning this election.

However, a Scroll report noted that while Patidar leader Hardik Patel had made his anti-BJP stance quite clear, the demand of a 27 percent share of the OBC reservations will end up clashing with the interests of the Alpesh Thakor-led OBC community. Nonetheless, the fact remains that Congress has more of a chance with these communities than BJP does. To offset a loss of support from any one of the communities, the party also tried wooing tribal communities that account for 15 percent of Gujarats voter base.

Another highlight of Congress campaign was the attention it paid to traders who had felt the pain of the Goods and Services tax rollout. The party also tapped into the resentment of small and medium enterprises, which are largely cash-based businesses and were crippled as result of the governments demonetisation move last November. Rahul Gandhi went on to stoke the fire in trader hubs like Surat and Rajkot. Even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke openly about the pitfalls of these moves. A major part of Congress rhetoric was also made up of questions over issues like lack of jobs in Gujarat, lack of clean drinking water, and woes of farmers in the state. Another issue that was focused on was the empowerment of women.

A summary of Congress campaign would be incomplete without the mention of its one huge foot-in-the-mouth moment. This came when senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar took a shot at Prime Minister Modi by calling him a neech aadmi. Modi, who is far too superior a politician to ignore an opportunity like this, extracted the maximum possible brownie points from it. Another regrettable incident was when Congress member Shehzad Poonawala spoke about how the Congress internal systems are rigged to favour the Nehru lineage.

The fire was put out with Aiyars suspension from the party but the damage was done. Aiyar had attracted a lot of flak from BJP leaders, his own party members, and from Modi himself, and therefore had to be distanced quickly. But Modi, who was never going to let this go that easily, went on to say that a meeting was held at Mani Shankar Aiyars house that was attended by Pakistans former foreign minister, Pakistan High Commissioner, Indias former vice president and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Singh on Wednesday hit out at his successor on the eve of the first phase of the Gujarat polls, accusing him of spreading "falsehood and canards" to score political points and sought an apology for his "ill-thought transgression", even putting out a video message to attack Modi over his remarks insinuating that the Congress leader colluded with Pakistan in the Gujarat polls. He said it was unfair to question the nationalism of public servants.

Despite all these setbacks, the Congress has done enough this time around to make sure that the BJP has the toughest time it has ever experienced since it first took power in Gujarat. Experts are somewhat divided on who will win this election, with BJP remaining a clear favourite. But even a serious but unsuccessful challenge on the Prime Ministers home turf would be enough to upset the balance of things as we move towards the 2019 general elections.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani said on Tuesday that firecrackers will be burst in Pakistan if Congress comes to power in Gujarat.

Rupanis comment is eerily similar to the Amit Shahs statement in the run-up to Bihar Assembly election in 2015. BJP National president had said that firecrackers will be burst in Pakistan if Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance of RJD, JD-U and Congress) comes to power.

According to local media reports, Rupani said in Anand: If the BJP wins, firecrackers will be burst in Gujarat, but if the Congress comes to power, firecrackers will go off in Pakistan.

Rupani, though, is not the first person to use Pakistan in the run-up to the election in Gujarat. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged that a Congress-Pakistan conspiracy was in play in Gujarat and the western neighbour was showing undue interest in the Gujarat Assembly Election.

Modi raised questions about the alleged appeal by former director general (DG) of the Pakistan Army Sardar Arshad Rafiq for making senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel the chief minister of Gujarat.

"There were media reports yesterday about a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. It was attended by Pakistan's high commissioner, Pakistan's former foreign minister, India's former vice president and former prime minister Manmohan Singh," Modi said in an election rally at Palanpur on Monday.

"(On one hand) Pakistan Army's former DG is interfering in Gujarat's election, on the other, Pakistani people are holding a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. After that meeting, people of Gujarat, backward communities, poor people and Modi were insulted. Don't you think such events raise doubts?" Modi said.

However, Congress had refuted the claims terming them baseless.
A voter turnout of 11.71 per cent was registered in the first two hours of polling in the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections today, Election Commission officials said.

There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting places (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

Voting in the 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat regions was otherwise proceeding peacefully, Election Commission officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were amongst those who voted.

Despite the chill, several people could be seen queuing up outside polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

While the prime minister voted around noon at a polling booth in Sabarmati constituency in Ahmedabad district, Shah, Jaitley and state leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel voted earlier in the day.

The prime minister's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her vote at a booth in Gandhinagar.

BJP veteran L K Advani is expected to vote in the afternoon.

Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high stakes battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who floated the Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain told reporters that polling was on in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts.

"We are live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security is properly deployed, and staff reached on time," he said.

"We have given proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which encounter problems are changed in time so as to avoid any delay that was encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of Gujarat assembly elections is under way today in 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat.

Around 2.22 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise today to choose between the two main contenders, the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on December 18.
Prime Minister Theresa May's government was defeated on Wednesday, when lawmakers forced through changes to its Brexit blueprint that ministers said could endanger Britain's departure from the European Union.

In a blow to May, already weakened after losing her Conservative Party's majority in a June election, the 650-seat parliament voted 309 to 305 in favour of an amendment to hand lawmakers more say over a final exit deal with the EU.

Up until the last minute of an often bitter debate in parliament, May's team tried to convince lawmakers in her party to give up their demands and side with a government fearful that the move will weaken its hand in tough Brexit negotiations.

Members of Parliament (MPs) are debating the EU withdrawal bill, which will repeal the 1972 legislation binding Britain to the EU and copy existing EU law into domestic law to ensure legal continuity after 'Exit Day' on March 29, 2019.

In focus on Wednesday was an amendment put forward by Conservative lawmaker and former attorney general Dominic Grieve who wants parliament to have a meaningful vote on any deal before it is finalised and for it to be written into law.

"There is a time for everybody to stand up and be counted," Grieve told parliament earlier, criticising some fellow members of the Conservative Party for calling him a traitor over his decision to vote against the government.

He dismissed a last-minute pledge by justice minister Dominic Raab for government to write the promise of a meaningful vote into law later on its journey through both houses of parliament as coming "too late".

The government was "disappointed" by the vote, a spokeswoman said in a statement, adding that "this amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day".

But with May due at an EU summit on Thursday to encourage the other 27 leaders to approve a move to the second phase of Brexit talks and begin a discussion about future trade, the defeat comes at a difficult time for the prime minister.

In the European Parliament, which must also ratify any withdrawal treaty with Britain, its Brexit coordinator cheekily tweeted that his British counterparts had "taken back control" - a reference to the catchphrase of pro-Brexit campaigners.

"A good day for democracy," added Guy Verhofstadt.

DEEP DIVISIONS

The EU withdrawal bill has been the focus of seven days of often bitter debate, underscoring the deep divisions over Brexit not only among the Conservatives but also in the main opposition Labour Party and across the country.

It has also highlighted May's weakness.

In June, she gambled on a snap election to strengthen her party's majority in the 650-seat parliament but instead bungled her campaign and ended up with a minority government propped up by the 10 votes of a small, pro-Brexit Northern Irish party.

Since then she has struggled to assert her authority over a Conservative Party which is deeply divided over the best route out of the EU.

"This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the government on the eve of the European Council meeting," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Earlier, May had tried to persuade lawmakers to vote with the government for her Brexit blueprint, saying Grieve's amendment would put added time pressure on a government which wants to make Britain ready to leave the EU in March 2019.

"That could be at a very late stage in the proceedings which could mean that we are not able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we wish to have," she told parliament before an hours-long debate on the exit plan.

Her spokesman said the government had "in good faith come forward with a strong package of concessions to deal with the spirit of the amendment".

Pro-Brexit lawmakers fear the amendment could force Britain to weaken its negotiating stance by offering parliament the opportunity of forcing ministers back to the negotiating table if it feels any final deal is not good enough.

Raab said that could convince the EU that Britain would not walk away from a bad deal.

"Actually if that looked likely we'd end up with worse terms, and we'd be positively incentivising the EU to give us worse terms," he told parliament.
Foreign workers in the US on a H1B work visa, the most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, may work for more than one company, the countrys immigration agency has said.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

In general, H1B workers may work for more than one employer but must have approved I-129 for each, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency which receives and determines the successful applications for H1B visas, tweeted yesterday.

New employer must submit an I-129 petition before you may begin working, the USCIS said.

Form I-129 is a form submitted for a non-immigrant worker to the USCIS used by employers or prospective employers to obtain (or amend the details of) a worker on a non-immigrant visa status.

While this is not a new rule, but very few people know about it. The H1B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress.

The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US masters degree or higher are exempt from the cap.

Additionally, H1B workers who are petitioned for or employed at an institution of higher education or its affiliated or related nonprofit entities or a nonprofit research organisation or a government research organisation are not subject to this numerical cap.

Meanwhile, an American think-tank, the Cato Institute in a report said that in 2015, a total of 56 percent of all supposed employment-based green cards went to the family members of workers. The other 44 percent went to the workers themselves. If family members were exempted from the quota or there was a separate green card category for them, an additional 76,711 highly skilled immigrant workers could have earned a green card in 2015 without increasing the quota.

According to the institute, about 85 percent of those who received an employment-based green card in 2015 were already legally living in the US. They were able to adjust their immigration status from another type of visa, like an H1B or F visa, to an employment-based green card. Exempting some or all of the adjustments of status from the green card cap would almost double the number of highly skilled workers who could enter, it said.

In a blog post, Immigration Attorney Tsion Chudnovsky said immigration lawyers are seeing a big change in how visas are being processed in 2017 and many expect denial rates to increase to 40 percent in this years H1B cap.

The USCIS has started challenging H1Bs which would have no problem being approved in the past, she said.
Washington: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks at the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. AP/PTI(AP12_13_2017_000095B)

No negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behavior, a White House official said on Wednesday, raising questions about U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's offer to begin talks with Pyongyang anytime and without pre-conditions.

"Given North Korea's most recent missile test, clearly right now is not the time (for negotiations)," the White House National Security Council spokesman told Reuters.

Tillerson said on Tuesday the United States was aready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk," backing away from a key U.S. demand that Pyongyang must first accept that any negotiations would have to be about giving up its nuclear arsenal.

The White House has declined to say whether President Donald Trump, who has taken a tougher rhetorical line with North Korea than his chief diplomat, gave approval for the diplomatic overture.

A day after Tillerson's appearance before Washington's Atlantic Council think tank, the White House official, who declined to be named, laid out a different formula for any engagement with North Korea.

"The administration is united in insisting that any negotiations with North Korea must wait until the regime fundamentally improves its behavior," the official said. "As the secretary of state himself has said, this must include, but is not limited to, no further nuclear or missile tests."

In his speech, however, Tillerson did not explicitly set a testing freeze as a requirement before talks can begin. He said it would be atough to talka if Pyongyang decided to test another device in the middle of discussions and that aa period of quieta would be needed for productive discussions.

The apparent shift in Tillerson's thinking came nearly two weeks after North Korea said it had successfully tested a breakthrough intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that put the entire United States mainland within range.

North Korea has made clear it has little interest in negotiations with the United States until it has developed the ability to hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear-tipped missile, something most experts say it has still not proved.
Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
SCHWENKSVILLE  Historic Pennypacker Mills features a breathtaking range of Christmas decor sure to take you back in time. Starting on Tuesday, November 22 through Sunday, January 8, 2023, your visit will uncover the story behind Christmas of the past (1850), present (1910) and the future (1920) and how each timeframe coincided with Samuel Pennypackers []
Montgomery County Democrat Cerrato confident of victory over incumbent Todd Stephens in close 151st state House race
December 14, 2017

"Russian Influence" - $0.97 That Changed The Fate Of Britain

A big bear broke into a house, allegedly. The bear trashes the interior - it is said. Enraged authors write extensive pieces about the bear and how much damage it causes. The authors and their big bear scare are amplified throughout the media. They get rewards.

There are doubters though. They point out that no one has actually seen the bear. No one listens to them.

Politicians insinuate that the bear is even bigger than is said. Experts talk of huge damage and terrible dangers. There might even be multiple bears. Finally someone is asked to open the door of the house and to look inside.

There is no bear. There is no damage. The only living thing that is found is a tiny cute mouse.

Brexit, the ministers, the professor and the spy: how Russia pulls strings in UK - by Carole Cadwalladr - Observer/Guardian - Nov 4 2017

But on Brexit, Facebook has said nothing. Not a word. No ads have been scrutinised. Nothing  even though Ben Nimmo of the Atlantic Council thinktank, asked to testify before the senate intelligence committee last week, says evidence of Russian interference online is now incontrovertible. He says: It is frankly implausible to think that we werent targeted too.

Intelligence watchdog urged to look at Russian influence on Brexit vote - Guardian - Nov 15 2017

Britains intelligence watchdog is facing demands to examine whether Russian troll factories interfered in UK politics, amid mounting evidence that thousands of fake accounts may have been used to influence the Brexit vote.

...

UK academics have already established that at least 419 Twitter accounts operating from the Kremlin-linked Russian Internet Research Agency (IRA) tweeted about Brexit ..

Guardian and Observer scoop three prizes in British Journalism Awards - Guardian - Dec 11 2017

The Observers Carole Cadwalladr won the technology journalism award for her investigation into Russias influence on the Brexit referendum...

...

Facebook says Russian-linked accounts spent just 97 cents on ads over Brexit - Reuters - Dec 14 2017

Some British lawmakers have called for an inquiry into whether Russia meddled in Britains vote to leave the EU after social media platforms said Russian operatives sought to interfere in the U.S. election of Donald Trump.

...

Facebook sent its findings to the Electoral Commission which is examining how digital campaigning is affecting politics in Britain, including activity funded from outside the country. Facebook said it had examined whether any account profiles or pages linked to the Internet Research Agency (IRA) had funded ads during the Brexit vote. The IRA is a Russian organization that according to researchers employs hundreds of people to push pro-Kremlin content on social media. We have determined that these accounts associated with the IRA spent a small amount of money ($0.97) on advertisements that delivered to UK audiences during that time, Facebook said. This amount resulted in three advertisements (each of which were also targeted to U.S. audiences and concerned immigration, not the EU referendum) delivering approximately 200 impressions to UK viewers over four days in May 2016.

The above is a typical example of the nonsense that is fed to the people by the media. Neither is there evidence for a "Russian influence" campaign of any significance nor is there evidence of "collusion" between the Trump campaign and anything Russia. The "collusion" campaign was run by the Clinton campaign and the borg to politically disable Trump. The "Russian influence" scare campaign is run by the military-industrial complex to institute a profit raising Cold War 2.0.

Posted by b on December 14, 2017 at 18:19 UTC | Permalink

Comments
Thanks to Nigel the Nutcracker from The Warehouse, we are granting wishes across the country!
Attendees to last months Fall Speakers Forum at Western Piedmont Community College got a crash course on issues surrounding free speech.

The forum is offered every fall at the college as part of its Ervin Constitutional Issues Program, which is sponsored by the Western Piedmont Foundation, the Division of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, the Student Government Association, the American Sign Language Club, the Criminal Justice Club, the Natural Sciences Club and the colleges Media Services Department.

This year forum was called, Navigating the First Amendment: Where Do Your Rights Begin and End.

Caitlin Vogus, a staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, took time during the forum to share her analysis of how decisions the nations courts have made over the years have affected the medias ability to investigate, obtain and present information on events that have the potential to greatly impact society.

Vogus began by reciting the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reads, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

She highlighted the fact that the press is the only profession mentioned in the Constitution and given specific protection, which it has needed to face various threats since the countrys founding.

The news media today is under tremendous pressure, facing criticism from our elected leaders, a loss of trust from American public and also legal threats to their ability to gather and report the news, Vogus said.

She outlined five key areas of importance in maintaining a free press:

 Prior restraint

Vogus explained that prior restraint is a restriction on speech before publication in a news medium. She said newspapers in England prior to American independence had to submit their content to the government for approval before publishing it, and were censored on many occasions, sometimes even prosecuted.

One of the most important lessons the Founding Fathers learned was that the power to censor the press was the power to silence the critics of government, Vogus said. Prior restraint is dangerous, because it removes speech entirely from the marketplace of ideas.

The provision against prior restraint went unchallenged until 1931, when a periodical in Minnesota ran up against a state law prohibiting the publication of a malicious or scandalous newspaper. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which found the state statute unconstitutional.

Vogus also spoke about the Pentagon Papers, a famous case from 1971 in which documents showing the Johnson administration lied to the public and Congress about Americas involvement in the Vietnam War were leaked to the New York Times, who began publishing them.

The federal government tried to legally prevent the newspaper from continuing to publish the material, claiming it threatened national security. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the New York Times and other newspapers which also had published the documents.

The government has an extremely high burden in order to justify a prior restraint, Vogus said.

 Defamation and privacy

Vogus said the press is often subjected to libel and privacy lawsuits. A libel or defamation claim asserts that someone has written something untrue about a person which may harm his/her reputation and expose the person to hatred, ridicule or contempt. The person claiming defamation must prove that the statement he/she is suing over is unequivocally false.

She noted that American courts are unique on putting the burden of proof on the plaintiff instead of the defendant in libel lawsuits and outlined various cases where different aspects of defamation claims were challenged.

The Supreme Court has set up a protection for the press by decreeing that public figures must prove a standard of actual malice before their defamation claims are heard, meaning the person or publication making the statements knew they were false or had serious doubts about their accuracy, but ran them anyway.

Its hard to report the news and get it 100 percent right, Vogus said in explaining the courts decision. Mistakes are going to happen. We need to give some amount of protection to false speech so that true speech can have the breathing room it needs in order to be published. We dont want to scare the news media away from publishing things that are true, because theyre afraid of being sued and having to pay out huge damages.

She said some celebrities are getting around the actual malice standard by filing lawsuits claiming violation of privacy instead of libel or defamation.

 Access and transparency

Vogus noted that politicians throughout history have been criticized for a lack of transparency, and that the federal Freedom of Information Act has given the press a powerful tool to combat that tendency.

The Freedom of Information Act is the law that gives the public the right to access the records of the federal government, she said. North Carolina and other states also have state public records laws that allow you to access records of the state government.

FOIA does not apply to information that is private or pertains to national security, and government officials retain the right to redact information in documents they think fall under either of those categories. Vogus said the government also is notorious for taking an extraordinary long time to comply with FOIA requests.

When the news media is denied access to government records or simply receives no response at all, its the public that loses out on the information about what the government is up to, Vogus said.

She noted the current controversy over former presidential candidate Hillary Clintons emails she issued as Secretary of State arose out of a FOIA request a journalist made who simply wanted to learn more about her activities in that position.

FOIA requests apply to court documents as well, with the exception of grand jury trial documents, which are kept sealed. She cited the case of a judge who unsealed court records to show that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department had used a device called a stingray to track cellphone usage to assist with capturing suspects. The device tracks the location of the cellphone user, can tell which number the person is calling, and in some cases, can listen in on conversations.

The government has tried to keep the use of stingrays very secret, perhaps because in addition to sweeping up all of this information about the person theyre targeting, it also sweeps up information about totally innocent people who just happen to be nearby, Vogus said. So the First Amendment right of access to court proceedings and court records is really critical to the news medias ability to inform the public about whats happening in our court system.

 Leaks

Vogus defined a leak as anytime someone provides information to the news media without authorization. She said leaks were crucial in breaking stories such as Watergate, the Catholic Churchs cover up of certain priests sexually molesting children and the revelation of massive government surveillance that came out with documents released by famed leaker Edward Snowden.

The Espionage Act of 1917 made it a federal offense to release classified material or any information that may threaten national security. Vogus said presidential administrations since then, especially the Obama and Trump administrations, have used the act to go after many leakers.

The legislative history of this act indicates that Congress intent was that it be used to prosecute spies, but under the act, people who leak information to the news media can also be prosecuted, Vogus said. Before Obama, there were only three leaks prosecutions total, in the history of America. During Obamas presidency, there were nine leaks prosecutions. Attorney General Jeff Sessions testified before Congress that the (Trump) administration currently has 27 open leaks investigations.

She said the government has yet to successfully prosecute a journalist under the Espionage Act.

She cited the case of Fox News reporter James Rosen, who wrote a story about nuclear tests taking place in North Korea. The government obtained a search warrant for Rosens emails to try and find his source at the State Department, but the Privacy Protection Act prevents the issuance of a warrant for this type of information unless the person involved is accused of committing a crime. The federal government then accused Rosen of being a co-conspirator in the leak of classified information in order to gain access to his emails.

While Rosen was never charged with violating the Espionage Act, the fact that the government was even characterizing him that way has a strong, chilling effect on reporters who are reporting on national security and are worried that they are going to be thrown in jail just for sharing information with the public, she said.

 Reporters privilege

Reporters privilege refers to the tradition of journalists keeping sensitive sources anonymous, though Vogus pointed out that the Supreme Court struck down reporters privilege in the context of a grand jury investigation as being a protection under the First Amendment with a case it heard in the 1970s.

Some lower courts have upheld reporters privilege, depending on the circumstances of the cases, while others have coerced disclosure.

These decisions make it really risky for journalists who promise anonymity to their sources, Vogus said.

She cited instances in which reporters have been jailed under contempt of court for refusing to reveal their sources. Some state courts have shield laws that uphold a reporters privilege to prevent this type of situation.

Vogus said the federal government has exponentially increased its electronic surveillance in recent years to circumvent the need to pressure journalists to reveal their sources. She referred to a study of surveillance requests submitted to the U.S Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C.

The data showed that the unsealing requests have gone up 500 percent since 2011, she said. For this reason, the press has been pushing back really aggressively on the governments ability to surveil journalists and news organizations.

The impact of fake news accusations

Vogus also identified current accusations of fake news, especially by President Donald Trump, as a threat to the medias ability to inform the public. She said politicians in some cases are using the accusations to discredit their critics.

The results of these accusations have included a decrease in the trust put in news media outlets by the public, and in some instances, have resulted in physical assaults against journalists, another alarming trend. An organization tracking violations of freedom of the press has documented 31 attacks on journalists in the U.S. involving either physical violence or arrest in the past few years.

When reporters are branded the enemies of the people and subjected to harsh attacks by public figures, theres a real risk that these physical attacks on the press will escalate, Vogus said. The First Amendment protects the freedom of the press so the news media can be the eyes and ears of the public. The media informs people about current events so we can all form our own opinions about whats happening in the world.

She quoted former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in conclusion.

In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy, she said.

Staff Writer Tammie Gercken can be reached at tgercken@morganton.com.
The western campus of the state School of Science and Mathematics has hit another milestone in preparation of construction.

The school announced late last week it has hired Barnhill Contracting Company as the construction manager at risk for the western campus. A manager at risk typically is hired for most government projects and ensures it stays on schedule and budget.

The company will help the school with the review and management of the design and construction of the western campus, according to a release from the school.

Our team at Barnhill Contracting Company is honored and excited to partner with the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and Duda|Paine Architects on this historic opportunity to build a new campus in Morganton, Marty Moser, senior vice president at Barnhill Contracting Company, said in the release. This is truly a significant addition to the UNC System and will benefit all the citizens in the state of North Carolina.

The company was one of eight that applied for the job. A recommendation to hire Barnhill was made to the schools board of trustees and the board unanimously approved them during its Dec. 7 meeting, the release said.

Kevin Baxter, director of western campus planning and project management, said construction on the western campus is expected to start in August 2019. But pre-construction work will start in early 2018, he said.

The pre-construction work will include engaging and identifying subcontractors for the project, Baxter said.

Baxter said the specific sequencing of the construction process is something school officials will be working out over the next year.

We do not yet have that information finalized as our recently hired CM at risk firm is a key participant that will inform that work, Baxter said in an email to The News Herald.

The western school of science and math will be located on the eastern ridge of the state School for the Deaf campus.

The school initially will be constructed to hold 300 students, with student admission in the first year being 150 and another 150 students admitted in the second year.

The site plan for the campus calls for three buildings that were once part of NCSD to be repurposed for NCSSM.

Goodwin Hall will be renovated and used as the administration building/main hall. It will be at the center of the campus.

The old barn that was on the NCSD campus will be reused as a place for student and community events. The barn would be able to seat around 400 people and would include a kitchen and mezzanine.

Up from the barn will be two new 150-bed dorm buildings  one for males and one for females.

Joiner Hall that originally was built for NCSD will be renovated and used for music and arts programs.

Across from Joiner Hall will be a new academics building. Across from Goodwin Hall and flanking each side will be two new buildings, with one that will serve as a student commons, library and dining hall. The other building will be used for fitness and wellness, according to the master site plan.

The plan also shows a phase II of the campus in case the decision is made in the future to expand the campus for more students. Phase II calls for two more dorm buildings, two new academic buildings and a new place for gatherings. The campus also will include green spaces.

The announcement of the manager at risk follows the approval in September of the campus site master plan and educational program plan for the western campus.

Now is when we really start to see the campus take shape, Tom Williams, chair of the NCSSM Board of Trustees, said in a release. By combining several existing structures on the eastern ridge of the NC School for the Deaf with new construction, we will be able to preserve much of the history of the site, while also ensuring our students and staff have access to cutting-edge academic, lab, and multipurpose spaces as well as a healthy living-learning environment.

Baxter said in schools announcement release that the next phase of planning will include the launch of schematic design and the rollout of an ambitious period of educational program planning.

We are so excited to move forward with the pre-construction phase of this project ," NCSSM Chancellor Todd Roberts said in the release . " With the help of Barnhill and the team at Duda|Paine, we know that this new campus will embody the best of what NCSSM represents and create ever more opportunities for innovation, exploration, and hands-on learning for North Carolina students.

NCSSM-Morganton will open in 2021 with an initial enrollment of 150 juniors, growing to the full complement of 300 students when the second class enrolls in 2022.

Sharon McBrayer is a staff writer and can be reached at smcbrayer@morganton.com or at 828-432-8946.
Eric Posner is professor of law at the University of Chicago. Among his research interests is the question of the increasing concentration of ownership in corporate America, including the role of institutional investors.

I know who Vanguard is. I know who BlackRock is. But there are a lot of financial companies Ive never heard of and that maybe Id be nervous about giving them my money.

A recent paper he co-wrote with Microsoft economist Glen Weyl and Yale University economics professor Fiona Scott Morton proposes limiting the companies an index fund can own in one industry. Posner spoke to Morningstars global head of research, Haywood Kelly, and director of policy research, Aron Szapiro.

Haywood Kelly: You argue that under current antitrust law, claims could be made against companies like Vanguard and BlackRock. How does antitrust law apply here?

Posner: Its illegal for investors to buy shares of companies if the effect of the purchases would be anticompetitive. If you or I buy shares of McDonalds (MCD) or some shares in a fund, were not going to have any effect on competition.

But if its an institutional investor that already has a large stake in rival companies within a concentrated market and it increases those stakes, and if one can show empirically that the effect of those purchases is to reduce competition among the underlying firms, then youve met that standard.

One of the major defences is something called the passive investor defence. It says if you are passive  if you are just buying shares because you want to enjoy a share of the profits, but you dont plan to control the company  then you are not violating the law, because if you are not exerting any control of the company, you are not going to have any anticompetitive effect. The institutional investors will argue that they fall within this passive investor exception.

There are other sorts of complications and questions, but antitrust law is a flexible area of the law



Kelly: Given that there are papers from economists on both sides of this issue, how would that affect the legal process?

Posner: There are some papers that have been written that I just dont think are nearly as strong as the papers on our side.

Its very unlikely that someone is just going to sue all the institutional investors for all the anticompetitive effect they have had on the whole economy. Such a claim is just too broad and vague. What might happen is that someone might bring a lawsuit against institutional investors solely for their effect on the airline industry or for their effect on banking. Those could be separate lawsuits.

Kelly: Is there enough evidence to bring such lawsuits?

Posner: Yes. I believe that the plaintiffs would have a strong case, and for that reason, its just a matter of time before somebody brings a lawsuit. There has always been a lot of litigation against the airlines for all kinds of stuff, all kinds of anticompetitive behaviour, and its just a matter of time before the plaintiffs bring in the institutional investors and argue that they are either implicitly or explicitly coordinating the airlines.

Kelly: Our view, given the trends in the industry toward passive and scale advantages of the likes of Vanguard and BlackRock, is that this will only become more of an issue over time, making it more likely that policymakers will get involved.

Theres no reason to think that their ownership is going to flatten out or go down. Theres every reason to think it will continue to increase. Part of the reason it will continue to increase, of course, is that people are finding index funds more and more appealing.

Kelly: One of your proposals is to restrict ownership to, say, one company within a concentrated industry, as opposed to spreading it out.

Posner: This problem is not something for which there is a clean solution. There are lots of different solutions. I think litigation is the natural solution. But the worry is, its going to create a huge mess because litigation is unpredictable.

What would rules look like that might address this problem? The rule we came up with was this idea that  to simplify it  you can have big institutional investors, but they would be allowed to own only one firm per industry. Or you can have small institutional investors who could be fully diversified; they can own all the firms in one industry, but they just have to have less than a 1% [market] share.

If our rule were put into place, we would predict that the market would segment, and you would see the big institutions like BlackRock divest from all the firms in a concentrated industry except for one and increase the stake in that remaining firm. BlackRock might have, say, 10% of United Airlines and 0% in the other airlines. In the meantime, you could see lots of smaller asset managers who could have 1% in all the airlines.

Kelly: But no matter what the strategy is for diversifying across industries, if youre only holding one company in each competitive industry, some investors would end up worse off?

Posner: One problem is that people would have to search out and find the small [asset managers  the 1% companies  if they want to be fully diversified. I know who Vanguard is. I know who BlackRock is. But there are a lot of financial companies Ive never heard of and that maybe Id be nervous about giving them my money

Or I could stick with Vanguard. I would just be slightly less diversified. Our initial view was that the cost would be low because the amount of diversification an ordinary person gets by owning all the companies within one industry as opposed to companies across industries is very small, because the stock prices of companies within an industry tend to be highly correlated.

If I am just an ordinary person and I want to be fully exposed to the stock market, there is not a whole lot of difference between owning stock in one company per industry as opposed to owning stock in every single company in the market. Thats why the S&P 500 is probably fine for most people. They dont really need to own stock of 2,000 companies or 10,000 companies. So, mathematically, the additional diversification benefit you get is small.

Kelly: If BlackRock or Vanguard were to concentrate in one company and if their market share continues to grow, you could imagine a case where Vanguard owns a majority or close to a majority of one competitor and BlackRock owns close to a majority stake in another competitor.

Posner: BlackRock or Vanguard might divide. They might become smaller. I dont see any reason in theory to think that it would be worse, but we wouldnt know for sure until we entered that world. A lot would depend on what they did. If they continued to be passive, as they claim they are now, there wouldnt be any anticompetitive effect.

There would be complicated governance issues that would arise. As a legal matter, they might have more responsibility.

Kelly: Do you think that, in addition to the argument around concentrated ownership, the traditional legal tools could yield greater gains to consumers today?

Posner: Im very much in favour of antitrust litigation. In the United States, the antitrust laws have been interpreted in a more relaxed way than they have been in the distant past, with the result that industries have become more concentrated than they used to be.

You could make the argument that the US Justice Department could just focus on the underlying firms rather than the institutional investors and maybe that would be sufficient if the concentrated markets were broken up. Then ownership by institutional investors would not be a problem. Its only a problem when the underlying markets are concentrated.

Kelly: What about the reaction among the fund industry?

Posner: They are obviously not happy about this work, but they seem willing to engage. What Id like to see them do is provide data to independent academics. That would be the best way to settle the various controversies.

I do believe institutional investors when they say that, at least for index funds, theyd like to just be passive. They dont want to actually have to vote. But on the other hand, the government forces them to, right? Theyre not allowed to be passive.

When institutional investors started buying up large chunks of these firms, people argued this could be a good thing, because now youd have shareholders who are large enough that it would be worth their while to exert control over these corporations. But the problem is that if they also own rival corporations, they may exert the control over these corporations in a way thats not beneficial to the public.

This article originally appeared in the December/January 2018 issue of Morningstar magazine. To learn more about Morningstar magazine, please visit our corporate website. A longer version of this article is available here.
With imminent changes to the way mortgages are funded, strengthening lender relations in preparation is paramount for any broker.Mortgageoutlet.ca, one of the largest brokerages in Canada, understands that B-20 will tilt business in the favour of private lenders and credit unions, and that cultivating strong relationships with them is the key to surviving 2018 and beyond.According to Elan Weintraub, a director and mortgage broker at mortgageoutlet.ca, being respectful of lenders time is reciprocated with a willingness to conduct business, so mortgageoutlet.ca doesnt submit files it isnt absolutely sure will receive funding.The golden rule: Do unto others what you would have done unto you, he said. Treat your lenders like partners, which they are. Dont waste peoples time and understand their products. If there are flaws on a deal or circumstances, have that discussion up front because you can save hours and hours of work for the underwriter, or avoid having to put out a fire at the lawyers office. With your lenders, pretend its your money youre lending.Weintraub personally meets with lenders every week to learn about their products, as well as to ask them about trends theyre noticing.One question we ask is How can we prepare our agents for you to make your job easier? said Weintraub. Once we know what theyre good at and what they dont like, it makes it easier for everyone. Dont submit deals to 12 lenders knowing youre only going to use one. Make things as easy as possible for your underwriters, which makes your life easier. Its win-win.Mortgageoutlet.ca has been expanding its relationships to different credit unions, which are going to become busier come January 1, regardless of their location. If a credit union is outside of the GTA, for example, but an agent is brokering a deal for a property in that area, Mortgageoutlet.ca will work with them. Part of the strategy the brokerage employs is setting targets it can exceed.We partnered with credit unions and we were very up front about establishing a volume we were comfortable with, something we could deliver on said Weintraub. So we purposely gave conservative numbers with the intention to exceed them.Were also expanding reach beyond credit unions and connecting with private lenders, institutional lenders and MICs, who have come in and given presentations.While lender relationships are important, so are the ones forged with borrowers. Mortgageoutlet.ca has been training its agents on every facet of B-20, and they in turn reach out to their clients.One of the things were doing is communication with clients and our realtor partners, and our network in general, said Weintraub. We go through our CRM and advise our clients about B-20 and what the implications are.
Like many of his peers, Gord Dahlen, partner and VP of brokerage development at BlueTree Mortgages West, describes his entry into the mortgage industry as a fluke. I didnt grow up thinking Id be a mortgage broker or executive, Dahlen says. My first experience was in 1987 with Household Trust. We were a retail bank branch, but we had some exposure to mortgage brokers, and probably the first mortgage broker I ever worked with sent deals to me.While that was his introduction to the mortgage world, Dahlen says the true start of his industry career didnt come until two years later, when he took a job with Mutual Life of Canadas mortgage division, the predecessor to MCAP . Because I had some retail lending exposure, that gave me the opportunity to join Mutual/ MCAP , and it took off from there, he says.After 11 years there, during which he rose to the position of VP of Western Canada, Dahlen was recruited to join Invis, which at the time was a startup. He was the first non-founder VP Invis hired in Canada; during his 10 years there, he held a number of leadership roles, including serving as president in 2009. After Invis, Dahlen moved on to DLC before helping launch CFF Bank and serving a brief stint at Merix.Finally, Dahlen decided it was time to focus on the part of the business he had developed a passion for, signing on to help build BlueTree Mortgages West in Kelowna, BC.Id say my real first love was building the teams, he says. Whether I built the team at MCAP or I built the team at Invis, that was really what I loved to do. We built Invis from a couple million dollars to $10 billion. A lot of that was under my leadership, and thats what I love to do. Now Im back doing what I love to do again. BlueTree Mortgages West is a labour of love  weve gone from 20 brokers to 65 in under 90 days, so its fun.The industry experienced a great deal of consolidation in its early days, and Dahlen sees that trend starting to gather momentum again.Invis, Mortgage Intelligence  those companies were prevalent in terms of consolidating the mortgage industry 17 years ago, he says. And I think youre seeing more consolidation within the large networks now as well. I think consolidation is a positive as long as were responsible for our groups and we ensure that everybody is properly trained and we provide solid leadership and good value to the lenders. I have a unique perspective in that Ive sat on both sides roughly the same amount of time, so I know what it takes. I understand very well what we need to deliver as mortgage brokers to our lender partners, and efficiency is a big part of it.On that point, Dahlen says lenders are looking for both efficiency and scale when partnering with brokers. They need to attract their volume in as an efficient manner as possible, he says, and thats why consolidation is going to continue to take place.Along with consolidation, Dahlen sees technology as a key factor thats currently pushing the industry forward.I think theres more synergy at the grassroots level, and owners are taking more responsibility to use technology and get communication out to staff as fast as we can because were dealing in such a topsy-turvy marketplace, he says. In 28 years, Ive never seen information change as quickly as it does now. We leaders have to get information out more quickly, and I think thats not going to change. I think technology is going to play a big role, but Im more convinced than ever that the way we communicate so rapidly now, it requires a human connection, and I think brokers are in good shape going forward.While there are plenty of concerns occupying mortgage brokers minds these days, Dahlen points to external factors seeking to replace mortgage brokers as one of the biggest challenges the industry is facing  specifically, the fear that the banks will decide to drop out of the channel.Were down to two major banks now involved in the front end of the industry, he says. We need to make sure were not replaced by technology and were not replaced by bricks and mortar or robo-advisors. We need to remain in the equation, and we need to be better at what we do.However, Dahlen acknowledges that this particular challenge isnt unfamiliar to brokers.Weve always had that threat, he says. Its a dollars-and-cents industry, just like every other, and we cant assume that this is going to go on forever. Again, it comes back to consolidation and professionalism and doing the right thing.Dahlen also points to the obstacle of todays regulatory environment, which he says is more oppressive than ever. However, hes confident the industrys leaders will continue to thrive.One thing Ive seen in the last 30 years is that the current crop of brokers plows right through, he says. The best of the best always find a way to deal. Theres no question that this is the highest degree of market intervention weve had from the government, in my experience, [but] that top echelon of brokers does not roll over. In fact, they grow. Whenever theres another issue put in front of them, they tend to grow as a result and eliminate the folks who dont do the work.Meeting todays challenges will require the industry to self-regulate in terms of ensuring a high level of professionalism, Dahlen says.We have to make sure folks are working full-time, that theyre not just being trained at the minimum level of regulation across the provinces, he says. We need to make sure, at the ownership level, that our people are going out fully trained and equipped.Continuing to educate themselves, Dahlen adds, will allow brokers to offer better advice to their clients.Information-gathering is not about memorizing anymore; its about having access to it and being able to use that information and decipher that information for your clients, he says. Thats our job, and if we dont do that  if we just load people up with business cards because they can get through the course in 30 days  that will be the undoing of us. Im very bullish on our future as long as we have those folks who are willing to learn and be trained and be responsible for each other.
New technology being adapted by the oil and gas industry is accelerating development of businesses to help dispose of the waste generated by the high rig count.

With the efficiencies being realized, with more lateral feet being drilled today than even at the peak of the boom, and as companies move into more of a pad development mode, its almost a requirement logistically to have drilling waste hauled off to commercial facilities, said George Wommack, founder and chief executive officer of Petro Waste Environmental LP.

Wommacks San Antonio-based company has just begun construction of its third and fourth landfills to serve the Permian Basin, just months after opening its first two.

Construction on the Deep Six landfill on 212 acres in Reeves County, 10 miles south of Pecos, is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2018. The Big Lake landfill on 245 acres in Reagan County will be located on Highway 137, 12 miles north of Big Lake at the Stiles turnoff. It, too, is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2018.

Petro Waste opened its Orla landfill in April and its Howard County landfill between Stanton and Big Spring in September.

This is part of our plan, to have thorough coverage of the Permian Basin, Wommack told the Reporter-Telegram by telephone from his San Antonio office. We are now in all four corners and that puts us close to everyone.

The company even holds a fifth permit, for a facility in Pecos County designed to serve development around the Alpine High play. Wommack said that while he is waiting to see how that market develops, there seems to be a lot of potential and a high probability the site will be built.

The Deep Six facility is a joint venture with Trinity Environmental Services I LLC, a Guggenheim Partners portfolio company, and is being located adjacent to Trinitys Deep Six saltwater disposal facility. Petro Wastes Orla facility is now part of this joint venture.

Wommack explained that Trinity had previously obtained a landfill permit for its Deep Six facility. We approached them to see if they were interested in a joint venture with us. It made sense to do one together. With this arrangement, we can continue doing what we do best and Trinity can participate without taking their eye off the ball of their core business, which is saltwater disposal.

Like Petro Wastes initial two facilities, both the Deep Six and Big Lake facilities, will accept oil-based and water-based muds, oil-based and water-based drill cuttings, contaminated soil and RCRA-exempt non-hazardous exploration and production waste. The Big Lake site will also sell fresh water and high-quality aggregate.

Now our goal is to provide more and more service related to drilling activity. Well provide roll-off cutting boxes at the site to collect cuttings and well provide transportation from the drill site to the disposal facility, he said. Its all part of the effort to help customer become more efficient and drive down costs, he added.

Wommack said companies such as Petro Waste and Milestone Environmental, which opened its second Permian disposal site last month, offer environmentally-friendly alternatives to burying waste at the drill site. Burying waste at the drill site doesnt come with oversight such as stormwater planning or monitoring.

With our footprint, our facility can accommodate planned activity for the short term but also for the future, he said. And he said the way the facilities are constructed to protect ground water and the environment and to promote safety is above how facilities are being built in other basins, in part because its what his customers demand.

He doesnt see a neighboring facility, such as Milestone, as a rival but a complementary site. Milestone handles wetter waste; we do more on the dry side. Our handling of dry waste is more efficient, he explained.

Right now, he is pleased with the current level of oil field activity. Getting too busy has challenges like cost increases, labor shortages, equipment shortages. Something around this level is ideal, he said.

Funding for the Big Lake facility and Petro Wastes share of the Deep Six landfill facility is being provided by Petro Wastes equity sponsor, Tailwater Capital.
Winter Art Exhibit opening at Midland Shared Spaces

Midland Shared Spaces isnt your typical gallery setting, but probably one of the best in town. The building is home to several nonprofits, but local artists and art groups are showcased in the buildings hallways and the opening receptions are a big deal. Grab some wine and appetizers and stroll through two stories of local art while listening to live music by Amy Huzjak, principal cellist for the Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale (MOSC).

5:30 p.m. today at 3500 N. A St.

Christian Nodal, Crecer German at La Hacienda Event Center

The future of Latin music headlines Midland this weekend. Christian Nodal, 18, and Crecer German, 21, have been hailed as the new guard of the genre. Nodal topped the charts with Adios Amor early this year, following up with his No. 1 album Me Deje Llevar. Germans Quien Te Entiende made a splash in 2016 landing in the top 20 of the Hot Latin Songs charts with some 30 million streams of the track in the United States alone. Openers Geru y su Legion 7 have been touted by Pandora as an act to look out for in 2018.

8 p.m. Saturday at 12610 State Highway 191. $60. haciendamidland.com.

December Brunch Market downtown

How does chicken and waffles amid downtown sound? With food trucks and local vendors, Brunch Market is quickly becoming a hotspot. This second event will feature more than 30 local vendors and food trucks offering a brunch menu and outdoor seating. New food truck Bus 22 is expected to be among the food vendors; their Mexican Scotch Egg is all the rave.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at 312 W. Colorado St.

Jingle Brass with Lone Star Brass

This annual holiday show is an intimate affair with big sound. The brass ensemble of the MOSC performs its annual concert thats often a sellout. In fact, you could head here after the Brunch Market for an eventful day to cap off the weekend.

3 p.m. Sunday at Rea-Greathouse Recital Hall, 1310 N. Farm-to-Market Road 1788. $15. MOSC.org.

The MeshugaNutcracker! The Chanukah Musical at Regal Tall City Stadium 14

With Hannukah underway, enjoy this screening of the musical comedy that mixes Tchaikovskys Nutcracker Suite with dancing dreidels, singing sufganiyot and other holiday traditions. The show also touches on the first Hannukah and pays tribute to the eight nights with eight stories.

7 p.m. Tuesday at Tall City Stadium 14, 4915 SW Loop 250 N. $17.28. fathomevents.com.
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After years of renovations and sweat, a home in Houston's Third Ward has opened up for business as an overnight rental.

The house at 2309 Wichita has undergone a metamorphosis since being purchased by developer Nick Ugarov in 2014.

RELATED: 2309 Wichita, one of Houston's favorite quirky homes nears end of its renovation (MARCH 2017)

Chron.com has diligently followed the renovation and restoration of the historic home, which previous owner Charles Fondow began fortifying with elaborate additions before his death in 2011.

Ugarov has opened his doors to Chron.com every step of the way.

Now the rest of Houston and others can finally stay in the home, which Ugarov has launched as a bed and breakfast.

There are now eight bedrooms in the house, plus a cozy, second-floor apartment in the back. There is even a pool for when Houston's warm weather rears its muggy head.

Rooms in the home can now be rented nightly via Priceline, Expedia, Travelocity, and even Airbnb.

Dubbed Houston Towers, in part for its four kooky add-ons, it's available for visitors who wish to spend the night.

RELATED: Catching up with Houston's favorite spooky home renovation project (JUNE 2016)

Before Ugarov's painstaking project began, it was known to locals as spooky, weird, and sometimes sinister-looking. These days, it's rather quaint and charming, a far cry from the "Addams Family"-ready appearance it had just a few years ago.

Ugarov has always maintained that his goal was to complete the vision of Fondow, who died too soon to realize the property's full potential and beauty.

Now Playing: The renovation of one of Houston's favorite quirky homes has reached its completion in the Riverside Terrace area. The four-story, eight bedroom home (with a separate apartment) has become a cult hit over the past few years since its previous owner passed away. Video: Houston Chronicle

The home was originally built in 1935 and served stints as an orphanage, a duplex, and even a daycare, before being purchased by Fondow in the '80s.

Fondow originally purchased the two-story brick home with $350,000. He was a dedicated DIY handyman that watched Hurricane Alicia hit Houston in 1983, after which he began fortifying his home beyond what most contractors would recommend.

"This house is the love of my life," Fondow told the Houston Press in 2001. "I don't know how to live in a house that's finished."

RELATED: Spooky looking Houston mansion has found a buyer (MAY 2014)

Fondow himself told an outlet in 2001 that he invested some $300,000 in it along the way.

After he died in 2011 at the age of 64, the house went into real estate limbo. Houston real estate blog Swamplot posted photos of what the house looked like when Fondow still lived there and hosted parties for his friends.

According to the HAR site's sale report available online, the 4,900-square-foot property sold for $251,000 in April 2014 to Ugarov.

Since 2015, Ugarov has added five new air conditioning units, an elevator, a commercial-grade water heater, paved the front yard for extra parking, and added 18 cameras inside and out for extra security. Ugarov has tried to stay as close as possible to Fondow's strange vision of what the home should look like.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. He's an intolerable native Texan with too much ink in his skin and too much brisket stuck in his teeth.
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Few things are more stressful for a parent than having their newborn baby in the Intensive Care Unit.

Fortunately, Houston's Texas Children's Hospital is helping spread the holiday cheer.

Working with First Memories Texas, a volunteer organization that helps comfort families with premature or critically-ill children, the hospital hosted Santa Claus in an adorable Christmas-themed photo shoot.

CUTE: Freak out occurs after Houston gender reveal party turns into marriage proposal

Now Playing: Having a newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit is hard on parents. Fortunately for the babies at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite's neonatal ICU, theres 82-year-old David Deutschman. He holds the babies whose parents cant b Video: Fox2Detroit

In a prepared statement, April Neal, a mother whose son was born 13 weeks early and is being cared for at the Houston hospital, said the merry visit helped her family through a difficult time.

"We were told Santa would be visiting a few days beforehand and I was so excited  I was even able to dress up my son for the very first time, which was really special," Neal said. "I was a little bit emotional during Santa's visit, and grateful for an experience that normalized the NICU for families. I will always cherish these photos and was excited to share them with family and friends."

"It's wonderful that Texas Children's has volunteer organizations that help put these events together for families  they help bring a little holiday joy and spirit to families who are going through challenging times," she said.

See images from the heartwarming photoshoot above.

Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93.
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Khizr Khan loves to remind young people  or, as he calls them, our future leaders and heroes  that children have played an important role in his unexpected 18-month journey from being a reticent and apolitical father of a fallen U.S. soldier to a household name.

Ever since he fixed his gaze at the camera at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016, speaking directly to candidate Donald Trump and electrifying the nation, Khan  whose middle son, Capt. Humayun Khan, died in 2004 protecting his men from a suicide bomber in Baquba, Iraq  has been a global symbol of speaking up to denounce bigotry.

Interviewed last week at Dominican College, Khan recalled that when he was invited by Hillary Clintons campaign team to speak as a representative Gold Star father on the last night of the convention, he and his wife, Ghazala, spent days mulling over the offer at home in Charlottesville, Va.

We are humble, modest people. This felt too big for us, said Khan, a Pakistani-born, Harvard-educated lawyer who became an American citizen in 1986.

Our sons Shaharyar and Omer advised us, Please dont go, youll regret this, said Khan, 67. He was in the Bay Area to promote his two newly published books: a captivating and very personal memoir, An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice, and This Is Our Constitution, an accessible, nonpartisan primer on Americas founding documents written for middle school readers.

We had decided not to accept, Khan said. He walked to his mailbox that same afternoon and found a hand-delivered envelope with no stamp, addressed in a childs writing. It read: You are a lawyer. Can you please not let them deport Maria? She is in the fifth grade. She is our friend.

Khan had been fielding similarly fearful questions from his Muslim and Hispanic neighbors (anyone with different skin, he said), whose children worried about deportation ever since Trumps incendiary statement in December 2015 vowing to ban all Muslims from the United States.

I would hearten them by reading the 14th Amendment, Section I, about equal protection and due process, said Khan, who fell in love with the U.S. Constitution as a young law student in Lahore in 1972. But the children were still scared, asking, Are we going to be thrown out?

We were thinking of them when we called the Clinton people back to accept.

And the rest is history.

With Ghazala by his side, Khan pulled his $1 pocket Constitution from his blazer and said these now-famous words: Donald Trump, youre asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy.

Kahn says the dramatic flourish was ad-libbed after he felt his beloved Constitution in his pocket while in a cab headed to Philadelphias Wells Fargo Center. Hed carried it for years, heavily underlined with quotes from Thomas Jefferson and Justice Antonin Scalia tucked inside. (His original copy now resides in the Virginia Historical Society.) We practiced how I should pull it out of my pocket, with the cabbie watching, he said with a laugh.

So, you see, I stand here because of you, Khan told an all-school assembly at Hall Middle School in Larkspur on a recent morning. It was your peers who sent us to speak on your behalf. See the power your words can have.

Khan describes himself as a naturally private person who misses being home with his grandchildren, but believes a time comes in everyones life to speak out when democratic virtues are being trampled. Khans Marin school visit was his 176th appearance since the convention. Book Passage in Corte Madera (which hosted Khans Dominican event) has seen a substantial increase in their sale of pocket-size Constitutions ever since Khan held up his own at the convention.

Wearing a dark suit and his gold star lapel pin, Khan kept the packed gym, including numerous Marin County parents eager to see him in person, rapt as he made his plea for civic engagement as an antidote to todays rancorous political climate.

The oldest of 10 children raised on a small farm without electricity in Punjab Province, Khan told the Hall students that I remain in awe of the Bill of Rights, which I call the Bill of Human Dignities, because I have lived twice under martial law. Please remember that some parts of the world do not have these rights  of equality and fairness, even the right to assemble and to speak freely.

Always remember this word: civility. It must be our motto, he said. We may disagree, and in democracy there are always two sides to an issue, but the sides must talk to each other with dignity.

The adults in attendance caught Khans unspoken reference to the backlash he and Ghazala experienced when Trump fired back at them on Twitter after the convention.

We were saddened, but not surprised, he told The Chronicle. We knew his mentality, and his lack of empathy was well known.

In person, as well as in An American Family  which is both a personal history of the Khan family and an emblematic story of immigrant struggle and ambition  Khan stresses the importance of his outsiders perspective. As someone who first learned of Americas democratic virtues as faraway abstract ideals, he only discovered later, as a U.S. citizen himself, that the durability of these freedoms is perennially tested.

I can perhaps see more clearly the blessings of America because they were once new to me, he writes near the end of his memoir. I am an American patriot not because I was born here but because I was not.

As a new immigrant, Khan was in awe of the many small indicators of what he calls the 14th Amendments equal protections put into practice: city buses running on time, house numbers at every address, even the slow, egalitarian crawl at the DMV (where we all take a number and wait, regardless of status).

Khan reminds every audience that as a student at the University of Virginia, his son Humayun wrote an essay entitled Democracy Requires Vigilance and Sacrifice. The vigilance part is my mission now.

As students filed out of the gym and back to class, a few hung back hoping to shake hands with Khan.

It was so inspirational hearing him, said seventh-grader Kourosh Vafaie, 12. He made us all feel that were connected, no matter how different we are. Hes kind of the opposite of Trump.

I cant believe we got the opportunity to meet him, said Trent Carrade, 12, of Larkspur, who had watched Khans convention speech in his history class. He has a simple message, but its really inspiring. Everyone, all of us, have equal rights, and we shouldnt take that for granted.

I am often asked what I would add if I could write a new constitutional amendment, Khan said at the end of his remarks.

I would add Amendment No. 28, stating that every American must read the countrys founding documents. We can only protect these liberties after we become aware of what they truly mean.

Jessica Zack is a freelance writer who covers art, film and books for The San Francisco Chronicle. Twitter: @jwzack
Jeffrey P. Bezos' Blue Origin got a step closer to flying tourists to space Tuesday when it launched a life-size dummy the company named "Mannequin Skywalker" from its remote West Texas facility.

The updated booster and crew capsule, which the company hopes to use to fly its first human tourists to space by as early as next year, hit a peak altitude of nearly 100 kilometers, or what's considered the threshold of space, the company said in a statement. (Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

The New Shepard booster, named for Alan Shepard, the first American in space, then flew back to Earth, successfully touching down on a landing pad so that it can be reused. The capsule, designed with what Blue Origin says are the largest windows ever to fly into space, floated back under parachutes for a soft landing in a flight that lasted 10 minutes and six seconds.

"#NewShepard had a successful first flight of Crew Capsule 2.0 today," Bezos wrote on Twitter. "Complete with windows and our instrumented test dummy. He had a great ride."

Even though the rocket blasted off at about noon Eastern, the company didn't announce it until some 11 hours later, and the Federal Aviation Administration, which licensed the launch, refused to confirm that it had occurred.

The launch, Blue Origin's first in over a year, comes during a big week for the space industry, and it follows a White House ceremony this week in which President Donald Trump officially put NASA on a track back to the moon.

On Friday, Elon Musk hopes to pull off yet another improbable feat with the launch of a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station: Both the booster of the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft it will be lofting into orbit will have previously flown to space, proving that the era of reusable rocketry has arrived in earnest.

Earlier this year, SpaceX for the first time re-flew a booster. Then later it flew a Dragon spacecraft again. But Friday's launch, a mission to carry 4,800 pounds of cargo and supplies to the space station, would be the first time a used booster and a used spacecraft would fly together. It's also the first time NASA has allowed SpaceX to use a previously flown rocket on one of the agency's missions.

Since SpaceX first landed a booster two years ago - typically they are ditched into the ocean, never to be used again - it has repeated the accomplishment numerous times in a quest to treat space travel more like commercial aviation. Airlines don't throw away their airplanes after each use, as Musk and others have noted. Instead of falling into the sea, SpaceX's rockets fly back to Earth, landing on a landing pad or on ships at sea.

"In the long run, reusability is going to significantly reduce the cost of access to space, and that's what's going to be required to send future generations to explore the universe," Jessica Jensen, SpaceX's Dragon mission manager, said during a news briefing Monday. "We want to be able to send thousands of people into space, not just tens."

The launch has been delayed a couple of times, first because the company wanted to do additional checks of its ground systems, then because it found particles in the second stage fuel system. The launch is also notable because it would be the first from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida since a rocket explosion there caused $50 million in damage. A Falcon 9 rocket blew up in September 2016 while fueling ahead of an engine test.

Despite those setbacks, SpaceX has been on a roll this year. It has launched 16 times successfully, doubling the number of its launches in a single year and tying the greatest annual number by its chief rival, the United Launch Alliance.

In addition to launching the used boosters and spacecraft, SpaceX also christened launchpad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, the historic site from which the Apollo astronauts took off for the moon.

Now the company is looking ahead to 2018, a potentially momentous year - not just for SpaceX but for several companies and NASA.

Under contract with NASA, Boeing and SpaceX are preparing to fly astronauts from U.S. soil in 2018, marking the first government launches since the space shuttle was retired in 2011. Since then, NASA has had to send up its astronauts in Russian rockets, at a cost that stands at more than $80 million a seat.

Also next year, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and Bezos's Blue Origin could start flying paying tourists to the edge of space. And a company called Moon Express plans to fly a robotic lander to the lunar surface next year.

SpaceX's launch would be one of a number of high-profile events this week, which began with President Trump signing a new space policy directive in a White House ceremony Monday. Although light on specifics, the president called for a return to the moon - in partnership with industry and international partners - not just to visit, but "for long-term exploration and use."

Also on Tuesday, Arianespace, the French space company, completed its 11th successful launch of the year. Rocket Lab, a private space venture based in California and New Zealand, was set to attempt a test flight of its Electron rocket this week as well.

The rush of activity by the American space enterprise shows that the private sector increasingly threatens government's long-held monopoly on space, said Mark Albrecht, who served as the executive secretary of the government's National Space Council from 1989 to 1992.

"We may have reached that tipping point, or are close to it, where the center of space activity is moving toward these new commercial enterprises," he said.

SpaceX has also been working toward launching its Falcon Heavy rocket, essentially three Falcon 9s bound together, in what would become a massive vehicle capable of flying to the moon and reaching Musk's ultimate goal, Mars. Earlier this year, Musk promised another milestone for 2018: that he would fly two paying passengers on a trip around the moon.

But first, he's got to fly the Falcon Heavy rocket. Its maiden flight was scheduled for this year, but after repeated delays, Musk now says it is set for January. He's warned, though, that the chances of failure are high. Meaning 2018 could start off with a bang.
Plains All American Pipeline said its seeking customers to build its planned Cactus II Pipeline connecting West Texas booming Permian Basin with the emerging crude oil export market out of Corpus Christi.

Plains project would add two pipelines to its existing Cactus network  which runs from West Texas through the Eagle Ford Shale region in South Texas  expanding the systems crude capacity from 390,000 barrels a day to up to 575,000 barrels daily. The project could be completed by the fall of 2019.
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House Democrats urged that congressional subpoenas be issued to two data and analysis companies that worked as consultants to President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign because they havent turned over documents about Russian contacts or WikiLeaks.

Cambridge Analytica and San Antonios Giles-Parscale have been holding out on requests from Congress to produce the information, the Democratic leaders of the House Oversight and Judiciary committees said Thursday in a letter to the Republican chairmen of the panels. Giles-Parscale cofounder Brad Parscale had said in a November letter to House Democrats that the request was duplicative.

We are writing to request that either the Oversight Committee or the Judiciary Committee issue subpoenas to compel the production of documents, Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland from Oversight and Jerrold Nadler of New York from Judiciary wrote.

They acted on a day when Alexander Nix, the chief executive officer of Cambridge Analytica, was to have a private interview with the House Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation into Russian interference in last years presidential campaign.

If you decline to issue these subpoenas, then we request that you place this matter on the agendas for our next regularly scheduled business meeting so we may vote on motions to subpoena these critical documents, the Democrats wrote.

Amanda Gonzalez, spokeswoman for House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, said in an email, This is squarely within the House Intelligence Committees jurisdiction as part of their investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Gowdy is one of three Republicans leading that panels probe, she said.

Judiciary Chairman Robert Goodlatte of Virginia didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Democrats  who are pursuing questions about whether anyone in Trumps campaign colluded with the Russians, including in targeting messages on social media  said neither company has denied contacts or communications with foreign governments or foreign actors during the 2016 campaign. They also cited potential contacts with WikiLeaks, which posted stolen Democratic emails.

Parscales letter to House Democrats was dated Nov. 3. As I made clear in the 60 Minutes interview cited in your letter, I share your concerns and would not want foreign governments meddling in our elections, Parscale wrote, referring to a previous interview with CBS. But as I stated in that same interview, I do not have any firsthand knowledge of foreign interference in the 2016 election.

There are currently several congressional inquiries about Russias involvement in the 2016 election, as well as an ongoing investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. I have cooperated fully with those tasked with the primary responsibility for investigating these matters, and I will continue to do so. However, I respectfully decline to make document productions and respond to inquiries that are duplicative of their work.

The Trump campaign paid Giles-Parscale to advertise on social media and analyze voter data. The company also used data to raise money online and select advertising platforms. Brad Parscale, a partner in the company, testified in private last month to the House Intelligence Committee.

In July, Parscale sent out a tweet with a statement saying, I am unaware of any Russian involvement in the digital and data operations of the 2016 Trump presidential campaign.

He also said, The Trump digital campaign used the exact same digital and marketing strategies that are used every day by corporate America.

Cambridge Analyticas Nix said at a November technology conference in Lisbon that in early June 2016, he contacted WikiLeaks after its founder, Julian Assange, publicly claimed he had Hillary Clinton emails and planned to publish them. Assange previously told the Associated Press that WikiLeaks had rejected a request for information from Cambridge Analytica.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, also has written that lawmakers want Cambridge Analytica to provide a description of any communication with Russian government officials, or their representatives, to identify potential voters for targeted advertising, marketing or social media contact in support of the Trump campaign.

This story has been updated by the Express-News to include comments from Parscale.
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San Antonio coffee drinkers are lamenting the loss of another local shop after Aspen's Brew announced their doors will be closed after next week.

Aspen's Brew has been pouring specialty coffees and doling out sandwiches at their 11255 Huebner Road location since 2006. On Dec. 23, nearly 13 years later, the family owned and operated shop will close.

Business owners were not immediately available to return requests for comment, but a Facebook post on their official page detailed the news.

RELATED: PRESS Coffee closes early amid disputes over rent, alleged threats, chickens

Aspen's Brew cited a 40-percent rent spike imposed by their landlords, Whitestone REIT, for their decision. Attempts to reach the Houston-based real estate company in an effort to confirm the claims were unsuccessful.

"Aspen's Brew has been more than just a coffee shop to many of our customers and employees," the coffee shop's post reads. "It has been a place to meet up with friends, study, laugh, work and relax."

Regular customers reacted to the news in the comments section beneath the post.

"This makes me incredibly sad. I have loved all of the time sitting in the chairs in front of the shoppe," one person wrote. "I seriously am unsure I will ever find a place I love as much. Thank you Aspens Brew Coffee for being open for us!

Another said she looked forward to dropping into Aspen's Brew whenever she was visiting from Iowa. Others noted the loss of Aspen's Brew comes on the heels of PRESS Coffee's closing.

That small business, which previously operated at 606 W. French Place, suddenly  and dramatically  closed in October.

Aspen's Brew invited their customers to visit within the next week to help them "go out with a bang."

Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for MySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  Less than a week after the Yankees prevailed over the Giants and Cardinals and got Giancarlo Stanton, Miami and St. Louis reached agreement on a deal for the second-biggest piece of Derek Jeters fire sale.

On Wednesday, the final full day of the winter meetings, the Marlins agreed to trade power-hitting left fielder Marcell Ozuna to the Cardinals for a package of minor-leaguers.

Ozuna would have fit the Giants perfectly, but they could not offer the Marlins an equivalent of Sandy Alcantara, a 22-year-old pitcher who throws 100 miles an hour and will be the biggest part of Miamis haul from St. Louis.

We knew pretty much very early on after the Stanton deal was announced that we were going to have a hard time competing with what the Cardinals had on the table when Ozuna became available, Giants general manager Bobby Evans said.

While Giants officials continued to weigh a vast array of trade and free-agent possibilities, as they have since they arrived at the Swan and Dolphin Resort on Sunday night, their chances of filling one of their many needs before flying back to San Francisco grew slimmer.

Evans did reveal the Giants are actively pursuing a free-agent deal with Nick Hundley, their backup catcher and Willie Mac Award winner in 2017, and we hope we can get that done at some point.

Hundley played an important role on a team whose catcher hits cleanup, so that would be significant. It still would not much dent the Giants biggest priorities: finding a defensive center fielder, boosting their offense by acquiring a corner outfielder and third baseman, and to a lesser extent, fortifying the bullpen.

Time remains on the Giants side because, notwithstanding the Ozuna deal, the winter meetings have been relatively quiet aside from a bevy of expensive middle-relief signings. Position players are not coming off the board.

I suspect it may be like a lot of winter meetings where clubs finish deals after they leave, Evans said. Well see.

The Giants are expected to pursue free-agent third baseman Todd Frazier and outfielder Jay Bruce. They have tried to work a trade with the Reds for center fielder Billy Hamilton, though the teams are not close to agreeing on which players the Giants would send Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen remains possible, although there has been no public evidence of significant discussions between the teams for the five-time All-Star.

The Giants and Brewers have spoken. Milwaukee has a big potential chip in right fielder Domingo Santana and is believed to have some interest in the better Giants prospects at the lower levels.

Its hard to imagine the Brewers sending Santana to San Francisco without getting top prospect Heliot Ramos, and the Giants are reluctant to trade him. The Giants probably could get Keon Broxton, the Brewers defensive-minded center fielder, for less.

The Ozuna deal closed one outfield door for the Giants but might have opened another. The Cardinals, who have a surplus of outfielders, are expected to shop Randal Grichuk, a 26-year-old with some pop, the ability to play all three positions and three remaining years of team control.

Evans said he is unsure if the Giants have a better shot of filling their needs through free agency or trade, but the latter is challenging because the Giants are not keen on dealing their best prospects, especially Ramos. Evans said asking prices are still high at this stage of the postseason.

Though fans are getting impatient and view the Giants as scrambling to fill their roster after losing out on Stanton and pitcher Shohei Ohtani, Evans argued otherwise, saying those players were a bonus plan.

Now, Evans said, the Giants have returned to Plan A, pursuing the players they initially identified as targets.

The Giants are eager to deal, but Evans said he will not be rushed.

If the best deal comes before the winter meetings end, or in January, we want to make the right deal, he said. Thats the important thing. We have to be clear what the right deals are and not jump at something because we want to hit some deadline.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@hankschulman
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It was nearly killing them, but the Wright family of Dayton had a secret. They couldn't share it or risk violating a contract and costing themselves thousands of dollars. But the cat is out of the bag and not only does all of Liberty County know, but the nation now knows that the Wright family of Dayton scored big on Monday night when their Christmas spirit earned them ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight champion trophy for their spectacular Christmas display.

The family known around the community as the 'Christmas Family' for their labor of love each year manifest in their front yard were overwhelmed with the news.

"It's a neat thing to do," said Paul Wright otherwise known as Mr. Christmas, nicknamed by his family and friends.

SO CUTE: Dogs vs. Elf on the Shelf makes for hilarious photos

He said he becomes a 12-year-old every year around late August and the first of September.

"My thanks for the hard work and this award," he said, "is the people who come through with smiles and thank you for our efforts."

This year, that was no easy task and it may have been the reason it pushed the Wright display over the top for the national award.

Every year, the show accepts applications from larger-than-life Christmas displays around the country and pits them against each other in a friendly competition. They select celebrity judges to visit those displays, judge them, and offer the winners a beautiful trophy and cash prize.

More Information WANT TO GO? --Began Thanksgiving night and ends January 1. --The address is 8605 FM 1960 between Dayton and Huffman --Park across the street or down CR 612 to safely see the display --The light display is free to the public See More Collapse

In their episode, the Wrights competed against the Robinson family from Red Cross, NC, the Sussin family from Saugerties, NY, and the Albrecht family of Glenwood, Utah.

Judging their show was television personality and model Carter Oosterhouse, host of Carter Can, Million Dollar Rooms and other shows.

Last year, Paul hinted to the Dayton News that they were in negotiations with ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight, but neither had committed to the other and it was a big step the family would give more thought to before applying.

By January, Wright had committed to the show.

"We were approved almost immediately by the Light Fight show executives and then we had to get approved through ABC as well," he said as best as he understood it.

The application process was arduous.

"It was like buying a house we had so many pages in the contract," he said.

For months they waited, and it wasn't until July when they received official confirmation that they were 100 percent going to be on the show.

"My wife received a text or phone call," he said, "and she came into our shop at Advanced Restoration and Collision in Huffman and told me we had been approved and then she got on the phone and called all of the kids to tell them," he said excited.

There was a celebration at the Wright home that night.

The biggest requirement - keep it a secret. Wright said it was tough, but they understood that it wouldn't be much of a surprise if they spilled the beans.

The show is taped in October and the Wrights felt they needed the full 75-90 days to get ready, so work began in earnest in the relenting heat of August.

With the hot sun beating down mercilessly as they began their annual Christmas gig, the family said they would have to work smarter, not harder.

As the sun was going down, the roof of the house would cool, giving Patty and James opportunity to work feverishly to get the grid of lights on the house. Each bulb checked individually to make sure it was working and fit the color scheme that would eventually be a part of a light show to dazzle. That same process followed for all 150,000-plus lights throughout the display.

"We started with the archways and things we didn't have to mow around," he said.

Grass was a problem because it was still growing season and they had to consider that.

"We could weed-eat after that, but it takes between 89 hours to do," he said. Very tedious.

Each of the blow molds, some dating back to the 1960s, are fragile and could be easily damaged by the high-speed weed eater.

Once the display was finished, Wright said they only had to weed eat the entire acre a few times.

"Thankfully, we've had cool weather and it has almost stopped, except for the weeds," he said.

Next up were the 20-foot trees, light curtains on the house, and the displays on the end of the house.

They were feeling fairly confident by late August until they learned they would face the wrath of Hurricane Harvey.

While the storm winds were a mere 50-60 mph at the height of the storm, it still wreaked havoc on their hard work.

"The wind got some of it because it was relentless for four days," Paul said.

The driving rain loosened the earth so much that the anchors to the arches loosened and fell.

Saturday morning after the Friday night pounding, the rain slowed and both Paul and Patty were out in the driveway in ankle deep water trying to get the arches back up.

"We drove some stakes in the ground and that helped them stay up throughout the flood. We had to get some concrete to set on the base of the [Christmas] trees because they started floating," he said incredulously.

That was Friday, but Saturday and Sunday would bring devastating news.

James and Cynthia Wright (Paul's son and daughter-in-law) lived approximately 7 miles away from his dad's home.

"We were prepared to ride it [the storm] out in hopes that everything would be alright," James said.

"I was more worried about losing power than anything," he said.

They never lost power, but they lost so much more.

"I woke up in the middle of the night [Saturday], and it was already in the car even though we had parked our cars up closer to the roads, which were higher," his wife Cynthia said.

She woke her husband up and his thought was to at least get the car out. They would take the car up to his parents, a few minutes away, and then come back.

That was at 4 a.m. They left their child with a friend that was staying with them and he drove his truck and she drove her car, but the drive turned into more than an hour when the rising water caused an impasse at almost every turn.

"It was nerve-wracking because we didn't expect anything like that," seven-months pregnant Cynthia said.

Instead of returning to his parents, which seemed futile at that point, they parked the car on a nearby road that seemed to be in a good place from flooding and returned home to get what they could out of the house and leave.

"The water was already at about five inches from getting inside my truck when we pulled in," he said, "and I told her we only had about 15 minutes to get our son and my friend who had been staying with us and get out of the house," he said desperately.

By the time the four of them had escaped the house, Cynthia was wading out in water up to her pregnant stomach. It was frightening.

Cynthia's parents, who lived by, were also in trouble and had water coming in through the vents in the house. They had between four and five feet of water in the house.

The eight years they had spent building their lives was gone in a matter of hours. Everything.

James and Cynthia along with their son Aleister, their friend and her parents and their friend were now living with Paul and Patty - a total of 11 in the same house.

They weren't used to having so many at the house, but they've made due, Paul said.

Derrick, Paul's other son, and his wife, Kelley, said after the water went down, assessment began.

"We first had to see what was down and what was damaged, then we formulated a plan to get everything back up and working," he said. They would not be denied.

The ABC network was very helpful.

"We couldn't have worked with better people," Paul said. "They gave us an extra two weeks to finish things up. They were very understanding."

On Oct. 19, a scout group from the network arrived to begin working with the family before filming.

"They introduced themselves and told us what to expect to get us ready for the big event," Patty said.

One week later, Oct. 27, there were people everywhere.

"There must have been 30 people out here," the family said.

The third night, they said, was the longest night with the reveal night occurring.

"The wind was blowing, and it was actually cold that night, so we really did need winter clothes," Paul said. They usually require them to wear Christmas attire.

About a week after they had left Dayton and the taping was finished, they received a phone call telling them that some of the footage with the family was no good and they were going to have them do a retake.

"They told us to be dressed and ready and they would drop by to shoot the footage," Paul said.

The family dutifully did as they requested and after they arrived, they asked Paul to come outside because there was a problem with the display.

"I went outside and thought there might be a fire or something," he laughed.

"Then Carter was outside," he said to his surprise.

"We thought it was too soon for them to be back," Patty said.

But they asked all the family to come outside and that's when Oosterhouse gave them the good news that they had won not only the trophy, but a prize of $50,000.

The family said they haven't even sat down to discuss how the money will be spent.

"I can assure you though, the trophy will be around a lot longer than the $50,000 will," the family chuckled.

They didn't know what set them above the competition and earned them the win, but believe it could have been the DIY projects and that Texas' size sleigh and reindeer built and designed by Derrick and Kelley.

"We're grateful," he said.

Until that check comes in, every night until Christmas, the family spends time taking turns outside at the display greeting folks who come from out of town to those in the community to see the display.

His light bill?

"Around $250 for the month," he said.

Paul said he and his family were going to have a special Christmas this year, and not just because of the prize money, but the satisfaction of being able to share their spirit with the community and now, the nation.
WASHINGTON - Federal employees dodged a bullet this year, with the flop of proposed cuts to their retirement and health benefits, but they shouldn't put away the flak jackets yet.

After proposing a 1.9 percent federal pay raise for next year, President Donald Trump will urge a pay freeze for federal employees and call for cuts to domestic security programs in fiscal 2019, according to reports released by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Democrats.

Ironically, this comes as Congress nears passage of tax legislation that Trump claims will significantly stimulate the economy. If that's the case, then why is a freeze necessary?

If you believe federal employees are over compensated, then no other rational is needed.

That rationale was behind failed Republican proposals to cut federal retirement and health insurance benefits.

The two reports are based on budget guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), dated Nov. 28, overruling Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests. The guidance was leaked to the panel's Democratic staff by a whistleblower. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the committee's top Democrat, had the staff issue summaries of the OMB document. One report focuses on personnel, the other on counterterrorism programs.

Although the budget documents concern DHS, the personnel summary says "OMB intends to issue a pay freeze for federal civilian employees in 2019." Quoting the administration's document, the staff report adds: "OMB has instructed DHS: 'Per governmentwide guidance, no civilian pay raise is included in the recommended level for the FY 2019 Budget.' "

The counterterrorism report says the administration "intends to seek $568 million in cuts to counterterrorism programs" from 2017 levels. That would include decreases in programs on violent extremism, port and public transportation security, domestic nuclear detection and emergency management grants.

According to the staff report, OMB wants to eliminate Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams, which "are multidisciplinary groups of security officers deployed to various locations to prevent and deter acts of terrorism" and cut $27 million from Federal Air Marshals.

"I'm worried that the Office of Management and Budget is overriding what local, state, and national leaders have told me they most need to keep us safe," McCaskill said. "With recent terrorist attacks in our country and throughout the globe, counterterrorism programs shouldn't be on the chopping block."

The staff noted that OMB's budget guidance does not necessarily represent the administration's final spending plan. Agencies can appeal budget office guidance. The DHS appeal was due Dec. 1.

Federal employees had a three-year freeze on their basic pay rates during the Obama administration. Another freeze "may present challenges for DHS components wishing to retain qualified employees. Morale and attrition within DHS have long been problems that the Department has struggled to fix," the committee staff report said.

"The absence of a pay increase for law enforcement personnel may not allow DHS to remain competitive with other law enforcement agencies with whom they compete for qualified applicants. This is especially true as DHS components have historically struggled to meet hiring mandates."

OMB did not respond to a request for comment. Leaders of the two largest federal employee unions that represent DHS staffers and employees in many other agencies blasted the proposed cuts.

"Federal employees all across the country go to work every day to serve our veterans, secure our skies, and support our troops. And yet federal employees make around 35 percent less than private sector workers in the same jobs.," said J. David Cox Sr., president of the American Federation of Government Employees. His figure refers to data developed by the Federal Salary Council, but it is disputed by conservative researchers.

"For the Administration to say they are going to freeze government employees' pay next year is insulting to these hardworking civil servants and the sacrifices they make for our country. They know they'll never get rich working for the federal government, but they believe in the mission and are willing to accept a lighter paycheck for the privilege of serving their country. . . . Federal employees deserve a pay raise, not a pay freeze."

National Treasury Employees Union President Tony Reardon said "we are alarmed by media reports that internal documents contain a proposal to freeze pay for all civilian federal employees. We are still fighting for a fair raise in 2018, above the 1.4 percent across the board raise the administration is calling for. Private-sector wages for 2018 are expected to rise by 3 percent.

"Unlike previous years without pay increases," he added, "a pay freeze in 2019 would come during a time when the private-sector job market is healthy and the overall economy is growing. . . . It would make it harder for the government to recruit and retain the highly-skilled professionals needed to protect our security, our economy and our public health. A pay freeze would be a callous attack on middle-class Americans who have chosen to serve their country and their fellow citizens."
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - DeJuana Thompson spent Alabama's election night at a party where "I Voted" stickers were the price of entry - one more bash for Woke Vote, an organization that had spent $400,000 to turn out young black voters. Thompson, a Birmingham native, had joined Woke Vote's get-out-the-vote drive when it looked impossible for Democrat Doug Jones to win.

On Tuesday, surrounded by cheering black voters, Thompson watched Jones pull it off.

"I was without words," said Thompson. "It was reminiscent of the night we elected Obama. People did not believe it could happen, and then, suddenly, it did."

The Alabama race, like last month's elections in Virginia, saw Democrats outperform expectations and polling thanks to a surge of nonwhite voters. A year that began with hand-wringing over President Donald Trump's victory ended with routs and upsets powered by the party's most loyal supporters. Democrats in Alabama and elsewhere spent Wednesday thanking black voters - and studying what had been so successful in getting them to the polls.

"Let me be clear: We won in Alabama and Virginia because black women led us to victory," said Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez. "Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and we can't take that for granted. Period."

Now, Perez and other Democrats said, they have a road map to follow in next year's midterm elections, where they hope to make gains in battlegrounds with large nonwhite populations, including Nevada, Arizona and even Texas.

Perez highlighted the DNC's quiet strategy in Alabama, a $1 million investment in millennial and black voter turnout that was not advertised until the election was won. That was just one of the efforts that paid off for Democrats in Alabama, where new third-party groups including WokeVote and BlackPAC engaged in weeks of voter persuasion and targeted messages.

"They are underneath the radar, and that's why they work so beautifully," said Cornell Belcher, a pollster for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns who has warned Democrats that younger black voters feel taken for granted. "They didn't just come in at the end and treat black voters like get-out-the-vote targets. They treated them like persuadable voters. They actually engaged on the top issue for African-American voters, which is criminal justice reform. And they didn't dance around the issue of police brutality."

Everything came together in Alabama, from the unique appeal of Jones - a man who had prosecuted Klansmen and served on the board of Birmingham's Civil Rights Museum - to Moore's gaffes about slavery and felon voter rights restoration. On Election Day, voter turnout in Alabama's "black belt" was as high as 75 percent of normal presidential election turnout. In Moore's largely white strongholds, turnout plunged below 45 percent of that norm.

Democrats' opportunities had largely come from Moore, who never recovered from allegations of improper sexual conduct with teenage girls. But even Jones supporters described Alabama's Democratic Party as hollowed out, decimated by losses under Obama and the subsequent gerrymander of state and federal legislative districts.

The opportunity to stop yet another Republican win proved irresistible. Bridget Jones, a 57-year old Realtor in Montgomery, said that she'd voted against "the good old boys crew," and believed Jones when he said Alabama would hurt its image if it let Moore into the Senate.

"Just sit back and wait," Jones said. "I think we're going to look like a better state for those who looked at us as backward."

Jones' margin depended not just on engaged voters, but on black voters who might have sat out other elections. Laquana Jackson, who had moved to Montgomery from Brooklyn, had been skeptical about Alabama but gave Jones a chance.

"I feel defeated at some points, but I still have to try," she said. "It's been one way for so long, for so many years."

Community organizer Marie King brought her mother to Brown Elementary School in Birmingham to vote for Jones. During the campaign, King had spoken out on what she saw as Jones's failure to connect with black voters on policy.

"I obviously know what he did to prosecute white supremacists years ago, but I don't know what he has done for the black community lately," she said after dropping her mother off at a polling place.

But King wanted Jones to win, certain that he would be a better choice for black Alabamians than Moore - a man like Trump, she said, in his desire to drive the country backward. In interviews at King's polling place, two dozen black voters said they did not feel inspired to show up for Jones, who they felt did not aggressively pursue their vote. They were moved to wait in line - some for hours - to keep Moore from winning.

Getting black voters to that point had taken some work. Jones' campaign deployed some traditional methods of turning out black voters, fully funding the black belt turnout operation run by Joe Reed, a former legislator who leads the state's Alabama Democratic Conference. It had supplemented that with a tough, direct ad campaign that sometimes drew criticism. A piece of direct mail that showed a black man raising his eyebrow asked if a black man would ever get away with what Moore was accused of - a message that was condemned by both Fox News and the liberal-leaning black news site The Root.

According to Reed, all of it worked.

"Of course black folk can't get away with what white folks get away with!" he said. "Hell, I could name ten or twelve more things that black folks would get in trouble for but white folks can get away with."

What was ignored in some coverage of the mailer was its contents - a series of attacks on Moore's civil rights record. The Jones campaign, the first in Alabama to put together a winning coalition of black voters and white liberals and moderates since the 1990s, did not concentrate on converting conservative former Democrats.

That message was recognizable to Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who started his electoral career by courting black voters to win office in Richmond. A friend of Jones for years, he kept in touch with the campaign, and was reassured at times that the campaign was doing what was necessary to activate the Democratic base.

Democrats worried about that, in part, because black political strategists had demanded they do more. In May, a number of black female Democrats, led by Glynda Carr, published an open letter to Perez and the DNC, warning that people like them had been ignored.

"We have voted and organized our communities with little support or investment from the Democratic Party for voter mobilization efforts," the women wrote. "Black women voters are the very foundation to a winning coalition, yet most Black voters feel like the Democrats take them for granted."

Perez met with the women in June, but according to Carr, just as important was the flowering of independent black political organizations that ran their own voter persuasion campaigns. As in Virginia, BlackPAC worked somewhat under the radar to message to black voters. WokeVote, focusing on college campuses, knocked on thousands of doors.

"You don't need to put all your eggs into the DNC basket," said Carr. "We need more of these organizations, and we need them to scale up. Because when you organize a black woman, she doesn't come by herself. She brings her house, her block, her church, and her sorority."

On social media, starting Tuesday night, black political strategists celebrated the belated attention that the turnout operations were getting - a change, at last, from coverage of frustrated Trump voters. And on Wednesday, at his first news conference as Alabama's senator-elect, Jones ribbed some members of the media for missing the black vote. Asked how his campaign turned out Alabama's nonwhite voters, the Democrat asked why so many people thought he couldn't.

"I didn't read all you folks in the national media with that criticism," said Jones, "because I knew you were wrong."

---

Kayla Epstein in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report.
Germany's Social Democrats are engaging in some creative thinking to make another four years of governing with Chancellor Angela Merkel palatable to party members.

By suggesting a "cooperation coalition," SPD head Martin Schulz is pivoting further away from his initial refusal to be Merkel's junior partner. Yet, rather than a conventional government alliance, it would involve a common agenda with her Christian Democratic-led bloc on a few key policy areas only.

Merkel and Schulz sounded each other out on Wednesday evening without any apparent breakthrough. That puts SPD leaders on the spot to decide on Friday whether to begin exploratory talks on ending almost three months of political stalemate.

Dubbed "KoKo" in Germany, a cooperation coalition has never been tried and would challenge the way parties have built alliances since the federal republic was founded in 1949. Traditionally, party officials hold weeks of negotiations to forge a detailed blueprint for the government's agenda over the next four years.

The SPD's coalition-lite proposal would skip the need for intricate compromise and instead focus on policies the parties can readily agree on, such as public investment in schools and broadband expansion. Contentious issues would be left to shifting parliamentary majorities, allowing the SPD to maintain its profile outside Merkel's shadow.

Merkel wants "a stable government," something she and her Bavarian sister party told the SPD during the closed-door discussion in Berlin on Wednesday, her CDU party said on Twitter. While that doesn't reject innovative approaches outright, it certainly appears at odds with the SPD proposal.

Merkel's bloc wants to talk about a full-fledged coalition government, Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, a Merkel ally, said on ARD television. "I respect the fact that the SPD still has to figure out its position."

Josef Janning, head of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the SPD proposal is unlikely to fly. "The Christian Democrats won't do that," he told Bloomberg Television. "They will want a partner that shares responsibility across the spectrum."

The proposal, which emanated from the SPD's left wing, could help to unite a party still reeling after its worst electoral result since World War II. So it may act as a bridge between those who insist the SPD is only hastening its own demise by renewing the "grand coalition" Merkel has led for eight of her 12 years in power, and those who rather like the idea of a return to government.

It also reflects an option which found some favor among delegates to a party conference this month: a minority Merkel government reliant upon SPD support for favored legislation. While such an arrangement would deny the SPD seats at the cabinet table, it would allow the party, as the largest opposition member, to steer policy making in the hope of winning voter support as it rebuilt.

Ultimately, however, it gets the party talking about governing after Schulz's initial rejection of any kind of alliance with Merkel.

"The SPD leadership is clearly trying to pave the way for a grand coalition," said Juergen Falter, a political scientist from the University of Mainz. It's "trying to calm and appease the party base and offer a sweetener to the party's left. The proposal is likely to be an interim step in the negotiations on the way to a grand coalition."

Or as Janning puts it: "This cooperation scheme is sort of a camouflage to coalition-building."

Merkel and the SPD are eager to break the deadlock resulting from Germany's election on Sept. 24, which weakened both big parties. But amid the political jostling, the KoKo may end up being more of a trial balloon aimed at smoothing over internal party discord.

In any case, "in practice it wouldn't last for very long as such a model would poison the coalition climate," said Falter. "It would create a lot of instability and would most likely lead to early elections."

That's a scenario neither side is keen to embrace, since polls suggest a repeat vote wouldn't resolve the deadlock and could potentially make matters worse for both parties.

Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg bank, places the chance of a repeat grand coalition at more than 50 percent, though he flagged a risk that "the deeply insecure SPD acting without clear leadership will indeed pull out in the end."

Ultimately, he said, "the SPD will have to decide whether they want to govern or not."

---

Bloomberg's Arne Delfs contributed.
A 35-year New Haven man faces 40 months in federal prison on gun and drug charges.

Antrum Coston, 35, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 40 months, followed by three years of supervised release, for gun and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Jan. 11, 2016, New Haven police stopped a vehicle Coston was driving. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9 mm pistol, and a search of Coston produced 13 baggies of cocaine and a quantity of crack cocaine, the U.S. attorneys office said in a news release. The firearm previously had been reported stolen.

Prior to January 2016, Coston had multiple felony convictions, including a federal conviction in 2004 for possession of a firearm by a felon. Coston was sentenced to 37 months in that case and in June 2007 an additional 18 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release, the release said.

On May 18, 2017, Coston pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven police department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and Michael E. Runowicz.
RICHMOND, Va. - Gov.-elect Ralph Northam on Thursday named two more cabinet members, continuing to stick with people who have Virginia experience.

He named Matt Strickler as Secretary of Natural Resources and Bettina Ring as Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.

Northam had filled another spot Wednesday, naming Shannon Valentine of Lynchburg to be his Secretary of Transportation.

Strickler is senior policy advisor to the House Committee on Natural Resourcesunder ranking member Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., but before that served as a legislative aide to Northam when Northam was in the Virginia state Senate.

Ring has been Virginia's State Forester since 2014, after being appointed to that job by outgoing Gov. Terry McAuliffe. She had previously worked at the American Forest Foundation, but before that spent 14 years in the state Department of Forestry.

Valentine serves on the Commonwealth Transportation Board and was a Democratic member of the House of Delegates representing the Lynchburg area from 2006-2010. Before that she worked with the Lynchburg Neighborhood Development Foundation. She also helped launch the One Virginia 2021 effort to fight gerrymandering of political districts.

She will succeed current Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne, who Northam has named as his Secretary of Finance.

Valentine's appointment ends speculation that Northam might tap a Republican state senator for the post to help alter the balance of power in that house of the legislature. The state Senate has 21 Republicans and 19 Democrats; tie votes are broken by the lieutenant governor, which after January will be Democrat Justin Fairfax.

Northam could still grab someone from the Republican party for another cabinet position, but state Sen. Frank Wagner, Virginia Beach, had been seen as a likely candidate for transportation secretary.

Northam, who has spent the last four years as lieutenant governor, will be inaugurated Jan. 13. He has maintained a slow and steady pace while building his cabinet.

He kept his own chief of staff, Clark Mercer, for the same role in the governor's office; tapped Carlos Hopkins to continue serving as Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs; and asked Brian Coy, the communications director for McAuliffe, to stay on as his communications director.
WASHINGTON - Vice President Mike Pence delayed his planned trip to the Middle East and Germany this weekend, remaining in Washington for a few extra days in case he is needed to cast a tiebreaking vote on the Republican tax cut legislation, his spokeswoman said Thursday.

Though Pence was originally scheduled to depart late Saturday - for a trip to Egypt, Israel and Germany - he now plans to leave Tuesday and will arrive in Egypt on Wednesday for a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi.

Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate and are desperate to push through their tax plan -- which, if successful, would mark President Donald Trump's only major legislative achievement this year - before the holiday break.

On Wednesday, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who is battling brain cancer, was hospitalized for side effects of his treatment, making the Republicans' already razor-thin margin even more precarious. The vice president can cast a deciding vote in the case of a tie in the Senate, and Pence has already done so several times this year.

Alyssa Farah, Pence's press secretary, said in a statement Thursday that Republicans were so close to passing their tax legislation and the vice president decided to remain in Washington as a precaution.

"Yesterday the White House informed Senate Leadership that due to the historic nature of the vote in the Senate on tax cuts for millions of Americans, the Vice President would stay to preside over the vote." Farah said. "The Vice President will then travel to Egypt and Israel, where he'll reaffirm the United States' commitment to its allies in the Middle East and to working cooperatively to defeat radicalism."

She added that Pence "looks forward to having constructive conversations with both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President el-Sisi to reaffirm President Trump's commitment to our partners in the region and to its future."

The vice president's trips often seem to inadvertently coincide with major news, both at home and in the region he's visiting. On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced he would not meet with Pence on his trip to the Middle East, in an intentional snub to President Trump's decision earlier this month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Pence was originally schedule to visit Israel first but flipped the order of his trip to now make Cairo his inaugural stop. The move was intentional, an administration official said, because in the wake of the Jerusalem decision, the vice president felt it was important to address the entire Muslim and Arab world - and Egypt was a natural venue.

World and domestic events have intruded upon Pence's travel's before. In April, as the vice president was en route to Asia for a 10-day trip through the region, North Korea attempted a failed missile launch, which Pence addressed as a "provocation" when he arrived in Seoul the next day. He also used the trip to visit the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

In July, the vice president arrived in Tallinn, Estonia, for a three-and-a-half day trip intended to reassure the U.S.'s Baltic allies of the administration's commitment to both their security and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on the eve of Trump's expected signing of broad sanctions against Russia.

And a month later, Pence's planned visit to South America coincided with turmoil in Venezuela after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's autocratic government seized power and cracked down on dissent.

At the time, Trump had alarmed countries in the region by threatening military action, and Pence found himself trying to smooth over the president's remarks, saying the administration's preference was for "a peaceable solution."

His trip also came in the wake of a violent confrontation at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left one woman dead and sparked a national controversy and discussion about race after Trump said "both sides" were to blame.

Nearly 2,000 miles from Washington, D.C., in Cartagena, Colombia, Pence was forced to respond to his boss's latest controversy, yet again thrusting him into the role of Trump's global translator.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt returned Wednesday from a trip to Morocco, where he talked with officials about their interest in importing natural gas as well as other areas of "continued cooperation" between the two countries.

EPA disclosed the trip late Tuesday, issuing a media release that included photos and a statement from Pruitt saying that the visit "allowed us to directly convey our priorities and best practices with Moroccan leaders."

"We are committed to working closely with countries like Morocco to enhance environmental stewardship around the world," Pruitt said.

The purpose of the trip sparked questions from environmental groups, Democratic lawmakers and some industry experts, who noted that EPA plays no formal role in overseeing natural gas exports. Such activities are overseen primarily by the Energy Department and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Pruitt took along seven aides and an undisclosed number of staff from his protective detail. The group included four political aides, including Samantha Dravis, associate administrator of the Office of Policy, and senior advisers Sarah Greenwalt and Lincoln Ferguson, as well as one career official, Jane Nishida, principal deputy assistant administrator of the Office of International and Tribal Affairs. Pruitt's head of security determines how many advance staffers travel on any given trip, EPA officials said, and in this instance it was two.

At the request of Senate Democrats, the EPA inspector general is already looking into Pruitt's use of military and private flights, as well as his frequent visits to his home state of Oklahoma during his first few months on the job.

"It seems strange that Administrator Pruitt would prioritize a trip to Morocco to discuss natural gas exports while there is no shortage of more pressing issues here in the U.S. that actually fall within the jurisdiction of the agency he leads," said Sen. Thomas Carper, Del., the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "I presume Mr. Pruitt is aware his agency's inspector general is conducting an investigation into his questionable travel, which makes his decision to take this trip an odd choice at best."

Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune said in a statement that Pruitt "acts like he is a globe-trotting salesman for the fossil fuel industry who can make taxpayers foot the bill."

Pruitt traveled in business class for three legs of the trip, according to an individual who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an internal agency matter, and in economy class for two flights. Asked about the travel arrangements, EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox replied via email, "Due to concerns from our security team, Administrator Pruitt was granted a waiver by EPA's Chief Financial Officer to fly business-class."

Pruitt met with three top Moroccan officials, according to the agency statement, including the minister of energy, mines and sustainable development, the minister of justice and liberties, and the secretary of state to the minister of foreign affairs. Wilcox said Pruitt "discussed our bilateral free trade agreement, solid waste response, disaster relief and communications with top Moroccan officials."

His visit came shortly after EPA held a workshop in Rabat about solid waste management, public participation and crisis communication.

Morocco, the only African country with which the United States has a free-trade agreement, is a signatory to the 2015 Paris climate agreement and has collaborated in the past with U.S. officials on its push to expand domestic solar energy production. During the trip, Moroccan officials took Pruitt on a tour of the IRESEN Green Energy Park, which EPA said showed the administrator "firsthand the work being done to promote environmental innovation, including solar energy across Morocco."
christine stuart / ctnewsjunkie

HARTFORD  The state Board of Regents approved a plan to combine Connecticuts 12 community colleges into one college with 12 separate campuses in three regions Thursday while warning that the proposal was still a work in progress.

The consolidation effort, which will lead to the shedding of 190 positions and the loss of accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, will save the Connecticut State University System, which is controlled by the Board of Regents, about $28 million annually over the next four years. An additional $13 million will be saved by finding efficiencies across the whole system, including the combined community colleges, the four regional colleges (CCSU, SCSU, ECSU and WCSU), and the Charter Oak online college.
The backlash in the suburbs against President Donald Trump is one of the most significant political stories of 2017. If Democrats win the House next year, it will be the main reason.

In Alabama, Sen.-elect Doug Jones, D, flipped or came close on Tuesday in suburban counties that Trump had won around Birmingham and Montgomery.

His victory offers the latest data points for a trendline that stretches back to April, when a special election in Kansas to replace Mike Pompeo - who gave up his House seat to become CIA director - was unexpectedly close because of Democratic strength and high turnout in the Wichita suburbs, specifically Sedgwick County.

In Virginia last month, Chesterfield County - which includes the suburbs around Richmond - backed a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for the first time since 1961. Several GOP state legislators unexpectedly went down in suburban districts that were not thought to be in play. Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, D, won the district held by Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., in the D.C. suburbs by 13 points. Four years before, Terry McAuliffe got 60 percent in Fairfax County. Northam pulled 68 percent.

The same night, Democrats flipped two county executive races in the New York suburbs of Westchester and Nassau. They also picked up GOP-held state legislative in the suburbs of Seattle, Tulsa and Atlanta.

These shifts alarm Republicans because many of their most vulnerable House incumbents represent suburban districts around places like Minneapolis and Philadelphia. Many college-educated white women who voted for Trump are swinging away, and traditional Democrats are highly motivated while Republicans are fractured.

"Throughout 2017, there has been a storm brewing in these suburbs, but on Tuesday night it got upgraded to a Category 5," said Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson, who cut his teeth in Virginia politics and worked on Hillary Clinton's campaign last year.

"There have been more than 70 special elections for state and federal legislative seats in 2017 so far. . . . Democrats have outperformed the partisan lean in 74 percent of these races," Harry Enten tabulates on FiveThirtyEight.

Look to Lee County in Alabama, which is named for Robert E. Lee. "No Democratic presidential candidate has earned more than 45 percent of the vote there since the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Trump carried the county by 24 points. And yet on Tuesday, Lee County voted for Jones by 17 points - a whopping 41 point swing toward Democrats," Matthew Chapman writes on Shareblue. "There are some key facts that Democrats should take away from this. First, Lee County borders the Alabama 'Black Belt' . . .. Second, the county is one of six that are responsible for almost all of Alabama's population growth since 2010. That implies that the once-rural county is suburbanizing."

"Jones's victory reinforces the conclusion, based on the results of numerous special and off-year elections and other leading indicators, that 2018 is shaping up to be a Democratic wave election," writes Emory University political scientist Alan Abramowitz. "One of those leading indicators is the generic ballot - a question on numerous polls asking voters if they would prefer a Democrat or a Republican for Congress. Based on an average of recent national polls, a generic Democrat now holds a 10-point lead over a generic Republican. That is the largest Democratic advantage on the generic ballot question since 2008 and, if it continues into next fall, it would predict substantial Democratic gains in the midterm elections. . .

"When Alabama voters were asked which party they would prefer to control the Senate, 50 percent chose Republicans while 45 percent chose Democrats," he adds. "That is a stunning result - perhaps even more stunning than Jones's victory. Moreover, only 43 percent had a favorable opinion of the Republican Party while 47 percent had a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party." In Alabama!

-- Unquestionably a big factor in this is Trump, who has driven many people to stop identifying as Republicans. The president's approval rating among voters in Alabama was 48 percent, according to the exits, with 48 percent disapproving. He got 62 percent there in 2016.

A Des Moines Register poll that posted overnight puts Trump's approval rating at 35 percent in Iowa, a state where he got 52 percent of the vote last year. In the Register's July poll, his approval was 43 percent. Six in 10 respondents say the country is on the wrong track, the same number as disapprove of Trump. "Trump is unpopular across a wide range of demographic groups in the state," Jason Noble notes. "Sixty-nine percent of women, 68 percent of Iowans making less than $50,000 a year, 67 percent of city-dwellers and 62 percent of independents disapprove of his performance." Without Iowa, Trump would struggle to get reelected in 2020.

The scariest number for the GOP in the Iowa poll, though, might be the generic ballot: Iowans favor electing Democrats to Congress over Republicans by 40 percent to 34 percent. "The finding is notable because Republicans hold three of Iowa's four congressional seats, including two seen as among the most competitive in the country in 2018," Jason notes. "The results are starkest in Iowa's 1st congressional district, which encompasses 20 northeast Iowa counties and is currently held by two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Rod Blum. Despite the GOP incumbent, 47 percent of poll respondents in the district say they would vote for a Democrat, while just 29 percent say they'll vote Republican."

-- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Wednesday that the suburban revolt will be even more potent after the "anti-suburban tax bill" passes. He said homeowners will balk when they cannot fully deduct state and local taxes. Many analysts think the bill could imperil House incumbents in states like California and New York, which have high local taxes. "The suburbs are swinging back to us," said Schumer.

ADDITIONAL ALABAMA FALLOUT:

-- Trump's inability to drag Roy Moore across the finish line has accelerated an ongoing discussion about restructuring the White House political operation. The Post's Ashley Parker and Josh Dawsey report: "The White House is especially aware that the president faces a more daunting political task, in part because the outside groups designed to support him have been noticeably ineffective. The goal is to create a political brain trust that is 'more sustained, more organized, more nuanced,' a senior administration official said. One option being considered is bringing on an additional senior adviser who could serve as the White House's top political strategist. [Political director Bill] Stepien is unlikely to be fired, but Rick Dearborn, a deputy chief of staff whose portfolio also touches on the political operation, is expected to be reassigned to the Commerce Department . . . Recently, Dearborn has met with top Commerce officials about his likely new job."

-- The president is lashing out against news coverage that depicts him as a loser. He whined to an administration official: "I won Alabama, and I would have won Alabama again." Trump also tweeted that Moore's loss vindicated him and his endorsement of Luther Strange in the GOP primary. "Trump, it turns out, is rarely, if ever, wrong - at least as he tells it," The Post's John Wagner quips in a smart analysis. "Since his emergence as a presidential candidate, he has repeatedly refused to accept blame for setbacks or admit he's made a mistake. Instead, the president is quick to try to shift responsibility, deny he ever did something in the first place or otherwise dissemble."

---

With Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve.
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FAIRFIELD  The Fire and Police departments rolled out the welcome mat as the Wreaths Across America convoy made its way down Interstate 95 Tuesday.

Fire trucks displaying large American flags were stationed at the entrance ramp at Exit 25, on the Meadowbrook Road bridge, the Mill Hill Bridge, and the southbound rest area.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has won legislative approval to extend martial law for a year in the southern Mindanao region, which was besieged by Islamic militants earlier this year.

The president imposed martial law in the region back in May, after insurgent forces seized the city of Marawi went on a rampage, burning houses, Catholic churches and taking scores of hostages. Philippine forces drove out the militants after a five-month battle, including a massive bombing campaign that left more than 1,000 people dead and the city in ruins.

Opponents said extending martial law in Mindanao is unconstitutional, because Duterte declared Marawi to be "liberated from the terrorist influence" in October. They also warned that Duterte could declare martial law throughout the entire Philippines and restore authoritarian rule similar to that of the late President Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 until he was overthrown in a popular uprising in 1986.
Two cameras have been capturing the construction of the $142 million Frost Bank Tower in San Antonio for the past 10 months and the first new office tower to go up downtown in almost 30 years is growing each week.

Construction photo company OxBlue has continuously updated their time-lapse photos of the tower's progress, located at the corner of Travis and North Flores streets. Construction began in February.
AUSTIN  In a surprise move, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday dispatched the Texas Rangers to conduct a detailed investigation into growing allegations of sexual misconduct and assaults in state-run lockups for teenaged lawbreakers.

Top state officials quickly confirmed the inquiry is a likely prelude to significant reforms the governor wants enacted in the agency that incarcerates 1,000 youth offenders  moves that could cut the number of youths who are behind bars at state facilities in half, and increase Texas reliance on community-based programs to lower the number of youths who end up in state prisons.

In a one-page letter, Abbott directed Steve Craw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety to send elite Rangers into the five-unit state system to investigate and ensure that these acts are dealt with swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law. He said additional action is needed to guarantee the protection of the youth in the care and custody of the State of Texas.

Officials said Rangers were being sent immediately to the states five youth lockups to begin interviewing staff and youths about the ongoing problems.

One guard was recently convicted and three other employees were recently arrested for allegedly having sexual relationships with youths at the Gainesville State School, and officials have confirmed investigations are underway over similar allegations in at least one other facility.

Wednesdays move marked the first time state police have been sent into the lockups since 2007, when a scandal exploded over sex abuse and an official cover-up sparked top-to-bottom reforms in the states youth corrections system.

In recent months the Houston Chronicle and other media outlets have detailed the new allegations of sexual misconduct in the states youth detention facilities and how assaults and staff shortages have deteriorated conditions inside the lockups. In his letter, Abbott called the allegations of abuse reprehensible.

Officials at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and legislative leaders applauded Abbotts directive.

Governor Abbotts letter to Col. McCraw reflects a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of the youth in TJJDs care, Carolyn Beck, the agencys director of external relations, said in a statement. We welcome and share that commitment. Both the youth, and our dedicated staff members, deserve protections at every step. We appreciate added law enforcement support and involvement and look forward to working with the Rangers.

David Reilly, the agencys executive director who is retiring in a few weeks, acknowledged to the Senate Finance Committee last week that high staff turnover has left his department unable to properly supervise the youths. Senators at a public hearing blasted his assessment, and demanded immediate action to curb the violence and sexual misconduct.

On Tuesday, the agencys governing board hired Camille Cain, Abbotts criminal justice director, as the new executive director  a move that was widely seen as a first step toward a shake-up of operations.

At the time, top aides said Abbott was unhappy that faster actions had not been taken to stop the problems.

In a letter delivered to Cain on Wednesday, Abbott directed her to ensure the safety of incarcerated youths as a first priority. He also recommended that Cain begin work to reduce the population of the states juvenile lockups downward from the current 1,000 to a more manageable number.

Agency officials have said that as many as 500 of the 1,000 could be better housed in community-based programs rather than a remotely located state facility. Doing so would allow the lockups, which have been plagued by staffing shortages for years, to better supervise the remaining confines, according to officials.

As a result of the 2007 reforms, the state reduced the population from 5,000 to 1,000 and shuttered more than half of the state-run lockups.

In addition, state leaders are said to be looking at reducing the population even more by transferring troublemakers who pose security risks and commit assaults to a more-secure lockup, especially those with determinate sentences who are not sent to do time for open-ended terms until they successfully complete treatment programs.

Recent statistics show that a majority of the youths in the lockups are 17 and 18 years of age, most doing time for violent crimes such as aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault.

The state lockups have been plagued for years with violence, gang activity, staffing shortages and lack of programming that has been blamed for a high recidivism rate, especially after the 2007 reforms removed the low-level, non-violent offenders from the state lockups.

Environment of fear

Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire, a Houston Democrat who has been critical of the agencys lack of supervision and violence at its lockups, applauded Abbotts decision.

Its exactly the type of intervention we need to get control of these facilities, he said. They are being run by the bullies and the gangs, and the employees are working in an environment of fear.

As a result of the continuing problems, four Texas civil rights and youth-justice reform groups called in late November for state officials to close all remaining juvenile-justice lockups and replace them with community-based treatment and rehabilitation centers  a plan that was recommended in 2007 but never fully implemented, partly because of the cost and partly because of political opposition to job losses in the rural areas where the state facilities are located.

The remaining lockups are in Gainesville north of Dallas, Brownwood in West Texas, Mart near Waco, Giddings northwest of Houston and Edinburg in South Texas.

As the controversy over the recent arrests and assaults has grown in recent days, top state officials have indicated a willingness to examine further consolidations and program changes to improve security and safety for youths and employees, who have the highest on-the-job injury rate in state government. Many are reported to be afraid to come to work and there are reports employees let some youths alone to avoid violent confrontations inside the lockups.

While the lockups are equipped with thousands of surveillance cameras, installed after the 2007 scandal, TJJD officials have said that staffing shortages prevent them from monitoring the cameras around the clock as they should.

Officials have blamed the remote locations of the remaining lockups as one reason for the chronic staffing shortages. Texas juvenile justice system grew from a network of orphanages and work farms into training centers that gradually became secure facilities between the 1940s until the 1990s, when gang and drug violence increased and sent many more youths into state custody for more serious felony crimes.
Miguel Juarez Lugo /ZUMAPRESS.COM /TNS

AUSTIN  Praising the defeat of U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, said there would be fewer GOP candidates like Moore if more mainstream voters participated in the primaries.

Last night in Alabama, something very important happened: decency trumped tribalism, he said of Moore, who faced accusations of sexual misconduct and lost to Democrat Doug Jones in one of the reddest states in the country.
An Austin man faces legal trouble after police said he stole a century-old headstone for Satanic worship, according to a report from the Austin-American Statesman.

While Georgetown police were investigating a woman's death in her apartment, they reportedly stumbled upon a headstone that was dated 1884 leaning on a wall in the living room.
China marked the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre at the hands of Japanese imperial forces with a call for the two Asian neighbors and rivals to "deepen" their longstanding, yet frayed relationship.

President Xi Jinping was on hand, but did not speak, during Wednesday's ceremony, which included a moment of silence and featured Chinese soldiers bearing large funeral wreaths in honor of the 300,000 victims they said died at the hands of Japanese troops during a six-week long rampage through what was then China's capital.

A postwar tribunal eventually cut that to 200,000, but some Japanese officials have questioned whether the incident even took place.


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The family of the 29-year-old woman killed Sunday morning in an alleged drunk driving crash on the Northwest Side have started a GoFundMe account to raise money for her funeral.

The victim, Lizette Flores Corona, the mother of an 8-year-old boy, was pronounced dead around 3 a.m. after Alejandro Almazan, 25, allegedly swerved into her lane and crashed into her vehicle head-on in the 6800 block of Culebra Road.
A three-year dispute between a Central Texas man and a sheriff's office - which reportedly involved him counterfeiting a court order against deputies and police officers - came to an end Thursday morning after he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Randall Townsend, 48, was arrested in February after he and his wife wore uniforms with fake badges and represented themselves as "constitutional marshals," in New Mexico, according to a KWTX report.
At least 23 first responders were arrested in Bexar County in 2017 on charges ranging from drunken driving to sexual assault.

Nine Bexar County deputies, seven San Antonio police officers and at least three San Antonio firefighters were arrested. Additionally, a Border Patrol agent, a Poteet police officer and municipal court detention officer were arrested, among others, according to mySA archives.
A San Antonio fire engineer was suspended last month after he was indicted on a charge of insurance fraud.

Emilio Montes was indicted in June and received his suspension notice on Nov. 9. The notice, which Montes agreed to, orders him to be suspended without pay until the final disposition of the criminal case against him.
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Police on Wednesday arrested a 45-year-old man who allegedly threw a dog and cat out of a San Antonio second-story apartment during an argument with his girlfriend.

Fernando Demetrius Morgan was charged with animal cruelty. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $15,000 bond.

RELATED: Witnesses pull man from flaming SUV after rollover crash on Broadway

Morgan, according to his arrest affidavit, got into a "heated" fight with his girlfriend the night of Dec. 2. The two had been living together for about a year, but Morgan's girlfriend told him to leave and not return that night. The affidavit lists the 3400 block of Magic Drive as Morgan's last known address, but its unclear if that is where the fight occurred.

Witnesses saw the girlfriend running away, and shortly thereafter heard a dog "crying and yelping," according to the affidavit. Police said Morgan tossed the dog, a rat terrier named Ruby, and a cat named Midnight, out of his girlfriend's second-story apartment and onto her car below, shattering the windshield.

RELATED: Man accused in string of package thefts arrested

The dog suffered life threatening injuries: head trauma, broken ribs, internal bleeding, fractured hind limbs, bruised internal organs and blood in its urine. She was still recovering at an animal clinic Thursday.

Midnight, the cat thrown out during the argument, has already been adopted, according to Animal Care Services spokesperson Lisa Norwood.

Police subsequently obtained a warrant for Morgan's arrest and he was booked into jail on the felony charge.

Reporter Fares Sabawi contributed to this report.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns
A woman used bolt cutters to break into lockers of unsuspecting members of a San Antonio gym, according to police.

Authorities first received a call in October for a burglary report at a Gold's Gym on Evans Road.

Officers arrived and discovered that multiple lockers had been broken into and that a woman's car was stolen from the parking lot, according to an arrest affidavit.

RELATED: Man accused in string of package thefts arrested

The woman shut down her stolen credit cards after she discovered they were used at multiple locations, according to the affidavit.

Police arrested Brandi Jo Jenkins, 22, of San Antonio, on Dec. 4 when they responded to a similar incident at a Gold's Gym on De Zavala Road.

Jenkins was in possession of bolt cutters at the time of her arrest, according to the affidavit.

Jenkins allegedly admitted using the stolen credit cards to make purchases from stores across the city.

She was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA
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After another Blake Farenthold staffer accused him of vulgar behavior and a toxic work environment, reports indicate the controversial congressman will withdraw his reelection bid.

Farenthold, a Republican who represents Corpus Christi and Victoria, became the subject of national scrutiny after an $84,000 settlement to his former staffer, Lauren Greene, using taxpayer money came to light.

Greene accused the congressman of gender discrimination and alleged Farenthold told her he had "wet dreams" about her.

RELATED: Texas Congressman Blake Farenthold used $84K of federal fund to pay sexual harassment settlement

Farenthold's alleged behavior was further described by two other former staffers, Elizabeth Peace and Michael Rekola.

Rekola's account, published Wednesday by CNN, said Farenthold would bully aides by yelling at them and calling them "f--ktards" whenever they made mistakes.

Rekola also described a crude joke Farenthold allegedly made about Rekola's fiancee.

Farenthold denied he ever made that joke, but did concede he called them "f--ktards." He said the term was used as a joke and not as an insult.

Rekola said the work environment instilled by Farenthold was so bad that he had chronic stomach pains and began vomiting daily.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times cited the Nueces County's GOP chairman's confirmation of news that Farenthold is not running for a fifth term in 2018.

"It's a damn shame," said Mike Bergsma. "He's been an excellent congressman, and I'm sorry this has happened."

The decision comes among tries for the seat from strong primary challengers, who have been backed by notable Texas Republicans like Ron Paul.

Paul endorsed Michael Cloud, a Republican activist from Victoria. U.S. Rep. Roger Williams chose to support Bech Bruun, a Corpus Christi native.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA
NEWTOWN, Conn. - Tangible reminders of the massacre still linger. On the door of the Blue Colony Diner, a frayed sticker clings to the glass. A teddy bear with wings cradles a smaller bear, alongside a message declaring that the town's "26 Angels" are "Always Here, Never Forgotten."

Not all the signs of the bloodshed that erupted five years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary are as visible. But they exist - in the features of the new school building, like bullet-resistant windows and reinforced walls, meant to ease the fears of parents still haunted by memories of a 20-year-old man storming into the old building and killing 20 first-graders and six adults in a spray of gunfire.

'It's still so raw'

There is also the uncomfortable silence that creeps into everyday conversations. The town struggles to figure out how to talk about what happened. But the community quickly developed a shorthand to refer to it: "the tragedy," or "12/14," the date of the anniversary, which is occurring yet again. Some say they know it is coming - this "season of extra mourning," as one teacher described it - as soon as the sun starts setting earlier in the fall.

"It's still so raw," said a mother whose son and daughter attend elementary school in town.

In the five years since the shooting, which transformed a fairly anonymous Connecticut town into a buzzword in the caustic national debate on gun violence, armed men have killed people at a nightclub, an outdoor music festival, a social services center, movie theaters, a church in South Carolina and a church in Texas.

The displays of grief follow a familiar routine: Candlelight vigils and makeshift memorials. National offerings of thoughts and prayers. Pleas to tighten gun laws, immediately trailed by calls to avoid politicizing a tragedy.

But to see Newtown in 2017 is to see how grief endures and evolves, and how a community can, however fitfully, negotiate a way forward. It is an uncomfortable process, involving a delicate dance between not wanting to dwell on the loss and not wanting to stray from a vow to never forget.

"It's a very tricky balance," said Abbey Clements, who was a second-grade teacher at Sandy Hook. "We work really hard to be resilient and strong. And I think it's OK to recognize that we're still grieving, and that we should never forget. We don't want to forget."

The shooting punctured the sense of security that blanketed Newtown, a quiet and bucolic New England community, and stunned a country that could not comprehend an act as depraved as mowing down 6- and 7-year-old children. That day, an emotional President Barack Obama dabbed his eyes as he addressed the nation.

The shock waves have, by now, faded to something more subtle. Yet they still ripple through the town, stirring concentric circles of anguish, leaving people with varying degrees of pain and differing sets of struggles. The victims' relatives are at the core. Beyond them are the teachers and students who witnessed the carnage; the emergency workers who responded to it; and then an entire community.

Kindness, lawsuits

"It's almost impossible to ask the question, 'How is the town doing?' It depends entirely on who you ask," said David Wheeler, whose son, Benjamin, 6, was killed. "One of the things an event like this does - it doesn't change you, it simply heightens who you already are. There are beautiful, meaningful, thoughtful and very kind gestures at every turn, from people you know well and people you don't know at all."

The Wheelers are one of nine families, along with a teacher who was shot and survived, who have sued the companies that made and sold the military-style assault rifle used in the attack by Adam Lanza, the gunman. After years of legal back and forth, the families are awaiting a decision from the Connecticut Supreme Court.

The town is planning a memorial, which will be set on a 5-acre parcel near the school. Design guidelines issued by the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission described its hope for "an inspirational setting in which to remember the victims of the tragic event that shocked the Newtown community and the world."
LONDON - Britain's Parliament voted narrowly on Wednesday to demand a decisive say over the country's plans to withdraw from the European Union, dealing an unexpected defeat to Prime Minister Theresa May, who had asked for maximum leeway to negotiate with Brussels on untangling decades of integration with the Continent.

Rebel lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party joined with pro-European members of opposition parties to require that any final deal to withdraw from the European Union be submitted to Parliament before it can be put into effect.

May had argued that going through such formal approval would add yet another hurdle to the already contentious and protracted negotiation over withdrawal - a process, known as Brexit, that is supposed to be completed by March 2019.

She had promised that lawmakers would get a vote eventually, but the lawmakers effectively refused to take her word for it, insisting by a formal vote - 309-305 - on their explicit right to approve any final deal.

Conservative rebels, led by Dominic Grieve, a lawmaker and a former attorney general, feared that without a specific, legal guarantee of a vote, Parliament might find itself being bypassed at the last minute.

Those rebels joined with members of the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties - some of whom believe the nation made a grave mistake when it voted, in a June 2016 referendum, to approve leaving the European Union. At the time, a majority of lawmakers opposed withdrawal.

That vote ended the political career of May's predecessor, David Cameron, and left May with the unenviable task of trying to pick up the pieces and make the best of Brexit.

Since then, May lost her parliamentary majority in a snap election she called earlier this year, complicating her already formidable task of negotiating Brexit. She also does not have a majority in the House of Lords.

The election setback also led to months of speculation about May's prospects of survival, particularly after a disastrous speech at the Conservative Party's annual conference in which her speech was interrupted by a prankster, and May then lost her voice, suffering a persistent cough.

The defeat - the first over Brexit legislation - also underscored the persistent discontent in Parliament. Some lawmakers regret Parliament's decision in June 2015 to call a referendum and surrender sovereignty on one of the most consequential decisions in Britain's history. To some extent, the vote on Wednesday represented an attempt to retrieve that sovereignty.

The issue of parliamentary scrutiny is delicate in part because many of those who advocated the Brexit option in the 2016 referendum promised to "take back control" from the European Union and return it to Parliament at Westminster.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has offered to hold unconditional talks with North Korea as tensions continue to mount over the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

"We're ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk and we're ready to have the first meeting without preconditions," Tillerson said Tuesday.

At a forum co-hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Atlantic Council in Washington, he added, "It's not realistic to say we're only going to talk if you come to the table ready to give up your program. They have too much invested in it. And the president is very realistic about that as well." That would mark a striking departure from Washington's insistence that North Korea must dismantle its nuclear program first.

But the White House, in yet another instance of the chaos that reigns in the Trump administration, gave the proposal short shrift. "The president's views on North Korea have not changed," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

When Tillerson voiced willingness to hold talks with the North in October, President Donald Trump tweeted such efforts are a "waste of time." A spokesman for the National Security Council later told Reuters "clearly right now is not the time" for talks, and they can happen only if the North "fundamentally improves its behavior."


Unable to produce an actual analysis of its tax plan, the Trump administration has resorted to cooking the books.

Again.

White House officials and Republican lawmakers have repeatedly claimed that their tax plan will unleash such tremendous growth that the bill will pay for itself.

Of course, no one remotely credible backs this up. Not the Tax Policy Center, not the Tax Foundation (which uses relatively rosy assumptions about growth), not the Penn Wharton Budget Model, not Goldman Sachs, not the usual gang of Republican economists.

Not even the Joint Committee on Taxation, Congress nonpartisan internal scorekeepers on such matters, has found that the bill would be self-financing. Its most recently available analyses determined that even after accounting for economic effects, both the Senate and House bills would still cost about $1 trillion over the coming decade.

And thats assuming many of the tax cuts actually expire after a few years, as the bills are currently written. If you take out the budget gimmicks and instead assume these tax cuts will be extended by future Congresses  as Trump officials and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., have promised  the price would be closer to $2 trillion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Faced with such dismal assessments of their partys signature policy proposal, Trump officials have scrambled to find counter-evidence.

In November, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed that the administration had already published a study proving that the bill paid for itself, though Treasury could not actually point to any such study. But finally, on Monday, Treasury produced a report that purported to support the administrations conclusions.

Well, report is a strong word. It was, in fact, a one-page news release containing no actual analysis or data, just fairy dust.

Rather than calculating the growth rate produced by the Senate tax plan, or any tax plan at all, the release merely assumed a big growth rate. Then it said that if that growth rate happened to materialize, the plan would produce enough to plug a big budget hole, which is a pretty big if.

Treasury assumes the economy would grow at 2.9 percent, which is much higher than what officials at the Federal Reserve and the Congressional Budget Office expect under current law. (Both project closer to 1.8 percent.) In other words, the Treasury one-pager suggests an enormous boost from the Trump agenda.

This 2.9 percent figure is pretty specific, though, giving it a veneer of precision. Thats because Treasury lifted it from a forecast in the Presidents Fiscal 2018 Budget, a sloppy, error-riddled document that came out in May.

There are a few problems with this sourcing.

First, that budget was released before a tax bill was ever even written. The presidents budget did vaguely describe a tax reform proposal, but it departed in critical ways from the ones the Senate and the House passed.

Second, the 2.9 percent figure in the presidents budget was supposed to reflect the effects of the presidents entire policy agenda, including infrastructure development, welfare reform and deregulation. In other words, it includes the economic effects of policy proposals that are not only unrelated to taxes but also dont even yet exist.

Despite months of teases, the Trump administration has released neither an infrastructure plan nor a comprehensive welfare reform package. Deregulation has, of course, begun, though youd be hard-pressed to find a deregulatory action so far that  whatever its effects on the publics well-being  is likely to have major effects on national economic growth.

And third, even those comprehensive economic growth effects may be plucked from thin air. Trump transition officials directed staffers to assume growth rates of about 3 percent, and then backfill the other numbers in their models to get the final numbers to add up.

To be clear, none of this is how policy projections usually work.

Sure, previous administrations have selectively cited studies or assumptions that favor their pet projects. But this kind of stuff? Its fan fiction, not economics.

crampell@washpost.com
American colleges and universities have always embraced diverse points of view, leading to a multitude of new discoveries and cultural understanding. Higher education is a phenomenal place for minds to be challenged, to inquire, explore, discover and question the status quo.

But from time to time, American colleges and universities witness hate speech or activity disguised as free speech. Such has been the case in recent weeks at several colleges and universities in San Antonio and throughout Texas.

As members of the Higher Education Council of San Antonio, we  the presidents of colleges and universities throughout this community, and supporters  feel it is important to speak out and make a distinction between diversity of thought and disingenuous misrepresentation of free speech. We further attest that hate speech has no place at our colleges and universities. Inappropriate messages, such as banners and flyers that are meant to provoke, spread hate or create animosity and hostility, are not welcome or accepted.

Teaching, research and critical thinking are the founding pillars of higher education. Each and every day, we witness incredible learning opportunities for our students, faculty, staff and community members.

San Antonios colleges and universities are stronger and more diverse than ever. During the upcoming Tricentennial, many events, activities and symposiums are being planned at our colleges to honor the citys multicultural heritage, as well as current and future residents. San Antonio colleges and universities have played an enormous part in the citys history. We are proud to have been a part of this great accomplishment and will further ensure that it continues to be our focus in the next 300 years.

Please join us in celebrating the power of higher education in the lives of San Antonio residents!

Ric N. Baser is the president of Northwest Vista College in the Alamo Colleges District and the president of the Higher Education Council of San Antonio. He and 12 HECSA members signed this letter, along with Mayor Ron Nirenberg. To read the names of all those supporting this message, go to hecsa.org.
The Jewish holiday Hanukkah is upon us, and to mark the eight-day holiday, dignitaries gathered to light the National Menorah across from the White House on Tuesday, and families lit their own nine-armed menorahs, known as Hanukkiot. They will do this one candle per day for eight days.

Although Hanukkah is one of the most popular and recognizable of Jewish holidays in the minds of non-Jews, this is only a relatively recent development, one rooted in American history and culture.

The eight-day festival commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Greek rulers in the second century B.C. As part of the purification of the Temple, Jews lit an oil-based menorah. Although they had only enough oil for one day, so the story goes, it lasted for eight. This is what the Hanukkah rituals, including lighting candles or oil, celebrate.

For centuries, Hanukkah was considered a minor holiday, a festival with a distinct place in the Jewish calendar, but without the restrictions in activities or food that define other well-known holidays such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah and the weekly Shabbat. For centuries, Hanukkah remained less religiously and culturally significant than almost any other of the Jewish holidays. That all changed in the 20th century.

In America, Hanukkah has become a big deal in no small part because of Christmas. Before World War II, Christmas as an American holiday was becoming increasingly popular even among immigrant Jews. For example, by the 1950s, 40 percent of middle-class Jewish homes in Chicago had a Christmas tree.

In response to the seductiveness of Christmas, Jewish religious leaders and activists worked to shore up the celebration of Hanukkah. They did so in part by framing it as a meaningful alternative complete with a dramatic story, a family setting, and, of course, gift-giving. Producers of Judaica, consumer goods and advertisers saw a great opportunity in marketing Hanukkah as a Jewish alternative to Christmas.

The popularity of Hanukkah is also linked to its symbolic meaning as an American holiday. The Hanukkah story is, after all, one that is celebrated as a struggle for religious liberty, a peoples will to fight for their beliefs, and, of course, a victory. Hanukkah also roughly coincided with Christmas, and it offered an opportunity for Jews to participate in the holiday celebrations complete with gift-giving and merry-making without giving up their distinct religious and cultural identities.

But the popularity of Hanukkah is not only an American story, it is a global one. During the past 20 years, Hanukkah has become a major Jewish holiday in other parts of the world. In Europe, for example, public menorah lighting is now taking place in the center of Berlin, Rome and Stockholm, among other major cities.

Historically, in Europe, it was the Zionist movement that promoted Hanukkah as a holiday that celebrated a new Jewish ideal that was more politically and culturally assertive. At the same time, much as in America, Hanukkah was cultivated by Jewish families as an alternative, and for some an addition, to Christmas rituals.

Yet, the public lighting of menorahs, a statement of religious difference and of belonging, is a practice that American Jewish organizations have encouraged. In particular, Chabad, a New York-based group committed to strengthening religious observance among Jews, has promoted the elevation of Hanukkah to a major holiday in societies where religious difference is less publicly acceptable than in America.

As in America, Hanukkah is a political symbol, but a much more contested one. Politics aside, Hanukkah in America and in other parts of the world is now an occasion for gift-giving and merry-making, a holiday that rivals  and for many interfaith families  complements Christmas. Its new popularity reflects the way in which reinvented traditions can serve both to shape a distinct cultural identity and create bonds with other communities of faith.

Tatjana Lichtenstein is an associate professor of history and director of the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Re: Straus exit will factor into state House race, Gilbert Garcia, Dec. 6:

Trey Martinez Fischer announced recently he will make a bid to regain his old seat representing District 116 in the Texas Legislature. I think thats a bad idea for San Antonio, and I submit that the current seat holder, Rep. Diana Arevalo, deserves a chance to keep her seat. Heres why.

Recently, I met Rep. Arevalo at the Christmas meeting of the San Antonio District Dental Society, where she was a guest of one of the societys past presidents. SADDS promotes the professionalism of local dentists, connecting them to state and national health care issues. I enjoyed hearing Arevalos ideas and witnessed her careful note-taking during the keynote given by the president of the Texas Dental Association.

District 116 includes UT Health San Antonio, so vital to our business and intellectual community, and Arevalo holds a seat on the important Public Health Committee. Her remarks revealed sensible knowledge about health care issues important to us all.

This is a painful, cathartic time in our culture regarding the suppression and control of womens bodies and careers. Many women finally feel empowered to tell their stories about male harassment and power over tactics in many walks of life. It is particularly saddening that the former legislator picks this moment to seek his old seat, implying that Rep. Arevalo is simply a placeholder until he wants to recapture his place.

According to Garcia, the race is about who can actually use the levers of government to make things happen. Surely, Rep. Arevalo is not limited in her ability to use the levers of government simply because she is a woman. I suggest Martinez Fischer needs to test the direction of the cultural winds before attempting such an obvious power play.

Voters can study the record of the bright, inspired young Arevalo. She performs competently, does her research, and cultivates valuable relationships within important sectors of the community. After looking at Arevelos record, voters can make an informed choice based on merit. We should avoid being influenced by an obvious power over move by Martinez Fischer, who freely decided to leave the Legislature.

Voters should weigh their decisions carefully, based on the record and philosophies of their representatives, male or female. I call for San Antonians to give Rep. Diana Arevola a fair chance to continue her good work in the Legislature.

Susan Sabino is a retired teacher. She has a masters in school administration and taught in English departments in the Judson, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City and Northside ISDs.
Noh was in Nanjing to attend an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. Chinese President Xi Jinping and politburo chief Yu Zhengsheng were also there.

President Moon Jae-in arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Wednesday to start a state visit to China, but Korean Ambassador to China Noh Young-min was not there to receive him.

Instead, Moon started his visit by meeting a group of Korean nationals in Beijing.

Chinese state media gave wide coverage to Moon's arrival, which comes after an unofficial boycott over the stationing on a THAAD anti-missile battery from the U.S. in South Korea,.

CCTV said the future of relations depends on how Seoul keeps its pledges from late October -- to stay out of the U.S.-led missile defense system, deploy no additional THAAD batteries, and forge not trilateral military bloc with the U.S. and Japan.

The Global Times quoted pundits as saying Seoul should not pin its hopes on THAAD to find a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue but focus on cooperating with Beijing. It added a complete recovery of Seoul-Beijing relations will be difficult until the THAAD has been pulled out, the government mouthpiece added.
The great Simeon Booker, one of the bravest journalists of our time, faced dangers far worse than a petulant presidents social media feed. Booker refused to be cowed  and ultimately helped change the nation. His lifes work should be a lesson to us all about the power of truth to vanquish evil.

Booker died Sunday at 99. At the height of his career, few could have imagined he would live so long.

As Washington bureau chief for the Chicago-based Johnson Publications, publisher of the newsweekly Jet and the monthly magazine Ebony, Booker went to the Deep South to cover the most tumultuous events of the civil rights movement  life-threatening work for an African-American journalist.

In 1961, he accompanied the Freedom Riders on a bus journey from Washington to New Orleans, testing whether Southern states would comply with a federal mandate against segregated interstate travel. In Alabama, the protesters were firebombed once and beaten twice by white mobs before federal officials, acting on orders from attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, flew them to safety.

Booker covered the seminal 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. He was there when Alabama state troopers savagely attacked demonstrators with billy clubs and police dogs  images that shocked the nation and helped shift public opinion outside of the South from indifference to outrage.

As the Washington Post reported in its obituary, Booker returned many times to the South to report on the struggle: For his safety, he sometimes posed as a minister, carrying a Bible under his arm. Other times, he discarded his usual suit and bow tie for overalls to look the part of a sharecropper. Once, in an incident retold when Mr. Booker was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2013, he escaped a mob by riding in the back of a hearse.

Booker was the Posts first full-time black reporter, hired by publisher Philip Graham, who gave him an admonition similar to the one Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey had given to Jackie Robinson: If you can take it, Im willing to gamble. Washington was a segregated city in 1952  Booker recalled that when he went out to cover a robbery, they thought I was one of the damn holdup men  and ultimately he found the work unsatisfying. In 1954, Johnson Publications offered him the bureau chief job, and he took it. He kept it for five decades.

Booker is best known for the story he wrote for Jet about Emmett Till, the Chicago teenager brutally slain in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman. In Chicago at the time, Booker tracked down Tills mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and was with her when Tills mutilated body arrived.

Jet photographer David Jackson took photographs of Tills brutalized body that remain among the most searing and indelible images of the century.

Bookers death comes at a moment when journalism and the civic necessity it seeks to provide  truth  are under assault. President Trump and his amen chorus are cynically trying to delegitimize news organizations whose work they find inconvenient. Trump goes so far as to use his Twitter feed, with its millions of followers, to attack individual reporters and demand they be fired.

Journalisms response must be to tell the president  politely, with all due respect to the office  to stuff it.

There are facts. There is truth. We try our best to get everything right, but of course we sometimes make errors. When we do, we must correct them promptly and fully  and move on. The only fake news is the self-serving rubbish Trump tries to peddle through insistent repetition.

One of the medias most important roles in our democracy is to hold public officials accountable, and if they dont like it, too bad. When they lash out at us viciously and unfairly, as Trump so often does, we should remember all the brave journalists who have faced much worse.

More than once, Simeon Booker had to escape from Southern towns where white vigilante mobs were on the prowl to get that man from Jet. We should be able to withstand a few nasty tweets.

eugenerobinson@washpost.com
Doug Jones victory in Alabamas U.S. Senate race over Roy Moore  who was credibly accused of wooing and abusing teenage girls while in his 30s  signaled a triumph of decency over knee-jerk partisanship, a victory of values over tribalism, and a repudiation of dog-whistle and not-so-dog-whistle Islamophobia, homophobia and other destructive finger-pointing.

This occurred by the grace of only a 1 percent to 1.5 percent margin of victory, but it is still a welcome sign of better things to come in politics, perhaps even in Texas.

Moore embraced Trumpism in bear-hug fashion, with the movements authors Steve Bannon and Donald Trump stumping for him for the general election. But counting on a Trump base apparently worked for Moore only in the primary election. It failed in Alabamas general election  and that of Virginia recently in a gubernatorial race.

Dare we hope that this could produce  in general election campaigns, at least  candidates who try to appeal to all constituencies? This would necessarily mean less red-meat, culture-war campaigning and more adoption of nuanced political positions.

But it could also mean incentive to do less of that red-meat campaigning, even in primaries, for fear that those words cant be taken back during the general election.

The most enduring lesson in Alabama, of course, is that a candidate doesnt necessarily have a lock in a state dominated by his own party if that candidate is as deeply flawed as was Moore. This even in a state that hasnt elected a candidate from the minority party in a quarter-century.

It means that even in these deeply partisanly divided times, there are indeed flaws that are disqualifying for candidates.

Texas hasnt elected a Democrat to a statewide office since 1994, though, to be fair, none of Texas incumbents for statewide office have Moores particular baggage.

But theres also this factoid pointing to interesting campaigning ahead in the Lone Star State: Trump carried Alabama by 28 points over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Moore, embracing Trumpism to compensate for his other flaws, still lost. Trump carried Texas by only 9 points.

Incumbents in Texas to varying degrees have championed Trump and many of his issues, particularly immigration, and its clear that Democrats will make Trumpism an issue everywhere, even in Texas.

But the biggest takeaway from Tuesdays election in Alabama has nothing to do with lessons for other politicians in other states. It is that character counts. And thats a lesson for everyone in any field.
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Double standard

Re: First lady visits Texas again, Briefs, Dec. 7:

I only take the Express-News to see what the liberal media in print find important.

On a recent morning, the paper had an article about Melania Trump and Karen Pence on a return visit to Rockport, Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi to view hurricane recovery and visit first responders. It was 44 words long!

I bet if Michelle Obama had traveled to Texas when her husband was president, it would have been on the front page!

Diane Hogan

Trumps wilderness

As president, Donald Trump has the power to recognize Jerusalem or anywhere else he wants as the capital of Israel. But anyone who thinks this will bring Israel and Palestine even one-thousandth of an inch closer to a deal is just as delusional as our president. Unless, of course, Trump is also planning to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state, which he obviously has no intention of doing.

The United States needs to stop pretending that it is an honest and neutral broker for peace between Israel and Palestine. It is neither. Time for the president to step back and see if some adults are willing to lead us to the Promised Land.

Doyle Avant

Hes no populist

President Donald Trump has two jobs: leader of the free world and owner of hundreds of businesses worldwide. How does he balance the two?

The answer is he doesnt. The only world he wants to be free is the world of the wealthy in which he resides. By maintaining control of his business empire, he has made a mockery of the public trust.

His deregulatory policies and executive orders allow corporations to destroy the environment, cheat consumers and make unsafe products to boost their profits and power  all directly at odds with protecting the public. The president hasnt drained the swamp. He has added to the pollution and to his bottom line.

The best way to understand the Trump-Republican tax plan is to understand that it will be worth billions to Trump and his family. Eliminating the estate tax alone could save the Trump family a lot of money. Its time to put to rest for good the idea that Trump is a billionaire populist.

Carl Lloyd

Sad omission

I was stunned and dismayed that the Express-News in Military City, USA, could find no space Dec. 7 to remember the day when so many Americans lost their lives in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

Maybe you felt that giving us yet another lengthy editorial against President Donald Trump deserved more ink. Sad.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mary M. Thomas

Missing story

On Dec. 7, I was so excited to read about the Tricentennial, a Ferris wheel, a climate plan, a baby killer, etc. But no mention of Pearl Harbor Day? Oh, well, I guess a tribute to this day doesnt rise to the level of importance as those front-page items.

Tony Petri

Editors note: The Dec. 8 newspaper contained coverage of a Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor event.

Use your signals

You very seldom see a driver using turn signals in parking lots, but then again you seldom see drivers using turn signals on the main streets and highways.

Vincent Bonanno
I cannot believe whats happened over a simple case of a wedding cake! Seriously, find another bakery!

This homosexual couple was not oppressed; they were offended! They are trying to force their fellow American to do something he doesnt want to do, and they are willing to destroy the very fabric of this country to achieve that goal.

Being oppressed means laws exist that limit ones freedom. Being offended means someone hurt your feelings. Get it? Stop confusing the two. Get yourself a dictionary.

Cathy Garcia

Legacy of sacrifice

I was born in 1940, and had an uncle and two cousins who served in World War II.

I was hoping your paper would have mentioned Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, but to no avail. Lest we forget what this war was about, genocide is still occurring in the world. This is part of our history, which is slowly being forgotten.

I had a brother who served in Vietnam and studied Chinese. He was sent to Okinawa, where he spent his three years in the Navy. (When my daughter was stationed with the Air Force, she showed me where my brother spent those years. It is a block house with no windows and one door.) When he arrived back in the U.S., he didnt get off the ship before changing clothes so he wouldnt be spit on or physically attacked. As one of the Vietnam vets stated, They werent mad at us, they were mad at the war.

Thank you for just hearing me.

Anne Turner

Try real issues

It would be nice if Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the City Council paid as much attention to the real problems here as they do to climate change. You know, things like crime, potholes, missing street signs, and attracting new business and jobs. Things that affect the average person. Not climate change, which the average person is not really worried about.

But what can one expect from a very liberal mayor and his cronies in City Hall? A mayor and City Council more concerned about removing statues and changing locations of the Christmas tree, even though residents want the tree exactly where it has been for years.

Sabine Maytum, Universal City

Irresponsible bill

Re: "Trump signs bill that boosts GI pay, front page Dec. 13:

It is irresponsible to pass a massive, deficit increasing tax cut at the same time as a huge increase in defense spending. We've seen this twice before, and we can't afford to do it again. After Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush did it, our debt increased significantly. Yes, the GIs deserve more, and yes, our military is depleted after years of deployment after deployment. But it is irresponsible to pass revenue-negative tax cuts at the same time. For the sake of future generations, we should all be begging our legislators to vote AGAINST approving the final tax bill.

Thomas N. Lee
Seoul and Washington have after all agreed to delay joint annual drills until late April so they do not overlap with the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Pyeongchang. The annual drills normally kick off in late February or early March.

"Washington was against the idea at first, but accepted Seoul's request in the end," a diplomatic source said Wednesday. "But they could adjust the schedule again depending on the situation on the Korean Peninsula next year."

The two countries agreed to stage the "Key Resolve" drill, a command post exercise, from the fourth week of April until the first week of May, according to sources. A second drill, a combined field training exercise dubbed "Foal Eagle," will also be postponed and shortened.

The U.S. had reportedly expressed concerns about the drills clashing with its other military schedules. But the government maintains that nothing has been decided yet and seems reluctant to announce the decision.

Put on the spot by a lawmaker in the National Assembly's Defense Committee, Defense Minister Song Young-moo only said he does not remember anything about "disclosure or non-disclosure."


Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe visited a hospital in Singapore this week apparently for medical checks, his first trip outside his country since he was ousted from office last month, sources in Singapore said on Thursday.

The 93-year-old former leader who ruled the southern African nation for 37 years, resigned after the army and his ruling ZANU-PF party turned against him when it became clear that his 52-year-old wife, Grace, was being groomed as his successor.

Mugabe left Harare with his wife and aides on Monday evening, a Zimbabwe state security official said this week. He was expected to also visit Malaysia where his daughter is expecting a child.

An Air Zimbabwe flight arrived in Singapore on Tuesday.

Mugabe visited a private hospital in central Singapore on Wednesday with an entourage that included his security guards, the sources who were familiar with the visit told Reuters.

They spoke on the condition they were not identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.

A spokesman at the hospital said he would not be able to confirm whether Mugabe had visited its clinics.

Mugabe has a reputation for extensive international travel, including regular medical trips to Singapore  a source of public anger among his impoverished citizens.

In August 2017 former first lady Grace Mugabe was briefly detained by no nonsense police in Singapore after she assaulted reporters and threw their cellphones into a pond at this hospital. She had to reimburse the victims, about $1300 USD each to secure her release.

In addition, Grace Mugabes protocol team went on overdrive, paying hefty sums of money to reporters in the Southeast Asia city state to prevent the assault and detention making its way to front pages of newspapers. However it eventually did.

Breaking News via Email
A man has appeared in court after being apprehended with a firearm and fake intelligence services identity documents at events recently officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Guthrie Chirodzero, 40, however denied targeting the new president, claiming he was a prophet and used to provide healing services to former President Robert Mugabe and his family.

The suspect appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa accused of taking a firearm to a public gathering. He also faces forgery and impersonation charges. Court heard that after being arrested Chirodzero was found in possession of fake identity documents including a drivers licence, as well as fake Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission cards.

Prosecutors say he attended the swearing-in of new ministers by President Mnangagwa and positioned himself close to the Zanu PF leader while pretending to be a CIO officer. He had used the fake documents to gain entry into State House where the event was held.

Again on December 6, and armed with the same identity cards and a pistol, Chirodzero went to Josiah Magamba Tongogara army barracks where the President was officiating at the renaming of the former KGVI facility. He again positioned himself close to the President but a military intelligence officer became suspicious and confronted him, asking about his purpose at the function.

Court heard Chirodzero then produced his fake CIO ID. The suspicious military officer took the ID to other CIO officers who confirmed that it was fake. Upon realising that he was in danger Chirodzero vanished from the VIP section at the event. He was later intercepted and found in possession of a pistol and the fake IDs upon beings searched. Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.

Breaking News via Email
By Mark Wolf

Don't bother Greg Lucas with the tired trope that the internet means people don't need libraries anymore.

"Well, that's (an equine epithet)," the gregarious California State Librarian declared during an NCSL Capitol Forum session.

"The internet has changed everything and it's going to change things even more dramatically. It's made libraries and librarians even more valuable," said Lucas, a longtime journalist who spent nearly 20 years as Sacramento bureau chief and Capitol reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. (He is pictured here just before taking the Ice Bucket Challenge on the steps of the state library.)

He busted the myth that "books, the kind with spines and paper are on their way out," noting that more than 2.7 billion books were published last year (industry estimates are that 674 million printed books were sold in 2016).

"Libraries are now hubs for creativity," he said. "More and more of them now have maker spaces with a sewing machine, soldering iron, a bag of Legos. There is a mini biotech lab up the street in La Jolla. They changed the DNA of a jellyfish to red, white and blue for the Fourth of July. Sacramento's central branch has an Espresso Book Machine (that binds, print and trims quality paperback books in minutes)."

Lucas works for a system that has more libraries (about 1,100) than any other state.

"It's an incredible return on investment. Diversity is our biggest strength," he said, noting that California is the first state without a white majority. "At the Wilshire branch of the Los Angeles library, the largest group of patrons are Mongolians. They have the largest group of Mongolians outside of Mongolia."

Lucas is an unabashed cheerleader for libraries everywhere.

"The most cost-effective way to use a taxpayer dollar is to teach someone to read," he said. "There is no other government expenditure that can pay as much of a dividend. There is no downside to libraries or librarians. I'm often frustrated at how slow state government operates. Libraries are fast, nimble, connected to the communities they serve.

"They are the happiest and most helpful face government can present to a community."

Mark Wolf is editor of the NCSL Blog.

Email Mark
By Agencies

The first of Gujarat's two-phase assembly polls began on Saturday across 89 constituencies spread out in the 19 districts of Kutch, Saurashtra and southern regions. A total of 977 candidates are in the fray from Kutch, Morbi, Jamnagar, Dang, Valsad and more districts.

READ | Gujarat Polls: All you need to know about first phase the Assembly elections

Of the 89 seats, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party holds 67 and the Congress 16. One seat each is held by the NCP and JD-U while independents hold the remaining two. There are a total of 24,689 polling booths.

[READ HERE | First phase of polling sees enthusiastic turnout amid EVM, VVPAT glitches]

Polling, which began at 8 a.m., will end at 5 p.m. [WATCH VIDEO HERE]

The second phase polling is on December 14 and counting, along with that of Himachal Pradesh, will be held on December 18.

LIVE UPDATES:

Election Commission rejects complaints of Bluetooth being connected to EVM. Says EVMs don't have receptors or wiring to facilitate that. (ANI)

Gujarat: First phase of polling ends in the state, visuals from Bhavnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/KzfWp6VTVJ  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

6.30 pm - First phase of Gujarat polling ends.

5.50 pm - Few voters in polling booth 4 said their votes are going to some other candidate. Polling Officer said it'll be tested and if it's found to be false action will be taken against them. Those voters left without tests. There's no truth behind such reports: Bharuch District Collector (ANI)

5.00 pm - A total of 26865 Ballot Units and 24689 Control Units (CUs) were used, while 24689 VVPATs were used in the first phase of the Gujarat Elections. (ANI)

4.30 pm - No such issues reported till now. Some EVMs replaced due to errors. EVMs were updated with VVPAT, which allows people to verify their vote for 7 seconds: Yogesh Thakkar, Bhavnagar Deputy Electoral Officer on reports of faulty EVMs in 1st phase of polling in. (ANI)

A team of Election Commission reaches polling booth in Thakkar Plot, Porbandar after complaints of EVM being connected to Bluetooth #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/ETmuu73Fwk  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

3.45 pm -Senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia today complained of possible EVM tampering at three polling booths in a Muslim-dominated area of Porbandar claiming that some machines were found to be connecting to external devices via bluetooth. ( Read )

2 pm - Over 30 per cent voter turnout recorded so far amid rising complaints of EVM, VVPAT glitches.

1:30 pm - PM Modi at a rally in Lunavada, Gujarat responds to a Youth Congress leader's remarks: "India is my everything." [READ HERE]

21.09 per cent voting recorded as of 12 pm: ANI

Elderly people arrive to cast their vote in Bharuch's Ankleshwar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/d1P6bjqJi2  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

1:00 pm - An EVM was also tampered with in Rajkot East constituency, a complaint to the EC said. It was later restored, according to TV reports. (IANS)

12: 30 pm - Senior Congress leader from the state Ahmed Patel said: "There are reports of EVM malfunctioning in several polling stations. Request the Election Commission to take necessary action immediately." The poll panel received several complaints about Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctioning in Kosamba region of Valsad district, besides several in Saurashtra and Surat. (IANS)

12:00 pm - PM Modi begins his rally in Lunavada town

I want to tell all Congress leaders who are abusing me, mocking my poor family, asking who my parents are- this nation is my everything. Every moment of my time is devoted to India and 125 crore Indians: PM Modi #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/NFJPlFAOtw  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

11: 30 pm - Despite cold weather, the first two hours of polling saw 11 per cent voter turnout. [READ FULL REPORT HERE]

11 am - The faulty EVM in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya booth in Surat's Varaccha has been replaced, reported ANI.

10:30 am - Amidst reports of an EVM malfunctioning, Vipul Goti, Master Trainer, Election Commission in Surat's Varaccha told ANI: "Have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay and voting has started."

READ HERE | Telugus head out to paint Gujarat towns saffron. There are close to 7 lakh Telugu speaking people in Gujarat of which over 3 lakh have voting rights; though most of them appear to be BJP supporters, both national parties are roping in leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to campaign in Gujarat.

CM Vijay Rupani casts his vote in Rajkot. He is contesting against Congress Indranil Rajyaguru from Rajkot-West seat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/d38IIAPs0v  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

The New Indian Express interviewed Hardik Patel | READ HERE: My deal with Congress for Gujarat polls only because they back our reservation demands: Hardik Patel

A couple in Bharuch cast their votes before their wedding ceremony #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/TuXxKDpkK0  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

READ: Gujarat polls: Love him or hate him, the spotlight is on PM Modi

8:30 am - BJP Gujarat Chief Jitubhai Vaghani casts his vote in Bhavnagar . (ANI)

Security beefed up: The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Armed Police (SAP) drawn from other states have also been deployed to supplement the local police force, according to Election Commission statement. (ANI)

Voting for first phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins. Visuals from Bharuch's Ankleshwar pic.twitter.com/gOduleVrRO

 ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

8 am: Voting begins for the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election 2017.

Gujarat polling day visual from Bharuch's Ankleshwar. (Twitter Photo | ANI)

BJP releases election manifesto. READ HERE

Voting for first phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from Piraman village polling booth no.171 in Bharuch's Ankleshwar pic.twitter.com/QmjaAaFl13  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017

ALSO READ: PM Modi urges voters to exercise their franchise

Over 1,74,000 police personnel have been deployed with security apparatus on highest alert to ensure smooth conduct of the voting process today. In the wake of EVM tampering allegation from various political parties, the EC has also put in place administrative safeguards and security protocols to prevent any misuse of EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines.

The cameras have also been installed inside critical polling booths in vulnerable areas to closely monitor the proceedings without violating secrecy of voting process.

In order to provide voter verifiability and auditability of every vote cast through the EVM, the Commission has deployed VVPAT machines in over 24,600 polling booths in this phase.

A mock poll by casting 50 votes will also be conducted at every polling booth by the Presiding Officer, one hour before the commencement of actual polling.

High stakes election

Prominent candidates for today's battle include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), and Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli).

The election is viewed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

The campaign shaped up as a duel between Modi and Gandhi, and often turned personal.

The poll narrative kept changing with issues such as the Ayodhya title suit, Gandhi's imminent elevation as Congress president and his visits to temples being raised by BJP leaders.

Gandhi emerged as the Congress' pivot to take on the might of the prime minister on his home turf.

While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.

(With agency inputs)

The first of Gujarat's two-phase assembly polls began on Saturday across 89 constituencies spread out in the 19 districts of Kutch, Saurashtra and southern regions. A total of 977 candidates are in the fray from Kutch, Morbi, Jamnagar, Dang, Valsad and more districts. READ | Gujarat Polls: All you need to know about first phase the Assembly elections Of the 89 seats, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party holds 67 and the Congress 16. One seat each is held by the NCP and JD-U while independents hold the remaining two. There are a total of 24,689 polling booths. [READ HERE | First phase of polling sees enthusiastic turnout amid EVM, VVPAT glitches] Polling, which began at 8 a.m., will end at 5 p.m. [WATCH VIDEO HERE] The second phase polling is on December 14 and counting, along with that of Himachal Pradesh, will be held on December 18. LIVE UPDATES: Election Commission rejects complaints of Bluetooth being connected to EVM. Says EVMs don't have receptors or wiring to facilitate that. (ANI) Gujarat: First phase of polling ends in the state, visuals from Bhavnagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/KzfWp6VTVJ  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 6.30 pm - First phase of Gujarat polling ends. 5.50 pm - Few voters in polling booth 4 said their votes are going to some other candidate. Polling Officer said it'll be tested and if it's found to be false action will be taken against them. Those voters left without tests. There's no truth behind such reports: Bharuch District Collector (ANI) 5.00 pm - A total of 26865 Ballot Units and 24689 Control Units (CUs) were used, while 24689 VVPATs were used in the first phase of the Gujarat Elections. (ANI) 4.30 pm - No such issues reported till now. Some EVMs replaced due to errors. EVMs were updated with VVPAT, which allows people to verify their vote for 7 seconds: Yogesh Thakkar, Bhavnagar Deputy Electoral Officer on reports of faulty EVMs in 1st phase of polling in. (ANI) A team of Election Commission reaches polling booth in Thakkar Plot, Porbandar after complaints of EVM being connected to Bluetooth #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/ETmuu73Fwk  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 3.45 pm -Senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia today complained of possible EVM tampering at three polling booths in a Muslim-dominated area of Porbandar claiming that some machines were found to be connecting to external devices via bluetooth. (Read) 2 pm - Over 30 per cent voter turnout recorded so far amid rising complaints of EVM, VVPAT glitches. 1:30 pm - PM Modi at a rally in Lunavada, Gujarat responds to a Youth Congress leader's remarks: "India is my everything." [READ HERE] 21.09 per cent voting recorded as of 12 pm: ANI Elderly people arrive to cast their vote in Bharuch's Ankleshwar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/d1P6bjqJi2  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 1:00 pm - An EVM was also tampered with in Rajkot East constituency, a complaint to the EC said. It was later restored, according to TV reports. (IANS) 12: 30 pm - Senior Congress leader from the state Ahmed Patel said: "There are reports of EVM malfunctioning in several polling stations. Request the Election Commission to take necessary action immediately." The poll panel received several complaints about Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctioning in Kosamba region of Valsad district, besides several in Saurashtra and Surat. (IANS) 12:00 pm - PM Modi begins his rally in Lunavada town I want to tell all Congress leaders who are abusing me, mocking my poor family, asking who my parents are- this nation is my everything. Every moment of my time is devoted to India and 125 crore Indians: PM Modi #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/NFJPlFAOtw  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 11: 30 pm - Despite cold weather, the first two hours of polling saw 11 per cent voter turnout. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] 11 am - The faulty EVM in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya booth in Surat's Varaccha has been replaced, reported ANI. 10:30 am - Amidst reports of an EVM malfunctioning, Vipul Goti, Master Trainer, Election Commission in Surat's Varaccha told ANI: "Have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay and voting has started." READ HERE | Telugus head out to paint Gujarat towns saffron. There are close to 7 lakh Telugu speaking people in Gujarat of which over 3 lakh have voting rights; though most of them appear to be BJP supporters, both national parties are roping in leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to campaign in Gujarat. CM Vijay Rupani casts his vote in Rajkot. He is contesting against Congress Indranil Rajyaguru from Rajkot-West seat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/d38IIAPs0v  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 The New Indian Express interviewed Hardik Patel | READ HERE: My deal with Congress for Gujarat polls only because they back our reservation demands: Hardik Patel A couple in Bharuch cast their votes before their wedding ceremony #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/TuXxKDpkK0  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 READ: Gujarat polls: Love him or hate him, the spotlight is on PM Modi 8:30 am - BJP Gujarat Chief Jitubhai Vaghani casts his vote in Bhavnagar . (ANI) Security beefed up: The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Armed Police (SAP) drawn from other states have also been deployed to supplement the local police force, according to Election Commission statement. (ANI) Voting for first phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins. Visuals from Bharuch's Ankleshwar pic.twitter.com/gOduleVrRO  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 8 am: Voting begins for the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election 2017. Gujarat polling day visual from Bharuch's Ankleshwar. (Twitter Photo | ANI) BJP releases election manifesto. READ HERE Voting for first phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from Piraman village polling booth no.171 in Bharuch's Ankleshwar pic.twitter.com/QmjaAaFl13  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 ALSO READ: PM Modi urges voters to exercise their franchise Over 1,74,000 police personnel have been deployed with security apparatus on highest alert to ensure smooth conduct of the voting process today. In the wake of EVM tampering allegation from various political parties, the EC has also put in place administrative safeguards and security protocols to prevent any misuse of EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. The cameras have also been installed inside critical polling booths in vulnerable areas to closely monitor the proceedings without violating secrecy of voting process. In order to provide voter verifiability and auditability of every vote cast through the EVM, the Commission has deployed VVPAT machines in over 24,600 polling booths in this phase. A mock poll by casting 50 votes will also be conducted at every polling booth by the Presiding Officer, one hour before the commencement of actual polling. High stakes election Prominent candidates for today's battle include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who is contesting from Rajkot (West), and Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi) and Paresh Dhanani (Amreli). The election is viewed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. The campaign shaped up as a duel between Modi and Gandhi, and often turned personal. The poll narrative kept changing with issues such as the Ayodhya title suit, Gandhi's imminent elevation as Congress president and his visits to temples being raised by BJP leaders. Gandhi emerged as the Congress' pivot to take on the might of the prime minister on his home turf. While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings. (With agency inputs)
By ANI

GANDHINAGAR: The second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly Elections saw a voter turnout of 68.70 per cent amid many complaints from voters to the Election Commission about the functioning of EVMs.

The voting was also marred by the opposition's strong condemnation of PM Modi's alleged 'roadshow' after casting his vote. [READ FULL REPORT]

After a slew of campaign rallies, polling for the second and final phase of the assembly elections began today morning when 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat went to polls.

READ HERE | Gujarat Assembly Election 2017: All the highlights from Phase 1 of polling

851 candidates are in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people will take part in the election. The BJP has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91.

READ BELOW:

EC issues notice to Rahul Gandhi over TV interview

BJP MLA who allegedly offered money says he doesn't care about the EC

Voting will continue till 5 pm in more than 25,000 polling stations. Security has been increased in various parts of the state in the wake of the polls.

The results will be declared on December 18.

Here are the latest updates:

6:30 pm - 68.70 per cent total voting recorded in second and final phase of Gujarat polls. (ANI)

6:00 pm -

Electronic Voting Machines being sealed after conclusion of #GujaratElection2017 ; Visuals from Gujarat's Viramgam pic.twitter.com/CK1pctesnE  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

5:30 pm - 62.24 per cent voting recorded till 4 pm. (ANI)

5:10 pm - Congress and BJP workers clashed during voting in Tower Bazar area in Gujarat's Anand, earlier and vehicles were vandalized during the protest. Police, however, reached the spot and the situation is now under control.

5:00 pm - Voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly Election ends.

4:50 pm -

Concerned about double standard shown by EC today. EC has lost all objectivity&impartiality.But to issue a notice against one side&completely condone blatant violation of election code of conduct by other side,almost most astonishing thing we have seen from EC: S Tharoor,Congress pic.twitter.com/hXWyWnn13L  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

4:30 pm - The BJP delegation leaves from the office of the Election Commission of India.

4:10 pm - Senior officials of the Election Commission are checking the possible Bluetooth connectivity of EVMs at every booth.

4:00 pm - Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer, BB Swain also mentioned that a complaint was received, which said that apparently when a person switched on Bluetooth on his mobile phone, it connected to the EVMs. (ANI)

3:45 pm - "Have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of the vote. It is a complaint which is more anticipatory in nature which says a crowd was there and this could be a roadshow. This complaint has been given to DEO Ahmedabad," said Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer on the complaint by Congress against PM Modi. (ANI)

3:35 pm -

Delhi: Police detains Congress workers who were marching to Election Commission in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote today pic.twitter.com/xGIveyyqnX  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

3:30 pm - 47.40% voter turnout recorded till 2 pm.

3:25 pm - "We are fighting against the BJP. Thus, it is natural that we will be supporting the Congress," said Hardik Patel.

3:10 pm - "It is a matter of happiness for me that I was the first voter to cast vote at my polling booth. We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society," Alpesh Thakor told reporters after coming out of the polling booth. (PTI)

3:00 pm - Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, the face of OBC community in Gujarat, cast their ballots at different polling stations in the Viramgam assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district.

2:45 pm -

#GujaratElection2017 : All-women polling station in Vadodara, being managed completely by women pic.twitter.com/5kJR1VsvUY  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

2:30 pm - The Congress accused EC of becoming a "puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was breaking rules in a last bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat. [READ FULL REPORT]

2:10 pm - The Congress strongly objected to Modi's "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad which it said was a flagrant violation of the EC's model code of conduct.

1: 55 pm - Compared to phase 1, less than 50% cases of EVM replacements in phase 2. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer

1: 50 pm -

Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/zwp8I5qjfB  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

1: 40 pm - READ HERE: Congress seeks EC's action against PM Modi, Amit Shah for violation of model of conduct

PM Modi's road show after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. EC it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO: Ashok Gehlot,Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/CfDPtFlvDJ  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

1: 30 pm -

A glitch in the EVM in Gujarats Chhota Udaipur today prevented voters from casting their votes for about fifty minutes. The device stopped working due to a wire problem, which was later fixed.

The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration, said Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway, he added. (ANI)

1 pm - Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain told reporters that polling was on in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts. "We are live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security is properly deployed, and staff reached on time," he said. "We have given proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which encounter problems are changed in time so as to avoid any delay that was encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said. (PTI)

12: 45 pm - There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting places (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts. Voting in the 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat regions was otherwise proceeding peacefully, Election Commission officials said. (PTI)

12: 30 pm -

Former Cricketer Nayan Mongia casts his vote in Vadodara's Akota. Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile of BJP is contesting against Ranjit Sharadchandra Chavan of Congress here. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Euyyu1NwTY  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

12:20 pm - PM Modi reportedly held a roadshow after casting his vote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his finger marked with indelible ink as he leaves after casting his vote during the second phase of state Assembly elections at Ranip in Ahmedabad. (PTI)

12: 15 pm - 39 per cent voting recorded till 12 pm.

12: 10 pm - PM Modi flew from Mumbai where he commissioned INS Kalvari.

Ahmedabad: PM Modi arrives in Sabarmati's Ranip locality to cast his vote at booth number 115 #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/AzoL3Iu8Vx  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

11: 45 am -

11: 35 am -

Visuals from Ahmedabad's Sabarmati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cast his vote at booth number 115 here. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/bjj86USiO8  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

11: 20 am - Voter turnout till 9 am is at 7 per cent, according to TV reports.

Deputy CM Nitin Patel casts his vote in Mehsana's Kadi. He is contesting against Congress's Jivabhai Patel #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/rGXByV1vx1  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Congress state chief Bharatsinh Solanki casts his vote in polling booth no.201 in Anand #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Zf4nYkAOfT  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

11 am -

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain casts his vote in Gandhinagar. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/84S1dCWnZA  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

10: 45 am -

PAAS leader Hardik Patel casts his vote in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/lKsSnlDSuf  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

10: 30 am - Arun Jaitley came to the polling booth at the Naranpura sub-zonal office to cast vote along with his wife Sonal Shah and son Jay Shah. He said the development model of Gujarat is "praised across the country". "I believe this tempo should be maintained, and the people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model," he added. (PTI)

Main Gujarat ki janta se appeal karta hoon ki vo bhaari maatra mein aayen aur vote karein, vikas yatra ko qayam rakhein: FM Arun Jaitley after casting his vote in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur pic.twitter.com/3Il9KrEBq1  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

10: 15 am -

The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway: Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/0CDLpztp5x  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

10 am -

Shankersinh Vaghela cast his vote in Gandhinagar's Vasan village #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Rn9tEaZssb  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

9:20 am -

Parents of Hardik Patel Bharat Patel and Usha Patel cast their votes in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/pCiNOgB9Oa  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

9:10 am - PM Modi requested people to vote in recording numbers and enrich the festival of democracy.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

9 am -

BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/dFQyY5JIDQ  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

8:45 am - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are set to visit their constituencies to cast their votes. PM Modi is in Mumbai to dedicate India's first indigenous Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari. [READ FULL REPORT HERE]

8:00 am - Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins pic.twitter.com/YZAaAtMWL6

Repolling will be held tomorrow in two booths of Jamjodhpur constituency, two booths in Una, one in Nijjar, and one in Umargam.

7: 30 am - Voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from Vadodara's Kasba.Polling booth no.12 pic.twitter.com/2D23kHCOYO

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 per cent.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.

GANDHINAGAR: The second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly Elections saw a voter turnout of 68.70 per cent amid many complaints from voters to the Election Commission about the functioning of EVMs. The voting was also marred by the opposition's strong condemnation of PM Modi's alleged 'roadshow' after casting his vote. [READ FULL REPORT] After a slew of campaign rallies, polling for the second and final phase of the assembly elections began today morning when 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat went to polls. READ HERE | Gujarat Assembly Election 2017: All the highlights from Phase 1 of polling 851 candidates are in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people will take part in the election. The BJP has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91. READ BELOW: EC issues notice to Rahul Gandhi over TV interview BJP MLA who allegedly offered money says he doesn't care about the EC Voting will continue till 5 pm in more than 25,000 polling stations. Security has been increased in various parts of the state in the wake of the polls. The results will be declared on December 18. Here are the latest updates: 6:30 pm - 68.70 per cent total voting recorded in second and final phase of Gujarat polls. (ANI) 6:00 pm - Electronic Voting Machines being sealed after conclusion of #GujaratElection2017 ; Visuals from Gujarat's Viramgam pic.twitter.com/CK1pctesnE  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 5:30 pm - 62.24 per cent voting recorded till 4 pm. (ANI) 5:10 pm - Congress and BJP workers clashed during voting in Tower Bazar area in Gujarat's Anand, earlier and vehicles were vandalized during the protest. Police, however, reached the spot and the situation is now under control. 5:00 pm - Voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly Election ends. 4:50 pm - Concerned about double standard shown by EC today. EC has lost all objectivity&impartiality.But to issue a notice against one side&completely condone blatant violation of election code of conduct by other side,almost most astonishing thing we have seen from EC: S Tharoor,Congress pic.twitter.com/hXWyWnn13L  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 4:30 pm - The BJP delegation leaves from the office of the Election Commission of India. 4:10 pm - Senior officials of the Election Commission are checking the possible Bluetooth connectivity of EVMs at every booth. 4:00 pm - Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer, BB Swain also mentioned that a complaint was received, which said that apparently when a person switched on Bluetooth on his mobile phone, it connected to the EVMs. (ANI) 3:45 pm - "Have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of the vote. It is a complaint which is more anticipatory in nature which says a crowd was there and this could be a roadshow. This complaint has been given to DEO Ahmedabad," said Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer on the complaint by Congress against PM Modi. (ANI) 3:35 pm - Delhi: Police detains Congress workers who were marching to Election Commission in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote today pic.twitter.com/xGIveyyqnX  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 3:30 pm - 47.40% voter turnout recorded till 2 pm. 3:25 pm - "We are fighting against the BJP. Thus, it is natural that we will be supporting the Congress," said Hardik Patel. 3:10 pm - "It is a matter of happiness for me that I was the first voter to cast vote at my polling booth. We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society," Alpesh Thakor told reporters after coming out of the polling booth. (PTI) 3:00 pm - Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, the face of OBC community in Gujarat, cast their ballots at different polling stations in the Viramgam assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district. 2:45 pm - #GujaratElection2017 : All-women polling station in Vadodara, being managed completely by women pic.twitter.com/5kJR1VsvUY  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 2:30 pm - The Congress accused EC of becoming a "puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was breaking rules in a last bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat. [READ FULL REPORT] 2:10 pm - The Congress strongly objected to Modi's "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad which it said was a flagrant violation of the EC's model code of conduct. 1: 55 pm - Compared to phase 1, less than 50% cases of EVM replacements in phase 2. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer 1: 50 pm - Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/zwp8I5qjfB  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 1: 40 pm - READ HERE: Congress seeks EC's action against PM Modi, Amit Shah for violation of model of conduct PM Modi's road show after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. EC it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO: Ashok Gehlot,Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/CfDPtFlvDJ  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 1: 30 pm - A glitch in the EVM in Gujarats Chhota Udaipur today prevented voters from casting their votes for about fifty minutes. The device stopped working due to a wire problem, which was later fixed. The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration, said Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway, he added. (ANI) 1 pm - Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain told reporters that polling was on in more than 25,000 booths across 14 districts. "We are live web-casting from 1,700 booths. Security is properly deployed, and staff reached on time," he said. "We have given proper instructions to ensure that EVMs which encounter problems are changed in time so as to avoid any delay that was encountered during the first phase of polling," Swain said. (PTI) 12: 45 pm - There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting places (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts. Voting in the 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat regions was otherwise proceeding peacefully, Election Commission officials said. (PTI) 12: 30 pm - Former Cricketer Nayan Mongia casts his vote in Vadodara's Akota. Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile of BJP is contesting against Ranjit Sharadchandra Chavan of Congress here. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Euyyu1NwTY  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 12:20 pm - PM Modi reportedly held a roadshow after casting his vote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows his finger marked with indelible ink as he leaves after casting his vote during the second phase of state Assembly elections at Ranip in Ahmedabad. (PTI) 12: 15 pm - 39 per cent voting recorded till 12 pm. 12: 10 pm - PM Modi flew from Mumbai where he commissioned INS Kalvari. Ahmedabad: PM Modi arrives in Sabarmati's Ranip locality to cast his vote at booth number 115 #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/AzoL3Iu8Vx  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 11: 45 am - Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil casts his vote in Gandhinagar. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/f0EypF6Kmy  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 11: 35 am - Visuals from Ahmedabad's Sabarmati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cast his vote at booth number 115 here. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/bjj86USiO8  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 11: 20 am - Voter turnout till 9 am is at 7 per cent, according to TV reports. Deputy CM Nitin Patel casts his vote in Mehsana's Kadi. He is contesting against Congress's Jivabhai Patel #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/rGXByV1vx1  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 Congress state chief Bharatsinh Solanki casts his vote in polling booth no.201 in Anand #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Zf4nYkAOfT  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 11 am - Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain casts his vote in Gandhinagar. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/84S1dCWnZA  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 10: 45 am - PAAS leader Hardik Patel casts his vote in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/lKsSnlDSuf  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 10: 30 am - Arun Jaitley came to the polling booth at the Naranpura sub-zonal office to cast vote along with his wife Sonal Shah and son Jay Shah. He said the development model of Gujarat is "praised across the country". "I believe this tempo should be maintained, and the people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model," he added. (PTI) Main Gujarat ki janta se appeal karta hoon ki vo bhaari maatra mein aayen aur vote karein, vikas yatra ko qayam rakhein: FM Arun Jaitley after casting his vote in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur pic.twitter.com/3Il9KrEBq1  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 10: 15 am - The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway: Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/0CDLpztp5x  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 10 am - Shankersinh Vaghela cast his vote in Gandhinagar's Vasan village #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Rn9tEaZssb  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 9:20 am - Parents of Hardik Patel Bharat Patel and Usha Patel cast their votes in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/pCiNOgB9Oa  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 9:10 am - PM Modi requested people to vote in recording numbers and enrich the festival of democracy. Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017 9 am - BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/dFQyY5JIDQ  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 8:45 am - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are set to visit their constituencies to cast their votes. PM Modi is in Mumbai to dedicate India's first indigenous Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari. [READ FULL REPORT HERE] 8:00 am - Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins pic.twitter.com/YZAaAtMWL6  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 Repolling will be held tomorrow in two booths of Jamjodhpur constituency, two booths in Una, one in Nijjar, and one in Umargam. 7: 30 am - Voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from Vadodara's Kasba.Polling booth no.12 pic.twitter.com/2D23kHCOYO  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017 The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 per cent. In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.
Haven't bought your Thanksgiving turkey yet? A look at local prices.

While farms like Helgers in Tiverton have already sold out of turkeys, there are still frozen and fresh birds for sale at local markets.
Imaginea unui esec la granita cu Ucraina. Cum sunt deviate toate TIR-urile din Ucraina prin sate, pe un drum ingust si fara trotuare: Au crapat peretii casei
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

A few snow showers around this evening, otherwise mostly cloudy. Low 22F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

A few snow showers around this evening, otherwise mostly cloudy. Low 22F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Ford Motor Co has told suppliers it plans to shift production of midsize Fusion and Mondeo sedans out of Mexico and Spain in 2020 and move it to China, three sources said on Wednesday.

The automaker said it will not ship those cars from China to the United States and Europe.

Ford did not address the future of the plants in Hermosillo, Mexico and Valencia, Spain that currently build midsize sedans for the North American and European markets, respectively.

Ford said last month it would invest more than 750 million euros ($887 million) in Valencia to produce a new generation of its Kuga sport utility vehicle.

Recent Ford documents shared with suppliers show the automaker plans to shift some Focus and Mondeo production to China, and no longer list Hermosillo and Valencia as production sites, according to sources familiar with the company's plans.

Ford said in a statement "we have no plans to export the next-generation Fusion/Mondeo from China to North America and Europe. Fusion/Mondeo are an important part of the Ford car lineup. We will have more information to share about the next Fusion/Mondeo at a later date."

Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Hackett has taken a series of steps to cut the automaker's production costs, and shift the company's product lineup away from sedans toward sport utility and crossover vehicles, especially in North America.

Fusion sales in the United States are down 22 percent this year, while Mondeo sales in Europe are down 21 percent.

Ford in June said it would shift some production of its Focus small car from Mexico to China and import the vehicles to the United States.

Ford's latest moves come as U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants to significantly revamp or possibly exit the North American Free Trade Agreement that allows tariff-free shipments of vehicles to the United States from Mexico.

Last week, Ford said it plans to relocate production of a future battery electric vehicle to Cuatitlan, Mexico in 2020 to free up capacity at its Flat Rock, Michigan, plant to build self-driving vehicles in 2021.

Also Watch: All-New Volvo XC60 | First Drive Review | Cars18
New Delhi: Gone are the times when India was concerned about young and skilled workforce migrating to apparent greener fields in search of better work opportunities, education and other development-based advantages the West has over India. The Narendra Modi government is mulling on a policy to facilitate skilled workforce to find employment abroad, a full cycle from its earlier apprehensions on brain-drain.

The policy plans to make it easier for masons, carpenters and plumbers, among other skilled persons, to get jobs overseas by laying a roadmap that will track the requirement of such professionals abroad as well as the certifications required in different countries.

As of now, the skill development and entrepreneurship ministry is planning to present the policy to the Union cabinet for its approval.

One has to understand the importance of the move that the government is taking up. The entire concept of retaining workforce so that the country has enough stock is being negated. It is a very forward looking approach. What this does is it comes back to the country as remittances. More than just monetary benefits, it reflects India opening up to opportunities beyond borders, said Kris Lakshmikanth, chief executive officer and managing director, Head Hunters India, a job portal.

In a report published last year by tax and advisory firm, Grant Thornton, used by the government of Madhya Pradesh for analysis, remittances have seen a late decline after a constant upscale for the last 10 years. However, demand for Indian workforce overseas has been on the rise. World Bank data recognizes the fall in remittances as well, despite which India has the highest remittance return in the world.

Remittance, here, is a sum of money sent back to the home-country from employees working abroad.

Last year, the government announced launch of 50 India International Skill Centres in partnership between skill development and entrepreneurship ministry and ministry of external affairs to train youth under the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

However, the lack of adequate information from across the globe on the kind of skills required and the basic minimum certification needed for placements kept Indians away from bagging jobs abroad.

Rising demand for Indian workers abroad can be ascertained by the number of vacancy and admitted ratio we have seen in the recent past. By this we mean, that multi-national companies that come up with vacancies for various posts open for foreign nationals have a lot of Indians bagging the job. According to us one of the more important reasons behind Indians doing well abroad is the work-culture in the country. Somehow, Indians tend to work more, said a spokesperson of Naukri.com, a job portal.

The move comes in line with the Prime Ministers vision to impart skills to 50 crore youth by 2022.

The motive behind the formulation of the policy is to increase the employability and acceptability of Indian youth on global platforms while ensuring they get the respect and remuneration they deserve.

According to the report cited above, on an average, skilled and unskilled workers migrate to different countries when looking for a job. People with technical skills and professional expertise migrate to countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, EU and Australia as permanent migrants. These workers usually take up healthcare, management, financial services or information technology jobs.

Semi-skilled workers on the other hand migrate mostly to oil exporting countries of the Middle East on temporary contracts.

Migrants at the lower end of the market comprise mostly unskilled casual labourers or those who own or hire small means of livelihood such as carts or rickshaws and are self-employed who look to move to the Middle East majorly Saudi Arabia and UAE in search of construction and retail trade jobs as these economies offer more jobs due to shortage of labour in the region. They are economically sound countries offering better standard of living and income to unskilled labourers as compared to India, added the spokesperson of Naukri.com.

The leading Indian states for outward labour migration included Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Together, these states accounted for over 80% of the migration from India at 678,644 outward migrants. Uttar Pradesh was the top contributor at 230,000 outward migrants.

While the government is working towards the facilitation, there are hurdles for Indian job-seekers especially when it comes to Europe and the United States of America.

The most sought-after H-1B and L1 visa, needed for working in the US specifically used by the large group of Indian IT employees has tighter norms now than ever before, in line with the American President Donald Trumps goal to protect domestic workers from discrimination and replacement by foreign labour.

Similar decisions have been taken in the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Analysts however feel despite the visa issue Indian workers are in demand overseas and with the government pushing the same, the demand will only go up.

Spokesperson of Sony Corporation, a Japan-based multinational company said, there are a lot more Indian nationals in our overseas branches than most other countries. The demand depends on the skill-set but we do have a lot of Indians applying.

The migration trend has experienced a relative shift from prosperous states such as Kerala and Karnataka to poorer states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to the excessive and sudden population growth in these states, leading to a high demand for jobs. Moreover, wage rates, particularly for low-skilled workers, in states like Kerala are fairly high compared with the rates in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This situation encourages low-skilled and less educated workers in poorer states to migrate abroad in hopes of earning greater income.

The key drivers for outward migration include low wages in India, growing working-age population and low employment generation rate.

Multiple reports point at the average yearly minimum wage in Europe, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Australia at over $1,600, which is over 850% of the Indian monthly minimum wage ($175). However, a major challenge for the Indian economy is the generation of adequate employment for the fast growing working-age population.

Spokesperson of Tata Group said, We not only take our Indian employees abroad but have stationed a significant lot in our overseas offices mostly in the United Kingdom. There is not only demand there is need for Indian everywhere.

Addressing the fact that India will have surplus manpower of four-five crore over the next decade, Modi had emphasised at the launch of the Skill India Mission in 2015 on the need to provide this youthful manpower with skills and ability to tackle global challenges, and had warned that the demographic dividend would otherwise become a challenge in itself.
Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Britain's Vodafone to initiate a second arbitration process under an India-UK investment pact over New Delhi's tax demand for more than $2 billion arising out of a deal that was struck a decade ago.

Vodafone, the world's second-largest mobile operator, entered India in 2007 by acquiring Hutchison Whampoa's wireless assets. It is contesting a tax bill of more than $2 billion relating to that acquisition.

Separately, Vodafone has already initiated an arbitration process under India's investment pact with the Netherlands.
Mumbai: Industrial conglomerates GE and the Tata Group have entered into a pact to manufacture "CFM International LEAP" engine components in India, for the global supply chain, a company statement said in Mumbai on Thursday.

According to the statement, the two companies also evinced their intention to jointly pursue military engine and aircraft system opportunities for the India market.

"We look forward to working with GE to build more expertise and strengthen India's defence manufacturing capabilities," said N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons.

"Tata group's partnership with GE will help drive synergies in defence manufacturing and focus on innovation to support our armed forces," he added.

The strategic partnership envisages GE Aviation and Tata Sons' subsidiary, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), to join forces for "manufacturing, assembling, integration and testing of aircraft components".

Accordingly, a new Centre of Excellence (COE) will be established to help develop a robust ecosystem for aircraft engine manufacturing in India and build related capabilities.

"Tata Group is a leader in the Indian defence and aerospace sector, and we look forward to working together to meet the growing demand for LEAP engines. Our collaboration in building innovative technologies will support the 'Make in India' vision of the Indian government," said John L. Flannery, Chairman and CEO of GE.

The "LEAP" is one of the world's leading jet engines known for its technological superiority, efficient fuel consumption and performance for powering single-aisle commercial jets.

Traditionally, GE military engines have had a strong history in India. The company currently provides jet engines and marine gas turbines for many Indian military applications including the Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas Mk 1, Indian Navy P-8I aircraft and the P-17 Shivalik class frigates.

On the other hand, TASL is focused on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Thursday sought to clear the air around its order banning the chanting of mantras or jaykaras in Amarnath and stated that they had not declared the pilgrimage site a silent zone and that restrictions would not be applicable to aarti and other rituals.

On Wednesday, an NGT bench headed by Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had said that there should be no ringing of bells in the cave temple, situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres in Jammu and Kashmir.

The green tribunal order was faced with severe criticism, including some from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who termed the order a "Tughlaki fatwa" (whimsical whip) and said Hindus were not responsible for every ecological problem on earth.

However, on Thursday, the NGT stated that Amarnath has not been declared a silent zone and that silence restrictions will not apply on aarti and other rituals.

The bench headed by Justice Kumar also stated that the only restriction would be that devotees will maintain silence in front of the shivling. The order would not be applicable to any other part. Also, a one-way queue will be maintained.

The NGT bench reiterated that these directions would help in maintaining the sanctity of the cave and ensure no adverse noise impacts the shivling.

In its earlier order on Wednesday, the court had stated that pilgrims would have to deposit all mobile phones and belongings at the last check post. The tribunal asked the shrine authorities to consider building a separate room where people could keep their belongings.

To this VHP international president Pravin Togadia reacted saying, We appeal to the Government of India to stop hurting the Hindu religious sentiments all the time for one or the other reason and to get the NGT to withdraw such a Tughlaki fatwa at once.

Last month, the NGT had imposed similar directions on the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. It had also limited the number of pilgrims at the shrine at 50,000 a day. The green tribunal had also directed the authorities to construct a new path exclusively for pedestrians and fine pilgrims who are found littering with an aim to prevent any stampede or untoward incident.

In 2012, the apex court had taken suo motu cognizance of media reports claiming a rise in casualties due to lack of infrastructure and medical facilities and had set up a high-powered committee to recommend measures to prevent casualties during the Amarnath pilgrimage. The panel had senior officials from the Centre, J&K government, security forces and the shrine board.
Jaipur: From now, all official letterheads of the Rajasthan government will carry a photograph of RSS icon Deen Dayal Upadhyay next to the image of the Ashoka Pillar.

The Vasundhara Raje administration issued a circular to the effect this week to mark the extended centenary celebrations of the Jan Sangh founder and the fourth anniversary of the state government.

The ruling BJPs elected representatives have already been using the RSS ideologues photo on their letterheads following communication to this effect from party leadership in August this year.

A copy of the circular issued by the Rajasthan government.

The move has come under criticism from the Congress with the partys Rajasthan unit chief Sachin Pilot saying it was against the norms. "This is preposterous that a person who had never held any constitutional post will feature on the government machinery. They have right to commemorate their leader within the limits of the party fold but taking it to government is against the norms," a report in Times of India quoted Pilot as saying.

While Rajasthan becomes the first state to include Deen Dayal Upadhyays photo on letterheads, the RSS leaders photo has been used on the central governments letterhead as well. In October, The Telegraph had reported that HRD minister Prakash Javadekar had used Upadhyays photo on his official letterhead.
New Delhi: In a boost to the rights of transgender persons, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to amend the definition of the word transgender in keeping with the recommendation of the standing committe on the transgender persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016.

The word "neither wholly male nor female" to describe a transgender person has been removed, as per the advice of the Standing Committee.

The Supreme Court in 2014 recognised the community as a third gender entitled to the same rights and constitutional protection as other citizens.

It called for an end to discrimination based on gender against those who do not conform to the gender assigned to them at birth. The court also ruled that transgender persons had a right to make decisions about themselves, express themselves and participate in community life.

Earlier, the bill defined a transgender person as one who is partly female or male; or a combination of female and male; or neither female nor male. The source from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said, "The recommendations were looked into and changes have been incorporated."

The Bill with changes will be tabled in the Parliament for the Winter Session starting December 15.

The Committee, chaired by the BJP Member of Lok Sabha, Ramesh Bais, includes 17 Lok Sabha Members and 10 Rajya Sabha Members. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 2, 2016 and referred to the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment on September 8, 2016, for examination and report.

On November 23, signature campaign was launched which was supported by 73 rights organisations within India and 43 from across the world.

The Bill was rejected by the groups for being 'trans-exclusionary and regressive'. There were protests on social media and streets, letters were sent to the PMO and Ministry of Social Justice. Various NGOs and experts like Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, Amnesty International, Lawyers Collective, All India Hijra Transgender Samiti, and Dr Kaveri Rajaraman appeared before the committee to express their views and make submissions.

Among other recommendations incorporated in the Bill, as suggested by the Standing Committee, "New clause defining family has been included. The government will recognise the group they live with as family, also no transgender person including a child shall be separated from parents or immediate family on the ground of being transgender except on order of competent court. Earlier child was not mentioned," added the source.

The Bill now has provision for coverage of medical expenses for transgender people allowing them to go for sex reassignment surgery, hormonal therapy and other issues. National Council, proposed in the bill, has now also been authorised to redress the grievances of the transgender persons.

The source added that Provision of recommendation required from district screening committee for issuance of certificate (if there is any change in the gender of transgender person after issuance of certificate) has been done away with.

Also, now every establishment, irrespective of how many people are employed there, will have to designate a person as complaint officer. Earlier, only establishments with 100 or more people could provide for setting up for the office of complaint officer.

"Now this minimum requirement of 100 persons in any establishment for having a complaint officer has been removed, even if you have 10 members you have to have a CO," added the source.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi converted an informal and entirely innocent dinner hosted by Mani Shankar Aiyar at his New Delhi residence on December 6 into a controversy and an election issue in Gujarat.

He didn't even spare former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has responded with an angry, outraged rejoinder. Since I was one of the guests present at the now famous dinner and voting is over in Gujarat, let me put the record straight.

The dinner was held because Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri was going to be in town for a private visit to attend a wedding. Kasuri was Pakistan's Foreign Minister when General Parvez Musharraf was Pakistan's President.

Kasuri is known to be a "dove" as far as Indo-Pak relations are concerned, and he has written a book, detailing how close the two countries were in coming to an agreement on the Kashmir issue when he was Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Manmohan Singh Indias Prime Minister.

Kasuri and Aiyar were contemporaries at Cambridge University in the early 1960s, hence their friendship goes back to their undergraduate days.

Aiyar must have felt that Kasuri's visit to Delhi would be a good occasion to get his like-minded friends together for an exchange of views on Indo-Pak ties, in an informal setting. Hence, he invited several former Indian high commissioners to Islamabad and other retired senior diplomats. Among the invitees were also Manmohan Singh, former Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, former army chief General Deepak Kapoor, the present Pakistan High Commissioner to New Delhi, and three journalists, of which I was one.

Except for the politicians, nobody was from the Congress Party. And there was nothing "secret" about the meeting. With a former Prime Minister and Vice President coming, along with a former Pakistan Foreign Minister, our intelligence agencies must have been fully aware of the dinner.

There were around 15 of us, I think. The names of those present were printed out and each person had an assigned chair in the living room. The topic of discussion was Indo-Pak relations, and the format was that everybody would get a few minutes each to share his views on the topic, after which Kasuri would respond. As Kasuris flight was delayed, it was decided we would start and he would join us later, which he did. Neither Manmohan Singh, nor the Pakistan High Commissioner took any part in the discussion. They simply listened. Not a single reference was made to the Gujarat election, not even to current domestic politics. Needless to say Kashmir was discussed, but only in relation to Indo-Pak ties. In my view, it was a frank, fruitful and valuable exchange of views on a subject of great concern to all those present.

How this was later falsely and insidiously interpreted in certain quarters as some sort of "conspiracy", in collusion with Pakistan, to interfere in the Gujarat election and, what's more, to install Ahmed Patel as chief minister of Gujarat beats me! One can therefore understand Manmohan Singh's outraged reaction and his strong refutation of Prime Minister Modi's false accusation. In effect, Modi was calling Manmohan Singh a traitor who was colluding with Pakistan in interfering in the internal affair of India, as well as accusing all of us who were present at the dinner of anti-national, treasonable, activities. How absurd and how irresponsible!

Let me take this a little further. If Modi really believes what he said, shouldn't Kasuri and the Pakistan High Commissioner be forthwith expelled from India, and necessary action taken against all of us who were present at the dinner, including our former Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and army chief?

I think Modi should have the grace to admit that he has made a mistake and to apologise, if not to the others at the dinner party, at least to Manmohan Singh. That is the least a responsible Prime Minister should do. The apology should also come from Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad, both of whom publicly endorsed what Modi had said.

I would like to add a brief note on Mani Shankar Aiyar, the centre of the storm. We have known each other since our school days, and we were together in college and university. His wife, Suneet, a Sikh, like myself, is also an old and close friend. My friendship with her goes back before she married Mani Shankar. Mani did something in mid-career that few of us have the guts to do: He left a successful career in the diplomatic service, and joined politics to serve the country in a more meaningful way. I often wish more of us who are educated and comfortable, yet concerned about the well-being and progress of our nation, would do the same. I think Indian politics would have been better if that had happened.

Be that as it may, Mani is one of the most honest men I know, with utmost integrity. He is also outspoken, to the extent that what he sometimes says is misunderstood and gets him into trouble. That is his nature. But he has the kind of values all of us need to cherish and to promote in our multi-cultural and multi-religion nation: Belief in democracy, in secularism, and in humanism.

(Rahul Singh is a former Editor of the 'Reader's Digest' and 'Indian Express')
Hyderabad: 'Pearl City' Hyderabad hosts the World Telugu Conference (WTC) from December 15th -19th to promote the rich heritage and culture of Telugu language.

The event is being organised at a time when "language war" hits many South Indian states and efforts are on to safeguard and promote regional language, literature and culture.

The grand event will be inaugurated by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. During the five day conference, over 8,000 delegates from across the world will gather to discuss how to promote, enrich and preserve Telugu language. President Ramanath Kovind will be the chief guest at the Valedictory function of the conference.

Gearing up for the event, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has taken up beautification of the city around LB Stadium which will be the main venue for the program. Major junctions, parks, roads, buildings across the city have been decorated with lights.

The walls in the city have been painted by artists that showcase Telangana's rich culture to the entire world. Colorful arches showcasing Telangana's history and culture have also been displayed across the city.

Special stalls would be set up to showcase the history of Telangana, its literature, food and handicrafts etc. There are also plans to screen documentaries on Telangana during the five day event. The delegates would also get a taste of authentic Telangana cuisine.

Apart from LB Stadium, cultural and literary events will also be held at Ravindra Bharathi, Telugu University and other auditoriums.

Over 900 Telugu poets would participate in a Kavi Sammelan during the conference. Apart from poetry recitals, there would be musical concerts and some big names from the film industry are likely to participate.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has instructed the district collectors to provide free travel and food facility to the Telugu Pandits, teachers, and members of the literary organisations and literature lovers who would be attending the WTC from various districts of the state. The government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore for the event.

Earlier, the chief minister had ordered that Telugu language would be made compulsory subject from 1st to 12th standard in all educational institutions in the state. He also instructed that all private and public institutions must display their organisations name in Telugu on signboards.
Thiruvanathapuram: The lone accused in the Jisha rape and murder case, a migrant labourer from Assam, was sentenced to death on Tuesday by a sessions court in Ernakulam.

Ameerul Islam will serve 10 years for rape and death for murder. Sentences will run concurrently. The judge while reading out the quantum of punishment said it was a "rarest of rare case and Islam did not deserve any mercy.

Islam was convicted of the charges of rape, murder, illegal confinement, and trespassing on Tuesday. He is now being shifted to Viyyur Central Prison.

Reacting to the sentence, Jishas mother said,No woman should face what my daughter had to.

The Special Public Prosecutor NK Unnikrishnan had said that the injuries meted out to Jisha was such that the case did not warrant the accused to be granted any mercy.

Islam's lawyer had submitted a petition for reinvestigation, saying that Islam did not understand the language in which questions were asked to him. However, the court dismissed the petition.

During the quantum of sentence hearing, prosecution argued that the case is rarest of the rare and drew parallels with the Nirbhaya case.

The Jisha rape and murder case shook Kerala and was a major issue in the 2016 Assembly elections in the state.

Jisha was found murdered at her home on April 28, 2016.

Islam was found guilty under Section 342 of IPC (trespass), 342 (wrongful confinement) , 376 (rape), 376 (a) (causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim), and 302 (murder).

Jisha, a 30-year-old Dalit woman, was found murdered at her home in Perumbavoor, Ernakulam, on April 28 last year.

Islam used to work near the victims home. The police had made a case that witnesses had seen Islam near Jishas residence on the day of the murder.

The trial which spanned over two and a half months since the hearing began on April 4, 2017, saw the prosecution examine over 100 witnesses, including 15 migrant labourers, and presented 290 documents and 36 material pieces of evidence.

The case was a major issue during the 2016 Assembly elections in Kerala. The opposition had targeted the UDF government government for having failed to ensure security for women and that the state lacked in providing basic law and order decorum.

The case had also highlighted the need for a stricter monitoring mechanism for migrant labourers.
New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has asked student activist Shehla Rashid to appear for a proctoral inquiry over her claims on Twitter about "Internet censorship" on the campus, a move termed unprecedented by her and other student leaders.

Rashid, a former JNU students' union vice president, said on Thursday that she would not appear before the proctor on December 19 as the varsity administration "does not have a jurisdiction over" her tweets.

This was "probably the first notice" anyone had received for social media posts, she added.

She also posted an image of the notice from the office of the chief proctor, dated December 7, on Twitter. She said she received the notice by email yesterday.

"A complaint dated 23.11.2017 against you, has been received in the Chief Proctor Office... It has been alleged that you were claiming on social media site (Twitter) regarding content blocking on the JNU Campus Wi-Fi.

"You are directed to appear for the hearing before the Proctor on 19th December...to explain your position," according to the notice.

"I have decided not to argue with them on the merits of the case, but on the grounds of purview," she said, adding that she would send a written representation.

On November 11, Rashid tweeted, "Students can't access content from AIB, The Wire, NDTV, YouTube videos related to student movements. Keyword search related to Mamata Bannerjee, Rahul Gandhi, Shehla Rashid, (Arvind) Kejriwal, Kanhaiya (Kumar) censored!!!"

Backing Rashid, the JNU Students' Union said in a statement it "condemns this act of punishing dissenters and whistleblowers by the VC through the office of Proctor".

A student leader said the action against Rashid was unprecedented.

JNU Chief Proctor Kaushal Kumar, Registrar Pramod Kumar, Rector I Chintamani Mahapatra did not respond to calls.
GUJARAT ELECTIONS

The voting for the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls 2017 has begun. Follow all the live updates here:

The campaigning in Gujarat was quite an interesting one. The Congress party, decimated in Uttar Pradesh by the BJP, rose from nowhere and made Modis party work for every vote on its own turf. By the end of the campaign, Modi had traversed 28,000 kms in his own state, the last leg of it on a seaplane, rallying votes for his party that has been in power for over two decades. News18 charts out the paths taken by the two leaders  Rahul and Modi in their quest to win Gujarat.

The Election Commission issued a showcause notice to Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi after TV channels in poll-bound Gujarat aired his interview in alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hit back at successor PM Narendra Modi, accusing him of spreading "falsehood and canards" to score political points and seeking an apology for his "ill-thought transgression". Singh put out a video message to attack Modi over his remarks insinuating that the Congress leader colluded with Pakistan in the polls, and said it was unfair to question the nationalism of public servants.

Watch the episode of Face-Off with Zakka Jacob where he discusses Congress Manmohan Singh video weapon.

RECOVERING FROM CYCLONE OCKHI

The cyclone has passed, but the little hamlet of Thoothoor at the fag end of Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district is helpless and angry, yet to come to grips with its missing men. Official figures put the number of missing at 412 in Kanyakumari alone, though the fishermen community claim the number is almost double that.

ROHIT SHARMA'S STELLAR PERFORMANCE

India registered a strong comeback victory in the second one-day international as they thrashed Sri Lanka by 141 runs to tie the three-match series at 1-1. Stand-in Indian captain Rohit Sharma made a huge statement as he slammed his third ODI double-century, second against Sri Lanka, to guide his team to an easy win.

Giving more ammunition to the ruling Congress party, a senior Karnataka BJP leader was caught in a video, asking party workers not to refrain from lying if you have to. Watch the video here.

GST VS BITCOIN

Indians, it seems, were more stumped by GST than they were by the concept of bitcoins this year. A compilation of the top trends for 2017, released by Google Trends showed What is GST as the top searched phrase in India under the What is category. It was followed by What is bitcoin.

AADHAAR LINKING

March 31, 2018 is the new deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts.

CHABAHAR PORT

Does India's new offshore port change the strategic and economic game in South Asia vis-a-vis China and Pakistan or is there still more hype than truth to India's rise as a regional giant? News18.com looks at the ramifications of the Chabahar Port Project, its competition with Pakistan's Gwadar and the fractures underneath the India-Iran friendship that forms the cornerstone of this initiative.

ON REEL

When Kapil Sharma and Ishita Dutta paid a visit to News18.com, we thought why not ask the Firangi stars to give an English twist to some of the iconic scenes from Bollywood films? Sit back and enjoy as Kapil and Ishita try not to get lost in translation!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nbJU-80X10

(Get a fresh dose of the news that matters, delivered directly to your inbox, every morning. The perfect way, to get you started and informed, for the day ahead. Subscribe to News18 Daybreak here.)
Do you foresee India fighting a full-scale conventional war in the near future? is a question often asked of me during informal interactions. My reply is generally in the negative, and the next question which inevitable follows is, Then why is the Indian military always clamouring for a larger defence budget?

Taken at face value, there is some justification in this argument. Indias defence budget is the fifth-largest in the world, and military expenditure certainly impacts on development programmes which are aimed at lifting Indias 224 million people out of poverty. Under these circumstances, it is also politically expedient to suppress defence spending.

However, we must also consider the larger question of Indias future trajectory in the world order. To be recognised as a major global player, India has to maximise its national power. A states national power is a combination of military, economic, technical, demographic and soft power. These are all important for a nation, but as John J. Mearsheimer, the author of the offensive realist theory, points out, In international politics...a states effective power is ultimately a function of its military forces and how they compare with the military forces of rival states.

I am not underplaying the importance of economic strength because without wealth, military power cannot be built. But wealth by itself does not bring global or even regional dominance. Japan is a clear example. Despite being the second largest economy in the world, it was never considered an international power because of its small military and the outsourcing of its security to the Americans. On the other hand, Soviet Union, with its military might, was one of the two superpowers. Even today, Russia with a GDP which is less than one-tenth of the United States, is posing a challenge to the latter in Europe and Syria. Chinas economic rise was seen largely as peaceful until the time it started significantly upgrading its military capability.

Military power is meant not only for fighting wars but also for deterring them. President Roosevelt called the U.S. Navy as, an infinitely more potent factor for peace than all the peace societies of every kind and sort. A strong military enhances international credibility and strengthens a countrys position in bilateral and international negotiations. It enables a countrys leader to impose his will on the adversary.

China has been Indias main rival and for decades has sought to undermine Indias influence. In his book, The Grand Chessboard, published 20 years ago, Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote, Geography is...an important factor driving Chinese interests in making an alliance with Pakistan and establishing a military presence in Burma. In both cases, India is the geostrategic target. Close military cooperation with Pakistan increases Indias security dilemma and limits Indias ability to establish itself as a regional hegemon in South Asia and as a geopolitical rival to China.

Even as China has followed a remarkably consistent geostrategic approach, Indias security focus has remained inward looking, perhaps due to the many insurgencies which the country has faced since its independence. Therefore, the political and bureaucratic elite have tended to see the employment of Indian military power either for tackling internal conflicts, which is being successfully done, or for direct war fighting, which is today considered unlikely. The military leadership, isolated from decision making, has been unable to present a coherent and convincing plan on future force structures and capability development.

As a result, years of financial neglect have chipped away at Indias military capability. The problems in the three services are too well known to warrant a repetition here. Despite this, the prevailing view in the countrys leadership appears to be that the military will have to live with the current budgetary levels. This will seriously impact national security in the long run. The Border Roads Organisation could be transformed into the most efficient unit in the country but strategic roads to the Chinese border will continue to face delays unless the annual allocation of funds for roads is significantly increased.

Chinas defence budget is already three times the size of Indias and is set to grow to four times by 2020. Unless measures are taken by India, this gap will continue to increase and disparity between the military capabilities of the two countries will become too large to be bridged. This disparity will obviously impact on the future of India-China strategic balance.

To be fair, the government is not completely to blame. The three services also need to take a hard look at their current force structures, new technologies and the changing nature of warfare. There is too much focus on numbers  of squadrons, ships, tanks, divisions  rather than capability. This has pushed up revenue expenditures, particularly in the case of Army which in the last budget had only 17% of its total allocation for capital purchases.

Manpower has become the main focus. The redeployment of about 57,000 officers and other ranks, as recommended by the Shekatkar Committee, is touted as a big and far-reaching reform process being initiated in the Army for the first time after independence. There is little visible action in the fields of information warfare, cyber warfare, Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and robotics, all of which will have a major impact on future wars. The American military is estimated to be funding approximately 80 per cent of all AI research in the United States. We are still struggling with providing a rifle and bulletproof jackets for the infantry soldier.

Joseph Nye developed the concept of soft power being as important as hard power but even he acknowledges that military power provides a degree of security that is to order as oxygen is to breathing: little noticed until it becomes scarce, at which point its absence dominates all else. The nature of Indias civil-military relations has prevented regular consultation between the military and political leadership for crafting of a comprehensive national security strategy. They must now come together to seriously work on a plan to build a future military in line with Indias global aspirations.

(The author is former Northern Commander, Indian Army, under whose leadership India carried out surgical strikes against Pakistan in 2016. Views are personal.)
New Delhi: Breaking the glass ceiling, a Parsi woman has secured the right to enter Zoroastrian fire temple even though she married into a different religion.

On Thursday, Parsi Anjuman Trust in Valsad gave an undertaking before the Supreme Court that it would let petitioner Goolrokh M Gupta, who married a Hindu, to enter fire temple or 'tower of silence'.

Senior advocate Gopal Subamanium, appearing for the Trust, told a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra about the favourable decision.

The lawyer said that there would be no hindrance in women entering the fire temple managed by the Trust, to offer prayer.

As far as the issue regarding the second 'tower of silence' for participating in the funeral is concerned, the Bench said that it would take it up on January 17.

Goolrokh moved the top court in an appeal against the Gujarat High Court order that has affirmed the Trust's decision not to let Parsi women enter the fire temple if they married into other religions.

The Trust had also announced that it would not allow her to enter the fire temple for the last rites of her parents when they die. Goolrokh's parents are alive and in their 80s.

The HC upheld the view that even though Goolrokh married under the Special Marriage Act, she ceased to be a Parsi. The matter was referred to the apex court's Constitution Bench as it involved the fundamental right to practice any religion.

Appearing for Goolrokh in the apex court, senior lawyer Indira Jaising argued that her client had every "right to be present at the funeral of her parents" and the freedom of faith cannot be curtailed by any person, including the State, much less a religious trust.

Prima facie, the bench had also agreed with her on a previous date when it observed that a woman cannot lose her religious identity only because she married into some other religion.

Jaising pressed for an authoritative judgement on the issue, maintaining it would have a bearing on another important issue  the rights of Hindu women to enter the Sabarimala temple.

Women in the age group of 10-50 years are barred from the Kerala shrine on the grounds that presiding deity is a celibate. The Sabarimala issue has been referred to a Constitution Bench that is yet to be constituted.
London: One of the "Chennai Six" group of ex-British soldiers jailed in India was dragged to a psychiatric hospital and force-fed anti-psychotic tablets during his time in jail, a London court considering whether to extradite tycoon Vijay Mallya was told on Thursday.

Mallya, 61, is wanted in India on fraud and money-laundering charges relating to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines and Indian authorities want to recover about $1.4 billion they say Kingfisher owes.

The businessman, co-owner of the Force India Formula One team, who moved to Britain in March last year, says the case him is politically motivated and is fighting extradition on several grounds, including a claim that jail conditions in India are incompatible with British human rights laws.

As part of this, his lawyer quizzed prison conditions expert Dr Alan Mitchell about a conversation he had had two days ago with one of the former British soldiers who had been held for four years in India on weapons-smuggling charges after the vessel they were working on strayed into Indian waters in 2013.

The soldiers were released from jail in Chennai after a successful appeal and began arriving back in Britain last week.

The ex-soldier, named only as "A", said he had been grabbed by 15 prison guards and prisoners and taken to a psychiatric hospital because he had been "excessively walking" around the prison, Mitchell told London's Westminster Magistrate Court.

"While in the psychiatric hospital, he stated he was tied up, gagged, he was beaten and he was forcibly injected. In addition he described being force-fed anti-psychotic tablets that he managed to spit out," Mitchell said.

Asked by Mallya's lawyer Clare Montgomery about assurances given over the treatment of Mallya, who she said had diabetes, coronary artery disease and sleep apnoea, Mitchell said the British government had likewise told parliament that the Chennai Six were being well looked after.

"Despite assurances having been given in parliament, 'A' was extremely disappointed by what effect the involvement of the High Commission and the UK government had on conditions in which he and his fellow prisoners were held," he said.

Mark Summers, the lawyer representing the Indian government, said Mitchell's evidence involved an uncorroborated account which could be used as a "platform for a compensation claim against the UK government".

He said conditions in Chennai would bear no relation to the jail in Mumbai where Mallya would be held.
New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said steel pipes will be used for irrigation instead of canal system, a move aimed at cutting down on land acquisition costs and promoting innovations.

The transport and water resources minister, who was addressing a Moroccan delegation -- led by its Minister for Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water Abdelkader Amara -- also said that India was keen to strengthening ties with the African nation.

"In one part of India, we have lots of water and the other faces shortages. Water conservation is important here and we are encouraging innovations and technologies. Now we have taken a decision that in place of canal system we will use steel pipes supplying water for irrigation. We are saving the cost of land acquisition," Gadkari said.

He said land acquisition has become a costly proposition in New Delhi and by using steel pipes not only sufficient savings will be there but the output will be more than double.

"We are accepting lots of technologies in water resources ministry. We are encouraging drip irrigation. We are now planning for river connectivity. We will take water where we need it," Gadkari, who also holds portfolios of shipping and Ganga rejuvenation ministries, said.

He said India is also keen on strengthening ties in the areas of highways, shipping and agriculture with neighbouring nations which also include 6,000 MW Pancheshwar multi-purpose project in Nepal.

"We are in a position to provide all types of successful practices for making of DPRs (detailed project reports) and other things from professional agency. We are conducting a big dam in Afghanistan," he said.

Gadkari said Morocco is situated at a distance of barely 14 km of Europe "is really a good potential area" for projects.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already accorded highest priority to infrastructure development in the country that includes Rs 7 lakh crore Bharatmala project for highways and Rs 14 lakh crore Sagarmala project for port-led economic development in the country.

Earlier Gadkari and Moroccon delegation discussed matters relating to India-Morocco bilateral cooperation in road transport, water resources and the marine sectors.

The two countries also signed and exchanged an MoU on cooperation in the field of water resources, agreement to establish cooperation between Indian Maritime University (IMU) and Higher Institute of Maritime Studies of Morocco, a framework agreement for Cooperation in Training between the National Ports Agency of Morocco and the IMU and cooperation Framework Agreement between the Institute of Training in Engines and Road Maintenance of Morocco and Indian Academy of Highway Engineers.
New Delhi: Vistara has informed aviation regulator DGCA that actor Zaira Wasim's mother did not want to register a complaint about the alleged molestation of the actor on-board its flight, an airline source said.

The airline has informed the watchdog about it in the final investigation report into the incident submitted earlier this week.

One Vikas Sachdev was arrested following the incident onboard a Delhi-Mumbai flight on December 9.

In its final report, the airline has said the actor's mother did not want to register a complaint when she was asked by the airline crew, the source said.

According to the source, the airline is also evaluating the possibility of setting up an internal panel to look into various aspects related to unruly passenger behaviour as per guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The detailed probe report was prepared by the airline after talking to all the people concerned about the incident, including Wasim, crew and ground handling staff.

Vistara spokesperson was not immediately available for comment about the probe report.

"We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night. We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway," the airline had said in a statement on December 10.

The Dangal actor, who had narrated her ordeal on the Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai on Instagram, had said that a passenger sitting behind her put his feet on her armrest.

In the video, which Wasim recorded immediately after deboarding the flight, the 17-year-old actor broke down several times.
R Bindu also said the quality of education in Kerala had not dipped contrary to the opposition's claims.
CHICAGO: Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek has joined the ranks of Hollywood women accusing movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, calling him a "monster" in an article published by the New York Times on Tuesday.

"For years, he was my monster," Hayek wrote in the opinion piece in which she included descriptions of sexual harassment, bullying and threats.

Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, reached by email on Wednesday, said she could not immediately provide a comment.

More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the accusations against Weinstein.

Hayek spokeswoman Samantha Hill said in an emailed reply to a request for comment on Wednesday, "The piece that Salma penned is the extent of what she has to say at this time."

Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by Weinstein.

Hayek wrote in the article that she was inspired to share her experiences after other women came forward. Her account largely centred around the time she was involved with making the 2002 film, Frida, in which she portrayed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Hayek wrote that she was pleased to have the opportunity to work with Weinstein and Miramax, which he then owned, because it was "synonymous with quality, sophistication and risk taking in films." But, she wrote, she found herself rebuffing sexual advances and requests from Weinstein.

"No to letting him give me oral sex," Hayek wrote as one of several examples. "And with every refusal came Harvey's Machiavellian rage."

Hayek wrote that Weinstein was threatening to shut down the production of "Frida" and that he pressured her into doing a sex scene with another woman in the film. Hayek said that when she went to film the scene, "... for the first and last time in my career, I had a nervous breakdown."

The actress, who called Weinstein a "passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster," wrote, "I never showed Harvey how terrified I was of him."

"Until there is equality in our industry, with men and women having the same value in every aspect of it, our community will continue to be a fertile ground for predators," she wrote.
Critically acclaimed actor Tannishtha Chatterjee feels that even though sexual harassment is an open secret in the Indian film industry, the women working here do not feel empowered enough to name and shame sexual predators.

This is an open secret that it happens. Are we going to have a single name coming up? Is anyone going to say so and so did this to me? Then whats the point. Women working in the industry do not feel empowered enough to speak out. I dont think we feel safe enough to actually name individuals, she says while speaking to News18.com. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Monsoon Shootout, says that even if insiders in the industry know of such people, nobody will talk about it in public.

Within a close bracket we know who those people are, we always talk about it. But its going to take a long time before it actually comes out to the public. And you cannot blame the actress, women or even men who face it because a lot is at stake and theyre not in a position of power, she notes. Chatterjee points out that even in the West, where the freedom of expression is more democratic per se, it took many years, many women and many faces to actually shape it into a movement #MeToo.

Image: Instagram/ Tannishtha Chatterjee

The actor, who has featured in critically acclaimed films like Brick Lane, Parched and Angry Indian Goddesses among others, also adds that comments which normalize the entire misconduct further add fuel to the issue. And then saying, oh why is she complaining, youll obviously face these things if you step out to work otherwise housewife ban jao- these kinds of statements are really stupid. The thing is a lot of times in the film industry, were told that it comes with the business, dont complain. And whos made that a rule? She adds that as an actor, one then has to limit themselves to a select kind of working group. It shouldnt be that way. Youve to give up so many things because thats a choice youve made. Youve to work with a certain kind of people, a certain kind of atmosphere, a certain kind of framework. By doing that youve already made a brave choice. Youve discarded and said that there are so many of them Im not going to work with.

Chatterjee further shares that while there hasnt been any particular incident that's made her walk out of a film after signing, her initial days in Bombay were not as simple. When I first came to Bombay I was initially taking meetings before the films materialized, there was an indication that Oh, lets meet in the evening for dinner. Arre why? Okay, Ive to know my actor. But one can know their actor in the office also. It was because of those kinds of things that Chatterjee stopped meeting people, noting, I got very disillusioned and disappointed and I stopped meeting people. I just met a few casting directors who were either women or gay, so I had no threats then.

Despite the fact shes lost out on certain films because of this, shes thankful for the reputation shes built in the industry. I guess by the time of Brick Lane, there was a reputation that I had within this inner circle; iske saath aisa kuch hone nahi waala. Even now it happens that I dont get cast in a lot of films because like people say, mere saath outdoor pe jaake kuch hanky panky nahi hone waala."

If you want to cast me, cast me for the right reasons. Im very happy with that reputation. Maybe Ive lost out on working with a lot of decent people because I cut myself off from people where I wouldnt have had that experience, she adds.

Having had a similar in-flight incident as Secret Superstar actor Zaira Wasim, Chatterjee strongly feels theres something completely wrong with the society. If children in schools arent safe- theyre raped, molested and killed by random people for random reasons and by their own teachers- where are we safe then? I dont have children but my heart goes out to all those who are bringing up children in todays time. From a 65-year-old woman to a 5-year-old child, whether he comes from an upper-class social bracket or he comes from a poorer family or he comes from a village, theres something quite sick about that. As a society, we need to reflect where we are going wrong. We can develop bridges and get our cars and have marble floored houses, but if the fabric of our society goes so wrong, I dont call it development at all, she elaborates.

And for the ones who think actors speak up on such issues for the flag name of publicity, Chatterjee urges them to rethink their ideologies. Why would someone say this for publicity? Its not a great thing that has happened to me, its not like Ive won an award- thats illogical to think.

For someone like Zaira, whos been part of successful films, she doesnt need something as stupid as this for publicity. Im sure shes flooded with work. Shes proved herself with two very different and very successful films and shes a kid, a 17-yr-old. People whore saying that should actually rethink their reasons, she signs off.
New Delhi: As the Parliament convenes on Friday for the Winter Session, the Union Cabinet is also meeting in the afternoon and is likely to clear the bill on triple talaq. Th bill piloted by the law ministry stems from the recent Supreme Court verdict banning instant divorce. The government intends to get the statute passed in the current session of Parliament ending first week of January.

Though several bills are slated to rule debates and be tabled this session, a few key ones stand apart for the heat they might generate. News18 pieces together the top bills set to dominate this time.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017

Though this bill was not greeted warmly and led to an impasse in the last session of Parliament, the 123rd Amendment Bill, 2017, to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) will be again tabled this session in the Lok Sabha.

The bill proposes to bring the 1993 established NCBC on a par with National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).

Though this bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, it met a roadblock in the Rajya Sabha when an amendment was brought in. The amendment expanded the three-member commission to five to give representation to a woman and a person from minority community and mandated that all five members should necessarily be from Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The other amendment was in giving states a significant role in making recommendations to the list. This was done to strengthen the federal structure of our constitution.

Law Prohibiting Triple Talaq

When the five-judge bench of the Supreme in a ratio of 3:2 declared that instant triple talaq was not an essential part of the Islamic law and faith, there were still cases on the rise of women having left helpless after the pronouncement of such instant divorces.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017. This law gives a woman the right to seek maintenance from her husband, in the case of instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat, before a magistrates court. The bill makes triple talaq a penal offence which has three years' imprisonment for the guilty.

Hence, lending an ear to the urgent call of a law prohibiting the practice on the lines of the SC verdict, the Centre plans to introduce a bill outlawing this Muslim practice this winter session.

Bill To Legalise the Use of Marijuana

If this private member bill legalising the use of marijuana is passed, it would certainly be a game changer for the country, which asks us to treat drug addicts as patients and not criminals.

The bill seeks to make amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985, which was brought in order to meet Conventions on Drug Policy laid out by the United Nations.

The amendments laid out in the bill seek to enable medically supervised and state-regulated supply of traditionally used natural drugs for a common user. It will separate natural drugs from the artificial and synthetic ones.

Currently, soft intoxicants, like bhaang (cannabis), afeem and bhukki (opium), are clubbed with artificial hard drugs such as smack, heroin, crack, and cocaine.

Dharam Vira Gandhi, Member of Parliament from Patiala, Punjab, has been pushing for the legalisation of marijuana or cannabis.

Bill Granting NRI The Power to Vote

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has time and again appealed to the Indian diaspora to be a part of India's development. But considering that a large number of Indians stay abroad, a bill granting them the power to vote would be tabled in this winter session.

The bill would seek to amend the electoral law to allow Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to vote through postal or e-ballots.

The proposal was introduced when the Centre made its submissions to a SC bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.

The poll panel had said the move to allow NRIs to use proxy voting on the lines of defence personnel and e-ballot facility would require changes either in The Representation of People Act or in the rules made under the Act.

The Centre also submitted that the bill would take into account the recommendations made in a report prepared by a 12-member committee, led by the deputy election commissioner Vinod Zutshi, to explore the feasibility of alternative options for voting by overseas electors.

Bill to Grant Rights to Transgenders

The social justice and empowerment ministry will be introducing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2017.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2016 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment  chaired by BJP MP Ramesh Bais and 17 other Lok Sabha members  for examination on September 8, 2016.

However, the ministry has been facing criticism for not having taken into account the recommendations made by the committee which had suggested the definition of the term itself as "against global norms and violates the right to self-determined gender identity.

Apart from seeking justice for them, the bill also aims to provide transgenders with medical benefits as well as provide quotas in government colleges and jobs.

Indian Forest Amendment Act

President Ramnath Kovind recently gave a nod to the Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, amending the Indian Forest Act. Now, a bill replacing it will be tabled in this winter session.

The ordinance has with immediate effect exempted bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the requirement of felling/transit permit. The move is likely encourage bamboo plantation by farmers and help enhance their income and is done with a "Look East focus."

Prior to this amendment, bamboo was treated as tree under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and therefore, attracted the requirement of transit permit under the law even if it was grown on private land. Since getting such permit is quite a complicated process, it was identified as a major impediment for the cultivation of bamboo by farmers on non-forest land.

The bill which is likely to be proposed has also the objective of benefiting the tribals as they and other forest dwellers. They have have long asked for full rights to harvest and sell the fast-growing grass species that was denied to them by the colonial forest law.

Education for Children

The RTE (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017, introduced recently, revisits the No Detention Policy.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017, proposes a regular examination which will be held in class 5 and class 8 at the end of every academic year.

If the student fails in the re-examination, the central or state governments may choose: (i) to not detain the child at all, or (ii) to detain the child in class 5, class 8, or in both classes. This is in contrast to the current Policy where a child cannot be detained until the completion of class 8.

The bill has been passed by Lok Sabha.

Citizenship for Minorities

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 proposes that illegal migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan from specified religious groups will be eligible to apply for Indian citizenship.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in July 2016. The Citizenship Act of 1955 denies citizenship rights to any illegal immigrant, whereby an illegal immigrant is defined as a person who (i) enters India without a valid passport or with forged documents, or (ii) who stays in the country beyond the visa permit.

The proposed bill amends this definition to exclude minority-religious individuals  especially Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians  from Muslim-dominated countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan from the ambit of being an illegal immigrant.

The Bill further reduces the requirement of 11 years to acquire citizenship by naturalisation to only six years of ordinary residence for such immigrants.
LIVE HIGHLIGHTS: All seven major exit polls show the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) heading towards a big win in the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017. Todays Chanakya, which had got the 2014 projection right, says the party will win two-third majority in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state. In further bad news for the Congress, all seven exit polls predict that the Congress will lose Himachal Pradesh. Most exit polls predict more than 100 seats for the BJP in Gujarat, comfortably above the 92-seat majority mark in the 182-seat Assembly. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP is projected to win more than 50 seats, way above the majority mark of 35 in the 68-seat Assembly. The Grand Old Party, however, says the exit polls will be proven wrong on December 18, the day of counting.

Stay tuned for LIVE updates:

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News and IPL 2022 Live Updates here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines into the Indian Navy. INS Kalvari, named after the deep-sea Tiger Shark in Malayalam, representing agility, strength and predatory prowess, carries the motto Ever Onwards. While the metaphoric value attached to the INS Kalvari seems impressive on many levels, what is even more intimidating is the fact that the submarine reflects Indias progress towards the Make-in-India initiative. The INS Kalvari has been manufactured in Mumbai by Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL), building upon the design of DCNS  a French naval defence and energy company. The entire project is a result of more than 12 years of planning and execution to strengthen Indian Navys presence below the sea waters. Incidentally, the INS Kalvari has been named after the very first submarine acquired by the Indian Navy way back on December 8, 1967, which successfully proved its worth during the Indo-Pak war in 1971 by having the desired discouraging effect on the enemy while stationed in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

When in 2005 the Indian government planned for a replacement of then prevailing Kilo-class (Sindhughosh Class  as dubbed by the Indian Navy) submarines, a choice had to be made between the Scorpene design by the French and the type 214 design by the Germans. The Indian Navy then opted for the Scorpene, owing to its capability to fire Exocet or Anti-ship missiles. The US$3 Billion deal was based on a technology transfer agreement, providing state-owned MDL the manufacturing rights for six such submarines. In addition, an agreement was made to implant the last two submarines with an Air Independent Propulsion system designed by DRDO. The system is aimed to allow the diesel-engine submarines to operate without the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Even though the first of the six, the INS Kalvari experienced a delay of more than four years in its induction, with the first proposed induction date being in 2012. After more than a year of sea trials, including the firing of a torpedo and an anti-ship missile, the submarine came under the acquisition of the Indian Navy on September 21 2017.

As for its purpose of existence, the INS Kalvari is a stealth-attack submarine, powered by a diesel-electric engine and capable of indulging in all types of naval warfare. One major advantage that the diesel engine submarines have over the nuclear-powered ones is that they produce less noise underwater, giving them an edge in stealth operations. In addition to this, the INS Kalvari appoints advanced acoustic silencing technique, which dampens the vibrations produced by the submarine, making it even more difficult to be detected by Sonar. Even the equipment inside the pressure hull of the INS Kalvari is mounted on shock absorbing cradles for enhanced stealth. All in all, it would take technology of the highest order, currently available only to a handful of countries, to detect an INS Kalvari moving in their waters.

That being said, the Kalvari is not just made for gliding undetected underwater. It is also an offensive entity of the highest order, capable of carrying 18 heavyweight wire guided Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) torpedoes, housed in 6 torpedo tubes. As an alternative, the submarine can carry SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and 30 mines. The Kalvari class also comes equipped with mobile C303/S, anti-torpedo decoys that misguide an enemy torpedo away from the submarine in case of an attack. In exchange, the INS Kalvari uses precision-guided missiles for sinking the enemy vessel. Adding to the lethality of a Kalvaris attack is the Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS), designed by the DCNS, which essentially optimizes every sensor and weapon capability to enhance operational efficiency (such as detecting targets and deciding torpedo projectiles for maximum impact). INS Kalvari is also able to detect and classify the type of vessel over large distances through the embedded LOFAR (Low-Frequency Analysis and Ranging) Sonar System. In addition, its attack and search periscopes are equipped with laser range finders and infrared/low light level cameras for enabling attacks on the sea surface.

All this firepower and stealth technology enable the INS Kalvari to be an effective player in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying as well as area surveillance.

As for its technicalities, the INS Kalvari weighs 1,565 tonnes and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 knots (37 km/h) while submerged under water. The 221 feet long submarine boasts of a range of 6,500 nautical miles on the surface and 550 nautical miles when submerged. The two 1250 kW MAN Diesel Engines of the submarine run to charge its batteries rapidly. 360 battery cells, weighing 750 kg each, are used to power the Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor of the submarine.

After a gap of more than 17 years, INS Kalvari is the first conventional (non-nuclear) submarine to be inducted into the Indian Navy. With the Indian Navys submarine division celebrating its golden jubilee this year, the INS Kalvari is a technological marvel on many fronts and will certainly pave the way for Indias defence prowess even under water.
Microsoft, which is facing increasing competition, especially from Google, in the cloud business, today said it has two lakh Indian companies as clients for its cloud offerings, including 70 of the top 100 listed entities. It pegged overall digital opportunity in India, including cloud offerings, at USD 107 billion. Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are considered as entrenched players in this category, where Google is seeking to make inroads through initiatives such as dedicated `cloud regions'. Anant Maheshwari, the country president for Microsoft, said 70 of the top 100 listed BSE companies are using its cloud services for digital transformation.

The company claimed it was the first global cloud services player to offer local cloud services in India through its three data-centres started in September 2015. The centres are located in Mumbai, Pune and Chennai, he said. Google, as part of a USD 30-billion global investment programme, opened three data-centres in Mumbai this year. Microsoft serves a total of 2 lakh enterprises and 5,000 start-ups with cloud offerings, he said. Maheshwari said the Indian digital opportunity has evolved into a USD 107 billion potential where intelligent cloud and intelligent edge supported by connected devices will play a major role. The company said 10 of the top 12 domestic financial institutions including SBI, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank use its cloud offerings. Similarly, top auto players like Tata Motors and Hero Motocorp also use its services, he said. On the Government front, the company said it works with the Union government and 29 states.

It also announced the launch of `Azure Stack' for the country created with partners. It has a total of 9,000 cloud partners in the country. Strongly backing the virtues of artificial intelligence amid a global debate about its possible drawbacks, Maheshwari said even though machines outnumber humans, they only add to our capability. "I believe AI will help create better doctors, farmers and teachers," he said.

Watch: Honor 7X Review | The Upgrade to Your Honor 6X
Washington: The United States on Thursday presented for the first time pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen, describing it as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating U.N. resolutions.

Reuters was given advanced access to the military hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling just outside of Washington where the U.S. Defence Department put the fragments of weaponry on display and explained how it concluded that they came from Iran.

The arms included charred remnants of what the Pentagon said was an Iranian-made short-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen on November 4 at King Khaled International Airport outside Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, as well as a drone and an anti-tank weapon recovered in Yemen by the Saudis.

Iran has denied supplying the Houthis with such weaponry.

"The U.S. has long believed that Iran is providing weaponry to proxies and partners and militias throughout the region, and what we have here to show you today is proof," said Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal, adding Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had recovered the arms and loaned them to Washington.

Saudi-led forces, which back the Yemeni government, have been fighting the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen's more than two-year-long civil war.

The unprecedented presentation by the Pentagon is part of its follow-through on President Donald Trump's new Iran policy, which promises a far harder line toward Tehran.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was due to see the weapons on Thursday. The U.S. mission to the United Nations said she would offer "irrefutable evidence that Iran has deliberately violated its international obligations."

Under a U.N. resolution that enshrines the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved in advance by the U.N. Security Council. A separate U.N. resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and others.

Katie Wheelbarger, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, acknowledged that there could be implications of such an accumulation of evidence against Iran, to include sanctions.

"You could see future sanctions... But the first step is at least to bring awareness and understanding and to have a similar picture of what we're looking at," Wheelbarger said.

IRAN LINKS

The Pentagon offered a detailed explanation of all of the reasons why it believed the arms came from Iran, noting Iranian corporate logos on arms fragments and the unique nature of the designs of Iranian weaponry.

That included the designs of short-range "Qiam" ballistic missiles. The Pentagon said it had obtained fragments of two Qiam missiles, one fired on Nov. 4 against the airport and another fired on July 22.

The Pentagon cited corporate logos of Iranian defense firms on jet vanes that help steer the missile's engine and on the circuit board helping drive its guidance system. It also said the missile's unique valve-design was only found in Iran.

Iran, it said, appeared to have tried to cover-up the shipment by disassembling the missile for transport, given crude welding used to stitch it back together.

"The point of this entire display is that only Iran makes this missile. They have not given it to anybody else," Seal said. "We haven't seen this in the hands of anyone else except Iran and the Houthis."

A new U.N. report found that the July 22 and Nov. 4 missiles fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels appeared to have a "common origin." But the report said U.N. officials were still investigating U.S. and Saudi claims that Iran supplied them.

The Pentagon put on display other weapons with designs it said were unique to Iran's defense industry. It pointed to a key component of a Toophan anti-tank guided missile and a small drone aircraft, both of which were recovered in Yemen.

It also showed components of a drone-like navigation system like the one the Pentagon says was used by the Houthis to ram an exploding boat into a Saudi frigate on Jan. 30. The United Arab Emirates seized the system in late 2016 in the Red Sea.

"What makes these exploding boats so dangerous is not just that they can explode. It's that they have a guidance system that allows them to track and hit a moving target without an operator on board," Seal said.

"This computer system here represents that navigational system."
Jakarta: A bid to make all sex outside marriage illegal was rejected by a top Indonesian court Thursday, in a ruling that surprised many as concerns grow about rising intolerance in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country.

Five out of nine judges on the Constitutional Court in the capital Jakarta narrowly rejected the push to criminalise extramarital relations, including gay sex.

The unsuccessful petition would have affected both unmarried heterosexuals and gay people, who cannot marry in Indonesia.

It comes several months after the arrests of a group of men accused of holding a "gay party" and a wave of anti-LGBT rhetoric.

"This is a victory not only for LGBT communities, it's a victory for common sense," said gay rights activist Hartoyo, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

"We live together as a nation and we must respect our differences," he added.

The court had been hearing a judicial review filed by Islamic activist group the Family Love Alliance that sought to alter the criminal code.

It argued that the influence of the gay community has been spreading, particularly since the United States legalised same-sex marriage, resulting in what it called "moral degradation".

Activists believe the US decision triggered a backlash in Indonesia, including government ministers publicly making anti-gay statements.

"Of course I'm sad... We know exactly the magnitude of this problem -- extramarital affairs and same-sex relationships," said a weeping Euis Sunarti, who was one of the applicants behind the criminalisation bid.

"Many people will be disappointed with this ruling."

'Seemingly impossible'

In its decision, the court said it had no authority on the matter since passing new laws was the job of Indonesia's parliament.

"The Constitutional Court cannot intervene in the politics of the penal code," it added.

But last month, the same court ruled that Indonesia's native faiths should be recognised by the government.

That ruling challenged a law requiring millions of followers of religions other than six officially recognised faiths to leave the line for religion blank on their national identity cards, limiting their access to public services, including education and medical care, as well as employment opportunities.

Still, some observers were surprised by the court's decision on Thursday.

"Just when you think this country is rotten, it pulled (off) the seemingly impossible. Hope is here," writer Alexander Thian said on Twitter.

Indonesia's justice system is notoriously corrupt and has been criticised for favouring religious-based arguments over legal reasoning in the past.

Gay sex vigilantes

Sex is only illegal in Indonesia for both homosexual and heterosexual people if it involves a minor.

However, gay sex is a crime in the conservative province of Aceh, which upholds sharia law, with those caught facing up to 100 strokes of a cane.

Aceh, on Sumatra island, began implementing Islamic law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

This year, two men having sex were caught by a group of vigilantes who raided a boarding house in Aceh.

In May, police arrested a group of men holding a party in two hotel rooms in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-biggest city.

Some of the men were watching gay porn and performing "deviant sexual acts", police said, charging some under Indonesia's tough anti-pornography law, which can result in long jail sentences.

Outside Aceh, Indonesia's current laws on homosexuality are more liberal than some of its neighbours, however.

In Singapore sex between men remains illegal, a holdover from colonial rule that is not strictly enforced. In Malaysia sodomy is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment, corporal punishment, and fines.

Indonesia has often been praised for its moderate inclusive brand of Islam.

Still, the diverse archipelago's sizeable religious minorities -- mainly Christians and Muslim minority Shiites and Ahmadis -- have been increasingly targeted in recent years.
Trends at Noon, BJP is leading in 106 seats, while Congress is leading in 74. CNN-News18's Bhupendra Chaubey had called Gujarat for BJP at 9:39 am. The halfway mark is set at 92 in the 182-member Assembly. In the 2012 elections, the BJP had bagged 119 seats, while the Congress had managed 57 seats. (Image: Network18 Creative)
A reindeer is seen as a man dressed as Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, leaves for his long Christmas journey from the Santa's Village at the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. (Image: Reuters)
Former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo was yesterday arrested for criminal abuse of office over the way he handled the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle programme in Whitecliff farm in Harare.



Chombo was arrested while reporting at Marlborough Police Station as part of his bail conditions on other corruption charges he is facing. His lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku confirmed the development last night.



He was arrested while making his last report. Remember he is supposed to report three times a day. He was picked up by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and they took a warned and cautioned statement before they released him into my custody, he said.

On the fresh charges, his client was facing, Prof Madhuku said: They are ridiculous charges relating to operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle in Whitecliff.





They claim he illegally settled people in that area on a property belonging to Pfugari. They said it was criminal abuse of office. We extensively told them that was a Cabinet organised programme and he was simply head of a committee that spearheaded that programme.





They also added some charges before releasing him. He is at home. We went there at 5pm and we left around 8pm. We wait to see whether they take him to court or they will simply add those charges to the ones he is already facing.





Chombo is on $5 000 bail on corruption charges and he is expected back in court on January 8. Herald
Some sugarcane farmers here have reportedly abandoned their fields after failing to settle debts with various service providers and input suppliers, with debts accrued reaching as much as $100 million.



The debts date back to 2009 when new farmers settled on the sugarcane plantations. Those owed include Zimbabwe National Water Authority, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, banks and sugarcane miller Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ).



The organisations are battling to recover their dues, which are incurring interests. According to sources, the farmers level of indebtedness has prompted them to divert their sugarcane bundles as they evade garnishes.





We are in debt as we borrowed from banks, micro finance institutions and Tongaat, but the greater chunk of this money was not invested in the fields, said one of the farmers.





Zimra then started garnishing us and we failed to pay workers, other service providers and our farming collapsed. Some have abandoned their fields, while others are diverting their cane bundles to evade deductions from Tongaat. We continue to receive inputs allocations from Tongaat which we will then sell cheaply on the black-market, leaving us with serious losses.





Former THZ agricultural director Mr Farai Musikavanhu said urgent interventions were required towards restoring maximum operation capacity of the sugar cane mills in Chiredzi.

Many farmers got the land with limited technical know-how and financial discipline which are prerequisites in this long season perennial crop business, he said. He said THZ mills should operate at full throttle for the company to realise maximum benefits. Tongaat has an installed capacity which is very expensive to run sub optimally, said Mr Musikavanhu.





He said the levels of indebtedness which was affecting most farmers now required a collective approach which involves Government, financial institutions and the miller.

Government too has a vested interest in seeing major turnaround in this strategic industry. Therefore, there is need for Government, the miller and financiers to converge in a structured command type programme that seeks to jump-start the industry through major plough-out and replanting programme with the crop production over two to three seasons being closely monitored and supervised with revenue going into a debt clearing facility, said Mr Musikavanhu.





Mr Musikavanhu said most of the farmers were beneficiaries of the land reform programme and would be ease to include in a Command Agriculture set-up. He proposed that the multiple farmer associations which continue to sprout in Chiredzi should be disbanded.





The farmers have to regroup into one strong association focusing primarily on ensuring a win-win situation for all the players in the industry which are the farmers, millers, banks and Government through taxes, he said.





According to the Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experimental Station (ZSA) journal, the sugar industry produced 500 000 tonnes of sugar in 2000 and 2001, with the record being set in 2002 when 600 000 tonnes were produced. The industry is now producing around 450 000 tonnes. herald
Opposition political parties and ordinary Zimbabweans yesterday castigated MDC-T for lobbying for the maintenance of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.





The MDC-T this week dispatched its vice president Mr Nelson Chamisa and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mr Tendai Biti under the banner Movement for Democratic Change Alliance to engage the US civil society and members of the Donald Trump administration.





The pair was accompanied by Human Rights Watch Southern Africa director Dewa Mavhinga. The delegation, which sources said was seeking funding, ended up calling for the maintenance of sanctions on Zimbabwe. In their recommendations, the MDC-T and the Human Rights Watch delegation urged the US Government not to prematurely drop sanctions and maintain existing US policy towards Zimbabwe.

The sanctions are credited for causing untold suffering among ordinary Zimbabweans. The overtures by the MDC-T delegation drew brickbats from several opposition political parties and Zimbabweans, who said the MDC-T wanted to remain relevant by betraying the masses.





Surprisingly, opposition parties said, the MDC-T had failed to give dialogue a chance as the new administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to engage any willing Zimbabwean.





At a time the MDC-T emissaries were in the US, Washington representative in Harare Ambassador Harry Thomas met Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Major-General Sibusiso Moyo yesterday where they were busy exchanging views on a constructive way forward.





MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu castigated calls for the maintenance of sanctions, saying they hindered economic development.





As a patriotic and home-grown political party, the MDC doesnt call for the imposition of sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe, he said.





We would like to participate in the socio-economic regeneration of our beloved motherland and as such, sanctions remain an anathema in our political discourse. The Government of Zimbabwe should allow all its citizens to enjoy their fundamental rights and liberties as fully provided for by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

MDC-T secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora yesterday had a torrid time defending the US trip.





He claimed the trip was meant to set terms for the re-engagement process.

We wanted to tell the US that they can bring aid to Zimbabwe, but put conditions on that aid that favours the people of Zimbabwe, he said in an interview on Capitalk FM last night.

We want to see free and fair elections, an end to violence and intimidation as well as an end to the selective application of the law.





Asked whether or not they had engaged President Mnangagwa before rushing to the US, he said: We have not engaged President Mnangagwa, but we have engaged his administration.





Pressed to precisely name officials the MDC-T had engaged, Mr Mwonzora became evasive.





We have always engaged with Zanu-PF and African diplomats, he said. We have briefs with them.





Mr Mwonzora said his party had not called for the maintenance of sanctions, shifting the blame on Mr Mavhinga.





In the delegation was Dewa Mavhinga from the civil society and he does not speak for the MDC-T, Mr Mwonzora said.





United Kingdom-based law lecturer and former MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirais advisor Dr Alex Magaisa said if the MDC-T had issues, it should have approached the US Embassy in Harare before hurriedly dispatching emissaries to the Western country.

He said the US Embassy in Harare was not there for decoration.





I think our circumstances suggest that we must be savvy in our strategies, he wrote on his twitter handle, @Wamagaisa. It cant be business as usual. Engage the new administration and if its intransigent then lets engage region. If that fails too, we go abroad. We cant start the other way round.





United Peoples Party (UPP) president Reverend Kuratidza Sandati said: These brothers of us have lost the plot, why rush to the West without giving a chance of dialogue with the new Government on the reforms that they mention?




GOVERNMENT has begun processing stipends for students on State scholarships in more than 12 countries, amid calls for them to stop holding protests as it taints the countrys image.



Recently, about 300 students on Government scholarship in Algeria staged a sit-in at the embassy offices demanding to be paid the stipends before they were dispersed by police.



The students said they had not been paid anything for the past 15 months.

Minister of State for Government Scholarships in the Presidents Office, Dr Christopher Mushohwe, said students should always engage Government when they face challenges.

The students out there do not seem to understand the economic situation. Instead of talking to us, they start picketing which is unfortunate and I dont know why. That does not augur well for the image of our country, said Dr Mushohwe.





He said most of the students who are picketing are not covered by Government scholarships.





There are parents who appealed to Higher Education Ministry after sending their children to different countries indicating that they were no longer able to pay. The ministry I am told, was just accommodating students who would have gone on their own, he said.





These are the students who are giving us most problems so we will try and re-organise and make sure that when we send students they should be budgeted for because we do not have a budget for people who send their children without Government approval.

Dr Mushohwe said because of this challenge, Government ends up sharing the budget meant for approved students with those students sent by their parents without approval hence the problems now being faced.





He said the other challenge was that he inherited a stipend backlog exacerbated by foreign currency shortages.





It is true that students in most countries who are on the scholarships from Higher Education have not had their stipends paid due to economic difficulties.





But what I have done since I took over on the 9th of October is that we have started trying to mobilise some resources to pay students in different countries.

We understand Higher Education has not been paying stipends for the past two years, said Dr Mushohwe.





He said they had already paid students in Russia and were processing payments for other countries.





We have already paid our students in Russia who are quite a number. We have also made applications and payment is being processed for students in other countries.

Weve got more than 12 countries where there are students but we are finding it difficult to process payments for students in some of the countries which are under economic sanction from the Americans like Iran and Cuba, he said.





He said processing of all payments may take a week or two due to shortages of the US dollar.





Dr Mushohwe said his vision was to work hard to ensure that students are paid on time.

Its difficult because I have just inherited this problem and like I said when I took over I would not want to see students suffering. I have been running the scholarship for students in South Africa, we have not had this kind of problem even though we have economic hardships, we have been trying to ensure that they get some funding, he said.

Minister Mushohwe paid tribute to Finance and Economic Development Minister, Cde

Patrick Chinamasa and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for assisting in resolving the crisis.

He said he was working on re-organising the Ministry and harmonise the Government scholarships with the STEM scholarships.





Its not going to be easy because the resources are not enough but we will do our best to ensure that when students are out there they at least understand, said Dr Mushohwe. Newsday
A HARARE woman has made sensational claims that she had not had sex for 10 years with her husband. They have been married for 20 years and...
Idaho Cops:

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to the Community
On the day in May 2011 that Matt Peters took his own life, he spoke on the phone with Dr. Mike Rosmann. Rosmann, himself an Iowa farmer, is also a psychologist who doubles as "one of the nations leading farmer behavioral health experts," writes Debbie Weingarten for the Guardian. She knows that firsthand: The former vegetable farmer, weighed down by depression, once called Rosmann herself. "We were growing food, but couldn't afford to buy it. We worked 80 hours a week, but we couldn't afford to see a dentist, let alone a therapist. I remember panic when a late freeze threatened our crop, the constant fights about money," she writes. And she's not alone. Weingarten cites CDC figures that show the industry with the highest suicide rate is agriculture.

As for possible reasons why, the CDC lists "social isolation, potential for financial losses, barriers to and unwillingness to seek mental health services (which might be limited in rural areas), and access to lethal means." And the financial picture isn't pretty right now, with Weingarten noting the median farm income for this year is expected to be negative $1,325. Rosmann says many farmers' issues can be addressed in no more than five therapy sessions, something he likens to an Employee Assistance Program. Congress in 2008 voted not to fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, a program that would have made hotlines and counseling available to farmers. The cost would have been $18 million a year; Rosmann maintains that the price we pay annually due to suicide is much higher. Read Weingarten's full piece here. (Read more suicide stories.)
When an ash island formed in the Pacific Ocean following an underwater volcanic eruption in late 2014, scientists predicted it would soon disappear. Over the next six months, the island nestled between two others of the Tonga nation experienced heavy erosion, but "then it leveled off," NASA scientist Dan Slayback explains in a video. Three years later, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai remainsreaching 400 feet above the ocean and covering almost 500 acresand is predicted to last anywhere from six to 30 years, according to a new NASA study. It's an exciting development for a couple of reasons: First, scientists say the mass presents the first opportunity in the satellite era to carefully study how such islands form, per the Guardian. Second, the island could help scientists learn more about similar eruptions far away on Mars.

"Everything we learn about what we see on Mars is based on the experience of interpreting Earth phenomena," says NASA's Jim Garvin. "We think there were eruptions on Mars at a time when there were areas of persistent surface water," he adds, noting the new island could indicate whether Mars' thousands of volcanoes erupted beneath lakes or oceans, per the New York Times. NASA scientists, who've been monitoring the island monthly since its birth using radar and optical sensors, also hope to discover why it hasn't disappeared as predicted. A specific chemical reaction is suspected: In the case of the volcanic island Surtsey, formed near Iceland in 1963, warm seawater mixing with ash created a tougher rock than normal. A researcher notes the islands surrounding Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai also have "some pretty tough substrate." (Mars also has what look like scratches.)
Two people are dead in what Pennsylvania State Police say was a murder-suicide on a college campus Wednesday, KDKA reports. Police say a female employee at Penn State Beaver was convinced to come outside by her estranged husband, who shot her in a parking lot outside a campus dining hall. Police say the man then shot himself. No names have been released at the moment. No students were involved in the shooting, according to WTAE.

"Our thoughts are with all who have been affected," Trib Live quotes Penn State Beaver Chancellor Jenifer Cushman as saying in a statement. Campus was locked down at the time of the shooting and closed afterward. The university will reopen Thursday, but finals are being moved to Friday. Penn State Beaver has 700 or so students and is located approximately 30 miles outside Pittsburgh.

(Read more murder-suicide stories.)
Russell Simmons is facing new accusations of sexual misconductincluding rapefrom nine women just weeks after he stepped away from his businesses following other accusations of sexual assault. The accusations, laid out in major exposes in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, span a time period of 33 years.



Sherri Hines says she was 17 or 18 when Simmons raped her around 1983. She was in the hip-hop group Mercedes Ladies at the time, and he had invited her to check out his new offices. The next thing I knew, he was pinning me down and I was trying to fight him and he had his way, she tells the LA Times. I left crying.

Music journalist Tony Sallie went on a few dates with Simmons and stayed friendly with him. In 1988, she says Simmons invited her to a party at his apartment, but she was all alone when she got there and he raped her. "He pushed me on the bed and jumped on top of me, and physically attacked me," Sallie tells the NY Times.

Lisa Kirk says Simmons, who she knew through a former boyfriend, tried to assault her at a club in 1988, following her into the women's restroom and pushing her into a stall. I smashed into the wall, she tells the LA Times. It tore my clothes. Kirk says Simmons ran off after he saw her looking at him.

Singer Tina Baker says Simmons raped her in the early 90s when he was her manager after inviting her to his apartment to talk about her career. "I didn't sing for almost a year," she tells the NY Times. "I went into oblivion."

Drew Dixon describes "prolonged and aggressive sexual harassment" at the hands of Simmons while she was an executive at Def Jam Recordings culminating in her rape in 1995 at the age of 24. She says Simmons would expose himself to her, ask her to sit on his lap, and try to kiss her. "I was broken," Dixon tells the NY Times.

Natashia Williams-Blach was 18 when she appeared in the Simmons-produced film How to Be a Player. She says Simmons tried to force her to perform oral sex on him one night after filming.

Massage therapist Erin Beattie says Simmons exposed himself to her and asked her to touch his penis during a massage at a hotel in 2005.

Christina Moore says she and a friend were looking for a bar at a hotel in 2014 when they ran into Simmons, who offered to show them the way. Instead, she says he led them to his room and forcibly groped her. "I felt assaulted," she tells the NY Times.

Comedian Amanda Seales says she went to Simmons' office for a meeting in 2016 only to be lewdly asked by Simmons if they had sex in the past.

Simmons, 60, denies the accusations against him. "I have never been violent or abusive to any women in any way at any time in my entire life," the LA Times quotes him as saying in a statement. He adds in another statement to the NY Times: "These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual." (Read more Russell Simmons stories.)
When you're an artist, it's considered customary to sign your work. When you're a surgeon, it's considered bizarre and illegal. Renowned British surgeon Simon Bramhall, who branded his initials on the livers of at least two transplant patients in 2013, pleaded guilty to assault Wednesday, the BBC reports. The liver, spleen, and pancreas surgeon used an argon beamnormally used to stop livers from bleeding or to sketch out areas to be operated onto brand "SB" on the patients' organs. Such marks usually disappear on their own, but Bramhall's handiwork was discovered when a colleague operated on a patient whose liver had failed to heal normally, the Guardian reports. Bramhall was suspended from Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital and resigned after a disciplinary hearing in 2014.

At Wednesday's hearing, prosecutor Tony Badenoch said the "highly complex and unusual case" was "without legal precedent in criminal law." He added that the branding of initials required "some skill and concentration"and was carried out in the presence of colleagues. The prosecutor said the guilty plea shows Bramhall accepts what he did to unconscious patients "was not just ethically wrong but criminally wrong." Bramhall will be sentenced next month. NPR notes that while the case was apparently without precedent in Britain, there have been similar incidents in the US, including a 2010 case in which a California gynecologist was sued for branding a patient's name on a uterus he had removed. (Read more surgeon stories.)
One is a former ghost hunter who has never tried a case. The other described transgender children as "Satan's spawn." Neither man is going to become a federal judge. A White House official tells Politico that the administration will not be moving forward with the nominations of Brett Talley and Jeff Mateer, two of President Trump's most controversial nominees. The official said that Talley, criticized by both Republicans and Democrats for his failure to disclose that his wife is a senior White House lawyer, as well as for his lack of experience, has offered to withdraw his nomination for a district court post in Alabama.

A White House aide confirms to the Dallas Morning News that the nomination of Jeff Mateer, first assistant to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is also dead in the water. Mateer had been heavily criticized for calling transgender children evidence of "Satan's plan" and for calling the legalization of gay marriage "disgusting," among other comments. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, called the nomination of the inexperienced Talley "embarrassing" last month. "I think the president of the United States is getting some very, very bad advice," he said. On Tuesday, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN he had urged the White House to rethink both picks. (Read more federal judges stories.)
A state lawmaker in Kentucky under investigation for allegedly molesting a teenager posted a farewell message on Facebook and shot himself Wednesday night, police say. Rep. Dan Johnson died in what the coroner says was a "probable suicide" after posting that the accusations were false and only God knows the truth, WDRB reports. Police, who were contacted after the message was posted, say Johnson shot himself on a bridge in Bullitt County, south of Louisville. On Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an investigation that included a 21-year-old woman's allegation that Johnson, a married pastor, sexually assaulted her after a party in his church on New Year's Eve 2012, when she was 17.

Johnson refused to step down Tuesday despite calls for his resignation from both Republican and Democratic leaders, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. The 57-year-old said he had "compassion" for his accuser and was "sorrowful that she's in this dark place in her life." In his Facebook post, he said he loved God, his wife, his parents, and his five children, and spoke of having had PTSD since the 9/11 attacks. His loved ones should "blame no person, Satan is the accuser, so blame the devil himself," he wrote. Kentucky Gov. Mark Bevin tweeted his condolences to Johnson's family. "These are heavy days in Frankfort and in America," he wrote. "May God indeed shed His grace on us all ... We sure need it." (Read more Kentucky stories.)
"If I'm going to truly represent myself as someone who has built a career on finding the truth, then it's time for me to be truthful as well," writes documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock alongside what TMZ calls "a shocking list of confessions." In a Twitter post Wednesday titled "I am Part of the Problem," the 47-year-old Super Size Me director admits to sexual misconduct from his past, including a college accusation of rape. Spurlock says he and a woman got drunk and naked. "She said she didn't want to have sex, so we laid together, and talked, and kissed, and laughed, and then we started having sex," he writes. When she began to cry, Spurlock says he stopped and comforted her. "I believed she was feeling better. She believed she was raped." More recently, Spurlock says he paid off a female assistant, whom he called "hot pants" or "sex pants."

At the time, eight years ago, Spurlock says he thought the verbal harassment was "funny." Later, "[I] realized I had completely demeaned and belittled her to a place of non-existence." When the woman quit, Spurlock says she asked for a settlement to keep quiet, which he paid "so I could remain who I was." In light of a wave of sexual misconduct allegations in Hollywood, Spurlockwho also admits cheating on "every wife and girlfriend I have ever had"wondered "when will they come for me?" But "by recognizing and openly admitting what I've done to further this terrible situation, I hope to empower the change within myself," he writes, per the BBC. "I will do better. I will be better. I believe we all can." In a tweet, he adds he's "seeking help." Some on Twitter are calling him "brave." Says another: "Getting ahead of the story doesn't absolve him. (Read more sexual misconduct stories.)
As recently as Wednesday evening, Roy Moore was refusing to concede the Alabama Senate election to Doug Jones, who bested Moore by 21,000 votes Tuesday to become the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Alabama in 25 years. "The battle rages on," Moore said in a video released late Wednesday, reports ABC News. He noted some military and provisional ballots are still being counted and suggested he'll concede only with "certification by the secretary of state." Yet the Republican might also be looking beyond the election, to the future. Noting it's unlikely Moore will leave politics, the AP reports he could make his third bid for governor in 2018or perhaps revive his campaign against Jones in an effort to nab his Senate seat in 2020.

Either option could prove difficult for Moore, who faces sexual misconduct allegations from eight women and "has now lost more statewide races than he's won in Alabama," per the AP. Republican strategist John Stipanovich has referred to Moore as "a terrible candidate," per the Hill, and Jonathan Bernstein at the Denver Post notes that "Republicans arent going to put up a bad candidate every time," especially with such a slim majority in the Senate. "You need good candidates to win in Senate races," Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said in response to Moore's loss Tuesday. "Alabamians didn't want somebody who dated 14-year-old girls." The AP notes Moore might also return to the Foundation for Moral Law, a group he founded with the aim "to restore the knowledge of God in law and government." (Read more Roy Moore stories.)
Last February, Ontario's Louis Paul Hebert went to the UPS Store to pick up a TD Canada Trust bank draft for nearly $850,000his portion of an inheritance from his father. But the bank draft never showed, and now his family is mired in what CBC News calls a "three-way David vs. Goliaths battle," with UPS having no clue what happened to the draft it was hired to ship, and TD Canada Trust placing what the family says are unfair demands to issue a new one. "Never in my wildest imagination did I think something like this would happen," says Lorette Taylor, Hebert's sister, who was responsible for dealing with their dad's will and doling out the inheritances to 61-year-old Hebert and their sister. Taylor says TD Canada Trust suggested putting the funds in bank draft form, assuring her and her husband, John, that if the bank draft were lost or stolen, it wouldn't be a big deal to replace it.

"I was told there were procedures to deal with that," John says. Those procedures, however, are onerous ones, say the Taylors, including making Lorette liable if the missing draft is ever cashed, as well as either making her put a lien on her home for at least three years or buy a guaranteed investment certificate for that period for the inheritance amount: $846,648.46. "In situations where a bank draft is lost or stolen, before we can agree to a replacement or reimbursement we need appropriate security to be in place," a bank rep tells the CBC, adding bank drafts don't expire and are like cash. Meanwhile, Hebert has maxed out his credit cards. He calls this "a massive screw-up where the big guys look after themselves." "I would have been retired," he adds. As for UPS, they refunded the $32 shipping charge and apologized for losing the bank draft, noting, "We are unfortunately not perfect." (Read more UPS stories.)
Details of Omarosa Manigault Newman's exit from the White House are firming up, and it doesn't appear the break was as straightforward as Trump's administration claims. Though the Secret Service has denied reports that agents escorted Omarosa from the building Tuesday, sources tell the Daily Beast she caused a "ruckus" and was denied a visit with Trump before she left. Appearing on Good Morning America on Thursday, Omarosa said such reportsand others suggesting chief of staff John Kelly limited her access to Trumpwere the result of "one person" with a "personal vendetta" against her. But, noting she had to be "careful" since her resignation is effective Jan. 20, Omarosa also said "there were a lot of things I observed over the past year that I was uncomfortable with" as an African-American, reports USA Today.

A longtime friend says Omarosa only planned to work for a year as director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison; he notes she was also irked by Trump's endorsement of Roy Moore, per the Washington Post. Regardless of the reason, however, Omarosa's exit "on the day that black voters helped catapult Democrat Doug Jones to an upset victory in the Senate race in Alabama" leaves Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson as the only black official among Trump's senior staffers and highlights "the stark lack of diversity in Trump's administration and the GOP's diminishing appeal to minority communities," the Post reports. Omarosa may not be going far, though. TMZ reports she hopes to find work as a lobbyist, undersecretary, local liaison for Trump's administration in Florida, or as US ambassador to Nigeria. (Read more Omarosa stories.)
If you ask Susan Bro, there is plenty of blame to go around for her daughter's death: 20-year-old James Fields, who is charged with second-degree murder; unprepared local authorities; white supremacists; and, yes, even President Trump. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Beast, Bro says she is "starting to come to [the] conclusion" that Trump is responsible for the death of her daughter, Heather Heyer, "because he definitely pushes forward a hateful agenda." The 32-year-old Heyer was killed in August when a car drove into a crowd of anti-Nazi and anti-white supremacist protesters in Charlottesville. After Heyer's death, Trump claimed there were "very fine people" on both sides. Bro disagrees. "Nazis: bad people. White supremacists: bad people," she says. "And I dont see that you can call it any other way."

Fields, charged with driving the car that killed Heyer and injured others, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday. Bro says she will be there. "I know he claims he felt threatened," she says. "People were attacking his car because he was driving over top of them. He was not under any attack until he drove into the crowd." Now, four months after Heyer's death, Bro says threats of violence continue to pour in from extremists. She's had to inter her daughter's ashes in a secret location known only to some family and friends. Its a symptom of hate in society that you should have to protect your childs grave, for Petes sake, Bro says. So, Im protecting my child now. Read the full interview here for more, including why Bro is "frustrated" with those who characterize her daughter as a martyr. (Read more Heather Heyer stories.)
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New Delhi:

After a highly charged up campaign, it has come down to the finals on Thursday when Gujarati's come out to vote for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for 93 seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat, in the final phase of the polls, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress, is seeking election from Radhanpur constituency. Lavingji Thakor of the BJP is contesting against him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP patriarch L K Advani and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are among the saffron heavyweights who exercised their franchise.

Here are the live updates from the secondA phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017:

# We have recieved a complaint from a person that his mobile phone got connected with an EVM after he switched on his bluetooth. We are checking the particular at every place: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer

# The Complaint has been given to DEP Ahmedabad: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer

# We have recieved a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of vote by PM Modi: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer



#A 47.40% voter turnout till 2 pmA

#A Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya

Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/zwp8I5qjfB a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A PM Modi's road show after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. EC it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO: Ashok Gehlot, Congress

#A Compared to phase 1, less than 50% cases of EVM replacements in phase 2. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer

#A 39% voting till 12 pm in second phase of Gujarat Elections 2017

39% voting till 12 pm in second phase of #GujaratElections2017 pic.twitter.com/Wp0CXe6bW2 a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

# PM Modi after casting his vote.

Ahmedabad: PM Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Wjt6GmPTCF a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A Prime Minister Narendra Modi reachesA at booth number 115 in Ahmedabad's Ranip, casts his vote.

#A Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil casts his vote in Gandhinagar

#A Congress state chief Bharatsinh Solanki casts his vote

#A Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain casts his vote in Gandhinagar.

#A The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway: Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer

#A FM Arun Jaitley in queue to vote at polling booth no.961 in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur.

FM Arun Jaitley in queue to vote at polling booth no.961 in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/PKtYjjkwbt a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura.

BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/dFQyY5JIDQ a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A Parents of Hardik Patel Bharat Patel and Usha Patel cast their votes in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017

Parents of Hardik Patel Bharat Patel and Usha Patel cast their votes in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/pCiNOgB9Oa a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A PM Modi's mother Heeraben arrives to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar.

PM Modi's mother Heeraben arrives to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/orVeaNEKY6 a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

# Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi appeals people of Gujarat to vote for the bright future of Gujarat.

#A Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel casts her vote in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia. BJP's Bhupendra Patel is up against Congress's Shashikant Patel on this seat

Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel casts her vote in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia. BJP's Bhupendra Patel is up against Congress's Shashikant Patel on this seat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/4uVYtOf2bg a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A Voting underway in Viramgam's polling booth number 252. This is PAAS leader Hardik Patel 's home town.

#GujaratElection2017 : Voting underway in Viramgam's polling booth number 252. This is PAAS leader #HardikPatel 's home town pic.twitter.com/gwz1ix19AU a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of GujaratElection2017 begins

Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins pic.twitter.com/YZAaAtMWL6 a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

# Voting for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections 2017 begins.

#A Smallest and largest constituencies by area and by electorate in phase two of Gujarat Election 2017

Smallest and largest constituencies by area and by electorate in phase two of #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/rh8jw2B3pf a ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#A Voting for second phase ofA Gujarat Election 2017A to begin shortly

Voting for second phase ofA #GujaratElection2017A to begin shortly. Visuals from polling booth no.121 in Mehsana's KadiA pic.twitter.com/BwGurtqF4E a ANI (@ANI)A December 14, 2017

#A Voting will begin at 8 AM.

Highlights from yesterday:

#A A controversy erupted after Rahul Gandhi gave interview to a local Gujarati news channel on Wednesday. BJP knocked Election Commission and filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct.

# Soon after BJP's objection,A Election Commission gave model code violation notice to Rahul Gandhi and asked to reply by 5 pm on December 18.A

# Later in the day,A Congress delegation reached Election Commission office in Delhi and said 'PM Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, FM Arun Jaitley & RM Piyush Goyal have violated Model Code of Conduct again & again. PM misused the FICCI platform to attack Congress, EC should stay unbiased'.

#A In 2014 elections, Modi Ji even showed BJP symbol on voting day but EC didn't act.BJP held a PC just before 1st phase of Gujarat election. These double standards won't work & 1st FIR should be filed against PM Modi & other BJP leaders instead of Press: Randeep Surjewala, Congress
New Delhi:

Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer 'Tiger Zinda Hai' which is happened to be one of the much-anticipated movies of the year, has reportedly been banned in Pakistan.

According to reports, the spy thriller will not release in Pakistan after it failed to obtain a clearance from the country's Central Board of Film Censors.

Geo Films, which has the distribution rights for the film in Pakistan, had started publishing the release of the film with the note 'subject to censor clearance' but its release on December 22 is unlikely now.

In the film there are several scenes of hitting at Pakistan's security agencies and hence problematic for public screening in Pakistan.

Sources said the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage has refused to grant a No-Objection Certificate for the film upon CBFC's recommendation.

Talking about the same, chairman of the Central Board of Film Censor (CBFC) Mobasher Hasan said, "Tiger Zinda Hai has been refused the NOC, citing the same reason as the first installment of the franchise: The image of Pakistan and its law enforcement agencies has been compromised," reported The Express Tribune.

Also Read | Tiger Zinda Hai new song: Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif do the Waltz!

Pakistan-related scenes are reportedly the basis for the film's non-clearance.

Previously, the first part 'Ek Tha Tiger' was also banned from screening in Pakistan back in 2012.

'Ek Tha Tiger' too had "several themes referring to Pakistans agencies, which were deemed problematic; thus, leading to the ban of the film," vice-chairman of country's CBFC Muhammed Ashraf Gondal stated further.

In the spy thriller, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Salman plays the role of a Raw agent who falls in love with Pakistani spy Zoya (Katrina) and together they team up to fight against terrorists.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

India's national carrier Air India suspended the services of three employees and warned the pilot for arriving late after over 100 passengers, including Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, had to wait inside a plane for over an hour on Wednesday.

The Civil Aviation minister demanded an explanation from new Air India chief Pradeep Kharola after angry passengers questioned him and demanded to know why their flight from Delhi to Vijaywada was not taking off.

Mr Raju, surrounded by protesting passengers, phoned Mr Kharola from the aircraft. The airline's spokesperson, GP Rao, confirmed that flight AI 459 was delayed on Wednesday morning by around one and a half hours.

"Passengers protested and questioned minister Raju on the delay in the flight. Immediately the minister asked Air India CMD Pradeep Kharola about the reason for the delay," Mr Rao said.

''Flight finally took off for Vijayawada after 1.30 hours. Meanwhile, Air India took action against three staffers, who have been suspended and a warning letter has been issued to the captain for reaching the airport late,'' said Air India Spokesperson GP Rao.

Meanwhile, Air India suspended three staffers and issued a warning letter to a captain for the delay in reaching the airport late on Wednesday.

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New Delhi :

A HRD Ministry official, who was missing since Monday morning, was found dead near railway tracks at Palam in south west Delhi on Thursday.

Police said, the deceased has been identified as Jitendra Kumar Jha, a resident of Dwarka. He was a 1998-batch officer and currently posted with Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS).

According to Delhi Police, ICAS officer had gone missing from Dwarka on Monday after he had gone for a morning walk.

Police believes that Jha has committed suicide. In our initial investigation it seems the ICAS officer has committed suicide. Yet, we are investing the case in all angle, said a police officer.

Also read| Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Army jawan shoots self during duty hours



The officer added that they have found a suicide note from his pocket. In the note he had mentioned that no one is responsible for his death.

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New Delhi:

India is looking to set up few more land ports after the success of such integrated check posts at Agartala and other places, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday.

"We are thinking of identifying few more (land ports). Beyond that we have border huts, custom stations and there are many things," Rijiju said addressing a function here today to celebrate 50 years of ASEAN and 25 years of India-ASEAN Partnership.

He talked about the success and brisk business being done at land ports at Agartala and other places in the country saying that it is not easy to set up a land port because you have to have an outlet.

Elaborating further, he said, "These borders along the Eastern coast and Northeast must be hugely explored ... otherwise people think they are far away from Delhi."

"The heart of the country may be Delhi. But shape and size of country is defined by its border. The country does not begin with the capital but it begins from the border. So borders are important."

He also said that the obsession with the western education and issues with Pakistan must be done away with.

The minister said that Home Ministry has started opening various channels on the borders to foster relations with neighbours, particularly in Eastern and North-Eastern Region (NER).

The Land Ports Authority of India has taken up expansion of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh in Manipur for expansion of trade with Myanmar, India's gateway to the ASEAN, and it will be inaugurated soon.

He said the ICP in Agartala on Bangladesh border has started and few more ICPs besides Land Customs Stations and Border Haats will be set up.

Echoing the views, Telecom and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that under the Northeast BPO (business processing outsourcing) scheme, the BPOs have already started working in Guwahati, Jorhat, Kohima and Imphal.

Elaborating further, he said that in the latest bid the BPOs are going to come in Dipu, Kokrajhar and Silchar in Assam; Dimpapur in Nagaland and Agratala in Tripura.

He also told that Bhubaneswar, Cuttak and Baleshwar in Odisha have become the new centres of BPOs.

"The most moving moment for me was... Kashmir... today BPOs are working in Bhadarwah, Budgam, Jammu, Sopore and Srinagar."

He said, "The latest BPOs have come out in Chittor, Mathura, Deoria, Farukabad, Jahanabad, Gaya, Pathankot, Gwalior and Amritsar. It is new India emerging."

Rijiju also said East India and the NER (northeast region) are rich in mineral and natural resources.

He said many of us will be surprised to learn that Dibrugarh contributed more to government's revenues than India's commercial capital, Mumbai.

Myanmar has the third highest Indian diaspora, next only to Nepal and the US, he added.

Rijiju said East Asia and South East Asia stretching from Japan and China and upto India is emerging as the world?s next economic powerhouse.

India cannot be delineated from South East Asia and East Asia, he added.

A

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Kerala:

Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited Cyclone Ockhi hit areas in southern Kerala that has claimed 66 lives, most of them fishermen.

Addressing the families of fishermen who died in the cyclone and interacting with them, Gandhi said the state and Central governments need to learn lessons from the natural calamity, which has also left 95 fishermen missing.

When a tragedy happens, everyone must learn from the tragedy and avoid such a situation in future. We must have a better system of warning for the fishermen who are going to the sea, he said speaking to affected families in coastal hamlet Poonthura, near Thiruvananthapuram.

Holding that the condition of fishermen was very similar to that of farmers, the Congress leader said, They are both facing very difficult times.

Referring to the demand of local Latin Catholic church, he said it was time a separate ministry was set up for fishermen at the Centre.

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, he said.

Gandhi, who is here after hectic electioneering in Gujarat, said he wanted to come to meet the families earlier. But due to prior programmes in connection with the Gujarat polls, he could not do so and expressed his apology.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi hits hard at PM Modi in Ahmedabad , claims victory in Gujarat polls

Some of you have lost sons, some of you lost husbands. This loss cannot be replaced...we will try to make your life as?comfortable as possible, he said.

The cyclone hit the coast of Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu on November 30, claiming 66 lives and causing widespread damage besides leaving several fishermen stranded and missing.

Earlier, Gandhi paid floral tributes in front of pictures of those who perished in the cyclone.

He also consoled the families and interacted with them.

Later, he visited nearby Vizhinjam and met the affected fishermen families and assured them that the Congress would discharge its duty as the principal opposition to bring pressure on the governments to get everyone necessary compensation.

I am confident the Congress will play its role, he said.

He also said the Congress party was committed to setting up a Ministry for fishermen at the Centre and offered all help to fishermen to overcome the present crisis.

Consoling the fishermen community, including the women folk who broke down during the interaction, Gandhi said, What you have lost cannot be measured in terms of value and so my words cannot replace your loss.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala, former chief minister Oommen Chandy and Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and K C Venugopal were among those who accompanied Gandhi.

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New Delhi :

The BJP is headed for a clear win in Gujarat, News Nation exit poll has predicted. The exit poll results show that the saffron party is projected to win at least 135 assembly seats out of 182 in PM Modias hometown, while the ruling Congress may settle for maximum of 46 seats.

The exit poll predicts 135-139 seats for BJP, 42-46 for Congress. The state had voted on December 9 and December 14. The counting will be on December 18 along with Gujarat, where voting ended on Thursday.

The survey found that the voters of the state considered development followed by demonetisation and Patidar reservation while casting their franchise.

Gujarat had recorded an estimated 68.70 per cent voter turnout in the second and final phase of polling for 93 Assembly seats. Around 2.22 crore people were eligible to exercise their franchise to choose their representatives from among 851 candidates in the fray. While, on December 9, votes were casted on 89 seats with 977 candidates were in the fray.

According to the survey, 36 per cent people of the state want to see BJP candidate Vijay Rupani as the state's chief minister.

News Nation Exit Poll: Favourite CM candidate #ExitPollWithNewsNation @BARCIndia https://t.co/zbbWE9OgKh pic.twitter.com/ZKWeHf0Bjm

a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 14, 2017

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Puri:

Four Russian nationals including three women were detained by Odisha Police on Tuesday for flying a drone equipped with a camera capable of taking high-definition images over the Sri Jagannath Temple in Odishas Puri on Thursday.

Puri Police said, the detained claimed that they were members of ISKCON.

A senior police officer said, the four devotees from the ISKCON were operating drone from roof of Radha Ballav Mutt, located a few meters away from the temple.

Sarthak Sarangi, SP Puri, said, The four were questioned and later released on personal bonds.

He added that the four told the questioning team that they were unaware of the no-flying rules in the area.

Also read| Over 14 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in November: Govt



The Russians also told the questioning team that they were trying to photograph the shrine for creating roadmap to the temple, added the SP.

The Puri administration had declared the area a no flying zone in 2014 after a quadcopter took werial videos and photographs of the temple an uploaded them on social media. Since then a patrolling team has been deployed to keep a tab on to prevent flying of UAV in the area.

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Mumbai:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated India's first new conventional submarine INS Kalvari to the nation in Mumbai on Thursday.

The prime minister landed at Mumbai at around 11 pm on Wednesday and proceeded directly to the Raj Bhavan.

He was received at the airport by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine handed over by ship builder Mazagon Dock Limited, got commissioned into the Navy by Modi on Thursday.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

Also Read: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commissions INS Kiltan

Here are the live updates:

# INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy

# 'One Rank One Pension' was our commitment: PM Modi

# More than 200 terrorists have been killed in J&K this year,there has also been a steep decline in stone pelting incidents: PM Narendra Modi

# Eco-system connected to safety and security has begun to be changed in last three years: PM Narendra Modi

# Be it terrorism via sea, piracy, drug smuggling or illegal fishing, India is playing an important role in combating them: PM Narendra Modi

# I call it by a special name -S. A. G. A. R...means 'security and growth for all in the region': PM Modi #INSKalvari

# This is a fine example of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France: PM Modi #INSKalvari

# Mumbai: #INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy

# PM Narendra Modi dedicates #INSKalvari to the nation in Mumbai

# Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi to dedicate #INSKalvari to the nation shortly



#WATCH: PM Modi dedicates INS Kalvari to the nation in Mumbai https://t.co/UV51XxM275  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Mumbai: #INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy pic.twitter.com/3LtRYHrH9W  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

This is a fine example of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France: PM Modi #INSKalvari pic.twitter.com/jRVnuIkoni  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

#INSKalvari, first made-in-India Scorpene class submarine commissioned into the Navy pic.twitter.com/ODggsc31wh  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

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New Delhi :

Rajasthan Police has frozen a bank account which received more than Rs 2.50 lakh donations for fighting court case of Shambhulal Regar, who is in custody for hacking and setting ablaze a migrant labourer from West Bengal to death and filming the barbaric act.

The state police has also arrested two businessmen for allegedly circulating images on social media of receipts which acknowledged their donations to the account of Regars wife.

Anand Shrivastava, IG Udaipur Range, said Rs 2.75 lakh was deposited into account of Regars wife, Sita. Around 516 people from across the country have deposited the money for fighting Regars case.

The account has been freezed, added Shrivastava.

Also read: Man held for repeatedly raping his minor daughter



According to a senior police officer stationed at Bhim police station said, Two businessman identified as Prakash Singh and Dinesh Singh have been arrested. FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of law for circulation of donation receipts on social media.

Rajsamand district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC after several groups announced to take out procession in support of Regar.

Also read: Rajasthan govt gives Rs 5 lakh compensation to wife of labourer hacked



Actions will be taken against anyone who violates rule of law, said Shrivastava.

Regar, 36, had hacked one Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant labourer from West Bengals Malda, to death and torched his body early this month. West Bengal government requested Rajasthan government to take stringent actions against the culprits.

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New Delhi:

An atypical study led by Danish scientist Julius Nielsen has discovered an 18-feet long ancient creature in the North Atlantic Ocean.

According to scientists, the shark is 512-year-old and is believed to be the oldest living vertebrate in the world. Vertebrates comprise all species of animals within the subphylum Vertebrata and is a kind of unique creature with backbones.

A 'Daily Star' report suggests that experts estimated that the shark might have been born in the year 1505. Just about the next year, in 1506 Leonardo da Vinci had completed his iconic painting the Mona Lisa. Now you know how ancient this creature is!

Since Greenland sharks grow just about one cm per year, scientists believe that the 18 feet long shark should be exceptionally old.

Apart from this, the group of researchers are also using radiocarbon dating technology and the eye lenses of 28 different Greenland sharks have gone through a series of detailed examination process.

Also Read: Scientists discover 'Dinosaur-era' frilled shark with 300 teeth off the coast of Portugal

Scientists have managed to gather enough evidences which show that the oldest shark lens, discovered previously, is around 392 years old.

Moreover, the flesh of these Green Land sharks have certain type of chemical, which gives an unearthly feeling of being exceedingly drunk.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The second flash sale of recently launched Xiaomi Redmi 5A began at 12 pm on Thursday on Flipkart and mi.com. The phone went out of stock after minutes of start of the sale.

Mnau Kumar Jain, global Vice President of Xiaomi India, thanked the poeple on twitter for the love and support. He also informed that the next sale will be conducted on Decmeber 21.

#Redmi5A - today's sale on @Flipkart and https://t.co/lzFXOcGyGQ got over within 3 minutes. Thank you all for your overwhelming love and support! Y



Next sale is on 21st December at 12 noon.



Redmi 5A hai #DeshKaSmartphone! pic.twitter.com/nabWQyaNdA  Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) December 14, 2017

The first flash sale of the smartphone went on sale on December 7 when all of its units were sold out in an instant. The phone is labelled desh ka smartphone because the phone is being manufactured in India.

After the first flash sale ended, Jain said in a tweet that the second sale will take place on December 14.

The company has introduced the smartphone in two variants, 2GB RAM+16GB storage and 3GB RAM+32GB storage. The 2GB variant is priced at Rs 5,999 and the 3GB variant is priced at Rs 6,999.

As part of the introductory offer, the company is giving a discount of Rs 1,000 on its first five million units sold. This means that the customers can purchase the 2GB variant at Rs 4,999.

The specifications of the phone offer a metal unibody design along with a Dual Graphite Sheet and comes with three card slots, for two SIM cards and one microSD card.

Powered by Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor, the device runs on Anroid 7.1 Nougat OS topped with MIUI 9, UI layer of the company.

The phone offers a 5-inch display with 720X1280 pixel resolution.

Also Read| Xiaomi Redmi 5A with Snapdragon 425 launched: Know price, key specifications

On the camera front, the smartphone comes with a 12mp rear camera with LED flash and a 5mp front camera for selfies. The battery is set at 3,000 mAH without a fingerprint sensor on the body but an infrared sensor.
Perpignan (France):

At least four children were killed and seven people were seriously injured today after a train crashed into a school bus at a level crossing in southern France, police sources said.

The bus, which was carrying mainly junior high school students, was struck by the train in Millas about 18 kilometres west (11 miles) of the city of Perpignan, close to the Spanish border.

A rescue operation was under way. The head of security for the Pyrenees area, where the collision took place, confirmed the accident involving a train travelling west from Perpignan to the town of Villefranche de Conflent.

The bus was transporting mainly junior high-school students. The BFMTV channel said it was struck in the rear. President Emmanuel Macron in a tweet wrote: aAll my thoughts for the victims of this terrible accident involving a school bus, as well as their families. The state is fully mobilised to help them.a

Toutes mes pensAes pour les victimes de ce terrible accident daun bus scolaire et pour leurs familles. La mobilisation de laAtat est totale pour leur porter secours. a Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 14, 2017

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne were on their way to the scene from a meeting in the south-central city of Cahors.

aItas a terrible event,a Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said, expressing aprofound sadnessa.

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Mogadishu:

A suicide bomber blew himself up inside the main police academy in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Thursday,A killing at least 13 police officers, officials said.

"A man wearing an explosive vest entered the camp disguised as a policeman, and blew himself up," police officer Mohamed Abdulle said. "There are casualties, and many injuries."

The militant Islamist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

(More details are awaited.)

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Japan's Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling finding the mayor of Minokamo in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, guilty of receiving bribes.

The Supreme Court's Third Petty Bench, with Toshimitsu Yamasaki as presiding justice, turned down the appeal by Hiroto Fujii, the 32 year-old mayor, against the guilty ruling by Nagoya High Court in November last year.

The ruling, which overturned a lower court decision and sentenced Fujii to 18 months in prison suspended for three years and fined him 300,000 yen, will therefore be finalized, and he will lose the job under law.

Fujii, who became the youngest winner of a mayoral race in the country in June 2013, resigned following the high court judgment and was reelected in January this year to serve the rest of his first term. In May, he won his second term without a contest.

He was arrested and accused in June 2014 of accepting 300,000 yen from a facility installation company president in April the previous year, in return for helping the company's project to introduce a rainwater cleanup system to the city, when Fujii was a municipal assembly member.


With staff getting harder to come by, nearly 60% of top executives at major Japanese companies are inclined to invest more in training and educating personnel in fiscal 2018, according to a Nikkei Inc. survey.

Yet despite the widespread sense that the economy is growing, fewer than 10% of respondents said their company planned to raise wages by the 3% target encouraged by the government. Where they land on the issue could greatly sway consumption trends.

The quarterly survey drew responses from 142 presidents, chairmen and other leaders at major corporations from Nov. 22 through Monday.

Asked about plans to invest in personnel in fiscal 2018, 21.8% said they would spend more than in fiscal 2017, while 36.7% said they would be more likely than not to spend more, for a total of 58.5%. Of those, 45.8% said they aimed to spur innovation, and 33.7% to raise productivity.

Yet top managers remain cautious about raising base monthly pay. Regarding negotiations with labor in the spring, just 9.2% of respondents said their planned increases fell into the target 3% range. Some 19.7% said they would not consider any increases in 2018. Only 4.9% said they would lift pay by more than in 2017.

With domestic capital investment rising and the global economy strong, managers are growing more upbeat about Japan's economy. Some 87.3% of respondents said the economy was expanding mildly, and 2.1% that it was expanding, for a total of 89.4%, the greatest level of optimism in two and a half years.

The effects of a shrinking labor force played into a desire to increase investment in personnel. Staffing shortages are getting worse, particularly in the service sector. Of those polled, 41.5% said they felt understaffed.
For the first time, a Japanese high court has ordered the operator of a nuclear plant not to restart a reactor.

The Hiroshima High Court issued the injunction on Wednesday. It ordered Shikoku Electric Power Company not to restart the No. 3 reactor at its Ikata plant in Ehime Prefecture. It's currently offline for regular inspections.

The decision reverses a lower court order in March. Residents had sued to have the reactor shut down, citing the threat of a serious accident.

The latest lawsuit considered whether Shikoku Electric had properly assessed the risk to the plant posed by the largest possible earthquake and eruptions of nearby volcanoes.

Presiding Judge Tomoyuki Nonoue said the likelihood wasn't small that the nuclear plant would be affected by pyroclastic flows from an eruption of Mount Aso on the neighboring island of Kyushu. He found fault with the plant's location. He added that the operator had underestimated the amount of volcanic cinder and ash that would fall on the plant.

He concluded that the Nuclear Regulation Authority's judgment that the plant had met the requirements needed for a restart was flawed. He noted that the NRA hadn't properly assessed the risk that residents faced from various dangers such as volcanoes.

Under the injunction, the reactor will remain shut down until September 30th of next year.
The woman was an intern when her Microsoft colleagues took her out for drinks in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. She lived miles away in Redmond, Washington, the home to Microsoft's suburban campus, so after a night of drinking, she crashed with a male intern and his friend who lived in a group house nearby. She fell asleep in the basement, while the other intern and his friend played guitar.

But during the night, her lawyer would later write to Microsoft, the male intern sexually assaulted her -- or "forcibly penetrated her while she was sleeping," according to her lawyer's letter. When she woke, naked and with just flashes of memory, she rushed to the hospital for a rape exam and later filed a police report. She reported the incident to her supervisor at Microsoft as well as the company's human resources department, which promised a prompt investigation.

In the meantime, she was required to keep working alongside the man. When she discussed getting a restraining order with Microsoft, HR told her if she wanted one, she'd need to change teams, her lawyer wrote. She liked the work and her boss, so she stayed put for the rest of the summer. Microsoft later offered her a full-time job.And despite the allegations against him, Microsoft also hired her accused rapist.

The company assured her she wouldn't be located near the man, nor would they have to work together, her lawyer wrote. She took the job and signed a one-year lease for housing, even though she was still waiting to hear about the investigation.

The intern told her story in a February 2014 settlement letter to Microsoft, part of a trove of internal files unsealed Nov. 29 in a two-year-old class action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination at Microsoft. The documents shed new light on the company's struggle to deal with reports of harassment and on internal debates over whether women were treated fairly. While personal information such as names, dates and departments are largely redacted, the confidential files detail harassment complaints made by company veterans, incidents investigated by human resources, and internal skepticism over the equal pay data Microsoft publicizes. That the stories are seeing the light of day is remarkable, given the numerous legal hurdles many companies use to keep employee complaints under wraps.

A Microsoft representative said in a statement that the company works "hard to create a safe work environment for every employee." The company said that while the intern's alleged incident didn't occur at work, it took her claims "very seriously," and its security and investigations team met with her. "We encouraged her to take her complaint to law enforcement, and offered to connect her with additional resources such as victim advocacy groups," the spokesperson said, adding that Microsoft also took "practical steps to address concerns she had about her safety."

The personal stories, along with expert reports, have emerged in a case brought by three female employees in 2015 alleging systemic disparities in the pay and promotion of women in technical and engineering roles at Microsoft. As part of the court process to share evidence in the case, Microsoft had to give the women's lawyers at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein and Outten & Golden more than 150,000 internal documents, including several allegations of harassment and assault, like the intern's letter.

The current wave of sexual harassment allegations against influential companies and powerful men have prompted scrutiny on the legal tools that have limited how women can go public in cases like these. When employees are hired, their contracts increasingly include what are known as pre-dispute arbitration clauses, which say that employees can't sue the company in court. When accusers resolve their complaints in private, through arbitration or a settlement, there usually is no public disclosure or record. And the terms of settlements regularly include non-disparagement clauses and non-disclosure agreements, which prevent employees from saying anything negative about the company or even acknowledging a settlement exists. For those cases that do make it to court, companies fight to keep the most damaging records sealed.

"I don't think companies are motivated to truly change their internal culture when there are issues until they are publicly held accountable," says Erin Pulaski, an employment attorney at Rudy Exelrod Zieff & Lowe, the San Francisco law firm that represented Ellen Pao, a venture capitalist who brought a landmark gender-discrimination lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Pao lost the suit in 2015.

The Microsoft intern's allegations are public - whether or not she wanted them to be - because of a rare confluence of events. While about two-thirds of workers at large employers have signed mandatory arbitration agreements, they are not standard at Microsoft. The plaintiffs requested Microsoft turn over individual complaints, and an NDA doesn't necessarily prevent an employer from disclosing those documents in court, even if it would have prohibited a woman from telling her own story publicly. The letter on behalf of the former intern, for example, included a proposed settlement for severance, and in exchange offered "a full and complete mutual release." Details about how things worked out for the intern weren't included in the disclosures. Her attorney, Robin Williams Phillips, didn't respond to several requests for comment, and a search of court records found no cases brought by Phillips against Microsoft. The company spokesperson said, "We don't and we won't allow non-disclosure agreements to become a tool to enable those who engage in such conduct to continue with this type of wrongdoing."

This October, the women bringing the lawsuit filed a motion to have their class certified on behalf of more than 8,600 other women. They attached as evidence individual allegations, including the intern's; some of Microsoft's internal communications; and the plaintiffs' own expert data analysis. The documents were originally sealed, but after the plaintiffs objected Microsoft allowed some of them to be unsealed and is still fighting over others.

Much of the dispute over what internal information the plaintiffs could have and disclose centered on an internal study of equal pay that Microsoft publicly touted. To mark Equal Pay Day in 2016, Microsoft published a blog post declaring that for every $1 paid to men at the company, women of the same job title and level were paid 99.7 cents. Not equal but pretty close, the company emphasized.

In court, though, Microsoft argued that it shouldn't need to reveal the underlying data and communications about the study, saying it fell under various legal confidentiality rules. In June, a neutral arbiter -- known as a special master -- appointed by the judge for these types of disputes recommended that the company disclose more details to the plaintiffs. "Fundamental fairness," the special master wrote, "suggests that Microsoft should not be allowed to publicly tout its favorable diversity data, including providing statistics on its success, and then claim the data and resulting method to reach its statistics are privileged."

The documents recently unsealed by Microsoft include a deeply skeptical internal response to the software maker's announcement on pay equality. Some of the documents indicate that the move backfired, generating a wave of employee concerns, indignation and even accusations the company wasn't taking the issue seriously.

Comments to Microsoft's executive vice president of human resources, Kathleen Hogan, derided the study, pointing out that it ignored how women had a harder time progressing to higher-paid positions. "Without that data, I view this as a vanity metric," one employee wrote. Another told Hogan: "While I understand the desire to focus on the positive when reporting numbers, I think it's virtually meaningless that people in the same level with the same job title have nearly equal salaries. The real disparities, as we know, are in hiring, promotion, leadership positions, and representation in non-traditional roles."

There were other missteps that indicated the company was struggling with its approach to improving gender equality. In 2014, at a conference promoting women in technology, then-new Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella advised women not to directly ask for raises, but instead to keep silent and rely on the "karma" of hard work to reward them. Criticism was immediate, and Nadella swiftly apologized. The women filed their class action lawsuit the following year.While he was saying sorry, Nadella also said equal pay wasn't enough if women didn't have opportunities to do equal work.

But Microsoft is still fighting to keep its own data on diversity and gender equity private, as well as top-line numbers on harassment and discrimination complaints to HR and how they were resolved. It did agree to unseal statistical analyses, conducted by the plaintiffs' experts, including one by Princeton University economics professor Henry Farber. Farber found that women in engineering and IT operations at Microsoft, through the first nine levels in the company hierarchy, were paid 8.6 percent less than their male peers.

"We have a strong commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where all employees have the chance to succeed," Microsoft said in its statement. "While we've made important progress over the years including increasing diverse representation and expanding training, we are constantly learning and working to improve. We've reviewed the plaintiffs' claims and strongly disagree with the contentions in the case because data and other information is mischaracterized."

Natasha Lamb, a managing partner at Microsoft investor Arjuna Capital, which has used shareholder proposals to push Microsoft and other companies to publicly disclose pay equity data, says there's every reason for Microsoft to be more forthcoming, despite the potentially unflattering results.

"We have this society-wide gender gap, and compensation has been locked up in a black box," she says. "Women think that they're being underpaid, and so you need to prove that they're not and that's how you're going to remain competitive and keep that female talent."

Once she became a full-time employee, the intern discovered she'd be working in the same building as the man she said raped her, and later, after a reorganization, would need to be on the same team -- a situation her lawyer called "alarming." She stopped taking a Microsoft internal shuttle bus after seeing him try to take the same shuttle. When she later asked HR about their investigation, the letter says, she was told that because the police didn't charge the man, Microsoft dropped the case. "It is unfathomable that Microsoft would hire [an] individual against whom a criminal complaint of rape had been made by a co-employee," her lawyer wrote. An employer's responsibility "to keep a safe, hostile-free work environment is not premised on whether a harasser can be criminally charged," the lawyer said.

Police deem only about 5 percent of rape cases to be baseless, according to a 2015 analysis of federal data by the nonprofit investigative newsroom ProPublica, but many complaints don't result in charges. Without a criminal case, an employer still must decide how to handle the accused. "Law enforcement did not ultimately file any charges," the company spokesperson said. "Given this, and our own findings, we took the action we deemed appropriate related to the accused employee. We continued to work with the employee who raised the complaint to provide support."

---

Bloomberg's Peter Blumberg contributed.
NEWTOWN - The towns Congressional delegation made statements, shared reflections and spoke out in Washington about the 5th remembrance of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre.

The comments from Newtowns federal lawmakers come five years since the worst crime in Connecticut history on Dec. 14, 2012, when a 20-year-old man killed his mother, shot his way into a locked Sandy Hook School, and murdered 20 first-graders and six educators, and then shot himself.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthals statement:

Today marks the fifth anniversary of one of the darkest moments in our nations history. I stand in awe of the families who, through unimaginable grief and pain, have shown unparalleled courage and resilience. We must never forget the innocent lives lost that day, and we must never abandon their cause.

Shame on Congress for allowing yet another year to pass without action. Shame on Congress for allowing this tragic anniversary to be followed by so many morein Sutherland Springs, in Las Vegas, in Orlando, in Charleston, and in our communities each and every day. Each day that passes marked by inaction, Congress turns its back on the will of the American public--complicit as 90 more lives are lost to the scourge of gun violence.

Today and every day, we must honor with action. I will not give up this fight.

Excerpts from U.S. Sen. Chris Murphys reflection:

Newtown will never be the same. And having been there to witness the days events firsthand, I know I will never be the same. My life changed that day. I now wake up every day knowing that my political career will be a failure if I do not change the laws of this nation to meaningfully reduce the chances that something like that will ever happen again.

But tonight, as I gather with family and community members in Newtown to remember the beauty that was extinguished from the earth five years ago today, I will not wallow in what has not been accomplished.

Instead, I will remember the two simple words whispered to me by one Sandy Hook mom earlier this year. As I readied to leave my office one evening, the front desk rang me to say that one of the Sandy Hook parents had dropped by unannounced. Of course, send her in, I said. She walked into my office, and without saying a word, draped her arms around me in a giant, warm bear hug.

Keep going, she said quietly to me. She wiped a few tears back, took a few steps backwards, and continued, Thats all I wanted to say. Then she left, unable to muster the energy to say anything more.

Newtown isnt the same. Im not the same. And I doubt youre the same.

But five years later, we keep going. And we celebrate the miracles that continue to implausibly blossom all around us.

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Estys excerpted remarks Wednesday night on the House floor:

Twenty schoolchildren and six educators - twenty six- and seven-year-olds - were ripped from the community of Newtown. I remember that day. I was a newly-elected member of Congress, learning about what it means to serve in this august body, when I started to receive e-mails and text messages telling me that something terrible happened at home. And by noon, I learned the worst: that children had been killed.

I threw my things in the car and drove from Boston. I called my mother, I called my minister, and I prayed for wisdom, guidance, and the courage to face the families. I arrived to find families being notified that the children they had put on the bus that morning - children who were thinking of Hanukkah, of the start of Christmas, and of the newly-fallen snow on the ground - those children would never come home.

Its sad. Its sad and its inexcusable that as I stand here five years later, the peoples House still has not taken action.
It has been five years since the Sandy Hook tragedy and time to take stock. The Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation continues to distribute thousands of dollars monthly to address the mental health needs of those who suffered from the event. In addition, it continues to provide grant support for many nonprofits whose mission has been to provide ongoing support to the Newtown community in dealing with the tragedy. Many wonderful nonprofits have grown in Newtown and remain active in their efforts to provide care, education, and advocacy around mental health issues, gun violence, and victim support. Additionally our state passed enlightened gun legislation. While the nation continues to struggle with a meaningful response to avert tragedies such as this, there are a few memories worth mentioning.

First, in the immediate aftermath, the outpouring of support in every possible form was overwhelming and heartwarming. Not only was Newtown showered with money and teddy bears, but also volunteers from around the country. Our emergency department received numerous calls of support. It was a stunning testament to the human capacity for kindness and aid, but managing the inundation became a full time occupation in itself.

Support came from multiple local institutions, not the least of which was the state, in the form of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, but also the Department of Education and the Department of Children & Families. I recall immediate meetings of how best to support the needs of the victims, students, their families, the teachers and the communities. Clear divisions were established so that we were not working at cross purposes. But support was most welcome from local agencies such as Family and Childrens Aid, Newtown Youth and Family Services, and Wellmore. Finally, Yale University and the Connecticut Psychiatric Association all pitched in. It made staffing the Reed Intermediate School easy in providing these invaluable services to the town.

Second, in the aftermath, as the shock wore off, and the air had cleared and the press and volunteers left, raw emotions remained. This was the most challenging time. The real work of building capacity and responding to need took on a daily, workman-like feel. It is similar to that time when the injury is over, but the pain and need to push through it with a recovery plan remains. There is no easy way around it. It is here when local organizations took root, such as Sandy Hook Promise, the Newtown Action Alliance, the Resiliency Center of Newtown, and the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation. It is here where there is risk for raw emotion to become fixed and where the need to avoid long-term debilities requires the most persistent effort.

Finally, a long-term recovery plan continues to evolve. It has been a slow process, with many fits and starts. It has not been easy, and it has not been universally admired. Everyone recovers in their own manner. It is a long and winding road, and each path seems to accommodate only a handful of travelers, so that many must be created if one is to meet as many needs as possible. And even when one thinks one is on the right path, one can find oneself lost again, as if the path turns in on itself without warning.

As Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. It is the work of the community to find each way that needs to be paved for each family, if recovery is to be possible. I believe our community has attempted to do that, and I am proud of that fact.

Dr. Charles Herrick is a board member of the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation, and is chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, Danbury and New Milford Hospitals.
BROOKFIELD - Two Danbury residents were arrested on assault charges after a domestic disturbance on Candlewood Lake Road Wednesday.

According to police, officers arrived at the home at around 10:30 p.m. and charged Jonathan Joyner, 19 of Nichols Street in Danbury, with third-degree assault against a pregnant woman. Alexandra Leeds, also of Danbury, was also arrested and was charged with third-degree assault, police said.
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GREENWICH  Few building materials evoke a sense of stability and longevity like stone.

With original construction dating back to 1920, and framed by a stone courtyard, the home at 31 Sawmill Lane is the kind of house that was built to last.

Its original owners, C. Wadsworth and Mary Howard, first moved into the home when the area was mainly woodlands. Some of the fieldstone used in the construction was quarried locally, so the house is a true Greenwich original. Nearby ponds were used to harvest big blocks of ice during the winter, and theres still a door leading to the basement that preserves that old tradition.

The roof also speaks to an older style of home construction. It has a beautiful slate roof, really, really thick, notes the listing agent for the property, Jill Marchak.

The visual scale of the roof is broken up by dormered windows and chimneys, offering a visual counterpoint to the mass of slate and stone.

Jerry and Barbara Jordan moved into the house in the early 1970s. The house has only had two families occupying the residence in its long history. Designed in a Georgian Colonial style, it was given a major renovation by the Jordan family, with MMR Construction and architect James Schettino making additions and renovations respectful to its history. Hes more of a traditional architect, and he has an appreciation for an older home, with historical interest, said Marchak of the architect on the project.

Jerry Jordan was the president at Thomas Cook International, a global travel management company, and he later served at N.W. Ayer, the advertising agency, as executive vice president. He died in 2015.

The house was where Jordan and his wife raised a family and entertained large gatherings. In keeping with the entertaining aspect of the home, theres an underground wine cellar that can hold 3,000 bottles.

They re-purposed the house for more modern living. An open kitchen, and family room, big master bedroom, and closets, said Marchak.

Yet the house kept the feel of an old country estate. There are eight fireplaces and striking views of the grounds.

Theres a lot of wood paneling, and its been decorated in keeping with the houses age. A great big window seat in the living room, high ceilings throughout. Its a gracious and elegant home, beautiful scale. A beautiful house to move around in, said the listing agent.

The older design features include the original arched doorways and entryways. The stonework inside and outside the house were also maintained.

Additions to the structure include a glass-encased orangerie that takes advantage of the natural vistas, in a room that can be utilized all year long. In the summer months, a seating area opens out to a pool and spa in the back of the house.

For a house in mid-country Greenwich, it feels especially secluded. Its a very private property - youre really tucked away there. Its a great family house, and works for people who would like a larger home, people with extended family, and people who do a lot of entertaining, Marchak said. Its a house with really good bones and quality.

The house is listed at $5,250,000 through Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.
iStock/Thinkstock(PARIS) -- A regional train and a school bus collided in southern France Thursday, killing four children and injuring more than a dozen others.



The incident occurred at around 4 p.m. local time in the village of Millas. About 20 students between the ages of 11 and 15 were being taken home in a school bus when it collided at a railway crossing with a train, local authorities said in a statement.



French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who flew to the scene of the accident, confirmed that four teenage children were killed and 11 others had been critically injured.



"The circumstances of this terrible drama are still undetermined," Philippe said.



A spokeswoman for the French national rail company, SNCF, told ABC News that the train normally travels at about 50 miles per hour at the location of the crash and that 25 people were on board at the time. Three of the train's passengers were slightly injured.



All emergency services have been mobilized and a crisis coordination unit has been set up, local authorities said. 100 firefighters were called to the scene, along with 10 ambulances, two air ambulances, and two police helicopters.



"All my thoughts are with the victims of this terrible accident of a school bus and with their families. The state is fully mobilized to come to their aid," French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in French.



Psychological help is being offered to families and students on site, authorities said, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
"We recognize the Canadian domestic market represents a huge opportunity for growth," said Massimo Mottura, president, Campari Canada. "The retooled and improved Grimsby facility will allow Campari Canada to serve the market more efficiently and ensure we keep jobs here in Canada."

On December 13, 2017, Campari Canada made the $5-million announcement alongside key Members of Provincial Parliament including:

Hon. Michael Chan , Minister of International Trade

, Minister of International Trade Hon. Brad Duguid , Minister of Economic Development and Growth

"Our government is working to make sure Ontario is able to compete and succeed in today's rapidly changing global market. One of the ways we are doing this is by increasing access and export capacity for our businesses," said the Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade. "Through the province's leadership in modern international trade agreements like the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Free Trade Agreement (CETA), we are ensuring our domestic businesses can meet the demand of consumers in some of the world's largest markets like Europe."

Since 2014, Gruppo Campari has invested well over $200-million in Canada as part of a global strategy to prioritize the Canadian market. This included an initial investment of $184-million for the purchase of Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., along with the ongoing priority to invest heavily in staff training.

"We're thrilled that Campari is investing and expanding in Ontario," said Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth. "This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our people, in our economy and in the work we have been doing together to make Ontario one of the best places in the world to invest and do business."

In 2015, Gruppo Campari invested in $1.3-million to establish a Canadian head office in Toronto. Since setting up Canadian operations, the company has added 70 new Canadian jobs. These new positions include 13 marketing positions, 17 in finance, eight in production, 25 in sales, two in human resources and five senior executives.

"Ontario is a diverse place to do business and our citizens come from all over world," said Hon. Laura Albanese, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. "This diversity gives us a competitive advantage and makes Ontario an attractive place to find talent."

About Gruppo Campari:

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates ('Gruppo Campari'), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group's portfolio includes over 50 premium and super premium brands. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, Grand Marnier, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. In 2014, The Group acquired Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., a Canadian spirits company with a portfolio of brands including whisky, vodka, brandy, rum and liqueurs. Internationally-recognized for its superior taste and quality, the multi-award winning Forty Creek Whisky serves as both the fastest growing brand in its category across North America and Canada's first successfully launched whisky brand in over 70 years. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 18 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 20 countries. The Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI  Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

About Campari Canada:

Campari Canada serves as the nationally-focused extension of global beverage leader Gruppo Campari. Designed to fortify the Gruppo Campari legacy across the national landscape, Campari Canada serves as owner, importer and marketer of a diverse portfolio of over 50 internationally recognized brands spanning across all fine spirits categories. Among them is Canadian spirits company, Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., known for its award-winning range of complex, yet approachable whiskies. With the Grimsby, Ontario-based Forty Creek location serving as the company's bottling plant and warehouse, and corporate office headquartered in Toronto's bourgeoning Liberty Village, Campari Canada continues in the Group's steadfast commitment to building lifestyle brands and people with passion.

Its portfolio includes internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, Grand Marnier, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey.

SOURCE Campari Canada

For further information: For more information or to arrange an interview with Massimo Mottura, president, Campari Canada, please contact: Patrick Martins, E: [email protected], T: 647-352-3580 ext. 237, M: 416-402-9078; Cassandra Ward, E: [email protected], T: 647-352-3580 ext. 225, M: 647-352-3578
The Low Carbon Technology Incentives program is designed to encourage homeowners to invest in building envelope and HVAC upgrades. The primary focus will be on existing detached, semi-detached, and row town houses with rebate values covering 50-75% of the installed costs. Measures include insulation for exterior walls, attics and basements, air sealing, windows (ENERGY STAR Most Efficient) and heat pumpsair source and ground source.

Rebates for air source heat pumps will range from $1,900 for ductless air source heat pumps to $5,500 for ducted cold climate units. Rebates for geothermal systems will be $2,000 per loop ton for horizontal loop systems and $3,000 per loop ton for vertical loop systems, with additional incentives for adding de-superheaters ($750), domestic water heating ($1,500) and for systems that meet higher efficiency levels (an additional $1,500). Rebates for geothermal will be capped at $15,000 for horizontal systems and $20,000 for vertical loop systems. Additional rebates of $750 per loop ton will be available for replacing existing geothermal heat pumps for more efficient systems.

Contractor registration for the program will be administered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and will build upon the SaveONenergy contractor database and management processes which are managed on behalf of Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). There will be specific training and certification requirements for contractors to be registered to offer each of the different program measures.

"We are very pleased with the Ontario Government's commitment to combatting climate change through investments in low carbon heating and cooling technologies," said OGA Chair Jim Bolger, President of Waterloo Energy Products, Maryhill, ON. "Geothermal heat pump systems are the most energy efficient way to heat and cool homes and buildings and, in jurisdictions like Ontario, where electricity is mostly generated without burning hydrocarbon fuels, it also represents a significant way for Ontarians to reduce their carbon footprint. This technology, in conjunction with investments in home insulation and air sealing, will not only lower energy bills and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also improve the indoor comfort of homes."

The OGA, in partnership with HRAI, is preparing the heating and air conditioning industry in the province to answer questions people might have and to respond to demand for geothermal systems that will be generated by the rebates program. These organizations are committed to ensuring systems are installed by fully trained and qualified contractors, backed by appropriate warranties and support from equipment manufacturers. This technology has been widely deployed with great success in other parts of the world.

Acknowledging that this new rebates program is limited to home retrofits, the OGA is also exploring the potential for introducing geothermal systems into the new home market: "OGA is pleased to be working with Enbridge Gas Distribution in the development of innovative utility models for the geothermal loop assets, which will further increase adoption of the technology," said Bolger.

The OGA will work with HRAI, GreenON, IESO, Enbridge and other willing partners to communicate to the people of Ontario the full benefits of investing in this remarkable technology.

The Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA) is a not-for-profit organization representing geothermal energy system designers, drillers, installers, equipment manufacturers and distributors to advance Ontario's geothermal heating and cooling industry. The OGA strives to be a bridge between consumers, government and industry professionals while acting as a voice to increase awareness for the importance of working towards the use of a greener, cleaner and self-sustainable energy source. The OGA was established in June of 2009 and on April 16, 2013 they were proud to announce that OGA and HRAI entered into a formal agreement making OGA an affiliated association of HRAI. Visit www.ontariogeothermal.ca for details.

HRAI is a national association that represents more than 1,350 heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors, and provides Canadians with the tools and information necessary to ensure their total indoor environment comfort. HRAI offers leadership and training programs for the advancement of its members' business and technical excellence, promotes a code of ethics for consumer protection and safety, and provides consumers with useful information and a database of members in good standing to support an informed buying process. Through its membership requirements and consumer feedback processes, HRAI is committed to a safe, responsible and fair industry that is environmentally-responsible and sustainable. Visit www.hrai.ca for details.

SOURCE Ontario Geothermal Association

For further information: contact Kendy Sandy at [email protected] or (905) 602-4700 ext. 250

Related Links

http://www.ontariogeothermal.ca/


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BRIDGEPORT  The former head of the Bridgeport Police Departments minority officers organization, demoted last year in connection with a fake racist letter, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.

Sgt. Lonnie Blackwell claims he is the victim of racial discrimination by the city.

My client was placed on administrative leave for a year and then demoted, and by any measure or standard that was excessive, said Blackwells lawyer, Thomas Bucci. We are seeking to reverse the demotion and recover monetary damages for excessive discipline by the chief of police.

Bucci said he would leave it to a jury to decide what those monetary damages should be.

Blackwell, the former president of The Guardians, was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant by Police Chief Armando Perez in November 2016, based on investigations by state police and the citys Office of Internal Affairs into whether Blackwell conspired with former officer Clive Higgins to disseminate a racist hate letter in the Bridgeport Police Department in February 2015. While Higgins later pleaded guilty to criminal charges for the letter, Blackwell was not charged.

On Feb. 9, 2015, Higgins reported finding a racist letter in his mailbox at the police department. The letter, which was circulated around the department, was typed on city letterhead and made negative comments about African-American officers and complained that Higgins, who is black, didnt belong on the police force.

The discovery sparked calls for an investigation by the NAACP and national organizations of African-American police officers. The city called in the state police to investigate.

State police said Higgins admitted he wrote the letter after they presented him with surveillance video that showed him typing it at the police department.

State police said Higgins told them he was ordered to write the letter by Blackwell to bring attention to the department with respect to ongoing racial complaints.

Blackwell, then supervisor of the departments police academy, denied Higgins claims but was placed on administrative duty by Police Chief Joseph Gaudett on Dec. 2, 2015.

Perez, in a memorandum accompanying his decision to demote Blackwell, said there is no credible evidence that Blackwell directed the writing of the phony letter, but that he violated department rules for the way the letter was reported to authorities.

The lawsuit states that as a result of the discipline, Blackwell lost his eligibility to be promoted to captain.

The defendant, without just cause, imposed discipline on the plaintiff that was demonstrably harsher than the discipline it imposed on non-black police officers similarly situated to the plaintiff, the lawsuit states.

In May the city agreed to pay Blackwell $65,000 to settle an earlier federal discrimination suit he had filed.
NEW HAVEN  A flashing police cruiser was overflowing with packaged toys, as dozens of people came out Wednesday to support the Police Departments Stuff the Cruiser Toy Drive, which honors the legacy of the late New Haven Alder Mae Ola Riddick.

Since her passing in 2013, the Kingdom International Economic Development Corp. and New Haven Police Department teamed up to organize an annual holiday toy drive, with the departments campaign as part of their efforts.

I asked [Mae Ola] like eight years before she passed, Mae, what do you have in place? What are you going to do? said Metashar Dillon, founder and CEO of KIEDC. She said, Im not worried about that. Yall going to handle that. Yall are going to take care of that. Because she already knew what we were doing behind the scenes.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, people will be able to drop off new and unwrapped toys in the Walmart parking lot, 315 Foxon Boulevard, with a second drop-off location at the police substation, 26 Charles St.

Capt. Patricia Helliger said they also accept warm clothing, such as coats, hats and gloves.

When we do this toy drive at the substations, children come undressed. They come in sweaters when its really cold, so what we try to do is get a coat and let the child walk out of the substation in something warm, she said.

While she applauded the communitys ability to step up, Helliger stressed that older children need toys as well. She said they receive a lot of toys for babies and younger children but not as many for teenagers.

We got to take care of the children in our community. Theres a lot of needy families. I really think people think Connecticut is this state that has everything, but there are a lot of families that are really, really struggling, Helliger said. So were here to make sure every boy and girl will able to get something under the tree or have something for Christmas.

Dillon said the donated toys are sorted into age-appropriate categories and then distributed to the registered families. She noted parents will even drive for two hours to pick up the toys, as this may be the only present their children will receive during the holiday.

Despite challenges people in the community face, Dillon said, at end of the day, its the children that matter. The kids are full of joy, theyre smiling. Its a lot of heart-wrenching situations. Theyll come out and say, Mom, were so thankful because if we didnt have this, we wouldnt have anything. So we hear a lot of stories. Its a real need, she said.

jessica.lerner@hearstmediact.com; @jesslerner on Twitter
NEW HAVEN  A Mexican citizen waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer to drug trafficking and immigration offenses.

The investigation revealed that Jesus Gomez-Valdivia, 38, was deported from the United States to Mexico in November 2001 and subsequently reentered the U.S. illegally, John H. Durham, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, jointly announced Wednesday.
MERIDEN  Sujitno Sajuti spends his days reading, praying and sometimes catching the news, but he tries not to dwell too much on what is happening on immigration policy.

The Indonesian immigrant and his wife, Dahlia Sajuti, have been living for more than two months at the Unitarian Universalist Church, which granted him sanctuary as he fights deportation.

While he has had visitors during this time, Wednesday was special, with several dozen supporters and new friends from the church stopping by to celebrate his 69th birthday.

A West Hartford resident, Sajuti is known in that community for his interfaith activities, teaching Quranic studies and also tutoring students in math.

Sajuti said he has a new team of lawyers, led by an attorney at the New Haven Legal Assistance Association.

He first came to the United States in 1981 on a Fulbright Scholarship, earning a masters at Columbia University. He went back to Indonesia for a while, but returned to work toward a doctorate at the University of Connecticut.

He overstayed his visa and was ordered to leave the country, but had been granted multiple stays of deportation starting in 2011. That stay was not renewed in August under the new administration.

Fahd Syed of Waterbury, a Muslim activist and a state corrections officer , came to visit with his wife and four children.

I want my children to be the future leaders to make sure all people are welcome in America, no matter what their race or religion is. We are deeply honored that the church gave him sanctuary. We just want them to go back to their home. Nothing more, nothing less. They are not criminals, Syed said.

Syed said the couple are an asset to the community.

They are very good people. He is known all over Connecticut for assisting the poor  just anything he could do to help the oppressed and now he himself needs help, Syed said.

He said the sanctuary movement is bringing people together.

The Rev. Jan Carlsson-Bull, pastor of the church, said they only had several hours notice when they got a request to take in the couple, but it has worked out well with support from their members and advocates.

She said they quickly agreed to let the couple live there starting on Oct. 9; Sajuti was well known to them because of his work in interfaith circles.

Alok Bhatt, who is a leader in the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, said Sajuti depends on his faith to keep positive.

He puts things in Gods hands, but also recognizes that there are a lot of people doing a lot to support him, Bhatt said.

Sajuti is the fourth person to seek sanctuary in a church in the state to avoid deportation.

He said he has a really effective legal team on his side and recent conversations with it were encouraging.

Bhatt said the church leaders quickly organized, putting together a Chalice Sanctuary Team, with members assigned to laundry, food shopping and overnight stays.

The flaming Chalice is a symbol of Unitarian Universalism. It was used initially in 1939 by the Unitarian Service Committee as a symbol of safety, sanctuary for individuals they were rescuing from Nazi oppression. It was a symbol that could be trusted, Carlsson-Bull said.

The pastor said they welcome food cards and gifts of cash to offset the cost of having the heat on 24/7.

She said the church trains overnight volunteers in the event a person who is not wanted comes to the door.

The small crowd sang happy birthday to Sajuti and he thanked all those who have helped him in the past two months.

I know it is tough, but we have to work hard. I know it is not easy. ... We have to work together if we are going to fix something. Muslims work alone? Hispanics work alone? No, we have to work together, Sajuti said.

I hope justice comes when I am still alive. My prayer is  the American dream, I can catch it  that it is still possible, he said.
A 37-year-old West Haven man waived indictment and pleaded guilty Tuesday to supplying heroin to a Bridgeport man who fatally overdosed, the U.S. attorneys office stated.

John Rodriguez entered pleas in Bridgeport federal court to possession with intent to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin, John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced Wednesday in a news release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, shortly after midnight on Nov. 7, 2015, Bridgeport police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Bridgeport after a 29-year-old male had been found unresponsive by his roommate. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital where, after several attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead, the release said.

The investigation, which included witness interviews and analysis of text message communication, revealed that Rodriguez had supplied heroin to the victim the day before the man died.

A post-mortem toxicology report found fentanyl, marijuana and several anti-depressant drugs in the victims system, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded that the victim died from acute fentanyl intoxication, the release stated.

Rodriguez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Sept. 22, 2016. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on March 5, 2018, and faces up to 20 years in prison.

On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel ordered Rodriguez, who had been released on bond, to be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administrations New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the West Haven Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.
STAMFORD  A 21-year-old city man told police three people used counterfeit money to pay him for several pairs of sneakers worth a $1,000 and then beat him up when he confronted them about the fake cash.

Sgt. Chris DiCarlo said police responded Sunday night to Summit Ridge Road in North Stamford where the victim was found bleeding.
Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima has been accused of being the Boss of Boko-Haram and the leader of Chibok Girls by the former State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.Sen Modu said that Shettima cannot walk the streets freely for fear of being lynched to death by people of the state. He said : In Maiduguri, Governor Shettima cannot walk free on the streets, while Sheriff walks freely every day.In Maiduguri, the citizens know that Shettima is the Boko Haram boss and the keeper of Chibok girls.Sheriff released a statement through his Special Adviser on Media, Adams Kolo on Wednesday. He said:When the Chibok girls saga started, they made the President to believe that there was no abduction; that the Chibok girls were kidnapped by the governor of Borno State, ostensibly to embarrass the Jonathan administration and he believed that line of story.I was in Chibok, my wife was in Chibok and there was a global outcry on the issue but Jonathan was in a world of his own, created by the clowns and also the misfits around him. I wasnt invited to Abuja until nearly three weeks later and even when I was invited to Abuja, I was quiet thrilled that at last I was getting the attention of my leader.I was asked to come along with Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer in Chibok, the Commissioner of Education, the Military Commander in Chibok and the Director of DSS in Borno.
The Catholic Church has shared its position on the controversial issue of payment of tithe raging in the country.

The Catholic Church has shared its position on the controversial issue of payment of tithe raging in the country.

Speaking to Punch on the matter, the Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu, the director of Catholic Communication and the Apostleship of Prayer League of Sacred Heart of Jesus, pointed out that tithing was not a must and was purely voluntary in the Catholic church.





The Priest said in the Catholic church, members are not compelled to pay the tithe.





He said, The first mention of a tithe in the Bible occurs in Genesis when Melchizedek, a king and a priest of God Most High, offered a sacrifice of bread and wine in thanksgiving for Abrahams victory over several enemy kings.





As an offering to God, Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. (See Genesis 14.) In the Old Testament, the tenth of ones bounty was customarily given to the priests in their service to God. The Torah (the law of God as revealed to Moses) prescribes the giving of tithes.





A person offered to God, or tithed, one-tenth of the harvest of the grain of the fields or the produce of fruit of the trees, one-tenth of new pressed wine and oil, and every firstborn animal of herd or flock (Leviticus 23 30-33.





Deuteronomy 12:17. 14:22-29). The Bible book of Numbers also records how God prescribed that the Levites, the priestly class of the Jewish people, were entrusted with these tithes: (Number 18:21-24). Therefore, these tithes were contributions offered to the Lord and distributed to the Levites for their support.





Payment of tithe, like other donations made in the Catholic Church, is not obligatory. This means that members are not compelled to pay the tithe. It is purely voluntary. Also, Catholics are under no obligation to pay a certain percentage of their income to the church as a tithe.





In the early history of our church, the priests depended upon the generous support of congregations for their sustenance. This custom was based on the New Testament instruction: Jesus taught the apostles to depend upon charity when He sent them on a mission (see Matthew 10:10). St. Paul also instructed the early Church community to provide for the needs of their priests (I Corinthians 9:13).





As cited in the Catechism (No. 2043), the precepts of the church maintain that each person has the duty to support the material needs of the church. Of course, a person fulfils this obligation according to his abilities.





The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for apostolic works and works of charity, and for the decent sustenance of ministers.
Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, has described the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Bill as the worst piece of legislation in the ...

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, has described the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Bill as the worst piece of legislation in the history of Nigeria.

Falana in a statement released on Wednesday said the bill threatened the existence of a free and independent civil society in the country, which would have bad impact on Nigerians.





The controversial NGO Bill aims to regulate and monitor the activities of all civil society organisations and labour unions in the country.





The lawmakers are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the bill on December 13 and 14 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.





Falana further called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara to stop the passage of the bill.





The statement reads: This is perhaps the worst piece of legislation in Nigerias history.





Under the bill, any civil society group advocating for human rights, basic freedoms and good governance can be shut down and criminalised. The bill if passed will ultimately have a disastrous impact on Nigerian citizens democratic participation in furthering the development of their own country.





The HB585 Bill seeks the establishment of non-governmental organisations regulatory commission for the supervision, coordination and monitoring of non-governmental organisations and civil society groups among others and for related matters.





I urge Speaker Dogara to reject entirely the bill as it falls significantly short of international human rights norms governing the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, in particular, Section 40 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Articles 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.





The bill allows government authorities to de-register local and international associations and NGOs if they consider them as not working in the national interest.





Government can similarly deny registration on the vague grounds that the purpose and goal of the associations or NGOs are inconsistent with the programmes of government. Associations and NGOs operating without registration in Nigeria will face criminal liability.





The excessively broad and vague provisions and administrative discretion given to the authorities in regulating the work of community associations, labour unions, NGOs and other civil society groups can be wielded as tools to intimidate, and even suppress, dissenting views and opinions in the country.





The bill places undue restrictions on the right to freely associate, which is a fundamental freedom and essential component of democracy, as recognised by the UN Human Rights Council.




The Federal Government, yesterday, paid N421 million to the Ikoyi whistle blower, who provided information leading to the discovery of $...

The Federal Government, yesterday, paid N421 million to the Ikoyi whistle blower, who provided information leading to the discovery of $43.5 million, 27,800 and N23.2 million at No. 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.It was gathered that the money was paid to the beneficiary by officials of the Ministry of Finance after which he left Nigeria for an undisclosed country.It was further learned that the eventual recipient of the reward money was the person who had earlier been taken to Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the suspicion that he could be mad. However, what government paid in line with the Whistle-blower Policy which recommended 2-5 per cent of any amount recovered for a whistle blower, was not the total amount due the Ikoyi whistle-blower.The whistle-blowers lawyer, Mr. Yakubu Galadima, had in November, dismissed reports that his client would receive N350 million reward, saying the actual figure was N850 million. Galadima, however, told newsmen yesterday that payment of the reward to his client had confirmed his insistence that he was the true whistle-blower, adding that the development is expected to put an end to any doubt over who actually blew the whistle.His words: My client has been paid. He was paid yesterday and has since left the country. As we are speaking, he is not in Nigeria. However, the money was paid directly to him.The government said they were going to pay the money directly to him and that was what they did. The person that was paid was the same guy they claimed had a psychiatric problem.What has happened confirmed my client, who has all along been known as the principal whistle-blower as the real whistle-blower.The government had in 2016, approved a policy on whistle-blowing that aimed at encouraging Nigerians to report financial crimes.Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who announced the policy, said anyone who provided information leading to the recovery of fund, would be entitled to not more than five per cent of the recovered sum.
The Task Force set up by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) in Niger State to monitor the sale and distribution of petroleum products says it has sealed two filling stations for selling above government approved pump price.The Commandant of the Corps, Mr Philip Ayuba, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Minna.Ayuba said ECE filling station was sealed for selling above the approved price, while Beji filling station was sanctioned for diverting the product to black markets and also selling above the approved rate.The Commandant said that the task force had so far visited more than 50 filling stations in and outside the state capital as part of the exercise.He said the body would continue to monitor the activities of filling stations to ensure availability of the product in the state.
The National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari will hold its inaugural meeting today...

The National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari will hold its inaugural meeting today.The panel is made up of representatives of the Federal and state governments, as well as the private sector.The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates also have members in the committee.But the NLC yesterday gave indication that it will resist any attempt by governors to frustrate the exercise on the ground that it was an attempt to impose equal wages on the states.NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke at the National Executive Council meeting of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria in Abuja, said the idea of having a minimum wage for workers across the country was part of ILO convention, which Nigeria has since ratified.He said the workers are demanding a minimum wage and not equal wages, stressing that when the tripartite committee agreed on N18,000 minimum wage, states went back to agree with their workers on what to pay.Wabba stressed that while some paid above the agreed minimum, others stayed within the minimum.He said: What we are talking about is that minimum that a worker should earn and not the maximum. I have heard argument by some governors that you cannot impose the same salary structure on all the states. That is not what we are demanding. We are demanding for the minimum that should be paid and what that means is that you cannot go below that; but you can go above it.In any case, why are the governors complaining when it comes to the workers? The salaries of governors and political appointees are fixed by the National Salary Income and Wages Commission and they earn the same thing irrespective of their state. If they can earn the same, why cant workers earn the same.We are yet to hear of any governor or political appointee saying his salary is higher than the one from another state. If the workers cannot collect the same salary all over, then the governors should stop collecting the same salary and we will resist any attempt to frustrate the minimum wage.Wabba said the issue of non-payment of salary in the states has nothing to do with lack of resources but the lack of proper planning by the governor and not putting their priorities right.He wondered how governors would want to negotiate minimum wage for their states when political office holders in one state earn the same salaries and allowances with their counterparts in other states as prescribed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
A latest World Happiness Report (WHR) that rates 155 countries on the strength of their happiness status, ranked Nigerians as the 6th hap...

A latest World Happiness Report (WHR) that rates 155 countries on the strength of their happiness status, ranked Nigerians as the 6th happiest people in Africa and the 95th happiest in the world. Previously, in 2003, a World Values Survey had indicated that Nigerians are the worlds happiest people.How the country rapidly slides from being the World Happiest People in 2003 to currently being 95th in the world should be a thing of immense concern to all well meaning and patriotic compatriots. There is, therefore, an urgent need for us to reclaim the lofty status of being the happiest people in the world. It is an aberration for us to lose that enviable position to any other nation for that matter. It is our birthright and we must do all within our powers to possess our possession.This is why much commendation must particularly be accorded the government and good people of Imo State for showing the rest of the country the way forward in this onerous task to salvage our mandate as the happiest people on planet earth. The recent appointment of a Commissioner for Happiness and Couples Fulfillment in Imo State represents a significant watershed towards the all important mission of retrieving our crown as the happiest species on earth. The state governor and his crop of ingenious advisers surely deserve an Oscar for coming up with such a deft and innovative move. It is simply quite nifty.Now that Imo has braced the odds by coming up with such a creative agenda to resuscitate the dwindling fortune of happiness in the land, other governments across the country, federal, states and local authorities, should hurriedly come on board by replicating same at their respective domains. The reason is that the happiness of Imo people alone would not be enough for our beloved nation to repossess the enviable ranking of being the happiest people. So, where do we go from here? How do we guarantee that sound of happiness once again reverberate across our land? Well, the way forward isnt that difficult. As a matter of urgency, the federal government must go ahead to establish its own equivalent of Federal Ministry of Happiness. It must be done without further delay. It is that urgent. Same goes for all the states of the federation.The Imo template is an enticing model that must be swiftly duplicated by others. After all, it is always said that one could copy something that is worthwhile. As for all the Local Councils in the country, they must without delay set up a full -fledged Happiness Department. With recent rate of incidences of suicide, divorce, murder, rape, depression, kidnapping and other such discomfited cases across the country, it is quite obvious that a melancholic spirit currently pervades this once happy nation. It is, thus, quite imperative that something critical is done to redress the situation. We must not allow sorrow and gloom to take over our land. We are happy people who are known for our intoxicating aura of happiness, and happy we must remain.Now, as soon as the federal government sets up its own equivalent of the Ministry of Happiness, it must ensure that a very humorous, witty and charming personality is appointed as the Honourable minister to oversee the ministry. This is would be a very strategic move. For one, it would help fast track the confirmation of the prospective minister by the National Assembly, as his/her happy demeanor would easily disarm the distinguished legislators. Therefore, it is suggested that any of Ali Baba, Falz the Bad Guy, Omo Baba, AY, Funke Akindele or such other distinguished comedians in the country should be considered as potential nominees for the coveted office of Federal Minister of Happiness, Federal Republic of Nigeria.Having scaled through the National Assembly hurdle, as soon as the probable minister settles down to business, he needs to quickly sets in motion the process that would lead to the recruitment of capable personnel who would help him rapidly turn the happiness situation in the country around. Getting the best of such personnel wont, of course, be difficult. The ministry could be staffed by the brightest comedians and Nollywood players in the country. Possible names in this wise include Baba Suwe, Ozofia, Aki and Pawpaw, Pa Latin, Funke Akindele, Princess, and a host of others. You can bet, with such incredible array of irresistible and talented comedians and humorous actors manning the proposed ministry, our nation wouldnt be in want of amusement and happiness.With the proposed ministry appropriately staffed, the next phase would be to resourcefully devise creative programmes and activities that would guarantee that the whole nation is filled with tremendously happy people. Since laughter is one of the most visible manifestations of happiness, it is recommended that the anticipated ministry organize a one of its kind comedy road show across the country to usher in a wave of heartfelt laughter that would ultimately engender greater happiness across our beloved nation. Similarly, the Ministry could empower famous Nollywood comedy inclined acts to come up with hilarious movies that could further boost the countrys happiness credential.Since poverty and economic hardship are potent joy killers, it would be cheering news to the teeming masses across the country if, for instance, the federal government would come up with a scheme that could ensure that indigent Nigerians who want to get married but couldnt do so for economic adversity would be assisted to do so. This could be done with a legislation barring indigent folks from paying bride prices and engaging in other such costly process that make getting married so frightening. In the alternative, government through the proposed Ministry of Happiness could opt to offset costs of wedding anniversary for all impoverished compatriots.Also, since hunger multiplies sorrow and reduces happiness, government could set up camps across the country where fellow citizens could be from time to time. It is often said that the best way to a mans heart is through his stomach. Without a doubt, once the citizenry are well fed, the nations happiness would be fully guaranteed as most people who embrace crime on the excuse of hunger would no longer find crime attractive.On a final note, the issue of our peoples happiness is a very important business that must be treated as such by the appropriate authorities. Making the people happy is, perhaps, the most important task of any government. Nigeria must reclaim her status has a nation of happy people. Imo has graciously kick started the process. Others must follow suit.
Nigeria has demanded an immediate restructuring and expansion of the UN Security Council to correct the injustices meted out against Africa in the composition of the prestigious 15-member body.Nigerias position was delivered by Amb. Babatunde Nurudeen, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS at the UN General Assembly Debate on Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council.The Security Council is UNs most powerful principal organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, accepting new members to the UN and approving any changes to the UN Charter.Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, the authorisation of military action and it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.Nurudeen regretted that 72 years after its formation, Africa continued to be marginalised in the representation on the prestigious body in spite of its ability and capacity.He stressed that a reformed Council would entail a restructuring and expansion of its membership to take account of, inter-alia, the increased membership of UN and the need to reflect the interests of all the constituent regions.The Nigerian envoy said: Nigeria and other emerging nations continue to demonstrate the capacity to add value to the work, of all the organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.For that reason, we must now commit ourselves to accelerating the long-overdue reforms of the Security Council. This will no doubt make the Council more equitable, more inclusive and more effective.Russia, UK, France, China, and U.S. serve as the bodys only five permanent members that can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.Nurudeen stressed: Nigeria believes that a reformed Security Council with expanded permanent membership would benefit from the unique experiences and capacities that regional representatives could bring to bear on its work.Nigeria has always expressed its support for the advancement of the intergovernmental negotiations process in an open, inclusive and transparent manner.The Nigerian envoy re-affirmed Nigerias very strong adherence to the Common African Union Position on the entire subject of Security Council reform.That is important in order to correct the historical injustice done to the continent and its continued marginalisation over so many years.For that reason, we wish to underscore the overriding need to ensure that the interests of Africa continue to be advanced and safeguarded.African States have offered a coherent, practical and persuasive blueprint for the Councils reform.We have come up with a common position, which asserts the right of our continent that has for so long been marginalised, and we recognise the legitimate aspirations of other regions to be fully represented in the Council.According to him, the clear objective of the reform process is based on the sovereign equality of all Member States and on the need to adhere to the principles of democratisation and inclusiveness in the UN.It is undoubtedly a worthwhile process. Therefore, we must muster the desired will that can lead to the achievement of a reformed Security Council sooner rather than indefinitely, Nurudeen said.
The Federal Government has issued a directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) restating its affirmation of One China...

The Federal Government has issued a directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) restating its affirmation of One China policy as part of its drive to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China.The circular was issued through office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja on Thursday.The circular read in part: As part of governments drive to strengthen and deepen bilateral relationships with China, it has become imperative to reaffirm Nigerias position on the (One China Policy).According to the circular, for clarity, the Federal Government recognises that Beijing remains the only seat of the government representing the whole China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory.The circular further stated that in effect, the Federal Government does not recognise Taiwan as an independent territory.According to the circular, Mr President has directed that the term Republic of China (Taiwan) shall not be used in official communications and pronouncement.And all official and private trips by the government officials to Taiwan must be cleared by the SGF.In the circular, government is also reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade relations between Nigeria and Taiwan and its outcome will be communicated in due course.According to the circular, all MDAs are enjoined to bring the contents of this circular to the notice of all concerned for immediate compliance. (NAN)
A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has described the partys newly-elected National Wo...

A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has described the partys newly-elected National Working Committee (NWC) as one of the best set of national leaders the party has ever produced.Metuh said on Wednesday in Abuja that he was fully confident that the new NWC would lead the party to victory in 2019.He said virtually all members of the NWC led by Prince Uche Secondus were experienced in party management and politics, and were well prepared to serve the party.He said: The National Chairman, Secondus, has been in party administration. He was a state chairman, chairman of G-84, national organising secretary, deputy national chairman, acting national chairman of the party and he has now become the elected one.Also, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, was a former editor of a newspaper. For the first time we are having a practising journalist as our spokesman.We expect that he will excel. He is going to be one of the best publicity secretaries we have in PDP because he comes well prepared for the office.His deputy is also well known and experienced in the practice. I think this is one of the best NWC that we can have. We are happy with the members.Unarguably, this is one of the best NWC that we can have. The election worked very well, and we now have people who are equipped and ready to work for the interest of our party.Assessing the process of the convention, Metuh commended the Chairman of the Convention, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and his team for good preparation, planning and execution.He also commended the enthusiasm and excitement shown by party members, especially chairmanship aspirants who campaigned round the country.
Oby Ezekwesili, the convener of the BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, has said that President Muhammadu Buharis recent visit to Ebonyi and Kano sta...

Oby Ezekwesili, the convener of the BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, has said that President Muhammadu Buharis recent visit to Ebonyi and Kano states was a campaign for the 2019 presidential election.

She also faulted the Presidents claim that he has the votes of Kano people in 2019 elections.





Recall that President Buhari, while on a working visit in kano, said if 2019 elections was free and fair, people of Kano were in his pocket.





Ezekwesili said Buharis visit to the states was 2019 campaign propaganda, adding that it was a tragedy for a president who should be after good governance for the citizenry.





According to her, Buhari is a politician who does not think of next generation.





In her tweets she wrote, There one was, thinking that finally@NGRPresident @MBuharigets that he should visit the States and connect with his Citizens as part of a Good Governance principle. From South East (Ebonyi) & now Kano, it turns out it he has merely fast-forwarded his 2019 campaign. REAL PITY.





So these brazen words were indeed spoken by President .@MBuhari in clear revelation that EVERYTHING is now all about 2019 election?




The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ibrahim Magu on Tuesday night escaped death by the whiske...

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ibrahim Magu on Tuesday night escaped death by the whiskers as some gunmen stormed his house in Abuja. When they didnt find the EFCC boss in the house, they killed one of the police guards attached to the house and disappeared.According to findings, the gunmen stormed the farmhouse in Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory at about 10pm and exchanged fire with the policemen on duty, The Nation reportsA police Sergeant was hit and he died instantly.This is the second time that the same the house will be attacked by unknown elements.The last 10 months had been tough for Magu because of his refusal to bow to pressure from some high-profile suspects and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).Following threats, security was beefed up for Magu and his immediate family leading to the deployment of policemen to the uncompleted bungalow in Karshi.Some suspected elements had also been prowling the familys house in the Borno State capital and issuing threats to the woman.This latest attack came barely 48 hours after Magu said the anti-corruption will be a do-or-die affair.Speaking on Monday after a walk to mark the anti-corruption Day, Magu said: For those of us on this side; in the anti-corruption agencies of government, in the media, and civil society, the dagger is drawn and I believe I am speaking the mind of everyone on this side that we intend to neither retreat nor surrender in our noble intention to cure our country of the evils of corruption.For us as a country, the fight against corruption is a do or die affair; we have to win the battle or die trying.
Cristiano Ronaldo has tasked his lawyers with negotiating his exit from Real Madrid, according to new reports in Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo has tasked his lawyers with negotiating his exit from Real Madrid, according to new reports in Spain.The Los Blancos star has apparently been left unhappy since winning his fifth Ballon dOr last week.While at the ceremony in Paris, Real president Florentino Perez was asked about whether Neymar could follow in the number sevens footsteps. Being in Madrid would make it easier to win the Ballon dOr, Perez confessed.Real Madrid is a club which gives all you need as a big player, everyone knows that I already wanted to sign him at one point. In the television report, Edu Aguirre reveals:Well, the situation between Real Madrid and Ronaldo has not only failed to improve, it is worse than ever. There has not been a single offer or renewal on the table from Real Madrid for Ronaldo, no offer for Ronaldo. And today, Ronaldo refuses to negotiate any kind of renewal with Real Madrid.
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, on Wednesday presented to the Executive Council of the Federation for approval the contr...

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, on Wednesday presented to the Executive Council of the Federation for approval the controversial $2.7 billion (about N827 billion) gas pipeline contract he accused the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, of awarding two months ago.

Mr. Kachikwu told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting in Abuja that the Council approved a memo for the award of the pipeline contract he earlier said was awarded by Mr. Baru to a Chinese firm.





The contract is for the installation of the new Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK, gas pipelines under a public-private partnership basis.





Nigerians first heard about the contract after a memo by Mr. Kachikwu dated August 30, 2017 to President Muhammadu Buhari was leaked in the media.





In the memo, Mr. Kachikwu accused Mr. Baru of insubordination and breaching contracting process in awarding the contract.





He said Mr. Baru refused to involve him, as the chairman designate of the NNPC Board and minister in charge of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in the processes of the award of the contract.





But on Wednesday, Mr. Kachikwu said he presented the contract to FEC for approval again to correct the infringement of due process by the initial approval.





The controversy that followed the revelation of friction between the two most powerful figures in the countrys oil and gas industry raised tension that threatened the stability of the Nigerian economy.





When the two officials later at the Nigerian Economic Summit, NES 23 in Abuja made a show of reconciliation by embracing before media cameras and pledging to work together for the overall interest of the industry, Nigerians thought the issues had been resolved.





But Mr. Kachikwus decision on Wednesday to present the same contract to FEC for approval triggered fresh public curiosity.





He told correspondents that the meeting, presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, approved his memo for the award of the controversial contract.





When completed, he said, the project would allow holistic movement of gas from the southern corridor to the northern hinterlands for increased gas utilization and power generation.





We presently have trapped power, trapped gas, all in the southern corridors that is going nowhere because of lack of infrastructure. So, that contract has now been awarded, he told the journalists.





But, remember that was partially done. This is a contract that has lasted over 13 years. So we got approval for that today (Wednesday), and so that is going forward very nicely, he said.





Asked why he had to present the contract again to FEC for approval, Mr. Kachikwu said it was to correct the irregularity he pointed out in his leaked memo to the President.





What I wrote to the President in my memo, which was presented to FEC, was to remind him that these were some of the contracts he had already approved, Mr. Kachikwu said.





What I complained about was about due process not being following in the initial approvals, obtained without seeking my concurrence or input.





The due process is that before contracts go to FEC, they should go first to the Board of the company, in this case NNPC, to give everyone the opportunity to make their inputs, he explained.





He said before he took the latest memo to FEC, he had followed due process, by taking the details back to the Board, briefed members and obtained their buy-in.





What I did was an inverse approval process, which is post-the fact, by taking it to the Board before the FEC. After the NNPC Tenders Board, the right thing to do should be for the contracts to go to the minister, who should even have an input before the Tenders Board finishes its work.





But because the contract value exceeds the $20 million threshold, the minister has the obligation to take it back to the other Board members for them to review it. Whatever is their opinion would be included in the recommendation by the minister to the President, to guide his decision.





Based on the Presidents input as the full Minister, then the contract would go to FEC. That is the due process of how things should be done, he said.





Mr. Kachikwu said at the point he wrote to the president in October, approval had already been given, without his involvement in the process and without the input of everyone who should contribute to the process.





The minister, who said he was reluctant to talk about the issue again, said he agreed to speak to afford Nigerians the full benefit of what happened.





I dont what to go through the whole controversy again. It took a lot out of everybody. We managed to calm things down. All what I did was to correct the wrong in the process inversely by taking it to the Board members to enable them be aware of it and make their inputs, he said.





When contacted for his reaction, NNPC spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu, said he preferred not to comment on the issue, since all parties in the controversy had since learnt their lessons and moved on to allow everyone focus on the bigger picture of ensuring a stable growth of the oil and gas industry and the economy.





Meanwhile, Mr. Kachikwu said apart from the AKK pipeline contract, the FEC also awarded a contract to a consortium for the Odidi Pipeline Project from Warri and the Southern marshlands, to move about 364 million cubic meters of additional gas to be produced through the Niger Delta, to be fed into the AKK pipeline.





He said the contacts were all part of the governments gas gathering system.




The Diocese of Trenton Wednesday announced that it will be ending its relationship with Holy Cross High School in Delran, meaning the school may close for good unless a group of alumni successfully resurrects the institution as an independent Catholic school.

In the statement, Bishop David M. O'Connell said Holy Cross, which has been operating for 60 years, would cease to be a diocesan school on June 30, 2018, but the diocese is supporting a plan by the alumni to re-open the school the following day.

The alumni will release information on the plan soon, the diocese said.

The Burlington County school has fallen victim to the same forces that have claimed parochial schools across the state and the country in recent years, a one-two punch of declining enrollment and spiraling costs.

The diocese has supplied the school with nearly $14 million since the late 1990s, which includes $500,000 in subsidies last year. But the infusion of cash has not been enough to keep the school going, diocesan officials said.

"Efforts to build enrollment and strengthen the school's financial footing over the past several years have not been sufficiently impactful, and neither the Diocese nor the school itself has the means to keep the school operating for any extended period of time," the diocese said.

Efforts by alumni and other private donors to save other struggling Catholic schools have been successful in the recent past. Earlier this year Marist High in Bayonne managed to keep its doors open after more than $750,000 was raised.

And in 2015, a school in Middletown, Mater Dei, was saved by a fundraising push that generated more than $1 million in donations in just a few months.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Q. On TV we are seeing many ads trying to scare the viewer into buying gold. We're also bombarded with statements claiming we are going to have a large turndown in the stock market. Are we supposed to hide our cash in a pillowcase? The nattering nabobs of negativity tell us we will be a cashless society and the government will confiscate our savings. Does this mean anything to us?

-- Tired of hearing it all

A. You're right that you'll find lots of advertisements that use fear to bring in customers. We don't like it at all.

Let's address all your comments.

First, ads for gold.

Jerry Lynch, a certified financial planner with JFL Total Wealth Management in Boonton, said he's seen the same ads: William Devane talking about gold. Tom Selleck discussing reverse mortgages. Erik Estrada selling Florida real estate.

"They have two things in common: They are all actors gifted at speaking in a convincing manner, and they know nothing about what they are talking about," Lynch said.

Lynch said he doesn't like gold for regular investors.

Gold is a commodity, he said, and generally commodities are market timing products.

"This means that you need to do two things well to actually make money: You need to get in at the right time and then get out at the right time. That is extremely difficult to do!" Lynch said. "If you look at historical gold pricing, it looks like a heart monitor for a person with a heart attack -- very volatile."

Lynch said gold is expensive to trade and to store. He said you can reasonably lose 10 percent or more on purchases and sales of the product, and there are many dealers who are not acting in your best interest.

Gold is also taxed at a higher rate as a collectible, he said.

"If I own a stock for a year and have a gain, then sell it, I get taxed at capital gain rates that are either zero, 15 or 20 percent," he said. "On gold, it gets taxed at 28 percent."

So overall, Lynch said, it's a very complex product that requires excellent market timing to make money, it is expensive to buy, sell and store, and it gets taxed at a very high tax rate.

Now to everything you've heard about a market downturn.

"I have done a little media and let me tell you what sells: doom and gloom!" Lynch said. "If you turn on CNBC and they tell you everything is great, you flip the channel and find an old rerun of the Three Stooges. Then CNBC loses all its advertising dollars because nobody is watching."

But if you turn the TV on and the world is coming to the end, you watch all day long and the advertisers love it, Lynch said.

Generally, he said, the media is not there to educate you, but instead is there to entertain you and sell advertising.

"Many of these investment shows would change to a home improvement or dog grooming show tomorrow if they can sell more advertising," he said.

On stuffing your cash in a pillow, maybe not.

"Always protect your cash flow and make sure you have enough where you can get through reasonable market declines," he said. "The rest invest and allow your money to go through market cycles. Cash is very uncomfortable in a pillow!"

In terms of all the negativity, Lynch said, you shouldn't pay it much mind.

"Let's assume that I find out that the market is about to crash, stock prices will plummet, and home prices will take a huge dive. Why would I tell you?" Lynch said. "If I have these great facts I would tell nobody, and short the stock and housing market and make a fortune. Why would I dilute my returns by telling everyone about this?"

The bottom line is you should stay focused and disciplined, save regularly and get more conservative as you get closer to retirement.

"It is not as exciting as gold or shorting the market, but it works," Lynch said. "The tortoise always wins!"

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter.
The mystery is solved.

The enigmatic hacker who repeatedly crashed Rutgers University's computer network between 2014 and 2016 -- then taunted campus officials online for their weak cyber security -- was one of the school's own students.

Paras Jha, 21, admitted in federal court Wednesday that he was behind the series of cyber attacks that shut down campus websites and knocked tens of thousands of members of the Rutgers community off the internet.

The former computer science major caused days of frustration for students trying to submit assignments, professors trying to post grades and researchers who couldn't work on their projects.

But, he also cost Rutgers money -- lots of it, prosecutors said.

Jha's online pranks may have cost Rutgers between $3.5 million and $9.5 million, said William Fitzpatrick, the acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey. The exact amount will be determined at Jha's sentencing hearing in March.

"These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students' submission of their work to professors to be graded," Fitzpatrick said. "The defendant's actions effectively paralyzed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers' students."

The Rutgers attacks were one of several crimes Jha pleaded guilty to in federal court this month. In a separate case filed in federal court in Alaska, Jha pleaded guilty to conspiring with two other hackers to create computer viruses, including the "Mirai" botnet that was used by other hackers to disable much of the internet in an October 2016 worldwide cyber attack.

Investigators opened the case in Alaska because that is where some of the first devices were infected by the "Mirai" botnet virus, which was named after a Japanese anime character Jha and his co-conspirators liked, prosecutors said.

Jha faces up to 10 years in prison, though he is expected to get less under the plea agreement he reached with federal prosecutors. He faces a fine of at least $250,000, but he could also be fined as much as twice the amount of money his victims, including Rutgers, lost because of his crimes.

The former student, who left Rutgers after two years, has already agreed to forfeit his bitcoin account, which he used to get online payments as a cyber-attacker-for-hire, prosecutors said. His account had 13 bitcoin-- currently worth about $220,000 due to a recent spike in the value of the online currency.

A Rutgers spokeswoman declined to comment on how much money the university lost because of Jha's cyber attacks, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. In 2015, university officials said they were spending at least $3 million to upgrade cyber security in campus due to the repeated DDoS, or distributed denial of service, attacks on its servers.

Rutgers officials later said the extra money spent on cyber security upgrades was one of the reasons they hiked tuition for the following school year.

In 2015, Jha used a Twitter account with the the screen name "Exfocus" to taunt Rutgers officials about the latest cyber attack that crashed Rutgers' websites and cut off internet and wifi to the campus.

"where internet go?? 3m dollar gone?" read one tweet, referring to the $3 million Rutgers said it spent on consultants and new software and equipment to upgrade its cyber security.

In a letter to the Rutgers community sent Wednesday, Rutgers' top internet security official said the university has made big improvements to it technology infrastructure since Jha's attacks.

"We recognize the threat posed by cybercriminals, and we will be tireless in working with law enforcement to pursue individuals who attempt to compromise the Rutgers network," wrote Michele Norin, Rutgers' senior vice president and chief information officer.

Jha, who lives with his parents in Fanwood, is remorseful for his attacks on Rutgers and his other crimes, his attorney said.

"He is fortunate to have loving, supportive parents and a bright future ahead. He has pled to charges here in the District of New Jersey, and in the District of Alaska, as the first step in his evolution into adulthood and responsibility," said Robert Stahl, Jha's attorney.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook.
Three years ago, Ali Muhammad Brown fatally shot three men in Washington State using a 9mm handgun, then took a Greyhound Bus across the country to New Jersey, where he killed a 19-year-old in West Orange using the same gun, all as part of a plot to avenge the death of Muslims in wars overseas, prosecutors and detectives from both states said on Wednesday.

Brown, a 32-year-old Seattle resident, is the first person ever charged with terrorism in connection with a killing under New Jersey law, following the June 25, 2014 shooting death of Brendan Tevlin of Livingston, who had just finished his freshman year at the University of Richmond in Virginia.

Separate murder charges are pending against Brown in Washington State related to the three fatal shootings there. He is also charged with a June 29, 2014 armed robbery in Point Pleasant Beach. Brown is now serving a 36-year state prison term after being convicted of another armed robbery, this one in West Orange, which occurred 15 days after Tevlin was killed while stopped at a traffic light at Walker Road and Northfield Avenue.

West Orange police arrested Brown at a makeshift campsite, where authorities say the murder weapon, a camouflage jacket, zip-ties and a copy of the Quran were also found.

The purpose of Wednesday's hearing in state Superior Court in Newark was to determine the admissibility of incriminating statements by Brown and other evidence related to the Washington State killings in Brown's New Jersey murder trial. The trial is scheduled to begin jury selection Jan. 29.

Judge Ronald D. Wigler will determine whether the Essex County Prosecutor's Office can present jurors with evidence from the Washington cases to support its assertion that Tevlin's killing was part of a broader scheme by Brown to kill Americans in retaliation for the death of Muslims at the hands of U.S. armed forces in the Middle East.

Two detectives who had worked on separate murder cases against Brown in the Washington state killings testified about their investigations.

Det. Jake Pavlovich of the King County Sheriff's Office, who investigated the killing of Leroy Henderson, 30, on April 27, said Brown used a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun in the fatal shooting and left him lying face-up in the street amid a handful of spent Ruger shell casings, Brown's preferred ammunition.

Pavlovich said a silver Dodge Durango SUV captured near the scene was traced to Brown's ex-wife and mother of his two children.

Pavlovich said Brown's ex-wife had purchased the gun two weeks before the shooting, and then reported it stolen. Pavlovich said that, although the couple had been divorced, she told him that Brown had access to her apartment and to the SUV.

Pavlovich also recounted White's statements indicating Brown had become increasingly religious, as well as angry about the death of Muslims at the hands of U.S. military forces in the Middle East.

Brown's lawyer, Albert Kapin, objected to Pavlovich's testimony regarding what the ex-wife had told him, insisting it was hearsay. Wigler allowed the testimony, however, ruling that while hearsay may not be admissible at trial, it was permitted in the hearing.

Essex County Assistant Prosecutors Purva Deshpande and Jamel Semper then played a taped interview that Pavlovich and his partner conducted with Brown's ex-wife, in which she said Brown often watched lectures on YouTube denouncing the U.S., and that Brown had expressed his discontent living in the United States.

"He's not happy about all the Muslims being killed over there," she says on the tape. "He preferred to be in a Muslim county [rather] than here."

Pavlovich said Brown's ex-wife was not charged in the case.

During a break in the hearing, Pavlovich told NJ Advance Media that Brown traveled from Washington State to New Jersey on a Greyhound Bus, and that he was able to carry the Smith & Wesson on board with him undetected.

Cloyd Steiger, a former detective with the Seattle Police Department who investigated the June 1 killings of Ahmad Said, 27, and Leroy Anderson-Young, 23, in Seattle, said Brown used an online dating site, grindr.com, to lure the men to a night spot before leaving with them in Said's car, then shooting them both multiple times.

The hearing is scheduled to resume on Thursday morning, when the prosecution is expected to call additional witnesses.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Two Jersey City men and an Edison man were arrested on drug charges last week in Secaucus in separate incidents, police Capt. Dennis Miller said.

On Dec. 4, Kevin M. Jaramillo, 19, of Jersey City was charged with possession of marjiuana and drug paraphernalia during a motor vehicle stop at 5:50 p.m. outside Buffalo Wild Wings on Harmon Meadow Boulevard, Miller said.

Jaramillo was also issued three summonses tinted windows, being an unlicensed driver and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle. Jaramillo was taken to Hudson County jail.

The following day, at 9:42 p.m., a 28-year-old Jersey City man was arrested on the same charges, also after being pulled over by Secaucus police at Paterson Plank Road and Maple Street. The man was also charged on outstanding warrants out of Union City totaling $260.

He was issued summonses for tinted windows and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle and he was taken to the Union City Police Department.

On Dec. 6, at 6:52 p.m., a 28-year-old Edison man was pulled over on the Meadowlands Parkway near Seaview Drive in Secaucus and found to have drugs inside the vehicle, Miller said. He was charged with possession of marijuana and issued a summons for failure to signal.

2 charged with shoplifting

A Parsipanny man was charged with shoplifting from a TJ Maxx store in the Mill Creek Mall in Secaucus on Dec. 7, Miller said. Matthew L. Israel, 45, was charged taken into custody and taken to Hudson County jail.

On Dec. 10, a Union City man was charged with shoplifting from Sam's Club, also in the Mill Creek Mall area, Miller said. Angel L. Perez, 32, was arrested and taken to Hudson County jail.

The police report did not say with items or of the total value of the thefts.
A masked man's attempt to rob a deli was foiled this week when a regular customer interrupted the armed robbery and helped scare the intruder off, authorities said.

Police responded to the Danforth Avenue store just after 8:20 p.m. Tuesday on the report of an armed robbery. They were met by a store employee who said that a man brandishing a handgun entered the deli at the corner of Fowler Avneue around 8:15 p.m. and tried to make his way behind the counter, a police report indicates.

The robber, who was wearing a black ski mask, black skullcap, dark gray blazer and gray pants, told the employee to "put the money in the bag...I'm gonna shoot you," according to the report.

At that point a frequent customer entered the store, saw what was transpiring and yelled "What the f--- are you doing" at the robber, according to the report.

The robber left the store, knocking over a number of ramen noodle products as he fled. He headed north on Fowler Avenue toward Cator Avenue and then turned east toward Kennedy Boulevard, the report states.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct time police responded to the scene. A previous version of the story should have stated police arrived just after 8:20 p.m.
BAYONNE -- Melissa Enriquez-Rada, a community advocate, has announced her candidacy for an at-large council seat on mayoral candidate Jason O'Donnell's ticket.

Enriquez-Rada, who works as a realtor, massage therapist and insurance agent, is the latest to join O'Donnell's slate. Her candidacy rounds out the race for the city's two at-large council seats.

"I'm proud to stand with Jason O'Donnell and the rest of our team because I know our only goal is to fight for Bayonne taxpayers and to make a better future for our residents," she said in a statement. "I have seen so many people in my travels who do not have the ability to be a voice in their own community and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work towards a better future for our city and everyone who lives here."

Enriquez-Rada is involved in a number of community organizations: she has served as the president of the Rotary Club since 2016; she is an assistant teacher for The Artists Avenue organization and promoter for High Tech High School's performing arts programs; she previously served as the PTA president for the John M. Bailey school; and she is a former member of the Bayonne Women's club.

She is a two-time recipient of the Bayonne Board of Education's Sharing is Caring Award and received the Rotary International Walter D. Head Award this year.

Enriquez-Rada is also the head of an ongoing international project, The Blessed to Bless, which has provided medical and infrastructure support in the Philippines.

"Melissa Enriquez-Rada is a tremendous addition to our team," O'Donnell said in a statement. "Melissa understands better than most that public service is sacrifice for the good of community and her work as an advocate is indicative of that sacrifice."

Enriquez-Rada is the third to join O'Donnell's council slate. Dan Ward, a longtime educator within the city, and Kevin Kuhl, a local Prospect Street bar owner, each announced their candidacies for an at-large seat and the Second Ward council seat, respectively.

Ward and Enriquez-Rada will face off against current at-large council members Juan Perez and Sharon Nadrowski during a May 2018 municipal election.

O'Donnell, who will face Mayor Jimmy Davis in the election, has yet to announce his slate's remaining two candidates for the First and Third Ward council seats.

Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @coreymacc. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
NEWARK - During almost a full day of closing statements in the federal trial of a Bayonne cop accused of covering up police brutality, attorneys presented jurors drastically different interpretations of evidence presented throughout the case.

The government has argued Francis Styles intentionally lied on incident reports relating to the Dec. 27, 2013 arrest of Brandon Walsh in efforts to cover up a case of police brutality for fellow officer Domenico Lillo. The defense team, however, has pushed to prove Styles was exposed to pepper spray and suffered a head injury during a violent struggle with Walsh, altering the officer's perception.

Defense attorney Jack Arseneault submitted multiple documents into evidence Wednesday morning and read from a brief interview with a federal investigators to jurors before resting his case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Cortes then began closing summations, arguing Styles knew Lillo had struck Walsh in the head with a flashlight and intentionally omitted those details from his incident report.

Cortes spent much of his time pointing to a video that shows Lillo viciously assault Walsh while Styles looks on. He pointed to statements from Lillo - who testified against Styles in return for a lighter sentence - saying he had a conversation with Styles on the night of the arrest that both cops agreed to leave out the flashlight assault from reports at the discretion of Sgt. Tim McAuliffe.

The government attorney called the defense's argument that Styles was impaired by pepper spray a "story" made up as an "excuse" to be used for allegedly not seeing the flashlight strike, despite Styles being just inches away from Lillo and Walsh.

"The pepper spray argument simply doesn't hold up," Cortes told the jury, adding that Styles did not seek medical attention and minutes after the alleged exposure drove his police car to the hospital to meet an injured Walsh.

"What kind of police officer drives with obstructed vision?" Cortes asked.

Arseneault focused on Lillo's credibility, calling the disgraced cop "close to a pathological liar" who only testified so the judge would have mercy on him when he is sentenced.

The defense attorney called the assault video a "godsend" for Styles because it shows he didn't react when Lillo struck Walsh in the head. Styles contends when he asked Lillo why Walsh jolted while walking to the car, Lillo told him the then 25-year-old tried biting him so he pushed him away. Arseneault called that statement the "same bulls--- lie Domenico Lillo gave to PBA officers."

"Frank is ridiculously innocent and we should not be here," Arseneault told the jury, emphasizing Lillo should get "twice as much time in jail" for lying to the court while on the stand. He said Lillo and Styles barely knew each other and that his client would not gain anything by lying on the report.

In closing, Arseneault reminded the jury of the character witnesses who described Styles as a trustworthy and good cop. Members of Styles' family wiped tears from their eyes during the day's proceedings.

U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty dismissed after the government rebuttal. The jury will be charged at about 9 a.m. Thursday and will then begin deliberating.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
NEWARK -- The jury is set to deliberate in the federal trial of Francis Styles, the Bayonne police officer accused of covering up a police brutality incident.

The trial resumed today, but only after a more than three-hour delay due to a "personal situation" with one of the jurors, U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty said. The juror was not dismissed.

The proceedings resumed with the judge's charges and instructions to the jury.

Styles is charged with two counts: one for falsifying records in a federal investigation and one count of misprision of a felony, which is acting to conceal a federal offense. He faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted on both counts.

The jury must deliberate on whether or not Styles knowingly acted to cover up the incident and impeded a potential investigation by falsifying the incident report.

On Dec. 27, 2013, Styles, along with Domenico Lillo and James Wade, arrested Brandon Walsh, a Bayonne resident who was 25 at the time, at his home on Avenue C. Walsh was wanted on a warrant at the time.

As the three officers were leading Walsh down West 53rd Street, Lillo viciously struck Walsh in the face with his flashlight, causing a cut the required 15 stitches to close.

Lillo pleaded guily in September 2015 to using excessive force, and, in a unrelated incident, assisting in the filing of a false report to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As part of his plea deal, he testified against Styles last week, telling the jury he fully expected the flashlight to be omitted from the incident report that was authored by Styles.

Styles testified on his own behalf on Monday and said that the overpowering effects of pepper spray and a blow to the head prevented him from being fully aware of his surroundings on the night of the incident.

While the defense has argued Styles was exposed to pepper spray from the incident and didn't see Styles hit Walsh, the government has contended that argument is a lame excuse, and video shows Styles was inches away from Lillo as he struck Walsh.

Meanwhile, The Jersey Journal has filed a civil complaint against the city of Bayonne, which has refused to release the terms of the lawsuit settlement between the city and the Walsh family.

Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @coreymacc. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
A Pennsylvania man wanted in New York was arrested on drug charges last week after Secaucus police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle, town police said.

Suquan M. Pelt, 26, of Lancaster, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, being a fugitive from justice and one outstanding National Crime Information Center (NCIC) warrant out of New York on Dec. 8.

Police said they found Pelt smoking marijuana inside a car in the parking lot of the Meadowlands Plaza hotel, Miller said.

Pelt, who was taken to Hudson County jail, was also charged with obstructing justice for struggling with officers who were trying to get his fingerprints, Miller said. The police report did not say what Pelt was wanted for in New York.

He was also charged on outstanding warrants out of Montville and Union City totaling $1,350.
Employees at a mental health facility hid in fear when a patient's outburst turned violent earlier this month, prompting police to shoot the man, 911 calls reveal.

Workers at a group home operated by Jersey City Medical Center told police one of their clients suddenly became violent on Dec. 4 because he wanted access to his money. Police who arrived at the scene shot the man after he allegedly threatened the officers with a large piece of glass.

In one 911 call, which The Jersey Journal obtained through a public records request, an employee frantically tells an operator the facility at 9 Nunda Ave. needs help from police. A man, who has been identified as Florencio Figueroa, was acting irate and breaking things inside the facility, the employee told a dispatcher.

"Our lives are in danger now, we really need help," the employee says to the dispatcher, adding that Figueroa was trying to get a hold of kitchen knives.

A second employee called police from a locked office saying Figueroa broke into a cabinet where his money was kept, which he would normally have access to on Tuesday. The incident occurred on a Monday.

"He basically broke into the cabinet, took his money, and he now just took a table and threw it in the living area," the second employee says in the 911 call. "He threatened me, he threatened the clients here, he threatened to break up this place, so we definitely need someone to come now."

Officials said Figueroa threatened the officers with a piece of glass when they got to the facility, located on the dead end street off Communipaw Avenue. The officers used pepper spray in an attempt to subdue Figueroa, and when that didn't work an officer shot Figueroa in the abdomen, authorities said.

While the city declined to name the officer who fired his weapon, he has been identified as Ruben Munoz. The city's payroll indicates he was hired in 2012. He has been placed on paid leave, which is standard in police shootings.

Figueroa has been charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses. He has not yet made his first court appearance.

As of late last week Figueroa remained hospitalized in stable condition in a psychiatric ward, officials said.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota.
The Newark teen who stabbed a Trenton man to death last summer was sentenced to 18 years in prison recently.

Danny Saad, 16, had pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter on Oct. 2. Saad had been waived up to Mercer County Superior Court in June.

Danny Saad

Last Friday, a judge sentenced him to 18 years behind bars, a term in which he must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.

Once his prison sentence is complete, he will have to serve five years of probation.

Saad admitted to killing 27-year-old Carlos Levia-Oviedo in June 2016. He stabbed the Trenton resident near Hudson and Genesee streets.

Police officers responding to a 3 a.m. call in the area found Leiva-Oviedo bleeding on the street near his car.

He died about four hours later at a Trenton hospital from multiple stab wounds and related injuries from a vicious beating, police said.

Saad was arrested a few weeks after the murder in Newark when a surveillance video that police released helped identify him as the suspect.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook
A drone operator violated multiple regulations, including flying too far away to see the aircraft, in a mid-air crash that damaged a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which landed safely in New Jersey in September, federal officials have determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the drone operator's lack of knowledge about aviation safety regulations contributed to the mid-air collision.

The investigation documents identified the drone pilot as Vyacheslav Tantashov, 58, who told investigators he had been flying drones for about two years.

The Black Hawk sustained damage to its main rotor blade and a window on Sept. 21 but landed safely at Linden Airport in New Jersey. No Army personnel were injured, but the DJI Phantom 4 drone was destroyed in the crash.

The Black Hawk helicopter sustained damage to its rotor during a collision with a DJI Phantom 4 drone. The helicopter landed safely at Linden Airport. (NTSB)

The helicopter, which was providing security for the United Nations General Assembly, was struck over the water at an altitude of 300 feet, about a mile east of Midland Beach, Staten Island in the area of Hoffman Island.

Tantashov took off from an area near Dyker Beach Park in Brooklyn and told investigators he had flown over the water where the crash occurred hundreds of times.

NTSB investigators said Tantashov was flying for recreational purposes and did not require an FAA remote pilot certification. His drone was properly registered with the FAA.

But he failed to operate his drone within federal regulations by maintaining visual contact with the aircraft and not interfering with any manned aircraft, the NTSB said. He was relying solely on his tablet's view of the drone's flight to control the drone, the NTSB found.

The NTSB produced this map using flight logs to show where the Black Hawk helicopter and drone collided. (NTSB)

The helicopter pilot saw the drone before the crash but didn't have enough time to avoid a collision, federal authorities said.

Tantashov was unaware of the crash at the time. After realizing he had lost contact with the drone, he assumed it had malfunctioned and crashed in the water, the NTSB said.

Two temporary flight restrictions were in effect at the time of the crash -- one for the U.N. General Assembly and one restricting aircraft, including model aircraft and unmanned drones, from operating within 30 nautical miles of Bedminster.

Tantashov, however, was unaware of the flight restrictions in place, and hadn't enabled the flight restriction function on the DJI drone app. That app, though, wasn't certified by the FAA.

"Sole reliance on advisory functions of a non-certified app is not sufficient to ensure that correct airspace information is obtained," the NTSB said.

The investigation also noted that helicopter pilot was flying at about 300 feet above sea level when the collision occurred and drone flights are permitted up to 400 feet.

Tantashov had violated that 400-foot limit on a previous flight, the drone's flight log's showed, according to the NTSB. In addition, the collision occurred two minutes prior to the end of civil twilight, the NTSB found. Drone flights at night are only allow through special permits.

A message left at a number listed for Tantashov was not immediately returned. It is unclear if he will face FAA penalties, which could include fines, from the incident.

The DJI Phantom 4 drone's arm and motor were recovered after the crash. (NTSB)

Drone flights in the New York Harbor area are strictly limited because of the proximity to area airports and other security concerns. In September, the Federal Aviation Administration announced additional flight limits restricting drone flights within 400 feet of the Statue of Liberty.

Still, there have been an increasing number of near misses between drones and manned aircraft in the region.

New Jersey is among the top 10 states nationwide reporting improperly flown drones, according to FAA data. Most have involved pilot sightings within a few miles of airports that included Newark Liberty, Teterboro and Atlantic City International Airport.

Other drones were unexpectedly high off the ground, thousands of feet in the air, at altitudes that could have threatened manned aircraft.

In July, the pilot of a Boeing 767, arriving in New Jersey from Switzerland reported a drone flying in the vicinity of Newark Liberty International Airport.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Ted Sherman contributed to this report.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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A California man has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for laundering money for an international heroin trafficking ring that had cells operating in New Jersey, acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

Harry Madrid, 26, who admitted to charges of conspiracy to launder money in the case, was sentenced in federal court in Trenton on Wednesday to three years and eight months in prison.

Officials say that between June and November 2014, Madrid conspired with other members of the ring to launder more than $150,000 made from heroin sales.

Madrid was also sentenced to three years of supervision upon his release.

Several others have also pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme, including Madrid's brother, Wilson Madrid, who also admitted to conspiracy to launder money for the organization, authorities said.

Two other men -- Henry Zamora and Dany Francisco-Valerio -- have also pleaded guilty in the case after authorities had found large quantities of heroin in hidden compartments in their vehicles.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Jackson's council approved a resolution Wednesday night clearing the way for the township to rework two ordinances one group says were created to "target the Orthodox Jewish community."

The resolution, which passed by a 4-1 margin, allows for attorneys representing the township and Agudath Israel of America to talk about how to change the ordinances to resolve ongoing litigation, according to township attorney Jean Cipriani.

Agudath Israel of America filed a federal lawsuit after the township, which shares a border with Lakewood, created ordinances that would ban the creation of an eruv and dormitories in the Ocean County township of roughly 55,000 residents.

An eruv is a symbolic boundary, used in Orthodox Jewish communities, allowing activities to take place on the Jewish Sabbath and on Yom Kippur outside of the home. These activities could include carrying house keys, canes and walkers, as well as prayer books and pushing baby strollers.

Essentially, an eruv, marked with a "lechi" typically created with white PVC piping and a line or wire strung from utility poles, extends the boundaries of a home.

The establishment of dormitories would allow for students who attend Orthodox Jewish religious schools, also known as Yeshivas, to live at the school.

"The purpose of each of these ordinances was to target the Orthodox Jewish community, to prevent that community from being able to have the necessary educational institutions to teach their youth, and to discourage the community from residing in Jackson Township and practicing their religion," the lawsuit states.

The resolution approved at Wednesday's council meeting says an "interim settlement agreement was negotiated which would temporarily suspend the litigation currently pending before the U.S. District Court to permit the Township to consult with the plaintiffs and any applicable experts to consider amendment (sic) to zoning to provide for the reasonable development of schools and boarding schools in the Township."

It also grants permission "for the placement of eruvim/lechis on poles erected by utilities ... provided the utility company consents to such placement and there is compliance with all applicable Federal, State and Local laws regarding safety requirements related to the use of the public right-of-way."

Cipriani said this standstill period between the two sides will last 90 days.

Roman Storzer, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney representing the Agudath Israel of America, said Tuesday the case between the nonprofit group and Jackson is not settled but the resolution "represents a good step forward."

"I would say that the Agudath Israel of America is hopeful for a positive resolution to these issues," Storzer said.

In Mahwah, Bergen County, a similar issue arose after the township proposed amending an existing ordinance banning signs on utility poles to include any "device or other matter." The amendment, which was introduced but not passed, effectively would have banned the formation of an eruv.

Despite approval from the utility company, the township ordered that the lechis be removed. A group called the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association and residents from Rockland County filed a federal lawsuit in August to allow the lechis to stay.

Mahwah also passed an ordinance that limited the use of recreational facilities to only New Jersey residents, an apparent attempt to keep out the Orthodox Jewish residents from nearby New York State. The ordinance prompted then-Attorney General Christopher Parrino to file a complaint against the township in October.

Cipriani said the Department of Justice and the state Attorney General's Office has requested information and documents related to the land use issues in Jackson.

The amendments to the ordinances will be sent to those offices "to illustrate the township's intention to work in good faith to resolve the land use issues," Cipriani said.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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I was shocked - shocked! - when I witnessed the governor-elect, normally a master of cliches, mangle one at a press conference the other day.

It came after Phil Murphy was asked about the way in which appointments are being rushed through the state Senate in the final weeks before he takes office.

After first citing the Humphrey Bogart movie "Casablanca," Murphy tried to invoke the line in which Captain Renault shuts down the Bogart character's casino for gambling - even though the captain is a customer.

"I'm shocked ... shocked to find that gambling is going on in there," is the oft-quoted line.

Murphy rendered it as "My word! There's gambling going on in the back!"

Mais non! The captain is French. "My word!" is an English expression.

Nonetheless, Murphy's point was a sound one. There's not much an incoming governor can do if the outgoing governor wants to fill a lot of jobs on his way out the door.

So what explains that letter Murphy sent to Chris Christie demanding that he freeze spending and hiring between now and Murphy's Jan. 16 inaugural?

The 14 demands were the same demands that Republican Christie sent to his Democratic predecessor Jon Corzine eight years ago.

Apparently someone thought it would be a good idea to remind the public of that.

It wasn't. For one thing, the letter was leaked to the Politico website before it got to Christie.

For another, why would a former Goldman Sachs exec turned governor like Murphy want to remind the public about the prior Goldman alum to hold the office?

Corzine's defeat in that 2009 re-election bid came about largely because he attempted to bring his talent for high finance to the highways. I suspect not a single voter understood Corzine's "asset monetization" scheme for the toll roads. But they knew they didn't like it.

Similarly, do you understand the term "lapsed funds?" In his letter, Murphy said he was worried that $854 million in such funds are anticipated in the budget but may not materialize.

I had to call some experts in the art of budgeting to find out just what these funds are and why they are lapsing.

It turns out that lapsed funds are a good thing. If a department is budgeted at $100 million for the year but spends only $90 million, then the remaining $10 million "lapses." It can then be used for something else or spent on the next year's budget.

In his reply to his successor, it was Christie who had a chance to proclaim himself shocked:

"As you might imagine, I was shocked to be informed that your personal letter to me (along with a wonderful handwritten note at the bottom) has come into the possession of the press before I was even able to craft a reply."

The letter continued on in that vein for a while before the governor got to the issue of those lapsed funds, which he termed "fiction." The actual projection for this year's budget is an easily manageable $229 million, he said.

When I called the people at the Treasury Department for comment, the statement I received included another dig at Murphy's team:

"In an effort to promote transparency and a smooth transition, the Treasurer met with Governor-elect Murphy's transition officials on Dec. 1 and shared confidential revised FY18 Budget materials anticipating $229M in lapses. The Treasurer and OMB (Office of Management and Budget) subsequently offered to schedule a follow-up meeting to address any additional questions but were told that Governor-elect Murphy's staff was unavailable."

The statement went on to say that the current year's budget is balanced.

When I bounced that off Murphy transition spokesman Dan Bryan, he replied, "This is not Watergate. This is a point of concern."

Was the Murphy campaign crying wolf, if I may employ another cliche?

Or was this a case of better safe than sorry?

I suspect Murphy is the one who's sorry that he ever sent this letter. The transition seemed to be going along quite well until this came up. Christie still has a month to do mischief if he so desires.

One mischievous Republican, conservative former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, came up with a trick Christie could play on Murphy if he felt like it.

"Christie could put an extra $2 billion into the pension funds if he wanted," said Lonegan, who ran against Christie in the 2009 GOP primary. "He could say he was just fulfilling Murphy's campaign promise."

He could indeed, but that would be blow a hole in the budget too big to be filled.

But there are plenty of other tricks Christie could pull in the coming month.

I certainly wouldn't be shocked if he tries a few.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
If U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., gets exhausted while dancing around questions about why he voted for a federal tax-cut bill that is widely considered bad for his district and New Jersey, he can stop long enough to cite a win that keeps military jobs in his region.

Did MacArthur's seemingly boundless efforts to ingratiate himself with President Donald Trump figure into an appropriation bill that protects Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from budget cutters? Maybe. In May, Trump wanted the bill to include a new round of base closings, even as he claimed credit for ramped-up defense spending.

Under the final bill that Trump signed Tuesday, any whiff of what Congress calls "base realignment" was gone.

South Jerseyans know all too well the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) process: The Department of Defense lists facilities it wishes to close. Congress then accepts or rejects the entire list, in a wise effort to neutralize the clout of powerful lawmakers to preserve redundant bases in their home states or districts.

If you live by the BRAC sword, you can die by it, too. That's how we lost the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1991 and, in 2005, Fort Monmouth in central New Jersey. There hasn't been another round of BRAC closings since the 2005 action.

While there is no specific reason to think the joint base in Burlington County would have been targeted in a new BRAC round, the Pentagon thinks it can save $2 billion annually once it is again allowed to consolidate and close bases. In a 2016 report, military brass estimated that the armed forces maintain 22 percent more infrastructure capacity than they can use.

So, whether or not Trump was throwing a bone to his agenda lapdog in Burlington and Ocean counties, MacArthur can take some credit for keeping the wolves from the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst door.

Nonetheless, MacArthur's fierce loyalty to Trump should make his constituents wonder if he'd have stood up for thousands of local defense jobs if the president had remained staunchly committed to BRAC closings. If MacArthur thumbs his nose at his constituents by voting to increase their federal tax liability, would he do anything for his president? (Wait! That sounds a little too much like the suggestive dig that Trump tweeted at U.S. Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, D-N.Y., earlier this week.)

Partisan actions aside, the best way to keep our joint base open past the end of the next fiscal year is to ensure that its mission remains relevant. Salute all of our New Jersey lawmakers, including MacArthur, for working toward that end.

The appropriations bill includes funds for the critical housing of KC-46 refueling aircraft at the joint base, replacing outdated planes now stationed there. The state's congressional delegation was successful in getting the base named as a home for the new planes earlier this year. The designation comes with $146.5 million to construct new hangars, bringing some temporary employment with it.

The military funding bill also has good news for South Jersey's other major defense-related installation. The Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township gets money for continuing drone research and a radar upgrade for the National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing's F-16 aircraft.

Good job, everyone. With $2 billion in potential savings, the Pentagon won't stop trying to push a base-closing recommendation through Congress. It helps to be part of the 78 percent of the military infrastructure that can easily justify its continued existence.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

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WASHINGTON -- Members of the Rutgers Club of New Jersey have gathered every December for the past two years at Arlington National Cemetery to remember alumns buried there.

They place wreaths, adorned with American and Rutgers flags, on the graves, part of the annual Wreaths Across America celebration.

The club knows of around 75 alums buried at Arlington, and before this year's event, scheduled for Saturday, is looking for anyone else who graduated from Rutgers and are interred at Arlington.

"We want to make sure that everybody who's buried there has the opportunity to have the honor," said Jim Simos, who is helping to organize the event. "The graves aren't going to move. Once you find them, you've got them forever."

Simos grew up in Parsippany and graduated from Rutgers in 1980 with a master's in business administration. His father Anthony, also a Rutgers alum, served in the Navy during World War II.

Those with relatives who graduated from Rutgers and are buried at Arlington are asked to contact Simos at rutgersatarlington@gmail.com or to send a message via the Rutgers University Alumni at Arlington National Cemetery page on Facebook.

Arlington is one of 1,200 sites where wreaths are placed every December by teams of volunteers. For Jewish veterans, the Rutgers group lays flags but not wreaths.

"We're getting pretty good at it now," Simos said, "We learned that you start up there when you're fresh in the morning and you work down the hill."

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Each year since 2014, Connie Jacobs has collected goods for veterans in shelters in her father, Ron Jacobs', memory.

To honor his memory as an Army veteran, Jacobs hosts a drive around the holidays to help local veterans in shelters.

This holiday season, Jacobs is seeking donations of any size personal hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, shave cream, etc., as well as hats and gloves.

All the donations received will go to the Veterans Multi-Service Center South Jersey Branch, located in Millville NJ, which provides assistance to homeless veterans and also veterans in danger of becoming homeless.

The drive will be held through Dec. 22 and donations can be dropped off at Sams Barber Shop at 200 N. Black Horse Pike in Williamstown.

Have community news you'd like to share? Send an email to sjtowns@njadvancemedia.com. Have an event happening you want to share? Go to nj.com/events to submit your information to be included in a community calendar.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office said an autopsy on 18-year-old LSU student Maxwell Gruver, pictured, showed a "highly elevated blood alcohol level." Gruver died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Photo provided by LSU)(Photo provided by LSU)
Slidell police say drone is their eye in the sky
Former President Donald Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House with an announcement Tuesday night. Trump is looking to move on from disappointing midterm defeats and defy history amid signs that his grip on the Republican Party may be waning. The former president had hoped to use the GOP's expected gains in last week's elections as a springboard to win his party's nomination by locking in early support and keeping potential challengers at bay. Instead, Trump now finds himself being blamed for backing a series of losing candidates in last week's midterm elections.
DES MOINES  Gov. Kim Reynolds says she wants to give details on a proposal to cut taxes in Iowa during a key legislative speech early next year.

Reynolds told reporters Wednesday that shed like to provide information about a tax plan during her Condition of the State address on Jan. 9. She says releasing those details are contingent on Congress passing its sweeping tax overhaul. The federal legislation is expected to make changes to how Iowa collects taxes.

Reynolds remarks come days after a budget panel said Iowas tax revenue remains below projections and midyear cuts to spending are possible. The Republican governor argues that tax cuts will spur economic development. She hasnt offered details about her plan but has indicated interest in lowering business and income taxes.
Less than two weeks before Christmas, Comcast warned sales representatives across the greater Chicago area, including at the Hobart office, that some of them face layoffs.

The Philadelphia-based telecommunications giant, known for its Xfinity cable and internet services, says a restructuring of its approach to sales in the Chicago area will require a smaller headcount going forward, as more customers sign up for service online.

"Were creating a new territory-based sales model that will connect us more closely with our Chicago area residential prospects and customers," Comcast Greater Chicago Region Vice President of Communications Jack A. Segal said. "By giving highly trained sales professionals direct responsibility for entire neighborhoods, we can provide a better experience for those who are interested in our services, during and after the sale. We did notify some employees here that their positions wont be part of the new structure."

The company would not disclose how many workers are being laid off.

"Thats competitive information that were not sharing publicly," Segal said. "Were encouraging impacted employees to apply for open positions, and were providing outplacement services to those who leave the company."

He said displaced workers will "receive generous severance packages to ease their transitions."

"What were doing is giving smaller groups of highly trained direct sales professionals responsibility for entire communities," Segal said. "The new territory sales model is in line with other changes weve made in response to our customers evolving preferences, including the expansion of our retail presence and the growth of our digital and online sales platforms."

As of Wednesday, Comcast had not filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notices with Indiana or Illinois.
GARY  The president of the Gary School Board presented documentation Wednesday night in support of the Gary schools superintendent's $30,000 bonus paid last year, and said it was legally approved by the board.

A special audit released by the Indiana State Board of Accounts a couple of weeks ago said superintendent Cheryl Pruitt needs to repay a $30,000 bonus she received. The audit findings were referred to the Lake County Prosecutor and the Indiana Attorney General's Office.

The audit report said Pruitt's contract provided for "Growth Incentive Plan and Bonus to be agreed upon by the board and the superintendent." But the audit states no documentation was provided showing that the board agreed on or approved the amounts or the timing of the payments.

Pruitt, who has tendered her resignation effective Feb. 2, hired Merrillville attorney Russell Brown to represent her.

Gary School Board president Rosie Washington, who has resigned effective Dec. 31, said the board presented numerous documents to auditors to support Pruitt's raise and that it was done according to the law. She said the amount was submitted to former state-appointed financial advisor Jack Martin and approved by the Distressed Unit Appeals Board which oversees the district.

"There is a video of this meeting April 12 and audio was done," Washington said. "With all of this, maybe we can finally put this to rest."

None of the members of DUAB could be reached for comment.
HEBRON  Police on Thursday identified the second person arrested in connection with a string of robberies in suburban Lake and Porter counties as Stephen B. Miller.

Miller, 46, of Hebron, and Jeffrey J. Smar, 47, of Hebron, were charged Thursday in Lake Criminal Court with four counts of robbery in the stick-up Dec. 9 of La Posh Salon, 7853 E. 108th Ave., Winfield.

Smar is also charged in Porter Superior Court with the Dec. 1 robbery of the Smoke Shop in Hebron, the Dec. 7 robbery of The Designer's Club salon on Ind. 2 in Center Township and the Dec. 11 robbery of the Country Kitchen in Hebron.

The men are also suspected of robbing a Pizza Hut restaurant last weekend in Winfield.

Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office were dispatched 4 p.m. Dec. 9 to La Posh Salon after receiving reports two armed men entered the salon and ordered the business owner to empty the cash register, court records state.

The men took the store's cash and a customer's phone before fleeing in a white vehicle, records state.

Smar was arrested Monday after police began surveillance on his home on County Road 600 West near Hebron.

Miller was arrested the next day after a search of the home.

During the search of Smar's home, police found a silver revolver wrapped in a rug; multiple tan jackets, as described in two of the robberies; and a black Purdue jacket, as described in the Smoke Shop robbery, records state.

One of the tan jackets had receipts from La Posh Salon in its pockets.

Both men admitted to participating in the salon robbery, according to records.

Smar told police he needed the money after he became indebted to drug dealers in South Chicago. He said they went to Chicago after the robbery and paid $200 toward the debt and purchased more heroin.

Police developed Miller as a suspect in the Winfield robberies because of tips from the community. La Posh Salon released video and images from the robbery, which showed a second suspect.

Miller's surety bond in Lake Criminal Court is $80,000.

Smar is not afforded bond.
INDIANAPOLIS  The Gary Community School Corp. no longer is the only financially troubled school district to be taken over by the state and operated by an emergency manager in lieu of its locally elected school board.

On Wednesday, the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals Board voted 5-0 to designate Muncie Community Schools in east-central Indiana as a distressed political subdivision beginning Jan. 1.

DUAB has been providing special assistance to Muncie schools since June due to the district's declining enrollment and corresponding state funding drop, as well as its significant debt burden.

Board members acknowledged that Muncie has made some progress toward financial stability.

But they concluded that direct state operation, through the Administrator Assistance emergency management firm, is needed to get the school district on a solid, long-term financial footing.

Meanwhile, DUAB separately approved the hiring of Leonard Moody, of Chicago, as the chief financial officer for the Gary Community School Corp. at a state-paid $100,000 annual salary and up to $10,000 in bonuses.

The Gary schools emergency manager, Peggy Hinckley, said Moody's experience in school finance at the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago State University has prepared him well to handle the "fiscal and operational challenges like those facing GCSC."

According to Indiana law, Moody will assist Hinckley and her Gary Schools Recovery team in carrying out the day-to-day financial operations of the school corporation.

The district has been without a CFO since 2015.

Its consistently unbalanced budget, and more than $100 million debt burden, prompted the Indiana General Assembly in April to supplant the local school board with an emergency manager who has broad powers to reduce spending and rewrite contracts.
LAPORTE  A hardware store owner died Thursday morning in a house fire outside LaPorte.

Charles Mares, 67, was pulled from his burning house at 111 Maple Drive and placed into an ambulance where efforts to resuscitate him failed.

"Hes gone. He didnt make it," said his brother, George Mares.

LaPorte County Coroner Bob Cutler said the victim died of smoke inhalation.

Firefighters responded about 7 a.m. to the two-story home along Pine Lake and were met by flames and heavy smoke.

According to LaPorte County police, firefighters found the man found unconscious about 10 feet from a doorway.

He lived alone, family members said.

Mares owned Charles Mares Hardware at 123 Michigan St. in downtown New Carlisle.

George said his brother bought the store in 2013 after losing his retail job in the Chicago area.

Their parents once owned a hardware store in the Chicago area where they grew up, Mares said.

"He had been laid off from Sears. He was kind of down in the dumps, and I thought this would be a good idea to get him active again," said Mares, who still resides in the Chicago area.

Until recent years, the house was a vacation home for the family for decades.

Paulette Mares, of LaPorte, said she made the short drive from her home to check on her uncle after learning about the fire.

She was having trouble keeping her emotions in check, contacting other family members while smoke kept billowing from the structure.

"He was a really good guy, and I loved him. He was an awesome person," she said.

The fire originated in the laundry room and may be attributed to a clothes dryer. Foul play is not suspected, police said.

The Center Township Fire Department along with a fire investigator from the LaPorte County sheriffs office will assist in the investigation to be headed up by the Indiana State Fire Marshals office because of a death being involved in the case, Boyd said.

The Center Township, Springfield Township, Coolspring Township and Scipio Township fire departments assisted, along with the LaPorte County Emergency Services.
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The soul of America still lives in our hearts thanks to the voters who voted for Doug Jones. White Americans, African Americans and Hispanic Americans dared to stand against the evil of sexual predators and the millions of dollars spent to elect an accused child abuser.

One must note that long-time Republicans defied Trump's dirty politics by voting against his candidate. Kudos, also, go to the black and Latino community for uniting against everything that America stands for: integrity, character and morality.

Jones' triumph is a little less than the victory for women, who had the audacity to speak out against sexual abusers. They are my heroes. As a father of two daughters, three granddaughters and two great granddaughters, I am somewhat relieved that they may be acknowledged for their smarts and talent and not as sexual objects. That is the main message the voters sent.
Walking along the streets of Mbale town in eastern Ugandan, you will notice the large number of Asians living in the area. Many of them are Ugandan nationals, born and raised here although they have their ancestral and ethnic roots in Asia.

As the Catherine Bamugemereire-chaired commission of inquiry into land matters continues its investigations, the question of the departed Asians properties has resurfaced.

A number of indigenous Ugandans and the former Asian owners in Mbale are locked in courtrooms, trading land-grabbing accusations. These were part of the scenes that featured in last weeks cross examinations during public hearings held at Mbale resort hotel.

When Asians were expelled by dictator Idi Amin in 1972, they left behind about 8,965 properties. All were expropriated by government and placed under the Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB).

The Land Probe commissioners in Mbale

Following the enactment of the Expropriated Properties Act of 1982, the properties were reclaimed by the former owners some of whom got repossessions after petitioning court.

At least 25 per cent of the cases lodged were against the Custodian Boards management, registration and allocation of the Asian assets.

Although the heavy presence of Ugandan-Asians in towns such as Mbale and Jinja have largely shaped the development of those areas, over time, the gulf between locals and Ugandan-Asians has widened, fueling anti-Asian sentiments.

The kind of segregation that is happening now is insidious and dangerous, Bamugemereire noted.

For some reason, the government is not responding to the growing resentment, among indigenous Ugandans, of the countrys Asian and largely Chinese populations.

The case of Patel Parima highlights the undercurrent of antipathy. Parima returned to Uganda to repossess properties which belonged to his great grandparents. The 61-year old has lived in Mbale since 1982, but says he has never felt welcome.

The family are known as land owners. Indeed, this is reflected in the chunks of land the family owns in Mbale town. Parima has lodged claims on over 25 plots in prime locations that belonged to former Asians owners, who, he claims, gave him power of attorney.

Patel Parima before the Commission

He has so far been allocated plots 14/16/18/20 Nabowa Road, plot 38 Nkokonjeru Terrace, plot 1 Bunyole Road, plot 28 Bunyole Road, plot 15 Lwakaka Lane, plot 1/3 Freight Road, Plot 2 Bugwere Road, plot 16 Bufumbo Road and plot 16 Union Road, among others.

However, the family of 47 is pursuing a number of court cases against locals who have vowed not to vacate the plots, brewing further conflict between them and the former Asian owners.

The work ethics of the officers and judge has to change drastically. Morals and work ethics today are at zero I would be a bit afraid to speak, my lord. My experience living in Mbale is that chief magistrates courts are not the right courts. If I have an option, I rather file a case in Kampala not in Mbale, he testified.

Abas Manafa, a dealer in general merchandise on plot 16 North Road, is one of many Ugandans who applied for properties that belonged to the departed Asians through the custodian board.

He told the commission of inquiry that government compensated the Asians for their properties, and that the Patel family, therefore, had no claim over his property.

Hussein Wasike, another businessman acquired an Indian property located on Nabowa road in 1973. In 2010, the Patel family went to court seeking repossession of the building.

Others include the repossession of a public school, Elgon Nursery and Primary School, which has operated for 44 years. The Patel family is also accusing the custodian board of illegal allocation of its land.

The custodian board has no address, people just show up with documents and claim our properties. I wrote to the ministry of Finance and got no response, Parima said.

The district land board is a place in Mbale that is totally unorganised. Nobody has records and the door is always locked, he testified.

There are claims that most of these properties have been allocated to politicians. President Musevenis position on this matter is not clear. However, he has often encouraged the Asian community to come back and invest in the country.

There are claims of preferential treatment towards the Indian investors. Disputes over property and the absence of serious wage regulation in Uganda has left workers employed by Asian investors feeling exploited. If the current situation continues, it will make it extremely difficult to push for development, some Mbale locals say.

People are not developing buildings because they are afraid they may be taken away from them. We are suffering and government should help us with this, Manafa said.

Abas Manafa, one of the businessmen in Mbale town, who accused the Patel family of land grabbing

In Mubende district, central Uganda, Asian businessman, Abid Alam, has run into trouble with the commission over alleged violent eviction of thousands in Bukoba district. Like in Mbale, the conflict can only complicate delicate race relations.

The DAPCB was established to manage all assets transferred to it by virtue of section 13 of the Assets of Departed Asians Decree of 1973. It falls under the ministry of Finance. On December 19, 2014, cabinet directed the winding-up of DAPCB. However, this has not been done to-date.

John Muwanga, the auditor general, noted in recent reports that there a number of pending activities which must be undertaken and yet the board has not acted upon them.

These activities include valuation of properties, preparation of books of accounts and appointment of officers to manage its activities during the winding up process. The continued operation of the DAPCB without appropriate structures could lead to loss of the remaining properties, Muwanga said in a report for the period ending December 30, 2016.

alitwaha@observer.ug






The ruling party, National Resistance Movement (NRM) has set up a committee to scrutinize a proposal seeking to extend the elective term of office from five to seven years.



Yesterday, President Yoweri Museveni convened the NRM parliamentary caucus and government chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa revealed that the issue of the seven-year term was a major discussion during the meeting.



According to Nankabirwa, a committee of lawyers from the party has been set up to discuss the legalities and technicalities around the proposal of the seven-year term before a harmonized position is reached.

Government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa (C) says the NRM is studying the 7-year term proposal

Some of the members on the committee include deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, MP Hamson Obua, Veronica Bicheetero, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee deputy chairperson Robina Rwakoojo, Guster Mugoya (former magistrate) among others.



"So I realised that extension of the term of Parliament to seven years was something that was catching fire around Parliament and you can agree with me. So we discussed and we even consulted further with the chairman of the party [and] he repeated the views he gave to the committee of Legal [and Parliamentary Affairs].

So I set up a committee of lawyers to see whether it will be legal, the technicalities around it. Do we have mandate as members of Parliament to present it? So they will be harmonising that position - but it appears to be a very popular stand and I could not manage to stand in the way of the many people who are pushing it", said Nankabirwa.



The move to extend the term of elective offices from five to seven years came to the limelight early this month, when Arua Municipality MP, Ibrahim Abiriga disclosed his plans to table a private member's bill that seeks to extend the term of all elective offices.



According to Abiriga, the current five years are not adequate for an elected leader to implement his/her programmes, pledges or projects. Last week, Museveni indicated his support for the proposal while meeting members of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to discuss the Raphael Magyezi bill that seeks to remove presidential age limits.



Museveni said that the leaders in Africa have much more to do and need adequate time to develop the continent.



"For these countries with all these problems, two terms of five years is just a joke. Those who talk about this are just looking at improving their CVs. We might not discuss it now but there is merit at looking at the seven years. It would give some time to these young countries to develop. France has seven-year terms, I do not see what they have lost," said Museveni.



Meanwhile, Nankabirwa also said that the caucus meeting resolved to have the controversial 'Age Limit' bill, which seeks to among others amend Article 102(b) that caps the presidential age limits between 35 and 75 years, to be handled by Parliament before Christmas.



She also said that voting on the bill will be by roll call and tally as stipulated in the Parliament Rules of Procedure. Parliament is expected to start debate on the Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2017 today afternoon. On the order paper yesterday, the bill was listed under business to follow.



Rule 89 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure stipulate that voting at the second and third readings of the bill for an Act of Parliament to amend a provision of the Constitution has to be by roll call and tally.



Article 262 of the Constitution stipulates that, for a bill for an Act of Parliament to amend any provision of the Constitution to pass, it must be supported at the second and third readings by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all Members of Parliament.



For the 'Age Limit' bill to pass through, NRM will require the support of 290 MPs out of the 436 MPs entitled to vote in Parliament. There are 18 ex-officios in Parliament who are not entitled to a vote.
At the end of their four-day retreat at Serena Lake Victoria Resort Kigo in Wakiso district, 18 members of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee endorsed the Raphael Magyezi amendment, which if given the much-needed parliamentary nod of approval would scrap presidential age limits.

The 29-member committee was booked into the luxurious resort after meeting President Museveni.

Committee members opposed to the amendment had threatened to boycott the retreat, however, Medard Lubega Sseggona (Busiro East), Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri) and NRMs Monicah Amoding (Kumi Woman) eventually turned up at Kigo after their contacts in the committee turned against them.

The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee in ameeting with President Museveni

The Observer understands that as the committee left for State House, those opposed asked Bwamba MP Gafabusa Muhumuza and his Busiki counterpart Paul Akamba to serve as listening posts. But to their surprise, the contacts did not relay any messages but ended up voting in support.

Some of Musevenis proposals during the December 5 meeting at State House Entebbe were to form part of the committees recommendations ahead of the second reading of Igara West MP Raphael Magyezis age limit bill.

The recommendations include the extension of the tenure of office of the president and MPs to seven years from the current five provided for under Article 105(1).

The particular clause is one of the entrenched provisions of the constitution under Article 260, which means it cannot be amended through a mere vote in Parliament.

It must go through a national referendum. Museveni first spoke about the extension of office terms during his address to the NRM National Executive committee members at Entebbe. (See: Museveni: 5-year term is too short, The Observer, October 30).

Nakifuma MP Robert Kafeero Ssekitooleko first unsuccessfully hawked the idea during the 9th Parliament. Musevenis resurrection of the matter saw it controversially slipped into the committee report, but with a recommendation that it be decided through a referendum.

It is a matter that generated a lot of debate and we decided that we cannot legislate for ourselves, because it is a matter that directly touches us. Thats why we resolved that we leave it to the people to decide, an MP said.



TERM LIMITS

The second issue recommended for decision through a referendum is restoration of term limits. All MPs at the retreat, except Nansana Municipalitys Robert Ssebunya Kibirige, voted for restoration.

It was the very first time Ssebunya was attending the committee. The two five-year term limits were provided for under Article 105(2) but were scrapped during the 2005 amendment of the constitution.

Though it is not entrenched under Article 260, the committee still recommended that it too be subjected to a referendum.

Once passed, the amendments shall not benefit us, instead, they will benefit those who will be elected in 2021, a member of the committee said.



MINORITY REPORT

At a press conference on Monday, Sseggona and Wilfred Niwagaba announced that they had compiled a minority report.

The other signatories of the minority report are, Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central), Anna Adeke Ebaju (National Female Youth), Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda (Kira Municipality), Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality), Katuntu and Amoding.

The Observer has established that their dissension is on the removal of the age limit and the seven-year extension.

The main report was endorsed by Veronica Bichetero (Kaberamaido), Robinah Rwakoojo (Gomba West), Brenda Asinde Suubi (Iganga Woman), Caroline Muhwezi (Rukiga Woman), Sam Bitangaro (Bufumbira South), Kenneth Obote Ongalo (Kalaki) and Aston Kajara (Mwenge South) among others.

On Tuesday, the president met NRM MPs who were anticipating debate on the committee report later in the afternoon.

The meeting discussed the extension of the five-year term. Museveni reportedly told MPs that such an extension will allow Lands minister Betty Amongi who he picked from UPC to settle in well.

A committee of five lawyer MPs headed by deputy attorney general Mwesigwa Rukutana was constituted to study the legal implications of a term extension. Rukutana will work with Bichetero, Obua and Gastur Mugoya.

The caucus has tasked us to examine it legally, politically and critically to understand the implications of it, Mugoya said.



sadabkk@observer.ug
Kampala University students will have to take compulsory Hepatitis B testing and vaccination before they're allowed back into the institution for the 2017/2018 second semester.

According to a December 6 notice issued by Moses Nyamurasha, the director Kampala University - Luweero campus, students will only be registered upon presenting an Hepatitis B vaccination certificate.

"There is one week tolerance that will be given to everybody as there will be medical officers doing the testing for freshers around campus for the first two weeks," reads the notice.

He said those undergoing Hepatitis B treatment will be required to go to the university nurse, adding that their cases will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

A Kampala University student gets vaccinated against Hepatitis B at the Ggaba campus recently

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. It is transmitted through contact with an infected person through blood, semen or other body fluids. It is not yet clear what prompted the university to introduce the compulsory Hepatitis B testing and vaccination for students.

Although the notice is currently pinned at the Luweero campus, sources claim that the policy applies to all Kampala University campuses including the main campus based in Gaba, a Kampala suburb.

A student told URN on condition of anonymity that the compulsory Hepatitis B testing and vaccination infringes on his health rights, saying he wouldn't want to test under duress.

I am telling you the day I test and I find that I am Hepatitis B positive, it's the same day I will start falling sick," he said.

Innocent Mutamba, the deputy guild speaker Kampala University told URN that the directive hasn't gone down well with students. He says that they sought explanation from the authorities at Luwero campus who told them that it was a directive from ministry of Health that all students must be vaccinated.

"The director told us that government is likely to close our university in case we do not meet the requirement," said Mutamba.

Gordon Murangira, the personal assistant to the vice chancellor at Makerere University, told URN he wasn't aware of the directive from the ministry, but hastened to add that the university management negotiated a deal with the National Medical Stores to supply them Hepatitis B vaccines for students.

On average Hepatitis B testing costs Shs 30,000 in various clinics in Kampala. Each of the three doses, which are administered at different intervals, costs a minimum of Shs 40,000.
Legislators from fishing communities have demanded that government investigates importers of illegal fishing gear that finds its way to the lakeside instead of continuously torturing people found using them.

The MPs told journalists at Parliament that the continued mistreatment of fishermen and fish mongers by the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) is uncalled for, since all the country borders are guarded by enforcement officers whose responsibilities among others is to oversee whatever enters into the country.

MPs including Robert Migadde (Buvuma Islands), David Mutebi (Buikwe South), Aidah Nabayega (Kalangala Woman), Hope Mukisa (Namayingo Woman), Janepher Nantume Egunyu (Buvuma Woman), Muyanja Ssenyonga (Mukono South), George Abott Ouma (Bukooli Islands) and Kusasira Peace Kanyesigye Mubiru (Mukono Woman) argue that unless, government acts by ordering all those in-charge take up their responsibilities, their constituents would continue dying and having their properties destroyed at the hands of the UPDF whom they accuse of acting outside the Fisheries Act.

Fishermen on the lake

The UPDF officers were deployed to fight against the then rampant illegal fishing on the orders of President Museveni early this year.

We also want government through URA [Uganda Revenue Authority] to ensure a total ban on illegal fishing gear because the gear accesses the country through the boarders. There is no reason why we should continue fighting illegal fishing yet we know the cause is allowing importation of such fishing gears, Migadde said.

We dont expect any sane MP to be against the cleaning of the lake but like any other operation, there are issues that come along the way and we need to handle them, Migadde added.

Because of several complaints from constituents over excessive use of force by the army, MPs said they met with the president on Sunday, December 10 at his Kisozi home and asked him to prevail over the operatives to use reasonable force and court to try suspects as well as treating them humanly.

We also requested the president to ensure that he gets us relief in terms of food, iron sheets, mattresses for the people who were displaced by the army officers to ensure that they are resettled, Nabayega said.

The MPs also asked for a special fund for their people to access credit.

All of us in the fishing industry are not loanable, you cant access a loan using your boat because it has log book as well as the engine, Migadde said.

namuloki16@gmail.com
A decision by NRM MPs this week to endorse a report on removing presidential age limits for the sole benefit of Mr Yoweri Museveni has potential to worsen an already uncertain future.

And almost all these MPs know. Privately, they will tell you how bad this decision is. And then you wonder why they are gearing up to vote for it! A couple of NRM MPs told me their motivation is cash. And Mr Museveni has become an expert in bribery.

Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee members have each [allegedly] been given Shs 300 million for signing the report endorsing the age limit bill. That is why they signed it past midnight.

Kiboga Woman MP Ruth Nankabirwa has become very crucial in this transaction. I understand non-committee members will each be advanced Shs 100 million before voting and Shs 100 million after voting for this bill. That is the deal which has motivated even a few NRM voices that initially opposed this constitutional amendment.

And Museveni is a lucky man. He is no longer blamed for bribing and compromising people. Instead, his victims take the blame.

The information above was to help you understand why things have moved so fast. I sit on the committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and we had agreed never to submit a report before conducting public consultations. In fact, a programme had been drafted and we had been divided into groups.

The leadership of the committee had even put a condition that before writing the report, we must visit some countries to benchmark on the issue of age limits.

I am told Museveni fixers told him MPs are usually hungry for money towards Christmas. He quickly organized money and deployed Nankabirwa to strike. Nankabirwa convinced NRM MPs that the money they wanted to get through benchmarking trips will more than double if they quickly processed the report.

Right, that has happened. Let us now discuss the real implication of this bill for our future. In a report titled They used to be rulers of their African or Arab countries: today they are dead, deposed or driven from their homeland, Los Angeles Times summarized our problems.

The newspaper last week published a photograph of heads of state attending the second Afro-Arab joint summit in Sirte of Libya on October 10, 2010.

Those standing with their host, Muammar Gaddafi, on the front row were: Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia who ascended to power in 1987; Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen in power for three decades; Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in power since 1981; Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso in power since 1987; Robert Gabriel Mugabe in power since 1980; Gaddafi in power since 1969, and Sudans Omar al-Bashir in power since 1989.

This entire row, save for Bashir, has been wiped out in just seven years, with serious ramifications for their respective countries. You all know what happened to Gaddafi and Libya, Compaore and Burkina Faso, Abdullah Saleh and Yemen, Mugabe and Zimbabwe or Ben Ali and Tunisia.

Sudan and Bashir are also limping and he is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Removing a leader forcefully is as expensive as keeping a leader beyond his expiry date.

With Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola finally bowing out, Mr Museveni is effectively the third-longest serving leader in Africa.

The African Union has 55 countries. Almost all leaders who came into power in the 1980s or before have either been forced out or have voluntarily retired.

It is only Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and Cameroons Paul Biya that have refused to go. Sudans Bashir is in fourth position, having grabbed power in 1989. These are the remaining leaders of the 1980s.

With the exception of Eritrea (1991), Morocco (1999), Djibouti (1999) and Congo Brazzaville (1997), the rest of AU heads of state assumed power after 2000. Museveni, Bashir and Nguema are in a league of their own.

As the manoeuvres of changing the Constitution reached a climax last week, I remembered the words of Gen Henry Tumukunde in 2005 while appearing on CBS radio.

Tumukunde reminded us that when leaders grow, they surrender power to their spouses or girlfriends. He gave us the example of Kamuzu Banda of Malawi who, in old age, surrendered power to a girlfriend and his son in-law.

Tumukunde was right because that is exactly what happened in Zimbabwe in the last days of Mugabe. His wife Grace assumed power and was making decisions on behalf of the aging leader.

If Museveni gets his way and amends the Constitution and rigs the 2021 elections, he may be a leader even at 83. Will he surrender power to a spouse or girlfriend? Our work as the citizenry is now well cut out!



semugs@yahoo.com

The author is Kira Municipality MP and opposition chief whip in parliament.
Following the events surrounding the move to amend Article 102 (b), one cant avoid musing at the wonder that the human brain is.

You awe at its ability to manifest its workings in all manner of forms. But at the same time, it comes with loads of questions: about the overrated concept of democracy; about what truly motivates human behaviour; about upbringing; about the concept of representation, and so on.

If the public voice in this debate was anything to go by, this would have been a foregone conclusion  that the article shouldnt be touched. But alas, Ugandans are now like the proverbial he-goat whose frowning doesnt stop it from being priced.

As observed by Chinua Achebe, when Suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool!

NRM has not only carried its stool, they wont even hesitate to hit it on the head of anyone who resists their arrogant rape.

If a hardly-known musician can be slapped with charges of disturbing the peace of the president for singing Mzee wummula (rest Mzee), then you know that the bull is about to mount in a marketplace.

This shameless drama reminds me of how old people behave when they spoil the air amongst children; a child takes the beating! Even their food is taken away!

Who is disturbing whose peace? The people who have made every other national concern secondary to their hold onto power or those who call them back to sanity?

With all the things that are falling apart in this nation (the food market filled with unregulated poisons, the unhealthy healthcare system, the uneducated education system, a corruption-infested carefree public service, an oversize government), would our debate now be about whether we should remove age limits, extend terms,?

Before they initiated these superfluous debates, werent we at peace? But just like a bad driver curses the tire for the puncture, they are all over the place donning and bringing into disrepute the colour of the sun as they brag about being peaceful.

Did you see how peaceful we were in parliament that day as those who are opposed were fighting?, they ask with a bizarre air of pretentious innocence!

Over two hundred people want to sink a boat, and 50 people have to stay calm like civilised citizens!

To remind and exorcise them of this malignant power demon is to disturb their peace! Peace is quite a valuable thing, but, after working hard to reinstate it, given the opportunistic meanings this regime has now pumped into it, it might soon be added to the dictionary of meaningless vocabulary.

You heard him right: age limits contradict the Constitution, which says that power belongs to the people. Well, its incomplete, dear. Here power belongs to the people IN POWER.

That includes the power to mute a nation. Thats why we can soundly say NO, and they say they heard YES. It is not until we learn from the way small ants capture and carry a huge locust that we shall understand where the power of the ordinary person lies, of course depending on our quality as citizens.

Oh, but the locust is not alone. It is surrounded by smaller ones yearning to win its favour. The Chinese say that a man who farts in church sits alone on his pew. They are so wrong! Not if that man has something to give.

A greedy man cant be bothered by stench. He will hang around in wait for crumbs and even shout at those complaining about the smell. So, it shouldnt surprise us that they are acting as though under a spell that paralyses their consciences and blocks their ears.

Truly, a disease that will kill a dog first affects its sense of smell. How did it get to the point that they are even willing to use the countrys future as a bargain card in exchange for their private gains?

Like a child that sells off household items, one after the other, to sustain their pompous life; this crowd of MPs will sell off all parts of the Constitution, one by one, until we are left with an empty shell.

That is how a greedy man digs his grave with his teeth. When they sold off the term limits clause, we thought they were done selling. But since for them all is merchandise, they seem determined to offer any buyable article. Here we are now getting to the point of testing the depth of a river with both feet.

Well, we are often reminded that whatever those politicians are, we are the ones who vote for them. True, and thats one of the instances when the nonsensical side of democracy comes to the surface.

You sometimes hear some MPs speak and wonder whether they just sneaked into the otherwise honourable building. You ask yourself which kind of voters found value in the man/ woman!

As H. L. Mencken views it, democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. Or, like Padraig Deignan would bluntly put it, democracy is the counting of heads, not what is in them.

Yet we are not supposed to disturb their peace! We are supposed to let them peacefully drown us as they roar the boat roughshod onto rocks. The ideals of leadership as a social contract between leaders and the led is now a fleeting illusion.

Politics is divorcing ethics. In the words of the American political philosopher, Thomas Sowell, it is now the art of making your selfish desires seem like the national interest.



jsssentongo@gmail.com



The author heads the Centre for African Studies at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.
A squirrel that was nearly killed eight years ago by an owl when she was just four weeks old, continues to visit the Greenville County, South Carolina family that rescued, raised and later released her into the wild.

In October 2009 the baby squirrel was left severely injured after being attacked by an owl. She would not have survived for very long in the wild, but fortunately, a wildlife rescue group happened to find her. They rescued her, treated her injuries and eventually placed her in the the care of Brantley Harrison and her family, in Greenville County. The Harrisons were no strangers to rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals, but, for some reason, they formed a very unique bond with this squirrel.

Photo: Brantley Harrison/Instagram

They named her Bella. She wasnt old enough to be released back into the wild before winter arrived, so she stayed in Harrisons care until spring where they raised her alongside three other rescue squirrels called Larry, Moe, and Curly. The four baby squirrels ate fruits, veggies, and nuts, bolstered with formula during their time together in an outdoor release cage.

Harrison said that during Bellas rehabilitation there didnt appear to be anything special about the squirrel. They did not treat her as a pet, and she acted similarly to every previous squirrel they had rehabilitated. At the time, Harrison thought that once they released Bella into the wild, they would never see her again.

In April 2010, Bella and the other squirrels proved adequately rehabilitated, and Harrison decided that they were ready for release. Once the cage opened, the squirrels hurriedly went about their business, and within a week all four squirrels had safely adapted back to the wild.

Photo: Brantley Harrison/Instagram

Bella, however, wasnt ready to leave her human family. Within days of being released, she started visiting them, looking for treats. Harrison said that the other squirrels also came back over the first few days, which was normal, but within a week had stopped coming by and had begun to avoid people. Not Bella, however.

Bella sits right at the front door waiting for someone to notice she has come by for a visit, Harrison told MSN. She has even resorted to jumping over to the dining room window to peer in for someone to see her.

According to Harrison, Bella does not enjoy being stroked or petted, but she is content to sit on their laps and eat snacks. Harrisons husband John often brings Bella nuts on his way to work in the morning as she is usually waiting by the door for him.

Photo: Brantley Harrison/Instagram

She comes almost daily for a little loving, treats, and to torment our dog, Cid, through the glass door, Harrison said.

Bella has recently become a social media phenomenon, after being featured by The Dodo.

Harrison says Bella has become a member of her family, and that a few years ago, her human family was able to meet her squirrel family.

Photo: Brantley Harrison/Instagram

Bella had injured her foot, so the Harrisons caught her again, dosed her with antibiotics, and put her into a rehabilitation cage to heal. She was nearly ready to be re-released when quite unexpectedly she gave birth to three babies. The Harrison family was delighted to help care for the little squirrel family until the babies were ready to be released back into the wild.

She is a very special squirrel and has always had a large local following, Harrison said, She has changed the way many of my friends think of squirrels, especially the ones she has met. The kids just love to come over and feed her.

Harrison says that besides being a delight to her family, she believes that Bella has a higher purpose.

Photo: Brantley Harrison/Instagram

If Bella can teach at least one person to have compassion for all living things, no matter how big or how small, then we have done what we have set out to.
We trust doctors with our lives and often remember some of them for as long as we draw breath. But how would any of us feel if branded with the initials of a physician who has saved our life, and branded on the inside at that? A renowned English surgeon literally left his mark on the livers of two patients he operated on in 2013 and is now awaiting his verdict on charges of assault by beating. Simon Bramhall, 53, has pleaded guilty to the charges in a case without precedent in the British criminal justice system.

Bramhall carved SB on livers he transplanted into one male and one female patient at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham, where he worked for 12 years before handing in his resignation in 2014. He might have gotten away with the deed if a colleague hadnt noticed the initials while performing a follow-up operation on the female patient. They were left by an argon beam, which surgeons use to stop bleeding during liver operations. The harmless marks left by the beam usually disappear after a while, but in this case the tell-tale signs were still in place at the time of the follow-up surgery, and Bramhall was exposed, becoming the subject of an internal disciplinary investigation.

While prosecutors have more work to do, the surgeon pleaded guilty this week to two counts of assault by beating. The phrasing merely reflects the fact that he marked the livers and does not suggest Bramhall actually beat the patients. He pleaded not guilty to accompanying charges of causing bodily harm. The names of the two patients have been kept confidential.

The pleas of guilty now entered represent an acceptance that that which he did was not just ethically wrong but criminally wrong. They reflect the fact that Dr Bramhalls initialling on a patients liver was not an isolated incident but rather a repeated act on two occasions, requiring some skill and concentration. It was done in the presence of colleagues, prosecutor Tony Badenoch said in court.

Badenoch went on to add: It was an intentional application of unlawful force to a patient whilst anesthetized. His acts in marking the livers of those patients were deliberate and conscious acts. Suffice to say, for current purposes, these pleas meet the broad public interest. It will be for others to decide whether and to what extent his fitness to practise is impaired.



However, a former patient of Bramhalls has come out in his defense. The surgeon made headlines in 2010, when he successfully transplanted a liver into Tracy Scriven. The noteworthy thing was that the organ came from the victim of a plane crash. Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Scriven had the following to say:

Even if he did put his initials on a transplanted liver, is it really that bad? I wouldnt have cared if he did it to me. The man saved my life.

Bramhall is out on unconditional bail and will hear his verdict next month.


Dr. Karen Smith

Keep cellphones away from your body and dont sleep near one at night, says the California Dept. of Public Health.

Although the science is still evolving, there are concerns among some public health professionals and members of the public regarding long-term, high use exposure to the energy emitted by cell phones, said a statement Dec. 13 by CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith.

Research suggests long-term, high use may impact human health, she said.



The finding was in a 2009 document of the CDPH Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control. It was published following an order of the Sacramento Superior Court.

Cell phones emit radio frequency energy when they send and receive signals to and from cell towers, and some scientists and public health officials believe this energy may impact human health, she noted.

Cellphone use in the U.S. has increased dramatically in recent years. About 95 percent of Americans own a cellphone, and 12 percent rely on them for everyday Internet access. The average age when children get their first phone is now just 10 years old, and a majority of young people keep their phones on or near them most of the day and while they sleep, said CDPH.

Childrens brains develop through the teenage years and may be more affected by cell phone use, said Dr. Smith. Parents should consider reducing the time their children use cell phones and encourage them to turn the devices off at night.

The new CDPH guidance includes practical steps both adults and children could take to reduce exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phones. That includes:

 Keeping the phone away from the body

 Reducing cell phone use when the signal is weak

 Reducing the use of cell phones to stream audio or video, or to download or upload large files

 Keeping the phone away from the bed at night

 Removing headsets when not on a call

 Avoiding products that claim to block radio frequency energy. These products may actually increase your exposure.

Moskowitz Sued for Release of Document

The Sacramento Superior Court in March ordered the CDPH to release the draft documents to Dr. Joel Moskowitz, the plaintiff in a law suit filed under the California Public Records Act by the Environmental Law Clinic at UC Berkeley Law and the First Amendment Project.

To comply with the court order, CDPH released 27 versions of the document and reimbursed legal expenses. The most recent draft, dated January, 2015, contained a bold watermark, "Draft and Not for Public Release" and a footnote, "Document released pursuant to Moskowitz v. CDPH, Sac. Super. Ct. No. 34-2016-80002358."

In July, the California Brain Tumor Association held a demonstration in Sacramento outside of CDPH to call for the public release of the cell phone warning document.

The safety recommendations in the document released Dec. 13 by CDPH are similar to those issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health in May, 2015.

The preponderance of the research, said Moskowitz, indicates that cell phone radiation poses a major risk to health. The recommendations of state and federal health agencies have not kept up with the research. The Federal Communications Commission, the agency responsible for regulating cell phones, relies on industry-generated guidance that is two decades old.

More than 230 scientists who have published peer-reviewed research on electromagnetic fields and health have signed a petition calling on all nations to adopt stronger regulations and disclosure to the public about the health risks of electromagnetic fields.

For the history of this document and the public records lawsuit see http://bit.ly/CDPHsafer.


Alicia Ramirez Wyld

Shelter PR is launching a new film and television division, and has brought on former Paramount SVP field publicity and targeted marketing Alicia Ramirez Wyld to play a key role in its development. The new division expands upon Shelters existing roster of film and television business clients, which includes TNT, Netflix, FX, Sony Television, Tina Fey, Steve Carell and Samantha Bee and others. At Paramount, Wyld oversaw regional publicity and promotions activities as well as all experiential marketing; Hispanic, African-American and Asian-American publicity; and religious and family outreach for the companys films. She has also held senior positions at Focus Features and Warner Bros. Alicia is a highly respected, savvy and smart executive who is known for her innovative ideas and ability to execute campaigns on a global scale. We couldnt be more thrilled that she is joining our team, agency partners Cara Tripicchio, Christine Tripicchio and Marla Farrell said in a statement.



Shervin Pishevar

Definers Public Affairs has responded to a defamation suit filed against it by venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar, a major investor in Uber, with a motion to dismiss the charges. Definersan oppositional research firm founded by former DCI Group vp and campaign manager for the Romney-Ryan 2012 presidential campaign Matt Rhoadeshas been accused by Peshawar of spreading damaging and fraudulent stories about him. While Pishevar has acknowledged that he was briefly arrested in London earlier this year after a woman claimed he sexually assaulted her, charges in that case were never filed. Pishevar says that in the wake of that situation, numerous other negative stories were circulated about him, and he places the blame for those stories on Definers. Tim Miller, who opened the company's Silicon Valley office, said that the firm was not behind the alleged smear campaign and called Pishevar's accusations delusional. In their motion to dismiss the defamation charges, attorneys for Definers say that defendants have been targeted because they are a public-relations firm engaged in the protected First Amendment activities of gathering and communicating information.



Jeffrey Henning

A partnership between CommunicationsMatch, a communications agency and freelancer search and hiring platform, and Researchscape International, which provides research services to the communications industry, has resulted in a new next day crisis and opinion survey tool tailored to corporate communications professionals and PR agencies. The service, offered through CommunicationsMatch, lets communicators ask either 500 or 1,000 respondents a list of 10 or 20 questions and have the results data delivered within 24 hours. A 10-question survey of 500 respondents representing the general population is available for $3,995 and a 20-question survey of 1,000 respondents costs $6,495. Custom research options are available for specific audiences and projects. This is a powerful tool for industry professionals dealing with crisis and other situations where understanding how messages are resonating or quick feedback on the impact on a brand is a priority. said Jeffrey Henning, founder and president of Researchscape International.


Kathleen Reynolds

CooperKatz & Company has promoted Kathleen Reynolds to vp/director, client services and Heather Caufield and Katy Hendricks to director, client services. Reynolds, who has been with the agency for 14 years, previously held the title of director, client services. She leads the account team for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Caulfield, who was manager, client services, has led and contributed to accounts for clients such as TD Bank, Otis Elevator Company and Asia Pulp & Paper over her six years with CooperKatz. Hendricks, who was promoted from manager, client services, has been with CooperKatz for 10 years, spearheading campaigns in the real estate, healthcare, education and technology sectors. The work of these colleagues has positively impacted the success of the agency. And I personally appreciate their strategic thinking, smart insights and passion for our industry, said CooperKatz co-founder and principal Ralph Katz.



Nicki Gibbs

Beehive Strategic Communication has promoted Nicki Gibbs to executive vice president, strategy. Gibbs joined Beehive in 2005, and most recently was senior vp, strategy. She came to Beehive after spending almost at Weber Shandwick. At Beehive, Gibbs leads a client portfolio that includes health care, higher education and retail industries, working with such clients as Beaumont Health, 3M, PreferredOne and Rasmussen College. In her new position, she will continue to lead client strategy and business development, as well as services development. Nickis keen insights, strategic vision and thoughtful leadership inspire and elevate both her team and her clients, said Beehive president and CEO Lisa Hannum. Her passion, clarity and positive energy simply make everything better.



Gillian Smith

LEGOLAND Florida Resort has named Gillian Smith as vp of marketing and sales. Smith replaces Rex Jackson, who was promoted to general manager in July. Smith joins LEGOLAND from education and national service nonprofit City Year, where she was chief marketing officer. Before that she served as CMO of Teach for America. In her new role, Smith leads marketing and sales efforts for the resort theme park, water park and on-site accommodations. Im delighted to welcome Gillian to our team, Jackson said. Her experience and insights as a marketer, storyteller, traveler and parent will be invaluable as we communicate what makes LEGOLAND Florida Resort such a fun and unparalleled destination for kids."



Lisa Mees

MP&F Public Relations has brought on Lisa Mees as a senior account executive. Mees comes to MP&F from Blue State Digitals Washington, DC, office, where she was an account director, managing the digital communications strategy and execution for clients including the Special Olympics International, National Wildlife Federation and United Negro College Fund. Before that, she was an account executive at Porter Novelli. Lisa is a significant addition to our firm, said MP&F senior partner Mark McNeely. Her agency background and deep digital experience will continue to help differentiate MP&F."
LINCOLN  The attorney for one of two people being questioned in the death and disappearance of Sydney Loofe said he expects charges soon against his client in connection with the death.

Also Thursday, The World-Herald learned that the body of the 24-year-old Lincoln woman was found in pieces in rural Clay County, according to two law enforcement officials familiar with the case.

That, the sources said, has led to investigation of whether Loofes death was a ritualistic slaying.

Both Aubrey Trail, 51, and Bailey Boswell, 23, the two persons of interest, were in federal court on Thursday to plead not guilty to theft charges apparently unrelated to the Loofe case.

Korey Reiman, the court-appointed attorney for Trail, said charges against his client of transporting stolen property soon will become moot because more serious charges are expected against Trail in the death of Loofe, whose body was discovered last week.

We all know whats going on, Reiman told reporters Thursday after Trails five-minute court appearance. I anticipate that charges related to Sydney Loofe will be coming in the next few weeks.

The comments were the first acknowledgment that Trail is more than a person of interest, and that he is likely to be charged in Loofes death.

The pair have been held in jail in Saline County on state and federal charges while investigators combed rural roadsides for evidence near Wilber, where the two had rented a basement apartment, and near Edgar, where the body was eventually found.

The FBI, which has taken over the investigation, has said the pair has been in communication with them about Loofes disappearance since they were arrested near Branson, Missouri, on Nov. 30.

In videos they posted on social media, both Trail and Boswell denied involvement in the death of Loofe, a clerk at a Lincoln Menards store.

Loofe, a native of Neligh, Nebraska, disappeared after arranging a date on Nov. 15 with Boswell via the dating app Tinder.

A massive search effort eventually led to the discovery of Loofes body on Dec. 4 along a country road north of Edgar, in south-central Nebraska. Evidence flags were placed at several locations, according to residents of that area, which is about 55 miles west of Wilber.

An FBI spokesman, Huston Pullen, said Thursday that forensic testing on Loofes body was continuing. He declined to answer other questions.

The theft charge that brought Trail and Boswell to court Thursday alleges that they transported stolen goods worth more than $5,000 from Hiawatha, Kansas, to Beatrice, Nebraska, on Oct. 20.

Information is being sought from Pennsylvania to Utah regarding the pairs possible involvement in a string of thefts from antique auctions involving rare coins. Those thefts, officials have said, might total $300,000 or more.

Boswell, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and shackled at the waist and ankles, spoke softly and said little during her court hearing Thursday.

Yes, maam, she responded when asked questions by U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart during her arraignment hearing.

Boswell, whose hair was braided tightly, appeared to smirk as she was led out of the courtroom.

Later, when Trail came to court for a separate arraignment, he spoke more loudly. After refusing an offer last week of a court-appointed attorney, Trail accepted the appointment of Reiman.

The judge said financial information submitted by Trail indicated that he was indigent and warranted a taxpayer-paid attorney.

That information ran counter to claims Trail made in a video posted on social media that he and Boswell were making a lot of money in the antique trade.

Both Boswells court-appointed attorney, Jessica Milburn, and Reiman, Trails attorney, entered not guilty pleas on behalf of their clients to the theft charge.

A joint, three-day trial for Boswell and Trail was scheduled to start Feb. 12, but Reiman said he expected new charges to supersede the theft case.

Boswell was a popular star basketball player in her hometown of Leon, Iowa. Her mother and stepfather are caring for her toddler there.

Boswells biological father, Alfred Pinegar, was murdered in 1995 by a methamphetamine dealer who was trying to eliminate snitches in northern Missouri, according to court records from that state.

John Middleton was convicted of killing Pinegar, whom court records also identified as a meth dealer, as well as two others. Middleton was sentenced to death and was executed by the State of Missouri in July 2014.

* * * * *

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Bailey Boswell and Aubrey Trail are charged with transporting stolen items from Hiawatha, Kansas, to Wilber, Nebraska. They are charged with transporting the items from Hiawatha to Beatrice.
GLENWOOD (AP)  The first of six former Glenwood State Resource Center workers charged with mistreating facility residents has been convicted of abusing a severely autistic man.

Kayla Stevenson, 24, was convicted Tuesday in Mills County District Court of wanton neglect of a resident.

She faces up to two years in prison when shes sentenced.

A video shown at her trial showed Stevenson hitting the 19-year-old resident in the head twice with the heavy end of a butter knife as hes held down by another worker. Her attorney argued that the incident amounted only to taps on the head that caused no injury.

Earlier this year, 13 workers at the center quit or were fired over abuse allegations. An Iowa Department of Human Services investigation found that several clients were physically abused or subjected to verbal abuse or neglect.
Two brothers were seriously injured early Wednesday in a shooting and assault case in Waterloo.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said deputies responded around 3:30 a.m. to the shooting call along River Road Drive.

The Sheriffs Office said deputies found two victims, Rogelio Roy Garcia, 39, and Cesar Garcia, 44, inside a residence just north of Farmer Browns restaurant.

The younger Garcia was semiconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower leg, deputies said. Cesar Garcia had been struck by an unknown object, suffering a deep laceration to his forehead, the Sheriffs Office said.

Both men were taken to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy, where they were listed in serious condition Wednesday night, a hospital representative said.

Roy Garcia was in surgery late Wednesday morning.

The Sheriffs Office said that its investigation into the case was continuing and that detectives were waiting to interview the brothers for a better picture of what occurred.

There is another person being sought who may be connected to the shooting and assault, the Sheriffs Office said. That person is familiar to Roy Garcia, the Sheriffs Office said.

Authorities described the case as an isolated incident and they said there was no threat to the public.

No arrests were announced.

Anyone with information on the matter is urged to call the Sheriffs Office at 402-444-6000.
An 18-year-old woman is the suspect in the killing of a man whose body was found inside his blood-soaked car outside an Omaha police station, authorities said.

Tyjanae Allen was booked into the Douglas County Jail on Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of Julio Cesar-Ortega, 29.

Cesar-Ortegas car headlights were on and the engine was running when a police officer returning to the northeast precinct station discovered his body in the early hours of Nov. 9.

Cesar-Ortega was slumped in the drivers seat of the silver sedan, which was parked near the buildings door at 30th and Taylor Streets.

Detectives believe that Cesar-Ortega, who lived in La Vista, died outside the station after he drove there. He left behind a wife and 10-year-old daughter.

Police on Wednesday declined to release the cause of Cesar-Ortegas death, which may become clear when Allen first appears in Douglas County Court. Allen was also booked on suspicion of use of a weapon to commit a felony. The weapon was something other than a gun, police said.

Police have not described a motive or said when Cesar-Ortega was injured.

Allens sister, Kayeshai Driver, 18, said she did not believe the accusations. Allen does not get out much, she said, and spends a lot of time helping her mom with their younger siblings.

I have known her her whole life. She has never been a violent or aggressive person, Driver said. Shes not the type to get mad easily.

Driver said she does not know Cesar-Ortega.

I have no clue who he is, she said. She has never told me about him.

Allen has no serious criminal record.

Juan Mejia, Cesar-Ortegas father-in-law, said Julios body was returned to Mexico on Tuesday for burial. He had immigrated to the United States as a child.
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Sarpy County deputies found a woman shot and a man dead Wednesday morning after receiving a call to check on residents in the Lakewood Villages housing addition.

Sheriff Jeff Davis said officers received a check the well-being call around 11:15 a.m. for a home just southwest of 48th Street and Nebraska Highway 370.

When they arrived, deputies found a conscious woman, 67, with a gunshot wound to her head. A 68-year-old man was found dead in the garage.

The woman was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition. The names of the man and woman are being withheld pending notification of family.

Chief Deputy Greg London said the people involved were the homes residents. Reports that a suspect was being sought were unfounded, he said.

We are not searching for anyone right now, London said.

Kevin Winters, who lives within walking distance of the home, said he and his wife are friends of the couple who live at the home. He had recently been in the home to help with a computer problem.

Theyre great people, he said. Joyce Zbylut, who lives three doors down from the scene, said the shooting is a surprise and a tragedy, especially around the holidays.

Its not something that you expect to happen in a quiet neighborhood like this, she said. It kind of puts life into perspective.
DES MOINES (AP)  Gov. Kim Reynolds says she wants to give details on a proposal to cut taxes in Iowa during a key legislative speech early next year.

Reynolds told reporters Wednesday that shed like to provide information about a tax plan during her Condition of the State address on Jan. 9. She says releasing those details are contingent on Congress passing its sweeping tax overhaul. The federal legislation is expected to make changes to how Iowa collects taxes.

Reynolds remarks come days after a budget panel said Iowas tax revenue remains below projections and midyear cuts to spending are possible. The Republican governor argues that tax cuts will spur economic development. She hasnt offered details about her plan but has indicated interest in lowering business and income taxes.
COUNCIL BLUFFS  Even for the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates all kinds of fatal incidents, the school bus fire Tuesday that killed the driver and a 16-year-old student near Oakland, Iowa, is unusual.

Donnie Hendricks, 74, and Megan Klindt, 16, died when fire engulfed their bus despite no apparent major crash damage to the vehicle.

Hendricks was backing out of the driveway of the farm where Klindt lived when the fire occurred. The shell of the burned bus was backed into a ditch across the road.

The circumstances in this one, without a sustained and heavy impact, is one of the reasons why it drew our attention, said Pete Kotowski, NTSBs investigator in charge, during a press conference Thursday morning at the Hilton Garden Inn near the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

Investigators do not know if the fire started before or after impact with the ditch. There was no other vehicle involved. The two were the only people on board.

The condition of the school bus, the fitness of the driver and whether the vehicle had been subject to a recall are among the aspects of a National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the blaze that killed Hendricks and Klindt.

The bus was a 2005 model International, and a recall had been issued for some of that years International school buses. The recall covered the bus electrical circuitry, Kotowski said, though he would not delve further into the recall and said investigators did not know if it applied to this specific bus.

According to information from the National Highway Safety Administration, a recall was issued in August 2004 for some 2005 model International buses, citing three potential problems that could contribute to fire:

 A high-pressure hose linking the power steering pump to the steering gear could chafe against the positive stud on the solenoid.

 The engines electrical harness, containing a positive cable, could pinch between the engine and the bus body.

 An optional oil switch could have been damaged during manufacturing, causing an oil leak.

The recall notice warned that the condition could lead to a fire in the engine bay, possibly resulting in serious injury or death. The notice recommended that owners return the bus to the dealer for repair.

NTSB officials emphasized that they did not know if the recall applied to this bus and, if so, whether the problems had been fixed. A message left for Riverside Community School District Superintendent Timothy Mitchell was not returned Thursday afternoon. As of early Thursday, the National Highway Safety Administration did not yet have the bus VIN, according to a spokesman.

A multidisciplinary team was sent to investigate, Kotowski said. Members also will look at the environment in which the incident occurred.

At the present time we have pretty much established the positioning and trajectory of the vehicle, but we still have some additional work to do before we release that finding, he said.

Investigators are going over a recording system in the bus. The system was severely damaged, Kotowski said. He would not describe it in detail.

We are working through those components right now to see what kind of information it may contain, he said. It will go to our facilities in Washington, D.C.

Toxicology samples have been taken from both Hendricks and Klindt and forwarded to a lab in Oklahoma City. Investigators also would be reviewing the Riverside Community School Districts transportation policies. Oakland is about 30 miles east of Omaha.

The on-scene investigation generally takes five to 14 days, he said. A preliminary report will be issued within about 14 days of that, but investigations generally take 12 to 14 months to complete.

Other aspects of the investigation will include design and escape points on the bus, and vehicle construction.

The maintenance records and the complete history of that vehicle are being reviewed, Kotowski said. We do have the documents at this time.

The bus was required to have a fire extinguisher, but investigators do not know if it had one.

The investigation will continue long after investigators leave the scene. Among the NTSBs duties are investigating significant roadway accidents. It determines probable cause and makes recommendations.

Although the event takes place oftentimes in . . . a millisecond, the events that lead up to it are long-term and, oftentimes, the events afterwards last a long time, he said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Confident congressional Republicans forged an agreement Wednesday on a major overhaul of the nations tax laws that would provide generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans and deliver the first major legislative accomplishment to the president.

Middle- and low-income families would get smaller tax cuts, though President Donald Trump and GOP leaders have billed the package as a huge benefit for the middle class.

The measure would scrap a major tax requirement of Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act, a step toward the ultimate GOP goal of unraveling the law.

The cynical voices that opposed tax cuts grow smaller and weaker, and the American people grow stronger, Trump said at the White House. This is for people of middle income, this is for companies that are going to create jobs.

This is for very, very special people, the great people of America.

The business tax cuts would be permanent, but reductions for individuals would expire after a decade  saving money to comply with Senate budget rules.

In all, the bill would cut taxes by about $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, adding billions to the nations mounting debt.

The legislation, which is still being finalized, would cut the top tax rate for the wealthy from 39.6 percent to 37 percent, slash the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and allow homeowners to deduct interest on only the first $750,000 of a new mortgage.

The top tax rate currently applies to income above $470,000 for married couples, though lawmakers are reworking the tax brackets.

The standard deduction would be nearly doubled, to $24,000 for married couples.

Details of the agreement were described by Republican senators and congressional aides.

Republicans plan to release the full details by Friday.

Its not my vision of the perfect, but again, this is definitely going to be a strong pro-growth tax package, said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.

Democrats mounted last-ditch efforts to pressure Republicans to delay votes on the bill.

They said the election of Doug Jones to a Senate seat in Alabama on Tuesday should require a pause.

Republicans rebuffed these attempts. The GOP has a 52-48 advantage in the Senate, where Vice President Mike Pence could break a tie.

Republicans see passage of the legislation as a political imperative, proving to voters that they can govern as the GOP fights to hold on to its majorities in the House and Senate.

Republicans said they expect the package to increase economic growth, generating additional tax revenue and lessening the hit to the budget deficit. Independent economists arent as optimistic.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she and her colleagues expect a modest lift to economic growth from the tax package.

The tax bill would scale back the deduction for state and local taxes, allowing families to deduct only up to a total of $10,000 in property and income taxes. The deduction is especially important to residents of high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California.

Business owners who report business income on their personal tax returns would be able to deduct 20 percent of that income.

The bill would repeal the mandate that most Americans get health insurance, a provision of the 2010 health care law.

Republicans suffered a humiliating defeat this summer when they were unable to dismantle the health care law after seven years of promises.

Scrapping the individual mandate would provide them with more than $300 billion for deeper tax cuts while undermining the law.

Senate leaders plan to vote on the package Tuesday. If it passes, the House would vote next. GOP leaders hope to send the bill to Trump before Christmas.

Lets not waver now  lets not give in to the Washington status quo  not when tax reform is so close, said Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

The measure has come under assault by Democrats, who say it is unfairly tilted in favor of business and the wealthy.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said the public doesnt know all the details of the bill, but they smell whats going on and that is tax cuts for the wealthiest and no help for so many in the middle class.

Schumer predicted that the politically unpopular bill would drag down Republicans in next years congressional elections.

The agreement was reached hours before a joint House-Senate conference committee met in public for the first time. The committee is charged with blending the tax bills passed by the House and Senate, though Republicans have done all of their negotiations behind closed doors.

At the meeting, Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., called the bill class warfare.

Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., countered that Democrats are promoting economic jealousy.

Democrats have not been included in any substantive talks on the bill.

The full details will be unveiled by the end of the week, Brady said.

Once the plan is signed into law, workers could start seeing changes in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks early next year, lawmakers said  though taxpayers wont file their 2018 returns until the following year.

Corporate tax cuts would take effect in January, allowing businesses to immediately write off the full cost of capital investments.

This report includes material from the Washington Post.
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York:

Hedge funds marked their 13th consecutive month of positive returns in November with +0.47% average returns for the month, according to the latest Hedge Fund Performance Report from eVestment.

Activists, long/short and quant equity strategies are producing average returns at least 300bps higher than all other primary strategies in 2017. Among primary strategies, Quantitative Directional Equity strategies were among top performers in November, returning +1.34% for the month and 9.49% YTD. Long/Short Equity and Event Driven-Activist strategies both returned about +1% for the month and have returned +10.79% and +11.04% respectively YTD.

Macro strategies have had mixed success this year. While just more than half (57%) of macro managers were positive in November, and nearly 70% are up YTD, November's average return was negative for the third monthly decline of 2017. Macro funds and Convertible Arbitrage funds saw negative returns of -0.11% and -0.19% respectively, although both are holding on to positive returns for the past three months and YTD.

Strategies outside the US have also done well. India-focused funds returned +1.77% in November and +27.33% YTD; Asia ex-Japan-focused funds returned +0.72% in November and +19.74% YTD; and Japan-focused funds returned +1.05% in November and +12.64% YTD. Russia- and Brazil-focused funds, the darlings of 2016 with returns for both north of +30% last year, have suffered in the second half......................

To view our full article Click here
"The possibility that the US Senate might pass a tax bill rallied domestic equity markets," says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge. "For each of the past 13 months, the monthly close of the S&P 500 has set a new record high."

Once again, the Technology Index powered upward with a 3.63% return in November. Technology has had 12 months of gains in the past 13 months, and is now up 25.29% for the year.

The Healthcare and Biotechnology Index bounced back from a 1.57% loss in October with a 2.98% gain in November. Equity Long Bias was up 1.63%, Emerging Markets added 0.64%, Distressed Securities were up 0.59%, and Pacific Rim Equities rose 0.33%.

Eight hedge fund indices lost ground in November. The Merger Arbitrage Index was down 0.79%, European Equities gave up 0.57%, Fixed Income Arbitrage lost 0.30%, and Convertible Arbitrage slid 0.21%.

All of Barclay's 17 hedge fund indices are profitable after eleven months. Following the strong performance of the Technology Index, Healthcare & Biotechnology is up 18.70% for the year, Emerging Markets have gained 16.40%, Pacific Rim Equities are up 13.18%, and the Equity Long Bias Index has added 12.67%.

The Barclay Fund of Funds Index lost 0.03% in November, but is up 5.66% for the year.
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Oregon Congressman Greg Walden's office says a new version of the Republican tax overhaul before Congress will preserve some key tax deductions that Oregonians rely on, including a major provision that would allow the state's residents to continue deducting a portion of their state income tax.

Compared with the tax plans that originally passed the House and the Senate, that change alone could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Oregonians. Some Oregonians still may pay higher federal taxes under the new plan than they would under current tax rules.

The tax bills originally passed by the House and Senate would have eliminated deductions for state income taxes. Those deductions are especially important to Oregonians, because the state has an unusually high income tax to compensate for the lack of a state sales tax.

Oregonians deducted $8.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2015, the most recent year for which data is available. Eliminating the income tax deduction could have cost Oregonians hundreds of millions of dollars, which would have partially or completely offset tax cuts in other parts of the bill for the state's residents, according to tax experts.

Justin Discigil, Walden's communications director, said the Republican congressman has been working with members of the conference committee, which is reconciling the House and Senate versions. He said Walden pushed them to retain local tax deductions and other provisions of the tax code that many Oregonians favor.

"While we have not seen the actual bill text yet, it is our understanding that some of the changes he has been pushing for have been worked into the final agreement," Discigil said in an email.

The House and Senate bills allowed taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 in local property taxes from their federal taxes. Discigil said Walden's understanding is that a revised version of the bill emerging from conference committee would allow deductions of both property and income taxes, combined, up to that limit.

"While we do not want to rush to judgment  and analyze what is only a partial review of what we believe the final plan will include  Rep. Walden is encouraged that the bill will incorporate some of the improvements he has worked to include," Discigil said.

Additionally, Discigil said Walden believes the bill emerging from House and Senate negotiators makes other changes the congressman had sought. Those include:

Preserving tax-exempt private activity bonds, which had been eliminated in the first House bill. State and local governments use the bonds to finance affordable housing and other public projects, including roads. Housing advocates had warned that losing the bonds would exacerbate Oregon's housing crisis.

Retaining a deduction for medical expenses and student loan interest.

Eliminating an alternative minimum corporate tax that was included in prior versions of the tax legislation. Congress is planning to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, but an alternative minimum tax could have reduced the tax savings Intel, Nike and other large companies anticipated.

Other reports indicate the new bill would eliminate a proposed tax on graduate students, which had greatly concerned Oregon's universities.

"Rep. Walden is focusing on the impact of this bill for the middle-class family in his district, where the median household income is $49,000," Discigil wrote. "Those families will see a significant tax break under our plan, and that has been Rep. Walden's goal from the beginning."

Walden represents the sprawling 2nd Congressional District, 20 counties in central, southern and eastern Oregon.

The tax overhaul bills passed the House and Senate without a single Democratic vote in either chamber, so the Republican majorities are steering the process themselves. Walden is among the most influential Republicans in the House, chairing the powerful Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee. He's the only Republican from Oregon in Congress.

Democrats, including Gov. Kate Brown and the rest of the state's congressional delegation, remain firmly opposed to the tax overhaul. They argue that it would disproportionately benefit wealthy Americans, increase the federal deficit and reduce funds available for social programs.

Allowing deductions for state income taxes would be valuable for many Oregonians, but the $10,000 limit on income and property taxes could still hit some taxpayers. Reports indicate Republicans are planning to lower the top federal tax rate to preserve savings for the wealthiest taxpayers.

Some middle-income taxpayers would no longer itemize their taxes under the new legislation because the overhaul would nearly double the standard deduction taxpayers can take, to $24,000 for couples. Those savings would be partially offset by the loss of the personal exemption and other deductions.

The congressional tax overhaul appears on track for passage in the House. But in the Senate, where Republicans have just a two-vote majority, party leaders are still trying to lock down votes to ensure approval.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699
By Jackie Varriano, for The Oregonian/OregonLive

The scene was this past September's Feast, the event The Sandwich Invitational. Amid all the ingredients shoved between a bun, two slices of bread and even a pita was Matt Christianson's braised beef with dill pickles wrapped in lefse.

"Out of the 800 people we served that day, probably a dozen knew what it was," he says.

I was one of those dozen who Christianson said eagerly approached the booth, looking for the griddle, long wooden lefse stick and tales of making the treat with their family members.

For anyone who doesn't have a Norwegian grandmother or didn't grow up in the Midwest, lefse is a delightful winter staple made from potatoes cooked twice. (I grew up in North Dakota while Christianson hails from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He has sous chefs from Iowa and North Dakota as well.)

Recipe included with this story: Lefse

The process of making lefse goes like this: First, starchy, dry potatoes like russets are boiled until just done. Next, they're put through a food mill or ricer and fluffed to release all steam, then mixed with heavy cream and butter, and refrigerated until completely cool.

The second cooking comes after the potato mixture is formed into a dough and rolled tissue-paper thin and griddled until brown, caramelized spots appear.

Unlike many people with lefse memories from childhood, Christianson never made the dish as a kid with his grandmother. Instead, she would bring the prepared flatbread to their house over the holidays and leave it in the cupboard.

"I ate it cold with butter and cinnamon sugar for breakfast; it was a treat," he says.

Lefse for my family was a staple at our holiday dinner table and eaten only with butter. And although I have memories of eating it with both sets of grandparents, it's my paternal grandmother, Jean, who really made an impression on my lefse eating.

She's now 90 and hip enough that she recently had 23 and Me done, finding out that she's roughly 95 percent Scandinavian and that for over 50 years until his death, she was married to my nearly 100 percent Italian grandfather. Lefse was an anomaly on our Christmas table, which was anchored by bowls filled with featherlike Romano cheese and fresh ravioli, cavatelli and red sauce studded with hunks of braciole.

Since moving to the West Coast my dalliances with lefse have lessened. The same went for Christianson until a few years ago, when he decided he wanted to try his hand at making his old childhood favorite. He put it on the menu at Urban Farmer, wrapped around asparagus with a little creme fraiche and pickled onions.

"It was about recreating what I remembered from when I was a kid. It's what a lot of chefs do," he says.

Christianson cautions that it does take practice to make lefse - and a few accoutrements. But with a little elbow grease you too can enjoy this wonderful potato treat styled with sweet or savory accompaniments.

First - assemble your ingredients. Christianson recommends using russet Burbank potatoes specifically, as they are dry with a high starch content.

"Cook them perfectly - not over or underdone - and after ricing you just want to fluff them up and run your fork through them until all the steam is gone to get as much moisture off of them as possible," he says.

When it comes to rolling the dough and cooking the lefse, people traditionally use a cloth-covered board with a ridged rolling pin covered in a cloth sleeve. The reason: The dough is sticky, and you want to get as little extra flour into it as possible.

"Otherwise you're just making a crepe," Christianson says.

Unlike a smooth countertop or rolling pin where the flour will just be smooshed into your dough, the cloth has a surface flour can stick to. You can simply line your workspace with a clean kitchen towel or pastry cloth. Or you can order a pastry cloth specific for lefse making, available online at Bed Bath & Beyond or Amazon.

A cloth sleeve for your rolling pin can also be purchased online and serves the same purpose, although the ridged rolling pin is specific to help you roll out lefse in a circle. If you're going to be making a lot of lefse, it's nice to invest in one, but a regular rolling pin will do just fine.

Lefse is traditionally cooked on a ridge-less griddle, but a crepe pan, large saute pan or electric griddle will work as well. There's also a long, thin wooden spatula that is used to lift large, tissue-thin lefse dough up off the pastry cloth and onto the griddle, but again, a wooden spatula will work for beginners.

"As you get used to [making lefse] the more round and larger your lefse will get and eventually, you get really good at it, but it's a process," Christianson says.

It's true, the recipe and technique take a little patience - but even if you end up with thicker potato pancakes at first, the result will still be delicious.

Once finished, enjoy lefse with everything from butter and sugar to savory applications like leftover ham or turkey with mustard, smoked salmon and cream cheese or in place of toast with your morning eggs.

-- Jackie Varriano for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Anthony Rosilez, incoming director of the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

The agency that licenses Oregon's teachers has a new executive director.

Anthony Rosilez, an administrator and lawyer with Klamath Community College, will take over as director of the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission on Jan 1.

Rosilez brings with him experience in both K-12 and higher education, having worked in leadership at school districts in California and Illinois. His credentials include a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master's degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a law degree from UCLA, according to a press release.

"We are honored to have Dr. Rosilez lead the agency," Heidi Sipe, chair of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, said in a statement. "He brings a varied background of educational and legal experiences to the TSPC. We are excited to have him both continue the positive momentum established by prior leadership and also extend the agency's growth with his expertise."

The agency's previous director, Monica Beane, left in late August after just 13 months on the job.

"While my honest intentions were to remain in this position for at least five years, I have come to recognize that it is not what is best for me," Beane said in a statement at the time.

Her resignation letter noted she found the work, "challenging, yet rewarding."

Beane came to Oregon after running West Virginia's teacher licensing department for three years. She was the fourth director in the Oregon agency's history.

In recent years, the agency has been beset by high workloads, straining resources. A 2016 audit said that despite improvements the agency's work still moved at a sluggish pace.

Rosilez had substantial responsibilities at Klamath Community College, where he served both as legal counsel and vice president of student and personnel services.

Prior to that, he was superintendent for Romoland School District in California, which has 3,943 students.

Rosilez, in a press release, emphasized a focus on student-teacher relationships.

"A mentor superintendent once told me that the most important thing we can do to support student success is to build the learning relationship between the teacher and student," Rosilez said. "I look forward to working with educators, schools, educator preparation programs, and the commission to ensure this positive relationship between teachers and their students."

 Bethany Barnes

bbarnes@oregonian.com
A public lands advocacy group targeted U.S. Rep Greg Walden and two Republican colleagues with a $1 million advertising campaign this week, saying the "elites in Washington" are considering selling off national monuments and gutting protections for national parks.

The advertising blitz from the Western Values Project, a left-leaning Montana-based conservation organization, comes one week after the Department of the Interior released its final recommendation for four national monuments reviewed by the Trump administration. Western Values Project is funded by the nonprofit New Venture Fund charity group.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke started the review earlier this year with the stated goal of examining whether President Donald Trump's predecessor had overreached in declaring massive swaths of land as federally protected by using the executive office's powers under the Antiquities Act. Last week, the administration announced plans to reduce two Utah monuments by nearly 2 million acres.

Plans for Oregon's Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument were less clear, with Zinke saying the administration would examine whether the monument could legally contain certain lands set aside for timber production.

In ominous tones, the Walden video includes pictures of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in the Hood River Republican's vast 2nd Congressional District, and says Walden "may be the deciding vote" on legislation in Washington D.C.

The video says 2 million acres of land in the Bears Ears and Grand-Escalante monuments "just got wiped off the map." In comments last week, Zinke blasted any such suggestions of selling off monument lands as "nefarious, false, and a lie."

Walden issued a statement in response to the advertising effort, saying he was a strong supporter of public lands and "will not support any effort that wipes 2 million acres of protected public lands off the map in any case."

"I want the Trump administration to follow the law when it comes to management of our public lands, especially in southern Oregon," he said in a statement. "I am a strong supporter of private property rights, and for multiple use on our public lands."

The Western Values Project also released a poll conducted in the days after the Trump administration issued its recommendation on monument policy last week, showing Walden's constituents have strong views about public lands.

According to the poll of 401 likely voters in Walden's district, 88 percent of the respondents said preserving public land was either "very" or "somewhat" important to them. Voters also are closely tracking the national monument debate, according to poll results.

Forty-five percent of those polled also said they strongly oppose changes to the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments in particular.

But the poll also indicated support for Walden, regardless of his stance on the issue. When asked whether they would vote for the Oregon Republican if he supported rolling back public lands protections or an unnamed Democrat, 43 percent said they would support Walden. Another 7 percent said they would "lean" toward the incumbent while 33 percent indicated they would back a Democrat. Seven percent said they would lean toward the unnamed Democrat, and the remaining 10 percent were either undecided or refused to answer.

Thirty-one percent of respondents identified as strong Republicans, and 22 percent said they were strong Democratic voters.

Walden, first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, won his latest election in 2016 with nearly 72 percent of the vote.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, introduced a bill in October that would amend the Antiquities Act to "set "limits on land that may be declared to be a national monument based on acreage, proximity to other national monuments" and other factors. Parish Braden, Bishop's communications director, said in an email that the bill "reigns in and standardizes the president's authority to downsize monuments."

The polling and advertising campaign also targeted U.S. Reps Martha McSally, R-Arizona and Jaime Herrera Beutler R-Washington. The $1 million in television and radio ads will be split among the three markets.

Herrera Beutler issued a statement saying she's "always worked to protect" public lands in Southwest Washington and opposes any attempt to gut monument or national park protections.

On a press call with reporters Thursday, Western Values Project executive director Chris Saeger said all three polls showed the public lands issue is a "salient issue for voters."

He said Bishop's bill raises concerns the administration could seek to weaken public lands elsewhere. "Everything could potentially be at risk," he said.

UPDATE: This story was updated with comments from U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop's office.



-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen
In 2013, supporters for Clean Water Oregon gathered to celebrate the defeat of an initiative to add fluoride to Portland's water supply. Executive committee member Rick Miller appears on TV.

Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian

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Dan Ross

FairWarning

In the early 1900s, a young dentist named Frederick McKay moved to a Colorado town where the residents' teeth  many stained dark brown had far less decay than was typical back then. He and other researchers eventually linked the phenomenon to naturally occurring fluoride in the town's drinking water  a eureka moment that would usher in what is often called one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1945 became the first city to fluoridate its water supplies. Today, two out of every three Americans  but not Portland residents -- receive drinking water containing the chemical, and the federal government is pushing to raise the numbers further.

Yet few substances found in drinking water trigger as emotional and polarized a public reaction as fluoride. In the fevered imaginations of conspiracy theorists, including members of the John Birch Society, fluoridation was denounced as a Communist plot, a view satirized in the film Dr. Strangelove.

Abundant evidence suggests that a small dose of the chemical can help prevent cavities. But it turns out that, when it comes to fluoride, there is a risk of getting too much.

Some American children are being exposed to amounts of fluoride that could be harmful to their teeth  and, possibly, even damaging to their brain development. A key reason is that our daily exposure has been increasing for years  fluoride can be present in everyday items such as bottled drinks, processed foods, toothpastes and mouthwashes, along with pesticide residues and even the air, thanks to industrial emissions.

On top of that, millions of Americans rely on water supplies with what federal agencies consider more than the optimal level of the chemical. Water utility fluoridation practices often contribute to more-than-optimal concentrations but, for an estimated 5.7 million Americans, naturally occurring fluoride is to blame.

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Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian

Health conditions linked to too much fluoride include:

Dental fluorosis: A condition stemming from fluoride overexposure among children typically up to about 8 years old, when teeth are developing and enamel is still forming. Dental fluorosis can vary in severity from mild tooth discoloration to severe staining, enamel erosion and pitting. Some academic experts believe that more than 5 million Americans suffer from moderate or severe dental fluorosis, with the highest rates believed to be among adolescents.

Skeletal fluorosis: A disease in which excessive fluoride accumulates in bone tissue. It can lead to problems like joint pain, fractures and osteosclerosis, which involves abnormal bone hardening and increased bone density. In worst case scenarios, skeletal fluorosis can lead to crippling deformities of the spine and joints. The more severe forms of skeletal fluorosis typically are associated with long-term exposure to particularly high levels of fluoride.

Neurological problems: Recently published research highlights these potential hazards. In September, a long-term study in Mexico came out that found a link between increased levels of prenatal fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children. In addition, a pair of 2015 studies by British and Canadian researchers suggested a link between fluoride overexposure and hypothyroidism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its parent agency, Health and Human Services, consider fluoride concentrations in water of 0.7 parts per million, or ppm, the sweet spot  a level high enough to prevent tooth decay but low enough to avoid mild dental fluorosis or more serious problems. In light of that, another HHS agency, the Food and Drug Administration, in April 2015 urged bottled water companies to avoid adding fluoride that would raise concentrations above that so-called optimal level.

The CDC also suggests a variety of measures to protect children. They include a recommendation for families with youngsters under 8 to consider alternate sources of drinking water, or filtering their water, if they live in communities where fluoride occurs naturally at levels above 2 ppm.

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Douglas Perry | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Yet the Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates the nations water quality, is much less stringent. While it recommends keeping maximum fluoride concentrations below 2 ppm, its legal ceiling for water utilities is twice that high, at 4 ppm.

A critical National Research Council report in 2006 called for reducing that limit, saying it raises the risk of problems such as bone fractures. "It's just not protective, period," said Kathy Thiessen, a contributor to the report and now an environmental toxicology expert at the Oak Ridge Center for Risk Analysis in Tennessee.

The EPA, which reevaluates drinking water standards every six years, twice decided against taking any action on the issue since the NRC published its findings in 2006. In fact, the last time the EPA changed the legal limit, in 1986, the agency boosted the ceiling to its current level, apparently to ease the financial burden on water utilities in areas where high fluoride levels occur naturally.

In a statement to FairWarning, an EPA spokesperson said that a revision to its fluoride requirements would be not appropriate at this time, and that the agency will continue to monitor the evolving science and will reevaluate the drinking water standard for fluoride in subsequent regulatory review processes.

In the meantime, experts outside of government increasingly express concern about the health effects of higher levels of fluoride, especially for pregnant women and small children. Thiessen said that while she is disappointed the EPA hasnt tightened its limits, she isnt surprised. Unfortunately, its a very politicized issue.

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Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian

For its part, the American Dental Association downplays the consequences of high fluoride concentrations in some drinking water systems. An ADA spokesperson, for example, said in an email that the most common type of dental fluorosis in the U.S. is so mild that it has no effect on tooth function and may make teeth more resistant to decay. The association says it supports fluoridating water, but only up to the 0.7 ppm level, which is the level Portland city leaders had approved.

I dont know anyone who would advocate for supplemental fluoridation of a water source above what we know to be safe, explained Ben Hoffman, a fluoridation supporter who directs a safety center at the OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland.

Even so, some utilities continue to fluoridate water to above the 0.7 ppm level. No up-to-date government figures exist on the number of Americans exposed to drinking water fluoridated to above that point, but the advocacy and research organization Environmental Working Group estimates that, as of 2015, the figure was 28 million. However, federal authorities reduced the level they consider optimal that year to the current 0.7 ppm  previously, in some cases, it was as high as 1.2 ppm  and since then many water utilities are believed to have reduced their fluoridation.

Scientists have long recognized the strong link between excessive fluoride and dental problems. The 2006 report by the National Research Council found that 10 percent of children drinking water fluoridated to around 4 ppm suffer severe dental fluorosis.

The new Mexico study, however, underscored the point that fluoride may be harming childrens brains, too. In that study, researchers spent 12 years studying nearly 300 mothers and their children. They found a connection between high exposure of pregnant women to fluoride and lower intelligence test scores by their children later on, at age 4 and in the 6-to-12 age range. No similar investigation has been conducted in the U.S. but, in Canada, researchers are looking into the issue, using a sample size that is three times larger than in the Mexican study.

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The tricky politics of fluoridation have played out in Portland, the largest city in the U.S. not to fluoridate its water. In 2012, the Portland City Council approved the practice. Opponents fought back, getting the issue placed on the ballot the following year and, after a heated campaign, voters rejected fluoridation for the fourth time since 1956.

At the federal level, too, fluoride has had a contentious history.

In 1986, the EPA raised the legal limit for fluoride to the current 4 ppm. Supporters of the increase said the cost of filtering out fluoride would have dramatically boosted water bills, while some health experts argued that too little was known about the potential health effects from fluoride overexposure, especially among children.

In the years since, scientific evidence about potential harm from too much exposure to fluoride has mounted. Last year, the National Toxicology Program, an arm of the National Institutes of Health, published a review of scientific literature that found a connection in animals between fluoride consumption and learning and memory defects.

For consumers in high fluoride areas, the options are limited. Home filtration systems can remove fluoride from tap water, but they dont come cheap. Many of the most common technologies  such as reverse osmosis, deionization and activated alumina  cost in the hundreds of dollars.

Bottled water isnt necessarily any better than public water supplies. The Food and Drug Administration has urged bottled water companies to avoid adding fluoride that would raise concentrations above the optimal 0.7 level. Even so, the agency allows those businesses to sell water with up to 2.4 ppm fluoride, if it was bottled in an area with high naturally occurring fluoride.

For Jessica Trader, a North Carolinia native who has suffered with dental fluorosis for years, the failure to take a tougher stand against high fluoride levels is maddening. Trader, who now lives in San Francisco, is involved with an environmental organization that joined with other groups this year to sue the EPA. They are waging a long-shot effort to force the agency to shut down water fluoridation programs around the country. Trader describes water fluoridation as a "reckless policy," because some people are more sensitive than others to the chemical.

Why havent we done anything about it sooner? Trader said. Its affecting peoples lives in all these different ways, and they [federal officials] are just turning a blind eye to it.

This story was produced by FairWarning (www.fairwarning.org), a nonprofit news organization based in Pasadena, California, that focuses on public health, consumer and environmental issues.

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Architects and builders leave a legacy. Long after they've stopped working, families continue to occupy the houses that were designed and built.

Take a look at the enduring legacy of the late Northwest Modernism master Kenneth L. Birkemeier, an architect and builder whose prolific career spanned decades. He eventually constructed about 700 dwellings in the Portland area, from single-family houses to multifamily duplexes and apartment units.

Before World War II, the Oregon native and graduate of the University of Oregon focused on traditional structures modeled after pitched-roof and brick Colonial and English cottage styles. During the post-war housing boom, he embraced faster-to-build, post-and-beam ranch-style homes.

One of his trademarks: Narrow Roman brick.

With head mason Frank Snelling, the hands-on builder assembled dramatic brick fireplaces and added rounded portholes and brick patterns to exteriors, according to Doug Decker, who writes the Alameda Old House History blog and devoted a page to Birkemeier's accomplishments.

Another historian, Jack Bookwalter, also praises Birkemeier's raised exterior brickwork. "There are always little ledges and projecting brick designs, often quite intricate, always creative," says Bookwalter, who helped organize the Architectural Heritage Center's "Artistry in Brick: The Distinctive Mid-Century Homes of Ken Birkemeier" event in 2010.

Two Birkemeier houses, including his personal residence, recently hit the market. Both are in escrow. Here are the histories:

A member of Birkemeier's family has lived at 3003 NW Rio Vista Terrace for more than a half century. On this steep slope in 1965, he erected a window-laden, two-story aerie that opens to views of Portland's skyline, four mountains and the Columbia and Willamette rivers.

Surprisingly, there is stone near the front door and around the fireplace, but no brick in the 2,844-square-foot house.

Birkemeier lived here until he died at age 90 in 1996. He and his first wife, Marge, were married for more than 50 years and had two sons, Brent and Bruce. After Marge passed away, Birkemeier married Ramona.

When Ramona died this year, her son decided to sell the property, according to Marc Wheeler Byrne of Scout Realty Co., who listed the Birkemeier family home, with the most recent price at $1 million.

Another iconic Birkemeier house with a pending offer has been occupied by the same family for more than 35 years.

The "Mad Men"-style house, built in 1954 on a quarter-acre lot at 4121 NE Wistaria Dr. in the Beaumont-Wilshire area near the Alameda neighborhood, is listed at $775,000 by Michael Dooney of Windermere Stellar.

Until recently, the Roman brick and wood exterior was painted a distinctive rosy-tangerine color. It may be Birkemeier's most well-known house, says Bookwalter.

Inside, curved walls add interest to the 408-square-foot living room. Expansive windows and hardwood floors are in the dining room. The kitchen has been updated with stainless-steel appliances and the bonus room house has a swank bar.

-- Janet Eastman

jeastman@oregonian.com

503-799-8739

@janeteastman





The size of the house at 3003 NW Rio Vista Terrace was corrected.
Do not be fooled, Measure 101 is a sales tax. Somehow the politicians in Salem must have forgotten that Oregonians rejected prior attempts at implementing additional sales tax. Now, instead of taxing goods, the Legislature is trying to force a health care tax down our throats. If Measure 101 is upheld, the financial burden of the additional tax will surely be passed down to consumers. This is a measure for special interests, not Oregonians.

At a time when Oregon's high school graduation rate just ranked third worst in the nation, Gov. Kate Brown and her fellow politicians in Salem are trying to tax Oregonians to dump money into a health care program that is clearly failing. I find it appalling and morally reprehensible to steal the money of Oregon children to finance an already over bloated bureaucracy instead of investing in our schools.

Remember, Brown and state officials were just rocked by a scandal which revealed they lost almost $200 million by potentially for overpaying for Medicaid. Instead of apologies and promises to change, they want to pass additional taxes on health care. Help Oregon students, hospitals, families and -- yes, even patients -- by defeating Measure 101.

Marcus Curlin, Northwest Portland
By Megan McArdle

Get caught committing a felony, and the government is apt to do terrible things to you. Stick you in a cage. Control what you eat, when you sleep, what you do with your time.

Should the government also be allowed to prevent you from seeing your family?

Some prisons are ending face-to-face contact for prisoners, shunting them instead to a video calling system. This system costs $12.99 for 20 minutes. For a population that tends to start out economically disadvantaged, that's a heavy financial burden. Not to mention that you can't hold a daughter's hand, place a comforting arm around a father's shoulder, or hug your wife.

Prisons, as we all know from watching television, have a pretty significant contraband problem -- some of it brought in by visiting relatives. If you keep prisoners from mingling in person with their families, you can keep them from getting their hands on some items they shouldn't have.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily make this good policy. We could probably end the scourge of littering if we simply imposed the death penalty for dropping a fast-food wrapper on the street, but we all recognize that this would be a disproportionately costly "solution" to the problem. And preventing prisoners from ever getting to touch the people they love, while also preventing children of prisoners from even holding hands with their parents, is a pretty high cost.

But let us assume, arguendo, that the problem of contraband in prisons is so heinous that it justifies depriving families of the ability to touch an incarcerated loved one. How can we possibly justify charging $12.99 a pop for the video substitute?

It's not just a problem with videoconferencing. Phone calls from prisons are horrifically expensive. So, often, are ordinary items in the commissary, and there are frequently surcharges for families to deposit outside money in those commissary accounts. Innumerable indignant articles have been written asking the same basic question: How can we justify price-gouging poor people who are already suffering through a prison term -- and by extension, the innocent families, also mostly poor, who are already suffering separation from a family member?

There are partial explanations: Items in the prison commissary can't necessarily be dispensed as easily as they are at the grocery store, because prisons have to ensure that prisoners don't get access to any packaging that could be turned into a weapon. And phone calls are so expensive in part because every call has to be recorded and spot-monitored to ensure that, say, a crime lord is not continuing to run his business while in prison.

And yet, prison phone calls tend to be far more expensive than can be justified by citing the cost of recording calls, or even the labor needed to occasionally listen to them. A large fraction of those absurd prices is explained by economics: Prison is a monopoly where the "customers" are physically prevented from leaving under pain of death. In such a market, we would expect things to be priced to squeeze the customers until they bleed, and lo and behold, that's just what we see.

It's customary to blame the companies who provide prison services for this state of affairs, and believe me, I do. But as The Washington Post reported, a substantial share of the money goes to governments. According to one study, about 42 percent of the cost of an average call was going to kickbacks -- pardon me, commissions -- to the governments that signed the contracts. Given that there are, in fact, some extraordinary costs involved in offering phone service to a prison, it seems likely that the government was making more off of exorbitantly priced phone service than the companies were.

The FCC cracked down on phone-gouging in 2015, but an appeals court reversed that decision this year. Even while call costs were capped, prisons had lots of other ways to squeeze money out of prisoners and their families. And according to the Post, they often engage in predatory tactics to make sure that that sweet, sweet money keeps rolling in -- switching to proprietary deposit systems at the commissaries rather than letting families send the prisoners money orders, or ending in-person visits so that they're forced to rely on an expensive videoconferences.

Advertised as a boon to families, video visitation presumably allows persons in prison to connect with their families from anywhere on the globe by live video. This "service," however, is financed largely by poor families. Seventy percent of the contracts, according to one report cited by the Post, require that the video visitation replace in-person visitation.

I understand that some people will have a hard time working up much sympathy. These people broke the law, after all, and incarcerating them costs a lot of money. Why shouldn't we recoup as much as possible?

But if it doesn't seem wrong to you to make some struggling mother pay a $7 fee every time she wants to give her son a little money to spend on Oreos and antacids -- or $13 to see his face when she wishes him a happy birthday -- ask yourself whether you're willing to tolerate higher crime as a result of losing slightly less money in the short term on the incarceration system.

Whatever your opinion on prisoner rights, we all have a common interest in ensuring that when prisoners get out, they don't commit new crimes. Well, families have a big role to play in reducing recidivism. Getting out of jail and getting on the straight and narrow is hard. You have to build a new life while complying with a host of regulations that the rest of us don't have to put up with. And you have to find a regular job in a world where not many people want to hire convicted felons.

Families help prisoners over those moments of despair when they just don't think they can make it. They provide the incentive to stay out of prison, so that you can be there to watch a son grow up or a daughter graduate from college, or perhaps, just watch your Mom make dinner for the thousandth time. Family connections can be valuable sources of jobs for people who are having a hard time finding one. So it's not surprising that research tends to show that prison visitation is correlated with lower recidivism rates. These effects are not necessarily enormous, but any reduction in recidivism is a clear gain -- not just in less crime, but also in less money spent tracking down, trying and incarcerating repeat offenders.

So we have a social interest in making family bonds as strong as possible. And therefore we should think long and hard before embracing any policy that makes it harder to visit prisoners. Video-calling technology should be welcomed as an additional way for prisoners to stay in touch with the people who can help them through their eventual re-entry. But for just that reason, we should want to make it as cheap as possible, rather than trying to make it generate revenue to fund the prison system. And we should be very reluctant indeed to make it the only way for prisoners to see the people who will eventually welcome them home.

-- Megan McArdle is a Bloomberg View columnist and the author of "The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well Is the Key to Success."
Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Cremains once stored in copper canisters now rest inside this wall outside the former crematorium of the Oregon State Hospital.





By Molly Harbarger

The Oregonian | OregonLive

Winter can be lethal to people without shelter. Last year in Portland, the combination of homelessness, freezing temperatures and mental illness took four lives.



As temperatures drop and the wind chill sharpens, debates are reigniting over how best to balance the civil liberties and the safety of people whose mental conditions render them unable to make good decisions.

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The Associated Press

Among the people housed at the Oregon State Hospital are defendants who are determined to be guilty but insane.



In Oregon, with a population of 4 million, about 600 people are required to receive treatment for mental illness against their will each year. That is a low rate compared with that of other states.

A workgroup of judges, mental health advocates, police and state lawmakers is trying to revise those rules to allow officials the latitude to ensure that fewer people like Karen Batts die on the streets.

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Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Karen Batts, 52, died of hypothermia in a parking garage in Portland Saturday, January 7, while in a Smart Park garage in downtown Portland. She suffered from schizophrenia, which led her to eschew other people who might have been able to help her.





Batts grew up in Portland a vivacious, friendly teenager and Rose Festival princess. As she entered her 20s, she was slowly overtaken by delusions and paranoia due to schizophrenia. Family members repeatedly tried to help her. But they were often frustrated by obstacles to ensuring she took her medicine and received treatment because she never qualified for civil commitment, they said.



Her case, profiled in The Oregonian/OregonLive, was one the state workgroup looked at when weighing changes to state law to better serve severely mentally ill people.



In addition to Batts, five other people died in the cold winter including Zachary A. Young, 29, who had mental illness and slept in the woods. Mark Elliot Johnson, 51, and David Guyot, 68, also died outside in the cold.

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Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Karen Batts, 52, died of hypothermia in a parking garage in Portland Saturday, January 7, while in a Smart Park garage in downtown Portland. Her brother, Alan, and mother Elizabeth Jean, say Karen had schizophrenia.





Sen. Floyd Prozanski, a Democrat who represents south Lane County and north Douglas County, said he might introduce a small set of tweaks to the involuntary treatment law in the short February 2018 session. But the workgroup is mostly focused on a broader bill for 2019.



Prozanski worked as a district attorney's office and is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He said that backdrop informs his view of ways the law could be strengthened -- but also show restraint.



"We want to do the right thing, and part of the right thing is we don't overreact where you don't take someone's liberties away," Prozanski said.

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Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Zachary A. Young, 29, was found dead on a hillside in Southwest Portland on Jan. 10, 2017. He died alone of hypothermia after battling mental illness for years.





That balance has been the fulcrum for the narrow guidelines Oregon uses now. Groups that advocate for the rights of people with mental illness like the National Alliance on Mental Illness are also present in these discussions, saying that in the past, involuntary treatment laws were too broad. Those allowed states to keep people who could take care of themselves in hospitals indefinitely, and even now, that many people who experience a psychotic break or mental health crisis are stigmatized and should be provided services rather than locked away.



Bill Osborne heads a Multnomah County team of master's level mental health workers who investigate up to 4,000 cases a year of people recommended for involuntary commitment. His team receives "notices of mental illness" from a hospital which indicate someone is being held there for five days. Before that time is up, Osborne's team must review police records, court documents and interview friends and family members to determine whether to go before a judge and ask that the person be committed.



About 10 percent of those cases end up before a judge, and the overwhelming majority are sent to longer-term treatment against their will.

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Aimee Green | The Oregonian

Civil commitments in Portland used to be held Room 220 of the Multnomah County Courthouse. They are now largely held at mental health facilities.





That work has been refined over time to account for Appeals Court rulings. Cases Osborne might have approved for trial in the past wouldn't be feasible today, he said.



"We've definitely seen a narrowing of the definitions. They've talked about what clear and convincing evidence is, how the state is not supposed to be paternalistic and tell them how to live," Osborne said. "It's made our job one of really making we have a strong case to move forward."



During the winter, Osborne's team is allowed to use the weather as a justification to put people into the Oregon State Hospital or keep them there. This past winter, Osborne factored in the fact that some of the people he investigated were underdressed for the weather and sleeping in a tent when he made his case to a judge.

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Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Karen Batts, 52, died of hypothermia in a parking garage in Portland Saturday, January 7, while in a Smart Park garage in downtown Portland. Her brother, Alan, and mother Elizabeth Jean, say Karen had schizophrenia.





Cases like Batts', though, haunt him and his team. They reviewed her files after reading about her death and found that, while they had dealt with her in the past, they hadn't seen her in a long time. But, without her being referred to their office, he can't say where the system failed her.



In other cases, people come to his team's attention but he and his colleagues can't show the court recent enough evidence that the person is in jeopardy. "It's really disheartening sometimes to see someone cycle through the system multiple times," Osborne said. Current case law establishes strict time frames to prove someone is a danger to themselves or others. "Even if common sense says they are mentally ill and not doing well, (if) we can't prove they are dangerous, I don't have a case."



The state hospital, where most patients are sent to get court-oredered treatment, is short of beds. Josephine County District Judge Pat Wolke is leading the state workgroup and outspoken about the state's shortcomings in its response to severely mentally ill people.

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Oregon Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, right, is an advocate for tweaking the state's civil commitment law to make it more flexible.





Wolke started a mental health court in Josephine County, based on the drug court model, where people accused of crimes that seem to be triggered by severe and persistent mental illness -- usually schizophrenia or bipolar disorder -- are rerouted from jail or prison. Instead, they are voluntarily or involuntarily put through a program that lasts about a year, under which they receive treatment and medication in their homes from mental health workers.



Wolke, who served as the mental health court judge for 10 years, says he's seen great success. Many people who had been chronically homeless or charged with frequency public nuisance offenses started taking medication, received therapy and found stable housing and work.



Still, he said, mentally ill people are needlessly clogging Oregon's prisons and jails. By a recent state count, one in three prisoners requires mental health treatment.

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Even more disturbing to Wolke are people in need who dont show up in the mental health or prison system because the requirements to compel someone into treatment are so stringent.

"Our civil commitment law is a joke. It doesn't work for anybody," Wolke said.



He pointed again to Batts, who had several encounters with police and emergency room doctors before her death. None were able to compel her to receive supervised treatment.

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Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian

Karen Batts' family repeatedly tried to help her and find others who could. After her death from hypothermia, they are left with questions about what more they could have done and why no authorities could save her.

Wolke understands why she was left to her own so many times, because he is often in the same situation.

As a judge, Im required to follow the law whether I agree with it or not, Wolke said. So I do, but it hurts.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbarger

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Thursday 14 December 2017 9:31am



Research led by OUW's Professor Nick Wilson has found that Google's virtual assistant performs better in online searches for sexual health advice than Apple's Siri.

In an article published today in the Christmas issue of the British Medical Journal, New Zealand researchers found that Google laptop searches performed better at finding online sexual health advice than the digital assistants on smartphones. Of these assistants, Google Assistant clearly out-performed Siri.

The team of researchers led by the University of Otago, Wellingtons Professor Nick Wilson investigated how well the internet and digital assistants answered 50 questions on sexual health.



Dr Jane McDonald, co-researcher in this study.

The background to this work included a 2017 UK survey of 3221 people aged 16 years or older which found that 41 per cent of internet users go online for health related question, with half of these (22 per cent of the total) having done so in the previous week.

This led the NZ researchers to investigate the quality of various online sexual health advice and to consider the role of digital assistants in smartphones.

To find out whether smartphones and their digital assistants offer quality sexual health advice, we jumped into bed (albeit independently), pulled out our smartphones, and asked Siri and Google Assistant. We then compared their answers with a laptop based Google search, says Professor Wilson.

The researchers who have a variety of accents (Kiwi, Kiwi/Scottish and Kiwi/Ulster English), selected 50 questions, mainly from expert sources, to test the software.

They were surprised that expert sources were identified around half the time (for the best responses), and some of these were expert local NZ services, for example, the NZ Family Planning Association and a NZ university site. But they reported that all the online approaches could do better at finding expert information.

We also got some odd responses, such as a question about menopause which came up with the Wikipedia site for the show Menopause the Musical and another interpreted STI (sexually transmitted infections) as a stock market code, says Professor Wilson.

Our research findings show the importance of improving digital literacy in the general population.

The research also shows that more needs to done to encourage internet users to treat information in online lifestyle magazines with caution as compared to expert sources, he says.

Read the British Medical Journal media release here: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.j5635 or the full paper (which includes the 50 questions) here: http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/december/technology.pdf.

The University of Otago Wellington is holding a seminar on Friday 15th December on this research, called In bed with Siri and Google Assistant: A comparative analysis of sexual health advice, with speakers Professor Nick Wilson (Department of Public Health) and Dr Jane McDonald (Department of O&G). You can find out more information here.

For further information contact:

Professor Nick Wilson

Department of Public Health

University of Otago, Wellington

Mob +64 21 2045 523

Email nick.wilson@otago.ac.nz

otago.ac.nz/wellington
The possibility of wind farms in a community may cause serious conflict among neighbors, friends and family members. It also has the possibility of another conflict -- local officials, who may financially benefit from wind turbines.

As a result, Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Williams Township, has introduced House Bill 4968 to prevent conflict of interests for local officials related to potential wind farm developments.

In Midland County, Ingersoll Township is in the process of determining whether, or not, to approve wind turbines. Other townships in the county have also considered wind turbines.

At its Oct. 15 meeting, all seven members of the Ingersoll Township Planning Commission stated publicly they had no conflict of interest either themselves or with relatives that may be considering wind turbines on their property.

Michigan energy companies, DTE and Consumers Energy, have a state mandate to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021, up from the current 10 percent. Because of the mandate, DTE and Consumers have been pursuing the creation of more wind farms around the state.

Glenn's bill would prohibit local government officials, including planning commission members, from voting on issues where they might financially benefit.

"Public officials should act in the public's best interests -- not their own financial interests," said Glenn on Tuesday in a release. "Government officials shouldn't be voting on wind farm developments if they stand to personally profit from the projects."

Under Glenn's bill, officials who fail to disqualify themselves from votes on wind turbines, while benefiting financially, may constitute grounds for removal from office or felony charges and fines.

Currently, HB 4968 remains in the House Energy Policy Committee of which Glenn is chairman. Rep. Roger Hauck, vice-chairman of the same committee, represents Ingersoll Township in the state house.

Should HB 4968 move out of the House Energy Committee to the House floor, it would need the approval of both House and Senate before heading to the governor's desk for enactment into law.
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A Midland County educator has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Beth Quimby, teaches third grade at Chestnut Hill Elementary in Midland. She is known for providing students with individual attention to help them succeed in the classroom and for using different approaches, such as a school store, to enhance their learning.

The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public school educators across the state during the school year.

Winners of the weekly award receive a plaque, a $1,500 cash prize and a $500 grant to their classroom, school or school district. One of the weekly winners will be selected as the Educator of the Year and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

Each winner also is featured in a news segment on the Lottery's media partner stations, including WNEM-TV in Saginaw. The segment featuring Quimby will air this evening in Saginaw.

Quimby said her favorite parts of being an educator are "seeing children realize that they can be successful at anything they put their minds to and being a part of shaping children's lives and helping them become caring global learners and team learners.

"I come from a family of teachers, so it was what I knew I would do from the start. It was a natural fit," she said of choosing education as her career.

Quimby said her students motivate her to do her best every day.

"I know I am making a difference for every child in my classroom," she said. "I believe it is my responsibility, as their teacher, to help them to be successful and challenge them so they can become whatever they desire to be."

The Excellence in Education award nomination for Quimby described her as "a kind and very caring teacher."

"She is always early to school and one of the last to leave," the nomination stated. "If a student needs extra help, she gives up her lunch hour to help them. She works very hard to make sure that every student is working to his or her full ability. She will present course material in many different ways so all the students understand what is being taught.

"She makes learning fun by using many different tools. Our third graders run a school store and she is there teaching them about money, costs and profits and how the profits from the store support community projects."

Quimby earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and a bachelor of arts in special education, both from Michigan State University. She also earned a master of arts in classroom teaching from Central Michigan University. She has been an educator for 32 years, all with the Midland Public Schools.

Outstanding public school educators may be nominated for an Excellence in Education award at http://bit.ly/ExcellenceInEducation

Excellence in Education award nominees are evaluated on the following criteria:

 Excellence - Their work consistently helps students and/or their schools or school districts advance to higher levels of academic achievement.

 Dedication - They consistently go above and beyond expectations to help students succeed.

 Inspiration - Their work inspires others around them to exceed expectations either academically or professionally.

 Leadership - They demonstrate clear leadership skills in their positions with their school or school districts.

 Effectiveness - The nominee's work has clear and positive results on the educational advancement of students within the school or school district.
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Weather conditions have closed schools around the area on Thursday.

Midland recived several inches of snow on Wednesday. Midland Public Schools, Bullock Creek, Meridian, Coleman, Beaverton and Gladwin schools are closed on Thursday.

A notice on the Midland Public Schools website states that a decision on hosting activities planned Thursday evening will be made later in the day.

This is the first major snow event in Midland this season.

The National Weather Service expects a high of 18 degrees with mostly sunny skies Thursday. Snow showers are likely Friday, with a high of 26 degrees.

"Accumulating snow showers are expected Friday into Friday evening, with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation," the NWS stated. "There is also a risk of snow squalls producing brief white out conditions and treacherous driving conditions, mainly Friday afternoon into early Friday evening."
Volunteers with the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will gather to mark the five-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting.

The Michigan chapter will gather at 7 p.m. today at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 206 Schuermann St., Essexville, to honor the 20 children and six educators that lost their lives on Dec. 14, 2012.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Kelly Dame.

Monday, Dec. 11

12:54 a.m. -- A motorist was arrested in the 7300 block of Eastman Avenue for drunken driving.

Sunday, Dec. 10

3:45 a.m. -- Police were sent to the 2700 block of Abbott Road for a report of a home invasion and an assault.

12:45 p.m. -- Officers investigated a hit and run crash during which a motorist struck a fire hydrant at Ohio and Carolina streets.

9:03 p.m. -- Police were sent to a Carolina Street address for a domestic assault.

10:40 p.m. -- A motorist was arrested in the 6200 block of Eastman Avenue for driving while license suspended.

Saturday, Dec. 9

9:30 a.m. -- Officers investigated a hit and run traffic crash in the 4400 block of Moorland Drive.

11 a.m. -- Midland County Central Dispatch requested a report after a 51-year-old Warren Township woman repeatedly called 911 with no valid emergency or complaint. A report of misuse of 911 and harassing communications is being sent to the prosecutor's office.

12:19 a.m. -- Deputies investigated a report of a vehicle that was driven through an Ingersoll Township farm field.

2:38 p.m. -- Police were sent to the 900 block of Joe Mann Boulevard for a case of retail fraud.

3:12 p.m. -- A Warren Township woman, 51, made a false report that her husband, 57, shot her son, age 21. The woman was taken to the hospital for a mental health petition. A report has been sent to the prosecutor's office for review.

7:03 p.m. -- Police investigated a hit and run traffic crash at South Saginaw Road and the Ashman Circle.

8:11 p.m. -- Police made an arrest for a conditional bond violation in the 2200 block of North Saginaw Road.

10:10 p.m. -- A motorist was arrested at South Saginaw and James Savage roads for driving while license suspended.

Friday, Dec. 8

8:11 a.m. -- A deputy received a referral from the Department of Health and Human Services about inappropriate contact between two Hope Township children, ages 9 and 6.

8:40 a.m. -- Police assisted parole agents in the 200 block of West Ellsworth Street.

9:07 a.m. -- A Hope Township woman, 21, was stopped for speeding in Lincoln Township and cited for driving without insurance. A report is being sent to the prosecutor's office.

9:46 a.m. -- The manager of a Larkin Township storage unit facility reported a 52-year-old man was living in one of the units. The man's sister offered a place to stay, and the manager made arrangements with Open Door.

9:54 a.m. -- A deputy was called to a suspicious situation at a Lincoln Township home, and transported a 53-year-old man to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

12:19 p.m. -- Police assisted Child Protective Services at an Edgewood Street apartment.

2:18 p.m. -- A Lee Township man, 24, reported a woman, age 24, was calling his probation officer and his employer with false information. A deputy spoke with the woman, who said she would stop the calls.

3:33 p.m. -- A motorist was arrested at Perrine Road and Moorland Drive for driving while license suspended.

11:29 p.m. -- A motorist was arrested at Washington Street and East Patrick Road for drunken driving.
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SPRINGFIELD  In a rare move, the Illinois Supreme Court has reversed a recent ruling and decided to consider Alan's Beaman's appeal in his lawsuit against the Town of Normal and three former Normal police officers.

Beaman is seeking damages against the town and the ex-officers for their alleged participation in an improper investigation that led to his wrongful conviction on murder charges. Beaman served more than 12 years in prison before the Illinois Supreme Court reversed his conviction for the death of Illlnois State University Jennifer Lockmiller in 1993.

Beaman, now 45 and living in Rockford, sued the town and former officer Dave Warner, Frank Zayas, and Tim Freesmeyer for wrongful prosecution. The 2016 dismissal of the lawsuit was upheld by the Fourth District Appellate Court earlier this year.

The Illinois Supreme Court denied Beaman's request to appeal his case on Nov. 22 but on Thursday, the high court reversed that decision and granted a petition to consider arguments in the case.

"Were pleased that the Supreme Court has decided to hear this important case about a travesty of justice that robbed Alan Beaman of his liberty and youth. Alans heroic fight will now continue in the highest court of this state," David Shapiro, one of Beaman's lawyers, said Thursday.

In court filings, Beaman's legal team claims that Beaman, an Illinois Wesleyan University student when he was accused of killing his former girlfriend, was targeted early on in the police investigation and arrested "without any probative evidence."

The appellate court ruled the police officers are immune from malicious prosecution because their actions did not play "a significant role in commencing or continuing the prosecution." The town has claimed the decision to file charges was made solely by prosecutors.

In their recent petition to the Supreme Court, Beaman's lawyers said the appellate court's interprtation "frees malicious police officers to skew their investigations in order to frame innocent people like Alan Beaman."

Thomas DiCianni, lawyer for the Town of Normal and the former officers said, "We're puzzled by the Supreme Court decision, but we're confident the Supreme Court is not going to see this any differently than the five courts" that have previously rejected the lawsuit.

In its 2008 reversal of Beaman's 1994 conviction, the Supreme Court found the evidence against Beaman was less than convincing. Police time trials of how long it would have taken Beaman to drive from his home in Rockford to Lockmiller's Normal apartment, kill her and return home before his mother arrived were manipulated to discredit Beaman, according to his lawyers.

The lack of serious scrutiny given by police to other potential suspects, including a man who had dated Lockmiller, provided her with drugs and abused women, also is a factor that contributed to Beaman's conviction, according to his lawyers.
epa06388980 Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (L), Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico (3-L), Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (4-L), Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis (6-L), European commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (2-R) and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni (R) during the Visegrad Group meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 14 December 2017. EU leaders will gather to discuss the most compelling matters in terms of migration, defense foreign affairs, education, culture, social issues and 'Brexit' negotiations. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET / POOL Dostawca: PAP/EPA. PAP/EPA  2017 / OLIVIER HOSLET

The countries of the Visegrad Group (V4) on Thursday declared EUR 35 million to support Italy in the implementation of projects aimed at stopping illegal migration from Libya, an initiative welcomed by the European Commission.

Each of the V4 countries, namely the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, is to allocate some EUR 9 million. "We want to show that solidarity is something we fully respect," Slovak PM Robert Fico said after a meeting between V4 PMs and Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni.

Welcoming the initiative, EC head Jean-Claude Juncker said it was proof that the V4 countries fully share their solidarity with Italy as well as with other countries. He added that he was in favour of the closest possible cooperation between the EC and V4.

The V4 countries are to finance the second phase of n Italian project to be implemented in Libya over the next two years. EU countries have spent EUR 46 million on the first phase of the border management programme.

However, the meeting of V4 PMs with Gentiloni and Juncker did not result in any change regarding the distribution of refugees. V4 countries are against this concept while Italy favours a permanent relocation system. (PAP)

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This is a really cool conference idea  holding a conference about Vampires in Transylvania, in Romania! It will be held in Sighisoara, which is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the historical figure who is regularly associated with Bram Stokers Count Dracula despite having little in common. Heres a snippet from the call for papers:

Call For Papers: International Vampire Film and Arts Festival  7-10 June 2018

The third annual International Vampire Film and Arts Festival will take place in Sighisoara in Transylvania, Romania, on June 7th-10th, 2018. To celebrate their popular fiction dual degree collaboration, WRITE TOGETHERin which students earn an MA studying at Edinburgh Napier University for one year, then transition to a low residency program to earn their MFA from Seton Hill Universityfaculty from both universities are teaming up to curate this years exciting call for papers.

Keynote Speaker: CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN (bestselling author of Buffy the Vampire Slayer  The Watchers Guide, Of Saints and Shadows, Ararat, Seize the Night, & more)

Conference Theme: From Carmilla to Drusilla: Vampires Across Popular Culture

The IVFAF, in association with Seton Hill University and Edinburgh Napier University, calls for papers by scholars interested in presenting their researched essays on vampire literature and film in the academic symposium that runs alongside the festival in Transylvania.

We will divide this years academic symposium into two days of programming:

One day will be devoted to situating the vampire as a figure of fascination across popular culture.

One day will focus on the vampires of Joss Whedons Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe, including its many spin-offs and tie-ins and source materials.

The significance of the Buffyverse (which in 2017 celebrated its 20th Anniversary since first airing on television) will be emphasized in this second day. While drawing from an original 1992 horror comedy film, the quirky YA television series developed the characters and the supernatural world of Sunnydale into a long-running series (and a popular spin-off, Angel), generating a cult following that continues to this day in comics, novels, and more.

Both sessions invite papers in genre theory & history, popular fiction, media culture, television theory, adaptation, comic studies, the transformative arts and other areas of film, literary and cultural studies in order to explore and expand the significance of both the vampire, in general, as well as the Buffyverse, in popular culture and around the world.

Proposals for single 20-minute papers or pre-constituted panels (of 3 x 20-minute papers) on the conference theme are now welcomed from scholars
Patna: Pappu Yadav, the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) leader who has waged a war against the doctors and hospitals in Bihar claiming the system was rigged in favor of the medical fraternity, on Wednesday said that the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bihar unit, was in the business of protecting quacks and fake doctors who are willing to pay the asking price to them.

Yadav, an MP from Madhepura, speaking at a press conference in Patna, said that the IMA must release a list of hospitals in Bihar where poor people could get treatment for free. He also claimed there were more than a thousand fake nursing homes in the state capital that should be shut down and driven out of business immediately.

Advocating free medical treatment to road accident victims on the pattern of Delhi, the JAP leader said that the private nursing homes in Bihar should also provide free treatment to 30% of those living below the poverty line.

In a takedown of Janata Dal  U spokesperson Ajay Alok who owns the Udayan Hospital in Patna, Pappu Yadav said that this was a great example of a fake hospital that did not have pollution or trash certification that are required by law for any medical facility.

"Until he is able to obtain these certificates, the hospital should be shut down," he said.

As reported, Yadav had issued open threats to doctors to 'mend their ways' or prepare for dire consequences forcing the IMA to hold a meeting in which they decided to seek protection from Yadav and his army of goons.

With his prolific background in the world of crime before he became an MP, many medical professionals have accused the JAP leader of trying to revive the extortion business that flourished during the infamous 'jungle raj' under Lalu-Rabri regime in the '90s.
Patna: Former Chief Minister of Bihar and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, feeling neglected by the NDA, sat on a day-long dharna in Gardanibagh against the government in Bihar that he supports raising issues related prohibition, anti-encroachment drive and a host of other matters that affect the voters.

Taking a shot at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on his obsession with prohibition, Manjhi declared ban on alcohol in Bihar had completely flopped and an external committee should do an honest review of the policy to find out its success or failure.

"Liquor, despite the ban, is flowing freely in Bihar. If the government does not believe it, it should try random breathalyzer test on people in both rural and urban areas. The claim that prohibition has benefitted poor in particular is also very dubious since out of 72,000 arrests for violation of liquor policies, nearly 60,000 belong to the poor section of the society," the HAM leader said.

Manjhi also reminded Nitish Kumar of his election promise of giving five decimal land to Dalits and poor in Bihar.

"The Chief Minister has already made seven resolves; he should add an eighth one to provide five decimal land to the landless," he said.

The former Chief Minister also railed against the government's hard-handed tactics to remove encroachment in Patna saying even the Supreme Court had held that removing someone from one's dwelling without first providing an alternative was not permitted and Nitish Kumar would be well advised to follow the court's suggestion.

HAM state President Brishan Patel reminded the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the Center saying the BJP should not take his party for granted and pay attention to its demand.

"We are not the bonded labor of any party or alliance and hence should not be taken for granted. If our demands are not met then we will find a different path to pursue our agenda," Patel said.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Flight Fight: Proposed Tripling Of 'Departure Tax' Roils Iranians

12/14/17

By Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL

So-called departure taxes would rise to around $60 for a single trip outside Iran, compared with the current fee of $20.



cartoon by Taravat Niki, Ghanoon daily



The price for Iranians of heading abroad could triple if the government's new budget proposal is approved.



Under the budget plan submitted by President Hassan Rohani on December 10, so-called departure taxes would skyrocket to around $60 for a single trip outside the country, compared with the current fee of $20. Subsequent trips within a 12-month period would incur even higher fees.



The proposed tax hike has prompted outrage among many Iranians, who are suffering from the effects of an ailing economy, soaring prices for goods, and slashes to government subsidies.



Tehran hopes the new tax will keep some people at home and boost an economy battered by low oil prices and years of crippling international sanctions imposed over Iran's contentious nuclear program.



Government officials say some revenues from the tax hike would go toward developing tourism infrastructure and preserving cultural heritage sites.



"Because it hits those who frequently travel abroad, it is probably a 'progressive' tax in that it will affect the better-off, rather than a regressive tax targeting the poor," says Scott Lucas, an Iran specialist at the University of Birmingham in Britain and editor of the EA World View website. "Whether or not it is the intention, it will also limit Iranian expenditure abroad and thus possibly increase spending at home."



Fatemeh Zolqadr, a member of the parliamentary Cultural Commission, said the "logic that those who travel abroad are rich and must pay more for their trips is faulty." She said the new tax would heap financial pressure on middle-class travelers who go abroad for the hajj pilgrimage, education, and business.



Gholamali Jafarzadeh Abadi, a member of the parliamentary Plan, Budget, and Audit Committee, said the money the government would raise through the new tax would be insignificant and the move would harm "students studying abroad and patients forced to travel overseas for medical treatment."



Abadi added that around 9 million Iranians traveled abroad in 2016.



"Getting aroung the exit tax!"

cartoon by Mehdi Azizi, Ghanoon daily



Ali Asghar Munesan, vice president of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization, said the tax rise is intended to boost domestic tourism but suggested it would not help.



"With the view that inexpensive travel must be made part of the lives of all Iranians, I believe that implementation of any decision must correspond to the economic situation of the people," he said.



Somayeh Tohidlou, a well-known Iranian blogger and political activist, defended the planned tax and said it is "necessary to increase taxes on the [upper] class" who "spend that much easily in foreign countries."



Iranians have taken to social media to vent their anger at the proposed new tax.



Hemad Nazari, a Twitter user, posted on December 10: "This tax will seriously impact the foreign travel of the lower-middle and poorer classes. A family of four will have to pay $267."

   #              .

            #___  .  Hemad Nazari  (@Hemadnazari) December 10, 2017

"Nothing like the departure tax has ever made me so disappointed with my own decision to vote for Rohani," read another post on Twitter.



Rohani campaigned for the presidency in 2013 and won reelection last year on pledges that he would improve the economy and chip away at obstacles to improved relations with the outside world, including the West.



Commenting on the departure tax, Iranian social-media users have compared the government in Tehran to the Sheriff of Nottingham, the villainous official with little regard for the poor in the legend of Robin Hood.



This widely shared tweet includes an imaginary dialogue between a traveler and the sheriff:

"Are you traveling abroad?



"Yes, if you allow me.



"What do I get?"

+     

-   

+     #___ pic.twitter.com/grMpMNa2V0  Ali Mahdavi (@ivadham) December 10, 2017



About the author:

Frud Bezhan (BezhanF@rferl.org) covers Afghanistan and the broader South Asia and Middle East region.

Follow on Twitter
US Official Accuses Turkey of Pushing Extreme Islamist Ideology

12/14/17

By Jeff Seldin, VOA



National security adviser H.R. McMaster



An already tense relationship between the United States and Turkey appears to be under more strain after a top Trump administration official accused Turkey of spreading what he called extreme Islamist ideology around the world.



President Donald Trump's national security adviser, General H.R. McMaster, said Tuesday that Turkey had joined Qatar as a prime source of funding that contributes to the spread of extremist ideology.



"We're seeing great involvement by Turkey from everywhere from western Africa to Southeast Asia," McMaster said during an appearance in Washington. "The Balkans is an area of grave concern now."

Not funding terrorists themselves

McMaster stopped short of accusing Ankara of funding actual terrorist groups. Instead, he voiced concern that Turkey was following in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia in the 1970s, and more recently Qatar, by funding groups that help create the conditions that allow terrorism to flourish.



"We didn't pay enough attention to how extremist ideologies were being advanced through madrassas and mosques, and so-called charities more broadly," he said.



Turkey's Foreign Ministry criticized McMaster's remarks Wednesday, calling them "astonishing, baseless and unacceptable."



"We expect the United States, which we continue to recognize as our friend and ally, to display the same stance to our country, to cease all forms of cooperation with terrorist groups such as YPG and provide more concrete and effective support in our ongoing determined fight against terrorism and radicalism," the ministry said in a statement.



U.S. and Turkish relations have eroded in part because of Washington's support for the YPG, a Kurdish militia that has helped fight the Islamic State terror group in Syria. Ankara says the YPG is linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which is waging a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. Ankara, along with the European Union and United States, has designated the PKK as a terrorist organization.



Relations between Washington and Ankara also soured following a failed July 2016 coup in Turkey. Ankara accuses Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of involvement in the coup attempt. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile Pennsylvania, denies the accusation. The U.S. has refused calls for his extradition.



More recently, Trump's decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital has upset Turkey, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying, "This could go so far as cutting our diplomatic relations with Israel. You cannot take such a step."

Russia, Iran

In the meantime, recent Turkish overtures toward Russia and Iran have not gone over well with officials in Washington, who also worry Turkey will serve as a model for Islamist groups hoping to seize power.



McMaster said Tuesday, "A lot of Islamist groups have learned from" Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP).



It is a "model of really operating through civil society," McMaster said, "then the education sector, then the police and judiciary, and then the military to consolidate power in the hands of a particular party, which is something we'd prefer not to see and is sadly contributing to the drift of Turkey away from the West."



VOA's Turkish service contributed to this report.



About the author:



Jeff Seldin works out of VOA's Washington headquarters and is national security correspondent. You can follow Jeff on Twitter at @jseldin or on Google Plus.
OIC Summit in Turkey Blasts Trump Decision on Jerusalem

12/14/17

By Dorian Jones, VOA

ISTANBUL - Leaders of majority Muslim nations gathered in Istanbul Wednesday and condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as unlawful. The meeting came as unrest in the Middle East continues, along with growing criticism over the Jerusalem move.



source: Tehran Times



The gathering was under the auspices of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, OIC. Turkey currently leads the OIC and the emergency summit was called by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.



"I am inviting the countries who value international law and fairness to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," Erdogan told leaders at the start of the meeting Wednesday.



Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Bangladeshi President Abdoul Hamid and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are among the 22 heads of state and government attended. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, along with 23 other countries, sent lower-level delegations.



Some of the sharpest criticism came from Abbas, who told leaders on Wednesday that Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State was - in his words - "a crime." He said the Palestinians would not accept a U.S. role in the peace process from now on and accused the United States of being biased in favor of Israel. The Palestinian leader said "We are here today to say together and in clear language: Jerusalem was, still is and will always be the capital of the State of Palestine." Abbas called for the United Nations to take over the peace process.



While there has been widespread criticism of Trump's Jerusalem decision, questions remain of whether anger over the move can overcome political divisions within the Islamic world, in particular, among Arab leaders.



"The Arab world cannot take a unified stance without the consent of Saudi Arabia or Egypt," wrote Hurriyet daily news columnist Barcin Yinanc Tuesday. "The House of Saud, as well as Egypt's current military ruler Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, both need U.S. support to maintain power and also to stand against Iran, which they see as gaining predominance with its advances in Iraq and Syria," Yinanc said.



The situation is further complicated by existing tension between summit host Erdogan and key players. "Saudi Arabia is more and more distancing itself from Turkey," noted Huseyin Bagci, international relations professor at Ankara's Middle Eastern Technical University. A possible sign of that distance is the absence of the Saudi King and Crown Prince at the Istanbul summit.



Officially, Saudi Arabia has sharply criticized Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. A Saudi statement called the move "unjustified and irresponsible" and "a big step back in efforts to advance the peace process."



But Turkish pro-government media have accused Riyadh of tacitly approving Trump's move, and in Ankara there are growing suspicions that Riyadh's allegiances could be shifting. "There is belief that this already exists, since Trump's famous sword dance with the Saudi leaders," said political columnist Semih Idiz of the Al Monitor website, referring to Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Idiz points to pronouncements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Iran, "and when you read in between lines, his [Netanyahu's] support of the growing Saudi-U.S. relationship has left people in Turkey thinking that there is this axis already there of Saudi-Israel and U.S," Idiz said.



Saudi Arabia sent its minister for religious affairs, a gesture some analysts interpreted as a less than enthusiastic response by the kingdom to President Trump's decision.



Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu, speaking on Turkish television Tuesday, chided some Arab countries for failing take a more robust stance against Washington, saying Donald Trump "scares them." "It seems that some Arab countries refrain from challenging Trump," said the Turkish top diplomat.



Despite the serious diplomatic obstacles, Erdogan hopes the summit will set up an action plan to counter Trump, under the title of the Istanbul Declaration.



Erdogan has spearheaded opposition among both Muslim and European leaders to oppose the U.S. leader's decision on Jerusalem. During his visit to Ankara Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin backed Erdogan's stance.



Wednesday's summit gives the Turkish president a world stage at a time when he has been facing growing isolation from some of his traditional allies. The differences among the countries attending the summit are expected to pose a challenge for Erdogan. But with violent confrontations still breaking out over Jerusalem, observers expect him to capitalize on the expressions of anger and stress the need for a strong and united stance.
Iran says parties to JCPOA protested US breach of nuclear deal during Vienna meeting

12/14/17

Source: Press TV

A senior Iranian diplomat says the parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have protested the US breach of its commitments under the agreement during a meeting of a commission tasked with monitoring commitments to the accord.

"All members of the P5+1 [group] explicitly protested to the US and stressed that it should fully and precisely implement its commitments," Abbas Araqchi, a deputy foreign minister, told reporters in the Austrian city of Vienna on Wednesday after a new meeting of the Iran-P5+1 Joint Commission, which monitors the implementation of the nuclear deal.



Araqchi, who heads the Iranian task force overseeing the implementation of the agreement officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said it was not routine for one party to carry out its commitments while the other parties decided to implement just certain parts of the deal.



The Iranian deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs said that Helga Schmid, the European Union's deputy political director, praised Iran's commitment to the JCPOA and called on all other parties to fully implement the agreement with goodwill and in an atmosphere of constructive cooperation.



Araqchi stressed that there remained no possibility to renegotiate the JCPOA or link other issues to the deal.



He also said that the US was completely isolated with respect to the Iran nuclear deal.



"What is important now is that the US is totally isolated with regards to its stance vis-a-vis the JCPOA, ... [while] the Europeans' position is clearly against that of the US," he said, adding that European companies and banks had expressed willingness for cooperation with Iran.

The regular JCPOA Joint Commission meeting is held every three months to discuss latest developments regarding the JCPOA implantation.



Russia also said at the end of the meeting that the parties discussed in detail the implementation of the agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to its "consistent implementation."



"The Joint Commission welcomed Iran's strict compliance with its obligations under the agreement, which is regularly confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.



The Russian official noted that during the meeting, particular attention was paid to problems related to US President Donald Trump's decision not to certify Iran's compliance with the JCPOA.



"The Joint Commission members have confirmed unanimously that the JCPOA is based on the fundamental principle of reciprocity, which, in particular, is aimed at promoting the normalization of international trade and economic cooperation with Tehran. Russia's representatives stressed that neglect of this principle by one of the parties to the agreement puts the agreement's future into jeopardy," she noted.



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.



Trump delivered an anti-Iran speech on October 13, in which he said he would not be certifying Iran's compliance with the terms of the JCPOA under a domestic American law, kicking a decision to Congress on whether to restore sanctions against the Islamic Republic.



The US Congress was given until December 12 to decide whether to slap economic sanctions on Tehran anew, but it missed the deadline as congressional leaders announced no plans to introduce a resolution to reimpose sanctions on Iran, passing the ball back to Trump, who must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive sanctions on Iran.
United Nations Chief Urges Washington To Honor Obligations Under Iran Nuclear Deal

12/14/17

Source: Press TV

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed support for the 2015 Iran deal from all the signatories except for the US, calling on Washington to also honor its obligations under the landmark agreement. Guterres made the remarks in a report on implementation of a UN resolution that endorsed the July 2015 nuclear agreement, which was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres



He hailed the agreement -- also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- as the "the best way" to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.



The UN chief pointed to US President Donald Trump's refusal to certify Iran's compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA and warned that Washington's decision has created "considerable uncertainty" about the future of the deal.



However, he expressed optimism about US commitment to the deal, saying, "I am reassured that the United States has expressed its commitment to stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for now."



"I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps," he said.



Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China-- plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.



Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.



Eight reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have confirmed Iran's full compliance with the agreement.





Simorgh rocket is launched and tested at the Imam Khomeini Space Center, Iran, in this handout photo released by Tasnim News Agency on July 27, 2017.



However, Trump delivered an anti-Iran speech on October 13, in which he said he would not continue to certify Iran's compliance with the terms of the JCPOA, reached under his predecessor, Barack Obama, and warned that he might ultimately terminate the agreement.



The other parties to the accord - Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China-- and the European Union have all reaffirmed their commitment to it and urged the United States not to back out.



Guterres said Iran may be defying a UN call to halt ballistic missile development even as it complies with the nuclear deal with six world powers.



Elsewhere in his report, he pointed to a letter sent by France, Germany, Britain and the US in which they claimed that Iran's Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle launched on July 27 is "inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons."



The UN chief, however, pointed to Russia's contention through a letter on August 16 that the Security Council resolution only includes a "call" for Iran to forgo missile activities, not a prohibition.



Guterres also said Iran's argument that Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle was "part of a scientific and technological activity related to the use of space technology."



Iran also said its "military capabilities, including ballistic missiles, have not been designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons and thus are outside the purview of the Security Council resolution," the UN chief said.



During the meeting of the Security Council on September 8, "there was no consensus among council members" on how the launch of Simorgh satellite-carrier was related to the JCPOA, Guterres' report pointed out.
EXPECTATIONS were high when Ghana discovered oil in commercial quantities a decade ago in 2007 under former President Kufour.



Ghanaians and oil experts were indeed of the view that proceeds of the oil find would expand the country's national income base and eventually be utilised in addressing its teething developmental challenges.



Dutch disease ruining Ghanas economy?



Understandably, there were those who feared that Ghana could suffer from the Dutch disease, where the nation's attention would be diverted to the oil sector at the expense of other sectors of the economy, leading to a decline in the contribution of the neglected sectors to the economy.



Indeed, the decline in prospects of agriculture over the past years was enough to justify the fears of Ghana suffering from the Dutch disease.



Some experts have blamed spending priorities of successive governments for Ghanas predicament, stressing that even without oil one would expect governments to devote a significant portion of the nations GDP to agriculture.



What we expect to see is for governments to use revenues from oil and gas to catalyse agriculture, invest in increasing production and improve the skills of young people to be able to work in the agricultural sector, said Media Capacity Development Officer with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in Uganda, Mr George Lugalambi.



This rather pessimistic outlook of the discovery was borne out the several decades of under-utilisation and mismanagement of Ghana's gold, bauxite and other mineral resources. After exploiting these minerals for over 100 years, this country cannot boast of much, in terms of their development outcomes.



The Governance Framework



As part of its avowed determination not to repeat the sordid mistakes made in the mineral sector over the decades, the then government, soon after the discovery, organised a five-day Oil for Development Conference in February 2008 to gather input from various stakeholders for the framing of national policies and legislations to govern the emerging oil and gas industry.



The country however appeared to have lost momentum following the 2009 political transition, such that, not a single petroleum-related law had been passed before first oil from the Jubilee Field in December 2010. The delay in the passing of new laws and regulations led to the signing of contracts with International Oil Companies (IOCs) under the outdated Petroleum Exploration and Production Law of 1984 (PNDC Law 84) which the February 2008 conference had deemed obsolete because of changes in the industry.



The inadequacies of PNDCL 84 were brought to bear when it proved incompetent in addressing a dispute over GNPCs claim of right of first refusal at a time when Kosmos Energy sought to offload its stake in Jubilee to ExxonMobil. It further manifested itself in the matter involving a supposed Kosmos liability for spilling some toxic mud in its operational area.



The Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) 2011, (Act 815) was the first petroleum sector law to be passed. It is indeed an anomaly to have passed that law ahead of the replacement of PNDCL 84 in August 2016. The PRMA was followed by the Petroleum Commission Act 2011, Act 821, which established an independent regulatory body - the Petroleum Commission of Ghana. The Local Content and Local Participation Regulations, 2013(LI2204) followed in 2013 to ensure that the expertise, goods, and services of Ghanaians are employed or engaged in most petroleum related activities.



Petroleum receipts so far



Between 2011 and 2016, a total of US$ 3.427 billion revenue has been generated with the ABFA (70 percent of net petroleum receipts allowable for spending through the budget) so far receiving US$ 1.473 billion.



The Ghana Petroleum Funds i.e. the Stabilisation Fund, and Heritage Fund, have cumulatively bagged US$902.43 million for the same period; while the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has received a total of US$ 1,057billion.



Dealing with accountability in the oil and gas sector



While oil discovery presents enormous opportunities for economic growth and poverty reduction, it also has a huge propensity to erode transparency, accountability and entrench corruption.



The establishment of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) under Section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2011, (Act 815) with the main objective of monitoring and evaluating the usage of the petroleum funds by government and other relevant state agencies was therefore an important step aimed at strengthening accountability in Ghanas oil and gas sector. PIAC, which is composed of people selected from civil society, including faith-based groups, traditional authority, NGOs, and professional associations, provides avenues for public information and participation in the management of oil revenues in line with defined national goals.



PIAC, as an oversight body, has since raised some concerns about the management of the oil revenue by government among which includes what it describes in its 2015 Annual Report as the poor management of the volatility effect of petroleum and other commodities prices on the budget, which it attributes to the low capping of the stabilisation fund.



Some civil society organisations, like the Integrated Social Development Center (ISODEC), the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG), Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), among others, have also led the charge in critically assessing the petroleum sector with a view to helping to identify and address weaknesses. They also have served as checks on the actions of state institutions, international oil companies and other stakeholders directly or indirectly in the value chain.



Local Content and job creation



It is rather unfortunate that, not even a barrel of the millions of barrels of oil so far produced by the Jubilee Field has been refined locally. Ghana continues to sell its oil in its crude state to be refined abroad, and spends money importing finished petroleum products for domestic use.



It is heart-warming to learn that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has started refining crude from the TweneboahEnyerraNtonme (TEN) fields.



In the second quarter of 2016, Cabinet ordered the Ministry of Transport to transfer operations of the PSC Tema Shipyard and Dry Dock Company to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). It was the hope of government that the Shipyard would attract the needed resources in the long term, to venture into the building of Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels for the oil and gas industry even as it continues to provide services to the ports and harbours and related sectors in the short to medium term.



The Tema Shipyard, one of the largest in Africa, has the capacity to do ship repairs and refurbishment, dry-docking, shipbuilding, steel fabrication, and general engineering. Just as South Korea and Japan are leading Asia with sophisticated shipyards, Ghana can also lead Africa, with the necessary and adequate capital investment. The attendant benefits, beyond job creation, are enormous.



Still on local content in oil, gas and even the mining sectors, Executive Director for the Centre for Extractives and Development Africa (CEDA), Mr Emmanuel Kuyole says there are several job openings for Ghanaians in key sectors of the economy.



Mr Kuyole has recently charged government to identify areas within the mining, oil and gas sectors were jobs could easily be created.



There have been concerns about the weak integration of Ghanas mining sector with the rest of the economy. This has largely been due to weak local content in mineral production. To address the problem, the minerals and mining regulations were promulgated in 2012 and have been under implementation since then.



Experts who justify the emphasis on local content maintain that it represents a shift in policy from taxes as benefits from mining to more practical ways of integrating mining with the rest of economy.



We need to ensure that the extractive sector is just not revenues and taxes but that the sector is leveraged upon to improve upon the economic development, to create jobs and so become one of the levers for pushing governments industrialisation agenda, Mr Kuyole stated.



He pointed out further that the only way we can achieve our industrialisation agenda is to have a strong local content and value creation strategy.



There is the need to gradually shift governments focus from relying on taxes to local content so that goods and services that are required are provided and also local Ghanaian participation is ensured. Then we will be creating jobs.



Beyond that, with regard to value addition, government is able to tax the local companies for the much-needed revenue.



Boost for One District, One Factory initiative



According to Mr Kuyole, for governments One District, One Factory programme, there are areas in the mining sector where we can find low hanging fruits in the extractive sector.



He pointed out that there are goods and services that the mining companies procure on yearly basis, so government should take advantage of such opportunities to create jobs for the masses.



Further, in the mining sector, there are regulations on some items and services that all mining firms are required to procure locally, and so over the past years government could be checking how many of the firms are sourcing their services from Ghana.



If they do so, how many indigenous companies have the capacity to supply those goods and services to the mining firms? he asked.



Mr TheophilusAhwireng of the Petroleum Commission, said the journey since 2007 has been challenging yet beneficial, with production increasing from the previous 100,000 barrels of oil to the present 200, 000 barrels per day.



He said several human capacity building and skills development programmes have been undertaken to increase local participation and also ensure technology transfer.



Mr Ahwireng said there have been several benefits such as the reservation of goods and services for indigenous companies leading to an improvement in the quality of life of these communities resulting from the jobs created.

Source: The Finder









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Mr Joseph Amo-Mensah, an Estate Surveyor and Banker with over 19 years of experience, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Broll Ghana Ltd.



Mr Amo- Mensah replaces the outgone Chief Executive, Mr. Kofi Ampong, who retired after eleven years meritorious service to the Company. Mr. Kofi Ampong however takes up a new role as a Consultant to Broll Ghana.



The new boss has previously served in a number of senior management roles at organisations in Ghana and the United Kingdom.



He started his career at Bank of Ghana and exited the Bank as a Senior Estate Officer after over six years of service to further his education in the United Kingdom (UK). While in the UK he worked for two different Investment Finance, Credit and Mortgage Consultancy firms, during which period he qualified as a Certified Mortgage Adviser and Practitioner.



Upon his return to Ghana he joined Guaranty Trust Bank Limited as Group Head, Risk Management. He later Joined Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited as Risk Manager and subsequently held the position of Head, Property and Facilities. Broll Ghana Limited subsequently engaged his services and seconded to Accra Mall as the General Manager, after which he left for HFC Realty Ghana Limited.



He held the position of CEO of HFC Realty Ghana Limited and in addition was an Executive Director of HFC Commercial Complex Limited until the acquisition of the HFC Bank Group by the Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago which led to his re-assignment as Head of Administration of HFC Bank.



He however maintained his role as Executive Director of HFC Realty Ghana Limited and HFC Commercial Complex Limited until his re-appointment as CEO of Broll Ghana Limited.



Announcing the appointment, the Board Chairman of Broll Ghana said: We welcome Mr. Joseph AmoMensah to our fold, knowing that he brings an impressive combination of relevant experience and is well placed to build on the foundation put in place by his predecessor. He is expected to steer us through the competitive challenges and opportunities ahead.



In his response Mr. Joseph Amo-Mensah said: I am delighted at the opportunity to join Broll Ghana as team leader and look forward to working with my colleagues to help move the organisation to the next level.



Mr. Joseph Amo-Mensah is a member of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, UK, and his professional experience covers Property Management, Shopping Mall Management and Brokerage, Facilities Management, Valuation, Project Management, Property Consultancy, Banking, Risk Management, Mortgage and Credit Consultancy.



Broll Ghana Ltd is the countrys premier formalised property services company and offers the full spectrum of property-related services including ; Property Management ,Facilities Management ,Residential Brokerage and Management ,Commercial Brokerage ,Retail/Shopping Mall Management ,Retail Brokerage, Valuation and Advisory services and Corporate Real Estate .



The company is owned by Broll Property Group -South Africa, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and SIC Insurance Company.

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.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has commended Ghana for the strides it has made over the years as an oasis of peace and stability.



For him, the peaceful transfer of power from one government, and for that matter, political party to the other alone, speaks volumes of the peaceful nature of Ghanaians and the stability of the nation.



He made the commendation at a state dinner held in his honour by President Akufo-Addo at the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) Tuesday evening.



Impression



Apart from that, he stated, I am impressed by Ghanas contributions to the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS; and Ghana is also key to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, with President Akufo-Addo acting as an official UN Advocate of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



Ghana is often named as an exemplary case in Africa not least, in economic terms. We all know that development cooperation may lead to certain improvement specific targeted areas, but as President Akufo-Addo has recognised, with his vision of Ghana beyond aid, that long term success can only be built on a foundation of a strong local economy driven by an ambitious, well-educated and skilled young generation.



President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was particularly happy about his Ghanaian counterparts decision to move Ghana beyond aid and charity, stating that we are happy to support Ghana in this endeavour.



Bilaterally, he indicated, We are opening a new chapter of cooperation with the new reforms and investment partnerships that we signed today. I sense a new spirit and optimism in this kind of project.



Concern



Talking about the youth, President Steinmeier said, Young people are our future both at home in Germany and here in Ghana. We owe them our best efforts to create a prosperous future.



When we see thousands of young men and women making a dangerous journey across the Sahara and the Mediterranean, we know that their dreams are being exploited by ruthless criminals and many of them lose their lives.



President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lamented, Some of Africas brightest and strongest who are needed here to build a future for Ghana and Africa even end up in the nightmare of modern-day slavery. We cannot let this stand.



Resolution



The German President stressed, We need to do more from both sides; we need to instill hope and create meaningful opportunities for young people locally.



In view of that, he assured, We will also continue to provide the ideas for good proven practices for example in the area of vocational training, which is an important factor in Germanys economic prosperity; and we saw encouraging examples here in Accra.



President Akufo-Addo also applauded the German government for committing about 130 million Euros to support Ghana for the 2009-2011 fiscal year and another commitment of 130 million Euros for the 2013-2015 fiscal years.



Appreciation



I also appreciate the provision of funding to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) operating, as well as support for a number of regional projects in the agriculture, climate, energy, healthcare and waste management sectors, he stressed, not forgetting the 100 million Euros grant given to Ghana.



Going forward, he said, We have decided to turn our back on the old economy, which was dependent on the production and export of raw materials and also dependent on aid.



We want to build a value-added industrial economy and a modernized agriculture which is neither victim nor pawn of the world economic order; we want our relationship to be characterised by increased trade and investment cooperation with Germany.



According to President Akufo-Addo, This is the way to develop healthy relations between our two countries and put Ghana at the high end of the value chain in the global market place and create jobs for the teeming masses of Ghanaians, particularly the youth. Our vision is to build a free prosperous country, a Ghana beyond aid.



Departure



The German President has since left Ghana for his home country.



He was seen off at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) yesterday by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Ghanas Ambassador to Germany, Gina Ama Blay and the German-trained cardiologist specialist, who is now the Minister for Science, Environment, Innovation and Technology, Professor Dr Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.





















Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Mr Egbert Faibille Jnr, the Chief Executive officer of the Petroleum Commission (PC), has said the award of the International Tribunal for the law of the Sea (ITLOS) in favour of Ghana would further strength her position as a preferred destination for oil and gas exploration and production in the sub region.



He said in view of this the Petroleum Commission would ensure that operators and licensees execute the minimum work programme expectations in their petroleum agreements.



This, he noted, would not only ensure investment in the local economy but would also create jobs and skills transfer for the youth.



Mr Faibille Jnr said this during the third annual consultative meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs and other stakeholders in Takoradi.



The meeting was to among others interact with key stakeholders in the region to enable the Commission, provide updates on the upstream petroleum sector.



It also created a platform for the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to share their Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) projects and initiatives in the region.



Mr Faibille Jnr said the Commission believes that an enduring partnership with the Regional House of Chiefs and other key stakeholders in the region was the surest way of ensuring that the desired level of development for the region was achieved.



He said plans for the development of the Greater Jubilee full field was recently approved paving the way for expansion works on the current Jubilee field which would open new opportunities for the local service providers, create jobs and investment in the local economy.



Mr Faibille Jnr said the Commission since its establishment has been working on a number of laws that are critical for prudent regulation of the sector, adding that the Health Safety and Environment Regulation and the Data Management Regulations draft legislations have been laid before parliament for consideration.



He said government was determined that the country would not only be a recipient of direct resources from petroleum operations but create value through local content and local participation, "to this end the country took decisive steps to create an enabling environment for indigenous Ghanaian companies to thrive".



He said the Commission has ensured that people in the project affected communities benefitted from the project, adding that this was clearly evidenced with the Onshore Receiving Facility at Sanzule where certain jobs and services were for indigenes of Sanzule community and the surrounding areas alone.



Mr Faibille announced that FPSO was currently producing about 45,000 barrels of oil and that FPSO partners were also conducting further studies in adjoining fields called 'block 4' and when proven to be economically viable it would result in increased reserves.



He said though the oil and gas sector had chalked some successes it was challenged with competition for space among various users of the sea.



"We have been informed of numerous incursions into the safety zones around our offshore installations", he said and appealed to the chiefs and fishing communities to note that the zones were earmarked to also protect them and their activities.



Mr Faibille Jnr said the government would ensure that oil production contributed directly towards improving the standards of living of the people and accelerating socio-economic development.







Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A regional commissioner in Tanzania, John Mongella has announced that pregnant teenagers will be arrested and charged to court, The Citizen reports.



Mongella, speaking on Monday, said pregnant teenagers have a tendency to not divulge who it was that got them pregnant.



They should be taken to court, he said, and should be forced to testify and name the persons who impregnated them.



He said:



There have been a tendency of pregnant schoolgirls not to mention the name of a person who impregnated them. This is a challenge when one is required to testify in court.



Directors and district commissioners in the Mwanza region have been ordered to locate all pregnant schoolgirls and take them to court.

History of ban on pregnant school girls In Tanzania



In June 2017, President John Magufuli upheld a 2002 law that banned pregnant schoolgirls from returning to school after giving birth.



He also added that men who impregnated schoolgirls should be imprisoned for 30 years.



Tanzanias ban on pregnant girls attending state primary and secondary schools dates back to 1961, when the country secured its independence from Britain, though it does not extend to private schools.



More than 55,000 Tanzanian schoolgirls have been expelled from school over the last decade for being pregnant, the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) said in a report in 2013.



Some wealthier families are able to send their daughters to private schools but the majority end up looking for casual work.



Hypocrisy against pregnant schoolgirls



The president was under criticism for granting pardon to prisoners on Saturday to two child rapists who were sentenced to life in prison.



Congolese musician, Nguza Viking alias Babu Seya and his son Johnson Nguza alias Papii Kocha were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2010 after they were found guilty of raping and defiling ten primary school pupils between the ages of six and eight in 2003.



There were cheers after the announcement of their release while child rights advocates questioned the decision which did not take the victims into consideration.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), wants to join a petition calling for the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) , Charlotte Oseis removal.



Their demand follows the establishment of a prima facie case against Mrs. Osei, following allegations of corruption and abuse of office leveled against her in two separate petitions.



The PPP in a statement explained that, it will present evidence against the Electoral Commission of Ghana if given the chance to join the case.



As a lawful party, our shared responsibility is to educate Ghanaians on why our democracy takes place in a framework of a Presidential representative democratic republic, with the President as both head of state and head of government, and with multi-party democracy as our accepted form of democracy, it argued.



Giving further explanations on the partys request on Eyewitness News, Policy Adviser for PPP, Kofi Asamoah Siaw said : over the years, the Electoral Commission and some other institutions have conducted public service in a manner in which they please and they have hurt this nations progress and development, so we have taken issues with the Electoral Commissions function of being a regulator of the activities of political parties.



We may not want to wait for this petition to be concluded. You will understand and appreciate that it has taken us a long time from July to this time for us to get to the beginning of the investigation. If anybody has any evidence of misconduct and issues bordering on perjury, then it is the appropriate time now to cease the opportunity as a party to make a representation of what we feel may constitute a ground for another petition to be sent to the President, Mr. Siaw added.



The PPP is one of the parties that engaged in a back and forth with the EC ahead of the 2016 elections, after its presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, was disqualified from the race over claims by the EC that it had failed in meeting some requirements.



The party headed to court and had a ruling in its favour that allowed its flagbearer to contest the race.



The Petitions



Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.



Some of the allegations involved the unilateral award of contracts by the EC boss in the run-up to the 2016 general election.



The unnamed EC staff are being represented by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against Mrs. Osei.



The petition against her, alleged among others the funnelling of GH3.9 million to partition an office, the receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the Mahama government, and the use of about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorized her to use only $7.5 million.



Charlotte Osei takes on Deputies



Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.



Charlotte Osei among other claims, accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.



Fresh impeachment against EC Chair



Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.



It is an eight-paged petition according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who spoke to Citi News in August.



President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter.



Suggestions are that both petitions have been consolidated to make the committees work easier.

Source: Citifmonline









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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Inspite of the fact that the cause of death of students at Kumasi Academy and other second cycle institutions have been identified as Swine Flu (H1N1) and Meningitis, Deputy General Secretary of the opposition NDC, Koku Anyidoho believes President Akufo-Addo is behind the many deaths.



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy Chief Scribe insists that President Akufo-Addo is 'killing' and 'slaughtering' children in secondary schools inasmuch as he [Nana Akufo-Addo] is an astute human rights lawyer.



Speaking to the issue of impeachment petition against the three Electoral Commissioners, Koku Anyidoho on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show diverged to allege that President Akufo-Addo and the NPP used the country as collateral to appease their deity for helping them win the 2016 elections, hence the death of several secondary school children.



 . . Akufo-Addo claims to be a humans right lawyer and you are killing children; slaughtering children in secondary schools . . . they have used the country as collateral; wherever they went before winning the 2016 elections is what is killing our school children, Koku alleged.



He alluded to earlier comments by the founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah on Neat FMs Morning Show last Friday, that the issues happening in the secondary schools are rather more spiritual than physical.



Per the claim of Rev. Owusu Bempah, the NDC Deputy General Secretary thus surmised; If it is spiritual then it is because of the kind of leadership we have in the country today that is why it is spiritual. The bad leadership we have today is causing the death of our school children.



He further stressed that so long as people blamed former President John Dramani Mahama for the June 3 disaster at Kwame Nkrumah Circle which claimed hundreds of Ghanaians, he will also in the same vein, blame President Akufo-Addo with regards to the students who have died from Swine Flu (H1N1) and Meningitis.



When the disaster happened at Circle people blamed it on former President John Mahama...s why shouldn't i also blame Nana Addo for what is happening in our schools, he quizzed.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/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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Audio Attachment: Koku Anyidoho on Peace FM

Bring it on is the message Koku Anyidoho is sending to Kennedy Agyapong in response to his call for a fight.



The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central had dared the Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to fight him if he (Koku) is a man



"I am just waiting for the right moment...I will take good care of him. I dare him to come to the ring for a fight if he claims to be a man. I don't believe in the police who connive with land guards to collect money. I am just keeping quiet because of Nana Akufo Addo. But if he is ready, I will meet him face to face," he said on Oman FM's 'National Agenda' morning show on Wednesday.



The NPP MP claims Mr Anyidoho attempted to coerce a police officer to change the charge sheet of arrested drug baron Asem Darkey aka "Limping man", all in an attempt to implicate him (Ken) in a drug-related scandal a couple of years ago during the tenure of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.



Somewhere in 2012, Koku Anyidoho, then Communications Director at the Presidency, in what can best pass for unguarded enthusiasm, indicated that, Asem Darkey is singing like a canary



He further claimed the Limping Man had named some leading opposition figures involved in the cocaine trade and even issued a fiat; that the borders of the country was going to be closed to prevent the named NPP activists from leaving the country under the cloud of darkness.



That and many other allegations by the NDC stalwart, is the basis of Hon Ken Agyapong's ballistic rant, who vowed not to bother reporting it to the police or seek redress from the court.



Asem Darkey was given a 22-year jail term by an Accra Fast Track Court for his role in the disappearance of the 77 parcels of cocaine on board the MV Benjamin vessel years ago.



Responding to the challenge in an interview on Peace FM News @12noon, Wednesday, Koku Anyidoho said he is ready to fight the Assin Central MP.



I am not a professional boxer but since he said he will beat me wherever he meets me, I am waiting for him . . . he should also be prepared, he replied.



He said Kennedy Agyapongs comment is an evidence of the level of lawlessness in the country.



 . . but you see; that is the level of lawlessness we are talking about; that the NPP do whatever they like in this country . . . he should keep on dreaming. What hasnt he said in this country . . . that is him; I am not going to waste my time following any corpse into the grave.



According to him, unlike him (Ken), he has faith in the police and once he (Ken) issued a public threat, we will see how it goes.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Ghanaian actress and TV presenter Joselyn Dumas has made a revelation of her worst moment since she started as a TV Presenter.



On the episode of Keeping It Real With Joselyn Dumas, the screen goddess shared a depressing moment in her career as a TV Host.



She said, When I started doing The One Show on Viasat1, I got some really bad press about the fact that I was horrible and a really bad presenter. The write up said I was talentless, unprofessional the producer should come and take over because she is a better person to do the job. I dont even know how I drove to work.

The episode which is the fourth since the TV reality show started airing was centred on the topic Strength Through Pain. Joselyn Dumas was joined by Lawrencia Owusu, a victim of arranged marriage and a mother of two; and Nana Esi Duker who is a Sickle Cell survivor discussing the how they have lived through the life defining moments in their lives.



Keeping Up With Joselyn Dumas is a reality TV talk show that runs on GhOnTV. The Host, Joselyn Dumas invites friends and industry players to discuss issues pertaining health, relationships, business, social and other relevant issues based on personal experiences.

Videos-

Source: livefmghana.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Dr. Ricardo Teles, 50, who had just become chair of the Department of Periodontics at University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine, has been identified as the man who jumped from a Philadelphia parking garage on Monday.

Philly.com reports the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office said Tuesday that Teles' death has been ruled a suicide.

Dr. Ricardo Teles, 50

He was pronounced dead at the scene after jumping from the parking garage on the 1400 block of Race Street in Center City around 9:50 a.m. Monday, Philly.com notes, adding:

The Harvard-educated Teles, a native of Brazil, previously taught at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry starting in August 2014 and became vice chairman of its Department of Periodontology in 2015.

He was named chair of Penn Dental's Department of Periodontics on Aug. 15.

Teles' wife, Flavia, is an associate professor in Penn Dental's Department of Microbiology, having also joined the school in August.
Coy Ferreira stood inside a rural California classroom, more than a dozen 5- and 6-year-olds huddled in the corner as a gunman sprayed bullets at the school and tried to break his way in. Ferreira was terrified that people would die.

But the doors were locked and all of the children were inside, part of a school plan the staff and students had practiced in drills and knew by heart. They barricaded the school in just 47 seconds that morning last month, probably saving the lives of countless people at Rancho Tehama Elementary School.

"They all knew what to do," said Ferreira, who was dropping his daughter off at school when they heard a gunshot nearby. "No one stumbled. No one was hiding. They just ran to their classroom, like they had been told to do."

The near-flawless response to what could have been a bloodbath during a deadly shooting rampage on Nov. 14 came almost exactly five years after 20 children and six teachers were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. That attack, which involved a mentally unstable man using an assault-style rifle, shattered the sense of security felt in the nation's elementary schools.

The massacre on Dec. 14, 2012, led to calls for gun control, as families mourned the loss of their innocent children.

Five years later, little about the nation's federal gun laws has changed. But the Newtown shooting forever altered the way American schools approach safety and assess risk, ushering in an era in which schools feel particularly vulnerable to the threat of shootings and students must know what to do in case one happens.

The result is that for America's students, lockdowns like the one that helped save lives at Rancho Tehama Elementary and active-shooter training is now as commonplace as fire drills. Buzzers and locks have fortified school doors that were once left wide open. The sight of police officers, even in elementary schools, is now common. And some districts allow staff members to carry weapons at school for what they believe is an added layer of security.

"There was something about Sandy Hook," said Telena Wright, superintendent of schools in Argyle, Texas, whose district has stepped up security measures since that shooting. "It was such a massacre that I think it captured the attention of school employees and school administrators and police officers that work in schools across the nation."

One of those places was the Corning Union Elementary School District, which includes Rancho Tehama Elementary, an hour northwest of Chico in northern California.

"I have no doubt that the experience of Sandy Hook informed our response as a district, to any emergency event and to this one in particular," said Superintendent Rick Fitzpatrick.

The era of the school lockdowns started in 1999, after two students killed 13 people and themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. High schools started drills where doors are locked and windows are secured - actions meant to be replicated should there be an emergency.

After the Newtown shooting, lockdowns became a regular part of school for younger children. So, in some places, did armed officers in elementary schools.

"There was a broader awareness that elementary and middle schools were at risk as well," said Heidi Wysocki, a co-founder of Texas-based First Defense Solutions, which helps schools protect themselves and plan for shootings and other emergencies. "Nobody thinks somebody is going to murder 26 children and teachers, because it's appalling. It's just an unthinkable horror and that wasn't part of the conversation that was being had."

Sandy Hook also created a new, controversial approach to school safety: the armed assailant drill, when schools run a scenario involving a mass shooter, sometimes including police in the exercise. The practice has drawn scrutiny, some criticizing it as being potentially traumatizing for students, especially those in younger grades.

In Akron, Ohio, schools started active-shooter training around the time of the Sandy Hook attack. The shooting also spurred the district to retrofit some schools with secondary doors, buzzers and thick glass.

The district now runs active-shooter drills four times a year, drills that are tailored to each age group, said Dan Rambler, the district's director of student support services and security. Parents are invited to watch training videos and give input.

In younger grades, the issue is addressed as one of stranger danger. But children, he said, often know what is happening: Rambler's son was in kindergarten during one of the first training sessions and told his father that while it focused on bad people, "there are people who go to schools and shoot people."

Jeff Fritz, superintendent of schools in Clay County, Indiana, said that when he started his career as an educator 35 years ago, the "doors were wide open" at the school where he worked. No more.

The county's 4,000 students now drill for an active shooter. Fritz said students are taught to run, hide or fight - with fighting being the very last option.

"It's no different than we do with tornado drills or fire drills," he said. "This has been in the forefront. I tell our staff and our students our number one priority, above test scores or building projects ... is school safety."

Some states and districts are allowing staff members to carry weapons at schools. At least eight states allow concealed-carry permit holders to have a firearm at a K-12 school, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

In Argyle, Texas, signs outside schools say staffers are armed and "may use whatever force is necessary to protect our students." It was a decision, Wright said, that stemmed directly from Sandy Hook.

When officials in the Briggsdale School District in rural Colorado heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook, they kept thinking about the time it would take police to respond to their schools. In their remote area of northern Colorado, emergency response was likely to take a minimum of 25 minutes.

Now there are staff members who carry concealed guns and have been trained to act as security guards if needed. Their identities are secret. Superintendent Rick Mondt said response from parents has been positive: They feel better with the school not being a soft target.

"We've had parents who brought their kids here because of this," he said.

Some of the parents of the children killed in Newtown have channeled their grief into making schools safer.

Michele Gay and Alissa Parker co-founded Safe and Sound Schools, which looks to improve school safety through training, discussion and partnerships. They both lost daughters at Sandy Hook; Gay's 7-year-old, Josephine, and Parker's 6-year-old, Emilie.

Gay said there has been a profound shift in the way schools think about safety and plan for the worst, with parents and students now heavily involved, and much greater collaboration between different agencies and groups.

Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son Daniel was killed, co-founded Sandy Hook Promise with Nicole Hockley, who lost her son, Dylan. The organization is working in all 50 states with schools and other organizations to teach the warning signs often exhibited by potentially violent people both in person and on social media.

Barden said the past five years have been "indescribably difficult and challenging." He said he is honoring Daniel's memory by making schools safer and saving lives.

"Hopefully, if we have this conversation in five or 10 years, we're not going to need to be training our kids with how to deal with an active shooter," he said.

But school shootings continue unabated. Beginning with Columbine 18 years ago, more than 135,000 students attending at least 164 primary or secondary schools have experienced a shooting on campus as of April 2017, according to a Washington Post analysis of online archives, state enrollment figures and news stories.

That doesn't count dozens of suicides, accidents and after-school assaults that have also exposed children to gunfire.

There have been at least three shootings at K-12 schools this school year. In September, a 15-year-old student in Rockford, Washington, killed one student and injured three others; that same month, a 14-year-old student shot and wounded a classmate in Mattoon, Illinois.

Two students were killed Thursday in a high school shooting in Aztec, New Mexico, after a 21-year-old local resident entered the school pretending to be a student and carried out what authorities said was a planned attack with a legally purchased Glock handgun; the gunman also died.

"We obviously do drills and hope that nothing ever happens," said Aztec Municipal School Superintendent Kirk Carpenter. "Our staff and even our substitutes reacted in a way that saved a lot of lives."

In Rancho Tehama, California, officials credit their drills, quick action by staff and parents and a measure of good fortune for ensuring that no one was killed in the November attack there.

Ferreira and his 5-year-old daughter were standing outside before school, when they heard a pop. He thought it was a firecracker. But it was loud enough that some children dropped to the ground.

When the school secretary heard two more bangs, she announced a lockdown.

A teacher called for everyone to get inside. Ferreira heard a crash, as the gunman's truck smashed into the elementary school's gates. He told his daughter to run and urged other children to get inside.

Everyone quickly made it into classrooms, except for one little girl who was across the playground, too scared to move. Ferreira ran to her, scooped her up and ran her inside. He looked out the window, and the teacher told him to move away.

The blinds fell back into place as he stepped back, and bullets began smashing through them.

The children didn't move or make a sound. Just as they had practiced.

Ferreira thought about Sandy Hook and the teachers who died to protect children. He thought maybe he could use the fire extinguisher as a weapon if the shooter got through the door.

But the door was locked. The children had gotten inside. Two little boys were hiding under desks. One of them, Alejandro Hernandez, was bleeding; he was hit once in the foot and once in the lung by bullets that went through the wall.

Alejandro didn't cry. Only later did he tell Ferreira, "I want to be with my mommy."

The gunman left the school, unable to get in. Law enforcement officers took over, and Alejandro was taken to the hospital. He is back home now, too scared to go back to his classroom, unwilling to talk about the shooting, but recovering well enough to no longer need painkillers for his wounds. His mother, Angelica Monroy, is grateful the school locked down so quickly.

"I really ... " she said, struggling to compose herself. "I thank them so much for everything."

In those few seconds that day, the children followed the drill they had practiced. The adults knew what to do.

If not for the lessons of Sandy Hook, if not for their plan, if it had all been like any other Tuesday morning, parents and school officials shudder to think what might have befallen Rancho Tehama.

"He would have caught us all outside," Ferreira said. "He would have had free range."

(c) 2017, The Washington Post * Katie Zezima, Susan Svrluga
A hospital worker who was fired for refusing to get a flu shot can't claim he was discriminated against on religious grounds, a federal court panel ruled Thursday.

Paul Fallon's claim falls short because his objection to being inoculated isn't a religious belief, but more of a medical qualm, the judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit concluded.

Fallon, a former psychiatric crisis intake worker who had no formal religious affiliation, was employed by Mercy Catholic Medical Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania for 20 years before being canned in 2014.

The hospital began requiring employees to get flu shots in 2012, and for two years allowed Fallon to beg off on religious grounds, Judge Jane R. Roth wrote in the appeals court's opinion.

In 2014, however, he was told that he was no longer exempt due a change in the hospital's religious exception criteria and that he now had to provide a letter from a member of the clergy to support his request.

When he couldn't do that, and still refused the shot, he was fired. Fallon appealed to the 3rd Circuit judges after U.S. Eastern District Judge Gerald J. Pappert agreed with Mercy Catholic that Fallon wasn't a victim of religious discrimination.

In seconding Pappert's decision, Roth rejected Fallon's argument that he is a victim of bias because complying with the flu shot mandate would have forced him to "violate his conscience." Fallon said he refused the shot because he believed it might do more harm than good to his body.

"Generally, he simply worries about the health effects of the flu vaccine, disbelieves the scientifically accepted view that it is harmless to most people, and wishes to avoid this vaccine," Roth wrote. "The basis of his refusal of the flu vaccine...is a medical belief, not a religious one."

"Fallon's beliefs do not occupy a place in his life similar to that occupied by as more traditional faith," she continued. "This is not to say that anti-vaccination beliefs cannot be part of a broader religious faith; in some circumstances they can, and in those circumstances they are protected."
Pennsylvanians can close out 2017 with a bang.

Tucked into Act 43, the revenue packaged signed into law Oct. 30 by Gov. Tom Wolf, was an expansion of consumer fireworks sales to Pennsylvania residents.

The fireworks outlets clustered around the Easton interchange of Interstate 78, the last exit before New Jersey, confirmed Wednesday they have applied for the expanded-sales license.

At least for now, Phantom Fireworks, Sky King Fireworks and TNT Fireworks in Williams Township are continuing to operate under the state's 2004 fireworks law that allows Pennsylvania residents only to buy novelty fireworks -- fountains, sparklers, spinners and smoke bombs. Out-of-state customers can buy whatever they want from the Pennsylvania stores.

"Once we get our new certificate, it's just a matter of a couple of days hopefully, and the entire showroom will be open for Pennsylvania residents," Joe Mazak, assistant manager at Phantom Fireworks of Easton, said Wednesday.

Pennsylvania had 82 bricks-and-mortar fireworks retailers licensed under the old law, said Walter Remmert, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards that is in charge of fireworks laws.

All 82 may continue to operate for 90 days, through Jan. 28, 2018, under the old law, but they must apply for a new license under the new law to be able to continue selling consumer fireworks after that.

About half have applied, Remmert said. As of Wednesday, statewide, three Odd-Lot Outlet locations had received the new licenses. All of them are a short drive from the Lehigh Valley, in the Tannersville and East Stroudsburg areas of Monroe County.

Bill Leidy, manager of the Sky King fireworks store in Gettysburg, said he's expecting a big kaboom! of demand once his customers realize they can now legally aim for the sky.

"We're getting a lot of phone calls," he said. "There are a lot of happy Pennsylvanians."

His store is all set with state permits to start selling aerials, and just in time for the holidays. Yes, Leidy said, some people do mark the yuletide with a literal blast. "People buy these for Christmas presents, for anniversary presents," he said.

At the Phantom Fireworks Shrewsberry store, they were waiting for their final state sign-off on Thursday. The mandatory state inspection had been done the day before, said assistant manager Steve Truiett.

"I hope there's a big rush. We're well prepared for it," he said when asked about customer interest. Many people don't know about the change in the law yet, he said, and his firm is working on advertising to spread the word.

What's a consumer firework?

The American Pyrotechnics Association standard for consumer fireworks defines them as:

a ground or handheld sparkling device, cylindrical fountain, cone fountain, illuminating torch, wheel, ground spinner, flitter sparkler, toy smoke device or wire sparkler/dipped stick.

aerial devices such as sky rockets and bottle rockets, missile-type rocket, helicopter or aerial spinner, roman candle, mine and shell devices and aerial shell kits, also known as a reloadable tube.

audible ground devices like a firecracker or chaser.

Top sellers at Phantom for New Year's Eve celebrations include reloadable mortars that sell for $15 to $250 and a type of mine and shell device known as a cake. Those go for $60 to $250 and create a repeating aerial display with a single fuse, Mazak said.

Beyond novelty and consumer fireworks is a class known as display-grade fireworks, which remain prohibited for the general public, said Remmert, with the state Department of Agriculture. Also illegal under federal law are explosive devices known as an M-80, M-100, blockbuster, cherry bomb or quarter- and half-stick.

In addition to expanding sales in stores, under the new law, temporary tents will be able to be licensed to sell consumer fireworks instead of just novelties, Remmert noted.

He cautioned that use of fireworks may still be subject to local laws.

Pennsylvania's move to expand consumer fireworks laws sets a new tax of 12 percent, in addition to the sales and use tax already imposed. The state projects additional revenues in 2017-18 from the expanded sales to total $2.6 million, and to grow to $9.3 million in 2018-19, according to the fiscal analysis of the measure.

The license application fee is $2,500 for a long-term facility and $1,000 for a temporary tent, on top of annual license fees ranging from $3,000 to a tent to as much as $20,000 for the biggest stores.

The law budgets 2 percent of consumer fireworks taxes, up to $2 million a year, for emergency medical service grants and volunteer firefighter training.

Remmer said he couldn't pinpoint when the expanded-sales licenses would be granted, as each application requires an inspection of the store. Asked whether the 40 applications on hand can be procdessed in time for New Year's, he said: "I'm hoping."

Meanwhile, Pennsylvanians at the Easton area stores will continue to find their choices limited. But not for long.

"We are looking forward to serving the residents of Pennsylvania," Brock Strickland, director of retail for TNT Fireworks, said Wednesday.

Keystone Fireworks, which like the other fireworks outlets has stores throughout the state, is doing its best to ensure the news blasts off.

"Do you want to finally get your hands on some of our awesome mortars?" Keystone asks on its web site. "Of course you do!"

Matt Miller of PennLive.com contributed to this report.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Police in Lower Allen Township put out an alert Thursday seeking information on a suspect blamed for burglarizing three businesses.

The break-ins occurred between 1 and 3 a.m. Monday at two businesses on Hartzdale Drive and one on Wesley Drive.

A safe was stolen from one business, police said. They said surveillance video shows a suspect wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, black boots and gray rubber gloves.

Anyone with information can call police at 717-757-7575.
The rare sighting of a Black-backed Oriole this year in Berks County was a major attraction for birders across the United States.

First appearing in January at a bird feeder in Lower Heidelberg Township, the bird (which usually resides more than 3,000 miles away in Mexico) drew more than 1,800 people to the area over the 67 days it stayed in residence.

According to researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia (who apparently study such things) those visitors contributed close to a quarter of a million dollars to the Reading-area economy.

To generate that estimate, researchers examined a log book of visitors kept by the home owners, and surveyed the tourists about their travel costs.

"We estimate this ecotourism event generated more than $3000 a day for the local and extended economy as a result of the travel, food and accommodation costs of the avitourists," said UNSW Science PhD candidate Corey Callaghan in a news release, who was part of the group that studied the event, which was published in the journal Human Dimensions of Wildlife.

The Black-backed Oriole, which is a relative of the more common (in these parts) Baltimore oriole, typically lives in central Mexico in a 1,500 mile range. The appearance of the bird this year was only the second time the species had been recorded in the United States.

"I've always wondered how much money is generated by this unique and unpredictable part of birding - vagrant bird chasing - given the number of people who sometimes travel long distances to see an individual bird outside its normal range," said Callaghan. "This was a rare opportunity to find out, and our study reveals just how much people are prepared to pay. There are dozens of similar events around the world each year."
CAMP HILL - Some voiced support, but some also voiced concern and a word of caution.

While the future of Camp Hill Police Chief Douglas Hockenberry remains in the balance following a Nov. 5 vehicle crash that resulted in him receiving a DUI charge, a few residents have come forward to defend the chief and urge borough council to be gracious.

"I understand the concerns," one woman said during the public comment portion of Wednesday night's borough council meeting, "but also, I strongly feel that everybody deserves a second chance."

The woman said she had worked alongside Hockenberry during a four-year term on borough council, and also when she served as executive director for Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties.

"He was so supportive of criminal victims in our borough, and he was instrumental in forming an office here," she said, adding that even when the nature of her job brought her to the borough at night, "There was never a question that Doug Hockenberry would be there to help us."

One man said he also continues to support the chief.

"I think Doug has been a good man in more ways than one, as we've heard tonight, and I'm sure we'll hear more," he said. "He's still a good man, and will be. We've all made mistakes."

Another man said it wasn't easy for him to stand before the council on Wednesday night, but the issue was "of enough concern for me to actually come out here and say something."

The man said he did not know the police chief personally, and had no interactions other than waving to him a time or two, in the last five years he's lived in the borough. That fact, he said, "allows me to have an objective view."

He said some of what has been reported regarding the incident, especially what state police have stated, "concerns me." And he cautioned that what was already done, and what will be done in the case, will have repercussions down the road.

"What is the message it sends to our high-schoolers?" he asked, adding that his two sons told him they remember the chief coming into their school to talk to them about drunk driving. The man also asked what message will be sent to the patrolmen on the police force and the rest of the community.

About 50-60 people attended the meeting.

One woman, who identified herself as an "internet troll" who keeps a close watch on what's happening in the borough, said the most crucial issue in Camp Hill being discussed currently by her and others online is regarding Hockenberry.

"Please make your decisions based on what you're showing our next generation," she said.

Council president Peter Robelen announced a special meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at borough hall "regarding the issue of the police chief."

None of the other council members, or Mayor Mark Simpson, said anything more on the topic.

Hockenberry, 46, was charged Nov. 5 with DUI, careless driving, disregarding a traffic lane and failure to notify police of the crash. Reports state his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. According to state police, his 2007 Chevrolet Silverado struck a tree and a mailbox in Rye Township, disabling the vehicle.

It was last reported that Hockenberry, who was placed on leave, is currently using accrued personal time.

The Marysville resident was hired as chief in 2013 and has been on the Camp Hill force since 1996.
A U.S. appeals court has ordered a federal judge to take another shot at resolving a dispute over whether Pennsylvania's ballot placement laws are biased against political candidates who aren't Democrats or Republicans.

It isn't that U.S. Eastern District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel got it wrong when he imposed a temporary fix proposed by state officials, the judges on the Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit found.

Instead, they ruled this week that Stengel didn't adequately outline his reasons for adopting a plan that is opposed by the Constitution, Green and Libertarian parties, Judge Jane R. Roth wrote in the appeals court's opinion.

At issue are claims by the so-called "minor" parties that their candidates are unfairly saddled with obligations to gain more signatures on petitions for ballot placement than are required for GOP and Democratic candidates.

Also, the Constitutionals, Greens and Libertarians noted that their candidates can face significant financial penalties if the validity of the signatures on their nominating petitions are successfully challenged.

That legal fight has been going on since 2012. In the midst of last year's election, the minor parties pressed the federal courts to order the state to place their candidates on the ballot.

The resolution proposed by the state was that minor party candidates could be on the ballot if they gathered 2 1/2 times more registered voter signatures that were required for the nominating petitions of major party hopefuls. That proposal, based on a bill then pending in the Legislature, required, for example, that minor party candidates for governor secure 5,000 signatures, including 250 from at least 10 counties.

The minor parties argued the state plan was unconstitutional, but Stengel adopted it in June 2016, without stating his reasons for approving it.

The lack of such factual findings requires his court to send the matter back to Stengel for further consideration, Roth found. She noted that Stengel could reinstate his original order, but only if he finds that the county-based signature tally requirements are constitutional and "would have no appreciable impact on voting rights."

In a footnote to his opinion, Roth cited the state's position that the county-based signature requirements are necessary to show a minor party has "some modicum of support" to justify placement on a ballot.
A Rutgers student admits he helped to create a computer virus that caused a huge internet outage a year ago - but he didn't cause the crash itself, he says.

NJ.com says Paras Jha, 21, of Fanwood, N.J. created the Mirai virus and published the code for it on hacker websites in September 2016. A month later, someone else used the code to launch a massive cyberattack.

Wired.com describes the attack, which affected PennLive.com:

The Dyn attack paralyzed millions of computer users, slowing or stopping internet connections up and down the East Coast and interrupting service across North America and parts of Europe to major sites like Amazon, Netflix, Paypal, and Reddit.

Prosecutors say Jha, a former computer science major, was assisted by two men he met online: Josiah White, 20, of Washington, Pa., and Dalton Norman, 21, of Metairie, La., who pleaded guilty Dec. 8 to conspiring with him on a wider botnet scheme, according to court papers filed in Alaska.

In that scheme, NJ.com explains, the three launched attacks that targeted the websites of businesses, rivals or others against whom they "held grudges," court papers said. They made $180,000 in their schemes, prosecutors said.

According to KrebsOnSecurity.com:

Jha and White were co-founders of ProTraf Solutions LLC, a company that specialized in mitigating large-scale DDoS attacks. Like firemen getting paid to put out the fires they started, Jha and White would target organizations with DDoS attacks and then either extort them for money to call off the attacks, or try to sell those companies services they claimed could uniquely help fend off the attacks.

In a long profile of Jha and the case, Wired.com says that the three "hadn't intended to bring down the internet -- they had been trying to gain an advantage in the computer game Minecraft."

Jha also pleaded guilty in federal court to an additional computer fraud charge for disabling Rutgers University's internet network while taunting school officials on social media.

From NJ.com:

His attorney said Jha is sorry for what he did and takes full responsibility for his actions.

"Paras Jha is a brilliant young man whose intellect and technical skills far exceeded his emotional maturity," said Robert Stahl, Jha's attorney.

Jha faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution.
The snow has started falling and Central Pennsylvania residents will wake up with a light blanket of snow covering the ground, roads and cars Thursday morning.

Forecasters expect two to four inches of accumulation in the midstate, depending on the location in the region. A winter weather advisory remains in effect through 8 a.m. with most of the snow expected to come overnight after midnight, said Aaron Tyburski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

Describing the overnight snow and subsequent conditions as a typical December weather event, Tyburski said to expect chilly temperatures in the low 20s are expected overnight. That should mitigate conditions that create black ice, Tyburski said. He noted that drivers should be cautious in areas such as intersections where cars stop and the vehicle's temperatures melt the snow. At intersections, it is much more likely the melted snow can re-freeze and form black ice, he added

Live: Snow hits central Pennsylvania. How much can you expect by Thursday morning? Posted by PennLive.com on Wednesday, December 13, 2017

To the south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvanians won't see much snowfall, if any at all, Tyburski said. To the north and to the west, forecasters expect between 3 to 6 inches of snow. Some areas around Interstate 80 and to the north will likely see lake-effect snow, meaning accumulation could exceed 12 inches.

Temperatures will peak at 31 on Thursday before a low of 19 going into Friday morning. Expected sunny skies Friday indicate there shouldn't be any further accumulation during the day.

Heading into the weekend, Friday will see a 30 percent chance of snow showers on a partly-sunny day with a high of 32 and a low of 22. There is a 20 percent chance of scattered flurries at night.

Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 37 and a low around 24.

Sunday will be warmer and mostly cloudy with a high near 42 and a low around 31. Scattered showers can be expected at night.

Visit PennLive.com/weather for your latest weather updates.
By Dan Frankel and Judy Schwank

Our female friends, colleagues and family members express the concern, as do the women thinkers we're reading and watching, the concern that women in America are losing ground.

And this week, Pennsylvania legislators offer women competing policy approaches to address that concern.

On Tuesday, the House passed legislation creating one of the most onerous abortion bans in the entire country.

The bill would put up new barriers to women who've chosen to terminate a pregnancy. The bill is so extreme that it would prevent women from receiving care in the safest way possible, and in some cases would force them to seek care out of state.

Unfortunately, that's business as usual in the Capitol -- since 2010 we've seen a massive spike in proposed legislation to limit women's reproductive choices. In fact, that's been the perverse "answer" to all women's issues:

Women point out pervasive sexual harassment and discrimination that has impeded their progress in the workplace. Legislative response? Limit choice.

Women's contraceptive access is put at risk when the federal government rolls back the promise of family planning? Limit choice.

High-profile leaders face sexual misconduct allegations? Limit choice.

While female colleagues scheduled a #metoo news conference about legislation to change a climate of sexual harassment in Harrisburg, legislative leaders scheduled a vote to -- you guessed it -- limit choice!

But the truth is: preventing women from accessing care doesn't actually promote women's health.

On Tuesday, we unveiled a better response to women's concerns -- the PA Agenda for Women's Health.

This agenda offers a radically different vision for Pennsylvania women, focusing on promoting women's safety and dignity, economic security and access to health care.

It's not enough to say "No" to the outrageous chipping away of women's status. We must also be able to say "Yes" to advancing women's equality, including:

"Yes" to a commitment to support women's full economic participation by reducing barriers to employment for women who want to have children, or who care-take others.

"Yes" to safety and dignity for all women when they walk their neighborhoods, go to work and even enter their own homes.

And, of course, "Yes" to care for women's unique health care needs across her lifespan, which includes attention to illnesses that impact women uniquely because of the way their bodies develop -- such as issues like bone density, breast cancer and heart attacks. But it also means access to reproductive health care, including access to the most effective forms of contraception, maternal and neo-natal health care, and access to abortion when a woman makes that choice.

The PA Agenda for Women's Health is crafted by the legislature's Women's Health Caucus -- a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators, in partnership with advocates who work on behalf of women.

It promotes a world where women can be equal partners in building our communities, providing real answers to women's concerns.

Rarely do we have a choice this clear. We're hoping that Pennsylvania women will see their legislators say "Yes" to making laws creating the community they deserve.

State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, are co-chairs of the bipartisan Women's Health Caucus in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
By John M. Weaver

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., recently underscored that it is time to look at moving families of U.S. service members out of South Korea. Personally, I couldn't agree more.

John Weaver (York College of Pa. photo)

If the situation deteriorates further in the region, a simple operation now would mean a logistical nightmare in the future.

Over the last few decades, the military has prided itself on becoming more family friendly. It has done so in an effort not just to recruit personnel to its ranks but to retain talent over time.

After all, it costs a lot of money to train individuals of the rank and file; it is one of a few organizations that grows its talent for promotion from within and doesn't hire middle and senior uniformed leaders from outside of the Defense Department.

To facilitate a family friendly atmosphere, tours in Europe were accompanied, meaning that families could join service members while they were stationed overseas.

Up until a few years ago, accommodations for military family members in South Korea were limited in number. The Defense Department started increasing accompanied positions in recent years to foster a family friendly environment, but now we should rethink this.

Technically, North and South Korea are still at a state of war and by extension, the United States is too.

An armistice, not a peace treaty, is what has remained in place for more than six decades. Over the last 60-plus years, there have been numerous incursions between both countries in violation of this armistice.

In recent weeks, direct fire exchanges occurred between both militaries as a North Korean soldier made a brazen attempt to defect by racing across the demarcation line in the demilitarized zone in Panmunjom.

Exacerbating tensions are not just an increase in the number, but the adeptness of the North Korean missile tests and nuclear detonations in recent times.

All of this taken together underscores that this is probably not an environment for families regardless of attempts to look out for the welfare of our nation's service members serving there. Perhaps it is in the best interest of the families overall to relocate them back to the United States.

If hostilities were to break out and result in all-out war, there would be attempts to evacuate family members; this would result in a noncombatant evacuation operation.

However, priority for airlift would go to supporting actual military operations leaving the extrication of civilians relegated to a secondary role.

Having to focus on an evacuation would increase the stress on families, especially the uniformed members who will have to fight while simultaneously being concerned with their loved-ones' welfare as they attempt to leave the peninsula.

When I was stationed in South Korea in the late 1990s, I served as a company commander. One of my roles in this capacity was to run a NEO point at one of the South Korea's largest airfields.

When rehearsing this in peacetime, I learned first-hand that these operations are extremely complicated and challenging; when confronting issues of open hostilities, the problem becomes exponentially worse.

The military should therefore take a proactive role and work to help move families out of South Korea indefinitely.

After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

John M. Weaver is assistant professor and program coordinator of intelligence analysis at York College of Pennsylvania. His work appears occasionally on PennLive Opinion.
PHILADELPHIA -- Cold weather seems to have brought germs into the Philadelphia Eagles' locker room.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and defensive end Steven Means missed practice Thursday, three days before a game at the Giants, with illnesses, according to the team. Here's a look at Philly's official injury report for the day.

OUT: Jeffery, Means

LIMITED: OG Stefen Wisniewski (ankle)

FULL: DE Derek Barnett (groin), TE Brent Celek (not injury related), TE Zach Ertz (concussion), S Rodney McLeod (quadricep), LB Joe Walker (neck)

It's unclear whether Jeffery or Means' status for Sunday's game is in serious doubt, but they each have three days to recover. McLeod was back in full action Thursday after he was limited Wednesday, which is a good sign that'll play against the Giants, and Celek returned after missing a day of practice to celebrate the birth of his son, Otto.

Wisniewski's health is perhaps the greatest concern for the Birds. The team's starting left guard, Wisniewski watched practice Wednesday and participated in stretching -- but not much else -- Thursday as he recovers from an ankle injury he suffered during Sunday's win over the Rams.

Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo took turns filling in for Wisniewski Sunday and both struggled. Warmack lined up with the first-team offensive line at left guard during the position of practice Wednesday reporters were permitted to watch.

-- @AaronKazreports
Moving about the state Capitol on Wednesday it was hard to escape conversations about who would be the first political figure felled by the #MeToo movement here.

Rumors ran rampant about whether it was this member or that member or that top-level staffer who used their position of power to engage in sexual misconduct.

It's not unlike a decade ago when people were being served with subpoenas in the Bonusgate investigation into lawmakers and staffers' use of public resources for political purposes. Back then, the gossip was about who was going to be indicted and who was going to spill the beans.

"In this building, rumors, that's what everybody does . . . and 80 to 90 percent of the time it's wrong but sometimes it's right," said a longtime legislative staffer who was not authorized to speak on this issue.

These rumors likely flow from the series of sexual misconduct reports that have in quick succession this fall ended the careers of movie producers, actors, music moguls, congressmen, a famous chef, and a major media personality, just to name a few.

State capitols have not been immune either. Already, reports of sexual harassment cases that came to light have forced lawmakers to leave office in Minnesota, California, Kentucky, Tennessee and the list goes on.

As victims of sexual misconduct are feeling emboldened to go public with their stories, many feel it's only a matter of time until a Pennsylvania case or cases come out.

Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-Montgomery County, shared that five women in the Capitol told her directly about their experience with sexual harassment or a hostile work environment since she put up a Facebook post earlier this fall detailing her own #MeToo story from her college days.

Longtime Philadelphia lobbyist Holly Kinser described the problem with sexual harassment in the Capitol as pervasive in an earlier interview.

She admitted to being the victim of inappropriate comments and sexual harassment in and around the Capitol for more times than she chooses to remember over the past three decades. She knows of others who have been as well.

It made her wish that the revelation of these cases popping up across the country would start a revolution here. "It's time to treat people appropriately, and a lot of the inappropriate behavior needs to stop," she had said.

Based on the buzz around the Capitol this week, she may get her wish.

In the House Republican caucus, a Capitol source shared they had a members-only meeting last week in which Majority Leader Dave Reed delivered a stern lecture about sexual harassment issues and implored them to check themselves and make sure they weren't doing anything inappropriate. That included, the source said, texts, emails, actions, and even what happens at the Second Street bars in Harrisburg after session hours.

READ MORE: Fox 43 anchor shares her story of sexual assault during news broadcast

His speech was prompted by a concern that some members might have taken sexual harassment training in November a little too casually, according to the source.

Reed also shared that so far he had received 15 separate Right to Know requests about cases involving members. PennLive and other media outlets have sought information about past sexual misconduct complaints and any payouts of taxpayer funds that resulted to buy the victim's silence.

Two other House Republicans, who also spoke on background because they weren't authorize to speak for their caucus, shared they were told their caucus made no payouts.

Others are working on the issue directly too. Gov. Tom Wolf has directed his staff to figure out a means for employees to anonymously report inappropriate behavior that occurs.

Lawmakers recently introduced legislation to ban non-disclosure agreements that would mask the names of legislators who harass and prohibit the General Assembly from paying settlements on behalf of members with taxpayer funds.

But efforts to address the problem seem only to fan curiosity about who would be outed in potential news stories and when those bombshells might drop - if they drop at all. Reputable news outlets would only publish these stories after they have been carefully checked out and corroborated.

Nonetheless, Krueger-Braneky said this whole controversy "was one of the top conversation points in the Capitol this week."

As much as the rumor machine is moving, nobody really knows the depth of the problem.

"I have not gotten any recommendations to move a staffer who felt uncomfortable with a member" because of sexual harassment or misconduct issues, said Karen Coates, who for the last three years has managed the House GOP staff as chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Turzai.

It wasn't just members who were chattering about it. Lobbyists too were curious, asking reporters in hallways and elevators when "the report" was coming out and what they knew about it.

A story published Tuesday about the forthcoming release of information about sexual harassment cases at the Capitol that appeared in this week's issue of The Caucus increased the anticipation.

Members were spotted on the House floor on Tuesday evening during the debate of the late-term abortion bill reading the publication. One member commented that he wondered if his colleagues were skimming the article to see if their name was mentioned or if they were just reading it because they are political junkies.

If anything happens soon, legislators won't be around the Capitol to answer questions about it. Members of the House and Senate left on Wednesday for the holiday recess and are not scheduled to return until January.

Regardless of whether their name gets associated with a sexual misconduct claim or not, some lawmakers are bracing for the fallout.

"From my perspective, it's irritating," said Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland County. "I have no issue with people being held accountable but it makes us all look bad. I have no issue with journalists reporting what is factual. It's just unfortunate supposed bad behavior is making us all look bad."

* Staff writer Charles Thompson contributed to the story.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is silhouetted while speaking during the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's annual Energy Forum, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday November 30, 2017. Renewable power in Alberta will take a big step forward as Notley announces the successful project bids from the competitive first round of Albertaas Renewable Electricity Program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
O.P.P. and Hydro One trucks stand near a Hydro One crash near Tweed, Ont., on Dec. 14, 2017. Four Hydro One employees were killed Thursday in a helicopter crash in eastern Ontario, police and the utility reported.The crash occurred about noon in Tweed, north of Kingston, provincial police said. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
In this June 2017 photo provided by Stephen Cwiok, Nick Roberts poses for a photo in Nahant, Mass. Roberts surprised his pregnant girlfriend with the photos at their gender reveal party in June before their son Logan was born. Roberts says he and his friend, who is a photographer, grabbed some fast food before the shoot to "try to look a little pregnant." (Stephen Cwiok via AP)
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has pushed to centralize IT procurement and subject computer contracts to extra oversight after a string of delays, overruns and failures in earlier administrations Read more

Pennsylvania's effort to get $170 million in damages and costs back from IBM Corp. for a failed computer system survived its first test last month. A dozen preliminary objections from IBM's New York and Harrisburg lawyers were denied by Dauphin County Common Pleas Court Judge Andrew H. Dowling on Nov. 21. He set target dates for discovery and depositions, with the trial set for 2020, barring extra delay.

All that legal artillery will fight to resolve an initial $110 million contract, signed with high hopes in 2005 under Gov. Ed Rendell, that was supposed to be completed by 2010. Or 2011, or 2012, under Gov. Tom Corbett, as the deal was amended and delays, bugs, and added payments proliferated.

Or never, as it worked out.

Pennsylvania had its share of past information-technology failures in its emergency communications, welfare, and tax offices, among others. The IBM lawsuit, filed by Gov. Wolf's administration last spring, gives a window into how big-ticket information-technology contracts can grind on for years, consuming millions of taxpayer dollars, without improving public services.

The state wants IBM to pay for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, nondisclosure, and fraudulent concealment. IBM has called the case "without merit." Its lawyers did not respond to calls.

The IBM system was supposed to handle payroll deductions and unemployment compensation payments from nearly 300,000 Pennsylvania employers. Starting in the 1960s, IBM and other contractors had helped the state custom-build separate tax and compensation systems, in hopes of reducing labor costs and speeding production.

By 2005, however, the state recognized it was saddled with an "inefficient," costly, and only partly automated legacy of "increasingly outdated, computer systems," according to the suit. Instead of modern network processing, video-like interfaces and real-time updates, Pennsylvania still used mainframe computers, green-screen terminals, and day-end record-batching.

So the state Department of Labor and Industry called on tech contractors to bid on custom-building a "complete, comprehensive, integrated and fully functioning" unemployment compensation system, meeting 1,500 business requirements, to seamlessly replace its "mission critical" services by 2010.

IBM pitched hard: According to the suit, the company said its long experience with Pennsylvania, its deep pool of experienced software and management talent, and "extensive working knowledge and skills in the unemployment compensation field" would guarantee the job got done right and on time. In June 2006, the state hired IBM.

But "despite being paid nearly $170 million," $60 million over budget, and receiving time extensions beyond the original contact, "IBM never delivered," according to the state.

"IBM had no intention of staffing the project as described," according to the lawsuit. While its salespeople were promising a thorough job, the company's Wall Street-conscious management was moving ahead with plans "to lay off thousands of U.S. employees in favor of outsourcing work to offshore contractors" or "cheaper foreign labor." Facing a new generation of tech competitors, IBM "decided that its share price needed to take precedence over customer satisfaction and proper project delivery."

For example, according to the complaint: IBM sent a team of business analysts to start the project in 2006. In 2008, with their design complete but not yet implemented, the firm pulled them out, creating "a knowledge gap" just as it was time to write software code and design applications.

Soon after, IBM's "day-to-day leads on the project" were moved out. (One, Robert Donaldson, in 2011 became IT chief for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.) Untested code piled up. IBM blew past deadlines, then "tried to obscure and whitewash these facts with misleading, deliberately confusing reports."

In 2013, with the IBM project "45 months behind schedule and $60 million over budget," the state hired Carnegie Mellon's Software Engineering Institute to audit the project. The school found "an abnormally high rate of defects" in IBM's incomplete code. Carnegie Mellon recommended against finishing the program "because of the high risk of failure." The state canceled the IBM project and went back to its aged legacy systems.

Pennsylvania isn't the only state that says IBM ripped it off. In 2010, Indiana sued IBM after canceling a state welfare-processing contract. IBM sued back. A lower court told the state to pay IBM $52 million in 2012. Two years later an appeals court reversed that ruling and said IBM owed Indiana at least $50 million. That case is still in court.

To avoid future software meltdowns, state officials led by Sharon Minnich, the Deloitte Consulting and SAP veteran who heads Pennsylvania's Office of Administration under Gov. Wolf', say they have taken steps to standardize and partly centralize state software procurement and review contracts with additional oversight.

They have also hired a new unemployment-compensation benefits-modernization contractor, Florida-based Geographic Solutions Inc.,a 170-person, 25-year-old private firm with other state clients. Geographic has agreed to update that system for $35 million, a fraction of what IBM charged. Additional project managers could add up to $10 million.

This time, the contractor expects to buy solutions already used by dozens of other states off the rack, instead of building new ones. Whether you credit the state's improved management, or the software industry's evolution toward off-the-shelf (or downloaded) commodity products in the 12 years since the IBM deal was signed, it looks as if taxpayers may finally be in for an IT dividend.
Demonstrators rally in support of net neutrality outside a Verizon store in New York on Dec. 7. The Federal Communications Commission voted today to scrap the net neutrality. Read more

Republicans ruled the day at the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday as the agency purged two-year-old Obama-era net neutrality protections against throttling internet traffic, calling them superfluous and a failed experiment.

Along partisan lines and with sharp political rhetoric, the commissioners voted 3-2 to reclassify the internet from a utility to an "information service," and shift consumer protection over broadband services to the Federal Trade Commission. The vote broadly deregulates the internet and likely will lead to challenges in the federal courts, a possible eventual reversal under a Democratic-controlled FCC, or legislation, government officials and others say.

Consumer advocates  who viewed the vote as a giveaway to corporations such as Comcast  also say it could lead to higher prices for broadband services.

The vote culminates swift action this year by Ajit Pai, the Republican commissioner who was appointed by President Barack Obama and promoted by President Trump to head the agency, to roll back what he considered to be heavy-handed rules. Pai said Wednesday that fewer regulations will lead to more internet investment and innovation.

While Comcast, Verizon, and other big telecom companies lobbied hard for deregulation, critics staged national protests and even picketed Pai's house in Virginia. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, said Wednesday that he will "sue to stop the illegal rollback of net neutrality."

He and 17 other Democratic attorneys general, including Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro, have said the FCC public record leading to the new rules appeared to be laced with fake comments and stolen email addresses. Based on the FCC docket, more than 23 million Americans submitted comments, an unrealistically high number that is equivalent to 1 in 14 Americans. The FCC has acknowledged irregularities with the public comments but says they did not influence the agency's decision. Shapiro said Thursday that he also plans to "take legal action to protect net neutrality."

Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said during Thursday's open meeting that the "soon-to-be-toothless FCC is handing the keys to the internet  to multibillion-dollar corporations."

The "agency that is supposed to protect you is abandoning you," she said.

The second Democratic commissioner who voted no, Jessica Rosenworcel, said, "This decision puts the FCC on the wrong side of history." Rosenworcel called Thursday's action "a stain on the agency."

Republicans disagreed.

"The FCC is not killing the internet," Commissioner Brendan Carr said before voting for the new rules. "This is a great day for consumers, innovators, and freedom." He said existing law already protects consumers.

Fellow Commissioner Michael O'Rielly said he did not believe that Comcast or others would risk the "PR nightmare" of blocking websites or otherwise interfering with internet traffic. "The legend of a cable company breaking the internet  isn't reality," he said.

Comcast, one of the nation's largest broadband providers, whose stock rose 1.4 percent to $39.12 on Thursday, has sought to calm customers' worries over the loss of net neutrality protections.

"This is not the end of net neutrality," Comcast executive David L. Cohen said in a blog post. "Despite repeated distortions and biased information, as well as misguided, inaccurate attacks from detractors, our internet service is not going to change. Comcast customers will continue to enjoy all of the benefits of an open internet today, tomorrow, and in the future. Period."

Cohen added that "consumers will remain fully protected. We have repeatedly stated and reiterate today, that we do not and will not block, throttle, or discriminate against lawful content."

Some have said the FCC changes could lead to a two-tier internet of fast and slow lanes that could hurt smaller companies or consumers.

Comcast is not creating "fast lanes," Cohen said. "We've not entered into paid prioritization agreements and have no plans to do so."

Some believe the FCC vote could bring Republicans and Democrats together to craft a legislative solution on how to regulate the internet. Comcast itself called for legislative action Thursday.

Sen. John Thune (R. S.D.), chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said in a statement Wednesday that "there is obviously immense passion that follows the issue of net neutrality. As I have stated repeatedly, and I will say again today, congressional action is the only way to solve the endless back-and-forth on net neutrality rules that we've seen over the past several years." He called on Democrats to work with Republicans to craft legislation.
Teva Pharmaceuticals North America headquarters is in North Wales, Montgomery County. The company announced a major restructuring and layoffs on Thursday. Read more

In a sweeping restructuring announcement, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said Thursday it will cut more than 25 percent of its workforce, by closing or selling manufacturing plants and research facilities worldwide.

The announcement early Thursday did not detail where the job losses will be, but Teva said more than half of the 14,000 cuts will be completed by the end of 2018, and workers will be notified within the next 90 days.

Teva, which remains profitable but not enough to cover its huge debt, will suspend dividends and not pay employee bonuses this year as it reduces costs by $3 billion within two years. "Today we are launching a comprehensive restructuring plan, crucial to restoring our financial security and stabilizing our business," Teva CEO Kare Schultz said on a conference call with analysts. "We are taking immediate and decisive actions."

Schultz said to expect "double-digit plant closures" in the next two years.

"Over the next 12 to 24 months we plan to consolidate our offices in the United States from the current seven locations into one main campus, final location to be determined," said Kaelan Hollon, Teva's senior director of communications in Washington. "We have already closed our office in Cambridge, Mass., and are in the process of closing our offices in Washington, D.C., Horsham, Pa, and Manhattan, N.Y.  Consultations with the relevant union representatives will begin in the near term."

Hollon said she could not comment on the fate of Teva's North America headquarters in North Wales, Montgomery County. Teva employs more than 2,000 workers in Pennsylvania.

The cost-cuts plan exceeded analysts' expectations and Teva's shares closed up 10.38 percent, or $1.63, to $17.30. Teva will review every product and discontinue medicines that are not profitable, while raising prices on others.

The Israeli media have reported that Teva, one of Israel's largest employers, plans to fire half its Israeli workforce, eliminating 3,000 out of 6,300 jobs, including shuttering a research center in the coastal city of Netanya and selling a logistics plant in Shoham.

Reuters reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Teva's chief executive to keep layoffs in Israel to a minimum. Netanyahu in a statement said he requested that Schultz "maintain the identity of Teva as an Israeli company," and Schultz promised to do so.

Teva, the world's largest maker of generic drugs, employs more than 56,000 people.

"The cuts will stabilize Teva in the near term," analyst Ronny Gal at Sanford C. Bernstein said in a client note. "It is obviously critical for Teva to execute these cuts, and we will judge the company in part on its ability to persevere through the local opposition."

Schultz, who became CEO in early November, conducted a similar turnaround strategy at his previous company, Lundbeck A/S in Denmark.

The Israeli business media, including Calcalist, the Marker, and Globes, have all reported that Teva will close most of its production operations in Israel. Published reports said that Teva will close and sell its Migada disposable medical equipment plant in Kiryat Shmona and cut 500 workers in the Petah Tikva headquarters office. All R&D operations in Netanya reportedly will be closed, and other operations sold.

The Histadrut labor federation vowed to mobilize against the cuts. Avi Nissenkorn, chairman of the union, said at a Tel Aviv news conference late Wednesday, "We're going to strike across all of Teva, all its plants, on Sunday," Bloomberg reported.

Teva ran up a large debt of $35 billion after buying Allergan's generic business last year for $40.5 billion. Teva faces generic competition for its best-selling multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone which accounts for 43 percent of the company's total profit.

Teva and other generic-drug makers are facing declining prices for generic drugs and lower profits as well as a lag in new generic launches. This week Teva launched its generic version of Viagra, but Pfizer plans to launch a generic Viagra, too.

The changes "are all in line with what Teva had to do," Bernstein's Ronny Gal said. "We have not seen Teva execute particularly well in the past few years and will want to see management execute successfully before recommending the stock."

"The Israel media highlighted the human impact of the decision and noted a picture of CEO Schultz as the night-king character from Game of Thrones," Gal wrote. "Local politicians have already begun commenting on the discrepancy between the new CEO compensation and the firing of roughly half of Teva's Israeli employees." Some reports have put Schultz's potential compensation package as high as $52 million.

On Tuesday, Teva said that Yitzhak Peterburg, its former board chairman and interim CEO, had resigned from the board. Credit Suisse analyst Vamil Divan noted that Peterburg's departure suggests that Schultz has the support of Teva's board.

"While there are many politicians offering negative opinions of the company in response to these reports, we are not seeing any clear plan being offered to oppose or prevent layoffs," Divan said. "We note that selling plants rather than closing them would likely be more financially beneficial for Teva while also soothing the sting of layoffs."

Relocating generic operations could improve operating efficiency, and some reports suggest Teva is looking to move its generic manufacturing out of Israel to lower-cost countries, Divan said. Teva owes $6 billion in bond payments due in 2018, and $11.9 billion total through 2020, he said. "Refinancing these bonds would free up near term cash for other uses, but any benefit would need to be weighed against the new, likely higher refinanced rate."

Schultz reorganized top management last month and said he would combine the firm's generic and specialty drug businesses. "You can expect a simpler, leaner, and more agile organization," he said Thursday.
Lorraine Prince, of the Newton Creek Watershed Association, has lived near the Collingswood portion of Newton Lake for decades. She and others are concerned about whether Camden Countys proposed dredging project also will address the causes of sedimentation problems plaguing the lake. Read more

A popular spot for walkers like me, as well as for anglers, kayakers, canoers, cyclists, and wild critters of all kinds, Camden County's Newton Lake Park nevertheless needs some special attention.

Erosion, sedimentation, and eutrophication  the latter an oxygen-depletion process fed by goose poop, fertilizer, and other sources of nitrogen and phosphorus  collectively have lowered water levels and water quality. All of this has encouraged warm-weather algae blooms and the proliferation of other invasive or nuisance plants that can give the otherwise lovely lake a saladlike appearance and a pea-soup hue.

So the county has decided to spend from $20 million to $30 million to dredge the 2.5-mile-long lake portion of the Newton Creek between Cuthbert Boulevard in Haddon Township and the Black Horse Pike in Oaklyn. The work will be funded by a 30-year, low-interest state loan, is expected to begin next fall, and should be completed within 18 months to two years.

"It will be the largest, most expensive capital project in county park history," says Freeholder Jeff Nash.

It may also be a contentious project, given that thousands of Collingswood, Haddon Township, Oaklyn, and Audubon Park residents live on or near Newton Lake. Countless others visit the park for recreation.

(Disclosure: I owe much of what could be called my mental health to regular walks at Newton Lake, as well as other parks in the county. Our tax dollars at work!)

"We're glad the county is paying attention to Newton Creek, but it all depends on what they're going to do," says Collingswood resident Lorraine Prince, of the Newton Creek Watershed Association. "We're waiting to see the latest plans."

The county does have quite a few questions to answer and constituencies to satisfy. How will the dredge spoils be dealt with? What will the spoils contain? What about the impact of the work on wildlife? On people?

Samples of sediment are being taken in advance of the work, at the direction of the state. "The results are so far, so good. The sampling is continuing," says Andrew Kricun, executive director of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA).

Says Haddon Township resident Fred Stine, citizen action coordinator of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network: "My first concern is the method of dredging and dewatering the spoils. The second is how aggressive the county will be to prevent new sediment from flowing in."

While some environmentalists might dream of allowing the man-made lake  the dam is at the Black Horse Pike  to revert to the marshland it once was (and keeps trying to become), some of the lake's neighbors might prefer to get rid of the riparian buffers surrounding the water, so they can enjoy the view again.

"Those of us who live on the lake wonder whether we're going to be looking at orange fences and piles of muck," says Patt Osborne, a Haddon Township resident and outdoorswoman who uses the park daily and appreciates the water-management function of the buffers.

"But my biggest concern is that the work be done in a way that is helpful to the community, and environmentally sound."

While the dredging will be the most visible and dramatic component, stabilizing the shoreline to combat erosion, and managing or eliminating upstream sources of sediment, are essential to the success of the project.

Says Nash: "We don't want to be back dredging again in 10 years."

The upper portion of the lake, between Cuthbert and the Lees Lane bridge in Collingswood, was dredged in the early 1970s and again about 15 years ago. A sediment-containment system constructed as part of the second dredging project would help if it were properly maintained, says Stine; the amount of muck flowing into the lake from upstream is 1,371 tons annually, according to a report prepared for the CCMUA in 2016.

Although a subsequent engineering analysis concluded that erosion along the shoreline of the lake itself is the worst source of sedimentation, it affirmed the earlier study's finding that a stormwater outfall pipe serving the Paul VI High School campus in Haddon Township also is a significant factor. The pipe discharges directly into the headwaters of the main stem of the creek, which winds through a muddy ravine deep within nearby Saddler's Woods.

The county has had discussions with the Diocese of Camden, which owns the high school, about how to address the situation. I couldn't reach a diocesan spokesman for a comment, but Kricun says the talks have been positive.

The county also has begun reaching out to the organizations such as the Riverkeepers, the Watershed Association, and fishing groups; after all, anglers have a unique perspective on a body of water like Newton Lake.

"It's an excellent fishery," says lifelong angler Rashawn Lewis, of Winslow Township.

"My club, South Jersey Hook This, had our 2017 Bass Classic there this past September," adds Lewis, who's fished Newton Lake for 20 years.

Adam Mihara, a fisherman from Marlton who, like Lewis, has attended meetings about the dredging project, says he typically finds "large-mouthed bass, crappie, yellow perch, catfish, carp" and an abundance of other species in the Newton's waters.

The two anglers are passionate about Newton Lake, as is pretty much everyone else I talked to for this column.

Prince meets me for an interview with her boots on, ready to stand in the water if necessary; Osborne often kayaks through what she calls "the gorgeous environment" of the Newton.

Says Kricun: "It's a jewel of the county park system."

And it deserves to be treated accordingly.
If you spent any time online this past week, you probably saw the viral video of a 33-year-old woman named Nuris Bigelow, bundled in her down jacket against the unseasonable December cold and wiping the moisture from her eyes as she prepared to vote for the very first time, in the epic Alabama Senate race that on Tuesday saw victorious Democrat Doug Jones shock the GOP and the nation.

"My eyes just burning.  Ain't nobody crying," said Bigelow, with a look of happiness that undercut her words to the reporters interviewing her outside a polling place. Suddenly, she exalted: "My vote counts!"

Here's the backstory: Bigelow and thousands of Alabamians like her had until recently been denied their voting rights because of a past criminal conviction  many of these involving a lesser nonviolent offense. The state recently amended that law to restore the ability to vote to people like her  one small step for humanity against the crimson tide of voter repression that has otherwise spread across America  but then didn't spend any money to actually tell the affected voters about the change. That job fell on political activists like Kenneth Glasgow, a Dothan, Ala., minister who spent months scouring southeast Alabama and registering thousands of new voters.

New voters like Bigelow were a huge factor in what proved to be a narrow, 21,000-vote win for Jones in a state where Democrats hadn't won a Senate election since 1992 (and that senator, Richard Shelby, soon switched parties to the GOP). Voter turnout in Alabama's black community, where much of the registration work was concentrated, rose to where African Americans were 30 percent of the electorate  higher than their percentage of the population (26 percent) and a greater turnout than when Barack Obama was atop the ballot in 2008 and 2012. And so for all the drama over Republican Roy Moore's shameful past or Jones' position on abortion rights, the Alabama election may have hinged instead on something we supposedly settled a half-century ago.

Who gets to actually vote.

With the proverbial eyes of the nation on Alabama on Tuesday, the glass of sweet democracy was only half-full, meaning it was also half-empty. The reality is that the cascade of new voters didn't only propel Jones to victory, but they also were needed to overcome thousands of other would-be voters who were barred from the polls in a violation of their constitutional rights. The biggest factor pushing things in the other direction is a much-discussed voter ID measure that Alabama enacted in 2011 and that became law two years later after the John Roberts-led U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key section of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that might have allowed federal officials to nullify it. (Not coincidentally, the suit against the Voting Rights Act had been brought by Shelby County, Ala., an overwhelmingly white and Republican exurban enclave just south of Birmingham.)

Since Alabama's voter ID law has been enforced, studies have shown that voter turnout in racially diverse counties has dropped 5 percent and that there are 118,000 state residents with a valid voter registration who don't possess a valid photo ID  a disproportionate number of those black or Latino. That's the most high-profile barrier to voting in Alabama  much like similar laws in a growing number of other states  but it's not the only one.

Groups like the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law that monitored Tuesday's voting in Alabama reported scattered problems ranging from voters who requested absentee ballots and did not receive them, to long lines at some polling places that might discourage some voters, to a large number of voters certified as "inactive" who had to re-certify their credentials. One 29-year-old woman who was one of a host of "inactive" voters at her polling place in Alabaster noted that the form to vote required applicants to list the county where they were born  which could be a huge obstacle to someone born, say, in a different state a long time ago.

That doesn't even touch the issue of mass incarceration, which has radically altered the politics of many states but especially Alabama and 10 other states that make it the hardest to restore voting rights after a felony conviction. Experts noted Tuesday that black women in Alabama voted at a substantially higher rate than black men  some of that may been enthusiasm, but a lot of it was simply because so many more men have been imprisoned. As much as 2.5 percent of the potential American electorate is barred because of criminal convictions  a situation that doesn't exist in any of the world's other advanced democracies. Maybe America isn't as advanced as we'd like to think.

The current state of play when it comes to voting rights is not acceptable anywhere. It's especially galling to see these problems in Alabama  the state where marchers like Rep. John Lewis and his allies took police blows to the head, where activists like Jimmie Lee Jackson, James Reeb, and Viola Liuzzo sacrificed their lives, and where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ultimately achieved one of his greatest triumphs in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march, all to successfully pressure Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. It was a Hollywood ending  until it wasn't. And while some voting rights advocates are understandably eager to bask in the afterglow of Jones' inclusive victory, things could get worse nationwide before they get better.

In the hours after the stunning election outcome, conspiracy theorists on the far right insisted that the only way a Democrat could have won in a blood-red state like Alabama must have involved "voter fraud"  even as any evidence of that was lacking, to say the least. "I have no doubt Roy Moore won & voter fraud gave it to Jones," one partisan tweeted. Soon, the size and the outlandishness of the allegations grew.

"Just reporting the rumor." It's easy to laugh it off, but let's remember that the Alabama election highlighted something else  that in the midterm election next fall, under an increasingly unpopular President Trump, the Republican Party is going to need every weapon in its arsenal to hold on to as many seats as it can. Does anyone doubt that voter suppression  stricter enforcement of the voter ID laws that are on the books in so many GOP-leaning states, closing polling places in nonwhite neighborhoods or near college campuses, or shorter voting hours and other restrictions  will be a vital part of that 2018 playbook? Especially with Republican candidates having no achievements  except, perhaps, a massive tax cut for the wealthy and large corporations  to run on.

The challenge for progressive-minded candidates and voters going into 2018 is quite simply this: Do not treat voting rights as a footnote. For American democracy to survive, and ultimately thrive, the unfettered ability for citizens to walk into a voting booth and cast their ballot has got to be a front-burner issue. Democrats or any other progressive candidates next fall need to make it clear that their Day One priority will be not only to restore those sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were gutted by the Roberts Court (in response to the pleas of white Alabama Republicans), but to offer new protections that would thwart these measures like discriminatory voter ID laws hatched in the years since the Selma marches, and perhaps embrace radical new ideas like Saturday elections.

It's an insult to the brave souls who crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge 52 years ago that America has to keep fighting this fight. But they've left us no other choice.
Dan Aykroyd is coming to town this holiday season, and he wants to sign your bottle of his booze.

The Ghostbusters star is the man behind Crystal Head Vodka, which he'll promote with a stop Friday at the Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection Store at 180 W. Girard Ave. He'll sign bottles of his vodka from 4 to 6 p.m.

Bottles must be purchased at the event to be signed. According to a release, Aykroyd will also sign one personal item per person in addition to the bottle.

Aykroyd got involved with the distribution of Patron Spirits in Canada in 2005. The Coneheads star launched Crystal Head Vodka in 2008, selling it in its familiar skull-shaped bottle.

The vodka is manufactured in Newfoundland, Canada, from a type of corn known as "peaches and cream," according to a release. Another variety, Crystal Head Vodka Aurora, is made with English wheat, and will be available at the signing.

Aykroyd has something of a history with Philadelphia. He's a star of the Philly-set comedy classic Trading Places, and he donated money to the family of Robert Wilson III, a police officer killed in the line of duty in 2015. Aykroyd was signing bottles of Crystal Head Vodka at the Philadelphia Flower Show that year, which prompted him to announce the donation.
Rutgers University students Taylor Dodge, left, and her roommate, Rachael Young, are headed for opposite ends of Antarctica to study climate change. Read more

Three Rutgers University seniors jumped at the chance to travel to opposite ends of Antarctica this month to help researchers gather data on the effects of climate change.

But to land the coveted spots offered by the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, the trio first had to pass a grueling physical examination that included blood tests, shots, an EKG, and a trip to the dentist to fix any cavities and remove their wisdom teeth, if needed. At sea for weeks, with limited medical care available, they cannot afford to risk a health scare.

The three South Jersey natives, Taylor Dodge, Rachael Young, and Steven Weber, are heading to the Antarctic for a trip of a lifetime. Young, 21, of Ocean City, left Tuesday for Terra Nova Bay in the western Ross Sea, where she will spend three months at sea. The others depart Dec. 27 for the West Antarctic Peninsula.

"I'm so excited I can't even explain it," Young said Monday. "It's been one of my biggest goals."

Young and Dodge, roommates, and Weber met freshman year in an oceanography class at the New Brunswick campus. A documentary about work by their professor, Oscar Schofield, a renowned oceanographer who has studied rapid change in the Antarctic, inspired the students to apply for the research project.

Schofield, who is traveling this week to Palmer Station, an American research station on the West Antarctic Peninsula, said he has tried to show students "the fun of doing real research.

Schofield and his team are studying the impact of climate change on wildlife species along the peninsula, where temperatures have risen by 11 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the fastest-warming spot on the continent.

"I think it is critical for students to see early on that doing science, especially field science, is an adventure as well as being an extremely creative endeavor," Schofield wrote in an email.

Young said she views climate change as a significant threat facing the world and believes research such as Schofield's could help save the environment. "If we don't do climate change research now, we won't know how to make our future better."

It took several tries for the students to get selected for the Antarctica project. Dodge and Young will miss the last semester of their senior year and will graduate in the fall. Weber, 21, of Mount Laurel, was asked only a few weeks ago to join the team to fill a last-minute vacancy and had to scramble to complete his physical, which he easily passed. The others began undergoing their physicals last summer.

Because of the remote location and time that they will be away, the students must be in tip-top shape. Dodge, 22, of Pilesgrove in Salem County, needed a root canal operation and several trips to the dentist. Wisdom teeth are removed to avoid any chance of an infection while at sea.

They also must pack carefully enough crucial supplies and toiletries for up to three months. Each can bring two suitcases, up to 50 pounds each.

"There's not like a grocery store you can go to," Young said. "I want to make sure I have everything."

Young planned to pack her favorite chocolate bars, and for Dodge, Reese's peanut butter cups and Gummi candy for a graduate student already in the Antarctic who asked her to bring a sweet treat. Weber didn't have a "must have" item to take along.

"I'll pretty much eat whatever they put in front of me," Weber said Tuesday.

A volunteer firefighter and member of the Coast Guard, Weber said he believes he will have little difficulty withstanding the frigid temperatures. He has done cold weather camping in 14-degree conditions, he said. "I managed to survive that."

The biggest challenge for Dodge may be overcoming a tendency to seasickness. Despite that, she plans to join the Navy after graduation.

"I'm going to pack lots of Dramamine. I'm going to try everything I can," Dodge said with a laugh. She has visited three continents and hopes to eventually visit all seven.

Dodge and Weber are to spend six weeks on a ship traveling down the West Antarctic Peninsula, making stops along the way. They will be collecting krill, tiny crustaceans for the Long Term Ecological Research Project, which started in 1990. Weber then will return home and complete his last semester at Rutgers and possibly enter the Coast Guard Academy. Dodge will spend six weeks at Palmer Station with Schofield and his team.

"I'm excited to be in the field and see the research from start to finish," said Dodge, who wants to write conservation and sustainability policy after graduation.

Young, who will spend her time near the International Date Line, will gather data on krill, a species that serves as food for many fishes and birds. She will also help deploy a submersible robot glider to determine the abundance and location of krill in the water column.

The experience to explore her passion for research and science, says Young, is worth the sacrifice. She will miss Christmas with her family, celebrating her birthday in February, and graduating with her class.

"My goal is to learn as much as possible in the three months. It's one of those opportunities that comes once in your life," she said.
A Northeast Philadelphia third grader was forcibly removed from his classroom, detained in a bathroom, and berated by a school police officer over a routine classroom management issue, the boy's father said.

The boy, Isaac Gardner Jr., is a student at Solis-Cohen Elementary. On Oct. 20, after he wouldn't sit down in art class, the officer "dragged my son out of the classroom," took him into a nearby adult bathroom, and shut the door, said his father, Isaac Gardner Sr.

The officer "threw my son on the floor and against the wall," Gardner said. He also hurled insults at the boy, said Gardner, calling him "a sissy" and telling him "F- your father."

Gardner said he believes that was a reference to his own activity with Black Lives Matter. Gardner has been a vocal critic of city police, particularly around the death of David Jones, a North Philadelphia man shot to death by a Philadelphia officer.

Although they were not informed about the incident by the school initially, they say, the Gardner family eventually filed both a police report and a school district complaint against the school police officer, whom they identified as Joe O'Malley.

Royce Merriweather, head of the Philadelphia school police officers' union, said O'Malley had been cleared of any wrongdoing after investigations by the district and the city's Department of Human Services. "He's been through the wringer, and they said the charges were unfounded," said Merriweather.

But the school district is continuing its investigation, said spokesman H. Lee Whack Jr. "Any time we get a report like this we treat it very seriously because the safety of our students is always our top priority," he said. "The officer was immediately removed from the school when this was reported and will not be in a school until the investigation is complete."

Efforts to reach O'Malley were unsuccessful.

The case has attracted attention. On Tuesday, the Gardner family was joined by an attorney from the Education Law Center, and representatives from education activist groups, Black Lives Matter and the national civil-rights group the Advancement Project at a news conference to highlight the incident.

Gardner said he planned to sue the school system, but that his larger goal is to let the public know about the potential for harm inside city schools.

"At the end of the day, this can happen to anyone's child," said Gardner, who said he and his wife have been satisfied with their children's education and blame the officer, not the school, for the incident.
Earlier this year at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices, including one in Philadelphia, immigrant advocates filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for information on possible raids. Pictured is a rally in Philadelphia. Read more

Might federal immigration authorities barge into the Church of the Advocate to arrest the Hernandez family, who have taken sanctuary there to avoid deportation?

In theory, they could. In reality, they probably won't.

As a police arm of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, asserts the right to arrest undocumented immigrants wherever they may be found. But ICE guidelines generally steer agents away from action at places designated as "sensitive locations."

Those include schools, doctors' offices, colleges, hospitals and churches, along with weddings, funerals and protest marches.

What's known in immigration circles as one of the "Morton memos," issued in 2011 by then-ICE director John Morton, outlined how enforcement actions at sensitive places should generally be avoided. However, he wrote that actions could be taken if they involved national security, terrorism, or imminent risk of death, violence or physical harm to someone. ICE sets out similar conditions on its website today.

Unstated is that ICE arrests at a church or school risk a public-relations disaster. Imagine the video, in the Hernandez case, of armed officers dragging a mother and four children from a church.

All that offers the Hernandez family some security, as long as they stay inside.

"Congregations are calling for welcome, for sanctuary for the stranger, so for ICE to enter would be a real unveiling of what they're doing," said Peter Pedemonti, director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, an interfaith immigrant advocate that is assisting the family. "It's not about criminality. It's about dragging people down and getting rid of them."

Nationally, some immigrant advocates accuse ICE and its companion agency, Customs and Border Protection, of violating their own policies. This fall Democrats in Congress charged that agents were creating a climate of fear by arresting people near hospitals and churches, if not actually inside them.

In October, federal border patrol agents in Texas stopped an ambulance at a checkpoint, then followed it to a hospital. Agents waited while an undocumented 10-year-old girl underwent surgery, then took her away to a juvenile detention center. Authorities released Rosa Maria Hernandez, who has cerebral palsy, after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit.
Detail from Terri Saulins porcelain sculpture, All is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone (2016), at Tiger Strikes Asteroid. Read more

Terri Saulin's current show at Tiger Strikes Asteroid is easily the most polished presentation to date of her delicate porcelain sculptures. That's in large part due to her collaboration with sculptor Gregory Emore of the Geronimo Co., who designed the steel, brass, glass, and wood supports and pedestals that display her works in this exhibit, called "Terri Saulin: that which requires no battle."

The sculptures themselves have a more seamless quality, too, even considering their consciously ad hoc formations.

Saulin's sculptures look more solid against this installation's dark, substantial supports than they did when shown on white pedestals in TSA's former space, which had an abundance of natural light. In the gallery's new windowless space at the Crane Building, which is lighted from the ceiling and has a crepuscular atmosphere, Saulin's sculptures are encountered slowly and individually, like fragments of a dream.

They also look as though Saulin has imbued them with a life of their own. A wall plaque, In the midst of chaos there is also opportunity, and a vessel form, Empress Consort Jingu, are displayed together on a shelf and seem to be growing together. Dam, a squat vessel form with a celadon glaze dripping down its front, has an assortment of ladderlike appendages. A look of scaffolding  and of human-built things being held together precariously  is still very evident in Saulin's sculptures.

The seeming outlier in this show, Remembering Quintina Bianca Melaragni, is a Plexiglas platform suspended from the ceiling on which Saulin has arranged 20 meticulously traced copies of her late neighbor's careful school notes from the 1930s. They face downward, toward viewers.

Transcribed on translucent vellum and presented in layers of two or more, the notes are nearly impossible to read in their entirety  the visual equivalent of memories. It's a poetic tribute to a woman who inspired Saulin's art  and not just by her note-taking. "When I first moved into my old South Philadelphia house, everything that was falling down was buttressed with scrap wood, tied up with nude-colored nylon stockings, and slathered with concrete," Saulin recalls in her artist's statement. "My neighbors Quintana and Mario were alchemists who could build or fix anything with a piece of string."

Through Jan. 6 at Tiger Strikes Asteroid, 1400 N. American St., noon to 4 p.m. Fridays, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and by appointment. Information: 484-469-0319 or www.tigerstrikesasteroid.com.

Saluting a joyful, generous spirit

Vaughn Stubbs, an African American artist and Vietnam War vet, was 69 when he died of cancer in 2016 and was well known in Philadelphia art circles  both for his joyful art and for his generous spirit. In the war, he served as a field artist, being a conscientious objector. He also taught art to blind students at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for decades.

A 1972 graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Stubbs fashioned jewelry from found objects and made paintings, quilts, and bead-covered urns sprouting plastic toys. His art is now the subject of a survey at the Philadelphia Art Alliance organized by curator Julie Courtney, a longtime friend.

Stubbs was the opposite of a minimalist. If he could add one more toy or rope of beads to an urn, he apparently would. (He was a little more restrained with his renditions of Faberge eggs, which he called his "Fab Eggs.") One of his quilts, a "collage" of sewn-together academic hoods, is so sprawling it had to be displayed on an enormous table.

He was beyond prolific: Several glass-covered vitrines on both exhibition floors are filled with his brooches, pins, and bracelets. Messenger bags? He produced those, too  out of found fabric, with photographic images of celebrities sewn on.

I'll assume he was too restless to commit himself solely to painting, but some of the paintings here are impressive  especially his portrait of Paul Robeson, on loan from the collection of the Paul Robeson House & Museum, and his riffs on Van Gogh paintings.

Courtney has wisely interspersed photographic portraits of Stubbs in her show, emphasizing his indelible mark on the city's art community. The noteworthy local photographers who shot them include Thomas Brummett, Paul Cava, and Nancy Hellebrand Blood.

Through Jan. 7 at Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Suggested donation: $5 adults; $3 students and seniors. Information: 215-545-4302 or www.philartalliance.org.

Youre in luck: 11 extra days for three-artist show

In case you thought you missed Pentimenti Gallery's three-person show "Cross-Sectional Views," there's still time. Originally scheduled to close Dec. 10, it's been extended. And you shouldn't miss it.

Here are Michelle Benoit's cleverly constructed wall sculptures, composed of layers of reclaimed bulletproof plastic and wood. Thin washes of paint inside them create a colorful inner glow.

Here, too, are Vicki Sher's whimsical abstract oil pastel and pencil drawings on vellum and Erik Spehn's large paintings of undulating stripes, not quite in the manner of Bridget Riley, but close enough.

Through Dec. 21 at Pentimenti Gallery, 145 N. Second St., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 215-625-9990 or www. pentimenti.com.
In a little more than a month, Gov. Christie will leave office and New Jersey will join a handful of states where Democrats control the governor's mansion and the legislature.

But even as Gov.-elect Phil Murphy positions himself as a liberal star in a leaderless national party seeking to combat the Trump administration, intra-party feuds at home and a tight fiscal situation threaten his agenda.

Instead of waiting for Murphy to take office, Senate Democrats last week pushed through dozens of Christie-nominated appointees to judgeships, agencies like the Delaware River Port Authority, county tax boards, and prosecutors' offices.

While a certain amount of deal-making is par for the course in transition periods, and a number of appointees were Democrats, Murphy is said to be less than thrilled with the developments. The episode may test his relationship with Senate President Steve Sweeney (D., Gloucester), who controls which nominees get consideration, and George E. Norcross III, his political benefactor and childhood friend.

Murphy, a former banker and diplomat who has never held elective office, hasn't made things easy for himself. For example, Murphy named the president of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)  which spent millions of dollars to try to defeat Sweeney last month  to a top post on his transition team.

Democrats and Trenton observers are closely watching that dynamic, which could make or break Murphy's governorship, according to interviews with operatives, lobbyists, and lawmakers.

"It's like when a new lion comes across another lion's pack," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "The two alpha males are kind of circling each other to size each other up."

Meantime, a new report on the state's pension and health care debt served as a reminder that Murphy's lofty goals (raising the hourly minimum wage to $15; more money for pensions, public transit, and schools; free community college) face significant headwinds.

Despite incremental reforms implemented by Christie, the cost of pensions and health benefits for public workers is projected to account for 26 percent of the state budget by 2023, according to a Dec. 6 report by a Christie-appointed panel. The state is "at risk of losing the budget flexibility necessary to respond to emerging challenges and crises," the report warned.

Murphy has said he won't seek concessions from public workers, arguing that the state needs to meet its obligations first. The current year's budget is about $35 billion.

The governor-elect says he's still committed to fully funding pensions and schools. But lawmakers of his own party, who've often failed to get their way under Christie, are signaling they won't be rubber stamps.

"What you see is a Legislature trying to assert itself, especially because there's a new guy coming in who doesn't have the background and experience in trying to deal with" lawmakers, said Jeff Tittel, head of the New Jersey Sierra Club and a longtime Trenton observer.

That partly explains why the Senate confirmed dozens of appointees in a single day last week.

Among the appointees for judgeships were Anne Marie Bramnick, a daughter-in-law of Christie's top Republican ally in the Assembly, and Michael Joyce, former chief public safety officer at the Delaware River Port Authority who was once disciplined for giving his daughter another employee's E-Z Pass.

Perhaps most striking about the appointments: Many could have been made by a Democratic governor. That the Senate instead chose to deal with Christie "tells you who's in on the joke here, and who's not," as one insider put it.

Lawmakers said some judicial nominees were needed to address backlogs in the courts. Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D., Union) said his colleagues also couldn't be certain that Murphy would approve their preferred nominees.

"I gave Phil a list of nominations I intended to move forward," Sweeney said in an interview. "These were appointments my members wanted for quite some time."

"To be clear, he wasn't crazy about it," Sweeney said.

Publicly, Murphy suggested this was much ado about nothing.

"Have you seen the movie Casablanca? 'My Lord, there's gambling going on in the back,'" Murphy joked to reporters in Trenton on Tuesday, when asked about the appointments. "This is New Jersey. We come into this with our eyes open."

But privately, Murphy's transition team is "furious" over the appointments, according to a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it publicly. Of particular concern to Murphy's camp, this person said, was that twice in recent months the Senate filled a host of vacancies for paid board positions and other posts that qualify for pension benefits.

That means Murphy will enter office with less negotiating power, because he'll have less to offer lawmakers in return for support of his agenda.

"If I were governor-elect I would want to hold up on some of those so I can participate," said Sen. Joe Vitale (D., Middlesex). "The governor-elect has to live with these appointments for the next four to eight years."

For his part, Sweeney wants the NJEA to change its leadership, according to two people familiar with the matter. One said Sweeney's camp was vexed by Murphy's apparent refusal to insist on such a change, especially after the Senate president won reelection in a landslide.

The lame-duck session is a preview of what Murphy can expect once he's sworn in Jan. 16.

Murphy's liberal agenda is in some ways more in sync with the progressive left nationally than some more conservative Democrats in the state Legislature.

In South Jersey, for example, Norcross built a Democratic machine in part by appealing to suburban voters with a message of fiscal restraint. "I'm a centrist; I don't make any bones about it," Sweeney said in a November interview.

That means Murphy's campaign pledges to legalize marijuana and raise taxes on the rich may face uphill climbs. Sweeney, after initially endorsing a new marginal tax rate on income above $1 million, hit pause as Republicans in Congress moved forward with their tax overhaul.

Crucial to Murphy's agenda is whether top executive branch officials mesh with personalities of legislative leaders like Sweeney and incoming Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D., Middlesex).

Murphy, a Harvard grad who cites Bobby Kennedy as a hero, comes from high finance; after leaving Goldman Sachs, he was finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee before serving as President Barack Obama's ambassador to Germany.

Sweeney, an ironworker who didn't go to college, takes pride in being a political brawler. You could say blue-collar guys like Sweeney built the kind of skyscrapers where people like Murphy had a corner office.

Some Democrats are optimistic that the party leaders will resolve their differences out of self-interest, if nothing else.

"Sweeney doesn't need a learning process. He already knows where the bathrooms are," said Lou Stellato, chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Committee. "He's been there for decades. Murphy's gotta get his toe in the water. It's no different than a marriage."
Margaret Theresa Merlini was no stranger to large families, as the youngest daughter among six siblings growing up in the Lawndale section of Philadelphia. The love she had for family only grew stronger as she had 15 children of her own, as well as 55 grandchildren, and 49 great-grandchildren.

She wasn't just part of the baby boom, she was a baby boom, with births spanning more than two decades.

Mrs. Merlini, 92, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health after she was admitted a week earlier in failing health.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Merlini, known as "Marge," was an avid reader, with a penchant for cherry red lipstick and an eye for fashion. She enjoyed celebrating significant events with cards or attending parties, and in later years travelling with her family.

"Mom loved a good time, especially dancing at birthdays and weddings," said son Louis.

Mrs. Merlini, a graduate of St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls, and her husband, Louis, met at a dance while he was attending Villanova University. They courted and exchanged letters after Louis joined the Navy. They married in August 1945, as World War II ended. They raised their family in Jenkintown before moving to the Meadowbrook section of Abington as their youngest son grew older.

When her children were younger, Mrs. Merlini would put eight to 10 of them in the car and drive them to the pool at the JC Melrose Country Club in Cheltenham. Later, they went to the seashore, their son said, with a large spread on the beach and friends joining in the fun.

In 2003, Louis Merlini died of cancer.

"Dad was a patriarch, and she was the guiding light," their son said, describing how his mother kept the family together in the last decade, the younger generation competing to sit beside her at family events, or have time alone. "She was a true matriarch."

Mrs. Merlini had a strong faith and supported anti-abortion efforts, including walking in "pro-life" picket lines on weekends, her son said. She was kind, soft-spoken, and humble, he said. And although she could be stern, Mrs. Merlini did not raise her voice. Instead, her son said, she resolved family squabbles with her calm demeanor.

In addition to her son and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mrs. Merlini is survived by sons, Kevin, Mark, Meredith, John, Christopher, Cornelius, and Peter; daughters Sheila McDevitt, Maris Moriarty, Patricia Sholly, Gerriann Greene, Christine Hungerford, Nora Head, and Margaret.

There will be a viewing Sunday, Dec. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 602 West Ave., Jenkintown. A Funeral Mass will be said at the church at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Donations may be made to Our Lady's House, Box 201, Jenkintown, Pa. 19046.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro opposes the Federal Communications Commission vote on Thursday to discard net neutrality protections. He joins other state attorneys general who are critics. YONG KIM / Staff Photographer Read more

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and 17 other Democratic state attorneys general said Wednesday that the Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission should delay a vote on discarding net neutrality protections until millions of apparently fake public comments and stolen email identities are investigated.

There have been reports of FCC comments filed with the emails belonging to dead people and minors. The state officials called it "akin to identity theft on a massive scale."

An estimated two million comments submitted to the FCC this year in the net neutrality record could have misused the identities of Americans, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. Based on his investigation, Schneiderman said that 50,000 to 100,000 Pennsylvania comments to the FCC may have used stolen identities. The number for New Jersey was 10,000 to 50,000. Schneiderman said that the FCC is not cooperating with the investigation into the bogus comments.

"I'm very concerned that a pattern of fake comments using the names of real people is being used to undermine net neutrality and the legitimacy of the FCC's process," Shapiro said in a statement Wednesday. "Given all the tainted comments, I'm asking the Federal Communications Commission to delay the vote."

Shapiro on Wednesday released a tool to search the FCC for bogus comments. (This reporter found bogus comments filed in his name, and the names of his wife and three sons.)

Shapiro wants Pennsylvania residents to log on to the website and search the FCC docket to determine whether a comment has been filed in their name without their knowledge. If such a comment is found, it can be reported to Shapiro using an electronic complaints form.

In addition to Shapiro and Schneiderman, the attorneys general calling for a vote delay at the FCC are from California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. They put their request for a vote delay in a letter to the FCC.

The FCC did not respond immediately for comment. The agency is expected to pass the new rules in a partisan vote Thursday in Washington. If the vote goes as expected, the commissioners will broadly deregulate the internet as an information service instead of a utility. They also will discard rules banning throttling internet traffic and blocking websites.

Ajit Pai, who was appointed to the FCC by President Barack Obama and promoted to head the agency by President Trump, says the reclassification will lead to more investment and innovation on the internet. Pai has said fears of what will happen with the internet have been overblown by critics. Comcast, Verizon, and other big telecom companies have lobbied for the changes.

Based on the FCC docket, more than 23 million Americans supposedly submitted comments in the complex rules, which experts say is an unrealistically high number. The FCC has acknowledged irregularities with the public comment but says they did not influence the agency's decision.
Some consumers are getting stuck as they enroll, but there are workarounds. Read more

Some Americans who froze their credit reports following the big data breach this year at the credit-rating firm Equifax may be in for a surprise if they try to purchase insurance on the federal health law's marketplaces. That freeze could trigger a delay in the application process.

Signing up for a marketplace plan online requires consumers  especially first-time enrollees  to prove their identity by answering questions linked to their credit history. It can affect both those who are seeking a subsidy and those who are not.

But here's the rub: Consumers who have blocked access to their credit reports often "cannot get past the ID-proofing part," said Matthew Byrne, founder of the Spiralight Group, a brokerage in Dublin, Ohio.

That presents problems as the clock is ticking on open-enrollment season for the Affordable Care Act's health coverage, which ends Friday in most states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

"Your identity wasn't verified," warns the healthcare.gov page. It suggests that the applicant call "the help desk," which is run by another credit reporting firm  Experian  that works with the marketplace, or call the healthcare.gov call center, according to a screenshot sent to KHN by a broker.

Obamacare signups surge across nation as Friday deadline looms; here's how to get help in Philly area

That call to Experian sometimes solves the problem, if the applicant can successfully answer questions generated by the firm. Those can include queries about previous addresses, vehicles owned or current mortgage lenders, according to a 2016 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

But not always. Geoff Dellapenna said shortly after he and his broker entered some of his information onto the online application, the screen showed the warning that his identity could not be verified. They would need to make another call first.

"I just put a stop to it," said Dellapenna, 46, of Canton, Ga. "I was so frustrated with how cumbersome the whole process was being that I just could not do it."

He's now working with the broker to see if he can get small-group insurance for his company  avoiding the healthcare.gov site altogether.

There are workarounds for consumers: Applicants may have to upload or mail in documents. Some brokers advise their clients to "unfreeze" their credit reports before enrolling in the ACA by calling the three major credit rating agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The freeze can be restored once enrolled.

But those options can't be done at the last minute.

"None of this is simple," said Kelly Fristoe, a broker in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Fristoe said the subject of credit freezes and the ID verification has come up frequently on broker forums this year. Otherwise, he added, the enrollment process has been smooth.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said consumers using healthcare.gov, which serves 39 states, don't need to unfreeze their credit in order to apply, "nor do we recommend that step for identity proofing." Uploading or mailing the information will generally work, she said.

Most of the states that run their own marketplaces for ACA enrollment also use the Experian system for identity proofing, although at least two  New York and California  have modified the process to help avoid some of the delays, according to the policy report.

New York, for example, uses state motor vehicle records and other data in addition to Experian  and has a special call center that certified assisters can use to help applicants who can't pass the online verification. California also uses assisters, who are registered with the state, to check documents and upload them for applicants, the report says.

Many people heeded warnings in the early fall to monitor their credit or place a "credit freeze" on their accounts with the three major reporting firms after Equifax revealed that hackers had stolen information on 143 million Americans, including Social Security numbers.

A freeze restricts access to a consumer's credit report, which can make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts using stolen information. Consumers must call or go online with each of the three credit-reporting agencies to create a freeze  and keep the PIN numbers needed to reopen the accounts.

Still, a credit freeze isn't the only reason why applicants might face an ID delay, said Spiralight's Byrne.

Sometimes applicants enter a number incorrectly  say, one digit in a Social Security number. They may have a fraud alert on their credit accounts because of a previous identity theft. Or the person is young and has little or no credit history.

But in all cases, they may get a notice saying more information is required and the application process comes to a standstill. But, so long as the process was started before the end of open enrollment, consumers should be able to finish their applications.

Once they get cleared after providing documents, applicants are eligible for a special enrollment period, said Shelby Gonzales, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. In that case, her advice is to telephone the "healthcare.gov call center and let them know you've been cleared for identity proofing, and they should be able to help you activate the special enrollment," she said.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
A former Rutgers University computer-science student has pleaded guilty to launching cyberattacks that laid siege to Rutgers' computer network and remotely enslaved millions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices throughout the United States.

The malware implanted on the IoT devices was later used to cause one of worst outages in the history of the internet when it was unleashed Oct. 21, 2016.

Paras Jha, 21, of Fanwood, N.J., admitted he and two coconspirators created the Mirai software that was designed to hijack poorly secured routers, security cameras, and baby monitors. Under Jha's control, the malware on the devices launched distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on internet service providers and websites. If the targets didn't pay a two-Bitcoin ransom, Jha reportedly would knock them offline, federal prosecutors said.

Jha also ran a company, ProTraf Solutions, that could be hired to prevent similar attacks.

The Mirai malware, named after an obscure anime film character, was initially designed to create an advantage in the online game Minecraft, federal prosecutors said. But Jha and his coconspirators soon recognized the botnet's power, weaponized it, and used it to disrupt Jha's rivals and anyone else he held a grudge against, federal prosecutors said.

Jha allegedly monetized the botnet by "renting it out" so it could be used like an army of zombie computers that could be used for any nefarious purpose.

Cybercrime experts praised the government's win.

"This was a groundbreaking case," said Ed McAndrew, a former assistant U.S. attorney who is now co-leader of the cybersecurity group at Ballard Spahr in Philadelphia. "It's the first conviction relating to the creation, coding and dissemination of an IoT botnet."

When federal investigators began to close in on Jha, he released the Mirai source code "into the wild for anyone to use" to cover his tracks, McAndrew said. "Doing that was the equivalent of releasing nukes into general society."

When the Mirai malware struck in October 2016, it crippled internet service throughout the East Coast and a large swath of Western Europe. Experts feared it had been deployed by a state-sponsored organization to cripple communications before the U.S. presidential election.

One of the first targets of the Mirai botnet was KrebsOnSecurity.com, a website owned by former Washington Post reporter Brian Krebs.

"He was like a fireman starting the fire so he could get paid for putting it out," said Krebs, an expert on cybersecurity issues with deep contacts on the darkweb. Krebs was the first to smoke out Jha's identity after a four-month investigation published on his site in January. "When you attack journalists, they tend to write about it."

Krebs interviewed Jha for his story. Jha denied he was an architect behind Mirai. Jha told Krebs: "Whoever is responsible for this is a sociopath."

During Mirai's reign of terror, Rutgers' computer network was paralyzed for days at a time. "They got really hammered," Krebs said. The Mirai malware is still circulating online, "and there's some evidence that it's worse than ever," he said.

Jha  along with Josiah White, 20 of Washington, Pa., and Dalton Norman, 21, of Metairie, La.  pleaded guilty Dec. 8 in Anchorage, Alaska, to conspiracy counts for creating the botnet. Jha pleaded to additional charges in New Jersey for damaging computers during the attacks on Rutgers. Federal prosecutors released information about the pleas Wednesday, and Jha is scheduled to be sentenced March 13.

"I suspect he'll get in excess of five years in prison on the Jersey charges," McAndrew said. "It boggles the mind, because he's obviously a very gifted computer scientist who had a bright future. And he's just thrown it all away."
A man who jumped to his death Monday from a Center City parking garage was identified Wednesday as a Harvard-educated professor in the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Ricardo Teles, 50, had just become chairman of the school's Department of Periodontics on Aug. 15.

Ron Ozio, director of media relations for the university, confirmed Wednesday that Teles was the man who took his own life Monday.

Police on Monday said a man jumped about 9:50 a.m. from a parking garage onto the 1400 block of Race Street, and several people said they witnessed it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

James Garrow, a spokesman for the city's Medical Examiner's Office, said Tuesday that Teles' death was ruled a suicide.

Before joining Penn Dental, Teles, a native of Brazil, taught at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry starting in August 2014 and became vice chairman of its Department of Periodontology in 2015, according to an Aug. 15 news release by Penn Dental announcing his appointment.

He was board certified in periodontology, the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth, and in dental-implant surgery.

From 2003 to June 2014, he worked as a clinical instructor in periodontics at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, from which he received a doctorate in oral biology and a certificate in periodontology, the Harvard school said.

During that period, he was also a faculty member at the Cambridge, Mass.-based Forsyth Institute, an independent research group specializing in oral health, and he remained affiliated as a senior research investigator. The institute said in a statement Wednesday that it "extends its deepest sympathy to his family and the many close colleagues that he leaves behind."

Teles' wife, Flavia, is an associate professor in Penn Dental's Department of Microbiology, having also joined the school in August.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
An artists rendering of the proposed PHA headquarters building at Ridge Avenue and Jefferson Street. The new headquarters is part of the $675 million redevelopment plan for the area. Read more

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has allocated an additional $3.4 million to compensate property owners whose homes, businesses, and vacant lots were seized two years ago as part of a plan to redevelop the battered Sharswood neighborhood in North Philadelphia.

The money, deposited Friday, brings to $7.2 million the amount set aside to pay for the nearly 650 properties. Now it's up to the property owners, or their estates, to claim the money  and city officials believe many may never attempt to do so.

Of the 800 privately owned condemned properties in the affected neighborhood, only 10 percent have received a payment from the authority, the Inquirer and Daily News reported last week. Dozens of others are in the middle of a lengthy appeals process.

Many of the rest have outstanding tax bills and owe other municipal fees that together might be more than their houses are worth. "About 80 percent of property owners that were on the condemnation list owe the city approximately $9 million," said Nichole Tillman, spokeswoman for the authority.

Take, for example, 2323 Harlan St. The authority deposited $1,800 as just compensation for the 480-square-foot vacant lot  for comparison, the city assessed it at $2,300. But city tax records show that the previous property owner owes the city $5,905 in delinquent taxes and fees.

That delinquency would have to be paid before the former owner could get the compensation.

In all, housing officials condemned 1,300 properties to make way for a massive redevelopment of the Sharswood neighborhood and Blumberg housing project. The $675 million plan was pitched as a way to preserve and increase affordable housing in a neighborhood that had severe blight yet was starting to see increased gentrification. The authority is also building its new $45 million headquarters in the neighborhood. In addition to the privately owned properties, 500 were publicly owned.

In many cases, the owners are long gone and what used to be someone's home is now a plot of grass, accumulating liens.

Before PHA took ownership of 1324 N. 22nd St., the property had been owned by the same family since 1925. William Lipshutz purchased the property, then died in 1940 and his heirs sold the house in 1966 to the most recent owners, Louis and Zelma Lipshutz, city records show.

All three people had a second listed address of 315 N. Second St., where the redevelopment authority sent its condemnation notice. That address, however, does not exist in the city's current property records  what perhaps might have been a home a long time ago is now green space off the Vine Street Expressway.

As for the property that was condemned, next-door neighbors Keenan and Bonnie Fischer said that when they purchased and moved into their three-story rowhouse in 2005, the Lipshutz property was already a grassy lot.

The authority, through independent appraisers, determined that the lot is worth $7,400 and deposited that amount into court Friday.

But collecting that money might be a challenge: According to a city spokesman, no property taxes have been paid for the lot since 1978. The outstanding balance: $8,829  or about $1,400 more than the city has agreed to pay for it.

A previous version of this story incorrectly said that 1324 N. 22nd St. had been owned by William Lipshutz since 1925.
A 42-year-old Delaware County man was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated assault while DUI and related offenses after he allegedly drove into and critically injured a 20-year-old St. Joseph's University student who was walking across City Avenue.

Malchijah Giddings, of Lansdowne, was driving a 2016 black Mitsubishi Outlander north on City Avenue, near Lapsley Lane, when he struck the student about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The young woman, whose name was not released, was taken by medics to Lankenau Medical Center, where she was in critical condition Thursday, police said.

Giddings stayed at the scene, but was arrested after an investigation. He remained in custody late Thursday afternoon. Bail was set at $50,000. He faces a Dec. 28 preliminary hearing.

Carolyn Steigleman, a St. Joseph's spokeswoman, said Thursday that the student, a junior, was walking from the Philadelphia side of the campus toward the Lower Merion side when she was hit. The university sent an email alerting the campus community to the incident, she said.
Two people were found fatally shot Tuesday night, raising to 300 the number of people reported slain in the city this year, authorities said.

The homicide figure will surpass that in each of the last four years, when fewer than 300 were killed.

About 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers found a 21-year-old man shot in the back of the head, lying facedown at American and Westmoreland Streets in North Philadelphia. He was pronounced dead there at 11:59 p.m.

The victim's mother, Atiya Wilson, identified him as Talik Monsanto. In a phone interview Wednesday, she said she heard from a friend of her son's that the friend was in a fight and that her son tried to help him when another group started shooting.

"There were multiple people beating" on her son's friend, she said. After her son tried to help his friend, "Talik unfortunately was shot in the back of the head and killed," she said. She said she did not know the reason for the fight.

"He was a good, loving child," she said. "He loved his friends. He was outgoing, a people person, affectionate."

Wilson said that her son lived with her and that they had just moved Tuesday from their home on the 5000 block of Fairhill Street in Olney to another home in West Oak Lane. He had three sisters and one brother, she said.

Homicide Capt. John Ryan said he could not immediately confirm the mother's account of Monsanto's death. He said the victim was the only person there when police arrived. No arrest was reported.

Meanwhile, police said, another man in his 20s, who was shot in his back and chest, was dropped off at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday at Temple University Hospital by a private vehicle, whose driver immediately left. Ryan said that victim was in critical condition and in surgery Wednesday. He said police did not immediately know whether the two shootings were related.

In yet another shooting, police about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday found a 32-year-old man fatally shot, lying inside an enclosed porch of his home on the 5500 block of Greenway Avenue in Kingsessing, Ryan said. The man, identified as Lavaun Steward, had been shot in his left upper back and lower left abdomen. Police had no suspect in the shooting.

Homicides in Philadelphia are up 15 percent this year compared to the same time last year, according to police statistics. The year-end number of homicides in the city exceeded 300 in each of the six years from 2007  with a high of 391  through 2012, when 331 were slain.

Last year, 277 people were killed; in 2015, 280 were slain; in 2014, 248; and in 2013, the city had 246 homicides.
City Councilwoman Cindy Bass (left) stands during Councils Dec. 14, 2017, session. Councilman David Oh is seen sitting (right). Adam Xu, chairman of the Asian American Licensed Beverage Association is seated in the gallery (center, wearing black top). Photo taken before the hearing and vote on Bass controversial bill that could eventually order the removal of bullet-resistant windows inside businesses like beer delis. Read more

Despite strong opposition from Asian American beer deli owners and their supporters, Philadelphia City Council voted, 14-3, Thursday to approve a bill that most members said would enhance neighborhoods, but that the merchants fear could jeopardize their safety and livelihood.

Mayor Kenney's office said he would sign the bill.

City Councilwoman Cindy Bass introduced the bill Nov. 2 as part of an effort to rid the city of what she has called illegal stop-and-go outlets. Although much of the bill involves categorizing food establishments by size for city licensing purposes, one paragraph generated huge protests and polarized communities, exposing fissures involving race, class, and perceptions of immigrants.

That paragraph called for banning bullet-resistant windows in large food establishments. Beer deli owners were affected because state law requires them to have at least 30 seats. Many of the owners, who are largely Asian American, decried the bill, saying removing the safety windows would expose them to being robbed, injured, or killed. But Bass called such windows, which separate food servers from customers, "an indignity."

On Dec. 4, Council's Committee on Public Health and Human Services amended the bill, removing the mandatory window ban on large establishments, and instead instructing the Department of Licenses and Inspections to issue by Jan. 1, 2021, regulations for "the use or removal of any physical barrier" in places that serve food and alcohol. The amended bill was unanimously approved that day by the committee.

But beer deli owners and their supporters still saw the amended bill as risking their lives.

Just before the full Council vote Thursday, Bass said the bill was a culmination of 25 years of work to eliminate stop-and-go outlets that sell drug paraphernalia, fruit-flavored cigarillos, and candy for children next to alcohol for adults. "Sometimes they sell food. Mostly they don't," she said. "They aren't delis.  They're the modern-day pusher."

"We're going to say goodbye to the breakfast-booze spots," she said, to some applause.

Hundreds of beer deli owners and their supporters showed up Thursday to protest the bill. During a public-comment period before the vote, Council President Darrell L. Clarke said he was allowing 10 people on each side to speak against, then for, the bill.

When Adam Xu, chairman of the Asian American Licensed Beverage Association, who has been a vocal opponent of the bill, approached a microphone to speak, he was told he could not do so because 10 people already had spoken against the bill.

Mouy Chheng, the first to speak against, said her 19-year-old son was fatally shot by two armed robbers at the family's South Philly convenience store in 2003 when it did not have a bullet-resistant window.

Peter Ly, a West Philly beer deli owner who made news after he was shot three times in December 2011 when he went to deposit money at a Cheltenham bank, told Council of another incident a decade ago when he was shot six times during a gunpoint robbery at a beer deli he then owned on Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia with no bullet-resistant window. He has a partition in his current business.

"If you take down my bulletproof glass," he said, "I will not be lucky next time."

City Councilman David Oh, a Korean American who has opposed the bill specifically because business owners could be ordered to remove their safety-glass windows, said he feared removing them could increase crime and cause more proprietors to buy guns. "I will not expose [beer deli owners] or anyone else to the risk that they could be killed," he said.

Oh and Council members Allan Domb and Mark Squilla voted against the bill.

Although many of the bill's opponents were Asian American and many supporters African American, not every speaker's position was predictable by race.

The Rev. Robert Shine, an African American who is pastor of Berachah Baptist Church on Limekiln Pike in East Germantown, asked Council to reconsider the section of the bill dealing with protective windows. Removing the windows "would certainly expose proprietors to greater hazards or dangers," he said.

And Councilwoman Helen Gym, a Korean American, voted for the bill, eliciting boos from beer deli owners and applause from African American residents.

The bill seeks to address "irresponsible businesses" that promote addictions, she said. "At its heart," she said, the amended bill seeks "to reject predatory practices that have hurt black and brown communities. This bill only targets the small fraction of businesses" that are not operating legally, she said.

Also speaking in support of the bill was Asa Khalif, a leader of Black Lives Matter Pennsylvania. "Stop-and-gos have always been a thorn in the side of black and brown communities.  Finally, black and brown people say enough is enough," he said.

Rochelle Bilal, a retired Philadelphia police officer and president of the Guardian Civic League, an organization of black Philadelphia police officers, said a lot of beer delis "are a scourge" on neighborhoods. She said the bill was not about the partition windows, but "about human decency."

Xu, the head of the beer deli group, which now represents 245 businesses, held a news conference across from City Hall before the hearing, standing with Chheng, the mother whose 19-year-old son, Luckily Ky, was killed in 2003. Xu said in a message to Council members: "You want to kill more people?"

Three African American men also spoke at the news conference, including Linwood Holland, chairman of the Philadelphia Black Republican Ward Leaders Caucus. "Bodies are not bulletproof, so we need this glass to protect everybody," Holland said.

Mayoral spokeswoman Lauren Hitt, in a statement Tuesday, said the mayor planned to sign the bill if Council were to pass it Thursday. "To be clear," she wrote, "the bill does not require the removal of plexiglass  it gives L&I three years to convene a diverse group of stakeholders to decide how the plexiglass issue is to be handled  that could mean L&I ultimately decides to leave the plexiglass as is, to remove it completely, or something in between."

Asked if beer deli owners would be part of the group of stakeholders, she replied: "Of course."
Accompaniment Coordinator Jazmin Delgado and Director Peter Pedemonti, of New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, discuss the increased work and strain of the past year. Read more

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, a frontline defender of immigrants, but no one has scheduled a celebration.

It's been way too hectic.

Last week, NSM, as it's known, made headlines when it helped an undocumented mother and her four children take sanctuary inside the Church of the Advocate in a bid to avoid deportation to Mexico.

But the fact is that since the day President Trump was inaugurated in January, the interfaith group has been on a dead run: mounting protests, engaging new partners, and providing trustworthy legal assistance to newcomers regardless of their immigration status.

"It's been intense. Not just the amount of work, but the emotions," said Peter Pedemonti, NSM's cofounder and director.

The hard part? Having to fight on several fronts at once. The organization has lost people  two were taken away during the federal "Operation Safe City" raids on undocumented immigrants in September.

A good part? The growth in support and commitment. This year, nine new churches signed on as member congregations, raising the total to 28.

The biggest challenge has been to push forward, to make positive progress and not merely react to the cascade of immigration actions flowing from the Trump administration:

Banning visitors and immigrants from six mostly Muslim countries, ending the DACA program that protected undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children, reducing the number of refugees allowed into the country, eliminating Temporary Protected Status for nearly 50,000 migrants from Nicaragua and Haiti who now must return to troubled homelands.

Of course, to people who support tougher immigration laws and enforcement, the people who run agencies like NSM are the bad guys, the ones who shield "illegal aliens" who should be arrested and deported.

"Providing any kind of care to illegal immigrants  outside of emergency medical care, which should be available to everyone  is a clear violation of federal law," said Dave Ray, director of communications for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a Washington nonprofit that seeks to reduce immigration. "Hiding yourself behind organized religion, as recently happened in Philadelphia, does not exempt anyone from laws that apply to everyone else."

Six NSM staffers work out of a warren of offices in Kensington, just off the Huntington stop on the El. About 80 percent of the agency's $230,000 budget comes from individual donors, the rest from bigger backers like the Samuel S. Fels Fund and the Philadelphia Foundation.

NSM serves mostly Latino and Indonesian communities. In the last year its caseload has doubled to about 100 people. Some need legal help. Some need prayerful support. Others want to connect to a larger community that is experiencing the same hopes and fears.

Pedemonti founded the group with eight or nine other advocates, including priests and rabbis, to oppose raids and deportations that were happening even a decade ago. A first-generation citizen, the son of English and Italian immigrants, he's been active in social-justice movements since 2001 and previously worked with the House of Grace Catholic Worker, which operates a free medical clinic and offers hospitality to immigrants and refugees.

Today, at NSM, faith remains a cornerstone. And the overall goal is still big and formidable: to end injustice against immigrants, express radical welcome for all people, and uphold values of dignity and justice in practice and in policy.

"Their power is in the love and support that they can and do give," said Cathryn Miller-Wilson, executive director of HIAS Pennsylvania, which provides legal services to immigrants. "In these incredibly terrible times, I am a little jealous of their ability, as non-lawyers, to really be out there."

In October, days after the federal raid took 107 undocumented Philadelphia residents into custody, New Sanctuary leaders led 40 demonstrators onto the sidewalk outside the Center City offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE.

No one cursed or jeered the half-dozen federal and local officers who watched from across the street. Instead, the protesters built a sukkah on the sidewalk, a small hut to mark the Jewish festival of Sukkot, which celebrates hospitality and sanctuary.

That vision of community is central to NSM. A key program is "accompaniment," that is, making sure that an immigrant who must go to court does not go alone.

"With the new administration, there's been a nervousness about showing up even to traffic court," said Jazmin Delgado, NSM's accompaniment coordinator.

The number of volunteers offering to provide accompaniment  that is, moral support, a friendly face, a prayer  has grown to 200.

That job has become fraught in this country as federal agents show up outside courtrooms and arrest people on immigration charges. Last month, dozens of defense lawyers staged a protest outside a Brooklyn courthouse after an undocumented man was arrested in a hallway.

Pedemonti compares the tumult of the last year to the turbulent, rising waters that swept up Noah's Ark. But what's important, he said, is the flood wasn't the whole story. The story at heart is one of new beginnings.

"Change takes a while," Pedemonti said. "Movements take a while.  You need to keep that end goal in sight, that there is a time when we'll look back at this and say: 'I can't believe this used to happen. That we used to deport people. That we used to lock up mothers and fathers.' "
Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub speaks after Cosmo Dinardo was arraigned on charges of murder for the killing of four young men in July. His cousin, Sean Kratz, is charged as a co-conspirator in three of the murders. DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer Read more

The cousins accused of killing four young men and burying their remains on an empty Bucks County farm in July both pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other offenses.

Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz, dressed in prison jumpsuits, appeared Thursday for arraignments in a Bucks County courtroom packed with family members of the four murder victims. The hearing came one day after prosecutors reserved their right to pursue the death penalty against both men.

Both the hearing and their not-guilty pleas were routine procedures in criminal cases, but prosecutors have said that DiNardo has agreed to plead guilty at a later date as part of a deal made at the time of his arrest. District Attorney Matt Weintraub said Thursday that he had no indication that DiNardo would back out of that agreement, which would spare him from the death penalty.

Prosecutors said they are still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty against Kratz.

"The commonwealth can seek the death penalty, you understand that, sir?" Judge Jeffrey L. Finley asked Kratz.

"Yes, sir," Kratz replied quietly.

Finley asked the same of DiNardo, who was dressed in a faded green jumpsuit. DiNardo turned to look at his parents and siblings seated at the front of the courtroom more than once during his brief hearing, and smiled at them on his way out.

DiNardo, 20, of Bensalem, is charged with killing the men after luring them to his parents' farm in Solebury Township for drug deals. Kratz, 20, of Philadelphia, is charged as a co-conspirator in three of the murders. The July killings drew national attention to a quiet town and set off the largest investigation in recent history in Bucks County, as authorities spent days searching for the victims and recovering their remains.

Family members of the victims  Jimi Patrick, 19, of Newtown, Dean Finocchiaro, 18, of Middletown, Thomas C. Meo, 21, of Plumstead, and Mark R. Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg  attended the hearing and filled rows of the courtroom. Several of them wept as Finely described the charges against DiNardo and Kratz and named the four victims.

Tom Kline, who represents the Finocchiaro family, said after the hearing that his clients are "fully supportive of the death penalty  make no mistake about it."

Andrew Duffy, who represents Meo's estate, said his clients are also in favor of prosecutors pursuing the death penalty. Robert Ross, a lawyer for the Sturgis family, said that decision should be left to prosecutors.

Weintraub, meanwhile, dismissed the statements of the civil lawyers and said his office has been in frequent communication with the victims' families. He said they support the deal offered to DiNardo in July that would spare him the death penalty for confessing to the murders, helping prosecutors find one of the victims' buried bodies, and pleading guilty.

"We were obligated today as a matter of law to reserve the right to pursue the death penalty," Weintraub said, referring to his office's notice, filed Wednesday, of "aggravated circumstances" for the crimes. Such a filing is required by arraignment if a case is or could later become a capital case.

Prosecutors would seek the death penalty for DiNardo only if he decided to go to trial or if additional evidence or other crimes were discovered, Weintraub said.

DiNardo's and Kratz's lawyers left the courtroom Thursday without speaking with reporters.

Finley said hearing dates for both men would be set soon.
Stormy the cow at rest in an Old City nativity scene. Read more

A cow decided to break free not once, but twice, from a live Nativity scene in Old City.

Officials worked to corral the 1,100-pound Hereford cow named Stormy after she escaped from Old First Reformed United Church of Christ at Fourth and Race Streets, causing some traffic problems for motorists, Philadelphia police said.

No cow-ard, Stormy was first found at the I-95 southbound ramp near Callowhill Street around 2:25 a.m. Thursday. Police then called the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia to get her into a horse trailer and back to the church.

But for the cow and cops, the night had only begun. Stormy made another run for it around 6:30 a.m. She was later found in a parking garage at Fourth and Market Street, according to police.

John Owens, program assistant at the church, said he believes someone tampered with the gate to the Nativity scene. After Stormy was taken back to the church the first time, he said, she may have learned the gate's primary function and let herself out again.

Stormy's carefree antics came with some consequences, Owens said. The cow was being sent to W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in Roxborough.

"She's starting to cause too much of a ruckus for us," Owens said.

The scene, which also includes two sheep and two donkeys from the school, will be on display until the end of the month.

Police poked fun on social media at the udderly unusual situation.

"No, we can't believe we're tweeting this either," read a tweet from the Philadelphia Police Department around 7 a.m.

Though, the situation may not be all that strange.

A bull that escaped from a Kensington slaughterhouse found itself face-to-face with officials after it wandered onto I-95 and the Vine Street Expressway just last November.

Unfortunately, the bull wasn't as fortunate as Stormy. The animal quickly earned itself some internet fandom and the nickname "Bullrambe" after it was shot and killed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Owens said the church has had cows as part of its live Nativity scene in the past, but this was Stormy's first year in the role.

"And to the individual or individuals who conceived this plan  you put people in danger by your reckless actions tonight," the church said in a statement on Facebook.
President Trump enters the Grand Foyer of the White House before making remarks on tax reform on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Read more

WASHINGTON  Shortly after Democrat Doug Jones wrested back one of Alabama's solidly Republican Senate seats for the first time in more than two decades, President Trump offered an optimistic and forward-looking assessment on Twitter, congratulating Jones on his "hard fought victory."

But by Wednesday morning, as Trump watched the unflattering portrait of the loss unfold on television, the president grew piqued at the notion that he, somehow, was responsible.

"I won Alabama, and I would have won Alabama again," Trump said, according to a senior administration official.

He told advisers he didn't want the results to be seen as a referendum on him, and asked if he still had a solid base of support in the state. He also questioned Wednesday if he had made the right decision and if Sen. Luther Strange  the Republican he begrudgingly endorsed who went on to lose the party's primary  could have beaten Jones in the general election.

But inside the West Wing, Jones' upset victory left some of Trump's top advisers worried about both the 2018 midterm elections and the president's low popularity, and accelerated an already ongoing discussion about restructuring the White House political operation.

This portrait of the White House after the Alabama loss comes from 20 senior officials, aides, lawmakers and outsider advisers, and confidants, many of whom spoke anonymously to offer a more candid assessment.

The president himself spread the blame. He faulted his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, for selling him what one outside adviser described as "a bill of goods" in urging him to support Moore, and he faulted Moore himself for being an abysmal candidate.

In the lead-up to Tuesday night, he had also groused about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), saying he had been too aggressive in trying to push out Moore.

But the president, White House officials said, was in largely good spirits  surprisingly so, some thought  throughout the day. He called Jones to offer him congratulations and discuss areas were the two could work together.

He also spent much of the day in preplanned briefings and meetings about the Republican tax bill, and was excited about his afternoon speech extolling the plan  which helped shift his focus away from the Alabama loss.

Exit polls Tuesday in Alabama, which Trump won handily last year, showed him at only 48 percent approval. One adviser said Trump on Wednesday dismissed his poll results in Alabama and nationwide by saying they were "fake" and instead talked about his accomplishments.

Nonetheless, some in Trump's orbit said they expected to see adjustments in the coming weeks.

Even before Tuesday's upset loss, the White House had been engaged in an ongoing internal discussion about beefing up its political operation, currently led by political director Bill Stepien.

Stepien's reputation within the West Wing is mixed. Some believe he is unqualified for the job; others say he is capable and liked by Chief of Staff John Kelly, but entered the post without the power or clout to execute his vision.

And Kelly, while respected, lacks the background and experience to play the role of Karl Rove for George W. Bush or David Axelrod for Barack Obama, and Trump does not trust his political instincts, aides said.

A senior administration official, however, argued that Trump often acts as his own senior strategist and the White House doesn't necessarily need an official political cranium.

The White House is especially aware that the president faces a more daunting political task, in part because the outside groups designed to support him have been noticeably ineffective. The goal now is to create a political brain trust that is "more sustained, more organized, more nuanced," a senior administration official said.

One option being considered is bringing on an additional senior adviser who could serve as the White House's top political strategist. Stepien is unlikely to be fired, but Rick Dearborn, a deputy chief of staff whose portfolio also touches on the political operation, is expected to be reassigned to the Department of Commerce, officials said. Recently, Dearborn has met with top Commerce officials about his likely new job.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders rejected the notion that any future staff changes to the political shop indicate dissatisfaction. "This is something that is normal and would be expected in any White House as we move closer to the midterm elections, to beef up the political operation," she said. "This is not a reflection of shortcomings of the current political office."

Yet people close to the White House pointed to the appearance by Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.) on CNN's State of the Union two days before the election as an example of the challenges the political operation is facing. Shelby said he wasn't voting for Moore because "Alabama deserves better," but the political shop  which had not been checking in with him  received no advance warning.

In two tweets Tuesday night, Tony Fabrizio, a pollster on Trump's campaign, wrote that the president "needs to get better political advisers."

"This disaster could have been avoided," Fabrizio wrote, adding that "there does need to be a recognition of the lousy political advice @POTUS has been getting and it needs to change. The future of @POTUS agenda depends on it!"

The West Wing found itself divided as the Alabama Senate race finally reached its unexpected conclusion Tuesday night. Though some in the West Wing faulted McConnell for too aggressively trying to push Moore from the race, others  including the president  were angry with Bannon, who had pushed Trump to support Moore on the promise that he could win.

Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.) said he'd gotten lots of feedback from White House aides after saying Bannon "looks like some disheveled drunk who wandered on to the political stage."

"They say, keep it up, let him have it," King said.

Andy Surabian, a political operative in Bannon's orbit, argued that Bannon had never been a huge fan of Moore but was simply determined to use the race to make McConnell a potential albatross in Republican primaries. People close to Trump said they expect his anger at his former chief strategist will subside, and the president is likely to continue speaking with him.

"Team Mitch successfully delivered this race to a liberal Democrat and so they won the battle, but in the end, we will win the war," Surabian said.

Vice President Pence had initially encouraged Trump to support Strange in the party's primary, but he stayed away from the race after Strange lost. One person who spoke with the vice president said he was glad to steer clear of the Senate contest, especially after the allegations against Moore of sexual mishevavior emerged; another person close to Pence said he didn't see much strategic gain to be had in getting involved.

The Republican National Committee and the White House also found themselves at odds. Though the committee had withdrawn its support for Moore after the accusations emerged, initially with the blessing of the White House, chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was given virtually no notice before Trump endorsed Moore.

She was especially distressed at the process, when the White House forced the RNC back into the race, but accepted its prerogative to do so. She told Trump that she thought there was no reason for him to get back involved with Moore  and that the decision could hurt him.

But on Wednesday, at least, Trump seemed like a man who had accepted the results and was prepared to move forward.

"Wish we would have gotten the seat," Trump said during a brief appearance before reporters at the White House. "A lot of Republicans feel differently, they're very happy with the way it turned out.

"But," he concluded, "I would have, as the leader of the party, I would have liked to have had the seat."
The chandelier and multistory U.S. flag in the lobby at the Trump International Hotel in Washington. Read more

WASHINGTON  In the lobby of the Trump International Hotel, three blocks from the White House, Suzzanne Monk was wearing a home-made Santa hat embroidered with the words "Make America Great Again."

Tuesday night. A Republican was ahead in Alabama. The crowd was upbeat. She posted a smiling selfie on Facebook.

"Watching Alabama returns at Trump International," she wrote.

Monk, a 45-year-old author and Trump advocate, was here for the latest "MAGA Meetup," a gathering of President Trump's strongest supporters who make monthly pilgrimages to the hotel he owns. Nearby, Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, strolled through the lobby to attend a holiday party hosted by the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action, one of three events the group held at the hotel this month.

Since last year's election, Trump's luxury hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue has operated as a kind of political clubhouse for his aides and fans  a refuge filled with like-minded people, where the euphoria of Trump's world-changing 2016 win still persists.

On Tuesday, the only windows to the outside world were the two muted TVs on over the bar, set to CNN and Fox News. By about 10 p.m., the bad news started to filter in.

"We're in trouble," one man hollered to his friends as the returns began to favor Democratic candidate Doug Jones.

The race was called about 10:25 p.m. The bar started to empty. Monk stayed on.

Better here than anyplace else in Washington.

"It's our little Trump safe space," Monk said.

That's never been more true than recently, as the hotel has hosted a stream of events celebrating Trump's victory and the people who made it possible.

The last few weeks have featured  among other Trump-themed events  a party thrown by Tampa author and consultant Jill Kelley to celebrate the anniversary of Trump's election victory, a separate $30,000 reception put on by the president's reelection committee, and a book party for former Trump aides Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie.

"The fact is the Trump International Hotel in D.C. is a hot venue," said Brian O. Walsh, president of America First Action, whose group said it paid the president's company fair market value for its three events.

Hotel officials declined to comment.

From the start, the Trump International Hotel  built in the federally owned Old Post Office building, and operated under a contract with the government  has functioned as a buoyant bubble for Trump supporters and advisers.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin paid to live there for six months, carrying a small dog through the soaring lobby. Former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman got married there in April: Hotel staff toasted her by whacking open a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne with a saber.

On the night in May that Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey, Trump supporters were already gathered at the hotel bar for a regular "MAGA Meetup." Many wore "Make America Great Again" hats. They clinked cocktail glasses to toast the firing.

On Nov. 9, just after the first anniversary of the election, Kelley  who wrote a book about her role in the Gen. David Petraeus scandal  hosted a party for dozens of Trump campaign veterans and political appointees. Open bar. Trump Wine. Kelley, who is seeking to start a political consulting company in D.C., said she paid for the whole thing personally.

The point, she said, was to gather Trump aides in one place so foreign government representatives could meet them. At least six countries sent envoys, she said.

"It's important for them to understand this government," Kelley said.

A few weeks later, on Nov. 28, Trump's presidential campaign  already up and running for 2020  held its own one-year-after celebration in the hotel's ballroom. The guests included an array of Trump surrogates such as YouTube duo Diamond and Silk, former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), and former campaign spokeswoman Katrina Pierson  as well as presidential son Eric Trump.

The "VIP reception," which featured deviled egg with hackleback caviar, lobster BLTs and cake pops, cost $30,000, according to an internal hotel billing document obtained by the Washington Post.

Campaign officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Last Thursday, there was a book party for Let Trump Be Trump, authored by former campaign staffers Lewandowski and Bossie, a holiday party for Republican state attorneys general, and an after-party for the official White House Hanukkah Party, the latter sponsored by America First Action and the Republican Jewish Coalition.

The emotional pinnacle of the night came at about 10:30 p.m. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner had been eating at a table at BLT Prime, the expensive steakhouse housed on an elevated platform above the hotel's lobby.

At 10:30, they came down the stairs and out into the lobby itself.

Security moved in to clear the way. A crowd of dozens turned to the commotion, and began to move. Men in suits. Women in gowns. The crowd moved, at a fast walk, across the lobby to gather around the two.

"We love you, Ivanka!" someone yelled.

"Thank you for everything!" yelled somebody else.

The pair posed for selfies, shook hands, and left.

On Monday of this week, worrisome news about the special counsel's Russia investigation played on muted TVs above the bar. CNN: "What did POTUS know, and when?" Fox: "Robert Mueller's witch hunt."

But the good mood still held. Lewandowski walked in again, shaking hands and hugging people. An aide trailed him, holding an armload of books for signing.

There have been other pro-Trump gatherings at other Trump buildings around the country. On Tuesday night, for instance, another MAGA Meetup was held in a bar at Trump International Hotel in Chicago, where about 20 people gathered.

There, too, the mood soured as the Republican lost in the heartland of Trump's victory.

"This is a big wake-up call," one man told another in that group, looking down at his phone. "This is the first Trump-endorsed candidate that's lost."

Back in Washington, as Democrats celebrated on television and pundits called the race a loss of face for Trump, the lobby of the president's hotel was largely empty.

Monk, in the homemade "Make America Great Again" Santa hat, lingered.

She sat on a couch in the lobby, alone, reading the news on her phone. Despite the loss, she said, she is still optimistic pro-Trump candidates would prevail in the midterms. "It's 2018 already in my mind," she said.

The Washington Post's Kari Lydersen contributed to this article.
David Bonanno died in early December after more than 40 years at the Philly-headquartered American Poetry Review. Read more

David Bonanno, 68, longtime editor of the nationally renowned and Philadelphia-based American Poetry Review, died Friday, Dec. 8, from complications after a medical procedure.

In an field that his friend and New Jersey's first poet laureate, Gerald Stern, described as full of "envy and backbiting," Mr. Bonanno was a kindhearted and understated presence who was generous with his time and expertise.

"He offered so much service to the community," said the Review's coeditor, Elizabeth Scanlon.

Though not a poet himself, he loved reading literature and working with poets. On a tip from Norman O. Brown, the late philosopher under whom Mr. Bonanno studied at Wesleyan University, he pursued a job in 1973 at the year-old American Poetry Review shortly after graduation. Mr. Bonanno was young but made an impression on the Review's founding editor, Steve Berg, as "incredibly thoughtful, so self-aware, and so present," said Berg's daughter, Margot.

Mr. Bonanno was hired as an editor and remained there until his death.

"He was a steadying influence," said the Review's business manager, Mike Duffy. "He kept the more creative types like Steve from running amok."

Mr. Bonanno, who lived in Mount Airy for many years before moving to Oreland in the late '90s, worked on both the business and editorial sides, choosing and editing poetry that would be included in the magazine. The son of a postal worker and a housewife, Mr. Bonanno was interested in "a working-class aesthetic" and championed works in translation, said Scanlon, who worked with him for the last two decades.

Aside from his role at the Review, he was also on the literary advisory panel of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the board of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, famous for its annual literary conference, a mecca for publishing industry types and known colloquially as AWP. It was at that conference 17 years ago in Pittsburgh that Kathleen Volk Miller, coeditor of Philadelphia-based literary magazine the Painted Bride Quarterly, met Mr. Bonanno.

"He took me around, without hesitation, and introduced me to all the people I should know, like a representative from the NEA, [well-known] poets Stephen Dunn and Gerald Stern, everyone important at Associated Writing Programs and more," Volk Miller said.

"Dave," she said, "had nicknames like 'the Poetry Don,' and he reveled in it."

After that first year, the Painted Bride Quarterly and the Review always had booths next to each other at the conference, a little Philly literary embassy.

Mr. Bonanno could often be found dancing at AWP's late-night parties, said his friend, the poet Robin Becker, whose work was frequently published in the Review. "He loved to dance," she said. (He studied modern dance when he was younger, primarily to meet women, according to his sister-in-law.)

The later years of Mr. Bonanno's life were marked by tragedy. His daughter, Leidy Sheeder Bonanno, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2003. His wife, the poet Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno, wrote a book of poetry about her death. Kathleen Bonanno died in June after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Bonanno cared for her while she was sick and helped take on one of her projects, the literary arts center Musehouse on Germantown Avenue.

Kathleen Bonanno's sister, Suzanne Sheeder, said Mr. Bonanno was always the one in the background supporting his wife's creative endeavors and helping her visions come to life.

"He was the one doing all the grunt work," Sheeder said.

In their final years together, Mr. Bonanno and his wife worked their way through Charles Dickens' works  in part, Mr. Bonanno's best friend Fredric Brandfon said, because Dickens is funny. They turned to the author for his lightness.

Mr. Bonanno's death is a loss for Philadelphia, where he was a "local treasure," said Thomas Devaney, a Philadelphia poet and friend of Mr. Bonanno's whose work has been published in the Review. But it's also a loss for the poetry world at large.

"It's a great blow to the poetry community," said Stern, "and it's a major blow to that magazine."

Before his death, Mr. Bonanno underwent a medical procedure to address internal bleeding. In the following days, he was transferred to a physical rehabilitation center where the internal bleeding returned. He died en route to Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health.

He is survived by his son, Luis, and a brother and a sister.

A memorial service is being planned at Unitarian Society of Germantown in the next few months.

Donations can be made to Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Dr., Philadelphia 19119; the American Poetry Review via aprweb.org/donate; or the Leidy Sheeder Bonanno Memorial Fund at Reading Hospital, Box 16052, Reading, Pa. 19612.
After weeks of negotiations between the House and Senate, it appears that the final version of the Republican partys $1.5 trillion tax plan will not contain a provision to increase taxes on graduate students.

The Planetary Society joined dozens of other scientific organizations in calling for Congress to reject this tax provision.

The House of Representatives had earlier passed legislation which (among many other things) would have reclassified tuition waivers received by graduate studies as taxable income. Depending on the cost of tuition at their institution, graduate students across the country could have seen their tax bills increase by as much as 240%. Most graduate students receive stipends of less $30,000 per year, which is already considered taxable income.

The Senate version of tax cut legislation did not contain this provision.

The impact of this provision to the U.S. science workforceparticularly space scienceswould have been highly negative. It would have discouraged vast numbers of students from pursuing critical academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, all of which are necessary for the United States to remain competitive on the global stage. It also would have disproportionately affected first-generation graduate students and those with lesser financial means from pursuing advanced studies. No country can afford let its intellectual capital lay fallow, we must work to engage as many students as possible into these fields required by advanced industry, scientific, and national defense areas.

In addition to joining 67 other scientific societies and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in calling for congress to reject this provision, The Planetary Society made a number of visits to key Republican Senate offices to discourage them from pursuing this tax provision in their compromise legislation with the House. We found these meetings to be productive, with a strong dialogue and open exchange of ideas. It was another example of how space (or the cosmic perspective, perhaps?) can still bring people together in a bipartisan fashion.

Today we join the AAAS and others in thanking the bipartisan members of Congress who helped remove this provision and for supporting the hard-working students who will be our future science and exploration leaders.
Melodie Gliniewicz is doubling down on her efforts to receive her late husband's Fox Lake (IL) Police pension benefits before her felony misuse of funds criminal case is concluded.

Gliniewicz, the widow of former Fox Lake police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, has been charged with participating in her late husband's alleged scheme to siphon money from the Fox Lake Police Explorer youth program for personal expenses, the Chicago Tribune reports.

With no trial date set and pretrial motions in her case pending before an Illinois Appellate Court, Gliniewicz is for a second time seeking the approval of annual payments from her husband's police pension.

Joe Gliniewicz shot himself to death in 2015, as it appeared his alleged theft was about to be exposed to village officials, according to authorities. He died in a remote area of Fox Lake after reporting to a police dispatcher that he was chasing three suspects on foot, prompting a massive manhunt that cost more than $300,000.
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MSNBCs Chris Hayes slammed GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday for not allowing Doug Jones to weigh in on the Republican tax scam currently being rammed through Congress.

Hayes played footage of McConnell from 2010, after Scott Brown won a stunning special election victory in Massachusetts, saying that any major legislation should be put on hold until Brown was able to vote on it.

Video:

Chris Hayes Exposes Mitch McConnells Hypocrisy In Not Allowing Doug Jones To Vote On Tax Scam #inners pic.twitter.com/rJ1xvw353k  Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) December 14, 2017

In 2010, McConnell had a vastly different position on how to handle the aftermath of special elections, particularly as it pertained to major legislation currently working its way through Congress:

Its been a long time, a very long time, since the people of Massachusetts sent a Republican to the senate. The voters have spoken. They want a course correction. We should listen to them. We need to move in a new direction, a dramatically new direction.

McConnell had a change of heart since then, of course, but he should refer back to this video to give himself a refresher on how he should be reacting to last nights stunning results in Alabama.

Everything he spewed on the Senate floor in 2010 was true. He would just need to exchange Massachusetts with Alabama, and he would be spot on. When it comes to a major piece of legislation like tax reform, which will negatively impact millions of Americans, the voters of Alabama deserve to have their newly elected Democratic Senator weigh in.

As Mitch McConnell said in 2010, The voters have spoken. They want a course correction. We should listen to them.
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NBCs Chuck Todd nailed Republicans with a dose of reality by telling them that their president is toxic and a big blue wave is coming in 2018.

Video:

Todd said, Everyone with an R. Next to their name has reason to worry. Voters in ruby red Alabama handed Doug Jones the upset win over Roy Moore, who the president endorsed. Republican say they lost because Moore was a terrible candidate, and he was. Folks, theyre missing the bigger picture. Moore probably could have won if not for the presidents rating. Under 50% in Alabama. Let me repeat  in Alabama. According to the NBC news exit polling a state he won by 28 points last year. Hes at 48%. Is that Roy Moores fought? No. And strongly approved of the president, 41% strongly disapprove. Intensity advantage to the negative side of things.

It took the Alabama win for the DC journalists to catch on to what many, especially on the left, have known since Trump took office. There is an energy and a passion building against this president that hasnt been seen in this country in decades. While the mainstream press focused on Democratic failures to win special House elections in heavily Republican districts, what they missed was the fact that there was an energy to the Democratic side that made them competitive in elections that no one thought that they would compete in.

As Harry Enten of 538 broke down, Democrats are doing better in all types of districts with all types of candidates. You dont see this type of consistent outperformance unless theres an overriding pro-Democratic national factor.

Democrats have overperformed previous results by 12 points since Trump took office. As Chuck Todd said, the problem wasnt just Roy Moore. The problem is Donald Trump, who possesses that rare brand of toxicity that can both demoralize members of his own party and fire up the opposition.

The national press is finally catching on that a blue wave is coming, and it is heading straight for Trump.
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A Republican lawmaker in Kentucky has committed suicide after being accused of molesting a teenage girl, according to new reports on Wednesday night.

WDRB.com reports that Kentucky State Rep. Dan Johnson died of probable suicide.

More from the report: Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said Johnson drove on to the bridge over the Salt River on Greenwell Ford Road in Mt. Washington, parked on the north side of it and shot himself in front of his car. His body was found on the bank of the river, just past the bridge.

The shocking news comes after Johnson posted this message on Facebook around 5:00 p.m. Wednesday:

The accusations from NPR are false GOD and only GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be. AMERICA will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news . Conservatives take a stand. I LOVE GOD and I LOVE MY WIFE, who is the best WIFE in the world,My Love Forever! My Mom and Dad my FAMILY and all five of my kids and Nine grandchildren two in tummies and many more to come each of you or a total gift from GOD stay strong, REBECCA needs YOU . 9-11-2001 NYC/WTC, PTSD 24/7 16 years is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. IT Has Won This Life . BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME. PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY, Only Three things I ask of you to do,if you love me is (1)blame no person,Satan is the accuser, so blame the Devil himself. (2) Forgive and Love everyone especially yourself .(3)most importantly LOVE GOD. P.S. I LOVE MY FRIENDS YOU ARE FAMILY ! GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT !

WDRB.com also reported that police were alerted after someone saw that Facebook post by Johnson. Officers then pinged Johnsons phone and found his body.

Johnsons suicide comes a day after he held a press conference at his church, where he denied the recent allegations, which accused him of molesting a 17-year-old girl on New Years Eve in 2012.

Its just the latest in a flurry of accusations that have been thrown at lawmakers in both parties in recent weeks, including Democratic Al Franken and failed GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore.
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Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison said both political parties have not done enough to adequately stand up against Donald Trumps dangerous presidency.

In an interview with MSNBCs Chris Hayes, Ellison said last nights stunning victory in Alabama for Democrat Doug Jones is proof that members of both parties have nothing to fear in standing up to the unfit president.

Video:

Keith Ellison Shames Both Political Parties For Not Standing United Against Trumps Failing Presidency #Inners pic.twitter.com/LW22HSuwW8  Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) December 14, 2017

Ellison said:

I think one of the things that many people, even some Democrats have been reluctant to really criticize Trump. They didnt want to so-call resist. They wanted to talk about an affirmative, positive program, which I think is good. But the problem is Trump now really is not to be feared by anyone. And if Trump tries to fire Mueller, if Trump fails on his promise to do something about DACA, if he goes in there and passes this horrendous tax bill, I think that Republicans should not walk over the cliff with him. They should say, look, man, this is a bad thing for me in my district. Ive got to face my own voters. Im not walking over the cliff with you.

As the Democratic congressman noted, there is no longer any excuse for members of Congress  especially the Democrats  to curb their opposition to this president and his dangerous agenda.

If anything, they should recognize that the American people increasingly view Trump as incompetent and unfit. Voicing their opposition to him early and often isnt just smart political strategy  its the right thing to do for the country.

If the results in Alabama prove anything, its that Trump is politically toxic and members of both political parties would be smart to run far and fast if they want a shot at keeping their seats in 2018.
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By Chris Kenning

(Reuters)  Kentucky state Representative Dan Johnson, who was facing sexual assault accusations, died in a probable suicide on Wednesday, Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said.

Johnson, 57, also the leader of the Louisville-area Heart of Fire Church, held a news conference on Tuesday at which he denied accusations contained in a report by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. The report, published earlier in the week, included accusations from a woman that Johnson molested her in 2013 when she was a teenager.

Johnson, whose press conference was widely reported by local media, also defied calls by some legislators to step down.

On Wednesday evening, Johnson was found dead in a probable suicide from a single gunshot wound near Louisville, the coroner said, adding that an autopsy would be performed on Thursday.

Billings said law enforcement officials had been searching for Johnson after someone read a post on his Facebook page, became concerned and contacted police.

The post has since been taken down, but the Courier-Journal reported that it appeared to be a farewell and read in part, the accusations from NPR are false, GOD and only GOD knows the truth. Nothing is the way they make it out to be.

The death comes amid a national reckoning over sexual harassment and abuse that has included allegations of misconduct in a number of state legislatures, including in Kentucky.

Kentucky Republican Jeff Hoover recently resigned his post as Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.

Saddened to hear of tonights death of KY Representative Dan Johnson, Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin wrote on Twitter. My heart breaks for his family tonightthese are heavy days in Frankfort and in Americamay God indeed shed His grace on us allwe sure need it.

Michael Skoler, President of Louisville Public Media, which operates the investigative reporting center, said in a statement on social media that the organization reached out to Johnson numerous times during its seven-month investigation but that he declined to discuss the groups findings.

Johnson was elected in 2016 despite becoming known for a 2016 Facebook post comparing President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to monkeys, WDRB-TV has reported.

(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Walking in snow boots and thermal socks towards the crescendo of the holiday season, youve probably seen bridges of candlesticks littering windowsills and frosted lawns around town. Called menorahs, these delicate and detailed candelabras represent the Jewish miracle of light: after a successful revolt, the Jewish people needed to rededicate their temple, but only had enough oil in their lamp for one night. Once lit, however, the oil burned for eight days and nights. The ritual of lighting the menorah and congregating with others in celebration makes this holiday incredibly inviting.

Chabad-Lubavitch Rochester is hosting five Hanukkah events to celebrate the eight-day holiday. Chabad-Lubavitch is a worldwide Jewish operation aimed to spread information and social awareness of Judaism. With more than 3,500 organizations and more than eight million attendees of events theyve thrown, they aim to promote traditional values and God-consciousness through engaging social and educational programs. Through a philosophy promoting wisdom, comprehension, and knowledge, gaining cultural insight into Jewish tradition is gratifying.

Although Hanukkah has already begun, four more events are on their way in southeastern Minnesota, three of which are happening right here in Rochester. All events are open to the public, as the Jewish organization praises embracing all people of all backgrounds, and they honor the intentions of Americas acceptance of religious freedom. All events will also take place at night to rightfully honor the menorah lighting. After all, a drop of light can dispel the darkness, said Rabbi Shloime Greene, outreach director of Southern Minnesota Center for Jewish Life.

December 14th at 5 p.m.:This menorah-lighting Hanukkah party takes place at Northfields Bridge Square. Authentic Jewish treats, holiday activities, free menorahs, and music will accompany the beauty of this historic district. Youll be rich in gelt, chocolate coins sentimental to Jewish history, and youll also be rich in Jewish cultural appreciation, all overlooking open water.

December 16th at 8 p.m.:Drinks and Dreidels is a wining and dining experience thatll have your head spinning faster than the toy itself. The Young Jewish Professionals, a department of Chabad-Lubavich, will present this exciting opportunity for cultural engagement. Located at the Half Barrel , 304 1st Ave. SW, Rochester, for only a $25 cover charge, or the price of a typical restaurant meal and drink, youll get two free drinks, all kosher hors doeuvres imported from Brooklyn, tipsy-turvy dreidel games, and a chance to interact with fellow young, Jewish and non-Jewish professionals. Highlighting the importance of oil on this Jewish holiday, savory fried foods of doughnuts and latkes are on the menu. This may be the most vibrant and exclusive menorah lighting experience youll have, so buy your tickets now to reserve a spot and save $5 as an early bird.

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December 17th at 3:30 p.m.:The menorah workshop, hosted at Home Depot , 3050 41st St. NW, Rochester, is a family-oriented opportunity to embrace Jewish culture by constructing your own menorah. Doughnuts and worker aprons are offered to anyone, free of charge. The only requirement of the workshop is to send in a reservation which can be found on the Chabad-Lubavich website, chabadrochestermn.com. All ages and all religious backgrounds are invited to attend.

December 18th at 5:30 p.m.:Smack-dab in the middle of downtown, another menorah lighting will take place at Chabad-Lubavitch, 730 2nd St. SW. This free public event offers arts and crafts for kids, giveaway prizes, warm apple cider to complement donuts and latkes, music, and an appearance from executive directors of the Ronald McDonald House and Gift of Life Transplant House . Softly lit by candlesticks, youll find dancing, dreidel-spinning, and gleeful munching as youre surrounded by the mid-city thrum of anticipation brought by this end-of-the-year-celebration.
A 54-year-old Rochester man was injured early this morning during a robbery, authorities said.

The call came in about 5:30 a.m., sending officers to the 1200 block of Fourth Avenue Southeast. There, the victim said he'd been walking home from the store when he was hit from behind with an object believed to be a small board.

The blow struck him in the rib area, the report says, incapacitating him.

The suspect stole $12 in cash from the victim's pocket and was last seen running south. He was described by the victim as a 25- to 40-year-old Sudanese man with short black hair, about 6 feet tall, wearing a dark jacket, gray jeans and tan work boots, said Capt. John Sherwin.

The victim was taken by ambulance for medical treatment.
A Rochester woman accused of stealing from her employer has said she needed the money for medical bills, court records show.

Brenda June Alf, 51, was charged in October with one count of felony theft. She made her first appearance Thursday in Olmsted County District Court. Alf was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court Dec. 20.

The case against her began Sept. 6, when law enforcement responded to a report of employee theft at Walmart. After noticing cash shortages when Alf was working, staff reviewed video, and saw her taking cash "on numerous occasions from July 6 through Aug. 31," the complaint says.

Alf allegedly admitted to taking about $1,800 in cash from the cash machine. When other employees needed money at their registers, it was Alf's job to bring it to them. She "would take some for herself" when she transported the cash, court documents say.

Alf reportedly said she took the money because she had medical bills she needed to pay.
A community group focused on ending discipline disparities and the achievement gap for marginalized students is poised to become a "task force" under the school board.

The Community Focus Team, which formed following the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights finding that black and Hispanic students are disproportionately disciplined in the school district, wants to end those disparities in the public schools.

The team has been meeting since May, in a revamped format , and hope to accomplish their goal, primarily, through community outreach.

"This is an outreach program  one that functions to advocate for our racially diverse and culturally diverse school populations," said Kamau Wilkins, a member of the team. "One that, in union with the district, allows for measuring progress and results."

The "task force" designation means the team will become a temporary advisory group under the school board's Community Engagement Committee , said school board members at Tuesday night's meeting, where the team presented its plan. The presentation and resulting discussion lasted about an hour.

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So far, the team has created a governance and management structure for efficiency and to ensure it is "responsive to the community and district needs." Though many of the details have yet to be worked out, including how programming, outreach or events will work, it's clear the team thinks connecting with the community will yield the best results.

Gathering more data on discipline, broken down by race and ethnicity, from the school district, is key to its mission, the group said. The school district and board said they'll provide information already available to the public, but pushed back on going beyond that and providing more data.

But the team hopes to monitor district efforts RPS leaders say are making a difference with academic and discipline disparities, said Catherine Davis, a member of the team. Those include efforts to make discipline more consistent, as with implementing a behavior Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports as well as EnVOY, a non-verbal communicat ion technique that can be used in classrooms.

Team members want data on how those are affecting classrooms.

Before the two begin working together, the Community Focus Team will need school board approval. That will likely come after more discussion at a January school board meeting.

The group is likely the first of its kind, said Amy Eich, the school district's director of community education who has been working with the group. Instead of the school board setting the team's direction, as is generally done, the team itself negotiated, among its members, what its purpose, structure and goals will be.

But the "task force" designation means the group would be a temporary one, according to school board policy  something some board members expressed concern about. Many think that this effort will require more long-term work.

"I certainly don't see this work ever being done," said school board Chairwoman Julie Workman. "It's constant, it's ongoing, it's going to evolve as time moves on..."

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Overall, school board members voiced support for the collaboration.

"These are complex issues, and having a group that focuses on advises on that, personally, I would welcome that," said school board member Gary Smith. "Let's take the next step and keep it going."

The request was brought before the board as a briefing item, a final draft will be brought back mid-January.

"You have much in common with this group," Eich told the school board. "Together, you can make a difference for our kids."
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AUSTIN  Tuesday marked another step toward a healthier Mower County.

The Minnesota Department of Health announced five grants for additional family home visits, including nearly $400,000 for Mower County. The programs help low-income families, first-time mothers or parents of children with high risks or needs. A nurse or trained professional provides health and parenting assistance through ongoing home visits until a child is between 2 to 3 years old.

"There are a lot more families that are in need of services, are being stressed out by a whole variety of factors," said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, "Family home visiting helps to address some of those factors. It helps level the playing field for those families."

Mower County received $389,089 in grants to continue Health Families America home visiting services. The grants also allowed 300 families to get additional services. Minnesota Department of Health awarded a total of $4.87 million to 19 counties and two tribal nations.

Healthier Sumner

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Ehlinger also paid a visit to Sumner Elementary in Austin, which is part of the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Improvement Partnership. SHIP aims to create healthier communities statewide by expanding opportunities for active living, healthy eating and tobacco-free living.

Using SHIP grants, Sumner was able to provide students a fruit and veggie bar along with an app called Nutrislice, which shows different nutritional values of school menu food items. This was also accessible to the students' parents if they were interested in learning what their children were eating for lunch.

Other initiatives included hydration stations, and students were each given a reusable water bottle at the beginning of the year to use throughout the day.

Principal Sheila Berger said that even if there was indoor recess, the SHIP grant had made it possible for Sumner to purchase equipment to keep students moving.

Also, if a child faces disciplinary action they do yoga and breathing exercises and are taught how to deal with emotions that feel overwhelming. Administrators don't take recess away as punishment.

"As a building and community, we all believe in what we're doing," Berger said of the initiatives taken for students' health.

Other initiatives taken at Sumner include breakfast in the classroom, a program that started at least three years ago. Food and Nutrition Director Mary Weikum said that previously 20 percent of students had to choose between going to morning recess or eat breakfast.

However, the school made it possible to make breakfast available for free to all students.

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"We now have 100 percent participation," Weikum said. "We are focusing on the whole student."

It gives me hope

As the commissioner received his hot lunch and his choice of fruit and salad, Ehlinger sat next to several Sumner students, who were curious about their new peer.

"It gives me hope," the commissioner said of Sumner's initiatives. "I'm really optimistic. If we can do this, it can change this state into a state that thrives. ... It gives me hope for the future."
Many Mayo Clinic doctors, nurses and other employees will be free to roll up their sleeves and show their ink in 2018 with a new policy allowing tattoos to be visible.

Mayo Clinic is loosening up its "Dress and Decorum Policy." Currently, employees with tattoos are supposed to keep them covered at work or face discipline.

That will change on Jan. 1.

"Tattoos may be visible if the images or words do not convey violence, discrimination, profanity or sexually explicit content. Tattoos containing such messages must be covered with bandages, clothing, or cosmetics. Mayo Clinic reserves the right to judge the appearance of visible tattoos," according to the new version of the policy.

Mayo Clinic has long held strict rules about employee appearance and clothing. In 2015, it changed a long-standing rule requiring female employees to wear pantyhose. That change was widely welcomed by women working during hot summer days at Mayo Clinic.

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While no Mayo Clinic employees with tattoos felt comfortable speaking on the record about the change, Rochester tattoo artists say it is a good thing for their many customers who work at the clinic.

"I guarantee that there's a lot of Mayo Clinic employees that are going to be happy about this," said tattoo artist Matt Holt, who owns Sacred Heart Studio. "It's really nice that they are finally loosening the reins and letting people do what they want to do."

However, this change doesn't mean Mayo Clinic employees will be wearing flip-flops, dying their hair or getting multiple piercings. And don't expect any "casual Fridays."

From Mayo Clinic's perspective, the basis of the policy remains as it always has been.

"While aspects of the policy are changing, employees are still expected to project a professional appearance and demeanor," Mayo spokeswoman Kelley Luckstein said by email this week.

She added that, "The professional appearance and conduct of our employees are important parts of the Mayo Clinic experience for patients, their families and visitors in clinical and nonclinical areas. Dress and decorum guidelines help Mayo Clinic employees understand expectations concerning appearance and conduct, to ensure that our patients feel welcome, respected, comfortable and safe."

Tattoos have become much more common and accepted in professional settings in recent years. This new standard will make life easier for a lot of people, said tattoo artist Holland Van Lin of Skinlab Piercing and Tattoo.

Some clients who wanted to honor a dead loved one have their names tattooed on their wrists. However, when working at Mayo Clinic they cover it up with a bracelet or watch.

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Others who wash their hands a lot for work have had Van Lin tattoo "wedding rings" on their finger. Of course, the rules have forced them to wear their actual ring to cover the tattoo.

"That just defeats the purpose of those tattoos," she said.

In January, those and many other tattoos will probably be uncovered. Plus employees getting new tattoos will be able to get larger ones that would be difficult to cover under the current rules..

"You'd be surprised that how many doctors and nurses you see, that you'd never imagine have a tattoo have tons hidden underneath, just tons,"

Holt says he knows of a brain surgeon with a "half sleeve" of tattoos on their arm that most would never know are there.

"We have customers who have to wear long-sleeved scrubs every day," he said.

The big difference today, according to both Van Lin and Holt, is that modern tattoos are more about art versus being symbols of rebellion as they were in the past.

"Today they are looking more at tattoos as 'pieces of art' that they are collecting from different artists rather than commissioning a painting or something," Van Lin said.

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Among other things, Mayo Clinic's Dress and Decorum Policy requires that an employee must not:

 Wear excessively baggy, tight, body conforming, revealing, faded, or frayed clothing.

 Wear shorts, mini-skirts or short tunic-style tops over leggings, dresses or tops with spaghetti/similar straps, and beachwear.

 Wear sandals without a strap around both front and back of the foot (such as flip-flops)

 Wear hats, hoods, or other head coverings, except for work responsibilities or religious reasons.

 Wear dress-down or special attire for a designated day of the week or event (e.g. recognition week) or reward.

 Have unnatural hair colors (such as blue, green, or pink) or extreme hair styles.

 Have visible body piercings other than of the ears or a single small stud of the nose; clear retainers/earrings are permitted.

 Smell of cigarette smoke or another strong odor, such as perfume.

 Display of the Mayo Clinic logo on clothing or accessories, including pins, without the review and approval by Mayo Clinic Brand Management.

Mayo Clinic ditches hosiery requirement
Roger Pielke Jr. of the University of Colorado notes that the State Department now has a searchable online database of historic documents, and Roger decided to see what a search for climate change would cough up. The very first thing is a CIA assessment from August 1974 on the dire consequences of . . . global cooling. Guess what? The world was going to come to an end! We were all going to starve to death! The remedy: more power to the U.S. government, naturally. Funny how that recommendation never seems to change no matter what the problem.

Trying to provide adequate world food supplies will become a problem of over-riding priority in the years and decades immediately ahead  and a key role in any successful effort must fall to the US. Even in the most favorable circumstances predictable, with increased devotion of scarce resources and technical expertise, the outcome will be doubtful; in the event of adverse changes in climate, the outcome can only be grave. . .

The momentum of world population growth, especially in the less developed countries (LDCs), is such that even strong measures taken now to reduce fertility would not stop rapid growth for decades. . .

Demand for food rises inexorably with the growth of population and of affluence. Increases in supply are less certain. Manes age-old concerns about the adequacy of food supplies have resumed with particular urgency since the crop-failures of 1972.

The rich countries need have no fear of hunger, though the relative price of food will probably rise at times. [Actually the real price of food has continued to fall.]

The implications for the world food situation and for US interests would be considerably greater if climatologists who believe a cooling trend is underway prove to be right.

If the trend continues for several decades there would almost certainly be an absolute shortage of food. . . In the worst case, if climate change caused grave shortages of food despite US exports, the potential risks to the US would also rise. There would be increasingly desperate attempts on the part of powerful but hungry nations to get grain any way they could. Massive migrations, sometimes backed by force, would become a live issue and political and economic instability would be widespread.
Scott has posted video of Rep. Jim Jordan questioning Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein today. I want to share Rep. Trey Gowdys questioning of Rosenstein.

Gowdy sets things up by noting that the only reason for the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller is the desire to have a fair, unbiased, conflict of interest free investigation. He then cites substantial reasons to doubt that members of Muellers team (past and present) are unbiased and conflict free.

Rosenstein replies that if members of Muellers team act improperly or show bias in their work, they will be removed, as Peter Strzok was. Frankly, I dont believe this.

In any event, Rosensteins response is inadequate on its face. Attorney General Sessions could have run this investigation, with the promise that he would be removed if found (by the DOJ inspector general, for example) to have acted improperly or showed bias. This wouldnt have been deemed adequate assurance of fairness by Democrats and some Republicans.

At this point, with all we have learned, similar assurances about Team Mueller arent adequate either.


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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  Four Fernwood Avenue Middle School teachers in Egg Harbor Township were selected last year to participate in a STEM fellowship at the University of Notre Dame. On Thursday, the fruits of their labor were on display at the districts first STEM Day for sixth-graders.

Over the summer, teachers Christina Kupcinski, Janice Blaine, Tracey Latshaw and Ashley Mosetti attended the two-week conference at the university in Indiana where they learned, among other things, how to enhance their teaching skills.

The fellowship is a three-year program in which the teachers attend workshops and conferences and receive $6,000 in funding to integrate STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics, into the classroom. Fernwood Avenue Middle School was one of only two schools in the state selected for the University of Notre Dame Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows.

It was truly an amazing experience, and we learned so much, Kupcinski said.

As part of the teachers required STEM Impact Plan, STEM Day was created.

This week, Kupcinskis and Blaines Earth science students created two- to four-story towers of string, cardboard, tape and plastic straws that could withstand a simulated earthquake and hold a 250-gram bag of sand. On Thursday, those towers were tested.

The day also included engineers from the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center and a penny boat challenge.

About half of the sixth-grade class at Fernwood participated in this years STEM Day, but Kupcinski said the teachers hope to expand the program next year.
ATLANTIC CITY  Believing education is the great equalizer, local business owners and philanthropists Anthony and Rita Mack are making an effort to help students achieve their dreams.

A donation in late October from the Macks, of Galloway Township, has allowed the endowed scholarship they established in 2012 at Atlantic Cape Community College to grow to about $75,000.

When I think about my employees, and I think about what their needs are, a lot of them are not ready to go right into a four-year college, said Rita Mack. But going to a community college is affordable, and it gives them time to think about what they really want to do with the rest of their lives.

Rita Mack hails from Tennessee, and Anthony Mack was raised in Mississippi. The two met in college at Tennessee State and came to the area in pursuit of a business opportunity in 1986. They have operated two McDonalds restaurants in Atlantic City  one at Tanger Outlets The Walk and the other on Albany Avenue  for more than 30 years.

When we were thinking about our business plan, a part of it was: How do we settle into this community and what do we need to do to celebrate the warmness we felt? Rita Mack said. Weve really been blessed and its very, very important for us to show.

In addition to educational support, the Macks have been giving back to the community in many ways over the years, often quietly and without accolades.

Rita Mack said it was important to her and her husband to support those who are less fortunate, so they contribute at Sister Jeans Kitchen. In 2013, when the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club faced the prospect of shuttering its doors for good due to financial problems, the Macks stepped in.

Anthony Mack said he wants to let the community know that they appreciate all the support.

We couldnt have sustained without them, he said.

In December 2012, at the request of Atlantic Cape Foundation President Maria Kellett, the Macks established a scholarship through their self-funded A&R Mack Charitable Foundation as part of the colleges Create Opportunity Campaign.

The scholarship is open to Atlantic County students in financial need who are pursuing degrees in business and communications. Each year, one student is awarded the scholarship.

Rita and her husband, Anthony, have been great supporters of the college, said Kellett, who also serves as the dean of the Cape May County campus.

Kellett said the benefit of an endowed scholarship is that it continues to grow every year through investment by the college.

Every year we take whatever interest that has earned in our investment account and we award that as a scholarship, Kellett said.

Kellett said the Macks also offer an internship at McDonalds to the scholarship recipient.

(Rita) really takes an interest in the students that receive that scholarship and helping them to pursue their career aspirations, she said.

Kellett said Rita and Anthony Mack are incredibly generous, incredibly civic-minded.

Shes always right there. And Anthony is right there with her. Theyre good people that care about the people in their community, she said.

Mack currently has about eight employees that are students at Atlantic Cape including Farrah Mathurin, 18, of Pleasantville. Mathurin is studying to be a nurse.

Its hard because I have to go to school and work at the same time, she said.

Although she is not eligible for the Macks scholarship, Mathurin said she is happy to work for employers who care so much about education and who support employees who are doing both.

I really admire students that can multi-task, Rita Mack said, so that they can reach their dreams.

Inside of the The Walk restaurant last week, Mack pointed out one of her favorite posters that reads: Never stop dreaming.

I constantly remind them: Never stop dreaming, she said.
The holidays are upon us, so if you arent rushing around Tanger Outlets or the Hamilton Mall looking for that perfect gift for your spouse or children, there are several events in the area to check out.

If you want to honor veterans Saturday, take the kids to a ballet or lighthouse, or even if you just want to go clubbing with some friends, theres plenty to do in South Jersey.

Wreaths Across America

The annual wreath-laying ceremony to honor fallen veterans takes place at noon in the veterans section of Cold Spring Cemetery in Cape May.

The nationwide tribute to veterans is free to the public, and you can purchase your own wreath for $15 the day of the event or online at coldspringchurch.com.

Refreshments will be available inside Price Hall following the ceremony.

A.C. Ballet presents The Nutcracker

The Atlantic City Ballet will perform the ballet classic at 7 p.m. in the Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars Atlantic City.

The show tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve.

Tickets range from $40 to $45, with certain discounts available. To purchase tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.

The Clauses at the Absecon Lighthouse

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, along with their Lighthouse Elves, will host children for holiday souvenir crafts and the chance to climb the lighthouse to meet Santa.

There will also be a tree-lighting at the event, which takes place from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the lighthouse.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for ages 4 to 12. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or head to abseconlighthouse.org.

Egg Harbor City Holiday Parade

The citys annual holiday parade steps off at 6 p.m. The parade route runs from Liverpool Avenue to Arago Street to Philadelphia Avenue.

For the best view, head to the 300 block of Philadelphia Avenue.

For more info, call Brenda Ruth at 609-335-1767 or Brian Beals at 609-332-1425.

Light Up the Night

Light Up the Night: A Hanukkah Happening will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in front of City Centre at the Washington Street Mall in Cape May.

Rabbi Ron Isaacs and the Beth Judah Community will lead the event including the lighting of the hanukkiah, songs and holiday snacks like sufganiyot.

The event is free to the public. For more information, call 609-522-7541.

Fetty Wap

The rapper, known for the Billboard hit Trap Queen will perform at 10 p.m. at Haven Nightclub at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City on Saturday night.

You must be 21 or older with a valid I.D. Tickets are $30 general admission. You can order them at ticketmaster.com.

DJ Pauly D

The Jersey Shore MTV celeb frequents Atlantic City often, and he will return on Saturday night at 10 p.m. at the Pool After Dark at Harrahs Resort.
ATLANTIC CITY  Two people were arrested and charged with possession of more than 100 bags of heroin and a stolen handgun following a motor vehicle stop Tuesday night, police said.

At 9:44 p.m., Sgt. Andrew Leonard and Detective Anthony Abrams of the police Intelligence Unit saw a vehicle with tinted windows driving carelessly near Indiana and Mediterranean avenues, police said. The officers stopped the vehicle and spoke to the two people in the car, 25-year-old Omar Butcher and 25-year-old Nia Lovelace, both of Atlantic City.

Police said the officers smelled burnt marijuana and found a marijuana cigarette in the cars center console, and discovered Butcher, who was driving the vehicle, had a suspended New Jersey drivers license. During a search of the vehicle, police said, they found 110 bags of heroin and a stolen, loaded handgun. The handgun was reported stolen from Iowa earlier this year, police said.

Butcher and Lovelace were arrested and both charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school zone and within 500 feet of a public zone, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense and receiving stolen property. Butcher was additionally charged with multiple motor vehicle summons.

Both were held at the Atlantic County jail in Mays Landing.

Anyone with additional information about the distribution of drugs can contact the police Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858. Information can be sent anonymously via text to TIP411 (847411), beginning the text with ACPD.
A Pinelands commissioner representing Camden County may have been living in Atlantic County since 2012, according to a federal grant application for Hurricane Sandy recovery funds he made in 2014, and thus not eligible to serve.

Environmentalist Micah Rasmussen, of Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, raised the issue at the Dec. 12 Pinelands Commission meeting.

Rasmussen provided paperwork related to a $130,000 Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation federal grant Commissioner Edward McGlinchey received to raise his home in the Seaview Harbor section of Egg Harbor Township, adjacent to Longport.

McGlinchey, who resigned earlier this year, saying he was moving to Atlantic County, did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Pinelands Commission spokesman Paul Leakan had no comment Wednesday.

The residency issue calls into question McGlincheys votes in favor of two controversial pipelines, environmentalists say. On Wednesday, they demanded an investigation by the state attorney general.

County-appointed commissioners are required under the state Pinelands Protection Act to live in the county that appoints them.

McGlinchey would only have qualified for the RREM program grant if he had certified the Seaview Harbor home was his primary residence when Hurricane Sandy hit in October 2012.

On ethics forms filed annually with the Pinelands Commission from 2010 to 2013, McGlinchey said his primary residence was in Camden County and that he had a second home in Atlantic County as well as a recreational boat slip.

But starting in 2014 he began listing all three without naming one his primary residence.

He retired in December 2016 from his job as public works manager and zoning officer for Winslow Township in Camden County, according to his 2017 ethics report.

Its shameful. It shows the arrogance and abuse of power, said New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel. All this is being done to push through pipelines by the southern Democrats and Chris Christie.

Tittel said the commissions vote in favor of the New Jersey Natural Gas Co. pipeline through the northern part of the Pinelands was particularly dependent on McGlinchey.

(It) passed by an 8-4 vote. Without him it would not have passed, said Tittel. The approval needed a majority of the 15-member board.

The South Jersey Gas pipeline, which would run through 10 miles of protected Pinelands Forest Area in a 22-mile route from Maurice River Township to the B.L. England electric plant in Upper Township, got nine votes.

But he took part in negotiations, Tittel said. What he said could have influenced other members. The whole process was poisoned.

Sierra Club is challenging the approval of both the SJ Gas and NJ Natural Gas Co. pipelines in court. It will amend its SJ Gas filing to bring up McGlincheys residency issue and add it to paperwork being prepared now on the NJ Natural Gas pipeline, Tittel said.

Tittel provided a copy of the Dec. 19, 2014, declaration of covenants and restrictions by McGlinchey and his wife, Virginia. It was for a $130,229,06 RREM grant to raise a home listed on the application as 7 Sunset Blvd., Longport. The Seaview Harbor section has a mailing address of Longport, even though it is a part of Egg Harbor Township.

The RREM program, to help primary homeowners recover from Sandy damage, is administered by the state Department of Community Affairs.

Former Pinelands Commissioner Jay Mounier, of Franklin Township in Gloucester Township, was at Tuesdays meeting and said most commissioners were shocked at the allegation that McGlinchey has been living outside of Camden County for years.

Speaking with them afterwards, a number of them had no idea that this was coming, said Mounier, who was on the commission from 1995 to 2002 and comes to virtually every meeting. The bulk of the commissioners were flabbergasted.

Mounier said he asked McGlinchey in the last three or four months if he was still living in Winslow, and McGlinchey told him he was.

McGlinchey was president of the Seaview Harbor Community Association when it supported a failed attempt in 2014 for the neighborhood to leave Egg Harbor Township and become part of Longport.

At an April 21, 2014, Egg Harbor Township Planning Board meeting on the issue, McGlinchey, under oath, gave his primary residence as 421 E. Central Ave., Blue Anchor, in Winslow Township. He said he also maintained a residence at 7 Sunset Blvd., Longport.

Each of the seven counties in the Pinelands appoints a member to the 15-member commission, which also has seven gubernatorial appointees and one person appointed by the secretary of the United States Department of the Interior. The counties are Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean.

McGlinchey recently was nominated by Gov. Chris Christie to be a gubernatorial appointee to the commission. Gubernatorial appointees can live anywhere in New Jersey. But the state Senate must approve gubernatorial appointees, and the Senate Judiciary Committee declined to vote on the nomination last week.
The Atlantic County Bar Association and state Sen.-elect Chris Brown in November announced they had created a bipartisan panel to review and recommend candidates for judicial and administrative appointments.

Under New Jersey law and political custom, state senators recommend judges, then the governor nominates them and the state Senate confirms them. Brown said he is looking forward to having the advice and counsel of the Judicial Candidate Review Committee.

This sounded like an effort to dial back the politics of judicial appointments  until the next day, when the County Republicans criticized a Superior Court nomination by Democrats and said the Judicial Candidate Review Committee was created in part to avoid making such nominations. That makes us wonder if the bipartisan panel isnt itself mostly a political effort.

The late state Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, submitted Sarah Beth Johnsons name to the state director of appointments in June 2016 as a candidate for Superior Court judge. Johnson, a graduate of Brown University and a cum laude graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, is a partner in the Fox Rothschild firm.

She also is the daughter of Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson and the wife of Colin Bell, who lost to Brown in Novembers state Senate race in the 2nd District.

Democrats selected Bell to serve the remainder of Whelans term and when he advanced Whelans nomination of Johnson, county GOP Chairman Keith Davis jumped at the chance to accuse him of nepotism and self-dealing.

Perhaps county Republicans believe people have forgotten that judicial nominations have long been heavily political, with the two main parties dividing up the appointments between them.

They had no problem with such conflicts when the brother of former Assemblyman Frank Blee was named a Superior Court judge in 2012. Even in 2008, when the wife of the Atlantic County Democratic Party chairman was nominated to the court, Republicans didnt complain about her political connection, but questioned whether she had sufficient trial experience.

Senators routinely use their senatorial courtesy  the custom of letting them advance or block a nomination  to ensure their partys preferred candidates get approved. In 2010, for example, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, held up a Republican appointment to the state Parole Board until a Democratic prosecutor was nominated.

That year we suggested senatorial courtesy was an archaic, anti-democratic practice that should have been abandoned decades ago. We still support that if a way can be found to ensure judicial candidates are chosen on their merits and one party doesnt come to dominate the judiciary as a result. Electing judges is obviously not the answer, since that just politicizes justice more.

The Judicial Candidate Review Committee may be a step in the right direction, but note that Brown isnt calling for an end to senatorial courtesy or giving it up himself. Time will tell whether the committee is an improvement over the current practice. Playing politics with the Johnson nomination is not a good sign.
BASINGSTOKE, England, December 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

68% of Chinese theme park visitors will spend up to four times more than normal on food and drink if they can use mobile phone apps to order in advance, research by Omnico has found.

65% will spend up to four times the average if they can use self-scan apps on their phones or touchscreen kiosks for ordering in food outlets, while 57% say these technologies will lead to similar increases in what they spend on merchandise. The figures are part of the Omnico Theme Park ROI Barometer, surveying 1,973 consumers from China, Malaysia and Japan who have visited a park within the last two years, along with 1,360 for the US and UK.

"Our research confirms that advanced point-of-sale technology can transform the revenues of Asian theme parks," said Mel Taylor, CEO, Omnico. "We know visitors want technology that makes visits more convenient and now we can see how such innovations will have massive positive impact on the bottom line."

53% of Malaysian theme park visitors, for example, will spend up to four times the average amount on food and beverages if they can pre-order with a mobile app, along with 43% of Japanese visitors.

49% of Malaysian respondents said spending on merchandise could quadruple with self-scan apps or self-service kiosks, compared with 45% of Japanese visitors.

Queues are universally loathed, with 78% across the three countries saying they often or occasionally decide against buying food and beverages at a park because of queuing. 64% took the same view with regard to retail purchases and would walk away rather than stand in line.

Visitors also said their spending would increase if virtual reality guides and experiences, or artificial intelligence-powered recognition systems, were used to make their visits easier. In China, 62% said they would spend up to four times more than average on an admission ticket if the park had these technologies, compared with 52% in Malaysia and 36% in Japan.

Overall, the Theme Park ROI Barometer revealed that implementation of technologies that please today's tech-savvy customers can deliver tangible results to theme park operators.

Download the full report here: http://www.omnicogroup.com/insights/omnico-theme-park-roi-barometer/

About Omnico:

Omnico's Cloud based technology powers POS and customer engagement solutions across the retail, destination and hospitality sectors.

http://www.omnicogroup.com

SOURCE Omnico
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Clavister Holding AB (the "Company") has in accordance with the authorization resolved on the Extraordinary General Meeting 11 December 2017 executed two warrants issues of 3 062 608 warrants and 1 250 000 warrants respectively to Tagehus Holding AB ("Tagehus"). All issued warrants have been subscribed by Tagehus.

No 1 2017/2020 ("Series 1")

A total of 3 062 608 warrants of Series 1 have been issued to Tagehus with deviation of the shareholders' preferential rights. The reason for the deviation from shareholders' preferential rights is that the Company has undertaken to carry out the issue as part of an agreement between the Company and Tagehus regarding, inter alia, issuing of loans to the Company. The warrants are issued free of charge and each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one new share in the Company for a subscription price of SEK 20. The subscription price has been determined in the loan agreement between the Company and Tagehus. Payment for subscribed shared based on warrants shall be made through cash payment or by set-off claims, under the conditions stated in Chapter 14 Section 48 of the Swedish Companies Act.

The warrants may be exercised during a period from the registration of the warrants with the Swedish Company Registration Office up to and including 29 September 2020. It is set out in the loan agreement between the Company and Tagehus that Tagehus only may exercise 562,608 warrants of Series 1 insofar the strike price corresponds to accrued interest on the loan from Tagehus to the Company.

If all warrants of Series 1 are exercised, the Company's share capital will increase with SEK 306,260.80 and the number of shares with 3,062,608. The issue proceeds would in that case total SEK 61,252,160.

No. 2 2017/2020 ("Series 2")

A total of 1,250,000 warrants of Series 2 have been issued to Tagehus with deviation of the shareholders' preferential rights. The reason for the deviation from shareholders' preferential rights is that the Company has undertaken to carry out the issue as part of the mentioned loan agreement. The warrants are issued free of charge and each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one new share in the Company for a subscription price corresponding to the shares' quotient value at the time for subscription. The subscription price corresponds with the share's quotient value and has been determined in the loan agreement. Payment for subscribed shares based on warrants shall be made through cash payment or by set-off claims, under the conditions stated in Chapter 14 Section 48 of the Swedish Companies Act.

The warrants of Series 2 intends to compensate Tagehus for the dilution Tagehus may suffer if the Company makes a rights issue or private placement based on a subscription price lower than SEK 20 per share before 30 September 2020. Hence Tagehus may only exercise warrants of Series 2 to the extent necessary to compensate Tagehus for such dilution pursuant to the loan agreement. The warrants may be exercised during a period from the day of registration of the warrants with the Swedish Company Registration Office up to and including 29 September 2020.

If all warrants are exercised, the Company's share capital may increase with SEK 125,000 and the number of shares with 1,250,000.

CONTACT:

For more information, please contact:

John Vestberg, President and CEO

john.vestberg@clavister.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/clavister/r/clavister-holding-ab-executes-two-issues-of-warrants,c2414443

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Clavister
Sawyer also helped improve part consistency and quality by degating plastic parts and passing them on for packaging, a repetitive task that can often lead to human error and injury. Sawyer allows Harrison's employees to thrive in other positions by taking on the degating task that can lead to wrist strain and injury.

"We've been seeking an automation solution for this task for some time, but traditional methods weren't affordable or effective for our situation," said Scott Harrison, founder and president, Harrison Manufacturing. "As soon as we heard about Sawyer, we knew we'd found the answer. Sawyer allowed us to use our employees in less strenuous tasks, while increasing throughput with extended shifts, so we can better meet growing customer demands."

Founded in 2005, Harrison Manufacturing focuses on injection molding and light value added assembly for the automotive and consumer industries. A family-owned manufacturer with high-volume operations, Harrison does not have the floor space for large safety caging units that most traditional robots require, making Sawyer's small footprint ideal.

Sawyer is deployed in a task where it degates plastic parts and passes them on for packaging. The robot allows Harrison to run additional shifts in a position that was physically challenging to staff, and performs the tasks more consistently than a human, leading to better part quality.

"Repetitive, ergonomically-challenging tasks are prime for automation, and Harrison Manufacturing is a great example of how Sawyer can drive value in several ways," said Jim Lawton, COO, Rethink Robotics. "From reduced worker strain to increased throughput and part consistency, manufacturers that leverage adaptable, smart robots are improving their manufacturing processes in a significant way."

Harrison will soon be implementing a second Sawyer robot in another section of the assembly line. After the first robot degates the part and places it on the conveyor, the next robot will accept the part, package it and alert a person to palletize it. The Harrison team is also considering deploying Sawyer in a variety of other tasks, including part inspection, quality assurance, pick and place and line loading and unloading.

"I have another Sawyer in the box," says Harrison. "After our experience of quick deployment with the first robot, I expect it to be up and running just as smoothly as before."

For more information, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com

About Rethink Robotics

Rethink Robotics is transforming the way manufacturing gets done, with smart, collaborative robots able to automate the 90 percent of tasks that until now, have been beyond the reach of traditional automation. Its Baxter and Sawyer robots, powered by the Intera software platform, adapt to real-world variability, can change applications quickly and perform tasks like people do. The result: manufacturers of all shapes, sizes and industries get the fast-to-deploy, easy-to-use and versatile automation solution they need to increase flexibility, lower cost and accelerate innovation.

Based in Boston, the Rethink product suite is available in Asia, Europe and North America. The company is funded by Bezos Expeditions, CRV, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, DFJ, GE Ventures and Goldman Sachs. For more information about Rethink Robotics, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com and follows us on Twitter @RethinkRobotics.

Contact: Meghan Gannon, (617) 969-9192, mgannon@corporateink.com

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HphRvEd0jwo

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/77847/rethink_robotics_logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.rethinkrobotics.com



SOURCE Rethink Robotics
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Shambhulal Raigar, accused of hacking a 48-year-old Muslim labourer, Mohammed Afrazul from West Bengal, and burning his body at Rajsamand in Rajasthan, was sent to remand in police custody for three days.

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate court at Rajsamand on Friday late evening also sent Raigar's minor nephew, who shot the video of the incident, to a juvenile home. The 15-year-old was produced before the bench of magistrates of the Child Welfare Committee who ordered the boy to be sent to the state's reformatory home for juvenile delinquents.

Raigar was produced in court amid tight security.

The public prosecutor asked for police remand for five days pleading that interrogation of the accused was continuing and the police team had to confirm the chain of events.

In court, Raigar claimed he felt threatened by the victim's family and therefore committed the murder. However, police have rejected his claims. He also tried to link the offence with a six-year-old incident when he rescued a girl of his locality who had eloped with a man from West Bengal.

Raigar had hacked Afrajul with a sharp agricultural tool and poured kerosene and set ablaze the body earlier this week, claiming it was to avenge "Love Jihad".

Udaipur Range Inspector-General of Police Anand Srivastava said that there is no medical history of Raigar being "mentally unstable", though it is true that he was unemployed and had a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh on him. He also did not have any criminal background, Srivastava added.

Police have also detained over 10 persons for questioning, to find out if the act was a part of conspiracy.

Police confirmed that he prolifically exchanged hate messages and videos on social media sites and was influenced by propaganda material circulated by right wing organisations.

Meanwhile, the Muslim community in Udaipur carried out a large procession from Hathipole on Friday. The members of the Muslim Mahasabha strongly condemned the incident and demanded death penalty for the accused. They submitted a memorandum to Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha demanding the case be heard by a fast-track court and nothing less than 'hanging' for Raigar for the brutality.

According to reports, a similar procession was also taken out in Sawai Madhopur.

Raigar, 33, a father of three, loved watching hate videos on phone and was unemployed. He has been part of many rabid groups. He lives in a joint family in Rajsamand and his parents work in Gujarat. While his oldest daughter is 16, his youngest one aged around 13, is seen with him in one of the hate videos gone viral. Earlier, he was doing marble business which didn't work and hence he was just doing nothing at this point of time, police said.

Raigar had claimed that he brought a woman back who had eloped with the victim to West Bengal. He told reporters that the victim ran away with a girl of his colony whom he knew from childhood.

However, police claim that Afrajul, who was a daily wager from Bengal, had nothing to do with this story that the killer was referring to.
New Delhi, Dec 11 : The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea for cancelling the anticipatory bail to the Pinto family of Ryan International School in the Pradhuman murder case.

A bench of Justice R.K. Agrawal and Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre dismissed the plea by Barun Thakur - father of seven-year-old Pradhuman Thakur, who was murdered on September 8 inside the Gurugram school.

"The petition is dismissed," said Justice Agrawal pronouncing the order.

Ryan group of school's Founder-Chairman Augustine F. Pinto, his wife and Managing Director Grace Pinto and their son and CEO Ryan Pinto were granted anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on November 21.

Pradhuman Thakur, a Class 2 student was found dead in the washroom with his throat slit minutes after his father had dropped him at the school.

The High Court while granting the anticipatory bail to the Pintos had asked them to join the investigation in the case.

The court had barred them from leaving the country without its permission.

Initially the Haryana Police was investigating the case and had arrested bus conductor Ashok as the main accused in the murder of Pradhuman.

However, later the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which arrested a Class 11 student of the same school as the prime accused.
Brussels, Dec 11 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday urged European countries to follow the example set by the US and move their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thus recognising the holy city as the capital of the Jewish State.

Netanyahu gave a brief statement to the press alongside the European Union (EU) Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini on what his first official visit to the EU institutions in Brussels. The visit happened for the first time in 22 years, reports Efe news.

"I believe that all, or most, European countries will move their embassies to Jerusalem and recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital," said the 68-year-old Prime Minister, insisting that such a move was the first step in securing peace between the Israeli and Palestinian communities.

"Jerusalem is Israel's capital, no-one can deny it... It doesn't obviate peace, it makes peace possible."

But his visit to Brussels came at a time of heightened regional tensions and global condemnation of US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise the contended holy city as Israel's capital.

On December 6, Trump broke with the tradition set by his predecessors by pledging to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, where all other international embassies are currently based.

Mogherini, however, used her welcome address with Netanyahu to reiterate the EU's staunch support for a two-state solution whereby Jerusalem would be shared by the Israeli and Palestinian states, a foreign policy approach echoed by the UK and France.

She said the worst thing that could happen at the moment would be an escalation in violence, both in the region and globally.

Calling for calm, she said: "Let me condemn in the strongest possible way all the attacks on Jews, everywhere in the world including in Europe and on Israel and on Israeli citizens. Increased tensions and violence would only inflame the region."

Meanwhile, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and the UK's Secretary of State for European matters Alan Duncan both that their countries would not recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Mogehrini stressed her support for the ongoing work of Jordan's King Abdullah II for his role in the Israel-Palestine peace talks, adding that she was to meet with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in January 2018.

Israel has long campaigned for the international community to recognise Jerusalem as its capital, which it says has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years, since the reign of King David of Israel as told by the Hebrew Bible.

The Palestinian majority East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel by the end of the Six-Day War in 1967 but has never been recognized by the United Nations as Israeli territory.

Netanyahu will also hold talks with foreign ministers of EU member states.
New Delhi, Dec 12 : "Tiger Zinda Hai", a film about two spies -- one Indian and the other Pakistani -- is largely a story about humanity, says its director Ali Abbas Zafar, who feels handling sensitive topics can be a "double-edged" sword these days.

Even at the best of times, tackling a movie with Indian and Pakistani protagonists can be tricky. How did he handle it?

"The film is a very human story... it is not political at all. The idea is that when there is a fight between right and wrong, what is at stake is humanity. And there's nothing bigger than humanity," Zafar told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Given the current times, there's a question mark on the creative freedom of filmmakers in India, especially when it comes to sensitive topics. What does he have to say on that?

"It's a double-edged sword," he said.

"As a filmmaker and a creative person, I need to be sensitive to what is happening around me. I always personally think that no matter what happens, everything can be solved through dialogue. We should not take ourselves too seriously. At the end of it, it is a film... We work because of our conviction... at the same time it should not offend anyone."

"Tiger Zinda Hai" is the sequel to the 2012 actioner "Ek Tha Tiger", which was directed by Kabir Khan. The film featured superstar Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as Indian and Pakistani agents, and the two stars are back on-screen after five years in the same roles.

Working on the sequel, produced by Yash Raj Films, has been challenging for Zafar.

"But we are hopeful that the second part is going to live up to expectations. The story is the most important aspect of the film. Of course, Salman and Katrina are there. Both of them came on board after hearing the story, and they said that irrespective of whether it was a sequel or not, we had to do the film," he said.

"Both of them are so comfortable with each other off-screen that as soon as a little bit padding from a scene or song happens, their chemistry blooms on camera. I think that is an asset for a director because I don't need to push for it too much."

Zafar describes Salman as a "director's actor".

"He has given me what I have required from him and he has worked really hard to make the film look a certain way," he added of the film, which is said to be laced by some stunning action sequences.

The film's visual appeal itself will be enhanced by the picturesque destinations in Austria, Greece, Morocco, Abu Dhabi and India, where it has been shot.

Admitting that it is a "big budget" film, Zafar said: "I don't know the exact number. But it is bigger than 'Sultan' (his last film). We were very clear -- both Aditya Chopra and I -- that a story like this can only look real and authentic if we pay attention to the details and for that you need a certain amount of budget."

(Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)
New Delhi, Dec 12 : Government's Chief Statistician T.C.A. Anant has no worries that the government may breach the fiscal deficit target of 3.2 per cent of the GDP for the current fiscal. In fact, he feels revenue would be buoyant by year-end and that the targeted deficit would be bridged.

"It's bad accounting to compare the fiscal deficit reaching 96 per cent of the target in October (compared to 79 per cent last year). They are not taking into account a significant policy initiative that the government has taken this year -- the preponement of the Budget," Chief Statistician T.C.A. Anant told IANS in an interview.

He said it was a conscious policy reform and the surprise about its impact on fiscal deficit was "befuddling" because the move had led to expenditure profile shifting towards the beginning of the year with revenue profile remaining the same.

"This is something anyone could have predicted when we decided to prepone the budget. That, come October, we are going to get a higher fiscal deficit picture," Anant said.

India's budgetary fiscal deficit for the first seven months of 2017-18 stood at 96.1 per cent -- Rs 5.25 lakh crore -- of the full year's target of Rs 5.46 lakh crore, as per the data furnished by the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGA).

"The Budget preponement was done largely with a view to permit government expenditure to start from April 1... The purpose was to shift the time-profile of the government expenditure to increase the expenditure in the earlier quarters -- front-loading."

"To a certain extent, that has succeeded. Because if you look at the share of government expenditure as a percentage of budget expenditure which was done in the first six months -- it is higher this time than the share of expenditure to budget expenditure of last time," the Chief Statistician said.

However, the revenue profile has remained pretty much the same, he added.

"Just these two phenomena would lead you to get what you should get: A higher deficit this time than you got last year. Remember, the revenue profile also has the bulk of the revenue coming in the last quarter.

"So if the budgetary estimates remain on line, then there is nothing to worry about. Since revenues come in during the last quarter, what you really need to look at is how does it work out in the full year," he pointed out.

Anant added the reason for the conscious decision to advance the Budget this year dates back to almost a decade when there were a series of reports on expenditure management recommending the same.

These expenditure management commissions had said there was a tendency to bunch government expenditure in the last quarter, which was criticised for a variety of reasons.

"The argument was the quality of expenditure is inferior when you bunch it in the last quarter. Largely what happens is that you are into exhausting the budget, so you spend it on whatever you can spend it on, rather than what you should be spending it on," Anant said.

"Also, from the viewpoint of capital formation and investment-related things, when you begin expenditure on a project late, the risk of the project getting held up is higher because the budgetary approval will lapse... So the whole work will be held up until the amount gets reauthorised," he said.

Anant added that the budget schedule was a detriment to front-loading because the formal authorisation was often not made available till some time in June, which used to create a handicap because, by that time, the monsoons used to set in and some activities could not be initiated.

"So all of this was a conscious choice as to why you would wanted to bring the budget date a little ahead so you could begin the expenditure on April 1," he said.

(Vishav can be contacted at vishav@ians.in)
Mumbai, Dec 13 : Actor Saif Ali Khan, whose sister Soha Ali Khan has debuted as an author, says he would like to write something in the comedy, horror or political satire space.

At the launch of Soha's book "The perils of Being Moderately Famous" here on Tuesday, Saif was asked about the kind of book he wants to write if he plans to.

He said: "I would like to write ghost stories (laughs)... I mean chilling tales about life in the movie industry or a political satire or a comedy. So, comedy, horror or a political satire... I am not sure of that. My mother once did want to write a book on me and the title was going to be 'Oh Saif' (laughs)."

On Soha's book, the proud brother said he found it "really funny and well-written with a great sense of humour".

Sharing funny anecdotes about Soha Ali Khan's early days when she was living with Saif Ali Khan in UK Saif said: "Soha went to two wonderful universities. She went to Oxford and London School of Economics. After that, she was working with Citibank and all settled with that. And then she came to stay with me for a summer and quit her job and joined movies.

"I am not sure how my parents felt about that, but she of course had her mother's genes as well and was drawn to this profession."
Mumbai, Dec 14 : Actress Kangana Ranaut, who graced the launch of author Shobhaa De's latest book "Seventy and To Hell With It" here, has said she would love to write a book.

Interacting with the media on Wednesday, Kangana expressed her desire to collaborate with Shobhaa De to write a book.

"I will write a book when I am ready... Shobhaa De is always there to guide me. I would love to write a book and if I can collaborate with Shobhaa De, it will be great," said Kangana.

"She understands the spirit and she is the original wild child and we are her followers. I would love to associate with her in future about my experiences, my plans and my life in general," Kangana added.

Besides Kangana, other well-known names like Barkha Dutt, Madhu Shah, Priya Dutt, Gul Panag, Yash Birla and Avanti Birla also graced the book launch event.

Shobhaa De also shared her reasons to ask Kangana Ranaut to launch her book.

"I think she is a gladiator, a warrior, and she represents a lot in terms of, how women stand up for what they believe in. And I find her extraordinary, young, spunky and feisty. I have always been her admirer from the time she came into the film industry."

"I really feel in today's age, it takes a lot for women to stand up and now, there is a global community of women, who are standing up and speaking out and speaking for themselves and Kangana Ranaut is one of them, so I couldn't have thought of a better person to launch the book," added Shobhaa De.

Kangana is currently busy with "Manikarnika" and the film is being directed by Krish, a Telugu filmmaker.
Quito, Dec 14 : A criminal court in Ecuador has sentenced Vice President Jorge Glas to six years in prison for illicit association within the bribery scheme run by Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht.

This is the first sentence handed down in Ecuador within the Odebrecht case. Four others were sentenced to the same penalty as Glas, including his uncle, Ricardo Rivera.

Judge Edgar Flores, President of the National Justice Court, said on Wednesday that this corruption had also included other crimes, including influence peddling and money laundering, Xinhua news agency reported.

Three other persons were condemned to 14 months in prison, a reduced sentence in exchange for having cooperated with authorities. A final suspect was found not guilty.

Furthermore, given the scale of the corruption involved, the sentenced individuals must jointly pay back the state for $33.3 million which were embezzled.

He added that the court had received evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice and a former Odebrecht executive, Jose Conceicao Santos.

Glas, 48, was minister of telecommunications from 2009 to 2010 before serving as vice-president since 2013 to former President Rafael Correa and current President Lenin Moreno.

He has been in preventive custody in Quito since October 2. However, during the trial, he has steadfastly maintained his innocence and refused to step down as vice-president.

Glas is now the highest ranking official to be jailed within the Odebrecht corruption scandal, which has swept Latin America.

Odebrecht, Brazil's largest construction company, was found to have bribed officials across the region in exchange for public infrastructure contracts.

According to documents provided by the US, Odebrecht paid out $33.5 million in bribes to Ecuadorian officials between 2007 and 2016.

Glas has the possibility of appealing the sentence but the national assembly may now also move to quickly impeach him.
London, Dec 14 : The British government has been narrowly defeated in a key vote on its Brexit bill after a rebellion by 11 Tory MPs.

In a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May, MPs voted to give Parliament a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels, BBC reported on Wednesday.

The government had argued this would jeopardise its chances of delivering a smooth departure from the European Union (EU).

Despite a last-minute attempt to offer concessions to rebels, an amendment to the bill was backed by 309 to 305.

Ministers said the "minor setback" would not prevent the UK leaving the EU in 2019.

Of the Conservative MPs who voted against the government, eight are former ministers.

One of them, Stephen Hammond, was sacked as Conservative vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote.

"Tonight I put country and constituency before party and voted with my principles to give Parliament a meaningful vote," he tweeted.

The government said it was "disappointed" at losing - its first defeat on Brexit - despite the "strong assurances" it had offered.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the defeat was "a humiliating loss of authority" for May on the eve of an EU summit where leaders will discuss Brexit.

It's the first time that Theresa May has been defeated on her own business in the Commons. She has to front up in Brussels tomorrow with other EU leaders only hours after an embarrassing loss in Parliament.

Beyond the red faces in government tonight, does it really matter? Ministers tonight are divided on that. Two cabinet ministers have told me while it's disappointing it doesn't really matter in the big picture.

It's certainly true that the Tory party is so divided over how we leave the EU that the Parliamentary process was always going to be very, very choppy.

But another minister told me the defeat is "bad for Brexit" and was openly frustrated and worried about their colleagues' behaviour.

The defeat came after opposition parties joined forces with Conservative rebels during a heated debate in the Chamber on the amendment.

Critics accused those behind the amendment -- which was authored by former attorney general Dominic Grieve and championed by other pro-Remain campaigners - of trying to "frustrate" Brexit and tying the government's hands.

After the result was announced, one of the rebels, former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan, tweeted: "Tonight Parliament took control of the EU Withdrawal process."

But other Conservative MPs reacted angrily, with one, Nadine Dorries, saying the rebels should be de-selected.

The Tory rebels were Grieve, Heidi Allen, Ken Clarke, Jonathan Djanogly, Stephen Hammond, Sir Oliver Heald, Nicky Morgan, Bob Neill, Antoinette Sandbach, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston.

Another Conservative MP, John Stevenson, abstained by voting in both lobbies.

Two Labour MPs, Frank Field and Kate Hoey, voted with the government.

The UK is due to leave the EU in March 2019, and negotiations are taking place on what their relationship will be like in the future.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is a key part of the government's exit strategy.
Washington, Dec 14 : US House and Senate Republicans secured a deal on the final version of a tax cut bill, paving the way for the US Congress to pass the bill and handle a major legislative achievement to President Donald Trump before Christmas.

Since the House and Senate passed respective tax cut bills in last month and early December, Republican lawmakers from both chambers have been working hard to reconcile the differences of the two bills.

Congressional Republicans reached the agreement on Wednesday before heading to the White House to have a lunch with President Trump. "I think we've got a pretty good deal," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch said, Xinhua reported.

The agreement would set the corporate tax rate at 21 per cent, slightly higher than the 20 per cent in both House and Senate bills, but much lower than the current 35 per cent headline rate.

Republicans also agreed to lower the top individual income tax rate from the current 39.6 per cent to 37 per cent, lower than the top rate in both House and Senate bills. Democrats have long been criticizing the tax cut bill for disproportionately favoring big corporations and rich people.

Senate Majority Leaders Mitch McConnell said in a statement Wednesday that the final version would include the repeal of the mandate for individuals to buy insurance, a core part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

The repeal of the mandate would raise around 300 billion to fund the tax cuts for corporations and the rich, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The repeal, however, would also kick up to 13 million US citizens off health insurance.

The full details of the agreement will be released later this week, and both chambers of the Congress are set to vote for the bill as early as next Monday.
London, Dec 14 : Downplaying claims that Kremlin-backed groups helped swing the Brexit vote in 2016, Facebook has told EU investigators that less than one pound was spent by Russians on ads posted on its platform during the referendum, The Telegraph reported on Thursday.

On the other hand, Twitter disclosed that Russian-backed accounts spent $1,031.99 to buy six Brexit-related ads on its platform.

Facebook responded to the UK Electoral Commission, saying the Internet Research Agency, a shadowy organisation with links to the Russian government, spent just $0.97 (73 pence) during the EU referendum campaign.

"Damian Collins, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee, accused Facebook of failing to probe the true extent of Russian meddling," the report added.

Collins said Facebook "had only identified adverts from pages that had already been discovered in the US investigation, and that studies showing thousands of Twitter bots had attempted to disrupt the vote were strong evidence that there was Russian meddling".

Earlier in November, a group of data scientists found 156,252 Russian accounts on Twitter which mentioned #Brexit and posted nearly 45,000 messages related to the EU referendum in the 48 hours around the vote.

In the US, Facebook, Twitter and Google are facing intense fake news scrutiny after disclosing the details about the presence of Russian political ads, tweets and posts on their platforms during the presidential election in 2016.

The Kremlin-linked Russian organisations purchased more than $100,000 of ads on social media platforms during the 2016 US presidential election.

Facebook told US Congress in November that 126 million of its users in the US might have seen ads produced and circulated by Russian operatives.

According to Collins, "no work has been done by Facebook to look for Russian activity around the EU referendum".

Meanwhile, Twitter told the Electoral Commission that the ads in question were purchased during the regulated period for political campaigning in the June 2016 EU Referendum -- specifically from April 15 to June 23, 2016, TechCrunch reported.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has accused Russia of meddling in the elections and planting fake stories.

According to data scientists from Swansea University in Wales and the University of California, Berkeley, over 150,000 Russian accounts who were posting about the Ukrainian conflict swiftly started tweeting about Brexit in days leading up to the 2016 vote.

Political events like the Brexit referendum and the US presidential election have observed the use of social bots in spreading fake news and misinformation, the data scientists observed.
Ahmedabad, Dec 14 : The second phase of state assembly polls began in Gujarat on Thursday. Voting has begun in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions.

There are 851 candidates in the fray. Special deployment of police has been made to ensure law and order.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 places.

The Election Commission has deployed hundreds of companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, 12 companies of Rapid Action Force and 19 companies of the State Reserve Police Force for the election.

The first phase of the polls for 89 seats in the 182-seat state assembly were held on December 9 with over 60 per cent polling registered.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President-designate Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appealed to the voters in Gujarat to exercise their franchise in the second phase of polling that has begun.

"Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy," Modi said in a tweet.

"The ushering in of a new Gujarat has already begun. Your one vote will strengthen and empower the foundations of democracy. I appeal to the people of the state to vote more and more for a bright tomorrow," Gandhi tweeted.

Voting began in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m. There are 851 candidates in the fray.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts in the northern and central regions.

The first phase of polling for 89 seats in the 182-seat state assembly were held on December 9 with over 60 per cent voting registered.
New Delhi : Title: A Ticket to Syria; Author: Shirish Thorat; Publisher: Bloomsbury India: Pages: 254; Price: Rs 399 Faith can move mountains. But when distorted and misplaced, it can demolish lives, families and much more. And this destructive tendency can even manifest itself in places far away from an area of savage religious strife. Say, an idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago nation, whose people are being drawn into the violent maelstrom of the Arab heartlands.

The Maldives may be a tropical paradise, but there is great trouble afoot for it has emerged as an unlikely, but very fertile, breeding ground for Islamist jihadists.

"Despite its very modest population of approximately 350,000, the Maldives has the highest recruitment percentage when it comes to its citizen leaving to engage in jihad either alongside the Islamic State or the Al Qaeda," reveals author Shirish Thorat in a factual introduction to this pulsating but disturbing thriller.

And, as he shows, there are no signs that anything serious is being done to tackle this worrying trend at the national level.

But any problem comes more to attention when it is related to actual people, rather than being dealt in abstract terms and that is what Thorat, an Indian policeman-turned-terrorism, money laundering and risk-mitigation expert does in his latest book.

Thorat -- who has written a Marathi thriller on 26/11 and, in "The Scout: The Definitive Account of David Headley and the Mumbai Attacks" (2016), co-authored with Sachin Waze, offered a riveting and plausible reconstruction of their preparation and course -- also bases this on a true incident he dealt with in his vareer as a security consultant.

"The names, places and sequences of events have been changed for obvious reasons and I leave it to the reader to determine which parts are fact and what is necessarily fiction," he says.

The story starts with another consignment of mostly eager Islamic State recruits, including a batch of Maldivians, being ferried across the Turkish-Syrian border to the group's "capital" Raqqa, but its impact comes subsequently.

This is when, back in the Maldives, doctor Sameer Ibraheem, just back from an internship in India, finds all his other siblings -- two brothers and three sisters -- have, just two days back, voluntarily and surreptitiously left for the jihad in Syria, along with their spouses and infant children.

Also concerned is prominent businessman Ahmed Idris, whose sister Zahi is married to one of Ibraheem's brothers and is part of the same group. As he and Ibraheem join forces to see what they can do, they find that their government is not only unhelpful but hostile too, and even childhood friends can turn traitors.

But Idris has another card up his sleeve -- a "Contact" in the US whom he has seen ably deal with matters like this a few years ago. And then he receives a call from Zahi -- who has been taken away on false pretences and had a phone she bought in a whim on the way that the others don't know about -- to seek his help to get her out.

The "Contact" -- whom many people who know the author will find familiar -- then calls in a series of favours to mount a desperate rescue operation. Will they extract Zahi, who is witnessing some harrowing situations? And what happens when the IS learns of the "Contact" and identifies him as a threat?

Ranging across the deceptive security of the US, the violent Middle East, the Maldives and India, and involving FBI agents, oil-smuggling tanker captains, travel agents who can offer much other than tickets and tours, well-connected Gulf businessmen, jihadist filmmakers, oblivious politicians, unscrupulous preachers and more, Thorat offers an unsettling look into a deadly but much-ignored security issue.

Alongside, there is an incisive but lucid view of Islamist movements and how they found an outcome in the IS, a look into the vested interests which curb eradication of terror and a perceptive look into anti-terror operations.

There are a couple of sticking points -- such as the motivations and means behind the efforts by the "Contact", but, on the whole, it is a terrific, taut story -- and a compelling look into an issue that is screaming for attention.

Let's hope this book does the trick.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Rio De Janeiro, Dec 14 : Former Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz has signed a one-year contract extension with Paraguayan club Olimpia, extending his professional career to a 21st season.

The 36-year-old confirmed the news on Twitter by posting a photo that partially showed his new contract along with the words "together" and "let's go," reports Xinhua news agency.

Santa Cruz returned to Olimpia in 2016, 17 years after leaving his boyhood club to join Bayern Munich.

He has since netted nine times in 48 appearances for the Asuncion side, who this month finished second in Paraguay's Clausura first division tournament behind Cerro Porteno.

Santa Cruz has been capped 112 times for Paraguay's national team and scored 32 goals.
Aligarh, Dec 14 : In order to speed up goods traffic and ease the burden on existing rail tracks between Howrah and New Delhi, the work on the first phase of the 1,856-km Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor that runs through six states will be completed by August 2018, officials said.

"The first phase of the work on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will be completed by August 2018," Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation (DFCC) Managing Director Anshuman Sharma told IANS during a visit to Aligarh to view the progress of the work on the 345-km-long stretch of the corridor between Kanpur and Khurja.

He said that 300 km of track work has been completed on the stretch, adding that, thereafter, work on the Kanpur-Mughalsarai 402 km second phase will be completed by December 2019.

The corrdior, being laid at a cost of Rs 30,358 crore (about $5 billion) and scheduled for completion by 2020, will eventually run from Ludhiana in Punjab and, after passing through Haryana, will be joined by a spur from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh -- the closest point to national capital New Delhi -- before proceeding through Bihar and Jharkhand and terminating at Dankui in West Bengal. Its longest stretch of 1,058 km will be in Uttar Pradesh.

Earthwork is also under way on the Ludhiana-Khurja section to first flatten the ground and then compact it before the rails are laid.

Sharma said that the DFCC is, for the first time, using most advanced machines for completing the work on time.

"For the first time we are using the New Track Construction (NTC) machines which can lay around 1.5 km railway tracks in a day," Sharma said.

Earlier around 60-70 persons were required for laying 1.5 km of track and that too in around 15-20 days.

"About 60-70 people could lay only 200-300 metres of track in a day, but through this specially designed machine we can lay around 1.5 km of tracks a day," he said.

"Only 10-12 people are required to work on the highly mechanised machine," he said, adding this makes for greater accuracy and efficiency.

Thanks to the NTC machine, it is now possible to lay rails of 260 metres -- 12 metre sections welded together -- instead of the current practice of 12 metre rails with plates, nuts and bolts.

"The rails are welded with the flash-butt method, also on an imported machine," Sharma said.

Three NTC machines have been imported from the United States and each machine cost around Rs 40 crore each. For the Kanpur-Khurja section, the machines have been imported by Tata Projects Ltd., a joint venture between Tatas and the Spanish firm Aldesa and to whom the work has been contracted.

Talking about the other work on the corridor, Sharma said: "A total of 77 major bridges and 1,107 minor bridges have been completed by November 2017 and work on 125 major bridges and 352 minor bridges is in progress."

"We have also completed a 3.06-km-long bridge on the Sone river in Bihar," he added.

The DFCC MD also said that once the corridor is operational, train speeds will also increase.

"Currently the average speed of a goods train is about 25 kmph. Once the construction is complete, the speeds will increase up to 65-70 kmph," he said, adding that the maximum speed could also be increased to 100 kmph.

"Beside increasing the speed, the corridor will also have a Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) for safety," he said.

The Eastern Corridor, as also the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor that is simultaneously being developed, will also help speed up passenger trains on the Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata golden quadrilateral as they will absorb about 70 per cent of the existing freight traffic on the two routes.

"The average speed of passenger trains on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors will increase by 25 kmph. The railways plan to operate trains at speeds of 160 kmph on the two most saturated corridors in the country," Sharma said.

According to railway officials, the Delhi-Mumbai corridor is operating at 115 per cent capacity and the Delhi-Howrah corridor at 150 per cent capacity.

Talking about the delay in the project, which was approved in 2005, Sharma said, "The work was delayed due to arbitration cases filed by the farmers over compensation issues in different courts. But we have been able to sort out such problems."

(Anand Singh visited the project site of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor on the Railway Ministry's invitation. He can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
Jakarta, Dec 14 : An Indonesian court on Thursday rejected the petition of a conservative organisation to criminalise sexual relations outside of marriage and between people of the same sex.

The petition to reform the criminal code was dismissed by five of the nine judges, reports Efe news.

The petition was filed in 2016 by a university professor and 11 members of the Family Love Alliance.

It sought to amend the articles pertaining to adultery, sex with underage and rape to include cases between people of the same sex. It received support from several conservative Muslim groups.

Several organisations and activists have reported an increase in homophobic rhetoric and repression by the authorities since the beginning of 2016.

In March, two gay men in Aceh were caned in public 83 times.

Andreas Harsono, a researcher with Human Rights Watch in Indonesia, told Efe that the court's decision will not improve the plight of gay people. At least 200 gay people were arrested this year.

Indonesia has a population of 260 million, of which 88 per cent are Muslims.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Delhi Dynamos are likely to include left-back Sena Ralte in the squad for their forthcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season four fixture against FC Goa on Saturday.

The 29-year-old along with Matias Mirabaje and Edu Moya have been sidelined from the squad with their respective injuries.

"Ralte has started training with the team, hopefully he will make it to the squad." a Delhi Dynamos official told IANS over phone.

The Delhi outfit are currently placed second last in the ISL table with three point from four matches.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of becoming a "captive puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was brazenly breaking rules in a final bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

Charging the poll panel with not acting on Congress complaints against the BJP and Modi, the party said the poll panel was turning a blind eye to democratic and constitutional norms being violated by the ruling party openly.

The Congress denounced Modi's "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad on Thursday. This, it said, was a flagrant violation of the model code of conduct.

"It was an election campaign. Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. The Election Commission, it seems, is working under pressure from the Prime Minister and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said.

"If any shame is left in the Election Commission, it should act on the Congress complaints," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.

"It seems the Election Commission is blind. They cannot see Modi openly and brazenly violating the model code of conduct.

"This shows how unfortunately the Election Commission has become a captive puppet of the BJP," Surjewala said.

"The Election Commission has different standards for the BJP and the Congress. What is the reason for the Election Commission to behave like a front organisation of the BJP?"

"When Rahul Gandhi gave interview to news channels, a notice was sent to him. But when Arun Jaitely released BJP's manifesto on December 8, it was not a violation. When Modi appealed to people on December 9 to vote... it was not a violation. No notices were sent to them. The Election Commission remained silent then," he said.

"Amit Shah using the Ahmedabad Airport to hold a press conference was not a violation? Arun Jaitley holding a press conference in Ahmedabad and one union minister (Piyush Goyal) holding a press conference in Delhi twice was not a violation?"

He alleged that Amit Shah was aware a case was being filed by the poll panel against the news channels for airing Gandhi's interview much before it was announced.

"The EC was receiving orders from the PMO. Several ministers were calling the journalists and threatening them."

Surjewala said when the Congress asked the poll panel about its complaints, it was told they would be looked into after 5 p.m. -- when the second and final phase of Gujarat election would end.

"The Chief Election Commissioner (A.K. Joti), who was Chief Secretary to Modi (when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat), is still acting as the Chief Secretary to Modiji. This is shameful for the Election Commission."

The Congress said the way the BJP was behaving showed Modi had conceded defeat in Gujarat.

Replying to questions, Surjewala said either the Commission was blindfolded or sleeping.

He said on Wednesday, the Congress sought an appointment with the Election Commission around 4.30 p.m. and was told the meeting would take place on Thursday morning.

"It was only after we threatened to stage a 'dharna' we were given an appointment at 10.15 at night," he said.

"We are trying to wake up the Election Commission. We appeal to the Election Commission not to turn blind and deaf."
Los Angeles, Dec 14 : Actress Salma Hayek has added her name to the list of celebrities speaking out against disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, calling him a rage-fuelled "monster" who sexually harassed and tried to kill her. Weinstein denied the charge.

In an emotional New York Times piece published on Wednesday, the 51-year-old Mexican actress detailed her experiences with Weinstein through the course of the making of "Frida" -- a 2002 biopic on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

She claimed, among other things, that he once threatened to kill her when she refused his advances. Hayek said Weinstein told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't."

"I don't think he hated anything more than the word 'no,'" Hayek wrote. "And with every refusal came Harvey's Machiavellian rage."

Dozens of actresses, including Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused Weinstein of similar impropriety. He has denied all the allegations of non-consensual sex.

Weinstein's spokesperson said: "All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by (Hayek) are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."

The Oscar-nominated actor wrote that she spent years saying 'no' to the disgraced producer following his demands for sexual activity with her.

"No to me taking a shower with him. No to letting him watch me take a shower. No to letting him give me a massage. No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage. No to letting him give me oral sex. No to my getting naked with another woman," she wrote.

She accused him of threatening to shut "Frida" down unless she filmed a nude sex scene with another actress.

"I had to take a tranquilizer, which eventually stopped the crying but made the vomiting worse," she wrote of her emotional turmoil at filming a scene she thought unnecessary.

"As you can imagine, this was not sexy, but it was the only way I could get through the scene."

After refusing to sleep with him, Hayek alleged that Weinstein tried to remove her from the project despite the fact she had steered it in the first place. Once she met his demands with regards to the script and budget, he agreed to let her star.

The film ended with six Oscar nominations, including one for Hayek as best actress. She wrote that even when she would see him after the release, he "terrified" her.

Weinstein's spokesperson said the film producer "does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female co-star and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Hayek with Geoffrey Rush".

The spokesperson said Weinstein "regards Salma Hayek a first-class actress" and admits "there was creative friction" on the set of "Frida".
Seoul, Dec 14 : South Korean prosecutors on Thursday demanded 25 years jail term for Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of former President Park Geun-hye, for her role in a massive corruption scandal which led to Park's impeachment.

The prosecution also urged the court to impose a penalty of 126.2 billion won ($98 million) on Choi, who is facing 16 charges, including abuse of power, coercion and bribery, reports Efe news.

Choi, who did not hold any public office, was arrested in November 2016 for interfering in state affairs and extorting money from around 50 companies, including some of South Korea's major family owned businesses such as LG, Hyundai and Samsung in return for official favours.

On Thursday, the prosecutors also sought a four-year prison sentence for Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of the Lotto group, accusing him of paying 7 billion won in bribes to Choi, although Shin has pleaded not guilty.

Samsung heir and de-facto head Lee Jae-yong was sentenced to five years in prison in August for his role in the scandal.

The prosecution had also demanded a six years prison sentence and a 100 million won fine for former Park aide An Chong-bum, who is accused of accepting bribes from a plastic surgeon in exchange for commercial favours.

The corruption scandal involving Park and Choi hit the country toward the end of 2016 and has led to widespread protests and Park's impeachment, who has been under house arrest since March pending ruling in her trial.
Nay Pyi Taw, Dec 14 : Myanmar on Thursday charged two journalists with violating the British colonial era Official Secrets Act and illegally obtaining confidential documents from the police related to a controversial military offensive in Rakhine.

Wa Lone, 31 and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, who work for the Reuters news agency, were arrested on Tuesday in Yangon and face a possible 14-year jail sentence, reports Efe news.

Reuters President Stephen J. Adler issued a statement on Wednesday night saying: "We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately."

The two reporters have been working on stories related to a military offensive in western Rakhine that has led hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslim minority to flee the country over the last three months.

"The two journalists obtained the documents by deception from the two policemen who came back from Rakhine state after serving security duties," the Myanmar Police said in a statement.

The two police officers were also arrested and face similar charges.

Over 647,000 Rohingyas -- one of the most persecuted communities in the world -- have fled to Bangladesh to escape the offensive and related abuse - including rape and torching of villages - that the Myanmar Army launched in August in response to a series of attacks on government posts by Rohingya rebels.

Media and human rights organisations have also repeatedly denounced the climate of repression under which journalists work in Myanmar despite the return of democracy in 2016 after almost half a century of military dictatorship.
Washington, Dec 14 : Three astronauts landed in Kazakhstan on Thursday after spending nearly five months at the International Space Station.

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying Expedition 53 crewmates Randy Bresnik of NASA, Paolo Nespoli of European Space Agency (ESA) and Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos landed at 2.37 p.m. Kazakhstan time, NASA said.

During his time aboard the orbital complex, Bresnik ventured outside the space station for three spacewalks.

Along with NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba, Bresnik lead a trio of spacewalks to replace one of two latching end effectors on the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2.

They also lubricated the newly replaced Canadarm2 end effector and replaced cameras on the left side of the station's truss and the right side of the station's US Destiny laboratory.

Ryazanskiy conducted one spacewalk with fellow cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin in August to deploy several nanosatellites, collect research samples and perform structural maintenance.

Bresnik now has spent 150 days in space on two flights. Ryazanskiy now has 306 days in space on two flights. Nespoli has logged 313 days in space on his three flights.

The Expedition 54 crew continues operating the station, with Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos in command.

The three-person crew will operate the station until the arrival of three new crew members on December 19, NASA said.
Wellington, Dec 14 : New Zealand medium pacer Doug Bracewell replaced all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme for the three-match One-day International (ODI) series against West Indies starting from December 20.

According to a report by espncricinfo, Grandhomme had to withdraw from the New Zealand ODI squad for the series against West Indies and has returned to Zimbabwe following the death of his father.

"Doug Bracewell has been picked as a replacement for the series which starts from December 20, with no timeline set for de Grandhomme's return."

"This is obviously extremely sad news for Colin and his family and we're all thinking of them at the moment, right now the most important thing is that Colin is with his family," New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said.

This is Bracewell's first call-up to the national squad since he was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in May earlier this year for a drink-driving offence.
Udaipur, Dec 14 : Prohibitory orders were imposed in Udaipur as Rajasthan Police on Thursday detained a right-wing Hindu activist hours ahead of his planned rally in support of "Love Jihad" murder accused Shambhulal Raigar in the city.

Police detained Thakur Updesh Rana in Bagru on Thursday afternoon at the Jaipur border on Ajmer Road, Bagru SHO, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat said.

On Tuesday, Rana had posted a video online calling for a massive rally in Udaipur on Thursday. He called upon Hindus to support the rally in big numbers, He had also posted another video on Wednesday saying that he is going to meet Raigar's family and had also dared the administration to arrest him.

Earlier, Udaipur District Magistrate Bishnu Charana Mallick imposed Section 144 in the city on Wednesday night to avert any untoward incident in the city.

In view of the rise in hate messages being exchanged on social media sites, Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha ordered suspension of internet services for the next 24 hours in Udaipur and Rajsamand, where Raigar had brutally murdered and burnt a Muslim man in the name of "Love Jihad" earlier this month. Schools and colleges will remain closed during this period.

Police sources confirmed that internet services, bulk sms/MMS/WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services have been suspended for 24 hours. Police also asked citizens to stay vigilant.

According to sources, a few self-proclaimed Hindu organisations have announced they will take out a procession on Thursday supporting Raigar.

Many people also deposited money in the account of Raigar's wife. The administration has frozen the account and investigations are on to find out who transferred money in his wife's account.

Mallick said that taking out processions, rallies and delivering instigating speech will be strictly prohibited under Section 144. Those violating the order will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.

Strict action will also be taken against those roaming with sharp-edged weapons and rods, he said.

Meanwhile, IG Anand Shrivastava has written a message to Facebook requesting them to block the accounts which are triggering hate messages and also exchanging them.

Rana has delivered a hate speech on Facebook and the IG requested Facebook to block his accounts.

On December 9, a large number of Muslims took out a rally in Udaipur demanding the harshest punishment for Raigar.

A video is also going viral on social media purportedly showing Muslims in a rally at Chetak Circle in Udaipur shouting slogans against Hindu organisations. They are seen demanding death for Raigar. Police sources said the video has been sent for forensic examination.

To protest against this video, several self-proclaimed Hindu organisations geared up to extend support to Shambulal Raigar and his family. Members of one such organisation announced holding a rally in Rajsamand on Thursday.
Bhadradri (Telangana)/ : Bhadradri (Telangana)/ Dec 14 (IANS) Eight Maoists were killed in a gunfight between the rebels and security forces in Telanagana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district, adjoining Chhattisgarh, on Thursday morning, a senior police officer said.

No security personnel was injured, said Telangana Director General of Police Mahendar Reddy.

The gunfight broke out when a security force team, on a routine patrol, were attacked near the Nellamadgu jungles by Maoists waiting to ambush them, and immediately retaliated, he said.

"After a long exchange of fire, the Maoists fled back into the jungles. After that, security forces searching the spot found eight bodies of the rebels as well as a large haul of arms and ammunition as well as articles of common use. Searches are on," he said.

He said that on Wednesday, the Central government's Internal Security Adviser had visited the Maoist-affected Konta area in Chhattisgarh's Sukma, which adjoins Telangana, and the Maoist ambush was seen in light of this.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : A minor girl was found dead with her throat slit in the national capital and the deceased's family believes it to be a case of "black magic", police said on Thursday.

The police said the incident occurred on Wednesday night at around 11 p.m. when the deceased's father informed them about his daughter being missing.

According to the police, deceased Kajol, who was playing with her younger brother in a rented room in Ghazipur's Dairy Farm area, went missing.

"Her parents searched and enquired about her in the neighbouring houses, but later found her murdered with throat slit with some sharp-edged weapon on the terrace of the house. Six other tenants also live in the same building," a senior police officer said.

"The family members are suspecting that black magic could be the reason of this murder. Her body has been sent for postmortem examination to ascertain whether she was also sexually assaulted," he added.

"She was playing outside the room, while the other family members were watching television. Probably, the accused lured her, took her to the terrace and killed her. Police suspect the role of a tenant who is missing since the murder," Kajol's mother Munni Devi told IANS.

"We are enquiring with tenants and their neighbours to identify the accused. CCTV camera footage is also being examined," the officer said.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : In a bid to give its users prompt after-sales service, Huawei's sub-brand Honor on Thursday announced opening four more exclusive service centres in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Guwahati.

"With the opening of the new service centres, we aim to ease the after-sales trouble shooting for our customers. These will help us reach out to more of our customers across the landscape of the country," P. Sanjeev, Vice-President Sales, Huawei India-Consumer Business Group, said in a statement.

These service centres will exclusively provide "first class" support and repair for Huawei and Honor-branded devices, the company said.

Sanjeev had earlier told IANS that service centres were already operating in 17 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Bengaluru.

With 20 per cent overseas smartphone shipments year-on-year, Huawei is one of the fastest-growing Chinese smartphone makers.
Mumbai, Dec 14 : Automobile major Tata Motors on Thursday delivered the first set of Tigor Electric Vehicles (EVs) to state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).

According to the automobile major, the first set of Tigor EVs were delivered as part of the state-run company's initiative to procure 10,000 electric vehicles.

Commenting on the occasion, Tata Motors' CEO and MD Guenter Butschek said: "This initiative of the Government of India to procure 10,000 electric vehicles is a bold step in terms of promoting green and sustainable transport solutions."

"With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. This tender has effectively paved way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the vision of the government."

Tata Motors had qualified as "L1" bidder in the midst of stiff competition and won the tender floated by EESL in September 2017. For phase 1, Tata Motors is required to deliver 250 Tigor EVs, for which it has received a LoA (Letter of Award).
New Delhi : Hyderabad, Dec (IANS) Eight extremists of a newly formed Left wing group were killed in an exchange of fire with police in Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem on Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred in Tekulapalli forests of the district, adjoining Chhattisgarh.

The slain extremists were members of the CPI-MLs' Chandr Pullareddy Baata group, which was formed in July this year by some Maoist earlier associated with CPI-ML Jana Shakti group.

The gunbattle took place during a combing operation by police in the forests.

A police officer said the combing operations were launched following a tip-off about the presence of extremists.

Bhadradri Kothagudem's Superintendent of Police Amber Kishore Jha said the group was indulging in extortions from contractors and local businessmen.

The police officer said the extremists opened fire when asked to surrender. The police had to return fire, killing eight extremists. No policeman was injured in the incident.

The police recovered five weapons including an SLR and two 8 mm rifles.

This is the first major gunfight between police and Maoists since formation of Telangana in 2014.

While police have foiled the attempts of the banned CPI-Maoist to revive their activities in the newly-created state, some extremists associated with Jana Shakti outfit regrouped to form a new organisation. Police said this was active in four districts.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : As the Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of becoming a "captive puppet" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hands, the BJP hit back and said the opposition party was "known for breaking guidelines on constitutional bodies".

The Congress had dubbed the Election Commission a captive puppet and accused Modi of brazenly breaking rules in a final bid to save the Bharatiya Janata Party's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav said: "After the last Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat, we had accepted its decision then. The Congress had then called the Election Commission impartial."

"And now, when the Congress is set to face defeat, they are making all sort of allegations against the election panel," the BJP MP told the media here.

He said the Congress was known for "keeping others as puppets".

"I would say it is a case of sour grapes that they are now blaming constitutional bodies," Yadav said.

The BJP leader's remarks came soon after Congress leader Randeep Surjewala hurled accusations at the poll panel.

The Congress also denounced Modi's 'roadshow' after voting in Ahmedabad on Thursday. This, it said, was "flagrant violation of the model code of conduct".
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Industry body, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), on Thursday said that sugar production in Uttar Pradesh was set to cross 100 lakh tonnes in 2017 and the total countrywide production was expected to be 251 lakh tonnes.

Sugar production in major sugarcane growing state of Maharashtra had gone down to 42 lakh tonnes in 2016-17.

"This year, we are expecting it to be 70 lakh tonnes in Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh it will be 101 lakh tonnes this year as against 87 lakh tonnes last year," a ISMA Director General Avinash Verma told reporters on sidelines of its annual general meeting.

In Karanataka, the production is set to increase by three lakh tonnes to 25 lakh tonnes, this year.

In 2016-17, sugar production had slumped to 203 lakh tonnes due to drought-like situation in sugar producing Maharashtra and southern states.

Sugar year starts from October.

Taking into an account hike in production this year, the ISMA also sought preferential import duty or decrease in import duty for Indian sugar in neighbouring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

These countries import 25 to 30 lakh tonnes, annually.

"While Sri Lanka levies $150 per tonne, Bangladesh charges $100 per tonne. So we have asked the government to seek preferential duty structure from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for Indian sugar as production is going to be surplus this year," Verma said.
Gandhinagar, Dec 14 : The second and final phase of the bitterly fought Gujarat Assembly polls ended on Thursday evening amid a war of words between the ruling BJP and an aggressive Congress.

Balloting closed at 5 p.m. with an estimated 60 per cent of the 2.22 crore electorate exercising their franchise in 93 constituencies across 14 districts of northern and central Gujarat.

Nearly 50 per cent polling was seen by 3 p.m., the Election Commission said. One official said the overall polling could even cross 70 per cent.

Thursday's fight for Gujarat, ruled by the BJP for 22 long years, ended more or less peacefully. Voters, however, complained about malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at some places.

The sluggish voter turnout in the first few hours due to the winter chill gave way to visible enthusiasm as the day progressed. Long queues of men and women were seen outside polling booths almost everywhere.

But with the stakes high in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress were locked in a war of words after Prime Minister Narendra Modi voted in Ahmedabad and then went around the area, flashing his finger with the voter mark.

A furious Congress complained to the Election Commission that Modi held a roadshow in Ranip area.

Afer casting his vote, Modi stood on the steps of his vehicle and waved to the cheering crowds. His 97-year-old mother Hiraba, who lives in Gandhinagar with Modi's younger brother Pankaj Modi, also voted in Gandhinagar North.

The Congress accused the Election Commission of ignoring the BJP's and Modi's violations of the model code of conduct. Congress activists staged a demonstration outside the office of the poll panel in New Delhi.

BJP veteran L.K. Advani, the Lok Sabha member from Gandhinagar, cast his vote at a booth in Hindi Vidyalaya in Shahpur area of the old city. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley voted at a booth in Chimanbhai Institute at Vejalpur area.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel too voted on Thursday. Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who has virtually thrown his lot with the Congress, exercised his franchise in Viramgam.

A skirmish took place between two groups in Hasanpur village in Visnagar at Mehsana. The police used batons to disperse the mob. Ten persons have hospitalised.

The districts were elections were held on Thursday included Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur.

A total of 25,575 polling booths were set up in 14,523 places.

There were several complaints regarding malfunctioning EVMs in and around Vadodara city, halting polling temporarily.

A clash also erupted in Dhanera town in Banaskantha district, police said.

The first round of polling to elect a 182-member Gujarat Assembly took place on December 9. The votes will be counted on Monday.
Shimla, Dec 14 : After the facelift of Town Hall, an iconic British-era structure in Shimla, it can be used either as a museum or a library rather than leaving it at the mercy of the "babus" by allowing a public office to run from there, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has observed.

It asked the Chief Secretary on Wednesday to file an affidavit by January 3, the next date of hearing, regarding the utilisation of Town Hall, which is being restored with an outlay of Rs 8 crore.

Hearing a petition, a division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma observed: "Undoubtedly, it is an important and significant landmark of the town. Intrinsically, it is part of its heritage."

"It's in this backdrop, we are of the considered view that a decision must be taken with regard to proper use of the building after its restoration.

"Perhaps it can be used for housing a library and other public conveniences, rather than leaving it at the mercy of the 'babus' for nailing the restored wooden panels and work of art only for the purposes of hanging the annual calendars or pasting the same all over the walls," they said.

Without mincing words, the judges said they had seen with the restoration of an adjoining historical building, i.e. the Gaiety Theatre, activities of art and culture had improved and increased manifold.

Performers and artists have now got a platform to exhibit their talent. Not only the locals but even the tourists are benefiting. Also, the Department of Art and Culture is generating revenue for maintenance of the building.

"Perhaps in larger public interest, it (Town Hall) would be served by setting up a museum or library in the building," the bench said, noting that its renovation would be over by June 2018.

Quoting a Supreme Court order, they said an attempt was made to convert another historical landmark in Shimla, named the Viceregal Lodge, into a hotel.

The majestic Viceregal Lodge is currently home to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

Tracing the Town Hall history, the court said it was actually designed as New Library and Offices by Scottish architect James Ransome.

Except for some public utility offices, essentially the building was used for the purposes of a library.

In fact, the original building, designed as a library, was constructed in 1908. After India's partition some of the offices of the Municipal Corporation were housed in it.

Considering the building as a "priceless architectural marvel", the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded its restoration. "The character and status of the building undoubtedly is that of a heritage property," the bench added.

The Town Hall building in the half-timbered Tudor style -- all-wooden frames and shingled eaves -- housed the Shimla Municipal Corporation before it underwent restoration.

Its exteriors and interiors would be refurbished by polishing and repairing the stone work. The windows and rooftops would be totally replaced and the Gothic facade would be improved, say officials involved in its restoration.
Kohima, Dec 14 : The Nagaland Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution urging the government of India to take emergent and extraordinary steps for an "honourable and acceptable solution" to the Naga political issues before the state assembly election next year.

The House also resolved to urged the Election Commission of India not to announce the state election until the Centre finalised an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue in order to enable all Nagas to enjoy their due democratic and other rights and function as a more empowered electorate during the elections.

It also decided to call upon civil society, tribal Hohos, church, political parties and other organisations concerned to cooperate with the vision of the state government and press for "solution before election", so that utmost unity was displayed before the government of India and the Election Commission.

Introducing the resolution, Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang informed the House that the consultative meeting of the Nagaland legislators with the present and former parliamentarians held on December 7 had adopted a resolution urging the Nagaland Assembly to pass a separate resolution on similar lines for "solution before election" during the current session of the House.

Zeliang said the House appreciated the various measures taken by the Indian government with regard to early solution of the protracted Naga Political issue, especially the Framework Agreement signed on August 5, 2015 between the central government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) as well as the written agreement on November 27 between the government of India and the working committee of the six Naga political groups.

"The various stakeholders are sincerely and seriously engaging their minds with the core details of the Naga political issues in order to arrive at an early solution," the Chief Minister stated.

He said the House was of the utmost view that solution to the Naga issues could not afford any more delay and thereby interminably deny the Nagas their democratic rights to self-determination and other concomitant rights.
Washington, Dec 14 : US Vice President Mike Pence has delayed his upcoming visit to Israel by several days due to the Congressional vote on tax reforms, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon, the delay in Pence's visit, earlier scheduled for Sunday, was due to internal affairs and the tax reform vote in the US Congress.

Pence's office has not confirmed the delay.

The announcement came amid an ongoing outcry over President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital as well as move the US embassy to the holy city.

His vote could be crucial to Republican hopes of passing the major tax reform bill before the end of the year. With Republicans holding a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate -- and some key Republican senators still uncommitted -- Pence holds the tie-breaking vote in the event of an even split, CNN reported.

Delaying the Jerusalem visit allows Pence to cast that vote if tax reform moves forward next week. Trump's announcement last week delighted Israeli leaders but was heavily criticized by many key US allies and Palestinian leaders who see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Pence is now scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday. But Palestinian leaders said they would refuse to meet him.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki told reporters last week that the leadership had decided there would be "no formal communications" with US officials in the wake of Trump's Jerusalem decision.

An emergency summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was held in Istanbul on Wednesday, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: "We shall not accept any role for the US in the peace process."

He also announced the termination of the 1993 Oslo Accords and any other agreements signed since then with Israel. The OIC called on the international community to recognize East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.

The custodian of the key to one of the holiest sites in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also said he would not welcome Pence to Jerusalem's Old City.

Deadly protests broke out in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem following Trump's move. There has also been an increase in the number of rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel.
Beijing/Taipei, Dec 14 : China on Thursday accused Washington of interfering in its internal affairs after US President Donald Trump ratified a bill to strengthen military ties with Taiwan.

Trump earlier this week had approved the National Defence Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2018, which looks to boost military cooperation with Taiwan, including mutual visits by Navy ships and joint military drills.

"We are firmly opposed to any form of official exchanges or military links between Taiwan and the US," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press conference.

He added that Beijing has lodged a formal complaint over the measure that seriously violated the "One China principle", according to which the only recognized government of Taiwan was in Beijing, Efe news reported.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister David Lee told the Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee of the Parliament on Thursday that the US government had approved the Congress decision to support high-level military ties and docking of naval vessels in Taiwanese ports.

Reacting to a Chinese diplomat's statement in Washington -- in which he said the Chinese military will unify Taiwan with military force if a US warship docked at the Kaohsiung port in Taiwan -- Lee called it "unbelievable" and "counterproductive".

Taiwan has been a constant source of tension between China and the US, which has been the traditional guarantor of Taipei's security and its chief supplier of arms and defence equipment.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The CBI on Thursday urged a court here to award the maximum seven-year jail term to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and others who have been convicted for corruption in a coal block allocation case.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar was also told by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that they are criminals holding high office and considering their official position and conduct, there was no sufficient ground for leniency.

The convicts however sought leniency from the court.

The court will pronounce order on quantum of sentence on December 16.

The court on December 13 had held Koda, his close aide Vijay Joshi, former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta, Jharkhand's then Chief Secretary A.K. Basu, and private company Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL) guilty of criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court's order came in the case related to Jharkhand's Rajhara North coal block allocation to VISUL.

The judge, however, acquitted four persons -- VISUL's Director Vaibhav Tulsyan, two public servants Basant Kumar Bhattacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh, and Chartered Accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan -- of all charges.

The CBI had alleged that Koda and others conspired to favour VISUL in getting the coal block.

The CBI had claimed that VISUL had applied for the allocation of Rajhara North coal block on January 8, 2007. Although the Jharkhand government and the Steel Ministry did not recommend its case, a Screening Committee recommended the block allocation to the firm.

The agency had said that Gupta, who was then Chairman of the Screening Committee, had allegedly concealed facts from then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had been heading the Coal Ministry as well, that Jharkhand had not recommended VISUL for allocation of the coal block.
Jaipur, Dec 14 : The BJP government on Thursday invoked the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) for three months from Sunday as its doctors warned of a strike from December 18 in support of their demands.

An official notification in this regard said government employees are restricted from proceeding on mass leave, stage protests, or strike work. The RESMA will enable action in case doctors go ahead with their strike.

The ongoing tussle between nearly 10,000 government doctors and the Vasundhara Raje government took a bitter turn when the Health Department issued a show-cause notice to All Rajasthan In Service Doctors Association (ARISDA) President Ajay Chaudhary and 12 other doctors.

Health officials told IANS on the condition of anonymity that the government had called a meeting with ARISDA representatives to discuss their demands. However, none of them turned up for the meeting, whereafter the government issued the show-cause notice.

On November 28, the health authorities had issued transfer orders to 12 doctors, including Ajay Chaudhary, who had led the doctors' strike from November 6 to 12. Of these, 10 doctors are yet to assume charge of their new postings.

The doctors are demanding hazardous service allowance, increase in rural allowance and single shift hospitals. Health officials said most of the demands had already been met and the remaining ones were in the pipeline.

The doctors are also demanding the cancellation of the transfers of 12 doctors as well as cases registered against the protesting doctors and others.
Shillong, Dec 14 : Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of creating confusion over the implementation of Aadhaar not only in Meghalaya but across the country.

"...In one letter the Centre says that Aadhaar is not compulsory, but in correspondence from different central ministries they insist on Aadhaar number of the beneficiaries for centrally-sponsored schemes," he told the assembly during the Question Hour.

"Conflicting directives are coming. Therefore, all are confused. I am equally confused," Sangma said reiterating that he would not enrol for Aadhaar.

Stating in the assembly that enrolment for the biometric scheme was not compulsory in the state, the Chief Minister, however, said the state government could not completely stop Aadhaar enrolment since students pursuing their career outside Meghalaya and those availing scholarships needed it.

"If Aadhaar is not issued to such students, they will not be eligible for various entrance examinations," he said.

Sangma said that the central government should consider not making Aadhaar mandatory in the northeastern region, which was peculiar with its issues of illegal immigrants and porous border, and the National Population Register (NPR) had also not been updated yet.

"Without it (NPR), how will we know that Aadhaar exercise does not go beyond Indian citizens? Therefore, Aadhaar should not be made mandatory in Meghalaya, otherwise it would lead to complication for a state that is dealing with the issue of illegal immigration," he said.

Sangma said he had also spoken with his Assam counterpart on Aadhaar.

The Chief Minister said he would ask Chief Secretary Y. Tshering to convene a meeting with the banking officials to seek clarity on the banks circulars "forcing" people to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar number.

He said 4,63,058 people had been assigned Aadhaar numbers in Meghalaya.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The government is ready to discuss all the issues, including those to be raised by the Opposition, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said here on Thursday, adding that he would request all the MPs to work "full time" to dispose of the business.

"The government is ready to discuss and debate any issue. Several issues would be raised by the opposition and the government would obviously give its response," he said when asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegations against his predecessor Manmohan Singh and others vis-a-vis their meeting with Pakistani diplomats would disrupt the Houses.

"It is also the opposition's responsibility to run Parliament. The Prime Minister has sought opposition's cooperation for smooth functioning of Parliament," he said.

Ananth Kumar said 25 Bills are listed in the Lok Sabha and 39 Bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha which would be taken up and disposed "according to priority".

The most important business would be the Supplementary Demands for Grants, which is the first one after the implementation of GST; the 123rd Constitutional Amendment for setting up of National Commission for Backward Classes as a constitutional body; and the Bill against triple talaaq, he said.

Besides, the government would also bring Bills to turn three Ordinances into Acts, which include on the GST compensation to states and Amendments to the Indian Forest Act and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

However, a belligerent opposition is ready to corner the government on Modi's allegations against Manmohan Singh, former Vice President Hamid Ansari and others, as also the disqualification from Rajya Sabha of veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari.

"The Prime Minister has levelled very serious allegations against a former Prime Minister, former Vice President, former Army chief and a few retired diplomats that they were conspiring along with Pakistan. The government must tell the Parliament as to what kind of conspiracy it was," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told media persons after the all-party meeting.

"If the allegations are true, the government must take action. If they are false, then those levelling such wild allegations must be punished. Why does BJP rakes up Pakistan in every elections? It is them who go uninvited and make friends with them," Azad, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, added.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wondered as to how the government would do justice to 25 Bills in just 14 days.

"Besides, a Parliament session is not meant to just transact the government business. There are several other important matters of public concern which need to be discussed apart from the opposition's issues," he said.

The opposition refused to buy the government's argument that winter sessions have been delayed or truncated in the past too, saying the government "deliberately" delayed and shortened the session as the "entire Cabinet including the Prime Minister was busy campaigning in Gujarat".

However, Ananth Kumar said that he would request the Members of Parliament to work "full time" to make the most of the 14-day session.

"Parliament's productivity has increased over the last few years. We expect this session too would be very smooth and productive. I request all the MPs to work full time," he said to the point of cramming 25 bills in 14 days.

Those present at the all-party meet included Prime Minister Modi (who joined towards the end), Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and his deputies Vijay Goel and Arjun Meghwal.

The others included Azad, Anand Sharma, Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia from the Congress, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, D. Raja of the Communist Party of India, Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress, Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party and Tariq Anwar of the Nationalist Congress Party.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Congress party will raise in the Winter Session of Parliament the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a host of other dignitaries including a former Vice President "conspired" with Pakistan to defeat the BJP in the Gujarat elections.

"We want to know what kind of conspiracy these leaders have indulged in? If this is true then action must be taken against them, and if not action must be taken against those who made such charges," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said after a meeting of opposition leaders on the eve of the Winter Session of Parliament.

He also said that the Congress had never gone to participate in Pakistan's celebrations.

"But it is the Prime Minister who went to attend the wedding and birthday of Pakistan's leaders," Azad said, referring to Modi's visit to Islamabad in December 2015 to attend the wedding of Pakistan's then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's grand daughter which was also the birthday of Sharif.

Talking to the media, he said for BJP the priority is elections and not Parliament as it does not believe in democracy.

"We will also raise the issue of delay in Parliament's Winter Session which has been called only for 10-12 days," Azad said.

Attacking the BJP for the delayed and shorter Winter Session, the Congress leader said that "the session, which was supposed to end, is starting now".

"Government did it deliberately because the Prime Minister and his entire cabinet was busy in Gujarat elections. For this government the Parliament is not a priority but elections are," he said, adding that for the last three and half years this government has been busy contesting elections.

"They don't have any interest in running Parliament and don't have trust in democracy," he accused.

The meeting of the opposition leaders was attended by Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, SP's Naresh Agrawal, CPI's D. Raja, TMC's Derek O'Brien, NCP's Tariq Anwar and RJD's J.P. Yadav.

The Congress leader also said the way in which Modi took out a road show after casting his vote in Ahmedabad "we want to know which kind of new code of conduct the Election Commission has brought so that the Prime Minister can violate it"?

"PM must give answers on all these issues in Parliament," Azad added.
Lucknow, Dec 14 : The winter session of both the 17th Vidhan Sabha and the Legislative Council in Uttar Pradesh began here on Thursday, which were later adjourned for the day after disruptions by opposition benches.

After the opposition disturbed the assembly proceedings, Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit adjourned the lower house for the day.

Earlier, amid protests by Samajwadi Party (SP) members, the Yogi Adityanath government tabled two proposed legislations in the assembly, including one on 'Prayagraj Mela' and one to amend the Cooperative Societies Act.

The SP lawmakers raised the demand for loan waivers for farmers in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's presence.

Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Chowdhary said the state's farmers had been cheated and the rollout of the loan waiver scheme by the Bharatiya Janata Party government was questionable.

Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Singh gave notice under Rule 311 for discussion on the power tariff hike but his demand was not entertained by the Chair.

Bahujan Samaj Party legislators' leader Lalji Verma said the government had failed to fulfil poll promises made by the BJP in its 'Sankalp Patra' during the assembly elections.

He also demanded a discussion on many issues under Rule 311, a rollback of the power tariff hike and accused the government of failing to maintain law and order in Uttar Pradesh.

Government Spokesman and Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh however trashed the opposition allegations about poor law and order and said the government planned to enact the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act to tackle criminals. He also accused the opposition of doing politics on everything and having a "negative mindset".

In the Legislative Council, the opposition created a din as well, making its Chairman adjourn the upper house of the legislature for the day.

At the start of the council session, Samajwadi Party (SP) members raised anti-government slogans and protested against the power tariff hike which they dubbed as "steep".

Demanding a rollback, the SP members said they will not let the house function till their demand was met.

Calling the hike of 12 per cent a blow to farmers, the poor and the middle class, SP MLCs accused Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of being "anti-poor and cheating people".

As SP members refused to pay heed to calm down, Legislative Council Chairman Ramesh Yadav first adjourned the house till noon and later till Friday.

Power Minister Shrikant Sharma denied opposition charges and said the previous SP government had left the state's power sector in chaos.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government was only trying to set things right and ensure adequate power to both villages and cities, the Minister said.

The winter session of the 17th Vidhan Sabha will continue till December 22.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : India should give up its "romantic" foreign policy and learn to deal with its neighbours the way they should be dealt with, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said on Thursday, cautioning that the Doklam issue with China was not over yet.

Reaffirming India's commitment to maintain its "good relationship" with China, Madhav said New Delhi handled the Doklam dispute with maturity -- using its foreign policy clout and hard posturing on the ground.

"Here we deployed mature diplomacy together with strong ground posturing. But having said that, Doklam is not over," he said.

The remarks assume significance in the wake of reports that China has started building up its military forces near the Doklam plateau which was at the centre of a protracted stand-off early this year between the militaries of the two countries.

Madhav didn't discuss the issue further given "the constraints", he said, he faced as a BJP leader.

"Our foreign policy is largely driven by romantic ideas. Since I am a member of the ruling party I cannot say much about it. But I am a firm believer that romanticism should end," Madhav said, addressing a gathering at the M.L. Sondhi Memorial Lecture here.

He said while India had created its neighbourhood it had not learnt how to live with them.

"We have created neighbours, we also should have learnt to live with them. The history of the last five decades suggests probably we have not learnt to live with them. To learn to live with your neighbour, you should know who he is," said Madhav, a known expert in the BJP on matters related to China.

He said China was an important neighbour to India as "the obsession of the common man in India" was shifting from India-Pakistan ties to India-China relationship.

"The obsession today is China. Maintaining good relationship with an important neighbour like China is definitely a matter of priority for the government. I have a hope in this relationship because Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are strong leaders with firm commitments and fortunately both enjoy personal goodwill and good rapport."

He said the Tibet issue needed a "pragmatic" approach that honours both India's commitment to China as on its status and Tibetans as "honored guests" in the country.

"As a nation, we have given commitment to China about its status. We should have a pragmatic policy (on Tibet)," Madhav said.

Head of the Tibetan government-in-exile Lobsang Sangay, who delivered the lecture, said India should treat Tibet as a "core issue" and expressed his concerns over growing Chinese influence in India's neighbourhood.

The chief of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said Tibet held the "key" to Beijing in many ways and can also be a "potential catalyst" to bring about changes inside China.

"India should declare Tibet as one of the core issues like China. It should make it part of the formal dialogue agenda. Had India taken a stand in 1950s and 60s (things would have been different)," he said.

He said Tibetans should be granted the lost "guardianship" of the Tibetan plateau, which was "necessary".

They should have a say on the usage of water of rivers located in the Tibetan plateau, he said, referring to reports of highly-polluted water from Brahmaputra's tributary flowing into India.

This, he said, indicated that the Chinese may be building dams somewhere in Tibet.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal have drawn the attention of the Centre on the river contamination which is believed to have been caused due to activities on the Chinese side.
Beirut, Dec 14 : Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday proposed establishing an embassy in East Jerusalem, a sign of Lebanon's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

In a tweet, Bassil said he spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about "establishing an embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine," and said the two governments discussed exchanging territory to provide for the establishment of embassies.

Abbas "promised to act quickly to provide property for Lebanon in East Jerusalem", Bassil said.

Arab and Islamic leaders on Wednesday held a special summit in Istanbul to condemn the US for its Jerusalem decision.

During the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit, Lebanon's President Michel Aoun urged the participants to submit a complaint to the UN and the Security Council against Donald Trump's decision.
Damascus, Dec 14 : The Syrian and Lebanese authorities on Thursday reopened a border crossing that had been closed for five years in Syria's central province of Homs, the media reported.

The Jawsiyah crossing in Qussair town southwest of Homs had been closed as a result of the ongoing conflict and both countries relied largely on the Masnaa crossing near Damascus, state news agency SANA reported.

Interior Minister Muhammad Sha'ar and Homs Governor Talal Barazi attended the reopening ceremony. Travellers and passengers can travel to Lebanon through this crossing from Friday, Xinhua news agency cited the report in SANA as saying.

Syria and Lebanon share four border crossings, three of which were closed during the war, but most travellers have used the Masnaa crossing.

For the Syrians, travelling to Beirut was a must in order to catch an international flight as all international flights to Damascus were halted during the war.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : An Indian Defence Accounts Services Officer who had gone missing from Monday, allegedly committed suicide by jumping before a train in west Delhi's Palam area, police said on Thursday.

Police said the officer, Jitender Kumar Jha, was staying with his family in Shivali Apartment in Sector-9 of Dwarka. His body was found on Thursday afternoon by Government Railway Police who later informed Delhi Police.

"A suicide note was also recovered from Jitender Kumar Jha's possession in which it was written that no one is to blame for his death, and he is committing suicide of his own will due to depression," Deputy Commissioner of Police Shibesh Singh told IANS.

Jha had gone for a morning walk on Monday from his residence but did not return. His wife, Bhawana Jha later informed police and filed a missing complaint. Despite scanning dozens of CCTV footage including metro stations of Dwarka, no clue was found.

According to Bhawana, he had been disturbed for the last couple of months due to being transferred six times within four years. He was posted in the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) and earlier posted with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Labour ministry and CPWD.

"He was initially posted in Ministry of Home Affairs three times," she said.

Six teams of Delhi Police were searching for Jha and got input from Bihar police on Wednesday that he was last seen in Gandhi Museum in Patna as per the CCTV footage, the officer said.

"It appears that Jha committed suicide by jumping before a running train, but we will conduct the body post-mortem on Friday to ascertain if there is any foul play behind his death," Singh added.

Jha, a native of Bihar, got married in 2006 and has a son and a daughter.

However, Jha's relatives suspect foul play and allege he was murdered before being thrown on the railway track.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Supreme Court on Thursday gave its go ahead to set up 12 special fast-track courts to try 1,581 criminal cases against members of Parliament and state assemblies and directed that these courts become operational by March 1, 2018.

Describing the central scheme to set up 12 courts as a "rudimentary" and "tentative measure", a bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Navin Sinha directed that the Centre will forthwith allocate proportionately the earmarked amount of Rs 7.8 crore to different states where these courts are proposed to be located.

In pursuance of the top court's November 1 order, the Centre proposed to set up these courts and had earmarked Rs 7.8 crore for the scheme. One fast-track court will have jurisdiction over cases pending in several states.

As counsel for the petitioners, including Supreme Court lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, said they were "disappointed" with the number of courts the government proposed to set up, the bench said: "Let us not get bogged down... let them set up. Twelve courts are not an end of it. Starting something is difficult."

Addressing misgivings on the low number of proposed courts, the apex court said: "We further make it clear that what has been directed above is all very tentative at this stage and has been so done with a view to get the court(s) operational and functional."

"As and when necessary changes are required to be made in the present directions or any additional directions are called for, the same will be issued, as may be required."

Soon after allocations are made to the respective state governments, the court said, they will -- in consultation with the High Courts concerned -- set up the fast-track courts to ensure these start functioning from March 1 next year.

The High Courts, the order said, will trace cases pending before different trial courts under their respective jurisdictions and which ought to be dealt with by the special courts, and transfer them to the new court to speed them up.

The apex court gave two months to the government to collect information on cases pending against politicians.

The court had, by its November 1 order, sought information about how many of the 1,581 cases trials were over within a year as directed by the top court in 2014, how many of the cases already decided had ended in acquittals or convictions and the number of fresh cases filed from 2014 to 2017.

Setting the next hearing on March 7, the apex court said it will also take up on that date the main issue of imposing a life ban on politicians convicted in criminal cases.
Hyderabad, Dec 14 : Telangana is keen to have a partnership with Israel in cybersecurity and emulate its world-class robust architecture, a senior official said on Thursday.

The state government also sought Israel's help to do an audit of its cybersecurity policy, its approach, the capabilities of private sector and start-ups.

Addressing a cybersecurity conference here, Telangana's Principal Secretary, Information Technology Jayesh Ranjan said a quick diagnosis would help to know if Telangana has reached anywhere close to Israel and also what needs to be done to attain global standards.

He said he was impressed with Israeli National Information Security Agency's success in creating a formidable cyber security framework.

Mentioning that Telangana has signed an MoU with The Hague Security Delta and they identified opportunities of collaboration, Ranjan said the state would like to have similar partnership with Israel.

He said Telangana was the first state to come out with a dedicated policy for cybersecurity and was putting in place the cybersecurity architecture.

The first piece of the architecture will be launched this month or next month with the setting up Security Operation Centre (SOC), which will be housed at the State Data Centre and will focus on protecting critical infrastructure of the government.

Shai Moses, Consul for Trade and Economic Affairs at Israeli Consulate General in Bengaluru, said India, like Israel, can create abundant talent pool required to achieve global standards in cybersecurity.

"Israel sees great potential for business partnerships with Indian companies and we welcome the IT players to explore collaboration opportunities with Israel companies," he said.

Konfidas CEO Ram Levi made a presentation on Israel's journey to emerge a global leader in cybersecurity systems.

Top experts in information security, data security and IT infrastructure are taking part the two-day conference, being organised by Kenes Exhibitions.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : After a long legal battle, two Parsi women - Goolrokh M. Gupta and Shiraz Rajiv Patodia - who had married outside the religion got the right to enter fire temples in Valsad and attend the last rites of their parents, including the ritual bath in the Tower of Silence as and when they pass away.

The constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra passed the order after senior counsel Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Valsad Anjuman Trust, told the court that the trust has agreed to permit the two sisters to participate in their parents' last rites.

However, the larger question of the rights of Parsi women to enter the Anjuman and the temple even after marrying outside the community, has been kept open and would be heard on January 17.

The Supreme Court had on November 7 asked the Parsi Anjuman in Gujarat's Valsad to consider the plea of woman from the community seeking to attend the funeral of her father as and when he passes away.

The court asked the Parsi Anjuman Trust to consider the plea of the two sisters as it had observed both have not surrendered their affection to their father and that "DNA does not evaporate" after marrying outside the religion.

Gupta had moved the top court seeking a declaration from the court that she would not be barred from attending the funeral of her father merely because she has married outside the religion.

Having married outside Parsi religion under the Special Marriage Act, she had contended that merely this would not result in her excommunication from Parsi religious activities.

Having married a non-Parsi in 1991 and subsequently denied entry into the Parsi fire temple or against participating in other rituals, Gupta has challenged the Gujarat High Court's 2012 judgment which says that after marrying a person of another religion under the Special Marriage Act, her identity would merge in the identity of her husband.

Besides Goolrokh, her sister Shiraz too has moved the top court against the High Court verdict.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Several Congress workers were detained on Thursday while protesting against the Election Commission (EC) for issuing a notice to the party's President-elect Rahul Gandhi over his TV interview a day ahead of the second phase of the Gujarat polls and no action being taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for holding what they called a "roadshow" after casting his vote.

The party also submitted a fresh memorandum to the Commission on Thursday demanding action against Modi for the Ahmedabad roadshow.

In its memorandum, the party called upon the EC to follow the dharma of the Constitution, implement the law and register an FIR against the Prime Minister, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah, Ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal and others.

Party workers staging a protest march were stopped by the police outside Sardar Patel Bhavan near Patel Chowk.

"EC is a constitutional institution. It is not dependant on anyone. Democracy and electoral process are being murdered. This is surprising. We gave them prima facie evidence -- a video of Modiji's roadshow. Why was there no notice against him," said Congress leader and Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev.

"Notice has been issued against us, We are not sad about it. But why notice has not been issued against them (BJP)?" said Dev.

"When Modiji was appealing to the people on December 8 to vote for BJP on December 9, was not that violation of model code of conduct? Why notice is not being issued to them?" Dev added.

She further said: "BJP is in power, they can go anywhere. We are in opposition, so the police has stopped us. This is what is happening in the country. They are misusing power in front of the EC."

The party's memorandum stated that the entire nation's conscience was deeply hurt by the denigration of every constitutional norm, law and code of conduct when Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the roadshow with BJP flags after casting his vote.

"Tragically, naked prejudice of Election Commission and failure to act against the Prime Minister and BJP leaders is writ large," it added.

The memorandum also said: "Congress holds the institution of EC in high esteem. You are final arbiter for upholding the neutrality of the election."

"If EC becomes subservient and captive to the whims and fancies of the Prime Minister and the ruling party, the entire independence of the election process would come under a cloud."
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Delhi Police has filed, in a court here, a supplementary chargesheet making AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dinakaran an accused of corruption and conspiracy in a case related to poll symbol allocation by the Election Commission.

Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Bansal likely to take cognisance of the supplementary charge sheet on December 21.

Besides Dhinakaran, his long-time friend Mallikarjuna, alleged middleman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and six others have been named as accused in the supplementary chargesheet.

Dinakaran, accused of trying to bribe Election Commission officials to get the "two leaves" party symbol for an AIADMK faction led by his aunt V.K. Sasikala, was not mentioned as an accused in the chargesheet filed by the police in July this year.

Now, police have chargesheeted him under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, and taking gratification by corrupt or illegal means to influence public servant under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Other accused were charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and destruction of evidence under the IPC and other provisions of the PC Act.

Police said a criminal conspiracy was hatched by Chandrashekhar, Dinakaran and others to bribe Election Commission officials. The money recovered from Chandrashekhar was sent by Dinakaran through illegal channels with the help of others, police alleged.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said "paid news" had become "menace" and media outlets should ensure "sensibility" in their news than focusing on "sensationalism".

"Paid news is not news. It has become a menace. It weakens the society. You (news outlets) have power to influence people, use it wisely," Naidu said after launching the Delhi edition of Marathi daily Lokmat here.

He also said that news should not be mixed with views.

"Information with confirmation is great ammunition. However, many channels are coming in the market. There is competition. But truth cannot be sacrificed," he said.

"Views should be restricted to editorial pages. There has to be sensibility and not sensationalism."

Media did have "right to break" anyone's sentiments, he added.

Naidu also appealed to journalists to focus on agriculture and rural issues as there were sentiments among people from rural areas that they were not getting attention.

"You (journalists) have to support them. You are their voice of downtrodden people and you take their issues to Delhi," he said.

He said regional languages should be respected saying he didn't feel content until he read a Telugu newspaper everyday.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Prakash Javdekar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among the leaders who attended the edition launch ceremony.

Kejriwal said journalism had always faced difficulties and even today difficulties could be seen.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Supreme Court will on Friday pronounce its order on the plea for interim relief on a batch of petitions seeking stay of various Central and state government notifications mandating the linking of Aadhaar with various schemes including taking exam by the students, availing scholarship, cremation and treatment of HIV positive patients.

The government has already issued 139 notifications mandating the linking of Unique Identification Number with various schemes including rural job guarantee, old age pensions, provident fund and the Jan Dhan Yojana.

Reserving the order after the hearing spread over three and half hours on Thursday, the five judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said that the regular hearing on the batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar being violative of right to privacy would commence on January 10, 2018.

Besides Chief Justice Misra, other judges on the constitution bench are Justice A.K.Sikri, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y, Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan.

The court indicated that it will address the government plea for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with the opening of new bank accounts in its order to be pronounced on Friday.

As Attorney General K.K.Venugopal insisted that this should be allowed, the counsel for petitioners said that if in the last seven decades, the system of introduction by an existing account holder has worked, heavens would not fall if it continues for another three months.

The court is also likely to pass order extending February 6 deadline for the linking of mobile numbers with Aadhaar to March 31.

The government has already extended December 31 deadline on the linking Aadhaar with the existing bank accounts till March 31.

Giving the chronology of the different orders passed by the Supreme Court since 2012, senior counsel Shyam Divan, at the outset of the hearing, said that the top court injunction that Aadhaar is voluntary stands as there is no variation of this injunction by the court despite several attempts by the government to dilute them.

Pointing to the ways that the government was flouting the top court's orders by issuing notifications and circulars making Aadhaar mandatory for so many things, he asked the court to "protect the institution first before protecting the citizens."

As Divan - appearing for former Karnataka High Court judge Justice K.S.Puttuswamy - made his impassioned plea, Chief Justice Misra said: "You are on rhetoric and hyperbole."

Justice Sikri said that his argument is that because this court has passed interim orders, the government had to come to the court before issuing circulars, while Justice Chandrachud said what he was saying concerns reasonableness of the actions but the court was on the validity of the Aadhaar Act.

Senior counsel Gopal Subramanium, appearing for another petitioner, argued on the paramouncy of the top court and its orders passed by it, saying that the manner in which the government, despite the apex court orders, had issued notifications and circulars, amounted to an encroachment on judicial powers.

Other senior counsel K.V.Vishvanathan, Meenakshi Arora, and Prashant Bhushan too argued for the strict enforcement of the top court's orders.

The Attorney General K.K.Venugopal however said that the notifications were issued on the strength of Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act - a point that was contested by the petitioners.

Senior counsel C.A. Sundaram and Rakesh Dwivedi too defended the action of the government and its various agencies in issuing circulars for linking Aadhaar to various schemes.

Dwivedi said that because of the Aadhar linking, about 2.2 lakh fake accounts have been discovered, while 85 crore bank accounts have been linked to Aadhaar, but Bhushan countered that compared to 85 crore bank accounts, 2.2 lakh fake accounts were a minuscule percentage.

At this, Chief Justice Misra said that it was not the percentage but the impact of the numbers that matters. He said in a town of 20,000 people, 200 anti-social elements can bring a bad name and affect the life of the other people.
Lucknow, Dec 14 : The Allahabad High Court (HC) on Thursday made a damning remark on the bureaucracy, saying government officials have only mislead people in the last 70 years.

The observation came from Justice S.P. Kesharwani while hearing the case of one Dulari Devi, who has been fighting her case for the last 19 years.

Rapping the bureaucracy for delay in implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Public Interest Guarantee Act 2011, the court said the laws for curbing graft were deliberately made complicated so that accountability of the corrupt officials could not be fixed.

Justice Keshwarwani observed that in case one wanted to procure an income certificate, as per rule it should be done in two days, and if it was not disposed of within two days, the application would automatically stand cancelled.

There is a provision of first appeal against non-issuance of the certificate, and if not satisfied, the petitioner could make a second appeal, after which a penalty could be slapped on the callous official.

To implement this, the high court said appellate authorities should be constituted in all government departments, but this had not happened even after six years. And to add to this, rules were being framed to make the legal battle of the petitioner more complicated, the court observed.

So finally, the petitioner decides to pay the "suvidha shulk" (bribe), the court said.

The judge also noted that the RTI had become hugely successful as the rules there were clear cut.

The state government counsel sought time from the high court to get back on the matter. The hearing would continue on Friday.
Washington, Dec 15 : The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to roll back "net neutrality" rules adopted in 2015 that required internet service providers to treat all online traffic equally.

In the rules adopted in 2015 under then US President Barack Obama, internet service providers were not allowed to block or degrade access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.

In a 3-to-2 vote along party lines, the FCC on Thursday reversed what it called in a statement "heavy-handed utility-style regulation of broadband Internet access service" which "reduced Internet service provider (ISP) investment in networks, as well as hampered innovation, particularly among small ISPs serving rural consumers", Xinhua reported.

At the same time, it restores the classification of broadband internet access service as an "information service" and reinstates the classification of mobile broadband internet access service as a private mobile service, the FCC statement said.

The Obama-era rules also banned the establishment of fast and slow internet lanes in order to favor certain online content over others.

Over the past two years, AT&T Inc. and other broadband providers have challenged the net neutrality rules in court.

Michael Beckerman, president and CEO of Internet Association, a trade association that represents internet companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook, opposed the FCC's repeal of the Obama-era rules, saying "relying on ISPs to live up to their own 'promises' is not net neutrality and is bad for consumers."

"There is little competition in the broadband service market -- more than half of all Americans have no choice in their provider -- so consumers will be forced to accept ISP interference in their online experience," Beckerman said.

"This is in stark contrast to the websites and apps that make up Internet Association, where competition is a click away and switching costs are low."

Beckerman said his group is currently weighing its legal options in a lawsuit against the new decision.

Jonathan Spalter, CEO of the industry group USTelecom, however, welcomed the move.

"Today, the future of our open, thriving internet has been secured," Spalter said in a statement. "America's broadband providers... will have renewed confidence to make the investments required to strengthen the nation's networks and close the digital divide, especially in rural communities."
The McClain Group, Madison & Company Properties The neighborhood is likely one of the most underrated communities and one of the best kept secrets. Past News Releases RSS

Realtor Larina McClain and Kelly VanHee, of The McClain Group at Madison & Company Properties, recently listed an opulent Italian villa in the highly desirable Solterra community. The 8,589-square-foot Bell Tower, winner of the 2008 Parade of Homes, is located at 15244 W. Evans Place, Lakewood, CO 80228. The 2008 Parade of Homes was held at Solterra, a world-class rustic Lakewood development just east of C-470 in the shadow of Dinosaur Ridge.

The exclusive gated portion of the community, with only 12 homes, was the talk of the town when it was developed and has remained a strong development since. Buyers from Cherry Hills, Greenwood Village and other luxury neighborhoods of Denver have quickly discovered that this is a spectacular alternative.

The gated hillside Solterra community is just twenty minutes outside of Denver against the foothills. The neighborhood is likely one of the most underrated communities and one of the best kept secrets, added McClain. Residents who move here are surprised it was not on their radar. The community is just a short drive to world-class ski resorts in the winter and hundreds of miles of the best hiking and biking trails in the summer. It is also highly affordable.

This custom masterpiece takes Italian villa to new heights and aims to impress even the most pickiest of buyers, said McClain. The four-bed, eight-bath Bell Tower was inspired by European hill towns and shows off the most sensational outdoor living spaces, including an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, fire pit, two courtyards, numerous water features and stunning bistro lights.

Additionally, the main level of the home boasts a stunning stone-encased floor-to-ceiling fireplace, an open kitchen and spacious formal dining room. The vaulted ceilings in the main living room allow for natural light to radiate throughout, highlighting the homes many extraordinary designer touches including the majestic wood beams, wood floors, custom hand-painted walls with artistic touches and limestone and mosaic tile staircase that is a piece of art in itself.

Further amenities include a 300-bottle wine tasting room with a full glass wall peering out to the basement kitchen bar and family room, concluded McClain. The property is timeless and unique. Now vacant with a fresh new look and priced at $1,885,000 this home will likely be snached up by someone looking for a deal.

About The McClain Group, Madison & Company Properties

Larina McClain is the managing partner of Madisons Cherry Creek office and broker associate at Madison & Company Properties, one of Denvers highest grossing real estate firms. Along with her counterpart Kelly VanHee, Larina focuses primarily on the luxury market of Denver. The McClain Group is a recipient of 5280s 5-Star award for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 based off of customer service and satisfaction and Platinum Excellence Award winner for 2016. For more information, please call (720) 275-9663, or visit http://www.mcclaingroup.co. For information specific to this home, visit http://www.HomeSolterra.com.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
FHU President David R. Shannon stands with his wife, Tracie, after he is presented with the Presidential Medallion Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. FHU is positioned very well for the future.

Surrounded by a host of students, family, friends and the expanded Freed-Hardeman University family, David R. Shannon was officially inaugurated as the 16th president of FHU Thursday, October 19, 2017.

John Law, chairman of the universitys Board of Trustees, welcomed guests, introduced various dignitaries from other higher education institutions, representatives of learned societies, government leaders and members of the Shannon family. He then presented Shannon with the presidential medallion. He concluded his introductions by asking FHU students to stand, telling them, You are the most important group in this room. Law also highlighted various historic moments in the universitys history concluding, FHU is positioned very well for the future.

Colton Shannon, a 2012 graduate of FHU, introduced his father. He described him as a man of passion and a man of wisdom. Repeating the advice he often heard from his father during his childhood, he advised him to be good, do right, say yes maam, no maam, yes sir and no sir and always be humble enough to sweep the floor.

The overriding message of David Shannons inaugural address, taken from Psalm 125, was God surrounds His people. We have trust and confidence because we know God surrounds us, he said. He enumerated the various relationships through which God has blessed the university: students, trustees, civic leaders, delegates from other institutions, faculty and staff, former FHU presidents, the current administration, his assistants and donors. He has enjoyed the encouraging strength of others. My life has been surrounded by good people, he said. Three times God has given me good families. He listed the family he was born into, the family he married into and the family he and Tracie built.

Shannon also discussed what it means for FHU to be surrounded by God. He recounted times in the schools history when it was on the brink of closing but God provided and Freed-Hardeman survived. He mentioned economic difficulties in earlier days: when West Tennessee Christian School was facing closure and a donor came to the rescue, financial problems when A.G. Freed and N.B. Hardeman launched National Teachers Normal and Business College, when money was needed to build the first mens residence hall and Paul Gray gave $50,000 and in 1950 when W.A. Bradfield started a public relations and recruitment program and rebuilt the enrollment, under the leadership of H.A. Dixon. It seems like God wants Freed-Hardeman to be here, Shannon said.

The new president also announced recent gifts to the university, including a $1 million endowment funded by Tony and Lisa Giarratana, Franklin, Tennessee, for a Biblical Studies Center of Excellence for Faculty Development in the College of Biblical Studies and another donor has given additional funds to the Next Level Scholarship, an endowed scholarship fund for Bible majors. He also paid tribute to Marietta Hamby who, for many years, has sent monthly $2 gifts to the university. She is a disabled woman who attended FHU but because of her disability was unable to complete her studies.

Shannon shared that the $5.5 million needed to restore Old Main has now been reached, completed by contributions by numerous donors, many in memory or in honor of individuals important to FHUs legacy. For example, he said, Kenneth and Carol Flatt Chadwell, Crossville, Tennessee, gave in memory of Dowell Flatt, for many years an FHU Bible professor and in honor of Della Flatt, who worked in the biblical studies office.

Shannon concluded his remarks with a far-reaching list of 18 things he has learned already in his tenure that FHU needs to do. He listed academic improvements, possible new majors to meet the demands of the marketplace, expanding relationships, growing the whole person, and fostering a spirit of resilience along with many others.

The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson, Memphis and Dickson, FHU offers bachelor's, master's, specialist's and doctoral degrees. More information is available at http://www.fhu.edu.
Robey Inc. is pleased to announce that General Superintendent, Shane Fannin, has received a BC&E Craftsmanship Award for the work overseen at The Lodge at Homewood at Willow Ponds in Frederick, Maryland.

The Retirement Center consists of 85 two-bedroom (or one-bedroom with den) and two-bedroom with den apartment styles. Robey Incorporated was contracted to install the metal studs, drywall, sound panels, acoustical ceilings, Rulon trusses and Rulon plank ceilings for the 3.5 million dollar contract. A brief video summary of the project can be viewed here.

For more than 79 years, the Building Congress & Exchange has honored and recognized individuals within the construction industry for their exemplary skill and outstanding workmanship. Each nominated project is judged based on overall craftsmanship including the quality of work, complexity of both technical and design challenges and the level of difficulty with site conditions, constraints and time frame.

About Robey Incorporated: For over 25 years, Robey has been a leading drywall, stucco, and EIFS contractor serving the Mid-Atlantic Region. Robey specializes in metal studs, drywall, EIFS, stone veneer, acoustical ceilings, DEFES and more.
APCON, a leading provider of intelligent network visibility and security solutions, delivered its IntellaTap-VM to customers today. This latest advanced feature in APCONs TitanXR centralized management application offers magnified visibility into VMware environments with support for vCenter 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5.

The amount of virtual network traffic has increased significantly and administrators are seeing a growing visibility gap, said Richard Rauch, president and CEO of APCON. IntellaTap-VM agents allow users to easily mirror and forward traffic of interest to security tools  meaning threats that were previously hidden in your VMware environment can now be found.

APCONs virtual agent, IntellaTap-VM, filters user-selectable virtual machine traffic, encapsulating and forwarding the packets to physical and virtualized network and security tools for forensics and analysis. The centralized management application, TitanXR, communicates with VMwares vCenter and, with an easy-to-use point-and-click functionality, users can identify and activate TAP points within the virtual network.

The benefits of APCONs network visibility solution for VMware deployments include:



100% visibility of VM traffic

Automatic deployment of IntellaTap-VM agents through vCenter

Mirroring of traffic by port groups

Tunneling capability

Filtering packets (to eliminate unwanted traffic) for analysis tool optimization

vMotion support providing constant visibility of VM movements

For more information and demonstrations, press only: APCON public relations, 503-682-4050, PR(at)apcon(dot)com.

About APCON

For more than 20 years, APCON has consistently delivered smart, stable and scalable technology solutions that provide an unparalleled level of confidence to service providers and businesses seeking total data center visibility and security. Its customers range from midsize companies to Fortune 1000 enterprises in more than 40 countries. APCON assures superior network monitoring while supporting traffic analysis and streamlined network management and security. For more information, visit us at http://www.apcon.com or follow us on Twitter: @apcon.
Peoples Trust is proud to partner with the Broward Sheriffs office and come together as a community for a common cause. Helping our neighbors in the community and children is what the holidays are really all about.

Peoples Trust Insurance (PTI) is in its 7th year of collecting toys during the holiday season to donate to children. Last year the companys collection efforts gathered more than 300 toys, the most it has ever collected, and this years drive has topped that figure.

We are proud that this year we were able to join forces with the Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) and Women in Distress Broward County to help kids have a joyous holiday season, said George Schaeffer, the companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Helping our neighbors in the community and children is what the holidays are really all about.

Women in Distress is a nationally accredited domestic violence center that provides safe shelter, crisis intervention resources, and raises community awareness through intervention, education, and advocacy. This is not the first time Peoples Trust has partnered with Women in Distress; they previously donated hundreds of pillows and childrens pillow covers called Cuddle Covers. While final donations have not yet been fully counted, Schaeffer said the total has already been higher than last year. Toys collected will be donated to children by the Broward Sheriffs Office to children at the Women in Distress shelter.

Peoples Trust is proud to partner with the Broward Sheriffs office and come together as a community for a common cause.

# # #

About Peoples Trust Insurance

Founded in 2008, People's Trust Insurance has emerged as one of Florida's top 10 home insurance companies, providing homeowners with affordable rates and benefits not available anywhere else. Honored with the Enterprise Florida Governor's Innovators in Business Award, People's Trust provides a "Better Way" for over 125,000 Floridians to insure their homes. With more than 500 employees in its family of companies and an affiliation with Florida's largest residential insurance restoration general contractor, People's Trust is Florida's best-prepared home insurance company and a full partner in our policyholders' recovery after loss.

About Women in Distress

Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. (WID) is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County. Celebrating 42 years of keeping families safe, our mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy. We strive to accomplish this mission by offering services that include 24-hour crisis intervention through our hotline and emergency shelter, counseling and support for victims and their children at various locations throughout Broward County, as well as education and professional trainings on domestic violence and related topics. For more information on Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc., please call (954) 760-9800 or visit http://www.womenindistress.org.
Otomo have decided to remove themselves entirely from the very tarnished diamond industry. We no longer want to be involved in an industry that can at times involve or fund violence and bloodshed. - Otomo managing director Jonathan

Otomo Jewellers are opting out entirely from the diamond selling business to avoid any involvement in blood or conflict diamond selling.

The London based boutique jewellers is leading a change in the jewellery industry by refraining from stocking or selling pure diamond jewellery. They will continue a variety of precious stone jewellery which are created ethically. They will also be continuing to supply diamond stone alternatives such as moissanite.

Commenting on the announcements, Otomo managing director Jonathan said, Otomo have decided to remove themselves entirely from the very tarnished diamond industry. We no longer want to be involved in an industry that can at times involve or fund violence and bloodshed. Our customers are also not interested in giving gifts that potentially fund rebel groups or evade any type of regulation or are anything other than ethical diamonds. In todays marketplace we cannot guarantee that the diamonds we source are ethical.

He went onto say, It is extremely difficult to accurately track the origin of a diamond and there are many fraudsters in the diamond industry. Those who are the first level of purchase cannot always know who is who, let alone others further down the buying line. Its for this reason that we have decided to take a stand and remove ourselves entirely from this part of the jewellery industry.

In some cases, these illigetimate funds are source to buy weapons and ammunition to overthrow local governments. From day one we have been working hard to avoid all contact with such diamonds, but these days, that is not a guaranteed outcome. We are also aware of the price gauging, the monopolisation and resulting pressures that are put on young couples to choose artificially priced diamond engagement rings. We do not want to support this and want to lead the way in stopping it."

Over 20% of diamonds are thought to be from or processed in countries that have rogue regimes governing them. The funds are associated with funding war crimes or other crimes against humanity including those committed by government forces. Although there is a regulation in place to attempt to keep diamonds legal, there is not a way to entirely prevent the legal trading of blood diamonds in the precious stone market.

Otomo will continue to focus on providing precious stones and pearls to their jewellery customers.

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2017 has been a milestone year for FCM Travel Solutions globally

FCM Travel Solutions offices around the world are celebrating after being named the World's Leading Travel Management Company at the 2017 World Travel Awards. This is the seventh year in a row that FCM has been named the top global corporate travel management company.

The title was announced on December 10, 2017 at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony held at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Vietnam.

FCM Travel Solutions (http://www.fcm.travel) is the business travel partner of choice for large national, multinational and global corporations. The company is ranked among the top five largest travel management companies globally and operates in over 90 countries, employing 6000 people.

FCMs Global General Manager Marcus Eklund was thrilled with the news of the award and acknowledged how successful the past year has been for the brand.

2017 has been a milestone year for FCM Travel Solutions globally, said Eklund. It saw us strengthen our presence across key regions and service more multi-national customers. We also launched our next-generation technology suite FCM Connect, as well as Sam, our innovative and award-winning Smart Assistant for Mobile.

Year after year, the World Travel Awards recognise our strong service capabilities and industry-leading technology solutions that drive efficiencies in our clients travel programs; and of course, the commitment and expertise of our people, who play an incredibly important role in our results.

Eklund said the global award added to the collection of regional awards FCM had won as part of this year's World Travel Awards program.

During 2017 FCM was also named:



Africa's Leading Travel Management Company

Asia's Leading Travel Management Company

Australasia's Leading Travel Management Company

Europe's Leading Travel Management Company

Mexico & Central America's Leading Travel Management Company

Middle Easts Leading Travel Management Company

North America's Leading Travel Management Company

South America's Leading Travel Management Company

The World Travel Awards program marked its 24th anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade. Awards are voted for by travel and tourism professionals worldwide and these accolades recognise the commitment to excellence FCM has demonstrated over the past 12 months.

About FCM Travel Solutions:

FCM Travel Solutions is the flagship global travel management brand of the Flight Centre Travel Group. FCM is the business travel partner of choice for large national, multinational and global corporations. We are transforming the business of travel through our empowered and accountable people who deliver 24/7 service and are available either online or offline. Leveraging FCM's negotiating strength and supplier relationships in conjunction with our tailored business travel programs, our expertise delivers more for our clients where it matters most to them.
The infamous darts bar are now looking to extend their offering to the US market by launching a new venue on Chicago's W. Wacker Drive. "Social Darts" will be launching in the Windy City in early 2018, looking to give Chicagoans a unique darting experience.

Flight Club Darts launched in Shoreditch in 2015 and has since seen a rapid rise in popularity in one of the coolest parts of London. Flight Club have made darts such a focal point that they have reworked it and invented their own game that they call Social Darts. Making this unique version of the classic game allows guests of all experience levels to compete with each other. This makes the venue the ideal place for work team building events and fun nights out, alike.

This unique and personalised experience runs right through the bar with the fairground-like interior design, food made from scratch and playful drinks. The food and drinks are so good that their menus are a centrepiece within the bar. Displayed within vibrant red buckram menu covers, custom-made by Smart Hospitality Supplies, with a vivacious pattern embossed on the cover. Guests are enticed to whet their appetite by flicking through the elegantly designed menu. The food menu is based on social food and comfort food made from scratch by their expert chefs. Each element of the atmosphere and design is carefully crafted to create a quirky and unforgettable experience.

Such an experience doesn't seem too farfetched in the UK, however in Chicago, where darts bars are almost non-existent, it is an incredibly audacious endeavour. As proven, Flight Club don't do things by halves and are going in to Chicago holding nothing back.

The new 9,000-square-foot venue will be situated next door their sister company, the ping pong social club, AceBounce. The two story complex will serve separate menus of each floor with the ground floor featuring a raw bar, salads and flatbreads. The UK version of Flight Club offers craft ales with the US version offering what they call "craft cocktails."
Owners Travis Prueter, Gregory MacKeller and Nicholas Winsemius Our original location on the north side of Holland welcomed thousands of neighbors and visitors in our first years of operation, and being able to expand downtown to as a destination that also creates jobs and an awesome space to gather with friends and families is a dream come true.

Big Lake Brewing (BLB), announced today the opening of their 7,000 square-foot, $1.25 million-dollar downtown brewpub and restaurant on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. The renovated location is at 13 W 7th St., Holland, Mich. and was formerly home to several restaurants, most recently Serafinas Bar and Grill. The new brewpub will replace the current location 977 Butternut Dr., Ste. 4, that will no longer be occupied by BLB.

Patrons of the new location will experience the same great craft beers, such as Ryecoe IPA, Leroy Brown and Darkstar stout while enjoying dishes like the DIY Sammy: a sandwich featuring Leroy Brown smoked meat (chicken or pork), smoked cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, fresh arugula all served on a fresh pretzel bun. Is your mouth watering yet?

This building is 90 years old this year, and we could not be more excited to bring it back to life with our amazing customers, shares Nic Winsemius, Owner and Director of Production. Our original location on the north side of Holland welcomed thousands of neighbors and visitors in our first years of operation, and being able to expand downtown to as a destination that also creates jobs and an awesome space to gather with friends and families is a dream come true.

The 160-seat brewpub and restaurant will be open Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The 7,000 square-foot space was designed by Big Lake Brewing and Forged by Design, a Holland-based design firm specializing in timber and steel, and features steel, wood and handcrafted tables from salvaged red and white oak from a house in Maryland built in the 1840s.

Other features include:



Weekly live music from local bands on Thursday and Saturday.

A renovated, spacious patio with gas fire pits and seating for 60.

35-foot-long bar with 20 seats with TVs mounted above.

Banquet tables that were hand planed and hand sanded with wood from an 80+ year old oak tree that overlooked Lake Macatawa.

Seating, signage, merchandise wall, draft board, hand rails and fencing were designed and fabricated in house.

Big Lake Brewing was founded by three engineers: Travis Prueter, Nicholas Winsemius and Gregory MacKeller more than four years ago. Since then, the brewery has experienced significant growth and has expanded distribution to state-wide in Michigan and the Cleveland area. Big Lake is committed to producing high-caliber traditional beers, including:

Ryecoe IPA, a rye IPA is brewed with 25a% rye malt and complemented with a huge dose of simcoe hops.

Darkstar, a full-bodied stout brewed using both Kona and Sumatra coffee and then aged on cacao nibs.

Citra Session, a light beer made with malted wheat and Citra Hops.

Leroy Brow, an American Brown ale featuring four caramel malts.

Ramarillo, a rye using Amarillo hops with flowery citrus notes.

During the planning stages of the project, a significant amount of time was spent on interior design and the menu. Big Lake hired Luke Dekker as executive chef, formerly of Sandy Point Beach House, who set about creating a menu as unique as the brewerys beer. Each dish stays true to the flavor combinations of Big Lakes beer. The menu includes a variety of dishes, such as:

Starter: The Ryecoe Cheese & Pretzels is bubbly, savory Ryecoe beer cheese served with handmade soft pretzels for dipping.

Salad: The Reconstructed Caprese includes think slices of fresh roasted tomato and smoked mozzarella stacked high and drizzled with a Stoner IPA balsamic reduction.

Small Plate: The Beer Mac N Cheese is a penne pasta tossed in a blanket of Ryecoe beer cheese, topped with bacon and pretzel breadcrumbs. Add any Leroy Brown smoked meat for an added treat.

Handheld: The Steak Burger is a half-pound specialty blend patty, grilled to order and topped with smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato and caramelized onions on a fresh pretzel bun. With choice of side.

Side: The Tots are loaded up with Leroy Brown smoked chicken or pork, bacon, cheese, green onions and seasoned sour cream.

Pizza: The wood-fired Rise and Shine has a Ryecoe beer sauce, sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, bacon, crispy tots, smoked cheddar cheese and two eggs sunny-side up.

Dessert: The Fruit Bake is a delicious crumble or pie filled with the seasons best fruit, sweetened and baked till perfectly brown.

For us, it really is all about the beer, but when we expanded into this new location, we knew the key to our success was having the right chef and the right menu, said Travis Prueter, Owner and Director of Retail Operations. Luke brings a wealth of experience within the food and beverage industry and really understood the overall vision. From wood-fired pizzas to tacos, sandwiches, mac n cheese and salads; each dish is amazing and we cant wait for you to try it.

When Big Lake Brewing opened its original location, the brewery operated a three-barrel system which they grew to a seven-barrel system. The brewery is now packaging product out of their new 4,300 square-foot facility located at 164 and 166 E. 19th St. in Holland, with a 15-barrel system.

Success for us isnt continual growth, although that part has been fun, explains Winsemius. Success is making great beer that people enjoy. Traditional styles that can be a go-to for our customers and guests is ultimately what we want to bring to the market.

About Big Lake Brewing:

Located in Holland, Michigan, Big Lake Brewing encourages everyone to Dive In to great beer. Stay connected on Facebook by liking Big Lake Brewing and visit them online for an up-to-date list of beer on tap.
LocationTech, an Eclipse Foundation Working Group and a community that builds software for geospatial technology, is pleased to announce the release of five open source projects that provide core technology used to build geospatial big data analytics solutions. These project releases reflect the growing commitment of the LocationTech communit y to be a leading source of innovation for the geospatial industry.

LocationTech is an open source community that provides technology for the $500 billion worldwide geospatial industry. For instance, LocationTech projects can be used to efficiently process satellite images, analyze maps for the agriculture industry, visualize smart city sensor data, and in many other geospatial use cases. The community is a collaboration among key geospatial organizations, including Boundless, Red Hat, Radiant Solutions, IBM, and Oracle. The LocationTech community has grown to include nine open source projects, 18 member organizations, and over 100 developers.

Geospatial big data analytics technology is becoming more and more important across all industries, such as agriculture, transportation, and government, explains Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation. LocationTech is delivering on the promise of providing key technology for companies that enable large-scale analytics of geospatial data. Having an open source community, like LocationTech, that accelerates adoption and innovation of geospatial technology will have a significant impact for the entire industry.

The vision of the LocationTech community is to be the leading provider of core technology for geospatial big data analytics. The five projects being released reflect the growing investment towards achieving this vision. The new project releases include the following:

GeoWave is a software library that connects the scalability of distributed computing frameworks and key-value stores with modern geospatial software to store, retrieve, and analyze massive geospatial datasets. GeoWave takes multidimensional data, such as spatial or spatial-temporal, and indexes it into a key-value store such as Apache Accumulo or Apache HBase. These distributed storage technologies, in addition to complementary distributing processing frameworks such as Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark, have proven capabilities to unlock the potential of massive datasets across a variety of domains.

GeoGig 1.2 is a tool for geospatial data versioning. It enables users to leverage versioning of their geospatial data and to enable replication and synchronization workflows, in addition to supporting end-to-end data management workflows. The new GeoGig 1.2 release improves the collaborative version workflow by improving cloning and push/pull performance and provides an updated Web API to align with the latest version of GeoServer.

GeoTrellis 1.2 is a geographic data processing Scala library designed to work with large geospatial raster data sets. The tool provides developers with a set of utilities to help create useful, high performing web services that load and manipulate raster data (data normally used to represent satellite or aerial images). The new release includes a number of optimizations and new features including distributed computation support for viewshed and Euclidean distance through Apache Spark

GeoMesa 1.3.5 is a distributed, spatio-temporal database built on a number of distributed cloud data storage systems, including Apache Accumulo, Apache HBase, Apache Cassandra, and Apache Kafka. The suite of tools brings spatial-temporal data, real-time IoT, and sensor workloads to the cloud. GeoMesas novel indexing schema enables efficient queries resulting in rapid access to large data stores for any client application.

Java Topology Suite (JTS) 1.15 is a Java library for vector geometry providing spatial data types, spatial relationships and spatial operations. JTS is an established open source project that recently moved to the LocationTech community. New technical features for JTS 1.15 include K-Nearest Neighbor search for STR-Tree, improved handling of Quadtree queries, support for GeometryCollection, and a new JTSTestRunner command-line application. This initial LocationTech release the project is changing from LGPL to a dual license of Eclipse Distribution License (EDL) / Eclipse Public License (EPL) . This license change open up JTS to a wider range of organizations and applications.

LocationTech is becoming the critical nexus for organizations looking to develop and deploy geospatial Big Data solutions, says Eddie Pickle, Managing Director of Open Source Programs at Radiant Solutions.

"The latest release of GeoGig to LocationTech represents a huge leap forward. Not only does it support versioning workflows for traditional geospatial data, but it is now optimized for spatio-temporal analysis of big data and streaming datasets from IoT sensors, says Anthony Calamito, Chief Geospatial Officer and Vice President of Products

Additional information about the five project releases and the other LocationTech projects is available at http://www.locationtech.org.

The LocationTech Working Group is also organizing the annual FOSS4G NA conference on May 14-16, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by a Community Day on May 17. Members of the LocationTech community will be speaking and showcasing the open source projects at this conference.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held for the One Glenwood development project which will include Origin Hotel.

We are eager to join One Glenwood and become part of this special community, said Walker Thrash, partner at The Thrash Group, who is developing the hotel. Origin Hotel will incorporate elements that complement the aesthetic of the region and celebrate the surrounding culture. We are also excited for our guests to experience the key programs that we have built our brand on. Origin LIFE focuses on our daily DO List that suggests the best places to eat, drink, and do. Origin BALANCE is our wellness program, where we look for every way imaginable to bring health-conscious options to the properties. And, Origin COMMUNITY is the foundation of our local culture. It encompasses our outreach programs, local partnerships - everything that keeps the experience authentic.

The boutique hotel brand, Origin, exudes an experience-driven lifestyle with a passion for local culture. Each property has an individual spirit, and all are focused on connections between staff and guests. In addition to the special attributes of the hotel itself, guests will enjoy ultimate amenities when they step out the front door into Glenwood South, the Warehouse District, and into One Glenwood, a walkable, vibrant mixed-use destination.

Upon completion, the 126-room hotel will include retail, a communal lobby complete with a full restaurant and bar, as well as meeting space. The interior decor of the hotel will celebrate Raleighs vibrant communities, and its modern-day feel.

Scheduled to open 2019, Origin Raleigh is the third hotel in this new brand. The first hotel, Origin Red Rocks, is located in Golden, Colorado and scheduled to open Summer 2018. The property will be managed by the Boutique + Lifestyle division of Louisville based Schulte Hospitality Group, a division of Schulte Companies.

Origin Hotel will serve as a home away from home for guests interested in fully immersing themselves in local culture while finding their own unique adventures. said Martin Hanson, President, Schulte Boutique + Lifestyle.

During our creation of the One Glenwood development, it was important for us to select a hotel developer and operator with not only a proven track record, but an eye for creating something different. Origin will be the first boutique hotel in downtown Raleigh, and will offer guests of the development an experience that other hotels lack. Said Ryan Blair, Vice President, Heritage Properties.

To learn more about Origin, please visit http://www.originhotel.com.

About Thrash Group:

The Thrash Group is a multifaceted real estate development company based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The company was founded by Ike W. Thrash in 1986 and, since its inception, has purchased and/or developed in excess of 1.5 billion dollars in commercial real estate. The Thrash Group specializes in the acquisition, development, management, and renovation of commercial properties with a primary focus on multifamily and hospitality projects. Origin Hotel Collection is the companys most recent venture with the first four locations coming online in 2018/2019.

About Schulte Boutique + Lifestyle:

Schulte Companies is a dynamic organization based in Louisville Kentucky. Founded in 1999 as Schulte Hospitality Group, the company quickly grew to encompass all aspects of hotel management, development and financing. Schulte Boutique + Lifestyle, a subdivision of SHG is dedicated to independent hotel properties and the development of the new Origin brand. Schulte Hospitality Group currently owns/manages 97 hotels across 26 states.

About One Glenwood:

One Glenwood is a 230,000 SF office/retail tower, hotel and parking structure development that sits at one of the highest elevations in the city, at the intersection of Raleighs two most prominent streets, Glenwood Avenue and Hillsborough Street. The property is centrally located, less than one mile from NC State Universitys main campus & Centennial Campus, within walking distance to the state capital and will be the new home to SEPI Engineering and WeWork. One Glenwood is located in Raleighs most trendy, venerable neighborhood providing walkable access to an abundance of housing, shops, restaurants, cafes, and more.
Third Wave Systems Finite Element Modeling of Continuous fiber composite machining. Third Wave Systems modeled the trimming process of 40 ply carbon-epoxy workpiece and predicted post-cut part quality

In 2013, Third Wave Systems (TWS) was awarded a $3 million contract by the United States Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, one of the largest funded projects in the companys 20-year history. The focus of the project was to expand Third Wave Systems impressive and successful metal-cutting solutions to polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials used on the latest warfighter programs. The Department of Defense Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF), which was designed to transition innovative technologies that resolve operational DoD challenges, allocated funds for the contract.

Developed under the RIF, Third Wave Systems software products reduced machining cycle times by predicting and managing forces and predicting composite behavior. Engineers from Third Wave Systems successfully demonstrated improved production processes for several current warfighter PMC components. The improved processes utilized in-place machining equipment, obtained greatly improved part quality and surface finish, reduced tooling costs by 27 percent and reduced cycle-time on milling operations by 47 percent.

A business case extrapolation was performed using current warfighter programs, estimating that the bottom-line savings that could be achieved using Third Wave Systems demonstrated improvements would be substantial. Using an assumption of 35 percent composite machining cycle-time savings (actual achieved was 47 percent), the business case ROM* result is an estimated $1,989K per aircraft savings (current warfighters are ~35% composite materials).

The results delivered by Third Wave Systems met all proposed goals and exceeded expectations, and was successfully transitioned to production at a major OEM. Third Wave Systems used its existing software as the technology platform. The software was used to model the machining of PMCs at the tool-workpiece level and machining was completed to validate the model outputs. Engineers also modeled PMCs at the toolpath-level and the analysis gave engineers the ability to model CNC machining operations on full part programs. Engineers were then able to predict and optimize forces and temperatures during machining and control them through feed and speed selection. Additionally, Third Wave Systems also used their modeling technology to select cutting tool strategies to eliminate part delamination and improve quality.

Working closely with Third Wave Systems throughout the two-year project were several warfighter component suppliers including GKN Aerospace, who was the primary project partner. Third Wave Systems developed, validated and implemented a physics-based machining model of the Cycom 5250-4 bismaleimides (BMI) composite material. Additionally, Triumph Group along with major composite machining supplier Janicki Industries worked with Third Wave Systems to perform similar activities for resin systems Cycom 977-3 and AFR-PE-4.

With approval from the Air Force Program Manager, Third Wave Systems also completed a brief experimentation in modeling composites drilling for a project partners supplier that had experienced devastating quality issues from their baseline drilling process. The drilling experiment was 100 percent successful for this application. While the initial results are promising, showing 56 percent cycle-time reduction and 100 percent quality improvement, more work still needs to be completed to validate the findings and incorporate composite drilling into the software. However, a major advantage is that the drilling technology will be developed using the same physics-based modeling approach. This means the development risk is low and production implementation will be efficient and require no new hardware.

ROM* estimate based on average price-per-pound of final aircraft composite weight.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUPPORT AND DISCLAIMER (MAY 1995)

a) This material is based upon work supported by the Air Force Rapid Innovation Fund

b) Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Air Force.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

a) Unlimited Public Release per 88ABW-2017-5317, 26 Oct 17.
Wendy Manner Rockbrook will really benefit from her great combination of fun and professionalism." Sarah Carter

Rockbrook Camp for Girls (web site), traditional sleepaway summer camp founded in 1921, hired Wendy Manner as its full-time Staff Director. She will be recruiting cabin counselors and activity instructors, leading all aspects of employee training, guiding staff wellness programs, and assisting families as they register for camp sessions.

We are so fortunate to have Wendy join our team. She has done extensive work with young people in many different settings, from camp to counseling to foster parenting, not to mention the amazing job she is doing as a mother to her own two children. Rockbrook will really benefit from her great combination of fun and professionalism, said Sarah Carter, who owns and operates Rockbrook with her husband Jeff Carter.

Going to camp as a kid was an exciting chance to practice independence and develop a strong sense of identity. Working at camp as a teenager and college student helped shape my future career ideals and emphasized the importance of relationships in my life. Joining the Rockbrook staff is a beautiful connection of my own camp days and other life experiences in a setting centered on developing strong leaders, providing adventurous experiences, and emphasizing positive relationships, said Manner.

Founded in 1921, Rockbrook (web site) is a traditional summer camp for girls with a program of horseback riding, sports, outdoor adventure, arts and crafts. The camp facility includes 220-acres of private forest, historic stone lodges, cabins, and equestrian fields.

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Manner has worked with youth and families through residential programs, parenting classes and support groups, in-home therapeutic treatment, and foster care.

About Rockbrook Camp for Girls:

Rockbrook is an overnight summer camp in North Carolina with horseback riding, outdoor adventure, and traditional camp activities. Girls ages 6-16 attend for 2-, 3- or 4-week sessions.
The world-renowned biologist Dr. E.O. Wilson received the honor of having a new species of antbird named after him in recognition of his lifetime contribution to scientific discovery and conservation. Dr. Wilson is a myrmecologist, an entomologist who studies ants, and is known as the father of biodiversity for being the first scientist to publish the term in 1988. The new antbird species named after him, Myrmoderus eowilsoni, will be described in the scientific journal The Auk this week.

The idea of [having] a bird named after you is right up there with maybe the Nobel [Prize], because its such a rarity to have a true new species discovered, and I do take it as a great personal honor, said Dr. Wilson.

Myrmoderus eowilsoni was discovered in northern Peru by Josh Beck during a 2016 birding expedition. As the main author of the description co-written by a team of scientists, Beck decided to name the new antbird species in honor of Dr. Wilson after discussing the possibility with Rainforest Trust President and distinguished ornithologist Dr. Robert Ridgely.

As Dr. Wilson and I were discussing the possibility of his joining Rainforest Trusts Board of Directors, it occurred to me that he didnt have anything other than several ant species named after him, said Dr. Ridgely. This for a pre-eminent scientist so highly regarded for his insights on biodiversity! Josh and I agreed this was the perfect, and long overdue, opportunity to name a vertebrate species after him. Even better, it was an antbird!"

Although officially retired, Dr. Wilson remains very active in the conservation sector. He is Professor Emeritus and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University and this fall joined the Board of Directors of Rainforest Trust.

Dr. Wilson is widely considered to be the most esteemed conservation biologist alive, and Rainforest Trust shares a common vision with him of protecting the most important areas in the world for rare species and biodiversity generally, said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman. We are excited to be working toward the protection of forest habitat in Peru for the new antbird named after Dr. Wilson.

Explaining why he supports Rainforest Trust, Dr. Wilson stated, [Rainforest Trust] finds out where the species are, they learn which ones and ensembles that make up the ecosystem are in greatest danger and then they find the money to save them in perpetuity. Thats the way to do things.

####

Video of Dr. E.O. Wilson discussing the new antbird species (Myrmoderus eowilsoni) named after him with Rainforest Trust President Dr. Robert Ridgely and CEO Dr. Paul Salaman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql2FPx5_6MQ&feature=youtu.be

Rainforest Trust is a leading international conservation organization that has been steadfast in its mission for 30 years to save endangered species through the purchase and protection of imperiled tropical habitats in partnership with local partners and communities. Since its founding in 1988, Rainforest Trust has helped protect 18 million acres of rainforest and other tropical habitats in more than 125 project sites around the world. Presently, Rainforest Trust is working to establish a network of over 190 protected areas toward its goal of strategically protecting 50 million acres by 2020. Rainforest Trust has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and 100 percent of project gifts directly fund vital conservation action.

For more information, please contact:

Lauren Colegrove

Editorial Manager

Lauren(at)RainforestTrust.org

Rainforest Trust

7078 Airlie Rd, Warrenton, VA 20187

http://www.RainforestTrust.org

540-370-6868
Andrew Lichtenstein, President of LichtensteinRE, has just sold a portfolio of three contiguous properties located at 2018-2020-2022 Monterey Avenue in Tremont, Bronx, for $10,700,000 all cash.

Andrew Lichtenstein successfully closed this off-market deal for a record price for the Bronx. The sale represented a record breaking Gross Rent Multiplier which equated to an immediate 4.5% Cap Rate and $152,857 per unit. The average rents were extraordinarily low offering huge future rental growth to the buyer.

Lichtenstein submitted multiple competing offers. The seller sold to this buyer because he is a repeat proven buyer even though Lichtenstein submitted an even higher priced offer. Marketing of this off market portfolio was restricted to 322 bona fide landlords who had signed exclusive buyer broker premium agreements of LichtensteinRE.

These contiguous properties are 55,272 residential square feet, five to six story brick walk-up apartment buildings. They contain a total of 71 residential apartments consisting of 1 studio, 51 one bedroom and 18 two bedroom apartments.

Andrew explains that this amazing sales price was possible because the buildings have great upside to increase rents. The residential units were rented for an average of only $844 a month, while the average rent for this East Tremont neighborhood is $1,580 (results are based on 34 2-bedroom rentals within a  mile radius, Rentometer.com Website).

New rents for vacant apartments that are renovated are already going up to $1,200. The profitability outlook for this investment is extremely bright for even greater increased future net income. said Andrew Lichtenstein.

The properties, built in 1928, are located between East 178 and 179 Streets, only two blocks from East Tremont Avenue, a primary thoroughfare through the neighborhood and Tremont Park. Tenants have access to shopping and public transportation on 3rd Avenue and East Tremont and the B and D trains on Grand Concourse and 179th Street.

For drivers going to Manhattan or other boroughs, they have easy access to the Cross Bronx Expressway and Major Deegan Expressway.

The property was sold by Andrew Lichtenstein who was the sole source that procured the buyer and the seller. LichtensteinRE has been actively selling multifamily property and setting sales records for its clients in and around New York City, especially in Brooklyn and Bronx.

About LichtensteinRE

LichtensteinRE specializes in the exclusive sales of multifamily and mixed use commercial real estate properties in New York Citys 5 boroughs. LichtensteinRE is a full service Commercial Real Estate Sales, Financing and Advisory Service Boutique based in New York City, the financial capital of the world. LichtensteinREs proven experience, track record, financing ability, exclusive buyers and connections with tens of thousands of property owners assures their selling clients the best possible price when a landlord owner wants to sell their property.

DoctorMortgage, which is LichtensteinREs financing division, has been a leader in commercial real estate mortgage debt financing since 1991. DoctorMortgage is able to negotiate and facilitate financing to deliver the best price, leverage and return on investment possible.

LichtensteinREs greatest ability is creativity and problem solving. After selling the owners property, LichtensteinRE has assisted successful sellers in locating replacement 1031 tax deferred exchanges and in some cases has more than doubled the sellers net income post-closing. To learn more contact Andrew Lichtenstein at (800) 242-9888 or AL@LichtensteinRE.com
When women attend an event or activity outdoors, they need a way to keep the sun off their faces. With this in mind, an inventor from Cambridge, Mass., has created an attractive and practical fashion accessory that fulfills that need.

She developed a prototype for ALIVE WITH ELEGANCE to provide protection from the sun. At the same time, it enhances an otherwise plain-looking straw sun hat. As such, it not only adds an attractive fashion flair to any ensemble but is versatile for both formal and informal occasions. It is also convenient, practical and affordably priced. In addition, it is easy to assemble and disassemble.

The inventors personal experience inspired the idea. "One spring day when I was going to a graduation ceremony, I needed to wear a large straw hat for protection from the sun, but I decided it looked too plain, she said. So I decided to enhance it with a colorful fashion accessory."

The original design was submitted to the Boston office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 16-BMA-4460, 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
Our study showed a significant increase in the percentage of hybrids that can save buyers money over five-years when compared to an all-gas counterpart.

Vincentric, LLC announced the 2017 U.S. Hybrid Analysis results today with 26 of the 65 hybrids evaluated, or 40%, having a lower total cost of ownership compared to their closest all-gasoline powered counterpart. Since 2012 the percentage of cost-effective hybrids has steadily decreased, with the trend changing in 2017 as the rate increased 16 percentage points compared to the 2016 Vincentric U.S. Hybrid Analysis.

The 2017 Vincentric Hybrid Analysis measured a total of 130 vehicles, split evenly between hybrids and all-gasoline vehicles. Luxury cars had the highest percentage of cost-effective hybrids at 46%, while Passenger Cars and SUV/Crossovers had a lower percentage of cost-effective hybrids at 39% and 36% respectively. The vehicle with the largest savings was the Lexus CT200h, showing that buyers could save $7,750 over 5 years of ownership compared to the similarly equipped Lexus IS 200t. On the other hand, buyers of the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid Premium would spend $8,315 more to drive the hybrid version of the vehicle over the same period compared to a similarly equipped Infiniti Q50 Premium. The savings for cost-effective hybrids typically occur when the savings from lower fuel costs and lower depreciation rates outweigh the price premium for that hybrid.

Our study showed a significant increase in the percentage of hybrids that can save buyers money over five-years when compared to an all-gas counterpart, said Vincentric President, David Wurster. Understanding the value of hybrids requires looking at all ownership costs, and not just fuel savings. Only then can buyers determine whether it makes sense to pay the hybrid price premium.

To determine the 2017 Hybrid Analysis, Vincentric conducted a statistical analysis of hybrid vehicles to provide consumers and the automotive industry with insightful information on the cost of owning and operating a hybrid. Fuel prices used in the analysis were based on a weighted average over the previous five months. The report also assumes the vehicle is owned for five years and 15,000 miles are driven annually. Vincentric measured total cost of ownership using eight different cost factors: depreciation, fees & taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost, and repairs.

Further information regarding the Vincentric 2017 Hybrid Analysis results for all vehicles analyzed can be requested from marketing(at)vincentric.com.

ABOUT VINCENTRIC

Vincentric provides data, knowledge, and insight to the automotive industry by identifying and applying the many aspects of automotive value. Vincentric data is used by organizations including Cars.com, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, NADA Guides, Business Fleet Magazine, Nissan, and many others as a means of providing automotive insight to their clientele. Vincentric, LLC is a privately held automotive data compilation and analysis firm headquartered in Bingham Farms, Michigan.
Elisa Cascade MBA, DrugDev Chief Product Officer Were delighted to welcome Elisa Cascade to the ACRP Board of Trustees. Throughout her career shes demonstrated an extraordinary ability to turn her vision of improving clinical operations into reality.

Visionary clinical trials technologist and self-professed data geek Elisa Cascade continues to amass industry distinctions as DrugDev, an IQVIA company, announced Cascades election to the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Board of Trustees. The volunteer-based, member-elected Board carries out the ACRPs mission to drive excellence in the conduct of clinical research.

Cascade, who is responsible for the growth and development of the DrugDev Spark clinical operations suite, also is the architect of the DrugDev Golden Number, the industrys universal identifier for site facilities and personnel used by the Investigator Databank, the TransCelerate Investigator Registry, and leading pharma companies and CROs.

With over 25 years of pharma clinical research experience as well as expertise in market research, brand strategy, sales force development, and pricing, Cascade works closely with sponsors and sites to improve clinical trial operations through standardization, industry-wide collaboration, and a beautiful technology experience.

ACRP Executive Director Jim Kremidas said, Were delighted to welcome Elisa Cascade to the ACRP Board of Trustees. Throughout her career shes demonstrated an extraordinary ability to turn her vision of improving clinical operations into reality. Were thrilled to welcome Elisa and look forward to seeing how her ideas and expertise help enhance the Association, our members careers and improve the quality of clinical research conducted around the world.

Cascade is a passionate advocate of the site experience, and she applies this perspective to ensure the DrugDev Spark interface and features are focused on easing site burden. She also led the creation of the DrugDev Golden Number which facilitates collaboration between sponsors and sites, and enables evidence-based site selection decisions. This universal identifier is recognized as a true game-changer: among other awards, earlier this year it won the coveted Clinical Informatics News Best Practices Award at the prestigious SCOPE Summit for improving trial startup and data management. Today, over one-third of all global, interventional clinical trials sponsored by industry are indexed to the DrugDev Golden Number universal identifier for clinical site facilities and staff.

Ibs Mahmood, Leader of Clinical Technology, IQVIA, said, Elisa spends every day at the forefront of change, and the pharma industry is glad of it because shes consistently developing new ways to collect, use and share data to make the best possible scientific and economic decisions. ACRPs membership is about to enjoy the enormous benefits of having one of pharmas most imaginative pragmatists involved in charting a bright course ahead.

Elisa Cascade said, Being elected to ACRPs Board of Trustees by its members is one of the greatest and most humbling honors of my career. My aim is to help sponsors, technology companies, and sites collaborate on making clinical trials more efficient, and Ive always been grateful for ACRPs dedication to helping pharma develop standards that raise clinical research and workforce development to new levels of excellence. Every Trustee consistently shows a remarkable dedication to improving clinical trials for researchers and patients, and I look forward to working together to continue ACRPs mission.

Cascades additional honors include being named one of the PharmaVOICE 100 most influential people in life sciences, being chosen as one of the Medicine Maker Power 100 people changing pharma, and being recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction and Healthcare Innovator. She is a regular columnist on technology and clinical trials for CenterWatch, and has been published in industry journals including Applied Clinical Trials and the DIA Global Forum. Cascade also is a frequent invited speaker at pharma industry conferences. She has an MBA from The Wharton School and a B.S. with High Honors and High Distinction from the University of Michigan.

About ACRP

ACRP supports clinical research professionals through membership, training and development resources, and certification. Founded in 1976, ACRP is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization with more than 13,000 members who work in clinical research in more than 70 countries. ACRPs vision is that clinical research is performed ethically, responsibly, and professionally everywhere in the world. ACRPs mission is to promote excellence in clinical research. http://www.acrpnet.org

About DrugDev

DrugDev, an IQVIA company, helps the world do more trials through industry-wide collaboration, standardization and a beautiful technology experience. DrugDev Spark, the unified clinical operations suite, is comprised of proven solutions used by 85 sponsors and CROs on over 2,000 clinical trials to transform the quality and efficiency of clinical trials from startup through closeout. DrugDev Spark is powered by the DrugDev Golden Number, the award-winning universal identifier for global site facilities and investigators used by TransCelerate and the Investigator Databank. Learn why 9 of the top 10 sponsors and 4 of the top 5 CROs trust DrugDev by scheduling a demo of DrugDev Spark at drugdev.com.
Mandalay Homes was honored with three national awards for innovation last week. Hanley Wood, a leader in the residential, design and commercial construction industry, named Dave Everson, Founder and CEO of Mandalay Homes, a HIVE 50 Innovator for designing highly efficient and affordable homes. The award spotlights innovators who disrupt the building industry and transform the way we think. HIVE award honorees include Teslas Elon Musk, and Carlo Ratti, Founder of MITs Senseable City Lab. In addition to HIVE 50, Mandalay Homes received two TecHome Brilliance Awards for excellence and innovation; Brilliant High-Volume Builder and Energy Efficient Homes.

Mandalay Homes has broke ground on a new community, Jasper, located in Prescott Valley, Arizona. The community of 2,900 homes, features no carbon footprint (based on estimated building energy use). Everson says, Homeowners will get a near-zero electric bill as a standard feature in every home. A similar community exists in Germany, but this will be a first of its kind for the United States. Each Mandalay home features AeroBarrier, an advanced air sealing technology. Also featured, sonnenBatterie, a high capacity, long life, energy-storage system.

Blake F. Richetta, Senior Vice President and head of the U.S. Subsidiary of sonnen says, Mandalay is disrupting the housing industry by building a large scale sub-division that will not rely on the utility or coal power as its main source of electricity. Dave Everson should be celebrated; he is an innovator. He is one of the leading visionaries in the housing industry.

Key points about Mandalay Homes, include:



For every 1,000 Mandalay homes built, the amount of carbon emissions offset is equivalent to 4,500 tons of CO2 or 10,500 barrel of oil saved compared to the average U.S home. Source U.S. EPA

Mandalay Homes is an 8-time recipient of the U.S. Department of Energys Housing Innovation Award.

All Mandalay homes meet or exceed nationally recognized standards for air quality, energy efficiency, and water efficiency. These standards include ZERH, Indoor airPLUS, Energy Star, and EPA WaterSense.

The standard Mandalay home meets or exceeds Passive House standards for air tightness of the building envelope.

About Mandalay Homes

Founded in 1999, Mandalay Homes is recognized as one of the most innovative builders in America. An 8-time winner of the DOEs award for innovation, Mandalay Homes is committed to building homes that promote safety, health, reduced energy costs, and less environmental impact. Mandalay Homes offers carbon-neutral homes as a standard feature, with no added cost to the homeowner.

About Hanley Wood and the HIVE 50 (Housing, Innovation, Vision & Economics)

Hanley Wood is a real estate media firm focused on commercial and residential construction in North America, and publisher of BUILDER magazine. HIVE is the curtain call to the innovators who will shape housing today and tomorrow. HIVE is an initiative to give visibility to these great acts of innovation and to encourage collaboration that can catapult the ideas into mainstream practices while constantly building a platform for new catalysts.
Katie Frechette Were thankful to have Katie join us at NEIRG as our company continues to expand." - Nick Giacoumakis, President and founder of New England Investment & Retirement Group

New England Investment & Retirement Group, Inc. welcomes Katie Frechette to their company team. Katie joins NEIRG as a Client Service Representative and has been working with the companys client service team since June 2017.

As a Client Service Representative, Katie possesses the expertise that is crucial to achieve an exceptional level of care for new and established clients. She provides seamless transition for NEIRGs new clients, and she also works with existing clients handling account service requests including deposits and withdrawals, account inquiries, and tax reporting. She is a vital partner working alongside NEIRGs advisory team with client meeting preparation and follow-up.

Before she joined NEIRG, Katie worked as a Client Relationship Manager for a private wealth management firm in New Hampshire and as a licensed banker at Citizens Bank. I am honored to be a part of the New England Investment and Retirement team and am looking forward to the continued growth of both the company and team, said Katie.

Were thankful to have Katie join us at NEIRG as our company continues to expand, said Nick Giacoumakis, president and founder of New England Investment & Retirement Group. Were impressed by her ambitious commitment to our clients, and she is a fantastic fit with our whole team.

NEIRG is grateful that Katie has joined the company as it grows while continuing its mission to help clients pursue financial independence by providing unbiased objective guidance. NEIRG is proud to bring value through communication, education and exceptional service.

About NEIRG

Established in 1995 by Nick Giacoumakis, New England Investment and Retirement Group, Inc. is a flourishing 14-member firm that offers investment management and financial planning services for individuals and families. Now in its 22nd year of service, the NEIRG team takes pride in providing unmatched, personalized service to its clients and has utilized its collective expertise to effectively guide clients in achieving and preserving financial independence. Based in North Andover, Massachusetts, NEIRG manages approximately $500 million in assets.
Beverage industry public relations firm Teplin+Nuss today celebrated their five-year anniversary of public relations for wine brands and wine-related technologies. "I have enjoyed working with the Teplin+Nuss team on multiple projects, said Cheryl Durzy, Co-Founder and CEO of Liberation Distribution (LibDib). Their messaging, writing and media relations skills are second to none and their organizational skills are superior."

Beverage industry public relations firm Teplin+Nuss today celebrated their five-year anniversary of public relations for wine brands and wine-related technologies. Teplin+Nuss was started in 2012 by Ashley Teplin and Holly Nuss and is based in downtown Napa. Co-Founder, Ashley Teplin, was recently named one of Wine Enthusiasts Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers of 2017.

"I have enjoyed working with the Teplin+Nuss team on multiple projects, said Cheryl Durzy, Co-Founder and CEO of Liberation Distribution (LibDib). Their messaging, writing and media relations skills are second to none and their organizational skills are superior. They are definite pros at what they do!"

Ashley Teplin was named one of Wine Enthusiasts Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers of 2017 for her role in spreading the wine word through innovative public relations, social media campaigns and events. The Top 40 Under 40 highlights innovators who are shaping the future of wine, beer and spirits and leaving a lasting influence on the world of food and drink.

Five years is the blink of an eye in the wine industry, but in that short time Teplin+Nuss has placed itself in the top tier of wine-focused public relations and communications companies. This has come about through forward thinking and creative approaches to the marketing challenges of their clients, as well as good, old-fashioned hard work, said John Gillespie, Past President of Wine Market Council and Founder and CEO of Wine Opinions LLC.

It was a huge honor to be named to Wine Enthusiasts 2017 list of innovators, said Ashley Teplin, Co-Founder of Teplin+Nuss Public Relations. I am humbled to be included in this list of my friends and colleagues who spark so much creativity in this industry.

Over the past five years, Teplin+Nuss has worked with leading wine brands including Banshee Wines, Ca Momi, CK Mondavi and Family, Grey Stack Cellars, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Donum Estate, The Divining Rod, Lawer Estates, MommyJuice, and Stewart Cellars. They also represent iconic wine associations including the Carneros Wine Alliance, the Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association and Wine Market Council. Their approach focuses on traditional public relations while utilizing new and social media to establish brands and create a lasting awareness and identity.

In addition, Teplin+Nuss experience expands beyond just wine brands to leading companies like Liberation Distribution (LibDib), Free Flow Wines and Clever Girls Collective. Theyve helped publicize events including the Stags Leap Districts Vineyard to Vintner (V2V) weekend, Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting, Zinfandel Advocates & Producers ZinEX 2017, and the Napa Valley Wine Wave. They continue to develop and manage custom events for their clients, from corporate or product launches to formal wine tastings and consumer events.

The Teplin+Nuss founders having varying experience: Ashley Teplin comes from the world of photography, culinary and wine, while Holly Nuss has extensive experience in high-tech, business and consumer public relations. Together they are a boutique public relations firm that offers a wide-array of experience along with personalized attention to each client.

About Teplin+Nuss

Teplin+Nuss focuses on traditional public relations and utilizes new media to establish brands and create a lasting awareness and identity. Started by Ashley Teplin and Holly Nuss in 2012, Teplin+Nuss offers boutique public relations services for lifestyle, consumer, culinary and wine brands. Ashleys background in the culinary, art and wine media world, combined with Hollys experience in high-tech, business and consumer public relations, creates the opportunity to offer the comprehensive services of a larger firm while still enjoying the individualized attention of a boutique and results-based team. Teplin+Nuss creates relationships, and designs and executes public relations strategies that incorporate social media and new media. Teplin+Nuss knows publicity, how to deliver the message and get the results you need. They can be found online at http://www.teplinnuss.com or @TeplinNuss on Twitter.
Prior to celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Axia Technology Partners (AxiaTP) announces the separation of its high-powered communications workflow platform, Kerauno, into its own software business entity.

The business decision comes at a time when we have experienced tremendous growth with the software platform, says Josh Ross, Managing Partner of AxiaTP. We are now in eight countries and continuing to redefine the communications workflow market.

Chief Operating Officer, Don Scifres and AxiaTP Co-founder, Jason Ross will operate Kerauno LLC as an independent software company under the umbrella of AxiaTP, which will continue to provide connectivity, voice service and managed network service to clients across the country. Josh Ross will remain as the Managing Partner for AxiaTP, while also serving as Chairman of the Board for Keruano LLC.

The business expansion and separation will enable tremendous focus, and likely include various forms of capital raised, including the launch of Keraunos national channel partner program and ecosystem. The expansion also creates an opportunity to bring more technology-focused jobs to Indianapolis. Having already created a dozen new positions this year, the company is looking to hire as many as 10 more, including software engineers, a director of software engineering, a cloud systems engineer and a VoIP engineer, due to the expected growth through the channel program.

This software is truly changing the way that people communicate by optimizing business process and improving business efficiencies. With the trajectory and market opportunity, it is important for Kerauno to have its own corporate identity and absolute focus, says Ross.

Launched in 2014, Kerauno is a communications workflow platform that powerfully connects people, process, software and systems. Kerauno provides a suite of communication and collaboration tools including workflow forms, voice, chat, SMS, conference calling, Bolt softphone, robust reporting and analytics, and a powerful API that allows integrations with almost any third-party software. Clients include Andretti Autosport, ACE Rent-a-Car, POLARIS Laboratories LLC, Scottys Brewhouse, the Indiana Bankers Association, HealthCall, Citizens Bank and TWG Development LLC. For more information on Kerauno, visit http://www.keraunouc.com.

# # #

About Axia Technology Partners

Indianapolis-based Axia Technology Partners is a national provider of technology solutions, including its proprietary communications workflow platform Kerauno, which powerfully connects people, process, software and systems. AxiaTPs clients include municipal governments, financial institutions, health care, schools and universities, law firms, manufacturers, and enterprise and small businesses. For more information about Axia Technology Partners, please visit http://www.axiatp.com.

About Kerauno LLC

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Keruano has created a paradigm shift in the communications marketplace, leading to rapid adoption, multiple industry awards and exponential revenue growth. Kerauno is empowering communications by powerfully connecting people process, software and systems. For more information about Kerauno, please visit http://www.keraunouc.com.
Abraham Zaiderman With our comprehensive industry knowledge and expertise, we can facilitate our clients' needs with an extensive array of services, including strategy, marketing, organization, operations and technology.

Abraham Zaiderman Consulting, a strategic advisory and restaurant consulting firm based in Potomac, Maryland, recently launched a new and updated Website targeting restaurant owners, franchisees and executives.

We are very excited about the launch of our new Website, says Abe Zaiderman, founder and President of Abraham Zaiderman Consulting, it is mobile friendly, informative and will allow us to position our company for growth in the coming year.

Abraham Zaiderman Consulting focuses exclusively on helping restaurants achieve maximum business growth and set the stage for profitable expansion with a range of services, including existing restaurant optimization, restaurant launch (strategy, marketing efforts, financing, and operations) and restaurant management training and consulting.

According to The National Restaurant Association's 2017 State of the Industry report, the restaurant industry is expected to generate $799 billion in sales at over one million restaurant locations in the United States which employ approximately 14.7 million individuals. The restaurant industry is growing and is expected to add 1.6 million new restaurant jobs by the year 2027.

However, despite much reason for optimism and healthy long-term growth projections, many restaurants continue to struggle to succeed. After witnessing countless bankruptcies, inefficient operations and mismanagement in the restaurant industry, Abraham Zaiderman was inspired to bring operational excellence to the restaurant industry. His passion for helping businesses thrive drives his consultancy to deliver world-class advisory services to America's hardworking restaurant owners.

With our comprehensive industry knowledge and expertise, says Zaiderman, we can facilitate our clients' needs with an extensive array of services, including strategy, marketing, organization, operations and technology.

About Abraham Zaiderman

Abraham Zaiderman is the founder and CEO of Abraham Zaiderman Consulting. With over 30 years of experience in the restaurant business, Abraham Zaiderman has helped companies start, grow and expand their restaurant business with expertise in concept development, market research, business strategy, marketing, equipment leasing/finance, franchising, real estate and sales improvement.
17-logo Deaf - Deaf Blind MNCDHH_logo_High.jpg Minnesota is an aging state, and we believe the research we conduct now will help protect future generations..

The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans announced today a first of its kind pilot program to turn up the volume on age-related hearing loss across Minnesota.

In December, the Commission, in collaboration with University of Minnesota researchers will commence the program that will take place at nearly a dozen senior care facilities across the state. Each site will use specially designed training kits to help understand, test and collect proprietary data about the consequences of untreated age-related hearing loss.

In 2015, the Commission formed a task force to examine and make recommendations addressing age-related hearing loss and its impact on healthy aging for Minnesotans. The task force included various stakeholders from Leading Age Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Minnesota Council of Health Plans, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Board on Aging, the Minnesota Medical Association, and others. This pilot program comes out of recommendations from this task force.

This initiative puts Minnesota on the leading edge of this type of research, said Emory David Dively, Deputy Director, Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans. We aim to promote healthy hearing for our older population because hearing loss has been proven to be a major factor in the overall health of seniors.

According to research performed by Dr. Frank Lin of John Hopkins University, the average adult waits 15 years to take action about their hearing loss. In addition, Lin determined that nearly two-thirds of all adults over the age of 70 have some form of hearing loss. If left untreated, it can obstruct basic, verbal communication with family members, friends, and coworkers. Lins research also states that a loss of hearing can enhance brain diseases such as dementia.

The kits used in the program provide the senior care facilities involved the ability to test, understand and discuss the impacts of hearing loss. Senior care facilities in the following markets have been targeted by the Commission to launch the pilot program: Duluth/Cloquet, Zumbrota/Rochester, Bloomington/Twin Cities, Blaine/Fridley, Faribault, St. James/Mankato, Grand Rapids, Bemidji, and the Greater Grand Forks Area.

We want to start the discussion to better meet the needs of Minnesotas older adults, said Dively. We believe that understanding how prevalent hearing loss is will help us better plan for treatment and enhanced education in the future.

Dively credits the University of Minnesotas involvement in this program for its ability to conduct research specific to the goals of the program.

Working together we can create a starting point to improve communication and understanding among this population, he said. Minnesota is an aging state, and we believe the research we conduct now will help protect future generations from experiencing untreated age-related hearing loss and all of the other health-related issues that go with that loss.

Dr. Peggy Nelson, Ph. D., Professor of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota says that hearing loss among older adults isnt just an annoyance. Loss of hearing can speed an elderly persons natural decline by making them withdraw from conversations and activities that used to keep them active and productive.

Our goals are to help people with hearing loss understand the problem and to help keep them involved in life with coping skills and possible treatment, said Dr. Nelson. We hope that working with health care workers that we can reach a good cross-section of the older population and learn how we can improve quality of life for these people.

Dr. Nelson said the tipping point to initiate this program was the research of Dr. Lin and how the hearing loss of older adults is strongly connected to other health issues among the population.

We are looking for answers in phase one of this project, said Dr. Nelson. The next steps are follow up and seeing if outcomes improve, eventually leading to a bigger investment in improving the hearing health of the elderly.

John Wodele, a Minneapolis-based communications executive and current board member for the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans and co-chair of the Commissions Age-Related Hearing Loss task force, believes that this program is a game changer.

I was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of 35, he said. I understand how hearing loss can make you feel isolated and extremely frustrated. My first hearing aids cost $6,000. Most insurance doesnt cover hearing aids, which I think is despicable. Its hard to understand why hearing loss isnt focused on more. We hope to change that attitude.

Wodele said that this initiative is a welcomed addition to the fight against hearing loss among older adults.

The first step is recognizing the issue and raising awareness, he said. Its a significant point in time for this issue, and we hope it can be beneficial for generations to come.

Dively said that research has concluded that men are twice as likely as women to experience hearing loss.

These are things we want to find out with this program, he said. Having more answers allows us to build future treatment models that can significantly improve hearing health among all Minnesotans.

About the Commission

The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans is a Governor-appointed Commission that advocates for communication access and equal opportunity with the 20 percent of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing. For more information about the Commission, visit our website at http://www.mncdhh.org or join us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also reach us by calling 651-431-3211 or via email; Emory.David.Dively(at)state.mn.us.
"We are extremely respectful of the hard work that went into building and establishing the Slingshot SEO brand, and look forward to carrying on the spirit of the brand, through integration into our own offerings." - Joe Beccalori, CEO

Interact Marketing parent Ecommerge, Inc. has entered a binding agreement this week to purchase the once high-flying brand Slingshot SEO from Relevance.com in an all-cash deal.

Slingshot SEO had become a national success story during the search engine optimization market boom. Incorporated in 2007, the company grew at an exponential rate, through the development of key processes, methodologies and technology that help business clients rank higher in search engine results, and increase traffic, revenue and sales. Focused on enterprise clients, Slingshot SEO

revenue exploded 700 percent from 2009 to 2011, and the firm made the Inc. 500 list three years in a row for 2011, 2012, and 2013 with revenues topping $10.9mm annually. In addition, the agency won more than a dozen notable awards including a Red Herring, Tech 200, PR Daily, Search Engine Journal, Top SEOs, and best places to work in Indiana.

But revenue dipped significantly after several Google algorithms took a toll on a few of the methods the company was using, leading Slingshot SEO to rework its strategy. The company expanded to focus heavily on content marketing, social media, and other forms of digital marketing. They also created a content-based portal for marketing professionals at Relevance.com, and re-branded the firm in 2014.

Over the next two years, facing heavier market competitiveness, and with key owners and executives heading in different directions, the company pulled the plug on services, and sold the domains, brand assets, content, and methodologies of Relevance and Slingshot SEO to Creative Lipi Webtech, Inc..

Interact Marketing has been serving the agency/consulting role of Relevance since that acquisition, and CEO Joe Beccalori has also been a leading contributor to the ongoing, and successful publication which boasts 85,000 marketing professionals in it's database, and provides valuable articles, tools, and insights to marketers worldwide.

"The acquisition of the agency component was a natural next step", said Beccalori whose digital agency Interact Marketing just celebrated it's own 10-year anniversary. The company has previously merged several smaller firms in New York's Hudson Valley region. "We are extremely respectful of the hard work that went into building and establishing the Slingshot SEO brand, and the Interact team looks forward to carrying on the spirit of the brand, through integration into our own offerings."
With these key additions to our leadership team, we will continue to lead the way on what's necessary in workspace design for today's mobile, on-demand economy.

Workbar, Bostons coworking space trailblazer, has announced three key additions to its leadership team: Sarah Travers will head up business development, C. Todd Lombardo will lead product and experience, and Justin Miller will direct the companys marketing strategy. The appointments come as Workbar prepares to broaden its footprint into new geographical markets.

Longstanding coworking evangelist Sarah Travers brings significant industry experience to her role as head of business development. She joins Workbar from Regus, a global provider of flexible workspace solutions, where she spent 15 years in a series of ascending sales roles before assuming the position of area manager for several Boston-area locations. Travers is leading the outbound sales process and forging strategic partnerships to accelerate membership at Workbars growing network of enterprise locations.

As head of Workbars product and experience, C. Todd Lombardo is charged with defining the ideal total member experience, including both product and space design. He oversees the companys proprietary technology platform that powers its rapidly growing membership-based community. He is also defining the future of design for Workbar, ensuring that its signature coworking neighborhoods continue to evolve and anticipate the needs of todays dynamic workforce. A self-professed data nerd and design geek, Lombardo previously served as an innovation architect at Constant Contact's Small Business Innovation Loft and more recently as Chief Design Strategist at Fresh Tilled Soil.

New marketing head Justin Miller oversees brand strategy, marketing operations, and member engagement. He joins Workbar from the Startup Institute, where he served as vice president of marketing, amassing valuable experience in the innovation sector. Working hand in hand with Lombardo and Travers, he will play a critical role in refining the Workbar brand and expanding the companys startup ecosystem to entrepreneurs, startups, and remote enterprise professionals in new strategic markets.

Workbar has been experiencing tremendous growth, said founder and CEO Bill Jacobson. This growth is validation of our four-neighborhood workspace setup and our regional coworking model. With these key additions to our leadership team, we will continue to lead the way on whats necessary in workspace design for todays mobile, on-demand economy.

About Workbar:

Workbar is Boston's original coworking space, with seven existing locations throughout Greater Boston, including South Station, Cambridge, Somerville, Danvers, Norwood, Brighton and Arlington, and partnerships with 12 more coworking sites across the state. The network of shared workspaces offers a hub-and-spoke system for people whose work takes them all over the region. Workbar caters to small businesses, freelancers, entrepreneurs, startups, and corporate clients with remote teams looking for an affordable, flexible place to work and to meet with clients and other like-minded professionals. With professionally managed space and top-tier office amenities, Workbar coworking spaces are built with the connections needed to inspire, provoke, and ignite productivity and passion.

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Don Meinzen, owner of Silverton Hardware, standing next to his first order of PHILANTHRO filters. We like the idea of giving our customers a high-quality filter at a better price than 3M Filtrete, plus we like the PHILANTHRO mission.

Silverton Hardware of Silverton, OH has become the first retailer to feature PHILANTHRO brand furnace filters in-store, generating impressive sales within the first few days of the products availability. PHILANTHRO furnace filters deliver high quality air filtration at a competitive price, with 10% of all sales donated to charity in support of sustainable orphan care worldwide.

The PHILANTHRO filter brand was developed to provide consumers with a high-quality filter solution for homes and businesses, while generating financial support for global organizations dedicated to serving children in need. For each PHILANTHRO filter sold, ten percent of sales are sent directly to non-profit organizations serving orphans and vulnerable children across the globe.

Silverton Hardware owner Don Meinzen introduced PHILANTHRO furnace filters to his customers because of the quality offered, paired with the companys mission. We like the idea of giving our customers a high-quality filter at a better price than 3M Filtrete, plus we like the PHILANTHRO mission, Meizen states.

Silverton Hardware was founded over a century ago, by Dons great grandfather in 1915. Within days of carrying PHILANTHRO filters, Don is ready to reorder select sizes due to strong sales and customer interest.

The PHILANTHRO brand was created to transform the lives of orphans around the world. We are excited to have the support of Silverton Hardware and the stores loyal customers as we pursue our mission to aid orphan care organizations across the globe, says Will Housh, founder of PHILANTHRO.

Learn more about PHILANTHRO furnace filters and the brands mission by visiting http://www.philanthro.com.

About PHILANTHRO

PHILANTHRO provides a means for homeowners to improve the lives of children worldwide by simply changing their furnace filters. PHILANTHRO brand furnace filters offer superior indoor air quality at a competitive price, with 10% of sales donated to charitable organizations dedicated to creating sustainable solutions to the global orphan cause. PHILANTHRO is on a mission to make a difference in the lives of the worlds 163 million orphans and vulnerable children. Learn more about the brand and mission at http://www.Philanthro.com.
Land Trust Alliance logo This bill is so important  and so sensible  that were quickly seeing support for it grow,

The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, today saluted land conservation nonprofits that are supporting the proposed federal Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2017.

Introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson of California, a Democrat, and Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, a Republican, the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act (H.R. 4459) would eliminate the ability of partnership investors to profit from the donation of a conservation easement on land held for a short period of time. The bills language makes clear that conservation easement donations, like other charitable donations, are not intended to be opportunities to generate a profit.

This bill is so important  and so sensible  that were quickly seeing support for it grow, said Andrew Bowman, the Alliances president. At a time when bipartisan issues seem few and far between on Capitol Hill, its gratifying to see such support for the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.

New support for H.R. 4459 materialized in a letter to Reps. Thompson and Kelly dated Dec. 13. Co-signers include The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, The Trust for Public Land and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Each organization formalized for the first time its support of H.R. 4459 in the letter.

Collectively, our organizations are ready to stand with you in advocating for passage of this bill, says the letter. We and the millions of members we represent look forward to working with you to pass H.R. 4459, bolstering land conservation heroes and taxpayers across America.

Bowman said the vast majority of conservation easements are truly charitable endeavors, but a few bad actors promote conservation easement donations as a way for investors to make a fast profit by gaining access to very large federal tax deductions. These transactions are essentially tax shelters. IRS data released earlier this year show that a sampling of these transactions enabled investors to claim, on average, deductions valued at nine times the amount of their original investment.

The Alliance has worked for years to counter this abuse, pressing the IRS to shut down these transactions and taking a number of actions to help its member land trusts identify and avoid these deals, all while ensuring honest philanthropy continues to be rewarded. But because these deals continue to be promoted, Reps. Thompson and Kelly introduced the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.

Congress can and should act decisively on this matter, Bowman said. The Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act is straightforward, narrowly drafted and needed. It makes clear that while charitable land conservation is done for many reasons, never should it be done for profit.

And as consideration of this bill continues on Capitol Hill this month, we call on Congress to remain vigilant against any attempts and other legislation by the bad actors facilitating these deals to gain statutory protection. The success of our work relies on the publics continued confidence in the integrity of tax incentives that encourage private landowners to voluntarily protect their land.

It is time for all Americans who care about land conservation to stand with these champions and advocate aggressively for passage of the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act. Protect land conservation. Protect taxpayers. Put an end to abusive deals.

For more information, visit http://www.landtrustalliance.org.

About the Land Trust Alliance

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at http://www.landtrustalliance.org.

# # #
SAVANT is going to support the emergence of freelance entrepreneurs in the sharing economy by providing them with the tools they need to succeed

Hailing from Chicagos booming innovation ecosystem, three of the Nations prominent tech leaders have joined forces to create a startup that will forever change the sharing and gig economy (also known as the platform economy). Former SVP at Motorola, Google, and Lenovo, Iqbal Arshad, former Techweek COO, Chris Bordeaux, and accomplished tech entrepreneur, Jason Randolph, are proud Co-founders of SAVANT  the first and only software dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs in the new platform economy with central control of their business. On Dec. 18, SAVANT will launch its Beta version to the public.

With currently over 12 million platform entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Europe (Uber drivers, Airbnb hosts, Turo renters, etc.), this segment of the economy is projected to grow by over 800 percent to exceed $325 billion by 2025, according to the Brookings Institution. With the growth of platform entrepreneurs, who often have limited financial management experience, the IRS has increased the number of tax penalties over the past five years by 42 percent, citing a lack of quarterly tax payments and tax filing errors. Randolph, Arshad, and Bordeaux are motivated by their determination to empower these entrepreneurs to thrive and retain more of their hard-earned money.

The sharing and gig workforce is the future of the dwindling middle class, explains Randolph, CEO of SAVANT. The platform economy provides individuals from all walks of life the opportunity to achieve financial independence as entrepreneurs, while also enabling them to choose how and when they work. Flexible work hours are highly valued by todays workforce, providing more time with family.

The idea for SAVANT originated from Randolphs hands-on experience in the platform economy. Following the sale of his previous SaaS firm, Randolph began renting out his vehicle on the peer-to-peer car sharing services Getaround and Turo to earn supplemental income. What was intended to be a small, experimental endeavor, turned into a large-scale operation that led him to acquiring an entire fleet of vehicles that produced substantial earnings. Through this eye-opening experience, Randolph was able to identify not only the prosperous opportunities of the platform economy, but also the significant and consistent challenges faced by all platform entrepreneurs.

This revelation led him to join forces with Bordeaux, whose passion for entrepreneurial empowerment led him to becoming the COO of Techweek. I traveled around the world to support the emergence of startup entrepreneurs during my tenure at Techweek, explains Bordeaux, COO of SAVANT. Now, SAVANT is going to support the emergence of freelance entrepreneurs in the sharing economy by providing them with the tools they need to succeed.

Shortly thereafter, Arshad joined to lead the technology development vision of SAVANT  recognized throughout the world as the famed visionary and developer who shaped the tech landscape by creating numerous industry-first product categories, including the original Droid smartphone, Googles first Android tablet, the first round Android Wear smartwatch, a shatter-proof smartphone, and the first modular smartphone platform and ecosystem  to name a few.

With simple, real-time tax and finance automation, real-time listing and gig management, business optimization and comprehensive reporting, SAVANT users will be empowered to increase profits, regain control of their finances, and improve customer service, explains Arshad. These new entrepreneurs need a simple and automated financial management tool, and that is exactly what we have created.

About SAVANT

SAVANT is the only management and reporting dashboard devoted exclusively to the gig and sharing economy. With easy tax and finance automation, real-time listing and gig management, business optimization, and comprehensive reporting, SAVANT users are empowered to increase profits, regain control of their money, reclaim their free-time and improve customer service.

We understand the unique challenges and uncertainty faced by renters, drivers, and gigsters of this newly emerging economy as past and current contributors. This transformative ecosystem is rapidly growing into one of the largest pillars of the global economy. SAVANTs collective experience with Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, HomeAway, Turo, Getaround and beyond has enabled us to identify and solve these challenges by developing powerful tools that empower users to not only survive, but truly thrive.

SAVANT raised an early round of funding in preparation for the platform launch in late 2017. The SAVANT team continues to participate as contributors of the sharing and gig economy  from driving for Uber and automotive renting, to home renting on Airbnb, HomeAway and more.

For more information, visit: https://sharesavant.com
Blazing Cello Opens InterHarmony Series in Fort Worth: Misha Quint, John Owings Feb 3 "Misha Quint is a masterful Paganini-player and a true devil's cellist."

The extraordinary Russian cellist Misha Quint will soar his soul on the wings of the superb pianist John Owings in a varied duo-recital leaning towards Russia, corralled by two masterpiece sonatas encased with several delightful show pieces.

At The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Saturday afternoon February 3rd at 2PM, this event marks the exciting entry of InterHarmony's Concert Series into the Texas scene. InterHarmony International Music Festival is an organization that presents concerts worldwide, offering the most extraordinary artists with brilliant up-and coming talents they nurture during their programs in the United States and Europe. Tickets are $35 for Adults, $30 for Seniors, and can be bought online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/blazing-cello-interharmony-concert-series-in-fort-worth-tickets-41259535381 or 2 hours before the concert at the door.

Misha Quint, Music Director and Founder of InterHarmony, is a three-time Gold Medalist in the 2016 Global Music Awards. Mr. Quint has been praised for being "a masterful Paganini-player and a true devil's cellist" in the Sulzbach-Rosenberger Zeitung.

Partnering Mr. Quint is the native Texan John Owings, another artist with an international reputation. The London Daily Telegraph praised him for his "real spiritual elation." A distinguished professor of piano at TCU, he is decorated with the university's highest honor, its Chancellor's Award. More information about the InterHarmony Concert Series in Fort Worth can be found at http://www.interharmony.com

Shostakovich's Cello Sonata opens the program with the seriousness, anger, tragedy and burlesques one associates with this composer, then Haydn's Divertimento in Piatigorsky's transcription contrasts with its ebullient high-classical style.

Debussy's Cello Sonata explores fantastical themes with Iberian colors, then Schubert's soulful 3rd Piano Impromptu is offered in a transcription; Rostropovich's rarity, Humoresque, will whirlwind an impish and virtuoso dervish. Stravinsky's Chanson Russe cubist elements are well placed in The Modern, and the evening concludes with Tchaikovsky's Pezzo Capriccio, so sad, yet so brilliant.

Quint and Owings will blaze the hall with torrents of sounds and shapes beyond one's imagination, and we will hear things never heard before, we will feel things never felt before.

Posse on down!

The second concert, Souvenir dInterHarmony, will premiere on March 24, 2018.
Personal injury trial lawyer Peter Higgins This is not only a great result for our client, but its a great result for anyone who uses these types of trails in Illinois, because it forces the municipalities to maintain their trails in a safe condition. Past News Releases RSS Lipkin & Higgins Wins $2...

Personal injury trial lawyer Peter Higgins, a partner at Lipkin & Higgins, recently successfully appealed a case (Case No. 121536) before the Illinois Supreme Court that established the law involving bicycle trails throughout Illinois. The case thus has significant potential benefit for persons -- cyclists, runners, walkers and skaters -- injured on damaged bike paths.

The case stems from an incident in which Higgins client, Kathy Corbett, was riding her bike on the Skokie Valley Bike Path in Highland Park and was thrown off her bike while riding over an allegedly defective portion of the bicycle trail, of which the defendants allegedly had prior knowledge of, and sustained severe injuries.

Court documents state that the plaintiff alleged her injuries were proximately caused by the willful and wanton acts or omissions of the City of Highland Park. Court documents further state that the City filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, citing a section of the Illinois Tort Immunity Act that states that municipalities are absolutely immune from liability for injuries occurring on trails, which was granted by the trial court.

Due to the trial courts decision, attorney for the plaintiff Higgins successfully appealed the case before the Illinois Appellate Court, and the City of Highland Park appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, again seeking to have the case dismissed. However, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the Appellate Courts decision, allowing the plaintiff to continue with her case, and determined that the path was not a trail and that the City of Highland Park was not to be afforded absolute immunity.

The Supreme Court went on to clarify which trails were covered by the Act and which were not. The trails that are covered and provide municipalities with absolute immunity from lawsuits include any designated hiking, riding, fishing or hunting trail that retains its original, natural surface and is not improved with asphalt, concrete, crushed aggregate or similar finishes and which is not intended for ordinary on-road type bicycles, bicyclists pulling children in trailers, pedestrians pushing strollers or similar forms of transportation. The trails that are not covered are shared-use paths, paved with asphalt and held out for use by bicyclists, pedestrians and in-line skaters.

Lipkin & Higgins went the extra mile to pursue a technicality so that the case might remain alive, said Higgins. We pursued this case all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court for the exclusive purpose of protecting the right of our client to make her case. This is not only a great result for our client, but its a great result for anyone who uses these types of trails in Illinois, because it forces the municipalities to maintain their trails in a safe condition.

About Peter Higgins, Lipkin & Higgins

Mr. Higgins practice emphasizes plaintiffs personal injury, railroad/FELA, and medical negligence cases. He has obtained multiple million dollar-plus verdicts and settlements for his clients. He has received the highest possible peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected to Illinois Super Lawyers. In 2013, he was part of a team of plaintiffs lawyers that received a $22 million jury verdict in a product liability fire case against a space heater manufacturer that the American Lawyer Magazine recognized as one of the top 100 verdicts in the country. For more information, please call (312) 857- 1710 or visit http://www.lipkinhiggins.com. The law office is located at 222 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Walker Sands account director and retail technology practice lead, Erin Jordan, has been selected to join the PR Councils (PRC) first-ever shadow board, PRC Next. Nominees were selected based on their vision for the future of the PR industry and how they plan to contribute to the industrys evolution as a part of the PRC Next board.

The PRC Next Board is comprised of 12 young leaders from PRC member agencies across the US who will meet quarterly to help address unique opportunities and issues faced by the industry. Members will create their own initiatives and join director meetings to share their insights and bring a more diverse perspective to PRC leadership.

Were very proud to be represented on the PRC Next board alongside so many talented and driven young leaders, said Mike Santoro, president of Walker Sands. As PR and marketing continue to evolve, these fresh voices and perspectives will play a critical role in the continual improvement of our industry. Erin has been an invaluable leader at Walker Sands over the last six years and Im excited to see her contribute to the success of PRC agency members across the country.

Jordan has played a critical role in Walker Sands rapid growth. As Account Director, she leads the retail technology and eCommerce practice area, focusing on the intersection of retail, marketing and technology for B2B companies such as CloudCraze, 1WorldSync, and PointSource, A Globant Company. Jordan has also co-lead the development of thought leadership for the agency, having spearheaded the annual Future of Retail study that has resulted in more than 600 media placements, and generated over 4,000 report downloads. She graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, and is currently an MBA candidate at DePaul University with a marketing focus.

The traditional PR industry has evolved and its important to have ongoing conversations about how we can best serve our clients now and in the future, furthered Jordan. At Walker Sands, we believe PR and digital should no longer be considered separate entities and pride ourselves on taking a more holistic approach to our clients marketing strategies. I'm honored to bring this mentality to the team, and excited to be a part of these important conversations on a board of amazing industry leaders.

To learn more about PRC Next, visit http://prcouncil.net/prc-next/.

About Walker Sands

Walker Sands is a public relations and digital marketing agency for business-to-business technology companies. With an integrated approach to their suite of services, Walker Sands helps clients build brand awareness, enhance credibility and drive new business. Walker Sands is a five-time Inc. 5000 honoree and regular recipient of some of the industrys most prestigious awards from organizations including PRSA, Holmes Report and PR News. Walker Sands was founded in 2001 and has offices in Chicago and San Francisco. To learn more, visit http://www.walkersands.com.

About PRC

Established in 1998, the PR Council (PRC) is composed of Americas premier global, midsize, regional and specialty agencies across every discipline and practice. It is the leading trade association for agencies, designed to empower the present and next generation of communications professionals, industry innovators and business leaders through education, events and industry resources.

The PRCs active members from over 105 leading U.S. agencies represent more than 80% (est.) of all U.S. PR firm revenues and employ over 12,000 professionals.

Media Contacts

Rachel Gulden

Walker Sands

rachel.gulden(at)walkersands(dot)com

312-267-0530
Robert Meyers, President, Republic Business Credit Republic is proud to provide client focused solutions that bridge cash flow gaps for growing companies.

Republic Business Credit is proud to be the inaugural winner of the FactoringClubs 2018 Best Factoring Company. Republic was selected to receive this award out of over one hundred factoring companies across the United States and Canada based on its high level of Customer Service, Terms & Features and Overall Excellence.

Republic Business Credit provides Asset Based Loans & Factoring facilities to companies with typical revenues ranging from $2,000,000 to $100,000,000 that need facilities up to $10,000,000. Republic offers both a Recourse and Non-Recourse receivables purchase line of credit to support entrepreneurs experiencing high growth, investing in their businesses or periods of recoverable distress.

Republic Business Credit differentiated itself among over 100 factoring companies, says Rick Hultz, President of FactoringClub. They clearly focus on developing, training and empowering their team to deliver first-class service levels across the client facing experience.

Thriving companies occasionally require a solution to assist their immediate growth oriented cash flow shortfalls, prior to approval by commercial banks, said Robert Meyers, President of Republic. Republic is proud to provide client focused solutions that bridge cash flow gaps for growing companies, without long and punitive contracts, enabling entrepreneurs to create jobs across the country. We are excited and proud to receive such recognition from an industry leading and client focused organization such as the FactoringClub.

Republic Business Credit partners with banks to collaboratively support entrepreneurs across the United States, to create value, by enabling them to focus on growing successful businesses.

BACKGROUND

About FactoringClub

FactoringClub is the most comprehensive client facing directory of factoring companies in the United States and Canada. With over 100 factoring companies, FactoringClub features many of the best companies in the industry. This year's best factoring companies were awarded based on the following criteria:

Terms and Features  Customer Service  Overall Excellence

About Republic Business Credit

Republic Business Credit provides flexible working capital solutions to help rapidly growing businesses, start-ups, and companies in turnaround or recoverable distressed situations that need facilities of up to $10,000,000. Winner of the 2015 Emerging Growth Company of the Year award from the Louisiana Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth, the Republic Business Credit team has the expertise necessary to meet the nuanced financial needs of companies across a wide variety of industries. It provides factoring and asset-based facilities, including ABL, receivables purchase lines of credit, inventory, equipment, and purchase order lines. Since its founding in 2011, Republic Business Credit has provided over $3 billion in fast, flexible working capital.

The company is led by Stewart Chesters, a British transplant to New Orleans who has managed commercial finance companies on both sides of the Atlantic and Robert Meyers, a national sales and marketing leader, and recipient of the Commercial Finance Associations 40 under 40 award.
We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver dental excellence on a daily basis. This award is one we deeply value, as it validates that our patients are ultimately satisfied with their care at our office, says Dr. Mitzi Morris.

Mitzi Morris, DMD, located at 1295 Hembree Road in Roswell, GA 30076, is a reputable dental practice that aims to provide full service dentistry using a modern, personalized and comfortable approach. Dr. Mitzi Morris is an experienced dentist who is trained to offer services in general dental care as well as advanced procedures in cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry, including custom implant restorations. The extensive menu of services at the Roswell practice is one of the many aspects that patients value and love. For example, a patient can get a routine dental cleaning or periodontal therapy as well as a complete smile makeover using ZOOM! teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and even Botox injections.

The first-class experience that patients receive at Mitzi Morris, DMD, PC, has certainly garnered Dr. Morris the five-star ratings and reviews left from her actual patients this year. Find Local Doctors, an established online directory, is quick to recognize the physicians and dentists who have earned such favorable reviews across multiple popular online review sources. Dr. Mitzi Morris is now one of Find Local Doctors 2017 Top Patient Rated Dentists for the Roswell area.

We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver dental excellence on a daily basis. This award is one we deeply value, as it validates that our patients are ultimately satisfied with their care at our office, says Dr. Mitzi Morris.

Dr. Mitzi Morris is joined by Dr. Janet Sieweke and Dr. David Fields. Together they provide a dynamic dental team that is able to care for every aspect of a patients smile through every stage of life. The practice is focused on patient comfort and offers sedation dentistry to help patients relax during their procedures.

More About Mitzi Morris, DMD:

Dr. Mitzi Morris is a 1993 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry and has been practicing in the Roswell area for over 10 years. She remains active in the Georgia dental community with memberships in the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Seattle Study Club. Dr. Morris was named one of Atlantas top dentists by Atlanta Magazine in 2010. She recognizes the value of providing modern dental services with superior, patient-centered care at all times.

For more information about Dr. Morris or the services offered at her Roswell dental office, please visit http://www.mitzimorrisdmd.com or call (678) 459-2990.
Personal injury attorney D. Chadwick Calvert I work hard and make myself available at any time for my clients. I have no plans on retiring anytime soon. Past News Releases RSS

D. Chadwick Calvert is celebrating his thirtieth anniversary as an attorney. I have a passion and drive to help people, serve others and fight for whats right, said Calvert, a Denver native. I work hard and make myself available at any time for my clients. I have no plans on retiring anytime soon.

Calvert primarily focuses on motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents, and during the course of his distinguished thirty-year career has handled thousands of cases. He has extensive experience in all types of accidents and has an excellent understanding of Colorados laws, including all issues that may consist from the most simple to the more complex motor vehicle accidents.

I hired Mr. Calvert as a recommendation from my neighbor. His office was very professional, his assistant was very helpful, and I am satisfied with my settlement, said client Asil M. I was surprised with the amount I received, actually, because insurance companies just pay very little and Mr.Calvert made sure I got the maximum I could get. He tripled my expectations on my settlement all around.

In addition to law, the Law Office of D. Chadwick Calvert is passionate about helping the community. It is an ardent supporter of Bags of Fun from the Gabby Krause Foundation, which provides bags filled with playthings to children hospitalized and fighting cancer and other long-term diseases.

About D. Chadwick Calvert, Law Office of D. Chadwick Calvert, LLC

D. Chadwick Calvert focuses on motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents and large commercial vehicle accidents. The Law Office of D. Chadwick Calvert helps injured people throughout Colorado get the money they need to move forward with their lives after a serious accident, and handles mass tort litigation cases. For more information, please call (303) 740-7040, or visit http://www.lawofficedenver.com. The law office is located at 7354 S. Alton Way, Centennial, CO 80112.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Century 21 Unica Real Estate and the Homme Team Ken and I both feel like this is a terrific way for those of us blessed with good fortune this holiday to help the less fortunate. Please come by with your non-perishables and unwrapped toys and help us help our community this season. Past News Releases RSS Albuquerque Realtor Jim Sutton...

Albuquerque Realtor Jim Sutton...

The Homme Team at Century 21 Unica Real Estate, Tracy Highspencer and Ken Sears, are hosting a holiday toy and food drive. New, unwrapped toys will be given to Toys for Tots, whose mission is to collect toys each holiday season and distribute them as Christmas gifts to children in need. Non-perishable food items will be given to the Roadrunner Food Bank. Donated items can be dropped off at Century 21 Unica Real Estate, 1717 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. now until December 19.

I used to own a horse training facility where I worked with neighborhood kids, troubled teens and special needs children, teaching motor skills and respect for all Gods creations. We were also a foster kid safe house for those in need, said Highspencer.

Ken and I both feel like this is a terrific way for those of us blessed with good fortune this holiday to help the less fortunate. Please come by with your non-perishables and unwrapped toys and help us help our community this season.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, which distributes toys to children who may not otherwise receive a gift for Christmas. Toys for Tots plays an active role in developing one of our nations most valuable resources, its children, and unites members of local communities in a common cause each year during its annual toy collection and distribution campaign.

Roadrunner Food Bank, which is also a member of Feeding America, has been serving New Mexicos hungry since 1980. As the largest food bank in the state, it distributes more than 30 million pounds every year to a network of hundreds of partner agencies and four regional food banks.

About Century 21 Unica Real Estate and the Homme Team

Century 21 Unica Real Estate and the Homme Team specialize in the Albuquerque metropolitan area, and work with buyers and sellers. For more information, please call Tracy Highspencer at (505) 934-1646, Ken Sears at (505) 660-6670, or the office at (505) 293-8400, or visit http://www.century21unica.com. Century 21 Unica Real Estate is located at 1717 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Representatives with Crescent Harbor Lighting (http://www.crescentharbor.com/) announced today that it is now offering free shipping on orders over $50.

Crescent Harbor is the online arm of The Lighthouse, a family-owned lighting company founded in 1972. The company specializes in a high-touch customer service approach to retailing lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and other related items.

Even though shipping costs for FedEx and UPS are escalating, Crescent Harbor is steadfastly maintaining their commitment to customer service and excellent pricing, delivering strong value to their customers by offering free shipping on orders over $50 to the Continental United States, said Tim Fossett, president and spokesman for Crescent Harbor Lighting.

Additionally, our new free shipping policy for Canada applies to orders over US$250, explained Fossett. It is the pleasure of Crescent Harbor to extend our free shipping policy to our valued clients north of the border. We appreciate their loyalty and enjoy providing Canadian households, renovation companies and design firms with the best lighting products in the industry and from the finest manufactures on the planet.

Fossett went on to point out that in this day and age people work harder and harder for their discretionary income  we get that because we do too.

Fossett explained that maintaining free shipping was a challenging decision for his company  but added that it was the right thing to do as we firmly believe that to be the best we have to offer the best value to our customers.

As to what makes Crescent Harbor Lighting different from everything else on the market, Fossett stressed that the company offers a very high-touch level of customer service, the kind that people would find at a local lighting store  because we are a local lighting store.

This helps our customers find truly the best lighting solutions for their homes or businesses, Fossett said, before adding, We are a family-owned business and our goal is to treat our customers and employees like members of the family. We are not looking to be the biggest lighting company out there  but we are looking to be the best.

For more information, please visit http://www.crescentharbor.com/shipping.html

About Crescent Harbor Lighting

Crescent Harbor Lighting is the online arm of The Lighthouse, a family-owned lighting company founded in 1972.

The company specializes in a high-touch customer service approach to retailing lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and other related items.

Contact Details:

Tim Fossett

President

88 York Street

US Route One

Kennebunk, Maine, 04043

Toll Free Phone: 1-888-355-9525

Local Phone: 1-207-985-3535

Fax: 1-207-985-4569

Source: Crescent Harbor Lighting
Displaced people in South Sudan waiting in line for Mercy Corps cash distribution The situation in South Sudan is deteriorating faster than we thought possible.

On the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict in South Sudan, Mercy Corps is calling for an immediate cease-fire, which the global organization says is urgently needed to save lives in the country.

In four short years, four million civilians out of a population of 12 million have been forced to flee their homes, with 2.1 million made refugees in other countries in what is now Africas largest refugee crisis.

The situation in South Sudan is deteriorating faster than we thought possible. The most vulnerable South Sudanese continue to bear the brunt of the conflict and economic decline in the country. More than half of the population is in dire need of humanitarian assistance, says Francesco Lanino, Mercy Corps Acting Country Director for South Sudan.

Mercy Corps is working in South Sudan to meet the urgent needs of families displaced by fighting with emergency cash payments, by providing water and hygiene support to stave off disease such as cholera, and supporting 80,000 children through school feeding and education activities.

In Uganda, where more than one million South Sudanese have sought refuge, Mercy Corps is supporting farmers with seeds and other agricultural inputs to enable them to plant and harvest food to feed their families.

According to the United Nations this week, which published its Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018, the situation in the country is expected to continue to deteriorate next year. The UN called for $1.7 billion in funds to meet humanitarian needs in the country.

Despite a famine declaration earlier this year, which highlighted the imminent starvation of tens of thousands of people, the international community continues to neglect the situation in South Sudan says Lanino. We need renewed attention on this crisis and an urgent cease-fire. Millions of people hang in the balance and we cannot allow more lives to be lost.

Join us and support Mercy Corps work in South Sudan and elsewhere in the world.
We've seen a lot of new vendors in this space over the years, and keeping this product up to date adding customer requests and market needs is especially important to us as we continue to build a market-leading product.

CorreLog, Inc., the leader in multi-platform IT security event log management, today announced its release of version 5.7.4 of its z/Defender for z/OS product. This upgrade includes significant enhancements for added security and performance as well as a name change from the original CorreLog SIEM Agent for z/OS to CorreLog zDefender for z/OS.

When we first started marketing SIEM Agent (zDefender for z/OS), we were the only vendor in this space and third-party mainframe security was very greenfield in adoption across the industry, said George Faucher, CorreLog president and CEO. Weve seen a lot of new vendors entering this space over the years, and keeping this product up to date adding customer requests and market needs is especially important to us as we continue to build a market-leading product.

As one of the pioneering software vendors in SIEM (Security and Information & Event Management) for IBM z/OS mainframes, CorreLog has been building both distributed and mainframe SIEM solutions since the late 2000s. CorreLogs zDefender for z/OS is a leading solution for bringing z/OS event messages, in real-time, over to distributed SIEMs such as IBM QRadar, HP ArcSight, Intel (McAfee) Security, Micro Focus Serena, and NetIQ, (EMC) RSA Security Analytics, Splunk, and many others.

CorreLog zDefender for z/OS 5.7.4 Details

In summary, version 5.7.4 is a major new release of CorreLogs Mainframe SIEM product zDefender for z/OS adding deeper scanning ability for mainframe privilege user access, additional SMF record tracking, performance enhancements, and more. This versions enhancements include but are not limited to:



Privilege escalation detection for CA ACF2

Product name change from CorreLog SIEM Agent for z/OS to CorreLog zDefender for z/OS

Support for Db2 console commands, console messages and AMS commands to DAM console

SMF 90 support (operator tracking and reporting of reliability data)

SMF109 & 119 support (event messages pertaining to TCP/IP)

SMF 110 support (CICS transactions, which covers events for online transaction management and connectivity for applications on z/OS)

Improved SMF 42 support (Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem or DFSMS, z/OS software that helps automate the management of data)

And several other enhancements

For additional details regarding this release, please visit the CorreLog public support portal here. CorreLog zDefender for z/OS version 5.7.4 can be installed over any current CorreLog version 5-and-higher installations with no special considerations. If you would like to upgrade to 5.7.4, please visit the CorreLog customer support portal.

Live Demonstration of zDefender for z/OS Version 5.7.4 at SHARE Sacramento

CorreLog will host demonstrations of zDefender for z/OS version 5.7.4 at the SHARE Sacramento Conference on March 11-16. Charles Mills, CorreLog Director of Advanced Projects, will host a technical breakout session titled Digital Certificates- How They Really Work (3-part series) with speaking time and location details TBA

Where: Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA

When: March 11-16

CorreLog Booth: 125

More Info: Event Website

If you are unable to attend SHARE but would like more information about CorreLogs zDefender 5.7.4 as well as CorreLogs industry-leading mainframe security solutions, visit the website here.

About zDefender for z/OS, Version 5.7.4

In real-time, delivers security event messages from z/OS to distributed SIEM systems and IT Security Operations Centers. zDefender auto-formats event messages from RACF, CA-ACF2, CA-Top Secret, DB2, IMS, CICS, IND$FILE, FTP, TCP/IP and other facilities and in real time, exports the messages to a SIEM or IT SOC.

Additionally, zDefender converts a myriad of additional mainframe events including TSO Logons, Production Job ABENDs, TCP/IP and FTP Connections. For ease of deployment, CorreLogs zDefender for z/OS has certified integrations with IBM QRadar, HP ArcSight, RSA Security Analytics, and has field integrations with every other leading SIEM solution including Splunk, McAfee ESM and cloud vendors such as Solutionary and Dell SecureWorks. The ability to view cross-platform security event log data in real-time is a ground-breaking feature of the CorreLog zDefender for z/OS. Our real-time z/OS agent provides IT security personnel with a more inclusive view of system-wide threat data for a higher level of monitoring user and system accesses related to network intrusion. zDefender facilitates compliance requirements set forth by PCI DSS, HIPAA, IRS Pub. 1075, GLBA, SOX, FISMA, NERC and many other standards.

zDefender installs quickly, uses minimal resources, and does not require extensive training, ongoing maintenance or administration. CorreLog zDefender for IBM z/OS also monitors IBM DB2 with dbDefender, which delivers up-to-the-second database activity monitoring (DAM) for DB2. DAM capabilities in dbDefender include privileged-user monitoring, recording invalid access attempts, auditing creation/deletion of system-level objects and other attempts to alter the secure state of DB2.

CorreLog zDefender Visualizer for IBM z/OS product description (old name was Visualizer for z/OS):

The CorreLog zDefender Visualizer is an affordable Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) system especially designed and pre-congured for use by z/OS security administrators and system programmers. It provides point-and-click functionality into z/OS security and operational events from a standard web browser. zDefender Visualizer provides dashboard views, event message correlation, and can send text messages as alerts of security events generated from z/OS.

The zDefender Visualizer for z/OS dashboard collection is a major advancement over the z/OS green screen most familiar to mainframe users. This mainframe SIEM system delivers a clean, web-based GUI with high-speed search, and the capability to drill down to z/OS security messages with point-and-click functions.

CorreLog zDefender for IND$FILE (old name was IND$defender)

Common to the IBM z/OS mainframe environment is a facility called IND$FILE that is a file-transfer program that allows a user with a non-mainframe personal computer to access mainframe datasets. This file transfer program (that leverages a process called 3270 Emulation) is virtually invisible to RACF, the z/OS facility that monitors user activity for mainframe security. zDefender for IND$FILE provides a viable log tracker for 3270 file access/transfers from mainframe datasets and sends the event message data to any distributed SIEM system or CorreLog zDefender Visualizer in real time.

About CorreLog

Since 2007, CorreLog, Inc. has been committed to delivering software solutions for Security and Compliance auditing professionals who need more advanced network/system security and improved adherence to PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, FISMA, GDPR, ISO 27001, IRS Pub. 1075, NERC and other industry standards for protecting data. Our solutions are designed to be complementary to clients existing IT investments.

CorreLog specializes in providing the most comprehensive Security & Compliance software at the industrys lowest Total Cost of Ownership. Our solutions help secure data across both mainframe and distributed operating systems, and provide alerts with notifications in real-time to security and network operations resources. CorreLog has worked with companies across Fortune 500 to SMB class who all benefit from our ease of installation and highly interoperable approach to building software that is simple to use and master out of the box. Our customers are up and running with monitoring and alerts within just a few hours, versus weeks or even months with competing enterprise vendor solutions. Our software agent monitoring technology spans from Windows, Linux, UNIX, Mac, SAP, and databases all the way up to the largest mainframes with running IBM z/OS, Linux on z Systems, IBM Db2, IBM IMS, and IBM z/VM.

CorreLog has installed software and framework components used successfully by hundreds of commercial and government organizations worldwide. Our core solutions provide visibility on privileged-user activity, data integrity, FIM and application activity that may hold evidence of cyber threat, and in real time, we notify security personnel with alerts in accordance with compliance standards. For more information on CorreLog, please visit CorreLog.com.
We believe AI is revolutionizing B2B Sales and Marketing as more and more companies are seeing the results, commented Matthew Safaii, Managing Partner at Arrowroot Capital. Leadspace has pioneered this space, built an unrivaled platform and won an incredible list of customers."

Series C funding led by Arrowroot Capital and JVP will support continued AI product leadership and customer growth in US and Israel.

Leadspace, the first B2B Audience Management Platform for Marketing and Sales, today announced it has raised $21 million in Series C funding, led by Arrowroot Capital and existing investor Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP). Leadspace will use the funding to support its rapid customer growth, continue to develop its pioneering Audience Management Platform, and further entrench its position as the only end-to-end data and predictive intelligence solution for B2B Marketing and Sales.

We believe AI is revolutionizing B2B Sales and Marketing as more and more companies are seeing the results, commented Matthew Safaii, Managing Partner at Arrowroot Capital. Leadspace has pioneered this space, built an unrivaled platform and won an incredible list of customers. We are excited to partner with the company on the next stage of its growth.

With the increase in Account Based Marketing coupled with traditional content marketing, audiences are increasingly overwhelmed with marketing messages. It is more critical than ever to engage B2B audiences with specific, relevant, aligned and valued interactions. Leadspaces Audience Management Platform, with its combination of unparalleled 3rd-party data sources and Artificial Intelligence (AI), enables Marketing and Sales teams to precisely find and target ideal customers, recommend how to best engage them, and enrich their internal databases with a single, consistent source of truth. Over the last year, customers such as Microsoft, Marketo, AppDynamics, HP Enterprise and N3 have used Leadspace to transform their B2B Marketing efforts through data management and AI.

"Leadspace helps companies to empirically determine their best accounts that have the highest propensity to buy, and identify key micro-segments within verticals so that they can build highly targeted ABM programs," commented Chandar Pattabhiram, CMO of Coupa and former CMO Marketo. "It is essential to build these programs on a solid foundation of data and analytics, and this is Leadspace's key strength."

Min Wang, VP Digital Marketing at Brocade, agreed:

Leadspace is helping us build a highly-personalized, buyer-driven purchase process," said Wang. By combining accurate, relevant data with tools like predictive scoring, persona building and lead-to-account matching, we are developing a much more relevant set of interactions for our prospects and customers.

The Series C funding round will support additional investment and innovation in the Israel based AI platform and team, as well as growth in the customer team in San Francisco and Denver to support Leadspaces continued growth.

Leadspaces rapid and consistent growth is a result of their innovative technology, which addresses a significant market need, said Raffi Kesten, JVP Managing Partner. The company's data management and predictive analytics platform, powered by AI, is helping enterprises and mid market companies maximize sales and marketing potential, and we believe their extraordinary growth will only continue.

About Leadspace:

Leadspaces Audience Management Platform enables B2B companies to better engage customers and drive faster growth by allowing marketers to find and know their audiences. As internal and external data multiplies, Leadspace uses AI to provide a single source of truth across all sales and marketing data, identify net new account and individuals, and recommend the best marketing activities. Updated in real time, data and intelligence remains constantly accurate and actionable and can be consistently used across sales, marketing and advertising channels. Based in San Francisco and Israel, Leadspace is trusted by more than 130 B2B brands and 7 of the 10 largest enterprise software companies, including Microsoft, RingCentral and Marketo. For more, visit: http://www.leadspace.com
Diego Pellicer - Colorado, the premium Denver-based dispensary and brand licensee of Diego Pellicer Worldwide, Inc., won Retail Dispensary of the Year at the prestigious Cannabis Business Awards 2017 on December 7. In addition to taking the highest honor in the competitive cannabis retail category, Diego Pellicer - Colorado employees took home Executive of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Budtender of the Year during the ceremony held at the Denver Performing Arts Center.

From our retail environment to our knowledgeable employees, we work hard to elevate the marijuana shopping experience, our community and the industry, said Neil Demers, CEO, Diego Pellicer  Colorado. Im beyond proud of the Diego Pellicer - Colorado team for their wins tonight. Its an honor to work alongside some of the most creative and hard-working people to be found anywhere in the cannabis industry. They have helped me achieve my goals and Im going to continue to help them achieve theirs.

Celebrating Industry Innovation

The Cannabis Business Awards honor cannabis professionals deserving of historical recognition and accolades for their innovation and success in the industry, celebrating outstanding achievements with industry game changers, trailblazers and cannabis thought leaders. Winners are selected by public vote in more than 30 different categories. The event was launched in 2012, the first year of legalization, in Colorado, the first state to legalize recreational cannabis. It honors individuals who have worked endless hours to save lives, create legislation, and fight for and provide patient access.

Its an honor to see the Diego Pellicer store in Denver recognized with these accolades. We want to congratulate this award-winning team for their tremendous effort not only at retail, but in the industry, said Ron Throgmartin, CEO of Diego Pellicer. This is proof of concept for the Diego Pellicer brand. As the real estate development company behind the Denver location, we strive to make Diego Pellicer a premium brand in all aspects.

Standout Executives and Employees

Taking home honors of Executive of the Year, Neil Demers, CEO, is an expert in all aspects of the cannabis industry including development, growth, execution, and compliance of marijuana retail stores, commercial grow warehouses, and large-scale edible/concentrate companies. Demers forward thinking and expertise in business, the cannabis space, and finance allow him to understand the changing landscape of the marijuana industry that has led to the success of Diego Pellicer - Colorado.

Nicholas Jack is honored with Manager of the Year. Jack is a professional cannabis retail sales expert whose knowledge and physical work produced in the field is of the highest quality, accuracy, compliance and dedication. Jack has a vast knowledge of cannabis strains, their effects, proper dosages for patients, ingestion methods, and state legislature/compliance.

Diego Pellicer  Colorado employee Gladys Solis took home the 2017 Budtender of the Year award last night, due to her skills and knowledge in numerous facets of cannabis retail that have been honed by years of experience with administration, compliance, and budtending in the industry.

Elevating the Marijuana Experience at Retail

Diego Pellicer - Colorado is world-class dispensary that provides an elevated experience to those who appreciate or are eager to learn the subtle nuances of the finest cannabis. With its sleek fixtures, unique ambiance, helpful staff, and unrivaled product selection, Diego Pellicer  Colorado is a welcoming entree into the world of premium marijuana for medical and recreational use.

Diego Pellicer - Colorado is located at 2949 W Alameda Ave in Denver, Colo., and is open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM - 9:45 PM and Sunday, 10 AM - 8 PM.

About Diego Pellicer - Colorado

Diego Pellicer - Colorado is an upscale dispensary and independent brand licensee based out of Denver, focused on delivering premium cannabis products to local residents through high-quality service. Learn more at https://co.diego-pellicer.com.

About Diego Pellicer Worldwide, Inc.

Diego Pellicer Worldwide, Inc. is the premium marijuana brand and retail development company. DPWW develops and leases legally compliant real estate, including turnkey cultivation and processing facilities as well as high-end, branded retail stores to licensed marijuana operators. When federally legal, DPWW is positioned to become a national, vertically integrated marijuana company. To learn more about how to become a branded Diego Pellicer retailer, cultivator or investor visit http://www.Diego-Pellicer.com.
Eradication of Mussels Prize Competition

The Bureau of Reclamation has launched a new prize competition seeking innovative solutions for the 100-percent eradication of invasive quagga and zebra mussels from large reservoirs, lakes and rivers in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner. Invasive mussel infestations pose significant logistical and economic challenges for local communities, recreationists, and water managers by potentially disrupting water deliveries, increasing facility maintenance cost, and impacting the local ecology.

"Currently, no known broad scale application for open water exists to safely eradicate mussels in an environmentally sound manner," Reclamation's Science Advisor David Raff said.

Solutions may be novel treatments or approaches that build upon existing treatments. They must be specific to invasive mussels without significant harm to non-target organisms such as native mussels or threatened and endangered species. They must already be in compliance with existing federal discharge permits and environmental protection regulations or must be implementable with reasonable modifications to existing regulations. Successful treatments must be cost-effective and scalable to large water bodies.

The challenge will consist of three stages. Stage one is a theoretical challenge. It requires the submission of a white paper that describes novel treatments/methods for open-water mussel eradication. Reclamation is making a total prize purse of $100,000 available, to be divided among a maximum of five winners. If successful, stage two is planned to provide proof-of-concept in a laboratory-scale demonstration.

Reclamation is collaborating with the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Molloy & Associates.

This prize competition is part of a series of initiatives that were developed through a collaboration with western governors and federal, state and Tribal agencies and highlighted by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke last June. Read the full list of actions.

Learn more by visiting https://www.usbr.gov/research/challenges/mussels.html.
With year-over-year franchise unit growth and network sales growth consistently snowballing for the last five years, TeamLogic IT is paving the way for continued record-breaking growth by broadening and strengthening the organization with some key staffing changes.

President, Chuck Lennon, who has a 25-year career history with Franchise Services, Inc., the parent company of TeamLogic IT, and who has been instrumental in starting the franchise in 2005, will take on a new role as Executive Vice President focused on business development and franchise support.

Dan Shapero has been appointed the new president of TeamLogic IT. He will join the company at the headquarters office in Mission Viejo, CA on March 1, 2018. Shapero is a widely known MSP industry executive with global marketing and technology experience at industry-leading companies including Kaseya and Ingram Micro. He is also a certified public accountant who started his career as an analyst with General Dynamics Corporate and then joined the Entrepreneurial Service Group as a manager for Ernst & Young. He currently serves on the board of CompTIA, the leading IT industry trade association.

Richard Lowe, COO of Franchise Services, Inc., stated, Im looking forward to Dan joining our team and helping to drive our go-to-market strategy for our growing franchise network. Dans background and experience will keep our company relevant and focused on providing the most advanced IT services in the industry, such as managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud and other key technology services for our customers.

Over the next year, TeamLogic IT will be adding multiple other franchise support staff to the organization to support the companys explosive growth.

The TeamLogic IT brand is quickly becoming the leading provider of IT support services for companies of all sizes across the country. 2017 has been a banner year for the company with network-wide franchisee revenues up 31%. In addition, a record number of new franchisees opened their TeamLogic IT franchise in 2017.

About TeamLogic IT

TeamLogic IT is a national provider of advanced technology solutions for companies of all sizes. Local offices provide clients with the IT support they need to run their businesses more efficiently by leveraging the latest technology solutions including managed IT services, cybersecurity services, business continuity, unified communications, cloud services, mobility solutions, and consulting and support. With more than 135 independently owned and operated locations across North America, TeamLogic IT helps companies minimize downtime and improve productivity.

The TeamLogic IT franchise opportunity appeals to entrepreneurial executives with experience in technology, business and sales management. Interested parties are encouraged to visit http://www.teamlogicfranchising.com.

Contact: Chuck Lennon, President (clennon(at)teamlogicit.com) or Denise Denton, Assistant Vice President of Marketing Communications (ddenton(at)teamlogicit.com) at 949-582-6300, or visit http://www.TeamLogicIT.com, or http://www.teamlogicfranchising.com.
In an interview with Accra-based Kasapa FM, Central Regional Secretary of GNAT, Boadu Abaidoo William said the research lacked some scientific analysis.

A report has it that over 300 students were impregnated by teachers in the Central Region

He added that only 6 girls were impregnated by teachers.

It lacks a certain level of scientific analysis to that effect. Last year when they raised this issue we also went back and did some analysis and it came out that out of 394 girls who got pregnant, 5 teachers were involved, One was a yogurt seller and they call him teacher because he was teaching that girl in the evening so the household calls him a teacher and because you cant identify whos a professional teacher and a national service person and the rest. As a professional body, there are regulations regulating our work, that is the condition service and code of conduct, this act is against the laws of this country and its criminal.

He said this research has tarnished the reputation of teachers.

Meanwhile, the Regional Education Directorate has formed a committee to investigate claims by female SHS students that theyre being harassed by their teachers for sex in exchange for grades and monies.

READ ALSO: Damongo SHS student dies from meningitis

Female students of some Senior High Schools within the Assin area in the Central Region have alleged that some of the male teachers demand sex from them in exchange for grades and money.

Most of the students expressed disappointment in the male teachers who are engaged in such immoral and unethical behaviour.
Police said Johanny Diaz had been staying with the victim in a cabin in the city of Puerto Plata, in Dominican Republic, when she committed the bloody attack.

READ MORE: Birds build communal nest so large and heavy that mature trees are not able to hold

Daily Mail reported that Johanny Diaz attempted absconding after the crime, but it is unclear how the police got to know of her act and quickly apprehended her.

Police said the couple had earlier had a fierce argument suspected to be leading to a breakup of their relationship.

Johanny Diaz is reported to have told police during interrogation that she had no regrets at all for having cut off the penis of Samuel Ventura Garcia, claiming he had mistreated her. She further claimed that the victim had forced her to be with him against her will.

READ ALSO: Female pop singer jailed two years for eating apple and banana in the presence of men

According to Africanspotlight.com, a report by the director general of the National Police indicated that Samuel Ventura Garcia was rushed to the nearby Hospital Dr Ricardo Limardo where he underwent initial treatment. He was later transferred to a private health centre in Puerto Plata.
According to Osofo Maame, the young actress killed the mother for sacrifice, in order to acquire wealth.

In the trending video on social media, the self-acclaimed prophetess, stated that, Maame Serwaa was mother and pretended to be shocked at the news of her death.

She claimed that, the young actress joins a secret society thus using the mother for sacrifice to get a new rank in the group. She also revealed that the occultic group includes 30 percent of Kumawood actors.

You just finish Senior High School and you said, you want to be called madam, so you killed your mum, how disgusting to hear that from you, Maame Serwaa.

The demise of Maame Serwaa's mother occured on Thursday morning, December 7, 2017 in Kumasi. She is the only female among the other two siblings.
Darfuor said that this is bad because it does not allow for all the illegal miners to be arrested and prosecuted.

The Vanguard people allow some of the youth in the region to bribe them, this is bad, how can this go onthis is a serious issue.

He, however, acknowledged that the Operation Vanguard team has managed to arrest several illegal miners in a bid to stop galamsey.

The Vanguard people have, however, done well. They have arrested a lot of people and most of them are in jail. They should not think of releasing their confiscated equipment.

READ ALSO: 6 jobs created by Nana Addo in 2017

The joint military/police task-force set up to enforce the ban on illegal mining, to help save the environment, has so far arrested 362 suspected illegal miners including some Chinese nationals, and has seized a number of mining equipment.

Twenty-four (24) of those arrested have been convicted by the courts with some of them sentenced to fines ranging from GH1,080.00 to GH6,000.00, while others have been jailed  doing between four and 18 months.
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The 40-year-old woman was shot dead Tuesday after some sporadic gunfire in the town. Her 14-year-old daughter was injured in the process.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, the Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla said: Because of the troubles in that area, I think some people keep some ammo in places they shouldnt keep [it]. So when the fire hit it the ammo started exploding so people thought it was gunfire and in the process, somebody actually went to murder that woman.

I am saying to the security agencies that you should do everything and anything possible under the sun. In fact, I am pledging GHc 10000 of my personal money if somebody can give information to get the perpetrator of the heinous crime, I will give the person GHc 10, 000.

That woman should not have been murdered. She has not committed any crime. She has done nothing for somebody to just go and murder her in cold blood for no reason. I think that was callous, he said.
Meanwhile, the National Service Secretariat has reconsidered its decision to make compulsory deductions from service personnels allowances as insurance.

In a press statement signed by the Executive Director, Mustapha Ussif, the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) said the insurance policy is now optional.

The latest decision was taken at an Emergency Executive Council Meeting of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) in Accra on Wednesday.

There were earlier threats to sue the National Service Secretariat over the move.

Convener for a group calling itself the Concerned National Service Personnel Association of Ghana, Agbodo Williams had indicated that they had gathered enough signatures from personnel all over to begin a legal challenge against the move.
According to her, citizens have a responsibility to avoid littering and dumping refuse in open spaces to ensure a clean city.

Service providers question Nana Addo's pledge to make Accra clean

Joyce Aryee in a video for The Right Way Campaign, a spin-off from the OneGhana citizen responsibility objective, said the work of garbage-collecting agencies will be easier and effective if citizens make conscious efforts to make the city clean.

READ ALSO: AMA to use tech in collecting revenue

If Accra is going to be the cleanest city [in Africa], it will start with us, the individual citizens, it is us because it is not the garbage collecting agencies that keep the city clean. It is us refusing to litter, it is us deciding to separate our garbage and put them in the right way. It is us deciding to do things the right way. That will be the major boost then it will make the work of the garbage collectors easier, she said.

President Akufo-Addo in April 2017 promised to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa by the end of his first term in 2020.

The ambitious plan comes in the face of worsening sanitation crisis in the nations capital, Accra, with city authorities struggling to deal with the situation.

Sections of major roads in the capital have been taken over by filth, usually dumped there by residents in nearby areas. The problem reveals an apparent inability of the relevant state agencies to effectively manage waste generated in the capital, especially those generated domestically.

But according to Dr. Joyce Aryee, addressing the sanitation challenge in the country will require concerted efforts of the citizenry, waste collecting agencies and state authorities.

READ ALSO: Empowering young girls to be unabashedly confident

These are the steps I think [we should follow], First, the citizens, second, those who are charged with collecting and disposing garbage, and third, those who are charged with monitoring and supervising those who do it, she said.

About the Right Way campaign

The Right Way Campaign is a spin off from the OneGhana citizen responsibility objective.

It is a socio-cultural and behavioural change initiative aimed at impacting and adjusting the attitudes of citizens to seek to do things right and in the interest of Ghana.

It whips the conscience of citizens to do things right by making the idea of doing things right over various themes (e.g. sanitation, meritocracy etc.) top of mind and more socially desirable.

The high awareness and conscientiousness to do things right is expected to yield sub-conscious rewards from revived societal expectations and approval.
"The military facilities were used as training and weapons storage compounds," the statement said.

"This was in response to the projectiles fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip earlier this evening."

A Palestinian security source said there were more than 10 strikes on the targets, which included a Hamas naval site and a military base near the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The source said there had been significant damage to the sites, as well as more minor damage to nearby houses, causing minor injuries.

There was no initial confirmation of injuries from the ministry of health in Gaza.

The strikes came hours after Israels missile defence system intercepted two rockets fired from Gaza.

The rockets are often fired by small Islamist groups but Israel holds Gaza's rulers Hamas responsible for any attacks from the territory.

The army also announced it would close off the main goods crossing between Gaza and Israel from Thursday "due to the security events and in accordance with security assessments".

There has been an uptick in violence from Gaza since US President Donald Trump announced he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital last Wednesday.
The 93-year-old, who ruled the southern African nation for 37 years, resigned after the army and his ruling ZANU-PF party turned against him when it became clear that his 52-year-old wife, Grace, was being groomed as his successor.

Until recently, Mugabe had a reputation for extensive and expensive international travel, including regular medical trips to Singapore, a source of public anger among his impoverished citizens.

The official said he left Harare with Grace and aides on Monday evening, the official said.

He is expected to make a stop-over in Malaysia, where his daughter, Bona, is expecting a second child.

He has gone for a routine medical trip to Singapore, said the official, who has organised Mugabes security protection but who is not authorised to speak to the media.

He was due for a check-up but events of the last few weeks made it impossible for him to travel.

The trip means Mugabe will not be in Zimbabwe when ZANU-PF endorses President Emmerson Mnangagwa as its leader and presidential candidate for 2018 elections during a one-day special congress on Friday.

The security official would not say how Mugabe was traveling although the privately owned NewsDay newspaper said he was on a state-owned Air Zimbabwe plane.

Mugabe was granted immunity from prosecution and assured of his safety under his resignation deal, a source of frustration to many Zimbabweans who accused him of looting state coffers and destroying the economy during his time in power.

Another government official told Reuters in November that Mugabe had been due to travel to Singapore on Nov. 16 but was unable to leave because the military had confined him to his private home the previous day.

George Charamba, a senior information ministry official, declined to comment.

Under Zimbabwes Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits Act, a former head of state is entitled to perks including limited foreign travel and medical insurance.

These are very standard features of a retired president, another government official said, trying to head off any controversy.
Japanese men in their 30s and 40s are the biggest drivers of the bitcoin boom.

Forty percent of bitcoin trading between October and November was conducted in yen, according to a Nikkei report cited in a note by Masao Muraki, a global financial strategist at Deutsche Bank.

Japanese investors, mostly men, came to dominate trading after regulators started to shut down cryptocurrency exchanges in China.

"More than a few Japanese investors positively value volatility," Muraki said in a note on Thursday. He continued: "Japans investment style is typified by a combination of low-risk, low-return deposits and high-risk, high-return investments."

Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, leapt 127% between October and November. In December, it has taken out six $1,000 milestones and continues to grow in popularity as more people try to profit. On Sunday, CME Group will be the second trading venue to launch futures trading, one week after Cboe Options Exchange.

Many Japanese investors are engaged in leveraged trading, using borrowed funds.

"We think that retail investors are shifting from leveraged FX trading to leveraged cryptocurrency trading," Muraki said. "Japan accounts for a high 54% of global foreign exchange margin trading (leveraged FX trading), so Japanese retail investors are major players in FX markets."
In the northern region of Tanzania, Mwanza it has been reported that the authorities have issued orders that district commissioners are to enforce the arresting of all pregnant schoolgirls in the region in order to serve as a lesson to other girls.

During a meeting with education stakeholders, John Mongella who is the regional commissioner said that "There have been a tendency of pregnant schoolgirls not to mention the name of a person who impregnated them. This is a challenge when one is required to testify in court."

He went on to say that pregnant girls should be arraigned before a court to testify against the culprits thereby preventing other girls from engaging in sexual activities.

Also emphasizing what Mongella said was the regions educational officer Michael Lugola who said that their pupils underperformed in the national primary school leaving examination due to pregnancy.

He said 33 pupils have dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy in 2017 alone.

This decision to arrest the force pregnant pupils to name and testify against culprits will be a breach of human rights principles.

History of ban on pregnant school girls

In June 2017, President John Magufuli upheld a 2002 law that banned pregnant schoolgirls from returning to school after giving birth.

He also added that men who impregnated schoolgirls should be imprisoned for 30 years.

Tanzanias ban on pregnant girls attending state primary and secondary schools dates back to 1961, when the country secured its independence from Britain, though it does not extend to private schools.

More than 55,000 Tanzanian schoolgirls have been expelled from school over the last decade for being pregnant, the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) said in a report in 2013.

Some wealthier families are able to send their daughters to private schools but the majority end up looking for casual work.

Hypocrisy against pregnant schoolgirls

The president was under criticism for granting pardon to prisoners on Saturday to two child rapists who were sentenced to life in prison.

Congolese musician, Nguza Viking alias Babu Seya and his son Johnson Nguza alias Papii Kocha were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2010 after they were found guilty of raping and defiling ten primary school pupils between the ages of six and eight in 2003.
A senior member of the party, who pleaded anonymity, stated that this is to prevent a repeat of previous mistakes. And also, to avoid fielding an unpopular candidate in major elections.

We have made mistakes in the past. We violated zoning and we paid dearly for it. We are considering going for a presidential candidate, who will withstand the predictable propaganda of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government. We want to get it right. If we want to win, we must get a better candidate; a candidate that is better than what the APC will offer because Nigerians will compare and contrast, the source said.

On the criteria the party set for the proposed sellable candidate, integrity and corruption are major attributes being watched out for.

The person must be clean; without any baggage and he must be knowledgeable and versatile. He must have adequate knowledge of how to turn the economy around. And you know, the first criterion is that he must be someone from the North because we have zoned the presidency to the North. The factor we are considering is the winning factor and the PDP family will not compromise this factor.

Based on these criteria, here are five politicians the party can look at getting to their nod to fly its presidential flag in 2019.

1. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau  former Governor of Kano state and ANPP presidential candidate in 2015

2. Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso  former Governor of Kano state, and first runner-up in APCs presidential primaries in 2015

3. Mallam Ahmed Makarfi  former Governor of Kaduna state and Senator

4. Mr Donald Duke  former Governor of Cross Rivers
Fourteen former national security, intelligence, and foreign policy officials who have served at senior levels in Republican and Democratic administrations recently wrote an amicus brief as part of a lawsuit brought against President Donald Trump's campaign and Roger Stone, his longtime confidant.

The lawsuit was filed in July by three private citizens  Roy Cockrum, Scott Comer, and Eric Schoenberg  whose personal information was stolen in hacks of the Democratic National Committee and published by WikiLeaks. The plaintiffs have argued that the Trump campaign, Stone, "and those they conspired with arranged for the hacked information to be provided to WikiLeaks."

The Trump campaign and Stone have filed motions to dismiss the complaint. The plaintiffs responded on December 1, laying out, among other things, a "motive to collaborate" between the campaign and Russia, as well as points of contact.

Among the 14 former officials who filed the amicus brief on December 8 are John Brennan, a CIA director; James Clapper, a director of national intelligence; and Michael Hayden, a director of the National Security Agency; Avril Haines, a deputy national security adviser; Michael McFaul, a US ambassador to Russia; and Michael Morell, an acting CIA director.

The former officials emphasized in the neutral brief that they could not disclose classified information. But their message was clear: The Kremlin uses local actors to help amplify the scope and impact of its influence operations, including the one targeting the US election in 2016.

The cutouts can range from "the unwitting accomplice who is manipulated to act in what he believes is his best interest, to the ideological or economic ally who broadly shares Russian interests, to the knowing agent of influence who is recruited or coerced to directly advance Russian operations and objectives," the former officials wrote.

Cutouts can be anyone, they explained, from journalists and academics to "prominent pro-Russian businessmen."

These local actors help the Kremlin further its foreign influence operations and "active measures" campaigns, they wrote. Those operations often involve the spread of disinformation and conspiracy theories and cyberattacks  all in an attempt to "undermine confidence in democratic leaders and institutions" and "discredit candidates for office perceived as hostile to the Kremlin."

This type of brief is certainly unusual

It is "certainly unusual" for a group of such high-profile former officials to write and submit a brief to a district court, said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor.

But it is a way for the former officials to "draw attention" to an issue they believe is important for the public to understand, Mariotti said, even if the point they make "doesn't really move us far down the road to establishing a conspiracy."

Michael Carpenter, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia who helped write the brief, said the goal was "to inform the court, and by extension the American public, about the subversive character of Russian 'active measures' campaigns."

"One of the key points we make," Carpenter said on Thursday, "is that active measures campaigns are almost always carried out using local actors who enable Kremlin agents to get closer to their target and gather information on how best to achieve their desired goal (for example, establishing a corrupt relationship that can be later exploited for purposes of blackmail or manipulation)."

Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser who was a top Trump campaign surrogate, pleaded guilty earlier this month to lying to FBI agents about the nature of his conversations last December with Sergey Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the US at the time.

A young foreign policy adviser to the campaign, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty in October to a similar charge.

Paul Manafort, the campaign chairman, and his longtime associate Rick Gates were indicted in October on charges that included money laundering, tax fraud, and failure to register as a foreign agent. Much of their money, the government said in court filings, came from Ukrainian and Russian oligarchs.
Following is a transcript of the video.

Pete Souza: My name is Pete Souza, I was the chief official photographer for President Obama.

To set the scene a little bit, it was about a month since he had been reelected to a second term, so there was that sort of afterglow that was still being felt, I think, throughout the White House. It was also Christmastime at the White House, so there were these decorations and Christmas trees, a very festive time of the year.

And word began to come out that there had been the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, and finally his Homeland Security adviser, John Brennan, came up to the Oval Office. He had gathered all the facts, had talked to the FBI, and told the president that indeed 26 people had been shot, including 20 first-grade kids.

In the picture, you see just kind of the energy just zap out of the president. I think he was thinking of this not only as a president, but imagining what it must be like as a parent. The horror of sending your 6-year-old kid off to school, you put him on the school bus, and you never see them again because some crazy guy shot them to death, point-blank, at their school.

So I think it was a very ... he was very emotional and just thinking about this as a fellow parent, almost more so than as a president.

Not long thereafter he had to go make a statement in the White House press briefing room and it was difficult for him to maintain his emotions as he talked about this. And I think that was probably when he cried for the first time.
While the shift in Gillibrand's odds indicate that many bettors and oddsmakers alike see her as a more likely candidate, she is still not the favorite to win in 2020. Trump remains the most likely winner, with odds just below 2-to-1. Vice President Mike Pence currently sits at second place in betting markets, at 10-to-1 odds.
WASHINGTON  Republicans moved their tax-reform bill along on Wednesday in one of the final steps before voting to pass the major overhaul of the federal tax code, while Democrats raged about elements of the bill and an inability to participate in the process.

Republicans and Democrats from both chambers joined together for the conference meeting on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in an effort to hash out the differences between the respective versions passed by the House and Senate. Only the singular bill had been completed and wrapped up ahead of the meeting.

The pre-conference meeting deal negotiated by Republicans, which included a handful of changes, enraged Democrats in the room, many of whom are committee ranking members and longtime tax writers.

Immediately after the hearing began, Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas motioned to postpone the hearing until Doug Jones could be seated after winning Alabama's special election on Tuesday, a move Democrats began demanding earlier in the day. Kevin Brady, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, denied the motion and told Democrats that such motions were not an option on the table.

Democrats ripped Republicans for the exclusionary process

What ensued was repeated back and forth arguments between Republicans and Democrats about process and contents of the tax bill.

Sen. Pat Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican, said Democrats "chose to take themselves out of the room" adding, "that's unfortunate, but that's a reality that we faced."

Across town, President Donald Trump delivered remarks on tax reform at the White House, highlighting families and workers who would benefit from the Republican plan.

"We'll have very little Democrat support, probably none, and that's purely for political reasons," Trump said. "They like it a lot, and they can't say it. They don't like what's happening. But they can't say it. Some day we have to come together and do bipartisan, and hopefully it can happen soon. Right?"

After much of the fighting subsided during each conferee's opening statements, lawmakers were given the chance to question Thomas Barthold, the chief of staff for the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Many lawmakers questioned the growth aspects of the bill, should it become law. Republicans hammered in that growth during the Obama administration was significantly lower than past levels in the decades following World War II.

Democrats put on their deficit hawk hats to inquire about what damage the minimal economic grow from the bill would do to the national debt.

Barthold noted that, per the JCT's own scoring of the tax plans, there would be a sizable boom in economic growth. However, such growth would not come close to paying for the cost of the $1.5 trillion set to be cut.
Brexit is throwing up a whole host of thorny issues. How will European Union citizens living in the United Kingdom be affected? What will it mean for the Irish border? How will an independent UK trade with the EU?

But now another pressing question has arisen: What does it all mean for the European Union's wine collection?

The 28 member state bloc has 42,000 bottles in its cellars  and pro-Brexit politicians in the UK are now calling for Britain to take back its share as it leaves.

As previously reported by the Daily Mail, Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh raised the issue in a question in Parliament on Thursday, saying: "The European Union is estimated to have a wine cellar of over 42,000 bottles and artwork worth more than 13 million  someone might say metaphorically looted from the capitals of Europe.

"After we leave the party, will the minister promise to take back control of our fair share of this art and wine and not leave it to Mr Juncker to enjoy?"

Brexit minister Robin Walker responded that the government was looking at the question of wine alongside other assets to be settled with the EU. "[Sir Edward Leigh] raises a very interesting question  the legal basis of those assets and liabilities has been analysed in detail and accounted for in the overall settlement," he said.
Restaurant servers could see their paychecks take a hit if a newly proposed Trump-administration policy goes through.

The Department of Labor proposed this month to roll back a 2011 Obama-era policy, The Fair Labor Standards Act, that allows restaurant employees to keep their tips instead of having to share them with their non-tipped employees.

Forcing servers to pool their tips could redirect some of their earnings to non-tipped workers, such as the line cooks who make hourly wages. However, opponents of the measure fear it will lead to employers pocketing the shared tip money for themselves.

"This rule will result in a substantial shift of tips from workers to employers," a report from the think tank said.
It shouldn't be too surprising that one of the wealthiest people in the world also has an insanely extravagant home.

It took Gates seven years and $63 million to build his Medina, Washington, estate, named "Xanadu 2.0" after the fictional home of Charles Foster Kane, the title character of "Citizen Kane."

At 66,000 square feet, the home is absolutely massive, and it's loaded to the brim with high-tech details.

W

It's worth at least $124 million today.

According to the King County public assessor's office, the property is worth $124.99 million as of this year. Gates purchased the lot for $2 million in 1988.

Per public filings, he paid $1,041,292.55 in property taxes in 2017.

Half a million board-feet of lumber was needed to complete the project.

The house was built with 500-year-old Douglas fir trees, and 300 construction workers labored on the home  100 of whom were electricians.

A high-tech sensor system helps guests monitor a room's climate and lighting.

When guests arrive, they're given a pin that interacts with sensors located all over the house. Guests enter their temperature and lighting preferences so that the settings change as they move throughout the home. Speakers hidden behind wallpaper allow music to follow you from room to room.

The house uses its natural surroundings to reduce heat loss.

Xanadu 2.0 is an "earth-sheltered" house, meaning that it's built into its surroundings to regulate temperature more efficiently.

You can change the artwork on the walls with just the touch of a button.

Situated around the house are $80,000 worth of computer screens. Anyone can make the screens display their favorite paintings or photographs, which are stored on devices worth $150,000.

The pool also has its own underwater music system.

The 60-foot pool is in its own separate, 3,900-square-foot building  the large brown building in the photo above. People in the pool could swim underneath a glass wall to come up to a terrace area on the outside.

There's also a locker room with four showers and two baths.

There's a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling.

No word on how big the trampoline is, but we can imagine it would be a fun alternative to your standard exercise routine.

The exercise facilities total 2,500 square feet and also include a sauna, steam room, and separate men's and women's locker rooms.

An enormous reception hall can accommodate up to 200 guests.

The 2,300-square-foot hall could seat up to 150 people for a dinner party, or 200 people standing up at a cocktail event. A 6-foot-wide limestone fireplace dominates one wall, while another wall has a 22-foot-wide video screen.

The house has 24 bathrooms, 10 of which are full baths.

Those bathrooms would definitely be useful if Gates were throwing such a big party. Otherwise, it seems a little over the top.

There are six kitchens.

They're at different parts of the house so staff can be ready for any event.

An enormous library houses a manuscript Gates paid more than $30 million for.

The 2,100-square-foot library has a dome roof and two secret bookcases, including one that reveals a hidden bar. On the ceiling you'll find a quote from "The Great Gatsby" that reads: "He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it."

The library is also home to the Codex Leicester, a 16th-century Leonardo da Vinci manuscript that Gates bought at auction for $30.8 million in 1994.

The home theater can accommodate 20 guests in plush seats.

It's designed in an Art Deco style, with comfortable arm chairs, couches, and even a popcorn machine for snacking.

An existing home was removed by barge to make room for a separate activities building.

The 900-square-foot building sits next to Gates' sport court, putting green, and boat docks.

The guest house is just as high-tech as the main house.

According to US News, the 1,900-square-foot guest house was the first building to be completed on the property. The house  which has its own bedroom and bathroom  was meant to be a test of the technology that would eventually be used in the main house.

Gates wrote much of "The Road Ahead," his 1995 nonfiction book on the future of tech, at this guest house.

Altogether, Gates' garages can accommodate up to 23 cars.

There are several different garages at different points around the property. The most interesting one, however, is an underground cave made out of concrete and stainless steel. That garage alone can park 10 cars. Some of the concrete was purposely broken to give it a rough, "deconstructivist" look.

Gates himself is a noted car nut  he says his first big splurge after Microsoft made it big was a Porsche 911.

Gates has a favorite tree, and it's monitored electronically 24 hours a day.

An artificial stream is kept stocked with fish.

The sand on Gates' beach is imported from the Caribbean.

Someone once paid $35,000 just to tour it.

Microsoft holds an auction each year, where employees donate products and services to be bid on. Proceeds go to the company's charitable fund.
A powerful British MP has slammed Twitter for its "completely inadequate" response to questions about Russian meddling in the EU referendum last year.

Damian Collins, chair of the UK's Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee (DCMSC), is leading an inquiry into fake news and has called on Twitter, Facebook, and Google to disclose the activity of Russian actors on their platforms during Brexit.

Twitter responded to Collins on Wednesday, revealing that it had so far identified @RT_com  run by Kremlin-funded broadcaster RT  as the only account "which promoted referendum-related content" in the three months up to the Brexit vote.

It said RT spent $1,031.99 (768) on six referendum-related Twitter ads during that period, all promoting the broadcaster's coverage of the vote, which took place in June last year. Twitter also shared this information with the Electoral Commission, which is investigating the issue in parallel with the DCMSC.

But Collins was not satisfied by the reply, given the evidence of systematic Russian interference on Twitter. A number of British academics have found that thousands of Russian-linked Twitter bots tweeted about the referendum in the days leading up to the vote.

In a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday, the Conservative MP said:

"The information you have now shared with us, in the form of a copy of your response to the Electoral Commission, is completely inadequate. [...]

"It seems odd that so far we have received more information about activities that have taken place on your platform from journalists and academics than from you.

"If Twitter is serious about cooperating with the work of this Committee and tackling the spread of disinformation then you should provide me with a full response to the clear questions that I set out."

Collins expects a response from Twitter by mid-January next year.

Collins' letter to Twitter comes one day after Facebook told the UK's Electoral Commission that a Russian-backed agency spent $1 (75p) on ads that were seen by 200 people in Britain at most.

Collins accused Facebook of doing "no work" to look for Russian activity in the Brexit vote beyond that of the Internet Research Agency, which had already been active in the US presidential election.

Here is Twitters letter to Damian Collins:
On December 14, 2012, a 20-year-old man shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut, and opened fire. He killed 20 children (six- and seven-year-olds) and six adults.

In the aftermath of the shooting, calls for legislation aimed at limiting access to firearms resulted in what's now become a predictable post-mass-murder event: people bought lots of guns.

With more guns around in the following months, rates of accidental death related to firearms rose sharply, especially for children, according to a new study published in the journal Science.

Study authors Phillip Levine and Robin McKnight of Wellesley compared the number of accidental firearm deaths during the five months after Sandy Hook (from December 2012 to April 2013) with the amount during the same time period in other years between 2008 and 2015. They found that after Sandy Hook, accidental firearm death rates rose 27% overall, and 64% for children up to the age of 14.

That means at least 60 people were killed by mistake as a result of those gun purchases: 40 adults and 20 children.

In the five months after the mass shooting, approximately 3 million more guns were sold than would have been expected based on historical trends. Online searches for terms like "buy gun" and "clean gun" also spiked (especially after President Obama spoke publicly about gun control).

The more people who get exposed to guns because they're newly purchased or because they've been brought out of storage, the more likely accidental shootings are to occur.

When looking at state data, Levine and McKnight found that the states with the biggest spikes in gun sales also saw the highest spikes in accidental death rates.

Understanding gun deaths

There are limitations to conducting a study like this, the authors wrote, since the CDC Vital Statistics data they used to calculate gun deaths is known to understate accidental firearm deaths, especially when an accidental injury later results in death.

But there are other serious limitations to studying gun deaths too. Lobbying by the National Rifle Association has influenced Congress to avoid funding research that could justify heavier gun control.

That means there's no national database of gun purchases, so it's hard to tell how many guns are sold. In this case, the researchers calculated the 3 million sales based on the number of background checks run through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which is used by federally licensed gun retailers.

NRA lobbying also led congress to cut the CDC budget by $2.6 million  the same amount as the budget of the the centers' gun violence research program, as Philip Cook and John Donohue noted in a public policy analysis published alongside the new study in Science.

But Cook and Donohue wrote that research on gun deaths is improving despite these obstacles and lack of federal funding, thanks to support from nonprofit foundations, states like California, and universities.

"The good news, often lost in the well-justified complaints about the lack of federal funding, deserves greater recognition," they wrote.

What science says about gun policy

Innovative researchers, a spike in interest from journals, and support from institutions aside from the federal government are all helping researchers understand how policies affect gun violence, according to Cook and Donohue.

For example, researchers have learned that gun robbery rates have gone down when states enact longer sentences for assault or robbery with a gun.

Researchers have also looked at the impacts of the Lautenberg Amendment to the 1968 Gun Control Act, which disqualified people with a conviction for domestic violence from buying or owning weapons. The policy was challenged in certain states, but data shows the states that did ban domestic abusers from gun ownership reduced gun murders by 17%.

Analyses have also been conducted on "right to carry" laws, which require states to issue concealed-carry permits to anyone who is allowed to own guns and can meet minimum conditions (as opposed to holding concealed carry status to stricter standards). According to Cook and Donohue, such laws increase the rate of firearm homicides by 9% when state-by-state homicide rates are compared.

Many people have argued that right-to-carry laws deter crime, since there are more armed people around to stop a criminal. That idea was supported by a controversial 1997 analysis, but these newer, more thorough analyses show the opposite effect. That could be because confrontations are more likely to escalate to a shooting, because there are more guns around that can get stolen, or some other factor.

But considering the House recently passed a bill that would let people carry weapons across state lines and require states to honor the concealed-carry policies of other states, research about the impact of such policies is more important than ever.

"The scope and quality of gun-related research is growing, with clear implications for the policy debate," Cook and Donohue wrote.
The wave of scandal and controversy that washed over Uber this year has been nothing short of spectacular. But the sad truth is, almost any Silicon Valley startup could be the next Uber.

But Palihapitiya is perhaps best known as an early manager at Facebook who helped that company navigate through many of its own early-days of scandals.

He recently said he feels "tremendous guilt" about Facebook's role in the world these days saying that social networks are "destroying how society works," and adding,

the great American tragedy playing out in a company," Palihapitiya recently told Business Insider.

All startups must grow at all costs  at first

All successful company go through several chapters and the first chapter is always about survival, an "existential ... I am going to die ... fight or flight" stage, Palihapitiya says.

In this first stage, "Everybodys order is to grow at all costs," he says.

"Most companies fail because theyre run by people who do not have the wherewithal to fight through the fear [of failing]."

Uber was a "superb" example of how to find a market and grow, says Palihapitiya.

But a chapter of success in the Valley is followed by one he calls "the fall."

"What you have to do in Chapter 2 is deal with the real world implications of Chapter 1," he says.

In Facebook's early days, "there were a lot of moral implications. The big deal was related to privacy and an emerging understanding of information and the use of information for things like how to target ads."

He believes Facebook is still grappling with these implications.

For Uber, "It was not about data privacy issues, or issues with wages for drivers. They were dealing with fundamental safety/security issues for passengers and employees, a culture riddled with sexism and all sorts of behaviors people thought were utterly unacceptable."

As these issues came to light through press reports and lawsuits, Uber's biggest investor Benchmark went to war within the company. It led an investor revolt that caused CEO Travis Kalanick to resign, and then it doubled down by suing Kalanick to try and block his potential return.

They didnt turn a blind eye in Chapter 2

The lawsuit by Benchmark, a major Uber investor and board member, was an extreme measure, even by Silicon Valley standards. Many tech industry insiders wondered whether the move would tarnish Benchmark's reputation and future business prospects among startups and entrepreneurs.

But Palihapitiya is adamant that Benchmark did the right thing.

"We can blame them [as board members] all day long, and chastise them for what was happening during the growth phase, but they were playing by a set of rules defined by everyone when you grow. But the important thing is they didnt turn a blind eye in that Chapter 2," he says.

He adds,"When bad things are happening, it doesnt matter what the economic incentive is, you have a moral obligation to stand up for what you believe," Palihapitiya says.

Suing a cofounder CEO may scare other startup founders away from working with Benchmark, Palihapitiya notes. "But Im glad they did something because it would be morally reprehensible if they didnt."

Uber is now in Chapter 3, the rebuilding phase. "And we are going to have to see. Can [new CEO] Dara [Khosrowshahi] really rewrite a culture where its almost as if theres an entire population of people that corrupted what was acceptable and what was not?"
The term people searched for on Google more than any other in 2017 was "Hurricane Irma."

Hurricane Harvey also cracked the top 10 list, and Hurricanes Maria and Jose were some of the most searched news events.

It was a busy year for storms. But as we look at year-end news wrap ups, it's worth remembering that although these terms are no longer being Googled as frequently, disaster recovery is still ongoing. A return to any sort of "normal" for many people in Florida and the Caribbean is still years away  and most places hit by the storms will never be the same.

After thrashing the Caribbean, Irma arrived in the Florida Keys on September 10. The area took the brunt of the storm's force in the US.

I visited South Florida and the Keys eight weeks after Irma hit. In many places, people were still trying to pick up the pieces, let alone think of rebuilding.

Locals told me they were spending any and all free time trying to pick up the wreckage, but debris was still piled several stories high beside the roadside. In many cases, these were the second or third round of rubble mountains that had been collected and stacked to get towed out. Boats are still washing up today.

Erich Bartels, a resident of Big Pine Key and a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory's research center on Summerland Key, told me that many locals were still unable to return as of five weeks ago  and in many cases, unlikely to.

Bartels said he was lucky that his family only had to gut one bedroom in their house.

"The community in general is just in shambles," he said.

A post-Irma labor shortage has also hit the region. With a tourism-dependent economy, the Florida Keys rely on service-industry workers. But many places where lower-income residents could afford to live got destroyed by the storm, and the Keys have little affordable housing in the first place. So many of those service industry employees haven't come back.

Effects from Irma are are still being felt on the peninsula of South Florida as well.

Miami was at one point forecast to take a major hit from Irma; many residents packed up and made for safety. The storm's slight trajectory change meant that the Miami area didn't get hit by Irma's worst, but it still ripped up weaker structures and tore down trees and branches all over the city.

That burden now weighs on some neighborhoods more heavily than others.

Residents of Liberty City, a lower-income neighborhood in Miami, woke up one morning several weeks after the storm to find that the city had designated a few blocks in their area as debris disposal sites.

Fallen trees were mixed with mattresses, refrigerators, and other garbage collected from all over Miami, then simply dropped there. The waste filled entire city blocks in stacks roughly three stories high. Locals said they had no idea that their neighborhood was being turned into a disposal site.

"Since the dump has been here there has been a spike of vermin  rats, snakes, possums, raccoons," said Esi Fynn-Obeng, a community organizer with the Miami Workers Center.

Birds that youd expect to see in marshes flew back and forth, dodging bulldozers and heavy machinery.

Loud machines there run from early morning until late at night, churning the trash into mulch and releasing dust into the air, a process that's expected to continue into early 2018.

"It's becoming more difficult for me to breathe," said resident Joanna Janvier.

In many ways, Irma and other hurricanes this year have provided a glimpse into how major storms could transform and eventually shrink coastal cities as seas continue to rise and hurricanes get more intense. Just recently, two new studies found that the record-setting rainfall that hit Houston during Hurricane Harvey was augmented by climate change. That suggests similar sorts of events will likely become more frequent.

Lower-income and less powerful communities are the first to lose their housing or become unwitting debris disposal sites after such disasters. Eventually, life in those places could become untenable.

"Financial risk or risk to their own person is probably going to put pressure on people to make decisions about leaving," Nicole Hernandez-Hammer, a researcher who studies sea-level rise with the Union of Concerned Scientists, told Business Insider.

Offshore from the continental US, the situation is in many cases even more dire.

Areas still recovering from Hurricane Maria, which slammed the Caribbean in Irma's wake, have just as far to go  if not more.

In Puerto Rico, almost 40% of the island's 3.4 million residents still don't have power, and hundreds of thousands of people still don't have access to clean water. More than 200,000 residents have left the island for Florida.
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Lucas and Willa Via are living their most Instagrammable lives.

They were inspired to vacation in a converted van-dwelling after seeing the unmissable hashtag on social media. (There are over 2.3 million Instagram posts tagged #vanlife).

Source:

Van dwelling is an increasingly popular lifestyle choice among creatives and tech workers, as a way to live in urban centers without spending half of income on rent.

You know that party you onc... @ viathevan

Lucas and Willa started planning their great escape shortly after getting married in 2016. "Being New Yorkers, in our twenties, we weren't rolling in cash by any means," Lucas said.

The van, which they named Roosevelt, cost several thousand dollars and had 250,000 miles on it. It was previously owned by a construction crew that unloaded tools, glue, and cement into the back.

After another long day of c... @ viathevan

A friend offered to keep the van in his driveway upstate. Lucas, who grew up building skateboard ramps and fixing stuff with his dad, spent every weekend working on the van.

With the final bit of rust ... @ viathevan

With help from Willa's stepdad, Ron, they outfitted the van with a U-shaped bench that serves as storage, seating for lounging around, and a platform for a memory-foam mattress.

This was right around the t... @ viathevan

With a fresh coat of white paint and some shiplap, the van was transformed.

Willa, a grade school teacher, took a sabbatical before starting a new job in San Francisco. Lucas, who works as an account manager for an analytics company, could work remotely. They charted a course that would bring them to friends and family along the way.

Jessica Day once confirmed ... @ viathevan

Most weekdays, they camped outside coffee shops and public spaces with WiFi so that Lucas could work from his "home office." Willa explored new terrain and blogged.

By night, they set out to find dive bars  the best place to meet locals. (A waiter recommended this hidden gem of a campground on Green River in Utah.)

Nothing beats local knowled... @ viathevan

They parked and slept in campgrounds and WalMart parking lots.

With more than a handful of... @ viathevan

Living in a van created a "fairy tale experience where you can live outdoors," Willa said.

The weekend road warriors discovered national parks and natural wonders.

The van made it through blazing temperatures in Arizona and rain storms in Oklahoma.

Though they avoided paying for motels, Lucas said they racked up serious expenses on their vacation by stopping every few hours to eat out, visit a local museum, or see a band play.

They emptied their pockets on activities, but only spent about $30 a day on food and gas. Lucas estimated that they filled the tank  which cost about $60  roughly 33 times during the trip.

Lucas and Willa made it to their home state of California earlier this fall and settled in San Francisco, one of the most expensive housing markets in America. They're selling the van.

The couple is asking $40,000 for the mobile home.

Solar, fan, and final windo... @ viathevan

But they already have plans to remodel a new van. This time around, they want a smaller vehicle with a platform bed that they don't have to disassemble every morning.

We're nearing the end of th... @ viathevan

With her best friend at her side, Willa said, "You feel like you're in the childhood fort of your dreams."
He said that the contingents from the state consist of 100 government sponsored and four self-sponsored intending pilgrims.

He said the teachers were sponsored by the state government for holy pilgrimage to enrich them spiritually and enhance their capacity to instill good moral discipline on the students.

The executive secretary pointed out that the gesture was the first by the state government to secondary school teachers in the state.

Four teachers were selected from each secondary school in the three senatorial zones in the state.

Giving the way youths are indulging in social vices, there is need for teachers to be part of this spiritual exercise so as be better equipped to assist the students, he added.

Aloko said that essence of the orientation exercise to was to sensitise intending pilgrims on the rules and regulations guiding pilgrimage operation.

He urged the intending pilgrims to be security conscious, steer clear of any form of narcotic substance and abide by all the regulations of Israel.

Mr Ayuba Agwadu, the  Zhe Migili, a traditional ruler urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state through their conducts while in the Holy land.

He said that pilgrimage should not be mistaken for mere tourism or luxury trip but as an avenue for spiritual upliftment.

Agwadu therefore charged the pilgrims to use the pilgrimage to pray for Gods intervention in their lives and families, for peace in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
According to a Facebook user, Ukachukwu Igboamusi who posted the sad story on his page, the victim, Ekene Emenike popularly called Ogbuefi na Ozubulu, was murdered in broad daylight when members of his gang engaged a rival gang in a shootout over a business deal that went bad.

It was learned that Emenike has close ties with Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu also known as Bishop, the man who was fingered as the target of the massacre at the St. Philip's Catholic Church, Ozubulu, on Sunday, August 6, 2017, where 13 worshippers were gunned down by a gunman during a morning mass.

Emenike, it was gathered, had gone into an alleged drug deal with some partners but when the money came, his gang refused to share the proceed, an action that caused bad blood between him and his business partners leading to threats and counter-threats.

The disagreement reportedly got to a head when the rival gangs confronted themselves in a street in South Africa and a gun battle ensued and in the end, he was gunned down while other members of both gangs sustained different degrees of injuries.

Since Emenike's death, his friends and associates have been sharing his photos on the social media with threats of revenge hanging in the air.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
Celebrities especially have a way of pulling in people to good looks they rock to an event or just share outtakes from the red carpet and those go viral usually because of the fierceness, fit, the general outlook, price tag and so on.

These fashionable looks stood out on Instagram, got rave attention, were reposted over and over with some of them inspiring other designs.

ALSO READ:10 best dressed celebrities of 2017

1. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu in Ugo Monye for #BAAD

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu's unique look to Banky W and Adesua Etomi's traditional wedding in Lagos quickly went viral. The stylish media personality chose a purple Ugo Monye piece from his latest collection presented at the 2017 LFDW.

2. Toke Makinwa's style for SA trip

Toke Makinwa got major moments earlier this year on her media tour/book signing for 'On Becoming' in South Africa. The OAP/vlogger/author chose amongst other looks pieces from Gert Johan Coetzee documenting her style for the trip on her Instagram page.

3. That Tiwa Savage's custom Gert Johan Coetzee piece

Tiwa Savage went through a lot of looks this year but she especially stood out in a flirty, fringed out piece from Gert Johan Coetzee which she gushed about even on her Instagram.

4. Adesua Etomi's traditional wedding

Adesua Etomi's traditional wedding looks literally broke the internet. The Nollywood actor who got married to Banky W recently chose four (4) showstopping custom looks from Toju Foyeh.

5. Seyi Shay's sheer Sukeina look

Seyi Shay caused quite a stir after posting her super flirty look from Sukeina for a celebratory dinner after her NEA win. That look got rave reactions and quickly went around.

ALSO READ:Top 10 fashion brands of 2017

6. Caroline Danjuma's 2nd look at Oritsefemi's wedding
The 2017 edition easily surpassed every other fashion events this year (still none came close!) This year, the venue of choice; Eko Atlantic was completely unexpected and unconventional but it worked bringing with it the serenity the place carried, a huge plus for the event.

For an event with every bit built from scratch it sure packed a punch. The venue were set in Marquees; the first housed the specially curated exhibition lounge and masterclass venues, the second housed the venue for runway shows and another for the VIP Lounge and so on.

ALSO READ:Maki Oh comes through with eternally effortless chic Adire pieces

The pre-event campaigns were shot across Africa with real 'storytellers' including the Maasai beaders in Kenya amongst others behind the specified themes captured evergreen.

There was the line up of seasoned experts- GQ Style's Mobolaji Dawodu, Vogue Italia's Sara Maino, in different areas of fashion for the masterclasses.

The daytime experience was filled with productive activities including the Fashion Business Series, there was the creator's lounge where press and style editors were able to work in style and comfort amongst other bits.

There was the arena just before the second marquee where photojournalists took photos away in style. The Heineken VIP Lounge experience with Kelechi Amadi Obi was set for creative photos and other side attractions.

The coverage by international and local press was everything and more the seating arrangement was world class and the lighting plus runway could easily compete with any at its level. In all the runway shows were impressive down till the list of designers who showcased.

The front row had buyers, style editors, enthusiasts and fashion heads lined as should be and these were just few of the bits put in place.

The easily anticipated fashion event of the year was hugely reported and got rave reviews in Business Of Fashion, Vogue, WWD, CNN and the list goes on.
The wife of the president, who made a symbolic presentation of certificates to the beneficiaries, said the beneficiaries were drawn from various local government areas of the state.

The programme, which was sponsored by her NGO, the Future Assured Initiative; trained the beneficiaries in different areas such as bakery and pastries, food processing, tie and dying, beatification, body Perfumes, car freshener and insecticide.

She called on the beneficiaries to use the acquired skills to set up their businesses and become employers of labour.

Mrs Buhari expressed confidence that the empowerment programme would translate into a better and productive ventures.

She pledged to continue support of women and youths in Nigeria, saying that one of the ways to ensure a healthy society was to empower women and youths.

Mrs Buhari therefore prayed that the empowerment programme would impact immensely to the growth and development of Nigerias economy.

She also promised to continue championing the course of women and youths in the areas of health and education, especially the less privileged in the society.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke to newsmen at the event, expressed their gratitude to Mrs Buhari for providing them with necessary tools to cater for the economic and financial needs in their life.

One of the beneficiaries, Miss Rabi Lame, said the programme had directly benefited their lives.

 Our future and indeed the life of those that benefited with us directly or indirectly is assured, it is obviously a lifetime cherishable opportunity which cannot be forgotten by anyone of us.

I hope that many will join your kindness and gesture for a better future, she said.

Miss Laurentia Lamogo, also a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to Mrs Buhari for providing free skills acquisition programme to citizens of the state.

ALSO READ: Aisha Buhari has refused to stay in the other room

During the event, the wife of the president interacted with the victims and family members individuals who lost their lives during the 2015 general elections.

Earlier, She visited the Palace of Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Suleiman Adamu II, where she condoled the emir over the death of emir of Katagum.

The wife of the president also interacted with the group of people living with disabilities in the state, led by an NYSC member, Mr Hamza Waziri, and encouraged them to be hardworking.
The presidents aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, at about 4:35 p.m. where he was received by senior government officials including his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Musa Bello.

While in Paris, President Buhari had appealed to the international community to support Nigerias commitment to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

Buhari told participants that Nigeria could not implement its Nationally Determined Contributions without adequate financial, technical and capacity building support from developed nations.

ALSO READ:Buhari shut Jibrin up by asking for evidence on Budget Padding

He said Nigeria had already ratified the Paris Agreement in May 2017 but its Nationally Determined Contributions to reduce emission by 20 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2030 could not be attained alone.

According to him, the country is not under illusion of the challenges it is facing, having just come out of recession.
Denying claims by Dogara in his biography, , authored by Dele Momodu, Jibrin said: "The report carried what are obviously verifiable bunch of lies in a desperate attempt to embark on an expensive image laundering by a panicky Speaker..."

Jibrin went further by saying Dogara has "has commenced the traditional slide into being a lame duck as he enters the final phase where members loyalty fully return to their state and constituency leaders, thus politically making the speaker a toothless bulldog."

Though Dogara had praised Jibrin for throwing his weight behind his emergence as Speaker in 2015, the lawmaker still habours resent for the speaker following their fallout.

Jibrin, who had alleged that the leadership of the house padded the 2016 budget to the tune of over N284 billion, also said "I have restrained myself from commenting on this issue since I have done everything within my powers and the law to call for justice and several interventions from some of our leaders calling on me to stop further comments."

The lawmaker reacted to the speaker's claims on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 saying he wrote three letters to the president but did not get a response and that when he noticed a barricade organised by Dogara around the president against me, he took his destiny in his own hands.

Jibrins response in full:

My attention has been drawn to excerpts of the book, A Reed Made Flint, an autobiography of Speaker Dogara published by Ovation and exclusively reported by TheCable. The report carried what are obviously verifiable bunch of lies in a desperate attempt to embark on an expensive image laundering by a panicky Speaker who has commenced the traditional slide into being a lame duck as he enters the final phase where members loyalty fully return to their state and constituency leaders, thus politically making the speaker a toothless bulldog.

I have restrained myself from commenting on this issue since I have done everything within my powers and the law to call for justice and several interventions from some of our leaders calling on me to stop further comments. I have therefore allowed the anti-graft and security agencies to play their role. But when such blatant lies are sold to the public in the guise of gospel truth, I have a responsibility to respond especially when the name of our President, Muhammadu Buhari, is shamelessly and disrespectfully dragged into it. However, while we wait for the full content of what is predictably a compendium of lies, distortions and misrepresentations of facts as far the issues relating to me are concerned, I will respond to some of the issues in the book as reported by the Cable.

1- THE CLAIM that I met Mr President to make my case where he turned me down and I was later again ferried to him by some security agents, where again he warned that the budget padding matter should never be brought before him.

MY RESPONSE: I wish to state categorically clear and without any iota of doubt that since I left as Chairman Appropriation after raising budget padding allegations and was later illegally and unconstitutionally suspended, I have NEVER set my eyes on President Buhari. Neither have I ever at any point in time discussed the matter with the President. I wrote three letters seeking audience with the President to discuss the matter but I neither got any acknowledgement nor response. I doubt if he has even seen the letters. .Thereafter, when I noticed there was a barricade organized by Dogara around the President against me, I took my destiny in my own hands, continued the struggle and never made any attempt to see the President again.

Let me also state that there was never a time during this period that any security agent or agency ferried me to the President talk less of the President warning that the matter should never be brought before him. It is such a shame that in a desperate bid to score a cheap point, Mr Speaker has descended so low not to only propagate falsehood against me but on our President who is known for his integrity and forthrightness. Please leave Mr President out of this matter.

I believe that in view of the gravity of this matter, the media and all well-meaning Nigerians have a responsibility to ask the President to confirm if this event ever occurred between me and him. It is Dogaras last resort to incite the President and presidency against me after all the attempts to witch-hunt me have failed.

ALSO READ: Buhari shut Jibrin up on budget padding by asking for evidence - Dogara

2-THE CLAIM that he does not interfere in committee works and the attempt to exonerate himself from projects he nominated to his constituency.

MY RESPONSE: It has been two years since the crisis. Probably Dogara is beginning to lose his memory perhaps because of the fatigue and fear of leaving office. There has never been a period or a day during the 2016 budget that Speaker Dogara did not call to give one instruction or the other. In fact, he personally chaired several meetings and gave clear instructions on what to do. All this are documented and in possession of the appropriate authorities. Infact it is a public knowledge that he told many people that his grouse with me is my refusal to comply with some instructions he gave me which I considered inappropriate.

For instance, when he wanted us to grossly increase the size of the budget for frivolous expenditure at the tail end of the budget process after several previous insertions, I refused and in contrast, for the first time in several years, I encouraged the appropriation committee to support my proposal to cut down the size of the expenditure. It was the right thing to do given the size of our revenue in 2016. Also for the first time in many years under my leadership, the oil benchmark was reduced because of the global oil price trend rather than increased as Speaker Dogara wanted. I still remain very proud of these decisions we took.

The following year when I left, 2 dollars was increased in the oil bench mark amounting to 240billion Naira. Traditionally, this amount is used to reduce deficit and this can be verified but watching from outside, to my utmost shock, the amount was added to the expenditure amidst revenue uncertainty. Neither members of the House nor Nigerians felt the benefit. These are questions to which Speaker Dogara should provide answers. Let me also state that it is a known fact in the House that Speaker Dogara interferes in almost every committee work dictating what to be done, creating unnecessary Ad-hoc committees to foster divide and rule among members to consolidate his hold on power and most importantly attracting disdain for his attitude of going behind to meet heads of MDAs in secret to undermine assignments he gives to members. This is a challenge for investigative journalists to verify by approaching members of the House.

Similarly, on the issue of nomination of projects to Speaker Dogaras constituency, he has so quickly forgotten that he personally hand-wrote some of his instructions for project inclusions and in some cases even use his pen to amend some line items which are clearly documented and in possession of the appropriate authorities. In any case, what difference does it make if he instructed his staff to do same as claimed in the book? But again, the bigger issue here is not only the inclusion of such projects but the fact that he diverted some projects to his personal farm, which is fraudulent and a clear case of abuse of office and public trust.

Speaker Dogara claimed he was in London when everything on the whole budget work was completed but he will never admit my telephone conversation with him where he gave a standing instruction that I should do away with the Executives proposed amendments to the budget for an alternative option. The presidency was made to believe it was Hon Jibrins handiwork. We will all die and stand before God Almighty . If this telephone conversation and instruction never took place between me and Speaker Dogara, may I never see the blessings of God. I shouldered all the accusation both from the executive arm and the general public because I felt I was representing an institution. At the end, they denied me access to brief my colleagues and conspired against me! I had no other choice than to go public.

3-THE CLAIM that he was under pressure not to make me Chairman Appropriation by some people over the issue of trust, insinuation of blackmail and my contribution to his election

MY RESPONSE: Who were those people putting him under pressure? Arent they some of those people who warned me never to support him to become Speaker and remain very angry with me, some till date, that I did not heed their advice? But pressure on appointments is nothing new. In most appointments, we always have those for or against. Mine wasnt anything different especially that it was a very bitter contest, tight victory of 8 votes margin and I was practically the public enemy number one!

The candidacy of Speaker Dogara was EXTREMELY unpopular in some parts of the country. He was not the party choice. I defied wise counsel to toe party line from My Governor, Sen Kwankwaso, Emir of Kano, many highly- placed citizens, the APC and finally the president himself who had the last meeting with us. I have since publicly apologized to all of them. That simply explained why I had little support from some of these people when the crisis started because everywhere I go, they say we warned you, you never listened, go stew in your juice. Yet Dogara could boast of making me chairman appropriation when I served four unblemished years as chairman finance of equal standing with appropriation. Moving to appropriation only provided a different experience from finance which deals with revenue to expenditure that forms the core of appropriation,unlike his own case where we lip frogged him from chairman House services all the way to Speaker of the House.

In my combined period as chairman finance and later appropriation, despite the witch hunt and desperation from Dogara to hunt me down, I was never accused of stealing from the house or committee or abuse my office or public trust. And nobody has question my capacity on the job and accomplishments I left behind. I wonder where the issue of trust is coming from.

ALSO READ: EFCC invites Jibrin over allegation against Dogara

Dogaras passing comment that I did a great job and supported him 100% in his election is hypocritical and self-contradictory of the earlier comments he made about me in the book. He is being economical with the huge personal sacrifice I made because I put everything including my key relationships on the line. I believed in him and rose above petty sentiments and independence of the legislature to support him. The talk about trust and blackmail without citing instances is complete nonsense.

4-THE CLAIM by Dogara that I failed to drag the senate into the matter.

MY RESPONSE: During the crisis, I came under severe pressure to drag the senate into the issue and in particular, the speaker was miffed that I left out senator Danjuma Goje. In fact, he offered at some point to get me back into the House so long as I will join thesenate in the matter. All he wanted is to incite me against the senate and the presidency to get more backing to fight me over a matter for which he has repeatedly failed to appear before the anti-graft and security agencies to clear his name. My position is that I am not a senator. I am not in a position to speak for the senate. If something is wrong in the senate, it is the responsibility of a senator to raise it not me. My responsibility is to the House to which I was elected. If speaker Dogara believes that the senate is culpable in budget padding, he has a responsibility to raise it as well rather than hide under the guise of Jibrin is shielding the senate.

CONCLUSION:

I urge Speaker Dogara to without further delay apologise to Mr President for seriously embarrassing him with the lies in the book about my encounter with him. If such outright lies are contained in the book regarding the number one citizen, I wonder what other false information he must have fed the publisher.

I only sympathize with the Publisher whom I hold in high esteem and has worked so hard to build a reputation. He has no fault as he relied on false stories fed him as far as this aspect of the book is concerned. I crave his indulgence to bear with us as further scrutiny with surely emerge. As he wrote in his back-page column in This day last week, it is his first book. Unfortunately, his client misinformed him on some aspect of the book which will cause someembarrassment.

Dogara has rewarded my sacrifice for him and the institution of the house with an almost two years suspension, during which period I have been unconstitutionally denied representation of my people, lost 2 years of my 4 years mandate, threatened, blackmailed, witch-hunted, persecuted and exposed to life-threatening danger. I have remained resolute and maintained a healthy relationship with my state and constituents.

Finally, I wish to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have made several attempts to intervene with a view to seeing my return to the House, and their patience in the face of several instances of reneges from the Speaker. The last of such attempts was a few weeks ago when the members from Kano state approached the Speaker and drew his attention to the need for my urgent return to the House since I have served out the 180 days. He requested the 23 of them to write a letter and ensure they all sign. They did. He further requested that I endorsed the letter, which I did. He reneged.
The tanker, which was offloading petrol at about 5:55 p.m., at the station, was engulfed in fire, making motorists and passerby to scamper for safety.

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the intervention of the fire service saved the situation as about six fire machines were deployed to extinguish it.

The inferno, however, lasted till 7:10 p.m. when the fire fighters succeeded in combating it.

NAN reports that scores of onlookers, who besieged the station, shouted on top of their voices when the fire service succeeded in putting it out.

Mr Gidado Ismail, an official of the Fire Service, said although fire could result at any time, this particular one was due to high temperature.

He said that the outbreak must have resulted from the process of discharging the fuel, adding that the temperature probably triggered it.

According to him, the tanker probably came from a far distance and heated up while some procedures were not followed before discharging the fuel, leading to the fire.

He, however, said that no monumental damages were recorded as the men of fire service moved swiftly to control it .

SP Tunde Kabiru of the Lugbe Divisional Police Headquarters, commended the fire service, adding that the damages incurred would have been monumental if not for the swift response.

He said that the tanker was already offloading when it was suddenly discovered that fire had already engulfed the bottom part of the hole where the fuel was being offloaded.

The information we had was that the tanker came and was discharging fuel and it was about finishing discharging the fuel when suddenly they discovered fire from the underground, he said.

Effort made by a NAN Correspondent to speak with the Manager of the station was rebuffed, saying he was still in shock and not willing to talk.
The governor spoke on Wednesday evening in Ibadan while receiving Adams who was in his office on a courtesy call.

Adams was appointed as the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Oct. 15.

You are very deserving of that position because you have turned and improved the image of our socio-security group. You have brought respectability to our people through your conduct and carriage.

You are a pride to the Yoruba race, Nigeria and Africa, he said.

Ajimobi said Adams visit to the state was much expected considering its status as the intellectual, political and socio-cultural capital of the Yoruba race.

Yoruba land has existed for several centuries. Infact, Ibadan was formed by warriors from across the Yoruba land. Your coming here as the Aare-Ona Kakanfo is home coming.

We assure you of our support spiritually, culturally, morally and financially, he said.

Earlier, Adams said that the Aare-Ona Kakanfo title was the only position that unifies the Yoruba race, adding that he was in Ibadan because of its status as the political capital of the Yorubas.
On Thursday, May 25, 2017, the INEC national commissioner, and chairman, information and voter education committee (IVEC), Solomon Soyebi,accused Governor Bello of registering twi

Soyebi said Bello registered first on January 30, 2011 in Abuja while the second time was on May 23, 2017 at the government house, Lokoja.

Speaking on the incident, INEC said that the staffs were indicted after a thorough investigation was carried out by a panel.

Channels TV reports that INECs National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu also said The commission set up a panel of investigation into the involvement of staff in the matter. The initial report submitted by the panel was referred to the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, which made recommendations to the Commission.

ALSO READ: Governor Yahaya Bello bans ASUU in Kogi varsity

While the Governor of Kogi State currently enjoys immunity from prosecution, the commission took the following decisions in respect of its own staff: summary dismissal of two staff for acts of gross misconduct; immediate and compulsory retirement of an electoral officer for act of gross misconduct.

Governor Yahaya Bello denies

Reacting to the allegation of double registration, Governor Bello said it might be his ghosthat must have done the double registration and not him.
According to report by TheCable, she has put pen to paper on her decision to quit President Donald Trump's cabinet exactly one year after he came into office.

It was further reported that Manigault who earns $180,000 per annum will leave the White House on January 20, 2018.

Omarosa, the director of African-American outreach in Trumps campaign, joins a list of 14 cabinet members that have have left Trumps government.

While an official statement and reason has not been given on why Omarosa resigned, the 43-year-old has been reportedly struggling to keep her job and family.

ALSO READ: Omarosa shocked White House staffers

Omarosa recently married a Florida-based pastor, John Newman.

Her exit further raises the expectation of round of departures from the White House going into the New Year while the internal war within Trump cabinet keeps brewing.
In a report by Punch, the warrant for arrest of Muyiwa, who is the immediate past Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development in the state, was as a result of his alleged refusal to honour the lawmakers invitation.

Reason for invitation

The Osun Assembly, it was reported, is investigating a land matter at Ilobu and the former commissioner was invited to appear before the lawmakers to clear some grey areas.

Also invited by the lawmakers is the former permanent secretary in the ministry, who was was unable to make the invitation.

However, the lawmakers had issued a warrant of arrest on Muyiwa because the invitation was aired on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

The issuance of warrant of arrest
The group also accused President Buharis administration of acting like it is above the law.

On December 2, 2016, Justice Gabriel Kolawoleof the federal high court in Abuja ordered the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Director of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Lawal Daura, to release El Zakzaky.

According to Daily Post, the groups spokesman, Abdulhamid Bello, who led protesters to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in Abuja, said the government is not telling Nigerians the truth.

Bello said At the end of their two days murderous mission, they left behind corpses of the young, old and able-bodied men and women in their wake, apart from the wanton destruction of properties worth several hundred millions of naira.

The government of Buhari is behaving in contempt of the rule of law, telling all and sundry that it is above the law.

He also said that the group will continue its protests till their leader is released.

Genesis of El-Zakzakys arrest

The Shiite leader, El-Zakzakys was arrested after a clash ensued between soldiers and members of his group in Kaduna state.

However, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed said that Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is not in detention as has been widely reported.
In a report by Vanguard, the Ikoyi whistle blower, who provided information leading to the discovery of $43.5 million, 27,800 and N23.2 million at No. 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, got his funds without a third party transaction.

It was further reported that the money was paid to the beneficiary by officials of the Ministry of Finance, while his current location remains undisclosed and unknown by the public.

However, the payment made by the Ministry of Finance, was not the total amount due the Ikoyi whistle-blower.

There was also no information as when the next tranche would be paid to the whistle-blower in his current location.

The whistle-blower had earlier rejected the payment of N325m from the Federal Government insisting on his N860m commission.

Whistle-blower Policy

The Whistle-blower Policy which recommended 2-5 per cent of any amount recovered for a whistle blower.

Whistle-blower's lawyer confirms payment

The lawyer to the Ikoyi whistle-blower, Barrister Yakubu Galadima, has confirmed payment of the reward to his client.

His words: My client has been paid. He was paid yesterday and has since left the country. As we are speaking, he is not in Nigeria. However, the money was paid directly to him.

The government said they were going to pay the money directly to him and that was what they did. The person that was paid was the same guy they claimed had a psychiatric problem.

What has happened confirmed my client, who has all along been known as the principal whistle-blower as the real whistle-blower.
Guterres said his main concern over Myanmar was the dramatic violations of human rights during a military crackdown in Rakhine state that forced more than 600,000 Rohingya to flee the country for southern Bangladesh.

He added that the arrest of the journalists was probably related.

It is clearly a concern in relation to the erosion of press freedom in the country, he told a news conference in Tokyo.

He was referring to the detention of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who had been working on stories about the strife in Rakhine State.

And probably the reason why these journalists were arrested was because they were reporting on what they had seen in relation to this massive human tragedy, he added.

Myanmars Ministry of Information said in a statement on Wednesday that the Reuters journalists and two policemen faced charges under the British colonial-era Official Secrets Act.

The 1923 law carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

The reporters illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media, said the statement, which was accompanied by a photo of the two reporters in handcuffs.

In a statement, Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief, Stephen J. Adler said on Wednesday: we are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom.

We call for authorities to release them immediately.

The Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said their exodus from the mainly Buddhist nation was triggered by a military counter-offensive in response to Rohingya militant attacks on security forces in Rakhine state at the end of August.

The UN has branded the militarys campaign a textbook example of ethnic cleansing of the minority Rohingya.

He said the international community should do everything possible to secure the journalists release and freedom of the press in Myanmar.
Members of May's Conservative party are demanding that an explicit legal guarantee be included in the landmark EU (Withdrawal) Bill to ensure MPs get a vote before any deal is signed.

Dominic Grieve, a Conservative MP and former attorney general, has submitted an amendment to the bill, which has been signed by ten other Tory MPs and is backed by the main opposition Labour party.

"The government needs to listen to what's being said to them," Grieve told Sky News television.

"It seems to be a bit of a dialogue of the deaf. They've turned this into a battle of wills."

The government has insisted it will not back down but the amendment is due to be voted on later on Wednesday, in what could lead to a parliamentary defeat for May.

That would be a blow on the eve of a crucial summit in Brussels, where EU leaders are expected to approve the terms of the interim Brexit deal agreed last week after months of tortuous negotiations.

Hampering 'smooth' Brexit

Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith, a hardline Brexiteer, earlier accused Grieve of "looking for ways to derail the bill", saying his amendment would "tie the government's hands" in negotiations with the EU.

In a bid to smooth Britain's exit, the bill would transfer thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books, and give ministers powers to amend them to address any technical glitches.

These so-called "Henry VIII" powers also extend to the implementation of the divorce deal agreed with Brussels -- something many MPs say is unacceptable.

In a last-ditch attempt to avoid a rebellion, Brexit Minister David Davis promised that lawmakers would have a vote on the withdrawal agreement.

Parliament would then be asked to vote on a further piece of legislation to implement the divorce deal.

But ministers want to preserve their special powers -- statutory instruments -- in the event that this law is not passed in time for Brexit day on March 29, 2019.

"As currently drafted what the amendment says is that we shouldn't put any of those statutory instruments into place until the Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill has reached the statute book," May said.

"That could be at a very late stage in the proceedings, which could mean that we are not able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we wish to have."

'Blank cheque'

After months of wrangling, May secured a deal last week on three priorities of the separation -- Britain's financial settlement, the Irish border and the rights of expatriates.

It was a rare moment of triumph for the prime minister, who has been struggling to assert her authority since losing her parliamentary majority in a disastrous election in June.

The European Parliament on Wednesday gave its backing to the deal, and EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday are expected to give the green light to move the Brexit negotiations onto trade.

However, the sense of victory has been tempered by a dispute with Brussels over comments made by Davis at the weekend, suggesting Britain was not fully committed to the agreement.

Commentators have also warned of domestic trouble ahead for May, as the deal leaves open many questions about Britain's future relationship with the EU.
"Officials of our ministry had an important dialogue with the Australian ambassador," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday, without specifying when the meeting took place.

"The Australian side is very clear with our position on bilateral relations and the relevant issue," Lu told a regular news briefing.

China lodged an official protest with Canberra last week after Australia's parliament singled out China as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference.
The change "will enable Canadian companies and individuals to apply for a permit to export certain prohibited firearms, weapons and devices to Ukraine."

Eastern Ukraine has been plagued since April 2014 by a conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists that has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

Kiev and Western countries accuse Russia of militarily supporting the rebels, a charge Moscow denies.

"Each permit application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure its consistency with Canadas international obligations and foreign policy and defense priorities," the government said.

The announcement "reflects the close ties our countries share. Canada and Canadians will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," Freeland said.

Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991 and has more than 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent in its territory, a diaspora that arrived in successive waves over a period of 125 years.
The unsuccessful petition would have affected unmarried heterosexuals and gay people, who cannot marry in Indonesia -- several months after the arrests of a group of men accused of holding a "gay party".

The court heard a judicial review filed by Islamic activist group the Family Love Alliance that sought to alter the criminal code.

"The appeal is rejected in its entirety," said the Constitutional Court's chief justice Arief Hidayat.

Under current laws, sex is only illegal in Indonesia for both homosexual and heterosexual people if it involves a minor.

However, gay sex is illegal in conservative Aceh province, which upholds sharia law. Under a local law that came into force in 2015, people can also be punished for having gay sex with up to 100 strokes of the cane.

Aceh, on Sumatra island, began implementing Islamic law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

There was a backlash against the country's LGBT community last year with government ministers publicly making anti-gay statements.

In May, police arrested a group of men holding party in two hotel rooms in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-biggest city.

Some of the men were watching gay porn and performing "deviant sexual acts", police said at the time.

Authorities named eight men as suspects and filed preliminary charges against them under Indonesia's tough anti-pornography law, which can result in years in jail.

Also this year, two men having sex were caught by a group of vigilantes who raided a boarding house in Aceh.

Indonesia has often been praised for its moderate inclusive brand of Islam, and the constitution guarantees freedom of worship for six religions.
Niki said earlier that it had applied to open insolvency proceedings following Lufthansa's announcement that it had "informed Air Berlin and its insolvency managers that it will pursue the planned transaction without the purchase of Niki."

The decision came after the European Commission said last week that it had "deep competition concerns" about the Frankfurt-based carrier's plan to buy of 81 aircraft from Air Berlin's 140-plane fleet plus Niki for 210 million euros ($250 million).

Air Berlin, Germany's second-largest carrier, triggered bankruptcy proceedings in August after losing a cash lifeline from its biggest shareholder, Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates.

Its aircraft were kept aloft, until being grounded in October, by an emergency loan of 150 million euro ($175 million) from the German government while it negotiated the sale of its assets.

Meanwhile, Niki's planes had continued to fly as it was not subject to the same bankruptcy conditions as Air Berlin.

But Niki, which flies to holiday resorts in southern Europe and north Africa from Vienna and other cities in Austria and also Germany, said on its website its flights "will cease as of December 14."

It said that several airlines "are currently looking into solutions for bringing back passengers on standby-basis for a small fee from abroad destinations back to Germany, Austria and Switzerland."

It also told clients who have booked their flight with a tour operator to contact the operator directly.

The Austrian government said it was ready to repatriate any Niki passengers stranded abroad if necessary.

'Regrettable'

The European Commission said Wednesday that Lufthansa's move was "regrettable" and that withdrawing the bid completely "was not the only possible outcome".

But it added that Lufthansa's hoped-for buyout had presented "clear risks to Austrian, German and Swiss consumers and to effective competition".

Lufthansa had already offered to give up many of the precious takeoff and landing slots it originally wanted under the deal.

But Brussels saw this as "unsatisfactory and signalled clearly that it could not allow taking over and integrating Niki into the Eurowings group," Lufthansa's low-cost subsidiary, the airline said.

The German government said that it "regrets... very much" the commission's decision on Niki."

"There are no alternative buyers for Niki available at the moment despite all the efforts of the insolvency managers... insolvency and grounding will be the consequence," it added.

Lufthansa had said it would now stop financing the airline, which it had been keeping afloat with about 10 million euros a week since August, Bloomberg News reported.

Lauda races to the rescue?

The future of Niki, which has about 20 aircraft and 1,000 employees, is now highly uncertain.

Niki's founder Niki Lauda, the Austrian former Formula One champion, said he was "interested" in acquiring again the airline he sold to Air Berlin in 2011.

Lauda, 68, had made in September an unsuccessful offer of 100 million euros for Niki together with Condor, part of Britain's Thomas Cook.

But Lauda suggested to the Austria Press Agency that he would wait until Niki was declared insolvent before making a bid.

Niki's being grounded would add to Christmas period disruptions for European flyers, with the collapse of Britain's Monarch in October and with Ryanair hit by problems with pilots and facing strikes.
Television footage showed the stricken vessel bobbing up and down next to a rocky outcrop, while a coast guard helicopter hovered above to conduct a rescue.

In the initial stage of the operation, five children and a woman were winched to safety by the helicopter team, the coast guard said.

Eventually, all 51, including 15 children, were rescued and brought back to Dikili port.

Earlier reports had put the number on board at 68.

Among the group were migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Angola and Somalia, State-run news agency Anadolu said.

Nine people were taken to hospital, it reported. There was no indication of any casualties.

Over a million people, mainly fleeing the war in Syria, crossed to European Union member Greece from Turkey in 2015 after the onset of the bloc's worst migration crisis since World War II.

Turkey struck a deal with the EU in 2016 in a effort to stem the flow of migrants into Europe, and agreed to take back illegal migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for incentives including financial aid.

The deal, chastised by rights groups, sharply curbed the number of migrants seeking to cross the Aegean Sea.

Migrants were sent back to Turkey from the Greek islands in the initial weeks after the deal was signed, but afterwards the pace slowed drastically.

Recently however, eight migrants were brought back to Dikili from the island of Lesbos and taken to refugee camps inside Turkey, Anadolu reported Thursday.

The return comes after Greece's Kathimerini daily reported Athens persuaded Turkey to accept migrant returns from the mainland in order to reduce critical overcrowding in its refugee camps.

Last week, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the first visit of a Turkish head of state to Greece since 1952.
The futuristic glass and steel structure of eight interlinked wings will replace a low-slung warren of drab 1960s prefab office units that was only meant to be temporary but has lasted half a century.

The 29-member alliance will start the final phase of the transfer on March 19 next year and the process will take 12 weeks, spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told AFP.

The move aims to be completed around a month before the NATO summit on July 11 and 12.

"The move is a complex logistical undertaking, involving not just NATO civilian and military staff, but also personnel from diplomatic and military representations of all 29 allies and 19 partner nations," Lungescu said.

"NATO headquarters is unique among international organisations in that it is home both to the international staff and to the diplomatic representations of allies and partners."

NATO unveiled the new 1.17-billion-euro building ($1.37 billion) with much fanfare in May under the gaze of US President Donald Trump -- who could not resist a barb about the building's cost as he unveiled a 9/11 memorial outside the main entrance.

The building, which will house some 4,000 staff, sits on the site of a former Belgian airfield bombed by both sides in World War II, and Lungescu said the discovery of unexploded ordnance had contributed to delays. The move was originally due for completion in 2015.

Extra time was also needed to make sure the new buildling's IT systems were secure enough to withstand the growing threat of cyber warfare. NATO says its networks come under hundreds of cyber attacks each month.
"During the briefing, Ambassador Haley will offer irrefutable evidence that Iran has deliberately violated its international obligations and has tried and failed to cover up these violations," the statement read.

Haley has called on the UN Security Council to take a tougher stance toward Iran, accusing Tehran of making illegal arms deals in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.

A confidential report to the council says UN officials had examined debris from missiles fired at Saudi Arabia which pointed to a "common origin" but there was no firm conclusions as to whether they came from an Iranian supplier.

The report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which was obtained by AFP, said the officials were still analyzing the information.

A separate team of UN experts who inspected the missile fragments during a visit to Riyadh last month found a possible link to an Iranian manufacturer, the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, which is on the UN sanctions blacklist.

The experts, who report to the sanctions committee, found a component marked by a logo similar to that of the banned group, which is a subsidiary of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization.

In his report, Guterres said officials had seen the logo but that they were still analyzing the information.

Recent Iranian missile launches have triggered US sanctions and accusations they violate the spirit of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers.
General Wanlop Rugsanoah, secretary general of Thailand's National Security Council, told AFP the request was made during his meeting with US special envoy for North Korea Joseph Yun, who arrived in Bangkok Wednesday evening for a two-day trip to the kingdom.

"The US asked Thailand to put more pressure on North Korea, put more trade and diplomatic pressure," Wanlop said after his sit-down with Yun in Bangkok.

He stressed that Bangkok had already significantly reduced its trade volume with Pyongyang -- down to around $1.5 million a year -- and would curtail visas to North Korean citizens.

Thailand, one of America's oldest allies in the region, is one of several Southeast Asian countries to host a North Korean embassy, and once enjoyed valuable economic ties with the reclusive regime.

But the UN and the US have increasingly leaned on regional leaders to do more to squeeze North Korea as international sanctions have not resulted in Pyongyang halting its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests.

Yun's visit is part of a December 11-15 trip to Asia -- including a stop in Japan -- "to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign following the DPRK's latest ballistic missile test," the US State Department said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

The US embassy in Bangkok confirmed Yun's meeting with the National Security Council chief took place but declined to provide more details on the discussion.

Wanlop insisted there were no meetings planned between American and North Korean officials in Thailand.

In August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stopped in Bangkok to pressure the government to crack down on North Korean shell companies that use the Thai capital as a trading hub.

Thailand said this week it had drastically slashed trade with North Korea this year, down 94 percent compared with 2016.

Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said "there will be no export or import of goods between Thailand and North Korea" by the end of 2017.

Outside of Southeast Asia, Washington has focused most on Beijing to counter Pyongyang, urging the North's longtime ally and economic lifeline to rein in leader Kim Jong-Un and his nuclear programme.

China has accepted a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang but has so far resisted calls to shut a crude oil pipeline considered crucial to North Korea's economy.

However, some of the sanctions are starting to bite.

The UN Security Council had ordered countries to stop providing guest work permits to North Koreans after Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test in September.

The ban impacts an estimated 100,000 North Koreans who send some $500 million in wages back to the regime.

US President Donald Trump's administration has swung back-and-forth between contradicting approaches to the crisis on the Korean peninsula, with Tillerson adopting a more diplomatic attitude amid fiery threats from the White House.
"There needs, straight away, to be a political process that includes everyone to achieve a new constitution and new elections," he told Swiss RTS television.

Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces, ostensibly to combat advances by what Moscow and Damascus termed "terrorist" groups.

On Tuesday, the first Russian troops began returning home after Putin ordered a pullout, saying their mission had been largely completed.

De Mistura said Putin "had to convince the (Syrian) government that there's no time to lose".

"We can talk about having won the territorial war, which is temporary, but the peace also needs to be won and for that there needs to be the courage to push the government to accept" new elections, which De Mistura said should be monitored by the UN.

Talks this month, the eight round of UN-brokered negotiations between the Syrian government and rebel factions, have snagged on the issue of Assad's future, with a rebel alliance insisting the president must go as part of any peace deal.

A parallel process organised by Moscow and including fellow government ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey, is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.




Orange: Jewish Quarter; red: Old Town (where we spent a lot of time on our trip). I specifically chose and fussy-cut saturated colors with a bohemian feel, and spent lots of time deciding where each one would end up. I only had a scrap of that rose fabric, and it fit perfectly!

Purple: the castle area (purple for royalty); purple/pink: "Lesser Town" and Petrin Park





So, have you made a map quilt? Would you like to in the future? What place inspires you?





Finishing this quilt was a really happy moment; it's a culmination of 2017, and until it was hung up on a wall, the year didn't seem complete. I became spellbound by the city of Prague during my visit to the Czech Republic in 2011, so this quilt holds a lot of meaning for that reason, too. Timna Tarr , who taught a class for the North Jersey MQG, asked us each to bring a map (I blogged about the class and the beginning of the process here ). I purchased a "DestinationMap" of Prague by National Geographic and based the quilt very loosely off of it (copyright 2014 by National Geographic Maps). After enlarging the map itself, I made some sections slightly bigger or smaller to surround the most major streets in Prague. I decided not to include all the very small streets that intersect the city.Thanks to Timna and her guidance, I learned techniques for making map quilts. More specifically, I became intimately acquainted with using Heat 'n Bond Lite. My goal was to highlight various sections of the middle of Prague with different colors. This important part of the city surrounds the Vltava River (which, according to Wikipedia, runs under 18 bridges!). Six of the bridges made it into the quilt, as a matter of fact.The quilt seemed to ask for echo quilting with my free motion foot. This technique emphasized each unique shape. With a good audiobook to listen to and zen out with, it took a month or so of on again, off again work. The river itself was really easy and fun to quilt with waves.I used several different colors of Aurifil thread to blend with the color sections, trusting that the texture would be the star (2250 Red, 1133 Burnt Orange, 4012 Copper Brown, 1320 Medium Teal, 4225 Eggplant, 1148 Light Jade, and 2024 White). I talked more about my quilting decisions for this quilt here I was really pleased with the results of echo quilting on the back! Texture won! Not that I'll see it much, but it makes me happy. And that's what matters, right? This fabric is "Painted Pottery" by Carrie Bloomston.The map was one of the last pieces I planned to hang in our apartment! I love how it looks in our living area. You can even see it when you walk in the front door. The quilt that my guild gifted me (which I use pretty much every day) matches well. One might think these were my colors or something. :)Here are some pictures of my trip to Prague, which I still think about quite often. It's funny; there are so many places in the world I'd like to visit, but some of those I've already been to (Prague and Berlin) are high up on the list. There's something about those cities. I've even made two other quilts inspired by Prague { here } { here }.
The three teams, which all include financial advisors, comprise:

 Humber Valley Transit Partners including SNC Lavalin, Graham, and ACI

 Mosaic Transit Group, including ACS, Aecon, and CRH, and

 Fact Partners including EllisDon, Bechtel, and Herzog Transit.

The project entails constructing an 11km dedicated light rail line with 17 stations between Humber College and the new Finch West Subway station on the Toronto - York Spadina Subway extension, and a maintenance depot. The two end stations will be underground.

The line will open in 2021, and the winning consortium will maintain it for 30 years.

The project will be being delivered using Infrastructure Ontarios alternative financing and procurement model, which transfers appropriate risks associated with design, construction, financing and maintenance of the project to the private sector.
The cars will be formed into 10 six-car trains, which will have a maximum speed of 160km/h, and will increase the c2c train fleet by almost 20%.

The trains will be delivered by September 2021 and maintenance contract will run from their introduction into service until November 2029.

Britains rail minister, Mr Paul Maynard says the trains will provide much needed extra capacity for thousands of passengers across London and Essex, and also come with facilities such as Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and electric power sockets.

Italian State Railways (FS) train operating subsidiary Trenitalia acquired the c2c franchise from National Express early in 2017. Since our entrance in the UK market, the original new trains investment plan, which included a phased delivery from 2019 to 2024, has been accelerated overall and we are extremely proud that the new fleet will start to be delivered from summer 2021, three years earlier than what was originally planned, says Mr Ernesto Sicilia, managing director, Trenitalia UK.
Amtraks Charles "Wick" Moorman will step down from the co-CEO position effective Dec. 31 and assume the role of senior advisor, starting Jan. 1, 2018.

The Board is grateful for Wicks significant contributions since he joined the company, and we are pleased that he is continuing to serve as a senior advisor, said Tony Coscia, Chair of the Amtrak Board of Directors.

The former CEO of Norfolk Southern Corp., Moorman was hired to serve as a transitional CEO, coming out of retirement in September 2016. He was tasked with focusing on three objectives: improve operations, streamline the organizational structure, and find his successor.

The carrier in a release said over the past year that it has created a new organizational structure that improved operational efficiencies and the customer experience. Additionally, the company has achieved record ridership, revenues and earnings.

On Jan. 1, former airline executive Richard Anderson, who joined Amtrak in June 2017, will assume full CEO responsibilities in addition to serving as president.

I have greatly enjoyed my time at Amtrak, and firmly believe that the company is well-positioned for the future, said Moorman in a statement. I look forward to continuing my work with Richard and the entire Amtrak team to further advance passenger rail in this country.

The carrier recently unveiled concepts for high-speed equipment slated to replace Acela trainsets on the Northeast Corridor, and after delays has begun to add new passenger equipment built by CAF. New Charger locomotives built by Siemens have initiated revenue service on some trains operated by state agencies.

But Amtrak also took the brunt of some bad news since Moorman arrived. These included several derailments that necessitated emergency track repairs this past summer at its New York Penn Station hub, and incidents involving Amtrak trains including the deaths of two CSX crewmen outside Washington and two Amtrak maintenance workers at Chester, Pa., the latter pointing to what the National Transportation Safety Board described as a broken corporate safety culture.

Amtrak also has faced threats of defunding in Congress and this fall offered buyouts in an effort to reduce headcount.
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Siemens lawsuit over alleged supply of its turbines to Crimea dismissed

MOSCOW, December 14 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Commercial Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by German conglomerate Siemens against subsidiaries of Russias state corporation Rostec, Technopromexport companies, over alleged supply of its turbines to Crimea, RAPSI learnt in the court on Thursday.

The court has also dismissed a counterclaim filed by Technopromexport seeking to recognize a contract with Russian Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid.

Earlier, the court has repeatedly refused to seize four turbines constructed by the Siemens subsidiary and also dismissed a motion to prohibit their installation.

According to the Moscow court, the plaintiff did not provide any evidence to support its claims. The court believes that there is no proof that Technopromexport companies took actions that could damage the applicant and ones that could prevent a court ruling from coming into force. All arguments of the plaintiffs are based on probabilities, the court notes, adding that taking measures against the defendant could upset the balance of interests in the courtroom.

In July, Siemens asked the court to seize four turbines constructed by its subsidiaries and prohibit defendants from installing these turbines, acquired in 2015. The court dismissed this claim due to the lack of evidence.

In September, the court dismissed the conglomerates claim due to the lack of evidence. In October, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal against the ruling.

On October 16, Technopromexport filed a counterclaim against Siemens also seeking to recognize a contract with the Russian Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid.

Earlier, reliable sources told Siemens that at least two out of its four gas turbine installations provided for a project in Southern Russia were transferred to Crimea.

Siemens believes that these actions are in clear violation of the conglomerates distribution contracts prohibiting a client to provide equipment to the region. Siemens initiated investigation into persons responsible and filed lawsuits with the Moscow Commercial Court seeking cancellation of all additional provisions to Crimea and return of equipment to its original point of destination.
Defendant in Moscow business center shooting case to stay detained until January 18

MOSCOW, December 14 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court has upheld detention of Magomed Ismailov, one of the defendants in a criminal case over shooting at the Moscow International Business Centre (MIBC), also known as Moscow-City, the courts press-service has told RAPSI.

Ismailov, charged with hooliganism, is to stay in detention until January 18.

The second defendant Eldar Khamidov is charged with attempted murder of two or more persons and will stay in jail as well.

Investigators claim that the incident took place on November 17 after a conflict between guards of two business centers visitors. As a result, six persons received gunshot wounds.

According to media reports, the fight with shooting took place in Crystal Ballroom restaurant after a quarrel at the parking lot.
State Duma passes bill toughening punishment for terrorist recruitment

MOSCOW, December 14 (RAPSI)  The State Duma has passed in the third and final reading a bill toughening punishment for recruiting terrorists up to life sentence.

The bill is aimed to tighten counteracting financing and organizing terrorist and extremist activities. Crimes related to such financing or any form of inducing people to commit crimes of terrorist nature may result in penalties ranging from fines of up to 700,000 rubles (nearly $12,000) to life sentence.

Currently, punishment for recruiting terrorists may only reach as high as 10 years in prison.

The bill also extensively defines terrorism propaganda term. Committing this crime would be punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Amendments are proposed to the Russian Criminal Code.
Russian Human Rights Council welcomes toughening penalties for animal abuse

MOSCOW, December 14 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) - Russias Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights has welcomed adoption of a bill tightening punishment for cruelty to animals up to 5 years in prison, the statement published on the advisory bodys website reads.

The Councils Chairman Mikhail Fedotov said that the State Duma heeded a proposal of human rights advocates and backed an amendment stipulating criminal penalty for pain-infliction to animals.

On Wednesday, the lower house of Russias parliament passed the bill in the third and final reading.

The bill fixes penalty of up to 3 years in prison for animal abuse. If the crime is committed in presence of a child, by a group of people in collusion, or with display in media including the Internet, it would be punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

The draft law also stipulates alternative penalty such as fines, community service and supervised release, which would provide individualization of punishment depending on crimes nature and level of public danger, identity of a criminal, mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

The initiative was triggered by numerous petitions lodged by citizens, social and animal rights organizations, and repeated violent incidents with regard to animals, one of the bills authors, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Ecology and Environment Protection Vladimir Burmatov said earlier.

Burmatov considers toughened punishment for cruelty to animals as a preventive measure.
Property details:

Land For Sale Welcome to CheapLands NO RESERVE!Buyer assumes back taxes. As of 12/01/17 they are $532.20.No other fees for buying!- DEBIT & CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED - - ACCEPTED CARDS: VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER/AMEX - Title is conveyed by quitclaim deed. All properties are sold "AS IS WHERE IS."I live out of state (in Florida), so I am advertising the property as "land" because I can only guarantee the home existed as of the date my fried visited the property which was July 28, 2016. The home is mos...

Price: $ 910 Seller State of Residence: Florida Zip/Postal Code: 71639 Property Address: 606 W Waterman St State/Province: Arkansas Zoning: Residential Type: Homesite, Lot City: Dumas Location: 349**, Port Saint Lucie, Florida

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby Dumas
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/13/2017



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FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

All Stars will return to Lifetime on January 4 with a cast unlike any before it.Lifetime has revealed the identities of the 16 designers -- eight rookies and eight veterans -- who will be competing on the sixth season of All Stars, which premieres Thursday, January 4 at 9PM ET/PT.A "rookie" means a designer only competed on one of the 16 original seasons, while a "veteran" had to compete on one of the show's five previous All Star editions.All of the upcoming All Stars contestants got their start by appearing on the original series as well, so they'll be coming back for a third stint on the franchise.Veteran All Stars contestants for Season 6 will include Anthony Williams from Season 1 and Ken Laurence from Season 5.Guest judges for the new season will include Catherine Zeta-Jones Whoopi Goldberg , Dita Von Teese, Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Rebecca Minkoff, Danielle Brooks Rosie Perez , RuPaul, Kelly Osbourne , Karolina Kurkova, Kasey Musgraves, and 's Nina Garcia and Zac Posen. Alyssa Milano will be reprising her role as host of the series, while regular judges Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman will also be returning for the sixth season of All Stars.In addition, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire magazine, Anne Fulenwider, will be joining All Stars as the designers' mentor.The winner of All Stars' sixth edition will receive a $100,000 grand prize as well as a fashion spread in Marie Claire and a position as contributing editor for one year.The winner will also walk away with a complete sewing studio from Brother Sewing and Embroidery; a trip to London, England; luxurious skincare and makeup from Rodial; and accessories and styling services from Intermix to enhance his or her next collection.Below is the list of Season 6 cast members for All Stars:- Kimberly Goldson from Brooklyn, NY ( Season 9)- Stanley Hudson from Los Angeles, CA ( Season 11)- Amanda Valentine from Nashville, TN ( Season 13)- Char Glover from Los Angeles, CA ( Season 13)- Kelly Dempsey from Boston, MA ( Season 14)- Edmond Newton from Atlanta, GA ( Season 14)- Candice Cuoco from Oakland, CA ( Season 14)- Merline Labissiere from Miami, FL ( Season 14)- Anthony Williams from Atlanta, GA ( Season 7, All Stars Season 1)- Joshua McKinley from New York, NY ( Season 9, All Stars Season 2)- Casanova from New York, NY ( Season 8, All Stars Season 2)- Ari South from Honolulu, HI ( Season 8, All Stars Season 3)- Melissa Fleis from Los Angeles, CA ( Season 10, All Stars Season 3)- Fabio Costa from New York, NY ( Season 10, All Stars Season 4)- Helen Castillo from Weehawken, NJ ( Season 12, All Stars Season 4)- Ken Laurence from Atlanta, GA ( Season 12, All Stars Season 5)
RECOIL and ROBAR Reinvent One of the Coolest Pistols Youve Never Heard of

Photos by Straight 8 and Iain Harrison

[This story first appeared in Concealment #6]

The last several years have seen a veritable blossoming of the concealed-carry pistol market, as well as the culture of self-reliance that comes with it. And we strive to bring you the latest and greatest in carry guns. But sometimes you need to take a look back to move forward. Many of the features that we all consider standard fare for defensive pistols can be traced back more than 30 years to a man, whom most people have never heard of, and the pistols he built, which few have ever seen.

We teamed up with Robar Guns in Phoenix, Arizona, to examine the innovations of this unique gunsmith and pay homage to his pioneering with a 21st century reimagining of his pistol that (we hope) would make him proud.

Sneaky Stuff and a Man Named Paris

The name Paris Theodore is all but obscure gun trivia now, but in the early 1970s he ran a small holster shop in New York known as Seventrees Ltd. His holsters were designed for deep concealment and rapid access. They were known to be popular among undercover police officers and intelligence agents  so popular that he was awarded small contracts by federal agencies whose people specialized in this kind of work.

While gun leather was their primary front, Paris was a dedicated tinkerer and basement engineer. Seventrees had a much smaller sister company known as Armament Services and Procedures, based out of the same office on West 39th St in Manhattan. ASP focused on designing and building clandestine and concealed weapons for several intelligence organizations. If ever there were a real life (American) counterpart to James Bonds quirky techno-nerd Q, Paris Theodore was it. But beyond the mythos of being a super spy gadget guru, Theodore conceived and implemented some cutting-edge handgun improvements that we still consider ideal on a self-defense gun.

The Gun. The Myth. The Legend.

Their most well-known design was a compact 9mm pistol with no name, eventually known simply as The ASP 9mm. The ASP started life as a Smith & Wesson M39 or M39-2. For those unfamiliar, the M39 is a double-action/single-action, single-stack 9mm auto with an aluminum frame and steel slide. It was the first of S&Ws first gen semi-autos and one of the oldest mainstream American-made auto-loading pistols. It saw use by everyone from the Illinois State Police to Navy Special Warfare units. When Paris Theodore started building ASP pistols in the early 70s, it was one of the most widely used duty pistols of the time.

The list of modifications made by Mr. Theodore was extensive. The slide and barrel were both shortened. The barrel was throated and ramped. He replaced the traditional bushing system with a fixed version. All metal parts were coated with Teflon-S.

On the outside, he checkered the front and backstraps of the frame. The side panels were deliberately left smooth to avoid snagging on clothes. Said side panels were made of clear Lexan, offering an instant visual index of your round count. The trigger guard was reshaped to include a hook for the support side index finger, a popular shooting grip at the time. The trigger guard was also thinned out along one side, the shooters dominant side, to facilitate a higher grip.

Both front and rear sights were removed and replaced with a unique sighting system known as the Guttersnipe. This was a U-shaped half pipe coated on the inside with fluorescent paint. The tube narrowed from back to front, channeling the eye toward the target. It was one of the earliest (modern) attempts to create a single focal-plane sighting system for defensive pistols  a feat we now accomplish with micro red-dots. The entire exterior of the pistol thoroughly de-horned and every hard line or sharp edge was melted down to be totally snag free during draw and presentation.

Were willing to bet most of you have at least one or two of these upgrades on your current carry gun. We sure do, and all of us can thank Paris Theodore for pioneering these mission-specific refinements to the contemporary compact autoloader. Its said that less than 500 of the original pistols were built by ASP. An unknown, but equally small number, were produced by a now-defunct company known as Devel. Unable to get our hands on a sample of either for less than a kidney, we decided to update a classic.

The Rest of the Story

Since the original ASP guns were built on Smith & Wesson pistols, we went straight to the source. Luckily, we didnt have to cut down a full-size duty pistol since S&W already makes a very popular compact single-stack nine. Their M&P Shield is one of the most recognizable concealed carry pistols on the market today, enjoying a hefty helping of aftermarket support. The folks at S&W were kind enough to send us one to have our way with. Then the wizards at Robar Guns gave us a hand with the labor. Heres what we asked them to do:

> Enhance texturing around the frame

> Undercut the trigger guard

> Mill slide and install Shield SRS sight

> Install Apex action enhancement kit with flat-faced trigger

> Cut channels in the grip and install Lexan inserts

> Skeletonize magazines to make rounds visible through Lexan

> De-horn pistol

> Refinish slide and internals in lowfriction Rogard and NP3 finishes.

After all that, we slapped on a Streamlight TLR-6 subcompact weapon light. While the original ASP lacked a light, we believe it was only due to technology lag. Considering that the pistols were hand built for personnel doing good work in bad places all over the globe  if they could have had a light on board, they would have. The TLR-6 offers 100 lumens. Some might turn their noses up at a measly 100 lumens in this age of 1,000-lumen light sabers, but the TLR-6 fills an important niche of providing illumination on guns that are too small for such super lights. Streamlights offering also adds no length or width to the original dimensions of its host gun. Not to mention that given the choice, wed rather have 100 lumens than fight in the dark.

The result is a pistol that includes almost all the features of an original ASP with modern conveniences like a polymer frame and electronic optics. Nano-sized red-dots on pistols are the natural evolution of the guttersnipe  both are single focal-plane sights that draw the eye with bright color and allow you to focus on the target rather than the sight. As a bonus feature, the UK-made SRS sight includes an integral rear sight that co-witnesses perfectly with the OEM Shield front sight. That means with this particular setup theres no need to use a suppressor-height front sight. This maintains the lowest possible profile and keeps your viewing window free of garish sight posts sticking up under the dot. Out of the box, the M&P Shield comes with one 8-round extended magazine and one 7-round flush-fit magazine. We improved the flush-fit with the addition of a Strike Industries +2 baseplate. This combination gives the end user a total of 17 rounds in a package thats very low profile while still being comfortable to shoot and chock full of all the modern amenities that any secret agent could ask for.

The Full Package

The original ASP pistols came with a custom leather holster and mag pouch. That design is still available through Milt Sparks. But in keeping with our theme of modernization, we decided to go the Kydex route. While there are plenty of holster solutions for the M&P Shield, there arent any that accommodate a Shield with TLR-6 light attached. At least, not any that we liked. So we visited our friends at We Plead The 2nd and asked for a lowvis Kydex sheath for our super-spook project pistol. They delivered in force with a squat, flat holster in Gray man gray thats both low profile and comfortable. Their original design had to be slightly modified to accommodate the slide-mounted red-dot. But this proved to be no obstacle, and after a little alteration work in a gun store parking lot, we were off and running. This wasnt our first

encounter with WPT2 and likely wont be our last. Their service is quick and craftsmanship top notch. Our holster featured a single-wide clip and adjustable retention. A loose Tshirt made the ASP 2.0 hard to spot. A cover shirt or light jacket made it practically invisible.

Of course, this fancy project isnt worth the polymer its molded with if it cant actually perform. Fortunately, the Shield is a market-proven design that demonstrated both reliability and accuracy. While its light frame and short barrel will forever prevent it from achieving tack driver status, we were able to print sub 2-inch groups as far as 15 yards thanks to the red-dot and crisp Apex trigger kit. The trigger seemed to dance back and forth on either side of the 5-pound mark, gauged by a Lyman digital. Theres no over-travel, thanks to a small stop

molded into the trigger guard. While wed love a slightly lighter trigger, the Apex bang switch breaks crisp with a loud snappy reset. Thats plenty good enough for us and miles beyond the average OEM striker trigger.

We ran a proper gamut of duty-worthy JHPs including SIGs 115-grain V-Crown and three versions of Federals HST: 124-grain standard, 147-grain +P, and their ultra-heavy 150-grain standard, specially crafted for sub-3-inch barrels. While this homage to firearms history is currently a RECOIL one-off, ROBAR is ready and willing to do all of this work to your pistol. The full package, as shown here, runs in the $1,100 range. Not inexpensive. But the value added is undeniable, and were sure ROBAR would be willing to scale back the package based on your budget and priorities. Not only do these upgrades enhance the capabilities of your carry gun, they also pay tribute to a pioneer of combat pistol innovation. If you decide you just gotta have it, reach out to ROBAR and ask for the ASP 2.0 package. Dont forget to tell them you saw it in RECOIL.
'Our stable outlook currently points to the fact that the ratings are likely to remain stable for the next couple of years.'

Vulnerabilities on account of low gross domestic product per capita and high government debt counterbalance the robust GDP growth, S&P Global Ratings Director Ravi Bhatia, bottom, left, tells Dilasha Seth.

The S&P report forecasts robust economic growth, rise in forex reserves with limited fiscal risks. Yet, the rating has been maintained at BBB- with a stable outlook. Why?

The ratings on India reflect the country's strong gross domestic product growth, sound external profile, and improving monetary credibility.

India's strong democratic institutions also support the ratings.

This is counterbalanced by vulnerabilities stemming from the country's low GDP per capita and relatively high net (net of liquid assets) general government debt stock.

Do you see scope for a ratings upgrade next year or the year after?

Our stable outlook currently points to the fact that the ratings are likely to remain stable for the next couple of years.

What more reforms do you expect from the government to merit a ratings upgrade?

India's reform momentum has been quite strong and has broadly assisted the growth story, barring some relatively short-term implementation problems.

With the government in a seemingly difficult fiscal position, should it slow the fiscal glide path, as indicated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his address in Singapore recently?

We don't give policy advice, for example on whether to embark on a fiscal stimulus, etc.

What impact do you foresee on India's fiscal deficit due to GST?

Although there are some short-term implementation issues, over time, GST should help widen the tax net and increase government revenues.

We have to see where the tax bands will settle.

Are you suggesting in the report that there is a strong case of the Bharatiya Janata Party winning the Gujarat elections?

No comment on Gujarat specifically. But, overall, we view India's democratic federal institutional framework as quite strong, with sound checks and balances.

Do you think the NPA (non-performing asset) problem will be resolved after the bank recapitalisation programme?

The plan should assist the NPA problem. I am not sure it will be resolved.

Do you expect private investment to revive in the coming year?

The bank recapitalisation plan should help somewhat, but on the demand side, demand for credit remains lax.

The current GST structure has been criticised for being far removed from what was conceived. Do you think the efficiency gains everyone hopes for will materialise?

In the medium term, it should provide some gains to both GDP and the tax take; the size of its overall impact remains unclear.

Was the government kept in the loop about the ratings before the official release?

We conduct meetings on an ongoing and routine basis with rated issuers, including discussions at several levels with the governments we rate, such as India.

We do not comment on these discussions.

Photograph: Krishnendu Halder/Reuters
The airline would offer Re 1 ticket to a few passengers through a lucky draw as part of its promotional campaign.

After much delay due to airport slot constraints, Captain Gopinaths Air Deccan is set to relaunch operations with its first flight under the government's Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme on December 23.

Air Deccan, which was Indias first domestic budget airline, will initially start operations from four cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Shillong - and connect its passengers to smaller cities.

Tickets can be booked on the airlines website from Thursday.

The common man takes to the skies again, read the slogan of the airline in a newspaper advertisement on Wednesday.

The airline also said it would offer Re 1 ticket to a few passengers through a lucky draw as part of its promotional campaign.

Air Deccan transformed the business of Indian aviation in 2003 by establishing air links to small towns with fares as low as Rs 700. It also pioneered the Re 1 fare.

People remember us for the Re 1 fare, but there were many other innovations. We were the first to introduce e-ticketing in India and thus put the ticket inventory directly in the customers hands, Gopinath had earlier told Business Standard.

The company was founded in 2003 by Gopinath and merged with Kingfisher Airlines in 2008. Later, it was rebranded Kingfisher Red. The companys operations were stopped due to financial problems in 2012.

The Udan scheme aims to connect small towns, offering fares as low as Rs 2,500 for a one-hour flight. Air Deccan will also operate daily return flights between Nashik and Pune, and Mumbai and Jalgaon.

The airlines plans of starting operations slowed down due to Delhi and Mumbai airport authorities not offering it slots.

As these planes do not need to pay a fee, they do not provide profits to these airports.

It was only after several requests were made to the aviation ministry that Gopinath got the necessary slots.

Photograph: Kind courtesy, Daniel Murzello/Wikimedia Commons
Madhur Jaffrey made Indian food a household name in the UK; Atul Kochhar's restaurants made it gourmet in UK and beyond.

Neeta Lal meets the Indian chef with two Michelin stars to his credit.

Chef Atul Kochhar, the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, at his Benares restaurant in Mayfair, London.

Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters.

Like the man, his restaurant too, is understated.

I'm at Benares Restaurant & Bar, on 12a Berkeley Square House in London's spiffy Mayfair, which won its India-born, British-based owner-chef Atul Kochhar his second Michelin star in 2007.

Handcrafted furniture, water features and glowing lamps populate the 80-seater discreetly. An elegant bar occupies a sizeable section of the eatery. Waiters bustle about. Fragrant masala chai soon materialises at my table.

As I sip the brew, the man saunters in. "Hi, I'm Atul!" says Kochhar, pulling up a chair across from me.

He is a two-Michelin-star chef, presiding over a culinary empire of 15 restaurants across three continents, but fame sits lightly on the chef-entrepreneur. He's soft-spoken and charming, urging me to try at least one meal at Benares.

When I apologetically mutter "very busy, next time", he actually looks disappointed. He nevertheless gifts me a signed copy of his bestselling cookbook Benares, which contains 80 recipes from his acclaimed restaurant.

Kochhar's journey -- from shy Jamshedpur boy to chef of global acclaim -- is a classic tale of hard work and ambition rewarded with achievement.

"My grandfather was a baker and my father had a small catering business, so I was surrounded by food and grew up experimenting with it! When my friends were scrambling to become engineers and doctors, I opted for hotel management and, luckily, my father supported my ambition."

Kochhar's career kicked off in 1993 at The Oberoi New Delhi, where as a sous chef, he helmed a team of 18.

Working with iconic restaurants like Kandahar, Baan Thai and La Rochelle taught him the nuts and bolts of running a fine-dining kitchen.

Chef Kochhar at the British Curry Awards.

On Rediff Books: Atul's Curries of the World

Photograph: Alan Davidson/WPA Pool/Getty Images.

This propelled his shift to London in the late 1990s where he was hired for Tamarind, an already established Indian cuisine restaurant.

Kochhar introduced a quirky new menu at Tamarind, which soon had London's chi-chi set eating out of his hands, so to speak. The food redefined the perception of Indian cooking in Britain.

Kochhar was invited to meet the Queen and cook for Prince Charles at St James' Palace. Effusive praise from pernickety food critics like Tom Parker Bowles did not hurt either. 'Kochhar is not only one of the pioneers of high-end Indian food... but he's also the grandmaster of spice, more magician than mere cook... He does things to the taste buds that make them blush with lusty delight,' wrote Bowles.

In 2001, Kochhar became the first Indian chef to bag a Michelin star as Tamarind's head chef.

In 2002, he struck out on his own with Benares.

The restaurant received a Michelin star in 2007 and has retained it since.

The chef has since constantly expanded his business interests, combining his understanding of the mercurial F&B market with a knowledge of customer tastes.

In 2012, he launched India Essence, a neighbourhood restaurant in Kent, followed by fine-dining restaurants in Mauritius and Dubai.

In November 2014, he launched Sindhu in Marlow (Buckinghamshire).

Benares Madrid made its debut in September 2015; NRI (Not Really Indian) and LIMA in Mumbai in 2016; and, earlier this year, Hawkyns Bar and Restaurant, Amersham.

Chef Kochhar at NRI, one of his restaurants in Mumbai's posh Bandra Kurla Complex.

He says, 'Since my main area of focus is modern Indian cuisine, I ensure that I visit the country at least once every quarter.'

Did you know? NRI is one of the best places in India to have chai!

Photograph: @chefatulkochhar/Instagram.

With so many restaurants to manage across diverse geographies, how does Kochhar ensure that his food remains exciting?

"Since my main area of focus is modern Indian cuisine, I ensure that I visit the country at least once every quarter. My travels around India and the world have helped me deconstruct traditional Indian dishes to improve and modernise them, whilst retaining the original flavours that made them so enticing in the first place."

Whenever he travels, Kochhar says he also makes it a point to scour the local markets for new ingredients.

"I also try to eat with local chefs and take notes when I see something new or a cooking technique that intrigues me. I was taught at the Oberoi School that one should learn everything about ingredients, and that if I did that, my food would always connect with people. So, you could call me a lifelong researcher of new ingredients," he explains.

In a cut-throat industry, does he feel the pressure to retain his Michelin stars?

"I've always cooked for my customers and only incorporated dishes that I wanted to cook. If I were to change my style of cooking just to please the Michelin inspectors or for fearing of losing my stars, then I won't be doing justice to my craft," shrugs the 48-year-old author of six cookbooks.

Chef Kochhar in Antarctica. He has curated a special menu for an Antarctica expedition with a luxury cruise liner. Dishes like Prawn Sukka, Peas Pulao, Chicory Apple Salad, Murg Malai Tikka, Heirloom Tomato Salad and Garlic Chutney are on offer.

Photograph: @chefatulkochhar/Instagram.

His perspective on food has also been shaped by a finicky father.

"During my early days at Tamarind," recalls Kochhar, "my dad visited and asked me to cook a three-course meal. So, I made goat curry, bhaji and dal. But he wasn't happy. When I asked him why, he said: "Where's India on your plate? I can't see it. All I see are these distinctly northern Indian dishes with no representation from your rich and diverse country!'"

The rebuke marked a turning point in Kochhar's career. It made him reflect on his approach to food, making him more mindful of his environment.

Driven to get a better understanding of seafood, for instance, Kochhar signed up with a fishing company in Scotland as an intern.

"I learnt fishing, line dredging and how to catch crabs. I'd get up at 5am to go out with the fishermen into the stormy North Sea to look for fresh sea produce and then cook it in the kitchen. It made me look at seafood with new eyes."

Over the years, Kochhar has carved a formidable name for himself as a culinary entrepreneur.

Last year, he opened two eateries in Mumbai's new culinary epicentre, the Bandra Kurla Complex.

Recalls Kochhar, "I'd always dreamed of doing this. It needn't have been a money-making venture, but just the idea of taking restaurants back to India excited me."

Thus were launched NRI and Lima.

NRI showcases Indian recipes that travelled abroad decades ago and were reinterpreted locally. "Examples of such food are found in the Caribbean, Malaysia and the UK where dishes identified as "Indian" would be goat curry, murtabak bread or chicken tikka masala."

On Lima, he says: "I wanted to bring a new cuisine to Mumbai and we're proud to be the first to introduce that to India with Lima. Everything from our ceviche to empanadas are authentic."

When not busy with one of his various projects, Kochhar enjoys spending time with his wife Deepti and their two children, Arjun and Amisha.

Photograph: @chefatulkochhar/Instagram.

Kochhar's prolific oeuvre also includes numerous TV appearances -- on The Great British Menu, MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen and Sunday Brunch.

When not busy with one of his various projects, the chef enjoys spending time at home in London with his wife Deepti and their two young children, Arjun and Amisha.

The chef is also busy curating a special menu for an Antarctica expedition with a luxury cruise liner. This month, about 200 travellers are embarking on an 11-day voyage, enjoying exotic fare put together by Kochhar.

Dishes like Prawn Sukka, Peas Pulao, Chicory Apple Salad, Murg Malai Tikka, Heirloom Tomato Salad and Garlic Chutney will be on offer.

"We want to offer vegetarians the same culinary journey of flavours with dishes like Vegetable Jalfrezi, bite-sized Vegetable Dim Sum and delicately spiced Vegetable Parcels."

Typically, the master of spices has every nuance in place to please the palate. Nearly anywhere in the world.
Syed Firdaus Ashraf on the futility of the 'Who is a Hindu?' debate.

Some people are young and immature, and grow up later in life.

Some people refuse to grow up -- and I fall in this category I feel.

In the 1990s when India was engulfed in communal riots, my friends and I had no idea what was happening around us.

We only knew some basic facts -- that there was a mosque in Ayodhya called the Babri Masjid at the spot which Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani claimed was the Ram Janambhoomi and that mosque needed to be demolished and a grand Ram temple must be built at that very spot.

In fact, I must give Advani credit for lending a new word to the current political lexicon of the time -- 'disputed structure' or vivadit dhancha in Hindi, and of course, 'pseudo-seculars' which covered most of India's liberals.

A popular slogan which Advani and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad coined then was 'Garv se Kaho, Hum Hindu Hain' (Proclaim proudly that we are Hindus).

Stickers bearing this slogan were pasted on many BJP supporters' homes as well as public transport, walls, etc.

My friends and I, who believed in only one religion -- humanity -- and were above the Hindu-Muslim tag, wanted to do something about it.

We felt we needed to counter this campaign and someone gave us an idea how to go about it.

I had completely forgotten this chapter in my life till I saw how Rahul Gandhi was more than eager to claim that he was a Hindu, and his party seeming to take pride that he was in fact a 'janeu-dhari' (one who wears a sacred thread) Hindu.

Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Somnath temple in Gujarat got mired in a controversy after his name was found entered in the register for non-Hindus along with Ahmed Patel's, with the Congress calling the register entry 'fake' and the BJP insisting that Rahul had declared his faith before the people.

Television anchor Arnab Goswami, who does not find the time to discuss real issues which the nation wants to know about -- issues like the state of India's economy, unemployment, farmer suicides -- latched on to this episode asking #RahulHinduorCatholic.

I wondered why Shri Goswami was wasting his and his channel's viewers' time on such a debate when even the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik had admitted he was a Hindu.

On a video floating about on Youtube, Naik says, 'Hindu by definition is a man who lives beyond the Sindhu river. So people who live in India which is beyond the Indus river are Hindus.'

'The word Hindu was first used by Persians and Arabs when they came to India,' Naik goes on to say. 'They also gave the word "Hindi". When I go to Saudi Arabia they call me 'Hindi', a person coming from India. So, I am a Hindu by geographical definition.'

Naik then quotes from Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of India, stating, 'The word Hindu does not occur at all in our ancient literature. The first reference to it in an Indian book is, I am told, in a tantrik work of the 8th century AD where 'Hindu' means a people and not the followers of a particular religion.'

British commentators, Naik adds, started using the word 'Hindus' since 1830.

'Hindu is an English word and the right word must be Sanatan Dharma or Vedic Dharma, the religion of the Vedas,' Naik says in the video.

Naik also quotes Swami Vivekananda and says the sage too claimed that Hindu is not the right word. In fact, Vedantist is the right word as they were followers of the Vedas.

In Discovery of India Nehru writes about Yijing or I-tsing's visit to India: 'The famous Chinese pilgrim I-tsing, who came to India in the seventh century AD, writes in his record of travels that the 'northern tribes', that is the people of Central Asia, called India 'Hindu' (Hsin-tu) but, he adds, "This is not at all a common name . .. and the most suitable name for India is Noble Land (Aryadesha)".'

'The use of the word "Hindu" in connection with a particular religion is of very late occurrence, Nehru points out.

'The old inclusive term for religion in India was Arya Dharma,' Nehru writes further. 'Dharma really means something more than religion. It is from a root word which means to hold together; it is the inmost constitution of a thing, the law of its inner being.'

'It is an ethical concept which includes the moral code, righteousness, and the whole range of man's duties and responsibilities.'

'Arya dharma would include all the faiths (Vedic and non-Vedic) that originated in India; it was used by Buddhists and Jains as well as by those who accepted the Vedas. Buddha always called his way to salvation the 'Aryan Path,' Nehru explains.

So when BJP President Amit Shah issues a clarification that he is not a Jain but a Hindu, he need not do so because he too is a Hindu -- like Zakir Naik -- irrespective of whether he is a Jain or a follower of Arya Dharma.

Quoting Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Nehru writes, 'If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after truth through non-violent means. A man may not believe in God and still call himself a Hindu. Hinduism is a relentless pursuit after truth. .. Hinduism is the religion of truth. Truth is God.'

On Christians and Muslims, Nehru writes, 'A Christian or a Moslem could, and often did, adapt himself to the Indian way of life and culture, and yet remained in faith an orthodox Christian or Moslem. He had Indianised himself and become an Indian without changing his religion.'

'The correct word for 'Indian', as applied to country or culture or the historical continuity of our varying traditions, is 'Hindi', from 'Hind', a shortened form of Hindustan,' Nwhru points out.

'Hind is still commonly used for India. In the countries of Western Asia, in Iran and Turkey, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, and elsewhere, India has always been referred to, and is still called Hind; and everything Indian is called 'Hindi'.'

'Hindi' has nothing to do with religion, and a Moslem or Christian Indian is as much a Hindi as a person who follows Hinduism as a religion. Americans who call all Indians Hindus are not far wrong; they would be perfectly correct if they used the word "Hindi".'

Which brings me back to the idea that my friends and I were given to counter the Garv Se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain campaign.

Which was to make our own stickers proclaiming Prem Se Kaho Hum Insaan Hain (Proclaim with love that we are human) in our homes.

Some people believe in humanity and refuse to grow up. Obviously I am one of them.

IMAGE: Devotees take a dip in the Godavari river during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
'When you start delving deeper into these disappearances, you have to face the question: Was it a policy at the State level?'

'It surely couldn't have been random officers acting on their own.'

'Was it planned? What does it mean if the State allows its police to become lawless and act with impunity?'

'Perhaps the NHRC, for the 21 years that it has been seized of the matter, avoided these questions.'



IMAGE: A family member with a photograph of a person who went missing in Punjab during the troubled years. Photograph: Kind courtesy Punjab Disappeared.org

Last week, the Punjab Documentation and Advocacy Project, which has for the last seven years, been documenting cases of disappearances, fake encounters and mass cremations in the state during the Khalistan movement of the 1980s and early 1990s, released its findings in Chandigarh.

The report, Identifying the Unidentified, presents 8,257 cases from all 22 districts of Punjab.

The Punjab Documentation and Advocacy Project plans to present its findings to the Supreme Court and ask for a commission to examine and act on them.

There is already a case pending in the Supreme Court on mass cremations in Punjab during the same period.

Satnam Singh Bains -- a lawyer at the Punjab Documentation and Advocacy Project, below, left -- tells Jyoti Punwani why his organisation is once again approaching the Supreme Court.

This matter of disappearances in Punjab has already been handled by the Supreme Court, the National Human Rights Commission and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Why you are again approaching the Supreme Court?

A lot of work has already been done by human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra as well as other human rights groups on the matter of disappearances. (Khalra first unearthed mass cremations in three districts of Amritsar; he himself 'disappeared' in 1995. In 2007, the Punjab high court upheld the conviction of five policemen for his abduction and murder.)

Though the Supreme Court gave the NHRC a wide mandate to investigate all disappearances, and over 4,000 claims were filed before it which provide credible evidence of what happened, the NHRC restricted itself to only three crematoria in Amritsar.

It said going beyond that would make the case 'too expansive'!

That's why we decided, seven years ago, that we must record as much as we can and attempt to re-dress one of the largest miscarriages of justice in Independent India.

During 18 years of hearings, not once did the NHRC hear testimonies or depositions from any of the families or their lawyers. It relied entirely on reports sent to it by the Punjab police.

All it recommended was compensation to some of the affected families. It did not go into why their family members were illegally cremated by the police or the circumstances in which they died.

Even in the 194 cases where the police admitted that those killed had been in their custody, the NHRC didn't recommend prosecution.

It accepted the police version that these 'militants' had fired on them and had been killed in retaliatory firing or had 'escaped'.

Even in the 2% of cases in which the CBI filed chargesheets, saying that the encounters were staged, the Punjab police still maintained before the NHRC that the encounters were real and compensation should be denied.

How do you explain this? The NHRC played a very active role in getting justice for Gujarat's 2002 riot victims.

When you start delving deeper into these disappearances, you have to face the question: Was it a policy at the State level?

It surely couldn't have been random officers acting on their own.

Was it planned? What does it mean if the State allows its police to become lawless and act with impunity?

Perhaps the NHRC, for the 21 years that it has been seized of the matter, avoided these questions.

In these years, the retired judges heading or working at the NHRC who dealt with the case include former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the high courts: Justices M N Venkatachaliah, A S Anand, V S Malimath and Y Bhaskar Rao.

In the Supreme Court's judgment in the Manipur fake encounters case (delivered in July), there has been strident criticism of the NHRC. It has been described as a 'toothless tiger'.

At last, the Supreme Court is repeating what human rights activists have been saying about the NHRC's functioning for nearly two decades.

What about the CBI?

The CBI chose just 35 cases to prosecute out of 2,037 that it had unearthed in its investigation ordered by the Supreme Court!

Its findings were given in a sealed cover to the Supreme Court, and despite many senior lawyers asking that they be made public, they remain a secret.

These cases were chargesheeted, but have been left to linger without reaching the trial stage, probably in the hope that if they die a natural death, the victims will give up.

Tell us about your seven-year investigation.

We were informed that the worst affected districts were the border districts of Gurdaspur and Ferozepur, so naturally we started there, and managed to document several hundred cases.

Batala city's municipal cremation ground (in Gurdaspur) was the scene of mass secret cremations.

Our findings in Gurdaspur reveal the same pattern as Khalra's in Amritsar. We then widened our inquiry to other districts.

The vast majority of the 8,257 cases are unreported instances.

Significant numbers were not cremated, their bodies were thrown into rivers.

How can you say that? Were there eyewitnesses who saw these bodies being thrown into rivers?

A former police officer Satwant Singh Manak, who spoke at our press conference, has said he was eyewitness to 15 fake encounters. He described how after shooting the person dead, his colleagues would slit their stomachs and throw the bodies into the river.

It has been more than 30 years since these disappearances took place. Do the victims want to pursue the cases?

Many people told us when we began this documentation work seven years ago that nobody would be prepared to talk to us, that people have forgotten.

However, 95% of the victims told us that nobody had ever approached them. They had got no closure or redress.

700 persons turned up at the hearing of the Independent People's Tribunal on disappearances held in Amritsar in April this year. They obviously need a forum.

More importantly, they need the truth and should be told the fate of their loved ones.

In most of the cases, the breadwinners disappeared. Their parents were in their 40s then, now they are in their 70s. They need even more help now than they did then.

The children of those who disappeared have grown up, but are finding it difficult to get any government help without their father's death certificate. Inheritance of agricultural land also needs proof that you are the heir.

Punjab has a package for those killed by militants. We want the same package to be extended to those killed by security forces while they were in their custody, and those killed in fake encounters.

Is there evidence still, after so many years?

There is a considerable volume of data. The tragedy is that it has never been tried and tested before the courts.

In any event, families and village elders remember even today when their men were picked up, and by which police officers. They are willing to testify.

In fact, there is a high profile case of one Chaman Lal whose dying wish was to testify before a magistrate or a judicial commission about his son's abduction.

But the Punjab police got repeated stays in his case which dragged on for 20 years. Unfortunately, he died last year.

Punjab's former police chief K P S Gill also died this year. Was he ever named by anyone for these disappearances?

Well, his name has been mentioned in the Jaswant Singh Khalra case. But the CBI took no initiative to investigate him or his role. Nor did the NHRC, though most of the disappearances happened under his tenure.

Gill was the director general of police from 1988 to 1990 and then from 1991 to 1995. Our findings show a peak in mass cremations between 1991 and 1993.

The NHRC recorded 600 fake police encounters across the country from 2004 to 2014.

According to government figures, nearly 600 fake encounter cases were registered within a period of four years, 2009 to 2013.

The figures for Punjab for two months were 236 in June 1992 and 234 in July 1992!

Has no government done anything all these years?

Neither the Akali Dal nor the Congress did anything, though the Akalis had included in their 1997 manifesto that they would establish a commission of enquiry into enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings.

Perhaps one reason why we got such response from the affected families is because we have no political affiliations.

We simply want that they get justice and compensation.

We are not doing this to rake up old wounds.

You have asked for a judicial commission. But you know the commission's recommendations are not binding.

We want the Supreme Court to set up an independent judicial commission with enforceable powers, an understanding that its recommendations will be binding.

We don't want another commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, which will take years to bring out a report and then its report will be ignored.

These victims need immediate relief in the form of death certificates as well as compensation and rehabilitation.

Some of the deaths cited in the Manipur fake encounters case had taken place in the 1970s -- almost 50 years back. The Supreme Court has given some positive indication in that matter which gives us hope.

(In response to a PIL, the Supreme Court had directed a probe into fake encounters in Manipur, including those by the army, saying that the use of 'excessive and retaliatory force' was not permissible in 'disturbed areas' under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, and that 'democracy would be in grave danger' if citizens were killed merely on suspicion that they were enemies of the State.)

We feel now is the time to seize the initiative and approach the court.

Its order in this case will help citizens in areas such as Chhattisgarh, Kashmir, the North East, where security forces are acting with impunity.

At any rate, what other option do we have?

You have found evidence of more than 8,000 illegal killings. That is a big figure. There must be a fallout of that, a lot of anger and resentment among the victims' families?

We haven't found that at all.

For one thing, since both political parties have refused to act on this issue, there is no political blame game. Otherwise, one party would have raised the issue.

The Aam Aadmi Party's Bhagwant Mann did raise it in Parliament, but the party is not in power.

As for the victims -- like poor, marginalised, people everywhere in our country who have been broken by the system -- they are at a stage where they don't have any hope.

That burning desire for revenge is just not there. But the desire for justice is.
All you need to know about the Winter session of Parliament.

Parliament begins its Winter Session on December 15 and research has thrown up some very startling figures.

Other than the fact that the Winter Session was delayed to accommodate the Gujarat assembly election, in terms of the number of its sittings, 2017 is all set to go down in history as possibly the worst year ever for Parliament.

Data provided by PRS Legislative Research shows that so far in 2017, Parliament has assembled for a paltry 48 days; add the nine days in December that Parliament will function in a truncated Winter Session and the total rises to just 57.

In 2016, Parliament saw 70 sittings and in 2015 it saw 72.

In 2000, Lok Sabha was in session for as many as 85 days.

In fact, in the last 10 years, the lower House has met for an average of 70 days a year.

The chart shows the number of Lok Sabha sittings Parliament has witnessed since 1999.

Plan for 2017's Winter session

As many as 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including a bill providing Muslim women the right to seek maintenance in case of triple talaq, are expected to be placed during the Winter Session.

The session -- which will have 14 sittings -- will end on January 5.

According to the think-tank PRS Legislative Research, some of the bills listed for consideration and passage at the session include the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016; the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013; and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016.

The Surrogacy Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy and allows its altruistic form. It also specifies criteria for the intending couple and a surrogate mother, PRS Legislative Research said.

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 proposes to make giving a bribe an offence and modifies the definition of 'taking a bribe' and requires prior sanction to investigate officials, PRS Legislative Research pointed out.

The Transgender Bill, on the other hand, defines a transgender person, prohibits discrimination against the community and prescribes penalties for certain offences.

The new bills listed for introduction and passage include the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017; the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill, 2017 and the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States_Amendment Bill), 2017.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill gives women from the community the right to seek maintenance from their husbands in case of triple talaq while the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017 prohibits certain persons, including promoters of defaulter companies, from submitting a resolution plan, PRS added.

New faces in Rajya Sabha

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit A Shah will join Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the front row of the Treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha.

With Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu in the chairman's seat in the Upper House of Parliament, the front row position he occupied will now be taken by Shah who will sit on the other side of the aisle from Modi and Jaitley, the BJP's Leader of the House.

The Opposition's ranks will be weakened with the absence of three vocal members -- now- expelled-from-the-Janata-Dal-United-and-disqualified-by-Naidu Sharad Yadav, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Bahujan Samaj Party Supremo Mayawati.

With the JD-U joining the NDA, its members will move from the Opposition to the Treasury benches.

Yechury's front row seat will be taken by fellow comrade T K Rangarajan.

Mayawati had resigned from Parliament in a huff during its last session, complaining that her voice was being muzzled.

After her resignation, her seat was occupied by senior BSP leader Satish Mishra.

Inputs: Press Trust of India
The bitter Gujarat poll campaign is set to cast its shadow over Parliament's winter session starting on Friday with the Congress on Thursday insisting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology for his claim that his predecessor Manmohan Singh colluded with Pakistan to influence the election.

Congress leaders raised the issue at an all party meeting held on the session eve during which Modi, who joined the deliberations later, sought Opposition parties' cooperation for a meaningful session and also asked them to evolve a consensus on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar later told reporters that the government was willing to debate all issues raised by the Opposition and added that the latter should also help it in conducting its business, including passage of key bills.

The government is expected to table 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including a bill providing Muslim women the right to seek maintenance in case of triple talaq.

Another key bill will be granting constitutional status to the backward castes commission. The bill was stalled in the Rajya Sabha by the Opposition in the last session.

With both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha likely to be adjourned on Friday till Monday after paying tributes to their members who passed away during the inter-session period, the results of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh poll results could have a bearing on the session.

The results are scheduled to be announced on Monday.

A respectable performance by the Congress will energise opposition ranks and embolden it in its fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party, which may be left dispirited by any poor show in Modi's and its chief Amit Shah's home turf.

However, a favourable outcome for the BJP will blunt whatever strategy its rival may plan against it in Parliament and encourage the saffron party to turn the heat on the Congress and other opposition parties.

Congress leaders, however, insisted that they will corner the government over a host of issues 'irrespective' of the results.

Its leader in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that his party will raise the issue of Modi's attack on Singh besides the short tenure of the session which will have 14 sittings.

The winter session in 2016 had 21 work days.

"We will be satisfied with nothing short of an apology," his Rajya Sabha colleague Anand Sharma told reporters after the all party meeting.

Azad said the government should either show evidence to support Modi's charge against Singh or action should be taken against the prime minister for levelling false allegations.

The Congress had spoken to other opposition parties over the issue as well, he said.

Kumar parried queries on the demand made by the Congress and insisted that the government was willing to debate all matters raised by opposition parties.

"Running House is their (opposition) responsibility too," he said.

"We have appealed for their cooperation. Parliament's productivity has risen in the last three-and-a-half years and it should continue," he said.

Opposition members, who outnumber the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Rajya Sabha, may also find the going harder for them in the Upper House as its Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has made his displeasure clear with raucous protests it often witnesses.

Naidu will preside over the Rajya Sabha for the first time after being elected as Vice President in August.

He had recently pitched for 'automatic suspension' of members who rush to the well of the House to disrupt proceedings and said their names should be put in the public domain.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and other leaders after an all-party meeting on the eve of the commencement of the winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/ PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote after waiting in a queue to exercise his right at a polling booth set up at a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

IMAGE: Just like any other aam aadmi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood in a queue to cast his vote in the Ranip locality of Sabarmati. Photograph: @BJP4India/Twitter

After casting the vote at the Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of Modi Modi.

The prime minister walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waived to the crowd.

IMAGE: After casting his vote, PM Modi flashed his inked finger to the crowds amid chants of 'Modi, Modi'. Photograph: @BJP4India/Twitter

Earlier in the morning, Modi commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy in Mumbai and from there he flew to Gujarat to cast his vote.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat assembly elections is underway on Thursday in 93 seats in north and central Gujarat.

IMAGE: The PM arrived in Ahmedabad after commissioning the INS Kalvari, a submarine, in Mumbai. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

The election is being seen as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The votes will be counted on December 18.

IMAGE: Showing off his inked finger, Modi took a small walk around the area, waving to his supporters. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE
Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was facing a 'crisis of credibility' and had stopped talking about corruption.

Gandhi, who was on his first visit to Kerala after being elected as the Congress president, was also unsparing of Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah.

At a meeting of party workers, he asked the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist to make its stand clear on its fight against the BJP and 'fascist forces' in the country.

The Congress leader, who was on a day's visit in Thiruvananthapuram, alleged that the prime minister had 'unilaterally' cancelled the Rafale fighter jet deal with France that was decided during the United Progressive Alliance government.

"India is no longer going to buy 136 fighter planes and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will no longer be the contractor. But the contractor now is going to be a businessman close to the prime minister," Gandhi alleged.

Claiming that Modi had stopped mentioning the word 'corruption' now, Gandhi said, "The Congress had showed the country what BJP chief Amit Shah's son had done."

He attacked the Modi government over demonetisation and goods and services tax and said the country's economy was badly hit by the two decisions.

Gandhi, who arrived in Thiruvanthapuram after a hectic electioneering in Gujarat, said his party had fought an 'extremely aggressive election' in the state.

"At every level, the prime minister tried to distract the people of Gujarat," he alleged.

"Three years after he came to power, the prime minister is facing a crisis of credibility. People listen to his speeches, but no longer believe in what he says," he said.

He also said that the prime minister had failed to live up to his promise to create two crore jobs every year.

The prime minister had also challenged China's dominance in manufacturing, Gandhi said.

"However, today the truth was out. We asked the government some time back how many jobs have been created under the Make-in-India, Startup India and connect India programmes," he said.

While China creates 50,000 jobs in 24 hours, a minister replied in Parliament that 450 jobs were created in India in 24 hours, the congress leader said.

Just like the Kerala government had lost the faith of people, the government of India under Narendra Modi had also lost the faith of the people, he said.

Attacking the CPI-M, Gandhi said, "I want to ask my friends in the CPI-M whether they actually want to fight the fascist forces in the country."

"It is very important that they make their position clear at the national level because not standing against the BJP means supporting the saffron party," he said.

He was addressing congress workers at the formal valedictory function of the one month long 'Padayorukkam' rally led by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram.

IMAGE: Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi listens to a woman as he meets with the families of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi in Kanyakumari on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo
'I'm not withdrawing any allegations. I want those CDRs (Peter's call data records).'

'Those are my feelings.'

Savera R Someshwar reports from the Sheena Bora murder trial.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Shyamvar Pinturam Rai may have learnt a new phrase in court on December 14, in what will probably be his penultimate appearance in the Sheena Bora murder trial.

It has been 28 months since he was chased down and arrested by the Mumbai police on Carter Road, a popular hangout spot in north west Mumbai for youngsters, much-in-love couples and home to extremely expensive apartments, and according to the chargesheet, found to possessing a 7.65 bore country-made pistol, three live cartridges and a magazine.

It has been over 19 months since the CBI filed its reply in court, saying it had no objection to Rai turning approver in the case.

Over four-and-a-half months since he first took the stand and, in a chillingly deadpan tone, testified to how a 25-year-old woman had been murdered by her mother and her mother's former husband, assisted by him.

Since he first identified his co-accused, "Woh Indrani Madam hai, unkey baju mein Sanjeev Khanna aur woh Peter Saab (That's Indrani Madam, next to her is Sanjeev Khanna and that is Peter Saab)."

That was also the day his cross examination -- which would span over four months -- began and Rai's first "Yaad nahin (don't remember)" entered the court's records.

Over the months, his answers to the cross-questioning by Sudeep Pasbola, the lawyer for Accused No 1 Indrani Mukerjea, has been well seasoned with "Yaad nahins" and "Maloom nahins (I don't know)" and "Galat hais (It's not correct)" and "Shayads (Maybe)."

On December 14, he had to face, multiple times, Niranjan Mundargi's "Mera yeh kehna hai (It is my contention)", which prefaced many of the questions politely volleyed by the lawyer for Accused No 2 Sanjeev Khanna at the Accused No 3-turned-approver.

It was also a day of drama, light laughter, a careful foundation for a defence, gently phrased judicial advice and a rare reminder that Judge Jayendra Chandrasen Jagdale's genial demeanour could not be taken for granted.

Mundargi's tone is gentler than Pasbola who spearheaded Rai's cross examination.

What Pasbola employed sarcasm, impatience and was at times acerbic, Mundargi chooses affability as he questions "Shyamvarji."

Wednesday, though, that affability was turned down just a notch.

Mundargi begins by gently establishing that, as a driver, Rai did odd jobs and drove Indrani around not only for work but for "shopping and saab kaam ke liye (whenever she needed to go anywhere)."

And that he would wait in, or near the car, when she went shopping, which could last anywhere between "half an hour to 45 minutes."

"It could take longer too," Rai says and agrees that, during such trips, he would wait in or near the car.

Mundargi, even more gently, says the same thing must have happened on April 24, 2012, a few hours before Sheena Bora went missing, when Rai allegedly drove mother, daughter and Sanjeev Khanna to Linking Road, suburban Bandra, north west Mumbai, that, for decades, has drawn bargain-hunting shoppers to its stores, street stalls and walking vendors jostling to make as many sales as possible.

"On April 24, 2012, you said Sheena and Indrani went to Amarsons (a well-known store on Linking Road) and were there for half an hour to 45 minutes," Mundargi says. Sanjeev Khanna and Rai, according to the driver's testimony, waited in the car.

This shopping expedition, according to Rai, was much shorter, "8 to 10 minutes."

"You were waiting in the car with a man you didn't know. Did you speak?" Mundargi wants to know.

Even as Rai says he had been introduced to Khanna by Indrani, Mundargi only wants the answer to his question.

"No."

Mundargi also establishes that while Rai was answering calls and SMSes on his mobile phone, the driver did not see Khanna get or receive a single call or answer a single text message; perhaps to buttress his contention that Khanna was never there.

Rai did not see a mobile phone with Khanna, the driver tells the lawyer.

Mundargi now wants to establish that Rai knows the Bandra area well and that Linking Road is crowded in the evenings, especially at 6 pm when Sheena was allegedly murdered in a bylane near the National College, off Linking Road, in April 2012.

Rai insists he doesn't know the names of the gullies (side lanes) but knows where to go but can't say he knows Bandra that well nor that there were "kafi log (many people)" on Linking Road that fateful evening.

"Kafi nahi, par log the. Rahe honge, rahte hain. (It wasn't too crowded, but there were people around; there generally are)."

This allows him, later, to tell Mundargi he does not know the name of the lane where Sheena Bora was allegedly murdered.

It takes Mundargi over 10 minutes of detailed questioning to establish that there are two ways to get onto S V Road in Bandra once one exited the Worli-Bandra Sea Link and the one that directly took you to S V Road exited near a particularly congested point that saw traffic flow in from east and south Mumbai as well as via the Sea Link.

That this was a vital link in his attempt to establish that it would have been impossible for Khanna -- the father of Vidhie, Indrani's youngest child, adopted by Peter after their marriage -- who had checked into a hotel in Worli, about half an hour away from Bandra if the travel route is not congested, before hiring a taxi to meet his former wife and her daughter was evident in the considerable patient effort he invested in establishing it.

Mumbai's traffic patterns are, among other things, dictated by its largely working population. The traffic towards south Mumbai is congested in the mornings and reverses direction in the evening. There are traffic jams around schools during the times they begin and end for the day as well as during namaaz.

As he did on December 11, landmarks were referenced and crowding patterns discussed with Rai, whom Mundargi once even requested, to many smiles in the courtroom, "Hamari speed se chalo, hum dono jaa rahe hai (in effect, asking him to stay with the question and not race ahead)."

Mundargi then walks a seemingly disinterested Rai through how, a little ahead on the same S V Road, a masjid and the exit from Bandra railway station added to the traffic congestion.

Rai's "Mujhe nahi pata use S V Road bolte hain (I didn't know it was called S V Road" flummoxed Mundargi who turned to Shreyansh Mithare, another lawyer on Khanna's team, to deliver a Pasbola-ish aside, "1998 se gaadi chala raha hai (He has been driving since 1998) and does not know it is called S V Road."

Next, Mundargi want to know about parking.

When Rai says he did not know the name of the lane in which Sheena was allegedly murdered, Mundargi wants to know how close to the wall (it has been established in earlier testimony that the car was parked close to a wall) the vehicle had been parked.

Judge Jagdale is not too keen on walking down this road again -- "Pasbola has it already," he tells Mundargi who requests the court's indulgence.

By now, Rai's complete repertoire, including the rolling of eyes towards the ceiling, long pauses, "Yaad nahis" and "Maloom nahis" are in play; "Galat hai" would make its presence felt soon.

It is established, with Rai gesturing the distance on the railing of the witness box, that the car is parked approximately three feet away from the wall.

Judge Jagdale is amused, if a tad impatient. "No one measures the distance when they park a car."

Mundargi soothingly replies, "I just wanted to find out if there was enough place for anyone sitting on the passenger side to get down."

Ayaz Khan, a lawyer on Indrani's team who specialises in narcotics related cases, interrupts the cross examination.

He wants to consult with Indrani -- or is it Indrani who had been talking to him from the time she reached the courthouse until she had to enter Courtroom 51, who wants to consult with him and is waiting at the entrance of the area demarcated for the accused, her eyes fixed on the judge, ready to step out.

The usually amiable Judge Jagdale is not amused.

"This is very wrong," he chides Khan. "How can you interrupt during the cross? What is going on? Wait for some time, I will give the permission later."

Even as a disappointed Indrani returns to her usual spot at the other end of the enclosure for the accused, Khan -- who has been following the case sitting in the first row -- apologies to the judge.

He soon leaves the court and is not seen for the rest of the session, even when Indrani is herded back to prison.

On the night of April 24, at about 11 pm or 11.30 pm, after Sheena's alleged murder, Rai, as per his earlier testimony, took food from a nearby restaurant and went to Marlow, the building in Worli where the Mukerjeas own a sprawling apartment.

The clean-shaven Mundargi tends to occasionally struggle for the right Hindi word. He now wants to know the lighting arrangement in the Mukerjea flat when Rai went upstairs with the food and saw Mikhail, Sheena's brother and Indrani's only son, drinking the allegedly doctored alcohol.

"Light dim tha?" Then searching for the right word, "Kam tha?."

"Not the area where he was sitting," replies Rai. "The rest of the flat was dimly lit."

"You've already said in your testimony that medicine was mixed in the alcohol. How much was left? How much did he drink?"

Rai, shaking his head, "Woh maine nahi dekha (I didn't see that)."

Did he speak to Mikhail?

"No."

According to Rai's earlier testimony, when they reached Pen, a bike passed them after they had parked.

"Did the biker come from Khopoli or Pen?" Mundargi asks.

"You've not set the background," the judge tells the lawyer. "They have parked the car in so many places."

Mundargi looks puzzled for a nano-second before asking, "May I clarify?"

"No, no," smiles Judge Jagdale and waves his hand. "You go ahead."

"Don't know," Rai replies, "the car was facing Khopoli."

More than 80 per cent of Rai's cross examination has been conducted by Pasbola. Mundargi, who is now cross-examining Rai, and Shrikant Shivade -- who will cross-examine the driver for his client Accused No 4, Peter Mukerjea -- are focusing on certain elements that will aid their respective clients.

Mundargi now wants to know about the petrol pump near Pen near which the car was allegedly parked for a while and from where Rai allegedly brought the petrol that was use to douse the body before setting it on fire.

"How far away from the pump was the car parked?" asks Mundargi.

His eyes almost popping out of their sockets, Rai uses his arms to indicate the length of the courtroom.

"About 30 feet," approximates Judge Jagdale.

Rai had earlier testified that there was a car at the petrol pump. Mundargi wants to know its make and colour.

Rai thinks for a while, then takes refuge in "yaad nahin."

"Other than the car and its occupants, how many people were there at the petrol pump?" Mundargi wants to know.

"Don't know," shrugs Rai.

"There must have been a few employees working at the petrol pump," prods Mundargi, preparing for another layer in his client's defence.

Despite the prodding, Rai says he can't remember.

Rai, who has had Skype sessions with Indrani, has testified he is not familiar with social media.

Now, Mundargi wants to know how familiar he is with WhatsApp and Facebook.

Rai manages to look lost for a while before finally admitting he has a Facebook account that he operated with the help of friends.

Mundargi then wants to know if Rai had posted a picture of himself posing with "bade birds, bade pancchi."

Everyone is smiling including CBI Prosecutor Bharat Badami who says it may be easier of Mundargi names the birds.

"Arre... he is not understanding birds, so what will be understand if I give the specific name?" Mundargi tells Badami. "Macaws."

He looks at the judge. "I want to show that he is not conveying the true facts."

Then, he asks Rai about the photograph with the birds again.

"Liya hoga," says Rai

"4, 5 big birds," prods Mundargi.

"Nikala hoga."

"Can you take a selfie?" Mundargi mimes the act.

"Yes," Rai smiles.

"Finally, you agreed to something," Mundargi smiles back.

Mundargi also wants to know if Rai changed his mobile phone instrument four times between January and May 2012.

Rai takes refuge in "shayad".

"The parcel that was given to you in 2012," says Mundargi, "you didn't know and were not told what it contained?"

"The man who gave it to me didn't say what it contained," says Rai.

When the Mumbai police caught him with the parcel, it contained a 7.65 bore country-made pistol, three live cartridges and a magazine.

"You didn't know what you had, why you had it and for how long?"

"No."

"Even later no one told you?"

"Indrani madam ne bola sambhaal ke rakhna (Indrani madam told me to keep it safely)."

Mundargi's tone continues to be friendly, but his statements are not.

"Why did you keep Sheena's photo when you said last time that you knew Sheena and Mikhail well? It's because had a galat nazar (evil intention) towards Sheena."

"Galat baat hai (It's not true)," says Rai fingering his moustache.

"You were not involved in the plan of who and where to kill Sheena."

"Indrani madam use to talk to me on Skype about this," says Rai.

"You never placed your hand over Sheena's mouth. She never bit your finger."

"Not true."

Mundargi changes track.

He wants to know if Rai owned a cell phone number ending with 2319 in 2015.

"Shayad."

"Did you go to Pen again in July 2015?"

"I can't remember."

"Did you go a place near the Pen police station on July 16, 2015?"

"Don't know."

"Before August 21, 2105, you were already in police custody."

"Mera aisa kehna hai that when Sheena disappeared, you were arrested on suspicion of having an evil interest in her, galat nazar."

"I was not arrested before August 21."

"Mera aisa kehna hai that you had a galat nazar on Sheena. You've falsely implicated Accused No 2 to save yourself."

"Galat hai."

"Mera aisa kehna hai that the police fabricated a story to match the call records and that's the story you are giving in court."

"Galat hai."

"Mera aisa kehna hai you don't want to make mistakes and get caught, that's why you are not giving the exact times."

"No, I didn't have a watch then."

"Mera aisa kehna hai Accused No 2 was not in the car with you in Bandra. In fact, he never came to Bandra."

"No, he was there."

"Mera aisa kehna hai ki Accused No 2 did not grab Sheena's hair."

"He did."

"Mera aisa kehna hai ki Accused No 2 wasn't with you at Marlow on April 24, 2012."

"He was with me."

"Mera aisa kehna hai ki he did not come to the spot where the body was burnt."

"He was there."

"Mera aisa kehna hai ki you never met him before 2015."

"I met him in 2012."

With these postulations, Niranjan Mundargi laid the foundation for the defence of his client -- Accused No 2 Sanjeev Khanna -- and ended his cross examination of Shyamvar Rai who seemed more than eager to leave the courtroom.

It is now the turn of Srikant Shivade -- the lawyer who is also representing Salman Khan in the hit-and-run case -- to question Rai on behalf of his client Peter Mukerjea.

But Shivade is busy so the next date is scheduled for a week later, on December 21, which leaves Badami -- who wants the case to proceed as swiftly as possible -- unhappy.

Indrani, who is standing just outside the courtroom's door, wants to know the status of her petition.

Badami points out that Indrani's counsel have withdrawn the allegations that she had made against Peter in her application to the court.

Indrani speaks over her lawyer Gunjan Mangla, who works with Pasbola. "I'm not withdrawing any allegations. I want those CDRs (Peter's call data records). Those are my feelings."

Mangla, who finds her patience often tested by Indrani, says, "Indrani, you have to trust us. We've said you are emotional because of the stressful time you are facing. We've not withdrawn the application for the CDRs."

The police are ready to hustle away their prisoners, but the three prisoners are not ready to leave, not even the mild-mannered Sanjeev Khanna, all of whom seem to have something to say to their families and lawyers.

But Time won't wait and, before long, they are hustled down the stairs and, after the last hugs downstairs for Peter Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna, into the waiting van.
A.A.M. v. Minister for Justice & Equality

Publisher Ireland: High Court Publication Date 15 February 2013 Citation / Document Symbol [2013] IEHC 68 Cite as A.A.M. v. Minister for Justice & Equality, [2013] IEHC 68, Ireland: High Court, 15 February 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,IRL_HC,5a3249b94.html [accessed 17 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

THE HIGH COURT



JUDICIAL REVIEW

Record No. 2012 / 317 J.R.



Between:



A. A. M. (APPLICANT)



AND

THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY RESPONDENT



JUDGMENT OF MS JUSTICE M. CLARK, delivered on the 15th day of February 2013.



1. The applicant is a young man from Somalia who came to this State in search of asylum as an unaccompanied minor. He was declared a refugee on 19th October 2007. Since his arrival he has been in education and he successfully sat his Leaving Certificate in the summer of 2009 when he was 20 years old. Unfortunately, he has since been unemployed and in receipt of jobseekers allowance of 196 weekly and rent allowance which pays almost 80% of his monthly rent. While he currently attends a third level educational course in Athlone, he has never been employed. Apart from earnings from male hairdressing services provided from his accommodation, he is entirely dependent on State subventions. From his limited resources, he sends $200 each month to his family who live in Kief refugee camp in Merka in Lower Shabelle in Somalia.

2. On 27th January 2010, more than two years after he was granted refugee status, the applicant applied for family reunification with his mother and four siblings under s. 18(4) of the Refugee Act 1996. His two brothers and two sisters were born between 1987 and 1994 and they and their mother were originally supported by an uncle living in Canada but when the applicant obtained refugee status he took over responsibility for their support.

3. As is the norm when family reunification is sought, the application was directed to the Family Reunification (FRU) Section / Unit of the Department of Justice which in turn referred it to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation. The Commissioner is required under s. 18(2) of the Refugee Act 1996 to prepare a report for the Minister setting out the relationship between the refugee concerned and the subject of the application and the domestic circumstances of the person.

4. The Commissioner's investigation into Mr. Ali Mohamed's claim commenced with an examination of his earlier refugee file and then of the FRU questionnaire which he was required to complete and return to the Commissioner's office. In that questionnaire he informed the Commissioner that he would be unable to supply birth certificates for any of his family members due to the well recognised problems which prevail in Somalia in the aftermath of more than thirty years of conflict. He also explained that his family live in a camp now controlled by Al Shabaab which is hostile to the government which operates in some parts of Mogadishu. He stated that his mother and siblings were dependent on him "because in Somalia there are no jobs and every family depends on their family members abroad. My mother is old. She cannot work and my brothers and sisters are very young they cannot support themselves so I send money which I make from hairdressing in my room. I send $200 every month to cover their needs. Without me it is very difficult for them to survive. This is not only me it is every family in Somalia."

5. In his questionnaire he also explained that since Al Shabaab came to power, all NGOs were expelled from the Shabelle area and foreign aid refused. His family in Somalia thus no longer had access to humanitarian aid. Although they had been registered with the UNHCR as IDPs, they no longer had access to documents or to the support of the UNHCR. Thereafter, the applicant produced photographs of his family members and receipts showing regular money transfers to them. On 28th May 2010 the Commissioner completed his report and furnished it to the FRU Section of the Minister's Department and to the applicant. The report is no more than a repetition of the information provided by the applicant in his FRU questionnaire and the limited correspondence exchanged between the Commissioner's office and the applicant. It contains no analysis of the information provided by the applicant and no assessment or investigation of the domestic circumstances of the family in Kief IDP Camp in Merka or their relationship with the applicant. It does not address or consult any independent, objective reports on the quality of daily living in Kief camps controlled by Al Shabaab, their access to water, food, shelter, essential medicines, clothing or otherwise and it does not address what a dollar or a euro will buy in the camp.

6. After the applicant was notified that the Commissioner's report had been furnished to the Minister, a year passed by without contact with the Minister's Department. On 9th August 2011 the applicant's solicitor enquired on the progress of the application and took the opportunity to furnish more money transfer receipts and to re-emphasise the famine in Lower Shabelle and the continued ban on foreign aid agencies in Al Shabaab controlled territory. On 14th November 2011 the FRU sent a formulaic response, informing the applicant's solicitor that "applications are generally dealt with in chronological order and your client's application will be dealt with in due course." Six weeks later the applicant was notified that his application had been refused.

7. The decision furnished to the applicant, dated 9th January 2012, notes that no documents establishing the family relationship had been furnished and that DNA would therefore be required. However the question of dependency would be examined without prejudice to the DNA examination "if the Minister considers that this may be an appropriate case to exercise his discretion". The following matters were referred to in the letter:

 The absence of medical evidence to establish any medical or physical disability leading to inability for his family members to maintain themselves

 That the money transfer receipts were photocopies

 The receipts amounted to 2830 for the period September 2009 - May 2011 being 7 for each family member each week

 The applicant was declared a refugee in October 2007 but did not seek family reunification until 2010

 The fact that the family in Somalia had been supported by an uncle until the applicant was granted refugee status and that it was not clear why this assistance was terminated

 The applicant's mother, who was described as "old", was 47 and two of his brothers and sisters, described as "young", were adults

 The applicant may be in a position to continue to provide financial assistance to his family in Somalia given that the cost of living in Somalia would be lower than that in Ireland.

8. While some of the findings made in the decision were either not relevant or plainly wrong in that information provided in the questionnaire was ignored, the principal finding which grounded the refusal of family reunification was that the applicant had failed to establish that his family were "dependent" on him in the narrow sense of being financially dependent. The reason provided was that the sums sent each month were insufficient to establish dependency for five family members, three of whom were adults, and thus did not meet the requirements of s. 18(4).

9. The applicant commenced judicial review proceedings challenging the decision of the FRU Section. Leave was granted by order of Cooke J. on the following grounds:-

1. The respondent erred in fact and in law in finding that transfers of 2830 from the applicant to the family members in Somalia in the period September 2009 - May 2011 are not enough to establish financial dependency. 157 ($200) a month is almost 3 times the gross minimum wage (US$69 per month/US $830 per annum) in neighbouring Kenya and a very substantial amount given the circumstances of the subjects of the application in a displaced persons camp in Somalia and/or the current situation in Somalia.

2. The respondent applied the wrong threshold or test with respect to dependency. The test posited in the Refugee Act is not forward looking and does not relate to the possible position in Ireland in the future. The finding that the subjects of the application would, in effect, be better off in Somalia, where the cost of living is lower, is not a relevant consideration in deciding whether they are dependent upon the applicant.





SUBMISSIONS

10. At the hearing of the substantive application for judicial review on 1st November 2012, Mr Colm O'Dwyer BL appeared for the applicant instructed by KOD/Lyons Solicitors and Ms Sinead McGrath BL appeared for the respondent instructed by the Chief State Solicitor's Office. It was argued on behalf of the applicant that the Minister showed no rational basis for his finding that transfers of $200 a month is insufficient to establish dependency. The Minister did not enter into any particular analysis which would support this conclusion. The applicant did his best to provide information in support of his claim in the difficult circumstances of a Somali refugee with family members in an Al Shabaab controlled area. None of that was considered and instead the decision is based on irrelevant, unfounded assumptions and is therefore unreasonable. The applicant relies on the judgments of Hogan J. in R.X. & Others v. The Minister [2010] IEHC 446 and Cooke J. in Hassan Sheikh Ali v. The Minister [2011] IEHC 115.

11. On behalf of the respondent, it was argued that the onus is on the applicant to establish dependency. The respondent relies on the judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU in Centre Publique d'Aide Social de Courcelles v. Lebon (Case C-316/85; 18 June 1987) and Yunying Jia v. Migrationsverket (Case C-1/105, 9th January 2007), which relate to Regulation No. 1612/68 and Council Directive 73/148/EEC, respectively; and the judgment of the Court of Appeal in SM (India) v. Entry Clearance Officer (Mumbai) [2009] EWCA Civ 1426, which relates to the domestic regulations transposing Directive 2004/38/EC. The respondent contends that the decisions in R.X. and Hassan Sheikh Ali turned on different issues and are distinguishable. In this case the applicant did not discharge the burden of establishing dependency. He provided no evidence in relation to the daily lives and subsistence of his family members in the IDP camp or of the cost of living there. The Minister cannot be expected to guess at those conditions.



DECISION

12. It is clear from the impugned decision that the Minister's agents provisionally accepted the relationship of the applicant to his family members but refused his application on the basis that "dependency" was not established, so the exercise of the Minister's discretion under s. 18(4) of the Refugee Act 1996 did not arise. As is well established, s. 18(4) gives the Minister discretion to grant permission to certain family members to enter the State and reside with the refugee. The exercise of this discretion is conditional on two factors, namely that the person concerned is a member of the refugee applicant's family and that the person is "dependent" on the refugee. The terms of s. 18 (4) (a) are important; it provides:-

"The Minister may, at his or her discretion, grant permission to a dependent member of the family of a refugee to enter and reside in the State and such member shall be entitled to the rights and privileges specified in section 3 for such period as the refugee is entitled to remain in the State.

(b) In paragraph (a), "dependent member of the family", in relation to a refugee, means any grandparent, parent, brother, sister, child, grandchild, ward or guardian of the refugee who is dependent on the refugee or is suffering from a mental or physical disability to such extent that it is not reasonable for him or her to maintain himself or herself fully."

13. Under the terms of s. 18(4), even for those whose relationship and dependency are established, there is no guarantee that they will in fact be granted permission to join the refugee in the State as the Minister is free to have regard to other factors which he considers important. The Minister is perfectly entitled to have regard to the education, health and employment prospects of those family members who wish to enter the State and the degree of likelihood that they will become a burden on the State. He cannot be criticised if, in Ireland's current difficult financial state, he refuses permission for persons who will immediately become social welfare dependent, provided that due consideration has been given to the circumstances of the refugee applicant and his dependent family members. Equally, he is perfectly free to exercise discretion on humanitarian grounds and grant such persons leave to enter and remain. The exercise of discretion under s. 18(4) is a matter for the Minister and absent any discriminatory or arbitrary behaviour it is not for the Court to interfere with the exercise of Ministerial discretion.

14. The Court nonetheless feels compelled to make the following general observations before looking at the particulars of this case. Having considered the legality of a number of family reunification decisions in recent years, the Court is of the view that there is something manifestly unfair in operating a family reunification system which raises hopes, uses valuable resources for both the applicants and the State, and rarely delivers a happy result as lack of resources either to fully support family members abroad or to wholly maintain those family members in Ireland should they join the refugee are the main categories of refusal.

15. While Ireland has opted out of Council Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification, it is nevertheless of value to consider that the Directive allows Member States which are party to it to impose pre-conditions for the family reunification of refugees who fail to apply promptly for family reunification. Article 7(1) of the Directive provides:

"When the application for family reunification is submitted, the Member State concerned may require the person who has submitted the application to provide evidence that the sponsor has:

(a) accommodation regarded as normal for a comparable family in the same region and which meets the general health and safety standards in force in the Member State concerned;

(b) sickness insurance in respect of all risks normally covered for its own nationals in the Member State concerned for himself/herself and the members of his/her family;

(c) stable and regular resources which are sufficient to maintain himself/herself and the members of his/her family, without recourse to the social assistance system of the Member State concerned. Member States shall evaluate these resources by reference to their nature and regularity and may take into account the level of minimum national wages and pensions as well as the number of family members."1

16. Borrowing from the thinking behind those permissible requirements it can be seen that the burden placed on the host State arising from unconditional family reunification was a matter of concern to the drafters of the Directive. It is not beyond speculation that the potential burden of admitting foreign nationals likely to become reliant on social welfare may also be a matter of concern for the Minister when he is exercising his discretion under s. 18(4). In the experience of the Court, many adult refugees from Somalia have had limited access to secondary education and do not speak English. They are often severely disadvantaged in finding employment and are frequently totally reliant on State subvention. They are unlikely to have the resources to maintain any member of their extended family in Ireland. The position may be marginally better for Somali refugees who come to Ireland as children or teenagers, who have access to free State education and ultimately can compete for employment in a difficult market on a more level playing field. However, it is a rare young adult, irrespective of nationality, who is in a position to maintain and house siblings and parents in Ireland from his / her own resources. He / she may well be able to trim personal expenditure and send sums from part time earnings or social welfare to transform the lives of siblings dependent on those sums to buy food, water and clothing in camps in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia and certainly those siblings may be entirely dependent on such remittances for their subsistence but the situation changes when they have to be supported with the same resources in Ireland. The applicant in this case falls somewhere between the two above examples. He was almost eighteen when he arrived and twenty when he sat and passed the Leaving Certificate examination. He can speak English now and he is acquiring more education but he is not employed and there is little doubt that despite his best intentions he would not be able to maintain or accommodate his mother and siblings if they were permitted to enter the State and reside with him.

17. In light of these factors, it seems to the Court that even if he were to establish a blood relationship to his mother and siblings and to establish a high degree of financial and / or other form of dependency, his claim to family reunification is more likely than not to fail because he has insufficient resources to house and maintain his family, which are matters the Minister is perfectly entitled to consider when exercising his discretion under s. 18(4). Those factors are not, however, relevant to the question of whether the family members are "dependent" on the refugee for the purposes of s. 18(4) (b). This is clear from the judgment of Cooke J. in Hassan Sheikh Ali v. The Minister [2011] IEHC 115, where there was some ambiguity as to the Minister's objective in referring to the inability of the applicant to maintain the family members in Ireland were they to be granted permission to reside with him. Cooke J. held:

""There is no doubt, in the judgment of the Court that if the finding as to the applicant's financial ability to support his sister and the three children in the State, forms part of the conclusion that they are not "dependent members of the family" because they are not "dependent" financially on him, there is an error of law. It is not disputed that so far as the concept of "dependence" ... is concerned, the question is one of fact as to whether the subjects of the application are, in their circumstances in the country of origin "dependent" in the sense of reliant for subsistence on the means and support of the refugee". (The Court's emphasis)

18. Similarly, at paragraph 57 of his judgment in R.X. & Others v. The Minister [2010] IEHC 446, Hogan J. held that s. 18(4) "does not ... posit a test of whether the refugee could afford to support the family members if they were to come to Ireland. It rather addresses itself to the somewhat different question of whether the family members were dependent on the refugee at the date of the application".

19. Thus, an inability to maintain family members in Ireland is not relevant to the assessment of "dependency" for the purposes of s. 18(4) (b).

20. What factors, then, are relevant to that assessment? The parties in this and other cases agree that there are no guidelines available to applicants as to how the FRU Section will assess "dependency" in family reunification cases. In this case, $200 per month was considered insufficient. In Hassan Sheik Alli, sums of between $100 and $400 monthly and up to 1000 on one occasion were found by the FRU Section not to establish dependency of the Somali refugee's adult sister and his deceased brother's three children on the refugee. Without guidelines or guidance, the refugee simply has no idea what the FRU Section will accept as being a sufficient sum to establish dependency on his / her remittances. In the meanwhile, years go by and the refugee visits a solicitor for advice, a dossier of receipts is built up; information is obtained on the conditions in which his / her extended family members are living; money is sent to buy mobile phones so contact can be maintained; money is sent to obtain photographic identification, to pay for trips to the capital cities of the countries in which they live to facilitate DNA testing or to acquire supporting documentation; to pay for medical reports on any relevant medical conditions, all in the hope of meeting the undefined, impalpable threshold of "dependency".

21. As mentioned above, as these cases come before the Courts with some frequency, it is observed that even where the familial relationship between the refugee and the person who is the subject of the applicant has been accepted, it is common for the FRU Section to rely on two alternative reasons for refusal, namely (1) the money sent is insufficient to establish dependency or (2) the refugee's personal circumstances and prospects in Ireland are such that he / she cannot maintain the family members in the State. As noted above, the second ground has been found to be an invalid consideration in relation to the assessment of dependency, though potentially relevant to the exercise of discretion should dependency be established. The Court is concerned, in this case, with the validity of the first ground, i.e. insufficiency of money transferred.

22. Refugees who lack English language skills and who are totally dependent on social welfare supports are at a very obvious disadvantage when attempting to establish dependency and those Somali refugees who have come before this Court appear to be particularly affected. In contrast to the total absence of guidance which is available to refugees whose status has been recognised in this State, refugees recognised by other Member States of the EU who have transposed the family reunification Directive 2003/86/EC will be fully aware which, if any, of the criteria outlined in Article 7 of that Directive apply. If a refugee has not acted promptly and cannot meet those criteria, then a goal can be set for achievement in the future by rapidly seeking employment. If that option is not available, the refugee can be resigned to sending remittances and the waiting expectant family members can adjust their expectations. No such clarity is available for such persons in this State who, if fortunate enough to find a solicitor and barrister to act pro bono, can raise a legal challenge before the Court and if successful can attempt to persuade the Minister for a second time that the circumstances exist for him to exercise his discretion and that he should exercise that discretion in favour of the refugee. Others wait until hope fades. Such a process lacks clarity or transparency and cannot be fair. The system calls for an overhaul. Time and money could be saved if the Minister were to draw up guidelines on what is required to establish "dependency" and, where such dependency is established, under what conditions family members will be permitted to join the refugee.

23. Returning from the general to the particulars of this case and the decision challenged. As previously outlined, there was no information before the FRU Section which would permit the officer dealing with the application to lawfully determine whether the family members were dependent on Mr Ali Mohamed. There was no information before the Commissioner or before the Minister, nor was any such information sought, as to what sums were sent previously from the uncle in Canada and whether the remittances in this case met or exceeded those amounts. No investigation was carried out into the actual living conditions in the camp or of the capacity and prospects of the applicant's mother and siblings to earn money or barter within the camp as a means of survival. Perhaps the fact that the mother and sisters are survivors in a camp which is documented to be without latrines, running water, medical care or supplies since Al Shabaab took over is testimony to the adequacy of the sums to finance their survival and escape from diseases associated with malnutrition. The Court is speculating but sadly, so was the FRU which is not a permitted exercise of a statutory function.

24. It is clear that no objective yardstick was identified by which the FRU Section reached its determination that $200 monthly was an insufficient sum to amount to dependency on the applicant. Why was it not enough and what sum would be enough? Objective COI shows that people were starving in southern Somalia owing to the famine, drought, and conflict and the halting of food aid by Al Shabaab. The information before the Commissioner and the Minister was that the applicant's family members used to get their clothes and food from aid agencies but those agencies were ordered out and are no longer present in Shabelle. Nonetheless the FRU Section found that the $200, which translated to 7 per week for each family member, was not sufficient to establish dependency.

25. The Minister's agents must have a benchmark or standard by which the determination on dependency is made. Without such standard the determination must be considered arbitrary. If there are no guidelines for applicants, perhaps it can be assumed that the Minister himself has no guidelines. Converting remittances in dollars into euros and dividing the total sum by the number of claimed dependents to establish the value to each person cannot, by any measure, have any relevance to the buying power of the money in the hands of the recipients. The Court must therefore ask itself what the Minister is looking for when he seeks details of how a family member is dependent on the refugee and evidence of such dependency. As dependency is always a matter of fact which differs according to circumstances, it ought to be possible for the Minister to request the Commissioner to determine objectively and with a reasonable degree of precision, how much is required to maintain a person in a named and well recognized IDP camp in a very poor part of Somalia. The Commissioner is the statutory investigator with regard to the domestic circumstances of the person who is the subject of the application and his agents should be in a position to provide those answers. If that investigation were conducted, then the Minister would have an objective measurement. There is no evidence of any such measurement in this case.

26. As was found both by Hogan J. in R.X. and by Cooke J. in Hassan Sheikh Ali, the concept of "dependency" in s. 18(4) of the Refugee Act 1996 is a question of fact. As Cooke J. held, the question is whether the person is "reliant for subsistence on the means and support of the refugee." This Court further held in its recent judgment in Ducale & v. The Minister [2013] IEHC 25, "There is nothing in that definition to suggest that dependency is measured by the size and frequency of financial contributions nor is it suggested that the dependency is confined merely to economic reliance on those financial contributions." Economic dependency may of course be a key factor in assessing dependency, but the Minister must not measure economic dependency on Irish standards.

27. As previously noted, insofar as economic dependency is concerned, the Court considers that the Minister must identify some objective yardstick by which dependency can be assessed. It is quite simply insufficient to speculate or to apply Irish norms as to the cost and standard of living in the family members' place of residence. As the Court held in Ducale, "financial dependency must be seen as a flexible state of affairs which is not necessarily determined by the size of a contribution but rather on its effect in the context of the specific country of residence and personal circumstances of the person in receipt of the contribution. Much must depend on what the contribution provides when received in the hands of the recipient." A finding of a lack of dependency cannot be sustained in the absence of objective information setting out a rational basis for that finding.

28. As no such objective yardstick was identified in this case, the Court is satisfied that the decision of 9th January 2012 ought to be quashed and the matter remitted to the Minister for fresh consideration. It is not for this Court to set down guidelines as to the exercise of Ministerial discretion under s. 18(4) but a system must, sooner rather than later, stop the haemorrhage of scarce resources in defending flawed FRU decisions and instead ensure that vulnerable refugees do not endlessly pursue futile applications thus depleting their own financial and emotional reserves. If refugees were better informed on what constitutes dependency and what conditions are de facto applied to family reunification applications, their attentions might be better directed towards obtaining language skills, training, qualifications, work experience and ultimately employment in Ireland before applying again for family reunification.

1.Article 12 provides by way of derogation that this requirement may only be imposed on a refugee if the FRU application is not made within three months of refugee status being granted
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KB & AH (credibility-structured approach) Pakistan [2017] UKUT 00491 (IAC)

Publisher United Kingdom: Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Publication Date 13 December 2017 Citation / Document Symbol [2017] UKUT 491 Cite as KB & AH (credibility-structured approach) Pakistan [2017] UKUT 00491 (IAC), [2017] UKUT 491, United Kingdom: Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), 13 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,GBR_UTIAC,5a3286ee4.html [accessed 17 November 2022] Comments The Credibility Indicators identified in the Home Office Asylum Policy Instruction, Assessing credibility and refugee status Version 3.0, 6 January 2015 provide a helpful framework within which to conduct a credibility assessment. However, any reference to a structured approach in relation to the subject matter of credibility assessment must carry a number of important (interrelated) caveats [...] Consideration of credibility in light of such indicators, if approached subject to the [..] caveats, is a valid and useful exercise, based squarely on existing learning. Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Upper Tribunal

(Immigration and Asylum Chamber)

KB & AH (credibility-structured approach) Pakistan [2017] UKUT 00491 (IAC)

THE IMMIGRATION ACTS

Heard at Field House Decision & Reasons Promulgated On 17 August 2017 

Before

THE HONOURABLE LORD BURNS

(SITTING AS A JUDGE OF THE UPPER TRIBUNAL)

DR H H STOREY

JUDGE OF THE UPPER TRIBUNAL

Between

Kb (First Appellant)

ah (Second Appellant)

(ANONYMITY DIRECTION maintained)

Appellants

and

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

Respondent

Representation :

For the Appellants: Mr E Fripp, Counsel, instructed by Turpin Miller, Solicitors

(Oxford)

For the Respondent: Mr T Wilding, Home Office Presenting Officer

1. The 'Credibility Indicators' identified in the Home Office Asylum Policy Instruction, Assessing credibility and refugee status Version 3.0, 6 January 2015 (which can be summarised as comprising sufficiency of detail; internal consistency; external consistency; and plausibility), provide a helpful framework within which to conduct a credibility assessment. They facilitate a more structured approach apt to help judges avoid the temptation to look at the evidence in a one-dimensional way or to focus in an ad hoc way solely on whichever indicator or factor appears foremost or opportune.

2. However, any reference to a structured approach in relation to the subject matter of credibility assessment must carry a number of important (interrelated) caveats, among which are the following:

-the aforementioned indicators are merely indicators, not necessary conditions;

-they are not an exhaustive list;

-assessment of credibility being a highly fact-sensitive affair, their main role is to help make sure, where relevant, that the evidence is considered in a number of well-recognised respects;

-making use of these indicators is not a substitute for the requirement to consider the evidence as a whole or 'in the round';

-it remains that credibility assessment is only part of evidence assessment and, as Lord Dyson reminded decision-makers in MA (Somalia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] UKSC 49 at [33], 'the significance of lies will vary from case to case';

-in the UK context, use of such a structured approach must take place within the framework of EU law governing credibility assessment, Article 4 of the Qualification Directive in particular; and,

-also in the context of UK law, decision-makers (including judges) by s. 8 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 are statutorily obliged to consider certain types of behaviour as damaging to credibility.

3. Consideration of credibility in light of such indicators, if approached subject to the aforementioned caveats, is a valid and useful exercise, based squarely on existing learning.

DECISION AND REASONS

1. In this decision we seek to say a few things aimed at promoting a more structured approach to evidence and credibility assessment.

2. The appellants are nationals of Pakistan born in 1950 and 1979 respectively and are of the Ahmadi faith. The first appellant is the second appellant's son. Five days after arrival in the UK on visit visas on 14 December 2014, they made an application for asylum and humanitarian protection. The basis of their case has always been that they are both committed Ahmadis who fled Pakistan following an incident in December 2014 when members of Khatme Nabuwaht damaged the first appellant's shop in Rawlapindi and made threats to harm him. When he and the local branch president of the Ahmadi community went to the police to report the incident the latter showed no interest. He and his mother left for the UK three days later. On 17 June 2015, the respondent accepted that they were Ahmadis but refused their applications. Their appeals came before First-tier Tribunal (FtT) Judge Oakley who on 6 November 2015 dismissed their appeals. On 21 March 2016 Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge (DUTJ) Sheridan set aside Judge Oakley's decision for error of law and remitted it to the FtT. On 13 October 2016 FtT Judge E B Grant again dismissed their appeals, but that decision too was set aside by Upper Tribunal Judge (UTT) O'Connor on 3 February 2017 with a direction that it should be re-made in the Upper Tribunal.

3. Before UTJ O'Connor, Mr Fripp requested that the case proceed as a vehicle for further country guidance on Ahmadis. UTJ O'Connor gave him permission to draw up a note in support of his position. Subsequently, on consideration of that note, the Upper Tribunal decided that the case should not proceed as potential country guidance.

4. At the hearing Mr Fripp called three witnesses, Mr Mansoor Shah, Vice President of the Ahmadiyaa Muslim Association UK (AMAUK), the first appellant and Mr A B, a relative of the appellants. The Tribunal had already been informed that the second appellant would not attend to give oral evidence as she was unwell. The evidence of the three witnesses is summarised in Appendix A.

Oral submissions

5. Mr Wilding said the appellants' case turned in large part on their credibility. If they were not credible, that was the end of it. If they were credible about the shop incident, but not about the causes of it, they would not be at risk on return because the shop incident could not be differentiated from an ordinary criminal incident. If however, we believed the shop incident and that it was religiously motivated then they were entitled to succeed in their appeals, as, given their evidence, they would fall within the terms of the country guidance given by the Tribunal in MN and others (Ahmadis - country conditions - risk ) CG [2012] UKUT 00389 (IAC). (For convenience the headnote to MN is reproduced in Appendix B.)

6. Mr Wilding submitted that we should find the appellants not credible because it was implausible that if the first appellant and his local branch president had gone to the police station in December 2014 to report the attack they would have left after only an hour of waiting. Nor was it plausible that within three days he and his mother would have left Pakistan in response to the incident leaving his wife and children behind.

7. Mr Wilding submitted that even if we accepted the shop incident happened, the first appellant had not established it was a religiously motivated attack. Even though the first appellant was in the shop at the time, nothing happened to him. The evidence of the AMAUK made clear their procedures relied very much on self-reporting. There was only limited filtering of people who asked for reports and there was no monitoring of whether attacks/incidents were religiously motivated. It was just as likely the shop incident was an ordinary criminal matter. The first appellant's evidence was that there were Khatme Nabuwaht posters in a number of places around the area.

8. Mr Wilding asked that we count against the appellants that despite claiming to leave Pakistan within three days of the incident, the appellants had not claimed asylum on arrival. The significance of the first appellant's answers to questions asked of him about why he had left his wife and children behind was not his failure to try and sponsor them, but the dubious lack of concern it showed about their circumstances. They were still living close by in the same area.

9. Even if we found the appellants were at risk in their home area, when assessing internal relocation we should attach weight to the fact that his own wife and children still lived nearby without it being suggested they were at risk.

10. Mr Wilding clarified that the appellants' case was not one about whether return would require them to suppress their religious orientation, since, on their own evidence, they had not hidden their Ahmadi identity and activities when in Pakistan.

11. As regards the reference by Mr Fripp in his written skeleton argument to "five general points" (see below paragraph 20), he broadly accepted them except that he conceded that the guidance by the Tribunal in MN about the "particular importance" of Ahmadi faith to individuals was simply to be given its ordinary meaning. As regards Ahmadi women and children, whilst their situation might cause them to face extra difficulties (e.g. in not being able to undertake communal worship) their cases would turn on particular facts. There was not a heightened risk in every case.

12. In reply to questions from the bench, Mr Wilding said he accepted that the first appellant had given a consistent account and that he raised no challenge either as to the sufficiency of detail of his account. The respondent's challenge was purely to plausibility. Mr Wilding said that if the Tribunal found the appellants were telling the truth about the shop incident and it was satisfied that the attack was religiously motivated, then the appellants were entitled to succeed.

13. Mr Fripp submitted that the appellants' account was credible. The first appellant's account of the incident in his shop as the culmination of years of threats and harassment was consistent with the objective evidence regarding the situation of Ahmadis in Rawalpindi and elsewhere in Pakistan. Non-state actors such as Khatme Nabuwaht conducted a widescale and highly organised campaign against Ahmadis with the complicity of the state. The appellants' case sought to rely squarely on existing country guidance as set out in MN whose principal findings were encapsulated in the statement that Ahmadis were "an oppressed religious minority".

14. As regards credibility, the AMAUK evidence lent support to the appellants' case in relation to the appellants' level of engagement with the Ahmadi community. The first appellant held substantial office in his local Ahmadi community in Pakistan over a number of years. The evidence described him as an active member of the Ahmadi community committed to his faith, someone who was both a 'Musi' (teacher) and a 'Quaid' (leader). That evidence also went to explain why he had come to the adverse attention of the malvis. The AMAUK evidence regarding the first appellant was singular in that the report produced did not just state what the local president had been told; it said he had accompanied the first appellant to the police station to report the incident. This showed that the local branch took the matter seriously. The difficulties the first appellant encountered in getting police protection were corroborated by the UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the Protection Needs of Members of religious Minorities from Pakistan , January 2017. Viewed in the context of there being a pattern of ineffective police protection of Ahmadis in Pakistan, the fact that the first appellant and the local branch president left the police station after an hour before any report was formally recorded was entirely plausible. Another feature of the first appellant's account was that it was not exaggerated; he did not say violence had been inflicted on his person.

15. Mr Fripp urged the Tribunal not to accept Mr Wilding's submission that it was implausible the first appellant would have left Pakistan leaving his wife and children behind yet taking his mother. The fact was he and his mother were the only ones who had visas. Additionally, once the two appellants came to the UK and claimed asylum there was no basis whilst their claims were pending on which a visa for his wife and children could have been applied for: the advice they obtained was correct.

16. As for Mr Wilding's scepticism about the causes of the shop incident, it was appropriate to recall what was said by Lord Hoffman in Shah and Islam [1999] UKHL 20 about Jewish shopkeepers in Nazi Germany: one had to look at the surrounding circumstances and not simply focus on the incident itself.

17. Mr Fripp said that even though the second appellant had not given evidence because of health difficulties, her previous written and oral evidence was consistent with what is known about the situation faced by Ahmadi women, unable to practise her faith communally because the Ahmadi community had forbidden it as a protective measure. The second appellant was also relatively elderly and in poor health.

18. Asked by the bench what response he had to Mr Wilding's submission that the appellants had a viable internal relocation alternative, Mr Fripp said he relied on what was said in MN about the nationwide pattern of hostilities towards Ahmadis. In this regard the first appellant's profile as an active Ahmadi was also relevant; he could not be expected to conceal his Ahmadi practices.

The evidence

19. Bearing in mind that this case has been before the Upper Tribunal once before, it is salient to note that we had a very considerable body of written evidence before us. In addition to the witness statements of the appellants, and the various reports from AMAUK (enumerated in Appendix A to this decision) there were a number of copy photographs showing what was said to be the damage done to the first appellant's shop in December 2014 and what are said to be the posters put up by the Khatme Nabuwaht on the first appellant's shop over the relevant period.

Our assessment

Country guidance

20. Mr Fripp has requested in his skeleton argument that in deciding this case the Tribunal take the opportunity of giving further guidance arrived at supplementing that given by the Tribunal in MN . He identified five points on which he considered further guidance was needed. We decline to do so. The Tribunal made clear on 16 May 2017 that this case would not proceed as potential country guidance. Further, Mr Wilding conceded that if we accepted the core account of the first appellant regarding the shop incident and that it was religiously motivated, then the appellants fell squarely within the category of those Ahmadis identified in MN as likely to be at risk on return. Mr Fripp in turn accepted that his case stood or fell on our decision as regards its factual matrix. In such circumstances, it would be otiose to attempt to make general observations not germane to the decision we have to make on the appeal.

Principal issues of fact

21. We would, however, see it as an oversimplification to treat the principal issue of fact we have to decide as being whether the December 2014 shop incident happened as described by the first appellant. On the first appellant's account, there was no assault on his person and going by the photographic evidence the damage to his property was not substantial. Whilst the two malvis who caused the damage did make threats to his life, it would appear from one of the photos of the posters put up by Khatme Nabuwaht that the latter at least sometimes promoted themselves as conducting a "peaceful protest" against Ahmadis and no evidence has been adduced to show that around this time either of the appellants or other Ahmadis in the area had been victims of physical violence at the hands of Khatme Nabuwaht or others. Hence, were we to take the December 2014 incident in isolation, we would at least hesitate as regards whether it was sufficient to establish a "severe violation of basic human rights" contrary to Article 9(1)(a) of the Qualification Directive (QD) 2004/83/EC. However, that same Article also provides at Article 9(1)(b) for a second way in which acts can constitute acts of persecution, namely if it be "be an accumulation of various measures, including violations of human rights which is sufficiently severe as to affect an individual in a similar manner as mentioned in (a)".

22. In this wider context account must be taken of the fact that on the appellants' evidence the first appellant had been subject to acts of harassment and threats over a period of a number of years since he opened the shop, albeit infrequent, and the fact that over the same period the second appellant had received verbal abuse when she went to market. On the appellants' evidence (if we accept it) the shop incident, although in itself not a major attack, represented an escalation of the measures the malvis had been taking against the first appellant. We bear in mind as well that for persecution to exist it is not necessary that there be concrete acts: direct threats of persecution also constitute acts of persecution of sufficient severity. The threat to kill made during the shop incident must be considered together with the malvis' poster campaign whose messages sometimes included ones that, whilst falling short of death threats, contained veiled threats of harm intended to create uncertainty about what further actions might follow. The fact that such posters co-existed with others that referred to "peaceful protect" cannot be determinative.

23. Accordingly, whilst we accept Mr Wilding's concession (to the effect that if we believe (a) that the shop incident happened; and (b) that it was religiously motivated, the appellants are entitled to succeed in their asylum appeals), we take that to be made by reference to the wider context as described by the appellants.

24. We also take Mr Wilding's submission (that if we believe the appellants and also accept that the shop incident and the background harassment were religiously motivated the appellants are entitled to succeed in their appeals) as a concession that it is not necessary to analyse separately the extent of the appellants' commitment to the Ahmadi faith and practices. If we accept the evidence of the appellants and the AMAUK then, whilst the first appellant did not openly preach or proselytize in any direct way, he was a particuarly active Ahmadi and so in that way came within the terms of paragraph 2(i) and (6) of the headnote in MN.

25. The central issue remains as to whether we accept that the appellants have given a credible account and that is one concerning persons who have been victims of religiously motivated acts and so victims of past persecution. If we accept past persecution then by virtue of Article 4(4) of the Qualification Directive (paragraph 339K of the Immigration Rules) this fact "will be regarded as a serious indication of the person's well-founded fear of persecution or real risk of suffering serious harm, unless there are good reasons to consider that such persecution or serious harm will not be repeated".

Assessment of credibility

26. Here again we regard it as important to begin with Mr Wilding's submissions and in particular his acceptance that the challenge he makes to the appellants' credibility is solely on the basis of lack of plausibility. That, it seems to us, amounts to an important concession for two reasons. First of all, it represents an acknowledgment that the respondent accepts that in all other respects the appellants' account passes muster. It is integral to the respondent's own Asylum Policy Instruction, Assessing credibility and refugee status Version 3.0, 6 January 2015 at paragraph 5.4 that:

"if after looking at all the evidence and keeping the relatively low standard of proof in mind, the claimant's statements and other evidence about the facts being established can be accepted if they are:

 of sufficient detail and specificity

 internally consistent and coherent (to a reasonable degree)

 consistent with specific and general COI

 consistent with other evidence (to a reasonable degree)

 plausible

all indicators must be applied, and the credibility of the account examined in the round ...".

27. Applying this instruction to Mr Wilding's own concessions, the first appellant's account is one that was sufficiently detailed and specific; and internally consistent. Mr Wilding does not dispute either that the appellants' evidence is also externally consistent, i.e. consistent with specific and general COI and with the other evidence. Given that the Instruction bids caseworkers to apply all these indicators, it appears that Mr Wilding relies exclusively on just one of them. Put another way, his submission entails acceptance that the appellants can have counted in their favour all of the identified "Credibility Indicators" (further expanded upon in paragraph 5.6 of this Instruction) bar that concerned with plausibility.

28. Second, Mr Wilding's concession rests the respondent's case on [lack of] plausibility, an indicator or factor that has been seen by the Tribunal and the courts  as is indeed reflected in this same Instruction - as one that, although in itself valid, requires a certain degree of caution in its application. Thus in HK v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1037 case at [28]-[30] Neuberger LJ stated:

"28. Further, in many asylum cases, some, even most, of the appellant's story may seem inherently unlikely but that does not mean that it is untrue. The ingredients of the story, and the story as a whole, have to be considered against the available country evidence and reliable expert evidence, and other familiar factors, such as consistency with what the appellant has said before, and with other factual evidence (where there is any).

29. Inherent probability, which may be helpful in many domestic cases, can be a dangerous, even a wholly inappropriate, factor to rely on in some asylum cases. Much of the evidence will be referable to societies with customs and circumstances which are very different from those of which the members of the fact-finding tribunal have any (even second-hand) experience. Indeed, it is likely that the country which an asylum-seeker has left will be suffering from the sort of problems and dislocations with which the overwhelming majority of residents of this country will be wholly unfamiliar. The point is well made in Hathaway on Law of Refugee Status (1991) at page 81:

'In assessing the general human rights information, decision-makers must constantly be on guard to avoid implicitly recharacterizing the nature of the risk based on their own perceptions of reasonability."

30. Inherent improbability in the context of asylum cases was discussed at some length by Lord Brodie in Awala v- Secretary of State [2005] CSOH 73. At paragraph 22, he pointed out that it was "not proper to reject an applicant's account merely on the basis that it is not credible or not plausible. To say that an applicant's account is not credible is to state a conclusion" (emphasis added). At paragraph 24, he said that rejection of a story on grounds of implausibility must be done "on reasonably drawn inferences and not simply on conjecture or speculation". He went on to emphasise, as did Pill LJ in Ghaisari, the entitlement of the fact-finder to rely "on his common sense and his ability, as a practical and informed person, to identify what is or is not plausible". However, he accepted that "there will be cases where actions which may appear implausible if judged byScottish standards, might be plausible when considered within the context of the applicant's social and cultural background".

29. Reflecting much the same caution, paragraph 5.6.4 of this Home Office Instruction invokes, inter alia, what was said in Y v Secretary of State [2006] EWCA Civ 1223:

"[I]n [ Y ] the Court of Appeal stated that in regarding an account as incredible the decision-maker must take care not to do so merely because it would not be plausible if it had happened in the UK. Again, underlying factors may well lead to behaviour and responses on the part of the claimant which run counter to what would be expected."

30. The reference by Neuberger LJ at [28] of HK to the need to consider factors related to plausibility along with "other familiar factors such as consistency" is also illustrative of the need to avoid basing credibility assessment on just one indicator. We would add that even when focusing just on plausibility, it is not a concept with clear edges. Not only may there be be degrees of (im)plausibility, but sometimes an aspect of an account that may be implausible in one respect may be plausible in another.

31 It seems to us that the indicators identified in the Home Office Instruction (which can be summarised as comprising sufficiency of detail; internal consistency; external consistency; and plausibility) provide a helpful framework within which to conduct a credibility assessment. They facilitate a more structured approach apt to help judges avoid the temptation to look at the evidence in a one-dimensional way or to focus in an ad hoc way solely on whichever indicator or factor appears foremost or opportune. We note that this Instruction draws heavily on case law authorities. However, any reference to a structured approach in relation to the subject matter of credibility assessment must carry a number of important (interrelated) caveats, among the most important of which are as follows.

32 First, such "Credibility Indicators" have to be understood as just that: a mere set of indicators, factors or indiciae. They are far from being a set of necessary conditions or requirements. To seek to apply them as if they were determinative would be unduly prescriptive as well as fatal to the need to ensure a full examination of the individual circumstances.

33 Second, such indicators are not to be taken as an exhaustive list: for example, the list given in the Home Office Instruction does not include demeanour. In our view, that is consistent with established case law which considers that in asylum appeals it will rarely be safe to attach significant weight to demeanour as a factor (see e.g. B v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Democratic Republic of Congo ) [2003] UKIAT 00014, para 10: "judging demeanour across cultural divides is fraught with danger"); indeed, we shall mention below what we made of the demeanour of the first appellant. On the other hand, we do not think it possible to exclude that in certain circumstances demeanour may be relevant.

34 Third, it must never be forgotten that credibility assessment is a highly fact-sensitive affair. Whilst having regard to a set of "Credibility Indicators" assists in making sure that, where relevant, the evidence is considered in a number of well-recognised ("familiar") respects, it does not prevent a decision-maker reaching a decision without going through such indicators step-by-step. For example, their use may be otiose if an individual's account rests wholly on a physical impossibility (e.g. that he jumped a 6 metre wall unaided) or is riddled with major inconsistencies. Conversely, if for example the individual is a vulnerable person whose account is strongly supported by expert medical evidence, it may not always matter that it contains inconsistency and lack of detail.

35 Fourth, making use of these indicators is not a substitute for the requirement to consider the evidence as a whole; it is rather a way of helping decision-makers organise their assessment 'in the round' so as to ensure they do not fail to properly take into account, where relevant, every factor that might tell in favour of or against an applicant (on the importance of taking into account factors telling for (and against) claimants see R (YH) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWCA Civ 116, 4 All ER, 448 at [24]).

36. Fifth, although not germane to this case, we should not forget, as Lord Dyson reminded decision-makers in MA (Somalia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] UKSC 49 at [33], 'the significance of lies will vary from case to case'. Credibility assessment is only part of evidence assessment. Even when the accounts put forward by applicants are not credible, it is still possible in certain (albeit unusual) circumstances for their applications for international protection to succeed.

37. There are also two considerations specific to the context of EU law and UK law.

38. One is that use of such a structured approach cannot entirely capture what it is necessary for decision-makers (including judges) applying EU law to undertake when assessing credibility. They are required to base their assessment on Article 4 of the Qualification Directive (paragraph 339J of the Rules) whose terms include an obligation to take into account "all relevant facts as they relate to the country of origin" (Article 4(3)(a); paragraph 339J(i)) and "the individual position and personal circumstances of the person" (Article 4(3)(c); 339J(iii)). If a finding of past persecution has been made, Article 4(4)(paragraph 339K) requires a particular approach to assessing the risk of repetition. When it comes to deciding whether to excuse a failure by an applicant to confirm their statements by supporting evidence, they must apply the conditions set out in Article 4(5) (paragraph 339L). Article 4(5)(d) QD (paragraph 339L(iv)) requires that 'the applicant has applied for international protection at the earliest possible time, unless the applicant can demonstrate good reason for not having done so').

39. The other is that in the UK context, by s. 8 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004, decision-makers are statutorily obliged to consider certain types of behaviour as damaging to credibility.

40. We have referred the "Credibility Indicators" of sufficiency of detail, internal consistency, external consistency and plausibility as being "well-recognised" (or in Neuberger LJ's words in HK , "familiar"). We do so because they are broadly the same as those indicators identified in a number of reputable background studies, for example, by UNHCR in Beyond Proof, Credibility Assessment in EU Asylum Systems: Full Report , May 2013; by the IARLJ in Assessment of Credibility in Refugee and Subsidiary Protection Claims under the EU Qualification Directive, Judicial Criteria and Standards, IARLJ, Credo Project, 2013, p. 35; and by a number of academics, including James Hathaway and Michelle Foster, The Law of Refugee Status , 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press 2014, p.139. We regard consideration of credibility in light of such indicators, if approached subject to the aforementioned caveats, to be a valid and useful exercise, based squarely on existing learning.

41. It will be apparent from the above that we do not understand assessment of credibility by reference to credibility indicators to be at odds with the tasks set out in Article 4 of the Qualification Directive; rather their application is simply a way of furthering a more structured approach to those tasks. And, in light of Tribunal and Court of Appeal authority on the proper application of s.8 (SM (Section 8: Judge's process) Iran [2005] UKAIT 00116; JT (Cameroon) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 878), the categories of behaviour that this section identifies as damaging to credibility cannot be determinative: as Pill LJ said at [21] of JT (Cameroon ) [2008] EWCA Civ 878, it is "no more than a reminder to fact-finding tribunals that conduct coming within the categories stated in section 8 shall be taken into account in assessing credibility."

The credibility of the appellants

42. Returning to consider the appellants' evidence in the round in the light of Mr Wilding's concessions, it is necessary to ask what are the considerations that count for and against them as regards the credibility of their accounts?

43. Mr Wilding's concessions have significantly (and somewhat unusually) circumscribed the ambit of the credibility assessment we need to undertake in the appellants' case. We take his concessions to entail that we are entitled without further ado to count in favour of the appellants their consistency (internal and external) and their sufficiency of detail and specificity. We would observe that it would have been our own finding in any event that their evidence possessed these qualities. In our view the significant degree of internal consistency of the first appellant's account would have carried particular weight because there have been a number of occasions in the course of proceedings over the past two or so years when he has had to face questions and provide explanations. (We will return to the matter of the second appellant's consistency and credibility in general later.) Leaving aside that Mr Wilding no longer sought to rely on the respondent's reasons for refusal letters, we would observe further that in any event they were flawed by a mistaken reliance on the appellants adducing unreliable "First Information Report (FIR) evidence". It is now accepted that the appellants had never submitted such evidence. These refusal letters also failed to adhere to the Home Office Instruction to which we have already made reference on "Credibility Indicators"  they did not address, in particular, whether the first appellant should have been given any credit for providing a consistent account.

44. Turning to consider factors we count against the appellants, we shall first of all address one that Mr Wilding did not label as a plausibility consideration as such, namely the appellants' failure to claim asylum on arrival. This is not behaviour falling within s.8 of the 2004 Act, but when considering any aspects of the appellants' statements not supported by documentary or other evidence we are required by Article 4(5)(d) of the Qualification Directive, when deciding whether to excuse lack of confirmation of statements, to take into account, inter alia, whether "the applicant has applied for international protection at the earliest possible time, unless the applicant can demonstrate good reason for not having done so". Given that (i) the delay in claiming was only a few days; (ii) the first appellant was not asked in his asylum interview to provide good reason for the delay; (iii) when the second appellant was asked in her asylum interview for a reason, she stated that she was ill  a matter which Mr Wilding does not dispute; and (iv) the respondent did not rely on any lack of good reason in her reasons for refusals letters in respect of either appellant, we are prepared to accept that there was a good reason for the delay. Even if we had not found that to be the case, we would not have considered it a matter of sufficient importance in assessing the core elements of their claim, which are indeed supported by documentary or other evidence.

45. Turning then to plausibility, we do regard it as to some degree implausible that the appellants should have left Pakistan so soon after the shop incident. If the first appellant felt that the safety of his wife and children could be secured by them merely moving to live with her mother some 45 minutes away, then the question has to be asked as to why he and his mother also did not see moving away from their house but remaining in Rawalpindi as at least as an interim measure. On the other hand, we consider that it is important when considering the circumstances surrounding their departure to recollect the Court of Appeal guidance in the Y case. Based on the fact that the shop incident represented an escalation in the level of adverse attention directed by the malvis against the first appellant (he said they threatened to kill him), it is equally plausible that he would have seen fit to leave Pakistan quickly. On this matter, therefore, it seems to us that plausibility considerations cut two ways.

46. We see some, albeit limited, force in Mr Wilding's submission that it was implausible that the first appellant and the local branch president would have left the police station after only an hour and without having their complaint recorded. From the AMAUK evidence, it appears important to the Ahmadi community to have adverse incidents with the authorities reported to the authorities, even if they do not consider that to do so results in effective protection. At the same time, the first appellant's and the AMAUK's evidence was that the police reaction to their complaint did not inspire confidence and it is at least understandable that they took the view that having informed the police what had happened, little else was to be gained by waiting around, particularly as the first appellant was the one who had to decide how to respond to the threats made to kill him that same day.

47. There is still the matter of the fact that the first appellant does not suggest that by moving 45 minutes away his wife and children were left vulnerable to adverse attention from the malvis. Is that a significant factor pointing against accepting the credibility of the first appellant's account? We have decided it is not because of the very different profile of the first appellant as compared with his wife and children, who, in accordance with Ahmadi community rules, limited their activities outside their own living quarters. Given that the first appellant had been elected local "Quaid" (leader) in charge of 42 people, we consider it is reasonably likely that he would understand the matter of his own safety as being very different, given that if he remained anywhere in Rawalpindi, the same group of malvis were extremely likely to locate him and re-commence their adverse attention. We do not find it accurate of Mr Wilding to submit that the appellants have never suggested that the family members remaining in Rawlapindi were still at risk: it was the first appellant's evidence that his brother, who remained in Rawlapindi and in charge of the shop although employing a non-Ahmadi to run it, was "lying low and still looking for an opportunity to escape".

48. Put shortly, we do not consider that application of the Plausibility indicator to the evidence in the appellants' case significantly damages the credibility of their account.

49. The only other matter of potential significance that we consider can be counted against the appellants is that the first appellant's sister and brother in the UK did not attend to give evidence nor submit a witness statement. We do not think it good enough for the first appellant to seek to excuse this by saying she would have come if he had asked. He was put on notice earlier that the failure of close family to attend as witnesses may be viewed adversely. At the same time, the appellant's witnesses did include a cousin, Mr B, whose evidence we had no reason to reject and it did provide some degree of corroboration (as to the events surrounding the appellants' rapid departure from Pakistan) from within the first appellant's family circles in the UK.

50. We alluded earlier to the possible relevance of demeanour in assessment of credibility and stated our own view that it would rarely if ever be of importance in asylum appeals. Illustrative perhaps of why, it was our own reaction to the first appellant's evidence that throughout he seemed uncomfortable and not always able to give answers to the specific question being asked of him (a number of questions had to be repeated for that reason). However, viewing the evidence as a whole, we bore in mind that we were receiving his evidence through an interpreter and that these features of his oral testimony were as likely to be personality traits not connected to matters going to credence. Hence we decided to attach little negative weight to such shortcomings.

The AMAUK evidence

51. It will be apparent from our analysis thus far that we consider the AMAUK evidence produced in this case to lend support to their core claims. Mr Wilding has not sought to undermine it. We hasten to add, however, that our acceptance of it is specific to the evidence we had in this case. Given that Mr Shah's evidence accepted that for the most part the only real filtering that took place of requests by persons for help with reports from Pakistan was in deciding whether they were genuinely of the Ahmadi faith, and that the local branch presidents in Pakistan for the most part simply reported what they were told, we certainly see no reason to treat such evidence as having any elevated status. When considering what was said about AMAUK letters in MN we also take into account the subsequent reported decision of the Upper Tribunal in AB (Ahmadiyya Association UK letters ) Pakistan [2013] UKUT 511 (IAC) which also rejected endowing such letters with any elevated evidential status.

The second appellant

52. Hitherto we have largely focused on an assessment of the evidence of the first appellant and the issue of his credibility. A principal reason for doing so is that it was not disputed by Mr Wilding that the second appellant is elderly and has health difficulties. We did, however, have a record of the evidence she gave in September 2016 before FtT Judge E B Grant. In broad terms. that evidence was consistent with what she has said in her witness statements and also with the first appellant's account. During the evidence of the first appellant the bench asked him about two aspects of his evidence which were at odds with that given by the second appellant in her asylum interview, regarding how long after the shop incident he had told his mother about it and whether the police had ever provided any degree of protection to his shop. Given the medical evidence we have regarding the second appellant's psychological problems, we are minded to accept the first appellant's explanation for these discrepancies in terms of her lack of understanding. We note that Mr Wilding did not suggest we do otherwise. In any event Mr Wilding's concession as regards consistency and sufficiency of detail was made in respect of both appellants.

53. The essence of the second appellant's evidence was that in Pakistan she had been an active Ahmadi, having the status of "Musi". Although her ill-health prevented her from going out much, she had encountered abuse directed at her as an Ahmadi when she went to the marketplace.

54. In light of the above, we conclude that the core account given by both appellants as regards their experiences in Pakistan and their reasons for leaving are credible.

Causes

55. Mr Wilding's submission was that even if we accepted the appellants' evidence as credible, it did not establish that the shop incident was religiously motivated. It was not entirely clear whether his submission was directed at arguing that the shop incident was not persecutory because it could just as likely have been an ordinary criminal act (an Article 9 QD issue) or at arguing that there was no Convention reason or ground for the adverse attention (the Article 10 Qualification Directive issue). We shall consider it as embracing both issues.

56. Even so, we are unable to agree with this submission. Having accepted the first appellant's evidence about the background of harassment and threats from Khatme Nabuwaht against the first appellant as credible, we find no difficulty in accepting that he had been targeted for harassment and verbal threats by the malvis, not just when he was at his shop but on journeys from home to get there. We note that the first appellant's evidence was that they also knew where he lived.

57. That Ahmadis who are visible to Khatme Nabuwaht can be targeted for threats and intimidation and sometimes violence is borne out by the background evidence, not just that considered and evaluated by the Tribunal in MN but by the aforementioned UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines of January 2017.

58. Accordingly we conclude it reasonably likely that the adverse attention experienced by the first appellant was religiously motivated, and the same goes for the lesser degree of taunts and abuse directed against the second appellant when she went to the marketplace. That in our judgement differentiates the shop incidents from an ordinary criminal incident and also suffices to establish a reason for persecution within the meaning of Article 10 QD.

Future risk

59. We have already highlighted the test we must apply when satisfied (as here) that appellants have proved past persecution, namely that this fact "will be regarded as a serious indication of the person's well-founded fear of persecution or real risk of suffering serious harm, unless there are good reasons to consider that such persecution or serious harm will not be repeated" (Article 4(4) Qualification Directive (paragraph 339K of the Immigration Rules). Implicit in Mr Wilding's concession that if credible about the shop incident and causes the appellants were entitled to succeed in their appeals, was recognition that, on the basis of the first appellant's account his role as an active Ahmadi, serving a role locally as "Musi" and "Quaid", afforded good reasons to consider that such persecution will be repeated. That in any event, is our assessment, particularly bearing in mind the fact that the first appellant (and to a lesser extent the second appellant) falls within the terms of paragraph 2(i) of the guidance in MN .

Internal relocation

60. Mr Wilding submitted that we should conclude that the appellants would have a viable internal relocation alternative based on the fact that the first appellant's wife and children appear to have achieved safety by moving 45 minutes' drive away and the fact that the first appellant's shop appears to have remained in operation with the help of his brother although now manned by a non-Ahmadi. We reject this contention. In the headnote and at point 7 of the headnote and [124] of MN the Tribunal stated that:

"[T]he option of internal relocation, previously considered to be available in Rabwah, is not in general reasonably open to a claimant who genuinely wishes to engage n paragraph 2(i) behaviour, in the light of the nationwide effect in Pakistan of the anti-Ahmadi legislation."

61. We also note that the Home Office Country Information and Guidance: Pakistan: Ahmadis , Version 2.0, May 2016 states at 2.4.2 that:

" MN and others held that, in light of the nationwide effect in Pakistan of the anti-Ahmadi legislation, the option of internal relocation, previously considered to be available in Rabwah, is not in general reasonably open to a person who genuinely wishes to practise and manifest their faith openly in Pakistan contrary to the restrictions of the Pakistan Penal Code ...".

62. We recall further our earlier note that the first appellant's evidence in his latest witness statement of 8 September 2016 was that whilst his brother continues to live in Pakistan he is "lying low and still looking for an opportunity to escape".

63. In our view what we stated earlier regarding the mixed plausibility of the first appellant's decision to leave Pakistan also has a bearing here. Unlike his wife and children, the first appellant would be returning as an active Ahmadi whose level of involvement in the Ahmadi faith was at a significant level. In our view, wherever he went in Pakistan, it is reasonably likely he would sooner or later attract the same kind of adverse attention. In making this assessment we bear in mind not only what was said on the subject of internal relocation by the Tribunal in MN, but also what was said in the UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines.

64. The aforementioned UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines, January 2017 note at Part 5 (p. 22) that: -

"[l]ittle or no protection is reportedly afforded by the state authorities. It appears that crimes and acts of violence against Ahmadis are not consistently investigated, allegedly due to pressure from Islamic fundamentalist groups, and perpetrators of such crimes are reportedly not brought to justice"

and at Part VI (p. 42) that:

"For Ahmadis who practise their faith openly or who have been the target of threats and/or attacks by fundamentalist Sunni groups, such as Pasban Khatme-Nabuwaht, there is no viable IFA/IRA [ Internal Flight Alternative/Internal Protection Alternative] given the countrywide reach of such groups, compounded by the reported lack of effective state protection ...".

Notice of Decision

65. The decision of the FtT judge has already been set aside for material error of law.

66. The decision we remake is to allow the appellants' appeals on protection (asylum) grounds.

Signed Date: 22 November 2017

Dr H H Storey

Judge of the Upper Tribunal

Appendix A: summary of oral evidence

1. The first witness called was Mr Mansoor Shah, Vice President of the Ahmadiyaa Muslim Association UK (AMAUK). He said he had read the reports on the first appellant dated 6 January 2015, 13 October 2015, 25 February 2016, 5 September 2016 and 9 August 2017. He explained that the procedure followed by his association in the event of a request from a member wanting help with an asylum claim was to send it to their Department for Internal Affairs in Pakistan who then contacted the local branch president in the appellant's home area who then either personally or through delegation drew up a report regarding what was known about the applicant's Ahmadi activities. Asked by Mr Fripp if there had ever been misuse of this procedure, Mr Shah said in his experience only once or twice had there ever been a minor error relating to a person's precise name or age or where information received from someone had possibly been misrepresented. How complete the records held by local branch presidents were depended on the individual holding the post. If some matter was not reported to the local branch president he could not confirm it; he could only report what had been reported to him locally. He (Mr Shah) had no reason to doubt the integrity of the local branch president who wrote a report on the first appellant. The appellants' case was an illustration, he said, of the situation whereby sometimes, in response to an applicant's request for further help, the local branch president would be asked to produce a supplementary report. When there was the need to go to the local police to notify an incident against an Ahmadi reported to the local branch president, he would go himself or send someone to attend on his behalf; but the Ahmadi community organisation at this local level had limited resources. Mr Shah said he had given evidence in appeal cases two or three times.

2. In reply to questions from Mr Wilding, Mr Shah said he had not been personally involved in the procedure whereby a report regarding the appellants was requested by his association to the headquarters in Pakistan. The association's procedure upon receipt of any report from Pakistan was to keep it on file as a confidential document. It would only be made available to appeal authorities in certain cases. He said it was one of his association's missions to promote the Ahmadi faith and bring to public attention what was happening to Ahmadis in Pakistan. However, the association did not encourage Ahmadis to settle in other countries and was not in the business of supporting Ahmadi asylum claims in general. His association believed it had to adopt rigorous procedures in order to ensure, for example, that it was not infiltrated by terrorists.

3. Asked further about the association's procedures, Mr Shah said that when individuals approached the association for help there was a filter: the association had to be satisfied the applicant was an Ahmadi; only then would the association proceed. The information request typically concerned matters such as whether the individual was known to the local Ahmadi community in Pakistan, whether he or she held any Ahmadi office there, whether they made any financial contributions etc.

4. Asked by Mr Wilding whether there had ever been incidents where the association thought an individual was lying, Mr Shah said there had been although they were rare. He gave the example of someone who became an Ahmadi in the UK who said he had been an Ahmadi in Pakistan, but the Pakistan headquarters could find no proof. He gave another example where someone said he had been the victim of an incident in Pakistan in which they said they were beaten, but no such incident had been reported to the local branch president.

5. Mr Wilding sought more detail regarding the contents of the reports drawn up by local branch presidents. In general, said Mr Shah, the local branch would just confirm that an incident had been reported to them; they did not seek to pass judgment on whether the incident was an ordinary crime or religiously motivated. Their reports did not confirm causes. The extent to which the writer of the report was able to say from their own knowledge that an incident had happened or an individual had been attacked would depend on the local branch resources and on whether members on the ground in the area had witnessed such things. Even if a report writer had no personal knowledge that an incident had happened, they would still report it: "We do not seek external evidence every time". Whilst the reports drawn up did not attempt to confirm causes, it was widely known within their community that "a lot of things happened as a result of our religion".

6. In re-examination Mr Shah was asked to explain an earlier reference he had made to Ahmadis who were "Musi" (it was the evidence of both appellants that they were Musis). Musis were, he said, persons whose level of commitment to the association was strong and who dedicated their entire lives to their faith. They made greater financial contributions but these were not enough on their own to make one a Musi. People had to apply to become Musis; it took one year for an application to be dealt with. A "Quaid" (it was the first appellant's evidence that he was also a Quaid) was someone who was a leader and whose role was to set a good example of dedication to the community.

7. Mr Shah said the fact that the further report on the appellants dated 25 February 2016 mentioned that the branch president had accompanied the first appellant to the police station showed that the former attached particular importance to the matter.

8. The next witness was the first appellant. Having confirmed his witness statements were true and correct, he said that he was present when the Khatme Nabuwaht "malvis" trashed his shop in December 2014. He was sure they did so because of his faith. He knew this because he had received harassment and threats since the day he began his business in 1999. There had also been minor incidents, gluing of locks and putting up posters. Sometimes they just argued. On the day of the trashing of his shop they had said "You are an infidel. Run, otherwise we will kill you". Sometimes they stopped him on his way to the shop. He informed his jamaat (place of worship) who advised him to change his route. He had not seen the two men who came and trashed his shop before. Straight after the incident he went and told his local branch leader and the latter accompanied him to the police station. They told the police that his shop had been attacked; the police made them sit and wait. The police did not go to see the shop or say that they would. He believed that was because they knew he was an Ahmadi. They were at the police station for an hour. Asked by Mr Wilding why they had left after such a short time, the first appellant said it was because they knew the police would not help. After they left the police station he went home and talked to his mother. Asked if the malvis had ever attacked or threatened him at his home, he said they knew where he lived. They also used to stop him on his way to work.

9. Mr Wilding asked about why, if he was aware his attackers knew where he lived, he had not fled together with his wife and children. The first appellant said he would have taken them but only he and his mother had a visa. Since the shop incident in December 2014, his wife and children had not applied for a visa. He had inquired about how they might join him but had been advised by immigration consultants "it would not be good". His wife and children had moved to her parents' house 45 minutes drive away. It was not possible to leave his mother behind; his attackers would have abused her; when his mother went to the marketplace the malvis would abuse her. There had been incidents of arson and beatings directed at Ahmadis in his local area. His brother lived in the same area.

10. Mr Wilding asked the first appellant about his mother's health. He said she had been having health problems in Pakistan and took medication. She would also go sometimes to hospital for blood transfusions. He denied that the real reason he and his mother had come to the UK was to get her medical treatment. He had come to the UK as a visitor in early 2014, he stayed with his sister and other relatives. They had learnt from a telephone call from his mother about the shop incident.

11. Mr Wilding asked why had the sister or other relatives had not attended to give evidence on his and his mother's behalf. He said "if I called she [his sister] would have come". His mother had visited the UK four or five times without problems. She did not need medical treatment in the UK because of any money shortage. It was very difficult for him to live in the UK having left his wife and two small children in Pakistan.

12. The first appellant was asked again about the December 2014 shop incident. He said that up to then the malvis who had come and threatened him were not always the same people. Over his time at the shop about eight to ten different people had come. They called him "Mirzi" as a term of insult.

13. In re-examination the first appellant said the posters put up by the malvis had been put on his shop front. The messages on them called for people to "boycott" his shop. He had witnessed his mother being abused when she went to the marketplace.

14. The first appellant was asked by the bench whether he had told his mother about the shop incident that same day. He said he had. It was put to him that his mother had said in her asylum interview that she only learnt about the shop incident two days later. He said she was not aware of these things; her understanding was poor.

15. The third and final witness was Mr A B who was granted refugee status in the UK December 2014. He said he was a cousin who knew the appellants when they lived in Rawalpindi. He knew both appellants to have been Musis in Pakistan. He had learnt about the December 2014 incident from his wife who had been informed by the first appellant's mother. His wife had heard about it after a telephone call from Pakistan to his mother.

Appendix B: headnote to MN and others (Ahmadis - country conditions - risk ) CG [2012] UKUT 00389 (IAC):

"1. This country guidance replaces previous guidance in MJ & ZM (Ahmadis  risk) Pakistan CG [2008] UKAIT 00033, and IA & Others (Ahmadis: Rabwah) Pakistan CG [2007] UKAIT 00088. The guidance we give is based in part on the developments in the law including the decisions of the Supreme Court in HJ (Iran) [2010] UKSC 31, RT (Zimbabwe) [2012] UKSC 38 and the CJEU decision in Germany v. Y (C-71/11) & Z (C-99/11) . The guidance relates principally to Qadiani Ahmadis; but as the legislation which is the background to the issues raised in these appeals affects Lahori Ahmadis also, they too are included in the country guidance stated below.

2. (i) The background to the risk faced by Ahmadis is legislation that restricts the way in which they are able openly to practise their faith. The legislation not only prohibits preaching and other forms of proselytising but also in practice restricts other elements of manifesting one's religious beliefs, such as holding open discourse about religion with non-Ahmadis, although not amounting to proselytising. The prohibitions include openly referring to one's place of worship as a mosque and to one's religious leader as an Imam. In addition, Ahmadis are not permitted to refer to the call to prayer as azan nor to call themselves Muslims or refer to their faith as Islam. Sanctions include a fine and imprisonment and if blasphemy is found, there is a risk of the death penalty which to date has not been carried out although there is a risk of lengthy incarceration if the penalty is imposed. There is clear evidence that this legislation is used by non-state actors to threaten and harass Ahmadis. This includes the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) (the first step in any criminal proceedings) which can result in detentions whilst prosecutions are being pursued. Ahmadis are also subject to attacks by non-state actors from sectors of the majority Sunni Muslim population.

(ii) It is, and has long been, possible in general for Ahmadis to practise their faith on a restricted basis either in private or in community with other Ahmadis, without infringing domestic Pakistan law.

3. (i) If an Ahmadi is able to demonstrate that it is of particular importance to his religious identity to practise and manifest his faith openly in Pakistan in defiance of the restrictions in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) under sections 298B and 298C, by engaging in behaviour described in paragraph 2(i) above, he or she is likely to be in need of protection, in the light of the serious nature of the sanctions that potentially apply as well as the risk of prosecution under section 295C for blasphemy.

(ii) It is no answer to expect an Ahmadi who fits the description just given to avoid engaging in behaviour described in paragraph 2(i) above ("paragraph 2(i) behaviour") to avoid a risk of prosecution.

4. The need for protection applies equally to men and women. There is no basis for considering that Ahmadi women as a whole are at a particular or additional risk; the decision that they should not attend mosques in Pakistan was made by the Ahmadi Community following attacks on the mosques in Lahore in 2010. There is no evidence that women in particular were the target of those attacks.

5. In light of the above, the first question the decision-maker must ask is (1) whether the claimant genuinely is an Ahmadi. As with all judicial fact-finding the judge will need to reach conclusions on all the evidence as a whole giving such weight to aspects of that evidence as appropriate in accordance with Article 4 of the Qualification Directive. This is likely to include an enquiry whether the claimant was registered with an Ahmadi community in Pakistan and worshipped and engaged there on a regular basis. Post-arrival activity will also be relevant. Evidence likely to be relevant includes confirmation from the UK Ahmadi headquarters regarding the activities relied on in Pakistan and confirmation from the local community in the UK where the claimant is worshipping.

6. The next step (2) involves an enquiry into the claimant's intentions or wishes as to his or her faith, if returned to Pakistan. This is relevant because of the need to establish whether it is of particular importance to the religious identity of the Ahmadi concerned to engage in paragraph 2(i) behaviour. The burden is on the claimant to demonstrate that any intention or wish to practise and manifest aspects of the faith openly that are not permitted by the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) is genuinely held and of particular importance to the claimant to preserve his or her religious identity. The decision maker needs to evaluate all the evidence. Behaviour since arrival in the UK may also be relevant. If the claimant discharges this burden he is likely to be in need of protection.

7. The option of internal relocation, previously considered to be available in Rabwah, is not in general reasonably open to a claimant who genuinely wishes to engage n paragraph 2(i) behaviour, in the light of the nationwide effect in Pakistan of the anti-Ahmadi legislation.

8. Ahmadis who are not able to show that they practised their faith at all in Pakistan or that they did so on anything other than the restricted basis described in paragraph 2(ii) above are in general unlikely to be able to show that their genuine intentions or wishes are to practise and manifest their faith openly on return, as described in paragraph 2(i) above.

9. A sur place claim by an Ahmadi based on post-arrival conversion or revival in belief and practice will require careful evidential analysis. This will probably include consideration of evidence of the head of the claimant's local United Kingdom Ahmadi Community and from the UK headquarters, the latter particularly in cases where there has been a conversion. Any adverse findings in the claimant's account as a whole may be relevant to the assessment of likely behaviour on return.

10. Whilst an Ahmadi who has been found to be not reasonably likely to engage or wish to engage in paragraph 2(i) behaviour is, in general, not at real risk on return to Pakistan, judicial fact-finders may in certain cases need to consider whether that person would nevertheless be reasonably likely to be targeted by non-state actors on return for religious persecution by reason of his/her prominent social and/or business profile.

Copyright notice: Crown Copyright
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There are 27 facilities in Connecticut that use such large quantities of hazardous chemicals that they are required to submit disaster response plans to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

About 170,000 people  roughly 5 percent of the state population  live within one mile of these facilities, risking exposure to a leak, explosion or adverse health effects. Low-income people and children of color under the age of 12 are more likely than their white counterparts to live in these fenceline communities, according to a report by the Center for Effective Government.

In its report Living in the Shadow of Danger: Poverty, Race and Unequal Chemical Facility Hazards, the center examined more than 12,500 facilities in 50 states, grading states based on disparities faced by people living adjacent to or near these facilities. The center reported that children of color under age 12 living in the state were 2.2 times more likely than white children to live within a mile of one of these facilities. In many instances, residents are unaware of the dangers just blocks from their homes, the report said.

Connecticut, and 25 other states, earned a D grade for its inequities. But, like in many states, theres little that can be done because many of the facilities were built under old zoning laws and are protected.

Ive been doing this for 25 years, and I dont see things changing. Its frustrating, said Edith Pestana, administrator of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Environmental Justice Program, which was formed to assist neighborhoods unfairly burdened by environmental hazards.

I have to say I was traumatized that we got a D, but  people are living where they were always living, and it hasnt improved.

A lot of it has to do with terrible zoning. A lot of facilities are grandfathered in, Pestana said. Until cities start looking at public health again, when they are rewriting their planning and zoning rules, things are not going to change.

But the dangers are real, especially for people of color, experts and advocates said. Between 2010 and 2014, incidents occurred more frequently at facilities in neighborhoods predominantly populated by people of color  one incident per six facilities compared with one per 11 in predominantly white neighborhoods.

In 2015 the EPA estimated that 150 catastrophic accidents occur nationwide at regulated facilities each year.

These incidents keep happening and happening. It feels like we get a new report once or twice a week, said Anna Fendley of United Steelworkers, which represents 30,000 workers in chemical facilities across the country, including Connecticut.

The most recent incident in Connecticut took place in December 2016, when an explosion occurred inside a warehouse at the New Haven Chlor-Alkali bleach manufacturing plant. The incident did not cause any injuries, but it was a wakeup call to some nearby residents.

You have families that live on this street, said 28-year-old John Smith, pointing to his son arriving home from school. He lives on Welton Street across from railroad tracks that bring 90-ton railcars of chlorine to and from the plant. I like this street, its quiet except for the trains, but if I could I wouldnt live near here.

Federal, State And Local Oversight

An amendment to the Clean Air Act of 1990 mandated that facilities holding large quantities of certain potentially toxic chemicals submit a risk management plan to the EPA detailing procedures to be followed if an explosion sends those chemicals airborne.

Connecticuts 27 regulated facilities range from chemical manufacturers to food and beverage facilities and aerospace companies. The chemicals stored or processed include ammonia, chlorine, pentane, butane, propane and others.

The facilities employ more than 7,000 workers and are scattered statewide. In addition to New Haven, facilities are in Bridgeport, Norwalk, North Haven, New Britain, Wallingford, Bristol, Suffield and Windsor Locks, among other communities, according to reports compiled by the Houston Chronicles Right-To-Know Network. The newspaper created the listing because the EPA does not have a public database of risk management plan facilities online.

In 1993, DEEP created an Environmental Justice Program to help communities exposed to higher levels of environmental pollution.

No segment of the population should, because of its racial or economic makeup, bear a disproportionate share of the risks and consequences of environmental pollution or be denied equal access to environmental benefits, according to the state agencys policy.

In 2009, the state enacted a landmark environmental justice law, which helps neighborhoods express community health concerns and negotiate with companies.

But that has done little to lessen the dangers because the law covers only new and expanding companies. Most facilities storing and processing chemicals existed prior to 2008.

The worst-case disaster scenario for the Chlor-Alkali plant would be a broken hose on one of those railcars, which would allow the chlorine to vaporize into the air, according to the companys disaster response plan submitted to the EPA. An entire railcar of chlorine escaping could be toxic as far as 25 miles, impacting 1.6 million people, the documents report. The plant calls this extremely unlikely, but acknowledges the more immediate risk to those living nearby.

However, even a chlorine release that is stopped within 30 minutes could be toxic to our nearby neighbors, the documents read.

Theres a really good chance youre in danger if youre that close, said Sean Moulton, one of the contributors to the centers report who now works for the Project on Government Oversight. That organization took over most of the Center for Effective Governments work in March 2016.

Certain societal forces got us to this point, he said. We need to do something about future facilities and figure out a way to reach out to communities that are there now, ensuring that they have the proper tools and knowledge to deal with short-term emergencies and address long-term consequences of living near these facilities.

Changes In New Haven

What can change is how municipalities handle incidents. Sometimes it takes an incident  or an explosion  to bring about change.

In New Haven, residents have long complained about the Chlor-Alkali bleach manufacturing plant, formerly H. Krevit & Co., which shook their Cedar Hill neighborhood last December. A container explosion released sodium hypochlorite, a chemical dangerous to inhale, and ripped a hole through the rear of the building. Residents heard and felt the morning blast but werent notified it was a chemical explosion for six hours.

After the explosion, the citys Office of Emergency Management updated its notification system so if that were to happen again, phone calls and text messages would go to residents within two miles of the incident. The city also plans to distribute a chemical preparedness pamphlet citywide. In March, New Havens City Plan Commission approved a site plan for Chlor-Alkali to install equipment for a greener process to make bleach using only salt, water and electricity.

Chlor-Alkalis business development manager, Arjun Murthy, now regularly attends meetings with neighbors to address concerns and said the plant has made a number of process changes inside our plant and added new equipment to ensure that something similar never happens again.

Unfortunately, we had to have an incident to get to this point, said Marie Gallo, a member of the Cedar Hill Merchants Association and owner of Gallos Appliance, which is a few blocks south of the plant. At a recent merchant meeting during which the city announced its plan, she said, If we were taken a little more seriously three or four years ago, maybe we wouldnt be at this point now.

These communities suffer disproportionately, said Dr. Mark Mitchell, a public health physician who founded the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice and currently serves as principal of Mitchell Environmental Health Associates.

Theres a direct correlation between the percentage of people of color in a community and the number of environmental hazards in those communities  and the relationship is even stronger between poverty and environmental hazards.

People dont know that its dangerous. They dont know what they are living next to, he said. And particularly in low-income neighborhoods, people move very frequently and so even if you tell people today, then next year there could be a whole new set of people who wont know.

Adam Wisnieski is Conn. Health I-Team writer. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (c-hit.org).
Contributed Photo

WESTPORT  A Bridgeport man arrested for embezzling $23,000 from a Westport business last year turned himself in to Westport police after allegedly failing to appear for his September court date.

Michael McCrorken, 28, turned himself in Dec. 5 and was charged with first degree failure to appear. McCrorken, unable to post his $25,000 bond, was transported to Norwalk Court for arraignment later that morning.
Contributed photo

WINSTED  The Brooks-Green Woods Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is supporting the Wreaths Across American program, and will hold a wreath laying ceremony on Saturday at 12 p.m. to honor the nations veterans.

The ceremony will be held at the Forest View Cemetery, Rowley Street, Winsted. The public is welcome to attend. Members will gather at the flagpole inside the main gate.
WASHINGTON  More than half of the countries in Radio Free Asias target broadcast region are listed among the worlds worst jailers of journalists in the Committee to Protect Journalists special report for 2017. The report cites China, Cambodia, and Vietnam -- countries that have imprisoned Radio Free Asia (RFA) current and former journalists, as well as contributors and sources. RFA President Libby Liu said the reports findings underscore not only the threats to free press, but also the importance of RFAs work and independent journalism in these countries and around the world.

Cambodia, Vietnam, and China persecute and make examples of journalists and sources who challenge the narratives of the ruling regimes, Liu said. By resorting to desperate measures, these countries unwittingly highlight the impact and importance of a free press.

The situation in Cambodia, where two former RFA journalists have been charged with espionage, is especially egregious. Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin severed ties to RFA after our bureau was forced to close in September. Yet two months later they were arrested and charged, and they now wait in prison as a Cambodian court pursues what could be a months-long quest to assemble evidence for the prosecution. Its an absolute outrage.

In Vietnam, RFA contributors like Nguyen Van Hoa and Mother Mushroom have both been sentenced to jail and other correspondents are routinely stopped and searched, while their families are questioned and harassed by police.

In China, authorities detain and charge rights activists, citizen journalists, and family members who provide information or comments to RFA.

None of these individuals deserves to be imprisoned or face the might of authoritarian legal systems. Nor should their families and loved ones be forced to suffer at the hands of authorities. These acts of intimidation should cease and these individuals should be freed, without charges and without delay.

RFA thanks CPJ, RSF, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Frontline Defenders, and other global media rights groups for their sustained efforts to keep pressure on the international community to act.

In Cambodia, former RFA journalists Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin from its Khmer Service, which was forced to close its Phnom Penh bureau in September, were arrested and are facing charges of espionage. The two are being held at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh. If tried and convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison. In Vietnam, video journalist and RFA contributor Nguyen Van Hoa was sentenced in November to seven years in prison for reporting on the 2016 chemical spill that devastated the countrys central coast. Days after Nguyens sentencing, blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known also as Mother Mushroom, lost her appeal of her 10-year prison sentence for her posts on Facebook about human rights and other underreported issues in Vietnam. According to CPJs updated database, China has 41 reporters and bloggers currently in prison, making it among the worlds biggest jailers of journalists. CPJ also documents how medical neglect in Chinese prisons often amounts to a death sentence for jailed journalists. While no RFA journalists or sources have been arrested in Myanmar, the country has three reporters jailed and recently stepped up restrictions on media.
UPDATED at 10:34 A.M. EST on 2017-12-15



The head of Cambodias now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) requested that a court in the countrys capital drop all charges against him while being questioned in his cell in Tboung Khmum province Thursday over allegations he colluded with the U.S. in a bid to topple the government, according to his lawyer.



CNRP President Kem Sokha, who has been held in pre-trial detention at remote Trapeang Phlong prison since his arrest in September for treason, urged a court investigator to dismiss the charges and release him unconditionally so that he can help to solve Cambodias ongoing political crisis, his lawyer, Hem Socheat, told RFAs Khmer Service.



Kem Sokha made his oral submission during the questioning hearing, the lawyer said.



He asked that all the charges against him be dropped and that he be released. His submission was recorded by the court clerk.



Last month, Cambodias Supreme Court ruled to dissolve the CNRP for its alleged role in a conspiracy to overthrow government, essentially eliminating any threat to Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) ahead of a general election in July 2018.



The international community has heaped scorn on Cambodias government for its actions targeting the opposition, as well as restrictions on NGOs and independent media in recent months, saying the legitimacy of next years ballot has been called into question.



Thursdays hearing was the second time Kem Sokha has been questioned with regards to his charges, following a session on Nov. 24.



In both cases, members of his legal team took issue with the investigators line of inquiry, which they said assumed their clients guilt.



Every question put to him was inculpatory in nature, to which we strongly objected, but to no avail, Hem Socheat said of Thursdays hearing.



The evidence presented against Kem Sokha so far is a video recorded in 2013 in which he discusses a strategy to win power at the ballot box with the help of U.S. expertsthough the U.S. embassy has rejected any suggestion that Washington is interfering in Cambodian politics.



Following the Nov. 24 hearing, Hem Socheat said Kem Sokha had testified that his statement in the video was merely an educational speech on the appreciation of human rights and democracy, and said the opposition leader treats his case and the dissolution of the CNRP as politically motivated.



Kem Sokha will be questioned a third time on Dec. 21-22.



EU pressure



Also on Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging Cambodias government to reinstate the CNRP, reverse the Supreme Courts decision to ban 118 of its officials from politics for five years, and release Kem Sokha.



In a statement issued after the resolution vote, lawmakers expressed concern about the general elections scheduled for July 2018, stressing that an electoral process from which the main opposition party has been excluded is not legitimate.



Cambodia benefits from the EUs preferential Everything But Arms scheme, but if authorities do not respect fundamental rights, these tariff preferences must be temporarily withdrawn, they said.



Members of parliament also asked the European External Action Service and the European Union Commission to prepare a list of individuals responsible for the dissolution of the opposition and other rights violations in Cambodia, with a view to imposing visa restrictions and asset freezes on them.



The resolution followed a call on Tuesday by the Committee on Foreign Affairs for the U.S. House of Representatives for a list of individuals and businesses in Cambodia who should be subject to sanctions and a pledge to review trade agreements with the country as part of a bid to pressure its government to reverse restrictions on democracy ahead of next years general election.



Both the EU and the U.S. have announced that they will withdraw funding for the election unless Cambodia can ensure a free and fair ballot.



Cambodias government did not immediately comment on the European Parliaments resolution, but CPP spokesperson Sok Ey San on Thursday called U.S. threats of sanctions ruthless and inhumane.



It simply shows the deliberate ambition to exert pressure on Cambodias government, because they are siding with their puppet [the opposition party], he said.



Such measures are nothing short of an intention to promote capitalist ideology in Cambodia and the rest of the world. Its very ruthless and inhumane to impose punitive measures that lack legal basis.



Hun Sen maintains that his country is governed by a multi-party democracy and has said elections will proceed as planned, regardless of international recognition.



Top monk criticized



Meanwhile, NGOs and members of the Buddhist clergy on Thursday condemned Cambodias top monastic leader, Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong, for using his title to campaign for the ruling party in the majority Buddhist country.



A day earlier, at the 26th National Conference for Monks held at Chaktomuk Hall in the capital, Tep Vong praised Hun Sen and urged his fellow monks to vote for the CPP in July.



The Cambodian government, led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, has done many great things that we need to appreciate, he told followers at the event.



We have Buddhism. We have peace, unity, and prosperity. If we lose them we will die. The opposition has never won an election anyway. The winner of the election is pre-determined.



On Thursday, political analyst Lao Mong Hay told RFA he was not surprised by Tep Vongs remarks, noting that his title was bestowed on him by the CPP-led government.



He has to promote the CPP, he said.



Yoeung Sotheara, legal and monitoring officer at the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL), also expressed concerns over monks getting involved in politics.



Venerable Chhim Sophy, a senior student at Cambodias Pannasastra University, rejected Tep Vongs appeal for the CPP, saying top monks should remain neutral and let the people decide which party and leader to vote for.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.



Correction: An earlier version of the story erroneously stated that Kem Sokha had been questioned at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
Authorities in the Chinese capital have stepped up mass evictions of low-income migrant workers and small traders in the wake of a second fire in Beijing's Chaoyang district, residents said.



Five people were killed and nine others injured after a blaze from two electric bicycles tore through a residential building Shibalidian on morning, official media reported.



Police have detained the landlord after they discovered the building and apartments were a DIY job, prompting questions over safety.



The blaze came less than a month after a dormitory fire sparked by a fault in the electrical wiring killed 19 in the southern district of Daxing on Nov. 18, prompting the authorities to evict thousands of low-paid migrants into sub-zero temperatures with scant support or financial compensation, residents have told RFA.



"City officials urged a thorough safety overhaul of illegally operated business venues and houses leased for group tenants in Beijing," Xinhua said in its report on the second fire on .



Seven local officials including a township chief and the local police station, have been placed under investigation by the ruling Chinese Communist Party's disciplinary arm.



Local authorities appear to be continuing the sudden, often violent, eviction of migrant workers in the vicinity, resident said.



Migrant worker Ma Bo said she was suddenly evicted from her home in Beijing's Fangshan district after working in the capital for several years.



"They have been violently evicting the out-of-town population, sometimes attacking them with sticks and smashing up their stuff ... and without giving the residents any prior warning," Ma said.



"They just smash through the doors and take all of their stuff away, then shut off the water and electricity," she said. "It's utter chaos. You have people coming home at the end of a day's work, to find their home has gone."



Beijing party boss urged to resign

A migrant worker surnamed Zhang said further evictions took place in a nearby district on .



"They were inspecting Longgezhuang afternoon, and they searched all through my friend's factory," Zhang said. "As they were going into the building, they told my friend that he'd better get ready to move out."



"They herded all of the workers into a room and wouldn't let them shoot video or take photos," he said. "They gave them no time at all, and they took all of their belongings. They wouldn't even give them time to move their own stuff out themselves."



A group of academics on reportedly penned an open letter to Beijing party secretary Cai Qi, calling on him to resign over his targeting of low-income people.



"We have noticed that after Mr. Cai Qi paid a courtesy call to the residents and the scene of the Chaoyang fire afterwards, he delivered a speech which is truly regrettable in view of the terrible death toll caused in the incident," the letter, signed by academics from the prestigious Beijing University, Tsinghua University and Renmin University, among others.



"We urge him to resign immediately, as he has seriously violated laws and discipline," the letter, which was quickly deleted from social media sites by government censors, said.



In the speech, Cai was quoted as saying that the government should take care of people working in sanitation, cleaning, security, property, housekeeping, courier, catering and other low-income jobs.



Such workers should be "made welcome, and given a sense of belonging," he said.



Activists have told RFA that thousands of migrants have been made homeless in sub-zero temperatures in Beijing in recent weeks, with some estimates putting the total around 100,000.



Calls to Beijing University and Renmin University rang unanswered during office hours on , while an employee who answered the phone at Tsinghua University declined to comment on the letter.



"I don't know about this; you need to know which department to contact," the employee said.



Beijing-based economist Hu Xingdou said the authorities should listen to the public outcry at the mass eviction program, and avoid carrying out such mass evictions in future.



"The city government and party secretary should stick to the law in carrying out their duties," Hu said. "Even more importantly, they should listen to public opinion."



Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a forum on US-South Korea relations at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, Dec. 12, 2017.

A day after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States is ready to talk to North Korea without preconditions, the White House and State Department said on Wednesday that talks would be premature unless Pyongyang changed its behavior.

Were ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk, Tillerson told Washingtons Atlantic Council think tank on Tuesday. We are ready to have the first meeting without precondition.

The remarks, which followed North Korea's sixth nuclear test and two successful launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles this year, appeared to back away from a longstanding U.S. demand that Pyongyang must first accept that any talks would have to be about giving up its nuclear arsenal.

"We can talk about the weather if you want," Tillerson said.

"We can talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table if that's what you're excited about. But can we at least sit down and see each other face to face? And then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map of what we might be willing to work towards. I don't think  it's not realistic to say we're only going to talk if you come to the table ready to give up your program."

Later in remarks to State Department staff reported by Reuters, Tillerson said: "We want them to make the right choice, which is to stop and say: 'Let's sit down to talk about it.

"Because if they keep going, they can cross a point at which there's nothing left for us in the diplomatic community to do," he added.

Less than 24 hours later, however, a senior White House official was quoted by Reuters as saying no negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behavior, citing Nov. 29 test launch of the Hwasong-15, intercontinental ballistic missile said by analysts to be capable of reaching all of the mainland United States.

"Given North Korea's most recent missile test, clearly right now is not the time (for negotiations)," the White House National Security Council spokesman told Reuters.

"The administration is united in insisting that any negotiations with North Korea must wait until the regime fundamentally improves its behavior," Reuters quoted a second official, who declined to be named.

Echoing the White House, a State Department spokesman said Washington was willing to hold talks only when the time is right.

In South Korea, which will host the Winter Olympics in the resort area of Pyeongchang from February 9-25, Tillersons remarks appeared to be welcome after months in which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump have traded insults and heated rhetoric.

The U.S. may have considered the fact that North Korea cannot drive things intensively as the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is right around the corner where people from all over the world are participating, said Kim Yong-Hyun of Dongguk University.

"It may seem discordant because Trump talks about a stricter stance and Tillerson talks about having talks, he told RFAs Korean Service. On the other hand, we can see it as a mixture of strict and moderate strategy.

Park Young-Ho of Kangwon National University told RFA Talks do not mean that there is a change in the basis of (U.S.) policy.

"For the U.S., it can be a type of a gesture. In that context, it may mean lets hear what you have to say, said Park.

It is to check what kind of response North Korea would give from Tillersons offer.

Reported by RFAs Korean Service. Written in English by Paul Eckert.
Members of Myanmar's Committee to Protect Mount Letpadaung try to submit a letter of protest against the Chinese-operated Letpadaung copper mine to a police officer stationed at the Chinese embassy in Yangon, Dec. 14, 2017.

Myanmar activists and the leader of the countrys Catholic Church on Thursday hit out at two controversial Chinese-operated infrastructure megaprojects that they say have caused environmental damage and subjected local residents to land expropriations without adequate compensation.

Activists from the Myanmar town of Letpadaung attempted to submit a written complaint addressed to Chinas President Xi Jinping about the Chinese company operating a controversial copper mine in Salingyi township in the countrys northwestern Sagaing region, saying the firm had failed to act on recommendations outlined in a government report.

The large project run by Chinas Wanbao Mining Copper Ltd. Company and Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (UMEHL), a Myanmar army-owned conglomerate, has come under fire by local residents and farmers who have long protested the companys land takeovers in the area.

They have heavily criticized and staged protests against the operators for expropriating land without providing them adequate compensation and damaging the environment.

Naw Ohn Hla, head of the Committee to Protect Mount Letpadaung, told RFAs Myanmar Service that he led a group of 20 members to the Chinese embassy in Yangon to submit the letter on Thursday, but an embassy police officer refused to accept it.

Because the embassy did not accept the letter, the group will protest soon in front of the Chinese embassies in Naypyidaw and Yangon, he said.

The activists also went to the home of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto leader, and the Chinese Communications Office in the capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday, but were stopped by security personnel, he said. They handed over the letter addressed to Aung San Suu Kyi to the guards.

Both the previous and current governments havent taken any action on the problems in Letpadaung, he said. The UMEHL promised it would follow up on suggestions in the report by the Letpadaung investigation commission, but it didnt.

Naw Ohn Hla also said the mine operators had discarded industrial wastewater in the farmlands surrounding the mine.

Thats why the farmlands have been destroyed, and farmers cant grow good crops and cant farm on time, he said.

We want the [Chinese] president and Daw [honorific] Aung San Suu Kyi to know about it, he said. We will protest at the Chinese embassies in Naypyidaw and Yangon because we cant be insulted anymore. We will ask the government that we elected what it is going to do for this region.

Aung San Suu Kyi led a parliamentary inquiry commission on the Letpadaung project in the wake of a violent police raid on protesters at the mine site in 2012 and found that Wanbao had inadequately compensated farmers for their land and that the appropriation process lacked transparency.

Farmers who lost crops in 2014 and 2015 during later land confiscations for the mine project demanded proper compensation from Wanbao.

The company said that it had offered the farmers money, but that they refused to accept it.

Wanbao also indicated that it would not compensate villagers annually for money they would have otherwise made from crops, because the company leased the land from the government, not the farmers.

Earlier this year in February, about 100 Letpadaung residents blocked the road leading to the mine and demanded that Wanbao give them the 1,900 acres of land they were supposed to receive according to the parliamentary commissions recommendations.

The following month, as many as 10 villagers and six police officers were injured during a clash when police fired rubber bullets at locals who were blocking the access road. Authorities charged 50 farmers with assault, illegal assembly, illegal demonstration, and destruction of state property for the protest.

Myanmar Cardinal Charles Maung Bo greets Catholic parishoners outside a church in Tanphaye village, northern Myanmar's Kachin state, Dec. 14, 2017. Credit: RFA Myitsone Dam project

On Thursday, the leader of Myanmars Catholic Church told residents of northern Myanmars Kachin state that all citizens should object to the Chinese-financed Myitsone Dam, a massive hydroelectric power development project at the confluence of the Mali and Nmai rivers which form the source of the Irrawaddy River.

The controversial $3.6 billion, 6,000-megawatt dam was suspended in 2011 in the face of protests over its enormous flooding area and environmental impacts as well as anger over the fact that 90 percent of the dams electricity was expected to go to China.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo told Catholic congregants during an evening prayer service at a church in Tanphaye village that the entire country should object to the dam project because it could destroy the economy and social fabric of the community.

This project shouldnt be completed, he said. It can destroy not only Kachin state, but also the entire country.

When everyone protests against this project, it should be stopped, he said. If not, there will be more problems. People around the country will be in danger because of floods.

The project will also have detrimental impacts on river navigation and agriculture in Myanmar, he said.

Major General Nyi Nyi Swe, commander of the Northern Military Region, greeted the cardinal when he arrived in Kachin state to visit internally displaced persons camps housing villagers who fled fighting between the government military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and several charity centers in the state capital Myitkyina.



Aung San Suu Kyi, who as opposition leader spoke out against the dam, tasked a 20-member committee in August 2016 with scrutinizing Myitsone and other planned hydropower dam projects on the Irrawaddy River and determining whether they should be allowed to proceed.

The Chinese have been pushing Myanmar for permission to continue work on the project, which had hardly broken ground when it was stopped by Aung San Suu Kyis military-backed predecessor in 2011.

Reported by Thant Zin Oo and Kyaw Myo Min for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Myanmar journalists Thet Oo Maung (R), also known as Wa Lone, and Kyaw Soe Oo (L) in undated photos.

A dozen Myanmar media groups, the United Nations, the European Union, and international rights organizations condemned the arrests of two Reuters journalists in Myanmar and called for their immediate release on Thursday.

Myanmar police arrested Thet Oo Maung, also known as Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, on Dec. 12 for violating Section 3 of the countrys Official Secrets Act by allegedly illegally acquiring and possessing government documents regarding security forces in violence-ridden Rakhine state.

The reporters, who were working on stories on the crisis, are accused of intending to send important security documents regarding security forces in Rakhine state to foreign agencies abroad, according to a statement issued by the government on Wednesday. If found guilty, the pair faces up to 14 years in prison.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said on Thursday that the journalists obtained the documents by deception from two policemen who returned from Rakhine state after serving security duties in Maungtaw and Buthidaung townships. The two officers have also been arrested.

Twelve groups  the Myanmar Journalism Institute, Myanmar Journalist Association, Myanmar Journal Union, Myanmar Media Lawyer Network, Burmese News International, Myanmar Women Journalist Society, Middle Myanmar Journalist Network, Lashio Journalists Group, Taunggyi Journalist Group, Monywa Journalist Network, Myanmar Journalist Network, and Rakhine Journalists Group  called on the government to free the reporters and said they rejected their arrest because it posed a threat to press freedom.

We journalists absolutely believe that journalists have the right to travel to conflict zones as well as gather information from relevant sources in order to produce accurate reports, said a joint statement they issued.

We are deeply concerned about the citizens rights of the detained journalists, as their family members have not been allowed to meet them since they were seized, it said.

The Yangon Journalism School has suspended a journalism training program in collaboration with the Information Ministry on account of the arrests and the publication of a photo claiming that Thet Oo Maung and Kyaw Soe Oo are criminals.

I notice that journalists are charged under the worst and most comprehensive acts when these laws are suited to authorities, such as the Official Secrets Act or the Unlawful Associations Act, said school founder Ye Naing Moe. This means that authorities view of the media is wrong, and it shouldnt be this way, especially when the nation is moving forward toward democracy.

Rights groups and Myanmar journalists say authorities under the current government are increasingly using the colonial-era Official Secrets Act of 1923 and the Unlawful Associations Act of 1908 to silence their critics and suppress political opposition, often in the case of ethnic minority groups.

Giving information to the media is essential and a very important job for any government, Ye Naing Moe said. Our government authorities need to have this attitude.

Government officials must believe that the media is doing their job, which is telling people what is going on in the country, he said.

Aung Hla Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Press Council, said Thursday that neither Myanmar authorities nor the family members of the detained journalists have informed the council of their arrests.

We just heard this news from the media world, he told RFAs Myanmar Service.

The council is responsible for investigating and settling press disputes and protecting media employees in Myanmar.

The MPC has the right to do something for these journalists only after someone officially informs us, Aung Hla Tun said. If we are informed, we can do what the MPC should do.

International community responds

On the international front, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday that the detentions of the reporters are clearly a concern in relation to the erosion of press freedom in the country, Reuters reported.

Guterres has spoken out against human rights violations during a recent military crackdown in northern Rakhine that forced more than 646,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee the country for southeastern Bangladesh since Aug. 25.

And probably the reason why these journalists were arrested is because they were reporting on what they have seen in relation to this massive human tragedy, he was quoted as saying.

Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament, also called on the Myanmar government on Thursday to release the two journalists and safeguard press freedom.

I hope the authorities in Myanmar will free them as soon as possible, he told reporters during an EU summit in Brussels, Reuters reported. Light should be shed on this case and human rights and press freedom.

Both the EU and the United States have sanctions against Myanmar banning arms sales, and they both recently suspended invitations to the countrys military officers.

Britain expressed grave concerns to the Myanmar government over the arrest of the two journalists, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the media in London on Thursday, Reuters reported.

We are committed to freedom of speech and peoples ability to report the facts and bring into the public domain what is happening in Rakhine state, he was quoted as saying.

Rights groups have their say

Rights groups also chimed in on the detentions.

Fortify Rights called the case the latest example of a broader and targeted crackdown on the media by Myanmar authorities.

Myanmar authorities are once again hounding journalists in an effort to silence the profession, said Matthew Smith, the groups chief executive officer, in a statement. The authorities should immediately disclose the whereabouts and well-being of the two journalists.

National and international journalists are being squeezed for doing their jobs, he said. The environment for media right now is as hostile as its been for years, and if adequate pressure doesnt mount on the civilian and military leadership, we can expect it to worsen.

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for the immediate release of Thet Oo Maung and Kyaw Soe Oo.

We call for the immediate release of these two Reuters reporters, said Daniel Bastard, head of RSF's Asia-Pacific desk, in a statement. The charges announced by the government's spokesman are completely spurious. No detail has been provided about the supposed 'security documents' or the mysterious foreign agencies.

These arrests are clearly another attempt by the authorities to intimidate overly curious journalists, he said.

Since Aung San Suu Kyis civilian-led government came to power in April 2016, Myanmar continues to be ranked no higher than 131 out of 180 countries on RSFs World Press Freedom Index.

On Wednesday, the U.S. embassy in Myanmar, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reuters president and editor-in-chief, Stephen J. Adler, issued statements calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the reporters.

Reported by Nay Rein Kyaw and Waiyan Moe Myint for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
New houses are being built for those who fled recent violence and are now returning to Maungdaw township in the northern part of Myanmar's Rakhine state, Dec. 8, 2017.

Myanmar will begin accepting back Rohingya Muslim refugees from Bangladesh on Jan. 22, said Win Myat Aye, the country's minister of social welfare, relief, and resettlement, on Wednesday.

Myanmar signed an agreement with Bangladesh in November to repatriate refugees who wished to voluntarily return to the country after fleeing across the border to escape a brutal military crackdown in northern Rakhine state.

We signed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 23 and agreed to begin accepting refugees back within two months, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. It will be two months on Jan. 22, and we will begin accepting them on that date."

We can accept only those who want to come back, and we have been preparing for that, Win Myat Aye said, adding that the refugees will be resettled as close to their former places of residence as possible.

The government plans first to accept refugees at two reception centers in Taung Pyo Let Wae and Nga Khu Ya villages, he said.

People whose houses are still standing can move back in, and the government will build new homes for those whose houses were destroyed, he said.

These houses will be close to farms and forests where they can work and make a living, said Win Myat Aye who also heads a government committee created in September to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, a group led by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan.

The commissions report called for reviews of the countrys 1982 Citizenship Law, which prevents the Rohingya from becoming citizens, and an end to restrictions on its Rohingya Muslim minority to prevent further violence in the region.

Win Myat Aye told diplomats last week that the Rohingya who return to Rakhine will receive identification cards that will allow them to participate in the national verification process and apply for citizenship if they qualify for it.

An estimated 646,000 Rohingya fled during the crackdown which began following deadly attacks on police outposts by Muslim militants in northern Rakhine on Aug. 25. The government military stands accused of committing atrocities against the Rohingya, which the United Nations, United States and rights groups say amount to ethnic cleansing.

Rights groups contend that the likelihood that many of the Rohingya refugees will want to return to northern Rakhine appears very low, because most of their villages have been burned and their farmland taken. They also say the Rohingya will continue to face repression and discrimination in Myanmar, where they are considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied citizenship and access to basic services.

Still heading to Bangladesh

Despite the repatriation plan, some Muslims are still leaving the region for Bangladesh to join others who live in sprawling displacement camps in the southeastern part of the country.

Officials from the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission met with more than 100 Rohingya about to go to Bangladesh, said Yu Lwin Aung, one of the 11 members of the independent human rights body.

We saw more than 100 Bengalis who are getting ready to go to Bangladesh on a beach near the mouth of Gawdu Tharra Creek, he told RFA on Wednesday, using a derogatory terms for the Rohingya.

When the commissioners asked the Rohingya why they are leaving for Bangladesh and whether the police or the military abused them, they responded that they had not been abused and that they needed to find work, he said.

They are facing difficulties with surviving in Myanmar because people hired them to work before, but no one is hiring them now, Yu Lwin Aung said, adding that the Rohingya told the commissioners that their houses were still intact and undamaged by the violence.

He went on to say that the Rohingya should not leave the region, though the commission does not know if they have received any threats from individuals or organizations to move out of the area.

When we asked those people their reason for leaving to go to Bangladesh, they didnt know how to answer, he said. They are to be pitied. They dont know the kind of situation they will encounter when they get to Bangladesh. They just said they are leaving because they think lives will be better in Bangladesh.

Ethnic Rakhine return

Besides the Rohingya exodus, the crisis also forced the displacement of more than 27,000 non-Rohingya villagers and government employees in northern Rakhine, according to a report issued by the International Crisis Group on Dec. 7.

Some ethnic Rakhine nationals who fled the region when Muslim militants unleashed attacks on non-Muslims have arrived in Maungdaw township to resettle.

More than 60 people Rakhine Buddhists from Thandwe, Ramree and Munaung townships are now living in Inn Din village in Maungdaw, one of three areas affected by the violence, said Inn Din village resident Myint Soe who is helping the ethnic Rakhine resettle.

People from Ramree arrived in our village first, he said. We received them at our houses first, and we will place them in the village school when we get more people.

The returnees said they will make a living by fishing and performing other jobs, he said.

Ten more households from Thandwe will arrive on Thursday, and 11 households from Pauktaw township are on their way to northern Rakhines Rathedaung township where they will be placed in houses by the Western Border Rakhine National Territory Reconstruction Committee led by Rakhine historian Aye Chan.

Some of the hundreds of Hindus who fled attacks in northern Rakhine have also begun returning to the region.

Reported by Wai Mar Tun, Min Thein Aung, and Khin Ei for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Rohingya refugees scuffle as they wait to receive relief aid at the Kutupalong camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Nov. 28, 2017.

At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed during the first month of a crackdown in Myanmar this year, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Thursday in a report based on surveys of refugees who fled to Bangladesh, marking the highest death toll given to date.

The number of people who died in Myanmars Rakhine state from being shot, burned inside their homes, beaten and other grisly causes between Aug. 25 and Sept. 24 (see table) includes 730 children under age 5, according to MSF.

The combined number of Rohingya who died of violent or non-violent causes during that period was at least 9,000, but the overall death toll could be as high as nearly 14,000 people, the Geneva-headquartered international NGO said.

We met and spoke with survivors of violence in Myanmar, who are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary camps in Bangladesh. What we uncovered was staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member died as a result of violence, and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured, Sidney Wong, MSFs medical director, said in a statement.

The findings from the surveys in southeastern Bangladesh are the clearest indication yet of widespread violence that began in Rakhine on Aug. 25 and show the Rohingya were targeted when the Myanmar military, police and local militia launched a crackdown in the state in late August, MSF said.

The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest clearance operations by Myanmar security forces in the last week of August, MSF reported.

The crackdown, which followed raids against Myanmar police and security posts by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents on Aug. 25, pushed 655,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority to seek shelter in neighboring Bangladesh during the following months, according to the latest estimates published by the U.N. on Thursday.

Currently people are still fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh and those who do manage to cross the border still report being subject to violence in recent weeks, Wong said. With very few independent aid groups able to access Maungdaw district in Rakhine, we fear for the fate of Rohingya people who are still there.

The MSF report also pointed to victims being killed following sexual violence against them. Rape victims accounted for 2.6 percent of those killed.

Noor Hasina, a Rohingya refugee living in the Ukhia camp in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district, said her family had died in this manner.

Myanmar soldiers killed my husband in front of my eyes. They took away my two young sisters who never returned. So far as I know, Myanmar soldiers raped and killed them, she told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

Likely underestimation

Both the United Nations and United States have branded the scale of violence in Rakhine as ethnic cleansing. Last week, the U.N.s human rights chief, Seid Raad Al Hussein told a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting that elements of genocide might be present.

Myanmar government officials have strongly denied the allegations and blamed ARSA rebels for the violence.

The numbers of deaths are likely to be an underestimation as we have not surveyed all refugee settlements in Bangladesh and because the surveys dont account for the families who never made it out of Myanmar, Wong said. We heard reports of entire families who perished after they were locked inside their homes, while they were set alight.

The figure of 6,700 people who were killed through violence represents the most conservative estimate, MSF said.

During that one-month period, the mortality rate among Rohingya soared to eight deaths per 10,000 people.

For its report, MSF carried out six surveys in November at refugee camps and settlements in southeastern Bangladesh, during which the NGO interviewed 2,434 Rohinga households.

Myanmar reacts

As reported by MSF, the death toll from violence in Rakhine contrasts sharply with figures given by Myanmar officials who in early September put the death toll from the violence there in the low hundreds. At that time, only two weeks into the crackdown, a U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, put the toll at around 1,000 or more dead.

We dont know what source MSFs numbers are based on, Win Myat Aye, Myanmars social welfare minister, told the Myanmar Service of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a sister entity of BenarNews, on Thursday.

It is OK if military or police security officials who have been taking care of the problems in Rakhine State stated such numbers, or if the relevant administrative officials or relevant state government gave them. We cant make any comment on that number, because MSF is only an I[nternational]NGO, the minister added.

Myanmars elected civilian government has not been forthcoming with information about Rakhine, nor has it allowed independent monitors to access the state.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
Tibetan nuns are shown at a security checkpoint at the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in an undated photo.

Authorities in western Chinas Sichuan province have further tightened controls at the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, setting up checkpoints at which monks, nuns, and visitors must now show permits allowing them to enter, Tibetan sources say.

The checkpoints are installed at two points on the main road leading to the complex, and include magnetic security gates through which only those holding proper documents may pass, one local source told RFAs Tibetan Service.

Residents and visitors are checked through each day after being closely questioned by the guards, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

After being cleared through one gate, people seeking entry are then stopped and questioned again at a second checkpoint farther down the road, the source said.

The new restrictions on access to Larung Gar are being applied not just to monks and nuns but also to laypersons, who must show I.D. cards at the checkpoints before being passed through, a second local source said, also speaking on condition he not be named.

It is very clear that those without the right papers will not be allowed in, the source said.

Thousands expelled

Many thousands of Tibetans and Han Chinese once studied at Larung Gar Academy in Sichuans Serthar (in Chinese, Seda) county, making it one of the worlds largest and most important centers for the study of Tibetan Buddhism.

At the end of June, though, a senior abbot at the center said that Chinese authorities had destroyed 4,725 monastic dwellings at Larung Gar over the course of the previous year, with a total of more than 7,000 demolished since efforts to reduce the number of monks and nuns living there began in 2001.

More than 4,825 monks and nuns have also been expelled since 2016, the abbot said, with many forced back to their hometowns and deprived of opportunities to pursue religious studies.

On Aug. 20 local authorities announced that six members of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, all of them Tibetan, had been appointed to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Buddhist study center, already reeling from the destruction of monastic dwellings and expulsion of monks and nuns.

The announcement severely demoralized many of those left behind, one local source said.

Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Benpa Topgyal. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Authorities in northwest Chinas Xinjiang region have detained nearly 10 percent of the population of a township in ethnic Uyghur-dominated Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture, according to sources, following an incident three years ago.



A former resident of Kashgar Kona Sheher (Shufu) countys Bullaqsu township recently told RFAs Uyghur Service in a letter that a large number of people have been arrested in the county this year, leaving some townships with hardly any males to be seen.



Bullaqsu was one of the townships most affected by the arrests in Kashgar Kona Sheher, where groups of people have been arrested and sent to detention centers every week, said the former resident, who now lives in exile and asked to remain unnamed.



In mid-September 2014, a number of police officers attempted to remove the headscarves of two Uyghur women at the Wednesday Market held in the county seat, prompting two Uyghur men to come to their defense, the source said.



The two men were arrested by police, but around 200 people surrounded the officers and prevented them from bringing them to the local station, he said.



All of those involved were punished later that year, according to the former resident, who added that the incident was never reported in either state or foreign media. Chinese state media are heavily censored and foreign reporters have limited access to Xinjiang.



Since Xinjiang Communist Party chief Chen Quanguo was appointed to his post in August last year, a series of harsh policies have been initiated targeting Uyghurs in the region, where members of the mostly Muslim ethnic group complain of religious and cultural repression and harassment under Chinese rule.



The source suggested that authorities in Kashgar Kona Sheher have targeted residents in response to the market incident as part of an ongoing crackdown that has seen thousands of Uyghurs accused of harboring extremist and politically incorrect views detained in political re-education camps and prisons throughout Xinjiang since April.



The county Criminal Investigation Department was unable to confirm whether any residents had been detained in connection with the incident or the number of people currently in detention when contacted by RFA.



But an official with the Bullaqsu Office of the Judiciary said there are currently more than 3,300 of the townships 36,000 residents detained in either prison or re-education camps.



According to the information I have, 2,514 [people are imprisoned]  but that information is a bit old and I do not have the latest statistics, he said.



It had been around a month since the latest figures were released, he said, but 57 people had been imprisoned since then. Of those sentenced to jail, the longest term was 20 years, he added.



The most imprisoned are from [Bullaqsus] No. 1, 2, 7, and 14 Villages, the official said.



Additionally, he said, 806 people from the township are currently held in re-education camps.



Mass detentions



Officials in Hotan (Hetian) prefectures Qaraqash (Moyu) county recently told RFA that they had been ordered to send 40 percent of area residents to re-education camps, and said they were having trouble meeting the quota.



Reports suggest similar orders have been given in other areas of the region, and that authorities are detaining as many Uyghurs as possible in re-education camps and jail, regardless of their age, prior service to the Communist Party, or the severity of the accusations against them.



The ongoing crackdown has also seen students who traveled to Egypt for Islamic studies being rounded up by Egyptian authorities at China's behest, with some taken back to China and most held incommunicado. The incarceration of large numbers of Uyghur males has put pressure on women and children to take over farm chores in Xinjiang.



China regularly conducts strike hard campaigns in Xinjiang, including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people, including videos and other material.



While China blames some Uyghurs for terrorist attacks, experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat and that repressive policies in Xinjiang are responsible for an upsurge in violence there that has left hundreds dead since 2009.



Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFA's Uyghur Service. Translated by RFA's Uyghur Service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Authorities are collecting DNA samples and other biometric data from all residents aged 12-65 of northwest Chinas Xinjiang region, which is home to more than 11 million Muslim ethnic Uyghurs, under the pretext of a free health care program, a leading human rights group said Wednesday.



In a statement, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the campaign also includes the collection of fingerprints, iris scans, and blood types, and expands a program already in place that only required passport applicants in Xinjiang to provide their biodata.



For all focus personnelthose authorities consider threatening to regime stabilityand their family members, their biometrics must be taken regardless of age, HRW said.



While authorities are collecting biometrics in different ways, DNA and blood types are typically being taken through a free annual physical exams program called Physicals for All, the rights group said, adding that it was unclear whether participants are informed of authorities intention to gather, store, or use their data.



Xinjiang authorities should rename their physical exams project Privacy Violations for All, as informed consent and real choice does not seem to be part of these programs, said Sophie Richardson, HRWs China director.



The mandatory databanking of a whole populations biodata, including DNA, is a gross violation of international human rights norms, and its even more disturbing if it is done surreptitiously, under the guise of a free health care program.



HRW said that details of the biometric scheme were detailed in an official document called The [Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous] Region Working Guidelines on the Accurate Registration and Verification of Population, published on the government website of the seat of Aksu (in Chinese, Akesu) prefecture, adding that a notice distributing it to lower-level offices was dated July 2, 2017.



According to state media reports, Xinjiangs government authorized the Population Registration Program in February 2017, saying it would be carried out in stages. The program is meant for scientific decision-making that promotes poverty alleviation, better management, and social stability.



While official media reports say that participation in the Physicals for All should be voluntary, HRW cited one Uyghur who took part in the 2016 program in Kashgar (Kashi) prefecture as saying his neighborhood watch committee demanded residents complete the physical, adding that not doing so would be seen as a sign of thought problemshorthand for political disloyalty.



China has few meaningful privacy protections and Uyghurs are already subjected to extensive degrees of control and surveillance, including heavy security presence, numerous checkpoints, and routine inspection of smartphones for subversive content, Richardson said.



In this context, compulsory biodata collection has particularly abusive potential, and hardly seems justifiable as a security measure.



HRW said it discovered that a U.S.-based company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, had supplied the Xinjiang police force with some of the DNA sequencers it has used in its data collection, although the company has responded by saying it is not possible for us to monitor the use or application of all products we manufactured.



Companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific that supply DNA sequencing and related equipment have a human rights responsibility to avoid contributing to governmental human rights violations, HRWs statement said Wednesday, calling on the company to investigate misuse of their products and suspend future sales or service in China pending their findings.



HRW also condemned the Chinese polices searchable, nationwide DNA database, which it said contains more than 40 million entries from people, including dissidents and migrants, and allows authorities to not only search for an exact match, but also for those who are related family members, putting them at risk for discriminatory profiling.



Chinese authorities seem to think they can achieve social stability by placing people under a microscope, but these abusive programs are more likely to deepen hostility towards the government, Richardson said.



Beijing should immediately stop these programs, and destroy all data gathered without full, informed consent.



Violation of privacy



Henryk Szadziewski, senior researcher at the Washington-based Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), told RFAs Uyghur Service that HRWs report demonstrates the kind of surveillance that the Chinese government wants to implement in Xinjiang and the extent to which it will abuse peoples human rights to implement it.



The alarming part is the possible deception under which these samples are being collected, and even if it isnt proved that theres deception, theres certainly an environment in Xinjiang which is coercive, he said.



And as we saw with the Uyghur cadres who are telling people to go to these physicals and then ultimately to submit these samples to this databasethis is a very clear violation of privacy.



Szadziewski also questioned what message the government is sending by implementing the surveillance campaign.



If this is done in the name of security, then we have to be concernedis everybody whose DNA has been collected now a suspect? he questioned.



So I think the states overreach here in terms of surveillance is another area where we have to be concerned and I think that the state here is implementing a program of control which is certainly contrary to any international norms that we see.



Further persecution



Dolkun Isa, president of the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC), told RFAs Uyghur Service that there are political reasons behind Chinas campaign to collect biometric data in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs complain of pervasive discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression under Chinese rule.



Firstly, China is not collecting such personal information from other ethnic groups or in other provinces, he said.



Secondly, China will use the collected information to specifically single out and target the Uyghur population for further persecution in the name of so-called stability maintenance and combating the three evils of terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism in Xinjiang.



China regularly conducts strike hard campaigns in Xinjiang, including police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people, including videos and other material.



While China blames some Uyghurs for "terrorist" attacks, experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from the Uyghurs and that repressive domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence there that has left hundreds dead since 2009.



No Uyghur believes the Chinese authorities have good intentions in collecting this data from the long-suffering Uyghur people [in Xinjiang], Isa said.



Reported by Adile Ablet and Alim Seytoff for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Alim Seytoff. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
BOWLING GREEN  Cynthia Brandon is looking for pretty much the same things in a Christmas tree as everyone else: nice and full, not too stout and no big gaps in the branches.

But, having gone blind suddenly three years ago, she has a slightly different approach when it comes to actually making her selection.

What you do is, when you go up to the tree, you hug it, and that will give you the shape of the tree, the 58-year-old Mechanicsville resident said. So then, if its a good, solid tree, thats good. So then you go around the tree and feel for holes.

Brandon is one of more than 20 students, volunteers and staff members at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired who traveled from the centers campus on Azalea Avenue in Henrico County to Whispering Pines Christmas Tree Farm near Bowling Green on Wednesday morning.

Together, the group selected, cut and hauled back two trees from a field of several hundred  no assistance from the sighted required, save for the ride there and back.

Melody Roane, the centers director, said that aside from being seasonally appropriate, the annual activity is a natural extension of the centers mission: to give blind people from across the state the training and experience they need to live independent, productive lives.

She said the outing also played the dual role of giving the students, who are often on the receiving end of charitable efforts, an opportunity to give back  the center donated the trees to needy families.

When they go home, they may never chop another tree down, but hopefully what theyre getting is the confidence to do things that theyre interested in doing and get out in their community and play an active role, she said.

It gives the students an opportunity to be in charge of a situation  a chance to play an active role rather than a passive role.

The centers typical mobility training ground is Richmonds Museum District, where students are given assignments  for instance, to navigate from one address to another. Students who are visually impaired but cant always rely on the limited sight they have wear eye masks to help them learn nonvisual mobility and orientation skills.

While lessons in the city necessarily focus on identifying intersections and safely crossing them, at the tree farm, the only real obstacles are trees, stumps and a far-flung fence line.

When the students arrive at the farm, they split into two groups and fan out among the trees, white canes tapping from side to side in front of them. When they encounter a stump, they step around it. When they encounter a tree that looks promising, they feel it out.

About 10 minutes in, after debating a few promising specimens as a group, Pragya Govil of Falls Church calls out that she thinks shes found a good one.

Members of her group converge around her, and she makes her case.

Its not a big, tall tree, but the shape is very good, and the leaves are fresh  not dry, she says.

Brandon, the Mechanicsville resident, isnt convinced. Shes a nurse who graduated from the center and now volunteers there teaching kitchen skills.

OK, we got a hole right here and youve got one hole right here, she says. Yeah. Youve got two holes.

Roane gives it a feel and taps the top with her cane to gauge its height. She thinks the gaps in the branches could easily be hidden, and Brandon and the rest of the group agree  not a fatal flaw.

Michael Villafane, a technology instructor at the center, produces a bow saw and kneels, feeling for the best spot to start the cut.

Dont worry, he says, laughing. Im a certified saw cutter.

From there, they take turns sawing until their tree eventually falls. The group lets out a cheer.

Three students then pick up the tree and, using the position of the sun and the sound of the nearby highway as their guide, navigate back to the farms entrance to pay for the tree.

It was Brandons second trip to the farm, and she said she was nervous the first time she ventured into the field.

I was so afraid I was going to hit every one of these stumps where trees had already been cut off, and I didnt. It was just amazing, she said.

This time, she said she just enjoyed herself.
As Richmonds City Council continues its search for a new city auditor, its members are seeking to split the City Hall watchdog position into two separate jobs.

The council signed off on a request to the General Assembly on Monday to form a council-appointed office of the inspector general with investigatory powers that have resided with the citys auditor in the past. Under the proposed change, the auditor would handle oversight of the citys accounting and bookkeeping, and the inspector general would investigate wrongdoing related to fraud, waste and abuse within City Hall.

Councilman Parker Agelasto and Councilwoman Kimberly Gray proposed the change. They said Monday that it was aimed at fostering a better working relationship between the auditor and the citys various departments.

I think its safe to say that having both roles with one individual has created a bit of a hardship as it relates to the relationships between their office and the rest of the city administration as theyre coming in to do performance audits and also doing investigations that could lead to criminal charges, Agelasto said at Mondays meeting.

Council members also discussed dividing the two roles in October during a legislative summit held with members of the Richmond delegation to the Virginia General Assembly.

Creating the office will require the General Assembly to amend the citys charter, meaning a state lawmaker must agree to carry a bill proposing the changes during the upcoming legislative session.

The request comes as the council is seeking to replace former City Auditor Umesh Dalal, who resigned in July after 11 years atop a 14-person department.

Dalals exit followed concerns raised by employees about his management style and other problems on his watch, including high turnover within his department. The council agreed to pay him almost $400,000 to secure his resignation, the highest payout to a departing city employee in recent memory.

Agelasto cited conversations with Dalal while pitching the change during a council panels meeting earlier this month, saying he believed the dual roles sometimes posed hurdles for Dalal in attaining the information he sought from various city departments.

By keeping the two (roles) separated, you can allow the auditor to operate with less fear from staff of what he is seeking, Agelasto said.

The council tapped an interim replacement for Dalal in September. Its members held a closed session before Mondays full council meeting related to the search for his permanent replacement, which the council is aiming to complete in the next month, said Council President Chris Hilbert.

Mayor Levar Stoney supports splitting the positions, as well as a deeper examination of the citys charter, press secretary Jim Nolan wrote in an email.

The mayor agrees in principal with the councils effort to split the duties of Auditor and Inspector General, Nolan said. However, the mayor believes we need to take a more comprehensive look at the City Charter and what changes are needed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our city.

If state lawmakers approve the plan, the change wont take effect until July 1. If the council hires an auditor before then, that person will handle both roles until July, then the council will conduct a separate search to fill the inspector general position.
A Petersburg man has pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of his girlfriends 7-year-old son for an incident in which the child found the mans loaded semiautomatic pistol in the cushions of a couch and took the weapon on a school field trip.

Stanley B. Banks Jr., 30, also was convicted of reckless handling of a firearm for making the 9 mm pistol accessible to the boy, who was found in possession of the weapon while riding a school bus Oct. 17.

Judge J. David Rigler of Colonial Heights Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court sentenced Banks to a 12-month suspended sentence on the contributing count and fined him $500 for the firearm offense. Under law, Banks was forced to forfeit his weapon, a Century Arms PA-63.

In a summary of evidence by Colonial Heights Commonwealths Attorney-elect Gray Collins, the boy found Banks firearm under the cushions of a living room couch while Banks was babysitting the child for his girlfriend. Banks told authorities he fell asleep and forgot he had left the gun under the seat cushion, Collins said.

After the boy found the weapon, he took it with him to school and then onto a bus that was transporting students from Lakeview Elementary on a school field trip to Virginia State University for a swim program, Collins said.

While en route, a school employee on the bus observed the gun in the boys pants pocket and the weapon was immediately confiscated. There were three rounds in the magazine but none in the actual chamber of the gun, Collins said.

It wasnt clear whether the guns safety was switched on.

Collins said the prosecutor handling the case, Victoria Terry, urged that Banks serve some time in jail for leaving a gun out where a child could (find) it, but the judge disagreed, sentencing Banks to 12 months in jail but suspending the entire term.

The child was not charged, but child protective services was called to investigate the circumstances.
UPDATE: The Richmond Police officer who returned fire in Thursdays shooting on 4th Avenue is Officer Travis S. Dooley. He joined the department on January 13, 2014.

Dooley remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

__

A person of interest in a shooting led police on a chase Thursday and then opened fire on a Richmond officer with an assault-style rifle, prompting the officer to shoot him, authorities said.

Responding officers then applied a tourniquet to the wounded gunman, likely saving his life, said Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham.

The first shooting unfolded in the Gilpin Court public housing complex. Officers were summoned at 8:24 a.m. to the 1200 block of St. John Street for a report of gunfire, Durham said. Officers found a man who had been shot, and he was taken to a hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening.

Durham said that an eyewitness gave police information about a suspect vehicle and at 8:27 a.m. an officer spotted a vehicle matching the description and tried to stop it. When the driver of the gray Subaru did not pull over, police pursued the Subaru until it stopped about 8:29 a.m. at Fourth Avenues dead end near its intersection with Pollock Street in the Highland Park neighborhood.

Two males quickly got out of the Subaru, Durham said. One was armed with a rifle and fired multiple rounds at an officer who had been pursuing him, striking his cruiser, authorities said.

The officer immediately returned fire, striking the suspect, Durham said.

Responding officers applied a tourniquet to the gunmans leg until rescuers arrived and took him to a hospital, Durham said. The man is expected to survive. Police said they recovered an assault-style weapon near the vehicle.

Shelia Pate was in her home when she heard sirens outside near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Pollock Street. She said she looked out from a bedroom window and saw a police officer crouched behind a vehicle.

I seen him get on the ground, she said.

When they started shooting, I got out of the window, Pate said. I just got on the floor and started crawling.

The second male who had been in the Subaru fled into a wooded area toward the Henrico County line, Durham said.

Police launched a search for him with help from Henrico County authorities. He was captured about 9:25 a.m. in the woods.

Police said they are not identifying him because hes a juvenile. They also said they were not identifying the shooter Thursday.

No charges have been filed in the case, which remains under investigation.

Were just very fortunate that our officer was not injured, Durham told reporters. The officer did an outstanding job to protect himself and others.

Think about this, the chief said later in a statement released by the department. The responding officers who applied the tourniquet saved the life of a man who had just attempted to kill one of their fellow officers. That is their commitment to the preservation of life.

The officer who discharged his weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the departments Force Investigation Team.

In the departments statement, police said they will not name the officer until a retaliation risk assessment has been completed.

Police detectives and forensic examiners will collect officer and other witness accounts, physical evidence and body-camera footage to prepare a report to be reviewed by Durham. The report also will be turned over to the Commonwealths Attorneys Office for examination.

The police added that the body-camera footage is considered evidence and will not be released until the Commonwealths Attorneys Office has ruled on the incident.

Thursdays events marked the Richmond Police Departments fifth officer-involved shooting this year. That includes one case in which police fired but a suspect was not struck. In two of the cases, a suspect was killed.
Left-wing activists are encouraging Unite the Right counter-protesters who have been subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury to not comply with the summons.

At a Wednesday morning protest outside the federal courthouse in Charlottesville, approximately two dozen people stood behind a large banner that referred to the alleged deliberations of the grand jury as a witch hunt.

Star Peterson, who was struck in the Aug. 12 car attack near the intersection of Fourth Street Southeast and East Water Street, said she has been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury.

I will not be bullied, she said.

The attack resulted in the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer, 32, and scores of injuries. Members of the activist collective Solidarity Cville said they are alarmed that Peterson and others have been summoned to appear before the jury, and believe that their testimony could be used against the anti-racist activists who protested the white nationalist rally this summer.

According to Ibby Han, a local activist, a U.S. attorney has said the grand jury is deliberating on whether to indict James Alex Fields Jr., who local prosecutors have already charged with second-degree murder in the car attack, on federal charges.

It is shameful that the most vulnerable members of our community are being singled out by law enforcement, Han said. Its is a secretive procedure  no lawyers, no judge. Just the prosecutor and the grand jury.

Peterson said her summons has been rescinded, but she was initially concerned that she would not be allowed to bring an attorney into the secret hearing. She and others said they are worried about being prosecuted for refusing to comply with the subpoena.

The prosecutor may ask any questions, and theyre not obligated to reveal the subject of the investigation. Historically, they have been used as a tool of political repression to surveil and incriminate social movements, Han said.

A blog post from the anti-fascism website Its Going Down, which was referenced in flyers promoting Wednesdays protest, says people should be wary of trusting federal prosecutors.

The same law enforcement who rely on the violence and white supremacy of the state can never be relied upon to serve justice against white supremacists. It is vital to look at this situation from this perspective, the blog post says.

It goes on to say that non-cooperation is the strongest and safest option for activists. We want to acknowledge that all of us deeply wish to see justice for Heather Heyer. We want to see justice for those injured by James Fields and other white supremacists on Aug. 11 and 12. But, how can we ever trust the state to deliver that to us?

Following her own remarks, Han read a statement submitted by one of the people subpoenaed but who wished to remain anonymous.

Being in Charlottesville is gut-wrenchingly hard, she said, reading from the statement.

Sometimes, theres no way to avoid driving by the street where a Nazi tried to kill me or by the statue where some of the people I love most in the world were surrounded by a torch-bearing mob, the statement continued, referencing the Aug. 12 car attack and a white nationalist march at the University of Virginia on Aug. 11. Seeing cars like the one that hit me makes me catch my breath again and again. Im surrounded by reminders of one of the scariest days of my life. I refuse to sell out the people I love. Weve been burned by torches, pepper sprayed and run over.

When contacted last month, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia said he could not discuss the grand jury. The spokesman, Brian P. McGinn, did not immediately respond to a phone call Wednesday morning.

Last month, a Milwaukee-based YouTube user by the name of Daniel Duerst filmed what he said were FBI agents serving him a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury in Charlottesville.

Duerst, whose YouTube account features dozens of videos from protest events across the country, including the rally in Charlottesville, said he later provided the federal agents with a flash drive that included his videos from the Unite the Right rally.

The description of a YouTube video documenting his interaction reads, I have the agent on video stating that these video files should satisfy the subpoena, so hopefully they stay gone forever.
The Republican hoping to be the next speaker of Virginias House of Delegates announced Thursday that he supports changing state policy to give state employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Del. M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, said he wants to start by offering 12 weeks of leave to full-time, benefited House employees within one year of the birth or adoption of a child.

As a society, we have to do more to strengthen families and encourage women to remain in the workplace, Cox, whom House Republicans named as speaker-designee earlier this year, said in a prepared statement.

The policy described by Cox would rank Virginia as one of the most generous states in the country when it comes to giving new mothers and fathers cost-free time off. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act only requires large employers to offer 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave.

Currently, state employees looking to take time off can use accrued personal leave, sick leave or short-term disability, a policy Cox called inadequate.

No mother or father should have to use accrued benefits, which they may need at another point, to care for their child and live out the joys of parenthood, Cox said.

Though Cox was expecting to head into 2018 with a solid Republican majority, his side suffered massive losses in last months elections, losing at least 15 seats to Democrats. That left the GOP with a slim, 51-49 majority pending the outcomes of a handful of recounts happening this month.

Coxs gesture comes roughly a month out from a speakership election in a narrowly divided House, which could have an even 50-50 split if Democrats pick up an additional seat in the recounts. Cox said he would direct House staff to develop the policy immediately after being sworn in as Speaker.

If Cox becomes speaker, he could enact a policy immediately for House employees, but extending the benefit to all state workers would require legislative action. Enacting the policy for all state employees would cost an estimated $500,000 per year, according to Coxs office.

Coxs office said he does not support requiring private employers to offer the same benefit.

Left-leaning advocacy group Progress Virginia released a statement applauding Coxs move and saying it should go even further to offer similar time off for employees dealing with catastrophic illness or sick family members.
A man who is awaiting sentencing for what Commonwealths Attorney Eric Olsen described as one of the worst rapes ever in Stafford County is now listed in court records as a victim in a major crime.

Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, 27, was one of two inmates at the Rappahannock Regional Jail who were badly beaten by another inmate in August, court records show.

Robert Walter Hunter, 41, of King George County was indicted this month by a Stafford grand jury on two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, a charge with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Flores Sibrian will be facing the possibility of four life sentences plus 20 years when he is sentenced next month in Stafford Circuit Court. He was convicted of rape, abduction with the intent to defile and other charges for sexually assaulting a young King George woman after ramming his vehicle into hers on Oct. 31, 2016.

The incident began about 3 a.m. in Stafford. The victim was on her way home from a party when her vehicle was struck.

The evidence shows she got out of her vehicle expecting to exchange insurance information when Flores Sibrian grabbed her and dragged her down an embankment. He then sexually assaulted her for at least 90 minutes.

Prosecutor George Elsasser said the jail incident in which Flores Sibrian was an alleged victim involved a dispute over a microwave that initially didnt involve him. Hunter reportedly cut the line and was confronted by fellow inmate James Carnagey.

The police report said Hunter attacked Carnagey, who was using a crutch, knocking him to the ground. He then used the crutch to pummel him.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  The video was too much for some of the victims of the Aug. 12 car attack to bear: James Alex Fields drives his 2010 Dodge Challenger toward a crowd of protesters, stops, reverses, and then, with even more room to build up momentum, speeds toward the mass of people.

Prosecutors played the footage during a court hearing Thursday to help make the case for upgraded charges against Fields  who now stands accused of first-degree murder, which requires premeditation and carries the possibility of a life sentence. The attack killed 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injured dozens.

It was the first time the video, captured by a restaurants security cameras, had been viewed publicly, and the courtroom stirred with anger at the moment when Fields is seen backing away in what prosecutors presented as an apparent windup to the attack.

Three of about 20 victims who attended the proceedings abruptly left as the judge and bailiffs called for order.

Ive got to go; take me out, shouted one man who was struck in the attack, which followed a now-infamous rally organized by white nationalist groups from around the country.

At the end of the 90-minute hearing, District Judge Robert Downer ruled that prosecutors demonstrated that they had probable cause to pursue the upgraded murder charge; one felony count of hit-and-run; five felony counts of aggravated assault; and three felony counts of aggravated malicious wounding.

Before Thursday, Fields had been held on a second-degree murder charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years.

In separate hearings, Downer also certified felony charges against three other participants in the rally who have been charged with violent acts: Richard Preston, a 52-year-old Baltimore resident who was captured on video firing a gun at the rally, and Alex Jamos and Jacob Goodwin, who are charged in the beating of DeAndre Harris.

Lawyers for those men argued that they were either acting in self-defense or that authorities had not presented sufficient evidence.

In the case of Preston, his attorney, Elmer Woodard, argued that rather than adding to the violence, his client helped contain it because he fired the weapon in defense of other rally attendees who felt threatened by a man with a makeshift flamethrower.

Charlottesville would have been known as Barbecue City, Woodard told the judge. (Preston) is a hero.

Downer said he did not find the argument compelling.

I wouldnt find the defendants use of a firearm reasonable under the circumstances, he said.

Fields depicted as remorseful

Fields, who is remembered by acquaintances for his obsession with Nazi Germany, wore a black-and-white striped jumpsuit and remained handcuffed and shackled. He did not speak during the hearing.

His court-appointed attorney, Denise Lunsford, did not attempt to dispute that her client, who in the past has expressed an affinity for Nazi Germany, drove the car into the mass of people.

Instead, in a cross-examination of Charlottesville Detective Steven Young, the defense attorney sought to portray Fields as both remorseful and without meaningful ties to the extremist groups that gathered in Charlottesville on Aug. 12.

Under questioning, Young confirmed that while Fields had been photographed standing with a group called Vanguard America, which believes the United States should be an exclusively white nation, a search of his phone and social media accounts revealed no communications or affiliations with the organization or any other racist groups ahead of the rally.

She also asked Young about his interviews with three men whom authorities said Fields met the day of the rally and engaged in long discussions with before the attack.

One of the people described him as significantly less radical, correct? Lunsford asked.

Yes, Young said.

And they saw no signs of anger before the attack?

Yes, Young confirmed.

Lunsford also asked Young to characterize Fields reaction to the attack. He said he was remorseful and sobbed upon learning someone had died.

Asked whether he needed medical care after he was arrested, Young said he declined, telling police he wanted all medical resources directed toward his victims.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, used video evidence, including surveillance footage from the restaurant and an aerial view captured by a state police helicopter, to lay out a detailed timeline of the attack that killed Heyer, going through key elements, including the impact, frame by frame.

The aerial footage, captured by Virginia State Police Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates and Lt. Jay Cullen, who died when their aircraft crashed later in the day, includes audio of the men expressing shock as the car enters the crowd.

Holy shit, one says.

Holy crap, the other responds.

The men pursued Fields by air through the city until a sheriffs deputy stops the car and arrests Fields.

Prosecutors closed their examination by addressing head-on any implication that Fields might have been acting in self-defense.

Is it fair to say there was no evidence of anyone throwing anything on his car before the crash? asked Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Nina-Alice Antony.

Thats correct, Young said.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
A highly touted Virginia Tech expert speaking out against net neutrality was paid by AT&T to argue the same position.

Electrical and computer engineering professor Jeffrey Reed said he has worked as a consultant for the telecommunications giant. He added that the views hes expressing now are his own and have nothing to do with the times he was paid to formulate arguments at AT&Ts behest. He is not currently being paid by AT&T, he said.

After years of debate and lobbying, the Federal Communications Commission is expected to vote Thursday to repeal its policy of net neutrality, a move seen as a major win for Reeds previous client.

Ive consulted with them and Ive helped them on these issues, Reed said of AT&T. But I also strongly believe in these issues. If I didnt believe in it, I wouldnt pursue it.

Similar consulting arrangements have raised questions among watchdog groups, including those associated with the telecommunications industry.

Net neutrality requires equal access to web content. It does not allow internet service providers, such as AT&T or Comcast, to slow or block access to certain websites. In addition, providers are not allowed to charge content creators, such as Netflix, for access to higher speeds.

The telecommunications industry has much to gain in the debate, as the policy change could fundamentally alter the way the internet is regulated.

Net neutrality supporters say these rules are vital to the internets free flow of information, where a website hosted in a startups basement can reach as many people as its giant competitors.

But Reed said these rules dont take into account future web applications that will require low latency connections, such as autonomous vehicles and augmented reality. While he said no one cares whether an email arrives a few milliseconds later, any delay in online voice chat makes it hard to carry on a conversation.

Providers, therefore, need to be able to prioritize certain web applications over others.

What that means is you cannot treat every bit equally, Reed said.

Asked whether he has any concerns about internet service providers throttling connections to encourage users to ward some websites over others, Reed said thats something for the U.S. Department of Justice to regulate  not the FCC.

Reed acknowledged that his past consulting jobs for AT&T could pose conflict of interest concerns, but he said his opinion on net neutrality has not changed as a result of that work.

Im a transparent expert on the subject, Reed said. I make no secret that I have worked with many companies within the wireless area. Ive worked for a whole lot. I think 30-something different companies over the years.

Tech is offering Reed up as an expert on net neutrality issues, publishing a media advisory last week under the title The often overlooked downside of net neutrality.

The press release notes among Reeds accolades that he has served as an advisor to federal organizations and commercial organizations such as AT&T and Samsung.

It does not disclose Reed was previously paid by AT&T to weigh in on the topic.

University spokesman Mark Owczarski said Tech doesnt discourage consulting work. The university wants its researchers to be active in their respective industries and identified as experts.

Dr. Reed is a leader in his field of study, Owczarski said. Virginia Tech is proud of his work.

Reed wrote in an email that he followed all university polices for conducting outside research and has maintained integrity in his work.

I am passionate about my research and am especially passionate that public policy has a sound technical basis, something that I think has been lost in the network neutrality debate, Reed wrote. I want to assure you that my opinions are based on sound engineering principles and they are my opinions as an expert in wireless communications.

A 2014 Center for Public Integrity article was the first to identify Reeds AT&T affiliation, naming him among 19 researchers who formulated arguments related to a policy debate on broadcast signals for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint.

FCC records show he has published at least a dozen academic papers supporting AT&Ts stances on various issues. Those papers became public when the company cited his work in policy arguments to the FCC. Hes been tapped to participate in a range of topics, from supporting a proposed AT&T and T-Mobile merger in 2011 to opposing net neutrality for wireless carriers in 2010.

One of Reeds papers opens with the phrase, We have been asked by AT&T to review the FCCs recent proposals for new net neutrality regulations.

The paper concludes that it would be a grave mistake to apply the oversight to the wireless industry.

Reed has gone beyond authoring papers. On one occasion he joined a meeting between AT&T and FCC officials via telephone in order to speak on AT&Ts behalf, according to FCC records.

The researcher said his time working with the industry giant has not jaded his views. Instead, he said it has made him more informed.

Asked whether hes produced research that was not published because it ended up being inconsistent with his clients views on key policy issues, Reed declined to comment on private discussions with AT&T.

I dont write anything to the FCC that I dont believe, he said.

He also declined to disclose how much hes been paid for his consulting work, including money he might have received from AT&T to articulate arguments against net neutrality.

AT&T could not immediately be reached for comment.

Reeds consulting relationship is not unusual, as industry giants have habitually hired researchers to bolster their arguments with regulators, according to Dan Stevens, executive director of Campaign for Accountability, a government influence watchdog organization .

Theres just a ton of money on both sides of this [net neutrality] debate, so they are going to go out there and try to hire all the best experts on this to work on their side, Stevens said. If you know about net neutrality, theres probably a lot of people out there who are interested in having a relationship with you.

While Stevens nonprofit has not tracked Reeds consulting work, it has sued for the release of public records elsewhere to learn more about these types of arrangements .

Campaign for Accountability reported in 2015 that an Arkansas Tech University College of Business researcher was paid nearly $40,000 for a study benefiting the payday lending industry. Stevens said documents his group obtained showed the organization that funded the study also helped edit its content.

As part of another investigation, Campaign for Accountability attempted to identify every academic who received financial benefit from Google. It ultimately named more than 300 researchers with financial ties to the internet giant.

Stevens said these kinds of outside consulting jobs are a reality as university budgets shrink and scientists look elsewhere to pay the bills.

But he said thorough disclosure is a must.

Theres lots of questions about whether you can believe his findings, if theyre independent or affected by his financial relationship with the company, Stevens said.

Stevens said that even in cases where scientists say they stand behind everything theyve published, subconscious biases can creep in. Thats why he stresses the importance of making it clear when financial ties exist.

In a perfect world, this wouldnt be happening at all, Stevens said. We should definitely expect disclosure and everyone who reads his paper should understand theres a financial relationship and that should definitely be kept in mind while you read his findings.
Authorities have jailed a Pulaski County man on charges of child sexual exploitation, court papers said.

Ethen Thomas Tangtong, 18, was arrested Tuesday by a federal agent with Homeland Security Investigations and taken to Roanoke federal court, where a judge said Tangtong would be held for a psychiatric evaluation.

A criminal complaint charges Tangtong with sexual exploitation of a minor and a closely related charge. It was sworn out by Special Agent Hunter Durham and signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Ballou.

Tangtong admitted ownership of an email address used to set up an account with an online bulletin board often used to trade child pornography, according to an affidavit written by Durham and attached to the criminal complaint.

The holder of the account posted images that included some taken at Pulaski County High School, the filing said. Tangtong attended the school, court papers said. He graduated from HopeTree Academy in Salem, according to a family member.

Durham, who seized phones and thumb drives at Tangtongs home, described other images without specifying whether he thought they were taken at the high school. These showed the clothed buttocks and breasts of girls who were unaware they were photographed, the filing said.

While investigating Tangtong, Durham also found pictures of the crotch of a girl who was wearing a dress and underwear and looked to be under age 10, the filing said.

Authorities have evidence that the child attends a Pulaski elementary school, the filing said. Durham also came across a video in which Tangtong directs a young girl to pose and perform actions that exposed her buttocks and genitals, the filing said.

The law against child sexual exploitation makes it illegal to produce, display, distribute, trade or buy images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Courts have said that the prohibition can cover images of minors who are clothed, the filing said.

Durham received a tip from the security agencys cyber crimes office in northern Virginia in December, which prompted his investigation.
Three incoming members of Virginias House of Delegates  and a possible fourth  are calling on Gov. Terry McAuliffe to better fund the states public schools in his last budget proposal.

Richmond-area delegates-elect Schuyler VanValkenburg and Debra Rodman joined Cheryl Turpin of Virginia Beach and Shelly Simonds, who is in the midst of a recount inNewport News, sent a letter Wednesday to the governor urging him to support increased funding to local school divisions.

In the letter, the four ask McAuliffe to implement the Virginia Board of Educations recommendations to amend the states Standards of Quality, which a major portion of state funding is based on. The SOQ are refigured every other year and last year the education board asked for about $600 million more per year in K-12 funding. The request was not met.

With your support for these revisions, Virginia can help shift the burden of funding our schools away from localities and take the next step in restoring the equitable and necessary funding for all children in the commonwealth to receive a high-quality public education, the letter said.

State education funding is still far below what it was before the Great Recession.

Funding per student by the state has fallen about 11 percent since 2009, according to an analysis published in August by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a research organization based in Richmond that focuses on economics and policy. Public schools have more than 10,000 fewer staff relative to student enrollment, according to the same study, and the state share of education spending has dropped about 4 percent as localities fill the gap.

As a state weve been pretty neglectful of educational issues, VanValkenburg said Wednesday. The economys recovered and school funding has not. These school divisions have very real needs.

All four of the Democratic letter writers have ties to education. VanValkenburg teaches government at Glen Allen High School in Henrico County, Rodman is an anthropology professor at Randolph-Macon College and Turpin teaches at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach.

Simonds, who trails Del. David Yancey, R-Newport News, by 10 votes pending the outcome of a recount, is a former teacher and current member of the Newport News School Board. The recount is scheduled for next Tuesday.

We want to make sure the budget reflects what we ran on, VanValkenburg said.

In the letter, they specifically point out underfunding in rural and high-poverty communities.

Rural divisions have seen the state share of education spending drop about 5 percent since the Great Recession, according to The Commonwealth Institute analysis, while a high-poverty division like Richmonds funding per student has tumbled 16 percent.

The latter prompted Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to write a similar letter to the governor in late November requesting more money for Richmond Public Schools.

Brian Coy, the governors director of communications, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

In response to Stoneys letter two weeks ago, Coy declined to comment on the governors budget proposal but said that McAuliffe believes quality public education is essential to a healthy economy and will do everything he can to support Virginia schools in his outgoing legislative agenda.

The governor, who leaves office Jan. 13, is set to unveil his final budget proposal Monday.
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BOWLING GREEN  Cynthia Brandon is looking for pretty much the same things in a Christmas tree as everyone else: nice and full, not too stout and no big gaps in the branches.

But, having gone blind suddenly three years ago, she has a slightly different approach when it comes to actually making her selection.

What you do is, when you go up to the tree, you hug it, and that will give you the shape of the tree, the 58-year-old Mechanicsville resident said. So then, if its a good, solid tree, thats good. So then you go around the tree and feel for holes.

Brandon is one of more than 20 students, volunteers and staff members at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired who traveled from the centers campus on Azalea Avenue in Henrico County to Whispering Pines Christmas Tree Farm near Bowling Green on Wednesday morning.

Together, the group selected, cut and hauled back two trees from a field of several hundred  no assistance from the sighted required, save for the ride there and back.

Melody Roane, the centers director, said that aside from being seasonally appropriate, the annual activity is a natural extension of the centers mission: to give blind people from across the state the training and experience they need to live independent, productive lives.

She said the outing also played the dual role of giving the students, who are often on the receiving end of charitable efforts, an opportunity to give back  the center donated the trees to needy families.

When they go home, they may never chop another tree down, but hopefully what theyre getting is the confidence to do things that theyre interested in doing and get out in their community and play an active role, she said.

It gives the students an opportunity to be in charge of a situation  a chance to play an active role rather than a passive role.

The centers typical mobility training ground is Richmonds Museum District, where students are given assignments  for instance, to navigate from one address to another. Students who are visually impaired but cant always rely on the limited sight they have wear eye masks to help them learn nonvisual mobility and orientation skills.

While lessons in the city necessarily focus on identifying intersections and safely crossing them, at the tree farm, the only real obstacles are trees, stumps and a far-flung fence line.

When the students arrive at the farm, they split into two groups and fan out among the trees, white canes tapping from side to side in front of them. When they encounter a stump, they step around it. When they encounter a tree that looks promising, they feel it out.

About 10 minutes in, after debating a few promising specimens as a group, Pragya Govil of Falls Church calls out that she thinks shes found a good one.

Members of her group converge around her, and she makes her case.

Its not a big, tall tree, but the shape is very good, and the leaves are fresh  not dry, she says.

Brandon, the Mechanicsville resident, isnt convinced. Shes a nurse who graduated from the center and now volunteers there teaching kitchen skills.

OK, we got a hole right here and youve got one hole right here, she says. Yeah. Youve got two holes.

Roane gives it a feel and taps the top with her cane to gauge its height. She thinks the gaps in the branches could easily be hidden, and Brandon and the rest of the group agree  not a fatal flaw.

Michael Villafane, a technology instructor at the center, produces a bow saw and kneels, feeling for the best spot to start the cut.

Dont worry, he says, laughing. Im a certified saw cutter.

From there, they take turns sawing until their tree eventually falls. The group lets out a cheer.

Three students then pick up the tree and, using the position of the sun and the sound of the nearby highway as their guide, navigate back to the farms entrance to pay for the tree.

It was Brandons second trip to the farm, and she said she was nervous the first time she ventured into the field.

I was so afraid I was going to hit every one of these stumps where trees had already been cut off, and I didnt. It was just amazing, she said.

This time, she said she just enjoyed herself.

Its just such a nice outing in a wide-open area  to be able to find a live tree that way, its just such a blessing that you can still do that.
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Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) The first students cohorts at Minerva Schools, a revolutionary college startup that conducts courses via online seminars and has no set classrooms, are looking to visit Taipei in the final semester of their four-year programs, which have taken them to six countries so far.
"Fix" claims: Cllr John Turner

COUNCILLORS have overwhelmingly approved cutting four of their number as changes are made ward boundaries from 2020.

Rotherham Borough Council has been working with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) to redraw wards so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

On Wednesday, Elected members agreed the changes, which will see the number of seats fall from 63 to 59, despite protests from some councillors.

Several wards which currently have three councillors will have just two in future.

Council leader Cllr Chris Read said: We have been engaged with the LGBCE for a number of months now.

[Boundary changes] are never easy, but I would like to pay tribute to the cross-party boundary review group.

The changes will see some wards gain or lose residents at their edges to balance voter numbers.

Cllr John Turner, UKIP councillor for Hellaby ward, complained that his constituency was being cut in half.

He accused the chambers Labour majority of some sort of a fix to oust him from the council.

UKIP colleague Cllr Brian Cutts echoed the sentiment, adding: I would like to congratulate you all.

Youve done a splendid job conducting this to your advantage.

But UKIP, Labour and Liberal Democrat members all stood to voice support for the changes.

Deputy council leader Cllr Gordon Watson said: Everyone has been affected by this. My ward has been dramatically changed, but I can see the logic.

Cllr Brian Steele, Labour for Hoober ward, said: People will not elect us on boundary changes.

They will elect us on what we do in this chamber and how our party does in national opinion polls, so I can see why UKIP would be worried.

Cllr Adam Carter, Lib Dem for Brinsworth and Catcliffe, said: I think the consultation was good and we managed to improve integrity in my ward.

Although I think this was one of the better solutions, I do think we could have reduced numbers further.

And Cllr Peter Short, UKIP member for Sitwell, added: We worked very hard with the Labour members on this and there was absolutely no political gerrymandering or anything of that nature.

Councillors also voted to accept changes to where residents will vote, designed to minimise the use of schools as polling stations.

Cllr Saghir Alam, cabinet member for corporate services, said the changes were related to access issues.


NDC continues efforts to distinguish between natural, laboratory-grown diamonds The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has launched a new ASSURE 2.0 online portal, which helps build industry capability to correctly verify natural diamonds and ensure pipeline integrity.

Orion secures pre-development funding for Okiep copper project Orion Minerals has entered into definitive agreements that will see the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) acquire 43.75% of the shares in the New Okiep Mining Company (NOM). This triggered pre-development funding...

Angolas SODIAM realises $28,7mln from fifth international diamond tender Angola's state-owned diamond trading company, SODIAM realised $28,7 million from the sale of 1,819.79 carats at its fifth international rough tender held in the capital, Luanda. The diamonds sold were special productions from Lulo, Catoca, and Luele...

Christies presents Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond of 13.15 carats Christies presents one of the finest fancy vivid pink emerald-cut diamonds ever to be offered at auction which will be part of the Magnificent Jewels sale on 6 December during Luxury Week. The Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Ring (estimate...
Gem Diamonds said an offer to acquire 100 percent of its Ghaghoo asset in Botswana has been withdrawn after discussions with the potential buyer failed to yield an agreement.

The company, however, said it was currently in discussions with other parties interested in acquiring the Ghaghoo asset.

Gem Diamonds said it placed the Ghaghoo mining operation on care and maintenance last February due to the suppressed diamond market for the size and quality of goods produced at the mine.

Full care and maintenance status was achieved in March 2017.

The Ghaghoo resource was said to be significant, with over 20 million carats and an in-situ value in excess of $4 billion.

The mine, which lies within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve was officially opened in September 2014.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Trustco Resources, a Namibian investment company, said its primary focus during the first half of 2018, will be to establish operational readiness at Meya Mine in Sierra Leone and execute the first phase of the exploration programme within the ambitious 18-month project schedule.

Meya Mining, which was 51 percent owned by Trustco Resources, recently discovered a 476 carat diamond.

The diamond was discovered in an area spanning from the Kamara Gbense to the Tankoro chiefdoms in Kono District and an initial assessment indicated that the stone was the 29th largest diamond ever discovered.

Two other special diamonds of 19.70 carats and 27.93 carats were also discovered on the same day in the Kono District.

Based on managements experience and understanding of the geological setting within Meya Mines area of operation, Trustco Resources is confident that the geo-economic potential within EL 07/2015 will achieve the initial expectations, it said.

Thus, notwithstanding Meya Mine starting off as a greenfield exploration programme, the plan is to establish an optimal mine configuration that will enable Trustco Resources to evaluate the geo-economic potential of the resource within the exploration license, but then also to transition into trial mining immediately after phase 1 of the exploration programme has been completed.

Meanwhile, Trustco said it had temporarily suspended diamond mining at the Northern Namibia Development Company (NNDC), as well diamond polishing operations at Morse Investments, pending the granting of a long-awaited mining licence by the mines ministry.

NNDC received a preparedness to grant letter for mining licence 156 from the mines ministry on 25 October 2017.

The mining licence was among other things conditional to approval of an environmental clearance certificate which in turn required a scoping study and an environmental management programme.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




(1prime.ru)  ALROSA has begun a tendering process to develop and establish an online portal for polished diamond sales. The contractor should be selected early next year, the maximum contract price is almost 15.3 million rubles, as follows from the data of the public procurement portal.

According to this data, a web store will distribute polished goods of the company's subsidiary  Diamonds ALROSA  in Russia and all the countries where its branches are present (India, Belgium, Israel, China and the United States).

The online store will sell not only products from the stock but also by order and will include an auction platform. In the long run, ALROSA's partners may be able to sell diamond jewelry, as well as other precious stones, through this online store.

ALROSA expects that the launch of polished diamond sales via the Internet will increase the volumes of direct product sales, expand the company's client base, promote products made from diamonds of Russian origin, create a sales channel that is protected from synthetic diamonds, and receive analytical information on the market situation.

It is also indicated that the store creation process will be conducted in two stages. First, the basic functionality of an online store will be created to work with legal entities in China and Russia. Then, ALROSA will launch individual sales with the store's full functionality, including auctions, as well as interactive, flexible user experience.




Instrumentation and controls company, Spectris plc (SEPJF.PK,SXS.L) announced Thursday its deal to establish joint venture with Macquarie Capital for environmental monitoring .

The company has signed an agreement with Macquarie Capital, the corporate advisory and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group. Under the deal, Macquarie will acquire 50% of Spectris' environmental monitoring business EMS Bruel & Kjr or EMS B&K for a total cash consideration of A$76.6 million or 43.4 million pounds, subject to closing adjustments.

The sale is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals in China, the European Union and South Korea.

The net proceeds from the sale will be used to reduce net debt, thereby increasing the company's financial flexibility for future capital deployment.

EMS B&K is a provider of environmental monitoring services to airports, cities, mines and construction companies. The business will now benefit from accelerated investment which will help create additional solutions and services that enable asset owners to monitor and manage their resources more effectively.

Daniel Wong, Global Co-Head of Energy and Infrastructure at Macquarie Capital, said, "This investment is an integral part of Macquarie Capital's focus on applying to infrastructure (InfraTech). This is recognition that a number of technologies can now bring significant benefit in the construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure assets."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A Kentucky lawmaker has apparently took his own life just two days after facing allegation that he sexually assaulted a minor.

Danny Ray Johnson, a Republican state representative of Kentucky, died of self-inflicted gunshot wound on Wednesday evening.

Reports quoting Bullitt County Coroner David Billings said Johnson was found with a single gun shot wound to the head after stopping his car in a secluded part of Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington.

Pastor at a local church, he was elected to the Kentucky state legislature in 2016.

Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting had published a report in which a woman accused him of molesting her after a party at Johnson's home basement on New Year's Eve of 2012.

The newspaper quoted Maranda Richmond as saying that she was a 17-year-old girl when the incident took place.

At a press conference Tuesday, the 57-year old preacher-turned-politician denied the sexual abuse allegation, which he said is part of a nationwide strategy to defeat conservative Republicans.

Shortly before 5 pm EST the same day, Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page paying tribute to his family and saying he asked people to care for his wife.

Johnson revealed that he has been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder for several years.

"PTSD is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, But heaven is my home." The post appears to have been removed.

His facebook post of 2016 depicting former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as orangutans had turned controversial.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) A delegation from the Kingdom of Swaziland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation visited the Taiwan Hakka Museum in Miaoli, central Taiwan on Thursday, and were surprised to find that the phrase "thank you" in Hakka is very similar to that in their native tongue, "Siyabonga," according to the center's director.
The second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections on Thursday saw over 68 per cent voting, the Election Commission said.

There were people still lined up outside polling booths, and the final figure will be available later, an official said.

Voting was held in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions of the state.

Balloting closed at 5 p.m. with an estimated 60 per cent of the 2.22 crore electorate exercising their franchise in 93 constituencies across 14 districts of northern and central Gujarat.

Nearly 50 per cent polling was seen by 3 p.m., the Election Commission said. One official said the overall polling could even cross 70 per cent.

Thursday's fight for Gujarat, ruled by the BJP for 22 long years, ended more or less peacefully. Voters, however, complained about malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at some places.

The sluggish voter turnout in the first few hours due to the winter chill gave way to visible enthusiasm as the day progressed. Long queues of men and women were seen outside polling booths almost everywhere.

But with the stakes high in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress were locked in a war of words after Prime Minister Narendra Modi voted in Ahmedabad and then went around the area, flashing his finger with the voter mark.

A furious Congress complained to the Election Commission that Modi held a roadshow in Ranip area.

Afer casting his vote, Modi stood on the steps of his vehicle and waved to the cheering crowds. His 97-year-old mother Hiraba, who lives in Gandhinagar with Modi's younger brother Pankaj Modi, also voted in Gandhinagar North.

The Congress accused the Election Commission of ignoring the BJP's and Modi's violations of the model code of conduct. Congress activists staged a demonstration outside the office of the poll panel in New Delhi.

BJP veteran L.K. Advani, the Lok Sabha member from Gandhinagar, cast his vote at a booth in Hindi Vidyalaya in Shahpur area of the old city. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley voted at a booth in Chimanbhai Institute at Vejalpur area.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel too voted on Thursday. Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who has virtually thrown his lot with the Congress, exercised his franchise in Viramgam.

A skirmish took place between two groups in Hasanpur village in Visnagar at Mehsana. The police used batons to disperse the mob. Ten persons have hospitalised.

The districts were elections were held on Thursday included Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur.

A total of 25,575 polling booths were set up in 14,523 places.

There were several complaints regarding malfunctioning EVMs in and around Vadodara city, halting polling temporarily.

A clash also erupted in Dhanera town in Banaskantha district, police said.

The first round of polling to elect a 182-member Gujarat Assembly took place on December 9. The votes will be counted on Monday.
Prohibitory orders were imposed in Udaipur as Rajasthan Police on Thursday detained a right-wing Hindu activist hours ahead of his planned rally in support of "Love Jihad" murder accused Shambhulal Raigar in the city.

Police detained Thakur Updesh Rana in Bagru on Thursday afternoon at the Jaipur border on Ajmer Road, Bagru SHO, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat said.

On Tuesday, Rana had posted a video online calling for a massive rally in Udaipur on Thursday. He called upon Hindus to support the rally in big numbers, He had also posted another video on Wednesday saying that he is going to meet Raigar's family and had also dared the administration to arrest him.

Earlier, Udaipur District Magistrate Bishnu Charana Mallick imposed Section 144 in the city on Wednesday night to avert any untoward incident in the city.

In view of the rise in hate messages being exchanged on social media sites, Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha ordered suspension of internet services for the next 24 hours in Udaipur and Rajsamand, where Raigar had brutally murdered and burnt a Muslim man in the name of "Love Jihad" earlier this month. Schools and colleges will remain closed during this period.

Police sources confirmed that internet services, bulk sms/MMS/WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services have been suspended for 24 hours. Police also asked citizens to stay vigilant.

According to sources, a few self-proclaimed Hindu organisations have announced they will take out a procession on Thursday supporting Raigar.

Many people also deposited money in the account of Raigar's wife. The administration has frozen the account and investigations are on to find out who transferred money in his wife's account.

Mallick said that taking out processions, rallies and delivering instigating speech will be strictly prohibited under Section 144. Those violating the order will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.

Strict action will also be taken against those roaming with sharp-edged weapons and rods, he said.

Meanwhile, IG Anand Shrivastava has written a message to Facebook requesting them to block the accounts which are triggering hate messages and also exchanging them.

Rana has delivered a hate speech on Facebook and the IG requested Facebook to block his accounts.

On December 9, a large number of Muslims took out a rally in Udaipur demanding the harshest punishment for Raigar.

A video is also going viral on social media purportedly showing Muslims in a rally at Chetak Circle in Udaipur shouting slogans against Hindu organisations. They are seen demanding death for Raigar. Police sources said the video has been sent for forensic examination.

To protest against this video, several self-proclaimed Hindu organisations geared up to extend support to Shambulal Raigar and his family. Members of one such organisation announced holding a rally in Rajsamand on Thursday.

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The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and the International Labour Organization, delivered a training on Work Ethics and Soft Skills two weeks ago for former Yazaki staff members.

The training was part of the orientation session for the Yazaki Internship Programme.

This programme is part of assisting the transition of former employees of Yazaki into the workforce.

The training was delivered by Samoa Chamber of Commerce Member Services Manager, Lote Lima. There were 12 participants, all of whom are seeking employment after the closure of Yazaki in August.

The half-day training looked at the importance of having good work ethics and values in the workplace. Following past Internship Programmes, Ms. Lote said that the key factor that employers value and seek from potential employees aside from education is good attitude and initiative, this may seem like a little thing but it makes a big difference in the workplace.

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry would like to acknowledge the International Labour Organization (I.L.O.) for supporting this initiative and Samoa National Youth Council (S.N.Y.C.) for its usual collaboration.
The Chairman Samoa Public Service Commission (P.S.C), Tuuu Dr. Ietitaia Taule'alo, has rejected reports he has issued a blanket ban on all public servants from attending the Samoa Solidarity International protest march this Saturday.

I have not issued any order to stop any public service employee from taking part in the proposed march on Saturday or any other march, Tuuu said in response to questions from the Samoa Observer.

In fact the first I heard about it was last Thursday when my wife asked me based on Facebook reports.

The reports in question claimed that the Chairman had issued a warning to all public servants that they will be punished if they are marching.

Other social media reports accused the Chairman of threatening public servants against sharing materials posted by Ole Palemia and other anti-government bloggers on social media.

Tuuu strongly rejected the reports saying they are not true.

He said public servants have the freedom to choose what they want to do.

Staff of the public service can attend any march or event they choose, he said.

If it is an official event then they can participate on full pay.

For other cases, staff can apply for annual leave or leave without pay to attend.

The protest march, led by Samoa Solidarity International on December 16, 2017, is against what they claim as the illegal land reform law, Land Torrens Registrations Act 2008.

The S.S.I. claims the law was passed in violation of the Samoa Constitution by removing the constitutional prohibition against customary land alienation.

Last week, prominent lawyer and one of the organisers, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, said the march is an awareness-raising initiative to help Samoans realise that their customary lands could be affected by the use of leases to secure loans and mortgages.

She warned that ownership might shift to mortgagees or lenders under the terms of lending.

We believe our customary lands are not safe and that a change to use customary land leases as securities for loans etc. is a breach of articles 102 of the Constitution of Samoa and that being so requires a referendum of two thirds of the majority of voters, she said.

It's very concerning that the same laws as the L.T.R.A. 2008 was introduced in New Zealand and left Maoris poor and deprived against palagi (Europeans) and foreign ownership.

It took at least 150 years for Maoris fighting in court to get some of its customary lands back. The same laws made Aborigines the first people of Australia, poor.

The same damn law made the Hawaiians poor to the point they are now homeless in their own country of Hawaii while big companies, palagi, Saina (Chinese), Filipinos etc., are richer by comparison.

The Police has granted a permit for the protest.

The Ministry of Police has also called on members of the public to report any unlawful activities concerning the march.

The approval of the permit was a result of three letters and a personal visit by Unasa to the Police Station.

According to the public announcement, the area of the road that will be affected is from the Vaisigano Bridge in front of Sheraton Aggies Hotel to the Parliamentary House at Malae o Tiafau at Mulinuu.

There is possibility of traffic congestion and the public is advised to avoid the road affected if possible in order to allow the undisturbed movement of traffic and to let the peaceful march to proceed to their destination as smooth as possible.

The police will be present in numbers to ensure that all necessary actions within the law are provided for the safety of both participants of the march and the general public, says the announcement.
Receiving $90 fortnightly to support six children is a struggle.

Thats the reality for Koama Seve, 40, from the village of Alamagoto.

Mrs. Seve said the cost of living in Samoa was expensive and life was really hard too.

Only one person in my family works and that is my husband and he is one of those workers who gets paid fortnightly, she told the Village Voice team.

Most of the time he only gets $90 fortnight because we also have to pay our loans and it all comes down to how we manage our money wisely.

We have six children of our own and all of them are in school, but the thing is we are struggling in finance trying to support our family.

Mrs. Seve said they struggle to budget her husbands wages.

The pay my husband receives is not enough for my family, but we are fortunate that we have something.

Whenever he gets paid, I will buy a packet of rice to try and cater for the whole two weeks until the next pay comes in.

Usually we just have rice throughout the week and tinned fish and sometimes we just have rice and tea to go through the night.

Mrs. Seve also mentioned that the hardest part for her is that her kids were still young and she was still struggling.

My eldest son is 15 years old now and we are trying our best supporting them with their education because that is our priority.

The cost of living here in Samoa is really affecting me and my family, but as long as my children get to go school that will be good.

Mrs. Seve added life was difficult when you have less money to cover two weeks.

To be honest, the amount my husband earns cannot be stretched for two weeks.

No matter how good your budgeting skills may be, stretching $90 for two weeks wont work at all.

For those of you willing to help Mrs. Seve and her family, she can be contacted through her cell phone number 7780782.
With the struggles and hardship many people are going through, it is good to always have a backup plan.

This is the belief of a local businessman, Malouamaua Eti, 58, from the village of Nuu-Fou.

Mr. Eti met the Village Voice team while working with his son on his peanut plantation yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Eti said life in Samoa nowadays was all about working hard.

Life in Samoa is hard, and if you dont have land to work on or a regular job, you will be in trouble.

It is all about working hard knowing that you are working and investing in your family.

Now is not the time to sit around and wait for miracles to come knocking on your door, no there is no more of that now.

Mr. Eti owns a small shop in Nuu and also a peanut plantation not far from his house.

My small shop there does not earn me that much, but it is enough to support my childrens education.

I only have one more child still in school here in Samoa while the other two are in New Zealand.

My peanut plantation is my back up plan for my shop because I know I dont earn much from my shop.

But I am also doing peanut deliveries to some shops around the area and thats another source of income for me and the family.

Mr. Eti also said that everyone in Samoa is struggling, including the business people.

Some of the struggles we face are the increasing price of wholesale goods we are buying.

Another struggle we are facing is that we have so much competition around and we dont know if people will come buy from us or not.

For us we are also struggling to find people who will not only come and buy stuff from us but we need to make sure that people dont owe us that much.

So thats why it is good to have a second option or back up plan to support the family.

Mr. Eti says we need to work hard in order to cope with the struggles we have in Samoa.

There is no other way to tackle struggles rather than just work and make sure to support our families.

One thing to make sure you are all right n in case your primary plan dont last you in the long run, he added.
Fautua Fautua from the village of Vaitele-Fou believes the key to a better life lies in ones ability to make good decisions.

Aged 40 and employed at K.L. Security, Fautua stresses the importance of choices and education in response to questions on the daily life in Samoa.

Although he believes that the cost of living is becoming unbearable, he says that the only way to make things a little easier on ourselves is through proper money management and better understanding of what to prioritise.

My understanding is that life is definitely expensive here in Samoa, Fautua said.

Prices for goods at the shops go up all the time and theres nothing we can do about that. On the other hand, I do believe that we can make things a little easier on ourselves by using our heads when it comes to money.

I believe that the key to a better life is through better money management. Knowing what is important from what is not, will help you in the long run.

There will be times when we get our money and then realize that its gone the next moment.

His advice to the people of Samoa is simply spend money on what you need and not what you want.

If you see that you cant provide for your family and that you are struggling financially, then dont buy beer or cigarettes.

Thats all there is to it. If you do not need it, then just dont buy it. Thats what I mean by separating whats important from what isnt.

Thats what I have noticed with a lot of families here. Wasting money only leads to struggles.

Asked if he has any other advice for Samoans searching for a better life, Fautua explained the importance of education.

Another key to a better life is education, he said.

I strongly believe in educating our young because when they grow up, they will be able to find better jobs and will be able to live a better life.

Educating them at home about how to make better decisions will also help lessen the burden of daily struggles because they will grow up and have a good understanding of the importance of choices.

Thats all I can really say about life in Samoa.
When it comes to the search for the truth, its not as simple as it appears.

It is certainly not as easy as the saying goes that there are always two sides to a story. In some cases, there are often three sides. There is your side, another persons argument and somewhere hopefully close by is the truth.

Its just the way life works. I guess its what they mean when they say beauty is really in the eye of beholder.

The best part is that in a free country like Samoa, you and I get the freedom to choose and make our very own decisions. When it comes to controversial issues, we are blessed in the sense we have the freedom to express ourselves.

Whether we are heard or not is another story but thats okay.

What matters is that people are granted the freedom to express themselves, share their feelings and even take a stand. That is true democracy at work.

In this life, youve got to stand for something otherwise youll end up dying for nothing.

Now tomorrow, a group of outspoken individuals gathering under the umbrella of the Samoa Solidarity International (S.S.I.) will march from Vaisigano to Mulinuu. The Solidarity march for Samoa in remembrance of the Mau movement will also be used to voice concerns about a number of issues in relation to the way Tuilaepas administration is governing Samoa.

Chief among the concerns is the fear about the future of customary lands being alienated. This is not a new topic. It has been debated for quite some time now and this will continue for years to come.

Senior lawyer, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, believes many Samoans may not be aware that their customary lands could be lost.

We believe our customary lands are not safe and that a change to use customary land leases as securities for loans etc. is a breach of articles 102 of the Constitution of Samoa and that being so requires a referendum of two thirds of the majority of voters, she said. Its believed the changes shifts control from the extended family and its High Chief to the government.

So why should we be concerned?

Its very concerning that the same laws as the L.T.R.A. 2008 was introduced in New Zealand and left Maoris poor and deprived against palagi (Europeans) and foreign ownership, Unasa explained. It took at least 150 years for Maoris fighting in Courts to get some of its customary lands back. The same laws made Aborigines the first people of Australia, poor.

The same damn law made the Hawaiians poor to the point they are now homeless in their own country of Hawaii while big companies, palagi, Saina (Chinese), Filipinos etc., are richer by comparison.

She questions whether Samoa wants to go that way where customary lands are leased for many years, thereby generations and extended family will miss out?

The question is a valid concern. As weve said time and time again, without land, we might as well be dead. In Samoa, our land is our inheritance. It is the connection we have with our past, present and our future. Which is why it is important we take these concerns seriously.

But there is another school of thought  predictably of course  that is being promoted by opponents of the protesters tomorrow. This is the same tune the government has been singing for years to downplay concerns such as the ones raised by Unasa.

Last Sunday, Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, moved to reassure Samoa that customary lands are not under any legal threat.

I respectfully pose this question: what customary land has been legally converted to freehold land and/or sold off, since the enactment of the Lands Title Registration Act 2008? (L.T.R.A.). The answer is none, Lemalu said.

That is because it is a legal impossibility.

According to Lemalu, the Act deals only with freehold land. It can never be utilised to interfere at all with customary land rights that are protected in the Constitution, he said. According to Lemalu, the L.T.R.A. was introduced to help protect and increase clarity for transaction for freehold land only.

I emphasise that it actually therefore states in its own body in section 9 as follows: Section 9(4) and (5) of the LTRA:

(4) No provision of this Act may be construed or applied to:

i) permit or imply the alienation of customary land in a manner prohibited by Article 102 of the Constitution; or

ii) permit or deem ownership in any customary land to vest in a person otherwise than as determined under any law dealing with the determination of title to customary land.

(5) Nothing in this Act permits the exercise of any power or affects any interest in customary land that could have been applied by law prior to the commencement of this Act.

Well we are not lawyers so itd be best to leave the rest to the lawyers to debate. Suffice to say, both sides appear to have very valid points, and arguments that should be encouraged and advanced for a better informed Samoa in terms of going forward.

The march being planned tomorrow is not going to resolve anything in a hurry. And whether many people will be bold enough to step out  given the threats already made by the government  only time will tell. But thats besides the point.

The fact is this is a start of something that could be a turning point for this nation. When we talk about the Mau movement, we are talking about men and women who changed the course of Samoan history because they had had enough of what was happening at the time. They saw a brighter future for Samoa and they were not afraid to put their bodies on the line for the cause. They were not afraid; they were ready to die for what they believed.

The questions are, is it worth making necessary noise about customary land if we feel that it is under threat? Is it worth fighting for our customary lands for the sake of the future generations of Samoa?

The answer is an emphatic yes.

If the government is sincere and truthful about what it has been saying in relation to this issue, the future generations of Samoa will reap the benefits and we will thank them for it.

But if the government is reckless, continues ill-advised and they end up tossing Samoa down the same path as some of our fellow Pacific peoples have found, then tomorrows march is an absolute necessary movement.

You and I dont want to be the ones to tell our unborn children that we did nothing when we knew their future was under threat.

What do you think?

Have a fabulous Friday Samoa, God bless!
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi was all smiles yesterday during the celebration of the Human Rights Protection Partys 38th birthday at Sogi.

Held at the partys headquarters at Petesa, the Prime Minister was joined by the partys faithful members and supporters as they gave thanks for another year.

The celebration was well attended.

Member of the Council of Deputies, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, senior members of the H.R.P.P. and supporters from different constituencies attended the celebration.

In addressing the crowd, Prime Minister Tuilaepa, who has led the party since 1998, joked and referred to himself as an overstayer.

He is one of the longest serving members of the party.

The Human Rights Protection Party has won nine consecutive general elections, he said.

If H.R.P.P. wins the next general elections, then that will be the tenth time.

During the 2016 General Election, the party won 47 seats out of Parliaments 50 seats.

One reason is because Samoa has accepted huge changes that are being implemented by the government for the development of this country, not just for one person, but the wider nation, he said.

Whats good for Apia is also good for Savaii or anywhere else has always been H.R.P.Ps vision and mission for the many developments in the country.

Tuilaepa used the opportunity to detail some of the developments that are critical to Samoa in going forward.

He also reminded Cabinet Ministers and H.R.P.P. members about the need to work as servants and not just sit on their comfortable chairs.

If you forget about the Human Rights Protection Party manifesto,than that is where you start to fail the party, he said. This is just a reminder.

H.R.P.P. was co-founded by the late Vaai Kolone and Tofilau Eti Alesana in May 1979 as an opposition to TupuolaEfisgovernment.

The party began its reign in 1982 after winning the General Election.
The discretion clause under the Customs Act allowing the Ministry of Revenue to issue cash fines, should be removed from the statute.

That is the opinion of Member of Parliament, Olo Fiti Vaai.

He was responding to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois decision to support the Ministry of Revenues decision not to take legal action against a company whose container was confiscated by Customs Officers in September 2017.

At the time, Minister of Revenue and Customs, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt told the Samoa Observer the container was allegedly smuggled into the country using falsified documents.

Instead of taking the matter to Court, the Ministry of Revenue has decided to settle the matter with the company involved. The details remain hidden.

But Olo told the Samoa Observer the government is setting a bad example for Samoa.

He said he encountered the same issue and he was criminally charged.

I was cleared of the charges, but my point is I that was prosecuted at the time. Why is the case at hand any different?

At the time I was in Parliament and that did not stop the government from moving forward with the case. And I am glad they did, because what they accused me of was wrong.

However in this case, Minister Tialavea publicly announced the allegations of smuggling and falsifying of documents.

It is illegal to smuggle, theres alleged forgery and falsifying of documents.

The law has been broken on so many levels, yet the government has opted to utilize their discretion? This is totally wrong.

Also what happened to the Attorney General, Im certain hes well versed of what is happening under his nose.

Who gets prosecuted and who doesnt? Where is the justice in this.

Olo reminded that there is a reason laws exist.

If the company is prosecuted and they are cleared, then at least we can say the government did its due diligence. But to sweep this under the rug because of the authority discretion given to the Customs Office, it is wrong. That is in violation of the law.

The Prime Minister says the government needs to recover the money first. What about the alleged crime that has been committed and publicly announced by Minister Tialavea?

The furious Olo says the matter should not be any different to other companies who have violated the law and have been taken to court for a fair trial.

We might as well repeal the whole Customs Act and leave all the irregularities cases the Customs encounter, including cases of smuggling, to their discretion, said Olo.

During Tuilaepas weekly media conference yesterday, he had an urgent engagement and there was no opportunity to put questions to him.

But during a recent interview, he said government, on certain cases, considers recovering the money more important than prosecuting the matter.

When you think about it, if the accused is charged and arrested, what will happen to the money that needs to be paid back? Tuilaepa responded.

So thats the thing you have to think about, whether to arrest the accused and what next?

There will always be those people who will smuggle stuff in no matter what penalties are put in place, but the most important thing to do is to recover the loss.

Tuilaepa did not have the figures on how much the government recovered. Attempts to get them from the Minister Tialavea have also been unsuccessful.
The San Diego Unified School District wants to swap its current Education Center for a new headquarters and is asking developers to submit proposals for a deal by March 15.

The current Education Center has occupied 11.2 acres at the intersection of Park Boulevard, El Cajon Boulevard and Normal Street since the 1950s.

The district also is throwing in its former Fremont Elementary School in Old Town and a media center in Linda Vista.

In return, the board hopes to get a 180,000-square-foot building with an auditorium thats close to a freeway.

University Heights hopes a historic building can become its new branch library.

Other groups think at least some of the land should be a park to make up for the deficit in park and recreation amenities in that part of San Diego.

Proposals are due March 15 and Board of Education action is currently scheduled by the end of the budget year, June 30.

Education Centers redevelopment: Heres the full story.

The San Diego Unified School District, headquartered at a 65-year-old campus north of Balboa Park, wants a new home.

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But instead of redeveloping its 12-acre, centrally located site on Normal Street, or selling it and buying something else, the district wants to swap its land for a new home thats ready to move into.

The district issued a request for proposals in the last few days seeking a 180,000-square-foot office building and auditorium that is freeway close.

In exchange, the winning property owner would get three parcels of land:

The Education Center, on 11.2 acres on Normal Street in University Heights, previous site of San Diego State University and a middle school before most of the present buildings were built in the 1950s.

The former Fremont Elementary School, 4.4 acres at 2375 Congress St. in Old Town, now called the Fremont Ballard Center for training that the community has eyed as a site for much needed parking.

The Instructional Media Center, 6.4 acres at 2441 Cardinal Lane in Birdland, north of Fletcher Elementary School and just east of state Route 163.

Proposals are due March 15 and the winning bid would be voted on in June, according to the district timetable. The district reserves the right to reject all offers.

The district issued the request for proposals with no backup reports, although it has considered how to deal with excess properties over the years.

Update: District legal specialist Jeffrey Day said Thursday he expects to provide relevant documents within the next three months.

In a statement from district spokesman Samer Naji, district officials involved in the project decline to be interviewed about the details.

Sally Smith, a local attorney who closely follows district issues, said discussion and speculation have been going on for years on what the district should do with its Education Center.

Probably 50 of us were emailing back and forth about talk of turning the site into condos and other possibilities, she said.

She speculated that the district was eager to close a deal to generate cash to close any budget shortfall.

The district said its current headquarters occupy aging buildings built between 1910 and 1952 and this RFP involving a land swap represents an exploration of those potential opportunities for redevelopment.

Leo Wilson, chairman of Uptown Planners that oversees the Hillcrest-Mission Hills-University Heights area, called the Education Center a landmark property.

Its a gateway project, he said. Its of critical concern.

Tom Mullaney, head of the Uptown United community group, said area residents had hoped the property could become parkland with a new University Heights branch library in the historic Teachers Training Annex building at the Education Center property that faces Park Boulevard.

Our government entities, including the city of San Diego and the school district, are so hungry for money that the public interest goes to the end of the line, Mullaney said.

Bruce Coons, executive director of the Save Our Heritage Organisation, said he had urged City Councilman David Alvarez last year to engineer a swap that would give the Education Center to the city in exchange for a new long-term lease for San Diego High School in Balboa Park.

The voters authorized the lease but none has been signed to date and there have been no further discussions about such a swap, he said.

It was a surprise to us the way it came out, he said of the proposals request.

John Stump, an attorney who served on the districts budget oversight committee, said his City Heights community had hoped the school district would relocate there.

I think its a big deal because its the equivalent of a new education city hall, Stump said.

He also wondered if the swap could generate excess cash to help with district budgeting.

Gary London, a real estate economist, said the school district should not be disposing of its parcels to balance its budget or swapping them without getting them entitled for redevelopment and thus raising their value. But he said despite the opening bidding process, that it appears it was tailored to one specific property.

How many developers are out there that just happen to have a 180,000-square-foot building theyd like to swap for the Education Center? he asked.

CoStar Groups most recent report on office building sales prices gave a range of $321 to $480 per square foot. Thus, a comparable 180,000-square-foot office building might be valued at between $57.8 million and $86.4 million.

A spokesman for Councilman Chris Ward, who represents Old Town and Uptown, said the properties would have likely have to rezoned and the community plans changed before any redevelopment could occur.

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roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley
A faith-based nonprofit has purchased low-income senior apartments in Pacific Beach for $10.1 million and agreed to keep rent low for the next 30 years.

Retirement Housing Foundation, a Long Beach-based charitable organization, paid roughly $600,000 over asking price for the Luther View complex.

The 48-unit complex was built by the Christ Lutheran Church nearly 40 years ago and has operated it as affordable housing ever since. The property, on Cass Street a few blocks from the beach, is rare for its low rent in high-priced Pacific Beach.

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Were just pleased to be able to step in and preserve the housing related to the churchs original mission, said Stuart Hartman, vice president of operations for the foundation.

He said it plans to start by making energy upgrades to the complex and over the next few months work with a developer to figure out future renovations. The name will be changed to RHF Pacific Beach Shores.

Luther View got 13 offers and 7 were above the $9.5 million asking price, said the churchs broker Voit Real Estate Services.

The church could have likely gotten around $15 million for the apartments without restrictions placed on the sale, Robert Vallera of Voit reasoned. The church required the complex stay low-income senior housing for the next 30 years and raise rent no more than 5 percent in the first five years.

Christ Lutheran Church said it no longer wanted to be in the real estate business, but wanted the complex to stay low income. It said its mission is to help underserved people in the Pacific Beach community and cashing out to a for-profit developer for more money would have gone against that.

Most occupants of Luther View, who are 62 years and older, pay $550 a month for rent. The average asking rent in Pacific Beach is $1,712 a month, said real estate tracker CoStar.

Retirement Housing Foundation paid $210,625 per unit at the complex. The average sale price for an apartment unit in Pacific Beach was $318,745 in the past year, CoStar said.

Last month, new affordable housing for seniors opened in Otay Ranch and already has a 10-year waiting list. The Volta complex cost developers $294,442 per unit to build.

David Nagler, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, said it still holds the note for the property, so not all the proceeds will come to the church at once. But, it has some ideas how to use the money, including donations to groups working with the homeless and a donation match program to spread wealth to other nonprofits.

Beyond that we are looking at creative options like a lecture series, concerts and things like that, he said, to be a place of learning and healing for the wider community.

Vallera, lead broker on the sale, said while many good nonprofits came forward, the buyer was just a perfect fit.

Retirement Housing Foundation stood out as the obvious choice to continue Christ Lutherans mission of maintaining this scarce supply of affordable housing for Pacific Beach seniors, he said.

Retirement Housing Foundation was founded in 1961 out of the United Church of Christ and now has 192 low-income complexes in 29 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its original mission was to provide housing for low-income seniors, but later expanded to families and disabled residents.

In 2013, foundation purchased a majority in the Congregational Tower Apartments in Chula Vista, a 186-unit building for seniors 55 and older. Members of the Community Congregational Church decided to sell because it said it did not have the expertise to handle needed upgrades.

Correction: An original version of this gave the incorrect number of bids over $9.5 million. It was seven, not 12.

Business

phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar

ALSO

The vanishing San Diego single-family home
PHOTO: The nonprofit Cable Foundation provided a grant of $345,000 to the United Methodist Church of Vista for the churchs 2018 Mission Outlook Program. The program funds local, national and international charities that are approved by the congregation and the Church Council. The Cable Foundation is in its fifth year of providing these grants. From left: Beth Brainerd Hallock, Church Council Chairperson, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Leigh Ann Shaw and Warren Elsasser, President of the Cable Foundation. Call (760)726-0442 or visit umcvista.org. The church is at 490 S. Melrose Drive. Photo by Carol Elsasser.

CARDIFF

Free screening of German film Barbara

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MiraCosta Community college hosts a free foreign film as a part of the Lifelong learning series from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday in room 204 at MiraCostas San Elijo Campus, 33333 Manchester Ave. The film, titled Barbara, is in German with English subtitles. The film released in 2012 is 1 hour and 45 minutes and rated PG 13. The plot revolves around an East Berlin doctor working in 1980s Germany who finds herself banished to a small country hospital for applying for an exit visa. As her lover from the West carefully plots her escape Barbara waits patiently and avoids friendships with her colleagues  except for the hospitals head physician, who is warmly attentive to her. For more information, email lifesanelijo@gmail.com.

CARLSBAD

Hanukkah celebration

set for Friday night

A free community Hanukkah celebration is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Congregation Bnai Tikvah, 2510 Gateway Road. Festivities include a menorah lighting, latkes and doughnuts, holiday songs with Cantor Larry Kornit and Rabbi Ben Leinow and renewal ceremony. Enter the latke contest or bring a dairy item to share. Call (858) 472-0303.

Free gift wrapping today for seniors

The Carlsbad Senior Center is hosting National Charities Leagues Free Gift Wrapping Wednesdays for seniors ages 50 and older from 3 to 5 p.m. today and Dec. 20. Mother and daughter teams will wrap gifts while supplies last. No need to bring supplies. Call (760) 602-4650.

DEL MAR

Author to talk about Anza-Borrego Desert

The Friends of the Del Mar Library will host a talk by Diana Lindsay, co-author of Anza-Borrego Desert Region, at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Del Mar Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar. The new sixth edition of the comprehensive guidebook has been updated and includes new areas that are now completely part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, including more acreage in the Laguna Mountains and direct connecting trails to adjacent Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Call (858) 755-1666.

NORTH COUNTY

Widows group meets for social activities

The North County Widows and Widowers will meet for the following activities:

Happy Hour at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Green Dragon, 6115 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad. Reserve at (760) 207-3387 or (760) 757-2029.

Happy Hour and Appetizer Pot Luck at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Vista Elks Lodge, 1947 E. Vista Way, Vista. Reserve at (760) 207-3387 or (760) 757-2029.

Oceanside Elks Dinner Dance at 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at Oceanside Elks Lodge, 444 Country Club Lane, Oceanside. Reserve by Monday at (760) 727-4489.

YMCA runs Help

a Hero Campaign

The Armed Service YMCA Camp Pendleton started its Be a Hero, Help a Hero Campaign and is seeking donations from community members, civic groups and businesses to support its programs that assist Camp Pendleton Marines and sailors and their families. Visit asymca.org/donate-camp-pendleton.

OCEANSIDE

City offering trip to annual Rose Parade

The city of Oceanside Parks & Recreation Division will host a road trip to the 129th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1. Participants meet at 4 a.m. at the El Corazon Senior Center on Jan. 1 and the bus returns at 4 p.m. The parade starts at 8 a.m. Breakfast, round-trip bus ride, souvenir seat cushion, lunch, program, souvenir pin and admission are included. Tickets include front row seats at West Colorado and Orange Grove. The cost is $200 per person. Register and buy tickets at apm.activecommunities.com/oceansiderec/Activity_Search/4421. The bus will accommodate 40 people. In addition, staff has arranged transportation for four additional people requiring ADA accommodations with a companion rider. Call (760) 435-5250.

Menorah lighting

event today at plaza

A community menorah lighting is at 5:30 p.m. today at Oceanside City Hall Plaza 330 N. Coast Highway. Festivities include live music, circus hoopers performance, hot cocoa and latkes. Local dignitaries are slated to speak. Visit jewishoceanside.com.

VALLEY CENTER

Free holiday concert this afternoon at library

A free holiday concert will be performed at 4 p.m. today by the Valley Center Symphony Brass Quartet at the Valley Center Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road. Festivities include caroling, cookies and light refreshments and visit from Santa, who will be available for photos after the concert. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Valley Center Library. Call (760) 749-1305.

Museum exhibit features new sculpture

The Valley Center History Museum has added a one-of-a-kind bronze sculpture to its permanent exhibition. Waiting for Spring, by artist Dawn Hardy, who sculpts horses in bronze, was donated to the museum by Peter and Susan Crotty of Valley Center. Along with the Hardy sculpture, visitors can see an exhibition highlighting more than a dozen thoroughbred horses with a local connection. The museum at 29200 Cole Grade Road is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. Visit vchistory.org or call (760) 749-2993.

VISTA

Church to hold Christmas concert

A Christmas concert, Rejoice, Rejoice! Creation Sings, will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose Drive. Highlights include O Little Town of Bethlehem and I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, solo by organist Adam Ferrara, arrangements of a carol by musicians Jimmy Patton and Enrique Platas, and title piece by the Rev. Frank Hallock, who will lead a pre-concert conversation about the music at 3:15 p.m. The concert features the chancel choir, the Anderson Handbell Choir and chamber orchestra. Light refreshments will be served. There will be a freewill donation. Visit umcvista.org.
Three years ago, North County sisters Allison Gharst and Kellie Dooley were faced with terrible news.

Queen Bee Market  a craft show where the siblings sold their handmade goods twice a year  was going out of business. But rather than quit or find a new market for their wares, the siblings got another idea. They bought Queen Bee Market and are now planning to grow it into a national business.

Their next show, the Winter Expo, takes place this Friday and Saturday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. More than 100 vendors will be selling their own homemade home decor, accessories, clothing, paper arts, vintage items, furniture and more. Among those vendors will be the siblings themselves, whose wood sign business got them started on this path years ago.

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Growing up in Rancho Santa Fe, Dooley, 41, and Gharst, 39, were not close. They had different personalities, different interests, different friends and, when they finished high school, they went to different colleges.

But both ended up becoming teachers. Gharst taught art and Dooley taught first-graders. And when they both became pregnant with their first children a decade ago, their commonalities outweighed their differences.

When we had our first children, it brought us back together. We figured out we liked each other after all, said Gharst, who lives with her husband and three children in Poway. Dooley lives with her husband and three kids in Vista.

The young moms began spending five or six days a week together and from that togetherness grew a shared passion for crafting. Their business, Peabody & Sassafras, makes quirky wood signs and home decor items, which they initially sold on the craft-marketing website Etsy.com.

In 2010, another pair of sisters launched Queen Bee Market, which they marketed as Etsy comes to life. Dooley and Gharst loved the market and were active vendors until its founders announced plans to close in 2014. The siblings couldnt stand the thought of the show going away, so they bought it themselves.

The sisters are born entrepreneurs. Their father owns an insurance company and their mother owned a retail store. Dooleys husband is a contractor and Gharsts husband owns a pool business.

Their initial goal with Queen Bee was to carry on what it did best.

We loved how highly curated it was from the beginning, Dooley said. We dont want a lot of duplicate vendors and we try to choose the best of the best.

Queen Bee Market hosts two shows a year, which draw from 2,000 to 4,000 visitors. The business has recently expanded to the Las Vegas market.

The sisters have also introduced craft nights, where attendees can have dinner and try out two to three crafts to test out new merchandise without a significant investment in equipment.

Each show has a charity partner. This weekends expo will have a San Diego Food Bank booth. Visitors who drop off five non-perishable food items there will receive a coupon for 10 percent off show purchases.

Because the sisters are both stay-at-home moms, they run their business by phone, text and email most days. All of their kids are in school from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays, so thats when the siblings have their office hours. They set up laptops at a back table in the Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe in Sabre Springs and discuss business over cappuccinos.

Recognizing each others strengths, they divide the company responsibilities. Gharst is better at scheduling, banking, list-making and business details. Dooley is better at public relations and communications.

For now, their children, ages 4 to 9, are the sisters first priority. But once the kids are all in school full time, the sisters have grander plans.

We want to expand to other cities, Gharst said. Our lawyer has already drawn up a partnership plan to take Queen Bee all over the country.

Queen Bee Market

When: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.

Where: Wyland Hall, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar.

Tickets: $3, adults. Military and children 12 and under are free. Parking fee required.

Online: thequeenbeemarket.com

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Budget shortfalls at San Marcos Unified School District are forcing the district to look at larger class sizes, staff cuts and other belt-tightening measures to save $35 million over the next three years.

The school board discussed the need to trim spending at a meeting Tuesday when it received its first interim budget report.

The district has warned that its funding is not keeping pace with escalating costs for employee pensions, special education, transportation, energy and healthcare. That leaves it with projected deficits of $13 million this year, and up to $23 million by the 2019-20 school year.

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San Marcos Unified expects to spend nearly $219 million this year, but will receive just $205 million in revenue, the district reported. By 2019-20, its costs will rise above $242 million, but revenues will be $219 million, school officials project.

To make up that shortfall, it will need to take cost-cutting measures starting this year, said Mark Schiel, assistant superintendent for business services for San Marcos schools.

The district has 20,939 students, and employs 1,097 teachers, 90 managers and 598 other staff positions. It aims to trim $20 million over two years through labor concessions from its unions and from management employees.

It will also consider increasing class sizes to reduce payroll costs. The district currently has an average of 27 students per teacher, Schiel said. Expanding that to 31 to one, the ratio allowed under its labor agreement, would enable it to eliminate some teaching positions and save $9.2 million.

It also plans to cut four staff positions from its headquarters and two spots for site administrators such as principals or assistant principals, for a total savings of about $2 million over three years. It expects to return some teachers from special assignments back to classroom positions. And it is considering removing several support positions at school sites, saving $1.2 million. It will reduce another $2.7 million by cutting a training program for new teachers.

The board and business staff will hash out the details of those proposed cuts starting next week, and expect to devise a detailed plan for cost-cutting by March.

Next Monday, we are going to work on those various plans, and finalize them, Schiel said.

The sobering news comes even as state legislators say they expect to increase school funding for the coming school year. State Assemblyman Rocky Chavez (R-Oceanside) said last week that the state is likely to put more money in education, depending on its financial forecast for the next year.

On Tuesday, Schiel said that Gov. Jerry Brown is projected to have an additional $5.3 billion for K-12 school funding in the next fiscal year, which could allow the governor to achieve state school funding targets two years earlier than planned.

But even with that infusion of cash, districts such as San Marcos may still fall behind. School officials said the challenges will continue, as pension costs keep rising. The district paid $5.5 million toward teachers pensions in 2012-13, but that will swell five-fold to $27.2 million by 2019-20, Schiel said. Likewise, pension expenses for other staff members will go from $2 million to $6 million over that time period.

Despite anticipated funding boosts, San Marcos and other school districts could still be in the red, officials warned.

Unless theres a dramatic change, you will see school districts literally go under, said school board member Randy Walton, adding that in affluent California, school funding shortfalls are an absolute embarrassment.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
Ten San Diego County FFA members, eight in North County, have been awarded American FFA Degrees, one of the organizations highest national honors.

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The American FFA Degree is awarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments. To be eligible, they must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own or hold a professional position in an agricultural enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement.

The FFA Degree winners were recognized at the eighth general session of the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo, held recently in Indianapolis.

Under 1 percent of FFA members receive the award, making it one of the organizations highest honors. Each recipient also receives a gold American FFA Degree key. This year, 4,071 American Degrees were awarded; California had 378 winners. Visit https://www.calaged.org.

In North County, the winners are:

ESCONDIDO FFA

Nicole Booten was a member of the Escondido FFA for four years. During those years she raised market beef, swine, lambs and goats. Through all her projects and working, she earned more than $17,000. An FFA chapter officer for three years, she competed in speaking, judging and parliamentary procedure competitions. She is attending Cal State Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in agriculture science with a concentration in animal science. She plans to graduate in June 2018 and become a high school agriculture teacher after getting her masters degree.

Catherine Hale earned and invested more than $20,000 through her supervised agriculture projects, which included market swine, beef and turkey entrepreneurship, poultry production job placement, and several others. She held chapter FFA executive offices and participated in community service. Hale is majoring in agriculture science at Reedley College while working in a veterinary office.

Jamie McKinley invested $15,000 into her projects of market lambs, sheep breeding, and marketing and retailing meat products. She held executive offices not only in her chapter but in the San Diego section. She has participated in several community activities in Escondido as well as at Fort Collins, Colo. McKinley is finishing her degrees in animal sciences and agricultural literacy at Colorado State University while working at Ram Country Meats, the on-campus meat lab.

FALLBROOK FFA

Tanya Enlow graduated from Fallbrook Union High School in 2015. She had enterprises in market and breeding goats, market sheep and market beef, in addition to a work experience job with a local cattle producer. She is now a student at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Taryn Sehnert is a 2016 graduate of Fallbrook Union High School. She had enterprises in market goats, swine, sheep and cattle, and in breeding sheep. She is studying at MiraCosta Community College.

RAMONA FFA

Miguel Calvillo was heavily involved in raising and showing sheep and most recently served as the Ramona FFA Flocks sheep herdsman, taking care of more than 15 breeding sheep on the school farm. Miguel also raised a Guide Dog for the Blind in his senior year and the year after he graduated. Calvillo is employed by Scantibodies, working with livestock in the field of biotechnology. He is also attending junior college and plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with the goal of owning and operating his own sheep and cattle ranch.

Jordan Zielinski was well vested in beef cattle and oat hay and also showed market steers, lambs and swine while in FFA. He transferred between Ramona High and El Capitan High, but his projects remained the same. He raised and sold his own beef cattle. In his last year with Ramona FFA, Zielinski won Champion Market Steer at the Ramona Junior Fair. He is a student at Chico State and will graduate in June 2018 with a degree in animal science.

VALLEY CENTER FFA

Harrison Joseph Bauer earned and invested more than $20,000 during his membership through his supervised agriculture projects, which included market beef entrepreneurship and heirloom tomato job placement. He held chapter FFA executive offices and participated in community service. Bauer is attending Cal State Poly Pomona, majoring in agriculture science.

Other winners in San Diego County: Amanda Morrison, Pine Valley-Mountain Empire FFA, and Tatiana Woliung, Lakeside-El Capitan FFA.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 649,355 student members who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit https://www.ffa.org.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
Republican politician accused of sexual assault found dead in apparent suicide, coroner confirmsDan Johnson, a Republican state lawmaker in Kentucky who defiantly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, died in an apparent suicide on Wednesday night, the county coroner said. He was 57.Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said Johnson died of a single gunshot wound on Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Billings said Johnson stopped his car at the end of a bridge in a secluded area, then got out and walked to the front of the car. He said an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.I would say it is probably suicide, he said.Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years. He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after local media reported on some of his Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys.The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools. But he was mostly out of the spotlight until Monday, when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.At the time, the woman told police, who investigated the incident but closed the case and did not file charges.On Tuesday, Johnson held a news conference in the pulpit of his church, which he began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol O Come All Ye Faithful. He said the allegations against him were totally false and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama US Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.
Its been a year of delicious highs and disappointing lows. Heres a taste of the 2017 dining year in review.

Restaurant of the Year

The most anticipated opening of the year lived up to the hype. Little Italys Born & Raised is a stunning $6.5 million fine-dining showpiece that has raised the restaurant bar for whomever dares to debut in its wake. With tuxedoed servers, tableside service, elevated steakhouse fare and to-die-for decor, Born & Raised is a tour de force for the creative trio who toiled to bring it to life. Colossal kudos to co-owner Arsalun Tafazoli, executive chef Jason McLeod and designer Paul Basile.  Michele Parente

Lesley and David Cohn, at their non-profit taco shop Libertad. The concept raised the couples charitable giving bar even higher. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune )

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Tacos for Good

Another year, another 6,000 new restaurants from the Cohn Restaurant Group. Kidding, just a handful. But one in particular underscored how deeply woven David and Leslie Cohn are in the fabric of San Diegos community spirit. Libertad, a non-profit taqueria in Hillcrest, put the Cohns already sky-high philanthropic giving  estimated to be $250,000 annually to about 300 local charities  on a new plane.  Parente

Ponsaty moves on

In August, the year-old Ponsatys restaurant closed in Rancho Santa Fe. Grand Restaurant Group named the fine-dining dinnerhouse for French master chef Patrick Ponsaty, whos been cooking at kitchens around San Diego for decades. Declining sales and a dispute over ingredient sourcing led to Ponsatys ouster. Hes now chef de cuisine at the Hotel Del Coronados 1500 Ocean. And the former Ponsatys space is now Nick & Gs, a moderately priced Italian restaurant. Meanwhile just a few miles to the west, Belgian chef Pascal Loranges eponymous 1-year-old restaurant, Crudo by Pascal Lorange, quietly closed its doors in early December.  Pam Kragen

Bracero implodes

Javier Plascencias high-profile foray into Little Italy turned into a newsworthy imbroglio in January when the Baja superstar chef split with partner  and brother-in-law  in a dust-up that a lawyer might euphemistically call creative differences. The changes didnt end there. The striking two-story space got rebranded as the more casual Romesco in June, then new owners launched it as King and Queen Cantina in October.  Parente

Chef Davin Waite of Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub in Oceanside. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Oceansides culinary revitalization

After decades of being known for its rowdy bars and taco shops, this city is now one of North Countys hottest dining destinations. More than a dozen farm-to-table and fine-dining restaurants as well as craft breweries and tasting rooms have popped up along Coast Highway over the past eight years. The place to be? Inventive sushi chef Davin Waites Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub.  Kragen

Bob and Kate Carpenter in their Sunny Side Kitchen cafe, which was ranked #51 on Yelps Top 100 places to eat in the U.S. list this past year. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Escondido cafe makes it big

In January, downtown Escondidos family-run cafe Sunny Side Kitchen was ranked by Yelp among the top 100 places to eat in the U.S. The 3-year-old breakfast/lunch cafe owned by Bob and Kathy Carpenter was ranked No. 51, based on number of five-star reviews from visitors. The Carpenters credit their menu  everythings made in-house  for their customers high rankings. The only other restaurant in San Diego to make the list is the Classic Malt Shop, a 50s diner in San Diegos Midway district that ranked No. 100.  Kragen

The central courtyard at Park 101, a four-in-one dining and drinking destination that opened July 4 in Carlsbad Village. (Pam Kragen/San Diego U-T )

4-in-1 dining destinations debut

This year, two food hall-style multi-venue destinations opened in coastal North County. Park 101 in Carlsbad is an indoor/outdoor two-story venue with sandwich and barbecue eateries, a beer bar and a wine bar. Open House Food + Drink in Encinitas has breakfast, Asian and beach fare eateries and a weekend pop-up tequila and raw bar. In 2018, the Whisknladle restaurant company is planning a similar multivenue dining concept in Sorrento Valley.  Kragen

The Martini de Tigre Ceviche at Pisco captures the fresh and vibrant hallmarks of Peruvian cuisine in a glass. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

A cuisine whisperer strikes again

Restaurateur Sami Ladeki knew San Diego was a wood-fired pizza kinda town years before the region itself knew it. So its only fitting that Ladeki would import one of the hippest cuisines on the planet here with the stellar Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria, at Liberty Station. As one of my dining companions said so fittingly after savoring Peruvian celebrity chef Emmanuel Piqueras flavor-packed Asian-Latin dishes: Ive never had food that tasted like this before in San Diego.  Parente

A view from the patio area at newly opened Red O restaurant in UTC area of San Diego. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Mexican goes exclusivo

There was a time when upscale Mexican food was an oxymoron but 2017 said adios to that, with the opening of the Rick Bayless-adjacent Red O in the UTC area, Pueblo in Pacific Beach and Curadero in downtown San Diego. All three proved authenticity doesnt always have to come in the form of a food truck fish taco. With glamorous dining rooms, craft agave-based cocktails, stripped-down coastal Baja and regional cuisine this trifecta served up this border areas next gen of Mexican food.  Parente

Ciao, Bice

Restaurant owners are never shy about lamenting how rising labor costs are making their already-slim profit margins even slimmer. But we cant recall another case in the county where they were blamed, in part, for an eaterys demise. In announcing the shuttering of downtown San Diegos elegant Bice in August, partner and executive chef Mario Cassineri did just that. Unfortunately, fine dining does not have the draw it once had, Cassineri said in a statement. This reality, combined with unforgiving leases and the rising cost of labor, brought us to a very difficult decision.  Parente

What were most looking forward to in 2018?

Monzu Fresh Pasta, East Village

After a day spent making pasta at a cooking school in Florence this year, I have a new appreciation for this simple but endlessly versatile food. So Im excited about Monzu. In March, slow food enthusiasts Aldo de Dominicis Rotondi and Serena Romano will open this affordable Italian pastaria, serving fresh, handmade pastas and authentic regional sauces from Sicily, Campania, Puglia and more. 455 10th Ave., East Village. monzufreshpasta.com  Kragen

El Jardin, Liberty Station

Bracero may be gone, but its former chef de cuisine Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins is still cooking with fire. Catch her in this season of Bravos Top Chef as she brings her sassy brand of modern regional cooking to Colorado. Your appetite will be primed for her next starring role  helming the sophisticated spot El Jardin, at Liberty Station, scheduled to open in early 2018. The renderings of this upscale restaurant show an expansive dining room, a stylish patio and lots of tequila and mezcal options. 2865 Sims Road, Liberty Station, Point Loma. eljardinrestaurantbar.com  Parente

michele.parente@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @sdeditgirl
From fancy fare to faux fast food, here are most memorable things we ate this year.

Pam Kragens Top 5

1. Lacquered Northern halibut

1500 Ocean, Coronado: Since joining the Hotel Del Coronado in September as chef de cuisine, French master chef Patrick Ponsaty finally has a venue and budget worthy of his culinary talents. The delicate lacquered fish dish is one of Ponsatys longtime signatures, but its been refined with even better ingredients, like a saffron emulsion and Tahitian squash mousse.

Chef William Eicks 608 Burger at his 608 Restaurant in Oceanside. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

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2. 608 Burger

608 restaurant, Oceanside: Chef/owner William Eicks signature burger is the perfect umami bite, with a house dry-aged chuck patty, fermented chili aioli, crispy onion strings and tangy cheddar cheese on a toasted brioche bun. One of San Diegos better burgers for sure.

3. Miso Nutty poke bowl

Pokewan, Del Mar: Poke eateries are ubiquitous in San Diego, but Pokewans ultra-fresh signature bowl is at the tippy-top in quality and flavor. Chunks of spicy tuna, albacore and salmon are generously served over seasoned rice with a crunchy/sweet mix of macadamia nuts, avocado, blue crab, corn, watermelon radish, sriracha, ponzu and miso sauce. I crave it.

The ultra-authentic Cuban sandwich at Havana 1920 restaurant and bar in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

4. Cuban sandwich

Havana 1920, Gaslamp Quarter: Theres nothing nouveau about this ultra-traditional pork, cheese and mustard sandwich on bread flown in from Miami for true authenticity. Its just like abuela used to make and it reminds me of the little Cuban restaurants my family visited when we lived in central Florida in the late 1960s.

The lobster carpaccio at Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Pam Kragen/San Diego U-T )

5. Lobster carpaccio

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine, Gaslamp Quarter: As pretty as it is delicious: Coin-shaped slices of lobster are served with sherry ponzu, brown butter aioli and crispy shallots.

Michele Parentes Top 5

1. Spaghetti with uni

Born & Raised, Little Italy: I expected the steak at this glam chophouse to be excellent. Ditto the Caesar salad, tartare, mashed potatoes, classic cocktails, all of it. How could they not, when the place cost $6.5 million? But the uni pasta was an al dente revelation, topped with sea urchin so fresh you could taste the sea. Lemon sauce and zest pulled it all together for a perfect dish at a near-perfect restaurant.

2. Roasted beet hummus

Hundred Proof, Normal Heights: You eat with your eyes first so get ready for this eye-poppingly purple hummus thats creamy (from chickpeas), salty (feta), tangy (scallions) and crunchy (toasted pistachios). In other words, a feast for all the senses.

3. Biscuits

Antique Row Cafe, North Park: This homespun neighborhood hangout is the anchor on what may be San Diegos most delicious block. And though surrounded by a sea of hipness (Tajima Ramen, Et Voila, Sabuku Sushi, Blackmarket Bakery), Antique Row Cafes tender and moist biscuits are like a fresh-from-the-oven comfort food life-preserver.

Even if youre not fortunate enough to taste Bobboi Natural Gelatos creamy frozen concoctions from the machine, itll taste as fresh from the counter. Notice how the pistachio isnt s fake neon green. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune )

4. Pistachio gelato

Bobboi Natural Gelato, La Jolla: This one isnt fair. I got to taste this pale green, sublimely creamy frozen treat as it was being coaxed from the gelato machine by Bobboi co-owner Andrea Racca. He and partner Marco Saba were trying to demystify the art of gelato-making for the U-T (real ingredients and not a lot of them!) and put this dessert in proper context: As a food, Saba said, gelato is as important in Italy as pizza and spaghetti.

5. In-N-Haute burger

Juniper & Ivy, Little Italy: Please be good, please be good, I was thinking to myself as every dish came out of Top Chef Richard Blais kitchen one night early this year. I was dining with four James Beard Award judges who were in town and I wanted San Diego to shine. Course after course was met with praise, but it was Blais juicy, umami-packed off-menu take on the legendary double double that brought adulation. Please be good? How about, Whew, that was great.

michele.parente@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @sdeditgirl
In Jordans extraordinary rose-red Lost City of Petra, I have just huffed up 700 zigzagging stone-carved steps to the ancient mountaintop High Place of Sacrifice with its sacred altar and goat blood drain. And now, along a dirt trail, I rest in a rug-draped souvenir stall while an octogenarian Bedouin woman  who is traditionally clad in a long embroidered madraga dress and grew up in a cave  deftly strings a fragrant necklace of dried cloves to sell me.

Way down below, camels with tasseled bridles emit rumbling, dinosaurlike roars while being led by robed Bedouin tribesmen whose eyes are rimmed in jet-black kohl liner. Other indigenous Bedouins, head scarves atop their flowing ringlets, strangely resemble Johnny Depps Jack Sparrow as they trot on donkeys (you want air-conditioned taxi?) past monolithic, 2,000-year-old tombs.

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Mystical, mind-blowing Petra literally rocks. Around the first century B.C., the now-extinct Nabataean people ingeniously chiseled the capital of their Arab empire from sheer sandstone cliffs; at times 30,000 inhabitants bustled about the affluent metropolis that was a major trade stopover for incense- and spice-toting camel caravans. Stretching across harsh desert terrain (Petras archaeological park encompasses 102 square miles), the once-forgotten marvel includes intricate temples; obelisks honoring pagan gods; etchings of snakes, lions and eagles; cave dwellings; a theater; and more than 600 massive burial chambers, all hewed from soaring rock faces that bewitchingly glow in swirling hues of terra cotta, apricot and blush pink.

Petra is one of the worlds biggest mysteries, says Omar, my Jordanian guide with Exodus Travels. There is no record of history. And 65 percent of Petra is still underneath our feet, hidden by dust.

For almost two weeks, I traverse much of Jordan by bus with Exodus, an adventure company that also brings us 16 intrepid voyagers to the less-visited far reaches of this Middle East nation. Petra is Jordans primo tourist draw, but elsewhere were the only ones clambering over archaeological ruins of a mosaic-splashed Roman fort and a Muslim dynastys frescoed castles in no mans land. History mixes with the present  driving through the bleak parched desert, we pass a sprawling Syrian refugee camp housing 36,000 in rows of white shelters; Jordan has taken in about 1 million people who have fled the war-torn nation to its north.

Before joining our group, I spend two days in the vibrant old quarters of capital Amman and clearly stick out  locals repeatedly ask where Im from. This is a Muslim country, and when I say America, they all warmly reply, Welcome to Jordan, often with their hands placed over their hearts. Im probably welcomed 100 times  in taxis, cafes while I eat mezze plates of hummus and falafel, shops, hookah bars, streets lined with bowing worshipers outside a minaret-topped mosque.

Its the start of a cultural odyssey. With Exodus, I also retrace exploits of Lawrence of Arabia, the dashing British officer who gained fame in World War I for leading the legendary Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks. Pre-trip, I re-watched the 1962 Oscar-winning epic Lawrence of Arabia, so its eerie to stand in the gravely quiet courtyard of Qasr Al Azraq, the storied black basalt fortress where T.E. Lawrence and his Bedouin troops plotted attacks during the winter of 1917.

Another day, Im bouncing in the blanketed bed of a Bedouin-driven Toyota pickup tearing across the UNESCO-listed Wadi Rum desert, nicknamed Valley of the Moon for its rippling peach-pink sands pierced by titan sandstone and granite peaks. Lawrence and his guerrilla rebels made their base here in 1917-18, and decades later director David Lean filmed the cinematic classic in this otherworldly locale. (Planetwise, Wadi Rum also subbed for Mars in the 2015 Oscar nominee The Martian.)

Near a commemorative rock carving of Lawrences face, we stop at a rectangular tent woven from black goats hair and occupied by hospitable Bedouins who offer us cardamon-and-sage tea. First, one of them has us stick out our forearms and rolls on a soaplike perfume. Its gazelle innards, Omar says afterwards. Yuck.

Most of the Bedouins I meet speak only Arabic, so Omar gladly translates. He says, You are a camel.

A what?

It means you are beautiful, because camels are beautiful with their long eyelashes.

I sit my hump down and enjoy the steaming sweet tea, cooked in a charred brass kettle over a rudimentary fire pit. Because Muslims avoid alcohol, tea is a main social drink in Jordan, and youre constantly offered a cup in friendship. (Youll find nonalcoholic beers and nonalcoholic wines on some menus, but the rare place I hoist a glass of Cab is outside Petras gate at the 2,000-year-old Cave Bar, touted as the worlds oldest saloon. Indeed there are spirits; its a former Nabataean family tomb.)

In Wadi Rum, I sleep inside a goat-hair tent in a rustic Bedouin camp set against wind-buffeting cliffs on the desert floor until at 4 a.m. I am awakened by a distant muezzins melodic call to prayer and, after that, a roosters shrill cock-a-doodle-doo.

Next I wake up the entire camp shrieking as I clumsily mount my ride. Yalla, yalla, Rashid gently urges his herd of five sibling camels, meaning Lets go, and soon with just one other traveler, we have the pre-dawn moonscape to ourselves.

Atop cud-chewing Aliya, I hypnotically watch the flaming sunrise turn the unending vastness a radiant gold. For 90 beyond-belief minutes, the only sounds are the camels feet softly sinking into the powdery dunes and the chirping of Sinai rosefinches. A well-fed stray dog joins our pack, funnily bringing up the rear.

Every day of our itinerary, we hit an archaeological treasure. I feel like Im in Italy as I wander the immense 2,000-year-old Roman city of Jerash, dubbed the Pompeii of the Middle East for its well-preserved ruins buried by blown sand for centuries. Cultures humorously collide: Two Bedouins, head-scarfed with red-and-white checkered keffiyehs, toot Yankee Doodle Dandy on bagpipes in the Corinthian-columned amphitheater near the chariot hippodrome.

Petra, though, is the jackpot. Abandoned in the seventh century, it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812 and became a UNESCO heritage site in 1985. Hidden away, to get to the ancient city, you have to trek through the dramatic narrow Siq, a nearly mile-long slot canyon sandwiched by 24-story-high veiny rock edifices and at times only 10 feet wide. Nature-created formations stare down in the shapes of elephants and skulls. At the end, the Siq cracks open to reveal the grandstanding, rock-whittled funerary-urn-crowned Treasury, likely a former temple. Harrison Ford galloped up to the fantastical facade in the 1989 movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in search of the Holy Grail.

After dark, I return for the corny-cool Petra by Night ceremony. Even with my flashlight I can barely see as I stumble through the ghostly Siq, lit only by hundreds of luminaria candles, and then sit in the luminaria-lit dirt in front of the shadowy Treasury. Bedouins play a flute and rababa string instrument before the big reveal  spotlights suddenly bathe the Treasury in changing psychedelic colors.

Over two days I walk 23 miles in Petra because the scenes wont quit. On the High Place of Sacrifice climb, I smell the pungent smoke of juniper branches, and soon a Bedouin man is hawking me a morning shot of Arabic coffee heated by a campfire teetering on a killer-view ridge. Later, as my elderly new friend Hammadeh strings that clover necklace in her ramshackle stall, she tells me through interpreter Omar how she once lived in a cave in Petra and still follows the old ways, herding her sheep and goats. Without tourism, she frets, she has no money. I thank God. I thank God for everything, she says as I buy three more necklaces.

Petras most jaw-dropping high place is the Monastery, accessible by hoofing up nearly 1,000 Nabataean-cut steep steps. After the paths last bend, this mammoth stone temple  its 155 feet wide  magically pops out of a remote mountainside towering over my puny presence. From the Monastery, I continue ascending a boulder-strewn trail until next to a grazing gray donkey I see a piece of scrap wood lying against a pile of rubble and hand-scrawled, Welcome to Top of the World Cafe. Up further, I reach the cafe, a tattered, tented platform precariously perched over a rocky ledge in the heavens. And there, a 17-year-old Bedouin named Lost (because youre always found, he smiles) offers me another cup of tea, this one with a sprig of mint.

Meyer is a freelance travel writer.

If you go

Exodus Travels offers the 12-day Hidden Treasures of Jordan trip multiple times in 2018. Group size from 4 to 16 people. Prices from $2,015 include accommodations, breakfasts, some dinners, guide, entrance fees and transportation, excluding international airfare. exodustravels.com
After a San Diego VA refrigerator failed and left 1,500 people with useless flu shots in October, the La Jolla VA hospital director says temperature alerts went to the wrong people and nobody took action  for 10 days.

I take this very seriously, Dr. Robert Smith said in an interview. Individual accountability is going to be  or in my opinion, should be  part of our response.

As of this week, the accountability actions are underway, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials in San Diego said.

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Some of the accountability actions are still in progress and we will withhold comment until all of them are completed, spokeswoman Cindy Butler said.

Smith described a VA pharmacy scenario in which alert emails were issued when a refrigerator holding at least 1,500 doses of flu vaccine failed. The temperature rose to the mid 50s, while the proper range for that vaccine is 36 to 46 degrees.

Then a series of missteps occurred, and it took 10 days for anyone to notice. Smith compared the overall scenario to all the holes in the Swiss cheese lining up.

The La Jolla pharmacys system was set to only send an alert when a threshold was passed, and not to send continuing alerts.

The machine sent an alert to the San Diego VAs engineering and pharmacy groups. However, the pharmacys email group hadnt been maintained correctly, and so the right people did not get the alert, Smith said.

Though a number of people got a message that the refrigerator was out of temperature range, they were not the right people and nobody took action, Smith said.

Also, VA leaders have since realized that the alarm system had been sending out alerts in harmless situations, such as when a refrigerator door was opened and closed. It led VA staff to assume the alerts werent meaningful.

I think people had a level of alert fatigue, Smith said, adding that the mid-50s temperature evidently wasnt warm enough to cause concern among the people who went in and out of the refrigerator over the 10 days.

VA officials say flu shots given to up to 1,300 veterans and 240 VA employees may have been ineffective, but they werent dangerous. Within 10 days, about half of the affected people were revaccinated.

What makes this incident unusual is that the compromised vaccine made its way to patients.

Smith said that vaccines or medications do occasionally go out of temperature range  especially during a long, hot weekend when the air conditioning in a satellite office is challenged, for example. But those doses are typically disposed of.

The number of people affected is just a sliver of the estimated 85,000 patients the San Diego VA cares for in the region. But it is a bit of a public-relations black eye after local VA officials proudly announced in February that the San Diego VA had regained its four-star rating on the federal agencys internal five-star quality scale, after dropping to three stars the prior year.

Flu shots cost the federal agency about $12 each, but the San Diego VA didnt have to buy extra to cover the lapse because it still had sufficient stock from the 23,000 initially ordered, Butler said.

In November, Smith said the hospital would do a root cause analysis of the problem and replace the failed refrigerator, which should cost about $5,500. He also said they were already had been in the process of replacing the aging temperature monitoring system.

Since the incident, the San Diego VA has revamped how workers handle system alerts  including reviewing all temperature alarms at least daily, Butler said.

VA officials also formed a committee with members from all local departments that have refrigerators. That group will look at existing policy, oversee the purchase of the new monitoring system and select a back-up alarm device.

The San Diego VA operates 65 medication refrigerators or freezers, of which about 12 are in main pharmacy areas. All are being monitored by the same automated system.

Smith said now he has incorporated a daily update on system alerts into his schedule.

Now I hear about them every morning, the VA health care system director said. Because I think its important and its one way of making sure I hold people accountable.

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jen.steele@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @jensteeley
Overwhelmed with cadavers in a year of record violence, the Baja California Medical Examiners Office in Tijuana has been threatened with closure after environmental inspectors found a series of violations, including the improper storage of blood and other body fluids in an outdoor parking area.

Mexicos environmental watchdog agency, PROFEPA, has given the office until Thursday to correct the irregularities at its two-story facility rising near downtown Tijuana on Fundadores Boulevard.

Directors of the medical examiners office, an agency known as SEMEFO, said Wednesday they are expanding their facility, and have addressed the concerns of the inspectors. This includes paperwork violations, but also the improper storage of hazardous and infectious biological waste.

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Among the findings was that blood and body fluids resulting from autopsies were kept in a 1,300-gallon water storage tank. The tank is located on a concrete floor outside the facilities, without refrigeration, and collected only once every two or three months, when it should be a shorter period, according to a PROFEPA statement.

Inspectors found that hazardous biological infectious waste, including sharp objects such as scalpels, is not properly contained, without covers, and in containers that are at maximum capacity, the statement said. They are disposed of after several months, when it should be at least every seven days.

The inspection has come as the facilitys 26-member staff, which includes 12 medical examiners, has struggled to examine some 3,000 bodies since January 1. Though more than half of the autopsies are conducted on homicide victims, medical examiners also must certify the causes of death of involuntary manslaughter victims.

We have been overwhelmed by the workload, said Dr. Raul Gonzalez Vaca, who oversees medical examiners offices in all five of Baja Californias municipalities.

The office in Tijuana has been especially under pressure in recent months, given the citys record homicide numbers. As of Wednesday, the Baja California Attorney Generals Office reported 1,647 homicides in the citywith 47 of those this month. This far exceeds last years record-breaking year of 910 homicides.

Authorities say the majority of victims are typically involved in the street drug trade, and killed by rival dealers. Most crimes go unsolved, as many bodies go unclaimed and frightened family members are often loath to cooperate with investigations.

None of us were prepared for this number of dead, Jose Maria Gonzalez, Baja Californias deputy attorney general for special investigations, said in an interview last weekend with Tijuana reporters.

Conducted on Dec. 8, the environmental inspection has publicly exposed a series of deficiencies at the Tijuana morgue, a facility that has been understaffed and without proper infrastructure for the current demand.

The SEMEFO has the capacity to store up to 120 corpses in refrigerated compartments, which have reportedly been failing. Gonzalez Vaca denied reports that bodies are simply set on the floor, but said that in some cases they are placed on autopsy tables or other provisional spaces.

One of the challenges has been disposing of the homicide victims bodies after autopsies are completed. Some have tended to linger as detectives investigate the crimes. Gonzalez, the deputy attorney general, said that his office has worked to speed up the release of corpses, allowing them to be buried in a common grave after a 15-day period rather than the previous 45 days.

Gonzalez Vaca, SEMEFOs state director, said that close to 830 bodies so far this year have gone unidentified or unclaimed, and end up in the common grave.

Earlier this year, SEMEFO hired two more administrators and two additional doctors for its Tijuana office, Gonzalez Vaca said. It is expanding its storage capacity to accomodate up to 170 corpses. The state government has come up with $26,000 to address urgent needs, so that the refrigerators are operating at optimum levels, he said.

Gonzalez Vaca said many of the concerns of the PROFEPA inspection involved the timeliness of the disposal of waste, a job that has been contracted out to a certified private company. From now on, the waste will be removed more often, he said.

In addition, there are plans to install a sanitary apparatus to reduce odors at the facility by about 70 percent, he said.

Gonzalez Vaca said that SEMEFO has met immediate demands made by the environmental inspectors, and expects to remain open. We contemplate that in February or March, we will meet all necessities, he said.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibble
In the three months since prosecutors filed criminal charges against him, Ref Rodriguez has continued to go about his duties on the Los Angeles Board of Education. He attends meetings, sponsors resolutions, tweets life-affirming messages  and firmly brushes aside calls to step down.

When the initial commotion over his legal woes subsided, he seemed to settle right back into his $125,000-a-year job.



For the record: A previous version of this post listed the date of the school districts recent letter to PUC Schools as Dec. 8. The date on the letter is Dec. 7.

But the criminal case against him inched forward, and on Wednesday sources close to it confirmed that the scope of the investigation has widened.

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Rodriguez already was facing felony campaign money-laundering charges, but investigators, according to the sources, have moved into other areas, including separate allegations that he had conflicts of interest.

Through his attorneys, Rodriguez denies any wrongdoing.

The broadening investigation is one reason why attorneys on both sides agreed in court Wednesday to further delay the timeline of steps that could lead to a trial. The first presentation of evidence in court, at a preliminary hearing, will not take place before February.

Its an ongoing situation, said L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Ser. There have been subsequent revelations.

Ser said she could not discuss particulars but confirmed that conflict-of-interest allegations had entered the picture and that there might be other new issues as well.

Another source close to the case, who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it, also confirmed the developments.

In making their case, prosecutors are not restricted to the original charges, Ser said.

The conflict-of-interest allegations, first reported in The Times, have to do with the latter part of Rodriguezs long tenure as a senior executive at Partnerships to Uplift Communities, the charter school organization he co-founded. PUC Schools operates 17 campuses in Los Angeles and one in Rochester, N.Y.

PUC administrators allege that in 2014, Rodriguez signed or co-signed $265,000 worth of checks drawn on PUC accounts that were payable to a separate nonprofit under his control. Public records list Rodriguez as president and chief executive of this nonprofit, which was called Partners for Developing Futures.

Early on, philanthropists funded the nonprofit, which had been started to help create minority-led charter school organizations. Nonprofits report their activities on special tax forms that are available to the public, but there are no such tax filings for this organization after 2012.

PUC administrators also flagged another possible conflict from 2014, when Rodriguez allegedly authorized payments of $20,400 to a private company called Better 4 You Fundraising. That November, as a candidate for the school board, he reported in disclosure forms submitted to the city that he owned a stake in the company. Its unclear whether he did at the time the checks were drawn.

In October, PUC administrators reported these potential conflicts to state regulators and to the L.A. Unified School District, which authorizes the local PUC schools.

L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez during a November board meeting. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times )

Rodriguez, 46, currently faces three felony charges for conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to alleged campaign money laundering during his successful 2015 run for office.

Prosecutors say Rodriguez gave $24,250 to his own campaign while illegally representing that the donations had been made by 25 friends and family members. Thirteen of them worked for his charter school organization.

Also appearing in court Wednesday was Rodriguezs cousin Elizabeth Tinajero Melendrez, a former PUC administrator who is charged with helping launder the contributions. She also has denied wrongdoing.

In a separate development last week, the charter division of L.A. Unified accused PUC administrators of underplaying their responsibility for the alleged conflicts of interest.

PUC stated that it was shocked to discover the misconduct, specialist Aida Tatiossian and fiscal services manager Sandra Melendez wrote in a Dec. 7 letter. The District brought these issues to PUCs attention several times in the past through a series of notices.

PUC insisted that it has cooperated fully with L.A. Unified and other oversight agencies.

Outside court on Wednesday, about 40 parents staged the latest demonstration calling for Rodriguez to resign.

You can focus on defending yourself in court or focus on being a good advocate for the school district, said Josh Rutkoff, a parent at Aldama Elementary in Mount Washington. I dont think you can do both.

howard.blume@latimes.com

@howardblume

UPDATES:

7:40 p.m.: This article has been updated throughout with additional details and comments, including a school district letter criticizing PUC Schools.

This article was originally published at 11:25 a.m.
Jurors on Wednesday voted for the death penalty for a man convicted of fatally torturing his girlfriends young son  a savage slaying that led to sweeping reform within Los Angeles Countys child-welfare system.

The verdict ended a murder trial in which jurors heard and saw disturbing evidence about how 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez suffered repeated abuse at the hands of Isauro Aguirre, 37, who stared ahead expressionless as he heard the pronouncement.

After a bailiff escorted Aguirre from the courtroom, the jury forewoman read aloud from a public statement written by the panel, which had deliberated for about seven hours over three days.

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We were plucked out of our everyday lives and brought together to serve, she said. We came together to bring justice for Gabriel.

When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home on May 22, 2013, Gabriel was unconscious and had a cracked skull, broken ribs, burned and bruised skin, missing teeth and BB pellets lodged in his groin. He died two days later after being removed from life support.

During closing arguments in the penalty phase of Aguirres trial, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jonathan Hatami told jurors that in the months leading up to the boys death, the defendant had reveled in his brutalization, forcing Gabriel to eat cat feces and his own vomit. The boy slept in a small cabinet, the prosecutor said, with his ankles handcuffed, his hands bound and his mouth gagged with a sock.

No human with a heart and soul could do that to an innocent little boy, Hatami told jurors, arguing that Aguirre hated the boy because he suspected he was gay.

As the prosecutor detailed the abuse  the boy was punched in the face with such force, he said, that skin was missing from his chin and nose  two jurors cried softly and several closed their eyes.

Hatami asked the jurors to show the defendant the exact same mercy he showed Gabriel.

Deputy Public Defender John Alan also spoke of mercy, asking jurors to sentence his client to life in prison without parole, instead of death.

Mercy isnt something thats ever earned, he said. Its something that is freely granted.

Alan reminded jurors that during the trial, some of Aguirres family members and co-workers at a retirement home, where he worked as a caregiver for elderly people, had testified that they hoped his life would be spared as they knew him to be gentle, kind, patient, respectful. A juror shook her head.

The defense attorney said even the lesser sentence of life in prison was severe and terrified his client, adding that Aguirre likely has a learning disability.

Last month, during closing arguments in the guilt phase of Aguirres trial, his other attorney, Deputy Public Defender Michael Sklar, said although his client was completely out of control, he hadnt tried to kill the boy. Aguirre had acted in a burst of rage, the attorney argued, and therefore was guilty of second-degree murder, but not a higher charge.

Aguirre was convicted of first-degree murder on Nov. 15 and jurors also found true the allegation that the murder was committed using torture.

After the penalty was read Wednesday, the prosecutor appeared misty-eyed and held a tissue in his hand. Nearby, Gabriels father sat solemnly, staring at the floor. As he walked out of the courtroom, he locked eyes with a sheriffs detective who helped investigate the case. Thank you, he whispered. The detective nodded, patting him on the back.

Outside of the courthouse, a juror, who asked to be identified only as a 25-year-old who works in social media, said even a death sentence didnt seem like enough justice. Throughout the trial, she said, she woke up each morning with Gabriel on her mind  he was there, too, as she fell asleep each night. The photographs of his small, battered body  the bruises and blood on his neck  will stay with her forever, she said.

Its heartbreaking, she said.

Gabriels death led as well to criminal charges against L.A. County social workers, who left the boy in the home with his mom and her boyfriend despite six investigations into abuse allegations involving his mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, who is also charged with murder.

At a court hearing for the social workers earlier in the year, a judge said that their actions amounted to criminal negligence, adding that in the months before the boys death red flags were everywhere.

Sheriffs deputies also visited the home multiple times in the months before the killing and prosecutors noted in court papers that some of the deputies were later disciplined in connection with Gabriels death.

Aguirre is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8.

marisa.gerber@latimes.com

For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber

ALSO

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Huntington Park police officer found not guilty of child abuse at San Luis Obispo boot camp

UPDATES:

6:00 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the hearing, as well as comments from a juror.

This article was originally published at 2:50 p.m.
The opening of North Countys largest affordable housing complex was a cause for both celebration and concern at a ceremony in Oceanside on Wednesday.

Mission Cove just off Mission Avenue near Oceanside Municipal Airport will provide 288 affordable rentals for families, veterans, disabled elderly people, former foster youths and others.

Much of the funding for the project, however, was created by programs that are threatened under the tax plan being considered by Congress. Some speakers at Wednesdays ceremony urged guests to call their elected officials over the issue.

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The future funding uncertainties didnt dampen the spirits of the crowd of area officials gathered on an unseasonably 70-degree-plus morning.

Among the guests at the ceremony was Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood, who announced his resignation that morning.

Wood, who had a stroke earlier this year, watched the ceremony from a wheelchair and was greeted by several well-wishers who had heard about his resignation.

Guests also included San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond, State Assemblyman Rocky Chavez and representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and from Rep. Darrell Issas office.

National Community Renaissance, more commonly known as National CORE, was chosen by the City of Oceanside to build the first phase of the project, which includes 150 affordable apartments, a family center and preschool, and 10,500 square feet of retail space that is still under construction. Ninety of National COREs 150 units already are occupied.

Community Housing Works is building 138 senior-only affordable units and plans its own grand opening ceremony next summer.

National CORE will continue to own the project and also owns La Mission Village, an 80-unit affordable housing complex with retail across Mission Avenue from Mission Cove.

National CORE Vice President John Seymour said his office has been inundated with thousands of phone calls and requests for information about the new project, which he said was a sign of the pressing need for more affordable housing.

Its a tragedy, he said.

Seymour said Mission Cove was the largest project of its kind in North County and among the largest in the county.

Total cost for the 14.5-acre project was $91 million, including $8 million the city used from its redevelopment fund to buy the land.

Seymour said the citys portion was $15 million, with the balance paid by National Core and Community Housing Works through various funding sources.

Oceanside Neighborhood Services Director Margery Pierce said the project could help revive business growth around Mission Avenue that has been stagnant over the past decade since the opening of Highway 76, which parallels the street.

Speakers at the ceremony noted that along with affordable housing, the project also will provide services for veterans, transitional-age youths and other residents to help them with a variety of issues, including money management to help them work toward home ownership.

Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery said all the efforts at fighting homelessness will fail unless affordable housing needs are met.

We have to have more housing for people who need it, not simply for people who can afford it, he said.

Oceanside City Councilman Jerry Kern said the housing crisis is a regional problem, and the new project did not fill the gap for what was needed.

On the morning of the ceremony, House and Senate Republicans announced they had a tax deal. Early versions of bills from both houses contained provisions that could affect funding for affordable housing.

Stephen Russell, executive director of the San Diego Housing Federation, urged people to contact elected officials soon to protect the funding.

We are in a crisis time in affordable housing, he said. The tax bill before Congress right now could cut in half the available funding to produce projects like this.

Specifically, the bill could eliminate private activity bonds that fund affordable housing, schools and infrastructure, while corporate tax cuts could reduce the incentive for seeking the tax deductions that come with investing in affordable housing, Russell said.

The project includes the 5,000-square-foot Kay Parker Family Resource Center, named after the woman who was chair of the Oceanside Housing Commission when the project was first envisioned. She died six years ago.

Her son, Steve Parker, spoke about her legacy at the ceremony.

She believed there was goodness in all people, he said. She believed youd start change with something as simple as a safe home you could afford.

Homeless Playlist  On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
As U.S. warplanes flew above a cluster of villages where Islamic State militants were holed up in eastern Afghanistan, 11 people piled into a truck and drove off along an empty dirt track to escape what they feared was imminent bombing.

They did not get far.

An explosion blasted the white Suzuki truck off the road, opening a large crater in the earth and flipping the vehicle on its side in a ditch. A teenage girl survived. The 10 dead included three children, one an infant in his mothers arms.

The lone survivor of the Aug. 10 blast in Nangarhar province, and Afghan officials who visited the site, said the truck was hit by an American airstrike shortly before 5 p.m. Relatives expressed horror that U.S. ground forces and surveillance aircraft could have mistaken the passengers, who included women and children riding in the open truck bed  in daylight with no buildings or other vehicles around  for Islamic State fighters.

How could they not see there were women and children in the truck? said Zafar Khan, 23, who lost six family members, including his mother and three siblings, in the blast.

A photo of the Aug. 10 blast site provided by a victims family, who visited the area. (Handout)

In a statement after the incident, the U.S. military acknowledged carrying out a strike but said it killed militants who were observed loading weapons into a vehicle and there was zero chance of civilian casualties.

Pockets of Nangarhar remain inaccessible to outsiders because of fighting, making it impossible to independently determine the cause of the fatal explosion. What is not in question is that in the 17th year of U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, American airstrikes are escalating again, along with civilian casualties.

Operating under looser restrictions on air power that commanders hope will break a stalemate in the war, U.S. fighter planes this year dropped 3,554 explosives in Afghanistan through Oct. 31, the most since 2012.

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Weapons released, January-October 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan Data: abcdefg hijkl mnop qrstu vwxyz 1234 56789 @latimesgraphics Source: U.S. Air Forces Central Command

American officials say the firepower has curtailed the growth of Islamic States South Asia affiliate  known as ISIS-Khorasan, which they believe numbers about 900 fighters, most of them in Nangarhar  and enabled struggling government forces to regain ground against Taliban insurgents in other provinces, such as Helmand, where a Marine-led task force has helped coordinate a months-long offensive.

But innocent Afghans are asking: At what cost?

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan documented 205 civilian deaths and 261 injuries from airstrikes in the first nine months this year, a 52% increase in casualties compared with the same period in 2016. Although both U.S. and Afghan forces conduct aerial attacks, preliminary data indicate that American strikes have been more lethal for civilians.

In the first six months of 2017, the U.N. said, 54 civilians died in international air operations, compared with 29 in Afghan strikes. Twelve additional deaths could not be attributed to either force, the U.N. found.

In the case of the blast in Nangarhar province in August, U.S. officials have continued to assert that the American airstrike that day struck only militants. But they have since offered an alternative explanation for the civilian deaths. Responding to questions from The Times, coalition officials said that a passenger vehicle  presumably the Suzuki truck  hit a roadside bomb planted by Islamic State militants slightly more than a mile from where the airstrike killed the militants. It was the roadside bomb that resulted in multiple enemy-caused civilian casualties, said Navy Capt. Tom Gresback, a spokesman for coalition forces in Kabul.

Afghans vigorously dispute that account. The district police chief, Hamidullah Sadaqat, said there was only one deadly explosion in the area that afternoon. Rozina, the 17-year-old survivor, said her memory was clear.

The plane dropped the bomb on us, said Rozina, who, like many Afghans, has only one name.

How could they not see there were women and children in the truck?  Zafar Khan, who lost six family members in the Aug. 10 bombing

Zafar Khan fled Loi Papin to a rented house on the outskirts of Jalalabad. Everyone was trying to get away, Khan said. We had recently sold our sheep and half the land. It was too dangerous to be in the village. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

The bombing occurred in Haska Mina district, about three hours by road south of the provincial capital, Jalalabad. The victims were residents of Loi Papin, a village near the front line between government-controlled territory and the Islamic State-held village of Gorgoray.

Many left Loi Papin more than two years ago after militants arrived claiming allegiance to Islamic State. The extremists tortured locals and barked orders from mosque loudspeakers, demanding that families surrender adult sons to their ranks.

Khan, a slender laborer with close-set eyes, fled to a rented house on the outskirts of Jalalabad. Other family members made brief trips to Loi Papin to tend to their farm and flock of sheep, he said.

On the afternoon of Aug. 10, Khans mother, Malaika, left the village with three of her 10 children  12-year-old Bahadur Shah, 8-year-old Anisa and 1-year-old Mohammad  in the Suzuki truck, driven by his cousin. His uncle was on board as well as five others, including Rozina, her father and brother, who were returning to a house they had rented in the district center, still under government control.

Everyone was trying to get away, Khan said. We had recently sold our sheep and half the land. It was too dangerous to be in the village. No one wants to be anywhere close to Daesh  a colloquial term for Islamic State.

Rozina said everyone in the truck was afraid of the Americans.

Because we knew they were in the area, she said, we expected that they would bombard by the next day.

As they drove off, she recalled seeing two planes in the sky. Then the blast struck, knocking her unconscious for several minutes. When she awoke, she found that seven people were dead, including her father and brother.

Malaika and two of her children were badly wounded and yelling for help, Rozina said. But American troops in the area  probably U.S. special operations forces conducting joint operations with Afghan commandos against Islamic State  did not allow anyone to come to their aid for hours, she said.

They died because there was no one to help them, Rozina said. They were stuck and screaming.

From left, Lal Mohammad, 17, Roqia Khan, 10, Basina Khan, 9, Nasir Mohammad, 13, and Rishma Khan, 8, lost their father in the August bombing. U.S. officials say the deadly blast was caused by a roadside bomb, not an airstrike. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Khan and several others set off from Jalalabad after the bombing, reaching Haska Mina in the middle of the night. They found the crumpled truck overturned in a field. Rozina was lying at a womans house with severe injuries to her face, hands and legs. Villagers had carted the bodies away in wheelbarrows and brought them to a nearby mosque.

I found a piece of a leg and a thumb next to the truck, said Mohammad Agha, 42, whose cousin, a peanut farmer also named Khan, was among the dead.

Sadaqat, the district police chief, took Agha and other family members to a former Afghan Border Police base being used by U.S. special operations troops. Speaking through an Afghan interpreter, the Americans gave the relatives until noon to bury the bodies. They worked quickly, Agha said; Islamic custom requires bodies to be interred within 24 hours, wrapped in simple shrouds.

We didnt have enough fabric to cover them all properly, he said. We had to use shawls.

An Islamic State broadcast shows Mohammad Agha, second from left, conducting a burial for the victims. (Khurasan Media)

When they were done, Agha and others went to inform the Americans, who dismissed the possibility that a U.S. plane had launched the strike.

They said maybe it was a mortar fired by Daesh, but a mortar wouldnt have created a 10-foot crater, Agha said. The Americans asked us: Which countrys plane did this? It seemed like they werent taking us seriously so we left.

When there were 100,000 American troops in the country, then-President Hamid Karzai frequently accused them of excessive force and wielded reports of dead innocents as a cudgel against the United States. Karzais bombast had an effect: Far fewer civilians died in airstrikes in 2012 and 2013, according to U.N. reports, when the U.S. averaged hundreds of airstrikes a month.

Experts said North Atlantic Treaty Organization coalition commanders took serious measures to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. They met regularly with the U.N. and nongovernmental agencies and dedicated a team of officers to investigate complaints.

As the foreign troop presence shrank and NATO shifted its focus to training Afghan forces, coalition officials released less information about operations. They also face less resistance from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, a stronger proponent of U.S. military action.

The U.S. military is becoming less transparent, and its a pity because they had worked really hard  and succeeded  in reducing civilian casualties, said Kate Clark, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, a Kabul-based research organization.

Dusk falls along the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Afghanistan. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

The use of air power has surged since mid-2016, when the Obama administration approved new rules of engagement that allowed U.S. warplanes to open fire in support of Afghan operations, not just to defend coalition forces. It is expected to rise further after the Trump administration sent nearly 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan  bringing the total U.S. presence to 15,000  and grants more latitude to military commanders.

U.S. planes carried out 1,570 strikes from August through October, the most in a three-month period since 2012, according to U.S. Air Force statistics.

In October, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis testified to Congress that Trump had authorized him to eliminate the requirement that U.S. forces could fire only when in proximity to hostile fighters.

In other words, wherever we find the enemy, we can put the pressure from the air support on them, Mattis said. But he added that U.S. forces would still do everything humanly possible to prevent the death or injury of innocent people.

Military officers say every report of civilian casualties is investigated. U.S. forces attempt to interview residents and local officials and use all forensic actions available, based on the security threat, said Gresback, the military spokesman.

But just as in Iraq and Syria, where the U.S.-led coalition is accused of significantly undercounting the civilian toll of its air war against Islamic State, Afghan victims believe the U.S. military isnt being thorough or transparent enough.

Mohammad Agha, left, lost his cousin, who was among the 10 people killed in the August bombing that victims families said was a U.S. airstrike. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Rozina and relatives of other victims in Loi Papin said American officials have not contacted them. And the U.S. has often pushed back strongly against accusations that its operations are taking a greater toll on innocents.

In early November, after reports that an airstrike killed 14 civilians in the northern province of Kunduz, American officials said they found no evidence to support the claims. That prompted a rare direct challenge from the United Nations, which said in a series of tweets that interviews with multiple survivors, medics, elders & others give strong reason to believe civilians [were] among [the] victims.

U.S. forces have also suggested that Afghans in Nangarhar are lying about civilian deaths. The militarys initial statement on the Aug. 10 blast called it the second false claim of civilian casualties in the same district within the last three weeks  after an incident in which Haska Mina residents told Afghan media that a U.S. strike killed mourners attending a funeral service.

Although public outrage over civilian casualties has softened, Clark said they continue to serve as a propaganda tool for extremists.

The basic parameters of the war havent changed: If youre killing civilians, its going to be problematic, Clark said. The bullish U.S. approach, taking the gloves off, thats all very well, but if there are more dead civilians youre not going to be better off politically or militarily.

Ghanis government has not drawn attention to the strike in Nangarhar, but officials visited from Kabul and gave families condolence payments of more than $1,000 each.

The money wont replace the loss of family breadwinners, or cover the mounting medical bills for Rozina. She now lives with four family members at an uncles house and walks with crutches while she awaits additional operations to her feet.

Khan said he has little sympathy for Islamic State but cannot support the way the U.S. is prosecuting the war.

The Americans say they are here to kill terrorists, but if they cant carry out a proper operation, it is better that they leave us alone, he said. At least we would not see our families destroyed.

Special correspondents Sultan Faizy and Mohammad Anwar Danishyar contributed to this report.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

ALSO

The Marines returned to Helmand province. Is their mission a blueprint for Trump's Afghanistan strategy?
Democrat Myrtle Cole used her position as San Diego City Council president on Wednesday to strip Republicans of three key council posts and replace them with Democrats.

Cole was criticized last winter by some labor leaders and others in the citys Democratic establishment for letting Republicans control too many council committees.

She changed course for 2018 on Wednesday by replacing Republican Scott Sherman as chair of the councils smart growth committee with Democrat Georgette Gomez, and replacing Republican Lorie Zapf as chair of the economic development committee with Democrat Chris Ward.

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Cole also replaced Republican Mark Kersey as council president pro tem with Democrat Barbara Bry. The position is the councils No. 2 spot and leads any meetings the council president cant attend.

In exchange for losing her economic development post, Zapf will take over chairmanship of the relatively low-profile audit committee from Gomez.

Sherman was not named chair of any committees for 2018, the only member of the council not to get such an assignment.

He said Cole decreased the power of Republicans at the behest of local union leaders and complained that Cole promised him in writing last month that he wouldnt lose his chairmanship of the smart growth committee.

Its very disappointing and kind of shows the dysfunctionality of this body, Sherman said. If youre going to give somebody your written word, just stick to it and have some character.

Sherman also said Gomez wont bring to the chairmans role nearly the same land-use experience that he has.

Cole didnt address whether unions influenced her decisions, but said the document Sherman had was a draft.

It was a difficult decision to balance all of the competing priorities and interests of the council members, she said.

The council approved the assignments 6-3, with Zapf joining the panels five Democrats in support.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
It was the absolute wurst.

I spent 10 hours Tuesday binge-watching nine San Diego City Council members striving to make sausage but, in the end, making a hash of lawmaking.

Listening to scores of red- and green-shirted speakers yammering on about the yin or yang of the turbo-charged Airbnb business model, followed by the councils failure to achieve a compromise on the regulation of short-term vacation rentals, I wondered how many of some 1.4 million San Diegans dont give a personal damn.

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Frankly, my dears, Im one of them.

Sure, I sympathize with residents tormented by party houses rented by absent landlords.

As with the majority of sexual harassment accusers, I believe the victims.

But as Councilman Scott Sherman and others pointed out, month-to-month rentals can be living hells as well.

In Bird Rock, were next-door to a rented bungalow. In the last 36 years, weve had some, well, colorful neighbors.

For example, a married couple, both violinists, practiced late into the night, sometimes keeping us up late.

When the musicians left, we savored the silence until the next tenant, a Harley-Davidson mechanic, set up shop in the garage, producing an even louder late-night soundtrack. Vroom vroom!

In contrast, one house on the block is periodically rented out on a short-term basis.

Problems? None that I recall.

I dont begrudge my neighbor the opportunity to rent his property while hes away. No skin off my nose.

And yet, Im not inclined to follow the Airbnb cheerleaders and gaslight STVR opponents as crotchety loons.

One STVR advocate did just that Tuesday, citing Census statistics to show that Pacific Beachs raffish character is what it has been for a long time.

Those who blame transient guests for a litany of ills (drunken revelry, low full-time apartment vacancy rates, diminishing volunteerism, plummeting enrollments in local schools) should realize that broad social trends, not STRVs, are responsible for a declining sense of community.

The subtext: You killjoys who enjoy low property taxes are old, cranky and out of touch. If only youd hail an Uber, post a photo on Instagram and embrace the sharing economy, youd get with the program that has made Airbnb the largest hotel company in the world without owning a hotel.

A similar gaslighting trope is that the fear of rapacious investors snapping up short-term rental houses, decimating the permanent housing stock, is way overblown. In fact, Sherman said, short-term rentals are hitting a saturation point. Theyre just not that profitable anymore, he said. Dont worry about proliferation, folks.

Yeah, right. And Google is hitting its saturation point.

To her credit, Councilwoman Barbara Bry, the champion of pragmatic anti-STVR activists, bent like Ms. Gumby to reach a deal that would foster the sharing economy while blocking STVR speculators.

Councilman David Alvarezs mystifying swing vote (aptly named since he hung both proposals, including one he supported) preserved for the time being the Wild West, as the current unregulated state of play is called.

If the councils failure to act teaches us one thing, its that San Diego may be too large and diverse to impose an ordinance that suits every neighborhood.

Tellingly, Councilwoman Lorie Zapf suggested a carve-out for Mission Beach, a mecca for beach vacation rentals for as long as anyone alive can remember.

In this three-year-old drama, the absent actor, of course, has been Mayor Kevin Faulconer. His detachment makes one miss the days when strong weak (rather than weak strong) mayors exerted their power on the council.

Its hard to imagine Pete Wilson not taking a decisive cut at this Gordian knot.

So its heartening, I suppose, that Faulconer is finally signaling that hes emerging from his tent.

Heres one thing the mayor could do right away to show that hes been listening.

Kick-start a well-publicized commitment to making landlords who turn a blind eye to bad behavior suffer the tortures of the damned.

If this is the Wild West, bring in Wyatt Earp.

Take some of that ballyhooed TOT money from Airbnb hosts and beef up code enforcement.

Failing that simple test of leadership, the mayor and the council are going to continue looking like a bunch of weiners good for nothing but the grill.
In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, a woman has accused San Diego labor leader Mickey Kasparian of sexual assault. Its the latest in a series of accusations of inappropriate behavior against the influential union boss and the first allegation of forced sexual contact.

Kasparian, 59, denies all the womans allegations, as well as accusations of wrongdoing from other women.

Let me be crystal clear, without any equivocation whatsoever  all of these accusations are categorically and completely false, Kasparian said in a written statement on Thursday.

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Melody Godinez, 31, a county government employee who is active in organized labor, alleges in her lawsuit and in a deposition referenced in it that Kasparian pinned her down to the sofa in his office, groped her on four occasions and tried to get her to participate in group sex. Her lawsuit also names United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135, the union Kasparian leads.

She said Kasparian put one of his hands inside the front of her pants and held her down by laying on top of her on the sofa in his Mission Valley office, she said in her lawsuit.

I felt like I was being raped, Godinez said the deposition referenced in her lawsuit.

Kasparian has previously been accused in a lawsuit of pressuring a woman who worked for him into a longterm sexual relationship, and of firing another employee in retaliation for a political disagreement. Other women who have worked for Kasparian have accused him of boorish behavior that was not of a sexual nature.

He used to lead the regional Labor Council, a coalition of unions. After the allegations surfaced a year ago, he created his own separate organization, the San Diego Working Families Council.

Godinezs attorney, Dan Gilleon, said that Kasparian is a kingmaker in progressive politics and fits into the national conversation about powerful men who victimize women.

Kasparian is nothing new, Gilleon said by email. Hes a cowardly, power hungry predator who treats women like sexual play things.

In Kasparians statement, he said the allegations are entirely untrue and that Godinez is malicious, and is attempting to weaponize gender equality and harassment for political and personal reasons.

The absolute truth here...is that Ms. Godinez has been repeatedly inappropriate in the past, and has also threatened revenge against me personally, he said.

Kasparians statement included the names of two women he said could vouch for him. One of those, Daniella Ferioli, is a former representative with a machinist union who knows Kasparian through their work in labor.

By telephone, Ferioli said that Godinez confided to her in May that she was planning to release embarrassing emails involving Kasparian because she was upset that he would not go to dinner with her. She made no reference to any sort of sexual interactions with Kasparian, consensual or otherwise, Ferioli said.

The other woman, Sarah Saez, who works for Kasparian at the food workers union, said Kasparian supported her when she ran unsuccessfully for San Diego City Council in 2016.

I have never experienced anything like that from Mickey, she said.

Kasparian said he has never spent any one-on-one time with Godinez.

To be very clear, I have never  not once  been alone at any time with Ms. Godinez as she suggests, his statement said. There are no truth or facts to anything she has said. Zero.

In a brief interview while hand-delivering his statement to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Kasparian said that he is planning to file defamation lawsuits against the women who have accused him of improprieties. He declined further comment.

Godinezs accusations were included in her lawsuit, as well as a Dec. 7 deposition she gave after she was subpoenaed as a witness in a separate lawsuit by Isabel Vasquez, a former Local 135 employee who sued the union and Kasparian a year ago. In that earlier lawsuit, Vasquez said she was pressured into a sexual relationship with Kasparian, her boss, shortly after she was hired in 2001 until she retired in July 2016.

Kaparian has denied all of Vasquezs allegations, as well as accusations in a third complaint by Sandy Naranjo, another former employee who also filed a lawsuit late last year. Naranjo accused Kasparian of firing her in retaliation for a position her husbands rival union took against one of Local 135s interests.

Godinez said she initially introduced herself to Kasparian online because she admired his advocacy for working families, she said in her deposition. Godinez said they first struck up a friendship and she considered him a professional mentor, and said they would see each other at various union-related events and socially.

In her deposition, Godinez said Kasparian used his friendship, mentorship and his power as leverage to try to get women to have sex with him, and when they refused, to shut them up. Godinez said she felt uncomfortable when Kasparian touched her and told him she didnt want to become physical with him because hes married, but worried her life would be ruined if she confronted him or spoke up, she said in her deposition.

I feared not only for myself, not only for my career, for my family, but for the community and for my friends that are doing good things in the community such as running for office and have good ethics. Because if you cross him, hes going to attack. He already has, Godinez said in her deposition.

In the deposition, she detailed four times between May 2014 and early 2016 in which she said Kasparian touched her breasts and genital area over her clothing.

And thats when he projected the same pattern of behavior that he had in the other instances, she said in the deposition, referring to an alleged incident that occurred inside Kasparians car while parked on Pacific Highway. He  I felt like I was being assaulted. He moved his hand on my legs...And then he groped my genital area and  on the outside  and my breast area. I dont want to say the word caressed because it was unconsented, but he touched my breast.

In the deposition, she also told of one instance in which Kasparian allegedly suggested having group sex with her and two other women in a San Diego Hilton and booked a mini-mansion before meeting the three potential participants at the hotel bar. The foursome didnt happen, but Godinez said she did walk into the suite to find a woman with disheveled hair and Kasparian with his pants unzipped, she said in the deposition.

In another incident, Godinez said in the deposition that Kasparian masturbated while he spoke to her over the phone and told her that he had climaxed.

Besides the two women who have sued Kasparian, four others have described toxic culture at Local 135, calling the labor leader paranoid, obsessive and a dictator.

The women alleged to the Union-Tribune that they feared doing anything that Kasparian didnt like because he would yell at his subordinates in front of their colleagues  or fire them. Two of the women were terminated from their jobs, while two others retired. Anabel Arauz said she was demoted and later fired from Local 135 for supporting women who accused Kasparian of boorish behavior.

Department of Labor records show that Kasparian was paid $209,000 in 2016 by the food workers union.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
A 32-year-old firefighter from the San Diego area who was battling the Thomas fire died Thursday, a loss that a local Cal Fire official said has shaken our organization to the core.

Cal Fire authorities confirmed at news conferences in Ventura, where the fire is burning, and San Diego County that the fallen firefighter was Cory Iverson, who was assigned to the massive blaze with a fire engine strike team from Cal Fires San Diego unit.

Iverson, a fire apparatus engineer, had been with Cal Fire since 2009. The North County resident is survived by his wife, Ashley, and a 2-year-old daughter. His wife is pregnant with their second daughter, due in the spring.

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Cal Fire San Diego Chief Tony Mecham said at a media briefing in Escondido that the fallen firefighter had been with a five-engine strike team and engaged in a very active part of the fire just outside of Fillmore when the accident happened. He did not specify how Iverson was killed.

All 17 of the firefighters on the strike team have been pulled off the fire lines. They had been at the Thomas fire since Dec. 5.

This incident has shaken our organization to the core, Mecham said. It has affected it statewide, but no more than here in San Diego County.

Mecham said he learned of Iversons death this morning when he took the call that no fire chief ever wants to receive.

It just stunningly took my breath away, Mecham said.

He said he spent the day with Iversons family, who he said just spoke about Why Cory? Hes just such a great guy.

Mecham said San Diego Fire-Rescue sent eight fire engines so that Cal Fire firefighters most affected by Iversons death could take time to grieve.

Iversons uncle is a retired firefighter with Cal Fire and had worked with current Cal Fire San Diego spokesman Jon Heggie at the fire station in Rainbow. It was during that turn that Heggie met Iverson, who was in his late teens at the time and already eager to become a firefighter.

Heggie said he watched Iverson work his way up to becoming a firefighter, and that you could see the passion that he had at an early age about the fire service.

I feel like I had seen him grow up, and I was so proud of him, Heggie said.

Heggie also called Iverson the kind of firefighter you could rely on. He was the best fireman you could hope to have on your team.

Iverson brought a positive attitude, and it was no surprise that he escalated his way up in the fire service, Heggie said.

My heart shattered when I learned what happened to him, Heggie said of Iversons death. I can only imagine the pain his wife and his family are going through, and all of us in the fire service are feeling it for them.

During Iversons Cal Fire career, he had worked in Tuolumne County in Central California, and also in Riverside County at the Hemet-Ryan Helitack Base before his assignment in Dulzura.

Cal Fire Director Chief Ken Pimlott announced the firefighters death in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers and all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions, he said in the written statement.

Speaking in Ventura, Pimlott said an accident review team had been assigned to review the circumstances that led to Iversons death.

Until this review is complete, there is nothing more that I can share, he said. What I can say is thank you for the outpouring of support for Corys family and the Cal Fire family.

About 4 p.m.Thursday afternoon, Iversons body was loaded into a hearse and taken to the Ventura County Medical Examiner, with firefighters lining the road in tribute. There will be a formal procession when the body is brought south to San Diego County, authorities said.

California Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement on Iversons death, saying his bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten.

The governor ordered all Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff.

The Thomas fire has charred 249,500 acres and is the fourth-largest fire in state history. Its now 35 percent contained, according to the latest Cal Fire update. Officials say they dont expect to reach full containment until Jan. 7.

The fire has destroyed more than 900 homes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since it began Dec. 4 near Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula.

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

4:05 p.m. This story was updated with new information. It was originally published at 1:05 p.m.

5:11 p.m. This story was updated with new information from the Ventura news conference.

7:02 p.m. This story was updated with new information from the Escondido news conference.

10:00 p.m. This story was updated with additional information from the Escondido news conference.
As stories of sexual harassment and assault continue to make headlines, some community groups are taking the opportunity to talk with residents about sexual misconduct.

Dozens of community members attended a community forum to discuss the topic at the Malcolm X Library in Valencia Park on Wednesday night.

(The topic) of sexual assault is at the forefront, said Deputy District Attorney Deborah LaTouche, one of the events speakers. It has empowered women to come forward in even greater numbers to share their experiences as it relates to sexual assault, and it has given them the power to go forward and report their attackers.

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LaTouche began the conversation by discussing a variety of sex crimes and the importance of consent.

Any sex act committed without consent is a crime, she said.

Speakers also discussed some of the psychological motivations for sexual assault

Its not necessarily about sex, said Marchita Masters, a psychologist who has worked with sex offenders. It can be more about power, control, domination, intimidation. Some people just get a real thrill over being in a powerful position and controlling another person.

She said sexual harassment and assault can have long-lasting effects on victims and how vital counseling can be to heal.

Attorney Eugene Thompson and San Diego police Detective Vernon Kindrid talked about reporting sex crimes.

Thompson discussed how to report harassment or assault either to an employer or through state and federal agencies. He stressed the importance of filing a complaint in writing and including as much documentation as possible.

(Complaints) have to be maintained by employers, he said. It might not work out for you, but, down the road, it may be helpful for someone else who is going through the same kind of treatment.

Kindrid talked about the kinds of cases he investigates and offered to answer questions about how to go about reporting a crime.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
University of Nebraska-Lincoln English Professor Fran Kaye thought most people had a similar sense of the meaning of social justice.

She was wrong.

In early November, state Sen. Tom Brewer posted a weekly update on his legislative website telling constituents he believed the root cause of a public incident in August at UNL was a "totalitarian philosophy called social justice."

A "hateful" philosophy, he said, that was firmly embedded in the UNL English Department culture.

Brewer said that while there were many definitions of the term social justice, its defining characteristic was tyranny.

"Social justice is simply evil," Brewer wrote. "The aim of this malignant philosophy is silencing dissenting speech."

He's had experience with how institutions and society sort people, and he's sensitive to how people are judged, he said.

He was upset by the incident in which Courtney Lawton, a graduate student and teaching assistant, and Amanda Gailey, an associate English professor, confronted sophomore Kaitlyn Mullen, who was recruiting for Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization. Lawton called Mullen a neo-fascist and a "Becky" (which by some definitions is a derogatory name for a white female) and raised her middle finger to her.

Gailey held a sign that read "Turning Point: Please put me on your watchlist."

Lawton and Gailey were singled out by Brewer and Sens. Steve Halloran and Steve Erdman  who called for Gailey's firing  with a public letter questioning both how the university treats conservative students and the core values of the English department.

Kaye saw Brewer's post about social justice and shot back in an email. She knew him from his work with Nebraska prison inmates, and believed those interactions were acts of social justice, at least by her definition.

"How can you betray all the good that you did ... by ranting that social justice is tyranny?" she asked him.

He is consistent in his support of prisoners, she said this week. What he does there, and what he did in helping close Whiteclay liquor stores, seemed to her exactly the brand of social justice the English department engages in.

Why was Brewer, who is Native American, attacking people he should have known were his allies, she asked. Professors and graduate students lead writing projects for kids at the Indian Center, the Malone Center, Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach. They support writing and reading programs at the prisons, and teach classes on Native American literature.

"That's what social justice means to the English department collectively," she said. "And that seems to me to be exactly what we should be doing."

More recently, Brewer backed down a bit from his original post. But he still believes the definition of social justice  to affirmatively work to improve the lives of everyone and seek to help lift up those who are less fortunate  is not the meaning the English department has endorsed.

Brewer struggled with the university incident, he said, because he believes everyone is entitled to see the world as they see it. And they should be treated with respect and be allowed to share their beliefs with others.

It disappointed him the behavior of a professor and student lecturer initially seemed acceptable to the university, he said.

Kaye has seen disrespect from her side, too. She has distributed leaflets against the death penalty at the university since 1991, and encountered people who don't like it, she said.

"I've tried to hand somebody a leaflet and had them crumple it up and throw it back at me and say, 'We should kill 'em all.' I've had some of them suggest that, 'It wouldn't be such a bad idea if they killed you, too,'" she said.

That's part of political speech, she said. When she goes out and talks about what she believes, others are totally OK with getting in her face.

"I don't like it. I have friends on death row. It makes me very upset. But I asked for it because I was out there speaking," she said.

And if you're signing people up for Turning Point USA, you should be willing to have somebody calling you out on it, she said.

But to say that Lawton flipping off a Turning Point USA organizer represented social justice in the English department was just "so out of line," she said.

Kaye agreed with Brewer there are varying definitions of social justice.

For Kaye, social justice comes out of the tradition of Dorothy Day, a Catholic convert who helped establish a movement that combined aid for the poor and homeless with nonviolent social action on their behalf. It is represented by Bryan Stevenson, the lawyer-author of "Just Mercy," who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated and the condemned.

Brewer knows Kaye from seeing her as they both visit inmates and attend meetings and events at the prisons.

"I think, in ways, we're on the same wavelength, and we see the same issues and problems," Brewer said.

But how they want to fix the problems is where they differ, he said.

Thirty-six years in military uniform have made him more rigid and structured in how he sees the world, how things are managed or resolved, he said.

He didn't mean to offend with his post on social justice, Brewer said. He just wanted to discuss it.

After a month to think about it, if he had it to do over, he probably wouldn't have described social justice as evil, Brewer said, adding that he should have used his military training and let it sit overnight after he wrote it and re-evaluated before sending it.

Kaye said she's been living social justice for the past 40 years, and believes she has a feel for it.

"It's certainly not evil or tyrannical," she said.
Quick read

Gov. Jerry Brown met with Edison Internationals top executive for two hours in February 2013, the month before a key meeting in Warsaw that shaped the disputed settlement agreement for the San Onofre nuclear plant.

Company officials say the meeting was lawful and appropriate, just normal discussions between the Governors Office and a citizen or company.

Critics say the timing of the meeting is questionable, especially given that the government is refusing to release Browns emails on the San Onofre matter.

Full story

As the failed San Onofre nuclear plant north of Oceanside drained resources from the utility company that owns it, Edison International CEO Ted Craver was hoping for speedy relief from the California Public Utilities Commission.

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Much was at stake in the outcome for the twin domes along Interstate 5, which closed in January 2012 amid a radiation leak. The premature closure brought with it $4.7 billion in costs.

For Edison, the news from the commission president, Michael Peevey, was not good.

President Peevey indicated to us that he did not see a viable path to short-cut the proceedings and was highly skeptical that a settlement was likely, Craver said in a memo to his board of directors, obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Craver, since retired, went up the chain of command.

In February 2013, his memo says, he requested and received a meeting with Gov. Jerry Brown  who appoints members of the utilities commission but is not supposed to intervene in their highly regulated decision-making process.

He gave me nearly two hours of his time in a private one-on-one meeting in his Sacramento office, Craver wrote. We spent the entire discussion on SONGS, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

We ended with a discussion of how policymaker leadership was missing in this situation, the memo said. We agreed we would talk again in a few weeks after he does some independent due diligence and determine if this is something he would engage us on. He understands that time is not our ally, and that we must obtain some certainty as to cost recovery.

The following month, Peevey was singing a different tune. He met with a top Edison executive during a policy-makers trip to Poland. Their undisclosed discussion at the Hotel Bristol Warsaw reviewed a hand-written framework for settlement of the San Onofre matter.

That plan was substantially similar to the one approved in public by the utilities commission in November 2014, assigning 70 percent of shutdown costs to utility customers.

After the Warsaw meeting was revealed by the Union-Tribune in January 2015, the deal began to fall apart over concerns that the process was not fair to all involved. It was reopened last year amid criticism that it was stacked against consumers.

Representatives of the Governors Office and Edison said there was no connection between Cravers meeting with Brown and the new settlement push at the utilities commission.

Browns office pointed to another statement in Cravers memo: It would be a mistake to read anything into this one conversation with the governor, or believe that he could or would successfully intervene.

Its correct that we would not intervene and did not intervene, Brown spokesman Gareth Lacy said by email.

He did not respond to a number of other questions about the governors role in the San Onofre settlement process.

Maureen Brown, a spokeswoman for Edison, said the meeting between Craver and the governor had nothing to do with the subsequent meeting in Poland.

The fate of San Onofre was an important issue to many stakeholders, including its impact on the energy supply in California, and thus was a topic of discussion with Governor Brown, wrote Maureen Brown, no relation to the governor.

Thad Kousser, chairman of the political science department at the University of California San Diego, said elected officials routinely meet with constituents of all stripes and interests.

A reasonable question is if the governor pushed the policymaking machinery of California government in any direction, Kousser said by telephone. The meeting doesnt raise major concerns. Its the policy response that deserves to be explored.

The San Onofre response has been under extensive review for years. Starting in late 2014, Attorney General Kamala Harris was investigating backchannel dealings between the commission and the companies it is supposed to oversee  although the status of the probe is unclear under her successor, Xavier Becerra.

San Diego consumer attorney Michael Aguirre is suing over the terms of the settlement, which he believes were improperly skewed to benefit utility company shareholders. He is also suing for emails between the Governors Office and the CPUC about San Onofre  a request being resisted by officials in both offices.

Aguirre was alarmed by revelations of the Brown-Craver meeting.

There are millions of (customers) that have to dig into their pockets every single month to pay for a power plant that produces no power, Aguirre said. The governor should show as much concern and respect for Edisons customers as he has for its executives.

He added, The governor should come clean and release all of his San Onofre communications with the CPUC. He should also answer questions with the press. And we need the attorney general to complete the criminal investigation.

Cravers memo to his board laid out a series of issues facing Edison after the plant closed as a result of flaws in a replacement steam generator. At the time, the company was focused on restarting the plant  something that never came to pass.

I know it has been difficult for everyone to follow the twists and turns, Craver wrote. The intention of this section is to summarize and remind everyone of the events up to this point, and bring everyone to the same level in preparation for our discussions next week.

Specifically, we burned a lot of time determining that the plant would be safe to restart, he wrote.

He commented on the governors disposition toward nuclear power.

I was somewhat surprised at the relatively pro-nuclear stance the governor expressed, and how he seems to believe nuclear power is critical to solving climate change, Craver wrote. Also, the more we talked, the more he seemed intrigued with the challenge and the nuances of this tangled issue.

While his team was figuring out how to get San Onofre back online safely, Craver said, anti-nuclear groups banded together to oppose any reopening and convinced state and federal regulators to require a license amendment beforehand.

This would take well over a year to complete, if not several years, he wrote. Such a lengthy process would be prohibitively expensive for ratepayers and too risky for shareholders, without an agreement in hand from the CPUC on cost recovery.

The utility executive also acknowledged that the commissions investigation into what caused the plant failure limited what he could legally say to regulators.

Because we have an active proceeding with the CPUC, we are constrained by ex parte rules in engaging in direct discussions with commissioners on SONGS cost recovery, Craver wrote. This makes exploring settlement approaches considerably more complicated.

In her response for this story, the Edison spokeswoman said the ex parte rules did not apply to Cravers meeting with Brown.

The applicable rules dont prohibit discussions between the Governors Office and a citizen or company regarding the status of a CPUC proceeding, so this conversation was entirely lawful and appropriate, she said.

Craver pledged to his board to keep pursuing the matter, writing, Unless something dramatically changes, it looks like we are locked into a long process at the CPUC with the most important cost recovery issues scheduled to be decided last. We intend to work all the angles with the governor, Sen. (Dianne) Feinstein or the CPUC to try to speed up the process.

Much of the six-page Craver memo was redacted by the utility because the information was privileged or it did not involve San Onofre.

Previously

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
Roy Moore may have lost, but the fact that the accused child molester and serial pursuer of teen girls got 48 percent of the vote in Tuesdays Alabama Senate special election is sure to lead to more pundits like Charles Sykes saying the Republican Party has lost its mind.

The New York Times columnist Paul Krugmans version of the theory focuses on the alleged effect of Republican attacks on the media:

The GOP cynically manufactured a monster, a base that is fundamentally at odds with rationality. It thought it could control that monster, but it couldnt. And it may end up destroying America.

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Writing in Vox, Ezra Klein noted several of the falsehoods routinely offered up by President Donald Trump and cited a survey showing 71 percent of Alabama Republicans believed that the allegations against Moore  by nine women  were fabrications:

Its comforting to imagine this denialism as a particular affliction of the Trumpist factions of the modern GOP. It isnt. ... It predates Trump and Moore, and it arguably led to their rise. ... Given the Republican Partys ongoing denial of information it doesnt like  from climate change science to empirical economic analysis of tax cuts  what is truly so new about Trumps cries of fake news or his administrations insistence on alternative facts?

But Newtons third law of motion  for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction  also holds for politics. Just as part of the political right has gone off the deep end, so has part of the political left. The most obvious example: At popular political journals like Salon, it has become routine to describe being white as a sort of pathology. One 2015 story was headlined White men must be stopped: The very future of mankind depends on it.

These themes go far beyond what I and many people think are worthwhile, thoughtful discussions of how white privilege shapes much of our lives and how white people need to grasp this reality and its effect on minorities, as David Marcus pointed out last year on the Federalist website.

What is new is the direct indictment of white people as a race. This happened through a strange rhetorical transformation over the past few years. At first, white men are our greatest threat postings tended to be ironic, a way of putting the racist shoe on the other foot. They were meant to show that blaming an entire race for the harmful actions of a few individuals is senseless.

Then the tenor changed. What started as irony turned into an actual belief that white people, specifically white men, are more dangerous and immoral than any other people. ...

White people are being asked  or pushed  to take stock of their whiteness and identify with it more. This is a remarkably bad idea. The last thing our society needs is for white people to feel more tribal.

But that seems likely to happen because the momentum of the cultural left just keeps building. While I have long disliked the term political correctness because of the glib way it is used to dismiss legitimate claims and shut down conversations, whats going on at many college campuses amounts to mania. The microaggression and safe speech phenomenon isnt just about protecting fragile students or about making people more aware of how they perpetuate ugly stereotypes. Its about characterizing a broad range of political attitudes as so hateful and awful  as Orwellian thoughtcrimes  that they cant be tolerated on campus.

Freddie deBoer, a true-blue progressive and New York City academic, says campus life has changed for the worse. In 2014, he wrote that there are ...

... an endless list of things that you cant do or say or think, and with the constant threat of being called an existentially bad person if you say the wrong thing, or if someone decides to misrepresent what you said as saying the wrong thing. There are so many ways to step on a landmine now, so many terms that have become forbidden, so many attitudes that will get you cast out if you even appear to hold them.

On campus, the idea that free speech is racist because it allows expression of views that some dont like has become common. But this phenomenon goes far beyond disdain for First Amendment rights. While Krugman and Klein scorn conservatives for not believing scientific evidence and eating up fake news, academics in the social sciences are increasingly open to the idea that science itself isnt a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method, as defined by Merriam-Webster. Instead, as UC Davis professor Sara Giordano wrote earlier this year in the feminist journal Catalyst, science is a tool of oppression that needed to be countered with kinds of scientific illiteracy [that might] destabilize science and remake knowledge production.

At the core of this philosophy is the common hard-left view that modern America is sick or evil, as are the institutions that help make up America  except for college. The University of New Hampshire hinted at this sentiment in 2015 when it issued a bias-free language guide, which warned that use of the word American is problematic.

Now theres no question that the United States has made some terrible decisions. Noam Chomskys argument that American exceptionalism is used to justify bullying and imperialism is often persuasive. I am part of the majority of Americans who thinks President Donald Trump is like a bull in a civic china shop, casually destroying norms of decency and worsening already-deep divisions. But I also believe America has been on balance a hugely positive force. We fought a civil war to end slavery. We fought a world war to combat the rise of fascism. And I believe that even if Americans elected him, Donald Trump isnt America.

But those last four sentences  mild as they seem to be  almost certainly would be seen as microaggressions or even provocations in some quarters. This is why I so welcomed liberal New York Times pundit Frank Bruni using his Sunday column to make the point that it wasnt just Trump normalizing ugly conduct. Its also those on the left and their pattern of turning righteous causes into indiscriminate attacks, painting with a destructively broad brush and branding certain actors irredeemable, which doesnt leave them any room  or much motivation  for redemption.

That last point cant be made enough. Can we all get along?  Rodney Kings plaintive question in 1992 in response to rioting triggered by not-guilty verdicts in the trial of four Los Angeles police officers who beat him after a traffic stop  is turning out to be the question that defines modern politics. Sadly enough, the answer is far from clear.

Reed, deputy editor of the U-Ts editorial and opinion section, can be reached at chris.reed@sduniontribune.com. He welcomes suggestions of possible column topics. Twitter: @chrisreed99. To see his past columns, go to sdut.us/chrisreed.
There are at least 67 places in El Cajon where people who are homeless can get food using their EBT [Electronic Benefit Transfer] cards. These places include Dennys, Carls Jr., Jack in the Box, Burger King, KFC, El Pollo Loco, chain supermarkets, neighborhood grocery markets, 7-Eleven convenience stores, and 13 different faith-based and secular social services locations. In other words, for people who are homeless, there is an abundance of choice for both prepared and unprepared food, whichever the preference, all across the city. There is availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. And if for some reason they dont have an EBT card, the county has a Health and Human Services Agency office in downtown El Cajon to assist with enrollment along with social workers who may share this information in field visits.

So when the El Cajon City Council recently passed a temporary ban on the distribution of free food at public (not private) events held in public places in the city, this measure did not adversely affect the availability of free food for people who are homeless.

Related: Restricting food distribution not a solution to El Cajons homeless problem

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Why was the temporary ban enacted?

Out of 561 hepatitis A cases reported to date by the county, nearly two-thirds have been people who are homeless, users of illicit drugs, or a combination of both. El Cajon has had the second most number of cases. Sadly, it is reported 11 of 20 deaths countywide were of people who were homeless.

Clearly, this is a health emergency. El Cajon has worked with the county and added hand-washing stations, portable toilets, power-washed and sanitized public places, and provided free vaccinations to high-risk individuals upon request.

Nevertheless, since the city has knowledge there is a hep A outbreak; is aware it is transmitted through the sharing of food, utensils and ingesting something contaminated with fecal material from an infected person; and knows the predominant group of people already infected, and more at-risk for infection, are those who are homeless, users of illicit drugs, or both, then the city must protect this groups safety when on public property, within the limits of the law.

This temporary measure is an appropriate, responsible and caring action based on expert information from the countys health department.

Note the emphasis on public property. The city doesnt overreach on to private property as churches, volunteer groups, social service agencies, and others may still give away food, subject to state and county health regulations, on private property, assuming all responsibility.

Will the distribution of free food be allowed again in public places once the county lifts its declaration? While I personally agree with advocates and service providers to the homeless who say it doesnt help get people off the streets, I believe it should be allowed for at least a couple reasons. First, I believe it would be an overreach of government to prohibit such activity absent a health emergency such as the one we have been in since September. Second, California Health and Safety Code 114387 already requires a Temporary Food Facility permit at a public event, even for giving away food free to the public. This permit is designed to ensure food given to the public is distributed in accordance with food safety practices.

What longer-term programs is El Cajon funding in 2017 to get people who are homeless off the street?

We must realize the old methods arent working and new ideas must be tried. We must improve the quality of life for neighborhoods, businesses and people who are homeless. Service providers, regional policy makers and homeless advocates all commend the city for implementing a variety of solutions because the underlying reasons for homelessness are varied as well.

In addition to ongoing outreach programs, the city has funded a Housing Navigator through Crisis House in El Cajon, emergency shelter housing, a text-based app for the homeless to quickly access services and reunification travel assistance, as well as other programs.

To date, 13 people who were previously homeless have been reunified out of the area with family or friends using travel funds provided by the city, administered by The Salvation Army. This is likely the best outcome for all.

From action to protect the health of people at-risk while not adversely impacting their food accessibility, to providing permanent housing assistance, both local and out of the area, the city of El Cajon is working for a better quality of life for all its residents.

Goble is an El Cajon City Council member.
The San Diego City Council and mayor should be embarrassed for literally wasting scores of peoples time Tuesday and leaving countless others hanging for years on short-term vacation rental regulations.

On Tuesday, 10 hours after 260 people signed up to speak, the council couldnt compromise on a subject city officials alternately struggle with or ignore.

Councilman Scott Sherman called the council dysfunctional Tuesday. Councilman Chris Cate said the inaction ... proved that we cannot govern.

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( (Nelvin C. Cepeda /The San Diego Union-Tribune))

Three city leaders in particular deserve public shaming: David Alvarez, for supporting one idea for weeks ahead of the most recent meeting but ultimately voting against every single proposal Tuesday; Myrtle Cole, for failing to broker a deal days after re-election to the influential position of council president, and Mayor Kevin Faulconer, whose inertia to date on this issue is incomprehensible.

Alvarez told an editorial writer the sides were really close, but he doesnt know whats next. Cole said only that she anticipates some colleagues will continue to seek a resolution. At least Faulconer may be finally ready to lead. Three of his aides said hed take a central role to meet with stakeholders and hash out a deal. The council goes on break leaving no clues about how or when in 2018 it will reconsider regulating a booming industry the city attorney has declared illegal. Happy New Year? Hardly.

Related editorials:

Finally, a short-term vacation rental plan that will work for San Diego

Short-term rentals: Keep working, San Diego City Council

Short-term vacation rentals: San Diego needs clarity now

Short-term vacation rentals: Time for the debate in San Diego

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

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California is ready to grant business licenses to sell recreational marijuana, and who better to appeal to that audience than Up in Smoke star Cheech Marin.

Marin plays a rather subdued state employee in California secretary of states new marketing video. Seated behind a computer and speaking in a monotone voice, he answers the questions of an inquisitive woman who approaches his desk and says she wants to open a cannabis business. She asks, Am I in the right place?

Yup, or you could go to cannabizfile.sos.ca.gov, he says without ever looking up. Smoked it!

Marin  who once co-starred with Tommy Chong in movies that humorized the stoner culture in the 1970s and 1980s, including one featuring scenes in Tijuana  has now teamed up with Secretary of State Alex Padilla to promote Californias legitimate channels for businesses to set up pot shops as approved by voters in 2016.

Sales of recreational marijuana in California are set to begin next month, and the state says its begun to process those licenses, the Associated Press reported.

And the fans are loving his role in promoting legalized recreational marijuana. One person tweeted that California couldnt ask for better guy to help promote legal pot.

What does Marin get in return?

For one, it helps promote his brand  hes launched a curated marijuana business called Cheechs Private Stash and he co-owns a business with Chong to sell pot paraphernalia.

And, in an interview with The Sacramento Bee, he joked It knocks off a few hours of the community service I have to do.

Times have changed, but Marin is still your go-to legendary stoner.

Have some thoughts to share?

Join me in a conversation: Shoot me a private email with your thoughts or ideas on a different approach to this story. As always, you can also send us a tweet.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

Read The Conversation on Flipboard.
Assemblyman Brian Maienschein and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have kicked off their fourth annual Donation Drive for Animals.

The weeklong effort that runs through Saturday, Dec. 16 operates through a partnership with local Petco stores. Donations such as blankets, leashes, collars, cat/kitten food, dog/puppy food, cat litter plus flea and tick medicine will go to the San Diego Humane Society and PAWS San Diego.

Donations can be left in the designated bins at the following Petco stores:

 Carmel Mountain Ranch  11160 Rancho Carmel Drive.

 Poway  13375 Poway Road.

 Mira Mesa  8290 Mira Mesa Blvd.

 Del Mar  2749 Via de la Valle.

The annual donation drive is a great opportunity to help local homeless animals and promote adoption, Maienschein said. I strongly encourage people to help animals in need of care and a new home.

The ASPCA is excited again to partner with Assemblymember Maienschein on this event and we are grateful for Petcos commitment to the San Diego region helping pets find loving homes, said Susan Lea Riggs, senior director of state legislation-Western Region for the ASPCA. Donations from this event will greatly assist the San Diego Humane Society and PAWS San Diego in their mission to provide support for companion animals throughout the region.

Maienschein, who represents the 77th Assembly District, has authored legislation to benefit animals and their owners. This year, he authored Assembly Bill 1137. Starting Jan. 1, housing developments that are financed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development will be required to be pet-friendly. This will open thousands of new housing opportunities for families and their pets, no longer putting families in a position to choose between keeping their pet or roof over their head.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com
Large, high-intensity wildfires are an inevitable and natural part of life in California. The destruction of our communities is not. But many of the political leaders we elect and planning agencies we depend upon to create safe communities have failed us. They have allowed developers to build in harms way, and left firefighters holding the bag.

The Lilac fire in North County and others burning elsewhere are an urgent signal that we need to start asking the hard questions  about the true cost of expanding the local tax base with new residences in high fire hazard severity zones. We need to stop having the same conversation over and over again, a conversation laced with non-sequiturs and focused on outdated, ineffective solutions. The devastating loss of life, the destruction of so many family homes, and the dangers faced by those who protect us demand nothing less.

The standard procedure to reduce wildfire risk is to clear habitat. We have spent millions of dollars doing this for nearly a century. Nevertheless, our homes keep burning. Thats because while vegetation management projects can help during non-extreme fire events, they do little to suppress extreme events. But if anyone questions vegetation management in the backcountry, the typical response is that the projects will work as designed for 90th percentile weather conditions. Thats absurd. Imagine if we designed buildings to withstand only 95th percentile earthquake movements, or what you would feel as a result of a magnitude 2.5. This was San Diego Countys approach in 2012 with an ill-advised, region-wide habitat clearance program. We need to protect communities from fires that actually do the damage.

How do we do this? As University of Colorado geographer Gregory Simon has observed, since we are choosing to spread cities farther out into wildland areas, we need to recognize that fire disasters arent natural, theyre social. And they require social solutions.

Planning agencies need to push back against pro-development forces in government, whose willingness to build in known fire corridors borders on criminal neglect. The recent devastation of the community of Fountain Grove in Santa Rosa, for example, was both horrible and predictable. (The area has now burned twice in 53 years.) If approved, the currently proposed Safari Highlands development near Escondido is another disaster waiting to happen. Local leaders need to restrict development in such areas.

Local governments need to impose strict fire codes in new communities throughout California, require older communities to retrofit their properties, and enforce proper defensible space regulations. That means 100 feet of thinned vegetation, not bare ground. Hundreds of feet of bare ground make a home the target for wind-driven embers.

Such policies would cost significantly less than the $9.4 billion wildfire-related claims submitted statewide as of last Friday.

We also need to examine the best practices of other fire-prone regions. Communities in Australia often install external, under-eave/rooftop sprinklers, which have proven quite effective in protecting structures during wildfires. (Australians understand that wet homes do not ignite.) Such systems should be standard in all new developments in high fire hazard zones. It is likely they would have protected many of the homes consumed in Venturas Thomas Fire last week.

Agencies like Cal Fire need to begin addressing the question, How do we protect lives and property? rather than How can we stop a wildfire? Right now, the agency is focused on the latter, with its misguided Vegetation Treatment Program. A focus on the former would mean at least noting land-use problems in planning documents. It would mean spending as much time and money on helping people retrofit homes as they do on vegetation treatments. Communities including Idyllwild and Big Bear have taken advantage of FEMA pre-disaster grants to replace flammable roofing and install ember-resistant vents. Such long-term solutions, unlike fuel breaks, do not require costly maintenance.

Trees, shrubs, grasses or homes will all provide the necessary fuel for a wildfire. Its part of Californias story. As we do with earthquakes and floods, our goal should be to reduce the damage when wildfires arrive, not pretend we can prevent them from happening at all. That mindset starts at the planning department, not the fire station.

Halsey is the director of the California Chaparral Institute in Escondido.

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com
Sitting at a semi-circle table, first-graders in Jean Manning-Kechelys classroom at Randolph Elementary break down words to learn how each of their parts work together.

Wednesdays lesson highlighted the long O sound in the different way it appears in the English language: Combined with another vowel as in boat, or standing alone when a word ends in E as in joke or code.

With workbooks open, the small group of students identify another word before quickly printing it on a growing list, eagerly moving on to the next example.

Other students are plugged into iPads, their ears vanishing into large headphones as they drag letters across the screen for a spelling game. A second small group drills down on high-frequency words appearing often in the reading material taught to the class of 23.

Two state senators  Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln and Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn  move about the classroom listening to how Manning-Kechely and others are instructing the first-graders.

The duo wrapped up a statewide tour on Wednesday, part of an effort to study how schools in Lexington, Gothenburg, Hastings, Grand Island and Omaha teach reading as well as identify students with learning disabilities like dyslexia.

The study evolved out of a bill sponsored by Linehan that would require Nebraska schools to hold back third-graders who cant read at grade level and to adopt reading-improvement plans tailored to individual students in lower elementary grades if they fall short of state test marks.

Pansing Brooks opposed Linehans bill, but the two are working together to gather perspective from educators and students on best practices for improving literacy across the state.

It appears that each district is very focused on (reading), but they are at different levels of having a program in place, Linehan said.

The senators said at some schools they toured, particularly smaller districts with fewer resources, no district-wide reading curriculum has been adopted, leaving instruction strategy and techniques up to individual teachers.

Districts like Lincoln Public Schools, in contrast, offer support to teachers on how to stage effective reading interventions, or to better manage a classroom  techniques that can boost the effectiveness of the teacher and lead to better outcomes for students.

Manning-Kechelys class at Randolph, for example, uses the same curriculum as other first-grade classrooms across Lincoln Public Schools, while the veteran teacher said she can also substitute other materials she has found effective.

Pansing Brooks said lawmakers plan to examine teacher training and how it might be improved for future educators entering Nebraskas classrooms, as well as how those teachers are taught to identify students who may be struggling due to a learning disability.

This is a whole systemic issue, she said. It isnt like were searching for one bad actor. What were really trying to do is look at the whole system  where might the most help be given.

Linehan said she and other lawmakers could alter her bills language to offer guidance to schools on how to pursue best practices when it comes to literacy education.

I think we need to encourage best practices across the board, across the state, she said.
While Nebraska Republicans reacted cautiously Wednesday to their partys Senate loss in Alabama, Nebraska Democrats saw a ray of hope in the outcome.

Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who had criticized the Republican National Committees financial support for embattled GOP nominee Roy Moore, said the election of Democratic nominee Doug Jones on Tuesday night was nothing to celebrate.

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer deflected direct comment on the results, suggesting this was a race focused on Roy Moore, and the people of Alabama made their decision based on that.

Sasse said he couldnt have voted for either of the Alabama candidates in the special election.

As soon as the Alabama primary was over, a lot of pro-life conservatives like me knew that there wouldnt be anything to celebrate in December either way in this race between two terrible candidates, he said.

When the national GOP decided to resume pumping money into the race on behalf of Moore despite mounting evidence of Moores aggressive and improper sexual contact with underage girls when he was in his 30s, Sasse had tweeted his outrage.

This is a bad decision and very sad day, he tweeted.

A political party must be about more than expediency, Sasse later tweeted. To have any future, a party must have some fundamental convictions and commitments.

Associate Democratic State Chair Frank LaMere said Jones victory represents the repudiation of the fake patriotism of Donald Trump and the hope that fair-minded Alabama voters gave to all Americans.

The first deeply red state has fallen under the Trump administration, LaMere said. Who is next? he asked.

Democratic State Chair Jane Kleeb said the Democratic victory in Alabama shows our party must invest in our base  African-Americans, Latinos, women and young people  while reaching out to targeted Republicans who stand with American values.
In American politics, there are no sure things. Candidate who seem to be the inevitable winners in contests can lose popular support  and elections  overnight.

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In American politics, there are no sure things. Candidates who seem to be the inevitable winners in contests can lose popular support  and elections  overnight. Here are our picks for the eight most surprising upsets in American elections.

1. John Quincy Adams vs. Andrew Jackson

Because neither John Quincy Adams nor Andrew Jackson had the majority of electoral votes in the 1824 election, the House of Representatives would decide the winner. Speaker of the House Henry Clay despised Andrew Jackson. He went among the congressmen, drumming up support for Adams, who won the House vote and thus the presidency. Jackson was furious when Adams turned around and appointed Clay Secretary of State. Vengeance was his, though, when he beat Adams for the presidency four years later in what was considered to be one of the dirtiest campaigns ever.

2. John Polk vs. Henry Clay

In 1844, the divided Democratic party settled on a compromise presidential candidate, James Polk of Tennessee. His opponent was the serial candidate, Henry Clay, in his fourth bid for the White House. Clay was a dynamic speaker, politically well connected, experienced, and extremely popular. On the other hand, the Democratic convention worked its way through nine ballots before finally nominating Polk, a man most people had never heard of. Yet Polk won because he campaigned on annexing western land to the union. Clay tried to walk a fine line between opposing the annexation of slave-holding Texas (which lost him support in the South) and being a slave owner himself (which lost him support in the North). Polk beat Clay by less than 40,000 votes.

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3. Abraham Lincoln vs. William Seward

In 1860, the Republicans expected to win the presidency with their strong candidate, William H. Seward, a polished, influential former governor and senator from New York. His only serious rival for the partys nomination was Abraham Lincoln, a politician from the back-woods state of Illinois who was little known in the powerful eastern states. But Lincoln proved the better politician. As a native son, he secured all the votes from the Illinois delegates. His campaign workers made sure to seat Lincoln supporters close to critical delegations. They printed counterfeit admission tickets to the convention to pack the hall with Lincoln backers and leave little room for Sewards supporters. Through these tactics and back-room bargaining, Lincoln gained the nomination. In November he won the presidency because the anti-Republican votes were divided between three pro-slavery candidates.

4. Harry Truman vs. Thomas Dewey

Well into election night, it appeared that Republican Thomas Dewey would take the presidency away from incumbent president Harry Truman. By late summer, Deweys 49% lead among likely voters overshadowed Trumans 36%. But Truman campaigned vigorously, and by October that gap had narrowed to 50% to 45%. On election night, Truman gained an early lead that he never lost. The Chicago Tribune had backed Dewey and was so confident of his win that, before the polls closed, they printed that infamous front page with Deweys win as their headline.

5. Ronald Reagan vs. Jimmy Carter

Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election in a definitive and unprecedented landslide: 489 electoral votes to Carters 49. But a week earlier, Reagans victory was anything but assured. With just one week to go before the 1980 election, incumbent president Jimmy Carter had a slim but definite lead, despite Americas concerns about the economy and the Iran hostage crisis. But Reagan turned things around with his polished performance in the campaigns one televised debate, which had one of the highest TV ratings of any show in the previous decade. The debate is remembered for Reagans quips, There you go again, and Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

6. Paul Wellstone vs. Rudy Boschwitz

Paul Wellstone was as under an underdog as has been seen in American politics. He was a virtual unknown in Minnesota where he was running for senator in 1990. He was a college professor with no prior experience in government, and his underfunded campaign was outspent 7-to-1 by his opponent. But he used his disadvantages to his strength, campaigning in a beat-up school bus wearing a work shirt and jeans, and running low-budget, humorous ads. He was helped when his opponents sent out a mud-slinging letter close to election day. He remained in office until his death in a plane crash in 2002.

7. Lisa Murkowski vs. Joe Miller

In 2010, incumbent Lisa Murkowski lost the Republican primary for Alaskas senate seat to Tea Party favorite Joe Miller. Undaunted, she asked voters to write in her name on their ballots. 101,091 Alaskans did so, and Murkowski beat her opponent by several thousand votes. After months of legal wrangling over name misspellings, Murkowski was finally declared the winner in late December. She was the first senator in 50 years to win a write-in campaign  since Strom Thurmond in 1954.

8. Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump was a surprise winner both of the Republican nomination and the presidency in 2016. Early in the campaign, some dismissed him as a novelty candidate. But straight talking alpha-male celebrities have successfully appealed to populist sentiment before. Consider ex-wrestler/Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura and action star/California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hillary Clintons loss to Trump must have felt all too familiar. She had been considered the natural choice in 2008 as well, but lost the Democratic primary to another outsider, Illinois junior senator Barack Obama.

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Lewes, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/12/2017 -- As per International Monetary Fund (IMF) Belgium's nominal gross domestic product is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.29% from it's 2015 level of Euro 410.351 billion and reach Euro 514.571 billion by 2022.



Belgium, officially Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal monarchy in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 11,787 square miles, and its capital and largest city is Brussels.



Belgium had estimated population of 11.311 million in the year 2016 and expected to reach 11.668 million by 2022. Belgium's 4.738 million population was employed in 2016 and the unemployment rate was 7.975% of total labor force.



Belgium's real gross domestic product (GDP) was around Euro 411.858 billions in 2016 whereas the nominal GDP was Euro 421.974 billions. This resulted in GDP deflator 102.456. Per capita GDP was estimated at USD 41238.27 whereas purchasing power parity (PPP) based per capita GDP was estimated to be at USD 45046.94. The output gap for Belgium in 2016 was negative at 0.553% of the potential GDP.



In 2016, Belgium government's revenue was Euro 215.289 billions whereas the expenditure was Euro 226.603 billions. This resulted Belgium government's net lending / borrowing negative at Euro 11.314 billion in 2016 indicating that enough financial resources were not made available by the government to boost economic growth.



The current account balance for Belgium was estimated to be at USD 4.586 billions for the year 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.42% and reach USD 10.386 by 2022. This negative current account balance indicates the Belgium is net borrower from the whole world.



Scope of the Belgium PESTEL Analysis, SWOT Analysis and Risk Analysis Market Research Reports

- These reports provide information about key macroeconomic indicators for Belgium.

- These reports provide PESTELE (political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal) analysis for Belgium.

- These reports provide SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis for Belgium.

- These reports provide risk analysis for Belgium.



For more information and to purchase Belgium PESTEL Analysis Market Research Report please visit: https://www.marketresearchreports.com/market-research-reports-inc/belgium-pestel-analysis-market-research-report



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New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/13/2017 -- Poultry Diagnostics Industry



Description



Wiseguyreports.Com Adds "Poultry Diagnostics -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecast To 2022" To Its Research Database



The Global Poultry Diagnostics Market is accounted for $348.1 million in 2016 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.0% to reach $682.56 million by 2023. Growing concerns regarding food security, increase in disease outbreaks in poultry, rising prevalence of zoonotic diseases and technological advancements in animal health are some factors propelling the market growth. However, rising costs of feed and high poultry production costs are inhibiting the market size.



Based on diseases, Avian influenza which is generated by influenza virus Type'A', can infect various species of food producing birds such as quails, chickens, guinea fowl, turkeys, etc., as well as pet birds and wild birds with some strains resulting in high mortality rates. The Asian origin vastly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus has engaged much attention over the last few years because of outstanding outbreaks globally in domestic and wild birds. Severe infections with avian influenza should be considered with supportive care, and individuals should be secluded to prevent secondary cases. Accessibility of superior diagnostic techniques is further facilitating the discovery of these rare infections.



Depending on tests, the poultry diagnostics market is categorized into polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, enzyme linked sorbent assay (ELISA) and other diagnostic tests. PCR tests are primarily used for various types of influenza, Newcastle and Mycoplasma infections. Real time PCR tests are more used techniques than traditional PCR tests. It allows fast detection of pathogens and provides great accuracy. PCR and its derivatives also enable the operation of suitable treatment at an early stage and decrease bigger outbreak.



North America dominated the global market due to increasing adoption of diagnostic modalities, rising veterinary healthcare expenditure and the existence of multinational players. Moreover, Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at a faster rate during the forecast period owing to huge livestock population, increasing demand of poultry-derived food products and growing awareness about animal health.



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Some of the key players in Global Poultry Diagnostics market are



AffiniTech, LTD, AgroBioTek Internacional, BioChek, BioinGentech Biotechnologies, Inc., Bioneer Corporation, BioNote, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Clementia Biotech, DRG Instruments GmbH, GD Animal Health, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., IDVet, MEGACOR Diagnostik GmbH, Nisseinken Co., Ltd., QIAGEN N.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Ubio Biotechnology Systems Pvt. Ltd. and Zoetis, Inc.



Tests Covered:

- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Tests

- Enzyme Linked Sorbent Assay (ELISA)

- Other Diagnostic Tests



Diseases Covered:

- Avian Influenza

- Avian Mycoplasmosis

- Avian Salmonellosis

- Avian Pasteurellosis

- Chicken Anemia

- Avian Reovirus

- Newcastle Disease

- Infectious Bronchitis

- Infectious Bursal Disease

- Avian Encephalomyelitis

- Other Diseases



Services Covered:

- Bacteriology

- Parasitology

- Virology



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Regions Covered:

- North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

- Europe

o Germany

o UK

o Italy

o France

o Spain

o Rest of Europe

- Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o New Zealand

o South Korea

o Rest of Asia Pacific

- South America

o Argentina

o Brazil

o Chile

o Rest of South America

- Middle East & Africa

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o Qatar

o South Africa

o Rest of Middle East & Africa



What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements



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NASA has released a beautiful photo taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope of NGC 5256, a striking example of two disk galaxies that are about to merge.

NGC 5256 is located in the constellation Ursa Major, approximately 350 million light-years from Earth.

Also known as Markarian 266, the object is composed of two disk galaxies whose nuclei are currently just 13,000 light-years apart. Their constituent gas, dust, and stars are swirling together in a vigorous cosmic blender, igniting newborn stars in bright star formation regions across the galaxy.

Interacting galaxies can be found throughout the Universe, producing a variety of intricate structures.

Some are quiet, with one galaxy nonchalantly absorbing another. Others are violent and chaotic, switching on quasars, detonating supernovae, and triggering bursts of star formation.

While these interactions are destructive on a galactic scale, stars very rarely collide with each other in this process because the distances between them are so vast.

But as the galaxies entangle themselves, strong tidal effects produce new structures before settling into a stable arrangement after millions of years.

In addition to the bright and chaotic features, each galaxy of NGC 5256 contains an active galactic nucleus, evidence that the chaos is allowing gas to fall into the regions around central black holes as well as feeding starbursts.

Both nuclei, as well as a region of hot gas in between them, have been heated by the shock waves driven as gas clouds at high velocities collide.

Galaxy mergers, like the one NGC 5256 is currently experiencing, were more common early in the Universe and are thought to drive galactic evolution.

This image of NGC 5256 is a composite of separate exposures acquired by Hubbles Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide-Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instruments.

Several filters were used to sample various wavelengths. The color results from assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.
The phenomenon of man flu  a cold or similar minor ailment experienced by a man who is thought to be exaggerating the severity of the symptoms  may have some basis in fact, suggests new research by Dr. Kyle Sue from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Man flu is a term so ubiquitous that it has been included in the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries.

Oxford defines it as a cold or similar minor ailment as experienced by a man who is regarded as exaggerating the severity of the symptoms.

Since about half of the worlds population is male, deeming male viral respiratory symptoms as exaggerated without rigorous scientific evidence, could have important implications for men, including insufficient provision of care, Dr. Sue said.

Despite the universally high incidence and prevalence of viral respiratory illnesses, no scientific review has examined whether the term man flu is appropriate or accurate.

So Dr. Sue set out to determine whether men really experience worse symptoms than women and whether this could have any evolutionary basis.

He analyzed relevant research and found some evidence that adult men have a higher risk of hospital admission and have higher rates of influenza associated deaths compared with women in the same age groups, regardless of underlying disease.

For many acute respiratory diseases, males are also more susceptible to complications and exhibit a higher mortality.

And some evidence supports men suffering more from viral respiratory illness than women because they have a less robust immune system.

Despite this evidence, further higher quality research is needed to clarify other aspects of man flu because it remains uncertain whether viral quantities, immune response, symptoms, and recovery time can be affected by environmental conditions, Dr. Sue said.

The concept of man flu, as commonly defined, is potentially unjust. Men may not be exaggerating symptoms but have weaker immune responses to viral respiratory viruses, leading to greater morbidity and mortality than seen in women, he said.

However, there may be an evolutionary benefit to a less robust immune system, as it has allowed men to invest their energy in other biological processes, such as growth, secondary sex characteristics, and reproduction.

There are benefits to energy conservation when ill. Lying on the couch, not getting out of bed, or receiving assistance with activities of daily living could also be evolutionarily behaviors that protect against predators.

Perhaps now is the time for male friendly spaces, equipped with enormous televisions and reclining chairs, to be set up where men can recover from the debilitating effects of man flu in safety and comfort, Dr. Sue said.

The study is published in the journal BMJ.

_____

Kyle Sue. 2017. The science behind man flu. BMJ 359: j5560; doi: 10.1136/bmj.j5560
[DAR ES SALAAM] A biocontrol technology called AflasafeTZ could help control the deadly aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnuts in Tanzania, scientists say.

After a two-year field trial conducted in several sites across Tanzania, AflasafeTZ reduced contamination of food crops with the poisonous fungus by over 85 per cent, according to the results of a trial presented at a meeting in Tanzania last month (15 November).

Aflatoxin, a poisonous chemical found in soil and produced by the naturally occurring Aspergillus flavus fungi, is a major threat to public health and food security in Africa and other parts of the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The technology is tailored for Tanzania, using fungi exclusively from the country. George Mahuku, IITA

High exposure to aflatoxin causes Aflatoxicosis, which is the poisoning resulting from ingesting aflatoxins that leads to acute illness and potentially death in human beings and other mammals such as mammals fish and birds.

AflasafeTZ is a biocontrol product developed using fungi of the same family as those that produce aflatoxins. They do not produce the poison, and as they multiply these fungi are able to outcompete Aspergillus flavus  and this helps keep food crops safe.

Using this method, researchers from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria and from Tanzanias Ministry of Agriculture reduced aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnuts to levels that are fit for human consumption.

George Mahuku, a plant pathologist at IITA who is leading the research efforts in Tanzania, told SciDev.Net that the trials were necessary to verify how the technology works in the real world.

The technology is tailored for Tanzania, using fungi exclusively from the country, said Muhuku.

During the trials, researchers applied AflasafeTZ in selected fields between January and March of 2016 and 2017, with the crops harvested between April and July for each year. Aflatoxin analysis was conducted immediately after harvest.

To apply the technology, farmers have to scatter the aflasafeTZ in their fields 50 days after planting their groundnut or three weeks before the flowering of maize plants.

The US Department of Agriculture first developed Aflasafe, with IITA and other partners, and is helping several countries in Africa such as the Gambia, Kenya and Nigeria to adopt it.

According to IITA, nine African countries including Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia are developing country-specific strains of the fungi to help control aflatoxins in food crops.

Every year, Tanzania loses over US$264 million due to aflatoxin poisoning, according to a 2016 report by the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology.

The report documented cases of 14 people who died in 2016 and 54 others who fell ill after eating contaminated cereals in the Dodoma region of the country.

Sajjad Fazel, a clinical pharmacist and a public health advocate in Tanzania, told SciDev.Net that the trials are a great achievement, but more should be done to fight aflatoxins.

This success is not enough. Aflatoxins can be found in the milk of cattle [through] feeding on contaminated fodder, says Fazel. We have to eliminate aflatoxins completely and in order to do that, community engagement is necessary.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Following an extensive executive session Tuesday evening during Fremont City Councils meeting, The Council officially parted ways with former City Attorney Paul Payne following a 6-1 vote.

Ward 2 Councilmember Susan Jacobus was the lone no-voter and Ward 4 Councilmember John Anderson wasnt in attendance.

After accepting Paynes resignation, the Council, also by a 6-1, passed a resolution enabling Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass to serve as temporary legal counsel for the City of Fremont while searching for Paynes replacement. Jacobus was the lone no-vote on the matter.

The resolution, which was amended and reworded following executive session, authorized Mayor Scott Getzschman to execute a professional services agreement for independent legal counsel. The original wording of the resolution called for the Mayor to conditionally execute an inter-local agreement with Dodge County for temporary services.

With the passage, Glass will temporarily serve as the citys legal counsel for $6,500 monthly.

One Fremont resident raised concerns regarding a possible conflict of interest with Glass balancing city and county obligations.

With this independent legal counsel, are we talking independent legal counsel, or are we talking council from the County Attorneys Office? he said. From my view, I think that we might be putting Dodge County at a conflict of interest if they would get into a situation where they would have to investigate or enforce against the City of Fremont.

Glass said that the wording in his contract addressed any issues of conflict that could possibly arise.

I have spoken with my board, and they are in support of us helping the city at this point, Glass said. In the contract that I wrote up that the mayor spoke of just a moment ago, briefly, I address the conflict issue. I think the Mayor, Council and County Board all understand that I will be performing careful conflict checks with issues that arise. And if there is a conflict between the city and county, since I do stand as the county attorney, they are aware that I first represent the county.

Jacobus echoed the Fremont residents concerns.

I also believe the gentlemans comment, I hope there is going to be some conference; because we have mutual local agreements, we have a county assessors office that looks at assessments and property values  this could have some sort of influence, she said. I dont agree with using a county attorney to coincide with city business, I believe that they are separate for a reason.

Ward 4 Councilmember Matt Bechtel questioned whether there was another worthwhile option that would eliminate any possible conflict of interest, and Getzschman responded that precedent has been set in these types of situations.

In the past, the city has used, in a situation like this, the county attorney for a short period of time, he said. Its a very temporary item.

In other Council news:

The Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter requesting extension of Grant #14-DTR-104 until September 1, 2018.

The Council passed a resolution by a 6-0 vote reallocating award funding for Moonshine Hole, LLC under CDBG 14-DTR-104 at 345 N. Main. Bechtel abstained during the vote.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute the necessary documents related to the funding award of $350,000 from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project 16-CD-102.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) service/consultant agreement for General Administration for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 16-CD-102.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution to authorize the levying of assessments for Paving District No. 550 located on the west side of Johnson Road between Peterson Avenue and 16th Street.

The Council unanimously approved an agreement for legal service with Kris Kobach for Illegal Immigration Ordinance No. 5165.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing execution of Amendment No. 2 to the Cottonwood Purchase Power Agreement.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing staff to work with Legal Counsel to develop an Inter-Local Agreement with Fremont Public Schools.
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.
DAKOTA CITY  Brayan Galvan-Hernandez might not have fired the shot that killed Kraig Kubik, but investigators will never know for sure.

District Judge Paul Vaughan on Tuesday wasnt concerned so much with determining who pulled the trigger when considering Galvan-Hernandezs prison sentence.

Theres really no way for anyone to know for sure, Vaughan said. The most troubling part of this case for you is your actions after Mr. Kubik was killed.

Vaughan sentenced Galvan-Hernandez, 19, of Wakefield, to 50-60 years in prison for the Nov. 1, 2016, shooting death of Kubik and subsequent dismemberment of his body.

Galvan-Hernandez in October pleaded no contest in Dakota County District Court to a reduced charge of attempted second-degree murder and pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a felony.

As part of a plea agreement, the attempted murder charge was reduced from first-degree murder, sparing Galvan-Hernandez the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison had he been found guilty at trial. Charges of use of a firearm to commit a felony and abandoning human skeletal remains or burial goods were dismissed.

Prosecutors said at the October hearing they believed Andres Surber shot Kubik in the back of the head and Galvan-Hernandez either knew Surber planned to shoot Kubik or helped him plan the shooting. Prosecutors also believe Galvan-Hernandez removed or destroyed evidence.

I didnt know Surber was going to kill him that night, Galvan-Hernandez said in a quiet voice before he was sentenced.

He also apologized to Kubiks family members who were present in the courtroom and in particular to Kubiks then-5-year-old son, who was home at the time Kubik was killed and likely saw his fathers body.

Defense attorney Douglas Stratton of Norfolk said Galvan-Hernandezs main fault was hanging around with Surber, who had a history of violence, including an assault conviction for a stabbing.

I think the evidence is clear that Mr. Surber is the one who pulled the trigger on that night, he said.

Regardless if Surber pulled the trigger, Galvan-Hernandez had some role in the desecration of Kubiks body, which was found at an abandoned farm 24 miles away, Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Sandra Allen said.

Investigators found Kubiks right arm and right leg inside the trunk of a car there. The rest of Kubiks remains were found three days later in a culvert about four miles from the farmhouse.

Galvan-Hernandez could have told investigators where Kubiks body was, but he didnt, Allen said.

Under Nebraska sentencing laws, Galvan-Hernandez would be eligible for parole in 25 years and mandatory release in 30 years if he earns good-behavior credits while in prison.

Authorities said Surber and Kubik had been arguing for days over payment for a car Kubik bought from Surber.

Video from surveillance cameras at Kubiks rural Emerson home showed Galvan-Hernandez and Surber meeting with Kubik on Nov. 1. Shortly after the three were seen walking out of the house, prosecutors believe Surber shot Kubik. Galvan-Hernandez and Surber were later seen dragging what was believed to be Kubiks body across the yard.

Kubiks son made statements at school the following morning that his father had been killed or harmed, leading authorities to go to Kubiks home, where they found a pool of blood near his car and his glasses in the driveway.

They later received a call about suspicious activity at the abandoned farmhouse where Kubiks body was found.

Autopsy results showed that Kubik died of a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Surber, 26, of Wakefield, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. In April, Vaughan found Surber mentally incompetent and he is receiving psychiatric treatment to determine if his competency can be restored.
Elizabeth Riggs. Photo by H. Buffman

estimates that the river contributes $53.5 million in economic output annually, and more than $150 million annually in the economic value of ecosystem services provided by the Huron River. Leveraging those assets is the focus of HRWCs

program which works to maximize the recreational and economic assets of the river for the communities through which it travels

According to a new report from the Huron River Watershed Council, the Huron River is more than just a pretty stretch of water flowing through southeast Michigan. The report, conducted in partnership with Grand Valley State University, was commissioned in 2016 and released last month. It puts a dollar value on the economic value of the river system.Through tourism, outdoor recreation and ecosystem services such as stormwater retention, the study



Metromode chatted with HRWCs Deputy Director Elizabeth Riggs to find out more about how the Huron River contributes economically to the five southeast Michigan counties (Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne) through which it flows.

Metromode: Why did the Huron River Watershed Council take on this economic impact study?

Elizabeth Riggs: The Huron River Watershed Council commissioned the study to measure the economic impact of the river on our local communities with a focus on river recreation. And we also wanted to know what is the approximate dollar value of the natural systems that are on the river; the wetlands, floodplains, and things like that.

And the reason we did this is because in 2012, we started River Up!, which is our placemaking effort for the Huron River and its communities. And we had the question even back then of, so what is the value of the Huron if we are investing in creating a water trail with our partners? If we are investing in improving river ecology or if we are trying to help our downtowns connect more meaningfully with the river, how do we measure that? And how do we measure what those investments are worth?

Metromode: You looked at recreation, biological diversity, wetland flood reduction and aesthetics. How did you decide on these aspects, and where did you look?

Riggs: We focused on collecting new data in six locations along the river from Milford in Oakland County down to Flat Rock in Wayne County, so we focused on trying to reach users through a random sampling survey in those places over the course of a month and a half during the summer of 2016.

That was a good start for us. I think in the future, we're looking at doing this again maybe in about seven years to see how things have changed. I think we'd do those sites again, but it'd be great if we could have even more points of interaction on the river.

Metromode: What does it mean when you say there is an economic value of recreation provided by the river?

Riggs: One of the results that we got from this study by Grand Valley State was understanding how much direct and indirect spending is happening on this river, on the water trail, from visitors. And that was about $53.5 million every year in economic output.

Direct spending is someone who comes to the river and wants to paddle, kayak and so they go to a livery, an outfitter, and they rent their equipment, and then they spend money on a meal, and maybe they make some purchases or you know, they go to an event that has a fee associated with it. So all of those direct spending.

And then the indirect is then the additional supplies that a restaurant would need to purchase for more meals. So it's those purchases by businesses, and then the research team also looked at induced spending, and that would be the spending that comes from the people who work at the restaurant and they going out and spending money in the community.

Metromode: How do you associate an economic value with something like the biological diversity of wetlands?

Riggs: The research team took a look at existing information, a conservative number of the total value of the natural systems on the river. So they looked at wetland biological diversity, flood mitigation, and they were able to say, "Okay, we know that an acre of wetland provides a certain amount of services that we can put a dollar value on." And then they extrapolated that for the whole river.

Metromode: How will the Huron River Watershed Council use this information?

Riggs: Well, in a few different ways. First of all, it's novel to have a study like this for a water trail or a river specifically. And we knew that because once this water trail became a National Water Trail in 2015, we started being able to network more with the other national water trails around the country, and we asked if anyone had done a study like this.

And we found there was a paucity of information. So that was one of the reasons that we were interested in trying to see what would this look like for a river; what could we share with some other groups around the country?

Its simply to show that a river, river recreation, and the natural systems of a river can be viewed regarding dollar value because usually, that's not how people tend to think of them, tend to value them. But we can put a dollar value on it, and this study is actually a vehicle for us and our partners to demonstrate to businesses, to Chambers of Commerce and similar groups that there is real value in investing in having a clean, healthy river that people want to recreate in, live by, and set up businesses near.

This information also helps our organization and our partners with showing how important it is to have policies and educational outreach around the topics of trying to protect our natural features. And then also, being able to gain support for projects like what River Up! is doing.

Metromode: To what extent were you able to break down the results by city or county?

Riggs: Some of the information is arranged by county, certainly around the natural features, so folks can get a relative sense in their county along the river how that stacks up to the others.

And then in the full report, there is more detailed information; the socioeconomic data from our user survey, and because our survey points were spread out throughout four counties, people can see relatively like how does river-related recreation in Flat Rock differ from say, Dexter or Milford.

Metromode: Which communities are seeing the most benefit?

Riggs: The cities who are seeing the most benefit are the ones that are most ready to pivot to face the river and utilize it. So for example, downriver Flat Rock, in the past couple of years, there's been local businesses popping up related to river recreation.

So a couple of years ago that area didn't have any outfitters for paddle trips, now there are two companies down there that are growing. One of them, H2E Outfitters, said that just this past paddling season, their business was up 30 percent from the previous year. What all of this shows is that Huron River is a vital economic driver and it generates substantial income for local economies.
Press Release

December 13, 2017 Villanueva 'shocked', 'disappointed' over removed TRAIN bill provision requiring local coal producers to pay taxes Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday night expressed his dismay over the sudden removal of a provision in the bicameral report of the Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration (TRAIN) bill requiring local coal producers to pay excise tax. "Mr. President, yesterday, we made a shocking discovery as we were preparing to ratify the bicameral committee report on the TRAIN bill. This act of deletion displayed the hand of the industry with intentions as dark as the dirtiest of all fossil fuels," said Villanueva, vice chairperson of the Senate committee on ways and means. "We express our deepest disappointment to this act of secretly tampering with written documents. It puts our legislative efforts in the shadow of doubt of interference from an industry who wishes to get things their way, contrary to the hard-fought results of our democratic process within our legislative chambers," the senator said. Last November 27, during the period of amendments for the TRAIN bill, the Senate voted to lift the tax exemption of the local coal production which had been in place since 1976 and to raise the coal excise tax from P10 per metric ton up to P300 per metric ton which had been unadjusted since 1988. "Ang araw pong iyon ay magmamarka sa kasaysayan bilang araw na tumindig ang Senado upang ipaglaban ang kalikasan at kalusagan ng sambayang Pilipino laban sa industriyang mahigit apat na dekada na nating pinapaboran," Villanueva said. "It is with deepest pride of this representation to have been a part of the said landmark decision. For the similar reason, it is also with our deepest regret to see that vested interests continue to defeat our noble intentions to uphold the interest of the public," the senator stressed. Coal mining in the Philippines Villanueva shared that the coal mining industry in the Philippines, led by Semirara Mining Corporation, now produces more than 12 million metric tons of coal, and accounts for more than 95% of the country's coal production. With this, the company stands as the monopoly on local coal in the country. The company, Villanueva said, also has exclusive contract to operate in Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique, where almost one quarter of the country's mineable reserves is located. The company has enjoyed the exclusive contract for more than four decades, and is set to continue its exclusive operation in the island in the next three decades ahead. Under the Presidential Decree No. 972 of 1976, Semirara is exempted from paying not only national taxes, but also local taxes and fees. The only national tax it is required to pay under the law is the corporate income tax. However, Villanueva revealed that the company has also availed itself of income tax holiday from the Board of Investment effective last September 2008 to September 2014, and extended further until September 2016 last year. With this tax holiday, the company paid less income tax than it is required under the tax code, and was able to save P10.7 billion pesos in income tax expense over the last five years from 2012 to 2016. Also under PD 972, they are also entitled to recover a hefty portion of their cost equivalent to up to 90% from the total proceeds of coal. "Mr. President, kung tutuusin, halos sinasagot ng publiko lahat ng gastusin ng kumpanyang ito - mula sweldo ng mga manggagawa, bayad sa kuryente at tubig, maging bonuses ng mga board members nila at ilan sa kanilang mga bayarin sa gobyerno," Villanueva said. "In fact, even their expenses on corporate income tax - the only tax they are required to pay had they not availed the income tax holiday- may also be deducted from the coal revenues as part of their 90% recoverable costs," Villanueva added. Villanueva further explained that from the 10% of what is left from the coal revenues after their expenses are deducted, Semirara is further entitled to a so-called 3% special allowance, and a 4% basic fee, still under PD 972. "We, the inherent owners of the natural resources which this company exploits, are left with a share as small as 3% after we generously covered their expenses and assured profits. Sa liit ng nakukuha natin, para na ho tayong nanlilimos ng parte natin sa sarili nating likas-yaman," Villanueva said. Reasonable coal tax rates Villanueva further reiterated that the proposed coal tax rates by the Senate is equivalent to only 3% of the P24 billion revenue "they earned from exploiting the coal we own just in the past year." "With the rates agreed upon in the bicam, what we ask from the local coal industry is to pay an additional amount of only P800 million in excise taxes. This is nothing compared to the P2.7 billion income tax the company saved last year from the income tax holiday we awarded to them. Yet, somehow, these vested interests think it is too much to ask," the senator explained. "We call the Senate body to join this representation in addressing this dishonorable and deplorable act. Our efforts had been betrayed right within our own chamber by the those whose misplaced sense of entitlement led them to believe that they can get away with refusing to give their fair share to the country," Villanueva said.
Press Release

December 14, 2017 Sen. Bam votes to stop TRAIN from passing Congress The tax reform package will increase prices for all Filipinos without the necessary safeguards to protect our poor countrymen. This is the reason given by Senator Bam Aquino as he rejected the approval of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN. While Sen. Bam is a co-author of the income tax reform bill and is in full support of increasing the take home pay of many Filipino working class, he voted no to the bundled tax reform package due to the provisions on excise tax on fuel and sweetened beverage tax, which will lead to higher prices of goods and services. "I cannot, in good conscience, vote for the approval of this tax reform package. Hindi ako pabor sa mga probisyon na magdudulot ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, lalo na dahil ang mga mahihirap na Pilipino ang pinaka tinatamaan dito," said Sen. Bam on his no-vote for the tax reform package. To cushion the blow to the poor, the Department of Finance proposed a cash transfer program with a P200 monthly financial assistance on the first year and P300 monthly financial assistance for the second and third year to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods. But during the period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam's proposal requiring the financial assistance mechanism to be in place before taxes are increased was not accepted. "Hindi dapat ipataw ang mga bagong tax na magpapataas ng presyo ng bilihin, tulad ng excise tax on fuel, hangga't hindi nasisigurado ng gobyerno na magiging maayos ang unconditional cash transfer program," Sen. Bam stressed. The DOF admitted that they cannot implement the financial support program for poor families in time for the price increases because of TRAIN next year. The senator also lamented that the government is forcing hardworking Filipinos to compensate for our inefficiency in tax collection of both the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Based on data from the Finance Department, Sen. Bam said the government can still collect an additional P726 Billion or 6.44% of GDP if we simplify, address inefficiencies and remove loopholes in BIR. The government can still collect at least P231 billion or equivalent of 2% of GDP if the P1.8 Trillion importation gap or smuggling is resolved by BOC. "Para sa pamilyang Pilipino, lalo na para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan, kontra po ako sa pagtaas ng buwis at pagtaas ng presyo," Sen. Bam said.
Press Release

December 14, 2017 Gatchalian votes for TRAIN passage; vows to mitigate effects of coal tax Senator Win Gatchalian on Wednesday voted for the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee version of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill while reiterating his strong reservations against the coal tax provision of the measure. He cited that the excise tax would become a "pure pass on charge" resulting to an additional P13.2-billion in electricity costs that consumers inevitably would have to shoulder. "Despite my affirmative vote, I would like to put on record that I still maintain my reservations regarding the massive increase in the excise tax on coal that has made it into the final version of the law for the President's signature," he explained. The two chambers of Congress agreed on a compromise tax rate of P150 per metric ton on coal, divided into tranches over the next three years upon its enactment. This means the excise tax would be P50 per metric ton in 2018, P100 in 2019, and P150 in 2020. The original Senate version proposed a "100-200-300" hike scheme. Gatchalian, who is the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, explained the negative implications of the tax hike: "The tax hike up to P150 after three years will result in an average monthly rate increase of Php 14.348 for a 200 kWh household served by a 100% coal contracted distribution utility. This is equivalent to the price of half a kilogram of rice for 2.7 million households," While proponents of the coal tax increase may downplay it as negligible, Gatchalian pointed out that Filipinos are already struggling through the pain of paying the highest power rates in Southeast Asia. With this, Gatchalian stresses its supporters "miss the point entirely." The senator then posed a challenge to his colleagues who like him were likewise alarmed by the looming electricity rate hikes to support the passage of future legislation that would aim to cushion the impact of the electricity hike on consumers.
Press Release

December 14, 2017 Senate ratifies 2018 budget, TRAIN before x'mas break The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report for the proposed bills on the 2018 national budget and the Tax Acceleration for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) before it adjourned its session last night, December 13, 2017, for the holiday break. Under the 17th Congress' legislative calendar, the Senate will resume its session on January 15, 2018. Early Wednesday, the Senate joined the House of Representatives in the special joint session of Congress and voted 14-4 in favor of extending martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2018. Led by Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, the Senate approved the bicameral report for the 2018 General Appropriations bill (HBN 6215) on Tuesday, December 12. The bicameral report for the TRAIN bill (SBN1592) was similarly approved on Wednesday night, December 13, 2017. The Senate also approved Wednesday on third and final reading Senate Joint Resolution No. 11, which would raise the base salary of military and uniformed personnel starting January next year. It adopted House Joint Resolution 18 as an amendment to Senate Joint Resolution 11. The P3.7-trillion proposed 2018 budget was sponsored by Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Under the bill, the government's social service programs - such as education - would receive the highest budgetary allocation. The TRAIN bill was sponsored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Ways and Means. The bill covered a package of reforms to the country's existing tax regime, including an income tax relief for almost 6.8 million workers. The two bills, once ratified by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, would be transmitted to Malacanang for signature of the President. The Senate had passed a number of bills on third reading, including the proposed Philippine Qualifications Framework Act of 2017 (SBN 1456), the proposed Service Charges in Hotels and Establishments Distribution Act (SBN 1299), along with 36 bills that would establish, convert, separate and rename state universities, colleges high schools and elementary schools nationwide. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution No. 8, which authorized the National Housing Authority (NHA) to award the unoccupied and unawarded housing units of uniformed personnel to other qualified beneficiaries like the informal settlers; Senate Resolution No. 569, which honoured the late former Supreme Court Associate Justice and former Secretary General of the 1987 Constitutional Commission Flerida Ruth Romero and House Bill 5241, which sought to declare December 8 or the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a special non-working holiday.
Geekologie has shut down.

Thank you to everybody.

Now go be happy.
Press Release

December 14, 2017 Senate oks reso increasing military, police base pay; reviewing gov't workforce salary The Senate approved Wednesday on third and final reading two resolutions seeking to increase the base salary of military and uniformed personnel (MUP) starting January next year and calling for a review of the salary scheme of civilian personnel. Senate Joint Resolution 11, introduced by Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio Honasan II and Cynthia Villar, will increase the base pay of MUP. Honasan, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security and sponsor of the bill, said that once the joint resolution would be enacted into law, the base salary of all military and police personnel, including jail guards, firemen, coast guards and those under the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority and the Philippine Public Safety College would double. "The President has repeatedly made promises of higher salaries to the military and the police personnel. In support of this commitment, this joint resolution, if enacted into law, would double the MUPs base pay," Honasan said in his sponsorship speech. He cited a Department of Budget and Management report which showed that the compensation package would result in an average increase of 58.7 percent for all MUPs. A joint resolution, like a bill, requires the approval of both houses and the signature of the President. It has the force and effect of a law once approved by the President. "Let me emphasized that under existing laws, the base pay schedule of military and uniformed personnel or the MUP was last increased eight years ago," Honasan said. He said that the increase in salary for MUPs would motivate those in active service to perform better and be more committed to the service. At the same time, he said, increase in compensation would encourage civilians to join the service, thereby improving the recruitment process and reinvigorating public service. "Adjustments to the compensation of our military and uniformed personnel to make it commensurate to their role in security, public safety and order is long overdue," Honasan said. "Unlike other vocations, uniformed personnel experience almost daily, risks of losing their lives, physical injury or psychological trauma. Our uniformed personnel including their families give up personal comfort so that ordinary Filipino citizens may live in peace," he said. Meanwhile, the Senate also adopted Resolution No.575, authored by Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon and Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, to adjust the base pay of civilian personnel. Drilon said the resolution sought to prevent the discrepancy and distortion in the salary structure of civilian personnel. The resolution aims to bring the salary of civilian personnel closer to their military and uniformed personnel counterparts, whose base pay will be hiked starting 2018, as Drilon cautioned that the increase in the base pay of the MUP could distort the current pay structure in the government. Drilon explained that as a result of the increase in the base pay of the uniformed personnel, the salary of entry-level personnel in the miltary would surpass the salaries currently received by some professionals in the bureaucracy including lawyers, nurses, teachers and doctors. "The base pay for civilian personnel with salary grade 11 shall be raised to the same level of a private, Fire/Jail Officer I, Police Officer I, and Apprentice Seaman/Seaman Third Class provided under this Resolution," Drilon said. The resolution tasked the Department of Budget and Management to recompute and readjust the base pay of civilian personnel below and above salary grade 11 to bring the salary of civilian personnel closer to their military and uniformed personnel counterparts and eliminate overlaps in between salary grade allocations of government personnel to recognize differences in duties and responsibilities of the positions, Drilon said. The new base pay rates for the civilian personnel shall take effect six months after the increase in the base pay of MUP takes effect, Drilon noted.
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A 78-year-old man was assaulted by one of four robbers who kicked in the door of his home in the Sunset District of San Francisco, took his money and ransacked his residence, police said Wednesday.

The home-invasion robbery occurred between 10 and 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the victims house on the 400 block of Noriega Street, near 11th Avenue, police said. Once the bandits forced their way into the home, they demanded the victim fork over money.
For all the continued anguish over needles, filth, begging and camping in the streets of San Francisco, there is one thing virtually every homeless-policy leader in the nation agrees upon: The late Mayor Ed Lee pushed hard, and he made progress on fixing the problem.

But not enough, say many of those who live or walk alongside the sprawling tent cities in the Mission, the Tenderloin and every other major camping spot.

Still, a look at the novel programs Lee created and the thousands of homeless people his efforts housed shows that he definitely made headway on the issue. And if the plans he put into motion work as predicted, the street problem may not be solved  but it will get better.

It remains to be seen what the woman who took Lees place upon his death Tuesday, acting Mayor London Breed, will do to change or maintain the direction Lee set on homelessness. But given her history as a social-justice advocate and her antipoverty work on the Board of Supervisors, many who work on homelessness are hopeful she will keep focused on the issue.

Breed said Wednesday that it was too soon to lay out her ambitions on homelessness, but she added, This will definitely be my top priority. She pointed to her efforts to get a crime-plagued McDonalds restaurant in the Haight-Ashbury turned into affordable housing as an example of where she wants to go.

I am confident we are on the right track, and it breaks my heart that (Mayor Lee) wont be here to see it working, said Jeff Kositsky, the man Lee picked to head up one of his main innovations, the year-old Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

This stuff takes time, and the results dont happen overnight, Kositsky said. But right now Im going to keep doing what weve been doing, keep moving forward. Nobody can predict whats going to happen politically, but Ive worked closely with London Breed and I appreciate her style.

Kositskys department was the first of its kind in San Francisco, bringing together several city agencies to streamline their efforts. Its a practice already long in place at most major cities in America.

A year before creating that department, Lee ordered up the creation of the first Navigation Center in America  a counseling-heavy, one-stop homeless shelter that lets people bring their stuff, their pets and partners, and is designed to quickly move people into housing. Four more have opened up in the city since then, and the model has been mimicked as a best practice by several other cities.

Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

More than 13,000 homeless people were moved off the streets or sent voluntarily back home under Lee, more than 1,800 units of supportive housing were created, and another 1,000 homeless people got rent subsidies. The nations first counseling team devoted solely to clearing away street camps has dismantled 21 encampments, with most of those people going into shelters.

Lee attracted more than $150 million in private donations to fund homeless programs, most significantly from the Tipping Point Community charity, which has pledged to donate $100 million over the next five years.

In October, Kositskys department came up with the first sweeping plan to address homelessness since Mayor Gavin Newsom crafted a 10-year plan in 2004. Kositskys plan leans heavily on creating an intricate system to track homeless people through medical, housing and other services to eliminate wasted time. It also aims to cut the hard-core street population in half by 2022.

San Franciscos five-year plan is among the most comprehensive in the nation, and the city is about squeezing every possible solution it can out of the existing system, said Matthew Doherty, head of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Its very encouraging.

Not everything has worked as billed, of course. The Navigation Centers arent able to route people into housing as quickly as originally hoped; some of those cleared away by the encampment team just wind up back in another camp; and the total homeless population is about the same as it was two years ago, at around 7,500.

That count is the only one among the major cities along the West Coast that remained flat instead of soaring over the past two years, but anyone spending 10 minutes in downtown getting panhandled or witnessing the everyday despair on the streets knows that it is still too high.

The problem is terrible, said former city Supervisor Angela Alioto, who crafted Newsoms 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness, which housed thousands but also did not clear the streets. I have never seen it this bad before in my 30 years of working on this issue.

I was just walking (in the Mission) and there was just tent after tent after tent, she said. People were playing guitars, going to the bathroom in the streets, and there was this resigned sense of acceptance that this was their home. That this is just the way it is.

She credited Lee for putting his heart and soul into the problem, but added, I also believe that what we have tried and what works best is permanent supportive housing. If the new mayor needs only three words to follow, thats it: Permanent. Supportive. Housing.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, D.C., has watched and aided San Franciscos efforts for nearly 20 years, and said they all boil down to housing.

Given the incredible housing crisis in your city, Mayor Lee actually made progress, and that has to be counted as victory, said Roman. There are cities where mayors have made a huge difference  Houston being a recent example  and its generally because they used their data strategically and devoted resources. Political will and skill.

Ed Lee may not have been a flashy as Gavin Newsom, but he did some solid things that can be built on. And that will be up to the next mayor.

As for the late Mayor Lee  right until the end, he professed passion for fixing the problem.

He told The Chronicle a few weeks ago in his office in a wide-ranging discussion on homelessness that he still ached over the despair in his citys streets. He proposed moving 1,000 people into shelter over the winter, but acknowledged that was just a modest and possibly temporary gesture in the larger scheme of things. Still, it was important to do anything  everything  that could be tried, he insisted.

Every need in the streets is a crisis, he said, uncharacteristically slapping his desk with his hand. Every person who shoots up  thats a crisis for that person. I have faith we can fix this.

I think its about being smartest with the money we have. We can do better. We must do better.

Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron
A memorial celebration for Mayor Ed Lee will take place Sunday afternoon in the San Francisco City Hall rotunda, just down the grand stone staircase from the second-floor office where he governed the city for six years.

The service, which begins at 3 p.m., is open to the public as building capacity allows, according to an announcement on Wednesday from the mayors office. City Hall insiders say that means arrive early.

The mayor, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday, will lie in state in the rotunda from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

Details of the Sunday service, including eulogists and officiants, have not been announced.

Now Playing: Politicians from around the Bay Area responded with sadness today about the unexpected death of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee overnight. Video: KTVU

City protocol director Charlotte Mailliard Shultz said there will be about 900 seats set up in the rotunda and there will be space for hundreds of additional standees throughout the building for the Sunday service.

Its a beautiful space, with balconies, and it can hold a lot of people, Shultz said.

City Hall doors will open at 2 p.m. Sunday, she said. Additional mourners will be invited to view a live broadcast of the service at the San Francisco Public Library, across Civic Center Plaza.

The rotunda of City Hall  a building that stands 9 feet higher than the U.S. Capitol  was the site of lying-in-state observances for Mayor George Christopher, who died in 2000, and for Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, who were assassinated in 1978. City Hall was also the site of a memorial celebration in 1981 for Ella Hill Hutch, the citys first African American female supervisor.

According to protocol, Lees coffin will be attended by an honor guard and mourners will be allowed to file past on Friday and sign a condolence book, according to City Hall historian Ellen Schumer.

Mourners should allow extra time to pass through metal detectors at City Hall entrances.

One of the duties of the honor guard, which will consist of police officers and sheriffs deputies, will be to make sure the line keeps moving.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

I would hope that a mourner remembers that he is not the only person waiting in line, Schumer said.

City Hall is normally closed Sundays, the day of the memorial service. But it will be open to the public as usual Friday, during Mayor Lees lying in state. Persons seeking to conduct normal City Hall business on Friday should be prepared for crowds and might consider postponing the visit.

Schumer said that lying in state in the rotunda is an honor rarely afforded, and that not every mayor has lain in state. Mayor Joseph Alioto, who died in 1998, was honored with a service in the foyer of the War Memorial Opera House, across Van Ness Avenue from City Hall. At the time, City Hall was closed for seismic renovations.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com
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The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved one of Mayor Ed Lees final requests, to declare a citywide emergency and fast-track construction of shelters for homeless people.

But several supervisors contested and ultimately delayed voting on a second proposal from the mayor, who died early Tuesday, to add showers and laundry facilities at an office building on 440 Turk St. where the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing is headquartered.

Supervisor Jane Kim, whose district includes the 440 Turk St. building and the Tenderloin neighborhood that surrounds it, said the plan was a misuse of the term emergency.

She noted also that neighborhood residents had objected to the plan, which would bring additional services for the homeless to an area that already has plenty, some neighbors say.

Now Playing: San Francisco Chronicle Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper and Editorial Page Editor John Diaz discuss former San Francisco Mayor Ed Lees legacy and what his passing means for the city he led. Video: San Francisco Chronicle

Those criticisms led to a fierce debate among supervisors. Some sided with Kim and her Tenderloin constituents, saying the building was poorly conceived and that the city had unfairly forced it on residents.

Others feared that homeless services were being demonized and that Lees legacy of helping people in need had died along with him.

I hope his passing doesnt end this work, said Supervisor Hillary Ronen, a progressive who ran against Lees policies and then collaborated with him to open new Navigation Centers  residential homeless shelters with services  in her district.

The board put off voting on the 440 Turk St. plan until January but upheld a companion measure to streamline the citys construction bidding process so that additional homeless shelters can be built quickly. Lee had said the city needed to open several new facilities this winter to meet his goal of getting 1,000 more people off the streets.

Also Tuesday, the board passed a measure co-sponsored by Lee and Supervisor Ahsha Safai to create an assistance fund for tenants displaced from buildings that are deemed uninhabitable. It was partly inspired by the Ghost Ship warehouse that burned last year in Oakland, and by the basement laundry in the Excelsior where two dozen people lived until January.

Additionally, Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Katy Tang introduced a June ballot measure to limit how much the city spends on budget set-asides  pots of money earmarked for certain programs  when the projected budget deficit exceeds $200 million. San Francisco currently has 19 set-asides, more than any other jurisdiction in the country. Los Angeles, by contrast, has two, and San Diego has one.

Each of the citys set-asides began as well-intentioned, voter-approved measures to isolate funding for items like street trees, parks, childrens services and public libraries. Over the years, they piled up, Tang and Peskin said, eating up $1.2 billion of the citys budget in the current fiscal year.

The mandatory spending requirements have created imbalances in the citys budget, bloating some programs and agencies while others struggle with limited funds, Peskin said.

Safai and Peskin introduced a June ballot measure to create a new Department of Livable Streets, which would handle parking, traffic, pedestrian rules and other neighborhood issues that were formerly overseen by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

The new department would send decisions to the supervisors for final approval. SFMTA would still handle Muni.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
Firefighters battling a stubborn wildfire burning a path of destruction through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties had 30 percent of the blaze contained Wednesday, but strengthening winds threaten to impede progress.

The Thomas Fire has scorched 238,500 acres  roughly 372 square miles  since starting Dec. 4. The inferno, one of multiple blazes that broke out this month in Southern California, has destroyed more than 900 structures and damaged nearly 200 more as blustery Santa Ana winds and dry conditions have fueled its rise to become the fifth-largest fire in modern state history.

The fire is of mammoth proportions, and more than 8,000 firefighters are fighting it on the ground and in the air, 1,200 of whom are from out of state.

To put that in perspective, in October we had 11,000 firefighters assigned to incidents throughout the state, said Scott McLean of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire. Now were looking at 8,000 just to this one incident.

The causes of all the fires are under investigation. But one of the blazes, the Skirball Fire, which tore through 422 acres in the posh Bel-Air Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, destroyed several homes and threatened the Getty Center museum, may have been caused by a cooking fire in a nearby homeless encampment, officials told the Los Angeles Times.

Now Playing: Firefighters from Southland agencies remained in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties on Monday to assist in efforts to contain what has grown into the fifth largest wildfire in modern California history, authorities said. Video: FoxLA

This makes a tragic event even more tragic, Los Angeles Councilman Paul Koretz said of the Skirball Fire, which was 90 percent contained Wednesday. The saddest thing is that we have so many homeless people. And they are everywhere in the city. And that sometimes causes serious problems.

There has been one confirmed death related to the fires. A woman was found dead in a car in Ventura County, following a crash that probably happened during early evacuations caused by the Thomas Fire.

Jason Hodge, a firefighter in Ventura County, said fire crews battling the Thomas Fire have made significant progress this week.

We have a lot of the southeastern part of the fire under control, Hodge said. We have containment in those areas, from Fillmore to Ventura.

But Hodge said flames were spreading in the Los Padres Wilderness and areas near Santa Barbara, on the northern flank of the Thomas Fire.

Hodge said Wednesday morning that firefighters hadnt seen much growth in the past 48 hours, in part because the fire is now moving into areas that have burned in the past five or 10 years, where there hasnt been much regrowth of vegetation. He also said winds have been favorable for fighting the fire, in contrast to last week.

We saw a lot less wind and a little rise in humidity near the coastal area of this fire, Hodge said. So we saw very little actual growth of the fire overnight.

Still, winds are likely to pick up again. Meteorologist Roger Gass of the National Weather Service said winds were forecast to be 10 to 25 mph Wednesday, with gusts up to 40 mph. Theyre expected to increase again slightly Thursday morning.

Its very, very dry in that area, Gass said.

McLean said the weather is expected to turn favorable again this weekend, as humidity is forecast to increase.

Meanwhile, the two other major fires that raged in the region over the past two weeks  the Creek Fire in Los Angeles County and the Lilac Fire in San Diego County  are nearly 100 percent contained. The Rye Fire in Los Angeles County reached 100 percent containment Tuesday evening.

The cause of the Rye, Lilac and Creek fires will probably take months to determine, but investigators are looking closely at whether equipment owned by Southern California Edison, the electric utility company that serves much of Ventura County, played a role in igniting the Thomas Fire.

The investigations now include locations beyond those identified last week as the apparent origin of these fires, the power company said in a statement Monday. SCE believes the investigations now include the possible role of its facilities.

Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email:sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney
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Architect David Adjaye, the Ghanian-British designer knighted in May by Queen Elizabeth, is best known in the United States for his Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. But in San Francisco, hes tackling something at a grander scale  the rebirth of 420 acres at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.

Its a stark asphalt landscape where dozens of industrial buildings sit silent, vulnerable to weather and vandals and everything in between. And ever since Adjaye began work last year, hes been captivated by the latent power of the place.

Its such a different project for me, such a big job, Adjaye, 51, said during a recent visit to meet with officials at FivePoint, the developer that has been working on the shipyard since 1999. It also tackles a big issue for the 21st century  how do we reuse systems and buildings that have outlived their original function?

Adjaye isnt starting from scratch: Plans to redevelop the shipyard were approved in 2010. There are 309 homes completed so far in the projects first phase with 138 more under construction.

The project also includes the site of Candlestick Park, where land once reserved for the Giants and 49ers is being readied to hold a town square-style shopping center.

Adjaye and his firm joined the effort at the behest of Kofi Bonner, who has been leading development efforts at FivePoint and, before that, the associated firm Lennar. Soon, the architect was making the case that two remnants of the military past should be called back into service  an immense former ship repair facility and a four-story concrete warehouse, both built shortly after World War II.

Theyre very utilitarian, but theres an intelligence to them, Adjaye said. We want to reveal the heritage of what we have.

Ed Reeve

That heritage isnt alluring when glimpsed through chain-link fences. The high point  literally  is a 450-foot-tall gantry crane that was the worlds largest when it was built in 1947. The crane and the dry dock alongside it were marked for preservation from the start as part of the shipyards identity.

But once past the security gate, amid lines of locked buildings along potholed roadways, you realize the potential drama of a flatland pressed by the bay on three sides and the housing-topped ridge on the fourth. The drama is even more obvious inside the huge industrial structures that Adjaye has convinced FivePoint to save.

Building 411, where welders and boilermakers once punched the clock, is a gaunt skeleton defined by 70-foot-high steel columns. Light streams through small-paned windows, some with glass and some without. On rainy days, water spills past the remnants of the saw-toothed roof, leaving pools to reflect the scarred grandeur.

John King/The Chronicle

The warehouse known as Building 813 is the exact opposite, compressed and dark. Burly round columns line up and recede like the tree trunks of a mature orchard  directing your eyes, often as not, toward creative graffiti on the distant walls.

Adjayes vision for Building 411 would replace whats left of the skin with something clear and lean, the muscular ironwork exposed as though this were a simple metal garage of gargantuan scale. At Building 813, two bays of the warehouse would be removed front to back, bottom to top, creating a forceful linear atrium.

Each building would be reborn as commercial space, part of the larger notion of casting this part of the shipyard as an incubation zone where high-tech jobs and mixed-income housing sit alongside each other.

This isnt about the Disney-fication of industry, said Adjaye, whose architecture is as contemporary as it gets. Buildings should look the way they do because of how they are structured and how they perform.

In another shift from the approved plan, Adjaye rearranged things to make room for a 10-acre green room surrounded by old and new buildings, far back from the shore. It would be four times the size of Union Square.

Adjaye also proposes a broad stairway leading from the dry dock up to the hilltop housing  a transition framed by a giant sculptural portal.

If everything is looking outwards (toward the water), the blocks in the middle are the poor cousins, Adjaye explained. Thats an aspect of city-making, to me. If you live someplace, you should have a variety of experiences.

Transparent House

The redevelopment of the shipyard has been contentious from the start.

The Navy, which has been plagued by controversies related to soil remediation, isnt scheduled to hand off the bayside portion of the site before 2019. The expense of tearing down buildings and laying out new roads and blocks will be daunting  even without the cost of raising the entire site as much as 8 feet to prepare for the likelihood of long-term sea level rise.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Nor is there any guarantee that Adjaye will design any of the new buildings. A plan is just a plan.

Changes to the approved plan must be authorized by the citys Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure. Asked about the new direction  FivePoint hopes to take Adjayes work to the offices commission for a vote in the spring  the office responded with a cautious statement from its executive director, Nadia Sesay.

The acreage being looked at is still approximately 20 years away from full buildout, Sesay stressed. But she praised Adjayes stirring vision for the project area that creates an ideal interplay between beautiful public amenities ... and development of commercial space and housing.

San Francisco is a city that obsesses over context, making sure additions to the landscape are compatible with what already is there. Often, thats a good thing.

Sometimes, though, theres a need for large-scale drama.

Places long off the map need a jolt to make people pay attention. Thats what happened when the Giants decided to build a ballpark next to Mission Bay, then a moribund rail yard where a procession of plans had failed to gain steam.

The shipyard closed in 1974. Slowly, it is returning to life. Adayes goal is to help move things along by combining audacious design with a healthy respect for the past. Hes on the right track.

Place is a column by John King, The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron
A San Francisco police officer was found guilty of falsifying information on his Department of Motor Vehicles confidentiality forms, the district attorney said.

A jury convicted 31-year-old Saqib Aslam of San Francisco on a felony charge of filing a false document. Aslam identified his two adult brothers as his children on a DMV form requesting home address confidentiality, on June 8, 2012, according to court records.

The form Aslam falsified allows police officers, their spouses and children to prevent their addresses from being publicly available, a benefit granted under California law.

The publics trust in law enforcement is of paramount importance, District Attorney George Gascon said. When that trust is broken, we must work diligently to restore it for the benefit of our community and public safety.

After Aslam, a nine-year veteran of the police department, listed his brothers as his children, their addresses were made confidential. When law enforcement searched their information, such as during a traffic stop, their addresses would appear as San Francisco PD.

Aslams brothers benefited from this confidentiality for three years, officials said, until an internal affairs investigation uncovered the falsification. The investigation was started in the summer of 2015 by information provided by another SFPD officer, officials said.

Aslam, who remains a member of the police force, has been suspended without pay since April 29, 2016, when an internal affairs investigation found he had falsified information.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The publics trust is the utmost importance to the members of the SFPD and the department will continue to work hard to build and maintain this trust, said Officer Robert Rueca, a police department spokesman. The San Francisco Police Department thanks the district attorneys office and the jury in this case for their work.

Annie Ma is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ama@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anniema15
Theres an ebb and flow to Oaklands soul food scene, especially when it comes to the smaller, independently-run restaurants.

These places open quietly, build a following and sometimes last for a few years, squeezing the most out of shoestring budgets. If all goes well, they expand to more spacious digs elsewhere in the city, a la Lenas Soul Food or the now-venerable Brown Sugar Kitchen.
When Inside Scoop reported in June the Dosa duo of Anjan and Emily Mitra had a new restaurant in the works, we noted it was going to take shape in Uptown Oakland (2301 Broadway), a hotbed for restaurant activity over the last year.

Its being called dosa by Dosa (the lowercase d emphasizing its more casual nature, according to the Mitras). And it is slated to open Friday, Dec. 15.

With the new venture, Anjan and Emily are hopping on the fast-casual, counter-service train, meaning it will be a more downscale, all-day affair than the two San Francisco Dosa locations that have dishes like grass-fed lamb and prawn masala for about $30 per plate.

So why Uptown Oakland after Valencia and Fillmore? Well, its because the neighborhood looks familiar, Anjan Mitra told Inside Scoop.

It reminds me of the Mission years ago, he said. All of these cool bars and cafes and restaurants started popping up. Thats whats happening in Oakland.

An argument can be made that the Uptown neighborhood is the East Bays most active restaurant scene.

Tanya Hollands second Brown Sugar Kitchen is opening next door on the 2200 block of Broadway, as is Bocanova, both of which are filling the former homes of Ozumo and Pican. Shinmai, an izakaya and ramen spot opened nearby as well. Bar veteran Jennifer Colliau has a project in the works across the street from the Fox Theater.

On the cocktails front, dosa by Dosa will have creations from Nora Furst (Uma Casa, Belga), including slushies. One might include cane juice, green curry leaf, and pineapple.

Both Anjan and Emily said they had options for where the project could take root, such as Palo Alto and San Jose, among others. But they kept coming back to Oakland. In fact, they actually signed the lease for the space two years ago. Turns out it was just right time, right place.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Its a dream spot for anyone looking for a restaurant location, honestly, Emily Mitra said. Plus, we can say Yeah, were on Broadway and it fits. Theres so much happening in this area now.

dosa by Dosa: Opens Dec. 15; open daily for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The tech boom that Mayor Ed Lee embraced ensured that the man who began his career fighting for poor tenants ended up presiding over a city known for some of the nations most unaffordable housing and pervasive homelessness. The city remained in the throes of the crisis at the untimely end of Lees tenure, but the mayor had grappled with it since his early years in office.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, a former member of the Board of Supervisors, said that while jobs were the priority when he and Lee took office in the wake of a recession six years ago, Very quickly, things flipped, and we had plenty of jobs and a housing shortage. Even so, he said, the mayors focus on housing ultimately helped the city produce more homes than it has in decades.

Lee supported the creation of a trust fund to replace lost state spending on affordable housing and set a goal of building or rehabilitating 30,000 homes by 2020, of which more than 17,000 have been realized. He also supported major residential developments in Parkmerced and Treasure Island, though they have been slow to take shape.

In September, Lee signed a promising order setting deadlines to speed the citys glacial planning and permitting process and set a goal of 5,000 new housing units a year, more than double the citys average over the past three decades. Obviously, no mayor is going to solve housing in one or two terms, Wiener said. He put us on a good track.

Lees record on homelessness is decidedly mixed. It remains one of San Franciscos most intractable issues despite Lees efforts. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments latest point-in-time population count, more than 1 percent of the nations homeless live in San Francisco  about 6,257 people.

Lee created the citys first Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. His favored solution  the Navigation Center shelters that allowed entire homeless camps to move in and receive services  were considered successful by the few who could access them. But Lee simply couldnt create enough shelters, from Navigation Centers to permanent supportive housing units, to dramatically reduce the number of desperate people on the streets.

Lees record on public housing, on the other hand, is one of unqualified success. The mayor, who grew up in a public housing complex in Seattle, made a pledge to remake San Franciscos poverty housing.

This was a tall order. When he came into office, the vast majority of San Franciscos public housing was replete with mold, pests and decrepit facilities. The Housing Authority was short on cash and better known for a string of scandals, including employee discrimination and favoritism in awarding contracts, than it was for improving the lives of San Franciscos poorest residents.

Lee appointed competent new authority leaders who got the budget in shape. They partnered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a long list of nonprofit and for-profit developers to upgrade all of San Franciscos public housing.

The cost of this ambitious project, which is still in progress at sites around the city, was hundreds of millions of dollars. It couldnt have been done without Lees leadership, creative thinking and willingness to try new partnerships.

Lee was grappling with housing even in his last hours: His final Twitter post noted new legislation to rein in unscrupulous landlords. The next mayor should see through his permitting and planning reforms as well as public-housing improvements, said Gabriel Metcalf, chief executive of the urban planning think tank SPUR. He or she should also take on the difficult issue of changing the citys zoning to create more opportunities for housing.

The interlinked problems of homelessness and overall housing affordability stand as the greatest problems facing the next mayor, Metcalf said. Mayor Lee made a lot of progress ... but the next mayor needs to take it a lot further.

No mayor can accomplish these goals without public resolve. The burden is on us all to help fulfill Mayor Ed Lees unfinished mission on housing and homelessness.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.

The series: The Chronicles previous editorials on housing and homelessness in the Bay Area are available online at SFChronicle.com/opinion
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Consoling himself for his second straight election loss in the deep-red Deep South on Tuesday, President Trump tweeted that Republicans would soon have another shot at the Alabama Senate seat and concluded ominously, It never ends! But Democrat Doug Jones victory over Trumps fellow Republican rebel Roy Moore suggested the opposite: That there is a merciful end to the electorates tolerance for politics that count on tribalism to overwhelm every value we claim to share, not least the law and the truth.

Much like Trump, Moore embodied tribal politics, responding to detailed allegations that he pursued and in some cases molested teenagers with facile and inconsistent denials, relying on assertions of piety and appeals to bigotry to carry the day. As the states chief justice, Moore showed such disdain for the rule of law and ethics that he was removed from the bench twice. So its not surprising that he reacted to the election results by refusing to accept them and taking the Lords name in vain.
Ever since wildfires raged through Napa and Sonoma counties and other communities north of San Francisco in October, Ive been wondering what would have happened to my cousin, Betty, if she had lived there. Betty is 88, crippled with arthritis, and suffering with chronic lung disease. Her mobility is limited. She hasnt driven in years. How would she have coped?

If she lived in an area that was directed to evacuate, then how would she have known what to do? Would there have been friends or neighbors who would have helped her? How fast could she have gotten ready to leave? On a good day, Betty is vulnerable. In an emergency, shes a risk.

There were plenty of fragile seniors like Betty in the path of the recent wildfires. Fortunately, most of them survived. Unfortunately, some didnt. The majority of the 42 people who perished in Northern Californias recent wildfires, in fact, were seniors  as was the only fatality in the fires sweeping Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties now.

So what do we do when presented with this information? If were forward thinking, we act. We take steps to put a plan and a system in place to assist homebound and vulnerable seniors in the event of a future emergency. Lets set a goal as a community of leaving no seniors life up to chance.

Fortunately, we wont need to create a system from scratch. We can build on existing plans. The City of San Francisco, in general, considers vulnerable populations in all of its planning. Some communities have organized neighborhood groups. Most cities have citizen alert systems. However, where I live, I surveyed a number of seniors and learned that many didnt even know about the alert system. Seniors can often be outside the mainstream when it comes to technological advances. Educating and re-educating them to all emergency and related services is essential.

A crucial question is whether a plan for seniors could be particularized. In other words, could a registration process or community census be developed that would identify every senior who has special needs or lacks mobility?

What are the privacy concerns?

And could community organizations, especially those that are on the ground with their constituencies, be tapped to assist seniors in the event of an emergency? How?

We need to use the knowledge and skills of our fire and police departments and our health-care professionals. We need a system that reflects the needs of seniors and engages them in developing, sustaining and evolving practices that will allow them to age in place safely.

In this regard, the World Health Organization might offer some expertise and counsel. It has created an Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program in which many local cities  including San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose  are involved.

The time to act is now. Were going to have more seniors to support in the future. Between 1995 and 2050, the 65-and-older population is expected to double. And, in regard to emergencies, we need to be proactive: They dont announce themselves in advance.

Lets demonstrate our forward-thinking impulses, put the Bay Area on the map, and protect our seniors when and if were faced with an emergency.

Judie Donaldson is one of the founding members of the Carquinez Village, a neighbor-

to-neighbor support network for seniors in Benicia.
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WASHINGTON  Republican congressional leaders said Wednesday they have a tentative agreement on a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul that President Trump heralded in an afternoon national address as a giant tax cut for Christmas, but one that could raise taxes on many Californians.

The director of the California Department of Finance, Michael Cohen, issued a three-page letter to the California congressional delegation warning that the legislation would fail to produce the growth Republicans are expecting, harm middle-class taxpayers by limiting their ability to deduct state and local taxes and jeopardize thousands of jobs in clean energy by eliminating the tax credit for electric vehicles, among other things.

Desperate for their first legislative victory of the Trump presidency, Republicans in Congress continued their headlong drive to pass the tax package before Christmas, saying they hoped for final passage in the Senate and House next week, with the Senate voting as early as Tuesday.

But very few details were released Wednesday on the deal reached to reconcile the House tax package that passed in November and the Senate version approved this month. Republicans said the final bill will be made public Friday. California Republicans by and large declined comment until they see the final bill.

Still not complete, the legislation is centered on slashing business taxes. The final compromise is expected to lower the corporate tax rate from the current 35 percent to 21 percent, up slightly from the 20 percent rate in the previous bills. The deal would also reduce the top individual rate to 37 percent, down from the current 39.6 percent that the House bill retained, and below the Senates 38.5 percent.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump said the tax cuts are vital to the American people, adding that the U.S. economy has surged since when I took it over. Trump predicted that the stock market, already setting records, would soar higher and benefit workers 401k savings plans.

We think thats going to grow a lot more, Trump said. The economy needs tax cuts and needs them desperately.

But business reaction in Silicon Valley was mixed. Carl Guardino, head of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, compared the legislation to the old Clint Eastwood movie, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

The bill is structured around provisions long sought by the tech industry that slash the corporate tax rate and taxes on overseas earnings, and provide a one-time low repatriation rate on the estimated $2.6 trillion that multinationals, including such tech companies as Apple and Google, return to the United States after having parked the money abroad to avoid the current corporate tax rate.

Many of these provisions we have been advocating for and truly believe will strengthen American employers and employees and make us more competitive around the world, Guardino said. At the same time, we have to balance that against items ... where our employees could be greatly damaged.

These include cutting deductions for state and local taxes and mortgage interest, and removing tax-advantaged private activity bonds that state and local governments use to finance affordable housing and transportation.

Charles Melton, the groups head of tax policy, said the bill would damage the Bay Areas ability to build affordable housing and improve transportation because private activity bonds have been used quite extensively throughout California to fund major projects.

In a change pushed by California Republicans, the deal reportedly would keep the limit on the state and local tax deduction at $10,000, approved in both the House and Senate bills, but give taxpayers the option to deduct property taxes or income taxes. The original bill allowed only a deduction for property taxes, which are suppressed by Proposition 13 in California, a state with the nations highest state income tax.

Asked if thats an improvement for California, Rep. Mike Thompson, a St. Helena Democrat who sits on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, replied, So youre going to cut us off at the ankle instead of the knee?

Thompson reiterated a common complaint among Democrats, that they were locked out of all negotiations. There have been no hearings, no expert witnesses. They wrote this thing in the back room by themselves, he said.

Another change that could soften the blow to Californians would allow homeowners to deduct interest on mortgages up to $750,000, down from the current $1 million, but higher than the $500,000 limit in the House bill.

Farrah Wilder, an Oakland-based Realtor and chair of the federal committee for the California Association of Realtors, said reducing the mortgage interest deduction under the original bills would make it more difficult to buy homes in the pricey Bay Area.

People have made assumptions based on the current tax code when buying a home, Wilder said. Reducing various deductions for property taxes or mortgage interest does have an impaction on our market, and our market is already very difficult.

Republicans announced they were closing in on a deal hours before a bipartisan House-Senate conference committee met in public, ostensibly to hash out the differences in the two bills, but Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said the discussions would be limited to opening statements and technical questions.

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare, was the only Californian on the conference committee. We are on the brink of fundamentally transforming our tax system, said Nunes, who was pushing for several additional business investment incentives, including extending the lower business pass-through rate to passive investors. This, Nunes said, would provide huge incentives for entrepreneurship and investment in startups.

The final bill reportedly would also repeal the mandate that people buy health insurance, which the Congressional Budget Office earlier estimated would cause health insurance premiums to rise and lead to 13 million people losing their insurance.

No Democrats voted for the original House and Senate bills. Three California Republicans  Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista (San Diego County), Tom McClintock of Elk Grove (Sacramento County), and Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa (Orange County)  voted no on the original House bill.

Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford (Kings County), said in a statement that he will be excited to see the final tax agreement when its released Friday and provide my constituents with the tax relief they so desperately need.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carolynlochhead
Kate Green/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images(LONDON) -- Holding white roses and photographs of their loved ones, families of the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire gathered for a national memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Thursday.



Exactly six months ago, on July 14th, the fire in the 24-story high-rise in North Kensington claimed the lives of 71 people -- 53 adults and 18 children. Many of the survivors remain unsettled without permanent housing.



On the eve of the families' first New Year without their loved ones, members of the Royal Family and high-ranking officials joined the bereaved families to give thanks to those who stood with them since then.



With more than 1,500 people in attendance, the Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Dr. Graham Tomlin, said he believes the catastrophe was the result of neglecting the community.



"Today we ask why warnings were not heeded, why a community was left feeling neglected, uncared for, not listened to," Tomlin said, addressing the audience that included members of the extended community, public support workers, emergency and recovery teams and volunteers.



Tomlin said he hoped it would become a turning point and that communities like Grenfell will be heard more in the future.



My hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future," Tomlin added, "a vision of a city where we lose our self-obsession and listen and learn from places and people that we wouldnt normally think of reaching out to."



He said he hoped the word "Grenfell" would transform over time from a symbol of "sorrow, grief or injustice" to "a symbol of the time we learned a new and better way: to listen and to love."



During the service, a young Syrian musician played mournful music with an oud, an instrument used in countries in the Middle East and Africa, from which many of the Grenfell fire victims had heritage.



Remember Me by Persian poet, Rumi, was read by one of the fire's survivors, Nadia Jafari. She managed to escape from the tower, but lost her elderly father, Ali, to the fire.



Among the officials and Royal Family members attending the service were Prime Minister Theresa May, the opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Prince Charles and his sons Prince William and Prince Harry.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The driver of a Ferrari that hit a Maysville home, causing a fire, late Tuesday night has been identified as 58-year-old Kelly Phillip Dewulf of Wheatland.

Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane said Wednesday that the crash remains under investigation, but said that speed appears to be a factor.

Around 11 p.m. Tuesday, deputies and Maysville firefighters responded to a home in the 9400 block of 235th Street after receiving a report of an unknown explosion and fire.

Maysville, population 176, is located about 13 miles northwest of Davenport.

The house was engulfed and flames were shooting through the roof. The homeowner was inside the home but was able to get out safely, according to deputies.

Donahue Fire, Eldridge Fire, Walcott Fire, Iowa State Patrol, the Scott County VIPs, and the Red Cross also assisted at the scene.

Scott County Sheriffs Office accident investigators and the state fire marshal also responded to the scene.

Deputies say Dewulf was driving a 2013 Ferrari Spider north on Maysville Road and crashed into the front of the house. No one else was inside the vehicle when it crashed.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A Kern County judge denied a temporary restraining order against a Bakersfield bakery owner who refused to make wedding cakes for gay couples, the defendant's lawyers announced Thursday.

Cathy Miller, owner of Tastries Bakery, came under fire in August after refusing to bake wedding cakes for two same-sex couples due to her Christian beliefs. Read SFGATE's original coverage here.

One of these couples, Eileen and Mireya Rodriguez-Del Rio, filed a complaint against the bakery with California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing in June.

Earlier this week, the state of California filed a temporary restraining order against Miller to forbid the baker "from selling to anyone any item they are unwilling to sell," according to a press release from the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund (FCDF), who defended Miller during the Thursday hearing.

Now Playing: A Bakersfield, California bakery is facing backlash for reportedly refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Video: GeoBeats

According to FCDF, the judge denied the oder because he had not heard Miller's side of the story; there was no urgency justifying a temporary restraining order because the couple wanted a cake in August; and he "recognized that the case affects the fundamental rights of both parties before the court."

A second hearing will be held February 2.

On Wednesday, a post on the Tastries Facebook page thanked the community for its "continued support" and called for "prayers and encouragement."

In earlier interviews, Miller had stated, "Everyone is God's creation and I love everyone, but there are certain things that violate my conscience, and my conscience will not allow me to participate in things that I feel are wrong. Most of what that's based on is scripture."

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.
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A much-reported Christmas tree shortage meant warnings of skyrocketing prices and limited selection at local lots this year. Yet, many Bay Area Christmas tree lots seemed stocked and ready for customers.

So, did the hyped Great Christmas Tree Shortage of 2017 even happen?

Yes, according to local independent tree lot owners.

"This has definitely been the peak of the shortage," said Tommy Speer, Jr. of Speer Family Farms and Wonderland Trees.

Speer said he heard about the possibility of a depleted tree supply five years ago from tree growers, and has seen a steady increase in wholesale prices for his Bay Area-based business each year since. Tree lot owners like Speer who are looking to replenish their stock have now found themselves out of luck.

"This year definitely, there's a lot of (tree sellers) looking for trees right now that can't get them, including us. We were gonna get another load but all the growers are sold out of trees already.

"It's bare," he added.

Now Playing: Bill Norquist explains why his family operates a small Christmas tree farm off of Black Rd., outside of Los Gatos. Video: Bill Disbrow

Manager Ken Orsow with Christmas Jamboree in the Bayview District agreed, and said his lot experienced issues stocking Noble firs, especially those in the 7-feet and over range.

"We did have a problem with the shortage," Orsow said. "In specific sizes with the Noble fir, they were kinda hard to find and we had to make up with it with using different species. We brought in some Fraser fir from North Carolina, a little bit more Grand fir, a little bit more Douglas fir  that's how we made up for it."

The hardest-to-get tree this year is the Christmas classic, the Noble fir, commanding higher prices than past seasons. California and most states on the West Coast typically get their trees from Oregon; like other suppliers, tree growers in Oregon pulled back the number of planted trees after dismal sales at the start of the recession in 2008. Now, customers and sellers are seeing the results.

Speer said he was forced to fill out his selection of trees with a shipment of Fraser firs from North Carolina, just like Christmas Jamboree.

"The big shortage is the Nobles: 80 percent of Christmas tree buyers are Noble buyers," said Speer. "What customers are going to see is Douglas firs instead of the Nobles. We actually supplemented and got an entire load from North Carolina this year of Fraser firs which the West Coast really has not ever seen."

Nationally, it's much of the same story, with larger retailers saying they're also not getting enough trees, according to Doug Hundley, a spokesman for the National Christmas Tree Association.

"We have the impression from the conversations we've had that some retailers are running low on trees now and a few have closed a little earlier than normal," Hundley said via email. "It is good news for them, they have had a really good sales season."

"This is a rare year where we have five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas," Hundley added. "So being sold out now is to be expected, with three strong weekends of tree sales behind us already."

Customers who heeded the warnings to come in early have lucked out on the best tree options, and already sales have dropped off for Speer's business. He's expecting to sell out earlier than usual. Still, no matter the pricing, Christmas traditionalists like Speer will pay what's required to have a tree for Christmas Day.

"Christmas is a special time of the year and so I still feel like there are people that don't care how expensive a tree is," Speer said. "Like me, I would never put a fake tree in my house. I don't care if I spend $300 on a tree. It's just not gonna happen."
Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle

A total road closure is in effect in the 6600 block of Snake Road in Oakland, officials said, a result of damage to the area caused by a fire that burned down two homes this week, officials said.

The road closure is in place for an indefinite amount of time, officials said. The fire started around 11 p.m. Monday and burned into early Tuesday, damaging an additional six homes nearby.
An unnamed woman visiting a Starbucks location in Walnut Creek was escorted out of the cafe by police officers after reportedly becoming irate as she heard other customers speaking in Korean to each other. A pair of viral videos showcasing a portion of the altercation has been circulating Facebook since it happened on Sunday.

An international college student from South Korea, self-identified on her Facebook page as Annie An, was at the suburban coffee house in a tutoring session with Sean Lee, as KRON reports, when Lee says he said something in Korean in the vein of, "We might need to brainstorm this way and write the essay that way."

Lee says that's when the woman, who they didn't know, began speaking to them.

As he recalls, "This lady just suddenly says, 'Don't you dare say that again.'"

An then began filming the subsequent conversation between the pair and the woman. By that time, two baristas at the store had walked over to ask the woman to leave. She refused, and used slurs to refer to Lee and An. The employees then called the police to intervene.

"You can sit and be quiet, fine," the woman said to the pair in the video An posted to Facebook. "But I don't want to hear your language."

An's video quickly went viral, and has been viewed 317,000 times as of this writing. Lee's video went viral as well, and has recorded 650,000 views.

As Lee told KRON later, the incident "was actually my very first time interacting with someone like this, and that's why I was even more surprised ... I mean, I see videos like this online, you know, I see it on the news, but it's not something I would ever imagine happening to me or anyone I know."

In the text accompanying the video she first posted to Facebook, An wrote that the woman again complained about her language when police arrived to escort her out.

"Imagine this happening to your family and friends," Lee wrote in his post about the incident. "I've always cognized this issue, but my first, real-life encounter with racism has brought it to the forefront of my mind. I hope it does the same for you."

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.


A cybersecurity firm hired by Uber after a huge data theft found no evidence that rider credit card, bank account or Social Security numbers were downloaded by two hackers, the company said in a response to demands for information from U.S. senators.

But the San Francisco ride-hailing company disclosed that in some cases, the hackers got location information from the place where people signed up for Uber, as well as encoded user passwords.

On Nov. 21, Uber disclosed that names, email addresses and mobile-phone numbers of 57 million drivers and riders had been stolen. In a letter to four Republican senators led by Commerce committee Chairman John Thune of South Dakota, the company says that Mandiant, the security firm, found 32 million of those are outside the U.S. and 25 million are inside. Of the total, 7.7 million are drivers, mostly in the U.S., and hackers got drivers license numbers for 600,000 of them, according to the letter from new Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

The company also said it has not seen evidence of fraud or misuse of data taken in the breach, which lasted more than a year before being disclosed. Two employees were fired for not disclosing the theft to appropriate parties, the letter said.

The hackers emailed Ubers U.S. security team anonymously on Nov. 14, 2016, telling them about the breach and demanding a payment. Uber tracked down the breach in private data stored on Amazons Web services and shut down access, which came through a compromised credential, the letter said.

The security team agreed to pay $100,000 to the hackers for an agreement to delete the data, and later tracked down the hackers real names. Both signed documents assuring that the stolen data was destroyed, Khosrowshahi wrote. Team members found that the hackers first gained access on Oct. 13, 2016, and there was no further access after Nov. 15, 2016, the letter said.

China

Google to add

center for AI

Google pulled some of its core businesses out of China seven years ago, after concluding that government controls and surveillance ran counter to its commitment to a free and open Internet.

On Wednesday, it tiptoed back in, unveiling a China center devoted to artificial intelligence. The move nods to the countrys growing strength in AI, thanks to government funding prompted by Beijings ambition of having a say in the technologies of the future.

Google said the center would have a team of experts in Beijing, where the company has hundreds of employees in research and development, as well as other roles. The center will be led by Fei-Fei Li, who runs Stanfords Artificial Intelligence Lab and leads the artificial intelligence arm of Googles Cloud business, and Jia Li, the head of research and development for the AI division of Google Cloud.

The Mountain View company, which announced the centers opening at a software developer conference in Shanghai, cited Chinas growing academic and technical contributions to the AI field, and said the new center would be working closely with the vibrant Chinese AI research community.

Missiles

NASA, SpaceX

delay mission

NASA and SpaceXs planned resupply services mission to the International Space Station got delayed from Wednesday until at least Friday, the space agency said in a blog post. Particles were detected in the second-stage fuel system, and SpaceX is taking extra time so its team members can conduct full inspections and cleanings.

If the launch cant take place Friday, it would be postponed until at least late December.

Wireless

T-Mobile TV

set for 2018

T-Mobile will start a TV service next year, becoming the latest company to marry wireless and video.

The service will target people who arent interested in traditional cable and satellite TV packages. T-Mobile promises to address consumer complaints such as sky-high bills and exploding bundles. The company wouldnt provide details on its upcoming offering, including how it would differ from existing online TV alternatives from Hulu, YouTube, Sony, AT&T and Dish.

The nations No. 3 wireless carrier said Wednesday that it bought cable-TV startup Layer3 TV to help it roll out the service. T-Mobile didnt disclose how much it paid for Layer3, which is available in five U.S. cities.

Net neutrality

FCC may vote

on Thursday

The Federal Communications Commission is expected to vote on Thursday to dismantle net neutrality rules, which prohibit Internet service providers from blocking or charging websites for higher quality delivery to consumers. It would also dial back the governments stance that broadband should be regulated like a utility. The three Republican commissioners, including Chairman Ajit Pai, have said they will vote for the proposal, which would secure a majority over the two Democratic commissioners.

In recent days, government officials  including 18 state attorneys generals and dozens of Democratic members of Congress  have asked the FCC to delay the vote. On Wednesday, the attorneys general said that many of the 23 million public comments that had been filed to the agency about net neutrality appeared to be fraudulent. Pai has ignored the delay requests.

Chronicle News Services
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Two months after Gilead Sciences breakthrough treatment was approved in the U.S. to treat a deadly form of blood cancer, only a tiny handful of patients have actually gotten the costly therapy, while others linger on waiting lists.

Five people have received the treatment, called Yescarta, at the 15 cancer hospitals authorized to administer it in the U.S., the hospitals said. Waiting lists for the $373,000 treatment have grown to at least 200 people, shrinking only as some very sick patients have died.

Doctors at the cancer centers blame holdups in getting the treatment paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as some of the U.S.s largest insurers.

The biggest issue has been insurance, particularly with Medicare and Medicaid, said Michael Bishop, director of the cellular therapy program at the University of Chicago Medicine, one of the advanced hospitals cleared to administer the complicated treatment. Theres no billing codes for this. Its been difficult, to be very blunt.

Those payment delays  which may not be resolved for months  have forced the hospitals to choose between putting millions of dollars at risk or asking dying patients to keep waiting despite the availability of a potential cure.

The delays also mean Foster Citys Gilead is likely to miss Wall Streets estimates of early sales for Yescarta. Analysts have predicted the therapy will bring in $9.4 million in 2017, implying about 20 more patients would need to be treated in the next two weeks. Based on reports by the medical centers doing the billing procedures, that figure seems unrealistic.

Gilead is confident that Yescarta will be covered by payers, spokeswoman Sonia Choi said in an email. The drugmaker expects about a third of patients to be on Medicare and will continue to engage actively with Medicare to ensure we are doing all we can to support access.

Representatives for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees the programs, didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Yescarta is part of a new class of cancer therapies called CAR T that involve a complicated process of extracting immune-system cells from a patient, modifying them in Gileads manufacturing plants to make them capable of attacking tumors, and reinfusing them into the person.

Yescarta and Novartis Kymriah were only approved in the last several months. Because CAR Ts are so new  and because the one-time therapies involve a blend of hospital care, boutique biological manufacturing and supplemental drugs to guide patients through the treatments  insurers and government plans have found themselves in uncharted territory.

The clock is ticking for Gilead. The company currently has the market to itself for hard-to-treat lymphoma, a deadly cancer of the blood. As it gets the infrastructure in place to treat patients and get paid, its rivals are drawing closer. Novartis has filed for Food and Drug Administration approval of Kymriah for that form of blood cancer, and Juno Therapeutics plans to follow next year.

Insurance companies are making coverage decisions for Yescarta on a case-by-case basis, while the Medicare program for the elderly hasnt created a reimbursement code for the treatment  meaning hospitals dont have any guarantee theyll be paid.

Medicare coverage is critical for the 10,000 people with the form of relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma the therapy was approved to treat, since more than half of patients are already over age 65 at the time theyre diagnosed, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Anthem said it will cover the procedure. None of the other big insurers provided information about coverage in response to questions from Bloomberg. Choi, the Gilead spokeswoman, said the vast majority of commercial payers have confirmed coverage.

The 15 centers that responded to Bloomberg included MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; Stanford University; and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

On top of the five patients who got treated, about a dozen additional patients who have started a weeks-long process to get Yescarta, which begins with having their immune-system cells collected and sent to Gilead.

Insurance hurdles often emerge for novel therapies, especially if theyre as complex and costly as Yescarta. Yet Sattva Neelapu, a professor of lymphoma and director of translational research at MD Anderson, said hes never seen anything like this.

We have to work out a spot agreement for each patient, Neelapu said. Once we do enough patients there is a template in place, and its easier for future patients.

The total cost per Yescarta patient, when including hospital and doctors fees, will be well in excess of $575,000 and could reach $1 million, doctors said. Since hospitals have to buy the treatment at full cost from Gilead, most places are waiting to have insurer guarantees of reimbursement before moving ahead.

MD Anderson, which has more than 100 patients on a waiting list, has started treatment for a few, after getting them to sign waivers that they will be responsible for the costs if insurance doesnt pay. Bishop, of the University of Chicago Medicine, said he doesnt want to turn down any patients, but the prospect of losing $1 million per patient is unsustainable. The hospital has 10 people on its waiting list.

Stanford has decided to take patients regardless of insurance provider.

My institution is bearing that risk because its the right thing to do, said David Miklos, an associate professor of medicine at the university. But its a huge risk and its keeping me awake at night.

The new therapy is an essential part of the drugmakers big bet on the oncology market. Gilead spent $11.9 billion two months ago to buy Yescartas maker, Kite Pharma, in its biggest-ever deal.

Michelle Fay Cortez, Caroline Chen and Natasha Rausch are Bloomberg writers. Email: mcortez@bloomberg.net, cchen509@bloomberg.net, nrausch@bloomberg.net
Blue Bottle Coffee, the Oakland specialty brand with dreams of global expansion, is now selling beans grown in California. But it doesnt come cheap. Blue Bottle on Thursday unveiled a Gesha and Caturra blend produced by Frinj Coffee, the new business from Good Land Organics in Goleta near Santa Barbara. Blue Bottle is selling the beans in 100-gram containers priced at $65. In September, Blue Bottle owner James Freeman sold a 68 percent stake to Nestle, which reportedly paid as much as $500 million.

Simpsons scoop the world

If you wanted to know about Disney acquiring 21st Century Fox, all you had to do was watch The Simpsons  in 1998. Yahoo Movies UK points out that the shows When You Dish Upon a Star episode from that year includes a billboard outside Foxs studio that calls it a division of Walt Disney Co. Yahoo says its hardly the first time the animated show has had a crystal ball: A 2000 episode predicted Donald Trumps presidency, and a news ticker in 2012 said, Europe puts Greece on eBay.

Thinking outside the kiosk

Following in the footsteps of Netflix  but with a much tinier foot  Redbox is expanding from DVD rentals to streaming. The company said Wednesday that Redbox On Demand will offer more than 7,000 movie and TV titles, including new releases. Prices start at $3.99 for a two-day rental, with no subscription required.

From San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
Ursula K. Le Guin, the Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of The Dispossessed, The Left Hand of Darkness and the Earthsea series of childrens fantasy novels, seems to be enjoying a well-deserved moment in the latter days of her career.

Popular and critical interest in the work of the 88-year-old Berkeley native and Portland, Ore., writer was reinvigorated in 2014 when Le Guin received the National Book Foundations Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. She took that opportunity to deliver a fiery speech excoriating publishers who treat writers as commodities. It was a powerful performance that quickly went viral.

Since then, her early novels have been collected in deluxe editions from the Library of America, her short stories and novellas published by Simon & Schusters Saga imprint, and a documentary film about her life is in production, thanks in part to a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $200,000 in pledges.

Although she has mostly retired from fiction, Le Guin hasnt abandoned the craft of writing, publishing a collection of essays with Small Beer Press just last year. Now Le Guin has delivered No Time to Spare, distilled from her blog at www.ursulakleguin.com.

Although she has long maintained a Web presence, Le Guin writes that she was not initially interested in creating a blog. She didnt even like the term. I suppose it is meant to stand for bio-log or something like that ... (For the record, its short for Web log.) In any case, it reminded her of rotting vegetation in a bog.

But in 2010 Le Guin was inspired by Jose Saramagos The Notebook, a collection of posts written when the Portuguese writer was 85. What the Nobel laureate did with the form was a revelation for Le Guin, eliciting a response of Oh! I get it. I see. Can I try it, too?

Its contents having been originally distributed on the Internet, No Time to Spare is practically mandated to feature cats. Le Guin, the author of the Catwings series of childrens books, doesnt disappoint. Three chapters are devoted to The Annals of Pard, the adventures of the authors current animal companion. Pard brings to Le Guins home a sense of renewal, comfort and unpredictability. None of the incidents recounted in these entries are particularly dramatic, but Le Guin conveys her enjoyment of Pards winning ways and mysterious inner life.

Le Guin is, of course, interested in more than just feline cuteness. She is particularly concerned with the process of aging, and writes without sentimentality about growing older. In The Diminished Thing, she addresses the tendency of young people to brush off an elders longevity with the assertion that theyre not old. Le Guin knows better. She is not one to complain unduly, but shes realistic about her physical and mental limitations.

She also writes about the lit biz, decrying the modern-day over-reliance on a certain four-letter Anglo-Saxon word, observing the futility of seeking The Great American Novel, marveling at the storytelling prowess of Homer. She addresses the questions readers ask, clearly preferring those letters that come from kids.

Le Guin has never been afraid of tackling political issues. Well before the era of Trump did she assert that the U.S. had lost its way. In a post from 2012 she writes, I wish the ideals of respecting truth and sharing the goods hadnt become so foreign to my country that my country begins to seem foreign to me.

The pleasures of No Time to Spare are small-scale. None of the entries feel tossed off, nor do any feel labored. The best quickly capture the voice weve come to identify as Le Guins: wry, measured, insightful, accepting of lifes messiness while determined to act as morally as possible. Words and stories mean everything to her, and she sees her job as a writer clearly: Art is what a writer does, not what an artist explains.

The blog posts probably should not be read all in one go. Better to dole them out slowly, like favorite confections, perhaps one as an early morning pick-me-up and another as a reward for getting through the day.

Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, provides an introduction for the volume. Fowler writes of Le Guin, She has been both prolific and potent. She has been both playful and powerful. She has, in her life and in her work, always been a force for good, an acute social critic, necessary more now than ever as we watch the evil turn the world is taking. We who followed her as both readers and writers are the lucky ones. We not only love her; we need her.

It is good to see Le Guin receive the appreciation she so deeply deserves. As No Time to Spare demonstrates, she is a genuine American Master, one who offers hope and wisdom in dark times.

Michael Berry writes the science fiction and fantasy column for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: books@sfchronicle.com

No Time to Spare

Thinking About What Matters

By Ursula K. Le Guin

(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 215 pages; $22)
CLEAR LAKE | A west central Iowa man was arrested in Clear Lake Tuesday for trafficking stolen weapons, carrying a weapon as a felon and meth, among other charges.

Jason Scott Clark, 37, of Churdan, was arrested after a traffic stop and charged with multiple felonies, police said.

Clark was driving a 2010 red Chevrolet Silverado when a Cerro Gordo County deputy stopped him at 11:16 p.m. for towing a trailer with no license plate near the intersection of South 40th Street and Fourth Avenue South in Clear Lake.

Clark was arrested for driving under suspension and open container. During the stop, a loaded Springfield Armory XD 9mm handgun was found in the center console of the truck, court documents said.

The firearm was reported stolen in a Rockwell City burglary in July.

According to court documents, Clark admitted the firearm belonged to him and claimed he purchased it for $200 on Craigslist. The criminal complaint noted $200 is an unusually low price for that firearm.

During his arrest, a baggy containing methamphetamine was found in the coin pocket of Clark's jeans, police said.

A glass pipe commonly used for meth was found in his pocket, court documents said. Two additional meth pipes were found in the vehicle, along with baggies and a digital scale.

Clark is a convicted felon and has three prior drug convictions in Iowa.

Clark was charged with three felonies and four misdemeanors.

Felony charges:

Possession of a firearm as a felon

Trafficking in stolen weapons

Possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine  third or subsequent offense

Misdemeanor charges:

Carrying a dangerous weapon

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Driving while under suspension

Open container of alcohol

Clark is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a $17,000 bond. No court date has been set.
Alicia Cho

Blue Bottle Coffee, the Oakland specialty coffee brand with dreams of global expansion, is now selling coffee grown in California.

The company on Thursday unveiled its first California-grown coffee: a Gesha and Caturra blend produced by Frinj Coffee, the new business from Good Land Organics in Goleta. Blue Bottle is selling the beans in 100-gram containers priced at $65.
WASHINGTON  Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, who settled a lurid sexual harassment claim with his former communications director for $84,000 and faced accusations from other aides that he ran a hostile workplace, announced Thursday that he will not run for re-election, saying the allegations have become a political distraction.

He is the fourth lawmaker in two weeks to announce his eventual departure from Congress amid the swirl of sexual allegations and the sixth this year.

In a nearly five-minute video posted on his campaigns Facebook page, Farenthold denied the sexual harassment allegations from his former communications director, Lauren Greene. But he admitted, with unusual candor, that he had run an unprofessional workplace and that his own temper sometimes got out of hand, describing himself as profoundly sorry for his conduct.

Id never served in public office before. I had no idea how to run a congressional office, and as a result I allowed a workplace culture to take root in my office that was too permissive and decidedly unprofessional, Farenthold said.

It accommodated destructive gossip, offhand comments, off-color jokes, he went on, adding, and I allowed the personal stress of the job to manifest itself in angry outburst and too often a failure to treat people with the respect that they deserved. That was wrong.

Farenthold is the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation, and in addition to Greene, two of his former press secretaries have come forward in recent days to describe a workplace culture that was more like a college fraternity house than a congressional office.

Both said Farenthold had an explosive temper, berated them repeatedly, made sexually explicit jokes and engaged in casual sexual banter that set a tone followed by his underlings.

Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters that he had spoken twice with Farenthold on Wednesday, and praised the congressman for agreeing to step aside.

I think hes making the right decision to retire, Ryan said. There are new stories that are very disconcerting.

But Farentholds decision to finish out his term, rather than resign immediately, drew a sharp rebuke from Rep. Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, the House Democratic leader, who called the aides accusations shocking and unacceptable.

Farentholds announcement is only the latest. Last week, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., left amid claims he sexually harassed his aides. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., was pushed out by Ryan after an aide complained that he had offered to pay $5 million to carry his child as a surrogate. And Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., will quit over accusations of forcibly kissing one woman and of groping others during photo opportunities.

Before them, Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., resigned after his mistress said he had pressured her to have an abortion, and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, announced his retirement after lewd photos of him appeared on the internet.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg is a New York Times writer.
MASON CITY | A former Mason City day care operator accused of sex abuse is requesting a closed sentencing hearing after North Iowans coordinated a protest over a plea deal, which dropped more serious charges against her.

Tawny Marie Symonds, 31, of Charles City, was initially charged with assault and felony second-degree sexual abuse for allegedly victimizing one of the children at her home-run day care, 696 13th St. S.E., Mason City, according to court documents.

Shelli Wierck, a human resources assistant for Exceptional Persons Inc. (EPI), told the Globe Gazette by phone Thursday that Symonds also worked as a child care consultant for EPI's child care resource and referral program, from Nov. 20, 2013, to Aug. 14, 2015.

Wierck added that Symonds worked out of EPI's Mason City office.

Symonds submitted an Alford plea earlier this week, which said she would plead guilty to a lesser charge of child endangerment, in exchange for the sex abuse and assault charges being dismissed.

Cerro Gordo County District Court accepted the plea, according to court documents. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 29, 2018, at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse.

There has been immense backlash about the court's decision on social media, notably on Facebook.

According to Symonds' request to close the sentencing hearing to the public, protests have been scheduled by members of the "Mason City Police Scanner" Facebook page outside the courthouse and inside the courtroom during the sentencing.

Members have also asked for Cerro Gordo County Attorney Carlyle Dalen to be removed from office. Dalen could not be immediately reached for comment by phone Thursday afternoon.

Dalen, an incumbent Democrat, ran unopposed for a second, four-year term in 2014. He was first elected in 2010 after 17 years with the Cerro Gordo County Attorney's Office.

Symonds' attorneys, court-appointed public defenders Nellie O'Mara and Steven Kloberdanz, also argued the sentencing should be closed for "not only the Defendant's safety, but also of the Court and all parties involved." Court documents note screenshots of Symonds' personal page and address have been listed in the group "in an effort to intimidate and condemn the Defendant."

The page is not associated with the city, court documents say.

The moderator of the Mason City Police Scanner, who did not publicly identify themself or themselves, reiterated in a statement Thursday afternoon the page represents the citizens of Mason City, not the police "or any other state department."

It was also noted by the moderator that "no one in control of this page planned a protest inside the courtroom" and that the outcry is about holding elected officials accountable for their jobs.

"You can close a courtroom," the moderator wrote. "You can't close the voting booths when the residents of Cerro Gordo are this upset they vote out every judge and attorney that refuses to consider public risk before handing out a ridiculous plea bargain such as this."

The court has not decided on whether to close the sentencing hearing.

Second Judicial District Court Administrator Scott Hand said he doesn't know of any sentencing hearings being closed to the public in the 16 years he has worked for the North Iowa court system. However, Hand said it's possible it's happened because that decision is at the judge's discretion.

That would be the judges decision  and it goes in front of the court if there is a disagreement (between parties)," Hand said via phone Thursday.

Judge Rustin Davenport is presiding over the case.
Two men will face trial on 36 counts each of involuntary manslaughter in the Ghost Ship fire after an Alameda County Superior Court judge determined Thursday that there was sufficient evidence in the case.

Prosecutors say Max Harris and Derick Almena created a firetrap at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oaklands Fruitvale district. The men, prosecutors allege, rented the space for an electronic music show on Dec. 2, 2016, that drew dozens of partygoers  36 died in the burning building, which was not permitted for shows or residency and had no sprinklers, fire escapes or marked exits.

Witnesses told the court that Almena laughed off suggestions to bring the place up to code. They described how, on the night of the fire, passageways were blocked by piano benches and an inflatable screen. They also described a makeshift stairway that bottlenecked when people tried to flee from the second floor as flames spread.

I find that that there is sufficient cause to believe that both defendants are legally responsible for what happened on that terrible, terrible night, and are legally responsible for the deaths of 36 individuals, said Judge Jeffrey Horner on Thursday after a two-week preliminary hearing.

In closing arguments, Deputy District Attorney Autrey James said Almena and Harris were criminally negligent" in their maintenance of Ghost Ship.

They absolutely failed in their duty to protect the people who came into that particular building on Dec. 2, 2016, James told the court. Im not saying that Mr. Harris or Mr. Almena meant for people to die.

Tyler Smith, an attorney representing Harris, said the trial could begin in six to eight months.

The governments evidence is weak, Smith said. We are confident theyre going to find Max not guilty.

Horners decision to hold Harris and Almena for trial came after the last witness in the preliminary hearing, a fire official, testified that the city had no records of any complaint about dangers at the warehouse prior to the fire.

Fire Marshal Miguel Trujillos testimony came two days after Oakland Fire Captain George Freelen testified that he sent a one-page report to the departments Fire Prevention Bureau in 2014 to get clarity on what the building was supposed to be used for after he and three other firefighters visited Ghost Ship in 2014 and grew concerned about the high fire load of material stocked inside the artist collective.

Trujillo told the court that, after the fire, the first thing that we did in our office was to check to see whether anyone had alerted Fire Prevention to problems inside Ghost Ship.

The warehouse had violated multiple fire codes when people began living there despite its classification as an S2 building under the fire code  which is a space allowed to store various commodities where people are not allowed to reside.

As the occupant load increases, there are additional requirements for fire safety at a building, Trujillo testified. Under Oaklands fire code, a live/work space is required to have sprinklers, an automatic fire system, illuminated exit signs, and backup power in case of a blackout. The warehouse had not complied with these regulations, Trujillo said.

The defense sought to establish whether it was the owners or occupants responsibility to make necessary changes as the usage of the warehouse changed.

Can you agree with me that under the code  thats the responsibility of the owner? Tony Serra, an attorney representing Almena, asked Trujillo.

We consider multiple responsible parties, Trujillo said, adding that occupants and others are included.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
A residential counselor at Family Resources' Annie Wittenmyer juvenile facility is facing charges after she allegedly was discovered having an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old who was placed at the facility.

Police allege that Danielle A. Puls, 25, Rock Island, Illinois, supplied the boy with marijuana, gave him money to buy a gun, and she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with someone placed in the facility.

Puls is charged with one count of felony drug distribution to a person under 18.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Detective Richard Voy, Puls gave the 16-year-old marijuana, which he used in her presence.

She also is charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to Voys affidavit, Puls supplied money to the 16-year-old so he could acquire a handgun. She also had knowledge of him possessing handguns.

Puls also is charged with misdemeanor sexual misconduct with an offender as she was involved in a sexual relationship with a boy placed at Annie Wittenmyer while she was a counselor there.

She also is charged with one count of misdemeanor lascivious conduct with a minor for her inappropriate contact with the 16-year-old.

According to the arrest affidavits, Puls interactions with the teen occurred between June and November.

Puls was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Scott County Jail.

She was being held at the jail Wednesday night on $33,000 bond, cash or surety.
San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier High School - San Antonio West, a ResponsiveEd charter school, began classes in August and, yesterday, officially celebrated the opening of the new campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6218 NW Loop 410. Texas State Board of Education Representative Marisa B Perez along with San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were on-hand to congratulate Campus Director Mimi Allen on a great start to the school year.

Were proud to bring a credit-recovery, early graduation charter school to the west side of San Antonio that complements our campus on the east side. We already have 50 students and we plan to have more than 100 high schoolers by this time next year keeping the school small to focus on independent learning and more one-on-one time with teachers, says Allen. We were so happy to see such support from community leaders, our parents and our students.

Premier High School - San Antonio West is the newest campus to become part of the ResponsiveEd system of charter schools. This school brings the total number of Premier High Schools in Texas to 35. With the motto Dont Wait. Graduate. the Premier High School model helps students recover high school credits and work toward early graduation. For more information or to enroll, visit www.DontWaitGraduate.com.

ResponsiveEd is a non-profit corporation that operates more than 70 tuition-free public schools throughout Texas and Arkansas, including Premier High Schools, ResponsiveEd Classical Academies, Founders Classical Academies, Quest Academies, iSchool High, and iSchool Virtual Academy. ResponsiveEds mission is to provide hope to students through innovative, character-based, personalized learning environments. To learn more, visit www.ResponsiveEd.com.

Stay Connected:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/responsiveed

Twitter: www.twitter.com/responsiveed

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/responsiveed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/responsiveeducation

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/092eccc9-ae63-4cee-81cf-5b4f16b9bacc

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64b9ca9f-7fcb-4786-9175-943f6767722e

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5c8e774-b0b2-4c38-9146-029fdb79f09b
VANCOUVER, B.C., Dec. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bearclaw Capital Corp. (TSX-V: BRL) (the Company)



Further to the news release dated October 13, 2017, the Company is pleased to announce that the agreement with Chimata Gold Corp. (TSX-V:CAT), dated October 12, 2017, to sell a 100% interest in the Bam mineral property located in the Liard mining division of British Columbia, closed on December 1, 2017. The Company further announces that Mr. Robert B. MacGillivray has resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. MacGillivray has been a director of the Company since 2004 and the Company would like to thank him for his long service and wish him all the best in the future.

On behalf of the Board

Scott M. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer

Bearclaw Capital Corp.

Bearclaw Capital Corp.

214-3540 West 41st Avenue

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6N 3E6

Tel: 1-604-803-4883

Fax: 1-604-682-0318

Email: scott.ross@bearclawcapitalcorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
OKOTOKS, Alberta, Dec. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mullen Group Ltd. (TSX:MTL) ("Mullen Group", "We", "Our" and/or the "Corporation") announced today the business plan for 2018 has been approved by the Board of Directors (the "Board"). The annual process encompassed an extensive review of a wide range of issues including: the current state of the North American economy and more specifically, expectations for the Canadian economy; the impact of the recent recovery in oil prices offset by the recent weakness in AECO natural gas prices and the expected impact that these commodity prices will have on drilling activity in western Canada; the balance sheet of Mullen Group; and expected cash flows. Based upon this review, the Board approved a capital budget of $40.0 million for 2018, exclusive of corporate acquisitions, with $30.0 million allocated towards the Trucking/Logistics segment primarily to replace trucks, trailers and specialized equipment to support the operations of these Business Units. In addition, $10.0 million will be allocated to support the initial phase of our replacement cycle within the Oilfield Services segment after several years of under-investing in this segment. The Board will continue to monitor both of the sectors of the economy we serve and will adjust the capital budget as new opportunities arise.



Highlights of 2018 Business Plan

Trucking/Logistics Segment

We expect the Trucking/Logistics segment to account for approximately 67.0 percent of Mullen Group's 2018 revenue, exclusive of any acquisitions made in 2018. Generally speaking, this segment's results are closely correlated to Canada's GDP growth. Our expectation for 2018 is that we can achieve moderate growth as a result of the annualization of our recent acquisitions as well as the continued expansion in the overall economy. While the current trucking/logistics market remains extremely competitive, our view is that these pressures will ease throughout 2018 as demand for freight services grows. The tightening of U.S. trucking capacity, as a result of continued economic expansion accompanied by the impact of the mandatory electronic log regulations, is setting the stage for a rebalancing of pricing for freight services in 2018. The Canadian economy is expected to continue to expand moderately year over year. In addition, any further growth in the U.S. economy could provide additional demand for Canada's exports, thereby positively affecting the demand for freight services. This, along with improving prospects for the Alberta economy, which until recently has been the major drag on the overall economy, should provide us with opportunities in 2018.

Oilfield Services Segment

We expect the Oilfield Services segment to account for approximately 33.0 percent of Mullen Group's 2018 revenue. The oil and gas industry and drilling activity in particular is closely tied to commodity pricing. Crude oil prices have recently improved to levels that provide producers with an incentive to reinvest in the industry. The weakness in the value of the Canadian dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar has also further provided Canadian producers with improved netbacks. However, the price of natural gas has recently trended downwards. This, combined with LNG project delays and cancellations, has constrained the demand for oilfield services. Recent industry reports indicate that capital being allocated to drilling activity in western Canada will remain relatively flat on a year over year basis. This will provide our 11 Business Units leveraged to drilling activity with a stable operating environment but with limited growth potential.

In terms of new capital projects, including oil sands related development and the prospects of certain large diameter pipeline projects, there are signs of optimism. Several projects such as Keystone XL and Trans Mountain have a very good chance of proceeding in 2018. While the approval of each of these projects are positive developments, we cannot predict the timing of them and as such we will maintain a cautious approach. On balance, we expect our Oilfield Services segment will generate slightly improved results in 2018.

Moveitonline  Online Logistics Marketplace

We continued to develop and make progress on the build out of Moveitonline, our proprietary online logistics marketplace. The Moveitonline load matching operating platform connects shippers, carriers and the trucking industry, providing price discovery and service capabilities within one system. In 2017, we made great strides in developing Moveitonline by releasing a new version of the system and by onboarding approximately 160 carriers with over 12,000 active trucks in the system. The Moveitonline application also provides Mullen Group with new growth opportunities in third party logistics, which remains the fastest growing part of the freight/logistics business today.

"As we put closure to 2017 we will end the year with working capital of $200.0 million, including over $135.0 million of cash. Long-term debt, including the $70.0 million note due in June 2018, will be $535.0 million. So we will enter 2018 in good shape from a balance sheet perspective and what I would call a pretty stable outlook for both sectors of the economy we are focused on  namely the overall Canadian economy, the principal driver of our Trucking/Logistics segment, and the oil and gas industry. Given this back drop we believe that 2018 will be sequentially better than 2017. If the economy stays on its current trajectory; oil prices stay around current levels; and we get a little good news on the natural gas front; then we believe we could achieve gross revenue in excess of $1.2 billion and OIBDA in the $190.0 to $200.0 million range  this assumes no growth in the oilfield services sector", commented Mr. Murray K. Mullen, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

2018 Priorities

In order to meet our 2018 goals, we have established the following five priorities:

1) CONTINUE TO PURSUE ACQUISITIONS  acquisitions remain an important element of our growth plans and we fully expect that we can use our strong well-structured balance sheet to capitalize on the right opportunities.

2) INCREASE OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO OUR BUSINESS UNITS TO NEUTRAL WEIGHTING  to provide our existing Business Units with new equipment to remain competitive in their respective markets.

3) ACCELERATE OUR INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY  to empower our employees with updated equipment including field smart technology and mobile apps to enhance employee engagement and productivity.

4) EXPAND OUR BMC PROGRAM  using a combination of classroom and online training, we can achieve lower turnover and improved productivity with our employees.

5) INVEST IN MOVEITONLINE  continue to develop our proprietary online marketplace to enhance our users' experience.

DIVIDEND  2018

Mullen Group is also pleased to announce that the Board has approved a 67.0 percent increase in the annual dividend to shareholders from $0.36 per share to $0.60 per share. Such dividend will continue to be paid on a monthly basis, subject to Board approval.

"Over the course of the last couple of years we have had our fair share of challenges. Business suffered as we adapted to the collapse in the oil and gas industry. Employees lost jobs, experienced reductions in their take home pay and shareholders have lost value in their shares as well as a reduction in the dividend. Today, however, I am pleased to report that the business fundamentals are strong, employment levels are back to pre-2015 levels, most employees are seeing a recovery in their total pay and we have delevered the balance sheet. In recognition of the turnaround in these fundamentals, the Board has approved a very healthy increase in the annual dividend to our shareholders", commented Mr. Mullen.

Advisories:

This news release includes certain statements regarding Mullen Group's future plans and operations, including the 2018 Business Plan and Dividend Policy, and contains forward-looking statements that we believe allow readers to better understand our business and prospects. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends", "strategy" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the 2018 Business Plan, Dividend Policy, capital budget, operating income before depreciation and amortization, and anticipated revenues.

With respect to the forward-looking statements and information concerning the 2018 Business Plan and Dividend Policy, Mullen Group has provided such in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including but not limited to the allocation of 2018 capital budget, impact of general economic conditions, volatility of commodity prices and activity in the oil and gas industry in western Canada. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking information and statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Our actual results, performance, or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits we will derive from them.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could affect the operations or financial results of Mullen Group, are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to Mullen Group's annual information form dated February 8, 2017, under "Principal Risks and Uncertainties" and in Mullen Group's other filings available at www.sedar.com.

Mullen Group is a company that owns a network of independently operated businesses. The Corporation is recognized as one of the leading suppliers of trucking and logistics services in Canada and provides a wide range of specialized transportation and related services to the oil and gas industry in western Canada - two sectors of the economy in which Mullen Group has strong business relationships and industry leadership. The corporate office provides the capital and financial expertise, legal support, technology and systems support, shared services and strategic planning to its independent businesses.

Mullen Group is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MTL". Additional information is available on our website at www.mullen-group.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Murray K. Mullen - Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

Mr. P. Stephen Clark - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Richard J. Maloney - Senior Vice President

121A - 31 Southridge Drive

Okotoks, Alberta, Canada T1S 2N3

Telephone: 403-995-5200

Fax: 403-995-5296
WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andrews & Springer LLC, a boutique securities class action law firm focused on representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating potential breach of fiduciary duty claims against the Board of Directors of Exactech, Inc. (Exactech or the Company) relating to the sale of the Company to affiliates of private equity firm TPG Capital (TPG). On December 4, 2017, the two parties announced the signing of an amended merger agreement pursuant to which TPG will acquire Exactech in a merger in a deal worth $737 million. As a result of the merger, Exactech shareholders are only anticipated to receive $49.25 per share in cash in exchange for each share of Exactech.



Andrews & Springers investigation so far has revealed that the consideration Exactech shareholders are expected to receive is inadequate. Our investigation has also revealed that the process leading up to the announcement of the merger appears to have conflicts of interest thus making the process and consideration unfair.

If you own shares of Exactech and want to receive additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit us at http://www.andrewsspringer.com/cases-investigations/exactech-class-action-investigation/ or contact Craig J. Springer, Esq. at cspringer@andrewsspringer.com, or call toll free at 1-800-423-6013. You may also follow us on LinkedIn  www.linkedin.com/company/andrews-&-springer-llc, Twitter  www.twitter.com/AndrewsSpringer or Facebook - www.facebook.com/AndrewsSpringer for future updates.

Andrews & Springer is a boutique securities class action law firm representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty or corporate misconduct. Having formerly defended some of the largest financial institutions in the world, our founding members use their valuable knowledge, experience, and superior skill for the sole purpose of achieving positive results for investors. These traits are the hallmarks of our innovative approach to each case our Firm decides to prosecute. For more information please visit our website at www.andrewsspringer.com. This notice may constitute Attorney Advertising.

Contact:

Craig J. Springer, Esq.

cspringer@andrewsspringer.com

Toll Free: 1-800-423-6013
The weather outside isnt exactly wintry, even by Bay Area standards, but it felt like the holidays inside the War Memorial Opera House on Wednesday, Dec. 13. On the opening night of San Francisco Ballets Nutcracker season, the rhinestones were polished to a dazzling gleam, the snow poured down from the rafters in marvelous flurries and the dancers performed with joie de vivre.

Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson set his 2004 production in 1915 San Francisco, a hometown conceit that evokes genteel post-Edwardian luxury in sets by Michael Yeargan and elegant costumes by the late Martin Pakledinaz. Modernity is on the horizon  the Stahlbaums Christmas tree is decorated with newfangled electric lights  but old-fashioned magic awaits.

The magician and master of ceremonies is Uncle Drosselmeyer, played to the hilt by Ruben Martin Cintas. Swirling his cape like a matador, he fairly swashbuckled through the Act I party, kissing the ladies hands, awing the children with sleight of hand and gifting Clara with the enchanted nutcracker doll.

The party scene is a world unto itself, and if you look, youll see subplots unfolding: the maid fussily rearranging toys, little girls pretending to dance like the grown-ups and Grandfather peeking at the gift labels. Drosselmeyers dancing dolls  particularly Lauren Parrot as the candy-pink ballerina  are the icing on the cake.

Tomasson casts a true-to-age dancer as the adolescent Clara, which means that each performance rests in large part on the shoulders of a young San Francisco Ballet School student. He rightly entrusted the role to 14-year-old Olivia Callander, who portrayed a self-possessed girl eager to explore the world and confidently standing up to Shane Wexelmans feisty younger brother Fritz. (Dancers in all roles change for every performance.)

The stagecraft is grand, good fun, and the sets down-the-rabbit-hole transformation into Claras fevered dream always gets oohs and aahs. Enter the dashing Joseph Walsh as the Nutcracker Prince, ready to do battle with John-Paul Simoens campy King of the Mice, and the fun really begins.

The dancers vibrant energy kept the performance at a good clip, or maybe it was Martin Wests remarkably zippy pacing of the orchestra. They looked refreshed and enthusiastic, starting with Frances Chungs and Vitor Luizs crisp jumps as Queen and King of the Snow (and plenty of it  good to see that the full blizzard is back after last years lighter application).

Sasha De Sola boasts some of the best pirouettes in the company, and they lent zing to her Sugar Plum Fairy. Ludmila Bizalions phrasing made for a mesmerizing Arabian variation, and Lonnie Weeks bounded through the Chinese dance. Esteban Hernandez, Blake Kessler and MylesThatcher brought the house down in the high-jumping, fast-spinning Russian choreography.

Walsh returned to squire Maria Kochetkova in the final grand pas de deux, which represents Claras fantasy of her future self. With her Bolshoi-trained technique and innate sense of phrasing, Kochetkova was captivating in her solo to the twinkling celesta music; as she danced, the rest of the world seemed to just drift away. Walsh was terrific, catching Kochetkovas shoulder leaps with one arm, then executing huge sissonnes and flowing turns in his own variations.

Clara eventually wakes up and returns to real life, and the audience with her. Although we have to shake off the pixie dust, the pleasure of this Nutcracker will last through the holiday season.

Claudia Bauer is a Bay Area freelance writer.

San Francisco Ballets Nutcracker: 2 and 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 15-17. Through Dec. 30. $25-$445. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F. (415) 865-2000. www.sfballet.org
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A 600-square-foot, fire-gutted cottage in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood was listed for $799,000 in October and didn't sell. Will 121 Gates now go with a lower price of $699,000?

When SFGATE talked with listing agent Jim Laufenberg of Coldwell Banker back in October, he didn't sugarcoat the property.

"You have to sign a waiver of non-responsibility to get in there," Laufenberg said. "It's so bad you don't even want to walk in there. It's burned to no end. It's not salvageable."

In other words, 121 Gates is what's known in the real estate business as a "contractor's special" or a "major project" for an adventuresome buyer. It burned in a 2016 blaze, and most likely the new buyer will want to build an entirely new house.

More for you Lake Tahoe estate dating back to 1920s on the market for $45 million

And so with this property, you're essentially buying a small lot at 1,742 square feet or .04 acres. (For perspective, the median house size in S.F. is 1,654 square feet and the median lot size is 4,680 square feet, according to Zillow.)

Laufenberg says the new owner would need to work with the planning department on reconstruction but assumes that a home with at least three bedrooms, two bathrooms and multiple stories could be built on the lot. There's potential for views to the east from the upper stories.

In most other places in the world, the price is ridiculously high. In Portland, Ore., you can buy a three-bedroom, two-story charmer with views of Mount Hood and the Willamette River for the exact same price. (Here's the listing for proof.)

RELATED VIDEO: 9 Stunning Mansions You Can Own for $300,000 or Less

Now Playing: If you're not a millionaire, here are some mansions you can afford. Video: Time

But S.F.'s prices are notoriously high and the Bernal Heights neighborhood is hot, with a cafe-filled commercial strip and a location on the south side of the city that makes commuting to Silicon Valley easy.

An example of Bernal's crazy housing market: In 2016, a two-bedroom teardown at 54 Anderson was listed for $549,000, received 18 offers and closed with an all-cash sale of $920,000.

There are currently 18 listings for vacant land in San Francisco, ranging in price from $14 million for 1.15 acres to $29,900 for a driveway that people use to get to their homes that you'd can't build on or park in. Listings with square feet comparable to 121 Gates include a 1,999-square foot lot in Visitacion Valley listed for $495,000 and a 1,311-square-foot lot in Hayes Valley listed for $1.2 million.

What do you think: Is 121 Gates a deal?
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Update: A day after the publication of this report, Roomster CEO John Shriber issued a new warning on the website's affiliate page. It reads:

"We recently became aware that an affiliate(s) is either posting, emailing or texting people on Craigslist. This is not allowed. We have removed every affiliate who has been caught doing this in the past, and if we catch you we will remove your account. If you are doing this you must stop at once!!! We do not want this type of traffic."

End of update.

Now Playing: The median price for an available rental home or unit in Oakland has risen above $3,000, according to housing website Zillow. Video: Brandpoint

Finding a room in the Bay Area induces enough headaches, but some house hunters have run into a bizarre roadblock  requests to join a roommate-matching website called Roomster before they can visit the advertised rental.

Veronica Polivanaya spent months combing Craigslist for a room to rent in San Francisco. She responded to countless ads, with subject lines like "Sunny room in Mission District" or "3-bd Victorian in Nob Hill," that included photos, utility cost breakdowns and sometimes descriptions of the current roommates.

The 26-year-old would respond through Craigslist or by texting a provided number. Often within minutes, she'd receive a response along the lines of "Room still available. Sign up here," with a link to a website called Roomster.

But after making an account, she could never find the rooms that had been advertised on Craigslist.

This same thing kept happening  at least 10 times, Polivanaya said  so she decided to get off Craigslist altogether.

Founded in 2003 by John Shriber and Roman Zaks, Roomster calls itself the "world's largest multi-platform social network for connecting roommates." The New York-based company operates in 192 countries and claims to have 10 million users.

"More than 400 thousand new users" sign up each month, the site claims.

Some of these signups come from Roomster's "Affiliate Marketing Program." Individual guerrilla marketers receive about 20 cents on average per referred user, CEO John Shriber told SFGATE.

RELATED VIDEO: Is living at the San Francisco airport cheaper than renting an apartment?

Program guidelines prohibit affiliates from using "unsolicited bulk mail" or other mechanisms that "falsely generates hits or signups." Though the official program terms do not mention Craigslist by name, a red banner on the Affiliate Program homepage reads:

"Attention affiliates! We will not do business with any affiliates who post on Craigslist. We will not accept any leads that come from Craigslist. We will not pay for any leads that come from Craigslist. If you post on Craigslist your affiliate account will be terminated."

Shriber said users found to be in violation of the Craigslist stipulation are immediately blocked and removed from the program. Six months ago Roomster froze new affiliate signups to "focus on quality control," he added.

"To suggest that Roomster is scamming anyone is an outright lie," Shriber told SFGATE over email. "We have absolutely nothing to do with this. In fact we do everything we can to stop this behavior. We can not be responsible for the actions of others."

When asked how Roomster verifies where leads come from, Shriber replied, "When affiliates sign up we ask them to give us a link to where we can find our Roomster links, so we can spot check."

Of the 64 reviews on the Roomster page of the Better Business Bureau website, not a single one was positive. The Bureau said its files indicate a "pattern of complaints concerning a renewal policy and deceptive advertising." Many consumers complained that the disclosure of automatic renewal was not made clear at signup time and that they had responded to "misleading ads on local Craigslist to drive users toward their website."

Bay Area resident Michelle Adelman decided to sign up for Roomster after being directed there from a post in a Facebook group. Adelman found that in order to respond to messages on the site, she had to purchase a subscription, so she bought the cheapest plan. Plans unlock Roomster messaging capabilities and access to users' social media profiles. Subscriptions range from five to 30 days and cost $7.95 to $24.95.

The following month, Adelman said her plan automatically renewed and the company charged her about $7 to receive a subscription refund.

John M. Simpson, the director of Consumer Watchdog's privacy and technology project, says he would take Roomster's comments with a "tremendous grain of salt."

"What you'll see with other websites, where horrible things are going on, they say they're handling it but then they benefit from it," Simpson said. "I don't know if that's happening with Roomster, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is."

Polivanaya had never heard of Roomster prior to her Craigslist housing search, "so I thought, this must be a credible site to vet potential roommates," she said. Besides, with rent-controlled apartments abounding in San Francisco, room prices fluctuate wildly and it can be hard to parse "too good to be true" listings from real ones.

Polivanaya isn't the only Bay Area housing hunter who says she's been duped by Roomster affiliates. In less than 24 hours, more than 20 people had responded to two Facebook posts in Bay Area housing groups saying they had been redirected to Roomster while searching for homes online.

One woman said she had been directed to the site over 20 times. Two respondents even claimed the incessant Roomster redirects deterred them from looking for housing in San Francisco.

Polivnanaya eventually snagged a nice apartment in the NoPa neighborhood. She found it on Facebook.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.
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She cheered the Raiders from the sidelines as a Raiderette back in the 1980s, and now Stephanie Belleci is cheering women who want control over their makeup foundations.

I created a multipurpose, multifunctional system because I dont think women should ever have to settle when it comes to beauty, said the founder of Belleci Cosmetics, now in her 50s.

It is mistake-proof and easy to use, Belleci said. This will be the new way of beauty  she can adjust her foundation anytime and anywhere.

The Danville resident got her start as a professional freelance makeup artist for national brands such as Shiseido, Lancome and Orlane before signing with Benefit Cosmetics and working with Jean and Jane Ford.

It took her 10 years to create the Belleci Color Control Anti-Aging Foundation System.

I started to create this formula in the salon and testing it on all my clients, she said. Getting the right chemist was very tough. I went through four of them before I found my perfect chemist, Sam from Allure Labs.

She is referring to Sam Dhatt, CEO and founder of Allure Labs Inc. and DermaQuest Inc. in Hayward, who believes Bellecis foundation will meet the needs of the market.

It solves a problem in the industry where the consumer can take control of their own beauty needs when it comes to their foundation, Dhatt said. Stephanie created an easy-to-use, convenient foundation system, and its an anti-aging product that smooths the skin where the consumer doesnt need to use a primer.

Sold in Bellecis space at Salon One 50 in Alamo and online, the $125 kit includes a 30 ml foundation, three 15 ml adjusters, a frosted travel jar and stir stick. Adjustors last about two years, and base foundation refills cost $65.

Much like a sheer base primer, clients add drops to the base foundation from one of three adjusters to lighten, darken or hydrate with a luminous sheen.

The final color is already done, so all she needs to do is either lighten her foundation or darken it, said Belleci. The adjusters have the perfect color ratio, so when she adjusts her color, shes not going to change the undertone of the foundation  which means the foundation on her skin will never turn too pink, too yellow or too ashy.

Belleci said shes proud that her foundation product is free of paraben, propylene, glycol, gluten, fragrance, dyes, alcohol, oil and talc, in order to promote healthy skin.

Her top five ingredients include plant stem cells,which stimulates the skin to help fight the aging process; hyaluronic acid; antioxidants; vitamin B5; and Tremella mushroom extract, which is a hydrating powerhouse, she said.

Belleci decided to use her Italian maiden name for the line because it means beauty in Sicilian dialect, she said.

Jennifer Jones, project coordinator at Allure Labs, tested the foundation products ahead of time and said, I think consumers of all ages will enjoy the benefits of her products.

Belleci feels her own confidence came from her four years of cheering for the Oakland Raiders.

Being a Raiderette was fabulous because it brought out more confidence in me and took me out of my comfort zone, Belleci said. At that time, 500 women tried out and only 40 made it.

As a Raiderette, that confidence taught me to conquer life and go for what I want as a strong woman. As someone who created her own cosmetic line, I had some fears, but I had that confidence to be strong.

Charleen Earley is a freelance writer in the Bay Area. Email: style@sfchronicle.com

Belleci

www.bellecicosmetics.com
Press Release

Nokia's Cloud Packet Core will add performance, scalability and flexibility to H3I's 4G mobile network to profitably deliver enhanced mobile broadband

Cloud-native infrastructure enables H3I to reduce capital expenditure, minimize operating costs and speed time-to-market for new services

14 December 2017

Espoo, Finland - PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia (H3I) has chosen the Nokia Cloud Packet Core solution to help meet rapid data growth in the Indonesian market. Nokia's solution enables H3I to provide a highly scalable platform to profitably deliver enhanced mobile broadband and move towards future innovative services.

A leader in providing data services, especially to the all-important millennial market, H3I has chosen Nokia to evolve its mobile packet core to a cloud-based architecture. This move is part of H3I's digital transformation for superior customer experience and preparations to deliver future services. Part of Nokia's AirGile portfolio, the cloud-native design allows H3I to lower costs and substantially accelerate time-to-market for innovative new services.

Nokia's industry-leading and field-proven Cloud Packet Core solution includes its Cloud Mobility Manager and Cloud Mobile Gateway. Providing reliability, scalability, flexibility and performance, the Nokia Cloud Packet Core anchors multi-technology access across wireless licensed, shared, unlicensed spectrum and fixed network technologies, enabling H3I to support a greater variety of devices and deliver a broader range of services over multiple access technologies.

Randeep Singh Sekhon, President Director, Hutchison 3 Indonesia, said: "We are satisfied cooperating with Nokia on our roadmap to transform our network core to the state-of-the-art cloud-native architecture. It provides us the foundation to uplift customer experience and accelerate new innovative services."

Robert Cattanach, head of Indonesia for Nokia, said: "This is an exciting step into the future both for us and our colleagues at H3I. The first cloud-native packet core implementation will play a key role in the transformation of H3I to an agile digital service provider, enabling it to capture the crucial youth market with compelling new services and offers, while lowering operational costs and increasing reliability, performance and security."

Did you know?

Elements of Nokia's Cloud Packet Core solution, including the Cloud Mobile Gateway, were assessed by the European Advanced Networking Test Center AG (EANTC) and put through the industry's most stringent performance and scale test scenarios. In all cases Nokia's software gear performed with exceptional results, confirming it is ready for today's large-scale deployment including next-generation services.

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About Nokia

We create the technology to connect the world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience. nokia.com

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Phone: +358 10 448 4900

Email: press.services@nokia.com
UNITED NATIONS  Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is warning that Iran may be defying a U.N. call to halt ballistic missile development even as it complies with the nuclear deal with six world powers.

The U.N. chief says in a report to the Security Council that the United Nations is investigating Irans possible transfer of ballistic missiles to Houthi Shiite rebels in Yemen that may have been used in launches aimed at Saudi Arabia on July 22 and Nov. 4.

In Washington, President Trumps envoy to the United Nations says undeniable evidence proves Iran is violating international law by funneling missiles to Houthi rebels.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley unveiled recently declassified evidence including segments of missiles launched at Saudi Arabia from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. She displayed the missile parts in a hanger at a military base in Washington.

Haley says the missile parts bear markings showing they originate in Iran and that they have technical specifications that are specific to Iranian-manufactured weapons.

Haley says it proves blatant violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions while the international community was looking the other way because of the nuclear deal. She says the U.S. will now rally other nations to push back on Irans behavior.

In the U.N. report, Guterres stressed that the nuclear deal remains the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Irans nuclear program.

He said Trumps Oct. 13 decision not to certify the agreement under U.S. law created considerable uncertainty about its future. But, he added, I am reassured that the United States has expressed its commitment to stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for now.

Trump, however, has left open the possibility of pulling out of the nuclear deal.

Guterres welcomed support for the treaty from its other parties  China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, the European Union and numerous other countries.

I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps, he said. Similarly, I encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan.

Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and the U.S. has focused especially on its time limits and a provision in the Security Council resolution that calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Guterres said France, Germany, Britain and the United States sent a letter saying the Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle that Iran launched on July 27, if configured as a ballistic missile, is inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Edith M. Lederer is an Associated Press writer.
BEIJING  After more than a year of frosty relations bordering on hostile, South Koreas leader, Moon Jae-in, pledged a new start Thursday in his countrys dealings with China as he met with President Xi Jinping, a re-engagement that China hopes will lead to stepped-up diplomacy on disarming North Korea.

The two leaders moved to repair ties that had soured over Chinas anger at the deployment of a U.S. antimissile system on South Korean soil. China fears the antimissile system, meant as protection against North Korea, threatens its own security.

Anxious to improve relations with the liberal-leaning Moon, China moved to settle the dispute over the antimissile system in late October, and began to ease the unofficial trade war it had launched against Korean cars and consumer goods.

But Beijing argues that the agreement was only provisional, and is pushing for the eventual removal of the system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD.

Under pressure from the United States not to give further ground to China, Moon appears to have fallen short of pleasing Beijing on THAAD, and Xi acknowledged those lingering tensions.

China-South Korea relations experienced a setback due to the reason we all know, he said at the meeting, according to pool reports. I am confident the presidents visit will be an important opportunity for us to improve our relationship by paving a better way based on mutual respect and trust.

The two sides agreed before the meeting not to issue a joint statement, South Korean officials said, signaling that China was sticking to a tough position on the antimissile system.

Moon expressed a desire for a new beginning in the two countries relationship.

I believe that trust is most important not only in a relationship between persons but also between countries, he said at the beginning of his meeting with Xi, according to Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.

In an interview with the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV before leaving Seoul, Moon tried to satisfy China, saying Beijing did not need to worry about the antimissile system because South Korea would ensure that its radar did not penetrate far into Chinese territory.

We will make sure THAAD does not violate Chinas security beyond its original purpose of defending South Korea against North Korean missiles, Moon told the broadcaster. And the U.S. has guaranteed this as well on multiple occasions.

Jane Perlez is a New York Times writer.
"Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN, will present 'irrefutable evidence' that Iran has violated the Iran deal, according to her office." https://t.co/QWJe5Imba1  Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) December 14, 2017 .@USUN Ambassador Nikki Haley: The nuclear deal has done nothing to moderate the regimes conduct in other areas...Its hard to find a conflict or a terrorist group in the Middle East that does not have #Irans fingerprints all over it. https://t.co/WRADt0jXu8 pic.twitter.com/rgYiJvOkhV  Department of State (@StateDept) December 14, 2017 Make no mistake: What Nikki Haley is doing right now is laying the groundwork for a US-Iran war on behalf of Saudi Arabia.



Reporters should ask her why the Trump Admin treats Saudi Arabia's interest as America's interest?  Trita Parsi (@tparsi) December 14, 2017

I honestly don't even know what to say. I don't trust a thing that Nikki Haley, or anyone else in this administration, has to say about anything, least of all that they've got "irrefutable proof" of Iran's violation of a nuclear deal that Donald Trump has been calling ineffective since he started campaigning, and thus has a vested interest in "proving" is ineffective in order to "prove" that he was right.This is like the Bush administration all over again, exceptWhat a fucking nightmare.
Chinese investment manager CITIC Capital Partners, which oversees US$4.7 billion of assets, has offered $211 million to buy NZX-listed Trilogy International at a 28 percent premium.

Auckland-based Trilogy said it has entered a scheme of arrangement with CITIC Capital to sell the shares for $2.90 cash per share. The shares closed Thursday at $2.27 but peaked at $5 in August 2016. The stock was listed in 2010 under its Ecoya scented candle moniker, selling shares at $1 apiece to raise about $10 million. It jumped 21 percent to $2.75 when the NZX opened today, valuing the company at $200 million.

The offer price is a 27.8 percent premium to yesterday's closing price and a 28.1 percent premium to the volume weighted after share price over the past three months.

"The directors of TIL believe the scheme provides an opportunity for shareholders to realise value for their TIL shares a premium to market price," the skincare and home fragrance company said in a statement.

"The board remains confident that TIL is well positioned to deliver growth in earnings across each of its four businesses in the long term. Delivering this growth will take time and involves execution risks. Therefore, shareholders may find attractive the opportunity to realise the value of their TIL shares in cash now," chair Grant Baker said.

Trilogy directors have appointed Grant Samuel to prepare an independent adviser's report to help them and shareholders assets the merits of the scheme and if the $2.90 price per share is within or above the valuation range and no superior proposal arises, Trilogy's directors intend to recommend the deal and sell their shares.

The Business Bakery, which holds 31.2 percent of shares on issue, intends to sell if those terms are met. The Business Bakery underwrote the Ecoya initial public offering and ended up with 65 percent of the firm. That was diluted by the acquisition of the Trilogy skincare business and subsequent share issues.

Baker said CITIC's strong relationship in the Asia and US markets provides an opportunity to unlock the potential of its brands and achieve faster growth globally.

In a separate release, Hanxi Zhao, senior managing director of CITIC, said we plan to accelerate TILs international expansion. With our unique international capability, experience and resources, we expect to be able to further strengthen the brand equity of TILs premium New Zealand brands, and drive growth in China, the USA and other international markets."

It will remain largely business as usual for TIL and its team. We intend to retain TIL's Auckland head office and its current high-quality senior management team, led by CEO Angela Buglass and provide them with global support, she added.

The scheme of arrangement follows confidential discussions between CITIC and the board and a period of due diligence, Trilogy said. The deal is conditional on the approval of Trilogy's shareholders, the High Court and the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office, among other things.

A scheme of arrangement is a court-approved process which requires Trilogy to obtain approval from shareholders at a special meeting, with 75 percent of all votes casts in favour and at least 50 percent of the total voting rights cast.

In October, CITIC boosted its stake in NZX-listed Tourism Holdings to almost 11 percent having emerged as a substantial shareholder in the motorhome operator earlier that month.

(BusinessDesk)

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November 17th Morning Report


New Zealand Oil & Gas chairman Rodger Finlay and director Duncan Saville have resigned following the announcement this morning that OG Oil & Gas has received approval from the Overseas Investment Office for its partial takeover bid for NZOG.

Finlay has served on the board for six years and as chair since January 2016, while Saville has been a director since November 2014.

In a statement, Finlay said OIO approval "provides an ideal time to refresh the company's leadership", and NZOG "is entering an exciting new phase of acquisition and exploration, which will require new technical and industry-specific governance skills."

Saville is chair of Zeta Resources which had fielded a rival offer for NZOG. He successfully sought re-election to the company's board in October. At the time, he said he was supportive of the offer, and it was strategically very good for the company.

OGOG offered 78 cents per share to buy up to 70 percent of NZOG, providing it achieved a controlling 50 percent stake. As of today, OGOG has more than 62 percent of NZOG's fully paid ordinary shares currently on issue. Earlier this month the Ofer Global unit extended the closing date of its offer to Jan. 8 to allow time to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. The offer period will remain open until then and remains subject to certain outstanding customary conditions.

Chief executive Andrew Jefferies said Finlay had "led the company through a challenging time of reduced costs, a capital return and the restoration of dividends, while oil prices have been through a deep decline. He leaves the company with its sails trimmed for the conditions and capabilities that will see it grow and flourish under its new majority shareholder."

Jefferies also said the company has "been through considerable change during Mr Savilles time on the board and he leaves the company in good shape as we enter an exciting new era. We wish him all the best for the future.

NZOG shares last traded at 71.5 cents and have gained 13 percent this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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Related News:

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November 17th Morning Report


OG Oil & Gas has received approval from the Overseas Investment Office in its partial takeover bid for New Zealand Oil & Gas, one of the final hurdles the oil and gas division of Ofer Global needs to declare the deal done.

"This approval is a significant moment for our vision to build the future of New Zealand Oil & Gas as its largest shareholder. I am personally very excited about the prospect of having New Zealand Oil & Gas join the Ofer Global family. By working together, we are confident that we will create value for shareholders, the country and the region," said Eyal Ofer, chair of Ofer Global, in a statement.

OGOG offered 78 cents per share to buy up to 70 percent of NZOG, providing it achieved a controlling 50 percent stake. As of today, OGOG has more than 62 percent of New Zealand Oil & Gass fully paid ordinary shares currently on issue, the statement said.

Earlier this month the Ofer Global unit extended the closing date of its offer to Jan. 8 to allow time to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. The offer period will remain open until then and remains subject to certain outstanding customary conditions, the statement said.

This has been a landmark week for OGOG. First we met the minimum acceptance threshold for our offer and now the OIO has given its approval," said Alastair McGregor, OGOG chief executive.

OGOG emerged as a rival bid to Zeta Resources, saying it wanted to preserve NZOG's exploration opportunities, especially the Barque prospect off the Canterbury coast.

Acceptances will be scaled if they go above OGOG's 70 percent upper cap.

NZOG shares last traded at 71.5 cents and have gained 13 percent this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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November 17th Morning Report


NZAX-listed TruScreen posted a 30 percent drop in revenue and widened its loss in the first half on delays to Chinese approval for its cervical screening device.

Revenue dropped to $225,900 in the six months ended Sept. 30, from $361,400 a year earlier, while the first-half loss widened to $1.77 million from $1.68 million in the previous first half.

The Auckland-based cervical cancer test developer said its commercial performance was hampered in the first half due to delays in gaining CFDA approval for the TruScreen2 device in China, but that has now been received and it expects benefits to begin in the final quarter of FY18. The company also got $346,200 in other income, primarily from grants for research & development, in the first half.

The company said there is growing awareness and demand for cervical cancer screening in developing countries, and TruScreen is looking to increase its manufacturing capabilities both locally and overseas in certain key markets after getting CFDA approval, though it is still in the process of obtaining further regulatory approvals.

"China remains the primary opportunity for the company and the current focus is on encouraging the selection of TruScreen technology for large screening programmes, as well as increasing adoption in large provincial hospitals," the company said. "After China, India is potentially the worlds largest screening market with close to 300 million women of screening age and the Indian government is looking to set up public screening programmes. TruScreen is currently going through the validation process for inclusion in these programmes."

The company is also being evaluated by Mexico's Ministry of Health, has been approached for reimbursement by a major health insurer in Jordan, and an evaluation in the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney "is progressing well", with initial results showing that the device will be substantially more accurate than cytology in developing countries, it said.

The shares last traded at 18 cents and have gained 20 percent this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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November 17th Morning Report


TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purpose Investments Inc. (Purpose), the manager of Energy Credit Opportunities Income Fund (TSX:PCF.UN) (the Fund), announced that at a special meeting of unitholders held today, the unitholders approved the previously announced proposal to convert the Fund from a closed-end fund into an actively managed exchange-traded fund (the ETF), to be renamed Redwood Energy Credit Fund or such other name as the manager of the Fund may determine in its discretion (collectively, the Conversion) as contemplated in the management information circular of the Fund dated November 8, 2017 (the Circular).



The Conversion will involve, among other things:

All amendments to the declaration of trust of the Fund considered necessary or desirable, in the opinion of the manager of the Fund, to facilitate and implement the Conversion, including without limitation, amendments to the provisions attaching to the units of the Fund and the operation, administration and related administration fees of the Fund, as described more particularly in the accompanying Circular;

Amendments to investment strategies and investment restrictions of the Fund, as described more particularly in the Circular; and

All such matters ancillary to, or necessary or desirable, in the discretion of Purpose Investments Inc. to implement the Conversion.

A preliminary simplified prospectus has been filed with the securities regulatory authorities to qualify the continuous offering of units of the Fund as an ETF under the name of Redwood Energy Credit Fund. Redwood Asset Management will also replace Lazard Asset Management as the sub-advisor to the Fund on December 18, 2017 and will serve as sub-advisor after the Conversion.

Purpose has received conditional approval from the NEO to list the units of the Fund on the NEO exchange, and anticipates that the securities of the Fund will be voluntarily delisted from the TSX on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 and listed on the NEO Exchange on Thursday, December 28, 2017. The conversion of the Fund into an ETF is expected to occur in early January 2018.

About Purpose Investments Inc.

Purpose Investments Inc. is an asset management firm inspired by the belief that all investors should have access to great investment products along with low fees. Purpose believes in focusing first on managing risk and creating value that is currently missing from the marketplace, thus empowering all Canadians to be better investors. Purpose has over $3.6 billion in assets under management and currently offers 35 exchange traded funds and mutual funds and 7 closed-end funds across multiple asset classes and both traditional and alternative investment strategies. Redwood Asset Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Purpose, is a Toronto-based investment fund manager focused on delivering unique investment solutions managed by boutique global investment managers to Canadian investors.

For further information please contact:

Nancy Turner

Purpose Investments Inc.

Tel: (877) 789-1517

Email: info@purposeinvest.com

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new section has been added to an online resource that addresses couples and addiction. CouplesRehabs.org released a new page that explains detox and rehabs that allow couples in Florida.



When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol their lives are in serious trouble, but when two married or unmarried partners are both users it can be catastrophic. Imagine the financial burden of two people buying drugs or alcohol on a daily basis, and the other price they pay from this addiction. Loss of employment, health issues, and if children are involved the scenario gets even worse.

There is hope for couples who struggle with substance abuse, and a couples rehab in Florida may be the answer for some. More and more of the traditional drug rehabs are now willing to work with couples, where in the past they would not. There seems to be more acceptance for this type of therapy, which allows struggling addicts more options.

The individuals will first enter into a couples detox in Florida after they complete their initial intake. Depending on what type of substance they are using, the detoxification process can take 7-10 days roughly. Then the couple moves along different stages of therapy, getting help as a couple, and individually.

The addiction treatment business appears to be changing, allowing alternative therapy programs that were once forbidden. Now there even are sober living homes for aftercare that accept couples or individuals with pets. To find out more about choosing the best couples rehab Florida has to offer, call and learn about the program and the facilities amenities.

A couples insurance may cover the entire treatment, and most places can offer an answer within the hour. Find out what type of coverage is needed for a couples rehab center by contacting the number provided by the site, and begin a life of sobriety.

Author: William Leonard

Organization: CouplesRehabs.org

Address: 402 West Broadway, #400, San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 888-325-2454

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da90907f-c60d-4d24-80d3-a6e0abcacf8a
Oslo, December 14, 2017: Scatec Solar ASA ('SSO') held an extraordinary general meeting on 14 December at 09:00 (CET). A total of 48,409,065 shares, representing 46.91 % of the share capital was represented at the extraordinary general meeting.

The extraordinary general meeting resolved the board's proposal of electing a new member of the Board of Directors. Please see attached for the minutes from the meeting.



For further information, please contact:



Mr. Raymond Carlsen, CEO, tel: +47 454 11 280, e-mail: raymond.carlsen@scatecsolar.com



Mr. Mikkel Trud, CFO, tel: +47 976 99 144, e-mail: mikkel.torud@scatecsolar.com



About Scatec Solar

Scatec Solar is an integrated independent solar power producer, delivering affordable, rapidly deployable and sustainable source of clean energy worldwide. A long term player, Scatec Solar develops, builds, owns, operates and maintains solar power plants, and already has an installation track record of close to 600 MW.



Currently, the company is producing electricity from 322 MW of solar power plants in the Czech Republic, South Africa, Rwanda, Honduras and Jordan and another 394 MW are under construction.

With an established global presence, the company is growing briskly with a project backlog and pipeline of more than 1.5 GW under development in the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Scatec Solar is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the third year in a row, New Hampshirethe Live Free or Die statehas the highest level of economic freedom among all U.S. states, finds a new report released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.



The northeastern state scored 8.3 out of 10 in this years report, which measures government spending, taxation and labor market restrictions using data from 2015, the most recent year of available comparable data.

The freest economies operate with comparatively less government interference, relying more on personal choice and markets to decide whats produced, how its produced and how much is produced. As government imposes restrictions on these choices, theres less economic freedom, said Fred McMahon, the Dr. Michael A. Walker Research Chair in Economic Freedom at the Fraser Institute and co-author of this years Economic Freedom of North America 2017.

Rounding out the top five freest states are Florida and Texas (tied for 2nd), South Dakota (4th) and Tennessee (5th). For the third year in a row, New York was ranked least free (50th), followed by California (49th), New Mexico & West Virginia (tied for 47th), and Hawaii & Mississippi (tied for 45th).

The report also includes an additional all-government ranking, which adds federal government policy to the index and includes the 50 U.S. states, 32 Mexican states and 10 Canadian provinces.

Since 2004, the average score for U.S. states in the all-government index has fallen from 8.20 to 7.78 out of 10 in 2015, driven largely by changes at the federal level.

In the most-free states, the average per capita income in 2015 was seven per cent above the national average compared to roughly five per cent below the national average in the least-free states.

The link between economic freedom and prosperity is clearpeople who live in states that support comparatively low taxation, limited government and flexible labor markets have higher living standards and greater economic opportunity, said Dean Stansel, economics professor at Southern Methodist University and co-author of the report.

The Economic Freedom of North America report, also co-authored by Jose Torra, the head of research at the Mexico City-based Caminos de la Libertad, is an offshoot of the Fraser Institutes Economic Freedom of the World index, the result of more than a quarter century of work by more than 60 scholars including three Nobel laureates.

Detailed tables for each country and subnational jurisdiction can be found at www.fraserinstitute.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Fred McMahon

Dr. Michael A. Walker Research Chair in Economic Freedom, Fraser Institute

Tel: (416) 363-6575 ext. 226

Mobile: (416) 727-7138

fred.mcmahon@fraserinstitute.org

Dean Stansel

Research Associate Professor, ONeil Center for Global Markets and Freedom

Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University

Tel: 214-768-3492

dean.b.stansel@gmail.com

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org

For more information, please contact:

Bryn Weese

Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute

(604) 688-0221 ext. 589

bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

@FraserInstitute
How do I know when it's time to replace my hot water heater?

Many homeowners have no idea how old their hot water heater is, nor is it at the top of anyone's mind when it comes to providing routine maintenance for your home appliances. However, when a hot water heater lets go and floods your home, it can be the most destructive type of appliance failure you can imagine.

Without a safety mechanism, a water heater will leak continuously and allow water to flow from the supply pipe, through the water heater and into your basement until someone manually shuts off the supply valve to the water heater. If you are away when your water heater lets go, who knows how much water will be in your basement when you get back.

A water heaters lifespan depends on several factors. Water quality, water temperature and how often maintenance is provided, will contribute to the life expectancy of your water heater. The more sediment contained in the water that enters the hot water heater, the more damage it can do to your unit.

It is easy to identify the age of your water heater. Every water heater has a label which states the manufacturer, the model number and serial number of the heater. The model number provides information about the type of hot water heater you have, and the warranty period the manufacturer provided with your unit. The serial number tells the age of your water heater.

Generally, most water heaters that are more than 10 years old should be on your radar for replacement. If your water heater is 15 years or older, consider yourself lucky and begin the replacement process, as most water heaters are not designed to last that long. Error on the side of caution and consider replacing your water heater earlier than usual if your water heater is located in a closet near a finished area of your home.

There are safeguards that can be used to diminish the amount of damage should your water heater leak. A drain pan installed under your water heater, with an automatic shut off mechanism in the pan will shut down water supply to your hot water heater should your water heater start to leak. If your hot water heater is located on an upper floor, a drain plan with a direct drain line connection should be used so that any water seeping from your hot water heater can be redirected safely, and not cause damage to your home below.

There are a few signs that your water heater is aging, and on its last leg:

-The water flowing from your faucet looks rusty or not as clean as it used to be. This is a sign that your water heater is rusting away on the inside.

-The temperature of your hot water has diminished. This is a sign that your water heater may have sediment build up, or that the heating element could be faulty.

-The hot water has a metallic smell or taste. This is also a sign that the interior of your water heater is starting to break down.

-Your water heater makes loud cracks or pops. This is a sign that sediment may have built up to the point where it has formed a mass in your water heater, and the heating process is creating noises.

- There are burn marks or soot on the water heater, indicating a potential problem with the venting or flue pipe. As this is potentially dangerous to your well-being, this should be addressed by a professional immediately.

-There is condensation on top of or around your water heater. A slight fracture in your tank can produce condensation on top of or around your water heater. This is an indication that it is time to replace your water heater.

When installing a new hot water heater it is a good practice to provide regular maintenance to extend its life. Cleaning out the burner compartment, keeping the area around the hot water heater free of lint and debris, and flushing the relief valve a couple of times a year to get rid of any rust build up, will reduce the amount of repairs and allow your water heater to run efficiently. It is also a good idea to keep the water temperature set to the manufacturer's recommended temperature setting. This is usually about 120 degrees.

When searching for a new hot water heater there are a few questions you should ask your professional installer, like; what size water heater do I need to fit my household needs; do I need a water heater with a high recovery rate; what are the dimensions of the new heater; and what is the efficiency rating?

In today's hot water heater marketplace, there are many options for your domestic hot water needs. If high efficiency is a high priority, consider a tankless hot water heater. The initial cost is a little more than a standard hot water heater, however, the benefits of a high efficiency unit are worth the investment.

Tankless water heaters are much smaller than standard heaters, and can be mounted on any wall of your home, including an exterior wall. Tankless heaters typically last twice as long as the standard ones, providing 20 years plus of domestic hot water service. According to Energy.gov, "for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, on demand (tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters".

Because of their high efficiency and design, tankless hot water heaters deliver hot water on demand, providing two to three gallons of water per minute. Standard hot water heaters hold water in their tanks, and heat and reheat water based on the unit's temperature setting. Even when you are not using water, your water heater may turn on just to reheat the water that has already been heated.

A final word of advice to those reading this article. Take a moment to check your water heater. It is recommended that you do this twice a year so that you can detect any issues with your water heater in advance of a leak, a repair or a venting issue, which can lead to a carbon monoxide emergency in your home.

If you suspect there is something wrong, consult with a professional. Knowledgeable technicians can provide you with the proper diagnostic of your water heater and provide options to repair or replace your equipment.

As with all home improvements or home repair services, make sure you select a company that is licensed and insured to do work in New York City, and who is capable of providing the services you need. Ask for references and check their reviews online to ensure their customers are satisfied with the services they were provided.

Tom & Frank Scarangello Scaran Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

(718) 984-0805 www.scaran.com www.facebook.com/scaran

All our experts are licensed, bonded and insured members of the Staten Island Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (The Home Improvement Contractors of Staten Island). Homeowners should always consult with licensed professionals, check a contractor's license through the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (call 311 for information) and ensure that their project complies with NYC DOB regulations before embarking on any home improvement project.

To ask your home improvement questions contact: questionsfortheexpert@gmail.com.
U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore speaks as his wife Kayla Moore looks on at the end of an election-night watch party at the RSA activity center, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The importation and distribution of lifelike child sex dolls in the United States would be prohibited under legislation that was introduced Thursday.

The dolls are made of silicone, anatomically resemble young children and come with "accessories" such as false eyelashes, wigs, warming devices and cleaning tools.

Imported from China, Hong Kong and Japan, the dolls are purposely labeled as mannequins or models to avoid detection in the mail.

Rep. Daniel Donovan (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn), along with 10 bipartisan cosponsors, introduced the Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots or CREEPER Act.

"It's a uniquely vile person who preys on children to fulfill horrific pedophilic urges," Donovan said.

"During my 20 years as a prosecutor, I put away animals who played out their disgusting fantasies on innocent children. What I saw and heard was enough to make anybody sick," he said.

Some have suggested that focusing pedophilic urges on the dolls would prevent preying on children. Donovan doesn't believe that to be true.

"It doesn't satisfy urges; this is just a stepping stone," he said.

No studies have been done to determine whether looking at artificial child pornography or using child sex dolls encourages or prevents a would-be pedophile from acting on their urges.

Additionally, many psychologists and researchers believe that these dolls reinforce, normalize, and encourage pedophilic behavior, potentially putting more children at risk to harm.

Frankie Alvarez, a senior director of Safe Horizon, a citywide nonprofit that provides assistance to victims of abuse, said last year there were 650 cases of alleged abuse of children on Staten Island, and commended Donovan for introducing the legislation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's the fourth trip upstate for a repeat felon from Stapleton, who was sentenced to prison Wednesday on a gun conviction stemming from a melee in his community over the summer in which three people were shot.

Khalil Curry, 41, fired into a large crowd gathered outside 100 Irving Place, near the intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue, at around 4:30 p.m. on July 26, alleged a criminal complaint.

Three victims were shot and wounded about their legs and back, respectively, and required hospital treatment, the complaint said.

An 18-year-old woman also suffered a knife wound to the chest, the Advance reported.

A law enforcement source previously said a fight had apparently broken out in the crowd, although its cause was not known at the time.

Curry was arrested on July 28 following an investigation.

He was charged in connection with the shootings, but not the stabbing.

Last month, Curry pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to attempted second-degree criminal weapon possession.

He was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison and five years' post-release supervision.

Mark Geisser, Curry's lawyer, has declined comment on the case.

Curry has served three prior prison stints, according to online records of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

In 1996, he was sentenced to 18 months to three years behind bars for an attempted-robbery conviction on Staten Island.

Later, in 2001, he was sentenced in Brooklyn to up to eight years for criminal weapon possession.

More recently, Curry was convicted in 2009 of attempted narcotics possession on Staten Island and sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Brittney Schmidt and Vincent Fina. (Associated Press)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- The Brooklyn couple of accused of using a sick Staten Island boy to pocket donations could get three years in prison after skipping a court appearance Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

Brittney Schmidt, 31, and Vincent Fina, 30, who pleaded guilty to a felony charge of scheme to defraud, were only going to get probation if they showed up to court, said the report.

Authorities said the pair solicited donations from businesses by claiming the money would pay for the child's funeral.

The young Rossville boy, now 6, is still undergoing treatments for his cancer, the AP reported.

In March, the defendants allegedly collected $150 in donations using the picture of Gianni Incandela, then 5, who was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer at the age of 4, officials said.

Upon further investigation, detectives in Nassau County uncovered the couple allegedly collected hundreds of more dollars from donors.

In July 2016, the defendants said they were collecting money that was going to be used to send kids with cancer to camp, prosecutors said.

In October 2016, authorities allege Schmidt, Fina and their son, 11, used Gianni's story to get money from several firehouses in Queens.

In February, the couple received donations from police precincts in Brooklyn and businesses in Baldwin, N.Y., and Brooklyn, prosecutors allege.

Police decided to open an investigation after Kelly Incandela, Gianni's mom, previously told the Advance that a woman has been walking around with her son's photo attempting to collect money in his name without her permission.

The stranger coincidentally walked into Gianni's grandmother's office in Brooklyn asking for a donation, and was able to walk out of the office free, Incandela said.

"She [the grandmother] confronted the woman, who changed her version three times," Incandela said.

Incandela said they called police, but they told them there was nothing they could do since there was no exchange of money.

"The woman kept saying she wasn't doing anything, but she walked out of the office with my son's picture and a jar full of money," Incandela said.
Schiphol, the Netherlands - 14 December 2017. GrandVision N.V. (Euronext: GVNV) announced today that its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) has approved the appointment of Mr. Stephan Borchert as member of the Management Board, effective as of 15 January 2018.

The Supervisory Board of GrandVision N.V. is pleased to have attracted such a broadly experienced international retail professional and is confident that its growth strategy will continue successfully with the combined experience of Stephan Borchert and the GrandVision leadership team.

Stephan Borchert, 47, a German national, has in depth retail experience with a variety of service oriented retailers. He began his professional career at fashion retailer Peek & Cloppenburg and then became a partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. He went on to become president of Red Earth in Hong Kong and managing director of the international business of multinational cosmetics company Douglas, leading 750 retail locations in 18 countries. He then became member of the Executive Board at Celesio, which included responsibility for over 2,200 company owned pharmacies in numerous countries. As EMEA president of Sephora he managed more than 1,000 locations in 23 countries.

GrandVision has also published the 2018 Financial Calendar on its website.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are asking for the public's help identifying a man sought for questioning in connection with the use of a stolen credit card on Staten Island.

A Bronx man discovered that several items were removed from his car, which was parked near the intersection of Locust Avenue and 138th Street, on Nov. 22, according to police.

One of the items removed was a credit card, which was used by an unidentified individual on Nov. 23 at a deli on the 200 block of Bay Street in Tompkinsville.

Police described the individual sought for questioning as a white male who was seen in a gray hooded jacket and dark pants.

Police provided a photo taken from surveillance footage at the store of the individual sought for questioning.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting tips to 274637(CRIMES) then entering TIP577.

All calls are kept strictly confidential.
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Dublin, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Satellite Communications & Broadcasting Markets Survey: Forecasts to 2026" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.



Satellite Communications & Broadcasting Markets Survey is the definitive business planning tool supporting strategic planning & investment decisions in the satellite industry. Released annually, it provides the most complete and accurate picture of market conditions and extensive, insightful analysis of market trends.



Within the context of this very competitive and turbulent landscape, the satellite communications sector must embrace innovation as a means to recover and thrive over the coming decade. Despite a decline of over $2 billion in annual regular capacity revenues, the author forecasts the total market to grow to $15.3 billion in 2026. Revenue growth is to be largely carried by HTS systems that are better positioned to address the growing demand of data-centric applications.



The last two years have confirmed the appeal of HTS for several user segments through the signing of capacity contracts and the endorsement of broadband LEO constellation projects by companies such as SoftBank. The leasing of larger capacity volumes will however be at the expense of lower pricing, also in a context of heightening competition. HTS market revenues should increase significantly over the coming decade to more than 50% of FSS market revenues by 2026. Moving forward, HTS systems will represent a driving force for data segments, with regular wide-beam capacity continuing to occupy a complementary role. This regular capacity will remain key to the TV broadcasting business.



As part of the satellite capacity shall increasingly become a commodity product, some satellite operators are transitioning from wholesale bandwidth supplier to managed service providers to get closer to the end-customer and to avoid the commodity price trap. At the same time, growth opportunities will continue to materialize such as those found in emerging regions, with TV distribution, government programs for rural connectivity, enterprise networks and cellular backhaul all continuing to grow over the next ten years. In the most mature markets, some historical businesses will erode, potentially including TV distribution. In the meantime, new growth opportunities for mobility, broadband access and wireless network extension should be enabled by new satellite solutions.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Strategic Issues & Forecasts



2 Satellite Operators



3 Video Distribution & Contribution Services



4 Consumer-Grade Broadband Access



5 Enterprise Networks



6 Military Satellite Communications



7 Regional Profiles



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/x3smw6/global_satellite?w=12




SARASOTA, Fla., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star2Star Communications, provider of the World's Most Complete Cloud Communications Solution with options ranging from Hosted to Hybrid, announced today that the company has won TMCs 2017 INTERNET TELEPHONY Channel Excellence Award. This is Star2Stars second consecutive year winning this award, from TMC and INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.



The Channel Excellence Award recognizes companies who excel in channel-based sales and attract top VAR, MSP, and agent talent to their brands through world-class channel programs.

"We are proud to recognize these companies for delivering excellent channel programs and for going the extra mile when it comes to supporting the channel," said Rich Tehrani, CEO of TMC, parent company of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine. "We look forward to seeing the future endeavors of these organizations."

Michelle Accardi, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Star2Star said: As a company with a 100% channel-based sales model, it is an honor to receive this award for the second year in a row. We are dedicated to providing world-class support and revenue opportunities to our Partners, including exceptional training programs and the industrys best commissions.

About Star2Star Communications

Founded in 2006 in Sarasota, Florida, Star2Star Communications empowers global business success with a Full Spectrum Communications Solution. With options ranging from Hosted to Hybrid, Star2Star offers unparalleled value, reliability, quality, and scalability. Star2Star unifies business communications including voice, video, fax, mobile, chat, and presence management.

Star2Star's award-winning, patented Constellation Network overcomes the reliability and quality limitations of other communications technologies and enables companies to choose the deployment methodology that aligns best with their needs. For businesses who require high-quality voice, redundant networks for continuity, and ultra-reliable communications, Star2Star's Hybrid architecture offers the highest guaranteed SLAs in the industry at an affordable price. Businesses with less complexity, who seek the best communications capabilities for their employees and customers, can consider Star2Star's Hosted solution the optimal choice.

With a customer retention rate of 99.85%, Star2Star has been recognized by a multitude of leading analysts. In the past six years, Star2Star was named to the Forbes Most Promising Companies list, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 five times, and the Inc. 500|5000 seven times. The company was also named by IHS as a Top 10 Hosted Business VoIP/UC Provider and has been in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for UCaaS, Worldwide for the last four years.

Contact:

Casey OLoughlin

coloughlin@star2star.com
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Just a day after it was brought into the capital under cover of darkness, Canberra's first tram has been vandalised.

The shiny new light rail carriage was shipped over from Spain last month and then given a police escort into the capital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Canberra's first tram is transported on to a ship. Credit:karlos corbella

But, on Thursday, authorities confirmed the tram had been "targeted by graffiti vandals" that same night.

The ACT government was expected to unofficially unveil the tram in the coming weeks, the first of 14 slated to run on the 12km city to Gungahlin corridor.
Origin is aiming to slash its emissions in half by 2032, in line with the Paris climate agreement, through the closure of the Eraring coal-fired power station in NSW.

This is the first time Origin has set a definitive timeline for its emissions reduction target.

Eraring is the country's largest coal-fired power station. Credit:David Stewart

We want to be leading the transition to a cleaner and smarter energy future and we are proud to now have a tangible commitment for emissions reduction across our business, Origin chief executive Frank Calabria said.
CROMWELL, Conn., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corporate One Federal Credit Union is partnering with Payveris, the Cromwell, Conn.-based provider of digital payments and money movement technology to financial institutions, to lead its more than 820 members credit unions toward continued digital payments innovation and faster payments. Corporate One, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the countrys largest and most financially secure wholesale credit unions. It supports credit unions, representing 17.5 million members, in 44 states.



In addition to adopting the Payveris MoveMoney platform, Corporate One also will resell Payveris services, including best-in-breed bill pay, bill management, account-to-account and person-to-person money movement services.

Corporate One is at the top of wholesale credit unions for its progressive strategy to guide and support its member organizations payments evolution, ensuring they have the education, tools and technology to keep and attract members, says Ron Bergamesca, Payveris CEO. We know Corporate One thoroughly explored its partnership options, so its especially gratifying that they chose Payveris technology to enable execution of their payments strategy.

Payveris aligns 100 percent with strategic imperatives we outlined for digital solutions, adds Corporate One FCU President/CEO Lee Butke. We share a put members first approach, which emphasizes the need for simplistic yet high-value user experiences that we were hard pressed to find elsewhere. Most importantly, we share a commitment to investing in and offering solutions that effectively position credit unions for the pivot to faster, real-time payments.

Building Loyalty and Attracting New Members through Payments Differentiation

The open architecture of the Payveris MoveMoney platform, along with the broad range of innovative payments services it supports, will empower Corporate Ones members to differentiate themselves from competitors by adapting quickly to the rapidly changing payments environment to provide solutions that meet the needs and growing sophistication of their memberships.

Todays consumers are incredibly savvy regarding their financial services choices, creating an environment in which credit union members have distributed their business across a variety of providers, including other credit unions, big banks and nonbanks, comments Corporate One Executive Vice President Keith Riddle. Our goal is to help credit unions by offering solutions that give them the competitive advantage to win the loyalty of current membersincluding a larger share of their financial businessand attract new members, especially digital natives.

Riddle points to the Payveris BillManager application as an example of how credit unions can deepen loyalty and keep their institutions relevant to members. Biller-direct models have diverted members focus away from their credit unions as the center of their financial universe, he says. Payveris BillManager resets the value proposition, so credit unions can win back members with a comprehensive solution that enables them to manage all their bills from their credit unions website or app, and to pay their bills any way they choose, including by card. Its a real competitive differentiator.

Payveris BillManager is an innovative solution that integrates the best features from personal finance management apps with enhanced bill payment options, including paying bills with credit cards, and A2A and P2P features. Corporate One anticipates adding Payveris BillManager to its solution line up in early 2018.

Futureproofing Operational and IT Investments

The Payveris MoveMoney platform also futureproofs Corporate Ones member organizations operational and IT investments by providing a single payments gateway that puts them in control of their payments operations today and in the future, adds Bergamesca. This one platform enables all types of payments through any device or application, so Corporate One members can introduce innovative products that win and retain members.

Payveris is nimble, flexible and committed to platform extensibility, so as payments technologies and opportunities develop, our member organizations can evolve without changing or adding platforms, technology or vendors, says Riddle. They can build on what theyve already implemented and, importantly, avoid the cyclical rip-and-replace or bolt-on models that deter real progress in financial services.

He points to the competitive advantages of the Payveris MoveMoney application, which, he says, replaces legacy providers inefficient, siloed and disparate approaches to A2A and P2P digital money movement with an intuitive, integrated solution that reduces friction and simplifies the user experience.

Starting immediately, Corporate One will introduce the Payveris MoveMoney platform, along with A2A, P2P and bill pay, to its credit unions.

Moving Rapidly into Real-Time Payments

Corporate One also is committed to moving rapidly into faster payments and is collaborating intensely with Payveris to begin project scoping on real-time payments in the first quarter of 2018.

Real-time payments can deepen members relationships with their credit unions, and, we believe, lead to dramatic growth in users and transaction volume through the addition of more use cases, comments Riddle. Corporate One has deep experience in same-day ACH payments, and well continue to support ACH funds movement. We are also evaluating the ability to support real-time payment use cases for credit unions through the Payveris partnership and its money movement platform.

Whats most important to Corporate One is supporting its member organizations digital journeys, which can take many paths, Riddle offers.

Our role is to help credit unions achieve the digital payments journey thats most appropriate to the organization and its members, he says. We encourage them to start their journey sooner rather than later and well be with themalong with Payveris as our mutual partnerto help achieve their goals.

About Payveris, LLC

Payveris cloud-based money movement platform empowers financial institutions to take command of their customers digital user experience as well as their IT and payments operations, while introducing innovative products that win and retain members/customerstoday and in the future. Its integrated platform, extensible gateway API and suite of widgets support payment services from any application or device, reduce IT and operations complexity, and futureproof IT investmentsall while significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses. www.payveris.com

About Corporate One Federal Credit Union

Corporate One Federal Credit Union is a leading wholesale financial services provider to more than 820 of Americas credit unions. With more than $5.3 billion in assets under management, Corporate One offers a full menu of payments, investments and funding solutions to help credit unions grow their bottom line, manage cash effectively through The One Account, streamline member acquisition, and succeed in the digital payments arena. Visit www.corporateone.coop to learn more.

For Corporate One:

Heather Goss

hgoss@corporateone.coop

614-825-9358

For Payveris:

Chris Spicer

cspicer@payveris.com

860-372-4108
Employment surged past all expectations in November, rising the most in more than two years and extending a dream run of 14 straight months of gains, while the jobless rate remained near five-year lows.

Thursday's figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed a lofty 61,600 net new jobs were added last month, compared with forecasts for an 18,000 rise and above an upwardly revised 7800 gain in October.

Australia's annual jobs growth rate at 3.2 per cent is more than twice the US pace of 1.4 per cent and the second fastest on record.

The strong set of numbers sent the Australian dollar higher by more than a quarter of a US cent to US76.73, a level not seen since early November.
And I have one that will surprise you. Its The Idea of A University by Glyn Davis, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Now I know you might have been expecting the new Peter Carey or a J K Rowling crime thriller, but this book by the young VC who still has much ahead of him, is gripping. He points out that our university structure which started with Sydney University in 1850 and Melbourne University a few years later, is based on a resolutely British ideal modeled by Oxford and other UK universities. And its hardly changed in 150 years despite the broadening of the sector by Hawke Government Education Minister John Dawkins and increased public access since the Whitlam era. I knew that the funding trend was moving towards user pays but I was staggered to learn that the government contribution has gone down from 100 per cent to 14 per cent. Davis argues that our cloning approach to universities needs to be disrupted, just like so many other enterprise sectors, if our people are going to reach their potential and be able to compete in a roaring digital economy.

He makes the point that diversity is the key and that sameness is stagnation. I agree, and I can see this extending throughout our economy. Earlier this week I chaired a meeting which included observers of the world economy. We heard that Australia is not moving at a rate equivalent to others in the world and that it is only a matter of time before we drop out of the G20. The G20 of course has been the bragging territory for every Treasurer since Kevin Rudd pushed us into it some years ago.

And so, it is with universities. We have outstanding universities, some 40 of them, with 1.4 million students and 120,000 staff. But according to Davis and his publisher Melbourne University Press there may only be 10 left worldwide by 2070 because relentless inventive entrepreneurial agendas (available online) promise students a world of unbounded study options. Just look at the leaders of the digital economy like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg who never attended University or dropped out before completing a single degree. And I would add that it has always been thus. Many successful entrepreneurs that I know didnt even get the chance to go to university. Im one of them. Glyn points out that our revolving door governments, not to mention prime ministerial leadership, means that no one can be sure about the long term.
Malcolm Turnbull has cited jobs growth and an unemployment rate of just 5.4 per cent as vindication for his widely pilloried 2016 election slogan "jobs and growth", while warning of disaster if Bennelong voters take Bill Shorten any closer to the prime ministership.

His strident comments came as the byelection nears its last full campaign day with the outcome determining if the Coalition retains its one seat majority in the Parliament.

In a sign of the government's nervousness, Mr Turnbull sharpened his attack on Labor's Kristina Keneally, suggesting the star candidate's election constituted "an enormous threat, a huge risk to jobs, to growth, to the security and prosperity that all Australians deserve, and that my government is delivering".

That the Prime Minister has dialled up his rhetoric so obviously suggests the contest remains close, despite a Fairfax-ReachTEL poll showing the Liberals' John Alexander was comfortably in front.
Labor's star candidate for the NSW seat of Bennelong, Kristina Keneally, has repeatedly ducked questions about whether she would take Sam Dastyari's Senate seat if she loses Saturday's byelection.

A Fairfax Media-ReachTEL published on Thursday revealed Ms Keneally trails Liberal candidate and former MP John Alexander in the all-important two-party preferred vote 47 per cent to 53 per cent.

Mr Alexander's primary vote has dipped slightly, from 41.6 per cent on November 17 to 40.4 per cent on December 12, while Ms Keneally's has climbed from 34.5 per cent to 35.7 per cent; just 2.4 per cent of voters now say they are undecided, a drop from 8.3 per cent.

If Ms Keneally were to defy expectations and win Bennelong for Labor, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would lose his majority in the Parliament, placing his government in a more precarious position.
Beijing's strong reaction to Australia's foreign political interference debate reflects the fact it is being increasingly called out on its activity, both here and around the world, and is hating the attention.

The Chinese can hardly complain about the interference laws themselves, much less at Sam Dastyari's forced resignation, which should have happened a year ago.

Rather, the summoning of Australian ambassador Jan Adams shows Beijing is angry at being singled out (though not red-hot furious given it did not contact Foreign Minister Julie Bishop directly as it has on other issues).

Normally, governments refuse stubbornly to name any particular country on issues like this.
There's only one thing I like more than gawking at photos of people's weddings. And that's gawking at photos of wedding dresses.

I'm no Muriel Heslop but I have had a fascination with wedding gowns ever since I was a young girl attending school near one of Melbourne's most famous bridal districts.

Last weekend, I oohed and aahed as I ogled the photos of TV presenter Lauren Phillips' wedding to Lachie Spark.

For a celebrity wedding, it had it all: a postcard-perfect location, star-studded guest list and two wedding dresses.
If you're bored with Christmas shopping at the same old stores, these short-term digs pack a lot of punch.

First up, cult jewellery designer Lucy Folk, who was born in Melbourne but now bases herself in Bondi and Paris, has moved into a 1930s building off the main Windsor drag.

Pick up jewellery, clothing and gifts from her label and some of her handpicked favourites from Australia and overseas, or just go to ogle the light-filled showroom.

Some of the brands include Lalla, Marysia, Lemaire, Aalto and Nick Fouquet, who's famous for hats.

151 Albert Street, Windsor. Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. Until December 22.
Education editor Alexandra Smith reports.

As many as 25,000 HSC students are this year expected to change their university preferences once they have a "more realistic idea of the course they can get into", according to the body responsible for admissions.

The University Admissions Centre (UAC) will for the first time release a round of offers just five days after ATARs are released and six days after students learn their HSC results, in a bid to end the month-long wait students used to endure before finding out their university options.

According to the most recent data, 70,178 people have applied through UAC for study in 2018, with 42,430 of those current NSW year 12 students.

More than 4800 UAC applications are from International Baccalaureate students from NSW and interstate and 20,719 are from non-year 12 students.

But Western Sydney University education academic, Katrina Barker, said students should remember that university is not "the be all and end all" and may not be suited to everyone.

Dr Barker, who is an expert in second chance education, said that there were many pathways for students other than traditional university entry.

Tertiary preparation certificates completed at TAFE can be a good option for students who are disappointed with their HSC mark, or a course at a private college, she said.

"There are so many alternate pathways to ensure students keep moving forward and don't stagnate," Dr Barker said.

"My advice is always to persist and don't give up in the face of initial challenges."

Dr Barker said a disappointing HSC result does not always mean a student will not do well at university and many often excel once they find a course they love.

Read the full story here.
As many as 25,000 HSC students are this year expected to change their university preferences once they have a "more realistic idea of the course they can get into", according to the body responsible for admissions.

The University Admissions Centre (UAC) will for the first time release a round of offers just five days after ATARs are released and six days after students learn their HSC results, in a bid to end the month-long wait students used to endure before finding out their university options.

The University Admissions Centre will release a round of offers just five days after ATARs are released.

According to the most recent data, 70,178 people have applied through UAC for study in 2018, with 42,430 of those current NSW year 12 students.

More than 4800 UAC applications are from International Baccalaureate students from NSW and interstate and 20,719 are from non-year 12 students.
About 270 hectares of land adjacent to a metro rail station in Sydney's north west have been rezoned by the state government, following a controversial three-year consultation period.

The Showground Station precinct has been the subject of significant dispute between the Hills Shire Council and the state government over the past two years, with the council pushing back on what it said was the overdevelopment implied in earlier plans.

The proposed Showground Station redevelopment precinct.

The council was also agitating for the rezoning to include provisions for larger apartments, in order to attract families from the area into units, while local member Ray Williams has also questioned the approach of Planning Minister Anthony Roberts over the proposed development.

Mr Roberts released the rezoning plans on Thursday, which include provision for 5000 new homes in the next 20 years.
Form S-1 Filing Active

DALLAS, TX, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zenergy Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: ZNGY), the nations leading next-generation utility, announced today that it is now commencing the installation of its fourth Zero Cost project, which will be taking place at a large correctional facility located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. This project encompasses a comprehensive energy retrofit and smart controls solution engineered by the Zenergy team. The projects technologies will result in a reduction in electricity, natural gas, and water consumption, all courtesy of the Companys trademarked Zero Cost Program, at no upfront out-of-pocket cost to the county.

Zenergy has been actively conducting energy audits, site surveys, and developing business with clients that cover a broad range of industries such as corrections, hospitality, retail, and municipalities. It is equally important to note that each Zenergy customer represents a seven-year revenue stream with a high probability of renewal. Zenergy believes that its Sustainability-as-a-Service business model will help fulfill its mission of creating a portfolio of customers for life while also significantly reducing the demand on the nations energy grid and water supply.

Zenergy also recently completed an S-1 registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which gives the Company access to an equity line of credit. The company plans to utilize this facility to implement its business plan. We invite the public to review this filing and learn more about our business strategy at our corporate website (www.zenergybrands.com).

Zenergy believes it is getting closer to securing a long-term and scalable project-financing solution for its Zero Cost Program contracts and prospects. We believe that the above project is the first of several large-scale installations that will follow, commented Vice President of Zero Cost Operations, Ryan Samuel.

In a September news release, Zenergy announced an engagement with Coit Capital, a FINRA registered broker-dealer, to secure a reliable funding source for its Zero Cost clients. This remains a mission-critical objective that Coit Capital continues to pursue on the Companys behalf.

Zenergy CEO, Alex Rodriguez, said, We are very excited about this installation and the value that we are going to add to the countys bottom line while also significantly reducing their carbon foot print. We remain convinced that our Zero Cost Program represents the future of how energy services should be accessed and experienced by commercial, industrial and municipal customers.

ABOUT ZENERGY BRANDS, INC.

Zenergy Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: ZNGY), is a next-generation energy and technology company operating in the emerging smart energy, conservation, and utility industries. The Company provides energy conservation, smart controls, and efficiency-based products and services to commercial, industrial and municipal end-use customers. The Company specializes in reducing utility expenses (electricity, natural gas, and water) by 20% to as much as 60% in some cases through its cutting-edge Zero Cost Program. Zenergy is a public company, fully reporting to the SEC and currently trading on the OTCQB, a venture market designed for early-stage and developing U.S. and international companies.

Twitter: @ZenergyBrands



Instagram: @ZenergyBrands



YouTube: Zenergy Brands



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the Company. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.




Fadi Ibrahim is now able to leave his home between certain hours, after he successfully overturned the house arrest he has been living under for three months.

Mr Ibrahim, 43, the brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, was arrested by Australian Federal Police in August in simultaneous international raids and extradited from Dubai over allegations he was involved in the importation of tobacco.

He has been subject to strict bail conditions since he was released in September, including not being allowed to leave his Dover Heights mansion except to visit his lawyers, go to court, go to the gym, or in exceptional circumstances such as a medical emergency or if the house was burning down.

In an application to vary his bail at the Supreme Court on Thursday, Mr Ibrahim's barrister Steven Boland successfully applied for his client to be subject to a 9pm to 7am curfew instead.
Controversial property developer Salim Mehajer has denied he contacted his estranged wife Aysha in breach of strict bail conditions, as he fights charges of dangerous driving and breaching an apprehended violence order.

Mr Mehajer, the former deputy mayor of the now-defunct Auburn Council, appeared in Burwood Local Court on Thursday in a bid to vary his bail conditions to remove a 10pm curfew and a requirement he report three times a week to Rose Bay police station.

He was also seeking to travel interstate for work.

On November 20 Magistrate Joy Boulos imposed "very stringent" bail conditions on the 31-year-old, which she said would ensure he was kept "virtually under house arrest" at a residence in Vaucluse.
Queensland's unemployment rate has remained steady but the latest figures are either good or bad news - depending on who you ask.

The unemployment rate remained steady at 5.9 per cent, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Queensland's employment rate has remained steady. Credit:Michelle Smith

Western Australia was the worst on 6.6 per cent, followed by South Australia (6.1 per cent), Queensland, Tasmania (5.8 per cent), Victoria (5.5 per cent) and then New South Wales (4.6 per cent).

Queensland's trend unemployment was 5.8 per cent, remaining steady, and the state had the second-largest increase in trend employment - up 6200 people.
Call it a symptom of our modern age. Thanks to a new sky atlas developed by Australian astronomers, we can now look to the skies without ever glancing away from our screens.

Using more than 70,000 ultra-high-resolution images painstakingly shot over 15 months, astronomers have created the most detailed map of the southern sky ever made  and from Thursday it's available to the public.

The map captures nearly 300 million stars and galaxies and shows the universe from our viewpoint in incredible detail. It allows users to pick a point in the southern sky and view galaxies in high resolution  or zoom back and appreciate the whole scope of the visible universe.

The astronomy team liken it to a treasure map of the heavens, full of secrets waiting to be discovered  by both scientists and backyard astronomers alike.
The corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate whether the Andrews government used public funds to secure a preference deal with a minor party at the Northcote by-election.

Nationals Leader Peter Walsh confirmed the Coalition had referred the matter to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission.

Nina Lenk was the Animal Justice Party candidate in the Northcote by-election. Credit:Daniel Pockett

But the government shot back, rejecting suggestions of impropriety with the preference deal.

Mr Walsh declined to discuss his concerns about the arrangement with the matter now referred to the commission.
Ten crossings have been removed to date. Credit:Paul Rovere "The delivery of the program is ahead of schedule, and [the Level Crossing Removal Authority] expects to surpass its target of removing 20 crossings by 2018," the report states. "However, this pace presents risks to achieving value for money. These risks are compounded by an inadequate and delayed business case, and poor indicators to measure program benefits." Other politically driven decisions, such as changing the reference design of crossing removals from rail over to rail under to avoid property acquisitions, have potentially added hundreds of millions of dollars to the project cost.

This has been especially so on the Frankston line, where 11 crossings are being removed, the report found. This pace presents risks to achieving value for money. These risks are compounded by an inadequate and delayed business case. Report by Auditor-General Andrew Greaves Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan defended Labor's selection of 50 crossings, arguing it had been made based on publicly available information while in opposition. "What we didn't have at that point of time, of course, was the VicRoads report that the then Napthine government had ... and not only did the Liberal government keep this report a secret; they sat on it," Ms Allan said. But she declined to give a guarantee that the project's $8.3 billion cost will not continue to rise.

The figure includes $1.4 billion for extras including new railway stations, power upgrades and track duplications, Ms Allan said. "Where we have an opportunity when we're removing a level crossing to do more in those local communities to improve public transport services, we will," she said. Treasurer Tim Pallas said the report was "an illustration of why governments should probably never talk about the cost of a project until they sign contracts". Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Davis said level crossing removals had merit, "but that doesn't mean that you have a licence to blow the public's money ... on a poorly run project". The report is scathing of the performance of Victoria's public service, finding that the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources has failed to give the Andrews government frank and full advice about potential problems with the project.

The finding by Mr Greaves mirrors a similarly damning assessment of how departmental staff mishandled the former Napthine government's failed East West Link project. "The role of the public service to provide full and frank advice was not realised in this case," Mr Greaves wrote. "[The department] should have advised the incoming government that an analysis was needed of the selected sites against the stated program objective of removing 50 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings." The business case for the level crossing removal program was completed in April, almost two years after the project started. It was given a benefit-cost ratio of 0.78, based on a total project cost of $7.6 billion, meaning it would return 78 cents for every dollar spent.

The project's current cost, $8.3 billion, would erode the benefit-cost ratio further, Mr Greaves' report said. Much of the increase has come about from changes to recommended designs, particularly on the Frankston line, the report states. It also warns that the business case for the project could get even shakier in coming years. "Given the [level crossing removal project] has only removed 10 crossings to date, with five years still remaining and more complex crossings to remove, there is a real risk of further cost increases," the report said. The project is largely being funded from the proceeds of the $9.7 billion long-term lease of the Port of Melbourne.
That's all from me today. Thanks for joining us!

Have a splendid weekend and I'll see you again on Monday.
An assistant principal recently stood down over an illicit relationship with a 15-year-old student nearly four decades ago wants to keep teaching despite admitting to grooming the girl for sex.

On Thursday, Keith Currie, a former senior teacher at Bacchus Marsh Grammar, faced a formal hearing panel of the Victorian Institute of Teaching which will decide if he is unfit to teach after the victim came forward two years ago.

Keith Currie wants to keep teaching, despite admitting to grooming the girl for sex. Credit:Eamon Gallagher

The hearing was told that Mr Currie admitted kissing the girl and touching her breast when she was a student at Ballarat Grammar School in sexual advances that took place between 1978 and 1980.

At the time the girl was aged 15 and 16, while Mr Currie was in his late 20s.
The State Government has been slammed for announcing plans to axe jobs and programs throughout WA's state education system, on what has been described as a "dark day" for regional education.

Education Minister Sue Ellery said the government would close the popular School of the Air facilities based in Hedland, Carnarvon, Derby, Kalgoorlie and Meekatharra, and a further 170 job would be cut.

Minister Ellery announced the abolition of Schools of the Air in Hedland, Carnarvon, Derby, Kalgoorlie and Meekatharra. Credit:Hannah Barry

Tuart College in Perth will close, and Canning College will change to take overseas fee-paying students only.

School camp sites in Bridgetown, Dampier, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Pemberton and residential accommodation in Northam and Moora are also set to go.
Fashion juggernaut H&M has announced its third Perth store will be the first of its kind to open south of the river.

Formally known as H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB, the retailer made the announcement on Thursday morning it would set up shop inside the Mandurah Forum.

H&M said it had recently entered into a lease at the Mandurah Forum.

Already based in Lakeside Joondalup and the Perth CBD General Post Office, the store will be the first H&M franchise south of the river and it's set to open in the first half of 2018.

"We are excited to be able to announce the opening of our new store in Mandurah in 2018," Australian country manager Hans Andersson said.
TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeedMD Inc. (TSX-V:WMD) (WeedMD or the Company), a federally-licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis, is pleased to announce it has entered into a supply agreement with Jarlette Health Services, an Ontario-based long-term care (LTC) and retirement home provider with approximately 2,000 beds in its health services network. WeedMD will be the preferred supplier of medical cannabis to Jarlettes 14 LTC homes and six retirement lodges across the province. With the addition of Jarlette, the Company is now the preferred supplier for 29 LTC homes and lodges, representing more than 3,000 beds.



As an industry leader with over 40 years of experience providing quality health care to its residents, Jarlette Health Services is a welcome addition to our growing network of LTC, assisted living and retirement homes looking to enhance the quality of life of their residents, said Bruce Dawson-Scully, CEO of WeedMD. This partnership exemplifies Jarlettes forward-looking approach to the use of medical cannabis as an alternative medicine.

At Jarlette, our residents comfort and care is paramount in the way we administer health care  with a strong focus on respect, diginity and quality of life, and is achieved through improvements in everything from home-care enhancement to medication therapy and education, said Judy Maltais, Director of Long Term Care Operations, Jarlette Health Services. Weve been researching the use of medical cannabis for some time and are pleased to add education and collaboration in resident care to improve and optimize medication therapy for our residents.

Through education and training, we are working with WeedMD to provide support to our residents and their families. Making investments in education will ensure that our residents and Jarlettes network of health care providers are equipped with the tools to make informed decisions about medical cannabis, said Edwin Brunink, Director of Retirement Lodge Operations, Jarlette Health Services.

With a demographic that is growing at four times the rate of the broader population, WeedMD views seniors as an important and growing market segment  with a sizable portion of the population either living in, or seeking assisted living residency. The Company is committed to ensuring that its cannabis oils combined with its educational and product platforms meet the needs of the seniors market. See video here.

Having secured a license from Health Canada on December 1, 2017 to sell cannabis oils, WeedMDs product offerings include two cannabis oil platforms called Axis (for the LTC market) and Entourage (for patients registered under the ACMPR program).

Both are available in three offerings: (i) High THC Oil, (ii) Hybrid  equal concentrations of THC and CBD Oil, and (iii) High CBD Oil.

All three products will be available for purchase by current medical partners and patients via WeedMDs website as of early 2018. Read more about the oil sales license here. WeedMD will continue to focus on securing further supply contracts in the seniors care market, offering its proprietary integrated care program along with its cannabis products. Additionally, the Company recently announced its expansion plan to a large-scale modern greenhouse that will be the main supply source for its medical cannabis patients as well as for the future adult-use market. For more about the expansion, read here.

For more information, access our investor presentation here and corporate video here.

About Jarlette Health Services

Jarlette Health Services Inc. cares for approximately 2,000 residents at 20 long-term care homes and retirement lodges throughout Ontario. With over 40 years of experience in health care, Jarlette Health Services has set the pace for high standards in the industry and has built a tradition of developing mutually rewarding relationships with its residents, employees and the communities it serves.

About WeedMD Inc.

WeedMD Inc. is the publicly-traded parent company of WeedMD Rx Inc., a federally-licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). The Company operates a 26,000 sq. ft. indoor facility in Aylmer, Ontario, and is awaiting its second-site cultivation license for its greenhouse facility located in Strathroy, Ontario, representing 610,000 sq. ft. or 14 acres under glass. WeedMD has entered into supply agreements in addition to strategic relationships with established cannabis brands. The Company is focused on providing medical cannabis to the long-term care, assisted living and seniors markets in Canada through its specialized and comprehensive platform. It is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners and furthering public understanding of the role that medical cannabis plays - including as it pertains to regulatory requirements, indications and potential side effects.

Follow WeedMD On:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weedmd/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/5020743/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeedMD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weedmd/

For further information, please contact:

WeedMD Inc.

Keith Merker, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 519-765-2440 Ext. 222

Email: investor@weedmd.com

To learn more, visit us at www.weedmd.com

For Media Inquiries:

Marianella delaBarrera

Margin Communications & Public Relations

Tel: 416-897-6644

Email: marianella@marginpr.com

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. Statements about the date of trading of the Company's common shares on the Exchange and final regulatory approvals, among others, are forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE
A dispute over a cigarette lighter led to 20-year-old Piri Phillips losing his life in broad daylight in the middle of Perth and his killer being sentenced to life in prison.

Travis Raymond Robinson, 38, was walking through the Perth CBD with his young son on the evening of January 10 this year and approached a group of youths outside the Wesley Church, where homeless and itinerant people often gather, the Supreme Court of WA heard on Thursday.

Friends tried desperately to save the 20-year-old. Credit:Cyndi Lavrencic / Ten Eyewitness News Perth

He obtained a cigarette and spoke to the group of young men and women.

An argument broke out with Mr Phillips, who punched Robinson twice in the head because he thought he had stolen his lighter.
Jakarta: All it took was some bamboo for an inspiring teacher from the impoverished Indonesian island of Sumbawa to explain a maths concept that had confounded her grade two students.

Dewi Kurniati's class could do division with numbers, but they failed if the problem was presented in written form such as: "If I have 10 oranges that must be shared equally between two people how many does each receive?"

West Sumbawa teacher Dewi Kurniati. Credit:Jewel Topsfield

"I was shocked when I looked at their test results," the effervescent 26-year-old says. "If there were no numbers and just letters, they got confused. So I squeezed my brain  what has gone wrong?"

Dewi's school in Taliwang, a city on the west coast of Sumbawa, has few resources. "We only have one printer, one laptop and no wifi."
Washington: President Donald Trump has insisted that he will be tougher on terrorism than his predecessor, but a new report indicates that the White House may be planning to reduce funding for key US counterterrorism programs and to eliminate one program altogether.

The administration is seeking a total of $US568 million in cuts from counterterrorism programs from 2017 levels, according to a report released Tuesday by the Democratic staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The report is based on a document sent from the Office of Management and Budget back to the Department of Homeland Security containing White House guidance on the proposed 2019 budget; the document was leaked to the Democratic staff of the homeland security committee in November.

The budget offers a glimpse into the president's priorities as he prepares his 2019 budget proposal, including recommended cuts that would eliminate Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams, known as VIPRs. The program, begun under George W. Bush in 2005, falls under the Transportation Security Administration.
Washington: President Donald Trump called House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday to ask about a Politico report that the Wisconsin Republican will step down from his leadership position after 2018, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

Ryan told the president he's sticking around, a House leadership aide said. Ryan himself said at a news conference on Thursday that he's not planning to quit any time soon, and a spokeswoman, AshLee Strong, said the story "is pure speculation."

US President Donald Trump Credit:ALEX BRANDON

Trump "made sure the speaker knew very clearly that if the news was true he'd be very unhappy" Sanders said. Ryan assured the president that they'd be working together for "a long time," she said.

Politico reported that of three dozen people close to Ryan it interviewed, none expected him to remain in Congress after 2018, and that the speaker has "made it known to some of his closest confidants that this will be his final term."
Bangkok: Myanmar's government has charged two Reuters journalists who had been leaked documents on brutal military-led attacks on Rohingya Muslims in the country's Rakhine State.

Reuters said it was "outraged" by the arrests of Wa Lone, 31 and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, who have been held under the country's draconian Official Secrets Act that carries penalties of up to 14 years jail.

"The two journalists obtained the documents by deception from the two policemen who came back from Rakhine state after serving security duties," Myanmar police said in a statement.

The United States embassy in Myanmar said it was "deeply concerned" about the arrests and urged the government to allow access to the pair.
Paris: Four children were killed and seven seriously injured after a train smashed into a school bus, splitting it in two, outside the town of Perpignan in southwestern France on Thursday, the interior ministry said.

Television images showed a long line of ambulance and emergency service vehicles near the crossing where the collision occurred, with the bus cut in half, highlighting the ferocity of the impact.

"All my thoughts to the victims and their families of this terrible school bus accident," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he was travelling to the scene, more than 850 km from Paris.
On the initiative of Minister of Justice, Raphael A. Boasman, officials of the Ministry of Justice of St. Maarten joined the more than 150 representatives of governments and criminal justice authorities of the 34 countries and territories of the Americas, private sector and international organizations to participate in the Hemispheric Forum on International Cooperation against Cybercrime in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from the 5th to the 7th of December 2017.

Participating countries and territories included Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Uruguay and USA.

The Forum was aimed at permitting participating countries to make better use of capacity building programs of international organizations, to enhance cooperation and synergies between International organizations and initiatives, and to share experience on the strengthening of capacity building for criminal justice authorities.

Cybercrime is a fast-growing area of crime. More and more criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to commit a diverse range of criminal activities that know no borders, either physical or virtual, cause serious harm and pose very real threats to victims worldwide.

In accordance with different worldwide sources, cybercrime is costing the world economy up to US $500 billion a year. Cybercrime and issues related to electronic evidence undermine the social and economic development opportunities of information technologies as well as human rights, democracy and the rule of law. A more effective criminal justice response and cooperation at all levels are needed.

Legislation on cybercrime and electronic evidence is the basis for such a response. An increasing number of countries in the Americas have adopted or, like St. Maarten, are in the process of adopting domestic legislation, using the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime as a guideline. This Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe is the only binding international instrument on this issue. Its main objective is to pursue a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against cybercrime, especially by adopting appropriate legislation and fostering international co-operation. The Convention serves as a guideline for any country developing comprehensive national legislation against Cybercrime and as a framework for international cooperation between State Parties to this treaty. It is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.

Also, with the growing relevance of information and communication technologies for societies around the world and thus their vulnerability to threats such as cybercrime a major capacity building effort is required to enable criminal justice authorities to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate offenses against and by means of computers as well as other offenses entailing electronic evidence.

Capacity building is an effective way to permit countries strengthen legislation, institutional capacities

and cooperation at all levels. An example of good practice and offer of further support is the project of the European Union and the Council of Europe on Global Action on Cybercrime Extended (GLACY+).

The several workshops of the Council of Europe, OAS, US Department of Justice, Interpol and other International/regional organizations and other countries focused on a wide range of topics, i.a.:

Capacity building and obligatory certification of police officers in digital evidence and cybercrime investigations;

TOR, The Dark Web and Bitcoin: The technical background needed and an example of a successful investigation and prosecution;

Access to evidence in the cloud;

Procedural and Substantive Laws: how courts evaluate admissibility of digital evidence;

International community in the fight against cybercrime;

It should be recognized that combating cybercrime is not a sole responsibility of the public sector but also of the private sector. It is important to promote a platform for high levels of cooperation between the private and public sectors. Currently, geopolitical changes, the acceleration of technological developments and the evolution of attacks have caused a response gap between policies and real-time effective execution. All parties will need to participate in the creation of a pragmatic legal framework that will permit law enforcement to perform their duties while protecting individual privacy and facilitate cooperation between countries. INTERPOL is focusing resources to expand its information sharing agreements with private sector to produce actionable intelligence for member countries. Participating countries to the Cyber Surge urged INTERPOL to continue producing and disseminating intelligence through its official channels.

Cybercrime related cases are complicated and require tenacity, resources, intelligence, patience by the investigators, and coordination between the different governmental institutions. This will seek to ensure the success of tracking, investigating, capturing, and processing of criminals. Occasionally, criminals make mistakes. Those mistakes, in turn, can be used for the investigation and prosecution of said criminals and bring them to justice.

International cooperation in cyber-related cases is very important for the exchange of experiences and technical assistance. In particular, in cases that have not been encountered before.

It is the responsibility of investigators and prosecutors to explain the technical aspects of complex issues in clear and simple terms to judges and juries.

As electronic evidence is increasingly stored on servers in the cloud, specific measures are needed to secure such evidence for criminal justice purposes. The work of the Cybercrime Convention Committee within the framework of the Budapest Convention is noted, including the negotiation of a Protocol on access to evidence in the cloud which started in September 2017. It is also noted that private sector entities are prepared to cooperate with public authorities. Governments may consider following the work of the Cybercrime Convention Committee on a Protocol to the Budapest Convention and accession to this treaty.

Cooperation between international organizations

The developments of an international and national level call of consciousness are the grounds for effective actions. There is a need to reassess and renew the current international legal frameworks, to offer a forum for broader international discussion expressing an outlook towards increasing and advancing international law-enforcement and judicial cooperation among the national authorities and between international and regional organizations. These developments should consider the influences of new and emerging issues in respect of international law-enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, alongside with recommendations on capacity-building. These recommendations should show an equal concern for the situation in countries at different stages of development in order to avoid a chaotic future.

In terms of the way ahead:

States should adopt appropriate domestic legal frameworks on cybercrime and electronic evidence, in line with international standards, such as the Budapest Convention; States - with the support of international organizations - should continue to build capacities and skills of law enforcement agencies, prosecution services, and judiciary; Criminal justice authorities should strengthen cooperation with the private sector that will enable timely access to data;

Streamline procedures involved in the processing of mutual legal assistance requests. States may consider accession to the Budapest Convention as a framework for international cooperation; International organizations should further enhance their cooperation with each other and seek synergies in capacity building activities.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of communication and cooperation between governments and the private sector, particularly in the case of countries that do not yet have firmly established relationships with common providers.

There was an agreement among the participants on the need to work on capacity building strategies for operators of the criminal justice system about the challenges of computer-related crime and digital evidence. To promote interdisciplinary courses of legal and technical content. To promote "training of trainers" in the different countries of the region and to promote a better use of the resources for international cooperation.

Acknowledgement of the importance of the creation of special prosecution offices to deal with cybercrime and to promote joint activities and links among special prosecutors' units at a regional level.

It was also acknowledged the need of new criminal procedure laws regarding digital evidence and the creation of procedural powers. It is recommended the use of the Budapest Convention as a guideline.

It was accepted the urgent need to work on new rules (at the international and national level) regarding trans-border access to data and data in the cloud. Further, it was considered important the inclusion of an additional protocol to the Budapest convention regarding data preservation, production search and seizure orders when data is in another jurisdiction.
OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (Cornerstone or the Company) (TSXV:CGP) (Frankfurt:GWN) (Berlin:GWN) (OTC:CTNXF) announces the following update on its Bramaderos project in Ecuador.



The Bramaderos concession exploration targets and figures referred to in this release can be seen in PDF format by accessing the version of this release on the Companys website (www.cornerstoneresources.com) or by clicking on the link below:



http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/i/pdf/NR17-46Figures.pdf.

Highlights:

Drilling permit (i.e., environmental license plus water use permit) process is progressing

Drilling permit, when received, will allow drilling throughout the concession not just in specific areas

Other exploration activities are delivering very good results and will improve the quality of drill targeting

Cornerstone Vice President, Exploration, Yvan Crepeau, said: The Ministry of Environment (ME) has approved the carrying out of the community consultation process which is currently underway and will be completed before the end of the year. We were hoping to get the actual environmental license and water use permit by end of December but as government agencies shut down for the Xmas/New Year vacations it is looking as though this will run over into January 2018. Due to the increased number of exploration projects in Ecuador, the ME and SENAGUA (Water Agency) are short staffed and taking longer to issue permits so it is hard to give an exact date for the drilling permit to be granted, but we certainly expect it sometime in Q1 2018 and we are doing everything possible to make that happen. Since the inception of the exploration program in July of this year, we are adding excellent surface exploration results every month and are defining prime targets to be drill tested. 2018 will be an exciting year at Bramaderos.

Drill Permitting (EIA and Water Use Permit)

A drilling permit is required prior to commencement of drilling. The permit application process requires the execution of an environmental impact study (EIS - including stakeholder consultation of the drilling program with local communities, authorities and landowner groups), and receipt of a water use permit. The water use permit application was submitted and technically pre-qualified by the administrating authority (SENAGUA) in September. This application entered the formal stakeholder feedback phase at the beginning of December, with 20 days allowed for comment. It is SENAGUAs responsibility to then designate a site inspector and deliver a site inspection report in January 2018 prior to issuing the permit.

The EIA baseline studies and draft EIA reports were also completed in October 2017. It was formerly usual practice to then present the draft EIA report to the Ministry of Environment for consideration of the Terms of Reference before the Social Participation Process (SPP) phase. Unfortunately, a recent change of environmental code regulations saw this process change in late 2018 to requiring the SPP phase to be conducted first. Accordingly, the SPP was initiated with field work (interviews and stakeholder mapping) in November and the opening of an Information Centre at the beginning of December. The Public Information Meeting is scheduled for December 17 and the Information Centre is required to remain open for one week after this meeting. The final EIA report must include the feedback from this period and then submit to the Ministry of Environment for approval. The Ministry has then one month to consider the application and request additional information where required. Assuming the Ministry does not require additional information, the EIA could be approved in early 2018.

The drill permit, once received, will allow drill anywhere within the concession, and as such will allow efficient testing of the multiple porphyry and epithermal targets that are currently being defined as well as providing flexibility to test additional targets on the concession in the future.

Detailed Heli-Magnetics Survey

A detailed heli-magnetics (and radiometrics) survey has been planned for some time. The survey is about 3 months late due to heavy demands on the survey contractor from the extremely active exploration environment in Ecuador, and due to delays caused by poor weather in the north of Ecuador.

Current timing puts the survey commencement at Bramaderos to immediately prior to Christmas, with data processing to occur during January 2018.

The heli-magnetics data is an extremely important component to the exploration program. The results will be used to map structure, alteration, and intrusive events, and have been applied successfully by the Sunstone team to previous porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold discoveries in the past.

Bramaderos Main Trenching

A trenching program is currently in progress at Bramaderos Main with assay results to come in December and Q1 2018. The trenching is proving to be extremely useful in defining areas of increasing vein density and with that increasing gold and copper grade. A decision has been made to go to more detailed trenching to strengthen the definition of drill targets.

The significance of defining outcropping porphyry systems cannot be underestimated in terms of ongoing effective exploration, and if successful, future development opportunities.

Extension of soil sampling coverage

Soil sampling is currently in progress covering the northern and western extensions to the Limon target, and testing the area to the north, south and east of the West Zone epithermal gold target, and the north of Bramaderos Main.

Delivery of detailed alteration Mapping (and vectors to potential mineralization)

A detailed assessment of the geology of the Bramaderos Main and Limon targets with a focus on the alteration of the host rocks has been undertaken. This work allows for vectoring towards areas of a porphyry system that are considered more likely to host mineralisation. This approach has been applied previously by the Sunstone team during other discoveries. The results from Bramaderos will now be integrated with other datasets and influence the selection of drill targets.

About Bramaderos

The Bramaderos concession is owned by Cornerstone subsidiary La Plata Minerales S.A. (PLAMIN), which has signed a binding letter of intent with Sunstone Metals Ltd. (formerly Avalon Minerals Ltd.) (ASX: STM), whereby Sunstone has the right to earn a 51% interest in the project by spending US$3.4 million over 3 years to complete a phase 1 drill program. If this first option is earned, Sunstone can go to 70% by funding a bankable feasibility study, and can go to 80% by financing 100% of the cost of construction of a mine and mill (see news release 17-08 dated April 10, 2017).

Qualified Person:

Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstones Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Bramaderos project for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release.

Sampling and assaying

Rock samples are collected by PLAMINs personnel, placed in plastic bags, labeled and sealed, and stored in a secure place until delivery by PLAMIN employees to the LAC y Asociados ISO 9001-2008 certified sample preparation facility in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Rock samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (MSA code PRP-910). Prepared samples are then shipped to MS Analytical Services (MSA), an ISO 9001-2008 laboratory in Langley, BC, Canada, where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (MSA code IMS-136, 15.0 g split, Aqua Regia digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish) and gold by Fire Assay (MSA code FAS-111, 30 g fusion, AAS finish). Over limit results for Cu (>1%) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code ICF-6Cu, 0.2 g, 4-acid digestion, ICP-AES finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AAS finish (MSA code FAS 111). Over limit results for Au (>10 g/t) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code FAS-415, FA, 30g., gravimetric finish).

Soil samples are dried at low temperature, screened to 80 mesh (MSA code PRP-757), a 15 grams portion is then assayed for a multi-elements suite (MSA code IMS-136, Aqua Regia digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish).

Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC)

The MSA Analytical Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 20-25 samples) as part of PLAMINs QA/QC program. Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each rock sample, are stored for future use and controls.

About Cornerstone:

Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, including the Cascabel gold-enriched copper porphyry joint venture in north west Ecuador. Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (ENSA), an Ecuadorean company owned by SolGold Plc and Cornerstone, holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including SolGolds fully funding the project through to feasibility, SolGold Plc will own 85% of the equity of ENSA and Cornerstone will own the remaining 15% of ENSA. SolGold Plc is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project.

Further information is available on Cornerstones website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter. For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations:

Mario Drolet; Email: Mario@mi3.ca; Tel. (514) 904-1333

Due to anti-spam laws, many shareholders and others who were previously signed up to receive email updates and who are no longer receiving them may need to re-subscribe at http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/s/InformationRequest.asp

Cautionary Notice:

This news release may contain Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstones plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words potential, anticipate, forecast, believe, estimate, expect, may, project, plan, and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views after the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements.

On Behalf of the Board,

Hugh Brooke Macdonald

President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
NewBridges Common Stock Now Trades under Ticker NBGV

Orem, Utah, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewBridge Global Ventures, Inc. (NewBridge or the Company), (OTCQB: NBGV), a company focused on the emerging and dynamic cannabis industry, is pleased to announce that effective December 12, 2017, FINRA has approved its corporate name change and issued the Company a new trading symbol. Newbridges common stock now trades under the ticker symbol NBGV.

These changes represent the final step in a rebranding effort to reflect the Companys strategic pivot into the legal Cannabis industry with a focus on an Eco-System that incorporates Education, Production, Distribution and Cryptocurrency / Blockchain technologies. The name change better reflects the Companys plans to integrate these various verticals within the global Cannabis markets.

Mark Mersman, CEO of NewBridge Global Ventures, commented, These are very exciting times for our Company as we take the next steps in our journey into the dynamic Cannabis markets. NewBridge will allow shareholders to seamlessly participate in the emerging and financially restricted, global cannabis marketplace in the industrys early days. We believe that NewBridge has a large market opportunity and we look forward to growing the company and creating shareholder value.

The Company recently announced an Equity Purchase Agreement for $2.0 million. Proceeds will be used for growth capital and to fund the Companys focused roll-up strategy to acquire industry leading cannabis companies in the ancillary production and distribution verticals that may be utilizing blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

About NewBridge Global Ventures, Inc.

NewBridge Global Ventures, Inc. is a U.S. public company (OTCQB: NBGV) providing business consulting services to companies in the medical marijuana and cannabis related industries. Current associates include an online education company providing education to healthcare professionals on medical cannabis and the endocannabinoid system, a production company, a distribution company focused on delivering best in class hemp oil and medical marijuana products, and a wellness center delivering medical recommendations to patients alongside sales of CBD and hemp oil products. For more information, visit www.newbridgegv.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements about the expected timing, and all other statements in this press release, other than historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based on current expectation and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. A number of the matters discussed herein that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments that may or may not materialize. This press release speaks only as of its date, and except as required by law, we disclaim any duty to update.




COAST SALISH TERRITORY/VICTORIA, B.C., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dockside Green Ltd., a subsidiary of Vancity, and Bosa Development are announcing today that Dockside Green has been awarded platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making the project the first of its kind in Canada to receive the prestigious v4 Platinum designation.



Dockside Green was awarded the certification under the LEED-ND v4 (leadership in energy and environmental design  neighbourhood development) rating system for its new neighbourhood plan. The program recognizes projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health of the natural environment, and the quality of life for residents and surrounding community.

We set out to create a socially vibrant and environmentally sustainable neighbourhood, says Dockside Green Ltd. president Norm Shearing. Were proud of the work weve done so far, and were really looking forward to watching this community grow under the leadership of Bosa Development.

Bosa Development reached a deal to acquire Dockside Green earlier this year. The agreement to purchase the 15-acre mixed-use residential and commercial real estate development in Victoria takes effect tomorrow.

Its an honour to be part of Victorias Dockside community, says Ryan Bosa, president of Bosa Development. It has been a model for sustainability and building innovation from the beginning, and we hope everyone shares our excitement about the future of Dockside Green.

Dockside Green placed third globally among LEED v4 ND projects, receiving praise for a variety of design elements, including:

walkable streets

access to quality transit and bicycle facilities

parks and outdoor space

housing types and affordability

indoor and outdoor water use reduction

energy efficiency

certified green building and

local food production.

CEO of the Canada Green Building Council Thomas Mueller says Dockside Green has been at the forefront of sustainability globally since its first LEED certification in 2009, adding the next phase of this development proves their ongoing commitment to developing smarter, healthier and more environmentally responsible communities for British Columbians.

For more information:

Vancity and Dockside Green

Brent Shearer

T: 778-837-0394

mediarelations@vancity.com

Bosa Development

Renu Bakshi

Media Relations

T: 604-787-1873

renu@renubakshi.com

About Dockside Green

Dockside Green is a mixed-use residential and commercial real estate development in Victoria, British Columbia. The community sits on 15 acres of former industrial land that is being transformed into one of the most innovative green developments in North America. Once completed, it will include 26 buildings totaling 1.3 million square feet, and be home to about 2,500 people in three neighbourhoods.

About Bosa Development

Building on more than half a century of expertise and leadership, Bosa strives to exceed expectations with every home it builds and project it undertakes. The company is bold, forward-looking, and committed to acting with integrity. Bosa pursues urban design excellence, and is a smart-growth leader and long-term investor in the communities in which it builds. Bosa communities can be found in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Greater Seattle, and San Diego.

About Vancity

Vancity is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its more than 523,000 member-owners and their communities in the Coast Salish and Kwakwakawakw territories, with 59 branches in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Squamish and Alert Bay. With $25.6 billion in assets plus assets under administration, Vancity is Canadas largest community credit union. Vancity uses its assets to help improve the financial well-being of its members while at the same time helping to develop healthy communities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.
CAMPBELL, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitglass, the Next-Gen CASB company, today announced that the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) published its latest ESG Lab Review, which focuses on Bitglass next-gen cloud access security broker (CASB) solution. The report evaluates Bitglass on how it provides access control, data loss prevention, and threat prevention for data that has moved outside the firewall via public cloud applications and managed and unmanaged devices.

The report validates Bitglass ability to deliver a comprehensive CASB solution for custom apps, unknown apps, and an impressively large list of predefined apps. Report author and senior validation analyst Tony Palmer also touts Bitglass ability to protect mobile data as well as traditional mobile device management (MDM) solutions without using on-device software or agents.

The ESG Lab report states  The vast majority of organizations today are either already using applications on public cloud services or have plans to deploy cloud apps. Combined with the increasing use of mobile devices and bring your own devices (BYOD) for access to potentially sensitive data, this presents a unique challenge to CISOs and IT departments.

Bitglass Next-Gen agentless architecture uniquely combines rapid deployment with real-time data and threat protection for any application on any device, said Rich Campagna, Bitglass CEO. We will continue to drive the CASB market forward as organizations look to secure their evolving cloud footprint with a real-time data and threat protection solution that is easy to deploy.

The review takes a deep dive into several of Bitglass core functionalities, focusing on its unique agentless architecture. The Bitglass CASB solution overdelivers, as Palmer affirms  with no agents or certificates requiredBitglass provided protection for data at rest in multiple public cloud-based applications, including data loss prevention and suspicious activity alerting.

Bitglass Scores High Marks In:

Scanning and identifying sensitive data at rest

Setting up DLP patterns

Enabling malware protection for known applications

Setting up policies for predefined, custom, and unmanaged/shadow IT applications

All mobile access security use cases  including onboarding, securing access to and storage of data on the device and remote wipe

ESGs Conclusion: If your organization is currently using or planning to use public cloud applications with or without BYOD and mobile access, ESG Lab recommends taking a very close look at Bitglass.

The Bitglass approach:

Provides secure access from any device with contextual access control, data leakage prevention, integrated multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on (SSO).

Uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure data in the cloud while preserving key functionality like search and sort.

Secures data on mobile devices and unmanaged BYOD assets without the need for agents or certificate installation.

Detects unmanaged Shadow IT apps and controls those applications on managed endpoints..

Download a complimentary copy of the ESG Lab Spotlight: https://pages.bitglass.com/ESG_Lab_Spotlight_Bitglass_CASB.html

About Bitglass

Bitglass, the Next-Gen CASB company, is based in Silicon Valley with offices worldwide. The company's cloud security solutions deliver zero-day, agentless, data and threat protection for any app, any device, anywhere. Bitglass is backed by Tier 1 investors and was founded in 2013 by a team of industry veterans with a proven track record of innovation and execution.



Press Contact:

Travis Anderson

10Fold for Bitglass

(925) 271-8227

bitglass@10fold.com
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Bir Lehlu (Liberated territories), Dec 13, 2017 (SPS)- President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Secretary General of Frente POLISARIO Brahim Gali called on the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to intervene immediately to enforce implementation of UN decisions and recommendations related to Western Sahara.

The Sahrawi president underlined that the UN Security Council's resolution on the status of the buffer zone of Al Guerguerat, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement "has not been implemented yet."

In a letter to the UN Secretary General after the release of the annual recommendations of the General Assembly on decolonization, President Gali wrote "POLISARIO can no longer accept the situation on the ground because the Moroccan presence in the area constitutes a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement and an illegal unilateral change of the status quo, hence the need for a solution as soon as possible," said Wednesday the Sahrawi news agency SPS.

The Sahrawi president expressed concerns over the absence of UN response to Morocco's "colonialist practices" in Western Sahara and recalled "UN's legal and moral responsibility" towards the Sahrawi people and their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.

President Gali added that Moroccan authorities "continue to consider Western Sahara as part of its national territory, in a blatant violation of the international law and the UN resolutions, and continue its violation of the fundamental rights of defenceless Sahrawis, especially human rights activists, in the occupied territories of Western Sahara."

Moroccan authorities also "continue systematic plundering of the natural resources of Western Sahara despite the ruling by the European Union Court of Justice reaffirming that Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara and its natural resources," said the Sahrawi president.

He also recalled the blockade imposed on the occupied territories and the ban on journalists, international observers and human rights activists, and even on UN officials, he added.SPS

125/090/700
Merida (Spain), Dec 13, 2017 (SPS) - The Assembly of Extremadura (Spain), has adopted, unanimously, an institutional declaration of support to the people of Western Sahara, signed by all the parliamentary groups present in the autonomous chamber.

Extremadura legislators demand the Kingdom of Morocco the immediate release of Saharawi political prisoners, and the cease of violations of human rights in the prisons it controls," went on saying the statement, condemning the continued plundering of the natural resources of Western Sahara.

It considers it necessary and urgent for MINURSO to have in its functions the capacity to supervise and document the violations committed by Morocco against the Sahrawis in the OOTT.

With regard to the resolution of the conflict, the representatives of Extremadura, urge the United Nations to seek a definitive solution and to go through the free exercise of the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. SPS

125/090/TRA
French English

Regulated Information - Inside Information - 14 December 2017 - 2 pm CET

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO

Bone Therapeutics Launches Equity Placement

Gosselies, Belgium, 14 December 2017, 2pm CET - Bone Therapeutics (Euronext Brussels and Paris: BOTHE), the bone cell therapy company addressing high unmet medical needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases (the "Company"), today announces the launch of a private placement to raise approximately 8 million via an accelerated bookbuild offering (the "Offering"), with the potential to increase the size of the placement.

Bone Therapeutics currently plans to use the net proceeds of the Offering for

Finalising the Phase I/IIA delayed-union trial (ALLOB  ) and beginning recruitment of the next phase (approx. 20% of the net proceeds);

Completion of the recruitment and follow-up of the included patients for Phase IIA lumbar spinal fusion trial (ALLOB  ) and initiation of the groundwork for the next phase ( in vivo , EU & US clinical and regulatory preparation) (approx. 20% of the net proceeds);

Further patient enrolment of the Phase III osteonecrosis trial (PREOB  ) with completion of the interim analysis and continued follow-up (approx. 20% of the net proceeds);

Optimization and scale-up for the allogeneic product (approx. 20% of the net proceeds); and

Other and general business expenses

Upon successful completion of the Offering, the Company expects to have sufficient cash to meet its present requirements and to carry out its strategic objectives and cover its working capital needs for a period until the end of 2018.

The book building process will commence immediately. The Company will announce the results of the Offering as soon as possible after the closing of the book building in a subsequent press release.

Trading in the Company's shares on Euronext Brussels and Euronext Paris will be suspended during the book building period and trading in the stock is expected to resume following the publication of the results of the Offering.

Bryan, Garnier & Co is acting as Sole Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner, and KBC Securities NV is acting as Joint Bookrunner for the placement.

Pharmstandard International S.A., a fully owned subsidiary of Pharmstandard, JSC and the investment arm of a group of companies which includes Cellthera, Pharm LLC, has expressed its intention to submit an order to the Joint Bookrunners. In addition, existing shareholders SFPI S.A. and S.R.I.W. S.A. also expressed their intention to submit an order to the Joint Bookrunners. Together, the orders of these investors are expected to cover half of the intended Offering amount. The Offering is open to institutional investors and such other investors as permitted under applicable private placement exceptions. Any final allocation to participating investors will be made by the Joint Bookrunners based on customary, objective and pre-identified criteria. No guarantee has been given as to the final allocation to Pharmstandard International S.A., SFPI S.A. or S.R.I.W. S.A., or that any allocation will be made to them, or as to the size of any such allocation.

If the number of subscribed shares would exceed 1,369,930 shares (i.e. 20% of the current outstanding shares, which can immediately be admitted to trading), the Joint Bookrunners could, as the case may be, allocate registered, non-listed new shares to investors who are willing to accept non-listed shares and/or enter into a share swap agreement with one or more existing shareholders in order to deliver listed shares to all investors who receive allocated shares in the private placement. As part of such share swap agreement the shareholder(s) would deliver existing and listed shares to the settlement agent and would receive in exchange the same number of newly issued non-listed shares. The new non-listed shares would remain in registered form until they will be listed on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels and Euronext Paris upon approval of a listing prospectus by the FSMA on a later date.

In relation to the Offering, the Company has agreed with the Joint Bookrunners to a market customary 180 days standstill period on future share issuances, waivable by the Joint Bookrunners.

About Bone Therapeutics

Bone Therapeutics is a leading cell therapy company addressing high unmet needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases. Based in Gosselies, Belgium, the Company has a broad, diversified portfolio of bone cell therapy products in clinical development across a number of disease areas targeting markets with large unmet medical needs and limited innovation.

Our technology is based on a unique, proprietary approach to bone regeneration which turns undifferentiated stem cells into "osteoblastic", or bone-forming cells. These cells can be administered via a minimally invasive procedure, avoiding the need for invasive surgery.

Our primary clinical focus is ALLOB, an allogeneic "off-the-shelf" cell therapy product derived from stem cells of healthy donors, which is in Phase II studies for the treatment of delayed-union fractures and spinal fusion. The Company also has an autologous bone cell therapy product, PREOB, obtained from patient`s own bone marrow and currently in Phase III development for osteonecrosis of the hip.

Bone Therapeutics` cell therapy products are manufactured to the highest GMP standards and are protected by a rich IP estate covering nine patent families. Further information is available at: www.bonetherapeutics.com.

Contacts

Bone Therapeutics SA

Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer

Jean-Luc Vandebroek, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +32 (0)2 529 59 90

investorrelations@bonetherapeutics.com

For Belgium and International Media Enquiries:

Consilium Strategic Communications

Amber Fennell, Jessica Hodgson and Hendrik Thys

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701

bonetherapeutics@consilium-comms.com

For French Media and Investor Enquiries:

NewCap Investor Relations & Financial Communications

Pierre Laurent, Louis-Victor Delouvrier and Nicolas Merigeau

Tel: + 33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

bone@newcap.eu

Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as appropriate, the Company directors' current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

No communication and no information in respect of the Offering may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where a registration or approval is required. No steps have been or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The Offering may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Bone Therapeutics SA, Bryan, Garnier & Co. and KBC Securities NV take no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any persons reading this announcement should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions.

This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and dependencies, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia), Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any jurisdiction into which the publication or distribution would be unlawful. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire shares in the capital of Bone Therapeutics SA in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful or require preparation of any prospectus or other offer documentation or would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of such jurisdictions. The shares that are to be sold in the Offering (the "Sale Shares") have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered, sold or transferred, directly or indirectly, within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. No public offering of the Sale Shares referred to in this announcement is being made in the United States or elsewhere.

This announcement is not a prospectus within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC, as implemented in each member state of the European Economic Area, and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU to the extent implemented in the relevant member State of the European Economic Area (together, the "Prospectus Directive") nor within the meaning of Regulation EU 2017/1129 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/CE (the "Prospectus Regulation").

This announcement does not, and shall not, in any circumstances, constitute a public offering, nor a public offer to sell or to subscribe for, nor a public solicitation to offer to purchase or to subscribe for, securities in any jurisdiction. No action has been taken by Bone Therapeutics SA, Bryan, Garnier & Co. or KBC Securities NV or any of their respective affiliates to permit a public offering of the securities described in this announcement or possession or distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.

With respect to the member states of the European Economic Area which have implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "Relevant Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the shares of Bone Therapeutics SA requiring a publication of a prospectus in any Relevant Member State. As a consequence, the shares of Bone Therapeutics SA may only be offered or sold in any Relevant Member State pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive.

This announcement does not constitute a public offering of securities in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, this document is directed only at Qualified Investors, being persons who (i) are investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) "high net worth entities", "unincorporated associations" and to other persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated under Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order and (iii) to other persons to whom this announcement may be lawfully communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). In the United Kingdom, any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. In any EEA state other than the United Kingdom, this announcement should be relied upon only by Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing the entire amount invested. Persons considering making such investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the securities referred to herein.

Bryan, Garnier & Co. Ltd. which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK, and KBC Securities NV which is authorised by and under the supervision of the National Bank of Belgium and under the supervision on investor and consumer protection of the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority, are acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Offering. In connection with such matters, the Joint Bookrunners, their affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in relation to the Offering or any other matters referred to in this announcement.
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STAMFORD - Days after taking office, two freshman city representatives are tackling a traffic jam that has plagued their Westover neighborhood for years.

Eric Morson and Anzelmo Graziosi, both Democrats from District 13, know what its like to be trapped in the lines of vehicles that stream down Palmers Hill Road or wait on winding Westover Road for a chance to enter Stillwater Road and head for downtown Stamford.

Over the last few months, while they were running for their seats on the Board of Representatives, Morson and Graziosi heard other peoples stories.

It kept coming up on the campaign trail, said Graziosi, an attorney and father of five who lives on Westover Road. Ive seen traffic build to the point where its absurd. It seems like its not as much about the amount of traffic as the lights. They back everything up. You cant move.

Morning and evening rush hours are commuter slogs, Morson said, and then theres dismissal time at Westover Magnet Elementary School, around the corner from the intersection.

Add the school buses and its a nightmare, said Morson, who drove his children there for 11 years. Its like a third rush hour.

Complaints about the intersection date back a decade. Part of the reason it is so congested, particularly during rush-hour, is that it is the meeting place of two cut-throughs. Motorists use Palmers Hill Road to get to Greenwich and Westover Road to get to the Merritt Parkway.

In 2009, after the citys housing authority proposed the 85-unit Palmer Square housing development on Palmers Hill Road, Westover residents demanded a traffic study, saying the intersection could not handle more volume.

That year the city replaced three stop signs at Palmers Hill Road and Havemeyer Lane with a traffic light. That intersection is a block up from the Palmers Hill-Westover intersection.

A Westover resident who worked for a company that designs and installs New York Citys traffic lights told the Stamford Advocate at the time that the new light made things worse by creating more stop-and-go. He noted that Palmers Hill has four traffic lights on a 2,000-foot stretch of the road, and Stillwater Road has six lights within a mile.

In 2010, Stamfords delegation to the state Legislature succeeded  after years of attempts  in passing a dont block the box law. The Palmers Hill intersection is among 23 in the city targeted by the law, which allows police to ticket motorists who block busy intersections.

Ive seen police officers hiding behind the trees on Palmers Hill to bust people who block the box, Graziosi said. I dont think that has to be. Most people are just trying to get through a bad spot.

He and Morson are seeking a traffic study. Ten days after they were sworn in on Dec. 1, they succeeded in getting it on the Board of Representatives agenda. The boards Transportation Committee will discuss it Dec. 28.

Its the very first step, the new representatives said, but they have an idea for a solution.

In the last two decades, cities around the world have experimented with removing signal lights to solve traffic problems. Stamford traffic engineers, for example, removed a light at West Broad Street and Hubbard Avenue  less than a mile from Palmers Hill  and replaced it with stop signs a few years ago. Its worked well, engineers have said.

Graziosi said hes seen traffic circles, sometimes called roundabouts, used effectively in Europe and other places.

Theres an intersection in Manchester in Vermont that they used to call Dysfunction Junction - it looked a lot like the one on Palmers Hill, he said. They took out the lights and put in the traffic circles and it stopped things from backing up.

Morson likes the idea, too.

Im not an engineer  just a driver here since 1984  but my unprofessional observation is that a traffic circle eases the flow instead of stopping it and creating a complete jam, said Morson, a financial consultant and tax advisor.

Graziosi, former deputy mayor of Glen Cove, N.Y., said he ran into Stamford Transportation Bureau Chief James Travers recently and asked what he thought.

He told me he likes roundabouts - its a green idea, a progressive idea, and hes open to it, Graziosi said. He said theyre working on another one in town and he wants to see how that goes first.

Travers Thursday did not return requests for comment.

Graziosi said he and Morson are eager to get things rolling.

This stuff takes a while - there are studies, engineering, designing and more, he said. We feel obligated to the people in our district to try to do something.

We wanted to get it on the agenda so we can begin an evaluation, Morson said. If not this idea, what else may be done? We made a promise to do what we could to make life easier in Stamford.

Easing traffic makes life easier, they said.

Westover is a great neighborhood, but this needs to be resolved, Graziosi said. Its getting worse, not better.

acarella@stamfordadvocate.com.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ten Peaks Coffee Company Inc. (TSX:TPK) (Ten Peaks) today announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.0625 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. The dividend will be an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes, and will be paid on January 15, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 29, 2017.



Company Profile

Ten Peaks is a publicly traded company that owns all of the interests of the Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company Inc. (SWDCC), a premium green coffee decaffeinator located in Burnaby, BC. It also owns and operates Seaforth Supply Chain Solutions Inc. (Seaforth), a green coffee handling and storage business located in Metro Vancouver.

About SWDCC

SWDCC employs the proprietary SWISS WATER Process to decaffeinate green coffee without the use of chemicals, leveraging science-based systems and controls to produce coffee that is 99.9% caffeine free. The SWISS WATER Process is a 100% chemical free water process for coffee decaffeination, as well as the worlds only consumer-branded decaffeination process. It is certified organic by the Organic Crop Improvement Association.

SWISS WATER Process decaffeinated green coffees are sold to many of North Americas leading specialty roaster retailers, specialty coffee importers and commercial coffee roasters. SWDCC also sells coffees internationally through regional distributors.

About Seaforth

Seaforth provides a complete range of green coffee handling and storage services, including devanning coffee received from origin; inspecting, weighing and sampling coffees; and storing, handling and preparing green coffee for outbound shipments. Seaforths warehouse and handling operation is certified organic by Ecocert Canada.
Phoenix, AZ, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Phoenix, AZ (Uptick Newswire  December 14, 2017) - Uptick Newswire is the sole producer of the Uptick Network Stock Day Podcast and after airing back in January 2016 CEO and host Everett Jolly has interviewed hundreds of CEOs within the micro-cap publicly traded sector of the market bringing important updates to the investor community. The Company that joined Everett Jolly on Stock Day today is unique not only in the mobile business card technology but has dipped its Company in the Cryptocurrency industry that is on the rise this year.

Mr. Jolly introduces the Company and what was to be highlighted in the interview. On todays show we have a brand new guest and this Company is in the right spot and the right industry. Everyone is talking about Cryptocurrency and we have this new Company coming on that is going to tell us what it is all about. Mr. Jolly introduced Christopher Esposito, the Director of Business Development for MobiCard Inc. fka Peer to Peer Network (OTCPink:PTOP)(the Company) to discuss the Companys personalized mobile app, a web based business card, highlighting its unique features and user benefits. MobiCard offers both a freemium model and a paid subscription for only $7.99 per month that enables subscribers to be rewarded Mobicoins on a regular basis.

Continuing the interview, he discusses the industries that this app would bring more of a value to and how this can affect the business. Mr. Esposito touches on the meeting that was recently conducted with the head of membership for the entire National Rifle Association NRA based in Fairfax, VA. and how the app can benefit this large scaled association with approximately 5,000,000 members. Mr. Jolly asks an important question regarding Mobicoin and Mr. Esposito elaborates on the relation of the Mobicoin to the new Cryptocurrency, how this Mobicoin is exclusive to the MobiCard app and he touches on how this new marketing reward program has brought on a new wave of subscribers. Finishing off the interview, he discusses the Companys current financial filing status, a 2 year PCAOB audit and how the Company plans to eventually re-file with the SEC with the goal of becoming a fully reporting audited SEC filer.

In a final closing statement Director of Business Development Christopher Esposito states, Our plan ultimately is to go back to being an SEC filer. We made a decision back in April 2017 to file a form 15 to voluntarily drop down to an alternative reporting status, primarily due to costs associated with being fully reporting at the time. However, since our announcement of the release of Mobicoin, our business and investment funding options have improved dramatically, therefore we can now justify the cost.

To listen to the full interview please click here or the following link: https://upticknewswire.com/featured-interview-christopher-esposito-of-peer-to-peer-network-otcpink-ptop/

About Uptick Newswire and the Stock Day Podcast

Uptick Newswire is a private company reaching out to the masses keeping investors and shareholders up to date on company news and bringing transparency to the undervalued, undersold, micro-cap stocks of the market and is the sole producer of the Uptick Network Stock Day Podcast. The Uptick Network Stock Day Podcast is an extension of Uptick Newswire and has recently launched the Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix Arizona with its new host Kathryn Donnelly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU5SVLp4org

Follow us and keep an eye on Uptick's YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook for additional radio and video shows produced by Uptick! https://upticknewswire.com/

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of Stock Day and Uptick Newswire encourages listeners to visit MobiCard, Inc.s message board on: https://investorshangout.com/Peer-to-Peer-Network-PTOP-69036/

About MobiCard Inc:

MobiCard Inc. fka Peer to Peer Network ("PTOP") owns and markets its core technology, a SaaS mobile solution branded C2A MobiCard, a scalable mobile business card software platform that enables users to create a customized web based personalized mobile app that is sharable by text sms, email, digital and social media. Subscribers are able to track card opens, views and shares all while validating and analyzing new leads and referrals in real time, thereby knowing who and when to follow up www.freemobicard.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements relating to future results or events, which are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import may identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Further, information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company's business and financial and other results, are contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

Contact:

Uptick Newswire LLC

Everett Jolly, CEO/Founder

602-441-3474

10000 N. 31st Avenue C307

Phoenix, AZ 85051

info@upticknewswire.com

www.upticknewswire.com

Source: Uptick Newswire
Toronto, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Santa Rosa, CA  Today, SceneDoc announces a partnership with the Ukiah Police Department in California to implement its mobile first application for eCitation and reporting. Ukiah is the first agency in the state of California to roll out SceneDoc eCitation, leveraging iPads and iPhones to securely automate their paperwork, collect, manage and share digital evidence, while turning data into actionable intelligence for broader public safety.





When we saw the depth of capabilities offered by the SceneDoc platform, my team and I, along with the city administration, were immediately convinced this software would power a meaningful change. Far too long have police been falling behind with technology adoption, investing in tablets and smartphones is critical for law enforcement in current day. SceneDoc will also extend and compliment the capabilities of our TriTech Records Management System, unleashing new power to our officers, says Chief of Police, Chris Dewey.

This move by Chief Dewey will be transformative for his department and for the city of Ukiah. Ukiah Police will start by evolving their ticketing workflow, but the opportunity to evolve most, if not all of their data workflows, represents the journey well be on as partners, says SceneDoc CEO, Alex Kottoor.

SceneDocs mission is to redefine the role of mobile technology in public safety. The company was recently awarded the coveted Motorola Solutions Award for Public Safety Technology, named as a leading innovator of public safety solutions that helps build safer cities and thriving communities.





About SceneDoc

SceneDoc is public safetys trusted data collection platform. By modernizing with the SceneDoc Platform, agencies operate with higher levels of clarity and control, with fewer moving parts, capturing data and reporting at the point of need. SceneDoc Collect, the platform's flagship product provides public safety professionals with a 'mobile first' solution for field-based reporting saving every officer an hour per shift. The platform's newest product delivers a 'mobile first' solution for eCitations, saving agencies 50% of administrative work, resulting in more time in the community so officers can do what they do best. Agencies can share information and collaborate in near real-time, from any internet-connected device, making potentially lifesaving intelligence only a tap away. See why our customers are advocates of our technology at http://www.scenedoc.com.
NEWTON, Mass. and NEW BEDFORD, Mass., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An effective collaboration between MariMed Inc., (OTCQB:MRMD) and the City of New Bedford on MariMeds purchase of a 137,500 sq. ft. industrial property on 17 acres at 167 John Vertente Blvd. in the New Bedford Industrial Park achieved a remarkable success that brought significant benefits to multiple parties, and remains a noteworthy example of public-private partnership.

For its part, MariMed secured an ideal location for the operation of a state-of-the-art medical cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility. Likewise, the community benefitted not only from the retention of 100 existing jobs associated with an existing industrial tenant on the site, but also from adding another 50-100 jobs associated with MariMed client ARL Healthcares (ARL) new cultivation/manufacturing business in the facility.

As important, MariMed and the City successfully negotiated a Host Community Agreement, which ensured that MariMeds state-licensing would receive a City endorsement, while the City was guaranteed long-term monetary benefits, including mitigation payments, tax revenues, and benefits to local vendors.

About the Project

In 2016, MariMed identified the John Vertente Boulevard property as an attractive location for the development of a medical marijuana cultivation operation. At that time, the buildings tenant, Aerovox, occupied half the facility. The substantial underutilization of the building had prompted the buildings owners to begin marketing the property to single tenants, raising the possibility that Aerovox would be required to relocate or cease its operations altogether.

MariMed decided to reach out to the administration of New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell to present both the business opportunity and inform the administration of the potential threat to the long-term viability of Aerovox. The City responded to the companys overture favorably, with Mayor Mitchell encouraging MariMed, Aerovox, and the buildings owners to work towards a comprehensive solution that would work for all three private parties while also addressing city priorities.

After extensive discussions and due diligence exercises, the Mayor made the decision to provide MariMeds client ARL Healthcare with a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Health supporting ARLs cultivation/manufacturing business at the property subject to subsequent approval of the Hosting Community Agreement by the New Bedford City Council. This commitment from the Mayor and City Council ultimately proved instrumental. MariMed and Aerovox were able to proceed with negotiations on a lease allowing Aerovox to continue to occupy half the property, and MariMed reached an agreement on the sale of the property with the owners.

ARL Healthcare is currently moving forward with its plans to begin production of pure, organic cannabis flowers, and produce medical cannabis oils, tinctures and infused products including MariMeds Kalm Fusion and Bettys Eddies precision dosed cannabis branded products for distribution in its licensed dispensaries in other municipalities.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said, This deal was a win-win for all parties. Our goal from the beginning was to keep Aerovox here in New Bedford, create new jobs and bring other economic benefits to our city, and put in place a host agreement that served the interests of all our residents. We accomplished exactly what we set out to do.



We now have 100% occupancy of the facility with two first rate commercial tenants while sparing Aerovox from a costly relocation or closure  a benefit to both of our bottom lines, noted Robert Fireman, MariMed CEO. The City of New Bedford has been great to work with and we appreciate their efforts in facilitating our entry into the community. Were happy to do our part in making New Bedford an even better place in which to work and live.

Aerovox management and employees are grateful to Mayor Mitchell, the New Bedford City Council and MariMed for initiating and supporting this cooperative effort and lifting a burden from Aerovox, said Jim Faughnan, CEO of Aerovox. We look forward to continuing operations in New Bedford.

Search and post about MariMed on social media with the hash tag #MedicatedByMarimed:

Twitter: @MariMedInc

Facebook: @MariMedInc

Instagram: MariMedInc

YouTube: MariMedInc

About MariMed Inc.:

MariMed is an industry leader in the development and operation of state licensed regulatory compliant cannabis cultivation, production, and dispensary facilities in multiple states across the country. These facilities are models of excellence in horticultural principals, cannabis production, product development, and dispensary operations. MariMed is on the forefront of precision dosed branded products for the treatment of specific medical symptoms. MariMed currently distributes its branded products in select states and is expanding licensing and distribution to numerous additional states encompassing thousands of dispensaries. MariMed Inc., is one of the 17 top-performing public cannabis companies in the U.S. tracked on the U.S. Marijuana Index, (https://marijuanaindex.com/) and CannabIndex. For additional information, visit www.MarimedAdvisors.com

About ARL Healthcare,Inc.

ARL Healthcare, Inc., is a Massachusetts not for profit corporation that has been awarded a Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD License) by the State of Massachusetts. It will operate a cultivation and production manufacturing facility in New Bedford and dispensaries in Middleborough and Norwood, Massachusetts.

MariMed Contacts:

Business Development

Jon Levine, CFO, MariMed, Inc.

+1 844-244-0200

Investor Relations

Tyler Troup, Circadian Group

tyler@circadian-group.com

+1 (866) 950 8300

Media Relations

Julie Shepherd, Accentuate PR

Julie@accentuatepr.com

+1 847-275-3643

Forward Looking Statements:

This release contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to MariMed Inc., that is based on the beliefs of MariMed Inc. management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events including estimates and projections about its business based on certain assumptions of its management, including those described in this Release. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, among other factors, changes in demand for the Company's services and products, changes in the economic environment and changes in technology. Additional risk factors are included in the Company's public filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as "hoped," "anticipated," "believed," "planned, "estimated," "preparing," "potential," "expected" or words of a similar nature. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. None of the content of any of the websites of any other party referred to herein (even if a link is provided for your convenience) is incorporated into this release and the Company assumes no responsibility for any of such content.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d20e34f-94a3-48d2-84ab-8507218654fe
SCOTTSBLUFF  The kitchen table is often the center for family discussion and decision-making.

Its under this premise Jane Raybould of Lincoln, has aptly named her multi-city listening tour as a challenger to incumbent Republican Deb Fischer for her U.S. Senate seat.

Families come together, they work out problems and discuss issues  they balance budgets  around the kitchen table, Raybould said. They try to work together, and celebrate a lot of things in their lives around those kitchen tables.

Raybould said its those discussions she hopes to gain insight into, in order to learn how she might better serve the people of the state if elected.

From healthcare, trade, and tax reform proposals, to the worries of farmers, ranchers and main street business owners, Raybould said she wants to be a Senator who actively listens to the average Nebraskan.

I want to listen to their concerns and not just vote along partisan policy lines, she said.

The 58-year-old Raybould said she has a knack for building coalitions; in the business world she and her brother continue to run the grocery business their father started 53 years ago. In politics, shes had to work across the aisle as the lone liberal on Lancaster Countys five-member Board of Commissioners.

I dont think you can be a Democrat in our beautiful red state without having some skill-set at building coalitions, she said. First and foremost Im a business woman and a job creator.

Her company, B&R Stores has 19 locations and employs 2,000 Nebraskans. Its the largest independent grocery operation in the state.

When I sit down and work with people, I dont look and just say thats a Republican, Raybould said. (I) sit down with them and talk about the things we can agree on.

You talk about how can we get this transaction done, or how can we get this deal done? How can we solve this problem by working together?

Its phrases in business like thats a deal breaker which are taboo to Raybould.

I say lets come back to the table  lets talk about what we can agree on and keep building on that, she said.

Raybould spoke about how during her service on the Lincoln City Council, knee-jerk reactions to change could be countered by a thoughtful approach backed with facts.

You have to be innovative, you have to be creative, you have to be determined, she said. You have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and come at it from a different angle  an angle that will get them to cooperate on.

She said there is a deficit of individuals in Washington, D.C., who are willing to work across the aisle to solve problems, but smaller grassroots groups have shown some promise in gaining cooperation and consensus.

And its cooperation, she said, thats needed for good legislation and good public policy.

I dont think the (GOP Tax Reform) is an example of good public policy, she said. It was pretty much on partisan lines without including all the stakeholders or reaching across the aisle to get input and feedback.

Raybould said trickle-down and supply side economics have historically not been an effective way to boost the economy.

I would have worked with anyone to come up with solutions that improve small businesses because theyre the job creators in our economy, she said. I would work with middle class Americans, because theyre the ones who buy our goods and services.

Her eyes are also aimed at Nebraska restoring a seat on the Senate Ag Committee, especially given that agriculture is the states largest industry. Raybould said she has heard concerns from the states ag producers regarding the future of the North American Free-Trade Agreement under the Trump Administration.

Farmers and ranchers are concerned about the volatility being created by the administration right now on the direction NAFTA is going, she said. As a business person you know that doing things like that creates tremendous instability in the marketplace, particularly with our key trading partners.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state, she said. We see it right now. Farmers are suffering. They cant make it on $3 a bushel for corn with the cost of their production factored in.

We need more trade partners, not fewer, and youd think that a U.S. Senator from Nebraska would be on the Ag Committee fighting for the farmers and ranchers on the issues that matter to them.

Raybould said a number of issues, from Fischers vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education despite her lack of qualifications, to her repeated attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act have been missteps.

We know that the affordable care act is not perfect. It needs improvements. We need to mend it, not end it, Raybould said. We need to stabilize the health insurance markets and make sure that we are committed to providing cost-share payments to reimburse the health insurance companies for the deductibles and copays theyve already paid out to the people they are serving.

The failure to ensure the reimbursements are to blame for companies pulling out of the exchanges, Raybould said,

No business in their right mind would want to stick around in any type of market place if their President and the administration is saying they will only make the payments through the end of the month, she said. No business can plan and thats creating instability in the market.

Its among these issues that Raybould said so many are talking about around their kitchen tables.
CUSTER, South Dakota  When the call for assistance came in, Gering firefighters didnt hesitate to say yes.

Though they train for different types of fires across the country, the terrain and types of fields are different than what they typically experience, they are ready to put their education into practice. Gering firefighter Aaron Nab said the large amounts of Ponderosa pines are a new experience.

A tree is just another fuel to what youre already fighting, he said.

Gering firefighters received a request for assistance to aid other firefighters in Custer State Park in South Dakota, which includes a type six engine that can accommodate the type of fire they are fighting. The ability of the firefighters to be able to fulfill the request was only possible after a decade long work-in-progress that allows for fire departments to cross state lines. The cooperative agreement was the culmination of work between the state forest service, the state fire marshal and officials in South Dakota.

This is a big deal because we have been fighting to be able to go outside state lines and assist, Nab said.

Nab is among the first Gering firefighters to travel to the park to help. They received a call on Tuesday asking if they were available. After arriving Tuesday night, they worked until 9 a.m., on Wednesday before taking a nap, Nab said. By 7 p.m., they were back at work.

They are actively assigned to night operations, which includes structural protections and holding lines. Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers said this type of assignment is typically a 14-day assignment  for firefighters and engine  unless personnel are demobilized due to the behavior of the fire.

Weve got a specific division where we are working and each night it changes, Nab said.

The agreement in which the Gering firefighters are currently participating in is not like mutual aid. The fire is being managed by a federal team in a strategic and complicated process, said Flowers.

Through cooperations with different agencies, we have the ability to assist with wildfires in South Dakota, Flowers said.

Because the Gering Fire Department is made of volunteers, they will rotate every three days, with a total of 12 firefighters assisting with firefighting operations. Flowers said they had freely given their time to assist and a rotation helps to limit the time they must spend away from home.

The firefighters have been assigned to the Legion Lake Fire, which originated in Custer State Park.

The fire at Legion Lake resulted in evacuations early on. Once the first crossed over the Wildlife Loop and continued to move east of Custer State Park, the Custer County Sherriffs office called for further evacuations. Custer County Search and Rescue is also assisting with evacuations.

According to a press release from Custer State Park, late Tuesday evening, high wind gusts aligned with the canyon in the French Creek Natural Area and caused spotting in several areas west of the Wildlife Loop Road. The spotting moved across the road and out of the park boundary, which allowed for rapid fire growth.

The Legion Lake Fire is now in its third day with an estimated 35,000 acres affected and 7 percent containment.

From hearing the briefing this morning, a lot of these firefighters say they havent seen anything like this fire in 10 to 20 years, Kobee Stalder, the parks visitor services program manager, said. A lot of people are comparing this to a mid-summer fire.

Custer State Park had also posted earlier that fire activity had increased because wind gusts had created spot fires in the French Creek Natural Area.

According to a Dec. 12 update from Travis Lipp, operation section chief from Rocky Mountain Blue Team, crews spent Tuesday doing burning outs where they burned out the unburned fuel between the road and the fires edge near the lake to contain the fire.

The crews continued along highway 87 from the Sheep Draw Road to the Saw Mill Draw Road where the fire was held.

On Wednesday, Custer State Park put out a request for hay for bison affected by the Legion Lake Fire.

Flowers said, according to information he received from the parks public information officer, there was erratic fire growth overnight into Wednesday and the fire has traveled to Wind Caves property.

According to the Custer County South Dakota Emergency Management, With possible changes in weather and wind directions, Custer County Search and Rescue are now headed to the areas of lower French Creek Road and residences along 385 to the south boundary of Wind Cave Park. They will be providing information and pre-evacuation notifications.

An update on wildlife was released by park officials in the early afternoon. They are in the process of evaluating the status of all wildlife along the Wildlife Loop Road, but due to the rapid growth of the fire Tuesday night and how quickly it spread through the south, southeast end of the park, buffalo along with other wildlife were in danger, trying to move out of the path of the fire officials do not know of any animal casualties.

No primary structures, which is an area where the Gering firefighters are working, were compromised overnight, but outbuildings and fences were lost. The main objectives for Wednesday night was to continue analyzing and mapping the location of the fire growth, public safety, structure defense and active suppression of the fire.

The communities of Fairburn and Buffalo Gap, east of the park, remain threatened and residents of about 200 area homes have been evacuated or warned to evacuate, Custer County Emergency Management director Mike Carter said.

A small number of people were evacuated Tuesday from Legion Lake Lodge, the former Star Academy East Campus and Blue Bell Lodge.

The cause of the fire, which began Monday, is under investigation.

Nab will rotate back to Gering in the next day or two, but he is not ready to give up the fight just yet. For him, its a matter of getting a call to go where he is needed.

I might possibly come back up on Monday, he said.

For evacuation information, call 605-673-8176. For regular updates on Custer State Park, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CusterStatePark/.
As Julie Baszler struggled with the sudden death of her daughter Amanda in February 2014, she weighed a tough decision  whether or not to donate her daughters organs.

Amanda Bakers death was unexpected. It had been a typical day. The 24-year-old single mom hugged her then-6-year-old son David and went to her job as a corrections officer at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center. During her shift, a 15-year-old inmate attacked the woman and strangled her. He had been attempting to get her keys so he could escape with another inmate.

The woman died of asphyxia after having been strangled.

It was Valentines Day. Symbolic perhaps because Amandas heart would be among the organs donated after her death. February is also American Heart Month and many observances around heart health awareness are held during that month.

As Baszler faced the sudden news of her daughters death, she said doctors asked her if she would consider donating her daughters organs.

I never thought about it until I was asked, she said. I made those decisions for her under the situation, but I talked with my two oldest children. I got a feel for them as well, because I didnt know if I could make that decision solely on my own.

As a parent, she said, you feel very selfish. You want your child. But Amanda was a very strong person and a very giving person. She always wanted to help people so I know in my heart that if she were to have been able to make that choice for herself, she would have said yes.

At the time, she admits she experienced a lot of emotions. As her daughter was kept on life support to recover her organs, she said, I never looked at her as gone because her heart was beating.

The young womans heart, kidney and liver were able to be donated. As Baszler prayed about the organ donation, she said she asked God to give her daughters heart to another woman.

I wanted her heart to go to someone young. Someone who could carry on, having a lot of life to live, Baszler said.

Doctors had told Baszler that it would be unlikely that Bakers heart would go to a woman because of its size. However, it did. The heart went to a young woman, now in her 30s.

The Lord does answer your prayers.

Baszler has met the heart recipient, a woman named Sarah. At first, Baszler said, she struggled with the thought of meeting the woman who now has her daughters heart  and she even struggles with the thought of her daughters heart being in someone elses body today. Its part of the grieving process, though perhaps punctuated by the nature of her daughters death and her young age, she said. That realization that her daughter is never coming back  struggling at holidays or odd moments when something reminds you of your loved one, anger and other emotions after a loved ones death.

Donating is wonderful, but there is another step to donating. You really need to be OK when you make that next step. You have to be ready, she acknowledges.

Some days, there are days you are really ready and other days you are not.

It was the second heart for the woman, who suffers from a congenital heart defect. Baszler has joined the woman at Red Dress celebrations, which are observances to increase awareness of heart health in women.

Sarah has also visited the Baszler home  where Baszler said her grandson, David, called out mom at the woman, the first time such a slip has occurred since Bakers death. Baszler said she feels the woman resembles her daughter and just feels there is a connection with Sarah and among her family that goes deep  because of that heart.

She has received a letter thanking her for the donation from another organ recipient. That woman thanked Baszler for giving her more time to spend with her grandchildren.

Her daughter had never formally made her wishes about organ donation known, though the family had conversations about organ donation at different times. As her daughter was young, she doesnt think she had ever given it a lot of thought.

No mother wants to make that decision, Baszler said of weighing the decision to donate her daughters organs.

Knowing Bakers wishes for certain, Baszler says, would have made her decision easier. It would have given her more peace.

People can make their wishes regarding organ donation known before a family has to make such a decision.

The Donor Registry of Nebraska, established in 2003, houses the names of all Nebraskans registered as organ, tissue and eye donors. In October, the registry reached a milestone of 800 registrants, according to a press release.

Ninety-eight percent of the people listed have registered when they get their drivers license, said Tom Neal, public relations coordinator with Nebraska Organ Recovery.

Anyone who is at least 16 years old can register as a donor. There is no upper age limit.

People can also register online at www.NeDonation.org.

It literally takes 30 seconds to a minute to complete the form online, Neal said.

The registry is important, Neal said, because once hospitals establish that a patient has met certain criteria that they may be able to be an organ donor, officials contact the registry to see if that person has registered as a potential organ donor.

Registering as an organ donor is a first-person authorization and the registry ensures someones wishes to donate are fulfilled. Otherwise, the decision goes to next of kin as established by a legal hierarchy.

People can learn more about organ donation during an event on Dec. 18 at Regional West Medical Center. Nebraska Organ Recovery will be hosting an open house, having invited family members, friends, caregivers and anyone who is passionate about organ donation. Guests will be able to decorate an ornament which will be placed on a special donor remembrance tree.

The event will be held, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Regional West Medical Center. The event is open to the public, Neal said.

For more information, visit www.NeDonation.org/holiday.
A course on bleeding control will be held on Dec. 14 in Scottsbluff.

Will Biberos, of American Fire and Life Safety, teaches the course. The course is open to the public and does not have any requirements to attend.

The course is 3 hours and covers management of major bleeding using tourniquets and blood clotting gauze. This class is open to the public and comes with a certification through the American College of Surgeons. The program is part of the Stop the Bleed campaign.

Biberos, formerly of Scottsbluff, is a former US Army combat medic with time served in the 101st Airborne in Iraq. He serves as a police officer in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has trained multiple police and sheriffs agencies in Larimer County and school districts.

The class will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Platte Valley Community room, 1212 Circle Drive. The cost is $70 per person and comes with a Combat Application tourniquet.
Box Butte General Hospital is providing high school students with real-world exposure to health care careers as part of its efforts to address a shortage of trained health care professionals in the community.

The Health Professions Club was launched in 2006 with Alliance High School. Club activities include monthly learning opportunities, as well as job shadowing at the hospital and field trips to other health care facilities. The program helps students make more informed decisions about their education and careers after graduation, and it fosters the interest and professional development of individuals who are passionate about the health of their communities.

In addition to Alliance High School, Hay Springs High School and Hemingford High School also participate in the program, which has grown by more than 50 percent since its inception. Several former club members are currently employed as health care professionals at the hospital.

Through the Health Professions Club, we are touching the lives of students in ways that impact the health of families and individuals across our local community, said Lori Mazanec, chief executive officer of Box Butte General Hospital.

The partnership behind this program is now featured in the 2017 Compendium of Best Practices in Rural Health Hospital-Community Partnerships, a publication of Bryan Health. Box Butte General Hospitals Health Professions Club is one of 12 case studies that illustrate what is possible when hospitals and community organizations share resources, skills and services for a greater impact on population health. The article featuring BBGH can be found online: https://www.bryanhealth.com/app/files/public/3053/bryan-rural-health-box-butte-compendium.pdf
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Highlights

DMG intends to become the global leader in hosted bitcoin mining operations with the launch of Mining as a Service (MaaS)

Significant demand from the Bitmasters network provides DMG fast-track opportunity to initiate sales in Japan, with a global launch to follow

MaaS offering provides DMG a first mover advantage in Japan by lowering capital requirement to enable anyone to become a cryptocurrency miner

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aim Explorations Ltd. (TSX-V:AXN.H) ("AIM" and/or the "Company"), a capital pool company, is pleased to announce that its qualifying transaction target, DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. ("DMG"), recently launched a bitcoin mining model, Mining-as-a-Service ("MaaS"), at the annual Bitmasters Conference in Kobe, Japan, attended by more than 1,500 members of the Bitmasters network. The Bitmasters network is comprised of tens of thousands of members who are bitcoin owners and influencers, many of whom are personally interested in mining bitcoin, in addition to buying via traditional bitcoin exchange channels.

DMGs Chief Executive Officer, Dan Reitzik commented, "Our partnership with the Bitmasters network, and its position in Japan, the worlds largest and most regulated bitcoin market, provides DMG an opportunity to scale quickly and on a priority basis. By enabling our customers to mine their own bitcoin in a clear and transparent manner, I believe we have the right offering at the right time. The Japanese demand remains strong and we plan to address the broader global market in short order."

MaaS adopts a unique model by democratizing the ability for anyone to become a cryptocurrency miner anywhere in a cost-effective manner. DMGs MaaS offering provides turn-key operations for clients by charging a simple and low cost set-up and monthly hosting fee. Customers may purchase their dedicated assets and their resulting monthly bitcoin output is delivered to them directly.

DMGs team recently presented and announced the launch of MaaS in Kobe, Japan at the annual Bitmasters Conference. MaaS interest from the Bitmasters network was strong and DMG received an order in excess of CAD$3 million for the hardware purchase and set-up, with monthly recurring hosting revenues to begin upon completion.

Subscriber demand for MaaS from the Bitmasters network is expected to be met by DMG in the Spring of 2018. Most of the servers will be hosted at DMG's new industrial mining facility, which is comprised of a 27,000 square foot building on 34 acres of land in Western Canada. DMG has the ability to expand the hosting center with containers or new buildings by an additional 75,000 square feet to accommodate additional demand, subject to obtaining the necessary permits.

DMG anticipates that its facilities and power access will be for its MaaS clients, and for DMGs own use. This hybrid model allows DMG to scale at a faster pace and without as much capital, while at the same time enabling DMG to benefit from the appreciating value of bitcoin. This hybrid model balances out the capital requirements in the traditional mining model with the benefits of the value of bitcoin minted.

Kiyoshi Nishi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bitmasters network, commented, "Bitmasters members have been buying bitcoin for more than four years and we are tremendously excited to be able to mine bitcoins for ourselves. The Bitmasters network decided to work with DMG after extensive due diligence into other companies around the world. We look forward to introducing our members to DMGs MaaS model."

See AIM's news release dated December 4, 2017 for further information about AIM, DMG and the previously announced qualifying transaction (the "Transaction"). AIM will issue additional news releases related to the Transaction and related financings and other material information as it becomes available. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

About DMG

DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. is a full service blockchain and cryptocurrency company that manages, operates and develops end-to-end solutions to monetize the blockchain ecosystem. DMG intends to be the global leader in bitcoin mining hosting, Mining as a Service (MaaS), and diversified blockchain platform development.

For further information please contact:

DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.

Investor Relations: John Martin

Toll Free: 1-888-702-0258

Email: info@dmgblockchain.com

Web: www.dmgblockchain.com

Direct: 778-868-6470

Geoff Balderson, Chief Executive Officer of Aim Explorations Ltd.

Phone: 604-602-0001

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the United States, as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and, if applicable, pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange, shareholder approval. There can be no assurance that the Transaction or the Offering will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

Trading in the common shares of the Company has been halted in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and will remain halted until such time as all required documentation has been filed with and accepted by the Exchange and permission to resume trading has been obtained from the Exchange. All information in this news release concerning DMG has been provided for inclusion herein by DMG. Although AIM has no knowledge that would indicate that any information contained herein concerning DMG is untrue or incomplete, AIM assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any such information.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, which include completion of the proposed Transaction and related financing, the acquisition of more customers from the Bitmasters network, the expansion on any facilities, the allocation of resources to Maas and DMGs own bitcoin mining, the completion of any transaction including hosting contracts with potential customers, development of technologies, future plans, regulatory approvals and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as may, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, believe and continue or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, security threats, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products and services, the ability to receive any necessary permits to operate its business and expand facilities, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent DMG from operating its business, the ability to successfully develop software, anticipated costs, the ability to achieve goals on time and on budget, and the price of bitcoin.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, failure to obtain regulatory approval, the continued availability of capital and financing, equipment failures, failure to obtain any permits required to operate the business, the impact of technology changes on the industry, competition, security threats including stolen bitcoins from DMG or its customers, consumer sentiment towards DMGs products, services and blockchain technology generally, failure to develop new and innovative products, litigation, increase in operating costs, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, AIM disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, AIM undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. DMG may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. Given the foregoing risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

(Not for dissemination in the United States of America)
Community members or any person who is interested is invited to attend the open Community Roundtable. Travers will provide any information of interest about the college, will answer any questions and address any concerns. She will host a Community Roundtable each month. Attendees are invited to bring their own brown bag lunch if they would like.
Lincoln  The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is announced two Panhandle hospitals are among 12 new Safe Sleep Hospital Champions in the state: Chadron Community Hospital, Chadron, and Regional West Medical Center, Scottsbluff

Providing consistent training and education on safe sleep for all hospital personnel caring for children under a year old ensures the same safe sleep message is shared with the parents of more than 26,000 babies born in Nebraska every year.

The Safe Sleep Campaign starts within the hospital setting, encouraging all Nebraska birthing hospitals to become a Safe Sleep Hospital Champion. To be considered a Safe Sleep Champion, the hospital signs a pledge, creates or updates a Safe Sleep Policy, provides yearly education to hospital personnel, models safe sleep recommendations, and educates parents with evidence-based safe sleep materials.

Twenty other hospitals have pledged and are working through the process to become a safe sleep hospital.

DHHS worked with the Nebraska Hospital Association, the Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative to launch the Nebraska Safe Sleep Hospital Campaign.

There were 45 sudden unexpected infant deaths in Nebraska during 2012 and 2013. The deaths occurred in 16 different counties, covering both urban and rural areas. At least 35 occurred in an unsafe sleep environment.
The holiday season is a busy time. As another year quickly draws to a close, thoughts turn to seasonal celebrations, shopping for gifts for loved ones, and planning travel to visit family. It is easy to focus on the frenzy of activity surrounding the Christmas season.

We should not forget, however, that as we gather with friends and family this time of year, many do not get to share these moments. Instead, they are in harms way, standing vigil, and working to protect our great nation. Our men and women in uniform make a special sacrifice during the holidays, forgoing time with their loved ones to answer the call to serve.

Service members from Nebraska are finding themselves separated from their friends and family during one of the most special times of the year. This is a difficult burden to bear, but our troops serve with a selfless sense of dedication and love for their country.

Over Thanksgiving, I visited our Nebraska National Guardsmen and women serving at Guantanamo Bay. I had the unique chance to serve them holiday dinner, and learn more about their backgrounds, interests, and the important work they are doing. What I heard from these talented men and women is that they are honored to serve, and they fulfill their duty to the nation with pride.

That spirit of service is an example to all of us. It showcases the best of America and their honorable work even in the face of danger is what keeps us safe, prosperous, and free.

I serve as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and it is the honor of my life to work on ensuring our men and women in uniform get the support they need. Every year, I help draft the annual defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act. I am proud to say this years bill contains many measures that will help uphold our commitment to the nations armed forces. Within the bill are important provisions to provide for our troops, including an authorization of the largest pay raise for our military in eight years.

It is up to us in Congress to stand with our men and women in uniform and those who support them. Thats why I introduced the Senate version of the Gold Star Family Support and Installation Access Act, legislation my colleague Representative Don Bacon championed in the House of Representatives.

Under current law, there are no standardized means for Gold Star families to access military facilities to do things like visit a loved ones gravesite, receive grief counseling, or attend a memorial service. Our bill would create a standard practice of issuing access cards to all Gold Star Spouses and dependent children, and ensure that remarried Gold Star spouses keep their benefits so long as their dependent children remain in their care.

I have been honored to work on these legislative initiatives this year, but sometimes the simplest way of giving thanks is the most meaningful. During the holiday season, I hope that all of us can find a few moments to show our gratitude for the men and women who defend our great nation. Please join me in keeping them in mind throughout this special time, and in saying thank you for everything they do to keep us safe.
EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science, engineering, and information technology company and SecurityMatters, an innovator in Operational Technology (OT) network visibility and threat detection, announced today that they have partnered to provide passive monitoring capabilities to Leidos Industrial Defender Automation Systems Manager (ASM) Solution for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Networks. Leidos customers will immediately gain enhanced cybersecurity for Industrial and Critical Infrastructure networks by integrating the SecurityMatters SilentDefense solution for continuous threat detection and response. The offering will be available through resale by Leidos to both current and future ASM customers.



The SecurityMatters flagship product, SilentDefense, is an innovative OT network monitoring and intelligence platform that empowers industrial operators with unrivaled visibility, threat detection capability and control of their network. Leidos will now offer the SilentDefense platform as one of their solutions to the complex security challenges faced by ICS asset owners in the utility and energy sectors today.

Leidos Industrial Defender ASM solution addresses the overlapping requirements of cybersecurity, compliance, and change management for ICS. Industrial Defender ASM is the industry standard for maintaining availability and reliability of critical infrastructure amid escalating cyber threats, increasing regulatory burdens, and accelerating ICS management challenges.



Leidos and its Industrial Defender ASM product provide unique visibility into our customers industrial networks, and now we can maximize that visibility through our partnership with SecurityMatters, said Bob Meindl, President of Leidos Cyber, Inc. SecurityMatters is a recognized leader in their segment with SilentDefense. Partnering with SecurityMatters helps to provide a global solution for our customers as they strive to better manage and secure these critical networks.



We are pleased to officially announce our partnership with Leidos. Their excellent reputation and proven expertise in OT security for the utility and energy industries, along will SilentDefenses reputation as the premier OT network monitoring solution, will result in a best of breed solution for Leidos customers, says Damiano Bolzoni, SecurityMatters CEO.

About Leidos:

Leidos is a Fortune 500 science and technology solutions and services leader working to solve the worlds toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The companys 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $7.04 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2016. https://cyber.leidos.com/blog

About SecurityMatters:

SecurityMatters empowers critical infrastructure and manufacturing organizations with the ability to identify, analyze and respond to industrial threats and flaws, minimizing troubleshooting costs and unexpected downtime. We leverage OT-specific knowledge and understanding to provide visibility into critical assets and their activity and detect operational problems and cyber security threats. Our revolutionary network monitoring platform has been successfully deployed by customers worldwide. For more information, visit https://secmatters.com
SEATTLE, WA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article covering Helix TCS Inc.s (OTC Pink: HLIX) progress in building near-term revenue from security and transportation services, as well as its long-term plans to become a leader in data and competitive intelligence in the fast growing legal cannabis industry.

Rising Revenue, Narrowing Loss

Helix TCS reported revenue that increased in the third quarter of 2017 85% from the prior year Q3, to $1,129,746, driven by a substantial increase in its number of clients and a full quarter of revenue from its Security Grade acquisition. Not surprisingly, operating expenses rose in response to these expanded service offerings, but the companys net losses narrowed by 31% to $255,357 due to changes in the fair value of certain liabilities and strong performance in the economics of the underlying business.

The acquisition of Security Grade in June provided the company with a leading surveillance security solution targeting the burgeoning cannabis industry. With a strong emphasis on surveillance technology, the company continues to expand its suite of operating solutions with services like IT security, building fortification, private investigations, and advanced video surveillance programs and software designed for the cannabis industry.

With existing product lines that are well aligned with this ongoing strategy, the purchase of Security Grade will boost our capacity to scale our offerings as we continue to expand into new markets, and benefit our existing client base by increasing the breadth of the integrated capabilities were able to offer, said Helix TCS CEO Zachary L. Venegas in a press release announcing the acquisition in June of 2017.

Long-term Strategy Emerging

Helix TCS has a dual focus on building near-term revenue through security services and long-term value through competitive intelligence and innovative data solutions. With its customer base expanding for security and transportation solutions, the company is building valuable relationships across the value chain before expanding into a variety of targeted segments and ultimately defining new products and services targeting these customers.

Over the past two years, the company has been quietly building up its long-term focus on competitive intelligence and data services. The companys November 2016 agreement with BioTrackTHC provided it with a data partnership with the largest seed-to-sale inventory tracking solution for governments and businesses. Meanwhile, its internal CannaBase solution has become a leading cannabis wholesale marketplace that provides real-time inventory and exchange data.

The company believes that data will become the critical commodity in the cannabis industry, as it has in several other industries, and the company has quietly developed itself through partnerships, acquisitions, and an in-house suite of upcoming services to take a unique and commanding position.

Looking Ahead

Helix TCS Inc. (OTC Pink: HLIX) has built a strong foundation for growth in the security and transportation business, as evidenced by its 85% top-line growth rate last quarter. At the same time, the company continues to build up its presence in the data and competitive intelligence side of the business.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/helix-tcs-reports-85-increase-q3-revenue/

For more information, visit the companys website at www.helixtcs.com .

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/featuredcompany

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/




SEATTLE, WA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article discussing Ehave Inc.s (OTCQB: EHVVF) rollout of its mental health data platform into the medical cannabis industry.

The cannabis industry is projected to exceed $50 billion in the U.S. and $22.6 billion in Canada over the coming years, according to Cowen & Co. and Deloitte analysts, driven by the legalization of the drug across North America. Despite the widespread legalization, many physicians remain hesitant to prescribe the drug given the lack of gold standard clinical data surrounding its safety and efficacy in treating medical conditions.

Ehave aims to change these dynamics by deploying its innovative mental health data platform into the medical cannabis industry. In partnership with a leading licensed producer, the company hopes to collect data to support a clinical trial of medical cannabis efficacy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions.

Leading Mental Health Data Platform

Ehave has developed a mental health data platform designed for clinicians, patients, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and payers. Through its two key components - MegaTeam and Ehave Connect - the platform is focused on leveraging the right data (rather than big data) to derive meaningful conclusions from vast data sets. This approach differentiates it from many other big data companies entering the space.

The MegaTeam component is a clinically validated digital assessment and rehabilitation software application designed to measure the cognitive abilities of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - or ADHD. The engaging video game-based environments include measurements like Stop Signal Reaction Time Assessment, N Back Assessment, Inhibitory Control Rehabilitation, and Working Memory Rehabilitation.

The Ehave Connect component is a cloud-based platform that enables the input, tracking, and extraction of clinical data while providing diagnosis and treatment insights to clinicians. Rather than relying on pen-and-paper assessments, the tool enables mental healthcare professionals to capture and record objective patient data through integrations with a community of third-party solutions, including licensed producers, assessments, diagnostics, and other devices.

Applications in Medical Cannabis

Ehaves most recent focus has been in the medical cannabis industry, where its solutions are suitable for patients with PTSD, anxiety, traumatic brain injury, adult ADHD, depression, IBD, inflammation, CNS injury, and pain. Ehave Connect can be configured to capture and track the data required to evaluate cannabis-based therapeutics, from intake to assessment, treatment planning, delivery and adherence, to tracking of treatment outcomes.

On February 3, 2017, the company entered into an agreement with MedReleaf - a licensed producer under Health Canadas ACMPR program - whereby the two companies agreed to develop a branded MedReleafApp utilizing the Ehave Connect platform to study the therapeutic use of medical cannabis. The initial focus is on the management of clinical trials to evaluate medical cannabis ability to relieve those suffering from PTSD. The digital intake patient platform launched in November and has experienced early success.

The long-term goal is to collect clinical data to create a data-rich network of patient information that has the potential to validate and legitimize the medical cannabis segment of the healthcare industry. Without gold standard assessments and clinical data, the industry has struggled to gain acceptance among mainstream doctors - even after the drug has been legalized throughout Canada and in many U.S. states.

Looking Ahead

Ehave Inc. (OTCQB: EHVVF) represents a compelling opportunity in the mental healthcare industry, particularly given its new focus on medical cannabis. Over the coming years, management plans to form strategic alliances with additional licensed producers of medical cannabis and publishers of psychological assessments, as well as cultivate relationships with pharmaceutical and insurance companies that could be instrumental in deploying its technology.

As we ramp up our capabilities in artificial intelligence and machine learning, we begin to demonstrate the true capabilities of the Ehave platform, said CEO Prateek Dwivedi in a recent press release. Our platform goes beyond our best-in-class data management system to provide mental health practitioners with supplemental diagnosis data based on scoring results of multiple gold standard psychological assessments.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/ehave-looks-validate-medical-cannabis-right-data/

For more information, visit the companys website at www.ehave.com .

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Learn how to become a CFN Media client company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/featuredcompany

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from the palm of your hand: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/




Updated at 1 p.m.

WASHINGTON  The Federal Communications Commission voted along party lines on Thursday to repeal landmark 2015 rules aimed at ensuring a free and open internet, setting up a court fight over a move that could recast the digital landscape.

The approval of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal marked a victory for internet service providers like AT&T Inc., Comcast Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. and hands them power over what content consumers can access.

Democrats, Hollywood and companies like Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Facebook Inc. had urged Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump, to keep the Obama-era rules barring service providers from blocking, slowing access to or charging more for certain content.

Consumer advocates and trade groups representing content providers have planned a legal challenge aimed at preserving those rules.

The meeting was evacuated before the vote for about 10 minutes due to an unspecified security threat, and resumed after law enforcement with sniffer dogs checked the room.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, said in a statement he will lead a multi-state lawsuit to challenge the reversal. He called the vote "a blow to New York consumers, and to everyone who cares about a free and open internet."

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat, said in the run-up to the vote that Republicans were handing the keys to the Internet to a handful of multi-billion dollar corporations.

Shares of Alphabet, Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. moved lower after the vote.

Pai has argued that the 2015 rules were heavy handed and stifled competition and innovation among service providers.

"The internet wasnt broken in 2015. We werent living in a digital dystopia. To the contrary, the internet is perhaps the one thing in American society we can all agree has been a stunning success," he said on Thursday.

The FCC voted 3-2 to repeal the rules.

Next steps

Consumers are unlikely to see immediate changes resulting from the rule change, but smaller startups worry the lack of restrictions could drive up costs or lead to their content being blocked.

Internet service providers say they will not block or throttle legal content but that they may engage in paid prioritization. They say consumers will see no change and argue that the largely unregulated internet functioned well in the two decades before the 2015 order.

Democrats have pointed to polls showing a repeal is deeply unpopular and say they will prevail in protecting the rules, either in the courts or in U.S. Congress.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said in a written dissent released on Thursday that the decision grants internet providers "extraordinary new power" from the FCC.

"They have the technical ability and business incentive to discriminate and manipulate your internet traffic. And now this agency gives them the legal green light to go ahead," she said.

Several state attorneys general said before the vote they would work to oppose the ruling, citing problems with comments made to the FCC during the public comment period. Other critics have said they will consider challenging what they consider to be weaker enforcement.

Net neutrality supporters had rallied in front of the FCC building in Washington before the vote.

The 2015 rules were intended to give consumers equal access to web content and prevent broadband providers from favoring their own content. Pai proposes allowing those practices as long as they are disclosed.

Michael Powell, a former FCC chairman who heads a trade group representing major cable companies and broadcasters, told reporters earlier this week that internet providers would not block content because it would not make economic sense.

"They make a lot of money on an open internet," Powell said, adding it is "much more profitable" than a closed system. "This is not a pledge of good-heartedness, it's a pledge in the shareholders' interest."

The chief executive of USTelecom, a lobbying group that represents internet providers and the broadband industry, said in a statement the industry has "renewed confidence to make the investments required to strengthen the nation's networks and close the digital divide, especially in rural communities."

A University of Maryland poll released this week found that more than 80 percent of respondents opposed a repeal. The survey of 1,077 registered voters was conducted online by the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland from Dec. 6-8.

______________

Our earlier story, posted at 7:11 a.m.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is expected on Thursday to rescind net neutrality rules championed by Democratic former President Barack Obama that barred the blocking or slowing of internet traffic.

The 2015 rules barred broadband providers from blocking or slowing access to content or charging consumers more for certain content. They were intended to ensure a free and open internet, give consumers equal access to web content and prevent broadband service providers from favoring their own content. Chairman Ajit Pai proposes allowing those practices as long as they are disclosed.

Internet service providers clashed with Democrats and celebrities like "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill ahead of a vote this week as the battle over net neutrality stretched from Hollywood to Washington.

Protesters including some members of Congress are expected to rally outside the FCC in Washington before the vote.

Pai's proposal marks a victory for big internet service providers such as AT&T Inc, Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc that opposed the rules and gives them sweeping powers to decide what web content consumers can get. It is a setback for Google parent Alphabet Inc and Facebook Inc, which had urged Pai not to rescind the rules.
WASHINGTON  The Federal Communications Commission is expected to repeal net neutrality rules Thursday, a move that will likely have major implications for internet service providers, startups and consumers.

The hotly contested move centers on a set of regulations passed in 2015 by a Democratic-controlled FCC that prohibited broadband companies from blocking websites, slowing connection speeds and charging for faster delivery of content.

To enforce the rules, the FCC classified broadband as a more highly regulated utility-like service under Title 2 of federal telecommunications law.

But in January, President Donald Trump appointed Ajit Pai, a Republican and outspoken advocate for the repeal of net neutralitys regulations, as FCC chairman. Hes argued that the fears behind the 2015 decision were hysterical prophecies of doom and said the overhang of heavy-handed regulation imposed by the FCC hurt the broadband industry and prevented investment in expanded networks.

Thursdays vote is expected to fall along party lines, and the FCC is now controlled by a Republican majority.

Heres who could win or lose under the new rules:

WINNER: Internet service providers

A major point of concern for net neutrality advocates is the idea of paid prioritization  the concept that a telecommunications company could charge an additional fee to transport certain forms of content at a higher speed through its network.

Broadband companies and other internet service providers say they have no plans to offer paid prioritization, but some have been laying the groundwork for it in recent months.

Broadband for America, a coalition of telecommunications industry groups and companies such as AT&T Inc., Charter Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp., ran a full-page ad in The Washington Post that made commitments to customers to practices it said would preserve an open internet.

Those included no blocking of legal content, not throttling data speeds and no unfair discrimination  but did not mention paid prioritization. For years, Comcasts net neutrality web page had a commitment that the company wouldnt prioritize internet traffic; that disappeared the day Pai unveiled his plan to repeal net neutrality rules.

WINNER: Large content providers

If net neutrality regulations are repealed, content providers such as Netflix or Google could end up paying more to ensure customers get the same service speed. In fact, both of these companies have lined up in favor of net neutrality  over the summer, Netflix posted a banner on its homepage showing its support, while Google elaborated on its views in a post on its public policy blog.

The Internet Association, a trade group representing Amazon, Facebook, Google and other online companies, has said in an FCC filing that fast lanes would lead to the cable-ization of the internet because online content providers would have to negotiate deals with internet service providers to reach customers effectively.

But some of those same large content providers also have the money and the leverage of thousands of subscribers to negotiate deals with internet service providers, get in the so-called fast lanes for service speed and possibly give themselves a leg up on the competition. And networks like NBC, which is owned by Comcast, could potentially work with internet service providers to increase their speeds.

WINNER: Connection sensitive services

Pai singled out companies that provide services dependent on fast service, such as those that perform remote health monitoring of people with serious illnesses, as potential beneficiaries of the repeal. FCC officials have said a repeal could help advance the development of new technologies such as autonomous vehicles, which need guaranteed internet connections.

By ending the outright ban on paid prioritization, we hope to make it easier for consumers to benefit from services that need prioritization  such as latency-sensitive telemedicine, he said in a recent speech.

LOSER: Startups

Opponents of repeal say the so-called toll lanes could squeeze out burgeoning startups, which dont have the money or influence to pay for faster content delivery.

In November, hundreds of companies, including tech companies Airbnb, Foursquare and Etsy, signed a letter to Pai urging the FCC to retain the net neutrality regulations. The letter specifically noted that the regulation rollback could put small- to medium-sized businesses at a disadvantage.

Without these rules, internet service providers will be able to favor certain web sites and e-businesses, or the platforms they use to garner new customers, over others by putting the ones that can pay in fast lanes and slowing down or even blocking others, the letter states.

TO BE DETERMINED: Consumers

Free-market advocates say paid prioritization in other industries, such as highway toll roads, have spurred investment that benefit the larger public. In this case, that could mean more investment in broadband infrastructure, such as expanding and improving wireless and fiber networks that would increase internet access and overall data speeds.

But supporters of net neutrality say consumers could be charged extra to stream certain content if they dont want to be hampered by network congestion. Others have warned that customer choice of internet service providers could shrink and prices of broadband service could increase.

Net neutrality rules keep the internet open for all and ensure consumers can access the web sites and apps they  not their Internet service provider  choose, Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, told The Los Angeles Times in April.

Masunaga reported from Los Angeles and Puzzanghera from Washington.
ST. LOUIS  The former administrator of the Washington County Ambulance District and his wife stole tens of thousands of dollars from the district in multiple ways, the U.S. Attorneys office said Thursday.

William Mal Gum, 58, and Charlena Charli Gum, 43, both of Potosi, were indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for access device fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud and federal program theft. Mal Gum was also indicted on four more counts of federal program theft.

Prosecutors say that Gum paid himself more in salary from 2012-2016 than was authorized by the districts board.

The indictment says that during that same period, the district paid more than $20,000 in health insurance premiums for Gums dependents, who were not supposed to be covered by the district.

Gum and his wife, who was also a district employee, used district credit cards for more than $5,000 in personal purchases during about six weeks in the fall of 2014, prosecutors said. Those purchases included music CDs, underwear and lingerie, clothing and 32 gift cards worth a total of $2,465, the indictment says.

The current district administrator, Justin Duncan, said he and the board were saddened, but not surprised by news of the indictments. Duncan said he was brought in by the board in November 2016, and Mal Gum officially retired in February.

After Gum left, financial concerns were identified and a forensic audit confirmed officials fears, Duncan said. The district then contacted law enforcement, he said.

Duncan said that the district does not have a total amount that is alleged to have been lost under Gum.

He said that historically, the district has had a tight budget. Employees hadnt received raises and were some of the lowest-paid providers in the area, he said.

But Duncan said in the last year, the budget has looked a lot better and we were able to give raises this year ... and move the district into a positive direction.

Duncan said that it was clearly appropriate that a law enforcement agency from outside the county perform the investigation, as Gum has been in area law enforcement for decades. He was ambulance district administrator since it was formed in the 1980s, Duncan said, and was also the county coroner.

The investigation was handled by the FBI and the Jefferson County sheriffs office, prosecutors said.

The district is located at 6900 Bill Gum Boulevard near Potosi.

Gum is currently listed as a captain in the Potosi Police Department, where his son is the chief. Gum was already captain, and functioning as the assistant chief, when his son was named chief, Duncan said.

The Gums were arrested Thursday morning, and appeared in federal court that afternoon, shackled at the wrists and ankles. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nicole Collins told both they were forbidden from possessing firearms and using illegal drugs or alcohol. She also ordered Mal Gum to resign by Friday, saying, Im not going to allow you to work as a police officer while this case is pending.

Both told Collins they did not have lawyers.
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acapture, a global, data-driven omnichannel PSP, has released a complete library of free infographics for merchants, outlining the latest exclusive data for 31 of the worlds most exciting ecommerce markets. Online retailers, marketplaces, and other ecommerce merchants are given a competitive edge, instrumental in succeeding in todays dynamic retail world.



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Merchants are becoming more and more international, and exploring more payments opportunities in todays evolving ecommerce landscape, explains Gijs op de Weegh, Chief Operating Officer at Acapture. As a data-driven omnichannel payment service provider, we want to support merchants with all the stats and facts to make the most informed business decisions, domestically and overseas. Consumers are expecting more from their shopping experiences, all across the globe, and our infographics give retailers a competitive edge.

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Find out more on www.acapture.com and follow Acapture on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Corporate blog. For further information, please contact: Alina Geosanu | Corporate Communications Coordinator; e-mail: alina@payvision.com
The Springfield News-Leader reports that police were called Wednesday afternoon to a recreational vehicle that was behind a house. Police say they tried to negotiate but never made contact with anyone in the RV and eventually had to force entry. The bodies of a man and a woman with possible gunshot wounds were found inside.
WASHINGTON  This weeks election result from Alabama provides lessons for Missouri, as the Show-Me state pivots toward one of the most important Senate races in the nations recent history.

Tuesdays upset victory for Democrat Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore for a U.S. Senate seat from Alabama also provides stark consequences for Roy Blunt and his Senate leadership colleagues as they deal with a diminished majority. For now, it means theres room for just one Republican no vote on every major issue still confronting the administration of President Donald Trump.

Democrats now have a Senate seat in a deeply Republican state, tilting the math toward Democrats in what had been, before Tuesday, a longer-shot chance to take over the Senate in 2018.

The GOP now has only a 51-49 majority in the Senate, and issues such as infrastructure spending become more thread-the-needle exercises for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., unless Republicans embark on a new course to attract more centrist members of the Democratic caucus, including Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

Blunt, who served as a top vote-counter and persuader in the House from 2003 to 2009 before moving to the Senate and its leadership team, told reporters that he believed the narrower majority could actually help GOP leaders shape legislation.

When I was the whip in the House, the easiest whipping we ever had was when we had the smallest majority we ever had because everybody knew what they had to do, Blunt said. They had to be part of what was going to get done. So I dont think it changes anything at all.

But electorally, Jones victory certainly does. Republicans now have a greater urgency to defeat Democratic senators running for re-election in 10 states Trump won in 2018, including McCaskill, if they are to hold the Senate.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is the most well-known Republican candidate for that job in a primary field that includes lesser-knowns Austin Petersen, Courtland Sykes and Tony Monetti.

Petersen, a former Libertarian who describes himself as a liberty Republican who supports both gay marriage and eliminating central banking, said that Alabama showed that the future direction of the GOP shouldnt be populism.

The problem is you can win with Trumpism in the primary, but you cant necessarily win in a general with Trumpism, Petersen said. ... You have got to be appealing to a general electorate, or you cant win.

For McCaskill, Jones victory in a deep red state was also validation of her strategy to try to diminish Republican margins in rural Missouri while energizing urban Democrats and appealing to suburban women.

This was a former prosecutor who wasnt afraid to be himself, and work hard to earn the votes of the people of his state, McCaskill said. Sounds like a plan.

Alabama victor Jones was previously a federal prosecutor; McCaskill was a local prosecutor in Kansas City.

McCaskill will have her 50th town hall meeting of 2017 this weekend at St. Louis Community Colleges Meramec Campus in Kirkwood on Saturday. A vast majority have been in rural Missouri.

Moore had been removed twice from the states Supreme Court and faced fresh allegations that, as a man in his 30s, he preyed on and may have sexually assaulted teenage girls as young as 14.

As I said previously, Alabama voters should have had a better choice, Blunt told the Post-Dispatch. Candidates matter.

The off-presidential congressional elections of 2018 now come into focus with Trumps job approval at historic lows for a president at this stage of his presidency.

But Republicans believe that could change  and their prospects for holding onto Congress could look much different  if they pass contentious tax cuts before Christmas and if the economy continues to flourish as it has done with bullish job growth and a booming stock market.

Democratic candidate recruitment, especially of women, has also been on a bullish pace, and the resistance movement that began a day after Trumps inauguration with a massive womens rally on the National Mall has manifested in convincing Democratic victories in Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, as well as in Alabamas Senate special this week.

Dave Robertson, department of political science chair at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said Jones win in Alabama hinted of a wave election in 2018 favoring Democratic candidates.

All Republican incumbents in Congress have to expect stronger Democratic challengers and challenges in 2018, Robertson said. That means more money, more support and more workers for challengers.

He said that elections in Virginia and now Alabama indicate that appealing to the base of the Republican Party will not be enough (for Republican candidates) to win elections.

Hawley has already attacked McCaskill as a Democratic party-line foe of Trumps tax cuts, which the Republican Congress could pass next week and Trump could sign before Christmas.

Republicans say it will put money back into the pockets of average Missourians and further help stimulate the economy, and will be positively felt before the election. McCaskill and Democratic colleagues say the GOP plan tilts far too heavily toward the rich and will add dangerously to the governments debt without commensurate economic stimulus.

Robertson said the Alabama election, in which Moore won suburban voters, especially women, suggests difficulty for Illinois Republican incumbents Mike Bost and Rodney Davis in Metro East, and Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin.

And nationally, he said, it could widen cracks between traditional Republicans and a renegade movement forced by ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon.

Alabama crystallizes the worst fears of Republicans and most unlikely hopes of the Democrats, Robertson said. Moore might have been a poor candidate, but he represented a strong element of the Republican Party. Bannon and Trump will continue to fight for this element.

Hawley has so far successfully negotiated that divide in Missouri, Robertson said, but he will also have to deal with fresh Democratic attacks that hes Trumps loyal enabler-to-be.

But that could be a plus in many parts of Missouri. Blunt said recently he believed that, national polls aside, the president was still popular in the Show-Me state.

And with Moores loss Tuesday, Republican 2018 candidates, including Hawley, wont have to confront questions about what they thought of Moores fitness to serve in the unfolding sexual harassment scandals that have brought down many powerful men.
CLAYTON  After weathering tornadoes in 2011 and 2013, and vandalism and arsons during unrest in 2014, north St. Louis County needed help.

In August 2015, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro appeared with St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger to announce a program to invest federal dollars in the countys most distressed areas.

The federal agency was giving St. Louis County $24 million in low-interest loans. The county had requested the money to spur new mixed-use commercial, retail and multi-family housing developments, public infrastructure and facility projects, and development around transit hubs. Stenger said most of the money was likely to be invested in north St. Louis County.

The loan money came with $2.4 million in disaster-recovery grants to be used as incentives to spark projects in an area of special focus in north St. Louis County designated by HUD as the St. Louis Promise Zone.

The loan program, known as Section 108, has spurred development in low-income areas of cities around the country. Knoxville, Tenn., used $3 million to redevelop a historic hotel. Memphis is using $4 million to redevelop a blighted area into a mixed-use commercial and residential complex.

But more than two years later, the bulk of the loan program has yet to be put to use in the North County Promise Zone. One loan for $3 million was issued to help finance the construction of senior housing in an unincorporated site abutting Creve Coeur. None of the disaster-recovery grants has been issued.

Paul Hampel, an adviser to Stenger, said the money remained largely untapped because the program was complicated. He said the loans were often not lucrative enough to potential borrowers to overcome the red tape. Qualified investors arent lining up for the loans, he said, and the area doesnt have enough partners who can meet HUDs requirement that the aid be spent to complete big projects.

The head of a nonprofit community development organization active in north St. Louis County said the loans were not a great tool for the work we do.

Yes, a below-market loan is clearly better than a market-rate loan, said Chris Krehmeyer, president and CEO of Beyond Housing, which offers lower-income residents homeownership in new houses, and developed a supermarket and movie theater in Pagedale. But for the subsidy required in the markets we work in, even a below-market loan  is not enough.

Hampel said HUD did not give the county help to administer the loans, and said the county was doing its best with limited resources to invest it. He said that the county intended to loan all the money before the program expires in 2020 but that we cant force people to take it.

He said the loans are just 1 percent below market rate. But they come attached with numerous federal encumbrances. The fact of the matter is that the kind of credit worthy organizations that meet these federal loan requirements  they may feel that theyre better off going to banks for these loans.

James M. Heard, director of HUDs St. Louis field office, said in an interview last week that the federal agency was being very flexible and patient with St. Louis County.

He said communities in other parts of the country often used Section 108 loan funds as one layer of a financing package that includes other types of incentives, and said HUD staff members were aware of many businesses and lenders that had expressed interest in them.

HUD also took the extraordinary step to hire technical assistance for the countys staff at HUDs cost to show them how to find and finance successful projects, he said. However, if the county believes that the Promise Zone businesses and banks in north St. Louis County are not interested in long-term, fixed-rate below-market capital to promote economic development, then HUD cannot force the county to use the $26.4 million of funding made available to them.

He said that Section 108 was not a hard program and said HUD might have to consider that maybe we need to get these dollars back into the pot so that someone else can utilize them.

If they open up some type of application process, Im pretty sure that you will have people flooding into their office to utilize those dollars and also to leverage those dollars, Heard said. Hampel said the county had hired in October a marketing staffer to help find borrowers.

A self-made disaster

The Stenger administration raised eyebrows at HUD by seeking to redirect the $2.4 million in disaster relief grants to fix a problem that it helped create.

As the Post-Dispatch reported last month, the county abandoned in February a 37,000-square-foot office in Northwoods that housed the Missouri Jobs Center. The office had been situated for years at North Oaks Plaza, at Natural Bridge and Lucas & Hunt roads, in the heart of the regions highest rates of unemployment and poverty.

The office in Northwoods has been vacant ever since, and the county still has seven years on the lease with $2.3 million in rent due to its owner.

In a story in November, Hampel said the county had closed the Northwoods office because it had become uninhabitable.

The job center was relocated into a new county government office complex in the former Northwest Plaza shopping mall in St. Ann. The developers of the project, brothers Robert and P. David Glarner, were friends of Stenger who have donated $325,000 to his campaign.

In April, Jim Holtzman, director of the countys community development office, wrote to HUD asking for permission to use the disaster recovery grants to make loans to small businesses in the Promise Zone, rather than for sweetening the Section 108 loans.

But that plan changed after the Northwoods office had sat vacant for four months.

A letter from Holtzman on June 9 asked HUD to let the county use $1 million of the disaster grant money to set up a neighborhood resource center in the Promise Zone. Although it was not discussed in the letter, Hampel said it was the abandoned Northwoods office that the Stenger administration had in mind.

The rest of the disaster recovery money would be used for small loans and for successful applicant(s) who propose disaster recovery and/or resilience related activities in the Promise Zone.

Hampel said Holtzmans office had tried 16 times since June to get an answer from HUD.

Heard said the request was still under review. He told a reporter that the county was asking to pretty much forget about what they agreed to. The $2.4 million were specifically to be used in the Promise Zone to spark job creation and redevelopment, those types of things that are needed within the Promise Zone. And they agreed to do that.

But instead, he said, the county wanted to move employees to Northwest Plaza outside of the Promise Zone, and now they are stuck for $2.3 million of rent. That is not the proper way to use the federal dollars. Its not. And on a building that they do not even own. How can we justify that to the public?

Sarah Coffin, associate professor and director of the urban planning program at St. Louis University, said it bothered her that the county did not think through plans for the project before the funds were awarded.

It looks like  and this is what drives taxpayers crazy  they saw a pot of money and they applied for it. At some point the taxpayer wants to be assured the money is going to be invested in the way it was originally intended.

Storm damage

Meanwhile, areas that had damage from tornadoes are still waiting for relief.

The county documented some of the need in early 2015 when it tried, unsuccessfully, to win a HUD grant for disaster resilience.

County officials identified Barbara Payne, of Ferguson, as a property owner in need of assistance. She owns two buildings on Airport Road in Ferguson that contained a restaurant and a resale shop.

She said that in 2011, a tornado blew the roof off and shattered windows of both buildings, and destroyed most of the drywall in one of the buildings. She had no insurance.

The place had to be gutted out and I had to spend my own money to do it, she told a reporter. It was devastating to me.

She contacted the county for help in early 2015. An email from a county project manager told her that information about her losses would assist us greatly in this grant proposal to HUD.

Payne said she did everything she was asked, but I never got a dime.
JEFFERSON CITY  Two days after Gov. Eric Greitens dumped five members of a commission that oversees the states seven veterans homes, his new appointees accepted the resignation of the longtime director of the agency.

Against the backdrop of concerns raised about conditions at the St. Louis Veterans Home in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Larry Kay stepped down from the post hes held at the Missouri Veterans Commission since 2008.

We thanked him for his service in uniform and out of his uniform, said Tim Noonan, newly elected chairman of the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Gen. Kay served his country honorably. He made a great decision tonight. He has decided to take a very honorable step, Noonan said.

The board accepted Kays resignation at a closed meeting Wednesday night.

Greitens, a Republican under pressure to act after allegations of mistreatment of residents at the facility have raged for months, also said the new commissioners should remove the homes administrator, Rolando Carter.

Carter was placed Friday on a 45-day leave of absence, Noonan said.

Thats a step we took to protect Missouri veterans. There is clearly a question of confidence in leadership, Noonan said.

The commission hired Col. Grace Link of the Missouri Air National Guard as interim executive director of the Veterans Commission.

Col. Link is a proven leader, Noonan said.

Complaints about the home had been piling up for months, but previous inspections and reviews had not confirmed any wrongdoing.

On Monday, Greitens released the results of a fourth inspection by an outside company that showed substandard care at the home has caused, or is likely to cause serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to a resident.

The review found the home needed to update its policies for distributing psychotropic drugs and had failed to help keep veterans hydrated and clean.

On the same day, Greitens replaced five commissioners who had been appointed by then-Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat. Three of the new commissioners have connections to The Mission Continues, a charity for veterans that Greitens launched after his military career ended.

Among them is Noonan, who serves on the board of directors for The Mission Continues and donated $26,000 to Greitens campaign. Noonan was picked Wednesday as chairman of the commission.

Other appointees were backers of Greitens run for office as a political outsider. Dr. John Bucky Buckner and his wife donated more than $10,000 to the campaign. Dr. Jose Dominguez and his wife gave close to $8,000.

Both doctors are from Springfield.

Its not the first time Kay, a former brigadier general, has found his tenure in the crosshairs.

In 2009, Nixon appointed three new members to the commission. They attempted to replace Kay but failed.

In July 2016, a jury found Kay had harassed a then-employee, who said he had fired her because of age discrimination. Kay maintained he had fired the employee, former ombudsman Pat Rowe Kerr, because of budget cuts.

The verdict cost state taxpayers nearly $3 million in damages.

After the verdict, Kay was placed on paid administrative leave but was allowed to return after less than three weeks.

In August 2016, after Kay had returned from his leave, the union representing state employees called for Kay to resign.

In addition to the union, Sen. Scott Sifton, an Affton-area Democrat who served on the nine-member commission, had encouraged Kay to resign.

Kay, 56, earned $106,000 last year, according to state payroll records.

He joined the commission as deputy director in September 2006 and was promoted to executive director in August 2008.

He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm in 1990-91. His last military assignment was as U.S. Army Commander in the Balkans in 2008.

The commission has 1,750 employees and an annual budget of more than $125 million. It operates seven veterans nursing homes and six cemeteries.
CLAYTON  What were officials in County Executive Steve Stengers administration thinking when they made the decision to abandon an office in Northwoods even though taxpayers were still on the hook for $2.3 million in rent?

And are there similar problems with leases elsewhere in the county?

Stengers office is making that hard to know.

As the Post-Dispatch reported on Nov. 6, the county abandoned the 37,000-square-foot office that housed the Missouri Job Center. Employees were transferred to a new county government complex in the former Northwest Plaza shopping mall in St. Ann. The developers of the project, brothers Robert and P. David Glarner, were friends of Stenger who have donated $325,000 to his campaign.

On Nov. 3, the Post-Dispatch asked record custodians from Stengers office and from the countys Department of Human Services to provide all records about potential plans for the office after abandoning it, all plans and requests for proposals to renovate the space, and any communication with the landlord.

The newspaper also asked for any correspondence between county officials that discussed the newspaper's earlier request for access to related records.

The newspaper sent the request to two county offices because Stengers office asked the Post-Dispatch to direct requests to individual departments.

The newspaper asked both record custodians to waive any fees for providing access. The states open records law allows for the government to provide access to news media when it is likely that such access could lead to greater public understanding of government.

For example, when the county charged the newspaper $357 for a database of county vendors to be printed on thousands of sheets of office paper, Stenger intervened and made an electronic version of the database available.

The state Sunshine Law requires public agencies to respond to a request for access within three days. The law lays out three valid responses: the public agency can provide the records on time, deny the request and cite the portion of state law that allows the records to be kept confidential, or to explain why more than three days were needed and provide a date and time the records would be ready.

Andrea Jackson, the human services director, responded on the third day to say she needed two more weeks.

Her letter emphasized she was only speaking for her department. She later turned over a handful of emails from within her department that concerned the reporters request.

The custodian of record for the county executives office, Glenn Powers, never responded.

A reporter asked for an update on Nov. 21. Powers responded to say the newspapers request for a fee waiver was denied. The county wanted $590.

Asked to explain the charge, Powers responded Dec. 1, saying the research would take six hours of work at $62.50 per hour, two hours at $42.07 and two hours at $37.26. Plus, there were 570 pages at 10 cents per page to copy.

He said it was standard practice for the county to charge. The law allowed for some discretion, he wrote, but you should make no assumptions about our following standard policy on this request.
Study designed to determine differential diagnosis in depression patients

Study designed to monitor patient data following pharmacological treatment

SYDNEY, Australia and MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medibio Limited (MEB or the Company) (ASX:MEB) (OTCQB:MDBIF), a mental health technology company that has pioneered the use of objective biometrics to assist in the screening, diagnosing, monitoring and management of depression and other mental health conditions, is pleased to announce the first prospective clinical trial with Mayo Clinic under a 5-year Master Clinical Trial Agreement that was signed in October of this year. This initial study, undertakes the prospective diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of both unipolar and bipolar depression, along with the depressive subtypes (melancholic and atypical).



The primary goal is to characterize longitudinal autonomic, circadian, and sleep patterns, as classified by the Medibio Analytics Platform (MAP), following the initiation of a standard pharmacological treatment for a new or recurrent, moderate-to-severe major depressive episode of both the unipolar and bipolar type. Additionally, MAP will be used to characterize patterns unique to the bipolar type depression.

The research study team will be led by Mark A. Frye, M.D., at Mayo Clinics Rochester campus. Dr. Frye, the chair of Mayos Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his psychiatric training at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. He completed a subsequent research fellowship in the Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. While at NIMH, his area of research was focusing on the neurobiology of depression and bipolar disorder.

We have been eager to get this initial study started with Dr. Frye and Mayo Clinic, as this kicks off our first of many collaborations in mental health between our organizations. The importance of this study is to look at bipolar depression and differential diagnosis with our analytics platform, which can ultimately drive getting the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Mayo remains a leading academic center of excellence that the world looks to for innovative solutions to global problems, says Jack Cosentino, Medibios CEO and Managing Director.

The Mayo Clinic Depression Center has focused our research efforts on studies that have the potential to innovate our clinical practice; making a positive impact on patients lives, says Dr. Frye.

It is estimated that 350M people worldwide suffer from depression. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Two major challenges in the clinical practice of mood disorder is distinguishing major depressive disorder from bipolar depression and individualizing treatments for patients who struggle with depression. As treatment options markedly differ in these two mood disorders, biomarkers to help accurate diagnosis and guide treatment would be of tremendous clinical value.

About Medibio Limited

Medibio (ASX:MEB) (OTCQB:MDBIF) is a mental health technology company that has pioneered the use of objective biometrics to assist in the screening, diagnosing, monitoring and management of depression and other mental health conditions. The company was founded in Australia, with offices located in Melbourne (Vic), and U.S. offices in Minneapolis, MN. Medibio is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange Ltd and trades on the OTCQB Venture Market. Investors can find additional information on www.otcmarkets.com and www.asx.com.au.
A Scott Air Force Base commander who was ousted from his job this week is under investigation for sexual misconduct, according to a news release from the base.

Col. John Howard was commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing until Monday, when Lt. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, commander of the 18th Air Force, replaced him, saying he lost confidence in Howards ability to lead the wing. The vice commander for the wing, Col. W. Chris Buschur, replaced Howard as commander.

Details about the alleged misconduct will not be released while the investigation continues, according to the news release, to ensure the integrity of the process.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations will lead the investigation, according to 18th Air Force spokesman Capt. Ryan DeCamp.

The lieutenant said in a prepared statement he and other officials continue to ensure we have a strong support structure around all Airmen, to include Col. Howard, who are affected by this case.

Our focus continues to be on supporting the men and women of the 375th AMW as they execute the Air Mobility Command mission, Tuck said.

Howard was transferred to a position in the United States Transportation Command, though the 18th Air Force spokesman said he could not comment on the nature of the colonels new job.

Howard said he was asked not to comment when reached by phone Monday evening.

Howard was named commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing in July. Col. Laura Lenderman preceded Howard.

The U.S. Transportation Command, commonly referred to as USTRANSCOM, provides transportation to the eight other U.S. combatant commands, among other agencies.

Air Mobility Command is a component of USTRANSCOM. The 375th Air Mobility Wing is part of the 18th Air Force, which is a part of Air Mobility Command.

Buschur, the new commander of the 375th, was not immediately available for comment on his new assignment.

2017 the Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.)

Visit the Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.) at www.bnd.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
On June 28, 2016, Missouris then-governor, Jay Nixon, made a prescient prediction. In vetoing House Bill 1713, which altered the makeup of the states Clean Water Commission, Nixon said the bill could eventually turn water regulation over to the very industries that pollute it.

It took a year and half, a veto override and a new governor, but he nailed it.

Last week, Gov. Eric Greitens appointed three new members to the seven-member commission. All have ties to the industrialized farming lobby. In the ongoing disputes between Missouris family farmers and its factory farmers, Greitens has sided with industry and against members of the general public who might have an interest in clean water.

In this he is following the practice of the Trump administration and the Republican Congress to roll back clean water rules.

Missouri politicians routinely pay homage to family farmers, but in disputes between industrial agriculture and smaller operations, Big Ag wins every time.

The change in the states Clean Water Commission stemmed from efforts by a Minnesota company to build a giant pig-farming operation near Trenton in northwest Missouri. The 6,053 sows and their pigs would produce millions of gallons of wastewater and 90 tons of manure a year, to be injected in liquid form into nearby fields. The facility also would produce compost created from 122,093 pounds of dead animals a year.

In early 2016, the commission denied a permit in part because it was unclear how a 100-year flood would affect the facility, in part because the company couldnt show it had continuing authority, that is, enough assets in Missouri to guarantee continued operation.

The Legislature got rid of the first objection, and a state appeals court dismissed the second. Small farmers who objected to the water pollution and odors caused by the concentrated animal feeding operations were out of luck. When such operations move in, land prices on adjacent farms can drop drastically because of odors and their effect on groundwater.

When HB 1713 was passed in 2016, it reduced the influence of public members of the commission, granting more influence to those with ties to industry. Its supporters said members of the general public couldnt understand the issues related to agriculture and mining pollution.

Nixon vetoed the bill, calling it a blatant attempt to limit public oversight in favor of regulated interests.

Two months later, the Legislature overrode the veto. The Trenton feeding-operation permit was back on the Clean Water Commissions agenda Tuesday, as was a permit for a poultry feeding operation in McDonald County that would house 370,000 chickens. The commission approved both permits.

Thanks to the patronizing efforts of the Legislature and the governor, the general public no longer has to worry its pretty little heads about matters like clean water. Big Ag has got it covered.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wildflower Marijuana Inc. (CSE:SUN) (the Company) through its recently acquired, King Brand, has received its initial purchase order for approximately CAN$600,000.



Wildflower closed on the purchase of King Extracts in August 2017, acquiring the King Brand, its trademarks and all proprietary formulations. King has been operating in California since 2016 and has established distribution channels. The King purchase gives Wildflower a platform to launch its products in the State of California through Kings existing distribution channels.

In addition, Wildflower signed a Partnership Term Sheet with one of the largest distributors in California with access to over 600 retail cannabis stores. Pursuant to the Partnership, Wildflower received this initial purchase order. The order is intended to supply 50 of their high volume clients as the Company takes a staged approached to product roll-out in order to ensure quality and deliverables.

Wildflower CEO William McLean stated, With the beginning of a recreational cannabis market in California next month, we believe Wildflower is well-positioned to drive further revenue growth. With our very first PO being in excess of half a million dollars and supplying just 50 of the 600 retail outlets of just one distributor, future potential for Wildflower and King revenues in this market are significant. It is gratifying to receive the first of what we expect to be many such purchase orders. This represents a significant milestone for Wildflower.

THE CALIFORNIA CANNABIS MARKET

29 states have legalized medical cannabis use and 8 states have legalized recreational use. California will be the latest state to legalize recreational use and sales are expected to be over $6 billion within the first year. This would represent the largest market for cannabis in the world.

ABOUT WILDFLOWER

Wildflower is a cannabis company focused on developing and designing branded cannabis products. Wildflower sells its CBD+ products online and to retailers throughout the US and also produces and markets its THC products in regulated cannabis jurisdictions.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

William MacLean

____________________________________

William MacLean

Director and CEO

THIS NEWS RELEASE, PROVIDED PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION OR APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements or information. Forwardlooking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "appear", "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "approximate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "would" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forwardlooking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the marijuana industry in general such as operational risks in growing; competition; incorrect assessment of the value and potential benefits of various transactions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws and government regulations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forwardlooking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

The forwardlooking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forwardlooking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the Canadian Securities Exchange. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The Canadian Securities Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

www.wildflowerUS.com

info@wildflowerus.com
Christopher Saul plays Pompey  and several other parts  in Imperium.

Stratford-based actor Christopher Saul talks to Gill Sutherland about being part of the Imperium ensemble at the RSC, and how he got started at the company during an extraordinary period in the 1970s.

How did your involvement in Imperium come about?

I got a call in March to attend a three-day workshop at The Other Place in the big rehearsal room  there were 12 of us. Author Robert Harris, Mike Poulton, and director Greg Doran were there and we started reading this very long version of Mikes adaptation of Roberts books. There were lots of discussions and changes made along the way.

Mike was very open and welcomed any ideas we had. On the third day in the afternoon we recorded a read-through, and hes basically been with us every single day through nine weeks of rehearsal and hes still with us for previews [both Imperium plays open today, Thursday].

It sounds like quite an intensive rehearsal.

Theres been a lot of talk! In rehearsals Greg has a little bell and if anyone goes on too long then he gives it a ring. Mike got it most of all! Because hes full of not just information about Roberts books but also the historical facts of this period.

I should add that you dont have to have read the books. Its like sometimes its better to see the movie before you read the book and then you can go back to the book and enjoy the detail.

Youve got several parts, how is that?

Most people have except Bill [Richard McCabe playing Cicero] and Joseph [Kloska, playing his assistant Tiro]. My main part is Pompey [military leader] and he has quite a short but showy scene. Because Pompey was apparently very proud of his hair so theres a touch of Trump about the wig.

There has been a great discussion about it and not wanting it to be too Trump. So I am not him but do use a hand gesture [does an OK sign] that he does a lot. Its been interesting because it got more of a reaction two weeks ago than now because Trump stepped over the line [supporting British far right] and is no longer a figure of fun and so the reactions are now more groans than anything.

Its interesting to be playing something that is history itself, where moods change day to day.

Its quite weighty historical stuff, what are the audiences making of it?

Yes, I personally worried about clarity  whether with so many characters if it would get too confusing, especially with part one. Because we might know Cicero vaguely from Julius Caesar but not necessarily the others, such as Catiline

and Clodius, that most of us havent come across before; whereas in the second play you are back to tradition, with Caesar, Antony and Octavia.

But judging by the audience reaction they are absolutely following the story, and the

response has been fantastic  theyve been up on their feet. Its great storytelling.

How is it being with this cast?

Bills performance is staggering and hes just so grounded. He threw me in rehearsal because I would give him a line and then sometimes I thought we had come out of rehearsal and he was just talking to me  but he hadnt, he is just so real and extraordinary.

When I was a young actor here in 1975 I had Ben Kingsley and Alan Howard  it was great to be young and to look up to these actors; whereas as you get older that begins to fade so its a very rare thing to come and be in a company of fantastic actors... and its not just Bill, there are some extraordinary talented young actors here. Sometimes I have been overwhelmed in rehearsals, I think Should I be here? I just bellow along!

There are six plays  how is that, confusing?

All of us are probably seeing it differently. Its clear now, but earlier on Id sometimes get mixed up where I was  you think hang on, are we on play one or two? There were a few missed entrances! Thats been ironed out! Each play is an hour long and very distinctive, and people who have seen it say it doesnt drag at all  quite the opposite.

Anyway, audiences really love the epic  its like bring your sandwiches and your flask!. They want to be immersed, its like Netflix and having a binge watch! Thats a good soundbite  come and have an epic binge at the RSC!

When you first came here in 1975 you worked with Terry Hands and Buzz Goodbody on her famous Hamlet  during which she committed suicide. Tell us about those times.

I left drama school in 1969 and had done a bit of rep and fringe, and a year in Fiddler on the Roof in the West End. Then I found myself here in January 1975  so this was one massive leap for Chris Saul into this extraordinary world, for me it was all mind-boggling stuff.

For Hamlet we had ten weeks rehearsal with this group of actors with incredible commitment who were totally different to anything I had been used to.

I got to know Buzz Goodbody because she was going out with actor and fight co-ordinator Anthony Naylor who I was sharing a cottage with. She was extraordinarily intelligent and exactly the same age as me  she would be coming up to 72 now. Anyway we rehearsed Hamlet and her little phrase was courage to fail and I thought that was wonderful, and so the whole idea was that you just let anything happen.

I played Guildenstern in Hamlet Buzz decided to do a rehearsal of the gravediggers scene with Hamlet, played by Ben Kingsley, at Holy Trinity The idea was that we carried Ophelia in round the back of the church. Charlie Dance was Fortinbras and George Baker was Claudius. We thought it was a bit of a giggle to start with. As we walked along the river and turned right and laid Ophelia down in her grave, Buzz had obviously detected a little bit of scepticism and she accused us of not being committed to the whole thing, and then there was a nuclear explosion down by the back of the church  where people were railing against the idea of what we were doing.

George Baker, who was the oldest actor among us, said to her three times You look for death and you will find it and stormed off  because this was on consecrated ground and it was 1975 and so people had religious feelings.

Of course two weeks later, after press night, she said she was going back to London on the Friday and she must have done it [committed suicide] on the Saturday, and of course Georges words all came flooding back.

When we returned on the Monday it was all very low key; we didnt know why Buzz had done it. It was heartbreaking. Trevor Nunn came in and refocused and the show went on

After that long season at the RSC it felt like everywhere you went the outlook was different. One was taken a bit more seriously, like you had a stamp of approval. I did some great stuff at Leeds Playhouse, all on the back of having worked at the RSC.

Youve done amazing and diverse things  what stands out?

Theres so much... I did a tour of The Comedy of Errors with Tim Supple for the RSC in the mid-1990s that stands out. We took it to India and met Mother Theresa  these glorious things that have happened as a result of being an actor.

How did you get started in acting?

I played Othello in 1963 in the lower sixth form of my grammar school in Skegness, I wore my mothers earrings and was all blacked up [he cringes, amazed]. I have photos. I suppose that must have been the start.

What have you got planned after the Imperium plays?

I have a one-woman show Ive written, Flo: Now and Then, about my grandmother, which is on at The Bear Pit in February. It is recognition of all those First World War widows who brought up their children in the austerity of the post-war years. It was based on discussions I recorded with my grandmother. (Look out for more news on this in the Herald in the new year.)

Finally, are you getting a break over Christmas and what will you be up to?

I worked with Phil Davis back in 1973 so it will be lovely to see him here in A Christmas Carol. Otherwise I will be with the family  we live in Albany Road, Stratford. My daughter Gemma and her six children  who are all at school around Stratford will join us. We have 11 grandchildren in total and some Aussie relatives visiting, so it will be busy!

The Imperium plays run at the RSC until 10 February. For tickets and more information visit www.rsc.org.uk
Warwick Crown Court

A PERVERTED pensioner who was already on the sex offenders register for indecent assaults on a young girl offered to pay a 14-year-old schoolgirl to meet him for sex.

In fact the girl did not exist  and when Anthony Johnson turned up at Leamington railway station to meet her and a friend, he was arrested.

Despite that, he originally denied offences of attempting to meet a child intending to commit a sexual offence following grooming and breaching a sexual offences prevention order.

But on the day he was due to stand trial at Warwick Crown Court, the 72-year-old, of Verney Close, Lighthorne, changed his pleas to guilty.

Prosecutor Mark Williams said Johnson had been made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order in 2010 as a result of a conviction for sexual offences in 2003.

Under the order, which was to last for ten years, he was prohibited from communicating or attempting to communicate with any child under the age of 16.

But on July 7 he began exchanging online messages through a chat site with someone he believed was called Tanya who lived in London, and had a 14-year-old friend called Jackie.

In fact it was an adult posing as Tanya who then sent the police screenshots of their exchanges.

Mr Harrison said: The content is highly sexual, and it is apparent he was intending to meet Tanya and Jackie for sexual activity the following day.

In the course of the messages with Tanya he offered to pay them 40 each for an afternoon of sexual activity.

During the chat, which went on into the early hours of the following morning, Johnson sent an image of his private parts and tried to get her to send him an intimate image of Jackie, but was told he would have to contact her directly.

It was arranged that the girls would arrive at Leamington station on the 11.24 train.

The person posing as the girls contacted police who arrested Johnson at the railway station.

When he was interviewed Johnson, who had 91 in cash on him, answered no comment to the majority of questions.

Mr Williams added Johnson had convictions for dishonesty in the 1960s and 70s, but in 2003 he was jailed for five years for offences of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14.

It had been anticipated that Johnson, who had been remanded in custody, would be sentenced straight away.

But after hearing the case, Recorder Anupama Thompson said: There is no alternative to immediate custody, but his previous conviction concerns me.

So she adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on Johnson, to consider whether he poses an on-going danger to young girls, and he was again remanded in custody.
TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- About half of American physicians are experiencing burnout, writes Michael J. A. Robb, M.D., of Phoenix, Arizona, the immediate past president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), in the winter issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Symptoms include overwhelming exhaustion, cynicism and detachment from the job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.



A physician experiencing burnout may say: I feel I look after certain patients impersonally, as if they are objects. I really dont care about what happens to some of my patients. I have become more insensitive to people since Ive been working, Dr. Robb reports.

As a neurologist/oto-neurologist, he was trained to look for the locus of the pathology, Dr. Robb explains, and the cause of burnout is likely located in the system, not the physician. It might be called a form of toxic workplace syndrome. In that case, remedies such as mindfulness/relaxation/stretching exercises will not help.

One of the biggest contributors to physicians stress is the electronic health record (EHR), Dr. Robb writes. The growth of EHR use is directly proportional to the increase in physician burnout. He notes that in primary care, the EHR tax on time is 5.9 hours of an 11.4 hour work day in which EHR use is 4.5 hours in the clinic and 1.4 hours at home.

Doctors are seeking relief from administrative overload, including badly designed EHRs, by developing a third-party-free practice, away from the chain-and-ownership managed-care practice model, Dr. Robb states. Such physicians experience fulfillment, and their patients get unhurried, affordable care from a caring, engaged physician.

Dr. Robb offers a number of practical tips for returning to the practice of private medicine, thereby restoring the patient-physician relationship and the joy in practicing medicine.

The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone, a real estate lending, investment and advisory company, today announced it has provided a $36,400,000 bridge loan for the acquisition of Parkside Place Apartments in Spring, TX. The loan was originated by Donny Rosenberg of Greystones New York office for Ilan Investments, led by Charlie Yalamanchili.



The loan for Parkside Place carries a 2-year term with two six-month extensions. Greystones bridge loan platform is ideal for acquisition financing with a permanent exit in mind with either HUD or Agency financing. The 384-unit multifamily community was completed in 2015 and will be managed by Adara Communities. Unit interiors include granite countertops, stainless steel appliance packages, and high-end cabinetry & fixtures. The property offers numerous Class A amenities including a spacious clubhouse with Great Room, demonstration kitchen, complimentary coffee bar, executive business center and conference room, fully equipped fitness center, movie-screening room with vintage arcade, and game room with billiards and shuffleboard tables. Other amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor cabanas, outdoor kitchen, multiple outdoor living-room areas with fireplaces and flat screen TVs, Bocce ball, and covered parking & detached garages available for residents.

Parkside Place is one of the nicest communities and provides some of the highest luxury living in the Spring marketplace. Ilan Investments has been one of the strongest buyers in Houston, taking advantage of the dislocation in the marketplace, and were proud to be partners with them on this acquisition, said Mr. Rosenberg.

Greystone has proven to be a valuable partner in our acquisition and long-term finance strategy. In an environment where there are so many moving pieces, its great to have them as a constant and a predictable source of capital. We are thrilled with this acquisition and look forward to continuing to grow in Houston and its surrounding markets, said Mr. Yalamanchili, principle in Ilan Investments.

About Greystone

Greystone is a real estate lending, investment and advisory company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA and Affordable Fannie Mae lender in these sectors. Our range of services includes commercial lending across a variety of platforms such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CMBS, FHA, USDA, bridge and proprietary loan products. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Corporation, Inc., Greystone Funding Corporation and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greyco.com.

PRESS CONTACT:

Karen Marotta

Greystone

212-896-9149

Karen.Marotta@Greyco.com
CRESCO, Pa., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Net Savings Link, Inc. (OTC:NSAV) -- a medical technology and software company, announced today that its subsidiary, Shanghai based Vital Strategic Research Institute (VSRI), has signed an agreement with Eli Lilly and Company. Under the terms of the agreement, VSRI will provide Eli Lilly with an assessment of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) among newly diagnosed diabetes patients at increased risk of CVD in China. China is facing the largest diabetes epidemic in the world with around 11 percent of its population suffering from the metabolic illness, while nearly 36 percent are pre-diabetic. CVD in China has also reached epidemic proportions, with over 200 million Chinese suffering from the worlds leading cause of death.



About Eli Lilly and Company



Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven company, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.



NSAV subsidiary, VSRI is a medical research firm with a long history of expertise in design, clinical trials and global research. VSRI has collaborated with pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb.



James Tilton, president of NSAV stated, I am thrilled that we have been able to close our first major deal since acquiring VSRI only two months ago. It is extremely rewarding to be the CEO of a company that is not only succeeding from a business standpoint, but saving lives.



NSAV's vision is the establishment of a fully integrated technology and software company that provides turnkey technological and software solutions to the medical industry. Over time, the Company plans to provide a wide range of services such as software solutions, e-commerce, advisory services, financial services, patents and trademarks and information technology.



For further information please contact NSAV at 1 (585) 520-2102 or investorgrowthllc@gmail.com



The NSAV corporate email address is info@nsavholdinginc.com



The NSAV corporate website can be accessed at http://nsavholdinginc.com



The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/NSAV_MJTechCo



The NSAV Facebook account can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/NSAVHolding



This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Net Savings Link, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Net Savings Link, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Net Savings Link, Inc. or any other person.



Contact

Investor Growth LLC

investorgrowthllc@gmail.com

585-520-2102
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvest One Cannabis Inc. (TSXV:HVST) ("Harvest One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced "bought deal" offering of unsecured convertible debenture units of the Company (the "Debenture Units") in an aggregate principal amount of $20,125,000 (the "Offering"), which included the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters (defined below) in full. Each Debenture Unit consists of $1,000 principal amount of 8.0% unsecured convertible debentures of the Company (a "Debenture") and 458 common share purchase warrants of the Company (each a "Warrant").



The Debenture Units were sold on a "bought deal" basis through a syndicate of underwriters led by Mackie Research Capital Corporation and including Haywood Securities Inc. and Eight Capital (the "Underwriters"). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund the development and expansion of a cannabis indoor cultivation facility in Chemainus, British Columbia as well as for working capital and for general corporate purposes. The Debentures and Warrants issued pursuant to the Offering are expected to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbols "HVST.DB" and "HVST.WT", respectively.

The Debenture Units issued under the Offering were offered by way of a short form prospectus filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada except Quebec. Copies of the final short form prospectus and documents incorporated therein are available electronically under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Harvest One

Harvest One controls operations across the entire cannabis value chain through three business units, with Harvest One serving as the umbrella company over horticultural arm United Greeneries and medical arm Satipharm AG. Each business is strategically located in favorable jurisdictions with supportive regulatory frameworks in place. United Greeneries has received a Canadian medicinal cannabis cultivation and sales license, making Harvest One one of only a few companies globally with the capacity to commercially cultivate and sell cannabis in a federally regulated environment.

For more information on Harvest One, please contact:

Andreas Gedeon

Chief Executive Officer

+ 1 (778) 855-2408

info@harvestone.com

- or -

Colin Clancy

Investor Relations

+ 1 (877) 915 7934

cclancy@mmj.ca

Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed "forwardlooking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the use of the net proceeds from the Offering, the listing symbols of the Debentures and Warrants any other information herein that is not a historical fact. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and the Company and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, further events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ice Energy, the leading provider of distributed thermal energy storage solutions, announced that its CEO, Mike Hopkins, has accepted an invitation to become a Member of the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED).

Im honored to be joining this respected and influential organization that has been an effective voice for business in public policy for 75 years, said Mike Hopkins, CEO of Ice Energy. I view my membership as a testament to Ice Energys leadership position in the green energy space, and to the importance of that perspective in the development of U.S. energy policy.

The CED is a non-profit, nonpartisan, business-led public policy organization with a storied past dating back to World War II, when the CED was a force behind the Bretton Woods Agreement and the Marshall Plan. The Members of the CED are Chairs, CEOs and senior executives of major corporations, university and college presidents and leaders of prominent NGOs. Members determine CEDs annual priority issues and lead subcommittees that produce policy statements and recommendations for reform.

About the Committee for Economic Development

Founded in 1942, the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions to our nations most critical issues. CEDs work is grounded in seven core principles: sustainable capitalism, long-term economic growth, efficient fiscal and regulatory policy, competitive and open markets, a globally competitive workforce, equal economic opportunity, and nonpartisanship in the nations interest. More information at www.ced.org.

About Ice Energy

Ice Energy is a leading energy storage provider for the grid. Its thermal energy storage products deliver behind-the-meter storage for commercial and industrial HVAC, refrigeration and process cooling systems, and for home AC, providing peak capacity to over 40 utility service territories nationwide. With contracts to deliver 25.6 MW of storage to Southern California Edison; 5 MW in Riverside, CA; 6 MW in Redding, CA; and an additional 450+ MW in the sales pipeline, the company is expanding quickly in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit www.ice-energy.com.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More consumers will have the opportunity to enjoy a better way to shop for insurance as Brightway Insurance continues to expand across the country. On Monday, Dec. 18, Brightway will open its first store in New Jersey. Brightway also opened a new store in Texas this week.

Brothers, Michael, Robert and Ray Norton, will open Brightway, The Norton Agency at 40 South Black Horse Pike in Blackwood, N.J. For information, visit BrightwayNorton.com.

Brightway was founded by brothers, David and Michael Miller, so it seems apropos that our first store in New Jersey is owned by brothers, said Brightway President, Talman Howard. Were thrilled to welcome Michael, Robert and Ray Norton to the Brightway family and look forward to providing world-class service to insureds in New Jersey.

Norma Wilkins will open Brightway, The Wilkins Family Agency at 8700 Main Street, Suite 110 in Frisco, Texas. For information, visit BrightwayWilkins.com.

We also are extremely pleased to partner with Norma Wilkins to open the newest Brightway store in Texas, just north of Dallas/Fort Worth, said Howard added. With the suite of support Brightway provides to store owners, Norma and her team can focus on their customers needs and build a legacy for their family.

Brightway Franchise Owners enjoy support in customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology, which frees up their time to focus on leveraging the broadest possible selection of insurance companies to meet each customers unique needs. As a result, Brightway agencies consistently outsell other agencies three-to-one.*

Brightway franchisees make more than three times the income of individuals who are self-employed in other businesses. For top performers, the gap is six-fold. Whats more, having an insurance background is not a prerequisite to becoming a Franchise Owner with Brightway. In fact, 40 percent of the above-average performing Brightway Franchise Owners did not have prior insurance experience.

Entrepreneurs who wish to learn more about business opportunities with Brightway should visit BrightwayDifference.com.

About Brightway Insurance

Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent stores throughout the country. With more than $494 million in annualized written premium, the company is one of the largest property and casualty agencies in the United States.

Brightway began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to more than 700 people in 19 states serving customers in all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the company as Americas No. 1 Franchise to Buy. Additionally, the company was named a top franchise three years in a row by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America nine consecutive years by Inc. 5000. People wishing to learn more about franchise ownership with Brightway may visit BrightwayDifference.com and find us on LinkedIn. Consumers seeking a better insurance buying experience may visit Brightway.com and find us on Facebook.

###

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f02afccc-cddf-407d-9f40-f1386bb2c583
A Bay of Plenty meat processing plant has been ordered to pay $10,000 to an employee who was impaled on a spreader hook and dragged along the mutton chain.

AFFCO New Zealand Limited was sentenced in Tauranga District Court today over the incident which happened in January 2016.

WorkSafes Acting Deputy General Manager Investigations and Specialist Services Simon Humphries describes the incident as concerningly similar to one two years earlier, when a worker was impaled through the head by a spreader hook.

After the first incident, the company failed to identify as a risk the particular piece of equipment that injured the worker in the second incident - a point particularly noted by Judge Mabey QC when he convicted the company earlier this year on the 2016 incident.

The Judge said for the company to rely on the fact that the equipment concerned had not caused previous incidents and it was not considered a hazard was to substitute their subjective views for the objective test which must be applied, says Simon.

In this case, the victims injuries were not life-threatening, but that is not the point. The company knew the mutton chain had significant risks when it was operating, and appropriate risk identification and the implementation of controls would have saved him from those injuries.

A man was unnecessarily injured because of AFFCOs failures

Learning from failings is critical  AFFCO must now focus hard on identifying and controlling risks in all its operations.

As well as paying the victim $10,000, the court has fined AFFCO $70,400.

AFFCO was charged under sections 6 and 13(b) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992:

6: failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employee while at work was not exposed to hazards arising out of work from the mutton chain at the Rangiuru plant

13(b): failed to take all practicable steps to ensure that its employee was adequately training in the safe use of plant and objects the employee was required to use or handle.

The maximum penalty under section 50(1)(a) is a fine not exceeding $250,000.
Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a euthanasia bill in its first reading.

The End of Life Choice Bill, proposed by ACT Party MP David Seymour, was sent to the Justice select committee with 76 in favour, 44 against.

Taurangas three government list MPs  Labours Jan Tinetti and Angie Warren-Clark, and New Zealand Firsts Clayton Mitchell  all voted in favour, principally to give the public a chance to have a say on the matter.

Jan says she felt she didnt have enough information to take voting yes off the table yet.

I felt it needed to go to select committee so New Zealanders could have their say and the bill could be firmed up. I dont know if I would vote in favour beyond that, as I want to see what the public have to say and what the select committee comes back with.

They will do their research and look at whats going on elsewhere.

Angie believes New Zealanders are mature enough to have a discussion about this issue from all sides.

People are definitely asking for this to be addressed, so I was happy to support it to select committee stage. I believe in the right to die with dignity, but I am going to look at all sides of the argument, and make my decision accordingly, she says.

I also think it is important GPs are able to make a conscientious objection if the bill becomes law.

Clayton, like all New Zealand First MPs, agreed to support the bill on the condition a binding referendum is included on the matter.

It shouldnt be left to 120 temporarily-appointed MPs to make a decision for the entire country.

He wouldnt say at this stage what his personal opinion on euthanasia is, but says hell be voting against the bill if no referendum is included.

I can say our caucus is probably split between those who support euthanasia and those who oppose it.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges was among the members of the National Party caucus who voted against the bill.

Ive given it a lot of thought, and spoken with constituents, but I made the decision to still vote against it, he says.

I think life is sacred, and our decisions around that should be taken with care and hesitancy. I worry about the pressure such a law could place on the elderly, who are unwell and might think the right thing to do is just finish it now.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller also voted against the bill, although he regrets he was in the minority.

The House has heard similar legislation twice over the course of the past two decades and on both occasions it was defeated because the legislation calls into question a principle at the very core of our legal system  the preservation of life.

Any move to remove that prohibition by parliament is a huge step down a slippery slope. It is a sad day for New Zealand to see that fundamental principle eroded.

He also considers it wrong the bill will go to the Justice select committee, as opposed to the Health select committee.

To me this suggests they are trying to frame a health issue that involves doctors, nurses, and the administering drugs  essentially what is a medical procedure to end your life  as one of access to justice. This is wrong.

The Health select committee has only this year finished considering the issue of euthanasia. The issue drew a record 21,000 submissions with an overwhelming majority of 80 per cent opposed.

From my perspective our palliative care services, such as Waipuna Hospice, do an amazing job supporting those with life-limiting illnesses with nothing but care and compassion. I see no reason to radically redesign that framework.

He appreciates not everyone in his electorate will share his view.

But at the end of the day this was a conscience vote and you have to vote according to your values.
Police are trying to contact the next of kin of a woman who was critically injured in a crash on the Coromandel.

A Ford transit van and a Suzuki motorbike collided near the intersection of State Highway 25 and Hikuai Settlement Rd at 5.30pm.

"A German tourist was a passenger on the bike and she suffered life threatening injuries," says Senior Sergeant Simon Cherry, of Waikato police.

The woman along with the other rider of the motorbike, who is in a serious condition, were airlifted to Auckland Hospital.

"We are working with Interpol and the German embassy to contact the womans next of kin."

The roads were closed for a period last night and detours were in place. But the road reopened this morning.

-Stuff.co.nz
In todays weather forecast we are expecting a fine day but with cloud increasing in the evening. Northerlies developing in the afternoon.

Its a two-clothing layer day today with a high of 24 and an overnight low of 16 egrees.

Low tide is at 11.30am and high tide is at 5.40pm. Sea temperature is 21 degrees. Theres an average sea swell of 1m. Sunset tonight is at 8.28pm.

If youre going fishing today the best fish bite times are between 9.30am and 11.30am.

This day in NZ history in 1915 the evacuation of Gallipoli began. In a well-planned operation which contrasted sharply with those mounted earlier in the campaign, the troops were successfully withdrawn between December 15 and 20.

In 1944 the poll tax on Chinese immigrants was abolished. The Finance Act (No. 3) abolished the poll tax introduced in 1881, which was described by Minister of Finance Walter Nash as a blot on our legislation.

In 1951 the Belmont viaduct was blown up. The 38-m-high railway viaduct, near Johnsonville, Wellington, was built in 1885 and had not been used since 1937. It was demolished by army engineers as a training exercise.

In 1995 on this day OMC released How Bizarre. It may have been the mariachi trumpets, the gently rapped lyrics or that making-me-crazy chorus, but whatever the cause, How Bizarre by the south Auckland group Otara Millionaires Club (OMC) went on to become one of the most successful songs ever recorded in New Zealand.

This day in world history in 1903 the British parliament placed a 15-year ban on whale hunting in Norway. In 1972 the Commonwealth of Australia ordered equal pay for women. And in 2001 the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopend after an 11-year, $27 million project to fortify it without eliminating its famed lean.

Today is the birthday of Maurice Wilkins, New Zealand-English physicist and molecular biologist; who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. He was born in 1916 and one said "It is essential for genetic material to be able to make exact copies of itself; otherwise growth would produce disorder, and life could not originate."

To get involved in activities and events today check out our Whats On page.

Have a great day!
After holding a presence in Cyprus with Hill Robinson Nicosia since 2012, the new initiative to move the regional and industry expertise to Limassol is offering new solutions for Owners and Captains cruising the region.

With growing interest in the region, we find out more about the benefits hiding beneath the breath-taking views of Cyprus and the surrounding areas.

How is Limassol Marina cementing Cyprus as a future superyacht hotspot

Limassol is the first superyacht marina in Cyprus, with berths for yachts up to 110-metres, exclusive villas and apartments - the largest of which sold for 15m. Adding to that, there are now two new marinas under development, one in Ayia Napa on the Southeastern coast with berths up to 80m, and another marina is planned in Paphos on the Western part of the island.

Near the marina, the first Casino resort in Limassol - costing over 500m - will become the largest casino in Europe when it opens in 2020; with 136 gaming tables, 1200 machines, 6-star hotel, boutique shops, restaurants, spa, gym etc. So, theres a lot happening.

Another big factor behind Cyprus is the citizenship investment scheme, which allows real estate investors the potential to gain an EU Citizenship and Cypriot passport. The knock-on effects of investing in the region also include the future economic benefits of new oil and gas drilling initiatives currently underway in Cyprus.

Cyprus is also a perfect base to explore the East Med and is conveniently close to the Suez Canal.

Is the uncertainty of Brexit raising questions or creating new investment opportunities?

The uncertainty behind Brexit is still there, and there are still a few questions surrounding the UK leaving the EU. People want to know if a UK flagged boat will be entitled to operate commercially in the EU, or whether or not a yacht with VAT paid in the UK prior to Brexit will be considered EU VAT paid etc.

The opportunities side of the potential deal comes with restructuring existing ownership and new ownership to be placed in the EU rather than the UK, so Cyprus has a very attractive yacht leasing scheme with an effective tax rate as low as 3.05% for boats over 65-metres.

What services are you adding to fuel the Cypriot boom in superyacht activity?

Were currently managing significant refit projects in Cyprus, with two project managers based here and direct access to the EDT shipyard next to the marina. The great thing about Cyprus is that it has a highly educated and skilled labour force, so the yard is well-known for their work in vessel operations and maintenance in the oil and gas industry, and fully qualified to undertake extensive marine repairs and maintenance.

The Hill Robinson fleet that comes here for management and marina facilities include Queen K, Sailing Yacht Germania Nova, Aviva 98 and Mogambo, so its a fantastic place to see, berth and take up haven from the more volatile neighbouring countries.

Hill Robinson is a global brand, how does Cyprus fit into the overall strategy?

Hill Robinson has had a presence in Cyprus since 2012. It took off in 2015, and today we have seven staff members, several yachts under management delivering technical, operational, finance and commercial management services; all while working with other offices across the globe. The island brings in superyachts from across the world thanks to the marinas position between three continents, so its a location with huge potential.

Shortly after opening offices across Palm Beach and Monaco, the Cyprus push forward is proving that the superyacht community is not only active, but in need of management as it looks to push further into new territories.
TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the strictest wage and price control in history against physicians in our nation: AB 72, writes AAPS general counsel Andrew Schlafly in the winter issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Insurance companies are now trying to emulate it by enacting similar legislation in other states, he adds.



AB 72 authorizes private health plans to set fees for physicians who are not under any contract with them, he explains. And unlike when government sets rates, there is no political accountability for the officials or for the decision-making process.

Although the law was justified under the pretext of controlling surprise medical bills, this has not been a genuine public concern. Insurers are generally supposed to pay out-of-network bills, Schlafly notes.

Instead, he writes, the law came about because a California agency rejected an attempt by the insurance industry to impose wage and price controls on out-of-network physicians by regulation. What the insurance companies failed to obtain from the administrative state, they then sought directly from the legislature.

AAPS contends that the law is unconstitutional under the Takings and Due Process clauses of the U.S. Constitution. It deprives physicians of just compensation for their work, and provides no meaningful recourse. Physicians are obliged to submit disputes to a binding arbitration process that is influenced by the insurance industry.

The law is also bad public policy, Schlafly states, because it will lead to rationing of care to underserved populations, as physicians will no longer be able to afford to provide charitable care.

The law has an impact on all medical services, Schlafly adds: The only meaningful leverage that a physician or hospital has in negotiating a contract with an insurance company is the option of the physician or hospital to go out-of-network and not accept the insurance company rates.

A hearing was held in federal court on Oct. 19, and the judge reserved a decision pending review of additional briefs submitted in November.

The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.

Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

1601 N. Tucson Blvd. Suite 9

Tucson, AZ 85716

(800) 635-1196

www.aapsonline.org
ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Luvu Brands, Inc., (OTCQB: LUVU), a manufacturer and marketer of lifestyle consumer brands in the categories of sexual wellness, comfort top-of-bed accessories and fashion beanbags and sofas, today announced the launch of an innovative daybed-in-a-box from its Jaxx Living division.

Headlining a series of new product developments is the Alon Daybed. A convertible daybed-in-a-box, the Alon is crafted with a pair of viscoelastic / polyurethane foam platforms that can easily transform into a queen-size sleeper. Each daybed comes with solid maple feet that are easily secured to a hidden wood base. The Alon Daybed is packed flat in an easy to manage box and delivered directly to the consumer or sold in retail stores.

When designing our new daybed-in-a-box, we set out to craft a high-end product that would also be cost-effective in terms of shipping and in-store display. Jaxx is constantly striving to create value with our furniture designs in a palette of decor micro-velvets and chenille fabrics, said Louis Friedman, founder and chief executive officer. Using the latest in vacuum compression technology, the Alon Daybed is packaged in a 30 by 34 by 14 inch box and is easy for consumers to carry home, even in the smallest of vehicles.

As an American company, we have the opportunity of designing and manufacturing our own products, said Friedman. That fact alone allows us to quickly respond and adapt to customer feedback. So, when our customers asked us to develop a modular daybed system that was both on trend and affordable, we were up for the challenge. 

The Alon Daybed is sold online at JaxxLiving.com. Available in a variety of fabric tones and textures, the daybed-in-a-box has an MSRP of $950.00 and is offered with standard free shipping in the continental U.S.

About Luvu Brands

Luvu Brands, Inc. is an Atlanta, Georgia based designer, manufacturer and brand based marketer of consumer products that offers a growing number of product categories including: Liberator sexual positioning furniture, Avana top-of-bed comfort pillows and Jaxx casual fashion furniture, child, teen and adult beanbags, outdoor loungers, loveseats and daybeds. These products are sold through the Companys websites, concept factory store, online mass merchants and retail stores worldwide. Many of our products are offered flat-packed and vacuum compressed to save on shipping and reduce our carbon footprint.

The Company is headquartered in a 140,000 square foot vertically-integrated manufacturing facility that employs over 160 people. Bringing sewn products manufacturing back to the USA and creating innovative vacuum-compressed consumer products are core to the Companys operating principles. As the majority of the Companys products are constructed of polyurethane foam, sustainable manufacturing practices are used including re-purposing of foam trim into beanbag fill to reduce our overall carbon footprint.

Luvu Brands promotes its products globally in a variety of distribution channels including mass market web retailers, catalogers and specialty retail stores. The Companys brand sites include: liberator.com , jaxxliving.com , avanacomfort.com plus other global e-commerce sites. For more information about Luvu Brands, please visit luvubrands.com .




Blair, Nebraska, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Plains Communications, the largest independent communications provider in the state of Nebraska continues to increase its Omaha customer base with the installation and turn up of fiber technology services to the Orpheum Theater and the Holland Center. Construction began in the summer and was completed in October, making the company the exclusive technology provider to Omaha Performing Arts.

Todd Foje, CEO of Great Plains Communications said Omaha Performing Arts is one of the citys greatest assets. Not only do they bring us engaging performances, they mentor and educate area youth through the arts, and support the economy by bringing thousands of annual visitors to Omaha. We believe our services will be instrumental in assisting the organization in its mission of being a vibrant destination for extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire and connect, and we are proud to be their technology partner.

The fiber-based services include high-speed Internet at both locations, managed Ethernet connections between the Orpheum and Holland Center, connectivity to the Scott Data Center, dedicated Internet access, and SIP trunks for voice. All Omaha Performing Arts services will be monitored locally at the Great Plains Communications TL-9000 certified Network Operations Center in Blair, Nebraska.

These new high-speed, secure services from Great Plains Communications help Omaha Performing Arts maximize Internet, Ethernet, and other connectivity services to the highest level, Joan Squires, President of Omaha Performing Arts said. Their services are much needed as we continue to provide extraordinary experiences in our two great venues.

About Great Plains Communications

Great Plains Communications is the largest privately-owned telecommunications provider in Nebraska. The company provides 92 communities across the state with high-speed Internet, Cable Television, and Voice services. Business solutions range from traditional Voice and data products to installation and support of large business networks with scalable Internet and Ethernet solutions.

At the core of their service offering is an extensive 9,500-mile regional fiber network including over 400 fiber miles in the Omaha Metro area. The network offers community access rings, last-mile, and middle-mile solutions, fully supported by their 24x7x365 Network Operations Center. The company is financially strong with a 107-year history of providing reliable and innovative solutions. For more information visit www.gpcom.com.

About Omaha Performing Arts

Omaha Performing Arts is the largest arts institution in Nebraska. Founded in June 2000 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of citizens in Omaha and beyond. In the past decade, more than 3 million visitors have attended world-class performances at the organization's two venues, the Orpheum Theater and the Holland Center. In addition, more than 220,000 students have participated in education and community engagement programs. Omaha Performing Arts boasts a $40 million annual impact on the local economy. Visit their website at https://omahaperformingarts.org/

Attachments:

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SAN DIEGO, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tortuga Logic, a hardware security specialist with technology that identifies security vulnerabilities in semiconductor designs, today named Andrew Dauman vice president of engineering.



Dauman will oversee product development and R&D and reports to Dr. Jason Oberg, Tortuga Logics co-founder and chief executive officer.

Tortuga Logics products fill a gap between the intent of security IP building blocks and their actual deployment in full SoC designs, notes Dauman. Without these products, chips will continue to be built in ways that leave them vulnerable to hackers. Our goal is to ensure the chips final implementation does not expose a security hole that software will exploit.

In related news, Tortuga Logic closed $2 million Series Seed financing from Eclipse Ventures to accelerate engineering efforts and expand sales and marketing. Justin Butler, partner at Eclipse Ventures, will join the companys board of directors.



Tortuga Logic offers a suite of hardware design tools to identify security vulnerabilities throughout the design of a semiconductor, including Prospect and Unison used in the semiconductor, aerospace and defense industries. With its new funding, Tortuga Logic will develop new products and increase the feature sets of existing products.



We are seeing a huge paradigm shift in cybersecurity, says Dr. Oberg. Existing software-based cybersecurity companies address software vulnerabilities but overlook hardware. With a round of seed funding and Andrew Daumans leadership, we are fully prepared to take on the challenge of eliminating hardware vulnerabilities.



About Andrew Dauman



Andrew Dauman built and ran the engineering group, as well as the corporate applications engineering at Synplicity, now part of Synopsys. In his most recent role, he was vice president of engineering at Synopsys, managing the engineering efforts of the HAPS SoC prototyping platforms and Synplify FPGA synthesis products. Previously, he served as an application engineer at Silicon Compiler Systems and synthesis development manager at Mentor Graphics. Dauman started his career as a hardware design engineer at Prime Computer.



He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Boston University in Boston.



About Tortuga Logic



Tortuga Logic, a hardware security company offering a suite of security verification platforms to identify and prevent security vulnerabilities in system-on-chip (SoC) designs. Its patented technology augments industry-standard verification tools to enable a secure development lifecycle (SDL). It was founded by experts and pioneers in the hardware security space, including Dr. Jason Oberg; Dr. Jonathan Valamehr, Tortuga Logics chief operating officer; Professor Ryan Kastner of the University of California at San Diego; and Professor Tim Sherwood from the University of California at Santa Barbara.



Engage with Tortuga Logic at:

Website: www.tortugalogic.com/

Twitter: @TortugaLogicInc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3261758/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tortuga-Logic-Inc-1397187667184415/

For more information, contact:

Nanette Collins

Public Relations for Tortuga Logic

(617) 437-1822

nanette@nvc.com
Facebook has fired back at its former executive who previously said that social media was "ripping apart" society.

Social media certainly has its good and bad sides, with social networks such as Facebook entrenching themselves into our daily routine. Many expected Facebook to defend itself, but the response that it gave against the allegations was an unexpected one.

Facebook Is Destroying Society, Former Exec Claims

Chamath Palihapitiya, Facebook's former VP of user growth, in a speech at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, said that he is feeling "tremendous guilt" for his part in building up the social network and its negative impact on society.

According to Palihapitiya, he helped Facebook in creating tools that are now "ripping apart the social fabric of how society works."

Palihapitiya said that the online reactions made possible by Facebook are destroying how society works. He added that while people may have thousands of friends on the social network, no real connections are being forged between them.

Palihapitiya then advised everyone to take a break away from the clutches of social media, as the technology is negatively affecting society and relationships between people.

The allegations made by Palihapitiya are reported a month after comments were made by Sean Parker, the founding president of Facebook, regarding the social network. He claimed that its creators purposely made Facebook addictive, as it exploits vulnerabilities in the human psychology.

Facebook Says That It Has Changed

Facebook, which would normally ignore such claims made against the social network, unusually issued a direct response to Palihapitiya's remarks. However, even more unexpected were the contents of Facebook's answer.

Instead of dismissing Palihapitiya's allegations, Facebook instead makes it appear that the company that Palihapitiya used to work has changed.

Through a spokesperson, Facebook said that back when Palihapitiya was working in the company six years ago, the focus of the social network was on creating new social media experiences and expanding throughout the world.

"Facebook was a very different company back then and as we have grown we have realized how our responsibilities have grown too," the company's reply continued, adding that it has been working with experts to understand Facebook's effects on society and using what it learns in the development of its products.

"We are also making significant investments more in people, technology, and processes, and  as Mark Zuckerberg said on the last earnings call  we are willing to reduce our profitability to make sure the right investments are made," Facebook said to end its response.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IXP Corporationa prominent national public safety and emergency communications solutions providerhas been awarded a contract by the town of Princeton to operate and manage its 9-1-1 dispatch center. IXP will provide staffing for the emergency communications center as well as system-wide technology support, resulting in notably enhanced efficiency and long-term cost savings.



William Metro, IXPs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, IXPs long-term managed services solution provides municipalities with high-performance dispatch services that meet the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) rigorous public safety communications accreditation program. We not only make it easier for municipalities to achieve or maintain their law enforcement accreditation and professional excellence, we also deliver dispatch services that exceed industry standards at significantly reduced recurring operating costs. We have changed the paradigms associated with how public safety services are provided to communities. IXP delivers innovative public safety solutions that are better, faster and more cost-effective.

According to IXP Corporation, the town will save approximately $1.7 million over the next five years by utilizing IXPs managed services solution. IXP was initially awarded a two-year contract, commencing December 2017, which can be extended for up to five years.

IXPs President and Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Consalvos added, We enable municipalities to achieve optimal performance and greater control of budgets and resources. We do this by providing a service that includes a multi-year fixed price contract which features both financial predictability and performance-based metrics. It also alleviates the burden on local governments confronted with long-term unfunded pensions and other benefits liabilities.

The Princeton center will be staffed by at least a dozen experienced IXP dispatchers, who are hired locally and provided with rigorous training by IXP to ensure they will meet demanding benchmarks. IXPs managed service also minimizes involvement by sworn police officers, enabling them to return to their core duties rather than allocating significant time towards hiring, training, and staffing the dispatch center.

IXP currently manages emergency communications centers for East Windsor, Lawrence Township, and Hightstown in New Jersey; Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven in Georgia; Danbury, Connecticut; and Bostons Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. IXP has been providing dispatch services to Lawrence Township since 2013, when it became the first town in New Jersey to privatize its 9-1-1 dispatch center.

About IXP Corporation: For more than 15 years, IXP Corporation (www.ixpcorp.com) has been the market leader in public safety managed services, challenging the traditional paradigm of how public safety services are delivered and providing better, faster, more cost-effective solutions. With headquarters in Princeton, N.J., IXP serves government, higher education and corporate campus clients nationwide. IXP provides a total solution methodology that incorporates governance, operations, technology, and facility needs.

Press Contact:

Jon Lieb/Thirty Ink Media

212-563-8025
LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Right On Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: RTON) announced today that Medical Biochemist Dr. Ashok Patel has been appointed Director of Product Development. His expertise in natural oils and extracts will allow Right On Brands to develop first of its kind, healthy hemp products to be marketed under Humbly Hemp and Endo Brands.



Dr. Patel has manufactured numerous products over the years for companies around the world that strive to provide the highest quality, all-natural products to their customers, both human and animal. Dr. Patel uses his expertise in medical biochemistry to formulate products that are safe and effective as well as provide the benefits of the latest breakthroughs in science. Dr. Patels extensive network of professionals in all fields allows him to develop products based on newly discovered or re-discovered natural ingredients from around the world.

Dr. Patel's Bio is available on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashok-patel-ph-d-95a91b36/

We are very excited to be entering the CBD market, and Dr. Patel will allow us to provide our customers with tested, high-quality products. There is so much noise in this industry, and the consumers are demanding a better product than what is currently available. We will continue to innovate in this space and bringing the R&D in-house will help us stay ahead of the curve of the competition, and develop our proprietary products.

"We live in a world where micro meals are king, and real food ingredients take a back seat. For that reason, settling for mediocre, sugary, non-transparent ingredients just isn't an option anymore," states Daniel Crawford CEO. "Dr. Patel will provide the science and knowledge to allow us to create the healthiest best tasting hemp snack products in the world. We are very excited about the product offerings that are already in development and look forward to stocking them on your favorite grocers shelves."

About Humbly Hemp Bars:

Humbly Hemp snack bars are straightforward, delicious, and jam-packed with the best ingredients on earth. Each bar is kosher, vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and free of all top 11 allergens. Our protein bars are based Gluten Free Rolled Oats based, Hemp seeds, and Plant Protein. We offer three flavors: Cinnamon Date, Berry Vanilla, and Cocoa + Sea Salt.

Order from Humbly Hemp on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_dp_s_web_0?ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Humbly+Hemp

About Right On Brands, Inc.:

Right On Brands, Inc., a Santa Monica California based consumer and media company specializing in the brand development of health conscious, hemp-infused food and beverage products.

Humbly Hemp is a product line of delicious hemp-based products. The snack line will feature hemp and CBD based foods that will delight the palette of consumers and thrill retailers with Americas fastest growing food category.

ENDO Brands will be launching a new CBD hemp-based water line in 2018 along with a full CBD product line.

Learn More at: http://EndoBrands.com/

Visit our corporate website at: https://RightOnBrands.com/

Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humblyhemp/?fref=ts

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumblyHemp?lang=en

Visit us at Investors Hangout: https://investorshangout.com/Right-On-Brands-Inc-RTON-91651/

Safe Harbor Act: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the

safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that

involves risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive

products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions

of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic business

conditions and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not

obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.




Sound design and audio post-production company, Wave is in the process of building a new facility in New York .

The company currently has offices in London and Amsterdam and the New York office will start with two sound design and mixing suites supported by producers and technicians with a mix of London and New York talent.

The new studios will be in the heart of Manhattan and will open in early Summer 2018. New kit will include two Dolby certified mixing suites, running Avid S6 desks.

Wave co founder Warren Hamilton said: At Wave we dont like sitting still. Having scoured coast to coast and given it much chin scratching time, New York seemed the logical and perfect place to kick start the next instalment of the Wave adventure. New York is not just an amazing city with so much going on in the advertising and audio post sector, it also has lots of our friends there in various guises of production life. Plus we have native New York clients from the agency world, so opening in the city makes perfect sense for everyone. Despite working for US agencies at the moment, the awkwardness of distance wont be an issue come next Summer.



Co founder Johnnie Burn said: Delivering on the ambitions of our amazing team, further facilitating existing clients overseas, reaching a wider audience, and tapping into a market brimming with creativity right now. Our expansion into New York is a very exciting development for us, plus itll be a laugh.

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Fifty Fathoms md Patrick Spence is to become Director of Drama of both Tiger Aspect and Fifty Fathoms.

The newly created role follows the announcement earlier in the year that Tiger Aspect Drama Managing Director, Will Gould, would be stepping down as co-MD to set up a new company.

Spence will work with Tiger Aspect md Ben Cavey and will be tasked with building the Tiger Aspect drama slate, alongside his existing role with Fifty Fathoms. Current productions across both indies include The Eddy (Netflix), Peaky Blinders (BBC Two), The A Word (BBC One), Good Karma Hospital (ITV) and Fortitude (Sky Atlantic).



Fifty Fathoms, established by Spence in 2010, will move alongside Tiger Aspect Drama and remain under the Endemol Shine UK umbrella. Each company will retain their existing teams and separate identities, but will benefit from joint leadership and support across production and finance. A new Director of Production will be appointed to work across both teams.



Richard Johnston, CEO Endemol Shine UK, said; With Patricks incredible track record and remarkable creative vision, it was a no-brainer for him to take creative responsibility for drama output across both companies. Tiger and Fifty Fathoms have their own unique identities and approach and this will remain the case going forward as Patrick develops their individual slates.



Ben Cavey, Managing Director, Tiger Aspect said; I am over the moon that Patrick has decided to take on this role. Ive long been a fan of Patricks work  he is a talent magnet and attracts the best writers, directors and producers in the business. We are absolutely committed to making sure that Tiger Aspect and Fifty Fathoms remain at the forefront of British and International drama, and I cant think of a better man to be leading the charge.



Patrick Spence said; Fifty Fathoms started out of a relationship with Tiger and this brings us full circle. Bringing the two closer together allows us to benefit in countless ways as we build for the future. I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Lucy Bedford, Iona Vrolyk and the rest of their team on their outstanding body of work.



Patrick Spence established Fifty Fathoms in 2010, under the umbrella of Tiger Aspect and Endemol Shine, having been Head of Drama for BBC Northern Ireland. Executive Producer credits include Marvellous, Pete Bowkers multi BAFTA winning film for BBC TWO, three series of Arctic set crime thriller Fortitude for Sky Atlantic and Amazon, two series of The A Word for BBC ONE and Sundance, and Guerrilla for Sky Atlantic and Showtime. The label is currently in production with musical drama for Netflix, The Eddy, written by Jack Thorne and directed by Oscar winning La La Land director Damien Chazelle.

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New York, NY, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the announcement of its next-generation Workplace Hub, an intelligent edge platform earlier this year, Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) recently demonstrated its Cognitive Hub prototype to attendees for the first time at the AI Summit in New York City.

Developed by Konica Minolta Laboratory Europe, Cognitive Hub is the next generation of Workplace Hub. It will apply intelligent edge computing to provide AI and augment human intelligence, extending the network of human interfaces and enhancing collaboration among individuals and teams. Cognitive Hub will become a nexus for clients information flows within the digital workplace and will provide AI-based interoperability services that are immediately and automatically actionable.

The emergence of AI, combined with deep learning technologies and innovative business models, is providing opportunities for businesses to manage information flows in newly-formed digital workplaces. Konica Minolta is committed to utilizing digital technology to provide sustainable, holistic customer solutions across this growing working ecosystem, in accordance with its new medium-term business plan, SHINKA 2019. Cognitive Hub is the latest step in the organizations journey to becoming a platform-led, IoT business.

At Konica Minolta, we believe that customer solutions will lie in the form of cognitive AI integrators or distributed AI applications, said Dennis Curry, Executive Director and Deputy CTO at Konica Minolta. These cognitive platforms can integrate and orchestrate AI services to enable better team working and collaboration amongst individuals. With an evolving cognitive platform of platforms, AI will enable enterprises to move from simply consuming information, towards managing it by augmenting intelligence and improving decision-making processes. Such innovations like Konica Minoltas Cognitive Hub will emerge from evolving systems that will learn from our own intuition and emotional intelligence.

Cognitive Hub from the digital to real world

On December 5-6, 2017, Konica Minolta offered a first glance of the Cognitive Hub to an international audience, at the AI Summit in New York City. Within its booth, attendees experienced a short demonstration of the platform that evaluates and recognizes emotions. Moreover, they were able to visualize potential-use cases of interaction with the Cognitive Hub and see 3D models of the future device representing the next big bet in the technology giants long history of innovation.

Digital transformation is becoming increasingly important to our customers and we recognize the need to be able to support their Workplace of the Future requirements from the outset. Within North America, were thrilled to be able to introduce Cognitive Hub at an event that positions us as a leading IoT company, and start those conversations now, said Rick Taylor, CEO and President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, Inc.

The AI Summit New York took place at Metropolitan West, December 5-6, 2017. Dr. Dennis Curry delivered a keynote speech about the future evolution of AI and Cognitive Platforms.

To find out more, please visit: www.theaisummit.com/newyork and http://artificial-intelligence.konicaminolta.eu

About Konica Minolta Laboratory Europe (KMLE)

Since its establishment in 1873, Konica Minolta has had a long history of innovation. In 2015, Konica Minolta Laboratory Europe (KMLE) established its headquarters in London and subsequently opened R&D laboratories in Brno, Czech Republic and in Munich, Germany, with a third one to open in Rome, Italy. KMLE is the hub where innovative solutions in the field of information and communications technology come to life to transform the next generation of platforms and services from Konica Minolta.

Leveraging on close collaboration with the Konica Minolta Business Innovation Centre Europe and external research organizations, KMLE takes advantage of the most advanced technologies to support new business opportunities driven by customers needs.

http://research.konicaminolta.eu/

About Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta, Inc. is a global technology company that provides innovative solutions to businesses and society. With its strengths in the combination of its core technologies in advanced imaging, optics, sensing, materials and nano-processing, Konica Minolta is committed to creating new values that help customers address challenges in their operations and work processes. Advancing its expertise in digital technologies, the company has been transforming into a digital company with insight into implicit challenges across the board as One Konica Minolta in the era of Internet of the Things (IoT). Konica Minolta is also active in open innovation through various collaborations and alliances with academic, industrial and entrepreneurial partners.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Konica Minolta has its Group companies in 50 countries with more than 43,000 employees and offers products and services in 150 countries around the world.

For Press & Media Enquiries on Konica Minolta Laboratory Europe please contact:

Elisabetta Delponte

R&D Communication Specialist of KMLE

T: +39 342 1637290

E: elisabetta.delponte@konicaminolta.eu

If you would like to schedule an interview with Rick Taylor or Dennis Curry, please contact:

Press Contact

Kristina Marchitto

Konica Monica Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

E: kmarchitto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42aba8d3-5cb1-4652-ad6e-97522e64addd
BPO (Business Process Outsourcing): BPO is the contracting of non-core business activities and functions to a third-party provider. Cegedim provides BPO services for human resources, Revenue Cycle Management in the US and management services for insurance companies, provident institutions and mutual insurers.



Business model transformation: Cegedim decided in fall 2015 to switch all of its offerings over to SaaS format, to develop a complete BPO offering, and to materially increase its R&D efforts. This is reflected in the Group's revamped business model. The change has altered the Group's revenue recognition and negatively affected short-term profitability



Corporate and others: This division encompasses the activities the Group performs as the parent company of a listed entity, as well as the support it provides to the three operating divisions.



EPS: Earnings Per Share is a specific financial indicator defined by the Group as the net profit (loss) for the period divided by the weighted average of the number of shares in circulation.



Operating expenses: Operating expenses is defined as purchases used, external expenses and payroll costs.



Revenue at constant exchange rate: When changes in revenue at constant exchange rate are referred to, it means that the impact of exchange rate fluctuations has been excluded. The term "at constant exchange rate" covers the fluctuation resulting from applying the exchange rates for the preceding period to the current fiscal year, all other factors remaining equal.



Revenue on a like-for-like basis: The effect of changes in scope is corrected by restating the sales for the previous period as follows:



by removing the portion of sales originating in the entity or the rights acquired for a period identical to the period during which they were held to the current period;

similarly, when an entity is transferred, the sales for the portion in question in the previous period are eliminated. Life-for-like data (L-f-l): At constant scope and exchange rates.



Internal growth: Internal growth covers growth resulting from the development of an existing contract, particularly due to an increase in rates and/or the volumes distributed or processed, new contracts, acquisitions of assets allocated to a contract or a specific project.

External growth: External growth covers acquisitions during the current fiscal year, as well as those which have had a partial impact on the previous fiscal year, net of sales of entities and/or assets.



EBIT: Earnings Before Interest and Taxes. EBIT corresponds to net revenue minus operating expenses (such as salaries, social charges, materials, energy, research, services, external services, advertising, etc.). It is the operating income for the Cegedim Group.



EBIT before special items: This is EBIT restated to take account of non-current items, such as losses on tangible and intangible assets, restructuring, etc. It corresponds to the operating income from recurring operations for the Cegedim Group.



EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is the term used when amortization or depreciation and revaluations are not taken into account. "D" stands for depreciation of tangible assets (such as buildings, machines or vehicles), while "A" stands for amortization of intangible assets (such as patents, licenses and goodwill). EBITDA is restated to take account of non-current items, such as losses on tangible and intangible assets, restructuring, etc. It corresponds to the gross operating earnings from recurring operations for the Cegedim Group.



Adjusted EBITDA : Consolidated EBITDA adjusted, for 2016, for the 4.0m of negative impact from impairment of receivables in the Healthcare Professional division



Net Financial Debt: This represents the Company's net debt (non-current and current financial debt, bank loans, debt restated at amortized cost and interest on loans) net of cash and cash equivalents and excluding revaluation of debt derivatives.



Free cash flow: Free cash flow is cash generated, net of the cash part of the following items: (i) changes in working capital requirements, (ii) transactions on equity (changes in capital, dividends paid and received), (iii) capital expenditure net of transfers, (iv) net financial interest paid and (v) taxes paid.



EBIT margin: EBIT margin is defined as the ratio of EBIT/revenue.



EBIT margin before special items: EBIT margin before special items is defined as the ratio of EBIT before special items/revenue.



Net cash: Net cash is defined as cash and cash equivalent minus overdraft.




Jace Crehan, who confessed to fatally stabbing and strangling his girlfriend's convicted molester inside the man's Zachary trailer and stuffing his body into a 55-gallon container, was found guilty of second-degree murder Thursday in the brutal July 4, 2015, slaying.

Crehan, 23, of Walker, faces a mandatory term of life in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 18 by state District Judge Tony Marabella. He will remain in custody until then.

His girlfriend, Brittany Monk, 20, also of Walker, pleaded guilty earlier this year to manslaughter, testified for the prosecution at Crehan's trial and will be sentenced the same day by the judge. She faces a sentence of up to 40 years. Crehan did not testify in his own defense.

+4 Jace Crehan trial: Girlfriend gives chilling account of fatal stabbing, strangulation of convicted molester A Walker woman testified calmly but in chilling detail Tuesday how she and her boyfriend, Jace Crehan, broke into the Zachary trailer of her c

Monk, who was nearly seven months pregnant with Crehan's child at the time of the crime, admitted participating in the killing of Robert Noce Jr., 47, a former boyfriend of her mother.

It took an East Baton Rouge Parish jury of seven women and five men only about an hour to convict Crehan, who showed no emotion as the verdict was read. The vote was 11-1. Crehan's grandparents cried when the verdict was announced in court.

District Attorney Hillar Moore III, whose office previously rejected Crehan's offer to plead guilty to manslaughter, said justice was served by a criminal justice system that worked.

"You don't want people going out and taking justice into their own hands," he said.

Crehan's defense team had fought for anything from an outright acquittal to manslaughter.

In their closing arguments Thursday to the jury, prosecutors Eli Abad and Darwin Miller said the choices Crehan made are why he was prosecuted for second-degree murder.

+3 Man's manslaughter plea offer rejected in fatal 2015 stabbing, strangling of convicted molester A day after the mother of his child pleaded guilty to manslaughter and agreed to testify against him, a prosecutor Tuesday rejected a Walker m

Miller told the panel that Crehan exacted "vigilante" justice when he broke into Noce's trailer in the pre-dawn hours and attacked a sleeping Noce.

In his own closing argument, Franz Borghardt, one of Crehan's attorneys, called the slaying a "revenge" killing committed in the heat of passion.

Noce, just 13 days before he was killed, pleaded "no contest" in state court in Baton Rouge to sexually molesting Monk as a child and was put on probation for five years. He raised her for about a decade. A no contest plea carries the same weight as a guilty plea in criminal court but cannot be used against a defendant in civil court.

In post-arrest communications with The Advocate, Crehan portrayed himself as Monk's "guardian, her protector, her hope."

Crehan, in recorded conversations with authorities that the jury heard, said what he did wasn't wrong. "I feel a lot better. It's not regret. Is it remorse? I'm not sorry for what I did."

+5 'It's not regret': Jury hears man's confession to slaying girlfriend's convicted molester A Walker man accused of murdering his girlfriend's convicted molester in 2015 did not testify in his own defense Wednesday, but a jury heard J

Abad, as he did in his opening statement to the jury Monday, reiterated to jurors Thursday that the case was about choices and consequences.

"They had a specific purpose. They had no legal reason to be at this trailer," he said of Crehan and Monk. "They were there to find Robby Noce. They were there to inflict pain of the worst kind."

Abad argued that Noce was asleep in his bed and had provoked no one.

Crehan's attorneys said Monday at the start of the trial that the case resembled a Shakespearean tragedy. They portrayed Crehan and Monk as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.

Miller scoffed at that suggestion Thursday while addressing the jury.

"We do not live in a country where we as a society are allowed to take the law into our own hands to do justice," he said. "That's what happened here. This is not a Shakespearean tragedy. This is not a Hollywood movie. This is the killing of a human being, whether you like him or not."

Monk testified Tuesday she thought Noce, who she called "daddy" while living with him, would serve 10 years behind bars.

+3 Walker woman pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2015 slaying of her convicted molester A 19-year-old woman admitted Monday that she helped kill her convicted molester two years ago in Zachary, agreeing to plead guilty to manslaug

"Revenge is an act of passion, and this is very much an act of passion," Borghardt told the jury. "We don't believe this is second-degree murder. We believe it's something else."

Borghardt argued that Noce turned Monk into a "sex slave as a child, even paying her for sex.

Crehan, he said, considered Noce a "potential threat" to his then-pregnant girlfriend.

"It would have been easier (for Crehan) to cut bait and leave, but he loved her," Borghardt said.

He acknowledged to the jury that Crehan and Monk, who were engaged at the time, "concocted a very, very bad plan." But he said they never intended to kill Noce, only to rough him up and send a message that they were not to be bothered.

"There was a loss of control," Borghardt said. "When they confronted `daddy' it was just too much."

Monk testified that Crehan did a Google search to confirm Noce was still living at the same South Vernon Road address that she remembered. The couple then drove to a Walmart and bought blue latex gloves and batteries for walkie-talkies before going to Noce's trailer, she said. They wore black clothes, and Monk put her long hair up in a bun to avoid leaving any at the scene.

Monk, however, discarded the gloves she wore in the barrel where Noce's body was found inside the trailer, and her DNA was found on the gloves.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lastline Inc., the leader in advanced network-based malware protection, today announced a partnership and technology integration with Phantom, the leader in security automation & orchestration. Lastline and Phantom customers can now benefit from the visibility and context that only Lastline provides for malware behaviors and suspicious network activity.



Effective security demands knowledge of every behavior that malware is designed to execute, noted Rich Hlavka, VP Business Development, Phantom. Lastline adds value for our customers by delivering the analysis necessary to detect malware, either as it arrives or while its operating on a network, before it has a chance to cause a damaging data breach.

Phantom Playbooks dictate specific activities to be taken under threatening circumstances, such as a user accessing a malicious IP address or the detection of a bad file. Lastline technology now can be engaged by playbooks to provide added detail and context. Lastline detects all behaviors engineered into a malicious file or website, detects suspicious network activity and correlates it with known malware behaviors, and provides added context from the Lastline Global Threat Intelligence Network, all of which is available via Phantom Playbooks.

Lastline technology integrated with Phantoms platform provides critically important details demonstrating Lastlines best-in-class reputation, demonstrably better detection, ease of integration, and cost effectiveness, ultimately providing the highest possible added value to customers.

Were honored that Phantom chose to work with Lastline to support their automated file, URL, and network analysis, said Brian Laing, Lastline CRO. As is the case with our many other partners who are leaders in their respective fields, our joint customers with Phantom see Lastlines technology as a powerful option to detect malware and suspicious network activity, and protect against damaging data breaches.

Independent third parties have validated the performance of Lastline for detecting advanced malware. NSS Labs 2017 Breach Detection Systems Group Test recognized Lastline as the only breach detection offering they have ever tested to achieve 100 percent Malware Detection and 100 percent Security Effectiveness, and the company achieved this two years in a row.

The Phantom integration is available immediately at my.phantom.us for organizations that have licensed Lastline Enterprise.

About Lastline

Lastline provides breach protection products that are innovating the way companies defend against advanced malware with fewer resources and at lower cost. We deliver the visibility, context, analysis, and integrations enterprise security teams need to quickly and completely eradicate malware-based threats before damaging and costly data breaches occur. Headquartered in Redwood City, California with offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia, Lastlines technology is used by Global 5000 enterprises, is offered directly and through resellers and security service providers, and is integrated into leading third-party security technologies worldwide. www.lastline.com

About Phantom

Phantom is the leader in security automation and orchestration. It integrates your existing security technologies, providing a layer of connective tissue between them. The Phantom platform helps you work smarter by automating repetitive tasks, effectively force multiplying your teams efforts and allowing them to focus their attention on mission-critical decisions. It also helps you respond faster and reduce dwell times with automated detection, investigation, and response. Using Phantom helps you strengthen your defenses by integrating your entire security infrastructure together so that each part is actively participating in your defense strategy. For more information visit: https://phantom.us/.

Media Contact:

Noe Sacoco for Lastline

(408) 340-8130

noe@lmgpr.com
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
Members of Louisiana's parole board voted Thursday to postpone Henry Montgomery's first shot at freedom in more than 50 years after his first-degree murder conviction in the 1963 shooting of an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputy.

Montgomery, a Baton Rouge man, became eligible for parole after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor that as a juvenile offender  he was 17 when he killed deputy Charles Hurt  he should have an opportunity to make the case for an early release on his life sentence. Earlier this year, a state judge decided that the case could be heard by the parole board, which scheduled a hearing.

But on Thursday, during a brief hearing, members of the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole said one statutory question about how many members should sit on the panel remains before they can consider his case.

The three-member panel said they plan to formally request an opinion from the state's attorney general to clarify how to proceed with Montgomery's parole hearing due to two conflicting Louisiana statutes  one that's been on the books for years that lays out how hearings for offenders convicted of crimes of violence against law enforcement officers should be conducted and the other, which was enacted earlier this year, that details how such hearings should be conducted for juvenile offenders currently serving life sentences. Montgomery's case seems to apply to both statutes as he was a juvenile convicted in an act of violence against an officer.

The board said they hope to receive an answer and move forward with the decision about Montgomery's release within 60 days, but did not set a future hearing date.

The Louisiana law dictating rules for parole says that when granting parole for inmates who are convicted of offenses against law enforcement officers, "at least five of the seven members of the committee are present." The law about parole eligibility of juvenile offenders, which was amended through Act 277 earlier this year in response to the Supreme Court's rulings on juvenile sentencing, says the parole board "shall meet in a three-person panel." The latter act was part of the state Legislature's comprehensive criminal justice reform package aimed at addressing Louisiana's infamous spot at the top of worldwide rankings for incarceration rate.

Montgomery was convicted of first-degree murder at two trials in the 1963 shooting.

Angola officials: 70-year-old man convicted of 1963 killing of East Baton Rouge sheriffs deputy is trustworthy inmate Through a stream of tears, Becky Wilson told a courtroom how the 1963 killing of her father  East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputy Charles Hurt 

Hurt's daughter and grandson attended the parole hearing Thursday morning, where Becky Wilson said she was prepared to give a statement. After traveling into Baton Rouge for the parole decision, Wilson and her son said they were surprised when the parole board continued the hearing for a later date, but declined to comment further.

Montgomery and his lawyer Keith Nordyke were video-conferenced into the parole hearing at the Department of Public Safety and Corrections headquarters from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Montgomery only said his name and Department of Corrections identification number during the short hearing. Nordyke said they were also completely unaware that the parole board would push back their decision, a move he called disappointing.

"My opinion is without question that Act 277 governs this situation and it is a three-person panel," Nordyke said. "Act 277 was written about a case about Henry Montgomery, it was very clear that there'd been a law enforcement officer involved in the case. Knowing that, the Legislature said it shall be a three-member panel. I don't know how it can be any other interpretation."

Despite the short-term setback, Nordyke said he and Montgomery will come back with the same, solid reentry plan for Montgomery, which "will only improve."

However, he said he is concerned about the attorney general's new role in this matter, as that office had argued against Montgomery when his case went to the Supreme Court and in state court.

"I don't understand how they can render an opinion when they are an adversary," Nordyke said. However, he did say the attorney general is the appropriate lawyer for the parole board.

The Attorney General's Office declined to comment and said they have not yet received the opinion request.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Montgomery's case in January 2016 that their 2012 decision about juvenile offenders, which found life sentences without parole for juvenile murder defendants unconstitutional because of teenagers' limited maturity and brain development, should be applied retroactively, allowing a reconsideration of sentences in cases that have been closed for decades.

In June, a Baton Rouge judge re-sentenced Montgomery to life with the chance of parole in a hearing where Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola officials described Montgomery as a model inmate. The Supreme Court's decisions said only in the rarest cases, where teenagers display "irretrievable depravity," should juveniles defendants be sentenced to life without parole.

On Nov. 13, 1963, Montgomery was walking near Scotlandville High School when he ran from Hurt and other deputies who'd arrived to investigate a theft complaint called in by the school. Hurt tried to detain Montgomery, according to trial transcripts, and Montgomery was convicted of killing him with a single shot from a .22-caliber pistol. Hurt's partner that day wrote in an initial report that Hurt had his hands up and was backing away when Montgomery shot him. But the officer testified at trial that he was some 350 yards away and couldn't see Hurt or Montgomery at the moment of the shooting, according to recent filings by Montgomery's attorneys.

+2 Will 71-year-old BR man who killed deputy in 1963 leave prison before he dies? It's possible A Baton Rouge judge Wednesday gave a 71-year-old man convicted of killing a sheriff's deputy when he was 17 a chance to leave prison before he dies.

The deputy was wearing plain clothes, Montgomery's attorneys wrote, and the teenager told investigators following his arrest that he thought Hurt was reaching for a gun when he fired. "This was a terrible, split-second decision made by a scared 17-year-old boy who thought he was going to be killed."

Jill Pasquarella, a supervising attorney with the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights, said the delay was "disappointing."

"Henry's been waiting for this for 54 years. I hope he  like the hundreds of other juvenile lifers  gets his shot to go before a parole board soon," she said.
Gov. John Bel Edwards is establishing a new panel that will oversee the implementation of laws that aim to overhaul the state's criminal justice system while shrinking the size of Louisiana's prison population.

Now that Louisiana has started the critical and important process of reforming our criminal justice system to better protect public safety, hold offenders accountable, control costs and reinvest those savings to further improve the system, I want to make certain that the people of our state are served in the best way possible and that they have the utmost confidence in the work taking place, Edwards said in a statement Thursday announcing his executive order to create an 11-person oversight council. We have an extraordinary opportunity, and this council will help ensure we are on the right path to achieving our goals and the reforms are producing the maximum results.

The state Legislature earlier this year approved the bipartisan package of 10 laws. Changes include reduced mandatory minimum sentences and early parole eligibility for some inmates, as well as expanded programs to help newly-released inmates acclimate when they return to their communities.

The sweeping overhaul is expected to decrease the state's prison population, currently the highest per capita in the country, by 10 percent in a decade. The state estimates it will save about $262 million through the reduction, 70 percent of which will be reinvested in programs to rehabilitate offenders and support victims.

Edwards said that the newly-formed council will be bipartisan and will include the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Members other than current Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc have not been named but will be appointed by the governor, will be "inter-branch and bipartisan" and will include "representatives of criminal justice agencies and legislators," per the executive order. The governor's office said he expects to release a list of names next week and the council will have its first meeting in January.

Edwards has faced criticism in recent weeks as the first large-scale early release of inmates rolled out.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, released a video last month questioning the oversight of the overhaul and overall competency of the Department of Corrections, which he deemed "utterly unable to administer" the early release of prisoners.

"Regardless of how you feel about the act, and Louisianans have mixed feelings about it, I think it's important to tell the other side of the story," Kennedy said in the nearly eight-minute video. "There are some things that money can't buy and one of them is public safety."

Kennedy's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the newly-formed council.

Among its duties, the panel has been directed to track the implementation of policy changes linked to the new criminal justice laws, promote communication across agencies, make recommendations on prison reductions and reinvestment programs.

The council will submit a report to the governor each year, starting December 31, 2018, outlining the review of the Justice Reinvestment Implementation plan created by LDOC.
DENVER, CO, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canna Security America (CSA) (OTCQB: CSAX), the leading comprehensive security solutions provider catering to businesses in the licensed cannabis industry, is pleased to report revenues have increased by 25% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, revenues increased 115% compared to the first nine months of 2016.

Our revenue growth continues to look strong going into next year with the continued increase of cash transport business. Plus, we are excited about landing one of the largest and most impressive grows in California, states Tom Siciliano, CSA President.

The high growth is due in large part to the expansion of CSAs cash transport business, a service that has increased in revenue over 600% from January to the end of November 2017. Having recently added their third banking relationship in Colorado, CSA further broadens the available options for their cannabis clients for cash transportation, processing, change orders and delivery to the Federal Reserve.

Canna Security America has installed over 500 security systems, all achieving a 100% licensing approval rating, and is recognized as the gold standard in security services and technology for the cannabis industry. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, CSA has expanded its operations to serve the increasing number of state licensed cannabis cultivators, processors, infused products manufacturers, and retailers in the United States. For more information, visit: www.cannasecurity.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. Such statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, such forward looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, technical advances in the industry as well as political and economic conditions present within the industry. We do not take any obligation to update and forward-looking statement to reflect events or developments after a forward-looking statement was made.
The ACT will employ school crossing supervisors for the first time next year - the final jurisdiction in the country to do so.

Supervisors will work at 20 of Canberra's busiest crossings under the pilot program, expected to improve safety at 23 public, independent and Catholic schools.

Mia Swainson of O'Connor and sons Xavier, 5, Tasman, 2, and Ashwyn, 7, cross the road at Lyneham Primary, in 2016. Credit:Karleen Minney

The ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations welcomed the move.

Executive officer Terry Sanders said: "The school crossing supervisor program, along with the election promise of traffic management plans for every public school, will give parents more confidence in the safety of school roads and crossings and we hope this will lead to more students walking to school."
The head of Canberra Grammar School has attributed a slip in the Higher School Certificate rankings to a greater proportion of students participating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

The school dropped to 116 in the HSC league tables after placing 98th in 2016 and 53rd the year before.

Dr Justin Garrick at Canberra Grammar. Credit:Richard Briggs

"Please remember that results for nearly 30 per cent of our students who sat for the IBDP are not included in HSC league tables published in various media outlets," Dr Garrick said.

"The exclusion of such a large portion of the school's candidature means that the school's reported league table position is entirely meaningless and far lower than would be the case if all students' results were included."
If your child asked Santa for a Hatchimal toy last Christmas and missed out, be prepared for an extreme case of deja vu.

Once again, the Hatchimal is the Christmas "it" toy not only in Canberra but across the world - and the only place you'll find them is online (often at seriously marked-up prices).

Toyworld Fyshwick managing director Geoff Morton with some of the hottest toys on Santa's list for Christmas 2017. Credit:karleen minney

The $100 toy starts as a plastic egg and eventually hatches into a soft and furry baby animal (which is a fusion of two animals, like a Bearakeet or a Penguala) through careful nurturing via an app.

The toy - which has a microphone to hear how often its child owner communicates with it - is sold out in ACT toy stores, and if you're buying online you're too late for Christmas delivery.
Sam Provost spent his youth in Tilba walking around Mount Gulaga, a sacred site for the Yuin people, developing his connection to country.

After more than a decade away, he will return to Tilba next year to map his beloved mountain, now equipped with the support of his community and knowledge gained during his studies at the Australian National University.

Sam Provost is graduating from ANU this week. Sam combined the Aboriginal culture of the Yuin country on the south coast of New South Wales, which is his country, with western science to better understand the path forward to managing the landscape. Credit:Jamila Toderas

It's an exciting prospect for the 29-year-old, who looks forward to combining Indigenous land management techniques with western science.

"I'll be walking the landscape with elders down there and using all of this new satellite imagery," Mr Provost said.
The Islamic School of Canberra has high hopes its federal funding will be reinstated after a new organisation was given the nod to run the campus.

The ACT government has approved the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle as proprietors of the Weston school, which lost its $1 million in recurrent annual funding partly due to questions around its relationship with its former owner, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

Islamic school of Canberra principal David Johns with Samah Alsmadi 7, and Soulemab Ould Mohameden. Credit:Jamila Toderas

The school has applied to the ACT Education Directorate for another year's registration and awaits approval to transfer its lease to the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle.

Principal David Johns said it would contact the federal Education Department about its funding once those boxes were ticked.
High-flying Qantas executive Jayne Hrdlicka has quit the national carrier to join the a2 Milk Company as chief executive.

The shock move comes less than a month after Ms Hrdlicka moved from chief executive of Jetstar to heading up Qantas' booming loyalty business.

Jayne Hrdlicka is departing Qantas. Credit:Paul Harris

The dual Australian and New Zealand-listed a2 Milk announced the appointment to both stock exchanges on Thursday morning.

She will replace a2's current CEO, Geoffrey Babidge, and is expected to start at the beginning of the 2019 financial year.
The financial watchdog, Austrac, is alleging a further 100 breaches of anti-money laundering and terrorism finance laws by the Commonwealth Bank as part of its explosive case against the lender.

Austrac on Thursday filed the new allegations, on top of the breaches it claimed in August, saying they had been uncovered as part of its ongoing investigation into the country's biggest bank.

CBA on Wednesday night filed its defence in response to Austrac's allegations of repeated and serious breaches of Australia's anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws. Credit:Brendon Thorne

Among the new claims, Austrac alleges there were two instances where CBA failed to inform the regulator of its suspicions relating to the financing of terrorism within the required 24 hours.

The bank also allegedly failed to report a further 54 suspicious matters properly, or at all, relating to police operations, including a NSW investigation into a drug and firearms syndicate.
Fonterra Australia, the nations biggest dairy processor, has unveiled a boost in payments to its 1300 farmer suppliers in Australia and signalled that demand for dairy products in its key markets remains strong.

Fonterra also confirmed that its milk supply volume is up about 25 per cent compared to the same time last year, largely due to the greater number of farmers who supply it with milk, many of whom have defected from competitor Murray Goulburn.

Fonterra has increased its milk payments to farmers. Credit:Erin Jonasson

Dairy farmers who supply Fonterra will benefit from a step up of 10 cents per kilogram of milk solids, to be paid from this Friday. The increase will be backdated, to cover all milk supplied from July 1 this year.

The dairy processor said the increase takes its average milk price to $5.62 per kilogram of milk solids (MS). On top of this Fonterra suppliers receive another payment of 40 cents/kg of milk solids, which has already been announced.
Norcross, GA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

EasyCare announced its support for Tents for Troops at the 2017 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo at Ballys Las Vegas with a welcome reception in its booth. Since meeting at RVDA in 2016, the vehicle service contract provider has supported the nonprofit by providing them marketing exposure, partnering with them at tradeshows and donating a portion of EasyCares quarterly sales towards this Tents for Troops program.

We love supporting the Tents for Troops cause. They are an organization that has given the gift of outdoor adventure to countless active service members and their families, and that makes a real, positive impact on everyone they touch, said Walt Burns, Regional Performance Manager at EasyCare. We will do whatever we can to help spread the word about their mission.

The nonprofits founder, Charlie Curry, began offering free lodging to active-duty soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen at his own park, Toutle River RV Resort in Castle Rock, Washington, nine years ago. Tents for Troops has since grown to include nearly 300 parks in 47 states and earned social media tributes from celebrities such as Bret Michaels, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

To take advantage of the free program, active service members and their families just need to reserve sites at the Tents for Troops website and present their military IDs at check-in.

They are great guests. In fact, they build extraordinarily positive word-of-mouth for the park and the program as they share their Tents for Troops experience with other campers, Curry said. The goodwill benefits associated with this gesture far outweigh any lost revenue.

For more information, visit EasyCare.com/RV and TentsforTroops.org.

About EasyCare

EasyCares mission is to help dealers succeed at every customer touchpoint by creating passionate employees and customers. Whether its protecting the dealerships customers on their behalf or helping deliver the ultimate driving experience, EasyCare is fully engaged. Since 1984, the company has provided leading-edge benefits that have helped nationwide dealers deliver an outstanding ownership experience to over 7 million customers. EasyCare provides the only F&I benefits that are named a MOTOR TREND Recommended Best Buy for franchised dealers, in addition to a full suite of training programs, management development, and proprietary software. For more information, please visit www.easycare.com.

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Casino giant Crown Resorts will sell two floors of its new luxury Sydney complex for $60 million to its largest shareholder, billionaire James Packer, as part of a $700 million package of asset sales in Australia and overseas.

The company told the stock market on Wednesday that Mr Packer would buy two residential floors "above the mid-levels" at Crown's upcoming hotel and casino complex in Sydney's Barangaroo, which is under construction and due to open by 2021.

Artist impression of Crown Sydney (far left) in Barangaroo. Credit:Wilkinson Eyre Architects

"The sale documentation will be on the same, or materially the same, terms as the documents to be entered into with other purchasers," the company said in a statement.

The sale was announced as part of a list of Crown's plans to divest about $700 million in assets.
With the vote to buy the giant Westfield retail group for $33 billion looming, the Paris-based buyer, Unibail-Rodamco is on the hustings to assure shareholders it's a great deal.

Unibail-Rodmaco chief executive Christophe Cuvillier will retain that position in the newly-merged group, which will have 6.1 billion ($9.4 billion) in market value with 104 assets in 27 countries.

Speaking from London, Mr Cuvillier said the deal was a ''marriage of two great companies''.

Mr Cuvillier lived in Sydney 20 years ago at Potts Point when he worked for make-up group L'Oreal and his ''local'' was Westfield Bondi Junction, adding that while he was almost a neighbour of the Lowy family, he had never met them.
Myer has suffered a horror start to the all-important Christmas trading period, revealing that sales in the first two weeks of December were down 5 per cent on last year.

In a second-quarter trading update released on Thursday, the department store said November trade had also been worse than expected, despite heavy investment in marketing and other measures to increase foot traffic.

The department store said November trade had been worse than expected. Credit:Peter Braig

Total sales in November were down 2.3 per cent compared with the same period in 2016, and down 1.8 per cent on a same-store basis.

Myers shares plunged on the announcement, finishing the day down 9.6 per cent at 65 - their lowest price since the company floated at $4.10 in 2009. The stock has shed 53 per cent of its value since January.
The $11 billion Australian gaming giant created by the merger of Tabcorp and Tatts will make a priority of fighting for nationally consistent digital-betting taxes on its foreign bookmaker rivals.

After shareholders this week voted to approve the long-awated Tabcorp-Tatts mega-merger, Tabcorp chair Paula Dwyer said a political focus would be working to ensure regulations kept pace with the fast-changing wagering environment.

Tabcorp chair Paula Dwyer Credit:Jesse Marlow

Ms Dwyer said the 15 per cent "point-of-consumption taxes" being rolled out in some states - taxing revenue on digital betting losses for the first time - must be "harmonised" across the board.

"We believe it should be harmonised," she said. "We don't want to create opportunities to have efficiences between the states exploited."
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has given a tick of approval to the Australian Tax Office's approach to settling disputes with taxpayers rather than heading to court.

The ATO has previously faced criticism that, while it is settling cases worth billions of dollars with the top end of town, it takes a hardline stance against smaller players, who have fewer resources and knowledge to defend themselves.

The ATO will, over the coming year, visit more businesses across the country that operate and advertise as "cash only". Credit:John Woudstra

The ANAO looked into the Australian Taxation Office's use of settlements over the past four years (2013-14 to 2016-17).

The ATO's annual report released in October showed that while in the past financial year most settlements, in percentage terms, occur with micro-businesses (50 per cent with 326 micro-businesses), the value of settlements in dollar terms is highest at the top-end of town ($1.36 billion of revenue with 36 large companies).
Many of us need to use it, for research or to contact lost friends. In some parts of the world, it helps, in a limited way, to spread democracy.

But it stresses us, even while it is temporarily calming us. Like a poker machine, its unpredictability invites us back for hit after hit until we are so full of chemicals we suffer "disconnection anxiety" when we are away from the screen. We all know people who grieve how much time social media sucks up and how angry or upset they feel after sessions on it, but they still go there.

Further, it normalises deception. The late sociologist Ben Agger described social media as an "electronic prosthesis" for identity. It allows, and often requires, us to fabricate identities.

Like its younger cousin Twitter, it encourages polarisation as much as discussion, often functioning as an echo chamber. Twitter's co-founder, Evan Williams, told The New York Times in May that he had thought that once everyone could speak freely and exchange ideas, the world would automatically become "a better place". He added: "I was wrong about that."

At the Canberra launch of her biography in November, former Greens leader Christine Milne said it wasn't that long ago that people talked about the same things. Media consumption was shared. Now, there are fewer conversations, fewer common stories. It's harder to get people in the same room. Politicians use Facebook to create their own separate news channels, shielded from scrutiny.
Tomorrow morning, Year 12 students across Victoria will receive their VCE results. Some will be elated and others disappointed. But is all of the hard work and emotional investment worthwhile?

At a time when employers are crying out for the skills of critical thinking and problem solving, are exams in traditional academic subjects  exams that students take alone and in silence  really a good preparation for future success? Surprisingly, the answer is that they probably are.

Critical thinking is clearly an important aim of education, but we fall into a trap if we think that it is a general skill that can be taught or developed through practice.

As Daniel Willingham, a psychology professor at the university of Virginia, points out, small children can think critically about subjects that they know something about and trained scientists can fail to think critically about subjects they know little about.
For a man whose political survival has been hanging by a thread all year and who faces the prospect of becoming a lame duck should he lose Bennelong this Saturday, Malcolm Turnbull seems remarkably buoyant this week.

Turnbull has never been one afflicted by self-doubt, though he did enter a period of deep despair in the aftermath of the "ute-gate" affair, during which he staked his political fortunes on an implausible public servant named Godwin Grech. Grech, so the then Opposition leader believed, had provided him with the smoking gun to incriminate both then prime minister Kevin Rudd and his treasurer Wayne Swan as personally corrupt.

The affair bore all the hallmarks of Turnbull's tone-deaf political judgment, hubris, impulsivity, and lack of natural instinct. Not since a murky hustler named Tirath Khemlani engineered the so-called "loans affair" back in 1975 had an apparently serious Australian political party been so in thrall to a Walter Mitty figure of such tenuous bona fides. Turnbull's leadership never recovered.

For the first time in his seemingly divinely ordained rise to the pinnacle of achievement, Turnbull's boundless self-confidence was shattered. Few know that one of those to whom he turned for solace was Tony Abbott, one whom Robert Frost would term "as acquainted with the night". Abbott had known personal and political loss.
The first large heatwave of summer has prompted a fire weather warning and a public health alert with only modest relief forecast for the next few days before the heat starts to build again.

Sydney's expected top temperature was trimmed by the Bureau of Meteorology to 35 degrees for the central business district - reversing an overnight revision higher.

Many western suburbs had already reported temperatures above 40 degrees by early afternoon, with Penrith setting its highest December mark with the mercury topping 43 degrees.

The bureau earlier issued a fire weather warning for the Sydney metro and Illawarra/Shoalhaven fire areas. Both districts have a total fire ban in place for the day.
Australia's ambassador to China was summoned for a meeting at Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in another sign of heightened tensions over the Turnbull government's crackdown on foreign interference.

While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has maintained that sweeping new laws are not directed at any one country, he has described reports of Chinese interference as "disturbing", triggering anger from the communist government and state-run media.

Australian ambassador to China Jan Adam. Credit:Sanghee Liu

Ambassador Jan Adams' meeting  first reported by The Australian and confirmed by Fairfax Media  comes as Mr Turnbull rejects the Chinese criticism, saying he is standing up for Australian sovereignty.

In their attacks on Labor senator Sam Dastyari, Mr Turnbull and other senior Coalition figures have said his involvement with Chinese Communist Party-aligned interests in Australia was a "classic case" of foreign influence and accused him of being a "double agent".
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Erickson Incorporated, a leading aerospace manufacturer and global aerial services company that has fought fires for nearly 50 years, has returned to serve the citizens of Chile in the Bio Bio Region. The aircraft, an S-64 Aircrane, will be brought in by Ecocopter, a Latin American national company of high complexity air services and cargo transport to provide services to the company ARAUCO with the aim of protecting population and industrial centers.



Erickson owns the worlds largest S-64 Aircrane fleet of 20 helicopters with more than 50 aircraft in all, and the Aircrane Helitanker is recognized throughout the industry as one of the most efficient and largest fire-fighting machines in the world, according to independent studies. The S-64 Helitanker is equipped with a 10,000 liter tank capable of snorkeling via a sea snorkel fresh or salt water that helps provide an outstanding capability for fire authorities in both the initial attack of fast moving fires and advanced structure protection. It has internal foam mixing capabilities and provides water or retardant dispensation utilizing eight coverage levels. The aircraft can be configured with a water cannon for high rise and structure protection.

As populations and development expand, aerial firefighting over residential properties and structures becomes a more crucial part of the equation. Ericksons S-64 not only excels at supporting ground firefighters in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), but the aircraft is capable of dipping for water in areas a fixed wing cannot access, and it is able to come in slower and lower for precision placement of the water on and around residential properties and structures.

Every S-64 Aircrane has a nickname painted across the nose and "Annie" will be on the current contract, the sister helicopter of "Elvis, which served the contract in early 2017, providing services mainly in the Seventh and Eighth regions. Annie" has a vast history of responding to natural catastrophes and fire control in the United States and Europe, especially recent events in the state of California, in the municipalities of San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Rosa.

Armando Weinberger, commercial manager of Ecocopter, affirmed, "Having the presence of Annie in Chile, at the beginning of the fire season, showcases how the forestry industry is taking anticipated measures to prevent it from repeating the natural events that occurred during the previous season. A study, conducted this last summer by the National Forest Corporation, (CONAF) found the S-64 Aircrane was chosen as the most efficient aircraft for Chilean firefighting, for all helicopters and airplanes and that the Aircrane offers 100% proficiency against other leading aerial firefighting machines.

Andrew Mills, Erickson President of Commercial Aviation, said, We appreciate the trust of our agency partners and customers and will endeavor to do our best for the people of Chile. Erickson has nearly 50 years of legacy experience in aerial firefighting and we are proud to bring our capable pilots, crews and Annie back to help mitigate fire damage.

About Erickson

Erickson is a leading global provider of aviation services and operates, maintains and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport and place people and cargo around the world. The Company is self-reliant, multifaceted and operates in remote locations under challenging conditions specializing in Defense and National Security, Manufacturing and MRO, and Commercial Aviation Services (comprised of firefighting, HVAC, transmission line, construction, timber harvesting, oil and gas and specialty lift). With roots dating back to 1960, Erickson operates a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and operates in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Australia. For more information, please visit our website at www.ericksoninc.com.

This press release certain statements relating to future results (including, without limitation, believe, may, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, plan, expect, predict), which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including those relating to the intent, beliefs, plans or expectations of the Company are based upon current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact

Susan Bladholm: U.S. Media Requests

(971) 255-5023, sbladholm@ericksoninc.com

Armando Weinberger; Chile & South America Media Requests

+56 2 2892 0025aweinberger@ecocopter.com
Laotians from the Hmong tribe in a refugee camp in Thailand, July 1979. Credit:J.K. Isaac He and other members of his family were refugees from the communist regime that had established itself in Laos in the vacuum left by decades of civil war and years of secret American bombing. Fischer, a Vietnam veteran, knew the little Lao family living in his electorate. He'd made it his business to see that the family's modest needs were met. Laotian refugees at a school in Nan Province, Thailand, 1979. Credit:J.K. Isaac When he heard one of the Lao boys was waving around a hunting rifle in Albury's immigration office, right above his own electorate office, he told police he would sort things out.

The police weren't happy. This was a 1980s version of a terrorist situation, Specialists armed with big guns were flying in from Sydney. The last thing they wanted was a member of parliament becoming a hostage. February 1977: Laotians celebrate their arrival at Villawood after leaving a refugee camp in Thailand. Credit:Grant Peterson/Fairfax Media Fischer wasn't for turning. He strode in to the building and we held our breath. Hours passed. Eventually, Fischer appeared, the rifle over one shoulder and a big arm slung around the shoulder of the young man. Sydney Morning Herald coverage of the Albury immigration office siege, August 2, 1986. Credit:SMH Archive

He'd discovered the man's mother, grandmother and his brother were stuck in a refugee camp in Thailand. The grief-stricken man couldn't persuade anyone to help him get them out. Thus, the madness with the gun. Fischer made a promise during the hours of talking. Sydney Morning Herald coverage of the Albury immigration office siege, August 3, 1986. Credit:SMH Archive If the young man would hand over the weapon, Fischer would pay his own way to Thailand to see if he could get the family reunited. As a local reporter, I managed to persuade Fischer and my editor to let me tag along.

Laotian refugees who fled communist rule await processing in Nong Khai province, Thailand, in January 1978. Credit:AP Wirephoto And that's how, on a searing day in early 1987, I found myself trudging with Tim Fischer through the crowded lanes of a refugee camp the world had come to ignore. It was at Nong Khai, north-east Thailand, not far from the Mekong River, which formed the border with Laos. Fischer took a photo of me with smiling children at the entrance to the camp. It was the last time I can remember any smiles that day. Many tens of thousands of Lao refugees had fled across the Mekong in the years since 1975, when the CIA had pulled out and the communist Pathet Lao had grabbed power. By 1987, Thailand was sick of hosting refugee camps for an indifferent world. The Lao camps had dropped way down the priority lists - the bigger story was the flood of refugees from the killing fields of Kampuchea (Cambodia).

Nevertheless, Tim Fischer had made a promise. We found the Albury man's grandmother, mother and brother sitting on the deck of the shaky bamboo hut they occupied. They spoke no English, but their plight was too clear. A United Nations translator explained: the young man and his father had escaped Laos by clinging to a log on the Mekong. A Pathet Lao gunboat had found them. The boy survived, but his father, riddled with bullets, died as his son tried to hold his head above water. The boy had lost his mind. He would require psychiatric and physical help forever. No country would take him as a refugee. But his mother and grandmother would not abandon him. Fischer went off to plead the family's case with UN and Australian immigration officials.

Hours later, he was defeated by the bureaucracy. The women tied cotton to our wrists and spooled it out as we walked away, signifying attachment and misplaced hope. We didn't talk for a long time. There was an addendum. The young man in Albury, having sworn off guns forever, moved towns, established a restaurant and saved his money. His brother in Thailand died. The boy from Albury gathered his family - including his mother and grandmother - and placing faith in the country that those days still welcomed "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free", moved the whole family to California, where they still live.
After 13 years of schooling and an anxious wait following exams, more than 50,000 students will receive their VCE results today.

At 7am, many bleary-eyed students will reach for their phones and swipe across to a new app to access their long-awaited ATAR  the four digit number used to gain entry to university.

The app replaces the previous the text messaging services, which failed spectacularly last year when more than 2000 students received their results five days early.

Girls continue to outperform boys and received an average ATAR of 66.25 compared to 63.70 for their male peers.
Shortly before the NSW Parliament rose for the year, a letter landed on Premier Gladys Berejiklian's desk that can fairly be characterised as an unwanted early Christmas present.

Written by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shelley Hancock and President of the Legislative Council John Ajaka, it outlined the pair's view on introducing a new level of scrutiny over the activities of our state's politicians.

Since the Independent Commission Against Corruption first suggested it be considered in 2013 after its investigations into former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald, various committees have been mulling the creation of what is called a parliamentary investigator.

The idea is that, rather than having ICAC investigate every political indiscretion, it should be freed up to focus on major alleged wrongdoing. The issue has gained extra relevance now ICAC's powers have been redefined to investigation of serious, systemic corruption after its failed pursuit of deputy Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen.
Annastacia Palaszczuk has written herself into the history books, with Labors re-election to government, and shell now be leader for as long as she wants.

Her opposite number Deb Frecklington has made history too, becoming the first woman to take the helm of the LNP.

What remarkable act of leadership has Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk delivered in her first three years? Credit:AAP

In the push for gender equality, Queenslands achievement here should not be underplayed - but it shouldnt be mistaken for exceptional leadership.

Aside from political survival and re-election, what remarkable act of leadership has Premier Palaszczuk delivered in her first three years?
A bushfire that threatened the small town of Balmoral, in the state's far west, was accidentally started when a Country Fire Authority member took a cigarette lighter to long grass during a safety briefing.

The CFA confirmed Wednesday's dangerous blaze was sparked during a safety lecture when a member tried to demonstrate how quickly fuel can burn.

The CFA member responsible for the Balmoral bushfire is "very embarrassed". Credit:Jessica Shapiro

CFA deputy chief officer Alen Slijepcevic told radio station 3AW the man responsible was "very embarrassed".

"We do apologise to the Balmoral community," he said.
The younger brother of accused Bourke Street killer Dimitrious Gargasoulas has been warned by a magistrate to keep a low profile over the holiday period but has had his bail conditions eased.

"It's a quiet New Year's Eve, don't go out partying," magistrate John Hardy advised Angelo Gargasoulas in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, approaching the end of a year dotted by regular court appearances and stints in and out of jail for the 26-year-old.

Angelo Gargasoulas at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a hearing in March. Credit:Penny Stephens

"No plans," Gargasoulas responded with a chuckle.

Gargasoulas is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to unlawful assault, criminal damage, possessing the drug ice and breaching court orders over an incident in July, when he entered a woman's home, held a knife near her and said "You bitch, slut", and threw her mobile phone against a wall.
In Australia's feral brand of politics there is perhaps nothing more costly than a broken promise.

Hence why the Andrews government has bluntly refused to deviate from a list of 50 level crossings it promised to remove four years ago, even as the project drains billions more from the public purse than Labor said it would.

The Level Crossings Removal project has drained billions more from the public purse than Labor said it would. Credit:Joe Armao, Fairfax Media.

A report by Victoria's Auditor-General has laid bare the misleading spin of Labor's promise to remove Melbourne's 50 "most dangerous and congested" level crossings.

The list was never any such thing: just a grab bag of crossings, some dangerous and congested, others relatively trouble-free, stitched together and sold to the electorate for the unrealistically low cost of $5-$6 billion.
A public servant who groped a schoolgirl by putting his hand up her skirt on a crowded tram has been spared jail on appeal, despite being found guilty by a second court.

Marshall Jordan was last year jailed for six months by a magistrate after a girl felt him put a hand up her skirt and touch her thigh several times as she prepared to get off the 86 tram in Northcote on May 4, 2015.

Marshall Jordan has been spared time in jail. Credit:Jason South

The girl, who was 14 at the time, turned to Jordan and yelled: "How dare you, you bloody bastard."

Jordan responded that he hadn't done anything but got off the tram and attempted to change his appearance by removing a jacket and putting on gloves.
The new data shows that one quarter of students in the course had an ATAR below 68.20. The lowest ATAR was 55.30.

Nursing at the Australian Catholic University had a cleary-in of 83.10 but one quarter of students had an ATAR of 78.45 per cent or below.

At RMIT's Bundoora campus, nursing had a clearly-in of 69, but one quarter of students had an ATAR of 57.25 or below.

But the data shows a sizeable majority of students in some courses obtained scores above the requirements. Primary teaching at Deakin University's Burwood campus had a clearly-in ATAR of 60.6, but three quarters of its offers went to people with an ATAR above 61.05.

And Arts at Melbourne University, the course that receives the most first-preference applications from year 12 leavers, had a clearly-in ATAR of 89.30 and three quarters of its offers went to students with a score of 90.10 or above.
Sunyani West District, Ghana, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernice Dapaah, founder of the bicycle manufacturing company, GBBI, participated in the event after recently returning from a successful three-city tour in the U.S., and a trip to London, with other social entrepreneurs and President Addo.

For its sixth distribution of free bamboo bicycles in Ghana, the African Bicycle Contribution Foundation, a U.S.-based 501(c)3 corporation, recently selected the Sunyani West District, in Brong Ahafo Region. The district is noted for having approximately 32 percent of its total land mass dedicated to forest reserves, and a substantial percentage of its 115,000 residents, especially, in its more rural areas, are involved in agriculture, and more than 60 percent are self-employed.

Over the past 15 months, ABCF has distributed free Eco-Ride bamboo bicycles to students, small farmers and healthcare workers in rural areas of Ghana, including in Accra, Kumasi, Koforidua, Sekyere Afram District, and in other parts of the Brong Ahafo Region (A map depicting the previous distributions has been attached).

Following an opening prayer by Sunyani West Koduakrom School Acting Headmaster Yeboah Kwabena, District Education Director Veronica A. Safforo, provided welcoming remarks to student-recipients, family members and dignitaries, including Kwame Abu, chief of Kwabena Kuma; Banabas Hinneh, chief of Henekrom; Martin Obeng, district chief executive; and Social Welfare Director Thomas Oduro Ofosu, among others. She also introduced Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative (GBBI) founder and CEO Bernice Dapaah, who offered background information on her Kumasi-based bicycle manufacturing company and its related NGO, the Bright Generation Community Foundation (BGCF).

Next on the agenda was Solomon Owusu Amankwaah, development director, GBBI, who spoke on behalf of the event sponsors, the African Bicycle Contribution Foundation, its executive director Patricia Marshall Harris and its chairman, A. Bruce Crawley.

During the event, ABCF distributed an additional 40 Ghanaian-made bamboo bicycles to Sunyani West students, farmers and healthcare workers. The foundation plans to sponsor the distribution of 2500 bicycles in Ghana, over its first five years of operation.

Since the previous ABCF Bicycle distribution event, Ms. Dapaah has been actively engaged in promoting awareness of GBBI in the United States, where she participated in a Three-City Tour of Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C, meeting, among others, with leaders at St. Josephs Universitys Haub Business School and Johns Hopkins Universitys Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. She also was invited to address the members of the city of Philadelphias City Council.

In addition, Ms. Dapaah recently returned from a trade mission to London with President Nana Akufo-Addo and other Ghanaian social entrepreneurs, in celebration of Ghanas 60th year of independence. In his presentation, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, President Addo explained the role Ghanas emerging entrepreneurial leaders are playing in assisting him in producing a more economically dependent nation.

Who Is ABCF?

The African Bicycle Contribution Foundation (ABCF) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to generate funding to underwrite the distribution of bicycles to under-resourced students, families and transport-dependent small business owners on the African continent. The Corporation has made a commitment to finance the free distribution of 2,500 bicycles, in Ghana, over its first five years of operation.

ABCF works in partnership, in Ghana, with the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, Bright Generation Community Foundation, The Respect Alliance, and the U.S.-Ghana Chamber of Commerce. Included among the foundation's corporate and charitable nonprofit sponsors are Independence Blue Cross and the Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

For further information about ABCF, please contact the ABCF office: info@africanbike.org .

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80fe20cf-248c-4611-ad30-d68af8c04bf5

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WA prison staff have been threatened by inmates who destroyed property during an out-of-control rampage at Western Australia's main remand facility.

Special operations group officers were called to Hakea Prison late on Wednesday when seven out-of-control inmates trashed a wing and made threats against staff.

Prisoners at Hakea Prison reportedly barricaded themselves in a section of the jail.

It has been reported prisoners set cells on fire and smashed toilets which they used as weapons against staff.

Firefighters were called to the scene, and no injuries were reported.
Jakarta: Indonesia's Constitutional Court has narrowly rejected a petition to outlaw extramarital and gay sex after more than a year of fierce debate.

Last May the conservative Family Love Alliance petitioned the court to amend the criminal code to punish sex outside of marriage and to ban homosexual acts.

A man arrested for having gay sex is whipped in public for violating sharia law in ultra-conservative Aceh in May. Credit:Jefri Tarigan

The proposed legislation would have carried penalties of up to five years' jail.

In a close ruling on Thursday, five of the nine judges rejected the petition, arguing it was up to law-making bodies to define new crimes and was not the authority of the Constitutional Court.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Citys Pet of the Week Mallas is Columbia Animal Services adoptable pet of the week. This leggy two-year-old has three passions in lifegoing for walks, meeting new people, and snuggling. He rides well in cars...

Pet of the Week Snoopy is approximately two years old, neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, heartworm negative, and just looking for the right match. Please refer to ID number A279828 when visiting www.columbiasc.net/animal-services.
WORCESTER, MA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Sjogren Industries celebrated its 90th Anniversary in 2017 by continuing its legacy of innovation in the wire tooling industry.

In 2017 the company launched two new product innovations, expanded its workforce, and introduced a new preventative maintenance program for grooved rolls.

In the past year, the company delivered both the Static Dancer Roll (SDR) and the Pivot Bar (PB) Series.

The Static Dancer Roll (patent pending) replaces the conventional dancer roller or tuner roller on a wire drawing machine. With the conventional roller, the combination of high heat, draw lube contamination, and general wear causes wire surface scratching, ball bearing seizure, and constant maintenance.

Backed by a years worth of engineering and Sjogrens 90-year history of innovation within the wire and cable industry, the PB Series provides a simple, modular design for wire straighteners.

The PB Series maximizes efficiency with a design that minimizes space and set up time while eliminating the need for complicated and costly base plates for mounting. The PB Series comes with grooved rolls and precision ball bearings and available digital readout adjustment capability.

Sjogren Industries, a leader in the groove roll market, also introduced its Preventative Maintenance program for straighteners and groove rolls designed to keep product lines running and minimize downtime, all while increasing productivity and profits.

Sjogren has put together a recommended maintenance schedule based on the type, material, and usage of each of its clients particular rolls.

Also in 2017, the company expanded its workforce with a series of strategic hires.

Bob Elinoff has been appointed to Inside Sales, Justin LaPointe was named Customer Service Representative and Kevin Monroe was added to the Purchasing department. In addition to these appointments, Sjogren Industries has named Art Williams as their manufacturers agent in the Southeast Region of the United States. Williams brings years of experience in the wire processing industry and will provide a direct link to Sjogren customers in the region.

Founded in 1927 by Oscar Sjogren, the company has long been an innovator in the design and manufacturing of customized solutions for the wire tooling trades. Today Sjogren Industries delivers high quality machinery, tooling and accessories to a worldwide customer base with distributors located in Europe, South America, Asia, and Mexico.

ABOUT SJOGREN

A manufacturing innovator since 1927, Sjogren Industries provides the highest quality machinery, tooling, and accessories for the wire and cable industry. The Sjogren belief that simple ideas make better solutions has been at the core of its innovative product designs since its inception. Sjogren continues to introduce enhancements in wire straightening assemblies and components that deliver major efficiencies and increased productivity for its customers.

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Frisco, Texas, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founders Classical Academy of Frisco, a ResponsiveEd charter school, will open the doors of its new campus for the 2018-2019 year just north of All Stars Avenue on Frisco Street. The official groundbreaking to commemorate the new facility took place on the future site at 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 13.

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney along with Frisco Chamber of Commerce members were on-hand to welcome Headmaster Melanie Sharpless to the community after a rousing rendition of the National Anthem presented by the Frisco American Legion Post 178.

The city officials in Frisco have welcomed us with open arms and were so thrilled to have their support in bringing another choice in education to this growing city, said Sharpless. What we are doing here is important. Delivering a moral and virtuous character based program is our mission and were looking forward to seeing the children walk through the doors next year.

Around 50 local residents, parents, school faculty and district administrators joined the mayor and city officials in the celebration as the first shovels of dirt were turned to signify the beginning of construction for the school. The new 47,000 square foot facility will be built on 10 acres, house kindergarten through eighth grade next year and eventually more than 900 students in grades K-12 after the addition of a high school building on the same site.

ResponsiveEd is a non-profit corporation that operates more than 70 tuition-free public schools throughout Texas and Arkansas, including Premier High Schools, ResponsiveEd Classical Academies, Founders Classical Academies, Quest Academies, iSchool High, and iSchool Virtual Academy. ResponsiveEds mission is to provide hope to students through innovative, character-based, personalized learning environments. To learn more, visit www.ResponsiveEd.com.

Stay Connected:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/responsiveed

Twitter: www.twitter.com/responsiveed

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/responsiveed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/responsiveeducation

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tennessee Bank has received multiple national awards for its differentiated brand from Greenwich Associates as part of the groups 2017 Greenwich Best Brand Awards.



In evaluating more than 750 banks, Greenwich Associates identified a select group of banks that performed at differentiated levels compared to peer institutions at the national level. First Tennessee won four awards recognizing its top evaluations from clients.

We are thankful for our business customers and honored that they highly rated our service and capability, said David Popwell, president of banking for First Tennessees parent company, First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN). Our dedicated bankers work hard every day to earn their trust and loyalty are and they are committed to providing differentiated customer service. This recognition demonstrates that our customers believe were doing an outstanding job for them.

In the Small Business Banking category, First Tennessee won Best Brand awards for Ease of Doing Business and Trust. In the Middle Market Banking category, First Tennessee also won Best Brand awards for Ease of Doing Business and Trust.

About First Tennessee and Capital Bank

Our First Tennessee and Capital Bank brands have the largest deposit market share in Tennessee, operate 350 branches across the southeast U.S., and have one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. We have been ranked by American Banker as No. 5 among the Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Banks. We were founded in 1864, have the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country, and have one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. Our FTB Advisors wealth management group has over 300 financial advisors and about $30 billion in assets under administration. FTN Financial, with 28 offices across the U.S., is a capital markets industry leader in fixed income sales, trading and strategies for institutional customers in the U.S. and abroad. First Tennessee, FTB Advisors, and FTN Financial are part of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN). We have been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Working Mother and American Banker magazines and the National Association for Female Executives. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com.

FHN-G
Prosecutors rested their case Thursday morning after calling 19 witnesses over about two-and-a-half days of testimony in the trial of a College Station man accused of killing a Blinn College student in May 2015.

Ronald McNeil, 42, is on trial for the murder of Lacie LaRose, a 19-year-old Blinn student, at a college graduation party on May 3, 2015. An arrest report alleges LaRose died after McNeil fired gunshots at partygoers that night. Prior testimony from people who had been at the party that night revealed McNeil and Charles Williams Jr., both of whom are black, were called the n-word at the party earlier in the night, which they had been invited to. Prior to McNeil and Williams leaving the party, witnesses testified, Landon Duke, a white partygoer, punched Williams in the face. Brazos County First Assistant District Attorney Brian Baker said during one witnesss testimony Wednesday that misdemeanor assault charges had been filed against Duke.

Baker and Assistant District Attorney John Brick called three witnesses Thursday morning before resting their case. Brett Lopez, a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said he responded to a noise complaint at the house shortly before the shooting started. While responding to a text message from his vehicle, Lopez heard about five extremely rapid gunshots and saw muzzle flashes tracking from the east to west side of the house.

While questioning Lopez, Baker noted that authorities found 11 .40-caliber cartridges on the east side of the houses, but none on the west. Under questioning from Matthew Brown, McNeils attorney, Lopez said he did not recall telling his brother, who is also an officer, that hed found bullet casings on the houses west side.

Brown said in his opening statement Tuesday that the college students under fire that night had gone for their weapons and returned fire, and that one of the bullets from their weapons could have struck LaRose. Brown also said Tuesday that none of the partygoers who had fled the shooting had been tested for gunshot residue.

Cameron Bayne, who had been attending Blinn at the time of the shooting and had been at the party, estimated that there were about 30 people in the backyard when the shooting started. Recounting the shooting, Bayne said he jumped over a wooden gate to escape getting shot, then ran away from the blasts. He said when the firing began, there had been, one person shooting, one person standing off to the side.

The shooter, Bayne said, was heavier, while the person standing to the side was more of a slim build. Previous testimony described McNeil as heavyset and Williams as slim.

Brown called two witnesses Thursday morning before 85th District Court Judge Kyle Hawthorne dismissed jurors for lunch. The trial resumes this afternoon.

If convicted of murder, McNeil faces between 15 and 99 years in prison, an enhanced minimum punishment because of a prior felony conviction. He has been held in the Brazos County jail on a $500,000 bond since his arrest on May 3, 2015, according to jail records.

Click here for live updates on courtroom testimony and for a recap of testimony from the witnesses Brown has called so far.
Falls Church, Virginia, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HITT Contracting Inc., one of the top 100 largest general contractors in the U.S., today announced changes that will lead the firm into the next era of building and growth. Co-Presidents Jim Millar and Brett Hitt will become Co-Chairmen of the newly formed Board, and Russell Hitt will become Chairman Emeritus. Executive Vice President Kim Roy has been named CEO and Executive Vice Presidents Jeremy Bardin and Drew Mucci will be Co-Presidents.



Millar and Hitt remain sole owners of the firm, and will continue to be engaged in the companys strategic direction while focusing on R&D, leadership development, and other areas of impact.



We have been carefully planning for our future for a number of years. Kim, Jeremy and Drew are exceptional leaders with proven records of success and a passion for our company and the construction industry. They have been intentionally developed as the next generation of leaders for our company, said Hitt, whose grandfather founded the company 80 years ago.

The three long-time team members will have full responsibility and accountability for the success of the company, each with their own area of focus.

Roy, who has been with the company since 1999, will be responsible for all corporate operations, defining key initiatives, identifying emerging markets, and executing the strategic vision of the Board. She is currently the only female CEO of the ENR Top 100 Contractors (2017).

Bardin, a 30-year construction industry veteran, will provide executive oversight of the firms high growth mission critical portfolio, as well as drive national growth in current and new geographies.

Mucci, who rejoined HITT in 2017 after heading the mid-Atlantic operations of a national competitor, will provide increased leadership for 10 key market sectors and regional offices, working to improve and expand the firms operations, preconstruction, and project solutions.

Recent years have seen significant growth for HITT, which now has more than 1,000 employees in nine offices around the country. The decision to establish the Board was driven by our desire to elevate our leadership from within and position HITT to meet the demands of our Clients nationwide. Now is the opportune time -- the company is in excellent health and poised for continued success, boasting strong earnings and responsible growth, said Hitt.

Like other industries, the construction industry is confronting rapid change, which presents new opportunities. We intend to drive solutions and innovations that will change the face of building as we know it. I have a passion for R&D and by elevating from day-to-day operations of the company, I will be able to better immerse myself in these efforts, said Hitt.

Millars passion for client relationships and developing leaders through personal mentoring will be the focus of his time. This company remains a family-owned business, built on the relationships and trust we have with our clients, team members, subcontractors, and partners. We are deeply committed to those who work for and with us. Brett and I are dedicated to the companys success, as we believe the best is yet to come, Millar said.

Additional leaders have been named alongside the new principals. Josh Foreso is promoted to Senior Vice President to lead the base building and multifamily sectors. Evan Antonides is promoted to Senior Vice President to lead the mission critical sector and Sara Collins is promoted to Senior Vice President to lead the healthcare sector. Matt Vester is promoted to Vice President to lead the law firms sector and Senior Vice President Peter Thaler assumes leadership of the Richmond regional office.



Developing the next generation of leaders is the ultimate investment in the future of our business, Hitt says.



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About HITT Contracting Inc.: One of the top 100 largest general contractors in the nation, HITT Contracting Inc. was founded in 1937 outside of Washington, DC by husband-and-wife team Warren and Myrtle Hitt. In the 80 years since, the company has expanded to 11 offices across the United States and in 2017 earned revenues greater than $1.5B. Our client-focused teams fulfil any program need from core and shell buildings and complete tenant/owner fit-outs, to doorknob replacements and service work. Company-wide, HITT has 1,000 employees, including a skilled in-house field force available 24/7 to support clients long after initial occupancy. The HITT Way for quality and excellence defines the core of our mission and our structure. Teams are organized into expert market sectors, specializing in corporate base building and interiors, government, healthcare, hospitality, law firms, industrial, technology, and commercial services. Complementing these market sector teams are the preconstruction, sustainable construction, virtual, and subcontractor relationships divisions. See how were celebrating our 80 years in business at HITT.COM/80Stories.

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As a growing number of states pursue legal action against Purdue Pharma for allegedly stoking the nations opioid crisis, both sides are seeking to avoid protracted and costly cases.

But prosecutors and the Stamford-based maker of OxyContin still have to resolve critical points of disagreement. Last week, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected a request from Purdues top lawyer to withdraw a lawsuit he filed in May.

I had hoped you would see this as an opportunity to come together to find ways to help alleviate the vast harm the opioid epidemic has caused and promote strategies to prevent future harm, DeWine wrote in a Dec. 8 letter to Purdue General Counsel Maria Barton. Instead, you reiterated a tired denial of responsibility and conditioned any further discussions on my office abandoning the case we have filed against you. That is something I simply cannot do.

Frequent dialogue

In addition to Ohio, state attorneys general from Alaska, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Washington, as well as many municipal and county prosecutors, have sued the company this year. They accuse Purdue of consistently and knowingly engaging in fraudulent marketing of OxyContin. Purdue has denied all allegations.

Officials are opening up other fronts to pressure Purdue and other opioid makers. A bipartisan group, including Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, recently launched an investigation of whether pharmaceutical firms have illegally marketed or sold opioids.

Purdue officials have said they are willing to cooperate with the multistate inquiry. In a Nov. 28 letter to DeWine, Barton referenced the companys involvement in negotiations linked to that investigation.

It is uncontroversial that the multistate process is the best and fastest way for states to get resources to address this crisis, Barton said. Litigation takes years, and the costs for both sides are significant.

DeWine had to withdraw from the multistate group to file the lawsuit, according to officials in his office.

I will not dismiss a case filed in open court in favor of rejoining a multistate working group where there is not yet judicial oversight or public scrutiny, DeWine said.

Both sides would face risks if the case were to go to trial, said Robert Bird, a professor of business law in the University of Connecticuts business school.

The Ohio attorney generals greatest risk is if this goes to trial and a jury determines theres no liability on the part of Purdue or gives the state far less than it would have expected, Bird said. Purdues problem is not only states are suing, but cities are also getting involved. Theres a snowball effect, and that increases pressure for drug manufacturers like Purdue to settle. Their risk is a catastrophic loss at trial.

Purdue has put forth proposals for a comprehensive settlement to resolve opioid-related claims against itself and other drugmakers, according to Bloomberg. Company officials declined to comment this week to Hearst Connecticut Media on whether the firm was seeking such a settlement.

Next steps

In September, Purdue asked a court to throw out the Ohio complaint because it said the lawsuit does not show the company contributed to the states opioid crisis and that its demands conflict with federal law.

DeWine, a Republican, could be in a new job before the litigation concludes: He is running for governor next year.

He needs to get this resolved when it would be most politically impactful, Bird said. He has some pressure to get something done that is within the political calendar. But it has to be something that he can take home to citizens and say This is good, and I fought for you.

Tackling the states opioid crisis would extend beyond litigation, DeWine suggested in his letter. An effective response, he said, would require a commitment to equipping every school-age child in Ohio with the tools needed to avoid the dangers of drug abuse and addiction, funding much-needed drug treatment programs, and training prescribers and pharmacists to help patients avoid becoming dependent or addicted in the first place.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott
NORWALK  Alex Wilson did not know what to expect when he showed up at Brien McMahon High School on Tuesday morning.

As the 18-year-old senior waited for his bus, he was not sure if he wanted to go. Many of his friends were staying home, frightened by threats made throughout the previous week promising violence at the school on Dec. 12.

But when the bus showed up at 7:05 a.m., Wilson decided to get on.

I was still uneasy before I got to school, then the second I got to school, I realized its almost impossible to do something bad, Wilson said. In all honesty, yesterday was probably the most safe day you could ever go to school. There were like five cops.

Even so, most of Wilsons classes were empty, with as few as three students showing up to one of them. Roughly half of Brien McMahons 1,800 students stayed home Tuesday, according to district officials, but that was the only thing out of the ordinary on an otherwise routine school day.

By Wednesday, attendance had returned to normal, though heightened security measures will continue throughout the week.

I am happy to report that all is well tonight at Brien McMahon High School, wrote Principal Scott Hurwitz in an email to parents Tuesday night. While the events of the past few days have caused many people a high level of stress and disrupted the educational process, I am writing to report that today was, thankfully, uneventful at BMHS. While I recognize that the what ifs surrounding today made many of us anxious, the fact that many students and nearly every staff member put those feelings aside and showed up to face the day is what makes this place special.

There is no comprehensive data on bomb and shooting threats at schools, but such incidents are nothing new and often turn out to be benign.

A small study of news reports conducted by the for-profit consulting firm National School Safety and Security Services found there were 812 school shooting and bomb threats in the first half of the 2014-15 academic year, and 70 percent of those threats targeted high schools.

Though it is hard to determine if the number of unfounded threats is on the rise, there is no doubt heightened concern over such an event actually occurring. With the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting Thursday, and on the heels of a church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that left 26 dead and 20 injured, more people than ever no longer feel secure in places previously considered safe spaces.

The first thing that came to mind was Sandy Hook, Wilson said. The first thing, literally. I just thought Crap, are we next? Are we going to be the next school that gets publicized for something horrible? We grow up hearing about these terrible things. We were there when Sandy Hook happened; we grow up hearing about Columbine. It sucks that its the first thing that comes to mind. I hate that thats the first thing that comes to mind  all these other terrible events  and I hate that any school could be the next victim.

Maggie Manning, Wilsons sister and guardian, said she left it up to him as to whether or not he would attend school Tuesday, though she secretly hoped he would choose not to.

People were like, Im keeping them home, Im going to be worried,  Manning said. But the truth is, Im worried every day. Yesterday is no different. We talked about it, and hes 18, so we left it up to him.

Brenda Wilcox-Williams, spokeswoman for Norwalk Public Schools, said every threat is taken seriously and investigated by the district and police. The district has rolled out Anonymous Alerts, an app where people can report threats of violence among other things, calling it another tool in the toolbox when it comes to school and student safety.

I think we worry whenever anything happens, Wilcox-Williams said. Its a challenging environment these days and its important to all of us that our students are safe at school.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
NORWALK  As recently as 30 years ago, people will mental illnesses were institutionalized in places such as Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown.

Valerie Williams, executive director of Keystone House in Norwalk, recalls having worked at the psychiatric facility after graduating college in 1984.

People were dropped off and lived their lives there, Williams said. It was really an eye-opening experience for me. And what I saw is truly the individuals that lived there had no rights. They were told when to get out of bed, when they could go to bed, when they would eat and what they would eat.

Williams was one of four panelists invited to lift the silence and raise awareness about mental health as part of an International Human Rights Day event at Norwalk City Hall on Tuesday evening. More than 50 people attended community conversation, which was arranged by the Norwalk Human Relations Commission.

Mayor Harry Rilling read a proclamation declaring Dec. 12, 2017, as International Human Rights Day in Norwalk.

For more than 20 years, the NHRC has held events memorializing the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Affording equal rights to persons with mental illnesses falls well within its parameters, according to Norwalk Human Relations Director Adam Bovilsky.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to the realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality, said Bovilsky, reading a section of the declaration.

The event began with a short film of people sharing their experiences living with Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other mental illnesses, and proceeded to the panelists explaining whats available to persons needing help.

Keystone House, established in 1972, operates staffed group homes, transitional housing and a community living center with structured activities. All aim to build skills and engage persons in society.

In any given year, 43.8 million American adults experience mental illness. Five to 6 percent of American adults have a serious mental illness; about 2 percent have disorders that are long-term and disabling, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

NAMI Connecticut Executive Director Kate Mattias, who was among the panelists, said recovery is possible and persons can live well. But early intervention is key.

The earlier one can intervene, the better the outcome, Mattias said.

Panelist Kathy Flaherty, executive director of Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc., shared her experiences living with bio-polar disorder, being institutionalized, attempting suicide and taking medications to manage her illness.

I dont take any medication today, Flaherty said. I dont need to. I dont think that is everybodys situation and I very much respect the choices of people who choose to make their recovery through using medication.

Flaherty said medication is often viewed as the only tool in the tool box. She said many falsely rely on medications alone, which can make things worse.

Often times the medication causes its own issues, Flaherty said. And they give you another medication to deal with the side effects, and then you have more problems. So by limiting yourself to one tool in the toolbox, youre cutting off opportunities for people to recover and do well.

For more information about help recovering from mental illness, visit www.namict.org, www.keystonehouse.org, and www.clrp.org.
Contributed photo

NORWALK  State Reps. Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton), Fred Wilms (R-Norwalk), and Terrie Wood (R-Norwalk) teamed up with the Salvation Army on Tuesday to ring the bell outside Stop & Shop on Main Avenue in Norwalk and raise money for local residents in need this holiday season as a part of their Red Kettle Campaign.

They stood outside the store and asked shoppers to contribute money to the kettle. All proceeds went to the Salvation Army.
NORWALK  Norwalk Public Schools are better identifying students who might be homeless after an audit from the state Department of Education determined the district was underidentifying such students.

Patty Foley, director of school improvement and the districts homeless liaison to the state, said the state raised concerns when the number of students identified seemed too low based on the citys population. Students are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, but sometimes the line between temporary and permanent is blurred when families double up and stay with friends or family, often for extended periods of time.

Its really easy to identify homeless students at shelters. ... When I first started and took over as homeless liaison, really the only students we had identified were shelter kids, Foley said. Doubled-up is really tough. Parents dont often tell you; they dont want you to know. You have to make the decision whether its really temporary. ... Were getting more families that are very much temporary, living in a situation until they get on their feet.

As of Nov. 28, the district has identified 37 homeless students, up from 27 in October 2016. The increase, Foley said, is likely a result of better identification.

I think schools are working more closely with us now (to identify students), so we have a little bit better system in place, Foley said. We are able to identify kids that are homeless and why thats important is to offer them the services.

Districts are required to identify and provide services for homeless youth by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that guarantees students experiencing homelessness the right to enroll in and attend school, and places the responsibility for ensuring the rights of homeless students on states and school districts. The law also establishes a requirement for every state to have a coordinator for homeless education, and every district to have a homeless education liaison.

The district identified 38 homeless students in the 2016-17 school year and, of those, 21 exited homeless status by the end of June. Some found permanent housing in Norwalk and continue to attend district schools, while others moved out of Norwalk and registered in their new district.

We make sure we contact, and make sure we know where those students are at that time, Foley said. If theyre living in a dwelling that we consider to be more permanent, then they can be taken out of homeless status. If theyre left in homeless status through the summer, were obligated to continue services, which includes transportation. So its really important that we really look at where the students are.

Connecticut State Coordinator for Homeless Education Louis Tallarita did not immediately return a request for comment.

Youth homelessness is up across the board in Connecticut, with the state identifying 3,759 public school students as lacking adequate housing in the 2015-16 school year, up from 3,192 the year before, according to the National Center for Homeless Education.

Of those, 111 were unaccompanied by an adult, 776 were children with disabilities and 729 had limited English proficiency. Statewide, 25 percent of homeless students are housed in shelters or other transitional housing, while 62 percent are doubled-up, living with another family.

A similar breakdown by district is unavailable, but Foley said she estimates roughly 50 percent of Norwalks homeless students are housed in shelters while the other 50 percent are doubled-up with friends or relatives.

Many kids that are borderline and were not classified as homeless were doubled up, but they were there for a long period of time, so sometimes it really comes down our best judgment, Foley said. We work with the state closely on that to make sure that were meeting the needs of kids that may need additional support. This year, were really working much harder to identify and exit students from homelessness and were pretty much right on track.
For Jews the world over, anti-Semitic acts evoke dreadful memories. They arent just words or images; they are events that happened to our families, to us. Even as we  rabbis and cantors  devote our lives to lifting up the beauty in Jewish living today, we continue to educate the men, women, and children in our communities about the horrors of the Holocaust. Never Again.

When we learned of the swastikas that had been drawn in the boys bathroom at the Middlebrook School, and just last week, the words Jews will burn on the locker of a Jewish young woman, we were appalled. As Jewish clergy who serve the families of many students at Middlebrook, we have born witness to the upset, the fear, the othering of these students and their parents. We stand together to condemn these acts of hate, of anti-Semitism, in one voice: Any symbol of hate in our schools, our communities, our towns, our country is unequivocally unacceptable.
COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA) today signed an agreement to acquire the Polyolefin Catalysts business of Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) for $416 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.



The Polyolefin Catalysts business is a global leader in proprietary and custom-manufactured single-site catalysts as well as metallocenes and activators. The acquisition also includes a comprehensive series of highly optimized Ziegler-Natta catalysts for polyethylene production.

The acquisition significantly strengthens Graces catalysts technology portfolio, commercial relationships, and manufacturing network. Approximately 175 employees will join Graces global team. The two manufacturing operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Yeosu, South Korea add important flexibility to the companys global catalysts manufacturing network, enhancing Graces ability to meet customer needs across multiple regions.

This transaction aligns perfectly with our strategy to expand our leadership position in polyolefin catalysts, said Grace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fred Festa. I am excited about the opportunities created by adding the talent, advanced technology, and manufacturing capabilities of the business. Both the catalysts and activators product lines are tied to high-growth applications and the manufacturing assets bring important scale and capital synergies.

Grace expects to finance the transaction with a combination of debt and cash.

A leader in polyolefin catalysts and licensing, Grace has the worlds broadest portfolio of polypropylene and polyethylene catalyst technologies used to produce thermoplastic resins for a variety of applications. A leading innovator and strategic partner to its customers, Grace supplies catalyst solutions for all polyolefin processes, as well as polypropylene process technology and process controls.

Investor Call

Grace will host a conference call with investors tomorrow, December 15, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Participants may access the webcast from the Investors portion of our website, www.grace.com. The call will also be accessible by telephone at +1 844.515.9173 (U.S.) or +1 574.990.9421 (International). The participant passcode is 7569029. Please dial into the call at least 10 minutes early to register.

The replay will be available approximately two hours after the call by dialing +1 855.859.2056 (U.S.) or

+1 404.537.3406 (International) and entering the participant passcode 7569029. The replay will be available for one week, and the webcast replay and transcript will be available on the company's website for one year.

About Grace

Built on talent, technology, and trust, Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and engineered materials. The companys two industry-leading business segmentsCatalysts Technologies and Materials Technologiesprovide innovative products, technologies, and services that enhance the products and processes of our customers around the world. Grace employs approximately 3,700 people in over 30 countries. More information about Grace is available at grace.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, that is, information related to future, not past, events. Such statements generally include the words believes, plans, intends, targets, will, expects, suggests, anticipates, outlook, continues, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expected financial positions; results of operations; cash flows; financing plans; business strategy; operating plans; capital and other expenditures; competitive positions; growth opportunities; benefits from new technology and cost reduction initiatives; and markets for securities. For these statements, Grace claims the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Like other businesses, Grace is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its projections or that could cause other forward-looking statements to prove incorrect. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: risks related to foreign operations, especially in emerging regions; the cost and availability of raw materials, energy and transportation; the effectiveness of its research and development and growth investments; acquisitions and divestitures of assets and businesses; developments affecting Graces outstanding indebtedness; developments affecting Grace's funded and unfunded pension obligations; its legal and environmental proceedings; environmental compliance costs; uncertainties related to Graces ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the separation transaction; the inability to establish or maintain certain business relationships and to retain key personnel; natural disasters such as storms and floods; changes in tax laws and regulations; and those additional factors set forth in Grace's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are readily available on the Internet at www.sec.gov. Reported results should not be considered as indications of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Grace's projections and forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates those projections and statements are made. Grace undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revision to the projections and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this announcement.

Media Relations

Rich Badmington

T +1 410.531.4370

rich.badmington@grace.com



Investor Relations

Tania Almond

T +1 410.531.4590

tania.almond@grace.com
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WILTON  Four phrases serve as the pillars of LiveGirls leadership model: Be yourself. Be brave. Be kind. Be empowered.

Such words have given middle school girls like Zoe Greenberg, 12, the confidence to be themselves and to share their thoughts openly. Every Wednesday after school, Greenberg met with about a dozen other girls at the Trackside Teen Center for LiveGirlTalk since mid-September. Its where they talked about building positive relationships, resolving conflicts, dealing with body image issues, navigating social media and becoming a leader in todays world.

Girls need to have confidence, Greenberg said, reflecting on what shes learned from LiveGirlTalk at the last session on Dec. 6, because you become empowered to do big things.

Sara Nelson, a seventh-grade social teacher at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan, facilitated the discussions every week in Wilton. She has also led discussions in Norwalk and other locations in Fairfield County for the past few years.

Driven by her passion for gender equality, Nelson believes fostering social and emotional intelligence among female youths is critical in raising up the next generation of female leaders.

We want to create this brave space. We want them to feel empowered in their body and their mind and the things that they do, Nelson said. And how different girls get there are going to require different things. So every week were coming in with a toolbox  and being adaptable to that.

Nelson works closely with LiveGirl Program Manager Ayanna Dacosta, who recently served in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Moldova to help launch Michelle Obamas Let Girls Learn campaign, as well as LiveGirl founder and CEO Sheri West.

West founded LiveGirl in 2014, after spending 15 years with General Electric as a finance executive and an executive mentor. The nonprofits mission to empower girls in grades 5-8 through year-round leadership development, with programs ranging from LiveGirlTalk to monthly leadership summits.

During the 2016-17 year alone, LiveGirl has provided free programming to more than 378 middle school girls  including her daughter Olivia, nicknamed Live, whom the organization is named after.

I tell my girls all the time that Im convinced in these girls were working with, theres a future female CEO, a future female president, scientist and author  lots of different things, West said. And thats the work that were committed to.

While the organization focuses on the middle school years, West said the target age range is really from middle school to high school. Its common for former LiveGirl participants to return to the program in their high school years as summer camp counselors.

What weve realized is that theres power in first teaching the girls how to lead and then, as high school students, giving them the opportunity to lead, West said.

Given the nations current political and social climate, it seems the timing couldnt have been better for LiveGirl to take off, West said. She said LiveGirls efforts are a continuation of a nationwide movement to empower girls and to build female leaders, as the Womens March and #MeToo campaign have done.

There is clearly a reckoning and a groundswell of acknowledgment that we need more girl and female empowerment in this country. And so, it is time, West said. And we feel that support at LiveGirl.

skim@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2568; @stephaniehnkim
HASTINGS  For most of us, a tough day at work isnt really that bad. In law enforcement, theres always a chance you might have to confront a madman whos intent on killing people and doesnt mind dying in the process.

Thats why the Nebraska State Patrol holds active killer training.

On Tuesday, 23 troopers from around the state were inside an abandoned building at the Hastings Regional Center, learning how to take down a shooter and save as many people as possible.

The State Patrol tries to make the training as realistic as possible. Moans, screams and shouts could be heard through the three-story brick building. Troopers wore helmets, body armor, groin protection and gloves. They were armed with rifles and 9mm handguns that fire Simunition, which is non-lethal training ammunition.

In grading the work of one trooper, Sgt. Paul Hagen stressed urgency. Every time a shot is fired, he said, someone could be dying.

The active killer training is offered as a three-day in-service. Two of the days are spent at the Hastings Regional Center. The rest is spent in a classroom at the State Patrol training academy in Grand Island. Every member of the State Patrol, from the rank of sergeant and below, will receive the in-service training, which started in November and will run through March.

Lieutenants and people of higher rank attend a commanders in-service.

Troopers go through in-service training once a year.

The State Patrol has had active shooter training since the Columbine massacre of 1999, said Hagen, who works at the State Patrol training academy.

Last year, the patrol introduced a new building search technique at its in-service. This year, the active killer component is being added to the building search system, he said.

Law enforcement response to active shooters changed after Columbine. Arriving at a high-level threat back then, law enforcement basically set up a perimeter and called SWAT, Hagen said.

Now, if troopers have a good idea where the killer is, he said, we basically move very quickly through the building to find the shooter and stop the killing. Attention is also given to communication between officers to make sure they stay safe.

Until the troopers know where the killer is, they need to clear other rooms of people. But once they learn where the killer is, the troopers are trained to get to that killer as fast as possible, Hagen said. They can then help the injured.

Because if we stop for the victims up front and we allow the active killer to continue killing people, were kind of failing on our mission, Hagen said. We cant really help everybody until the killing has stopped.

The training is meant to contain an elevated level of stress, he said.

Weapons that fire plastic bullets are similar to paintball guns, Hagen said. They release paint on contact, which allows troopers to judge their accuracy. The ammunition also has some pain compliance to it, Hagen said, meaning that if you get hit, It hurts.

Active killer training prepares troopers for situations that have multiple casualties and a lot of chaos, said Trooper John Schmitz of David City. Theyre being trained to go in, neutralize the situation and save as many lives as we can.

Active killer situations are definitely happening more often, Schmitz said, pointing to Octobers tragedy in Las Vegas.

Trooper Ray Johnson, a Phillips native, said the training helps us see different things that we dont see every day, to better protect the citizens of Nebraska.

Trooper Robert Cook, whos based in Lincoln, said the training puts us in a high-stress situation. Its the kind of situation they dont get to practice much.

If such a shooting takes place, hopefully well react in the way that we were trained, Cook said. Because of the training, we know kind of what to expect.

Troopers are just going to have to deal with conditions as you approach them, he said.

Hopefully, troopers will remember a lot of the techniques that we practice here today and yesterday, and they will fall back on our training, Cook said.
A bright-colored grid of St. Louis City streets and the flowing lines of the Missouri River watershed now greet thousands of travelers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) as part of two new murals at the Terminal 2 Baggage Claim.

The murals cover both sides of Carousels 1 and 2 and stretch as long as 40 feet and will welcome more than 5 million passengers over the next 18 months. They were commissioned by the Lambert Art & Culture Program with support from the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission

St. Louis artist Megan Singleton created Ebb and Flow IV at Carousel 2. Her work interprets USDA geospatial data of the Lower Missouri River watershed, which encompasses the area near the Airport. Singleton used pulp paper to mimic the lines of the watershed, which creates a dynamic relief along the wall. The opposite wall displays a series of botanical drawings of native Missouri aquatic plants. The drawings were laser cut from handmade paper, made from the very plants that the cut out drawings depict.

Singleton focuses much of her work on the investigation of ecological relationships within society and the landscape. Shes interested in the intersection of dendritic systems, patterns that are found in waterway, plants, and intersecting paths of travel. I hope to inspire individuals and communities to care for and foster the growth and revitalization of their landscapes and natural systems, Singleton said. This project creates an opportunity for me to create a highly visible unique work of art using handmade paper created from local plant material, which will have the potential to inform and inspire visitors as well as those who call Saint Louis home.

St. Louis artist Ellie Balk installed Alight on St. Louis at Carousel 1 over a period of 10 nights. Thats because Balk, and couple of assistants, hand-painted the carousel walls with some 30 different colors- bright yellow, deep purple to accents of pink and orange, just to name a few. The mural is an abstract map drawn from the street grid of a section of St. Louis City, but from a slight birds-eye perspective. It gives the viewers the feeling of soaring over St. Louis in a plane.

It looks like what you would see outside of the window seat, Balk said. I created the piece as one large map, and then its wrapped around the carousel, which evokes that action of walking around and seeing the whole thing, because its all connected.

Balks work centers on mathematics and data visualization. Through color and abstraction, she creates systems to tell information. Ellie is inspired by the data to ignite investigation and interaction. The works look formally abstract, but with examination they reveal information that can be read by the viewer.

Megan Singleton and Ellie Balk were selected to create the murals through a Call to Artists overseen by the Airports seven-member Airport Art Advisory Committee. Current members are Lisa Cakmak, Associate Curator of Ancient Art at Saint Louis Art Museum; Ellen Gale, Executive Director Clayton Chamber of Commerce; Shelley Hagan, Wells Fargo Curator Corporate Art; Leslie Markle, Curator of Public Art, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum; Kiku Obata, Founding Principal of Kiku Obata & Co.; Roseann Weiss, Director of Community and Public Arts for the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission; and Carlos Zamora, Creative Director at Express Scripts.
As I sat eating a buttered popcorn and watching Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - in a theatre smack in the middle of downtown St. Louis - I wondered if the filmmaker knew of the place he was writing about in his screenplay. Im an Illinoisan. Ive studied, worked, and cherished my time in Edwardsville for the vast majority of life, but I was employed in Missouri for about four years in the previous decade. And I love my Cardinals. This qualifies me to defend our neighboring state if I feel it disparaged, though Three Billboards doesnt quite go that far in its portrayal of the Show-Me State. Writer/director Martin McDonagh, an Englishman, could have staged his angry, violent movie in any small town in any state, but the Missouri he shows us is certainly dirty and backward, with pronounced flaws that no one would willingly claim as their own. Its akin to the Ozark backwater world that Winters Bone gave us in 2010, but with characters better able to chew their scenery than they did in that picture.

Ebbing may be a fictional spot on a map, but the feelings are as real as they can be. Centered on the grieving Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), this movie is largely about her frustrations stemming from a directionless murder investigation into the death of her daughter, Angela (Kathryn Newton, in just one blasting scene), the year before. With no suspects, no leads, no traction, and little hope, the towns police chief, Bill Willoughby (Woody Harrelson), is seemingly unable to find reason to continue looking and this, as you may imagine, displeases Mildred. Demanding attention lest the brutal killing be forgotten, she purchases three scarlet red billboards on a little-traveled road near her home outside of town to question Willoughbys inaction and set the stage for further exploration into her grief. The billboards are a MacGuffin. Willoughbys not a bad guy. In fact, the movie goes out of its way to make him a sympathetic chap with family (Abbie Cornish) and an unmanageable illness. He protects his officers, especially Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell, typically a supporting MVP), a deranged and aggressive punk with a history of beating on his suspects and being a general maniac with a badge.
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.
The following is a list of events planned in and around the St. Louis area:

Dave & Them  December 22, 7-10pm

Hwy 61 Roadhouse, 34 S Old Orchard Ave. Webster Groves 63117

No Cover

http://hwy61roadhouse.com/

Enjoy Southern Roadhouse Hospitality while listening to Dave & Them play a variety of contemporary & classic rock as well as old and new country. Hwy 61 Roadhouse is a Memphis and New Orleans dining experience right here in Webster Groves. Laissez le bon temps roulez, Let the good times roll

Christmas Eve Brunch  December 24, 9:30am-1pm

Hwy 61 Roadhouse, 34 S Old Orchard Ave. Webster Groves 63117

http://hwy61roadhouse.com/

Trivia with Geeks Who Drink  December 26, 7pm

Blueberry Hills Elvis Room

https://www.facebook.com/events/1914233598815289/

Weekly Trivia with Geeks Who Drink Pub Quizzes every Tuesday evening in the Elvis Room from 7-9:30pm. Drink specials, Prizes.

Lucky Dan & Naked Mike  December 29, 7-10pm

Hwy 61 Roadhouse, 34 S Old Orchard Ave. Webster Groves 63117

No Cover

http://hwy61roadhouse.com/

Enjoy Southern Roadhouse Hospitality while listening to the -acoustic folk/rock/blues of Lucky Dan and Naked Mike. Hwy 61 Roadhouse is a Memphis and New Orleans dining experience right here in Webster Groves. Laissez le bon temps roulez, Let the good times roll

Kwanzaa Celebration & Performance in The Delmar Loop  December 30

The Delmar Loop

https://visittheloop.com/

Join the students from the Bertha Knox Gilkey Pamoja Prep Academy, as we come together as a community to celebrate Kwanzaa with live music, dancing, art exhibits..and more.

New Years Eve Brunch  December 31, 9:30am-1pm

Hwy 61 Roadhouse, 34 S Old Orchard Ave. Webster Groves 63117

http://hwy61roadhouse.com/

New Years Eve at Hwy 61  December 31 6-12:30am

Hwy 61 Roadhouse, 34 S Old Orchard Ave. Webster Groves 63117

$10 cover without package purchase

http://hwy61roadhouse.com/

2 dinner seatings at 6pm & 8pm. Paul Bonn and the Bluesmen 8:30pm-12:30am.

JANUARY

New Years Day Brunch  January 1, 9:30am-1pm

Hwy 61 Roadhouse, 34 S Old Orchard Ave. Webster Groves 63117

http://hwy61roadhouse.com/

The How and the Why  January 24-February 11

Wool Studio Theater, A&E Building, JCC Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Dr, Creve Couer, MO 63146

(314) 442-3283

https://jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre/current-productions/

A fascinating and thought-provoking play about science, family and the survival of the fittest. Emotions collide when, on the eve of a prestigious conference, an up-and-coming 28-year-old evolutionary biologist wrestles for the truth with an established leader in the field, 56-year-old Zelda Kahn. The air crackles between the eminent professor and the maverick graduate student, whose theories might just change the way we regard sex itself. This intimate and keenly perceptive play grapples with the difficult choices faced by women of every generation. Directed by Nancy Bell. Cast: Amy Loui* and Sophia Brown (*member AEA)

Mozarts Magic  January 29-30

Sheldon Ballroom, 3648 Washington Blvd., Grand Center, 63108

https://chambermusicstl.org

For Mozarts 262nd birthday, a piano quartet, music for English horn & strings and a Divertimento that will have you dancing in the aisles.

FEBRUARY

11th Africa World Documentary Film Festival  February 9-11

Missouri History Museum

FREE

http://africaworldfilmfestival.com/

The Africa World Documentary Film Festival (AWDFF) is sponsored by the E. Desmond Lee Professorship in African/African American Studies, Studies International studies and Program, and University of Missouri-St. Louis. The AWDFF has as its objective the promotion of knowledge and culture of the people of Africa, in a Pan-African context.

US Premiere of Infected  February 9-25

Kranzberg Arts Center

Upstream Theater Company presents the US Premiere of the English language version of Infected by Albert Ostermaier, a very important contemporary German playwright and poet. A day trader contracts an unknown virus and is placed in quarantine. Away from his routine he comes apart before our eyes, in a stream of lyrically powerful, kaleidoscopic language coming straight from his breaking soul.

Origins  February 11

Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St, 63103

$5-15

http://chamberprojectstl.org/

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3050571

Chamber Project St. Louis brings back some of the music that got us started to celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season! And there will be cake. Dont miss this special evening.

Lovefest, Revived  February 12-13

Sheldon Ballroom, 3648 Washington Blvd., Grand Center, 63108

https://chambermusicstl.org

Lovefest is back and its BADD, so pencil in date night with your Honey and be beguiled by our annual salute to romance through music.
Shannon Lawton-OBoyle and Alisa Williams are celebrating one year in business together, providing help to mothers-to-be and new mothers. The two women are the co-owners of Momentum Wellness and Learning in downtown Edwardsville. They recently held an open house to celebrate their one year anniversary with clients and friends.

Representatives from the Macoupin Art Collective (MAC) helped new parents make ornaments with their babys hand or foot prints at the open house.

Williams explained that the business started after she met Lawton-OBoyle through their work. Shannon is a doula, she said. A doula assists mothers through the prenatal and birth process. Shes from Edwardsville but most of her clients are from Missouri. She noticed that there wasnt a network here for her clients.

Williams is an RN who worked in Labor and Delivery at Anderson Hospital. She is also a lactation consultant. The two women thought that together they could provide care for mothers before and after the birth.

They knew the owner of Studio Gaia, and Lawton-OBoyle had offered prenatal classes there.

The studio is located on the ground floor of the building at 201 Hillsboro Ave. It had space on the second floor that Momentum rents. The business has a yoga studio, meeting room and offices.

Momentum offers prenatal yoga, post-pregnancy yoga, a breast-feeding support group and childbirth education and support. They also offer fitness classes for post-pregnancy.

We found that a lot of moms are not from this area, and they make connections here, Williams said. It can really be a bonding experience to go through the classes together. She added that many of their clients get together with other clients outside of Momentum. Theyre finding their community.

Williams facilitates the breast-feeding support group. We talk about issues and how theyre doing. We can also weigh the babies, which is important to new parents.

Momentum also offers CPR classes. They will go to businesses to offer the classes to groups of people, Williams said. She added that many doctor offices, fitness clubs and senior living centers want to have all employees certified, so it may be easier for them to set aside time during the day to have the whole staff take the training rather than have each individual take it on their own time.

Lawton-OBoyle said that she has enjoyed having clients closer to home. She said she had a new mother call her upset that she was having trouble breast-feeding. Williams was able to come to her home to work with her.

Were not cookie-cutter, Williams said. Were very individualized for what the clients want.

Their clients go to different hospitals and have different birth plans, Williams said. Some have epidurals and some go all natural, she said. We focus on pain management through any kind of birth.

Lawton-OBoyle said that finding a balance in the business was difficult at first. We had to figure out how to maintain sustainability while serving everyone at a price level they can afford, she said.

She said she and Williams are dedicated to providing continuity of care. We want to support the families in whatever they need. We like to meet clients where they are. We say, what do you need right now? What tools do you have to work with?

Several clients at the open house expressed their appreciation for Momentum. I come up every week from Shiloh, said Katie Hotel-Wilton as she held her one-month old daughter, Olive. The community Ive found here is great.

For more information, visit the Momentum page on Facebook.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 08:02 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d5de25 4 Editorial #Editorial,open-government-system,transparency,#transparency,LAPOR,reformasi,bureaucracy-reform Free

Throughout most of its modern history, bureaucracy in Indonesia has operated under the shroud of secrecy. In the late period of the New Order regime, bureaucracys key role was aiding and abetting the unchecked collection of rent from the economy to benefit members of the ruling elite, while at the same time, controlling the lives of average people.

The most well-known joke from those tired of red-tape under the New Order regime was, If the bureaucracy can make it difficult, why should it make things easier?

Reformasi (Reformation), which marked an end to the New Order in 1998, was campaigned to put a stop to the practice. One of the first initiatives rolled out during the early Reformasi era was bureaucratic reform aimed at achieving an accessible, accountable and open government. Starting in the early 2000s, both the central and local governments took initiatives to promote transparency.

Enlightened local leaders, like East Javas Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini, created in 2012 an electronic budgeting system, popularly known as e-budgeting, which was later adopted by the Jakarta administration under the leadership of then-governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. Under the e-budgeting system in Jakarta, online software is used to write the city budget and only selected officials can access the system to make changes.

Also introduced in 2013 was LAPOR! (Report!), a public service complaint system through which citizens could go online to air their grievances on numerous issues, from neighborhood garbage collection to endemic corruption.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has also made transparency and open government his main campaign promise. In the past three years, Jokowi continued rolling out reform packages that would, in the end, enable him set up a single-submission system for all types of business and investment permits.

Having done all these, it seems fitting that at the international level, Indonesia could take the initiative to promote open government. Indonesia was one of eight countries that initiated the establishment of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2011. The OGP is a platform of cooperation for civil society to exchange experience, knowledge, benefits and greater opportunities for more open practices.

On Thursday, Indonesia will join 14 Asia-Pacific members of the OGP to discuss ways to implement transparency and principles of good governance at the 2017 Asia Pacific Leaders Forum (APLF) on Open Government.

The meeting comes at a crucial time when the world is undergoing a sweeping change that could affect how governments conduct their business, which is delivering public services to all without hassle. Especially for Indonesia, this means overhauling its bureaucratic culture from pangreh praja (ruler) to pamong praja (public servant). An open government is unavoidable. The growing power of the internet has made it very difficult for those in power or the wealthy to hide wrongdoings and assets. Wikileaks, the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers are testaments to the rising demand for transparency, now that the world is turning flat.

Governments, including that of Indonesia, has no choice but to advance openness, or else they will perish.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 10:09 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6188f 1 Food Madhang-id,local-food,Kaesang-Pangarep,application,Semarang Free

The youngest son of President Joko Jokowi Widodo, Kaesang Pangarep, has introduced a mobile app named Madhang that aims to preserve and promote local dishes.

Kaesang, who is one of the app's co-founders, collaborated with a team from Dian Nuswantoro University (Udinus) in Semarang, Central Java, in creating Madhang, which literally means to "eat" in Javanese.

At a glance, Madhang offers similar food delivery services as Go-Food or GrabFood, but it focuses more on small-scale local food sellers. It also offers the option to dine in at the restaurant or stall, or take the food to-go.

After installing the app, users are required to provide their name and address. Meanwhile, food merchants on the app are divided into several categories based on the type of food they offer, namely Jajanan (snack), Aneka Nasi (rice dishes), Berkuah (soup) and Minuman (beverage). Users can also opt to chat directly with merchants.

Read also: Five dishes to try in Bandung on a rainy day

Homepage of the Madhang app for Android users. (JP/ Ni Nyoman Wira)

Madhang provides a complete set of information about the food merchants, from their address, photos of their locations, their facilities and prices, to parking space availability and halal status. It also offers customers the option to pay with cash or through an e-payment system.

The apps beta version is currently available for Android users and Semarang is said to be the most active, as several local food sellers in the Central Java capital have already joined Madhang. One of them is Roodfoodie in Central Semarang, which offers bebek goreng (fried duck) menu packages.

Were based in [Semarang]. Most of the [Madhang] team members are in Semarang and Im also from Surakarta, Kaesang said as quoted by Antara news agency. We will develop [the app] in Central Java first. When its ready, it will be launched in [other] large cities across Indonesia.

Madhang CEO Maulana Bayu Samudro said all types of food sellers could join the service as long as their business is considered a micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME).

We will hold weekly workshops on how to cook, serve food and provide a good service to customers, Bayu said. (wir/kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 14:34 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d70f41 1 Art & Culture Europalia,Europalia-Arts-Festival,Rantau-Berbisik,Minang,dance Free

The Rantau Berbisik dance performance brought a contemporary touch to the Europalia Festival in Austria, depicting the West Sumatra Minangkabau tradition of merantau, in which young leave home, by incorporating traditional martial arts and other Minang elements.

The Europalia Arts Festival began in October 2017 in Brussels and is set to run until January 2018 in several countries across Europe, presenting Indonesian arts and culture throughout the region.

As reported by tempo.co, Rantau Berbisik was performed on Monday by six dancers from Padang group Nan Jombang, which is led by Ery Mefri. The performance took place at the Weltmuseum in Vienna.

Built in 1876, the Austrian museum has for the past several years worked together with the Indonesian Embassy in Vienna to host performances and book launches on the history and culture of Indonesia.

The Rantau Berbisik dance incorporates silat (martial arts) movements and is accompanied by signature music, as the dancers hit makeshift instruments, such as plates and glasses.

Read also: Traditional Indonesian mask dance enthralls Paris

The performance was attended by Viennese residents, fans of Indonesian culture and arts, as well as invited guests, including academics from Vienna University of Technology (TUW) and University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. The crowd enthusiastically applauded the performance.

Stephan Taibl, Pencak Silat Association head in Austria, watched the performance with his family and praised the dancers.

"I really understand the movements in the dance as the majority are silat techniques and not easy to do. Their breathing technique is amazing," Stephan said.

A Min Tjoa, Indonesia-Austria Relations Institute head, also echoed this sentiment.

"I'm sure this kind of contemporary dance performance would be enjoyed by the wider public in Austria. They can certainly perform at larger events in Austria such as the international contemporary dance festival Impulstanz," Tjoa said.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vienna Darmasjah Djumala explained in his opening remarks at the event that merantau was a well-known Minangkabau tradition. Their motivation is not only economically driven, but also aims to prepare young Minangkabau men to be strong and rich in life experiences.

Each family in Minang prepares their sons to travel by providing them with, among other things, a basic religious foundation, education, and martial arts skills. (liz/kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 18:02 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d75a89 1 Lifestyle Harry-Potter,fashion,#fashion,Hogwarts,Black-Milk Free

A new range from Australian label Black Milk, called Team Hogwarts, boasts 16 pieces including tank tops, leggings, tunic dresses and sweatshirts that proudly displays the crests and colors of each house in the Harry Potter series.

James Lillis, Black Milk founder and head designer, revealed that Team Hogwarts is the first licensed collection to be launched under the companys activewear brand, reported Mashable.

Read also: 2 books about Harry Potter world to come out this October

We have such a devoted Harry Potter fan base among our Black Milk community and we decided we wanted to offer them something a little different this time, he said in a statement. We wanted to create really fun pieces that allows fans to show their love for the Harry Potter series and represent their Hogwarts house while they are hitting the gym, going for a run or even just heading out to do their grocery shopping.

With prices starting at AU$70 (US$53.66), the range will be released online on Dec. 19, available for worldwide shipping to 200 countries.

The Brisbane-based brand is famous for releasing pop culture pieces with a fashionable twist. It has a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. and has previously released lines for Star Wars, Batman, the Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. (afr/kes)
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Linkedin Markus Makur (The Jakarta Post) Labuan Bajo  Thu, December 14, 2017 09:39 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d607b5 4 People pilot,East-Nusa-Tenggara,West-Manggarai Free

A young man has the simple wish to be helpful for other people. Growing up, he becomes a pilot.



At the age of just 17, Resto Thomas Aquino Jehabut became the first pilot from West Manggarai in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).



Attending junior and senior high school at seminary institutions, his aspiration changed when he became acquainted with the internet, which sparked in him an interest in delving into cinematography. Until, that is, a divine call seems to have guided him to a profession he had never dreamed of: that of a pilot.



Born on Jan. 28, 1999, in Timika, Papua, Resto went to kindergarten and primary school by motorcycle taxi.



It might be due to my frequent trips by this means that, when my father asked me what I wanted to be as an adult, I said I would be a motorcycle taxi driver, Resto said during an interview in Kampung Mbrata, Macang Tanggar village, Mbeliling district, West Manggarai, Flores, NTT.



Resto studied at the Junior High School of Tuke Seminary in Bali for two years before being expelled over mischievous conduct. During adolescence, despite his academic achievement, he displayed misbehavior, such as habitually being late for school and church and being involved in quarrels with friends.



What is deeply ingrained in me from my seminary study is to lead a praying life, which is something I still practice today, he said.



He moved to St. Maria Timika Junior High School to finish his third year of high school. It was at this school that he tried to pull himself around by studying hard. He later continued his studies at the St. Petrus Claver Seminary in Makassar, as recommended by his uncle, who lived Makassar. At that school, he honed his discipline and academic excellence to prove that his character had improved very much from the days when he was at Tuke Seminary.

Blessings: An elder from a customary village welcomes Resto during a traditional ceremony held for his naming as the youngest pilot in Kampung Mbrata, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. (JP/Markus Makur)

Resto attributes his academic success to his father, Kanisius Jehabut, and mother, Cicilia Pawara, who have worked hard in their life. After he graduated from the seminary in Makassar, a friend of his father suggested that they check out the Genesa Flight Academy in Jakarta.



In June 2016, Resto was accompanied by his father to go to Jakarta to visit the private flight school. However, after less than a week in Jakarta, they got sick and were treated at St. Carolus Hospital in Salemba, Central Jakarta. His father was diagnosed with dengue fever and Resto was diagnosed with malaria.



After recovering, they finally visited the flight school, and Resto confirmed his interest in studying aviation. The family went back to Manggarai for a traditional ceremony to ask for Gods blessings, before returning to Jakarta for Resto to apply for the school.



Resto passed all the admission tests, including the psychological and medical examinations, English, math and physics. In early August 2016, he began his training at the flight academy.



My father told me this was not an ordinary school, but an extraordinary one, because the cost is very high. He told me, I do not have that much money yet, but I have a strong will and determination, Resto said, adding that his parents believed he would not fail.



Resto received a scholarship from the Mimika regency administration, where his father works as a police officer, tribunnews.com reported.



To reduce his expenses, he stayed at a boarding room in Jati Waringin, East Jakarta, only about 100 meters from the flight school. At first, he felt inferior, as most students came from Jakarta, although there was a female student from Wamena and a male student from Jayapura, Papua. They belonged to the tenth batch, comprising 13 students.



The first months subject was radiotelephony, or communication with the air traffic controller (ATC) in English. He gradually built up his self-confidence and kept reminding himself of his parents hard work to send him to the academy. He scored the highest mark in the radiotelephony exam with 94 points.



On Sept. 10, 2016, the students went to Cilacap, Central Java, for flight training. In the first stage, they practiced on flight simulators three times a week.



We learned how to control the plane, how to take off, fly and land. We were familiarized with maneuvering techniques, and the screen in front displayed an image of being in the air, he said.



In the second week they entered the pre-solo flight phase, along with their instructors. On his initial attempt, Resto was guided by Capt. Wined Rerung, a native of Toraja. For Resto, this became an unforgettable memory.

From zero to hero: At the age of just 17, Resto Thomas Aquino Jehabut (center) has been named the first pilot from West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, during a ceremony in Manggarai. (JP/Markus Makur)

Anxiety kept Resto up until rather late at night. In the morning, he had a fitness exercise, before going to the flight operation room, where everything was prepared, including the checklist and weather monitor, and then proceeding to the apron. All the students examined the planes external conditions, such as wings and tires, to make sure no parts were damaged.



He started flying at 7 a.m. on the route from Cilacap to Nusa Wiru in West Java, a flight of about 20 minutes, at an altitude of 3,000 feet. He was flying a four-seat Cessna 172.



I was very happy during my debut flight. It was intense, but my heart was so happy. While in the air, I had my turn to control [the plane], and the instructor took over to land. We were taught what to do in an emergency, such as engine trouble while flying, he said.



Resto said the most critical phase was landing a plane. Pre-solo students are familiar with the saying, even a monkey can fly, meaning its very easy to fly an aircraft, but when it comes to landing, not everyone is capable.



After his graduation, a celebration was held in Kampung Mbrata. Resto said he would work as a pilot for the Mimika regency administration. The young man is just about to begin his long journey.
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Linkedin Dewanti A. Wardhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 10:09 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d61c1c 4 Art & Culture Sinta-Tantra,art-and-culture,Painter,painting,contemporary-art Free

For artist Sinta Tantra, life has been full of balancing acts.

Sinta Tantra, a British artist of Balinese descent, is no stranger to balancing her life: She balances her time between her parents home in Bali and her own London residence, as well as A House in Bali, her recent solo exhibition in Jakarta.



Held at South Jakartas LAFLO in cooperation with the ISA Art Advisory, the pieces in her latest exhibition were inspired by its namesake, a book by American composer Colin McPhee.



In A House in Bali, which was originally published in 1946, a young McPhee explores the traditional ensemble music of the Balinese gamelan. It also discusses his stay in Bali, explores Balinese society and the role of music in Balinese culture.



McPhee himself also produced some gamelan music, from which Sinta also drew inspiration from while working on her exhibit.



Ive always listened to gamelan music, but [McPhees] is unusual because it is played by a western orchestra. Its strange, and has sort of a magical quality to it, Sinta told The Jakarta Post.

Tabuh Tabuhan in Sapphire, Linen, Violet and Prussian - Screen (Colin McPhee), 2017, by Sinta Tantra. (JP/Dewanti A. Wardhani)

The artist introduces two different styles in her solo exhibition: one is bright and colorful, channeling the sights and smells McPhee recalls in A House in Bali, such as landscape and temple offerings.



To balance the vibrant palette, Sinta also included paintings that were linear and minimalist, with some representing musical notes, like the pieces in herTabuh Tabuhan series. This style, Sinta said, also transcribed the abstract quality of Indonesian art, like those found in gamelan, batik and wood carvings.



Sinta said the paintings in the exhibition did not stray from her typical style, which featured bright colors and geometric abstraction, but were more personal compared to her previous work.



Ive been working in Europe a lot, so this work was about trying to connect more with my roots and my parents. Sometimes, when you get older, the more you want to connect with where youre from, she said.



The artist is largely known for her murals and public installations, having been commissioned for projects in various cities across the UK as well as in South Korea. Her most notable public work was a 300-meter painted bridge that was commissioned for the 2012 London Olympics.

The Horizon Comes in Chinese Blue, Hague Blue, Archive, Railings, Cornforth, Bubblicious, and Firefly Red Bronze (2013), by Nick Hornby and Sinta Tantra. (Sinta Tantra/File)

Sinta, who is a cheerful and gregarious person, has always enjoyed organizing events and meeting people. As her personality was especially suited to working on public projects, she initially preferred public projects and painting in public spaces to painting on canvas.



However, she also appreciated the creative freedom that comes with painting on canvas and exhibiting in galleries. In public projects, creative freedom was understandably more limited, as such projects underwent a bureaucratic process before the painting itself could begin.



Right now, Im enjoying the balance between working on public art projects and gallery spaces, Sinta said.



Sinta describes herself as a painter working in an architectural scale in an abstract geometric style, exploring color, identity and narratives while questioning the function of spaces.



She also draws her inspiration from American artist Sol LeWitt and Indonesian artist I Gusti Nyompad Lempad. While LeWitt is known for his conceptual art and minimalism, Lempad, who is also a sculptor and architect, is known for his simple black-and-white drawings of traditional Bali.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (ceiling, 2011), Nunnery Gallery, London; group show for Apocalypstick. (Sinta Tantra/File)

Following her solo exhibition in Jakarta, Sinta said she had more upcoming public art projects in Indonesian cities such as Jakarta and Bandung, as well as in Hong Kong and the UK.



She also has upcoming exhibitions in Indonesia, the UK, Singapore and Malaysia, so it appears shell have a busy year ahead full of more balancing acts.



Even so, Sinta said she found traveling to different countries and the thought of meeting various people exciting.



I always like keeping busy, she laughed.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 08:00 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d5d324 1 City child-molestation,South-Jakarta Free

A five-year old girl in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, was allegedly molested by a man who then gave her Rp 800 (6 US cents).

The victim was reportedly playing with her cousin when the suspect, identified as AWS, 40, asked the victim into his nearby house.

The suspect undressed and molested the victim, South Jakarta Police criminal unit head Adj. Sr. Comr. Bismo Teguh Prakoso said on Wednesday, as quoted by tempo.co.

The suspect then reportedly gave the victim three coins: Rp 500, Rp 200 and Rp 100. He warned the girl not to tell anyone about the molestation.

Police arrested AWS after the victims mother had reported the incident, Bismo added. (agn)
Well, gall dang, a ballet company finally stood up to a disgruntled former dancer's claim of "abuse". Yeah, it happened on the other side of the world, but hey, that's a start.

To a dancer's claim of constant belittlement, being silenced, shunning, physical and verbal abuse, and, get this, "the list goes on" the RNZB said:

"The allegations made in this interview by a former employee, regarding the company's internal culture and working practices, and the actions allegedly taken or not taken by our Board to address concerns raised, are malicious, false and completely rejected by the Board," the RNZB said in a written statement. It said the allegations have damaged the company and everyone who works with and for the RNZB. "As a responsible employer, the Board of the RNZB takes, and has always taken, employees' concerns, particularly those alleging any kind of bullying, intimidation or abuse, extremely seriously. We have zero tolerance for behaviour of this kind. Should allegations be made, we have robust processes in place to investigate and resolve any issues."

According to the website Stuff.co.nz, "The [RNZB's] statement said it was a matter of record the dance company, which receives $5.4 million a year in public funding, had experienced "some workplace issues in the past". It said at that time, the board had initiated a formal process of fact-finding and facilitation, with the help of independent external advisors, and a number of recommendations had been made."

Since when is an employer who tells an employee to shut up considered abusive? Dancers need to join the real world. The idea that they are entitled to express their own opinions whenever and to whomever they want and that they must be listened to is inconsistent with what is permitted in corporate America.

So there ya go ...
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Athens, Greece  Thu, December 14, 2017 18:59 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d783f0 2 World Yemen,Saudi-Arabia,greece,protest,war Free

A Greek anarchist group threw paint at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Athens at dawn on Thursday to protest against Riyadh's "medieval" repression and its involvement in the Yemen conflict.

A video by the group, Rouvikonas, showed at least three persons wearing motorcycle helmets smashing the windows of a guard post outside the embassy, while another stands watch.

There was no effort to stop the assault, and no arrests were made.

"At about 0400 GMT, a few people caused damage to the outside of the embassy... They threw some paint," a police source told AFP, adding that an inquiry was underway.

Rouvikonas group attacks Saudi Arabia Embassy in Athens (video) https://t.co/ZBvgS5UNoQ  MatsoukaLena (@Matsoulena) December 14, 2017

In a statement posted online, the group, whose name means Rubicon in Greek, said the Saudi royal family had imposed a "medieval dystopia" on its people and was now seeking to export it abroad.

"What IS has been doing, which rightly caused global revulsion, has been happening in Saudi Arabia for decades, in broad daylight, and it is accepted by the 'civilized' world," the statement said.

"Adulteresses are beheaded in the middle of street, thieves are amputated in front of howling crowds, women are totally subjugated, dissidents and gays disappear and are executed."

The group also accused the leftist Greek government of "hypocrisy" over a botched attempt to sell Greek army tank shells to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Rouvikonas, which emerged in 2015, regularly stages such actions targeting embassies, businesses and government offices.

Group members are often detained on the spot, but with no charges pressed against them. None have been jailed.

In October, several of its members broke into the Spanish embassy in a show of support for Catalonia's independence bid.

More than 8,750 people have been killed in Yemen since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against Huthi rebels in 2015, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 12:27 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6d034 1 City becakayu-toll,inundation,East-Jakarta,anies-baswedan Free

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said he had reprimanded the developer of the Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu toll road (Becakayu) for allegedly causing the narrowing of a water channel on Jl. DI Panjaitan in East Jakarta.

Anies said the width of the water channel had been narrowed to 1.2 meters from its previous width of 3 meters because of the toll road's construction. Jl. DI Panjaitan runs underneath the elevated toll road.

The long awaited section 1B-1C of the Becakayu toll road was inaugurated by President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Nov. 3 after the project had been stalled for 20 years.

Anies said he had asked the manager of PT Kresna Kusuma Dyandra Marga, the toll road developer, to construct a temporary water channel and expand it later.

Becakayu toll road benefits its users []. But I dont want those under the road to suffer just so the users above can feel comfortable. We want everyone to be trouble free, Anies said.

Meanwhile, the company's project leader, Ayuda Priyantoro, said it was in fact a temporary water channel that was now under the spotlight. The developer would build permanent channels after the toll road project was completed in April next year. (wnd)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 12:53 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6e152 1 Business Bukit-Asam,capital-expenditure,2018,business-expansion Free

State-owned coal miner PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) plans to allocate Rp 6.5 trillion (US$455 million) in capital expenditure (capex) next year, mostly for the expansion of its businesses, PTBA president director Arviyan Arifin said in Jakarta on Thursday.

With the fund, the company will expand its downstream coal businesses, particularly to finance the construction of coal-fired power plants (PLTU), he said.

Bukit Asam will source the funds for the capital expenditure from both its internal cash and loans from third parties, including the possible issuance of bonds.

We may issue bonds to finance the capex, he said as reported by kontan.co.id, adding that the debt papers were planned to be issued in the first quarter of 2018.

Arviyan, however, said his company would assess the market condition before issuing debt papers.

He declined to comment on the amount that would be derived from third parties, but revealed that his company currently had cash worth Rp 4.5 trillion, ready to be allocated for capex. (bbn)
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Linkedin Ruth Ninajanty (The Jakarta Post)  Thu, December 14 2017

The end of the year is several weeks away and it is now time to plan your holiday. Still not sure where to go this year? Despite being regular destinations for New Years Eve, these cities will offer something unique if you know how to find a great place to celebrate.

Heading to Bali means planning wisely. According to the Bali Tourism Agency, December is the second-busiest month for the island only after the summer vacation period, as Bali is popular for both domestic and international tourists for year-end celebrations. What to do in Bali depends on how you want to end the year. Friends, fun and party are plenty in Bali, spreading over Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. Walk along the beach, stop by the different venues and ring in the New Year with friends.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 13:19 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6fbdc 1 National #GraftCase,#SetyaNovanto,#pretrial Free

The sole judge presiding over former House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto's pretrial motion, Kusno, decided on Thursday at the South Jakarta District Court that the motion was invalid.

"I declare the pretrial motion as void and demand the plaintiff pay the pretrial costs. Jakarta, Dec. 14. Signed by the sole judge, myself, Kusno," he said before he finally struck his gavel.

Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) legal bureau member, Efi Laila Kholis, was relieved, saying it was obvious from the very beginning that the pretrial motion against the anti-graft bodys decision to name Setya a suspect, would fail.

"The Corruption Court set the date of the first trial on the graft case soon after the pretrial motion was filed to the court on Wednesday last week. The judge was kind enough to offer Setya's lawyers the option to retract their motion during the pretrial hearings," she told the press.

Setya's attorney Nana Suryana said he accepted and respected the judge's ruling.

The motion was the second presided over by the court, after it approved the first motion in September. (vla)
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Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 14:25 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d70393 1 National Constitutional-Court,labor,marriage Free

The Constitutional Court has ruled on Thursday that a provision in the 2003 Labor Law allowing a company to ban marriages between its employees violated the 1945 Constitution.

The court argued that marriage between coworkers did not affect the rights of other people, nor would such a union undermine their productivity.

The court declares the petitioners arguments legally valid, justice Aswanto said.

The petition for judicial review was filed by members of state electricity company PT PLN's labor union. They challenged Article 153 of the Manpower Law that permitted companies to lay off a worker for marrying a colleague.

Most companies prohibit employees from marrying their colleagues, and require one employee of the couple to resign if they intended to proceed with the marriage.

One of the plaintiffs, Jhoni Boetja, argued that marriage was a religious institution and the bond between a man and woman who loved each other could not be denied.

"This regulation can be abused by parties that want to terminate workers, he said. (ahw)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 19:10 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d79f1b 1 National MK,#MK,#adultery,#homosexuality,#ConstitutionalCourt Free

A Constitutional Court ruling that rejected a petition to outlaw extramarital and gay sex on Thursday has drawn mixed reactions from netizens.

Some applauded the decision, saying it upheld human rights and protected peoples private lives as well as minority groups.

Twitter user Gita Putri wrote on her Twitter account that Indonesian law should be influenced by a sense of justice, instead of religious sentiments.

The Masyarakat Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat), one of the groups opposing the petition, said on Twitter that it hoped the court would "not bow to any pressures from various groups that often act in the name of religious morality."

Negative responses also mushroomed on the social networking site, with some arguing that extramarital and gay sex was immoral and forbidden by religion.

Filed by conservative academics, the petition not only brought to the courtroom an intense debate, but it also sharply divided the bench, with four out of nine justices, including Chief Justice Arief Hidayat, dissenting.

Meanwhile, justices Saldi Isra, Maria Farida Indrati and I Dewa Gede Palguna -- all of whom are considered progressive -- were among the five justices who rejected the petition.

Saldi appeared to play a key role in influencing the outcome of the case, which was started when former justice Patrialis Akbar, known for his conservative statements, was in office. Saldi joined the court in April, replacing Patrialis who was arrested for bribery in late January. (nmn/ipa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 10:39 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d631b4 4 National #Obituary,#DPD,#AMFatwa Free

Regional Representatives Council member Andi Mappetahang (AM) Fatwa has passed on Thursday after battling liver cancer. He was 78 years old.

DPD information officer Nana confirmed that Fatwa had died at the Metropolitan Medical Centre in South Jakarta, where he was being treated.

Yes, [he died of] liver cancer, Nana was quoted in the kompas.com report. She added that Fatwa had passed away at about 6 a.m.

Fatwa was once jailed under the authoritarian Soeharto regime, when he, along other activists in the 1980s, signed the Petisi 50 (50 Petition) that criticized Soehartos abuse of power.

Fatwa's body is now laid out at his residence in Pejaten, South Jakarta.

His daughter Dian Islamiati, a senior journalist with ABC Radio Australia, said her father would be buried at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. (jun)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 16:42 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d7499b 1 National #Jerusalem,Jerusalem,MuhadjirEffendy,#MuhadjirEffendy,#education,Education,#Israel Free

Education and Cultural Minister Muhadjir Effendy has apologized for what he admitted was an error made in sixth-grade social science textbooks, which referred to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The issue recently sparked controversy in Indonesia, particularly as the global debate on Jerusalems status continues to heat up after it was recognized by Unites President Donald Trump as Israels capital city.

The ministry has taken down the electronic version of the social science textbooks from its website, pending an investigation on how the error could have slipped by the publishers attention.

The ministry will find out how this mistake could have happen. We will also investigate whether it was made deliberately, Muhadjir said in a press release on Thursday.

The ministry, he said, will also start revising its social science e-textbooks on Wednesday, promising that the correct version would be published shortly. He called on publishing companies Intan Pariwara and Yudhistira to retract the books.

The government and a number of organizations, including the countrys two largest Islamic groups, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, have condemned both Trumps controversial acknowledgement and his decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (nmn/ipa)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 08:59 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d5f5c1 1 Politics #Indonesia,#politics,#GolkarParty,#SetyaNovanto,#AirlanggaHartarto Free

After four hours of heavy debate, the Golkar Party has named its executive board member Airlangga Hartarto, currently an Industry Minister in President Joko Jokowi Widodo's Cabinet, as the party's new chairman.

Airlangga will replace Setya Novanto, who is currently a defendant in a high-profile corruption case.

Setyas defendant status has made him temporarily inactivate, opening up a space for the partys top post.

Starting tonight [Wednesday evening], Airlangga will be the Golkar chairman. With the plenary meetings decision [to appoint him], the chairman position is not empty, the partys executive chairman Nurdin Halid told reporters.

The countrys second largest party is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting (munaslub) to officially inaugurate Airlangga as chairman.

Previously, several top party members declared their intentions to run in the chairmanship contest, including senior lawmaker and Setya loyalist Aziz Syamsuddin, secretary-general Idrus Marham and Siti Hedijati "Titiek" Soeharto, the daughter of former president Soeharto.

Nurdin reminded all cadres who opposed the plenary decision that they bring up their disagreements with the congress organizing committee to be discussed at a congress later.

Nurdin also said the decision did not violate the partys internal regulations, which stipulate that the party can appoint a chairman through a plenary meeting and announce it at a congress.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Bekasi  Thu, December 14 2017

The Bekasi administration, in the eastern part of Greater Jakarta, has failed to get a financial grant from the capital for next year, a contrast to this year, when the West Java city got Rp 250 billion (US$1.75 million).

This years grant, which was disbursed under the leadership of former Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, was used to fund bridge construction, which would support the operations of the Bantar Gebang trash disposal site.

During a meeting with Jakartas deputy governor, Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi said he proposed nearly Rp 1 trillion in funds for programs to mitigate floods and traffic jams in the city, which were deeply connected to Jakarta, and expected to get at least Rp 350 billion, tempo.co reported.

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Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 17:14 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d754b7 1 National Constitutional-Court,LGBT Free

One of the 12 petitioners who sought to ban premarital sex and same-sex relationships through a judicial review petition at the Constitutional Court has said that the courts decision to reject their request was a mistake.

Euis Sunarti, a professor in family studies at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), told reporters shortly after the court issued its ruling that Indonesia was currently under the threat of deviant sexual practices.

We have studied this matter on the ground. We know that, for example, in one village, adultery was committed by 70 percent of families there, she said. This is a problem haunting parents who pray all the time asking that their children become pious individuals.

Euis and other petitioners have demanded that the Constitutional Court expand the definition of zina in the Criminal Code (KUHP), which is currently defined only as adultery, to all kinds of sexual relations outside of marriage. They also challenged the article on sodomy in the prevailing law, which currently only mentions pedophilia.

The court rejected the judicial review petition on the grounds that it was not authorized to formulate new criminal acts in the KUHP. It also argued that just because a law does not conform to existing norms, that does not mean it is unconstitutional.

Human rights activists have opposed the petition, saying it was an affront to civil liberties.

Euis said they would continue their fight to protect family values by outlawing extramarital sex. They plan to visit the House of Representatives, which is currently deliberating a revision to the KUHP. (ahw)
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Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 11:44 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6af0b 1 Politics Constitutional-Court,LGBT,Criminal-Code,adultery Free

The Constitutional Court rejected on Thursday a petition filed by conservative academics to make premarital and gay sex a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

The court rejects the petition, Chief Justice Arief Hidayat said while reading out the ruling.

The decision was handed down by a 5-to-4 majority. The five justices who rejected the petition were Saldi Isra, Maria Farida Indrawati, Manahan Sitompul, I Gede Palguna and Suhartoyo. The rest of the justices, including Arief, dissented.

In its ruling, the bench argued that the petitioners had sought to formulate new criminal acts in the existing criminal code, which is the right of the lawmakers at the House of Representatives, not the court.

Just because a law is considered incomplete or no longer in line with the societys norms does not mean the law itself is contradictory to the Constitution, justice Saldi Isra read from the verdict.

Justice Maria Farida said that limitations on peoples' rights should be decided through a legislative process at the House. Petitions filed [to the court] are meant to protect someones rights from being limited, Maria said.

The petition to challenge the morality articles within the Criminal Code (KUHP) was filed by a group of academics, some of whom are members of the conservative group Family Love Alliance (AILA). They want to expand the definition of zina in KUHP to include premarital sex and same-sex relationships.

Civil rights activists previously called on the court to reject the petition, saying it would violate privacy and subject people to criminalization. (ahw)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 18:33 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d765a0 1 City djakarta-warehouse-project,protest,mass-organizations Free

Central Jakarta Police have said they will provide security for the planned rallies against the annual electronic music festival Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) set to be held at JIExpo, Kemayoran over the weekend.

Police chief Sr. Comr. Roma Hutajulu said the organizer had made sure no alcoholic beverages would be sold during the event. Mass organizations have previously argued the music festival would degrade the morals of the youth, expressing concern about the consumption of drugs and alcohol.

The Constitution specifically says that people are free to express their opinions in public. We will provide standard security as long as it does not lead to a riot, said Roma on Wednesday.

Mass organizations Bang Japar Indonesia, Kemayoran Islam Defenders Front (FPI), Kemayoran

Society Allies, and several others plan to stage rallies in front of the festival venue on Thursday.

The organizer has guaranteed that no drugs and the like will be permitted. We have deployed the National Narcotics Agency [BNN] to cooperate, Roma said.

Last week, the Jakarta administration said they would dispatch a surveillance team to supervise the nations biggest music festival to ensure no drug or alcohol related activities would be present. (dpk)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 20:47 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d7ca2f 1 City MRT-Jakarta,floods Free

PT MRT Jakarta, which is developing the Mass Rapid Transit in the city, has claimed that it follows proper regulations in carrying out its transportation project, including by maintaining the drainage system at the project's locations.

"Basically, we can ensure that what we are doing from the beginning is according to the Amdal [environmental impact analysis], and we always maintain the drainage system," MRT secretary Tubagus Hikmatullah told kompas.com on Wednesday.

He added that the residual materials resulted from the project were disposed of properly to avoid clogging waterways.

Previously, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan blamed the MRT and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects for causing the floods, claiming that they obstructed the waterways. (fac)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Harare, Zimbabwe  Thu, December 14, 2017 16:48 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d75166 2 World Africa,Zimbabwe,dictatorship,health Free

Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe, 93, who was ousted from power last month, has flown to Singapore for a medical check-up, his ex-spokesman said Thursday.

Mugabe and his wife Grace have not been seen in public since he was forced to resign after a military takeover brought a sudden end to his authoritarian 37-year reign.

"He is in Singapore. It's part of his package as a retired president to travel overseas. He routinely goes to Singapore to meet with his doctors," George Charamba told AFP.

Charamba, who is now President Emmerson Mnangagwa's spokesman, said that the new government was keen to show respect to Mugabe.

"There is no quest to humiliate or ostracise him," he said.

"The idea was to extricate him from the clutches of the cabal which had captured him. That has been done so that his legacy comes out shining."

The military stepped in on November 14 and ushered Mnangagwa into office after a power struggle with supporters of Grace Mugabe, 52, who had emerged as Mugabe's chosen successor.

Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe from independence in 1980, is accused of brutal repression and bringing the country to economic ruin.

He has been in increasingly frail health and has reportedly battled prostate cancer.

In recent years he has made regular trips abroad for undisclosed medical reasons.

Mnangagwa was formerly one of Mugabe's closest allies, and the ruling ZANU-PF party remains in control.

Mugabe will miss the party's annual conference in Harare on Friday when Mnangagwa is expected to be confirmed as its candidate for elections next year.

The new president has vowed to revive the shattered economy by boosting agricultural production and attracting foreign investment.

Topics : Africa Zimbabwe dictatorship health
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 19:05 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d7963c 1 City thuggery,operation,police Free

Some 1,475 people across Jakarta were caught in a one week street crime operation by the Jakarta Police.

Police general crimes director head Sr. Comr. Nico Afinta said on Thursday that in the operation, held between Dec. 7-13, the police successfully handled 543 cases of street crime.

There were various cases of street crime including pick-pocketing, motorcycle robbery, illegal parking, murder, brawling and even sexual harassment in public places. Pick-pocketing of smartphones was the most common crime, said Nico.

We also found incidents of pick-pocketing in crowded places that are supposed to be safe, such as car free days, he added, referring to the car free day event held every Sunday along the citys business district of Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman.

Out of the total number of people caught in the operation, 225 were subjected to further investigation. Meanwhile, others were left under police supervision.

The police also confiscated criminal evidence such as Rp 350 million (US$ 24,536) in bank notes, four guns, 40 combat knives, 73 smartphones and 13 R4 rifles.

The Jakarta Police will continue their street crime operation until Dec. 22. It will be followed by the Lilin Jaya operation between Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, 2018, which is aimed at securing Christmas and New Year celebrations. (roi)

Topics : thuggery operation police
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Washington  Thu, December 14, 2017 11:53 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6b4ed 2 World Donald-Trump,Barack-Obama,editorial,USA-Today Free

A top US newspaper on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump with a withering editorial, saying he was not fit to even "clean the toilets" in Barack Obama's presidential library or shine George W. Bush's shoes.

USA Today, a mass-market paper with one of the biggest circulations in the country, published the piece after Trump attacked a Democratic female US senator in a crude tweet.

"Will Trump's lows ever hit rock bottom?", blared the headline of the piece from the paper's editorial board, which excoriated the president for saying Senator Kirsten Gillibrand used to come to him "'begging' for campaign contributions... (and would do anything for them)."

"With his latest tweet, clearly implying that a United States senator would trade sexual favors for campaign cash, President Trump has shown he is not fit for office," the editorial said.

Read also: Trump denies watching 4-8 hours of TV a day

"Rock bottom is no impediment for a president who can always find room for a new low," added the paper, which is not usually known for hard-hitting editorials.

"A president who would all but call Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand a whore is not fit to clean the toilets in the Barack Obama Presidential Library or to shine the shoes of George W. Bush," it said, referring to Trump's most recent predecessors.

The editorial went on to list a number of what it saw as Trump's transgressions, including his support for scandal-tainted Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, as well as his false and misleading statements, divisiveness and ethical lapses.

Gillibrand branded Trump's tweet as a "sexist smear."
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 12:04 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d6bfb6 1 Business the-philippines,tax,policy,Indonesia,coal-export Free

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has said that the Philippines plan to significantly increase its coal import tax in 2018 will not hamper coal trade between the two Southeast Asian countries in the immediate future.

At present, the Philippines still needs a huge amount of coal for its power plants. So we believe this new policy will not affect Indonesias coal exports in the short run, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokesperson Agung Pribadi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday evening.

The Congress of the Philippines ratified on Tuesday the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill, which was proposed by President Rodrigo Dutertes administration in order to generate more revenues to support its massive infrastructure development program.

The bill, which Duterte is expected to sign within the next few days, stipulates a significant hike in the import tax for coal from the current 10 Philippine pesos (20 US cents) per metric ton to 50 pesos in 2018, to 100 pesos in 2019 and to 150 pesos in 2020. The TRAIN bill also stipulates import tax hikes for other commodities.

Agung said many Indonesian exporters had signed long-term contracts with Philippine buyers, so the new policy would not make an immediate impact on the bilateral coal trade.

In 2016, the Philippines imported 18.48 million tons of coal, of which 88.3 percent came from Indonesia, according to the Geneva-based International Trade Center. (bbn)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 09:41 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d61519 1 Business pertamina,refinery,upgrades Free

State-owned energy giant Pertamina plans to upgrade its three refineries in 2018 for processing sour crude oil instead of the sweet crude oil they currently process.

Sweet crude oil is more expensive compared to sour [crude oil]. Thats why we want to upgrade our existing refineries so that they can process sour crude, Pertamina refinery director Toharso said recently.

This will pave the way for the company to import cheaper crude oil in the future, especially from Middle Eastern countries.

Pertaminas refineries, specifically those built between 1936 and 1990, are designed to refine sweet crude oil, which has a low sulfur content of around 0.2 percent.

However, in todays market, sour crude oil with its higher sulfur content of around 2 percent is relatively easier to find at cheaper prices.

Toharso said Pertamina would first upgrade the Balongan refinery in West Java in May or June 2018, before upgrading the Cilacap refinery in East Java and the Balikpapan refinery in East Kalimantan.

We have been importing sweet crude oil from the African market, which requires around 26 days to ship. Meanwhile, after the upgrades, we can import sour crude oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq or Iran, which have shorter [shipping] distances and are less costly, said Toto Nugroho, Pertamina senior vice president for integrated supply chain.

Pertamina estimates it will have to import around 350,000 barrels of crude per day in 2018, of which 100,000 barrels are Arabian light crude (ALC). (bbn)

Topics : pertamina refinery upgrades
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra  Thu, December 14, 2017 06:54 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d5ba2f 1 National Sumatran-tiger,wildlife,wildlife-trade,Medan,North-Sumatra Free

Prosecutors asked a panel of judges at the Medan District Court to sentence Ismail Sembiring, a trader of Sumatran tiger skins and organs, to three years in prison during a hearing on Tuesday.

They also demanded that the judges order the defendant, a resident of Sumber Waras village in Langkat regency, North Sumatra, to pay Rp 100 billion (US$7.36 million) or face an additional six months in prison.

Prosecutor Sani Sianturi said that, by trading the tiger skins and organs, the defendant had violated articles 40 and 21 of Law No. 5/1990 on the conservation of natural resources and the ecosystem.

Presiding judge Riana Pohan allowed the defendant to convey his defense statement. I [have] regrets, your honor. I admit that I have committed the crime and, here, in my defense statement, I ask for a lighter sentence, Ismail said in the hearing.

The judges delayed the hearing to Jan. 4, during which they will read out their ruling after examining the defendants plea.

Mount Leuser National Park patrol force personnel arrested Ismail, a palm fruit harvester, on Aug. 27. They conducted an undercover operation during which they acted as the buyer of dried tiger skin on sale from the defendant. They also confiscated one dead Sumatran tiger as evidence during the raid. (ami/ebf)
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Linkedin Stuart WILLIAMS and Fulya OZERKAN (AFP) Istanbul  Thu, December 14, 2017 07:26 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d5ca5c 2 World Jerusalem,Palestine,Islam,Gaza-strip Free

Islamic leaders on Wednesday urged world powers to recognize occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of the "State of Palestine", as Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas warned that the United States no longer had a role to play in the peace process.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan convened an emergency summit of the world's main pan-Islamic body, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul, seeking a tough response to the recognition by US President Donald Trump of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

With the Islamic world itself mired in a division, the summit fell well short of agreeing on any concrete sanction against Israel or the United States.

But their final statement declared "East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine" and invited "all countries to recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital."

- 'Null and void -

They declared Trump's decision "null and void legally" and "a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts" that would give impetus to "extremism and terrorism".

The status of Jerusalem, a city considered holy by Christians, Jews and Muslims, is perhaps the most sensitive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel sees the entire city as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector, which the international community regards as annexed by Israel, as the capital of their future state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response that he was "not impressed" by the OIC statements.

"The Palestinians would do better by recognizing reality and acting in favor of peace and not extremism," Netanyahu said.

Erdogan, who sees himself a champion of the Palestinian cause, sought to underline his point with a powerpoint map presentation, flashing a laser pointer at how Palestinian territory had shrunk since the 1948 creation of Israel.

"The real proprietor of these lands is Palestine," he said.

"Mr Trump wants all this to be Israel. This is the product of an evangelist and Zionist mentality," said Erdogan, the current OIC chairman.

- 'No more role for US' -

Using unusually strong language and bitterly anti-American rhetoric, Abbas warned that there could be "no peace or stability" in the Middle East until Jerusalem is recognized as the capital of a Palestinian state.

He added that Trump's move had withdrawn the United States from its traditional role as Mideast peace mediator.

"We do not accept any role of the United States in the political process from now on. Because it is completely biased towards Israel," he said.

The final OIC statement echoed his words, saying Trump's move was "an announcement of the US administration's withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace".

Successive US administrations have sought unsuccessfully to broker a final peace deal since the 1990s Oslo accords. Trump, too, is working on such an offer through his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

- Saudi snub? -

But bridging the gaps between 57 OIC member states -- which include archrivals Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran -- was always a tall order.

Key players, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were unlikely to want to risk their key relationship with Washington by putting their name to anti-American measures.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Lebanese President Michel Aoun were among the heads of state present, as well as the emirs of Qatar and Kuwait and presidents of Afghanistan and Indonesia.

But there was no sign of Saudi King Salman or his powerful crown prince and son Mohammed bin Salman, who has reportedly been in close contact with Trump over the Middle East. Instead, Riyadh sent a senior foreign ministry official.

"Some countries in our region are in cooperation with the United States and the Zionist regime and determining the fate of Palestine," seethed Rouhani, whose country does not recognize Israel.

But as the summit was being held, King Salman echoed the calls over Jerusalem in an address in Riyadh, saying it was the "right" of the Palestinians to establish "their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital".

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and war crimes, was also in attendance and warmly greeted by Erdogan.

A surprise guest was Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro, whose country has no significant Muslim population but is a bitter critic of US policy.

Trump's announcement last week prompted an outpouring of anger in the Muslim and Arab world, where tens of thousands of people took to the streets to denounce Israel and show solidarity with Palestinians.

The decision sparked protests in Palestinian territories, with four Palestinians killed so far in clashes or Israeli air strikes in response to rocket fire from Gaza and hundreds wounded.
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Linkedin Dewanti A. Wardhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14 2017

For artist Sinta Tantra, life has been full of balancing acts.

Sinta Tantra, a British artist of Balinese descent, is no stranger to balancing her life: She balances her time between her parents home in Bali and her own London residence, as well as A House in Bali, her recent solo exhibition in Jakarta.



Held at South Jakartas LAFLO in cooperation with the ISA Art Advisory, the pieces in her latest exhibition were inspired by its namesake, a book by American composer Colin McPhee.



In A House in Bali, which was originally published in 1946, a young McPhee explores the traditional ensemble music of the Balinese gamelan. It also discusses his stay in Bali, explores Balinese society and the role of music in Balinese culture.



McPhee himself also produced some gamelan music, from which Sinta also drew inspiration from while working on her exhibit.



Ive always listened to gamelan music, but [McPhees] is unusual because it is played by a western orchestra. Its strange, and has sort of a magical quality to it, Sinta told The Jakarta Post.



The artist introduces two different styles in her solo exhibition: one is bright and colorful, channeling the sights and smells McPhee recalls in A House in Bali, such as landscape and temple offerings.



To balance the vibrant palette, Sinta also included paintings that were linear and minimalist, with some representing musical notes, like the pieces in her Tabuh Tabuhan series. This style, Sinta said, also transcribed the abstract quality of Indonesian art, like those found in gamelan, batik and wood carvings.



Sinta said the paintings in the exhibition did not stray from her typical style, which featured bright colors and geometric abstraction, but were more personal compared to her previous work.



Ive been working in Europe a lot, so this work was about trying to connect more with my roots and my parents. Sometimes, when you get older, the more you want to connect with where youre from, she said.



The artist is largely known for her murals and public installations, having been commissioned for projects in various cities across the UK as well as in South Korea. Her most notable public work was a 300-meter painted bridge that was commissioned for the 2012 London Olympics.

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Linkedin Andrew Beatty (AFP) Washington  Thu, December 14, 2017 07:26 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d5c008 2 World #USA,#politics,#DonaldTrump Free

President Donald Trump awoke to a new, more perilous political reality Wednesday, after a stunning Democratic election victory in America's deeply conservative south threw the depth and breadth of his support into serious doubt.

Doug Jones' win in an Alabama Senate race -- the first such Democratic win in a quarter-century -- cut the Republican majority in the Senate to 51-49, squeezing Trump's ability to get legislation through Congress.

The finger of blame turned squarely to Republican candidate Roy Moore, who ran on an openly bigoted message, was plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct with teenage girls and ignored party calls to drop out.

Sensing the gathering storm, Trump tried to absolve himself of blame and urged Republicans to run "GREAT Republican candidates" in future.

"Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!" Trump tweeted, reminding Americans that Moore was not his first choice in the race.

He had unsuccessfully endorsed another candidate in the party primary.

But as the broader political autopsy commenced, Trump's role in the race and the implications for his presidency came under the microscope.

Trump ignored the advice of party leaders to throw his weight behind 70-year-old Moore, seeing the former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice as something of a kindred political spirit.

Like Trump, Moore had sought to win through a coalition of evangelical and white voters, betting that bedrock of support would be enough -- and would shield him from any political scandal.

Moore -- aided by Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon -- also borrowed liberally from Trump's playbook, reveling in racially charged statements such as casting doubt on the desirability of abolishing slavery, as well as constant attacks on the press and other "elites."

In the run-up to the vote, Trump appealed to evangelicals by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and worked to pass tax reform, a central issue for Republicans.

- Lessons for 2018? -

But some in Trump's inner circle now wonder whether Alabama shows the limits of his approach: If it does not work in deep red Alabama, where can it work?

The question is one that the White House will have to solve urgently. Next year sees mid-term legislative elections that offer Democrats a chance to regain control of both chambers of Congress.

For months, Republican donors have voiced concerns that the party may lose control of the House of Representatives.

After the upset in Alabama, even the Senate may be in play.

"It opens the door to an unlikely Democratic Senate takeover next year," wrote Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley of the University of Virginia's politics department.

Keeping control of both houses is key to Trump passing his agenda -- and avoiding moves toward his own impeachment.

With an approval rating of 35 percent, Trump has faced one controversy after another during his 11 months in office.

Normally cautious paper USA Today all but called for Trump resignation, after he suggested a female senator would do "anything" for campaign contributions.

"A president who'd all but call a senator a whore is unfit to clean toilets in Obama's presidential library or to shine George W. Bush's shoes" the paper wrote in a searing editorial.

- 'We can be unified' -

With 100 percent of Alabama precincts reporting, Jones won 49.9 percent of the vote compared to Moore's 48.4 percent, a margin of nearly 21,000 votes out of 1.3 million cast, according to figures posted by US media.

Jones, 63, is a former federal prosecutor who shot to local prominence when he convicted members of the Ku Klux Klan who bombed a black church in the 1960s, killing four girls.

"We have shown the country the way that we can be unified," Jones told ecstatic supporters at his election night party in Birmingham.

Alabama, which Trump won last year by 28 points, has been at a "crossroads" before, and sometimes did not take the correct path forward, Jones said.

"You took the right road," he said.

Moore however refused to concede, declaring: "When the vote is this close, it is not over."

He signaled he wanted a recount, but Alabama law only provides for an automatic recount if the margin is within half a percentage point. The current margin stands at 1.5 percent.

Alabama officials will certify the vote between December 26 and January 3. If no recount is ordered, Jones is expected to be seated in the US Senate in early January.

- 'Vile' losing candidate -

Some traditional Republicans saw the vote as a turning point in the bitter battle for the soul of Trump's party.

"(I) wish we would have gotten the seat," Trump admitted. "A lot of Republicans feel differently; they're very happy with the way it turned out."

"What a relief," said one Republican party operative who, like many in the "establishment," had feared Moore would come to define the party had he won.

Congressman Peter King took aim at Bannon directly. "It's not the type of person we need in American politics," the Republican lawmaker told CNN. "He looks like some disheveled drunk that wandered on to the political stage."

The Democratic National Committee said Moore's loss in the conservative heartland sent a "loud and clear" message to Trump and his Republicans.

Tuesday's Democratic victory is the second dramatic win by the party in under two months. In November, in a sweeping rebuke to Trump, a Democrat won the governor's race in swing state Virginia by a comfortable margin.
Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Speaker Oesman Sapta Odang (center) leads the pallbearers carrying the body of DPD member Andi Mappetahang Fatwa following a ceremony at the Nusantara Building in Jakarta on Thursday. Fatwa passed away on Thursday after battling liver cancer. He was 78 years old.(JP/Dhoni Setiawan)(DPD) Speaker Oesman Sapta Odang (center) leads the pallbearers carrying the body of DPD member Andi Mappetahang Fatwa following a ceremony at the Nusantara Building in Jakarta on Thursday. Fatwa passed away on Thursday after battling liver cancer. He was 78 years old.(JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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Linkedin News desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 20:49 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d7caf9 1 News bali,#Bali,Mount-Agung,Volcano,eruption,#eruption Free

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has urged the Consulate General of China in Denpasar Hi Yinquan to inform Chinese tourists that the Island of the Gods is still safe to visit.

During Hu's visit on Wednesday, Made explained that the recent volcanic activity at Mount Agung in Karangasem regency had led tourists to believe that the entire island was under a Level 4 emergency status.

In actuality, the status only applied to areas within an 8-kilometer radius of Mt. Agungs crater, he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

And with regard to the closure of Ngurah Rai International Airport last month, the incident occurred only during Mt. Agungs eruption and the airport has resumed operations, he added.

Read also: Volcanic eruptions no match for cockfighting, Bali-style

The governor assured Hu that both Balis officials and residents have prepared the necessary emergency equipment to use in the case of an eruption, and they fully understood the safety measures involved.

Hu, who will soon movie to Beijing, expressed his sympathy over Balis current tourism slump, which was the direct result of Mt. Agungs recent rumblings.

He explained that the travel warning released by China's was aimed at informing Chinese tourists about the possibility of an airport closure should Mt. Agung show signs of further volcanic activity.

However, he said that the travel warning had not stopped Chinese tourists from traveling to Bali. (jes/kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, December 14, 2017 18:39 1799 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2d76c46 1 News Mount-Prau,mountain,Mount-climbing,#mountain,Central-Java,#CentralJava Free

State forestry firm Perum Perhutani KPH Kedu Utara has announced its plan to close hiking trails on Mount Prau in Central Java from Jan. 5 to April 4.

Perhutani KPH Kedu Utara Central Java communications head Herman Sutrisno told kompas.com on Wednesday that the plan was part of an effort to revitalize the hiking trails to Mt. Praus base camps, as they had been used for nine months.

Herman said the closure would ensure that, once the trails reopen, the hikers would be safe and comfortable while climbing the mountain.

Read also: Mount Rinjani hiking trails to close for three months

Meanwhile, Mount Prau Indonesia Coordination Forum (FKPI) head Raybowo said that they also aimed to carry out reforestation efforts.

Eight of Mount Praus base camps, namely Pranten, Dwarawati, Dieng, Kalilembu, Patakbanteng, Igirmranak, Wates and Kenjuran, which are located across five regencies, have reportedly agreed to the closure and reforestation plan.

Those who climb the mountain during the three-month period will be fined Rp 250,000 (US$18.41) per person. Meanwhile, base camps that allow hikers to climb Mt. Prau during the period will be fined Rp 500,000 per trekker. (jes/kes)
The MTA and the citys Department of Transportation yesterday released their plan for dealing with the looming L Train shutdown. As you might have expected, there will be a big impact on Delancey Street, since the Williamsburg Bridge will become an even more important link between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In April of 2019, the L Train tunnel beneath the East River will be shut down for repairs. More than 400,000 daily commuters will be affected for the 15 months that it will take to rehabilitate the tunnel. As the New York Times explained, The plans represent a major challenge for the city, eclipsed in scope in recent history perhaps only by the transportation challenges following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack and immediately after Sandy.

According to the mitigation plan, the Williamsburg Bridge will be reserved for vehicles with three or more passengers during rush hour, and possibly at other times, as well. The HOV lanes will help accommodate increased bus service from Williamsburg to Delancey Street and to other locations in Manhattan. The agencies estimate that about 15 percent of current L Train riders will use buses on a daily basis. There would be no dedicated bus lanes on the bridge.

The rest are expected to use other subway lines, including the J, M, Z and G lines. The MTA plans to beef up train service at numerous stations to accommodate the extra passengers and to to add, station turnstile, stair and control area capacity. This part of the plan will obviously have a big impact on the Delancey Street station.

The city plans to install bus-only lanes on 14th Street, to launch a new ferry from Williamsburg to Stuyvesant Cove and to add more Citi Bike capacity.

As we have previously reported, DOT is also installing a two-way protected bike lane on the south side of Delancey Street (installation will begin next spring). Right now, 7,000 bicyclists use the Williamsburg Bridge daily. That number is expected to double during the shutdown. There will also be a new bike lane on 13th Street from Avenue C to Horatio Street on the West Side.

You can see the full plan here.

UPDATE 2:03 p.m. Heres more from DOT on how traffic on the Williamsburg Bridge will be handled:
Dame Vivienne Westwood has designed a limited edition t-shirt urging the government to suspend arm sales to Saudi Arabia amid the conflict in Yemen.

The fashion designers latest effort, part of charity War Childs Stop Arming Saudi campaign, has been sported by celebrities from Simon Pegg to Melanie C.

The UK has been criticised by campaigners against the arms trade for supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia, which is leading the military effort against the Houthi rebels.

Actor Simon Pegg (War Child/PA)

Dame Vivienne said: Stop war, support War Child UK. 130 children are dying in Yemen every day. There are other ways to run an economy than profit from death.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, musicians Jack Savoretti and Frank Turner and comedian Dara O Briain also offered their support for the the charity t-shirt, which is available for 20 with proceeds going to War Child UK to help thousands of the worlds most vulnerable children.

Former Spice Girls star Mel C (War Child/PA)

The charity said an estimated 1.8 million children in Yemen are in urgent need of treatment for malnutrition.

Earlier this week, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said history could judge that starvation was used as an instrument for the prosecution of a war in Yemen amid concerns over a blockade by Saudi Arabia.

Following a trip to the region, he told MPs: As for the suggestion that starvation is being used as an instrument of warfare, that is indeed what I said in terms.

What I said to our friends in the region is that that is the risk that we are running, that the judgment of history will be that unless we sort this out, people will deem that starvation has been used as an instrument for the prosecution of a war.

That is not, I think, something that anybody wants to see, least of all the coalition forces who have a legitimate task in hand: they are defending their own country, there is a UN resolution and a coalition that supports what they are doing.

MP Caroline Lucas (War Child/PA)

Rob Williams, CEO War Child UK, said: Every day, War Child sees the impact war has on children. It blights lives, damages childhoods and leaves lifelong scars.

We are grateful to have the support of Vivienne Westwood, and such an incredible line-up of celebrities take a stand, and help us raise vital funds.

Thousands of Yemeni children have died, millions more are at risk and the British government is shamefully complicit in their suffering.

We urge the UK Government to reverse its role in fuelling this devastating war and suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Despite Obama only leaving office 11 months ago, Trump has effectively destroyed any romanticism around the Presidency due to his absolute lack of respect for the position and responsibility he holds. Due to this context The Final Year is an immensely enjoyable glimpse into the professionals who ran the Obama Administrations Foreign Policy in 2016.Greg Barkers documentary primarily follows the US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, and Deputy National Security Advisor and speechwriter Ben Rhodes, but also John Kerry, Susan Rice and Obama himself. It takes place over the final 12 months of the Obama administration and follows their attempts to tackle many issues on the world stage. It largely stays away from the nitty gritty of foreign policy despite covering the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Paris Agreements and the Syrian Civil War. Instead Barker chooses to focus on the people inside the foreign policy team and how they deal with each other and the issues. It is a fascinating look into government and some great personal interviews with Obama which underline what it was he and Rhodes were attempting to accomplish with their new take on foreign policy. It largely interviews the key actors in less professional settings. Whether it is backstage before a speech, walking from a car to an event or on an airplane. The looming ghost of Donald Trumps inevitable election gives the film a sense of tragedy, as you know a lot of this teams work has been undone to some extent.Samantha Power is clearly the most emphatic figure in this film, as Barker shows aspects of her home and family life as well as her connecting to various groups in other countries. One scene sees her visit Nigeria and meet the women whose daughters were kidnapped by the Islamist group Boko Haram while another sees her welcoming newly accepted US citizens including her childs nanny. Seeing her have to face angry mothers who feel the US is letting them down makes you appreciate the emotional strength it takes to effectively carry out one of the top jobs in the US government. While not as emphatic, Rhodes is the most interesting doorway into the mind of Obama and his goals for America and its role in the world. While arrogant, its clear Rhodes completely believes in his and Obamas approach to foreign relations and the film does a good job showing how much he has dedicated his life to Obama since he became a senator in 2004.Possibly the most interesting part of the film is the personal insight into Obama's beliefs. It is easy to be cynical about the Obama administration and how it didnt often live up to the idealism the President often included in his many memorable speeches. Whether its the US approach to Yemen, its overreaching drone program or its accidental killing of Iraqi civilians in the fight against ISIS. But what lies underneath this is a man who was and is genuinely passionate about changing Americas role in the world. The documentary covers poignant moments like Obamas visit to Hiroshima, where he meets and comforts an emotional Japanese World War Two veteran, as well as more intimate moments of him meeting civilians one on one. The documentary highlights how popular Obama was overseas. Even when he visits Vietnam he is heralded as a great man by a young member of an audience after one of his speeches. While Obamas role in the film is fleeting, his words are the most powerful and his final monologue about his, and the USs, place in history sums up what Obama really wanted to achieve during his presidency.The film also gives an interesting, though minimal, look into John Kerry and the how much dedication is required to be the Secretary of State, but his presence is felt less than Rhodes, Power and Obama throughout which is slightly odd because arguably his role in Foreign Policy is more important. One noticeable omission from the film is Vice-President Joe Biden which could have added more perspective on Obama himself.What Barker successfully achieves is showing how different Obama was. He visited the site where America dropped a nuclear bomb, he visited a country where they conducted a secret war and a country that the US has isolated since 1959. He does this all while acknowledging the faults of Americas past. Through the insight gained from his cabinet you can see that he wrestles with the emotional cost of US history and US policy abroad. It is a must watch for anyone who wants to go into politics as it give a solid portrayal of what the day to day of government is like. While its focuses on Foreign Policy it is really about Obama and his team's personalities and how they want to project the image of America on the world. If you arent up to date with international politics you may find yourself lost at parts, but because it isnt solely about international issues prior knowledge isnt a requirement. Barkers documentary is a solid and personal look into Obamas foreign policy team and it resonates more due to what his successor has done to Americas international credibility and image.
Actor Andrew Garfield has said he finds it overwhelming to be in a group of people.

The former Spider-Man star, 34, said social situations can be difficult for him if there are too many people there.

He told ES magazine: I find it pretty overwhelming being in any social situation that involves more than five people, to be honest.

Garfield  who recently scooped the best actor trophy at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for Angels In America  added: Outside of my closest friends and family, the theatre world is the place where I feel I most belong.

Its the most welcoming community that Ive ever experienced.

Andrew Garfield on ES magazine (Alex Bramall/PA)

The actor also discussed drugs in the interview, saying he can only really take substances if its a ritual.

I mean, weed, I can smoke because its just nice, he said.

But with hallucinogens, I have to do it in a very conscious way in a place where I feel free and safe, and can have a freak out if I want to. I want to be able to express my insights.

The full interview appears in this weeks Theatre Awards issue of ES magazine, out Thursday December 14.
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"They all feel its the right thing to keep doing what theyve always done as a band, make new music"
Title: A Ticket to Syria; Author: Shirish Thorat; Publisher: Bloomsbury India: Pages: 254; Price: Rs 399

Faith can move mountains. But when distorted and misplaced, it can demolish lives, families and much more. And this destructive tendency can even manifest itself in places far away from an area of savage religious strife. Say, an idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago nation, whose people are being drawn into the violent maelstrom of the Arab heartlands.

The Maldives may be a tropical paradise, but there is great trouble afoot for it has emerged as an unlikely, but very fertile, breeding ground for Islamist jihadists.

Despite its very modest population of approximately 350,000, the Maldives has the highest recruitment percentage when it comes to its citizen leaving to engage in jihad either alongside the Islamic State or the Al Qaeda, reveals author Shirish Thorat in a factual introduction to this pulsating but disturbing thriller.

And, as he shows, there are no signs that anything serious is being done to tackle this worrying trend at the national level.

But any problem comes more to attention when it is related to actual people, rather than being dealt in abstract terms and that is what Thorat, an Indian policeman-turned-terrorism, money laundering and risk-mitigation expert does in his latest book.

Thorat  who has written a Marathi thriller on 26/11 and, in The Scout: The Definitive Account of David Headley and the Mumbai Attacks (2016), co-authored with Sachin Waze, offered a riveting and plausible reconstruction of their preparation and course  also bases this on a true incident he dealt with in his vareer as a security consultant.

The names, places and sequences of events have been changed for obvious reasons and I leave it to the reader to determine which parts are fact and what is necessarily fiction, he says.

The story starts with another consignment of mostly eager Islamic State recruits, including a batch of Maldivians, being ferried across the Turkish-Syrian border to the groups capital Raqqa, but its impact comes subsequently.

This is when, back in the Maldives, doctor Sameer Ibraheem, just back from an internship in India, finds all his other siblings  two brothers and three sisters  have, just two days back, voluntarily and surreptitiously left for the jihad in Syria, along with their spouses and infant children.

Also concerned is prominent businessman Ahmed Idris, whose sister Zahi is married to one of Ibraheems brothers and is part of the same group. As he and Ibraheem join forces to see what they can do, they find that their government is not only unhelpful but hostile too, and even childhood friends can turn traitors.

But Idris has another card up his sleeve  a Contact in the US whom he has seen ably deal with matters like this a few years ago. And then he receives a call from Zahi  who has been taken away on false pretences and had a phone she bought in a whim on the way that the others dont know about  to seek his help to get her out.

The Contact  whom many people who know the author will find familiar  then calls in a series of favours to mount a desperate rescue operation. Will they extract Zahi, who is witnessing some harrowing situations? And what happens when the IS learns of the Contact and identifies him as a threat?

Ranging across the deceptive security of the US, the violent Middle East, the Maldives and India, and involving FBI agents, oil-smuggling tanker captains, travel agents who can offer much other than tickets and tours, well-connected Gulf businessmen, jihadist filmmakers, oblivious politicians, unscrupulous preachers and more, Thorat offers an unsettling look into a deadly but much-ignored security issue.

Alongside, there is an incisive but lucid view of Islamist movements and how they found an outcome in the IS, a look into the vested interests which curb eradication of terror and a perceptive look into anti-terror operations.

There are a couple of sticking points  such as the motivations and means behind the efforts by the Contact, but, on the whole, it is a terrific, taut story  and a compelling look into an issue that is screaming for attention.

Lets hope this book does the trick.
The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill (FRDI), 2017, which has got bank depositors worried about their savings, is expected to come up in Parliaments winter session that starts Friday.

The FRDI Bill proposes to create a legal framework to help financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, rural and cooperative banks in case of insolvency. What has got depositors worried is the controversial bail-in provision which allows banks to use depositors money for resolution of bad loans due to corporate defaults to save banks and other financial institutions.

The joint committee of Parliament, which is studying the Bill, is likely to submit its report in the upcoming session. It is, however, not yet clear what view the committee will take. It is likely to come up for a discussion before it is taken up for passage by the House, sources in the Finance Ministry said.

The Bill has also been opposed by bank unions. All India Bank Employees Association said it was planning a strike if the government proceeded with the proposed legislation. The unions feel that a new authority proposed under the FRDI Bill will undermine the powers of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as it gets sweeping powers to dismantle public sector financial institutions. RBI Governor Urjit Patel is likely to depose before the parliamentary committee on the issue soon.

As per Section 52 of the Bill in the event of collapse of a financial institution such as a bank, its creditors and depositors will have to absorb some of the losses. So far the government money is used to bailout banks, now it will be ours, said Sheetal Sharma, a government officer, who fears her entire savings can be taken away without prior notice.

Depositors like Sheetal worry that their savings left in the bank could be deducted without any prior notice. Currently, deposits up to Rs 1 lakh are insured by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, while the rest can be forfeited in case of a bank failure. The new Bill has not specified the amount of insured deposits yet but experts say it is not likely to be brought down.

Looking at the public reaction, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was quick to clarify last week that depositors money would be fully protected in the event of a bank failure. Clarifying on the rumours being spread about the Bill, the Finance Ministry said, the legal provisions in the Bill will ensure that the rights of the depositors are considered at an elevated level over unsecured creditors and dues owed to banks. The government believes that the proposed law seeks to protect customers in times of financial distress.

The Bill also provides for the setting up of Financial Resolution Corporation (FRC), a rescue body which will decide if your money can be used in case the bank sinks. The bailouts have been facing criticism that they incentivise bank managements to take risks. The new Bill provides for minimising the costs and time involved in resolving distressed financial institutions.

The Bill was first mentioned in the FMs 2016-17 Budget speech. Jaitley had said a systemic vacuum exists with regard to bankruptcy situations and that a comprehensive Code on Resolution of Financial Firms will be introduced in Parliament. In March 2016, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of Ajay Tyagi, then additional secretary with the Ministry of Finance, to draft the bill. Subsequently, the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017, was drafted and introduced in Parliament in August this year.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated prompt corrective action (PCA) against state-run lender Corporation Bank in the view of its high non-performing assets (NPAs).

The RBI vide their letter dated December 7, 2017 has placed the bank under PCA framework in view of high NPA and requirement to raise capital of the bank, the state-run lender said in a regulatory filing to the BSE on Wednesday.

This action will not have any material impact on the performance of the bank and will contribute to improvement in internal control of the bank in its activities.

Earlier, the RBI had initiated PCA on Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank and Dena Bank.

The development follows the April 13, 2017, revision of the PCA guidelines by the RBI.

In April, the RBI said that capital, asset quality and profitability would be the basis for the PCA framework on which the banks would be monitored and has defined three kinds of risk thresholds.

In a notification issued then, the RBI said mandatory action to be taken when a bank breaches the risk threshold includes restriction on dividend payment, remittance of profits, restriction on branch expansion, higher provisions, restriction on management compensation and directors fees.

The PCA framework would apply without exception to all banks operating in India, including small banks and foreign banks operating through branches or subsidiaries based on breach of risk thresholds of identified indicators, the RBI had said.

In addition, the RBI can ask the banks to prepare a time bound plan and commitment for reduction of NPAs; restrict or reduce credit expansion for borrowers below certain rating grades or unrated borrowers, unsecured exposures, loan, concentration of loans in identified sectors or borrowers.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that there was a 18.5 per cent loss in Metro passenger trips after the fare hike on October 10 and urged the Central government to roll back the hike, which would cause more pollution.

In a letter to Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, he said: There have been a decline of about 10.5 per cent in the number of passenger trips undertaken during November 2017 as compared to November 2016.

Noting passenger trips used to grow each year by about 8.5-9 percent, Kejriwal said that even if we assume a conservative growth rate of 8 per cent per annum, it would be evident that not only was this growth of 8 per cent missed, there was also a decline of 10.5 per cent as mentioned above, implying a total loss of 18.5 per cent in passenger trips.

The Chief Minister also said that this would significantly add to air pollution as the passengers who used to commute by Metro were now using modes of transport which were less-environment friendly.

In view of the sharp decline in ridership after the recent tariff hike, it seems necessary in public interest to review this hike and claw back the fares to their September level.

I reiterate our earlier offer to bear half the losses arising out of the proposal roll-back, the letter read.

In October, the Central government had informed Kejriwal that it cannot put on hold the proposed hike unless his government gives about Rs 3,000 crore annually to DMRC as grant-in-aid for the next five years.

In response, Kejriwal said that his government was ready to pay Rs 1,500 crore a year, if the central government was ready to fund the other half.

The DMRC was formed in 1995 with equal equity participation of the Central and Delhi governments.

The Aam Aadmi Party government had locked horns with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) over the fare hike on October 10  the second this year.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said the state would become malnutrition free in coming three years.

To achieve this goal, State Nutrition Mission would be established as per the guidelines of National Nutrition Mission. The draft of the same has already been prepared, the CM said while speaking at a National level consultation workshop on management and elimination of malnutrition in Haryana organised by National Health Mission in collaboration with NITI Ayog and Centre for Health Research and Development-Society for Applied Studies.

Khattar said that Haryana has always been in forefront whenever the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call to address such issues of national importance.

Quoting an example, he said that with the efforts of state government and cooperation of people, the monthly average of gender ratio has touched 937 which was around 840 before the launch of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao programme. Now the gender ratio in maximum districts was more than 900 girls over 1,000 boys. We will soon touch the figure of 950, the CM added.

Expressing concern over the status of malnutrition, Khattar said that though the state has ample resources yet there is a need to generate awareness about various programmes being implemented by the government for the prevention of malnutrition among children.

Emphasising the need to activate all units at grass root level for maximum awareness, he exhorted the deputy commissioners and others present to ensure participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions for proper implementation and monitoring of all such programmes to achieve desired results.

The government would also set up a separate cell at state level for monitoring purposes so that Haryana would become malnutrition free in real terms in coming three years, the CM added.

Khattar said that Panjiri made of fortified flour was already being given in Anganwari Centres. Now we have also decided to provide other items of fortified flour in these centres in the first phase.

The government had also launched a pilot project in Barara and Naraingarh blocks for distributing fortified wheat flour to tackle malnutrition in women and children. This practice would be replicated in other parts of state. In addition, it was also decided to provide one litre fortified edible oil to BPL families on subsidised rates.
Two persons have been arrested for stabbing a teenager to death and injuring two of his family members over a scuffle, police said on Wednesday.

Danish, 20, and Mohan Singh, 23, residents of Lal Kaun at Prahald Pur, were arrested from their hideout in south Delhi, police said.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night when police was informed about a quarrel at the Lal Kuan market in which three persons received stab injuries after they were attacked by a group of ten goons.

Police reached the spot and took all three persons  Ramji Lal, 60, his son, Tara Chand, 30 and Tara Chands nephew Rahul, 16 to the Batra hospital where Rahul was declared dead, while Lal and Chand are undergoing treatment, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal.

According to their family members, a group of goons came near their residence and started misbehaving a woman member of her family. The three went to look into the matter and objected, but the accused attacked them with knives and even opened fire at them.

The accused managed to flee from the spot when police was informed, the family member added.

We have registered a case and a manhunt is on to nab the other accused, Biswal added.
Authorities are investigating reports of possible gunshots from a vehicle around 6 a.m. this morning in the Helena area.

Police received reports of gunshots in the area of Euclid and Benton Avenue, Montana and Boulder Avenue, and the upper east side in the area of Deerfield Lane. There was also a report in the Montana City area.

The vehicle is described as a newer, possibly 2013-14 silver Ford pickup truck with black accents, striping and rocker panel molding. Officers checked for more than an hour and a half but have not been able to locate it.

No injuries or property damages have been reported, and authorities do not believe there is an immediate public safety risk.

Anyone with information that could further help identify the vehicle is encouraged to call the Helena Police Department at 406-442-3233. The police department does not want people to call to report having heard the shots.
Portal launch

Students seeking to study abroad often face problems in the application and visa process as there is no single window from checking the eligibility of a student till his visa approval, depicting all checkpoints on study abroad programmes. To address these concerns, promoters of ESS Global have launched a new portal named MakeMeStudyAbroad.com, which is technology-driven, one-stop solution to greatly increase the convenience for students and make the process transparent. Officially launched in August 2017, it has familiarised over six million people across the country, and generated 2,00,000 visitors to its portal through the digital medium. Conceptualised in December 2016, the portal requires users to register and provide their information that becomes their profile. It is then processed by an algorithm to map users eligibility, finding the best courses and colleges for them. The platform also enables students to upload their admission documents, and facilitates their visa processing efforts by creating an online repository of all the admission materials.

Employability report

Future Skills from yet to be published India Skills Report 2018 shows that college students need to be doing a lot more to set themselves up for a job. According to the report, 63 per cent of students have done at least one internship in the past twelve months, but 73 per cent of those internships were unpaid and 86 per cent did not result in a job offer. Report goes behind the reasons and finds out that only 44 per cent of students apply to between one and five jobs at a time wherein students should apply for as many jobs that matches their profile without fail for the first three months. 87 per cent of students say that they wish their schools offered more networking opportunities where alumni can handhold them about the day-to-day realities of a job, crafting of resumes and preparing for interviews. 78 per cent students did not attend conferences, industry events and business/start-up meet ups in their areas of interest while in colleges. India Skills Report 2018 will be published in January in New Delhi.

Understanding electronics

The University of Sheffield, UK is inviting applications for MSc in electronic and electrical engineering course starting in September 2018. It allows students to develop their understanding of electronic devices and systems and is ideal preparation for a career in industry or research. The course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council. Interested candidates must have first class degree from a reputable university in electronic and electrical engineering, or any discipline involving significant mathematical competence, including physics, maths and other branches of engineering. Students holding a lower second class or an equivalent degree, and those with industrial experience will be considered on an individual basis. Overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent is required. The annual fee for overseas students starting in 2018 is 21,450. For details, visit: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/engineering/electronic/electronic-electrical-engineering-msc
Karnataka on Wednesday decided to hand over the investigation into the mysterious death of Hindu activist Paresh Mesta to the CBI, police said.

The state government has decided to handover the inquiry into the death of Mesta to the CBI on the request of his father Kamalakar Mesta, Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Hemant Nimbalkar told IANS from Karwar.

I have directed the state Director General of Police and Chief Secretary to complete the formalities and hand over the probe to the CBI at the earliest, state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters here later.

The 19-year-olds mutilated body was found on December 8 floating in a lake at Honnavar, a coastal town in Uttara Kannada district, about 490km northwest of Bengaluru.

According to Mestas family, he went missing on December 6.

My son did not return home after visiting a temple on December 6. There were clashes in the town that day after which he was found missing. We suspect he was kidnapped and murdered. I want his killers punished, his father told reporters at Honnavar earlier on Wednesday.

Police, however, denied Mestas family charge that he was abducted and killed by some members of another community.

Mestas body has been sent for autopsy, whose report will reveal the cause of his death. The report is expected in 8-10 days, said Reddy.

Suspecting foul play, the opposition BJP demanded a National Investigation Agency or Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Mestas unnatural death, alleging that he was murdered by Jihadi elements.

Mestas death sparked off unrest in the coastal towns of Kumta, Sirsi and Honnavar during the last two days, as hundreds of BJP cadres and right-wing activists held protest rallies and sought action against the alleged killers.
A Class 8 girl, who battling for her life for a week after she was gangraped and then set on fire, died in a hospital in this Madhya Pradesh district on Thursday, police said.

The 15-year-old victim, who had been admitted to the Medical College Hospital, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday morning, Bhangarh police station chief Ravi Bhushan Pathak told IANS.

Both the rape accused, who tried to burn her alive to conceal the crime, have been arrested.

The crime took place in Deval village of the district on December 7 when the girl was alone at home. The two youth barged in and after raping her, poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze.

The girl, who was found in a critical condition, was brought here for treatment.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh has announced Rs 2 lakh for her family.

As the girls death came on the day Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was to be felicitated in the assembly following the passage of the bill making death sentence mandatory for rape, Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh raised questions about the safety of women in the state.

When the Chief Minister is being honoured, the last rites of the girl, who was raped and then set on fire, will be held, he said in a tweet.

According to the recently-released National Crime Record Bureau report, Madhya Pradesh leads in the crimes of rape.

The Madhya Pradesh law seeking death sentence for rapists has been passed by the assembly and sent to the President for his assent. However, during the debate on the bill, some members had expressed apprehensions that this would lead to the rapists also killing the victim to leave no evidence behind.
Prohibitory orders were imposed in Udaipur as Rajasthan Police on Thursday detained a right-wing Hindu activist hours ahead of his planned rally in support of Love Jihad murder accused Shambhulal Raigar in the city.

Police detained Thakur Updesh Rana in Bagru on Thursday afternoon at the Jaipur border on Ajmer Road, Bagru SHO, Rajendra Singh Shekhawat said.

On Tuesday, Rana had posted a video online calling for a massive rally in Udaipur on Thursday. He called upon Hindus to support the rally in big numbers, He had also posted another video on Wednesday saying that he is going to meet Raigars family and had also dared the administration to arrest him.

Earlier, Udaipur District Magistrate Bishnu Charana Mallick imposed Section 144 in the city on Wednesday night to avert any untoward incident in the city.

In view of the rise in hate messages being exchanged on social media sites, Divisional Commissioner Bhavani Singh Detha ordered the suspension of internet services for the next 24 hours in Udaipur and Rajsamand, where Raigar had brutally murdered and burnt a Muslim man in the name of Love Jihad earlier this month. Schools and colleges will remain closed during this period.

Police sources confirmed that internet services, bulk SMS/MMS/WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services have been suspended for 24 hours. Police also asked citizens to stay vigilant.

According to sources, a few self-proclaimed Hindu organisations have announced they will take out a procession on Thursday supporting Raigar.

Many people also deposited money in the account of Raigars wife. The administration has frozen the account and investigations are on to find out who transferred money in his wifes account.

Mallick said that taking out processions, rallies and delivering instigating speech will be strictly prohibited under Section 144. Those violating the order will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.

Strict action will also be taken against those roaming with sharp-edged weapons and rods, he said.

Meanwhile, IG Anand Shrivastava has written a message to Facebook requesting them to block the accounts which are triggering hate messages and also exchanging them.

Rana has delivered a hate speech on Facebook and the IG requested Facebook to block his accounts.

On December 9, a large number of Muslims took out a rally in Udaipur demanding the harshest punishment for Raigar.

A video is also going viral on social media purportedly showing Muslims in a rally at Chetak Circle in Udaipur shouting slogans against Hindu organisations. They are seen demanding death for Raigar. Police sources said the video has been sent for forensic examination.

To protest against this video, several self-proclaimed Hindu organisations geared up to extend support to Shambhulal Raigar and his family. Members of one such organisation announced holding a rally in Rajsamand on Thursday.
India on Thursday welcomed the parliamentary and provincial election results in Nepal and said it looked forward to working with the new government in the Himalayan nation.

India has age-old unique time-tested ties of friendship with the country, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing here.

We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multi-faceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity for all round development, he said.

Nepals CPN-UML emerged as the largest party in the elections in Nepal. The vote count for Parliament and provincial assembly elections in Nepal ended on Wednesday.
India on Thursday said it was ready to have a relook at Chinas Belt, Road Initiative (BRI) if its sensitivities, particularly on sovereignty issues, were taken into account.

If there is a view which takes into account our sensitivities in the matter, we are willing to look at it, External Affairs Minister spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing when asked to comment on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs remarks earlier this week that India should consider joining the BRI.

New Delhi has opposed Beijings BRI since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of the initiative, runs through the Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan.

The spokesperson confirmed that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj discussed with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during their bilateral meeting here on Monday the matter concerning the water of the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, turning muddy.

He said it was a matter of concern and his ministry was also coordinating with the Ministry of Water Resources on this. I can also share with you that the matter did come up during EAMs meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Kumar added.

As you are aware, there are existing mechanisms between the two countries to deal with such matters on river arrangement, he said.
Delhis Shalimar Bagh-located Max Super Speciality Hospital on Wednesday said they have appealed to the authorities concerned to revoke cancellation of their licence.

The appeal comes nearly a week after the Delhi government cancelled the 250-bedded health institutions registration licence after its doctors on November 30 declared a newborn premature baby as dead even though he was alive.

Following the due process of law, we have filed an appeal with the appropriate authorities against cancellation of registration of Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh, said the hospital in a statement.

Stating that earlier they had also requested the Delhi government to review their decision and restore the registration, the hospitals said the licence cancellation had caused significant inconvenience to thousands of patients and local residents who did not have suitable alternatives for their medical needs in the vicinity.

Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh on a monthly basis treats around 14,000 patients in the OPD, attends to over 1,600 emergency patients and additional 3,000 are treated in in-patient wards.

In compliance of the cancellation order, not only did we have to turn down the OPD and new IPD (cases), but planned procedures such as 171 chemotherapies, 63 surgeries and 241 dialysis sessions had to be cancelled, rescheduled or transferred, said the hospital.

In the interest of public welfare, we urge the government to reconsider their decision of cancelling the hospitals registration, the statement read.

Through its cancellation order dated December 8, which came after a three-member panel submitted a report to Health Minister Satyendar Jain, the Delhi government restrained the hospital from admitting any more new patients and put a stop to all outpatient treatment services and laboratory testing on the premises with immediate effect.

The 22-week premature baby boy was declared dead by the hospital on November 30 and handed over to the parents in a plastic bag, along with his still-born sister. However, the baby showed physical movements while being taken for burial. The baby was then admitted in north Delhis Agarwal Nursing Home but died on December 6.
Marking an important milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commissioned and dedicated to the nation the countrys first indigenously-built Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari into the Indian Navy.

This is the first conventional submarine to be inducted into the Indian Navy after more than 17 years even as the navys submarine arm celebrates it golden jubilee in 2017.

The submarine, incorporating state-of-the-art features has been built by the Mazagaon Dockyard Ltd under its Project 75, with technological collaboration from DCNS, France.

Also present on the occasion were Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, French Ambassador to India Alexandre Zeigler and Chief of Naval Staff Sunil Lanba, besides many others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President-designate Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appealed to the voters in Gujarat to exercise their franchise in the second phase of polling that has begun.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy, Modi said in a tweet.

The ushering in of a new Gujarat has already begun. Your one vote will strengthen and empower the foundations of democracy. I appeal to the people of the state to vote more and more for a bright tomorrow, Gandhi tweeted.

Voting began in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m. There are 851 candidates in the fray.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts in the northern and central regions.

The first phase of polling for 89 seats in the 182-seat state assembly were held on December 9 with over 60 per cent voting registered.
Exactly two years after the Paris conference on climate change, the current round convened at the behest of the French President, Immanuel Macron, will be noted for the signal effort to curb fossil fuel. Happily, the world bashes on regardless of Donald Trumps refusal to be a party to the agreement concluded in December 2015. There has without question been a greater pitch for fossil fuel divestment over the past couple of days. And towards that consummation, Wednesdays announcement of the World Bank will be generally welcomed by the comity of nations. Headquartered in Washington, the Bank has signalled its intent that perhaps no country has had the nerve to try in terms of minimising, if not ending, the use of fossil fuel.

Chiefly, it will end its financial support for oil and gas exploration within the next two years in response to the growing threat posed by climate change. The Bank has utilised the opportunity afforded by the conference in Paris to announce that it will no longer finance upstream oil and gas after 2019. Not that this is a particularly novel intiative; it bears recall that in 2010 it had stopped lending for coal-fired power stations. Since then, it has been under pressure from what they call lobby groups to apply the brakes on the $1 billion loan that it has been providing for the exploration of oil and gas in developing countries. In exceptional circumstances, however, the Bank will consider lending for oil and gas projects in the very poorest countries, but only where such loans will ultimately help the poor to get access to energy. No less critical is the second condition, i.e. the project must not run counter to the commitments made in the 2015 Paris climate-change agreement to reduce greenhouse gases.

The forward movement initiated by a global entity is, therefore, critical both in terms of a cleaner environment and the world economy. By its own admission, the Bank has realised the need to change its operations in a rapidly changing world. Not so, however, the principal polluters. It intends to earmark 28 per cent of its lending to climate action. It is fervently to be hoped that the first-ever robust intervention of the Bank in matters environmental will lead to a dramatic improvement in the essay towards protecting the Earth.

The World Bank has in effect underscored the profound connection between international banking and climate-change. Rightly has Greenpeace greeted the announcement as a damning vote of no-confidence in the future of the fossil fuel industry. The Banks intiative ought to be the bedrock of any agreement that is concluded at the second Paris round. It is imperative for those assembled at the high table to countenance reality ~ efforts to shift the global economy to a green energy future have been too little, too slow.
A Helena man was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison with 16 of those suspended for molesting a 12-year-old child.

Tristan Cougar Rose pleaded guilty to sexual assault, a felony.

Rose turned himself in to the Helena Police Department in June and admitted to having illegal sexual contact with the girl. Rose touched the girl inappropriately on three different occasions, according to court documents.

People under the age of 16 cannot consent to sexual intercourse in Montana. According to court documents, Rose admitted to knowing the girl's age when he had sexual contact with her.

Rose will serve his sentence in the Montana State Prison. He must seek treatment and register as a Tier II sex offender.
Given massive social divisions and the disruptions from technology, what is the new development model?

As the Commission for Global Economic Transformation, co-chaired by Nobel Laureates Joseph Stiglitz and Michael Spence, formed early last month, gets down to work, we should reflect whether emerging markets are able to formulate such a new development model.

The World Bank is the worlds premier development funding agency and its flagship World Development Report (WDR) is an opinion shaper about the future of development. This analytical effort is the largest group think on development issues, overseen by the World Bank Chief Economist aided by a team of over 100 staff and consultants. It is an annual stock-take of the latest thinking and accumulated experience on development issues and policies.

The Bank is part of the economics establishment, since it hires what it considers the best and brightest of economists from the top universities. But if the economics profession is blind to its own blindness, then the Bank also suffers the same fate. A recent blog review of the last five WDRs, however, suggests that a new Washington Consensus is emerging (http://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/27/11/2017/there-new-washington-consensus-analysis-five-world-development-reports). Gone are the idealist and perfectionist models of free markets. Instead, the Bank has embraced complexity, context, learning by doing, politics and ideas  all major reviews of the economic profession since the global financial crisis hit in 2007/8.

Indeed, a review of the last decade of WDRs suggests that the Bank has made significant mental shifts about the whole development process. After a separate review of 30 years of development thinking in 2009, the WDR that year launched an influential report on economic geography, reminding everyone that the world is not flat, and geography shapes destiny.

In 2010, the WDR presciently pointed out that climate change would hurt the emerging markets more, requiring more urgent attention to climate mitigation. The next WDR looked at conflict and security as fragile states continue to fail because weak institutions cannot cope with the combined stresses of conflict, security, corruption, justice and jobs.

In 2012, the Bank addressed the issue of gender in development. Since women generally make up half of the population, it seems common sense that higher proportion of women in the active labour force, with equal pay, would increase growth in incomes. But women face different forms of discrimination that deter development.

In 2013, the Bank tackled jobs, finding that unemployment and job expectations amongst youth being the most urgent of policy priorities. In the last two years, this has emerged as one of the top political concerns arising from the impact of robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence on lower-skilled jobs.

After looking at risk management in 2014, which was clearly overlooked in the run-up to the global financial crisis, the Bank took an unusual step in looking at Mind, Culture and Behaviour. Moving out of the comfort zone of economics into psychology and other social sciences, the WDR team used the three principles of human decision making: thinking automatically, thinking socially, and thinking with mental models to argue that policy makers can advance development by thinking beyond economics. This Report never got the serious attention it deserved, mainly because it was outside the reductionist mental model of mainstream Rational Expectations economics.

In the last three years, the Bank has tackled the issues of Digitization (2016), Governance and the Law (2017) and most recently Learning (2018). The issue of using technology to accelerate development is not new, and how rapidly innovation and advances in technology is making old ideas and work processes obsolete is becoming more obvious every day.

In the issue on governance, Bank President Kim Jim Yong asked the right question: Not what is the right policy? but what makes policies work to produce life-improving outcomes?. By moving out of a purely technical analysis of development into the political economy of how to arrive at the right choices and implementing them effectively, the Bank has finally accepted that the world is a complex adaptive system, in which there are no optimal outcomes.

The latest WDR on learning lies at the heart of development. And yet, education and learning is defective in many societies, keep large numbers in poverty and hopelessness. Many countries spend huge fortunes on education, but the results are not always ideal. This WDR report, led by Bank Chief Economist Paul Romer (famed for his work on human capital, innovation and knowledge), was marred by the controversy over the Banks writing style, which led to stripping the Chief Economist of the research groups leadership.

My quarrel with Bank reports are aligned with Pauls  they are too long, too technical and try to sanitise everything. When an executive summary is itself nearly 50 pages long, the reader is lost and misses the big picture. Practitioners in development know that most governments are lucky to implement three major initiatives in their four to five year terms. The need to focus and prioritise is critical to policy formulation and delivery.

Indeed, the elites have lost trust with the populace by promising too much but not delivering enough. The populist revolts basically reflect their sentiment that current thinking perpetuates 1 per cent interests at the expense of the 99 per cent. The verbage in the Bank reports disguise the truism that its member countries are having serious problems delivering for the 99 per cent. That requires the Bank to speak truth to power.

But this cannot be done as long as the Banks resources are running short, since it is also losing money (net loss of $237 million in fiscal 2017) without sufficient capital increases from its shareholders. This is problematic at exactly the time when sound analysis and advice is necessary in a confusing development world.

In the past, there were many Roads to Rome. Today, you dont have to go to Washington to find development ideas. That itself means that the path of development thinking has changed profoundly.

(The writer, a former Central banker, writes on global issues from an Asian perspective.)
An estimated 1581 netas could soon be lining up ~ but not for the privileged treatment to which they deem themselves entitled: instead they will be awaiting disposal of criminal cases against them. Overdue is the governments decision to set up 12 Special Courts ~ albeit after more than a nudge from the Supreme Court ~ in a bid to break the politician-criminal nexus. Two of the courts will deal with some 228 cases against honourable Members of Parliament, some political heavyweights among them, while the 10 others will handle cases against MLAs. And that would only be the proverbial tip of the iceberg, a total of 13,500 cases are reportedly pending against politicians, not all of whom have made it to a legislature. While it must be stressed that nobody is guilty unless convicted, it is presumed that a modicum of evidence was placed on record before criminal cases were registered.

The lethargy of the administration to deal with miscreant-politicians is evident from there being no accurate official figures on such cases, the data being relied upon is what has been collated by an NGO that has been monitoring the situation. These pertain only to cases filed after 2014, and given the tardy manner in which lower courts function the overall number could actually be higher; no details are available about the courts in which the cases are pending. Clearly there will be plenty of paperwork ahead before the 12 courts, for which an expenditure of Rs 780 crore has been earmarked, get down to business. It is hoped that the cases against MPs and MLAs will be disposed of within a year. Dealing with the other 12,000 odd cases (many more could have been registered more recently) would certainly be a tall order.

The scheme the government has submitted to the apex court appears elaborate on paper, how it will be implemented could be another story. Apart from sifting through voluminous material, an effective prosecution system will have to be evolved ~ and prosecution is not a strong point of the system. The apex court would do well to set up its own supervisory mechanism, and the special courts will have to be insulated against the chronic delays for which the legal system is notorious. What also needs to be guarded against are cases being selectively processed so that no political vendetta is unleashed ~ alas the track-record in such matters is not inspiring.

In terms of principle that effort to de-link politics from criminality is to be applauded, the setting up of fast-track courts welcomed ~ politicians who have been mischievously implicated should also appreciate early clearance of false charges against them. Yet it cannot be over-emphasised that only a first step has been taken, political reform will require more than the strong arm of the law.
The Star Wars: The Last Jedi is set to release this week around the world but astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will also be able to watch it in the coming days, NASA said.

(I) can confirm the crew will be able to watch it on orbit, NASA Public Affairs Officer Dan Huot told Inverse.

The astronauts aboard the space station typically get movies as digital files and can play them back on a laptop or a standard projector that is currently aboard.

It is possible that the movie will be sent inside the SpaceX dragon capsule thats headed to the ISS on Friday, the Inverse report said.

According to a report in The Verge, enjoying movies on board the ISS is not unusual and the space station is stocked with an extensive digital library of more than 500 titles, including classics and newer hits.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, OnePlus is set to announce pricing of the Star Wars Limited Edition of OnePlus 5T. The company is hosting a special Star Wars: The Last Jedi movie screening event.

So far, OnePlus 5T only comes in Midnight Black colour option in India. The company has officially announced that the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition will go on sale starting December 15 across all channels including Amazon.in, oneplusstore.in and OnePlus experience zones in Bangalore and Noida.

(Written with inputs from IANS)
At this hour, in my country, it has turned dark after sunset, but in front of Anne Franks House in Amsterdam, the sun is shining like one of summer days. Theres a long queue that would easily beat the ones during office hours in Delhi Metro. People have queued up for tickets. Amsterdam is three hours behind Indian Standard Time.

When I arrived in Amsterdam in the middle of September, the weather was cold and rainy. From the Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport), it took 40 minutes to reach Hotel Hyatt Andaz, which was to be our home for the next five days. Unlike grand five-star hotels in India, this one lacks a porch and it stands bang on the street, facing one of the numerous canals that criss-cross the city. You neednt expect colonial Indian hospitality here. Nobody will carry your luggage to your room. And, of course, no welcome drink!

Set along the Prinsengracht canal, this chic, contemporary hotel is quite artistic. Thats the trend with all Andaz Hotels of Hyatt. The room where I was staying has a grand bookshelf with books ranging from photography, history, art of chocolate making and windmills. I was sure even the leisure hours wont be boring.

Feeling hungry, I dialled up the room service and found their dinner will take some time. With hands inside the long-coat pockets to beat the cold, I walked down to the corner of the street and found a burger shop, Burgerlijk. A young Dutch couple runs the place. For three Euros, I was served a huge lamb burger, some fries and a coke. No sooner had I dug my first bite into the juicy burger, than the Closed signboard was put up. And thats when I learnt everything closes by 6 p.m. here, except for the public transport. Soon one can find hundreds of people walking down the street, enjoying life and rowing in the canal.

Exploring history

Slurping up the last drop of the cheese on the plate, I returned to the hotel, took a shower and soon after was out on street on a bicycle that looked pretty vintage. Some unimaginable things were happening in my life. Like putting a lock on the bicycle in front of the Royal Palace! Buying a ticket for 10 Euros, I walked inside. It was originally built as a City Hall for the Amsterdam Magistrates in the 17th century. Today it is used for royal occasions, such as the Kings New Year celebration and the reception of foreign delegates. The white sandstones have greyed with time, the walls now adorned with paintings of Governor Flint, Jacob Zardines, Gaya Livens and Ferdinand Ball. Coming out of the palace, the next bicycle stop was Anne Franks House. This was where Anne Frank had scribed her diary that later turned to an eye-opening book about the Nazi rule in this part of Europe.

In July 1942, Anne was only 13 when the Nazi forces persecution spread all over. Even though this Jewish family fled from Germany to the Netherlands, in August 1944, Gestapo arrested them. Anne kept all notes in her diary, a gift she received on her birthday. She was sent to Francis Belensen concentration camp, where she is believed to have breathed her last. Her story certainly leaves the reader in a state of introspection.

The next morning we were supposed to go on a boat ride. It was cancelled due to heavy rains. We went to Rijksmuseum instead. Even though this museum was started in 1800, the building was completed only in 1835. There were some masterpiece paintings of Rembrandt, Fras Halas and Johannes Wormer. But trust me, museums here are never monotonous.

Canal cruise

In the afternoon, we went on the boat ride. The boat-woman rowed us from the national theatre to the Dam Square through the famed Red Light District. The canals meet at Amstel River near the Central station, from where trains to Holland, Germany and Belgium leave every hour. Our boat-woman Jamima told us tonnes of myths associated with various bridges on the canal.

Fifty shades darker

Here the sun sets at 11 p.m. So theres no way one can differentiate between day and evening. Around 6 p.m. we walked into the famous Red Light District. At Amsterdam, this place is a favourite among tourists, however Amsterdam doesnt get the tag of Sin City. De Wallen sits at the city centre and is a posh residential area otherwise. In the midst are numerous alleys that form the red light area. Booths lined up on both sides of street emit a reddish light. Some have curtains dropped, indicating the presence of clients inside. The booths are two-storeyed with a tiny room and a washroom upstairs. Dont be surprised if one comes across lots of Hindi-speaking Indians in this place. The alleys are narrow but have other houses and cafes all along. Most of the women working here are not from Netherlands but from Bulgaria and Croatia.

Cheap thrills

Our next visit was a space cake shop. Well, space cakes are marijuana-flavoured cakes that are legal, cheap and delicious. We sat at The Bulldog, a specialised coffee shop. After two-three bites into the cake, I found I could talk to a chair for hours. I really dont remember whether I paid for the cake, but I remember having asked horses and birds about the way to the hotel. Thankfully, I reached the hotel with just a heavy head.

Our visit to the famed Sex Museums was due for the next day. We paid 20 euros to watch a vulgar show. The mechanised artificial show once again had quite a few Indians whistling. For 5 Euros you can watch similar shows online in a booth.

On our last evening at Amsterdam, we sat for a while at Hobbemastraat, the art district with the I love Amsterdam city icon right in front of us. With signs reading Beware of cyclists everywhere, this city is ruled by bicycles.

Indo-Pak ties

The next day, after a breakfast of delicious Egg Benedict, we found a Mercedes Maybach ready for us. Though luxurious, most cars here are electric. The driver introduced himself as Abdallah and smilingly said he could speak Hindi. He informed he was a Pakistani, born in Holland. On the way, Abdallah told us stories of free education, free health care at Amsterdam. He also said how being a son of a doctor he could own a rented car agency and drive taxi.

One thing about Amsterdam is the cleanliness. At the airport, as we proceeded to the gate, I spotted a luggage tag. Finally. a piece of litter! Only, it turned out to be mine, one that fell off my strolley handle. I quickly picked it up and carefully put it in my pocket.

The writer is a free-lancer
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Light snow this evening with clearing late. Low 19F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Light snow this evening with clearing late. Low 19F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%.


remaining of

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Job Title: Data Officer

Organisation: Kabale Regional Referral

Project Name: USAID Regional

Health Integration to Enhance Health Services in the South West Uganda Project

(RHITES)

Duty Station: Kabale, Uganda

About USAID RHITES Project:

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) implements the

USAID Regional Health Integration to Enhance Health Services in the South West

Uganda Project (RHITES) whose aim is to increase the availability,

accessibility and quality of integrated health services including HIV and TB

prevention, care and treatment; maternal, neonatal and child health services;

family planning; nutrition assessment, counseling support; malaria prevention

and treatment and other primary care services. The project is implemented in 15

districts in the South-West Uganda.

About USAID Project:

Kabale Regional Referral hospital has received grant from EGPAF under

the USAID RHITES-SW project to support implementation of integrated health

services, including quality maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition,

malaria and child development services at the hospital. It is for this reason

that Kabale Referral Hospital seeks to recruit qualified candidates for the

following positions located at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to help

achieve the mandate of the grant. Successful candidates will be based at Kabale

Regional Referral Hospital in South Western Uganda.

Job Summary: The Data

Officer will prepare and sort patients files and registers and identifying

data to be entered in electronic medical system. He/She will keep track of

received patient files and registers that are used for data record and entry.

The Data Officer will ensure that the HMIS reports are compiled and entered in

the DHIS2 on time. He/She create data cleaning queries to validate and free

data from any anomalies according to data analysis procedures. The incumbent

will maintain confidentiality of data entered. The incumbent will compile and

submit project reports to partners and in DHIS2. The Data Officer will devise

and implement a mechanism for safeguarding computer hardware and other

accessories in the data room. He/She will provide technical support to all

hospital units to ensure quality HMIS data is collected. The incumbent will

respond to all other adhoc data requests from partners and hospital management

as and when necessary.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:

The Data Officer should hold Bachelors

Degree in Information Technology, computer science, statistics and Records

management

Extensive experience in performing

compilation and entry of health related data into OpenMRS and DHIS2

databases.

Good knowledge of relevant HMIS,

indicators and reporting systems especially for HIV service delivery

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified candidates should send their applications to The

Hospital Director, Kabale regional Referral hospital, P. O. Box 07, Kabale.

Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, photocopies of

certificates and testimonials of the academic credentials and contact

information for 3 professional references. Applicants must state clearly on the

application letter which position they have applied for their contact addresses

and telephone numbers. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

th

December 2017 by 5:00pm Deadline: 20December 2017 by 5:00pm
Digital wallet companies such as Paytm, Mobikwik and others may face stiff competition from banks who are also popularising their payment wallets, feel some experts. Though a company like Paytm which is the number one in India in the digital payment's space will continue to dominate the market in the immediate future, the banks may overtake it in the times to come. As per media reports, besides the merchant establishments, Paytm is trying to tie up with multiple agencies such as buying metro cards for metro commuters in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad and also with different public transport companies for bus tickets. This can be a step to further penetrate into different areas for digital payments.

The government is trying to push the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) system in banks and is trying its best to popularise different banking apps. In the long run, the banks can pose stiff competition to these digital wallet companies such as Paytm, Mobikwik etc because the banks will eventually charge lesser transaction charges when compared to these digital wallet companies. Customers will also have more faith in these banks as they are already their customers and will eventually make payments through the digital apps of these banks, Alok Shende of Ascentius Consulting, Mumbai told THE WEEK.

Off late, having made its mark in the digital wallet space, Paytm had also launched 'Paytm Payments Bank' recently and wants to make further inroads in India. The other three operational payments banks are the Airtel Payments Bank, India Post Payments Bank and Fino Payments Bank. Paytm's payment bank is being termed as the country's only mobile-first bank. In a payment bank customer can open a savings bank account and have deposits of upto Rs 1 lakh. However they cannot borrow money from them as such banks cannot lend money to its customers.

The concept of a payments bank has still not taken off in India in a big way and it needs to be seen as to how the company (Paytm) succeeds in the long run in the country which is still dominated by traditional and conventional banks, adds Shende.

On the other hand, another expert such as Kris Lakshmikanth, the CEO and founder of Head Hunters India Limited, feels that even if Paytm and other digital wallet companies tie up with different retail outlets, the banks will have an upper hand through their Apps as most of them have tie ups with these retail companies as many of them have their current accounts with different banks. Banks will eventually tie up with them for digital payments. Even a small time grocery owner will have a current account with a conventional bank and the banks will try to push their wallets to them and then in turn will push it to their customers, added Lakshmikanth.

These experts further point that Paytm's e-commerce business in the form of Paytm Mall is also surviving mainly on investor money such as Alibaba which wants to take on the likes of Flipkart and Amazon through discounts and sales. It needs to be seen that how long Paytm Mall will be able to sustain its discounts and sales if the investor money dries out, said Shende.

On the other hand, Lakshmikanth feels that Paytm Mall will eventually be taken over by Alibaba in the long run.
After months of campaigning, the high profile Gujarat assembly elections got over on Thursday with the second and last phase of polling. Results will be declared on December 18.

On Thursday, voting take place on 93 seats in 14 districts. The second phase recorded 68.40 per cent polling.

Majority of the exit polls have predicted clear win for the ruling BJP. The saffron party has been in power in Gujarat for the last 22 years.

In the 182-member assembly seats, 92 seats are needed for a simple majority.

If the exit polls hold good on the counting day, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sheer magic that would help the BJP retain power for yet another time.

While comparing the NDA's rule with that of the UPA, Modi in all of his public meetings played the victim card and brought to fore the Congress jibes at him.

You called me poor mother's son; Mani Shankar Aiyar called me 'neech', isn't it an insult of the state and the country?, he asked. Pakistan wants Ahmed Patel to be made the chief minister, I am your son..., the prime minister asserted at various public meetings.

Modi had taken on the campaign onto himself and many of his ministers at the Centre were in Gujarat. BJP national president Amit Shah, considered chanakya of numbers, has stayed put in Gujarat since Diwali.

Like the BJP, the Congress campaign, too, centered around its president-elect Rahul Gandhi. He spoke of lopsided development and promised balanced development, should the Congress come to power.

He did get good response in road shows and public meetings, but if the exit poll numbers turnout to be true, it only means that the love that was showered on him did not translate into votes.

Patidar pro-quota stir leader Hardik Patel campaigned across the state, drawing huge crowds but the numbers emerging for the time being establish that the Patidar factor did not work. The Congress was hoping that like the 2015 panchayat elections, the Patidars would again vote for the party.

Similarly, the discontent among the OBCs and the dalits also does not seem to have yielded results for the benefit of the Congress, if the exit polls are any indication.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani thanked the voters for supporting the BJP and said that the vijay rath of the BJP would continue in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Gujarat Congress rejected the exit polls and said one should wait for the results.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was pained by sensationalism that crept into media in view of thousands of channels competing with each other, and said truth had become a casualty. Observing that regulation of the media should not become strangulation, Naidu in his characteristic alliteration-loaded one liners, called for self-regulation instead.

The vice president was speaking at the launch of the Delhi edition of Maharashtras leading daily, Lokmat. While he remotely had the press rolling, former prime minister Manmohan Singh rolled out the centenary celebrations of the Marathi daily that completes a 100 on Friday.

Leaders from Maharashtra, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Human Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar, attended the function. Present on the dais also included Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J.Kurien, Steel Minister Birender Singh Chaudhary, Law Minister Ravi Shanker Prasad and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Congress leader from Maharashtra Shivraj Patil, former Punjab Congress president Pratap Singh Bajwa, former SP leader Amar Singh, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, K.C Tyagi of JD(U) were also present at the event. Mani Shanker Aiyer, who was recently suspended from Congress, made an early exit. Present in large strength were also well wishers from the media companies, come from different parts of the country, to congratulate former MP and Lokmat owner-editor Vijay Darda and his brother and editor Rajendra Darda.

The vice president, who started his speech in Marathi, urged Indians to speak in their mother tongue at home, as it provided for best expression in terms of language and feelings. I am not opposed to other languages, but I believe mother tongue should come first. The years of British rule has left us with a sense of inadequacy if we cannot speak in English. But I went to a Telegu medium school, and see, I have reached here, Naidu said, amidst cheers.

He reiterated that mother, motherland, mother tongue were worthy of the highest regard, and with the multiplicity of languages, they gave the unique goodness of unity in diversity to India.

Urging the owners of the 100-year-old Marathi daily to live up to the expectations of their forefathers, particularly father, Naidu pointed out that Lokmat had been given its name by freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and had played a valuable role in Indias freedom struggle.

Naidu pleaded for a strong national outlook in all media channels and publications, in addition to projecting the idea of 'one nation one people'. The progress of the country and the people is as much the task of newspapers as of government and political parties, the vice president said.

Press is not about commission or remission, it is a mission, and should serve the society, the vice president said, urging the media to cover the rural sector and agriculture sector as well. He cautioned the media against paid news, which he said was a menace.

In a very brief speech, former prime minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged the role of the Lokmat daily and viewed it as an auspicious day when it was making its presence in the capital. media has a very important role, more so when there is pressure on the freedom of the press. Invoking Walter Lipmans famous line that 'facts are sacred and opinions free', he was confident that the Marathi daily from Delhi will live up to that.

Naidu also launched the website, lokmatnews.in, which will initially be in Marathi and Hindi, and eventually other Indian languages. A commemorative issue to mark the centenary year was also released by the vice president.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, welcoming the Marathi paper to Delhi, pointed to the challenges before independent newspapers. He was confident that Lokmat would overcome the challenges to present the truth before people.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who shares his home town Nagpur with Lokmat, lauded the daily for its role in educating and building awareness among people, thereby strengthening democracy. Marathis in the capital will have a daily in their own tongue, he said.

Vijay Darda traced the blazing history of Lokmat that was founded at Yavatmal in Maharashtra in 1918. A weekly then, it became a daily from Nagpur in 1971, under the leadership of veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlal DaraBabuji to their family. It was Babujis dream that Lokmat should have its presence in the financial capital of Mumbai, as well as the national capital, to spread the message of secularism, and to fight communal forces. We rededicate ourselves to the values and principles of patrakarita parmo dharma (journalism is the highest dharma), he said, speaking of their brand of journalism.
THE WEEK in its issue dated December 17, 2017 published a special report, Money, and The Man, on the assets possessed by Tamil Nadus Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam. The special report also contained one of the pages of the infamous Sekar Reddy Diary, which had details of pay-offs allegedly made by the popular businessman J. Sekar Reddy of JSR Infra and SRS Mining to the deputy chief minister. THE WEEK ran the image of one of the pages of the alleged diary and mentioned the entries in the same.

It was not the intention of THE WEEK to publish any story about Sekar Reddy or his companies without giving him an opportunity to express his opinion. The report was primarily about the assets of Panneerselvam, and no remarks of Reddy could be obtained before the article went to print. However, subsequently THE WEEK met Sekar Reddy and asked him to speak on the diary. I dont have the habit of writing any diary and the pages published in THE WEEK are not part of any diary written by me or my office staff. It is not my handwriting, Reddy told THE WEEK. Reiterating that it was not any account book or any daily entry notebook maintained at his office staff, he said, We are into business for more than 10 years and I am regular taxpayer. I have paid an advance tax.

When I asked him to clarify about the account book maintained at his office, he said, There are no such entries made by my office staff in any of my companies. Replying to yet another query on the reports published in the media about the Income Tax department sending copies of the account books to the higher officials in the government for an inquiry, Reddy explained that the reports are wrong as there was no such diary.
WASHINGTON  More than one-third of employees at the Interior Department said they were harassed or discriminated against in the previous year, the department said Thursday as it released a report on workplace conditions at the sprawling agency.

Results from an anonymous survey of the department's nearly 70,000 employees show that 8 percent reported being victims of sexual harassment and 16 percent reported harassment based on gender. More than 9 percent described harassment based on race or ethnicity.

About 450 employees experienced some form of sexual assault, including unwanted touching, forced sex or attempted sex, according to the report.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Park Service reported the most incidents, with 40 percent of BIA workers and 39 percent of parks workers reporting some form of harassment.

The survey was conducted from January to March 2017 and covered the 12-month period before the survey was completed. More than 28,000 employees participated.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke released the National Park Service figures two months ago at a Grand Canyon news conference intended to highlight widespread complaints of harassment and workplace discrimination within the agency.

Federal investigators have uncovered problems at many of the nation's premier parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Canaveral National Seashore in Florida. A sexual harassment scandal at the Grand Canyon forced the retirement of the park superintendent in May 2016.

The former Yosemite superintendent retired last year after allegations that he created a toxic work environment surfaced at a congressional hearing. Don Neubacher headed the California park for nearly seven years and spent 37 years with the park service. Yosemite is one of the nation's oldest and most popular national parks, drawing more than 4 million visitors a year.

Zinke said in a statement Thursday he has "zero tolerance for any type of workplace harassment," adding that he has directed department leaders to move quickly "to improve accountability and transparency with regard to this absolutely intolerable behavior."

A spokeswoman declined to provide specific examples of supervisors or other employees who were fired, citing personnel rules.

"Generally speaking, those terminated abused their authority" by intimidating or harassing fellow employees, spokeswoman Heather Swift said. "This includes but is not limited to sexual harassment."

Two firings based on misconduct were previously made public: Former Canaveral Chief Ranger Edwin Correa, who made unwanted sexual advances to subordinates, and former Bureau of Land Management Supervisory Agent Daniel Love, for misusing his position to benefit himself and family.

Underscoring what some have described as a culture of tolerance for harassment, less than 36 percent of employees who filed a complaint or grievance report and participated in the survey said action had been taken in response to their complaints.

By comparison, 39 percent said they'd been encouraged to drop the issue and 29 percent who formally complained about harassment said they were punished by agency leaders for bringing up the issue.

Those findings "suggest there was a meltdown of the accountability mechanisms" at the department, said Jeff Ruch with Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, an advocacy group for government employees that's been critical of Zinke's handling of harassment.

"The same people are there. I don't know about these people that they fired. There's no evidence of it" other than Love and Correa, Ruch said.

While the National Park Service stood out in terms of sheer numbers in the new survey  an estimated 7,200 employees harassed in the previous year high rates of harassment were seen across the agency.

Thirty-five percent of workers at the Bureau of Land Management and 31 percent at the Fish and Wildlife Service reported some form of harassment.
The shadow of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh loom large on the winter session of Parliament which begins on Friday, with opposition parties issuing a joint statement to criticise the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues in the Gujarat polls. They also charged the Election Commission with inaction in dealing with the alleged violations.

The opposition parties strongly criticised the violation of Model Code of Conduct by Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues during the Gujarat elections and on the day of polling when he held a roadshow in Ahmedabad, the statement read.

The opposition bloc also said that the inaction of the Election Commission is indeed shocking as it has failed to uphold its Constitutional mandate under Article 324. This attitude of the EC, the parties said, has cast an ominous shadow on the credibility of the EC and the integrity of the electoral process.

The meeting was attended by Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Derek O'Brien and Sudip Banyopadhyay of the Trinamool Congress, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, NCP leader Tariq Anwar, Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agrawal, RJD's J.P. Yadav and CPI National Secretary D. Raja.

The opposition leaders met in Azad's office on the eve of the winter session. Amongst the issues that these parties are expected to raise include slowdown of the economy, effects of GST and demonetisation, farmers' distress, unemployment, and alleged corruption in the Rafale deal. They will meet again on Monday morning to finetune a coordinated strategy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended an all-party meeting convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. He asked all parties for their cooperation in running the session smoothly.

He also said that simultaneous elections to Parliament and state assemblies must happen.

The legislative business planned by the government includes legal amendments to operationalise ban on triple talaq, the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, giving constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes and the transgenders bill.

However, results of the assembly elections are expected to set the course for the session, which will be on from December 15 to January 5. The election results will be out on Monday, when Parliament reconvenes after the weekend break. If the results of Gujarat especially go the way of the BJP, the government is likely to be strident in getting its agenda through the session. If there is an upset in Gujarat, the opposition will be emboldened in taking on the government on various issues.
Terrorists have struck, or tried to strike, New York City several times since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Heres a look at some of the plots that succeeded and fizzled.

2003: Iyman Faris, a former Ohio truck driver, is arrested for a never-implemented plot to destroy the Brooklyn Bridge by severing its suspension cables. He later pleads guilty.

2004: Shahawar Matin Siraj, 24, is arrested on the eve of the Republican National Convention for hatching an unsuccessful plot to blow up the Herald Square subway station in Manhattan. Though there was no proof he ever obtained explosives, prosecutors said he had deadly intentions. He was sentenced to 30 years.

2005: An alleged plot to set off explosives in rail tunnels under the Hudson River never gets off the ground. Assem Hammoud is arrested a year later in Lebanon after authorities find maps and bombing plans on his computer. He serves three years in prison there but is never extradited to the U.S. Two accomplices are sentenced in absentia to life in prison.

2007: Four men are arrested in a failed plot to firebomb John F. Kennedy Airport by blowing up jet fuel supplies with the help of an al-Qaida explosives expert. Three were later sentenced to life in prison and a fourth receives a 15-year prison term.

2009: Najibullah Zazi tries to build a bomb to attack the subway system, but he learns before completing the device that hes being watched by the FBI. He later pleads guilty. Several other men, including two high school classmates, are ultimately convicted or plead guilty in connection with the plot.

2009: Four men are convicted in a plot to bomb synagogues and shoot down military planes with missiles  a case that began after an FBI informant was assigned to infiltrate a mosque in Newburgh, north of New York City. The federal judge later said she was not proud of the governments role in nurturing the plot. All four receive 25-year sentences.

2010: Pakistani immigrant Faisal Shahzad lights the fuse of a crude bomb packed in a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder in Times Square on a busy Saturday night. It doesnt detonate. A street vendor spots smoke coming from the SUV and alerts police. Shahzad is later sentenced to life in prison.

2011: Ahmed Ferhani is arrested in a plot to bomb New York City synagogues. An undercover investigator recorded Ferhani, an Algerian who came to the U.S. as a child, disparaging Jews and talking about attacking synagogues. While most terror cases are prosecuted federally, New York state handled this case with its own anti-terror law.

2012: A Bangladeshi man who came to the United States to wage jihad is arrested in an elaborate FBI sting attempting to blow up a car bomb outside the Federal Reserve building in Manhattan. The device was a fake, provided to him by FBI agents. Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis pleaded guilty and is serving 30 years.

2016: A pressure cooker bomb explodes in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood, injuring 30 people. A second bomb fails to detonate. A jury later convicts Ahmad Khan Rahimi of planting both devices. He still faces charges in New Jersey, where investigators said he detonated another pipe bomb at a Marine Corps charity race in Seaside Park.

2016: Police secretly make arrests in what they said was a plot by Islamic State group sympathizers to attack New York City concert venues, subway stations and Times square. One defendant, Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, was arrested after traveling from Canada to New Jersey. Authorities announced the charges against El Bahnasawy in 2017. Two other suspects are arrested in Pakistan, and the Philippines.

2017: Sayfullo Saipov, of Paterson, New Jersey, is arrested after police say he drove a truck down a Manhattan bicycle path on Oct. 31, killing eight people. Saipov has been charged with providing material support to the Islamic State group, along with eight counts of murder and 12 counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

2017: A Bangladeshi immigrant is arrested after authorities say he detonated a pipe bomb in a pedestrian tunnel connecting two of New York Citys busiest subway stations. He is the only one seriously injured. The case against him is pending.

(AP)
Vice President Mike Pence will delay and curtail his upcoming trip to the Middle East to be on hand for an upcoming Senate tax vote and take into account the unwillingness of Palestinians and others to meet with him while in Egypt and Israel.

The White House said Thursday that Pence now plans to leave for Egypt on Tuesday so he can preside over the Senate during a likely vote next week on the Republicans sweeping tax package. Pence serves as president of the Senate. Pence also shortened the length of his planned trip to the region after Palestinian officials and leading Muslim and Christian clerics in Egypt said they would refuse to meet with him.

Pence had originally been scheduled to leave Saturday for Israel, following President Donald Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said the vice president now would travel first to Egypt and then to Israel.

Yesterday the White House informed Senate leadership that due to the historic nature of the vote in the Senate on tax cuts for millions of Americans, the VP would stay to preside over the vote, Farah said in a written statement.

Trump and Republican lawmakers are hoping for a vote early next week on a package of steep tax cuts for corporations and more modest cuts for families, a top Trump legislative priority. Republicans, who hold a narrow 52-48 majority in the Senate, can afford to lose just two votes while counting on Pence to break a tie.

White House officials said they do not expect to need Pences vote. But Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Thad Cochran of Mississippi have missed votes recently because of health issues. Pences decision to preside over the Senate would ensure hes available to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary.

Additionally, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio declared Thursday he will vote against the GOPS sweeping tax package unless negotiators expand its child tax credit.

Pence also was forced to adjust his schedule in the Middle East amid protests from leaders over Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital. Aides to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has condemned Trumps decision, said earlier this week that he would not meet with the vice president. Abbas had originally planned to host Pence, a devout Christian, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Pence is scheduled to be in Cairo on Wednesday for a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, a close ally of Trumps. Pence will arrive in Israel later Wednesday for a visit to the Western Wall. The vice president will then meet Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deliver an address to the Knesset and later dine with Netanyahu.

White House officials said Pence will end his visit to Israel on Friday by meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

The status of Jerusalem has been a central issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Trumps announcement last week was widely perceived as taking the side of Israel. The decision upended decades of U.S. foreign policy and countered an international consensus that Jerusalems status should be decided in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, who claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

The White House has said Trump remains committed to the goal of peace and notes he has not taken a position on the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or resolution of its contested borders.

Trump has set an ambitious goal of brokering Mideast peace and tasked his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner to help lay the groundwork for direct negotiations. Kushner and other top Trump aides have traveled to the region to meet with Palestinians, Israelis and officials from Arab nations.

Pences trip is scheduled to end on Dec. 23 with a pre-Christmas visit with troops stationed at the United States Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

(AP)
Congress has the unenviable job of deciding who wins big and who will be hurt by tax reform. One decision that should be easy for lawmakers is to retain the tax tool that has resulted in the development of more than 7,000 affordable homes, access to homeownership for 42,000 Montana families, and $2.87 billion in financing of critical projects for rural Montana hospitals.

Private activity bonds are responsible for the public-private partnerships that have allowed us to invest in Montana communities over the last 40 years. Congress is considering eliminating private activity bonds, a move that would deal a devastating blow to the health of our state and have immediate and long-term impacts on our residents.

Without this financing tool, it would have been more difficult for the Pondera Medical Center in Conrad to purchase a CT machine and make necessary renovations to its radiology department; for Northeast Montana Health Services in Wolf Point to construct an emergency room and obstetrics area to better meet the needs of growing families; and for Deer Lodge Medical Center to purchase the only 3D mammography machine available within a 45-mile radius of the area. Private activity bonds help keep services local, affordable and of the highest quality so that rural and frontier Montanans dont have to drive an hour or more to find the best care to fit their needs.

Our rural hospitals should be focused on caring for the folks in our vibrant communities, and creating good-paying jobs that are often the growth engine for Montanas small towns. Preserving private activity bonds will let rural health care providers, including hospitals and nursing homes, continue to invest in the health of our communities through the purchase of new technologies and other improvements that increase access to quality, safe and effective care.

Without private activity bonds, Montana wouldnt have celebrated the grand opening of 136 affordable homes at Larkspur Commons in Bozeman, or 124 affordable apartments at Rockcress in Great Falls. We wouldnt be breaking ground on 32 new affordable homes at Copper Ridge in Butte, or 96 affordable homes at Heights Senior in Billings. These multimillion-dollar affordable housing developments require low-cost financing tools to foster public-private partnerships among developers, banks, the state and local communities.

As our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., work through the details of tax reform, we want to be sure U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines, and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte know exactly whats at stake for Montanas charming and vibrant communities. We all want to work together to build stronger communities. Dont take away our ability to make smart investments for Montanas future.
Support: Donald Trump is replacing Fed boss Janet Yellen

Theyre selling Janet Yellen wigs on Broadway.

The Federal Reserve chairman, a sweet but rather dry old dear, is about to depart after President Donald Trump decided to replace her with Jay Powell next year.

Liberal activists have taken to showing their support for matronly Janet by donning hairpieces modelled on her trademark platinum bob.

Could our own Mark Carney, at the Bank of England, ever inspire such affection?

New Yorkers are furious with Donald Trumps tax reforms.

Under current proposals, bankers and hedge funders could go from paying 50 per cent tax to the somewhere-in-the-mid-50s.

Speak to any of them and theyll moan theyre now considering relocating. But then, when arent they?

Tabloids continue to salivate over a War of the Roses-style divorce involving Swiss businessman Maurice Alain Amon and his pneumatic wife Tracey.

After accusing her bearded hubby, 64, whose firm Sicpa makes bank note ink, of cheating with his private jet trolley dolly, Tracey took a blow torch to his $25million (18.7million) art collection, which included unlamented works by Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.

Taking sides in such matters is unbecoming, but I like the sound of feisty Madame Amon.

The Four Seasons has gone.

Once the see-and-be-seen destination for New York power brokers, the legendary Midtown restaurant closed its doors last year, reopening in June under German owner Aby Rosen as The Grill.

The new interior is stunning and the food is exquisite but its a very different dining room to the one which once hummed to the sound of Citigroups chief, Sandy Weill, and JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon. Sad.

Pocket-sized WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell rang Wall Streets opening bell yesterday to mark his firms transfer to the New York Stock Exchange.

Children given this honour often require a lift up to push the button, but Sir Martin, 72, managed it all by himself.
Purple bricks revenues jumped 150 per cent to 46.8m

Revenues at online estate agent Purplebricks have more than doubled as it makes inroads into the UK housing market.

The company, which was set up in 2014 and tempts customers to desert traditional high street agents by charging a flat fee, said first-half revenues jumped 150pc to 46.8million.

But losses widened from 6.1million to 8.2million as profits in the UK were wiped out by mounting costs in Australia and the US.

Purplebricks shares fell 8.9 per cent, or 35.25p, to 361.75p  leaving investors including fund manager Neil Woodford and founders Michael and Kenny Bruce, aged 44 and 42, nursing losses.

The value of Woodford Investment Managements 28 per cent stake fell 20million to 285million while the Bruce brothers holding fell more than 12million to 177million.

The stock listed at 100p two years ago.

Michael Bruce said: Purplebricks has been able to outperform its peers, delivering rapid growth and market share gains.
An artist's impression of a third runway at Heathrow passing over the M25

Heathrow airport has pledged to compensate families booted out of their homes and ban flights for six-and-a-half hours overnight, if it wins its fight for a new runway.

Britain's biggest airport, in London, wants to build a third runway and a sixth terminal amid estimates that London's airports will hit full capacity within 20 years.

But the 16billion plan involves compulsorily buying more than 750 homes.

With a 10-week public consultation on the expansion starting on January 17, it said: 'Heathrow will not compromise on any of its commitments to the local communities as part of this consultation.'

As well as the pledges on night flights and compensation of 25 per cent above market value for any homes bought, Heathrow has promised to only release new capacity if strict air quality limits can be met.

Emma Gilthorpe, in charge of plans to grow, said: 'Expanding Heathrow is pivotal to Britain's future prosperity and it's a chance to make the airport a better neighbour for our local communities.'

MPs are expected to vote on the expansion by the summer, before Heathrow can submit a planning application. It hopes to build a runway by 2025.
Half the advice given to workers over their pensions is bad, according to the FCA

Half the advice given to workers over their pensions is bad, a top city regulator warned amid fears that sharks are preying on vulnerable former steelworkers.

The Financial Conduct Authority has stepped in, concerned workers will lose huge chunks of their pensions due to rogue advisers pocketing sky-high fees.

Yesterday, Megan Butler, director of supervision at the FCA, told Channel 4: We saw low rates of proven suitable advice quite frankly, less than 50 per cent. It certainly would indicate that the advisory community needs to improve.

The British Steel Pension Scheme is being closed in favour of a new one being set up by Port Talbot owner Tata Steel, while members can also leave.

But a short deadline for thousands to make a decision has created a feeding frenzy among financial advisers.

Some are charging steelworkers up to 6,000 for transferring their pensions, a parliamentary committee probing the situation heard yesterday.

As of mid-November, around 1,700 members had transferred benefits, while 11,000 had asked for information about transferring their pot to a new provider.


MANZINI  Fill up your tanks as a dry holiday season is looming. This is the warning that has been sent by Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) workers, who vowed to shut down water supply as from today due to delays in the payment of performance bonuses for 2017.



An inside source said the workers were not only threatening to engage in a nationwide strike, but also to shut down water supply during the festive holidays due to unpaid performance bonuses, which they usually get during the month of August.



The source said the workers were accusing their management of being coy with the truth behind the delays by saying they were still in a process of getting scope; a committee of ministers dealing with public enterprises issues, to approve the payment of their bonuses.

He said information that reached the workers was that scope had approved the payment of the bonuses to the employees and it excluded management. Now, management is delaying all the workers in order to find a way to control the situation so that they benefit as well, the source said.



He said for a long time under the companys performance management system (PMS), management had been getting exorbitant bonuses while the ordinary workers received an average share. The workers are now considering a strike action which could result to in unfortunate situation as there is an important national event coming soon; the Incwala ceremony and festive season. This will be detrimental because people will not have water yet it is a basic and important commodity that one cannot live without, the source said. Furthermore, the source said following the decision by the workers, management has issued a notice discouraging the workers from engaging in a strike action.
The law enforcement alert that prompted Decatur Police and the Macon County Sheriff's Office to get ready to intercept a suspect vehicle fleeing along Interstate 72 from Springfield was called off late morning Thursday.

It was a false alarm, police said.

Officers had been responding to a request for help from the Springfield Police Department after shots were fired during a domestic dispute. Springfield police Lt. Sara Pickford said a car had been shot up and a vehicle that matched the suspect's vehicle was seen speeding east out of the city along I-72 and was chased for a short time by Springfield patrol officers.

The Macon County Sheriff's Office and Decatur Police were alerted, along with the State Police, and got ready to try and stop the vehicle if it got this far. "But that vehicle eventually turned around and came back into Springfield and we made a stop on that vehicle and it turned out not to be related to the shots-fired incident," Pickford said. Why the vehicle had fled in the first place wasn't immediately clear.

Pickford said the first reports of shots fired in the city came in around 8:30 a.m. and a vehicle with bullet damage was found near the intersection of South Grand Avenue East and South 16th Street. "We understand it was a domestic dispute where an ex-girlfriend has a new boyfriend and the ex-boyfriend (the shooting suspect) is mad," Pickford added. "Nobody was injured."

Springfield police were still looking for the male shooting suspect later on Thursday.

Pickford said the alert system that summons aid from other law enforcement agencies had worked well and smoothly. "No problems," she said.
NGWENYA  A Pick n Pay truck was blocked by the striking Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) workers at Ngwenya Border Gate yesterday. Some trucks ferrying goods to some of the countrys big shops were delayed for hours at the border. (Pic: Sithembile Hlats

NGWENYA  Will consumers get all they want from shops this Christmas?



This emanates from the fact that trucks meant to deliver consumables and other goods are stuck at border gates due to the ongoing Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) employees strike.



Some of the striking employees are responsible for clearing goods at the Ngwenya and Lavumisa border gates.

Long queues have resulted as most trucks were held up at the Ngwenya Border Gate from Tuesday night and some drivers had to sleep there due to very slow service.



According to some of the truck drivers, they had to endure over 10 hours wait at the border gate before finally getting assistance.

At least five of the delayed trucks were from Spar.



Thulani Mamaine said his truck arrived at 8:30am.

Mamaine said on normal days, the Spar trucks did not pile up at the border. He said the shops were expecting the goods, which have been delayed. I am not sure of the loss suffered due to the delay but the items are needed by the shops which have ordered the stock, he said.



Mamaine said they were frustrated by the fact that the goods had to go for inspection at Swaziland Meat Industries (SMI) and there was more delay they were expecting after declaring their commodities.



Themba Nkomo, who works for Theba Enterprise, said he had to sleep at the border.

I arrived with goods at 6pm and had to sleep here due to the long queues, said Nkomo.

He said he completed the process of clearing the merchandise at 1pm.



Nkomo said a lot of time had been wasted while trying to clear the goods at the border which has resulted in an inconvenience to the business.



Utensils



He said he delivered kitchen utensils and usually did two trips to the country with goods totalling at E300 000. I ferry goods worth around E150 000 in each trip, which means a loss of E150 000 was made, said Nkomo. According to Nkomo, he delivered goods in a number of shops including Checkers, Chicken king, Euro Swazi and Punch Bowl, among others.
MANZINI  My mother is a sex worker, hence I assaulted her.



This was said by a 21-year- old man who was arrested by the police for assaulting his mother with a wooden stick (Lujujo) all over her body, and further ordered her to strip so he could see her private parts.

This matter was before Magistrate Mthokozisi Dlamini, at Matsapha Circuit Court yesterday and the incident occurred at Mhlaleni, near Matsapha on Saturday.



The accused, *Menzi of Mhlaleni, was arrested after he severely assaulted his mother, *Gugu with the wooden stick and further insulted her, ordering her to show off her private parts.



Menzi also used insultive words on his mother and demanded money, which he said had been sent through by his father. During his court appearance, the non-remorseful accused admitted he had assaulted his biological mother. He added that he was infuriated by the fact that he was aware that Gugu was allegedly working as a sex worker instead of a hairstylist in South Africa, as she had insinuated.



I learnt that she was a sex worker after I went through pictures of her while in South Africa, she lied to me and said she had a decent job when she did not, Menzi alleged.



The accused told the court that he did not respect his mother at all because of her dishonesty and for neglecting him. He added that he had been raised by his grandmother due to the complainants absence. When mitigating, he told the court that he was a first offender and had realised he had made a mistake.
MANZINI  Spinning cars are usually cheered with whistles by onlookers but in this case, they screamed in shock and disbelief.



This was after a 21-year-old Mozambican man drove a VW Jetta negligently, while doing some spinning stunts and knocked four Kasumi Apparels II employees, killing one of them on the spot.



The incident occurred near Dixies, in Matsapha along 3rd Street, on Tuesday at about 5:20pm. It happened at the time when Matsapha Industrial Sites employees had knocked off duty and were headed home. The man allegedly started his car-spinning stunts from 11am on the day, while employees within the industrial sites had taken a break and continued doing so even after they had knocked off.



After spinning his vehicle near the National Fire and Emergency Services Station, he took the 3rd Street, over-sped and when he tried to negotiate a corner, he lost control of the car, and it veered off the road, knocking the four Kasumi employees in the process. Kasumi was formerly known as Kartart and is close to the accident scene.



According to eyewitnesses, the industrial sites employees were walking on the right side of the road when the accident occurred.

An 18-year-old woman, Nokuthula Dlamini of Mahlabatsini, sustained serious head injuries and was allegedly tossed in the air before she landed in a ditch and died.



Dlamini was certified dead upon arrival at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, while two of the employees were admitted there.

Upon arrival at the hospital yesterday, one of the admitted employees, Lungile Mamba, said she did not remember anything regarding the accident other than that she had fragments of memories of her leaving her place of employment with a colleague.



Her right leg was severely injured so much that she was amputated shortly after she was admitted to the hospital.

I dont know what happened. I only recall being lifted from an ambulance and when I asked where I was, the paramedics said I was in hospital, narrated Mamba, with wells of tears rolling down her face.



She further said she was frustrated by how life would be for her after the accident because she would be forced to leave work due to her condition.

Meanwhile, another victim, Sibusiso Nzima who was admitted to the Male Surgical Ward at the same hospital, was also reportedly had his leg amputated. The forth employee was treated and discharged after sustaining minor injuries.



It was also gathered that it was not the first time the man spun different vehicles at the place.

He likes drawing attention and we have always said that he would cause a bad accident one day. This man always drives his car negligently and comes close to pedestrians.



We have always told each other that the vehicles would end up killing him, however, it has turned out to be the other way round, he killed and seriously injured our colleague, employees from Kasumi who preferred anonymity said.
MBABANE  Pay us all a minimum salary of E11 000. This is the latest bombshell that has been dropped by the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) workers who are currently on strike.



The latest list of demands was issued yesterday by the leadership of the Swaziland Revenue Authority Workers Union (SRAWU).

The new demands come while the SRA management was scratching their heads on the 6.5 per cent cost-of-living demand.

The workers have said every employee of the authority, including drivers, clerks and receptionists, were expected to earn nothing below the aforementioned salary.



In the statement of facts which was delivered by SRAWU to the Ministry of Finance, the workers have also demanded housing allowance for all SRA employees within the unions bargaining unit.



This was revealed by the union leadership yesterday, when they delivered a petition to the Ministry of Finance, which was received by Principal Secretary Bheki Bhembe.



SRAWU Secretary General Moses Masilela said they were demanding the intervention of the minister of finance, Martin Dlamini, who was responsible for finances in the country and under whose portfolio the authority falls under. Masilela called upon the minister of Finance to order the management of the SRA to award an across the board salary increment of 6.5 per cent to all employees.



According to Masilela, negotiations for the financial year 2017/2018 between the union and SRA management started around June 2017. He said the negotiations collapsed around the month of October and a dispute was reported to the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC), which then issued a certificate of unresolved dispute.
DECATUR  More than $12 million in lost cash from Macon County is waiting to be claimed by residents, according to officials at the Illinois State Treasurer's Office.

The I-Cash program is the state's unclaimed property database, and the state treasurer's office maintains a searchable website that anyone can use to find money that never made it to its rightful owner. That could mean a paycheck that got sent to the wrong address, a money order never claimed, insurance payouts, court deposits  the list goes on.

Adam Brown, a Macon County farmer and former state lawmaker whose district included parts of the Champaign area, said he made it a habit to check the I-Cash website, icash.illinoistreasurer.gov, every so often, and recently found a $720 check from his car insurance company that never made it to his new address.

"(The treasurer's office was) really good to work with," Brown said. "I can say that I didn't talk to any automated service, and the folks that I talked to were all local and willing to help, which I found refreshing."

According to the state treasurer's office, there is $2.9 billion worth of unclaimed money in Illinois, and one in four residents who visit the site will find something to their name. The $12 million of outstanding cash in Macon County comes from 98,000 different items.

For the most part, unclaimed property is not the result of attempts to withhold money from their rightful owners. In terms of the transaction, the money has already been handed over to the payee, but for whatever reason was never claimed, many times because of an address change. Insurance companies, banks, and other businesses by law have to hand over unclaimed assets to the treasurer's office.

Even public entities show up on the list  it shows the Decatur Police Department has more than 20 unclaimed properties, all worth under $100. Gregg Zientara, the city's director of finance, and police did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday afternoon.

On the I-Cash site, all unclaimed money can be easily searched, but the database only shows whether the claim is above or below $100. To find out exactly how much money is waiting in the wings, residents have to submit a claim.

When residents find lost money in their name, the website takes them through a claim and verification process, some of which can be more difficult than others. Brown said his wife found money from a utility bill 15 years ago that was tied to an apartment she lived in while in college.

"Proving that address with paperwork was extremely difficult," he said.

"The Treasurer's Office has implemented new ways to make it easier to verify personal information and expedite the claims process for amounts under $500," said Paris Ervin, spokeswoman for State Treasurer Mike Frerichs.

That said, the only thing residents have to lose is the time it takes to submit the claim and verify old and current addresses.

"We encourage residents to check every six months to find out if they have something to claim," Ervin said.

The unclaimed property program derives from a consumer protection program started in the early 1960s, according to the treasurer's office. Other states have very similar databases, and residents who lived outside Illinois may want to search those as well.
WASHINGTON - Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer walked around Capitol Hill with a little extra swagger in his step Wednesday in the wake of Doug Jones Alabama Senate-seat upset win over embattled Republican Roy Moore.

But Schumers first flex of newfound muscle - calling on Senate Republicans to delay a vote on the GOP tax bill until Jones can be sworn in - landed with a thud.

Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump announced that GOP negotiators had reached an agreement on resolving differences between already-passed House and Senate versions of the tax bill, clearing the way for Trumps signature before Jones arrives in Washington.

``Congress has reached an agreement on tax legislation that will deliver more jobs, higher wages, and massive tax relief for American families and for American companies, Trump said at tax event at the White House. ``We want to give you, the American people, a giant tax cut for Christmas. And when I say giant, I mean giant!

Schumers plea for delay until Jones arrival fell on deaf Republican ears, with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, often a maverick, saying an immediate vote is in order and that such votes happen all the time in lame-duck sessions.

Schumer nonetheless insisted the Alabama results show Republicans would face electoral consequences for pushing through what he characterized as an unpopular bill that favors the wealthy over the middle- and upper-middle classes.

``The tax bill will clobber the suburbs, Schumer said. ``Drastically cutting back on SALT and other deductions will be a gut punch to millions of middle class and upper-middle-class Americans, who live in the suburbs, the same people who are turning away from President Trump and who helped propel Doug Jones to victory last night.

The SALT deduction permits taxpayers to deduct property, income and sales taxes. The deduction is viewed by Democrats and many Republicans in the state as crucial to making life in New York affordable.

Both Senate and House bills eliminated the income-tax deduction and capped the property tax deduction at $10,000.

According to news reports, the compromise bill agreed to Thursday permits taxpayers to mix and match property, income and sales taxes up to a limit of $10,000.

That may not be enough to satisfy Republican Reps. John Faso of Kinderhook, and Elise Stefanik of Willsboro, both of whom signed on to a bipartisan effort to lift limits on the various state and local taxes.

``Obviously were running out of time, said Faso in an interview Tuesday. ``Really what is going on here is this is a transfer from higher-income taxpayers in high-tax states to fund rate reductions for individuals and corporations. This will accelerate the high-income exodus out of New York.

Beyond the immediate issue of the tax bill, the result in Alabama appeared to give Schumer some encouragement that his fondest political dream - becoming Senate majority leader - might happen after the 2018 election.

On paper, the Senate 2018 electoral map is unfavorable to Democrats, with 10 facing re-election in states won by Trump in 2016. But if Democrats can win re-election in states like West Virginia, North Dakota and Indiana, and turn over seats in doable states like Nevada and Arizona, Schumer could be looking at a new title on his office door.

With former Trump aide Steve Bannon declaring war on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and moderate Republicans he sees as bucking the Trump agenda on taxes, spending and foreign policy, Republicans face bruising primary challenges that leave them ill-prepared to face Democrats in a general election.

By contrast, Democratic progressives and moderates are relatively united, although that could change if momentum continues to mount.

``A year ago, everyone thought Schumer could not even achieve a toe hold on power in the Senate, said Albany-based Democratic consultant Bruce Gyory. ``Today, Democrats are able to play offense and take advantage of Republican mistakes.

On the other hand, the Alabama contest could be viewed as a relatively meaningless anomaly, with Moore compromised by charges he dated and perhaps assaulted teen-age girls.

Toward the end of the campaign, Trump endorsed Moore and recorded a robo-call on his behalf.

Always careful to distance himself from defeat, Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to say he had initially endorsed incumbent Sen. Luther Strange against a Moore primary challenge because Moores ultrareligious views - Islam and homosexuality are evil - would make him unelectable.

``I was right, Trump tweeted.






ALBANY  Chris Basco was shocked to learn his mother had filed an online comment with the Federal Communications Commission in July, since the lifelong Albany resident had died a month earlier from cancer.

Margaret Mary Basco's name was among hundreds of thousands of fake comments filed on "net neutrality" rules revoked Thursday by the FCC, and uncovered this summer during an investigation by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who is vowing to sue to reverse the move.

Basco died June 9 at age 57 at St. Peter's Hospice, where she had worked caring for terminally ill patients, nearly a month before an electronic comment using her name and email address was filed with the FCC.

Her son was particularly irritated the fake comment supported plans by the new administration of President Donald J. Trump to roll back 2015 rules that bar telecommunications companies from showing favoritism or preference over delivery of internet content.

"The comment under her name was very partisan, and blamed the (former President Barack) Obama administration for smothering the internet and innovation, and supported what the telcoms wanted to do," said her 27-year-old son. "I think my mother voted for Obama twice."

He said his mother was "not tech-savy" and had never expressed any opinion to him about net neutraility. "She needed help to set up her mobile phone," he said. He said he was uncertain as to how his mother's email identity may have been stolen.

FCC commissioners voted 3-2  with GOP appointees in favor and Democratic appointees against  to change internet rules so that companies that own the networks can speed up access to some sites, slow it down or halt it to others, or charge extra for faster internet speeds.

Opponents claim that this will allow internet service providers, which is some cases own their own internet content sites, to give an advantage to their own content, and put their rivals at a disadvantage. Supporters claim the change is need to encourage companies to invest more into their networks.

This fall, Schneiderman tried to get the FCC to investigate what he claims are two million fake comments using stolen identities across the lower 48 states from real people, like Basco, but was rebuffed by the new FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a Trump appointee.

Schneiderman, who opposes the rules rollback, called the flood of fake comments "a mockery" of the FCC vote, and he vowed to sue to block the change, which he said would "reward those who perpetrated this fraud in service of their own hidden agenda."

Schneiderman spokesman Amy Spitalnick said the state investigation cannot determine the potential sources of origin for the false comments because FCC officials declined the state's request to share computer records needed for further scrutiny.

He said his office began checking into reports about seven months ago. "The FCC just gave Big Telecom an early Christmas present, by giving internet service providers yet another way to put corporate profits over consumers," Schneiderman said.

"This is not just an attack on the future of our internet. It's an attack on all New Yorkers and on the integrity of every American's voice in government," he said.

The FCC vote was also criticized by lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from the North Country, and state Assembly members Phil Steck of Albany and Anthony Brindisi of Utica, both Democrats.

Stefanik said Congress should immediately hold hearings on potential legislation to preserve "the principles of net neutrality."
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It was two decades ago this holiday season that parents across America were fighting each other over a little red creature with a tickling fetish.

During the months leading up to Christmas 1996, the hottest toy across the land was Tycos Tickle Me Elmo, a doll that needed hugs, which in turn made him chuckle and vibrate.

RELATED: These were the most popular Christmas toys from your childhood

Toy inventor Ron Dubren said that he wanted to create a stuffed animal that would mimic the kids he saw in a local park tickling each other into hysterics.

Now Playing: It's Our "One Last Thing" Video: Brandpoint

Elmo had begun life in toy development as Tickles the Chimp  much less interesting  before nearly becoming a Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil  much more aggressive  and eventually landing at Tyco with its sweet, handy Sesame Street licensing deal.

Elmo, with his vibrating sound box doing the heavy-lifting, was introduced during the summer of 1996 with little fanfare, geared towards preschool-age tots and the pocketbooks of their parents.

Mental Floss published a great oral history on Elmo this past summer to celebrate 20 years since the toy debuted.

By October it was touted on Rosie ODonnells highly-popular syndicated chat show, a coup for any product at the time. Her show team was sent 200 Elmos, which were given out to audience members, and the rest is toy history.

RELATED: DriveTanks in Uvalde lets military buffs step inside real tanks, use real artillery

The toy retailed for just under $30, but on the secondary market sellers could ask for more than $1,000 depending on the desperation of the parent. Online markets were still in their infancy, so most people placed print ads or posted up fliers to sell them.

Meanwhile older kids were begging their parents (Santa who?) for a Nintendo 64.

Basically, if you scored one of these for your kid you were validated as a parent until the toy became just another discarded thing to trip over on the living room floor.

The whole phenomenon reminded many of the previous Cabbage Patch craze a decade and change before.

There were reports of epic fights in stores over the last supplies of Elmo, with store employees sometimes the victim of overzealous shoppers. A People magazine story published after the smoke cleared in Jan. 1997 told the tale of the insanity, including a Walmart employee who "suffered a pulled hamstring, injuries to his back, jaw and knee, a broken rib and a concussion."

Elmo didnt go away after December 1996 either. Other Sesame Street characters got the Tickle Me treatment, except for the prickly Oscar the Grouch.

New editions are released every few years for new batches of children to enjoy. He later learned to play peek-a-boo and hug back. Pogo Elmo, apparently, was a slow mover. LOL Elmo came out in 2012 to capitalize on text speak.

By the end of the 1996 season a million Elmos were sold and by the next Christmas more than 5 million had been sold in total. Rainchecks were still being honored during the summer of 1997. Here's hoping the kids still even wanted the red furry fellow.

RELATED: Nostalgic photos show the evolution of Texas' Santa's Wonderland

By 1998 a creepy talking whatzit named Furby was the hot toy, with Elmo still hanging on in stores.

Depending on their packaging, original Elmos can be found on eBay these days for upwards of $100, but more weathered plushies can be had for much less than that.

In 2011 Business Insider looked at the lessons learned by the toy industry from Elmo mania. Strategically partnering lovable, trusted brands can go a very long way. The "Rosie" appearance was just as good as running thousands of TV commercials and served to convince not the kids but the parents (with the money) that the toy was a necessity to happiness.

And at the end of the day, parents just want to hear those squeals of joy on Christmas morning more than anything else.

Were wondering where all those Elmos are now that the kids who wanted them are firmly ensconced in their '20s and likely having kids of their own. Collecting dust in an attic? Most likely.

Were still waiting for a millennial-friendly Elmo for those twenty-somethings. Maybe he can read text messages and help you find matches on Tinder.

You have to ask for his expressed, written consent to tickle him of course.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. He's an intolerable native Texan with too much ink in his skin and too much brisket stuck in his teeth.
Only five months after publication of my memoir, ''Sleepwalker: The Mysterious Makings and Recovery of a Somnambulist,'' I received a Facebook private message:

Dear Ms. Frazier,

I feel compelled to write you after reading your book. My family and I are in search of answers after my stepmother (Patrice Zimmerman) died on December 15th, 2015. We still don't have a ruling from the police but we believe that she was sleepwalking. If you don't mind, I would like to share our story.

More Information About the author Kathleen Frazier is an author, actress and Reiki master Sleep Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleepwalker-sound-sleeper kathleenfrazierwrites@gmail.com See More Collapse

A week before Christmas, I received a call from my sister, Erika, who lives in Troy, New York. She told me that our stepmother was missing. My dad, Michael, was in Florida at the time and Patrice was at their Latham, New York, home.

Things unraveled quickly as my dad called the police when he couldn't reach her for their daily check-in at 6:45 a.m. The police found blood in the basement  on the landing at the bottom of the stairs. It appeared that she fell headfirst as she was going to go up the stairs.

From what we have pieced together, she laid there for awhile, went upstairs and then back to bed. She then got up, ate and left the house at 4:30 a.m. (the neighbor has a camera on their house). She was barefoot, in her pajamas, no purse, no phone and no glasses. She drove 15 minutes away to Waterford where she normally kayaked.

Cameras on the other end of her trip showed that she was alone. She backed her car into a spot where she often parked when kayaking. And that was the last we see of her.

Patrice was missing for 24 hours before the police found her in the Hudson River. Patrice was a vibrant and glass-half-full type of person. She had everything set out for the next day and was making plans for the coming Christmas holidays.

The autopsy showed no traumatic brain injury [from the fall] or other health concerns and the toxicology report came back negative for any alcohol, drugs or pills.

But Patrice was a longtime sleepwalker. She was 59 when she died. According to my dad, her sleepwalking episodes happened several times a month. She never hurt herself, never left the house and certainly never drove. ... The only conclusion we could make is that she was asleep. But how could she not wake up when she hit the cold water or when she hit her head? A sleep doctor met with the police and he said that the sleep is so deep, it is common not to wake.

As we are trying to wrap our heads around what happened, your book was a very eye-opening story. ... Would love any thoughts you have. Thanks, Lori Mayer



Having suffered from sleepwalking (also called somnambulism) and night terrors (a separate condition often coupled with sleepwalking) for 20 years, I wept while reading Lori's message. Parasomnias are disorders characterized by disruptive events that occur while entering into sleep, while sleeping, or during arousal from sleep when the central nervous system activates the skeletal, muscular and/or nervous systems in an undesirable manner.

My somnambulism began in adolescence in the same suburb where Patrice Zimmerman resided at the time of her death  Latham.

I am recovered from both of my sleep disorders (one night at a time), but could have died upon many occasions. Growing up, I feared bed and developed chronic insomnia. As I matured, exhaustion and shame colored every aspect of my life. I self-medicated with alcohol and there were nights when I didn't know if I was waking from a blackout or from a sleepwalking/night terror episode. After getting sober at 25, the severity and frequency of my parasomnia episodes increased. At 30, I injured myself badly while sleepwalking and finally surrendered to a sleep clinic and to therapy. Most somnambulists only seek help after hurting themselves or someone else.

The dangers of sleepwalking are minimized, even trivialized in our culture. As a teenager, in my childhood home, I once leapt out of bed during a sleepwalking/night terror episode, ran to the stairs and missed the first step from our second-story landing. I woke up free-falling, and if it hadn't been for my brother, who'd heard me scream and was running up the stairs two at a time to catch me, I would have tumbled the whole way down.

Another time, as a young actress in New York City, I dreamt a rat had crawled up my arm; terrified, I sleep-ran across the enormous expanse of an Upper West Side living room, awakening just as I was about to fling myself out an open, fifth-story window. I was alone, and if I had fallen to my death, my actions would have been construed as suicide ... just as 25 years later Patrice's death was being weighed as a possible act of self-destruction.

When I first spoke to Lori on the phone, her voice was thick with suppressed tears. We went over the details of the night of Patrice's death. The more I heard, the more I concurred with the family's opinion that, in her sleepwalking state, Patrice had probably set out to go kayaking. She kept her kayak in the basement. Patrice did not carry her kayak up the basement stairs, but she probably imagined she did. Those stairs turned at the bottom with a one-step landing upon which she apparently tripped. That's where police found traces of blood along with her broken eyeglasses.

Her car was found at Peebles Island State Park, where she and her daughter Katie often kayaked. "Patrice never drove without her glasses," Lori told me, her voice breaking, "and yet she drove 15 miles from Latham to Waterford without them that night." Lori's own mother had also died suddenly, in a car accident, when Lori was 25 years old.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," I repeated, "your father must truly be in shock."

"He is," she whispered sadly. To have been away during his wife's death was especially hard for Michael to bear. Even within the medical community, there is little recognition of the gravity of parasomnias.

The first national sleepwalking study ever was released in 2012 by Stanford University researchers. Almost a third of Americans will sleepwalk in their lifetimes. Disordered sleep often runs in families, but it's unclear whether the condition is genetic, learned behavior, the result of some form of trauma or a combination of all three.

Dr. Mark Mahowald, co-founder of the sleep disorder research center Sleep Forensic Associates and retired professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, was a researching participant in the Stanford study. He describes the physiology in layman's terms: "The brain of a sleepwalker is half-awake and half asleep. The part of the brain responsible for physical movement is active, while the part of the brain responsible for executive functioning is asleep. Therefore, the sleepwalker can perform activities that require tremendous agency, even injuring themselves or others, without being culpable for their actions."

Mahowald and his associates have coined the medical term, parasomnia pseudo-suicide, to help educate professionals who regularly misdiagnose death by sleepwalking as suicide  with often devastating social, religious and financial consequences for the victim's loved ones. Life insurance companies and long-term care insurance companies often won't pay on policies if the death is ruled a suicide or attempted suicide.

Patrice Zimmerman did not have a life insurance policy. However, the family felt strongly that she died while sleepwalking and did not want her memory tarnished by suggestions of suicide.

Ten months after Patrice's death, Lori texted me. The medical examiner had finally ruled: "Asphyxia due to drowning consistent with somnambulism." I cried and called Mahowald, longing to talk to someone who would understand the depth and mix of my feelings. "Hats off to the medical examiner as well as to the sleep doctor who reviewed Ms. Zimmerman's case," he said. "So often, even sleep specialists only know about sleep apnea and haven't a clue about sleepwalking." That's why he believes that more deaths than we realize  in particular, those that occur under strange circumstances, such as people disappearing from cruise ships or falling from heights in the middle of the night  are not suicides but the result of sleepwalking. Even with the medical examiner's opinion, Chris Chapman, Patrice's biological son, feels her death was a tragic accident.

After 20 exhausting, isolating and often terrifying years as an active sleepwalker, I found the help I needed:. Through, first, diagnosis and treatment with an accredited sleep clinic, and, subsequently through an active mix of hypnosis therapy, nutrition, acupuncture, Reiki, meditation, neurofeedback and writing, I have kept my sleep disorders at bay. My heart goes out to Patrice's family at their loss on this, the second anniversary of her passing, yet all the condolences in the world cannot bring Patrice back. My hope is that by continuing to tell my story, and by encouraging other recovered sleepwalkers to tell theirs, we might break the cycle of denial and ignorance that can quite literally kill.
Albany

An RPI graduate with extensive background in planning and real estate has been named executive director of the Historic Albany Foundation.

Richard J. Lundgren succeeds Susan Holland, who left last month after 12 years of leadership to become executive director for Historic Ithaca.

Lundgren is the president of Peirson Properties, a real estate and city planning consulting practice; and has served as: urban renewal project director and district planner with Boston Redevelopment Authority; director of planning for Boston-based consulting firms; president of NAI Hunneman Commercial Company, Boston; and a Schenectady County planner.

He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS in management, and received master's degrees in city planning at Pratt Institute, public administration at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and real estate finance and investment from New York University.

"Dick Lundgren brings a record of accomplishments and a wealth of experience in preservation, planning, and conservation to Historic Albany Foundation," Board President Susan Kirchheimer said in a news release. "We are thrilled. Dick Lundgren is the right person to build upon our organization's forty-plus years of advocacy, education, programming and technical services designed to protect and enhance Albany's historic built environment. We are excited by the passion and vision that Dick brings to this position."

Lundgren said undertaking the stabilization and restoration of Albany's oldest buildings, the 1728 Van Ostrande-Radliff House at 48 Hudson Ave., will be just one privilege.

"There are so many opportunities to promote the cause of preservation in this historic City and the greater Albany area. I look forward to the challenge," he stated.

Lundgren starts Jan. 2 at the foundation's offices at 89 Lexington Ave., which is also home to its Architectural Parts Warehouse.

Founded in 1974, the foundation's mission is to preserve and protect the architectural and historic resources of the city of Albany and Albany County.
ALBANY  Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Wednesday that will require judges to award attorneys' fees to litigants who "substantially prevail" in Freedom of Information Law cases.

The governor acknowledged the legislation is important but said it falls far short of comprehensively reforming the state's antiquated Freedom of Information Law, including not requiring greater transparency from the Legislature that sent the bill to his desk.

"The bill before me continues to perpetuate a fractured and inequitable system of transparency by only applying to the executive (branch), and intentionally excluding other branches of government," Cuomo said in a memo filed in support of the measure. "Notably, current law already provides courts with discretion to award attorney's fees in such situations, but they are not required to do so."

Still, advocates for more transparency in government have hailed the legislation as necessary to prevent agencies at all levels of New York government from deliberately withholding public records or delaying responses unnecessarily.

Cuomo vetoed similar legislation two years ago that stated courts must award attorney's fees when an agency denies access to FOIL requests in "material violation" of the law. The governor said the earlier bill did not define the term "material violation," which could have created confusion for judges who could reach different conclusions on what the term means.

The bill approved Wednesday requires that courts "shall" assess reasonable legal costs in FOIL cases in which a person "substantially prevailed" and the court finds there was no reasonable basis for denying access to a record.

Courts have sparsely awarded attorney's fees in FOIL cases. But not always.

State Supreme Court Justice Ann C. Crowell issued a decision last month saying the Times Union had "substantially prevailed" in a FOIL case in which she ordered the town of Milton to unseal a settlement agreement involving a harassment claim filed against the town supervisor by his former secretary.

The unsealed document, which the town argued was "confidential," revealed the details of the settlement, including how much was paid to the woman who filed the complaint.

Crowell said the newspaper was entitled to attorney's fees and the Town Board recently authorized its insurance company to pay the newspaper $12,000 for legal costs, including $6,000 that will be paid by the town.

In 2012, the city of Albany was ordered to pay $70,000 to the Times Union to cover the newspaper's legal costs in a multiyear court battle to obtain records on dismissed parking tickets. The city lost its argument that administratively dismissed tickets were the equivalent of sealed criminal records.

Under the bill signed Wednesday, the law will instruct courts they "shall" award attorney's fees, rather than "may," in cases in which litigants substantially prevail.

Cuomo's memo noted that while he still has "concerns about diminishing the court's discretion in these cases, it is outweighed by the greater principle of increasing transparency."
The holiday season in Armenia, which now extends from December 31 to after Armenian Christmas on January 6, may be shortened as of 2019.

The government approved a proposal, introduced by Chief of Staff Vahe Stepanyan, that will make January 3, 4 and 5 work days.

The bill now goes to the parliament for passage into law.
Washington

Weary national Republicans breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday, a day after voters knocked out their own party's scandal-plagued candidate in deep-red Alabama. Yet all is not well in a party confronted with new rounds of infighting and a suddenly shrinking Senate majority heading into next year's midterm elections.

A semi-humbled President Donald Trump conceded that Roy Moore's loss was not his preferred outcome. He said he "would have liked to have had the seat" and an important Senate vote as he and GOP lawmakers scratch for legislative victories.

But he also acknowledged, "A lot of Republicans feel differently. They feel very happy about the way it turned out."

Indeed, it was easy to find establishment-minded Republicans  in and out of Washington  who cheered Moore's loss as the impact of the Alabama stunner echoed throughout the political world. The prospect of a high-profile Republican senator dogged by sexual misconduct accusations  and an all-but-certain ethics investigation  unnerved a GOP that's fearful of an albatross on its candidates in next year's campaigns.

Republican Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby said that Moore, a fiery conservative, would have brought a "radioactive" element to the Senate GOP.

"I'm relieved and I believe a lot of Republicans are relieved that Roy Moore and some of his people aren't the face of the Republican Party that I know," said Shelby, who cast a write-in vote for another Republican and never backed down in his opposition to Moore.

More than 22,000 write-in votes were cast Tuesday, more than the margin of difference between the winner and loser, suggesting many other voters refused to vote for a Democrat but couldn't accept Moore.

Sen.-elect Doug Jones' stunning Democratic victory marked a major setback for Trump and top political ally Steve Bannon. They had devoted time, resources and political capital to Moore in recent days, even as he faced the allegations of sexual misconduct and espoused views that alienated women, racial minorities, gays and Muslims.

Despite the outcome's relief for the GOP's pragmatic wing, the fight for the party's soul was hardly decided with one Alabama special election.

Allies of Bannon, who declared war on the party's establishment after leaving the White House earlier in the year, dismissed the loss as little more than a temporary setback that would soon be forgotten. Republicans cheering Moore's loss, they said, would simply enrage Trump's most loyal supporters nationwide, who already suspected some Republican leaders were trying to undermine the president's agenda.

"They're stomping on the very base they need to turn out for their candidates in the general election in 2018," said Andy Surabian, a senior adviser to the Bannon-backed Great America PAC. He contended that "the average Republican voter across the country is pointing their finger at Mitch McConnell and the Republican establishment."

Conservative activist Mark Meckler did just that. "One hundred percent of this I hang around Mitch McConnell's neck," said Meckler, an early tea party leader, referring to the mainstream Republican who is Senate majority leader.

At the same time, the Alabama contest sounded an undeniable alarm for Republican officials charged with defending the party's majorities in the House and Senate next year. Under the weight of Trump's low approval ratings, Alabama put their concerns on steroids.

"This was a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment," said Steven Law, who leads the Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with Senate GOP leaders. He said Alabama's election, like recent contests in Virginia and New Jersey, demonstrated "sky-high Democratic enthusiasm."

"Republicans are going to have to put forward top-quality candidates and run flawless campaigns to win next year even in states that trend Republican," Law said.

In the shorter term, it's unclear how the loss will affect the Republicans' governing agenda.

When Jones is sworn into office  likely in early January  the GOP's Senate majority will shrink to pinhole-sized 51-49. That increases pressure on Republicans to push their prized $1.5 trillion tax bill through Congress before lawmakers leave town late this month, a goal they seem likely to achieve.

The narrowing majority gives extra leverage to Republicans like moderate Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who's extracted leadership promises for accompanying legislation shoring up parts of the "Obamacare" health care law. Collins told reporters Wednesday she was confident those promises would be kept.
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ALBANY  U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer is trying to bring the spirit of Christmas Past to military personnel serving overseas.

The naughty bureaucratic parties in this case are the federal departments of State and Defense, which Schumer said have instituted a last-minute rule limiting the size of packages sent to U.S. military troops overseas in locations such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany.

That rule took effect just as volunteers across New York were cutting, packing and sending Christmas trees to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines across the nation and around the world.

More for you CP Holiday Train stops in Fort Edward

Some of the trees were returned by the U.S. Postal Service because they were over the new size limits. About 40 trees so far were returned to Christmas tree farms in Tompkins and Monroe counties, according to Schumers office.

I know people in Rochester who had 30 sent back, said Sally Ellms of Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa, which is among a number of businesses statewide participating in the volunteer effort.

Ellms said the returns came up on Wednesday during a conference call of New York tree farmers discussing the latest state regulations.

Ellms participates in the program along with several other Capital Region nurseries, the National Guard and various community groups. Their trees  between five and seven feet tall  were slated for Fort Bragg, N.C., and hadnt been sent back.

Schumer said hes written to Postmaster General Megan Brennan urging an immediate waiver of the new rules.

Refusing to deliver donated Christmas trees to soldiers serving abroad is straight out of the Grinchs playbook and flies in the face of Christmas spirit, Schumer said in a prepared statement.

It is tragically un-American that this change was made right before Christmas, with little notice, he added. That is why I am asking the federal bureaucracies to immediately come together to figure out how to get these trees back on Santas sleigh and delivered to our troops abroad before Christmas.

Schumer is seeking a waiver for military shipping size restrictions for Christmas trees that would also apply to Christmases yet to come.

As of Thursday, Schumer's office had not heard back from either agency.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
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Cultural tourism along the Hudson River, where 19th century and early 20th century industry boomed, is getting a $1.2 million economic development boost from the state to help better tell its history.

The main display area of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway's Burden Iron Works Museum in South Troy will be restored to recapture the grandeur of the cherry paneled offices of was once a major employer. Its industrial might was felt well beyond the Capital Region's borders.

"The inside of the building is going to be spectacular," said Michael P. Barrett, executive director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway.

The Regional Economic Development Council awards of $500,000 to the Gateway, $361,620 for the Rensselaer County Historical Society's Hart-Cluett House in downtown Troy and $373,400 to the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor for the Matton Shipyard in Cohoes will lead to improvements of the groups' historic structures. That in turn is expected to help bring more visitors to the area.

"The tourists spend money here," Barrett said.

The three history-focused organizations work with each other to assist on projects and refer visitors to their attractions.

For instance, the Burden Iron Works Museum collection includes the treasure trove of the Matton Shipyard's records, including the blueprints for the ships built there. And the Rensselaer County Historical Society has dug into its collection to provide photographs and materials about the shipyard. The Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor drew on all of this.

Will Waldron/Times Union

In the next two years, the public will see improved access to the sites and programs.

"These kind of projects are long term. This is a very special opportunity to develop a framework for the public. This is what we see an opportunity to provide public accessibility," said Andy Kizmann, assistant director of the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor.

More for you Capital Region awarded $85 million for development projects

A bulk of the grant money will be to stabilize three surviving shipyard buildings and clean up environmental issues in preparation for opening them to public tours. Kitzmann said the Erie Canal corridor would work with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to begin limited guided tours of the site, which is now fenced off.

One grant of $150,000 will develop strategies for accessibility to the early 20th century private ship building and repair facility along the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Path and the Erie Canalway Trail.

The other grant of $233,400 will stabilize the Hudson River shoreline, allow an archaeological survey of pre-contact Native American societies that used the island and pay for the remediation of the three shipyard buildings.

The REDC's awards recognize the importance of telling a regional story, said Karin Krasevac-Lenz, executive director of the Rensselaer County Historical Society. It's using its grant to restore 52 windows using the original materials and to protect the building. This will improve programming presentations and allow RCHS staff to demonstrate to visitors and developers the benefits of historic restoration.

"We all do different types of historic preservation and bring it to the public. There is a lot of cultural tourism," Krasevac-Lenz said. "This is going to help the region become better known."
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Bethlehem

Voters in the Elsmere Fire District approved a new, $1.4 million fire station in Glenmont at the corner of Feura Bush and Wemple roads.

The vote, held Tuesday, was 272 to 180 in favor of the proposal.

The fire district, which comprises the east side of Delmar with Elsmere Avenue as the western border, stretches down to Glenmont.

Although the Delmar and Selkirk Fire Departments have stations along Feura Bush Road already within just a few miles of where the new Elsmere station will be located, the Elsmere Fire Department is ultimately responsible for responding to fires in that area of its district. There are five fire districts in the town of Bethlehem.

That area of Bethlehem has has experienced the most robust commercial and residential growth in the town over the last 10 years. The Elsmere fire district has long planned to build a second station at that site when that growth reached a critical stage.

The new fire station would have 4,608 square-feet of space, with enough room for two fire trucks. It would not normally be staffed and primarily used during emergency calls.

The typical Elsmere Fire District tax bill is roughly $190 a year for a resident whose home is valued at $200,000 by the town of Bethlehem.

Although the Elsmere Fire District is borrowing $1.3 million to pay for the cost of what's being called its south station, John Brennan, chairman of the Elsmere Fire District, told the Spotlight newspaper that the bond issue would not raise fire district tax bills.

"We have enough in our budget to accommodate that (the debt service) during this period," Brennan told the Spotlight.

The fire department, which has an annual budget of about $950,000, has owned the 1.4-acre site where it plans to build the new station since 1982. The intersection has a traffic light and crosswalks already in place.

"Elsmere is seeking to go forward with the project at this time to address the exponential increase in residences and commercial establishments south of Route 32 and along Route 9W," fire department officials wrote in their application to the zoning board.

The project has its detractors. Former Bethlehem Supervisor Sam Messina voiced his opposition in a letter to the editor that ran in the Spotlight.

"The most important reason to vote no on Dec. 12 is that all five of Bethlehem's fire districts should be focusing on consolidating/sharing services and adjusting district boundaries, where necessary," Messina, a resident of the Elsmere Fire District and a social member of the department wrote.

"That is a far better way to improve fire call response times, reduce increasing fire service costs and deal with dwindling number of volunteer firefighters."
The development of the former military barracks in Nenagh could solve a lot of the town's problems, according to Cllr Seamus Morris.

The Independent councillor described the building as a "site that needs to be knocked".

The barracks has fallen into disrepair over the last number of years and Cllr Morris said it could be used by Nenagh CBS who are looking for space.

It could also be used as a community space with funding being provided through the EU and it could be used to develop sheltered housing for the elderly, he told Nenagh Municipal District Council.

He was supported by Tipperary County Council housing director Donal Purcell, who said he had watched the barracks fall more and more into disrepair.

However, he pointed out that while it was owned by the Department of the Defence, it was managed by the Department of Finance.

In relation to housing, he said the only programme available to the council was under Rebuilding Ireland.

There was also the fact that the building was a protected structure and there were a number of houses on the site as well as several rights of way.

It is broader than a housing issue, said Mr Purcell. There are so many hurdles to be cleared.

Housing officer Clare Curley also said that dealing with the military barracks was a bigger issue that housing alone.

Cllr Morris urged that the council write to the Department of Defence to see who did own the site.

It is such an important site. It is going to fall down, he said.

Cllr Morris recalled that the site had been offered to the former town council but it had been handed back because they wanted the owners to repatriate it.

I imagine it could still be offered to somebody, he said. As a council we need to clean it up.

Meanwhile, Cllr Morris has asked for a copy of a report done by a Belfast company on the barracks for Nenagh Town Council about 12 years ago.

He called on the council to write to the Department of Defence and have them supply a map of exactly what they own in the military barracks site, and who owns the rest of the site.

Nenagh MDC Cathaoirleach Cllr John Carroll described the barracks site as an integral part of the town.

District manager Marcus O'Connor agreed the site was strategically located and while it had a lot of complications, it shouldn't deter the council from having a plan.

But we need to be clear what happens to it, he said. Demolition was raised but there was a lot of opposition because of its history.

He said the first issue was planning and asked if the council wanted to remove its protected status.

There would be opposition, he warned.

In the meantime, said Cllr Joe Hannigan, there was a big pothole at the entrance that needed to be repaired.
The Yelk Alliance, a tiny opposition party in Armenia, says it has a candidate to become the countrys next president.

Nikol Pashinyan, who heads the nine-member Yelk parliamentary faction, has posted on Facebook that the candidate is Artak Zeynalyan.

Zeynalyan is a member of the Republic Party of Armenia and serves on the National Assemblys Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.

According to recent constitutional changes, the next president of Armenia will be chosen by the parliament, by winning a minimum three-fourths vote.

To be nominated, a candidate needs to garner a one-fourth vote of the sitting MPs.

To secure the votes to nominate Zeynalyan, the Yelk Alliance will start negotiations with the Tsarukyan Alliance faction (31 MPs).

Tsarukyan Alliance faction Secretary Vahe Enfiajyan told Hetq that no such offer had yet been received.

I know about the declaration, but since they havent contacted us yet, we havent taken any concomitant steps. When the appropriate steps are followed, well discuss the offer, Enfiajyan said.

Top photo: Artak Zeynalyan
Prosecutors are seeking increased prison sentences for two men jailed for a fatal burglary at the home of a 62-year-old in Doon, County Limerick.

Cousins Michael Casey (34), with an address at Clonlong Halting Site, Southill, in Limerick and David Casey (22), with an address at Carragh Park, Belcamp, Dublin 17, had pleaded guilty to a series of burglaries, including one at the home of John O'Donoghue at Toomaline, Doon, on August 27, 2015.

Mr O'Donoghue collapsed and died as he was about to confront the two intruders, who ran away without offering assistance.

Judge Tom O'Donnell sentenced both men at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to four-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final year suspended on December 15, 2016.

The Director of Public Prosecutions are seeking a review of the men's sentences on grounds that they were unduly lenient. The three-judge Court of Appeal reserved its judgment.

Counsel for the DPP, Thomas O'Malley BL, submitted today/yesterday(THURSDAY) that the sentence was too low for the burglary of the O'Donoghue household when one considered the harm that was caused in that particular case.

Mr O'Malley said there was a second victim to consider - Mr O'Donoghue's surviving sister - who had to watch her brother drop dead in front of the family home as he was about to confront the two intruders.

Of course they didn't for a moment intend to harm anybody, Mr O'Malley said, but they had to take their victim as they found him.

He said offenders who engage in residential burglary must take account of the fact they might disturb somebody and that this kind of thing can happen. Somebody could become ill or die as a result of the fright

There was an inherent risk in burglary and there had to be a punishment that reflected that harm, he submitted.

He said David Casey was on bail at the time the burglaries were committed and the sentencing judge did not allude to that in his sentencing remarks.

Mr O'Malley said the sentencing judge failed to specify the headline sentence before making appropriate adjustments for any personal circumstances of the accused.

He said headline sentences function to send out a message, to censure the criminal conduct involved, and were important for general deterrence. This kind of repeated residential burglary was conduct that is the cause of tremendous public concern at the present time.

He said the offences were not committed impulsively or opportunistically but the Caseys had selected and targetted four different dwellings as part of a burglary spree on the same day.

Mr O'Malley said one of the houses was ransacked and inadequate attention was given to that aggravating feature by the sentencing judge.

He said the thrashing of a home added to the trauma and distress suffered by the homeowners. There can be few greater traumas than going home and finding your home thrashed.

Mr O'Malley said it was important to clarify that these were dwellings because of the constitutional protection that is afforded to the dwelling. He said the offences were a constitutional violation perpetrated by private parties and the state's role was to vindicate that right.

He said the Caseys satisfied themselves up to a point that the houses were unoccupied but they didn't deserve any credit for choosing to enter houses that were unoccupied at the time.

Consecutive sentences would not have been unreasonable and if not, then the sentence for the most serious offence - involving the death of Mr O'Donoghue - should have been higher, Mr O'Malley submitted.

Counsel for David Casey, Michael Bowman SC, said what happened after the incident couldn't aggravate the offence and there was no evidence the cousins deliberately walked past Mr O'Donoghue as he was having a fit or a heart attack.

Mr Bowman said David Casey was 20 at the time of the offence He had his own personal difficulties and appeared to have progressed significantly while in custody.

Counsel for Michael Casey, Vincent Heneghan SC, said the final year of the sentences were suspended on condition both cousins be of good behaviour for six years from the date of sentence. That indicated that the Circuit Court judge had measured the gravity of the offences that were before him, he submitted.

Mr Heneghan said the Circuit Court judge did not hand sentence down there and then but adjourned the case to consider all aspects.

He said the judge did not miss a thing save for the headline sentence and he clearly started much higher than where he ended up having regard to mitigation for the guilty plea, remorse and admissions.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court hoped to have a decision, if not a judgment in the case, on Monday.

Before the appeal hearing commenced, Mr Justice Birmingham said he would be asking the registrar of the court to write to the Irish Prison Service expressing the court's disappointment with prisoners being made available to court on time.

Mr Justice Birmingham said the court appreciated the prison service had their own difficulties but when an appeal listed for 10.30am commences at 12.10pm it requires explanation.

This really is a major difficulty, the judge said.

On an earlier occasion, prosecuting counsel, John G O'Sullivan BL, referred to the case as a fatal burglary.
[December 14, 2017] Migo, the Search App for On-Demand Rides, Launches in Washington, DC

SEATTLE, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Migo, the search app for on-demand rides, has launched its free new service in Washington, DC this month, after successful launches in Seattle and Portland in Q3. Migo is the first app available in the U.S. that allows users to search, compare and hail multiple types of personal transportation, such as Lyft, Car2Go, Yellow Cab, Limebike and more, without having to jump from one app to another. The Migo app displays real-time data for price estimates and wait/walk time - and makes it possible to search, hail and book a ride, all from within the Migo app. In-app payment is available for many partners today and will be expanded in the future. Migo launched first in Seattle and Portland on the iPhone, and is expanding quickly to additional markets, like DC, and to Android. In addition to expanding to additional markets the Migo team has been regularly adding or testing new services, like bikeshare and public transit. Migo has seen significant growth in its nitial markets since their launch this summer. Since launch, the Migo app has been used over 20,000 times. In this same period downloads are up over 1000% and hails generated for Migo partners are up over 1500%.



"Our customers are telling us they've been waiting for a service like Migo. They're tired of jumping from one app to another to discover their best transportation option," said Jeff Warren, founder and CEO of Migo. "And with the congestion and traffic challenges in Washington, DC, we're thrilled to be able to offer the growing population of the greater DC area a smart solution that allows them to first discover and then easily choose the best (cheapest, fastest, coolest) way to get from A to B." Getting started with Migo is as simple as downloading the app from the Apple App Store and hailing your ride. Services requiring an account will either ask you to link to an existing account or Migo can help you create one 'on the fly.'

Visit www.getmigo.com or the Apple App Store to download the app and to sign up for alerts when Migo launches new partners and services in additional cities. About Migo Migo is your free search app for on demand rides, where you can search, compare and hail, without having to jump from app to app. Whether you want to get driven by a pro, just find the closest or cheapest way to go, or drive yourself and your friends, Migo can help you find, book and enjoy getting from A to B. Migo shows all the rideshare, carshare, taxi, bikeshare and specialty options out there, with more cities and services being added every day. We're not a new transportation company  we're the search app that helps you find, book and enjoy your ride. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/migo-the-search-app-for-on-demand-rides-launches-in-washington-dc-300571229.html SOURCE Migo

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[December 14, 2017] Russia and Singapore to jointly create a Contingency Situation Management Center

SINGAPORE, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rostec is creating a Situation Center which will monitor, control and coordinate the protection of assets and elimination of contingency consequences at all Corporation's facilities in the Russian Federation. Within the framework of Russia-Singapore business mission, Rostec and AETOS, a Singaporean company, reached an agreement on the exchange of resources when creating the Situation Center. The main function of the Center is to prepare and support management decisions based on detailed monitoring and forecasting of possible contingency (emergency) scenarios at Rostec facilities. The Situation Center will collate and analyze information from all possible sources, including management structures of holding companies and enterprises. This approach will significantly improve the efficiency of management across the Corporation. "The state-of-the art Situation Center will be an integral part of Rostec's innovative infrastructure operating round the clock to ensure the safety of people and assets, and to guarantee immediate response in emergency situaions. The cooperation with Singaporean partners, recognized leaders in the field of integrated security systems, will be the catalyst for the development of such technologies in Russia," said Nikolay Volobuev, Deputy General Director of Rostec State Corporation.



The document signed by AETOS and Rostec in the name of SIBER (Rostec subsidiary) will promote synergy of Rostec enterprises' capacities manufacturing high-tech products in the relevant areas, and AETOS competences in the field of digital security control, as well as provide countermeasures against a broad range of threats and support decision-making for elimination of emergency situations. Fully functional Situation Center will be located on the territory of the Rostec City, an innovative complex to be built at the former Tushino airfield site.

Rostec Corporation is a Russian corporation established in 2007 to promote the development, production and export of high-tech industrial products for civilian and military use. It consists of more than 700 organizations, of which 11 holding companies are currently engaged in the military-industrial complex and 3 in civilian industries, also there are more than 80 direct management enterprises. Rostec's portfolio includes such well-known brands as AVTOVAZ, KAMAZ, Kalashnikov Concern, Russian Helicopters, VSMPO-AVISMA, Uralvagonzavod, etc. Rostec's organizations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply products to the markets of more than 70 countries. Consolidated revenue of Rostec in 2016 reached 1 trillion 266 billion rubles, consolidated net profit - 88 billion rubles, and EBITDA - 268 billion rubles. In 2016, the average salary in the Corporation was 44,000 rubles. According to Rostec's strategy, the main goal of the Corporation is to ensure Russia's technological advantage in highly competitive global markets. One of Rostec's key tasks is the introduction of a new technological structure and digitization of the Russian economy. SOURCE Rostec Corporation

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[December 13, 2017] WorldWater & Solar Technologies Names David Hammes Vice President, Sales and Marketing

WorldWater & Solar Technologies, Inc. (WWST), America's longest continuing solar technology company, announced today that David Hammes has been named Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for the international engineering company. "David brings 20 years of extensive experience in clean energy," said Quentin T. Kelly, Chair and CEO of WWST. "He is an expert in the field, unique with broad knowledge of solar product sales, manufacturing and energy savings." WWST engineers and installs commercial and industrial solar parks generating MegaWatts of electricity. It employs cutting-edge solar solutions to replace diesel generators and drive large pumps for irrigation or for municipal water systems - solar technology for pumping, purifying, and desalinating water. Hammes, one of several new staff additions to WWST, will be responsible for creating corporate sales and market strategy, spearheading business development and supporting WWST's branding as an international leader in roprietary solar engineering and clean water solutions. He will work closely with WWST's international partners, including governmental and business leaders, to continue to expand the reach and impact of WWST's technology.



Welcoming and commending his addition to the WWST team, Dr. Chris Sherring, COO, says, "At a time when WorldWater and Solar is experiencing strong demand in so many regions both internationally and domestically, David is a welcome complement to our long-standing expertise providing energy security, preparedness and resilience worldwide." Before joining WWST, Hammes was CEO of Energy Without Borders, an energy efficiency company he founded, and, earlier, head of sales in the Americas for Mage Solar modules, the German manufacturer.

In addition to operating in the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean, WWST has recently opened offices in Saudi Arabia and Morocco and is active in Egypt, Ghana, Namibia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.. About WorldWater & Solar Technologies (WWST) Since 1984, WorldWater has provided global solutions for solar electric power and clean water delivery. WWST's patented solar-powered systems provide commercial and industrial PV electric power and pumping from lakes, rivers and deep wells for irrigation and purified water supply. The company also produces and installs standalone, mobile water filtration technologies that convert sea water and pump and purify up to 30,000 gallons per day of contaminated water for drinking and cooking. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171213005947/en/

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Native Americans Again Seek to Protect their Right to Vote

Today, the Native American Rights Fund again brought action against the state of North Dakota (ND) seeking to overturn ND's newest discriminatory voter ID law. NARF filed an amended complaint on behalf of Native American Plaintiffs impacted by the discriminatory law. Last year, NARF fought on behalf of Native American Plaintiffs to enjoin enforcement of ND's voter ID law, which disproportionately prevented Native Americans from exercising their right to vote. In that action, the judge held the law likely violated the U.S. Constitution because it disproportionately kept Native Americans fromvoting.







In light of this defeat, the legislature amended their law, but the new law failed to include meaningful protections for voters' rights. Today, Plaintiffs Richard Brakebill, Dorothy Herman, Della Merrick, Elvis Norquay, Ray Norquay, and Lucille Vivier amended their suit, which challenges the recently enacted HB 1369. HB 1369 perpetuates voter suppression tactics by requiring every voter to possess a narrowly prescribed form of ID. It lacks the necessary fail-safe provisions to ensure qualified voters are allowed to vote. The Legislature passed these provisions despite knowing they would suppress the Native American vote. As NARF Staff Attorney Matt Campbell explains, "voting is a fundamental, constitutionally protected right, and we intend to protect that right. The North Dakota legislature was fully aware of the impact this law would have on the Native population in North Dakota. Yet, they passed the law anyway."

This year, ND reduced the hours of the Drivers License Site-where voter IDs can be obtained-that is closest to Plaintiffs. That Site now is open for less than five hours one day a month. There is not a Site on any Indian reservation in ND. Native Americans on Lake Traverse, Fort Berthold, and Standing Rock Reservations have to travel an average of almost an hour to access a Site.

Plaintiffs are represented by NARF, Richard de Bodo of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and Tom Dickson of Dickson Law Office.

About NARF: The Native American Rights Fund is a nonprofit Indian legal services organization. Since 1970, NARF has represented over 275 Tribes in 31 states in such areas as tribal jurisdiction, recognition, land claims, hunting and fishing rights, and protection of religious freedom. For more information, visit www.narf.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171213006024/en/
[December 13, 2017] War On Cyber-attacks and Digital Disruption Are High Business Priorities Over Next Three Years

LONDON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Changing business priorities will see a greater emphasis on cybersecurity and digitalisation over the next three years, according to almost 1000 senior executives in a survey by Financial Times | IE Business School Corporate Learning Alliance . (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/518828/FT_IE_Corporate_Learning_Alliance.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/618979/FT_IE_Corporate_Learning_Infographic.jpg )

The findings come from this year's Corporate Learning Pulse, a major leadership study conducted among C-Suite executives, HR and Learning & Development professionals working across multiple business sectors in China, Denmark, France, GCC, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and UK. While the top three business priorities for 2017 were growth, strategy and financial management, the war on cyber-attacks, and the accelerating impact of digital disruptin will bring these issues higher in the list of concerns for senior executives in 2018-20.



The dominant fear for companies citing cybersecurity as one of their top concerns is, unsurprisingly, the potential treat from hackers. For businesses having to face up to the effects of digital disruption, the top issues are the cloud and the growing impact of technology. Here, global differences are revealed in the study: executives in China and the Middle East are twice as likely to put digital adoption among the top three issues they expect to tackle over the next three years, compared to their European and Japanese counterparts. Leadership development in a digital world

The study also focused on attitudes to leadership development and what executive education can bring to business strategy. The need to improve management abilities, and address staff retention and development, are the highest priorities for corporate learning over the next three years. When asked which elements of digital strategy are most important, an understanding of data and analysis of trends ranked highest among the survey's respondents. There is a clear role here for executive education, according to FT | IE Corporate Learning Alliance. While traditionally it is seen as a route to leadership development, corporate learning can place a stronger focus on real-world business challenges. From the findings of this leadership study, a better understanding of the impact of digital adoption will be higher on the agenda for senior executives over the next three years. The 2017 Corporate Learning Pulse survey is the second in a series of annual surveys of C-suite executives, HR and L&D professionals. The report is available at http://resources.ftiecla.com/pulse2017/ Financial Times | IE Business School Corporate Learning Alliance was formed in 2015 in response to growing calls for more flexible, practical, relevant and timely corporate learning. A joint venture of the Financial Times and IE Business School, it brings world-renowned business information and journalism, leading academic faculty and a global network of educators to co-create customised corporate learning and leadership development programmes in multiple languages, to almost any sector, anywhere in the world. Through expert learning frameworks, innovation and technology, it focuses on achieving measurable learning outcomes. http://www.ftiecla.com SOURCE FT IE Corporate Learning Alliance

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[December 14, 2017] Built In Boston Recognizes Vestmark as a Top 100 Boston Tech Company

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vestmark, a leading provider of wealth management solutions, is honored to be included in Built In Bostons Top 100 Tech Companies.

Built In Bostons Top 100 is a ranking of the largest digital tech employers in the Boston metropolitan area based on local, full-time employee count. This ranking is compiled by submissions to the Built In Boston website, results of a market survey as well as press releases, news coverage and other publicly available data. Built In Boston boasts that the number of employees employed by the top 100 companies on the list for 2017 has grown to nerly 40,000.



Vestmark is the top fintech company on the list and ranks 36th overall, trailing behind the 35th spot by only two employees. In the past year, Vestmark has grown by 40% to reach an employee headcount of over 300. The company remains focused on achieving hiring targets for 2018. We are honored to be recognized as a top 100 technology company in the greater Boston area, said John Lunny, CEO of Vestmark. Our contributions to the financial technology industry and the Boston community are based on the dedication, energy, and passion that our employees give on a day to day basis. We are well-positioned for future growth because we have the best and the brightest talent contributing to our success.

The full 2017 rankings list for Built In Bostons Top 100 can be found on their website. For more information on working at Vestmark, please visit the careers page. About Vestmark:

Vestmark is a leading provider of wealth management solutions, headquartered outside of Boston, MA. Founded in 2001, Vestmarks mission is to enable investors to better their financial well-being. We do this through delivering technology and services that enable financial institutions and advisors to deliver holistic advice in line with investor objectives. We service 43 institutions, over $750 billion in assets, and 2.1 million investor accounts. Vestmark, Inc. Karleen Fallon Director of Marketing 781-224-7887

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[December 14, 2017] Braviant Holdings Announces Launch of Chorus Credit Personal Loans

CHICAGO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Braviant Holdings, a leading fintech startup that offers analytics and technology-driven credit solutions for underserved Americans, is now offering personal loans up to $10,000 in California through its Chorus Credit online lending platform. Chorus will complement Braviant's existing installment lending business, Balance Credit, by offering higher loan amounts at lower rates to the estimated 26% of California consumers who are underserved by traditional banks. A recent research study conducted by TransUnion found that fintech companies like Braviant are now fulfilling nearly a third of the $80 billion U.S. personal loan market, up from just 1% in 2010. A large majority of these fintech companies, including the most prominent marketplace lenders, target prime consumers with above average FICO scores. Chorus has adifferent mission and will work to promote financial inclusion and expand credit access to a broader spectrum of middle America often classified as 'near prime'.



"Too many hardworking Americans have been underserved by mainstream financial institutions since the Great Recession," said Thomas Ervesun, President of Chorus. "With our newly launched personal loan business, consumers can apply online anywhere, anytime to access a simple, convenient borrowing experience  perfect credit not required." To bring Chorus to life, Braviant brought together a dedicated launch team to build a cutting-edge technology platform that is nimble and scalable. The new platform was architected by a small group of in-house engineers led by Chief Technology Officer, Bob Sides. Prior to joining Braviant, Bob designed and launched an online deposit platform for GE Capital Bank that was acquired in 2016 by Goldman Sachs.

Sides's experience bringing traditional banking into the digital age, combined with a broader management team that is heavily comprised of near prime lending veterans, will be a key differentiator as Braviant works toward a national rollout for Chorus. CEO Stephanie Klein previously launched NetCredit, a near prime personal loan business offered by Enova International that originated just shy of $1 billion unsecured installment loans from its 2012 inception through Q3 2017. Chief Analytics Officer Travis Gonzalez is also no stranger to near prime lending, having previously led credit risk modeling for Springleaf Financial's $6B+ consumer loan portfolio. Braviant's remaining executives round out the team with extensive consumer lending expertise in Finance, Operations, Legal and Compliance. About Braviant Holdings

Braviant Holdings is a Chicago-based fintech company that uses advanced analytics and proprietary technology to streamline the borrowing process and transform how people access credit online. Braviant's rapid growth since inception is a testament to the company's ability to develop innovative credit products that look beyond a traditional credit score to help deserving consumers build a better financial future. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/braviant-holdings-announces-launch-of-chorus-credit-personal-loans-300571182.html SOURCE Braviant Holdings

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[December 14, 2017] VR Industry Forum to Publish Industry Guidelines at CES

FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virtual Reality Industry Forum (VRIF) today announced the general availability of its first set of VR Industry Guidelines, which includes topics relevant for VR content production, distribution, security and consumption. At CES 2018, VRIF will present the new guidelines in its 2-hour masterclass, outline its 2018 roadmap, and showcase VR demonstrations from Fraunhofer and Qualcomm. Featured speakers at the CES event will include experts from Ericsson, Intel, Irdeto, Sky, TNO, Greenlight Insights and more. Launched at CES 2017 to further the widespread availability of high quality audiovisual VR experiences for the benefit of consumers, VRIF today includes more than 40 member organizations. The initial release of the VRIF Guidelines focuses on the delivery ecosystem of 360 video with three degrees of freedom (3DOF) and incorporates: Documentation of cross-industry interoperability points, based on ISO MPEG's Omnidirectional Media Format (OMAF)

Best industry practices for production of VR360 content, with an emphasis on human factors such as motion sickness

Security considerations for VR360 streaming, including user privacy and content protection. Topics to be addressed in 2018 by VRIF include six degrees of freedom (6DOF), live virtual reality services and support for high dynamic range (HDR). Member companies are also encouraged to bring topics and suggestions to the vrious working groups for consideration.



"VRIF is helping the video industry to create and support a thriving VR ecosystem. This technology represents an extremely promising and powerful opportunity, and it is imperative that we work together to create a powerful experience for users out of the gate," said Christian Egeler, Director of XR (Extended Reality) Product Development at Verizon. "Beyond ensuring that the entire video ecosystem can collaborate to deliver compelling VR experiences, we must work together to effectively protect that content and enable monetization. At the VRIF, we are focused on all these various challenges and opportunities." "As virtual and augmented reality continue to evolve, the VRIF Guidelines serve two main purposes: first, to support end-to-end interoperability across the virtual reality ecosystem, from production to consumption, and second, to ensure a high quality user experience," said Rob Koenen, President of the Virtual Reality Industry Forum. "As the industry moves towards standardized VR solutions, we are also cooperating closely with other industry organizations including MPEG, 3GPP, DVB, VR Society and ITU to facilitate technology integration for VRIF member companies and other related partners."

The VRIF CES Masterclass will be held on January 8 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at the Convention Center, Las Vegas. For more information or to register to attend, visit http://www.vr-if.org/events/vrif-master-class-at-ces-2018/. About VRIF

VRIF is composed of a broad range of participants from sectors including, but not limited to, the movie, television, mobile, broadcast and interactive gaming ecosystems, comprising content creators, content distributors, consumer electronics manufacturers, professional equipment manufacturers and technology companies. Membership in VRIF is open to all parties that support its mission. VRIF will rely on Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) to develop relevant standards, and will seek to establish liaisons with such SDOs. For more information, visit http://www.vr-if.org. Media Contact

Sarah Lum

Bondi Blue for VR Industry Forum

+1.650.785.2583

[email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vr-industry-forum-to-publish-industry-guidelines-at-ces-300571411.html SOURCE Virtual Reality Industry Forum

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[December 14, 2017] NSAV Subsidiary Signs Major Agreement With Eli Lilly and Company

CRESCO, Pa., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Net Savings Link, Inc. (OTC:NSAV) -- a medical technology and software company, announced today that its subsidiary, Shanghai based Vital Strategic Research Institute (VSRI), has signed an agreement with Eli Lilly and Company. Under the terms of the agreement, VSRI will provide Eli Lilly with an assessment of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) among newly diagnosed diabetes patients at increased risk of CVD in China. China is facing the largest diabetes epidemic in the world with around 11 percent of its population suffering from the metabolic illness, while nearly 36 percent are pre-diabetic. CVD in China has also reached epidemic proportions, with over 200 million Chinese suffering from the worlds leading cause of death.

About Eli Lilly and Company



Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven company, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.



NSAV subsidiary, VSRI is a medical research firm with a long history of expertise in design, clinical trials and global research. VSRI has collaborated with pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb.



James Tilton, president of NSAV stated, I am thrilled that we have been able to close our first major deal since acquiring VSRI nly two months ago. It is extremely rewarding to be the CEO of a company that is not only succeeding from a business standpoint, but saving lives.







NSAV's vision is the establishment of a fully integrated technology and software company that provides turnkey technological and software solutions to the medical industry. Over time, the Company plans to provide a wide range of services such as software solutions, e-commerce, advisory services, financial services, patents and trademarks and information technology.



For further information please contact NSAV at 1 (585) 520-2102 or [email protected]





The NSAV corporate email address is [email protected]



The NSAV corporate website can be accessed at http://nsavholdinginc.com



The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/NSAV_MJTechCo



The NSAV Facebook account can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/NSAVHolding



This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Net Savings Link, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Net Savings Link, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Net Savings Link, Inc. or any other person.



Contact

Investor Growth LLC

[email protected]

585-520-2102

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[December 14, 2017] MediaSmarts and Facebook Canada release new video to help Canadians tell fact from fiction

Quick, easy strategies can keep false news from spreading VANCOUVER, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, MediaSmarts and Facebook launched a new video designed to help Canadians stop the spread of false news and misinformation. This resource is the first to be produced by MediaSmarts as part of its two-year digital news literacy partnership with Facebook, a component of Facebook's Canadian Election Integrity Initiative. "Our research shows that Canadians are more likely to trust news shared by their family and friends on social media," said Matthew Johnson, Director of Education for MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy. "That's why it's so important we take a minute to make sure a story is true before we pass it on." The short, animated video outlines three easy strategies for Canadians to determine whether news stories in their social media feed are responsible journalism or misinformation: Check out the original source  see if the author actually exists and has a good track record for accuracy.

Check fact-checkin sites  use a professional fact-checking site or add the words "hoax" or "scam" to an Internet search.

Think before you share  help stop false news in its tracks.



tip sheet accompanies the video and also includes strategies for detecting fake photos and videos. "Facebook plays an important role in facilitating public dialogue, which is why we're committed to making it a safe and secure environment for authentic civic engagement," said Kevin Chan, Head of Public Policy at Facebook Canada. "We've partnered with MediaSmarts to help Canadians make more informed decisions in the lead-up to the next election, as digital literacy is critical to preventing the spread of false news."

The video will be launched in Vancouver during a fireside chat with Johnson and Marcy Lynn Scott, Director of Social Good Policy Programs at Facebook, hosted by Mike De Souza, Managing Editor at the National Observer. The discussion will focus on the role public news literacy plays in helping support democracy in the digital age. Tune in on Facebook Live at 12:15 p.m. ET. MediaSmarts has been producing materials on authentication of information for Canadian classrooms, libraries and homes for over 20 years. These include research studies, lesson plans, professional development workshops and tip sheets for parents. About MediaSmarts

MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Its vision is that children and youth have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. MediaSmarts offers hundreds of digital and media literacy resources for teachers, parents and librarians on its website. AboutFacebookCanada

Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. More than 23 million Canadians use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. All other brand or product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. SOURCE MediaSmarts

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[December 14, 2017]

VironIT Software Development Company Granted Belarus HTP Membership

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today VironIT became a member of Belarus Hi-Tech Park, one of the leading organizations among innovative IT clusters in Central and Eastern Europe.

Belarus Hi-Tech Park is a virtual hi-tech park that ensures favorable business conditions for tech companies, facilitates their growth and offers economic incentives for investors. 91.5 percent of the software produced in the Park account for exports with 40.2 percent being sold to USA and Canada, 46.7 percent  to the European countries and 10.7 percent  to Russia and the CIS countries.

Today the cluster involves 180 tech resident companies. Every year a new success story takes place in HTP: World of Tanks, Viber, Apalon and MSQRD.

As an HTP reident, company VironIT is exempt from all corporate taxes, including VAT and profit tax, as well as customs duties. Individual income tax has a fixed rate of 9 percent for the employees of VironIT. It allows providing a company's customers with the most reliable prices and terms.







VironIT is an international software development company established in 2004. The company provides comprehensive services including development of mobile applications, web-oriented applications, business software solutions, as well as software integration and updating, support, and maintenance of software applications. VironIT has carried out 500 projects to 300 high-profile companies in eHealth, Sports, Banking, Retail, Marketing, Gaming and other industries.

To learn more about the software development company, VironIT please visit https://vironit.com.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vironit-software-development-company-granted-belarus-htp-membership-300571638.html

SOURCE VironIT
Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Commences Investigation on Behalf of Signet Jewelers Limited Investors (SIG)

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces an investigation on behalf of Signet Jewelers Limited ("Signet" or the "Company") (NYSE: SIG) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. To obtain information or aid in the investigation, please visit the Signet investigation page on our website www.glancylaw.com/case/signet-jewelers-limited-0.

On November 21, 2017, during the Compan's Q3 2017 conference call, CEO Virginia Drosos disclosed that Signet "faced headwinds" from "disruptions in our systems and processes during our credit outsourcing transition" which "impacted our comp sales by sixty basis points." Drosos further elaborated that the disruptions were caused by the conversion of IT systems and the magnitude of in-store process changes related to the new program.







On this news, Signet's share price fell $23.05, or 30%, to close at $52.79 per share on November 21, 2017, thereby injuring investors.

Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert): twitter.com/GPM_LLP.

If you purchased Signet securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214006363/en/
By Trend





First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation led by Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion of the United Kingdom, co-chair of Joint Intergovernmental Commission Baroness Rona Fairhead.








Off-duty officer justified in Lenexa Costco shooting, acted with extreme courage Johnson County, KS - An off-duty KCK officer is being hailed as a hero by the Johnson County District Attorney. Prosecutor Steve Howe ruled today that police Capt. Michael Howell was justified in shooting Ronald Hunt at the Lenexa Costco in November.

Postscript on an active shooter situation that was widely celebrated by local gun activists . . . Check the most celebratory article on the topic that kinda documents how box store shoppers were running for their lives from a ranting dude threatening the crowd as an off-duty cop thankfully had more training than keyboard warriors who want to share his glory. Read more:
THERE HAS BEEN A TROUBLING UPTICK IN FATAL KCMO CAR CRASHES . . . Here's an overview that locals shouldn't read on their phone while driving. Checkit:

Kansas City Police Baffled By Rise In Deadly Traffic Accidents We've heard a lot about the soaring number of murders in Kansas City, a big problem to be sure. But police are also dealing with a huge spike in traffic fatalities. And as the year comes to an end, police aren't really sure why there have been so many.

A reminder that there are a great many ways to die in this town and
KANSAS CITY APPROVAL OF THE MOU FOR THE NEW AIRPORT IS WORTHLESS UNDER THREAT OF THE GOP BUDGET CRACKDOWN!!! WHAT MAYOR & COUNCIL ARE PASSING TODAY IS NOTHING LESS THAN A BLANK CHECK!!!

"Congress passed the tax bill that would eliminate the "private activity bonds" the exact same bonds that were going to pay for the airport! . . . What a fun thought that the airport vote was all for naught! If this reform sticks, Kansas City would then have to go back to the ballot to pass airport revenue bonds to pay for the new terminal!"

- 35% MBE/WBE hiring is a nice goal but that's has never happened in KC history and sets the stage for a lot of local fake inclusion.





- Nobody wants to mention $20-MILLION in up front costs which contradict City Hall promises about KC taxpayers footing the bill . . .





- A 1-BILLION-Dollar budget is a GUESS at best.

Mayor & Council are set to approve the #NewKCI Memorandum Of Understanding with Edgemoor today despite a threat that the funding mechanism for the new airport might not exist if a current draft of the GOP tax break budget is passed.Remember that private activity bonds are out of favor among the Republican majority and, just like Tiger Grants . . . They're not a Democratic Party priority amid ongoing concern over healthcare.And so . . .We've explained this before but here's a very eloquent KC Insider quote . . .Anyhoo . . .After a rigged vote the process threatens to move forward today with very little of the initial financial promises to voters intact.Developing . . .
CHECK OUR TKC HIGHLIGHTS OF KANSAS CITY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES!!!

HOW WILL THIS AMBITIOUS CITY HALL HOLIDAY SEASON WISH LIST IMPACT KANSAS CITY???

We're gonna wait one more day until we totally give in to the holiday season cult of Santa but for now here's some relevant information regarding policy priorities for Kansas City . . .Per ushe, we've snagged the most interesting naughty bits and provided links to the rest . . .Oppose any effort to undermine the Earnings Tax and support the extension of the Earnings Tax renewal period from 5 years to 20 years.Support state funding for the Buck ONeil Bridge.Oppose legislation that would be reasonably viewed as discriminatory toward any citizen of the State of Missouri and harmful to its economy.Support amending Missouri Revised Statutes Section 84.330 to eliminate the Citys liability for the torts of KCPD police officers.Support reinstating the Missouri Film rebate program as a tool for economic development.And then . . .Oppose legislation that would eliminate Private Activity Bonds or repeal Advanced Refunding Bonds. Private Activity Bonds are essential to a number of City infrastructure projects and expected to be a significant tool in financing the new KCI airport approved by voters earlier this month. Support implementation of the funding to demolish the vacant Bannister Federal Complex, safely clean up the buildings and ground contamination, and transfer the site to a private developer to redevelop the 300-acre site primarily for industrial use, with the possibility of commercial use outside of the flood wall in the southwest corner at Bannister and Troost.Support the U.S. Department of Transportations Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.Support extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and comprehensive reform of current immigration laws to allow undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States to earn legal status and apply for citizenship.Support increased anti-violence funding for grants that will assist the Kansas City No Violence Alliance and the Citys Aim4Peace Program and pursue funding for initiatives that will reduce violent crime in Kansas City.And so . . .You decide . . .
The 30-year lease includes an extension clause, and is valued at 1.2 million euros per year

The Lampsa group this week announced that it was adding a third hotel on Syntagma area to its stable through the long-term leasing of the Kings Palace Hotel, which operates on property owned by a supplementary fund of employees of the former Agricultural Bank of Greece.

The 30-year lease includes an extension clause, and is valued at 1.2 million euros per year and a dividend based on a percentage of yearly turnover.

Lampsa also finalized recently the purchase of the King George Hotel from Eurobank, while it manages the Grande Bretagne, which is located adjacent to the former.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: A.Savin License: CC-BY-SA

Source: naftemporiki.gr
The attraction of foreign direct investments is critical for the recovery of Greece's stricken economy and further promotion of its promising tourist industry

The government and Greeces creditors have agreed that the contract for the concession to the ETVA BIPE - Goldair consortium of a freight center on a 0.59-square kilometer plot at Thriasio Plain, in western Attica, owned by state railway property firm Gaiaose, will be approved in Parliament by next month.

At the same time, MPs must also ratify the announcement of a tender for the concession of another 1.4 sq.km. plot at Thriasio  in which Chinas Cosco is interested, possibly in cooperation with Trainose, sources from the Chinese group have told Kathimerini newspaper.

The revised deal with the creditors provides for the drafting of alternative scenarios for the new tender by the end of January. It will be officially announced as a public-private partnership by July. The bidder that undertakes the 1.4 sq.km. plot will have to complete a project planned by state railway works company Ergose. This concerns spaces for cargo storage, customs and offices, as well as additional storage spaces, complete with equipment such as gantry cranes.

The property already has two major logistics spaces in which Cosco and others have showed an interest, while the entire complex represents part of the targets of a three-year economic cooperation plan between Greece and China.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: GeorgHH License: CC-BY-SA

Source: ekathimerini.com
The Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) has approved more than $454 million of new development funding to benefit developing countries across the globe, a media report said.



OFIDs newly-approved public sector loans, which total nearly $323 million, will support the following projects/programs in Bangladesh ($30 million), Belize ($40 million),Bolivia ($30 million), Burkina Faso ($16.8 million), China ($35 million), Djibouti ($14 million),Kyrgyz Republic ($10 million),Madagascar ($20 million),Nicaragua ($ 30million), Rwanda ($20 million), Sri Lanka ($50 million), Zambia ($12 million) and Zimbabwe ($15 million), reported Emirates news agency Wam.



Other approvals include 11 grants totalling $7.56 million. The grants support many organizations including International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Water Association, United Nations Development Programme Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).



Under OFIDs private sector facility, five financing facilities totalling $114 million were approved. Two will help enhance the energy sectors in Armenia and Jordan; two others will support financial institutions in Cambodia and Nicaragua in expanding their lending to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.



The facility will also help strengthen the capital base of the Nicaraguan institution. Also approved was a loan to help expand cement production in Pakistan. Under OFIDs trade finance operations, $10 million was approved to support international trade activities in Turkey.



OFID is the development finance institution established by the Member States of Opec in 1976 as a channel of aid to the developing countries. At the close of the year 2016, contributions pledged by Opec member countries totalled $4,433 million out of which $3,462 million was direct contributions to OFID. The reserve account stood at $2,740 million.



So far, 134 countries worldwide have benefited from OFID's financial assistance.
Dubai is looking to welcome one million cruise passengers by 2020, it was revealed. The ambitious plan was unveiled by the emirate's cruise line officials at the ongoing Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum.



Addressing delegates at the opening session of the forum, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), highlighted DCTCMs plan to ensure that cruise passengers felt the soul of Dubai and there would be an extra concentration on excursions that show the heritage of the city and its older partsas well as the more modern areas and attractions.



Next to the stage was Esam Ahmed, commercial manager, Mina Rashid and Mina Hamriyah, DP World, who highlighted the growth plans for Mina Rashid cruise port which includes the allocation of additional berths to handle up to 7 mega ships (up from the current 6) and the development of a new terminal to meet market demand by 2020.



The first days Summit Session managing growth, planning for the future saw senior government officials and tourism stakeholders then discuss their own growth plans for their destinations.



Delegates heard that Abu Dhabi welcomed a record 315,000 cruise visitors in 2017  nearly 40,000 more than the previous year. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Cruise Sector and City Tour Development manager, Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi, said: A recent survey commissioned for cruise passengers showed an overall satisfaction score of 96 per cent - an overall 32 per cent increase since 2015  with consistently high scores across different aspects of their experience during their trip to the capital.



Omans Mohammed Zahran Al Mahruqi, program director, Asyad spoke of the infrastructural port growth plans, while Bahrains Yousef AlKhan, director of marketing and tourism promotion, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) told delegates of the 45 per cent increase in cruise passengers in the 2016-2017 season to 76,185.



Dubais Hamad Mohammed Bin Shaik Mejren, senior vice president, Stakeholders Department, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) reiterated the citys aim to reach the 1 million cruise passenger ambition.



For the first time, a delegation from India were amongst delegates and also represented on stage by Dr Suman Billa, Joint Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Shri Yashodhan A Wanage, Deputy Chairman, Mumbai Port Trust. Both gave a rallying cry of the dawn of cruise tourism in India and asked stakeholders to work together to help the growth of cruise tourism to the main ports of Mumbai; Goa; Mangalore; Chennai and Cochin  all of which have been identified by the Government of India for cruise development - and also the potential of interporting with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.



Shaji Thomas, director destination Tourism Development, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority told delegates that RAK Port is upgrading its existing passenger terminal to accommodate boutique cruise vessels  which currently account for 11 per cent of cruising capacity in the region. He also spoke of energetic growth plans for the UAE emirate; a new cruise terminal opening in February 2018 and announced that the worlds longest and highest zip line  surpassing the previous record holder in Puerto Rico  due to open soon.



Also taking part on the opening morning were cruise line executives, Tine Oelmann, director, Port Operations, Shore Excursions and Ground Operations, TUI Cruises and Steven Young, director, Port Services & Government Affairs, P&O Cruises & Cunard, Carnival UK.



Both long time supporters of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum and how it has become an essential regional platform for discussion and debate, Steven took the opportunity to announce that P&O Cruises inaugural fly-cruise will start for 2019 and was the result of discussions over several years with regional stakeholders at this event.



Seventeen cruise line executives from 14 of the worlds leading cruise lines are attending the annual Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum taking place at Lapita; located within Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai, UAE from December 12-13.



Cruise lines represented include: Aida Cruises; Carnival UK; Crystal Cruises; Cunard; Cruise & Maritime Voyages; Marella Cruises, TUI Group; MSC Cruises; P&O Cruises; Pullmantur Cruceros; Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd; TUI Cruises GmbH; Star Clippers; Windstar Cruises; Virgin Voyages.



Cruise tourism within the Arabian Gulf has experienced explosive growth over the past five years, said Chris Hayman, chairman, Seatrade UBM EMEA. As deployment continues to boom, destinations across the region have already made major investments in cruise terminal facilities to accommodate an expanding fleet of ships, which are increasing in capacity from season to season.



The conference programme on Day Two puts a spotlight on a number of key discussion points, including extending seasonality; opportunities for niche cruising; port and destination development; the link with India; the Suez Canal and Red Sea; shore excursion offerings; supporting the needs of the crew and exploiting the potential for inbound Chinese tourism.



Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum has become a fixture on the regional cruise event calendar and been held for the past consecutive years in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar and previously in Bahrain. The events return to Dubai reflects the regional significance for the future of cruising in the Arabian Gulf. - TradeArabia News Service
Turkish Airlines has announced a special one day promotion in celebration of Bahrain's 46th National Day.



Passengers can avail a 46 per cent discount when flying from Bahrain to 46 destinations on Turkish Airlines destination network including London, Sarajevo, Lisbon and more.



The offer is valid for passengers booking a flight on December 14 for travel between December 14 and April 30.



Turkish Airlines has been providing excellent services to its passengers through its business class services, its Flagship CIP Lounge which can be accessed by Business Class travellers at Ataturk Airport, and its strong reputation for Turkish hospitality and convenience on all levels. - TradeArabia News Service








'Back-to-Back' Cruises Include One Free Night at a Luxury Hotel in Paris



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - December 13th, 2017 - The French didnt invent wine-making, but many would agree they perfected the art. European Waterways is offering wine lovers a unique, limited opportunity to visit two world renowned wine making regions  the eponymous Champagne, and Burgundy, France  with a new Back-to-Back two-week cruise option. Through this option, guests can book the Panache hotel barge in Champagne and LImpressionniste in neighboring Burgundy for two consecutive weeks of exploration, education and wine tastings. As an added incentive, European Waterways will also provide a free nights stay at the Hotel Westminster in Paris, a French institution situatedalong the opulent Rue De Paix.

This 13-night, back-to-back cruise opportunity is only available from mid-June through early July, when the 12-passenger Panache cruises the River Marne through Champagnes peaceful vineyards. Prices start at $12,180 per person, based on double occupancy, and include all gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, daily escorted excursions, local transfers to and from the hotel barge, and use of all on-board amenities, such as bicycles and spa pools.

A Sparkling Opportunity

The 12-passenger Panache hotel barge enjoys one of European Waterways most diverse itineraries. It cruises Holland throughout tulip season, Champagne in early summer, and Alsace and Lorraine from late summer until Fall. Booking consecutive cruises in Champagne and Burgundy during Panaches sailings is especially convenient because European Waterways will transfer guests seamlessly from one vessel to the other, with an intervening night spent at a top hotel in the city of lights.

Among the highlights of Panaches Champagne cruise is a visit to the village of Hautvilliers, known as the cradle of champagne. It is here that the monk, Dom Perignon, discovered the Methode Champenoise, from which the best Champagnes and sparkling wines are made. In addition to a private tasting at a renowned vineyard, guests will be treated to dinner at a French restaurant. Theyll also experience an exclusive tasting and cellar tour in the village of Epernay, widely acknowledged as the champagne capital of the world, as well as the option to sample different champagnes each evening aboard Panache.

Another cruise highlight is La Maison Pannier, a seminal champagne house notable for its labyrinth of medieval underground cellars. Guests can tour these subterranean vaults and finish with a private tasting. During the cruise, Panache will also moor at Chateau-Thierry, the historic town on the river Marne, surrounded by the vineyards that produce some of the regions famous champagnes.

Making a Good Impression

The second week of the cruise can continue on the deluxe, 12-passenger LImpressionniste hotel barge, which cruises the Burgundy Canal in the wine region of Southern Burgundy. Among wine cellars visited are Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin, which awards a special prized label to the finest Cote dOr vintages every year. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive wine tasting at the boutique Chateau Andre Ziltener, the perfect showcase of some of Burgundys most sumptuous vintages. Built on the foundations of an old Cistercian abbey, the chateau is a mecca for historians and oenophiles alike.

In addition to numerous scenic drives through many of the regions premier vineyards, guests will visit the Vigne de LEnfant Jesus, a famous vineyard owned by the Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils. There, a wine expert will explain the vineyards production of its Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines. This will be followed by a gastronomic repast in the orangerie of Chateau de Beaune, owned by the winery since 1820.

Wine is just one aspect of these exceptional, back-to-back cruises. Frances culinary tradition is also on full display  and a worthy companion, noted Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. All our wines are professionally paired with an exceptional cuisine of regionally specialties prepared by our on-board master chef. The regions are also steeped in history, and guests will relish their gastronomic experiences amid a backdrop of picturesque villages, legendary castles and ancient landmarks.

European Waterways can help guests to create similar, two-week cruises based on their special interest and availability. Call for more information. The 2018 brochure is also now available for order or download from the company website.



About European Waterways

The hotel barging experience is different from large vessel river cruising. It offers a slower paced, gentle voyage of discovery along the more intimate canals and waterways of Europe that are inaccessible to bigger vessels, allowing a small number of guests to become fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region. European Waterways is Europes largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying around 2,500 passengers a year. Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own, operate and market a private fleet of luxury hotel barges with cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. For more information, call 1-877-879-8808 or visit them on line europeanwaterways.com.



###
New Delhi, December 14

Telecom regulator Trai on Thursday asked mobile operators to submit their network-related data for checking service quality under the new stricter call drop parameters.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has issued a fresh format for mobile operators to report such data every quarter based on its new Quality of Service (QoS) formula.

Under new parameters, telecom operators may face a maximum penalty of Rs 10 lakh for call drops which will now be measured at mobile tower level instead of at telecom circle.

The new call drop rules came into force from October 1 and the current quarter will be the first quarter of reporting under the new formula.

The data and compliance reporting used to happen on a monthly basis so far, and the same is now going to be on a quarterly basis, said a Trai official who did not wish to be named.

Trai has directed the Unified Access Service Providers and Cellular Mobile Service Providers, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar telephone Nigam Ltd to submit their compliance reports, within a period of 21 days of the end of each quarter ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of the year...on quarterly basis, in respect of parameters of cellular mobile...service, according to the regulators website.

In another directive, the regulator has also asked the telcos to also put up the information relating to performance based on the new rules, on the companys website.

The industry had earlier flagged the new formula as an area of concern, saying the new methodology is more stringent.

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had said that the regulator must meet players to discuss the results of the new call drop norms, post December.

The difficulties faced by telcos and outcome of the new stringent Quality of Service (QoS) formula applied should be discussed before results are made public by the regulator, Rajan Mathews, Director General of COAI had told PTI last month.  PTI
Arun Joshi

Arun Joshi

THE Supreme Court's refusal to direct the Jammu and Kashmir Government to constitute a commission for the minorities  Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians  in the state may have its legal strength, and so may be the case of the Mehbooba Mufti government's affidavit in the apex court that J&K is not the only state where the national minority is in a majority. These are legal and technical arguments; but the minorities' rights and their sense of security are not  cannot be  a simple legal argument. How the minorities get treated defines a polity.

Two crucial issues are at stake. Muslims are a minority in India and since J&K is a part of the country, therefore the Muslim community here cannot be clubbed differently. Any change in their status would amount to strengthening the secessionist voices raised in the name of Muslim majority. One of the arguments of the secessionists is that J&K's Muslim majority is yet to decide its destiny. The National Conference and the People's Democratic Party, too, are pitching for more political and constitutional concessions primarily because of the Muslim-majority character of the state. That Muslims, despite being a majority in the state, are entitled to minority benefits is an extension of the thesis that the territory and the people of the state are a part of India. Here this majority and minority argument is used for polarisation to get political dividends and please radicals.

Kashmiri Hindus tragedy

The second part is equally disconcerting. The suffering of minorities in J&K is a self-evident reality. The way Kashmiri Hindus, better known as Kashmiri Pandits, were made to flee the Valley in the late 1980s- early 1990s is a well-documented tragedy of their persecution. The community has not been restored to the "land of their great grandfathers", despite tall claims of prime ministers from Inder Kumar Gujral to Manmohan Singh. That is just a tip of the iceberg of their plight.

Hindus  mostly now in the Jammu region  many Dogras, the erstwhile rulers of the state, still live in the gone-bye times of their monarchy. Gradually, they are realising that they are subjects and not rulers, when they find that their children get discriminated against in jobs and admissions to institutions. Christians and Buddhists, too, have been marginalised.

Plight of Sikhs

Sikhs here are torn between their self-dignity and the colossal damage to their identity. Many Sikh families fled their homes in isolated hamlets to the better-protected towns and cities. At least that was the perception because the isolated hamlets were more vulnerable to terror attacks and it was also not possible for the security forces to provide security cover to each and every home of the Sikhs. And wherever security pickets were set up initially have been withdrawn from many places.

At their new places, they are being asked to prove their residence proof of the 1950s - something that has been mandatory for granting permanent resident certificates to them or their children. Their claim that they have come from the villages and have disposed of their property and lost their property papers in the transition are dismissed as excuses by the authorities. The permanent resident certificates, known as state subject too, is a necessity for getting admission into schools, colleges, professional institutions, government jobs and purchase of immovable property in the state. The political leadership of the state was a party in denying Sikhs and other minorities their rights.

Majority-minority ties uneasy

The majority community would have loved to share things with the minorities in the state, but the distorted political narratives created a sense of unease in the relationship between the two. The marginalised Muslims have been brought under the extra-religious sentiment spell and they have forgotten about their political share and economic rights. The Muslims are told that they are in danger. Their majority (in numbers) is under threat from the Hindutva forces. This is the line of argument of the separatists in J&K. They are spreading the word that the Centre and the RSS are clandestinely settling non-Muslims from the mainland India in Kashmir to undermine the Muslim-majority character of the place. They achieve their objective of creating situations by arousing religious passions. The 2008, 2010 and 2016 agitations were given communal overtones.

Some unfortunate events such as beef controversy, lynching of Muslims and Dalits by cow vigilantes in the country, debate on Article 370 are used as tools to stir communalism. It has influenced almost all institutions. Government recruitment records show minorities are being marginalised, to the extent that there is silent migration of the minorities from the state, much to the delight of the radical elements.

The mainstream is also working in a similar direction. Its advocacy of autonomy and self-rule is directed at further marginalising the minorities. The Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists are living on the edge because the BJP that was supposed to protect them, who had voted en bloc for the party, has succumbed to the pleasures of power and pelf. The minorities have become people of nowhere in J&K because no one is willing to recognise them as a minority and offer protection.

Hindus, Sikhs feel discriminated against

The way Kashmiri Pandits were made to flee the Valley in the 1980s-90s is a well-documented tragedy of their persecution.

Their children get discriminated against in jobs and admissions to institutions.

Many Sikh families fled their homes in isolated hamlets to the better-protected towns and cities.

At their new places, they are being asked to prove their residence proof of the 1950s.

ajoshi57@gmail.com
THE Buenos Aires ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as expected, collapsed due to the unyielding US position on Indias demand for a permanent time-bound decision on keeping out public stockholding of foodgrains from the purview of subsidy caps. It reflects as much on Indias flawed negotiating line as it does on the absence of sympathy in the developed world to build up food security in the impoverished third world. India may be an emerging economic giant but is also home to 600 million poor people. Ensuring food security is the fundamental duty for any government worth its salt; also imperative is a network of subsidies for enabling the poor to have access to decent food. Given that ours is primarily an agrarian economy, and agriculture is not sustainable, a permanent solution to the food stockpiling issue is of utmost importance to us.

A permanent solution was slated for 2017. When the US reneged on the promise at the Buenos Aires WTO Ministerial, India raised the ante, declining to negotiate on the issue. The US has refused to acknowledge that public stockholding for food security is a livelihood issue and, thus, cannot be compromised upon. But the US, with the insensitivity that marks its America-First rhetoric in most international dealings, chose to ride roughshod over the concerns of most WTO members.

The irony is that lopsided rules, framed when developing countries were wet-behind-the ears about the intricacies of WTO, allow the developed world to enjoy unfairly huge disproportionate entitlements to agriculture sops. Ever since the poorer countries realised this distortion, they have been demanding a more level playing field. But the rich have refused to engage on the issue. Though India has China and several developing countries in its corner, its choices are stark if it wishes to play by WTO rules: scale down MSP or forget public stockholding. And to avoid being challenged for breaching the subsidy cap, India will have to become proactive on free trade agreements, in which it has been a laggard. A major but non-traditional foreign policy headache looms ahead for the Modi government.
New Delhi, December 14

The National Green Tribunal today clarified that it has not imposed any restriction on chanting of mantras and singing of bhajans inside the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

Following protests over its decision, the green panel said that it had neither intended nor declared the entire area as a silent zone.

It said the only restriction imposed was that any devotee or any individual should maintain silence while standing in front of the Amarnath Ji Maha Shivling, a natural formation in the cave.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said the restriction was not applicable to any other part, including the main stairs leading to the holy cave.

The tribunal also clarified that on the last part of the stairs, approximately 30 steps leading to the holy cave, it should be ensured that no pilgrim carried any material as already practised by the shrine board. There was no restriction of any kind below the stairs, it added.

The one-way queue of visitors/pilgrims will be maintained at the shrine. The directions will be complied with by all concerned. The directions in our considered view are required to maintain the sanctity and pristine condition of the holy cave on the one hand while on the other to ensure that there is no adverse impact of noise, heat, vibrations etc. upon the Amarnath Ji Maha Shivling, so that the pilgrims coming in the later part of the limited period available to the pilgrimage are also able to have the darshan of the Amarnath Ji Maha Shivling, the bench said.

The NGT directed its Registry to send the copy of this order to the secretary of the Ministry of the Environment and Forests, Chief Secretary of the J&K Government, CEO of the Amarnath Shrine Board and the local authorities of the area.  PTI
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 14

Members of the Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena today submitted a memorandum to the Assistant Civil Surgeon, Dr Mohinder Singh, regarding closure of chemist shops located inside hospitals in the city.

Members of the forum appealed to the Assistant Civil Surgeon that commercialisation of medical profession should be stopped and chemist shops located inside hospitals closed.

Generally it is observed that doctors prescribe only medicines that are available inside their hospitals. These drugs are highly priced as compared to those available from chemists outside. Surprisingly, these medicines are not available anywhere except from chemists located inside the hospital. Doctors should prescribe generic medicines instead of branded names, said the Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena president, Parveen Dang.

Doctors take commission from diagnostic centres. That is the reason why they refer to particular diagnostic centres. Civil surgeons office should intervene and stop this practice, he added.

Members also demanded that laws and rules of the Medical Council of India should be pasted outside every hospital and clinic in regional language.

While giving seven days time to the department they said if the department failed to take any action within a week then they would sit on a protest outside the office of Civil Surgeon.
KC Yadav

KC Yadav

THE subject of discussion in our recent weekly baithak was ex-patriotism. I exposited its true meaning through an example, borrowed from Karl Beveridge of famous Irish writer, James Joyce: Joyce left Ireland at 19, and never came back. But spent the rest of his life writing about Ireland from the perspective of living in Paris. That is ex-patriotism, I propounded a little magisterially.

A friend played his ace: Why go that far, let me give a better example of our own ex-Gurgaonite, Sheikh Fattu. He then narrated his story, which was told by his father.

Sheikh Fattu was a poor vegetable vendor who rarely ever rubbed Rs 2 together. He lived in a small house in Mohalla Jacombpura, Gurgaon. The social animal in Fattu was a little bigger: He had a large number of friends in whose company he spent most of his post-work waking hours. Despite poverty, his life was light and smooth until the Partition destroyed everything.

Following a flock of sheep like a little lamb, Fattu moved to his new destination, Pakistan, about which he knew no more than Mantos inmates of the mental asylum in Toba Tek Singh. He settled in Sheikhupura near Lahore. A stranger among strangers, he could not put down his roots in the new soil even after living there for years. An irresistible urge rose inside him every now and then to see his janmabhoomi and meet his old friends. He missed them terribly.

On a friends advice, he applied for a passport, and got it with the help of quid-i-azam (money). He also got a visa for India.

On December 25, 1969, Fattu reached Gurgaon, and after spending a day in the company of his old friends, he went to see his house the next day. On learning the purpose of his visit, the owner agreed to show him inside. Almost in a state of delirium, Fattu reached the main door in seconds. But to everyones surprise, his legs refused to carry him any further. He returned to his friends place without seeing the house.

Noticing sadness writ large on his face, his friends father asked him: What happened Fattu? Didnt you see your house? Choking, he replied: Nahin Babuji, dekhne ki himmat hi nahin juta paya. Tinko ka sahi, tha to mera ashiana. Ek bar pata nahin kaise chhut gaya tha, dobara nahin chhod pata (No, I could not muster courage to see it. Even if it was made of straws, it was my home. I do not know how I left it once, I couldnt have left it a second time).

Fattu left India a sad man. One day, after a few years, Babuji received the sad news: Some mysterious strain of depression that he had developed after his return from India had killed him. Ex-patriotism had taken Fattus life, my friend clarified. We all agreed.
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, December 14

The Maharashtra Government wants an abandoned airstrip on the outskirts of Mumbai to be made operational for regional flights under the Central Governments UDAN scheme, according to sources here.

The airstrip was constructed by the erstwhile British government during World War II and was abandoned soon afterwards.

Though the airstrip belongs to the Indian Navy, parts of it are still being used for agricultural purposes by families from whom the land was originally acquired.

We will have to rehabilitate more than 3000 families in nine villages on which the airstrip falls, a state government official said.

Earlier this year, scores of villagers ran riot amidst rumours that government officials had arrived to clear the land for a proposed airport.

Several smaller airlines which have applied to operate regional aircraft under the UDAN scheme have reportedly suggested that the Kalyan airstrip be made available to them.

Officials from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry had undertaken a survey of the area and the state government was asked to consider parting with land owned by it to set up passenger facilities.

Under the UDAN scheme, the Central Government provides viability gap funding to airlines which operate flights connecting small airports across the country.

Since the Kalyan airstrip cannot accommodate bigger aircraft it is suggested that smaller ATR aircraft deployed on regional routes could land and take off from here.

The Maharashtra Government has so far proposed development of airports in smaller cities like Kolhapur, Shirdi, Amravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. Of these the airport in Shirdi is already operational.






Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 14

The Sikyong (head) of the elected Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay, in New Delhi confirmed that his predecessor Prof Samdhang Rimpoche did visit China recently. He, however, warned, Dont read too much into it. At most its a private visit and its too early to say anything.

He was answering a question by former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal on the sidelines of the Third ML Sondhi Memorial Lecture. Sangay delivered the lecture on Tibet holds the key to Beijing.

Sondhi was an IFS officer who quit and won a Lok Sabha election in 1967 from Delhi on a Jana Sangh ticket.

Sangay said India should make Tibet the lynchpin in changing Beijing, saying Tibet must be declared the core issue.

Either you transform China into a liberal democracy or it transforms you, he said. Citing Norway and Denmark as examples of the transformation, he said the two nations had abandoned the cause of Tibetans to mend ties with China.

Sangay, who spoke at the United Nations two days ago, warned India, saying: China is already in Nepal. They have come to Doklam. He repeated Maos words on Tibet being the palm of China and Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and North East Frontier Agency (NEFA, modern Indian province of Arunachal Pradesh) its five fingers. Mao, former Chairman of the Communist Party of China, had asserted it is Chinas responsibility to liberate them all.

On being asked if he agreed with the recent book, Chinas India War  Collision Course on the Roof of the World, by Bertil Lintner, which said China had prepared for war in 1959, Sangay said: China prepared for the 1962 India-China war in 1954 when it agreed to only a five-year renewal of the India-Tibet trade pact. In 1959, Tibet was attacked.

Sangay said: China is worried as it now has the largest Buddhist community of 300 million  more than the 82 million strong Communist Party.

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, who was the chief guest at the memorial lecture, said: Maintaining good relations with China is the governments priority. At present, negotiations are on between Tibet and China. Whenever required, India and its people will stand by them (Tibetans). On the India-China standoff, he said: Doklam is not over yet.
New Delhi, December 14

The BJP looks headed for facile victories in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, according to a string of exit polls conducted by various media organisations.

Almost all exit polls predicted more than 100 seats for the BJP in Gujarat where the party has been ensconced in power for close to two decades now.

In Himachal Pradesh, where the electorate has chosen the Congress and BJP alternately in Assembly polls, the exit polls projected a clear majority for the saffron party, unseating the Congress.

What various exit polls say:

Gujarat Total seats: 182 Magic figure: 92 BJP Congress Others TimesNow-VMR 109 70 3 Today's Chanakya 135  11 47  11 0  3 Republic-CVoter 108 74  NewsX-CNX 115 65 2 News Nation 124-128 52-56 1-3 Aaj Tak-Axis poll 99-113 68-82 1-4

Today's Chanakya gave BJP 135 seats in Gujarat and predicted a measly 47 for the Congress, 14 less than the opposition party has in the current Assembly. It predicted a voteshare of 49 per cent for the BJP and 38 per cent for challenger Congress.

A party or an alliance has to win at least 92 seats in the 182-member House to form government in Gujarat.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others six.

Himachal Pradesh Total seats: 68 Magic figure: 35 BJP Congress Others India Today-Axis 47-55 13-20 0-2 Today's Chanakya 55  7 13  7 0  3 NewsX-CNX 42-50 18-24 1 News Nation 43-47 19-23 1-3

The Times Now-VMR Exit poll predicted 115 seats for the BJP and 64 for the Congress, with the remaining going to others.

The Republic-C Voter Exit Poll gave the BJP 108 seats and the Congress 74.

The ABP-CSDS exit survey by ABP News predicted a BJP victory in 117 seats as against the Congress's 64.

The NDTV said the BJP was likely to clinch 112 seats and the Congress 70.

A survey by India Today's 'Aaj Tak' news channel also predicted that the BJP would retain power in the state, winning anywhere between 99 and 113 seats. Aaj Tak's was the lone survey that said the BJP's tally could slip under 100.

It projected 62 to 82 seats for the Congress.

India TV-VMR survey also forecast a BJP win, with the party likely to clinch anywhere between 108 and 118 seats. The Congress, it said, could win 61 to 71 seats.

The survey said the BJP could garner 48 per cent of the votes polled, the Congress 41 and others 11 per cent.

In Himachal Pradesh, the exit polls predicted the BJP's return to power with a comfortable majority.

The Times Now-VMR and Zee News-Axis exit polls predicted identical tally of 51 seats for the BJP in the 68-member Assembly. A party needs 35 seats for a simple majority in the House.

The Times Now-VMR poll gave 16 seats to the Congress and one to other, while the Zee News-Axis poll forecast 17 seats for the current ruling party.

The Aaj Tak-Axis exit poll gave 47-55 seats to the saffron party, 13-20 to the Congress and 0-2 to others.

Among other exit polls, the News X survey predicted 42-50 seats for the BJP and 18-24 for the Congress.

Congress had returned to power in Himachal Pradesh in 2012 pocketing 36 seats, marginally more than the half-way mark, while the BJP secured 26. The others had bagged the remaining six.

The Congress was, however, skeptical about the predictions, with party spokesperson Shobha Oza saying exit polls have proved wrong in elections before, and claiming it will emerge victorious.

"I don't know how much you trust the exit polls. We have seen exit polls in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Punjab. All of them proved to be wrong. So, how much can one trust the exit polls.

"We will wait for the 18th for the real results. Let's not take these exit polls too seriously. We have seen them go wrong in many states in the past," Oza said.

"Definitely we are winning in Gujarat," she said.

The BJP was confident about a landslide victory.

"We will register landslide victory. In UP, exit polls had said the BJP would win between 164 and 185 seats (out of 403), but we bagged 325. Exit polls are not exact polls. We are going to register landslide victory," he asserted.  PTI
Ahmedabad, December 14

Gujarat recorded an estimated 68.70 per cent voter turnout in the second and final phase of polling for 93 Assembly seats on Thursday, the Election Commission said.

The figure is likely to go up as details are still being worked out, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha told reporters here.

Voting ended in 93 Assembly seats in north and central Gujarat in the second and final phase of polling on Thursday during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cast his ballot.

Those in queue at polling stations would be allowed to vote even after the closure of polls, state Election Commission officials said.

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While the polling was largely peaceful, two incidents of clashes were reported in Mehsana and Vadodara districts, police officials said.

The EC received complaints from five places that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were connecting to external devices via bluetooth, but after inquiry, it was found that there was no substance in the complaints, poll officials said.

An estimated 47.40 per cent voting has been recorded till 2 pm. While Sabarkantha district recorded the highest voter turnout of 56 per cent, the lowest polling of 41.23 per cent was recorded in Chotta Udaipur district, they said.

Complaints of EVMs getting connected to the external devices via bluetooth were received from Patan, Kheda, Mehsana districts, Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad district and Godhra in Panchamahal district.

On Saturday, during the first phase of the Assembly polls, the Congress had complained that some EVMs in Porbandar were connecting to external devices via bluetooth.

However, the EC had said that the apprehension of possible EVM tampering through bluetooth technology was baseless.

The EC today said there were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

Giving details of the two clashes, a police officer said at least three persons were injured in the first incident at Hasanpur village of Visnagar taluka in Mehsana, where workers of two different parties came to blows.

The situation was under control and the polling process was not affected, Mehsana Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaitanya Mandlik said.

Another incident took place at Wankaner village of Savli taluka of Vadodara district, where some villagers got into a scuffle, the officials said.

Despite the morning chill, people could be seen queuing up outside the polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

The prime minister cast his ballot after waiting in a queue at a polling booth in a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of Modi, Modi.

He walked a certain distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

However, the Congress alleged that Modis road show was violation of the model code of conduct and accused the EC of bias.

Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

Around 2.22 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise to choose between the two main contendersthe BJP and the Congressin the state which witnessed an acrimonious campaign.

A total of 851 candidates were in the fray for the second phase.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member House, held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

The election is being seen as a prestige battle for the prime minister and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 61. The votes will be counted on December 18.  PTI
Ahmedabad, December 14

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote here after waiting in a queue to exercise his right at a polling booth set up at a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of Modi, Modi.

The Prime Minister walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

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Earlier in the morning, Modi commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy in Mumbai and from there he flew to Gujarat to cast his vote.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat assembly elections is under way on Thursday in 93 seats in North and Central Gujarat.

#WATCH Ahmedabad: PM Narendra Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/cRqbmApgMv  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

The election is being seen as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The votes will be counted on December 18. PTI
Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 14

Differences have emerged over India and Chinas projection of what transpired in the bilateral meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday.

The two had met on the sidelines of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral in New Delhi. Interestingly, while the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website carries official statements on the RIC meet and a separate one on Wang Yis meeting with National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, there is no press release on the meeting with Sushma Swaraj, while the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) put out a clarification about the said release.

During the meeting between the External Affairs Minister and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on December 11 in New Delhi, the issue of Doklam was raised. EAM and Chinese Foreign Minister both noted the challenge it had posed to the relationship and both expressed satisfaction that it was resolved with the disengagement of troops at the face-off site through concerted diplomatic communications, said the MEA.

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Wang Yi conveyed that the peaceful resolution of the Doklam issue reflected the political maturity on both sides. While agreeing with this, the EAM reiterated that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an essential pre-requisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations, the release further added.

The MEA clarification was put out following press reports that attributed blunt remarks to Wang Yi saying Doklam had put Sino-Indian ties under severe pressure and claimed Doklam as a victory. Press reports cited a release by China saying, The viciousness caused by the cross-border infiltration of the Indian border guards put bilateral relations under severe pressure. The matter was finally settled peacefully through diplomatic means, reflecting the maturing of bilateral relations. However, lessons should be learned and it should not happen again.

The Chinese Embassy has not responded to queries if this was an official release and if this had been taken down from the ministrys website and why.

The MEA in its response said, The EAM also underlined the need for approaching our differences with due consideration to each others sensitivities and concerns.

The official press release on Wang Yis meeting with Doval that is still there on Beijings foreign ministry website says, The two countries should particularly strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust and properly control and handle problems left over by history and some specific issues in bilateral relations by putting them in the right place of China-India relations, without politicising and complicating them to hamper the overall development of China-India relations.
New Delhi, December 14

India expects Sri Lanka to be mindful of its security concerns and sensitivities, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday while reacting to the Sri Lankan government handing over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease last week.

Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also made it clear that Indias relation with Sri Lanka stand on its own and is not dependent on our relations with any third country.

He said India was confident of the strength of enduring ties with Sri Lanka which were deep-rooted and multidimensional.

We continue to take up with Sri Lanka issues related to the security concerns in the region and expect that our Sri Lankan friends will keep in mind our security concerns and sensitivities, he said.

Two Chinese firms  Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) managed by the China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort)  and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own the port and the investment zone around it.

The port, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is expected to play a key role in Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which will link ports and roads between China and Europe.

In order to allay Indias security concerns over the Chinese Navys presence in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe had earlier ruled out the possibility of the strategic port being used as a military base by any foreign country.

Answering another query regarding reports of Maldives signing a free trade agreement with China, he said India expects that as a close and friendly neighbour, Maldives will be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its India First policy.

Kumar also said that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Maldives.

Noting that India has seen reports about the Maldives- China agreement and the reports have also alluded to the manner in which the FTA was passed by the Majlis, he said it will not be appropriate for him to comment on the contents.

He also said India was committed to supporting democracy, development and stability in Maldives.

On the visit of Maldives President to China, he said, We feel that as long as the development of bilateral relations between the two countries contributes to the peace and stability in the region, I think we should welcome that.  PTI
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, December 14



Presiding over the commissioning of Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari into the Indian Navy on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a shining example of Make in India.

This is the perfect example of Make in India. I wish to congratulate every worker, every employee whose sweat is involved in the creation of Kalvari, Modi said in his speech.

The PM then thanked the Government of France for the technological assistance rendered for the construction of the submarine. The Scorpene-class submarines are designed by French company DCNS and are being built by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of the navys Project-75 programme.

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In his speech, Modi reiterated the importance of the Indian Ocean in global trade and commerce. Development in the 21st century is taking place via the Indian Ocean and it occupies a special place in the governments policies, he said. India too was giving back to the world by playing a major role in tackling piracy, drug-smuggling and terrorism via the sea, Modi added.

The PM said his government had been overhauling the defence sector. For the past three years we have been restructuring the entire defence and security apparatus.....We have made an impact on the external and internal security of the country, Modi said.

According to the Indian Navy, the Scorpene submarines incorporate a number of state-of-the-art features that improve movement undetected and launch attacks with precision-guided weapons.

INS Kalvari will be followed by INS Khanderi, which is currently undergoing trials.

INS Kalvari has an overall length of 67.5 metre and a height of about 12.3 metres. The hull form, fin and hydroplanes are specifically designed to produce minimum underwater resistance.

The boat has 360 battery cells, each weighing 750 kg, to power the extremely silent Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor. The stealth of the boat is further enhanced through the mounting of equipment inside the pressure hull on shock-absorbing cradles.

Other dignitaries who attended the function included Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Vice Admiral Girish Luthra.
In this June 21, 2016, photo, Paul Carpenter, an artist participating in the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, paints a donkey sculpture. They were placed throughout the city for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
Kochi, December 14

A court here awarded death sentence to Ameerul Islam, the lone convict found guilty in the rape and murder case of a 30-year old Dalit law student in Kerala last year.

Ernakulam Principal Sessions court judge N Anil Kumar awarded death penalty to Islam, a migrant labourer from Assam, for committing murder of the law student at nearby Perumbavoor.

Islam has been awarded life imprisonment for committing the rape of the woman after he was also found guilty under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

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The court had heard the versions of defence and prosecution in awarding the quantum of punishment in the case.

The defence counsel had moved an application seeking a fair probe, arguing that Islam, who only understands his mother tongue Assamese, was not given a fair treatment by Kerala Police, which probed the case.

The court, however, had rejected the application, saying the one submitted by the accused for further investigation was not in accordance with law.

The prosecution narrated the brutal manner in which the 30-year old law student was raped and murdered, and argued that it was a rarest of the rare case.

They had argued that a death sentence should be awarded to the convict, who, they said was a pervert.

The diabolic and barbaric manner in which the crime was committed on the unarmed woman was almost like that committed on Nirbhaya, victim of the gang-rape and fatal assault in New Delhi in 2012, it had said.

Islams counsel had said he was not guilty and that the police had framed him in the case.

Referring to various judgments by the Supreme Court and high courts, he had argued there was no eyewitness to the crime and the death penalty could not be awarded merely on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

Islam was found guilty by the court on Tuesday under various sections of the IPC, including 449 (house trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 302 (murder), 376 (rape) 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

The Special Investigation Team probing the case had used DNA technology and verification of call record details to prove Islams involvement in the crime.

The court had on December 6 completed hearing in the case and posted for today the pronouncement of the quantum of punishment.

Islam was charged with raping and murdering the woman at Perumbavoor on April 28, 2016.

He was booked under various sections of the IPC and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules.

As many as 100 witnesses were examined during the trial, which commenced in April last.

The woman, who hailed from a poor family, was brutally assaulted using sharp-edged weapons before being murdered at her house.

Islam, who had left Perumbavoor soon after committing the crime, was arrested from Kancheepuram in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, 50 days after the gruesome incident.

More than 100 police personnel questioned over 1,500 people in the case.

Fingerprints of over 5,000 people were also examined by the SIT personnel, who went through over 20 lakh telephonic conversations before reaching Islam. PTI
Thiruvananthapuram, December 9

The Kerala government on Saturday requested the Navy, Coast Guard (CG) and Indian Air Force (IAF) to continue the search operations for the missing fishermen in the aftermath of Cyclone Okchi, for another 10 days.

State Chief Secretary KM Abraham on Saturday sent an urgent letter in this regard to Rear Admiral R Nadkarni, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, AOC Southern Air command and Additional Director General K Natarajan, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard), Mumbai, an official press release said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in Delhi, will be meeting Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and discuss the matter with her on Saturday evening.

He will also meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with regard to the states plea for a special central package to rehabilitate families affected by Ockhi cyclone.

The chief secretary, in his letter, stated that reports had reached the state government from fishermen of Thiruvananthapuram that floating bodies of fishermen were spotted in the high seas.

The fishermen have also appealed to step up operations to retrieve the bodies and search for survivors and also take them on board the rescue ships and interceptor boats.

The chief secretary also asked the Navy and Coast Guard to mobilise sufficient ships at Vizhinjam for taking the fishermen to the deep seas in their rescue and search operations.

An official of the district administration should also be deployed in the search vessels, it was stated.

Besides, the health department has been instructed to mobilise adequate storage and treatment facilities for the retrieved bodies at Vizhinjam and along the important coastal centres.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Vijayan said Naval and Coast Guard ships were continuing the search and rescue operations.

There are reports of bodies floating in the waters but the defence ships are unable to trace them.

Vijayan said he would also be taking up this matter with Defence Minister during talks.

On Friday, an all-party meeting here had decided to knock the Centres doors for the special financial package.

So far, 37 people have lost their lives in the cyclone which left several others missing.

Meanwhile, defence sources said Coast Guard had been searching around the northern atolls of the Maldives.

The Maldives fishing community has located an overturned fishing vessel 70 nautical miles of Makanadhoo on Saturday which has been positively identified as Sri Lankan fishing vessel.

INS Mumbai had searched the locations around three islands and found no distressed vessels, sources said, adding that INS Koswari would also be arriving in the area on Saturday to participate in the search operations.

Dornier aircraft of Indian Coast Guard will conduct sorties on Saturday and Sunday over North Maldives to locate any drifting fishing vessels.

Latin Catholic church head Archbishop Soosai Pakiyam expressed the churchs dissatisfaction over the rescue and relief operations. PTI
New Delhi, December 14

A shake up is being given to the Defence Ministry to speed up various acquisition projects, ensure transparency and clear backlogs for key programmes, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said.

In an address at an industry chamber, she also said the government is seriously examining functioning of around 39 ordnance factories and possible ways to boost their productivity, including through joining of hands by the private sector.

She said the efforts are on to ensure that the defence acquisition council (DAC) clears all the backlog relating to various procurement by December 31, emphasising that speeding up of decision making process has been one of her focus areas.

The DAC is Defence Ministrys highest decision making body on procurement.

There is a sense of making sure that every aspect of this large ministry is given a shake up, Sitharaman said, adding the aim is to make a difference so that the ministry, which was sort of a cocooned, do things in a faster and transparent way.

On various acquisition projects, she said, I may be confident enough to say that by December 31, at least DAC would be on the top of it in the sense that no more waiting list would be with me. She was addressing a FICCI event.

Sitharaman, who assumed charge of the ministry in September, also said ensuring transparency is a major priority area for her.

The biggest compliance issue which we are definitely 100 per cent following is to have greater transparency, put everything in the public domain and make sure that every decision stands up to the principle of accountability, she said.

Her comments came in the backdrop of the Congress accusing the government of flouting laid down norms in sealing a deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

The party had recently raised several questions about the deal, including the rates, and accused the government of compromising national interest and security while promoting crony capitalism and causing a loss to the public exchequer. The government had rejected the allegations.

Asked about handing over of the strategically located Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease by the Sri Lankan government, she only said India has been watchful of all the developments in the neighbourhood.

On ordnance factories, she said government was doing a major review of their work and examine whether they can have joint venture or benefit from technology transfer.

Talking about the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Sitharaman said it should identify the patentable products so that they can be used commercially.

Referring to the strategic partnership model, she said it was brought to support the domestic defence industry and to ensure that India, which is now a leading importer of military hardware, becomes a defence exporter.

The strategic partnership was unveiled nearly four months back under which domestic defence manufacturers can tie up with leading global defence majors to manufacture specific military platforms like fighter jets.

Sitharaman also said the government was in the process of identifying organically grown defence industry clusters in various parts of the country so that they can be supported.

We are planning to tell them about the requirement of the armed forces for the next 40-50 years so that they can lay a roadmap for their capacity building, she said.

She also said start-ups in the defence sector will be given encouragement.  PTI
New Delhi, December 14

A Parsi trust on Thursday broke age-old traditions and informed the Supreme Court that it would allow a Parsi woman and her sisters, who have married outside the community, to visit the 'Tower of Silence' and attend prayers in the event of the death of their parents.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, which is dealing a legal question whether a Parsi woman loses her religious identity if she marries a man from a different religion, lauded the stand of 'Valsad Parsi Trust' to allow Goolrokh M Gupta and her married sisters to attend prayer in the temple of fire and the last rites of parents after their death.

Trust, represented by senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium, said, "It is agreed and declared between the petitioner and respondent (trust) that the respondent will, on compassionate grounds, permit the petitioner to attend the funeral prayers (Paldust ceremony) of her parents performed inside the prayer hall of the Bungli (bungalow) of the Tower of Silence complex (Doongerwadi) complex at Valsad."

The Tower is used for funerary purposes by the adherents of the Zoroastrian faith, in which the traditional practice for disposal of the dead involves the exposure of the corpse to the sun and vultures.

The bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said the statement of the Parsi Trust "meets the present requirement of the petitioner (Gupta) and her sisters" and made it clear that the issues relating to Gupta's constitutional rights will be adjudicated upon at a later stage on January 17.

When the court asked whether it can pass an order that now such women will be allowed to attend last prayers, the senior lawyer said he has taken instructions only from the Valsad Trust and there were several other trusts as well.

As per the tradition, a Parsi woman loses her religious identity after marriage outside the community and is consequently barred from visiting the 'Tower of Silence' in the event of death of her Parsi family members.

Subramanium, who was asked on December 7 by the court to take instruction from the Trust on allowing the woman, said in all fairness, the trust has decided to allow the woman and would arrange the priest (mobeds) for her if she cannot manage on her own to perform the last prayers.

Moreover, the children of the woman could also "attend the funeral ceremonies of their grandparents by sitting in the pavilion opposite the Bungli along with the members of the communities both Zoroastrians and otherwise".

Earlier, the apex court had said the law does not sanction the concept of a woman's religion getting merged with her husband's faith after an inter-religion marriage.

Gupta has challenged the customary law, upheld by the Gujarat High Court in 2010, that a Parsi woman marrying a Hindu loses her religious rights in the Parsi community and hence, loses the right to visit the 'Tower of Silence' in the event of her parents' death to perform the last rites.

The High Court had held that a Parsi woman is deemed to have converted to Hinduism after she married a Hindu man.

However, the top court bench had said it was only the woman who can decide about her religious identity by exercising her right to choice.

On October 9, the apex court had referred to a five-judge constitution bench the legal question whether a Parsi woman loses her religious identity after marrying a man of different religion.

The woman, in her appeal filed in 2012, said she had married a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act and should be allowed to retain her place in the Parsi community. She had assailed the high court finding that a woman universally loses her paternal identity just because of her marriage with a man practising the Hindu religion.

She had approached the high court contending that even after her marriage with a Hindu man, she has continued to follow Zoroastrian religion and thus had the right to enjoy all privileges under the Parsi religion, including right to offer prayers at Agiari, a Parsi temple having the 'holy fire' and the 'Tower of Silence'.

She contended that her rights as a Parsi Zoroastrian cannot be denied on the ground that she has married a non-Parsi man. She had also argued that a male Parsi Zoroastrian continued to enjoy all rights available to a born Parsi, even if he is married to a non-Parsi Zoroastrian woman.  PTI
New Delhi, December 14

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sought the Oppositions cooperation for a constructive Winter Session of Parliament which starts tomorrow even as the Congress insisted on an apology from him for attacking his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat poll campaign.

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Speaking at an all-party meeting on the session's eve, Modi again pitched for simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies saying that holding elections once in five years will boost development.

Briefing reporters on Modi's remarks, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the prime minister appealed to leaders of all political parties to help build a consensus on the matter.

Modi has been pushing for simultaneous polls, saying an almost uninterrupted cycle of polls across the country hampers government works due to enforcement of model code of conduct and deployment of officials in elections.

"He also sought their cooperation to make the session meaningful and constructive," Kumar said.

Congress leaders raised the issue of Modi's claim during a speech in Gujarat that Singh colluded with Pakistan to influence the state polls, and said they will raise it in Parliament.

"We will raise the issue in Parliament. Either the government prove the claim or the prime minister apologise.

Nothing short of an apology will satisfy us," its leader Anand Sharma said.  PTI
Suresh Dharur



Tribune News Service



Hyderabad, December 14

Six naxalites belonging to CPI (CP-Baata) faction were killed in a fierce encounter with police in a forest area in Telanganas Bhadradri Kothagudem district in the early hours of Thursday.



The exchange of fire took place in Mellamadugu forest area near Bethapudu village during a combing operation by a special police team.



District Superintendent of Police Amber Kishore Jha said that the police party, acting on a tip-off that naxalites were holding a meeting in the area, confronted them and asked them to surrender. However, the extremists opened fire at the police party. In the fierce encounter that followed, six naxalites were killed.



The fate of three more naxals injured in the encounter is still not known. Some weapons and ammunition, including an SLR, two 8mm rifles and two SBBL guns and eight kit bags, were also recovered from the spot.



There have been reports that the naxal group was indulging in extortion from contractors and local businessmen. Several cases of extortion and attempt to murder were pending against the members of the naxal group under the limits of Gundala, Yellandu, Tekulapalli and Bodu police stations.



We had specific inputs about naxalite movement in the Tekulapalli and Paloncha forests and launched a search operation which resulted in the encounter, the police official said.



This is the first major encounter between the police and naxalites in the predominantly tribal district which was carved out of the erstwhile Khammam district last year.



Additional police forces were rushed to the area to step up search operation.



The CP-Bata (Path of Chandra Pulla reddy) group was mainly active in the forest areas of the undivided Khammam and Warangal districts.



Four of the extremists killed in the encounter were identified as Vetti Kumar alias Rakhi (area committee secretary of Manuguru-Kothagudem), Esam Naresh alias Sudarsan (area commander), Azad and Madhu, all of CPI(CP-Baata) faction. The others are yet to be identified.
Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 14

The city police today booked nine BJP leaders, including Jalandhar district president Ramesh Sharma, BJP candidate from Ward 78 Ravi Mahendru and Mohinder Bhagat, under non-cognisable and non-bailable offences for allegedly causing public mischief outside the Basti Bawa Khel police station on Wednesday night.

According to Police Commissioner Praveen Sinha, a case under Sections 143, 149, 186 and 505(1) of the IPC has been registered against the party leaders, who held up the police station for many hours. Besides naming Sharma, Mahendru and Bhagat, the police have also named BJP leaders Amit Taneja, Sheetal Angural, Pradeep Khullar and two others in the FIR.

They kept shouting and interrupting policemen in performing their duties for hours. They even blocked the main gate causing lot of inconvenience to the public. We will file a chargesheet against the erring party leaders and produce it tomorrow in the court, said Sinha.

The case was registered after the supporters of BJP candidate Ravi Mahendru and Congress candidate Jagdish Samrai clashed outside a supporters house on Wednesday night. According to BJP district president Ramesh Sharma, the supporters of Samrai had surrounded the vehicles of Mahendrus supporters and began to poke them.

On the contrary, Samrai had alleged that BJP supporters had slapped him and tried to threaten his voters in the area. Later, on receiving a call from Congress MLA Sushil Rinku, the police rushed to the spot and brought the BJP supporters to the police station.

While the BJP leaders had accused the police of illegal detainment for hours, the police instead had booked them for causing public outrage and causing inconvenience to public.

Meanwhile, the BJP has also written letters to the Election Commission of India, state Election Commission and Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore against the alleged connivance of the police with Congress leaders.
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 14

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may be performing the role of a strong Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, but on ground, it is yet to get over the drubbing it faced in the Assembly elections.

The party had faced the problem of plenty in choosing candidates in the state elections in February this year, but it is now struggling to find its feet at the grassroots level ahead of the civic elections scheduled for December 17.

The party has failed to put up candidates on all seats in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala three municipal corporations. In Amritsar, the party fielded candidates on 62 of the 85 seats, Jalandhar 47 of 80 and Patiala 46 of 60. Clearly, the party has less chance to earn majority in any of these.

At other municipal councils and committees, many AAP workers have chosen to contest independently. This follows their abject defeat in the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll last month where its candidate had lost the security deposit.

Bholath MLA and Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira said the party was doing well, but surely there were several shortcomings which were being looked into. But at the same time, these elections are a farce. The party in power has always won these elections by hook or by crook. At many places, papers of our candidates were rejected on flimsy grounds. Others were forced to withdraw.

Party state convener Bhagwant Mann said the elections were important for a strong democracy, but in the absence of powers given to local bodies, the elections were meaningless. He said the party would have contested all civic bodies, but these were basically local elections and were fought on micro issues and in individual capacity.

We dont see these having any bearing on state or national politics, said Mann.

Party deputy convener Aman Arora said they were putting up best efforts, but the ruling party was using all means to discourage AAP candidates. We dont indulge in theatrics like the Akali Dal, which staged dharnas on roads and inconvenienced the common man. We have lodged our protest with the Election Commission, he added.

HS Phoolka, Dakha MLA, said he was concentrating mainly on the Mullanpur Dakha council. AAP candidates are contesting on all 13 seats. We are giving the opposition a tough fight.
Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 14

From a few lakhs to crores of rupees, delayed payments for purchases or works executed by different departments in the current and last fiscal year have sent alarm bells ringing in the Punjab government.

The PWD (B&R) and Irrigation Department alone have a pending liability of around Rs 1,000 crore. Other departments are in the process of assessing their total pending liabilities on account of pending payments of contractors, societies and individuals.

Faced with fiscal crisis, the Punjab government has directed all its heads of departments (HODs) not to start or propose any new work for budget estimates of 2018-2019.

Sources in the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said to clear the backlog of payments, efforts were being made to fulfil the past liabilities and complete the ongoing works that were started in the current and the last fiscal year.

Ironically, the scarcity of funds has hit the ongoing basic development works.

All the departments have been asked to address a set to queries and prepare a priority list of the pending works before the Chief Secretary calls a review meeting on the issue.

The instructions coincide with the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently taking congnisance of a number of petitions by firms, societies and individuals flooding the courts for release of dues, pending on account of delayed payments for works that have been executed or under execution by different departments. The government is facing civil writ petitions and contempt petitions on account of the delayed payments.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, while hearing a petition, had asked the Advocate General to explain whether Punjab was facing a deep financial crunch.
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 14

Commemorating its 97th foundation day in the Golden Temple complex here today, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) resolved to fight jabar and zulm (alleged excesses) by the Congress government. Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said a volunteer task force consisting of at least 11 Akali workers each would be set up in every village for the purpose.

Badal, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, along with prominent persons from religious, social and educational fields, were present to mark the occasion at Diwan Hall, Gurdwara Manji Sahib.

Sources said the party had chosen the venue with the aim of rebuilding its Panthic image, hit hard by controversial religious decisions and incidents of sacrilege over the past two years. The SAD had commemorated its foundation day at Akal Takht back in the early 1990s.

Badal sought the SGPC presidents assistance in organising gurmat kirtan programmes in every halqa with a view to strengthening the partys base politically as well as religiously.

He said the Congress was the countrys oldest party, but it was founded by an Englishman, whereas the SAD was born in 1920 as an offshoot of the Gurdwara Reforms Movement against British rule. He added that after Independence, the party had fought for Punjabi Suba. We achieved this objective, but Chandigarh has still not been handed over to Punjab as the capital, he said.

Sukhbir announced to open a party office in Amritsar, besides a museum at the head office in Chandigarh where photographs and other memorabilia would be displayed.

The party top brass said the SAD centenary celebrations in 2020 would be held at Akal Takht.

Sukhbir said the SAD had emerged as the representative organisation of the Panth, thanks to the sacrifices made by party workers.

Earlier, SAD Delhi unit head Manjit Singh GK said there was a need to amend Article 25(b) of the Constitution that recognised Sikhs as part of the Hindu community. He said the Delhi unit would host the 98th foundation day of the party.
WE fail to see why Mr. Mahomed Ali's request for an interview with Mr. Montagu should have been refused. It is difficult to believe that the refusal could be due to any disinclination on the part of Mr. Montagu to meet the interned Muslim leader. Mr. Montagu is a member of a Government which only the other day released Irishmen who had been convicted of crime with a view of securing an atmosphere in Ireland favourable to the dispassionate discussion of the Irish problem. It is unbelievable that if left to himself he would have refused in similar circumstances to see a gentleman whose internment has been made a subject of grievance by a whole community. It must be the policy of the Government of India which is responsible for the refusal. If we are right in this surmise, what does the Government hope to gain? We believe they would gladly release this gentleman if they could believe that his release would not be prejudicial to public interests.
Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 14

An amicable resolution to the dispute that has continued for the last 17 years regarding the ownership of the Alaknanda resort located at Haridwar, now in the possession of Uttar Pradesh, may be in sight with UP agreeing to hand over the property to Uttarakhand.

Despite several rounds of talks between the officials of the two states, the final handing over of the hotel to Uttarakhand has remained elusive. All along, the Uttar Pradesh government has been maintaining that Uttarakhand cannot have a claim to the Alaknanda resort which is owned by the Uttar Pradesh Paryatan Vikas Parishad, an entity registered under the companies Act. According, to the provisions of the Act, the entity can buy properties for tourism purpose in any part of the state.

However, officials in the Uttarakhand Department of Tourism said there was a general agreement that the hotel would go to Uttarakhand provided the UP government tourism body that is running the hotel is adequately compensated by way of land near the Ganga in a prime location.

Recently, Uttarakhand officials had shown some sites to Uttar Pradesh officials in Haridwar as a measure of compensation for the Alaknanda resort.

We have received positive response from the UP government on the issue of providing alternative land. It is a big step as we have to clear our stand for the next Supreme Court hearing, said Dilip Jawalkar, Uttarakhand Secretary for the Department of Tourism.

Significantly, the Supreme Court has asked both state governments to resolve the issue as early as possible. After the matter came before the Supreme Court, Chief Minister TS Rawat and his UP counterpart CM Yogi Adityanath also held talks in November with Yogi being agreeable to its handover.

Further, UP Irrigation Minister Dharam Pal Singh during his visit to Haridwar a few days ago had indicated the UP governments willingness to hand over the hotel to Uttarakhand.

The prized property has been a money churner for UP all these years as a result it has been reluctant to hand over the property.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 14

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat has stressed that school education must also focus on inculcation of sanskaras within children rather than just making education a means to get employment.

He was addressing a convention of Principals Progressive Schools Association in Dehradun today. The Chief Minister said education cannot be limited to getting employment and should rather help inculcate sanskaras among students, which in turn helps develop their personality in a right manner.

Rawat said the education must make ones mindset positive and should change the thought process for good. He said keeping hope was also very important in order to get success in life.

The Chief Minister also emphasised on the inclusive growth in the sphere of education and called for taking along backward sections of society for their betterment. He stressed on making education more employment oriented. He said focus must be given on professional education.

State school Educations Director General Captain Alok Shekhar Tiwari disclosed that the state was fast progressing in terms of school education. He apprised that a model school is being development at each block across the state.

Earlier, Principals Progressive Schools Associations president Prem Kashyap informed the Chief Minister about the activities and the aim of the association. A large number of Principals Progressive Schools Associations members were present on the occasion.
Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 14

Incomplete renovation of the antenatal and postnatal wards has jeopardised postpartum care of mothers and newborn babies at the Womens Hospital here. The hospital corridors are being used as makeshift wards for convalescing mothers and their babies since August. But, the onset of winter has made it difficult to spend nights in the cold.

The patients are shifted to the antenatal and postnatal care wards after childbirth. But, the wards have been shut due to repair and renovation work, which started in August.

The work was stopped midway due to shortageof funds.

Though the hospital authorities want to shift the patients to wards, the same cannot be done in the absence of power supply. The wards also need white wash.

The hospital is undergoing renovation and new blocks are being constructed ever since it was amalgamated with the Doon Medical College and Hospital. However, the move has compounded the trouble for patients. Not only has the construction work reduced the availability of beds and space, it has also led to chaos.

Dr Ashutosh Sayana, Director, Medical Education, said, The matter has been brought to my notice. We will take steps to resume work.

However, he declined to comment on when the wards will be opened for patients.

Every day, around 30-35 deliveries take place at the hospital, along with 10-15 caesarean operations. The decline in number of beds and renovation of ANC and PNC wards has exacerbated matters.
SYDNEY, December 14

Australias population is expanding at the fastest pace in the developed world as skilled migrants flock to the resource-rich nation, a fillip to economic growth overall but perhaps also a source of puzzling weakness in wages.

Government figures released on Thursday showed the number of people resident in Australia increased 388,100 in the year to June, a rise of 1.6% on 2015-16. That was far above the global increase of 1.1%, and well ahead of the United States gain of 0.7% and Canadas 0.9%.

Theres still plenty of room for more, given the giant continent still only has 2.46 crore people, putting it at 53rd in the UN global population rankings.

Much of Australias growth came in net overseas migration, which surged more than 27% in the year to June to 245,500. That was the highest 12-month total since 2009, while the flow into the states of New South Wales and Victoria beat records.

A strong labour market is attracting interstate and overseas migrants to Melbourne, while better housing affordability and jobs growth is driving population growth in Queensland and Tasmania, said Ryan Felsman, a senior economist at CommSec.

Overall the stronger rate of population growth is boosting spending, demand for infrastructure, demand for homes, and overall economic growth.

Leading migrant countries include China, India, Britain and New Zealand.

The flood of newcomers is one reason property prices have been on a tear in recent years, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. The extra demand created by all these new Australians was also a major reason the economy grew a brisk 2.8% in the year to September. Yet the influx of able bodies has also expanded the workforce right at the time when employers were ramping up their demand for labour, restraining wages growth.

A barnstorming 383,000 net new jobs were created in the year to November. But wages still grew at a pedestrian annual pace of 2%, a perfect case of expanding supply benefiting employers rather than those already employed.  Reuters
Quito, December 14

Ecuador's vice-president, Jorge Glas, was sentenced to six years in prison today for receiving illegal kickbacks from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

He is the highest-ranking politician to be convicted in the sprawling case centered on Odebrecht, whose past practice of giving bribes to secure public works contracts has cast a cloud over officials and ex-officials in several Latin American countries.

Glas, 48, had been in preventive custody since October, after his immunity was lifted by the Congress, though he was allowed to remain vice president.

His trial before Ecuador's Supreme Court started last month.

He can appeal the sentence, which will not take effect until confirmed by the court at a later date.

Prosecutors said Glas received a total of $13.5 million in Odebrecht bribes, via an uncle who is also under arrest. He was also charged with illegal association.

Three other individuals have been sentenced to 14 months in prison in the same case, their sentences lightened by "effective cooperation" with authorities, according to the verdict read by judge Edgar Flores.

In an October interview from prison in Quito, Glas told AFP he was a victim of the construction giant's revenge after he was instrumental in kicking the company out of Ecuador in 2008 following a dispute over repair of a hydroelectric plant.

Glas, who was minister of strategic sectors before becoming vice president in 2013, denied any link to the Odebrecht scandal, though his uncle, Ricardo Rivera, has been arrested for his alleged involvement.

Under investigation by the US Justice Department, Odebrecht agreed in December to pay a record US$ 3.5 billion fine after admitting to paying US$ 788 million in bribes across 12 countries to secure contracts.

The scandal has ensnared politicians in several countries, including Mexico, Peru, Panama and Venezuela.

Ecuadoran prosecutors said Odebrecht spent $47.3 million in bribes in their country to get public contracts. Ecuador's former president, Rafael Correa, told CNN Spanish from Panama that Glas was a "political prisoner" and there was "no evidence against him."

He claimed the conviction was a way for his successor, President Lenin Moreno, to seize control of the vice president's office. AFP
Brussels, December 14

Around 15,000 African migrants will be repatriated from Libya in the next two months under an emergency plan to stop abuses there, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Thursday.

European and African leaders announced the plan for accelerated voluntary deportations at a summit in Abidjan two weeks ago but did not set a timetable for repatriating those left in Libyan government detention centres.

Mogherini, ahead of an EU summit, said the repatriations should be done by February.

In only two months we hope and we expect to manage to assist the voluntary return of 15,000 people, she told reporters in Brussels.

The European Union and the African Union are working with the UN International Organisation for Migration, and the Libyan authorities to arrange for the returns to their home countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

In the last year, 16,000 people have returned home, but EU and AU leaders agreed in Abidjan to accelerate returns following CNN television footage of a slave market in Libya, where smugglers and criminal networks act with impunity.

It provoked an international furore on top of reports of rape, torture and beatings of migrants in Libya, including in detention camps under the control of the UN-backed government of Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

The EU faced accusations from rights groups that it created conditions for such abuses via its cooperation with Sarraj to detain migrants using Libya as a jumping board to Italy, the main entry point to Europe.

EU, UN and AU officials all admit it will be a major challenge to repatriate or protect the 700,000 migrants in Libya, most of whom are in areas outside government control.

Amira El Fadil, the AUs commissioner for social affairs, told the press conference the key was finding a political solution to the chaos and violence in Libya.

Mogherini, a former Italian foreign minister, said 2,000 migrants have been returned to their homes since the Abidjan summit.

The EUs top diplomat also announced another 100 million euros for the multi-billion euro Africa trust fund, with the money to finance flights from Libya and to help the migrants resettle.

Mogherini said she would also ask EU member states at a summit dinner to contribute more to the trust fund.

Four eastern EU countries which have triggered criticism for refusing to admit refugeesHungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Polandannounced 35 million euros for the trust fund to bolster the EUs external borders and Libyas frontiers.  AFP
Washington, December 14

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has apparently announced that his countrymen would no longer work with American peace negotiators in the wake of United States President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on December 6.

According to Vox News, speaking to a conference of Muslim leaders in Istanbul, Abbas called Trump's decision a crime that left the US unqualified to continue in its historic role as the main international arbiter in the conflict.

The role, he said, should now go to the United Nations.

The leaders at the conference further asked the international community to recognise East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

In the days leading up to Trump's announcement last week, Abbas said recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv would have grave consequences for the peace process and security and stability in the region and world.

Meanwhile, a public opinion poll published on Wednesday by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research found that more than 90 per cent of Palestinians rejected Trump's announcement and that 70 per cent of those polled want Abbas to step down.

When Trump and Abbas had met back in May at the White House, Trump assured the press that the Palestinian leader would soon be back in Washington to sign a peace deal with the Israelis.

For the unversed, Israelis and Palestinians both claim Jerusalem as their capital. Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and annexed that half of the city.

Though Israel's parliament and the prime minister's home are in Jerusalem, they sit in West Jerusalem, the side of the city Israel has controlled since 1949.  ANI.
London, December 14

British Prime Minister Theresa May has lost a crucial Brexit vote in the UK Parliament after the rebels in her party backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a say on the final divorce deal struck with the European Union.

The British Prime Minister was defeated on an amendment to the European Union Withdrawal Bill by four votes, in her first major House of Commons bruising on Wednesday.

MPs from across different parties voted in favour of Parliament being given a meaningful vote on the terms of Brexit by 309 votes to 305.

Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is intended to formally end Britains membership of the EU, as well as smooth its exit by transferring thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books.

It also gives ministers powers to amend the laws as they move across, to address any technical glitches.

The government remained defiant following the defeat.

We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out. We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential, a UK government spokesperson said.

This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose, the spokesperson added.

May had warned that such a rebellion could threaten the UKs orderly and smooth exit from the European Union.

Former UK attorney general Dominic Grieve, who had brought the amendment, told the Commons he intended to put the country before his party amid concerns over the potential for the flagship Brexit legislation to become a very worrying tool of executive power.

Ministers admitted Wednesday nights defeat was a significant setback but insisted it would not frustrate the Brexit process.

However, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described it as a humiliating loss of authority for the Prime Minister ahead of her trip to Brussels, where she hopes EU leaders will approve the start of Brexit trade talks.

In an immediate act of retribution by the Government, Tory MP Stephen Hammond--one of the rebels--was sacked as the vice chairman of the party after the vote.

Meanwhile, Brexiteer MP Nadine Dorries demanded the 11 rebels be deselected and never allowed to stand as a Tory MP ever again. PTI
Seoul, December 14

South Korean prosecutors demanded on Thursday a 25-year prison sentence for the powerful secret confidante of ousted president Park Geun-Hye, who was at the centre of the sprawling corruption scandal that brought down the leader.

Park's longtime friend Choi Soon-Sil  the daughter of her religious guru  was vilified at the massive nationwide protests last year that rocked Asia's fourth-largest economy and led to Park's impeachment.

Choi was "the alpha and omega of the scandal", a prosecutor told the Seoul Central District Court, adding: "Please sentence Choi to 25 years in prison."

He also sought fines and asset seizures totalling 126.2 billion won  around $116 million.

"Choi took advantage of presidential authorities to seek personal profit, undermined constitutional values and rattled the government system," the prosecutor added.

The 61-year-old is accused of colluding with Park to extort millions of dollars from conglomerates, including South Korean giants Samsung and Hyundai, and using her connection with the president to meddle in state affairs.

Choi denies all 18 charges, including abuse of power, coercion and bribery.

Prosecutors also demanded a four-year prison sentence for the chairman of retail conglomerate Lotte Group, Shin Dong- Bin, and six years for a former presidential aide.

Verdicts are expected in January.

Park herself is being tried separately, but Thursday's request suggests prosecutors will demand a sentence of at least 25 years in her case.  AFP.
Mogadishu: An Islamic extremist suicide bomber disguised as a police officer killed at least 17 and injured 20 at a police academy in Somalias capital on Thursday. The bomber, with explosives strapped around his waist, infiltrated General Kahiye Police Academy and targeted officers gathering for special morning exercises, Captain Mohamed Hussein said. The officers were rehearsing for Somalias Police Day celebrations scheduled for Dec 20. AFP

Belgium ends case against Puigdemont

Brussels: A Belgian court formally closed extradition proceedings against deposed Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Thursday, after Spain dropped the European arrest warrant against him. Puigdemont and four of his deputies fled to Belgium in October to avoid charges of rebellion, sedition and misusing public money in relation to Catalonias independence drive, prompting Madrid to seek their return. PTI

N Korean defector pleads to return

Seoul: A North Korean defector interrupted a UN human rights press conference in Seoul on Thursday to plead tearfully to be allowed to go back to her relatives in Pyongyang. Dressmaker Kim Ryon-Hui arrived seven years ago but has since has made several desperate attempts to return to her family -- including forging a passport, for which she was imprisoned, and falsely confessing to espionage in the hope she would be expelled. AFP
Moscow, December 14

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday the United States was in the grip of a fabricated spymania whipped up by President Donald Trumps opponents but he thought battered US-Russia relations would recover one day.

Putin, who said he was on first name terms with Trump, also praised the US President for what he said were his achievements. Im not the one to evaluate the presidents work. That needs to be done by the voters, the American people, Putin told his annual news conference in Moscow, in answer to a question.

Trump took office in January, saying he was keen to mend ties which had fallen to a post-Cold War low. But since then, ties have soured further after US intelligence officials said Russia meddled in the presidential election, something Moscow denies.

Congress is also investigating alleged contacts between the Trump election campaign and Russian officials amid allegations that Moscow may have tried to exercise improper influence.

Putin dismissed those allegations and the idea of a Russia connection as fabricated. He shrugged off accusations that Russias ambassador to the US had done something wrong by having contacts with Trump campaign figures saying it was international practice for diplomats to try to have contacts with all candidates in an election.

What did someone see that was egregious about this? Why does it all have to take on some tint of spymania?, said Putin. This is all invented by people who oppose Trump to give his work an illegitimate character. The people who do this are dealing a blow to the state of (US) domestic politics, he added, saying the accusations were disrespectful to US voters.

Moscow understood that Trumps scope for improving ties with Russia was limited by the scandal, said Putin, but remained keen to try to improve relations.

Washington and Moscow had many common interests, he said, citing the Middle East, North Korea, international terrorism, environmental problems and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. However, Putin lashed out at US policy on North Korea, warning a US strike there would have catastrophic consequences.  Reuters

Russian Presidents end-of-year news conference

On Trump

Its not for me to evaluate the Presidents work. This needs to be done by the voter, the American people. We are objectively seeing that there have been some major accomplishments, even in the short time he has been working. Look at how the markets have grown. This speaks to investors trust in the American economy. It speaks to what President Trump is doing in this sphere. With all due respect to Trumps opponents, this is an objective fact.

On mending Russia-US relations

You have to ask him if he (Trump) has such a desire, none at all or whether it has disappeared. I hope that he has such a desire. After all, in the interest of the American people, we are normalizing our relations and will develop (them) and overcome common threats. We know them well: terrorism, ... finding solutions to environmental problems, fighting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, overcoming crises in different regions of the world, including the Middle East, the North Korean issue and so on.

On Eastern Ukraine

The effectiveness of the Minsk agreements is low, most of all because of the position of the authorities in Kiev. There is no desire to fulfil the Minsk agreements, there is no desire to begin a genuine political process.

On Syria

All good-willed people around the world need to understand that if we will not solve this problem together, it will become their problem. One of the sources of terrorism is low levels of education and material comfort Syria cannot manage this on its own.

Putin: Opposition will destabilise country
Ever since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration opened up its self-certification registration system for mandatory electronic logging devices, there have been a number of new-entrant companies offering ELDs  but how confident can you be that those devices are safe from hacking or data breaches?

IOActive, a global security advisory firm, earlier this year conducted vulnerability assessment research using several ELDs that were available over the counter at big-box distributors. What we found could allow an attacker to pivot through the device and into the vehicle, where the consequences could be disastrous, the company said.

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, an organization of primarily less-than-truckload carriers, issued a bulletin expressing its concern about the results.

As far as NMFTA has been able to ascertain, the current ELD rule, as written and implemented, requires both two-way CAN bus connectivity and internet connectivity. This creates some genuine concern regarding the cyber security posture of the ELD devices themselves as they create a bridge between the internet and the CAN bus network of the vehicle. If the ELD devices could be exploited to send malicious traffic to the vehicle CAN bus, it could have serious consequences to the safe operation of the vehicle.

IOActives general conclusion was that all the tested devices did little, if anything, to follow cybersecurity best practices and were open to compromise, with shortcomings such as devices being shipped with debug enabled firmware easily accessible for analysis, and lack of encryption.

IOActives findings presented at Blackhat USA 2017 and DEF CON 25 echo our concerns, said Sharon Reynolds, chief information security officer at Omnitracs.

She explained that FMCSA does have some security standards. FMCSA regulations outline security controls like encryption at rest, encryption in transport, and any time you try to send it somewhere.

What are the FMCSA standards?

NMFTA reported in the bulletin to members that in the FMCSA ELD Test Plan and Procedures document, it could not find many details about what ELD providers must do to ensure cybersecurity. NMFTA has been unable to find any recommendations or guidance for cyber security for the actual ELD devices in this document with the exception of sections 4.10.1.1 and 4.10.1.3, which refer to encryption when communicating with FMCSA servers or sending data via email. No specific requirements for device cyber security were discovered during our investigation.

Indeed, security does not appear to be included in FMCSAs published Frequently Asked Questions.

When asked to comment on the NFMTAs bulletin, an FMCSA spokesman directed us to page 78329 of the Federal Register December 2015 publication of the final rule on security.

That section noted that the proposed rule had "proposed incorporating by reference several industry standards for privacy and encryption, including NIST standards." Responding to comments on the proposal regarding security, FMCSA said the agency follows all DOT security guidelines, which includes NIST standards for access to any FMCSA system or network, and that it believes that the security standards of ELDs have appropriately balanced industry standards, privacy, the need for accurate HOS monitoring, and the cost of security measures.

FMCSA did note in the rule that it has only established minimally compliant standards in this rule, and there could be a market for more security features on an ELD. ELD providers are not prohibited from using additional security measures, so long as the data can still be transferred to authorized safety officials as required by the  rule.

In addition, FMCSA said, Security on mobile devices is well understood. Banks, governments, and retailers all provide apps which require security. There is no reason to believe that consumer mobile devices cannot be an adequate platform for ELDs. FMCSA believes the specifications and privacy standards and protocols are sufficient to respond to reasonable concerns about hackers.

The cybersecurity question is right in line with previously expressed concerns about the self-certification process for ELDs and the need for carriers to do their homework, said consultant Avery Vise.

Now doing research for FTR, at the time we spoke Vise was president of TransComply, which helps primarily small trucking operations with safety and compliance programs and with business best practices.

"Malicious hacks of ELDs to affect vehicle operations certainly seem feasible and could be disastrous, but they also seem very unlikely," he said.

"We have previously advised carriers to seek clauses in their ELD vendor agreements to provide for carrier compensation in the event of an ELD's registration is revoked. Based on this credible evidence of a cybersecurity risk, carriers also should try to add language covering that potential as well. However, even if the carrier cannot secure such language, it is possible that general product liability law would allow it to recover damages in the event of a cybersecurity breach that a vendor could have reasonably anticipated and guarded against."

Avoiding a breach

We asked a number of ELD providers for their thoughts on the issue, and most noted that the more problematic concern might not be actually hacking into and taking control of the vehicle, but the vulnerability of data being transferred between the device in the cab, the back office, and the FMCSAs cloud system for transferring the data to roadside officials.

Hacking into ELDs and taking control of the truck is going to be pretty hard to do, virtually impossible, as most ELDs are provisioned only to store that data, explained Daren Lauda, Teletrac Navman's vice president and general manager. Our system is designed to read data through the CAN bus, were not building the ability to write to the vehicle from our application. I think thats the way most ELDs are being written. But a lot of the concern is, how does the data get to its resting point where its going to live? How is it presented through a browser to the people who are going to consume it?

Joel Beal of LoadTrek has been involved in the telematics business all the way back to the days of Rockwell Tripmaster systems, and notes that telematics devices have been connected to the back office via WiFi, terrestrial or satellite data networks since 1997. This "public" connection has led to concerns about security from day one. [But] other than destroying data there is little to fear. Most telematics devices do not/cannot control the truck's ECM or other computers.

Most of these same telematics devices transmit compressed, encrypted, and sometimes binary data, he said. And if you can hack your way through these three levels, the underlying data is of dubious value.

Of more concern, Beal said, are bring-your-own-device systems (although it should be noted that LoadTrek does not offer BYOD solutions.) These allow you to connect your smartphone or tablet, often via Bluetooth, to an "installed" or plugged-in telematics device. However, he said, all information on a phone or tablet is available to law enforcement or a hacker. Emails, text messages, pictures, credit cards and bank accounts, social media  it's all there. Have a TMS or load board on your personal device, [and] you also have shippers, consignees, loads, rates, financial information.

A lot of systems are capturing the CDL number and the persons name, Lauda noted, so now thats in your system  youre tracking personally identifiable information so youve got to be careful how youre managing that data.

Lauda said Teletrac Navman has a dedicated SIM and dedicated APN so its information never communicates over the public internet. Our residing place is Amazon web services, so were taking great are to make sure we protect that information. I dont know that everybody is. I think the weak point is going from the ELD to everywhere else.

Brad Taylor, vice president of data and Internet of Things at Omnitracs, likened the threat to recent data breaches at companies such as Equifax. There are human beings involved and a lot of touchpoints, and we want to make sure  not only are we helping them use that data, but were also protecting that data.

Omnitracs, he said, encrypts the data. If someone went to one of our servers they wouldnt find data in the raw. Thats an important part of security. Another layer of security, he said, is anonymizing driver data. In cases where the individual identify of the driver is not important, we wont retain it.

Cybersecurity is critical across all areas of a carriers operation, so we understand that when adding new technology with ELDs, carriers want to ensure the same or more security, said Jason Hearld, J.J. Keller vice president of technology solutions. The ELD solutions offered by Keller, he explained, use a combination of proprietary and patented designs to ensure security, including a proprietary Bluetooth protocol. Our ELD device does not allow WiFi, nor does it connect to cell networks, eliminating those two risk areas.

PeopleNet said encryption and data obfuscation are two of the most effective ways the company is implementing cybersecurity measures. These two measures ensure data is transmitted in a binary format and sent separately from the encryption keys, so there is no way to decipher what the data shows even if it isnt encrypted, according to the company. PeopleNets multiple layers of security eliminate the risk of hacking, providing peace of mind that electronic logs, the truck engine, brakes, etc., cannot be accessed remotely through PeopleNets in-cab devices or system.

Eric Witty, PeopleNet vice president of product management, said one challenge legacy providers or fleets that have been using in-cab computers for years is older generations of hardware in the truck.

Its hard to have hardware running in a truck for six to 10 years and have it be capable of possibly understanding and being able to be to [hold off] the most recent types of attacks, he explained. The latest PeopleNet Connected Gateway is the next in our line of onboard computers that are connecting to the vehicle. And that piece of hardware, not only does it have software thats conscious of how its communicating to the truck and wirelessly, but it also contains a crypto chip in the hardware itself for adding another layer of security.

We anticipated the fact that [the] number of devices being out there may draw attention to the vehicles and more of a possibility of an attack. So weve taken not only steps on the software side but also the hardware side.

Buyer beware

Like others, Lauda views this as a potential issue more with new entrants than with established major vendors in the trucking space. He compared it to finding a vendor for offering cloud-computing services. If you look at major vendors in the cloud space, like amazon.com, you can enter into it with a degree of trust to begin with. But if you were entering in to a startup like Joes Cloud Service, I think any responsible IT person would do a ton of research.

I think you can assume a higher level of security and structure from established entrants. Whenever youre buying a cloud-based service I think its important to take security very seriously.

In fact, NMFTA in its bulletin made it clear that its concern was with entry-level device manufacturers, whose solutions at times are to simply connect a consumer cell phone directly to the J1939 diagnostic port or to use a very basic hardware solution with built-in cellular capabilities.

NMFTA strongly recommended that members talk to the manufacturer/supplier or their chosen ELD device and ask about cybersecurity, including the technical standards or best practices followed (if any), as well as if adversarial testing or third party security evaluations were performed as part of their product development lifecycle.

Witty, for instance, said PeopleNet is actively involved in some of the security groups to help guide us and get our stuff tested, so were always keeping up with where our weaknesses might be. We will continue to invest in that area to make sure were not exposing anybody there.

Annette Sandberg, former FMCSA administrator who now does safety and compliance consulting as TransSafe (including third-party ELD verification), said that while she does not have a background in cyber security, I have seen devices that are registered on the FMCSA website that have taken shortcuts to certify their devices. This is truly a 'buyer beware' market, and I highly encourage any company purchasing ELDs to carefully research the company they are purchasing from. This research should not only include the NMFTA recommendations but go further to understand how compliant the ELD is when FMCSAs mandate, how well financed the company is, do they stand behind their product if there are issues, and what would be the financial recovery for the motor carrier if the device is corrupted or fails.

Omnitracs Reynolds noted, Weve been stewards of this data for a very long time. I think the real concern is about startups, new entries in to the market. Are they spending enough [on security]? Are they concerned about security, are they going that extra step? And for a fleet, how can you be sure? Because of the flurry of new entrants, she says, carriers need to look for companies with experience, the financial wherewithal to invest in security, that carry appropriate cyber insurance, have the staff to enforce security, and have a board of directors or executive leadership staff that is motivated and has a will to make security important, and the funding and staffing to make it happen.
A Tulsa Public Schools document that describes the history, origin and time period behind the naming of every district building asks and answers a key question: Was the person the school is named for ever involved in the subjugation of another person or group?

For most, the districts answer is no.

For some, including Robert E. Lee, Christopher Columbus and Andrew Jackson, the answer is yes. The document acknowledges that some school buildings are named for slavers, those who perpetrated what could be described as genocide or who oppressed Native Americans.

For other schools, the answer is ambiguous. Some are named for industrialists and presidents who contributed a wealth of ideas to American history but also owned slaves or held racist views.

The 183-page binder is the first tangible product of TPS elongated analysis of its buildings names  a process started in the wake of violent white supremacist protests over the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia. Those protests thrust buildings and monuments, including Tulsas 99-year-old Lee Elementary School, into the spotlight.

Its a powerful question, Superintendent Deborah Gist said. When you look at historical figures and you think about things theyve done that were harmful or painful or disrespectful to others, thats important.

But I think that it would be a mistake to consider that in isolation to whatever they contributed to the world overall, Gist said. There are people who have done very important things that had other parts of their life ... that are offensive or hurtful or wrong. It has to be considered in its whole.

That question  the one about subjugation of a group  is just one of those asked in a document that provides new insight into how TPS buildings were named and why. The document attempts to answer who would or wouldnt look up to the person each of the 90-plus buildings are named for. It gives a brief biography, lists their contributions to society and asks how their legacy reflects the values of the community, and it asks the question about the subjugation of people.

Instead of moving quickly to change the schools name, the district took the opposite approach. The school board tasked the districts community advisory council  a group of volunteers  with reviewing the school names.

The binder was prepared by the advisory council and district staff, including Gist. Their work includes source citations. A final report is expected to be presented in February to the Tulsa School Board  the body that will make the final decision whether or not to rename a school.

The superintendent may make a recommendation about the names of schools, Gist said, but she hasnt made up her mind.

The final report will include a recommendation from the whole advisory council, said Karlos Hill, a University of Oklahoma professor and one of the groups facilitators.

Those recommendations will be on top of the current report, which Hill described as necessary context for the school board.

The report does attempt to provide context around for whom the schools are named. For example, in response to question of who would look up to Civil War Gen. Robert E. Lee and why, the report says, ... Lees admirers are those who embrace a Lost Cause narrative of the Civil War ... .

It also describes Lee as a cruel slaver.

In answering if Christopher Columbus, for which an east Tulsa elementary school is named, ever subjugated people, the report says, Yes. He enslaved people and perpetrated genocide.

It also acknowledges that several U.S. presidents for which current or former schools are named  James Monroe, James Madison and Andrew Jackson  owned slaves. So did Francis Scott Key, the namesake of Key Elementary and writer of what would become the national anthem. And it notes the racist views of Charles Lindbergh and Henry Ford.

While the question of did this person subjugate a group of people or engage in racist acts has driven the national conversation about honoring Confederate figures, it is just one piece of the puzzle, Hill said.

These things are driving the conversation, but the conversation should not just be about individuals who have engaged in racial subordination..., said Hill. That is not the only thing that one might find problematic about a historical figure ... The conversation shouldnt end and begin with that ... It is not the end-all, be-all.
Update: Thursday, 4:15 p.m.

Larry Jones, who is charged in the death of Jose Cordova, was booked into the Tulsa Jail Thursday afternoon.

Jones will remain in jail because of his first-degree murder charge.

A jailed Bartlesville man was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday in a shooting last month that police believe stemmed from a robbery attempt outside a Tulsa nightclub.

Larry Jones, 34, was charged in the death of Jose Cordova.

Jones is being held on warrants in Washington County, according to the Tulsa Police Department. He will eventually be transferred to Tulsa County.

Cordova was fatally shot just before 3 a.m. Nov. 18 in the parking lot of a club at 7900 E. 21st St.

According to court documents, surveillance video shows that a gold 1995 Cadillac DeVille backed into a parking space near the club that night. Several minutes later, Cordova parked his truck near the Cadillac.

A man got out of the Cadillac and approached Cordova in the parking lot. The two men began fighting and Cordova dropped to the ground, according to the documents.

The man from the Cadillac ran back to his car, then ran back to Cordova, rummaged through his pockets and left, authorities said.

An anonymous Crime Stoppers tip provided police with a cellphone number and a license plate that belonged to a gold Cadillac, according to court records.

Officers served a warrant on Jones residence and vehicle on Nov. 29. He was arrested on Washington County warrants and has since been in custody.

Jones told police that he wasnt in Tulsa on the night of Cordovas death, court records show. Evidence on Jones cellphone indicates that the phone was in Tulsa that night, according to the documents.

Jones was also charged with robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm after a felony conviction and knowingly concealing stolen property.
For 21 years, Madison.com and its news partners have focused on what is happening around Dane County  with an aim to inform, inspire and encourage community conversation.

So we are excited to announce that madison.com is now working with Nextdoor, a free and private social network for neighborhoods, to bring relevant local news to the conversations happening right in your own neighborhood.

More than 500 neighborhoods in the greater Madison area currently use Nextdoor to stay informed about what's happening in their community and cultivate meaningful conversations around local issues.

Madison.com will be a part of that conversation and will share relevant and timely news about topics affecting your area. On Nextdoor, neighbors who join must use their real names and verify their home address to ensure all conversations are private and shared only between residents in the neighborhood.

Discussing local news with neighbors is an essential way to build a strong community and an informed civic dialogue. We hope that the stories we share lead to further community discussions and that you learn a little more about your neighbors and community along the way.

In addition, the platform gives madison.com and its news partners a great new way to engage with neighbors and get a sense of what topics you want to hear about. We will not have access to your private neighborhood conversations or member data, and we only see neighbor replies to our posts.

If there is a story we do not share that you would like to discuss with your neighbors, you can use our Share on Nextdoor icon that will be accessible on all of our news stories.

We look forward to connecting with you and your neighbors on Nextdoor. You can visit madison.com's Nextdoor profile page to find locally relevant stories from the Cap Times, Wisconsin State Journal and our other partners.

To join the neighborhood news conversation, sign up for Nextdoor by going to www.nextdoor.com/madisonnews and enter your email address and home address.

More about Nextdoor:

Nextdoor is the private social network for neighborhoods. More than 160,000 neighborhoods across the country use Nextdoor to connect around local recommendations, free items, crime and safety, neighborhood events, and more. On Nextdoor, neighbors who join must use their real names and verify their home address to ensure all conversations are private and shared only between residents in the neighborhood.
OKLAHOMA CITY - A man who led law officers on a recent pursuit in a stolen vehicle and broadcast himself live on Facebook during a November chase has been arrested again in Oklahoma City on a stolen car complaint.

Brenton Hager, 25, had been released from the Cleveland County jail on bail after being arrested in a November pursuit that started in southwest Oklahoma City and ended with him driving a stolen car into a pond in Cleveland County near SW 164 and S Pennsylvania Avenue.

During the pursuit in November, Hager could be heard on a Facebook Live saying, "I'm thinking, hopefully if I get to Cleveland County I'll get to go to jail there and not Oklahoma County. I'm not trying to go back to Oklahoma County."

About 3:45 a.m. Thursday, Hager was arrested again, this time in Oklahoma County, said police Master Sgt. Gary Knight.
Its one of the iconic scenes in the 1983 movie A Christmas Story  when the pack of Bumpus hounds from next door bursts into the Parker family kitchen and makes off with the turkey that was to be the centerpiece of the familys holiday dinner.

The desecration of the bird forces the family to head for the only eatery in town that would be open on Dec. 25  Bo Ling Chop Suey Palace, where the family is serenaded after a fashion by the waitstaff and where the presentation of a whole Peking duck, complete with the head, causes more consternation than salivation.

While the Parker familys experience at Bo Lings Chop Suey Palace in A Christmas Story was born out of desperation, for many people enjoying a meal on Dec. 25 at an Asian eatery of some kind is as much a holiday tradition as tinseled trees and tacky sweaters.

A Christmas Story tradition

Gay McCoy remembers when her husband, Tim, on their first Christmas together, insisted she take time out from her holiday preparations to watch a movie.

We sat together on the couch like kids, and that was the first time I had ever seen A Christmas Story,  she said. I remember the two of us laughing through the whole thing, and I kind of fell in love with the scene in the Chinese restaurant. That always just stuck in my head as something I would like to do.

The couple was living in Pensacola at the time, where Tim McCoy was stationed as a Navy pilot.

We were both military brats and met when our parents were stationed in Germany, McCoy said. We had one date in high school and then went our separate ways for about 30 years before we reconnected and got married.

The couples time in Florida came to an end in 2004 with Hurricane Ivan, which wiped out their home. So the couple moved to McCoys home state of Oklahoma, where members of her family still live, and purchased a house in Jenks.

However, the day after the move, Tim McCoy died unexpectedly.

When Tim died, my daughter-in-laws brother and his family, Jeff and Colleen Johnson, just kind of took me in, McCoy said. I became another grandmother to the children, Savannah and Jeffrey. They call me Lulu. We started a tradition of spending Christmas Day together. She laughed, then said, And I think my children were glad about it  they probably think they see enough of me during the rest of the year.

Because the holiday season is a time of sharing, McCoy shared her copy of A Christmas Story with the Johnsons.

I was a little nervous about doing that because the movie meant so much to me, and I wasnt sure that they would enjoy it, she said. Fortunately, they loved it  it was a family bonding thing for them. And the next year, at Christmas, we went to P.F. Changs for Christmas dinner.

Jeff even called the manager to see if they would re-create that scene in the movie, where they bring out a Peking duck and chop the head off with a cleaver, McCoy said. He thought it would be a wonderful joke to play on me  but P.F. Changs doesnt serve Peking duck.

Instead, McCoy said, the family ordered up a feast. It looked like wed ordered everything on the menu, there was so much food.

Since then, McCoy and the Johnson family have a tradition of Christmas dinner at P.F. Changs. And McCoy herself rewatches A Christmas Story each holiday season.

Its a way for me to keep the memories alive, she said. It makes me happy.

Keeping kosher

Theres traditions, and then there are traditions  events that seem to have existed since time immemorial. Like the tradition of Jewish people flocking to Chinese restaurants on Dec. 25.

Its a phenomenon that is annually examined by news magazines, such as The Atlantic and Newsweek, and that brought a moment of humor to the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, who when asked how she had spent Christmas Day, replied, You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.

My father used to joke that if you were moving and looking for a neighborhood with a lot of Jewish people, start counting the Chinese restaurants, said Larry Feldman, a New York City native and retired dentist who moved to Tulsa in 1983. Part of the reason was convenience  Chinese restaurants were usually the only ones open on Sundays and holidays like Christmas. I remember when I was a kid, on Sundays there would be lines almost around the block outside of Chinese restaurants.

And because the Chinese dont use any kind of dairy in their cooking, he said, and they usually had a lot of vegetarian options, it meant that you had more choices if you wanted to keep kosher.

Another reason, as Adam Chandler writes in his article Why Do American Jews Eat Chinese Food on Christmas?, published by The Atlantic in 2014, is one of solidarity. At the start of the 20th century, Jews and Chinese were the two largest non-Christian immigrant groups in New York City, congregating mostly in the citys Lower East Side. As Chandler writes, the two groups were linked not only by proximity, but by otherness  of being strangers in a strange land.

Its very much an American Jewish tradition, but theres nothing hard and fast about it, Feldman said. We still do it occasionally, depending on whats going on. Its more of a social thing to do, meet up with people and have a meal together.

The Feldmans restaurant of choice used to be the Royal Dragon, when it was in the Fontana Shopping Center at 51st Street and Memorial Drive. Royal Dragon recently closed that location, reopening a few months ago in a smaller space in south Tulsa.

But the place was getting run down and had lost a lot of its ambiance, Feldman said. The place we tend to frequent now is Chopsticks.

That can pose a bit of a problem, as Chopsticks, 6193 E. 61st St., isnt open on Christmas Day.

We used to be open on Christmas, but its been about five years since we last did that, said the restaurants general manager, Aekyong Luan. I know that for the buffet restaurants its a very busy day, but were a small, menu-only restaurant, and we never quite had the business to justify staying open.

Besides, Luan added, we like to enjoy Christmas Day with our families, too.

Memories to-go

In Machele Miller Dills family, Thanksgiving is the big holiday, where everyone goes all out when it comes to the cooking and the feasting.

Christmas is the day for lounging around in your pajamas, said Dill, who directs the musical theater program at the University of Tulsa. And the holidays are a busy time for me, as Im usually performing at various churches up through Christmas Day.

The Dill family tradition of having Chinese food on Christmas Day began out of loss.

It was 2003, which meant it was the first Christmas after my mother had died, Dill recalled. So many of our memories are associated with food, and thats particularly true at the holidays. We all have memories of things our mothers made, of meals we shared, and I knew I couldnt face something that was going to bring back all those memories.

We decided that the food with which we had the least in common, in terms of memories, was Chinese food, she said. Nothing about Chinese food was going to trigger any kind of bad memory.

The Dills set out for Egg Roll Express, 3116 S. Yale Ave.

We went through the drive-through because we wanted to eat at home, Dill said. We placed our order, and when we drove up to the window to get our food, the man there looked just like the florist who sold that man-eating plant to Seymour in the movie Little Shop of Horrors. He had the same beard, everything.

And when he handed us our order, he said  Im not making this up  Happy horridays,  she said. We just looked at each other and started giggling because it was just so much like a scene from a movie. It just made everything better, somehow.

They went back to the same restaurant the next year, hoping to re-create that moment.

But the person who took our order spoke perfect English, Dill said. I guess it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments that happened right when it needed to. We still talk about it and laugh about it. And we still get Chinese take-out on Christmas Day.
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Title

Note verbale dated 8 December 2017 from the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations (Vienna) addressed to the Secretary-General
JUNEAU  Following a two-day jury trial, a 52-year-old Hartford man was found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.

Steven Baran appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Steven Bauer on Tuesday.

On June 29, 2015, Hartford police officers met with Baran, who said he wanted to turn himself in for raping a girl seven years earlier. According to the criminal complaint, he told officers that the assault had been weighing heavy on him.

Baran told officers that in 2008 he was living with a couple and their two children in Hustisford. Baran allegedly admitted to having sexual intercourse with the female child who was then 12. Baran allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting the child five or six more times over the course of three months.

According to the criminal complaint, Baran asked officers to take him into custody immediately because he was feeling the urge to have sex and felt that he may rape again. When asked how he might select a victim, Baran allegedly said he would probably go to a local park or meet someone on the street. He allegedly said he did not care if the victim was an adult or child.

Officers made contact with the victim who told officers that she was sexually assaulted by Baran. She said that she was raped by Baran at least 75 times. The victim said that Baran was unemployed and had many health issues which is why he resided with her family for at least six years.

The victim said she never disclosed the sexual acts because Baran threatened her and threatened to kill her parents if she told anyone what happened.

Baran will be sentenced March 2.
RACINE COUNTY  Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said that once, when he was a 23-year-old deputy, he took a prisoner back to their cell and they began to hit their head on the ground. The next day, he was informed he was under investigation for the injuries on that prisoners face.

Schmaling told this story Tuesday night at a County Board Government Services Committee Meeting as a contrast to video footage he showed from a deputys body camera as deputies took an inmate who was not cooperating with his work assignment back to his cell.

Schmaling said the inmate had claimed he was handled with unnecessary roughness, but Schmaling said that when he saw the video he observed that the deputies were following their training.

When I look back at (the video), I see this as a career-saver and indictment-preventer, he said.

In July of 2016, the County Board approved the purchase of 170 body cameras for the Sheriffs Office for deputies and correctional officers to wear whether they are on patrol, transporting an inmate or working at the county jail. The cameras were put into service at the beginning of this year.

On Tuesday, the Government Services Committee invited Schmaling to give an update about his offices policies for recording, storage and sharing body camera footage with the public.

The countys five-year contract with Taser International includes unlimited cloud storage, which Schmaling said is on-track with his offices needs. Sheriffs Office employees are required to have their cameras on when on duty, in uniform and performing or are likely to perform enforcement duties. But there are exceptions.

Officers can turn off the camera if theyre in a situation where its unlikely theyll have to do any enforcement, such as conversations with other officers, directing traffic, responding to a fire scene or a lengthy hospital stay. Once theyre dispatched or called for service, the officer is required to turn the camera back on, as long as doing so does not put them in jeopardy.

Other exceptions relate to privacy, both for the officer and the public. Officers can turn off the devices when theyre using a restroom, making a personal phone call or conducting other personal business.

Theyre also allowed to turn off the camera if a witness or victim to a crime asks the officer to turn the camera off before an interview. This is especially pertinent when working with victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse or with children.

Schmaling said that he is working with the District Attorneys Office to develop a redaction process that is mindful of such victims rights to privacy.

Supervisors pose questions

General footage is stored for 120 days before it is destroyed. Incidents that are not misdemeanors or felonies, such as traffic violations, are stored for one year. For misdemeanors and felonies, the footage is stored for the statute of limitations for a felony charge. For a homicide, that would mean indefinitely.

County Supervisor Scott Maier of Yorkville asked Schmaling his thoughts on releasing footage. Schmaling said that as long as it wouldnt affect an investigation, he supported sharing footage with the public. An example he gave was the unrest in Milwaukee over an officer-involved shooting in August.

The reason we have body worn cameras is to be transparent, he said. Should a bad thing happen in the community, I will be the first to show that video to the community.

Supervisor Thomas Roanhouse of Waterford asked about the risks of officers directing the camera to hide things from view or editing the footage. Schmaling said that deputies are required to keep the cameras on their chest throughout their interaction with few exceptions and with such wide-angle lenses, it would be difficult for an officer to control what the camera captures.

Any alterations to camera footage, such as copying a clip, is earmarked in the software along with the name of the person who did the alteration. The original footage remains in storage until the time it is marked for deletion.

Recent death noted

Committee Chairman Janet Bernberg of Wind Point said she thought the technology was great, from a liability standpoint and mentioned the recent death of 59-year-old Barbara Beachem, who was serving a one-year sentence in Racine County Jail.

Schmaling said Beachem died a natural death.

I feel comfortable saying that, he said. Although my heart goes out to that family, Im not worried about what our staff did. Im proud of what our staff did.

Schmaling said his staff has embraced the technology and recognized its benefits for writing reports, remembering specific encounters and also for training purposes. Some clips could also help the community better understand the perspective of an officer.

We can see the whole picture  we can see from the start to the finish that traffic stop, how it started how it escalated, what was said, the sheriff said. We can all digest it as a community and look at it not only from a training perspective but also a perspective of what were encountering.
The state will divest about 20 per cent of its stake in the countrys largest airport operator next year Photo: Le Toan

According to Lai Xuan Thanh, chairman of Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the company submitted its state divestment plan to the Ministry of Transport (MoT) late last month.

Under the proposal, the state will divest 20 per cent of the companys chartered capital, equal to 435.4 million shares, through a public auction. It is expected to earn around VND39.19 trillion ($1.78 billion), based on the shares average traded price of around VND90,000 on the unlisted public company market (UPCoM), as of December 5, 2017.

If the deal is successful, the state holdings in ACV would be reduced to 75.4 per cent of the companys chartered capital.

Currently, the MoT, which represents the state capital owner in ACV, possesses 2.076 billion shares, equal to 95.4 per cent of the companys chartered capital, whereas other shareholders own more than 100 million shares, equal to 4.6 per cent of ACVs chartered capital.

In Decision No. 1232/QD-TTg, dated August 17, 2017, the prime minister approved a list of state-owned enterprises to engage in state capital divestment plans from 2017-2020. The states shareholding in ACV would accordingly go down by 20 per cent to 75.4 per cent in 2018, before dropping further to 65 per cent by 2020.

We propose selling ACV shares in public auctions to ensure transparency and state benefits. Based on the market situation, the stake sale will either take place at once or in several instances at the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE), said Thanh.

While declining to disclose the state of their continued negotiations of a stake sale to a strategic shareholder  Frances Groupe ADP (formerly Aeroports de Paris)  the ACV leader certified that ACVs state capital divestment aims to attract both domestic and foreign investors, and that the company will host extensive road shows at home and abroad to appeal to investors.

Operating officially under the joint stock model since April 2016, after making its initial public offering (IPO) in late 2015, the company now holds a monopoly in managing and operating six international airports and 16 domestic airports, with 65 per cent of its revenue coming from duty-free shops trading.

Before holding this state capital divestment round, ACV is set to move from UPCoM to HOSE in an attempt to boost its stock liquidation.

With a $2 billion stock volume set to be put on offer, its liquidity remains uncertain because many other SOEs have similar state divestment plans during this period.

However, Vu The Phiet, deputy general director of ACV, expressed optimism about the sale. He stated that ACVs stock had been put onto the must-buy lists of some big financial institutions by virtue of the companys upbeat business performance after its equitisation.

After one year of listing on UPCoM, the companys stock rose fourfold in value and is anticipated to continue its momentum on the back of impressive business results.

From the start of the year through September, ACV registered VND10.32 trillion ($469 million) in net revenue, equal to 77 per cent of the annual projection. The firms pre-tax profit of VND3.89 trillion ($175.5 million) was 6 per cent greater than its full-year target.
A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament's Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaking in the House of Commons in London on Dec 13, 2017. (HO/AFP)

LONDON: British lawmakers defeated Prime Minister Theresa May in a key Brexit vote on Wednesday (Dec 13), asserting their authority over the EU exit process by demanding a final say on the divorce deal.

Eleven members of May's Conservative party joined with opposition lawmakers to inflict the government's first defeat over the flagship EU (Withdrawal) Bill, sparking huge cheers in the House of Commons.

Ministers had sought to buy off its critics with a last-minute concession, but leading rebel Dominic Grieve, a former attorney general, had warned: "It's too late."

His amendment would require new legislation to implement any divorce deal with Brussels before Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.

It passed by 309 votes to 305, with a twelfth Conservative MP effectively abstaining by voting in both camps.

"Victory on Grieve amendment!" tweeted Keir Starmer, the Labour party's Brexit spokesman, heralding the "courageous Tories" who voted with the opposition.

The vital role played by Conservative rebels dominated British headlines, described as a humiliating "Tory rebellion" by the Guardian and "Mutiny in the Commons" by The Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Mail went further still, decrying "11 self-consumed malcontents" whom it accused of betraying their leader and Brexit voters alike.

The government said it was "disappointed" by the vote, adding: "We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose."

HAMPERING 'SMOOTH' BREXIT

The defeat was a blow to May the day before EU leaders gather in Brussels to approve the terms of an interim Brexit deal struck last week after months of negotiation.

That deal was a rare moment of triumph for the prime minister, who has endured a turbulent few months since losing her parliamentary majority in disastrous snap elections in June.

MPs' success at defeating May in Westminster was described as "A good day for democracy" by Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit pointman.

"British Parliament takes back control. European and British Parliament together will decide on the final agreement. Interests of the citizens will prevail over narrow party politics," he wrote on Twitter.

The EU (Withdrawal) Bill is intended to formally end Britain's membership of the EU, as well as smooth its exit by transferring thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books.

It also gives ministers powers to amend the laws as they move across, to address any technical glitches.

But MPs objected to the fact that these so-called "Henry VIII" powers also extend to the implementation of the final deal on the terms of Brexit and a transition.

Hours before the vote, Brexit Secretary David Davis promised MPs that no withdrawal agreement would be implemented until a vote in parliament.

Parliament would then be asked to approve a further piece of legislation to implement the deal.

But ministers insisted they needed to retain their special powers in the event that this law was not passed in time.

"That could be at a very late stage in the proceedings, which could mean that we are not able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we wish to have," May told MPs earlier.

Gina Miller, a campaigner who successfully fought last year for an increased role for MPs in the Brexit process, said after the vote: "Parliamentary sovereignty wins the day!"

'BLANK CHEQUE'

After months of wrangling, May secured a deal last week on three priorities of the separation - Britain's financial settlement, the Irish border and the rights of expatriates.

The European Parliament on Wednesday gave its backing to the deal, and EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday are expected to give the green light to move the Brexit negotiations onto trade.

But the Commons vote spells further domestic trouble ahead for May, as parliament and her Conservative party are divided about Britain's future relationship with the EU.

Grieve had warned that ministers were asking for "a blank cheque to the government to achieve something that, at the moment, we don't know what it is".

The government responded swiftly to sack one of the rebels, Stephen Hammond, from his role as the Conservative party's vice chairman.

Hammond said he had "put country and constituency before party and voted with my principles to give parliament a meaningful vote".
Nancy Elsing isnt packing up her office just yet.

After 25 years as executive director of the Columbia County Economic Development Corp., Elsings official retirement date, Dec. 31, is a little more than two weeks off. However, she might stay on the job just a little longer, until her successor is found.

Thats one option, anyway, for the future of the non-profit entity that oversees efforts to attract and retain jobs in Columbia County.

Supervisor Andy Ross of Poynette, chairman of the organizations Executive Committee, said a special committee meeting on Nov. 30 focused on how to address the challenge of Elsings retirement. There is no way, he said, that a new executive director can be hired before her retirement date.

Ross said Elsing has expressed willingness to keep the essential operations of the organization going, and to have a say in who takes her place. How many hours shed be asked to put in, and how shed be compensated, are issues that need to be addressed, he said.

Or, a regional economic development entity  the Madison Regional Economic Partnership  could send a representative to Portage to hold down the fort at CCEDC, at least for a few days a week, until a new executive director is hired, Ross said. He noted that MadREP President Paul Jadin and Vice President for Talent and Education Gene Dalhoff attended the Nov. 30 meeting.

The transition could also have involvement from both MadREP and Elsing, Ross said.

A decision on CCEDCs future was supposed to have been made at an Executive Committee meeting today. However, Ross said Tuesday he cancelled that meeting because some committee members were not able to attend, even though there would be sufficient attendance for a quorum.

This decision is too important not to have input from everybody, he said.

The meeting likely will be rescheduled for early next week.

Elsing said she is more than willing to stick around long enough to help find her successor, and to ease the successors transition.

In the meantime, she said, there is essential CCEDC business that needs to be addressed, including:

Business retention visits, to offer assistance to Columbia Countys existing businesses to ensure that they remain in the county.

Efforts to build up the skills of Columbia Countys workforce, including work with county high schools and businesses to pinpoint the skill sets necessary for people who want to live and work in Columbia County.

An effort to address transportation challenges for people who want to work but who cannot afford to own or lease a vehicle.

The new multi-county Innovation Challenges consortium, which is planning a panel discussion next spring, mainly for people who are considering starting their own businesses.

Ive worked hard for this organization over the years, Elsing said. But I have faith in the Millennial generation; we will find new blood, and new ideas.

Dalhoff declined to comment in detail as to MadREPs potential role in the CCEDC leadership transition, deferring to the CCEDC Executive Committee to make the final decision.

In the long term, however, Dalhoff said MadREP will continue to work with Columbia County, as it does with the other seven counties in its region  Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk.

The option of MadREP eventually subsuming CCEDC is not on the table at the moment, Ross said, and its not his first choice for the organizations future. But if MadREP is involved on a day-to-day basis with CCEDC, Ross said, the resources available through the organization likely will become more apparent.

CCEDC is not a Columbia County department, but it is funded entirely by the county. In November, the County Board adopted the 2018 budget that included a $121,070 appropriation, mostly for the salaries of CCEDC staff. (The post of Elsings administrative assistant also is vacant.)

Originally, the County Boards Finance Committee had proposed putting about half of the appropriation, $60,530, in reserve, to be released later in 2018 only with a Finance Committee recommendation and a County Board vote. However, the full funding was restored before the budget was adopted, after Ross and others argued that finding a new executive director would be impossible if only a half-years funding was assured.

Ross praised Elsings willingness to delay her retirement to aid in the organizations transition.

Nancy, bless her soul, is very amenable to that, he said. After all the time and effort that shes put in, she doesnt want to see it crippled.
Banks expand the digital services they offer to meet the demands of a growing tech-savy generation, Photo: Le Toan

Live banks, live services

For Hanoi-based Tien Phong Bank, launching their new digital banking kiosk called LiveBank in 2016 had only one alternative: taking the lead in making use of disruptive technology and offering customers a channel of digital banking services.

Available around the clock, endowed with user-friendly functions, and located in residential areas and shopping malls, LiveBank gives its customers easy access to make transactions anytime they want.

Dinh Van Chien, deputy general director of Tien Phong Bank (TPBank), said that 80 per cent of customers rate LiveBank as easy to use, with 86 per cent of them willing to employ LiveBank as a channel equivalent to entering a bank branch.

We aim to have at least 100 LiveBank kiosks deployed across the nation next year, on top of the current 40. Digital transactions already account for up to 80 per cent of our total transactions, said Chien on the sidelines of last weeks Vietnam Retail Banking Forum 2017, hosted by the Vietnam Banks Association and IDG ASEAN.

TPBanks move into the digital era may be bold, but the lender is not alone in the race, as many local rivals are doing the same thing. While none are going the LiveBank kiosk route, many are pairing up with fintech companies to come up with new applications. One of these lenders is Vietnam International Bank (VIB), which has deployed the MyVIB social keyboard, which allows users to pay anyone right on the keyboard of any social chat app on their phone.

We know that Generation Y (those born between 1981 and 1995) and Generation Z (those born after 1995) are very tech-savvy. Weve seen babies who know how to scroll on an iPad before they ever learn to speak, said Tran Nhat Minh, VIBs deputy CEO. Disruptive tech has become a part of their lives, and banks who want to reach them need to offer products and services that meet their demands. What members of these generations buy arent products or services, but experiences.

According to Minh, banks cannot afford to assume that what worked for previous generations will also work for Generation Z. This includes physical bank branches with white collar staff, ATMs to withdraw cash, and long queues of people waiting for tellers. We now need sophisticated digital products, digital architectures and platforms to support a customer-centric approach, and digital initiatives that focus on the needs of customers. Simply put, traditional banks ought to transform themselves, to catch up with technology, or else they will not be able to survive this digitalisation, Minh told VIR.

The numbers speak volumes

According to a survey on user behaviour and trends in Vietnam released by IDG Vietnam in 2017, 44 per cent of participants sometimes go to bank branches for transactions, while 61 per cent said they regularly make transactions through internet banking. E-banking solutions are growing in favour because of the easy access and time-saving nature, with 81 per cent of participants having used e-banking solutions for transactions, compared to only 21 per cent in 2015.

According to the survey, customer satisfaction with online banking services in the country stems from easy access, time and cost savings, transaction accuracy, and availability of mobile applications.

Customer dissatisfaction, on the other hand, remained stable over the last two years, with 68 per cent in 2017 compared to 70 per cent in 2015. Reasons for dissatisfaction include major issues like high transaction costs, transaction errors, slow transaction speeds, poor customer service, and concerns about information security.

E-banking users request improvements and further development in application access, e-banking service quality, and safety and security.

Nick Middleton, a consultant at IDG Vietnam, noted in his Vietnam Banking Report 2017 that 45 per cent of net profits in retail banking stem from digital technology and 40 per cent of bank transactions in the country will be processed via mobile devices and the internet by 2020.

He cited other sources as saying that 25 per cent of costs could be cut to increase revenue, should banks employ disruptive technologies in their retail banking business and enhance security features for their customers.

A budding cashless economy

With e-banking and e-commerce on the rise in Vietnam, cash transactions are expected to gradually fade away. Yet it is not an easy process, as some 90 per cent of transactions in the country are reportedly made in cash.

It comes down to trust. Buyers often prefer to see the product theyre buying before handing over payments, so 90 per cent of [e-commerce] payments are cash on delivery, noted VIBs Minh.

So to promote a cashless ecosystem, it is the banks responsibility to partner up with e-commerce businesses and fintech companies, in a quest to steadily reduce cash transactions from 90 per cent down to about 20 per cent, he added.

Jeong Jae Lee, deputy general manager of the Global Business Division at Korea-based NICE Information Service Co., Ltd., who has been providing consulting services on retail banking to local banks such as VietinBank, said that Vietnam has got what it takes to transform itself into a cashless nation.

I believe the technology is ready, and its not very difficult to apply in the Vietnamese market. You have all the necessary infrastructure for the data, you have the internet and e-banking. The most important thing is the individuals access to the bank, Lee told VIR. All individuals need to have a [bank] account and credit card in order to create a cashless economy.

Vietnam aims to boost the number of bank account holders to at least 70 per cent of adults by 2020. Data by the central bank shows that as of September 2017, the country had 66.6 million bank accounts, with 127 million bank cards and credit cards in use.
KDC will start distributing TTC's sugar products from 2018

The two have recently signed a strategic partnership in Ho Chi Minh City to increase presence in the market. Accordingly, KDC will distribute 60,000 tonnes of Bien Hoa Sugar in 2018. The sum is projected to reach 200,000 tonnes by 2020.

Under the plan, KDC will exclusively distribute some of TTCs refined sugar products via its network of 200 distributors and 450,000 retail points. In addition to distribution, KDC will be responsible for achieving annual sales targets and expanding product coverage. Meanwhile, TTC will produce sugar and grant distribution rights over some of its products to KDC.

Dang Van Thanh, chairman of TTC, said that KDC has achieved impressive an performance with charter capital of over VND2.5 trillion ($110 million) and equity of VND8 trillion ($352 million). In addition to its strong financial capability, KDC has been active in the equitisation process. The company now has 10 subsidiaries and six affiliated companies.

Bien Hoa Daily White Sugar will be the first TTC product distributed by KDC. In the first phase starting from January 2018, KDC will display Bien Hoa Daily White Sugar on its shelves across the country with a yearly sales target in mind.

TTC will start the distribution of Bien Hoa Daily White Sugar in its chain from December 20, 2017. For the second phase, TTC will give KDC franchise rights to produce a number of exclusive sugar products.

The tie-up will diversify KDCs portfolio of consumer products from instant noodles, dipping sauces, and beverage to sugar. The company will also optimise its logistics operations by transporting more essential consumer products with each ride.

Moving forward, KDC will utilise its cooking oil distribution network to sell instant noodles, dipping sauces, and beverages, following sugar distribution. KDC and TTC will explore new ways to do business in the second phase.

KDC currently operates six factories specialised in frozen food, ice cream, and cooking oil. Meanwhile, TTC has six sugar mills in the central region, the Central Highlands, the south-eastern region, and Laos with a total processing capacity of 46,100 tonnes of sugarcane per day.

TTTC Tay Ninh Sugar has recently merged with Bien Hoa Sugar to create the biggest sugar producer Vietnam. The post-merger company has increased capacity at its major sugar mills TTC Tay Ninh and Bien Hoa by 60 per cent.

Specifically, the TTC Tay Ninh factory will raise its annual processing capacity from 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, the Bien Hoa-Ninh Hoa factory will increase its annual processing capacity from 100,000 tonnes to 180,000 tonnes. The expansion plan has a total investment capital of VND368 billion ($16.19 million).

Tran Que Trang, deputy general director of TTC, is upbeat about the outlook of the domestic sugar market. Direct sugar consumption in Vietnam is estimated at 35,000 tonnes per month or 420,000 tonnes per year. Average sugar consumption per capita in Vietnam amounts to 12-14 kilogrammes per year.

According to Trang, Bien Hoa Sugar has distributed 10,000 tonnes of sugar since 2010. The firm plans to increase the output to 100,000 tonnes of sugar in 2017 and expects to reach an annual output of 1 million tonnes in the coming time.

TTC is currently holding 40 per cent of the local sugar market with VND22.64 trillion ($996.16 million) in revenue and VND1.5 trillion ($66 million) in profit.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung visits the Expo-Russia Vietnam 2017 in Ha Noi yesterday.- Photo kinhtedothi.vn

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said this at Expo-Russia Vietnam 2017, which opened its doors here yesterday. More than 500 businesses are taking part.

The future of bilateral ties depends not only on the expectations of the two governments, but also on the dynamism and determination of the two business communities," the deputy PM said.

Russia is an important trade partner for Viet Nam with two-way trade reaching to more than US$3.2 billion in the 11 months of the year to date, up 26.7 per cent year-on-year. This figure, however, still lags behind the trade target of $10 billion by 2020 set earlier by the two countries leaders, Dung said.

The deputy PM said he hoped the countrys key staples, such as textiles and garments, footwear, seafood, farm produce, timber and electronics and consumer products could better penetrate Russia.

Meanwhile, he said Viet Nam was ready to import products from a wide range of sectors from Russia, including industrial, farm goods, petrochemicals, industrial equipment, cars and parts as well as raw materials.

Vietnamese firms had shown rising interest in the Russian market, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-chairman Hoang Quang Phong told a business forum at the expo.

As of July 2017, Viet Nam had 18 investment projects in Russia with a total investment capital of $2.4 billion. The projects mainly concerned energy and mining industries. Meanwhile, Russian firms have pumped more than $1 billion into 115 projects in Viet Nam.

Phong said, Expo-Russia Vietnam 2017 would accelerate two-way economic ties by showcasing products and services for export and investment projects and research findings of businesses, universities and research agencies.

It would also introduce achievements in energy, machine manufacturing, transport and telecommunications, as well as mining, chemical industry, healthcare, agriculture and hi-tech industries.

At the expo, organised by VCCI and Russian company Zarubezh Expo, Vietnamese firms have an opportunity to learn about Russias investment environment and seek business partnerships.

The event, which will run until tomorrow, also includes a workshop on economic co-operation between member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and Viet Nam, and roundtables on agriculture, energy, transport and healthcare.

At the first event in December 2015, the Russian side signed 172 agreements with Vietnamese partners.
Poor productivity is one of the obstacles standing in the way of Vietnams growth goals Photo: Le Toan The Vietnam Development Forum 2017 (VDF) will take place on December 13 in Hanoi, with a key focus laid on the countrys productivity, which remains low. The VDF)  themed Increasing productivity  the leverage for sustainable development  will be attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and two deputy prime ministers, and be hosted by Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and World Bank Vietnam country director Ousmane Dione. The event is expected to be attended by about 350 delegates. VDF 2017, an official policy dialogue between the Vietnamese government and international development partners, will delve into impediments for increasing Vietnams low productivity, which has been undermining the countrys competiveness. The forum will also seek out specific solutions for improving the economys productivity, which will help the country to catch up with developed economies in the future, especially considering that the Vietnamese economys propellants like capital, labour, and natural resources have almost been maximised, said a Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) document on VDF 2017. One day before VDF is organised, the Vietnam Business Forum 2017 will take place. This is an official policy dialogue between Vietnams government and the private business community.

Japanese-backed plastic mould producer Senu Vietnam, based in the northern province of Hai Duong, is currently busy with production to fulfil its orders for the remaining weeks of the year. In 2017, the firms orders have increased by 15 per cent compared to last year.

The increase is due to many factors, but one of the main reasons is that we have improved our productivity. With higher productivity, we have been able to land more contracts, said Senu representative Takashi Masumitsu.

He told VIR that in the past, every new worker, despite having graduated from vocational schools in Vietnam, had to learn how to hold a screwdriver and work a screw from scratch before being allowed to officially work on the production floor.

Workers skills improved this year as the firm has co-operated with vocational schools to ensure workers are educated according to its needs.

Senu Vietnam has several automated production lines, with each machine currently operated by only two workers instead of four as had been the case previously.

Though our companys productivity is improved, it is still relatively low. Generally speaking, Vietnams labour productivity has gotten better, but remains sub-par. With the same production lines in Japan, we can produce 100 units of product per hour with only one worker, while the figure here is only 80 with two workers, Masumitsu said.

Increased productivity

According to the International Labour Organization, labour productivity is an important economic indicator closely linked to growth, competitiveness, and living standards within an economy. It represents the total volume of output (measured in terms of GDP) produced per unit of labour (measured in terms of the number of employed persons) during a given time reference period.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) reported that over the past few years, even though Vietnam has become a middle-income nation, the factors that have previously functioned as the economys driving forces, such as strong capital, intensive labour, and natural resources, are on the wane.

According to MPI, Vietnam is at risk of lagging behind other economies. As stated by the Vietnam 2035 report  a joint Vietnam-World Bank study launched last year  it will take Vietnam 18 years with an average annual growth rate of at least 6 per cent to reach an average per-capita income equal to Malaysias 2010 number of $18,000. With an annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent, Vietnam could hit South Koreas 2003 average of $24,000 within seven years.

This requires Vietnam to create a new growth impetus to boost its growth in a more sustainable manner, said MPI Minister Nguyen Chi Dung. Experiences from developed economies show that a rise in productivity is one of the key factors that can create sustainable development and breakthroughs for a nation. In Vietnam, productivity is increasing slowly, and if it is not boosted, the country will lag behind other nations.

According to Masumitsu, Japan is a good example for productivity improvements. In the 1950s, the quality of products made in Japan was low. Based on research, Japanese experts designed models to increase labour productivity and the quality of products.

Businesses improved themselves according to the five Ss, which stand for the Japanese words seiri (tidiness), seiton (orderliness), seiso (cleanliness), seiketsu (standardisation), and shitsuke (discipline). These principles were applied radically in all production stages at Japanese firms.

In Vietnam, workers quality has improved but needs to improve much more, and this is one of the key factors for Vietnam to attract more and more Japanese investments, and to keep its economic growth on the right track, Masumitsu said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the National Assembly last month that Vietnams growth has seen big improvements, with a strong growth rate for a long time, at 6.07 per cent annually in the 2011-2015 period. It is expected that the rate will be 6.7 per cent this year.

The most positive indicator is that the economys labour productivity has risen, meaning the economic growth quality has improved, Phuc stressed.

Specifically, labour productivity rose by 5.29 per cent last year and 5.87 per cent this year, while total-factor productivity (TFP) was 40.68 per cent last year and 44.13 per cent this year. The incremental capital-output ratio (ICOR) also decreased, at 6.41 per cent last year, and 6.27 per cent this year.

TFP is a measure of the efficiency of all inputs to a production process. Increases in TFP usually stem from technological innovations or improvements. Meanwhile, ICOR states how much additional capital is required to produce the next unit of production.

According to the General Statistics Office, labour productivity per capita was VND84.5 million ($3,840) last year, up 5.31 per cent against 2015. Compared to 2006, labour productivity rose by more than VND60 million ($2,727).

According to a survey on labour productivity and wage growth in Vietnam released two months ago by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Vietnam Institute for Economics and Policy, Vietnams labour productivity has risen by 4.4 per cent since 2004.

Mindset change

Resolution 5, issued in November 2016 by the 12th Party Central Committee, made increasing labour productivity one of the three pillars for achieving a new growth model for the country, in addition to growth quality and increased competitiveness. The resolution set a target of raising productivity by 5.5 per cent per year, and to have 30-35 per cent of enterprises engage in innovative activities every year in the 2016-2020 period.

At an April 2017 dialogue with workers in Vietnams central region, Prime Minister Phuc said that in order to boost productivity and encourage enterprises to apply high technology, the state has offered incentives regarding corporate income tax and personal income tax, as well as other favourable incentive plans.

However, enterprises also need to use part of their profits for technological renovation. For example, Viettel has earmarked 10 per cent of its profit for renovation. I think we should also combine the states incentives with enterprises policies. This is imperative for raising labour productivity, Phuc said. Without investment in renovation, we cannot improve our productivity and competiveness.

Vietnam National Productivity Institute director Nguyen Anh Tuan said that in order to boost labour productivity, the country must focus on three factors: capital, science and technology, and human resources.

Vietnam is a developing country, so investment capital plays a key role in economic growth. The more focus we put on low-productivity sectors, the lower our economys labour productivity will remain. So investing more into advanced equipment and improving management skills is highly recommended, Tuan said. However, we should remember that to boost our labour productivity, it is also necessary to raise salaries for employees and give them better benefits.

His company holds similar views, Senus Masumitsu said. Senus 800 employees have received better salaries and welfare.

Vietnams business climate has improved significantly. If the government comes up with better

programmes on productivity improvement, companies like ours will perform better and contribute much more to the economy, he said. We will continue investing more in training, so each of the machines in our production chains can be operated by only one worker, as is the case in Japan.
MILWAUKEE  Milwaukee has a legal path to annex land from Racine County, one of the citys attorneys said Tuesday.

The conversation stemmed from Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman, who said Racine County does not have enough people to fill all the jobs anticipated at Foxconn Technology Groups planned liquid crystal display plant in the Village of Mount Pleasant.

The Taiwanese company has said it will create about 13,000 jobs at the manufacturing campus. Bauman suggested that Racines northern neighbor evaluate its options to help Milwaukee residents obtain some of those positions. Ideas included annexing part of Racine County or creating a satellite city in Racine County for Milwaukee residents who would work at the plant.

Milwaukees Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee took up Baumans suggestions at its Tuesday meeting, discussing what opportunities are available to the city in light of Foxconns development plans. Bauman told committee members he aims to help people from Milwaukee who are unemployed or underemployed.

A long shot

Assistant City Attorney Jeremy McKenzie said the city could not acquire land in Mount Pleasant, but it could annex property from the nearby Town of Yorkville.

Its a bit of a long shot, he said, but it is, technically, legally possible.

The typical path for annexation involves seeking property in a contiguous community, which is not applicable to Baumans goals.

A state statute, McKenzie said, provides a legal path for a city to annex land from a town that is near it, although the law does not define near. The city would have to own the land, which must be in a town  not a city or a village like Mount Pleasant.

The town where that land is located would have to approve a resolution that agrees to the annexation, McKenzie said. Because Bauman has suggested annexing land outside Milwaukee County, the Racine County Board also would have to approve the move, McKenzie said.

Should all of those steps occur, he said Milwaukee and the Town of Yorkville would also have to establish a boundary agreement.

There is a path, McKenzie said. It is a very narrow path.

That path could be impeded, however, by the towns plans to incorporate. The states Foxconn legislation allows unincorporated communities adjacent to where the manufacturer builds to incorporate as a village or city, even if they dont meet the standard requirements like a population threshold. The town plans to hold a referendum election on that matter next year to protect its borders from annexation.

Yorkville Chairman Peter Hansen said he was unfamiliar with Milwaukees conversation and declined to comment.

Bauman said hed prefer to resolve his concerns for Milwaukee residents employment needs through improvements to public transportation. He said he is not sure what his next step will be.
The Jones Act costs too much for all Americans
The articles on Voltaire Network may be freely reproduced provided the source is cited, their integrity is respected and they are not used for commercial purposes (license CC BY-NC-ND).

Source: Divergences between Peking and Washington over North Korea, Translation Anoosha Boralessa, Voltaire Network, 14 December 2017, www.voltairenet.org/article199016.html
I think it is very clear particularly to us Italians, that for historical and geographical reasons, Europes future is at stake in Africa. So declared Paolo Gentiloni, President of the Council while on his African tour, from 24 to 29 November, travelling through Tunisia, Angola, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

By making this statement, he unintentionally disclosed the truth to us: today Italy and Europe consider Africa to be crucial for the same historical and geographical reasons that arose in the past, that is, when Africa was under their colonial control.

Africa has vast pools of wealth, which take the form of raw materials: gold, diamond, uranium, coltan, copper, oil, natural gas, manganese, phosphate, precious timber, cocoa, coffee, cotton and a host of other things. These precious resources, exploited by the European colonial powers, which used old methods akin to slavery, are today exploited by European neo-colonialism which is manipulating groups holding power and corrupt African leaders, a cheap local labour force and control over domestic and international markets.

Premier Gentilonis business trip confirms this. His status while travelling is as Enis travelling spokesman. In Africa, the multinational Eni has a presence in Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa. Tunisia, which is the first country Gentiloni is stopping off at on his voyage, is an important Eni base for two reasons: first because of its reserves in El Borma and second because its a transit route for the Transmed gas pipeline that brings Algerian gas into Italy. In Angola, Gentiloni attended together with President Lourenco, the signing of a lucrative agreement, transferring to Eni 48% of the rights over the huge reserve, Cabinda North. In Ghana he visited the Eni floating maxi platform for production and storage, for exploiting offshore reserves of more than 40 billion cubic metres of gas and 500 million barrels of oil.

In the Ivory Coast Eni purchased 30% of a large offshore area, rich in hydrocarbons through its subsidiary, Eni Cote dIvoire Limited based in London. It is here as well that Gentiloni participated at the fifth EU  African Union Summit  together with Mogherini (Lady PESC), the EUs Representative for Foreign Affairs, the French President (Macron) and the German Chancellor (Merkel). The Summit is focussing on the new European investments in Africa, injected with the noble intention of giving new hopes to young Africans. Yet generally speaking, such investments are targeted at the African elites, who are needed by neo-colonial interests need to achieve their targets.

Another point: in countries generating the most income from exporting raw materials, the majority of their inhabitants live in poverty. According to UN data, two thirds of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa live in poverty and more than 40% live in extreme poverty. Symbolic: the examples of the Ivory Coast and Ghana, both countries that Gentiloni visited. Both countries boast a wealth of energy resources and in addition are also the first two global producers of cocoa (with almost 60% of total production). This is cultivated for the most part by small farmers, that live in poverty because they are forced to sell cocoa seeds at very low prices, from which multinationals producing chocolate derive substantial profits. So, just as Renzi has also said, we are helping Africans while they are in their own countries.

In the five-year period 2010-2015, the United States, Great Britain, France, China, South Africa and Italy have made the biggest investments in Africa. However, by 2016 China had sprinted to the lead, followed by the United Arab Emirates and Italy which, Gentiloni declared with pride, was the biggest European investor in Africa last year, with around 12 billion. The United States and the European Union see their dominant role in the African economies exposed to increasing danger by China, whose companies offer African countries much more favourable conditions and build the infrastructure that they so badly need: so far, around 2,300 km of railway lines and 3,300 km of roads. While this is going on, the United States and the European Union see their interests threatened by armed movements, such as the Niger Delta Avengers that attack the plants of the US Shell and other oil companies including Eni, which are responsible for environmental and social disaster in the Nigers delta.

Since they are losing ground on the economic terrain, the United States and the European powers with the most clout are throwing their military might to tip the balance in their favour. Citing the official reason of fighting terrorism, the US African Command is extending the reach and muscle of its military network on the continent through special forces operations, the use of armed drones, equipment and the weapons of African Special Forces. France, which over the last 50 years, has completed another 50 official military interventions plus many other secret operations on the continent, is stepping up its operations in Western, Central and Eastern Africa, where it maintains around 7,000 soldiers and different military bases especially in Mali, Senegal, Gabon and the Ivory Coast. Italy  which has a military presence in Libya, Mali, Somalia and Djibouti  is pushing Nato to intervene in Africa. Nato  stresses Premier Gentiloni  must look towards the South. If the biggest military alliance in history does not do so, then it risks not being on top of the challenges we face today. Nato is getting its ship in order to look once again to the South just as when in 2011 it engaged in a war that put an end to the Libyan state.
Colossal works are emerging on our territory both in Northern Italy and Southern Italy. Are we talking about those for which the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is responsible? Works that has every tongue wagging? Not at all! Were talking about those thought up by the Pentagon that no one mentions. And yet most of these works are funded with our money and bring with them growing risks for us Italians:

 At Ghedis military airport (Brescia): the plan kicks off to spend more than 60 million euro (of Italys money), on building the infrastructure for 30 F-35s (US fighter planes), purchased by Italy and for 60 B61-12 (US nuclear bombs).

 At the Aviano base (Pordenone): around 5,000 US soldiers are stationed here with the F-16 fighters armed with nuclear bombs (seven of which are currently in Israel for the 2017 Blue Flag drill). Other costly works have been carried out at Italys and Natos expense.

 At Vicenza: 8 million euro has been picked from Italys pocket, to revamp the Ederle and Del Din barracks. Both these barracks are home to the US Army headquarters in Italy and the 173a air borne Brigade (now deployed in Eastern Europe, Afghanistan and Africa), and to extend the Village of Peace where US soldiers live with their families.

 At Camp Darby (a US base located in Pisa/Livorno): the construction of a railway infrastructure is beginning in December. The cost of this: 45 million dollars, an expense allocated to the US plus other expenses, allocated to Italy. This infrastructure will enable linking up this base to the Livorno Port and Pisa Airport. This work entails demolishing 1,000 trees in the natural park. Camp Darby is one of the five sites that the US Army has around the world for stocks stationed in advance of weapons. The camp contains millions of missiles and projectiles, thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles. From here they are sent to the US Forces in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with large militarized ships and cargo airplanes.

 At Lake Patria (Naples): Natos new headquarters, costed at around 200 million euro of which around a quarter is borne by Italy, entails yet more expenditure on Italys part. For example, 10 million euro for the new road access close to the Nato Headquarters.

 At the Amendola base (Foggia): works have been carried out for an un-quantified cost, to render the runways suitable for the F-35s and the US Predator drones that Italy has bought.

 At the Sigonella Naval Air Station, in Sicily: works have been carried out for more than 100 million dollars. These expenses will be borne directly by the United States and NATO and therefore indirectly by Italy as well (following on from its membership of NATO). In addition to providing logistical support to the Sixth Fleet, the base is the launching pad for operations in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe, with airplanes and drones of all types and special forces. As well as this function, it will perform another one: the advanced base of the US anti-missile shield, not for defence but for offense, especially against Russia: should it be able to intercept the missiles, the US could probably launch a first nuclear strike neutralizing a reprisal.

 At Sigonella: the Jtags is on the verge of being installed. This is a station for satellite reception and transmission from the shield. Yet it is no coincidence that with the launch of the fifth satellite, Muos is on the verge of becoming fully operational. Muos is the US satellite system which has one of its four land stations in the vicinity of Niscemi.

On 7 June 2017, General James Dickson, Head of the US Strategic Command, in a Congressional Hearing declared:

This year we have secured support from the Italian government to deploy once again, in Europe, the Jtags at the Sigonella Naval Air Station.

Was the Italian Parliament in the loop of a decision of such strategic significance, that upgrades our country to the front line of an increasingly dangerous nuclear confrontation? Was it at least discussed in the Defence Committees?
European Leaders  from the EUs foreign representative Mogherini to Premier Gentiloni, from President Macron to Chancellor Merkel  have formally stepped back from both the US and Israel on the status of Jerusalem. Is a rift between the allies emerging?

The facts would indicate quite the contrary. Just before Trump took his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, yet at a time when the dye had already been cast, Operation Blue Flag 2017 was executed. This is the biggest international drill for air war in Israels History. In this drill, the following countries participated: the United States, Italy, Greece and Poland and, for the first time in the third edition, France, Germany and India.

For two weeks, pilots from eight countries (six of which are Nato members), have carried out a drill with 70 airplanes in the Israeli base of Ovda in the Negev desert, assisted by 1,000 soldiers providing technical and logistical support. Italy has participated with four Tornado fighter planes (part of the 6th Formation stationed at Ghedi). Two for attack and another two for electronic war. The United States is participating with seven F-16s from the 31st Fighter Wing based at Aviano. Since these planes have been fitted out to transport the US B-61 nuclear bombs, surely Italian and US pilots, along with others, have been drilled to carry out missions for nuclear attack. According to official information, more than 800 flight missions have been carried out, simulating extreme combat scenarios with flights at the lowest level and electromagnetic countermeasures to neutralize anti-air defense. In other words, pilots have been trained to penetrate enemy territory, to strike targets with both nuclear and non-nuclear bombs and missiles.

Operation Blue Flag 2017 has improved cooperation between and operational readiness of the air forces that are participating and, at the same time, has strengthened Israels international status. Symbolic  reports the Israeli newspaper Haaretz in an article on fighter-jet diplomacy  is the sight of a Eurofighter jet, carrying the cross of the German Luftwaffe lining up beside an F-15 with the Israeli Air-Forces blue Star of David [Translators note 2] taking off for the first time, side by side, for the same mission or the French fighters returning to Israel where they had been secretly stationed in 1956 for the Suez campaign against Nassers Egypt.

And so concludes Haaretz:

Blue Flag is a demonstration by Israel that more countries than ever are ready to engage with it publicly as strategic allies and to put aside political considerations like the Palestinian issue. As the influence of traditional diplomacy is waning, the role played by military commanders in international relations is growing. [1]

The meeting between General Frigerio, Commander of the Italian Fighting Forces, with General Norkin, Commander of the Israeli Air Force confirms this. This meeting falls within Law no. 94 of May 17 2005, which institutionalizes an ever closer cooperation between Italys armed forces and military industrials with their Israeli counterparts. Israel is now a de facto Nato member.

By virtue of a Programme for Individual Cooperation, Israel maintains a permanent official mission within Natos headquarters. This programme was ratified in December 2008 (just before the Israeli operation Cast Lead took place at Gaza). One element of this programme is hooking up the Israeli forces (nuclear forces included) to Natos electronic system. Immediately after Blue Flag 2017, Israeli pilots (who are training with Italian fighters, M-346), started once again to bomb Palestinians in Gaza while Premier Gentiloni declared that the future of Jerusalem, that sacred city, unrivalled in the world, is defined in the context of the peace process.
DCM Introduces Referendum Book to Schoolchildren

The Government has commenced the distribution of a commemorate booklet on the 1967 Referendum to thousands of school children all over Gibraltar.

Yesterday morning, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia commenced the process with an address on the subject to the combined senior forms of Bayside School, Westside School and the College of Further Education. He told them that the events surrounding the 1967 Referendum were the story of how a small people defied a military dictator in Madrid and in so doing took on the World.



The Deputy Chief Minister structured the talk in three parts. The first was the background against which the referendum took place, the second the actual referendum vote itself and the final part dealt with the consequences. He declared that the people of Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to retain their links with the United Kingdom in the full knowledge that things were going to get worse. This showed a determination to defend their homeland which has continued to this day.



Dr Garcia explained the boiling cauldron of emotions that was bubbling in Gibraltar throughout the 1960s as a result of the two-pronged aggressive campaign conducted by Spain. The first was at the United Nations in New York and the second locally on the ground. He explained that at the UN Gibraltar faced a numerically unbeatable block vote of Communist, Latin American and anti-British countries. This encouraged Spain to turn the screws on progressively at the border and in the air.



The Deputy Chief Minister declared that the Referendum had several consequences. These included the closure of the land frontier by Spain, the withdrawal of the ferry to Algeciras and the ending of telephone communications. The 1968 constitutional conference and the 1969 Constitution, with the guarantees that it contained in the Preamble, were a direct and immediate result of the Referendum.



Commenting on the matter, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said:



The Government have organised a number of events throughout the year in order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. In addition to these, we felt it was important to take the message to our schools in order that younger generations can better appreciate the struggles and the sacrifices that our forefathers had to endure to move Gibraltar to where it is today. This is why we will be distributing thousands of these booklets to schoolchildren in the days to come. I have always believed very strongly that knowledge of the past is the key to the future. I am very grateful to my colleague the Minister for Education, the Department, the schools and the teachers for making this possible.
Russell Simmons. Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Fast Company

On the same night the New York Times released its report in which four women came forward to accuse music producer Russell Simmons of sexual assault, the Los Angeles Times published an extensive article detailing the accusations of five other women not interviewed in the New York Times. The women accused Simmons on the record of sexual misconduct and assault, with stories that spanned across three decades. The women include an actress, a hip-hop artist, a massage therapist, and a former employee. Simmons has denied all allegations.

The first accuser in the article is Natashia Williams-Blach, an actress in the Simmons-produced film How to Be a Player. She alleges that Simmons attempted to assault her after they took a yoga class together. She claims that after he made a move to kiss her and she rebuffed him, the music mogul attempted to force her to give him oral sex in 1996 when she was 18 years old. Williams-Blach described the alleged incident: He pushes the crown of my head swiftly down while hes got his hand on his zipper. It was just a few seconds. She told him that she needed to return to UCLA where she was a student.

Erin Beattie, who was a message therapist in Seattle, told the Times that when she gave Simmons an in-room message at a hotel in 2005, the hip-hop icon exposed his penis to her. She says she refused to touch his genitals. He just expected that that was what was going to happen, she said. He couldnt believe I would say no.

Two of the accusers dated back to the early days of Simmonss career in New York. Sherri Hines, a member of the hip-hop group Mercedes Ladies, claims that around 1983 Simmons invited her to his office. The next thing I knew, he was pinning me down and I was trying to fight him and he had his way, Hines said.

In 1988 another woman, Lisa Kirk, claims that Simmons allegedly attempted to assault her in the bathroom of a nightclub. Kirk, who says she had dated one of Simmonss friends, alleges that the businessman followed her into the bathroom and pushed her into a stall. He allegedly began to take out his penis, but stopped suddenly and ran out when Kirk caught his eye.

The Times also spoke to former employees at Simmonss West Hollywood yoga studio Tantris. The former general manager, Karen Russell, claims that a yoga teacher working at the studio complained that Simmons was aggressively pursuing her even though she was in a relationship. When Russell took the harassment complaint to studio management, her concerns were allegedly brushed off. The boss allegedly told her that the behavior was common for Simmons and that theyve always been able to handle it and clean up his mess.

Each of the women interviewed had their stories corroborated by friends, family members, or acquaintances who confirmed they had heard the allegations either in the immediate aftermath of the alleged incidents or years after, but before other reports of misconduct began circulating.

In mid-November former fashion model Keri Claussen Khalighi claimed Simmons forced her to give him oral sex in 1991. Weeks later, screenwriter Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married) also accused Simmons of sexual assault.
Sumo Sushi gives off more of a Las Vegas vibe than a Madison one or even a Japanese one.

That starts with the two larger-than-life fiberglass sumo wrestlers facing off just inside the front doors and extends to the elegant bathrooms.

In terms of the dining areas, the best comparison would be to Fuji Sushi & Hibachi, which opened last year in Middletons Greenway Station. They are both huge spaces with a crisp, polished look.

Sumo Sushis full name is Sumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, and its the latest in a small chain of 17 restaurants in states including Nebraska, South Dakota, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana and Arkansas, according to Pat Rogo, a regional manager based at a Minneapolis buffet owned by the same company under a different name.

The restaurant opened Nov. 3 on East Washington Avenue, where HomeTown Buffet was located.

Something about this reminds me of the restaurants in casinos, said my friend after we were seated in a roomy booth in a non-hibachi area. I dont know if its the large size or the lack of windows.

Specialty cocktails are reasonably priced at $7.50, and from a list of 15 that includes a white peach sake sangria and a Japanese margarita, I enjoyed a mango mai tai, although it didnt have much rum.

My friend had a 14-ounce Kirin Ichiban beer ($3.95), also reasonably priced. He was pleased with it, calling it slightly spicier than Miller Genuine Draft.

Ladies Finger ($5.50), a starter of steamed okra with a special soy sauce, intrigued us because we are only really familiar with fried versions. What came out was okra that remained whole, another unfamiliar way to present okra. It was a healthful novelty, but it sat in a pool of sauce and became slimy.

We instead turned our attention to the grilled squid ($8.50), which likewise appealed to us because it wasnt fried. The enormous squid was gorgeously laid out, meaty and tender. It was fantastic dipped into the spicy orange mayo. The only problem was that the tentacles were huge and hard to eat without a sharp knife. The butter knife on the table didnt get us anywhere, and it took awhile before we saw one of our two servers to ask for a sharper knife.

The spicy tuna roll ($5.75) is the way to go, its slices puffy with a tuna mixture. The texture and spice level were perfect. It was one of the best versions Ive had recently, definitely more appealing than the signature Sumo roll ($11.95). The specialty roll had shrimp tempura topped with eel, avocado, eel sauce and sesame seeds. The combination was fine, just hardly compelling.

A better case could be made for the sushi deluxe entree ($18.50), nine pieces of nigiri that all looked and tasted extremely fresh. My favorites, as usual with sushi, were the tuna and salmon, both smooth and silky. The yellowtail was also excellent. The only fish I could have done without was the red snapper, since it was chewy and hard to cut apart.

The entree came with a California roll, which if you like a simple roll, was a great example. The meal also came with a generous dinner salad dressed with a very good ginger dressing. A miso soup was included, too. It had a fine flavor and some wakame seaweed, but only one lone tiny square of tofu.

Besides the wide-open hibachi area with 14 grills, and the many dining areas, theres an understated bar across from the sushi bar. The bathrooms are definitely not understated, but an attraction on their own. They dont have stalls so much as little rooms. The restaurant also has three private rooms near the kitchen. An area with satiny, gold lounge furniture plays into the Vegas look.

Its hard to say if the East Side of Madison can support such an enormous, elaborate Japanese restaurant, especially with Journey Sushi & Seafood Buffet so close by on Lien Road.

Since my visit, the people who run Sumo have hung tacky, colorful flags drawing attention to the restaurant as if its a used car lot.
A 9-year-old boy operating a dangerous piece of heavy machinery. Photo: Ronald Grant Archive / Mary Evan

In the lead-up to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, we look back at the first Jedi (narratively speaking) with a series of stories about the much-beloved and never-disparaged prequel trilogy.

Now, an envisioning of what the prequels would look like if the Galactic Republic had employed 21st-century standards of child welfare.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace

The people of Naboo, following a cultural tradition that holds that young women possessed a form of pure, childlike wisdom that the adults lacked, elect the teenage Padme Amidala as queen. She is given a fair salary and comprehensive health benefits, and is never forced to take a lead role in interstellar diplomacy without adult supervision.

To prevent overwork, Amidala is also accompanied by five handmaidens. These handmaidens also serve as her public decoy, though in situations of obvious risk, that role is filled by adult members of Naboos military and not preteen girls. Otherwise, the six young women work in shifts so that no one double is forced to play the role for longer than four hours. Amidala and her handmaidens are all given plenty of time off, which they are free to use for rest and relaxation instead of menial tasks like cleaning droids.

All of the queens ceremonial outfits are painstakingly designed to minimize the amount of physical stress they put on an adolescent body. To lessen the risk of electrocution, none of her dresses have lights in them.

Related Stories Every Star Wars Prequel CGI Character, Ranked From Tolerable to Inexcusable

Nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker and his mother Shmi are slaves owned by Watto, a crude ethnic stereotype who does not follow child-labor laws. Nevertheless, while stranded on Tatooine, the Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn treats Anakin as if the Outer Rim had the same traditions of juvenile welfare as the galaxys core. When the Boonta Eve Classic pod race provides a way for Jinn to quickly raise the funds to buy a new hyperdrive for his ship, he decides to bet big on the favorite, Sebulba. He does not ever consider entering a small child into a race which would require him to operate a dangerous piece of heavy machinery. (Sebulba wins, by the way, and goes on to celebrate his victory with a lovely pedicure.)

After Jinn notices Anakins heightened sensitivity to the Force, he negotiates with Watto for the boys freedom. In order to create a healthy support system for Anakin, Qui-Gon uses his leverage to also free Shmi, rather than using his Force powers to rig a dice game and keep her enslaved.

When Anakin meets with the Jedi Council for the first time, he expresses fear at leaving his old life behind. The Jedi masters accept this as a reasonable psychological reaction in a child. They also recognize emotional bonds with others as a necessary part of a healthy life.

At 9, Anakin is not considered too old to enroll in the Jedi temple, which understands that children often develop at different speeds. A few times a year, he visits Tatooine on half-term breaks, though eventually the parsecs start to add up and he grows apart from his old friends. Still, he often thinks wistfully of those innocent days running around with that little Rodian kid, what was his name, W. something?

When Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan return to Naboo to throw off the Trade Federations occupation, they leave Anakin on Coruscant, instead of bringing an elementary schooler into an active combat zone and just telling him to find someplace to hide.

In the relief of Theed, Amidala, too, stays safely behind the front lines, acting as a crucial rallying figure for the Naboo resistance, rather than taking part in a risky commando operation. The handmaidens fill necessary noncombat support roles. No one thinks to use them as child soldiers.

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

In the Jedi temple, the use of lightsabers is tightly regulated. When training exercises mandate that dozens of young apprentices are packed into the same room and blinded, the Jedi do not also hand them deadly weapons.

Jango Fett is a bounty hunter who wants to have a closer relationship with his son Boba. He adjusts his budget and takes fewer freelance assignments, allowing him to spend more time at home with the boy. Boba grows up to have healthy boundaries with his father, and also his own independent identity.

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Having turned to the dark side, Anakin Skywalker arrives at the Jedi temple to murder its inhabitants. The younglings are spared, as its very late at night and they have long since gone home to legal guardians who are not warrior-monk policemen.
Nelly. Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

In October, Nelly was arrested by police under suspicion that he had raped a woman on his tour bus in Ridgefield, Washington. At the time, the rapper had denied the allegations, with a lawyer calling the claims completely fabricated. Now, TMZ reports that the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has decided to drop the case. The office reportedly told TMZ, The alleged victims refusal to cooperate made it impossible for them to go forward with charging Nelly with any crime.

A week after the arrest, a lawyer for the woman who accused Nelly issued a letter stating that her client didnt want to continue pressing charges because she did not feel safe enough. The letter explained that the young woman, a 21-year-old college student, felt her privacy had been breeched by the police and that she feared retaliation from Nelly. The letter ended, She wishes she had not called 911 because she believes the system is going to fail her.
Benvenuto to RHONJs long-awaited Milan episode! Long awaited by me, anyway, if not by the residents of Milan. As is tradition, we enjoy a montage of the Housewives packing while recapping recent drama to their male loved ones, who express their amazement that theyd even want to go on a trip with all those crazy women. Once they land, Melissa fantasizes about hot Italian men jamming prosciutto and mozzarella in her mouth on the street; Danielle, who more than anyone else on this show understands her role here, alley-oops the inevitable oral-sex joke. Eat your heart out on a plate of linguini, Master of None season two.

The women split up into pairs that afternoon. Dolores and Siggy go shopping. Teresa and Danielle have a drink near the Duomo di Milano. Its an emotional sight: Last time Teresa was in Italy, she was pregnant with Milania (is that why shes named Milania and not Montville Township-ia?) and had the whole family in tow, including her late mother. Melissa and Margaret, wearing pants with what I can only describe as a psychedelic-single-celled-organism print, head to a showroom to load up on sweaters with fringe and sweater dresses with fringe to stock the shelves at Envy. But make no mistake: The Posche fashion-show drama has not yet been exorcised. After all the days gossip, the various strains of resentment have mutated into new and exciting antibiotic-resistant superbugs by the time dinner comes around. Say, why didnt Siggy stand up for her friends in front of Kim D.? And why hasnt Dolores apologized at all? And has Siggy mentioned that she is still very upset that Margaret made an analogy about Hitler?

Before the antipasti arrive, Teresa has already poured hot candle wax all over her hand like its Elmers glue and shes a third-grader counting down the minutes till recess. Danielle, meanwhile, mimes a sex act she calls a rainbow, in which the performer artfully arrays different shades of lipstick onto a penis. In comparison to whats about to happen, I give everyone an A-plus for restaurant manners up to this point. Once the Kim D. (the D stands for detritus) controversy claws its way out from the grave, the line in the polenta is firmly drawn, with Siggy and Dolores versus everyone else. But relatively little is said about the fashion show before complimentary popcorn and white-cherry Icees are distributed for a surprise screening of The Grudge 4: Soggys Revenge. Before long, Siggy declares that Margaret is anti-Semitic, inspiring a collective shriek of disbelief from the entire group. Margaret, whose children are Jewish, is upset to the point of physically shaking. Danielle, defending Margaret, tells Siggy to back off, which aggravates the Sig. You dont matter, she says to Danielle. Youre disgusting. A hypnotic paroxysm of fury washes over Danielle. Im not sure Ive seen anything like the white flames in her eyes, and I am professional observer of angry women behaving badly on television. Danielle smashes glasses off the table and Teresa hustles her out of the restaurant before, I can only imagine, she can burn the entire establishment to the ground with her mind powers.

Danielle may have gotten them all kicked out of the joint, but its Siggy and her unmatched capacity for taking offense who comes off the worst here. Go to jail, you loser, Siggy shouts after Danielle  Im curious to know what Siggys dear, dear friend Teresa makes of that choice of insult  and Melissa covers her mouth with a hand to shut her up. Outside, Danielle tries to remember how to say what is presumably the bleeped C-word in Italian. Fucking puta, she says. Pretty close, but I think you were going for puttana. Travel trip: Write the translations of your go-to insults on handy flashcards before going abroad!

The next morning, Melissa has booked the group a canal tour. Danielle and Siggy (independently) choose to stay behind, but Dolores comes along. She apologizes to Melissa for the way she talked to her at the fashion show, though she still doesnt regret walking in it. Their tour guide Emanuele  in an obligatory fedora and jaunty scarf, because Europe  is perfectly nice, but I am not sure if he is a trained tour guide or a random, thirsty local who saw the cameras and seized his moment. Nevertheless, its a pleasant experience. Melissa seems to spend most of it screaming Buongiorno! at strangers with not quite as good an accent as Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds. Teresa runs her fingers through Emanueles hair like shes a TSA agent operating on a hunch.

Back at the hotel, Danielle and Siggy enter tentative peace talks, which go a lot better than I would have expected. Siggy apologizes for the way she spoke to her. Danielle saw red, she says, and I dont ever want to see that color again. How about nice lime green, or a soft mauve?

Over lunch, Dolores concedes that she doesnt believe Margaret is anti-Semitic, just anti-Siggy. Margaret responds, reasonably, that after last nights blow-up, she isnt exactly pro-Siggy herself. Dolores insists that Margarets Hitler analogy was in poor taste, and she would have responded just as Siggy had, probably worse. I genuinely love Dolores. I understand and appreciate how highly she values loyalty. But wheres the polenta line between loyalty and blind, stubborn, alternative-facts-peddling allegiance? Could Dolores become Siggys Kellyanne Conway?

Siggy  succeeding in winning back my affections by lounging around in the fluffy hotel bathrobe, the most compelling reason to go on any vacation at all  calls up Michael Campanella, who advises her to take her own advice and walk away from a toxic situation. She agrees to come home early. But will she really?
Photo: Katie Yu/The CW

Riverdale has always existed in the realm of the operatic, so ridiculousness and some shaky plot dynamics are par for the course. This isnt usually a problem, since the series excels so spectacularly at this mood. But in season two, the writers have doubled down on the murder-mystery aspect of the show, focusing on a Zodiac-lite figure known as the Black Hood who terrorizes the citizens of the small town, targeting those he considers sinners. The Black Hood hasnt been the most engaging approach to villainy for the sophomore season of a show that is otherwise a pleasure to watch. While his brutality offed the predatorial Ms. Grundy and allows the writers a window into exploring the knotted town history, the Black Hood hasnt consistently struck the right notes, despite his potential. He feels a bit too blunt and one-note for a show that nails moodiness and soap-opera twists.

A lot of the issues with the Black Hood and his place within the narrative could be alleviated with a thrilling identity reveal. Instead, in this weeks midseason finale, Silent Night, Deadly Night, the series granted us with what feels like a profoundly anti-climactic and transparent fake-out by revealing that the Black Hood is a character that was ruled out in the previous episode: the school janitor Joseph Svenson. Wait, what?

Related Stories Riverdale Midseason Finale Recap: I Saw Betty Kissing Santa Claus

Heres a bit of a refresher from the last episode: Veronica and Archie follow their own lead on a previous murderer known as the Riverdale Reaper, who slaughtered a family. They discover that there was a young survivor from the family, Joseph Conway; he got his name changed and grew up to be janitor Svenson, who shuffles between the halls of Riverdale High School, not drawing all that much attention. Veronica and Archie confront Svenson, but even though he says some intensely creepy things about how justice was served, since a lynch mob tracked down the Riverdale Reaper and killed him, they decide Svenson isnt the Black Hood.

Throughout this season, Archies memory of his fathers shooting, and staring into the unnaturally bright-green eyes of the man who nearly killed him, has cropped up repeatedly. Archie has always believed that hed know the Black Hood simply by looking into his eyes. But whenever this flashback replays, it reads as a memory warped by trauma. It doesnt seem outlandish that Archie may not recognize the Black Hood accurately when faced with him. It seems odd, though, given the weight this memory has been given, that Archie has no inkling at all when faced with Svenson. But that isnt the only issue with this reveal and why it reads as a distraction for the drama that is surely to come.

Investigating the Black Hood, Archie and Betty grow closer as they interrogate Grandma Blossom, who knows the identity of the lynch mob that killed the (actually innocent) man Svenson accused of being his familys killer. Betty and Archie eventually find themselves grave-digging under a gnarly tree in the dead of night, finding an empty grave where the lynch mobs victim should be. They also find themselves on the wrong side of the Black Hoods gun. As police sirens near, Betty is able to hit the distracted Black Hood over the head with her shovel. A chase ensues. But even before his mask is ripped off after Sheriff Keller shoots him dead, something about the scene feels amiss. Would this mastermind killer really be outdone by two teenagers because he was distracted, and make the mistake of dropping his gun, too? The scenes leading up to and including his reveal lack the strong sense of atmosphere and catharsis Ive come to expect from the show.

When the whole gang meets up at Pops neon-lit shop, Betty surmises that Svenson became the Black Hood out of some twisted sense of guilt. It was his way of balancing the scales for identifying the wrong man as his familys killer. This explanation is already a bit thinly constructed, but what especially makes this feel like a fake-out is the fact that Svenson was only just meaningfully introduced in the last episode  hes mostly been a figure in the background. There has to be a rule within detective fiction, which this season is hewing toward, about not introducing the real killer at the last moment.

The greatest issue with the reveal of the Black Hood is how disconnected Svenson is from the lives of the characters. The way the writers have set up the reveal suggests that the Black Hood is someone intimately connected to the characters of Riverdale, which would go a long way to explain his particular obsession with Betty. What is fascinating about Riverdale is the complexity of the town history, which reached the height of soap opera when it was revealed last season that the Coopers and Blossoms are somewhat distantly related, adding an uncomfortable layer to Pollys pregnancy. Having the Black Hood be inconsequential to the characters, save for the terror that has blighted their lives, feels out of step for the series.

The midseason finale ends with Betty burning the items shes gathered during her twisted investigation of the Black Hood. Somehow, shes compelled to not burn the makeshift mask she found. As she stares into the roaring flames in front of her, Jugheads narration adds another bit of support to my theory  he says that the Black Hood uncovered a truth that could not be burned away, a truth that whispered to [Betty], This isnt over. I dont think this is over, either. So, what are the options? Svenson could have been merely a pawn for the actual Black Hood, getting his finger cut off and his real identity threatened in the process. Maybe he is the Black Hood, but he isnt working alone. Riverdale is only halfway through its 22-episode second season, so theres obviously a lot left to explore. Its also always been the kind of show that enjoys messy twists and dramatic character revelations. And the truth about the Black Hood is far too neat to be the final word on the madman that the second season has made its focus.
Russell Simmons. Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Two weeks after Russell Simmons stepped down from Def Jam amid sexual-harassment and assault accusations, the music mogul is fighting back. Nine more women accused Simmons of sexual assault in a pair of New York Times and Los Angeles Times reports published Wednesday evening, and on Thursday afternoon Simmons posted his response on Instagram: #NotMe, he wrote, saying that he will begin to properly defend myself [and] prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges. Simmons names the two initial accusers  ex-model Keri Claussen Khalighi and screenwriter Jenny Lumet  that prompted his Def Jam exit. Today, I will focus on The Original Sin (Keri Claussen), the claim that created this insane pile on of my #MeToo. Stay tuned! Well share information today And tomorrow the case of Jenny Lumet.

Simmons claims that his hashtag isnt meant to denigrate the #MeToo movement that has inspired victims of sexual harassment and assault to share their stories. My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway, but instead hold my accusers accountable, he writes. #NotMe Again, this is not a movement against or even in conjunction with #MeToo. Its just a statement about my innocence.

Simmons previously issued a statement in response to Lumets accusation, saying that while her memory of that evening is very different from mine, it is now clear to me that her feelings of fear and intimidation are real. The mogul also denied Claussen Khalighis account, and apologized to any women from my past who I may have offended. In November, Terry Crews tweeted that Simmons suggested he give Adam Venit, the CAA agent Crews has accused of groping him, a pass.
Tony Shalhoub. Photo: Getty Images

Those lucky enough to live in New York right now have the chance to sample two very different, eye-catching Tony Shalhoub performances. In Amazons The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, he plays Abe Weissman, the Ur-1950s New York Jewish father, whose daughters antics drive him up the wall and distract him from his two favorite hobbies, playing the piano and talking about math. In the Broadway musical The Bands Visit, based on the film of the same name, Shalhoub plays Tewfiq, a restrained, pained conductor of an Egyptian concert band who gets stuck in a middle-of-nowhere Israeli town and develops a moving bond with a woman played by Katrina Lenk. Vulture caught up with the actor over the phone to find out what sold him on Mrs. Maisel, how he was convinced to do a musical, and why he loves roles where he can fail.

Lets start with The Bands Visit. You sing in the show, and as far as I can tell, you havent sung onstage before. What drew you to it?

This goes back a few years now. I was first approached by Tom Hulce, whos a big producer. Wed been friends for a while. He approached me with this idea, and thats when Hal Prince was involved  Hal Prince was the director early on. I tried to convince Tom that he had the wrong guy, that Im not really a musical guy, but he wouldnt listen. They talked me into doing a workshop. It was a couple of workshops, a lot of me pouting and ranting, and here I am and Im having the time of my life.

When did you realize that it would all come together?

It was about a week ago. No, I guess when we were doing it Off Broadway and we started to get into the early previews, and we just became very aware of the impact it was having on audiences. We were hearing reactions that you rarely hear, saying that this is one of those rare things that comes along every once in a while, and its unexpected, and that its a respite that people seem to need right now in the face of everything thats going on in the world and in politics in our countries.

The show takes place in a politically charged region, with an Egyptian band coming to Israel, but its not about politics.

No, its really not. It wants to set politics aside  please, God, a moment  because we cant seem to get away from it now. It pervades everything. In a sense, its inevitably political. Even by virtue of the fact that its not about politics, and really, isnt that a refreshing perspective on politics?

You started previews right around the time of the presidential election. Now, youre on Broadway and were solidly in the Trump era. Have reactions to the show changed?

Yes, for us, certainly. I remember when we were at the Atlantic [Off Broadway], one of the days in tech was Election Day, and we all left the theater very late and went to a watering hole around the corner where we could watch the results, and all of a sudden we realized were in a different play now. It was an important play because it resonated and all of that, but its shifted significantly. Today, more than a year later, its again a different play. Its just a relentless Rubiks Cube of trying to reconcile whats going on in the world with what were doing on that stage. Theres no one in that audience that can see this piece without thinking about the current situation. Yet, when we get to the end, we feel somewhat gratified that theres a hopeful message.

The character you play, Tewfiq, is such a closed-off person. How did you find a way into him? How much did you look at the film?

I saw the film when it first came out, long before I knew there was going to be a musical. I was impressed by it, but I didnt want to check in with it too much because I like to try to create things from the ground up. But I was impressed, by the stillness and kind of softness of this character. It was, for me, a little bit of going outside my comfort zone because I tend to wanna do things with a little more flash. I try to squeeze whatever joke or comment there might be out of it. But [director] David Cromer, he said, This is something where we really just wanna get in touch with the inner life of this guy, and you dont need to adorn it in any way. I had to trust that.

Youre also in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, doing a very different kind of performance in a talky Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino show. How did you get involved in that?

They approached me and I loved the pilot. I had a long conversation with Amy and Dan about where this character might go in terms of the story. I always loved their sensibility, and I have to say, the fact that its 1958. I just loved going into another period. I feel like I was born in the wrong time.

Abe Weissman is such a specific portrait of an Upper West Side upper-class Jewish father. Did you do much research for it?

I didnt really have to do research. I modeled the character somewhat after my father, even though my father was not Jewish, but I have a lot of friends that I went to college with who were. I drew from everyones father. In fact, one of my best friends, his fathers name was Abe. Then, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan and their writing team, its hard to go off course with their words.

What were your conversations like about Abes larger arc?

I think just the idea that there would be a broad arc. Its not just Midge whos going through a large change. Abes a conventional guy; hes set in his ways  this is what men do, this is what women do, this is what parents do  and yet they assured me that he was going to be part of this changing landscape, and he was going to have to make certain adjustments.

You play a Jewish father on Mrs. Maisel, your character is Egyptian in The Bands Visit, and youve played Italian characters in films like Big Night. How have you learned to move between these different accents and backgrounds?

Ive been lucky that even when I was younger, just because of my look or whatever, I was afforded the opportunity or called on to try. Can you do this Hispanic character? Can you do this Italian character? Can you do this Jewish-American character? I just had to develop a facility for their accents. A lot of years doing that, I guess.

Its rare to see such a developed character from an Arabic background onstage, or in anything American. How does it feel to portray that sort of role?

Its great! Youre right, it is rare to see, and to hear Middle Eastern music  Israeli-style music and Arabic music onstage at the same time. I think the last time that happened was never. I know there are a lot of people in our cast who spent significant amounts of time in Israel. They speak Hebrew, and they couldnt be more proud to bring these characters and to speak these words on a Broadway stage. It would be wonderful if it leads to more.

Youve done a bit of stage work recently. Do you feel like youve gravitated more toward it?

Before I did any television or film, I did years and years of theater. Television and film stuff, even though it went on for a good, healthy number of years, almost felt like a diversion from theater. So now, I feel like Ive landed back here in the last several years. But I still have the Amazon series to do, so I have the best of both worlds. And I did a film Stanley Tucci directed that is coming out in the spring called Final Portrait, which is about [Alberto] Giacometti, with Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer. Weve been friends for a long time. Actually, even before Big Night, I first worked with Stanley in the theater. He was a fantastic stage actor when I lived in New York, because we were both kicking around doing plays.

What sorts of projects are you interested in now?

I want to stay on this track of doing projects that seem to be out of my comfort zone. Thats what The Bands Visit was all about. I felt like there was a distinct possibility that I could fail big and fall flat on my face, but I was at a point in my life where I thought, Eh, this is probably a good time for that. As it turns out, I did come out the other side, and Im so happy I did it. Maybe one day Ill get lucky and fail monstrously.

Your Bands Visit co-star Katrina Lenk has a small role in Mrs. Maisel. How did that come about?

I had already done the pilot of Mrs. Maisel by the time we were doing the Off Broadway production at the Atlantic, and so Amy and Dan, being loyal and supportive, came to see The Bands Visit. I dont even think they saw me in the actual play, they just saw her. They became enamored with her, met her afterward, and then because of that, they went to see Indecent  which she did on Broadway  and they loved her in that. I didnt have to do any arm-twisting or persuading. They just said, You think Katrina would come and do a part on our show? and I said, Sure, why not? I have a feeling that character might come back. Dan and Amy saw the Bands Visit again on Broadway last week and got to see her again, and theyre as enamored with her as you could be with anybody. How could you not be?

You were in Monk for so long. Do people still recognize you from it, or expect you to be like him?

They do, which is surprising to me because Monk ended over eight years ago, but I guess people do watch it in reruns and so on. I feel like I look so different and Im older, but people remember it. I think they expect me to be like that character. People will ask me if I want a wipe and all that. I guess that character loomed large in my career, but I just think of it as one of many things that I did. I try to do other characters that are different from Monk, obviously, because Id like to be remembered for more than just that. Abe is such a departure from that character, Im hoping The Marvelous Mrs. Marvel helps to unravel that image a bit.
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A state professional-licensing agency has taken on the work previously done by the states for-profit college watchdog, the Educational Approval Board, after it was eliminated in the state budget.

But the transition has occurred without the boards former director, David Dies. Dies said he wasnt invited to interview with the department after he and other former employees of the board, or EAB, got layoff notices in September.

The Department of Safety and Professional Services, or DSPS, says it hired two of the former EAB employees and started them in October.

A department spokeswoman, Nicole Anspach, said in a statement that all responsibilities and oversight previously charged to the Educational Approval Board transferred to the department shortly after Gov. Scott Walker signed the 2017-19 state budget in September.

Dies, who now works for the state Department of Children and Families, said theres concern the new arrangement wont have the same visibility as the old seven-member board. It oversaw more than 200 private post-secondary schools, including for-profit colleges, in which more than 46,000 students were enrolled.

We wont know until five or 10 years down the road how the change will affect oversight of for-profit colleges, Dies said.

The change comes as states may take on a greater role in policing such colleges. Experts expect the Trump administration to relax what had been, under Barack Obama, mounting federal scrutiny of such colleges for questionable marketing practices and degree programs.

Elimination of the board, meanwhile, was a win for Walker. He had proposed doing so in 2015 as part of the previous budget, but was rebuffed by lawmakers. In 2013, a potential effort by the board to hold for-profit colleges accountable for graduation and employment outcomes had been scuttled amid opposition from the industry.

This year, lawmakers passed a 2017-19 budget that called for shifting the EABs authority  and its equivalent of 6.5 staff positions  to DSPS on Jan. 1, while retaining the agencys governing board through July.

Anspach said DSPS has five staffers doing the work previously done by EAB, plus a supervisor overseeing that, as well as other, work in the departments Office of Education and Exams.

One of the former board members, Mark Kapocius, said he was concerned that losing its former staffers could result in a lack of expertise carrying out those functions. But Kapocius, a Walker appointee to the board, said he doesnt oppose the concept of moving the functions into DSPS, which oversees state licensing of professions ranging from accountants to cosmetologists.

I do think the natural evolution of what EAB was doing probably permitted it to be done by a different agency, and perhaps more efficiently, Kapocius said.
Roy Moores spokeswoman had a nasty name for reporters covering the Alabama Senate race: The lynch-mob media.

Stephen Bannon, the presidents deposed Svengali, slammed them as the opposition party.

And Moores wife  among many others  used the most familiar insult of all: Fake news.

This relentless disparagement was as ugly as it was anti-democratic. And on Tuesday, it failed.

Enough voters decided that they believed the highly credible accusations against Moore. They voted their consciences, and in some cases went against their own voting histories, putting a Democrat in office in ruby-red Alabama.

What did it mean?

There are standards. There are limits, was how Jake Tapper put it minutes after CNN called the race for Democrat Doug Jones.

He was talking about voters reactions to the harrowing stories of sexual misconduct that four women told The Washington Post in mid-November  that Moore, as a man in his 30s, had preyed on teenage girls and, in one case, molested a 14-year-old, Leigh Corfman.

Moore tried to brand the women as liars, saying he didnt even know them. And he tried to portray the reality-based press as nothing but a political tool. His media-bashing included not only The Post, which led in the coverage, but other national outlets along with papers in Alabama that took a risk by endorsing Jones, and that added their own original reporting.

So many of Moores moves over the past weeks seemed oddly familiar. And for good reason  they were right out of President Donald Trumps campaign playbook. Moore threatened to sue the Alabama Media Group, just as Trump threatened the New York Times.

The Washington Post ruled this race, wrote Harry Enten on the FiveThirtyEight.com blog Tuesday night. Not only did their reporting turn this race around, but their poll had Jones up 3 percentage points. That was by far one of the most accurate polls.

For a while, it seemed that the Moore campaigns efforts  under the tutelage of Bannon and with the constant backing of his propagandizing Breitbart News  would prevail.

Campaign staffers were instructed to criticize mainstream media reports, to call them fake and to direct voters to get their information from reliably pro-Moore sites, especially Breitbart, according to a document obtained by Vox.

We have prepared a primer that lists the fake news put out by four women followed by some of the evidence and responses that has been uncovered and that show the claims to be entirely false, it read.

This intense effort seemed to take hold: By last weekend, according to a CBS poll, 71 percent of Republican voters said they didnt believe the accusations against Moore. Nine in 10 of these blamed the media for making up lies. And plenty of those voters came out for Moore.

But others couldnt bring themselves to cast a vote for a man who  long before the misconduct charges  had disgraced the state by being removed twice from the Alabama Supreme Court for not upholding the law. Others found enough enthusiasm for Jones to come out strong for him.

This is an encouraging moment. What amounted to a test case for relying on the fake news technique failed in Alabama. Even more heartening is that the women who had the courage to come forward and tell their stories were vindicated.

And their truths prevailed.
WAHOO  Planning efforts continue for placing new dams in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.

Agency and public scooping meetings were held last week for two proposed dams in the upper regions of the watershed. But also mentioned were eight other dams that could be sprinkled throughout the watershed.

They all tie in together, but they are different projects, said Lower Platte North Natural Resources District Assistant Manager Tom Mountford.

The NRD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are the sponsoring agencies on the project.

The two dams that planning has already begun on are both located just south of County Road P. Site 26 would be on County Road 28, about 2 1/2 miles southwest of Prague, while Site 27 would a little west of County Road 26, about 2 1/2 miles southeast of Prague.

FYRA Engineering Environmental Engineer Janel Kaufman, who helped to present the information last week, said all 10 of the dams were originally proposed by the NRCS in 1998 as part of the Watershed Plan/Environmental Impact Statement.

While those recommended dams have sat on the shelf for the past two decades, she reported that conservation efforts have taken place. She said millions of dollars have been spent and approximately 75 percent of the watershed utilizes land treatment measures.

Still, flooding reduction and water quality concerns have not let that 1998 plan go unforgotten.

Kaufman said the two dams currently in the planning stages are considered small, low hazard dams.

Site 26 would have a drainage area of about 2.6 square miles. The dam height would be 26.7 feet and would have a flood storage capacity of about 888 acre-feet.

This dam would be built on a county road that is currently closed because the bridge over the stream has been closed.

Site 27 would sit about two miles east. It would drain 2.32 square miles and the dam would have a height of 23.1 feet, collecting a flood storage area of 343 acre feet.

Mountford said funding has now been secured to help with the planning, design and construction of sites 26 and 27. Federal funding is $1.5 million and state assistance is $2.3 million.

There will be more money needed and the NRD will have to secure that funding, but he said that could take place within the five year time window that is permitted to complete the project.

The next step in the project is to complete this planning and design phase.

FYRA Engineering Project Manager Mike Sotak said all elements and alternatives will be looked at during this phase.

For example, he said the benefits of building a dry dam at those locations do not appear to outweigh the benefits of a wet dam. However, all the benefits will be analyzed and compared during this step.

Focus will also be put on managing flooding in the watershed.

We will really look at maximizing flood reduction, he added.

He said neither of the sites are being looked at for recreational benefits.

This step of the planning process will also bring into better focus construction costs. Sotak said pinpointing the cost-benefit ratio of the project, as well as detailing the final project cost, are a part of this stage.

The timeline for these two dams includes planning, permitting, design and land rights acquisition will be continuing through 2020.

Mountford said the plan is to work with landowners for easements.

Historically, we want easements. We dont want to own property, he said.

Construction is on the map to possibly start in 2021, with completion by the following year.

While planning is in full swing for these two sites, similar attention is also soon expected for the eight remaining sites proposed in the 1998 watershed plan.

The NRCS has also secured another $2 million for the planning and design for those eight sites. Construction dollars are not a part of the package yet, but Mountford said this funding from a federal program at least gets

those projects started. Just like sites 26 and 27, they too will have a five-year completion span.

We have our clock ticking, he added.

About 25 people attended

last Thursday evenings public scoping meeting for sites 26 and 27.

Ron Morrissey, who has been a spokesperson for Wahoo Creek landowners below Sand Creek southeast of Wahoo, said planning on all of the sites needed to take into consideration maximizing flood reduction in the watershed.

Earlier in the afternoon, officials from various county and state agencies gathered to hear the presentation on sites 26 and 27.

The NRD and NRCS will be working with Saunders County not only on site 26, which is expected to reopen that stretch of County Road 28, but also on regulations and restrictions below the dam sites.

Planning and design on the remaining eight sites has not started yet. The NRD Board of Directors is expected to take action at its January meeting on awarding a contract to begin that work.

The project was discussed at Mondays board meeting, but no additional action was yet ready to be taken.
The Parks Commission recommended Wednesday to rename Madisons Central Park in honor of the late Milton McPike, a longtime principal at East High School.

The influential educator, who was principal at the high school from 1979 until retiring in 2002, is set to be recognized in a part of Madison he served with the public space planned to be renamed McPike Park. The Madison Parks Foundation sought out someone from recent history that made an impact on the community and eventually chose to recommend McPike, said foundation president Maureen Lokrantz.

McPike died in 2008 after being diagnosed with adenocystic carcinoma, a rare cancer, in his sinus area.

City Parks Superintendent Eric Knepp said it will be only the second park in Madison named after a person of color  the other being Orlando Bell Park.

He was fair, just, and expected each student to do their very best academically and socially, said John Younger, a 1980 East graduate who sits on a steering committee for a scholarship named after McPike.

The 5.8-acre park, situated on the isthmus along the Capital City Trail, has held the Central Park name since opening in 2007. In recent years, improvements at the park have brought a skate park and dedicated bathrooms, and expansion plans are underway.

Central Park has also become a popular spot for summer gatherings, such as La Fete de Marquette and the Central Park Sessions concert series.

McPikes influence reached a state level. He served on the University of Wisconsin Systems Board of Regents after being appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle in 2004 until stepping down a month before he died.

His efforts as principal received national recognition in 1989 when the U.S. Department of Education named East High School a National High School of Excellence. The following year, Readers Digest honored McPike as one of 10 American Heroes in Education.

Parks Commission chairman David Wallner said several people in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood, which is just north of East Washington Avenue from Central Park and is where Wallner lives, have spoken highly of McPike and were thrilled by the idea.

He was a giant in education for this city, Wallner said.

During Wednesdays meeting, a few people quipped that the current name draws evocations of New York Citys famed Central Park.

There is a Central Park. It is a place, and it is not here, Knepp said.

An official dedication event is slated for next spring.
The Madison Police Department is far from a Department in crisis,  and its use of force is limited in volume and primarily minor in nature, according to a consultant hired to do a top-to-bottom review of the department in the wake of a spate of deadly police shootings over the last five years.

At the same time, police officials can be defensive when questioned about their actions and too quick to dismiss critics as anti-police, the OIR Group found in its 243-page report, released Thursday. The department also needs to create a strategic plan, the consultant said, and doesnt adequately track how officers implement the departments community-policing approach.

Among its 146 recommendations, the report says the city should hire an independent auditor to oversee the department and that the department needs to strengthen its internal investigation of officer-involved shootings. OIR also recommends the city craft a body camera policy with input from the community prior to committing to purchasing body cameras, but does not provide a definitive recommendation on whether the technology should be pursued.

The citys Police Department Policy and Procedure Review Ad Hoc Committee met Thursday evening to hear from three representatives of OIR, but members provided only cursory thoughts as the dense report was received just hours before the meeting.

We are on the eve of the next turning point in our community conversation about policing and about what community oversight of the police should look like, City Council President Marsha Rummel wrote in an email to fellow council members before the report came out.

The lead-up

The roots of the police review lie in the 2013 Race to Equity report, which detailed disparities in income, employment, the criminal justice system and elsewhere between whites and people of color in Madison; national concern over the use of police force in black communities; and the 2015 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Tony Robinson, who was black, by a Madison police officer, according to Rummel.

At that time, the Common Council recognized that while many residents are satisfied with MPD and proud of their progressive law enforcement legacy of community oriented policing, there is a significant sector of the community that does not trust the police, Rummel wrote.

The officer who shot Robinson was later cleared of wrongdoing, but the citys insurer paid a $3.35 million settlement in a civil rights case brought by Robinsons family.

The City Council initially allocated $50,000 for the ad hoc committees work. But at a heated meeting in June of last year, the council added $350,000 to that after it became apparent to the committee that more money would be needed to hire a consultant.

In a blog post prior to the council approving the extra funds, Police Chief Mike Koval blasted what he saw as the councils poor support for a generally well-regarded police department.

The city will go into (its) financial reserve fund for $400,000 for an assessment of a department that has been recognized by the Police Executive Research Forum as a shining light of progressive community-based policing?! he wrote.

You are being watched, he wrote. And be on notice: this is a pre-emptive first strike from me to you. I am going to push back hard when MPD is constantly used as a political punching bag and you are nowhere to be found.

In May, the City Council adopted 13 policy recommendations put together by a subcommittee of the council called the Presidents Work Group on Police and Community Relations.

They included direction to police to emphasize the preservation of life in its standard operating procedures and to develop programming to promote officer mental health.

Suggested changes

One of the key areas of OIRs recommendations involves community policing and problem-oriented policing.

While OIR lauded the departments commitment to those policing practices, the report suggests additional data be collected on how long and how often officers use community-policing practices, such as de-escalating situations and other resolutions that dont result in arrests.

We think the department could do better at capturing that activity, said Michael Gennaco, founding principal of OIR Group.

Another recommendation is to create a formal evaluation process for all department personnel, including the chief, where information on communit- policing practices could help factor into rank and promotion, Gennaco said.

M Adams, a community organizer and co-executive director of Freedom Inc., said she envisions allowing neighborhoods of people of similar races and income levels to fire officers, control police budgets and determine police priorities and policies.

We know that the solution is community control over police, she said.

In the case of high-profile and controversial incidents, such as officer-involved shootings, OIR is recommending the department hold listening sessions following the incident and after external and internal investigations have been completed.

In this day and age, its probably not good enough to just simply have the (district attorney) decline the case and have the leadership of the department say, We found the shooting met constitutional standards and policies,  Gennaco said. I think the community wants to know more and is entitled to know more.

Ald. Maurice Cheeks, 10th District, noted the department has in the past held such listening sessions, but Gennaco said policies could be changed to make them mandatory.

As with body cameras, OIR didnt provide a definitive recommendation on the use of Educational Resource Officers  police officers who exclusively serve Madisons four main public high schools  which has become a contentious issue for the Madison School Board.

The report does provide suggestions for those officers, such as letting the community have broader input on who fills the roles and closely reviewing arrest and citation statistics to make sure juveniles arent unnecessarily being put into the criminal justice system.

Whats to follow

Ultimately, the ad hoc committee will form its own recommendations based on the OIR report and other information it has received. Those recommendations are due to the City Council by July so council members can discuss and act on potential changes.

We dont want to rubber stamp OIRs report. We want to digest it, consume it, get input from the community, said ad hoc committee co-chair Christian Albouras.

Next, the City Council and ad hoc committee will hold a joint meeting with OIR representatives on Jan. 11. The police department plans to submit a formal response to the recommendations by Jan. 31.

In a blog post Thursday before the reports release, Koval said the department has cooperated fully with OIR and that OIR has been granted unfettered access to people, products and processes.
Ricardo Trevino Chapa, the current Administrator General of Mexico Customs, was elected Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) on 14 December 2017. He will take up his post at the Secretariat on 1 January 2018.

Before taking the lead at Mexico Customs in April 2015, Ricardo Trevino Chapa worked as the General Administrator of the Evaluation and Internal Affairs Department of the Tax Administration Service, the parent organization of Mexico Customs, where he was responsible for developing actions to prevent and combat corruption, as well as strengthening transparency.

During his 15-year career in the public sector, he served as the General Director for Revenue Collection in the State of Mexicos Government, as the General Director of the Social Security Institute of the State of Mexico, and at the Institute for Protection of Bank Savings.

Mexico is a very active Member of the WCO and has contributed to the development of many of the Organization's instruments. I look forward to working closely with Ricardo as the new Deputy Secretary General, said WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya.
. To do so, first type the original number into the text box. Then click on the "Scientific Notation" option located at the top of the floating window. Finally, click on the "Standard" button found beneath the text box to display your result. This program is useful for scientists and engineers working with decimal-based numbers. It provides easy access to those who need to convert those numbers into more compact forms without having to do heavy math calculations first.

Scientific notation is a way to express very large or very small numbers. It is used in physics, chemistry and other fields where large numbers are common. Those numbers are written as a power of 10 followed by a number with an exponent. For example, 1,000,000 (one million) is written as 1  103. The exponent shows how many zeros are after the first digit. For example, 1,000,001 is written as 1  102. Scientific notation is a useful tool for making calculations easier. You can use it to write down very big or very small numbers in one step instead of writing out both the large and small numbers separately. You can also use it to express large or small numbers in terms of other units like centimeters or millimeters.

Scientific notation solver is an online tool that can be used to convert any number into scientific notation. Simply enter any number to the left of the decimal point and it will automatically convert it into a scientific notation equivalent. This web tool can be very helpful when you need to convert a large number into scientific notation. However, please note that this online tool can only convert numbers that are in scientific format. For example, it cannot convert a non-scientific number like "1,085" into a scientific notation equivalent. It is also important to keep in mind that this web tool only works when converting numbers from one particular format to another. For example, if you want to change a non-scientific number like "1,085" into standard format, then you will have to use another online tool like NumberFormatting.com.
Jeanne Ives (photo by Mark Weyermuller)

WHEATON - GOP gubernatorial primary candidate State Rep. Jeanne Ives responded Wednesday afternoon to the Wall Street Journal's report on Illinois, saying In 2014, Governor Rauner ran on a reform agenda that would grow Illinois economy. This report dramatically highlights Benedict Rauners many betrayals on his fiscal promises.

The Wall Street Journal published an article, Illinois Drives People Away, that said, "Fitch Ratings reported this week that Illinoiss unfunded pension liabilities equaled 22.8% of residents personal income last year, compared to a median of 3.1% across all states and 1% in Florida.

Ives issued the following statement in response:
Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 13, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 13, 2017 | 12:54 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Comcast has opened a new retail store, offices and a warehouse in Paducah.



The new facility is located at 5183 Hinkleville Road. The company says in a press release that the two-million dollar facility will improve the customer experience, and includes TVs and a comfortable seating area for visitors to try out new products.



In addition to the new customer center, a 9,200 square foot office and warehouse complex for employees has also been built.



Paducah public information officer Pam Spencer says the new facilities will be great for providing service to Comcast customers. Comcast Director of Public Relations Mike Wilson says the new store will help customers get hands-on experiences with products.



"It really runs the gamut here of anything the customer might be interested in. We want to make sure we can bring them that experience." Wilson said.



Along with product and service demos, customers can pay bills, pick up and return equipment and get assistance from sales consultants.



Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 13, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 13, 2017 | 11:03 PM | PADUCAH, KY

A new scam has surfaced, according to the McCracken County Sheriff's Department.



Deputies learned Wednesday that a man wanted to call Apple Customer Service, so he used Google to get a phone number. The man said he spoke to someone named "Ricky," who told him he must buy iTunes gift cards and send them to him, and he would receive new iPhones.



Deputies say the victim began getting persistent calls from two different numbers, 855-260-3196 and 800-392-0805.



The man eventually found a correct number for Apple and they told him the calls were from a scammer.



The Sheriff's Department reminds everyone they should not give information to anyone who calls and demands payment because it may be a scam. They said no legitimate company asks for payment using gift cards. When in doubt, contact the business directly and verify account information.



A West Kentucky Star reporter searched Google for Apple Customer Service and found multiple search results, giving the number 800-MY-APPLE (8006927753). The line is available 7 days a week from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm Central time.
Advertisement

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 13, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 13, 2017 | 10:49 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center will be moving clients onto the new campus just in time for Christmas.



All furniture needs and other essentials will be moved beginning Thursday. A certificate of occupancy is being prepared for the third of five buildings on Merryman Houses new 13-acre campus.



Merryman House and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center together purchased the former McCracken County School Board property located on Berger Road in Paducah. The property consists of approximately 26 acres and 8 institutional buildings, and will become the campus where both nonprofits will work together to provide domestic and substance abuse intervention services.



In early 2017, the organization moved most of its administrative employees to one of the smaller buildings, and the Outreach Office was moved onto the campus during the summer.



The move includes furnishing twelve family suites with bed frames, mattresses, night stands and bathroom essentials. The shelter can occupy up to 36 beds for clients and their children, a 50% increase from their current shelter space.



Other areas to be furnished include a kitchenette area, dining/ group meeting area, two lounges, childrens playroom, and teen rooms. The new shelter will help fulfill state required separate areas for tots and teens, a previous regulation the organization could not fulfill due to space constraints, as well as allowing clients a space of their own to reflect, heal and move forward toward their new future.



As part of the move-in, Bill Ford, of Bill Ford Interiors Inc. has donated his time and materials to decorate the shelter for the holidays before the clients move in later this month.



Its just one more way we want to instill hope for the future for our clients, said Mary Foley, Executive Director.



This is the best gift we could give our clients and the community! said Merryman Kemp, Founder and current Capital Campaign Chair. A campus like this is second to none in our state, and maybe the nation! And I could not be prouder of the organizations transformation.



Domestic Violence intersects with so many barriers to success: homelessness, addiction, mental health, financial stress to name a few. At the root of much of this is trauma. With the new campus and partnerships in place we will now truly be able to provide a holistic approach to care for these individuals, Foley said.



Essentially, this campus will become a statewide resource for survivors of domestic violence, but will keep the Purchase Region as its main priority. Residential domestic violence and substance abuse services provided in this collaborative way are not offered anywhere in our region, with the closest program located in Owensboro.



Merryman House remains in a capital campaign and continues to seek individual, corporate, and foundation support for developing its new campus. With the leadership of Merryman Kemp and the capital campaign team, Merryman House continues to develop donor streams, including both monetary and in-kind donations.



If you would like to learn more about the campaign visit www.merrymanhouse.org/capital-campaign/ or to give to the capital campaign, please contact Merryman Kemp at kemp69ster@gmail.com.
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CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner responded to a story drawing attention today about 13 veterans dying at the Veterans Home in Quincy. The WBEZ story writers FOIA'd the governor's staffs' emails pertaining to the situation in 2015, and the correspondence suggested a month-long delay in notifying the families and the public.

Rauner said:

My administration is deeply concerned about the veterans at the Quincy Veterans' Home. We are committed to ensuring the residents get the care and treatment they deserve in a safe living environment.

When the first incidence of Legionella occurred in Quincy, six months into my administration, we quickly brought in the Centers for Disease Control and followed their recommendations. The state has implemented a robust and comprehensive water management plan including the construction of a new water management plant and routine testing of the water at the facility.

The CDC in its most recent report said the remediation is 'aligned with the best practices identified in CDCs water management toolkit.'

Legionella is a virus that is a growing concern in the U.S., not just in Illinois. That it has arisen in a place where our bravest and most cherished defenders reside is a tragedy, and we intend to keep working with the CDC at our side to protect our residents.
Kentucky will try to keep top-ranked Georgia from a perfect SEC finish
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Welcome to The Independent Herald E-Edition! Check back each week on Tuesday to see our[Read More]
Dorothy Duran, president of Minnesota State College Southeast, announced on Thursday that she is resigning her position after nearly four years at the colleges helm  a decision she made with heartfelt regret, she said.

I wish to thank the faculty, staff, students and community members for the opportunity to serve as Minnesota State College Southeasts eighth president, Duran wrote in a prepared statement. I have been honored to serve you all, the Winona and Red Wing communities, and southeast Minnesota. While I am saddened to be leaving this wonderful college, I am optimistic about the future of Minnesota State College Southeast.

Duran, whose resignation is effective Jan. 8, could not be reached for comment.

Devinder Malhotra, president of Minnesota State colleges and universities, issued his own statement thanking Duran for her service at Southeast and praising, among other things, her outreach work with the community.

She is committed to student success and has tirelessly shared the Minnesota State College Southeast story with community, business and civic organizations throughout the region, he said. Her leadership and vision regarding the colleges change of mission  will have a lasting impact on the students the college serves and the economic opportunities within the Red Wing and Winona communities for years to come.

Under Duran, Southeast transitioned from a technical college to a community college and began offering an associate of arts degree.

The school added or bolstered many of its programs, including creative writing and psychology.

And it launched a scholarship program for current and former military service members.

Together, we have put many new and exciting initiatives in place, she said.

But Southeast has fallen on hard times.

Its struggled for years with declining and stagnating enrollment, which compelled Duran and other administrators to overhaul the schools image and programming two years ago.

Also, two weeks ago, Southeast announced that it was suspending its two-year registered nursing program  in place since 2003  for its failure to meet the standards of the Minnesota Board of Nursing, which requires 75 percent of students to pass their licensure exam on the first attempt.

In an interview Thursday, Malhotra declined to say whether Durans resignation was related to her performance, adding that issues with enrollment and academic achievement are not unique to Southeast.

All of our institutions ... have to make sure we provide extraordinary education thats affordable to all students, make sure were ready to work with a more diverse student body and (make sure) were developing new business and financial models to stay relevant and financially sustainable, Malhotra said. Institutions, at one level or another, have the same challenges nationwide. The incoming president will have to focus on those areas.

Rep. Gene Pelowski, who sits on the state Legislatures higher education committee, and whose district includes Winona County, said he wasnt surprised to learn of Durans resignation.

Southeasts outgoing president was never a good fit for the job, he said.

There have been issues at the technical college for the last couple years, with the most recent being the most serious  the failure to have the nursing program certified, Pelowski said. The technical college has always been very in touch with this region and its businesses, particularly those businesses that need workers to be trained. That focus ... was not as intensive the past three years.

I think they should look inside, Pelowski said of the search for a new president. You should see who has been groomed to come up, instead of trying to bring in somebody from the outside.

Mike Kroening, Southeasts vice president of finance and administration, will serve as acting president until Minnesota State appoints an interim president. That appointment will come in late January, according to a release from Minnesota State, and system officials will soon begin a search for Durans permanent replacement.

Duran was named Southeasts eighth president in March 2014 after a unanimous vote by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, succeeding longtime president Jim Johnson.

Before coming to Southeast, Duran was the vice president for academic affairs at Iowa Western Community College. Shes spent roughly 25 years in higher education.

Durans departure is the second by a Winona college president this year. Brother William Mann, president of Saint Marys University of Minnesota, announced in September that he is retiring at the end of the school year.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The large building at the corner of 22nd and R streets in downtown Washington, D.C., sticks out like a wart in the otherwise upscale neighborhood. Plywood covers the windows, sleeping bags and empty bottles litter the shuttered doorways and head-high weeds sprout through the asphalt of the empty fenced-off parking lot.

For a solid decade, neighbors and local political leaders complained bitterly about the condition of the former Pakistani consulate. But the city remained powerless to do anything as long as the building was classified by the State Department as a diplomatic property.

That diplomatic designation has since been revoked, according to the State Department, but the building still stands as perhaps the most egregious example of an only-in-D.C. phenomenon, where diplomatic protocol allows a string of abandoned buildings to fester, untouchable and tax-free.

"Residents, who themselves are under obligation to keep their properties in order, are complaining to me," said City Councilwoman Mary Cheh, whose Ward 3 contains several such problematic properties. "Unless the State Department is really committed to the issue, these countries can really string you along."

Cheh's office has compiled a partial list of vacant and neglected diplomatic buildings and she co-authored a bill calling for creating a comprehensive citywide list. Violators on Cheh's list include properties owned by the governments of Serbia, Sri Lanka, Cameroon and Argentina.

Many of these eyesores are in some of the District's most high-end neighborhoods. The Sheridan-Kalorama area, where several are located, is home to former President Barack Obama, as well as President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon and The Washington Post, recently bought a massive house there. The area's most recent prominent resident is Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson, whose department is responsible for making sure these diplomatic properties are maintained.

The issue is particularly frustrating for members of the city council, who find themselves unable to use the many instruments at their disposal for dealing with neglected buildings. For example, the city has a three-tiered tax structure designed to compel landlords to maintain their properties. Ordinary buildings are taxed at 85 cents per $100 in assessed value; for a vacant property, that rate increases to $5 per $100 and if a property is judged by the city to be neglected or "blighted" the tax rate jumps to $10 per $100 in assessed value.

But that isn't applicable for a diplomatic building.

"If I have a vacant house in the Shaw neighborhood that's becoming a problem, I can call in the cops, clean it up, throw a fence around it and if necessary seize it for unpaid taxes," said City Councilman Jack Evans. "I have a lot of tools in my tool box. But I don't have those tools available to me if it's a diplomatic property."

The State Department doesn't have a lot of options either. Cliff Seagroves, acting head of the Office of Foreign Missions, said he's largely bound by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Revoking a property's diplomatic status is an extreme step that could provoke a diplomatic crisis and retaliatory action against U.S. properties abroad.

"We have to balance (local residents' concerns) with making sure we're not making things harder for ourselves overseas," Seagroves said.

With limited options, Seagroves admitted that his office is often pleased to see negative press coverage of the issue that he hopes will embarrass intransigent nations into action.

"The shame factor is often our most effective tool in getting these matters resolved," he said.

The case of the former Pakistani consulate on R Street stands as a rare recent success. But it's also an example of how bad a situation has to get before the State Department will act. Seagroves said the Pakistani Foreign Ministry built a new embassy, moved its consular staff there and "in effect, walked away" from the old building.

After years of nagging, and with the building becoming a magnet for squatters, Seagroves' office finally delivered an ultimatum and a deadline. When that passed, State revoked the diplomatic status in February 2016 and let the city move in and treat the property like any other blighted building. By June 2017, the property had accumulated more than $70,000 in tax debt. That debt was purchased by an investment group at a tax auction in July 2017, giving the Pakistani government about six months to settle the debt or risk losing the property.

The Pakistani government, in a statement to The Associated Press, said that "a plan is being worked out" for the building's renovation and it was working with the State Department and District of Columbia government "to amicably resolve the issue."

However the Pakistani statement also pointed out that all diplomatic properties are exempt from taxation, a contention that seemingly ignores the revocation of the property's diplomatic status.

Repeated queries as to the why the building fell into such an extreme state of disrepair went unanswered.

While residents can claim victory there, the fight continues. One block away, down R Street, the former Serbian embassy sits in similar disrepair with its diplomatic status intact.

Some of these unused buildings are unused for an understandable reason. The former Iranian Embassy has been empty since the two countries severed ties in 1979 and is now maintained by Seagroves' office. But in other cases, there seems to be multiple reasons why these nations would allow such valuable real estate to sit vacant and neglected.

David Bender, head of the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission, says an ambassador once told him that he couldn't afford to fix up a property, but didn't want to sell it because he didn't want to be responsible for downsizing his country's presence in the U.S. capital.

Seagroves said one foreign ministry official told him "the cost to renovate a particular property in D.C. was equivalent to their entire annual budget for maintaining diplomatic properties around the world."
Submit an event for Around Town by emailing calendar information to bnr-news@wiscnews.com at least three business days before the event date. For a complete listing of calendar events for the next week, visit baraboonewsrepublic.com.

Today

Senior luncheon: 11 a.m., City of Baraboo Parks and Recreation Department, Baraboo Civic Center, gym, 124 Second St., Baraboo. The 33rd annual Senior Holiday Luncheon at noon with school choirs at 11 a.m. Cost is $10. For tickets or more information, call 355-2760 or email parkrec@cityofbaraboo.com.

Author visit: 6 p.m., La Valle Public Library, 101 W. Main St., La Valle. Darcy Miller will discuss her book, Roll, about competitive pigeon rolling. Meet her birds, Crow and Squirrel. For more information, call 608-985-7323.

Pottery painting: 6-8 p.m. River Arts, River Arts on Water Studio, 590 Water St, Prairie du Sac. A selection of ceramic pottery pieces will be provided, $15-$70, for students to paint. Guidance, color options and surface ideas, along with reference materials and samples will be provided. Fee is $15. For more information or to check availability, email Kristina at kcoopman@riverartsinc.org, call 608-643-5215 or visit riverartsinc.org.

Court program: 6:30 p.m., Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Primer on the Criminal Court System in Wisconsin with Appellate Judge Brian Blanchard, District IV, Wisconsin Court of Appeals. He will present a nonpartisan program about Wisconsins criminal court system. For more information, call 608-356-6166.

Live theater: 7 p.m., Baraboo High School, Universtity of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road., Baraboo. Our Town will be performed. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, available at Corner Drug, and the school office.

Friday

Senior coffee hour: 9-11 a.m., Friday Senior Coffee Hour, Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St. Room 24, Baraboo. Gourmet coffee hour, light refreshments and fellowship free of charge. For more information, call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Chair yoga: 10:10-11 a.m., Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St., Room 21, Baraboo. Instructor Tatsiana ONeil will lead the group in stretches while seated. Cost is $1 per class. For more information, call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Blood drive: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., American Red Cross, St Pauls Lutheran Church, 727 8th St., Baraboo. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Live music: noon, Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. An Interlude of Seasonal Music presented by Zach Ott and Gretchen Roltgen performing holiday piano music arranged for one piano, four hands. This program is free. For more information, call 608-356-6166.

Live theater: 7 p.m., Baraboo High School, Universtity of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road., Baraboo. Our Town will be performed. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, available at Corner Drug, and the school office.

Open stage: 7:30 p.m., The Village Booksmith, 526 Oak St., Baraboo. Mostly Musical Toast of the Town Open Stage will take place with host Ron Frye. All acts, musical or otherwise, are welcome to the stage. For more information, call 608-355-1001 or visit villagebooksmith.com.

Saturday

Craft fair: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry, former Sauk Prairie Harley-Davidson location, 836 Phillips Blvd., Sauk City. Third annual Holiday Shop with bake sale, specialty foods and about 40 vendors and crafters.

Christmas party: 1 p.m., Baraboo Elks Lodge 688, Al. Ringling Mansion, ballroom, 209 5th Ave. Baraboo. The 100th annual kids Santa will provide a gift stocking to attending children.

Santa: 1-5 p.m., Parkview Bed & Breakfast, 211 N. Park St., Reedsburg. Milk & Cookies with Santa and photo for $5, additional for horse-drawn wagon rides. A limited number of tickets are available at the Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 240 Railroad St.

Live theater: 2 and 7:30 p.m., Baraboo High School, Universtity of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road., Baraboo. Our Town will be performed. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, available at Corner Drug, and the school office.

Sunday

Fundraiser: 8 a.m to noon, Reedsburg Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart School gym, 545 N. Oak St., Reedsburg. Brunch to support the Reedsburg Area Food Pantry; menu includes French toast, hash brown potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausages, sliced ham, applesauce, donuts and beverages. Tickets are $7 adults, $3 ages 4-10. Free will donations accepted. Open to the public.

Christmas event: 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 309 Water St., Sauk City. Annual Christmas Program with Jan Housley presenting a monologue entitled Marys First Christmas, with childrens Christmas pageant. For more information, call 608-643-2101 or visit saukprairiecalvary.com.

Monday





Sewing repairs: 9-10 a.m., Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St., Room 24, Baraboo. Senior sewing repairs and alterations will be offered by Teena Castle. Fees will vary depending on the specific project. For more information, call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Senior potluck luncheon: noon to 1 p.m., Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St., Room 24, Baraboo. Pianist Nick Kelly will play Christmas carols during the Senior Christmas Party. There is no cost, but bring a side dish to pass. For more information, call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Blood drive: noon to 5:30 p.m., American Red Cross, GraceWay Church, 65 13th St., Prairie du Sac. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Blood drive: 1-6 p.m., American Red Cross, La Valle Fire Department, 101 W. Main St., La Valle. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Student art exhibit: 3:30-6 p.m., River Arts Center Gallery, 105 Ninth St., Prairie du Sac. Art exhibit and free public reception for Sauk Prairie middle school and high school students. Money received will help fund the art program. This exhibit runs through Jan. 13 and is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on school days. For more information, visit riverartsinc.org or call 608-643-5215.

Caroling concert: 6:30 p.m., Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Village Voices Caroling Concert with hot chocolate and cookies and a chance to sing along at this free event. For more information, call 608-356-6166

Electors meeting: 7 p.m., School District of Reedsburg, Webb Middle School, 707 N. Webb Ave., Reedsburg. Public meeting of the electors where district residents can vote (approve or not) on the purchase of a specific piece of property to build the new school. For more information, call Tom Benson, district administrator, at 608-524-2016 ext. 2006 or email referendum@rsd.k12.wi.us.

Tuesday





Hospice training: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care, 1670 South Blvd., Baraboo. Volunteers are needed to visit and provide companionship to local hospice patients. For more information, an application and to schedule orientation, call 608-327-7163.

Caregiver group: 6 p.m., Aging and Disability Resource Center of Sauk County, Sauk Prairie Community Center, 730 Monroe St., Sauk City. Family Caregiver Support Group is a support group for those who care for their parents, spouse or children. The group meets the third Tuesday of the month. Light dinner will be provided. For more information, call Marina Wittmann at 608-355-3289.

Art class: 6-8 p.m., River Arts on Water Studio, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac. Wrapping paper workshop where students learn how to carve a linoleum printing block, roll ink onto it, and make a one-of-a-kind design on sturdy craft paper. Cost is $40 and includes all necessary materials and instruction, and two yards of printed paper. Open to ages 16 and older. Call 608-643-5215 or visit riverartsinc.org/workshop-wrapping-paper to check availability.

Wednesday





Blood pressure screening: 9-11 a.m., Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St., Room 24, Baraboo. Screening is provided by Wisconsin Dells Health Services. For more information, call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Senior coloring: 10 a.m. to noon, Adult Coloring Time, Baraboo Area Senior Center, 124 Second St., Room 24, Baraboo. Bring a coloring book and coloring tools or use those that are available. There is no cost for this program. For more information, call Diane Pillsbury at 608-356-8464.

Book art: 6:30 p.m., Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. December Book Art Workshop with artist and teacher Laurie Dummer as she teaches attendees how to create poinsettias from book pages or tissue paper. Use them with gift-wrapping or for holiday home decorating. Materials are supplied and there is no cost to attend. For more information, call 608-356-6166.
Several University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County student research projects could be featured in the UW Systems annual Research in the Rotunda event next spring, according to program leaders.

Last year, the university sent nine students representing six teams of UW-Baraboo researchers to the state Capitol  a UW Colleges record. Every April, exceptional student researchers from across the UW System, along with their faculty advisers, fill the Capitol Rotunda to share their findings on a variety of topics with legislators, state leaders, UW alumni and other supporters.

After hearing students present their research from the current semester during Tuesday nights Honors Symposium, UW-Baraboo mathematics professor Kirthi Premadasa said he has high expectations for this year as well.

All of these of these projects reflect the Wisconsin Idea, he said. They provide research that can be taken and used in the community.

During the Honors Symposium, students gave presentations on a variety of research topics that ranged from examining how the content of dairy cow feed impacts the quantity and quality of milk production to a sociological study of prominent fears in modern Americans.

The students chose their topics earlier in the semester and worked alongside a professor who acted as a mentor throughout the process.

UW-Baraboo student Lane KoBel teamed up with biology professor David Olsen to examine genetic differences among prairie plants in local ecosystems. KoBel said the research could be used to guide conservationists restoration efforts in the remnants of the Sauk Prairie.

Were hoping that is research is going to help in future conservation efforts in the area, he said. If we can identify places that have a high genetic diversity, then we can target those locations because they have a good chance of being restored to their natural prairie state.

KoBel said his interest in genetics, along with his professors background in the field, led him to pursue a research project that examined the biodiversity of native prairie ecosystems. While the process of extracting and comparing DNA from prairie plants was difficult and required several changes in protocol, KoBel said he gained valuable experience in using scientific equipment.

Thats going to help me with my future research that involves genetics, he said. Just getting started with using all the equipment, Ill be a lot better off when I get to use it next time.

After studying at UW-Baraboo, KoBel plans to pursue a psychobiology degree from Ripon College. After that, he said he also plans to attain a marine biology degree, along with a degree in bioengineering. KoBel said he would recommend UW-Baraboos undergraduate degree to any student who is willing to put in the work.

Its one of the best programs here at Baraboo, he said. A lot of people think they cant do it or that its not available or too hard, but honestly the professors are a big help.

Theyll help you through it, you learn so much and you get good credit for it.
Put wheel tax to a referendum

A wheel tax is for roads and not for walking paths.

When streets are redone, walking paths should not be connected to the road. Homeowners do not have to maintain them or shovel snow from them. This will be another citys responsibility.

Several years ago Lakeshore Drive voiced their opinion on a new road and sidewalks and nothing was done on that project. North University and South Lincoln had no choice. Is Lakeshore Drive a street approaching 45-years-old? Are they going to install sidewalks or walking paths?

Vehicles do not vote, but the vehicles owners can vote. This should be put to a referendum so all Beaver Dam citizens can vote on a new tax. Taxes never seem to go away once started. They just reincarnate themselves.

The decision will be made at 8 p.m., Dec. 18, during the council meeting. Lets have this new tax put to all citizens and not 14 people.

Jack Yuds, Beaver Dam
Columbus residents learned more about an extensive street renovation project scheduled for next spring and summer.

The city held its second public information meeting Dec. 6 concerning work along South Water and East School streets. The project, which should last a few months, also includes utility work. About a dozen residents attended the meeting, held at the Columbus Senior Center. Work will start in late spring and is expected to last until late summer. While only about 50 percent of the project has been designed, engineers included maps of the areas that will be affected by construction.

We have a lot more detail on the plans now so we can look at where utilities are going to be placed, how big, what depth  the plans are coming together, said City Engineer Jason Lietha.

The city plans to have complete design specifications finished by the first part of next year. Lietha said Columbus plans to have a final public information meeting in early 2018 to complete the planning process.

We will have a lot more detail for you then, Lietha said.

The project runs from Park Street/Ludington Street south to East School, all the way through the South Water Street intersection.

That area will be completely torn out and reconstructed with new utilities underneath, Lietha said.

The section of roadway near the Public Works Department will be resurfaced and additional drainage systems will be added, along with curb and sidewalk replacement. According to Lietha, the work will include new asphalt from Waterloo to Park streets.

We will get a new five-foot sidewalk that will be ADA compliant; well get new ramps with truncated panel domes at the bottom where it meets the roadway, Lietha said. The sidewalk will be going in at the same spot with the same grade. Were hoping to match what was already there.

The work also includes drainage changes that engineers believe will be better for storm water runoff. Residential sewer laterals will be replaced as well. Eric Anthon from Columbus Water and Light said residents along the construction route have been notified of the lateral replacement. Anthon said the city received a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help replace old iron and lead sewer pipes. Laterals can be replaced at no cost to the homeowner.

It takes less than five minutes to look at the water lateral, Anthon said. The DNR gave us $300,000 to help residents in the city replace old lead laterals. We spent about $100,000 on the James Street project this year so we still have money left.

To accommodate the work, several trees will be removed. Lietha said some have already been marked for removal and most are ash trees or ones that may be sick or dying. He said trees will likely be replaced with new ones.

Lietha said crews will have to access private property during the project, but will work fast and efficiently.

Contractors will do their best to work around and not block driveways, but inevitably we will have to dig past your property, Lietha said. We dig past most properties for sewer and water work, which generally lasts half a day. When we come back to pour concrete, that lasts a little longer because we have to let the concrete (dry).

If a utility interruption occurs, Lietha said residents will be notified. Some lawns may also be affected, but Lietha urges residents to be patient to allow lawns to return to normal.

One of the biggest concerns about the project is how much residents will be assessed for work. While it hasnt been authorized yet, Lietha said the city council has indicated Columbus will pay for a portion of the project through assessments. Stephanie Wolff, who attended the Dec. 6 meeting, is worried how much she will be charged. Wolff lives along East School Street.

I havent received much information from the city and it would be nice to know how much Ill be paying for this, Wolff said.

Wolff also wonders why the city cant pay for the entire project through property taxes.

Lietha said assessments could vary based on property size.

For the last street project in 2016, I saw assessments from $1,000 to $12,000, he said. I would expect assessments to be in the $3,000-$5,000 range but that depends on how big the property is.

Lietha suggested residents attend the Dec. 19 city council meeting to voice their opinion on the assessments. He said the city hasnt made a final decision and public feedback is important. Questions can also be emailed to Lietha at jlietha@ruekert-mielke.com.
Columbus shoppers might notice a few significant changes to their local Pick n Save store.

The Columbus Pick n Save, 210 Dix Street, recently completed a remodeling and restructuring project. The store has been celebrating the new look with grand re-opening specials since early November.

The renovation was designed to give Pick n Save a modernized, fresh look. Changes include a new produce department, an expanded selection of organic fruits and vegetables, and new bars for both hot food and salads.

Store Director Don Klug said the changes reflect the needs of current shoppers. Jim Hyland, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Roundys, said the renovation was part of a company-wide initiative.

One thing about our store is that were so confined for space we got to utilize every square foot the best we can, Klug said. And it really turned out nice.

Other changes include a new donut case, along with an expanded dessert selection. Pick n Save also added a cake decorator that Klug said was a nice addition to our department. Along with the dessert section, the store added a breakfast table, featuring fresh-baked muffins and other items.

What we gained in the bakery area was variety; the offering of custom-made cakes, breads and rolls and also desserts, Klug said.

Pick n Save also expanded its deli to include barbecue ribs, meatloaf, turkey, and beef, along with different chicken options. Shoppers can select a grab and go eight-piece fried chicken bucket that Klug said has been popular with consumers. The deli also features a lunchmeat and cheese bin for shoppers who want to make a quick sandwich for lunch or dinner.

Klug said the hot soup and salad bars, along with the expanded deli, should attract more consumers looking for fresh and healthy lunch options.

If you look at how many fast food restaurants we have right around us, we know there is a good opportunity for a lunch crowd, Klug said. Its nice because this area really takes off here during the week and its a nice setup.

In the produce department, Pick n Save renovated the overall layout to highlight fresh fruit and vegetables. Klug said shoppers are more attracted to bright colors and an ample variety of nutritious food.

Throughout the store, Pick n Save has more than 4,500 new items, according to Klug. In the past few weeks, Klug said shoppers have embraced the changes and have enjoyed the improvements.

Prior to the remodel, we had limited offerings, Klug said. Customers said they would go to bigger stores, but now we have everything here.

With offerings from larger stores, such as Woodmans in Sun Prairie, Columbus Pick n Save has to look for more creative ways to retain local consumers. In addition, many Columbus residents commute for work in the Madison or Beaver Dam areas and may choose to stop in stores close to work if they need a few items.

Despite the stores limited space, Pick n Save was able to add one aisle and make each aisle four feet longer. Renovations also include new LED lighting, freshly-painted walls and upgrades to decor.

The more pleasant you can make grocery shopping, the better off you are, Klug said.
A Necedah man and Birnamwood man face drug charges after allegedly transporting methamphetamine in with intent to sell.

James Newton, 35, and Nou Ong Yang, 24 are charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. They face up to fifteen years imprisonment for the crime.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Dec. 4, a Wisconsin state trooper was making a traffic stop on I-90/94 when he observed a dark color Dodge Neon with a very loud exhaust.

The trooper cleared the traffic stop and caught up to the Dodge Neon in his vehicle. The trooper determined that the exhaust on the Neon looked to have an after-market attachment. After running the Wisconsin license plate on the vehicle, the records check of the registration showed the male registered owner had a warrant and the female registered owner had a revoked driving status.

The trooper activated the emergency lights of his vehicle. The Neon did not initially acknowledge the emergency lights or pull over, but eventually came to a stop on the right shoulder of the interstate.

The trooper reported after exiting his vehicle, the Neons engine began to rev up, and sounded as though the driver had the vehicle in park or neutral and their foot on the accelerator. The trooper advised law enforcement dispatch to send an additional patrol vehicle.

The trooper advised the passenger of the Neon to roll down the window, but the passenger did not comply. Upon opening the passenger side door, the trooper was informed by the passenger that the window did not roll down.

The driver stated he was not the owner of the vehicle and it belonged to his buddy. The trooper asked to see his drivers license, but the driver stated he did not have a valid drivers license. He handed the officer a Minnesota ID card instead, and was identified as Nou Ong Yang. The trooper reported his hand noticeably shook and he did not make eye contact with me while we spoke.

The passenger showed the trooper a Wisconsin drivers license and was identified as James Robert Newton.

Newton and Yang were unable to provide proof of insurance for the vehicle. They stated they were coming back from court in Dane county, and visiting Yangs girlfriend in Gailsville.

The trooper reported both Yang and Newton appeared very nervous. Neither of them maintained eye contact with him and were visibly shaking while seated. The trooper requested dispatch run criminal background checks on both individuals. Nou was determined to have revoked driving status on his Minnesota ID card. Both Yang and Newton were determined to have prior drug convictions.

An additional state trooper, Juneau County Sheriffs deputies and a New Lisbon police officer arrived on scene. The New Lisbon police officer performed a check on the vehicle with his K9 partner. The K9 alerted to the vehicle.

While searching the individuals, officers found a glass smoking pipe in Newtons shoe. No items of evidentiary significance were found on Yang.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers found the following: A clear plastic baggy containing a large amount of small orange plastic baggies; two small orange plastic baggies, one containing a crushed crystalline substance, the other containing a crushed and chunk crystalline substance, and a black scale that was covered in white crystalline powder. The evidence was secured and processed. The substances tested positive for Methamphetamine.

Newton was transported to the Juneau County Jail and later released on three cash bonds of $300. Both Yang and Newton are scheduled to have their initial appearance in court Dec. 20.
Lawmakers and school officials across Wisconsin are looking at big and small ways to change how the state funds schools  a system created four decades ago.

A commission formed by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, headed by two GOP lawmakers with a longstanding interest in K-12 education and composed of Democrats, Republicans, school officials, advocates and educators met for the first time Thursday to begin the first serious review in 20 years.

I think theres widespread agreement that the current school funding formula in Wisconsin is not working as well as it should, Rep. Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, told reporters ahead of the commissions first meeting.

But the task could be tough  rewriting the states school funding formula will almost certainly have a hefty price tag if lawmakers want to avoid reducing funding for dozens of school districts.

Kitchens, along with Senate Education Committee chairman Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, are leading the commission and said Thursday that while there is not a fundamental, overarching problem with the formula, there are areas where the system could be improved.

I think being realistic politically  its going to cost money, Kitchens said. If half the districts in the state lose on this plan, well never get it passed. So I think thats the expectation  that theres going to be an investment.

Kitchens said the formula could be improved for school districts with declining enrollment, increasing enrollment and small, rural school districts with spending levels capped at below $10,000 per student. Olsen also said funding for open enrollment and charter and private voucher schools could be examined.

In recent years, districts ability to raise property taxes on their own has been limited by the state. At the same time, more and more school districts are seeking more money through referendums  partially driving the need for the review, Kitchens said.

Over the years weve continually changed little pieces of the formula and oftentimes its just to affect a problem in one or two school districts, but too many times when you fix one problem in one place it causes a problem somewhere else, he said, adding he wants to start with a blank slate and go in any direction that the evidence leads us.

But he also noted Wisconsins school funding formula is well-regarded so it may well be in the end we decide to stick with the basic framework and build around that.

In Wisconsin, school districts are funded through local property taxes, state aid and federal funding. Schools receive the largest amount of their state funding through a general fund that distributes money through a formula that gives more to districts with more students with challenges, including those who live in poverty, and less state money to districts with high property values. Districts also receive money from several funding streams including through a certain amount per pupil, currently set at $450 per student.

Olsen said while previous calls to overhaul the funding formula have fallen flat, he intends to recommend substantive changes.

My No. 1 goal is to not write something that collects dust because Ive been around this circus before and a lot of times we do something that sits on the shelf and collects dust, he said.

Commission member Julie Underwood, a school law professor at UW-Madison and the former dean of the universitys School of Education, said she wants the commissions work to build not from a total blank slate, but from the state Constitutions requirement of providing a uniform system of education.

She noted that the system did need an overhaul.

This is a system that was created in the 70s and we have been adding things to it so that it meets certain needs but it becomes more and more complex and when you think about it, there havent been many things that have lasted and been really, really useful for the future that we created in the 70s, she said.

The commission heard testimony from the Department of Public Instruction and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau on Thursday to review the current formula. Kitchens said the goal is to have recommendations ready for the next state budget cycle in 2019.

The state spends more than $10 billion on schools in Wisconsin.

No overhaul in decades

Lawmakers have not tackled an overhaul to the states funding formula in two decades. State Superintendent Tony Evers, who oversees the DPI and the states 422 school districts, has proposed a funding formula overhaul four times but lawmakers have rejected the plan each time.

In that plan, Evers sought hundreds of millions more in state spending and changes that would help school districts with high numbers of children living in poverty and mitigate school funding losses for districts experiencing enrollment decreases, among other measures.

Evers was not placed on the commission, nor was any other official from the state education office. He is running for governor as a Democrat.

Other lawmakers on the commission are Sens. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green; Alberta Darling, R-River Hills; Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma; Reps. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwanago; Romaine Quinn, R-Rice Lake; Sondy Pope, D-Cross Plains; and Jason Fields, D-Milwaukee. Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, made the appointments.

Ted Neitzke, head of a Cooperative Educational Service Agency based in Oshkosh, Green Bay School District Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld, Grantsburg School District Superintendent Joni Burgin, Wisconsin Association of School Boards lobbyist Dan Rossmiller and Lori Saqer, director of business operations of Messmer Catholic Schools, and Bill Hughes, chief academic officer for Seton Catholic Schools, both based in Milwaukee, also are on the commission.

No representatives from Madison schools are on the commission. A spokeswoman for the Madison School District declined to comment.
Gerald David Lange, 89, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, at Tivoli in Portage.

Gerald was born June 24, 1928, at St. Marys Hospital in Madison, the son of Ben and Margaret (Knapton) Lange and grew up on the family farm located between Marshall and Deerfield. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country during the Korean conflict. After his discharge he began a long career with the U.S. Postal Service, first riding the rails as he sorted and delivered mail at rail stations throughout the Midwest and later at the Central Post Office in Madison. Gerald married Mary Blau on Oct. 31, 1972; he and Mary spent the next 34 years together, until she passed away in 2007. Together they raised Marys daughter, Martha. Gerald was recognized for his work on the trains and traveled to Washington, D.C., to share his stories about life on the mail train. His story is part of the archives in the U.S. Postal Museum in Washington. He married Betty Ring on Aug. 24, 2013.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Betty Ring Lange, of Portage; his brothers, Robert (Bev) Lange and Darrell (Carol) Lange; his sister, Mary Ann (Hank) Veith; and his stepdaughter, Martha (David) Allen of Middleton, and their family. Gerald is also survived by Bettys daughter, Loriann (Roy) Knapton, and her family, as well as several treasured nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David Lange; and his first wife, Mary.

Memorial services will be held at noon, Saturday, Dec. 16, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 East, Portage, with the Rev. Julie Krahn officiating. Military honors will be provided by Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard. Private inurnment will take place in St. Camillus Cemetery at Durwards Glen. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturda, at the church.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Highway 33 East, Portage, WI 53901, The National Railroad Museum, 2285 S. Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54304, or the American Diabetes Foundation, 2800 Royal Ave., Monona, WI 53713.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Tivoli for their compassionate care of Gerald during the last two months of his life.

Rest in peace Gerald. Well see you again.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home (www.pmmfh.com) in Portage is assisting the family.
Reedsburg city council unanimously approved to add a new sewer dumping fee as well as an increase in administrative fees at its Dec. 11 meeting. Alderperson At Large Brandt Werner and Fourth District Alderperson Dave Knudsen were absent.

The medium septic tank waste fee was set at $50 per 1,000 gallons of waste while administrative fees will increase from $10 to $20 per load. City Engineer Public Works Director Steve Ziebell said the increase in administrative fees will help cover lab and billing costs. The changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Ziebell said the extra fee is because waste can come in between the holding tank and the septic tank.

Then we have to charge them the septic tank (fee) which is pretty expensive, Ziebell said. So by creating this medium septic tank waste we would add another fee in there but it would be in between.

Other fees like the holding tank waste fee and septic waste tank fee will remain the same. The current rates for holding tank fees are $12.85 per 1,000 gallons and septic tank waste fee are $90.70 per 1,000 gallons.

WPPA agreement

The council unanimously approved a two-year Wisconsin Professional Police Association agreement for 2018-2019.

Affective Jan. 1, 2018, police officers and detectives will receive a 1.5 percent increase in salary. A one percent adjustment will be effective Jan. 1 2019 and July 1 2019.

Compton said the original agreement was to provide police department employees with a one percent increase in January and July 2018 as well as January and July 2019. The WPPA decided to forgo the mid-year adjustment in July 2018 to remove Schedule B in the agreement. Reedsburg Chief of Police Tim Becker said Schedule B is twelve hours of straight time police department employees owe throughout the year because they work for four days before receiving two days off. The adjustment will top out of police and detective wages at 15 years instead of 20 years.

The top out was to make us look more in line with neighboring departments keep us competitive with their pay, Third District Alderperson and Chairman of Personnel Committee Phil Peterson said.

As a part of the agreement uniform allowance for each officer will increase from $500 to $550, starting Jan. 1, 2018 and will increase to $600 Jan. 1, 2019.

The changes also include what City Administrator Steve Compton called a language change regarding sick leave. After ten years of service, employees accrue 1.5 days worth of sick leave for every month of employment after the employees ten year anniversary date.

That language was not in this original contract, Compton said.

City project updates

In his reports, City Administrator Steve Compton informed the council of the scheduled demolition of the Old Glory Days building and the two houses south of it to make room for the new Walnut Street Flats on South Walnut Street and Vine Street. Compton said the demolition will take place from Dec. 18 through Dec. 24. The property and houses were closed Nov. 3. Operation of the facility is estimated to begin in Oct. 2018.

Compton also said in his updates the first set of steel for raising the first set of walls has been applied to Sharratt Warehousing and Distribution. Operation of the $20 million warehouse is estimated to begin in May 2018.

If they can work in the cold and be safe and continue to work youll be amazed at how fast the steel building out there will go up, Compton said.

Other business

Council unanimously approved to set two public hearings for Jan. 8 2018. One public hearing will regard fencing standards and another will regard zoning amendments for driveways.

The council approved to appoint Robert Butler as a city representative to the Reedsburg Ambulance Commission. Butler replaces Marianne Baumgarten in the position.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) An alarming 50 per cent of the 6,000 highway drivers tested suffer from vision defect, a big cause of concern in a country that accounts for about 11 per cent of total road mishaps globally, a top official has said.

The government is trying to address the neglect of health by drivers, especially commercial operators, on highways, Road Transport and Highways Secretary Yudhvir Singh Malik has said.

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"NHAI organised at its toll plazas a three-day eye testing camp. 6,000 drivers registered for that. 3,000 of them were distributed spectacles," he has said.

"And you will be shocked to know that a 1,000 of them had a number of two plus and were driving without spectacles... without glasses," Malik said at Safe Road Safe Life event organised here yesterday.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facilitating health check-up camps and every camp is keeping glasses with power 1.75 to 2.5 for immediate distribution.

Besides, Malik said, it is only in India that a person, till a few years ago, could acquire driving licences without appearing before the authority and hold multiple licences.

In contrast, in countries like the UK, it is a rigorous process and people celebrate getting a licence like when they graduate, he added.

Driver training institutes, the secretary said, will have to play a major role in terms of building up the driving capacity, and the new Road Safety Bill will have a provision that if one has a training certificate from one of the accredited driving schools, one will not be required to appear before a driving licensing authority.

Malik attributed accidents in the case of long-haul commercial driving to fatigue and sickness.

"We have identified along national highways 183 sites where we are immediately taking up development of wayside amenities, of which 15-20 are proposed to be only for truckers," he added.

On driving concerns, Malik said people especially in Delhi excelled in not following traffic rules and expressed hope that the new Road Safety Bill will get Parliament nod soon.

The Bill proposes hefty penalty for violation of traffic rules.

"We have five lakh accidents, 1.5 lakh deaths... Any country which constitutes about 10-11 per cent of the world fatalities is the biggest concern at the international level. It is really an area which needs to engage the attention of all the stakeholders," Malik added. PTI NAM ARD

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By PTI: Jaipur, Dec 14 (PTI) Police in Rajsamand district have frozen a bank account in which 516 donors had transferred Rs 2.75 lakh for fighting the court case of Shambhulal Regar, who is in custody for hacking a Muslim migrant labourer to death, burning the body and filming the barbaric act.

Two local businessmen were also arrested for allegedly circulating images on social media of receipts acknowledging their donations to the account of Regars wife, police said.

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"Rs 2.75 lakh was deposited into Sitas bank account, details of which were circulated on social media. 516 people from across the country deposited the money for fighting Regars case. Police have frozen the account," IG (Udaipur Range) Anand Shrivastava said.

SHO, Bhim police station, Gyanendra Singh said two businessmen, Prakash Singh and Dinesh Singh, were arrested under relevant sections of the law for circulating receipts of donations on social media.

The administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Rajsamand after some right-wing groups announced to take out processions in support of Regar today.

"All processions, rallies and protests have been banned and those who defy the rule of law will be dealt with accordingly," Shrivastava said.

Regar, 36, had hacked Mohammed Afrazul to death and burnt the body on December 6.

Afrazul had migrated to Rajsamand from West Bengal for work.

Regar had roped in his 14-year-old nephew to film the killing.

After the barbaric act, Regar posted videos of the killing with inflammatory and communal comments to defend the act. PTI AG GVS

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Historical archaeology: Speaking truth to long-lived cultural narratives

History beneath history: Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Anthropology Audrey Horning is one of a group of scholar-scientists that use multiple sources  written history, remembered history and material culture  to work toward assembling a more accurate picture of the past. Photo by Joseph McClain Photo - of - Hide Caption

Written history doesnt always get it right.What written history tends to tell us is the narrative about what was supposed to happen, Audrey Horning says. And the gulf between what was supposed to happen and what actually happened can be particularly wide when the topic is the early days of colonial development.Horning is a historical archaeologist, and in fact was recently named to the Board of Directors for the Society for Historical Archaeology. She is one of a group of scholar-scientists that use multiple sources  written history, remembered history and material culture  to work toward assembling a more accurate picture of the past.Horning is a 1989 graduate of William & Mary and left a faculty position at Queens University, Belfast in 2016 to serve as Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at her alma mater. She is one of a very small number of historical archaeologists to work with the two great English colonial adventures of the early 17th century  the Ulster Plantation in the north of Ireland and the Virginia Company settlement of Jamestown.Her 2013 book, Ireland in the Virginian Sea: Colonialism in the British Atlantic, published by the Omohundro Institute, compares the two colonies and explores the connections between the two.When people have looked at those connections, theyve either looked at it from being versed in Irish history or in North American history and Ive been lucky to have worked in both places, she said.Horning said an understanding of her work should start with an understanding of terminology.Plantation refers to planting people, rather than tobacco or cotton or things like that, she explained. Jamestown was settled in 1607. The Ulster Plantation was launched in 1609. It was an effort to increase British control over the island of Ireland through planting colonies of people.The English had made similar plantation efforts in 16th century Ireland and Horning said the long-standing understanding among American historians held that the English learned how to colonize in Ireland, then applied those lessons here in America.When you look at the evidence, none of that is actually true  except for the fact that the English were involved in both places, she said. And Ireland was never successfully colonized in the classic sense of an incoming population outnumbering and displacing local people: the Irish retained a majority on the island.Ireland and Virginia were quite different challenges for the would-be colonists. Ireland was nearby and its peoples, laws and customs were familiar to the English. Ireland maintained close connections with the continent, as well.On the other hand, Virginia was literally a new world with extensive commercial opportunities. The investors that made up the London Companies knew about the treasures found in what became Latin America, but Horning notes that the native societies of eastern North America were far less familiar to the English.The Ulster Plantation and the Jamestown Colony were contemporaneous, and Horning said the two initiatives were actually competitors in an important way. James I wanted to establish a new colony in the north of Ireland  the Londonderry Plantation, a component of the larger Ulster Plantation. This new initiative required investment and the crown turned to the London Companies, who had committed considerable assets to the Jamestown Colony.They had no interest in doing that, but the king said You must do this, Horning explained, adding that James also required the reluctant investors to build towns  and to plant loyal British Protestants  in return for grants of land.So when they were compelled to invest in the north of Ireland, they withdrew their investment in Jamestown, she said. Fifty-five out of 56 companies who were investing pulled out. That was, not coincidentally, 1609  which was the Starving Time.The English were anxious that their colonists  in Virginia as well as Ireland  remain thoroughly English. People living in distant cultures had a way of going native, and the king and his advisors were familiar with the saying about how the Hiberno-Normans of an earlier age became more Irish than the Irish themselves.Accordingly, the colonists were given strict guidelines that London believed would discourage assimilation  and encourage displacement of the natives. For instance, Horning said they were required to build and live in English-style houses, eating English/Scottish fare cooked in English/Scottish ways among their fellow Scots and Englishmen. The companies were barred from having any Irish tenants at all.Thats whats written down, she said. And people have taken the recommendations for plantation regulations for what actually happened.But whats written down is not necessarily what actually happened. Horning explained that the historical record allows a scholar to ascertain to a certain extent how closely the plantation recommendations were followed, but archaeology allows for the telling of a fuller story.What the archaeology shows us is that the English and Scottish planters who are coming over bring things with them, but they also are using things that are made locally, she said.For one thing, the archaeology shows that the planters were cooking in Irish ceramics. Horning explained that Irish ceramics are hand-built and meant to be put into a fire. English and Scottish ceramic cookware was designed to be hung over the fire.Its a different way of cooking, which is fairly significant, she said. Theyre living in Irish-style houses, which they were specifically told not to do. So you see a material blending, which tells you something about the proximity of people. It doesnt say that they all got along great every day, but it certainly doesnt suggest that its mortal combat.The archaeology of Jamestown tells a similar story. Horning says that she believes that the most important revelation to come out of the Jamestown Rediscovery excavations is the imprint of Native Virginia. She points out that excavations from the early James Fort period show that more than 80 percent of the ceramics were native-made.Eighty percent  thats a lot, she said. Thats not the occasional pot coming in. Thats evidence of daily contact, and it shows a certain willingness on the part of the English to engage in ways that history hasnt always allowed for.Historical archaeology is rewriting narratives much more recent than Jamestown. Another aspect of Hornings work deals with the families who were displaced in the 1930s during the creation of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.These people were portrayed even in print as backward, not of the 20th century. And the best thing you could do for these people is remove them, she said. That continued to be the narrative there into the 1990s in terms of official presentations of the parks history.Her book In the Shadow of Ragged Mountain contains an examination of the material culture left by the relocated families. Archaeology revealed tangible evidence of automobiles, medicines, store-bought clothing the whole range of modern consumer goods, challenging the decades-old portrayal of them as uneducated, poverty-stricken hillbillies. The archaeology was bolstered by interviews and other research that revealed memories of the displaced people and their descendants.The 1930s pity-the-hillbillies narrative no doubt made it easier to clear the mountain population for the park, but the scholarly, journalistic and administrative writings that assembled the narrative became the basis for history. It was, of course, a false history and Horning notes that it managed to persist for decades in 20th century America.Horning said that people can become attached to unchallenged historical narratives, braiding elements of the true, the false and the doubtful into their cultures. The persistence of parallel narratives related to the Ulster Plantation contributed to the 20th century division of the island into the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, as well as the sectarian friction known as The Troubles. Even today, individual understandings about the events surrounding the plantation lead to what she terms very challenging conversations in Northern Ireland.Americans, a much younger people, have nonetheless a considerable supply of dubious historic narratives. The Jamestown experience gave rise to the Pocahontas myth, a narrative that has largely resisted correction for four centuries. Horning experienced a peculiar overlap of historical archaeology and popular culture in the mid-1990s. She was working at the excavations at Jamestown when the animated Disney Pocahontas movie came out.And every day we would break for lunch and go to Burger King, so we could collect all the action figures, she said, pointing to a miniature John Smith standing guard on a bookshelf.
It's not everyday that you get to complain to the top executive in the aviation sector when your flight is delayed. But when he's your co-passenger, you can. Read on to find out how this happened on a Delhi-Vijayawada flight yesterday.

By India Today Web Desk: Over 100 passengers waited an hour and a half yesterday for AI (Air India) 459, a Delhi-Vijayawada flight, to take off. Unfortunately for the airline, one of them was the civil aviation minister, P Ashok Gajapati Raju.

When passengers asked Raju about the delay, he asked Air India Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Pradeep Kharola why the flight hadn't left yet.

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The flight took off 90 minutes after the scheduled time, and Air India suspended three staffers and issued a warning letter to the captain - for reaching the airport late.

That's what Air India spokespeson GP Rao said happened, according to the news agency ANI.

Big Task to @airindiain newly appointed CMD #PradeepSinghKharola to handle #chaltaHai culture in National carrier, yesterday @Ashok_Gajapathi faces pax heat in the aircraft for delayed due to non availability of AI pilot ????? @Delhi_Airport #AI459- Ashoke Raj (@ashokeraj007) December 14, 2017

WATCH VIDEO: Earlier this year, the Narendra Modi government decided to privatise the 52,000 crore debt-laden national carrier Air India. Watch this video to find out how the government's move impacts you.

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By Siraj Qureshi: Renowned social activist Anna Hazare has vowed that he will not allow another 'Kejriwal' to be born out of his public interest campaigns. Anna was in Agra to rally support for another anti-corruption campaign that he plans to launch in Delhi from March 23 next year.

Talking to India Today, Anna said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi are anti-farmer and pro-corporate. While farmers are committing suicide because of agricultural loans, massive non-performing assets (NPAs) of corporate entities are being written off by the government.

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BJP = CONGRESS?

He said that both Modi and Rahul talk about ending corruption, but in reality, they have no intention of ending graft as that is what feeds their politics. He said that the draft of the Lokpal Bill was prepared during his 2011 campaign; the draft Bill had proposed that all public servants should make their wealth, as well as their partners' and children's, public.

However, first Manmohan Singh and later Modi weakened the draft Bill.

Anna was also critical of the current electoral process in the country. He said that politics has been reduced to a game of buying and selling of election tickets and all parties are fielding criminals to win elections. He expressed an urgent need to form a stringent law against the entry of criminals into politics.

POLITICIANS NOT WELCOME

He said that his March 23 campaign that he is launching in Delhi will be different from his previous Delhi campaign. He said that this time, he will not allow another 'Kejriwal' to be born out of his campaign. In fact those who join the campaign will have to sign an affidavit affirming that he or she will not join any political party, form another party or contest elections. He said that so far, 5,000 people have signed these affidavits.

Anna said that Modi has developed an 'allergy' towards him after he began asking questions about the return of black money from foreign banks as the Prime Minister had promised during his 2014 electoral campaign. Anna charged that even the Modi government is corrupt and it cannot claim a higher moral ground than the Congress.

--- ENDS ---
Hitachi-GE ABWR design cleared for use in UK

14 December 2017

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Hitachi-GE's UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (UK ABWR) is suitable for construction in the UK, regulators have concluded following an in-depth Generic Design Assessment (GDA). The regulators said they were satisfied the reactor "meets regulatory expectations on safety, security and environmental protection at this stage of the regulatory process".

How two UK ABWR units could appear at Wylfa Newydd (Image: Horizon)

The GDA is a voluntary process for reactor vendors that applies to England and Wales, and is a policy rather than law, but it is a British government expectation for all new build projects. A reactor vendor, or the 'requesting party', has completed the GDA process when it receives a Design Acceptance Confirmation (DAC) from the nuclear regulator and a Statement of Design Acceptability (SoDA) from environmental regulators.

Hitachi's UK ABWR began the Generic Design Assessment process for its UK subsidiary Horizon Nuclear Power in April 2013. The process has entailed detailed assessments and submissions across 20 topic workstreams.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation announced today that it has now issued a DAC to Hitachi-GE, while the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have issued a SoDA to the company.

The ONR's chief nuclear inspector, Mark Foy, said: "The completion of the generic design assessment of the UK ABWR is a significant step in our regulation of the overall process to construct this type of reactor in the UK, ensuring that the generic design meets the highest standards of safety that we expect in this country."

He added, "We are already working on our assessment of Horizon's site licence application and on the development of the site specific safety case to progress, in due course, the construction and operation of these reactors at Wylfa Newydd."

Jo Nettleton, deputy director for radioactive substances and installations regulation at the Environment Agency, said: "We've concluded that the generic design of the UK ABWR should be capable of meeting the high standards of environmental protection and waste management that we require in the UK. We only came to this conclusion after carefully reviewing the submissions provided by GE-Hitachi and their responses to the questions and issues we raised. We've also carefully considered all the comments we received from people during our public consultation and we're grateful for all who took part for taking time to respond."

The ABWR design is already licensed in Japan and the USA. Four units have been built in Japan, and two are currently under construction on Taiwan. Horizon Nuclear Power hopes to build two ABWR units at Wylfa Newydd site on the island of Anglesey in north Wales and start them up in around 2025. The units would be the first commercial boiling water reactors in the UK. Horizon also plans two UK ABWR units for its site in Oldbury, Gloucestershire.

Horizon CEO Duncan Hawthorne welcomed the completion of GDA. He said, "This is a huge milestone for Horizon and a major leap forward for us in bringing much-needed new nuclear power to the UK." Hawthorne added, "It's testament to the strength of the combined team, and the proven nature of the technology, that the GDA process has been completed and delivered on time."

The first reactor design to receive a DAC and SoDA was Areva's European Pressurised Reactor in December 2012. This was followed by the Westinghouse AP1000 in March 2017. The Hualong One design that General Nuclear Services - a subsidiary of EDF and China General Nuclear - proposes to use at Bradwell began the GDA process in January.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
A woman cut off her boyfriends private parts after he spoke to her about ending their relationship, according to police in the Dominican Republic.

Puerto Plata police said that they have arrested 28-year-old Johanny Diaz after being accused of cutting off the penis of 44-year-old Samuel Ventura Garcia.

Diaz was charged with attempted murder.

According to the police investigation, Garcia and Diaz were together for about 2 years during which time she abused him.

Earlier this week, Garcia decided to break up with Diaz.

He told her that their relationship was over due to her abusive behavior.

Diaz did not say anything to Garcia at that time.

Later, Diaz spiked a drink with drugs and gave it to Garcia.

Garcia did not suspect anything and drank it.

After a few minutes, Garcia passed out.

Diaz grabbed a knife and cut off her boyfriends penis.

She then fled the scene.

Garcia called for help and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where surgeons reattached his penis during a 4-hour surgery.

He was then transferred to a private clinic for further treatment.

Garcias brother said that doctors want to transfer the victim to a special hospital in Santiago to complete the treatment.

Doctors are optimistic that Garcia will make a full recovery.

During questioning by police, Diaz admitted to cutting off Garcias penis.

She claimed that Garcia held her against her will and defended herself against an assault.

Garcias brother denied the allegations, saying that Diaz abused her boyfriend all the time.
Main Hoon Padmavati will also tell the story of the Rajput queen, Rani Padmini.

By India Today Web Desk: Even as the fate of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ambitious period drama Padmavati is uncertain, another film is being made on the Rajput queen. Deccan Chronicle reports that a Rajasthan-based writer is currently scripting the film, which is titled Main Hoon Padmavati.

Producer Ashok Shekhar has confirmed the news and told the publication, "The film will strictly be made in Hindi and Rajasthani. The lead cast will star fresh faces."

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Padmavati, which stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, has been facing widespread protests for besmirching the honour of Rani Padmini by allegedly showing a romantic dream sequence between the queen and the invader, Alauddin Khilji.

That Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the makers have repeatedly denied the existence of such a scene in the film has not stopped protesters from threatening to burn down theatres if Padmavati sees the light of day. As of now, the film's release is indefinitely postponed.

The makers of Main Hoon Padmavati are trying their best to ensure that their film does not meet the same fate as Padmavati.

"The film is being developed after talking to people from Rajasthan to maintain its authenticity. It will go on the floors from mid-January next year in Rajasthan itself. This film will probably be made under the guidance of the people who have been making a huge hue and cry about Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest film," a source said.

ALSO WATCH | Padmavati row: Shahid Kapoor breaks silence on controversy surrounding his film

--- ENDS ---
92% of Kingdom tickets are for dropped cigarette ends  Committee asks for new report as more questions raised over Kingdom enforcement

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Dec 14th, 2017

Councillors on a Scrutiny attempted to get to grips with perceived issues with Kingdom litter and dog excrement enforcement, however questions from Jerry OKeeffe (the Independent Lay Chair of the Audit Committee) stopped debate in its tracks as his masterclass in questioning was too much for the meeting session.

Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr David Bithell presented a report to the committee over the enforcement provided by Kingdom, the third party contractor engaged by the Council since 1st April this year and previously under a pilot scheme. The firm litter enforcement tactics were branded as bully boy on day one of their use.

As we have documented before the first six months of the pilot saw more than 3,200 fines issued, worth 263,475. In comparison, only 43 fines were issued by the council in 2015-2016 when it was run in-house by the council themselves.

The report before councillors contained the below table that shows FPNs (Fixed Penalty Notice) issued by Kingdom for the first seven months of the contract from April this year and the various outcomes of the notice / ticket issued.

The table shows 2,534 fixed penalty notices were issued for cigarette butts alone, 92% of all tickets issued in this dataset.

Cllr Carrie Harper asked regarding the minus figures in the table, and was told that it was a snapshot figure and therefore some could be cancelled tickets or carry over from previous months, a quirk of the system generating the report.

When a FPN is issued the individual concerned can pay the penalty and this will discharge liability for the claimed offence that they have allegedly committed or they can choose to challenge the notice that has been issued.

If the alleged offender fails to pay the FPN it can be pursued in court following the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) which is a streamlined process being used by all North Wales Councils. The Council say the majority of FPNs that progress to court are upheld by magistrates with fines generally around 220 and costs of 127.30 being awarded. The Council does not receive the fine income at this stage, but does receive the costs if/when paid.

Scrutiny was yesterday told how Wrexham Council receives the cash from fines and then reimburses Kingdom  a process that was described as a money cycle effectively generating a small profit for the council, with councillors pointing out Kingdom were big winners in the arrangement.

Cllr Harper enquired what the percentage of revenue was for Wrexham Council, with the reply from Cllr Bithell noting: We got around 11,000 last financial year. Cllr Harper asked twice more for the percentage split in the contract, but did not get a figure.

Cllr Harper carried on with her questions, asking that as over 90% were for a carrier bag of cigarette ends across the county who was setting the priority of items to target.

Cllr Bithell said: Litter is litter. Irrespective if it is a bin bag or a crisp packet it is litter. Obviously a lot of people have disposing of cigarette ends. Our stance has always been, dont drop litter or let your dog foul, you have nothing to fear by these proposals.

Council Officers and Kingdom have monthly meetings to see they are meeting key performance indicators.

A council officer told the meeting that targeting information is shared with Kingdom to direct them to hot spots of litter, however there is no differentiating on items of litter. There is different start times and locations possible, however we dont say target this item of litter.

Cllr Bithell pointed to the LEAMS (Local Environmental Audit and Management System) survey results that state Wrexham has a score of 68.2% for street cleanliness compared to an all-Wales average of 69.3%, but with the new enforcement that has improved.

Cllr Pemberton did not have much confidence in the accuracy of the stats presented, noting that: On every street in Rhos there is dog muck. You would be very lucky to walk down a street and not see dog muck. Later, Cllr John Phillips echoed the view for Penycae.

Cllr Mike Morris noted that it was reported that Kingdom visit each ward at least once a week, and pointed to details in the report that missed his ward and others. The meeting was told the data in the report was example and not a per-ward breakdown.

Other councillors said they were unsure if their wards, mainly rural-ish, were being visited as they had not seen Kingdom officers  many feeling the town centre was getting the most attention.

Cllr Barrie Warburton queried over the direction of the Kingdom officers, and if they were tasked per-ward via lists or effectively left to their own devices. A council officer explained a team leader would be aware of the tasking, however operational targeting would not be shared as enforcement needed to be random to ensure a routine was not public.

Cllr Bithell quipped to councillors who said they had not seen them: You will only see one if you get a fine! Cllr Warburton quickly retorted I dont drop litter!

Cllr Bithell reassured councillors that enforcement is wider than the town centre, stating: I see them around, they are out and about and do wear a uniform.

If we start emailing members, it will get on Facebook and the like and locations would get out, and will stop us addressing concerns. An invite was extended to any councillor wishing to learn more via a meeting with Kingdom.

The issue of appeals then surfaced, with Cllr Graham Rogers strongly putting forward a proposal to change the current appeals system to include an independent person deciding on any disputes.

A council officer explained the people deciding appeals are relatively senior council officers adding We have to to trust they will make informed decision, they are independent from enforcement team. That is the layer we added to give members and council some governance control. This is not uncommon practice.

Cllr Alun Jenkins said he believed the public were not concerned about the principle of outsourcing enforcement, but how enforcement was taking place in a way that was not entirely ethical.

Cllr Jenkins referenced a BBC Panorama television report that documented many dubious practices by Kingdom in other areas of the UK, stating: It did not cover Wrexham but it covered Kingdom. It raises serious questions on how the company operates, such as leaving many people with criminal records for things that are not criminal matters.

I did not see a comment from Wrexham Council on it, the attitude was it was not Wrexham so we do not need to comment. The public will see a Kingdom badge and wonder if they are operating like that here. Yes it is legal, but is it ethical? There are risks on public perception.

Cllr Jenkins also gave anecdotal evidence of Kingdom Officers pouncing, waiting inside white vans and following people in vans.

Cllr Bithell gave the concerns short shrift: As for ethicalyou dont allow your dog to foul or drop litterthats my ethical policy

Cllr Bithell gave more detail to the questions over Panorama: I was never asked to attend Panorama. What I would say is it did not cover Wrexham. I was asked to comment on issues in Flintshire, but did not as it is not a matter for Wrexham. I

If Panorama asked I would have considered the request he added, As for jumping out of white vans. We do not use white vans, or even vans, we use cars.

The meeting Chair Cllr Pemberton pointed out he felt Cllr Bithell had missed the point, noting that Kingdom was on Panorama and they are employed in Wrexham: It is the firm that has the questions asked of them.

Cllr Bithell responded: I am aware of the link, but the reality is it did not concern issues in Wrexham or this contract.

Cllr Jenkins had a go at making the point again, It is not the point, if they are doing that elsewhere are they doing it in Wrexham? I have not heard anyone say they are not doing this in terms of the contract in Wrexham.

Cllr Bithell would not be drawn, leaning back saying: I have answered the question, Chair.

Questions carried on from the Committee, with Cllr Harper asking if a North Wales in-house service could be considered jointly across several Local Authorities rather than using Kingdom , something that Cllr Bithell did not rule out.

Cllr Morris compared the enthusiasm of enforcing a rouge chip wrapper dropped by a 20 year old in Caia to a cigarette butt dropped by a 60-year-old in the town centre, saying he believed one would perhaps get a different response to attempted enforcement than another  summing up older people being targeted for minor littering as easy pickings.

Cllr Benbow-Jones related issued in Cefn where shopkeepers have had to bleach outside their premises to remove dog excrement before opening in mornings, pointing out that such people were already paying high enough rates and therefore she was keen to see enforcement tasked away from just the town centre.

Cllr Rogers enquired if there had been any complaints over enforcement officers, and was told there had not been. The Councillor then asked if verbal cautions were recorded and the person then notified of them, he was told that there had not been any verbal cautions used.

As is customary once the Committee members ask their questions, the topic is open to other councillors or those attending in a different capacity.

Mr Jerry OKeefe, the Independent Lay Member who Chairs the Audit Committee, was also in attendance and kicked off a wide ranging monologue containing a number of questions, points and opinions about the processes and possible conflicts of interest in the Kingdom and Wrexham Council arrangement.

Mr OKeefe is also a magistrate, so has seen the outcomes of the Kingdom tickets from a different direction, such as Wrexham Council attempts to prosecute dropping of cigarette ends.

Mr OKeefe told the meeting that he thought on an extrapolated basis around 1,000 people would be criminalised under the current system, and those people were predominately on benefits and therefore he expected around 70% of fines from the courts would not be paid.

Mr OKeefe pointed out to councillors that the Fixed Penalty Notice element is a way to discharge the liability, and if that is not taken up the index offence ie. littering , is the offence taken forward to the courts  rather than failure to pay the FPN.

Mr OKeefe cited council policies that note Wrexham Council should carry out an assessment before prosecuting, which includes legal and public interest tests  adding he believed the policy indicates the seriousness of the offence and impact of the offence should be part of that consideration, taking the chance to remind the meeting the topic was the dropping of a cigarette end.

Mr OKeefe left a point hanging when he pointed out that Wrexham Council had told the meeting of the independent appeals process as outlined earlier, but noted there was a financial interest between Wrexham Council and Kingdom. Mr OKeefe said that in a scenario where the 1,000 cases where FPNs were not paid, but Wrexham Council had an obligation to pay out on them to Kingdom, and could create a situation where a sizeable sum of money was effectively owed.

Mr OKeefe rattled through his points, saying he had examined the Kingdom Contract and various legislation and polices but could not find a reference to zero tolerance, something that has been widely stated as the councils position on littering. Mr OKeefe said he believed a fixed penalty should just be an option, along with a police like instruction to tell people to pick things up, however with a zero tolerance approach it denies enforcement officers any other action or judgement.

Several times during Mr OKeefes commentary the Chair Cllr Pemberton pointed out that time was running out, with Full Council due at 4pm and another item due to be debated, so brevity was preferred. Cllr Pemberton was keen to stress he was not looking to limit debate.

Mr OKeefe carried on, giving some fag-packet style maths to question if the number of FPNs could have been carried out correctly, citing police work he was aware of and time taken to issue and do the paperwork on those. Mr OKeefe contrasted that to the numbers from Kingdom, I estimate there are not enough hours in the day or week or month to do all they say. Once an officer leaves the depot, they go away, then later produce the documentation. The evidence trails need clarity.

Mr OKeefe had similar queries over the definitions of complaints over Kingdom, noting zero corporate complaints, he pointed out Wrexham Council had a 100% interest in the sanctity of the condition of Wrexhams environment contrasted against Kingdoms zero, it is a private company obliged to turn a profit and grow.

Cllr Bithell had been attempting for a while to interject, and finally did with a point of order saying that Mr OKeefe had declared his interest as being a magistrate, but said the debate was dwelling on court proceedings adding I will not answer and will not allow officers to answer on court workings. I am not Judge Rinder. I am not getting involved in what happens in court. We really are getting off track.

Other councillors took this chance to suggest adjourning the meeting due to the worry over running out of time and interest in the points raised by Mr OKeefe, with the added benefit that officers and Cllr Bithell could go away and get the answers ready.

Both Cllr Bithell and the council officer pointed out they were unsure of specific questions raised by Mr OKeefe due to the quick fire method in that they were presented, with policies not before them also being quoted.

Cllr Bithell rejected claims that questions were unanswered. He said: We have attended and followed the topic request. We are going off track here. The officers are here to answer questions and I believe they have been answered. I will not be answering questions about court proceedings. We are following legislation to the letter.

Cllr Ronnie Prince called a point of order, noting that he believed Mr OKeefe did not get a chance to finish making his points or asking questions. The chairman responded that there would not be answers today to what had been raised due to time limits and the range of questions posed.

Cllr Blackwell referred to the points made as allegations and suggested another meeting to scrutinise those points raised specifically to get some peace of mind ourselves.

The committee and Cllr Bithell found common ground in looking to invite the chair of the audit committee Mr OKeefe to write down his questions for future consideration, with the committee then deciding to invite a future report before them to hopefully answer the concerns raised.

That action was formed into a recommendation that also included a request to review the independent appeal procedure, and issues raised in the Panorama investigation, all of which will be brought back before the Committee at a future date.

Top pic: We had a look at the pilot Kingdom contract earlier this year.
Eyesore properties could be demolished in weeks to make way for social housing

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Dec 14th, 2017

Three eyesore and abandoned properties in the middle of a Wrexham village could be demolished within weeks to make way for social housing.

The three derelict properties on the site of the old Victoria Garage in Ruabon will be replaced with new homes for local people after a long-running campaign.

The properties have stood vacant since 2004 when a developer started work on three homes on the site. However it was never completed, and the half-finished houses have sat empty ever since.

In September 2017 Wrexham.com reported that after a long running campaign progress with the site had been made, with the trio of properties set to be converted into social housing for the area.

Wales & West Housing (WWH) acquired the land earlier this year and the planned redevelopment is now all systems go thanks to funding of over 500,000 from the Welsh Labour Government.

The news has been welcomed by Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, who said: Wales & West is aiming to submit plans to redevelop the site by the end of the year. It has been an eyesore for years, so Im delighted were now nearing a positive conclusion which will benefit local people.

Ruabon councillor Dana Davies said: A previous developer started but never finished building the homes on this key site and because of legal complications around its ownership the area has effectively been abandoned for more than a decade.

Weve fought for a long time to get something done, so Im thrilled were almost there at last.

The site on the corner of High Street and Maes y Llan Lane has seen increased security over recent weeks and the building of the three new properties should begin before April.

Mr Skates said funding of 583,000 from the Welsh Labour Government, around 58% of the entire estimated project cost, was allocated for the current financial year, meaning work will need to be under way by the end of March at the latest.

WWH deputy chief executive Shayne Hembrow said: We aim to demolish the building in the New Year and start redevelopment by the end of March, subject to planning permission being granted by Wrexham Council.

He added: This site has been empty and an eyesore to local people for too long. We are looking forward to bringing it back into use with much-needed, quality affordable homes for local people.

Work to secure the site and make it safe has been carried out in the interim by Wrexham Council, but due to the complications around ownership and development, the local authority say that the buildings could not be knocked down or outright redeveloped.

The buildings were acquired by the Crown Estate, who in turn sold them to Wales & West Housing.

WWH deputy chief executive Shayne Hembrow said: We aim to demolish the building in the New Year and start redevelopment by the end of March, subject to planning permission being granted by Wrexham Council.

This site has been empty and an eyesore for too long. We are looking forward to bringing it back into use with much-needed, quality affordable homes for local people.
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more details)

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad/The Hague, Dec 13 (PTI) Pakistan today rejected Indias plea for consular access to death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav at the ICJ, claiming that New Delhi wants the access to get the information gathered by its "spy".

In its counter-memorial submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pakistan said the provision of such an access under the Vienna Convention is only for legitimate visitors and not for spies, the Express Tribune reported.

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Pakistan said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on Indias appeal pending the final verdict by it.

Citing its sources, the paper said Pakistan has stated that "the Indians have not denied that Jadhav was travelling on a passport with an assumed Muslim name."

"Lack of explanation on how a serving naval commander was operating under secondment to Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was travelling under an assumed name leads to only one conclusion that India wanted consular access to the information he had gathered," said the counter memorial submitted by Pakistan, according to the paper.

The reply encompasses the charge-sheet against Jadhav and narrates Pakistans stance in a comprehensive manner.

Sources said it took several weeks to prepare the response which was approved by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi last week in a special meeting.

Official sources said that the reply was jointly prepared by the attorney general, legal team in the case, and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitted in ICJ at The Hague by the Foreign Offices Director India, Fariha Bugti.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

"Only a state which adheres to legitimate actions can request the court to intervene in a matter between two states," Pakistan has stated in the ICJ.

Citing its sources, the paper said Pakistan will argue that sending Jadhav for espionage, funding terrorist activities are some of the reasons that dis-entitle India from invoking the jurisdiction of the ICJ.

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The international court will now decide whether to take the case forward for hearing or ask both India and Pakistan to submit more documents.

Talking to Geo News earlier, Pakistan Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali had said he thinks the case would be taken up for hearing around April-May.

Last week, Pakistan granted permission to the mother and wife of Jadhav to meet him on December 25.

A diplomat from the Indian high commission in Islamabad would be allowed to accompany the visitors. PTI ZH/SH AKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
Final figures from the US Senate election in Alabama Tuesday show the victory of Democrat Doug Jones was due in large measure to a collapse in support for the policies of the Trump administration in a state where Trump won the 2016 election by a landslide.

Exit polls showed voters split 48-48 in approval or disapproval of the Trump administration, while Trump carried the state a year ago by a margin of 62 to 35 percent.

Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore won 650,436 votes, less than half the 1.32 million votes cast for Trump in 2016. Meanwhile Democrat Doug Jones won 671,151 votes, or 92 percent of the 730,000 votes cast for Hillary Clinton the year before.

Jones swept the four largest urban areas in the stateBirmingham, Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsvillerunning up a combined margin of nearly 150,000 votes, seven times more than his eventual statewide margin. In 2016, Trump had a narrow lead of 3,000 votes over Clinton in the four most populous counties.

Even more pronounced was the swing in upscale suburban areas outside of Birmingham and Mobile. Shelby County and Baldwin County combined to give Trump a margin of 100,000 votes, while Moores lead there was only 25,000. Democratic Senate candidate Doug Jones actually received 8,000 more votes than Hillary Clinton in the two counties, while Moore won only half of Trumps vote.

The four main cities and their suburbs accounted for the bulk of write-in votes, which came to 22,000, five times the usual number, and slightly more than the margin of victory for Jones. Richard Shelby, the senior Republican Senator from Alabama, used a national television appearance Sunday, two days before the election, to announce he would cast a write-in for another Republican rather than vote for Moore.

The barrage of media propaganda about Moores alleged sexual transgressions did not succeed in shifting many voters from the Republican Party to the Democrats, but it did encourage many Republican voters to stay home.

In key areas, this resulted in a complete reversal of the outcome compared to 2016. In Madison County, for example, which includes Huntsville, the main city in northern Alabama, Jones received 65,664 votes, slightly more than Hillary Clintons 62,435 last year. The Republican vote plunged, from 89,199 for Trump to only 46,313 for Moore.

Both exit polls and county-by-county totals indicated that African-American voters went to the polls in far greater numbers than expected, and in some areas in greater numbers than in the 2012 presidential election when Barack Obama was on the ballot.

Exit polls found that black voters made up 28 percent of the total, more than their 26 percent share of the population. While the statewide voter turnout was only 40.46 percent, turnout in some predominately black counties was well over 50 percent, while in some of the poorest predominately white counties turnout fell to as low as 29 percent.

Jones won 96 percent of the African-American vote, a higher percentage than Obama in either 2008 or 2012. He also led by wide margins among young people, include 22 points among those 18-30, as well as among those 30-44. Moore posted his highest margin among the elderly, with 59 percent of those aged 65 or older.

The youth vote was evident in the results from Tuscaloosa County, where the University of Alabama is located. Trump won the county by 16,000 votes, but Moore lost it by nearly 9,000 votes, receiving less than half as many votes as Trump, while Jones nearly matched the showing of Hillary Clinton.

In the stronghold of Republican candidates in past elections, the rural and semi-rural counties across the northern half of the state, Moore won by large percentages but with severely depressed voter turnout. For example, in his home county of Etowah, which includes the city of Gadsden, Moore won 15,693 votes, less than half the 32,132 for Trump in 2016. By contrast, Jones received 10,518 votes, more than Clintons 10,350 a year ago. The result is that Trumps margin of victory in the county, 21,782, was more than four times as large as Moores 5,175.
Three militants, including one top leader, have been arrested from Dhaka's Mohakhali area, said Bangladesh police. Abdus Samad, the top militant leader, arrested is one of the founders of the newly declared Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Three militants, including one top leader, have been arrested from Dhaka's Mohakhali area, said Bangladesh police.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said that members of the Counter Terrorism Unit of the police arrested them during raids in the Mohakhali area on Wednesday night. One firearm and five rounds of bullets and 200 detonators were recovered from them.

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The top militant leader, Abdus Samad, arrested is one of the founders of the newly declared Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

"Abdus Samad alias Mamur, joined JMB in 2010. He has acquired education from Dowra Hadis, Alia Madrasa and from Quami Madrasa. He was proficient at Arabic language", said Monirul Islam, head of Counter Terrorism Unit, during a press conference.

After organising the neo-JMB, Abdus Samad trained new joinees in various training camps. In fact, the new JMB also helped others with arms and explosives.

Monirul Islam also said that "Samad alias Mamu has acted as a bridge to introduce Tamim to the top militant leaders. Before the Holy Artisan attack in Gulshan, he was again involved in recruiting members in North Bengal. For this, Samad came to Dhaka initially, but later went to different districts of north Bengal".

According to the head of Counter Terrorism Unit, the neo JMB does not have the power or ability to launch new attacks. Almost all of those who worked as explosive experts have been arrested or killed in various missions. But the leaders of the organisation are still underground and are still trying to expand.

About the other two militants arrested, Monirul Islam said, Ziyadul and Azizul's house is in Chapai Nawabganj district. Ziyadul Samad's father-in-law used to helped Mamur to keep weapons and explosives and Azizul left the house two years ago in the name of jihad.

--- ENDS ---
President Donald Trump announced at a White House event Wednesday afternoon that a deal had been reached between Republicans in the Senate and the House of Representatives on a $1.5 trillion tax cut bill by next week. The bill will transfer hundreds of billions of dollars into the pockets of the rich and large corporations.

Trump promised that he would sign the bill by Christmas and that some provisions contained in it will go into effect as soon as February. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have already made clear that they will use the resulting deficits to justify far-reaching attacks on social programs, including Medicare and Social Security.

The deal comes after less than two weeks of backroom negotiations between leading Republican members of the House and Senate to reconcile differences between the bills passed in the two chambers of Congress.

Trumps announcement also comes a day after Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore in the special election called to fill the Alabama Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Republicans will be left with a razor-thin one-vote majority in the Senate when Jones takes his seat in January.

At a press conference Wednesday morning, Democratic Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi responded to the announced deal by putting forward the entirely impotent demand that the Republicans hit pause on a vote until Jones takes his seat. There is no rule in the Senate that mandates any such action by the Republicans.

While Democratic Senators postured as opponents, their pro forma response makes clear that they will do nothing to stop the tax cuts from going through. Much of the bill, particularly slashing the corporate tax rate, was a goal of Democrats under Obama.

The reported agreement in principle, details of which were leaked to the New York Times by a senior Republican congressional aide, is a boondoggle for the financial and corporate elite. It includes the slashing of the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and the elimination of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for corporations. The cut in the corporate tax rate will go into effect next year, rather than in 2019 as outlined in the Senate bill.

The alternative minimum tax, which was adopted in the 1970s to prevent the wealthy from avoiding taxes through itemized deductions and other loopholes, will be retained for individuals but will apply to a smaller pool of the rich.

The top individual income tax rate will be slashed from a current rate of 39.6 percent to 37 percent, though in a shift from both the House and Senate bills it will apply to an as yet unspecified income level below $1 million.

In another compromise, the conference bill will still place a $10,000 cap on the deduction of state and local taxes, but it will allow for the deduction to be split between property taxes and either income taxes or sales tax paid. The House and Senate bills had eliminated the deduction for state and local income taxes.

As part of the Republicans crude effort to hoodwink the American people about the true character of the bill, during his speech Wednesday Trump trotted out a handful of middle-class families who will see their tax bills reduced by a few hundred dollars.

That the real beneficiaries will be the countrys billionaires and multi-millionaires, including Trump and his children, is abundantly clear to most Americans, who oppose the tax cuts.

A Quinnipiac poll carried out last week found significant opposition among every demographic to the tax cuts except for those who identified as Republicans.

A majority of Americans, 53 percent, disapprove of the Republican tax plan. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) think that the tax plan will benefit the wealthy the most, while a similar share of the population (61 percent) believe that the tax cuts favor the rich at the expense of the middle class. An overwhelming 73 percent of the population expect that the Republican plan will either raise their taxes or will not have much impact.
The Grenfell Tower fire exposed the realities of class oppression and social inequality in the most brutal way. For many, it has forced a growing recognition that the roots of that inequality are to be found in the capitalist system.

A new, short, three-part documentary, Failed by the State: The Struggle in the Shadow of Grenfell, shows that growing realisation. It deserves to be watched and shared widely.

The three parts are available on YouTube, view parts One, Two and Three.

The film presents many strong and principled statements from residents and local workers, as well as comments from the council and various political figures. Its essential strength is in its attempt to understand the social murder at Grenfell Tower in terms of the devastation being wrought by global capitalism.

The film includes a clip of Prime Minister Theresa May, as part of a damage-limitation exercise, describing what took place at Grenfell as a failure of the state. The reasons for this failure, rooted in the enormous growth of social inequality, are detailed by the film.

Failed by the State was co-written for Redfish, a Berlin-based independent journalists organisation, by Daniel Renwick and presenter Ish.

Ish was born in Grenfell Tower and lived there for 25 years. As he narrates in the films opening scenes, he couldnt sleep after seeing the heart of my estate burn  That night will follow me and my peoples for the rest of our lives.

The most powerful aspect of Failed by the State is that it demonstrates how consciousness has been radically altered in the space of weeks and months.

Grenfell changed everything, says Ish. We talk politics now and how we can take power. Because we learnt that we have to look after ourselves.

The reality for us? The battles wont stop, he continues.

The film is marked by a genuine search for answers as to the wider causes of the Grenfell Tower fire. Pointing to the fact that eight individuals own as much wealth as the poorest half of the worlds population, the film notes, Our local fight is against global enemies and structures.

Musician Lowkey movingly describes the victims as vindicated in death, but still not heard.

The film refuses to use footage of the fire because we never want to see that again. The pre-credit sequence to Part 1 opens with the crucial role played in the fire by the use of flammable cladding on the tower. It notes the proposed restrictions on the use of such cladding and also the paltry amount a fire-retardant replacement would have cost the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC): Instead they opted for needless austerity and it killed.

This is the starting point for the filmmakers reflections, not their conclusion. Grenfell burned for local and global reasons. Theres a bigger picture that I learn more about each day, Ish says.

Global capital has no regard for people like me. This is the same the world over from Berlin to Rio, Madrid to New York.

Another local resident, Naf, explains, Im working class. Ive never felt such a difference betweenwhen I say us and them, Im talking class. I dont mean racial.

The comments are striking and point to how the Grenfell tragedy has brought the issues of class division to the fore.

Some interviews are more revealing than others. The net is cast wide and includes not only local Labour MP Emma Dent Coad, but also Ian Bone, a political dilettante and founder of the anarchist group, Class War, who now seems to be advocating a type of municipal socialism for North Kensington.

Dent Coad was elected at the 2017 snap election in a previously solid Tory seat, as part of a general shift to the left within the working class. She speaks of the anger of many of her constituents at growing social inequality, and of the managed decline of social housing as a product of warfare against people with low incomes.

She cannot honestly address how Labour councils are as complicit as the Tories in social cleansing, as demonstrated in the London borough of Haringey, where Labour is pushing through a 2 billion privatisation programme involving the demolition of seven council estates.

Ish states, Many of us now see a warfare by the rich in collusion with their mates in local government. Of the role of RBKC, he declares, They didnt represent us, they lied, they cut, they deregulated and it killed.

Many of the interviewees discuss the question of gentrification in one of the most socially polarised areas in the country. Deepening inequality is forcing the poorest out of the area, and there is a growing feeling that the continued presence of the poor in social housing is seen as an obstacle to what Lowkey describes as a property goldmine.

Ish speaks of the relentless property development projects throughout the city. The deadly consequences we suffered make the cranes loom on the horizon in different, more threatening ways now.

The film cites the involvement of local Conservative politicians in various property and redevelopment companies and projects, enriching themselves while the local working class is stripped of all resources.

Ed Daffarn, a Grenfell Tower resident, who was a member of the Grenfell Action Group and long-time critic of RBKCs erosion of basic safety standards, points to the destruction of local social provisions. The council should have been keeping us safe, he tells Ish, but they were busy plundering assets, including the areas 125-year-old library building.

The film captures the developing mood that justice cannot and will not be served by the very people whose policies laid the basis for the fire.

Barry Quirk, who stepped in as RBKC Chief Executive after the fire, denies outright that there is any social cleansing at work. Ishs disdain for the claim is all too clear. Quirk was for many years Chief Executive at Lewisham Council in south London, which is embroiled in gentrification and regeneration scandals.

Ish declares that the state, the government and local council failed us. In the aftermath of the fire it continued to fail us. Quirk expresses his concern, while claiming he had heard from council staff they had been doing things and maybe people werent aware of them.

One resident comments that the streets are quieter now, but he is not talking about passivity. He is describing both a recognition of and an attempt to overcome the divide and rule tactics employed against young people.

The voices from local residents demonstrate a growing recognition that any response to Grenfell must be directed towards a reorganisation of society in the interests of the working class, rather than the profits of a handful of corporate robbers. Not just to pick up where the council fails, as Ish states.
On June 14, fire engulfed the entire 24-storey structure of Grenfell Tower in London. Millions were horrified by terrible scenes, broadcast throughout the world, showing how a small fire in a fourth floor flat spread up the side of the building within minutes to become a raging inferno. It claimed at least 71 lives and left hundreds more grieving for their loved ones.

The Socialist Equality Party offers its condolences to the living victims of Grenfell on this painful occasion, marking six months since that fateful day.

Grenfell has come to symbolise everything that is rotten in a social order, dominated by the selfish concerns of a corrupt financial oligarchy and characterised by studied indifference towards the fate of the broad mass of working people. The entirely avoidable loss of life epitomises the devastation capitalism has wrought, not just in Britain but throughout the world, due to a systematic and historically unprecedented transfer of social wealth from the working class to the super-rich.

In the days following the blaze, public shock turned to anger as it became clear that in the wealthiest borough of one of the very richest of capital cities, working class residents had burned to death because their home had been turned into a death trap.

The fire spread so rapidly because Conservative-run Kensington and Chelsea borough council and its arms-length management company, the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) had encased the tower in cheap, highly flammable cladding panels. This was part of a cosmetic refurbishment programme to conceal the decades-long lack of investment in the towers maintenance, while making it look more attractive to the wealthier residents of North Kensington anxious to safeguard house prices running to multiple millions of pounds.

Flammable cladding was chosen over non-combustible alternatives to save a few thousand pounds. The same contempt for the basic safety of residents meant that sprinklers were not fitted in the tower, so that many of those seeking to flee down a single exit stairwell were overcome by the toxic smokeincluding vast quantities of hydrogen cyanide emitted by the cladding.

Sealing the fate of those who died in the flames, fire engines faced restricted access to the blaze due to ill-considered but financially lucrative construction work on the former car park. In addition, savage cuts in the capitals fire brigade by former London mayor, now foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, severely hampered the fire-fighting operation.

The powers-that-be cannot claim ignorance. Tenants had repeatedly warned the building was unsafe. One blog post from the Grenfell Action Group, just seven months before the fire, warned that only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord, the KCTMO, and bring an end to the dangerous living conditions and neglect of health and safety legislation that they inflict upon their tenants and leaseholders.

Sadly, the group was proven correct. But the neglect and contempt for working class residents did not end with the fire. In the hours and days subsequently, the bereaved survivors and their families received no help from the council or government. No emergency programme was activated, so that local residents took it upon themselves to assist the victims. And despite the flood of crocodile tears, statements of contrition and all the many promises made by the authorities, the treatment of Grenfells victims has been cruel to the point of sadism.

Six months on, the councilwhich at the time of the fire had reserves approaching 300 millionhas done precious little to rehouse the victims. Out of the 208 Grenfell households that needed homes, 118 are still in hotels and bed-and-breakfasts or living with friendsincluding 29 families with children. In addition, 48 households have accepted permanent housing offers but have not yet moved inmaking a total of 166. Including residents forced to leave blocks adjacent to the tower, a staggering 857 people303 childrenwill be spending Christmas in temporary accommodation.

Despite the terrible crime committed, not a single person or organisation has been brought to justice for what took place. The day after the fire, Londons Metropolitan Police opened a criminal investigation, yet even now not a single person has been questioned, let alone arrested or charged. A statement issued this week by the Met to a procedural hearing of the official government inquiry said there was no prospect of any suspect being questioned until the autumn of next year, citing the excuse of an ongoing forensic examination of the building.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick has now told the London Assembly that the forensic stage of the criminal investigation is unlikely to be completed until 2019 and the full investigation could take years.

Both the police investigation and the inquiry convened by Prime Minister Theresa May are part of a state orchestrated cover-up.

The inquirys presiding judge, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, has no powers to prosecute anyone, but has absolute control over what questions can even be raised by legal representatives of survivors and other interested parties. The terms of the inquiry rule out a priori any evaluation of issues of a social, economic and political nature. A petition by survivors and their families that Moore-Bick accept a representative panel and not be allowed to vet questions has gathered over 16,000 signatures. As with the police investigation, the inquiry is not set to hand over even its interim findings, on how the fire started and spread, until next autumn.

Such is the level of public scepticism over the official inquiry that this week the UKs watchdog on human rights, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced that it would launch its own into why more than 70 people perished in homes managed by the State. The EHRCs application to be a core participant in Moore-Bicks inquiry was rejected.

Writing in the immediate aftermath of the fire, the World Socialist Web Site editorialised:

There are events in world history that lead to a fundamental change in consciousness and create the basis for developing a socialist political orientation among broad masses of workers. The June 14 Grenfell Tower inferno is such an event.

In years to come it will be necessary to refer to the political life of Britain in terms of before and after Grenfell

Millions understand that Grenfell was not an accident, but a crime. It was the entirely predictable result of four decades of deregulation by successive Conservative and Labour governments and their local representatives, all of whom are culpable in mass murder.

The SEP described Grenfell as an act of social murder because the authorities placed residents in a situation where the potentially terrible consequences of policy decisions were well understood.

In August, the SEP held a public meeting in north Kensington, where over 100 people attended. The meeting demanded that the guilty in both political and business circles must be arrested, charged and put on trial, and urged survivors, local residents and workers everywhere to place no confidence in Mays rotten whitewash of an inquiry, or in Labours attempt to make it more palatable

The SEP determined to establish a forum that would work to expose the governments fraudulent inquiry into Grenfell. The Grenfell Fire Forum met for the first time on September 30.

Everything done towards genuinely seeking justice for Grenfell has been accomplished through the independent actions of local residents and their supporters. The forum provides a political mechanism through which the working class can mount a socialist and internationalist counteroffensive, against all efforts to bury popular anger under a mountain of hypocritical moralising about national unity and lessons learned and the channelling of the struggle for justice through Moore Bicks dead-end inquiry.

For further details visit the Grenfell Fire Forum page on Facebook: facebook.com/GrenfellForum
The second and final phase of state assembly elections in the western Indian state of Gujarat is being held today, with votes from both phases to be counted Monday, Dec. 18.

With a population of 64 million, Gujarat is Indias ninth largest state. Nevertheless, the elections are being touted by the corporate media and the political parties themselves as a crucial test for both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose BJP has formed Gujarats state government for the past 19 years including 13 years during which Modi was himself Gujarat chief minister, and for the Congress Party, which has suffered a series of election debacles since falling from office in the 2014 national election.

Modi has personally led the BJP campaign, appearing at election rallies in every one of the states 32 districts. The Congress campaign, meanwhile, has been fronted by Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty. Earlier this month Rahul Gandhi became Congress Party president, succeeding his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who had held the post since 1998.

At the campaigns outset, the BJP boasted of winning 150 of Gujarats 182 state assembly seats. But opinion polls show a dramatic narrowing of the gap between the BJP and Congress, with one poll from the beginning of December showing the two parties tied in the state that has served as Modis political bastion, each with 43 percent support.

Predictably, Modi and his Hindu supremacist BJP have responded to the tightening of the electoral race by resorting to shrill communalist appeals. Last weekend Modi accused the Congress leadership of colluding with Pakistan to unseat the BJP in Gujarat, after several Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held a routine meeting with Pakistans high commissioner or ambassador to India.

The Congress is benefiting from popular dismay and anger over unemployment and under-employment and the hardship and economic dislocation caused by two of the Modi governments premier policiesthe November 2016 demonetisation of most of the countrys money supply and last summers introduction of a regressive, national Goods and Services Tax.

But the Congress, which over the past quarter-century has spearheaded both the drive to make India a cheap-labour haven for world capitalism and a junior partner of US imperialism, is incapable and unwilling of making anything but the most muted appeals to social discontent.

Instead it has mounted a foul campaign, in which it has competed with the BJP to prove its Hindu bonafides and is making reactionary casteist appeals.

Throughout the campaign, the Congress has conspicuously ignored the plight of the states Muslim minority, who have been ghettoized since a 2002 anti-Muslim pogrom, in which 2,000 people died and tens of thousands were made homeless. Modi, as Gujarats chief minister, played a key role in instigating the 2002 events. He labelled Muslims as responsible for a train fire in which Hindu fundamentalist activists died, then effectively ordered police to stand down as violence erupted across the state.

Congress head Rahul Gandhi has visited Hindu temples and shrines as part of his electioneering, reportedly at the urging of party elders who argue that the BJP has successfully cornered the Congress into defending an idealistic secularism. Gandhis itinerary included a high-profile visit to the Somnath Temple, whose reconstruction in the immediate aftermath of the 1947 communal partition of South Asia into an expressly Muslim Pakistan and a predominantly Hindu Indian, had been opposed by Gandhis great-grandfather, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, as a political project of the Hindu communalist right.

Congress has also forged electoral alliances with three Gujarat caste-based leaders, principally by promising to champion their demands for enforcing and expanding reservations, Indias caste-based affirmative action policies. Under reservation some university places and government jobs are set aside or reserved for Dalits (the former untouchables) and other groups traditionally discriminated against as low-caste.

The most important of these alliances is with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), led by 24-year-old Hardik Patel. The PAAS erupted onto the scene in the summer of 2015 when it mobilized hundreds of thousands of youth in Ahmedabad and other major Gujarat cities to demand that reservations be extended to members of the Patel caste community, or Patidars.

The PAAS protests shook the BJP governments in Gujarat and New Delhi, which have held up the Gujarat development-model of deregulation, low corporate taxation and brutal suppression of worker unrest as an example for the entire country. They responded with violence and repression, with the Modi government ultimately deploying military units to the state. In suppressing the PAAS agitation, police killed 14 people and savagely beat demonstrators, including women and children. Hardik Patel was arrested and held in jail for nine months on sedition charges. Subsequently, the BJP state government issued an ordinance setting aside 10 percent of government jobs and university places for economically disadvantaged members of the high castes, but it was struck down in the courts, because it would have raised the total of reserved places beyond 50 percent.

Various purported leftists have decried the PAAS agitation as a revolt of the privileged, pointing to the fact that there have long been wealthy and politically prominent Patels. In fact, the vast majority of Patidars, like Indians as a whole, are either poor or struggling to make a living. That said, the demand for reservations is a reactionary blind alley, which only serves to split the working class and divert opposition to the social crisis produced by capitalism into a fratricidal struggle to equitably ration out misery on caste lines.

Hardik Patel is himself a hardened casteist and right-winger. Before agreeing to support the Congress in exchange for a pledge to enact a Patidar-specific reservation, Hardik Patel flirted with the Shiv Sena, a fascist, Hindu supremacist party that is a partner in Indias ruling, BJP-led NDA coalition.

The Congress has also struck election deals with Alpesh Thakor, the self-appointed head of the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena, and Jignesh Mevani, a lawyer who in 2016 led protests against Hindu cow-vigilante attacks on Dalits, although they have previously expressed vehement opposition to any reservation quota for Patidars. This is particularly true of Thakor, whose father was once a close friend of Modi.

The Stalinist Communist Party of India (Marxist) of CPM is only contesting a handful of seats in Gujarat. While the CPM is ostensibly committed to opposing both the neo-liberal Congress and the authoritarian Hindu communalist BJP, the partys Gujarat state unit has signaled its support for a Congress victory, including by declining to stand candidates in two working-class constituencies where it has traditionally had high levels of support.
Media pundits and Democratic Party leaders are hailing the outcome of the special election in Alabama to fill a seat in the US Senatewith Democrat Doug Jones narrowly defeating the ultra-right Republican Roy Mooreas a political miracle.

Thank you, Alabama, gushed the Washington Post, for choosing to spare the nation the indignity of seating an accused child molester in the U.S. Senate. The editorial concluded: Thanks to Alabama, Americans can wake up Wednesday morning feeling hopeful about the decency and dignity of their democracy.

The New York Times sounded the same theme, headlining its editorial, Roy Moore Loses, Sanity Reigns, and hailing a triumph for decency and common sense in a state that seemed for a time at risk of abandoning both Referring to the right-wing Democrat who defeated Moore, the Times declared that Alabamians had been correct in choosing a candidate whose record was cause for pride, not shame, one who spent his career battling bigotry, not exploiting it.

The spreading of editorial rose petals over the Alabama result should fool no one. A right-wing Democrat, operating with a nearly 10-1 financial advantage, has eked out a victory over a fascistic candidate, not by confronting and opposing Moores ultra-right pronouncements, let alone offering an alternative to defend working people. Instead, Jones owes his razor-thin margin to the unleashing over the past month of a barrage of allegations of sexual misconduct by Moore.

Following the defeat of Moore, the Democrats are doubling down on their strategy of opposing Trump based on anti-Russia hysteria and allegations of sexual misconduct, aimed primarily at mobilizing sections of the upper middle class. They are seeking to divert and suppress working class opposition to the Trump administration behind a politics that is compatible with the aims of the financial aristocracy and the military-intelligence apparatus.

Allegations of sexual misconduct by Moore were first reported by the Washington Post on November 9, with a feature-length report on Moores approaches to a series of teenaged girls while he was a county prosecutor in his early 30s. This became the principal subject of the television advertising by the Jones campaign. In order to pursue this campaign against Moore more aggressively, the Democratic Party pushed out two major congressional figures of its own, Congressman John Conyers and Senator Al Franken, who were forced to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct during the final weeks of the Alabama election campaign.

While devoting endless attention to Moores alleged sexual misconduct, the Democratic campaign in Alabama made almost no reference to Moores ultra-right political views: his support for criminalizing homosexuality, his declaration that Muslims should be barred from Congress and other elective office, his support for sending the Army to attack immigrants on the US-Mexico border, his advocacy for what amounts to a theocracy, elevating the Bible above the US Constitution.

Even Moores comments during the final week of the campaignpainting a rosy picture of life in the slave South, the last time in American history, according to this bigot and ignoramus, when family values were honoreddrew relatively little fire, although they undoubtedly gave an impetus to the turnout by African-American voters across the state.

In the wake of the Alabama result, both the national Democratic Party and its media allies are taking a victory lap, while declaring the results to be a vindication of the #MeToo campaign of allegations of sexual misconduct, frequently unsupported or disputed.

The Post claimed, in a news analysis, that the defeat of Roy Moore marked a watershed moment for the national movement around the issue of sexual abuse, and forecast that it would encourage a slew of female candidates running in 2018.

The next stage is the targeting of Trump, not for his tax cut for the multi-millionaires, planned budget cuts in vital social programs, attacks on the rights of immigrants and minorities, or militaristic threats of nuclear war against North Korea, but for alleged offenses against more than a dozen women before he entered the White House.

The Democrats have legitimized the type of sexual witch-hunting that was deployed in the ultra-right effort to impeach President Bill Clinton in 1998-99. The Republicans will not be at all reluctant to respond in kind. All indications are that the 2018 election year will be dominated by mutual mudslinging so filthy that it will make the attack ads of previous years appear positively enlightened.

The tenor was set in testimony by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Wednesday, which was focused largely on the investigation of Robert Mueller into charges of Russian interference in the 2016 elections, but also included a lurid and detailed description by Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez, doing his best imitation of Kenneth Starr, of the charges of sexual misconduct raised against Trump during the election campaign.

Playing the role of political handmaidens for the Democratic Party will be pseudo-left groups like the International Socialist Organization. The ISOs online publication Socialist Worker moved with unusual speed to comment on the Alabama special election, hailing the victory by a right-wing Democrat, while declaring that the big winner in this election is the women of #MeToowho broke the silence about sexual harassment and assault committed by powerful men.

The ISO is an entirely uncritical cheerleader for the #MeToo campaign, which disregards all considerations of democratic rights and due process with its insistence that allegations must be believed, without investigation or critical appraisal of the evidence.

The commentary concludes: This election was about far more than [sic] vote in Alabama for a Senate seat. It was a test of support for Republican monsters like Moore, their bigoted policies and the presidency of Donald Trump.

Socialist Worker employs no such political invective for a Democrat like Barack Obama, who oversaw the largest transfer of wealth in history from working people to the rich, while escalating the wars initiated under George W. Bush and launching his own, in Libya, Syria, Yemen and via drone warfare in a dozen countries. That is because the ISO operates as a political arm of the Democratic Party, using left rhetoric to oppose any movement by the working class to break out of the straitjacket of the corporate-controlled two-party system.

The first year of the Trump administration has seen mass opposition from working people to its ultra-right agenda, expressed in demonstrations, opinion polls, and the initial stirrings of mass social struggles. But this shift to the left in the working class can find no expression in the US political system, dominated by two parties that are both instruments of the corporate elite.

The Trump administration is deeply unpopular, the Republican Congress even more so. There has been a significant shift to the left in public opinion. But within the framework of capitalist politics, mass hostility to Trump has led to the election of right-wing Democrats: in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections last month, the victory of a former Goldman Sachs banker and a conservative lieutenant governor who voted twice for George W. Bush; and now in the Alabama Senate race, the victory of Doug Jones, who ran as a law-and-order candidate and pledges to work with right-wing Republican Senator Richard Shelby and seek common ground with the Trump White House.

The last week of the Alabama election campaign coincided with the visit to that state by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, who went to rural areas of the state where conditions are so abominable, in terms of water and sewage infrastructure, primitive housing, and poverty, that he said he had never seen as bad in any industrialized country.

These conditions are the joint responsibility of the two right-wing parties that hold all political offices in the United States and control local, state and national government. Living standards and social conditions continue to deteriorate under Democrats and Republicans alike. The working class must draw the necessary political conclusions, and take the road of independent political struggle against the capitalist system, building a new mass political party based on a socialist program.
At 4:00 in the morning on Monday, December 4, Judge Richard Concepcion issued warrants for the arrest of five of Perus most powerful business executives: Jose Grana Miro Quesada (former board chairman of Grana y MonteroGyM), Hernando Grana Acuna (former director of GyM), Gonzalo Ferraro (former CEO of GyM), Fernando Camet (president of JJ Camet) and Fernando Castillo (managing director of ICCGSA).

The businessmen are all charged in connection with the massive bribery scandals involving the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. These scandals, which were first exposed in Brazils Lava Jato corruption probe surrounding that countrys state-run energy conglomerate Petrobras, have since implicated governments throughout Latin America.

The businessmen are accused of crimes of collusion and money laundering in connection with a $20 million bribe allegedly paid to Perus fugitive former president, Alejandro Toledo. GyM is charged with coming up with $15 million of the bribe money paid to secure lucrative highway projects.

Four of the five arrived at the court in handcuffs. Afterward, four of them were transferred to the maximum security prison in Piedras Gordas to serve 18-month sentences of preventive detention while prosecutors prepare their case. Ferraro was placed under house arrest because of his health. If convicted, they could face sentences ranging as high as 11 years in prison.

Judge Concepcion based his decision on the statement of Jorge BarataOdebrechts man in Latin America, the minutes of the shareholders meeting of the consortiums that built the Interoceanic Highway, the distribution of profits for additional risks and the effective payments made by Odebrecht, reported the Peruvian daily La Republica.

The arrests represent a significant turn in the largest bribery investigation in the history of Latin America because the charges are directed against the most powerful families of the Peruvian bourgeoisie.

In Peru, the Odebrecht corruption scandal has intersected with the endemic national corruption stemming from the economic model adopted in April 1993 by President Alberto Fujimoritoday imprisoned for crimes against humanitywhen he executed a coup detat, dissolving Congress and rewriting the constitution to favor private investment, both foreign and national. Neoliberal free market policies were imposed, based on selling off public enterprises to the capitalist class and transferring the exploitation of natural resources to transnational companies.

The Fujimori constitution also gave capitalist employers free rein to eliminate collective bargaining agreements with the trade unions, using third-party outsourcing instead in order to slash salaries and eliminate benefits such as medical insurance and vacations that workers are entitled to by law.

The Odebrecht scandal has played an increasing role in deepening Perus economic and political crisis, with everyone from the countrys president, the Wall Street-connected Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (PPK), to the right-wing Fujimorista opposition and sections of the so-called left under investigation.

The Peruvian economy, which is totally dependent on the exports of minerals to China and other countries, has been severely affected by the Odebrecht scandal.

It is estimated that 100,000 construction workers lost their jobs in 2017 as result of a ripple effect resulting from paralyzed projects involving Odebrecht and GyM, its main Peruvian partner.

There are another 40,000 workers familiesdirectly linked to Odebrechtin danger of losing their livelihoods. Furthermore, a new law passed by Congress limits pension contributions to 5 percent for companies implicated in corruption. This will have an adverse effect on the private pension fund (AFP) of the 26,000 GyM employees.

The Lava Jato Commission of the Peruvian Congress has ongoing investigations involving three former presidents, as well as the former Lima mayor, Susana Villaran, who was supported by the Peruvian pseudo-left.

Also implicated is Veronika Mendoza, the former presidential candidate of the bourgeois left Frente Amplio coalition. Mendoza, who began her career in the apparatus of the Nationalist Party of the now-jailed former president Ollanta Humala, is being investigated for having written a bank account number in the agenda of Humalas wife, Nadine, who, like her husband, is serving an 18-month sentence of preventive detention.

President Kuczynski has admitted to being an advisor on projects in which Odebrecht was involved. Three of these projects were negotiated when he was a minister in Toledos governmentthe Olmos 1 and 2 land irrigation projects to divert water to agribusiness, and the Interoceanic highway. In each case, other construction companies were eliminated from the bidding process, ensuring that Odebrecht was the only firm left.

In addition to the president being implicated in corruption and cover-up, leading to demands for his resignation, there have been demands for his US-born wife, Nancy Lange, to be brought before the Lava Jato Commission. According to the television news program Cuarto Poder: The first lady was a partner of the Latin American Enterprise Capital Corporation, founded by PPK and his partner, the Chilean magnate Gerardo Sepulveda. This company has the same address in Miami as First Capital, owned by Sepulveda, which between 2005 and 2006 advised Odebrecht projects in Peru.

In another development, Keiko Fujimori, the leader of the right-wing Fuerza Popular (FP) party that controls Congress, has protested government raids at two FP headquarters last Thursday. The raids were carried out as part of the investigation into Keiko Fujimori for money laundering that was launched after a note was found written by Marcelo Odebrecht, head of the Brazilian construction company bearing his name, saying raise Keiko to 500 and pay a visit. Under questioning by Peruvian prosecutors, Odebrecht confirmed that money was given to Keiko Fujimori and her 2011 campaign. Three laptops and several hard drives, along with other documents, were confiscated in the raids.
With last months publication in the opinion section of The Oregonian of an anti-homeless rant by Columbia Sportswear president and CEO Tim Boyle, an effort has begun to shift the response to city's the homeless crisis to a more open policy of criminalization.

Days after Boyle's op-ed was posted, Portland's Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler, who has been barred by multiple court decisions from using sit-lie laws which ban sitting or lying on sidewalks or in other public spaces, side stepped the issue by implementing an eight-block pedestrian use zone, restricting the use of sidewalks to pedestrians and mobility devices only.

The mayor's bureaucratic maneuver effectively accomplished the aim of sit-lie laws: excluding the homeless from an area. This fact was emphasized by Wheelers assigning implementation of the measure to the Portland Police Bureau rather than the Transportation Department. The eight-block zone manages to encompass Boyles Columbia Sportswear downtown flagship store.

While Wheeler has issued statements and tweets insisting that homelessness is not a crime and its irresponsible to conflate homelessness and crime. However, the duplicitous content of these progressive-sounding phrases was revealed by an article in the Guardian, which noted that Boyle wrote his op-ed at Wheeler's urging. [I]n Boyles telling, [Wheeler] is hoping to gain momentum to get more police on the streets. Wheelers office Tuesday demanded a correction of this statement by the Guardian, denying any such request to Boyle.

However, in an interview with Oregon Public Radio on December 6, Boyle asserted that Wheeler had asked his help in promoting the view that we need more police on the street in Portland. He went on to say that he volunteered to help him do that. Boyles op-ed piece makes clear his solution to homelessness is to criminalize the victims.

He wrote, Wheeler has put forward a proposal to the Portland City Council to add 80 police officers. Frankly, based on our employees experiences, we would suggest even more support for the Portland police, but Wheelers proposal is an important step and something that deserves prompt support.

Boyle, with a net worth of nearly $2 billion, was a significant donor to Wheelers election campaign. He took the opportunity provided by the intransigently right-wing Oregonian to, indeed, conflate homelessness with crime, at one point describing thefts from employees cars as our laptop donation program.

Since then, he has attempted to deny that his opinion piecein which he threatened to move his Sorel business out of the citywas anti-homeless. However, his reference to individuals camping in our doorway cannot be interpreted as anything but hostility to homeless people. Boyles specific and immediate call for deploying increased numbers of police against the homeless on Portlands streets contrasts sharply with the vague and completely vacuous liberal solution he offered in a follow-up article in the Oregonian. We cannot solve all problems, and we will likely never address all the needs related to homelessness, but as Oregonians we can make meaningful progress if our leaders (business, government, non-profits and others) have the will to do so, he wrote.

The latest point in time count of homelessnessconducted nationally every two yearsshows that Portlands homeless population has increased by 10 percent from the 2015 count. Notorious for carrying out the count in January, when most homeless seek whatever accommodations can be had in order to avoid freezing in the winter weather, the count nonetheless shows a shocking number of 4,177 homeless.

In the midst of skyrocketing housing costs, alongside stagnant and low-wage jobs, both Section 8 and Public Housing lists are shown as closed on the Home Forward web site. In cold bureaucratic language, it informs those unfortunate enough to be ill-housed or homeless that Home Forward (HF) is not accepting Public Housing waiting list applications at this time. This waiting list was last open for specific properties for three days in June 2016. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen. The same canned message was repeated for Section 8 housing.

The City Councils answer to homelessness is to implement market-based principlesnormally an approach associated with the Republican right. According to Portlands Homeless Challenge magazine, We cant just put people in housing, says Commissioner Saltzman. It wouldnt be sustainable. We have more of a balanced approach. The best solution, Saltzman believes, is getting real-estate developers to set aside units for low-income people. A balanced approach that harmonizes well with the lack of regulation over rent increases and evictions. Oregon law prohibits the imposition of rent controls.

A report by the Oregon Employment Department illustrates the growth of social polarization, alongside homelessness. The fastest growing sectors, over the last ten years in the Portland region, are low wage jobs ($21,000 for the average hospitality position) and the high wage jobs ($133,000 for the average high tech manufacturing position), growing at 18 percent and 13 percent respectively. The author, Christian Kaylor, added, Its a classic tale of economic divide. And that divide is growing.

According to Forbes, there is one other billionaire in Oregon in addition to Boyle, Phil Knight of Nike. His worth is $28.2 billion. The cost to fully resolve Portlands homeless crisis over the next 20 years is estimated at $500 million per year, or one third of the combined wealth of these two individuals. Meanwhile, the combined wealth of the three richest billionaires, Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) exceeds that of the bottom half of the US population.

Currently, the city is encouraging the homeless to find shelter as nighttime temperatures plummet to below freezing levels, in order to avoid the nation- and worldwide scandal that plagued Portland at the beginning of the year. In the first ten days of 2017, four homeless people and one newborn froze to death as the Democratic Party-dominated City Council failed to anticipate and make plans for the readily predictable disaster.
Nearly three months since Hurricane Maria made landfall on the island of Puerto Rico as a Category 5 storm, hundreds of thousands of workers and youth continue to live without the basic neccessities of modern life. Over a million of the islands estimated 3.4 million residents are still without electricity and running water. At least 700 schools remain closed with thousands of students either redirected to other schools or forced to stay home. Many of the rural areas in the center of the island have yet to be reached and many roads still lay in disrepair.

The storm has laid bare the horrific conditions under which the working class in Puerto Rico has been living for decades. Like working people on the mainland of the United States, the islands residents are subjected to dangerously poor infrastructure, lack of healthcare, unemployment, poverty, cuts to education and social services while the wealth of a handful of billionaires grows at a staggering rate. The situation for the working class in Puerto Rico is magnified by the islands commonwealth status and the legacy of colonial oppression by the US.

A reporting team from the World Socialist Web Site is currently traveling throughout the island to document the ongoing crisis, the lack of aid from the Trump administration and local authorities, and the corporate and government efforts to exploit the desperate situation to accelerate the looting of public assets.

At a volunteer-based free medical clinic in San Sebastian sponsored by Remote Area Medical, WSWS reporters spoke to those seeking medical care. Local residents explained that San Sebastian is reported to be one of the most well recovered parts of the island despite the fact that dozens are still living without electricity or running water. Many businesses remained closedsome permanentlyand there is not a single functioning traffic light. In addition to the boil water advisory for the entire island, other basic amenities such as Internet are difficult to find. Residents throughout the town can be seen working on their roofs, clearing debris, and repairing their homes. In some of the poorer neighborhoods, one can see dozens of bright blue tarps where roofs used to be.

Roberto Hernandez, a young person from the neighborhood who was helping at the clinic, told us that life on the island has been turned upside down since the storm. We have had to adapt to survive. People have no Internet, electricity, or water. You have to adjust yourself to 100 years back. For a lot of people, it's overwhelming. People really need electricity. People have breathing problems, for example, and need their respirators.

I've been asking myself, how long will it be until life returns to normal, and its hard to predict. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) says they might be in Puerto Rico for the next five or ten years.

Life is far from normal for the working class and poor residents of the island. One of the most striking features of the situation in Puerto Rico is the vast discrepancy between the official corporate and government reports and the reality facing the population.

First, the state recognized death toll remains at 64 despite reports by social scientists in Puerto Rico and mainland universities, along with Vox, the New York Times and other news outlets, which estimate that the death toll from the hurricane is more than 16 times greater. The Times analysis found that in the 42 days after Hurricane Maria made landfall on September 20, the number of fatalities was 1,052 more than the usual number that die in that timespan across the island.

Other contradictory claims have been made over the state of public schools. The Department of Education claimed that 98 percent of schools have reopened. However, popular protests have broken out at headquarters in San Juan and at schools across the island over remaining closures of at hundreds of the islands 1,100 public schools. The teachers union has accused the islands Education Secretary, Julia Keleher, of deliberately keeping schools closed, despite the fact that teachers and other volunteers have cleared them of debris and prepared buildings to reopen, because she wants to close 184 schools and turn the remaining facilities into for-profit charter operations.

The Electric Power Authority (AEE) is officially reporting that over 65 percent of areas have been energized though many residents and local news outlets are skeptical that this figure is accurate. Various local news outlets have speculated that by using the term energized (in Spanish tener energizacion) the AEE is able to make deceptive claims portraying the situation as far better than the reality.

Dr. Gloria Lopez from San Juan told the WSWS that the capital city is still one of the most devastated areas. In San Juan, most of us dont have water or electricity. I dont know why on the radio they keep saying 65 to 75 percent of people have water and electricity because we really dont. There is still uncollected debris right in front of my house. Dr. Lopez explained that at night one can see the areas with restored electricity and it is largely restricted to more upscale and tourist areas, including Old San Juan.

She continued, My neighbors and I used to be able to be able to retrieve water from a stream but now it is contaminated. We cant use our washing machines. They are now selling washboards in a modern country! In the evening, the noise from the generators is like an orchestra and in the morning there's a haze over the city from the fumes produced by the generators.

Even if the official figure concerning electricity is taken at face value, the fact that so many are still without power nearly three months since the storm made landfall is unprecedented for a territory of the most advanced country in the world.

The power grid in Puerto Rico is notorious for being dilapidated and unstable. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello, in an interview in October with Reuters just after the storm, explained that the emergency plan was as follows: There is no way to fix the nature of the grid. Authorities say some areas of the island may not have power until March 2018.

While power plants on the mainland are 18 years old on average and many use more efficient natural gas, the average power plant in Puerto Rico is 44 years old and more than half of the island is powered by oil. Adding to the repair and maintenance challenges is the fact that many downed power lines in remote areas are nearly impossible to access. Residents on the island pay somewhere between 80 and 100 percent more for electricity than the rest of the country.

The island power utility AEE is drowning in $9 billion of debt and filed bankruptcy just a few months before the storm. Since 2012, the workforce at AEE has been reduced by over 30 percent, eliminating essential linemen, maintenance workers and technicians, and making the grid even more vulnerable to storm damage.

For the ruling class, the devastation caused to the power grid from the Hurricane Maria is looked upon as a golden opportunity to privatize the public utility. While elements in the ruling class stand to make a fortune from the catastrophe by privatization efforts, wiping out of costly industries, and behind-the-scenes no-bid contracts, the actual cost of the repairswhich is being estimated at above $100 billionwill fall squarely on the backs of the working class and poor. Already there have been announcements that highway tolls will rise by as much as 30 percent starting in January, likely before the traffic lights are even turned back on.

Despite efforts by the government to obscure reality, the devastating effects of the storm will be felt for years, if not decades to come.
On Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court denied a request to hear the case of a female security guard, Jameka Evans, who alleges employment discrimination because of her homosexuality. The high courts refusal to hear the case leaves the ruling from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, against Evans, in place.

Plaintiff Jameka Evans worked as a security guard for Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah, where a supervisor refused to promote her and mistreated her for being a lesbian. Specifically, Evans was ridiculed for having a masculine appearance and mannerisms.

When she complained to the hospitals management, a senior Human Resources Manager asked Evans if she was a homosexual, an intrusive and irrelevant question. When the mistreatment escalated, Evans resigned and sued her former employer in 2015.

The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, the federal agency charged with enforcing the work-related provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, intervened in the case in support of Evans.

Eventually, a three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled two-to-one against Evans. In March 2017, the Eleventh Circuit declined to rehear Evans case en banc, that is, with all of the Circuits judges hearing and deciding the case.

The specific legal question at issue was whether the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion and national origin, also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. At present, the 11 United States Courts of Appeals have come to different answers on this question, with the Second and Seventh finding that the Act prohibits such discrimination, while the remaining Circuits do not.

The Second Circuit is reviewing a case en banc after a three judge panel found that the Act protects homosexuals. The Trump administrations Justice Department filed an amicus brief opposing this view.

In the normal course of Supreme Court procedure, such an instance of conflicting opinions among the appellate courts would invite the highest court in the nation to step in and resolve the issue, making clear the meaning of a federal statute or constitutional principle.

As Evans attorneys argue in their petition for Supreme Court review, the present legal landscape presents a bizarre and untenable (not to mention unjust) situation, where a gay person living in Wisconsin, Illinois or Indiana loses protections from discrimination for sexual orientation if he or she commutes across a state border to work. Even an employee of a national corporation can be treated differently in Miami than in Chicago.

Attorneys with the non-profit group Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund represented Evans, along with two law professors from Stanford University. Lambda Legal successfully represented Kimberly Hively, in a discrimination claim against Ivy Tech Community College, in a case decided by the full Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in April. Lambda also represents the plaintiff in the Second Circuit case mentioned previously.

While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not explicitly mention homosexuals as a protected category, a number of precedential cases imply that discrimination against homosexuals is a form of gender-based discrimination, because it treats people differently based on whom they partner with.

For example, the 1983 case Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co v. EEOC held that a company health insurance policy discriminated against men because it did not cover medical care relating to a covered spouses pregnancy. This was gender-based discrimination against the men employees, based on their association with their pregnant female spouses.

Likewise, the seminal 1967 Loving v. Virginia case held that if a state imprisons someone for marrying outside of their race, then the state has engaged in racial discrimination against the person based on his association with a minority.

In both instances, the law forbids what is known as associational discrimination, which should logically extend to the type of mistreatment that Jemeka Evans suffered at work.

American public opinion strongly favors equal treatment of homosexuals.

In order for the US Supreme Court to be able to consider a case, a minimum of four of the courts nine judges have to recommend that the case be heard. Therefore, the Courts liberal bloc, consisting of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, could have had the Evans case put on the docket. In all likelihood, they concluded that they could not count on the vote of the swing justice, Anthony Kennedy, who typically breaks a tie between these judges and the reactionary bloc of John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch.

The result of Tuesdays judicial evasion is that anti-gay employment discrimination is not forbidden by federal law outside the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Vermont and Connecticut.
Sri Lankan union leaders shut down a seven-day national strike by 5,000 rail workers on Wednesday after a government-appointed Cabinet Sub-Committee made a vague promise that recommendations on workers demands would be submitted to the cabinet and resolved within two months.

Announcing an end to the walkout, Locomotive Engineers Union (LEU) general secretary Indika Dodangoda claimed that union talks with the sub-committee were successful. He provided no concrete details about the talks or so-called recommendations which will resolve nothing for rail workers.

The shameless betrayal was in response to the strikers determination to defy threatened mass sackings, criminal charges and strike-breaking activities under Sri Lankas repressive Essential Service act. Above all, the unions feared that the strike, which posed a direct challenge to the governments austerity policies, would draw in other sections of the working class.

The rail unions initiated the strike, which began on December 6, in response to growing anger over low wages and poor working conditions. But just as they have done on every other occasion they aimed from the outset to sabotage the industrial action and then, using bogus promises from the government, or limited concessions, to shut down the strike as soon as possible.

The unions made desperate appeals to President Maithiripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the strike, while refusing to mobilise wider support for the industrial action. Rail workers from other unions, however, began to join the strike.

Fearful that the industrial action was spreading, President Sirisena proclaimed that the state-owned railway was an essential service allowing the government to sack all workers who refused to immediately return to work.

A call was made to retired drivers, station masters, controllers and guards to become strike breakers and the Inspector General of Police ordered to mobilise police to break picket lines and suppress protests. Under the pretext of providing security to the rail services, railway authorities threatened to mobilise the military if necessary.

On Tuesday, the sixth day of the strike, railway management issued dismissal notices to the union leaders and declared that similar letters were in preparation for all those who defied the Essential Services order.

Sirisena, feigning concern about students just beginning their GCE O-level exams, made a special appeal to the strikers to return to work. He also appointed the cabinet sub-committee to open another round of talks with the union. The sub-committee provided the unions with the political escape route they were looking for to end the industrial action.

Railway Supervisory Management Service Union Combination (RSMSUC) officials, who had been forced by rank-and-file members to participate in the strike action, decided on Tuesday that they would return to work, claiming concern about the situation facing GCE students.

Attempting to cover this betrayal, RSMSUC convener Chanda Kumarasinghe declared that if the government attempted to attack our fraternal unions, we would be compelled again to take a direct union action.

His claims were so much hot air. The RSMSUC refused to hold a single meeting of the general membership involved in the strike and adamantly rejected calls for unified action. The unions betrayal of the striking railway workers flow directly from their ties to the government and the capitalist rule it represents.

The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government saw the rail workers struggle as a direct challenge to its cost-cutting measures, privatisation of state owned industries and other economic policies dictated by the International Monetary Fund.

The railway workers and the rest of the working class cannot ignore the vital political lessons of this important struggle and its grotesque betrayal.

The seven-day walkout by railway workers is one of numerous struggles by Sri Lankan workers, rural poor, youth and students over the past several months. This includes port, oil, Ceylon Electricity City Board and health workers who have taken action against the government attacks on living and working conditions, along with university students who are battling against the privatization of public education.

While Sri Lankan workers have demonstrated their determination to fight, the railway union leaders, like their counterparts throughout the island, have consistently sabotaged any genuine struggle against the escalating government assault on living and working conditions.

The government, under the conditions of increasing public debt, rising demands from the IMF and global financial instability, is stepping up its class war attacks and turning to military-police methods of rule.

The essential political lesson of the railworkers strike is that the working class cannot defend its wages, jobs, living conditions and basic democratic rights without breaking from the unions and organising itself as an independent political force. What is urgently required is revolutionary leadership.

Sri Lankan workers must take the initiative and build action committees in every work place and neighbourhood to mobilise working people, housewives, youth and students on an alternative socialist program to defend the democratic and social rights of workers and the oppressed. This struggle must aim at establishing a Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Eelam as part of a federation of socialist states of South Asia and internationally.

The author also recommends:

Sri Lanka: IMF-dictated budget deepens austerity and privatisation

[25 November 2017]

Sri Lankan unions betray power workers strike

[28 September 2017]

The road forward for Sri Lankan workers after the betrayal of the CPC strike

[12 August 2017]
In an apparent jibe, Tejashwi slammed Bihar CM Nitish over development. The former deputy CM asked Nitish Kumar to retire from politics.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav of Bihar talked about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's sanyas (retirement) from politics as he failed to develop Bihar even after coming to power with the support of the BJP.

Hitting out at the Nitish Kumar's ongoing Vikas Samiksha Yatra, Tejashwi said that chacha Nitish's yatra was more of an event management and image building exercise.

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"Nitish Kumar should take sanyas from politics as he is not able to develop Bihar anymore. The yatra is just an exercise to build the image of the CM and there was no clarity of vision when it comes to state's development," Tejashwi Yadav said at a press conference in Patna.

Tejashwi even called Nitish Kumar's yatra 'jhansa yatra' which reeks of deception. The deputy chief minister said that since the time Nitish snapped ties with the RJD-Congress combine, there has been a massive resentment amogst the voters.

He also mentioned the displeasure of the people whihc is quite eveident, courtesy his decision to team up with BJP and form the government, and therefore, to gauge the mood of the people, Nitish Kumar is undertaking the Vikas Samiksha Yatra.

"Nitish Kumar wants to review his vote bank ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the wake of the decision he took four months ago to snap ties with RJD", said the former deputy chief minister.

Tejashwi also lashed out at Nitish Kumar for not presenting a report card of his government's performance this year which has been a regular practice since the time he became the CM in 2005.

He said that RJD would soon be bringing out a report card of the JDU-BJP government. He also said that there was kushasan (misrule) and tanashah (autocracy) in Bihar under the Nitish regime.

"I challenge Nitish Kumar to present a report card if he has done anything for the state's developmental in the last four months. He should present the report card before the people. If he does not do so, we will bring a report card next month," Tejashwi said.

Speaking on the issue of impending Ranchi Court judgment to come on his father Lalu Prasad in connection with fodder scam on December 23, he said that his family has full faith in the judiciary.

--- ENDS ---
A Chennai man killed four members of his family and then attempted suicide on Tuesday.

By Pramod Madhav: A Chennai man killed four members of his family and then attempted suicide on Tuesday.

Identified as Dhamodharan, he was found with his throat slit, barely alive next to the bodies of his mother, wife, 5 years old daughter and 7 years old son.

Initial reports stated that Dhamodharan wrote a letter to his brother-in-law claiming that he faced irreparable loss in his business and that's why he took the decision.

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Meanwhile, Sankar Nagar Police has moved Dhamodharan to the hospital for treatment and a case of murder was filed against him.

A heart-wrenching suicide note written by Dhamodharan has surfaced in which he had explained how much he and his family had to struggle.

"My family had to suffer a great deal along with me. I wished to kill myself only, but they have already suffered a lot with me and I didn't want to put them into more trouble by not being with them. That is why I took this decision," Dhamadharan, who owned a Prakash Cloth Stores, wrote in his suicide note.

Dhamodharan further wrote in detail about his business transactions and his documents.

In the last page of the letter, Dhamodharan shared what caused his business to suffer loss.

"After Central government introduced demonetisation, my business only went down the hill and could never recover. I borrowed money again and again, but those who are supposed to give me money were unable to do so. If this situation continues, many more families would have to face the same fate. It is very unfortunate that the state government is not bothered as well," he wrote.

--- ENDS ---
A Chennai police inspector was shot dead while trying to nab robbers in Rajasthan's Pali district on Wednesday.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Periapandiyan, a 48-year-old Chennai police inspector, was trying to nab robbers along with a police team in Rajasthan's Pali district, when he was gunned down by a robber on Wednesday.

The team led by Periapandiyan in Pali were planning to nab the robber and take him to Chennai. The robber was wanted in a case of robbery of 4 kgs of gold.

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Chennai police visited Pali district's Jaitaran area fifteen days ago as well and questioned suspect Nathuram's relatives. A few days ago, Chennai police received information that Nathuram had arrived in Pali to meet his family members.

The police team arrived on Tuesday and kept on searching for him till late in the night. Early in the morning, Chennai police got hold of Nathuram in a brick kiln located on Ramawas road. The police had received information that he was planning to flee from there.

While inspector Periapandiyan was bringing the robber out of the kiln, he got hold of the inspector's service revolver tied to his belt and shot him in the head. By the time the inspector was taken to hospital, he was already dead.

The robber ran away after shooting at the police inspector. Police has been searching for him in the entire district. But till now, there has been no information about his whereabouts.

Last month, a gang of bandits looted a jewellery shop at Colathar Marg in Madurawali area. The robbers had created a hole in the roof and decamped with 4 kgs of gold and cash.Soon after, Chennai police received information about Nathuram and his gang's involvement in the robbery.

According to officials, Chennai police did not inform the local district police earlier until Wednesday. Several teams have been formed in search of the robber.

--- ENDS ---
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WTXL) - Thursday night, the city of Bainbridge will host its annual Christmas parade downtown.

Residents say they have fond memories of the parade, which has been a holiday tradition in the south Georgia city for several decades. The parade will feature more than 90 entries, including flashy floats decorated by residents, local businesses and community organizations.

The free event showcases downtown Bainbridge and Willis Park, where children can meet Santa Claus and share their Christmas wishes. The city's special events coordinator says the parade has been a crowd favorite for years.

"We've always kind of gone all out for Christmas. You can look at Willis Park, Shotwell Street. I mean, we try to decorate as much as we can, and we encourage everybody in the city to do it as well," said Megan Wimberley. "We'll have local shops open for people to come in and check out everything that we have down here. They have extended business hours during the holiday season as well."

The parade starts at 6:30 Thursday evening, beginning at the intersection of College Street and Wheat Avenue.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - To celebrate the first full day of Hanukkah, Chabad Lubavitch of Tallahassee hosted the lighting of the menorah on Florida State University's Landis Green, bringing the traditions of the holiday.

Students lined up to eat traditional Jewish foods, listen to music and be with friends.

Everyone held a candle and sang while Rabbi Oirechman performed the lighting of the menorah.

Students in attendance say they are grateful for the opportunity to come together.

Chabad Lubavitch has been hosting this event on Landis Green for 12 years.

Rabbi Oirechman says it's important for the Jewish community to gather and celebrate Hanukkah and the lighting of the menorah is a great way to do that.

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.
VALDOSTA, GA (WTXL) - A person died after being hit by a vehicle in Valdosta Wednesday night.

According to officials with the Georgia State Patrol, the accident happened near the intersection of Mt. Zion and Rocky Ford Roads.

Troopers said that around 8:20 p.m., a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu driven by 31-year-old Randi Parsons of Valdosta was heading north on Rocky Ford Road.

The driver did not see a person, now identified as 32-year-old Zachary Kolberg of Valdosta, laying on the side of the road and hit the Kolberg's upper body with the bumper of the vehicle.

Troopers say Parsons stopped her car immediately and her and a witness driving behind her began performing CPR.

Kolberg was transported by Lowndes EMS to South Georgia Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. Parsons was not injured in the crash.

Troopers suspect alcohol may be a contributing factor to Kolberg lying in the roadway but will be pending a toxicology report. Alcohol or drugs are not considered to be a contributing factor for Parsons, however, a voluntary blood sample was taken for a toxicology report.

They note that road where the crash took place was not illumined. No charges are expected to be filed the crash.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Fleeing from police, a Tallahassee man on crack cocaine rammed a police cruiser and drove his car on three wheels with the rim sparking before he was tased and arrested.

Stanley Eugene Bass, 50, was booked into the Leon County Detention Center on Wednesday after Tuesday's incident.

He remained in jail Thursday on $31,000 bond. He faces charges of aggravated battery on an officer or firefighter, fleeing from a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, resisting an officer, false imprisonment of an adult and simple assault on an officer.

Bass began driving erratically after he "hit a piece of crack," a passenger from the vehicle, described by police as a victim, told police.

The victim said she begged Bass to let her leave the car, but he held her arm and would not let go, causing her to fear for her life.

The victim escaped from the car when Bass drove into the Ray's Mini Mart at the corner of Lake Bradford and Levy Avenue. There Bass drove his car into the rear of a pursuing patrol car.

And then Bass drove away with a patrol car pursuing him.

After his arrest, in an interview at a hospital, Bass said he had smoked cocaine that day, according to a probable cause affidavit.

He said he was aware he had fled from police while their lights and sirens were on, police wrote in a court document that noted Bass had waived his Miranda rights.

Bass said he had no recollection of swerving toward an officer's patrol car or hitting it.

An initial call from a police dispatcher said Bass was driving his car in the wrong lane and swerving across the road, the document said. It was unclear from the court document how Bass came to be driving a car with a blown out front left tire.

Officers began seeking Bass near the intersection of Jackson Bluff Road and South Lipona Road at 7:21 p.m. Tuesday.

Shortly afterward, Bass rammed a police vehicle, the court document said, and officers began pursuing his car.

The pursuit came to an end when Bass drove his car through a fence at Glen Hollow Apartments and then into a tree.

Bass exited from his car and ran toward officers while "yelling and acting erratic," an officer wrote.

One officer tased Bass, and then two officers gained control of him and handcuffed him, the document said.

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.

Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 14 (PTI) China today called for early resumption of talks between Israel and Palestine so as to give a chance for a comprehensive and fair resolution to the Palestinian issue.

China understands the Islamic countries concern about the status of Jerusalem, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, calling for a resolution to the issue in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and international consensus.

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Commenting on the summit of the pan-Islamic body, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, in Istanbul declaring East Jerusalem the capital of the State of Palestine, Lu said China supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. PTI KJV ZH

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Yakima resident Gabriel Munoz streams a Facebook live video of former residents of the Savoy Apartments, who were protesting their displacement on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, near the damaged apartment building on Yakima Avenue. Munoz asked his viewers to help the fire victims, some of whom will be homeless starting Tuesday, Oct. 31. (JOVELLE TAMAYO/Yakima Herald-Republic)
By PTI: Chennai, Dec 14 (PTI) The mortal remains of a Tamil Nadu police inspector killed in a shootout in Rajasthan yesterday were brought here today with Chief Minister K Palaniswami and others paying their respects.

The body of S Periyapandian was brought here from Jaipur via Ahmedabad by a private airline and kept at the airport for the leaders to pay their homage.

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Wearing a black arm-badge, the Chief Minister placed a wreath before the casket carrying the slain police officials mortal remains which was draped in the Indian tricolour and decked with flowers.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly and DMK Working President M K Stalin, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, Home Secretary Niranjan Mardi, state police chief TK Rajendiran and City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan were among those who paid homage. Police honours were given to the slain inspector. Periyapandians body will later be flown to Madurai and taken to his native village in Tirunelveli district by road. Inspector of Law and Order, Maduravoyal police station here, Periyapandian was killed in a shoot-out in Rajasthans Pali district in the early hours of yesterday when he led a special team to nab suspects wanted in connection with a gold heist in the city.

Four other police personnel were injured in the incident.

Palaniswami had yesterday announced Rs one crore as relief to the family of the slain police officer and said the state government will bear the educational expenses of his two sons. He had said the five-member team had gone to Rajasthan in search of one Nathuram and some of his accomplices in connection with the heist.

When the team surrounded the culprits in their hideout in Pali district, the latter opened fire at the police personnel, killing Periyapandian, he had said. Last month, robbers, suspected to be from Rajasthan, had decamped with about 3 kg of gold from a jewellery shop at Kolathur here, after entering it by drilling a hole in the ceiling. Four persons hailing from Rajasthan had been earlier arrested in connection with the incident. PTI SA SS DV

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Shortly after the founding of our nation, American citizens engaged in a debate about what kind of country they and later generations would live in. No one understood the value of rural Americans more than Thomas Jefferson. Writing in a letter to John Jay, the author of the Declaration of Independence stated, Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands. Then serving as secretary of state, Jefferson understood that the products of rural America, through trade, would be our connection to the rest of world and lay the groundwork for our freedoms.

That sentiment still rings true today, and I am proud of the work done in the Senate and by the administration to support and promote the prosperity of rural America.

Nebraska is the second largest ethanol-producing state in the country with 25 ethanol plants that have the capacity to produce more than 2 billion gallons of renewable fuel annually. Biofuel contributes $5 billion to Nebraskas economy every year, and Nebraskans fill more than 1,300 full-time jobs related to its production.

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I was happy to see that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the finalized 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and 2019 biomass-based diesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The final rule set the total renewable fuel volume at 19.29 billion gallons. This included 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel and 4.29 billion gallons of advanced biofuel.

These volumes provide clarity for Nebraskas ag producers and innovators focused on the future of biofuels. Moreover, the final rule illustrates a commitment to rural America. It will continue to foster investment in the Americans who feed the world and provide renewable energy solutions to match our countrys energy needs.

Good agriculture policy also relies heavily on trade that is both smart and fair. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Nebraska ranks fifth in the country in the value of its agricultural exports. Over 90 thousand jobs rely on exporting Nebraskas high-quality products through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

I support fair trade because it helps Nebraskans provide for their families.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with President Trump at the White House and expressed my support for trade agreements. During our conversation, I highlighted the significant role the NAFTA plays in expanding agriculture exports and creating manufacturing jobs in the United States. I urged him to safeguard the competitive advantage our agriculture producers and manufacturers have worked so hard to build as his administration negotiates with our North American trade partners.

As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I also met with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and again emphasized the value of NAFTA to rural America. I look forward to continuing these discussions with the president and his administration in the weeks to come.

Rural America puts food on tables all over the world and serves as the foundation for a healthy, growing economy. For our country to continue moving forward, we need to ensure that our farmers and livestock producers have stable and dependable markets for their products. I work every day to make sure that continues to happen.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
York Police Department

 Monday at 10:47 a.m., report of a theft on S. Lincoln Ave.

 Monday at 1:50 p.m., report of a theft on S. Lincoln Ave.

 Monday at 1:51 p.m., report of a traffic-related situation on E. Fifth St.

 Monday at 2:10 p.m., report of a parking complaint on N. Iowa Ave.

 Monday at 4:51 p.m., report of a theft on E. David Drive.

 Monday at 6:47 p.m., report of a medical emergency on Meadow View Drive.

 Monday at 10:30 p.m., report of a domestic dispute on N. Lincoln Ave.

 Monday at 11:25 p.m., report of an issue on N. Kingsley Ave.

 Tuesday at 1:27 a.m., assisted a motorist on N. Grant Ave.

 Tuesday at 6:09 a.m., report of a dog running loose.

 Tuesday at 8:54 a.m., report of a juvenile-related situation on W. Eighth St.

 Tuesday at 11:45 a.m., report of a parking complaint on W. Sixth St.

 Tuesday at 3:42 p.m., report of a medical emergency on Meadow View Drive.

 Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., report of a domestic dispute on W. 10th St.

 Tuesday at 4:40 p.m., report of a traffic-related situation on W. Walnut St.

 Tuesday at 6:26 p.m., report of a street issue.

 Tuesday at 7:51 p.m., report of a domestic dispute on N. Greenwood Ave.

Tuesday at 8:48 p.m., report of criminal mischief on N. Academy Ave.

Tuesday at 10:46 p.m., assisted the sheriffs department on S. Lincoln Ave.

 Wednesday at 10:39 a.m., assisted a motorist on S. Lincoln Ave.

 Wednesday at 5:39 a.m., assisted the sheriffs department on S. Lincoln Ave.

York County Sheriffs Department

 Monday at 7:36 a.m., report that cattle were running loose in the Henderson area.

 Monday at 10:30 a.m., assisted a motorist in the Gresham area.

 Monday at 11:19 a.m., report of a medical emergency in the Henderson area.

 Monday at 12:47 p.m., report of a non-injury accident in the Henderson area.

 Monday at 4:23 p.m., report of a theft in the McCool Junction area.

 Monday at 10:48 p.m., report of a disturbance in the York area.

 Monday at 11:06 p.m., report of a medical emergency in the York area.

 Tuesday at 8 a.m., report of a medical emergency in the York area.

 Tuesday at 12:19 p.m., report of a medical emergency in the Waco area.

 Tuesday at 1:44 p.m., report that llamas were running loose in the York area.

 Tuesday at 3:36 p.m., report of a telephone offense in the York area.

 Tuesday at 3:41 p.m., report of a medical emergency in the York area.

 Tuesday at 4:29 p.m., report of an incapacitated driver in the York area.

 Tuesday at 4:52 p.m., report of a transient in the Benedict area.

 Tuesday at 6:15 p.m., report of a disturbance in the York area.

 Tuesday at 7:21 p.m., report of a domestic dispute in the York area.

 Tuesday at 8:26 p.m., report of a medical emergency in the Beaver Crossing area.

 Tuesday at 8:39 p.m., report of suspicious activity in the York area.

 Tuesday at 10:40 p.m., report of a traffic offense in the York area.

 Tuesday at 10:51 p.m., report of harassment in the McCool area.
The huge surplus of $3.3bn for the 2017-18 financial year, announced by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Thursday, is good news for the NSW economy. However, the state governments reliance on property taxes to boost the budget bottom line cannot continue, per the Property Council of Australia.

Treasurer Perrottet has announced a massive surplus and the NSW economy is full steam ahead, but a lot of this money is being drawn from the pockets of families every time they buy a home through stamp duty, over $9.1 billion worth over the year; it is not sustainable and simply increases the cost of housing, said Jane Fitzgerald, NSW executive director for the Property Council of Australia.

Growth and investment are welcome and stamp duty concessions for first home buyers is a good start, but we need to look at whether our reliance on stamp duty is sustainable in the long term and if other revenue options are available to safeguard the budget against the ups and downs of the property market - our States budget should not be at the mercy of stamp duty revenue.

Over the forward estimates, forecast revenue is $2.0 billion higher than at the Budget with most of this coming from the strong property market. Added to this the fact that cost of the 13,672 first homebuyers that received stamp duty concessions and exemptions worth $197.0 million was partly offset through land tax revenue - homebuyers always pay.

Moving forward, experts say NSW needs a more sedate residential market. Furthermore, the state cannot allow the funding of critical social infrastructure to suffer because of its reliance on property taxes.

We call on Treasurer Perrottet to quarantine a portion of the stamp duty revenue to spend on critical social infrastructure in Sydneys growth areas; currently households in growth areas in our west and south west are experiencing higher housing costs due to the cost of new infrastructure being met through levies placed on new housing, Fitzgerald said.

[U]sing stamp duty revenue for social infrastructure could reduce pressure on these households.

The State Government has recently stepped away from funding local infrastructure by scrapping the Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme and the cap on Section 94 levies, expecting local government and the community to fund the gap. In the context of this good economic news, now is the time to step up and support the financing of local infrastructure.

We congratulate the Treasurer on getting the best from the NSW economy, but now its time to take the next step and future proof revenue so that our States social infrastructure is not put at risk through an over reliance on property taxes.

Related Stories:

State Opposition Threatens Housing Supply In NSW

Sydney Tackles Sustainable Development
By PTI: parties & NGOs

Bhubaneswar, Dec 14 (PTI) The Justice P K Mohanty Commission of Inquiry which probed the 2006 Kalinga Nagar police firing has raised question on the "role" of local leaders, political parties and NGOs behind the incident.

Thirteen persons were killed and 27 injured in the police firing on January 2, 2006. One police constable was also killed by the local people during the clash.

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"Some local leaders, political parties and others taking advantage of the volatile situation mobilised, instigated and led the villagers to adopt path of confrontation instead of peaceful agitation," the commission said in its report which was tabled by the state government in the assembly today.

The report said that the violence was "triggered by frustration" among the local tribals who did not get adequate compensation following displacement and land acquisition for a private steel plant in the KNIIC.

On January 2, 2006, a large number of armed local people protested construction of the boundary wall on the land acquired for the project of a private steel company. The armed people faced off with some contractors employed by company on January 2, 2006.

As the protests intensified, local people clashed with policemen and during the incident a mob hacked constable Gopa Mohanty to death. As the situation went out of control, police opened fire killing 13 tribals.

The state government appointed Justice Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty to head the commission of inquiry on September 4, 2009 to inquire into the incident.

After completion of the inquiry, the Commission submitted its report to Government on July 3, 2015. After being examined in the Home Department, it was accepted by the Government on June 8, 2016.

The report has also made three recommendations - more compensation for the injured persons, people-oriented welfare schemes for the uplift of locals and jobs to at least one family member of persons who were killed in the incident.

The state government also tabled the action taken report (ATR) along with Justice P K Mohantys report in the assembly.

The ATR said that action have already been taken at different levels which had been in line with the recommendations of the Commission. PTI AAM RG

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- President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday welcomed visiting French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro  Help your friends know more

- President Klaus Iohannis will welcome, on Thursday, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, on the occasion of the latter's official visit to Romania, informs the Presidential Administration. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste

- President Klaus Iohannis participated, on Thursday and Friday, in Brussels, in the meeting of the European Council, where he highlighted Romania's key role in facilitating grain exports from Ukraine, showing that, in the current geopolitical context, the protection of critical infrastructure becomes

- Romania's President Klaus Iohannis participated on Thursday and Friday in Brussels in a meeting of the European Council, where he underscored the need for a coordinated and fast European approach to secure sustainable cuts in energy prices. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste

- President Klaus Iohannis is participating, Thursday through Friday, in Brussels, in the meeting of the European Council, among the topics of discussion being the necessary measures in the field of energy, following the package of proposals presented by the European Commission and the reaffirmation

- President Klaus Iohannis will participate, on Thursday and Friday, in Brussels, in the meeting of the European Council, among the topics of discussion being the necessary measures in the field of energy, following the package of proposals presented by the European Commission and the reaffirmation

- President Klaus Iohannis will participate, on Thursday and Friday, in the first meeting of the European Political Community and in the informal meeting of the European Council, which is taking place in Prague, in the Czech Republic, the Presidential Administration informed, told Agerpres. Fii

- President Klaus Iohannis participated on Tuesday in a videoconference with European Council President Charles Michel and a group of European leaders as a preparation stage for the meetings to take place on Thursday and Friday in Prague. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste
Visitors to Zoo de Beauval have been enamored of a six-week-old West Indian Manatee, named Kalina. The calf was born October 28 to her six-year-old mother, Lolita.

First-time mom, Lolita, originally gave birth to twin females. Typically, a Manatee calf will weigh around 20 kg at birth. Lolitas calves weighed-in at 10 and 15 kg. Although veterinarians and keepers worked to save the smaller of the two females, she did not survive the first day.

Since that time, the remaining twin has been meticulously cared for by Lolita and keepers say they are both doing very well. Keepers named the new calf Kalina in reference to a tribe native to Guyana.





Photo Credits: Zoo de Beauval

The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), or "Sea Cow", is the largest surviving member of the aquatic mammal order Sirenia (which also includes the Dugong and the extinct Steller's Sea Cow). As its name implies, the West Indian manatee lives in the West Indies, or Caribbean, generally in shallow coastal areas.

The gestation period for a Manatee is 12 to 14 months. Normally, one calf is born, although on rare occasions two have been recorded. The young are born with molars, allowing them to consume sea grass within the first three weeks of birth. The family unit consists of mother and calf, which remain together for up to two years. Males contribute no parental care to the calf.

The West Indian Manatee was placed on the Endangered Species List in the 1970s, when there were only several hundred left. The species has been of great conservation concern to federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations to protect these species from natural and human-induced threats like collisions with boats. On March 30, 2017, the United States Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, announced the federal reclassification of the Manatee from endangered to threatened, as the number of Sea Cows had increased to over 6,000. On a global scale, the species is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).




Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, today announced the naming of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, honoring the colleges visionary dean, who passed away in September. Villanovas College of Nursing developed into a premier nursing program during Dr. Fitzpatricks tenure and was recognized repeatedly by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.

Louise Fitzpatrick will be remembered as one of the most vibrant, transformative leaders in the history of Villanova, and I can think of no more fitting an honor than to name our College of Nursing after her, said Father Donohue. Dean Fitzpatrick was a visionary who embodied the spirit of what it means to be a Villanova nurse and a true Villanovan. Her leadership set a course of greatness for the College of Nursing and our Universityand through this naming, we are ensuring that such vision and excellence continues to be a hallmark of the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing.

Throughout nearly four decades as dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. M. Louise Fitzpatrick shaped a leading and transformative educational experience for Villanova nursing students. With a focused eye on the future, Dr. Fitzpatrick made the Colleges endowment a priority throughout her career. To date, more than $11 million in additional commitments have been secured for the Fitzpatrick College of Nursings endowment to further ensure that Villanova continues as a leader in nursing education.

A pioneer in her field, Dr. Fitzpatrick served as the Connelly Endowed Dean of the College of Nursing and worked tirelessly to expand the Colleges academic programs, including initiating the masters and doctoral programs, as well as an accelerated BSN program for second-degree students. She developed distance learning strategies and clinical simulation initiatives with a focus on scholarship and research. During her tenure, three centers were established: the Center for Nursing Research, the Center for Global and Public Health and the MacDonald Center for Obesity Prevention and Education.

Dr. Fitzpatrick ensured that Villanovas Augustinian tradition informed every aspect of the College. Throughout her years of leadership, she nurtured a culture of intellectual excellence in teaching and inquiry, service to others and nursing as a healing ministry. She fully committed herself to helping others, both at home and abroad, and sought to globalize the College of Nursing through study abroad and health promotion experiences for students in countries around the world.

About the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing: The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University is a nationally recognized, premier nursing program, committed to its Augustinian Catholic values and the tireless pursuit of compassion, and academic and clinical excellence in nursing and nursing education. Founded in 1953, the College is designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. The College is committed to a teacher-clinician scholar model, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and continuing education programs that prepare students to assume positions as productive, ethical and socially responsible practitioners and leaders at the forefront of modern health care. Visit villanova.edu/nursing.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
NEW DELHI: Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get full majority in Gujarat polls, Chhattisgarh Minister Brijmohan Agrawal on Thursday said that Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi will need more time to upgrade himself to win elections in the country.

All exit poll results on Thursday predicted a sweeping victory for the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. Poll results of VMR, C-voter, News X, India TV and CSDS have shown a clean sweep for the BJP.

Polling for the second and final phase of Gujarat elections ended on Thursday. Himachal had voted on November 9 and the counting of votes for both the states will take place on December 18.

Both BJP and the Congress had campaigned hard in the high-stakes elections with both sides fielding their top leaders for the campaigning.

The saffron party had drafted several top leaders including Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Smriti Irani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and other top state and national level functionaries had also campaigned.

The Congress fielded former prime minister and senior party leader Manmohan Singh, among other high-profile party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, state chief Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Navi Azad, Sachin Pilot, Kamal Nath, Sam Pitroda, Kumari Selja and Alpesh Thakor. The ruling BJP is attempting to return to power for a fifth term while the Congress is seeking a comeback.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from the defeat suffered by the controversial Republican candidate Judge Roy Moore in the Senate election in the US state of Alabama.

The loss sustained by 70-year-old Moore, whose campaign was marred by allegations he preyed upon teenage girls several decades ago, shrinks the Republicans` slim majority in the US upper house of Congress to 51-49.

"The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange (and his numbers went up mightily), is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election. I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!" Trump tweeted on Wednesday, Efe news reported.

The Democratic candidate, Doug Jones, obtained 49.9 per cent of the vote in Tuesday`s balloting to narrowly beat Moore, who garnered 48.4 per cent with all precincts around the state counted.

Moore has refused to concede pending a tallying of overseas ballots, although Jones` margin of victory is currently above the range of between 0 and 0.5 percentage points that would trigger an automatic recount.

Moore won the Republican primary in Alabama in a surprise over Trump`s favored candidate, Luther Strange, who was appointed interim senator when Jeff Sessions stepped down in January -- two years into his six-year term -- to become Trump`s attorney general.

But after becoming the GOP`s nominee, several women came forward alleging Moore had sexually abused or made unwanted sexual advances toward them.

Most of the accusers were minors at the time the alleged incidents occurred; three say that Moore sexually abused them, with two of those purported incidents occurring in the late 1970s and the other in 1991.

Moore has given evasive answers in interviews when asked whether he dated teenage girls when he was in his 30s but he has denied the sexual misconduct allegations.

Despite the accusations, Moore was strongly backed by members of the populist wing of the Republican Party -- including Trump`s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon -- who thought he would be a reliable supporter of Trump`s America First agenda.
By PTI: Kolkata, Dec 14 (PTI) Container freight movement between India and Bangladesh on railway is awaiting protocol clearances from the neighbouring country, a top official of Container Corporation of India said today.

The logistics major had signed an MoU with Container Company of Bangladesh Ltd (CCBL) in April last year.

"All clearances are in place from the Indian end. We are awaiting container protocol from Bangladesh. Once it is established, container movement from India to Bangladesh will start happening," CONCOR chairman and managing director V Kalyana Rama said at a CII logistics colloquium here.

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He said direct movement of containerised cargo by train would slash trade costs, and make the exercise a lot more organised.

CONCOR will provide training and other required support system to CCBL for the development and operations of Container Trains and Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

Kalyana Rama said the company has also decided to expand container terminals stations in India to 100 from 75, by 2020. PTI BSM RBT

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WASHINGTON: The highest-profile African-American adviser to US President Donald Trump, Omarosa Manigault Newman, will step down on January 20, the White House Press Secretary has said.

"Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday (Tuesday) to pursue other opportunities," Sarah Sanders said in a brief statement on Wednesday, Efe news reported.

"Her departure will not be effective until January 20, 2018. We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service."

Manigault had served the Trump administration as communications director for the White House Public Liaison Office.

Her exit -- part of an expected round of departures as Trump`s first year in office draws to a close- follows last week`s announcement that his deputy national security adviser for strategy, Dina Powell, plans to resign early next year.

Powell, however, will continue to have a role in Middle East diplomacy.

Manigault, who became a recognizable face on TV reality programs in the US, was a contestant on the Trump-hosted NBC show "The Apprentice" in 2004.

In 2008, she was a contestant on the sequel to that series, "The Celebrity Apprentice," also hosted by Trump.

Manigault, 43, was an active member of Trump`s team during the campaign and later served on the presidential transition team`s executive committee.
Sitamarhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday noted with concern that the illicit liquor business was thriving in the dry state and emphasised the need for community participation to check the "lucrative" trade.

On his state-wide 'Vikas Samiksha Yatra', Kumar told the people in Bakhri village of Sitamarhi district that those who report cases of violation of the alcohol ban to authorities would be protected, and also urged them to remain vigilant.

The identity of the complainant would remain secret, he said.

Banning the sale and consumption of alcohol - domestic and Indian Made Foreign Liquor - has been an issue close to Kumar. It was also one of his major poll campaign promises.

An anti-liquor law is in effect in Bihar since April last year.

Kumar said the total prohibition was imposed on citizens' demand. He exhorted women and youth to join the government's efforts against the sale and consumption of alcohol.

"The radical step of banning sale and consumption of alcohol was taken in view of a strong demand from women. It has brought about a positive change in the society but at the same time, for many people, illegal sale of liquor has become a lucrative business," Kumar said.

He said a separate wing of police dedicated to ensure proper implementation has been set up and also a helpline has been created for reporting cases of violation.

"Numbers of the helpline are displayed at public places. The common public must make use of this," Kumar said.

The chief minister urged women and youth to educate alcoholics about the ill-effects of liquor consumption.

The implementation of the liquor ban in Bihar has drawn critical remarks from the main opposition RJD and others.

Hindustani Awam Morcha leader and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has alleged that only the poor were targeted for violations of prohibition while the better-off, including senior government officials, continued to enjoy their drink with impunity.

The JD(U) has denied the charges. It has claimed that following prohibition, there has been a drop in crime rates, road accidents and improvement in the quality of life.
New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said the government will "significantly overtake" the disinvestment target for the current financial year.

Speaking at the AGM of industry chamber Ficci, the finance minister also said that Air India disinvestment plan is moving expeditiously and is on track.

The government has set an ambitious target of raising Rs 72,500 crore through disinvestment in the current fiscal. Of this, Rs 46,500 crore is to be raised through minority stake sale in PSUs and Rs 15,000 crore from strategic sales. Another Rs 11,000 crore is to come from listing of insurance companies.

Total disinvestment proceeds during the current financial year (as on December 4, 2017) stands at Rs 52,389.86 crore.

"This is going to be the first year in history where we are going to significantly overtake disinvestment target itself. In India, privatisation and disinvestment is art of the possible thing and that happened all over the world," the minister said.

He said the government has been able to sell its stake in state-owned insurance companies and some PSUs engaged in commodities business even in difficult market conditions.

The government recently sold its stake in GIC-Re and New India Assurance.

The government reduced its stake in several PSUs this year, including HUDCO, EIL, NTPC, NALCO and OIL.

Referring to the strategic disinvestment of Air India, Jaitley said "we are moving expeditiously and it's on the track at the moment".

He said advisors and others have been appointed for the disinvestment of the state-carrier.

"They are trying to study the market and study the universe of buyers and we will soon be coming out with the next step," said Jaitley, who heads the group of ministers working on the modalities of the disinvestment of Air India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle nod for the strategic disinvestment of Air India in June this year.

The government is working on the modalities for the stake sale.

The carrier, which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore, managed to eke out operational profit for the first time in a decade in 2015-16.
New Dehli: India`s refiners imported nearly half as much crude oil from Iran in November as the month before, ship tracking data showed, cutting purchases to a 21-month low in protest at Tehran`s decision to award a giant gas field to a Russian company.

India, the world`s No. 3 crude oil consumer, received about 266,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Iran last month, a decline of 43 percent from October and 55 percent from a year ago, according to a review of tanker arrival data from trade sources and numbers available on Thomson Reuters Eikon.

For the fiscal year to March 2018, Indian refiners have opted to order about a quarter less Iranian crude as Tehran decided to award development rights for its huge Farzad B gas field to Russian rivals instead of an Indian consortium that discovered the field.

For April-November, the first eight months of this fiscal year, India shipped in 19 percent less Iranian oil at about 427,200 bpd, according to the data.

But India`s oil imports from Iran will likely rise in December, as vessels holding about 4 million barrels of oil sailed from the Iranian ports in end-November and discharged cargoes in early December, the data showed.

Iran, facing the potential threat of further U.S. sanctions, has also cut oil prices in efforts to retain Asian customers and boost the appeal of its crude compared with other Middle Eastern supply.

Last month`s drop in Iranian crude purchases left the Middle East`s slice of India`s overall oil imports squeezed to 57 percent in November from about 69 percent in October. Iraq continued to be the top oil supplier to India, followed by Saudi Arabia, the data showed.

India`s imports of Iraqi oil surged in November when Basra Light discounts widened to 30-70 cents a barrel compared with official selling prices.

Meanwhile African oil`s share of India`s overall imports climbed to about 16 percent in November from about 10.5 percent in the previous months, as supplies from the region, mainly Nigeria, improved after a repair to a key pipeline in late October.

Most of the Nigerian cargoes were received by India in the first fortnight of November, indicating that refiners lifted buying in October, a month for which Brent`s premium to Dubai narrowed averaged $1.55 a barrel.

Elsewhere, Latin America`s share of India`s oil imports jumped to about 19 percent in November from 12 percent the month before on higher intake of Mexico`s Maya crude, the data showed.

Mexico`s crude oil exports had already surged in October to 1.35 million bpd, the highest since September 2016.

Mexico emerged as third-biggest supplier replacing Iran, which tumbled to seventh position. Nigeria replaced Venezuela as the fourth-largest supplier.

India`s Essar Oil, which used to depend heavily on Iranian oil is gradually diversifying its crude imports under new management led by Russia`s Rosneft. The private refiner took two very large crude carrier (VLCCs) shipments of Mexican Maya grade in November, the data showed.

Overall India imported 4.7 million bpd oil in November, meaning growth of about 12 percent from a year ago as the country raised its refining capacity.
New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on the previous Congress- led UPA regime over banks' non performing assets (NPA), Congress said that the BJP government is to be blamed for the mess.

PM Modi said that NPA is a big scam. We agree with him. And if NPA is a scam, then who gave birth to this scam?, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked in an AICC press conference on Thursday.

The biggest scam and increase of NPAs has happened in three and a half years of BJP Government, he said.

The Congress made a strong attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of becoming a "puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party strongly objected to Modi`s "roadshow" after he voted in Ahmedabad which it said was a flagrant violation of the model code of conduct.

Surjewala tweeted:

Biggest Scam and Increase of NPAs has happened in 3 years of BJP Government | Our Statement calling Shri Modi's bluff. pic.twitter.com/NkMa7FmY26  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 14, 2017

Modi yesterday said that banks were pressured to give loans worth thousands of crores of rupees to select industrialists in a scam bigger than 2G, coal and Commonwealth Games scams.

Speaking at the 90th AGM of industry association Ficci, Modi said the non performing asset (NPA) or bad loans problem is a "liability" handed over by "economists" in the previous regime.

Hard-selling his government's pro-poor policies, he listed out initiatives like free cooking gas connections to women, bank accounts to every household, loans to the youth and affordable housing, taken since 2014.

Modi said loans extended to select industrialists by pressuring banks was a loot of public money.

Calling it a "scam", he said this was bigger than the Commonwealth Games, 2G telecom spectrum allocation and coal block allocation scams.

Modi said his government is formulating policies keeping in mind the need of businesses, abolishing archaic and obsolete laws.

Industry, he said, had been long demanding Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the BJP-led government implemented it and introduced measures like anti-profiteering to see that industry passes on the benefit of lower taxes to the people.
New Delhi: An international team of scientists has called for uplisting the Cheetah population  which has reduced by 11 percent than previously estimated in southern Africa  from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world and one of the most fiercest predators known for stalking and tripping their prey and then biting its throat to suffocate it to death.

Populations of cheetahs in southern Africa have declined as farming and other human activities push deeper into the free-roaming cats' range, said the study published in the journal PeerJ.

Fewer than 3,600 adult cheetahs remain in the region, the researchers found.

This new assessment is 11 per cent lower than the IUCN's most recent population estimate in 2015, adding urgency to calls from scientists to uplist the cheetahs' conservation status.

For the study, the researchers mapped and analysed more than two million collared cheetah observations made between 2010 and 2016 across 789,700 square kilometres of open grasslands in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

"This is the area with the largest population of free-ranging cheetahs left on Earth. Knowing how many cheetahs there are and where they occur is crucial for developing suitable conservation management plans for the species," said Varsha Vijay, a doctoral student at Duke University in the US.

Protecting cheetahs who live on, or travel through, privately owned livestock farms or game preserves is a particularly pressing conservation issue, said Florian Weise, programme coordinator at the nonprofit Claws Conservancy, who co-led the research with Vijay.

"The future of the cheetah relies heavily on working with farmers who host these big cats on their lands and bear the heaviest cost of coexistence," Weise said.

Interviews with farmers who share their land with cheetahs showed that nearly half of them consider cheetahs a problem, and about one in four actively kill or trap the cats to protect their herds.

These losses can cause population declines, especially when reproductive conditions are not optimal, the researchers noted.

(With IANS inputs)
Ghaziabad: The Ghaziabad administration freed five acres of land worth nearly Rs 150 crores from the clutches of the mafia in a village here, officials said.

District Magistrate Ritu Maheshwari said the land, belonging to the Land Management Committee (LMC) and the Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam, was freed during an 'anti-land mafia' drive launched in Akbarbar Bahrampur village here.

A team of district administration and nagar nigam officials headed by sub-divisional magistrate Prem Ranjan Singh freed the land from the clutches of mafia with the help of the police.

A total of 72 FIRs have been lodged against land grabbers till Wednesday.


Gandhinagar: Voter turnout of 47.20 percent was recorded till 2 pm in the second and final phase of Gujarat Assembly elections 2017 on Thursday.

The voter turnout was 39% till 12 pm, according to the election commission figures.

47.40% voter turnout till 2 pm in phase two of #GujaratElection2017 : BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer pic.twitter.com/OAMfIUXm1L  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP veteran LK Advani, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Amit Shah were among the top leaders who cast their votes in the second and final phase of polls today.

The voting will continue till 5 pm in more than 25,000 polling stations for 93 constituencies spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat.

A total of 851 candidates were in the fray and over 2.22 lakh people took part in the election to decide their fate.

Ahead of the polling, a tight security cover was put in place to ensure free and fair voting and to avoid any untoward incident.

Though voting was largely peaceful, there were several complaints made to the Election Commission against the electronic voting machines in and around Vadodara city.

At many places, the polling was halted due to such malfunctioning. A glitch in the EVM in Gujarat's Chhota Udaipur earlier in the day prevented voters from casting their votes for about fifty minutes.

The BJP fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress fielded only 91.

Interestingly, the voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 percent.

The results of the crucial assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress bagged 61.
Ahmedabad: Gujarat recorded an estimated 68.70 percent voter turnout in the second and final phase of polling for 93 Assembly seats on Thursday, the Election Commission said.

The figure is likely to go up as details are still being worked out, senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told reporters.

The 93 seats are spread across north and central Gujarat.

Around 2.22 crore people were eligible to exercise their franchise to choose their representatives from among 851 candidates in the fray.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his ballot after waiting in a queue at a polling booth in a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of "Modi, Modi".

He walked a certain distance to greet the people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waved to the crowd.

However, the Congress alleged that Modi's roadshow was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and accused the EC of bias.

Apart from Modi, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, state Congress president Bharat Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel were among those who cast their ballot.

While the PM voted around noon, Shah, Jaitley, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former CM Anandiben Patel exercised their franchise earlier in the day. Advani voted at Shahpur Hindi school.

PM Modi's mother Hiraba, who is in her 90s, cast her vote at a booth in Gandhinagar.

Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress and is contesting from Radhanpur, voted in Viramgam.

State Congress president Bharat Solanki, former party chief Siddarth Patel, senior leader Shaktisinh Gohil and former MP Dinsha Patel also exercised their franchise in the high-stake battle for power in the state.

Rebel Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, who has floated Jan Vikalp front, voted at Vasania village in Gandhinagar constituency.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase. The first phase of voting for the 182-member Assembly held on December 9, covered 89 seats.

Prominent candidates in the fray for Thursday's battle include state Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana against Jivabhai Patel of Congress.

Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress, is seeking election from Radhanpur constituency. Lavingji Thakor of the BJP is contesting against him.

Vadgam SC seat is another key constituency from where independent candidate Jignesh Mevani is fighting the election on Congress support against BJP's Vijay Chakravarti.

In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by PM Modi, Congress has given a ticket to foreign-educated young face Sweta Bhrambhatt against BJP's sitting MLA Suresh Patel. PM Modi had vacated the constituency after becoming the PM in 2014.

The Gujarat contest is being seen as a prestige battle for PM Modi in his home state, where a reinvigorated Congress has sewed up a broad social coalition with prominent Patidar, OBC and Dalit leaders in its bid to unseat the BJP in power for over two decades.

In its bid to form a caste bloc against the BJP, the Congress has won over Hardik Patel, Thakor and Mevani, who have emerged as the young Turks representing the Patidars, OBCs and Dalits respectively.

Exuding confidence, Rahul Gandhi on the concluding day of the campaign on Tuesday told reporters that there was "tremendous undercurrent" against the ruling BJP in Gujarat. He had also predicted a 'zabardast' victory for his party.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member Assembly was held on December 9 and covered 89 seats. The counting of votes will be on December 18.

In the 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress had bagged 61.

(With PTI inputs)
Shakeel's close aide Fahim Machmach has released a clip in which he rubbishes news about a split between Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel, without taking names.

By Divyesh Singh: A day after the news of a Dawood Ibrahim-Chota Shakeel split broke, Shakeel's close aide Fahim Machmach has released a clip in which he denies the story.

Police officials identified the voice in the short clip as Machmach's. In it, the Shakeel aide rubbishes the news about the split without taking names.

An investigation is being carried out to trace the clip's origin. Police officials say that it's being circulated to send out a message to gang members - that they shouldn't worry and that they should carry out business as usual.

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Fahim Machmach, recently in the news for an alleged plot to assassinate author Tarak Fateh, has always been by Shakeel's side. One of the gang's top lieutenants, he runs the extortion and contract killing racket.

He's been named in several cases of extortion and attempted murder across Mumbai. He focussed mainly on victims from Mumbai's real estate sector.

Fahim Machmach joined the gang in the early nineties and grew close to Shakeel. He fled to Dubai with all those involved in the 1993 serial blasts case. He remained there for a few years.

Shakeel then called him to Karachi. Since then, he has been with Chhota Shakeel, and runs the gang's operations from there.

LISTEN | This is Dawood Ibrahim's voice

--- ENDS ---
AHMEDABAD: BJP candidate Chauhan Balrajsinh Kalyansinh defeats Congress candidate Rathod Kaminiba Bhupendrasinh from Dahegam constituency of Gujarat.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED REPORT

In 2012 assembly polls, Kaminiba Bhupendrasinh had defeated BJP's Thakor Rohitji Chanduji with a margin of 2297 votes.

The hill state went to polls on November 9 while elections were held in two phases in Gujarat on November 9 and 14 respectively. 68 percent polling was recorded on December 9 in the first phase of polls in 89 Assembly seats in Gujarat.

In the 2012 elections, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress emerged victorious on 61 seats.

The BJP has been in power in the state since 1995, winning consecutive elections in the home state of Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. However, it was out of power for a couple of years due to party infighting and rebellion by Shankersinh Vaghela.

The saffron party came back to power in 1998 and has ruled uninterrupted since then.
AHMEDABAD: Deodar is one of the 182 assembly constituencies of Gujarat. It is located in Banaskantha district.

Chauhan Keshaji Shivaji of BJP won the seat in 2012 assembly elections with 76265 votes.

Gujarat recorded an estimated 68.70 percent voter turnout in the second and final phase of polling for 93 Assembly seats.

68 percent polling was recorded on December 9 in the first phase of polls in 89 Assembly seats in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi are locked in a bitter, high-stakes political battle after a 22-year BJP reign.

The election in Modi's home state is crucial for the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and is seen as a prestige battle for the prime minister, who was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and a litmus test for the opposition party's heir-apparent Rahul Gandhi.

A total of 50.25 lakh electorate, including 19 lakh women and 14 transgenders, will decide the fate of candidates.

The poll process in the state started on November 14 with the issue of the gazette notification for the first phase.
AHMEDABAD: Matar in Kheda district is one of the 182 constituencies in the state. In 2012 assembly polls, BJP candidate Kesrisinh Jesangbhai Solanki won the seat with 59576 votes.

Gujarat recorded an estimated 68.70 percent voter turnout in the second and final phase of polling for 93 Assembly seats.

68 percent polling was recorded on December 9 in the first phase of polls in 89 Assembly seats in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi are locked in a bitter, high-stakes political battle after a 22-year BJP reign.

The election in Modi's home state is crucial for the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and is seen as a prestige battle for the prime minister, who was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and a litmus test for the opposition party's heir-apparent Rahul Gandhi.
Voting in a democracy is not just a right but is also a duty for all citizens. And besides the obvious benefit of choosing leaders who would govern, there can be some short-term, personal benefits too. Take the case of a shop in Gujarat which is offering 10 per cent discount to all who voted in the state assembly elections.

A gift shop in Ahmedabad has come up with a novel way to both entice as well as reward customers who cast their vote in Gujarat assembly elections. A flat 10 per cent discount is being offered to those who show their inked fingers. The discount is reportedly valid on all items available for sale in this shop and outlets in other parts of the city as well as one in Rajkot.

Gujarat assembly elections 2017 have been conducted in two phases with the second phase still underway at the time of filing this report. There are a total of 182 seats and major political parties like BJP and Congress have been treating the polls as a litmus test. Leaders of both parties - including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi - have held numerous rallies across the length and breadth of the state to connect with voters.
AHMEDABAD: Reacting to the exit poll results on Thursday giving a clean sweep for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat elections, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said people have rejected the racist and casteist politics of Congress, and voted for development.

I am expressing thanks to the public for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party by coming out in large numbers to vote in the elections, Rupani said.

He said, The people of Gujarat have supported development and rejected politics of race, caste and creed of Congress. The saffron party has been power in Gujarat for the past 22 years.

Rupani also rejected the Congress allegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has violated the model code of conduct by holding a roadshow after casting his vote on Thursday.

The Congress workers had protested outside the Election Commission office in Delhi on Thursday afternoon, accusing the PM of holding an illegal roadshow, saying he violated the commission's model code of conduct.

BJP's national IT cell head Amit Malviya has also slammed the Congress charges, saying, It (Congress) is unable to stomach PM Modi's unprecedented popularity.

All the exit polls on Thursday predicted a clean sweep for BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. The exit polls of VMR, C-voter, News X, India TV and CSDS have forecast BJP to win in the elections.

Gujarat assembly elections were held in two phases on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will be held on December 18.

The first phase was held in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts while in the second phase, the polling was held in 93 constituencies across 14 districts.

The Election Commission said, a total of 66.75% voter turnout was recorded in the first phase and in the second phase, about 69% recorded till 5 pm.

Both Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress have campaigned hard in high-stakes elections with both sides fielding their top leaders for the polling.

The saffron party had drafted several top leaders including Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Smriti Irani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and many other top party functionaries of the state and the national level have also campaigned.

The Congress had fielded former prime minister and senior party leader Manmohann Singh, among several high-profile party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, state chief Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Navi Azad, Shachin Pilot, Kamal Nath, Sam Pitroda, Kumari Selja and Alpesh Thakor, among others.

The ruling BJP is attempting for a fifth term in the state while the Congress is seeking a comeback.

The campaigning had seen some intense exchange of words between the two old rival parties. The BJP has blamed the Congress of misgovernance and corruption during its rein while the Gandhi-led party has accused the saffron brigade of lying to people and having flawed economic policies like demonitisation and GST, which it said have adversely impacted the poor.
AHMEDABAD: The second phase of ongoing Gujarat assembly elections has recorded a voter turnout of 49% till 2 pm.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts in the northern and central regions.

The first phase of polling for 89 seats in the 182-seat state assembly was held on December 9 with over 60 percent voting registered.

Voting began in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm. There are 851 candidates in the fray.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President-designate Rahul Gandhi appealed to voters in Gujarat to exercise their franchise in the second phase of polling.

"Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy," Modi said in a tweet.

"The ushering in of a new Gujarat has already begun. Your one vote will strengthen and empower the foundations of democracy. I appeal to the people of the state to vote more and more for a bright tomorrow," Gandhi tweeted.

The security has been increased in various parts of the state in the wake of the polls.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 93 candidates for this phase, while Congress has fielded only 91.

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68%. The results will be declared on December 18.

In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.
AHMEDABAD: BJP's national IT cell head Amit Malviya on Thursday exuded confidence as the majority of exit poll results showed the saffron brigade winning the Gujarat elections and said the party will come back to power for another term.

On 18 Dec, Gujarat would have trusted BJP for the sixth time in a row! he tweeted.

All exit polls show BJP winning both Himachal and Gujarat. Expect better performance on 18Dec! #BJPWinsGujarat  Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) December 14, 2017

One state closer to Congress Mukt Bharat... Karnataka is next! #BJPWinsGujarat  Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) December 14, 2017

Referring to the Congress protest outside the Election Commission office in Delhi over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow, he said, It (Congress) is unable to stomach PM Modi's unprecedented popularity.

It is doing what it does best - attack institutions, in this case, the ECI. It was the same EC, Gujarat and Ahmed Patel's election to Rajya Sabha - Congress was all praise for the EC then. Sore losers? Malviya said.

Gujarat assembly elections were held in two phases on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will be held on December 18.

The first phase was held in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts while in the second phase, the polling was held in 93 constituencies across 14 districts.

The Election Commission said, a total of 66.75% voter turnout was recorded in the first phase and in the second phase, about 68% recorded till 5 pm.

Both Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress have campaigned hard in high-stakes elections with both sides fielding their top leaders for the polling.

The saffron party had drafted several top leaders including Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Smriti Irani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and many other top party functionaries of the state and the national level have also campaigned.

The Congress had fielded former prime minister and senior party leader Manmohan Singh, among several high-profile party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, state chief Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Navi Azad, Sachin Pilot, Kamal Nath, Sam Pitroda, Kumari Selja and Alpesh Thakor, among others.

The ruling BJP is attempting for a fifth term in a row in the state while the Congress is seeking a comeback.

The campaigning had seen some intense exchange of words between the two old rival parties. The BJP has blamed the Congress of misgovernance and corruption during its rein while the Gandhi-led party has accused the saffron brigade of lying to people and having flawed economic policies like demonitisation and GST, which it said have adversely impacted the poor.
Ahmedabad: The polling in the second and final phase of assembly elections in Gujarat was unique in many ways. First, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who chose to stand like an ordinary voter in a queue to cast his vote, and then BJP chief Amit Shah went to cast his vote in an area where he was once a booth manager for his party.

According to reports, the BJP national president today went to a booth in Ahmedabad along with his wife, Sonal, and his son, Jay Shah, to cast his vote in the final phase of polls in Gujarat.

A local BJP MLA from Telangana had posted a picture of Amit Shah on Twitter with a caption that ''this can happen only in BJP''.

It can happen only in BJP. @AmitShah ji votes in the same area where he once worked as a party karyakarta & as a booth incharge, later becoming an MLA from the same area before becoming RS MP and party president. It is possible only in @BJP4Indiahttps://t.co/L7pqPU5LoH  G.Kishan Reddy,MLA. (@kishanreddybjp) December 14, 2017

Shah, 53, voted in an area - Naranpura  where he was once assigned the task of managing a booth in the 1080s.

Booth managers are usually tasked with the job of mobilising party supporters and ensuring that they show up on voting day. Booth managers, with the support of polling agents, also keep a close tab on any irregularities during voting and alert election officials if any problem arises on behalf of their party.

Amit Shah, who is considered as the BJP's 'Chankya', had represented Naranpura constituency in the Gujarat State Assembly for several years before he was elected to the Rajya Sabha in August.

In 2012, Shah contested from the same constituency.

After casting his vote, Shah said, "The people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model."

He then went to a temple with his family members.

Before moving to Naranpura constituency in 2012, Shah was elected as an MLA from Sarkhej in four consecutive elections: 1997 (by-election), 1998, 2002 and 2007.

Naranpura seat came into existence after 2008 delimitation.

This is totally urban seat. BJP has fielded Patel Kaushikbhai Jamnadas against Congress candidate Patel Nitinbhai Kantibhai.

After an acrimonious campaign, voting for the second and final phase of the Gujarat assembly elections was held today in 93 seats of north and central Gujarat.

The election is being seen as a "prestige battle" for Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The votes will be counted on December 18.

Interestingly, a majority of exit polls today gave a thumbs-up to the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

With PTI inputs
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday slammed the Election Commission, urging media to stand up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'unprecedented violation of the code of conduct'.

He took to Twitter saying, "Stand up Media to this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct. Condemn the EC for allowing this gross abuse."

Stand up Media to this unprecedented violation of the code of conduct. Condemn the EC for allowing this gross abuse. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

Earlier in the day, Modi cast his vote in Gujarat for assembly elections in his home state. He reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge applause from a flood of people standing in line waiting for Modi to arrive.

Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Chidambaram said, "Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day."

Let the media look at the images on the TV screens, search its conscience and reach a conclusion. There has not been a more blatant violation of the code of conduct on polling day. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

As soon as he reached the booth, he touched his elder brother's feet and stood in the queue waiting for his turn to cast the vote. After he came out, he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike. His voting looked nothing less than a mini-roadshow with people cheering and applauding the Prime Minister.

Witnessing the pomp and show, the Congress has knocked the door of the Election Commission calling it a violation of the model of conduct. The Congress has accused Modi of holding a roadshow to influence the voters in the state.

"The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full-fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job," the former Finance Minister said.

The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

"Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?" Chidambaram added.

Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing? December 14, 2017

However, the BJP is claiming that it was not an organised event but people had gathered there due to the curiosity that people had in Modi.

Modi giving vote in Gujarat brings back memories of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he took a selfie with the BJP symbol after casting his vote and even gave a speech at the poll booth. Taking cognisance of the matter, the Election Commission had then filed an FIR against Modi.
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben exercised her franchise in Gandhinagar in the second and final phase polling on 93 seats of Gujarat assembly elections.

According to reports, PM Modi's 97-year-old mother arrived at the polling booth despite suffering from bad health.

PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

The voting on 93 seats in the second and last phase of Gujarat Election began at 8:00 today.

PM Modi and several top brasses of BJP including Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley and LK Advani will cast their vote in the second phase of Gujarat elections.

The Election Commission has deployed hundreds of companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, 12 companies of Rapid Action Force and 19 companies of the State Reserve Police Force to ensure law and order.

There are 851 candidates in the fray.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 places.

The Election Commission has deployed hundreds of companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, 12 companies of Rapid Action Force and 19 companies of the State Reserve Police Force for the election.

The first phase of the polls for 89 seats in the 182-seat state assembly was held on December 9 with over 60 percent polling registered.

The voter turnout in the first phase of the polls was 68 percent.

Meanwhile, repolling will be held on Friday in two booths of Jamjodhpur constituency, two booths in Una, one in Nijjar, and one in Umargam. The results will be declared on December 18.
Several officers appointed to control air pollution in Delhi enjoy plum postings with other ministries and government departments as Arvind Kejriwal blames Haryana, Punjab and UP for their inaction.

By Pankaj Jain, Kumar Kunal: When smog started enveloping Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal squarely blamed Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh for not preventing stubble burning by farmers. But the Kejriwal government itself has not taken any concrete steps to curb pollution as smog and fog still cover Delhi despite some relief after Monday's drizzle.

India Today's investigation into the government's laxity will make you scratch your stubble in disbelief. Several officers appointed to control air pollution in Delhi enjoy plum postings with other ministries and government departments.

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The decision to appoint the officers was taken almost 30 years ago after an order from the Supreme Court on a case filed by public interest attorney MC Mehta, who has been battling pollution-causing industries for ages. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Asia for Public Service in 1997 and Padma Shri in 2016.

After the apex court's order, more than 40 officers were appointed as the Pollution Level Test Inspectors and Pollution Control Officers and were trained to check vehicular pollution in the city. However, they are now working at various places like licensing wing, registration wing and even at the offices of Transport Minister and Transport Commissioner.

The transfer of these officers to other wings of the transport department had started way back in 1990 through an office order that authorised Pollution Level Test Inspectors to exercise the powers of Motor Vehicle inspectors.

The matter went to the Centre and the joint secretary wrote to then commissioner of transport S Raghunathan on August 29, 1991, that under Section 213 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, both the cadres are governable by two different sets of service rules with different qualifications and duties. The ministry also ascertained in the same letter that no such instructions were issued by the ministry to Delhi government to issue such orders.

After the position in this regard was been made clear by both the Delhi and Central government, anti-pollution executives moved the Supreme court once again. In March, 1997, the Supreme Court issued an order instructing the Delhi government that "the members of the appellant are technical anti-pollution level test Inspectors. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, the cadre of Motor Vehicles Inspectors has statutory base and, therefore, they are distinct from pollution inspectors. The order further said, "It would be for the appropriate government to take policy decision. The tribunal is not competent to give directions to lay down the policy or to issue directions to create promotional avenues."

Despite these orders from Supreme Court and Central government, these Pollution Level Test Inspector and Pollution Control Officers have been shifted to the other wings of transport department and literally.

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Delhi's transport minister Kailash Gehlot said that the government has received complaints against officers who are supposed to control air pollution but enjoy plum postings. All such officers will be asked to perform their duty in the anti-pollution wing of Delhi government, he said.

Even environmental experts claim that vehicles are one of the biggest contributor of pollutants in city and due to shortage of staff, the campaign against pollution is facing a big hurdle.

Sources even claim that the Environment Pollution Control Authority, which has been formed by the apex court to suggest policies on pollution check, has also taken the issue of shifting these pollution control officers to different wings of the transport department.

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment, claims that in Delhi there are more than 900 PUC centers and less than 30 officials who check these centers. "The number of officials is too less to cater to the increasing numbers of vehicles in the Capital. The government should take immediate action against these erring officials and put them to work."

--- ENDS ---
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote in the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections, amid loud cheers from a crowd gathered outside the polling booth in Ranip here.

Modi was seen waiting in a queue outside the polling station to cast his vote amid heavy security.

As soon as he reached the booth, PM Modi touched his elder brother's feet and stood in the queue waiting for his turn to cast the vote. After he came out, he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike. His voting looked nothing less than a mini-roadshow with people cheering and applauding the Prime Minister.

The prime minister walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waived to the crowd.

#WATCH Ahmedabad: PM Narendra Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/cRqbmApgMv  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

The PM then took a ride in his bullet-proof SUV showing his inked finger to the crowd gathered on the street before leaving from the venue.

Minutes before his arrival in Ranip, the Prime Minister took to his Twitter to announce that he would be reaching Ahmedabad to exercise his franchise as his post read, "On my way to cast my vote in Ahmedabad."

On my way to cast my vote in Ahmedabad.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

A huge crowd, waiting to catch a glimpse of PM Modi, had gathered at the polling booth at the Nishan High School in the Ranip locality of Sabarmati. Thousands of people greeted the Prime Minister on his arrival with 'Modi Modi' cheer and chant as he went inside the polling booth to cast his vote.

Live updates: 2nd phase polling in Gujarat

Witnessing the pomp and show, the Congress has knocked the door of the Election Commission calling it a violation of the model of conduct. The Congress has accused Modi of holding a roadshow to influence the voters in the state.

Several other top brasses of BJP including party chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, former state Chief Minister Anandiben Patel cast their vote in Gujarat today.

PM Modi's mother, Heeraben, who is 97-year-old, also cast her vote today at a polling booth in Gandhinagar.

"Gujarat nu bhalu karo, (I pray to God for Gujarat's well-being)," she said at the polling station.

Earlier today, PM Modi appealed to the voters in Gujarat to exercise their franchise in the second phase of polling that began at 8:00 am today.

"Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy," Modi said in a tweet.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

Voting began in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m. There are 851 candidates in the fray.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts in the northern and central regions.

The first phase of polling for 89 seats in the 182-seat state assembly was held on December 9 with over 60% voting registered.
Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote after waiting in a queue to exercise his right at a polling booth set up at a school in Sabarmati constituency of Ahmedabad district.

After casting the vote at the Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of "Modi, Modi".

The PM walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waived to the crowd.

Wonderful scenes for democracy as PM Modi stands in queue to cast his vote in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and a frenzied crowd cheering and greeting their beloved leader on the roads after he comes out of the polling booth! #Voted4Vikas pic.twitter.com/e4wCiii9Xx  BJP (@BJP4India) December 14, 2017

Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi had urged the people of Gujarat to vote in record numbers in the second phase of the Assembly elections.

"Today is phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy," he had tweeted.

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for 93 seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat in the second phase.

Prominent candidates in the fray for Thursday's battle include state Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana against Jivabhai Patel of Congress.

Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress, is seeking election from Radhanpur constituency. Lavingji Thakor of the BJP is contesting against him.

Vadgam SC seat is another key constituency from where independent candidate Jignesh Mevani is fighting the election on Congress support against BJP's Vijay Chakravarti.

In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by PM Modi, Congress has given a ticket to foreign-educated young face Sweta Bhrambhatt against BJP's sitting MLA Suresh Patel. PM Modi had vacated the constituency after becoming the PM in 2014.

The Gujarat contest is being seen as a prestige battle for PM Modi in his home state, where a reinvigorated Congress has sewed up a broad social coalition with prominent Patidar, OBC and Dalit leaders in its bid to unseat the BJP in power for over two decades.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member Assembly was held on December 9 and covered 89 seats. The counting of votes will be on December 18.

In the 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress had bagged 61.

(With PTI inputs)
GURUGRAM: A Delhi teenager has been found murdered on a railway track in Gurugram, police said on Thursday.



Diwakar, a Class 12 student, was a resident of RK Puram in south Delhi. He had been missing since Tuesday when he left for school but never came back, said Tarun, a family member.



"When we contacted the school, a teacher said he did not come to school. After talking to his friends, we filed a missing complaint," he said.



On Wednesday night, the family was informed by the Haryana Police about a body found on Gurugram Sector 9 railway track. "When they reached the spot, they identified it as Diwakar`s. The family members say he was brutally murdered," an officer said.



"Diwakar`s mouth was filled with a handkerchief and his shoelaces were tied to the track. We are suspecting foul play," he added.



Tarun said Diwakar was a brilliant student and had no personal animosity with anyone.


NEW DELHI: After the exit polls gave an emphatic victory for the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal elections on Thursday, Union minister and senior party leader Ananth Kumar said there should be simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

The Union minister of parliamentary affairs said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has favoured holding simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and assemblies.

The Centre had earlier asked the Election Commission what it would require for becoming capable of holding the parliamentary and assembly polls together. In its reply, the Commission had said it would be "logistically equipped" by September 2018 to hold simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and assemblies.

PM said that simultaneous elections to the Parliament and state assemblies should happen: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar pic.twitter.com/OchgLCVAZL  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

The government has proposed to hold simultaneous elections in the country as it would not just save time but also crucial financial resources.

The reaction comes after the exit polls on Thursday predicted a BJP victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

Various exit polls gave a clean sweep for the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. The exit polls of VMR, C-voter, News X, India TV and CSDS have forecast BJP to win in the elections.

The polling for the second and final phase of Gujarat elections ended on Thursday. Himachal had voted on November 9. Counting of votes for both the states will take place on December 18.

Gujarat assembly elections were held in two phases on December 9 and 14.

The first phase was held in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts while in the second phase, the polling was held in 93 constituencies across 14 districts.

The Election Commission said, a total of 66.75% voter turnout was recorded in the first phase and in the second phase, about 69% recorded till 5 pm.

Both Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress have campaigned hard in high-stakes elections with both sides fielding their top leaders for the polling.
New Delhi: Exit polls on Thursday predicted a victory for the ruling BJP in Gujarat, giving it a clear majority in the keenly-contested Assembly polls in the state.

Soon after voting ended in the second and final phase of the election, an exit poll gave the BJP 115 of the total 182 seats and the Congress, 65. Another such survey gave the ruling party 108 seats and 74 to the Congress.

On the other hand, the CSDS survey predicted that BJP will bag 117 seats in Gujarat as against the Congress' 64. It further said that the saffron party was likely to secure 49 percent vote share. The Congress, it said, may end up with 41 percent vote share.

For Himachal Pradesh, the CSDS exit poll has predicted a defeat for Congress party in the hill state. It has projected that the saffron party will win 38 out of 68 seats while the grand old party is likely to get 29 seats. Other parties may get one seat.



As for the vote share, as per CSDS, BJP is set to gather 45% in Himachal Pradesh, while the Congress may end up with 42% vote share. Others are likely to get 13% vote share.

Meanwhile, the VMR exit poll predicted 115 seats for the BJP and 64 for the Congress, with the remaining seats going to other parties.

The C Voter exit poll gave the BJP 108 seats and the Congress, 74.

The Gujarat contest is being seen as a prestige battle for PM Narendra Modi in his home state, where a reinvigorated Congress has sewed up a broad social coalition with prominent Patidar, OBC and Dalit leaders in its bid to unseat the BJP in power for over two decades.

In its bid to form a caste bloc against the BJP, the Congress has won over Hardik Patel, Thakor and Mevani, who have emerged as the young Turks representing the Patidars, OBCs and Dalits respectively.

Exuding confidence, Rahul Gandhi on the concluding day of the campaign on Tuesday had told reporters that there was "tremendous undercurrent" against the ruling BJP in Gujarat. He had also predicted a 'zabardast' victory for his party.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member Assembly was held on December 9 and covered 89 seats. The counting of votes will be on December 18.

In the 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress had bagged 61.
New Delhi: Exit polls on Thursday predicted a victory for the ruling BJP in Gujarat, giving it a clear majority in the keenly-contested Assembly polls in the state.

Soon after voting ended in the second and final phase of the election, an exit poll gave the BJP 115 of the total 182 seats and the Congress 65.

Another exit poll gave the ruling dispensation 108 seats and 74 to the opposition Congress.

The VMR exit poll predicted 115 seats for the BJP, 64 for the Congress, and the remaining for other parties. The C Voter exit poll gave the BJP 108 seats and the Congress, 74.

As per the Axis exit poll, BJP was likely to win 99-113 seats in Gujarat, while the Congress may win 68-82.

On the other hand, Axis exit poll predicted that BJP will win 47-55 seats in Himachal Pradesh and Congress will get 13-20 seats.

The Gujarat contest is being seen as a prestige battle for PM Modi in his home state, where a reinvigorated Congress has sewed up a broad social coalition with prominent Patidar, OBC and Dalit leaders in its bid to unseat the BJP in power for over two decades.

In its bid to form a caste bloc against the BJP, the Congress has won over Hardik Patel, Thakor and Mevani, who have emerged as the young Turks representing the Patidars, OBCs and Dalits respectively.

Exuding confidence, Rahul Gandhi on the concluding day of the campaign on Tuesday had told reporters that there was "tremendous undercurrent" against the ruling BJP in Gujarat. He had also predicted a 'zabardast' victory for his party.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member Assembly was held on December 9 and covered 89 seats. The counting of votes will be on December 18.

In the 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress had bagged 61.
New Delhi: Hitting back at the Congress for terming the Election Commission a "puppet", the BJP on Thursday said that puppetry is the "art of the Congress".

The saffron party also said that the attack by Congress on the poll body shows their "dynastic arrogance".



The BJP added that Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi had converted "even the office of the Prime Minister into a puppet for 10 years".



"Sheer pettiness of Congress to call ECI names is glaring. You loved it when the same ECI declared Ahmed Patel winner in RS polls," tweeted GVL Narasimha Rao, national spokesperson, BJP.



"Why are you taking out your anger now on the ECI for the spontaneous support to the PM? Isn't it too much to expect the ECI to act as Parivar's Darbaris? Dynastic arrogance of Nehru dynasty is on vulgar display in its frontal attack on the ECI. How dare you give a notice to King Rahul? The same mentality evident in PM being called 'neech, tu chai bech' or CEC as a puppet. Request media not to fail in duty and object to such abuse," he said.



The Congress on Thursday accused the Election Commission of having become a "puppet" in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who it said was breaking rules in a last bid to save the BJP's "sinking ship" in Gujarat.

"Dynastic arrogance" of Nehru dynasty is on vulgar display in its frontal attack on ECI. "How dare you give a notice to King Rahul?". The same mentality evident in PM being called "neech, tu chaibech" or CEC as a puppet. Request media not to fail in duty & object to such abuse. https://t.co/Vc6ChzRKgn  GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) December 14, 2017

Does @INCIndia only like such Election Commissioners? RahulG, You & Mom converted even the Office of PM into a puppet for 10 years? Puppetry is your art. Find better excuses for impending defeat.Verbal abuse is no substitute for a massive election defeat.https://t.co/NFYoRIY4q5  GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) December 14, 2017

The BJP and the Congress were locked in a war of words after PM Modi voted in Ahmedabad and then went around the area, flashing his finger with the voter mark.



The Congress complained to the EC that PM Modi held a roadshow in Ranip area.



Afer casting his vote, the PM stood on the steps of his vehicle and waved to the cheering crowds. His 97-year-old mother Hiraba, who lives in Gandhinagar with the PM's younger brother Pankaj Modi, also voted in Gandhinagar North.



The Congress accused the EC of ignoring the BJP`s and Modi`s violations of the model code of conduct. Congress activists staged a demonstration outside the office of the poll panel in New Delhi.

The districts were elections were held on Thursday included Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur.

In the 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress had bagged 61.

(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Supreme Court advocate Ajay Agrawal on Wednesday wrote to the National Investigative Agency (NIA) requesting them to register an FIR against the Congress leaders and others who attended a meeting with the Pakistani officials.

Agrawal, in his letter, has stated it appeared the meeting was held to destabilise the ruling government and affect the ongoing Gujarat Assembly elections as the very next day Congress leaders and the host of the meeting Mani Shankar Aiyar levelled `Neech Aadmi` remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP leader had earlier claimed that a meeting took place on December 6 at Aiyar`s residence where former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari, High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Sohail Mahmood, Khurshid Kasoori, Indian bureaucrats and other officials were present.

"The act is exciting hatred towards the elected government and the person doing it and the persons involved in conspiracy should be booked under Section 124 (A) (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," Agrawal stated, in his letter to the NIA.

He further said the former prime minister and former vice president are duty bound not to share the content of the information with anyone and added they did not too any prior permission before participating in the meeting.

"No subsequent discussion in the meeting no note of the same was convoyed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) by the ex-prime Minister and ex-Vice president, which they should have done as per the existing protocol," he said.

"When the Government of India has taken a stand of the No talk with the Pakistan until they stopped exporting terror to India then who authorised the above personalities to do the meeting?" he added.

He even added that the meeting took place in secretive manner with a secret agenda, which is purely `anti-national` in its original character and hence, raises the suspicion.

Earlier on December 11, Manmohan Singh quashed the accusation about the former`s clandestine meeting with Pakistani officials, and expressed `anguish` at `the canards being spread`.

"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister, Sh. Narender Modi. Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable," Singh, said in an official statement.

Terming it a lie, Singh issued a clarification as follows, "I reject the innuendos and falsehoods as I did not discuss Gujarat elections with anyone else at the dinner hosted by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar as alleged by Shri Modi. Nor was the Gujarat issue raised by anyone else present at the dinner."
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the Centre has taken seriously the mysterious blackening of the Brahmaputra river and discussed it with the Chinese Foreign Ministry officials.

Addressing a press conference here, Raveesh Kumar, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, ''It is a matter of concern for us. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Water resources and we have ascertained certain facts.''

''The matter did come up during EAM Sushma Swaraj's meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister,'' he added.

Matter of concern for us. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Water resources and we have ascertained certain facts. The matter did come up during EAM's meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister: Raveesh Kumar,MEA on #Siangriver pic.twitter.com/mZ3bUAXpwC  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

The clarification from the MEA spokesperson came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the Water Resources Ministry to find out reasons why toxicity was rising in the Brahmaputra river and also asked it to take immediate remedial measures for it.

The matter was discussed during a high-level meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Union Ministers including Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitely, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and others last evening.

A statement issued by the Assam government also later confirmed that the matter was discussed during the high-level meeting.

During the meeting, Modi assured Sonowal that the Centre had already taken up the issue of Brahmaputra turning black seriously and even engaged the Central Water Commission to look into it and directed the Ministry of Water Resources to take remedial steps on a war footing.

Considering the trans-national extent of the Brahmaputra, the Prime Minister also asked the External Affairs Ministry to take up the matter with the respective country to get into the root cause of the problem and find a positive solution.

Swaraj maintained that her ministry had already contacted China and a pragmatic and exhaustive study was being undertaken to find the real cause, the Assam government statement said.

The Prime Minister also asked the other ministries to work in synergy and directed the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure that scientific tests of Brahmaputra water are conducted to ascertain the physical and chemical composition of the river where it turned black.

Sonowal informed the Prime Minister that the state government had directed the director general of Assam Emergency and Fire Services to collect water samples from 15 places from Jonai to Dhubri along the Brahmaputra and sent them to the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and the IIT-Guwahati.

The water of the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh, which is called Brahmaputra in Assam, turned black from November-end. The water became muddy and cement-like apparently due to the construction of a 1000-km tunnel by China to divert waters of the Brahmaputra which originates in Tibet.

However, China has categorically rejected any wrongdoing on its part.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Attorney General KK Venugopal, Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajeev Jain besides others attended the meeting.
NEW DELHI: Congress workers on Thursday marched towards the Election Commission office in Delhi protesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'roadshow' in Gujarat after casting his vote. The police stopped the party workers and detained them outside Sardar Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk in Delhi. Security has been increased outside the Election Commission office.

Responding to the allegations, the election commission said that the complaint looks anticipatory in nature. "Have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of the vote. It is a complaint which is is more anticipatory in nature which says the crowd was there and this could be a roadshow. This complaint has been given to DEO Ahmedabad," Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer said.

The poll panel added that a team to monitor poll code violation was present at the spot and are finalising the probe report.

Congress has been alleging that Modi violated the poll code by holding a mini 'roadshow' in Ranip after he voted for the assembly elections in the state on Thursday.

Delhi: Police detains Congress workers who were marching to Election Commission in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote today pic.twitter.com/xGIveyyqnX  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Modi reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge applause from a flood of people. After he came out of the polling booth, he showed his inked finger to the crowd and greeted them.

The son of soil, the Prime Minister Of India Shri @narendramodi while casting his vote. pic.twitter.com/ZmZbcesGNe  Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) December 14, 2017

Witnessing the pomp and show, the Congress has knocked the door of the Election Commission and accused Modi of holding a roadshow to influence voters in the state.

"Election Commission has become a puppet and constitutional norms are being violated. What is the reason that Amit Shah addressed the press meet at a public place like Ahmedabad airport, yet the Election Commission did not say anything. We demand that if EC has any shame for their position and Constitution, they need to act," Randeep Surjewala alleged adding that the poll panel has become a frontal organisation of the BJP.
Divyanka Tripathi is bringing in her 33rd birthday in Bangkok with hubby Vivek Dahiya.

By India Today Web Desk: Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya, the golden girl of Indian Television celebrates her birthday today. The popular TV star is in Thailand with hubby Vivek Dahiya to bring in her special day. The couple is definitely having a ball of a time there.

As for Vivek, the actor is pampering his wife in the sweetest way possible. He has planned a string of surprises for her, which included her favourite car ride and a cosy birthday celebration inside their hotel room.

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Divyanka, the self-proclaimed 'smile-bhai' can't stop grinning ear to ear as she doesn't know what to appreciate more--"the surprises or her man".

Picture courtesy: Instagram/Divyanka Tripathi

Picture courtesy: Instagram/Divyanka Tripathi

Picture courtesy: Instagram/Divyanka Tripathi

Picture courtesy: Instagram/Divyanka Tripathi

Divyanka and Vivek's last work schedule-cum-holiday was in Budapest where the two went to shoot for their show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. The couple had a crazy time together apart from shooting in tough conditions.

Here are other pics from their Thailand sojourn:

A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Dec 12, 2017 at 9:30pm PST

That Lt. Mitch kind of feel. #BaywatchInPhiPhi A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Dec 12, 2017 at 6:16am PST

Off to Phi Phi Island with Jaadu ! #Dhooopp A post shared by Vivek Dahiya (@vivekdahiya) on Dec 11, 2017 at 7:27pm PST

What's a trip without posing with everything unusual you see!! Here we go ???... #Tuktuk ride in #Phuket A post shared by Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (@divyankatripathidahiya) on Dec 12, 2017 at 4:05am PST

Divyanka and Vivek tied the knot on July 8 in Bhopal last year. The couple's wedding was widely covered on social media and the couple's wedding moments were also captured in a web series.

--- ENDS ---
NEW DELHI: A delegation of Congress Party on Wednesday reached Election Commission office in Delhi to seek action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders accusing the ruling party of repeatedly violating the Model Code of Conduct binding Gujarat elections.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala accused the Election Commission of double standards for ignoring two press conferences held by Union Minster Piyush Goyal for speaking on Gujarat Election earlier in the day.

"These double standards won't work and so all we have to say is that if these are the standards, then the first FIR should be filed against Prime Minister Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Gujarat`s BJP president Jitu Vaghani, and all other BJP leaders," Surjewala told reporters outside the EC office.

Congress delegation submitted a memorandum to ECI demanding immediate registration of FIR against BJP leaders in the context of them violating the model code of conduct.If FIR can be registered against news channels for telecasting Rahul ji's interview then why not against BJP? pic.twitter.com/AbOzlUU1R2  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 13, 2017

A Congress delegation led by Sh. Ashok Gehlot will be at ECI at 9.15.



If FIR against news channels for showing interview of Congress President,why no FIR against PM, FM, Union Minister & BJP President on this ground?



Are these not double standards?

Let there be accountability.  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 13, 2017

This comes after Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi was served a notice by the EC on Wednesday for violating Section 126 (1) (b) of R P Act by giving an interview to a local Guajarati news channel in poll-bound Gujarat.

Surjewala also called the poll body's move as an attempt to suppress the press.

Notably, Gujarat's Chief Electoral Officer, BB Swain, initiated action against media channels on the directive of the EC.

Surjewala also enumerated instances of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJP.

"In 2014 elections, one day before the election, Modi Ji gave several television interviews which were showed across the nation. On the day of election, Modi ji even showed BJP symbol on voting day but Election Commission didn`t act," he said.

"Just a day before the first phase of Gujarat election, Finance Minister and BJP leader held a Press Conference in Ahmedabad, BJP released its manifesto, but EC did not take any action," Surjewala added.

Congers leader Anand Sharma also hurled accusations against the ruling party.

"Prime Minister Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal have violated Model Code of Conduct again and again. Prime Minister violates model code of conduct, security guidelines but no complaint or FIR is lodged against the him, Amit Shah or any of their ministers," Sharma said.

"Prime Minister misused the FICCI platform to attack Congress, FICCI`s AGM was advanced to December 13, today by the office of the Prime Minister. In the past, AGM never happened before the third week. EC should stay unbiased," Sharma added.

After meeting with the poll body later, Surjewala told reporters, "We informed Election Commission that Prime Minister Modi is going to make an attempt tomorrow again to influence the elections. It is EC's duty to take steps. We have also submitted examples and video proofs."

"Election Commission heard us and said `hum isko dekhenge` (we`ll look into it)," Anand Sharma said.

On Wednesday, the Gujarat BJP lodged a complaint to the EC regarding the telecast of Gandhi's interview.

In his interview to local TV news channels, Rahul Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party BJP for failing to address the real issues of Gujarat and distracting the voters by a misleading election campaign.

He also exuded confidence that his party will make a comeback in Gujarat after a gap of 22 long years.
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote in Gujarat for assembly elections in his home state. He reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge applause from a flood of people standing in line waiting for Modi to arrive.

As soon as he reached the booth, he touched his elder brother's feet and stood in the queue waiting for his turn to cast the vote. After he came out, he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike. His voting looked nothing less than a mini-roadshow with people cheering and applauding the Prime Minister.

#WATCH Ahmedabad: PM Narendra Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/cRqbmApgMv  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Witnessing the pomp and show, the Congress has knocked the door of the Election Commission calling it a violation of the model of conduct. The Congress has accused Modi of holding a roadshow to influence the voters in the state.

The son of soil, the Prime Minister Of India Shri @narendramodi while casting his vote. pic.twitter.com/ZmZbcesGNe  Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) December 14, 2017

"Election Commission has become a puppet and constitutional norms are being violated. What is the reason that Amit Shah addressed the press meet at a public place like Ahmedabad airport, yet the Election Commission did not say anything. We demand that if EC has any shame for their position and Constitution, they need to act," Randeep Surjewala alleged adding that the poll panel has become a frontal organisation of the BJP.

"We would like to tell Modiji that roadshows and seaplanes won't change the Gujarat verdict," he added.

Recalling Modi's speech at the FICCI on Thursday, he said that the PM used FICCI for political purposes and alleged that the EC never did anything.

However, the BJP is claiming that it was not an organised event but people had gathered there due to the curiosity that people had in Modi.

Modi giving vote in Gujarat brings back memories of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he took a selfie with the BJP symbol after casting his vote and even gave a speech at the poll booth. Taking cognisance of the matter, the Election Commission had then filed an FIR against Modi.
The intelligence authorities have expressed concern over a possible attack by terrorists on a famous temple in Gopalganj district in Bihar. According to reports, Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Sheikh Abdul Naeem had activated a sleeper cell in the area and that cell might carry out an attack on Thawe temple in Bihar.

Prabhat Khabar reported that sleuths from investigating agencies have been camping in the area, and a detailed report on the situation has also been sent to the Home Ministry. The authorities have sought additional security for the temple on immediate basis.

The authorities have also highlighted that there are dozens of people inside the temple premises who have no identity card. The local police station also has no details about those people.

Lakhs of devotees from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal and West Bengal converge to the temple every week.
NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders on Thursday met to strategise for the upcoming winter session of Parliament. The Winter Session will be held from December 15 to January 5 with a total of 14 working days.

The Opposition has been claiming that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre delayed the Session fearing key issues would be raised ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had warned the NDA government that it can not escape constitutional accountability by "locking the temple of democracy".

"The Modi government in its arrogance has cast a dark shadow on India's Parliamentary democracy by sabotaging the Winter Session of Parliament on flimsy grounds. The government is mistaken if it thinks that by locking the temple of democracy, it will escape constitutional accountability ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat," she had said.

Defending the decision, the BJP has maintained that the dates of the session have been altered in view of the elections. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that sessions have been rescheduled several times during election time in the past as well.

"It has been a tradition and it has happened several times that Parliament sessions are rescheduled when an election is happening," the FM had said.

At least 14 new bills are set to be introduced during the session. Thes include a bill to provide Muslim women the right to seek maintenance from the ex-spouse after divorce, one on aiming to end discrimination against the transgenders.

Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 are some of the other bills that are likely to be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming session.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday directed its High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to the wife and mother of Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, official sources said.

The directive was issued by the Foreign Ministry following its decision last week to allow Jadhav's family to meet him on December 25 in Islamabad, they said.

The Foreign Office sources said that adequate security measures will be taken for complete safety of Jadhav's family.

An Indian high commission official will be allowed to accompany Jadhav's family during their meeting.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Pakistan yesterday rejected India's plea for consular access to Jadhav at the ICJ, claiming that New Delhi wants the access to get the information gathered by its "spy".

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday termed the BJP's petitioning the Election Commission for Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi's interview to a news channel 'an act of desperation'.

The senior Congress further questioned the Election Commission for allegedly ignoring speeches given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other BJP leaders in a poll code violation.

"BJP petitioning the Election Commission is an act of desperation. An interview after the campaign ended is the norm for every candidate and every campaigner in every election.," he said in a tweet.

BJP petitioning the Election Commission is an act of desperation. An interview after the campaign ended is the norm for every candidate and every campaigner in every election.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

"Yesterday, PM made a speech. BJP's President gave an interview. Railway Minister gave an interview. Why have all these escaped the EC's attention? Why pick on only Mr Rahul Gandhi's interview?," Chidambaram said.

Yesterday, PM made a speech. BJP's President gave an interview. Railway Minister gave an interview. Why have all these escaped the EC's attention? Why pick on only Mr Rahul Gandhi's interview?  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

On Wednesday, the EC issued a show-cause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for 'prima facie' violating the provisions of the election law and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by giving interviews to TV channels in Gujarat where the final phase of polls was due on December 14.

It asked Rahul Gandhi to respond to the notice latest by December 18 evening, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him. It also ordered FIRs against news channels that aired Rahul's interview.

The EC's directive came after the Gujarat BJP approached the poll watchdog regarding the telecast of Gandhi's interview.

In his interview to local TV news channels, Rahul slammed PM Modi and his party BJP for failing to address the real issues of Gujarat and distracting the voters by a misleading election campaign.

He also exuded confidence that his party will make a comeback in Gujarat after a gap of 22 long years.

The EC's decision evoked a sharp reaction from the Congress party that protested the move and sought an immediate withdrawal of the order.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala accused the Election Commission of double standards for ignoring two press conferences held by Union Minster Piyush Goyal for speaking on Gujarat Election earlier in the day.

"These double standards won't work and so all we have to say is that if these are the standards, then the first FIR should be filed against Prime Minister Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Gujarat`s BJP president Jitu Vaghani, and all other BJP leaders," Surjewala told reporters outside the EC office.

Surjewala also called the poll body's move as an attempt to suppress the press.

Notably, Gujarat's Chief Electoral Officer, BB Swain, initiated action against media channels on the directive of the EC.

Surjewala also enumerated instances of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJP.

"In 2014 elections, one day before the election, Modi Ji gave several television interviews which were showed across the nation. On the day of election, Modi ji even showed BJP symbol on voting day but Election Commission didn`t act," he said.

"Just a day before the first phase of Gujarat election, Finance Minister and BJP leader held a Press Conference in Ahmedabad, BJP released its manifesto, but EC did not take any action," Surjewala added.

Congress leader Anand Sharma also hurled accusations against the ruling party.

"Prime Minister Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal have violated Model Code of Conduct again and again. Prime Minister violates model code of conduct, security guidelines but no complaint or FIR is lodged against the him, Amit Shah or any of their ministers," Sharma said.

"Prime Minister misused the FICCI platform to attack Congress, FICCI`s AGM was advanced to December 13, today by the office of the Prime Minister. In the past, AGM never happened before the third week. EC should stay unbiased," Sharma added.
CHENNAI: As many as twenty women officers from Afghanistan Army have arrived at the Officers' Training Academy in Chennai for a training program.

The program aims at honing the skills of these women officers to combat Taliban. This training will also play a role in strengthening India's relations with the war-torn country.

Dressed in their camouflage uniform, the female officers wear traditional hijab during the training process.

They have defied their family and fought with the society to serve their nation.

During the 20-day program at the Officers' Academy, they are trained in weaponry, signals, maps, compasses, communications and computers.

(With Wion inputs)
New Delhi: Exit polls have given a clear advantage for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017.

Most exit polls on Thursday have predicted more than 100 seats for the BJP in Gujarat.

The majority mark in the 182-seat Assembly is 92 seats.

On the other hand, the saffron party is likely to come back to power in Himachal Pradesh from the Congress.

Watch exit poll predictions for Gujarat and Himachal here.

The Gujarat contest is being seen as a prestige battle for PM Modi in his home state, where a reinvigorated Congress has sewed up a broad social coalition with prominent Patidar, OBC and Dalit leaders in its bid to unseat the BJP in power for over two decades.

In its bid to form a caste bloc against the BJP, the Congress has won over Hardik Patel, Thakor and Mevani, who have emerged as the young Turks representing the Patidars, OBCs and Dalits respectively.

Exuding confidence, Rahul Gandhi on the concluding day of the campaign on Tuesday told reporters that there was "tremendous undercurrent" against the ruling BJP in Gujarat. He had also predicted a 'zabardast' victory for his party.

The first phase of voting for the 182-member Assembly was held on December 9 and covered 89 seats. The counting of votes will be on December 18.

In the 2012 Gujarat Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress had bagged 61.
Beijing: Google has announced launch of a research in China that will focus on artificial intelligence (AI). This will be the internet giant's first such centre in Asia.

"I am excited to launch the Google AI China Centre, our first such in Asia, at our `Google Developer Days` event in Shanghai. This Centre joins other AI research groups we have all over the world," Fei-Fei Li, Chief Scientist, Google Cloud AI and Machine Learning, wrote in a blog post.

The tech giant has many employees in China who work on its international services. However, its search engine is blocked in the country.

"I believe AI and its benefits have no borders. Whether a breakthrough occurs in Silicon Valley, Beijing or anywhere else, it has the potential to make everyone`s life better. And we want to work with the best AI talent, wherever that talent is, to achieve it," Li added.

Focused on basic AI research, the Center will consist of a team of AI researchers in Beijing, supported by Google Chinas engineering teams.

"Weve already hired some top experts, and will be working to build the team in the months ahead (check our jobs site for open roles!). Along with Dr. Jia Li, Head of Research and Development at Google Cloud AI, Ill be leading and coordinating the research. Besides publishing its own work, the Google AI China Center will also support the AI research community by funding and sponsoring AI conferences and workshops, and working closely with the vibrant Chinese AI research community," Li wrote.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A special court in Kerala on Thursday awarded death sentence to Muhammed Ameerul Islam, a migrant labourer from Assam, guilty of raping and murdering a 30-year-old Dalit law student in Kerala in 2016.

The 27-year-old woman was found murdered in her house near here on April 28, 2016. Her body was discovered by her mother Rajeshwari, who worked as a casual labour.

On Tuesday, Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court judge N Anil Kumar held Ameerul guilty under various sections of the IPC including 449 (house-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 302 (murder), 376 (rape) 376 (A) (causing death or causes the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

Jisha murder case: Convict Ameerul Islam brought to Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court, quantum of punishment to be announced soon. pic.twitter.com/itnRYJJwiV  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

As many as 100 witnesses were examined during the trial, which commenced in April last.

The prosecution has described it as a rarest of rare case.

The woman, who hailed from a poor family, was brutally assaulted using sharp-edged weapons before being murdered at her house.

Islam, who had left Perumbavoor soon after committing the crime, was arrested from Kancheepuram in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, 50 days after the gruesome incident.

The police cracked the case after conducting a successful DNA test to nail the accused. The trial in the case was conducted in-camera.

The mother, who was present in the court to hear the trial, told the media before the verdict that she wanted her daughter's killer to be hanged to death.

"I'm very happy with the verdict. I'm thankful to all who helped solve the case," she was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

The incident was in focus during the state assembly polls campaign last year with political parties attacking the then Congress-led UDF regime for 'tardy' progress in the probe and 'failure' to nab culprits.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) The commissioning of a submarine by the Prime Minister today does not fall under the ambit of the model code which is in force due to Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections, the Election Commission said today.

Responding to a question by reporters on Congress allegation that INS Kalavaris induction ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would violate the model code, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said the event does not come under the model code jurisdiction.

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"On Thursday, Modi will be in Mumbai where he will attending a commissioning ceremony of Submarine Kalvari. Will that not be a violation of the MCC?" Congress leader Anand Sharma had asked yesterday.

Modi had this morning commissioned Scorpene-class submarine into the Navy. PTI PR NAB RT

--- ENDS ---
Mumbai: The BJP has improved its tally in the Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by one more seat after the party candidate Pratibha Girkar won a civic bypoll on Thursday.

The BJP's strength in the country's richest municipal corporation, which has 227 members, has now gone up to 83 seats against the Sena's 85.

Though six members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had defected to the Sena in October this year, the Konkan Divisional Commissioner is yet to officially recognise the same.

Pratibha Girkar defeated Neelam Madale of Congress in the byelection held in ward no 21 in suburban Kandivli, results for which were announced today.

She is the daughter-in-law of BJP corporator from the same ward Shailaja Girkar whose death in September this year necessitated the bypoll.

She defeated Madale by a margin of 7,607 votes.

The final tally of votes polled by Pratibha Girkar and Madale stood at 9,591 votes and 1,984 votes, respectively.

Shiv Sena had backed the BJP candidate in the bypoll.

A total of 229 voters exercised NOTA (None Of The Above) option in the byelection.
Noida: A class 12 student was killed and two others were critically injured after their car rammed into a road divider here, police said.

The student, Raghav Mehra, a resident of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, had come to Noida last night with his two friends to celebrate his new car his father had gifted him, station house officer Anil Kumar Shahi said.

Their car rammed into a road divider in Sector 27 area when they were returning from a party, he said.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital in Indirapuram, the official said, adding that their condition was stated to be critical.


New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan along with filmmaker Aanand L Rai and actress Anushka Sharma appreciated the efforts and valour of the Armed Forces and were vocal about the sacrifices made by soldiers on the micro-blogging site sometime back.

The Ministry of Defence has now lauded the superstar for his effort in supporting the government's awareness campaign. SRK shared the letter he received from the ministry on Twitter and thanked Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for such an opportunity.

Thank u Mam @nsitharaman for the opportunity. This is the least we can do for our Armed Forces.Will convey ur msg to the whole team. Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/0Wq3RsEja8  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 14, 2017

Shah Rukh had earlier posted a picture on December 3 where he can be seen posing with the soldiers along the director and the lead actress of his upcoming venture. SRK tweeted:

Along with the message, the actor also shared a link where contributions for the Armed Forces can be made. The Raees star along with his team not only spoke about the sacrifices made by soldiers, but also the contribution of the armed forces in the well being of the country.

The Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated on December 7 and to commemorate it, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had launched the Armed Forces Week, appealing the countrymen to wear the Armed Forces Flag to pay respect to the soldiers, as per ANI.

(With ANI inputs)
Chicago: Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek has joined the ranks of Hollywood women accusing movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, calling him a 'monster' in an article published by the New York Times on Tuesday.

"For years, he was my monster," Hayek wrote in the opinion piece in which she included descriptions of sexual harassment, bullying and threats.

Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, issued a statement on his behalf on Wednesday night disputing Hayek's account and calling her allegations of sexual misconduct inaccurate.

More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the accusations against Weinstein. Hayek's spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Wednesday.



Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by Weinstein.

Salma Hayek wrote in the article that she was inspired to share her experiences after other women came forward. Her account largely centred around the time she was involved with making the 2002 film, 'Frida,' in which she portrayed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Hayek wrote that she was pleased to have the opportunity to work with Weinstein and Miramax, which he then owned, because it was "synonymous with quality, sophistication and risk taking in films." But, she wrote, she found herself rebuffing sexual advances and requests from Weinstein.

"No to letting him give me oral sex," Hayek wrote as one of several examples. "And with every refusal came Harvey's Machiavellian rage." 'NERVOUS BREAKDOWN' Hayek wrote that Weinstein was threatening to shut down the production of 'Frida' and that he pressured her into doing a sex scene with another woman in the film. Hayek said that when she went to film the scene, "... for the first and last time in my career, I had a nervous breakdown."

The actress, who called Weinstein a "passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster," wrote, "I never showed Harvey how terrified I was of him."

"Until there is equality in our industry, with men and women having the same value in every aspect of it, our community will continue to be a fertile ground for predators," she wrote.

Baird issued a statement on behalf of Weinstein that disputed Hayek`s version of events. "Mr. Weinstein regards Salma Hayek as a first-class actress and cast her in several of his movies, among them 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico,' 'Dogma,' and 'Studio 54.' He was very proud of her Best Actress Academy Award nomination for 'Frida' and continues to support her work," the statement said.

"While Jennifer Lopez was interested in playing Frida and at the time was a bigger star, Mr. Weinstein overruled other investors to back Salma as the lead," it said. The statement also said Miramax put up half of the money in a film with a budget of more than $12 million, and also noted that there was "creative friction" on the film, which it said "served to drive the project to perfection."

"Mr. Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming," the statement said. "All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."
New Delhi: The one and only showman of Bollywood, late actor-director Raj Kapoor made a significant contribution to the world of Hindi cinema and is seen as one of the pioneers of progressive work on celluloid.

On his 93rd birth anniversary, granddaughters Karisma Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni took to Instagram and shared adorable rare pictures. Lolo captioned the picture with beautiful lines which read, We remember you with so much love.. #myfirstdance#grandfatherlove#mydadaji.

We remember you with so much love..#myfirstdance#grandfatherlove#mydadaji A post shared by KK (@therealkarismakapoor) on Dec 14, 2017 at 1:03am PST

Riddhima, on the other hand, shared a throwback picture of herself and Ranbir Kapoor sitting comfortably on Raj Kapoor's lap. Her caption read, "Miss you always - shine brightest wherever you are #grandfather.

Miss you always - shine brightest wherever you are #grandfather A post shared by Riddhima Kapoor Sahni (@riddhimakapoorsahniofficial) on Dec 14, 2017 at 1:27am PST

The legendary showman was born on December 14, 1924 and breathed his last on June 2, 1988. The noted film personality was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 for his contributions to the arts. He was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 by the Government of India.

Besides, Raj Kapoor received several awards and accolades including 3 National Film Awards, 11 Filmfare Awards and 21 nominations. His films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954) were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

His powerful act in 'Awaara' was rated as one of the "Top-Ten Performances of all time" by Time Magazine.

The veteran star's 'Jagte Raho' (1956) also won the Crystal Globe award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
New Delhi: Miss World Manushi Chhillar shared latest pictures from her London sojourn. We could not help but be envious as she toured the Warner Brother studio that has all things, 'Harry Potter'.

The 'Harry Potter' books that have captured the imagination of many people and have got Miss World Manushi Chillar very happy. The tour she took is a dream haven for all things 'Harry Potter'.

She can be seen enjoying the famous non-alcoholic Harry Potter beverage called 'Butterbeer', whipping her wand around like in the movies and posing at platforms 9 3/4.

She shared her experience on an Instagram story and showed us all the exciting things in the studio like seeing the cupboard where Harry Potter first lived, the sorting hat, the robes etc.

Almost there! #harrypotter #potterhead #warnerbros #warnerbrosstudios #hogwarts #missworld #msworld #ManushiChhillar A post shared by Manushi Chhillar (@manushi_chhillar) on Dec 12, 2017 at 1:25pm PST

This young diva has us captivated by how she looks effortlessly cosy and chic in a short white overcoat, tights, grey pom-pom boots and a pom-pom beanie.

Off to my next destination #harrypotter #warnerbros #warnerbrosstudios #potterhead #missworld #missworld2017 #msworld #beautywithapurpose #ManushiChhillar A post shared by Manushi Chhillar (@manushi_chhillar) on Dec 13, 2017 at 10:40pm PST

We can't help but hope that she keeps sharing her travel diaries as we dream about receiving our letter from Hogwarts so then we can finally give up being a muggle (a person who lacks any sort of magical ability).

It took 17 years for India to win back the Miss World title, which was last bagged by Priyanka Chopra in 2000. Manushi was crowned Miss World 2017 on November 18, 2017, by outgoing titleholder Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico.

The young and gorgeous Manushi is the sixth Indian woman to win the crown.
Dubai: Pakistani actress Meera says people judged her and told her that she had sold herself to Bollywood when she made her debut in the Hindi film industry with "Nazar" in 2005.

"People said I had sold myself to Bollywood, but now everyone is doing Bollywood movies," Meera told tribune.com.pk. In the recent past, names like Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar, Mahira Khan and Humaima Mallick have worked in Hindi movies.



Meera, who attended the 14th Dubai International Film Festival here, said she had "fallen behind" in the social-media oriented culture of films.



"I don't know if our management was weak but it took me time to learn social media. I don't understand computers and technology a lot -- I'm accustomed to a different way of communicating with the media and the press," she said.



Explaining the reasons why she fell behind, Meera added: "It took me long to understand this medium. There was a time when there was no printed paper published without my interview."
New Delhi: Amid concerns being raised on bank deposits under the draft FRDI Bill, an SBI research report on Thursday said the proposed law is contemplating an increase in deposit insurance coverage from the current Rs 1 lakh.

The proposed 'bail-in' clause in the draft Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017 has raised a lot of concern among depositors who are worried that they may lose their deposits with banks, the SBI Ecowrap report said.

"However, the truth is that the risk is much less in the proposed bill," it said.

Currently, DICGC provides deposit insurance of up to Rs 1 lakh and rest of amount is forfeited in the rare event of a bank failure.

The report said that data on Cross Country Deposit insurance Coverage limit shows that Deposit insurance coverage in India is one of the lowest at Rs 1 lakh/USD 1508 /0.9 times India's per capita income.

"Even if we apply the average of how many times it is of per capita income across countries, the deposit insurance coverage rises to Rs 3.5 lakh. The FRDI is contemplating an increase," the Ecowrap said.

It further said that while, the FRDI Bill has not specified the insured amount yet, but "definitely it would be higher" than the current limit of Rs 1 lakh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday said that the government was working to protect the interest of bank customers and their deposits, seeking to dispel the rumours regarding the proposed FRDI Bill.

The draft law, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, is undergoing scrutiny by a joint parliamentary committee.

The report further said that as per the latest data available (March 2016) the average balance per term deposits account is Rs 2.54 lakh, while the overall average balance (including Savings Bank, Current Account and Term Deposit) is only Rs 58,316.

Out of the term deposits accounts, 67 percent of the total accounts are of less than Rs 1 lakh, which holds only 8.6 percent of the term deposts in value.

"Thus, any banks hypothetically fail, then it would not affect the small depositors at all, which are mostly covered through insurance.

"On the other hand, the term depositors of above Rs 15 lakh is only 1.3 percent, who holds 55 percent in terms of amount of the total term deposits of the banking system," the report said.

The report went on to say that in India bank failure is almost non-existent. Till now the claims from DICGC is very few and mostly, such claims have raised only due to failure of a few cooperative banks.

"One reason often cited for this is that banks in India largely fund themselves through retail deposits rather than wholesale funding, which has often been identified elsewhere as a source of vulnerability to external contagion in other countries," Ecowrap added.

The Bill proposes to create a framework for overseeing financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, non-banking financial services (NBFC) companies and stock exchanges in case of insolvency.

The 'Resolution Corporation', proposed in the draft bill, would look after the process and prevent the banks from going bankrupt. It would do this by "writing down of the liabilities", a phrase some have interpreted as a "bail in".
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar: Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, stars likely to play their last WC
By PTI: (Eds: Correcting name in para 10)

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Availability of energy with efficiency is the backbone of Indias economic growth and development, President Ram Nath Kovind said today.

He said that while India has succeeded in becoming a power surplus nation in the past three years, it cannot rest. "Our needs will certainly grow. After all, electricity is to the industrial age what water is to agriculture."

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Energy availability and efficiency is the backbone of Indias economic growth and development, he said, addressing a function on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day.

"It poses not one but several challenges such as access to energy, sustainability of energy sources and efficiency of energy use. All of these are important as the government works towards its commitment to provide 24X7 Power for All," Kovind said.

The President also launched a web portal on energy conservation in buildings.

He said: "Energy conservation and efficiency are critical to our endeavours. They will play a major role in reducing the emission intensity of our GDP and in enhancing energy access as well as bringing down the cost of energy for consumers. This will be of benefit to ordinary households and small-and- medium enterprises, which have significant energy costs."

Energy that is saved will be used by farmers for irrigation and to preserve fruits and vegetables in cold storages, Kovind said, adding that energy efficiency is relevant to many of the countrys flagship programmes ? from Make in India to building Smart Cities.

Almost a third of India?s power consumption occurs in commercial and residential buildings. In the coming years, as the economy grows and cities expand, many more buildings will be constructed, he said.

Energy efficiency in the building sector, therefore, is a necessity, he added.

Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said as many as 10 states have already notified Energy Conservation Building Code and the government will bring such code for residential buildings as well.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) felicitated the winners out of 322 energy efficient companies from select sectors across India.

The participating units of the 2017 awards programme have achieved monetary savings of Rs 1,895 crore against total investments of Rs 1,495 crore in energy conservation measures during 2016-17.

The collective energy savings of 2,762 million kWh achieved by these units is equivalent to avoided generation capacity of 527 MW at power stations.

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The President also presented prizes to school children who won the National Painting Competition 2017.

The competition invites children between the 4th and 9th standards across the country to depict sustainable living and their vision for a clean, green and energy efficient future. PTI KKS SA SA

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: A more than 60-year-old mystery regarding the source of some energetic and potentially damaging particles in the Earth's radiation belts has been solved, thanks to the data from a student shoebox-sized satellite.

The results indicate energetic electrons in Earth's inner radiation belt, primarily near its inner edge, are created by cosmic rays born from explosions of supernovas, said Professor Xinlin Li from University of Colorado at Boulder in the US.

Earth's radiation belts, known as the Van Allen belts, are layers of energetic particles held in place by the planet's magnetic field.

The team showed that during a process called "cosmic ray albedo neutron decay" (CRAND), cosmic rays entering Earth's atmosphere collide with neutral atoms, creating a "splash" which produces charged particles, including electrons, that become trapped by Earth's magnetic fields.

The findings have implications for understanding and better forecasting the arrival of energetic electrons in near-Earth space, which can damage satellites and threaten the health of space-walking astronauts, said Li.

"We are reporting the first direct detection of these energetic electrons near the inner edge of Earth's radiation belt," said Li, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

"We have finally solved a six-decade-long mystery," said Li.

Soon after the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts in 1958, both American and Russian scientists concluded that CRAND was likely the source of high-energy protons trapped in Earth's magnetic field.

However, over the intervening decades, no one successfully detected the corresponding electrons that should be produced during the neutron decay.

The CubeSat mission, called the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE), houses a small, energetic particle telescope to measure the flux of solar energetic protons and Earth's radiation belt electrons.

Launched in 2012, CSSWE has involved more than 65 CU Boulder students and was operated for more than two years from a ground station they built on the roof of a building on campus.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: As the world awaits the latest venture in the Star Wars franchise  Star Wars: The Last Jedi  NASA, it seems, doesn't want the astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) to miss out.

Rian Johnson's space opera will be screened at the ISS with the American space agency sending a screener to the astronauts.

Confirming the same, Spaceflight reporter Robin Seemangal wrote on Twitter: "I received confirmation from Disney and NASA sources that the crew aboard the International Space Station will be screening Star Wars: The Last Jedi."

Providing a few details to Inverse, NASA's Public Affairs Officer Dan Huot said: "[I] can confirm the crew will be able to watch it on orbit.

"Dont have a definitive timeline yet. They typically get movies as digital files and can play them back on a laptop or a standard projector that is currently aboard."

It is possible that the movie will be sent inside the SpaceX dragon capsule that's headed to the ISS on Friday, the Inverse report said.



According to a report in The Verge, enjoying movies on board the ISS is not unusual and the space station is stocked with an extensive digital library of more than 500 titles, including classics and newer hits.
New Delhi: Bigg Boss season 11 has been one of the most controversial and entertaining seasons so far.

On day 74 of Bigg Boss 11, Arshi was asked to choose one contestant who will be sent to Kal Kothri. She chose Akash saying that the latter had been sleeping in the day time despite her warnings.

Then, Bigg Boss asked the rest of inmates to select two people who will be sent to Kal Kothri owing to their disappointing performance in the task.

A 'discussion' was then carried out in the house at the end of which, the names that stood out were Priyank and Hiten.

There was an advantage given to Arshi according to which, she was shown some clips of the inmates who had talked behind her back. However, Arshi was also asked to choose two contestants who would get this unique chance with her. All inmates tried to convince Arshi that they must be the ones to get the chance to view those clips.

Arshi chose Hina and Vikas.

A war of words was witnessed between Hina and Shilpa over the way of making food. Hina had refused Shilpa to use tap water while cooking. Shilpa locked herself in the bathroom and when Arshi and Vikas came, she asked them to leave her alone. The moment she came out of the washroom, Vikas consoled her and told her not to get upset. Shilpa justified her cooking technique and said that the water that she uses is boiled and therefore, harmless.

Arshi, who had heard Vikas, Shilpa and Puneesh went to the bedroom and told Hina that Vikas was saying the way she talked to Shilpa was wrong.

Arshi, Vikas and Hina were then shown the clips. Bigg Boss called them one after another and the clips were played in the confession room.

When Hina saw the way other inmates talk about her, she broke down in tears in the confession room.
Lucknow: Sloganeering and walkout marred the Zero Hour in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Thursday with a determined Opposition trooping into the Well of the House carrying banners and placards.

Despite requests of Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit, Congress and Samajwadi Party legislators trooped into the Well as the Zero Hour began, shouting slogans for the rollback of a recent power tariff hike, among others.

The BSP members, who did not leave their seats, later staged a walkout protesting the government's stand on various issues.

The protesting MLAs led by Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu continued shouting slogans for over half-an-hour while the Speaker completed the business on agenda amid pandemonium, and adjourned the house for the day.

They raised slogans on issues of poor law and order situation, attacks on journalists and corruption.

In the meantime, the speaker also took up an adjournment notice of the Lalji Verma (BSP) on power tariff hike and the parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Khanna gave details of what the government has done on this front and remarked that tariff would have to be paid if power was used.
KANO: Boko Haram fighters battled Nigerian soldiers for about an hour as they tried to take over a military base, in the latest attack against troops in the restive northeast.

A former local government official, a civilian militia member and a motorist who witnessed the shooting yesterday said the Islamist militants tried to storm the outpost in the village of Mainok in Borno state.

Troops managed to repel the attack with the help of reinforcements but it comes after a series of similar raids targeting soldiers that is likely to stoke fears of a resurgence.

Lawan Bukar Wasaram, a former chairman of the Kaga district where Mainok is located, said "large numbers" of Boko Haram militants tried to take over the base.

"So far, 14 of the attackers have been killed and two of their (pick-up) trucks impounded," he told AFP. "The situation has been brought under control by troops."

A leader of the civilian militia in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, some 60 kilometres east of Mainok, gave a similar account, although he put the death toll at nine.

"They attempted to overrun the military base but troops fought back. They had reinforcements," he added.

Motorist Laminu Isa was travelling to Maiduguri from the capital of neighbouring Yobe state, Damaturu, when he and hundreds of other drivers were caught up in the shooting.

"We had to turn to nearby Jakana village and waited until the fighting stopped," he said.

"They came in eight pick-up trucks. We saw them when they crossed the roads and many of us stopped in panic. But they told us they weren't after civilians.

"Their main target was the military so they touched no- one among the motorists."

Isa said the gunmen came from the direction of Buni Yadi in Yobe, which links up with the Sambisa Forest in Borno -- the long-time base of factional leader Abubakar Shekau.

An increase in attacks, including against "hard" military targets, was expected as it has happened before when the Nigerian Army changed senior commanders in the northeast.

Last week, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru was redeployed after just seven months in charge.

The army maintained it was a routine transfer but it followed increased violence in recent weeks, including a suicide bombings that caused heavy civilian casualties.

At least six soldiers died in two separate Boko Haram ambushes earlier this month near Damboa, south of Maiduguri.

The upsurge in attacks could also be an indication that Boko Haram is feeling pressure and is fighting back to secure weapons, ammunition, food and supplies.
BEIJING/TAIPEI: China accused the United States on Thursday of interfering in its internal affairs and said it had lodged a complaint after US President Donald Trump signed into law an act laying the groundwork for possible U.S. navy visits to self-ruled Taiwan.

Tensions have risen in recent days after a senior Chinese diplomat threatened China would invade Taiwan if any U.S. warships made port visits to the island which China claims as its own territory.

On Monday, Chinese jets carried out "island encirclement patrols" around Taiwan, with state media showing pictures of bombers with cruise missiles slung under their wings as they carried out the exercise.

On Tuesday, Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2018 fiscal year, which authorises the possibility of mutual visits by navy vessels between Taiwan and the United States.

Such visits would be the first since the United States ended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and established ties with Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said while the Taiwan sections of the law were not legally binding, they seriously violate the "One China" policy and "constitute an interference in China`s internal affairs".

"China is resolutely opposed to this, and we have already lodged stern representations with the U.S. government," Lu told a daily news briefing.

China is firmly opposed to any official exchanges, military contact, or arms sales between Taiwan and the United States, he added.

Proudly democratic Taiwan has become increasingly concerned with the ramped up Chinese military presence, that has included several rounds of Chinese air force drills around the island in recent months.

Taiwan is confident of its defences and responded quickly to the Chinese air force drills this week, its government said, denouncing the rise in China`s military deployments as irresponsible.

Taiwan presidential spokesman Alex Huang, speaking to Taiwan media in comments reported late on Wednesday, said the defence ministry had kept a close watch on the patrols and responded immediately and properly.

Taiwan "can ensure there are no concerns at all about national security, and people can rest assured", Huang said.

Both sides of the narrow Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from its giant neighbour, have a responsibility to protect peace and stability, he added.

"Such a raised military posture that may impact upon and harm regional peace and stability and cross-strait ties does not give a feeling of responsibility, and the international community does not look favourably upon this," Huang was quoted as saying.

Relations have soured considerably since Tsai Ing-wen, who leads Taiwan`s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, won presidential elections last year.

China suspects Tsai wants to declare the island`s formal independence, a red line for Beijing. Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China but will defend Taiwan`s security.

Taiwan is well equipped with mostly U.S. weapons but has been pressing for more advanced equipment to deal with what it sees as a rising threat from China. The United States is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
WASHINGTON: No negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behaviour, a White House official said on Wednesday, raising questions about U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson`s offer to begin talks with Pyongyang any time and without pre-conditions.

"Given North Korea`s most recent missile test, clearly right now is not the time," a White House official told Reuters.

Tillerson said on Tuesday the United States was ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk," appearing to back away from a key U.S. demand that Pyongyang must first accept that any negotiations would have to be about giving up its nuclear arsenal.

The White House has declined to say whether President Donald Trump, who has taken a tougher rhetorical line against North Korea than Tillerson, gave approval for the overture.

A day after Tillerson`s comments at Washington`s Atlantic Council think tank, the White House official, who declined to be named, laid out a more restrictive formula for any diplomatic engagement with North Korea.

"The administration is united in insisting that any negotiations with North Korea must wait until the regime fundamentally improves its behaviour," the official said. "As the secretary of state himself has said, this must include, but is not limited to, no further nuclear or missile tests."

In his speech, however, Tillerson did not explicitly set a testing freeze as a requirement before talks can begin. He said it would be tough to talk if Pyongyang decided to test another device in the middle of discussions and that a period of quiet would be needed for productive discussions.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Wednesday appeared to walk back part of Tillerson`s proposal, saying there would have to be a suspension of North Korean nuclear and missile tests for an undefined length of time before any talks could take place.

"And we certainly haven`t seen that right now," she told reporters, insisting Tillerson had not unveiled a new policy and was "on the same page" as the White House.

Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea`s weapons advances have grown this year and recent exchanges of bellicose rhetoric have fuelled fears over the risk of military conflict.

Tillerson`s relationship with Trump has been strained by differences over North Korea and other issues, and he has seen his influence diminished within the administration. Senior administration officials said late last month that Trump was considering a plan to oust Tillerson, though the secretary of state has dismissed that.

Tillerson said in his speech that Trump "has encouraged our diplomatic efforts." Trump, however, tweeted in October that Tillerson was "wasting his time" trying to negotiate with North Korea.

CHINA, RUSSIA WELCOME TILLERSON OFFER

Tillerson`s overture came nearly two weeks after North Korea said it had successfully tested a breakthrough intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that put the entire United States mainland within range.

North Korea has made clear it has little interest in negotiations with the United States until it has developed the ability to hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear-tipped missile, something most experts say it has still not proved.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said following Tillerson`s speech that China welcomed efforts to ease tension and promote dialogue to resolve the North Korea standoff.

Russia also welcomed Tillerson`s statement, the Interfax news agency cited Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying.

Ahead of Tillerson`s speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to develop more nuclear weapons while personally decorating scientists and officials who contributed to the development of Pyongyang`s most advanced ICBM, state media said on Wednesday.

Despite that, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tillersons remarks followed speculation North Korea might be willing to talk having announced it had completed a major milestone with last months missile test and suggested he was trying to take advantage of a potential opening.
United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is warning that Iran may be defying a UN call to halt ballistic missile development even as it complies with the nuclear deal with six world powers.

The UN chief says in a report to the Security Council that the United Nations is investigating Iran's possible transfer of ballistic missiles to Houthi Shiite rebels in Yemen that may have been used in launches aimed at Saudi Arabia on July 22 and November 4.

The report on implementation of a UN resolution that endorsed the July 2015 nuclear agreement was obtained by The Associated Press.

The US Mission to the United Nations said Ambassador Nikki Haley would hold a news conference today in Washington to highlight its findings as well as Iran's "destabilising activities in the Middle East region and elsewhere in the world."

In the report, Guterres stressed that the nuclear deal remains "the best way" to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

He said President Donald Trump's October 13 decision not to certify the agreement under US law created "considerable uncertainty" about its future. But, he added, "I am reassured that the United States has expressed its commitment to stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for now."

Trump, however, has left open the possibility of pulling out of the nuclear deal.

Guterres welcomed support for the treaty from its other parties -- China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, the European Union and numerous other countries.

"I encourage the United States to maintain its commitments to the plan and to consider the broader implications for the region before taking any further steps," he said. "Similarly, I encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to carefully consider the concerns raised by other participants in the plan."

Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and the US has focused especially on its time limits and a provision in the Security Council resolution that calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Guterres said the UN is studying debris from missiles fired at Yanbu in Saudi Arabia on July 22 and at the capital of Riyadh on November 4 and also is reviewing other information.

He said France, Germany, Britain and the United States sent a letter saying the Simorgh Space Launch Vehicle that Iran launched on July 27, if configured as a ballistic missile, is "inherently capable of delivering nuclear weapons."
GAZA CITY: Israel carried out a series of air strikes against Islamist group Hamas in Gaza early Thursday, the army said, hours after rockets were fired at the Jewish state from the Palestinian enclave.

In a statement, the Israeli army said they had targeted three Hamas military facilities in different parts of the Gaza Strip, which Hamas controls.

"The military facilities were used as training and weapons storage compounds," the statement said.

"This was in response to the projectiles fired at Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip earlier this evening."

A Palestinian security source said there were more than 10 strikes on the targets, which included a Hamas naval site and a military base near the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The source said there had been significant damage to the sites, as well as a minor damage to nearby houses, causing minor injuries.

There was no initial confirmation of injuries from the ministry of health in Gaza.

The strikes came hours after Israel`s missile defence system intercepted two rockets fired from Gaza.

The rockets are often fired by small Islamist groups but Israel holds Gaza`s rulers Hamas responsible for any attacks from the territory.

The army also announced it would close off the main goods crossing between Gaza and Israel from Thursday "due to the security events and in accordance with security assessments".

There has been an uptick in violence from Gaza since US President Donald Trump announced he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel`s capital last Wednesday.

Four Gazans have been killed, two in clashes along the border and two Hamas militants in an Israeli airstrike.
ISTANBUL: Muslim leaders on Wednesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump`s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and called on the world to respond by recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted the summit of more than 50 Muslim countries in Istanbul, said the U.S. move meant Washington had forfeited its role as broker in efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"From now on, it is out of the question for a biased United States to be a mediator between Israel and Palestine, that period is over," Erdogan said at the end of the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

"We need to discuss who will be a mediator from now on. This needs to be tackled in the U.N. too," Erdogan said.

A communique posted on the Turkish Foreign Ministry website said the emirs, presidents and ministers gathered in Istanbul regarded Trump`s move "as an announcement of the U.S.

Administration`s withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace".

It described the decision as "a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus (for) extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security".

Leaders including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Iran`s President Hassan Rouhani and Jordan`s King Abdullah, a close U.S. ally, all criticised Washington`s move.

"Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine," Abbas said, adding Trump`s decision was "the greatest crime" and a violation of international law.

Asked about the criticism at a State Department briefing in Washington, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that despite the "inflammatory rhetoric" from the region, Trump "is committed to this peace process."

"That type of rhetoric that we heard has prevented peace in the past," she said, urging people to "ignore some of the distortions" and focus on what Trump actually said. She said his decision did not affect the city`s final borders, which were dependent upon negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians.

But when asked whether East Jerusalem could similarly be recognised as the capital of a future Palestinian state, Nauert said that determination should be left to final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

"We`re taking a position on how we view Jerusalem," she said. "I think it`s up to the Israelis and Palestinians to decide how they want to view the borders - again final status negotiations."

Abbas told OIC leaders in Istanbul that Washington had shown it could no longer be an honest broker.

"It will be unacceptable for it to have a role in the political process any longer since it is biased in favour of Israel," he said. "This is our position and we hope you support us in this."

"PALESTINIAN CAPITAL"

Jerusalem, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, is home to Islam`s third holiest site and has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in an action not recognised internationally.

The communique on the Turkish ministry website and a separate "Istanbul Declaration" distributed to journalists after the meeting said the leaders called on all countries to recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

"We invite the Trump administration to reconsider its unlawful decision that might trigger...chaos in the region, and to rescind its mistaken step," the declaration said.

Iran, locked in a regional rivalry with Saudi Arabia, said the Muslim world should overcome internal problems through dialogue so it could unite against Israel. Tehran has repeatedly called for the destruction of the Israeli state and backs several militant groups in their fight against it.

"America is only seeking to secure the maximum interests of the Zionists and it has no respect for the legitimate rights of Palestinians," Rouhani told the summit.

King Abdullah, whose country signed a peace treaty with Israel more than 20 years ago, said he rejected any attempt to alter the status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Abdullah`s Hashemite dynasty is custodian of Jerusalem`s Muslim sites, making Amman sensitive to any changes in the city.

Not all countries were represented by heads of government. Some sent ministers and Saudi Arabia, another close ally of Washington`s, sent a junior foreign minister.

Summit host Turkey has warned that Trump`s decision would plunge the world into "a fire with no end in sight".

Erdogan described it as reward for Israeli actions including occupation, settlement construction, land seizure and "disproportionate violence and murder".

"Israel is an occupying state (and) Israel is a terror state," he told the summit.

"I invite all countries supporting international law to recognise Jerusalem as the occupied capital of Palestine," Erdogan told OIC leaders and officials.

Trump`s declaration has been applauded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Washington had an irreplaceable part to play in the region.
The division bench of Bombay High Court has flayed the railway and medical authorities for the way they handled the bodies of stampede victims.

By Vidya : The division bench of Bombay High Court Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N W Sambre, which was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) to book railway officials for negligence and culpable homicide in the Elphinstone bridge collapse case, has flayed the railway, medical authorities for the way they handled the bodies of stampede victims.

Slamming the way medical and railway authorities handled the bodies of the 23 persons who died in the stampede at Elphinstone Road Railway Station on September 29, Justice Naresh Patil said, "Certainly, this is not the way such situations are to be handled. You have to treat a dead body with dignity and adopt a human approach."

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The division bench noticed the picture of bodies of the victims which had numbers on their foreheads with markers for identification purposes while going through the PIL against the railway officials.

"First time a grief stricken relative sees the body and it has such a mark on the forehead. Common sense should prevail in such situations," said Justice Patil, asking if there are any guidelines in place for medical officers and other authorities while handling such situations and bodies of the victims.

"Let us know if there are any guidelines. Even if there are, this is certainly not the way it should have been done," Justice Patil said.After the tragedy, civic hospital KEM had come up with a justification of marking the foreheads of the dead by saying that this was a scientific method.

The bench observed during the hearing that the government should set up a disaster management cell equipped and trained, specially to handle such situations. However, court refused to entertain the prayer that the petitioner's advocate Nitin Satpute pressed for asking that railway commuters not to pay the railways until and unless the bridges were widened. After the hearing, court issued notice to the railways authorities and posted the petition for hearing on January 18.

The petition has sought inquiry to be initiated into the incident and also for the high court to supervise the matter and issue appropriate directions. The PIL said despite the issue of the Elphinstone Road bridge being too narrow was raised by citizens time and again in the past, the government and the railways failed to take action.

"This is complete negligence on part of the railways. A case under Section 304 (II) of the IPC for culpable homicide needs to be registered against concerned railway officials," the petition said.

After the tragedy at Elphinstone Railway Station, railways in its inquiry had come up with a report blaming the rains which led to commuters not moving out and crowding at the bridge which ultimately led to the deaths.

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Since the deaths, the widening of the bridges across the suburban rail services in Mumbai are being undertaken at a war footing and railway personnel's are deployed around the rush hour to manage crowd flow.

--- ENDS ---
Washington: A Republican lawmaker has committed suicide after denying accusations of sexually molesting a teenage girl, police said.



Dan Johnson, 56, shot himself on a bridge in Mount Washington, Kentucky, on Wednesday night, according to WDRB-TV in Louisville. The gun was recovered by the police, reports Xinhua news agency.



The Kentucky Centre for Investigative Reporting published an expose on Monday detailing allegations that Johnson forced himself on the 17-year-old victim who was a friend of his daughter`s after a New Year`s Eve party in 2012.



Johnson denied the allegations on Tuesday.



He said the accuser was a member of his church, and that the claims were, in part, politically motivated.



Johnson also acknowledged that he messaged the girl on Facebook in January 2013, saying that he did not remember what happened on the night of the alleged encounter and that he had been "drugged" at a local bar.



However, he later said he did remember what happened that night but denied ever entering the room where the girls were sleeping.



Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016.


BRUSSELS: European nations are set to achieve a 70-year-old ambition to integrate their defences on Thursday, signing a pact between 25 EU governments to fund, develop and deploy armed forces together after Britain`s decision to quit the bloc.

First blocked by the French parliament in the 1950s and later by Britain, which feared an EU army, the pact aims to end the squandering of billions of euros by splintered defence policies and Europe`s heavy reliance on the United States.

"No one EU country can provide security to its citizens on its own," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said.

"That`s why three-quarters of EU citizens support this," she said in a speech on Wednesday night, referring to EU surveys.

European Union leaders will launch the Permanent Structured Cooperation, or PESCO, at 1845 CET (1745 GMT) at a summit in Brussels, in one of the most tangible steps in EU integration since Britons voted to leave the bloc.

Defences integration was revived by France and Germany, with support from Italy and Spain, in a show of unity after Brexit.

A bigger impetus came from failings in the 1990s, when EU governments were unable to act in the Balkan wars and relied on U.S.-led NATO to stop the bloodshed on their doorstep.

In Libya in 2011, a Franco-British air campaign ran out of munitions and equipment and was again forced to turn to the United States in what is considered an enduring embarrassment for the European Union, a major economic power.

Caught off guard by Russia`s Crimea annexation in 2014 and facing a host of threats including state-sponsored computer hackers and militant attacks, EU governments appear to have overcome their aversion to working together in military matters.

U.S. President Donald Trump`s criticism of low European defence spending, a host of divisions on foreign policy, and Trump`s warnings to allies that they could no longer rely on the United States if they did not pay up have also played a role.

"It`s sad that we needed Donald Trump to give us a boost, but whatever, it is the right outcome," said former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer, who as minister backed NATO`s intervention in Kosovo in 1999 but opposed the 2003 Iraq war.

Unlike past attempts at European defence integration, the U.S.-led NATO alliance backs the project, aiming to benefit from stronger militaries. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will attend part of the two-day EU summit in Brussels.

Issues still remain about financing future EU missions. An EU defence fund, with money from the European Commission for the first time, still needs to be approved, although a pilot phase is already underway for defence research.

In one irony noted by EU diplomats, British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is attending the summit, will witness the launch of a project championed by Britain in the late 1990s but of which it will not be part, along with Denmark and Malta.

A 1998 Anglo-French EU defence accord is seen as the genesis of Thursday`s agreement. In a possible compromise on PESCO, Britain may be able to join in later on, but only on an exceptional basis if it provides funds and expertise.
TOKYO/YANGON: The arrest of two Reuters journalists in Yangon this week was a signal that press freedom is shrinking in Myanmar and the international community must do all it can to get them released, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.

Guterres said his main concern over Myanmar was the "dramatic violations of human rights" during a military crackdown in Rakhine State that forced more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee the country for southern Bangladesh, and the arrest of the journalists was probably related.

"It is clearly a concern in relation to the erosion of press freedom in the country," he told a news conference in Tokyo, referring to the detention of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who had been working on stories about the strife in Rakhine State.

"And probably the reason why these journalists were arrested is because they were reporting on what they have seen in relation to this massive human tragedy," he added.

Myanmar`s Ministry of Information said in a statement on Wednesday that the Reuters journalists and two policemen faced charges under the British colonial-era Official Secrets Act. The 1923 law carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

The reporters "illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media", the ministry said in its statement, which was accompanied by a photo of the two reporters in handcuffs.

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh say their exodus from the mainly Buddhist nation was triggered by a military offensive in response to Rohingya militant attacks on security forces at the end of August.

The United Nations has branded the military`s campaign in Rakhine State "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing" of the minority Rohingya.

Guterres said the international community should do everything possible to secure the journalists` release and freedom of the press in Myanmar.

He called for aid to be delivered, violence contained and reconciliation promoted in Rakhine State, and for the Rohingyas` right of return to be fully respected and implemented.

LOCATION UNKNOWN

Britain has expressed "grave concerns" to the government of Myanmar over the arrest of the two journalists, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told reporters in London on Thursday.

We are committed to freedom of speech and peoples ability to report the facts and bring into the public domain what is happening in Rakhine state, he said.

The president of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani also called on Myanmar to protect media freedoms and release the two.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo went missing on Tuesday evening after they had been invited to meet police officials over dinner on the outskirts of Yangon.

The authorities have not confirmed where the journalists are being held and, as of Thursday evening, Reuters had not been formally contacted by officials about their detention.

At Htaunt Kyant police station, where the journalists were charged, family members of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were told that the pair were being detained at another location by an investigative team.

"They are not here," said Police Second Lieutenant Tin Htway Oo, according to Pann Ei, wife of reporter Wa Lone. "The police investigation team took them soon after they were arrested."

He said he did not know where the journalists were, Pann Ei added, but he did tell her they would be brought back to the station in "two to three days at most."

Reuters could not immediately reach Tin Htway Oo for comment.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Myint Htwe of the Yangon Police Division told Reuters the reporters` location would not be disclosed until the investigation was complete.

"It will be known later. Please wait a while," he said.

BRITAIN RAISES CONCERN

Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement on Wednesday: "We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately."

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Myanmar said it was "appalled" by the arrests and "gravely concerned" about the state of press freedom in the country. In a statement, it called on the authorities to ensure the safety of the reporters and allow their families to see them.

The foreign correspondents` club in neighbouring Thailand said it was "alarmed by the use of this draconian law with its heavy penalties against journalists simply doing their jobs".

"Wielding such a blunt legal instrument has an intimidating effect on other journalists, and poses a real threat to media freedom," the Bangkok-based club said in a statement, calling for the journalists to be released.
A 15-year-old girl who was gangraped and set ablaze by a man and a boy died at a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar.

By Hemender Sharma: A 15-year-old girl who was set ablaze after being gangraped inside her home in a village in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district died after a seven-day battle for life. Doctors at the Bundelkhand Medical College, where the teen girl was admitted after her gangrape, pronounced her dead early today morning.

The Class VIII girl, was allegedly raped by Raghvendra Sen and a minor boy, inside her Devla village home on December 7. The two accused are from her village and allegedly raped her when she was alone inside her home.

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After the act, the two proceeded to pour kerosene over her and set her on fire. Her shrieks of help led to neighbours running in, rescuing her and rushing her to a local hospital. She was then moved to the Bundelkhand Medical College in Sagar where doctors diagnosed over 80 per cent burn injuries.

The two accused are currently under custody - while Raghvandra Sen has been sent to judicial custody, the minor boy is being held at a juvenile home.

Local police was able to record the teenage girl's statement, which is now being treated as a dying declaration. Murder charges under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code have also been invoked against the accused, who already face charges relating to rape.

The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the family members of the girl even as the opposition Congress party announced plans to hold a protest in Sagar.

The opposition has trained its guns on Chief Minister Chouhan, whose government recently passed legislation that calls for a death penalty to be awarded to those convicted of raping victims younger than 12 years of age.

"The chief minister is going around hammer and tongs claiming credit for a piece of legislation that seeks death penalty for those convicted of raping girls of less than 12 years of age. The fact is that the state government cannot amend the CrPC and the IPC which are included in the concurrent list. Only the Indian parliament can do it and so far there has been no discussion on the matter with the Union government," Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi said.

Various sections in Madhya Pradesh, including many within the Congress party, have opposed the death penalty legislation fearing the victim could be killed to wipe out evidence as happened in Sagar.

WATCH | Vizag horror: Pedestrians ignore while drunk man rapes mentally ill woman on footpath

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El Moises

Artist El Moises started his long-running art career as a schoolboy in Yuma. After illustrating a heart and with a meticulous hand scrawling in stylized font Maria and Jose for a friend circa third grade, she handed him three dollars. He took those dollar bills straight to the neighborhood store and bought a whole stack of folders. I didn't do my homework from school, but all night I sat there and drew different art work on all the folders with empty banners and hearts, he described. The next day I went and got my hustle on. He filled in the names and started collecting his cash. It was a natural step for the artist, who learned what an artist was in kindergarten, simultaneously realizing, that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Today the Baja, Mexico-born and Arizona raised artist makes his home in Albuquerque's North Valley. The week we spoke he was working on a four by seven foot canvas painting of Zozobra and a lowrider commissioned for a Christmas present, a custom design on bicycle for a friend, a motorcycle, an upcoming solo show and his own lowridera 56 Hudson Hollywood. All this on the heels of a mural recently completed in Phoenix and a the newly published children's book, Owl in a Straw Hat or El Tecolote del Sombrero de Paja, a children's book penned by Rudolfo Anaya and illustrated by Moises.

At times called The Chicano Picasso, El Moises' style is still distinctly his ownthough the vibrant colors he employs may remind some of the Spanish master. Flowing compositions full of motion are punctuated by dark outlines and an unmistakable crosshatching technique that he engineered himself early-on in his career. The content and expression of Moises' work is also unmistakablehere is a visual magic realism that blends ancient symbolism with modern imagery and a sly humor that makes the work relatable. I'm a narrative artist mixing folk art with contemporary art, he detailed, describing what he does as arte chingon or sometimes as badass mother folk art.

I'm taking the old world and mixing it with the new world, he continued. It's a reflection of the world I grew up in. Moises described growing up in Arizona's barrios and in Mexico, where his love and appreciation for folk art flourished. In sixth grade, an art teacher gave him a bit of advice: Don't go to art school. That art school would make him paint like everyone else. Instead, she gave him books as instructionbooks that contained graffiti, and works by the likes of Willem De Kooning, Keith Haring, and yes, Picasso. The style I came upon was just because I copied the masters and came up with my own thing along the way, he said. And being from both sides of the border, I have that Chicano twist to it. That he met with success seems almost incidental to the artisthe simply continued painting what and how he loved, and the money and notoriety eventually came. That my work became marketable, that was all by accident. I wasn't trying to find a niche, he said. What I found out was that I have a lot of things in common with people, and they have a lot in common with me.

Around the same time that Moises discovered the works of artistic greats, he also sat down with Anaya's classic, Bless Me, Ultima. I've been an admirer of his since I was a youngster, he said of Anaya. I thought when I moved here I might meet him at a book signing or something, then, lo and behold, I was blessed to work on this book with him.

Owl in a Straw Hat is the story of Ollie the Owl. Like many of us, Ollie is struggling to find his place in the world, and he is easily swayed by the influence of his friends, some wayward crows. Setting out from his home in an apple orchard near Espanola, Ollie doesn't head to school, instead he raids Sister Squirrel's stash and steals cigarettes from the mayordomo. As the result of all this philandering, Ollie never learned to read, so his parents send him to his Grandma's, a teacher at Wisdom School up State Road 76. When Ollie heads out into the world, he begins to learn all kinds of things from the characters he meets.

El Moises illustrates these characters in such a way as to deepen the text. In the story Lobo is more than just a predator, he is decked out in sunglasses, slicked back black hair and a shiny gold accessories. You see, he's that kind of wolf too. Randy Roadrunner pulls up in a brilliantly colored red lowrider that sparkles at every curveroses curling around the wheel wells, and Randy himself displaying a sacred heart tattoo on his wing. This kind of nuance gives Owl in a Straw Hat a significant amount of character, and that undiminished character is evident in the entire body of El Moises' portfolio. When I do something, I don't cut any corners, I make it 100 percent or I just don't do it at all, he said. That kind of conviction, carried with him all the way from elementary school, means that El Moises brings his world-class style, unique vision and focused attention to everything he toucheswhether a book or a lowrider or a canvas.

What I'm doing is very personal, it's a part of me, he said. And because of the care he takes with his work, whole worlds take shape in fullness, as is the case in Owl in a Straw Hat. There's that saying, he laughed, don't judge a book by its coverbut this one, you truly can.

Find Owl in a Straw Hat online at mnmpress.org or at your favorite local bookstore and connect with El Moises on Facebook (@artedemoises) and on Instagram (@artistelmoises).
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Found Objects Cruising the Universe Opening Thursday, Dec. 14 at the KiMo Theater Art Gallery (417 Central Ave. NW) is a new show by two artists, Kerry Bergen and Henry Morales. Together, their work forms the whole that is Cruzando: Travels in a Parallel Universe. Working in different mediums, and drawing inspiration from (terrestrial) travels, and the various cultures that shape their identities, these two artists have created work that blends fantasy and reality in order to create a dialogue of travel across time [that] connects the viewer with past, present and future worlds. The formal reception (with snacks courtesy of Whole Foods) runs from 5 to 8pm, but if you can't make it Thursday, pop in to see the show anytime before Feb. 5.

Unconditional Art at Sanitary Tortilla No bar for entry hereon Friday, Dec. 15, Sanitary Tortilla Factory (401 Second Street SW) invites the community to the gallery for a the formal reception of local artists Cecilia McKinnon and Lance McGoldrick's latest worksPre-existing Conditions. Dredged from the waste of illegal dump sites around the city, McKinnon and McGoldrick collaborated on these works which explore our varied relationshipsin shades of both repulsion (it's trash) and attraction (it's art here)to society's omnipresent cycles of production and waste. The reception is totally free and open to the publicjust head Downtown between 6 and 9pm. Friday night already booked? The show will be on display a few weeks into the new year, shuttering on Jan. 19. View in Alibi calendar

What in the Dickens Charles Dickens, that is. Love cosplay? Love Christmas? Love classic literature? Ok, maybe you just love Victorian Londonregardless, if you check any of these boxes, you might find your dreams taking shape this Friday, Dec. 15 at Holiday Dance Studio (5200 Eubank NE). Between 7 and 10pm the studio will be transformed into the London that the great writer knew during the Charles Dickens Formal Winter Ball. Show up in your holiday finery for a night of refreshments, dancing and cozy holiday feelings. Bring your dancing shoes for a performance by St. Germain, and tuck a gift under your arm to put under the tree for Toys for Tots. $10 at the door buys you entry into another world for the night. View in Alibi calendar
By India Today Web Desk: If you did not already want to be George Clooney's friend, you will, after reading this. The actor once gave 14 of his friends $1 million (around Rs 6.43 crore) each. Not just this, he also paid their taxes for the year.

George's close friend Rande Gerber revealed on a chat show that in 2013, the actor invited a bunch of his friends, called 'The Boys', over. When his friends arrived, they found designer luggage bags on the table at each place setting, which contained a million dollars each.

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Rande recounted, "George begins to say, 'Listen, I want you guys to know how much you've meant to me and how much you mean to me in my life. I came to LA, I slept on your couch. I'm so fortunate in my life to have all of you and I couldn't be where I am today without all of you. So, it was really important to me that while we're still all here together, that I give back. So I want you all to open your suitcases.'"

When they found a million dollars inside, George's friends were in shock. Rande said, "We're in shock. Like, what is this? He goes, 'I know we've all been through some hard times, some of you are still going through it. You don't have to worry about your kids, you don't have to worry about, you know, school, you don't have to worry about paying your mortgage.'"

The actor even paid their taxes, so that his friends could enjoy the full amount. Rande, who co-owns Casamigos Tequila Company with George, said that some of their friends were not so well off. "One was working at a bar in Texas at the airport, trying just to support his family. Rides a bicycle to work every day. I mean these are guys that took care of George and now he's giving it all back," he said.

ALSO WATCH: George Clooney set for his latest flick

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From December through January, New Grounds Print Workshop (3812 Central Ave. SE) is hosting dozens of artists from around the globe as part of their International Print Exhibition, which runs through January. Among those selected for the show is multi-disciplinary artist Lihie Gendler-Talmor, from Israel, who now splits her time between that country and Venezuela. Her work in the show is a piece from a broader project, Being-Refuge, which uses a biblical concept as a point of entry to explore patterns of displacement and migration. She corresponded with us from Adamit, in the far north of Israel, before signing off with a quote from Gaston Bachelard, All great, simple images reveal a psychic state ... even when reproduced as it appears from the outside, it bespeaks intimacy.

Alibi: How do your many art practices inform your printmaking?

After having delved deeplyover the past 20 yearsinto painting, sculpture and installation, photography, and video, during sometimes overlapping  stages in my career, in response to my expressive needs and [ideas], I have come to favor an array of resources photo- etching and traditional etching techniques, together with innovative and alternative approaches to printmaking.  It is the use of this wide range of techniquesmixed, superimposed and juxtaposedin ways that sometimes would make them seem competing and other times complementing  that has come to provide me with the greatest creative possibilities. My intention is not to give the technical aspect of my work a disproportionate importance  but rather to underscore the particular, and very specific, contribution of a set of tools to satisfy an eagerness to express while, as Wassily Kandinsky noted, keeping in mind that they are, essentially, just tools.

What first attracted you to printmaking?

Life goes in circles. I graduated as an architect in Israel and then studied poetics and comparative literature. I was always attracted to painting and photography. I lived in a small neighborhood in Tel Aviv, among visual artists and poets. While working at Tel Aviv University as a teaching assistant, I started taking painting classes at the studio of a renowned Israeli painter, whose concept of color and composition continues to guide me and is still present in my work as a printmaker. The offer to go to Venezuela followed shortly after.  Due to the laws  I could not enroll in any art school. Consequently, the only institution that offered me a place was an independent graphic arts academy. I had scarce, basic knowledge of this artistic discipline and look where I am today!

How did you got the idea for the Being-Refuge project, and what can you tell us about the piece that will be exhibited here in Albuquerque?

In the Being-Refuge series I was inspired by the concept of the Cities of Refuge, six biblical towns in the Kingdoms of Israel and Judea where perpetrators of unintentional manslaughter could claim the right to asylum and be protected from legally permitted blood vengeance. Three of them exist in Israel as archeological remains that I have photographed. The other three are located in Palestine or Jordan. Goodwill messengers journalists and photographershave photographed these places for me. The prints insert into the image of these sites a fictional construction, a temporary and precarious tent-like dwelling, which addresses the worldwide problem of forcible displacement of people due to political conflicts.  In the work I re-create [places that] are symbolic rather than illustrative, recreations of this spatiotemporal multiplicity, a map of melancholy, of exile and belonging. A visual register of the geographic- anthropological relationships between humans and our landscape, our environment, our place.

How do your identities as Israeli and Venezuelan inform the Being-Refuge project?

Living among diverse cultures has allowed me to develop empathy towards those who are forced to do the same, often, for the sake of their lives. I value my experience as a privilege, as the privilege of moving among two or more cultures. This awareness has led me to orient my work towards related subjects, such as the ever-changing concepts of territory and border. My recent work is also imbued with concerns  that are, in general, very current, and [give it a] political dimension. Not politics per se, but rather how politics affects the fate of people.

What do you hope viewers of your work will take away from the experience?

My photo-etchings almost always spring from my encounter with places, when an inexplicable combination of framing, angle, light and other elements creates a rightness, a feeling of necessity beckons me to take the picture. On the path from the photograph to the print I revere a fictional image. I would like to invite the viewer to join me on this journey, to sense the atmosphere of an unstable world in constant flux and tension.
El Moises brings his world-class style, unique vision and focused attention to everything he toucheswhether a book or a lowrider or a canvas.

El Moises brings his world-class style, unique vision and focused attention to everything he toucheswhether a book or a lowrider or a canvas.

The badass mother folk art of El Moises

, Charles Dickens Formal Winter Ball and Stories by the Fireside.

This week: Cruzando: Travels in a Parallel Universe , Pre-existing Conditions , Charles Dickens Formal Winter Ball and Stories by the Fireside.

Arts Interview

Places of Refuge

Images and psychic states surface at New Grounds
Rob M.

At least 30 states have legalized growing hemp since 2016. And get this: New Mexico is one of only two states where the governor vetoed proposed hemp legislation.

Hemp's federal legal status is  counterintuitive. As most everyone knows by now, hemp is the non-psychoactive form of cannabis (technically, it has trace amounts of THC, but not enough to get anyone high). That fact alone makes hemp's illegality bizarre. Start listing off the staggering number of uses that have been found for the plant, and its status seems downright criminal.

To wit: Hemp can be (and has been) turned into a high-strength industrial textile used for clothing, rope, sails andinfamouslyto make American flags (ahem). Paper made from hemp is stronger, lasts longer and can be recycled many more times than paper made from trees. It can be used to produce a plastic substitute that's strong and environmentally- friendly and a fiberboard that is lighter and stronger than wood. Hemp plants also have a much shorter life cycle than trees do, meaning it's a cheaper resource that does less environmental damage. Legalizing hemp would save manufacturer's money as well as put a huge dent in the deforestation of the planet. Seeds from the hemp (cannabis) plant have their own variety of usesas a source of protein and healthy fats and as a skin treatment, for instanceand hemp seed oil can be used as a non-toxic biofuel as well as having numerous industrial uses.

And why is it illegal? Because, despite what hemp enthusiasts are prone to tell you, hemp is cannabis. You will often hear that hemp and marijuana are two different plants in the cannabis family, which is not actually the case. According to the 2014 Federal Farm Bill, hemp is defined as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part or derivative of such plant  with a tetrahydrocannabinol s [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. That means hemp is just weak (psychoactively speaking) cannabis. Weak cannabiseven cannabis that no one is consuming to alter their consciousnessis still cannabis according to the nation's lawmakers.

But here in the Land of Enchantmentwhere farmers and poverty aboundwhy would our governor block research and production of a cheap money-maker in a year when industrial hemp production in the US doubled? Search me.

Heavy Cannabis Use Linked to Vomiting Illness

Some emergency physicians in Colorado and California are warning the public of a rare illness that can affect long-term, heavy cannabis users (you better believe that perked my ears up). The obscure condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which was only recently acknowledged by the medical community, was first documented by Australian doctors in 2004.

The syndrome involves extreme nausea and stomach pain leading to violent cyclical vomiting, coupled with mental fog. According to doctors, the condition is hard to treat, since traditional anti-nausea medications usually fail to help relieve the pain. Worse, diagnosing the issue comes with its own set of problems. Symptoms are nearly identical to a number of other illnesses, and no test exists that can detect the syndrome. It also doesn't help that cannabis is known as a treatment for nausea, meaning most patients are skeptical when they hear that its causing them stomach pain.

The exact cause of the syndrome is unknown, but it's possible that some people have a genetic disposition for it. Unfortunately the only treatment is cessation, meaning some folks are going to have to pass by cannabis as a medicine. The good news is it seems to be rare, although there aren't any numbers to confirm this, as of yet.

Medical Cannabis Protection Extended Again

Last week, President Donald Trump signed a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government running through Dec. 22. The Rohrabacher- Blumenauer amendment, which blocks the Department of Justice from using any funds to prosecute cannabis patients and producers in states where it's legal for medical use, was also extended once again by the House. But all of us medical cannabis advocates are starting to get sick of the constant cycle of panic being brought on by the need for the provision to renew.

In a statement to the press following the extension, Oregon's Rep. Earl Blumenauer, one of the most outspoken cannabis advocates in Congress, said that while he was pleased with the extension, two weeks is not enough certainty for the millions of Americans who rely on medical marijuana for treatment and the businesses who serve them. He went on to say,  ultimately, Congress must act to put an end to the cycle of uncertainty and permanently protect state medical marijuana programsand adult usefrom federal interference.

In a related story, Blumenauer also announced the formation of a political action committee aimed at unseating anti-cannabis lawmakers. The Portland Democrat's Cannabis Fund will raise money to promote cannabis-friendly candidates and policies, while campaigning against those who openly speak against the plant. So far, the fund has only raised $2,000, but Blumenauer announced that he has already decided on a first target: Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas. Sessions helped block the Rohrabacher- Blumenauer amendment last September.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker and fine-art photographer Miguel Gandert shows his work highlighting his mestizaje heritage, and the fusion and tension of the relationship between Spanish Colonial and Native Cultures of the Americas. Runs through 12/29.

Querer means to want, to desire, to be in a place, with its people. In folk terminology, querencia is such a place, the center space of desire, the root of belonging and yearning to belong, that vicinity where you first beheld the light. Querencia, in collective terms, is homeland. ~Enrique Lamadrid, Nuevo Mexico Profundo

Miguel Gandert tells stories. He tells stories of his homeland, New Mexico (and beyond), its people and the cultural practices that distinguish communities from each other while simultaneously revealing their kinship. You will have to form your own words, however. Ganderts stories are told through penetrating, black and white photos. A primary focus of his work is his own mestizaje heritage and the fusion and tension of the relationship between Spanish Colonial and Native Cultures of the Americas.

Miguel Gandert, a native of Espanola, NM, is an award-winning documentary and fine-art photographer and filmmaker. His photographs have been shown in galleries and museums throughout the world and are in numerous public collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Museum of American History and Art at the Smithsonian.

Querencia: Rituals of the Rio Arriba opens Friday, October 6 at the New Mexico Humanities Council, 4115 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque. An artists reception will be 6:00 pm  8:00 pm with an artist's discussion at 7:00 pm. The exhibit closes December 29, 2017.
The Art of Christmas: New Mexico Style

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!)
Do you want an excuse to put on your nice dress and dancin shoes? Also want to help feed people in need? Then head to Maple Street Dance Spaces Blues Winter Charity Ball this Friday, Dec. 15 . The funds from the donation-based tickets ( suggested $5 to $20 ) will be doubled by donors and go to the Roadrunner Food Bank . Live music from Joe Daddy and Hoodoo Jeff, tasty eats and a photo booth are on the premises. Dancing lesson from 8 to 9pm, free dance from 9pm to midnight . At Maple Street Dance Space . (Robin Babb)

Live music from Joe Daddy and Hoodoo Jeff, delicious food and photo booth to raise money for the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.

Please join Burque Blues on December 15th for our 3rd Annual Blues Winter Charity Ball!

We'll have a live music set each from Joe Daddy and Hoodoo Jeff (of Los Sipe), as well as delicious food, a photo booth, and plenty of amazing dancing! Bring your dancing shoes, invite your friends, and wear your fancy threads- this is a "formal" event!

This year we are supporting our fellow New Mexicans through the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. New Mexico is the second hungriest state in the nation, with one in four children at risk of hunger, and one in six people of the total state population.

Every dollar raised at the event will be matched by additional donors at Roadrunner Food Bank. Double your impact and help feed your fellow New Mexicans this holiday season!

Lesson - 8:00p to 9:00p

Dancing - 9:00p to 12:00P
Albuquerque Museum photo archive

Nothing is particularly mystical about the story of the Occidental Life Building. To behold it though, with its turret-adorned fairy tale silhouette, you might imagine there is.

The form on the northwest corner of Gold Avenue and Third Street is an impressive pastichea hybridized, 1917 reinterpretation of designs extending back into the Middle Ages. It is nationally unique due to its Venetian Gothic Revival style, and a local rarity because it's one of Downtowns few 70s urban renewal survivors.

The building was devised when Albuquerque and Old Albuquerque were both places on a map, when the dubious machinations of manifest destiny were readily evident in that culture. Yet optimism, a conception of this place as wellness elixir, and will to create new, evolving economies were also omnipresent during that era.

The Occidental Life Building was modeled after the Palazzo Ducale, or the Doges Palace, a classic exemplar of the Venetian Gothic idiom. Built between the 14th and 15th centuries in Italy, it embodied elements taken not only from medieval cathedrals, but also from bits of Byzantine and Moorish stylesand their Islamic underpinnings.

The Palazzo was the economic nucleus of a powerful commercial center, a city-state functioning as a gateway between east and west. Its collection of styles from the ends of the known world implied territorial dominiona metropolis extending beyond its physical boundaries, overflowing into international realms, lending importance to the city and its people.

Albuquerques 1917 reiteration of that nearly mythic palace was created as home base for an insurance company, founded in Albuquerque 11 years earlier, in 1906. Occidental Life, which relocated to North Carolina in 1927, had become a successful, nationwide enterprise. By 1917 the firms only founder still at work or alive was A.B. McMillan. As local lore has it, McMillan admired the Doges Palace during a trip abroad; he suggested his new headquarters in Albuquerque be built as an homage.

Luckily, architect Henry C. Trost had a vast stylistic repertoireand a particular fondness for imitating Italian buildings all over the Southwest. Typically, Trost intertwined style with function; in this case he strove to recreate a symbol of economic prowess that would project his clients local prestige.

The New Occidental Life Building, which opened at a summer evening celebration, was advertised as the most artistic office building in the Southwest. The buildings striking lancet arches, leafy spandrels (displaying the same classic acanthus motif found on Corinthian capitals at the Doges Palace), and quatrefoil windows were encased in glazed white terra cotta tile, and tied together with Beaux-Arts proportions.

At the time of the buildings unveiling, the city, like much of the rest of the world, was experiencing dramatic changes. New buildings were rapidly going up to support an abundance of economic activity taking place amidst the political backdrop of both World War I and the Mexican Revolution.

In 1917 New Mexico had been a state only five years; it had been less than four decades since the boom of New Town, when the city began interacting with the outside world via the railroad and growth east of the river began in earnest.

For Albuquerques McMillan types, architecture was a show of economic capability and hegemony. As modern buildings went up, Albuquerques old town status quo was upended. The transformation was intensified by the thousands migrating here in search of healing mountain air and a cure for tuberculosis.

In April 1933, the Occidental Life Building was the victim of a string of arsons, making its survival into the present day only more remarkable. The building was gutted, and its plain overhanging cornice destroyed. The architecture firm of Britelle and Ginner resurrected the structure, replacing that cornice with the ornate, castle-like parapet we see today.

As much as the Occidental Life Building is an emblem of another era in Albuquerque, new developments inside provide some foreshadowing into Downtowns next stage as a high tech innovation hub.

Jared Tarbella developer and visual artist who co-founded Etsy, and his wife Laurie Tarbell, an architect focused on ecological designpurchased the building in 2013. Jared was particularly fond of the building because it had housed some of the states first computers, while Laurie liked its good bones.

This year they began scraping away on the second floor. In February, RS21an interdisciplinary data science and visualization company focused on innovative problem-solvingwill move into an upstairs space. The enterprise, which in three years time founder and CEO Charles Rath has grown into a company with 25 full-time employees and 10 contractors, works with clients internationally and domestically on issues like public health, poverty, crime, urban planning and infrastructure resilience.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Legal Aid, the states largest provider of free civil legal assistance for low-income residents, resides on the first floor. The building, it seems, has become a nucleus for the pursuit of equity and the evolving consciousness, despite its ostentatious form.

Whether its out of parochial ideology or a need for immediate gratification, our citys decision makers have often been reckless with urban artifacts. Despite this, downtown Albuquerque is gradually emerging from its mid-century decline amid the citys horizontal expansion. The trappings of urban renewal, like the failed Fourth Street Mall are slowly being scrubbed away.

One hundred years later this enchanting, offbeat desert town is still defining its character and redefining its economy. Though it faces untold challenges, hope is brewing Downtown and rising up on the horizon as symbolized by an edifice that has itself evolved over time.

The public celebration of the Occidental Life Buildings 100th birthday takes place outside the structure, at 301 Gold Avenue SW, on Friday, Dec. 15th at 1pm. (Entry to the building will not be permitted.) There will be music and birthday cake. This event is free and open to the public.
Via Facebook

The newly minted political and cultural progress made by this city and its leadership has been remarkable, so far. Theres a palpable sense of optimism, of good and needed change coming to fruition under the aegis of Tim Keller. Even old and cynical punk-rockers with a history of involvement in the Socialist Workers Party are happy to report that they support the new administration and are looking forward to the jump back towards realitya reality that actively involves social prosperity and community involvement in deciding this citys future.

Kellers been particularly proactive about reform at the city police department, a thing that was federally mandated a scant three years ago. Anyone with basic reading skills and a nominal interest in history can find out why our local police force had to come under federal guidance. Its all very clear and the process used to determine that a culture of excessive force existed and needed to be excised from the department was markedly fair; the decision to require federal oversight came after an extensive investigation by law enforcement professionals from the United States Justice Department.

That is why it is concerning that comments made by Keller at the public swearing-in ceremony of new interim police were characterized by officials at the police union as a misstep, a term used to great and unfair effect the next morning over at the local daily.

On behalf of the city, Mayor Keller apologized to citizens for the mess over at APD, from a continuing crime wave to a still extant culture of excessive force that resulted in federal intervention.

Kellers words were measured and professional. He said, Im a believer in community policing, and that includes one of the pillars of community policing, which is about truthfulness with the public. And in that spirit, I want to start by offering an apology on behalf of City Hall to our community. Our community deserves an apology for its historical tone at the top of the department and a culture of excessive force that has hurt our community.

I also want to tell the victims of families who have been hurt by unnecessary use of force that I am sorry, and that we are sorry as your city government. We will work every day to restore trust in our community.

Secondly, we also need to apologize for our skyrocketing crime rates. I have heard from hundreds of folks who dont feel safe and who worry about their families every day. And I want to acknowledge to all the victims of crime in this city and to all the families who have fallen victim to crime that we have let you down in many ways. Public safety is a critical function of government, and we must do better and it starts with owning up to that today.

This sort of conciliatory language, backed by actions like choosing a top-flight professional to lead the department and the immediate restructuring of the command structure at APD are just what the city needs to heal, to begin to trust and work with law enforcement in remaking Albuquerque into a safe and sane place to live and work.

In response, the head of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, Shaun Willoughby replied, We just didnt think it was an appropriate way to move forward by ripping open an old wound, Willoughby, seemed to attempt to discredit the idea of reform when he continued, Most police officers dont feel they have anything to apologize for.  You cant apologize to a criminal element that forced a police officer to use force against them.

The unions reaction is reminiscent of a thing called revisionism. Thats the thing where authorities deny or ignore the past, coloring it, spinning it as if it has no more relevance than, say, a criminal flight of fancy. We love and respect our citys police force, but they should be under no illusions about what the power they wield is capable of creatingor destroying.

Of course individual police officersthe ones on duty tonight protecting the citizens of Duke City, their office mates in the dispatch room, heck anyone who dons an Albuquerque city police uniformdont have to apologize for what their predecessors wrought, heck we like them just fine! But, they should be required to have knowledge of the past and its poor outcome.

Officers awareness should extend to understanding the problem of police brutalityhow it manifests and persists in a public service culture and how to avoid it all together. Recruits should understand that excessive force is wrong and will not be tolerated. Representatives of the police should be willing to discourse on the course of events that resulted in mandated federal oversight without feeling that they are being demonized; they are the future of the city, after all.

The implementation and maintenance of that shameful culture of excessive force festered for years, damaged the perception citizens in this town have of the police force as well as causing more than a few unnecessary deaths. It is the responsibility of city government to correct that problem. More importantly, it is the responsibility of local law enforcement to be part of the communities they serve and to work within values defined by those communities, not as a force that is removed from accountability due to warrior status, above reproach and beyond much-needed self-reflection.
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Newscity Four Schools Given Option to Close According to the New Mexico Public Education Department, four schools in the state are considered chronically failing and might have to close. Last week, PED officials announced that Hawthrone Elementary, Whittier Elementary, Los Padillas Elementaryall three of which are in Albuquerqueand Dulce Elementary School in Dulce have received F grades from education officials for at least the last five years. PED officials said the four schools will be undergoing a rigorous intervention. PED is now giving these schools four options going forward: provide novel learning techniques as a magnet school, significantly restructure, relaunch as a charter school or close permanently. KOB4 reported that a representative of the Albuquerque Federation of Teachers spoke against the ultimatum, saying the state should be extending learning time instead of removing staff that students are used to seeing. The schools have until January to choose an option, or one will be chosen by PED. The school districts are expected to submit a plan to the state by February, which will go into effect next school year.

Padilla Drops Out of Race Sen. Michael Padilla officially dropped out of the race for lieutenant governor of New Mexico last week amid resurfaced claims of workplace harassment that were brought against him over a decade ago. Last month, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham publicly encouraged Padilla, the Senate Majority Whip, to drop out of the race over harassment claims leveled against him in 2006. According to court records, former subordinates at an emergency dispatch center in Albuquerque claimed Padilla made inappropriate comments toward them, including asking repeatedly for dates after being turned down. The city ended up settling the claims and Padilla stepped down from his position in 2007, despite his continued denial of the accusations against him. Lujan Grisham's choice to publicly condemn Padilla last month was questioned by state Republicans, who called the move cynical and hypocritical in a press release that showed a photograph of Lujan Grisham dancing with Padilla. In the statement, Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi claimed Lujan Grisham's condemnation of Padilla was politically motivated, and that she was trying to distract the public from her involvement in keeping a representative of Cuban descent from joining the Congressional Hispanic Caucus allegedly because of his political affiliations. Last week, Padilla announced that he would be dropping his bid for lieutenant governor, saying he did not want to be a distraction. It is unclear whether Padilla will resign from the Legislature or give up his leadership post.
The European Union and Japan finalized discussions on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement last week, with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom affirming the two sides remain fully on course to sign the deal next year.



The European Union and Japan concluded the final discussions on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement last week.

The EU and Japan remain fully on course to sign the agreement next year, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said.

The European Commission said the deal will open up huge market opportunities for both sides, strengthen cooperation between Europe and Japan in various areas, reaffirm their shared commitment to sustainable development, and include, for the first time, a specific commitment to the Paris climate agreement.

The agreement will create a huge economic zone with 600 million people and approximately 30 percent of the world GDP, according to a joint statement issued by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.

The European Commission said the agreement will remove the vast majority of the 1 billion euros (U.S. $1.2 billion) of duty paid each year by EU companies exporting to Japan, as well as various long-standing regulatory barriers. It will also open up the Japanese market of 127 million consumers to key EU agriculture exports, as well as boost EU export opportunities in a number of other sectors.

Looking ahead, the EU and Japan will now begin the legal verification of the text, also known as legal scrubbing, the European Commission said.

Once complete, the English text of the agreement will be translated into the other 23 official languages of the EU, as well as into Japanese.

The European Commission will then submit the agreement for approval by the European Parliament and EU member states, aiming for its entry into force before the end of the current mandate of the European Commission in 2019.

At the same time, negotiations continue on investment protection standards and investment protection dispute resolution, the European Commission said. The firm commitment on both sides is to reach convergence in the investment protection negotiations as soon as possible, in light of their shared commitment to a stable and secure investment environment in Europe and Japan.
"The chips fitted in EVMs appear to be programmable using bluetooth, and this raises the possibility of tampering," alleged Modhwadia.

By Sweta dutta: The Congress that had not very long ago rubbished allegations of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that EVMs were tampered with during the Punjab Assembly elections earlier this year, has leveled similar charges in the ongoing polls in Gujarat.

The volte-face by a section of the local team in Gujarat has left a larger dominant leadership sharply divided over the issue. The allegations of faulty EVMs by Congress leaders have prompted the same response its own leaders had fired at the AAP after the party came a distant second in Punjab.

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The BJP has mocked the Congress of staring at defeat and pulling out excuses in advance.

"The Congress had introduced EVMs and it will be very foolish of us to blame an electoral loss on its tampering. While the party has put the BJP on the backfoot right on Narendra Modi's home turf, if we do not manage to win, we should be a sport and take it on our chin instead of making excuses like the AAP," said a senior party functionary.

Playing down the controversy, Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki told Mail Today, "It is not an unknown fact that some EVMs were found faulty and the Election Commission had to conduct repolls there. But we trust the EC and are sure of a victory."

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Maken, who was faced with the same dilemma of whether to back AAP's claims of EVM tampering during the municipal polls earlier this year, maintained, "I cannot comment on the issue in Gujarat, but in our past experience in Delhi, I had written to Arvind Kejriwal before the municipal polls backing the demand for ballot papers for more transparency in the polling process. But once the elections were announced, we decided to put our faith in the EC and did not question its role in conducting free and fair polls."

Several other senior leaders across state units refused to comment on the issue citing lack of clarity on the party's official stand.

During the first phase of polling on Saturday, senior Congress leader and former Gujarat unit chief Arjun Modhwadia, who is contesting from Porbandar, alleged that mobile phones were detecting some external devices connected to EVMs at polling booths in his constituency.

"The chips fitted in EVMs appear to be programmable using bluetooth, and this raises the possibility of tampering," alleged Modhwadia.

Chief electoral officer BB Swain later said as per the inquiry report, the complainant's phone was detecting another device identified as 'ECO 105' giving rise to apprehensions of possible tampering and rubbished foul play. Modhwadia was then backed by senior party colleagues such as Shaktisinh Gohil and Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel.

ALSO WATCH: BJP rakes up Ram Mandir as it can't show any development, says Hardik Patel

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The National Security Service of Armenia has uncovered a sabotage plot involving a US citizen.

The ethnic Armenian US citizen, identified by his initials R.K., used a fake Facebook account titled Martin Avagyan to disseminate materials on founding an organized group called Fighters For Justice. The account was registered in September of 2017, the NSS said.

The US citizen also published materials including the strategy of the group, discipline rules of its members, security and confidentiality.

The account was also used for calls of violence, attacks, explosions and arson against Armenian law enforcement and other government officials, and to create an atmosphere of terror.

According to intelligence, R.K. attempted to create an organized crime syndicate and recruit people both from Armenia and from other countries to terrorize the Armenian population, to destabilize the situation in the country, to attack government officials.

The same individual had also prepared to carry out terror attacks through the recruited criminals in Armenia.

An arrest warrant has been issued for R.K, who is currently wanted.

As the individual is residing in the US, Armenian law enforcement agencies contacted their American counterparts.

At the same time, Armenian security agencies are searching for the accomplices of the individual in Armenia.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. A Cabinet sitting was held on December 14, chaired by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime Minister issued a number of instructions, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia.

The Premiers first instruction was about the measures planned for 2018. Three major events will take place in Armenia in 2018: the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia and the May battles, the 2800th anniversary of the foundation of Yerevan and the Francophone Summit in Yerevan in October. Organizational work is already underway, Karen Karapetyan said.

Considering that in this regard, tourists visits are expected to Armenia, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministers of Territorial Administration and Development, Transport, Communication and Information Technologies, the State Committee for Urban Development, the State Tourism Committee, the Police, as well as the Yerevan and Gyumri Mayors to take joint measures within a 2-month period to improve entry and exit roads into and from Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and other regional centers, propose new architectural and environmental solutions, highlighting the road sections from Zvartnots airport to Yerevan and Shirak airport to Gyumri, and report back the results.

The other instruction had to do with the results of the anticorruption strategy and the development of a new strategy. Armenia's anticorruption strategy was adopted in 2015. During this period, a number of measures have been implemented on the governments initiative aimed at combating and preventing corruption. Some measures are still in progress, but at this stage we need to take steps to develop a new, ambitious anticorruption strategy, which should include monitoring and assessment mechanisms,the Head of Government said.



In view of the above, Karen Karapetyan instructed the heads of central executive agencies to finalize work on the relevant legislative packages and undertake measures to fulfill the existing anticorruption strategy within the predetermined time frames. Karen Karapetyan gave the responsible officials 30 days to develop proposals on the new anticorruption strategy and submit them to the Ministry of Justice. The Chief of Government Staff was instructed to complete work on the development of the four per-sector anticorruption monitoring and evaluation mechanisms within a 15-day period, as well as to summarize the results of the already envisaged and implemented actions and provide comprehensive information to the public at large.

The Prime Minister next instructed the Minister of Justice to take measures to develop a new, ambitious anticorruption strategy, identify new target areas, monitoring and evaluation standards, and specific measures aimed at preventing corruption and improving efficiency in investigation of corruption crimes. It has also been instructed to engage civil society representatives, entrepreneurs, law scholars and other stakeholders as much as possible in the strategy drafting activities.

The Premiers third instruction was about the simplification of the process of land status change. To that end, the Prime Minister instructed to jointly develop and submit to the Government Staff proposals for clarifying the process of change of land status in communities and simplifying the administrative procedures within a 1-month period.

An appropriate decision has been made due to the need to address the problem of restricting access to non-State-registered drug procurement in Armenia. The decision provides that the Ministry of Healthcare should also include unregistered drugs in the procurement plan that have a Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate and WTO pre-qualification and (or) are registered in any one of EU-member States or in the United States or Japan. The mentioned procedure will streamline the State registration of medicines in the Republic of Armenia, as a result of which a number of medicines will be registered in the Republic of Armenia. The registration process will be carried out in a simple way, within 31 days instead of 150.

The Executive amended the procedure for elaborating, examining, coordinating, approving and modifying general plans and co-ordination spatial planning documents for communities in Armenia. As a result of the proposed amendment, the process of document coordination and the required time will be significantly reduced; the participation of interested bodies in that process will be more effective and meaningful.

The Cabinet approved by the Government's legislative initiative on the draft law On amending the RA Law on Holidays and Commemoration Days. The bill suggests that January 3, 4 and 5 should not be considered as pre-Christmas days. The amendment will be effective since January 1, 2018.



The meeting approved the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Rehabilitation Credit Bank for the Comprehensive Water Resources Management (IWRM) / Akhuryan River I (Program Phase 2) project, amounting to EUR 18,500,000.00 in the Loan Agreement BMZ-Nr.601266956 and the 2016 68 458 Grant Agreements between the Republic of Armenia, in the person of the Ministry of Finance, and the Rehabilitation Credit Bank KfW for the EUR 5,339,139.38-worth program of supporting the agricultural insurance scheme.

The Government made amendments and additions to a previous decision. Accordingly, foreign detainees or convicts whose close relatives cannot visit them, as well as those detainees or convicts whose close relatives cannot benefit from the facility of short interview, will be provided the possibility of making up to twenty minute-long video calls twice a month.


YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. President Serzh Sargsyan on December 14 held a farewell meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lebanon to Armenia Jean Makaron, press service of the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President highly appreciated the Ambassadors activity during his tenure, stating that he, as an active Ambassador of a friendly country, has made a great effort for deepening the Armenian-Lebanese relations. President Sargsyan thanked the Ambassador and wished success in his further activity expressing hope that the new Lebanese Ambassador to Armenia will have a contribution to intensifying the bilateral interstate relations. The President attached importance to the continuous work on deepening the relations for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

The sides agreed that Armenia and Lebanon managed to ensure a high-level political dialogue, conduct a mutually beneficial partnership in international structures, develop the inter-parliamentary, cultural, educational, scientific contacts, enrich the legal framework base.

The officials noted with satisfaction that in the recent years the Lebanese investment in Armenias economy have been intensified to some extent.

The Armenian President and the Lebanese Ambassador exchanged views also on the situation and developments in the Middle East.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Cooperation between Diaspora communities of Armenia, Greece and Cyprus is further strengthened, reports Armenpress.

A trilateral meeting between the delegations led by Armenian diaspora minister Hranush Hakobyan, Commissioner for Humanitarian and Foreign Affairs of the President of Cyprus Fotiu Fotis and deputy foreign minister of Greece Terens  Nikolaos Quick was held in the Armenian Diaspora ministry on December 14.

The Armenian minister said active cooperation has been established between the Armenian-Greek and the Armenian-Cypriot Diaspora communities.

This cooperation launched by the memorandum of understanding signed between Armenia and Cyprus. Our trilateral meeting between Greece, Armenia and Cyprus is taking place for already the second time. Our cooperation especially between the Diaspora of the countries will continue. The friendship of Armenian, Greek and Cypriot peoples started in 5-6th centuries. We all know that a very well-organized and interesting Armenian community lives both in Greece and Cyprus, the minister said and thanked the Greek and Cypriot governments for enabling the Armenian communities to conduct an active work in these countries.

Our main goal as a result of negotiations is to actively work with the youth, organize youth meetings in different countries, she said.

There are plans to organize educational and cultural events in three countries.

Hranush Hakobyan expressed her deepest gratitude to the two states for adopting a law against the denialism of the Armenian Genocide.

Commissioner for Humanitarian and Foreign Affairs of the President of Cyprus Fotiu Fotis said it is necessary to continue the trilateral cooperation by such meetings and negotiations. He noted that the three countries have a historically formed friendship in all spheres, cultural, political, religious and etc.

We have developed the cooperation strategy on Diaspora affairs in Nicosia setting two important goals. Firstly, we need to promote our Diaspora to cooperate, know each other, actively work in cultural, educational and other spheres. The Diaspora of the two countries is successfully cooperating in several countries, like in US, France and UK. The cooperation in the US is more active, a memorandum has been signed which is encouraging. The second goal is the cooperation between the governments of these countries, he said.

Greek deputy FM Terens  Nikolaos Quick said the most important is that the governments of the three countries are able to work with the Diaspora youth. According to him, they have a vision, power and can greatly help solving the most important issues.

Yesterday Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian met with his Greek counterpart. During the meeting the Greek FM proposed that our countries cooperate at the Diaspora level. We are here and ready to cooperate with Armenia, and we look forward to 2018 to be full of programs, the Greek deputy FM noted.

Armenian Diaspora ministry and the foreign ministry of Greece will sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation over Diaspora affairs on December 15.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The Eurasian Economic Union needs to have a common algorithm of digital technologies, discussions over which will kick off in the near future, ARMENPRESS reports Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during an annual press conference. You say that people engaged in small and medium businesses have little access to information. I have to admit that you are right. Its really so, Putin said, answering the remark that small and medium entrepreneurs are not aware of the opportunities given by the Eurasian Economic Union.

The Russian President noted that first of all its necessary to switch to modern technologies. One of the directions of our future joint activities is the IT sector. Currently, we develop algorithms not only for the spheres of oil, gas trade, transport but also in the sphere of digital technologies. I have talked to all of my partners about that and I think in the near future, at the end of this month, we will gather to discuss it. I hope we will gather in the sidelines of the CIS, but we will talk about that also with our EAEU partners , Vladimir Putin said.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The talented mind of well-known American-Armenian writer and playwright William Saroyan is on display in the Goy Theaters staging of The Cave Dwellers. With support from the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the Theater is bringing to Armenian audiences, for the very first time, this fable during the holiday season, ARMENPRESS was informed from the U/S. Embassy in Armenia.

William Saroyan is the perfect example of a person who, inhabiting two worlds, American and Armenian, understood that we are all connected, regardless of where we come from, said U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Jr. Saroyans play underlines that a compassionate heart carries people even through dark times.

The play tells the allegorical story of several characters who are together in an abandoned theater building, which is facing imminent demolition. With its heartwarming moments of sentimentality amidst a bleak setting, the story reminds us of our common humanity.

This performance is dedicated to the 110th birthday of William Saroyan, trumpet herald of love and kindness. The world is so much in need of love and kindness. In this harsh reality of the civilization the dwellers of the cave, a group of misfits in an abandoned theater to be demolished soon, are not embittered or desperate. These characters are full of life. They preach for love. And love responds to them: a baby is born. Young ones meet each other, said Arthur Sahakyan, Art Director of Goy Theater.

Performances will take place December 14th, 16th, and 19th; and the play will become a permanent part of the Goy Theaters repertoire. More performances will be announced in 2018.
Shortly after AVN Media Network decided to make a change to the 2018 GayVN Awards nominations in response to industry outcry, merging the categories of Best Ethnic Scene and Best Duo Scene, there was further consternation caused by verbiage that inadvertently suggested performers of color were a niche category in line with bears or kink fare.

The team at AVN offers a sincere apology to all who were angered by this controversy and any missteps taken in explaining the original intent behind including the category. But eliminating the category would be meaningless without working toward a more inclusive environment for all participants.

As part of that, AVN enlisted the assistance of Marc W., the creator of ChroniclesOfPorniaBlog.com, to reach out to performers and offer a platform to address their concernsnot only just about the awards process, but also the overall climate of the gay adult business and how to foster inclusive practices.

Performers Stephan James, Cooper Dang, Jacen Zhu, Eli Lewis and Sean Zevran agreed to speak to AVN about issues they feel must be tackled at this critical juncture. Pictured above, top, are Zhu, Lewis and James; below, Zevran and Dang. (For more comments by Sean Zevran, see his essay on EFNIKS.com.)

Below are their voices, views and concerns, as relayed to Marc W.:

When asked about the Best Ethnic Scene category the only way I can describe my feelings are Not Surprised! I think this is a feeling most people/performers of color experience on a day-to-day basis. I wasnt outraged. I wasnt upset. It was just another moment that Ive experienced my entire life being a person of color. To me, this was just another instance of an industry that wasnt made for us trying to be 'inclusive' without taking the proper steps to actually talk to the people its attempting to help.

When it comes to my overall feelings about the adult film industry there isnt much to say. The industry is filled with over-inflated mainly white egos that have a perception of what 'beauty' is and they dont stray from it. It is also filled with self-righteous mainly white performers who have nothing to say and hide in the shadows when it comes to social rights issues of people of color until they see a benefit for themselves in speaking out.

Lastly, I leave everyone with a motto that Ive have to adapt throughout my life to try to make sense of the ignorance that goes on in peoples minds. You cant expect people to do better who dont know better.

Stephan James (@stephanjamesxxx)

To be honest, my initial reaction to the Best Ethnic Scene category was no reaction at all. Im sure many performers did the same thing I did and just scrolled through to see if they were nominated for anything. I was unperturbed because most of my life I have always experienced issues with racial discrimination and sometimes do not even recognize it anymore. It was not until other performers initiated the conversation did I take a closer look at it. Upon reflection, I do think the category was tasteless and do believe all performers should be considered regardless of their ethnicity. I do not, however, think it was AVNs intention to divide certain groups of people, but everyone makes mistakes. Their decision to pull that category shows that something was learned and for that I think is honorable.

As far as its alignment under 'fetish' I really have no comment on that. I personally believe its all a matter of perspective. I see being Asian as an advantage for me because it is an underrepresented ethnicity and I do not mind playing that card.

The industry has a lot of growing to do and I believe we are heading in the right direction. I have been blessed to work with some great studios and have met some great people through all of this. At the end of the day, we must understand that these studios are a business and if you were in their shoes you would want your business to be profitable. It is the audience that dictates a lot of what happens. Why are we putting blame on the studios when the viewers are the ones being racist about who they want to see?"

Cooper Dang (@cooperdang)

If I say I was shocked it would be a lie. I would like to believe that we have solved racial issues within the industry. When I saw the awards list and came upon Best Ethnic Scene category, I laughed! Not because it's funny, but because I knew GayVN assumed they were doing the right thing. If we don't explain what inclusiveness looks like they'll create the narrative that makes them comfortable.

What was honestly more offensive was that those models of color in the Best Ethnic Scene were not nominated for Best Actor or Newcomer. When they claimed Best Ethnic Scene was to fit some sort of 'fetish' or 'niche' market, I laughed, again. This time because I knew that explanation was bogus. So, now being a model of color is a fetish?! This is the issue! When models of color do the work they get 'Oh. it's good for XYZ,' unlike other models that get an abundance of praise. We [POC], especially black men, are fighting to be identified beyond 'thug' and/or urban labeling. We aren't just those things! It's not to say we can't be those things, but would you assume that all white people are Trump-loving, Bible-thumping rednecks? Why can't POC, especially black men, be varied?

Why is it that black men are only sought after for the size of the penis? Why aren't there more black porn models that look like me? They're out there! But if we keep trying to propel this divided industry notion of 'mainstream' and 'urban' we won't get anywhere! Let's be serious, it's PORN. Unless it's an actual fetish it shouldn't be separate."

Jacen Zhu (@jacen_zhu)

For a person of color and adult entertainer, it is not uncommon to have your work overlooked or even ignored by the industry at large. I am not fazed by the category of Best Ethnic Scene or having my line of films considered a 'fetish' because that is how we have shaped porn, as well as popular culture and media. That I am saying it does not surprise me does not mean I am not bothered by it; if anything I think the conversation needs to be continued and addressed for what it is: institutionalized racism. While I have not experienced direct racism in the industry, I believe it is commonly understood that the male gaze is limited to what we as a society epitomize as our ideal of masculine, male beauty: white, cis, men.

However, if we don't provide a platform for the 'niche' that is entertainers of color, especially because we are so few in number, I fear that our work will continue to be dismissed. The issue is bigger than porn consumption; it goes back to how we view gay men in our society. Anything that steers from the cookie cutter masculine, muscular Caucasian Adonis is fetishized and discriminated against. If we want to change the prejudice against porn performers of color, we must first address our own perceptions of male beauty and how that is not only detrimental to our consumption of media, but also to our interactions among ourselvesjust no fats, fems, or Asians."

Eli Lewis (@elilewisxxx)





I dont think GayVN had any ill intent behind having a Best Ethnic Scene awards category. On the contrary, I believe GayVN sought a way for gay porn actors of color to be recognized in an industry in which our talents often go unrecognized and under-appreciated. However, in so doing, what GayVN failed to take into account is that POC are too often fetishized and set apart from the mainstream. This feeling of otherness is both dehumanizing and demoralizing. Unfortunately, Im not sure what the best solution to this is right now. GayVN has since removed the category of Best Ethnic Scene. However, I now fear that it will become more challenging for actors of color to be recognized at all. As it stands, the playing field simply isnt level, so well have to set out to find more creative solutions to this problem.

Sean Zevran (@seanzevran)
LOS ANGELESManyVids on Wednesday announced plans for an in-house hotline that provides support to content creators in the adult industry.

In a statement, the company said:

"ManyVids understands that being a part of the sex industry is a unique experience that not many people outside of the community are able to understand. This disconnect becomes especially obvious when we are suffering and need to reach out for emotional support. We often find there is no one who understands what were going through, who can listen without judgment or who is able to offer advice that is useful to our distinct situation.

"We want to change this. In the first quarter of 2018, ManyVids will launch an in-house hotline dedicated to supporting content creators in the sex industry. It will be a FREE, confidential and easily accessible resource that MV Stars can rely on when they need emotional or psychological support, want to ask questions about the industry (whether or not to do a certain type of scene, for example) or need to find local resources. Its for anyone who feels theyre not able to discuss life in the sex industry with anyone else. To make sure every MV Star is as comfortable as possible as they address personal issues, an anonymous option will be available to protect the content creators identity.

"The hotline will be staffed by a trained professional who will be available 8 hours a day during the business week. We will also make sure to have email and chat services available for those who need support outside of those hours. We will actively be working on providing this FREE service to all our MV Stars 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks if the demand is there for it.

"As we continue to build this resource, we encourage those who need to talk, ask advice or receive emotional support to call the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP-USA) community support line at (877) 776-2004 (select 1). You can also talk to someone from the MV Support Team by emailing us at [email protected].

"You are not alone. What you feel, think and deal with in life is valid. You deserve to have someone listen to you. We are here to help and are extremely proud to take on this type of initiative.

"Stay tuned for more details in the next few months as we will be moving on this as fast as we can.

"What issues do you think a community support hotline should be able to help with?"
Yorkshire-based bakery Jacksons is investing 40m in a second factory to supply bread for sandwich manufacturers.

The business, which says it already makes 70% of the bread used in UK prepared sandwiches, is part of the William Jackson Food Group that also owns Aunt Bessies, Abel & Cole, MyFresh and The Food Doctor.

Jacksons already has planning permission for the facility, which will be built on a 10-acre site on the Willowbrook East Industrial Estate in Corby, which was purchased by the business in February this year.

Describing the factory as a state-of-the-art bakery that would initially create around 100 new jobs, Jacksons said it had been designed specifically to make bread for sandwich manufacturers. Work on the factory has already started and it is set to be fully operational by summer 2018.

The business will continue to produce its branded bread  Jacksons Yorkshires Champion  from its site in Hull, which opened in 1907. Sold in supermarkets, sales of the brand have grown in value every year since 2012  bucking declines in the overall UK wrapped bread category.

The new bakery will help us grow as a business and allow us to build on the work we do in Hull, said Jacksons MD Simon Ball.

We have a brilliant team working on the expansion project, and theres a real buzz of excitement right across our business as we have the opportunity to create something really special, which will be at the forefront of bread-making in the UK.

William Jackson Food Group chief executive Norman Soutar added that the group and its family shareholders have invested significantly in the Hull bakery over recent years, and continue to invest in the Hull site.

We take a long-term approach to the individual businesses in the group, allowing them time to grow and develop and were very much looking forward to seeing how the next chapter of the bakerys life unfolds, he said.
The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day?

Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount.

Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists.
The party hopes that it'll put up a good fight in at least four seats of the 38 it is contesting.

Nitish Kumar's outfit would hope that of the 38 candidates it has fielded in the Gujarat Assembly election a few would manage upset wins. (File photo | PTI)

By Anand Patel: In Gujarat, the Janata Dal (United) has been in the news for the wrong reason. In August its lone MLA Chhotubhai Amarsinh Vasava went against the party whip and voted for Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Nitish Kumar's outfit would hope that of the 38 candidates it has fielded in the Gujarat Assembly election a few would manage upset wins. JD (U) has focused on south Gujarat's tribal belt.

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Gujarat went to polls on December 9 and 14; the results to all the 182 seats will be declared on December 18.

In Gujarat for long JD (U) has been in the shadow of its former state unit president and Jhagadiya MLA Chhotubhai Amarsinh Vasava. Though he quit the party, JD (U) managed to hold on to its flock-it retained most of its district units and close to 70 per cent of sarpanchs from about 650 panchayats in south Gujarat where Party has a hold.

"We wanted to make our presence felt after Chhotubhai Vasava rebelled; though we have fielded 38 candidates we are expecting a good fight in at least four constituencies, don't be surprised if the party wins a couple of seats," Akhilesh Katiyar, JD (U)'s Gujarat in-charge said.

"Our candidates Tadvi Jesangbhai Ranchhodbhai in Nandod and Mukeshbhai Manibhai Vasava in Karjan seats are good contenders," he added.

Chhotubhai Amarsinh Vasava has floated his own political outfit- Bhartiya Tribal Party. He is contesting from the Jhagadiya constituency. Interestingly, JD (U)'s candidate from the seat is called Chhotubhai Abhesingbhai Vasava.

Thanks to the support from Sharad Yadav, Bhartiya Tribal Party has struck a deal with Congress and fielded candidates in six seats while on two seats it is in a friendly fight with Congress.

VIDEO | Gujarat polls: BJP rakes up Ram Mandir as it can't show any development, says Hardik Patel

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Tom Campbell

For most of the 241 years since North Carolina adopted its first Constitution there have been arguments about the proper balance and separations of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Our Constitution has generally served us well, but recent court cases and legislation suggest we need to revise our governing document.A Constitution is essentially a contract between the people and its government. It was never intended to be a "one and done" document; neither was it designed to be changed too frequently. There have been two major revisions since the 1776 Constitution. The first, following the Civil War in 1868, gave more power to the Governor and the people. The latest, the 1971 Constitution, eliminated some unconstitutional provisions, updated the language and better organized the document. Since its passage there have been 20 Amendments, including requirements for a balanced budget, that judges be lawyers, allowing gubernatorial succession, giving the Governor the veto power and adding Victims Rights.The basic understanding of our government is that the General Assembly will pass laws, the Governor and Council of State will administer and execute those laws and the courts will interpret laws to determine their constitutionality and dispense justice.In recent months we have seen many challenges to our Constitution. It would be helpful if there were further clarity delineating the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. While the governance of public education was better defined in the 1971 Constitution, questions still linger as to who is in charge. Issues such as redistricting, election laws, eminent domain and proper uses of public money deserve clarification, but nowhere is the need for change better illustrated than in the recent debates of our judiciary.What we desire is having the best judges deciding court cases. This involves how we select them, how long they should serve and how to ensure they are making valid judicial decisions. There is documented evidence that the public seldom knows the legal qualifications or the character of prospective judges for whom they vote and for decades we have discussed potential improvements as to how to put the best qualified jurists in our courtrooms. While the public is not inclined to give up their right to vote for judges there is mounting evidence justice would be better served with some nonpartisan, impartial selection process.Lawmakers have frequently been irked that courts rule against laws they have passed and often assert judicial decisions are politically motivated. We doubt that is often the case, but assuming there is some truth to the claims, how is justice better served by requiring that judicial candidates list their political affiliations on the election ballot? Currently our legislature is considering changing the length of judicial terms to two years, another questionable consideration. This would require judges have to frequently stand for election. Do you want a partisan politician determining your fate in a court case or someone who delivers verdicts based on the rule of law and our Constitution?Collectively, the many challenges make the case that it is time for us to once again review and revise our state Constitution. It's been almost half a century since it was last done. We need a new state contract.
Project brings jobs and investment to both Edgecombe and Durham counties

Contact: Ford Porter

Ford Porter govpress@nc.gov

TARBORO, N.C.: Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) will create 428 jobs over three years in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper announced today, as the company locates a warehouse facility in Edgecombe County and plans an expansion of manufacturing operations in Durham.Corning, a world leading innovator in materials science, will invest a total of $275 million between the two sites, with $86 million slated for Edgecombe County and approximately $189 million proposed for the Durham location. The company will create 111 new jobs in Edgecombe County and proposes 317 new jobs in Durham County. The jobs will provide future support for the company's new pharmaceutical glass packaging product, Valor Glass, and potential growth from other Corning businesses in North Carolina and elsewhere.said Governor Cooper.Corning has brought innovative health products to the pharmaceutical market for more than 100 years, leveraging its core technologies in glass science and optical physics and its expertise in surfaces, biochemistry and biology. Corning Valor Glass packaging, introduced in July of this year, offers superior chemical durability, strength and damage resistance. These qualities enable increased throughput and more reliable access to state-of-the-art medicines for patients, while maintaining a high level of quality assurance for pharmaceutical companies. This expansion is expected to provide a high-volume manufacturing site for the Valor Glass product.said Eric S. Musser, Executive Vice President, Corning Technologies and International.The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC) led the state's support for the company's expansion.said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland.Corning will add a variety of job functions at each location. Although salaries will vary by position and location, the average wage at the proposed facility in Durham County will be $65,999 and $33,771 in Edgecombe County, in-line with average wages in each location.Corning's projects in Durham and Edgecombe counties will be facilitated, in part, by two Job Development Investment Grants (JDIGs) approved by the state's Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year terms of each grant, the project will add an estimated $1.157 billion to North Carolina's economy. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the JDIG agreement for the Durham County location authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $3,215,250, spread over 12 years. This grant is contingent upon Durham County offering local incentives, as local participation is a requirement with JDIG awards in Tier 3 counties. The JDIG associated with the Edgecombe County location authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,236,000.State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant's reimbursement payments to a given company.The JDIG agreement in Durham County also calls for moving as much as $1.07 million into the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.Partnering with N.C. Commerce and the EDPNC on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, Durham County, the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners, Durham Technical Community College, Edgecombe Community College, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and the Carolinas Gateway Partnership.
Insight into Evolution of the Compound Eye

A team of international scientists including researchers from Cologne University, Estonia and the University of Edinburgh have been looking into the evolution of the first eyes by studying the remarkably well-preserved remains of an eye from a trilobite that lived in the sea more than half a billion years ago. The trilobite to which it belongs (Schmidtiellus reetae), comes from a fossiliferous zone where the first complete, large organisms appear in the fossil record. As a consequence of this, it is probably the oldest record of an ophthalmic system likely to be discovered.

Unlike modern compound eyes, the eye of this trilobite had no lens. The fossil is estimated to be around 530 million years old.

The Trilobite Fossil Providing an Insight into the Evolution of Eyesight

Picture Credit: G. Baranov (University of Cologne)

Schmidtiellus reetae  Fossil from Estonia

The research team, which included Dr Brigitte Schoenemann (University of Cologne) and her colleagues Helje Parnaste (Tallinn, Estonia) and Euan Clarkson (Edinburgh University), examined the specimen (S. reetae) and examined the cellular structure of the compound eye. This remarkable fossil shows how the eye was constructed and from this the team could infer what level of vision the Arthropod had. As well as looking at similarities with extant Arthropods, the researchers were keen to see how the trilobite eye differed in structure and complexity. The results show that modern compound eyes work in ways strikingly similar to those of half a billion years ago. They are very conservative in their structure  and quite successfully so.

Dr Schoenemann commented:

The principle of the modern compound eye most likely goes back to before the times of our first fossil records. Half a billion years ago, it was in the early stage of its development, and with our work we have succeeded in uncovering the first visible steps of this extremely successful visual principle.

Trilobite from Estonia

The fossil comes from Lower Cambrian sediments located in Estonia. The bedding planes at this location reveal some of the very first fossils of complex animals with an exoskeleton. The right eye of the trilobite is slightly abraded, allowing for a view into its interior. It is a typical compound eye consisting of approximately 100 sub-units placed relatively far apart compared to modern forms of compound eyes. The authors were able to show that each of these sub-units (ommatidia) consists of about eight sensory cells, just like modern compound eyes, grouped around a central rhabdom, a light-guiding receptive structure. The rhabdom contains the visual pigments and conveys the brightness of the surrounding environment to the animals central nervous system.

The Right Eye of Schmidtiellus reetae from the Study

Picture Credit: G. Baranov (University of Cologne)

Dr Schoenemann explained:

In contrast to the modern compound eyes of bees, dragonflies, and many crabs, this very old compound eye does not have a lens. This is likely due to the fact that these rather soft-shelled Arthropods lacked the necessary layer in their shell responsible for lens formation.

What Could the Trilobite See?

The physical features of the central rhabdom ensures that each element of the compound eye has a limited field of vision and that the animals overall visual impression already has the mosaic-like character of a modern compound eye. The precision of such an eye can be determined by the number of its elements, just like the number of pixels determines the precision and detail within a computer image. The eye was capable of detecting movement and it could roughly discern the distribution of light in its environment to help it avoid obstacles in its path.

The University of Cologne biologist and her team were also able to show that only a few million years after Schmidtiellus lived, new and improved compound eyes with higher resolution developed in another trilobite from the Baltic region called Holmia kjerulfi. The performance of this species eyes even approximated to that seen in modern dragonflies. A physical analysis of the compound eyes of both trilobites showed that the organism inhabited bright waters, most likely coastal shelf regions.

Looking at the evolution of the Arthropod brain: Arthropod Brain and Nervous System Studied
This week . . . The British Government has admitted no impact assessments were made on how Brexit would affect the UKs aerospace industry. The news came from the minister responsible, David Davis, after intense grilling from the Parliamentary Brexit committee. Davis had previously said Government decisions were being made on the back of rigorous data analysis. Surprising almost no one, this is now proved not to be the case. Fledgling charter operator, Zetta Jet , has not only failed to secure Chapter 11 financing, but now the trustee in the bankruptcy case, Jonathan King, a partner and co-chair of DLA Piper's white collar, corporate crime and investigations practice, has asked the court to change it to Chapter 7 proceedings. This will involve selling off all assets to pay back creditors. Jet Aviation has started construction on it new 8,700m (93,600ft) hangar in Basel, Switzerland. Hangar 3 will replace two existing building, but be twice their size, as well as expanding the apron by 5,000m and adding 2,000m of offices and workshops. Once open in late 2018, Hangar 3 will be able to house several aircraft up to the size of a 747-8. The line-up for the Singapore Air Show in February next year is growing. Organiser Experia lists Boom Supersonic, Honda Aircraft, IHSE Asia, WEARE Group and Wright Brothers Science and Technologies Development. There arent many firm details for the static yet, but Bell Helicopter's 505 Jet Ranger X will be on display for the first time in Asia. GlobeAir will launch a per-seat, on-demand air taxi service next year. The company says better mobile technology that allows for easier scheduling and booking, plus growing numbers of people willing to share an aircraft with strangers, are behind the move. The service should be launched in time for EBACE in May 2018. With increasing numbers of Millennials entering the workforce, their consumers preferences will soon begin to affect business aviation, as the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers did before them. Speaking at the Corporate Jet Investor Miami conference last week, Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO, Michael Amalfitano, said the industry needs to start thinking about how to tailor their products as services, as Millennials increasingly want more unique choices, more customisation, more personalisation and an overall higher level of service than previous generations. Demand and supply for light and mid-sized business jets has finally stabilised after a lost decade, says Jon Raviv, a senior analyst at Citi Research also also speaking at the conference. He suggests over production of the aircraft types in the 2000s slowed recovery after the recession. But large-cabin jets deliveries are still exceeding actual demand, which will lead to their own lost decade. Elsewhere at the conference, Duncan Aviation president, Aaron Hilkemann, warned that nearly 40% of US business jets and half of business turboprops will miss the 2020 deadline for installing ADS-B Out. Without proper installation, non-compliant aircraft will be grounded. Companies trying to meet the deadline are already finding it difficult, with shop capacity taken up with heavy demand for Datacom installation. In related news, the FAA estimates nearly 14% of US aircraft have improperly transmitting ADS-B Out avionics. This is usually due to either improper hardware installation or incorrect configuration by avionics technicians. Cyber security is an increasingly important issue for aviation and especially for business aviation. Satcom Direct has launched a course on the subject to warn about emerging threats and some practical solutions for protect against them. Human error has been identified as the leading cause of cyber security incidents, and end-user education is one of the top ways to prevent network infection, says Satcom Direct director of training Mark Mata.
Congress said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow after casting vote in Gujarat is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct.

By India Today Web Desk: A day after the BJP complained to the Election Commission over Rahul Gandhi's interview to a Gujarati channel, the Congress hit back and said Narendra Modi's roadshow after casting vote in Gujarat is a violation of the model code of conduct.

"Prime Minister Modi's road show after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. Election Commission it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO," Congress leader Ashok Gehlot.

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Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "The Chief Election Commissioner, who was PS (personal secretary) to Modi ji, is still working as his PS", and called it a "matter of shame" for the Election Commission.

"Aaj jab humne EC se subah pucha apni compliant ke baare mein toh kaha ki 5 baje ke baad jawab denge. Mukhya Chunav Aayukt jo PS to Modi ji the aaj bhi PS to Modi ji ki terah kaam kar rahe hain. Ye chunav aayog ke liye sharm ki baat hai," Surjewala was quoted by news agency ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cast his vote at booth number 115 in Ranip locality of Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.

Our fresh memorandum to the Election Commission regarding the flagrant violation of Model Code of Conduct by the PM & complete abdication of its Constitutional authority pic.twitter.com/yg3LNS46Rj- Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 14, 2017

The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a letter to the chief electoral officer of Gujarat after Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi gave an interview to a regional Gujarati channel.

Accusing Rahul Gandhi of flouting EC norms, senior BJP leader and Union minister Piyush Goyal said, "As per MCC (model of conduct), it's (giving such interviews) not permitted. We've learnt from EC too that 48 hours in run up to polls, interviews can't be given. Is Congress so insecure?"

WATCH NARENDRA MODI OUTSIDE POLLING BOOTH IN AHMEDABAD

#WATCH Ahmedabad: PM Narendra Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/cRqbmApgMv- ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

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There are Advent calendars and then there is the Banks's Brewery's Advent calendar.

Launched on December 1, the UK beer brand's countdown to Christmas stands over 36 feet tall because it's spray painted on the boarded-up windows of a deserted building in the English city of Wolverhampton.

Their bluntly-stated calendar is part of a larger campaign called "Tells it like it is" and its gritty commentary is meant to appeal to a young, working class audience.

Big Al's Creative Emporium, the London-based creative agency behind it all, explains:

How do you reassert an identity for a traditional pint of Black Country bitter on a shoestring? Paint it on the walls. That's how. Banks' was a traditional West Midland's beer in decline, feeling a bit dated and with an ageing core of traditional drinkers. Despite an extremely limited marketing budget, we wanted to give the brand new lease of life by appropriating the straight talking wit and grit of its industrial Black Country roots. Our solution was to develop a graffiti campaign around the thought 'Tells it like it is' and getting our messages on to unconventional urban spaces to create a subversive ambient campaign, which in turn we were able to activate as social media campaign taking on a life of its own.

Here's a peek at some of those messages:

See the rest over at Ads of the World.

Previously: There's an advent calendar full of weed
Last year, the Mirai botnet harnessed a legion of badly secured internet of things devices and turned them into a denial of service superweapon that brought down critical pieces of internet infrastructure (and even a country), and now its creators have entered guilty pleas to a Computer Fraud and Abuse Act federal case, and explained that they created the whole thing to knock down Minecraft servers that competed with their nascent Minecraft hosting business.

The three co-creators are Paras Jha, Josiah White, and Dalton Norman, three young American men in their twenties. Jha was a Rutgers student who had also used DDoS attacks to knock Rutgers offline in a bid to sell the university DDoS mitigation tools.

The identities of the Mirai creators were first published last January by Brian Krebs, a noted security journalist who was one of the first serious targets of Mirai.

The men released the source-code for Mirai and it is now widely used by criminals who've continued to refine it and use it to launch devastating attacks. The men will be sentenced shortly.



The huge income from successful servers had also spawned a mini cottage industry of launching DDoS attacks on competitors' servers, in an attempt to woo away players frustrated at a slow connection. (There are even YouTube tutorials specifically aimed at teaching Minecraft DDoS, and free DDoS tools available at Github.) Similarly, Minecraft DDoS-mitigation services have sprung up as a way to protect a host's server investment. The digital arms race in DDoS is inexorably linked to Minecraft, Klein says. "We see so many attacks on Minecraft. I'd be more surprised sometimes if I didn't see a Minecraft connection in a DDoS case," he says. "You look at the serversthose guys are making huge money, so it's in my benefit to knock your server offline and steal your customers. The vast majority of these Minecraft servers are being run by kidsyou don't necessarily have the astute business judgment in the quote-unquote 'executives' running these servers." As it turned out, French internet host OVH was well-known for offering a service called VAC, one of the industry's top Minecraft DDoS-mitigation tools. The Mirai authors attacked it not as part of some grand nation-state plot but rather to undermine the protection it offered key Minecraft servers. "For a while, OVH was too much, but then they figured out how to even beat OVH," Peterson says.

How a Dorm Room Minecraft Scam Brought Down the Internet [Garrett M Graff/Wired]
Congress and the BJP delegations have reached the Election Commission office as the two parties battle it out over allegations that PM Narendra Modi violated the model code of conduct in Gujarat.

By India Today Web Desk: 'Bharatiya Janata Party's puppet'. 'EC working under PMO pressure'. 'Congress practising petty politics'.

These are just some of the barbs that the Congress and the BJP exchanged as Gujarat voted for the second and last time in its high-stakes Assembly election.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow outside the Ahmedabad voting centre where he cast his ballot, the Congress was up in arms alleging a "denigration of every Constitutional norm" and a "gross violation of [the model] code of conduct".

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The echo of the fight, which began in Gujarat, reached New Delhi with Youth Congress members sitting on a dharna outside the Election Commission headquarters in the national capital. The Congress's presence outside the EC office in Delhi may have just been a show of strength had it not been for the BJP's decision to send a delegation of senior Union ministers to counter the Grand Old Party's charge that PM Modi violated the code of conduct in Gujarat.

As of last updating this report, the BJP delegation including Nirmala Sitharaman has left the Election Commission office. The Congress protest, however, did not continue for long with police detaining the demonstrators and whisking them away from outside the EC office in a bus.

Earlier the Congress alleged the EC was showing "different standards for the BJP and the Congress", a reference to the poll body directing action against TV channels that ran an interview given by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to a Gujarati media channel yesterday.

After PM Modi's roadshow in Ahmedabad, Congress leaders came out to criticise the EC for seemingly "working under" pressure from the Prime Minister's Office". Congress leader and former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram said in a tweet, "Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?"

The images on TV will leave no one in doubt that the BJP and PM have conducted a full fledged campaign on polling day. Shocking violation of Rules. EC is sleeping on the job.- P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

The BJP hit back with its national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao tweeting it was petty on the Congress's part to "call the EC names". "Sheer pettiness of @INCIndia to call ECI names is glaring. You loved it when the same ECI declared Ahmed Patel winner in RS polls. Why are you taking out your anger now on ECI for the spontaneous support to the PM? Isn't it too much to expect ECI to act as Parivar's Darbaris?" he tweeted.

Sheer pettiness of @INCIndia to call ECI names is glaring. You loved it when the same ECI declared Ahmed Patel winner in RS polls. Why are you taking out your anger now on ECI for the spontaneous support to the PM? Isn't it too much to expect ECI to act as Parivar's Darbaris? https://t.co/u2MuHyVcms- GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) December 14, 2017

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Jonathan Kaiman, the Beijing Bureau chief of The Los Angeles Times, reported on the history of how different flavor Kit Kat bars infiltrated Japan.

The country is home to an estimated 300 flavors (sake, cherry blossom, French salt, melon, "college tater," wasabi) that began to transform the traditional chocolate covered wafer into unusual, yet supposedly satisfying snacks in the 1990s. Thanks to a marketing campaign to diversify souvenir shops in Hokkaido, the candy bar has been released in limited edition flavors throughout the past few decades.

Like other product launches, Nestle has created some flops, like the Kit Kat cough drop flavor. Regardless, the Kit Kat has maintained its interesting level of innovation in the country.

Via the Los Angeles Times:

The candy with the European pedigree went on to conquer Japan thanks to constant invention  blueberry cheesecake, cherry blossom and melon  and a linguistic coincidence that makes Kit Kats here a harbinger of good luck.

Image: Flying Toaster
ADSL was a miracle when it debuted, delivering high speeds over old copper, thanks to a protocol that was so adaptable to suboptimal media that it was said it could run "over a piece of wet string."



Some of the network engineers at Andrews and Arnold  the best ISP in the UK, and my provider when I lived there!  decided to try it out and it worked (once they'd added some salt to the string to increase its conductivity).



And the result  it works!!! Not even that slow (3Mb/s down) though slow uplink. Don't dare touch the string though So, there you go, ADSL over 2m of literal "wet string". Well done all for testing this. It shows the importance of handling faults that seem to just be "low speed". As a bonus, fit tin cans to both ends and you get voice as well as broadband on the same wet string!

It's official, ADSL works over wet string [Revk]

(via JWZ)
The driver of a DeLorean modded to resemble the version from Back to the Future didn't impress a Texas state trooper for hitting 88 mph.

Mark Shields, who was driving his car to an event, told KHOU he thought the officer was joking when he pulled him over for the time-traveling speed. Shields said the trooper responded by saying he doesn't "joke" about his job.

Shields said the trooper continued to ask about the car and questions related to the movie, but ultimately handed the butthead a ticket.

Image: Oto Godfrey and Justin Morton
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a plan to bring down anti-leaker legislation that provides for 20 year prison sentences for whistelblowers who leak in order to prove government wrongdoing, and for the journalists who publish those leaks.



The law contains a special clause that singles out Edward Snowden and anyone else who works in IT and uses their position to acquire documents that are leaked to the press.

The law provides for a defense for people who leak or publish "in the person's capacity as a journalist engaged in fair and accurate reporting." The bill does not define a journalist, and it would be up to defendants to prove that they satisfied this condition, on pain of decades of custodial sentencing.



As far as news organizations are concerned, while it is true that Australian titles may think twice before publishing leaked government documents, there are plenty of other outlets around the world that won't. Even if other newspapers are reluctant to risk the wrath of the Australian government  perhaps because they have offices and journalists in the country that would be vulnerable to retaliation  it is easy to set up a dedicated site for the leaks, and then use social media to spread the word. That's essentially what WikiLeaks does, which is unlikely to take any notice of the new law either. If the Australian government  or indeed any government  wants to reduce leaks it should place as much information as possible in the public domain, and seek to protect only the extremely sensitive stuff. Trying to enforce excessive and unnecessary secrecy with manifestly vindictive punishments simply undermines people's respect for the whole system, and probably provokes even more whistleblowers to leak.

Australia Seeks New Gag Laws That Could See Journalists And Whistleblowers Jailed for 20 Years [Paul Farrell/Buzzfeed]





Australian Government Wants To Punish Whistleblowers And Journalists Who Leak Classified Documents With Up To 20 Years In Prison [Glyn Moody/Techdirt]





(Images: Stasyan117, CC-BY-SA)
Last night Kentucky Republican state Rep. Dan Johnson drove onto a bridge in Louisville, Kentucky, shot himself inside his car, and died. 24 hours earlier, he had been publicly accused of molesting a teenager in 2013.

In 2013, then 17-year-old Maranda Richmond had to ward off a drunk evangelical pastor  Dan Johnson  who kissed her and put his hands underneath her clothes inside a church on New Years Day. Three months later she reported the incident to police, and the Louisville Metro Police Department started but then closed an investigation without charging Johnson.

In January of this year pastor Johnson became a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 49th district, but it wasn't until earlier this week that the molestation case was made public with a lengthy report by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.

According to CNN:
When Massachusetts GOP Senator Scott Brown was elected in a 2010 special election, Senate Democrats agreed to delay a key vote on health care reform until he could be seated, so that the vote would be held by elected officials, not the appointed lame duck who was sitting in the seat that Brown was about to occupy.

Now, Democrats and activists are calling on the GOP to preserve this democratic fundamental and delay an upcoming vote on the GOP tax plan until newly elected Alabama Senator Doug Jones can replace the appointed lame duck Luther Strange in the Senate.

The GOP will almost certainly tell Democrats to go fuck themselves, despite their insistence on observing the imaginary rule that allowed them to steal Merrick Garland's Supreme Court seat and hand it to one of the minor characters from The Handmaid's Tale.

So protestors have flooded the Senate, chanting "No Jones, no vote!"



The party that has had full control of Congress and the White House for nearly a year  and yet has still failed to pass a single significant piece of legislation  is going to have an ever harder time now, thanks to the stunning election of Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama this week. So, in a state of complete panic, House and Senate Republicans rushed on Wednesday to cobble together a secret deal so they can vote next week on their deeply unpopular tax hike on the middle class. Democrats have called on them to delay their vote until Jones is seated. It certainly seems like the right thing to do, and it's what Democrats did in 2010 after Scott Brown won the special election in Massachusetts, delaying a vote on health care until Brown was sworn in. But of course Republicans have demonstrated zero interest in doing the right thing and are rushing full speed ahead they can.

"No Jones? No Vote." Americans flood Senate halls to stop GOP from ramming tax bill [Kaili Joy Gray/Share Blue]

(via Late Stage Capitalism)





(Image: Ben Wikler/Twitter)
It's rare, but once in a while the tabloids just get a story right. While Us magazine bores us with the "most fascinating people of 2017" (Melania Trump? Meghan Markle?) and the National Enquirer tells us "What shocked and rocked in 2017" (branding Hollywood's sex harassment scandals "Pervnado"), it is the Globe that hits the pitch-perfect end-of-year note with its "50 Most Annoying People of 2017."

Its catalogue of "whiners, losers and lamebrains" is hard to argue with: Kim Kardashian, Bill O'Reilly, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Harvey Weinstein, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow . . . the list goes on. Caitlyn Jenner, Megyn Kelly, Anthony Scaramucci, Johnny Depp . . . there's ten pages of this, and I'll bet they could have filled the entire magazine with names if they wanted to.

Yet the Globe inexplicably omits the year's unquestionably most annoying person: Donald Trump. It's another week when the Trump-toadying tabloids become the mouthpiece of the White House, with highly debatable information that appears spoon-fed from the West Wing.

"Clintons Rigged Trump Investigation!" screams the grammatically-challenged cover of the Enquirer, which claims to have exposed "Bill & Hillary's dirty tricks" in loading special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative team with Clinton supporters. But while Mueller's law firm WilmerHale indeed made contributions to Democrats as the Enquirer alleges, it also made substantial contributions to Republicans, in fact donating almost twice as much to Republicans from 1996 to 2002, though favoring Democrats in recent years.

Prince Harry's betrothed Meghan Markle's father Tom "won't live to see wedding," predicts the Enquirer, based solely on a photo that shows the 73-year-old appearing rather portly. They roll out the standard rent-a-quote doctors to explain the health dangers of being overweight, concluding that Mr. Markle is "eating and smoking himself to early grave." Obesity carries many risks, it's true, but it takes the Enquirer team of medically trained psychics to diagnose that Mr. Markle's demise will come before his daughter's wedding in May.

The Globe doesn't need psychics, however, when it has a "body language expert" to predict that Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco's "upcoming marriage is doomed!" It must be right  you can't argue with science.

The Queen's "last Christmas" is in ruins, reports the Globe. You might think she'd be happy with a third child on the way for grandson Prince William, and Prince Harry poised to walk down the aisle, but no  the Globe reveals: "It's malice at the palace like we've never seen before," according to an "insider." Maybe it's one of the Queen's Corgis ratting out the Royals again. Apparently the Royals are all at each others' throats, because they're just characters in a soap opera, after all.

Old houses always need a lot of maintenance, and the White House is no exception. The General Services Administration, which maintains the venerable mansion, recently reported that it has dealt with cockroach infestations, mice and ants, and replaced a toilet seat in the Oval Office bathroom  all routine problems that have plagued the abode for decades, through successive administrations. But that's enough for the Globe to claim: "Obama family left place a total disaster . . . leaving it a disgusting vermin-infested roach motel."

Snopes has noted that President Jimmy Carter battled mice and that First Lady Barbara Bush had a run-in with a rat. President Grover Cleveland's wife found a giant rat trying to devour her pet canary, and lamented numerous infestations of spiders and cockroaches. Screw history, says the Globe, it's all the fault of those filthy Obamas.

People magazine barely brightens the mood with its innocuously bland cover story on Full House star John Stamos revealing: "I'm Gonna Be a Dad!" When a man realizes at the age of 54 that "I had to do some work on myself first" before considering fatherhood, and admits "I had to straighten up," it's not so much a reason for celebration as it is for sadness that it took him so long.

Fortunately Us magazine's crack team of investigative reporters tell us that Jennifer Lopez wore it best (when did we stop calling her J Lo?), that Kate Sackhoff carries eyedrops, decongestant and skin cream in her Chanel bag, and that the stars are just like us: they grocery shop, buy Christmas trees and feed parking meters. But wait! This week Us brings us a rare page of reality: "Stars  They're NOT like Us!" They ride on yachts, have streets named after them, and fly in private jets. I always had my suspicions that the stars were not like us, but now it's finally been proven! Thank you, Us magazine.

Onwards and downwards . . .
Salary Survey

2017 IT Salary & Job Satisfaction Survey Results

Information technology professionals across the country report on their compensation, experience, outlook on the future, top challenges and more.

As a whole, the information technology industry in higher education seems to be holding steady. Salaries are mostly flat or growing, outlook is positive and people are generally satisfied with their work. All good signs, considering the economic and political upheaval we've seen over the last year.

Of course, every IT group has its challenges. So to better understand the nuances of the field, we polled Campus Technology readers working in IT at colleges and universities across the country about their salaries, experience, benefits, complaints, views of the future, etc. Here's what they told us.

Average Salaries

The average salary in our survey, across all institution types and IT roles, was $76,874, and the median (the number falling halfway between the highest and lowest salary) was $70,000. The highest salary reported was $225,000, earned by a chief technology officer at a private for-profit institution in New York. The lowest: $10,000, earned by a help desk staffer at a private for-profit in Montana. (Note: For-profit institutions made up such a low percentage of our respondents that we omitted them from all but the top-level survey results.)

At public institutions, the average salary across the board was $76,433; the median was $71,000. And at private nonprofits, the average was $79,319 and the median was $77,951.

We broke down salaries by title/job level for those positions that had sufficient response in the survey (see figure 2). For C-level titles (chief information officer, chief technology officer, chief security officer, chief digital officer), the average salary at public institutions was $127,166, while the median was $128,500. The average at private nonprofit institutions was $122,000; the median $125,000.

For IT directors, the average salary at public institutions was $96,332; the median $91,950. And at private nonprofits, the average was $106,000 and the median $100,000.

And for IT managers, the average salary at public institutions was $70,041 and the median was $66,000. At private nonprofits, the average was $73,631 and the median $76,500.

On the low end of the salary spectrum was help desk/computer support personnel. The average salary for those staffers at public institutions was $59,731; the median $58,000. The average at private nonprofits was $52,475, and the median $48,500.

In the comments section of the survey, a number of respondents mentioned the budget issues that plague the IT job market in higher education:

"More money is directed toward research and building expansion than staff development and career growth," noted a systems analyst at a four-year public university in Michigan.

"Salary competition with the private sector continues to be a big challenge," agreed an IT director at a four-year public in Georgia.

A CIO at a two-year public institution in New York complained of "difficulty recruiting talented staff due to salary compared to the private sector."

And a trainer at a four-year public in Illinois warned, "Unwillingness to invest in resources/expertise will lead to an exodus to the private sector."

Raises and Promotions

Fifty-eight percent of respondents from public institutions and 67 percent from private nonprofits said they expect to receive a raise within the next year  up from 42 percent and 60 percent in our 2016 survey, respectively. Staffers at public institutions were more optimistic about the possibility of promotion than their private nonprofit counterparts, though the chances were deemed low for both: 19 percent of respondents from public colleges and universities said they anticipate getting a promotion in the next year, compared to 7 percent from private nonprofit schools.
This past Spring Davidoff Cigars released a special limited edition culebra offering known as the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition. A culebra is a group of three panatelas twisted together to form a snake-like entity. The origins of the culebra can be traced back to Cuba, but there are many conflicting stories about the creation of the culebra unit. While some culebra entities consist of three twisted cigars of the same blend, when it comes to the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition, each unit contains a twisted panatela from each of the three blends from the Davidoff Discovery Pillar (Black) Label. These blends include Davidoff Nicaragua, Davidoff Escurio, and Davidoff Yamasa blends. Today we take a look at one of the panatela components of the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition which will be referred to in this assessment as the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra.

When former Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard came on board in 2011, he implemented product innovation as a part of his corporate strategy. Davidoff Master Blender Henke Kelner was challenged to blend an all-Nicaraguan tobacco  something he had not done up until that time. This resulted in the release of Davidoff Nicaragua in 2013. This cigar would become a huge success for the company  and ultimately became a springboard for the Escurio, Nicaragua Box Pressed, and Yamasa lines.

This is not Davidoffs first culebra release. The company had a previous offering with the Davidoff Special C. In that culebra offering, the three panatelas were identical blends. For the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition, each of the panatelas are different blends.

Without further ado, lets explore the Davidoff Nicaragua component of the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

The Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra shares the same blend components as the rest of the Davidoff Nicaragua line.

Wrapper: Habano Seed Nicaragua Rosado

Binder: Habano Jalapa

Filler: Esteli Viso, Condegas Ligero, Ometepe Viso and Esteli Ligero

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (TABADOM)

Vitolas Available

The Davidoff Nicaragua has been produced in seven sizes:

Culebra: 6 1/2 x 33 (Limited Production)

Short Corona: 3 3/4 x 46

Robusto: 5 x 50 (Tube packaging)

Toro: 5 1/2 x 54

Belicoso: 5 1/4 x 52 (Limited Production)

Diadema Fina: 6 1/2 x 50

6 x 60: 6 x 60 (Limited Production)

The Culebra is sold as a part of the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition, which also contains the Escurio and Yamasa panatelas. Each Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition is packaged in an individual coffin containing the three twisted panatelas  one from each of the Discovery Pillar blends. The coffins are then available in 8-count boxes. In a nutshell, each coffin has one Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra panatela and each box has eight of them.

Appearance

The Habano Rosado wrapper of the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra has the lines signature dark cinnamon color. There is a light coating of oil on the surface. This was a classic culebra component that was basically a scrunched panatela vitola. As a result, the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra had a bumpy surface. There were some visible veins and visible wrapper seams.

The three panatelas of the culebra are twisted together in a classic Cuban style. There is a black ribbon tying the three panatelas together on each side of the culebra. Like any culebra, the individual panatela components arent the most attractive, but when all three are tied together, its a true work of art.

One thing that is unique is that each of the panatelas have a footer band to easily identify the blend of the panatela. These bands are similar to the secondary bands found on the Davidoff Escurio, Davidoff Yamasa, and Davidoff Nicaragua lines. In the case of the Davidoff Nicaragua, it is the orange-rust colored with black font and black trim. On the band, it says NICARAGUA in black font. To the left and right is an image of three mountains (that actually look more like pyramids).

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

I commenced the cigar experience of the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra by using a straight cut to remove the cap. I then commenced with the pre-light draw. Given this was a twisted and thin vitola, it was a little hard to get a good dry draw, but I did get some natural tobacco sweetness and a slight cedar spice. Overall it wasnt the most exciting pre-light draw, but since we do not factor pre-light into the value ratings or numeric scores, there was no loss of points here.

Flavor Profile

The Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra started out with more notes of sweet natural tobacco, black pepper, and cedar. The sweet natural tobacco and cedar moved into the forefront early on. The black pepper receded into the background on the tongue, but was still present on the retro-hale.

During the first third, I found both the sweet natural tobacco and cedar to vary in intensity. There were times the black pepper crept into the forefront. Midway through the first third, there was a citrus note that emerged. At first, there was an astringent quality to this citrus, however by the midway point of the cigar, there was more in the way of sweetness from the citrus.

Later in the second third of the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra, the cedar and pepper notes took control and became the primary notes. By this point, there was a lot less sweetness. I found the natural tobacco notes had shed their sweetness and the citrus notes had developed the astringent component again. This is the way the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

Panatelas in a Culebra are typically under-filled so they can be twisted together. The Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra falls into that category, but I can honestly say it didnt work against how it scored in both burn and draw. From a burn standpoint, I found the burn line to be straight and despite the twisted nature of the cigar, it maintained a straight burn path. The resulting ash was gray in color. It wasnt an overly firm ash, but it wasnt loose or flaky either. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

The draw to the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra was excellent. The underfilling had less of an impact due to the scrunching of the vitola itself. As a result, I was amazed to find this cigar had an ideal amount of resistance.

Strength and Body

In terms of strength and body, this is one of the more dialed back vitolas in the Davidoff Nicaragua line. The Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra started out mild to medium in strength and body. By the second third, the strength and body entered the medium range where it pretty much leveled off in the second half. Both the strength and body balanced each other nicely with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

Final Thoughts

My assessment with the Davidoff Nicaragua Culebra is very much in line with many other culebras. Very simply put, you are not going to get an optimum experience with a blend that is put into a less-filled, scrunched panatela. The Davidoff Nicaragua blend falls into this same category. On the other hand, it was a fun cigar to smoke  and something a little different to try. To get this cigar you are going to have to buy the whole Culebras Limited Edition coffin containing the three blends and that will run you $55.50. If you are into the novelty and fun, I would say go for it, but there definitely are better sizes of Davidoff Nicaragua to enjoy.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Cedar, Black Pepper, Citrus

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Mild to Medium (1st Third), Medium (Remainder)

Body: Mild to Medium (1st Third), Medium (Remainder)

Finish: Good

Rating

Value: Try a Sample

Score: 87

References

News: Davidoff Culebras Features Discovery Pillar Blends

Price: $55.50 (3 Unit Culebra containing 3 blends)

Source: Purchased

Brand Reference: Davidoff

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted
Will Narendra Modi magic work? Can Virbhadra Singh buck the trend? A glimpse of how the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal will pan out.

By India Today Web Desk: Not just the 2,000-odd candidates in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh but millions of viewers across the country will be waiting anxiously as India Today TV gets ready to broadcast its exit poll around 6 pm today.

Gujarat's two-phase polling will conclude today (December 14); the first phase took place on December 9. Himachal Pradesh went to polls on November 9.

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Election to the state Assembly of Gujarat has drawn more than its fair share of media coverage. And for obvious reasons. The western state is the political backyard of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. To retain power will not only cement their grip on power but also vindicate their rather divisive campaigning.

For the Congress it is a matter of a reinvented Rahul Gandhi. Many are calling him Rahul Gandhi 2.0. Gone are the unsure and tentative steps at being abrasive. Instead the Gujarat campaign has seen a much more measured and mature politician.

Gujarat's over 4.33 crore voters will choose from 1,828 candidates for the 182 assembly seats. The first phase (on December 9) saw 68% voting for 89 seats. Till noon today 39% voter turnout has been recorded for the second phase that will see polling for 93 seats.

Thankfully campaigning for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections was nowhere as fractious as Gujarat. The moot point is whether Virbhadra Singh of the Congress be able to retain power. His main rival is BJP's CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The Himalayan state has seen the BJP and Congress alternately in power since 1985.

The state's 50-lakh-plus voters had a list of 338 candidates to choose from for the Assembly's 68 seats. Voting on November 9 saw 74 per cent turnout.

While both BJP and Congress fielded candidates for all the 68 seats, BSP had 42 candidates and CPI (M) 14.

For the first time 50,000 ethnic Tibetans were given voting rights.

For all the latest updates from Round Two of the Gujarat Assembly election,follow our live blog here.

To read all India Today stories on the Gujarat election, click here.

EDITORS' TAKE ON GUJARAT ELECTION | Rajdeep Sardesai's ten takeaways | Rahul Kanwal's ten insights

ALSO WATCH | PM Narendra Modi's mother votes in Gandhinagar

--- ENDS ---
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to firefighting chemicals may be one reason why Florida firefighters have a higher-than-normal rate of skin cancer, a new study suggests.

The researchers analyzed data from almost 2,400 firefighters statewide who'd participated in a cancer survey. They found that 4.5 percent -- 109 firefighters -- had been diagnosed with skin cancer. That included 17 cases of melanoma, 84 cases of other types of skin cancer and 18 of an unknown type of skin cancer.

The melanoma rate among the firefighters was 0.7 percent, compared with 0.011 percent in the general population, according to the researchers.

"We believe there are chemicals in the work environment that, when firefighters come into contact with them, might be increasing the risk for specific kinds of cancer," study leader Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez, said in a University of Miami news release. He's with the university's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The study noted that other factors also could be involved, such as:

Increased ultraviolet radiation exposure when firefighters respond to an emergency during daylight hours

Improper decontamination of safety gear after an emergency call

Exposure to diesel exhaust from fire trucks engines idling while firefighters prepared to respond to a call

A major surprise in the study was the younger ages that skin cancer occurred among the firefighters, Caban-Martinez said.

The firefighters' average age when diagnosed with skin cancer was 42 for melanoma, 38 for non-melanoma and 42 for unknown skin cancer types.

The findings were published online Dec. 13 in the journal JAMA Dermatology.

"If a primary care physician has a patient who is a firefighter, the findings suggest that they make it a point to do a full body skin exam and provide health education on skin cancer protection," Caban-Martinez said.

He noted that some firefighters may not consider skin cancer screenings until they're older, but this study suggests it's wise to begin full body skin examinations at an earlier age.

"Firefighters are already at risk for developing and dying from other cancers, so it's not surprising to me that our research has now identified that the risk of skin cancer among firefighters is elevated, particularly within the South Florida context," said senior study author Erin Kobetz, associate director of the Sylvester Center.

"There are certain occupational-vulnerable groups, including firefighters, who may need more regular skin cancer screening or to start earlier," Kobetz added.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on skin cancer.
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that's sure to ruffle some fur and feathers, scientists report that having a pet doesn't fend off age-related declines in physical or mental health.

"Our results showed that in this sample of almost 9,000 people -- average age 67 years -- for those who owned a pet, no health benefits were found," said study co-author Richard Watt, a professor of epidemiology and public health at University College London.

The British researchers pointed out that some studies have suggested that pets can improve psychological health, perhaps by easing loneliness or providing companionship. Other research has hinted at health benefits such as weight regulation and improved heart health, possibly from having to walk a dog or stress relief from petting a cat.

But the authors of the new study noted that there can be a downside to pet ownership, too: People can feel significant grief and distress after the loss of a beloved pet.

To get a better idea of exactly how much a pet can affect human health and well-being, the researchers recruited the large group of British seniors, 55 percent of whom were women.

One-third of the group had a pet -- 18 percent had a dog, 12 percent had a cat and 3 percent had another pet.

About two years later, the seniors underwent various checks of physical and mental health.

Comparing those who had pets with those who didn't, the researchers found essentially no differences in walking speed, lung function, speed getting out of a chair, grip strength, ability to raise legs or balance. These are all abilities that tend to become harder to do with age.

They also measured three markers of inflammation in the body, and found no differences between the groups.

The study also found no statistically significant differences in memory or depressive symptoms between pet owners and those with no animals. No differences were found between male and female pet owners, either.

But the study did not prove that pets don't boost health among seniors.

Watt said that people in the United Kingdom consider pets a much-loved part of the family, much the way people in the United States do.

The analysis took into account such things as smoking and level of wealth. The researchers didn't consider the size of the pet or how long the pet had been owned by the older person -- both limitations of the study, Watt said.

Robert Matchock is an associate professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University who has published research on pets and human health. He, too, noted some other potential limitations with the new study.

For example, the study didn't ask if the participants were the primary caregivers for the animals. It also didn't ask about participants' total involvement with the pet or the amount of time someone spent with a pet, he said.

In addition, "the current study did not examine traditionally measured variables associated with pet ownership, such as heart rate, blood pressure or cortisol," a stress hormone, he said.

"This is an important study, and clearly more research is needed," Matchock said. "But I wouldn't discount, quite yet, the social support and unconditional affection that we can obtain from our pets."

Dr. Aaron Pinkhasov, chairman of behavioral health at NYU Winthrop in Mineola, N.Y., described the research as an interesting article that tried to prove what people feel to be true -- that pets are beneficial to their health.

However, there are so many confounding factors that it's hard to definitively prove a health benefit from pet ownership, he said.

"But, intuitively, it makes sense," Pinkhasov said. "I give letters for people to have therapeutic dogs all the time -- they're a source of joy and stimulation. But to go as far as to say the dog would help prevent a heart attack, I think that might be impossible to pinpoint."

As Watt said: "As always with research, our study raises more questions than answers. More interventional research is needed to assess the potential effects of pet ownership."

In the meantime, however, he said that, "as a dog owner, I am very happy with my loving companion."

The findings were published in the Christmas issue of BMJ.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the potential health benefits of pets.
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New Delhi, December 12, 2017 Authorities in Indias Jammu and Kashmir state must immediately release French documentary filmmaker Comiti Paul Edwards from custody, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

State police arrested Edwards on December 9, 2017, in the city of Srinagar while he was shooting a documentary on people injured by pellet guns, according to a Reuters report. Use of pellet guns on protesters by the Jammu and Kashmir police resulted in 80 deaths and over 5,000 injuries, according to report on TheWire.in website.

Authorities arrested Edwards under section 14 of the Indian Passport Act that gives police the power to search and seize travel documents, according to a report in The Hindu newspaper, which quoted an unnamed police officer.

Comiti held an Indian business visa, which did not permit him to make a documentary on political or security-related issues, the police senior superintendent Imitiyaz Ismael Parray said, according to Reuters.

Police should release Comiti Paul Edwards immediately, said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney from New York. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have a history of restricting journalists. The security and political situations warrant close media coverage not censorship.

Edwards, who holds an Indian business visa valid until 2018, appeared in a Srinagar magistrates court on December 10, 2017, according to a report in The New Indian Express newspaper. The court ruled that Edwards should remain in police custody in Srinagar until his next court hearing on December 16, 2017, according to The New Indian Express. The journalist has not been charged.

Parray, superintendent of Srinagar city police, declined to comment to CPJ.

An official from the French embassy yesterday visited Edwards, and said that the journalist was doing fine in custody, according to a report in The Rising Kashmir newspaper.

A person in the French embassy in Delhi who was not authorized to speak on the record, confirmed that an official did go to Srinagar to meet Edwards but declined to comment further on the matter.

Justice Bilal Ahmed Nazki, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir state human rights commission issued notices to the police superintendent, senior superintendent, and regional police inspector general, asking them to clarify why Edwards was arrested, according to a report in The Hindu newspaper. The commission will hear the matter on December 18, according to The Hindu.
India to hold talks with ASEAN to extend IMT highway up to Vietnam

Published: December 13, 2017

India is planning to hold talks with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to extend India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway up to Vietnam.

As per proposals from India, the 1,360 km long IMT highway from Moreh in India to Mae-Sot in Thailand can be extended to Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia.

Key Facts

The connectivity provided by expansion of IMT highway till Vietnam can generate an estimated $70 billion annually in incremental GDP and $20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025. Besides, it will provide much required market for crops grown in hilly regions of Northeast India, thus benefiting growers in getting better price for their produce.

IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA)

Besides, Government is also working to connect India with South East Asia is IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA). India, Myanmar and Thailand had commenced negotiations for finalising and implementing IMT MVA in 2014 to utilise physical road infrastructure on IMT Trilateral Highway.

India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway

The IndiaMyanmarThailand Trilateral Highway is highway under construction under Indias Act East policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. The highway is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEANIndia Free Trade Area, as well as with rest of Southeast Asia.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2017

Topics: IMT Trilateral Highway  india-asean  India-Myanmar-Thailand  National  Vietnam

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Copyright  2022-23 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved

This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics.
PM Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben voted in the Gujarat election today in Gandhinagar. In a tweet, her son asked the people of Gujarat to come out in record numbers to vote in Phase Two of what is a prestige poll for the BJP.

PM Narendra Modi's mother has voted in the Gujarat election. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

By India Today Web Desk: Gujarat residents, if you're thinking of staying at home and skipping this election ("I'm too tired", "I need to get to work on time."), well, shame on you. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben, who is in her nineties, went to cast her vote today in Gandhinagar.

"Gujarat nu bhalu karo, (I pray to God for Gujarat's well-being)," she said at the polling station.

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93 Gujarat constituencies will elect new MLAs today, in the second phase of the Assembly election.

The state has been a BJP stronghold for 22 years. But in this poll, the saffron party has a fight on its hands: a resurgent Rahul Gandhi and the influence of Hardik Patel in the Patidar community are among the factors that have made it a tough contest for Modi's party.

PM Modi's mother Heeraben arrives to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/orVeaNEKY6- ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91- ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

This morning, Narendra Modi enjoined voters to come out in record numbers, and called the Gujarat election a "festival of democracy."

Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

For all the latest updates from Round Two of the Gujarat Assembly election,follow our live blog here.

To read all India Today stories on the Gujarat election, click here.

EDITORS' TAKE ON GUJARAT ELECTION | Rajdeep Sardesai's ten takeaways | Rahul Kanwal's ten insights

WATCH | PM Narendra Modi's mother votes in Gandhinagar

--- ENDS ---
The Supreme Court will on Thursday deliver a judgment on the constitutionality of the death sentence.





Death row convicts Francis Karioko Muruatetu and Wilson Thirimbu Mwangi, who have been in jail for the last 14 years since 2003, had filed the case at the apex court while seeking that the mandatory death penalty should be scrapped from the Kenyan law.



Abolished





The duo were convicted alongside 5 other suspects, including the wife of former Lands Commissioner Wilson Gachanja, for the grisly murder of businessman Lawrence Githinji Magondu.





As of December 2010, 139 countries out of 197 under the UN had abolished the death penalty in law or practice.





The decision to be delivered is expected to be a landmark one.





The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the International Commission of Jurists Kenyan chapter, Legal Resources Foundation, Katiba Institute and the Death Penalty Project are listed as amicus in the case.





Death penalty





Notably, in Kenya, there have been no executions since 1987 for accused persons sentenced to death.





Those sentenced to death are to serve a lifelong jail term unless pardoned by the President.





Murder and robbery with violence attract the death penalty in the Kenyan criminal law.





Mandatory death sentence now unconstitutional in Kenya





Mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya.





This is after the Supreme Court on Thursday declared Section 204 of the Penal Code, which stipulates mandatory death sentence, as unconstitutional.



'Valid'





However, the top court specified that this decision does not affect validity of the death sentence.





The decision means death sentence is still lawful but not mandatory.





Murder and robbery with violence are the offences in the Kenyan criminal law that attract a death penalty.





The top court judges directed the Attorney-General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and other relevant agencies to prepare a detailed professional review of all murder and robbery with violence cases similar as pertains sentencing.





They also ordered that a copy of the judgment be forwarded to Speakers of Parliament and the National Council for Law Reporting to give way forward for any necessary amendments to death sentence.





The judges also ordered that the 2 Kenyans who filed the suit should have a priority hearing before the High Court and be freshly sentenced.





Murder





Death row convicts Francis Karioko Muruatetu and Wilson Thirimbu Mwangi, who have been in jail for the last 14 years, filed the case.





They asked the apex court to scrap mandatory mandatory death penalty from the Kenyan law.





The duo were convicted alongside 5 others - including the wife of former Lands Commissioner Wilson Gachanja for the murder of businessman Lawrence Githinji Magondu.





As of December 2010, 139 countries out of 197 under the UN had already abolished the death penalty in law or practice.





The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the International Commission of Jurists Kenyan chapter, Legal Resources Foundation, Katiba Institute and the death penalty project were listed as amicus in the case.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE!





"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

nation.co.ke, December 13, 2017
Around the world, excess and loosely-secured stockpiles of small arms, light weapons, and munitions, along with landmines and explosive remnants of war, pose a serious danger not only to local populations, but also to regional stability and prosperity.

The dangers posed by mines and UXO can linger for decades, wrote Tina Kaidanow, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. In areas reeling from recent fighting, stabilization and humanitarian assistance efforts are effectively blocked until key sites are cleared of explosive hazards. Civilian populations near contaminated land could face permanent injury or death by performing everyday activities such as accessing clean water or walking to work or school.

That is why the U.S. Department of State funds and manages conventional weapons destruction programs in 47 countries around the world. Its To Walk The Earth In Safety Report, issued in mid-December by the State Departments Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, highlights our enduring commitment to making post-conflict communities safer and setting the stage for their recovery and development. It also touches on many of the problems these communities must overcome.

In Africa, decades of past conflicts have left behind dense minefields, while porous state borders and weak governments have allowed extremist groups such as Boko Haram and al-Shabaab, to easily arm themselves with weapons and explosives.



In East Asia and the Pacific, due to a series of armed conflicts going back to the 1940s, landmines and unexploded ordnance have remained a persistent threat. Similarly, in the Balkans and in Ukraine, minefields and poorly-secured stockpiles of weapons are also a cause for concern.

In the Middle East and North Africa, efforts at regional stabilization and conflict resolution are hampered by unexploded ordnance and surplus weapons resulting from decades of instability and conflict. The same can be said for Afghanistan and some of its Central Asian neighbors.

And in Latin America, conventional weapons destruction is crucial to stem regional threats of violence and weapons trafficking that go hand in hand with illegal narcotics trafficking and criminal violence.

Supporting conventional weapons destruction is a cornerstone of our national security policy, said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Kaidanow. The success of our programs is built on strong bipartisan support from Congress and the people of the United States, who recognize that our nation benefits from helping to create a world in which all may walk the earth in safety.
After many meetings and debates, the Chicago delegation succeeded in working with the New York United Federation of Teachers, Local 2 (UFT) to push the AFT to take stronger stands on charter school accountability and school closings  though many delegates from Chicago would have liked the language to have been even stronger.

Generally speaking, the New York delegation represented organizing charters as the best model for handling their role in reshaping unions, despite the fact that according to many reports few charter schools in New York have been organized as is the case in Chicago. This logic is the same touted by the Progressive Caucus of the AFT. The few that have been organized are a part of the UFT local though they have separate contracts negotiated with the help of UFT. The Chicago delegation reflection the mindset that allowing new charters to continue to proliferate while attempting to organize existing charters is an end game in which public schools and the union lose.



Jen Johnson, CTU, Local 1 in Substance


Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data

European Council building in Brussels. DELMI ALVAREZ

There are at least three surprising things about the European district of Brussels, the neighborhood which is home to the EU institutions despite the miserable weather that would justify a mass migration to warmer climates.

One of them is the Babylonian chatter  it is a rich and diverse landscape inhabited by people with different accents and looks, hailing from all corners of Europe: from Helsinki to Cadiz and from Saint Petersburg to Messina.

Pessimism has taken root and on its vines have grown the grapes of wrath of the Great Recession

The second surprising thing is the constant bustle of cranes and building work; it is tempting to draw the obvious metaphor: Europe is under construction, real and allegorically, and this frenzy of bulldozers perfectly encapsulates the state of permanent transition of the confused political project that is the European Union.

The last item is more sinister: security forces armed to the teeth protect the headquarters of the European Commission 24 hours a day. Military vehicles are parked in front of the Council, and police officers are constantly checking transit hubs  it is an ever-present reminder of the terrorist attacks that hit the capital 20 months ago now. This scar has yet to heal, and not only in Brussels: a militarized world with police tanks, military uniforms, bulletproof vests and machine guns is with us every day. Because today, fear is one of Europes driving forces.

Fear has permitted a state of economic exception since the fall of Lehman Brothers: the rhetoric about exceptional times has allowed the passage of austerity decrees and reforms with hardly any protests  in a continent known for kicking up a fuss. This fear is also reflected in other areas: in beefed-up police numbers that have been deployed without any resistance, in the state of terrorist emergency in France that has been in place for two years now.

Uncertainty, insecurity, terror explain phenomena as diverse as Brexit and the rise of nationalism and the ultra right

It is also visible in the tendency to link immigrants with insecurity, a trend that, sadly, is taking root across Europe. Anyone looking for an example of weakness in Europe need look no further than the wall between Hungary and Serbia, or the fences in the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast of Africa, or the walls in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria. Fear, in the end, has entered European politics like a Trojan horse and opened the doors to populism, just as Georg von Wallwitz explains in the essay Mr Smith and paradise and Jose Maria Lasalle in his fantastic book Against populism.

Uncertainty, insecurity, fear and the correlating job instability, indignation and anger at the economic elites explain phenomena as diverse as Brexit and the rise of nationalism and the far right, which recently fell just short of governing several large European countries. Fear as a driving force: the German sociologist Ulrich Beck said that Europe owed its integration more to fear than to common projects. The European Union is many things, but it is also a space for governing risks, says Daniel Innerarity, author of the monumental Democracy in Europe.

And yet pessimism is too easy: the intellectual glamour of pessimism blankets all analysis, but perhaps the situation today is not so terrifying. The EU has just turned 60. It has grown from six founding countries to 28: Europe and its rule of law has swallowed up former fascist dictatorships and dozens of former Communist countries, which now settle their disputes at boring and peaceful summits. Pessimism has taken root and on its vines have grown the grapes of wrath of the Great Recession. But the club has shown remarkable ability to adapt and can boast of a sole currency that has saved many match points and 35,000 of income per person, reasonably well divided thanks to the welfare states social contract.

In the middle of the crisis, this socioeconomic mattress softened the blow, but it is a sagging mattress that is every day more uneven. Inequality goes up and you have a cocktail glass where 20% of the population accumulates 80% of the wealth. Charles Dickens, Heinrich Heine, Emile Zola, Stendhal, Honore de Balzac and Victor Hugo understood that societies cannot allow such wretched inequality; John Stuart Mill, Alfred Marshall and John M. Keynes made this known among economists. Thomas Piketty and Branko Milanovic have reignited this debate; perhaps todays authors will give shape to this story. Ultimately, the economy is a mirror and at the same time an expression of the times: the current crisis, the failed post-mortem of Thatcherism, has allowed an increase in inequality. This is fertile ground for populism to spread its roots.

A militarized world with police tanks, military uniforms, bulletproof vests and machine guns is with us every day

Too little, too late has been Europes approach during the crisis to combat this and other problems. The crisis management by the eurozone will be studied as one of the greatest mistakes of economic policy, says analyst Jean Pisani-Ferry. And yet, on the verge of the abyss, Europe has shown its resistance to vertigo. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the magic words in 2011 (If the euro falls, Europe falls) and the crisis evaded one of its most difficult stages: the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Mario Draghi, cast the we will do everything necessary spell in 2012 and the speculators fled like rabbits. The apocalypse always defrauds its prophets: the ECB arrived late, but since then it has not taken its foot off the accelerator; the fiscal policy inflicted an exaggerated punishment, but it has ended the back-breaking austerity of Europes darkest years. Confidence returned triumphantly one night in May when the far-right leader Marine Le Pen came out onto her balcony in Paris and acknowledged defeat: Europe is the nice surprise of the world in 2017.

Europe has come out of a state of absolute and imprudent self-complacency. In 2008, the European Commission under Jose Manuel Durao Barroso published the book EMU@10 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the euro: it was the story of a resounding success as the euro became the stabilizing pole for Europe and the global economy. But just like in a Greek tragedy, this hubris angered the gods: the dramas in Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Cyprus and Spain dragged Europe into a brutal crisis  one that will stay with us for years and that explains the pendulum swing back to todays overwhelming pessimism.

This legacy has left a formidable bouquet of internal and external threats: Europe needs to be refounded  in the words of French President Emmanuel Macron  if it is to survive at least 60 years more of these challenges. Europe has survived the crisis by a hairs breadth. But is it ready for the next hurricane? No. Is the EU ready for the next problem in the tinderbox of unrest in the Middle East? No. Will Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump become less aggressive? Dont even ask. GDP has increased at the fastest rate in a decade: is it enough to maintain social cohesion? No. Has the EU been able to reduce the North-South divide? Nope. Has the danger of the far right dissipated following the French, German and Dutch elections? Hardly.

No, no, dont ask, neither, not likely: this is the attitude that proves that Europe today is a story of survival, more than it is a story of success.

Fear has entered European politics like a Trojan horse and opened the doors to populism

The EU, paraphrasing the philosopher Karl Popper, is a process of social engineering done by parts: the engineers who designed it left it incomplete, knowing that its inadequacies would come to light and lead to new measures. That moment has arrived. It is in the sun, not the rain, when we must repair the roof of our house, said the leader of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde.

The eurozone continues to require adjustment measures and last-resort bailout options from Frankfurt. But the future of the eurozone, at heart, depends on the prosperity of the south: on whether the south can grow and whether the north is willing to invest in it to bring Europe back into alignment.

Franz Reichelt, the French tailor, fell to his death after jumping from the Eiffel tower in 1912 with a loose parachute suit, convinced that his invention would save thousands of pilots. Before making his leap, he paused for 40 seconds. When he at last jumped into the void, a gust of air twisted the material around his body: he fell like a stone. The 40 seconds that Reichelt spent vacillating are an amendment to impetuous action, as Ian McEwan explains in Nutshell. The fact that he jumped in the end, however, paved the way for modern parachuting.

Europe is now immersed in its own 40 seconds of contemplation. It should use them to mend its parachute and pass the imperative reforms it never got round to making. And, with the fixed parachute, await the next crisis. Which will no doubt come. And when it has to jump again, two things could happen: either the parachute opens or the euro ends, like Reichelt, smashing its head on the cold pavement of Paris.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
Friends of Victor Lainez at the cemetary in Torrero (Zaragoza). Javier Cebollada (EFE)

We came out when we saw three police cars and an ambulance, said the owner of a pub close to the El Tocadiscos bar, where 55-year-old Victor Lainez was brutally beaten.

In this small bar in Zaragoza, Lainez got into an argument with a group of people who didnt like the suspenders he was wearing; they bore the colors of the Spanish flag.

There has been criticism that the local government was too tolerant of the anti-establishment movement.

Witnesses said that the attacker and three other individuals called Lainez a facha, short for fascist, because of the red and yellow stripes on his suspenders. The fight escalated and when Lainez left the bar he was chased and beaten. He died Tuesday as a result of his injuries.

The murder has shocked Spain, leaving many alarmed by the violence of an attack presumably provoked by the suspenders.

We had made fun of the suspenders, said a friend of Lainez, who had been with him an hour before the attack. He was also wearing a belt, he adds. Other neighbors recall how Lainez, an avid motorbike rider and flamenco fan, had liked to dress up in Spains national colors and in military uniform. But he had never gotten into fights, they said.

It was not the first time he was called facha and he was not the kind to keep quiet, said a friend who had known Lainez for two decades. He like the military, more for the look and it was normal to see him in those sorts of clothes.

Lainez is remembered as the life of the party, who loved rockabilly music, riding his Harley Davidson and taking care of his little dog Boss. In the words of one of his friends: He loved life and there was nothing stupid about him.

Lainez is remembered as the life of the party, who loved rockabilly music, riding his Harley Davidson and taking care of his little dog Boss.

His alleged attacker is a 33-year-old member of the Barcelona squatter movement named Rodrigo Lanza Huidobro, who had already served a five-year sentence for assaulting a local police officer in the Catalan capital; that victim has been a quadriplegic since 2006.

According to sources close to the matter, back in 2006, Lanzas well-to-do family in Chile had tried to pull strings in Chile and Madrid to save him from serving prison time for the crime. As the grandson of Sergio Huidobro, an admiral very close to Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, Lanzas case allegedly attracted the attention of the recently-elected president Michelle Bachelet, who contacted a defense lawyer in Spain on his behalf, an account denied by Bachelets team.

But despite the efforts of Lanzas family, the court found there was no doubt that he had thrown the rock at the police officer, an attack which left the officer permanently disabled. The young anti-establishment protester was sentenced to four and a half years in prison which was later increased to five by the Supreme Court.

Prison left a deep mark on Lanza: It created an image of a tough guy that really wasnt him. Its true that since then he has lived with a lot of resentment, sources close to him told EL PAIS.

After being released, the Chilean-born activist moved to Zaragoza where he did odd jobs and became more involved with the citys anti-establishment scene. In the wake of the brutal attack last week, there has been growing criticism that the local government was too tolerant of this movement.

In February 2015, the now-mayor of Zaragoza, Alberto Cubero attended a talk by Lanza on the so-called media gag law and repression. In January 2015, during a public event, the secretary general of Podemos in Aragon, Nacho Escartin, invited Lanza to describe his time in prison.

Suspect Rodrigo Lanza: As the grandson of Sergio Huidobro, an admiral very close to Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, Lanzas case allegedly attracted the attention of the recently-elected president Michelle Bachelet EL PAIS

As details surrounding the incident continue to come to light, there are more questions about the motive of the violent beating  could wearing suspenders of the Spanish flag really be the cause of what has ended in such an unjustified and brutal attack?

An antique dealer who had a stall in the local San Bruno market, which sold Spanish flags from the Franco era, says that Lanza came past two or three weeks ago and asked why he sold those flags. The dealer replied because he wanted to and told him to leave.

Lanzas family has released a public statement expressing thanks for the support they have received and explaining that they have not spoken to him since he was arrested on Monday: we are waiting to hear from him to clarify the facts.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
A vandalized Ciudadanos campaign poster in Barcelona. Cristobal Castro

Catalan political parties that oppose independence are being systematically harassed, adding a layer of tension to an already strained campaign ahead of the December 21 election.

The headquarters of Ciudadanos, a reform-oriented party that is riding high in the polls and could be the most-voted in the ballot, has been attacked 14 times so far this year. The Catalan Socialists (PSC) have reported 10 attacks on their own HQ.

The ghost of the two communities is back

Josep Joan Moreso, UPF

Candidates themselves have been the target of threats and insults on social media and at public events. And recently, a group of young Socialist activists who were putting up campaign posters were assaulted by secessionists.

Experts are talking about a society that is polarized like never before, and warning that all these incidents are the preliminary step towards a situation of low-key violence.

The recent incident with the PSC campaign volunteers illustrates the situation. Fifteen of them, aged 17 through 24, had gathered at midnight at the PSC headquarters of Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonias second largest city (254,000 residents). They split up into three groups to put up posters of Miquel Iceta, the Socialist candidate for the Catalan premiership.

Miquel Iceta, the Socialist candidate in the December 21 elections. Andreu Dalmau (EFE)

Daniel Martinez, a 24-year-old history graduate and first secretary of the local PSC youth group, was in one of the groups. At 12.15am he received a call on his cellphone: Dani, please come quick! Secessionists have insulted us, taken our posters and hit us! They screamed: We dont want socialists in Hospitalet! Get out of here! Visca la terra lliure! (Long live the free land, in Catalan).

When Daniel Martinez arrived at the scene, he found his young colleagues shaking with fear and anger. An underage girl had been shoved against a wall. A young man who had refused to stop putting up posters was punched and kicked in the chest.

The oldest members of the party tell us that there hadnt been this sort of street aggression in the last 40 years, says Martinez. And we believe that what lies behind this escalating violence is secessionists frustration at the possibility of losing the elections.

The oldest members of the party tell us that there hadnt been this sort of street aggression for 40 years

Daniel Martinez, PSC youth group leader

The partys organization secretary, Salvador Illa, notes that ever since September there has been a social tension thats visible in the marches, in the political language, in the attacks against party HQs and in the harassment against candidates and mayors. That is why we are asking everyone not to contribute to this situation.

Santi Rodriguez, secretary general of the Catalan Popular Party (PP), talks about isolated cases of harassment.

In broad terms there is not enormous pressure, but there are incidents such as the one involving Andrea Levy, he says, alluding to a party official who was accosted by several individuals in Sant Fos de Campsentelles (Barcelona). As for the attacks on social media, Rodriguez says they have become immune to them, but these range from death threats against the PP candidate Xavier Garcia Albiol to a variety of insults. And fascist is the mildest one..., he notes.

Pissed off

The mood is tense, and that is the step before low-intensity violence, explains Oriol Bartomeu, who teaches political science at Barcelona Autonomous University (UAB). The contact points between people who think differently have disappeared. Now we have groups of people who think the same way, and who get their feedback from like-minded news organizations and social media. This reaffirms their own hate towards those who think differently. And this ends up creating violent incidents.

Bartomeu talks about a pissed-off society where everyone lives in his or her own bubble, a society that has embraced a rhetoric of hate and humiliation and developed a tolerance for verbal violence. And this is politically profitable.

The ghost of the two communities is back, laments Josep Joan Moreso, a professor of philosophy of law and former head of Pompeu Fabra University (UPF). Catalan society is polarized like never before. I would like to hope that things wont get worse, but Im not sure, because peoples [political] positions are very inflexible.

Victoria Camps, a professor of moral and political philosophy at UAB, strikes a more positive note: The banner of the independence camp is peace, and I doubt things will get worse. But she adds that the situation could get stuck depending on political parties attitudes after the election.

This newspaper tried to reach secessionist parties (ERC, Junts per Catalunya and CUP) to inquire about attacks against their own candidates or HQ, but either there was no response or spokespeople declined to comment.

Yet all of them had suffered some form of harassment as well. Former regional minister Joaquim Forn was insulted at El Prat airport, and the ex-premier, Carles Puigdemont, currently in Belgium, has received death threats on social media.

English version by Susana Urra.
Modi addressed 37 rallies since October and Amit Shah 43; RG spent over 23 days campainign in Gujarat in which he addressed 62 big and small rallies since September.

By Jumana Shah: The election campaign for the Gujarat polls were extremely rigorous for the three key players - Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah, and newly anointed Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

As the final numbers consolidated, it emerged that Rahul Gandhi spent the maximum time on ground in this watershed elections that also saw him emerge as a national leader to reckon with.

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Gandhi spent 23 days in Gujarat which began early September. During this period, he has addressed as many as 62 rallies - some very large public gatherings, while others corner meetings and sabhas.

He kicked off his campaign with a low-key meeting with Congress workers and frontal departments in Ahmedabad. He visited over 25 temples as his campaigning took the hue of soft Hindutva and had the BJP fretting over it.

Gandhi's mostly three-day long visits would involve multiple corner meetings, where he would address thousands, welcome progamme at several roadside places and in some cases even chaupals - informal discussions.

Narendra Modi on the other hand, though visited the state quite often in September, formally kicked off his election campaign in the first week of October. Since then he has addressed some 37 rallies.

BJP president Amit Shah on the other hand campaigned much more extensively, addressing as many as 43 rallies since early October, reliable sources in BJP informed.

That is also when BJP held its fortnight-long Gaurav Yatra in early October. Shah, while campaigning, also made it a point to meet poll-booth workers in every visit to every corner of the state.

Modi had to indeed catch up with Gandhi. It is noteworthy that the PM spent more time campaigning in his home state than he did in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. For 403 Assembly seats in UP, he addressed 30 rallies, and in Bihar, with 243 assembly seats, he addressed 31 rallies.

Starting with his temple visits and Navsarjan Yatra, Gandhi set the tone, sounding the poll bugle unusually early in the state. While it was anticipated that the 'reluctant politician' will lose his steam by the time polling dates approach, on the contrary, Gandhi did not hold back any punches and stayed in Gujarat till the minute campaigning concluded on Wednesday evening.

While PM Modi reveled under Congress' allegation of Gujarat's super CM, Gandhi went to great pains to go down to the grassroots, interact face to face with multiple ethnic, social and professional groups to earn the perception of someone they can trust. Modi also stressed that he is the son of the soil, underlining his roots and connection with constituency he visited.

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After being in power for 22 years in Gujarat, BJP certainly faces anti-incumbency. The saffron party's campaign was unequivocally about Narendra Modi, even as the party said the elections will be fought under the leadership of Vijay Rupani.

The chief minister faded in the background as Modi and Shah along with the party's galaxy of stalwarts and union ministers took centrestage in campaigning. Congress too on the other hand has not announced a CM candidate.

Meanwhile, the political language deteriorated from 'Gando Vikas' (crazy development) to 'neech' and Gujarati asmita to Ram Mandir and janeu-dhari Brahmin.

Now finally, it's for the voters of Gujarat to decide which side to pick.

ALSO WATCH: BJP rakes up Ram Mandir as it can't show any development, says Hardik Patel

--- ENDS ---
Former Energy and Oil minister Rafael Ramirez (l) and former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in 2008. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX

More information The 10 million luxury spending spree of former Hugo Chavez ministers

Leading political figures, businessmen and front men took commissions of up to 15% for awarding state petroleum firm contracts

At least ten people including former vice-ministers, businessmen, their relatives and front men acting for politicians are suspected of earning more than 2 billion in illegal commissions for facilitating contracts with Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA during the rule of deceased Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez (19932013), according to reports compiled by police in Andorra.

Internal BPA questionnaire completed by former Venezuelan energy vice-minister Nervis Villalobos. EL PAIS

A court in the principality of Andorra  a microstate situated between France and Spain  is now investigating suspected money laundering related to those activities.

The money received for the alleged bribes between 2007 and 2012 was paid into the bank Banca Privada dAndorra (BPA), some 7,400 kilometers from the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. It was concealed in a web of 37 accounts to under name of Panamanian shell companies. Investigators believe the money was then moved to other tax havens, including Switzerland and Belize.

EL PAIS has had access to the accounts of the alleged kingpins behind the scheme and to confidential information about the companies that were used in the operations. The network was formed by the former Venezuelan vice-ministers of energy Nervis Villalobos and Javier Alvarado, by a cousin of a former PDVSA president, and by executives at the energy giant. The group was rounded out by an insurance magnate and several front men.

Participants in the scheme informed the BPAs compliance department  the office charged with ensuring that funds deposited in the institution do not have criminal origins  that the money stemmed from fees for advisory work carried out for PDVSA. However, investigators believe this work was never carried out. In other cases, reports costing millions of dollars were only a page and a half in length.

The judge overseeing the case believes the commissions involved were in the realm of 1015%, chiefly from Chinese firms, and that these were received for contracts for oil extraction managed by PDVSA and its subsidiaries.

Evidence connects the networks dealings with a deal between Venezuela and China under which the South American country received a loan of $20 billion from Beijing in exchange for oil. A PDVSA spokesperson has refused to comment, saying that it was a matter for prosecutors.

Money laundering network

Despite its misgivings, the BPA agreed to open the accounts even though the banks own internal control unit had warned that some of those accounts belonged to so-called politically exposed persons (PEPs)  people who have held a public position and must undergo special checks to avoid money laundering.

Authorities in Andorra, which had bank secrecy laws until last year, took control of the BPA in 2015 in an attempt to clean up its books, a move that came in the wake of US accusations that the financial institution was being used by criminal gangs for money laundering purposes  something that BPA owners deny.

The Andorra judge overseeing the investigation, Canolic Mingorance, has targeted Nervis Villalobos, vice-minister for energy under Chavez from 2004 to 2006. The former minister was arrested in Madrid at the request of the United States over his possible involvement in another money laundering scheme. Washington is seeking his extradition. Villalobos is also being investigated by Spains High Court, the Audiencia Nacional, over possible bribes from Spanish engineering firm Duro Felguera.

Bad management sunk PDVSA FRANCESCO MANETTO Venezuela and its governments largely depend on the performance and stability of the state oil company. The situation of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), founded in 1975 during Carlos Andres Perezs first term in office, has for years reflected the dire institutional and economic crisis that is gripping the country. But the last few months have seen an acceleration of the downfall of the only company that guaranteed the Bolivarian regime a presence in the international markets. In mid-November, the ratings agencies Fitch and Moodys downgraded PDVSA amid speculation of imminent default. It also emerged that October registered a drop in oil production unseen in the last 30 years, according to OPEC. Analysts blame this drop on three factors: exchange imbalances, disinvestment and bad management at PDVSA. Additionally, in August President Nicolas Maduro began firing and arresting company officials who had been trusted aides to his predecessor Chavez. The operation ended two weeks ago with the appointment of a military official, National Guard Major General Manuel Quevedo, to head the oil compay. Maduro also removed officials at PDVSAs US subsidiary, Citgo. But the companys collapse goes beyond Maduros attempt at hoarding power and his fear of betrayal. It has a lot to do with bad resource management, a culture of cronyism, and corruption.

Villaloboss lawyers have declined to comment on the above cases, but evidence shows that the former vice-minister opened 12 accounts at the BPA and set up 11 shell companies. Some 124.2 million were deposited into those accounts, according to Andorras police.

For his part, Javier Alvarado, former vice-minister of energy and petroleum and former director of the Venezuelan national electricity corporation (Corpoelec) from 2007 to 2010, allegedly managed five accounts and four shell companies with total deposits of 46.5 million. One of those accounts was opened in 2008 when Alvarado was still with the Chavez government.

Meanwhile, Diego Jose Salazar, cousin of former energy minister Rafael Ramirez and a representative until just two weeks ago of the government of Nicolas Maduro at the United Nations, is suspected of setting up seven accounts and six shell companies. Some 21.2 million moved through those accounts. Salazar was arrested last week for his alleged involvement in the Andorra corruption scheme. This paper was unable to reach the lawyers of Alvarado and Salazar.

Closing in on Chavezs strongman

Venezuelan prosecutors said on Tuesday that Ramirez, Chavezs strong man, was being investigated for alleged petroleum dealings with his cousin. Ramirez does not hold accounts in the BPA and is not being investigated in Andorra.

Venezuelan authorities are also taking a close look at the hidden accounts of Venezuelan insurance magnate Omar Farias. Deposits in those accounts totaled 586 million, according to police reports.

Rodney Cabeza, vice president of Fariass firm, Seguros Constitucion, said that the money represents totally legal reinsurance operations and that the company only managed the PDVSA policy in 2006. Cabeza also stated that Farias had no professional relationship with the former vice-ministers Villalobos and Alvarado, while admitting that 50% of the insurance companys books comprised government clients.

An analysis of the dozens of accounts at BPA show that most of the money was taken out of Andorra before funds were blocked by judicial investigators in July 2015.

Andorran police also highlight the existence of a cast of secondary figures who allegedly moved large sums of money in the principality. Among these is the business manager of Diego Salazar, Mariano Rodriguez Cabello, who opened 11 accounts and operated 10 shell companies with deposits of 626 million.

BPA bank account contract for former Venezuelan energy vice-minister Javier Alvarado Ochoa. EL PAIS

Investigators have also named Jose Luis Zabala, a representative of Salazar and Farias, who received 27 million, as well as former PDVSA in-house lawyer Luis Carlos de Leon Perez, who was arrested in Madrid in October in connection with another corruption case.

Mirroring the massive Odebrecht case in Brazil, where the Brazilian construction giant bribed presidents, high-ranking officials and politicians in 12 Latin American countries over the course of five years, BPA used its subsidiary BPA Serveis to create a network of letterbox companies based in Panama to hide the money trail.

The alert over the alleged corruption was raised by French authorities after a suspect transfer of 89,000 was flagged. The beneficiary was an employee at a French hotel with the money described as a gift for services rendered. Investigators then came across the signature of Diego Salazar, cousin of the former Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations Rafael Ramirez.

Then, in 2012, Salazar attempted to transfer 40 million from Switzerland to France, purportedly to purchase a property. The judge in Andorra blocked the operation. The BPA was involved in all of these cases.

The Venezuelan government reacted to the Andorra investigation with arrests last week  a move that comes two years after the investigation began. Prosecutors in Venezuela say some 4.2 billion was pilfered from the state energy firm.

The Chavistas who left Venezuala for security reasons High-risk clients JOAQUIN GIL / JOSE MARIA IRUJO When former Venezuelan energy vice-minister Nervis Villalobos knocked on the door of Banca Privada dAndorra (BPA), in June 2007, he was asked to fill a routine know-your-customer form, used to determine the origin of the funds. His answer to the third question, regarding his reasons for opening the account, was: I want to keep my savings outside Venezuela, in a jurisdiction that offers legal security, stability and confidentiality. Villalobos became a BPA client one year after leaving the Venezuela executive, and until 2012 he had 12 deposits at the bank: one to his name and the rest concealed behind shell companies set up in the tax havens of Panama and Belize, according to documents that EL PAIS has had access to. Villalobos introduced himself as a successful engineer and said he wanted to deposit the fees for his intermediary services at the companies that he worked for, including the Spanish engineering firm Duro Felguera  which has declined to comment on the case. In a document, the bank noted that Villalobos had deposits in Switzerland, Uruguay, the United States and Panama, and that his personal wealth was 70 million. An internal questionnaire shows that he listed BPAs opacity as one of the reasons for opening an account there. A report shows that Villalobos was investigated in 2006 for illicit enrichment together with the ex-president of the Foreign Trade Bank. The case did not reach the courts. There were possibly deviations (influence peddling) by some of his aides, according to a document drafted in August 2008 by the International Center of Economic Penal Studies (ICEPS). Despite the alarms at BPA, which described Villalobos as a high-risk client and recommended watching his transactions, he had no trouble opening his accounts. The BPA was also warned about the risk of taking on as a new client Javier Alvarado, former vice-minister of energy and petroleum and former director between 2007 and 2010 of the electricity company Corporacion Electrica Nacional (Corpoelec). Alvarado, who had accounts in the US and Switzerland, was planning to bring all his assets together at BPA. He introduced himself as an engineer specializing in advising the electricity sector. He said he was interested in BPA because of its confidentiality and security. And he announced that one of his accounts alone would be receiving $30 million a year. He is opening an account to deposit his funds outside Venezuela, warned the BPA, which accepted the deposits despite considering him a high-risk client. Diego Salazar, cousin of former energy minister, PDVSA president and UN ambassador Rafael Ramirez, did not have any trouble opening 11 accounts at BPA, either, despite being considered a Politically Exposed Person (PEP). The BPAs compliance department, which works to prevent money laundering, noted that Salazar held 70 million in his Andorra accounts: He owns over 10 companies in Venezuela and significant real estate assets in Caracas, chiefly office buildings that he rents out to companies. Salazar opened his account in June 2007 together with his wife Rosycela Diaz Gil. Just like his colleagues, he also cited opacity as one of the reasons for opening an account at BPA.

English version by George Mills.
Former Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont during a demonstration in Brussels. DIRK WAEM (AFP)

The Belgian justice system on Thursday officially ended judicial proceedings against ousted Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont and four former members of his government who fled to the northern European country after the Catalan regional parliament voted through a unilateral declaration of independence on October 27.

The move by the Belgian authorities comes nine days after Spains Supreme Court withdrew an European arrest warrant for Puigdemont and his ministers originally issued by Spanish High Court judge on November 3.

The closing of judicial proceedings against Puigdemont means the Belgian government can breath a sigh of relief

The ousted Catalan politicians, facing charges including rebellion and sedition in Spain, were not required to be present for the procedure in Brussels which took a matter of just minutes.

The withdrawal of the European arrest warrant also means that Puigdemont and his former ministers are no longer required to remain in Belgium, to provide points of contact, or to present themselves to the authorities when required.

However, Puigdemonts lawyer Paul Bekaert told EL PAIS that while the former premier is no longer required to remain in Belgium, there is a risk that if he travels to another European country that is less favorable to his legal cause, the European arrest warrant could be reissued. If Mr Puigdemont travels to another European country he could have problems. There wont be the same legal certainty. Every country has different penal codes and jurisprudence, Bekaert said.

The former Catalan minister and his ministers remain the subject of a Spanish arrest warrant and Spanish security forces have boosted controls on the French border in the case of the possible reappearance of Puigdemont in the run-up to regional elections in Catalonia on December 21. French cooperation on this matter appears to be guaranteed.

The closing of judicial proceedings against Puigdemont means the Belgian government can breath a sigh of relief. The arrival of members of the sacked Catalan government provoked an internal political crisis and caused diplomatic friction with Spain. The fact that a Belgian court does now not have to rule on the matter of the European arrest warrant means further confrontation will be avoided.

Puigdemont and his former ministers are no longer required to remain in Belgium

The Spanish Supreme Courts recent decision to withdraw the arrest warrant came amid concerns that the involvement of the Belgian judicial system could hamper attempts by the Spanish courts to try Puigdemont and the four ministers for rebellion, the most serious crime for which they are being investigated, and one which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.

The Spanish crime of rebellion does not have an exact equivalent in Belgium, a fact which could have seen Belgian authorities handing over the sacked politicians to Spanish authorities on charges such as misuse of public funds, but not on charges of rebellion. This in turn would have prevented the Spanish courts from trying Puigdemont and the former ministers for the crime.

Former Catalan deputy premier Oriol Junqueras and sacked interior minister Joaquim Forn remain in pre-trial custody in the Madrid region.

English version by George Mills.
As the Islamic Republic of Iran continues efforts secure financing for its purchase of Boeing aircraft, members of the U.S. Congress are ramping up pressure to make sure Tehran stops the use of commercial planes to transport weapons and fighters across the Middle East.

Iran has ordered 50 narrow-body Boeing 737 passenger jets and 30 wide-body 777 aircraft was secured in December 2016. The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued licenses for Boeing to deliver the planes, but such licenses can be easily revoked if reason is found that the transaction can have undesirable consequences.

Senator David Perdue (R-Ga.) and Representative Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) want to make sure that if Boeing delivers planes to Iran, they will not be used to ferry weapons and fighters to Syria.

President Donald Trump, who has refused to certify Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, has also said that he has not made up his mind about the Boeing deal.

Iranian officials indicated that Boeing executives are scheduled to visit Tehran next week to continue discussions about possible sales.

The lawmakers made sure that in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, signed into law this week, there is a requirement that the U.S. government begin providing Congress with an annual report on Irans use of commercial planes, to determine if they are being used for illicit purposes.

Sen. Perdue told The Washington Free Beacon "Iran Air has been using their sanctions relief money from Obama's nuclear deal to fly weapons, material, and fighters directly into Syria...We need a closer look into how Iran is propping up the murderous Assad regimeAs President Trump determines how it will proceed with regard to these commercial aircraft sales, a new reporting requirement included in the defense bill he signed into law today will help give us a better look at Iran's nefarious behavior."

State Department officials told Free Beacon that Irans use of commercial aircraft for terror purposes is extremely concerning.

They added that the administrations position on the issue of aircraft sales is clear: We will not issue export licenses unless we are convinced the aircraft will be used exclusively for civilian passenger aviation. State Department indicated if the U.S. determine that any licensed aircraft or services have been used for purposes other than exclusively commercial passenger end-use, or have transferred to sanctioned persons, we reserved the right under the JCPOA to cease issuing  or to revoke  aircraft licensesWe have made this point clear to Iran and other JCPOA participants."

Rep. Roskam, who led the measure in the House, said in a statement, Those planning to sell aircraft to the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism should strongly reconsider. Beyond the photographic evidence of Iran Air transporting jihadists, Congress will now receive an annual government report on Irans use of commercial jets to ship troops and weapons to Syria. Selling Iran Air planes it can use to sew death and destruction around the Middle East is not only a risky business decision, it is immoral.

Iran denies the charge that it uses commercial aircraft for supplying war efforts. Tehran says that it has been sending advisors to Syria with civilian aircraft but not weapons.

In 2012, the German broadcaster ZDF aired a report based on information from Western security sources, implicating Iran Air and Yas Air in weapons shipments to Syria.

Since then, numerous Iranian officials have boasted of their impact in Syria and how they have stopped terrorists from overrunning the country. Hundreds of Iranian soldiers and Afghan militia members killed in Syria have been publicly buried in Iran.

Before leaving office, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton struck a deal with Iraq to force Iranian overflights to land and be searched, before they would cross Iraqi airspace into Syria. But very few flights were searched by Iraqis.

In March 2011, Turkish officials intercepted a Yas airline flight that was carrying weapons and explosives to Damascus.

Now with purchase of Boeing and Airbus aircraft the question is if Irans capabilities will be boosted in current and future military interventions beyond its borders.

Tehran is already under the microscope in many respects and besides U.S. licensing requirement, financing for the purchase of dozens of planes is a big uncertainty.

The head of public relations for Irans main government owned airline company, announced on Tuesday that Tehran prefers to rely on domestic financing for its deal with Boeing.

This is after an Iranian delegation visited Austria recently to discuss financing. Although Iran claims it has good prospects to secure foreign financing, but the announcement about relying on domestic sources is an indication that Iran anticipates roadblocks to international finance.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander announced in a speech on Thursday that Iran is working to consolidate its victories and in the near future we will witness victory in Yemen.

Mohammad Ali Jafari ascribed what he called victories, to the Islamic Resistance Front, a term Iranian officials use to label their allies in the region.

According to Fars news agency, Jafari said that the successive victories of the Resistance Front were amazing. He added that the "Revolution has two aspects, internal and external. The external dimension is [embodied] in the Islamic Resistance, which is expanding in the region and the world".

He also said that God-willing, we will witness victory in Yemen in the near future but now we need to consolidate [our] victories.

Jafari had recently said that if the people of Yemen request assistance, Iran would definitely be ready to help.

After this remark, a Tehran newspaper, Jahane Sanaat with the headline The Generals Confession wrote that this was the first time Iran was officially admitting to helping Yemens Houthi rebels.

But Jafaris made his statement on Thursday just hours before the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley is scheduled to deliver irrefutable evidence on Irans ongoing destabilizing activities in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world.

The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian has also expressed his concern over Irans interventions in the region. In an interview on Tuesday, December 12 said, "The Iranian presence and the desire to make an axis from the Mediterranean to Tehran, (I say) no! There is a Syria that needs to exist."
United Nations, United States, Dec 13, 2017 (AFP) - US Ambassador Nikki Haley will present "irrefutable evidence" that Iran has tried to cover up violations of international obligations, the US mission said Wednesday.

Haley will hold a press conference in Washington on Thursday on Iran's "ongoing destabilizing activities in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world."

The United States and Saudi Arabia have accused Iran of supplying weapons to Yemen's Houthi rebels, who fired a missile intercepted near Riyadh airport on November 4.

"Ambassador Haley will offer irrefutable evidence that Iran has deliberately violated its international obligations and has tried and failed to cover up these violations," a statement from the mission said.

Haley has called on the UN Security Council to take a tougher stance toward Iran, accusing Tehran of making illegal arms deals in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.

A confidential report to the council says UN officials had examined debris from missiles fired at Saudi Arabia which pointed to a "common origin" but there was no firm conclusions as to whether they came from an Iranian supplier.

The report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which was obtained by AFP, said the officials were still analyzing the information.

A separate team of UN experts who inspected the missile fragments during a visit to Riyadh last month found a possible link to an Iranian manufacturer, the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, which is on the UN sanctions blacklist.

The experts, who report to the sanctions committee, found a component marked by a logo similar to that of the banned group, which is a subsidiary of the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization.

In his report, Guterres said officials had seen the logo but that they were still analyzing the information. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels in Yemen imposed a blockade of Yemen's air and sea ports and borders after the missile was fired at Riyadh, citing concerns that weapons were being smuggled into Yemen.
A court in Iran will review the case of the founder of Erfan Halqe, Mohammad Ali Taheri, his lawyer announced on December 12.

Taheri is a spiritual healer and his Erfan Halqe means Circle of Mysticism. He characterizes his school of thought as Inter-universalism.

The review follows the Supreme Courts rejection of the death sentence issued by a Revolutionary Court, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tababaei disclosed.

Supreme Court judges again rejected a sentence condemning Taheri to death, arguing the verdict issued had been based on faulty investigation, reported state-run Iran Students News Agency (ISNA).

This marks the second time the Supreme Court has rejected a Revolutionary Courts death sentence for the mystic leader, citing faulty investigation.

Now, a court of equal rank, Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, has been assigned by the Supreme Court to retry Taheri.

Praising the Supreme Courts judges as sagacious, Taheris lawyer said on October 29, If a court issues an unjust verdict, the Supreme Court weighs the case more thoroughly.

Taheri, the founder of Irfan-i Halqa, has been behind bars since 2001 and accused of corruption on Earth. He was sentenced to death in 2015.

However, three months later, the sentence was overturned by Supreme Court judges who argued that investigations into some of the charges, including insulting the prophet of Islam, apostasy, and collusion against national security, had been faulty.

Taheri was once again condemned to death last August, charged with corruption on Earth, a vague term that according to human rights activists is often used by conservative judges in Iranian courts to punish anyone who dares oppose the ruling system.

The United States reacted to reports of the death sentence by saying it was deeply concerned and called on the authorities to reverse the decision.



The U.S. State Department said on September 1 announced that the charges of founding a religious cult and corruption on Earth violate Tehrans obligations to respect and ensure the freedoms of expression and religion or belief.



The statement added that the death penalty should be used only for the most serious of crimes.



We call on the Iranian government to take whatever steps necessary to reverse Taheris conviction and death sentence, it added.

Amnesty International has also insisted that Taheri is a prisoner of conscience and condemned Irans use of capital punishment for vaguely worded or overly broad offenses, or acts that should not be criminalized at all.

Tehran dismissed such criticism as part of an effort from the West to heap political pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Taheri calls his school of thought Interuniversalism in English, and was initially allowed to preach and teach in public. His classes and healing sessions were attended by people from all walks of life, including government officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps top commanders. Several of his books were published with permission from the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei then stepped in, warning against what he called false mysticism that might lure people away from Islam.

Khameneis allies have labeled the Circle of Mysticism a deviant sect while saying Taheri had amassed an illicit fortune through his teachings.

Taheri and his followers have repeatedly dismissed these allegations as baseless.
(Reuters) - Lawyers for a Turkish banker on trial in New York on charges that he helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions asked a judge on Wednesday to declare a mistrial, saying testimony by a former Turkish police investigator should not have been allowed in court.

The lawyers for Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an executive at Turkey's majority state-owned Halkbank, said the jury had been "tainted" after hearing Huseyin Korkmaz testify in Manhattan federal court this week that he feared he would be tortured if he returned to Turkey, where he led an investigation involving Turkish officials, Atilla and others.

"Associating the defendant with the specter of mindless and cruel political violence at the hands of his government-based alleged co-conspirators is almost guaranteed to inflame the jury against the defendant," the lawyers said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Lockard said in court late on Wednesday that prosecutors would file a response on Thursday.

Prosecutors have accused Atilla, 47, of working with Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab and others to help Iran evade U.S. sanctions through fraudulent gold and food transactions.

Atilla has pleaded not guilty. Zarrab, 34, pleaded guilty and testified for U.S. prosecutors.

The case has strained ties between the United States and Turkey. A spokesman for the Turkish government has called the case a "plot against Turkey."

Korkmaz testified that while investigating claims that Zarrab was laundering money in 2012 and 2013, he uncovered evidence that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, then prime minister, and Zafer Caglayan, then economy minister, were working with Zarrab.

Korkmaz also said that Halkbank's then-general manager, Suleyman Aslan, took bribes from Zarrab, but that there was no evidence Atilla took bribes.

Caglayan, Aslan and a spokesman for Erdogan could not be reached for comment.

Korkmaz said he was reassigned after his investigation became public in 2013, and that in 2014 he was arrested and jailed.

He said he fled Turkey in 2016, soon after he was released. Korkmaz testified on Tuesday that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation had given him $50,000 in financial assistance after he came to the United States.

Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said in November that U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Ankara for last year's failed coup, was behind both the U.S. case and the earlier Turkish investigation.

While being questioned by one of Atilla's lawyers on Wednesday, Korkmaz denied being associated with Gulen.

On Wednesday, state-run Anadolu Agency said that Turkish police had summoned an FBI official over statements Korkmaz made in court.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert confirmed that an FBI attache at the U.S. Embassy had been brought in to the Turkish ministry. She provided no details.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has urged Russia to convince the Syrian government to reach a peace deal to end the nearly seven-year-old war.

De Mistura, speaking on Swiss television station RTS on December 13, said failure to make peace quickly through United Nations mediation could lead to "a fragmentation of Syria."

Russian President Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit to Russia's Hmeimim air base in Syria on December 11 declared that the work of Russian forces was largely done following the defeat of what he called "the most battle-hardened group of international terrorists."

With Russia signalling its hopes to conclude involvement in the Syrian conflict, De Mistura said Putin must "convince the [Syrian] government that there is no time to lose.... You can think you win territory militarily but you have to win the peace.

"And to win the peace, you have to have the courage to push the government to accept that there has to be a new constitution and new elections, through the United Nations," he said.

The nearly seven-year civil war in Syria has killed over 340,000 people and driven more than 11 million from their homes.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have largely ended in failure over the opposition's demand that President Bashar al-Assad leave power, and the latest round due to end on December 14 in Geneva appears to be no exception.

Assad refuses to go, and recently has claimed he is close to military victory in the war, though his troops control only about 55 percent of Syria's territory after some recent gains.

The Kremlin first launched air strikes in Syria in September 2015 in its biggest Middle East intervention in decades, turning the tide of the conflict in Assad's favor.

Putin, like Assad, has portrayed their alliance as close to military victory, and Russia has insisted that Assad should be able to run for re-election during any political transition period negotiated by the UN.

Russia has offered to host a separate venue for peace negotiations. A parallel process organized by Moscow, fellow Syria ally Iran, and rebel-backer Turkey, has had limited success establishing cease-fires and is set to resume next week in Astana, Kazakhstan.

But De Mistura in the TV interview said that a lasting political settlement accepted by all sides can only be negotiated through the UN.

As in previous rounds of negotiations, the UN envoy in recent days has conducted shuttle diplomacy between the opposition delegation and the Syrian government delegation led by chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari.

No direct talks between the two sides occurred.

"The opposition told me clearly when they arrived here, and again yesterday and this morning too, that they are ready to meet the government right away to have a hard, difficult discussion," De Mistura said.

"The government is not ready, it has said it is not ready to meet the opposition. That is regrettable but diplomacy has many means," he said.

A senior Western diplomat told Reuters that the government has been refusing to negotiate over a new constitution and elections.

"Clearly they did not have any intention to engage in this political process. And clearly they are not under sufficient pressure to do so," the diplomat told Reuters. "The clear impression is the regime wants to avoid the UN-led political process at any cost."

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

Azerbaijan was one of the 10 most popular travel searches among the residents of the United Arab Emirates, Google revealed in its annual list of most searched terms in 2017.

The search giants algorithm, which has revealed the most popular travel searches for the year, indicates that France is the most popular travel destination search among the UAE residents, followed by Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Montenegro and Cambodia  in that order, The National says.

The list offers a fascinating insight into current travel trends in the UAE and the travel habits of leisure travelers who are influenced by a combination of global trends, geography and the expansion of networks by the worlds best airlines, which offer a choice of direct routes to all these countries.

The middle part of Googles 2017 table is taken by Georgia and Azerbaijan, neighbouring countries which between them span territory from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, according to The National.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry previously reported that the number of visitors to Azerbaijan amounted to 2 ,477, 908 people during 11 months of 2017. Of these, 87,215 were citizens of the United Arab Emirates.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Gulgiz Muradova  Trend:

Azerbaijan gains importance as a new commercial transportation corridor, U.S. Ambassador Robert F. Cekuta said at the Fifth Frankfurt Gas Forum on Dec.14.

Ambassador Cekuta said that Azerbaijan is developing into an increasingly important transit hub, which makes it key to another global venture - the New Silk Road.

Ambassador Cekuta reminded that in late October, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, along with top figures from Georgia and a number of Central Asian countries officially inaugurated the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad.

"This new modern rail link, along with the new Port of Alat south of Baku on the Caspian, will provide a surface route connecting East and South Asia with Western Europe. Rather than taking 35 days to move goods by ship between Shanghai and Hamburg, these new rail and ferry links could enable goods to travel this same distance in 11 to 14 days. These new surface connections augment the air corridor already used through Azerbaijans airspace, in addition to the new, modern air cargo facilities there," said Ambassador Cekuta.

These developments, according to Ambassador Cekuta, underline Azerbaijans importance as a new commercial transportation corridor.

"Like the ancient trade routes, this New Silk Road should facilitate entrepreneurial and value-added business along its route. But there is a U.S. strategic interest as well  and a strategic interest rooted in very practical matters. Azerbaijan provides another route into and out of Afghanistan. This route is not just important for moving military materiel, but also for farmers and other Afghans to sell their legitimate products, such as the pomegranates and nuts they have long exported. It will help integrate the countries in the Caspian Basin and Central Asia with each other. It can serve, as did its namesake, as a nexus for cultural, educational, and intellectual exchanges as well as greater innovation," Ambassador Cekuta, further stressing that it could strengthen connections between the people of Central Asia and the Caspian Basin with Europe as well.

The BTK railway was constructed on the basis of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey intergovernmental agreement. The main purpose of the project is to improve economic relations between the three countries and gain foreign direct investment by connecting Europe to Asia. The railway is intended to transport one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight at the first stage. This capacity will then reach 3 million passengers and 17 million tons of cargo.
Jignesh Mevani, Alpesh Thakor and Nitin Patel are among the key candidates in fray today when voting is being held across 14 districts of Gujarat.

By India Today Web Desk: After the high-voltage campaign that witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi leading the electioneering for their parties, 2.22 crore voters are voting to choose 93 MLAs to the Gujarat Assembly in the second phase of state election today.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat. In 2012, the BJP had won 54 of 93 seats of the second phase. The Congress had secured 39 of these seats. Of the seats, where voting is underway, 54 are in the rural areas while 39 in urban centres.

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Prominent candidates in the fray include state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana against Jivabhai Patel of Congress. For live updates of Gujarat election follow the link.

Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress, is seeking election from Radhanpur constituency. Lavingji Thakor of the BJP is contesting against him. Before joining the BJP, Alpesh Thakor had emerged as a strong OBC leader. Going by population configuration, OBCs can influence 33 of 93 constituencies in today's poll.

Vadgam SC seat is another key constituency from where independent candidate Jignesh Mevani is fighting the election on Congress support against BJP's Vijay Chakravarti.

In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by PM Modi, Congress has given ticket to foreign-educated young face Sweta Bhrambhatt against BJP's sitting MLA Suresh Patel. Modi had vacated the constituency after becoming the PM in 2014.

GUJARAT ELECTION ROUND 2: 10 THINGS TO KNOW

The Congress has allied with Hardik Patel, Thakor and Mevani in its bid to form a caste bloc against the BJP. The three leaders have emerged as the young Turks representing the Patidars, OBCs and Dalits in Gujarat. The elections, being viewed as precursor to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, are a prestige battle for Modi, who helmed the campaign for the ruling BJP in his home state, and a litmus test for Gandhi, who spearheaded the campaign for the Congress. The electioneering for the second phase concluded on Tuesday. Just before the conclusion of election campaign PM Modi took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show. On the concluding day of the campaign, Rahul Gandhi sounded confident of defeating incumbent government saying that there was "tremendous undercurrent" against the ruling BJP in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi predicted a victory for the Congress in the Assembly polls, claiming that "public mood" had undergone a radical change with all sections of society angry with the BJP. In the final stages of the electioneering, Modi set off a political firestorm after he alleged during a rally in Palanpur that Pakistan was trying to influence the Gujarat polls. He claimed that some Pakistani officials and former prime minister Manmohan Singh met a day before Mani Shankar Aiyar made the "neech aadmi" jibe against him. The next day, Manmohan Singh asked Modi to apologise to the nation for his remarks. Manmohan Singh also asked PM Modi to explain why he went to Pakistan without being invited after terror attacks in Gurdaspur and Udhampur. Earlier, at a rally in Bhabhar town in Banaskantha district in north Gujarat, Modi accused Aiyar of giving "supari" (contract) while on a visit to Pakistan to get him "removed" from the way to ensure peace between India and the neighbouring country. This came a after Aiyar called Modi a "neech kism ka aadmi" (lowly man). Patidar reservation agitation spearhead Hardik Patel charged up the campaign by holding a massive rally in Nikol area of the city, where he appealed to voters to "teach a lesson" to the BJP this time. The 24-year-old, arguably the most talked-about personality in Gujarat today, even held a road show although the authorities had denied permission for the event. The influential Patidar community, which accounts for around 12 per cent of the state's population, could prove to be the 'X factor' in the polls, in which Hardik Patel has pledged support to the Congress and appealed to the people to "uproot the BJP" this time. In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 18.

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(With PTI inputs)

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--- ENDS ---
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

Trend:

Fizuli Salahov, a serviceman of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, was killed as a result of the ceasefire violation by Armenian Armed Forces, the press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend Dec. 14.

The ministry expresses deep condolences to the relatives of the deceased.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

A presentation was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on Dec.14 for representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan over Baku's bid to host World Expo 2025.

Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the first vice-president of Azerbaijan, Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE ) Elchin Amirbayov and Executive Director for Expo 2025 Baku Operations Secretariat Paul Foster addressed the presentation ceremony.

At the event, the participants were informed about the work carried out regarding Baku's bid to host World Expo 2025 and steps to be taken.

It was noted that the letter of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev about the nomination of Baku for holding the World Expo 2025 was transferred to the BIE on May 18.

Speaking about the reception organized with the participation of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, in Paris on Nov.14 on the occasion of Baku's bid to host World Expo 2025, Alakbarov said that the Azerbaijani government is providing high political support to the project.

He noted that Azerbaijan pursues the chance to bring the World Expo to Baku and to this part of the world for the first time.

Talking about the success and experience of Azerbaijan in holding international events, Alakbarov highlighted that Baku hosted the World Summit of Religious Leaders in 2010, the Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in 2016, the biannual Baku International Humanitarian Forum, the World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue supported by UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the World Tourism Organization, ISESCO - created unique opportunities for active cooperation between member states of the Council of Europe and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other event.

He stressed that Azerbaijan has become a reliable partner of the world countries, both economically and politically.

Alakbarov reminded that Azerbaijan is a full member of the BIE, and since 2000 participates in the Expo.

He stressed that in Milan the national project entitled Azerbaijan: A treasury of biodiversity received a high appraisal among 54 pavilions by the Organizing Committee of Milan Expo and was named the pearl of the Milan Expo. National Pavilion won the prize for the most successful project in the Design and materials nomination and was acknowledged as the most beautiful pavilion of the Milan Expo 2015, he added.

He further stressed that Azerbaijan has also attended the Specialized Expo in Antalya in 2016 and won the prize in the one of the most outstanding nominations.

Also, while participating at "Astana Expo" in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan presented the national pavilion "Land of Energy" and was awarded with a second prize in the best design category.

Alakbarov expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the support rendered by the state to the participation of Azerbaijan at a high level in the world exhibitions organized in Milan, Antalya and Astana.

It was noted that preparations are underway for the creation of the Azerbaijani pavilion at the World Exhibition "Echo 2020 Dubai".

Stressing that Azerbaijan is a politically stable and steadily developing country, Alakbarov noted that it will host the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2019, and the European Karate Championship and European Football Championship group stage matches in 2020.

He reminded that Azerbaijan is successfully hosting car races, saying the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, first staged in 2016, will continue to be held annually.

Alakbarov said the Baku Expo 2025 is widely supported by the public, along with the state. He said as President Ilham Aliyev outlined in the city candidacy file, for centuries Azerbaijan has been at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations with its unique geostrategic location, a political, commercial and cultural bridge between east and west, north and south.

Speaking about the tourism potential of Azerbaijan, which has turned into a center for intercultural dialogue, Alakbarov noted that the country has a favorable tourism infrastructure, including more than 500 hotels. He stressed that the rich and ancient culture and unique architecture of Azerbaijan make the country attractive for tourists.

Addressing the event, Amirbayov informed about the work done so far in the framework of the Baku Expo 2025 and the steps to be taken before the elections to be held on Nov.18, 2018 to define the city that will host the World Expo 2025.

He noted that in late September 2017 Baku's candidacy file for the World Expo 2025 was submitted to the BIE, and during the next 11 months the Bureau will get acquainted with Azerbaijan's proposal for the exhibition and the prepared project document on the organization of the Expo 2025.

Amirbayov appreciated the participation and speech of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, at a reception organized in Paris on Nov.r 14 in honor of the nomination of Baku as a candidate city for the Expo 2025 as a proof of the great importance that the state attaches to the holding of this international event.

Speaking about the urgency of the topic 'Developing human capital, building a better future proposed by Azerbaijan for the Expo 2025, he stressed that the topic is important for Azerbaijan and corresponds to the agenda of international development, in particular, to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Amirbayov informed the participants that so far the BIE has not held a World Exhibition in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus region and the Caspian Basin.

He said that the organization of the Expo 2025 in Baku can expand the traditional geography, where this international event is held. The head of the Azerbaijani delegation stressed that, along with the growth of local business opportunities in Azerbaijan, the exhibition will play an exceptional role in increasing investments and establishing business ties.

Amirbayov believes the World Expo 2025 will positively affect the growth of the number of visitors to Azerbaijan, to which tourists have shown great interest in recent years.

Foster, for his part, informed about the main technical parameters of the project, as well as about the preparatory work for the visit of the evaluation commission of the BIE to Baku in March 2018.

Foster said that the territory intended for the exhibition "Baku Expo 2025" is located in the eastern part of Baku. This place has a territory of 200 hectares, he said, adding that the territory will have the form of an eight-pointed star, which is displayed on the State Emblem of Azerbaijan.

Foster said the struggle of Azerbaijan, which has ancient history, culture and inherent hospitality, for holding the World Expo for the first time shows the country's confidence in its forces, its capabilities, development in the political and economic spheres. Baku is not only an interesting place for every tourist who comes to Azerbaijan, both in terms of history and attractions, but it is also the most reliable city where they feel safe.

He said that www.bakuexpo2025.com is functioning since Nov. 14. The site reflects the main points of the exhibition.

The event also featured videos about the culture, history, customs and traditions of Azerbaijan, religious tolerance, as well as prestigious events held in the country, and on the theme of Expo proposed by Azerbaijan.
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 13

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

A presentation was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on Dec.14 for representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan over Baku's bid to host World Expo 2025.

Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the first vice-president of Azerbaijan, Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE ) Elchin Amirbayov and Executive Director for Expo 2015 Baku Operations Secretariat Paul Foster addressed the presentation ceremony.

At the event, the participants were informed about the work carried out regarding Baku's bid to host World Expo 2025 and steps to be taken.

It was noted that the letter of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev about the nomination of Baku for holding the World Expo 2025 was transferred to the BIE on May 18.

Speaking about the reception organized with the participation of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, in Paris on Nov.14 on the occasion of Baku's bid to host World Expo 2025, Alakbarov said that the Azerbaijani government is providing high political support to the project.

He noted that Azerbaijan pursues the chance to bring the World Expo to Baku and to this part of the world for the first time.

Talking about the success and experience of Azerbaijan in holding international events, Alakbarov highlighted that Baku hosted the World Summit of Religious Leaders in 2010, the Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in 2016, the biannual Baku International Humanitarian Forum, the World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue supported by UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the World Tourism Organization, ISESCO - created unique opportunities for active cooperation between member states of the Council of Europe and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other event.

He stressed that Azerbaijan has become a reliable partner of the world countries, both economically and politically.

Alakbarov reminded that Azerbaijan is a full member of the BIE, and since 2000 participates in the Expo.

He stressed that in Milan the national project entitled Azerbaijan: A treasury of biodiversity received a high appraisal among 54 pavilions by the Organizing Committee of Milan Expo and was named the pearl of the Milan Expo. National Pavilion won the prize for the most successful project in the Design and materials nomination and was acknowledged as the most beautiful pavilion of the Milan Expo 2015, he added.

He further stressed that Azerbaijan has also attended the Specialized Expo in Antalya in 2016 and won the prize in the one of the most outstanding nominations.

Also, while participating at "Astana Expo" in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan presented the national pavilion "Land of Energy" and was awarded with a second prize in the best design category.

Alakbarov expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the support rendered by the state to the participation of Azerbaijan at a high level in the world exhibitions organized in Milan, Antalya and Astana.

It was noted that preparations are underway for the creation of the Azerbaijani pavilion at the World Exhibition "Echo 2020 Dubai".
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Europe is now realizing the importance of expressing a decisive support for territorial integrity after it has faced the threat to territorial integrity, Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Bahar Muradova said.

Muradova made the remarks commenting on the EU Resolution on Foreign Policy and Security in Baku Dec. 14.

"Unfortunately, the importance of stance for territorial integrity is being realized now, she said. Of course, the reason is that the number of separatist attempts aimed at violating territorial integrity is gradually increasing in different countries.

The European Parliament adopted the EU Resolution on Foreign and Security Policy, which for the first time confirms the EUs adherence to its commitments of supporting the territorial integrity of the Eastern Partnership countries within their internationally recognized borders. This document is of fundamental importance in terms of expressing the EU's attitude to the conflicts related to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Today, the EU, other European organizations think it necessary to make official statements in connection with this issue based on the principles of international law," Muradova said. "For many years Azerbaijan has been doing everything for this issue to be the number one issue on the international agenda. But, unfortunately, Europe started to express its attitude to this problem only after it itself faced this threat.

But I think such statements are very important for eliminating conflict hotbeds, Muradova said. Not only statements must be made; we expect the EU and other international organizations to take concrete actions.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

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Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) held a special event to celebrate fiftieth anniversary of the Editor-in-Chief of Iki Sahil newspaper, member of the Management Board of Press Council of Azerbaijan, Ph.D. in political science and associate professor Vugar Rahimzada. The meeting gathered the Higher School management professors, teachers and staff members.

In his opening speech, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov spoke about fruitful and successful activities of Vugar Rahimzada and emphasized that he is one of best journalists fully devoted to his profession. The rector told that Vugar Rahimzada has a great prestige among his colleagues and his merits are recognized by the society due to his services to the country and the people. He has made a significant contribution towards strengthening of the stateness and national unity of Azerbaijan, developing civil society, democratic values and freedom of press, said the Rector. Elmar Gasimov reminded that the government and SOCAR management highly appreciated Vugar Rahimzada services. He is awarded with the title of Honorary Journalist of Azerbaijan and For service to the Fatherland Order, and SOCAR awarded him Certificate of Honor.

Having noted that Iki Sahil newspaper is one of the closest media-partner of the Higher School, Elmar Gasimov said that it has been supporting BHOS and highlighting its activities from the very beginning of the Higher School establishment. BHOS Rector extended his congratulations to Vugar Rahimzada, wished him future successes and presented him with Congratulatory Address and a plaquette.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Editor-in-Chief of Iki Sahil newspaper Vugar Rahimzada expressed his sincere gratitude to the management and all staff members of the Higher School for their attitude and the high appraisal of his work. Vugar Rahimzada also said that he was very pleased to be at BHOS, which he considers the most prestigious higher educational institution in Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

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The exhibition "Caravaggio - Opera Omnia" was inaugurated in Baku, in the futuristic venue of the Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid on Dec.13.

The exhibition, organized by the Italian Embassy in Baku, was realized thanks to support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and in collaboration with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, chaired by Vice President and First Lady of Azerbaijan, Merhiban Aliyeva.

The exhibition includes about 40 works of art by Caravaggio, reproduced in real size with an innovative digital technology. It is a historical and thematic journey along the whole artistic and human experience of the Lombard master.

Director General of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov, addressing the ceremony, expressed high satisfaction for having such an exhibition in Azerbaijan and pointed out the interest to continue to work together with Italy in the cultural field in the future.

Italian Ambassador Augusto Massari also addressed the event and thanked the Foundation for the organisation of the expo.

Caravaggio - Opera Omnia, is an evocative, imaginary museum where art and technology, past and future, merge thanks to the innovative technology developed by Rai Com, an Italian company part of the Rai media group, whose exhibitions have attracted in the last few years over 10 million viewers around the world.

The exhibition in Baku will remain open until 24 January 2018.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

Trend:

EY Azerbaijan sponsored the 8th annual national Hult Prize final at the Baku State University on Campus Event, which took place on 9 December 2017 at the ANAS HTP (Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences High Technologies Park) business incubation center. This year, Baku State University hosted the Hult Prize, recognized by Bill Clinton and TIME Magazine as one of the top five ideas changing the world for the better, for the first time. Moreover, this was the first time that the event covered the whole country.

Farida Asgarzade, the campus director for the Hult Prize at Baku State University, involved the universitys students in organizing the national final. The 2018 Hult Prize challenge is titled Harnessing the Power of Energy, which is based on Sustainable Development Goals 7, 8 and 9 of the United Nations.

During the event, 18 teams from Baku State University undergraduate programs competed to test their grit in building a viable solution to this global social issue. Awards were given to the top three teams. The winners were the Synergy team, who automatically advance to the regional finals and will have a chance to join a seven-week accelerator program and participate at the global final in September 2018 in New York with a USD 1 million prize for the winning team. Ahmed Ashkar, Founder and CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation, said: Since its inception in 2009, the Hult Prize has seen some remarkable talent emerge across the world, competing with fantastic ideas to solve the world's toughest challenges.

Gunel Farajova, EY Cleantech and Sustainability Senior, participated at the event and gave a speech about the importance of alternative energy. She shared: This is an opportunity for the students to show how they can build a sustainable business around existing technologies that have the potential to transform the world. I would like to congratulate the winning team and wish them success in the regional finals!

About the Hult Prize Foundation

The Hult Prize is a start-up accelerator for social entrepreneurship, which brings together the brightest college and university students from around the globe to solve the world's most pressing issues.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and economies around the world. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In doing so, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients, and for our communities.

EY works together with companies across the CIS and assists them in realizing their business goals. 5,000 professionals work at 20 CIS offices (in Baku, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Togliatti, Vladivostok, Almaty, Astana, Bishkek, Kyiv, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Minsk, and other locations).

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

EY in Azerbaijan

EY made a major commitment to the development of Azerbaijan and the region by opening the office in Baku 23 years ago. Today, in addition to being the leading audit and consulting firm in Azerbaijan, we are the leading professional services firm in the region. As a result of our experience and competence, we have been able to assist both domestic and international companies as well as state-owned entities to develop and manage the challenges of the international economy.

There are currently more than 200 people working in our Baku office that serve our clients in Azerbaijan. EYs strength in the Caspian Region and the firms commitment of resources are important to the entities operating in the region. It means that as we grow, EY will continue to demonstrate a tradition of hiring and training local professionals to be leaders in our practice.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.14

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Azerbaijan is an important contributor to European  and thus global  energy security, U.S. Ambassador Robert F. Cekuta said at the Fifth Frankfurt Gas Forum on Dec.14.

Ambassador Cekuta said that energy security is a core consideration for a countrys political security, economic well-being, and stability, adding that for this reason, it has been a central factor in Americans thinking about our national security and that of our allies and friends for decades.

"Our rude awakening came in the 1970s with the OAPEC boycott of the United States and other countries in response to the Yom Kippur War. Americans realized the need to act to ensure our economy and well-being could not be again threatened the way it was in 1973. The price shocks accompanying the collapse of the Shah at the end of that decade reinforced that message, and reinforced our determination to act. The U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, the creation of the International Energy Agency, the implementation of various regulatory measures at home, the search for new oil sources, and the push for increased energy efficiency and new energy technologies all resulted from the determination to prevent a repetition of the security threats resulting from the suddenly constrained oil supplies of 1973 and 1979," said Ambassador Cekuta.

He noted that today, one must accept the continued harsh reality that energy supplies can be interdicted. This interdiction can occur as a result of natural events such a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, as recently has been seen. Or it can occur due to a decision by another countrys government to use its control of the supply or flow of oil or natural gas to achieve a political end.

"Rather than focusing on those threats, I would like to use my time here this morning to examine what countries can do to bolster their energy security. As I am U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, I will use that country as a case study," said Ambassador Cekuta.

"Azerbaijan is one of the worlds oldest oil provinces. Although growing up in the United States I learned about Edwin Drake and that first oil well near Titusville in Pennsylvania, the reality is that there were commercial oil wells many years before that on the Absheron peninsula, near what is now Azerbaijans capital. Azerbaijanis are proud to note the worlds first oil tanker, first oil pipeline, first offshore rig, and first deep sea oil rig were all developed there. One of the largest spikes, in real terms, in the global oil price occurred when the Bolsheviks invaded and conquered Azerbaijan in 1920. That invasion also ended the first parliamentary, constitutional democracy in the Muslim world," said Ambassador Cekuta.

Today, according to Ambassador Cekuta, Azerbaijan is again in the news. "In 1994, it began to develop newly discovered crude oil deposits in the Caspian and to build a pipeline to move significant amounts of crude oil out to the Mediterranean and the rest of the world in a way that avoids both Russia and Iran. The discovery and development of the Shah Deniz II gas deposit makes Azerbaijan again an important contributor to European  and thus global  energy security," Ambassador Cekuta said.

Ambassador Cekuta stressed that the Southern Gas Corridor Project, with a budget in excess of $40 billion dollars, and a 3,500 km pipeline crossing six countries, going from below sea level to elevations of more than 2,500 meters, provides a new source of natural gas to millions in Europe, boosting energy security globally. "It is one of the largest capital projects underway today in the world. It brings together the U.S. and other national governments as well as the European Union. Azerbaijans state oil company, SOCAR, and BP participate as shareholders in each of the projects components. BP is leading the work on the project working closely with several other partners," Ambassador Cekuta said.

Ambassador Cekuta emphasized that despite the technical and geopolitical challenges, the project is doing well. "Looking at the four chief components, the development of the giant Shah Deniz II gas field itself is 97% complete. The expansion of the massive Sangachal terminal south of Baku is 99.8% complete, and construction of the pipeline across Azerbaijan and Georgia is 98% complete. Construction of the Trans Anatolian Pipeline or TANAP is 93% finished and work on the Southern Gas Corridor projects fourth component, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline TAP, which will initially bring 10 bcma of gas to Italy, is 57 percent complete. The companies report first gas to customers in Georgia and Turkey looks to be on schedule for 2018 via SCP and TANAP, with delivery of gas to Italy scheduled for 2020 via TAP," Ambassador Cekuta said.

Ambassador Cekuta said that the Southern Gas Corridor project underlines the fact that energy security does not just happen, adding that it requires commitment, creativity and sustained efforts, particularly by the private sector and governing authorities. It requires massive amounts of financial and intellectual capital.

"In the case of the Southern Gas Corridor, there are the technical challenges of deep sea, offshore drilling, of developing ways to tap and extract the gas  under high pressures  and bring it to the surface and market. It is not easy, but a point that company executives and technicians have repeatedly made to me is that the technology being developed in Azerbaijan to extract gas from the Shah Deniz II field will be used elsewhere, including to get at hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico.

But while none of this discovery, recovery, and shipment of energy supplies would have happened without the private sector, I have to point out the role governments played  and continue to play. First, as I noted, Azerbaijans government realized the need to attract reputable, experienced firms, listened to those firms, and acted to create the conditions needed for those firms to commit and develop the oil and gas deposits present. This experience underlines an important point, and one I have seen too often neglected: geology is not enough. Above the ground realities  rule of law; a stable market-friendly investment and business climate, transparent, fact-based, consistent, and predictable regulatory processes  are essential factors. In the end, these factors will determine whether a company invests in country X or in country Y," Ambassador Cekuta said.

Ambassador Cekuta also noted the role foreign governments can play in bringing parties together, helping identify and resolve problems, and helping keep a project moving ahead. "Building on Acting Special Envoy Sue Saarnios remarks yesterday, let me talk a bit about the role the United States government, in particular the Department of State, has played over the past twenty years in Azerbaijan to advance international energy security," Ambassador Cekuta said.

"For a number of years the State Department conducted focused diplomacy to help draw attention to the extensive oil and gas deposits in Azerbaijan and countries on the other side of the Caspian, and to help bring about the development of those gas deposits and make them available to the worlds markets. This effort continues. I note the message Secretary Tillerson sent the meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Ministerial Advisory Council in February, the letter President Trump sent to Azerbaijani President Aliyev on the opening of the annual Caspian Oil and Gas Show in June, and Secretary Tillersons speech last month at the Wilson Center outlining U.S. policy towards Europe. There is also the testimony Assistant Secretary for Europe Mitchell and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy McCarrick delivered the other day at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Let me focus on some of those statements for a moment. I value the partnership the US and Azerbaijan have built together over the last quarter of the century and look forward to its continued growth, President Trump said in his letter. The U.S. remains strongly committed to the Southern Gas Corridor and welcomes the efforts of Azerbaijan and its international partners to complete it. I appreciate Azerbaijans important role in global energy security, including the development and exportation of energy resources from the Caspian region. And as Secretary Tillerson said last month, speaking more broadly, The Ukraine crisis also made clear how energy supplies can be wielded as a political weapon. Enhancing European energy security by ensuring access to affordable, reliable, diverse, and secure supplies of energy is fundamental to national security objectives ," Ambassador Cekuta said.

However, Ambassador Cekuta said, one should not lose sight of other factors that contribute to a countrys, to a regions, to the worlds energy security. Azerbaijan is important not only as a supply source for hydrocarbons. It but is also developing into an increasingly important transit hub, which makes it key to another global venture: the New Silk Road.

"At the end of October, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, along with top figures from Georgia and a number of Central Asian countries officially inaugurated the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad. This new modern rail link, along with the new port of Alat south of Baku on the Caspian, will provide a surface route connecting East and South Asia with Western Europe. Rather than taking 35 days to move goods by ship between Shanghai and Hamburg, these new rail and ferry links could enable goods to travel this same distance in eleven to fourteen days. These new surface connections augment the air corridor already used through Azerbaijans airspace, in addition to the new, modern air cargo facilities there.

"These developments underline Azerbaijans importance as a new commercial transportation corridor. Like the ancient trade routes, this New Silk Road should facilitate entrepreneurial and value-added business along its route. But there is a U.S. strategic interest as well  and a strategic interest rooted in very practical matters. Azerbaijan provides another route into and out of Afghanistan. This route is not just important for moving military materiel, but also for farmers and other Afghans to sell their legitimate products, such as the pomegranates and nuts they have long exported. It will help integrate the countries in the Caspian Basin and Central Asia with each other. It can serve, as did its namesake, as a nexus for cultural, educational, and intellectual exchanges as well as greater innovation. I might suggest it could strengthen connections between the people of Central Asia and the Caspian Basin with Europe as well," Ambassador Cekuta said.

Ambassador Cekuta also stressed the government role in energy security or in major projects like the new Silk Road. "But as I outlined in talking about the Southern Gas Corridor and other projects, the private sector plays an integral role. It is the private sector which discovered and figured out the ways to tap the large Shah Deniz II gas field under the Caspian. If business people do not see pricing, efficiency, or other commercial advantages in the surface links across Eurasia, those links will not be used," Ambassador Cekuta said.

"Energy security, economic growth, and the construction of major international infrastructure projects all need private sector involvement. To attract and keep that involvement, governments must create and maintain the right environment: one where market forces are able to function, creative ideas are allowed to flourish, and laws and regulations are developed and implemented on a fair, consistent, and transparent basis.

"During my time as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy in the State Department, one of the things which I saw as the revolution in oil and gas production took off in the United States was the critical role of above the ground factors. The geology was crucial  no one is going to drill where the rocks arent right  but again and again I saw companies pull out of other areas, even areas with interesting geology and invest instead in potentially more challenging tight oil or shale gas deposits in North Dakota, the Permian Basin, or in Pennsylvania. Again and again, executives and experts mentioned the same points to me. Access to financing, the right labor pools, transportation infrastructure and the ability to move capital in and out were essential to them. So too was confidence that in a dispute, the courts would function and decide fairly. Another factor repeatedly cited was a regulatory climate where regulations are not capricious and are implemented fairly, predictably, and transparently," Ambassador Cekuta said.

Azerbaijan has taken important steps in engaging with energy companies, in working out contracts, and in giving the terms of production sharing agreements full force and effect of law in Azerbaijan, said Ambassador Cekuta.

"They have also worked with the United States, the European Union, and with national governments to maintain progress on the Southern Gas Corridor and address problems as they arise. As the new Silk Road moves ahead, it will be important for Azerbaijans government follow this same model in order to ensure that projects success," said Ambassador Cekuta.

Ambassador Cekuta reiterated that energy security is an essential component of a countrys national security. It can be addressed internally, as countries seek to boost supplies, improve the transmission/availability of energy within their borders, and encourage conservation and diversity of supply.

"However, for most countries, there is going to be an international component. Oil or gas may need to be imported. There may be important oil or gas deposits inside a country which require outside expertise or financing to develop and exploit. Another country may be considering  or have a record of  constraining supplies of oil or gas as a political tool. It may be necessary to develop international partnerships to move a countrys oil and gas to world markets.

"For all these reasons, a key aspect of my time as Ambassador in Azerbaijan has been focused on continuing the successful completion of the Southern Gas Corridor and other projects which will get oil and gas out of the ground and into world markets. With the Shah Deniz II field soon coming on line and the first gas expected in 2018, we are hopefully on the verge of an important success -- one which will strengthen regional and global energy security. We celebrate that success, and we will continue to deepen our engagement on those things  rule of law, transparency, independent judiciaries  that will nurture that success for years to come," said Ambassador Cekuta.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Gulgiz Muradova  Trend:

The technology being developed in Azerbaijan to extract gas from the Shah Deniz II field will be used elsewhere, including to get at hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. Ambassador Robert F. Cekuta made the remark while addressing the Fifth Frankfurt Gas Forum on Dec.14.

Ambassador Cekuta said that the discovery and development of the Shah Deniz II gas deposit makes Azerbaijan again an important contributor to European  and thus global  energy security.

Reminding that the Shah Deniz II gas will be a source for the Southern Gas Corridor Project (SGC), Ambassador Cekuta said that the SGC with a budget in excess of $40 billion, and a 3,500 km pipeline crossing six countries, going from below sea level to elevations of more than 2,500 meters, provides a new source of natural gas to millions in Europe, boosting energy security globally.

"It is one of the largest capital projects underway today in the world. It brings together the U.S. and other national governments as well as the European Union. Azerbaijans state oil company, SOCAR, and BP participate as shareholders in each of the projects components," said Ambassador Cekuta.

Ambassador Cekuta stressed that despite the technical and geopolitical challenges, the project is doing well.

"Looking at the four chief components, the development of the giant Shah Deniz II gas field itself is 97% complete. The expansion of the massive Sangachal terminal south of Baku is 99.8% complete, and construction of the pipeline across Azerbaijan and Georgia is 98% complete. Construction of the Trans Anatolian Pipeline or TANAP is 93% finished and work on the Southern Gas Corridor projects fourth component, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline TAP, which will initially bring 10 bcma of gas to Italy, is 57 percent complete. The companies report first gas to customers in Georgia and Turkey looks to be on schedule for 2018 via SCP and TANAP, with delivery of gas to Italy scheduled for 2020 via TAP," said Ambassador Cekuta.

Ambassador Cekuta stressed that with the Shah Deniz II field soon coming on line and the first gas expected in 2018, we are hopefully on the verge of an important success -- one which will strengthen regional and global energy security.

As part of the Shah Deniz II project, gas production will increase from 9 to 25 billion cubic meters per year. The produced gas will be exported to Turkey and the European markets through the expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of the Trans-Anatolian (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic (TAP) gas pipelines.

A contract for development of the Shah Deniz offshore field was signed on June 4, 1996. The field's reserve is estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

Sodiq Safoev, the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan and EBRD Governor for Uzbekistan voiced Uzbekistan's commitment to improve the countrys business environment.

Safoev, addressing the EBRD Board of Directors in London on Dec.14, spoke about the launch of a broad reform programme in Uzbekistan, which covers multiple areas including democratisation and transparency of the state and regional authorities, anti-corruption efforts, decentralisation, public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives and many others.

He also touched upon urgent tasks the Uzbek authorities are dealing with at the moment such as the improvement of the countrys business environment, investment climate and global competitiveness, support of sustainable development of private small businesses and the development of new financial products and services designed to serve the needs of the countrys Economy.

The EBRD opened a new chapter of engagement in Uzbekistan in November. First Vice President Phil Bennett signed three loan agreements for a total value $ 120 million to support private small enterprises. He reiterated the EBRDs readiness to substantially increase its involvement and praised the countrys potential.

The EBRDS current objectives in Uzbekistan are to support domestic SMEs, promote trade finance and cross-border cooperation as well as facilitate foreign direct investment that will result in the transfer of technologies and know-how and thus the improvement of the competitiveness of the Uzbek economy. It is expected that the EBRD Board of Directors will agree a new country strategy for Uzbekistan in 2018, which will set out longer-term strategic priorities.

Between 1992 and 2010, the EBRD invested 894 million in Uzbekistan in 54 projects. Entering a new stage of engagement in the country, the Bank has already identified a number of possible new projects, some of which are due to be signed by the end of 2017, with more to follow in 2018.
With all eyes now set on December 18, when results of the keenly-watched Gujarat contest will be declared, here is recap of 10 defining moments of the campaign.

Both BJP and Congress have taken jibes at each other during the Gujarat election campaign. Photo for representation: Reuters.

By India Today Web Desk: The high-stakes Gujarat Assembly election witnessed a high-pitched election campaign by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi, who seems to have found his mojo during the Gujarat campaign, hit the ground running, visiting temples and calling out the Gabbar Singh Tax.

Narendra Modi, the BJP's biggest campaigner in Gujarat, reminded everyone that he is the son of Gujarat and while he may have sold tea, he will never sell the country.

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After the first phase of voting on December 9 in Saurashtra-Kutch and south Gujarat, north and central Gujarat, which together account for 93 of the 182 Assembly seats, are casting their ballot today.

With all eyes now set on December 18, when results of the keenly-watched Gujarat contest will be declared, here is recap of 10 defining moments of the campaign.

GABBAR SINGH TAX

Rahul Gandhi launched a frontal attack on the BJP, and particularly Narendra Modi, by dubbing GST as Gabbar Singh Tax. The remark was first made by Rahul at a rally in Gandhinagar on October 23 ahead of the first phase of Gujarat election.

Since then, Rahul has repeatedly used Gabbar Singh Tax to target the BJP government for causing hardship to traders, who are the biggest votebank in Gujarat.

Rahul Gandhi has tried to project a more approachable person during the Gujarat election. With a kid outside Shree Ranchhod Raiji Temple in Kheda. Rahul Gandhi has tried to project a more approachable person during the Gujarat election. With a kid outside Shree Ranchhod Raiji Temple in Kheda.

VIKAS GANDO THAYO CHE

The hastag #VikasGandhoThayoChe or 'Vikas Has Gone Crazy', targeting the BJP government's claims on development, went viral in the run up to the election in Gujarat and has managed to dominate the electoral discourse throughout the campaign season.

The social media campaign run by the Congress saw pictures of damaged roads, flooded railway tracks being posted along with the hastag in an attempt to show that development was not taking place in Gujarat.

I AM VIKAS, SAYS MODI

While several BJP leaders countered the vikas gone crazy claims, it was Narendra Modi who thundered from the podium at a rally in Gandhinagar and said "I am vikas". "Hun vikas chhoon, hun Gujarat chhoon (I am development, I am Gujarat)," said Modi and pitched the Gujarat battle as one between dynasty politics (vanshvaad) and development politics (vikasvaad).

HARDIK PATEL SEX CD

Nearly a month before Gujarat election, a sex cd, allegedly featuring Patidar leader Hardik Patel, went viral. Days before the sex cd went viral, Hardik had said that the BJP may try to defame him with a "doctored" sex cd.

Hardik Patel, the 24-year-old Patidar leader, has taken on Modi in Gujarat. Photo: @@HardikPatel_

As the sex cd grabbed headlines, Hardik said, "Dirty politics has begun now. You can defame me but it will not affect me but the image of Gujarati women is being tarnished". "If I do not have any problem with the sex CDs, why should those watching it have any? Have fun," he later told India Today.

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RAHUL'S TEMPLE RUN

This election saw a Rahul Gandhi hitherto unseen. A janeu-dhari, Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi went temple hopping in Gujarat, a move many see as an attempt by the Congress to play the soft-Hindutva card.

Rahul's Somnath temple visit was caught in controversy over the Congress leader allegedly signing a register meant for non-Hindus. Even on the last day of campaigning in Gujarat, Rahul made it a point to visit a temple.

Temple visits have been a defining feature of his Gujarat campaign.

THE NEECH AADMI

While the Congress has largely steered clear of making any personal attacks on Narendra Modi, senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, known for his chaiwala jibe, called the Prime Minister a "neech aadmi".

Aiyar's comments gave the BJP and Narendra Modi ready ammunition to target the Congress. Referring to the neech remark as a comment on his caste, Modi said it was an insult to Gujarat and asked people to give a befitting reply to the Congress in the election.

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Aiyar has since been suspended from the Congress.

PAKISTAN INFLUENCE

Coming close on the heels of Aiyar's "neech aadmi" remark, Narendra Modi at a rally in Palanpur accused Congress leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, of holding a "secret meeting" with Pakistani diplomats.

Modi said the meeting took place a day before Aiyar called him a "neech aadmi" and suggested Pakistan could be trying to influence the election in Gujarat.

Ever since Modi's "sensational" claims, the secret meeting theory has been junked by many who attended the meeting at Aiyar's residence.

Former Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said only India-Pakistan relations were discussed, while Manmohan Singh slammed Modi and said such claims show his desperation and fear of "defeat in Gujarat".

SEAPLANE SPLASH

On the last day of Gujarat election campaign, the BJP and Narendra Modi pulled off a grand spectacle with the Prime Minister take a seaplane ride from Sabarmati to Dharoi dam.

"Modi is a very good passenger" was how the nine-seater seaplane's Canadian pilot described the Prime Minister after flying him.

Narendra Modi about to take the seaplane from Sabarmati riverfront on last day of Gujarat campaign. Photo: Reuters.

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On the Opposition front, Rahul Gandhi called the seaplane ride a "distraction" while Hardik Patel took a swipe at Modi and asked if the plane could help farmers in aerial sprinkling of pesticides.

BOYCOTTING POLLS

Gajadi village in Morbi district boycotted the first phase of election while villages in Vadnagar and Madhavnagar in Sanand district decided to not vote in the second phase.

The two villages in Sanand, the district is home to Tata's Nano plant, lacks in basic amenities. Villagers said both the BJP and the Congress have failed them.

RISE OF 3 YOUNG TURKS

The Congress, which has been out of power in Gujarat for 22 years, is trying to get its caste arithmetic right by getting OBC leader Alpesh Thakor on board and backing Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani.

After extended negotiations, the Congress has also managed to strike a deal with 24-year-old Hardik Patel, who spearheads the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

The three young turks, who have been aggressive in their attacks on the BJP government, could help the Congress in Gujarat this time.

WATCH: Gabbar Singh: The flavour of Gujarat Assembly elections this time around

--- ENDS ---
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijan is offering the UK to create joint ventures in the sphere of production of oil and gas equipment, Azerbaijans Economy Ministry said in a message.

Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev made such a proposal at a meeting with Baroness Rona Fairhead, the UK minister of state for trade and export promotion at the Department for International Trade (DIT).

The minister stressed that the UK companies may invest in Azerbaijans industrial parks and also create livestock farms, establish manufacture of medical equipment, food products, in particular, processing of meat and milk together with local companies.

Mustafayev added that besides, both countries have great opportunities for development of relations in the spheres of tourism, transport and ICT. He said that the UK may also take advantage of transport and transit opportunities of Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the minister once again reminded the guest about Azerbaijans fair position on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In turn, Baroness Rona Fairhead emphasized the success achieved by Azerbaijan in the economic sphere, as well as the countrys cooperation with the UK companies, including BP.

Azerbaijans trade turnover with the UK amounted to $240.46 million in January-November 2017, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.14

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:

The United Kingdom has invested over $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan.

Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev announced about this at a meeting with Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion of the United Kingdom, co-chair of Joint Intergovernmental Commission (JIC) Baroness Rona Fairhead, the economy ministry reported.

He said that the UK ranks first among foreign investors in Azerbaijan.

The two countries, according to Mustafayev, attach great importance to bilateral relations and successfully cooperate in various directions of the economy. He stressed that at present over 500 companies with British capital operate in Azerbaijan.

The minister cited BP, which participates in seven oil and gas projects, including the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as an example of the successful activities of British companies in Azerbaijan.

The trade with the UK in January-November 2017 amounted to $ 240.46 million, of which nearly $ 30 million fell on the export of Azerbaijani products, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

Azerbaijan and Ukraine will establish a joint venture (JV) for the production of railway cars, the Azerbaijani embassy in Ukraine reported on Dec.14.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Ukraine Azer Khudiyev held a meeting with the leadership of PJSC "Kriukov Carriage Works" in this regard.

During the meeting, deputy director of the plant Igor Manaenkov noted that Azerbaijan actively participates in international transportation.

"Azerbaijan is a participant of a number of international projects. With the commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, Azerbaijan has opened a wide corridor between Europe and Asia, and from this point of view, Azerbaijan needs to produce new passenger and freight cars, " Manaenkov said.

Khudiyev, in turn, noted that Ukraine is an advantageous partner for Azerbaijan.

The ambassador also noted the importance of preparation of a package of proposals on the establishment of the joint venture. He added that after the consideration of the proposal by the Azerbaijani side, a working group from Ukraine will visit Baku.

PJSC "Kriukov Carriage Works"produces various types of freight and passenger railroad cars, which are exported to many countries of the world.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

The (Azerbaijans) Astara - (Irans) Astara railway within the International North-South Transport Corridor project will be commissioned Dec. 25, AzRusTrans company (joint venture of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC and Rusagrotrans CJSC) said Dec. 14, quoting Iranian Railroad Companys Director General for International Affairs Abbas Nazari.

He said that Azerbaijan and Iran discussed issues related to customs procedures and issuance of visas, as well as the use of cargo terminal in Irans Astara city.

The International North-South Transport Corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe with Southeast Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. At the initial stage, it is planned to transport 5 million tons of cargo per year through the corridor and more than 10 million tons of cargo in the future.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

Trend:

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan to Azerbaijan Nassar Ibrahim Mohammad al-Habashneh has received Caspian Energys delegation headed by President and Editor-in-Chief of Caspian Energy International Media Group Natalya Aliyeva, CEIBC said in a message Dec. 14.

Prospects of expansion of the Azerbaijani-Jordanian information cooperation within the framework of the Caspian European Club and Caspian Energy International Media Group were touched in the course of the meeting.

The ambassador expressed an interest towards participation of the Jordanian companies within the framework of the business forums held by the Club.

He also highly appreciated the work of the staff of Caspian Energy journal and noted that he reads interviews and articles, placed in the journal, with interest.

As the ambassador noted, Jordan is interested in expansion of the information cooperation within the framework of Caspian Energy.

Speaking about bilateral relations, the ambassador noted that despite all these challenges, the relations between Jordan and Azerbaijan including economic relations between the two countries are developing in the right course and in near future we will witness the revival in the field of trade and investments between the two countries.

He also emphasized that tourism is one of the promising areas capable of ensuring development of trade relations between the countries.

It is an availability of attractive tourism facilities in both countries opens broad possibilities for cooperation between the tourism companies of the two countries, the ambassador said.

The development of tourism between the two countries is associated not only with agreements on cooperation and visa procedures, but also with the encouragement of information cooperation between the private sector of both countries, the development and promotion of programs for the development of tourism. This, first of all, will inspire the guests to travel first through charter flights, and then using direct air communication between Amman and Baku, he continued.

Speaking about the development of the sea trade port in Alat settlement of Baku, the ambassador noted that creation of the Alat Free Economic Zone as well as Baku International Sea Trade Port has become a new step taken by Azerbaijan which benefits from its special geographic location.

He said that this step will turn Baku into an important and logistical center of Eurasia.

At the end of the meeting the ambassador gave an exclusive interview to Caspian Energy, in which he in details spoke about all aspects concerning the mutual relations between the two countries and the growth of their economic potential.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Azerbaijan and UK signed a protocol following the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in Baku on December 14.

The document was signed by Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and UK Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Rona Fairhead.

In the protocol, the sides agreed to further expand cooperation in economy, trade, investments, industry, tourism, energy, education, culture and other spheres.

Two memorandums were also signed between Azerbaijani and UK companies. As a result of signing these documents, pumps, used in the extractive industry, will be repaired in Azerbaijan.
Details added (first version posted on 18:53)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Azerbaijan and UK signed a protocol following the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in Baku on December 14.

The document was signed by Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and UK Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Rona Fairhead.

In the protocol, the sides agreed to further expand cooperation in economy, trade, investments, industry, tourism, energy, education, culture and other spheres.

Two memorandums were also signed between Azerbaijani and UK companies. As a result of signing these documents, pumps, used in the extractive industry, will be repaired in Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Azerbaijan focuses on involving UK companies into the non-oil sector of its economy, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev told reporters in Baku Dec. 14.

The minister said that at present this is a priority.

"The oil and gas sector has always been the main sphere of cooperation between two countries, Mustafayev said. But today we want to give a new impetus to our relations. UK may be interested in production and processing of agricultural products, tourism, transport and logistics. We urge UK companies to invest in these sectors."

In her turn, UK Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Rona Fairhead expressed her gratification with the meeting of the intergovernmental commission.

Baroness Fairhead said that UK aims at expanding cooperation in tourism, education and agriculture, adding that Azerbaijan and UK should increase bilateral trade.

The data from the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee show that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and UK amounted to $240.46 million in January-November 2017, of which almost $30 million accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products.

UK ranks first among foreign investors of Azerbaijan. Until now, UK has invested over $27 billion in the Azerbaijani economy.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.14

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Up to December 8, 2017 Azerbaijans Southern Gas Corridor CJSC has invested $8.4 billion (or 72 percent) of the total of $11.7 billion (total funding needs in 2014-2020) required for the financing of its participating interests in the Projects, Trend learned from the CJSC.

Regarding the possibility of issuing Eurobonds, the company said as of today, it does not intend to issue any further Eurobonds in 2017 or early 2018.

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.



At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.



As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.14

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Irans National Iranian Oil Company and Russias Gazprom have signed cooperation agreement, said a message on Gazproms website.

A Gazprom delegation headed by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Companys Management Committee, paid a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In the course of the visit, Alexey Miller met with Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Irans Minister of Petroleum. The parties confirmed their interest in advancing their partnership on a large scale and discussed potential areas of bilateral cooperation.

Alexey Miller and Ali Kardor, Irans Deputy Minister of Petroleum, CEO of National Iranian Oil Company, inked a Roadmap. Pursuant to the document, Gazprom will conduct a proof-of-concept study with regard to implementing integrated projects for hydrocarbon production, transmission and processing, including petrochemistry, in Iranian territory.

Alexey Miller, Ali Kardor, and Nasrat Rahimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oil Industry Pension, Saving and Staff Welfare Fund, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the opportunities for joint efforts within the Iran LNG project.

Both documents reflect the willingness of the parties to cooperate along the entire production chain, from extracting gas in Iran to monetizing the product.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
As accusations and counter-accusations fly thick ahead of the Gujarat election results, here is a lowdown on what is model code of conduct and what are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.

Both the BJP and Congress have cried foul over model code of conduct violations. Photo for representation: Reuters.

By India Today Web Desk: In the last lap of the Gujarat Assembly election, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are now slugging it out over alleged violation of the model code of conduct.

The BJP went to the Election Commission and complained about Rahul Gandhi's interview to a Gujarati channel less than 48 hours before the second phase of voting in Gujarat.

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The Congress, in a press conference today, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Ranip, Ahmedabad, after casting ballot was a violation of model code of conduct.

As accusations and counter-accusations fly thick ahead of the Gujarat election results, here is a lowdown on what is model code of conduct and what are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.

Q.1 What is the Model Code of Conduct?

Answer: The Model Code of Conduct is a set of norms which has been evolved with the consensus of political parties. Political parties have agreed to abide by the principles embodied in the code which binds them to respect and observe it in its letter and spirit.

Q.2 What is Election Commission's role in this?

Answer: The Election Commission ensures model of conduct is observed by political party(ies) in power, including ruling parties at the Centre and in the states as well as candidates contesting the election.

The Election Commission's aim is to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections are conducted, and official machinery for electoral purpose is not misued.

The Commission also ensures that electoral offences, malpractices and corrupt practices such as impersonation, bribing and inducement of voters, threat and intimidation to the voters areprevented by all means. In case of violation, appropriate measures are taken.

Q.3 When is the Model Code of Conduct enforced and till when is it operational?

Answer: The Model Code of Conduct is enforced from the date of announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission and is operational till the process of elections are completed.

Q.4 Can a minister can combine his official visit with electioneering work?

Answer: No. According to the Model Code of Conduct, ministers should not combine their official visit with electioneering work and should not make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work.

Q.5 Are ministers entitled to official vehicle during the election?

Answer: Ministers are entitled to use their official vehicles only for commuting from their official residence to their office for official work provided that such commuting is not combined with any electioneering or any political activity.

Q.6 Are there any restrictions on using religious places for election propaganda?

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Answer: Yes. Religious places such as temples, mosque, church, gurdwara or other places of worship should not be used as forum for election propaganda. Further, there should be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.

Q.7 Are there any conditions for getting government aircraft/helicopters (including Public Sector Undertakings) by political parties/candidates?

Answer: Yes, and while allowing chartering of government aircraft/helicopters to political parties/candidates, the following conditions should be followed:

# There should be no discrimination between the ruling party and other parties # The payment must be made by political parties or contesting candidates and proper record maintained.# The rates and terms and conditions should be uniform for all.# The actual allotment should be made on the first-come, first-served basis. To do this, the date and time of receipt of the application should be noted by the authorised receiving authority.# In the rare case when both the date and time of two or more applicants are same, the allotment will be decided by draw of lots.# No individual, firm, party or candidate will be allowed to charter the aircraft/helicopter for more than three days at a time.

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Q.8 Can dummy ballot units of EVM be prepared by the candidate to educate the voters?

Answer: Yes, the Model Code of Conduct mandates that the dummy ballot units be made of wooden, plastic or plyboard boxes, half the size of the official ballot units and be painted brown, yellow or grey.

Q.9 Is there a curb on public display of any election matter through television or similar apparatus?

Answer: According to the Model Code of Conduct, a candidate cannot display to the public any election matter by means of television or other similar apparatus 48 hours before the election.

It is this clause which the BJP has raised while accusing Rahul Gandhi of violating the Model Code of Conduct.

Q.10 Is there any restriction on canvassing in or near polling station?

Answer: Yes, canvassing for votes within a distance of 100 metres of the polling station is prohibited on the day of poll.

(Source: Official website of Election Commission of India)

WATCH: Election Commission is Modi's puppet, says Congress at poll panel office in Delhi

--- ENDS ---
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 14

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistan is globally recognized as a major producer of energy resources, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in an address on occasion of the professional holiday of workers of the oil and gas industry and geology.

Turkmenistans recognition as a major producer of energy resources is clearly demonstrated by major projects implemented in the oil and gas sector, as well as targeted programs, reads the address.

Implementation of new projects to lay gas pipelines will remain a priority of our state policy, Berdimuhamedov noted. That is why we pay special attention to development of the oil and gas sector, which is one of the leading sectors of the economy.

According to BP, Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world in terms of natural gas reserves.

Turkmenistan sells gas through pipelines to China and Iran.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.14

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

OPEC compliance with agreed cuts rose to 115 percent, the highest this year, and lifted the 2017 average to 91 percent, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its Monthly Oil Market Report.

OPEC crude supply fell in November for the fourth consecutive month to 32.36 million barrels per day (mb/d), down 1.3 mb/d on a year ago. Output was lower in Saudi Arabia, Angola and Venezuela, said the report.

This is while, OPEC said in its December Oil Market Report that in November, the cartels crude production decreased by 133,000 barrels per day to average 32.45 million barrels per day.

Crude oil output increased mainly in Nigeria, while production mainly declined in Angola, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and UAE, according to the report.

Earlier, OPEC announced that it, along with several other non-OPEC producers, had reached an agreement to extend its production deal for a further nine months. This would shift the expiration date of the agreement from March to the end of 2018. The agreement is on the same terms as those agreed in November last year.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.15

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Iran could release crypto currencies backed by oil and gas, instead of using bitcoin, Sam Barden, Director of SBI Markets, an international commodity trading and advisory company, told Trend.

The expert believes that there is absolutely no point in Iran pursuing any policy which relies on the use of US dollar.

"Bitcoin would be secure, have intrinsic value, unlike the USD, and create direct trade between partners without the need for third party settlement. This would also drastically reduce the cost per transaction, making a more efficient, modern, peaceful, real time trading market," said Barden, adding that however, use of bitcoin is also inexpedient for Iran.

"I think the first thing to note is that the crypto currency bitcoin is in a huge speculative bubble right now, which means it is very volatile. I do not think bitcoin would be suitable or good for Iran to settle oil trades. However, blockchain, the technology which underlies bitcoin, would be good. Iran could create its own crypto currency, linked to energy," said the expert.

Barden pointed out that rather than have a totally speculative instrument such as bitcoin, Iran could release crypto currencies backed by oil and gas.

"It could be called "energy coin" for example, and each coin could be related to a barrel of oil or mmtu of gas. Coins could trade on an exchange, such as the Iran Oil Bourse on Kish Island, and Iran could settle all their energy trades in "energy coin". Iran could then use "energy coins" for international trade with its partners," said the expert.

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system. It is the first decentralized digital currency, as the system works without a central bank or single administrator. The network is peer-to-peer and transactions take place between users directly through the use of cryptography, without an intermediary. These transactions are verified by network nodes and recorded in an immutable public distributed ledger called a blockchain.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Kazatomprom JSC announced the sale of a 40 percent of shareholding of the Caustic JSC subsidiary company.

"The starting price, requested for 40 percent of the shareholding is 3.7 billion tenge," the press service of the company said in a message.

The acceptance of applications for an open two-stage tender will be completed on January 3, 2018.

The Caustic JSC produces caustic soda, liquid chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and technical sodium hypochlorite.

The plant's products are used in many sectors of the Kazakhstans economy, including oil, chemical, medical, food industries, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy.

The sale of subsidiaries and affiliates is carried out within the framework of Kazakhstans business transformation program, and serves to the increase of Kazatomprom JSCs value by removing non-core assets and focusing the company's activities directly on the nuclear industry, according to the message.

(Exchange rate for 14.12.2017: $1 - 334 tenge)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

The working groups of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will meet on Dec. 25 to discuss the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov said, the press service of the Kyrgyz president said in a statement.

After his meeting with the Uzbek president, Jeenbekov said that the countries will work together on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Also, there are plans for the development of road transport and regular passenger routes.

"Already today we see beginning of the practical implementation of the agreements on the establishment of joint ventures and the establishment of production lines," Jeenbekov said.

The heads of state emphasized that the rapid construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which would enhance the attractiveness and the opening of the transit potential of Central Asia, fully meets the fundamental interests of the countries of the region.

The China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railway is expected to open access for supplies of goods to the markets of Western Asia and the Middle East.

Jeenbekov arrived on an official visit to Uzbekistan on Dec.13. on the same day, he met with his Uzbek colleague in a narrow and expanded format. The parties signed a package of documents.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) assists Tajikistan in promoting the road safety, the bank reported.

Together with the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST) and the Young Generation of Tajikistan (YGT), the Bank is running a road safety media and public awareness campaign in Dushanbe to promote the use of seat belts and highlight the benefits of eco-driving.

"Posters, leaflets and billboards now inundate the citys streets, illustrating the benefits of wearing a seat belt as well as saving fuel and protecting the environment through eco-driving. Striking video messages are now playing on Tajik television as part of the campaign, showing the fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt even on short journeys and at low speeds," the bank reported.

The countrys traffic police is also committed to the initiative and announced that new sanctions and enforcement regimes are being introduced for non-use of seat belts.

Final results will be assessed at the end of the campaign in 2018 to determine whether attitudes to seat belts and wearing rates have changed. But the transformation is already underway.

The public awareness campaign is being organised in close collaboration with the local authorities and civil society partners in Dushanbe dedicated to the Year of Youth in Tajikistan.

The EBRD is supporting the road safety and eco-drive project in Tajikistan as part of its overall commitment to safe and sustainable transport in alignment with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, and in collaboration with the ADB (Asian Development Bank) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Programme (CAREC).
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

The agreement between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on exchange of persons sentenced to imprisonment will come into force on January 12, 2018.

Previously, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Galymzhan Koishibayev met with Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kazakhstan Rashad Mammadov to discuss the issue, the press service of Kazakhstans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a message.

The sides swapped ratification documents of the Protocol on Amendments to the Treaty between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Azerbaijan on exchange of prisoners for further serving their sentence, during the meeting in the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.

The document was signed in Astana on August 7, 2007 and was ratified on December 26, 2013.

In accordance with clause 1 of the mentioned contract, the protocol will enter into force 30 days after the exchange of the documents. (on January 12, 2018).

Koishibayev has also honored Mammadov with a "25 years of the diplomatic service of the Republic of Kazakhstan" commemorative medal, in accordance with the order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec 14

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

The convention about Freedom of Association and Protection of the Rights has entered into force in Uzbekistan.

The document was signed on July 9, 1948 in San Francisco (USA) said the message from the Foreign Ministry.

Uzbekistan joining to this convention confirms its adherence to universally recognized norms for the protection of human rights, as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, which guarantees the right of every person to freedom of association.

The document forms the basis for the further development of trade unions, including on the basis of advanced international experience.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

By Azer Ahmadbayli  Trend:

On December 10, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani introduced the governments draft budget for the next fiscal year (starting March 20, 2018).

The governments general budget is estimated at about $105 billion.

The draft budget has projected the governments oil income at about $28.8 billion, a drop of 10.5 percent compared to the current years budget.

By missing a bit more than $3 billion of the oil money, Iranian cash box will not get depleted. Nevertheless, crude is the major source of Irans income, and the missing sum is not so small to ignore likely causes, which could be:

Natural drop of production

About 80 percent of Irans active fields are in their second half life and lose 8-12 percent of productivity every year. Iran says its old oil fields would lose 0.3 mb/d of productivity during 2017.

However, the country tries to compensate production decline in ageing reservoirs by drilling new wells and increasing gas re-injection. About 0.35 mb/d would be added from new fields, like Azar, oil layer of South Pars, West Karoon block, etc.

Irans oil output registered a fall in October by 11,300 barrels per day month-on-month, and stood at 3.823 million barrels per day (mb/d), OPEC said in its latest November report.

Anyway, this reason separately doesnt look real and decisive in an expected reduction of oil revenues.

Reducing oil output within OPEC+ Agreement

In December of 2016 in Vienna, OPEC together with 11 non-OPEC countries agreed to curtail oil output jointly by 558,000 barrels per day to boost the prices.

Iran was temporarily exempted from the agreement until its oil production would reach pre-sanction levels.

At its last meeting in late November, where it was concluded to extend the cut of oil production to 2018, OPEC decided to cancel special preferences for Iran. However, Iran has not officially confirmed its joining the OPEC+ deal.

Increase of production cost

By the end of 2016, on average, Iran's production cost (conventional onshore) was around $10 per barrel. It is a bit more than that of Saudi Arabia, but well lower than the majority of its oil rivals. In comparison with 2014-2015 the countrys cash cost per barrel has even decreased.

Fall of oil prices

Each year international oil organizations and experts usually provide forecasts of prices for the next year. This year the majority have been unanimous that in 2018 oil prices will remain in their current range that is $55-60 per barrel. There are those who predict $50-55. There are also optimists who believe prices could rise to $70. But in general, major price shocks are not expected.

It should be noted that Irans budgeted price per barrel is $55.

Fall of export

Iran's oil supply to world market is up to 2.5 million barrels a day. More than 60% of Irans crude is shipped to Asian countries and about 40% to Europe. Fall of supply could be caused by several sub-reasons.

For instance, beginning from April, India, Irans top oil client after China, sharply reduced oil imports from Iran as a result of a sudden standoff around awarding Farzad B gas field to Indian companies. Such contingencies should be taken into consideration.

Also, it is worthy to note a lack of spare reserves that were available last year. By the time when the nuclear agreement was signed, there were a number of Iranian oil tankers anchored close to its oil terminals storing large amounts of crude. Since sanctions were lifted Iran sharply increased exports. Currently, Iran has no such stocks and is selling oil extracted directly from the fields.

The increase of domestic consumption and plans to export oil products also can relatively affect possible reduce of crude exports. Iran has been a gasoline importer for years but recently the countrys domestic gasoline production has almost reached the consumption level. Iran also plans to build four new refineries and become gasoline exporter in the coming years.

Price dumping

To establish its previously lost positions in the international oil markets, Iran is willing to temporarily give up profits by selling oil at prices cheaper than its competitors.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

An Iranian official has said that removing banking and insurance obstacles would lead to further expansion of economic ties between his country and China.

Speaking about obstacles to cooperation in the banking and insurance sectors, the head of the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO Group), Mansour Moazami, said that removing such obstacles could create proper chances for cooperation between the two countries, the official website of IDRO reported.

He made the remarks during a ceremony for signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the IDRO Group and Chinas trade chamber on Thursday.

Calling on foreigners for cooperation with Iran, Moazami said Iran has a huge capacity for cooperation with China in the fields of industry, mine and trade.

IDRO can play a crucial role in opening Irans industrial gates for Chinese private sector, he added.

Back in November, China reportedly imposed further restrictions on banking ties with Iran.

Trade turnover between Iran and China stood at $30.4 billion in the first 10 months of 2017.
The BJP is set to secure 99-113 seats in the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly. The Congress is expected to improve its tally from 61 to somewhere between 68 and 82 seats. Others are likely to get 1-4 seats. The overall vote share of the BJP stands at 47 per cent in the exit poll against 42 per cent polled by the Congress. The others secured 11 per cent of the votes cast in the two phases of the Gujarat Assembly election. A party requires to win minimum 92 seats to attain majority in Gujarat Assembly.

The BJP is expected to win - as per Axis My India exit poll - 48 seats in the first phase of the polls. Eighty-nine seats went to the polls in the first phase in Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat on December 9.

The Congress is expected to win 40 seats in the first phase while others will win one seat. This means that the first phase of Gujarat Assembly election was much closer than a contest than 2012, when the BJP had won 63 of the 89 seats.

In the first phase, the BJP secured, as per exit poll, 46 per cent of votes while the Congress polled a close 43 per cent. The others got 11 per cent votes in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly election. A high 68 per cent voters' turnout was recorded in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly election.

In the second phase the BJP is expected to poll 48 per cent votes compared to 42 per cent by the Congress and 10 per cent by others. The BJP is set to win 58 of 93 seats that went to polls in the second phase while the Congress is expected to win 35 seats.

In Saurashtra the Congress is ahead the BJP with 49 per cent votes compared to 41 per cent polled by the BJP. The others are expected to poll 10 per cent votes. Correspondingly, the Congress is likely to win 30 seats in Saurashtra compared to 23 seats of the BJP. One seat is likely to be won by others.

In north Gujarat, excluding Ahmedabad, the Congress is again ahead of the BJP with 47 per cent vote share and 18 seats compared to 42 per cent votes and 14 seats that are expected to go the BJP's way. Others are likely to get 10 per cent votes but may not win any seat.

In Ahmedabad region, the BJP surged ahead of the Congress with 51 per cent votes and 15 seats compared to Congress's 39 per cent votes and six seats. The others secured 10 per cent votes but without winning a single seat.

In Central Gujarat, the BJP is likely to win 29 of 40 seats with 51 per cent vote share. The Congress is likely to trail with 39 per cent votes and 11 seats. The others secured 10 per cent vote but no seat.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Azerbaijan, where international conferences and meetings are repeatedly held, has become a country playing an important role on a regional and global scale.

As for Turkey, it acts as one of the key players at the regional level today. Due to its active policy in the region, today Turkey has established close political relations with both Russia and Iran.

Meanwhile, Armenia has just recently been regarding Russia and Iran as its main allies in the region. What Yerevan forgot is that neither Moscow nor Tehran have never really needed Armenia, which is still the weakest country in the South Caucasus. Moreover, the situation in Armenia is worsening day by day.

But, instead of meeting the vital needs of its miserable people, Armenias political elite prefers a policy of militarization, believing that this will help the country become a military power in the region.

However, Armenia is completely isolated from all energy, transport and other projects in the region due to its occupation policy.

The Armenian authorities have always looked for an excuse to create an artificial agenda to distract the attention of Armenian citizens suffering from economic problems.

Of course, the most convenient way to distract people from economic problems and be on the agenda of the world community is to "remind" about the Armenian-Turkish protocols.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said during his recent working visit to Greece that Armenia will welcome the spring of 2018 without the Armenian-Turkish protocols.

Nalbandian added that these documents can not remain on paper forever and therefore, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made the statement from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly in September 2017 that Armenia will annul the protocols as there is no progress in their implementation and the country will welcome the spring of 2018 without these protocols.

However, Nalbandian forgets that these protocols are not ratified due to Armenias occupation policy. At the same time, Armenia not only fights with Azerbaijan, but also puts forward territorial claims against Turkey. No country will agree to ratify agreements with any country that claims its territory.

Nalbandian understands that the issue of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict not only a "red line" for Azerbaijan, but also for Turkey. Ankara has always supported Baku in this issue. This is the position of not only the Turkish government, but also an unequivocal choice of the Turkish people.

One can say that Nalbandian's statement about the Armenian-Turkish protocols is nothing but an attempt to be on the agenda of the world community.

---

Rufiz Hafizoglu is the head of Trend Agency's Arabic news service, follow him on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Azer Ahmadbayli  Trend:

The shift of tectonic (geopolitical) plates in the Middle East has taken place. Decisions made in offices of several world powers and aimed at structural changes in an important and troubled region of the world begin to show its shape.

According to authors of the New Middle East project, the age-old conservatism of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a political regime in Iran are three factors, which have been slowing down progress in the region for decades and the world must find solution to resolve them.

The main orchestrator of radical changes in the Middle East is "a catalyst for global progress" - the US. The proof that the process has been launched is indicated by the specific facts.

Saudi Arabia needs changes. Without them, the country could continue rolling in money infinitely and at the same time be known as the most notorious Islamic radicals, keeping the country in the medieval times.

The young Saudi Crown prince has been convinced that this could end badly not only for the Royal house of al-Saud, but for the whole country and the region. The Prince heeded the arguments and launched real reforms in the state. His doctrine of moderate Islam, as well as giving women permission to drive a car or to hold position of a judge is truly revolutionary for this Muslim Arab monarchy. It seems that this is only the beginning.

The second problem is more chronic and complicated  finding the optimal solution to the best-known conflict in modern history. The international community adheres to the traditional approach in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, that is, the creation of two independent States with the division of Jerusalem.

The authors of the New Middle East suggest a different way, welcoming creation of a single state with a single capital, where both the Jews and the Arabs will coexist hopefully in peace.

In Palestine, in Israel and in the US there are opponents of such solution. However, the fact is clear  president Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. True, he made a slight proviso that the final status of Jerusalem is a matter that would be left, including the borders, to the parties to negotiate and decide, but to the international community the status quo has been violated.

Yesterday's extraordinary summit of the OIC has also made some points clear regarding future solution to the Palestinian problem. Quite remarkable is the fact that a number of Arab States, including the strongest Arab country and the richest Arab country  Egypt and Saudi Arabia - were not represented at the level of top officials.

The third serious problem that, by opinion of the projects writers, upsets the apple cart in the whole Middle East is the clerical regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which tries hard to spread its own ideology all over the region. It seems that the specific facts on this particular issue, proving the real existence of the new US initiative, will soon arise.

Do people need progress at any expense? The question remains relevant.
Details added (first version posted on 17:39)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Armenia must be held accountable for the crimes committed in Azerbaijans Khojaly town, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in response to a statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry regarding the Armenian-Turkish protocols Dec. 14.

The signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols was aimed at achieving peace and stability in the South Caucasus and ensuring the liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

"Armenia must immediately withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. Instead of making claims to Turkey regarding "genocide", Armenia must be held accountable for the crimes committed in Khojaly town.

According to the ministry, Turkey condemns Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandians statement about the Armenian-Turkish protocols as such statements are aimed at distorting the true essence and purpose of the protocols.

"The Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed to normalize relations between the two countries. However, the Constitutional Court of Armenia put forward a number of conditions on January 12, 2010 that contradicted the text and the purposes of the protocols," the ministry said.

Afterwards, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced about freezing the protocols on April 22, 2010, said the ministry.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers signed protocols on normalization of relations between the two countries on October 10, 2009. However, the protocols have not been ratified.

Turkey and Armenia severed diplomatic relations in 1993. Occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian Armed Forces and Yerevans claims to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide were the reasons for closing the Turkish-Armenian border in 1993.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning against the danger of sleepwalking into war, said on Thursday that Security Council resolutions on North Koreas nuclear and missile programs must be fully implemented by Pyongyang and other countries, Reuters reports.

Guterres made the comments to reporters after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo just days after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered to begin direct talks with North Korea without pre-conditions.

The White House said Wednesday that no negotiations could be held with North Korea until it improves its behavior. The White House has declined to say whether President Donald Trump, who has taken a tougher rhetorical line toward Pyongyang, gave approval to Tillersons overture.

It is very clear that the Security Council resolutions must be fully implemented first of all by North Korea but by all other countries whose role is crucial to ... achieve the result we all aim at, which is the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, Guterres said.

Guterres added that Security Council unity was also vital to allow for the possibility of diplomatic engagement that would allow denuclearisation to take place.

The worst possible thing that could happen is for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances, he said.

Japan says now is the time to keep up maximum pressure on Pyongyang, not start talks on the Norths missile and nuclear programs. China and Russia, however, have welcomed Tillersons overture.

Abe, who spoke to reporters with Guterres, reiterated that dialogue needed to be meaningful and aimed at denuclearisation.

We fully agreed that the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is indispensable for the peace and stability of the region, Abe said.
The White House and State Department both stated Wednesday that the US is not ready to begin talks with North Korea, a day after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had suggested the two sides could start negotiating without preconditions.

Tillerson's offer Tuesday to "sit down and see each other face to face" seemed to signal a shift in State Department policy, but US officials have since emphasized that North Korea has not yet demonstrated it is serious about talks or changing its behavior.

"We are open to the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, with the aim of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. But North Korea must first refrain from any further provocations and take sincere and meaningful actions toward denuclearization," a National Security Council spokesperson told CNN.

"As the secretary of state has said, this must include -- but is not limited to -- no further nuclear or missile tests," the spokesperson said, adding, "Given North Korea's most recent missile test, clearly now is not the time."

Tillerson's specific reference to "no preconditions" has raised questions as to whether a rift exists within the Trump administration over possible negotiations with Pyongyang.

"We've said from the diplomatic side, we're ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk," Tillerson said at the Atlantic Council in Washington on Tuesday, in what seemed to amount to a direct public invitation for North Korea to put aside an escalating cycle of tests and taunts to engage in diplomacy.

"We are ready to have the first meeting without precondition," Tillerson said. "Let's just meet, and we can talk about the weather if you want. Talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table, if that's what you are excited about. But can we at least sit down and see each other face to face, and then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map of what we might be willing to work towards."

The remarks are some of the most concrete issued by Tillerson on what talks with North Korea might look like.

"I think Tillerson is saying, we are prepared to talk, we are not putting any conditions," said Ambassador Joseph DeTrani, former US special envoy to North Korea.

"But when we sit at the table, please don't launch missiles, don't have nuclear tests and maybe we can see what you want, you can put your requirements on the table and then you could listen to us," he added.

ent Donald Trump over potential talks with Pyongyang. Earlier this year, Trump tweeted that Tillerson was "wasting his time" negotiating with North Korea.

When asked about Tillerson's Tuesday comments, the White House said, "The President's views on North Korea have not changed."
A senior United Nations human rights official on Thursday said he was investigating North Koreas allegations that a dozen restaurant workers who arrived in the South from China last year were abducted against their will, Reuters reports.

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, said he spent part of a four-day visit to Seoul looking into the claims surrounding the biggest mass defection case involving North Koreans in several years.

I have received testimony taken by people in my office that shows inconsistencies in what may have happened, Quintana told a news briefing.

North Korea says the 12 waitresses were abducted, and a manager who defected with them tricked them into making the journey. It has demanded the return of the women, but officials in Seoul say they traveled voluntarily and were admitted on humanitarian grounds.

Some of the workers are now university students, according to several sources who have met them, but all have kept a low profile and mystery still surrounds their trip.

Relatives in the North had also raised objections, Quintana added.

I was told the father of one of these women recently passed away without meeting his daughter, adding to a long list of victims who continue to pay the absurd cost of division, he said.

The briefing was briefly interrupted by Kim Ryon Hui, a woman who said she had been forcibly held in South Korea for seven years.

Quintana said he had met Kim the previous day, but did not have the authority to comment on human rights issues in South Korea.

North Korean officials have said the 12 waitresses and Kim must be allowed to return before they allow family visits to resume.

In an interview with Reuters in November, Kim said she first arrived in the South to seek a better job, without realizing her return home would be blocked by its laws that the government must approve visits to, or contact with, the North.
At least 14 security force members were killed in an ambush by Taliban militants in Helmand in the east of Afghanistan, Helmand Governor Hayatullah Hayat said Thursday, Tolo News reports.

He said the security force members were on a mission in a remote area of the province to arrest drug smugglers when they were attacked by the militant group.

He said security forces did not coordinate with relevant security institutions before heading to the mission.

More details will be added as they become available.
War must not be allowed to break out on the Korean peninsula and the issue must be resolved through talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the danger of sleepwalking into conflict, Reuters reports.

Xi made his comments to visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in just days after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered to begin direct talks with North Korea without pre-conditions.

But the White House said on Wednesday that no negotiations could be held with North Korea until it improved its behavior. The White House has declined to say whether President Donald Trump, who has taken a tougher rhetorical line toward North Korea, approved Tillersons overture.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tillersons offer of direct contacts with North Korea was a very good signal, while warning that a U.S. strike on the North would have catastrophic consequences.

North Korea tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range, in defiance of international pressure and U.N. sanctions.
At least 22 people were taken to the hospital after a crash involving a school bus and a tractor-trailer Wednesday morning in Highlands County, Florida, ABC Action News reported.

The school bus was carrying 39 students when it was traveling north on US 27 in the right lane, approaching Lake Ridge Drive around 7:42 a.m. Wednesday morning. At the same time, a tractor-trailer was traveling north on US 27 in the right lane, some distance behind the bus.

The bus came to a stop at Lake Ridge Drive to allow students to allow students to load the bus. FHP reports that the bus had its flashing lights on, warning other driver's that it was stopped, at the time of the crash.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Stanley Lockwood, 45, of Orlando, failed to stop in time and struck the rear end of the bus, according to FHP. The school bus was pushed onto the east shoulder of US 27 and overturned onto its left side.

FHP reports that two students were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries.

Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Lake Placid says they treated 20 patients from the crash, including the school bus driver. All of the patients treated at Florida Hospital Heartland were released after being treated for their non-life threatening injuries.

Officials with the Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Lake Placid say that only one student was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. They do believe that some of the second-impact injuries may have been prevented if more students were wearing seat belts.

A staging area for parents has been set up at the Winn Dixie parking lot on CR 29.

"Please do not come to the accident scene," HCSO posted on Facebook. "Stay in the staging area with your child until cleared to leave by a deputy."

Lockwood has been charged with careless driving.
German law enforcement agencies have carried out a counterterrorism operation in three federal states of Germany, Sputnik reported, citing local media.

The Bayerischer Rundfunk broadcaster reported, citing a representative of the German Federal Public Prosecution Office, that anti-terrorist raids had been conducted in Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.

During the operation, which targeted three men suspected of having links to a foreign terrorist group, the police reportedly carried out searches and confiscated their means of communication and a computer, among other items. The suspects are two Syrians and an Iraqi. In 2013, they supposedly joined a Syrian military unit, which was affiliated with the Jabhat Fatah al Sham terrorist group (formerly known as the Nusra Front).

According to the broadcaster, nobody was detained during the operation, while other details have not yet become available.

Germany remains on high alert, with Christmas markets considered to be sensitive locations and potential targets for extremists due to the many civilians present. On December 19, 2016, a truck was deliberately rammed into a Christmas market beside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at the Breitscheidplatz in Berlin. The terrorist attack killed 12 people and injured 56. The perpetrator was found to be a rejected asylum seeker from Tunisia who was killed in a shootout with police near Milan, Italy four days later. Daesh subsequently claimed responsibility for the terrorist act.

Meanwhile, prosecutors on December 12 charged a German officer Franco A. and his two accomplices, Maximilian T. and Mathias F. with plotting to kill senior politicians and blaming the attack on refugees in order to stir up anti-refugee sentiment.

"Motivated by nationalist ideas, he [Franco A.] planned to carry out an attack at an unknown time targeting high-ranking politicians and public figures who stood up for what the defendant regarded as an especially refugee-friendly policy," the prosecutors said.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas, Claudia Roth, the former vice president of the German parliament, and human rights activist Anetta Kahane were among the targets of the officer, who had prepared weapons for attacks, including by stealing them from the army's depots, the federal prosecutor's office added.

According to investigators, Franco A. had also illegally obtained refugee status in the migration service, introducing himself as a Syrian native, reportedly to implicate refugees in the planned attacks and stir up anti-refugee sentiment.
By Rahul Kanwal: The Bharatiya Janata Party has been able to ward off a Congress onslaught and is all set to retain its bastion of Gujarat, according to the results of the India Today-Axis-My-India exit poll.

The exit poll projects that the BJP will bag between 99-113 seats in the 182-seat state assembly. The Congress alliance is expected to bag between 68-82 seats. The BJP's vote share is projected to slip by 1% from 48% in 2012 to 47% in 2017, while the Congress is projected to bag 42% vote share which is 3% more than the party's vote share in the last election.

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The Axis-My-India exit poll shows major gains for the Congress in the 54 seats of Saurashtra and Kachchh and also in the 32 seats of North Gujarat but the BJP crosses the finishing line on the back of its strong performance in its traditional strongholds of South and Central Gujarat and also in the 21 seats of Ahmedabad district.

Gujarat seat share projection according to India Today My Axis India exit polls.

The region-wise break down of the exit poll explains why pundits and netas alike were picking up mixed signals during the Gujarat campaign.

While the Leva and Kadva Patels, Thakors, Kolis and Dalits have voted for the Congress in big numbers in Saurashtra and Kachchh and also in North Gujarat, the Congress was not able to find favour with these communities in Central and South Gujarat and in the 21 seats of Ahmedabad district.

The exit poll suggests that the Congress would have done better in South and Central Gujarat had it been able to stitch alliances with Hardik, Alpesh and Jignesh three to four months before the polls.

For the BJP, which has been in power in Gujarat since 1995, the 2017 election was a bruising battle. Anti-incumbency built up over 22 years did hurt the image of the saffron party in the 2017 elections but the pride associated with having a Gujarati as Prime Minister and a formidable election machine led by BJP President Amit Shah helped the BJP cross the finishing line.

Click here to Enlarge Party preference by voters according to constituencies: Gujarat

Interestingly, the Axis-My-India exit poll shows the Congress ahead of the BJP in terms of seat share in Saurashtra and Kachchh region and also in North Gujarat. Out of the 54 seats of Saurashtra and Kachchh, the Congress is shown leading in 30 seats while the BJP bags 23. In North Gujarat the Congress leads on 18 of the 32 seats in the region and the BJP leads on only 14.

The BJP has comfortable leads in Central and South Gujarat and in Ahmedabad. Out of the 40 seats of Central Gujarat the BJP is shown in the lead in 29 seats while the Congress leads in only 11. In the 35 seats of South Gujarat, the BJP leads on 25 seats while the Congress leads on only 10.

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What the exit poll shows is that GST and demonetisation did not hurt the BJP's prospects in urban areas. The BJP is projected to bag a whopping 42 out of the 55 seats of urban Gujarat. The traders of Gujarat may have been voicing their unhappiness with GST, but when it came to D-Day, they preferred to stick with the BJP.

Voter share based on geography.

The Congress is projected to bag only 13 urban seats. The party has been routed yet again in commercial centres like Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad.

The election was nail-biting in the 127 rural seats of Gujarat. Here the BJP bagged 64 seats, while the Congress picked up a commendable 62. In rural Gujarat the Congress and the BJP are tied at 45% vote share.

Region-wise seat share in Gujarat Assembly election according to India Today My Axis exit poll.

The caste-wise break down of the Gujarat exit poll throws up interesting insights into the mind of the Gujarati voter. Out of the 12 Leva Patel dominated seats of Gujarat, the Congress is shown in the lead on 8, while the BJP leads on 4. The Congress leads in three of the four Kadva Patel dominated seats in the state. This shows that the Hardik Patel factor did hurt the BJP's prospects on the Patidar dominated seats of the state which were earlier considered BJP strongholds.

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The alliance with Alpesh Thakore seems to have helped the Congress in the Thakor dominated seats of Gujarat. Axis My India shows the Congress in the lead in 13 out of the 25 Thakor dominated seats, while the BJP leads in 12.

Caste-wise voter distribution.

The BJP has registered a strong performance in 35 out off the the 52 OBC dominated seats of the state, while the Congress leads in only 16 OBC seats. The consolidation of Patidar votes in favour of the Congress in rural areas seems to have led to a counter consolidation of rival castes on those seats.

The other interesting insight is that the Patidar and Thakor agitation only had an impact in North Gujarat where Hardik and Alpesh come from. In South and Central both the Patidars and the Thakors sided with the BJP in large numbers.

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PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have been working hard on making in-roads into the tribal pockets of Gujarat. This strategy has paid rich dividends for the BJP. The BJP is shown in the lead in 17 out of the 28 tribal-dominated seats of Gujarat while the Congress leads in 11.

Alarmingly for the BJP, the party's hold on the youth voter seems to be slipping. The only age category where the Congress is ahead of the BJP is the 18-25 group where the Congress has 45% vote share in comparison with 44% support or the BJP.

Age-wise voter distribution.

It seems the troika of young leaders joining hands with Rahul Gandhi seems to have had some impact among the young voters of the state. The BJP's lead is highest among voters who are 60+ with 51% of the veterans preferring the BJP and only 37% picking the Congress. The gap between the BJP and the Congress narrows as one moves down the age spectrum.

Poll of exit polls

Similarly, support for the Congress is strongest among the uneducated voters, with 47% of them indicating support for the Congress vis 44% support for the BJP. Support for the BJP is highest among the graduates and post-graduates of the state, with more than 50% of the highly educated voters of the state indicating their support for the BJP.

For the Congress, which was not even considered to be in the race in the Gujarat polls, the exit poll suggests that the party has put up a stronger performance than in the last elections. But the voters have shown while Rahul Gandhi may have upped his game he still has a long way to go before being able to catch up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

VIDEO | India Today-Axis exit poll Gujarat 2017: BJP set to win for sixth consecutive time

--- ENDS ---
The Kremlin sees many worthy candidates in the upcoming Russian presidential race, but none of them can truly challenge the incumbent head of state, Vladimir Putin.

"We see many worthy people, but we see no rivals. From my point of view, there is still no real competitor for Putin, not even close," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 TV channel, TASS reported.

When asked who may head Putins campaign headquarters, Peskov replied that "Putin is yet to become a candidate, and, as a future candidate, he is yet to announce his decision."

"Thats why we have no such information so far," he added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

Trend:

The leaders of the EU member states adopted a political decision to extend the economic sanctions against Russia, which expire at the end of January 2018, Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, said Dec.14.

"The EU unanimously supports the extension of economic sanctions against Russia," Tusk posted on Twitter.

The EU introduced economic restrictive measures against Russia in summer 2014 against the background of the conflict in Ukraine and later expanded them.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura urged the conflicting sides to seek not only victory over Daesh terrorist group but also peace, describing the latest round of talks on Syrian settlement in Geneva a "big missed opportunity", Sputnik reported.

"I would conclude by saying a big missed opportunity, a golden opportunity at the end of this year, when in fact there is a clear indication by many sides that military operations are coming to close. The Daesh territory has reduced close to zero, but at the same time everybody knows that without a clear political process we risk to not have learned the lesson of Mosul and we risk to not have what should be winning the peace not only winning the war against Daesh," de Mistura said at a briefing on Thursday.

The UN Special Envoy said that Damascus delegation showed no desire to engage in direct talks with the Syrian opposition and had set a precondition by demanding to pressure the opposition delegation to withdraw Riyadh-2 communique.

"The government still insisted not wanting to meet the other side, the opposition because they felt that I should be imposing on the opposition to withdraw the statement, which was done by someone else, not all of them, there were others in Riyadh too. That obviously was not a logical approach because to me sounded again a precondition," de Mistura said at a briefing.

In November, the delegations of Syria's opposition movements held a conference in the Saudi capital. As a result, an unified delegation was formed for participation in the eighth round of the Geneva settlement negotiations. The conference issued a final communique that was criticized by Damascus, as the Syrian authorities claimed that the document included preconditions, such as the requirement of President Bashar Assad departure.

The Syrian opposition has been engaged in talks on all four baskets of issues during the talks, while the government focused only on one basket, de Mistura said.

"We did have bilateral discussions with both parties. We had seven meetings with the government and 11 - with the opposition. The opposition, in particular, was engaged with us on all four baskets: governance, constitutional process, elections and countering terrorism The government engaged with me only on terrorism," he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Russia may create a military base in Turkey within the sale and purchase agreements signed regarding Russian S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems, the Turkish media reported Dec. 14.

The Russian military base in Turkey may be created until 2019, according to the report.

After Turkey acquires the S-400 Triumph air defense systems, it is planned to deploy two missile batteries on the Turkish border with Syria, one battery in the Mediterranean region, and another one in Turkeys Black Sea Region.

Turkey will receive the first S-400 Triumph air defense systems from Russia in 2019.

Earlier, Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said that the control system of Russian S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems, to be acquired by Turkey from Russia, will be under the control of the Turkish side.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russia and Turkey are negotiating terms of a loan for the purchase of S-400 Triumph. Reportedly, Turkey will buy several S-400 Triumph systems for $2.5 billion, and has already transferred the first batch of payment.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey will provide Palestine with a $10 million grant for economic development, reads a mesage posted on the website of the Turkish "Official Gazette" (Resmi Gazete).

The message says that the agreement on the grant was signed between Palestine and Turkey on Sept. 17, 2017.

Reportedly, part of the funds from the grant provided by Turkey will be spent on reconstruction of infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

On Dec.13, Istanbul hosted an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the issue of Jerusalem.

East Jerusalem has been declared the capital of Palestine in a resolution adopted following the emergency summit.

The OIC also urged all countries to condemn the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Previously, US President Donald Trump proclaimed that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel proclaimed Jerusalem its capital after the end of the War of Independence in 1949. In 1967, after the Six Days War, it seized East Jerusalem and united it with the West Jerusalem, but the UN did not recognize this. Embassies of countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel are located mainly in Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Ramat Gan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

There are no problems regarding acquisition of Russian S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, the countrys media reported Dec. 14.

The minister noted that if needed, Russian specialists will be involved in the deployment of the S-400 Triumph air defense systems.

The minister also denied information about the creation of Russian military base in Turkey.

On Dec. 14, the Turkish media reported that Russia may create a military base in Turkey within the sale and purchase agreements signed regarding Russian S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems.

It was reported that the Russian military base in Turkey may be established until 2019.

After Turkey acquires the S-400 Triumph air defense systems, it is planned to deploy two missile batteries on the Turkish border with Syria, one battery in the Mediterranean region, and another one in Turkeys Black Sea Region.

Turkey will receive the first S-400 Triumph air defense systems from Russia in 2019.

Earlier, Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said that the control system of Russian S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems, to be acquired by Turkey from Russia, will be under the control of the Turkish side.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russia and Turkey are negotiating terms of a loan for the purchase of S-400 Triumph. Reportedly, Turkey will buy several S-400 Triumph systems for $2.5 billion, and has already transferred the first batch of payment.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Turkey on Thursday denounced a suicide attack on the Police Academy in Somalis capital Mogadishu that claimed the lives of at least 17 people, Anadolu reported.

"We strongly condemn this vicious terrorist attack that aims to undermine the security and stability of Somalia," said the Foreign Ministry on its website.

"We wish Gods mercy upon those who lost their lives in the attacks, convey our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Turkey will continue to stand by the Somali people and its Government in the fight against terrorism and support international efforts to this end."

The suicide bomber infiltrated police checkpoints and blew himself up on Thursday amid parade rehearsal for Dec. 20, the anniversary of Somalia's national police force.

"We can confirm that at least 17 people were killed and 17 others wounded after a suicide attack targeted General Kahiye Police Academy," Abdullahi Hamid, state minister for the office of the prime minister, told local media.

Somali militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
By Mohammad Gharebag, KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2017 - 16:58 | World, All

A month after the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck Iran's western province of Kermanshah, killing at least 620 people and injured more than 9,000, miraculous stories of survival against the odds continue to emerge.

In Sarpol e Zahab, the hardest-hit city, thousands of people are still living in tents next to the debris of their former homes. Many people, seeking to forget the pain of their continued displacement, are talking about one couple in particular with an incredible tale of luck and perseverance.

Speaking to Kyodo News, Faranak Karimi, 23, who was stuck under the debris of a two-story building for 16 hours, recounted her survival and reunion with her husband "only because of faith in the power of love."

Faranak and her husband Payam Karimi, 24, got married about four years ago. They were enjoying the positive result of Faranak's pregnancy test which was announced by her doctor two weeks before the quake and they were planning for a "shining birthdate and future" for their baby.

Just before the quake struck at 9:48 p.m. on Nov. 12, Faranak was watching television and she was alone in the dining room while Payam was talking with a friend near their house.

"I felt a huge shock in the ground and I tried to escape from the building but something hard hit my back and I fell down in front of the bedroom. I didn't lose consciousness and felt the crashing and collapsing of the entire building on myself," Faranak said.

"A big girder collapsed on my body but stopped just before squishing me. It stopped only one or two centimeters away from my head. That girder stopped other stones and saved my life while I was stuck in a half-meter space and my legs were under debris," she added.

While Faranak was stuck under the debris, Payam just arrived but he could not distinguish their house because of the huge devastation in their neighborhood.

Fooldai district, where they live, is the most damaged area of Sarpol e Zahab because of its old structures. Dozens of people died there in the quake.

"Everywhere was destroyed. Firstly I couldn't find our house but later based on some familiar signs I was able to distinguish it. It was a hill of debris," Payam said.

Payam climbed the hill of debris and started calling out for his wife while he was trying in vain to move heavy stones and beams.

A few hours later some family members and a friend joined him in searching but even their collective efforts hardly produced results.

"All the time that Payam and others were searching for me I could hear them. I was answering them, shouting their names but they couldn't hear me," Faranak said.

"It was around 3:30 a.m. that the Red Crescent's rescue team arrived at our house with two dogs and searched everywhere but they couldn't find my wife. They thought she had died," Payam said.

Payam continued calling out her name, turning over debris until sunrise, when more rescuers arrived and tried to convince him of his wife's death so they could clear the debris with heavy equipment.

"I was hearing all their discussions, they were trying to convince Payam about my death. Even my uncle offered to prepare a grave for my body...but fortunately Payam didn't believe them," Faranak said.

Faranak herself prepared for death if they rejected her husband's pleas.

"I didn't want to die and I was asking God to donate me a new life only for my baby," Faranak said.

Around 7:30 a.m., a rescue team finally lost patience with Payam and decided to remove the rubble and debris over his objections. A bulldozer driver started his giant machine on and tried to move toward the debris but he found Payam standing in his way.

"I asked God to show me a miracle and bring back my love. Completely unintentionally I was standing in the way of the bulldozer. I raised my hand and shouted at him to turn off the machine," Payam said.

Payam climbed on the debris one more time and moved some stones and bricks and found a "dark and deep hole." Once again, he called his wife's name twice, but this time he heard a faint reply. It was Faranak, who was calling Payam's name very slowly.

Payam was "very happy and excited" and told the rescue team that his wife is alive but no one believed him. They asked Payam to stop wasting their time.

Payam demanded everyone to try for themselves. Some from the rescue team climbed the debris and called out to Faranak in the same hole, and they too heard her reply.

"Suddenly, happiness and hope came back to all the people who were waiting there. The rescue team decided on another plan and they started to widen the hole by hand, not with machines," said Salar Rostami, who witnessed the rescue.

"I felt Payam when he was moving on the debris and I could hear him more clearly when he moved some debris. I thought maybe this is my last chance then I tried to reply as strong as I could but I had become really weak. Eventually, I answered him and clarified the exact place which I was trapped," Faranak said.

"I'm here, in front of your sister's bedroom," Faranak told Payam and the rescue team.

After being pulled out alive, a helicopter took her and Payam to a hospital in Kermanshah for a health check, where doctors told them their unborn baby is still alive and that Faranak did not suffer serious injury.

Although Faranak still has trouble sleeping in a room or tent due to lingering claustrophobia caused by her ordeal, the couple are very happy that both are alive.

About two years ago, Faranak nearly lost Payam in a traffic accident. "He was in a coma for months and I was feeding him with a dropper but I never gave up and God gave him back. Now Payam returned the favor by saving my life," Faranak said.

"Our survival is very meaningful and the only reason for it is faith in the power of love. From now on we should plan for our future and the birth of our baby even though we don't have a house or a penny. But we are hopeful," Faranak said.
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2017 - 11:23 | All

Japan will contribute about $2.9 billion to programs to combat infectious disease and treat young children in developing countries in pursuit of universal health coverage, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday at an international forum on the topic in Tokyo.

Universal health coverage -- ensuring that every person can obtain the health care services they need without suffering financial hardship -- is part of the sustainable development goals U.N. members aim to achieve by 2030.

Abe made the announcement alongside U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and world leaders attending the Universal Health Coverage Forum, organized by the Japanese government and international organizations including the World Bank and World Health Organization.

"We will give our all to building a global framework to promote UHC, together with Secretary General Guterres and other world leaders," Abe said.

Abe also proposed a new interim universal health coverage target: that 1 billion more people are able to receive basic health services by 2023.

At present, the WHO aims to ensure by 2030 that 80 percent of the population of developing countries have access to basic health services and that no one falls into poverty due to out-of-pocket expenses on health care.

Guterres praised Japan's funding commitment and called for further integration between the public and private sectors suited to each country's needs to combat "gross inequity" persisting in health care.

"Out-of-pocket spending on health causes an estimated 100 million people to fall below the poverty line every year, and in an increasingly interconnected world, an evolving global health landscape gives rise to new threats," Guterres said.

The U.N. General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting on universal health coverage next year, and has declared Dec. 12 Universal Health Coverage Day.

Senegalese President Macky Sall, Myanmar President Htin Kyaw and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus were among participants in the forum, each underscoring the importance of each country making a commitment to health systems that reach underserved people.

"It takes unwavering political commitment because it is a political choice, but the price is a healthier, safer and fairer world for all people," Tedros said.

Abe said Japan can contribute its particular experience with health coverage for aging populations to other countries.

He also announced that Tokyo will host a nutrition forum in 2020 on ensuring stable food supply.
KYODO NEWS - Dec 14, 2017 - 20:52 | All

Children with African roots in Japan protested on Thursday over a remark by lawmaker Kozo Yamamoto in November in which he questioned why a fellow ruling party member involved in exchanges with African countries liked "such a black thing."

Forty-two children and young people belonging to the African Kids Club of nonprofit organization Africa Japan Forum sent an open letter to Yamamoto, saying, "We are extremely disappointed to hear such a statement and strongly protest against this kind of behavior."

The House of Representatives member, who formerly served as regional revitalization minister, made the comment during a meeting in Kitakyushu on Nov. 23, referring to fellow Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Asahiko Mihara, who has long been involved in exchanges with African nations.

Yamamoto also said during the meeting when introducing Mihara, "What I can't understand is his passion for Africa."

The children said in the letter Yamamoto made "a racist remark" and spoke "with contempt."

"Such a remark being presented by a parliamentarian and by an ex-minister will cause distrust towards Japan among African nations, and even on a much larger global scale," they said, requesting his sincere apology and a chance to directly talk to the lawmaker.
In clear indication that the Modi wave has not waned a bit in the Prime Minister's home state, the ruling BJP is way past the majority mark of 92 in the 182-member state Assembly.

BJP is set to retain Gujarat for the sixth straight term and win Himachal Pradesh with a thumping majority.

By India Today Web Desk: The golden run of the BJP continues with the party set to retain Gujarat for the sixth straight term and win Himachal Pradesh with a thumping majority, according to the results of most exit polls declared as soon as the last vote was polled in Gujarat today.

In clear indication that the Modi wave has not waned a bit in the Prime Minister's home state, the ruling BJP is way past the majority mark of 92 in the 182-member state Assembly.

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The Hardik Patel-Jignesh Mewani-Alpesh Thakor trio has given the Congress a boost in Gujarat but that is clearly not enough to take it anywhere close to the halfway mark. Most exit polls suggest the Congress will fall short of majority by at least 10 seats in the best case scenario. In the worst case scenario, the Congress is expected to win about 65 seats.

The BJP, facing a two-decade anti-incumbency and a resurgent Congress party, will comfortably get a majority, all polls suggest so. The Hardik Patel-led reservation agitation had stirred rural and semi-urban Gujarat with Patels rising against the BJP. Jignesh Mewani was leading a new Dalit movement against the BJP's rule. Alpesh Thakor, who fought the election on the Congress symbol, was expected to break the BJP's OBC vote reserve.

If the exit polls are any indication, the Modi magic has managed to suppress the anti-incumbency wave as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the campaign from front.

HERE'S WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT GUJARAT:

In Gujarat, India Today-Axis predicts 99-113 seats for BJP and 68-82 for Congress; Times Now-VMR gives BJP 109 seats and Congress 70; News 18-C Voter predicts a BJP win with 108 seats; News X predicts 110-120 seats for the BJP; Republic TV has BJP at 115 and Congress at 65; Sahara predicts 110-120 seats for BJP and 65-75 seats for Congress. The ABP-CSDS survey by ABP News predicted a BJP victory in 117 seats as against the Congress's 64.

In the 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others, six.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

In Himachal Pradesh, India Today-Axis predicts 47-55 seats for BJP and 13-20 for Congress; Zee News-Axis predicts 51 for BJP and 17 for Congress; News Nation predicts 43-47 for BJP and 19-23 for Congress; News X predicts 42-50 for BJP and 18-24 for Congress, and the Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat gave the BJP 41 and the Congress 25.

The Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat gave the BJP 41 and the Congress 25, while the survey by ABP-CSDS in Himachal Pradesh showed the BJP may get 38 and the Congress 29. The poll by News24-Chanakya predicted 55 for the BJP and 13 for the Congress.

Poll of exit polls for Gujarat Assembly Election 2017. Poll of exit polls for Gujarat Assembly Election 2017.

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WATCH | India Today-Axis exit poll Gujarat 2017: BJP set to win for sixth consecutive time

--- ENDS ---
By Mohammad Gharebag, KYODO NEWS - Dec 15, 2017 - 00:48 | World, All

Amid indications that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump may be ready to walk away from a 2015 deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear activities, a senior Iranian official says that Tehran is "fully prepared" for that eventuality, but he warned that its collapse could jeopardize regional stability.

"It's up to the U.S. government and Mr. Trump. If he feels that the Middle East will be a better place without (the nuclear deal), then he can try it," Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, told Kyodo News in an interview Wednesday in Vienna.

Speaking a day after a meeting in Vienna of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the landmark deal is formally called, Araghchi said his ministry and the Iran Atomic Energy Organization already have instructions on how to react if the U.S. government pulls out.

His remarks came just days after U.S. media reports that Trump, irked at the U.S. Congress for not implementing new nuclear sanctions against Iran, will likely pull the United States out of the deal entirely when it comes up for recertification on Jan. 13, under a law that requires him to waive such sanctions regularly.

In October, he refused to recertify it, accusing Iran of violating the spirit of the agreement, alleging its support for terrorism across Middle East and vowing never to allow it to acquire nuclear weapons.

Under the painstakingly negotiated agreement that Iran signed in July 2015 with United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia, as well as the European Union, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear activities such as uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of crippling economic and financial sanctions.

Trump has repeatedly called the deal signed during the preceding administration an "embarrassment." While campaigning for the presidency, he vowed to scrap it if elected -- though other parties dispute his authority to do so unilaterally.

Since taking office in January, however, Trump has suggested it could be renegotiated to include limits on Iran's missile capabilities.

"The nuclear deal is not renegotiable and also it's not possible to open and add anything else to it," Araghchi said, while noting that the deal was unanimously endorsed by the U.N. Security Council and that the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran's compliance with its obligations.

Regarding ongoing back-and-forth between Trump and the U.S. Congress over the deal and over Trump's push to ramp up sanctions on Iran, the deputy foreign minister said, "This has nothing to do with us. What is important for us is U.S. full compliance."

Araghchi said the U.S. delegation assured the Joint Commission that the United States remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the deal, even as it has imposed sanctions against Iran since implementation began and is mulling even more.

He accused Washington of also violating the spirit of the deal by creating an atmosphere of "confusion" and "uncertainty" around it, which has rattled foreign companies operating in Iran and frightened off potential investors.

The commission that met in Vienna is responsible for overseeing the deal's implementation, including the sanctions-lifting process, and dealing with complaints raised by the parties.

It was agreed Wednesday to hold the next meeting in April, Araghchi said.

The European Union has rebuffed Trump's call for the deal, which culminated 12 years of EU-facilitated diplomacy, to be renegotiated, insisting it is "working."

EU foreign ministers warned last October that its collapse could have serious security implications, while also undermining efforts to get North Korea to freeze its nuclear and missile development programs.
Isotope research could help steer the conservation of many threatened species

University of Cincinnati professor Brooke Crowley wanted to know the hunting range of the Henst's goshawk, a large forest-dwelling bird of prey that ambushes small animals.

Henst's goshawks are difficult to find because of the rugged, inaccessible forest where they live. Little is known about their population. But because of their limited distribution, they are listed as near-threatened with extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Locating even a single goshawk nest required weeks of exploration by Crowley's research collaborators.

So Crowley decided to conduct an elemental analysis using strontium, naturally occurring isotopes found everywhere on Earth that travel the food chain from the soil to plants to herbivores and predators.

Specifically, Crowley compared the ratio of strontium 86 and strontium 87 isotopes in rainforest leaves collected across Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park to isotopes found in the remains of 19 partially consumed lemurs collected in or around goshawk nests to learn where the birds of prey were hunting.

Crowley, an associate professor of geology and anthropology at UC's McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, found that goshawks appeared to hunt almost exclusively at lower elevations in forest that is most at risk to agriculture and other human impacts.

The findings could help steer conservation efforts for goshawks and other vulnerable species.

"It's hard to observe goshawk behavior in the wild. This is a good, indirect way of tracking habitat use," Crowley said.

Her findings were published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin.

Crowley has been to Madagascar four times for various research projects. For this study, she partnered with an eclectic team of experts, including wildlife biologist Sarah Karpanty, an associate professor at Virginia Tech, who conducted fieldwork on goshawks for her dissertation. (Her brother, Jeff Karpanty, is a UC graduate.)

Karpanty scoured Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park, which protects 160 square miles of mountainous rainforest. The park is rich in biodiversity with more than a dozen kinds of lemur, primates found only in Madagascar. The park varies in elevation from 1,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level, which provides a variety of habitats for its many plants and animals.

But between the mountainous terrain and frequent drenching rains, finding even a single goshawk was a challenge.

"It's not easy. You have to cover a lot of ground on foot. You're in remote sections of Madagascar. So you try to get to high points where you can watch where birds are flying," Karpanty said.

Used in falconry since the Middle Ages, goshawks have a telltale white stripe over their eyes that gives them an especially fierce countenance. Goshawks inhabit dense forests on six continents, taking advantage of cover to ambush prey from small animals to other birds. Their short wings and long, rudder-like tails make them supremely adapted to maneuvering through the tree canopy.

"They rely on surprise," Karpanty said. "They live in dense, older forest. They sit and wait and then go into a quick dive after prey. They can tuck their wings to get through narrow gaps in the forest."

Goshawks are at the top of the food chain wherever they are found. Having good numbers of apex predators is a sign of a healthy or intact ecosystem.

Karpanty donned rappelling gear to climb 40 feet into abandoned nests after nesting season to see what Henst's goshawks were eating. They used a slingshot to fire a fishing line over a sturdy branch to rig the climbing ropes.

"I practiced climbing a lot at gyms. I was young, childless at the time and fearless!" Karpanty said. "My guides were really good with the slingshot."

Not surprisingly, she found the skeletal remains of several kinds of small lemur.

Conventional tracking methods of tracking wildlife such as using radio-telemetry were impractical in the park's rugged terrain, she said.

"We radio-tagged some birds but were unsuccessful in tracking them," Karpanty said. "You have to do everything by foot so we'd lose the birds all the time. From our radio-transmitter data alone, we couldn't know the extent of their range."

Karpanty sent Crowley bones from 19 lemurs she found at four goshawk nests.

Crowley also enlisted the help of lemur expert Andrea Baden, an assistant professor at Hunter College. Baden studies anthropological biology and has spent years following endangered lemurs in Ranomafana and other parts of Madagascar.

"It's tough. We're working in montane rainforest. A lot of people have a misconception that all tropical rainforests are hot. But this is cold and rainy. You'll have months of nonstop rain. Everything is damp constantly," Baden said.

Crowley has also explored this park on Madagascar's verdant eastern coast.

"The cold and wet got to me quickly," Crowley added. "I deeply respect the people who go into the forest and live there among the lemurs. I couldn't do it."

Baden studied a variety of lemurs, in particular the critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemur.

"It's cat-sized. They're comical to watch. They'll come down to check you out and cock their heads to one side like a dog," Baden said.

Lemurs navigate the forest from the treetops. But the terrain is harder for their two-legged relatives on the ground.

"You'll be following animals and they can keep going in the trees, but you run into a cliff edge and you're stuck," she said.

"Lemurs are the most endangered mammals in the world," Baden said. "Unfortunately, what's left of the forest in Madagascar are these higher-elevation places because nobody can use them for agriculture."

Philip Slater of the University of Illinois and primatologist Summer Arrigo-Nelson with the California Institute of Pennsylvania also contributed to the study.

Baden and Arrigo-Nelson collected leaf and fruit samples of plants the lemurs were observed eating in different habitats and elevations in Ranomafana, recorded their location and shipped the dried specimens to Crowley for strontium analysis.

Researchers measured the ratio of strontium 86 and strontium 87 isotopes in lemur bones and the leaves collected from different forest habitats. These isotopes are released to varying degrees into streams and soil from the weathering of rocks. Plants absorb the strontium with other nutrients in the soil. Strontium then gets absorbed by animals when they eat the plants. In this way, the widely varying ratios of strontium isotopes creates a unique geographic signature.

By measuring strontium in lemurs and the many diverse habitats of the park, Crowley could infer where goshawks caught their prey.

Crowley used a similar analysis to track the movement of extinct mammoths and mastodons that roamed what is now Ohio.

Crowley said her findings suggest that vulnerable species could be susceptible to development pressures even in large parks such as Ranomafana, which is nearly 40 percent bigger than Ohio's biggest protected area, Shawnee State Forest.

"We make population estimates based on the area of protected land, assuming that animals are equally distributed over that space," Crowley said. "We may be protecting land that animals may not be able to use."

The study concluded that conserving and restoring lowland forest could be critical for the survival of goshawks on the island.

The research was funded in part by grants from the Fulbright Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Leakey Foundation, Primate Conservation, Inc., and the National Geographic Society.

Lemur expert Baden said the study's findings support what she has observed firsthand about lemurs and their predators. Improving or restoring habitat for goshawks will help endangered lemurs, too, she said.

"Lemurs are in trouble. They're in dire straits," Baden said.

Habitat loss is the biggest cause of their decline. And now there is an emerging threat: the bushmeat trade.

"The Malagasy people have a taboo against hunting lemurs. It's related to ancestor worship. They long believed that lemurs resembled their ancestors," Baden said.

Still, a 2016 study published in the journal PLOS One found widespread consumption of bushmeat. And for at least some of the Madagascar families surveyed, lemur was on the household menu, the study found.

Worse, because of its rich deposits of precious metals such as gold and other natural resources, Madagascar has been called "the next El Dorado." Foreign workers employed by mining companies have no cultural prohibitions against eating lemurs or other forest animals they poach, Baden said.

"Those taboos just fall apart. So now we're seeing a bigger bushmeat trade that is completely unsustainable," Baden said.

Karpanty said Madagascar can enlist the help of the goshawk for future conservation efforts. Predators such as bald eagles make good ambassadors for wildlife conservation, Karpanty said.

"It's easier to motivate people to conservation action when you're talking about interesting top predators," Karpanty said. "In this case you have an endangered predator and endangered prey, the lemurs. It highlights the fragility of the ecosystem."

###
The Republican tax plans are being billed as a boon for hard-working middle-class Americans.

But analysts have pointed out that the proposed tax plans from the House and Senate will also give a boost to the wealthiest in the country.

We estimated how tax reform will affect single, childless taxpayers who make between $300,000 and $10 million a year.

Republican leaders reached an agreement on their final tax bill on Wednesday, making it look more likely that tax reform will be passed before the end of the year.

This final bill is the product of a conference committee to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions that Republicans in those chambers passed. The text of the bill, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, has not yet been released and will still need to be evaluated by congressional scorekeepers like the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Tax reform is being billed as a boon for America's middle class by Republicans and the White House. But many have pointed out that a number of changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act give a few boosts to the wealthiest in the country.

We were curious to see how the proposed changes to the tax brackets and the proposed eliminations of many itemized deductions might change the amount of taxes owed by wealthy Americans in 2018, so we ran the numbers ourselves.

Our original analysis in early December compared the current system, the House's proposal, and the Senate's proposal. But party leaders have reached an agreement on a bill that reportedly has slight changes from those versions, including to the top individual tax bracket. It would drop to 37% from the current 39.6%, instead of the 38.5% proposed in the Senate version.

We have updated our analysis to compare the current system, the Senate's original proposal, and the conference committee's version. Comparing the differences between the Senate's proposal and the conference committee's proposal is especially useful, since only the top tax bracket is different.

Story continues

READ MORE: Here's what Trump's tax plan means if you're making $25,000, $75,000, or $175,000 a year

First up, here's how tax reform would affect a single, childless taxpayer earning $300,000 a year:

tax changes conference 300k

Andy Kiersz/Business Insider

Next, here's how tax reform would affect a single, childless taxpayer earning $500,000 a year:

tax changes conference 500k

Andy Kiersz/Business Insider

Next, here's how tax reform would affect a single, childless taxpayer earning $1 million a year:

tax changes conference 1m

Andy Kiersz/Business Insider

And finally, here's how tax reform would affect a single, childless taxpayer earning $10 million a year:

tax changes conference 10m

Andy Kiersz/Business Insider

For our calculations, we assumed each theoretical taxpayer would itemize deductions and not be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. (More on why we made these assumptions below.)

How tax reform could affect a wealthy, single, childless taxpayer under the Senate Republican's tax plan

$300,000 household income: estimated annual tax increase of $1,491.

$500,000 household income: estimated annual tax increase of $7,841.

$1 million household income: estimated annual tax savings of $9,758.

$10 million household income: estimated annual tax savings of $222,004.

How tax reform could affect a wealthy, single, childless taxpayer under the conference committee's tax plan

$300,000 household income: estimated annual tax increase of $1,491.

$500,000 household income: estimated annual tax increase of $7,841.

$1 million household income: estimated annual tax savings of $16,547.

$10 million household income: estimated annual tax savings of $361,435.

Most Americans will see a slight increase in their take-home pay under the current proposals. But all of that may change as many provisions are set to expire. Some analysts have said that nearly half of Americans would see a tax increase if that happens.

Exactly how much taxpayers will save if Republicans succeed in overhauling the US tax code will depend on many factors.

It's noteworthy that even just from the changes to the tax brackets and the eliminations of deductions, very wealthy households, including President Donald Trump, stand to benefit handsomely from the plan. But, in our estimates, those making around $200,000 to $500,000 would benefit less from the proposed changes to the tax brackets and deductions.

Another interesting detail is the tweak to the top individual tax bracket proposed by the conference committee. That change to 37% from the Senate's proposed 38.5% could give a huge boost to ultra-wealthy Americans, but doesn't change anything for those earning around $200,000 to $500,000.

How we arrived at these numbers

Calculating taxes is complicated.

And it gets even more complex the higher your household income becomes. High earners may make money in ways that go beyond a traditional salary, such as through investment returns or real estate income.

The eligibility to claim different deductions also varies from person to person. (We know, because we tried a bunch of combinations while calculating these examples.) So, we tried to use only the deductions that the vast majority of people under a given income bracket actually use, according to the most recent IRS data.

We focused specifically on the potential changes to the amount of taxes owed by different income groups if the proposed changes to the tax brackets and the proposed elimination of deductions were to go into effect.

To put together the charts, we made the following assumptions to capture what would happen to a "typical" individual earning $300,000, $500,000, $1 million, or $10 million:

We assume the person is single and has no children.

We assume that all income comes from the person's salary. (In reality, some of that $10 million might come from stocks, real estate, or another source that could be treated differently for tax purposes.)

We assume the person will itemize deductions in 2017 and in 2018. Over 90% of taxpayers who earn more than $200,000 a year itemize their deductions, according to the IRS.

The itemized deduction amount we used for the "current system" is the average total itemized deduction for income groups in the $200,000-$500,000, $500,000-$1 million, and $1 million+ ranges reported in the most recent CRS analysis of the IRS's statistics of income data for 2014.

The House and Senate proposals eliminate many deductions, so instead of using the average total deduction amount, we broke down deductions by category. Both plans keep the charitable deduction and the property tax deduction (capped at $10,000). We assume our taxpayers will use both of those deductions, and will max out the property tax one. The amount we used for each deduction is the average reported in the CRS analysis of the IRS's statistics of income data for 2014.

The Senate's plan keeps the mortgage interest rate deduction up to $1 million, while the House's plan caps it at $500,000. For simplicity sake, we assume that our taxpayers will use the full amount of the deduction under the Senate's plan, and half that amount under the House plan. This is not the most nuanced way to do it, but we wanted to represent the difference between the proposals somehow. Again, the amount we used for the mortgage interest deduction is the average reported in the CRS analysis of the IRS's statistics of income data for 2014.

The Senate also keeps the deduction for medical expenses. But only 1-3% of people who earn over $200,000 a year claim that deduction, according to the IRS. For this reason, we decided not to use this deduction in our calculations.

We did not factor in the alternative minimum tax (AMT), which prevents wealthy taxpayers from using too many tax breaks. While it primarily hits people earning over $500,000, only about 1% of single taxpayers are subject to the AMT. (Trump's leaked tax bill from 2005 increased to $36.5 million from $5.3 million because of AMT.)

We omitted smaller details that might benefit wealthy people because they don't necessarily represent the "typical" single taxpayer in our examples. Those benefits include: the fact that private school tuition could be paid through a 529 plan; the carried interest provision, which allows fund managers to access a loophole to pay a lower tax rate on investment profits; and the fact that the stock market might soar thanks to the one-time repatriation tax.

To save time, we ran the calculations for our current system using H&R Block's tax calculator, but manually calculated estimates for the Senate and House proposals.

All the estimates for the House and Senate proposals are based on the latest iterations of the two proposals as of December 8.

Just in case all of that above doesn't make it clear, this article is not a comprehensive list of what will happen to your taxes if you earn an income of $300,000, $500,000, $1 million, or $10 million. Contact your tax adviser for advice catered to your specific situation.

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FILE PHOTO - Australia's new Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Philip Lowe speaks at a parliamentary economics committee meeting in Sydney, September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Reed

By Swati Pandey and Wayne Cole

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The fascination with virtual currencies feels more like a "speculative mania", the head of Australia's central bank said on Wednesday, just days after the launch of the world's first bitcoin futures.

Bitcoin, the world's biggest and best-known cryptocurrency, surged past $17,000 on Tuesday to an all-time high, an almost 20-fold increase in its price this year. <BTC=BTSP>

Wild gyrations of 10-30 percent in a single day is quite common in bitcoin, which was last up 1.5 percent at $16,900. Investors have increasingly grown optimistic that the $20,000-mark is now within reach.

To tap in to the rapidly rising investor interest, Chicago-based derivatives exchange CBOE Global Markets began futures trading in bitcoins on Sunday, while the CME Group is expected to launch its contracts on Dec. 17 .

But Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Philip Lowe said it was hard to see bitcoins being used for everyday transactions.

"When thought of purely as a payment instrument, it seems more likely to be attractive to those who want to make transactions in the black or illegal economy, rather than everyday transactions," Lowe said in the speech titled "An eAUD?"

"The value of bitcoin is very volatile, the number of payments that can currently be handled is very low, there are governance problems, the transaction cost involved in making a payment with bitcoin is very high and the estimates of the electricity used in the process of mining the coins are staggering."

The comments come days after his New Zealand counterpart said bitcoin appeared to be a "classic case" of a bubble, and cast doubt on its future.

"Bitcoin is to me very much like gold," Grant Spencer, acting governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, told a local television program. "It's mined, it has a fixed quantity and the price is very volatile."

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"I think a cryptocurrency that has a more stable value will be the sort of cryptocurrency that is more useful for the future," Spencer said.

"I think they are part of the future. But not the sort that we see in bitcoin."

South Korea's government has called an emergency meeting to discuss the trading of cryptocurrencies, and measures on the market will be announced on Friday, a central bank official said on Wednesday.

South Korea is among the world's biggest bitcoin markets.

On some days, daily bitcoin volume has surpassed that of the nation's small-cap Kosdaq share index, which has a market value of 271 trillion won ($248.6 billion), according to the government.

DIGITAL BANKNOTES

Lowe noted the form that money takes has come a long way from clam shells, stones and even rum to metal coins and paper banknotes, and expects this innovation to continue.

The RBA itself is open to the idea of issuing a new form of digital money, perhaps using distributed ledger technology on which bitcoins function.

But the case for doing that has not yet been established, Lowe said, adding the central bank has no immediate plans to issue an electronic form of Australian dollar banknotes, or eAUDs.

"The history of private issuance is one of periodic panic and instability," he added.

"In times of uncertainty and stress, people don't want to hold privately issued fiat money. This is one reason why today physical banknotes are backed by central banks."

The RBA is in close contact with its peers in other countries about introducing digital money.

While a privately issued eAUD is conceivable, history has shown there are "significant difficulties and dangers" associated with privately issued fiat money, Lowe said.

"Few see electronic banknotes on the horizon."

(Reporting by Swati Pandey and Wayne Cole; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
By PTI: Los Angeles, Dec 14 (PTI) A spokesperson for Harvey Weinstein has responded to actor Salma Hayeks op-ed in the New York Times in which she has detailed the disgraced producers inappropriate behaviour during the making of 2002 film "Frida".

Hayek said Weinstein made her life hell during the making of the film and she had to repeatedly rebuff his advances.

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To save the film from being shut, Hayek agreed to do a "senseless" sex scene with actor Ashley Judd, who was one of the first women to accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

Weinstein, via his representative, has admitted that there was "creative friction" during the making of the film but denied asking for sexual favours in return.

Calling Hayek "a first-class actress", Weinstein said he chose the actor over Jennifer Lopez, who was interested in playing Frida Kahlo and was a bigger star at that time.

"Mr Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms Hayek with Geoffrey Rush.

"All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired," the statement read.

Defending his "boorish behaviour following a screening of "Frida", Weinstein said it was prompted by his disappointment in the cut of the movie

"...and a reason he took a firm hand in the final edit, alongside the very skilled director Julie Taymor."

Hayek has also accused Weinstein of demanding script rewrite at the last minute and not even giving credit to Ed Norton.

But Weinstein said he battled the Writers Guild of America to get him a credit but was unsuccessful.

Weinstein, considered one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood, has been thrown out of his own company after the New York Times and the New Yorker took the lid off of his decades of sexual misconduct.

The expose prompted more than fifty women, including prominent Hollywood stars, to come forward to accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and in some cases of rape.

Hayek is the latest star to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct after people like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Rose McGowan, Lupita Nynogo detailed their experiences. PTI BK BK

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FILE PHOTO - Boeing's logo is seen during Japan Aerospace 2016 air show in Tokyo, Japan, October 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

By David Ljunggren and Andrea Hopkins

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Tuesday scrapped plans to buy 18 Boeing Co (BA.N) jets and made clear the company had little chance of winning a much larger contract unless it dropped a trade challenge against Canadian planemaker Bombardier Inc (BBDb.TO).

The announcement marks a new low in relations between the Liberal government and Boeing and casts into doubt the future of defence cooperation with the U.S. aerospace company, which says it supports more than 17,500 jobs in Canada.

Ottawa announced last year it wanted to buy the Boeing jets as a stopgap measure while Canada runs a competition for 88 jets to replace its ageing 77 CF-18s fighters.

Instead Ottawa will buy a second-hand fleet of 18 Australian F-18s, the same planes Canada already operates. The value of the deal will be around C$500 million (291.6 million).

In a clear reference to Boeing, Carla Qualtrough, public works and procurement minister, told a news conference that "bidders responsible for harming Canada's economic interests will be at a distinct disadvantage" compared to other companies participating in the competition for the 88 jets.

Reuters reported last week that the Liberals would walk away from the 18 Boeing jets after Boeing opened a trade challenge against Bombardier, accusing Bombardier of dumping airliners on the American market.

Qualtrough said the competition would be open and no companies would be excluded.

Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains did not respond directly when asked at the news conference whether Boeing could improve its chances of winning the order for 88 jets by bowing to a Canadian government demand to drop the trade challenge.

Bains and other ministers said they wanted to deal with "a trusted partner". In recent months, Canadian officials have said they do not consider Boeing a trusted partner.

In a statement, Boeing said it would decide at the appropriate time whether to take part in the competition. Rival Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) issued a statement describing itself as "a trusted partner".

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If Boeing is excluded, other potential winners include Dassault Aviation SA (AVMD.PA) and Airbus SE (AIR.PA).

The issue has become a political problem for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Andrew Scheer, leader of the official opposition Conservative Party, on Tuesday mocked him for buying old jets.

"If the Prime Minister is so keen on buying fixer-uppers, will he come over, because I have an old minivan I would love to show him," Scheer said to laughter in the House of Commons.

The cost of the 88 jets is estimated at C$15 billion to C$19 billion.

The air force has long preferred a U.S. jet, according to Canadian defence sources. Canada is part of the consortium that helped develop Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter and the previous Conservative government announced in 2010 it would buy 65 of the planes.

It later backtracked and during the 2015 election campaign Trudeau vowed not to buy the fighter on the grounds it was too expensive. After he took power, the government subsequently softened its tone.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Susan Thomas, Jeffrey Benkoe and Grant McCool)
By David Ljunggren and Andrea Hopkins OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Tuesday scrapped plans to buy 18 Boeing Co jets and made clear the company had little chance of winning a much larger contract unless it dropped a trade challenge against Canadian planemaker Bombardier Inc . The announcement marks a new low in relations between the Liberal government and Boeing and casts into doubt the future of defense cooperation with the U.S. aerospace company, which says it supports more than 17,500 jobs in Canada. Ottawa announced last year it wanted to buy the Boeing jets as a stopgap measure while Canada runs a competition for 88 jets to replace its aging 77 CF-18s fighters. Instead Ottawa will buy a second-hand fleet of 18 Australian F-18s, the same planes Canada already operates. The value of the deal will be around C$500 million ($388 million). In a clear reference to Boeing, Carla Qualtrough, public works and procurement minister, told a news conference that "bidders responsible for harming Canada's economic interests will be at a distinct disadvantage" compared to other companies participating in the competition for the 88 jets. Reuters reported last week that the Liberals would walk away from the 18 Boeing jets after Boeing opened a trade challenge against Bombardier, accusing Bombardier of dumping airliners on the American market. Qualtrough said the competition would be open and no companies would be excluded. Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains did not respond directly when asked at the news conference whether Boeing could improve its chances of winning the order for 88 jets by bowing to a Canadian government demand to drop the trade challenge. Bains and other ministers said they wanted to deal with "a trusted partner". In recent months, Canadian officials have said they do not consider Boeing a trusted partner. In a statement, Boeing said it would decide at the appropriate time whether to take part in the competition. Rival Lockheed Martin Corp issued a statement describing itself as "a trusted partner". If Boeing is excluded, other potential winners include Dassault Aviation SA and Airbus SE . The issue has become a political problem for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Andrew Scheer, leader of the official opposition Conservative Party, on Tuesday mocked him for buying old jets. "If the Prime Minister is so keen on buying fixer-uppers, will he come over, because I have an old minivan I would love to show him," Scheer said to laughter in the House of Commons. The cost of the 88 jets is estimated at C$15 billion to C$19 billion. The air force has long preferred a U.S. jet, according to Canadian defense sources. Canada is part of the consortium that helped develop Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter and the previous Conservative government announced in 2010 it would buy 65 of the planes. It later backtracked and during the 2015 election campaign Trudeau vowed not to buy the fighter on the grounds it was too expensive. After he took power, the government subsequently softened its tone. ($1 = 1.2873 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by David Ljunggren and Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Susan Thomas, Jeffrey Benkoe and Grant McCool)
On Thursday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will almost certainly repeal the American net neutrality rules that went into effect in 2015.

Net neutrality is somewhat of a misnomera better descriptor is content agnostic. What net neutrality implies is that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the U.S.cable companies and telcos like Comcast CMCSA and Verizon VZ must treat all content equally, regardless of what it is or who owns it. For example, AT&T T is not currently allowed to provide its subscribers faster access to DirecTV, which it owns, and slower access to Netflix NFLX , which it does not own. The end of net neutrality would, in theory, allow ISPs to charge more/less for, or slow down/speed up, different types of content.

Removing net neutrality has generated a huge amount of media coverage in the U.S., mostly casting the debate in terms of an epic story of victims and villains.

The victims are American consumers and businesses. As certain content is priced out of reach, the story goes, the Internet will become less rich, small enterprises will suffer, public schools and universities will see their Internet connections slow to a crawl, the best minds will leave the country in frustration, and everyone will pay more for Spotify and Netflix.

The villains are the ISPs, long reviled for high prices, poor service, and aggressive retention tactics. The ISPs lobbied the government hard for this change, and stand to benefit the most at the expense of long-suffering subscribers. Networking and infrastructure companies are also likely to gain, as the rule change will require upgrades to networking hardware and software.

This is a gripping narrative, but how much of it is actually true? Will the end of net neutrality really make a big difference to the average Internet user? We think not.

First, it is worth pointing out that net neutrality rules are quite newthe law was only enacted in mid-2015although the concept has been around since the 1990s. Prior to 2015, there was no net neutrality and, well, the Internet worked just fine for most people. Occasionally, an ISP was caught slowing down (throttling) certain sites, but public pressure or legal action tended to keep the ISP honest. There is little reason to believe that a future with no net neutrality regulation will be very different from the past.

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Second, the issue with net neutrality is multi-speed Internet service, not web censorship. An ISP might be frustrated that Netflix consumes 35% of its bandwidth at peak hours, but it cannot legally block it, with or without net neutrality. Even with no net neutrality, the most that an ISP could do would be to slow down access to Netflix, and charge people for higher speeds. In reality, this is not likely to happenthe public backlash would be too severe. More likely, the ISPs would discriminate by offering their own preferred content faster and cheaper. Ironically, this is already happening under net neutrality regulation: AT&T, for example, offers DirecTV access as a zero rating product, i.e. it does not count toward data caps.

Third, the end of net neutrality rules will lead to a closer link between cost and consumption. While net neutrality may be conceptually appealing, it is not equitable. Is it fair that a few super-users are allowed to clog up networks by downloading movies, playing data-hungry online games, and not paying more for it? Why shouldnt ISPs be allowed to price data according to volume, type, or speed?

Fourth, ISPs could use any extra revenue generated from high-bandwidth users to subsidize the cost to regular users or improve network infrastructure. If they start to charge more for content, then there will be a lot of pressure from subscribers and regulators to improve service levels in return.

Fifth, the practical difference for most subscribers will be minimal. Most ISPs already charge higher prices for higher speeds, or bundle less attractive services (like TV channels you never watch) with more attractive ones (faster Internet access). The only difference without net neutrality would be that slow speeds could affect some sites more than other sites.

Sixth, net neutrality, however intuitively appealing, is a form of government control. History has taught us that government control and intervention often inhibits progress and innovation. If ISPs are less regulated, one might imagine companies springing up that would provide better, faster, and cheaper service, thus promoting innovation.

Finally, ISPs are unlikely to make any quick moves to change the status quo. Legal challenges to the removal of net neutrality are likely, mid-term elections are coming in 2018, and public opinion of ISPs is already low. Most large ISPs have also pledged not to make any dramatic moves in the event that net neutrality is repealed.

Net neutrality is an attractive concept, and its removal might instinctively rub you the wrong way, but that doesnt mean it should be kept in its current form. Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, has stated that net neutrality is not our primary battle at this point. If he is not worried, why should the rest of us be?

Michael Wade is director of the Global Center for Digital Business Transformation at IMD. Heidi Gautschi is a research associate at Global Center for Digital Business Transformation at IMD.
Deadpool is already up to no good in his new home.

Deadpool is already up to no good in his new home.

The anti-hero is just one of many Marvel characters the Walt Disney Company will acquire when it buys 21st Century Foxs film and television divisions, a deal that was announced Thursday morning.

A few hours later, Ryan Reynolds, who portrays the loudmouth mercenary in the movies, was already trolling Disney using the magic of Photoshop. The actor tweeted an image of Deadpool being escorted out of what seems to be a Disney amusement park with the caption: Apparently you cant actually blow the Matterhorn.

Apparently you cant actually blow the Matterhorn. pic.twitter.com/2bEAAcZrUv  Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 14, 2017

Possible sexual innuendos aside, it seems Reynolds mixed up Disneyland and Disney World in his joke. Cinderellas castle, which appears behind Deadpool in the image, is located at Disney World in Florida. But the Matterhorn is a bobsled ride at Disneyland in California (the castle in Anaheim is Sleeping Beautys).

Reynolds has been following the Disney-21st Century Fox merger and cracking sex jokes about it since reports began circulating last week.

Time to uncork that explosive sexual tension between Deadpool and Mickey Mouse, the actor tweeted on Dec. 6.

Time to uncork that explosive sexual tension between Deadpool and Mickey Mouse. https://t.co/iUEXofWpRu  Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 6, 2017

Deadpool fans who are concerned the business deal could mean the anti-heros often inappropriate humor would be restrained for PG-13 audiences can breathe a sigh of relief. Disneys CEO Bob Iger told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday that its fine with keeping the franchise R-rated.

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It [Deadpool] clearly has been and will be Marvel branded. But we think there might be an opportunity for a Marvel-R brand for something like Deadpool, Iger said. As long as we let the audiences know whats coming, we think we can manage that fine.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines <DAL.N> said on Thursday it will place a firm order for 100 Airbus <AIR.PA> A321neo jets and an optional order for 100 of the aircraft.

Delta, the No. 2 U.S. airline by passenger traffic, said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects deliveries to begin in the first quarter of 2020, with new aircraft arriving through 2023.

CNN and Reuters reported yesterday that Airbus had beaten out rival Boeing Co <BA.N> for the order, boosting Airbus' leading share of the market for narrowbody models, while highlighting the increasingly fraught relationship between Delta and Chicago-based Boeing.

The two U.S. companies' relationship began to fray in October when Boeing successfully lobbied the U.S. Commerce Department to propose trade duties of nearly 300 percent on Delta's order of CSeries jets from Canada's Bombardier Inc <BBDb.TO>.

The carrier declined to say whether the disagreement between the two planemakers had any effect on its decision to go with Airbus.

"This is the right transaction at the right time for our customers, our employees and our shareholders," Chief Executive Ed Bastian said in a statement.

Delta's decision also gives lift to United Technologies <UTX.N> subsidiary Pratt & Whitney, which the carrier said had won the contract for the engines that will power the A321neo aircraft.

In the same SEC filing, Delta also said it now expects operating margin of 11 percent for the fourth quarter, compared with the 11 percent to 13 percent it had previously forecast Delta Air Lines' shares were up 2.9 percent at $55.21 in afternoon trading.

European industry officials hailed the jet order as an endorsement of Airbus's presence in the United States, where it opened an assembly plant in Mobile, Alabama, in 2015, in the hopes of further penetrating the U.S. market.

That plant is at the center of the Boeing-Bombardier trade dispute since it is where the Canadian company plans to assemble jets for Delta under the CSeries airliner program, which has since been acquired by Airbus.

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Delta's order is expected to involve discounts of well over 50 percent from the $12.7 billion catalog value, an aircraft market source said.

CFM International, a French-American engine venture that lost out to Pratt & Whitney, suggested the pricing was aggressive.

"The financial terms reached a level that simply were not in the best interest of our shareholders," the company, co-owned by General Electric <GE.N> and Safran <SAF.PA>, said in a statement.

(Reporting by Alana Wise in New York, Rachit Vats in Bangalore and Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Steve Orlofsky)
The rout in Himachal Pradesh is bad news for Rahul Gandhi, who took over as Congress chief shortly after the hill state voted on November 9.

By India Today Web Desk: The India Today-Axis exit poll gives the BJP a clear victory in the Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh, which has 68 Assembly seats.

The rout in Himachal Pradesh is bad news for Rahul Gandhi, who took over as Congress chief shortly after the hill state voted on November 9.

INDIA TODAY-AXIS HIMACHAL PRADESH EXIT POLL IN NUTSHELL:

Continuing its winning streak, the BJP is predicted to win 47-55 seats in Himachal Pradesh. The ruling Congress will be reduced to 13-20 seats. While the BJP is likely to get 50 per cent vote share, the Congress will get 41 per cent and others nine per cent. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Rajput, Bhaniya are largely with BJP and contribute more than 50 per cent of the electorate. The Congress got most of its support from the Muslims and the SCs/STs. While the poor mostly supported Congress, the middle class and above opted for the BJP. The BJP's support cuts across age group and education. Farmers, unemployed, homemakers, students, professionals and working class all back the BJP. Both rural and urban voters opt for BJP as do male and female voters. Those surveyed think a common government in the Centre and state will lead to a better life.

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WATCH | India Today-Axis exit poll 2017: BJP to sweep Himachal Pradesh

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FILE PHOTO - Passengers check in at a counter of Delta Air Lines in Mexico City, Mexico, August 8, 2016. REUTERS/Ginnette Riquelme/File Photo

PARIS/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) looked close on Wednesday to placing an order for 100 Airbus (AIR.PA) A321neo jets in a boost for the European planemaker as it tries to narrow a 2017 order gap against Boeing (BA.N), two people familiar with the matter said.

The preliminary selection, first reported by CNN, follows a fierce competition and is subject to approval at a board meeting later on Wednesday, which could still alter or delay the decision, the people said.

Such a deal would be worth $12.7 billion at list prices, but would typically involve steep discounts.

Delta and both planemakers declined comment.

The A321neo has a significant lead in market share over equivalent Boeing narrowbody models, but faces potential competition from a new mid-market jet being studied by Boeing and for which the U.S. firm may start seeking offers next year.

But the endorsement from the second largest U.S. airline by passenger traffic, known as one of the industry's pickiest buyers, brings respite to Airbus after a year marked by a slowdown in sales and internal management tensions.

It is also a boost for United Technologies subsidiary Pratt & Whitney (UTX.N), which is likely to win an engine contract to power the A321neo aircraft, industry sources said.

Airbus has been in discussions with Pratt & Whitney to ensure that enough engines are available to support the pledge to supply 100 jets to Delta as the U.S. engine maker works through recent industrial problems, they added.

Pratt & Whitney, which competes with French-American venture CFM International to power the A320 family, declined to comment.

Delta's decision to side with Airbus jets over the Boeing model came as no surprise to people in the industry, who have for months watched as tensions continued to escalate between the two U.S.-based companies.

Their relationship began to strain in October when Boeing successfully lobbied the U.S. Commerce Department to propose trade duties of nearly 300 percent on Delta's order of CSeries jets from rival planemaker Canada-based Bombardier Inc.

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Boeing had alleged that Bombardier received illegal subsidies from the Canadian government, allowing the planemaker to dump the 75 jets at "absurdly low" prices.

"Boeing had a double disadvantage here. Political, over the trade complaint, and technical in that most of the market seems to be preferring the Airbus (model)," Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia said.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris and Alana Wise in New York; Editing by Leigh Thomas, David Evans and Susan Thomas)
Dec 14 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co on Thursday agreed to buy film, television and international businesses from Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox Inc for $52.4 billion in stock.

Fox assets that will be sold to Disney, include the Twentieth Century Fox movie and cable networks.

Disney will also assume about $13.7 billion of net debt of 21st Century Fox.

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, 66, will extend his tenure through the end of 2021 to oversee the integration of the Fox businesses. He has already postponed his retirement from Disney three times. In March, he said he was committed to leaving the company in July 2019. (Reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru)
After weeks of rumors, the deal is done -- Disney will buy up large chunks of Rupert Murdoch's Fox media empire for $52 billion. The list of what it won't take is shorter: the Fox News cable channel, broadcast networks and Fox Sports, which are expected to spin off as their own business. The Disney conglomerate adds the Fox movie and TV studios (including big-name franchises like X-Men, Avatar, Alien and The Simpsons), majority control of Hulu, FX cable networks and $13.7 billion in debt. On top of that, Fox is attempting to acquire the parts of UK's Sky that it doesn't already own, and if that's successful then Disney will get it too.

While possible implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe will come to any comic book movie fan's mind first -- yes, Deadpool and the Fantastic Four are included, not to mention distribution for Star Wars Episode IV -- this purchase is all about Disney's place in a changing TV landscape. As cord-cutting has increased and subscribers have shifted away from mainstays like ESPN, Disney is bulking up and preparing to launch its own streaming service in 2019 -- which now has a much larger library to pull from.

Robert Iger & Rupert Murdoch

As Disney moves into its BAMTech-powered internet video future, the plan is apparently to own as much content as possible. What's unclear is whether regulators will allow this deal to proceed. Even though Comcast has already acquired NBCUniversal, AT&T's proposed acquisition of Time Warner is undergoing intense scrutiny and this pairing will likely get a similar response.
Disneys interest in 21st Century Foxs film and TV assets is all about building up its direct-to-consumer streaming capabilities.

Disney chairman-CEO Bob Iger was blunt in laying out the rationale for the $52.4 billion deal with investors on Thursday. Disney needs to enhance its ability to reach consumers directly with programming and channels to guard against further declines in the current pay TV eco-system.

Building up direct-to-consumer offerings is vital to the future our of media business and its our highest priority, Iger told investors during a conference call held an hour after Disney and Fox unveiled the acquisition pact.

With consumers flocking to on-demand and streaming options, Disney needs to make sure it has the pipelines in place to prepare for the future. Disney intends to keep its channels distributed in the MVPD arena. But if the marketplace shifts, wed be well-positioned to in effect flip a switch and distribute programs and channels direct-to-consumer through the platforms weve created.

Iger was pressed by analysts about management plans for the enlarged Disney film and TV operation but he avoided any specifics. Iger pointed to Disneys track record of trying to maintain the culture and leadership of companies that it has acquired, notably Pixar, Marvel and LucasFilm.

We have not only respected the culture of those organizations but respected and appreciated the talent that came with those acquisitions, Iger said.

Earlier, in an interview with ABCs Good Morning America, Iger was asked specifically about the future of 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch, who is rumored to be seeking a high-level role at Disney.

James and I will be talking over the next number of months, Iger said. Well be discussing whether theres a role for him at this company.

As part of the Fox transaction, Iger extended his contract as chairman-CEO for another two years, in order to be the steady hand on the tiller as the Fox assets are integrated into Disney, assuming the deal passes muster with federal regulators.

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Iger had previously said that he was committed to stepping down at the end of his most recent extension, through mid-2019. But spearheading the biggest acquisition in Disneys nearly 100-year history required him to stick around. It came at the request of the Disney board as well as that of 21st Century Fox.

Ive got one of the great jobs in the world, Iger said. This combination makes it more exciting.

More to come

Related stories

Hulu's Future: What Disney-Fox Deal Means for TV-Streaming Venture

Disney-Fox Deal Lands at Uncertain Time for Antitrust Enforcement

Fantastic Four, X-Men Can Team With Avengers Thanks to Fox, Disney Deal

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The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported Thursday that new vehicle registrations in the European Union (EU) rose 5.9% in November, compared with new registrations in November of 2016. New registrations for the month totaled 1.22 million units. New registrations also rose by 5.9% in October.

Lithuania reported the largest year-over-year gain, up 57.4% to a total of 2,425. The biggest decline came in Cyprus, down 12.5% with just 990 new registrations. On a volume basis, registrations in Germany totaled 302,636 units (up 9.4% year over year) and registrations in the United Kingdom totaled 163,541 units (down 11.2%).

For the first 11 months of 2017, new passenger car registrations are up 4.1% to a total of 14.05 million. Year over year, registrations rose the most in Lithuania (26.4%), Bulgaria (23.5%) and Croatia (21.9%). Sales in the United Kingdom are down 5% for the same period.

ALSO READ: The Worst Companies to Work For

The top-selling maker in the EU is Volkswagen, which sold 299,009 vehicles in November, up 5.5% year over year for the month. VW's market share for the month totaled 4.6%, down from 24.7% in November 2016. Registrations are up 2.9% for the first 11 months of the year.

PSA Group, makers of Peugeot, Citroen and other brands, posted an increase of 83.3% to 196,650 units. The company's market share rose from 9.3% to 16.2%. The increase includes sales in the Opel/Vauxhall group the company acquired from General Motors Co. (GM) earlier this year.

Renault Group posted a volume increase of 10.1% to 137,009 units, while its share rose from 10.8% in November 2016 to 11.3%.

Of the Detroit Three, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) sold 78,463 units in November, up 4.2% year over year for the month. The company's November market share came to 6.4%, down 0.2 percentage points compared with last year.

ALSO READ: Americas Deadliest Cars

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCAU) saw its market share in the EU dip from 6.4% in November 2016 to 6% this year. Sales were led by a 27.6% increase in sales of the company's Jeep brand and a 20.7% increase in Alfa Romeo sales. FCA sold 72,928 units in November, down 1.3% compared with November 2016.

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GM has effectively left the EU market and had sales of just 50 units in November.

BMW Group's market share in November fell from 7% a year ago to 6.9%. The company sold 83,590 units last month. Daimler also posted a market share drop, slipping from 6.6% in November 2016 to 6.4% last month, with sales totaling 77,537 units.

ALSO READ: Americas Safest Cars

Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) posted market share of 4.5% in November, up from 4.2% a year ago. Sales volume rose 12.3% to 54,768 units. The percentage increase was spread nearly equally between the company's Toyota division, up 12.1% year over year, while Lexus division sales rose 14.1%.

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As Disneys imminent takeover of key 21st Century Fox assets continues to roil the industry, the real estate aspect of the deal expected to be announced tomorrow had been an intriguing subplot. But questions about the fate of the lot appear to have an answer, as a well-placed source tells Deadline the real-estate portfolio is likely staying put.

The Fox lot on Pico Boulvard had seemed potentially expendable, given that Disney already has its own operation in Burbank. It already shrunk, famously, in the early 1960s as the cash-strapped studio sold off chunks of acreage to pay for Cleopatra overages.

According to official records, the Fox lot is 52.9 acres, or 2.3 million square feet. About 1.8 million square feet of that was developed as of 2015, when Fox submitted a master plan to the city to develop another 1.1 million square feet. In June, the Los Angeles County Assessors Office put the value of the land and what sits on it at $422.2 million.

One well-placed source with knowledge of the Fox lot and the commercial real estate market estimated that developers would value the parcel at $1.8 billion, but told Deadline it is likely to stay in the Rupert Murdoch portfolio.

The difficulty of securing approval for retail, hotel or other cash-producing uses  all of which would have significant traffic and environmental impact  is one reason Fox will stand pat. The community around the lot mounted significant opposition to other development. They are very difficult to work with with and will not allow more traffic, the source told Deadline. No one can come in and develop it any further, but Rupert will still need it. Hell need the studio for Fox Sports.

The broadcast network also has a significant footprint in Century City, and the lot is home to the antenna farm that is the hardware backbone of broadcast operations.

This afternoon, Bloomberg reported that real estate would not be part of the Fox deal, citing people familiar with the matter.

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Selling the high-value land provided short-term relief for Fox in the 1960s but left later generations wondering what might have been had the studio held onto all of the lot.

In the 1960s, pushed to its financial limits by the $44 million Cleopatra and years of poor film results, the studio sold off 260 of its 334 acres to the Aluminum Corp. of America for $43 million, or $346 million today. Alcoa helped develop that large parcel from the studios former back lot into what is now Century City, whose value quickly dwarfed what Fox received for the land. (It is said that execs at the Pittsburgh industrial concern were among the few to appreciate the boxy, drab mid-rises that sprouted up in Century City because they represented massive new canvases for Alcoa aluminum sheeting.)

Once derided as a concrete-bound wasteland, Century City has rebounded to desirable status, hosting top-shelf industry entities like CAA and higher-grade restaurants, hotels and gyms. It is surrounded by a range of pricey new commercial real-estate development as investment dollars keeps flowing into the L.A. market. Musty old Trader Vics is now a sleek Waldorf Astoria luxury hotel and the Westfield malls new $1 billion renovation yielded an L.A. branch of Eataly, the Italian food hall and market.

Foxs New York City operations, as well as those of sister print-media outfit News Corp. (parent of the Wall Street Journal), are housed at 1211 Avenue of the Americas. The clean-angled office tower across the street from Radio City Music Hall was designed in the mid-20th century along with neighboring headquarters for publishers like Time Inc. and McGraw-Hill. In the summer of 2016, Canadian investment firm Ivanhoe Cambridge (the real estate arm of Quebecs public pension trust) paid $913 million to gain full ownership of the building, along with partner Callahan Capital Properties.

The presence for Fox in the building isnt likely to change significantly given that most employees there work for units that arent going to Disney. In January, Murdochs companies ditched a possible move down to the World Trade Center and said they would instead renovate and expand inside their current 44-story, 2-million-square-foot tower. Over the last two decades, Fox News has put its stamp on the space with a street-level set for Fox & Friends and the red-letter, illuminated zipper news crawl spanning the buildings north- and east-facing sides.

Related stories

Peter Rice Promises Nervous Fox Staff To "Answer Any Questions" About Disney Deal At Trio Of Town Halls Today

'The Simpsons' Predicted Disney Would Buy Fox 19 Years Ago

Disney-Fox Deal: Murdochs On 'New Fox' Strategy And "The Next Great Leg Of Our Journey"
- By Robert Abbott







"Once we realize that imperfect understanding is the human condition, there is no shame in being wrong, only in failing to correct our mistakes." --George Soros







How much does human behavior affect the markets? Are there significant opportunities or value traps because investors are betrayed by their own thinking processes?





George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) certainly thought so, and made a fortune proving his point. An Investopedia article points out that $1,000 invested in 1969 would be worth more than $4 million in 2017 (assuming you invested and stayed invested--a big assumption).

Soros was able to generate those returns because of his early and enduring interest in a scientific theory called "reflexivity."

Who is Soros?

The hedge fund billionaire was born in Hungary in 1930 as Gyorgy Schwartz; his parents changed the family name to Soros in 1936 because of growing anti-Semitic persecution. The family survived the Nazi occupation as well as the early Soviet domination of Hungary, and Soros emigrated to England in 1947. There, he earned bachelor"s and master"s degrees in economics at the London School of Economics.

After graduating, he found no jobs and had to work as a traveling salesperson, selling to retailers in Welsh resorts. Although he has used his experience in sales to fight Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio) over Herbalife (HLF), he did not like the job, later calling it the low point in his life.

Eventually, he got jobs in two British financial firms, one of which led to a job in New York City in 1956. At F.M. Mayer on Wall Street, he worked as an arbitrage trader, focusing on European stocks.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he set up the Double Eagle hedge fund while working at Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder. The fund was later called the Quantum Fund; profits from it would be used as seed money when he got together with guru Jim Rogers to start Soros Fund Management. Quantum would be a hedge fund, and Soros Fund Management would be its investment advisor.

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The two entities would be highly successful, of course, and Soros would become an investment superstar. That was cemented by famously shorting the United Kingdom"s pound sterling in 1992. He shorted $10 billion, is said to have profited by $1 billion and became known as "The Man Who Broke the Bank of England."

With his great wealth, Soros has become a philanthropist and contributor to liberal social ideas, as well as liberal-leaning politicians (including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016).

Challenging life experiences confronted young Soros, but he appears to have taken them head-on, learned from them and built on them.

What are the companies?

Soros Fund Management advises the Quantum Group of Funds. Wikipedia says the Quantum Fund became the lead in the fund family, and it was through this fund Soros made his bet on British currency.

According to Niall Ferguson"s book, "The Ascent of Money", Soros bet the entire fund on that one short sale. The fund was also involved in the devaluations of Southeast Asian currencies in 1997.

The Quantum Fund made a sharp turn in 2011, when Soros returned outside money to investors and turned the fund into a family investment group; it now manages only the capital of the Soros family--more than most funds will ever handle! Soros said a Dodd-Frank requirement to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission would interfere in his confidential relationship with his clients.

Philosophy and strategies

Soros" philosophy began to take shape when he studied under the renowned Karl Popper at the London School of Economics. From Popper, he learned about reflexivity.

As an article at Macro Ops explains, reflexivity centers on the existence of two realities. One is objective; this reality is made up of verifiable observations and facts. The second is subjective (or perceived reality); it is what we think about certain phenomena. In the case of financial markets, there is no perfect information, so we can only make educated (or uneducated) guesses.

For example, as pointed out by Macro Ops, Amazon (AMZN) has essentially generated no earnings in relation to its market cap, but buyers keep pouring in because they have formed positive beliefs about the stock. In turn, the growing number of investors and capital committed has had several positive effects on Amazon"s fundamentals. These include cheaper financing costs, attracting talent and undercutting competitors" prices to gain market share, since profits are not a priority. These positive effects then help push the share price up.

Soros sees the markets constantly diverging from reality--so prices are consistently wrong. If the divergence is sufficiently large, because of perceived reality, then they will lead to booms and busts. He sees these big divergences as opportunities for traders because that is where the money lies.

Value investors already follow this dictum to one extent or another, as they seek out mispriced stocks that are being driven too far in one direction or another because of misplaced optimism or pessimism.

An Investopedia article describes Soros as a global macro player; in other words, he can invest anywhere and in anything tradeable. He is said to trade in currency rates, commodity prices, stocks, bonds, derivatives and other assets.

More specifically, he is considered a short-term speculator who makes very big, very leveraged bets on the direction of financial markets. While he does research and studies his targets, he is also an opportunist who acts on his intuition.

The Investopedia article uses housing prices to illustrate Soros" thinking about reflexivity:

Lenders make it easier to get mortgages,

More people take out mortgages and buy homes.

Demand increases, leading to rising home prices.

Higher prices encourage lenders to lend more.

An upward spiral develops, and prices become artificially inflated.

The sector collapses.







When this virtuous circle could potentially become a vicious circle, that it is time to short the stocks of home builders and lenders.

Behavioral issues have been gaining a larger place in finance in recent years, as both academics and investors themselves try to identify why they do what they do. Soros was using these ideas for decades, and using them to generate outperforming returns.

Holdings

The following sectoral chart shows a diversified basket of equities:

George Soros sectors

These are the top 10 equity holdings, as listed by GuruFocus:

Liberty Broadband Corp. (LBRDK): 22.13%

Alibaba Inc. (AABA): 5.57%

Caesars Acquisition Co. (CACQ): 3.67%

Time Warner Inc. (TWX): 3.13%

TiVo Corp. (TIVO): 3.06%

EQT Corp. (EQT): 2.47%

Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ): 2.13%

The Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC): 1.59%

Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV): 1.45%

Edgewell Personal Care Co. (EPC): 1.45%







At the TipRanks website, Soros is listed as having $4.2 billion in assets and, as seen above, he has just over $3.3 billion in equities, leaving some $900 million available for trading in currencies and other activities.

Now that Soros deals only with "family office" assets, has he become more conservative? That seems likely, given the five-year returns shown below.

Performance

Soros has had many amazing years, along with a few dogs. In many years before the financial crisis, he had a Midas touch.

In the last five years, though, he has only kept up with the hedge fund average, and that is well below the gains the S&P 500 posted over the past five years. This chart from TipRanks compares his results (blue) with the hedge fund average (orange) and the S&P 500 (purple):

George Soros performance

Have Soros" returns gone down because he is now a family office investor, or because he has slumped like so many other hedge fund managers in the past nine years? It is a question without answers for outsiders.

Conclusion

Whatever the answer to performance questions, one thing is certain: Soros made himself and many of his clients wealthy by using insights into human behavior, insights that came from studying reflexivity.

Reflexivity can help organize one"s thoughts about behavioral finance in such a way they become an integrated and coherent whole. From there, the next step is to use that knowledge to make better and faster decisions.

For value investors, studying Soros and reflexivity could lead to better investments; as for making big bets on obscure trends, that is best left to daredevils.

Disclosure: I do not own shares in any of the companies listed, and I do not expect to buy any in the next 72 hours.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) The body of an HRD Ministry official was found on the railway tracks in Palam, three days after he went missing, police said today.

Jeetendra Kumar Jha, an Indian Civil Accounts Service officer, went missing from Dwarka on Monday after going for a walk, they said.

An unidentified body was found on the intervening night of December 11 and 12 on the railway tracks in Palam. It was identified as that of Jha after a wallet was found.

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A purported suicide note was found from his pocket, in which he said that no one was responsible for his death, they added.

Jha, a 1998-batch officer, had left his home on Monday to drop off his children to their school bus and then returned home. He went out again a little later but left behind his phone, the police said.

It is suspected that Jha was upset over something as he was not going to office and was on medical leave from September 28, the police said PTI SLB AAR

--- ENDS ---
Nothing will change immediately at Hulu in the wake of Disneys $52 billion deal with 21st Century Fox.

But now that Disney has snapped up Foxs 30% stake in Hulu  giving Disney majority control over the 10-year-old streaming-video company  the strategic direction for Hulu in the years ahead has been cast into uncertainty.

Industry observers have speculated that Disney could consolidate all its streaming businesses into Hulu  and turn it into a super-charged service to really challenge Netflix. Disney also could decide to try to grow Hulu, which today is confined to the U.S., into international markets.

Disney chief Bob Iger, on a call with analysts Thursday morning, said the plan for Hulu is to make it the outlet for more adult-oriented product from the Fox companies.

Theres a lot of Fox intellectual property that fits extremely well into Disney-branded direct-to-consumer services, Iger said on the call, citing Nat Geo and Marvel. Theres a lot of product that we believe will be of great use to growing Hulu as it already is. Hulu is a more adult-oriented product [that will benefit from] Fox television production and FX.

Under Disneys current thinking, Hulu will serve as a complement to the Disney-branded SVOD service set for 2019  including first-run movies, after Disneys current licensing pact with Netflix in the U.S. expires  and the ESPN over-the-top service slated for spring 2018 launch.

But now theres a new boardroom fight looming at Hulu. And whether Hulu remains on its current path as a hybrid subscription-VOD service  adult oriented or otherwise  with a live pay-TV add-on is in doubt.

The question is whether Disney will try to buy out the 30% stake of Comcasts NBCUniversal and the 10% owned by Time Warner  and whether Comcast and AT&T/Time Warner will be willing sellers.

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According to sources familiar with Hulu, each of its parents  Disney, Fox, NBCU and Time Warner  has sought to gain full control over the streamer in the last two years. Hulus owners also have been approached by multiple third parties, including a large wireless carrier, interested in buying a stake, sources said. Obviously, none of those progressed beyond exploratory phases.

The wrinkle here for Disney is that, under the terms of the JV agreement for Hulu, it wont be able to make any major structural changes to Hulu without the agreement of Comcast/NBCU. For the last six years, the Peacocks hands have been tied with respect to voting decisions about Hulu, under the consent decree Comcast agreed to with the U.S. government related to its NBCU takeover. Those restrictions expire in September 2018  setting up a potential battle between Disney and Comcast/NBCU over Hulus future.

Meanwhile, sources say Time Warner is interested in retaining its 10% share in Hulu; however, the media conglom is currently in the midst of being swallowed by AT&T  which is now fighting the Justice Departments antitrust lawsuit over that deal. Its possible Time Warners interest in Hulu will be subject to DOJ restrictions.

Hulus ownership structure has been a mess since it was created and even with Disney acquiring Foxs stake, its future may remain uncertain until one partner can attain full voting control, BTIG Research analyst Rich Greenfield wrote in a research note Wednesday, ahead of the official Disney-Fox announcement.

Hulu has an estimated 16 million SVOD subscribers. While its miles behind Netflix, Hulu is a valuable asset that could accelerate Disneys streaming-video strategy. Meanwhile, Hulus internet-delivered live TV service launched earlier this year had just 150,000 customers as of the third quarter of 2017, according to estimates by Guggenheim Securities.

Again, for now, its business as usual for Hulu, given that the Disney-Fox deal will take at least a year to close. The challenge for recently installed CEO Randy Freer, the former Fox Networks Group exec who took over in October after Mike Hopkins exited to join Sony Pictures Television, will be to stay focused on growing the business as Hulus parents sort out their control issues.

Thats bound to be tough sledding, given the numerous scenarios for Hulus future. Greenfield suggested Disney may at some point throw up its hands  and decide to quit Hulu. [W]e believe it is possible that Disney becomes so frustrated with the joint ownership and growing losses at Hulu that it ultimately sells its Hulu stake to Comcast so Disney can focus on the launch of its own OTT services, Greenfield wrote in his research note.

 Cynthia Littleton contributed to this report.

Pictured above: Hulus Emmy-winning original series The Handmaids Tale

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Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today.

IBMs (IBM) latest project has it teaming up with some big names. Companies like JPMorgan, Barclays and Samsung will all work together with IBM to uncover practical uses for quantum computing. Researchers say this method crunches data faster and will surpass conventional computers in speed and power.

Ford (F) is denying a Reuters report this morning that the auto giant will build and import Fusion sedans from China to the United States. Ford currently assembles the Fusion in Mexico and said back in June it would transfer some production to China.

Wells Fargo (WFC) is handing out some pink slips. The Wall Street Journal reports the bank laid off around 60 workers from its mortgage division. Wells Fargo is currently under regulatory investigation after officials found it was improperly charging customers in many departments, including formortgages.

Walmart (WMT) is now paying workers earlier. Instead of waiting two weeks between paychecks, employees can now use an app to access a portion of wages for hours they have already worked. While the move is intended to reduce stress, labor groups say it doesnt address the bigger problem that Walmart doesnt pay its workers enough.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 11, 2017) - Latin American Minerals Inc. (TSXV: LAT) (the "Company") announces, further to its November 13, 2017 press release, an increase to the size of its non-brokered private placement by $500,000 for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering will now be up to 26,666,666 units ("Units") at a price of $0.075 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share for a period of five (5) years from the closing of the Offering at a price of $0.10 per Common Share. The proceeds of the offering will be used for general working capital purposes.

Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. The Company closed the first tranche of the Offering on December 1, 2017 and will be closing additional tranches of the Offering until December 29, 2017.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

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About the Company

Latin American Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration and gold mining company which holds its core gold projects in Paraguay. The Company is currently expanding its Independencia Mine gold processing plant to encompass vat-leach gold recovery from mineralization extracted in open pit bulk mining activities at its fully permitted mining concession.

Management has identified exploration targets at Independencia Mine, and six new gold zones on the Company's adjacent exploration claims, for drill testing. This property package comprises the Company's 15,020 hectare Paso Yobai gold project.

For more information, please contact:

Mathew Wilson, President & CEO

Toronto: (1-416) 643-7630

E-mail: information@latinamericanminerals.com

Website: www.latinamericanminerals.com

The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com .

For further information, please visit our website at www.latinamericanminerals.com

or email us at information@latinamericanminerals.com .

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's finance ministry and central bank warned on Wednesday that cryptocurrencies were risky investments and said fundraising programs known as initial coin offerings (ICOs) could potentially violate Mexican financial law.

Amid the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, the authorities together with banking and securities regulator CNBV said in a statement such currencies are not officially recognized in Mexico as a legal form of payment.

To date there have been no initial coin offerings originating in Mexico, the statement said.

"However, depending on their specific characteristics, some ICOs that originate and are emitted in Mexico could violate the Markets and Securities Law and constitute a financial crime," it said.

The authorities urged only seasoned investors to dabble in cryptocurrencies and to remain vigilant for signs of fraud.

"Given their nature, virtual currencies have shown high volatility, as they are the subject of broad speculative activity," the statement said.

As bitcoin, the best-known cryptocurrency, soared to all-time highs this week, trading services suffered outages, raising questions about the reliability of the nascent platforms.

Coinbase, which provides a popular digital currency wallet, went down under heavy traffic on Tuesday, and bitcoin exchange Bitfinex was also forced to shut down its website after a wave of junk online requests.

(Reporting by Julia Love and Anthony Esposito; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jeffrey Benkoe)
By Julia Love and David Lawder

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico shot down a proposal by the United States to include provisions in the North America Free Trade Agreement that would benefit AT&T Inc (T.N), Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Wednesday.

"AT&T, which is North American, asked its government to reflect its interests in the negotiation," Guajardo said in an interview on local radio without specifying the details of the U.S. proposal. "You cannot have an agreement... that gives a tailor's cut, a perfect handiwork, to a specific company."

AT&T and the U.S. Trade Representatives office declined to comment.

During the last round of talks in Virginia, the United States proposed incorporating Mexico's landmark telecommunications reform into a NAFTA provision that would apply only to Mexico, four sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Mexico's 2013-14 telecommunications reform aimed to break up the dominance of America Movil (AMXL.MX), the telecommunications firm owned by billionaire Carlos Slim, which emerged from a state monopoly in the 1990s.

Negotiators are still working to make sure the reform is included in the agreement, Guajardo said.

"What we said is that we cannot accept a specific annex," he said. "We can reflect conceptually the commitments that are reflected in the law, which for us is very important to consolidate."

Beckoned by the reform, AT&T entered the Mexican market in 2014, spending $4.4 billion to buy Mexicos No.3 and No.4 carriers.

But the market was plunged into uncertainty in August when the Mexico Supreme Court ruled America Movil should not be barred by law from charging its rivals for calls to its network, weakening a key pillar of the reform.

The turmoil has spilled over into NAFTA negotiations, Guajardo said.

"What has kept us from closing (he telecoms chapter)is that it was contaminated a little bit by this debate over the zero-rate," he said.

The telecommunications reform, which sharply lowered prices for consumers, is one of Mexico President Enrique Pena Nietos signature accomplishments. But throughout the negotiations, Mexico has consistently rejected proposals that isolate the nation, trade experts say.

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"Whats surprising (about the telecommunications proposal) is that there is the principle that we are negotiating as three countries," said Mexico Senator Gerardo Flores, who was briefed on the proposal.

"And suddenly the United States puts on the table a proposal that demands commitments specifically from Mexico, which converts the negotiation into a bilateral negotiation."

Mexico has been enthusiastic about enshrining a 2014 energy reform in NAFTA, but also with the condition that the language applies to all three countries in the pact, said Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Centers Mexico Institute.

"Mexico doesn't want to be singled out in any way," he said. "You set a precedent where side deals with individual countries can be made."

(Additional reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez, Christine Murray and Anthony Esposito; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Google may be the household name when it comes to search, but Microsoft is hoping it can make its Bing search engine the smartest. The Redmond, Wash.-based company has announced a handful of new features that it says are powered by artificial intelligence. The updates will start rolling out on Wednesday and will continue over the coming week.

The biggest changes enable Bing to be smarter about the information it chooses to display above search results in response to a query. The search engine will now be able to pull information from multiple sources, rather than just one. If a user has a question or request with opposing answers or viewpoints, Bing will be able to aggregate both perspectives and display them at the top of the page.

One example of where users might see this is when typing in a query like side effects of coffee. Once Microsofts updates start to kick in, Bing will be able to pull bits of information from more than one source and show them alongside one another above results, so that users can see both angles without having to dig through a list of links. Google currently answers this type of question with a featured snippet, which is an informational block that sums up an answer with information extracted from a web page.

Similarly, if a search query involves some type of comparison, such as yoga vs. pilates, Bing will surface an information box that breaks down the differences between the two terms, rather than grabbing a snippet from an article. Microsofts Project Brainwave initiative, a platform for boosting real-time AI performance, provides the foundation for these additions to Bing, the company says.

Microsoft is adding other features to Bing as well. One can identify individual objects within photos that appear in image search results so that users can shop for those items. Another enables Bing to offer clarifying questions based on a search query in order to help filter results more precisely.

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Read more: The Top 10 Gadgets of 2017

The news comes as Google continues to frequently refine its own search engine. Just this month alone, Google updated its featured snippets section to include more images as well as launched a new program that allows celebrities to answer commonly asked questions in search. These features may be different than the functions Microsoft is pursuing with Bing, but the two companies are undoubtedly working toward the same goal of helping provide relevant information quickly without forcing users to trove through reams of data available on the web.

Bing also only accounts for a sliver of search engine traffic: Google held 81% of search engine market share across desktop and mobile devices between Dec. 2016 and Nov. 2017, according to analytics firm NetMarketShare. Baidu placed in second with 7.82% of the market, while Bing landed in third with 5.72%. Google also has a major advantage when it comes to mobile, considering its search bar sits on the home screen of most popular Android phones, and Android is estimated to account for roughly 85% of worldwide smartphone shipments according to IDC projections. Microsoft, meanwhile, recently said it has doesnt intend to release new Windows Phone products. Bing, however, is the default search engine on Microsofts Edge browser, which comes preinstalled on Windows 10 computers.

But Microsofts improvements to Bing are likely about much more than just trying to steal some attention away from Googles massively popular search engine. Smarter search tools will be important as new tech platforms, like virtual assistants, augmented and virtual reality, and smart home devices continue to spread, particularly if theyre relying on search results and history to answer questions or learn more about a users habits. Search is more pervasive in everything we do as we spend more time online, says Michael Inouye, a principal analyst for ABI Research. That digital profile that we have [online] is going to become more valuable, and search is a big part of that.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / December 14, 2017 / Drilling the first holes into a lithium prospective basin is a high risk business, because if you miss, or the lithium grades are low, the market tends to punish the company vigorously by selling hard as investors turn their back on the stock and move on to their next gambling frenzy. On the other hand, this could create an outstanding buying opportunity for those that still believe in the company and know that  in most cases  it's never the first hole that makes a discovery.

This could very well be true for Belmont Resources Inc. (TSX.V: BEA; Frankfurt: L3L1) and its Kibby Basin Project in Nevada, 65 km north of the famous Clayton Valley.

In June of this year, the lithium explorer reported assays from its first 2 holes, showing up to 200 ppm lithium in sediments. This was a promising discovery as it made official that there is lithium in the Kibby Basin. However, investors  at that time  were not looking for "promising" results in sediments, they wanted to see high-grade lithium in aquifers as that's also the pay zone in the near-by Clayton Valley. So as they did not get what they wanted to see, the stock took a dive at 5 cents and reached a bottom 4 months later at 2.5 cents. After a recent financing at 3 cents for the next round of exploration, the stock currently trades at 5 cents again. With management and insiders taking the lion's share of that financing, this may give confidence that they still believe to hit it big time with the next round of drilling.

And today, Belmont made a striking announcement that could be the missing piece of a puzzle for the question of where to drill the next couple of holes on its large property to finally discover high grades of lithium in the aquifer pay zone.

The full report can be accessed with the following links:

English (web version): http://rockstone-research.com/index.php/en/research-reports/3950-The-Missing-Puzzle-Piece-to-Discover-Lithium-Aquifers-in-the-Kibby-Basin-of-Nevada

Story continues

English (PDF): http://rockstone-research.com/images/PDF/Belmont7en.pdf

German (PDF): http://rockstone-research.com/images/PDF/Belmont7de.pdf

German (web version): http://rockstone-research.com/index.php/de/research-reports/3951-Das-fehlende-Puzzle-Stueck-zur-Entdeckung-von-Lithium-Aquifer-in-Nevadas-Kibby-Basin

Disclaimer: Please read the full disclaimer within the full research report as a PDF as fundamental risks and conflicts of interest exist.

SOURCE: Rockstone Research
The Supreme Court has ruled that a Parsi who married outside her community must be allowed to enter fire temples and participate in other religious rituals.

The Supreme Court has allowed a Parsi woman who married outside the community to enter a fire temple (REUTERS PHOTO FOR REPRESENTATION)

By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today granted a Zoroastrian woman barred from entering Parsi temples for marrying outside the community the right to enter a fire temple in Gujarat's Valsad. The major ruling could go on to affect changes in laws governing the personal lives of Parsis in India.

The woman - Goolrukh Gupta - was excommunicated from Parsi religions activities after she married outside her religion. She had married a non-Parsi, under the Special Marriage Act, in 1991 and subsequently was denied entry into the Parsi temple of fire and wasn't allowed to participate in other rituals.

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Under the Parsi customary law, she also lost the right to visit the 'Tower of Silence' in the event of her father's death to perform the last rites.

So, Gupta approached the courts seeking a declaration that she should not be barred from barred from attending the funeral of her father merely because she has married outside the religion.

However, in 2010, the Gujarat High Court upheld the customary law, a decision Gupta then challenged in the Supreme Court.

A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra today junked the Gujarat High Court order and ruled that she Gupta does not lose the right to enter Parsi temples or participate in other religius rituals because she married outside her community.

While a major ruling, the Supreme Court's decision today came was no surprise. The five-judge Constitution bench had indicated last week itself how its decision may turn out.

The court had asked the Parsi Anjuman in Gujarat's Valsad to consider Gupta's plea and allow her to attend the funeral of her father as and when he passes away.

Observing she hasn't "surrendered her affection to father", the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked senior counsel Gopal Subramanium to speak to his client on permitting the petitioner to attend the funeral of her father in Anjuman.

Further observing that "DNA does not evaporates" after marrying outside the religion, the court said that the "marrying under the Special Marriage Act is only for the retention of original identity".

"A man marries outside the community and is permitted to retain his religious identity and a woman is not allowed to marry outside and retain her religious identity. How can a woman be debarred...," the bench had further observed.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Kerala government takes U-turn on Sabarimala temple issue, says women should not be barred

--- ENDS ---
SEOUL, Dec 13 (Reuters)  South Koreas government has called an emergency meeting to discuss the trading of cryptocurrencies, and measures on the market will be announced on Friday, a central bank official said on Wednesday.

The official declined to give further details, but the announcement underscores how global regulators are grappling with the frenzy over cryptocurrencies, just days after the launch of the worlds first bitcoin futures.

Bitcoin-related shares slumped in early trade. Vidente Co Ltd and Omnitel Inc, which hold stakes of South Koreas biggest bitcoin exchange Bithumb, fell 8.4 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively. Bitcoin mining-related company JCH Systems Inc shares dropped 4.2 percent.

South Korean policymakers are facing a growing chorus of calls to regulate the market as sharp volatilities in virtual currency trading such as bitcoin has created a new tribe of traders called bitcoin zombies.

Earlier on Wednesday, Australias central bank governor said the fascination with virtual currencies feels more like a speculative mania.

The comments come days after his New Zealand counterpart said bitcoin appeared to be a classic case of a bubble and that its future was in doubt.

As bitcoin notched more than 15-fold increase in value this year, Prime minister Lee Nak-yeon in November said he is worried about students jumping into the frenzy, and called on the government to take action as some serious pathological phenomenon could arise if left unchecked.

The finance minister said on Monday that ministries are in talks to decide whether such trading should be regulated, while the chief of the financial regulator said some Justice Ministry officials are calling for an outright ban on cryptocurrency trading. No decisions have yet been made, however, on regulating the market.

For more on bitcoin, watch Fortunes video:

South Korea currently bans all financial institutions from dealing with virtual currencies.

But the country is among the worlds biggest bitcoin markets and is home to the worlds most active virtual currency exchange, Bithumb.

Bitcoin is trading at $16,850 on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange on Wednesday, near is liftime high of $17,428 reached on Tuesday.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REGN along with partner Sanofi SNY announced positive top-line efficacy results from a pivotal phase II study of its experimental candidate, cemiplimab. The EMPOWER-CSCC 1 study is being conducted on 82 patients with a type of skin cancer: advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

Cemiplimab is a checkpoint inhibitor targeting PD-1 (programmed death protein 1). The cemiplimab monotherapy study showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 46.3%. The median duration of response (DOR) had not yet been reached at the data cut-off point. At the time of this analysis, all patients had a minimum follow up of six months.

The safety profile in the study was generally consistent with approved anti-PD-1 agents. Notably, for patients with CSCC that cannot be cured by surgery or radiation, there are no FDA-approved treatment options. This is the largest prospective study ever conducted in this disease and many patients were able to achieve deep and durable responses. Hence, the candidate is expected to provide the company with access to a market promising huge potential.

So far this year, shares of Regeneron have gained 4% compared with the industrys growth of 2.8%.

Per the companys press release, CSCC is the second most common and deadliest skin cancer after melanoma in the United States. The disease is also responsible for most deaths among non-melanoma skin cancer patients. Although it is easier to apprehend the condition in early stages, it becomes quite difficult to treat the same once progressed to advanced stages.

The data from the EMPOWER-CSCC 1 study will form the basis of a rolling Biologics License Application (BLA) submission to the FDA, which has been initiated and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018. The company also expects to make a filing to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the first quarter of 2018.

The results were consistent with the positive phase I trial expansion cohort results reported at ASCO in June, 2017, which led to the candidate receiving Breakthrough Therapy Designation in September.

Story continues

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Regeneron has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked health care stocks in the same space are Sucampo Pharmaceuticals SCMP and Corcept Therapeutics Inc. CORT holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Sucampos earnings per share estimates have moved up from 3 cents to $1.12 for 2017 and from $1.15 to $1.19 for 2018, over the last 30 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 15.63%. The share price of the company has increased 20.3% year to date.

Corcepts earnings per share estimates have climbed from 78 cents to 88 cents for 2018, over the last 60 days. The company pulled off a positive earnings surprise in two of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 14.32%. The share price of the company has increased 136.4% year to date.

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Sanofi (SNY) : Free Stock Analysis Report



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



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Ripple, Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash lead the charge as the markets consider a possible increased desire by governments to protect investors. Are todays moves a reflection of acceptance or complacency?

Ripple continued to make a splash this morning, gaining another 23% at the time of writing to hit $0.565 levels.

For those looking for a Bitcoin move, Bitcoin saw early losses reverse to move up 2.55% to $16,664.8 at the time of writing, though with the markets accustomed to double digit gains on an intraday basis, things are going to need to start moving for Bitcoin, if its to avoid yet another day in the shadow of its peers, with even Bitcoin Cash hitting an intraday $2,100 high before easing back to sub-$1900 levels.

Amongst the major cryptocurrencies that have made a move this week, Ethereum has also bounced, jumping to $700 levels, though the gains this morning are less impressive, up just 2.82% at the of writing.

All the news at the moment is surrounding the launch of the futures markets and the potential upsides for some of the altcoins including Litecoin. We have also been seeing a lot of news on a possible shift in the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin in particular.

Get Into Cryptocurrency Trading Today

The launch of the futures market and anticipated jump in institutional investor money will certainly have added pressure on regulators to explore ways in which the cryptomarket should be monitored going forward. The reality is however that, unless a regulator from the top 3-cryptomarkets begin to raise the prospects of regulatory oversight, the likely impact of regulatory oversight in smaller markets is likely to be limited at best. After all, in the digital world investors not only enjoy anonymity, but are also able to trade cryptocurrencies offshore.

Just this morning, news hit the wires that the South Korean government was planning to introduce regulations on Bitcoin and altcoins, with the regulations expected to be introduced before the end of the year.

Perhaps one of the most interesting proposals was to restrict trading on South Korean exchanges by foreigners looking to circumvent domestic trading restrictions. The most alarming will have been a proposed temporary suspension of investing in cryptocurrencies by both institutional and retail investors.

Story continues

The good news for the cryptoworld is that the South Korean government is particularly mindful of the possible adverse impact that regulatory oversight can have on the markets and potential losses for both retail and institutional investors.

For this reason, the South Koreans have looked to focus on finding ways to protect cryptocurrency investors as opposed to shut down the South Korean market that is by no means small.

The very fact that the major cryptocurrencies were in positive territory at the time of writing, in spite of the news from South Korea suggests that some degree of protection for investors is a welcome move. When considering the exponential gains this year and the market caps of the respective cryptocurrencies, to have zero protection could ultimately leave the markets in disarray and cleaning up the mess from a burst bubble.

Perhaps if governments had taken a more pragmatic approach during the Dot.Com era, things would have turned out differently. There was certainly a lack of protection back then.

Buy & Sell Cryptocurrency Instantly

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 24, 2017 / Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile S.A. Sponsored ADR Pfd Class B (NYSE: SQM) will be discussing their earnings results in their Q3 Earnings Call to be held on November 24, 2017 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

To listen to the event live or access a replay of the call - visit https://www.investornetwork.com/company/2225.

To receive updates for this company you can register by emailing info@investornetwork.com or by clicking get investment info from the companys profile.

About Investor Network

Investor Network (IN) is a financial content community, serving millions of unique investors market information, earnings, commentary and news on the whats trending. Dedicated to both the professional and the average traders, IN offers timely, trusted and relevant financial information for virtually every investor. IN is an Issuer Direct brand, to learn more or for the latest financial news and market information, visit www.investornetwork.com. Follow us on Twitter @investornetwork.

SOURCE: Investor Network
* Sibanye plans job cuts to help save $112 mln a year

* CEO Froneman dubbed "Mr Fix It" for building Sibanye

* Lonmin burned through $1.6 bln in cash from investors

* Lonmin underperforms peers: http://bit.ly/2zbL36M (Updates with union comment, closing Lonmin shares)

By Zandi Shabalala and Ed Stoddard

LONDON/JOHANNESBURG, Dec 14 (Reuters) - South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater agreed to buy troubled miner Lonmin for about 285 million pounds ($382 million) to create the world's No. 2 platinum producer in a bid to ride out depressed prices for the metal.

Sibanye, whose CEO is called "Mr Fix It" for turning his firm from a spin-off with three old mines into a global precious metals player, said it would cut a third of Lonmin's employees and deliver savings of about $112 million a year by 2021.

Lonmin, the world's third biggest platinum producer, has burned through $1.6 billion in cash which was raised from investors since platinum prices plunged 60 percent from their peak in 2008. But it has still struggled to fund its mines.

Lonmin, with a century of history working in southern Africa, has lost 98 percent of its value since 2012, when 34 striking miners at its Marikana operation were killed by police.

"This is a bailout deal for Lonmin," Nedbank precious metals analyst Leon Esterhuizen said. "It makes for a good match, but it doesn't resolve oversupply of the PGM (platinum group metals) industry."

Lonmin's shares ended 20 percent higher on news of the deal, while Sibanye-Stillwater, which will also become the world's second biggest palladium producer, closed down 7 percent in Johannesburg.

Platinum has tumbled in value because of bloated supply and falling demand from the automotive industry, where the metal is used in technology to cut vehicle emissions.

"The flexibility inherent in the larger regional PGM footprint will create a more robust business, better able to withstand volatile PGM prices and exchange rates," Sibanye Chief Executive Neal Froneman said in a statement.

Story continues

Sibanye outlined plans to cut 12,600 of Lonmin's 33,000 jobs over three years, with a further 890 positions at risk, helping yield annual savings of 1.5 billion rand ($112 million) by 2021. A presentation on its plans said the measures aimed to cope with platinum prices that were "lower for longer".

"Doubtless welcome news to long suffering Lonmin shareholders averting the need to dig into their pockets once again to refinance the company in its regular three to four year refinancing cycle," said Marc Elliott, analyst at Investec bank.

He said Sibanye management could get the most value from Lonmin's smelting and refining assets and could also be betting on a rebound in the price of platinum group metals.

"CRITICAL" JOBS

Froneman also cut jobs and costs after Sibanye was spun off from Gold Fields in 2013, a task that is particularly fraught in South Africa where unemployment runs at 27 percent.

South African Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said in a statement that "the creation and retention of jobs in this sector is a critical part" of ensuring stability.

Lonmin's main labour union, AMCU, said it would consider mass action to oppose the Sibanye and Lonmin deal. AMCU led a record five-month strike at Lonmin and its peers in 2014.

Under its bid, Sibanye will offer 0.967 new Sibanye-Stillwater shares for each Lonmin share, giving Lonmin shareholders about 11.3 percent of the enlarged group.

Under the deal, Lonmin would put all of its older mines on care and maintenance, which means operations stop but they are kept in a condition to resume in future.

"While in some way I am sad, I am sure as hell that this is the right thing for the sustainability of the company," Lonmin CEO Ben Magara told Reuters.

Sibanye and Lonmin have been talking for months, sources said, after Sibanye looked at Lonmin a few years ago before turning to another deal. One banking source told Reuters the rest of Lonmin's portfolio would be reviewed over time.

Lonmin, listed in London since 1961, has been undergoing an operational review to help resolve a cash crunch that led its banks to relax some debt covenants. The miner has tapped shareholders for cash three times since 2009.

Lonmin emerged in the 1990s after the split up of Lonrho, a conglomerate run for three decades by buccaneering tycoon Tiny Rowland, whose firm was branded in the 1970s by Britain's prime minister at the time as the "unacceptable face of capitalism".

Sibanye made its first foray into platinum by buying Anglo American Platinum's Rustenburg operations in 2015, and then bought Aquarius Platinum and U.S. palladium producer Stillwater.

Froneman told Reuters he had no plans for another major acquisition. "There may be smaller assets that fit into that, but for now we are done in terms of our PGM profile."

State-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which owns 30 percent of Lonmin, increased its stake in Sibanye in November to 11 percent. It is now the top shareholder in both firms.

PIC was not immediately available to comment on the deal.

In November, Reuters reported on its array of measures to save cash after it delayed its annual financial results pending conclusion of a business review.

UBS and HSBC advised Sibanye on the deal.

Lonmin shareholders Schroders and Majedie declined to comment.

($1 = 13.4361 rand)

(Additional reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain, Ed Stoddard, Simon Jessop and Clara Denina; Editing by Adrian Croft and Edmund Blair)
By PTI: MEA

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) India expects Sri Lanka to be mindful of its "security concerns and sensitivities", the external affairs ministry said today while reacting to the Sri Lankan government handing over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease last week.

Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also made it clear that Indias relation with Sri Lanka "stand on its own and is not dependent on our relations with any third country."

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He said India was confident of the strength of enduring ties with Sri Lanka which were deep-rooted and multidimensional.

"We continue to take up with Sri Lanka issues related to the security concerns in the region and expect that our Sri Lankan friends will keep in mind our security concerns and sensitivities," he said.

Two Chinese firms - Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) managed by the China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) - and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own the port and the investment zone around it.

The port, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is expected to play a key role in Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which will link ports and roads between China and Europe.

In order to allay Indias security concerns over the Chinese Navys presence in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe had earlier ruled out the possibility of the strategic port being used as a "military base" by any foreign country.

Answering another query regarding reports of Maldives signing a free trade agreement with China, he said India expects that as a close and friendly neighbour, Maldives will be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its India First policy.

Kumar also said that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Maldives.

Noting that India has seen reports about the Maldives- China agreement and the reports have also alluded to the manner in which the FTA was passed by the Majlis, he said it will not be appropriate for him to comment on the contents.

He also said India was committed to supporting democracy, development and stability in Maldives.

On the visit of Maldives President to China, he said, "We feel that as long as the development of bilateral relations between the two countries contribute to the peace and stability in the region, I think we should welcome that." PTI PYK ZMN

--- ENDS ---
You'd think that telecoms would want to bail on conventional TV services given how many people are cutting the cord, but don't tell that to T-Mobile. The carrier has revealed that it's launching a TV service in 2018, and that it has acquired Layer3 TV (a company that integrates TV, streaming and social networking) to make this happen. It claims that it can "uncarrier" TV the way it did with wireless service, and has already targeted a few areas it thinks it can fix: it doesn't like the years-long contracts, bloated bundles, outdated tech and poor customer service that are staples of TV service in the US. T-Mobile hasn't gone into detail about the functionality of the service yet. How will it be delivered? How much will it cost? Where will it be available? And will this affect the company's free Netflix offer? This is more a declaration of intent than a concrete roadmap, so it's far from certain that the company will live up to its promises. Ultimately, the move represents a big bet on T-Mobile's part: that people like TV and are cutting the cord based on a disdain for the companies, not the service. There's a degree of truth to that when many Americans are all too familiar with paying ever-increasing rates to get hundreds of channels they don't watch. However, there's no guarantee that it'll work in an era when many people (particularly younger people) are more likely to use Netflix, YouTube or a streaming TV service like Sling TV. And being tech-savvy doesn't guarantee success -- just look at how Google Fiber dropped TV from its latest rollouts amid budget issues. If T-Mobile create a compelling service, though, it could shake up the TV industry. Many Americans only have a handful of TV options at best, and often just one or two if they're not willing to go with satellite access. In theory, this could force cable and fiber rivals to offer more competitive pricing and provide more flexibility with their plans.
By Tova Cohen and Ari Rabinovitch

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA.TA) (TEVA.N) is to cut its workforce by more than a quarter, give up many of its manufacturing plants and suspend its dividend on ordinary shares in a much-anticipated overhaul to help pay off its debts.

The Israel-based company, the world's largest generic drugmaker, said on Thursday the move will result in a reduction of 14,000 jobs globally, with the majority to come in 2018.

The two-year restructuring plan is intended to reduce Teva's cost base by $3 billion by the end of 2019, out of an estimated cost base for 2017 of $16.1 billion.

Shares in Teva were up 14.6 percent at $18 in New York, but are down 53 percent since January.

Investors will like this plan as most are focused on the near-term cost cuts and not the business outlook, Wells Fargo analyst David Maris said.

"However, in our view, the new CEO's $3 billion cost-savings goal is larger than we had anticipated, and while this is more needed for survival versus optimization, it may also have significant negative effects to Teva's competitiveness," said Maris, who rates the shares "market perform".

Saddled with nearly $35 billion in debt since acquiring Allergan's (AGN.N) Actavis generic drug business for $40.5 billion, Teva made a series of changes after Kare Schultz joined as its new chief executive on Nov. 1.

In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Schultz said action was needed to ensure Teva's future.

"It is clear that without taking drastic steps in the coming weeks and months, the company will be increasingly vulnerable to potential takeover by global financial institutions or activists with their own agendas and the risk is real," he said.

Teva expects a restructuring charge from the plan in 2018 of at least $700 million, mostly to come in the second and third quarters and mainly related to severance costs. Additional charges may follow decisions on closures or divestment of plants, R&D facilities and office locations.

Story continues

"A longer-term strategy will come later in the year, however, in the near term we must remain focused on cash-flow generation, short-term revenue and serving our debt," Schultz said in a letter to employees.

SERVICING DEBT

Investors and analysts have questioned how Teva will be able to service its debt in coming years.

In a conference call with analysts, Schultz said Teva would use cash flow to pay down debt, initially focusing on bank debt.

"We have no plans for raising new equity, short term or long term," he told Reuters in an interview.

The company also expects help next year from two new branded products - its migraine drug fremanezumab and Austedo, which treats abnormal, involuntary movements associated with Huntingtons disease.

In the U.S. generics market, which has suffered from price declines in the past year, Schultz expects further price erosion overall in 2018.

This has led to some products becoming unprofitable. Teva is now determining which products it can adjust the price for and which products it "needs to get out of". Despite the consolidation, Schultz said he is confident Teva can remain competitive because of its broad portfolio of generic drugs.

Some 1,700 jobs will be cut and a manufacturing site will be closed in Israel, where the main labor federation threatened to hold a half-day general strike on Sunday, the start of the Israeli work week, in protest at the layoffs.

Schultz said Teva will maintain its headquarters in Israel.

The government went into damage-control mode ahead of Teva's announcement, including a telephone call from Netanyahu to Schultz, asking that he keep layoffs in Israel to a minimum.

Economy Minister Eli Cohen said Teva's employees should not pay for the company's failed investments abroad.

"Teva has succeeded thanks to grants and tax benefits it received from the state and thanks to developments by Israeli scientists," he said, adding: "We will fight for every employee."

The company said dividends on convertible preferred shares would be evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Teva will provide its 2018 outlook in February.

(Editing by Dale Hudson, Greg Mahlich)
A man cleans near the logo of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries at their plant in Jerusalem December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (Reuters)

By Tova Cohen and Ari Rabinovitch

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is to cut its workforce by more than a quarter, give up many of its manufacturing plants and suspend its dividend on ordinary shares in a much-anticipated overhaul to help pay off its debts.

The Israel-based company, the world's largest generic drugmaker, said on Thursday the move will result in a reduction of 14,000 jobs globally, with the majority to come in 2018.

The two-year restructuring plan is intended to reduce Teva's cost base by $3 billion by the end of 2019, out of an estimated cost base for 2017 of $16.1 billion.

Shares in Teva were up 14.6 percent at $18 in New York, but are down 53 percent since January.

Investors will like this plan as most are focused on the near-term cost cuts and not the business outlook, Wells Fargo analyst David Maris said.

"However, in our view, the new CEO's $3 billion cost-savings goal is larger than we had anticipated, and while this is more needed for survival versus optimisation, it may also have significant negative effects to Teva's competitiveness," said Maris, who rates the shares "market perform".

Saddled with nearly $35 billion in debt since acquiring Allergan's Actavis generic drug business for $40.5 billion, Teva made a series of changes after Kare Schultz joined as its new chief executive on Nov. 1.

In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Schultz said action was needed to ensure Teva's future.

"It is clear that without taking drastic steps in the coming weeks and months, the company will be increasingly vulnerable to potential takeover by global financial institutions or activists with their own agendas and the risk is real," he said.

Teva expects a restructuring charge from the plan in 2018 of at least $700 million, mostly to come in the second and third quarters and mainly related to severance costs. Additional charges may follow decisions on closures or divestment of plants, R&D facilities and office locations.

Story continues

"A longer-term strategy will come later in the year, however, in the near term we must remain focused on cash-flow generation, short-term revenue and serving our debt," Schultz said in a letter to employees.

SERVICING DEBT

Investors and analysts have questioned how Teva will be able to service its debt in coming years.

In a conference call with analysts, Schultz said Teva would use cash flow to pay down debt, initially focusing on bank debt.

"We have no plans for raising new equity, short term or long term," he told Reuters in an interview.

The company also expects help next year from two new branded products - its migraine drug fremanezumab and Austedo, which treats abnormal, involuntary movements associated with Huntingtons disease.

In the U.S. generics market, which has suffered from price declines in the past year, Schultz expects further price erosion overall in 2018.

This has led to some products becoming unprofitable. Teva is now determining which products it can adjust the price for and which products it "needs to get out of". Despite the consolidation, Schultz said he is confident Teva can remain competitive because of its broad portfolio of generic drugs.

Some 1,700 jobs will be cut and a manufacturing site will be closed in Israel, where the main labour federation threatened to hold a half-day general strike on Sunday, the start of the Israeli work week, in protest at the layoffs.

Schultz said Teva will maintain its headquarters in Israel.

The government went into damage-control mode ahead of Teva's announcement, including a telephone call from Netanyahu to Schultz, asking that he keep layoffs in Israel to a minimum.

Economy Minister Eli Cohen said Teva's employees should not pay for the company's failed investments abroad.

"Teva has succeeded thanks to grants and tax benefits it received from the state and thanks to developments by Israeli scientists," he said, adding: "We will fight for every employee."

The company said dividends on convertible preferred shares would be evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Teva will provide its 2018 outlook in February.

(Editing by Dale Hudson, Greg Mahlich)
Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Phillip Morris (PM), EOG Resources (EOG) and Becton, Dickinson (BDX). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of todays research reports here >>>

Phillip Morriss shares have underperformed the Zacks Tobacco industry over the last three months (-8.1% vs. +3%). But the Zacks analyst likes Philip Morris consistent efforts to improve the performance of its low risk products. In this category, the companys IQOS smokeless cigarette have been steadily expanding owing to consumer demand.

Higher cigarette pricing has also been favoring the company. Though the company has been benefiting from enhanced volumes and revenues in the reduced risk products category, it has been suffering majorly due to consistent declines in cigarette volumes stemming from the shift of customer preference away from tobacco products.

Owing to such headwinds, Phillip Morris continued with its drab performance in third-quarter 2017, wherein both earnings and revenues lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate. These factors also compelled management to lower its 2017 view.

(You can read the full research report on Phillip Morris here >>> ).

Shares of EOG Resources have gained around +12.7% over the last six months, outperforming the Zacks Oil & Gas E&P Industry, which has gained +4% over the same period. EOG Resources holds premium acreages in the Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford oil shale plays in the United States.

The Zacks analyst likes the firms plan to complete 505 wells in the area, significantly higher than 443 recorded in 2016. The firm expects 80% and 90% of the wells to meet the standards of premium wells in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In the promising U.S. shale plays, EOG Resources has identified 7,200 premium wells that can give access to almost 6.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent estimated potential reserves over a period of 10 years.

Story continues

However, the companys lack of exposure to international resources is a drag. On top of that, increasing debt load is a cause of concern. Moreover, cash balances have been declining substantially over the first nine months, reflecting balance sheet weakness.

(You can read the full research report on EOG Resources here >>> ).

Becton, Dickinsons shares have outperformed the Zacks Dental Supplies industry over the last one year, gaining +30.5% vs. +19.1%. Becton, Dickinson and Company, popularly known as BD, is steadily progressing with its planned acquisition of medical technology player, C. R. Bard. Post-completion, BD expects growth in adjusted earnings starting fiscal 2019. The Zacks analyst thinks the acquisition is a strategic one which will generate benefits from complementary businesses and geographical expansion.

Further, BD announced that it will divest its soft tissue core needle biopsy products for $100 million to Merit Medical. On the flipside, lackluster performance by the Medical segment is a concern.

Performance in the segment was affected by sluggishness in the Medication Management Solutions and Pharmaceutical Systems units in the United States. BD temporarily paused shipments of its insulin infusion sets. The voluntary recall of Barricor blood collection tubes in the recent past also adds to BDs woes.

(You can read the full research report on Becton, Dickinson here >>> ).

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include SAP (SAP), Sirius XM (SIRI) and ABB (ABB).

Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?

Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.

With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.

It's not the one you think.

See This Ticker Free >>

Mark Vickery

Senior Editor

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Today's Must Read

Smokeless Category Strength Drives Phillip Morris (PM) Sales

EOG Resources (EOG) Gains on Eagle Ford Acreage, Debts High

Bard Buyout Aids Becton (BDX) Amid Medical Segment Slowdown

Featured Reports

JetBlue's (JBLU) Mint Service Impresses Amid Capacity Woes

The Zacks analyst likes JetBlue's efforts to expand its Mint service.Unit revenue improvement is also a positive. Capacity overexpansion due to lower traffic growth is, however, a concern at JetBlue.

Subscriber Growth Bouys Sirius XM (SIRI) Amid High Costs

Per the Zacks analyst, Sirius XM's healthy subscriber growth is encouraging and is expected to rise further. However, rising costs pose a threat to bottom-line growth.

Rising U.S. Oil Production, Cost Savings Drives Devon (DVN)

The Zacks analyst believes Devon Energy's cost savings initiatives and increasing oil production from domestic assets will continue to boost its performance.

Greif's (GEF) Segments Poised Well for Growth, Costs a Woe

Per the Zacks analyst, higher specialty sales and strategic pricing decisions will aid Greif's segments.

Grainger (GWW) Gains on Pricing Actions, Higher Expenses Ail

Per the Zacks analyst, Grainger's new pricing structure will aid volume growth and help gain market share.

Solid mPOS Sales, Latin America Growth Drives Verifone (PAY)

According to the Zacks analyst, rapid traction of the mPOS device along with robust top-line growth in Latin America is benefiting Verifone.

Strong Order Trends, Buyouts, Catalysts for ABB Ltd. (ABB)

Per the Zacks analyst, strong orders in Robotics & Motion and Industrial Automation segments, coupled with acquisitions of GE Industrial Solutions, B&R and KEYMILE bode well for ABB's growth momentum.

New Upgrades

Petro-Canada Lubricants Buy Boosts HollyFrontier (HFC)

The Zacks analyst believes that the Petro-Canada Lubricants acquisition has helped HollyFrontier expand into a high-margin and less competitive business.

Strong Cloud and Software Business to Aid SAP SE (SAP)

Per the Zacks analyst, impressive performance of SAP's Cloud and Software business, fueled by a rise in cloud subscriptions and support-revenue, will continue to lend momentum to the company.

Rising Premiums Propels ProAssurance's (PRA) Revenue Growth

Per the Zacks analyst, ProAssurance's top line continues to grow on the back of increasing premium income as well as solid inorganic strategies.

New Downgrades

Under Armour (UAA) Lackluster North America Sales a Concern

Per the Zacks analyst, dismal North American business remains a drag for Under Armour's top line. This has compelled management to trim full year sales view to low-single digit growth from 9-11%.

Cat Loss Exposure Weighs on XL's (XL) Underwriting Results

Per the Zacks analyst, exposure to catastrophe losses induces volatility in XL Group's underwriting profitability. Lower investment income and higher expenses weighs on the bottom-line.

Divestment & Rising Cost to Hamper Integra's (IART) Business

Per the Zacks analyst, Integra's decision to sell some of the company's neurosurgery assets may hamper its business in the near term.



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ETFdb.com analyzes the search patterns of our visitors each week. By sharing these trends with our readers, we hope to provide insights into what the financial world is concerned about and how to position your portfolio.

The drama surrounding Brexit is getting different twists almost on a daily basis, making United Kingdom the most popular topic this week. Industrials ETFs benefited from investor attention as Donald Trumps tax bill may return the glow to the shunned sector. Uranium ETFs took third place, while financial equities dropped to the fourth spot this week. A spike in telecom stocks drew attention to the embattled sector. Check out our previous trends edition at Trending: Financials Surge as Senate Passes Republicans Tax Plan.

Trends%20dec%2014%202017

U.K. Stocks Rise Despite Drama Over Brexit

Britain has seen its fair share of drama in recent months over the Brexit issue, but the political uncertainty failed to stop the market rally. United Kingdom saw its viewership rise as much as 181% this week, as Prime Minister Theresa May continues her fight with fellow Conservatives over Brexit negotiations. Although the internal discord is threatening an orderly exit of Britain from the European Union, iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU A-) has risen 2.3% over the past week, extending year-to-date gains to more than 15%.

Ewu

May has been adept at resolving the flurry of issues coming her way, recently finding common ground with the EU on the Irish border. However, in the latest twist, Mays own Tory lawmakers made clear they wanted an amendment to the Brexit bill to include the possibility of a meaningful vote on any divorce agreement. Because May does not have a majority in the House of Commons, she lost against lawmakers just as she is expected to meet her European negotiators on Thursday for the EU summit. Europeans are already skeptical of Britains ability to keep its word, and a change in the agreement would be seen as backtracking on the original commitment.

The chief disruptor is Brexit Secretary David Davis, who questioned whether many provisions in the deal should be binding, including citizens rights and how to eliminate the Irish border. The European Parliament has a veto over the final deal and suggested it would not accept any backtracking. It also named Davis as a potential risk to the achieved progress in negotiations. The British Parliament now will also have a final word on the Brexit deal that May will clinch in Brussels.

Sign up for ETFdb.com Pro and get access to real-time ratings on over 1,900 U.S.-listed ETFs.

Industrials

Industrials ETFs have seen their viewership advance 101% this week, well behind United Kingdom. The sector has had a good run this year, and received a further boost after the Senate passed the tax plan to cut corporate tax rates. Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI A)  an ETF containing such stocks as Boeing (BA), 3M (MMM) and Honeywell International (HON)  has advanced 1.75% since last Thursday, extending year-to-date gains to more than 20%. For comparison, the S&P 500 has risen 18.2% over the same period.

Xli

The Trump tax plan is expected to, overall, be positive for industrial companies, as the bill will allow the sectors larger players to repatriate profits stashed overseas at lower tax rates. The newly available cash could be used for investments and lead to job creation or returned to shareholders in the form of buybacks and dividends. By returning cash to investors, the stock prices are expected to benefit instantly, while capital expenditures may bring about positive results over the long term.

Some industrial companies have suffered in recent years, despite a growing economy and rising stock markets. For instance, General Electric (GE), which makes up 4.5% of (XLI A), has tumbled 44% since the beginning of the year due to legacy issues.

Uranium Surges on Output Cut

Uranium saw a traffic increase of 85% compared to the previous week, as the embattled commodity finally received respite after a large exporter announced production cuts.

Global X Uranium (URA C+) has risen 4.5% this week, extending year-to-date gains to around 16%. The ETF received a boost after the worlds second-largest miner, a Kazakhstan state-owned company, committed to cut its output by 20%. Uranium prices tanked after the disaster in Fukushima, Japan, as many other countries decided to close their nuclear plants in order to avoid a similar catastrophe. Since their 2011 peak, (URA C+) has declined more than 86% as demand failed to catch up with supply.

For a deeper analysis on individual ETF investments such as (URA C+) or (XLI A), use our ETF Analyzer tool. You can select ETFs by category or type as well as add individual ticker symbols to compare performance, expenses and dividend yield, among other metrics.

Ura

By cutting supply by 20%, Kazakhstans Kazatomprom propped uranium prices, giving an instant boost to Canadas Cameco (CCJ), which produces 17% of global uranium supplies, and other North American uranium companies.

Financial Equities Drop on Trump Blow

Financial equities saw their viewership rise 70% this week, taking first place in the list after being the most popular topic last Thursday. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF A) continued its rally until Wednesday when it fell abruptly after U.S. Democrats scored a stunning win in Alabama by gaining a Senate seat in what is traditionally a Republican foothold.

Xlf

The Democrats victory was interpreted as a serious blow to President Donald Trumps policies and, as a result his tax plan, may be endangered. Financial stocks, which are expected to benefit the most from a corporate tax cut, will suffer if Trumps tax plan fails to become law. Despite the 1.3% drop on Wednesday, (XLF A) remains slightly up this week. Year-to-date, (XLF A) has advanced 19%.

Embattled Telecom Stocks Get Respite

Telecom stocks have seen their viewership rise 47%, as the embattled sector was finally embraced by investors. Vanguard Telecommunications Services (VOX A+) has advanced 4.7% this week, comfortably beating the S&P 500 by four percentage points. To be sure, telecom stocks performance since the start of the year remains subdued, with (VOX A+) down more than 10%.

Vox

Investors apparently saw opportunity in the sector, shifting funds away from financials into telecom firms.

The Bottom Line

This week was all about Brexit drama. Just when it appeared Theresa May squashed internal discord, rebels in her own Conservative party dealt her a last-minute blow. Industrials may benefit from a Trump tax plan, although the U.S. presidents candidate lost in the Senate race in Alabama. Uranium rallied after Kazakhstans state-owned company announced plans to reduce output by 20%, while financial equities dropped on Wednesday following Republicans stunning loss in the Alabama election. Finally, telecom stocks rallied this week, erasing some of the year-to-date losses.

By analyzing how you, our valued readers, search our property each week, we hope to uncover important trends that will help you understand how the market is behaving so you can fine-tune your investment strategy. At the end of the week, well share these trends, giving you better insight into the relevant market events that will allow you to make more valuable decisions for your portfolio.

Click here to read the original article on ETFdb.com.
President Trump has promised that Washington will be giving Americans a giant tax cut for Christmas, and it looks like lawmakers are on track to meet the holiday deadline.

Republicans in the House and Senate reached an agreement this week on how to reconcile their two tax reform bills, which have been hurtled through Congress at startling speed over the last month. The final product will arguably amount to the most substantial overhaul of the American tax code since the Reagan years, fulfilling a legislative priority of a GOP-led Congress that has failed to notch any significant policy victories this year.

The compromise between the two houses will bring the corporate tax rate to 21% from its current 35%, and cap the top tax rate for individuals at 37%, Politico reported, citing individuals familiar with the negotiations. Contrary to initial goals, the bill will not do away with the provision that allows individuals to deduct their state and local tax charges from their federal tax bill; instead, they can choose between that provision or a property tax deduction, which in either case would be capped at $10,000.

Democrats are furious, noting that from the start the drafting of the tax reform effort has been carried out hastily and almost exclusively behind the G.O.P.s closed doors. They set up their Gang of Six and worked with the White House and never included Democratic input, one senior Democratic aide tells TIME, referring to the six Republican leaders on the Hill and in the White House who led the charge on the tax bill. There was never any serious outreach.

So lets understand whats happening today is a sham, Sen. Ron Wyden, the Oregon Democrat who sits as the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, said on Wednesday, when the congressional committee convened its one public meeting to reconcile the House and Senate bills. Nobody ought to mistake this conference for real debate, not when Republicans and special interests lobbyists have already wrapped up the real talks in secret.

Story continues

Theres not been a lot of bipartisan work, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said more gently. Theres a consensus that tax reform is long overdue, but we need tax reform that simplifies the tax code and helps the middle class [this] is a partisan tax bill written in secret without public hearings that increases the national debt.

The upset victory of Democrat Doug Jones in Alabamas special Senate election on Tuesday has only expedited the Republican push to finish tax reform. When Jones arrives in Washington the G.O.P.s slim margin in the Senate will get slimmer  they will hold just 51 of 100 seats  and Republican leadership is anxious to hold a vote on the bill before that happens.

That vote is scheduled to happen sometime next week. This will leave just several days for Congress to pass a spending package to stave off a government shutdown immediately ahead of the Christmas holiday.
The US space program hasnt sent astronauts to the moon since the early 1970s, but if Donald Trump has his way, NASA will be once again exploring the lunar surface before long. A policy directive signed on Monday is an important step in returning American astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972 for long-term exploration and use, according to Trump, but plenty of hurdles still stand in the way of Trumps wishes, including funding and, even more importantly, an actual plan to go.

The signing of the directive was praised by private spaceflight companies, and Trump trotted out longtime NASA astronaut Harrison Schmitt  who also served as Republican senator  for the event. However, with very little in the way of concrete goals, the directive is being seen as less of a push for scientific advancement and more of a dig against the Obama administrations space policies, which encouraged NASA to research nearby asteroids and plan for a Mars mission by the 2030s.

Don't Miss: This $19 device gives your Fire TV a huge speed boost

As The Washington Post accurately points out, Trump isnt the first president to suggest man revisit the moon. In fact, both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush were bullish on space exploration and did plenty of photo ops to cement themselves as pro-science, but failed spectacularly in providing NASA with the money or aim to actually deliver on those lofty promises.

That said, Trumps stated desire to have private companies lead the way in a return to the moon is unique. Were now at a point where private firms have pioneered many space travel technologies and companies like SpaceX, Moon Express, and Blue Origin are competing to reach important milestones.

NASA has already showed a willingness to work with these companies closely, trusting SpaceX in particular with delivering supplies to NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station, and theres no reason to think that other companies wouldnt also be welcomed into the fold if they can prove useful in the pursuit of new science. With NASAs budget still rather modest, private companies will remain the best hope for returning to the moon and potentially planning trips beyond for the foreseeable future.

Story continues

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Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT) is giving employees access to their paychecks before pay day.

Walmart Workers Can Now Access Pay Before Pay Day

Source: Mike Mozart via Flickr

The ability to gain access to paychecks before pay day is available to employees through the Even app. This is a financial management tool that lets employees withdraw their paychecks early eight times a year for free. Any time after that and WMT will subsidize the Even subscription to do so.

Walmart notes that all of its employees will have access to the Even app. This includes it hourly workers, salaried employees and those working for its eCommerce division. The app is able to do this by linking to employees checking accounts, prepaid accounts or Walmart Associate Paycards. It also connects to the WMT payroll system.

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

Every American worker faces unexpected and stressful between-paychecks expenses, Safwan Shah, founder and CEO of PayActiv, said in a statement. With on-demand access to earned wages, Walmart associates will be able to save more, avoid the financial traps that reduce their take-home pay, and get a level of stability that few service sector employers provide.

Walmart also points out that its employees can use the Even app to help with their financial planning. This includes using information from their upcoming paycheck to plan for bills and other expenses. Once this is taken care of, the app will show employees how much money they will have left to spend before their next paycheck. WMT hopes that these tolls and other features will allow its associates to better plan for the future.

More From InvestorPlace

As of this writing, William White did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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The post Walmart Workers Can Now Access Pay Before Pay Day appeared first on InvestorPlace.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) India today congratulated the newly-elected alliance in Nepal and said it looks forward to working with the democratically-elected government to advance close and multifaceted partnership.

Welcoming the conduct of parliamentary polls and first ever provincial elections in the Himalayan nation, External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India has age-old, unique, time tested ties of friendship with Nepal.

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"We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multifaceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity and all round development," he said.

The clear victory to the Left alliance- CPN-UML led by former premier K P Oli and the CPN-Maoist led by former premier Prachanda- is not seen as a positive development for India.

Oli has publicly criticised New Delhi for interfering in Nepals internal matters and accused it of toppling his government last year. PTI PYK ZMN

--- ENDS ---
Does Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.

(0:30) - The Many Stages of Stock Market Bubbles

(5:00) - FOMO: The Fear Of Missing Out

(11:30) - Examples of History's Biggest Bubbles

(14:50) - Bitcoin: Is a Bubble In Progress?

(25:00) - How To Avoid Getting Hurt With Bitcoin

(30.30) - Episode Roundup: Podcast@Zacks.com

Welcome to Episode #111 of the Zacks Market Edge Podcast.

Every week, host and Zacks stock strategist, Tracey Ryniec, will be joined by guests to discuss the hottest investing topics in stocks, bonds and ETFs and how it impacts your life.

In this episode, Tracey is joined by Kevin Cook, Zacks Senior Strategist and the host of the Mind Over Money podcast, to discuss the history of manias.

How do they start? Whats the psychology behind wanting to get in? What makes people jump in even when they know there is danger there?

And how can investors in cryptocurrencies avoid getting burned? Or can they?

A History of Manias

Charles Kindleberger, a PHD economic historian who passed away in 2003 at age 92, wrote what Tracey believes to be the guide to manias in the 1970s called Manias, Panics and Crashes, a history of financial crises.

Tracey has the 4th edition, which was published in 2000, fittingly, as the dot-com bubble was about to burst.

In it, Kindleberger looks at the stages and conditions of manias. Not surprisingly, over the ages, each of the manias have had similar features including speculation and increased liquidity due to monetary expansion.

In many cases, there is even governmental or regulatory warning.

Remember Chairman Greenspans infamous warning in 1996 about the irrational exuberance in the stock market?

Will You Be Newtoned?

Perhaps one of the most famous victims of a mania was Sir Isaac Newton who invested in shares of the South Sea Company in 1720. As Kindleberger recounts, his first investment did splendidly well. He saw a 100% gain of seven thousand pounds.

But as the mania picked up steam, and he was now on the sidelines, it sucked him back in. He reentered the market at the top the second time and ended up losing twenty thousand pounds.

Story continues

He said in the spring of that year, I can calculate the motions of the heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.

There are plenty of early Bitcoin investors who have cashed out. But will they jump back in, lured, like Newton, by the momentum of the market?

Manias Overshadow Other Assets

One hallmark of many manias is that other asset classes usually do quite well during the same time period.

For instance, during the Tulip Mania in the 1600s, housing prices rose sharply, investors were jumping into plays on the canals, and shares in the Dutch East India Company doubled.

And now there are the cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Litecoin, soaring at the same time that the major stock indexes are hitting new all-time highs.

But in the publics mind, stocks are being left in the dust by Bitcoin mania.

Yet, many stocks have had extraordinary years as well. Mega-cap Boeing BA is up nearly 90% year-to-date while a company like Exact Sciences EXAS, which isnt even being talked about by the financial press, is up 280% for the year.

Infrastructure Build-Out

Given that the cryptocurrencies are a new phenomenon, the back-end, including the infrastructure, is still being built out.

As many of us at Zacks have talked about in prior podcasts, investors can play the bitcoin mania by buying into the infrastructure including the CBOE Global Markets CBOE and CME Group CME, where the futures will be traded, and even with companies like Nvidia NVDA.

Kevins Advice for New Bitcoin Traders

Kevin has been trading some of the cryptocurrencies but trading, in general, isnt for everyone.

What advice does Kevin have for those on the outside looking in?

And how does history look on those rushing in for a piece of the pie?

Find out on this weeks podcast.

[In full disclosure, the author of this article owns TCEHY in her personal portfolio. Kevin Cook also owns NVDA.]

Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?



Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.



Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.



See the pot trades we're targeting>>



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The Foreign Press Centers (FPC) issue its own press credential that is recognized by various organizations in the area and allows access to FPC facilities and services in Washington, DC and New York, NY. The FPC credential is typically valid for three years and renewable at the end of that period for members of the media on continuing assignment in the United States.

Credentialing
Pakistan has ordered at least 10 international charities to close down, rejecting their applications to reregister under stricter new regulations for foreign-funded groups.

The Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF), which represents 63 international aid groups, on December 13 said at least 10 members had received "letters of rejection" from the Ministry of Interior after applying under the new rules.

Among the groups likely to leave the country is the charity founded by hedge fund billionaire and philanthropist George Soros, the group said.

"We believe that we are one of more than 20 organizations whose registrations have been rejected," Jonathan Birchall, the lead communications officer for the Open Society Foundation, told the AFP news agency.

ActionAid, an international charity that supports women's rights and other causes, said it is also being forced to leave Pakistan.

Another major charity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) -- which provides medical aid services -- on November 9 said it had been ordered to close its last remaining facility in the violence-plagued tribal region along the Afghan border.

Pakistani authorities have moved to force foreign-funded aid groups to reregister under 2-year-old regulations with stricter requirements than previously set down. AFP said Pakistani officials declined to comment.

Pakistan has shown increasing suspicion of international aid groups in recent years, accusing some of having links to foreign security services.



Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
English Swedish

SEB has signed an agreement to sell all shares in SEB Pensionsforsikring A/S and SEB Administration A/S (SEB Pension) to Danica Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab (Danica, a subsidiary to Danske Bank) for a total proceed of DKK 6.5bn, consisting of a cash consideration of DKK 5.0bn and a pre-closing dividend of DKK 1.5bn. The pre-closing dividend will be in addition to the dividend of DKK 1.1bn which SEB received in the first six months of 2017.

Johan Torgeby, SEB's President and CEO comments on the transaction:

- I am pleased that we together with Danica have concluded a mutually beneficial deal. The transaction has clear strategic and long-term financial benefits and is consistent with SEB's strategy allowing us to continue to grow with our core customer segments and accelerate the transformation of the bank.

- SEB Pension serves 235,000 customers with one of the highest client satisfaction rankings and a track record of strong performance in Denmark. We have spent significant time and effort developing the business since it was acquired more than ten years ago. To remain competitive and further develop this business and its customers, it would require investments in local distribution capacity. I am therefore convinced that Danske Bank, as one of the largest banks in Denmark and with a broad local distribution and life insurance operation will be the best possible home for this business. SEB remains committed to its successful bancassurance model in Sweden and the Baltic countries.

- We have an ambitious growth and transformation agenda. Denmark remains one of SEB' most important markets. SEB's business in Denmark with large corporate and financial institutional clients, as well as its asset management business which also serves private customers, has grown considerably since we launched our Nordic and German growth strategy in 2010. We will continue to develop these segments creating customer value as well as profitable growth in Denmark.

The transaction encompasses all shares in SEB Pensionsforsikring A/S and SEB Administration A/S, a portfolio of life and pension contracts and approximately 275 employees. As per September 2017, assets under management amounted to DKK 103bn, and a net profit contribution of DKK 389m in January to September 2017.

The effect on key group financial ratios, on a proforma basis per September 2017, will be limited. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio will improve by 0.60 percentage points and SEB Group earnings per share will see a limited negative impact.The divestment also reduces SEB's exposure to market risk. As per September 2017, the divested business constitutes 3 per cent of SEB Group income, 2 per cent of costs and 7 per cent of assets under management.

The completion of the sale is among other things conditional upon regulatory approvals and certain preparations for separation and is currently expected to occur around the summer of 2018.

An investor conference call with CEO Johan Torgeby, CFO Jan Erik Back, and Jonas Soderberg, Head of Investor Relations will be held at 10.30 CET. Please call in on +44 (0)20 7162 9960 at least 15 minutes in advance and quote the conference ID 963331. Please also see the presentation material on www.sebgroup.com/ir.
Sowelu wrote:

Hello,



I am just starting my research to understand my chances of getting into one of the top schools (Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg etc.) for an MBA program. I have 10 years of work experience, but not sure if it is enough to be competitive for an EMBA program. Also, I will not have financial sponsorship from my employer, so I am considering full-time or part-time MBA programs as well. Harvard would be ideal in that case.



What are your thoughts on my profile? Thank you in advance!



Background: 30 y.o. female, born in Uzbekistan, immigrated to US at 17 (US citizen now) as part of US Dep't of State Future Leaders Exchange Program.



GPA: 4.0, rank 1/334, small private school in Florida, graduated in 2008. Dual major Economics & Financial Management, finished in 3 years.

3 other colleges attended for random courses over the last 10 years, including grad coursework, all 4.0



Work Experience: 10 years in the same company (private, mid-size, metals industry), advanced to Business Intelligence & Finance Manager, experience and $$ results driving strategy and managing projects across marketing, supply chain, finance, and business intelligence.



Other experience: petty officer in the US Coast Guard (2011-present).

Volunteer firefighter/EMT in a local fire department 2009-2011 (fire and EMT certifications), American Red Cross volunteer, 2011-present



Awards: Elijah Watt Sells (AICPA award, 2016) - Awarded to the 58 of 102,323 CPA candidates who have obtained a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. CPA certified 2017.

Most Outstanding Economics Graduate Award and a few other awards from college.



GMAT: scored 710 in 2008 (high 90s percentile quant, lower in verbal). I will be retaking and expect to do much better in verbal. Would aim for 750.

Well, the main question would revolve around your work experience - what you have done, how you have progress, what leadership you have, what impact you have had on the company, how you have advanced over time... all of these would help determine your standing.And yes, a 750 would be very helpfulBest,
By PTI: (Eds: Repeating overnight story)

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) India is looking to set up a few more land ports, buoyed by the success of such integrated check posts in Agartala and other places, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said.

"We are thinking of identifying a few more (land ports). Beyond that, we have border huts, Customs stations and there are many things," Rijiju said while addressing a function yesterday to commemorate 50 years of ASEAN and 25 years of India-ASEAN Partnership.

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He talked about the success and brisk business being done at land ports in Agartala and elsewhere in India, saying it is not easy to set up a land port because you have to have an outlet.

Elaborating, he said, "These borders along the eastern coast and the North-East must be hugely explored... otherwise, people think they are far away from Delhi... The heart of the country may be Delhi. But shape and size of the country is defined by its border. The country does not begin with the capital, but it begins from the border. So, borders are important."

He also suggested that the obsession with western education and issues with Pakistan must be done away with.

The home ministry has started opening various channels on the borders to improve ties with neighbours, particularly in Eastern and North-Eastern Region (NER).

The Land Ports Authority of India has taken up expansion of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh in Manipur for expansion of trade with Myanmar, Indias gateway to the ASEAN, and it will be inaugurated soon.

The ICP in Agartala on the Bangladesh border has started and a few more ICPs, besides Land Customs Stations and Border Haats, will come up.

Echoing his views, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that under the North-East BPO (business processing outsourcing) scheme, the BPOs have already started working in Guwahati, Jorhat, Kohima and Imphal.

The BPOs, he said, are also going to come up in Diphu, Kokrajhar and Silchar in Assam, Dimapur in Nagaland and Agartala in Tripura. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Baleswar in Odisha have become the new centres of BPOs, too.

"The most moving moment for me was... Kashmir... today BPOs are working in Bhadarwah, Budgam, Jammu, Sopore and Srinagar," the minister added.

He also said, "The latest BPOs have come up in Chittor, Mathura, Deoria, Farukabad, Jahanabad, Gaya, Pathankot, Gwalior and Amritsar. It is new India emerging."

East India and the NER (north-east region), according to Rijiju, are rich in mineral and natural resources.

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He cited the example of Dibrugarh, which contributed more to the governments revenues than Indias commercial capital, Mumbai.

Myanmar has the third-highest Indian diaspora, next only to Nepal and the US, he added.

Rijiju is of the view that East Asia and South East Asia stretching from Japan and China and up to India is emerging as the worlds next economic powerhouse.

India cannot be delineated from South-East Asia and East Asia, he added. PTI KKS SVK ARD

--- ENDS ---




Thank you very much for your service. I wish you well, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told each service member, speaking with them at their bedsides at the Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.



At least 14 peacekeepers were killed when a UN Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) Company Operating Base at Semuliki in Beni territory, in DRC's restive eastern North Kivu province, was attacked by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements. It was the worst on UN blue helmets in recent history.



Lacroix will meet with families of those killed during a visit to Tanzania later this week.



The bodies were repatriated with honours on Monday, and received by Tanzanian defence and military officials.



The ADF are suspected in the attack. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that the attack constitutes a war crime.



Photo: UN Regional Service Centre Entebbe/Sunil Thapa



Source: www.justearthnews.com








An Indian American doctor prescribed opioids unlawfully and has been arrested for healthcare fraud in the US.

By PTI, India Today Web Desk: An Indian-American doctor has been arrested on 39 charges of unlawful distribution of prescription opioids and healthcare fraud, officials said.

The cardiologist is based in the US state of Nevada.

The 58-year-old doctor allegedly prescribed opioids such fentanyl, hydrocodone and oxycodone. Opiods are substances which act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects.

Medically, they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia.

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Cardiologist Devendra Patel allegedly prescribed the aforementioned drugs without legitimate medical cause on a routine basis from May 2014 to September 2017, according to an announcement made by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other law enforcement officials.

The accused, Dr Devendra Patel, today appeared in a federal court in Reno city of Nevada and pleaded not guilty, the US media reported.

As per the indictment, the physician fraudulently billed Medicaid and Medicare for medical tests he did not perform.

Patel was also accused of presenting patients with fraudulent X-rays to convince them they had heart conditions and coax them into seeking treatment from him.

"Dr Patel is the first person to be charged in Nevada since the formation of the Justice Department's Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit," Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre said.

The maximum penalty for distribution of a controlled substance is 10 years in prison. The maximum penalty for healthcare fraud is also 10 years in prison.

"Today we are facing the worst drug crisis in American history, with one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes," Sessions said.

"This summer, I ordered the creation of the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which brings together data analysts and Assistant US Attorneys from throughout the country to prosecute doctors engaged in opioid-related healthcare fraud. We will file many more charges in the months to come," he said.

Dr Devendra Patel is scheduled to appear in court again on January 25.

As many as 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016. The majority of these deaths can be attributed to opioids, including illicit fentanyl.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)

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There is growing need for humanitarian assistance with displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, violence and economic decline taking a toll on the health, safety and livelihoods of people in need, stated Alain Noudehou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan in a news release issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).



On Wednesday, we are calling for $1.72 billion to continue providing life-saving assistance and protection for six million people most in need in South Sudan, he said, emphasizing the plans focus on protecting vulnerable groups, especially women and children.



Since the conflict in began in December 2014, about four million people have been forced to flee their homes, including nearly 1.9 million internally displaced and about 2.1 million in neighbouring countries.



As the conflict continues in parts of the country, hunger and malnutrition rates have risen and, without early actions, thousands of people in multiple areas risk famine.



According to the South Sudan Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, an earlier than normal start of the lean season will result in an estimated 5.1 million people, or 48 per cent of the population, being classified as severely food insecure between January-March 2018.



Moreover, nutrition surveys reveal that approximately half of all South Sudanese children under five experience acute malnutrition.



Despite these challenges, the South Sudan humanitarian operation continues to reach millions in need across the country. As of end-November, aid organizations had reached more than five million people since the year began.



Noudehou thanked South Sudans donors, who contributed over 70 per cent of the plan for 2017 and called on all stakeholders to play their roles in alleviating the suffering. He highlighted the enormity of the challenge and the collective efforts for a rigorous prioritization to ensure the effectiveness of the response.



With our collective and coordinated efforts, we will be able to effectively provide much needed assistance to the people in need. Children will remain in school. Many more will survive diseases. Livelihoods and hope will be restored. There is so much at stake, stressed Noudehou.



Photo: OCHA/Gemma Connell



Source: www.justearthnews.com














In many countries of the region, tensions remained high, Francois Lounceny Fall, Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the Secretary General's Special Representative to the region, told the Security Council, stressing that the UN is facilitating the search for a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.



Fall welcomed advancements in regional integration, particularly the free movement of people in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community zone. UNOCA also supports capacity building in mediation, early warning collaboration with civil society and gender mainstreaming for the secretariat of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).



Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon face serious economic difficulties as well as political and social tensions, he said.



Cameroon is affected by Boko Haram, the crisis in the Central African Republic or the Anglophone separatist movement, he continued. He said he has encouraged genuine and inclusive dialogue, but warned that prevention efforts must be increased to ensure that current tensions will not deteriorate in the context of the 2018 elections.



In the Central African Republic, attacks and grave abuses committed by armed groups, including the recent murder of blue helmets of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission there (MINUSCA) and humanitarian workers, remain a great concern, he said.



It is urgent that the peace process be advanced through the implementation of the road map adopted by the African Union, he said.



As for Boko Haram, the insurgent group is still capable of perpetrating attacks and horrible abuse in Central Africa, he said, stressing that redoubled efforts by all partners are needed to address the threat.



International support is also crucial to implement the conclusions of the recent regional conference organized by the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.



Similarly, international support is needed for the African Union's Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army, as that group continues abuses against local populations, following the withdrawal of Ugandan and United States forces from its zone of operation.



It is important for the AU and troop contributors to quickly agree on the reconfiguration of the regional task force and on an increase of support for the training of the Central African Armed Forces in order to meet the threat.



He said that UNOCA continues to focus on efforts to enhance the coherence and coordination of overall UN activities in Central Africa, including collaboration with resident coordinators and country teams to engage national authorities on sensitive political issues as well as on longer term efforts to formulate national and cross border peacebuilding plans, with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund.



Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas







Source: www.justearthnews.com












In announcing decertification, the president urged Congress and Americas European partners to work together on improving the deal that he has described as one of the worst and most one-sided agreements the US has entered into. Trumps predecessor and leading architect of the JCPOA, Barack Obama, had defended the agreement near the end of his presidency by highlighting, for instance, so-called snap-back provisions that would make it easy to re-impose suspended sanctions if this was deemed necessary. A highly skeptical Congress included the every-90-day certification requirement in INARA as part of an effort to make such re-imposition even easier.

It is arguably surprising, therefore, that the Republican-dominated Congress did not move to actually pursue measures to that effect. But any unilateral moves by the US to re-impose sanctions would be strongly opposed by the other parties to the agreement at this stage, and ABC News reported on Thursday that White House officials had insisted they never really expected Congress to act against the JCPOA. Trumps own decertification announcement was also not a direct blow against the nuclear deal, which remains in effect. The president declined to order the US out of agreement, opting instead to send the matter to Congress, apparently in hopes of working on a legislative solution.

The same officials told ABC that this type of solution is still being mutually pursued by the White House and Congress, with the intention of addressing much maligned weaknesses in the JCPOA, including the absence of provisions relating to Iranian ballistic missile activities and the presence of sunset clauses that could allow Iran to return to full-scale nuclear enrichment starting 10 years after the deal went into effect.

The US now has approximately another month to work on these intended solutions. With the Congressional deadline having lapsed, the matter returns to the executive branch, where Trump will be required to make a decision by January 13 regarding whether to continue waiving the sanctions named in the JCPOA. Although he has repeatedly asserted his authority to unilaterally cancel American participation in the deal if a legislative solution is not agreed upon, Voice of America News pointed out on Thursday that congressional lawmakers are skeptical about whether Trump will follow through on this threat.

Its not clear whether it will make a difference to the USs European partners whether Trump personally cancels the agreement or oversees the passage of legislation that he deems to fill in the perceived gaps in it. ABC notes that those partners generally agree that separate measures which attempt to cancel the sunset provisions or otherwise change the practical outcomes of the JCPOA would constitute material breaches of it. If so, the difference between the two prospective outcomes may be little more than a question of whether the provisions are officially broken first by the US or by Iran.

As an alternative, Democrats have recommended maintaining the status quo on the Iran nuclear deal while simultaneously pursuing a more assertive set of policies on other issues of Iranian behavior, including the ballistic missile tests that Trump has insisted upon linking to the JCPOA. Those provocative missile launches were prominent among the justifications that the Trump White House gave for decertifying the agreement on the basis of Iranian violations of the spirit of the deal. The preamble of the JCPOA predicts that its implementation will contribute to peace and stability in the Persian Gulf region, and many critics of the Islamic Republic conclude that its behavior contravenes this promise.

In the wake Congress de facto acceptance of the status quo, it is not immediately clear whether the Trump administration will be willing to embrace a policy that decouples ballistic missiles and other issues from the future of the JCPOA. But it does appear to be the case that the administration has been working to shift international attention toward those other issues. On one hand, this could be aimed at encouraging separate legislative action and international agreements on those issues. But on the other hand, it could be intended to raise the profile of Iranian misbehavior in an attempt to convince the international community that a stronger alternative to the JCPOA is needed.

Whatever the case may be, the lapse in the deadline for nuclear sanctions was almost immediately followed by the White Houses announcement that it would be presenting information related to Iranian missiles on Thursday. CNN provided details of this announcement, specifying that the presentation at the Defense Intelligence Agency would be focused upon ongoing efforts to encourage international recognition of the Iranian role in providing weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In early November, a missile was fired from Yemen into Saudi Arabian territory, where it was shot down over King Khaled International Airport. It was the farthest-reaching strike attempt by the Houthi to date, and many observers concluded that such an expansion in the rebels missile range would not have been possible without the assistance of their allies in Iran. The Iranians deny directly backing the Houthi, but several weapons shipments have been intercepted en route between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia and the US were quick to identify the relevant missile as being of Iranian origin. European Union and United Nations officials, meanwhile, acknowledged some signs of Iranian manufacture but stopped short of declaring the matter concluded. With Thursdays presentation, the Trump administration hopes to provide proof to those who remain skeptical.

If that effort is successful, it is possible that it may engender more international support for the role being played by Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Yemeni conflict, where they are reportedly focused on pushing back against the ongoing expansion of Iranian influence throughout the region. Although much of the international community has been critical of the humanitarian impact of the Saudi-led bombing campaign, the Arab coalition is fighting support of the internationally-recognized Yemeni government, as led by President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi.

Until recently, the Houthi were allied with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but Saleh turned away from the alliance early this month, leading to his assassination at the hands of the Houthi. The Washington Examiner looked at this and other recent developments in the conflict on Tuesday and concluded that Iran is losing its hold on Yemen, as well as losing ground to regional rivals more generally.

The article also happened to point out that Iran is facing more international pressure, particularly from JCPOA signatories France and Germany, over its ballistic missile program. This is perhaps indicative of the early success of the Trump administrations efforts to bring greater international focus to bear on such issues. The Washington Examiner piece concludes by urging the U.S., Europe, and the Arab World to increase the price of Irans bellicosity, initially by liberating Yemen from Irans influence.

The announcement of Thursdays Defense Intelligence presentation suggests that the White House is striving to do just that, and is seeking foreign partners in that endeavor. But recent history indicates that the administration is also hoping to find international support for a much broader project that includes revision of the JCPOA. And while foreign interest may be relatively easy to find for the first of these initiatives, the nuclear agreement apparently presents a much more difficult set of political obstacles.
INS Kalvari, a Scorpene-class submarine named after the maritime force's first-ever underwater craft, was inducted into the Indian Navy in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

By India Today Web Desk: For the Indian Navy, life comes a full circle today. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kalvari, a Scorpene-class stealth submarine named after the maritime force's first-ever underwater craft, was today commissioned into service in Mumbai.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by, among others, Prime Minster Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, Maharasahtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, other senior Indian Navy officers, and delegates from France (a French firm has helped design Kalvari).

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Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai, PM Modi said INS Kalvari entering the Indian Navy was a "proud moment" for the the entire country and that the submarine was a prime example of his government's flagship 'Make in India' project.

PM Modi used the opportunity to make a strong pitch for 'Make in India' saying he envisions a future where Indian companies would build top defence equipment, from fighter jets to submarines.

INS Kalvari is the first conventional submarine India has gotten in 17 years and is also the first of six Scorpene-class boats that will soon be inducted into the Indian Navy. The submarine has undergone around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment, a Navy official told news agency PTI.

INS Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark. Inset: The submarine's insignia (Photos: Twitter/Indian Navy) INS Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark. Inset: The submarine's insignia (Photos: Twitter/Indian Navy)

Kalvari is part of the Indian Navy's Project-75, under which the French naval defence and energy company DCNS will design a total of six Scropene-class submarines. The subs are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean (Read: A ten-point guide to the submarine). The original INS Kalvari, a Foxtort-class submarine, was inducted into the Navy on December 8, 1967.

08 Dec 1967....The then Kalvari was commissioned in Riga (in erstwhile USSR) to...... 14 Dec 17 when Kalvari is reborn pic.twitter.com/0sUda91UgG- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 14, 2017

The "boot together" of Kalvari, wherein the five separate sections were welded into one, was completed on July 30, 2014. Kalvari is the first Indian naval vessel to be built using this modular approach of construction.

The submarine has an overall length of 67.5 metre and a height of about 12.3 metres. The hull form, fin and hydroplanes are specifically designed to produce minimum underwater resistance.

The boat has 360 battery cells, each weighing 750 kg, to power the extremely silent Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor. The stealth of the boat is further enhanced through the mounting of equipment inside the pressure hull on shock absorbing cradles.

INS Kalvari boasts of superior stealth features and the ability to launch a crippling attacks (Photo: Twitter/Indian Navy) INS Kalvari boasts of superior stealth features and the ability to launch a crippling attacks (Photo: Twitter/Indian Navy)

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"The technology utilised in the Scorpene [class] has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," an official of the MDL was quoted as saying by PTI.

The attacks can be carried out with torpedoes both while submerged or on the surface -- in all war theatres including the tropics, giving it an unmatched invulnerability.

A second Project 75-class submarine, INS Khanderi, is currently undergoing trials and is likely to be inducted into the Navy soon.

(With inputs from agencies)

FROM THE MAGAZINE | A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines

WATCH | Scorpene-class INS Kalvari commissioned into Indian Navy

--- ENDS ---
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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Indias cooking oil imports rose by 6.23 per cent to 12.48 lakh tonnes in November this year on higher shipment of crude sunflower and soyabean oil, industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) said today.

Cooking (vegetable) oil imports had stood at 11.75 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. The share of palm oil is more than 60 per cent in total imports.

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Last month, the government raised import duty on edible oils to 15 per cent across the board to protect domestic growers.

Among edible oils, crude oil imports rose to 5,59,584 tonnes in November 2017 as against 5,57,364 tonnes in the same period last year, the SEA data showed.

Soyabean oil imports increased substantially to 2,73,928 tonnes from 1,64,286 tonnes, while that of sunflower oil shipments rose to 1,93,810 tonnes from 1,58,071 tonnes in the said period.

Similarly, import of RBD palmolein remained lower at 1,47,362 tonnes in November this year compared to 2,40,948 tonnes in the year-ago.

Import of canola oil increased to 40,609 tonnes from 32,195 tonnes in the said period, the data showed.

In case of non-edible oils, imports were at 23,495 tonnes in November 2017 as against 19,601 tonnes in the same month last year.

On recent hike in edible oil import duty, the SEA said that "the announcement has changed the sentiment and the market has moved upward and now prices of soyabean and groundnut touched MSP which were ruling much below prior to import duty hike." Inadvertently, cottonseed oil duties were not raised and remained unchanged at 12.5 per cent on crude and 20 per cent on refined ones, which has created an anomaly and harming the interest of cottonseed farmers, it said, urging the government address the problem at the earliest.

As on December 1, the SEA said that edible oil stock at various ports was 8,47,000 tonnes and about 14,20,000 tonnes were in the pipeline

Indias monthly requirement is 18 lakh tonnes and the current stock can meet demand for 38 days.

India imports palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia and a small quantity of crude soft oil, including soyabean oil from Latin America. Sunflower oil is imported from Ukraine and Russia. PTI LUX MR

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Many children speak the same language at school as they do at home. However, in many parts of Africa, this is not the case.

In countries south of the Sahara Desert, most children are taught in a common colonial language instead of the language they use at home.

Some people support the method of teaching. They say teaching in an international language is helpful for students. Others, however, argue that it can make learning more difficult for children.

Now, education experts in Senegal want schools to offer classes in local languages, in addition to the traditional French.



A colonial tradition

Alieu Samb is a primary school in Senegals capital, Dakar. At this school, second-graders learn to read in French. Like most children in Sub-Saharan Africa, Senegalese children are taught in their country's common colonial language, not the language they speak at home.

Senegal was a French colony until 1960. Today, French remains the official language, although more than 80 percent of the country speaks another language. Officially, the government recognizes more than 20 languages.

However, some Senegalese are pushing for change. Mbacke Diagne is a linguistics professor at Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop University. He wants to add local languages to the teaching program.

Diagne says most children entering primary school in Senegal have been speaking Wolof, one of those languages, for at least seven years.

"They have structured their world in this language," he says, "but as soon as they get to school, all this knowledge is set aside in order to impose French."

Diagne and others believe this slows the learning process and makes children less interested in continuing their education.

The Education Policy and Data Center has studied literacy  the ability to read and write  in sub-Saharan Africa. It found that the youth literacy rate in Senegal is lower than the average for other lower middle-income countries. More than half of secondary school-age children in Senegal are out of school.

Groups such as ARED -- the Associates in Research and Education for Development -- have been leading bilingual teaching programs in Senegalese primary schools.

Awa Ka Dia is with ARED. She told VOA that in bilingual schools, children start learning French at the same time they build literacy skills in either Wolof or Pulaar, another language. She says students literacy skills in their native language are later used as a base to read in French.

Currently, ARED operates in 98 primary schools between Dakar, the northern city of Saint-Louis, and the town of Kaolack.

The groups pilot program ends this year, and Dia hopes results will persuade the government to support a longer version of the program. ARED wants to expand to other areas and add other local languages.



Mixed feelings on multi-lingual programs

But in Alieu Samb primary school, Headmaster Meissa Dieng has mixed feelings about teaching in Wolof.

"Speaking French in school will allow children to really master the language," he says, but then there is the psychological impact of deconstructing a thinking process that has already been established."

Parents are often the first people to oppose the idea.

Literacy and education expert Chris Darby is with the non-profit group SIL, which serves language communities around the world. He says for six years he struggled with community resistance to a multi-language education project in rural Senegal.



"A lot of the resistance comes from parents, as well as teachers, and right up the hierarchy. But parents are very keen, I think, for children to succeed. And they tend to think of success, as far as what a school can do, in terms of delivering an international language.

Other African countries also are exploring the possibility of teaching students in local languages. In 2014, the Ethiopian government and USAID, a United States government agency, launched a reading program in seven Ethiopian languages to improve reading skills. And in 2015, Tanzania proposed a policy to remove English from schools and teach all classes in Kiswahili.

Barbara Trudell is Director of Research and Advocacy for SIL Africa. She notes the complexity of supporting local languages in many areas.

"As soon as you move from an international language down into an African national language, choosing one over the other, the rivalries are instantly there, Trudell said.

At least that is the thing about French, English, Portuguese, they're sort of seen to be on a different level."



Im Phil Dierking.

Sofia Christensen wrote this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Do you feel it is more important to go to school in your mother tongue, or a widely-spoken international language? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bilingual - adj. able to speak and understand two languages

curriculum - n. the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc.

deconstruct - v. reduce (something) to its constituent parts in order to reinterpret it.

hierarchy - n. a group that controls an organization and is divided into different levels

impose - v. to cause (something, such as a tax, fine, rule, or punishment) to affect someone or something by using your authority

income - n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.

multi - adj. more than two

psychological - adj. of or relating to the mind

rivalry - n. a state or situation in which people or groups are competing with each other
3 An undercover Israeli security agent detains a Palestinian demonstrator during clashes at a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah.


Families of people held in North Korea want other countries not to forget their relatives.

One example is Hwang In-cheols father. He was among the 47 people who were on a Korean Air Lines (KAL) airplane that was hijacked to North Korea in 1969.

Most of the passengers and crew were released following international pressure. But not all. Eleven individuals, including Hwangs father, were not permitted to leave North Korea or even communicate with their families.

To this day, 48 years later, my father and the rest of the 11 unreturned abductees remain forcefully detained in North Korea and they have been forgotten, Hwang said.

The son now leads an activist group called the KAL Abductees Repatriation Committee. It works to bring international attention to the issue of people held against their will in North Korea.

The North Korean government returned most prisoners-of-war from the Korean War after the fighting stopped in 1953. However, the government reportedly forced thousands of South Koreans to remain in the North to help rebuild the country.

Thousands of others reportedly were kidnapped over the years to gain intelligence or serve some propaganda purpose. Many are said to have been fishermen.

Hwangs father was a reporter and a critic of the North Korean government. He is one of more than 500 people thought to be held by the North.

The Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights and the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) deal with such issues. They say 300 of those abductees are believed to be more than 70 years old.

Many of the abduction cases remain unresolved. Increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula have blocked cooperation on humanitarian issues.

Hwang said the South Korean Human Rights Commission has provided no help to gain the release of abductees or to help families communicate with them.

Japanese abductees also among those taken

North Korea has also been accused of seizing a number of Japanese and other foreign nationals in the 1970s and 1980s. Reports say some of those abducted were to be trained as spies.

One Japanese abductee was Hitomi Soga. She was taken with her mother from an area along Japans northern coast in 1978.

While in North Korea, she married Charles Jenkins. He had served in the United States Army. He left his base in South Korea and went to North Korea in 1965.

Jenkins later denounced his defection to North Korea, where he said he was abused and tortured during his first years of captivity.

Hitomi Soga was forced to teach the Japanese language and culture to North Korean agents. In 1980, she met and later married Jenkins. They had two daughters while they were in North Korea.

In 2002, the leader of North Korea at the time, Kim Jong-il, admitted that his government had kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens. Soga and four other Japanese abductees were permitted to visit Japan again, but they refused to return to North Korea.

Charles Jenkins and their two daughters were permitted to rejoin Soga in 2004. He recently died in Japan at the age of 77.

Recent weapons tests have frozen abductee issue

Before North Korea again began testing nuclear weapons, the government reached an agreement with other countries to ease some sanctions. In exchange, North Korea was to carry out an investigation on the condition of the abductees. However, those efforts have halted with the Norths continued weapons testing and the international sanctions that followed.

Phil Robertson is deputy director in Asia for the activist group Human Rights Watch. He said there was a short period of openness when Jenkins and others were released, but now the abductee issue is not being discussed.

Robertson said North Korea is now in complete denial on the case of abductions of foreign nationals.

The United Nations Security Council met recently to discuss a General Assembly recommendation on North Koreas human rights record. Under the proposal, Council members would refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

However, China, North Koreas ally, has blocked further action.

North Korea has condemned the UN action, calling the accusations false and the meeting the act of hostile forces.

Im Mario Ritter.

Brian Padden and Youmi Kim reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

abductee n. someone who has been taken away from a place by force

defect v. to leave ones own country or group to go a competitor or an enemy

sanctions n. measures meant to force a country to obey international law usually by limiting trade

refer  v. to make a note of something; to offer for consideration

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
People often say that the best way to learn is by doing. Right now, some high school students in Rockville, Maryland are trying that idea. They are studying nursing, including training in a real medical environment.

The students are taking part in a certified nursing assistant, or CNA program. It will prepare them to take and pass certification exams and begin a career in health care.

Twenty skills

Linda Hall is a professor of nursing at Montgomery County College. This is the third year she has led the CNA program. The course work takes place after school, four days a week. Students spend 88 hours in the classroom and train in the field for 60 hours. Hall says that they learn at least 20 skills that nursing assistants depend on daily.

"such as brushing teeth, giving a bath, putting someone on a bedpan, feeding someone. All of those skills are part of the 20 skills that they need to know before they can graduate. There is also a passing grade of 80. They can't even take the final exam if their average grade is not 80 or above."

She says completing the program and passing the CNA exam provides these students a possible future career.

"When the class is completed and the grades are in, they get a license from the state of Maryland to be a certified nursing assistant. Then, they prep for the geriatric nursing assistant license, which is an extra step up for them."



Hands on nursing

The students practice everything on each other: talking to a patient, taking a pulse; checking blood pressure. Then, they move on to the second part of their training: meeting real patients to help.

The CNA training program takes place inside Ingleside at King Farm, a retirement community that includes assisted-living. Student Natalia Estrada Aguirre says she enjoyed getting to know the residents better as she helped them.



I wasnt really sure, you know. I thought they were all fragile and you got to be very careful with them, but honestly, they love it when you help them, they love when you give them a hand because they always need it. So I learned more to connect with them and interact with them in a better way. I think you need to be very patient, very driven."

John Holly is Ingleside's health care administrator. He says residents welcome the young people because they are lively. He says residents enjoy the additional attention that they get because there are more students here.

Young people help old people

The CNA training program was founded by neurologist William Leahy, who serves on Ingleside's board of directors.



John Holly says that Leahy cares about people. "And so the vision is simply to provide individuals an opportunity and to provide for the best care that people can receive."

Aguirre praises the training program as priceless.

"Ever since I've been little I've been wanting to do something in nursing and helping others, because I really love doing that. So, this is kind of like a first-hand experience on my nursing and helping other people out.

Her classmate, 17-year-old Kelli Wilson, wants to become a doctor. Wilson says she joined the CNA program to learn more about the health care profession.

"I think one of the most important things I've learned is about one-patient care, like how to treat patients. Even if I want to take it further not just as a nurse, as a doctor, it's always important to keep your patients and their mental, emotional and physical body in one and make sure that you're treating them respectfully and well."

The program appears to help everyone it touches: The Ingleside residents, the students, and the health care system as a whole.

Im Jill Robbins.

Faiza Elmasry wrote this story for VOA news. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

nursing - n. the job of taking care of people who are sick, injured, or old

certify  v. to say officially that something or someone has met certain standards or requirements

brush - v. to clean or smooth (something) with a brush

bedpan - n. a shallow pan used as a toilet by a person who is too ill to get out of bed

license - n. an official document or card that gives you permission to do, use, or have something

geriatric - adj. of or relating to the process of growing old and the medical care of old people

assisted-living - n. a system that provides a place to live and medical care for people (such as elderly or disabled people) who need help with daily activities

fragile - adj. easily broken or damaged

interact - v. to talk or do things with other people

pulse - n. the regular movement of blood through your body that is caused by the beating of your heart and that can be felt by touching certain parts of your body

Are there any training program like this in high schools near you? Write to us in the Comments Section.


In the last month, John Villar has bought plane tickets to Colombia, purchased medicine for his wife, and paid the employees of his business in Venezuela  all in bitcoin.

As Venezuelas national currency loses value, Venezuelans have increasingly turned to bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, for daily uses.

For two years, Villar could not find the medication needed in Venezuela to treat his wifes serious illness. So he bought them in other countries with bitcoin and used a delivery service to get them to Venezuela.

This is not a matter of politics, Villar said. This is a matter of survival.

Like Villar, poor retirees and wealthy business leaders are changing their bolivars, Venezuela's currency, into bitcoins. They used bitcoin to pay for everything from doctor appointments and honeymoons to motorcycles and beer. Some even purchase a small fraction of one bitcoin to build their savings.

The U.S. dollars remain the number one currency for many Venezuelans but finding them can be difficult and requires a black market connection.

Buying bitcoin eliminates the bureaucracy because transactions can be done peer-to-peer. In addition, saving bitcoin does not require a foreign bank account. Venezuelans cannot hold dollars in a local account.

The transactions are easy for anyone with a smartphone: Websites like LocalBitcoin and Colibit work as exchanges where Venezuelans can buy and sell bitcoins using a local bank account.

The move toward cryptocurrencies in Venezuela is taking place as the price of bitcoin has climbed to a peak of more than $17,000 this month. The digital currency debuted on a major U.S. exchange with its first futures contract on Dec. 10.

The number of Venezuelans using cryptocurrencies is unclear. But weekly bitcoin trading numbers from one website in Venezuela has soared from about $225,000 earlier this year to nearly $2.1 million in the first week of December.

While the price of bitcoin is very unstable, Venezuelans unable to exchange their bolivars for another currency say bitcoin is safer than bolivars.

Rafael Useche is the founder of Colibit. He said, Venezuelans are taking refuge in digital currencies.

Venezuelan authorities have allowed trading of bitcoin in Venezuela, though they have fined and arrested people who use computers to earn bitcoins by watching online cryptocurrency transactions. Such mining operations use large amounts of electricity, which is paid for by the state.

At the bitcoins current value, one miner computer alone can now earn more than $10,000 in six months.

Its a really great opportunity for Venezuelans in a desperate position, said Andrea OSullivan, a cryptocurrency expert at George Mason University.

Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro has proposed a government-backed version of bitcoin called the petro. The government met with Venezuelan bitcoin sellers to explore the possibility. Many Venezuelans, however, say they would not use a government-owned cryptocurrency.

Even as the use of bitcoin becomes more common, few businesses admit they accept it. Some fear that they will face criminal activity.

Mariana Leon advises businesses on the use cryptocurrency. She said she has helped several companies in the sugar, chocolate and rum industries to put their bolivares in cryptocurrencies. The moves have kept them in business while other companies closed.

The only reason they have survived is because they invested in cryptocurrencies, she said.

For Villar, he is developing a computer game using an alternative cryptocurrency called Pepecash. He employs 12 people and all get part of their pay in bitcoin.

Right now, he says, I dont have any bolivars.

Im Susan Shand.

Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English with information from the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

cryptocurrency - n. money that only exists electronically

fraction - n. a portion of an amount

black market - n. an illegal trade in officially controlled products

refuge - n. a place that provides shelter or protection

mining - v. the process by which transactions are confirmed and made public via computer code known as block chain

peer-to-peer - n. the practice of lending money to individuals or businesses through online services that match lenders with borrowers.
Vermilion Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company owns 81% working interest in 636,714 net acres of developed land and 85% working interest in 301,026 net acres of undeveloped land in Canada; 130,715 net acres of land in the Powder River basin in the United States; 96% working interest in 248,873 net acres of developed land and 86% working interest in 134,160 net acres of undeveloped land in the Aquitaine and Paris Basins in France; 53% working interest in 901,791 net acres of land in the Netherlands; 54,625 net developed acres and 920,723 net undeveloped acres in Germany; 975,375 net acres land in Croatia; 946,666 net acres land in Hungary; and 48,954 net acres land in Slovakia. It also owns 20% interests in the offshore Corrib natural gas field located to the northwest coast of Ireland; and 100% working interest in the Wandoo offshore oil field and related production facilities that covers 59,553 acres located on Western Australia's northwest shelf. As of December 31, 2021, the company had 401 net producing conventional natural gas wells and 2,132 net producing light and medium crude oil wells in Canada; 167.6 net producing light and medium crude oil wells in the United States; 297.0 net producing light and medium crude oil wells and 3 net producing conventional natural gas wells in France; and 47 net producing natural gas wells in the Netherlands. Vermilion Energy Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
By PTI: Bengaluru, Dec 14 (PTI) The two-week long eighth edition ofAthe Indo-Maldives joint military exercise, Ekuverin, will be conducted from tomorrow at Belagavi, about 505 km from here.

The bilateral annual exercise is a 14-day jointAmilitary training between the Indian Army and the MaldivesANational Defence Force (MNDF), which is held alternatively inAIndia and Maldives since 2009.

Ekuverin means friends in the Maldivian language.

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The seventh edition of the exercise was held atA Kadhdhoo, Lammu Atoll, Maldives in December, 2016.

The focus of the exercise is to acquaint both armiesA with each others operating procedures in the backdrop of aA counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist operations in an urbanAor semi-urban environment under the United Nations (UN)A Charter, with an overall aim to enhance interoperabilityA between the two armies, an official release said.

It said the exercise will see the contingents hone their tactical and technical skills, and also provide an opportunity for the two armies to activate the Joint Operations Centre at Belagavi.

The MNDF will beArepresented by a team comprising two officers and 43 otherAranks, while the Indian Army by threeAofficers, as many junior commissioned officers and 39 otherAranks belonging to a Gorkha Rifles Battalion (Sirmoor Rifles).

TheAopening ceremony of the exercise, scheduled for tomorrow, will witness a fly past by the Army Aviation teamA along with a march past by the contingent from both theA countries in the presence of the pipe and drums band of theA Gorkha Regiment. PTI KSU RA VS KJ

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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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Kimco Realty Corp. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on open-air mall-style properties in the US and is among the largest mall REITs on the market. The firm has been in business since the post-war boom of the 1966 and trading on the public markets since 1991. The name is a blend of the founders names, Martin Kimmel and Milton Cooper, who merged their assets in order to form the larger company.

The stock was added to the S&P 500 in 2006 and has held its position ever since. Kimco is also know for being the first vertically integrated REIT meaning it is internally managed and advised, and provides its own asset and property management. The firm raised $120 million with its IPO and was worth $11.4 billion in October 2022.

As of October 2022, the company laid claim to more than 530 properties enclosing 92 million square feet of retail space. The properties are primarily located within grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use assets in suburban areas. The tenant-focus is on a diverse blend of essential and/or necessity-based goods or services that drive multiple consumer trips per week and provide stable income.

Kimco Realty is headquartered in Jerico, N.Y., but does not limit its investments by geography. The companys properties are located in 1st-ring suburbs surrounding major metropolitan areas from coast to coast. One area of focus is high-barrier-to-entry coastal properties in population-dense vacation zones while another is the rapidly expanding Sun Belt.

The firm offers a variety of services and features apart from property rentals that include curbside pickup zones and many others that enhance the tenant and consumer experience. Other features include digital maintenance requests, Click Pay, and a Discount Program. Some of the markets served by Kimco Realty include New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, and Atlanta.
INS Kalvari, which translates to 'a deep-sea tiger shark', is the first made-in-India Scorpene Class Submarine.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to commission INS Kalvari, India's indigenous diesel-electric submarine in Mumbai today. PM Modi will be dedicating Kalvari to India.

Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will also be addressing the nation.

INS Kalvari, which translates to 'a deep-sea tiger shark', is the first made-in-India Scorpene Class Submarine.

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Built by Magazon Docks Limited, a Ministry of Defence-owned shipyard, INS Kalvari is India's first submarine in 17 years.

INS Kalvari's commissioning is considered a big boost to PM Modi's Make in India mission.

Here's all you need to about India's new 'shark':

INS Kalvari is powered by a diesel-electric motor and is said to be so silent that it might be difficult to detect it underwater. INS Kalvari's overall length is 67.5 meters and its height is 12.3 meters. Kalvari was designed by DCNS (French naval Defence and Energy Company) in collaboration with Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. INS Kalvari is named Kalvari, a tiger shark in Malayalam symbolising agility, strength and predatory power. Kalvari's motto is "Ever Onward", which shows Kalvari's spirit. It is the first of six Scorpene submarines to join the Indian Navy. Kalvari is the first Indian Naval vessel to be built using a modular approach and is said to be the quieter than most submarines. Kalvari has infrared and low light camera and range finder to spot targets present on the surface of the ocean. INS Kalvari also has an attack and search periscope. INS Kalvari is the first submarine to join Indian Navy in 17 years. INS Kalvari will have anti-ship missiles and long-range guided torpedoes and modern sensor suite.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. 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There are a growing number of companies offering gigabit internet speeds, but typically that requires running new cables to a customers home. Last year AT&T unveiled a different idea: piggyback on existing power lines that already crisscross the country.

AT&Ts Airgig is actually a wireless technology. But instead of building new cell towers, it puts transmitters on power lines to make super-fast wireless internet available wherever you find power lines.

Now AT&T has announced that it has launched two trials of the technology.

One is running in partnership with Georgia Power in rural parts of Georgia as part of an effort to see how well the technology can offer broadband internet in areas where its not currently available.

The other trial is described as an international one with an electricity provider outside the US.

Its unclear if or when AT&T plans to roll out Airgig technology more widely, but if the trials go well, we could eventually see this emerge as an alternative to fiber for delivering Gigabit internet speeds.
The Budget Law for 2018 was finally approved at yesterdays plenary session of the Legislative Assembly (AL). Despite almost unanimous votes in favor, several lawmakers commented on the high expenses that the government has projected for next year.

Lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong recalled that during the first reading of the law last month, he had called attention to the lack of information related to big projects and the multiannual works that surpass a single years budget.

Ng reiterated that this had been mentioned before and reaffirmed this request on the [Standing] Committee [that analyzed the bill in specialty] and although the government seems to have replied positively to my requests, so far I havent seen any of these elements [included].

For the future, we need to include more elements, namely on the multiannual budgets and effects expected [to be achieved in each year], namely on the 34 projects from the Public Works that [are budgeted at] over MOP100 million [each].

Lawmaker Ella Lei was also worried about the governments growing expenses, noting the example of the Civil Aviation Authority (AACM), where the budget has increased by about 20 percent for 2018.

The budget increase is said to be related to several studies pertaining to the airport expansion, which led Lei to say: [About] those reports [from studies], their quality is not always acceptable by society. Results often do not match with the reality. She added that the need for such studies and reports was questionable.

Lei also took the opportunity to remark on a topic she had also raised during the first reading of the bill: the need for an automatic mechanism that transfers a certain [defined] percentage from the annual income directly to social benefits.

Song Pek Kei also called on the government to make rational use of the resources and emphasized the need for criteria for the usage of public funds. She criticized the governments analysis of the cost versus benefits of several measures, citing the Taipa Ferry Terminal and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) as examples of projects that according to Song, will be a huge expense in future.

Song also criticized the growth of government expenses  which are projected to leap 14.5 percent to MOP109 billion  in connection with the governments larger workforce and related expenses. Song said these were unpredictable and unlimited, and ran contrary to the Chief Executives measures to control the hiring of civil servants.

Ip Sio Kai and Mak Soi Kun also requested added control and increased transparency regarding the public accounts, as well as more attention from the follow-up committee on public finances when analyzing the money spent.

To the lawmakers concerns, the Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong replied: Your concerns are also my own. We are always working on that direction.

Regarding the transparency, he added that it was why we introduced a mid-term [budget] report and that we already prepared all the documents regarding all the big projects, of which there are around 35 amounting to more than MOP100 million.

We will also proceed with the work on inspections and communicate all those at the follow-up committee, he continued.

Replying to Lei and Song, Leong said that all studies need prior authorization, claiming that certain services authorize the studies according to pre-determined specifications and selectively analyze the results obtained.

Leong said the reports would have to be presented for review by the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) and the Audit Committee (CA), promising, We will seek to include those reports in the mid-term [budget] report.

Pereira Coutinho once again criticized and even voted against article 15 of the bill, which concerns the governments newly announced exemption of stamp duty for the auctions field.

Coutinho said he feared that such measures would clash with the anti-money laundering rules approved early this year.

Leong argued that this would not mean an end to inspections, noting that the government would first test each system for one year to see if we can really promote the sector and record all steps taken. Any transaction records will be kept for a period of five years.

On the lawmakers agenda

ISLANDS HOSPITAL Song Pek Kei and Pereira Coutinho brought the topic before the agenda with different points of concern. Song urged the government to reveal its plans for the operations and expenses of the future Islands Hospital, while Coutinho picked up on a recent statement from the Health Bureau on the responsibility for the construction delay. He asked, What is the real situation?, as he had previously during the Secretary for Transport and Public Works visit to the AL for the presentation of his Secretariat policy address for 2018.

SHARING ECONOMIC BENEFITS Lawmaker Leong Sun Iok urged employers to share the benefits of the economic recovery with workers in the territory by reestablishing benefits that had been frozen or reduced during the period of economic adjustment. According to Leong, gaming revenues registered a growth of 19.1 percent in the first 10 months of this year and GDP also saw growth of 11.4 percent contributing to the growth in government revenue. With this in mind, Leong urged the government to raise the resources invested in social services and in education and to incentivize the gaming companies and others to raise as soon as possible employee salaries so these [people] can enjoy also the fruits of economic growth.

MINIMUM WAGE Ng Kuok Cheong presented a proposal of a transition mechanism that in his opinion could provide employment stability and a minimum wage to local workers with lower salaries. According to Ngs proposal, the mechanism would last for an eight-year period in which the companies would contribute with salaries of around 70 percent of the minimum wage for the first year. That proportion would rise by 6 percent per year until the full 100 percent rate of the minimum wage is reached. With such a system, Ng said that government could put an end to the governments complementary subsidy [for low wage workers].

Debates on driving licenses, universal health care greenlighted

AT yesterdays plenary session of the Legislative Assembly (AL), lawmakers voted on several proposals of debate on topics of public interest proposed by Song Pek Kei and Si Ka Lon, Leong Sun Iok, Au Kam San, Mak Soi Kun and Ng Kuok Cheong, approving only two of the five submitted.

The topics of mutual recognition of driving licenses between Macau and mainland China, proposed by Leong Sun Iok and the establishment of a universal health insurance system, proposed by Song Pek Kei and Si Ka Lon were approved and will reach the plenary in the near future.

Dropped were the proposals to debate the effects of Typhoon Hato, proposed by Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San as well as Aus proposal to address the creation of municipal bodies without political power.

Another of the proposals refused by the plenary, brought forward by lawmaker Mak, was to establish a system of training and education for government staff that aimed to increase their love for the country and for Macau by increasing their knowledge of Chinas modern history. The proposal was shot down with a total of 24 votes against and only three in favor.

A proposal for the government to increase the birth subsidy for civil servants to MOP5,100 was also approved. The measure was argued to be an incentive to increase the birth rate but was criticized by Au for being clearly insufficient and not likely to produce any effects.
The Russian communications watchdog has moved to block a news website financed by top Kremlin foe Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

The Russian Communications Oversight Agency said in a statement that it has put Khodorkovskys Open Russia website on the black list after it received a request from the Prosecutor Generals Office to block it. The prosecutors plea came after Khodorkovskys NGO was listed as an undesirable organization, a label stemming from a new law intended to tighten the Kremlins tight control over the political landscape.

Khodorkovsky, once Russias richest man, spent 10 years in prison on two sets of charges largely regarded as political retribution before he was pardoned in December 2013. He has been living in exile since, supporting human rights initiatives and independent media.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On said on Tuesday that Macau was looking forward to closer ties with the European Union in order to promote the regions further development, but stressed that he did not agree with its recent inclusion of the MSAR on a list of non-cooperative taxation jurisdictions.

Chui made the comments on Tuesday, according to the Government Information Bureau, during a meeting with EU representatives and consular representatives of some EU countries based in either Hong Kong or Macau.

The Chief Executive welcomed the 19-member delegation and thanked it for the EUs sustained interest in Macaus socio- economic development.

Meanwhile, the Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau, Carmen Cano de Lasala, said the EU was pleased to have witnessed Macaus achievements over the years, especially in terms of economic diversification.

During the meeting, Cano said the EU would keep in close contact with Macau regarding the blocs decision  announced last week  to include the city on its list of non-cooperative taxation jurisdictions.

Chui stressed a different view of the issue than that implied by the EUs decision, saying that the government had been working closely with international bodies  including the Organization for Economic Co-

operation and Development and the EU itself  in the fight against cross-border tax evasion and the promotion of a fairer taxation system worldwide.

He also said that the government would study the evaluation more closely once the official document is received from the EU.
Chinas war against smog is lifting prices for energy all over the world, according to analysts at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and the International Energy Agency.

Policies promoting natural gas use have helped boost Chinas consumption by 19 percent this year and raised it to the worlds second-biggest importer of liquefied shipments of the fuel, lifting prices for spot cargoes. Higher gas prices are boosting demand for coal, which has already seen prices rise because of separate Chinese policies restricting mine production, Goldman analysts including Christian Lelong said in a Dec. 12 research note.

Rising global energy prices are another ripple effect of Chinas blue skies efforts, which have improved air quality in Beijing and other notoriously smoggy cities but also resulted in natural gas shortages in the country and a burgeoning heating crisis in some areas.

Chinas dash for gas may lead to further increases in global gas prices, either because the shortage of gas drives some Chinese consumers back to coal and exacerbates the tightness in that market, or because China ends up attracting LNG shipments that would have otherwise gone to other countries, Lelong said. This would leave Chinas push for cleaner air as creating a cost to other global consumers, as gas typically sets the marginal cost of power.

Spot LNG prices in Northeast Asia rose this week to USD10.05 per million British thermal units, the highest level since January 2015, according to industry publication World Gas Intelligence. Newcastle coal futures on ICE Futures Europe are up 15 percent over this time last year, at $98.65 a ton.

Chinas rising demand means it will need by 2020 to import about 15 million tons of LNG more than the previous forecast of 61 million, Lelong said. U.S. LNG producers will be the primary beneficiary as theyre better positioned than European terminals to be the swing suppliers to Asia, and will have higher utilization because of the increased Chinese consumption.

Reducing the reliance on coal-powered energy is key to Chinas push to reduce smog, which can be particularly bad in the north and northeast, home to the rustbelt and cities like Beijing and Tianjin. Goldman estimates that in Beijing the air quality has improved 41 percent relative to the historical trend. Implementation has been rocky, though, with gas shortages reported in several provinces.

Chinas coal-to-gas shortage has pumped up LNG spot prices to $10, Yang Lei, a senior adviser to the International Energy Agency, said in a panel discussion in Beijing yesterday. Basically, the whole world is paying for bluer skies in China. Bloomberg
The North Korean woman drives a motorbike slowly down a narrow lane shaded by tall corn to the farmhouse where she lives with the disabled Chinese man who bought her.

Its been 11 years since she was lured across the border by the prospect of work and instead trafficked into a life of hardship. In those years, shes lived with the dread that Chinese police will arrest her and send her back to be jailed and tortured in North Korea. Shes struggled with the scorn of neighbors who see her as an outsider.

But most of all, shes been haunted by grief and regret over the children she had to leave behind.

When I first came here, I spent all day drinking because I worried a lot about my kids in North Korea, said the woman, who asked to be identified only as S.Y. due to safety concerns. I was quite out of my mind.

Experts estimate that thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands, of North Korean women have been trafficked across the border and sold as brides since a crippling famine in North Korea killed hundreds of thousands of people in the mid-1990s. Brokers tell the women they can find jobs in China, but instead sell them to Chinese men, mostly poor farmers in three border provinces who struggle to find brides in part because Beijings one-child policy led to the abortion of many female fetuses.

Like S.Y., many of the women have children still in their homeland.

Their plight is largely ignored, partly because the women almost never agree to interviews. The Associated Press spoke with seven trafficked North Korean women and three Chinese husbands.

Because the women have been trafficked to China, they are living in the country illegally and have never officially married their husbands.

Some of the North Koreans get along with their new families and are satisfied with their new life in China. Others are abused by their husbands or ignored or mocked by their new relatives and neighbors. Others have risked the perilous journey to South Korea  with some having to make the heart-wrenching choice to leave children behind again, this time in China.

THE BRIDES WHO STAY

The first years were the hardest were for S.Y.

A widow from a city near Pyongyang, North Koreas capital, she didnt even give her two sons a proper goodbye when she left for China, thinking she would be able to quickly return home after making some money. Instead a broker sold her to her new husband for 14,000 yuan (USD2,100).

Though the now 53-year-old said she was treated well by her Chinese husband  and the two have a daughter together  she was never able to forget her North Korean children who she last saw in 2006.

One day, saddened and frustrated, she swallowed a box of sleeping pills in a suicide attempt. When she was revived she said she began to realize that her half-Chinese daughter needed her.

Shes passed on the chance to flee to South Korea, saying she worries about leaving her daughter and husband, a poor farmer with polio.

Im living here because of my family [] and because I feel grateful to my husband, S.Y. said. What matters is not breaking up our family.

Her 55-year-old husband and his relatives sold hogs and corn to pay brokers to check on S.Y.s children in North Korea. They found that her brother was raising her sons and S.Y.s husband sent 15,000 yuan ($2,260) to help support them.

I felt really, really good when I first met her, S.Y.s sun-bronzed husband said, his crutch by his side. But Im a disabled man and I thought it was unfair to her. She could have met a better husband.

Two other North Korean women interviewed in western Liaoning province said their husbands treated them well, but others described abuse. One former bride who fled to South Korea said her Chinese husband tied her to a post for hours after she once tried to escape.

The women who stay live with the worry of being arrested and repatriated to North Korea. They avoid traveling because they say authorities in recent years require citizens to show their ID cards before leaving the area. They speak little Chinese, have few local friends and dont enjoy the same social and medical benefits that ordinary Chinese have.

They stay because of their half-Chinese children.

My 10-year-old son knows his friends [North Korean] mothers have all fled, so hes very obedient to me because he worries I could leave him too, said another North Korean woman from a village near where S.Y. lives. She asked to be identified by only her surname, Kim.

Chinese authorities, including the Ministry of Public Security in Beijing and police in the three provinces closest to North Korea where most of the women end up, did not respond to requests to comment on the plight of the trafficked brides.

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said in a written response that China has worked to fight the trafficking of women and children in recent years by strengthening laws, efforts that have had noticeable results.

THE BRIDES WHO FLEE

For North Korean brides who want out of Chinese towns, South Korea is a tempting option because of the promise of citizenship, resettlement money, almost-free apartments and no language problems.

But reaching South Korea requires a long, treacherous journey and once again putting trust in brokers. Some lie to their husbands and say theyll return after making money in South Korea. Some flee in the middle of the night. Often they have to leave their children behind.

After living in a village in Chinas northeastern Liaoning province for 2 1/2 years, Kim Jungah could no longer bear the possibility of her daughter seeing her dragged away by Chinese authorities.

I slept badly every night, the 41-year-old said. Whenever I heard the sound of cars, I was afraid they might be the police.

So in 2009 she left, thinking that later she could persuade her husband to come to South Korea with her daughter if she made enough money. She eventually made such an offer, but her husband rejected it.

Kim hasnt spoken to her daughter since early 2013, when her husband changed his phone number after finding that she had gotten married in South Korea.

She said her daughters biological father is actually North Korean and that she didnt know she was pregnant when she was sold to her Chinese husband in 2006 for 19,000 yuan ($2,860).

During a recent visit to the mans house, Kims daughter, now 10, looked cheerful and healthy as she ran around her yard. Her Chinese father said he treats the girl like his biological daughter and that shes doing well at school.

Kim said she would give her former husband 50,000 yuan ($7,530) if he sends her daughter to her and if he refuses she will sue him. He said he wont allow the girl to reunite with Kim until she becomes an adult.

The man, who asked that his name not be revealed in order to protect the girl, called himself a victim of marriage fraud.

She came here, bore a child and left, the 50-year-old said. She had food and a place to live. I dont understand why she left.

Others have been able to reunite.

North Korean defector Kim Sun-hee, 38, who came to South Korea in 2008, lives in a small apartment near Seoul with her Korean-Chinese husband, Chang Kil-dong, 48, who bought her for 8,000 yuan ($1,200) when she was 18.

Chang, now a manual laborer in the South, said he was delighted when his wife called him to come to South Korea because he thought she might abandon him. Still the two dont like to talk about how their relationship started.

Chang said he wishes he could go back and instead of paying a broker, give money to his wifes family in a traditional marriage contract.

It was human trafficking, he said.

LASTING PAIN

All three of the North Korean women interviewed in China left children behind in their homeland, thinking their trip across the border would be temporary.

S.Y. wants to raise hogs to make money to hire brokers again so she can find out how her sons in North Korea are doing. Kim, the woman with the 10-year-old half-Chinese son, said she is too poor to hire someone to search for her 12-year-

old son who she left back home in 2007.

I cry whenever I think about my child in the North, the 46-year-old said.

So many North Korean women have run away  13 out of 15 in one of the womens village  that those who stay are looked down on.

People call us hens. S.Y. said. They say we arent real mothers because we lay eggs and then flee to somewhere else.

The children of North Korean women left behind in China also face a stigma. One of the North Korean women said her daughters high school classmate, whose mother fled soon after he was born, is often teased at school.

Some of the women who fled to South Korea are conflicted  torn between the life they have made for themselves and the life they were sold into. A woman who fled to South Korea in 2006 has not contacted her Chinese family even though she has a son there because she was treated poorly.

She asked to be identified only as Y because of worries that publicity about her past could destroy her new life, adding that the South Korean father of her newest child left them when he found out about her life in China.

Some might say I am cold-hearted, but I left that house determined never to go back, she said with tears in her eyes. Now I sometimes feel like going there because Im curious about how my boy has grown up. But I cant do that. Hyung-Jin Kim, Western Liaoning Province, AP
Chinese director Yukun Xins movie, Wrath of Silence, is a brave depiction of extreme poverty in a part of rural China, of which the mining industry takes control.

The film  which depicts the wealthiest characters as lawyers and businessmen  exposes social injustice, corruption, mineral exploitation and a dearth of business ethics among its characters.

Xin said there was no hesitation in directing and producing the film, even though the Chinese government is reportedly known for censoring such material.

Initially screened domestically at Xinings first film festival in July, followed by its international premiere at the London Film Festival, the action-packed thriller highlights the oppression faced by residents living in poverty.

People have this image of the Chinese governments [film] censorship but I think sometimes this image can be exaggerated, Xin told the Times on the sidelines of the second International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM).

In this film, we are talking about poverty [and] what happens in the mining town. But we also want to demonstrate human relations. Its more complex than just about social issues, the director explained.

The film is about a miner who returns to his small family sheep farm, only to learn that his young son hasnt come back from shepherding for two days.

Although the townsfolk turn a blind eye to the missing child, the father does not stop the search, even when he comes face-to-face with the corruption and danger that permeates the local mining business.

The director said that he extensively researched news about the mining industry and the exploitation of natural resources.

There [have] been many films in China about this topic but they were mainly focused on single incidents and didnt provide the audience with a bigger picture, said the director, who hails from Baotou, China.

The movie was picked up for world sales by Fortissimo Films, as the companys first new title since it filed for bankruptcy last year.

According to the filmmaker, who also directed The Coffin in the Mountain, the film aims to discover what lies behind the scenes of mining incidents.

The movies unusual structure is due to Xins desire to direct a movie that would not fall into the trap of a regular suspense film.

I think what we did was something different compared to other films that have been made in China, Xin said.

Commenting on the second IFFAM, the Chinese director praised the six-day festival for its professionalism in international coordination, management and production, comparing it favorably to other festivals.

Ive seen mistakes made by those [other] organizers, but as a young festival, Macau has done very well, he said.

However, Xin suggested that IFFAM reschedule directors and actors interactions with audiences, to be held after each screening, not before.

In other film festivals that Ive been to, usually theres an interaction between the audience and the creative team after the screenings, he said.

If the audience havent seen the film, how much do they know about the film and what can they exchange with the creators of the film? he questioned.

Moreover, Xin said that he was happy seeing movie-goers of all ages attending the festival, adding that if this continues, the film festival will be much better in the future.

Wrath of Silence was screened at the Cultural Center on Sunday, and is part of the festivals Competition series.
A top Indonesian politician accused of involvement in one of the countrys biggest corruption scandals told a court on the first day of his trial hes suffering a stomach complaint, forcing a postponement while his medical condition is checked.

Lawyers for Setya Novanto, the former speaker of Indonesias parliament, argued yesterday he was too ill to stand trial but prosecutors said he was in good health. Judges postponed the hearing until later in the day.

Novanto was allegedly part of a conspiracy of dozens of officials who used the introduction of an electronic ID system to steal more than USD170 million of public money.

He evaded questioning by anti-corruption officials for months but was arrested in November at a hospital after being involved in a car accident.

In court yesterday, Novanto initially refused to respond to repeated questions from judges then told the court: I am suffering diarrhea, I asked for drugs but they were not given.

Prosecutors said prison guards reported he was coughing in his cell.

This is a lie by the defendant, state prosecutor Irene Putri told the court before Novanto was excused for his checkup.

Novanto, also a senior figure in the Golkar party, which is part of Indonesias governing coalition, has denied any wrongdoing.

An admirer of President Donald Trump, Novanto made an unexpected appearance at a Trump news conference at Trump Tower in New York in September 2015 along with another Indonesian lawmaker, Fadli Zon. Novanto was introduced by Trump as one of Indonesias most powerful men who would do great things for the U.S. AP
The heavyweight torpedoes for Kalvari would also be deployed on the nuclear submarine fleet of the Navy.

The Navy on Thursday inducted INS Kalvari after a delay of around five years in the presence of PM Narendra Modi.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: After a delay of around five years, India on Thursday inducted its first modern conventional submarine, INS Kalvari, into the Navy on Thursday, a first in almost two decades.

The submarine, which was earlier supposed to be inducted in the middle of this year, had to wait for six to seven months more for its commissioning as senior government functionaries insisted that the platform should be ready for operational deployment with its weapons at the time of being commissioned by the Prime Minister.

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Due to this, the Navy borrowed the torpedoes of another class of submarines and fired them about three months ago to prove that the platform was ready for operational deployment, sources said.

The Navy has been facing long delays in the procurement of heavyweight torpedoes for the Scorpenes, which will be known as Kalvari class, due to the cancellation of a tender to procure the weapons from the scam-tainted Finmeccanica group of Italy which has now been named Leonardo.

Sources said that due to lack of new heavyweight torpedoes, the Navy had to pull out weapons from another line of submarines and integrate them with the Kalvari in the recent times.

"The integration of the torpedoes is still going on but the main weapon for Kalvari would only be the new heavyweight torpedo for which a multi-vendor competition is going to be initiated in the near future," a source said.

The heavyweight torpedoes for Kalvari would also be deployed on the nuclear submarine fleet of the Navy, including the boats of the Arihant Class nuclear powered submarines.

Putting it into commission in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of the Navy for its role from disaster management to combating piracy.

"Be it terrorism via sea, piracy, drug smuggling or illegal fishing, India is playing an important role in combating them," he said.

"I call it SAGAR - security and growth for all in the region." Addressing the gathering, Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Peace in Indian Ocean, which is the lifeline of global trade is better off with INS Kalvari."

Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines that will be handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) to the Navy. Designed by the French, these are being built by MDL in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Navy.

Kalvari would be followed by five more submarines at a gap of nine months each.

WATCH | Scorpene-class INS Kalvari commissioned into Indian Navy

--- ENDS ---
Macaus only Indonesian radio show will celebrate its fifth anniversary on December 20 with Christmas carols and a festive brunch, along with an anniversary talk show which will be held at The Clubhouse Nova City Building.

Beto Bebeto, radio host of TDMs Kumbang Toh! has invited the consul general of Indonesia in Hong Kong, along with leaders of the Indonesian associations in the city to participate in the talk show.

The brunch and talk show will feature performances from different migrant groups, as well as the vocal ensemble.

The event has also invited members of the English- speaking community to join, in a bid to have them interact with the Indonesian community and learn more about its culture.

Bebeto lamented that the event can only accommodate a limited number of participants due to space constraints, but pledged to work on acquiring a larger space for similar events in future.

Kumbang Toh! will also present Indonesian choral group Ekklesia Vocal Ensemble from Yogyakarta at 7 p.m. on the same day at the Anglican Church at Macau Anglican College.

Speaking to the Times, Bebeto explained that these initiatives, which are divided into two sessions, aim to give back to the city.

Ekklesia Vocal Ensemble is set to perform in four homes for the elderly in Macau on December 18.

The vocal group will be touring several elderly centers, where they will celebrate Christmas. They will be giving performances, said the radio host.

This anniversary is not only for the Indonesians but [] a gift back to Macau too. Macau has been home to the radio and many Indonesian families [so] we want to do something for local people, he added.

Kumbang Toh! first aired for an hour in August 2012 with a time slot from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Bebeto now hosts a two-hour show, which features a 45-minute segment in English for the shows English-speaking listeners.

Bebeto plans to do similar events in the future and continue working with the consulate by bringing in guests from Indonesia, which is expected to gather and build relationships with the 7,000 Indonesian migrant workers in the region.

According to him, migrant groups in Macau are also becoming more active and have cultivated a significant following.

I have to say the Indonesian migrant groups can do great events, he said, adding that these groups are also forging closer ties with the Indonesian consulate in Hong Kong.

Our consul right now is seeing a greater need [to engage] more because obviously we have more Indonesians in Macau, said Bebeto, who also preaches at a local Indonesian church.

He added that the role of migrant groups in Macau has been increasingly significant due to the absence of an official consulate in Macau  there is only a delegation here  adding that the leaders of these groups have provided the community with pivotal information from the consulate.

Before the consulate opened their office  which is open three days a week in Macau  Bebeto said they relied on different migrant groups, including Peduli and Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, to get certain messages across.

Although consular services are not available to the community on a daily basis, Bebeto said that the community is enjoying the best relationship with the consulate so far.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the U.S. is prepared to negotiate with North Korea without preconditions, but the Trump administration would first want a quiet period without nuclear or missile tests for discussions with Kim Jong Uns regime to begin.

Lets just meet. We can talk about the weather if you want, Tillerson said in a speech yesterday [Macau time] at the Atlantic Council in Washington. We can talk about whether its going to be a square table or a round table if thats what youre excited about.

Tillerson has regularly called for diplomacy with the isolated nation and the White House played down the prospect of a policy shift. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders followed the remarks by saying Trumps views hadnt changed, reflecting that the administration wanted to make clear Tillerson was not signaling a major change in U.S. policy.

North Korea is acting in an unsafe way not only toward Japan, China, and South Korea, but the entire world, she said. North Koreas actions are not good for anyone and certainly not good for North Korea.

Tillerson said earlier in the day that hes pleased with the progress so far in ramping up pressure on North Korea, an effort that relies largely on tougher United Nations sanctions and greater cooperation with China. He said more than 22 countries  including Peru and Mexico  have so far sent North Korean diplomats home, and described the new sanctions regime as extreme.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing yesterday that China welcomed all efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue and hopes the U.S. and North Korea could walk in the same direction, taking some meaningful steps toward dialogue and contact.

Meanwhile, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy Joseph Yun is expected to meet Thursday with North Korean foreign ministry officials in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing unidentified diplomatic sources.

Its really about how do you begin the process of engagement because were dealing with a new leader in North Korea that no ones ever engaged with, Tillerson said. My expectations of how to start is first I have to know who my counterpart is.

While Tillerson said he was willing to meet North Korean officials, he made clear that the U.S. refuses to accept an outcome that leaves the country with nuclear weapons. North Korea must be ready to make a different choice with regards to its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs for talks to continue, Tillerson said.

And while advocates for negotiations will be encouraged by the secretarys remarks, he was also clear that talks wouldnt be possible without a pause in testing by the North. The last time such a test occurred was in late November, when North Korea fired a missile that analysts say may put the entire continental U.S. in range.

We continue to indicate to them, we need a period of quiet, you need to tell us you want to talk, the doors open, well show up when you tell us youre ready to talk, Tillerson said.

Tillersons remarks echoed those made by Terry Branstad, the U.S. ambassador to China, who said last week that North Korea needs to renounce further nuclear or missile tests before sitting down for talks. He called Kims push for nuclear weapons the biggest threat to humankind right now. Nick Wadhams, Bloomberg
The Philippine Congress voted overwhelmingly yesterday to approve President Rodrigo Dutertes request to extend martial law in the south by a year after the military warned that terrorist threats continue to lurk in the region despite the defeat of a disastrous pro-Islamic State group siege.

A majority of the Senate and the House of Representatives  with 240 voting to approve and 27 opposing  backed the extension of martial law across the Mindanao region through the end of 2018. The vote followed warnings by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other officials that IS-linked militants were trying to recover from their defeat in southern Marawi city and were plotting new attacks.

The rebellion has not stopped, it has just moved to another place, Lorenzana told senators and House members in a special joint session.

Several lawmakers from the south backed martial law, saying it would prevent a repeat of the bloody Marawi siege and foster the Islamic citys rebuilding.

Five months of intense fighting, including daily airstrikes and artillery bombardment by the military on hundreds of militants, left more than 1,100 combatants and noncombatants dead and displaced about half a million people, turning mosque-studded Marawis central business and residential districts into a smoldering war zone.

Lorenzana said it would take at least three years to rebuild Marawi, a bastion of Islamic faith in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines.

Opponents argued that extending martial law in the south is unconstitutional because its an extreme measure that can only be imposed when actual rebellions against the government exist. They expressed fears that such a move can be a prelude for Duterte to declare martial law throughout the Philippines.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who heads the main opposition Liberal Party, rejected the martial law extension, saying it did not have a clear constitutional basis. He cited the governments declaration that the terrorists have been defeated in Marawi, and said that major rebel attacks have been dealt with by past presidents without resorting to martial rule.

We will be in danger of becoming the monsters that we seek to defeat, those who have no regard for law, order or respect for the constitution, Pangilinan said.

Opposition Rep. Tom Villarin said the remaining threats posed by Muslim militants in the south could be addressed by law enforcers without martial law and added that scheduled local elections in the south could be endangered by Dutertes declaration. Another opposition legislator, Edgar Erice, warned that the Philippines risks being regarded as a banana republic if officials flaunt the constitution.

Asked by a lawmaker what difference martial law will make, military chief of staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero acknowledged that martial law would not give any power tactically to troops, but argued that it provides the environment for us to succeed.

The Marawi uprising, which began on May 23, prompted Duterte to declare martial law to deal with his worst crisis so far. It also reinforced fears that the Islamic State group was taking serious steps to gain a foothold in Asia and elsewhere as it faced battle setbacks in Syria and Iraq.

Some gunmen and commanders managed to escape during the Marawi fighting and were recruiting new militants and consolidating and plotting new bombings and attacks. Extremist groups in other southern provinces, including the brutal Abu Sayyaf group, continue to pose threats, according to the military.

Filipinos remain hypersensitive to threats to democracy and civil liberties more than three decades after they ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in a 1986 people power revolt that became a harbinger of change in authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Concerns over Dutertes martial law have been sparked in part by his perceived authoritarian bent and the killings of thousands of suspects under a brutal crackdown against illegal drugs that he launched after taking office last year that has alarmed Western governments and human rights groups. Jim Gomez, Manila, AP
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand got a fight she wants after President Donald Trump lashed out at the New York Democrat in a provocative tweet that claimed shed begged him for campaign contributions and would do anything for them.

Gillibrand, whos up for re-election next year and is considered a possible presidential contender in 2020, has been an outspoken voice in the national debate over how to confront sexual assault and harassment. Shes argued that the rules in institutions from Congress to Hollywood to the U.S. military are set to benefit the powerful and the favored at the expense of the vulnerable.

A fiery exchange with Trump yesterday [Macau time] could brighten the spotlight on Gillibrands campaign to upend the dynamics and put power in the hands of the victims while simultaneously pushing the 51-year- old mother of two boys to the forefront of an unformed Democratic presidential field.

Shes scathed icons in her own party along the way. Gillibrand was appointed to Hillary Clintons Senate seat, but she recently said Bill Clinton should have resigned the presidency for his improprieties. That led Clinton loyalists to criticize her as an ungrateful opportunist.

The back-and-forth between Trump and Gillibrand came as a wave of sexual misconduct allegations roils Capitol Hill, forcing several lawmakers out of office in just the last week alone. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., announced he would resign amid an ethics probe into accusations that he sexually harassed several women. Reps. John Conyers, D-Mich., and Trent Franks, R-Ariz., also quit after misconduct accusations surfaced.

I do think this is a reckoning. This is a watershed moment, Gillibrand said of the resignations in speaking to The Associated Press late last week. Politicians should be held to the highest standards, not the lowest standards.

And she rejected the notion that she and other Democrats, by demanding Franken and Conyers step aside, are making a calculation they hope will pay off politically as Trump continues to fend off allegations of sexual misconduct lodged over the last year by more than a dozen women.

That couldnt be more cynical and backward, said Gillibrand, who was one of the first Democrats to call for Franken to step down. It has nothing to do with politics. This whole debate is, Do we care about women.

Gillibrand served notice several years ago that combating sexual assault would be her issue. A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, she and other female lawmakers dressed down senior military leaders at a headline-making hearing, insisting sexual assault in the ranks has cost the services the trust and respect of the American people as well as the nations men and women in uniform.

Not every single commander necessarily wants women in the force. Not every single commander believes what a sexual assault is. Not every single commander can distinguish between a slap on the ass and a rape because they merge all of these crimes together, Gillibrand told the uniformed men in 2013.

Four years later, Gillibrand added her voice to the growing number of male senators calling for Trump to resign in the face of multiple accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior. A day after her broadside, Trump singled her out.

The president tweeted: Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office begging for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump. Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!

Gillibrand was at a bipartisan Bible study in the office of Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., when she stepped out to take a call alerting her to Trumps tweet. She fired back, calling the presidents tweet a sexist smear aimed at silencing her voice. She also renewed her call for a congressional inquiry into the accusations against Trump.

Gillibrand silently shook her head at the idea that she had begged Trump for campaign contributions.

Democrats rushed to Gillibrands defense.

Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand? Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts tweeted back at Trump. Do you know who youre picking a fight with? Good luck with that.

Senate Republicans steered clear of the latest uproar involving Trumps Twitter account. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, a frequent Trump critic, was an exception, telling reporters he didnt think it was appropriate at all.

At the White House, however, Trumps spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said theres no way the presidents tweet was sexist at all. She said Trump was talking about a rigged political system and the fact that lawmakers repeatedly plead for money. Federal Election Commission records show Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump donated nearly USD8,000 to Gillibrands congressional campaigns.

Gillibrand, of Dartmouth and UCLA law, has fought since 2013 to overhaul the way the U.S. armed forces deals with allegations of sexual misconduct. A bill she crafted aims to stop sexual assaults by stripping senior U.S. military officers of their responsibilities to decide whether to prosecute sexual assault cases and giving that authority to seasoned military trial lawyers.

But the Pentagon has stridently opposed the change and the bill has remained stalled. Richard Lardner, Washington, AP
As Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes South Koreas Moon Jae-in to Beijing, hell be showing off the gains of a foreign policy shift that has seen China tamp down several disputes with its neighbors.

Moon left Seoul for first trip to China as president yesterday, six weeks after China lifted an economic embargo against South Korea over its deployment of a U.S. missile-defense system. The standoff, which hurt sales of everything from cosmetics to K-pop between two of Asias biggest economies, ended with Moon promising to respect Chinas missile-shield concerns and pursue a balanced diplomacy with Beijing and Washington.

The resolution was one of several Chinese diplomatic thaws in recent weeks, as Beijing worked to quiet South China Sea disputes, and mend ties with Singapore and Japan. Such moves help China capitalize on lingering uncertainty over U.S. commitment in the region as President Donald Trump questions Asian trade deals and prioritizes North Koreas nuclear missile threat over territorial spats.

They may also serve a more personal goal for Xi, who in October pledged Chinas return to the center of the world stage at a leadership meeting that positioned him to rule for decades. Chinas efforts to assert its new might during Xis first term  including building military outposts in the South China Sea  had stoked suspicions about its intentions.

Xi has realized that Chinas rapid growth and behavior has scared a lot of people in the region, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group and a former Canadian diplomat stationed in Beijing. Xi sees there is a strategic opportunity of Donald Trump having taken America in a different direction and seeing that void, that has probably led him to ramp up that policy further.

Chinas decision to stop punishing South Korea  one of the U.S.s closest allies  for its deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, missile shield illustrates the shift. After Seoul decided last year to accept the system, China ordered travel agencies to stop selling South Korea tour packages and launched fire-safety inspections that forced Lotte Group to suspend operations at 99 hypermarkets in China.

But the argument that Thaad was an early component to build a U.S. missile shield around China failed to resonate as North Korea lobbed test missiles into the waters of North Asia. The sanctions made China look like an insensitive bully, Kovrig said.

China lifted the embargo without securing Thaads withdrawal. The South Korean won has strengthened 2.5 percent since the dispute ended Oct. 31.

The two sides reached some consensus on dealing with the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in response to a question about Moons visit. We hope that the issue can continue to be handled properly.

Discussions about North Korea will dominate Moons visit to China, whose decades-old alliance with Pyongyang has frayed amid leader Kim Jong Uns provocations. Officials on both sides have urged Trump to dial back threats of military action and focus on sanctions to push Kim back to negotiations.

Xi and Moon will also discuss adding a services component to the free-trade agreement that took effect in December 2015, according to a South Korean government official who spoke on the condition or anonymity. Bloomberg
British Petroleum (BP) Oman has charged Petrofac to carry development of a central processing facility (CPF) at the Khazzan Phase Two (Ghazeer) gas development with a contract estimated at $800 million.

The contract is the second received by the oilfield service group from BP Oman which controls Khazzan project with a 60 per cent interest, while Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production holds 40 per cent.

The first contract between the two dates back to 2014.

Under the terms of the new contract, Petrofac will undertake engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) works, which include liquid and compression trains and associated infrastructure, as well as brownfield work associated with connecting Phases 1 and 2 facilities, the company said.

Petrofac will also work on a third gas train with a capacity for nominally handling 500m standard cubic feet of gas per day, which will help drive increased total production capacity from the CPF to 1,500 mmscfd, the company noted.
December 13, 2017 13:08

A somewhat tongue-in-cheek BMJ article argues that men might experience worse cold and flu symptoms than women, and explores possible explanations

Dr Sue argues that research points towards men having a weaker immune response to common viral respiratory infections and the flu.

Dr Sue argues that research points towards men having a weaker immune response to common viral respiratory infections and the flu. Photograph: Alan Thornton/Getty Images

The fight against the ridicule of man flu has been taken up by a doctor who says, somewhat tongue-in cheek, that he delved into the issue after growing tired of being accused of overreacting.

In a treatise based on previous studies  some scientific, some notably less so  the Dr Kyle Sue not only puts the case that men might indeed experience worse cold and flu symptoms than women, but also explores why such a difference might have evolved.

I do think that the research does point towards men having a weaker immune response when it comes to common viral respiratory infections and the flu, said Sue, a clinical assistant professor in family medicine from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. This is shown in the fact that they [have] worse symptoms, they last longer, they are more likely to be hospitalised and more likely to die from it.

But others were not persuaded by Sues arguments, pointing out that many different factors can affect how bad a bout of cold or flu is.

The article, published in the British Medical Journal, involved a wry look at previous studies and put forward a number of strands of evidence that suggest men might really experience worse symptoms than women when it comes to viral respiratory illnesses.

Among them, the author points out that mouse studies have suggested that testosterone could dampen immune response to influenza, while certain female sex hormones could boost it. Whats more, some studies on a small group of humans revealed that cells from pre-menopausal women showed different immune responses to the type of virus behind the common cold to those of men of the same age  the difference was not seen when cells from men were compared to those of post-menopausal female peers.

The study also notes that research from the US showed men had higher rates of deaths linked to flu compared to women of the same age, while data from Hong Kong shows men had a higher risk of winding up in hospital with seasonal flu than women. It also pushes back against the idea that men crumble at the first sneeze  pointing to a study which found women were more likely than men to cut down activities when it came to minor respiratory illnesses.

The article also reveals that a survey in a popular magazine found that men took twice as long to recover from such viral illnesses as women.

Since about half of the worlds population is male, deeming male viral respiratory symptoms as exaggerated without rigorous scientific evidence could have important implications for men, including insufficient provision of care, Sue writes.

Sue admitted the studies didnt take into account other differences between men and women, such as how much individuals smoked, or that men have been found to be worse at looking after themselves and seeking medical care than women.

There need to be more studies, higher quality studies that control for other factors between men and women before we can definitely say that this difference in immunity exists, he told the Guardian. Is it that women are more resilient, that they are able to juggle more when they are ill, or is it that they dont have as severe symptoms? That we are not too sure about. But I think everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt when they are ill.

Sue also explored whether there was an evolutionary explanation for why men might experience worse symptoms than women when it comes to viral respiratory infections.

Among the theories put forward, Sue notes higher testosterone levels might offer upsides when it comes competing against other males that outweigh the possible negative impact on the immune system, or that being more under the weather keeps males bedbound and hence potentially out of the way of predators.

Perhaps now is the time for male-friendly spaces, equipped with enormous televisions and reclining chairs, to be set up where men can recover from the debilitating effects of man flu in safety and comfort, Sue suggests.

I am hopeful that next time men are being criticised as exaggerating their symptoms they can say hey, look at this study, there is some proof that I am not! he added.

But not everyone is bowled over by Sues arguments, including Peter Barlow, associate professor of immunology and infection at Edinburgh Napier University.

There are a significant number of factors which can contribute to the severity of an influenza infection, he said. As the author of the article alludes, it is currently impossible to say whether there are sex-specific differences in susceptibility to influenza virus, or in the progression of the infection.

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Older Canadians on the Move addresses key obstacles faced by today's older travellers and explores innovative and technological solutions for adapting Canada's transportation system to meet future needs. Credit: Council of Canadian Academies

As the number of Canadians aged 65 and older continues to grow faster than any other age group, so too does the need for a more inclusive and accessible transportation system, underscores a group of experts in a new report released today by the Council of Canadian Academies. Older Canadians on the Move addresses key obstacles faced by today's older travellers and explores innovative and technological solutions for adapting Canada's transportation system to meet future needs.

Currently, one in six people in Canada is 65 or older and that number is expected to climb to one in four by 2036. Whether travelling by car, bus, plane, or train, older adults have unique and varied transportation needs and preferences, which can make travel obstacles such as long lineups, poor signage, and inaudible announcements more pronounced than for the general population. While the focus of the report is on Canada's older demographic, the authors underscore that an inclusive and accessible transportation system makes travel easier for all Canadians.

"Adapting Canada's transportation system for older travellers will benefit people of all age ranges and abilities," said Dr. Neena L. Chappell, Chair of the Expert Panel and Professor Emeritus at the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, Department of Sociology, University of Victoria. "While we are often compelled to investigate the latest and greatest technological solutions to make travel obstacle-free for older adults, solutions need not always be costly, new, or flashy. Sometimes the best solutions are simple and already exist."

The report points out that increased customer service personnel, inclusivity training, designated lineups, and ample seating in stations and terminals are some simple initiatives that could have a significant impact. New technologies or innovative adaptations such as flat-plate baggage claim devices and apps that support wayfinding are also explored as options for improving the travel experience. The entire report is built upon the premise of the door-through-door journey, drawing on the concept of a multimodal and national system that considers how older travellers in Canada will navigate their journey, from planning the trip to arriving at their chosen destination.

The Panel identified three pathways to help facilitate door-through-door journeys for older adults and improve the inclusivity of the Canadian transportation system: advancing human and social resources; advancing technology and infrastructure; and advancing policy. Each pathway has an important research and development and innovation component, whether it be through the development of new technologies or the testing and implementation of research-driven solutions in real-world settings. The Panel focused on user-centred approaches to R&D and innovation. For example, crafting transportation regulations collaboratively using a multisectoral committee that includes older adults would foster trust and respect among stakeholders.

"What's unique about this report is that it is Canadian-specific, taking into account the country's unique geography, vast size, low population density, and jurisdictional division of transportation control," said Dr. Eric M. Meslin, FCAHS, President and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies. "Unlike other studies that focused on disability, this panel was very intent on examining the transportation needs of older adults in general, rather than specific chronological ages or disabilities."

Provided by Council of Canadian Academies
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Delhi will miss the services of its regular skipper Ishant Sharma in the upcoming Ranji Trophy semi-final against Bengal in Pune, starting December 17.

Ishant has reportedly sustained an ankle niggle during the final Test against Sri Lanka in the capital earlier this month.

With Test regulars Mohammed Shami and Wriddhiman Saha playing for Bengal, Delhi would have loved to get the services of its regular skipper who has taken 20 wickets in four Ranji games this season.

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"Ishant has a slight ankle niggle and he would not like to aggravate his injury before the South Africa series. The Delhi team reached Pune this evening without Ishant," a member of the Delhi team management told PTI today.

The BCCI has allowed all the Test regulars whose teams have qualified for the semi-finals to play for their respective states in order to get match time.

The Indian team is not playing any practice game so national selectors wanted Test regulars to play Ranji semi- finals.

KL Rahul will not be available for Karnataka as he is in the T20 squad along with Manish Pandey.

For Delhi Rishabh Pant will be leading the side in Ishants absence.

Navdeep Saini will be leading the attack alongside Vikas Tokas.

Akash Sudan will be the back up pacer for Delhi. PTI KHS KHS SSC SSC

--- ENDS ---
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new clinical trial looks at the potential of a new treatment for transplant rejection. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), do not support the use of bortezomib in kidney transplant recipients.

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with kidney failure, but many transplanted organs fail if the recipient's immune system mounts antibodies against donor proteins. Although several strategies for treating early antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplants have been investigated, there is a need for clinical trial to test potential therapies for late antibody-mediated rejection.

In a clinical trial of 44 kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with late antibody-mediated rejection, a team led by Georg Bohmig, MD and Farsad Eskandary, MD (Medical University of Vienna, in Austria) tested the potential of bortezomib, a promising compound that may directly target immune cells producing deleterious antibodies.

Bortezomib is a type of proteasome inhibitor, which blocks cellular complexes that break down proteins. Experimental data suggest that proteasome inhibition targets the cells that produce antibodies against proteins from donor tissue. While preliminary studies have suggested that bortezomib may be effective against organ rejection, in this randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, treatment failed to improve the function of transplanted kidneys and prevent immunologic tissue injury. Bortezomib was also linked with gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity.

"This trial may argue against the use of bortezomib in transplant rejection and underscores that, even today, we have no adequate treatment for chronic rejection," said Dr. Bohmig. "Future trials will have to be designed to clarify the efficiency of new treatment strategies that are currently in the pipeline."

More information: Farsad Eskandary et al. A Randomized Trial of Bortezomib in Late Antibody-Mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2017). Journal information: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology Farsad Eskandary et al. A Randomized Trial of Bortezomib in Late Antibody-Mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection,(2017). DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2017070818
Credit: Texas A&M University

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of the serious lung disease, tuberculosis, that is widespread throughout the world. About one-third of the human population is infected with tuberculosis, which takes at least six months of daily drug treatment to cure. Unfortunately, there is an increasing prevalence of drug resistant strains of the disease.

Dr. Thomas Ioerger, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, is working on a highly impactful, interdisciplinary project to better understand the biology and genetic makeup of Mtb. His research has the potential to prevent a significant amount of deaths per year from TB, and by analyzing the genetic makeup of TB, Ioerger and this research community is one step closer to managing this threatening disease.

He is working to uncover the interaction with the host, for example the avoidance of immune defenses during infection, to develop new and more effective drugs to fight against the disease. A key technological advance over the last decade has been using high-throughput DNA sequencing as part of these evaluation protocols, which is a way to sequence and analyze large DNA sequences, or genomes.

Texas A&M is home to several DNA sequencers, which are operated by the Genomics and Bioinformatics Center at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The Genomics and Bioinformatics Center is directed by Dr. Charlie Johnson, who is also executive director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics Systems Engineering, a joint AgriLife and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment (TEES) Center.

Ioerger is the principal investigator for the Bioinformatics and Data Dissemination Core for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program project called FLUTE, which stands for Functionalizing Lists of Unknown Tuberculosis Entities. He is collaborating with research scientists at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Medical School and Weill Cornell Medical College.

Ioerger's colleagues in FLUTE use genetic techniques, such as making mutants of a laboratory strain of Mtb with specific genes knocked-out, and then running experiments to try to evaluate the effect of the knock-out on growth in various conditions. His collaborators send DNA samples from various experiments, the samples are prepared in the lab of his local collaborator, Dr. James C. Sacchettini in the Texas A&M Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and then they are sequenced. Ioerger's group focuses on the analysis of this genomic data and algorithms for inferring the functions of the target proteins.

Nearly half of the protein coding genes of TB have functions that are unknown. One of the main sequencing methods FLUTE relies on is a method called transposon sequencing (Tn-Seq), or the sequencing of transposon mutant libraries. A transposon is a DNA sequence that can remove its own gene and change its position within a chromosome. Tn-Seq uses transposons to insert these into random locations in the genome.

Mutant libraries contain a collection of mutants in which a large number of the genes have been disrupted  a different one in each mutant. These mutant libraries have been a great resource for investigators to understand the various biological functions of individual genes, including those involved in metabolism, antibiotic susceptibility and pathogenesis, the development of the disease.

By sequencing these Tn insertion libraries, profiles of the areas of the genome that receive transposons insertions are obtained. The premise of Tn-Seq is that essential areas of the genome cannot tolerate being disrupted by a transposon.

Tn-Seq has become widely used in microbiology labs around the world for studying the functions of proteins in many different bacterial organisms. It was largely developed in the laboratories of Ioerger's collaborators, Dr. Eric J. Rubin, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Dr. Christopher M. Sassetti, professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Both are involved in FLUTE and have published many joint papers with Ioerger.

Ioerger and his colleagues are developing computational tools for the statistical analysis of Tn-Seq data. Propelled by the desire for a statistically rigorous way to tell which genes are essential based on Tn-Seq data, Ioerger and his former doctoral student and current postdoctoral researcher, Michael DeJesus, initially developed a Bayesian statistical inference method that utilizes the Extreme Value Distribution to assess the significance of gaps in the genome, or regions that did not receive transposon insertions. They have also developed statistical algorithms for comparative analysis of Tn-Seq datasets and identification of genetic interactions.

Several years ago, Ioerger and his students packaged these algorithms together in a software called Transit, which is now distributed to the public and is used by many labs around the world for Tn-Seq analysis. More recently, they have used these tools to identify proteins involved in pathways like cell-wall biosynthesis, cholesterol metabolism, trehalose biosynthesis, biotin biosynthesis and iron acquisition.

Ioerger also has funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which philanthropically supports research on TB. Through the Gates Foundation, Ioerger's group uses DNA sequencing to help identify the protein targets of inhibitory compounds from high-throughput screens, which is part of large drug-discovery pipeline involving many universities and industry partners (pharmaceutical companies).

While this work has more applied goals of developing new drugs, it builds on all the basic science learned about the physiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including knowledge of the functions of genes and essentiality in different conditions through Tn-Seq and other methods.
Credit: American Heart Association

Hispanics born abroad who now live in the United States have higher odds of dying from cardiovascular diseases than U.S.-born Hispanics, a new study shows.

The findings suggest Hispanics born outside the United Stateswho make up about a third of all U.S. Hispanicsmay be more vulnerable to heart disease and stroke than those born in the United States.

The rate of heart disease and stroke deaths for foreign-born Hispanics living in the United States was nearly 17 percent higher than the rate for U.S.-born Hispanics.

Preventive cardiologist Fatima Rodriguez, M.D., the lead author of the study, said the results challenge the theory that Latin American immigrants are healthier than their U.S.-born counterparts.

"We're making recommendations and public health practices that may not represent the true burden of disease in these populations," said Rodriguez, a clinical instructor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Medicine in Palo Alto, California.

Yet exactly where and how the current focus might be misplaced isn't clear, Rodriguez said. Among the nation's 57.5 million Hispanic-Americans exist unique cultural and social factors that affect health.

In the study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers examined U.S. death records for about 1.3 million Hispanics and 18.1 million whites ages 25 and older who died between 2003 and 2012.

Overall, whites were much more likely to die from heart disease or stroke than Hispanics, regardless of where they were born. But birthplace appeared to make a difference among Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican subgroups, who together represent 76 percent of U.S. Hispanics.

When researchers looked at the cardiovascular disease mortality gap between foreign- and U.S.-born Hispanics, Cubans had the biggest mortality gap and Mexicans the smallest. Yet Puerto Ricans born on the island were most likely to die from cardiovascular disease. (Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, those born on the island were considered foreigners for the study.)

Even so, Puerto Ricans and Cubans born stateside who died from cardiovascular disease tended to die at a much younger ageage 63 versus 80 for Cubans, and age 50 versus 73 for Puerto Ricans.

Neurologist and stroke researcher Enrique C. Leira, M.D., said these subgroup data may help U.S. doctors and researchers figure out better ways to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases in Hispanics. And it goes beyond the traditional language differences, he said.

"I think the future is continuing to defineperhaps with genetic markersthese populations better, from the point of view of risk-to-disease rather the ability to speak a [common] language," said Leira, an associate professor of neurology and epidemiology at the University of Iowa who was not involved in the study.

Nevertheless, language inevitably plays a role, said Rodriguez, who suggests doctors who treat patients born abroad be more aware of potential communication obstacles.

The disparities among Hispanic subgroups aren't limited to death rates from cardiovascular diseases, other research shows. Studies over the past decade have revealed differences in the rate of risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity among Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban-Americans and Dominican-Americans.

In the new study, researchers didn't analyze the impact of educational attainment, income or access to health care. They also don't know whether some of the Hispanic participants classified as U.S.-born were in fact naturalized citizens.

Having that information would give researchers a better grasp of how cultural and societal factors impact cardiovascular disease in Hispanic subgroups, Leira said. For example, knowing how long foreign-born Hispanics lived in their home countries may provide a clearer picture about how living conditions in the United States affected their health, said Leira, co-author of the American Heart Association's 2014 report on the state of cardiovascular disease in Hispanic-Americans.

"We're going in the right direction, by subclassifying Hispanics by country of originor like this study, by place of birth," he said. "But these are very general classifications, and we know that Hispanics are a very diverse population."

More information: Fatima Rodriguez et al. Nativity Status and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Hispanic Adults, Journal of the American Heart Association (2017). Journal information: Journal of the American Heart Association Fatima Rodriguez et al. Nativity Status and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Hispanic Adults,(2017). DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.117.007207
Researcher Hermann Brugger of Eurac Research (Italy). Credit: Katharina Huefner

It is relatively well known that mountain climbers can suffer psychotic episodes at extreme altitudes, and has been frequently mentioned in mountain literature. Doctors have generally associated this with acute altitude sickness. But now, emergency medicine doctors from Eurac Research and the Medical University of Innsbruck have carried out an investigation into psychotic episodes at extreme altitudes and subjected these to systematic scientific analysis, thereby discovering a new medical entity: isolated high-altitude psychosis. The results of the study have recently been published in the renowned medical journal Psychological Medicine.

When Jeremy S. Windsor was climbing Mount Everest in 2008, he had a very strange experience, which he shared with many other extreme mountaineers. Alone in the high mountains, at a height of 8,200 m, he encountered a man called Jimmy who accompanied him all day long, spoke encouraging words to him and then disappeared without trace.

Tales like this one are common in Alpine literature. Katharina Hufner, lecturer at the University Clinic in Innsbruck and Hermann Brugger, Head of the Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine at Eurac Research have, for the first time, collected around 80 psychotic episodes taken from German mountain literature and have systematically analysed the symptoms described in them.

Up to now, doctors had attributed the "Third Man syndrome," described above, and other acoustic, optical and olfactory hallucinations, to organic causes. They frequently occur, along with symptoms such as severe headaches, dizziness and impaired balance, as side effects of a high-altitude cerebral oedema. "In our study, we found that there was a group of symptoms that are purely psychotic; that is to say, that although they are, indeed, linked to altitude, they cannot be ascribed to a high-altitude cerebral oedema, nor to other organic factors such as fluid loss, infections or organic diseases," says Hermann Brugger.

Isolated high-altitude psychosis is most likely to occur at heights exceeding 7,000 meters above sea level. Researchers have only been able to speculate on the causes. It is possible that factors such as oxygen deficiency, self-sufficiency, and the early stages of swellings in certain areas of the brain could all be triggers for the psychosis. The symptoms disappear completely as soon as the mountaineer leaves the danger zone and comes down from the mountain. Furthermore, there does not appear to be any consequential damage. "This discovery has allowed us to make a more thorough investigation of temporary psychoses in otherwise completely healthy people, an investigation that might yield important indications for the understanding of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia," Katharina Hufner continues.

The syndrome also increases the risk of accidents. "It is of the utmost importance that extreme mountaineers are fully apprised of these temporary phenomena," explains Brugger. "There are probably unknown numbers of unreported accidents and deaths caused by psychoses. So as to reduce the number of such accidents, it is of the greatest importance to disseminate cognitive coping strategies which the mountaineers can themselves, or with the help of their partners, apply directly whilst on the mountain," says Hufner.

Next spring, the researchers will collaborate with Nepalese doctors for further investigations in the Himalayas. They hope to find out, inter alia, how frequently this condition occurs. "The highest mountains in the world are maddeningly beautiful," says Brugger. "It's just that we had no idea that they could actually drive us to madness as well."

More information: Katharina Hufner et al, Isolated psychosis during exposure to very high and extreme altitude  characterisation of a new medical entity, Psychological Medicine (2017). Journal information: Psychological Medicine Katharina Hufner et al, Isolated psychosis during exposure to very high and extreme altitude  characterisation of a new medical entity,(2017). DOI: 10.1017/S0033291717003397

Provided by Eurac Research
Catholic Italy adopted a law Thursday which will allow patients to refuse life-prolonging treatment despite opposition from the Church, which warned it was a dangerous step towards assisted suicide.

The Senate gave the green light to "living wills", which determine the medical treatment given to people suffering from a terminal illness or a life-threatening injuryand enshrine their right to refuse care.

The powerful Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) slammed the law as "protecting doctors by relieving them of any responsibility, protecting the public health service... but apparently doing little to protect those suffering".

The legislation, which includes a provision to ensure doctors can be conscientious objectors, was backed by both the ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) as well as the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S).

It will allow patients to refuse not only medicine but food and water.

Pope Francis has said that while euthanasia is wrong, doctors must not provide excessive treatment in a futile bid to resist death.

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni described the law, expected to be the last this government will push through before a general election in March, as "a step forwards for human dignity".

"Living wills" are legal documents that specify the type of medical care an individual wants in the event he or she is unable to communicate. They already exist in other large European countries from Britain to Spain.

 2017 AFP
Lab mouse. Credit: Understanding Animal Research, Flickr

In the past decade, the first cases of respiratory tract infection caused by bat-borne Pteropine ortheovirus (PRV) have been reporting in humans. To help shed light on the clinical course of PRV infection, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have now used a mouse model of the infection to study its virulence, pathology and pathogenesis.

PRV has been isolated from patients and fruit bats in Southeast Asia and is believed to cause acute respiratory tract infection (RTI) in humans. Patients testing positive for PRV have presented with symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Antibodies to PRV have been detected in people throughout Malaysia and Vietnam, suggesting the prevalence of human PRV infection may be higher than previously thought.

In the new work, Masayuki Saiko, of the Gifu University in Japan, and colleagues used two strains of PRV that had been isolated in previous studiesPRV-MB from a patient who imported PRV from Japan to Bali in 2007 and PRV-Samal-24 from a bat in the Philippines in 2013. The researchers infected mice with each strain of PRV and followed the resulting infection at both a cellular and organismal level.

The intranasal inoculation of mice with either PRV-MB or PRV-Samal-24 caused respiratory infection and the study showed that the lung was the principle target organ of PRV replication. When mice were treated with a non-lethal dose of PRV, they were protected against lethal PRV infection. And when they were treated with antiserum immediately after receiving a normally-lethal dose of the virus, fatalities were reduced.

"This model might be useful for analyzing the pathogenicity of PRV in mice and for evaluating the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutic agents that will be developed to prevent and treat PRV infection," the researchers say. "This model is also useful for further studies on PRV infection in vivo."

More information: Egawa K, Shimojima M, Taniguchi S, Nagata N, Tani H, Yoshikawa T, et al. (2017) Virulence, pathology, and pathogenesis of Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) in BALB/c mice: Development of an animal infection model for PRV. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(12): e0006076. Journal information: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Egawa K, Shimojima M, Taniguchi S, Nagata N, Tani H, Yoshikawa T, et al. (2017) Virulence, pathology, and pathogenesis of Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) in BALB/c mice: Development of an animal infection model for PRV.11(12): e0006076. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006076
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Owning a pet does not appear to slow the rate of ageing, as measured by standard indicators, suggest the authors of a study published in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.

There are long standing claims that animal companionship might be linked to human health, and with around half of UK households owning a pet, it could be concluded that many people believe interaction with animals is life enhancing.

Studies have suggested there are potential positive and negative health consequences of pet ownership. These include the grief and distress felt after a pet's death, alongside the benefits of improved psychological health from a sense of companionship provided by pets, or increased physical activity from regular walks with a dog that could influence weight regulation and heart health.

With more than 10% of older adults indicating that pet ownership is their major source of companionship, there is an obvious need to examine if pet ownership influences biomarkers of healthy ageing.

A team of researchers from University College London and the University of Cambridge therefore set out to examine these relationships in older people.

They used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) - an ongoing, longitudinal study of a representative sample of men and women who, when recruited in 2002-03, were aged 50 or more and living in England.

The researchers analysed data on more than 8,700 adults with an average age of 67. Data have been collected every two years using personal interviews, self-completion questionnaires, and a nurse assessment of physical functioning.

A third of participants owned a pet, with 18% owning a dog, 12% a cat, and 3% another animal.

After taking into account a range of relevant variables such as smoking and drinking, the researchers found no evidence of a strong association of any type of pet ownership with walking speed, lung function, standing up from a chair, grip strength, leg raises, balance, nor three blood inflammatory markers, memory, or depression.

And these results held true after separate analyses of male and female pet owners.

The researchers point out that this is an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, and they outline some limitations that could have affected the results.

Nevertheless, they conclude: "At least in the present cohort study of older adults in England, animal companionship seems to confer essentially no relation with standard physical and psychological biomarkers of ageing."

More information: Associations of pet ownership with biomarkers of ageing: population based cohort study, BMJ, www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.j5558 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Associations of pet ownership with biomarkers of ageing: population based cohort study,
(HealthDay)In a finding that's sure to ruffle some fur and feathers, scientists report that having a pet doesn't fend off age-related declines in physical or mental health.

"Our results showed that in this sample of almost 9,000 peopleaverage age 67 yearsfor those who owned a pet, no health benefits were found," said study co-author Richard Watt, a professor of epidemiology and public health at University College London.

The British researchers pointed out that some studies have suggested that pets can improve psychological health, perhaps by easing loneliness or providing companionship. Other research has hinted at health benefits such as weight regulation and improved heart health, possibly from having to walk a dog or stress relief from petting a cat.

But the authors of the new study noted that there can be a downside to pet ownership, too: People can feel significant grief and distress after the loss of a beloved pet.

To get a better idea of exactly how much a pet can affect human health and well-being, the researchers recruited the large group of British seniors, 55 percent of whom were women.

One-third of the group had a pet18 percent had a dog, 12 percent had a cat and 3 percent had another pet.

About two years later, the seniors underwent various checks of physical and mental health.

Comparing those who had pets with those who didn't, the researchers found essentially no differences in walking speed, lung function, speed getting out of a chair, grip strength, ability to raise legs or balance. These are all abilities that tend to become harder to do with age.

They also measured three markers of inflammation in the body, and found no differences between the groups.

The study also found no statistically significant differences in memory or depressive symptoms between pet owners and those with no animals. No differences were found between male and female pet owners, either.

But the study did not prove that pets don't boost health among seniors.

Watt said that people in the United Kingdom consider pets a much-loved part of the family, much the way people in the United States do.

The analysis took into account such things as smoking and level of wealth. The researchers didn't consider the size of the pet or how long the pet had been owned by the older personboth limitations of the study, Watt said.

Robert Matchock is an associate professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University who has published research on pets and human health. He, too, noted some other potential limitations with the new study.

For example, the study didn't ask if the participants were the primary caregivers for the animals. It also didn't ask about participants' total involvement with the pet or the amount of time someone spent with a pet, he said.

In addition, "the current study did not examine traditionally measured variables associated with pet ownership, such as heart rate, blood pressure or cortisol," a stress hormone, he said.

"This is an important study, and clearly more research is needed," Matchock said. "But I wouldn't discount, quite yet, the social support and unconditional affection that we can obtain from our pets."

Dr. Aaron Pinkhasov, chairman of behavioral health at NYU Winthrop in Mineola, N.Y., described the research as an interesting article that tried to prove what people feel to be truethat pets are beneficial to their health.

However, there are so many confounding factors that it's hard to definitively prove a health benefit from pet ownership, he said.

"But, intuitively, it makes sense," Pinkhasov said. "I give letters for people to have therapeutic dogs all the timethey're a source of joy and stimulation. But to go as far as to say the dog would help prevent a heart attack, I think that might be impossible to pinpoint."

As Watt said: "As always with research, our study raises more questions than answers. More interventional research is needed to assess the potential effects of pet ownership."

In the meantime, however, he said that, "as a dog owner, I am very happy with my loving companion."

The findings were published in the Christmas issue of BMJ.

More information: Richard Watt, Ph.D., professor, epidemiology and public health, University College London, United Kingdom; Robert Matchock, Ph.D., associate professor, psychology, Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, Pa.; Aaron Pinkhasov, M.D., chairman, behavioral health, NYU Winthrop, Mineola, N.Y.; Dec. 13, 2017, BMJ Richard Watt, Ph.D., professor, epidemiology and public health, University College London, United Kingdom; Robert Matchock, Ph.D., associate professor, psychology, Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, Pa.; Aaron Pinkhasov, M.D., chairman, behavioral health, NYU Winthrop, Mineola, N.Y.; Dec. 13, 2017, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the potential health benefits of pets. Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ)

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
In an effort to increase the number of organs available for transplant the UK's Department of Health is proposing a move to 'presumed consent' so people have to opt-out of donating their body parts when they die. Ivo Vlaev, Professor of Behavioural Science, argues evidence from the changing of default settings in other ares, shows this will work.

Traditionally policies and interventions to change people's behaviour, such as health campaigns on smoking, have tended to focus on providing new information, which seeks to change the way people think about their behaviour or by using financial or legal incentives that change the consequences of behaviour.

But these interventions can only get us so far. Many behavioural interventions in health that are targeted at specific individuals or groups rely on influencing the way people consciously think about their behaviour: if we can change people's motivations and intentions, they will change their behaviour accordingly.

The problem is that a substantial proportion of the variance in behaviour is not explained by intentions. In contrast to economic models of rational choice suggesting that we respond to information and price signals, insights from across the behavioural sciences suggest that human behaviour is actually led by our very human, emotional and fallible brain, and influenced greatly by the context or environment within which many of our decisions are taken.

A better understanding of human decision-making, its rational as well as irrational aspects, provides us with opportunities of influencing choices that take better account of how people actually respond to the context within which their decisions are madethe 'choice architecture' as it is called in Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's book Nudge.

Policies that change the context or 'nudge' people in particular directions have captured the imagination of policymakers at the same time as the limitations of traditional approaches have become apparent.

One such nudge technique is known as a 'default', which is based on evidence that we automatically tend to 'go with the flow' of pre-set options. This is the nudge being proposed with the presumed consent of organ donations and has already been a success elsewhere in the world.

Credit: University of Warwick

Defaults are choice options that are assumed as pre-selected if the individual does not make an active choice of another available alternative. Many of us will be aware of our tendency to stick with the pre-set option and that is why defaults are so powerful.

Techniques that change defaults have been very successfully used to change behaviours in various settings. Defaults have been mostly used to change financial behaviours.

When the default is to automatically enrol employees into a pension plan about three-quarters tend to retain both the default contribution rate and the default asset allocation. While introducing a participation default can increase rates of new employees joining the pension plan by more than 50 per cent.

Will changing the default for organ donation save lives?

Such powerful effects of defaults on behaviour have been observed in a wide range of other settings like the choice of car insurance plan, car option purchases, consent to receive email marketing, employees' contributions to healthcare flexible-spending accounts, and vaccination and HIV testing for patients and healthcare workers.

In an intensive care setting, dramatic improvements in outcomes have been seen when lung-protective settings and breaks in sedation for ventilated patients were ordered unless otherwise indicated by a physician.

So a number of studies have shown that behaviour on both the provider and public side can be dramatically influenced by the default setting and the most prominent example is about the opt-in/opt out setting around organ donation.

Presumed consent for organ donationswhere people opt out by indicating that they are not willing to donate their organs upon deathis a controversial use of the default nudge.

Credit: University of Warwick

Austria, France, Poland, and Portugal have such a system and as a result 90 to 100 per cent of their citizens are registered donors, compared to only five to 30 per cent in countries that do not use the donor default strategy.

In the UK to be on the transplant register, members of the public have to actively opt in to the system. Although more than 80 per cent of people when surveyed said they would like to be on the register only about 20 per cent actually are.

Why? After all they only need to sign a card, but that action can be too much for some. In countries with an opt-out policythat is everyone is on the registerit is seen that the vast majority remain on the register.

It was estimated that moving to an-opt out system would increase effective donation rates by 50 per cent. To examine this, Eric Johnson and Daniel Goldstein in their well-known study Do defaults save lives? analysed the actual number of cadavericthat's a dead body intended for dissectiondonations made per million across a large list of countries, with data from 1991 to 2001.

They found that when donation is the default, there is a 16.3 per cent increase in donation, increasing the donor rate from 14.1 million to 16.4 million.

When looking only at 1999 for a broader set of European countries, including many more from Eastern Europe, a study led by Ronald Gimbel reported an increase in the rate from 10.8 million to 16.9 milliona 56.5 per cent increase.

So, the evidence so far is pretty convincing and is certainly something the Department of Health should at least trial in the UK.
Brazil has an extremely high rate of mortality from sepsis in intensive care units (ICUs), surpassing even mortality due to stroke and heart attack in ICUs. According to a survey conducted by researchers at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and the Latin American Sepsis Institute (LASI), more than 230,000 adults die from sepsis in ICUs every year. Even more alarmingly, 55.7 percent of sepsis cases in ICUs end in death.

These numbers are from the first nationwide study of patients with sepsis admitted to ICUs, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Sepsis is triggered by a dysregulated immune response to an infectious agent. The immune system begins to combat not the infectious agent but also healthy tissues, leading to organ dysfunction. Both community-acquired infections and healthcare-acquired infections can progress to sepsis, accounting for 40 percent and 60 percent of cases, respectively.

According to Flavia Machado, a professor at UNIFESP's Department of Anesthesiology, Pain & Intensive Medicine, several factors explain the alarmingly poor quality of treatment for sepsis in Brazilian ICUs. "Our patients aren't well cared for. Late diagnosis is common, since people delay going to a doctor or hospital, sepsis is detected too late, and treatment is inadequate. As a result, mortality is very high. There are also major procedural problems," she said.

When sepsis is detected early, Machado states, it is relatively easy to treat, basically requiring the administration of antibiotics and fluids, monitoring of the patient in the ICU, and analysis of bacterial culture.

"Vaccination can prevent community-acquired sepsis. Hospital infection-control strategies can prevent part of hospital-acquired sepsis. The measures needed are simple, and their absence shows the healthcare system in question isn't good," Machado added.

A global problem

The incidence of sepsis is a global problem. In May 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO), an arm of the United Nations, passed a resolution on sepsis. "Today, the U.N. recognizes sepsis as a world health problem," Machado said. "Here in Brazil, we will soon have a national action plan for sepsis, similar to the national action plan for hospital infection, for example. I believe things will start to change. WHO's member states, including Brazil, will have to take steps to make sure they do."

Low bed availability

The research coordinator emphasized: "Access to the ICU is a key factor in mortality." Machado explained that studies based only on patients treated in ICUs result in mortality rates that vary widely between countries depending on the number of beds available in proportion to the country's total population.

"When bed availability is high, the number of less severe patients admitted to ICUs tends to be high as well, so that mortality is lower. In countries like Brazil, where bed availability is low, especially in the public system, only the most severe patients tend to be admitted to ICUs, and mortality rises," she said.

To avoid exclusion of patients from intensive treatment, the researchers advocate the use of intermediate-care units, arguing that the absence of such units in most Brazilian hospitals may contribute to longer ICU stays and consequently to a higher prevalence of sepsis.

Hospital infection

Another factor that contributes to the prevalence of sepsis is the high frequency of hospital infection due to lack of proper prevention. According to the study, most patients with sepsis had hospital-acquired infections.

According to the study, the low quality of care in regular wards impairs discharge policy as well as hindering basic support for and monitoring of patients with disease of mild to moderate severity. Another possible cause of the high prevalence of sepsis is differences in end-of-life care, including a virtual absence of palliative care.

"End-of-life decisions are infrequent in Brazil, and gaps in communication, scarcity of legal regulation, absence of advanced directives, and cultural and religious beliefs might result in unnecessary efforts to sustain life," the researchers write in the article.

The researchers developed a score to assess resource availability based on eight items required for sepsis treatment. Institutions rated inadequate on six of these eight items correlated with a heightened risk of death from sepsis. The items were lactate sampling, central venous oxygen saturation (blood work), bacterial detection culture, antibiotics, fluids, catheter, central venous pressure monitoring, and vasopressor (noradrenaline) use.

"Note that these are simple items," Machado said. "It's sufficient to administer antibiotics, collect cultures, do a few straightforward tests, give fluids. You don't need sophisticated resources. So our results say a lot about the conditions prevailing in Brazil."

Methodology

To arrive at these results, the researchers divided Brazil's ICUs into 40 strata according to geographic region, city size, and whether the institution was public or private, among other factors. Ultimately the sample comprised 227 institutions and included 15 percent of Brazil's ICUs.

"We designed a random sample of ICUs nationwide," Machado said. "This was valid because all previous research on sepsis in Braziland I'm not aware of any other Brazilian studies with a sample of this kindentailed asking institutions whether they wanted to take part. The sample was therefore biased, probably comprising only the best institutions, and mortality rates were in the range of 40 percent rather than the 55.7 percent we found."

According to the survey findings, while the quality of care varies greatly from one institution to another, the difference between mortality in the public system (56 percent) and in the private system (55 percent) was not statistically significant. Adult cases of ICU-treated sepsis are estimated to total 420,000 per year, with 230,000 ending in death.

Recommendations

The findings of the study can help those charged with preparing the national action plan for sepsis, according to Machado. "These data will be an important input for the plan," she said. "We want to do more surveys constructed similarly to this one but covering more segments such as emergency units and pediatric and neonatal ICUs, as well as investigating hospital-acquired infections."

More information: Flavia R Machado et al, The epidemiology of sepsis in Brazilian intensive care units (the Sepsis PREvalence Assessment Database, SPREAD): an observational study, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2017). Journal information: Lancet Infectious Diseases Flavia R Machado et al, The epidemiology of sepsis in Brazilian intensive care units (the Sepsis PREvalence Assessment Database, SPREAD): an observational study,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30322-5
Ameerul was drunk and barged into Jisha's house and tried to sexually assault her. As Jisha resisted the assault, he murdered her.

30-year-old Jisha was raped and murder in April 2016. The accused Ameerul Islam has been given the death sentence by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court. Source: PTI

By India Today Web Desk, P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan: Ameerul Islam, the accused in Jisha murder case has been awarded a death sentence Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court.

Ameerul Islam was found guilty of raping and murdering Jisha, a law student. Kerala's Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court found Ameerul guilty on December 12 and the quantum of punishment was to be announced on December 14. He was convicted of murder, rape, wrongful confinement and house trespassing.

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Jisha's mother Rajeshwari who met the reporters in court premises told that she was happy about the verdict. No other girl should have this situation said the weeping mother.

ADGP B Sandhya who headed the Special Investigation Team expressed pride for being part of the investigation team.

"We are happy and proud by the way the investigation was carried out. The accused has been convicted based on scientific evidences gathered during the investigation. This is a proud moment for us", Sandhya said.

Jisha, a 30-year-old law student was found murdered in her own house in April 2016 in Perumbavoor, Kerala. Ameerul Islam, a migrant worker from Assam was arrested. Ameerul was drunk and into Jisha's house and tried to sexually assault her. As Jisha resisted the assault, he murdered her.

Jisha's mother discovered the body in a dilapidated state.

The incident which was initially reported as a normal murder came to spotlight after the post-mortem report surfaced a couple of days later. Jisha's classmates who accessed the report revealed that her body was badly mutilated and sexually abused. This triggered a state wide campaign seeking justice for Jisha.

The local police which carried out the investigation came under the scanner for not mentioning the intensity of brutality in FIR or Inquest Report. The police team also showed an unnecessary urgency to cremate her body at police crematorium.

The campaign gained strength through social media and soon became a state wide issue.

Oommen Chandy lead UDF government which was inching closer to an election came under fire. The government formed a Special Investigation Team which initially crawled in the darkness. The investigation team managed to get DNA samples of the accused from Jisha's nail. However they were left clueless about the culprit.

The CPI(M) lead LDF which came to power after the elections, formed a new team for the investigation. On June 14th the new team nabbed Amir Ul Islam who was framed as the lone accused in the murder case.

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A wave of women safety movement(s) was on in the country after the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case. Jisha's injuries were much like Nirbhaya's. Jisha's intestines were pulled out, her nose was smashed with a hammer like object.

--- ENDS ---
Individuals with kidney failure have a much higher risk of dying prematurely than people in the general population, but a new analysis indicates that this excess risk is falling. The findings, which come from a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), are encouraging and suggest that efforts to improve care have resulted in improved survival.

Although rates of early death have decreased over time in patients with kidney failure, it is unknown if improvements merely reflect parallel improvements in the general population. To investigate, a team led by Bethany Foster, MD, MSCE (Montreal Children's Hospital and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre) and Benjamin Laskin, MD, MSCE (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) examined changes in the excess risk of early deathover and above the risk in the general populationamong people treated for kidney failure in the United States.

The analysis included 1,938,148 children and adults diagnosed with kidney failure from 1995 to 2013. The change over any 5-year interval between 1995 and 2013 in the excess risk of kidney failure-related death varied by age, with decreases from 12% for ?65 year olds to 27% for 0-14 year olds. Decreases in excess mortality over time were observed for all ages and both during treatment with dialysis and during time with a functioning kidney transplant, with the largest relative improvements observed for the youngest individuals with a functioning kidney transplant. Absolute decreases in excess kidney failure-related mortality were greatest for the oldest patients.

"We showed that all age groups have had significant improvements in mortality risk over the past 22 years. Some of the improvements were due to improved access to kidney transplantation and to longer survival of kidney transplants, but there were also improvements that can only be attributed to improvements in the care provided to people treated with dialysis and to those with kidney transplants," said Dr. Foster. "This is important given the huge investment of resources in caring for these patients; we have shown that these investments have made a difference."

Dr. Foster noted that the investigators expected to find decreased mortality rates for all age groups except those in late adolescence and early young adulthood. This age group often has difficulty adhering to recommended treatments, and there is sometimes a breakdown in the continuity of care when young people are transferred from a pediatric healthcare facility to an adult care facility. "We discovered that young people in this age group had no improvements in mortality risk between 1995 and 2006, unlike all other age groups, but started to have significant improvements after 2006," said Dr. Foster. "This may be because healthcare professionals became more sensitized to these problems in the early 2000s and have changed the way they care for these young people."

Although individuals with kidney failure still have much higher risks of early death than people in the general population, it appears that the gap is gradually closing. "One of the best ways to improve health in people with kidney failure is for them to get a kidney transplant, and the limited supply of suitable organs is still a major impediment to more progress in outcomes for people with kidney failure, Dr. Foster said. "Everyone needs to think about organ donation and sign their organ donor cards."

In an accompanying editorial, Kirsten Johansen, MD (University of California, San Francisco) noted that the study provides a framework for future studies that are needed to examine which changes in practice patterns and clinical care may contribute to changes in mortality rates in patients with ESRD. "Analyses of differences in outcomes over time and across geographic regions are powerful tools we can apply to gain an understanding of the impact of changes or variations in practices on survival," she wrote.

More information: "Changes in Excess Mortality from End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States from 1995-2013," Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2017). Journal information: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology "Changes in Excess Mortality from End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States from 1995-2013,"(2017). DOI: 10.2215/CJN.04330417
Coloured 30-euro coins for the King of Spains 50th birthday



ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Felipe VI of Spain completes his half-century on 30th January

Further details have now been made public concerning the one million 30-euro coins which will be minted next year to commemorate the 50th birthday of King Felipe VI of Spain on 30th January, the most innovative aspect being that for the first time colours will be included on one side.

A maximum of one million of the 18-gram copper and silver coins will be minted, each with a diameter of 3.3 centimetres and bearing an image of the King with the words Felipe VI Rey de Espana on one side, and the royal coat of arms  in colour - accompanied by the legend "50 aniversario de S.M. el Rey" on the other.

The FNMT (the equivalent of the Royal Mint) will be allowed to keep only five of the coins, with the rest being delivered to the Banco de Espana to be placed in circulation. However, it is not certain that this will happen on the date of the Kings birthday, as the only information given so far is that the coins will be emitted during the first quarter of 2018.

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Every fourth woman in Germany has been sexually abused by a partner once in her life, representative of the German ministry of family affairs told Armenian journalists in Berlin.

Nellie Reich, expert from the department on women protection, said the relevant survey was conducted in 2004. The EU conducted a new study among women aged 18-74, and the German data did not differ from the 2004 results.

The expert said that two third of women who have been abused are not addressing the police.

Until 70s, Germany was silent about domestic violence. The first crisis center in the country was opened in 1974, and today there are 400 crisis centers throughout the country now, in addition to the apartments for women and consulting services.

The law on protection against violence was adopted in Germany in 2002, but the country joined the Istanbul Convention late enough, which would only enter into force in January 2018. The German law also regulates the process of removing the assaulter from the house. According to Nellie Reich, the police arriving at the scene takes out of the house the person who used violence. Moreover, if the beater is the homeowner, he is temporarily withdrawn from his home, and the wife can pay for that time.

Asked by the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent whether they are facing bureaucratic obstacles, the ministry official mentioned that there are problems in the application of the law.

The woman should apply to the court if she decides not to do it, the law cannot do anything, she said, adding that refugees often do not alarm the police, and in practice the law does not always work. Asked about the reasons according to which women are not always warning about violence, she pointed out a few points:

a) economic dependence;

b) they are unaware of their rights

c) they do not know how to apply.

d) they are reluctant to apply.

There is a trust line, which gives an opportunity to get advice, they can decide how to act," the official said.

Editor-in-chief of the Berlin-based der Freitag newspaper Simone Schmollack notes that according to German police statistics, 127,500 cases of domestic violence were recorded in 2015 and 133,000 in 2016. Eighty percent of the victims are women, and 20 percent are men. Meanwhile, 89% of the people who use violence are men.
Prime Minister of Finland: Europe is now too reliant on Chinese technology

Turkey to require insurance from oil tankers when passing through its waters

EU to provide Ukraine with generators and kits to repair power grids

Turkey sentences sect founder to 8,658 years in prison

Xi Jinping urges world to abandon any Cold War mentality

Aliyev rules out talks with Artsakh State Minister

FP: Ukraine's appetite for weapons depletes Western stocks

Putin and Aliyev discuss energy cooperation

Armenian financial technologies to enter international market: VISA and Idram sign memorandum in Yerevan

Incident in Poland causes disagreement between Kyiv and West

Mark Milley urges Kyiv and Moscow to find political solution: Chances of military victory are unlikely

New NATO Secretary General to be announced at Vilnius summit in 2023

Finnish Defense Ministry announces largest batch of military aid to Ukraine

Pashinyan receives Ukrainian businessmen of Armenian origin

Armenian soldier wounded in Azerbaijani shooting

Erdogan: Turkey-Israel relations entered a new phase of development

Mishustin: Cooperation between Moscow and Baku has become truly strategic and allied

Igor Khovaev to visit Baku

Mishustin arrives in Baku

Russian Foreign Ministry: South Caucasus is a strategic transport hub for Eurasia

U.S. general lays flowers at eternal flame at Armenian Genocide memorial

Republicans stand for same-sex marriage rights

Pallone says US State Department should not hesitate to speak about Azerbaijani aggression

Aliyev refuses to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh and threatens Armenia with new aggression

Greek minister doesn't get off plane to meet head of Libya's presidential council

Sergey Lavrov to visit Yerevan

Lebanese parliament fails to elect president of country

Kremlin on Zelenskyy's proposal to hold 'public' talks

National Assembly Speaker: Armenia is extremely interested in establishing strategic relations with Georgia

Canada provides additional military aid to Ukraine

Representatives of defense agencies of CSTO countries discuss crisis response issues

Armenian Defense Minister and American General discuss defense cooperation

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

Chinese customs officers accidentally find cockroach unknown to science

Man removes cobra's teeth with manicure pliers and gets arrested

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

Donfried says Armenia and Azerbaijan have historic opportunity to establish lasting peace

Bob Menendez: How on earth can we justify sending any support, security or otherwise, to the regime in Baku?

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
YEREVAN.  As a result of the investigation conducted by the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia, it was found out that in September, R. K., an Armenian who is a US citizen, registered the Martin Avagyan page with false users information on Facebook, and on which he posted information with respect to forming a group called Fighters for Justice.

As per the respective NSS statement, calls were madeby way of this Facebook pageto carry out violence against law enforcement and other officials of Armenia, explosions and burning, and in that way to form a climate of fear.

According to the NSS statement, R. K. attempted to set up criminal cooperation comprising Armenians living in Armenia and abroad.

In addition, this person had planned terrorist acts in Armenia, and through accomplices.

As a result, it was decided to include this person in the respective criminal investigation, and as the accused.

By court decision, detention was set as preventive measure against him, and a search has been declared.

Since the accused is a US citizen, he lives in the US, and the place of his residence has been determined, the General Prosecutors Office of Armenia has transmitted the respective data to the US authorities, so as to prevent the crimes that are planned.

The National Security Service is searching for R. K.s accomplices in Armenia.
YEREVAN.  Three major events will take place in Armenia in 2018, and therefore Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on Thursday gave relevant instructions at the Cabinet meeting of the government.

Centennial of the heroic battles in May, events of the 2800th anniversary of the foundation of [capital city] Yerevan, as well as the La Francophonie summit in October, said the PM, and noted that the respective organizational work is already in progress.

Considering that a greater number tourist visits are expected in Armenia in this connection, Karapetyan instructed the relevant government departments and officials to take joint measures toward regulating the architectural solutions of the roads leading to and from Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, and the other provincial capital cities of the country, and toward upgrading their surroundings.

The road sections leading from Zvartnots [International Airport] to Yerevan and from Shirak [International Airport] to Gyumri need to be underscored, in particular, added the PM.

Also, he instructed to submit the results to the government staff.
YEREVAN.  At Thursdays Cabinet session of the government of Armenia, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan gave instructions toward increasing the effectiveness of the current anticorruption strategy and the need for a new respective strategy in the country.

In the PMs words, several measures have been taken ever since 2015, when the Anticorruption Strategy of Armenia was adopted.

And at this phase, measures need to be taken to develop a new ambitious anticorruption strategy, simultaneously introducing the mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of the new strategy and assessing the results, said Karapetyan, in particular. Civil society representatives, businessmen, lawyers, scientists, and other stakeholders should be included as much as possible in the work on developing the new document.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has asked student activist Shehla Rashid to appear for a proctoral inquiry over her claims on Twitter about "Internet censorship" on the campus, a move termed unprecedented by her and other student leaders.

Rashid, a former JNU students union vice president, said today that she would not appear before the proctor on December 19 as the varsity administration "does not have a jurisdiction over" her tweets.

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This was "probably the first notice" anyone had received for social media posts, she added.

She also posted an image of the notice from the office of the chief proctor, dated December 7, on Twitter. She said she received the notice by email yesterday.

"A complaint dated 23.11.2017 against you, has been received in the Chief Proctor Office... It has been alleged that you were claiming on social media site (Twitter) regarding content blocking on the JNU Campus Wi-Fi.

"You are directed to appear for the hearing before the Proctor on 19th December...to explain your position," according to the notice.

"I have decided not to argue with them on the merits of the case, but on the grounds of purview," she said, adding that she would send a written representation.

On November 11, Rashid tweeted, "Students cant access content from AIB, The Wire, NDTV, YouTube videos related to student movements. Keyword search related to Mamata Bannerjee, Rahul Gandhi, Shehla Rashid, (Arvind) Kejriwal, Kanhaiya (Kumar) censored!!!"

Backing Rashid, the JNU Students Union said in a statement it "condemns this act of punishing dissenters and whistleblowers by the VC through the office of Proctor".

A student leader said the action against Rashid was unprecedented.

JNU Chief Proctor Kaushal Kumar, Registrar Pramod Kumar, Rector I Chintamani Mahapatra did not respond to calls. PTI CPB SMN SMN

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN.  The Armenian government approved signing of a 18.5 million loan agreement with KfW Development Bank during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The draft was presented by finance minister Vardan Aramyan. The amount will be provided within second phase of the program Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) / Akhuryan River I.

The agreement will be signed between the finance ministry, KfW and state committee for water resources. The funds will be allocated for the implementation of the current projects, in particular expanding irrigation tunnel of Kumayri, creating of a pipe system and installation of irrigation equipment.

The loan is granted for a period of up to 15 years with a grace period of up to 5 years. The repayment period is from 2023 to 2033.

Back in 2014 the sides signed a 50 million loan agreement and a grant agreement worth 2 million for the implementation of the first phase of the program, providing for the restoration of the Kaps reservoir, with a volume of 25 million cubic meters on Akhuryan River.
YEREVAN.  Armenia will sign a 5.3-million grant agreement with the German government-owned KfW Development Bank.

The decision to this effect was approved at Thursdays Cabinet session of the government of Armenia.

The Minister of Finance, Vardan Aramyan, presented the draft.

The funds from this grant agreement will be allocated within the framework of the agricultural insurance system support program, which is aimed at the protection of Armenias agricultural sector from climate risk.

And the respective co-funding from Armenia will be 5 million.
Armenias membership to the Eurasian Union is the best possible access to the market for about 180 million people, chairman of Armenia-Israel chamber of commerce Attorney svi Kan-Tor said in an interview with ILTV.

Armenia is the most stable country in this region both financially and politically, said Psvi Kan-Tor, urging Israeli investors to turn their focus to Armenia.

Speaking about the reasons to focus on Armenia right now, the attorney said the Eurasian Union market exists for only two years.

Armenia has introduced free trade zone where each operating company benefits from no VAT. There is a good combination of these three things: full services on the ground, free tax zone, easy access to customs union, he said.

The industrial park, that is being built next to the airport, makes it easier for Israeli companies to export goods to Armenia and the Eurasian Union. Besides, Armenia there is a high percentage of young people who speak English and Russian, so it is a very good opportunity, he added.
By PTI: Burdwan(WB), Dec 14 (PTI) Junior Doctors in Burdwan Medical College and Hospital today went on a strike after some of their colleagues were beaten up relatives of a patient over alleged medical negligence, police said today.

Four persons have been arrested for beating up the junior doctors, the police said.

The junior doctors are on strike demanding enhanced security, hospital sources said. PTI COR RG

--- ENDS ---

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YEREVAN.- Signing of the new agreement with the European Union should not be considered in terms of concession-mutual concession, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in an exclusive interview with Armenia TV, speaking about the comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement with the EU.

Signing of the new agreement with the European Union should not be considered in terms of concession-compromise. That's my conviction, Sargsyan said, adding that healthy logic has really won, and if any party signs an agreement, it means that the sides achieve at least any success.

He noted that the dialogue has never been considered a contradiction for us.

"We have always been convinced that we must dialogue with both the West and the East, specifically with Russia. This is a good opportunity to briefly discuss the history of the negotiations. Many people who had expressed their opinions before the signing of the agreement, did not even bother looking back at the past.

According to the president, the EU announced the Eastern Partnership Program in 2010 and since then Armenia was negotiating to benefit from the results of the project.

"At the same time, integration processes were taking place on the CIS territory. When we started the first stage of negotiations, we frankly told the Europeans that Russia is our ally, and our economy is linked with the Russian economy and we cannot negotiate over an agreement that could hamper our economic ties. There was a moment, when the negotiator began to make the terms and noted that some provisions of their agreement contradict to some provisions of the EAEU. We had a task to choose between the two economic markets, and we had to remind them that in 2010 we agreed so. And we could risk. We have done everything transparently," said Sargsyan.

The president noted that he is very glad that the agreement was signed.

The problem lays elsewhere. If we think about the contradictions that might happen someday, though we have to think about it, we will not achieve much. After all, the EU has a huge market, and our goal should be an export promotion. We should produce and export many products. And we can equally export these products both to the EU and to the EAEU, Sargsyan noted.
Turkeys top diplomat says it plans to open an embassy in east Jerusalem once the world recognizes an independent Palestinian state, AP reported.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday there was serious determination among countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so. We need to succeed in this.

He says: Once we succeed, embassies will open in the independent Palestinian states capital, east Jerusalem.

Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of President Donald Trumps declaration last week that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Turkey hosted a meeting of 57 Muslim nations on Wednesday that rejected the decision and called for recognition of a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem.

Israel considers the entire city to be its unified and eternal capital. It would be unlikely to allow any country to establish an embassy to Palestine there.
YEREVAN.  It is impossible to negotiate with one hand and fire with another, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in an exclusive interview with Armenia TV, referring to the Karabakh conflict peace process.

There have to be no shots during negotiations, he emphasized.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents had meetings in Vienna, St. Petersburg, and reached certain arrangements, Sargsyan added.

Now the process goes in two directions. The first direction is to weaken tension, to create investigations mechanisms, which would lead to a certain atmosphere of mutual trust, and which would make it possible to go deeper into the provisions of the document. I have repeated on several occasions that it is not possible to negotiate with one hand and to fire with another. It is impossible to come to an agreement in these circumstances, he said.

According to him, human casualties are always painful and cause a nervous atmosphere in the negotiation process.

Asked what was offered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his regional visits, Sargsyan replied: There was no conceptual proposal. There was no new proposal at all. The agenda of the Armenian-Russian relations is so extended that during the visits we do not discuss the Karabakh issue alone. Russian Foreign Minister is convinced that it is possible to resolve the conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Presenting his vision of the settlement, the President noted: There must be calmness at the line of contact. The victims have to be ruled out. The manhunt that happens today should be excluded. It will create a certain atmosphere of mutual trust. If you do not fulfill agreements once, it pays the way to distrust, the atmosphere of distrust will deepen.
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 14 (PTI) The commissioning of the first Scorpene-class submarine - INS Kalvari - into the Indian Navy reaffirms the giant strides taken under the Make in India programme, defence PSU Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) said today.

The induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game-changer in the field of underwater warfare and its commissioning has added another feather in MDLs cap, the shipbuilder said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the submarine at the naval dockyard here today.

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"The commissioning of INS Kalvari reaffirms the giant strides taken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in the ongoing Make In India programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production (Ministry of Defence)," the MDL said in a statement.

"MDL is constructing six Scorpene-class submarines with technology transfer from M/s Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) of France," it read.

Commodore (retd) Rakesh Anand, the chairman and managing director of MDL, said the induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game-changer in the field of underwater warfare due to its superiority in all operational aspects.

He also highlighted the aspect pertaining to completion of all weapon firings prior to commissioning of the submarine which, he said, was indeed a unique achievement.

The technology used in the submarine has ensured superior stealth features, such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons, the MDL said.

An attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube- launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface, it said.

The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention given to various signatures. These stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines, the statement said.

The Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions, such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance, it said.

The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force.

It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations, it said.

"The building of the Scorpene was indeed a challenge as the complexity of the simplest of tasks increased exponentially due to all work having to be done in the most congested of spaces," the MDL said.

"This complexity was further aggravated due to the stringent tolerances required to be achieved. However, these challenges were successfully overcome by MDL, without any compromise in quality," it said.

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The second of the Scorpenes under construction at MDL, Khanderi, was launched in January 2017, and is undergoing rigorous sea trials.

The third Scorpene, Karanj, is being readied for launch shortly.

The remaining three submarines are in various stages of outfitting. The project is expected to be completed by 2020, the MDL said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

As is the tradition, ships and submarines of the Navy, are re-incarnated after decommissioning, the MDL said.

So it is with Kalvari. The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after almost 30 years of yeoman service to the nation.

"The experience and expertise that MDL has gained from the Scorpene project together with enhanced and upgraded infrastructure has ensured that the shipyard is fully geared for undertaking construction of the next generation submarines," it said. PTI VT GK GVS

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN.- The possibility of sabotages on the line of contact has decreased, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in an exclusive interview with Armenia TV.

According to him, minimization of the possibility of sabotages is connected with installation of new equipment on the line of contact.

"For a long time, after installing the equipment, two or three attempts were made, all of them failed with great losses, and now the possibilities for subversion have decreased," the president said, adding: "Be sure that there are concrete steps which also exclude such actions. When we said that sabotage would be ruled out, many expressed doubt. I can state with full responsibility that other actions will also be excluded.

As the president noted, the army is constantly being reformed, it is being replenished with new weapons, structural changes are carried out.

"In a few months we will live in a country with other governing system. The Army has been content with what it was provided for a long time.

Now a stage is needed on which the army will be given more attention, and there is room for this."

Serzh Sargsyan isn't concerned about statements that Armenia allegedly turns into the army-state.

"We are forced to do it. On the one hand we are accused of being weaker than Azerbaijan, the president said, noting that, on the other, we are simply obliged to have that minimum which will give the chance to resolve issues of our safety. We haven't allowed ourselves such a surfeit.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia today addressed a delegation of public policy students from the Harvard Kennedy School, the Delhi government said.

The delegation was keen on understanding how the Delhi government has been delivering on its promises, especially in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure, it said.

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"As soon as we were elected to govern Delhi, we passed a strong anti-corruption legislation called the Jan Lokpal and cracked down on corruption at every level through the Anti Corruption Branch," Kejriwal said in a statement.

Sisodia said he was proud that Delhi invests almost a quarter of its Budget on education and close to 20 per cent on healthcare. PTI BUN AAR

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Krosslink Infrastructure today settled a case with markets regulator Sebi related to alleged fraudulent trading after paying Rs 3.06 lakh.

According to a Sebi order, the regulator had initiated adjudication proceedings against Krosslink in the matter of Horizon Infrastructure -- presently known as SKIL Infrastructure -- for the alleged violation of PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market) Regulations.

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The settlement terms proposed by the firm were considered by Sebis High Powered Advisory Committee (HPAC), which recommended the case for settlement on payment of Rs 3.06 lakh. This was accepted by the panel of whole time members of Sebi.

On December 11, Krosslink paid the settlement amount of Rs 3.06 lakh, following which the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) settled the adjudication proceedings.

However, the regulator said if any representation made by the firm in the settlement proceedings is subsequently found to be untrue, enforcement actions including restoring the proceedings can be initiated against it. PTI VRN ABM

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Larsen & Toubro (L&T) today said it has commissioned a 225 MW power plant in Bangladesh.

"L&T has successfully commissioned and handed over the state-of-the-art 225 MW Sikalbaha Combined Cycle Power Plant to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for commercial operation," the company said in a statement.

The power plant, located near the port city of Chittagong in southeastern Bangladesh, was inaugurated on Sunday by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

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Work on the project started in April 2015 and the power plant was partly commissioned in Open Cycle in May, it said. PTI SID MR

--- ENDS ---
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan, while speaking at an event organised to felicitate him, announced that it will be mandatory for all school buses carrying female students to deploy a woman conductor.

By Hemender Sharma: It will be mandatory for all school buses ferrying female students to deploy a woman conductor, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday.

Chouhan was speaking at an event organised to felicitate him for passing a bill in the state Vidhan Sabha that seeks death penalty for those convicted of raping girls of less than 12 years of age.

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Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan also said that all school bus operators have been directed to install CCTV cameras. The direction, however, had been made by district collectors at the start of the present academic session but most operators have refused to comply.

The felicitation event was organised on a day when the news of death of a 15-year-old girl who was set ablaze after being gang raped came from the state's Sagar district.

Although the hoardings at the event thanked the chief minister for the legislation, Chouhan at the beginning of the event said that the event should be called a 'pledge programme'. The pledge according to the chief minister was required to make the girl child safe in the state.

Madhya Pradesh according to latest national Crime Records Bureau data stands at the top in rapes and cases of crime against women.

Chouhan through the death penalty legislation is trying to show his concern towards women even though his government has failed miserably to bring down crime against women.

The death penalty legislation according to the opposition Congress party is a meager eyewash and an attempt to divert attention as in reality the Indian parliament cannot pass any such legislation as the CrPC and IPC that are in concurrent list need to be amended.

Chouhan, however , is claiming that he wants to start a nationwide debate on death penalty for rapists through the bill that has been passed by the Madhya Pradesh assembly.

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: It was courtesy the news of her being attacked by three masked assailants last year, that we found out that Mallika Sherawat had moved bag and baggage to Paris.

Now, the actress and her French beau, Cyrille Auxenfans, face eviction from their Paris apartment for non-payment of rent, if a report in BBC is to be believed.

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Apparently, Mallika and her boyfriend are yet to shell out the nearly 80,000 euros (around Rs 64 lakh) that is due. The couple's lawyer has said that they did not pay rent to "show their annoyance" after they were tear-gassed and beaten up by three masked men in their Paris apartment block in November, 2016. He also said that Mallika and Cyrille were facing "temporary financial difficulties".

Mallika lives in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, which is the one of the most favoured places of residence for the city's most affluent. From the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, to the controversial 1972 film Last Tango in Paris, top Hollywood films have been shot in the area, which is a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower.

On the work front, the 40-year-old actress, who is best known for films like Murder, Pyaar Ke Side Effects and Welcome, was last seen on the big screen in the Chinese fantasy-action-adventure film Time Raiders, in 2016.

ALSO WATCH: India is regressive for women, says Mallika Sherawat

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Boston, Dec 14 (PTI) MIT scientists have found a way to induce plants to give off dim light by embedding specialised nanoparticles into their leaves, a major step towards using plants to illuminate the workspace.

This technology could also be used to provide low- intensity indoor lighting, or to transform trees into self- powered streetlights, the researchers said.

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"The vision is to make a plant that will function as a desk lamp - a lamp that you dont have to plug in. The light is ultimately powered by the energy metabolism of the plant itself," said Michael Strano, Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.

To create the glowing plants, the team turned to luciferase, the enzyme that gives fireflies their glow.

Luciferase acts on a molecule called luciferin, causing it to emit light.

Another molecule called co-enzyme A helps the process along by removing a reaction byproduct that can inhibit luciferase activity.

The team packaged each of these three components into a different type of nanoparticle carrier.

The nanoparticles, which are all made of materials that the US Food and Drug Administration classifies as "generally regarded as safe," help each component get to the right part of the plant.

They also prevent the components from reaching concentrations that could be toxic to the plants.

In the study published in the journal Nano Letters, the researchers used silica nanoparticles about 10 nanometres in diameter to carry luciferase, and they used slightly larger particles of the polymers PLGA and chitosan to carry luciferin and coenzyme A, respectively.

To get the particles into plant leaves, the researchers first suspended the particles in a solution.

Plants were immersed in the solution and then exposed to high pressure, allowing the particles to enter the leaves through tiny pores called stomata.

Particles releasing luciferin and coenzyme A were designed to accumulate in the extracellular space of the mesophyll, an inner layer of the leaf, while the smaller particles carrying luciferase enter the cells that make up the mesophyll.

The PLGA particles gradually release luciferin, which then enters the plant cells, where luciferase performs the chemical reaction that makes luciferin glow.

The researchers early efforts at the start of the project yielded plants that could glow for about 45 minutes, which they have since improved to 3.5 hours.

The light generated by one 10-centimetre watercress seedling is currently about one-thousandth of the amount needed to read by.

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However, the researchers believe they can boost the light emitted, as well as the duration of light, by further optimising the concentration and release rates of the components. PTI SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
The campaign named 'Racist Cover' talks about the effect of racism on individuals and society.

By India Today Web Desk: We have been fighting racism since time immemorial but it seems to be extremely deep rooted and that might be one of the reasons for why it still prevails in our society.

The term racism needs no introduction. It's unfortunate that this social evil still persists in a society that we call modern. But the question arises that how modern are we as a society, when it comes to eradicating these evils. In fact, over the last few years, it has evolved to encompass colour, religion, gender, class and more.

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A premier music school in Delhi-NCR named Bridge Music Academy, has launched a campaign to provide people a platform to fight racism.

WHAT IS THE CAMPAIGN ABOUT?

Conceptualized by Dentsu Webchutney, 'The Racist Cover' campaign uses simple ways to demonstrate the effects of racism on individuals and the society as whole. The campaign is supported by Culture Fox, an Indo-European community of art connoisseurs and travellers.

The campaign demonstrates the effects of racism through music . The 'Racist Cover' is a piano version of a song played without the black keys. The Racist Cover is a distorted version of the original. It is at times even unrecognisable. Thus, summing up the effects of this age-old problem.

The integrated campaign has been launched through a social experiment conducted on the students of Bridge Music Academy.

Kids between the age group of 10-12 were asked to play a famous song, as part of the experiment. Unaware that they were playing the racist cover, the kids were asked to identify the song. As expected, all of them failed to name the song.

The kids were then asked to play the song again, this time the normal version. The kids were shocked to find out the difference the presence of black keys made.

"I have always believed that art has a higher purpose. Music is a universal language. While racism divides, music unites. We are committed to use the power of music to create a better world by raising our kids better." said Mr. Ritesh Khokhar, Founder, Bridge Music Academy.

The team behind the campaign aims to take the initiative to schools, colleges and other music academies. A series of concerts is being planned as well.

"Racism is so deeply engraved that we become indifferent to it, and that's a bigger problem. Children are free of racial prejudice. Sensitising them at a young age is our best hope in fight against racism." - added Mr. Sudesh Samaria, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder, Dentsu Webchutney.

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The technique that the team used to spread awareness among children about the problem of racism is commendable.

Mr. Gurbaksh Singh, Chief Creative Technologist, Dentsu Webchutney, said "The beauty of The Racist Cover is in its simplicity. It is so simple that anyone can understand it, even a 5 year old. We are creating many innovations to advance the idea further."

Art has always played a pivotal role in highlighting social issues and their effect on the society.

These little pianists got a lesson and they'd like you to know what they learnt.

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bollywood stars expressed their sorrow on the death of actor and filmmaker Meeraj Vora.

By India Today Web Desk: Actor and filmmaker Neeraj Vora died at the age of 54 this morning. He was in a coma for almost a year after suffering a heart attack, post which he had a stroke. Vora was at producer Firoz Nadiadwala's house for the year that he was in a coma.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said, "Neeraj Vora died today at 3 am in Criti Care hospital in Juhu. He had been in coma and living at Firoz Nadiadwala's place. When his condition deteriorated in the night, he was taken to the hospital, where he breathed his last."

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The cremation is to take place at 3pm today, at the Santacruz crematorium in Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted:

Saddened by the demise of Neeraj Vora. An energetic and creative personality, he will be remembered for his films and warm nature. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

The death of Neeraj Vora has left Bollywood saddened. From Akshay Kumar, who credited Vora as one of the main reasons behind his foray into comedy, to Aftab Shivdasani, who remembered him as a happy and wonderful person, B-Town took to Twitter to write their condolence messages:

One of the main reasons behind my foray into comedy, saddened to hear about the demise of #NeerajVora a multi-talented man, writer, director, actor...a mini industry by himself, learnt so much from him. RIP- Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 14, 2017

Really sad news of Neeraj Vora ji passing away.. worked with him right from my first film as an actor to many films as a writer. Such a happy and wonderful person to interact with. Will miss him ???Prayers and condolences to the Vora family ???????- Aftab Shivdasani (@AftabShivdasani) December 14, 2017

#NeerajVora always smiling. Always jovial. Always made the world smile. RIP Neerajji.- kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) December 14, 2017

Sad to hear about the demise of writer & filmmaker #NeerajVora He will always be remembered as a very warm, humorous and multi talented person. #OmShanti- Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) December 14, 2017

Vora's last film as an actor was the 2015 release Welcome Back. After that, he had announced Hera Pheri 3. He had begun shooting for the film when he suffered the heart attack that was followed by the stroke.

ALSO WATCH: Bollywood legend Shashi Kapoor dies at 79

--- ENDS ---
Do texts exchanged between FBI officials who worked on Muellers Russia probe show conspiracy to keep TRUMP out of office?

A pair of FBI officials who assisted special counsel Robert Muellers bogus investigation into Trump-Russia collusion appear to have colluded themselves to prevent Donald J. Trump from becoming president.

Its becoming more obvious by the day that the 1) There really is such a thing as the Deep State; and 2) It really did conspire against Trump, and continues to do so, making draining the swamp nothing short of a Republic-saving effort.

As reported by The Daily Callers Chuck Ross, the officials exchanged text messages in which they appear to have discussed what they could do to prevent Trump from beating Democrat Hillary Clinton.

I want to believe the path you threw out for considering in Andys office  that theres no way [Trump] gets elected  but Im afraid we cant take that risk, noted FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok wrote in a cryptic message to FBI lawyer and mistress Lisa Page.

Its like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before youre 40, Strzok wrote in a message dated Aug. 15, 2016.

Ross noted that Andy is very likely to be FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who has come under fire from Republicans and conservative groups after it was learned that his wife Jill received nearly $500,000 from Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who has ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton, when she ran for a seat in the state Senate.

McCabe was scheduled to appear before the House Intelligence Committee this week but abruptly canceled it on Monday, reportedly over concerns he would be questioned about the wife of recently-demoted Justice Department official Bruce Ohr following reports that last year during the election she worked for Fusion GPS, the firm that produced the bogus Trump dossier. (Related: Carter on Hannity: IG report looking at 27 leakers; set to cause major shakeup at FBI.)

As for the Strzok texts, it is one of 375 released on Tuesday evening ahead of a Wednesday appearance before the House Judiciary Committee by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the DoJ official who appointed Mueller.

A number of congressional panels have been demanding the text messages since it was revealed earlier this month they existed, Ross reported.

Strzok was a top investigator on both the Trump Russia probe and Hillary Clintons criminal email investigation in which she was ultimately cleared by fired FBI Director James Comey in July 2016, despite the fact that he said she violated a number of statutes regarding the handling of classified information.

Strzok was removed from Muellers team over the summer after the content of the text messages was discovered.

In them, Strzok shows a deep disdain for the president, at one time referring to him as a f**king idiot.

In an Aug. 6 text, Strzok responded to an article Page shared with him with this reply: F Trump.

Later the same day, the two also exchanged another cryptic message.

Maybe youre meant to stay where you are because youre meant to protect the country from that menace, Page wrote.

I can protect our country at many levels, not sure if that helps, Strzok replied.

There is this as well: Strzok is the agent who interviewed top Hillary aides Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills, both of whom appeared to give false statements regarding their prior knowledge of their boss secret, private email server. Unlike former Trump national security advisor Michale Flynn, however, neither of them were charged with lying to the bureau.

This entire mess  from the FBIs and the DoJs monitoring of Team Trump during the campaign, to statements made by top Justice officials, to relationships and collusion between career Justice and FBI bureaucrats and the Democratic Partys nominee  stinks to high Heaven and, as Fox News Judge Janine Pirro said this week, people need to be escorted out of FBI and DoJ in handcuffs.

McCabe should be one of them, she said.

(Follow more news on real conspiracies at Conspiracy.news.)

"There is a cleansing needed in our FBI and department of justice it needs to be cleansed of individuals who should not just be fired. But who need to be taken out in cuffs." My #OpeningStatement pic.twitter.com/rhebkWev6R  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) December 10, 2017

J.D. Heyes is also editor-in-chief of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

DailyCaller.com

TheNationalSentinel.com

Submit a correction >>
By PTI: China: leader

By K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 14 (PTI) Nepals Left party alliance which is set to form the next government would neither be "anti- India" nor "pro-China" and maintain good relations with both the countries, a CPN-UML leader has said.

"Both (India and China) are our neighbours, we respect both neighbours. India is our neighbour. No Nepali will be anti-Indian," said Ishwor Pokhrel, general secretary of the CPN-UML.

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He stressed that his party was neither "anti-India" nor "pro-China", with Nepal having many existing trade and transit agreements with New Delhi, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

The Left alliance bagged 116 seats out of a total 165 under the first-past-the-post system in the just-concluded parliamentary polls. The governing centrist Nepali Congress has won just 21.

CPN-UML chairman Khadga Prasad, who is known for his pro-China stance, is tipped to become the new prime minister of the country.

Pokhrel said the new government would be keen to develop ties with China, which he described as a "friend" who respected Nepalese sovereignty.

"We have to maintain good relations with China. We respect the one-China policy and we are very strictly against anti-Chinese activities," he said, in an apparent reference to Tibetans crossing over to Nepal to meet the Dalai Lama.

Pokhrel said that after assuming power, the new government would implement a 15-point joint communique signed by Oli and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in March 2016 that covered transportation, trade and financial cooperation.

The Nepal government will also approve infrastructure projects with China after a majority government is formed in mid-January, including railway projects, motorways and hydroelectric schemes such as the Budhi Gandaki dam.

The Budhi Gandaki dam project was originally planned with state-owned China Gezhouba Group, but it was cancelled by the government on the eve of the elections, citing irregularities.

The procurement process for the dam project will be studied again, but it is not certain if the contract will be given to China Gezhouba, a Chinese construction and engineering company based in Wuhan, Hubei province.

"When Oli will become the prime minister, then we will take [the agreements] very seriously," Pokhrel was quoted as saying by the report.

"Nepal is keen to get involved in Chinas Belt and Road trade and infrastructure initiative with other nations," he added.

Oli during his brief between 2015-16 signed the Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) to improve the connectivity between Nepal and Tibet in a bid to end decades old dependency on India for daily supplies.

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During his visit here last year, China in a strategic move has also agreed to extend the railway line in Tibet to Nepal to improve the connectivity by road and rail. PTI KJV UZM

--- ENDS ---
The EC said that no FIR has been filed against the Gandhi scion adding that the Congress president-elect has been issued a notice under model code of conduct.

By India Today Web Desk: Election Commission today issued a clarification after reports of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi surfaced yesterday following his interview with a Gujarati channel.

The EC said that no FIR has been filed against the Gandhi scion adding that the Congress president-elect has been issued a notice under model code of conduct. The election body said that Rahul has been given five days to respond to the notice.

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When asked about the Opposition's complaints over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the launch of INS Kalvari, the EC said that the matter was not under their jurisdiction and no permission was sought from them.

The BJP had accused Rahul Gandhi of violating model code of conduct, after he appeared on a Gujarati channel during polling. The issue was raised by BJP before the election body.

Following the incident, Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the BJP and the PMO office were threatening the regional channel for airing Rahul's interview.

On Wednesday, the Election Commission wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat to take cognizance of the matter and take the necessary action against Rahul Gandhi.

Incidentally, today during the final phase of Gujarat Assembly Election, PM Modi conducted a road show. PM's rally quickly triggered another round of debate on Election Commission and the NDA governments collusion.

WATCH | Rahul Gandhi's interview: BJP attacks Congress for flouting poll's code of conduct

--- ENDS ---
Maryland-Based Insurer Announces Moves to Address Opioids Crisis

"The impact of opioids in the region we serve has been well documented," CareFirst President and Chief Executive Officer Chet Burrell said. "As the region's largest health insurer and one with a unique community mission, we want to take a comprehensive approach to address the opioid crisis for the greater community."

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, which provides health insurance to 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia, announced new actions on Dec. 13 to combat the region's opioid crisis in the communities it serves and programs to address substance use disorders and provide addiction and behavioral health services to CareFirst members. Its efforts include $1.5 million in funding for non-profit community organizations for programs aimed at addressing substance use disorders, new prescribing limits, and treatment programs to limit opioid abuse and improve care for members battling addiction.

The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is a not-for-profit health care company.

"The impact of opioids in the region we serve has been well documented," CareFirst President and Chief Executive Officer Chet Burrell said. "As the region's largest health insurer and one with a unique community mission, we want to take a comprehensive approach to address the opioid crisis for the greater community, as well as to create and promote policies and programs for our members that address addiction and its disastrous health impacts on the individuals and families we cover."

Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh joined him for the announcement. "Far too many individuals are familiar with the toll on our community caused by the use and abuse of opioids. It takes a toll on individuals, families, and the entire community," she said. "The Baltimore City Health Department has developed a comprehensive, three-pillar strategy to combat opioid addiction: prevent deaths from overdose and save lives, increase access to on-demand treatment and long-term recovery support, and provide education to reduce stigma and prevent addiction. But this is one of those situations which you can never do enough to address, and where you always welcome additional partners and resources. I'm glad to be here today with representatives of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. We know CareFirst as the area's largest health insurer, but the company is also one of the biggest corporate philanthropists in the region, and this effort is a great example of their commitment to greater Baltimore."
Populations of large cats such as jaguars and pumas are in global decline due to habitat loss and indiscriminate hunting of them and their prey by humans. Newly developed acoustic loggers are able to record sounds of shotguns and chainsaws, shedding light on the frequency and patterns of illegal exploitation.

The results, presented today at the 'Ecology Across Borders' conference in Ghent, Belgium will help monitor biodiversity and reduce human-wildlife conflicts in tropical forests.

Ecologists from the University of Southampton (UK) and Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (Mexico) have been studying the presence and distribution of the elusive jaguar and puma in three contiguous regions of protected and unprotected forest in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Camera traps and analysis of faeces revealed that jaguars and pumas prefer to prey on peccaries, deer and coatispecies that are regularly hunted by local communities for their wild meat.

"Rural communities living near these nature reserves manage the natural resources in their communal lands, known as ejidos. Subsistence hunting of game meat and logging by residents is permitted in the ejidos, but there are no effective measures in place to regulate the hunting pressure", says Evelyn Pina Covarrubias from the University of Southampton.

"Habitat fragmentation due to increased livestock production and reduced availability of their primary prey is a major threat to these big cats. Also, they are frequently killed in retaliation for lost livestock or by poachers as there is still demand for the jaguars' uniquely spotted coats", she adds.

Today, an estimated 6,000 jaguars inhabit less than 40% of the area they used to in Mexico, whilst little information is available on puma populations due to difficulties in identifying individuals. Unlike jaguars, pumas do not have unique spot patterns.

Although two of the study sites are privately managed reserves, conservation efforts are often delayed by lack of data and insufficient budgets or personnel to detect and report illegal activities.

To this end, the researchers tested prototypes of 'AudioMoth', a low-power open-source acoustic monitoring device. The size of a matchbox and costing as little as US$43 per unit, the loggers can be configured to record sounds of human exploitation (shotguns and chainsaws) as well as target species in order to monitor biodiversity. The team's findings are published today in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution.

The final product is being designed to transmit a real-time alert to park rangers with information about the type of sound and its location.

Evelyn Pina Covarrubias says: "Protected areas across the Yucatan Peninsula are far too under-resourced to afford effective and safe patrols of the vast tracts of natural forests. Most acoustic loggers on the market are too expensive for network deployments or have a short battery life."

"With AudioMoth, local rangers and managers will have access to a monitoring system covering potentially large areas and can act immediately on alerts."

The device has been developed by Andrew Hill and Peter Prince, two PhD students in computer science at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with Professor Alex Rogers from the University of Oxford.

Evelyn Pina Covarrubias will present her team's work at the 'Ecology across Borders' annual meeting in Ghent on Thursday 14 December 2017.

More information: Hill AP, Prince P, Pina Covarrubias E et al. (2017) 'AudioMoth: Evaluation of a smart open acoustic device for monitoring biodiversity and the environment' is published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution on 14 December 2017. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.12955 Journal information: Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Credit: Institute of Physics

The difference between the Paris climate agreement's two alternative temperature targets  1.5C (2.7F) and 2.0C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels  may be the difference between life and death for some coastal ecosystems threatened by sea-level rise.

That is a key finding of new research from Tufts University, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, published today in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

"Although the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement aims to hold global average temperature to 'well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels', projections of global average sea-level rise usually focus on scenarios with a high probability of warming exceeding 1.5C," said lead author Dr Klaus Bittermann, from Tufts University.

The researchers used statistical modelling to project sea-level changes between now and 2150, under a variety of temperature scenarios that satisfy one of the two Paris Agreement temperature targets.

The team found that stabilising the temperature at 1.5C instead of 2C would reduce global average sea-level in 2150 by about 7 inches (17 cm), and reduce peak rates of rise by about 0.7 inches per decade (1.9 mm per year)  more than the average rate of rise over the last century.

Their results showed that delaying the year of peak temperature had little long-term influence on GMSL, but did reduce the maximum rate of sea-level rise significantly.

Dr Bittermann said: "Even among futures that satisfy the 1.5C or 2C targets set out in the Paris accord  both of which require very quick reductions of greenhouse gas emissions  there is still significant variation in how sea level responses.

"Although both temperature targets reduce the amount and the rate of sea level rise significantly compared to a future in which we continue to burn fossil fuels, faster reductions in fossil fuels can significantly reduce the peak rate of rise."

Co-author Professor Andrew Kemp, from Tufts University said: "The difference in peak rates of sea-level rise between the scenarios is large enough that it could represent the difference between drowning and survival for some vulnerable ecosystems."

More information: Klaus Bittermann et al. Global mean sea-level rise in a world agreed upon in Paris, Environmental Research Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/aa9def Journal information: Environmental Research Letters
The Cordillera Azul Antbird. Credit: Andrew Spencer/Macaulay Library

It was July 10, 2016 when Dan Lane, Fernando Angulo, Jesse Fagan, and I rolled into the coffee-growing town of Flor de Cafe in north-central Peru. This town lies in the Cordillera Azula picturesque series of outlying Andean ridges hardly explored by ornithologists. In fact, the first ornithological inventory in the region was only in 1996, when a team of researchers from the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science (LSUMNS), bushwhacked into the extremely remote eastern Cordillera Azul. It was on this expedition that Dan, then a beginning graduate student at LSU, discovered the distinctive Scarlet-banded Barbet (Capito wallacei) on "Peak 1538". Now, twenty years later, we were back to see this iconic species, which graces the cover of the Birds of Peru field guide.

Flor de Cafe, in the somewhat more accessible western Cordillera Azul, has become the hub for barbet-chasers since LSUMNS associates Todd Mark and Walter Vargas confirmed its presence here in 2011. Thus, we were not surprised to run into another bird watcher, Josh Beck, as we moved our gear into the single guest house in town. Within moments of meeting, Josh began telling us of a strange, ground-walking antbird he had encountered the previous day and documented with a sound recording. We quickly realized that his bird was a species new to science.

Fast-forward a year and a half. Today, December 13, 2017, the Auk has published the formal description of the Cordillera Azul Antbird (Myrmoderus eowilsoni). Based on our initial visit and a follow-up expedition led by LSU graduate student Oscar Johnson, we've learned a few things about this new species: its closest relative is the Ferruginous-backed Antbird (of which the nearest populations are about 1,500 km to the east in lowland forests of Brazil), it eats insects, the males and females sing different songs, it lives in pristine understory of humid forest, and its future near Flor de Cafe is very grim.

Chainsaws were an overwhelming component of the soundscape around town. We even asked some locals to delay cutting activities so that we could get better voice recordings of the antbird. Sun-coffee farming, which necessitates clear-cutting, is the main source of income for the residents of Flor de Cafe. By contrast, birding ecotourism benefits only a few residents, leading to some unfortunate and ongoing tensions within the town. There is clearly a great need for environmental education and conservation work in the region.

What I haven't yet mentioned is that Flor de Cafe is located very near the Cordillera Azul National Park, which was created in 2001 and contains over 13,500 km2 of pristine habitat. We are very optimistic that future exploration within the park will produce new localities for the antbird and barbet, both presently facing severe habitat loss around Flor de Cafe.

From an ornithological perspective, the Cordillera Azul remains mysterious and tantalizing. Perhaps it holds a new hummingbird or tody-tyrant? Regardless of any future discoveries to be made in the Cordillera Azul, I hope that the new antbird brings attention to the incredibly biodiverse and distinctive avifauna of the region. I also hope that this discovery serves as a potent reminder of how far we still have to go in cataloguing the diversity of life on this planet!

More information: A new species of antbird (Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae) from the Cordillera Azul, San Martin, Peru, Auk DOI: 10.1642/AUK-17-97.1
Yellow-spotted goanna at Wreck Rock beach. Credit: University of Queensland

Goannas have overtaken foxes as the number one predator of the endangered loggerhead turtle at its second largest Queensland nesting beach.

A University of Queensland study has found that since feral red foxes were controlled in the 1980s, there has been an increase in the number goanna raids on loggerhead turtle nests at Wreck Rock beach, south of Agnes Waters.

UQ School of Biological Sciences researchers PhD student Juan Lei and Dr David Booth observedwith the assistance of Turtle Care Queensland Inc volunteers and camera trapsthat the predators disturb up to 400 nests at the beach in one year.

"We discovered that only large male yellow-spotted goannas dug open sea turtle nests, but once the nest was opened other lizards, such as lace monitors and smaller yellow-spotted goannas, raided them," Dr Booth said.

"We had expected most nests would be discovered within one or two days of being constructed because of the visual and scent cues left behind by the female turtle.

"But what we found was the likelihood of a turtle nest being opened by a goanna wasn't related to the nest age or even the presence of ghost crabs, which disturb nests by burrowing and potentially releasing those smells that attract a goanna's attention.

Credit: University of Queensland

"So we still don't know the mechanism by which goannas discover and attack sea turtle nests that are several weeks into the incubation period."

Dr Booth said studying the relationships between predators and prey, and the interactions between different predators that hunt the same prey, were important in ecological research.

"One predator species may provide the cue signalling the location of prey to the other predator species, particularly when food sources become sparse," he said.

More information: Juan Lei et al. How do goannas find sea turtle nests?, Austral Ecology (2017). DOI: 10.1111/aec.12568
The rediscovered Oriental blue clearwing. Credit: Marta Skowron Volponi

An entomologist from the University of Gdansk in Poland has rediscovered a striking blue-and-white species of clearwing moth known only from a single faded and damaged museum specimen collected in 1887. The Oriental blue clearwing (Heterosphecia tawonoides) looks more like a bee, behaves more like a bee, and may even buzz like a bee, according to a paper published recently about the species in the journal Tropical Conservation Science.

"You think about moths and you envision a grey, hairy insect that is attracted to light," said Marta Skowron Volponi, a Ph.D. student at the University of Gdansk, co-founder of the ClearWing Foundation for Biodiversity and lead author of the paper. "But this species is dramatically differentit is beautiful, shiny blue in sunlight and it comes out during the day; and it is a master of disguise, mimicking bees on multiple levels and even hanging out with them. The Oriental blue clearwing is just two centimeters in size, but there are so many fascinating things about them and so much more we hope to learn."

Although the museum specimen was collected in Indonesia, Skowron Volponi rediscovered the species in Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia. Her first encounter with the species was fleeting, only a few seconds, but Skowron Volponi says she knew immediately she had found a new speciesor one that had not been seen in a very long timebecause of the unique blue sheen of its wings and light-reflecting metallic blue scales. Since then, she and her paper co-author (and husband) Paolo Volponi have observed 12 individual Oriental blue clearwings.

The family of clearwing moths that this species belongs to is known for its bee-like appearance, including transparent and narrow wings. They also appear to have furry bodies and legs like bees, but the fur is actually scales that have elongated through evolution to resemble the fur of bees. These kinds of adaptations make a predator think twice about scooping the moth up for dinner for fear of being stung, Skowron Volponi said.

Credit: Paolo Volponi and Marta Skowron Volponi

The paper provides the first insight into the behavior of this species, which flies among groups of bees and wasps from one rock to another, searching for water and sodium to lick up with its proboscis (a sucking mouthpart)a behavior called "mud-puddling." Only male clearwing moths mud-puddle, collecting sodium they can give as a "nuptial gift" to females while mating. Skowron Volponi also observed the Oriental blue clearwing flying in zigzags like bees, and even heard them buzzing like a beea finding that, once confirmed through additional research, would be a new discovery for clearwing moths.

"This is one of those rediscoveries that reminds us of how incredibly fascinating our wild world is and gives us the unique opportunity to learn about a species that would otherwise have been doomed to obscurity in the basement of a museum," said Don Church, president of Global Wildlife Conservation and lead of GWC's Search for Lost Species initiative, which was mentioned in the Tropical Conservation Science study. "Now we get the chance to unlock this species' mysteries and help look at opportunities to protect it."

The Oriental blue clearwing seems to be associated with a very specific habitat: banks of clean water flowing through Malaysia's primary rainforests, which is also home to elephants, gibbons and sun bears, among other charismatic mammals. Malaysia has one of the most biodiverse communities of wildlife, but it also has the highest deforestation rates in the world. Although Skowron Volponi found the Oriental blue clearwing primarily on a riverbank in Taman Negara National Park, she also found the species outside of the protected area just across the river, where forests are being cleared away.

"When they chop down the trees and the first monsoon rains come, there are mudslides and everything is flooded into the river, which brings mud and pollution into the national park," said Skowron Volponi, who in addition to rediscovering the Oriental blue clearwing, has discovered three new species of clearwing moths in recent years. "While people at first may not think that a sandy bank of a river is a diverse habitat, the reality is that this is precious real estate for clearwing moths, bees, and wonderful day-flying butterflies that are often endangered. Once those riverbanks vanish, so too will all of these species, including my favorites, the clearwing moths."

Through the newly founded ClearWing Foundation for Biodiversity, Skowron Volponi and Volponi hope to raise awareness in local communities about the value of the rainforest and the animals living within. They also aim to highlight the conservation challenges to the Malaysian government with the hopes that the government will agree to put a buffer zone around the national park.

More information: Marta A. Skowron Volponi et al. A 130-Year-Old Specimen Brought Back to Life: A Lost Species of Bee-Mimicking Clearwing Moth, Heterosphecia tawonoides (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini), Rediscovered in Peninsular Malaysia's Primary Rainforest, Tropical Conservation Science (2017). DOI: 10.1177/1940082917739774

Provided by Global Wildlife Conservation
Supervisors who cannot tear themselves away from their smartphones while meeting with employees risk losing their employees' trust and, ultimately, their engagement, according to new research from Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business. Credit: iStock

Supervisors who cannot tear themselves away from their smartphones while meeting with employees risk losing their employees' trust and, ultimately, their engagement, according to new research from Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business.

James A. Roberts, Ph.D., professor of marketing, and Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, published their latest study - "Put Down Your Phone and Listen to Me: How Boss Phubbing Undermines the Psychological Conditions Necessary for Employee Engagement" - in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. Roberts and David are known nationally and internationally for researching the affects of smartphone use on relationships.

Their newest study examines "boss phubbing" (boss phone snubbing), which the researchers define as "an employee's perception that his or her supervisor is distracted by his or her smartphone when they are talking or in close proximity to each other" and how that activity affects the supervisor-employee relationship.

"Our research reveals how a behavior as simple as using a cellphone in the workplace can ultimately undermine an employee's success," the researchers wrote. "We present evidence that boss phubbing lowers employees' trust in their supervisors and ultimately leads to lower employee engagement."

The research is composed of three studies that surveyed 200, 95 and 118 respondents, respectively. Those 413 who were surveyed - representing both supervisors and employees - responded to statements that assessed the nature of their work, levels of trust and engagement. Examples of survey statements included: "My boss places his/her cellphone where I can see it when we are together," "When my boss' cellphone rings or beeps, he/she pulls it out even if we are in the middle of a conversation" and "I can rely on my supervisor to keep the promises he/she makes."

The study found:

76 percent of those surveyed showed a lack of trust in a supervisor who phubbed them

75 percent showed decreases in psychological meaningfulness, psychological availability and psychological safety

The lack of trust and decreases in those key areas led to a 5 percent decrease in employee engagement

"Employees who experience boss phubbing and have lower levels of trust for their supervisor are less likely to feel that their work is valuable or conducive to their own professional growth, and employees who work under the supervision of an untrusted, phubbing supervisor tend to have lower confidence in their own ability to carry out their job," David said. "Both of those things negatively impact engagement."

Roberts, who authored the book "Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?," said this study offers significant managerial implications.

"Phubbing is a harmful behavior," he said. "It undermines any corporate culture based on respect for others. Thus, it is crucial that corporations create a culture embodied by care for one another."

David said employees and supervisors alike cannot be fully present in face-to-face interactions when distracted by their smartphones.

"Developing the self-control to put away your smartphone in favor of meaningful, distraction-free interactions with your supervisor and other coworkers will yield benefits that far outweigh that text message, unread email or social media post," she said.

The study offered several steps that managers could take to change the culture and mitigate the negative effects of smartphone use.

Create a culture in which supervisors do not feel pressure to immediately respond to emails and messages from their superiors while meeting with their employees.

Structure performance criteria in a manner which motivates bosses to build healthy superior-subordinate relationships. This might include annual ratings by their subordinates.

Train supervisors and employees on the importance of face-to-face interactions and sensitize them to the potentially negative consequences of phubbing on employee attitudes and engagement.

Set formal smartphone policies by setting clear rules for smartphone use, access and security - and detail specific consequences for violating those rules.

Roberts and David said as smartphones become more ubiquitous, researchers need to continue to study the implications in the workplace.

"Given that smartphone use in the workplace is nearly universal and has become an integral mode of communication, it is crucial that researchers investigate the impact of smartphone use in the workplace on career choices and adjustment," they wrote. "Today's employees face the real possibility that, left unattended to, smartphone use may complicate their careers by undermining vocational adjustment and lowering their job engagement."

More information: James A. Roberts et al. Put down your phone and listen to me: How boss phubbing undermines the psychological conditions necessary for employee engagement, Computers in Human Behavior (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.021 Journal information: Computers in Human Behavior
Researchers at WSU, PNNL and the University of New Mexico have developed a better catalyst for catalytic converters that change vehicle pollutants to relatively benign forms of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. The catalyst, which uses single atoms of platinum on a cerium oxide surface, is stable at the high exhaust temperatures of a working engine but is active at the lower "cold-start" temperatures of today's more efficient engines. Credit: Cortland Johnson, PNNL

As cars become more fuel efficient, less heat is wasted in the exhaust, which makes it harder to clean up the pollutants being emitted. Researchers at Washington State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of New Mexico have created a catalyst capable of reducing pollutants at the lower temperatures expected in advanced engines. Their work, published this week in the journal Science, presents a new way to create a more powerful catalyst while using smaller amounts of platinumthe most expensive component of emission-control catalysts.

Catalysts have been an integral part of diesel- and gasoline-powered engines since the mid-1970s when federal regulations began requiring reductions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Catalytic converters convert the pollutants to benign gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water.

The researchers addressed the daunting challenge of designing a catalyst that could endure engine exhaust temperatures of up to nearly 750 degrees Celsius (about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit) encountered under high engine loads. Yet the catalyst would still have to work when an engine is started cold and must clean up the exhaust before reaching 150 degrees Celsiusmore than 100 degrees Celsius less than current systems.

The lower operating temperatures during cold start are due to increasing fuel efficiency in advanced combustion engines, which leaves less energy in the tailpipe exhaust, said Abhaya Datye, a distinguished professor at the University of New Mexico's Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering and study co-author.

The recent findings grew out of a collaboration between research groups led by Yong Wang, who holds a joint appointment in Washington State University's Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Datye's catalysis group at New Mexico.

The work builds on research, published in Science last year, in which the Wang and Datye groups found a novel way to trap and stabilize individual platinum atoms on the surface of cerium oxide, a commonly used component in emissions control catalysts. The so-called single-atom catalyst uses platinum more efficiently while remaining stable at high temperatures. Platinum typically trades at prices close to or even greater than gold.

For their latest paper, the researchers steam-treated the catalyst at 750 degrees Celsius, nearly 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. This made the already stable catalyst become very active at the low cold-start temperatures.

"We were able to meet the challenges of both the high-temperature stability and the low-temperature activity," Wang said.The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The research is in keeping with WSU's Grand Challenges, a suite of research initiatives aimed at large societal issues. It is particularly relevant to the challenge of sustainable resources and its theme of energy.

More information: "Activation of surface lattice oxygen in single-atom Pt/CeO2 for low-temperature CO oxidation" Science (2017). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi  1126/science.aao2109 Journal information: Science
3D rendering of a T cell. Credit: CC BY 3.0, Blausen.com staff. "Blausen gallery 2014". Wikiversity Journal of Medicine. DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 20018762.

A perplexing question in immunology has been, how do immune cells remember an infection or a vaccination so that they can spring into action decades later? Research led by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with investigators at Emory University, has found an answer: A small pool of the same immune cells that responded to the original invasion remain alive for years, developing unique features that keep them primed and waiting for the same microbe to re-invade the body.

Before this study, scientists were not sure how cells can remember an infection from up to 30 years earlier. To tease apart this mystery, the research team tracked a specific kind of immune cell through the human body in the weeks, months and years following a vaccination that gives long-term protection.

The researchers tracked T cells inside people's bodies after they were given the long-lasting yellow fever virus vaccine, using a technology developed at Berkeley for monitoring the birth and death of cells in humans over long periods of time. The researchers found that CD8+ T cells, responsible for long-term immunity against yellow fever, proliferate rapidly on exposure to the vaccine but then evolve, beginning about four weeks after the vaccination, into a "memory pool" of cells that live more than 10 times longer than the average T cell.

"This work addressed fundamental questions about the origin and longevity of human memory CD8+ T cells generated after an acute infection," said Marc Hellerstein, senior coauthor and professor of nutritional science and toxicology at UC Berkeley. "Understanding the basis of effective long-term immune memory may help scientists develop better vaccines, understand differences among diseases and diagnose the quality of an individual person's immune responses."

The study will be published December 13 in the journal Nature. The work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

When someone gets a vaccine or is exposed to a new infectious agent, cells that recognize the invader but had never have been called into action before - called naive cells - respond by dividing like crazy and developing infection-fighting functions. This creates a large pool of so-called memory cells, named for their ability to remember the specific infectious agent and respond effectively to repeat threats later. Over time, the large pool shrinks to a small number of long-term memory cells, which are primed to provide late protection. But scientists have debated how these memory cells are maintained and ready to strike for so long after the initial exposure.

This study found that one way the pool is maintained for years after vaccination is through the development of several unique features. On the surface and through the actions of their genes, they look like cells that have never been exposed to an infection, but on their DNA the researchers found a fingerprint, called a methylation pattern, that identifies them as having been through battle as an infection-fighting cell, which are called effector cells.

"These cells are like veteran soldiers, camped in the blood and tissues where they fight their battles, waiting for yellow fever to show up," said Hellerstein. "They are resting quietly and they wear the clothes of untested new recruits, but they are deeply experienced, ready to spring into action and primed to expand wildly and attack aggressively if invaders return."

For the study, Hellerstein applied a technique that he developed for his HIV/AIDS research in the 1990s and has used widely since to track the birth and death of cells in the human body. The research team had subjects drink small amounts of water that had deuterium instead of hydrogen. Deuterium is non-toxic, but it is slightly heavier than hydrogen, so scientists can track it by mass spectrometry when it gets incorporated into newly replicated DNA in the body's cells, which occurs only during cell division. Using this method, scientists can learn if a pool of cells is new or old, because newly born cells will have deuterium in their DNA. Scientists or clinicians monitoring the cells over time will see that the deuterium levels in short-lived cells will be diluted after the patients return to drinking regular water, while the deuterium levels in long-lived cells will remain high. In the new study, people drank the deuterium water at different times after receiving the live yellow fever virus vaccine and researchers isolated T cells from the patients, then analyzed their deuterium content.

Yellow fever virus is not a threat in the United States, which means that all the subjects had not been previously exposed and would not get exposed after the tagging period, making the vaccine ideal for studying what happens to newly generated cells over a long period of time, when there is no longer any infectious agent to fight.

After a first acute exposure to an infectious agent or vaccine, the body has an initial phase with lots of short-lived infection fighting soldiers, called effector-memory cells. Then after the threat is cleared, effector cells go away and small numbers of long-term memory cells are present. One of the central questions in immunology was whether the long-term memory cells went through an effector stage or went on a separate pathway of their own. The research team found that that a subset of the effector-memory pool that had divided extensively during the first two weeks after vaccination stayed alive as long-term memory cells, dividing less frequently than once every year.

The extremely long life-span of the surviving memory cells allows them to specialize over time into a unique, previously unrecognized type of T cell. The long-term memory cells have some molecular markers that make them look like naive cells that have never activated, including a gene expression profile that looks like that in naive cells, yet have other molecular markers on their DNA of having gone through battle as effector cells.

"These results make it clear that true long-term memory cells were once effector cells that have become quiescent," Hellerstein said. "This apparently keeps them poised to respond rapidly as new effector cells upon re-exposure to the pathogen."

The research team calculated that the half-life of these long-term memory cells is 450 days, compared to a half-life of about 30 days for the average memory T cell in the body, during which they are in general repeatedly exposed to common antigens in the environment. So when the memory pool goes quiet, these unique cells retain a fingerprint stemming back to the original exposure, and remain primed to respond rapidly if there is re-exposure to the pathogen.

"The combination of molecular evidence of a unique life history with direct measurement of their long life span is what gives this study such power," Hellerstein said. "The technology to measure the dynamics of the birth and death of cells and advances allowing it to be applied to very small numbers of cells let this study happen."

More information: Rama S. Akondy et al. Origin and differentiation of human memory CD8 T cells after vaccination, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature24633 Journal information: Nature
Dark energy, a mysterious force that counters gravity, has been proposed to explain why the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. Mathematicians at UC Davis and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, argue for an alternative. Galaxy cluster image from the Hubble Space Telescope. Credit: UC Davis

Three mathematicians have a different explanation for the accelerating expansion of the universe that does without theories of "dark energy." Einstein's original equations for General Relativity actually predict cosmic acceleration due to an "instability," they argue in paper published recently in Proceedings of the Royal Society A.

About 20 years ago, astronomers made a startling discovery: Not only is the universe expandingas had been known for decadesbut the expansion is speeding up. To explain this, cosmologists have invoked a mysterious force called "dark energy" that serves to push space apart.

Shortly after Albert Einstein wrote his equations for General Relativity, which describe gravity, he included an "antigravity" factor called the "cosmological constant" to balance gravitational attraction and produce a static universe. But Einstein later called the cosmological constant his greatest mistake.

When modern cosmologists began to tackle cosmic acceleration and dark energy, they dusted off Einstein's cosmological constant as interchangeable with dark energy, given the new knowledge about cosmic acceleration.

That explanation didn't satisfy mathematicians Blake Temple and Zeke Vogler at the University of California, Davis, and Joel Smoller at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

"We set out to find the best explanation we could come up with for the anomalous acceleration of the galaxies within Einstein's original theory without dark energy," Temple said.

The original theory of General Relativity has given correct predictions in every other context, Temple said, and there is no direct evidence of dark energy. So why add a "fudge factor" (dark energy or the cosmological constant) to equations that already appear correct? Instead of faulty equations that need to be tweaked to get the right solution, the mathematicians argue that the equations are correct, but the assumption of a uniformly expanding universe of galaxies is wrong, with or without dark energy, because that configuration is unstable.

An unstable solution

Cosmological models start from a "Friedmann universe," which assumes that all matter is expanding but evenly distributed in space at every time, Temple said.

Temple, Smoller and Vogler worked out solutions to General Relativity without invoking dark energy. They argue that the equations show that the Friedmann space-time is actually unstable: Any perturbationfor example if the density of matter is a bit lower than averagepushes it over into an accelerating universe.

Temple compares this to an upside-down pendulum. When a pendulum is hanging down, it is stable at its lowest point. Turn a rigid pendulum the other way, and it can balance if it is exactly centeredbut any small gust will blow it off.

This tells us that we should not expect to measure a Friedmann universe, because it is unstable, Temple said. What we should expect to measure instead are local space-times that accelerate faster. Remarkably, the local space-times created by the instability exhibit precisely the same range of cosmic accelerations as you get in theories of dark energy, he said.

What this shows is that the acceleration of the galaxies could have been predicted from the original theory of General Relativity without invoking the cosmological constant/dark energy at all, Temple said.

"The math isn't controversial, the instability isn't controversial," Temple said. "What we don't know is, does our Milky Way galaxy lie near the center of a large under-density of matter in the universe."

The paper does include testable predictions that distinguish their model from dark energy models, Temple said.

More information: Joel Smoller et al. An instability of the standard model of cosmology creates the anomalous acceleration without dark energy, Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Science (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2016.0887 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society A
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Telecom giant Nokia and Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-Delhi) have entered into a partnership to collaborate on futuristic technologies like data science, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The collaboration focuses on making service delivery pre-emptive and more reliable based on data science, analytics and AI, a Nokia release said.

AI refers to intelligence shown by machines.

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The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will allow Nokia prepare its services for 5G where the networks will be more complex and demanding, it added.

At the same time, it would allow the premier institute to leverage Nokias technological prowess in communications networking to conduct research in the identified areas.

The students and faculty of IIT Delhi will work in projects with Nokias professionals to make networks more efficient and reliable.

IIT-Delhi research scholars from applied mathematics, statistical and computer science domains will work with Nokias top technical minds to develop software modules based on AI algorithms with machine learning, deep learning and predictive analytics, the statement added.

Speaking on the occasion, BR Mehta, Dean of Research and Development at IIT-Delhi, said: "The collaboration will not only provide crucial exposure to our students in the new technologies but will also enable them to put theoretical topics, like analytics, to practical use." PTI MBI ADI MR

--- ENDS ---
Flooded streets in Arch Creek-North Miami. Credit: Shadaina Dessalines

As South Florida raises groundwater levels to fight salt water intrusion, the threat of flooding from within will only increase, according to Florida International University research.

Current groundwater levels in South Florida are a major contributor to inland flood damages, especially during the wet season or extreme rain events. Traditional flood models account for drainage systems, rivers, streams and canals but do not account for the groundwater beneath our feet. FIU hydrologist Michael Sukop has released a model that focuses on South Florida's groundwater as a cause of flooding.

"Many current flood models treat the land as an impermeable surface when, in fact, South Florida's land surface is highly permeable and the water table is very close to the surface," said Sukop, a professor in FIU's Department of Earth and Environment. "Our model offers a different way of understanding and addressing the flooding problem. When it rains hard enough, or when tides are high, the water table can come all the way to the surface and cause flooding."

South Florida protects its drinking water sources from saltwater intrusion by keeping groundwater levels higher than they would be otherwise. As sea levels rise, groundwater levels may need to be raised by elevating canal levels, which could cause more flooding. It's a trade-off water resource managers need to deal with as they try to control floods, while ensuring water supplies for consumption and maintaining the integrity of the environment.

Sukop, along with Jeffrey Czajkowski from the University of Pennsylvania and researchers from nine other universities and government agencies, collaborated on two studies that assessed the flooding risks posed by groundwater, including the economic costs.

"Our analysis reveals the historical relationships between flood insurance claims and groundwater levels in Miami-Dade County," said Jeffrey Czajkowski, managing director of the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center. "Therefore, we are able to quantify the economic trade-offs associated with simultaneously meeting both the flood control and freshwater demands of the urban sector, information we expect to be useful in urban planning and water resource forums in South Florida where new strategies for managing the region's water resources are being sought."

Sukop examined groundwater levels in parts of northeast Miami-Dade County. Looking at data from the past 40 years, he found groundwater levels are rising at the rate of local sea level. Parts of North Miami and nearby unincorporated areas could see a doubling in the number of damaging floods and a tripling in the number of severe floods by 2060 due to sea level rise, Sukop said.

The research published this month in Science of the Total Environment is a collaboration of the Sea Level Solutions Center in FIU's Institute of Water and Environment and other researchers. It was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

"This study shows that sea level rise, rainfall and groundwater can interact to create significant 'nuisance' flooding," said Tom Torgersen, program director for the NSF's Water, Sustainability, and Climate Program. "High tide flooding, also called 'nuisance' flooding, is flooding that leads to public impacts such as road closures. 'Nuisance' flooding is an easily quantified measure of potential climate change effects."

The research team hopes this information will help water resource managers and urban planners better understand flooding and the economic tradeoffs associated with keeping water tables high to control salt water intrusion.

More information: Michael C. Sukop et al, High temporal resolution modeling of the impact of rain, tides, and sea level rise on water table flooding in the Arch Creek basin, Miami-Dade County Florida USA, Science of The Total Environment (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.170 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
Archaeologists thought they were going to find a layer of beer brewing stones from the Viking age, but instead they found a "Viking import" from Ireland. Credit: NTNU University Museum

What was supposed to be a simple excavation to allow for the expansion of a church cemetery turned into a treasure trove of historic artefacts, including a decorative fitting from a book "imported" by Vikings from Ireland.

Byneset Cemetery, adjacent to the medieval Steine Church in Trondheim in mid-Norway, is expanding, and Norwegian cultural heritage laws require and archaeological review of the affected area beforehand.

The expansion plans brought archaeologists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) University Museum to survey the site earlier this year.

Jo Sindre Palsson Eidshaug and yunn Wathne Sther, research assistants at the NTNU University Museum, came across a surprising find during their excavations.

"This is a decorative fitting," Eidshaug said of his discovery. "It almost looks like it's gilded here. It's a kind of decorative fitting, I would guess."

Tove Eivindsen, head of communications for the museum, just happened to be there and captured the moment when the discovery was unearthed.

The find is probably a gold-plated, silver fitting from a book. It appears to be Celtic in origin, and might have come from a religious book brought here during the Viking Age that disappeared several centuries ago, and that hasn't been seen by anyone since then  but for now everything is speculation.

A fitting, probably from a book. The style is typical of Celtic and Irish areas and dates from the 800s. Traces of gilding can be seen in the recesses. Credit: Age Hojem, NTNU University Museum

"Someone very politely called this an Irish import, but that's just a nice way of saying that someone was in Ireland and picked up an interesting item," said museum director Reidar Andersen, who was also at the site.

Raymond Sauvage from NTNU's Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, and the project manager for these excavations, concurs.

"Yes, that's right. We know that the Vikings went out on raids. They went to Ireland and brought things back. But how peacefully it all transpired, I won't venture to say," he said.

The archaeologists call a find like this one an "imported object."

Digging in the cultural layer. Pictured are: Eivind Krag, Karen Oftedal, Raymond Sauvage, Jo Sindre Eidshaug, yunn Stre and Marte Mokkelbost. Credit: Trond Sverre Skevik, NTNU University Museum

"We started the project with slightly lower hopes for what we might find than what's recently emerged," said Andersen, who calls the discovery "fantastic" and thinks this is an exciting area.

Sauvage says you don't make discoveries like this everywhere. There are only a few areas where people had the resources to go out on such voyages.

The church and the excavation site used to be connected to a large, old farm estate that probably existed here from at least the Viking age. Excavation sites like this often date back to the Nordic Iron Age and the Middle Ages and can provide valuable insight into the position and status of the Steine farm during this period, as described on the project's Norwegian website Norark, Norsk arkeologi.

Archaeologists also came across a belt buckle, a key and a knife blade.

Frode Iversen digs in the cultural layer. Pictured in the background are: Karen Oftedal and yunn Watne Stre. Credit: Age Hojem, NTNU University Museum

"Steine Church was built in the 1140s," says Sauvage, explaining that the archaeologists also found a link to Nidaros Cathedral.

Archaeologists uncovered a church mason's mark that corresponds to one found on Nidaros Cathedral. These marks were personal to every individual stonemason, which means that the same stonemason worked on both buildings.

The archaeologists were actually planning to do a sampling of layers containing brewing stones, but the area has proved to have considerably more conserved cultural layers than archaeologists were aware of before the work began, said Sauvage.

The dig was therefore expanded, and now objects dating as far back as 700 CE have been found. That means they belong to what is called the late Germanic Iron (or Merovingian) Age.

The archaeological excavations, paid for by Trondheim municipality, ran for five weeks this summer. The cemetery expansion started on 16 October.

Erecting tents at the excavation site with Steine Church behind. Credit: Raymond Sauvage, NTNU University Museum
Credit: Jeff Schmaltz LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response Team, GSFC

The huge amounts of smoke tumbling off the coast of California is also an indicator of how active the Thomas Fire still is. The grayish brown smoke shows that the fire is continuing to find fuel to burn. The billows of smoke coming off the Thomas Fire reach from the Santa Barbara all the way up the coast into Oregon and Washington.

Inciweb reports today that the fire is 237,500 acres in size and has been burning for 10 days now. Even though almost 50 percent of the fire is on national forest system land, the fire still continues to threaten structures and communities. The Santa Ana winds are still gusty and are pushing the fire to the west. In the path of the fire is still plenty of fuel which is critically low in moisture and therefore easily combustible. Low humidity also continues to support the growth of the fire. The main concern of the firefighting effort is to continue to defend structures that are in the path of the fire and to continue efforts to control the perimeter of the fire. At present the fire is 25% contained. Nearly 8,000 firefighters are engaged in the Thomas Fire.

The Thomas Fire continues to threaten the communities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito and surrounding areas. Weather conditions continue to be favorable for fire growth and unfavorable for fire fighting. A Red Flag warning remains in effect meaning that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

NASA's Aqua satellite collected this natural-color image with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, MODIS, instrument on December 12, 2017.

Provided by NASA
Students are overwhelmed with snow. Credit: University of Connecticut

Adam Rainear '16 MA is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with an undergraduate degree in meteorology who served as a research assistant in the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist. He also completed meteorology internships at the News 12 Networks and at CBS 3 in Philadelphia and NBC 40 in Southern New Jersey. He is a co-author of the study "What's in a #Name? An Experimental Study Examining Perceived Credibility and Impact of Winter Storm Names," with Kenneth A. Lachlan, professor and head of the Department of Communication, and Carolyn Lin, professor of communication, published recently in Weather, Climate, and Society, a peer reviewed journal of the American Meteorological Society. He discussed the study with UConn Today.

Q: The naming of winter storms is relatively new  it began in 2012  but is now common. How did this attract your interest?

The Weather Channel started it after the October 2011 snowstorm that was very impactful here in New England and in New Jersey, where I was at the time. There had been some debate in the meteorology community at conferences and in research talk about if a [for profit] media organization should be doing something like this rather than the official government organization, the National Weather Service, or NOAA  the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The argument seemed to arise whether it was a marketing ploy or a gimmick rather than serving a larger purpose in the meteorological community. I started to hear these debates and infighting at conferences, and it really got me thinking that we have no data or research on the topic. I decided one of my goals in graduate school would be to conduct a study that examined this.

Q: Most people know tropical storms, such as hurricanes, have names. What was the purpose, and does it correlate to winter storms?

One of the main purposes when they started to name tropical storms was to relay information about ships. The system they were using  so many degrees north and so many degrees west  is familiar to people on a boat, but it's not an easy way to communicate information to the public. Naming the storm would make it easier to track, and they came up with the idea of using humanistic names. The protocol for naming tropical storms was solidified in 1954. The most obvious use for naming winter storms is social media, such as Twitter, with a hashtag. Without a name, if there were multiple winter storms going on you might also need other information, like the location or more specific key words, to search for or communicate information about a winter storm.

Q: There are criteria for hurricane categorization (1-5) and for naming tropical storms, using the Integrated Meteorological Population and Area Calculation Tool, known as IMPACT. Can you explain what this is, and what the criteria are to name a winter storm?

The Weather Channel relies on two main things; they draw from the National Weather Service watches and warnings and they rely on an area to receive a winter storm warning that is impacting a certain level of population. The criterion is that the storm affects 2 million people over an area of 400,000 square kilometers, or 248,548 square miles. If the storm is large enough and enough people are within the storm warning range, it would get a name. One of the conversations we've had in the meteorological community is what constitutes impactful? There's more likely to be an impactful storm in an area like the Northeast, where people are crammed into one location, versus North Dakota, where it's way less populous across a smaller region. You have these differences in various areas of the country, and I believe that is why The Weather Channel relied on National Weather Service warnings. The National Weather Service has different criteria across the country depending on what a region is used to; it's why The Weather Channel relies and defaults toward the National Weather Service warnings, rather than just naming a storm on their own. An argument can also be made that we don't have categories for winter storms, like we do for a hurricane or tropical storm, where we hit this point and need to have a name. That's a conversation we're having in the field as well.

Q: There was a debate between using common names versus unusual names for winter storms. What was the issue?



One of my larger questions was: would be there any differences between naming and not using names but the level of names? We saw after Winter Storm Nemo in 2013 that a lot of the discussion online about this pretty impactful winter storm was very satirical, funny, and humorous because everybody wanted to associate the images and maps they saw online with Nemo the fish from the Disney movie "Finding Nemo," rather than with a serious storm. That begged the question to me, is a name going to be a distraction? Are we going to associate certain common names with worse weather because the storms that bore those names were some of the most destructive storms on the planet? All of these questions arose when I started to explore the naming process. The Weather Channel did the naming with good intentions. A high school in Bozeman, Montana, would submit a list of mythological names to The Weather Channel each year. They would refine the list to make sure they were appropriate and would be feasible for a hashtag. In my study, I used the name Zelos, the Greek god of rivalry and envy, which hadn't been used by The Weather Channel in the prior winter. The first question I had was not only is there a difference between naming and not naming, but is there a difference between using a name we hear every day  like Bill or Andrew  versus an obscure or humorous name. In our study, we didn't find any differences, which is interesting in itself. This year, the Weather Channel is planning to use popular baby names from 2016 to name winter storms in 2017-18, which goes more along the lines for naming tropical systems and hurricanes.

Q: You also raise the question of whether the credibility of the source of weather information affects how a person perceives a personal threat because of the weather. What did you learn?

A lot of the anecdotal comments by meteorologists about the practice The Weather Channel follows is that it's a marketing ploy or a gimmick to try and draw viewers. We didn't have any data to suggest that, nor did The Weather Channel have evidence that naming was drawing more people to their coverage. Because there wasn't any such previous study, we wanted to investigate dependent variables that would be useful to the larger field. We've seen credibility studies across scientists, meteorologists, and health information produce a variety of results. We thought that if people are making parodies and joking about the names used for winter storms, it might lead a general audience to view The Weather Channel as a less credible source. It's not an unreasonable assumption. But interestingly, we didn't find any difference across credibility, no matter what name the storm had or if it had no name  at least not in this study. It's something we should investigate further, but it begs another question: How would the situation change if the government took over the practice of naming storms, instead of the media organization? Would the credibility of weather information then fluctuate among certain demographics, because certain demographics have higher or lower trust in government?

Q: Where do you go next with exploring this area further?

The next avenue to explore is new technology. Maybe we need to have people in the field or in a lab experiment actively seek out information about some weather event using one of these names, just to see if there is any practical utility in information-seeking from a technological standpoint. If being able to type in #bill in the Twitter or Facebook search bar is more useful for the public to find information about the weather, then we should consider investigating this going forward. That might be a more important question than measuring the outcomes regarding specific storms. There are many other situational factors that influence your perceptions about a weather event. For example, the mere fact that I have something to do this weekend rather than staying home could influence my perceptions about how severe I think the winter storm is. If it's ruining your plans, your perceptions of the storm are thrown off already. Understanding how people are actively seeking out information and acquiring it would be the next step. If we're finding the naming practice highly useful, maybe there should uniformity in using these names. If we're finding that the practice doesn't help, maybe it is a marketing ploy or gimmick. That's the next question we need to answer.
ExxonMobil and Polytechnic University of Valencia's ITQ researchers are developing a zeolite to separate ethylene using 25 percent less energy than with current methods.

Scientists from ExxonMobil and the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ) of Valencia's Polytechnic University and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) have developed a new, potentially revolutionary material that could significantly reduce the amount of energy and emissions associated with the production of ethylene. This new material, along with other separation processes, could lead to a reduction of up to 25 percent of the energy currently necessary for the separation of ethylene, as well as the associated carbon dioxide emissions. Results of the investigation have been published in Science.

Researchers at ExxonMobil and the ITQ have discovered that the new material, composed of a silica zeolite with a unique structure, can be used in gas separation processes such as recovering ethylene from currents that contain ethane and ethylene. Zeolites are microporous materials commonly used for adsorbent and catalytic purposes in chemical processes. In the case of the ITQ-55 zeolite, separation is performed with an unprecedented degree of selectivity at room temperature. Investigation results could also apply to the design of new materials to be used as adsorbents or membranes in different applications of gas separation associated with the fabrication of chemical products.

"Cryogenic distillation, the procedure which is currently used to separate ethylene on a commercial scale, is a process which consumes a lot of energy," explains Vijay Swarup, research and development vicepresident for the ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. "If this new material is applied at a commercial scale, it could significantly reduce the amount of energy and emissions associated with ethylene production. This is another excellent example of collaboration between industry and academy, centered on promoting solutions to improve energetic efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of industrial processes."

Ethylene is a vital component in the production of chemical and plastic products frequently used in day-to-day life, making the search for alternate technologies to separate ethylene from ethane with a low energetic consumption turn into a very active field of investigation. Although chemical product manufacturers have evaluated a series of alternatives to cryogenic distillation, including new adsorbents and separation processes, the majority of these alternate technologies are hindered by low selectivity and efficiency, as well as the impossibility to regenerate adsorbents as they decompose with use due to the presence of contaminants.

The new ITQ-55 material is capable of selectively separating ethylene from ethane thanks to its exclusive porous and flexible structure. Created by heart-shaped units interconnected by large and flexible channels, the new material enables flatter ethylene molecules to pass, while negating access to the rounder ethane molecules. Therefore, the new material acts as a flexible molecular sieve.

"The ITQ-55 is a very interesting material, whose unique combination of pore sizes, topology, flexibility and chemical composition leads to a highly stable and chemically inert material which is able to adsorb ethylene and filter out ethane," explains CSIC research professor Avelino Corma, coauthor of the investigation. "We are thrilled with this discovery and hope to continue our fruitful collaboration with ExxonMobil," he adds.

Additional research must still be done before the new material can be considered for large-scale commercialisation. Further research will be centered on incorporating the material to a membrane for its industrial use, as well as developing new materials for gas separation.

"Our end goal of replacing cryogenic distillation is a long-term challenge that will require many more years of research and tests in and outside the laboratory," Gary Casty, head of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company's catalysis section adds. "Our next steps will be focused towards a better understanding of the potential of this new zeolitic material."

Chemical plants represent approximately eight percent of the worldwide energy demand as well as approximately 15 percent of the projected demand growth through 2040. As the planet's population and standards of living increase, so will the demand for consumer goods, construction materials, electronic devices and other petrochemical by-products. ExxonMobil's goal is to improve industrial efficiency to meet the increasing energy requirements of the world while mitigating the environmental impact.

More information: Pablo J. Bereciartua et al. Control of zeolite framework flexibility and pore topology for separation of ethane and ethylene, Science (2017). DOI: 10.1126/science.aao0092 Journal information: Science
A new study that compared the results reported in thousands of papers published about the properties of metal organic framework (MOF) materials -- which are prominent candidates for carbon dioxide adsorption and other separations -- suggests the replicability problem should be a concern for materials researchers. Credit: Georgia Tech

Can companies rely on the results of one or two scientific studies to design a new industrial process or launch a new product? In at least one area of materials chemistry, the answer may be yesbut only 80 percent of the time.

The replicability of results from scientific studies has become a major source of concern in the research community, particularly in the social sciences and biomedical sciences. But many researchers in the fields of engineering and the hard sciences haven't felt the same level of concern for independent validation of their results.

A new study that compared the results reported in thousands of papers published about the properties of metal organic framework (MOF) materials - which are prominent candidates for carbon dioxide adsorption and other separations - suggests the replicability problem should be a concern for materials researchers, too.

One in five studies of MOF materials examined by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology were judged to be "outliers," with results far beyond the error bars normally used to evaluate study results. The thousands of research papers yielded just nine MOF compounds for which four or more independent studies allowed appropriate comparison of results.

"At a fundamental level, I think people in materials chemistry feel that things are reproducible and that they can count on the results of a single study," said David Sholl, a professor and John F. Brock III School Chair in the Georgia Tech School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. "But what we found is that if you pull out any experiment at random, there's a one in five chance that the results are completely wrong - not just slightly off, but not even close."

Whether the results can be more broadly applied to other areas of materials science awaits additional studies, Sholl said. The results of the study, which was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, were published November 28 in the ACS journal Chemistry of Materials.

Sholl chose MOFs because they're an area of interest to his lab - he develops models for the materials - and because the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) had already assembled a database summarizing the properties of MOFs. Co-authors Jongwoo Park and Joshua Howe used meta-analysis techniques to compare the results of single-component adsorption isotherm testing - how much CO2 can be removed at room temperature.

That measurement is straightforward and there are commercial instruments available for doing the tests. "People in the community would consider this to be an almost foolproof experiment," said Sholl, who is also a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Energy Sustainability.

The researchers considered the results definitive when they had four or more studies of a given MOF at comparable conditions.

The implications for errors in materials science may be less than in other research fields. But companies could use the results of a just one or two studies to choose a material that appear to be more efficient, and in other cases, researchers unable to replicate an experiment may simply move on to another material.

A new study that compared the results reported in thousands of papers published about the properties of metal organic framework (MOF) materials -- which are prominent candidates for carbon dioxide adsorption and other separations -- suggests the replicability problem should be a concern for materials researchers. Credit: Georgia Tech

"The net result is non-optimal use of resources at the very least," Sholl said. "And any report using one experiment to conclude a material is 15 or 20 percent better than another material should be viewed with great skepticism, as we cannot be very precise on these measurements in most cases."

Why the variability in results? Some MOFs can be finicky, quickly absorbing moisture that affect adsorption, for instance. The one-in-five "outliers" may be a result of materials contamination.

"One of the materials we studied is relatively simple to make, but it's unstable in an ambient atmosphere," Sholl explained. "Exactly what you do between making it in the lab and testing it will affect the properties you measure. That could account for some of what we saw, and if a material is that sensitive, we know it's going to be a problem in practical use."

Other factors that may prevent replication include details that were inadvertently left out of a methods description - or that the original scientists didn't realize were relevant. That could be as simple as the precise atmosphere in which the material is maintained, or the materials used in the apparatus producing the MOFs.

Sholl hopes the paper will lead to more replication of experiments so scientists and engineers can know if their results really are significant.

"As a result of this, I think my group will look at all reported data in a more nuanced way, not necessarily suspecting it is wrong, but thinking about how reliable that data might be," he said. "Instead of thinking about data as a number, we need to always think about it as a number plus a range."

Sholl suggests that more reporting of second, third or fourth efforts to replicate an experiment would help raise the confidence of data on MOF materials properties. The scientific publishing system doesn't currently provide much incentive for reporting validation, though Sholl hopes that will change.

He also feels the issue needs to be discussed within all parts of the scientific community, though he admits that can lead to "uncomfortable" conversations.

"We have presented this study a few times at conferences, and people can get pretty defensive about it," Sholl said. "Everybody in the field knows everybody else, so it's always easier to just not bring up this issue."

And, of course, Sholl would like to see others replicate the work he and his research team did. "It will be interesting to see if this one-in-five number holds up for other types of experiments and materials," he added. "There are other certainly other areas of materials chemistry where this kind of comparison could be done."

More information: Jongwoo Park et al, How Reproducible Are Isotherm Measurements in MetalOrganic Frameworks?, Chemistry of Materials (2017). DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b04287 Journal information: Chemistry of Materials
The Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has shattered another world record with the testing of a 32-tesla magnet  33 percent stronger than the worlds strongest superconducting magnet used for research and more than 3,000 times stronger than a small refrigerator magnet. Credit: National MagLab

The Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has shattered another world record with the testing of a 32-tesla magnet33 percent stronger than what had previously been the world's strongest superconducting magnet used for research and more than 3,000 times stronger than a small refrigerator magnet.

On Dec. 8, this new magnet reached a magnetic field of 32 tesla. Tesla is a unit of magnetic field strength; a small refrigerator magnet is about .01 tesla.

Made of a combination of conventional low-temperature and novel high-temperature superconductors, the "32 T" will allow physicists studying materials to explore how electrons interact with each other and their atomic environment, enabling new devices that will shape our world.

For decades, the world record for a superconducting magnet has inched forward incrementally. This single leap is bigger than all the improvements made over the past 40 years combined.

"This is a transformational step in magnet technology, a true revolution in the making," said MagLab Director Greg Boebinger. "Not only will this state-of-the-art magnet design allow us to offer new experimental techniques here at the lab, but it will boost the power of other scientific tools such as X-rays and neutron scattering around the world."

It has been a remarkable year for the MagLab, noted Boebinger: The 32 T is the third world-record magnet tested in the past 13 months, following a 41.4-tesla resistive magnet tested last summer and the 36-tesla Series Connected Hybrid magnet that reached full field in November 2016.

"We're on a roll," Boebinger said.

The new magnet represents a milestone in high-temperature superconductivity, a phenomenon that made a tremendous stir in the science community when it was first discovered 31 years ago.

The 32 Ts two high-temperature superconducting coils before being integrated with the low-temperature outer magnet. Credit: National MagLab

Superconductors are materials that conduct electricity with perfect efficiency (unlike copper, in which electrons encounter a lot of friction). So-called low-temperature superconductors, discovered a century ago, work only in extremely cold environments and generally stop working inside magnetic fields higher than about 25 tesla. That constraint has limited the strength of superconducting magnets.

But in 1986 scientists discovered the first high-temperature superconductors, which not only work at warmer temperatures butmore importantly for magnet designers and scientistsalso keep working in very high magnetic fields.

Three decades later, the new 32-tesla magnet is one of the first major applications to come out of that Nobel Prize-winning discovery.

The 32-tesla field strength is created with a combination of a conventional, or low-temperature, superconducting magnets made by industry partner Oxford Instruments and a high-temperature superconducting material called YBCO, composed of yttrium, barium, copper and oxygen. Partnering with SuperPower Inc., MagLab scientists and engineers worked for years to shape the tricky material into a reliable magnet. As part of that process, they developed new techniques for insulating, reinforcing and de-energizing the system.

For all its record-breaking impact, the 32 T is just the beginning, said MagLab scientist Huub Weijers, who oversaw its construction.

"We've opened up an enormous new realm," Weijers said. "I don't know what that limit is, but it's beyond 100 tesla. The required materials exist. It's just technology and dollars that are between us and 100 tesla."

As a superconducting magnet, the 32 T features a very stable, homogenous field suitable for sensitive experiments. Combining strength and stability, it offers researchers the best of both worlds.

"The new system, and the magnets that will follow, will give scientists access to insights never before possible," said physicist Laura Greene, the MagLab's chief scientist. "We expect it to break new ground in a variety of research areas. Physicists are especially excited about advances in quantum matter, which features new and technologically important ultra-thin materials, as well as exotic new states of matter in topological materials and complex magnetic materials."

The new instrument is expected to be available for use by visiting scientists next year. As with all magnets at the lab, scientists from across the world can apply to use it to explore new physics, chemistry and biology related to materials, health and energy.
A crate containing one of the twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) satellites is offloaded from an air freighter at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base Dec. 12 following a transcontinental flight from Germany. GRACE-FO is scheduled for launch next spring. Credit: USAF

A pair of advanced U.S./German Earth research satellites with some very big shoes to fill is now at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base to begin final preparations for launch next spring.

Following a year-long test campaign by satellite manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space at IABG in Ottobrunn, near Munich, Germany, the twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) satellites were loaded aboard an air freighter at Munich airport Dec. 11 and arrived at the launch site on California's central coast Tuesday, Dec. 12. GRACE-FO will provide continuity to the Earth climate data record of the extremely successful predecessor GRACE, which completed its science mission in October after more than 15 years in orbit.

GRACE-FO will extend GRACE's legacy of scientific achievements, which range from tracking mass changes of Earth's polar ice sheets and estimating global groundwater changes, to measuring the mass changes of large earthquakes and inferring changes in deep ocean currents, a driving force in climate. To date, GRACE observations have been used in more than 4,300 research publications. Its measurements provide a unique view of the Earth system and have far-reaching benefits to society, such as providing insights into where global groundwater resources may be shrinking or growing and where dry soils are contributing to drought. GRACE-FO is planned to fly at least five years.

The GRACE-FO spacecraft will undergo final tests before being integrated atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, where they will share a ride to space with five Iridium NEXT communications satellites.

An air freighter containing the twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) satellites lands at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base Dec. 12. Credit: USAF

"With this milestone, we are now in position to launch GRACE Follow-On and restart the valuable observations and science that ceased in mid-2017 with the end of the GRACE science mission," said Michael Watkins, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and GRACE Follow-On science team lead.

After a few months of in-orbit checkout, GRACE-FO will track changes in the distribution of liquid water, ice and land masses by measuring changes in Earth's gravity field every 30 days. GRACE-FO will essentially measure how much mass is gained or lost each month on the continents, in the oceans, and in the ice sheets. These data will improve scientific understanding of Earth system processes and the accuracy of environmental monitoring and forecasts.

The continuous movement of masses of water, ice, air and the solid Earth that GRACE-FO will track is driven by Earth system processes such as:

Terrestrial water cycle processes, such as precipitation, droughts, floods, changes in ice sheets and land glaciers, evaporation from the oceans, and groundwater use and storage.

Tectonic processes, such as earthquakes and variations in Earth's lithosphere (the rigid outer layer of our planet that includes the crust and upper mantle) and mantle density.

Two crates containing the twin GRACE-FO satellites are offloaded from an air freighter at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base Dec. 12. GRACE-FO will provide continuity to the Earth climate data record of the extremely successful predecessor GRACE mission, which operated for more than 15 years. Credit: USAF

The GRACE-FO satellites will be launched into a polar orbit at an altitude of about 311 miles (500 kilometers). Flying 137 miles (220 kilometers) apart, the satellites will use a JPL-built microwave ranging system to take continuous, very precise measurements of the variations in the distance between each other. These variations are caused by minute changes in the gravitational pull on the satellites from local changes in Earth's mass below them. The microwave ranging data are combined with GPS tracking for timing, star trackers for attitude information, and an accelerometer built at ONERA in France to account for non-gravitational effects, such as atmospheric drag and solar radiation. From these data, scientists will calculate how mass is redistributed each month and monitor its changes over time.

Each satellite will also carry an instrument called an atmospheric limb sounder that will provide an innovative and cost-effective technique to measure how much signals from GPS satellites are distorted by the atmosphere. The sounders will provide up to 200 profiles of atmospheric temperature and water vapor content each day to aid weather forecasting.

While similar to their predecessor GRACE satellites, GRACE-FO incorporates design upgrades gleaned from 15 years of GRACE operations that will improve satellite performance, reliability and mission operations. GRACE-FO will also fly a new, more precise inter-satellite laser ranging instrument, developed by a German/American joint venture, which will be tested for use in future generations of GRACE-like missions.
Firefighters assigned to the Commander, Naval Region Japan Fire Department provide simulated care to Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Michael Foster during a Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness exercise. The event is part of Exercise Reliant Gale, designed to maintain Fleet Activities Yokosuka's level of emergency preparedness, personnel accountability, and evacuation and recovery operations during a natural disaster. Credit: US Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Gregory A. Harden II/Released

Researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) think their weather prediction model, Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System for Tropical Cyclones (COAMPS-TC), tracked 2017's Gulf of Mexico storms better than ever.

Used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), COAMPS-TC is updated annually before hurricane season with new innovations to improve TC modeling and predictions.

"In a 72-hour timeframe COAMPS-TC has a significantly low tracking error average of about 100 nautical miles and an intensity error of only 17 knots," said James Doyle, a research meteorologist at NRL-Monterey (NRL-MRY). "COAMPS-TC improves forecasts and evacuation correctness in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and enhances the safety of U.S. Navy ships, aircraft, and the civilian population."

At 617,800 square miles, the entire Gulf of Mexico in proportion to Hurricane Harvey's size, 200 miles in diameter, a tracking error of 100 nautical miles is significantly accurate, according to Doyle.

"We've found this year's version of COAMPS-TC to be most skillful in our area of responsibility, eastern North Pacific and North Atlantic basin," said Dr. Michael Brennan, Branch Chief in the Hurricane Specialist Unit at NHC. "This variety of COAMPS-TC is included in the multi-model consensus aids for track and intensity that we create at NHC to blend together our best available model guidance."

In addition to forecasting tropical cyclone activity for the Navy and Marine Corps around the world, having accurate forecasts is also important in the Defense Department's mission in supporting civil authorities.

"It is critical for citizens to have faith in their institutions to provide accurate information for their safety and livelihood," said Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome. "Providing a stronger predictive model of the path and intensity of a storm or hurricane will hopefully reinforce the need for citizens to heed evacuations advisories."

Improvements to this numerical weather prediction model gives state agencies and local weather outlets more time to deliver data-backed orders to evacuate.

"The difference between Category 1 and 2 hurricanes on the Saffir/Simpson scale is about 15 knots," said Doyle. "So even though COAMPS-TC's 17 knot intensity error is noteworthy we still seek to enhance its capabilities."

These upgrades also give NRL the opportunity to continue and foster collaboration with relevant weather predicting institutes along the Gulf Coast. Louisiana State University has expressed interest to partner with NRL in future endeavors.

"LSU hopes to partner with NRL in future endeavors to assess improvements in model performance, which could help to enhance storm preparation and evacuation along the Gulf," said Dr. Robert Rohli, professor at Louisiana State University College of the Coasts and Environment.

COAMPS-TCa numerical weather prediction modeluses computer programs and supercomputers to predict the track, structure and intensity of tropical cyclones (TC) around the world, using layers of historic and current environmental data.
Paleontologists Tanja Wintrich and Martin Sander from the University of Bonn inspect the skeleton of Rhaeticosaurus in the laboratory of the LWL-Museum fur Naturkunde in Munster (Germany). Credit: Yasuhisa Nakajima

Plesiosaurs were especially effective swimmers. These long extinct "paddle saurians" propelled themselves through the oceans by employing "underwater flight"similar to sea turtles and penguins. Paleontologist from the University of Bonn, Germany, together with colleagues from Japan and France, now describe the oldest plesiosaur in the journal Science Advances. The fossil comes from the earliest part of the Triassic period and is about 201 million years old.

Instead of laboriously pushing the water out of the way with their paddles, plesiosaurs glided with limbs modified as underwater wings. They had small heads and long, streamlined necks. Their stout bodies had strong muscles to keep those wings in motion. Compared to other marine reptiles, the tail was short, because it was only used for steering. This evolutionary design was very successful, but curiously, it did not evolve again after the extinction of the plesiosaurs, according to paleontologist Prof. Martin Sander from the Steinmann Institute of Geology, Mineralogy, and Paleontology of the University of Bonn.

The long-extinct paddle saurians could easily have held their own against today's water animals. Whereas sea turtles mainly use their strong forelimbs for propulsion, the plesiosaurs moved all four limbs together, resulting in powerful thrust. These ancient animals did not have a shell like turtles, however. Plesiosaurs fed on fish. Numerous fossils document a global distribution of the group during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

The private collector Michael Mertens discovered a truly exceptional specimen during quarrying operations in a clay pit in Westphalia, Germany, in 2013. The subsequent evaluation by the LWL-Museum fur Naturkunde in Munster, Germany, revealed that the find represents a marine reptile from the Triassic, the period that predates the Jurassic. This news reached Prof. Sander of the University of Bonn while on sabbatical in Los Angeles. "I could not believe that there was a plesiosaur from the Triassic, given that these animals had been studied by paleontologist for nearly 300 years, and never was there one older than Jurassic," said Sander.

He also notes that only through the timely and efficient cooperation between the private collector, the natural heritage protection agency, the Munster museum, and the scientists, the unique find could be described and published. The detailed research by Ph.D. student Tanja Wintrich of the Steinmann Institute of the University of Bonn revealed that the find represents the oldest plesiosaur, at an age of about 201 million years, which makes it the only plesiosaur skeleton from the Triassic period.

The skeleton of Rhaeticosaurus on exhibit at the LWL-Museum fur Naturkunde in Munster (Germany). The disarticulated skull and neck can be seen on the left. Credit: Georg Oleschinski

The reconstructed length of the skeleton is 237 cm (7' 7") (part of the neck was lost to quarrying). "We are looking at a relatively small plesiosaur," says Wintrich. The scientists bestowed the name Rhaeticosaurus mertensi on the unique fossil. The first part of the name refers to its geologic age (Rhaetian) and the second part honors the discoverer. Together with scientists from Osaka Natural History Museum, the University of Osaka, the University of Tokyo and the Paris Natural History Museum, the team from Bonn studied a bone sample. First, they examined the interior of the bone using computed tomography. Then they cut thin sections for microscopic study from especially promising parts of the bone.

Based on the growth marks in the bones, the researchers recognized that Rhaeticosaurus was a fast-growing youngster. They compared the thin sections with those from young plesiosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous. "Plesiosaurs apparently grew extremely fast before reaching sexual maturity," says Sander. The paleontologists interprets this as a clear indication that plesiosaurs were warm-blooded. Since plesiosaurs spread quickly all over the world, "they must have been able to regulate their body temperature to be able to invade cooler parts of the ocean," says the paleontologist. Because of their warm-bloodedness and their efficient locomotion, plesiosaurs were extremely successful and widespreaduntil they disappeared from the face of the earth. Sander says, "At the end of the Cretaceous, a meteorite impact together with volcanic eruptions lead to an ecosystem collapse, of which plesiosaurs were prominent victims."

More information: Tanja Wintrich, Shoji Hayashi, Alexandra Houssaye, Yasuhisa Nakajima, P. Martin Sander: A Triassic plesiosaurian skeleton and bone histology inform on evolution of a unique body plan, Science Advances, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1701144 , advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/12/e1701144 Journal information: Science Advances
Two Tamil Nadu fishermen waited 30 hours to be rescued from a sea rendered hostile by cyclone Ockhi. They are the lucky ones. What follows is a story of hope and courage.

Josabath and Saolo, two fishermen who were rescued after a 30-hour ordeal caused by cyclone Ockhi, were among the lucky ones.

By Akshaya Nath: When Josabath or Saolo ventured out to the sea on November 29, they had no idea that the very source of their livelihood would turn against them, rendered hostile by cyclone Ockhi.

Within a day, these fishermen, part of a group of four, were desperately clinging on their boat. They tied themselves to it using everything they could find. But then, disaster stuck: the boat capsized.

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But Josabath or Saolo held on - to dear life, and to each other. After a 30-hour ordeal, the two men were rescued by a ship.

"We were afraid to let go of each others hands, and towards the end we never thought we will make it," one of them would tell reporters later.

Josabath is 54. Saolo is two decades younger. They're both lucky to be alive, and they're grateful for that chance.

But so many others have not been as fortunate as this pair.

Every day, distressing news of fishermen's corpses coming ashore reaches Kanyakumari, the town at India's southermost tip.

More than 462 fishermen from Kanyakumari and neighbouring Kerala have gone missing since cyclone Ockhi hit coastal regions of southern India and the archipalego of Lakshwadeep.

And every day, men from fishing villages get into their boats and set out in search of their missing brothers.

But how long will the search go on? Will there be more men like Josabath and Saolo? Time will tell.

WATCH | Endless wait for missing Kerala fishermen

--- ENDS ---
UMass Amherst plant molecular biologist Alice Cheung says the male plant's pollen tube transports sperm to female target cells. She and colleagues identify two new receptors essential to this communication and other molecules whose interactions regulate the process. Credit: UMass Amherst

Two groups of plant molecular biologists, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Peking University, China, have long studied how pollen tubes and pistils, the male and female parts of flowers, communicate to achieve fertilization in plants. Today they report in a Science early release paper that they have identified a pair of receptors essential to these communications as well as molecules that modulate the receptors' activity.

The work, in the model plant Arabidopsis, advances basic understanding of plant reproduction, say Alice Cheung and Hen-Ming Wu at UMass Amherst, with Li-Jia Qu and Hongya Gu in China. The researchers named the two new receptors Buddha Paper Seal 1 and 2 (BUPS1/2). Their paper also identifies several small peptides known as Rapid Alkalinization Factors (RALF) 4, 19 and 34 as their ligands - molecules that modulate the receptors' functions.

Further, the authors describe how BUPS1/2 and a second pair of related receptors called ANXUR 1 and 2 (ANX1/2), and RALF 4 and 19, all expressed in the pollen tube and required for male fertility, interact together to get their jobs done.

Cheung says, "Our paper describes an important elaboration of the male and female interaction network in plant reproduction. Molecules involved in the process have to work intimately together to orchestrate and support the male-female interactive events. In this process the pollen tube grows inside the pistil, often over distances hundreds or thousands of times greater than the tube's diameter, to deliver sperm to the target egg cell. The pollen tube must remain intact throughout this journey, but then must burst open at exactly the right time and place when it arrives at the target to release sperm for fertilization. Bursting too soon or failing to burst when it should are both devastating to reproduction."

The two research teams found that the receptors and RALF4 and 19 are required to maintain pollen tube integrity during the growth process. They also show that RALF34, expressed from the female, facilitates the bursting process, along with some known and other not yet identified factors. They demonstrate how these molecules interact with each other, illustrating an "intriguing communication mechanism" between male and female to produce seeds, Cheung says.

She adds, "In showing how receptors and their ligands work together to ensure reproductive success, our work illuminates one of the most mysterious processes in biology."

The plant reproduction research community has a tradition of naming important genes from ancient mythology, the biologist says. For example, a gene her group also works on, FERONIA, is named after the Roman goddess of fertility. The researchers named the new factors Buddha paper seal 1 and 2 after a Chinese tale about a naughty monkey held under a rock for 400 years by a charmed paper seal. When a kindly monk passing by broke the seal, the monkey burst out, which is what the scientists were reminded of when they saw how the pollen tube explodes to release sperm and enable fertilization.

This work continues the Cheung-Wu group's many years of plant reproduction research, especially on FERONIA, a receptor related to BUPSs and ANXURs that plays a major role in controlling plant female fertility in development and in coping with environmental stresses.

"It's actually very interesting," says Cheung. "The pollen tube transports sperm to female target cells. FERONIA is waiting there for the pollen tube to arrive. BUPSs, ANXURs, RALF 4 and 10 in the pollen tube make sure the tube does not burst too early, but wait until it gets to the target female cell. There the tube bursts abruptly, an action controlled by FERONIA and in part mediated by a different set of RALFs, releasing sperm at the right time and place."

The team used a combination of reverse genetics, biochemical and biophysical approaches for this work, in collaboration not only with the Chinese group, but also involved investigators from Brazil, Germany, the United States and Mexico. Cheung says the U.S. National Science Foundation's Research Coordination Network in Integrative Pollen Biology, of which she is the principle investigator, provided the catalyst and forum that stimulated these international interactions.

She adds, "I want to emphasize this work as a collaboration. We and the Peking University group, close colleagues with common interests, worked in parallel on some of the topics in this paper without knowing about each other's efforts. In a discussion one day we found out that we had common results, but each group had also generated unique observations and developed distinct insights, so we decided to merge our efforts and publish jointly."

She adds, "In my mind, this sort of collaboration is probably the best kind of scientific interaction. As scientists, we value our own independence and creativity. Even with common results, our thinking could diverge, leading each team to further investigate in different directions, getting to end points that complement each other. This collaboration is not a matter of different expertise, but a matter of common interest and curiosity that took us in different directions that eventually came back together in a complete story."

More information: "Arabidopsis pollen tube integrity and sperm release are regulated by RALF-mediated signaling" Science (2017). science.sciencemag.org/lookup/  1126/science.aao3642 Journal information: Science
A composite image of the Western hemisphere of the Earth. Credit: NASA

Each year, ozone-depleting compounds in the upper atmosphere destroy the protective ozone layer, and in particular above Antarctica. The ozone layer acts as Earth's sunscreen by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from incoming sunlight that can cause skin cancer and damage plants, among other harmful effects to life on Earth. While these different compounds each release either reactive chlorine or bromine, the two active ozone-destroying ingredients, during a series of chemical reactions, the molecules have a range of different lifetimes in the atmosphere that can affect their ultimate impact on the ozone layer and its future recovery.

n a Perspective piece appearing in the Dec. 8 issue of Science, NASA researchers discuss the nuances that distinguish three categories of compounds and their impacts on upper atmospheric ozone: long-lasting and human-made compounds, short-lived and human-made compounds, and compounds that are short-lived and naturally emitted from the ocean. All of the long-lasting and some of the anthropogenic short-lived compounds are controlled by the Montreal Protocol in order to reduce their impact on ozone. The researchers find that long-lasting compounds still dominate the outlook for ozone recovery.

This discussion is part of an on-going scientific debate about the impact of short-lived ozone-depleting compounds that stay in the atmosphere for less than six months, whose human-produced emissions have risen. It is relevant to the work being done by the United Nations Environment Programme that administers the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, the seminal global agreement to ban and phase out ozone-destroying compounds. Currently only ozone-depleting substances with atmospheric lifetimes ranging from a year to over 100 years, are controlled because they linger in the atmosphere long enough to reach the upper atmosphere, called the stratosphere. Shorter-lived compounds are unregulated as their impacts are less significant.

"The Montreal Protocol has been a huge success," said atmospheric scientist Qing Liang at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and first author of the perspective. As a result of regulation by the Montreal Protocol, the levels of ozone-depleting chlorine and bromine stopped growing in the atmosphere in the mid-1990s, and have been decreasing at nearly the expected rate. The ozone layer is showing hints of healing.

Nevertheless, the long-lived controlled substances, the majority released before 1987, are projected to still comprise 56 percent of the total stratospheric chlorine and bromine in 2050, according to Liang and her colleagues' analysis. In contrast, at most only four percent of chlorine and bromine is expected to come from unregulated human produced ozone-depleting compounds. The remainder of the chlorine and bromine in 2050 will come from compounds naturally emitted by the ocean. But as ocean temperatures increase due to climate warming, their emission rates could potentially rise by 20 percent between 2010 and 2100. An additional source of natural ozone-depleting compounds are forest fires, both natural and human-set.

Scientists at NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as other international agencies constantly monitor the stratospheric ozone layer and the levels of ozone-depleting chemicals at Earth's surface.

Whether a substance reaches the stratosphere or not is the prime factor that dictates which category of compounds to worry about, said co-author Susan Strahan of NASA Goddard. The longer the lifetime of an ozone-depleting substance, the longer it will be around to make it to the stratosphere and destroy ozone. Short-lived substances, on the other hand, will have a minimal effect on delaying ozone recovery because they are more likely to degrade before reaching the stratosphere, she said.

One of these substances called dichloromethane has come under recent scrutiny because of its increasing emission rates over the last few years. It is a versatile substitute for many banned chemicals in industry. Dichloromethane breaks down in the atmosphere in about four months and its harmful degradation products are completely removed from the atmosphere within a few years of their emissions.

"Because of its very short-lived nature, and the unlikely scenario of the emissions sustaining a high growth rate, it's highly unlikely dichloromethane would have a major impact on the ozone layer," said Liang. Liang believes its emission rate will plateau once industries reach their carrying capacity based on economic demand.

In addition, industrial short-lived ozone-depleting substances emitted on land, often in the mid-latitudes, have four- to six-month journey to the stratosphere. This is slightly longer than their lifetimes and allows more time for them to be destroyed or washed out by rain before they arrive at the ozone layer, Liang said.

Short-lived bromine compounds naturally released from the ocean surface, however, have a more pronounced impact on ozone than their short-lived industrial cousins. Because they are released in large quantities from tropical oceans, they are rapidly lofted by tropical thunderstorms into the stratosphere within a month or two where they can destroy ozone for a larger portion of their lifetimes.

"The other major factor is climate change. As the tropical oceans warm, natural emissions of methyl bromine and other short-lived brominated species are going to increase," Strahan said. "And you can't turn that off. As the ocean gets warmer, the emissions increase continues."

Also of concern are the banned chemicals that continue to enter and accumulate in the atmosphere. One example is carbon tetrachloride, which is regulated by the Montreal Protocol and has a lifetime of 33 years in the atmosphere. While its production, use and destruction are accurately monitored and reported, it also forms as a by-product in the production lines of chloroform and dichloromethane. Because it is highly volatile, it has unintended emissions that leak into the atmosphere, Liang said. It likely isn't the only regulated ozone-depleting substance that sneaks out unaccounted for from the production line of other chemicals.

Liang and Strahan based their analysis on a combination of computer model simulations of the atmosphere and measurements of the concentrations of the ozone-depleting chemicals. NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System Version 5 (GEOS-5) model simulates the atmosphere in 3-D, which allows the research team to follow atmospheric gases from their sources on the ground through their journey to the upper atmosphere. The model is supported by observations from satellites, ground-based networks that measure ozone-depleting chemicals in the real world, and by observations from two decades of NASA aircraft field campaigns, including the most recent Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment (ATTREX) in 2013 and the Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) global atmospheric survey, which has made three deployments since 2016.

More information: Qing Liang et al. Concerns for ozone recovery, Science (2017). DOI: 10.1126/science.aaq0145 Journal information: Science
Greenland Basal Topography BedMachine v3 is published by British Antarctic Survey. Credit: British Antarctic Survey

A new map of what lies beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet is published this week (Thursday 14 December 2017). By providing scientists with the most comprehensive, high resolution and accurate picture of the bedrock and coastal seafloor, it reveals how the glaciers that drain from the Greenland Ice Sheet will contribute to future sea-level rise.

Produced by researchers at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), University of Bristol and University of California at Irvine (UCI), the printed map is unveiled this week at the American Geophysical Union meeting in New Orleans.

"Greenland Basal Topography BedMachine v3" is the new 1:3,500,000 scale map created from data collected by over 30 institutions.

BAS cartographer Dr Peter Fretwell, who was involved in producing the printed map, says:

"This new compilation of the 3-D landscape beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet provides the first seamless transition between the landmass and its adjoining seabed, and this gives scientists a bird's eye view of the fringes of Greenland which are experiencing the most changes.

"What's also surprising is that there is more ice and the bed is deeper in some places than previous maps suggest, so this means the total contribution from the ice sheet to global sea level rise would be 7.42 metres if it were to melt completely, slightly higher than previously calculated."

The data required to compile the map was collected from many sources  from satellite, airborne and ground-based radar and seabed mapping from research ships.

Dr Mathieu Morlighem from UCI, who was funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) and who was lead author on a recent paper that presented the data behind this map, says:

"It's great to see our data being visualised in this way and being available to share it with other researchers. Ultimately, we hope this new map will help reduce the uncertainty in the predictions of the contribution of Greenland to sea level rise, as the bed topography controls how the glaciers retreat. There are still some areas such as fjords for which we need more measurements, so we will keep improving this map as more data become available."

Glaciologist Prof Jonathan Bamber at University of Bristol who had a NERC-funded project to develop the printed map and data set says:

"It reveals that many glaciers that drain the Greenland ice sheet are thicker than previously estimated  up to 100 metres in places  it also shows they have complex fjord geometries that will control how they react to changes from the effects of warmer ocean currents. This map will improve our understanding of the ice-ocean interactions and how the ice sheet will evolve in a changing climate."
Credit: Canadian Light Source

Almost three-quarters of the earth's surface is covered by water. Almost two-thirds of the human body is made up of it. We drink it. We use it in our homes and in industry. As a solid, it's ice. As a gas, it's steam.

"Nobody understands water, the structure of water. Water has a lot of anomalies," says John Tse, University of Saskatchewan physics professor and Canada Research Chair in Materials Science.

Tse has committed decades to learning more about what so many of us take for granted. In the process, he has refuted a long-standing fundamental hypothesis about water. The results were published this fall in Physical Review Letters.

Curious about water and how it behaves when compressed to a solid, Tse was interested in an experiment conducted in 1985 by some of his colleagues when he worked at the National Research Council. They discovered an unusual phenomenon. When they compressed ice at low temperatures, instead of transforming into a high-pressure crystalline form where the atoms are organized into a lattice pattern, the ice converted to an amorphous solid and the atoms were disorganized. They hypothesized that this was due to "melting" of ice at high pressure. If that were the case, the disordered state would be water-like.

These conclusions didn't sit well with Tse because the consequence would be that liquid water is a mixture of two liquids with different densities. At the time, however, neither the technology nor the expertise was available to test the hypothesis.

"The question nobody asked was whether the hypothesis was correct," he says.

Theoretical crystal structures of (a) ice Ih and (b) intermediate crystalline phase. The intermediate crystalline phase is a shear-distorted form of ice Ih in the ab basal plane due to the softening of C66 elastic modulus. The oxygen atom in the intermediate phase have shifted slightly from the original position of ice Ih. Thus, when view down the c axis, the oxygen atoms are no longer aligned along the c axis as in ice Ih. Credit: Canadian Light Source

Thirty years later, Tse and a research team used two beamlines at the Advanced Photon Source, one of which is managed by the Canadian Light Source at the U of S. In his paper, "Kinetically Controlled Two-Step Amorphization and Amorphous-Amorphous Transition in Ice," Tse reports that the "water-like" state was actually an intermediate crystalline phase and not liquid.

"This changes anything to do with water," says Tse.

"We described how the ice can change from one form to another. That's the significance of the result, the reason that this is so important. We mapped out the phase diagram in the amorphous phase. It is a guide to tell you what are the properties of the matter at a certain pressure-temperature condition."

Science is driven either by curiosity or necessity or both, says Tse.

"Fundamental science is important work. If we don't work on fundamental science, we won't know where we come from. We will be missing something. Curiosity drives this research. We had a fundamental hypothesis and we did the experiment and tried to clarify. We now know exactly what is going on."

Tse continues his work on water and how it changes as a function of pressure and temperature. Water is even more complicated because the atoms are moving. In ice, the atoms are not moving but they are disordered. In both cases, he says, there is still more to learn.

"You always look at old problems that have not been resolved, but with the development a new instrument and a new theory, you might be able to solve the old problem and then build on it."

More information: Chuanlong Lin et al. Kinetically Controlled Two-Step Amorphization and Amorphous-Amorphous Transition in Ice, Physical Review Letters (2017). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.135701 Journal information: Physical Review Letters
A look into the open half of a diamond anvil cell. A trimmer condenser (green) is attached underneath. Credit: Thomas Meier

For the first time, researchers at the University of Bayreuth and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have succeeded in applying nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in experiments analysing material samples under very high pressure that is similar to the pressure in Earth's lower mantle. The process presented in Science Advances is expected to improve our understanding of elementary particles, which often behave differently under high pressure than they do under normal conditions. It is predicted to encourage technological innovations and also to enable new insights into the earth's interior and the history of the earth, in particular, the conditions for the origins of life.

Diamonds put matter under high pressure

High pressure research in the geosciences and materials science is known for leading to the discovery of some fascinating and completely unexpected phenomena. Under extremely high pressure, materials that are normally nonconductive become superconductors; apparently simple solid state bodies suddenly assume highly complex crystalline structures; the smallest elementary particles such as electrons and protons display unpredictable properties. The University of Bayreuth's Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry & Geophysics (BGI) is one of the world's leading centres for high pressure research. In 2016, a team of researchers at the BGI achieved a pressure of over one terapascal for the first time in their experiments in materials science  that's three times higher than the pressure at the centre of the earth. These pressure levels are generated in extremely small spaces in diamond anvil cells. Using these devices, material samples are placed between the heads of two diamonds which are positioned exactly opposite one another and exert extremely high pressure on the material.

In this way, X-ray crystallography has led to some surprising discoveries about the structures and behaviour of matter again and again. However, NMR spectroscopy - which is utilized, for example, to clarify the structures and interactions of biomolecules - had not yet been used in high pressure research. There was a technical obstacle standing in the way: until now, it was hardly possible for the magnetic fields important for NMR to focus on the tiny samples in the diamond anvil cells and to measure the signals that are thus produced.

Magnetic lenses combined with diamonds

However, in August 2017 scientists at the KIT's Institute of Microstructure Technology published a new method that enables NMR spectroscopy to be used for highly precise experiments in tiny spaces. In doing so, they made relevant enhancements to magnetic lenses known as "Lenz lenses" (named after German physicist Emil Lenz, 1804-1865). "These research findings in Karlsruhe immediately suggested to us here in Bayreuth that Lenz lenses might be installed in the diamond anvil cells to enable NMR experiments at high pressures," reported Prof. Dr. Leonid Dubrovinsky, high pressure researcher in Bayreuth. Together with Dr. Sylvain Petitgirard and Dr. Thomas Meier of BGI, Dubrovinsky got in touch with Prof. Dr. Jan Korvink's team of researchers in Karlsruhe. In just a short time, intensive cooperation enabled the diamonds in the anvil cells to be combined with the Lenz lenses such that the material samples enclosed in the cells could be examined with NMR spectroscopy. In initial experiments, the samples were exposed to pressures of 72 gigapascals (720,000 bars), at the levels in Earth's lower mantle.

New prospects for research and innovation

"The portfolio of X-ray crystallography process that was available to us up to now for high pressure research in the geosciences and materials science has been considerably expanded thanks to the addition of NMR spectroscopy. The possible areas of application cannot even be foreseen yet. We can now study the behaviour of electrons and atomic nuclei in systems that are important in physics and geology with a much higher degree of precision than before," explained Dubrovinsky. "These findings could advance innovative developments, e.g. in energy or medical technology. One day, they may even help us to solve the great riddle of how life arose on Earth," Dubrovinsky said.

More information: Thomas Meier et al. Magnetic flux tailoring through Lenz lenses for ultrasmall samples: A new pathway to high-pressure nuclear magnetic resonance, Science Advances (2017). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao5242 Journal information: Science Advances
Proporus sp., a xenacoelomorph. Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY 2.5

(Phys.org)A team of researchers from Norway, Sweden and Denmark has found evidence that suggests the nervous system evolved independently in multiple creatures over timenot just once, as has been previously thought. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their study of tiny sea creatures they collected from fjords in Norway and Sweden, from various sea floor locations, and from a site off the coast of Washington state, and what they found. Caroline Albertin and Clifton Ragsdale, with the University of Chicago, offer a News & Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.

Because the central nervous system similar looks so similar across species, it has been assumed for some time that it likely evolved just once in a very early common ancestor. But recent studies have shown that may not be the case. In this new effort, the researchers sought to gather more evidence of multiple instances of nervous system development by studying invertebrates scattered across the evolutionary tree with different types of central nervous system architectures. To that end, they collected tiny specimens from multiple locations and studied their lineage. They report that some of them belong to an ancient lineage called Xenacoelomorpha, which had a wide variety of nervous system types. Some had no central cord, they note, while others, such as modern jellyfish, have multiple cordsand one species has a cord running along its back reminiscent of vertebrates.

The team also looked at a gene called bmp, believed to be the gene that is responsible for kicking off the development of the nervous system. But another team had shown that in the acorn worm, it became active before the formation of the nervous system, suggesting other genes were also at play. After looking at the invertebrates they had collected, the team found other instances of the bmp gene becoming activated before the formation of nerve cords. They also found that blocking the protein that is produced when bmp becomes active did not prevent formation of the cord in some species. The group also found that other genes that have been associated with development of the nervous cord became active in some species that had no nervous cord at all.

The researchers claim their findings show that the nervous system evolved in different creatures at different times, which means that it evolved more than once.

More information: Jose M. Martin-Duran et al. Convergent evolution of bilaterian nerve cords, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature25030 Abstract

It has been hypothesized that a condensed nervous system with a medial ventral nerve cord is an ancestral character of Bilateria. The presence of similar dorsoventral molecular patterns along the nerve cords of vertebrates, flies, and an annelid has been interpreted as support for this scenario. Whether these similarities are generally found across the diversity of bilaterian neuroanatomies is unclear, and thus the evolutionary history of the nervous system is still contentious. Here we study representatives of Xenacoelomorpha, Rotifera, Nemertea, Brachiopoda, and Annelida to assess the conservation of the dorsoventral nerve cord patterning. None of the studied species show a conserved dorsoventral molecular regionalization of their nerve cords, not even the annelid Owenia fusiformis, whose trunk neuroanatomy parallels that of vertebrates and flies. Our findings restrict the use of molecular patterns to explain nervous system evolution, and suggest that the similarities in dorsoventral patterning and trunk neuroanatomies evolved independently in Bilateria. Journal information: Nature

 2017 Phys.org
The SoLid detector. Credit: Imperial College London

A collaboration of Belgian, French and British scientists, including researchers from Imperial College London, have developed a technology to detect a new kind of elementary particle: the sterile neutrino. The new detector has been successfully installed and has started taking data.

Dr Antonin Vacheret, from the Department of Physics at Imperial, is the spokesperson for the SoLid (Search for oscillation with a Lithium-6 detector) collaboration. He said: "All the particles we observed in the last four decades have been predicted by our theory. This success culminated with the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. A new type of neutrino would deeply change our vision of the universe and could give us a clue to what dark matter is."

Neutrinos are fundamental particles of nature but interact very weakly with matter and are therefore very difficult to detect. They were only observed for the first time in the 1950s in experiments close to nuclear reactors. Nuclear reactors produce neutrinos in large quantities and are the most intense man-made source of neutrinos.

Sterile neutrinos are more elusive than normal 'active' neutrinos as they don't interact with matter and are therefore impossible to detect directly with current technologies. The experiment instead looks for indirect signs that would indicate the presence of the particle via a phenomenon called neutrino oscillation.

M. Benoit Guillon from LPC Caen in France said: "It is a bit like looking at ripples on your bed to figure out if something is hidden under the blanket. You can't see what it is but you see the effect of it being there. That's what we will do with reactor neutrinos."

What a detected event looks like. Credit: Imperial College London

Best place for research

The new SoLid neutrino detector was successfully deployed at the SCKCEN BR2 reactor in Mol (Belgium) in November. The reactor, which is responsible for global production of medical radioisotopes used for imaging and cancer therapy, is also an ideal place to carry out fundamental research in the field of elementary particles.

Professor Nick van Remortel, SoLid's technical coordinator from the University of Antwerp, said: "The BR2 reactor environment is key; it turns out that it is one of the quietest places on Earth to do this experiment."

The experiment uses a novel type of detector made up of small scintillating cubes that locate any neutrino that stops in the detector. The whole detector acts as a 3-D camera recording neutrino signals with unprecedented resolution. For months, the collaboration has been assembling the 12,000 parts of the experiment and testing the 3,500 photon detectors that will 'see' the tiny flash of lights produced by neutrinos in the detector.

The collaboration also designed and built a calibration robot called Cross, operated successfully during the installation. The instrument provides reference signals to monitor various regions of the detector and its response to neutrinos.

The experiment is currently taking commissioning data until the end of the year and SoLid aims to provide initial findings within a year, reaching maximum sensitivity in five years' time.
UF/IFAS scientists like sorghum because it can be cultivated twice a year in Florida, requires little fertilizer, uses water efficiently and can be drought resistant. Credit: UF/IFAS-Developed Sorghum Cultivars Can Produce Thousands of Gallons of Ethanol

Sweet sorghum is not just for breakfast anymore. Although sorghum is a source for table syrup, scientists see a future in which we convert sorghum to biofuel, rather than relying on fossil fuel. That potential just grew as University of Florida researchers found three UF/IFAS-developed sorghum varieties could produce up to 1,000 gallons of ethanol per acre.

"Sweet sorghum has the potential to be an effective feedstock for ethanol production," said Wilfred Vermerris, a UF/IFAS professor of microbiology and cell science and a co-author on the study.

Ethanol produced from sweet sorghum can be used for auto and jet fuel, UF/IFAS researchers said.

UF/IFAS researchers picture big fuel potential from sorghum partly because it's so abundant. Sorghum is the fifth largest cereal crop in the world and the third largest in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2014, the U.S. was the largest producer of sorghum in the world.

UF/IFAS scientists like sorghum because it can be cultivated twice a year in Florida, requires little fertilizer, uses water efficiently and can be drought resistant, UF/IFAS research shows.

For a newly published study, UF/IFAS scientists wanted to see if they could use the three sweet sorghum cultivars as raw material for bioethanol production.

Eulogio Castro, a former visiting assistant professor at UF/IFAS and lead author of the study, worked with UF/IFAS researchers to grow the sorghum cultivars at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. Castro is now a researcher at the University of Jaen in Spain.

Once researchers grew and harvested the sorghum, they took it to the UF/IFAS Stan Mayfield Biorefinery Pilot Plant in Perry, Florida. There, they processed the crop and collected the sugar-rich juice from the stems, which could be directly fermented to fuel ethanol. The bagassethe dry, pulpy residue left after extracting the juice from the plantwas processed to generate an additional source of fermentable sugars that could also be converted to ethanol.

They found potential for the crop to produce up to 1,000 gallons ethanol per acre from the combined juice and bagasse-derived sugars.

The new study is published in the journal Industrial Crops & Products.

Provided by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Credit: Nik Shuliahin, CC0

It's tough to be the boss. You can't make everyone happy all the time, and the job can be defined by stress.

However, the stress that a leader experiences can also have serious effects on an organization's overall work culture. Many people become less effective under stress, and bosses and organizational leaders are no exception.

Dr. Peter Harms, an assistant professor of management in the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama, examined the body of research into the relationship between leadership and stress. The conclusions show that a stressed-out boss can be a bad boss.

The results, published in the Leadership Quarterly earlier this year, integrated research findings on leadership, stress and burnout from over 150 studies across 25 different countries.

The research showed that toxic bosses have significant negative impacts on the morale and performance of their employees. In addition, when faced with more stress, the bosses lashed out at subordinates and behaved in a toxic manner.

The study suggests organizations should encourage both managers and subordinates to take part in stress prevention and reduction programs and for managers to recognize their role in creating stress for others.

If someone is in a workplace with pervasive and detrimental amounts of stress, there are steps to take. Harms said employees could combat the issue head-on.

"If you have an abusive or toxic boss, you should contact HR," he said. "Most companies want to do the right thing and will want to avoid legal problems, but they might just be unaware of the problem unless you bring it up."

Managers trying to be a good boss can take quite a bit away from the research, Harms said.

"There's no magic needed to be an effective leader. Just treat people with respect, and let them know what they have to do," he said. "It isn't hard. The key is to avoid being the problem."

More information: P.D. Harms et al. Leadership and stress: A meta-analytic review, The Leadership Quarterly (2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2016.10.006 Journal information: Leadership Quarterly
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

US President Donald Trump's decision this week to return Americans to the Moon makes sense as a way to develop technology to one day reach Mars, but only if Congress allocates the money, experts say.

Reviving an American program to explore the Moon is seen as a way to boost jobs and morale at home, while encouraging international collaboration with Europe, Japan, China and Indiaall eager to explore the lunar surface.

But the notion of paying for such an ambitious mission, which some have pegged at $100 billion, has proven unusually divise among Democrats and Republicans in recent years in a nation where space exploration has traditionally been supported by both sides of the political aisle.

A return to the Moon is "the right thing to do," said John Logsdon, former head of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University.

"Our policy has now been brought in consistency with the rest of the world, which sees the Moon as an important destination," he told AFP.

"My concern is whether this policy step will be followed up by a commitment of the resources to accomplish it."

Many Americans recall the Apollo eraparticularly the moment when American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the Moon in 1969with great pride.

But the nation has not returned to the Moon since 1972.

Lately, America has slumped in the international space race. Since the retirement of the US space shuttle program in 2011, it cannot send astronauts to the International Space Station without paying some $80 million for a ride on a Russian Soyuz rocket.

Funding falls short

Rallying cries to return to the Moon are not new.

In 1989, president George H.W. Bush declared the United States would once again reach for the Moon, but the Democratic majority in Congress denied the funding.

Then his son, George W. Bush, also a Republican, proclaimed in 2004 that America would return to the Moon as part of a NASA program called Constellation. Funding fell short again.

And soon after Barack Obama took office, he cancelled Constellation and shifted the nation's priorities toward visiting an asteroid, then moving on to Mars.

Obama's decision was based on a White House-convened advisory panel chaired by Norman Augustine, who said NASA was building the wrong rocket for the wrong destination.

The panel also said an extra $3 billion per year would be needed beginning in 2014 to get Americans to the Moon within 15 years, as planned.

"Obama's administration shunned the Moon because it was Bush's project," said retired astronaut Leroy Chiao, who was part of the advisory panel in 2009 that reviewed NASA's exploration plans.

"Instead, we got an odd asteroid retrieval mission which was regarded as lukewarm at best," he told AFP.

"It's always about funding. Obama called himself the 'Mars President' but it was empty because he didn't fund the program. True, he gave small increases to NASA's budget, but much of the additional spending was mandated by law to go for pork barrel projects."

'Technical merit'

Monday's Space Policy Directive erased the asteroid mission, refocusing the US goals on the Moon and, eventually, Mars.

The rocket and spaceship that would one day carry people to the Moon are already being built, at an estimated combined cost of $18 billion.

NASA has proclaimed the rocket, called the Space Launch System or SLS, will be the world's most powerful, designed to hoist humans into deep space riding four at a time aboard the Orion capsule, built by Lockheed Martin.

The first SLS launch is scheduled for late 2019. Orion will make its second test flight, but no one will be on board.

Aerospace companies and those representing the growing private space industry applauded Trump's declaration of renewed Moon plans.

"A lunar mission with today's technology would further our understanding of the moon's history and resources," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

"And it will build a strong foundation that will not only accelerate the US to Mars and beyond."

According to Chiao, Trump's Moon declaration may be politically motivated but the program has "much technical merit, too."

The White House has not set forth a budget or timeline.

NASA said its work toward the new directive will be reflected in NASA's fiscal year 2019 budget request, which comes out in February.

Logsdon said that budget request will reveal a lot.

The amount should be "something that shows they are serious," he told AFP.

"A few hundred million, a half a billion. It doesn't have to be some massive increase. As long as it is new money, not taken away from other programs, dedicated to this objective."

 2017 AFP
By PTI: into account: India

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) India was willing to look at any suggestion if its "sensitivities" are taken into account, the external affairs ministry said today while reacting to Russias call asking New Delhi to find a way out to join Chinas mega One Belt One Road connectivity initiative.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday had pitched for India joining the project, hoping that New Delhi will find a way out to benefit from the mega project without sacrificing its position over it.

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"On this particular suggestion, also I think I have mentioned in the past that if there are suggestions, if there is a view which takes into account our sensitivities in the matter then there is something which we are willing to look at," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

He also said Indias position on OBOR is "very clear".

India has opposed the OBOR due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). CPEC is part of the OBOR.

About Indias opposition to the project, the Russian foreign minister had said, "The specific problem in this regard should not make everything else conditional for resolving political differences."

Asked about Lavrovs comment during an interactive session at a think tank that all stakeholders including Taliban should be part of political dialogue in Afghanistan, Kumar said India supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-controlled and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in that country.

"We support the reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which are Afghan led, Afghan controlled and Afghan owned. We have enjoyed a close association with the country and we are committed to assist Afghanistan in its nation building efforts," the spokesperson said. PTI PYK MPB ZMN

--- ENDS ---
Bellingham, Washington, Fire Department's ambulance. Credit: Alex Smith via Flickr- public domain

The advent of Uber in cities across the country has reduced per capita ambulance volume by at least 7 percent as low-risk patients likely opt to avoid the more expensive ride with paramedics, according to a working paper co-authored by a University of Kansas economist.

"In order to lower health care spending while improving health outcomes, people can use the least-skilled professional who is still qualified," said David Slusky, assistant professor of economics. "It's the same in the provider space: you don't need a neurosurgeon to diagnose strep throat."

With emergency room patients who are too sick to drive but who don't need medical care during the drive, an Uber would suffice. An ambulance ride can cost someone or their insurers hundreds to even thousands of dollars.

"Many patients don't need something that can break traffic laws and don't need something staffed by paramedics with a bunch of fancy equipment," Slusky said.

Slusky and co-author Leon Moskatel, of the Department of Medicine at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, examined ambulance rates in 766 U.S. cities across the country in 43 states as Uber entered their markets from 2013 through 2015.

In those cities comparing before and after Uber became available, the ambulance usage rate decreased at least 7 percent.

Slusky said an alternate explanation some researchers have examined is whether Uber reduced the need for ambulances because Uber availability reduces the number of crashes or drunken drivers or both. However, he said the evidence is still too mixed on that to believe that less drunken driving is the drop's primary reason.

The more likely explanation, Slusky said, is that people who need emergency care but not an ambulance now have another option to safely transport them to the hospital. Ambulance trips are costly to patients and their insurance companies, so people likely look for a way to avoid them, if possible, he said.

One potential policy implication could be insurance companies encouraging patients to consider taking an Uberpossibly by offering them a $50 gift card or something comparableinstead of calling an ambulance or at least educating them about other transport services as a potential option, Slusky said.

Other than the expense, a potential benefit is that Uber usage could reduce wait times for remaining ambulance volume, meaning people who really need ambulances get them faster.

"Given that even a reduction of a few minutes can drastically improve survival rates for serious conditions, this could be associated with a substantial welfare improvement," the researchers said in the paper.

Slusky said it's important to conduct this type of research to uncover unintended consequences of Uber entering a market. Transportation services are especially valuable in the context of the high cost of American health care.

"We want to find every way possible," he said, "to bend the medical cost curve."

More information: Did UberX Reduce Ambulance Volume? econpapers.repec.org/paper/kanwpaper/201708.htm
Continous social media feed allows real-time monitoring visitation patterns, emerging activities and changes in preferences of tourists in national parks. Credit: Vuokko Heikinheimo

Social media data provide a reliable information to support decision making in national parks. Researchers from the Digital Geography at the University of Helsinki have been studying whether social media data could be used to understand visitor's activities in national parks and most recent results are presented in Scientific reports: "Instagram, Flickr, or Twitter: Assessing the usability of social media data for visitor monitoring in protected areas."

National parks are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation and provide recreational benefits to humans. Park management and planning require up-to-date information about visitor amounts and their activities.

"As conservation authorities often lack resources to carry out traditional visitor surveys, social media offer a novel and cheaper means of collecting such information", says Dr. Enrico Di Minin, a conservation scientist investigating nature-based tourism benefits.

At the University of Helsinki, the researchers from the Digital Geography Lab have been studying whether social media data could be used to understand visitor's activities in national parks. By collaborating with national park authorities in Finland and South Africa, the scientists have been able to investigate whether social media data could provide reliable information to support decision making in national parks. Traditional data sources obtained from these collaborators have made it possible to compare whether social media data could be used in place of visitor surveys and counters.

Instagram clearly works the best

In the recent article the scientists assessed the usability of different social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter and Flickr) in estimating the visitation rates across 56 national parks in Finland and South Africa.

"We found that the visitor rates and the popularity of the park extracted from social media data followed closely the official visitor statistics. However, Instagram clearly worked the best", says Dr. Henrikki Tenkanen, the lead author of the article.

Earlier work from the group also showed that social media data can be used to understand what visitors prefer to see in the parks and what kind of activities they conduct. "It is interesting to see that what people state in the interviews they value about nature, is also what they actually post about when visiting the park", says post-doctoral researcher Anna Hausmann, who has been studying the preferences and sense of place of people in African national parks.

Emerging activities: Winter biking and kite surfing

Social media feeds can also be used for observing emerging trends within protected areas. "In Finnish Lapland, we were able to capture the emergence of new activities like winter biking and kite surfing by looking at the content of social media posts that were not captured by traditional visitor surveys", says PhD candidate Vuokko Heikinheimo.

The use of social media platforms is continuously increasing worldwide. This opens completely new possibilities to understand what and where people experience and value. "Although social media data is seemingly chaotic and sometimes biased, it can provide increased understanding on the use of natural areas" says associate professor Tuuli Toivonen, the leader of the research group.

More information: Henrikki Tenkanen et al. Instagram, Flickr, or Twitter: Assessing the usability of social media data for visitor monitoring in protected areas, Scientific Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18007-4 Journal information: Scientific Reports
A team of WCS scientists recently completed the first-ever range-wide population census of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii an endangered primate found only on the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of East Africa. Credit: (c)Tim R.B. Davenport

A team of WCS scientists recently completed the first-ever range-wide population census of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii) an endangered primate found only on the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of East Africa.

The good news: there are more than three times as many Zanzibar red colobus monkeys (more than 5,800 individual animals) than previously thought, and many more monkeys living within protected areas than outside of them. And the bad news: survivorship of young animals is very low, species now extinct in 4 areas, forest habitat on which the primates and others species depend are rapidly being cleared for agriculture and tourism development projects and hunting is common.

The paper titled "Zanzibar's endemic red colobus Piliocolobus kirkii: first systematic and total assessment of population, demography and distribution" has been published in the online version of the journal Oryx. The authors are: Tim R.B. Davenport; Said A. Fakih; Sylvanos P. Kimiti; Lydia U. Kleine; Lara S. Foley; and Daniela W. De Luca.

"Scientists have known about the Zanzibar red colobus monkey for 150 years, yet this is the first systematic study of this poorly understood species across its entire range," said Dr. Tim Davenport, Director of WCS's Tanzania Country Program and the lead author of the study. "The systematic assessment redefines almost everything we know about this amazing animal, and is now guiding effective management strategies for this species."

Seeking to gain a better understanding of the status and ecological needs of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, the WCS team of researchers spent two years (4,725 hours spent in the field) searching for and observing the arboreal primates. The surveys occurred both within and outside of protected areas on the main Zanzibar island of Unguja, and the scientists employed a new sweep census technique to collect data on group sizes and structures, demographics, and locations with the help of GPS devices.

A close up of a Zanzibar red colobus monkey. Credit: (c)Tim R.B. Davenport

The results of the study provided researchers with proof that Zanzibar's protected areas are, to some extent, working. Some 69 percent of the population of Zanzibar red colobus monkeys live inside Unguja's protected area network, and monkey groups found within protected areas boasted both higher average group sizes and more females per group.

Conversely, the assessment also highlighted challenges for conservation. Especially for the more than 30 percent of the monkey's population that live outside of protected areas. The scientists discovered that four of the forests previously known to contain Zanzibar red colobus monkeys no longer do. Four other locations were found to contain only one family group, which are unlikely to survive in isolation.

One of the largest threats to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey is deforestation. Forests on Zanzibar's main island of Unguja are being lost at a rate of more than 19 square kilometers per year due to agricultural activities, residential development, and human population growth. The hunting of monkeys for food and retaliation for crop raiding is also a concern.

The authors recommend creating a new protected area to further safeguard the Zanzibar red colobus monkey as well as increasing primate and forest tourism operations. The team has also suggested making the primate the official national animal of Zanzibar.

"The Zanzibar red colobus monkey is unique to Zanzibar and could be a wonderful example of how conservation efforts can succeed in protecting both wildlife and habitat, which in turn benefits communities" added Davenport, who recently presented the study's results to the Zanzibar government. "The species could serve as a fitting symbol for both Zanzibar and the government's foresight in wildlife management."

WCS will work with the Government of Zanzibar to initiate a flagship species program that will protect both primates and the archipelago's remaining forests.

More information: Tim R.B. Davenport et al, Zanzibar's endemic red colobus Piliocolobus kirkii: first systematic and total assessment of population, demography and distribution, Oryx (2017). DOI: 10.1017/S003060531700148X Journal information: Oryx
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more inputs)

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Dec 14 (PTI) Pakistan today directed its High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to the wife and mother of Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, official sources said.

The directive was issued by the Foreign Ministry following its decision last week to allow Jadhavs family to meet him on December 25 in Islamabad, they said.

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The Foreign Office sources said that adequate security measures will be taken for complete safety of Jadhavs family.

An Indian high commission official will be allowed to accompany Jadhavs family during their meeting.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on Indias appeal pending the final verdict by it.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Pakistan yesterday rejected Indias plea for consular access to Jadhav at the ICJ, claiming that New Delhi wants the access to get the information gathered by its "spy".

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.

Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal told media that India has formally responded to Pakistans offer to let family of Jadhav meet him on humanitarian grounds.

"We have received a reply from the Indian side, that they would be sending Commander Jadhavs wife and mother on December 25, 2017. The details and modalities of the meeting will now be worked out," he said. PTI SH ZH AKJ UZM

--- ENDS ---
Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether 

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" " A Geminid meteor streaks above one of the peaks of the Seven Sisters rock formation early on Dec. 14, 2018, in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

There are plenty of reasons to turn your gaze skyward near the end of the year. For some, it's a chance to watch for snowflakes. For people in the Southern Hemisphere, it's the peak season for basking in the sun. But all over the planet, mid-December is when the annual Geminid meteor shower takes place.

This shower is generally one of the stronger displays of the year, both in terms of the number of meteors and their respective size. As EarthSky puts it, "The meteors tend to be bold, white and quick... On a dark night, near the peak, you can often catch 50 or more meteors per hour." The peak in 2021 will occur in the evening hours of Monday, Dec. 13 through dawn on Tuesday, Dec. 14, and astronomers predict that there may be as many as 150 meteors per hour visible

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The meteor shower appears annually when Earth passes through the point where its orbital path intersects with a stream of debris cast off from the asteroid 3200 Phaeton. The debris hurtles by at a rate of 80,000 miles (130,000 kilometers) per hour, vaporizing as the Geminid showers. The bright moon this year may diminish some of the visibility, but this meteor shower should still be observable.

" " The constellation Gemini SSPL/Getty Images

The constellation Gemini, meaning twins, was named by ancient observers for the Greek mythological twins, Castor and Pollux. They imagined the two standing side by side in the cosmos and the stars where their heads would be also share their names. Most of the Geminids will appear to originate to the right of the bright star Castor, which viewers will see as the twin standing to the right of his brother.

The origin point of a meteor shower is called the radiant point because most of the meteors appear to radiate outward from this spot. At 2 a.m., the radiant point will be highest in the sky, making it peak watching time. A good viewing strategy is to keep the radiant in the periphery of your sight, rather than staring directly at it. And unlike many annual meteor showers, which are only visible in the early morning hours, the Geminids tend to be an all-night affair; Gemini will be in a good viewing position from 10 p.m. onward on the night of peak activity this year.

No special binoculars are needed; you just need a dark sky away from city lights. And give yourself an hour of watching time, as it takes around 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.

Now That's Interesting A meteor is classified as a fireball if it appears brighter than the planet Venus; the Geminid meteor shower occasionally produces these bright meteors. NASA tracks fireballs with a network of 17 cameras located throughout the United States called the All-sky Fireball Network.

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Originally Published: Dec 9, 2019
Treatment of infertility can cost tens, or even several thousand euros. Only part of the cost is covered by health insurance companies.

To be fertile, a man has to have 15 million sperms per milligram of ejaculate, of which 4 million must be healthy. (Source: Fotolia)

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There are more and more couples than ever in Slovakia who try to conceive for more than a year without effect. Almost one half of the responsibility for infertility in a couple lies with men, experts estimate.

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Recently, it appears young men are threatened more by infertility than those aged 40 and over.

At the beginning of December, host of private TV Markiza, Viktor Vincze, husband of host and MC Adela Vinczeova (Banasova) complained about his infertility on social networks.

Why does my body produce three times fewer sperm per millimetre than is the border-line minimum, according to the World Health Organisation? he asks in a status. Why is most of their morphology inadequate for conception? The answer from the experts on reproduction was? We dont know, he wrote after two seminograms. This is an examination which checks how many and of what quality and motility the mans sperms are. Vincze said, in a separate interview with Sme, that he hopes he could still conceive naturally with his wife Adela.

Every sixth couple is infertile

In Europe, around 15 percent of couples are infertile, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) which in effect means every sixth couple, explains Peter Krajkovic, chief doctor of the Helios sanatorium in Martin, where the Slovak centre for assisted reproduction is located. The Europe-wide data are valid also for Slovakia.

There are only a few percent of absolutely infertile men, those who have no sperm at all, or who do not have ejaculation, Krajkovic says. Mostly, we talk about reduced fertility, i.e. the man has a lower number and quality of sperm, he explains, adding that for long years it was widely held that women carry half the responsibility for infertility, while men have a 30-percent share and in 20 percent of cases, both are to be blamed. This is not true anymore, he notes.

The responsibility is about fifty-fifty, reproduction expert for the Health Ministry, Jozef Valky, said back in 2010 about the share of infertility between men and women. Not just the share of men in the infertility of a couple has increased but also their absolute number.

Facts on male infertility in Europe, every sixth couple is infertile, which means about 15 percent

the share for infertility between men and women is roughly equal

health insurance companies cover infertility treatment for several thousands of men annually

in one millilitre of ejaculate, a fit man should have at least 15 million sperm; of them, at least 4 percent should be healthy

infertility treatment costs from several tens to several thousand euros; part of these costs is covered by a health insurance company

Although the absolute numbers are not known, health insurers which cover the treatment claim a clear increase. This can be best be seen through the number of applications for artificial insemination. We can confirm that in the course of five years, the number of requests for artificial insemination has almost doubled, spokesperson of the Union health insurer, Beata Dupalova, said.

Male infertility is the reason for around 40 percent of all applications for artificial insemination, spokesperson of the VsZP state health insurer, Viktoria Vasilenkova, notes, adding that each year, there are approximately 1,000 cases of artificial insemination. The health insurer covers around two-thirds of the inhabitants of Slovakia.

The second biggest health insurer, private firm Dovera, pays annually for the diagnostics of male infertility for about 4,000 clients, its spokesman Matej Stepiansky says. One diagnostic test costs 7.50 on average.

When Sme reported on this issue seven years ago, Valky said that those stricken by infertility come mostly form northern Slovakia and in the vicinity of Levice. This is not true anymore, male infertility is a general problem of all regions, Krajkovic updates.
By PTI: Hyderabad, Dec 14 (PTI) The police in Telanganas Nagarkurnool district today arrested a physiotherapist, who was in an extramarital affair with a woman, and along with her allegedly killed her husband.

The accused, A Rajesh, and the woman allegedly killed the latters husband Sudhakar Reddy at his house in the district headquarters town of Nagarkurnool on November 27, according to police.

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After the killing, the duo dumped the body. The physiotherapist then himself inflicted injuries on his face to pose as the womans husband Reddy, and got admitted in a private hospital, they said.

Rajesh was arrested today from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment since November 28, Nagarkurnool Circle Inspector Srinivas Rao said.

Last month, the accused had drugged Reddy with an injection and he along with the woman hit the victim on his head with a sharp object, killing him on the spot. The duo then dumped the body in a forest area of Mahabubnagar district and set it on fire, a police official earlier said.

The woman later lodged a police complaint claiming that four unidentified persons attacked her husband at their house, poured petrol on his face and other parts of the body and set him on fire, he had said.

As a part of their conspiracy, Rajesh, to whom she got attracted when she visited his clinic two years ago, poured kerosene on himself and burnt his face and upper part of the body, to "pass off" as Sudhakar, inspector Rao said. The woman then got Rajesh admitted to the hospital as her husband Sudhakar Reddy, he said.

The woman, who had two children from her marriage with Reddy, wanted to get a plastic surgery done on her paramour, the inspector said.

She was allegedly having an affair him and wanted to live with him by getting rid off her husband, he said. "The woman said she did not want to run away with Rajesh as she had children. They then hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Reddy and enacted the entire drama," Rao said.

However, Reddys brother and other family members grew suspicious after seeing the behaviour and appearance of the patient (Rajesh), whose burns too had healed by the time, at the hospital.

They then approached the police last week complaining that the person was not Reddy, following which police questioned the woman, who confessed to the killing plot hatched by her and Rajesh.

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The woman was arrested on December 10.

She and Rajesh have been booked on charges of murder under relevant IPC sections, the police inspector added. PTI VVK RS GK

--- ENDS ---
Meanwhile, it approves four IT projects to simplify the lives of people when dealing with state authorities.

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The Transport Ministry has halted another big IT competition launched by its previous management.

Minister Arpad Ersek (Most-Hid) scrapped the project for the Information System for Construction, based on analyses, interdepartmental discussion and expert opinions prepared by the ministry, the Sme daily reported.

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We are gradually evaluating the individual IT projects I found after my arrival at the ministry, Ersek said, as quoted by Sme, adding they are always trying to find the best solution for the state and the biggest contribution for people.

Read also:

Read also: State puts controversial IT project on ice Read more

The project was close to being signed. The competition, launched in 2015 by then-transport minister Jan Pociatek, was won by the company Asseco which offered to build the system for 64 million. During its lifespan, the state was to pay up to 70 million for its operation.

IT experts welcome the decision

The aim of the Information System for Construction was to simplify the rules for people who plan to start building projects. It was supposed to enable electronic communication between the construction offices and the public. People were expected to be included in the spatial planning process in regions.

The project faced harsh criticism, though. In early 2016, experts from the Slovensko.Digital think tank and ethics watchdog Fair-Play Alliance said the purchase was disadvantageous and the project was not prepared well. They also objected to the ministrys defence of the project.

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Read also: IT community to evaluate state projects Read more

The Transport Ministry ordered a re-evaluation of the project in November. Slovensko.Digital described it as one of the worst in its Red Flags project. Thus, its experts welcomed the decision to scrap it.

We need the construction process to work more effectively but not at the cost of a badly prepared project for 70 million, said the think tanks head Jan Hargas, as quoted in a press release.

He considers Erseks decision a chance to increase the quality of the project and prepare better public procurement.

Also, the Value for Money unit welcomed the decision, claiming that the original project was too risky when taking the planned costs into consideration, as reported by Sme.

Four new IT projects

Meanwhile, the state approved the implementation of four IT projects aimed at reducing red tape, expanding the e-services offered by municipalities, and making the operation of state-run social insurer Socialna Poistovna and the Legal Aid Centre more effective.

We have approved quality projects that will simplify peoples lives and contribute to meeting the goal of the once is enough principle, said Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatisation Peter Pellegrini, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

The principle means that people will have to submit documents or information to only one authority. When dealing with other authorities, they will ask for the respective data from the authority, and not people, TASR reported.

The project to manage the data of Socialna Poistovna worth 5 million is expected to integrate the data of the insurers 11 different systems, while the project for the Legal Aid Centre worth 4.9 million is expected to simplify legal counselling and consultations for people in material need, as well as to make processes in the centre more effective.

Pellegrinis office also approved the investment of 15.6 million into a project that will help implement the once is enough principle at the state offices in 76 percent of potential proceedings. Another project concerns the expansion of services offered by the information system Datacentre of Towns and Villages to other municipalities and its migration to the governmental cloud. It will cost 31 million, TASR reported.
The General Prosecutors office does not consider the case time-limited.

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Former prime minister Vladimir Meciar is closer to criminal prosecution for the amnesties he granted as acting president in 1998, the Pravda daily reported on its website.

The amnesties, issued after the kidnapping of the son of then president Michal Kovac to Austria, were scrapped in the summer. The police first refused to launch criminal prosecution, explaining the matter had been time-limited. After the interference of the General Prosecutors Office they started acting again.

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Read also: The Constitutional Court approves scrapping Meciars amnesties Read more

The investigator for the criminal department of the regional police corps headquarters in Bratislava has launched a criminal prosecution for the crime of abusing the powers of a public official, Lucia Mihalikova, spokesperson for the regional police crops headquarters in Bratislava, told Pravda.

The investigation of the case started in late July, based on the Constitutional Court ruling. It claimed that in 1998 Meciar did not follow his duty of restraint and obviously abused the amnesties. However, the police postponed the case in early August, referring to a law valid at the time the amnesties were granted. It stipulated there was a 10-year limitation of time, which has been exceeded, Pravda reported.

After the General Prosecutors Office read the file, it said in October that the investigators decision had been issued too soon and ordered the regional prosecutors office to scrap the original decision and complete the gathering of evidence.
The challet's manager, Peter Petras, plans to have them built by Christmas.

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Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide

The manager of Rainer's challet in the High Tatras, Peter Petras, plans to build a total of three snow-works before Christmas, at the Starolesnianska Polana in the High Tatras. Currently, already a statue of St Nicholas, almost four metres tall, is standing there, and the skeleton for the Nativity Scene is prepared, too.

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We had St Nicholas last year on Decemebr 6 too, as there were very good snow conditions and currently, the situaiton is the same, Petras commented, as quoted by the TASR newswire. "Last year's was a prototype, and now I have removed all the flaws of the composition, so I think that he is quite well-done," the manager and caretaker of the challet said.

People notice the striking similarity

Many tourists noticed that St Nicholas bears a striking resemblance to Petras. Also, when he built a Sherpa, or a mountain bearer, out of snow, the same was true.

I think that when you do or create something, you give it the shape that is close to you or that you see most frequently, Petras explained for TASR. And when I look in the mirror in the morning, I see myself  so maybe this is the reason. But I admit that even if I make a snow horse, he will look like me.

It took him more than a week to complete St Nicholas, as the snow was slightly dry and powdery and it took longer than usual.

His son helps him heap up the snow in a pile but Petras then finishes the composition and details of the statues himself.

Read also:

Read also: Snow Bethlehem at Rainer mountain chalet returns Read more

The skeleton of the Nativity Scene is almost finished, the challet manager says, adding that they would need some warmer weather and some thawing to make the powdery snow wet and then, when the frost comes, tougher. "Then it would be easier to make the dome  which is the base of the whole structure, holding the roof and preventing it from collapsing on the statues," he explains, adding that the Nativity Scene, the eighteenth in a row, will surely be completed before Christmas. This work is an essential part of the Epiphany Noon organised by Petras each January 6. The third work, alongside St Nicholas and the Nativity Scene, to appear before Christmas in front of Rainer's challet, at the altitude of 1,301 metres above sea level, is the snow mountian bearer.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA

Last year, Petras got a chain-saw for Christmas and thus, it is somewhat easier for him to make the snow statues. He believes they should decorate the space near the challet for the whole winter and he does not rule out the possibility of some more being added.
Although the international operation began in March, no investigator contacted a Slovak dealer.

AFG was selling large numbers of expansion weapons, which were in fact old deactivated military weapons. (Source: SME)

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The assault team of Spanish Civil Guard stormed one of Pampolona houses in September. Their target was 24-year-old Javier Farces N., who was officially unemployed but in reality lived expensive life, travelled often, and had a yacht anchored at the port of Barcelona.

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It is because Javier Farces was allegedly one of the biggest Spanish arms dealers operating on the dark net. It consists of hidden websites that allow both seller and buyer to cover their identity.

The Civil Guard confiscated more than twenty pistols, one shotgun, a large number of weapons parts, cartridges and a kilo of gunpowder.

The Spanish police have been searching after the guns since March 2017, when they found one of them in ordinary mail. They turned out to be Turkish gas pistols sold through the AFG Slovak company of Partizanske.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/45e6tW5fVlE

This company is well known to foreign investigators since its weapons have already been used in several terrorist attacks in Europe.

AFG was unaware of the fact that its weapons were once again exploited by criminals until investigative reporters from the La Sexta Spanish network visited the company in early December. Company manager Frantisek Gajdos confirmed this to The Slovak Spectator.

This means that although Europol has been tracking those weapons for about nine months and they were used to commit at least two murders abroad none of the investigators has contacted the Slovak dealer so far.

It is a demonstration of how slowly the Slovak police investigate these cases despite the threat that terrorists will again use Slovak weapons, according to Juraj Krupa of the Slovak Security Policy Institute (SSPI) think-tank.

Our country just cannot deal with that, Krupa told The Slovak Spectator.

The police have not responded to The Slovak Spectators questions despite being sent a week before publishing the story.
He insisted on the selected candidates, despite the speaker of parliaments recommendation to change his pick.

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The Constitutional Court can operate at full capacity again. Jana Lassakova, Mojmir Mamojka and Miroslav Duris took an oath in the Presidential Palace on December 13.

With this act, the dispute over the candidates for the missing Constitutional Court justices that lasted for more than three years has officially ended. President Andrej Kiska did not want to choose from the candidates approved by the parliament, claiming that they did not meet the criteria for the posts, the SITA newswire reported.

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The court, however, ordered him in early December to appoint three of the seven candidates for the posts. Though Kiska criticised the verdict, he decided to pick three new judges, SITA reported.

Its true that youve been waiting for my decision on appointments a bit longer, Kiska said during the ceremony, as quoted by the Dennik N daily. I want to express hope that the waiting was worth it.

The president hopes the new judges will contribute to improving the image of the Constitutional Court in the eyes of professionals and public.

Danko points to inconsistency

Kiska announced his decision to appoint Lassakova, Mamojka and Duris on December 12. He did not change his mind even though Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko (the Slovak National Party) claimed one day later that he cannot appoint Lassakova and Mamojka, since they were nominated to replace the same judge, the TASR newswire reported.

Read also:

Read also: President to appoint missing Constitutional Court justices Read more

Danko explained in the letter sent to the president that there were two elections in parliament related to a total of four vacant posts at the Constitutional Court.

Via a resolution as of April 3, 2014 parliament proposed the following judges for three unoccupied seats in the Constitutional Court: Imrich Volkai, Eva Fulcova, Jana Baricova, Jan Bernat and Miroslav Duris, who were later joined by Juraj Sopoliga. Out of these six candidates nominated by parliament the president appointed only one: Baricova.

He is therefore supposed to appoint two more judges from the list, Danko said.

Another Constitutional Court judge post was vacated in 2015, for which parliament proposed Mamojka and Lassakova with a decision as of December 2, 2015. From these two candidates, the president was supposed to choose only one, Danko added, as reported by TASR.

However, the Constitutional Court did not specify whom the president should choose. It only gave him the list of seven names, ordering him to pick three, Dennik N reported.
The inhabitants of Dubravka will be able to take it home as of December 16.

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A symbol of peace, the Light of Bethlehem will arrive in Bratislavas city borough of Dubravka on December 16. It will be brought by the White Dolphins scouts.

People who will want to take the Light of Bethlehem home will have the opportunity at the local house of culture from December 16, and at the boroughs municipal authority on Zatevna Street from December 18.

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The light is a symbol of love and understanding, said Dubravka Mayor Martin Zatovic, as quoted in a press release. I hope it will be spread across Dubravka since people can take it home and give it to their close ones.

The Light of Bethlehem is launched every year before Christmas from the flame inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The scouts bring it to towns and villages across Europe, and to some North and South American countries.

In most cases, the light is first transported by plane to Vienna, from which it is then brought to other municipalities by train. The Slovak scouts also bring the light to the summit of the Lomnicky Stit peak in the High Tatras.
Government should adopt measures to remove discrimination and segregation of the minority.

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Slovakias government should take effective measures to eliminate discrimination against members of the Roma minority in various areas of life, according to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

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This stems from the final findings issued by the committee after the November meeting and discussions with the Slovak government delegation in Geneva, as Stefan Ivanco, programme coordinator of the Centre for Civil and Human Rights, informed.

In its final findings, the committee paid attention, among other things, to the situation of disadvantaged members of the Roma minority in the area of health care.

It requires the Slovak government to adopt the measures necessary for eliminating all forms of discrimination against the Roma minority when providing health treatment and ensure that Roma patients, particularly women, are treated with respect, Ivanco said, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

The CERD also asks for all cases of discrimination and violence reported in health care to be properly investigated. It also dealt with the case of the illegal sterilisation of Roma women and expressed concern over the cases when many women sterilised in the past still face obstacles in their access to justice.

Government has ignored previous recommendations

The UN committee directly responded to the report called Vakeras  Zorales: Speaking Out  Roma Womens Experience with Health Care and Reproductive Health in Slovakia, which documents the personal stories of 38 Roma women from marginalised communities who reported discrimination and abuse in reproductive and maternal health care facilities in eastern Slovakia.

The CERD also pointed to several serious and unsolved problems in the protection of Roma human rights, including the cases concerning police violence against ethnic minorities that have not been properly investigated yet.

It also expressed regret over the government ignoring its previous recommendations concerning the creation of an independent institution to investigate the crimes committed by police, which should have replaced the current police inspectorate running under the Interior Ministry. The CERD again recommended that the government quickly create such an institution, SITA reported.

Meanwhile, the committee expressed concern over the persisting discrimination and segregation of Roma children at schools, asking the government to secure equal access for Roma children to quality education. It also wants the government to improve the living conditions of marginalised Roma minorities, remove housing segregation and improve the application of anti-discrimination legislation by courts.

It is obvious from the findings that the Slovak government has to do more to protect the human rights of racial and ethnic minorities living here, Ivanco said, as quoted by SITA, adding that despite the action plans the situation of the Roma has not improved in past years. The committee wants to see specific and tangible positive results.
Business environment index keep falling

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The economic environment in Slovakia continues to deteriorate. This is the main finding of the latest regular quarterly survey of the Slovak Business Alliance (PAS). The business environment index set up by PAS dropped by 1.96 percent quarter-on-quarter to 48.6 points during the third quarter of 2017. The index is based on evaluations by entrepreneurs, who point to progress or decline in individual areas of the business environment. PAS executive director, Peter Kremsky, presented the results on December 14.

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The most recent survey indicates that the business environment in Slovakia is threatened mostly by a lack of labour.

The situation on the labour market is worsening, said Kremsky as cited by the TASR newswire. It seems that its very difficult to find people who want to work, are able to work and are willing to work for the salaries offered by companies.

He explained that as average salaries are rising, and as deductible items arent being adjusted, the tax and levy burden is steadily increasing, adding that staff shortages are becoming the number one problem for entrepreneurs.

The unusual development in this area was the most surprising feature, as the most negative rating in its history was recorded (-7.23 percent).

During the third quarter, the worst-hit indicator was once again the Application of the Principle of Equity before the Law (-7.45 percent). The Law Enforceability and Functionality of the Judiciary and the Functionality of the Political System in the State also recorded a similar decline.

Traditionally well-assessed indicators, related to company influence on the environment, reported declining statistics that oscillate around zero. This might signal a slowdown in Slovakias economy, according to Kremsky.
By PTI: rites

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) A Parsi trust today broke age-old traditions and informed the Supreme Court that it would allow a Parsi woman and her sisters, who have married outside the community, to visit the Tower of Silence and attend prayers in the event of the death of their parents.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, which is dealing a legal question whether a Parsi woman loses her religious identity if she marries a man from a different religion, lauded the stand of Valsad Parsi Trust to allow Goolrokh M Gupta and her married sisters to attend prayer in the temple of fire and the last rites of parents after their death.

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Trust, represented by senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium, said, "it is agreed and declared between the petitioner and respondent (trust) that the respondent will, on compassionate grounds, permit the petitioner to attend the funeral prayers (Paldust ceremony) of her parents performed inside the prayer hall of the Bungli (bunglow) of the Tower of Silence complex (Doongerwadi) complex at Valsad."

The Tower is used for funerary purposes by the adherents of the Zoroastrian faith, in which the traditional practice for disposal of the dead involves the exposure of the corpse to the sun and vultures.

The bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said the statement of the Parsi Trust "meets the present requirement of the petitioner (Gupta) and her sisters" and made it clear that the issues relating to Guptas constitutional rights will be adjudicated upon at a later stage on January 17.

When the court asked whether it can pass an order that now such women will be allowed to attend last prayers, the senior lawyer said he has taken instructions only from the Valsad Trust and there were several other trusts as well.

As per the tradition, a Parsi woman loses her religious identity after marriage outside the community and is consequently barred from visiting the Tower of Silence in the event of death of her Parsi family members.

Subramanium, who was asked on December 7 by the court to take instruction from the Trust on allowing the woman, said in all fairness, the trust has decided to allow the woman and would arrange the priest (mobeds) for her if she cannot manage on her own to perform the last prayers.

Moreover, the children of the woman could also "attend the funeral ceremonies of their grand parents by sitting in the pavilion opposite the Bungli along with the members of the communities both Zoroastrians and otherwise".

Earlier, the apex court had said that the law does not sanction the concept of a womans religion getting merged with her husbands faith after an inter-religion marriage.

Gupta has challenged the customary law, upheld by the Gujarat High Court in 2010, that a Parsi woman marrying a Hindu loses her religious rights in the Parsi community and hence, loses the right to visit the Tower of Silence in the event of her parents death to perform the last rites.

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The High Court had held that a Parsi woman is deemed to have converted to Hinduism after she married a Hindu man.

However, the top court bench had said it was only the woman who can decide about her religious identity by exercising her right to choice.

On October 9, the apex court had referred to a five-judge constitution bench the legal question whether a Parsi woman loses her religious identity after marrying a man of different religion.

The woman, in her appeal filed in 2012, said she had married a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act and should be allowed to retain her place in the Parsi community. She had assailed the high court finding that a woman universally loses her paternal identity just because of her marriage with a man practising the Hindu religion.

She had approached the high court contending that even after her marriage with a Hindu man, she has continued to follow Zoroastrian religion and thus had the right to enjoy all privileges under the Parsi religion, including right to offer prayers at Agiari, a Parsi temple having the holy fire and the Tower of Silence.

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She contended that her rights as a Parsi Zoroastrian cannot be denied on the ground that she has married a non- Parsi man. She had also argued that a male Parsi Zoroastrian continued to enjoy all rights available to a born Parsi, even if he is married to a non-Parsi Zoroastrian woman. PTI SJK ABA MNL RKS ARC

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Online Assessment

Indiana U High School Adopts Examity for Online Proctoring

Following a nearly three-year pilot, Indiana University High School will be working with the proctoring platform Examity, which was chosen over alternatives for its "flexibility, security and support." The high school, hosted at the university, is a distance education program serving learners around the world; it will make the remote testing platform available free to students.

Examity uses live proctors located in a supervised proctoring center. In the full-blown service, the proctors assist students with getting their computers set up for the testing session and then monitor both the student (via webcam) and the student's computer while he or she is taking the test. Teachers receive a report indicating which students had questionable or illegal behavior during the test. They can then review the videos to decide what action  if any  they need to take. However, Examity offers several levels of proctoring: automated authentication and live authentication -- including via mobile device; auto-proctoring; record and review proctoring; and live proctoring. Data, including the exam contents, security questions, government IDs and video feeds, are encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. Videos are retained for a given period then deleted.

Earlier this year, the company also released examiDATA, an analytics platform that allows its education customers to monitor the rate of test-taking violations and benchmark against peer institutions.

Examity is now integrated into Instructure Canvas, Indiana University High School's learning management system. Course assessments are created with Canvas tools or a third-party program, and then Examity is used to schedule assessments that require proctoring.

"After five semesters of rigorous pilot projects, we found that Examity's combination of flexibility, security and support was the best solution for our online learners," said Chris Foley, assistant vice president and director of the Office of Online Education at Indiana U, in a press release. "Online learning has the potential to dramatically increase access to IU's world-class educational offerings, but it also necessitates a relentless focus on ensuring the quality and integrity of assessments and programs. Examity emerged as the clear choice to provide reliable, sophisticated solutions that fit the unique profile of the IU community."
STEM & STEAM

Maryland Boosting CS Focus in K-12

Maryland has ramped up efforts to get more students trained in computer science subjects with several new initiatives, including the first "Governor's Club Challenge," intended to draw more girls into coding, and assigning a task force to figure out what pathways are needed between education and open jobs in the state.

Governor Larry Hogan kicked off "Achieving Computer Science Collaborations for Employing Students Statewide" (ACCESS) just a few months after signing on for Governors for Computer Science, a partnership of state leaders that have committed to increasing access to K-12 CS education.

By executive order and proposed legislation, the governor hopes to improve job readiness for graduates and draw a more diversified workforce to computing jobs. Currently, according to the governor's office, Maryland has 115,000 CS-related jobs in-state, with almost 20,000 openings. Demand for CS workers is expected to grow by another 12 percent over the next decade. Yet, state colleges and universities graduated fewer than 3,000 CS majors in 2015, just a fifth of whom were female.

Maryland is home to several cyber-related federal government agencies and military installations, including the National Security Agency, the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. The state has 1,200 private sector cybersecurity companies. And 17 Maryland universities, colleges and community colleges have been designated as national centers of academic excellence in cyber defense.

Governor Hogan's Executive Order 01.01.2017.27 requested that the state's Task Force on Cybersecurity and Information Technology study the development of pathways that meet targeted workforce needs in computing fields and identify new ways to promote gender and minority equity in the STEM and IT workforce. A report on the findings will be due in June 2018.

The governor also announced that he would support legislation during the 2018 General Assembly session to implement computer science standards statewide for K-12 students. The administration said it would work with the state's teachers as well representatives from higher education and computer science organizations to develop those.

Additionally, the governor will be allocating $5 million to fund teacher professional development in CS and offer grants to districts and schools to create training models and equipment.

"This kind of investment in secondary school STEM infrastructure is exactly what is needed to meet the long-term requirement of cybersecurity workforce development," said Bruce Spector, Task Force member and President of Baltimore Cyber Range, a cyber security training company, in a prepared statement. "With the large number of open jobs and the lack of qualified applicants available to fill these requirements we need strategic as well as out-of-the-box thinking. What the Governor has come up with is a great way to start filling the gap. It is a perfect allocation of resources and will pay the State great dividends in employment gains for the long term."

The governor also said his office would team up with Girls Who Code to launch the challenge, which would promote partnerships among state and local leaders, school districts, community organizations and industry to launch new clubs statewide. These clubs offer free after-school programs that allow female students in grades 6-12 grade to learn and apply CS to help their communities with the support of peers and role models.

"The policy changes and Governor's Club Challenge will help build a pipeline of female coders, changing not only their lives, but the lives of those who will benefit from the innovations they create," said Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. "When you teach a girl to code, you're giving her a path into the middle class and giving her a say in her future and the future of her world."
Danish brewer Carlsberg has edged closer to reaching an agreement with the Vietnamese government to increase its stake in Habeco, one of Vietnams biggest brewers, which it hopes will speed up the process.

Vietnam has one of the worlds most attractive beer markets and the biggest in Southeast Asia, buoyed by a young population that consumed nearly 4 billion liters last year. The government wants to fully divest its majority stake in Habeco and also in rival Sabeco.

Carlsberg, which already owns 17.3 percent of shares in Habeco, has been discussing its priority purchase rights with the Vietnamese government for years.

Carlsberg, the Vietnamese government and Habeco have reached a common understanding on a number of issues during the negotiations, and we expect this will accelerate the process, a Carlsberg spokesman said.

Most recently, Carlsberg has acknowledged its long-term obligations in Vietnam with regards to Habeco and the oldest beer brand in Hanoi, he said without elaborating.

The government said last month it expects a stake sale in Habeco to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

The government is pushing ahead with a privatization process against the backdrop of a rally in Vietnams broader equity market.
Dear Santa,

I wonder how you manage to get into Vietnam. Do you use a visa on arrival, booked by your elves? Or did the said elves have to wait in line at a consulate, pay the money and come back two days later? And since youre on the job, how do you get your work permit so quickly?

Mind you, Santa, you can get the visa faster in Cambodia than in Malaysia.

Singapore is the most expensive embassy Ive visited so far and the Australian Consulate has the smallest waiting area. Good thing you dont have to travel overland, Moc Bai Border Gate is suffocating in the heat with nowhere to sit while waiting and Lao Bao Border Gate is a nice walk down the hill and back again from where the bus stops.

And theres no food stalls for reindeer, poor things.

I wonder if customs will try to stop you at the border for sack inspection, ask for a detailed list of goods and recommend a good broker on your behalf when youre accused of bringing in second-hand goods. Good thing you usually dont import English-language kids books or you would be here until summer break next year. Unless youumpaycoughsome fees. Or do the elves have a secret magic spell to deal with overly-enthusiastic customs officials?

And how do you get into the houses when there are no chimneys in Vietnam?

I should warn you that Feng Shui and modern Vietnamese houses are a bad mix. It is likely youll discover the ceiling has neon lighting, the Christmas tree is somewhere in the kitchen next to the kitchen gods shrine and motorbikes block front entrances like you wouldnt believe. Christmas lights are popular but bring a torch, power blackouts are common.

This year has been worse than some others. The rain in the mountains will make navigation a nightmare but blankets, tarpaulins and new shoes, Im sure, are going to be deeply appreciated. Dont worry about barking dogs either. Most apartment blocks in the big cities have gone to the dogs now, banning pets although everyone agreed to them in the beginning. As the tenants who went back on their word will be on your naughty list; give them nothing and serve them right too.

Weve just had one of the first black Friday shopping events in this country and all the locals went mad buying stuff to impress the neighbors. So you see, Santa, theres no need to go overboard on goodies for Vietnamese families  lots of cheap foods are all the rage at the moment. However, the foreign community may be a bit tougher to satisfy. If you and the elves have been mulling this over, Ive got some ideas.

What expats want are all the things they miss from their home countries such as Tim Tams, real duct tape, genuine bread knives and an authentic iPhone glass cover repairer. Expats are sentimental beneath their rugged, jaded exteriors and crave true roast dinner and inexpensive imported wines.

As the Viet Kieu already brought everything they need including real iPhones, I reckon the best bet is to give em gifts from their home countries too, such as imported hot dogs, well stitched hoodies and solid Western motorbike helmets.

And the Vietnamese? Well, anything thats shiny, new, boast-worthy and cant be found in China cheaper. Also anything in pretty paper and half a million dong in a tiny red envelope help too. If its hard to get that kind of money together, you can get change at the gas stations before midnight. At least you wont have to worry about getting ripped off at the petrol bowser as I know your sleigh can circumnavigate the planet on a single tank of Tra-la-la.

Ive been a good boy too, as you can see from your list. I tried very hard to keep my temper in the traffic this year. I think I only screamed, shouted and swore a few minor times at the nonplussed locals pottering through red lights on the wrong side of the street while on the phone with their kids helmetless. Likewise Ive been fabulously behaved when dealing with the government, my neighbors, the karaoke shop and the local corner store. Seriously!

Well, Ive gotta rush, Santa, Big C and Metro have Chrissy decorations on sale. This year Im planning an Austin Powers/disco lighting scheme in my kitchen. Could you also get me that giant stuffed panda for my dog to chew on and Id like the stand-up mini-scooter so I can enter the Hoi An old town on a primitive vehicle after 5:00 pm.

Thanks so much and see you soon, Santa! Ill leave two non la hats outside the house on Christmas Eve for you and your wife to hang on the wall.
Fifty-eight new caves have been discovered in Phong Nha  Ke Bang National Park in north-central Vietnams Quang Binh Province, a park executive announced on Wednesday.

The newly discovered caves have been documented and submitted to experts from the British Caving Association to prepare for future surveys, said Le Thanh Tinh, director of the management authority of Phong Nha  Ke Bang.

Earning recognition as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2003, Phong Nha  Ke Bang is known for its massive, 126 kilometer long cave system, much of which remains unexplored.

Adding to Phong Nha  Ke Bangs fame is Son Doong Cave, the largest known cave in the world.

According to Tinh, the recently discovered caves lie within the administrative domain of Quang Binhs Minh Hoa District.

Authorities were first informed of each caves location by local residents, who then worked with park officials to conduct initial surveys of the new grottos for documentation, according to the park executive.

After eliminating the caves already listed by the British Caving Association during previous explorations, park officials concluded that 58 of the reported caves were undocumented.

The British Caving Association, whose explorers in 2009 made the significant discovery of numerous caves in Phong Nha  Ke Bang including Son Doong, will be notified of the new discoveries.

The organization is expected to send a delegation of experts to the site for further exploration in the near future, Tinh said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned Indian Navy's Scorepen-class submarine INS Kalvari at a ceremony in Mumbai where he called the boat an excellent example of the Make in India programme.

By PTI, Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today commissioned the first of the six Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into the Indian Navy and said its induction was a big step in the countrys defence preparedness.

Modi boarded the submarine and unveiled its plaque, after meeting veterans of the first Kalvari who were present at the ceremony.

"Kalvari is an excellent example of our Make in India programme," he said, speaking at the commissioning ceremony here this morning.

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Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler were among those present at the ceremony.

Modi thanked France for this strategic joint project and described the commissioning of the submarine as a "matter of pride" for 125 crore Indians.

"It is a matter of pride for me to commission this submarine. Kalvari's induction in the Navy is a big step in defence preparedness," Modi said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

"The power of Kalvari, that of a tiger shark, will strengthen our Navy," the prime minister said.

He said India has always been the first responder in times of crisis for neighbours, be it floods, water shortage or cyclones, in Sri Lanka, Maldives or Bangladesh.

During the Nepal earthquake, Indian Navy and Air Force rendered major assistance, he noted.

Modi also dwelt on the sabka saath sabka vikas motto of his government and cited the successful tackling of terrorism and Naxal threats.

"So far this year, around 200 terrorists have been killed by police and security forces in Kashmir. There has been a reduction in the number of stone pelting incidents there," he said.

He said, "There has also been a decline in Naxal violence. This shows people are veering towards the path of development."

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said submarine building is a sophisticated and exacting craft which very few countries possess in their industrial capacity.

"India has proven its capability to build submarines for the past 25 years. These are highly significant steps in the direction of Make in India and Skill India. Making submarines benefits industry not only by itself through orders but also through stringent quality control," she said.

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Naval Command, and top defence officials also attended the event.

"Kalvari underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment," a Navy official said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster Indias maritime prowess.

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The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

"The technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," an official of the MDL said.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after nearly three decades of service.

WATCH | Scorpene-class INS Kalvari commissioned into Indian Navy

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The student-guided tours are primarily targeted at foreign tourists.

Based on a pay what you think is fair model, the Danang Free Walking Tour project focuses on providing customers with full, satisfying, and local experiences that visitors might otherwise miss during their trip to Da Nang  one of central Vietnams main tourist hubs.

Breathtaking scenery, unique sights, and beautiful beaches are the main draw to Vietnams third largest city, and the largest city in the central region.

The tours main goal is to help visitors experience the city from a local point of view, and hopefully walk away with a long-lasting positive impression.

The programs success is chiefly attributed to the enthusiasm and excitement of its tour guides  volunteer university students from institutions across Da Nang  and the diversity of the tourist sites customers are introduced to during the ninety-minute tour, including Han Market, Da Nang Cathedral, the Cham Sculpture Museum, and the Han River Bridge.

XP and Kathy from Hong Kong are just two out of hundreds of international tourists impressed by the tour.

The couple had nothing but praise for their energetic tour guide, Sofia, from the University of Foreign Languages in Da Nang.

Sofia is very passionate and knows a lot about the city. Her casual and friendly smile made the tour unforgettable, Kathy said.

Thanks to her, we learnt a lot about the history, culture, and lives of people here. This city is truly beautiful and has really impressed us. There are many things that we would probably never have learned had it not been for her enthusiasm and understanding. I will certainly recommend this tour to my friends.

Le Thi Thu Hang, an English major at the University of Foreign Languages in Da Nang, is another volunteer who began working with the project in August 2017.

Her preparation to become a tour guide included research into the citys history, culture, and traditions so as to provide tourists with useful and interesting information they might not find elsewhere.

Thanks to this tour I have a chance to improve my language skills by speaking with foreigners, as well as learning about other countries cultures, Hang said about her experience working for the Danang Free Walking Tour.

I have introduced many interesting things about Da Nang to foreign tourists and most have come to the conclusion that this is a city worth living in for its beautiful scenery, good infrastructure, variety of foods, and friendly people.

Le Song Gia Han, another volunteer tour guide, has been with the project for nearly a year. The foreign trade student at the University of Economics in Da Nang has already guided nearly around 100 tours.

According to Han, volunteers stand to gain a lot from working with the program.

She says that apart from the chance to improve foreign language skills, their understanding of tourism also improves considerably.

Difficult journey

The Danang Free Walking Tour has become so popular that the organization now fields several requests from foreign tourists on a daily basis.

During summer, Da Nangs peak tourist season, the project operators often receive hundreds of requests. However, reaching that point was no walk in the park for its founder, Nguyen Minh Loi.

The 26-year-old shared that the hardest part of achieving success was building peoples trust.

Our first try had a considerable number of volunteers participating but no customers joined the tours so the group quickly dissolved, Loi recalled of the projects starting phase.

There were times I would wander through intersections and touristic destinations to spread the word about the free service. However, most potential customers just avoided us.

We thought that it might be rude to approach customers directly, so we switched to advertising through posts, pictures, and videos on social media.

Eventually, many people began to learn about us and chose to participate. Thanks to their good reviews, many more people wanted to try our service.

Lois project is not limited to free walking tours. The entrepreneur has also expanded the project to include the Foody Story Tour and Your Planner  a service designed to help tourists plan tailored trips to fit their interests.

While Danang Free Walking Tour and Your Planner are free, the Foody Story Tour requires a fee of US$30 per person.

The Foody Story Tour guides visitors through well-known restaurants and unique cuisine around the city.

The project also receives support from municipal authorities.

According to the vice-director of Department of Tourism in Da Nang, Tran Chi Cuong, his agency helps advertise the service.

Advertisements, leaflets and information about Danang Free Walking Tour are provided at the airport and several tourist destinations, he said.

This is a new form of tourism, letting tourists see the lives of people in the city, he added.

Tourists get a chance to experience Da Nang's cuisine, culture, and history under a very new perspective.

Moreover, by traveling on foot, the project is good for the environment and for sustainable development.

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Read what is in the news today, December 14:

Society

-- Fifty-eight new caves have been discovered within the Phong Nha  Ke Bang National Park in north-central Vietnams Quang Binh Province, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its system of massive caves and grottos.

-- Vietnam should update its salary policies for public workers by possibly adopting a new payment system based on the civil servants productivity instead of academic credentials, experts proposed at a conference on salary reform held in Hanoi on Wednesday.

Business

-- Hsu Ming Jung, a.k.a. Saga, a 42-year-old businessman from Taiwan, is facing life imprisonment for his economic frauds carried out between 2012 and 2014 that conned 724 people out of nearly VND270 billion (US$11.89 million) through a gold trading floor he ran in Vietnam.

-- The Supreme Peoples Procuracy of Vietnam has prosecuted seven people involved in wrongdoings that led to the loss of VND29.5 billion ($1.3 million) at the Ho Chi Minh City branch of Vietnam Technical and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank).

-- The prices of a number of locally grown fruits such as mandarins, jackfruits and dragon fruits in Vietnam are plummeting as a result of low demand from Chinese merchants, combined with the influx of Chinese fruits into the local market.

-- Vietnam Beverage Company Ltd, a unit of Thai Beverage, has expressed interest in buying over 327 million shares of Vietnams top brewer Sabeco, or about 51 percent of the companys shares, the Vietnamese Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement on Wednesday.

-- The Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health has terminated the circulation of baby formula produced by French dairy firm Lactalis in Vietnam to test for salmonella after dozens of infants fell ill with salmonella poisoning in France following using the companys products.

Lifestyle

-- The Phu Quoc Ridgeback, a breed of dog native to Vietnams southern Phu Quoc Island, has been chosen as the mascot for next years flower show on downtown Ho Chi Minh Citys Nguyen Hue Street, an annual event put together to celebrate Tet, or the Lunar New Year  the biggest national holiday in Vietnam.

Education

-- Experts have proposed scrapping a decades-long policy in Vietnam that grants tuition-free university education across pedagogical disciplines, which has been criticized for creating tremendous injustice and lowering the quality of education.

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According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, many flats at the Vinh Loc B relocation zone in Binh Chanh District are presently left empty.

Roads leading to the complex have yet to be completed and the unused apartments have degraded.

Would-be residents say they refuse to settle in the apartments due to a lack of proper streets, hospitals, and job opportunities.

The location is nearly deserted and many apartments have degraded. Photo: Tuoi Tre

They had been displaced from District 1, a central business district, District 6, Binh Tan District, and Tan Binh District to make way for new building projects.

The Vinh Loc B housing area includes 2,000 apartments with a capital investment of over VND1 trillion (US$44 million).

It is quite rare to spot a vehicle or resident in this housing complex. Photo: Tuoi Tre

During a survey in Binh Chanh conducted by the municipal Peoples Council, local authorities reported that over 1,000 houses built for relocated citizens have been abandoned in the past two to three years.

At an apartment complex on Man Thien Street in District 9, only a few dozen families remain, while others have sold and leased their properties.

Those who stay are generally low-income families unable to pay off the debt on their flats.

A man fixes the power lines, which often encounter problems at the relocation zone. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Local residents are concerned about their safety amidst the deteriorated infrastructure. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Residents at the relocation zone are unable to find a stable job. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A young boy cycles alone in the complex. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Slow business at a street food stall. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Old furniture stays behind after owners move from an apartment. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The empty premise of the Vinh Loc B relocation zone. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Local residents are concerned about their safety amidst the deteriorated infrastructure. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A resident grows vegetables inside the complex. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A family still uses an antenna to watch TV. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The apartment complex on Man Thien Street in District 9. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Most of the apartment owners have sold their properties. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The family of Ta Thi Gai (L), one of the relocated households, is still unable to pay their debt on the flat.

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A businessman from Taiwan is facing life imprisonment for conning hundreds of people out of almost US$12 million through an illegal gold trading floor he ran in Vietnam.

Hsu Ming Jung, a.k.a. Saga, 42, stood trial before a Hanoi court on Wednesday for the fraudulent appropriation of assets connected with the Khai Thai investment consulting firm, of which he was the founder and general director.

According to his indictment, Hsu hired several Vietnamese nationals in 2011 to work as directors of Khai Thai and serve as a cover for the companys real business of mobilizing gold and cash from the public in the form of entrusted investments.

The company was also found to be running illegal gold and foreign currency trading under the guise of an investment consulting firm.

Gold investment accounts are not recognized in Vietnam and, contradictory to advertisements, Khai Thai did not have a single business connection with any trading floor anywhere in the world.

Despite the fact, the company led investors into believing that it was a major gold investment account company in China with profitable businesses based in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

In reality, the firm operated by taking one investors money to pay for another, according to the indictment.

Employing this fraudulent tactic, Hsu and his accessories were able to con 724 people out of nearly VND270 billion ($11.89 million) between 2012 and 2014.

Hsu was found to be the mastermind behind the organization while his six Vietnamese accomplices acted as legal representatives and paper pushers for Khai Thai.

The Peoples Procuracy of Hanoi at Wednesdays hearing proposed that the Taiwanese man be sentenced to life imprisonment while his Vietnamese partners receive between three and 20 years behind bars, considering the fact that the defendants actions were of especially dangerous nature and that a large sum of money was involved.

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A new mystery drama is in the pipeline, Darby & Joan produced by CJZ (House of Bond, House of Hancock, Blackjack)

Written by Phillip Gwynne and produced by former TEN drama exec Claire Tonkin and Glenys Rowe, the project has received Screen Australia funding. But a network is yet to be revealed.

The synopsis is as follows: When lives collide, two strangers set out on an epic outback journey. Darby and Joan is a series that asks: is it ever too late to be what you might have been?

Matt Campbell & Nick Murray are Executive Producers.

Meanwhile Screen Australia has also funded some industry placements:

Santilla Chingaipe has secured a three month placement at ArenaMedia (Paper Planes, The Warriors, Barracuda) in Melbourne. Working with Robert Connolly and other key staff across their development and production slate, Santilla will also receive support and mentorship on her own projects during the placement.

WA-based Mala Sujan will be placed at the newly formed Easy Tiger Productions in Sydney under the mentorship of highly experienced producer Ian Collie (Doctor Doctor, Jack Irish, Rake). The opportunity allows Mala to upskill in her area of interest  creative producing and developing scripted content across platforms.
Debenhams got a boost on Thursday as Investec upgraded its stance on the stock to 'hold' from 'sell' following a drop in the share price.

It noted that the shares are down 43% year-to-date and said the risk/reward is now skewed to the upside at these levels, given the potential for corporate activity.

"Having unwound long-held options, Mike Ashley now holds 21% of Debenhams ordinary shares via Mash Holdings. He has a history of buying stakes in companies and holding them. He has also shown an interest in UK department stores, having tried to buy House of Fraser in 2014, according to press reports, and still has an 11% stake."

Nevertheless, the brokerage cut its FY18/FY19 pre-tax profit forecasts by 5% and 3%, respectively, due to a weak retail market backdrop. It said Debenhams is still a challenged business with too inflexible a cost base and too many unanswered questions over execution and strategy, adding that it sees better value elsewhere.

"Wider structural pressures from the online shift means implementation needs to speed up, in our view. Without this, it is difficult to see any profit progression in the next three years."

The brokerage cut its price target on the stock to 34p from 39p, reflecting estimate downgrades and moving its valuation basis to a 30% discount to forward price to earnings since IPO, from 25%.

At 1105 GMT, the shares were up 3.5% to 34.16p.
Four University of North Georgia (UNG) employees were honored at the University System of Georgia's (USG) Chancellor's Service Excellence Awards on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta.

UNG took home four awards, tying with Georgia Institute of Technology for the most awards received and tying with Georgia College and State University with the most two gold awards. Twelve UNG employees were nominated for awards in eight categories, with gold, silver and bronze awarded in each category.

Award recipients were:

Outstanding Process Improvement Award: Increase Service to Students  Gold

Ms. Terri Carroll, executive director, academic advising, (and the UNG academic advising team).

Carroll nominated the Academic Advising Center's project, "Maximize Your Major and Advising Tools."

"The advising team has dedicated themselves to teaching students how to develop educational paths that match their interests and abilities, interpret UNG policies, and assess academic progress," Carroll said. "They have developed tools, such as user friendly plans of study, departmental advising syllabi, and year-by-year course planning guides, to support this developmental process. Winning the team award for outstanding process and increased service to students is a celebration of their efforts in supporting student success."

Outstanding Process Improvement Award: Increase Effectiveness and Efficiency  Bronze

Nick Kastner, marketing manager, Mike Cottrell College of Business.

Bobbi Larson, development officer for the Mike Cottrell College of Business, nominated Kastner and his project, "Agile Marketing Improvement Initiative."

"To be honored for our marketing efforts in this way was quite a surprise," Kastner said. "As a discipline, marketing has a tremendous impact on colleges and universities ranging from enrollment and retention to community engagement and graduate success. Building a stronger brand for the Mike Cottrell College of Business helps us elevate our status as a business school and improves top of mind awareness, which helps our graduates better compete in industry for jobs."

Service Excellence Award: Outstanding Leader  Bronze

Katie Simmons, associate dean of students and undergraduate programs, Mike Cottrell College of Business.

Nick Kastner, marketing manager Mike Cottrell College of Business, nominated Simmons.



"I'm very humbled and proud to have been nominated and selected for the Chancellors Service Excellence Award," said Simmons. "This is a very special honor for me particularly since the Mike Cottrell College of Business had several award winners. It was nice to share the day with my colleagues. UNG is a great place to work and we all strive to serve our students and stakeholders."

Service Excellence Award: Outstanding Leader  Gold

Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science

Keith Antonia, associate vice president for military programs, nominated Payne for his leadership role with the Center for Cyber Operations Education.

"It is an honor to receive this recognition from the Chancellor on behalf of the Center for Cyber Operations Education, and to know that the University System is excited about the work were doing in cyber at UNG," said Payne. Its especially encouraging that UNG received four Service Excellence awards for the innovative programs and services being offered to students across the university."

The Chancellors Annual Service Excellence Awards are to recognize and reward employees for demonstrating consistently high levels of performance while accomplishing normal job responsibilities as it relates to service during the past year. It also serves to highlight employees service projects and process improvement activities.

USG Chancellor Dr. Steve Wrigley and Vice Chancellor for Organizational Effectiveness Dr. John Fuchko presented awards and congratulated the winners.

Sandy Ott, director of the UNG Blue Ridge Campus, was awarded the Service Excellence Award last year of her dedication to cultivating relationships and collaborations between UNG and the Blue Ridge community.
About 120 students from Johnson High School and Gilmer High School will have the chance to become the first in their families to attend and graduate from college thanks to the U.S. Department of Education's Upward Bound Grant.

The federal government awarded the University of North Georgia (UNG) $2.6 million to help promising low-income, first-generation high school students from Johnson High in Gainesville, Georgia, and Gilmer High in Ellijay, Georgia, prepare for and be successful in college.

UNG President Bonita Jacobs explained the grant is very competitive among universities across the country, and will help high school students in the north Georgia community become the first in their families to attend college.

"By 2025, 60 percent of students will need some higher education," she said during the Upward Bound signing ceremony Nov. 7 between UNG and Johnson High School in Gainesville. "Currently only 45 percent of the student population have some post-secondary education."

Dr. Sheila Caldwell, adviser to the president on diversity and director of Complete College Georgia, said the grant money allows UNG to provide "the extra help the first-generation college students will need get to the finish line of a college education."

The extra help includes weekly tutoring sessions, ACT and college preparation sessions, career exploration, cultural experiences, and college visits. Leading these initiatives is Dr. Latrice Richardson, who was hired Nov. 1 as UNG's director for Upward Bound for both campuses.

"I feel like we hit the jackpot when we hired her," Caldwell said. "She has six years of experience with Upward Bound."

Leading the initiative is Dr. Latrice Richardson, who was hired Nov. 1 as University of North Georgia's director for Upward Bound. Since her arrival, she has recruited students from Johnson and Gilmer high schools into the program. Richardson anticipates 60 participants in each program by March 2018.

Since her arrival, Richardson has recruited students from Johnson and Gilmer high schools into the program. She anticipates 60 participants in each program by March 2018. UNG and Gilmer County Charter Schools had its Upward Bound signing ceremony July 27.

"We want to help the students who want to go to college but don't know how to get there," Richardson said. "And these students have the academic ability to get there."

Caldwell explained students who enroll in the Upward Bound program complete a 10-page application, collect teacher and counselor recommendations and write an essay about their career aspirations. Richardson then interviews each student, along with his or her parents or guardians.

"I tell them 'If I take you in as a ninth-grader, it's an eight-year commitment,'" she said. "It is intense. The No. 1 goal is for Upward Bound participants to enroll and successfully complete a program of study in college."

While the program requires hard work from students, it offers some real-life college experiences. For example, students will spend six weeks in the summer immersed on two college campuses. For the first three weeks, Johnson High students will to take classes such as math, science, history, English, and a foreign language on UNG's Gainesville Campus. The Gilmer High students will do the same at Dalton State College. The next two weeks, both Johnson and Gilmer students will live in the residence halls on the Dahlonega Campus.

The final week, though, is the best, Richardson said. Students will travel out of state to visit two to three colleges along with stops at museums and monuments.

"Sharing this experience with these young students is what I enjoy," she said, indicating some may not have ever ventured outside of their hometown or Georgia. "Plus, all of it is paid for through the Upward Bound grant."

Stan Lewis, principal of Johnson High, said this program will open doors for students

"They have certain challenges in their homes and in their lives that have been roadblocks for them to attend college," he said. "Now they are going to have hope and that is what education is all about."

Of course, none of it would be possible without the collaboration between the schools and UNG.

"If this partnership was not in place, we would not have gotten the grant," Lewis said. "We are very grateful to UNG."
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Public sector lenders Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Union Bank of India have cumulatively raised Rs 7,000 crore through qualified institutional placement (QIP).

The amount raised will augment the capital adequacy and help in business expansion of the banks.

PNB has raised about Rs 5,000 crore by selling 29.76 crore shares at Rs 168 per scrip, which is at a discount of 4.735 per cent to the floor price of Rs 176.35.

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In a statement, Union Bank of India said the offer of QIP was oversubscribed and the bank has issued 12.93 crore shares aggregating to Rs 2,000 crore.

The investors include asset management companies, insurance companies and foreign institutional investors, it said.

According to PNB, the Committee of Directors for Capital Raising of the bank decided to close the issue and accorded its consent for the issue of shares to investors.

The board in September had given approval for mobilisation of Rs 5,000 crore through various instruments, including rights issue and private placement, during 2017-18.

Other state-owned lenders like Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and Andhra Bank have also lined up share sale offers.

Finance 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 the 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. PTI DP ABM

--- ENDS ---
To determine just how much of a link exists between fish populations and floodplain forests, the researchers compiled two sets of data. The first included fisheries yields over a 12-year period in the 1,000-square-kilometer study area. The researchers created a map of the regions 1,500 lakes and interviewed local fishermen about the types and quantities of fish caught in different areas. Using this data, the team determined which specific areas yielded the most fish.

We collected roughly 36,000 separate data points that were plotted in order to make a map of where the fish were coming from, Castello said.

The researchers used images from NASA satellites to compile a second data set on habitat features in the same area to determine if the presence of floodplain forests made an impact on fish yields.

Essentially, we wanted to know if fish yields in areas with forested floodplains are greater, the same, or less than areas where forests have been cut down, Castello explained.

Our results indicated that lakes with floodplain forests provided fishers with greater fish yields, he continued. This allows us to infer that if you cut down the forests, fish yields in those lakes would decrease. Tropical deforestation is not only a terrestrial issue  it can also decrease the number of fish available to some of the worlds poorest populations.

Co-author Laura Hess, associate researcher with the Earth Research Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara, added, A fisheries and land-cover study at this scale had not been done before in the Amazon, so it was very satisfying when we found strong evidence for a relationship.

In the future, the researchers hope to expand their scope to include other variables that may affect fisheries yields, such as the depth and connectivity of the lakes studied. For now, however, Castello explains that the policy implications of the study are clear.

You have to protect these habitats if you want to maintain the food production and the income that rivers provide, Castello said. River floodplains produce more fish than any other freshwater system in the world. Right now, the Amazon is unique in that most of its floodplains are still intact, but if forests continue to be cut down and habitats are changed, that will decrease the amount of fish people have to eat and make their living. If we dont protect these areas, we lose the rivers and we lose the fish.

McGrath added, This paper gives us the tools we need to show the trade-offs between raising cattle and managing floodplain fisheries. We can use this work to show communities what they lose by not controlling cattle densities on floodplains and converting forest to pasture.

The research team also included Ram Thapa, a former postdoctoral research associate in Virginia Techs Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation who earned a masters in statistics and a doctorate in forestry at Virginia Tech; Caroline Arantes, a doctoral student at Texas A&M University; and Vivian Reno of Brazils National Institute for Space Research.
By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The district administration in Rajasthan's Udaipur district has been keeping a close tab on the situation prevailing there in the aftermath of the brutal murder by Shambulal Raigar.

Udaipur is an adjoining district of Rajsamand, where a man was hacked and later burnt by the accused. Several inflammatory videos were circulating in the district due to which the district administration had to clamp down with a district wide imposition of Section 144. A 24-hour ban on internet services has also been imposed in the district.

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During a protest rally taken out in the district, speeches targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and certain religious and social organisations were made. The video of that was widely circulated.

The Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha also took out a rally on the occasion of Vasundhara Raje led-government's four year anniversary. During that also, there was sloganeering. Sloganeering was witnessed during the event and a video of the event went viral as well. A message mentioning about a rally in reply to the one taken earlier by members of a community was also widely circulated.

Post that, the district administration imposed Section 144 in the district and also clamped down on internet services in the district in a bid to maintain communal harmony. Shambulal Raigar, the man behind Rajsamand hate crime, was arrested from Kelva region in Rajsamand and sent into police custody.

Shambulal had allegedly burnt a man alive for committing 'love jihad'. A video showing him, burning the man alive, had surfaced after which senior police officials from the Rajsamand district have been camping there keeping tight vigil on the law and order situation.

After the first video, another video of Shambunath had surfaced in which he admitted to committing the crime and mentioned that he will surrender. In one of the videos, Shambunath can be heard mentioning that he committed the act to save a girl from 'love jihad'. The murder happened on Dev heritage road in Rajnagar area of Rajsamand.

Police had initially received information about the semi-burnt body of a man being found. Senior police officials, including SP Manoj Kumar, ASP Manish Tripathi and DSP Rajendra Singh reached the location and found a charred and disfigured body. A team of FSL, dog squad was summoned to inspect the crime scene.

Also watch: Viral Video: Man burnt to death to 'save girl from love jihad' in Rajasthan

--- ENDS ---
Eagle Materials Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces and supplies heavy construction materials and light building materials in the United States. It operates through Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, Gypsum Wallboard, and Recycled Paperboard segments. The company engages in the mining of limestone for the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of Portland cement; grinding and sale of slag; and mining of gypsum for the manufacture and sale of gypsum wallboards used to finish the interior walls and ceilings in residential, commercial, and industrial structures. It also manufactures and sells recycled paperboard to gypsum wallboard industry and other paperboard converters, as well as containerboard and lightweight packaging grades. In addition, the company engages in the sale of ready-mix concrete; and mining, extracting, production, and sale of aggregates, including crushed stones, sand, and gravel. Its products are used in commercial and residential construction; public construction projects; and projects to build, expand, and repair roads and highways. The company was formerly known as Centex Construction Products, Inc. and changed its name to Eagle Materials, Inc. in January 2004. Eagle Materials Inc. was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets building products primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through four segments: Siding; Oriented Strand Board (OSB); Engineered Wood Products (EWP); and South America. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products. The OSB segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel products comprising LP TechShield radiant barriers, LP WeatherLogic air and water barriers, LP Legacy premium sub-flooring products, LP FlameBlock fire-rated sheathing products, and LP TopNotch sub-flooring products. The EWP segment provides laminated veneer lumber and other related products; and LP SolidStart I-joists, which are primarily used in residential and commercial floorings, roofing systems, and other structural applications. The South America segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel and siding products. This segment also distributes and sells related products for the region's transition to wood frame construction. It also offers timber and timberlands and other products and services. The company sells its products primarily to retailers, wholesalers, and homebuilding and industrial businesses in North America and South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Making Medicines Affordable  A National Imperative, says that consumer access to effective and affordable medicines is an imperative for public health, social equity, and economic development. Norman Augustine, chair of the study and a former chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin, told members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that the rising cost of prescription drugs threatens to make them unaffordable to patients, and potentially even to society as a whole.



Americans spend more than half a trillion dollars on pharmaceuticals each year, the report found, and as costs continue to increase, so does the share that patients pay. Deductibles, for example, have on average increased 2 times over the past decade.

Augustine acknowledged the need to strike a balance of making drugs affordable while still ensuring that new lifesaving drugs continue to be developed.

There are people in this room who would not be alive today without pharmaceuticals, Augustine said. But, he added: Drugs that are not affordable are of no value.

David Mitchell, founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs, was one of the people in the hearing room Augustine was referring to.

Mitchell testified that he has an incurable blood cancer and said prescription drugs are keeping me alive. During this year, he said, he has had $450,000 worth of drug infusions.

Mitchell said every day his organization hears from people who have to decide between filling their prescriptions or spending their retirement savings and emptying their childrens college funds.

People are scared and angry, Mitchell said, and they need help.
Capping off the events is a disco dance party at the Librarys Thomas Jefferson Building with disco icon Gloria Gaynor singing her hit I Will Survive in the Great Hall. The song is in the National Recording Registry, part of the collection of sound recordings that are kept at the Library of Congress and that are considered culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.

This is the first time the library has paid tribute to one specific music genre with this sort of programming, Bryonna Head, a public affairs assistant at the library, told The Washington Post. This is a celebration of an era that changed American culture forever, Head said. This celebration is not just for [Gaynor], but disco culture in general, and Ms. Gaynor just so happens to be the perfect partner for us to bring this popular era to life at the library.

Although most Bibliodiscotheque events are sold out, free tickets are still available for some film screenings and lectures at eventbrite.com. Or to celebrate disco, just pop in a Saturday Night Fever DVD and do the Hustle in your living room for old times sake.



Other events are also planned across the country to mark the 40th anniversary, including a throwback concert on July 29 at the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk in New York featuring more than a dozen disco acts. Guests include Yvonne Elliman (If I Cant Have You), Trammps (Disco Inferno), and Tavares (More Than a Woman).



Even 40 years later, the legacy of Saturday Night Fever is definitely stayin alive.


The BJP government in Rajasthan has postponed its four years in power celebration rally to December 18, the day when Gujarat Assembly elections results will come.

By Rohit Parihar: The BJP government in Rajasthan has postponed its four years in power celebration rally to December 18, the day when Gujarat Assembly elections results will come.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who celebrates BJP victory in the state on December 13 every year, this time is cautious to keep it to coincide with Gujarat polls results. A reason for this has been to form a strategy to get the best mileage in view of the Gujarat assembly results.

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As exit polls show, BJP is winning Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. That means, Raje can now smoothly talk about its impact on Rajasthan in a very positive manner. A BJP win will uplift her mood too.

It also means that if PM Narendra Modi, can still fetch votes in Gujarat, people in Rajasthan will also vote for him.

However, Raje held her four-year rally in Jhunjhunu.

But, that decision was well thought off. Jhunjhunu district is a weak spot for the BJP which got only two seats there in 2013 Assembly polls.

Raje said at her Jhunjhunu rally that she did not discriminate among voters while granting budget for development.

She declared a lot of schemes in Jhunjhunu, having spent a day and a night in each of its assembly segments before to understand what people were looking from her.

In Rajasthan, government works only when Raje takes it upon herself to lead from the front. Now, she is doing so and realising how bad her governance has been so far.

If she carries on the way she is doing now, visiting each constituency, it will help her to understand flaws in governance and take care of them. She has been banking upon a lot of bureaucrats who never give her correct picture.

A BJP wins in Gujarat and HP will give her a boost too. But, she cannot afford to take it easy now. Modi worked very hard to sway results in BJP's favour. So, she too will have to.

--- ENDS ---
WARSAW, Poland  The European Union has approved Polands 9.4 billion euro ($11 billion) plan for developing renewable energy sources, the EUs executive body said Wednesday.

Heavily dependent on its own coal for energy, Poland is among Europes top carbon gas emitters and is facing pressure and receiving incentives to shift toward clean energy sources that are friendly to the environment.

The European Commission said in a statement that, while observing EU rules for state aid and competition, it has approved the Polish governments plan for further development of renewable energy sources. It also approved a reduction of a levy put on high energy consumers who co-finance the plan.

The EU Commissioner for competition policy, Margrethe Vestager, was quoted as saying that Polands plan will increase the share of green energy in Polands energy mix and help the countrys energy transition.

Mateusz Morawiecki, who took office as Polands new prime minister on Monday, has sent mixed messages on the topic in his policy speeches.

He bowed to the influential mining industry by saying that the government does not want to give up on coal mining, which is the driving the economy in the southern industrial region of Silesia.

But he also said that protecting the environment is a civilizational challenge for Poland. He said he wants to make sure that alternative energy sources develop freely and that natural resources are put to use.

Morawiecki has also spoken in favor of building a nuclear plant, a plan that consecutive governments have put off due to high costs and the protests of residents in the sites where it could be built in northern Poland.
A man told police a driver of a white vehicle fired at him twice, striking him, after he hit the vehicles hood Wednesday morning.

Officer Simon Drobik said detectives in the area near San Mateo and Kathryn SE heard gunshots and went to go check it out.

When they got there they found a man who had been shot.

The man told officer he had been crossing the street when a vehicle almost hit him. He said he hit the hood of the vehicle with his palm and then the driver fired at him.

The man was struck and was taken to the hospital where he is stable condition.

Drobik said they are still investigating to see exactly what happened. There are no suspects. He did not identify the victim.

Thats what he told us and thats what we have to go on, Drobik said.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina  A World Trade Organization conference dampened from the start by criticism from the United States ended Wednesday without any substantial agreements.

The ministerial-level meeting that wrapped up in Argentinas capital addressed trade issues involving food and agriculture, e-commerce, development and fisheries subsidies.

Members did not manage to agree on final substantive agreements this time, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said at the closing ceremony.

Its not every time that ministers meet that theyre going to be to be able to strike deals of the magnitude of what we achieved in Bali and Nairobi, but that doesnt diminish the disappointment that we feel.

The 164-nation WTO, which works to bring down trade barriers and resolve disputes, needs the agreement of all members to reach agreements.

There was a political decision by some members who had a position against integrated trade. This put us in a turning point. It brought us to a cross point. That did not happen during our previous meeting in Nairobi, said the chairwoman of the conference, former Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra.

The meeting in Buenos Aires began on a sour note when U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Monday that the WTO is losing its focus on trade negotiations and becoming a litigation-centered organization. He also complained that some WTO members try to gain concessions through lawsuits that he said they could never get at the negotiating table.

The U.S. has long been a top WTO advocate, but President Donald Trump has said the U.S has not been treated fairly by the WTO and he has scaled back U.S. leadership in the trade body. The effects seemed to have caused aftershocks at the meeting in Argentina, although Azevedo said no single reason could be attributed to the meetings lack of results.

There wasnt a sole element. There were several situations. In most negotiations you cant attribute success or failure in negotiations to one side, he told reporters.

Earlier this year, China and Taiwan joined other U.S. allies including Israel at the WTO headquarters in Switzerland to express concerns over the Trump administration executive order that seeks to maximize use of American-made goods, products and materials in government procurement.

The 10 WTO members, also including the European Union, Canada and Japan, also urged Washington to continue honoring the trade bodys Government Procurement Agreement adopted by Washington and 45 other countries  mostly EU states  that aims to promote fair, free access to government contracts.

From the start, there were low expectations about what could be achieved at the biennial conference in Buenos Aires. But the failure to deliver any multilateral outcomes after three days of meeting still disappointed many.

All WTO Members have to face a simple fact: we failed to achieve all our objectives, and did not achieve any multilateral outcome, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement.

The sad reality is that we did not even agree to stop subsidizing illegal fishing. Now, I hope that several WTO members, whose actions here in Buenos Aires prevented an outcome, will use the time following this Ministerial meeting for valuable self-reflection.

The failure to strike any big deals in Buenos Aires and the lack of U.S. leadership, which has left a power vacuum, highlighted uncertainty at the trade organization.

The United States was one of the main livelihoods of the WTO, said Mauricio Claveri, a Buenos Aires-based economic analyst who specializes in foreign trade.

Now, there are no advances on a multilateral level. Theres an enormous diversity of interests. Thats where the WTO is under great risk of losing that leadership role in trade negotiations and being relegated to an organism with symbolic but no real power.

___

Associated Press writers Almudena Calatrava and Debora Rey contributed to this report.
Alabama.

Who knew it would become one of the most beautiful words in American politics?

It turns out there could have been no better place to test the limits of indecency, the limits of Trumpism, the limits of Republican partisanship and, yes, the limits of racial subjugation. If the angry ideology of the far right cannot make it in one of our most loyally conservative states that was a center of resistance to civil rights, it cannot make it anywhere.

First, let us pay tribute to the new Alabama busy being born. There were many reasons why Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore, but younger voters who insisted that the old ways are not their ways were decisive.

Jones overwhelmed Moore among Alabamians under 45, taking over 60 percent of their ballots, according to the media exit poll. Moore took about three-fifths of those 65 and over. This augurs poorly for Republicans, and President Trump is deepening this generation gap. The GOP is throwing away its future.

And its present isnt so hot either. In 2016, Trump took 62 percent in Alabama. But with those who voted on Tuesday, his approval rating was 48 percent. Such numbers  in, lets repeat, Alabama  demonstrate that Trump is hemorrhaging support everywhere.

This electorate may well have been more anti-Trump than the state as a whole, but that is the point: In combination with the results of Novembers elections in Virginia and elsewhere, Tuesday revealed that the Democratic base has an energy unseen since Barack Obamas election in 2008, while Republicans are demobilized and demoralized. If the 2010 Senate special election victory in Massachusetts by Republican Scott Brown warned Democrats how much trouble they were in, Jones victory ought to do the same for the GOP.

African-Americans were a central part of the uprising. Remember the news stories  plainly created out of nothing but tired preconceptions  that the black vote was not mobilized? Oops. In fact, black voters in large numbers were ready to make a statement in a place where so many fought, and even died, for the right to cast ballots. As MSNBCs Steve Kornacki noted, turnout in heavily African-American counties was more than 70 percent of what it had been in the presidential election of 2016. In core white Republican counties, those figures were in the 50 percent-plus range.

This was also a vote against a deep cynicism that assumes the right wings skill at bamboozling rank-and-file citizens. Many expected that Moore would succeed in persuading enough voters either to overlook or disbelieve allegations about his abuse of young teenagers when he was in his 30s.

But mothers were not distracted. In one of the most extraordinary exit poll findings ever, 66 percent of mothers with children in their households under 18 voted for Jones; only 41 percent of fathers in such households did. This 25-point parental gender gap is powerful evidence that a rebellion led by women has become one of the most formidable forces in our politics.

Yes, whites in Alabama are still loyal Republicans, but loyalty had its limits on Tuesday  particularly for women. Jones got 26 percent of the votes cast by white men, but 34 percent from white women.

Richard Shelby, Alabamas senior Republican senator, also played a key role by announcing that he could not vote for Moore and that he had written in an alternative candidate. He was joined by some 23,000 voters, probably most of them Republicans, helping to build Jones margin.

Will Republicans learn from what happened? News that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell intends to move the GOPs tax monstrosity through before Jones is seated is not encouraging. The bill should be delayed until Jones can have his say.

In the meantime, the pathetic quality of Trumps leadership was underscored on Wednesday morning. The president, a double loser in Alabama having endorsed Moores unsuccessful primary opponent Luther Strange and then battled aggressively for Moore, could think only about self-justification. Trump claimed he had backed Strange because he knew that Moore would not be able to win the General Election. Tossing allies under the bus without a backward glance is one thing Trump is really good at.

A president who is both weak and megalomaniacal is very, very dangerous. Republican congressional leaders should be afraid for their skins, and for the country, but there is little reason to believe they will have the fortitude to act.

Alabama voters, at least, showed us what courage looks like.
As long as new Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is doing a nationwide search for a chief of police, he might want to look for a professional animal welfare director as well.

Leadership at the citys Animal Welfare Department has been controversial for nearly a decade, in large part because directors are political appointees rather than animal welfare professionals with proven track records. And it isnt helpful that directors are allowed to override professional staff recommendations regarding an animals adoptability.

The citys most recent directors, both appointed to the post under the administration of Mayor Richard Berry, had zero experience running a metropolitan animal welfare operation prior to being appointed.

Barbara Bruin, an attorney whose only experience in animal welfare was membership on the Animal Humane New Mexico board and the New Mexico Attorney Generals Animal Cruelty Task Force, was appointed to the post in 2009. Her stormy tenure ended when a management realignment had Bruin stepping down to work in a newly created advisor position. She resigned from the agency in 2016.

Her replacement was Paul Caster who, before being named deputy director in 2015, had no experience running a shelter, other than organizing the departments volunteers and having been involved in private animal rescue organizations.

He ascended to the $102,643-a-year directors job after city officials failed to make good on a promise to conduct a nationwide search for an experienced and qualified director.

The Achilles heel for both Bruin and Caster proved to be their propensity to override recommendations by professional staffers regarding the adoption of potentially dangerous dogs.

At least four investigations since 2014 found that Animal Welfare had been adopting out dogs that had either bitten or injured humans or killed other animals and potentially endangered public safety. In response, city officials in 2015 designated a three-person team  made up of highly experienced staff members, such as veterinarians and animal behaviorists  to make decisions on adoptability and euthanasia.

Inexplicably, the departments directors have been allowed to override those decisions, and have done so, much to the chagrin of professional staffers, unwitting adopters and, presumably, the citys risk management department. (Its noteworthy that Caster last year helped hire animal rights colleague Deb Brinkley as associate director, even though she has acknowledged that her Colorado animal sanctuary rescued a 120-pound mastiff named Onion that had mauled a 1-year-old Nevada child to death in 2012. As of Dec. 6, Brinkley was still on the job.)

Clearly, at least two things need to occur at this juncture: Protocols that allow a director to override adoptability and euthanasia recommendations by the three-member team need to be eliminated; and the city should hire a professional director with experience running a metropolitan animal welfare department.

As we have seen, the alternative leads to a dysfunctional department wracked by internal strife, whistleblower complaints and unacceptable liabilities. The shelters animals, and taxpayers, deserve far better.

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.
A man is in jail after police say he raped a woman when the two got a motel in northeast Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Officers arrested 33-year-old Kynneth Wilson on Wednesday evening, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. He is charged with criminal sexual penetration.

Police say a woman reported being raped by Wilson at the Loma Verde hotel, near Central and Louisiana NE, earlier Wednesday.

The woman told detectives the two got a room at the motel the night before. Once inside, Wilson offered to give her a massage.

She was clear to (Wilson) that the massage was not going to be sexual, a detective wrote.

When the woman became uncomfortable and asked Wilson to stop, he got angry and said she owed him for the room, according to the complaint.

He also told her he had just gotten out of prison for beating his babys momma,' a detective wrote.

The woman told detectives that, after she laid back down on the bed, Wilson raped her as she cried and told him to stop. Afterward, Wilson said Im sorry for raping you.

Police say the woman left and called police after Wilson fell asleep.

During questioning, Wilson told detectives he met the woman the night before and, during intercourse at the hotel, stopped when she told him to.

Wilson tried to have sex with her again and told detectives he felt less resistance, although she didnt say anything and appeared to not be enjoying it.

Afterwards, Wilson told detectives the woman went into the bathroom to shoot up heroin as he fell asleep and he later woke to police knocking on his door.
Attorneys this week argued over just how crucial certain pieces of discredited biological evidence were to jury members who convicted Jacob Duran of murder three decades ago.

In August 1987, jurors were told that a hair found at the scene of Teofilia Gradis killing was microscopically identical to Durans, but modern DNA testing has since revealed that the hair was not his, and may have belonged to the victim, according to his attorneys.

At trial, an expert witness testified that the characteristics of the blood found on the fingernail clippings were consistent with both Durans and Gradis profiles. But a new test found Gradis fingernail clippings did not contain male DNA.

The 64-year-old Gradi had been making tamales in her North Valley home on the December 1986 night when she was shot four times in the head, Anne Kelly, assistant attorney general wrote. When she was found hours later by her daughter, dishes were burning on the stove and her checkbook and jewelry were missing.

Kelly argued during a hearing on Monday that the new testing does not raise the possibility that the crime was committed by someone else. And it doesnt prove that Duran was not at the scene of the homicide. She said the results of the fingernail clipping tests only confirm the information shared at trial.

One hair is not enough to disturb a valid conviction, she said. Retrying the case 30 years later will not yield a more sound result.

But attorneys with the New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project who are representing Duran argued that the new results controvert and undermine the case presented at trial. Attorney Nicholas Davis said that the hair was used to place Duran at the scene of the womans death.

No other evidence puts him inside the house, Davis said.

Detectives and prosecutors investigating the case found the hair analysis particularly compelling, Davis argued. The state did not believe it had sufficient evidence to move forward with an arrest warrant until it received the hair comparison.

(He) did not see either probable cause or enough to get him over reasonable doubt without the hairs, Davis said. Without that evidence, a jury today could have reasonable doubt.

Duran, who is now 69, has always maintained his innocence.

Duran has asked state District Judge Stanley Whitaker to set aside the judgment and sentence and either dismiss the charges or grant a new trial. Whitaker said he does not anticipate issuing an order until the new year.
NEW YORK  Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is catching blame from fellow Republicans for coughing up a safe Senate seat in deep-red Alabama and foisting damaging political advice on President Donald Trump. But in the aftermath of this weeks stinging Alabama defeat, Bannon is showing no signs of abandoning his guerrilla war against the GOP establishment.

Bannon wholeheartedly backed Roy Moore, the insurgent conservative who faltered in Tuesdays special election amid allegations that he had preyed on underage girls decades ago. The accusations prompted the national party to withdraw support for its nominee for a while, but Bannon stuck with Moore, headlining rallies for the candidate and convincing Trump to extend a full-throated endorsement.

But when Moore lost on Tuesday, handing the Democrats control of their first Senate seat in Alabama in a generation, Republicans turned on Bannon. The Breitbart News head already had made scores of enemies for declaring a siege on his own party.

This is a brutal reminder that candidate quality matters regardless of where you are running, said Steven Law, head of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC for Republicans aligned with GOP leadership. Not only did Steve Bannon cost us a critical Senate seat in one of the most Republican states in the country, but he also dragged the president of the United States into his fiasco.

Bannons team vowed that its revolution would continue, insisting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should be the one to take the blame.

Bannons allies dismissed the Alabama loss as little more than a temporary setback that would soon be forgotten. They expect that the Republicans cheering Moores loss will simply enrage Trumps most loyal supporters nationwide, who already suspected some Republican leaders were trying to undermine the presidents agenda.

Theyre stomping on the very base they need to turn out for their candidates in the general election in 2018, said Andy Surabian, a senior adviser to the Bannon-backed Great America PAC. He contended that the average Republican voter across the country is pointing their finger at Mitch McConnell and the Republican establishment.

Bannons team blamed McConnell for abandoning Moore, though it was a somewhat incongruous argument after Bannon warned McConnell to stay out of Alabama when Moore won the GOP primary. On his Sirius XM radio show Wednesday, Bannon credited Democrats with out-hustling the GOP on the ground in Alabama  praise that doubled as a swipe at the lack of Senate Republican campaign committee field staff on the ground in the state.

The fate of Bannons insurgency may depend on whether he can keep Trumps ear.

In the hours after Moores loss, Trump was restrained, according to a White House official and an outside adviser not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations. Some in the West Wing had hoped the loss would prompt Trump to sever ties with Bannon but the president did not seem inclined to take that step, according to the two people.

Since Bannons exit from the White House in August, he has remained close to the president, speaking to him frequently by phone, offering political advice and reminding Trump of his populist campaign promises. Though he had grown weary of the infighting Bannon initiated in the West Wing, Trump still valued his former strategist, telling allies that he felt that Bannon had a better feel for the presidents base than most of his advisers. He also praised Bannons pugnacious spirit, seeing in his former aide a brawler similar to himself.

Bannon tried to steer Trump toward Moore in the primary but the president, confronted with conflicting advice from his staff, supported incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed to the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became attorney general. But the president was never truly sold on Strange, and publicly worried he had backed the wrong candidate.

After Moores primary win, an exultant Bannon believed it was the first victory of a GOP civil war and, later, urged the president to endorse Moore even after the sexual harassment allegations surfaced. Trump initially hesitated but then fully embraced Moore over objections from aides and Republican leadership.

Publicly, Trump on Wednesday addressed Moores loss by acknowledging he would have liked to have had the seat in the Senate as he and GOP lawmakers scratch for legislative victories. But Trump also said, in what could be interpreted as a dig at those in the GOP who did not back Moore, that a lot of Republicans feel differently. They feel very happy about the way it turned out.

Bannons group indicated they would forge forward with plans to challenge the GOP establishment in Senate races in as many as 10 states, including Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee, though one adviser suggested that a greater effort may be made on recruiting and screening candidates.

But in the hours after the stunning defeat, many Republicans reveled in Bannons failure.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina argued that Bannon should have called off his guns and simply backed Trumps first choice.

When it comes to Alabama politics Steve Bannon should have followed President @realDonaldTrump lead in supporting Luther Strange, Graham tweeted. Trumps instincts on the Alabama race proved to be correct.

And Rep. Peter King, R-NY, declared that Bannon looked like some disheveled drunk who wandered onto the political stage.

This is not the type of person we need in politics, said King said. (Bannon) sort of parades himself out there with his weird alt-right views that he has, and to me its demeaning the whole government and political process. And last nights election was a manifestation of the revulsion by the American people.

___

Associated Press writer Steve Peoples in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire
Several videos and posts supporting and lauding Shambulal Raigar began circulating after the grisly murder of a Muslim man in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Rajasthan police have registered a case against five people who allegedly published social media posts in favour of Shambulal Raigar, who is accused of brutally killing a Muslim man in Rajsamand district.

Two people were arrested for creating a nuisance and disturbing communal harmony. They have been booked under the Information Technology Act and the IPC.

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Several videos and posts supporting and lauding Shambulal Raigar began circulating after the grisly murder.

Rajasthan police have also frozen at least one bank account belonging to Shambulal Raigar's wife. Her account information had been put on social media to seek financial assistance. Around 2.5 to 3 lakhs were deposited in the account after the details were made public.

Earlier, on December 10, Shambulal Raigar's police remand was extended for ten days. On December 8, he was sent on police remand for three days.

On Saturday, Rajasthan's top cop, Director General of Police (DGP) OP Gahlotra, applauded the district police's efforts to promptly nab Shambulal Raigar. He also said a campaign would be undertaken to ensure that such an incident doesn't happen again.

"I have been sent here by the Chief Minister. To assure the community that she is with them. From the Government's side, an assistance amount of five lakh rupees has been given to the victim family. I have inspected the place of incident here. Have also supervised the investigation that is underway," Rajsathan DGP OP Galhotra said.

"This incident is a big nuisance and serious. Good investigation is being done in this case. The accused was also soon arrested in it and we will file the chargesheet as well in the Court in a month's time. I am fully satisfied with the action that has been taken by the police over here in this case.", Galhotra said.

WATCH | Viral Video: Man burnt to death to 'save girl from love jihad' in Rajasthan

--- ENDS ---
MONTROSE, Colo.  A 32-year-old Colorado woman who pleaded guilty to child abuse causing death has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The Grand Junction Sentinel reported Wednesday that Julie Ann Huff is accused of inflicting head trauma to the child while babysitting in 2016.

Two-year-old Tobi Joan Doyle died in February 2016, some hours after being hospitalized.

Huff was arrested and charged with a felony count of child abuse resulting in death.

She originally seemed ready to take her case to trial, but changed tracks in October and entered a guilty plea to a single count of child abuse negligently causing death.

The plea came with a stipulated 20-year prison sentence that was formalized Wednesday by District Judge Keri Yoder.

___

Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com
POJOAQUE  Homeowners living on roads claimed by area pueblos are calling on Santa Fe County to do its own historical research before signing off on any road agreements with the local tribes and the federal government.State Rep. Carl Trujillo and Deputy County Manager Tony Flores fielded questions Wednesday night at the Pojoaque Valley Middle School auditorium, in the first of a series of public meetings intended to help residents of the Pojoaque Valley understand terms of potential agreements between the county, federal agencies, and the pubelos of Nambe, Pojoaque, Tesuque and San Ildefenso.

San Ildefonso set off controversy years ago when it claimed roads formerly considered public and county property in the pueblos exterior boundaries  land that was inside pueblo boundaries until it fell into private hands. The pueblos claim has clouded home ownership titles and the ability sell homes or get insurance, with road access in doubt.

Terms of possible deals with all four northern Santa Fe County pueblos to resolve the dispute were first announced at a County Commission meeting Tuesday night.

Essentially, the agreements would put the disputed roads into a tribal inventory or under control of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, under terms that would keep the roads unequivocally public and maintained by the county. The agreements would be for 99 years with an automatic renewal for another 99 years. Some the roads are the only point of access for non-Native residents homes.Trujillo explained for some homes that do not touch a road, Pojoaque Pueblo is developing a process for special, individual land agreements, at a cost to the homeowner, to provide access across pueblo territory. Flores said some of these gap areas will be determined by pueblo-registered surveys, and Santa Fe County will only be surveying rights of way. Orlando Romero, who lives off a Nambe-claimed road, said the county needs to carefully do its own surveying and mapping of these areas to ensure the gap area properties indeed fall on pueblo land. We need to know before you agree to these agreements that (the pueblos) are right, said Romero. Other residents questioned their ability to receive title insurance under the land agreements, since the agreements last only 35-years. Title insurance is needed for buying, selling, or loan approval. Sharon Freeman, who lives off a road near Pojoaque Pueblo, was concerned that the documents say land agreements would be for up to 35 years. Trujillo said he would look into whether the language ensures a 35-year minimum. Were stuck, Freeman said after the meeting.

X
SANTA FE  A proposal to ask voters whether to amend the city charter to establish an office of inspector general will not appear on the ballot for the 2018 municipal election after the mayor and City Council voted 6-3 against the idea Wednesday night.

Councilor Joseph Maestas, whose name will be on the ballot as a candidate for mayor, has been advocating for such an office for years.

While a previous attempt in 2015 failed to gain traction, he introduced a new inspector general proposal in the wake of a report by an independent firm released in September that warned the there were an extremely high risks of fraud due to the almost complete lack of internal controls present in the Citys system of accounting and financial affairs.

I believe were at a point we need to send a message to our community based on what has happened, Maestas said.

While he got support from councilors Renee Villarreal and Ron Trujillo, another candidate for mayor, the consensus of the other council members and the mayor was that now was not the time for Maestas proposal.

Mayor Javier Gonzales, who is sponsoring an ordinance amendment to have the city Audit Committee oversee a contract with a private internal auditor, said new internal controls should be allowed to time to take hold.

More needs to be done, Gonzales said. But I dont think and Inspector General can do more than what were doing right now.

Councilor Mike Harris agreed, and noted that the Audit Committee was against the idea. He said it would be better for the city to proceed cautiously and not confuse voters, who already will have to adjust to a new ranked-choice method of voting in the March election, barring a ruling by the state Supreme Court overturning a district judges order to proceed with the new voting system.

Gonzales and Harris were joined by Councilors Carmichael Dominguez, Signe Lindell, Chris Rivera and another mayoral candidate, Peter Ives, in opposing creation of an inspector generals office. Dominguez said the council shouldnt spread fear among city employees.

Also Wednesday night, the council approved publishing notice for public hearings to be held Jan. 10 on using surplus public campaign finance funds for public education on ranked-choice voting and a contingency plan to hold a separate runoff election should any candidate participating in the March election fail to achieve a majority of votes cast, as stated in the city charter.
HOUSTON  The parent organization of a University of Houston fraternity was indicted on a hazing charge Thursday that alleges pledges were deprived of adequate food, water and sleep during a three-day event where one student was body slammed and sustained a lacerated spleen.

The indictment names Tennessee-based Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity Inc. and stems from alleged incidents that occurred in November 2016. A conviction on the misdemeanor could result in fines of up to $10,000.

The organization released a statement saying it does not control any chapter or its members or their activities, but that it also doesnt tolerate hazing, maltreatment or any activities that do not treat individuals with dignity and respect.

The indictment focuses on one student pledge who was allegedly rolled around in vomit, spit and feces. The student also was forced to run in darkness carrying a glow stick while being blindsided by fraternity members tackling him, according to Harris County prosecutors.

Brotherhood and collegiate good times should be safe, and hazing is not, District Attorney Kim Ogg said. It is also illegal, and that should be recognized by the dozens of fraternities and sororities on college campuses all over the Houston area.

Ogg said an official representative of the fraternity will have to be present for court hearings. The indictment was handed down by a grand jury in Houston.

In its Thursday statement, Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity Inc. said the hazing alleged in the indictment occurred in the context of activities of a now former chapter that was a separate, unincorporated association of University of Houston students.

The organization said it suspended the chapters charter in August, after it received allegations of hazing.

The university has already suspended Pi Kappa Alpha from its campus until 2023. The school said takes its responsibility seriously to train fraternities and sororities be safe and to adhere to laws and university policies against hazing.
Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey are best friends.

Its been that way for more than 20 years.

The two men are also dads and share a love for cooking.

Oh, and they love travelling.

So its safe to say the duo has a dream job with Food Networks The Grill Dads.

In the series, the pair criss cross the country searching for the best food in each city.

Anderson and Fey made their way to Albuquerque earlier this year.

And the city had a warm welcome for them.

When we were looking at cities to visit Albuquerque was at the top of the list, Anderson says. Every year, where we live gets in shipment of the Hatch green chile and we buy a lot of it. We wanted to visit the area where theres chile all around. Ryan and I are big fans. And we got to see why New Mexicans love their chile.

The episode featuring Albuquerque airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 on Food Network.

The hosts and its crew were in the city for three days.

During the episode, Anderson and Fey visit San Franciscos Capos, where the renowned, fried deep-dish pizza has won the title as worlds best.

Then its, on to Seattle where Katsu Burgers Godzilla Attack lives up to its name, as their grass fed, farm-raised beef is deep fried, katsu style and built into a mouth-watering burger piled high with flavors.

Finally, its over to visit Albuquerques Backstreet Grill for a savory and spicy, braised and fried duck burrito deeply flavored with New Mexican chiles.

The dish was excellent and the chef was amazing, Fey says. I remember getting to the first place and you could smell green chile roasting in the air. It was really eye opening.

As the series is getting underway, Anderson says the best part of the shows vision is that he and Fey are working together.

Were two dads that love to cook, he says. We take it seriously. The most exciting thing about this show aside from travelling and food is that we have the support from the Food Network. For us right now, weve been able to make the exact show that we dreamed of making.

Fey agrees and says the producers were able to capture the authenticity of the friendship.

You cant fake what we bring to the table, Fey says. This is how we are. Viewers will be able to see into our friendship. Its food and its funny. Its a new frontier. We were brought together by food and now were expanding our love of cuisine.
PHOENIX  Hundreds of Arizonas state-funded charter schools use discriminatory enrollment policies to close their doors to certain students, according to a report released Thursday by a civil rights group.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona said an investigation found numerous schools had admission requirements that seemed intent on deterring students with certain vulnerabilities. They include disabilities, English-learning needs and past disciplinary issues, the report said.

School choice means that families should be choosing schools, not the other way around, ACLU of Arizona executive director Alessandra Soler said in a statement.

The Arizona Charter Schools Association lambasted the report, calling it a hit piece and accusing the organization of going on an anti-charter witch hunt.

Theres nothing there, said President and CEO Eileen Sigmund. It has a slant. Eighty-four percent of our students are in district schools. They purposely limited this to charter schools.

According to the ACLU, the study was spurred by a rise in complaints about charter schools in recent years.

Sigmund said the report does not paint a complete picture because the ACLU went out of its way to solicit people with negative experiences.

Arizona charter schools are public schools and theyre open to every family. Thats the law, Sigmund said. Our schools are educating a student population that is diverse.

The ACLU analyzed 471 charter schools statewide. Roughly 260 schools conduct enrollment in ways that could be seen as unlawful, the group said.

Under state law, charter schools cannot limit admission based on disability, proficiency in English, income level, ethnicity, national origin, gender or athletic ability.

The report highlights six schools the ACLU said put a cap on the number of special education students it will accept. The ACLU further alleged that some schools try to talk parents of disabled children out of enrolling rather than provide mandated special education programs.

The report also claimed nearly 60 charter schools have denied admittance to students with suspensions on their records. According to state law, schools can turn away students who have been expelled.

Other grievances mentioned in the report include essay or interview requirements in the admissions process. The ACLU is recommending it be made clear that either of those components have no bearing on whether a student is admitted. The group also is calling on more schools to offer enrollment documents online in both English and Spanish.

Charter schools are monitored by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. The state regulator provides clear guidance on proper enrollment practices, executive director Ashley Berg said in a statement. Any complaints about enrollment practices are reviewed and schools found to be in violation are held accountable.

Any accusation that the board has ignored a complaint about discriminatory enrollment practices is simply false, Berg said.

Arizona has 546 charter schools with about 180,000 students currently enrolled.
WASHINGTON  Once again, black women showed up for Democrats, with nearly all of them voting in Alabama for new Sen. Doug Jones, just as they did for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in other states over the last few months.

The same women, having proven their loyalty by voting 98 percent for Jones, now wonder whether the Democratic Party will return the favor by sharing some of the partys political power, handing over places at the negotiating table and pushing legislation that speaks to their unique issues.

Black women showed up and showed out, said Kimberle Crenshaw, co-founder of the African American Policy Forum. In any other context, people who get it 98 percent right, theyd be at the head of the class. Its time for black women to be at the head of the political class.

Black turnout was also high, at around 30 percent, according to exit polls. That level of support mirrors what black women did in Virginia, where 91 percent of them voted for incoming Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, and in New Jersey, where 94 percent voted for incoming Gov. Phil Murphy.

Those women also swept other candidates into office, including Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, the first black candidate to be elected statewide in Virginia since Gov. Doug Wilder in 1989.

Let me be clear: We won in Alabama and Virginia because #BlackWomen led us to victory, said Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and we cant take that for granted. Period.

In Montgomery, Alabama, 70-year-old Annette Brown said she sometimes considers voting Republican, but there was no way she was going to vote for firebrand Roy Moore.

Ive been a Democrat all my life, and Im sure not going to switch for this election. Sometimes I feel like swinging, but not for Moore, she said.

Brown said allegations that Moore pursued teenage girls while in his 30s and his waving of a gun onstage to emphasize his views on the Second Amendment made her decision easy.

I believe the ladies. And hes just off kilter anyway. When he pulled out that gun on stage, that was it for me, Brown said.

Black women have their own unique voting-mobilization strategy, said Barbara Arnwine, president of the Transformative Justice Coalition.

That strategy is what I call my momma,' Arnwine said. You see, Vera Arnwine, when she knows an election is coming up, she gets on the phone. She calls everybody she knows. And she says. Are you voting? Are you registered?  You better get out there and do it. So this is what we do and its just so powerful.

Tuesdays election continued the trend of black women over-performing for Democratic candidates.

In the 2016 presidential race, 94 percent of black women voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton while 53 percent of white women voted for Donald Trump. In 2008 and 2012, black women voted at a higher rate than any racial or gender group, each time giving President Barack Obama 96 percent of their vote.

While black men also turned out in high numbers for Democrats, black women historically have been the backbone of the vote-mobilization efforts, but they rarely get the credit, said LaTosha Brown, a Selma, Alabama, native and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. In Alabama, black women were on the ground working without much fanfare, just as theyve done all the way back to the civil rights movement, she said.

Black women stand and have continuously been standing in the gap, and been providing an enormous amount of leadership because we dont just bring our own issues. We bring our community with us, she said.

In addition to voting, black women are running for office, testing whether the Democratic Party will stand behind them in the 2018 elections and beyond. Stacey Abrams is running to be Georgias first black governor. In Virginia, Vangie Williams hopes to become the states first black congresswomen.

In 2017, black women held only two statewide offices  GOP Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton of Kentucky and Connecticut state Treasurer Denise Nappier, a Democrat. Black women are mayors of seven of the nations 100 largest cities and hold 271 state legislature seats, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers Universitys Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Black women say they now need to be compensated for their devotion. Democrats also need to share some of their positions of power with black women on the ballot and inside political party machines on local, state and national levels.

Sen. Kamala Harris of California, who is the only black woman in the Senate and is already being mentioned as a 2020 presidential candidate, said Democrats and progressives need to go beyond just thanking black women.

Lets address issues that disproportionately affect Black women  like pay disparity, housing & under-representation in elected office, she said Thursday on Twitter.

Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, said she and other black women Democrats plan to put together a package of legislation that will speak to black womens issues and present it to Democratic leadership with a message.

You need to address those whose vote, not check, gave you an opportunity, Jackson Lee said, describing an initiative that might include major points such as education, the economy, health care and the criminal justice system. Youre bragging that you want us to be in the civic process. Now do something for that.

___

Associated Press Writer Bill Barrow in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report.

___

Jesse J. Holland covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Contact him at jholland//www.twitter.com/jessejholland or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jessejholland . You can read his stories at AP at http://bit.ly/storiesbyjessejholland .
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

The youngest of three youths convicted in the beating deaths of two homeless men was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison, bringing to a close a 2014 case that made national headlines for its staggering brutality.

Gilbert Tafoya was just 15 when he and two friends used makeshift weapons they found  a table leg, a cinder block and tree branches  to pummel two homeless men who were sleeping on a discarded mattress in an empty West Central lot. After the assault, the teens retrieved kitchen knives and returned to stab Allison Gorman, 44, and Kee Thompson, 45, who were both Navajo.

A third man, who was able to escape the attack, later told police that the group was known for beating homeless people and, according to police, Tafoya said he and his friends had done so dozens of times before.

In a brief statement to the court and the victims families, Tafoya said he knew what he had done and would not let it happen again.

Three years ago, I made a very bad choice, and it weighs heavily on me every day. I cant even say how sorry I am, Tafoya said. I would ask for forgiveness, but I cant even forgive myself.

Before announcing the sentence, 2nd Judicial District Judge Briana Zamora said the degree of brutality in this case is unprecedented. In October, she ruled that Tafoya, now 19, would be sentenced as an adult.

During the hearing Thursday, Gormans sister described seeing her brothers body.

I felt so numb when I saw him lying in the casket, thinking this is not my brother, my brother was so handsome and strong, Gormans sister told the court. How can I confirm that this is really him? The man laying in front of me looks like a monster.

Gorman was a cowboy, a handyman, a farmer, she said.

But the attack left his face unrecognizable, police said.

And Thompsons sister said the news that her brother had suffered such pain was devastating.

No one should have to die such a cruel and hideous death, she said.

Tafoyas 20-year sentence is the lightest in the case, and it was specified in a September 2015 plea deal that required him to testify as a states witness. But Tafoya was eligible for an amenability hearing during which Zamora would consider whether Tafoya should be sentenced as a juvenile or an adult. If he had been sentenced as a juvenile, he could have remained in custody only until age 21.

During an amenability hearing, a neuropsychologist testified that Tafoya grew up in an emotionally neglectful home and was not properly supervised by his parents.

Still to come is a restitution hearing, though a spokesman for the District Attorneys Office said Thursday that would not take place until Tafoya is released after serving his sentence.

Nathaniel Carillo, 16 at the time of the attacks, is serving a 26-year prison sentence for his murder convictions. Alex Rios, 18 at the time of the beatings, was sentenced to 67 years in prison after a jury in 2015 found him guilty of second-degree murder and 21 more charges.

The deaths of Gorman and Thompson at the hands of teenage boys triggered a renewed focus on the hardships and violence faced by those experiencing homelessness  particularly Native Americans.

City and Navajo Nation leaders came together after the murders to discuss strategies for combating those problems, ultimately forming an 18-member Native American Homelessness Task Force.
Barbara McAneny, president-elect of the American Medical Association and a New Mexico-based oncologist, has said Medicare cuts that would be triggered automatically by Congress tax overhaul bill would be fatal for community cancer centers.

Patients will have to change where they get care, it will be more expensive and they will have no choice in the matter, said McAneny, a founding partner of the New Mexico Cancer Center, which has locations in Albuquerque and Gallup.

At issue is the $1 trillion projected deficit over the next decade at the heart of the Senate tax reform bill approved this month, which could trigger $25 billion or more in Medicare cuts through the process known as sequestration. Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan have pledged to prevent the cuts, but the House and Senate are still drafting the final version of the bill.

Should the cuts be triggered, McAneny said community cancer centers will be threatened because of the high cost of caring for cancer patients, many of whom are insured by Medicare. The problem will be particularly acute in rural areas and states like New Mexico, where patient populations often dont include enough individuals with non-Medicare insurance to help cover the cost of those who do, she said.

Its not just about the cost of the drugs, its about the cost of storing the drugs, preparing them and delivering them to the patient, said McAneny. All these practices are going to have to seriously consider the viability of going forward.

Cancer patients would also likely see their health care costs rise if they have to receive their treatment at a hospital. The cost of cancer treatment at a hospital is about twice as expensive as treatment at a community cancer center, said McAneny.

According to the Community Oncology Alliance, an advocacy group for independent practices, existing Medicare cuts over the past few years have already resulted in the shuttering of 91 community cancer treatment centers across the country.

People are panicking, said Ted Okon, the alliances executive director.

McAneny said while hospital-based cancer treatment centers would also be affected by the cuts, those operations benefit from a pricing program that allows certain institutions to buy drugs from manufacturers at a discount while still getting certain Medicare reimbursements.

The program, known as 340B, is scheduled to be dramatically reduced on Jan. 1, but McAneny said it will still provide a source of funding for hospitals that community cancer centers dont receive.
The police resorted to lathicharge in order to disperse the volatile protesters who came out on the streets in support of Shambu Lal Raigar, accused of hacking and burning a man to death in Rajsamand over 'love jehad'.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The police resorted to lathicharge in order to disperse the volatile protesters who came out on the streets in support of Shambu Lal Raigar, accused of hacking and burning a man to death in Rajsamand over 'love jehad'.

The police arrested several protesters as well. The protesting youths will be taken out of the city area.

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Several from Hindu organizations gathered despite imposition of Section 144 in Udaipur district.

Shambu Lal Raigar, the man behind Rajsamand hate crime, was arrested from Kelva region in Rajsamand and sent into police custody.

A video showing him burning the man alive had surfaced after which senior police officials from the Rajsamand district had been camping there keeping tight vigil on the law and order situation.

After the first video, another video of Shambunath had surfaced in which he admitted to committing the crime and mentioned that he will surrender.

The district administration in Rajasthan's Udaipur district has been keeping a close tab on the situation prevailing there in the aftermath of the brutal murder by Shambu Lal Raigar. Udaipur is an adjoining district of Rajsamand, where a man was hacked and later burnt by the accused.

At several significant junctions in the city, including at Chetak Circle, Reti Stand and town hall, the police used force to ensure that the situation is under control.

Several inflammatory videos were circulating in the district due to which the district administration had to clamp down with a district-wide imposition of Section 144. A 24-hour ban on internet services has also been imposed in the district.

During a protest rally taken out in the district, speeches targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and certain religious and social organizations were made. The video of that was widely circulated.

The Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha also took out a rally on the occasion of Vasunddhara Raje government's completion of four years. During that also, there was sloganeering. The video of that also went viral. A message mentioning about a rally in reply to the one taken earlier by members of a community was also widely circulated.

--- ENDS ---
Following the footsteps of its maiden TVC success, CARS24, which is slowly transforming the Indian used car industry, has rolled out its second TVC today. A part of its 360-degree awareness campaign #BechneWalaPrice, the TVC features CARS24s brand endorser BomanIrani.

#BechneWalaPrice campaign is aimed at highlighting the hassles a used-car seller goes through including contacting multiple buyers and the endless pain of price negotiation with each one of them. The campaign positions CARS24 as an efficient and reliable option for car owners to sell their car while focusing on the USPs of best price, free RC transfer and instant payment and all this in a single visit to CARS24s branch.

Elaborating on CARS24s campaign and new TVC, Mr. Vikram Chopra, CEO and Co-Founder, CARS24, said, The unstructured nature of the used car market in India often leads to online buyers or local businesses quoting random prices to customers. With this TVC we hope to support more customers to get the right value for their car in a more efficient and hassle-free manner.

We think the timing of the campaigns release cant be more appropriate as multitude of car owners fear a drop in prices as we approach the new years. After the success of our first TVC, the latest commercial focuses on customers pain points while selling a car and we are excited to roll it out to all the consumers. We are glad to have a brand endorser of BomanIrani's caliber to be the face of CARS24 and spread this message.

#BechneWalaPrice is 360-degree campaign that will run across all national TV channels with a strong presence across digital mediums including Facebook, Google and YouTube. The campaign will utilize radio as a medium in five cities, namely, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune. Road-side hoardings and bus brandings will form the Out-of-home (OOH) leg of the campaign. The campaign comes out at a strategic time of year-end when most of the people contemplate selling their used cars and plan to purchase new car models in the coming year.

The prominent target audiences of CARS24 are car owners, between the age-group of 30-50, residing in metros and other major cities, who have a minimum experience of 3-4 years of owning a car. With BomanIrani as the brand endorser, an average person could relate to him while seeing the TVC.

Take a look at the latest TVC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJsLQnhzg88

Creative Credits:

CARS24 Marketing Team

Head of Marketing: Gajendra Jangid

Manager- Brand & Marketing: Nida Naushad

Production House: K Silent Productions

Writer/ Creative Director: Riazat Khan

Director: Ankit Mehrotra

Executive Producer: KC Pandey/ Riazat Khan
As per the mandate, FoxyMoron will be managing the digital creative, media, search engine optimization as well as website maintenance and development duties. This entails strengthening the brands digital presence by showcasing their dynamic apparels and building a distinct brand personality.

Speaking on the appointment, Mr. Ramesh Kaushik, Vice President- Brand Experience, Blackberrys said, We, at Blackberrys, are proud partners in our consumers journey for success. As a brand we stand committed to our consumers, and hence need partners who are common to us in this cause. With a strong belief in good, relevant and useful content, our digital strategy is to break away from one-way disruption and engage consumers in co-created platforms. Just like Blackberrys wardrobe solutions, the heart of our digital strategy is in being ahead of times yet relevant, engaging our consumers in their journey towards success. Everytime. All the time.

FoxyMoron to us is a right fit since they have established credibility in the industry with their disruptive and differentiated approach, and have in depth knowledge of digital ecosystem. Given our clear focus on content and a two-way engagement, we are confident of FoxyMorons high-level understanding of Indian consumer, their tastes and preferences. They are aware of what our business needs with change in focus, scope and what is best in terms of engagement, measurements and sustainable approach. It is these exciting and interesting times that allow us to shape the future of wardrobe solutions and we look forward to work with them.

The account will be managed from the agency's North office. This win is a significant addition to FoxyMoron Gurgaons rapidly expanding client roster that already includes Motorola, Lenovo, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Wok To Walk, HOOQ and Pulse Candy, among many others.

Gokul Pillai, Creative Director - North, FoxyMoron said, Knowing that they are in the business of making men look good, It's going to be interesting working on this brand! We not only forward to building the brand, but have strong vision and values to back the motive. We are determined to align our expertise to steer the brand towards its goals and I'm sure it will be a memorable journey!

It's a privilege to be associated with an iconic brand like Blackberrys. To be their partners at a time when the brand is redefining themselves and to be able to disseminate this message to an ever-changing digital audience is a job which requires a great deal of agile thinking and trust. We're excited about the possibilities for the brand when it comes to chalking out a holistic strategy in terms of digital creative, media, technology, web and search. Said Prachi Bali, Business Head - North, FoxyMoron commenting on the win.
Social Kinnect has appointed Gerard Jayaranjan as National Creative Director. Gerard comes with over 16 years of experience across traditional and digital agencies. His most recent stint was with FCB Ulka Digital as their National Creative director.

His extensive knowledge in the mainline and digital advertising space accompanied with his strong understanding of building brands makes him a perfect addition to the organisation. Being a multiple award winner with Cannes, New York Festivals, ABBYs etc. his strategic creative guidance, firm grasp on the use of the digital medium, and compelling ideas will play a pivotal role in further strengthening the growth of the company.

Rohan Mehta CEO  Social Kinnect, expressing his views on the development said, Gerard brings with him a definitive perspective on the role of digital and tremendous energy, both of which align with Social Kinnects quintessence. His experience across various spectrums of mainline and digital will further strengthen the creative core of the company. This will help us build great brand campaigns for our client roster across our headquarters in Mumbai and our newly set up office in the Delhi NCR region.

Gerard on his move says, I have been following Social Kinnects work for quite some time now. And the consistent quality is what primarily attracted me to the place. And then when I met Rohan and Chandni, I absolutely loved how clear they were on their vision for the agency. And even after all the years and all the success, the passion and hunger to do more and do it well, has only grown. And that to me is a mark of any good agency. Their undying entrepreneurial spirit can be seen in every Kinnector out here. The energy is almost infectious. While this will be my first stint outside of network agencies, I am looking forward to contributing in whatever way I can to take Social Kinnect to the place where it rightfully belongs.
SAO PAULO, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Minerva Luxembourg S.A. ("Minerva Luxembourg"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minerva S.A. ("Minerva"), today announced the early tender date results in connection with HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.'s (the "Offeror") previously announced offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") any and all of Minerva Luxembourg's outstanding 7.75% Notes due 2023 (the "Notes"). The Notes are guaranteed by Minerva.

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase dated November 30, 2017 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Offer to Purchase") and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Letter of Transmittal" and together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Offer Documents").

The early tender date for the Tender Offer occurred at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 13, 2017 (the "Early Tender Date"). Minerva Luxembourg has been advised that, as of the Early Tender Date, (i) U.S.$198,042,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, or approximately 79.19% of the outstanding Notes, had been validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer. All Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date will be eligible to receive the Total Consideration (as defined below), which includes the Early Tender Payment (as defined below), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the early settlement date for the Notes (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Early Settlement Date is expected to occur on or about December 14, 2017.

The "Total Consideration" for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be U.S.$1,046.50. The Total Consideration includes an early tender payment (the "Early Tender Payment") equal to U.S.$30.00 for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date. Holders who tender Notes after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will not be entitled to receive the Early Tender Payment and will therefore be entitled to receive, for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered, U.S.$1,016.50 (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), which amount is equal to the Total Consideration less the Early Tender Payment.

Holders who have not yet tendered their Notes have until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 28, 2017, unless extended by the Offeror (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Date") to tender their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. Any holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date will not be entitled to receive the Early Tender Payment and will therefore be entitled to receive only the Tender Offer Consideration, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the final settlement date.

Minerva Luxembourg has consented to the Offeror making the Tender Offer described in the Offer Documents. Minerva Luxembourg is not making the Tender Offer. It is intended that the Notes purchased by the Offeror pursuant to the Tender Offer at the Early Settlement Date will be exchanged by the Offeror to Minerva Luxembourg for a portion of a new issuance of notes in an international capital markets offering.

The obligation of the Offeror to purchase Notes in the Tender Offer is conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer Documents, including a new financing condition as described in the Offer Documents. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon the tender of any minimum principal amount of Notes. The Offeror has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the Tender Offer at any time. The Offeror reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any tenders of Notes for any reason. The Offeror is making the Tender Offer only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so.

Copies of the Offer Documents are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Tender Offer (the "Information Agent"). Requests for copies of the Offer Documents should be directed to the Information Agent at +1 (800) 290-6429 (toll free), +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or Minerva@dfking.com.

Banco Bradesco BBI S.A. ("Bradesco BBI"), BB Securities Limited ("BB Securities"), HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. ("HSBC"), Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. ("Itau") and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") are acting as Dealer Managers in connection with the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to Bradesco BBI, BB Securities, HSBC, Itau, or Merrill Lynch at their respective telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of each of the Offer Documents.

Neither the Offer Documents nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer Documents or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase. The Tender Offer is being made solely by the Offeror pursuant to the Offer Documents. The Tender Offer is not being made to, nor will the Offeror accept any tenders of Notes from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

Minerva S.A.

Media Contact: Edison Ticle de Andrade Melo e Souza Filho

Phone: + 5511 3074 2444 / + 5517 3321 3355

Fax: + 5517 3323 3041

Email: edison.ticle@minervafoods.com

NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the terms of the Tender Offer. These statements are merely projections and as such are based exclusively on management's expectations for Minerva, the business of the Offeror and Minerva and the proposed transactions discussed herein. These forward-looking statements depend materially on changes in market conditions, government regulations, pressures from competitors and the performance of the industry and the Brazilian economy, among other factors, many of which are outside Minerva's control or ability to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Minerva disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Minerva Luxembourg S.A.
TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Half of all individuals in Canada born with cystic fibrosis will not live past around 50 years of age. Emily Lyons  successful serial entrepreneur and CEO of multiple Toronto-based companies  experienced firsthand the reality of this sobering statistic.

In 2011, Emily Lyons' sister Julia passed away due to cystic fibrosis complications. Emily and her family were heartbroken; but Emily transformed this anguish into an unyielding drive to create high-impact businesses  like her event staffing and experiential marketing agency, Femme Fatale Media Group  that would make her sister proud.

Throughout her years as an entrepreneur, Emily Lyons has devotedly helped those affected by cystic fibrosis. Earlier this fall, in fact, she launched a watch brand named JWLS which donates a portion of all profits to organizations involved in the fight against cystic fibrosis.

And now, more recently  with the cheery spirit of the holidays approaching us all  Emily Lyons donated a cheque for $10,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a not-for-profit organization which has, for years, marshaled together information and resources for the purpose of discovering a cure for this deadly genetic disease.

According to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, a donation worth $300 is enough for a graduate student to complete four days of lab work needed to help resist lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients. And a $1,000 donation grants an entire year of in-depth, specialized care to 16 adults with cystic fibrosis.

"Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and other amazing organizations, has made great strides towards eliminating all this pain and suffering caused by cystic fibrosis," says Emily  who participated in this year's Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History and countless other events.

"A cure for cystic fibrosis is a cherished dream for many children and adults alike  and it is a dream that can become a reality with enough resources, intelligent collaboration, and a never-ending drive to make it happen," she says.

With her donation to Cystic Fibrosis Canada  and her other relentless efforts to continue combating the scourge of cystic fibrosis  Emily is helping to "make it happen," contributing meaningfully to the vision of a world without cystic fibrosis.

For media inquiries, contact info@jwlsofficial.com

Related Images

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Presenting Cystic Fibrosis Canada with A Cheque

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Jwls Watches

Related Links

JWLS

Femme Fatale Media Group

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SOURCE JWLS
We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain.
Updesh Rana was arrested from Jaipur as he was planning to go to Rajsamand to hold a rally in Shambulal's support and meet his family.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: Jaipur police arrested Updesh Rana from Bagru area of Jaipur, who had reportedly proclaimed that he would be holding a rally in support of Shambulal, accused in the horrific Rajsamand murder case.

Updesh Rana reached Jaipur from Uttar Pradesh and had plans to go to Rajasthan's Rajsamand district on Thursday. Apart from holding a rally, Rana had also made clear his intentions of meeting Shambulal's family members. Rana claims to be the National pracharak of Vishwa Sanatan Sangh.

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Situation in Rajsamand and its adjoining district, Udaipur, in Rajasthan continues to be under the scanner. Owing to the prevalent situation there, Section 144 has been imposed in both districts and the district police have been keeping a tight vigil. The police have been trying to ensure that the situation remains under control and nothing happens that can act as a flare up.

After a few inflammatory videos circulated, the district administration imposed Section 144 in Udaipur district and also clamped down on internet services in the district in a bid to maintain communal harmony. Shambulal Raigar, the man behind Rajsamand hate crime was arrested from Kelva region in Rajsamand and sent into police custody.

Shambulal had allegedly burnt a man alive for committing 'love jihad'. A video showing him thrashing and setting the man on fire surfaced online after which senior police officials from the Rajsamand district had been camping there keeping tight vigil on the law and order situation. After the first video, another video of Shambulal had surfaced in which he admitted to committing the crime and mentioned that he will surrender.

Rajasthan police has registered a case against five people for supporting Shambulal Raigar, putting up social media posts in his favour.

The police have arrested two people as well. They have been arrested for creating nuisance and disturbing communal harmony. They have been booked under the Information Technology Act and the IPC. They also were allegedly supporting Shambulal Raigar on social media. Several videos and posts supporting Shambulal Raigar, lauding him were going viral.

At least one bank account of Shambulal Raigar's wife has also been frozen by Rajsamand police. Her account information had been put on social media seeking financial assistance. As per information, around 2.5 to 3 lakhs had been deposited in the account after the details were made public. After that, the police froze her account.

ALSO WATCH | Viral Video: Man burnt to death to 'save girl from love jihad' in Rajasthan

--- ENDS ---
The Healthcare.gov website is seen on a computer screen. The government says sign-ups for the Affordable Care Acts subsidized health insurance are still rising. But with an enrollment season that was cut in half, experts say the final tally is likely to fall short.
December 11, 2017

CAIRO  On Nov. 26, the Egyptian Ministry of Finance issued a statement reiterating that after Friday, Nov. 29, all government institutions would stop processing paper checks drawn on the Central Bank of Egypt. Instead, as of Dec. 1, all state financial transactions would be carried out using electronic payment and collection through the Government Fiscal Management Information System (GFMIS).

The shift, which will significantly enhance transparency and counter corruption, represents a major step toward financial inclusion, which the World Bank defines as individuals and businesses hav[ing] access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs  transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance  delivered in a responsible and sustainable way.

Salah Eddin Fahmy, a professor of economics at Al-Azhar University, told Al-Monitor, The Ministry of Finance issued orders in August to all ministries and government agencies to stop dealing with paper checks as of Dec. 1. In turn, these ministries and agencies called on all of their stakeholders in the private sector to adjust their structures, according to the new orders.

Fahmy added, The Ministry of Finances decision aims to achieve financial inclusion required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, had called on Egyptian officials to disseminate banking culture among citizens. According to the report of the IMF mission to Egypt, only 10% of citizens have relationships with banks, which means that the culture of financial inclusion does not exist in Egypt. The shift in payment and collecting methods is one of the IMF's conditions for a $12 billion loan package for Egypt.

According to Fahmy, use of the GFMIS will significantly improve transparency and curb corruption by tracking electronic transfers to reveal the identity of those taking advantage of the government sector for unlawful enrichment.

This method will prevent government employers from asking suppliers for bribes in return for completing transactions to pay suppliers their entitlements in due time, Fahmy said. The systems database will show the dates of invoices sent by the suppliers and the amounts due to them without any official having to write a paper check by hand.

Ayman Fathi, general manager and board member of the Rosa el-Youssef Foundation, a major book supplier for the Ministry of Education, told Al-Monitor that the new system has greatly facilitated financial transactions. The ministry now transfers the amounts due to a bank account specified by the foundation, he said. Fathi explained that the foundation still sends a representative to the ministry to obtain a paper record of the payment orders the ministry sends to the banks. The foundation also of course receives statements of accounts from its bank. Fathi said the new system saves time and effort and ensures safer financial transactions.

He also argues that the security of the electronic system can increase government revenue by encouraging industries and companies in the informal sector to regularize their situation  i.e., obtain a commercial registration number and bank account  perhaps take advantage of government services and benefits or providing services. Fathi stated, This will increase tax revenues, and consequently state revenues, and reduce the Egyptian budget deficit, which hit around 320 billion EGP [around $18 billion] in 2016/2017.

This system improves the government's control of financial accounts, prevents withdrawals exceeding budget allocations, and saves time and effort in drafting profit and loss accounts. In this regard, the Ministry of Finance can be informed daily of the expenses of each government institution, intervene and issue corrective directives when necessary, assemble an accurate historical database on expenses and incomes for all public administrative units and facilitate the process of drafting the performance-based budget and program budgeting.

Former Finance Minister Fayyad Abdel-Moneim told Al-Monitor that he is optimistic that this long overdue shift will be a success, noting the preliminary steps taken by the ministry to support the system's implementation. He noted that a remarkable 61,000 government accounts with the Central Bank had been closed.

This step aims to achieve fiscal consolidation and to have one account per ministry, Abdel-Moneim explained. The new system will allow establishing a unified account chart. All this will lead to the integration of the financial information management system within the electronic payment orders system.

Abdel-Moneim added, A large number of computers required to implement the system were procured along with programs to train employees in this regard. Additional landlines were also provided to secure internet connections. The system was implemented as a first step in revenues-related departments, such as the departments of general taxes, customs, and property taxes.

With the implementation of the new payment system, Amru al-Gohari, undersecretary of the parliament's economic affairs committee, is calling on banks to reduce their fees and commissions, such as account opening expenses, transfer fees, statements of account fees, cash withdrawals, collection commissions, and so on. According to him, banks in Egypt charge high commissions compared to those in other countries that have implemented electronic systems. All entities and individuals are now only able to conduct financial transactions with the government through bank accounts.

To attract the informal sector, valued at an estimated 1.6 trillion EGP [around $89 billion], the government should simplify procedures for obtaining business permits and licenses and reduce the cost, Gohari said. [Financial inclusion and ease of financial oversight] also requires a number of tax exemptions and facilitation, and not only the application of an electronic payment and collection system, Gohari said.

MP Basant Fahmi, a member of the parliament's Economic Committee, told Al-Monitor, The use of paper checks between government institutions and companies and individuals has generated major problems. In case the check is lost, the owner must file a report with the police department and then resort to the judiciary to get another check in place of the lost one. It is a long journey of suffering for suppliers working with government facilities. In some cases, the signature of the check is not fully identical to the signature authenticated by the bank. This forces the supplier to go back to the government agency to have another check issued. This process wastes the efforts and time of suppliers working with the public sector, causing many of them to refrain from dealing with the government. Fahmi explained that owners of checks with maturity dates after Nov. 30 must approach the concerned government authority to have their checks cashed on the due dates.

On Nov. 29, the Ministry of Finance issued Periodic Letter no. 119 of 2017, which along with prohibiting officials from signing paper checks, effective Dec. 1, provided for forming committees to destroy all unused checkbooks in government institutions as of Nov. 30.
December 14, 2017

CAIRO  The Egyptian parliament approved Dec. 5 the trade union draft law that has been widely criticized by Egyptian independent trade unions as furthering strict government control over these groups, raising questions about the future of the labor movements in Egypt.

The draft law was prepared by the Egypt's Labor Ministry in 2016 as an alternative to the Trade Union law No. 35 of 1976. The draft was approved by the Egyptian government in January, and approved in principle by the Egyptian parliament on Nov. 7. The parliament issued its final approval of the draft law in its fifth plenary session Dec. 5.

Maysaa Atwa, a member of the parliament's Manpower Committee, told Al-Monitor that one step toward the formal adoption of the draft remains, and that the draft law is scheduled to be submitted to the president for ratification before being published in the Official Gazette to enter into force.

Egyptian Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan said in a press statement Dec. 6 that the draft law provides workers with the right to form trade unions, and to join or withdraw from them. According to Saafan, the law is in line with the International Labor Organization (ILO) standards and conventions ratified by Egypt in regard to the freedom of association.

Yet independent trade unions officials and human rights activists said the draft law recently approved by parliament reinforces government control over Egyptian workers and sets impossible conditions for the creation of trade unions. In a statement issued Nov. 7, the International Trade Union Confederation called on the Egyptian government to withdraw the draft, considering it a flagrant violation of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association.

According to the draft law's second and third articles, the trade unions formed by and affiliated with the Egyptian government, such as the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, will remain in place, while forcing the independent unions to dissolve and settle their status within 60 days after the law enters into force. The independent unions would need to submit again their documents to the Ministry of Manpower to be approved as per the conditions set by the new draft law.

Officials from independent unions and observers believe this move paves the way for merging these unions into government-controlled unions.

Independent trade unions mostly emerged after the January 2011 revolution when the new Egyptian government issued the Declaration of Union Freedoms. These unions continued to work side by side with the governments organizations until March 2016, when the government at the time refused to recognize them and considered them illegitimate entities. This move prompted the unions to resort to the judiciary and submit a case against the government to the Egyptian Administrative Court. The latter referred on Nov. 27 the case to the Supreme Constitutional Court, which has yet to issue a verdict.

The general coordinator of the Center for Trade Unions and Workers Services and member of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights, Kamal Abbas, told Al-Monitor that the draft law did not bring anything new to the table. It is similar, he added, to the 1976 law regulating the work of trade unions in Egypt that undermined union freedoms as it banned the formation of independent trade unions. The 1976 law was one of the reasons that pushed the ILO to include Egypt on its blacklist over violations of trade unions freedoms for four times, most recently in June.

According to the new draft law, trade unions are created in a hierarchical form, starting at the base with the trade union committee (one committee at the governorate or city level), the general union (one trade union at the profession or industry level), and ending at the top with the Egyptian Trade Union Federation (one federation at the national level).

Abbas explained that the draft law has kept the formation of the pro-government Egyptian Trade Union Federation, while it will lead to the dissolution of the independent unions formed over the years. After their dissolution, these unions would then join a single multi-level trade union organization in violation of Article 76 of the Egyptian Constitution guaranteeing the independence of trade unions and federations.

He said, The workers representatives in parliament are the leaders of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, and the chairman of the parliaments Manpower Committee, Gebaly al-Maraghy, is also the president of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation. And therefore the draft law came out in a manner that suits the federation.

Defending the content of the law, Atwa said, All independent and international trade unions discussed the draft with us, and we told them explicitly that Egypt faces an existential war"  in reference to its war on terrorism and an economic crisis  "and it is not right to be divided, or for the workers of Egypt to have more than one union.

She added, If more than one trade union exists within one industrial facility, it will negatively affect the entity and the development of the state, and we will become an anarchic country. The draft law is easy to amend, but at the moment, it cannot be modified as required by independent unions. It is thus better to remain under one umbrella  namely the Egyptian Trade Union Federation  for the stability of our country, our companies, our organizations and our factories.

According to a Carnegie Middle East Center report published on Sept. 20 2016, the Egyptian government is seeking to subjugate independent Egyptian trade unions to curb labor protests as they escalate. The Democracy Index  an informal organization monitoring labor protests in Egypt  recorded 744 labor protests in Egypt from May 2016 to April 2017.

Presidential candidate Khaled Ali criticized the draft law during a seminar Dec. 2 at the headquarters of the Bread and Freedom Party he leads, saying, [The draft law] imposes control over the trade union organizations and strikes their independence.

Nadine Abdalla, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin, said in a Dec. 7 article in the Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm that although the draft law in its new form is considered progress compared to the 1976 law, it imposes restrictions on the right to organize.

Abdalla explained that according to Article 11 of the draft law, a quorum of 150 members is required to establish a trade union committee. This means that small private sector enterprises, which constitute the majority of this sector in Egypt, will not be able to establish trade union entities that defend their rights.

She continued, The draft law prevents the creation of small trade unions and undermines competition among unions, in favor of the trade unions affiliated with the Egyptian Trade Union Federation. Also, the draft does not guarantee the integrity of trade unions elections, neither in the federation nor in the new unions.

When asked about the measures that shall be taken in response to this draft law, Abbas said, "We will do whatever it takes to deal with the draft, and we will send a memo to the president of the republic asking him not to ratify it and return it to parliament. If ratified, we will challenge the draft before the Supreme Constitutional Court.
December 13, 2017

Following various reports surfacing on the internet over Iran conceding too much of its share of the Caspian Sea, a senior Iranian diplomat has denied it, saying the inland lake is not a watermelon that must be divided into five equal parts.

In an interview Dec. 12, former Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour stated that Irans status regarding its share of the Caspian Sea is good.

Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Caspian Sea belonged only to Iran and Russia. But following the end of the Soviet Union, three new countries  Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan  joined the nations considering themselves shareholders of the Caspian Sea. Now the five countries are negotiating over their share of the world's largest inland body of water.

Rahimpour said that 50% of the sea in the northern part is divided between Russia and Kazakhstan, and this is not in our hands. In another part that is [related to] Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan  Iran has the least [amount of] coast.

Referring to the Iranian publics negative reaction to rumors of a 20% Iranian share, the diplomat continued, A number [of people] are making harsh, contentious and negative [remarks] and are stating in a way as if the four other countries are determined to ignore Irans rights. But this is not true. That is why [we have been negotiating for] 25 years [over this issue]. We could solve the issue in six months, [but] it is clear that views arent similar.

Rahimpour added, We still havent reached an agreement with [the four other countries] and especially the two neighboring countries [Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan] over the division [of the Caspian Sea], and we still have disagreements and our views arent identical.

However, he also spoke of the agreements that have reportedly almost been reached with the other Caspian Sea states. We have 12 agreements in place, and we are in agreement to prepare a few of these 12 to be signed in the [upcoming] leaders summit in Astara. Our top officials have concerns and expectations that are correct.

According to the senior diplomat, the leaders summit will be probably be held in the northern Iranian city of Astara toward the end of the coming spring.

Noting Tehrans relationships with Caspian Sea states, Rahimpour added, "We have two good neighbors in the Caspian Sea and two [directly] bordering neighbors. [Therefore, we have] four sea neighbors with good standards of understanding."

He continued, Our president has met with [the leaders of] all four countries. He has met about 10 times with two countries [leaders] and about five times with the other two [Caspian Sea] countries, and these relations are not comparable to those we have with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and some other countries of the Persian Gulf. Rahimpour added, The dispute we have in the Persian Gulf and to the south [of the country] doesnt exist in the Caspian Sea.

Dismissing a statement attributed to him on the internet about Irans 20% share of the Caspian Sea, the Iranian diplomat said, The point is that our share of the Caspian Sea is not [like] a watermelon or melon that must be divided equally [between] five children.
Haathi Mere Saathi starring Rana Daggubati will be a tribute to Rajesh Khanna's 1971 film of the same name.

By India Today Web Desk: Rana Daggubati, who became a household name after his role as the menacing villain Bhallaladeva in the Baahubali series, has turned 33 today. The actor is now one of the most sought-after actors in the South, and will be seen next in a film titled Haathi Mere Saathi.

Now, he took to Twitter to unveil the first-look poster of the film on his birthday. The poster doesn't tell much about the film, and the only highlight of the poster are the two ivory tusks.

My next is on its way!! #HaathiMereSaathi first look on January 1st 2018!! pic.twitter.com/OqOpdrIKqR- Rana Daggubati (@RanaDaggubati) December 13, 2017

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Haathi Mere Saathi is a trilingual film which will be made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Though the film has the same name as the 1971 Rajesh Khanna starrer, it is said that Rana's film is not a remake but will depict a story about the bond between an elephant and the hero.

Prabhu Solomon, who also directed Kumki, a film about an elephant and its man, is going to helm Haathi Mere Saathi. The film will go on floors in January 2018, in Thailand, and might be ready for a release on Diwali 2018.

ALSO WATCH: Prabhas-Rana talk about the ultimate face-off in Baahubali 2

--- ENDS ---
December 13, 2017

In recent days, the Palestinians have returned to launching rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israeli communities. On Dec. 11, Israels Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a long-range rocket that was fired toward the town of Ashkelon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reacted with relative restraint and only shelled a few Hamas targets in Gaza to avoid being pulled into an armed skirmish. But the measured response did not achieve its goal. Only 24 hours later, another long-range rocket was fired at Ashkelon.

The firing of long-range rockets requires relatively complex deployments; it cannot be done in hiding, far from the eyes of Hamas security force. It is also doubtful that small Salafist organizations have the required technical abilities to launch these rockets. Instead, the chances are that Hamas military wing or Palestinian Islamic Jihads Al-Quds Brigades  groups that the IDF frequently labels Hamas operational contractors  are behind the rockets.

The assessment is that this weeks launches were carried out by members of Islamic Jihad, while Hamas stood by and did not stop them. This is despite the fact that the Hamas heads are not interested in another war at the moment  no more than the Israelis.

True, on Dec. 7, Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh called on his people to begin a new intifada, in response to President Donald Trumps Jerusalem proclamation. But there is a difference between a grass-roots uprising in the form of individual attackers (which are not attributed to Hamas and are not likely to invoke military retaliation from Israel) and a broad-based military confrontation that may well endanger the Hamas regime again. As I wrote in Al-Monitor Dec. 11, Israels evaluation is that Hamas wants a small-scale uprising in which civilians initiate acts of terror while the movements leadership sits on the fence and gives support from afar  in words, not in actions. This is what Hamas did during the individual terror wave that erupted in October 2015.

Hamas wants to divert public opinion from the terrible economic distress in the Gaza Strip to an emergency situation vis-a-vis Israel regarding Jerusalem, but without getting dragged into a war that will lead to thousands of deaths and massive destruction of Gaza Strip infrastructure, as had been the case in the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict (Operation Protective Edge).

In contrast to Hamas, which has chosen a mainly passive role at the moment regarding the Jerusalem proclamation, sources in Israels security system identify aggressive operational activities by Islamic Jihad. True, the organization did not accept responsibility for the rocket fire on Israel, but the type of rockets fired twice this week on Ashkelon turns the spotlight mainly in Islamic Jihad's direction. While Hamas views Salafist organizations as a real threat to Hamas' sovereignty and rule over Gaza, Hamas has a close relationship with Islamic Jihad. The military wing of the small, militant Islamic Jihad organization, called the Al-Quds Brigades (Jerusalem Brigades), is estimated to number between 1,000-1,500 armed fighters. Hamas views these as its brothers in arms.

The military alliance between the two organizations has known ups and downs over the years, but Hamas has never tried to disarm Islamic Jihad. There are two reasons for this: Both groups are supported by the same ally, Iran, and the cooperation between the military wings of the two groups served Hamas goals. It can be estimated that the two organizations cooperate in the underground tunnel digging project. In times of crisis, when facing threats from Israel, Hamas and Islamic Jihad work together. They combine forces and coordinate their positions.

The main issue over which the two organizations disagree is in regard to public opinion  the struggle for hearts and minds. Islamic Jihad leadership in Damascus and heads of the organization in Gaza invest much effort trying to convince the Palestinian public in Gaza that they are the ones leading the struggle against Israel, while Hamas is bound by governmental, political and diplomatic constraints that divert them from the path of jihad. Islamic Jihad people tell the Gaza residents that despite the large army Hamas established in the Gaza Strip, it cannot fight for them over the future of Palestine and Jerusalem. In this challenge posed by Islamic Jihad, Hamas is always conducting a rearguard battle. It must find the balance between its roles as ruler, restrainer and supervisory agent and maintaining its image as the one to lead the armed struggle against Israel.

In the past, when Hamas heads felt that Islamic Jihad activists were adopting a too independent policy and were firing indiscriminately at Israel, Hamas military wing arrested Islamic Jihad people, arguing that the latter were harming Palestinian national interests. In some cases, Hamas even tried to show the Israelis their efforts in reining in the recalcitrant organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to avert another war in Gaza.

Even after Israel destroyed the Islamic Jihads underground tunnel on Oct. 30, in an explosion in which 14 members of the organization were killed, Hamas used all its strength to prevent the Al-Quds Brigades from retaliating powerfully. This was due to its concern over an unwanted confrontation with Israel.

Trumps Jerusalem proclamation disrupted the tacit understanding between the two groups and renewed their war over public opinion in Gaza. While Islamic Jihad viewed the developments as an opportunity to take over the leadership of the Palestinian struggle, Hamas found itself in a Catch-22. On the one hand, it wants to avoid an all-out war with Israel, and on the other hand, it does not want the Palestinian public to view Hamas as forfeiting Jerusalem  and even preventing other organizations from retaliating. That would be a stigma that Hamas could not tolerate, and that may be why the rockets launched at Israel this week were probably carried out with Hamas tacit agreement.
December 13, 2017

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made history Dec. 5. For the first time since the founding of the State of Israel, 13 women completed the Tank Corps' training program and were authorized to serve as regular tank crew members in the forces protecting the country's borders. In just a few weeks, they will conduct their first operational deployment and "hold the line," as it is called in military jargon. In other words, they will be included in the round of troops protecting Israel's southern border. At the end of their deployment, the IDF will decide whether the experiment succeeded and if these young women really are capable of the arduousness of service that is demanded inside an Israeli Merkava tank.

The current assessment is that the decision will be positive and the IDF will officially open up the role of tank crew member to female combat troops. Just a few weeks ago, the commander of the IDF's land forces, Major Gen. Kobi Barak, told Al-Monitor, "We must remember that we are not talking about female tank crews that will be fighting in Lebanon or maneuvering with their tanks in hostile territory at a time of war. We are talking about tanks with all-women crews who will be deployed in the defense of Israel's borders with peaceful nations."

Major Gen. Barak intended his remarks to alleviate concerns and respond to the decision's many critics. They claim that deploying women in combat positions of this kind will be damaging to the IDF's operational capacity. It will lower the physical threshold of demands made of young male combat troops, all in the name of equality, and this, in turn, will have a negative impact on the army's fighting strength. Trying to address these concerns, the army claims that the entire move is being studied in order to derive the appropriate conclusions, and that everything is being done in accordance with the recommendations of experts, with various gauges to measure and supervise these efforts throughout the entire process.

The women tank crewmembers who made history received their "tank badge" at a ceremony at the IDF's main memorial to the Tank Corps in Latrun. They join many dozens of women who already serve as fighter pilots, navigators and aircrews, serving in the Israeli air force ever since it first opened its doors to women in these positions, and to the many hundreds of women in infantry units who serve in what the IDF calls "mixed brigades." These are light infantry units tasked with defending the country's borders, particularly with countries that have peace treaties with Israel (Egypt and Jordan).

Ostensibly, the IDF is spearheading a real feminist revolution, with the enthusiastic support and encouragement of Israeli feminists and women's groups. The reality is that the IDF and Israeli society are paying a significant price for this process. It is tearing at the army and society from the inside, particularly given the sharp opposition from the religious Zionist movement. There has been a sharp rise in their numbers and influence in the IDF over the past few years.

To his detriment, Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot is at the center of this fight. The "eye of the storm" is his Joint Service Ordinance, a comprehensive order from the General Staff, which sets the standards for the joint service of men and women in the IDF, particularly in units serving in field conditions. Eizenkot is torn between liberal Israel, along with feminist and women's rights groups, and the religious Zionist movement, which has recently become so integral to the IDF that it could not manage without it.

Joining the commotion is a group of retired combat officers who are not religious but who oppose the integration of women into IDF combat positions out of professional considerations. They use extensive research to argue that the bottom line, when it comes to integrating women into combat positions, is the weakening of the entire system. The inclusion of women lowers the threshold when it comes to the physical demands made of combat troops and harms the IDF's combat fighting strength. According to these officers, there are significant physical differences between men and women. These differences, they argue, lie behind compromises made by the army, relaxing the physical demands made of combat troops. To prove their point, they offered statistics about the enormous number of injuries suffered by women in combat positions, which resulted in the lowering of demands from them and the concurrent weakening of the army at large. With all due respect to egalitarianism, they say, the role of the IDF is to win. It is not to increase gender equality within Israeli society.

Over the past few months, the chief of staff has conducted many long and heated meetings with people on either extreme of this intense debate. He met with a large delegation composed of the rabbinic leadership of the religious Zionist movement, which included Deputy Minister of Defense Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan, a member of the religious Zionist HaBayit HaYehudi party. He also sat down with a group of five women serving in the Knesset who are on the front lines in the fight for equality for women. These included Meirav Michaeli and Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin (Zionist Camp), Rachel Azaria (Kulanu) and others. After deliberating and examining the issue at length, he finally decided to amend the Joint Service Ordinance one last and absolutely final time. A new version of the order was released Dec. 12 to the chagrin of both sides in the dispute. The rabbis claimed that the chief of staff ignored their demands, while feminists announced that he was delivering a blow to the principle of equality by preventing women from serving in combat positions. As he started to feel worn out by this fight, Eizenkot announced that this would be his final amendment to the order. In a conversation with Al-Monitor, people close to him added that if neither side is happy, they must have done something right.

At the center of the current debate about allowing women to serve in combat positions in the IDF is the demand by rabbis from the religious Zionist movement that religious officers be allowed to refuse to serve in mixed brigades. Regular troops in compulsory service can already refuse to serve with women in combat positions, and this will be respected by the IDF. In contrast, officers who volunteer to serve (in the IDF, officers are required to sign on for the career army, in addition to three years of compulsory military service) have not been allowed to make similar demands so far. In the most recent amendment of the ordinance, the chief of staff left the final decision as to where the officer will serve up to the army, though it granted religious officers the right to appeal the decision before the head of the IDF's Manpower Division. It is the kind of compromise that tries to fit a square peg in a round hole.

The rabbis of the religious Zionist movement did not like this compromise. They argue that Judaism insists on strict laws on modesty in all matters pertaining to women in public spaces. While women serving in combat units in the IDF live in separate quarters and use separate restrooms and showers, their very presence in tense and intimate battle conditions presents religious officers and their rabbis with an enormous dilemma.

The IDF's command believes that the revised ordinance will allow the military to continue integrating women in a wider variety of positions, without hurting the many religious troops and officers who already fill its ranks. Regardless, the IDF does not have the privilege to forgo women in combat positions. A slow but steady decline in young men's motivation to serve in combat units has transformed the positioning of women in combat positions from a luxury into a basic necessity. The fact that the light brigades intended to protect the country's borders with peaceful nations is manned by female soldiers frees the army up to deploy male combat troops in high-quality infantry units or to give them advanced training and focus on preparations for a real war.
December 13, 2017

When he was prime minister, Ariel Sharon used to pop into the Knesset cafeteria every so often, mainly in times of political crises or of major achievements. When he was in trouble, it was his way of showing that it was still business as usual and that he was in control of the situation. When he had a major success, he turned his time in the cafeteria into a show of strength to the journalists crowded around his table.

In his current term, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared only once in the cafeteria. This is the era of social networks, a medium he adapted to so well that he no longer needs direct contact with the press. But at midnight Dec. 11, he showed up in the cafeteria full of energy and surrounded by an entourage of security guards and at least five advisers.

Netanyahu had returned from a trip to Europe just a few hours earlier. He showed up in the Knesset almost at once to put out the smoldering rebellions in his coalition in response to the Supermarket Law. This bill, initiated by the ultra-Orthodox, enables the interior minister to bypass municipal regulations that permit the opening of businesses on the Sabbath. The contentious law was supposed to be put up for a vote some time during the night, but it was not clear that it would have a majority, given Yisrael Beitenu's vehement opposition to it. Ultra-Orthodox Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri exacerbated the crisis when he threatened to resign from government if the law failed to pass. The law was intended to assuage the ultra-Orthodox after the government would not stop maintenance work on the railroad on the Sabbath.

In normal circumstances, it would have been up to coalition chairman David Bitan to grant Netanyahu the peace and quiet he yearned for by reining in the coalition with a high hand. Now Bitan is tangled up in criminal investigations of his own and is effectively neutralized. That is why Netanyahu made a point of trudging to the cafeteria. Someone had to fill Bitan's shoes.

In this case, his show of entering the cafeteria, which was filmed and posted on social networks both by his own people and the amused journalists, was intended to show (a la Sharon) that it was more than just business as usual. In fact, his message was that business is outstanding. Netanyahu knows that the police will interrogate him yet again on Dec. 15, but he was all smiles and jokes as he chatted with political reporters and offered his assessment that the next election would be held in 2019. This had an immediate impact on his image in the media. Informal footage of the prime minister went viral, and media reports of a coalition crisis died down accordingly.

Netanyahu's good mood can be attributed to his visit to Europe. It was a good visit after all, despite reservations expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron about President Donald Trump's proclamation regarding Jerusalem. All in all, Netanyahu is reaping the public and political benefits of the gift given to him by Trump. It earned him support from the right, but also from his rivals on the left, including Zionist Camp co-leader Tzipi Livni and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. They both had no choice but to congratulate Netanyahu and admit that the Jerusalem proclamation was a historic event. Despite the criminal investigations and signs of a quiet revolt against him within his own party, Netanyahu suddenly seemed to carry the Likud on his shoulders once again.

There are serious suspicions surrounding Bitan, which include entanglement in the gray market and receiving bribes from criminals. The police are planning to recommend the indictment of Welfare Minister Haim Katz for bribery, and theres a journalistic investigation into the corrupt political network that Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon allegedly built for himself. Taking all of that into account, the idea of Netanyahu visiting world capitals and benefiting from a rare diplomatic success looks like the best thing to happen to the Likud.

Despite the apparent problems and the pervasive feeling that new elections are right around the corner, Netanyahu's coalition is still stable. None of the leaders of the coalition parties wants elections now, so they are doing nothing to advance them.

Nevertheless, the various investigations into Netanyahu's affairs hover over all of this, casting a dark shadow. Netanyahu himself believes that the die has been cast and that in January or February, the police will recommend his indictment in the gifts case for accepting bribes. This is, therefore, a critical time for Netanyahu. He is concerned that Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon will not be able to withstand public criticism and will therefore bring down the government. Talking to Al-Monitor, senior members of Kulanu estimated that some 70% of the party's electorate are "anti-Netanyahu," and they expect Kahlon to play an active role when it comes to the corruption scandals surrounding the prime minister.

The various investigations into Netanyahu's affairs hover over all of this, casting a dark shadow.

So far, Netanyahu has been using all of his political acumen to keep the leaders of the coalition parties happy. It is impossible to ignore how adeptly he maneuvers between all of their conflicting desires and demands. Maintaining the stability of his coalition is a key part of his preparations for the day the police release their recommendations. The more Kahlon, for example, has to lose as finance minister in terms of budget and freedom to run an election economy, the less motivated he will be to dismantle the coalition.

Another move is replacing the coalition chairman. Netanyahu really did like working with Bitan. He relied on him and admired his political adroitness. Most of all, he appreciated the backing that Bitan gave him in the media. Now, however, while Bitan still holds the position, he is a lame duck. With the long, intense interrogations he faces just about every day, he is having a hard time managing the coalition. Furthermore, Netanyahu realizes that he will have to "purge" the Likud of apparent corruption. In practice, this means that he will be appointing a new coalition chair very soon. He is being careful not to slight Bitan, at least not now, but a source close to Netanyahu said that plans to replace Bitan are already in place.

The prime minister's preferred candidate is Knesset member Yoav Kisch, a fighter pilot in the air force who has a clean image as someone with values. He has also accumulated the experience he needs since he was first elected to the Knesset in 2015, and he would be acceptable to many in the coalition. While Netanyahu is under some pressure to appoint more veteran Knesset members Miki Zohar or David Amsalem, he prefers Kisch. Both Amsalem and Zohar are identified with the wheeling and dealing for which the Likud is notorious. On the other hand, if Kisch was to serve as the face of the Likud, he would offer a clean image to the voters.

Netanyahu's strategy until the police recommend his indictment will include an emphasis on a diplomatic, security and official agenda. Over the last few weeks, his Facebook page has been plastered with reports of his achievements. These include the Trump proclamation, his official visits to Africa and Europe, and the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle in the prime minister's residence with a live video hookup to Israeli diplomatic representatives in consulates and embassies all around the world.

Netanyahu's campaign for the day after the police recommendation is also ready. He will claim that the police and the media have been persecuting him and are plotting to bring down the outstanding right-wing government, which he heads. He will then ask the people whether, given his enormous diplomatic and security achievements, he should really be sent home for taking some cigars and a few bottles of champagne.
December 14, 2017

Twenty-six years ago, on Dec. 16, the UN revoked its resolution that equated Zionism with racism. UN General Assembly Resolution 3379 of 1975 had cited the racist regime in occupied Palestine and the racist regime in Zimbabwe and South Africa as having a common imperialist origin  having the same racist structure and being organically linked in their policy aimed at repression of the dignity and integrity of the human being."

Growing displays of xenophobia, incitement against minorities and serial legislation curbing human rights organizations are poisoning Israel with the plague of racism. Theres no more blatant example than the call issued this week by a senior government minister to boycott tens of thousands Israeli Arabs, the vast majority of them law-abiding citizens, and to revoke their citizenship.

UN General Assembly Resolution 4686, which removed Israel from the UNs list of racist nations, was a reward for the participation of then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir (together with Deputy Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) in the international Mideast peace conference convened in Madrid in October 1991. Israels agreement to open negotiations on ending its occupation of Palestinian territories opened the hitherto closed doors to many states, among them Russia and China. Israels occupation of the territories, which has since only deepened, and the attendant oppression of the Palestinian population and delegitimization of human rights groups are pushing Israel back into the pariah camp.

Such a display of racism was provided Dec. 10 by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. Following demonstrations in the Wadi Ara northern region in Israel against President Donald Trump's Jerusalem proclamation, Liberman called for boycotting residents there. ''They have no connection to the state of Israel, and I call on the citizens of the state of Israel simply to boycott Wadi Ara. One shouldn't go into the stores or receive any services,'' he said.

In an enlightened state, Liberman would have been forced to apologize to the residents of Wadi Ara, or to step down. Said Abu Shakra, director of the Umm al-Fahm art gallery in Wadi Ara, which exhibits works by Jewish and Arab artists, took Liberman to task. In response to my son, who asked me who you are, I was only able to say that you head a political party whose catchword is one of hatred for anyone that is not a Jew, he wrote in a public Facebook post.

In a Dec. 12 interview with my colleague Mazal Mualem, Liberman proudly held up a poll indicating that 93% of Israelis who had emigrated from the former Soviet Union in recent decades (one of his partys main constituent groups) support his call to boycott businesses in Wadi Ara.

If this poll is really accurate, the migrants are not alone. According to a comprehensive study conducted last year by the Pew Research Center, the cancer of racism has spread to Israelis of all stripes. The poll found that almost half the Jews in Israel, 48%, think Israel should expel its Arab citizens, who constitute some 20% of the countrys population. Eight out of ten Arab Israelis (79%) said there was widespread discrimination of Muslims by Israeli society.

A study presented in July to Knesset members indicates that academia, one of the institutions expected to uphold democratic values, is not immune to racism, either. About half the Arab students said they encounter manifestations of racism and discrimination in colleges and universities they attend, and 40% reported expressions of racism by faculty members. One-third of the students reported that the institutions in which they were enrolled did not give them any leeway to help their integration  not even taking into consideration Muslim holidays and fasts, and 30% said they could not apply for scholarships they wanted because they had not served in the military (unlike Israeli Jews who are required to perform military service).

In a September 2016 report, State Comptroller Josef Shapira wrote, We have been experiencing the harsh phenomena of hatred, racism, violence, factionalism and intolerance. The chief government watchdog went on to cite the disastrous results of historic racism against the Jewish people. Human society, wherever and whenever it is, has no guarantee that the underbrush of racism will not turn into a dense forest, he warned. Shapira upbraided the Education Ministry  the state arm tasked with eradicating racism, xenophobia and factionalism  for failing to turn education into a bridge between the various segments of Israeli society. The ministry only addresses these issues sporadically, on a case-by-case basis, and then only following extreme displays of racism, Shapira wrote.

President Reuven Rivlin said in response that the report reflects the extent to which racism had become an acute and strategic issue for Israeli society. He complained that the state is not doing enough to uproot severe phenomena of racism and hatred among youth. Several months prior to the report, Education Minister Naftali Bennett derailed a program for the development of a racism index initiated by the ministrys chief scientist, professor Ami Volansky, after the July 2014 murder by Jews of Palestinian teen Mohammed Abu Khdeir. The index was designed to allow schools to assess the level of racism among its students and to seek appropriate remedies.

Bennett subsequently ordered his office to sever ties with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, which runs programs for the prevention of racism, among its other activities. This week, his ministry ordered a high school in the northern town of Nesher to cancel a planned annual event with members of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families, the Parents Circle Family Forum. The ministry forced the mayor, himself a bereaved father, and the schools frightened teachers to prevent the students from meeting with six Jews and Palestinians who devote their lives to the struggle for peace and against racism.

A Knesset committee is currently deliberating an article that would officially allow segregation, part of a proposed law that would define Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. It authorizes the state to permit a community, including the members of a single religion or the members of a single nationality, to establish separate localities. In an editorial titled Israels Attempts to Preserve a Racist Heritage," the liberal Haaretz newspaper wrote: It would be interesting to see Israels response if some other country passed a constitutional amendment letting communities that exclude Jews be established. Judaism isnt a synonym for racism and elitism.

When the UN defined Zionism as racism 42 years ago, Haaretz condemned the resolution, calling it shameful.. Would this newspaper see fit to condemn such a decision today?

Liberman is a symptom of the plague of racism afflicting all organs of Jewish Israeli society and threatening to annihilate it. Only intensive care and fundamental treatment of the root causes of the disease  the occupation of Palestinian lands and the messianic zeal of the settlers/occupiers  can save it.
December 8, 2017

Palestinian factions have agreed to hold presidential, legislative and general elections next year. Though they have yet to set a date, the agreement is spurring speculation about who will be running for the presidency.

The groups met for reconciliation talks Nov. 21-22 in Cairo and again less than two weeks later. The factions participating are Fatah and Hamas  the two main parties  as well as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Fida Party and the Palestinian National Initiative.

The last Palestinian presidential elections were held in January 2005, when Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas won 62% of the votes against six other candidates. Abbas' legal term expired in 2009, but the Palestinian division since 2007 hindered subsequent elections, keeping him in office.

The reconciliation agreement reached in October has raised hopes for a successful election near the end of 2018 with both main parties participating.

In the United States, candidates begin campaigning months, if not years, ahead of elections, but timing is apparently not a concern in this case.

It's still too early to talk about candidates for the presidential elections," Abdullah Abdullah, a member of Fatahs Revolutionary Council and chairman of the political committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), told Al-Monitor. "All that has been said was that the elections may be held around the end of 2018. We have plenty of time to look into potential candidates, but I personally would like for [Abbas] to run again, because he offers a guarantee for the Palestinian national project.

Abbas said Oct. 3 that he would rather not run for president, but that he will if the Palestinian people ask him. Results of the latest poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) in Ramallah, released Oct. 2, showed that 67% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip want Abbas to resign.

Imad Falouji, a former Hamas leader who served as communications minister under late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat between 1996 and 2002 and the head of the Adam Center for Dialogue of Civilizations, told Al-Monitor, Hamas will not name any of its leaders. It will rather put forward someone who is largely accepted both regionally and internationally. The movement will have to think twice before naming any of its leaders or supporting any candidate, especially after its difficult experience in governance between 2006 and 2017.

The Israeli i24news website reported Oct. 26 that Hamas would participate in the presidential elections by naming the former head of its political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, as its candidate, but the movement did not comment on the reports. Khalil al-Hayya, a member of Hamas political bureau, said Nov. 8 only that the reconciliation agreement stipulates holding simultaneous legislative (PLC), presidential and Palestinian National Council elections, and that Hamas will exercise its right to participate in all the elections.

Yahya Moussa, a Hamas leader and the head of the PLCs Human Rights Committee, told Al-Monitor, It would not be wise for Hamas to show its hand when it comes to the presidential elections, whether it will name one of its leaders or support a candidate approved by all factions. However, we are well-aware that any candidate must have regional and international support. The region surrounding Palestine is plagued by instability and no one knows what could happen next, which is why discussing Hamas options for the upcoming elections is not the wisest thing to do [for now].

Jamil Mezher, a member of the PFLPs political bureau and its representative in the Gaza Strip, told Al-Monitor, The PFLP believes that the presidential elections are important and necessary for rebuilding the Palestinian political system and restoring the constitutional and legal legitimacy in the Palestinian territories. In order for us to start discussing PFLP candidates or other approved candidates, we need to create a positive environment of trust and freedom, provide a fair judiciary and ensure fair presidential elections with acceptable results, based on peaceful rotation of power. The PFLP can then consider either a candidate of its own or an agreed-upon candidate, so long as that person corresponds to its political vision.

Abdul Sattar Qassem, a political science professor at An-Najah National University in Nablus, told Al-Monitor, Holding the presidential elections depends on Abbas presence or absence from the political scene. As long as he remains in power, Israel and the US administration won't [want] any presidential elections because they won't find a better alternative. If the elections are held, I don't think the factions will agree on one candidate. Rather, each faction  Fatah, Hamas and the left-wing force  will name a candidate of their own. Even Fatah itself may not agree on one candidate because of the differences within the movement, and Hamas is more likely to support a candidate from outside the movement than name any of its leaders.

According to the PCPSR opinion poll from October, if Abbas doesn't run for re-election, Marwan Barghouti, a member of Fatahs Central Committee currently jailed in Israel, would be the preferred candidate, followed by Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas political bureau. Dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan, who now heads the Democratic Reform current, ranked third. However, if Abbas were to run against Haniyeh, Abbas would be expected to receive 42% of votes and Haniyeh 50%.
December 12, 2017

Kurds in northern Syria are proceeding with elections as they aim for a federal system of government in Syria, despite the Syrian regimes disapproval and Turkeys anger. The third and last phase of voting in the election will take place in January, when voters choose members of the Democratic People's Council of North Syria.

The first phase of the voting launched Sept. 22, with elections in 3,700 communes  smaller provincial units in residential neighborhoods within the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, also called Rojava. More than 12,000 candidates participated.

On Dec. 5, the High Electoral Commission announced during a press conference in Amouda that turnout for the second phase of local council elections reached 69%. Seven electoral lists, as well as thousands of candidates, took part in those Dec. 1 elections in three areas: Hasakah (Jazeera province) in the northeast; the Euphrates (Tell Abyad and Kobani); and Afrin, which also includes parts of eastern Aleppo province, known as al-Shahba. The elections included 21 parties representing Kurds, Arabs, Christians and Assyrians from Rojava.

The three-stage elections are designed to shore up support for federalism, a system in which power is shared between the national government and smaller regions such as states or provinces. Russia has suggested that it approves of this type of government for Syria and that federalism might appease enough of the opposition to allow Syria to remain united and for President Bashar al-Assad to remain in office.

Not all Kurds are part of the federalism movement, and elections were not held in Raqqa, Manbij and Tabqa, which haven't joined the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, at least not yet.

The Kurdish National Council, which includes a number of Kurdish parties opposing democratic self-governing, is boycotting the overall electoral process. The council regards the participation of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the elections as unilateral and called upon its masses in an official statement to boycott all elections.

Mustafa Mashayekh, the undersecretary of the Kurdish Democratic Unity Party in Syria (Yekiti), told Al-Monitor that his party does not belong to the democratic self-governing Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, which runs the area and is affiliated with the PYD. However, he believes his partys participation in the elections stems from its belief that it is part of Rojava (which preceded the federation) and that it's necessary to have a political plurality that's open to opposing opinions.

The federal project is able to reunite Syrians without exclusions and is able to be one of the pillars of combating persecution, tyranny and terrorism," he said.

The Yekiti participated in the elections as part of the list of the Kurdish National Alliance in Syria (Hevbendi). The Hevbendi list won 40 seats in Jazeera, 40 seats in the Euphrates area and 72 seats in Afrin.

Fawza Youssef, co-chair of the executive body of the Syrian Democratic Council  an umbrella group that includes Arab, Kurdish and Christian parties  is participating because her group seeks to form an administration that promotes the rights of all constituents in north Syria.

There will be a fair representation of everyone. We work for the sake of all constituents," she told Al-Monitor. The [Kurdish] region today has become wide, which is why it is important to form a body that unifies these territories and achieves administrative, economic, cultural and security integration among them."

Mohamed al-Hassan, a young Arab from Afrin and a member of the Hevbendi list, noted that Arab constituents occupy decision-making posts in the movement toward federalism. Arabs participating in elections aim at making the democratic project in north Syria successful, he told Al-Monitor. We are the sons of this district and we have to be part of building our will and society as well as defend our gains and rights."

Yet other Arab groups oppose Kurdish self-government, reject the electoral process and accuse the PYD of seeking to divide Syria, according to Fawwaz al-Mufflih, a member of the political bureau of the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in Hasakah.

Mufflih told Al-Monitor that the majority of the Arab constituents are against the current elections, which he describes as a farce that will vanish after the regime falls. Mufflih also accuses the Kurdish authority in northern Syria of compromising the unity of Syria.

Opponents of the federal project tend to believe that foreign states will disappoint the Kurds and undermine their dream, Mufflih said: The United States will not support Kurdish forces when Turkey advances toward lands controlled by Kurds.

Turkey seeks to undermine the Kurdish project in northern Syria because the People's Protection Units follow the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara labels a terrorist organization. Turkey has recently fostered relations with Russia and Iran and has broken the deadlock it had with the Syrian regime, as almost no Turkish statement is made without attacking Kurds in north Syria or talking about Turkey advancing militarily toward Afrin. Turkish politician Zahid Gul told Al-Monitor, For the Turkish government, north Syria is governed by the PKK.

PYD presidential adviser Sihanouk Dibo described the Turkish stance as simply against Rojava."

International and regional powers, namely Turkey, are pumping mass campaigns to defame the federal project," he told Al-Monitor. Dibo added that the alliance of Russia, Turkey and Iran will not last long. Turkey may get involved in attacking Rojava territories, but it will be the beginning of Turkeys ticket out of all the territories it occupied in north Syria.
December 13, 2017

TUNIS, Tunisia  On Nov. 22, the countries boycotting Qatar classified the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. This has revived accusations that the Tunisian Ennahda movement still espouses political Islam despite announcing that it has changed.

In May 2016, Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi declared the movement a "civil and democratic political party that separates its political and religious activities. The declaration came on the sidelines of Ennahdas 10th national conference, a landmark in the political and ideological progression of the movement marking its shift to Islamic democracy.

This transformation, however, did not win the movement political acceptance in Tunisia, where Ennahda has been accused of duplicity in its political discourse and failing to become a civil party.

The position of Ennahdas deputy head Abdelfattah Mourou reinforced the perception that the movement has no intention of ending its role as a religious reference. On May 31, 2016, a few days after Ennahdas 10th conference, Mourou stated in an interview with Tunisian Echourouk TV, Ennahda has not and will not change its identity, and it will stick to its Islamic reference and strategy. He also denied any existing or prior link between Ennahda and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Accusations against Ennahda of duplicity and continuing its orientation of political Islam jumped over the last couple of weeks after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain added 11 individuals and two entities, including the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), to their terrorist list on Nov. 22. The Doha-based IUMS is an independent Islamic organization headed by Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who is also a prominent leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Ennahda denounced in a statement the reported inclusion of Ghannouchi, who is also a member of the IUMS, on the terrorist list as a desperate attempt to distort his image. The movement also hinted at possible lawsuits against some media outlets for having promoted the news. Ennahda also denounced the inclusion of the IUMS on the terrorist list, stressing the need to protect institutions and scholars with a history of righteousness and forgiveness.

BBC Arabic had listed Ghannouchi as one of the individuals included in the terrorist list, only to later apologize for its mistake.

Ghannouchi told Al-Monitor, The classification of the IUMS as a terrorist organization by the Gulf countries boycotting Qatar could be considered an episode of the Gulf crisis. He expressed confidence that as the Gulf crisis is resolved, the classification will be withdrawn. We consider that politically classifying organizations as terrorists and adding moderate figures and unions of scholars to terrorist lists is a strategy to weaken the war on terrorism.

Commenting on the Tunisian political parties that oppose the ruling coalition shared between Ennahda and Nidaa Tunis and have formed a parliamentary bloc to compete with the coalition, Ghannouchi stated, These parties calling for the removal of Ennahda from power have no chances of success.

He pointed to the strong ties between his party and Nidaa Tunis and the success of their coalition in maintaining stability and ensuring parliamentary support for the government. He affirmed that Ennahda has become a stabilizing force in Tunisia.

Political analyst Bassel Terjman told Al-Monitor, The Gulf countries classification of the IUMS as a terrorist organization aims to embarrass Ennahda in Tunisia, even if the movement has repeatedly denied its relations to the organization.

Terjman added, Since Ennahda took the reins of power, it failed to convince its opponents of the objectivity of its stances and its seriousness in cutting ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and the IUMS. Such moves would be in line with its transformation into a civil political party that has no links to political Islam.

Terjman considers Ghannouchis attempts to succeed Qaradawi as head of the IUMS during his participation in the unions conference in Istanbul in 2014 proof of the ongoing links between the movement and the union. Terjman accused Ennahda of dishonesty. He said, Ennahda would have been better off declaring its ties to the IUMS and its intention to reconsider them due to the unions latest terrorist blacklisting.

During an interview on al-Hiwar al-Tunsi in April 2014, Ghannouchi said there are no links between his movement and the Muslim Brotherhood, denying the claims about his candidacy to succeed Qaradawi as head of the IUMS.

Political analyst Salah al-Din al-Jourashi told Al-Monitor that since its 10th conference, Ennahda has made strides toward separating preaching and politics. He praised the movements commitment to its promises to distance its prominent leaders from religious activity.

Jourashi considers the accusations of Ennahdas political opponents, who claim the movement's political discourse has been duplicitous, ungrounded. He added, We cannot deny that Ennahda was part of the international organization of the Muslim Brotherhood, but the party stopped attending the Brotherhoods meetings and announced its split from them.

Sahbi Ben Fraj, a leader in the opposition party Machrou Tounes, which was behind the formation of a parliamentary bloc opposing the Nidaa Tunis and Ennahda coalition, told Al-Monitor, Ennahda is facing major crises locally and regionally related to being acknowledged as a civil party without links to political Islam, rather than just a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the world.

He noted that Ghannouchi is in complete denial regarding his affiliation with the Brotherhood. Fraj said, We call on Ennahda to split from the IUMS. During its six years of rule, it did not revisit its relations with foreign organizations and regional alliances that oppose Tunisia's state policies.
December 13, 2017

As Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab was telling a New York court about how he devised ways to scuttle sanctions on Iran, shadily documented and hard-to-justify levels of gold trade between Turkey and United Arab Emirates have appeared once again.

Before the United States put gold on its list of Iran sanctions, the surge in Turkeys gold exports to Iran and the UAE was a clear indicator of Turkey paying for its oil and natural gas imports with gold. There is no other way to explain how Turkeys gold exports to Iran went from $54 million in 2011 to $6.5 billion in 2012.

After the blocking of the SWIFT transfer route in March 2012 meant banks could no longer transfer payments for oil and natural gas, Turkey began depositing its payments into an account Iran opened at Turkeys major public bank, Halkbank. Money in that account was then converted to gold and transferred to Iran. Until July 2013, when gold was added to the sanctions list, this mechanism worked smoothly.

When gold exports to Iran were halted, a major segment of Iranian gold was stuck in Turkey. To meet its needs, Iran then devised a way to transfer gold from Turkey to the UAE.

As Zarrab confessed in court, after the United States added gold to the sanctions list, a new mechanism of fictitious food exports replaced gold as the major commodity. In colluding with Iran to evade the sanctions, the UAE became the biggest foreign trade partner of Iran, with a 23.6% share in 2013.

Though everyone thought the illegal gold trade had ceased, data issued by the Turkish Statistical Institute has caused much confusion. Turkey had imported $4.2 billion worth of gold in the first 10 months of 2017. In the same period, Turkey exported $5.6 billion of gold to the UAE. The year before, however, Turkeys gold exports amounted to $1.6 billion and Turkey's gold imports were $3.1 billion.

In 2012, when Zarrab initiated the gold trade, Turkeys exports to the UAE were valued at $2.6 billion and imports at $3.1 billion. When the United States realized the blocking of the SWIFT route had led Iran to turn to gold, it reacted by adding that commodity to the embargo roster. Gold exports from Turkey sank to $1 billion while imports were about $4.6 billion. In 2014, when the embargo was most effective, exports fell to $480 million and remained at around $858 million in 2015 as the gold trade lost its utility as a tool of bypassing the embargo.

Turkeys total gold exports were worth $6.1 billion in 2017, with 82% of it going to the UAE. The UAE's share in Turkey's total exports is around 82% and its share in imports is around 30%. It was hardly normal for a country that doesnt produce gold to become Turkeys top supplier.

Economists Al-Monitor spoke to said they didnt know who was running the UAEs gold traffic and that data on it was inadequate. Economist Alaattin Aktas explained how shadowy the issue was, saying, I conducted extensive research and spoke to people who should know, but couldnt get satisfactory responses. For example, I couldn't find out why we are exchanging almost the same amount of gold with the UAE through exports and imports.

Amid the current political tensions and decline in the countrys economic indicators, a possible crisis looms over Turkeys economy. The government may well be preparing for turbulence. One key step taken was to increase the foreign currency and gold reserves of the Turkish Central Bank.

Political scientist Ali Riza Gungen told Al-Monitor that the Iranian connection may still be in the background, noting that the central bank may be increasing its gold reserves to finance the countrys imports.

Faik Oztrak, Turkey's former undersecretary of the treasury and now opposition lawmaker, thinks one reason Turkeys gold imports skyrocketed by 281% this year to $13.2 billion could be the central banks efforts to strengthen its reserves. There has been a 60% increase in the central banks gold reserves over the last 10 months. Oztrak doesnt dismiss a continuation of the Iranian mechanism.

There is an incredible increase in imports. The UAE has become our top trade partner," Oztrak said in an address to the parliamentary General Assembly Nov. 26. "We dont know who is behind it, but the central bank is reinforcing its gold reserves. This prompts the question of whether there is an imminent extraordinary situation in Turkey. Meanwhile, the public demand for gold is increasing because of fears of a pending economic crisis. The treasury is issuing gold certificates. Ziraat Bank has launched a campaign to encourage the public to put their gold holdings into banks. But this method could also be used for money laundering.

He further said, What is the reason for the extraordinary increase in gold imports? How much of this gold is being kept in which countries? Oztrak asked why there had been a sixfold increase in gold exports to the UAE this year, as well as a 250% increase in imports from that country. This amount of nonmonetary gold exports and imports with the UAE needs an explanation. In previous years nonmonetary gold was particularly used to pay for gas. Is this what Turkey will be doing also this year to pay for its imports from certain countries?

Economists say the increase in imports cannot be explained with an increase in domestic demand and that there may be some other machinations behind it. Gold exports and imports with the UAE are not considered routine economic activities, hence the speculation that gold is once again being used as ensuring payments to Iran.
December 14, 2017

A Turkish prosecutor this week demanded parliament strip opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu of immunity from prosecution for comments he made about a controversial constitutional referendum, raising the specter that the governments broad crackdown could now extend to its main political challenger.

It is not the first prosecutor complaint against Kilicdaroglu, chairman of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), parliaments second-biggest grouping. This one, however, coincides with heightened political tensions in recent weeks, sparked by Kilicdaroglus dogged allegations of financial impropriety against the government.

According to media reports, the prosecutors office said in a statement released Wednesday that it had submitted a legal file to parliament concerning Kilicdaroglu's criticism of the state election boards decision to count non-validated ballots during an April referendum that expanded presidential powers. The prosecutor also submitted complaints on unrelated matters against two other CHP lawmakers, including the outspoken Sezgin Tanrikulu, and two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP).

These motions are an attempt to engineer politics with the hand of the judiciary, which the government controls, said Tanrikulu, who faces at least six separate prosecutor complaints. The files are not based on a crime or an insult, but solely on our political criticism. The latest complaint is for comments he made about civilian deaths caused by unmanned aerial vehicles.

Investigations have been opened against almost all members of our party caucus, Tanrikulu told Al-Monitor. Things we thought could never happen have happened under this government, so it is very hard for me to predict what will occur now.

Parliament scrapped prosecutorial immunity for its members in 2016, allowing the assembly to vote to give a prosecutor the authority to pursue a case against a member. The measure, which some CHP lawmakers backed, had initially targeted the pro-Kurdish HDP, which has seen its two joint leaders and seven other lawmakers jailed on terrorism-related charges.

Prosecuting the head of a party established nearly a century ago by the founder of the modern secular republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, would be unprecedented. Some observers believe it unlikely, in part because it could backfire on President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

I don't think that there's any question that jailing Kilicdaroglu would be a bad move for Erdogan, said Howard Eissenstat, a Turkey researcher at St. Lawrence University and a senior nonresident fellow at the Washington-based Project on Middle East Democracy.

He told Al-Monitor, The CHP serves a useful function for the AKP. It gives the party a clear domestic foil, and it preserves the appearance of a competitive democracy. In that sense, the CHP leadership would be much more dangerous to the AKP in prison than it is in parliament.

Still, a litany of graft charges that have emerged in recent weeks appears to have unsettled members of the AKP, who may worry that the charges could deter voters if a general election is moved forward to next year. Tensions between the CHP and AKP boiled over in the legislature this week, with fistfights erupting between lawmakers.

The 68-year-old Kilicdaorglu, who rose to national prominence a decade ago as an anti-corruption campaigner, late last month revealed documents that he claimed proved Erdogans family had sent millions of dollars to an offshore company. He did not accuse Erdogan or his family members of criminal wrongdoing, but implied tax avoidance.

Erdogan said Kilicdaroglu would pay a price for what he described as lies and filed a lawsuit demanding 1.5 million Turkish lira ($386,000) in damages. Prosecutors cast doubt on the authenticity of the documents Kilicdaroglu presented. When parliament dismissed a CHP motion to probe the allegations, the party, in a curious twist, filed another motion, requesting that Kilicdaroglu and his familys finances be investigated to serve as an example for all political party leaders.

Pressure on the CHP has also taken other forms. The Interior Ministry forced out a CHP mayor on corruption charges, which Kilicdaroglu described as an act of intimidation. Then, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu himself took aim at Kilicdaroglu, accusing him of threatening a pro-government television channel.

Kilicdaroglu, your mind is rotten and your rope is about to break. Im saying this very clearly, you are finished, Soylu said at a provincial AKP meeting Dec. 10.

Undeterred, Kilicdaroglu this week called on the government to reopen an older corruption case against public officials after an Iranian-Turkish gold trader, Reza Zarrab, testified in a New York court that he had bribed AKP ministers and state bank officials to bypass US sanctions imposed on Iran for its nuclear program.



The oppositions claims of corruption and authoritarianism have done little to dent support for Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for almost 15 years and last year thwarted a military coup. The CHP, which draws its support from secular-minded and progressive Turks, has been unable to increase its share of the vote above 30%.

Kilicdaroglu did briefly galvanize a fractured opposition over the summer, when he undertook a 260-mile Justice March, from Ankara to Istanbul, to protest the jailing of tens of thousands of Turks, including journalists, politicians and academics, in the post-coup clampdown.

Kilicdaroglu has failed to sustain that momentum, however, and other opposition factions, including those disappointed with the lack of a more robust response from him over the imprisonment of HDP lawmakers, may not now rally to his defense.

The CHP is clearly at risk of being hanged on scaffolding that it helped build, Eissenstat said, referring to the partys partial backing of the immunity measure last year. I think Kilicdaroglu knew at the time that his party might be targeted eventually, but feared the opposition was already dying by 10,000 cuts.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 will arrive in the first half of next year, and the phones front panel has just surfaced. If you take a look at the provided image, youll be able to see the alleged Galaxy S9 front panel. As you can see, this front panel resembles the Galaxy S8s front panel quite a bit, though its bezels seems to be ever so slightly thinner, although its very hard to notice, as they seems quite similar, actually. The display of the Galaxy S9 will sport rounded corners yet again, it seems, and the phones front camera will be placed on the right side of the phones earpiece, as a cutout for the front camera is clearly visible here.

Now, this front panel also suggests that the Galaxy S9s display will be curved, which is exactly what were expecting, as the display of both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus was curved as well. The sides of the Galaxy S9 will be slightly less rounded than the ones on the Galaxy S9, which is something that is also noticeable by looking at this front panel. Thats pretty much everything we can deduct from this image, though its worth saying that the alleged Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus handsets have surfaced yesterday, well, renders of those two devices, and in renders, it seemed like the bezels on the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will be much thinner, though chances are that this front panel is legit. The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will sport thin bezels, but only slightly thinner than the ones on the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, as the bezels on the renders that surfaced yesterday are basically non-existent, and thats probably not doable just yet.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will almost certainly land in the first half of next year, either during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, or at the companys separate event which will take place in April. The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will be made out of metal, just like its predecessors, and the two devices will ship with a rear-facing fingerprint scanner, though that fingerprint scanner will be placed in a more convenient place this time around. A dual camera setup is rumored for both devices, and you can expect to get Android Oreo out of the box, along with Samsungs skin, of course. The two phones will probably ship with 5.8 and 6.2-inch panels, respectively, and you can expect to see Samsungs QHD+ Super AMOLED infinity display once again on both of these devices.
By PTI: By Aditi Khanna

London, Dec 14 (PTI) British Prime Minister Theresa May has lost a crucial Brexit vote in the UK Parliament after a rebellion within the ranks of her own party.

The British Prime Minister was defeated on an amendment to the European Union Withdrawal Bill by four votes, in her first major House of Commons bruising yesterday.

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MPs from across different parties voted in favour of Parliament being given a meaningful vote on the terms of Brexit by 309 votes to 305.

Conservative party rebels had made common cause with Opposition Labour MPs on a highly contentious issue.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is intended to formally end Britains membership of the EU, as well as smooth its exit by transferring thousands of pieces of European legislation onto the UK statute books.

It also gives ministers powers to amend the laws as they move across, to address any technical glitches.

The government remained defiant following the defeat.

"We are disappointed that Parliament has voted for this amendment despite the strong assurances that we have set out. We are as clear as ever that this Bill, and the powers within it, are essential," a UK government spokesperson said.

"This amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day. We will now determine whether further changes are needed to the Bill to ensure it fulfils its vital purpose," the spokesperson added.

May had warned that such a rebellion could threaten the UK?s "orderly and smooth exit" from the European Union.

Former UK attorney general Dominic Grieve, who had brought the amendment, told the Commons he intended to put the "country before his party" amid concerns over the potential for the flagship Brexit legislation to become a "very worrying tool of executive power". PTI AK CK

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Qualcomm and MediaTek remain reluctant to transition to a 7nm process node from the 10nm one adopted last year, DigiTimes reported on Wednesday, citing industry sources. Some of the largest semiconductor companies on the planet are suggested to still be in the process of trying to justify the improvement a move to a 7nm technology would bring, with insiders claiming the leap wouldnt be as significant as the jump between the 14nm process node and the 10nm one in 2016.

For the time being, MediaTek is still using 12nm and 16nm solutions from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) which form the basis of its Helio P mobile chips and will continue doing so for the next half a year. Simultaneously, Qualcomm stuck with Samsungs 10nm FinFET process whose second-generation iteration is already used on a massive scale, both for Samsungs Exynos-series silicon and Qualcomms newly announced Snapdragon 845 SoC. Due to that state of affairs, the raw power and energy efficiency offered by 2018 chips is unlikely to be a significant improvement over their predecessors which were commercialized by over a hundred smartphones and tablets released over the course of this year. A shift to 7nm solutions is said to be primarily focused on optimizing performance and making future chips even more energy-efficient, whereas their computational capabilities are unlikely to be much higher, according to industry sources.

Qualcomms transition to a 7nm process node is still expected to be made with TSMCs assistance instead of Samsungs, as per a recently signed agreement between the two. The change itself is now likely to be announced by the firm in late 2018, with first mobile products powered by such silicon being expected to hit the market in the first quarter of 2019. TSMC is also presently developing a new 7+nm process that semiconductor companies are keen on waiting for instead of committing to the existing 7nm technology inferior to the upcoming solution. The dropping global demand for smartphones is another factor industry watchers are attributing to a slowing innovation in the chip market as lower device costs make rapid chip development less profitable and justifiable. Samsung and Apple are believed to be the first semiconductor manufacturers to commercialize 7nm chips in the second half of the next year as theyre understood to be the only industry participants capable of bearing such development costs while still delivering products with acceptable profit margins.
A new report claims Samsung is looking to release its upcoming smart speaker in the first half of 2018. The South Korean company has made no secret of its plans to launch an Amazon Echo-rivaling speaker, originally confirming the plans back in August. However, despite this, Samsung made no mention of any possible time frame. Now, though, people familiar with the matter have stated that the new speaker should arrive in the first six months of 2018.

The new smart speaker is expected to utilize the technology that Samsung acquired through its purchase of Harman at the beginning of the year, with much of the focus being on audio quality, while Harman Kardon branding is likely to be present in order to further emphasize this. Samsungs Bixby virtual assistant is also expected to take center stage, allowing owners of the speaker to control various smart appliances, as well as the speaker itself, through a series of voice commands. In addition, the speaker will likely support connectivity with a number of Samsungs other products, allowing it to synchronize with them. Design wise, matte black looks to be the most likely color for the speaker, with the overall size expected to sit somewhere between Amazons Echo and Apples HomePod. Not only this, but Samsung is expected to stay away from a touchscreen, and will instead opt for a light up area on the top that provides visual feedback, though its reported that the South Korean company was originally considering a touchscreen alternative that could compete with Amazons Echo Show. In terms of pricing, Samsung is likely to go for a number near the $200 mark, which would place the speaker in between both Amazon and Apples products, and below Googles Home Max. Also a possibility is bundle offers with Samsungs flagship devices, something that could entice more customers to purchase Galaxy smartphones while getting the companys smart speaker into a higher number of homes.

Despite all of the possibilities, the South Korean giant will certainly face tough competition once its product launches. After all, the smart speaker market is currently dominated by Amazon, and with a number of other brands launching their own products in the near future, the market will only get more saturated over time. But with the market value set to reach a total of $3.5 billion by 2021, Samsungs marketing know-how and strong presence in other consumer product sectors could lead to a significant revenue stream in the long run.
The variants of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Powered powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 will miss out on Quick Charge 4.0 support, one industry insider from China said earlier this week, adding that the two handsets will still be limited to Quick Charge 3.0. The omission of the feature is said to be related to Samsungs unwillingness to pay even higher licensing fees to Qualcomm than it already does, albeit its still unclear whether the decision was prompted as part of a wider cost-cutting effort or in response to some potential change to Qualcomms royalty rates.

The Snapdragon 845-powered units of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will be sold in the United States and China, as was the case with the majority of Samsungs previous Android flagships, older reports suggested. The devices aimed at other markets are said to sport the Exynos 9810, Samsungs latest system-on-chip which the company unceremoniously announced in November. The new Exynos-branded silicon is expected to improve on the firms Adaptive Fast Charging, though its currently unclear how will the new technology fare against Quick Charge 4.0 which is sometimes stylized as Quick Charge 4+. Commercially available handsets with support for Qualcomms lastest charging solution remain extremely scarce, with the Razer Phone still being the only mobile offering to be compatible with this technology out of the box. The availability of Qualcomms charging tech is likely to expand over the course of the next year as manufacturers are expected to put a larger focus on quicker recharges seeing how the new generation of chips isnt significantly more energy-efficient than the previous one, with both still being based on the 10nm process node.

The South Korean tech giant isnt expected to debut a large overhaul of its Android flagship series next year as most industry insiders agree the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will instead seek to offer a refined version of the widely successful Galaxy S8 formula. While Samsung already said the handsets are unlikely to debut at Consumer Electronics Show in the first half of January, their launch is understood to be scheduled closer to the latest iteration of Mobile World Congress, whereas both should begin retailing come spring.
Samsungs Secure Wi-Fi service introduced to select Galaxy Note 8 units earlier this month through a software update will now be supported by McAfee, the cybersecurity company announced earlier this week. Moving forward, McAfee will be responsible for the backend of Samsungs VPN service, providing enhanced security to Galaxy Note 8 owners in the United States and will also start doing the same in Europe in the coming weeks.

As of this writing, Secure Wi-Fi is available on models of the stylus-enabled flagship distributed by T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular. Later this year the service, will also go live in certain European countries including the UK, Germany, and France, and will continue to expand gradually in additional countries, though availability may vary even in supported markets, depending on the carriers. Secure Wi-Fi is a VPN service provided by Samsung on the Galaxy Note 8 in the wake of the KRACK Wi-Fi vulnerability, though the application was initially released along with the companys budget series of Galaxy J smartphones. Samsungs solution offers users 250MB of secure VPN data for free every month, though users who may require more than the allocated 250MB can also choose to subscribe for a monthly fee of 1,99 which will give them unlimited data, or pay 0,99 for 24 hours of VPN access.

Secure Wi-Fi is primarily designed for usage in situations where smartphones need to connect to unprotected networks such as public hotspot locations that can technically leave them open to malicious attacks. According to a recent survey conducted by McAfee, 58 percent of participants claim to know how to determine whether a Wi-Fi connection is secure, though only 49 percent actually go through with the process. Meanwhile, 20 percent dont take into account the security of their Wi-Fi connection, and 32 percent of survey participants claim that whether or not they will connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network is determined by how much they need to access the Internet at any given time. As smartphones now established itself as truly ubiquitous devices, Samsungs collaboration with McAfee aims to give Galaxy Note 8 owners a boost of confidence and security, especially for tapping into unsecured public hotspots.
The Android Oreo Beta 4 build for the Samsung Galaxy S8 series is now making its way toward devices enrolled in the Samsung Experience 9.0 preview program. The build labeled as the software version ZQL8 for both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus weighs 850MB and the attached changelog contains a fairly comprehensive list of fixes. In addition, the latest beta firmware improves Bluetooth stability and introduces a new Google security patch, presumably for the month of December considering that the previous beta build included the November patch.

The fourth Android Oreo Beta build for the Samsung Galaxy S8 series arrives only a couple of days after it was confirmed by an official, indicating the updates development is moving forward according to the plan. The previous build was already relatively stable, yet the fourth beta release contains quite a large list of improvements for a wide variety of issues, ranging from the device sometimes overheating and rebooting while playing games, to pictures not being shown in the gallery application. The update should improve battery life and fix an issue that prevented the iris sensor from responding, and a bug causing temporary device freezing was also addressed. Following the fourth beta update, users should also no longer have any difficulties signing in with their Samsung Accounts or syncing data with Samsung Cloud. Additionally, random vibrations should no longer occur, and a couple of applications including Theme and GameTools should no longer intermittently force-close. As usual, Samsung advises users to back up their data before applying the latest firmware, and likewise, beta participants should ensure that their smartphones have at least half of battery charge left before installing the new software build.

Samsung might launch the first public Oreo update for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus in late January, assuming that no major issues will be found in the fourth Android Oreo beta release. Otherwise, according to Samsung officials who previously spoke about the updates potential release window, the company might have to push back the public launch to February 2018 in case of any notable problems. The Oreo beta test for the Galaxy Note 8 is also expected to start in the coming weeks.
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 14 (PTI) Superstar Salman Khan is all set to launch his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma in his home production "Loveratri".

The 51-year-old star took to Twitter to make the announcement of the project, which will be the fifth film under his banner, Salman Khan Films.

"Feeling very happy to announce @SKFilmsOfficial productions ka fifth venture #Loveratri introducing @aaysharma directed by Abhiraj Minawala. More details soon," wrote Salman.

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The movie is being helmed by debutant Abhiraj Minawala, who has served as assistant director on films such as Salmans "Sultan" and Shah Rukh Khans "Fan".

The female lead of the movie is yet to be announced.

Aayush, who is married to Salmans sister Arpita Khan, took to Twitter to thank the "Tubelight" actor.

"Thank you bhai.. Overwhelmed to start this journey.. Cant believe this is happening! Looking forward to #Loveratri .. @BeingSalmanKhan," he wrote. PTI RDS BK

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By Dezan Shira & Associates

Four of the seven bidders on the design and development contract for the Clark Airforce base in the Philippines are Chinese State Owned Enterprises, according to the Philippines Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). The China State Construction Engineering Corp Ltd, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd and Sinohydro Corp Ltd have all submitted tenders.

Clark International Airport is north of Manila and previously served as an American Airforce base until the facility was closed in 1991. The Airport serves the Clark Freeport Zone, an important tax and duty incentivized area that aims to encourage investment in airport-driven urban facilities, targeting high-end IT, aviation and logistics related enterprises, tourism and other sectors. The area is connected to Manila by the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, which is in turn connected to the North Luzon Expressway, some 43km from Manila.

Chinese SOEs have been prominent in bidding on development contracts aligned with Chinas Belt & Road Initiative, and has special encouragement to do so with the Philippines and ASEAN nations as China has both a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN and a Double Tax Treaty with the Philippines, providing tax savings on the provision of certain products, services and manpower.

It will be interesting to note, should a Chinese bid win, whether this will include Chinese labor says Chris Devonshire-Ellis of Dezan Shira & Associates. It is important that Philippines labor is deployed in development contracts in the Philippines.

The contract is worth about US$250 million, meaning that opportunities will arise for subcontractors and materials suppliers familiar with airport and related constructions. The plan is to finish the Clark International Airport New Terminal Building by 2020, increasing Clarks annual capacity from four million to twelve million passengers. This will give airlines an alternative to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which at the moment is the main international gateway to the Philippines, but suffers from congestion problems.

Dezan Shira & Associates maintain an office in Manila and service foreign investment into the country. We are able to advise on available tax incentives and establishment options for project offices. Please contact us at philippines@dezshira.com

About Us ASEAN Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including China, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road & Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates provide business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax and advisory services throughout the ASEAN and Asia. We maintain offices in Singapore, as well as Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, and maintain Alliance offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as throughout China, South-East Asia, India and Russia. For assistance with ASEAN investments into any of the featured countries, please contact us at provide business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax and advisory services throughout the ASEAN and Asia. We maintain offices in Singapore, as well as Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, and maintain Alliance offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila as well as throughout China, South-East Asia, India and Russia. For assistance with ASEAN investments into any of the featured countries, please contact us at asean@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

How to Set Up in the Philippines

In this issue of ASEAN Briefing magazine, we provide an introduction to the Philippines as well as analyze the various market entry options available for investors interested in expanding to the island nation. We also discuss the step-by-step process for setting up a business entity in the Philippines, highlighting the various statutory requirements for overseas investors. Finally, we explore the potential for Singapore to serve as a viable base to administer investors Philippine operations.

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017 introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment, and taxation. We also include the latest development news for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.
Johnnie Walker Releases $399 Blue Label Ghost And Rare

Trending News: Johnnie Walker Just Unveiled A New Scotch To End All Scotches

Long Story Short

Johnnie Walker just dropped a new scotch whiskey and it's an investment, to say the least.

Long Story

My only plan for the future is that I'll have a beard, a scotch club with my friends and an ottoman to put my feet up on  one of those things has already been accomplished. But unless I win the lottery, or choose to buy a lot more Bitcoin on the next drop, then I don't see myself contributing this new Johnnie Walker special blend to my future whisky club  I'll leave that up to one of my friends.

Related: Best Fine Whisky In The World

Crafted by Johnnie Walker's Master Distiller Jim Beveridge, Blue Label Ghost and Rare is comprised of "ghost whiskeys" from three silent distilleries, Cambus, Pittyvaich and the Highland Single Malt, Brora, as well as from existing distilleries Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge. It's "a smooth scotch, with the fruity sweetness of pineapple, rich notes of hazelnut and dark chocolate, and a subtle smoky finish," according to Diageo.

But drinking a scotch suited for a king will come at a king's ransom. The Blue Label Ghost and Rare will run you $399 and is only available for a limited time, Forbes reports.

Johnnie Walker

Here's what the distiller had to say about it:

Over the years of crafting fine Scotch whiskies, I've had the remarkable privilege of working with some of the rarest spirits ever to come out of Scotland. I'm lucky that we have stocks from more than 30 distilleries from every region of Scotland from which to choose the perfect casks to craft each blend. It gives us a richness of character, flavour and age that no other scotch can match. Whiskies from these ghost distilleries are becoming increasingly rare. From our library of irreplaceable casks that we keep exclusively for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I've chosen a few uniquely full-bodied expressions of these precious malts and grains to let people explore, in a new way, the extraordinary richness found in our pinnacle whisky.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

How much do you need to have in the bank account to legitimize a purchase like this?

Drop This Fact

A bottle of 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon from the Buffalo Trace distillery could run you $270, if you can find it.
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Petite photo de notre Panamera Turbo Techart Chrome hier pendant le tournage de la video a Monaco !!! Vos avis?? @msmotors @msmotors A post shared by Luxury Supercar Dealership (@msmotors) on Dec 10, 2017 at 10:24am PST

The monster in the night!!! @msmotors @msmotors A post shared by Luxury Supercar Dealership (@msmotors) on Dec 12, 2017 at 11:42am PST

Premiere Porsche Panamera Techart Francaise !!!! By @msmotors bien sur !! A post shared by Luxury Supercar Dealership (@msmotors) on Dec 9, 2017 at 5:27am PST

Porsche Panamera Turbo Techart Chrome By @msmotors @msmotors  A post shared by Luxury Supercar Dealership (@msmotors) on Dec 11, 2017 at 3:56am PST

The styling of the Gen 2 Porsche Panamera has been one of the most complex developments - while the styling of the first generation was controversial, the German designers had to address this, while, in the traditional Zuffenhausen style, they also needed to come up with an understated aura.Well, you can forget all about the latter part when it comes to the 2018 Panamera Turbo we have here. For starters, the thing has been gifted with a widebody kit supplied by Techart.However, the fat fenders of this Porsche aren't its most prominent feature. Instead, this title goes to the wrap of the Porscha.We're dealing with a chrome second skin job. This takes things so far in terms of the attention magnet effect, that the car shines be it night or day. We mean this in a literal manner and we've brought along a few Instagram images that allow you to check out the Panny in various scenarios. The long-roof Porsche we're looking at spends its time on the French Riviera, so the backgrounds of the images shine just as bright as the car.Of course, a second skin job such as the one we have here will split opinions like few others. However, we must keep in mind that the vinyl wrap can be easily removed, so there's no reason to fret.Speaking of Porshe spotting episodes, the next step related to the Panamera has to do with the Turbo S E-Hybrid model, which is the new range-topper. And we'll bring you such sightings as soon as we get our hands on them.
EV

A statement released by Ford goes along these lines, as reported by Automotive News : We have no plans to export the next-generation Fusion/Mondeo from China to North America and Europe. The Michigan-based automaker will release more information on whatll happen from 2020 onwards, when the all-new model will be launched in both North America, Europe, as well as China.The rumors were started by unnamed sources reportedly close to the Ford Motor Company . In the first instance, the Blue Oval couldve gone with the change considering that most variants of the next-generation Focus for the North American market will be supplied from the Peoples Republic.Another detail that spelled trouble for the Fusions future is sales, with U.S. volume down 22 percent through November 2017. Over in Europe, the Mondeo lost 21 percent. To make matters worse, the mid-size sedan segment is on the downward spiral in almost every corner of the globe.The biggest reason Ford and other automakers are shifting from sedans is increasing demand for utility vehicles. Crossovers, SUVs, and body-on-frame behemoths, just about everything goes with todays buyers as long as the driving position is adequately high.Regarding the Fusion and Mondeos current plants, the one located in Valencia, Spain gears up for a 750-million euros investment in preparation for the next-generation Kuga (a.k.a. Escape in North America). As for the factory in Hermosillo, Mexico, its unclear what the Ford Motor Company has in the pipeline for this place. In related news, Fords Cuautitlan plant in Mexico is confirmed to manufacture an electric crossover from 2020 , a high-ridingwith an estimated driving range of 300 miles.
Shashi Tharoor's vocabulary, clearly, is better than yours.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has a way with words and we have known it and seen it all along. Social media users often feel that he would say the simplest of things using complex words, words average English speaking Indians wouldn't even know.

From his 'exasperating farragos' to recurrent jibes at 'snollygosters' he indulges in on Twitter, Shashi Tharoor proved time and again that he has an impeccable vocabulary.

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Memes and parody videos about 'Tharoor English' have been flooding the Indian internet and the man himself addressed the issue on Twitter. He tried to explain why he uses certain words but bingo, he like always, did what he does. Again!

Shashi Tharoor's latest contribution to the vocabulary of Indians is the word 'rodomontade'. The word he used in a tweet made people run for dictionaries, and some sought help from 'Google Mata'. Tharoor's tweet said:

"To all the well-meaning folks who send me parodies of my supposed speaking/writing style: The purpose of speaking or writing is to communicate w/ (sic) precision. I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea i want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones!"

The word rodomontade sure confused a few, but some thanked him for introducing them to a new word.

FYI: What's the meaning of Rodomontade?

Boastful or inflated talk.

In the past 24 hours, the word rodomontade made it to Google Trends and was searched widely in India.

Google trends show people searching for RODOMONTADE in the past 24 hours.

Searches done all over the world were from India.

Here's his original tweet.

To all the well-meaning folks who send me parodies of my supposed speaking/writing style: The purpose of speaking or writing is to communicate w/ precision. I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea i want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones!- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 13, 2017

I can rodomontadely say that day by day I read your rodomontaded tweets in English, I will be rodomontaded of my improved English. A rodomontade Jai Hind sir.- Kanatunga (@Kanatunga) December 13, 2017

Haha .... ??? A clarification that needs a clarification!! ... We've got our new 'farrago' now ..- Arun (@Armenon83) December 13, 2017

Heard one new word again-"rodomontade"???. I want my school fees back. ??????- Balendu Pandey (@balendu29) December 14, 2017

Ab "rodomontade" pel diya- Chandan Ram (@chandanram969) December 13, 2017

Lol! To be fair, it encourages us to use the dictionary & thesaurus & expand our vocabulary. I always look forward to the new word of the day... "rodomontade" is quite a mouthful ??????- Sujata Suri (@sujatasuri) December 14, 2017

Sir now itll take us actually two days to learn to pronounce this new word rodomontade. I am sure it is the most googled word by now ???- kashif Qureshi (@kashiflion) December 13, 2017

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PHEV

With the Evoque having managed to convince over 600,000 customers in its six-year market presence, the British automotive producer is willing to keep the overall profile of the car largely unchanged, as visible in these spyshots.Make no mistake, though, the second generation of the crossover will feature plenty of small changes. First of all, the limited cabin space, which is one of the main drawbacks of the current model, will be left behind by a wheelbase extension. Expect an increase of around 20 mm (0.8 inches), which will bring the baby Rangie in line with the Jaguar E-Pace.The roofline will sit slightly higher, meaning that the rear passengers are set to enjoy superior headroom.The obvious styling language update will bring the face of the Evoque cloer to that of the Range Rover Velar . In fact, you can peek through the camouflage to check out the production all-LED headlights of the newcomer.Jaguar Land Rover's now-expanded Ingenium engine lineup means that the Mk 2 Evoque will offer plenty of 2.0-liter turbo options for both gas and diesel lovers.The rumor mill also talks about aincarnation of the 2019 Evoque, which would fall in line with JLR's range-wide electrification plans. The company plans to hybridize of electrifying 50 percent of its lineup by 2020. We're talking about a mix between an electric motor and a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder motor. The latter's cylinder count would make for a first on a Land Rover vehicle.Expect the second generation of the Range Rover Evoque to make its debut late next year, coming to the market as a 2019 model.
Blue Origin, the company funded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos thats working to develop sub-orbital space tourism, successfully launched a rocket from a west Texas site on Tuesday. The 60-foot-tall rocket carried crew capsule 2.0 on its first flight, to an altitude of about 322,000 feet, or 61 miles, in about two and a half minutes. The capsule then separated from the rocket for a few minutes of free fall, and then returned to the surface under three canopies. The rocket returned to its launch pad in a controlled vertical landing. The pressurized crew capsule, which features several large windows (about 2.4 by 3.6 feet), was occupied by a test dummy and a dozen payloads containing commercial, research and education projects.

The capsule can accommodate six astronauts in comfortable seats, and is roomy enough for tourists to experience weightless floating and even turn somersaults, the company says. The altitude of 61 miles, or about 100 km, is generally considered the boundary between the atmosphere and the edge of space. During the parachute landing, a retro-thrust system adds extra cushioning, for a contact speed of about 1 mph. The entire system is fully reusable, the company says.
How will automation, tech companies, and the GOP tax plan affect soon-to-be college graduates? Axios' Mike Allen discussed these questions at the Univeristy of Michigan Wednesday. He was joined by top CEOs and hundreds of students to explore the Future of Work.

The lineup:

Ms. Emma Kinery, former Editor in Chief, The Michigan Daily

former Editor in Chief, The Michigan Daily Mr. Jim VandeHei, CEO and Co-Founder, Axios

CEO and Co-Founder, Axios Mr. Scott DeRue, Edward J. Frey Dean of Business, University of Michigan

Edward J. Frey Dean of Business, University of Michigan Mr. Michael Barr, Dean of the Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

Dean of the Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan Ms. Stacy Brown-Philpot, CEO, TaskRabbit

CEO, TaskRabbit Mr. Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Mike kicks off the event with Ms. Kinery, The Michigan Daily's former Editor in Chief. The two co-wrote an article earlier this week on the future of journalism. Robert Hall

Jim and Mike discuss how the collision of politics, tech, business, and media will shape the world that current students will lead one day. Robert Hall

Jim tells students: "The world you're about to enter is so much more appealing than the world we entered [...] You can do more of consequence at a younger age much faster than any of us could."Robert Hall

Dean DeRue (left) discusses the importance of forcing yourself out of the echo chamber. "We need to train ourselves to seek out disconfirming information."Robert Hall

Students getting so smart so fast. Robert Hall

On automation, Ms. Brown-Philpot says: "The easy answers will be solved by machines. The data scientists will be used to solve the deeper problems."Robert Hall

News breaks when Mr. Dimon tells Mike that the GOP tax bill will create jobs. Robert Hall

They're part of the revolution. You can be too: revolution.axios.comRobert Hall

Thank you JPMorgan Chase & Co. for sponsoring this event.
We used to define fire by seasons: they varied from place to place, but there was a period of time that fires were not reliably seen before, and a date they probably wouldnt be seen after. That is no longer the case, as the destructive fires burning this December in Southern California make clear.

Data: CAL FIRE. Data was compiled with help from Jill Hubley. Get the data. Chart: Lazaro Gamio / Axios

The above chart shows all fires that burned over 300 acres each year from 2000 to 2017 in California, including this months blazes.

The future, right now: We tend to talk about extreme weather and fire events as a "glimpse into our future under climate change." But these previously-rare events are increasingly common. "If unexpected becomes the norm, because we only talk about extreme weather, how do we change the conversation?" Jeff Rosenfeld, the editor in chief of the bulletin of the American Meteorlogical Society, asked at the American Geophysical Union's annual fall meeting on Wednesday.

The 2017 fire season was one of the worst ever seen across North America:

At least 44 people died in a series of blazes that swept across Napa and central California.

Fires that started in July in Montana burned for months, marking the state's second-worst season.

British Columbia was in a state of emergency for four months.

In the Northwest and Idaho, it wasnt the worst season in terms of acres, but it was one of the most vigorous. The fires started so quickly and so many burned at once that resources to fight them were stretched thin.

It's only getting worse: Wildfire seasons are expected to last longer and burn hotter as climate change makes many areas warmer and dryer. "Warmer spring causes earlier snowmelt, [and] warmer summer temperatures can dry out the wood," says Jeffrey Pierce of Colorado State University.

Go deeper: Inside Climate News looks at our future with fire in a warming world.
14 December 2017 09:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 127 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on December 14.

Armenians were using large-caliber machine guns and grenade launchers.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
14 December 2017 13:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Fizuli Salahov, a serviceman of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, was killed as a result of the ceasefire violation by Armenian Armed Forces, the press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend on December 14.

The ministry expresses deep condolences to the relatives of the deceased.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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14 December 2017 12:38 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

Norwegian Statoil company, the worlds largest offshore operator, intends to continue and expand partnership with Azerbaijan in the future.

The remark was made by Fawad Quraishi, Norways Statoil Country Manager in Azerbaijan, as he met with newly appointed countrys Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov on December 13.



Quraishi congratulated Shahbazov on his appointment to the post of Azerbaijani energy minister.

I am sure that the ties between Azerbaijan and Statoil will strengthen, Quraishi said. Azerbaijan is one of the most important countries for Statoil. The company's participation in the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block of oil fields and in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, the involvement in exploration work at Karabakh, Ashrafi and Dan Ulduzu fields testifies to the successful cooperation, which we are very pleased with.

In his turn, Shahbazov appreciated Statoil's activity on the use of advanced experience, new technologies and attraction of investments in the Azerbaijani oil and gas sector since the first years of the countrys independence.

This cooperation is beneficial for both sides, Shahbazov said. The projects related to the exploration and development of new fields will ensure a long-term partnership between Statoil and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Energy Ministry will continue to render necessary support for the company's activity.

Since the year 1992, Statoil has been a partner in Azerbaijans industrial and economic transition. Together with the national oil company SOCAR and other international companies, the company intends to build Azerbaijans burgeoning oil and gas market to realize its full potential.

Today Statoil has an interest in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oil field, as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline - which runs from the Azerbaijan capital of Baku to the south Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean.

In partnership with the Norwegian government, the company has supported the Azerbaijani government to establish an oil fund based on the Norwegian model, as well as driven technical development of Azerbaijanis through collaborations with SOCAR and students.

Over the last two decades, Statoil Company has invested more than $6.5 billion in Azerbaijan, making it the second largest investor in the country.

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14 December 2017 16:04 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

The second meeting of the UK-Azerbaijan Joint Intergovernmental Commission attended by Baroness Rona Fairhead, the UK Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion and Shahin Mustafayev, Economy Minister of Azerbaijan was held in Baku.

During the meeting, the sides discussed current economic relations and prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

Mustafayev emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to bilateral relations with the UK and the two countries have successfully cooperated in various fields of economy.

He noted that over 500 companies with British capital operate in Azerbaijan. Noting the historic importance of extending the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli project until the September 2050, the minister said that Azerbaijan has successfully cooperated with British BP in the field of oil and gas extraction.

Noting the interest of Azerbaijan in expanding cooperation with the UK in the field of non-oil sector, Mustafayev highlighted the importance of Fairhead's visit to Baku in the development of relations and expressed his views on the direction of expansion of cooperation.

The United Kingdom has invested over $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan so far, according to the minister, stressing that British companies can also invest in industrial parks in the country, and together with local companies create livestock farms, establish the production of medical equipment, food, in particular, the processing of meat and milk. In addition, opportunities for the integration of tourism, transport and ICT are enormous.

The UK can use Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure and transit opportunities, he said.

Mustafayev also noted the increase of non-oil exports of Azerbaijan and informed about the export potential of the country to Great Britain.

Fairhead also noted Azerbaijan's achievements in the economic sphere, particularly with UK companies, including BP. She emphasized the importance of holding the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and pointed out that cooperation opportunities are being studied in various fields, emphasizing the potential for the development of relations in different spheres of economy.

Azerbaijan and the UK have benefitted from close bilateral partnership and cooperation since 1992, in the framework of international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO.

The relations have covered a wide range of issues, from high-level political dialogue to growing trade and investment, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties.

The two countries further developed mutual relations through the creation of an intergovernmental commission on economic and trade cooperation, which was presupposed in a memorandum "On economic and trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and Great Britain" signed in Baku on March 2, 2015.

The cooperation in the energy sector is currently the key factor of the bilateral economic relations between the two countries. Azerbaijan cooperates with the United Kingdom in the field of exploration and transportation of oil and natural gas from the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

British Petroleum, one of the world's leading integrated oil and gas companies, participates in seven oil and gas projects in the country, has a share in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Southern Gas Corridor, including TANAP and TAP projects. Great Britain is in the first place for investment in Azerbaijan. To date, the UK has invested more than $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan.

The trade with the UK in January-November 2017 amounted to $ 240.46 million, of which nearly $ 30 million fell on the export of Azerbaijani products, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.

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14 December 2017 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan and Ukraine will establish a joint venture for production of railway cars, Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine reported on December 14.

Azerbaijans Ambassador to Ukraine Azer Khudiyev held a meeting with the leadership of PJSC Kryukovsky Railway Car Building Works in this regard.

During the meeting, deputy director of the plant Igor Manaenkov noted that Azerbaijan actively participates in international transportation.

Azerbaijan is a participant of a number of international projects. With the commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, Azerbaijan has opened a wide corridor between Europe and Asia. From this point of view, Azerbaijan needs to produce new passenger and freight cars, he said.

Khudiyev, in turn, said that Ukraine is an advantageous partner for Azerbaijan.

The ambassador further noted the importance of Ukraines preparing a package of proposals on the establishment of the joint venture. After the Azerbaijani side examines the proposal, a working group from Ukraine will visit Baku.

Kryukovsky Railway Car Building Works is a large industrial company in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, manufacturing locomotives and multiple unit trains. The companys various types of freight and passenger railroad cars are exported to many countries.

Azerbaijan and Ukraine currently have tangible economic and trade relations. Azerbaijan mainly imports metallurgy, machine building, agro-industrial and chemical industry products from Ukraine, which, in turn, imports products of fuel energy industry, chemical industry, and agro-industry from Azerbaijan.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By Kiran Tare: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's son Aditya today said that the party will quit the power in Maharashtra in a year's time. He also hoped that Shiv Sena will form the next government by its own. The Shiv Sena became part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Maharashtra in December 2014.

Aditya made the statement while addressing the party workers in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar. "We will quit the power in one year and come back to power on our strength," he said. However, he added that the final decision in this regard will be taken by Uddhav only. "Once it is done all of you have to work together to bring about a change."

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Though there is nothing new in Shiv Sena's threat of quitting from the government, Aditya's statement is likely to add fire to the fuel in Shiv Sena's strained relations with the BJP. Earlier, Thackeray too had warned that the party will quit the government as it was not happy with its performance. However, he had not given any timeline for that.

Aditya's threat will not have any impact on the government's stability as the Assembly elections are due in October 2019. There is possibility that the BJP will prepone the election in May 2019 along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Aditya said issues pertaining to education persist in the state and added that wherever he went, students came to him with a charter of demands. "Shiv Sena is committed to solving the issues of students. It has also created an educational application that will guide students and solve their problems."

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has secured majority in the Thane Zilla Parishad on the outskirts of Mumbai. In the election results announced today, Shiv Sena snatched the power from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) by winning 29 out of 51 seats. Interestingly, BJP MP from Bhiwandi Kapil Patil controlled the zilla parishad till a couple of years ago when he defected NCP to join BJP in 2014.

WATCH | War of words between BJP and Shiv Sena at Aaj Tak Manthan Conclave

--- ENDS ---
14 December 2017 16:49 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The exhibition titled "Caravaggio - Opera Omnia" displaying 37 digital art reproductions of famous Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio opened at Heydar Aliyev Center on December 13.

The event is organized with the support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Italian Embassy in Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev Center and the Italian TV company RAI.

The exhibition aroused great interest among art lovers. Many public figures, representatives of art, culture and science, heads of diplomatic missions and foreign guests attended the event.

In his speech, Assistant to Azerbaijan's First Vice-President, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov stressed that the exhibition is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Italy.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Italy are at a high level, cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres is constantly expanding. On the initiative of Azerbaijan's First Vice-President and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijani art and culture were repeatedly presented in various Italian cities. With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the opera Siberia by Italian composer Umberto Giordano was presented at the Heydar Aliyev Center, fashion exhibition by Italian fashion designer Renato Balestra, featuring the Azerbaijani ornaments, a number of concerts were also organized, said Alakbarov.

With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan has successfully participated in the International Exhibition of Arts - the Venice Biennale for six years. After these exhibitions our sculptors and artists won recognition, successfully presented their works at other international events. As you know, the Heydar Aliyev Center is a unique architectural creation of the world famous architect Zaha Hadid. And it is significant that the presentation of this exhibition has a symbolic character, as the Heydar Aliyev Foundation presented the exhibition of contemporary Azerbaijani art Fly to Baku in the Roman National Museum of Modern Art MAXXI, which is also the creation of Zaha Hadid, he added.

Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Augusto Massari expressed gratitude to Mehriban Aliyeva for assistance in organizing the exhibition Caravaggio - Opera Omnia in Heydar Aliyev Center.

The holding of this exhibition in the Heydar Aliyev Center is a significant event in the cultural life of our countries, the next bridge of friendship and cooperation. The greatness and beauty of the Heydar Aliyev Center will help to better see the stunning works of art by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The exhibition, organized with the support of the Italian Foreign ministry was represented in a many countries. One of the Italian architects who worked on the organization of the exhibition Caravaggio - Opera Omnia in the Heydar Aliyev Center, told me that he was in many countries of the world, but he has never seen such high professionalism in the preparation of the exhibition as in Azerbaijan, said the ambassador.

It is a great honor and pride for us to present here the works of the Italian master of the brush, and we hope for further fruitful cooperation. This exhibition is the triumph of cultural diplomacy that will further bring together our peoples and countries, he added.

Then, guests got acquainted with the exhibition.

The viewers were amazed by the works of Italian artist, whose artistic style contributed to the revolutionary changes in painting.

The exhibition Caravaggio - Opera Omnia combines the art of Caravaggio with technological innovations. Reproductions of high quality, prepared using digital technologies, correspond to the real dimensions of the works.

Michelangelo Caravaggio, whose paintings feature at all works on the art history of the 17th century, had a huge impact on the development of painting. He masterfully used contrast of light and darkness in his works.

Italian artist was a bold innovator, who challenged the main artistic trends of that era - mannerism and academicism, contrasting them with harsh realism and the democracy of his art. A lot more could be said about his art, but it's better to see it once than to hear about it a thousand times.

The exhibition will last until January 24, 2018.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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14 December 2017 14:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The OSCE Minsk Group that is mediating the peace diplomacy over the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has recently demonstrated a noticeable intensification in the negotiation process.

Farhad Ibrahimov, expert of Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy & International Relations, hails such a positive trend observed in the activities of the mediators, who were subject of criticism for a long time due to lack of any tangible result in the conflict resolution.

Ibrahimov told Day.Az on December 13 international mediators began to declare increasingly that the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh indeed belongs to Azerbaijan, as well as the need to resolve the conflict in accordance with the UN Security Councils resolutions.



The reality is that during its existence, the OSCE Minsk Group has not made due efforts to achieve certain goals, and this is one of the reasons that today the problem remains unresolved and the situation on the line of fire is tense, said Ibrahimov, adding that the increased activity of international mediators is now reduced to a mutual desire of the parties to resolve the issue so that there are no losers or winners.



The four resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884), adopted in 1993, condemned the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, stressed the unacceptability of forcible appropriation of territory, confirmed the inviolability of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and borders of Azerbaijan and demanded the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from Azerbaijani lands. However, these demands are still on paper, as Armenia refuses to comply with the decision of the UN Security Council.

The expert expects progress in resolving the conflict, given a certain activity of the OSCE Minsk Group, as evidenced by the past meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Geneva, where the parties agreed to take measures to intensify the decisions on the conflict.

The military solution to the conflict is undesirable, as it can lead to unpredictable consequences, added Ibrahimov. This is why the OSCE Minsk Group will intensify its activities so that the next hotbed of tension does not erupt.

He also noted that the threat of renewed hostilities is real, and the Armenian side, which is still demonstrating a stubborn and aggressive policy against Azerbaijan, must understand and realize this truth.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. For more than 20 years, Russia, the U.S. and France, who are co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, have been trying to broker a peace to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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14 December 2017 09:06 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

The European Parliament has today approved the annual "EU foreign and security policy", which for the first time reaffirmed EU's commitments to support the territorial integrity of all Eastern Partnership countries within their internationally recognized borders. The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of votes (408 for and 132 against).

The resolution, prepared on the basis of the annual report by David McAllister, the chairman of the European Parliament's International Relations Committee, is doctrinal in nature and must be taken into account when formulating and implementing the foreign policy of the European Union. This was stated by the Vice President of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Federica Mogerini, who was present during the discussions.

This document is of fundamental importance for the relations of the EU with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, which are involved in territorial conflicts.

First, the commitment to supporting the territorial integrity of the Eastern Partnership countries is for the first time outlined within the framework of the internationally recognized borders of all these states. Earlier such concretization was demonstrated only in relation to Ukraine. Attempts by the Armenian lobby again to "tie" this point only to Ukraine was defeated by the European Parliament by an overwhelming majority of votes - overwhelming to such an extent that there was no need to count votes!

Second, for the first time this commitment is expressed as an obligation of the European Union. Third, for the first time these definitions were used not in the general sense, but in the context of the settlement of all conflicts existing in the countries of the Eastern Partnership.

Fourth, the mandatory nature of this resolution practically nullifies all previous attempts by the Armenian lobby to fix its interests in the documents of the European Parliament, which have a recommendatory character. Thus, the phrases that could be interpreted "in an Armenian way", were reflected in the recommendations of the European Parliament to the EU External Relations Service while preparing the agenda for EU's participation in the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations and the Brussels Summit of the Eastern Partnership. By the way, none of these formulations was taken into account when preparing documents for both the UN General Assembly and the Summit.

The last resolution of the European Parliament, dated Dec. 13, was a logical continuation of the process fixed in the joint statement of the Eastern Partnership Summit held in Brussels on Nov. 24 and which President Ilham Aliyev assessed as the diplomatic success of Azerbaijan.

To understand this shift in the EU foreign policy, it is necessary to understand that a few years ago the European Union categorically refused even to recognize (let alone support) the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, using other principles in the approach to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, rather than in evaluating other conflicts ...

...Brussels, 2011. The then president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, after returning from a trip to the countries of the South Caucasus refused (!) his statements made in support of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, documented during his public appearance in Baku ...

...Brussels, 2013. During the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to the EU, the European Commission annulled the signing of the final joint declaration due to the refusal (!) of the team of EU officials to fix mutual support for the territorial integrity of the parties. In response to this and other unfriendly actions of the EU, Azerbaijan decided to end the negotiations on The Association Agreement with the EU, the annual meetings of the Council, the Committee and the sectoral subcommittees of bilateral cooperation with the European Union ...

Riga Eastern Partnership Summit, May, 2015. The legacy of the "double standards" policy for Azerbaijan, left by the previous team, continued to poison our country's relations with the new leaders of the European Union. Thus, in the draft joint declaration of 28 EU member states and 6 Eastern Partnership countries, in spite of Azerbaijan's protest, there was used the terminology differentially evaluating conflicts in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova on the one hand and the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on the other hand. Then, President Ilham Aliyev made a principled decision that radically changed the negative trend in the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan. He refused to participate in the Summit and instructed the Azerbaijani delegation to vote against the Joint Statement, which should be adopted by the consensus of all participating countries. According to some sources at the EU, after the Azerbaijani delegation refused to support the consensus on the Joint Statement, the President of the Council of the European Union Donald Tusk held a phone talk with President Ilham Aliyev. Only after that, Azerbaijan agreed to a consensus, though with the addition of the Azerbaijani delegation, adopted as part of the Joint Statement.

The significance of what happened at the Riga Summit cannot be overestimated. The clear position of President Aliyev demonstrated that Azerbaijan can not only limit bilateral cooperation with the EU exclusively on the economic agenda, but also withdraw from such an important multilateral project of the European Union as the Eastern Partnership. What, in fact, can turn this project into a formal substance, with a purely donor function of the European Union, without any political impact in terms of establishing interaction with Asian neighbors, without such system-forming elements of any multilateral process as infrastructure, transport, energy and economic components.

The EU paid dearly for curtsey to the occupant country... This was the reason for the unplanned visit of President of the EU Council Donald Tusk to Azerbaijan in July 2015, just one month after the Riga Summit.

In Baku, he issued an official statement on unequivocal support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the need to resolve the Karabakh conflict on the basis of norms and principles of international law. This support was repeated in February 2016 in the statement of Mogherini during her visit to Baku. Tusk again officially announced the support of the EU to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan during President Aliyev's visit to Brussels in February 2017

Thus, this principle was fixed in the doctrinal documents of both the executive and parliamentary institutions of the EU, as well as in the multilateral statements of the heads of state and governments. Moreover, the European Union clearly demonstrated a unified approach to resolving conflicts in the territory of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Azerbaijan, without dividing them into "theirs" and "outsiders", without applying the policy of "double standards".

One can suggest that the life itself made Europeans reconsider approaches to these issues. Yet Catalonia and Crimea did not initiate, but only consolidated this process, which began long before the events in Barcelona. In addition, what prevented the European Union from pursuing a policy of differentiating approaches to conflict resolution in its "own" Spain, "associated" - Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova and seemingly "alien" Azerbaijan?

Or rather, who prevented? The answer is obvious. What President Ilham Aliyev named "a diplomatic success" in Brussels, because of his modesty, is his foreign policy victory achieved as a result of the foresight of the political trend in world politics, a correct assessment of the role and potential of the country in European projects, his stamina and professionalism, and the ability to maximize the effective use of the emerging situation in the national interest.

President Ilham Aliyev was not only able to instill in Europeans respect for his people and to convince them of the correctness of Azerbaijan's position. By and large, he is the author of such a qualitatively new and strategically important political trend in European politics for Azerbaijan as supporting the territorial integrity of the partner countries on the basis of the principle of inviolability of borders and the use of a unified approach to conflict resolution in all countries of the Eastern Partnership.

Future sporadic attempts by the Armenian lobby for levelling this trend are not ruled out, but they are unlikely to have such a significant effect. The opportunities for using the institutional platforms of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership to justify Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan will be extremely limited.

This inspires confidence in the future of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. And first of all, the EU support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within the framework of internationally recognized borders will be fixed in the new agreement on strategic partnership with the EU.
14 December 2017 10:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Azerbaijan is the main economic and strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the Caucasus.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Beybit Isabayev made the remark at an event dedicated to the 26th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence on December 13.

The ambassador stressed that during the years of independence, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan developed very strong, friendly relations built on trust and equality. These relations are getting stronger every year, adding that over the past 10 years, Azerbaijan has achieved impressive progress in the development of the national economy.

We are pleased to see the growing influence of the country, ambassador said.

Isabayev noted that Azerbaijan is one of the key regional participants of the global energy policy.

Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov congratulated the Ambassador of Kazakhstan and all the people of Kazakhstan on the 26th anniversary of independence.

He noted that during independence, under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan has become one of the leading countries of the region.

Relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are dynamically developing in many spheres, and especially in the energy sphere and serve as an example of strong mutual cooperation, minister noted.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in August, 1992. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Turkic Council, Joint Administration of Turkic Arts and Culture, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The two countries have already signed over 100 agreements, which constitute legal basis for negotiations between the countries. More than 20 of those are in the field of economy.

Both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan attach great importance to the development of bilateral trade and economic ties. There is a successfully operating Intergovernmental Commission, and business forums are held regularly.

For Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan the most important points of cooperation appear to be the contacts on energy issues, oil transportation, agriculture, and the use of the Caspian Sea as an important international traffic artery.

Now the two countries are working on promotion of a joint transport project - the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which involves cargo transportation from China via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and further via Turkey and Ukraine to Europe.

The trade turnover between the countries increased by 3.7 percent and amounted to $102.5 million over the three quarters of this year.

In particular, export from Azerbaijan increased by 7.3 percent and amounted to $21.8 million, while import from Kazakhstan increased by 2.7 percent and amounted to $80.7 million.

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14 December 2017 12:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

Azerbaijan, with its century-old history and beautiful nature, is among the most desired destinations for the foreign tourists.

Th Land of Fire was one of the 10 most popular travel searches among the residents of the United Arab Emirates, Google revealed in its annual list of most searched terms in 2017.

The search giants algorithm, which has revealed the most popular travel searches for the year, indicates that France is the most popular travel destination search among the UAE residents, followed by Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Montenegro and Cambodia  in that order.

The list offers a fascinating insight into current travel trends in the UAE and the travel habits of leisure travelers who are influenced by a combination of global trends, geography and the expansion of networks by the worlds best airlines, which offer a choice of direct routes to all these countries.

The middle part of Googles 2017 table is taken by Georgia and Azerbaijan, neighbouring countries which between them span territory from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, according to The National.

Today tourism is developing with high speed in Azerbaijan, with a contribution of 4.5 percent to the national GDP. The country witnesses more than 2 million annual foreign tourist arrivals and thousands of domestic tourism visits.

Speaking of tourists it is impossible to avoid the growing number of tourists coming from Muslim countries. And due to the influx of Muslim guests, the country now is considering to develop halal tourism, a sub-category of tourism that is aligned with the laws and traditions of Islam.

Meanwhile, this year the GMTI put Azerbaijan 24th on development of halal tourism.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry previously reported that the number of visitors to Azerbaijan amounted to 2 ,477, 908 people during 11 months of 2017. Of these, 87,215 were citizens of the United Arab Emirates.

It should be particularly mentioned that Azerbaijan has lately became the most favorite place for travel of many Arab tourists. The majority of them are from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Iraq. Short distance between Azerbaijan and their countries is one of the reasons of such a great tourist growth.In the 2016 survey of GMTI covering 130 tourist destinations, Azerbaijan, has ranked 20th among the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Given the wonderful climate of Azerbaijan, its culture, cuisine, nature, attractions, and diversity, a rapid increase in was observed tourist flow from Arab countries into the country. The tourists mainly visit the most popular destinations  Baku, Gabala, Quba and many other cities.

The countrys incomparable historical and cultural heritage, as well as expertise in halal hospitality, allowed Azerbaijan to enter the list of the top Muslim holidays destinations. In Azerbaijan, where modernity and intellect meet Islam and modern cultures, Muslim visitors can have an unforgettable experience.

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14 December 2017 11:39 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received a delegation led by Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion of the United Kingdom, co-chair of Joint Intergovernmental Commission (JIC) Baroness Rona Fairhead.

The sides hailed the successfully developing bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the UK in a number of areas, including in political, economic, and energy ones, underlining good potential for further expansion of bilateral cooperation.

President Aliyev pointed to the good history of the Azerbaijan-UK economic relations, saying that the UK is the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan. He noted the importance of the fact that BP is the key partner in Azerbaijan's global energy projects.

Praising the great works that are underway to diversify the economy in Azerbaijan, the head of state underlined the country's keenness to expand the UK companies' involvement in the non-energy sector as both investors and contractors in the years to come.

The President expressed his confidence that Baroness Rona Fairhead's visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to further expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Baroness Rona Fairhead, in turn, hailed Azerbaijan's achievements during the years of independence.

Pointing to the energy cooperation, Fairhead described the BP-Azerbaijan relations as a very important partnership, and emphasized that the British government will remain committed to continuing cooperation in this area.

She noted that the British government attaches great importance to bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, once again describing the country as an important strategic partner for the UK.

Touching upon the prospects for energy cooperation, they emphasized the successful implementation of the Shah Deniz-2 project and the extension of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli agreement.

They also exchanged views on the issues relating to the British companies' involvement in the field of infrastructure, as well as the expansion of ties in trade, mutual investment, alternative energy, agriculture, tourism and education fields.

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14 December 2017 18:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The expansion of military-technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia will further bring bilateral ties closer together and positively affect the level of further cooperation.

Azerbaijani MP Aydin Mirzazade made the remarks while commenting on the current state of military-technical cooperation between the two countries in his interview with Day.az on December 13.

Baku hosted the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia on December 12-13, where the parties discussed topical issues of the working agenda and the main activities for 2018.

Mirzazade said Azerbaijani-Russian relations have been developing dynamically in recent years, which positively affects the level of achieved cooperation.

Undoubtedly, todays high level of relations between the two countries is the result of a well-thought-out foreign policy pursued by these two regional states. Our countries build relations exclusively in the sphere of trust and respect, thereby contributing to strengthening the partnership dialogue and expanding the sphere of interaction, the MP said.

In this context, he added, the development of military-technical cooperation is given special attention, and the strategic cooperation between Baku and Moscow is one of the main cumulative factors in the bilateral relations.

Mirzazade also touched upon the fact that Armenia, Russias closest ally in the region, is greatly dissatisfied with the countrys consistent supply of arms to Azerbaijan.

Armenia, which has been conducting an occupation policy against Azerbaijan for more than two decades, in every possible way expresses its concern and dissatisfaction with the policy of Russia precisely because of military supplies to Azerbaijan. However, Armenia has not achieved progress on this issue  on the contrary, this fact has not affected the volume of Russian armaments in Baku, said the Azerbaijani MP.

The existence of the Armenia-triggered Nagorno-Karabakh conflict makes Azerbaijan purchase arms to further improve its military-defense power and strengthen its combat capability.

Russia has been among main arms suppliers for Azerbaijani Armed Forces for many years. As for Armenia's incomprehensible claims, Russia declares that this issue is solely its internal affair, and that the military cooperation continues within intergovernmental contracts. It is also noteworthy that Azerbaijan, unlike Armenia, is fully able to pay for its purchases without getting into multi-million debts like its western neighbor does.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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14 December 2017 16:39 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Revenues of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) from the project of development of the countrys Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of oil and gas fields amounted to $127.889 billion from 2001.

The company reported that it received $5.780 billion in the framework of the ACG project during January-November 2017.

A contract for development of ACG block of oil and gas fields was signed in 1994 for 30 years.

Thirteen companies from eight countries (Azerbaijan, the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, Turkey, Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia) have participated in signing of the "Contract of the Century".

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and BP-operated Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) signed an agreement on future development of the ACG field in December 2016.

The agreement will cover the development of the field until 2050 and will add significant resource development potential. The document specifies the key commercial terms for the future development of the ACG field and enables the parties to conclude negotiations and finalize fully-termed agreements in the next few months.

The ACG field, which lies 120km off the coast of Azerbaijan, is considered to be the largest oilfield in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.

The proven oil reserves of the block amounts to approximately 1 billion tons.

From the beginning of first oil production in November 1997 and until September 1, 2017, some 435.6 million tons of oil and 136.3 billion cubic meters of associated gas were produced in the ACG block of oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea.

Shareholders of the ACG development include BP with 35.8 percent, Chevron - 11.3 percent, Inpex - 11 percent, AzACG - 11.6 percent, Statoil - 8.55 percent, Exxon - 8 percent, TRAO- 6.75 percent, Itochu - 4.3 percent and ONGC - 2.7 percent.

SOFAZ was established under the Presidential Decree, dated December 29, 1999, "On Establishment of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

The main purpose of the establishment of the Fund was to preserve and multiply the income derived from oil, create an excellent economic base, taking into account social needs, the requirements of economic progress and development of the country. Besides, the challenge ahead is to protect the country's economy from possible negative influences caused by the growth of foreign exchange earnings and avoidance of damage to financial discipline.

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14 December 2017 17:51 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Oil prices went down on Thursday afternoon after the December report of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Brent crude futures were at $62.19 a barrel, down 0.38 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures down 0.34 percent to $56.41 a barrel, according to RIA Novosti.

The IEA points out that, according to the U.S. Energy Department, in September, oil production in the country increased by 290,000 barrels per day in month terms, to 9.48 million barrels a day - to the highest monthly rate since April 2015. Now experts do not rule out that in December oil production in the U.S. will continue to grow.

An additional factor for the decline in oil prices was the increase in oil production in the U.S. to record values. Over the past week, oil production in the U.S. increased by 73,000 barrels per day to 9.78 million barrels per day.

The production of oil in the U.S. is approaching the indicators of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The production report in the U.S. issued after the publication of the monthly OPEC report, which showed that oil production in the OPEC countries in November fell by 133,000 barrels per day to 32.5 million per day.

The rumors that the OPEC and non-OPEC countries led by Russia could discuss the extension of the agreement on production reduction after 2018 was a factor in support of oil prices.

Investors also take into account the surprisingly weak value of industrial production in China. However, high refining rates helped to neutralize the effect of increasing production.

Moreover, OPEC compliance with agreed cuts rose to 115 percent, the highest this year, and lifted the 2017 average to 91 percent.

The EIA reported that OPEC crude supply fell in November for the fourth consecutive month to 32.36 million barrels per day (mb/d), down 1.3 mb/d on a year ago.

Crude oil output increased mainly in Nigeria, while production mainly declined in Angola, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and UAE, according to the report.

OPEC and a number of non-member countries agreed at the end of 2016 in Vienna to reduce their oil production by a total of 1.8 million barrels per day, of which 300,000 barrels fall on Russia.

The agreement was concluded for the first half of 2017, and then extended until the end of March 2018. In November, OPEC+ countries again decided to extend the Vienna deal, this time until the end of 2018.

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14 December 2017 11:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

In 2017, Uzbekistan allocated 49.3 billion soums for construction and reconstruction of medical and social institutions, which is twice as much as a year earlier.

These data were given during a meeting on healthcare sector development, chaired by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During the meeting, Mirziyoyev noted evident changes in healthcare sector, the president's press service reported.

This year, Uzbekistan has set up 793 round-the-clock rural family clinics housing emergency medical centers and day hospitals.

Special attention is paid to medical and social services. The provision of needy people with rehabilitation devices increased by 90 percent. The provision of wheel chairs, hearing aids and other means increased twofold.

The funds allocated for purchase of medicines and medical products increased by 3.5 times to 821 billion soums. The volume of foreign investments attracted to healthcare sector is growing.

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In an online survey, 80 per cent people have supported the February 2015 move of the Election Commission to link voter ID with Aadhaar. The Supreme Court has stayed the notification.

By Prabhash K Dutta: Currently there is a stay by the Supreme Court on Aadhaar linking of the voter ID issued by the Election Commission.

A plea is being heard in the Supreme Court, where both the government and the Election Commission have filed their responses favouring linking of the Voter ID with 12-digit biometric Aadhaar number.

Now, in an online survey, conducted by citizen engagement platform, LocalCircles, around 80 per cent participants have supported the move to link Aadhaar number with the Electors' Photo Identity Card (EPIC) records. They identified it as a step to check election fraud.

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AADHAAR LINKING STORY SO FAR

In February 2015, the Election Commission issued guidelines for linking Aadhaar with voter ID. The Election Commission announced it as part of the National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP).

The motive of the Election Commission was to ensure zero fraud in polling by eliminating duplicate voters. But, a few months later, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, which in August 2015 ordered stay on the Election Commission's move.

By the time the Supreme Court put a stay on the Election Commission's notification, the poll panel had collected the Aadhaar data from around 31 crore voters.

In July this year, the Election Commission approached the Supreme Court seeking permission for collection of Aadhaar data of rest of the registered electors. On the other hand, speaking in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology PP Choudhary supported the Election Commission's stand in the matter.

AADHAAR LINKING OF VOTER ID BACK IN NEWS

Aadhaar linking of Voter ID came back in news in November when BJP leader Ram Madhav claimed to have "heard" that the Election Commission linked Aadhaar to voters' list on trial basis and successfully identified 50,000 duplications in one Assembly constituency.

Aadhar: Heard In Adilabad,Telangana.EC hs linked Aadhar 2 voters list on trial basis n successfully identified 50K duplications n 1 Assembly- Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) November 2, 2017

Ram Madhav followed the claim with another claim in a follow-up tweet to back it up.

Yes. I was told that from 2.2 lac voters it has come down to 1.7 lac after Aadhar based verification. Assembly segments are big in Telangana https://t.co/s3ixF0AVx7- Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) November 2, 2017

Now, in the survey by LocalCircles, an overwhelming 80 per cent of 9,160 participants said that they supported Aadhaar linking of voter ID. Only 8 per cent opposed the idea.

Should Aadhaar be linked with voter ID?

Responding to a separate question on duplicate voting, a large number of participants identified it as a major problem area in the elections. Those supporting the Aadhaar linking of voter ID said that biometric-enable voting would make election more credible.

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In a parallel survey, as much as 28 per cent said that they were sure about fraudulent voting in their respective areas during election despite the use of EVMs and claims by the Election Commission.

Election fraud still a problem.

As of now, Aadhaar linking of bank accounts, PAN card, LPG connection, ration card and mobile phone number is mandatory. In some states, Aadhaar number has been made mandatory for birth and death certificates.

If the Supreme Court vacates the stay on the Election Commission's notification, voter IDs will have to be linked with Aadhaar. It can be done through the national voters service portal (NVSP) or even by sending an SMS to 166 OR 51969 in the prescribed format - < EPIC_Number > < Aadhaar Number or by visiting a booth level office of the Election Commission.

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14 December 2017 12:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a new loan to Uzbekistan for $450 million.

These funds will be used to install additional generating equipment with a capacity of 850 to 950 MW at the Talimarjan thermal power plant in Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan. Such attention to the modernization of one of the largest TPPs of the country is explained by the fact that the demand for electricity in the republic is constantly growing.

The project provides for the expansion of the station by installing additional combined cycle gas turbines with generation of heat. The supplier for the new combined cycle generating unit is Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation. The new turbines will also increase the total capacity of the facility up to 2600 MW and raise the heat efficiency from 48 to 52 percent. The project will also reduce the cost of electricity produced at the plant by 30 percent.

In October 2016, the first combined-cycle plant with a capacity of 450 megawatts was put into operation at the Talimarjan thermal power plant, and in February 2017 -- the second one. Their work allowed each year to produce an additional 7 billion kWh of electricity. In August, two more combined cycle facilities with a capacity of 450 megawatts each were launched.

In addition, ADB will provide 2 million dollars for free, which will be used to improve the financial stability of Uzbekenergo and increase the efficiency of the tariff system in the power industry.

The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $860 million. In March 2013, Daewoo and Hyundai companies - the winners of the tender announced by the Uzbekenergo JSC, signed a contract to modernize the Talimarjan thermal power plant.

The sources of financing will be funds attracted from ADB, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as from the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is the largest electricity producer in Central Asia. Total installed capacity of Uzbekistans power plants exceeds 12.4 GW. Twelve thermal power plants, with a combined capacity of over 10.7 GW, and 31 hydro power plants, with a combined capacity of 1.7 GW, belonging to the Uzbekenergo, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Mining and Metallurgical Company Almalyk and the Uzkhimprom Association, constitute the backbone of the electricity sector.

Uzbekistan joined the ADB in August 1995. The ADB program in Uzbekistan has provided loans, grants and technical assistance to grow the countrys economy and improve the lives of people, particularly the poor, women, children and other vulnerable groups.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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14 December 2017 14:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan view the developing of transportation links between Central Asian nations as a top priority.

During the visit of Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov to Uzbekistan on December 13, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway came to the forefront as the most important infrastructure project that promises a lot for the future of Central Asia.

Working groups of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will meet on December 25 to discuss the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the press service of the Kyrgyz president said in a statement.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov said that the countries will work together on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway which will enhance the attractiveness and open the transit potential of Central Asia.

Also, there are plans for the development of road transport and regular passenger routes.

In terms of the railway construction project, the working groups of the two countries will meet on December 25 this year. Already today we see the beginning of the practical implementation of the agreements on the establishment of joint ventures and production lines, Jeenbekov said.

The main result of our talks was the unanimity of opinions on the need for further development and strengthening of Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations based on good-neighborliness and traditional friendship, he stressed.

The Kyrgyz head of state noted that a wide range of issues on the key spectrum of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was discussed and stated that on many issues the positions of the two states coincide.

If earlier we were friendly countries, now we have become strategic partners, Jeenbekov added.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad would traverse and tunnel from Chinas far western rail terminus at Kashi (Kashgar) to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border town and trade hub at Kara-Suu, 20 kilometers north of Osh. The new line would then connect with Fergana Valleys existing railroad network, which links the regions major cities and the GM Uzbekistan plant in Asaka.

Kyrgyzstan is expected to profit greatly from inter-regional transit trade. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway network could possibly also be integrated into the Chinas Belt and Road initiative via connections to ports in Pakistan and Iran.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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14 December 2017 16:11 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The United States actually withdrew from the treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles.

This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the press conference of the head of state in Moscow on December 14.

We did not step out of the basic treaties - on ABM [Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty], INF [Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]. Conditions are created and information and propaganda work is conducted for the U.S. withdrawal from the INF. In fact they already left it. They delivered anti-missile systems in Romania. They just removed them from the sea. These systems can easily be replaced with medium-range missiles. In fact, the process has started. But we are not stepping out from any of them. There are talks on the withdrawal from START III in the United States. If the U.S. unilaterally withdraws from it, it will be very bad from the point of view of international security, the president said.

Russia will not be drawn into the arms race, according to Putin.

We understand what these conversations can lead to [about the increase in the U.S. military budget]. We will be able to ensure our security without getting involved in the arms race. But we will pay attention to the development of the army and navy, he added.

The military expenses are balanced by certain components, according to the head of state.

Firstly, we need to ensure our security. Secondly, we need to do it such a way so that it wouldnt lead to the collapse of our economics. For the following year, Russian military expenditures are envisaged in the amount of 1.4 trillion rubles for purchases and 1.4 trillion rubles for maintenance. This is approximately 2.8 percent of GDP. According to the current exchange rate, 2.8 trillion of rubles make around $46 billion, he said.

The Russian president noted that in the U.S. the military expenditures for the next year are envisaged in the amount of $700 billion dollars.

When the Soviet Union officially dissolved in 1991, the newly-independent states of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine inherited more than 3,000 strategic nuclear weapons, as well as at least 3,000 tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons.

The United States and Russia reached a solution to this complex problem by engaging Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine in a series of talks that led to the Lisbon Protocol. That agreement made all five states party to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which required Washington and Moscow to each cut their deployed strategic nuclear forces from approximately 10,000 warheads apiece to down below 6,000 warheads on no more than 1,600 ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and long-range bombers.

The new START treaty signed in 2010 replaced the 1991 START I treaty and superseded the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), which terminated when New START entered into force.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump has called New START, which was signed in 2010, one-sided and a bad deal, and has even suggested the U.S. might withdraw from it.

Negotiated between the United States and the Soviet Union as part of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, the now-defunct Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty was signed on May 26, 1972 and entered into force on October 3, 1972. The treaty, from which the United States withdrew on June 13, 2002, barred Washington and Moscow from deploying nationwide defenses against strategic ballistic missiles. In the treaty preamble, the two sides asserted that effective limits on anti-missile systems would be a substantial factor in curbing the race in strategic offensive arms.

The Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the elimination of their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles, commonly referred to as the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty, requires destruction of the parties' ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, their launchers and associated support structures and support equipment within three years after the treaty enters into force.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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14 December 2017 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Kyrgyzstan supported the initiative of Uzbekistan to hold annual informal consultations of the leaders of Central Asian countries.

This was stated in a joint statement of the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Sooronbai Jeenbekov.

The Kyrgyz side expressed support for the initiative of Uzbekistan to hold consultative meetings of the heads of state of Central Asia on a regular basis, the document said.

Also, support is expressed in the development of a mutually acceptable draft resolution of the UN General Assembly on strengthening regional and international cooperation on security, peace and sustainable development in the Central Asian region.

Within the framework of the official visit of Jeenbekov to Uzbekistan on December 13, negotiations were held with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in narrow and extended formats, following which a number of documents were signed.

The initiative on regular consultations at the highest level was also supported by Kazakhstan, who proposed holding the first such meeting in Astana.

It is not a question of creating a new international organization or some kind of an integration structure, according to Mirziyoyev.

The activities of the new platform will be aimed exclusively at reconciling the hours on key issues.

Central Asia is extending from the Caspian Sea in the west to the border of western China in the east. It is bounded on the north by Russia and on the south by Iran, Afghanistan, and China. The region consists of the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.

Central Asias economic activity is centered on irrigated agriculture in the south and on heavy and light industry and mining in Kazakhstan.

Of the five Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan, with a population of 30.9 million, is the most populous Central Asian country.

Over the past decade, Central Asia has emerged as a vital region in the global energy market as the worlds economic center has shifted eastward.

Central Asia has long possessed large volumes of oil and natural gas, but for decades, the regions energy infrastructure remained underdeveloped due to a number of reasons.

Kazakhstan is the regions leading oil producer and ninth-largest country in the world. Turkmenistan is the regions main gas exporter, and exports its reserves directly to China through the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline. Uzbekistan also supplies gas through the upgraded pipeline network.

Turkmenistan is also among the main cotton exporters of the world. The country seeks to achieve about 1.05 million cotton harvest this year.

Tajikistan is the smallest oil reserve holder in Central Asia. The country has 4.4 gigawatts (GWe) of generating capacity, about 90 percent of which is hydroelectric.

Now, the Central Asian nations seek to diversify their export destinations and are viewed as favorable investment opportunities by many Western companies.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Dallas-based Texas Institute for Surgery received Press Ganey's 2017 Guardian of Excellence Award.

Here are five things to know:

1. Texas Institute for Surgery, a joint venture between Dallas-based physicians and Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas, earned recognition for achieving employee engagement at the 95th percentile or above from Press Ganey on a consistent basis.

2. The hospital prides itself on cultivating a health culture with strong visions and values. During the hiring process, TIS takes time to ensure new employees will contribute to its high-performing team.

3. TIS employees often participate in or are in charge of activities to assess performance, award benefits and develop fun events for employee engagement. Some of the fun events include sporting activities or sharing desserts.

4. TIS holds a bi-monthly town hall meeting where employees are able to ask its president any questions and the leadership team rounds daily to interact with staff on a continuous basis. The hospital also offers benefits including insurance, a matched 401k and tuition reimbursement.

5. Employee engagement scores have reached the 99th percentile.
Here are seven updates for ASC leaders to know for Dec. 14.

SurgCenter Development re-enters St. Louis market with ASC in 2018

SurgCenter Development is re-entering the St. Louis market with an ASC expected to open next year.

AmSurg affiliate Surgery Center of Long Beach to earn 1st ever AAAHC orthopedic certification

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care awarded its first ever Center of Excellence Award in Orthopaedic Certification to The Surgery Center of Long Beach (Calif.).

Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists to build new $13.5M ASC for expanded volume, complex procedures

A Syracuse, N.Y.-based orthopedic group is looking for a tax deal to move and expand its existing surgery center in Cicero, N.Y. Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists wants to expand its outpatient surgery center, Specialists' One Day Surgery, by moving to a new building in Cicero.

Lasik Vision Institute opening 2nd laser eye surgery center in Illinois

West Palm Beach, Fla.-based The Lasik Vision Institute will open a second laser eye surgery center in Tinley Park, Ill.

Willamette Surgery Center 1st in Oregon to receive total hip, total knee replacement certification

The Joint Commission awarded Salem, Ore.-based Willamette Surgery Center its Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. The center is the first in Oregon to earn the certification.

Tenet Healthcare recognized as a top 100 place to work for 4th consecutive year

Dallas Morning News recognized Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare as one of its "Top 100 Places to Work" for the fourth consecutive year. Tenet was No. 29 of the top 30 large companies on the list.

How will the GOP tax plan affect specialists? OB/GYN could see a 6% cut, anesthesiologists may have a 4.4% cut

Zippia crunched the numbers for the Senate tax plan and examined how it would impact physicians, particularly specialists. Business Insider reported how the tax plan could affect those physicians based on their income level.
Cerner filed a protest with Illinois' chief procurement office for higher education over its $62 million, seven-year contract awarded to Epic for the EHR overhaul at Chicago-based University of Illinois Health, alleging the bidding process was unfair and tainted by a possible conflict of interest, The News-Gazette reports.

The university's Integrated Information Infrastructure project, dubbed 3i, was tasked with updating and unifying UI Health's 20-year-old EHR and billing system. While Cerner currently manages about 70 percent of UI's health records, the hospital selected Epic Sept. 7 for its overhaul.

Cerner argues its bid was $1.5 million lower than Epic's and included all implementation costs whereas Epic's didn't, according to the protest filed in late September and reviewed by The News-Gazette. It suggested the total price could rise substantially if Epic wins the contract.

Officials from the UI and Epic declined to provide comment to The News-Gazette regarding Cerner's allegations as the protest is still being reviewed. However, documents from the state's chief procurement officer obtained by The News-Gazette through the Freedom of Information Act show the university claims its process was fair and compliant with procurement rules.

"We believe ... we followed proper processes throughout," Mike Zenn, CFO for UI Health, told UI trustees last month, according to The News-Gazette.

UI Health told Becker's Hospital Review in September it selected Epic after fielding a request for proposals. It ultimately chose Epic because it best met the requirements outlined in its RFP, which were "a combination of technical capabilities and pricing."

The project is on hold until the protest is resolved. If the state upholds the protest, UI Health would have to re-issue the original RFP with some changes, Mr. Zenn told The News-Gazette.

More articles on EHRs:

CliniComp claims Cerner infringes its remote-hosting patent

5 takeaways from the White House hearing on interoperability

Allscripts CEO Paul Black talks McKesson acquisition, 2018 goals: 6 questions
The following organizations announced they hired individuals with revenue cycle management expertise, or for an RCM-related role, so far in 2017.

1. Ontario Systems picked a new president, Jason Harrington.

2. BioScrip, a pharmaceutical and home care solutions provider, named Danny Claycomb senior vice president of revenue cycle management.

3. Athenahealth named Marc Levine an executive vice president as well as CFO and treasurer.

4. The CMI Group, a receivables management firm, named Jessica Amundsen revenue cycle director.

5. Gerry Baker is the new senior vice president of revenue cycle management at Dallas-based Parkland Health and Hospital System, according to D CEO.

6. VisitPay, formerly iVinci Health, brought on Will Reilly as vice president of client and consumer marketing and Mickey Lemon to lead sales and business development.

7. Revint Solutions, a company created through the merger of healthcare services company mCare Solutions and revenue cycle solutions provider Vaughan Holland Consulting, named Kyle Hicok CEO.

8. Archway Health hired four senior employees to lead analytical operations for the company's Medicare, health plan and employer-based bundled payment models.

9. Healthcare Administrative Partners, a provider of revenue cycle management solutions, promoted Maria Calamaro to executive advisor, CMS Quality Payment Program.

10. Revenue Maximization Group promoted healthcare veteran Betsy Harris to vice president of revenue solutions.

11. Health Catalyst, a provider of data, analytics and decision support, named Patrick Nelli CFO.

12. Navicure and ZirMed named healthcare and technology executive Matthew Hawkins CEO of their previously announced combined company.

13. Healthcare Administrative Partners named Rebecca Farrington chief revenue officer.

14. Loyale Healthcare, a revenue cycle management company, added Paulette Jaeger to its national sales team as enterprise sales executive.

15. AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, a billing, coding and practice management company, named practice management consultant and anesthesia veteran Joe Laden vice president of client management.

16. Syncordia Technologies and Healthcare Solutions Corp., a revenue cycle management company, added a director and full-time CFO.

17. The American Health Council added Stephanie DeHart-Giberson, director of health information management/patient access and revenue cycle at Oskaloosa, Iowa-based hospital Mahaska Health Partnership, to its industry board.

18. Quadax, a healthcare IT and revenue cycle company, named Walt Williams director of revenue cycle optimization and strategy.

19. Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare's revenue cycle subsidiary, Conifer Health Solutions, named James "Jim" Logsdon president of its hospital revenue cycle management business unit.

20. R1 RCM, a provider of revenue cycle management and physician advisory services, named Gary Long executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

21. Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health named Jon Vanator CFO of its East Central Region, which includes Muncie, Ind.-based IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and Hartford City, Ind.-based IU Health Blackford Hospital. Mr. Vanator previously served IU Health as vice president for systemwide revenue cycle services.

22. Freed Associates hired Shirley Kwok as a healthcare consultant. Ms. Kwok, who has significant population health knowledge as well as experience with areas such as value-based payment and revenue cycle management, will join the Northern California team, according to Freed.

23. Revenue cycle management company nThrive named Carl Couch, MD, CMO.

24. American Physician Partners, an emergency medicine management company, named David "Buddy" Bacon Jr. senior vice president and COO.

25. Change Healthcare, a healthcare technology company, named Samuel Allen "Al" Hamood executive vice president and CFO.

26. Arcadia Healthcare Solutions, a provider of EHR data aggregation and analytics, appointed Karl Stubelis CFO.

27. Southport, N.C.-based Dosher Memorial Hospital named Dawn Dollar revenue cycle director.

28. Athenahealth, a provider of medical record, revenue cycle, patient engagement, care coordination and population health services, named John "Jack" Kane interim CFO.

29. Technology company Empiric Health, formed this year through a collaboration between Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare and healthcare growth services firm Oxeon Partners, named Rick Adam CEO.

30. Physical therapy organization Physical Rehabilitation Network named Christina Sisco vice president of revenue cycle management.

31. Navicure added Andrea Maizes and Robert Hendricks to its executive team.

32. Access Healthcare named Angela Hickman vice president of coding operations.

33. Patientco, a healthcare payments technology company, named Alan Nalle chief strategy officer.

34. Berkeley Research Group, a global strategic advisory and expert consulting firm, added Janice Jacobs, a managing director in the firm, to its Healthcare Corporate Compliance and Risk Management practice.

35. Medical Reimbursements of America appointed S. Mark Talley CEO.

36. MiraMed Global Services hired Stephanie Griffin, RN, as chief compliance officer.

37. Simione Healthcare Consultants appointed Cynthia Gibbons senior manager of financial consulting.

38. Praxis Healthcare Solutions, a provider of healthcare revenue integrity and recovery services, named Kyle Cole executive director of business development.

39. Fust Charles Chambers, a professional service firm, named Jessica Scott a senior healthcare consultant.

40. Aviacode hired three experienced healthcare services sales and marketing executives.

41. Loyale Healthcare hired Shirley Straka as enterprise account manager.

42 .MiraMed Global Services hired Fred Fazio as CFO.

43. Aegis Health Group hired Craig Smith as chief revenue officer.'

44. Access Healthcare hired Catherine McKnight as general counsel.

45. The Chartis Group, a national healthcare advisory services firm, added two members to its revenue cycle leadership team.

46. Formativ Health, a management services organization created by New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health and private equity firm Pamplona Capital Management, chose Michael Lovett as chief commercial officer.

47. Agility Health, a provider of physical rehabilitation services, orthotics, prosthetics, foot care services and software services, named Patrick Reid CFO.

48. Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health promoted Jason Ross, vice president of population health, to senior vice president of revenue and network management.

49. Access Healthcare named Scott Schrader chief commercial officer.

50. Formativ Health named Brad Logan chief revenue cycle officer.

51. Loyale Healthcare named Frank Massi chief revenue officer.

52. Fust Charles Chambers, a professional service firm, named Richard Lang senior consulting manager of the healthcare consulting department.

53. Recondo Technology, a revenue cycle solutions company, named a new CFO and vice president of channel sales.

54. OSG, a provider of multichannel patient communication and billing technology, appointed Don Bales business development director of the company's healthcare division.

55. LoanHero, a patient financing platform, hired three executives to its leadership team.

56. OmniClaim, which focuses on healthcare cost containment and payment integrity, named Nadine Hays chief growth officer.

57. Oncimmune Holdings named Shane Smith as senior vice president of market access and reimbursement for the U.S. market.

58. Intermedix, a provider of RCM services, named Kyle Wailes CFO.

59. Navigant Consulting tapped Christopher Stanley, MD, as a director in its healthcare practice.

60. Rogers Behavioral Health, a private, nonprofit provider, promoted Adam El-Ali to vice president of EHR and revenue cycle optimization.

61. RSource, an RCM company, named Matt Vines and Lorrie Wood co-presidents.

62. Certive, a provider of healthcare RCM solutions, appointed Robert Kang as director of finance and regulatory compliance.

63. Certive appointed Moe Vela as senior corporate advisor.

64. Accounting and advisory firm Baker Tilly named Michael Duke principal in its healthcare consulting practice.

65. Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center appointed Mark Glazer, MD, executive medical director of the Center for Health Information Management at VUMC.

66. CareCloud, a provider of cloud-based RCM, practice management, EHR and patient engagement solutions, named Greg Shorten chief revenue officer.

67. Navicure named Kermit Randa chief growth officer.

68. St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Ga., promoted Gwen Johnson to senior administrative director of revenue cycle.

69. Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente named Le Anne Trachok senior vice president of revenue management.

70. Collection Bureau Hudson Valley hired revenue cycle turnaround professional Jim Yarsinsky as senior account executive.

71. Navigant Consulting selected James Mapes to lead the firm's Cymetrix business, which provides business process and RCM solutions.

72. AccuReg, a revenue cycle technology provider, namedJase DuRard chief revenue officer.

73. Air Methods, a medical transport provider, appointed David Stratton senior vice president of payer strategy and Chris Myers senior vice president of patient business services.

74. Map Revenue Cycle Solutions, a provider of revenue cycle management services, named Karen Pilley CEO.

75. PMMC, a revenue cycle management provider, named Fred Sheffield chief sales officer.

76. Harmony Healthcare, a staffing firm specializing in revenue cycle, health information management and clinical documentation improvement, named Cyndi Thomas chief development officer.

77. Medical Billing Experts, a provider of outsourced billing and revenue cycle management, appointedChip Porter CEO.

78. Credit Bureau Systems, a national healthcare revenue cycle management provider, selected Aaron Haas as the company's regional sales manager.

79. DuBois, Pa.-based Penn Highlands Healthcare named John Bruyere revenue management service line vice president.

80. Surgical Notes, a national provider of revenue cycle solutions for ASCs and surgical hospitals, named Angela Mattioda vice president of revenue cycle management services.

81. Fust Charles Chambers added Corinne Cerminaro as a senior consulting manager in the firm's healthcare revenue cycle consulting department.

82. Solomon Urology in Port St. Lucie, Fla., added Dawn Ashton as billing manager.

83. True North, a business advisory, bookkeeping and operations services firm, promoted Jenny Hobbs to billing department manager.

84. Concord Township, Ohio-based Lake Health selected Phillip Brooks to serve as vice president of revenue cycle on a permanent basis.

85. Promedical, a national healthcare revenue cycle management company, hired Roze Seale as regional vice president of sales for the company's southeast territory.
The Commonwealth Fund issued a report on how healthcare coverage and access has fared under the ACA.

For the report, researchers examined recent U.S. Census Bureau and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. They specifically focused on the time period between 2013 and 2016.

Here are five findings.

1. The uninsured rate for adults ages 19 to 64 fell in all states and Washington, D.C., during the studied time period, according to the report. In all but three states, the uninsured rate fell by at least 5 percent.

2. The uninsured rate for children also widely declined between 2013 and 2016. This decline was by at least 2 percent in 33 states, according to the report.

3. Access to care also improved under the ACA. The share of adults age 18 and older who said they skipped a physician visit when needed because of cost in the last year decreased. That share was 16 percent nationally in 2013 but fell to 13 percent in 2016, according to the report, which adds that share fell decreased by at least 2 percent in 36 states and Washington, D.C. Greater declines were seen, on average, in Medicaid expansion states.

4. The Commonwealth Fund said the share of at-risk adults who had not had a routine checkup in at least two years fell from 14 percent to 12 percent nationally during the studied time period.

5. Report authors concluded, "These findings offer evidence that the ACA has improved access to healthcare for millions of Americans. However, actions at the federal level  including a shortened open enrollment period for marketplace coverage, a failure to extend CHIP funding, and a potential repeal of the individual mandate's penalties  could jeopardize the gains made to date."

Read the full report here.
Speakforme.in, a petition website where you can register your complaints against being harassed over Aadhaar-linking, has received over 3,000 mails since going live yesterday.

By India Today Web Desk: Activists against the Aadhaar-linking drive have started a website called Speakforme.in to help frustrated citizens.

Here, people can file complaints against being continuously pestered via calls and texts about linking their Aadhaar numbers with various services.

In about three hours of going live, Speakforme.in received over 1,000 mails. That number has now crossed 3,000.

advertisement

Ahem.

At Speakforme.in, people can write to their MPs, mobile operators, bank services, and other portals that are relentlessly calling, texting and reminding them about Aadhaar-linking.

Some 2,451+ of these mails from complainants were addressed to their MPs, 316+ to banks, 293+ to various mobile service providers, and so on.

Emails from #SpeakForMe to:MPs: 2,451 (+138)Banks: 316 (+25)Mobile service providers: 293 (+21)Government services: 132 (+13)Others: 7 (+0)Total: 3,199 (+197)- Bulletin Babu (@bulletinbabu) December 14, 2017

WHAT DOES SPEAKFORME.IN WANT?

Speakforme.in was started by a group of about 90 volunteers, says a report in TOI.

One to spearhead this campaign is IT professional Kiran Jonnalagadda, known for having worked for net neutrality and founded Internet Freedom Foundation.

"We want Parliament to discuss this. Everyone has been receiving harassing SMSes and calls to link their Aadhaar to mobile phones and bank accounts. This is coercion," a TOI report quotes Jonnalagadda.

"The technology behind Aadhaar is broken in various ways. Coercion will make it worse. It has to be fixed before it is forced on people," he said.

Fed up of being coerced into Aadhaar? Tell your Member of Parliament to #SpeakForMe. Weve made it easy. https://t.co/qYkauVzmPf- Kiran Jonnalagadda (@jackerhack) December 13, 2017

NOW A HASHTAG, #SPEAKFORME

People on Twitter have been talking and sharing about Speakforme.in since earlier today.

Many came out on Twitter to speak about it. Here's what they are saying:

I dont want private companies, banks and mobile phone service providers to threaten / coerce me to link my Aadhar. I am humbly requesting my MP to #Speakforme and raise my concerns about Aadhar in Parliament.- Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) December 13, 2017

??If youre being harassed, to connect your AadharWHO U GONNA CALL #SpeakForMe ?? https://t.co/9xGTetoMSJ- Aditi (@awryaditi) December 14, 2017

Kindly add my name also sir- Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 13, 2017

I'm fed up of the continuous and repeatedly disingenuous and underhanded tactics employed to force Aadhaar. I'm definitely asking you @AnanthKumar_BJP my MP to #SpeakForMe and show the mirror to the Government, legally, politely and legitimately.- Anup Nair (@nairanupg) December 13, 2017

Petition your MP to speak about coercing Aadhaar on citizens through disingenuous and patently unethical means (money bill, passed in a hurry - remember?). Here's an easy way. Go to https://t.co/LD7hk2k5Rc and send your email today. #SpeakForMe pic.twitter.com/b5cxKQhOfc- Karthik (@beastoftraal) December 14, 2017

If you are sick and tired of getting threatened due to #Aadhaar, mail your MP! Ask him/her to raise your concerns in upcoming winter session. advertisement It's made it easier by bunch of awesome guys, Check out https://t.co/Y0YB3IRm7D #SpeakForMe pic.twitter.com/5lwnHJu0Zf- Salmanul Farzy (@sfarzy1) December 13, 2017

--- ENDS ---
The finance committee for United Medical Center, the only public hospital in Washington, D.C., says the hospital needs a taxpayer bailout of at least $17.1 million to stay afloat, according to The Washington Post.

Veritas, the consulting firm running the hospital on a month-to-month basis while the board seeks a new operator, told The Washington Post most of the $17.1 million subsidy would be used for new expenses, including repayments to Medicare, a settlement with the hospital's nurses and a new contract with a medical group associated with George Washington University.

The city took over United Medical Center in 2010. If the $17.1 million subsidy request is approved, it would be the largest investment of District tax dollars ever made to support the hospital's operating budget, according to the report.

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Governors from 12 states penned a letter Tuesday to the leaders of Congress asking legislators to make reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program a priority as soon as possible.

"We believe covering children and pregnant women without disruption is one thing we can all agree on," the governors wrote.

Funding for CHIP, which provides health insurance for roughly 9 million children, expired Sept. 30 and requires Congress to pass a bill to renew authorization. The House passed a bill in November to fund CHIP through 2022, but it was met with opposition from Democrats because the offsets in the bill would have cut some public health programs and reduced the grace period for ACA enrollees who miss a premium payment. The Senate Finance Committee agreed to reauthorize CHIP funding, but has yet to provide a bill with viable offsets. In the meantime, states are running out of funds.

Congress approved a short-term funding bill Dec. 8, authorizing CMS to redistribute any remaining CHIP funds to states with emergency shortfalls through the end of the year. However, these funds are limited.

"Resources are nearly exhausted and some states already have begun to inform families that their children's coverage may end on January 31," the governors wrote in their letter to Congress. "We encourage you to work across the aisle to find common ground that will allow this important program to continue and give the families who rely on CHIP the peace of mind of knowing that their children will be able to get the health care they need in the new year."

The letter was signed by the governors of Colorado, Ohio, Alaska, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Virginia, Massachusetts, Montana, Vermont, Nevada and Minnesota.

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Perioperative nursing leaders have their work cut out for them to recruit, retain and develop tomorrow's leaders amid an aging workforce and national nursing shortage.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects national nurse employment will increase 15 percent by 2026, more than double the 7 percent average growth rate for all occupations.1 Yet demand is still outpacing growth in the field, largely due to increasing healthcare needs of the baby boomer population compounded with an aging nursing workforce. Fifty percent of nurses are age 50 or older,2 and more than 500,000 nurses are expected to retire by 2022, creating 1.1 million open positions for new nurses to expand and replace retirees.3

About 55 percent of top-level nurse managers said the current nursing shortage had a moderate to crisis-level effect on their working environment in 2015, up from 40 percent a year prior. Seventy percent of nurses also shared this belief, compared to just 60 percent in 2014.4

This transformation in the nursing workforce can offer numerous career advancement opportunities for younger nurses who are early in their careers. However, not all young nurses are looking for promotions. Many young professionals today value flexibility and change in the workplace over more traditional models, such as staying at one organization and working their way up the leadership ladder.

"The failure to develop the next generation of nursing leaders puts organizations at risk from a business performance perspective," said Donna Doyle, DNP, RN, administrative director of surgery and anesthesia at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus. "Additionally, access to surgical care is a concern of the Institute of Medicine and access to surgical care may be compromised if nursing leaders are absent from the surgical arena."

With such serious consequences in mind, Cardinal Health examined challenges related to developing the next generation of nurse leaders through discussions with perioperative advisory boards, including operating room directors and vice presidents of service lines. The company also polled 128 frontline nurses and 18 nurse managers via an online survey fielded through the Cardinal Health RNspire Facebook community of more than 100,000 members in October 2017.

How interested are staff nurses in seeking promotions?

Half of all staff nurses participating in the online survey were 'not at all' interested in pursuing a promotion to a nursing management position. Another 20 percent said they were 'slightly interested,' 17 percent were 'moderately interested' and 13 percent were 'very interested.' Even after excluding respondents nearing retirement, 26 percent were 'not at all interested' and 27 percent were only 'slightly interested.'

(Source: Cardinal Health online nurse survey, October 2017)

What is limiting nurses' interest in career advancement?

To better understand what is fueling nurses' interest  or disinterest  in career advancement, Cardinal Health asked survey respondents to share their personal reasons for wanting  or not wanting  a promotion. The top two reasons nurses cited for seeking a promotion were the desire to make a greater impact at their organization and better pay. Nurses cited stress and less time for patient care as the top two reasons for not seeking a promotion.

During advisory board discussions with Cardinal Health, perioperative leaders said nursing staff often view nurse managers as caught between senior leadership directives and their clinical peers who are expected to do more with less. One staff nurse survey respondent said her manager is "unable to really accomplish what they want for the program/staff/patients, due to pressures from above."

Are nurses satisfied with their jobs?

To better understand the relationship between perceived and actual job satisfaction, Cardinal Health asked survey respondents to rate how they feel about their respective roles as staff nurses and nurse managers using one of five emojis. Staff nurses were also asked to rate how satisfied they believe nurse managers are in their own roles.

Most nurses and managers had either neutral or positive feelings about their jobs. Nearly 24 percent of staff nurses and 39 percent of nurse managers self-reported they love their job, as signified by the heart emoji. However, staff nurses greatly underestimated nurse manager's job satisfaction, with only 2 percent of staff nurses indicating they believed their nurse managers love their job.

(Source: Cardinal Health online nurse survey, October 2017)

What it all means

Nurse managers must constantly find ways to do more with less. They're tasked with turning rooms around faster, making surgeons happy, navigating the unpredictability of patient volumes, maintaining patient satisfaction and driving out cost, among other responsibilities.

While nurse managers may thrive on these challenges, their staff may assume they are unhappy in their roles. Staff members who view their manager as someone who is constantly stressed out and overworked may be discouraged from pursuing the role for themselves. Therefore, nurse managers must proactively find ways to share the reward and satisfaction they derive from their work with staff, which may include mentoring young potential nurse leaders, according to perioperative leaders participating in Cardinal Health's advisory board discussions.

"Methods are needed to identify future leaders and then mentor them in future leader roles," said Dr. Doyle. "Mentoring future perioperative leaders takes time and energy, but it is the most important task for current perioperative leaders."

Ultimately, the misconception regarding job satisfaction is just one of many hurdles to establishing a strong nurse leadership pipeline. However, perioperative nursing leaders who make a conscious effort to share the high points of their leadership roles, identify potential nurse leaders and effectively mentor them can help solicit greater interest in upward career mobility from staff.

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

2. The 2015 National Nursing Workforce Survey

3. American Nurses Association

4. Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' 2016 Salary and Compensation Survey
Police identified the man who shot and killed himself and his two young children Saturday as Christopher Dawson, MD, a former physician at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Waxahachie (Texas), according to the Star-Telegram.

Police responded to a call around 7 a.m. Saturday and discovered the bodies of Dr. Dawson, 36, and his two children at their home in Texas.

Dr. Dawson's neighbor told the Star-Telegram he and his girlfriend heard an animal-like yelp around 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

A woman whom authorities later identified as the children's mother called police after she found the children's bodies, according to the report.

The medical examiner's office ruled Tuesday Dr. Dawson and his children  Luke Dawson, 9, and Aubrey, 5  died in what police determined to be a murder-suicide. The children died from injuries sustained in the shooting, while Dr. Dawson's death was a ruled a suicide, the medical examiner's office said.

Dr. Dawson had been an employee at the hospital from Sept. 4 until Oct. 20, according to hospital records obtained by the Star-Telegram. Hospital officials did not comment to the publication as to why Dr. Dawson left the hospital, according to the report.
A U.K. surgeon pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of assault by beating for allegedly branding his initials into the livers of two separate patients he performed transplant operations on in 2013, according to The Guardian.

Here are seven things to know about the case.

1. Simon Bramhall, MD, a former consultant surgeon at the liver unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in Edgbaston, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to the two charges during a court hearing Wednesday. However, he pleaded not guilty to more serious charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, the report states.

2. The charges relate to two separate incidents that occured on Feb. 9, 2013, and Aug. 21, 2013. Dr. Bramhall, 53, admitted during Wednesday's hearing to using an argon beam  typically used to stop liver bleeding during operations  to burn his initials into the patients' organs.

3. While some medical experts claim the marks left by an argon beam do not impair the organ's function and usually disappear by themselves, Dr. Bramhall was suspended from his position at the hospital after a colleague discovered his initials on one of the patient's organs during a follow-up surgery.

4. The hospital conducted an internal investigation into Dr. Bramhall during the summer of 2014, during which he tendered his resignation. At the time, Dr. Bramhall said his actions were a mistake, according to the report.

5. The U.K.'s General Medical Council issued a formal warning to Dr. Bramhall earlier this year in February, stating his conduct did not meet the standards required of a practicing physician. The council said at the time, his actions risked "bringing the profession into disrepute and it must not be repeated. Whilst this failing in itself is not so serious as to require any restriction on [Dr.] Bramhall's registration, it is necessary in response to issue this formal warning."

6. During Wednesday's hearing, one of the prosecutors for the case said Dr. Bramhall's actions represented "an intentional application of unlawful force to a patient whilst anaesthetised. [Dr. Bramhall's] acts in marking the livers of those patients, in a wholly unnecessary way, were deliberate and conscious acts on his part."

7. Dr. Bramhall was granted unconditional bail during the hearing and is expected to be sentenced Jan. 12.
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, the state's healthcare watchdog agency, is delaying a proposed merger between Burlington, Mass.-based Lahey Health and Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and three other hospitals to analyze the deal's effect on healthcare quality, costs and access to care, according to the Boston Globe.

The commission's decision to review the deal was expected, as the transaction is one of the largest and most complicated deals ever proposed in Massachusetts, according to the report.

Under the proposed deal, Lahey and Beth Israel Deaconess would join with Baptist Hospital in Boston, Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., and Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, Mass. The organizations plan to combine to compete with the state's largest hospital network, Boston-based Partners HealthCare.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission cannot block the transaction. However, if it determines the transaction would hurt consumers, it can refer those concerns to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the attorney general's office, according to the report.

In a joint statement to the Boston Globe, the provider organizations involved in the proposed transaction said they welcome the commission's review and are confident the combined entity would improve care quality and help contain healthcare costs.

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A former supervisor in the patient appointments department at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Health System filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing the system of favoring out-of-state patients over Maryland residents to increase revenue, according to The Baltimore Sun.

In his lawsuit against the health system, Anthony C. Campos claims he was directed by higher-ups to fill the appointment schedule with patients from outside Maryland.

Maryland hospitals are required to operate under global budgets assigned to them by the state. The budgets, which were put into place as part of an effort to cut healthcare costs and improve care, limit hospitals' annual revenue. The budgets only apply to patients who are Maryland residents; therefore, any funds generated by treating out-of-state patients are additional revenue for the hospital, according to the report.

The lawsuit alleges Johns Hopkins is violating its budget agreement with the state by denying services to patients for inappropriate financial reasons. The lawsuit contends Johns Hopkins hid the illegal activity from CMS and the state's Health Services Cost Review Commission.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Johns Hopkins said the lawsuit is meritless. "Safe and high quality care for all patients, regardless of where they live, is our number one priority. Our census shows that the majority of our patients are from Maryland and that the number has steadily increased over the past several years," the health system said.

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Becker's Healthcare named the following female leaders to its annual list of 130 women hospital and health system leaders to know.

These women are hospital and health system executives for institutions across the nation. From multi-state health systems to 25-bed critical access hospitals, the leaders represented here face the challenges of running a healthcare organization head-on. Many wear multiple hats within their health system to promote organizational growth as well and compassionate care and diversity at the top.

The leaders on this list were selected based on editorial judgment after evaluation of their management and leadership skills as well as career accomplishments. Becker's Healthcare accepted nominations for this list.

Note: Individuals cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Names are presented in alphabetical order.

Please contact Laura Dyrda with questions or comments on this list at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com. You can find the nomination form for our 2018 "130 women hospital and health system leaders to know" here.

Nancy Howell Agee. President and CEO of Carilion Clinic (Roanoke, Va.). Ms. Agee has served as president and CEO of Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Va., since July 2011. [CLICK HERE]

Dawn Ahner. Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Interim CFO of Renown Health (Reno, Nev.). Ms. Ahner joined 946-bed Renown Health in 1993. [CLICK HERE]

Lisa Allen, PhD. Chief Patient Experience Officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore). Known for her collaborative leadership style, Dr. Allen has 25-plus years of healthcare leadership experience, which she uses to drive a culture of service excellence across Johns Hopkins Medicine. [CLICK HERE]

Rhonda Anderson. Senior Vice President and CFO of Ascension Healthcare (St. Louis). Ms. Anderson draws on more than 25 years of experience in healthcare finance to develop Ascension Healthcare's financial strategy. [CLICK HERE]

Suzanne Anderson. President of Virginia Mason Medical Center and Executive Vice President of Virginia Mason Health System (Seattle). Ms. Anderson began working with Virginia Mason Health System as a billing office consultant in 1986 and grew with the system to eventually take on a top leadership role. [CLICK HERE]

Mary Alice Annecharico, RN. Senior Vice President and CIO of Henry Ford Health System (Detroit). Ms. Annecharico is a registered nurse with an extensive nursing leadership background and 20-plus years of experience using technology to drive clinical and business transformation. [CLICK HERE]

Jean Anthony, RN. President and CEO of Hills and Dales General Hospital (Cass City, Mich.). Ms. Anthony has spent 40-plus years at Hills and Dales General Hospital, serving as COO for 14 years before transitioning to president and CEO in 2014. [CLICK HERE]

Pamela Arora. Senior Vice President, Information Services and CIO of Children's Health (Dallas). Ms. Arora joined Children's Health in 2007 and has more than 30 years of experience in IT. [CLICK HERE]

LaVone Arthur. Chief Strategy Officer of Baylor Scott & White (Dallas). Ms. Arthur has spent more than 30 years at Baylor Scott & White, which has grown into a 48-hospital health system that includes 29 AWSCs and 153 satellite outpatient facilities. [CLICK HERE]

Kathy Bailey. President and CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge (Morgantown, N.C.). Prior to joining Blue Ridge HealthCare System, Ms. Bailey was the inaugural CEO of The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, N.C., where she led design, construction and operations until 2005. [CLICK HERE]

Pamela Banchy, RN. CIO and Vice President of Clinical Informatics and Transformation of Western Reserve Hospital (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio). Ms. Banchy became CIO of Western Reserve Hospital in 2012, prior to which she served as system director of clinical information systems at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio. [CLICK HERE]

Elaine Batchlor, MD. CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital (Los Angeles). Dr. Batchlor was a driving force behind efforts to open Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, a safety net facility providing care to the South Los Angeles community. [CLICK HERE]

Amy Beiter, MD. President and CEO of Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital (Tucson, Ariz.). Dr. Beiter has served the Tucson community for 20-plus years as a clinician, medical director for utilization management at Carondelet, and CMO of Carondelet before stepping into the role of hospital CEO in 2012. [CLICK HERE]

Nancy Birschbach. Vice President and CIO of Agnesian HealthCare (Fond du Lac, Wis.). Ms. Birschbach joined Agnesian HealthCare in 1998 and has grown with the system over the past two decades. [CLICK HERE]

Cindy Bo. Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Del.). Ms. Bo has 20-plus years of experience in the provider, payer and life sciences sectors. CLICK HERE]

Adrienne Boissy, MD. Chief Experience Officer of Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Boissy is chief experience officer of Cleveland Clinic Health System and a staff neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis. [CLICK HERE]

Marna Borgstrom. President and CEO of Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Health System. Ms. Borgstrom's first introduction to healthcare was as a unit secretary at Stanford (Calif.) Medical Center. [CLICK HERE]

Tammie Brailsford, RN, BSN, MS. Executive Vice President and COO of MemorialCare (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Ms. Brailsford was named executive vice president and COO of MemorialCare Health System in 2003. [CLICK HERE]

Ruth Brinkley. President of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest (Oakland, Calif.). Ms. Brinkley resigned her position as CEO of KentuckyOne Health in May and became the president of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest in October. [CLICK HERE]

Katherine Bunting-Williams, PhD, MSN, RN. CEO of Fairfield (Ill.) Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bunting-Williams is a respected member of Illinois' healthcare community. [CLICK HERE]

Debra Canales. Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Providence St. Joseph Health (Renton, Wash.). Ms. Canales joined Providence Health & Services as executive vice president and chief people and experience officer in 2014 and became executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Providence St. Joseph Health when Providence merged with St. Joseph Health in 2016. [CLICK HERE]

Paula Carynski, BSN, MSN. President of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (Rockford, Ill.). Ms. Carynski became president of OSF Saint Anthony, a 250-plus bed tertiary care facility, in 2013 after serving as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. [CLICK HERE]

Mary Ellen Clyne, PhD. President and CEO of Clara Maass Medical Center (Belleville, N.J.). Dr. Clyne has served as president and CEO of Clara Maass Medical Center since 2010 after spending time as COO and vice president of patient care services. [CLICK HERE]

Karen Collins, RN. CEO of Lady of the Sea General Hospital (Cut Off, La.). Ms. Collins has worked at Lady of the Sea General Hospital, a critical access facility, since 1982. [CLICK HERE]

Amy Compton-Phillips, MD. Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Providence St. Joseph Health (Renton, Wash.). As vice president and chief clinical officer of Providence St. Joseph Health, Dr. Compton-Phillips is responsible for the system's 100,000-plus caregivers and 20,000-plus employed or affiliated physicians. [CLICK HERE]

Kari Cornicelli. Vice President and CFO of Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus (San Diego). Ms. Cornicelli is equipped with more than 30 years of healthcare financial leadership experience, 20 years of which she has spent at Sharp HealthCare. [CLICK HERE]

Patricia Currie. President of Hospital Operations at Baylor Scott & White Health (Dallas). As president of hospital operations, Ms. Currie is responsible for Baylor Scott & White Health's 24 owned and managed hospitals in Central Texas and the Dallas/Fort Worth area, as well as 200-plus clinics in Central Texas. [CLICK HERE]

Susan Davila. CEO of Desert View Hospital (Pahrump, Nev.). Ms. Davila spent three years at the helm of Desert View Hospital from 2007 to 2010 before returning to the CEO post in 2016. [CLICK HERE]

Leslie Davis. Senior Vice President of UPMC and Executive Vice President and COO of UPMC's Health Services Division (Pittsburgh). Ms. Davis oversees more than 30 hospitals and 4,000 employed physicians as senior vice president of UPMC and executive vice president and COO of the system's Health Services Division. [CLICK HERE]

Myra Davis. Senior Vice President of Information Services and CIO of Texas Children's Hospital (Houston). Ms. Davis oversees the information technology department at Texas Children's Hospital as senior vice president of information services and CIO. [CLICK HERE]

Pam Delagardelle. President and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Waterloo (Iowa). Ms. Delagardelle spent 10 years as president and CEO of Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa, before joining UnityPoint Health. [CLICK HERE]

Lori Donaldson. CFO of UC San Diego Health System. As CFO of UC San Diego Health System, Ms. Donaldson oversees a $1 billion-plus budget. [CLICK HERE]

Kelly Driscoll, RN. Senior Vice President and COO of Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.). Ms. Driscoll assumed the vice president and COO roles at Faith Regional Health Services in 2013, overseeing operations for the health system's 131-bed acute care facility as well as medical offices and outpatient clinics. [CLICK HERE]

Patti Ellish. President and CEO of St. Tammany Parish Hospital (Covington, La.). Ms. Ellish has served as president and CEO of St. Tammany Parish Hospital since 2000 and is a past chair of Metropolitan Hospital Council of New Orleans. [CLICK HERE]

Ann Errichetti, MD. Chief Operations and Academic Officer of Presence Health (Chicago). Dr. Errichetti stepped into her current role as chief operations and academic officer at Presence Health after serving as CEO of Albany (N.Y.) Memorial Hospital and St. Peter's Hospital in Albany as well as vice president of acute care at Albany-based St. Peter's Health Partners. [CLICK HERE]

Melinda Estes, MD. President and CEO of Saint Luke's Health System (Kansas City, Mo.). Dr. Estes became the president and CEO of Saint Luke's Health System in 2011 after spending time as president and CEO of Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt., and CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. [CLICK HERE]

Michele Finney. Desert Market CEO for Tenet Healthcare (Dallas) and CEO of Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs, Calif.). Prior to becoming desert market CEO for Tenet in 2017, Ms. Finney led the development of Tenet's six-hospital Abrazo Community Health Network, which consists of nearly 5,000 employees and 2,100 affiliated physicians in the Phoenix metro area. [CLICK HERE]

Teri Fontenot. President and CEO of Woman's Hospital (Baton Rouge, La.). Ms. Fontenot leads Woman's Hospital, a 350-bed Level III regional referral hospital, as its president and CEO. [CLICK HERE]

Laura Forese, MD. Executive Vice President and COO of NewYork-Presbyterian (New York City). As executive vice president and COO, Dr. Forese is responsible for achieving operating targets and implementing strategic vision across NewYork-Presbyterian, including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Regional Hospital Network, NewYork-Presbyterian Physician Services and NewYork-Presbyterian Population and Community Health, all based in the New York metropolitan area. [CLICK HERE]

Mary Ann Fuchs, MSN, RN, DNP. Vice President of Patient Care and System Chief Nurse Executive at Duke University Health System (Durham, N.C.). In addition to her roles as vice president of patient care and system chief nurse executive for Duke University Health System, Ms. Fuchs is the associate dean of clinical affairs for Duke University School of Nursing. [CLICK HERE]

Nancy Gaden, RN, DNP. Senior Vice President and CNO of Boston Medical Center. Ms. Gaden is senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Boston Medical Center, a 487-bed academic medical center that includes 1,486 nurses. [CLICK HERE]

Kris Gaw. COO of Maricopa Integrated Health System (Phoenix). Since 2016, Ms. Gaw has served as COO of Maricopa Integrated Health System, which includes a medical center, children's center, burn center, trauma center, two behavioral health centers and a network of 13 neighborhood clinics. [CLICK HERE]

Maggie Gill. Senior Vice President and CEO of Novant Health UVA Health System (Culpeper, Va.). Ms. Gill has served as Novant Health UVA Health System CEO since July 2016. [CLICK HERE]

Ruby Gill, BSN, RN. Chief Nurse Executive of Kaiser Permanente's Irvine (Calif.) Medical Center. Ms. Gill has served as chief nurse executive of Irvine Medical Center since 2012. [CLICK HERE]

Audrey Gregory, MSN, RN, PhD. President and CEO of Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis (Tenn.) and Saint Francis Healthcare Memphis Market. Ms. Gregory currently serves as CEO of the Saint Francis Healthcare Memphis Market, part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. [CLICK HERE]

Gail Hanson. CFO and Treasurer of Aurora Health Care (Milwaukee). As CFO and board treasurer of the 15-hospital Aurora Health Care system, Ms. Hanson oversees accounting, business office, finance and treasury services. [CLICK HERE]

Lisa E. Harris, MD. CEO of Eskenazi Health (Indianapolis). In addition to serving as CEO of Eskenazi Health, Dr. Harris serves as president of the American Red Cross of Indiana's board of directors. [CLICK HERE]

Margot Hartmann, MD, PhD. President and CEO of Nantucket (Mass.) Cottage Hospital. Dr. Hartmann has led Nantucket Cottage Hospital, a safety net hospital on Nantucket Island located 30 miles out to sea, for the past six years. [CLICK HERE]

Pamela Hess. CFO of St. Vincent's HealthCare (Jacksonville, Fla.). Ms. Hess was appointed CFO of St. Vincent's HealthCare in June 2016 and began serving in an official capacity one month later. [CLICK HERE]

Jill Hoggard-Green, PhD, RN. COO of Mission Health and President of Mission Hospital (Asheville, N.C.). Prior to joining Mission Health, Dr. Hoggard-Green served as COO for the Oregon region of Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth. [CLICK HERE]

Diane Holder. Executive Vice President and President of UPMC Insurance Services Division and President and CEO of UPMC Health Plan (Pittsburgh). Ms. Holder is the executive vice president and president of the UPMC Insurance Services Division and CEO of the UPMC Health Plan, overseeing health coverage and benefit management for 3.2 million individuals. [CLICK HERE]

Shelly Hunter. CFO of Bay Area Services for Dignity Health (San Francisco). Ms. Hunter is responsible for financial and support operations of four hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area as the CFO of Bay Area Services for Dignity Health. [CLICK HERE]

Sally Hurt-Deitch, RN. Market CEO of The Hospitals of Providence, CEO of The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus and Providence Children's Hospital (El Paso, Texas). As market CEO of The Hospitals of Providence and CEO of The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus and Providence Children's Hospital, Ms. Hurt-Deitch is responsible for helping the hospital system improve its operational effectiveness and efficiency through various market opportunities. [CLICK HERE]

Ann Huston. Chief Strategy Officer for Cleveland Clinic. Ms. Huston has more than 25 years of experience at various levels within the healthcare industry. [CLICK HERE]

Charlotte Ipsan, RNC, MSN. Chief Administrative Officer of Norton Women's & Children's Hospital (Louisville, Ky.). Throughout her more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Ms. Ipsan has held a number of executive leadership roles at various health facilities nationwide. [CLICK HERE]

Catherine Jacobson. President and CEO of Froedtert Health (Milwaukee). Ms. Jacobson joined Froedtert Health in 2010 and quickly worked her way up from executive vice president of finance and strategy, to CFO and chief strategy officer, to president. [CLICK HERE]

Barbara Joers. President and CEO of Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare (St. Paul, Minn.). Ms. Joers was appointed president and CEO of Gillette Children's in October 2013. [CLICK HERE]

Gaye Jolly. President and Chief Administrative Officer of LeConte Medical Center (Sevierville, Tenn.). Ms. Jolly is respected for her ability to lead change and facilitate process improvements. [CLICK HERE]

Terry Kabitzke-Groth. CNO of Aurora Medical Center Grafton (Wis.) and Aurora Medical Center in Washington County (Hartford, Wis.). Ms. Kabitzke-Groth has more than 35 years of experience in clinical and executive leadership. [CLICK HERE]

Laura Kaiser. President and CEO of SSM Health (St. Louis). Ms. Kaiser became president and CEO of SSM Health in May after spending 30 years gaining experience in the healthcare field, focused on clinical quality and patient satisfaction. [CLICK HERE]

Patricia A. Keel. Senior Vice President and CFO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, Tenn.). St. Jude Children's Research Hospital named Ms. Keel senior vice president and CFO in February 2016, making her responsible for the hospital's financial strategy and management. [CLICK HERE]

Kathleen Kinslow, CRNA, EdD. CEO of Aria Health, Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer of Jefferson Health and Aria Health-Torresdale (Philadelphia). In 2010, Aria Health's board of directors named Ms. Kinslow CEO, and she has since taken on the additional role of executive vice president and chief integration officer of Jefferson Health and Aria Health-Torresdale. [CLICK HERE]

Jan Kleinhesselink, RN. Chief Quality Officer of Lincoln (Neb.) Surgical Hospital. Ms. Kleinhesselink is the chief quality officer of Lincoln Surgical Hospital, a nine-operating-room surgical specialty hospital. [CLICK HERE]

June Komar. Corporate Executive Vice President, Strategy and Administration of Scripps Health (San Diego). Ms. Komar became corporate executive vice president of strategy and administration of Scripps in 2010, responsible for strategic planning, government and community relations, and information services. [CLICK HERE]

Sue Korth, PhD, RN. Vice President and COO of Methodist Women's Hospital (Omaha, Neb.). Dr. Korth became vice president and COO of Methodist Women's Hospital in 2007, overseeing the 126-bed facility's construction as well as service implementation and hiring. [CLICK HERE]

Sarah Krevans. President and CEO of Sutter Health (Sacramento, Calif.). Ms. Krevans spent her early career in care facilities for elderly and severely mentally ill patients, which shapes her perspective as president and CEO of Sutter Health. [CLICK HERE]

JoAnn Kunkel. CFO of Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Ms. Kunkel is responsible for the finances at Sanford Health, a nonprofit rural health system. [CLICK HERE]

Phyllis Lantos. Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and CFO of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System (New York). Under Ms. Lantos' tenure as executive vice president, CFO and treasurer, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital made dramatic improvements to its revenue cycle process and implemented significant controls related to risk mitigation and expense. [CLICK HERE]

Jacklynn Lesniak, BSN, RN. Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Zion, Ill.). Ms. Lesniak became senior vice president of patient care services and CNO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Midwestern) in 2013, responsible for strategic leadership for nursing and other patient care areas. [CLICK HERE]

Carol Lovin, MSN, RN. Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Carolinas HealthCare System (Charlotte, N.C.). Ms. Lovin joined Carolinas HealthCare System in 2007 and worked her way up from executive vice president of planning and communications to serve as president of the CHS Management Company as well as vice president of strategic planning and market development for Carolinas HealthCare NorthEast before being promoted to executive vice president and chief strategy officer of the system. [CLICK HERE]

Denise Majeski, MSN, RN. Vice President of Operations and Chief Nurse Executive of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest (Ill.) Hospital. Ms. Majeski joined Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital as director of oncology services and was later promoted to director of case management in 2007. [CLICK HERE]

Stacey Malakoff. Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO of Hospital for Special Surgery (New York). Ms. Malakoff spent time as director of reimbursement, controller and vice president of finance for Hospital for Special Surgery before being promoted to executive vice president, treasurer and CFO in 1998. [CLICK HERE]

Julie Manas. President and CEO of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, Wis.). HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital named Ms. Manas president and CEO in March 2012, and under her leadership the 201-bed hospital has received national recognition in sustainability, stroke care and organ donation enrollment. [CLICK HERE]

Marcia Manker. CEO of MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center (Laguna Hills, Calif.) and Orange Coast Medical Center (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Ms. Manker became CEO of Orange Coast Medical Center in 2002 and transitioned to head Saddleback Medical Center as well in 2016. [CLICK HERE]

Leslie Marsh, MSN, RN. CEO of Lexington (Neb.) Regional Health Center. In 2010, Ms. Marsh was named CEO of Lexington Regional Health Center, responsible for overseeing the health system's extensive community outreach and visiting surgeon recruitment. [CLICK HERE]

Patricia Maryland, DrPH. Executive Vice President of Ascension and President and CEO of Ascension Healthcare (St. Louis). Dr. Maryland has extensive experience in strategic planning, patient care operations, service line management, finance, clinical program development and evaluation. [CLICK HERE]

Mary Lou Mastro, RN. President and CEO of Edward-Elmhurst (Ill.) Health. Ms. Mastro joined Edward-Elmhurst Health in 1988 as director of cardiovascular services and has spent more than 35 years working in hospital leadership. [CLICK HERE]

Betsy McVay. Vice President and Chief Analytics Officer of UnityPoint Health (West Des Moines, Iowa). "Data saves lives" has become a new catchphrase at UnityPoint Health thanks to Ms. McVay, who focuses on the power of numbers and data to directly impact patient care. [CLICK HERE]

Rhonda Medows, MD. Executive Vice President of Population Health for Providence St. Joseph Health (Renton, Wash.). As Providence St. Joseph Health's executive vice president of population health, Dr. Medows oversees the Providence health plan, value-based care, payer strategy and contracting, physician services, care management, population health informatics and the health system's affiliated Pacific Medical Group. [CLICK HERE]

Sonia Mehta, MD. CEO and CMO of Loretto Hospital (Chicago). With more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Dr. Mehta became CEO and CMO of Loretto Hospital in 2011, making her responsible for the hospital's 600 employees who serve around 3,000 patients annually. [CLICK HERE]

Anne Meisner, RN. Chief Hospital Operations Officer of Cancer Treatment Centers of America and President and CEO of Southeastern Regional Medical Center (Newnan, Ga.). With more than 20 years of experience at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Ms. Meisner helped Southeastern Regional Medical Center double its footprint in just three years while growing to include more than 200 physicians. Additionally, she oversaw the implantation of the Centers for Advanced Oncology. [CLICK HERE]

Redonda Miller, MD. President of The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore). Dr. Miller became the first female president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital in May 2016 after spending time as vice president of medical affairs for the Johns Hopkins Health System and senior vice president of medical affairs for The Johns Hopkins Hospital. [CLICK HERE]

Sheri Milone. CEO of Lovelace Women's Hospital (Albuquerque, N.M.). Since joining Lovelace Health in 1992, Ms. Milone has served as CEO of Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque and is now CEO of Lovelace Women's Hospital. [CLICK HERE]

Tamra Minnier, MSN, RN. Chief Quality Officer of UPMC (Pittsburgh). Ms. Minnier is the executive director of the Beckwith Institute, a $15 million foundation supporting innovation in care delivery, in addition to serving as the chief quality officer of UPMC. [CLICK HERE]

Jennifer Mitzner. CEO of Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Irvine, Calif.). Ms. Mitzner joined Hoag Orthopedic Institute as CEO in November after serving on the 70-bed hospital's board of directors for several years. [CLICK HERE]

Cynthia Moore-Hardy, BSN. President and CEO of Lake Health (Concord Township, Ohio). Ms. Moore-Hardy became president and CEO of Lake Health in 1997, growing the health system from six to 14 facilities. [CLICK HERE]

Elizabeth Nabel, MD. President of Brigham Health (Boston). Dr. Nabel is the president of Brigham Health, overseeing Brigham and Women's Hospital as well as the system's 150 outpatient practices and 1,200 physicians. [CLICK HERE]

Janice Nevin, MD. President and CEO of Christiana Care Health System (Wilmington, Del.). Since joining Christiana Care in 2002, Dr. Nevin has held various positions, including chief medical officer, chief patient safety officer, and chair of family and community medicine. [CLICK HERE]

Robin Norman. Senior Vice President and CFO of Virginia Hospital Center (Arlington). Ms. Norman has served Virginia Hospital Center in a financial capacity since 1979, rising in the ranks to become senior vice president and CFO. [CLICK HERE]

Sharon O'Keefe. President of University of Chicago Medical Center. With more than 30 years of healthcare experience, Ms. O'Keefe oversees a $1.5 billion clinical enterprise that integrates patient care with education and research at the University of Chicago Medical Center. [CLICK HERE]

Susan Peach, BSN. CEO of HighPoint Health System (Gallatin, Tenn.). Ms. Peach was appointed CEO of HighPoint Health System in 2012 and has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. [CLICK HERE]

Amy Perry. CEO of the Hospital Division and Senior Vice President of Integrated Care Delivery for Atlantic Health System (Morristown, N.J.). Ms. Perry develops and manages strategic growth initiatives across Atlantic Health System's six hospitals, specialty service lines, ambulatory and post-acute care services. [CLICK HERE]

Anne Platt. CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital (Jackson, Calif.). Under Ms. Platt's leadership, Sutter Amador Hospital has expanded services and opened a new Progressive Care Unit. [CLICK HERE]

Karen Price-Gharzeddine, RN. CEO of San Gabriel (Calif.) Valley Medical Center. Ms. Price-Gharzeddine became the first female CEO of the 273-bed San Gabriel Valley Medical Center in 2015. [CLICK HERE]

Gemma Rama-Banaag, BSN, MSN, RN. CNO of Paradise Valley Hospital (National City, Calif.). Ms. Rama-Banaag has been CNO of Paradise Valley Hospital since 2011, after spending three years as the director of nursing and director of clinical services at San Diego-based Promise Hospital. [CLICK HERE]

Marsha Rappley, MD. Vice President for Health Services at Virginia Commonwealth University and CEO of VCU Health System (Richmond, Va.). Dr. Rappley has been CEO of VCU Health System since 2015, previously serving as dean of the College of Human Medicine at East Lansing-based Michigan State University. [CLICK HERE]

Kim Roberts. Chief Strategy Officer of Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and Stanford Children's Health (Palo Alto, Calif.). Ms. Roberts joined Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in 2010 as vice president of network development and management before becoming chief strategy officer in 2014. [CLICK HERE]

Robin Rose, BSN, RN. COO and Chief Clinical Officer of Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services (Gibson City, Ill.). Prior to her appointment as chief clinical officer and COO, Ms. Rose served as CNO at Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services. [CLICK HERE]

Pamela Rudisill, DNP, MSN, RN. Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.). Dr. Rudisill joined CHS in 2014. [CLICK HERE]

Dawn Rudolph. Chief Experience Officer of Saint Thomas Health (Nashville, Tenn.). Ms. Rudolph joined Saint Thomas Health as chief experience officer in 2013, previously serving as CEO of Nashville, Tenn.-based Saint Thomas West Hospital and Fort Wayne, Ind.-based St. Joseph Hospital. [CLICK HERE]

Margaret Sabin. President and CEO of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Ms. Sabin has been president and CEO at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services since 2008 and is responsible for overseeing daily operations of the 522-bed system. [CLICK HERE]

Cheryl Sadro. Executive Vice President and Chief Business and Finance Officer of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Ms. Sadro has been chief business and finance officer and executive vice president at UTMB Galveston since 2014. [CLICK HERE]

Ninfa Saunders, DHA, MSN. President and CEO of Navicent Health (Macon, Ga.). Dr. Saunders has over 40 years of healthcare experience, including a tenure as president and COO of Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health before she became president and CEO of Navicent Health and The Medical Center, Navicent Health. [CLICK HERE]

Phyllis Sherard, PhD. Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President of Population Health of Cheyenne (Wyo.) Regional Medical Center. Dr. Sherard joined Cheyenne Regional Medical Center as chief strategy officer and vice president of population health in 2007 and is responsible for developing a new era of competencies for the changing healthcare landscape. [CLICK HERE]

Elizabeth Sheridan, RN. COO of Inspira Medical Centers (Elmer and Vineland, N.J.). Ms. Sheridan has spent more than 15 years with Inspira Health Network, leading the implementation of several programs to benefit patient health, including a home food delivery program for patients with a high risk for readmissions. [CLICK HERE]

Cherie Sibley, BSN. COO of LifePoint Health-Central Group (Brentwood, Tenn.). LifePoint Health named Ms. Sibley COO of its central group in March. [CLICK HERE]

Lynn Simon, MD. President of Clinical Operations and Chief Medical Officer of Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.). As president of clinical operations and CMO of Community Health Systems, Dr. Simon oversees all aspects of quality and safety, nursing, case management and medical staff relations. [CLICK HERE]

Maureen E. Sintich, DNP, RN. Chief Nurse Executive of Inova (Falls Church, Va.). As chief nurse executive of Inova, Dr. Sintich leads the system's six chief nursing officers. [CLICK HERE]

Johnese Spisso. President of UCLA Health and CEO of UCLA Hospital System (Los Angeles). Ms. Spisso was appointed president of UCLA Health and CEO of UCLA Hospital System as well as vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences in February 2016. [CLICK HERE]

Bernadette Spong. CFO of Orlando (Fla.) Health. Ms. Spong joined Orlando Health in 2015 and previously served as the senior vice president and CFO for the $3.4 billion Chapel Hill-based University of North Carolina HealthCare system as well as CFO of UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh. [CLICK HERE]

Nancy Susick, MSN, RN. President of Beaumont Hospital-Troy (Mich.). Ms. Susick became president of 520-bed Beaumont Hospital in 2012. Before that time, she served as vice president, COO and chief nursing officer at the hospital. [CLICK HERE]

Marti Taylor. Executive Director of Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital and COO of the Ohio State Heart & Vascular Center (Columbus, Ohio). Ms. Taylor has been executive director of the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital and COO of the Ohio State Heart & Vascular Center since 2011, and served as CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based University Hospital from 2015 to 2017. [CLICK HERE]

Karen Testman, RN. CFO of MemorialCare Health System (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Ms. Testman became CFO of MemorialCare Health System in 2014 after serving as senior vice president of financial operations. [CLICK HERE]

Elaine Thompson, PhD. President and CEO of Lakeland (Fla.) Regional Health and President of Lakeland Regional Health Foundation. During her tenure as president and CEO of Lakeland Regional Health and president of Lakeland Regional Health Foundation, Dr. Thompson has overseen affiliations with Mayo Clinic Care Network, USF Health, Nemours Children's Health System and Orlando Health. [CLICK HERE]

Karen Teitelbaum. President and CEO of Sinai Health System (Chicago). As president and CEO of Sinai Health System, Ms. Teitelbaum is responsible for overseeing four hospitals, two research institutes and a medical group that comprises 18 clinical sites across Chicago. [CLICK HERE]

Diemlan "Lannie" Tonnu. Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO of the Orthopaedic Institute for Children (Los Angeles). Ms. Tonnu has served as senior vice president of finance and CFO at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children since 1991. [CLICK HERE]

Peggy Troy, MSN, RN. President and CEO of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Milwaukee). Ms. Troy joined the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as president and CEO in 2009, becoming the first woman at the hospital to hold those positions. [CLICK HERE]

Elizabeth Vilardo, MD. CEO of Medical Foundations of Sutter Health Bay Area (Sacramento, Calif.). Dr. Vilardo has been a practicing physician leader for more than 25 years, during which time she has served Sutter Health in multiple capacities. [CLICK HERE]

Nancy Vish, RN, PhD. President and CNO of Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital (Dallas). Dr. Vish joined Baylor University Medical Center in 1996 as program manager and director for its Cardiac Cath Lab, EP/PM Lab, Coronary Care Unit and Interventional Cardiology Unit, and became Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital's president and CNO in 2005. [CLICK HERE]

Vivian von Gruenigen, MD. CMO of Summa Health System (Akron, Ohio). Dr. von Gruenigen has served as CMO of Summa Health System since July 2016, providing medical oversight, expertise and leadership to ensure the system meets high standards of quality and service. [CLICK HERE]

Annette Walker. President of Strategy, Providence St. Joseph Health (Renton, Wash.). As president of strategy at Providence St. Joseph Health, Ms. Walker helps coordinate strategy, marketing, sales, outreach, business development and project management at the 50-hospital health system that spans seven states. [CLICK HERE]

Beth Walker. COO of Ochsner Medical Center-Jefferson Highway (New Orleans). Ms. Walker joined Ochsner Health System in 2002 as an administrative fellow, but now serves as COO of the system's flagship hospital, Ochsner Medical Center, a facility with more than 600 beds, 650 physicians and 5,200 employees. [CLICK HERE]

Kelly Wallace. Senior Vice President and CFO of Seattle Children's Hospital. Throughout her more than 30-year tenure at Seattle Children's Hospital, which began in 1987 in an executive financial management role, Ms. Wallace has been responsible for the direction and oversight of the health system's financial operations. [CLICK HERE]

Kate Walsh. President and CEO of Boston Medical Center. In 2010, Ms. Walsh was appointed president and CEO of Boston Medical Center, a health system that generates annual operating revenue of $2.8 billion. [CLICK HERE]

Elizabeth Ward. Executive Vice President and CFO of Tidelands Health (Murrells Inlet, S.C.). Ms. Ward joined Tidelands Health, a three-hospital and 50-outpatient-clinic health system, as executive vice president and CFO in March 2017. [CLICK HERE]

Katy Welkie, BSN. CEO of Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital (Salt Lake City). Ms. Welkie spent time as Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital COO, CNO and nursing director of the pediatric ICU before being named CEO in 2012. [CLICK HERE]

Penny Wheeler, MD. President and CEO of Allina Health (Minneapolis). Prior to becoming president and CEO of Allina Health, Dr. Wheeler served as the chief clinical officer responsible for leading the organization's quality and value agenda. [CLICK HERE]

Beth Zachary. Senior Vice President of Adventist Health and President and CEO of Adventist Health/Southern California Region (Roseville, Calif.). As senior vice president of Adventist Health and president and CEO of its Southern California region, Ms. Zachary is tasked with bringing together all the healthcare businesses within the system  which includes physician services, urgent care clinics, primary care centers, hospitals, skilled nursing centers, home care and hospice services  to foster a competitive and focused organization. [CLICK HERE]
From Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts announcing cash incentives for patients shopping healthcare prices to UnitedHealth Group requesting a federal judge drop a lawsuit claiming the payer defrauded Medicare $1 billion, here are five payers making headlines this week.

1. BCBS of Massachusetts to pay members up to $250 per procedure when they shop

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will pay members to shop for lower-cost providers with good quality ratings.

2. UnitedHealth urges judge to drop lawsuit claiming the payer defrauded Medicare $1B+

UnitedHealth Group asked a federal judge to toss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department alleging the payer knowingly inflated risk adjustment scores to increase payment.

3. Northwell Health, Cigna avoid going out of network with new agreement

New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health signed an agreement with Cigna to maintain their 20-year network relationship.

4. Physicians argue Anthem's ER policy violates federal law

Physicians are concerned about a new policy Anthem is rolling out in Indiana in January.

5. Premier Health terminates agreement to sell insurance branch: 4 things to know

Washington, D.C.-based Evolent Health, a value-based care platform, will no longer purchase Dayton, Ohio-based Premier Health's insurance arm, Evolent officials said Dec. 8.
J. Mario Molina, MD, ousted CEO of Molina Healthcare, stepped down from the insurer's board of directors Dec. 13.

Here are three things to know about the move.



1. Dr. Molina, the son of the insurer's late founder C. David Molina, departed the board to pursue other opportunities.



2. He helmed Molina Healthcare as CEO from 1996 to May of this year, when the insurer's board of directors unexpectedly fired Dr. Molina and his brother John Molina, the company's CFO. The board cited poor financial performance as the reason for its decision.



3. Dr. Molina owns and operates South Pasadena, Calif.-based Golden Shore Medical Group, formerly Molina Medical Group.
Telecom major today got the nod from the Supreme Court for second arbitration in Rs 11,000 crore retrospective tax case.

By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today allowed telecom major Vodafone to initiate the second arbitration process under an India-UK investment deal over tax demand for more than USD 2 billion or about Rs 11,000 crore.

The tax demand has been raised out of Vodafone's entry deal in India 10 years ago. World's second largest mobile operator Vodafone entered India in 2007 after it acquired Hutchison Whampoa's wireless assets.

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The Vodafone has contested tax demand of over USD 2 billion arising out of its acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa's assets. Vodafone has already initiated one arbitration under India's investment agreement with the Netherlands.

A Supreme Court bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan heard the case after the counsel for the telecom company called for early hearing yesterday and Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh did not raise any objection. Justice R F Nariman had recused from hearing the matter on December 8.

VODAFONE TAX DEMAND CASE: THINGS TO KNOW

The Supreme Court's order came on a plea of the Centre challenging the Delhi High Court ruling asking it and the Vodafone Group to participate in dual arbitration proceedings initiated in connection with a tax demand of Rs 11,000 crore through a retrospective law. The government is of the view that the USD 11 billion acquisition of stake of Hutchinson Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL) in Hutchinson Essar Limited (HEL) by Vodafone was liable for tax deduction at source (TDS) under the Income Tax Act. As Vodafone had not deducted the tax at source, the government had raised the demand of Rs 11,000 crore which was subsequently quashed by the Supreme Court on January 20, 2012. Thereafter, the government made a retrospective amendment to the Income Tax Act which re-fastened the liability on Vodafone. Aggrieved by the imposition of tax by the retrospective amendment, Vodafone International Holdings BV (VIHBV), a Vodafone Group subsidiary, had invoked the arbitration clause under BIPA between India and Netherlands through a notice of dispute of April 17, 2012 and notice of arbitration of April 17, 2014. While the proceedings under the India-Netherlands BIPA were pending, Vodafone had initiated arbitration under the India-UK BIPA as well on January 24 this year. Challenging the second arbitration, the government had said the two claims were based on the same cause of action and seek identical reliefs but from two different tribunals constituted under two different investment treaties against the same host state. The high court had asked Vodafone representatives to participate in the process of appointing a presiding arbitrator in its international arbitration process against India. On October 26, the high court had allowed the telecom company to participate in the second arbitration against India on the same issue of tax demand. The high court had on August 22 restrained Vodafone from participating in the arbitration initiated under the India-United Kingdom Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) in connection with the tax demand raised against the company in relation to its USD 11 billion deal acquiring the stake of Hutchinson Telecom. Earlier, the company had initiated a similar arbitration process under the India-Netherlands BIPA on the same issue and the proceeding on it is going on. The high court on October 26 had given the Centre time till November 17 to indicate whether it was amenable to re-scheduling of these proceedings after a final decision is given in the first arbitration. The court had said it was not in favour of stalling the process as both sides had already appointed an arbitrator each in the second arbitration. The telecom major had told the high court that the company was not looking for a declaration or award from the two arbitration and "any one would do." Vodafone had claimed that the Centre had not disclosed to the court an undertaking it had given to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to appoint an arbitrator. The Centre had, however, opposed the contention denying that any such undertaking was given and said it was rather forced to appoint an arbitrator. The Union government had opposed the arbitration proceedings under the two BIPAs, claiming it was an abuse of the process of law. The government had earlier contended that disputes encompassing tax demands raised by a host state were beyond the scope of arbitration provided under the bilateral investment treaty as taxation is a sovereign function and can only be agitated before a constitutional court of the host state. The Centre had also argued that laws passed by Parliament could not be adjudicated by an arbitral tribunal and did not fall within the ambit of BIPA or any other international treaty.

(With PTI inputs)

--- ENDS ---
Change Healthcare released a white paper titled "Value-Based Reimbursement: State-by-State," which summarizes the landscape of value-based care in each state and what to expect for the future.

Here, Change Healthcare's Senior Vice President of Network and Financial Management Carolyn Wukitch discusses overall trends in value-based healthcare and how ACOs, bundled payments and value initiatives will affect healthcare delivery models in the future.

Question: States are redesigning their healthcare systems to provide more value-based care. What types of programs do you expect to see states rolling out over the next three to five years, and how should hospitals prepare?

Carolyn Wukitch: As you can imagine, the approach varies significantly across states, but the most common state-led approaches to value-based payment include ACOs and bundled payments.

Our recent study revealed that 17 states are moving forward with plans to contract with ACOs, and about 12 are pursuing bundled payment programs.

Typically, these VBP agreements begin as shared-savings arrangements and then ramp up to shared savings and risk over time.

We would recommend hospitals do four things:

1. Analyze and understand the variations in care provided by your facilities and providers

2. Evaluate your capacity to support the ongoing analytics and transformation necessary to identify savings opportunities and eliminate care variation, as this work is critical to being successful in any value-based approach

3. Engage with states actively as a stakeholder in the process of developing their VBP programs

4. Advocate across payers in your states to coordinate on approaches

Q: When considering the most advanced states in value-based payments, what are the early outcomes for their efforts? How do you expect other states to respond?

CW: Its important to keep in mind that a lot of these programs are still in their infancy, in that they have only been in implementation for two to three years.

As a result, there are few published reports on outcomes, but we are beginning to see some results from the early adopters who have been doing this work for five or more years.

For example, a study published in Health Affairs this year demonstrated that Oregons move to Coordinated Care Organizations, which established global budgets for 90 percent of patients in the Medicaid program, demonstrated a 7 percent drop in expenditures and a reduction in avoidable ED visits.

Similarly, we did a webinar with the state of Tennessee, which adopted a multipayer bundled payment program. Reports from that state show savings of $14.5 million in 2016. Again, these are programs that are still in development, but there are some promising early results.

It really depends on the states and how they respond to others reported success.

VBP takes upfront investment, a willingness to commit to the process of reforming the healthcare system and some level of expertise, either from inside or outside of state government. Not all state-level leaders are interested in making that investment.

Q: What are the major factors driving states' initiatives toward value-based care? Which factors dictate whether states implement value-based programs and the direction those programs go?

CW: Factors motivating states are multifaceted.

In most cases, there was significant support offered from the federal government via the State Innovation Model grants (about $1 billion over five years to over 30 states).

In addition, states are feeling pressure to "do more with less" and make their healthcare programs more efficient. Health spending is behind only education as a percentage of spending in the state budget, so states are looking for opportunities to save on healthcare spending.

The one thing thats clear is that VBP is not a red state-blue state issue  we see adoption of robust value-based payment programs in states that are controlled by Republican and Democratic governors and legislatures.

Q: How do you think the ability of states to require Medicaid MCOs to implement value-based payments will affect Medicaid programs in the future? How do you think states will respond to having authority over these programs?

CW: We are already seeing a lot of states adopt value-based payment targets in their contracts with their Medicaid MCOs.

There are at least 17 states that have already incorporated VBP targets or are looking to do so in the next year.

The pros of this approach are that it holds health plans accountable for making the transition to value and offers flexibility to providers and plans to negotiate the terms of the transition.

The downside is that there is less likely to be a unified approach, which may require hospitals to track and report multiple different quality measures, undertake different improvement initiatives depending on payment arrangements, and accept different levels of risk by payer.

We think that states see this as low-hanging fruit in their efforts to transition to value, as it requires very little expertise on the part of the states; it doesnt require them to change the way they do business (in any significant way) and allows them to track progress via contract reporting.

Q: What will the continued shift to value-based payments mean for hospitals and health systems? Do you see the gap between the most advanced states and states without value-based programs shrinking or growing in the future?

CW: We think it will mean that hospitals will have to continue to do more with less and focus on providing high-value services to patients. This will require hospitals to develop and maintain a deeper understanding of the drivers of cost variations in their systems. Hospitals who understand their costs to support value based programs will be better prepared for this transition

Hospitals will also need to better understand the total cost of care episodes, including costs for care delivered outside their facilities. Change Healthcare is expanding our solution set, adding capabilities that help providers analyze all the costs associated with care episodes they engage in and helping them better evaluate episode costs across their community

It will also require a focus on the social determinants of health, since these have such a profound impact on a patients individual health.

In ACO states, health systems will need to be able to provide better integrated behavioral healthcare in addition to primary and specialty care.

We think the answer to the second question depends on whether the federal government continues to push states in the direction of investing in VBP. Its clear with the current administration that they are interested in seeing states take the lead on innovation.

The question is whether there will be any funding/TA to support these innovations or if states will be left on their own. With little investment, we will probably continue to see the gap between highly evolved states and those that have done very little. However, if the federal government does provide support, its likely that some of the laggard states will be able to catch up.
Illinois Republican Governor Bruce Rauner's administration is facing criticism for the state's handling of three seperate Legionnaires' outbreaks at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, according to investigative report conducted by WBEZ.

Here are five things to know.

1. Fifty-three residents and staff members at the Quincy home contracted Legionnaires'  a virulent form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria  in the summer of 2015. Ultimately, 12 residents died. In the summer of 2016, five more residents contracted the illness, which is transmitted through the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water. Earlier this year, three more cases of the illness were detected among veterans at the facility. One of those veterans died.

2. Families of 11 deceased veterans are suing the state for negligence, arguing the facility's deteriorating condition led to the spread of Legionnaires'. The legal action also argues the families were not informed of the disease's spread in time to remove their family members from the facility, even though the state knew Legionella was spreading. Some family members have called for the governor to personally offer his condolences on behalf of the state, according to WBEZ.

3. Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Jeffries defended the Rauner administration's handling of the outbreaks in an interview with WBEZ. Ms. Jeffries told WBEZ the department acted on CDC recommendations, upgrading the facility's infrastructure and improving protocols for Legionnaires' detection and treatment.

"What we have not done is remove all the piping and start again," Ms. Jeffries told WBEZ, referencing the home's aging plumbing system. "Short of doing that, we've done everything we possibly could do to ensure the safety of our residents and staff, and we've done everything that the CDC has recommended that we do."

4. Jeffries also told WBEZ the state considered moving residents out of the facility after the 2015 outbreak, but chose not to do so due to the potential strain such an undertaking could place upon frail residents. The department currently has no plans to move residents out of the facility.

5. Some lawmakers, including Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have called for the facility to be shut down until the water system is safe.

"This has progressed from a disastrous situation, where veterans of the state of Illinois have lost their lives because of contamination in the water supply at the veterans' home in Quincy, to a scandal. I just don't think there's any other word to describe it," Mr. Durbin told WBEZ. "I want an admission by the governor that we have failed these veterans, and we need to do something immediately on an emergency basis to protect those who are there to make sure this never happens again and, if necessary, to replace this facility."

To read the full report from WBEZ, click here.

More articles on infection control:

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Highly contagious bird flu outbreak detected in Netherlands: 3 things to know
The Massachusetts attorney general reported Medtronic agreed to a settlement in an investigation involving the company's Infuse bone graft product, Reuters reports.

Here are six things to know:

1. Two units of Medtronic will pay $12 million to settle claims that it promoted a "deceptive marketing strategy" for its Infuse product.

2. The involved attorney generals  from Massachusetts, Oregon, California, Illinois and Washington  claimed the company boosted the product's sales via scientific literature it sponsored. The literature didn't highlight the side-effects or adverse results of Infuse.

3. Under this settlement, Medtronic must publicly release its Infuse trial data to a government website.

4. Medtronic didn't admit any wrongdoing in this case.

5. In 2012, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee discovered the company was involved in the Infuse studies' content and paid physicians $210 million to publish.

6. In addition to this lawsuit, Medtronic experienced about 6,000 actual and threatened suits regarding the company's allowance of off-label Infuse use. Medtronic reported it reached settlements for "substantially all" of these suits earlier this year.
Celebration-based Florida Hospital Nicholson Center developed the B-Hive, a mobile broadcast hardware that allows surgeons to customize their education.

Here are four insights:

1. The B-Hive combines video conferencing with advanced surgical training to provide both practicing and upcoming surgeons visual education for new devices and procedures.

2. Florida Hospital Nicholson Center designed the system to adapt to almost every medical device image source and convert signal types into a single broadcast signal.

3. Additionally, Florida Hospital Nicholson Center provides support services, troubleshooting and remotely controls the training events.

4. Steven Thekan, a co-creator of B-Hive, said, "With video calls becoming part of our daily lives, it only makes sense for training to keep up with technology. The bi-directional nature of the B-Hive allows for real-time conversation between parties from across the globe."
Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for Dec. 14, 2017.

Orthopedic surgeons' salary rises 55% over 6 years, pay satisfaction declines

Over the past six years, orthopedic surgeons' average salary has risen 55.2 percent to $489,000; however, as salaries rise, compensation satisfaction declines, according to Comet. In 2011, the average orthopedic surgeon salary was estimated at $315,000.





Colorado spine surgeon Dr. Cathleen Van Buskirk indicted for bankruptcy fraud

A federal grand jury indicted Cathleen Van Buskirk, MD, Dec. 4 for bankruptcy scheme allegations. Daily Camera Boulder News reports Dr. Van Buskirk, of Boulder, Colo.-based Alpine Spine Center, is accused of "bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, fraudulent transfer and concealment and money laundering." Read about the case, here.





UPMC Drs. David Okonkwo, Joseph Maroon perform spine surgery on Steelers Ryan Shazier

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center surgeons performed spine surgery on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier Dec. 6. Mr. Shazier suffered the spinal injury Dec. 4 during a game in Cincinnati. He was airlifted to Pittsburgh Dec. 6. The Steelers' team physicians David Okonkwo, MD, and Joseph Maroon, MD, performed the spinal stabilization surgery. Drs. Okonkwo and Maroon are also neurosurgeons at UPMC.





At least 26 nonprofit hospitals at risk of bankruptcy

Many nonprofit hospitals across the nation are facing financial challenges, and they may soon face higher borrowing costs. Nonprofit hospitals and health systems issue tax-exempt bonds to finance capital projects. Under the House Republicans' tax plan, interest on newly issued private-activity bonds would no longer be tax-exempt. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, at least 26 nonprofit hospitals across the nation are already in default or distress.





Dr. Kamal Woods performs 1st-of-its-kind spine surgery for neck deformity

Kamal Woods, MD, of Kettering (Ohio) Medical Center, performed a first-of-its-kind surgery on a patient with a severe neck deformity. The deformity forced the patient's head to lean at such an angle where his ear touched his shoulder. Dr. Woods, who serves Kettering Health Network's Brain and Spine Center medical director, created a three-stage surgery plan.





Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center names Dr. Viviane Tabar neurosurgery chair

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City tapped Viviane Tabar, MD, to serve as chair of neurosurgery. Currently, Dr. Tabar serves as chair for neurosurgical oncology and vice chair for neurosurgical research and education. She succeeds Philip Gutin, MD, who will retire at the end of 2017.





83% of physicians have suffered cybersecurity attack

Accenture and the American Medical Association released a report on cybersecurity in the healthcare industry. Eighty-three percent of surveyed physicians noted they have experienced a form of a cybersecurity attack. More than half of the physicians reported they were "very or extremely" concerned about cyberattacks occurring at their practices in the future.





Stryker announces $662M Entellus acquisition

Stryker reached an agreement to acquire Entellus Medical, a developer of ENT products, for $662 million. Entellus Medical designs various ear, nose and throat products for minimally invasive treatments. The company's portfolio includes XprESS Multi-Sinus Dilation System and the Latera Absorbable Nasal Implant.




Five spine surgeons discuss how they achieve their personal goals with regard to health and wellness.

Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.





Next week's question: What has been your biggest professional achievement this year?

Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. CST.

Question: What habit do you employ to achieve your personal health goals?

Richard D. Guyer, MD. Co-founder of Texas Back Institute (Plano): I believe a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, allowing me to perform at my best whether at work or leisure. My habits to achieve theses goals are to eat healthy, control my weight and do aerobic exercise six days per week, along with lifting light weights and doing core exercises every other day.

Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD. Co-founder of Texas Back Institute (Plano): I exercise six days a week.

Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: On mornings that I take my son to school, I always hit the gym for 45 minutes, and one day of the weekend I will do a longer program. Usually, I will go for a swim or possibly an extended bike ride, with my son in tow.

Isador H. Lieberman, MD. Spine Surgeon at Texas Back Institute (Plano): Be religious about exercise, and hug and kiss your wife and kids everyday.

Richard Kube, MD. Founder and CEO of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): Like any other habit, it starts with the first day. It is said that any activity you perform for more than 28 consecutive days becomes a habit. I prioritize my health over other options. I think most folks can curtail digital media consumption, whether it is TV, cell phones, social media, gaming and etc. Avoid excess in those areas and prioritize your day by getting up early and exercising. Utilize healthy meal choices. If those are not readily available to you then pack your own lunch. I watch little TV, I'm not on Facebook and I don't own a gaming system. I do go to the gym most days and I do tend to eat healthy. It is how I start every day. It is too easy to find excuses and prioritize other activities at the end of a day. If health is important, it should come first; hence start the day with that in mind.
Mark Thompson (centre), head of office at A&L Goodbody, with four of the firms 25 new hires in 2017. Left to right: solicitors Robert Tubman, Charlotte Turk and Barbara Creed, along with new HR lead Jill Michael

Law firm A&L Goodbody has said it has hired 25 new staff in Belfast this year, bringing its headcount here to 110.

Lawyer numbers at the practice have grown by 20%, while recruits have also been taken on in business support services.

Mark Thompson, head of office at the firm, said the new arrivals are part of a wider investment programme by A&L Goodbody in the year of its 10th birthday in Northern Ireland.

The firm recently expanded into 26,000 sq ft of space in Belfast's Fountain Street, and is sponsoring a lounge at the Kingspan Stadium.
The Gallahers factory closure contributed to the production sectors fall, but the services sector, including water supply and estate agents, is thriving

Activity in Northern Ireland Ireland's services sector, covering everything from restaurants to estate agents, has reached its highest point in nearly 10 years, according to a report.

The index of services from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) showed output from the sector in the third quarter in 2017 was the highest since the same period in 2008.

Services also accounted for the majority of growth in private sector job numbers year-on-year, according to the separate quarterly employment survey.

There were 11,200 new private sector jobs in the economy, and at 7,952, 71% of the total were in the services sector.

The sector's yearly growth of 2.5% here in Northern Ireland also outstripped the UK's growth of 1.5%.

But despite the strong growth, Ulster Bank economist Richard Ramsey said output in services in Northern Ireland was still 4% lower than it had been in 2007.

"This highlights the quality of jobs in the sector, which tend to be of a part-time nature with low wages and low productivity," he said.

He added that the index also reflected findings of the Ulster Bank's monthly purchasing managers' survey, which had indicated a resurgence in retail business - a sub-sector of the services classification.

Mr Ramsey said: "Wholesalers and retailers saw sales jump 1.1% quarter-on-quarter, which was almost four times the expansion recorded in the UK.

"Clearly cross-border trade and the tourism boom are having an impact on the sector.

"Again this is in line with what the Ulster Bank PMI has indicated on recent months."

But the separate index of production showed output fell sharply over the year by 6.5%.

And it was in contrast to an improved UK performance in the production sector, with output up 1.8% over the year.

In Northern Ireland, the food, beverages and tobacco sub-sector accounted for much of the yearly slump, falling at 18%.

The closure of the JTI Gallaher factory in Ballymena accounted for much of the fall in the sub-sector.

However, the production sector data revealed growth of 2.8% over the year in the water supply, sewerage, and waste management sub-sector.

And there was even stronger growth in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sub-sector at 6.2% over the year.

The index showed that manufacturing output was down 10% since the start of the year, and 12% lower than a decade ago.

Mr Ramsey said this contrasted with UK performance, where manufacturing output was just 2% below its levels of a decade ago.

But the quarterly employment survey had shown growth in job numbers in manufacturing, with 1,000 more jobs quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter.

The economist said: "Despite the closure of JTI in Ballymena, manufacturing employment is back to where it was a decade ago, although output and productivity remain well below 2007 levels."

Construction job numbers have also grown by around 6.7% year-on-year - though it sill remained 26% below pre-crash levels in 2007.

But the ICT sector had shown the largest percentage growth in jobs, with numbers growing by 8%, or 1,540.

And accommodation and food posted the largest employment gains, with jobs up 2,470.
Cayan is expanding its workforce in Belfast

A US tech firm is expanding its base in Belfast and creating 170 new jobs.

Cayan, formerly known as Merchant Warehouse, is based at the City Quays 1 building.

The company, which provides payment processing platforms to its clients, is growing its team to 240 workers and hiring an additional 170 staff.

It is adding customer services roles, including client services representatives, team leaders and case managers.

Paul Vienneau, chief technology officer of Cayan, said: "Our Northern Ireland operation is incredibly significant to our overall business strategy, with our Belfast development team consistently delivering product engineering excellence."

Invest NI has offered Cayan 680,000 towards the creation of the new posts, of which around 100 are in place already.

The new jobs are expected to be worth 3.6m to the economy each year.

Jeremy Fitch, Invest NI's executive director of business and sector development, said: "Since opening its Northern Ireland office in 2013, Cayan has grown into an exemplary software development operation, producing industry-leading payment processing products.

"Cayan's decision to locate its primary customer services function in Belfast represents a major reinvestment for the company and demonstrates its confidence in Northern Ireland.

"The 170 jobs being created through this investment will generate over 3.6m in annual salaries for the local economy and offer valuable employment opportunities for a range of job-seekers, including school leavers and graduates.

"Furthermore, the extensive training Cayan offers new staff will contribute to the development of Northern Ireland's skills base."

The Boston company has expanded rapidly since its launch in Northern Ireland in 2013. Mr Vienneau said: "We are delighted with the growth of our Belfast operation to date, and locating our customer service team alongside our product development/engineering operations in Belfast will offer increased operating efficiencies.

"The positive work ethic of the Northern Ireland workforce, combined with our ongoing relationship with Invest NI, is enabling us to recruit the new staff we need to support the growth of our group operations."

The company has a science fiction-themed headquarters, with wi-fi stations and an Xbox room that is fitted out with gaming chairs.

Most of its clients are based in America and include leading brands such as Puma, Harley Davidson and Party City.

Just last month, online loyalty sales business Reward, headed by the son of the founder of the English Premier League, announced it would create 60 new jobs in Belfast.

Gavin Dein established Reward in 2001. The company works with major global retailers, such as Amazon, to help optimise their marketing spending by providing loyalty incentives to customers.

Mr Dein said the investment in the company's Ormeau Baths office would help accelerate its growth.
Trade unions have met Bombardier's boss in Canada to raise concerns over the future of thousands of Northern Ireland jobs.

Unite also held a meeting with Canadian union Unifor during their trip to Montreal to meet Alain Bellemare.

The union is now heading to Washington to challenge the US government over Boeing's case against Bombardier sales to America.

Susan Fitzgerald, Unite regional industrial officer, said: "Unlike our own government, the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his government have made it clear that Boeing's corporate bullying, which threatens tens of thousands of jobs globally, will result in entirely avoidable and unnecessary adverse consequences for that company.

"In our meetings with representatives of Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada and our equivalent for workers in Bombardier and in their supply chain there, it was clear that there is a commonality of our concerns in regard to the threat posed by the imposition of crushing tariffs on the C Series.

"The punitive tariffs being threatened by the Trump administration will have a significant impact on Bombardier's extended US supply chain.

"When we arrive in Washington, we will be seeking meetings with as many leading US politicians as possible."
The Prime Minister was speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kalvari in Mumbai on Thursday.

By Sudhi Ranjan Sen: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi reiterated "India wants Security and Growth for all in the Region" (SAGAR) as the first of the Scorpene class submarines-INS Kalvari-formally joined the Indian Navy today . Modi was speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai.

The INS Kalvari is a Scorpene class diesel-electric conventional submarine. It is the first submarine to join the Indian Navy in nearly two decades.

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The Prime Minister said that increased trade and energy flows through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) reiterated India's predominant role in the region, one of the most militarized region in the world.

The upshot of this is more and more nations across the world are trying to dominate the vast waters of the IOR. At any given point of time there are over 100 warships including submarines prowling the Indian Ocean. Importantly, there has been an increase in the presence of Chinese warships and submarines in the IOR. At least 14 Chinese warships and submarines have been spotted in 2017.

By reiterating that India wants security and growth for all, Modi sent out a tacit but clear message to the neighbouring countries especially China, that Indian is the net security guarantor of the region.

The Prime Minister also highlighted his government's efforts to hasten acquisition of defence equipment. India's defence acquisition process is notorious for delays.

The contract to build Scorpene class submarines was inked in 2005, the construction started few years later. And, although the French defence manufacturing giant Naval Group was collaborating with Mazagon Docks, building of the submarine was delayed by at least four years. The Indian Navy hopes that the commissioning of the next five Scorpene submarines will be faster.

File Pic: First submarine commissioned into the Indian Navy, also called INS Kalvari.

India needs at least 24 submarines, but has only 13. And, of the 13 only half are available for deployment at any given time.

Though the depleting number of submarines is a cause of concern, "the two nuclear-powered submarines have been filling-in besides we have very advanced surveillance aircraft that also do submarine hunting", said Vice-Admiral Shekhar Sinha (retd).

India has two nuclear submarines-the indigenously built INS Arihant that can fire nuclear missiles and INS Chakra, the Russian nuclear submarine taken on lease that carries conventional weapons.

Over the past three years, we have changed India's security paradigm, Modi said and added that India now dovetails "defence preparedness, diplomacy and soft power".

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The first submarine to be commissioned into the Indian Navy was also called INS Kalvari. It was a Russian made conventional diesel-electric submarine and also was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 14, 1967.

Commodore KS Subramanian, the captain of the first INS Kalvari, now in his 80s, was also present at the Mumbai docks as the tri-colour went up on the stern of the submarine.

ALSO WATCH | Scorpene-class INS Kalvari commissioned into Indian Navy

--- ENDS ---
Noel McGillian (left) and JJ McGettigan attend a special screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, some scenes of which were filmed on location in Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Noel McGillian (right) and JJ McGettigan attend a special screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, some scenes of which were filmed on location in Ireland, at Letterkenny in Co Donegal. (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Eimear McGillian (centre), wearing a custom made Donegal tweed Jedi robe, Noel McGillian (right) and JJ McGettigan attend a special screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Steel erector Kevin Kelly (L) and scaffold and prop supervisor Eddie Gillan before the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Dominic McDermott with his daughter Aine before the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Steel erector Kevin Kelly holds up his invitation before the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Mark Hamill attends the European premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. (Eddie Mulholland/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)

Mark Hamill had a special message for Ireland as Disney hosted special screenings for Co Donegal residents who helped transform some of the island's best known beauty spots into a galaxy far, far away.

Hamill's Luke Skywalker and co-star Daisy Ridley character Rey appeared in scenes in the Last Jedi that were shot on Ireland's rugged Atlantic coastline.

Those who welcomed and helped the cast and crew on locations that spanned the rocky island of Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry to Ireland's most northerly point, at Malin Head in Co Donegal, were invited to exclusive screenings of The Last Jedi in the early hours of Thursday.

And before the movie started, Hamill said his own thank you in a specially pre-recorded message.

"I can't wait to come back to a country that made me feel like a member of the family," he said.

"So may the force be with you all and pour a pint of Guinness for me, will you."

At Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, two Stormtroopers from a costuming club were waiting to greet more than 200 locals who were involved in the shoot at Malin Head.

The guests were treated to champagne and canapes, courtesy of Donegal County Council, before settling down for their own private showing.

Joe and Geraldine Divers are Ireland's most northerly residents. Their farmland at Malin Head was used as the film crew's base camp.

"I enjoyed the film," said Mr Divers after the show.

Expand Close (Left to right) JJ McGettigan, Eimear McGillian (wearing a custom made Donegal tweed Jedi robe), Bren Whelan (who worked in talent safety on the film set) and Noel McGillian attend a special screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp (Left to right) JJ McGettigan, Eimear McGillian (wearing a custom made Donegal tweed Jedi robe), Bren Whelan (who worked in talent safety on the film set) and Noel McGillian attend a special screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

"I was totally unaware and had no history of Star Wars so when they all arrived it was surreal and to be here tonight and to see the magnitude of the galaxy and how small Malin Head is, it's absolutely amazing."

Mrs Divers said she spotted the landscape she knows so well at different points in the film.

"It's amazing to see it now and it's lovely to have been part of it," she said.

The long-awaited release of the latest episode in the Star Wars saga meant that tradesmen, caterers and other local business owners were finally freed from secrecy agreements that prevented them talking about their experiences.

Scaffolding expert Eddie Gallen and his team built the Millennium Falcon on one of Malin Point's rocky cliff edges.

"Until we saw it finished we only knew then what it was, because everything was done piece by piece," he said.

"When the decorators finally came in and did the decorations and added on the different little gadgets, simple wee things, it turned into a space ship overnight."

Bren Whelan runs a climbing company in Malin Head. His rope skills were used to safely transport Hamill and Ridley on and off rugged outcrops to shoot their scenes.

"This was certainly one of the coolest crews out there," he said.

Expand Close Star Wars Storm Trooper JJ McGettigan of the Emerald Garrison poses at a champagne reception before the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Star Wars Storm Trooper JJ McGettigan of the Emerald Garrison poses at a champagne reception before the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

"Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley were brilliant - really, really nice people, so easy to work for and work with.

"It was really a dream job for someone who works at Malin Head all the time - very unusual and very exciting too."

Dominic McDermott served coffee and tea on set from his mobile refreshment bar.

Expand Close Imelda Mullan with her brother Aidan Mullan after the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Imelda Mullan with her brother Aidan Mullan after the appreciation screening at Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Luke Skywalker was one of his regular visitors.

"Mark Hamill always stopped with us, he'd come behind the bar and pretend to make coffees," he said.

"He loved being in Malin Head, he loved being in Ireland and he loved the people - he would chat and chat to people - it was just a joy to see him."

Hugh Farren runs a pub that sat within the tight security cordon erected round the film set.

"When people see it on the screen it's going to make another big reason for people to come this far north," he said.

"Mark Hamill came to the bar on the Sunday night, after the third day of filming, he came to the bar and I got a photo with him and he signed a boot so I got a little bit of memorabilia to show people - the photo's up on the bar now as well."

Aideen Doherty, from the Donegal Film Office, played a key role in persuading Disney to shoot at Malin Head.

"We are a dot on a map which is a dot on a map on the edge of Europe," she said.

"But we are one of the most spectacular places in the world and Star Wars has demonstrated that to a global audience."
Theresa May and her husband Philip arrive at a function in Londons Banqueting House last night. Left, the PM in the Commons earlier in the day

The DUPs 10 votes in the House of Commons were not enough to save Theresa May from an embarrassing defeat as MPs moved to take back.

In a damaging blow to the Prime Ministers already diminished authority, Tory rebels rallied around ringleader Dominic Grieve to back his attempt to ensure MPs have a meaningful vote on the withdrawal deal.

A dramatic last-minute concession by justice minister Dominic Raab was dismissed as too late by Mr Grieve, whose amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill squeezed through the Commons on a majority of four amid tense scenes in the chamber.

There were 11 Tory rebels in total, according to the official Commons list, with the amendment to the government bill backed by 309 to 305.

Among the rebels was Stephen Hammond, who was immediately sacked as vice-chair of the Conservative Party. One of the two Labour rebels was Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey from Belfast.

All 10 DUP MPs voted with the Government, but despite their support, the amendment still passed.

However, the DUPs Sammy Wilson insisted afterwards that his partys support was still vital to the Government, with which it has a supply and confidence deal.

So far during the passage of the bill to take us out of the EU the votes of the DUP have been vital in nearly half the divisions. And between now and Christmas there will be other vital votes including the inclusion of a definite leaving date in the bill, an amendment which we will be supporting, he said.

The real fight to deliver the will of the people has started in earnest.

Tonights setback highlights the importance of the DUP in this battle where slim majorities may be the order of the day. Mr Wilson also said that last nights vote will ensure that the referendum wreckers have the means to get their way.

The DUP member added: At the very least the vote will prolong uncertainty as the Government will be unable to proceed with legislation which could give assurances to businesses about the regulatory framework they will be working under and EU citizens living in the UK will not have the legal certainty about their status.

At the very worst it will enable those MPs who want to keep the UK in the EU completely or partially to wilfully block a deal and force the Government into the impossible position to go back cap in hand to the EU for new terms.

In fact, EU negotiators now have every incentive to give a really bad deal to the UK.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said Brexiteers need to acknowledge that they created the difficulties surrounding the Northern Ireland border.

The Taoiseach said that he is trying to resolve the issue and ensure that Northern Ireland can retain the "peace and freedom of movement" it has had for the past 20 years.

Speaking on his arrival at the European Summit in Brussels ahead of Brexit negotiations, Mr Varadkar said: "My message to all of the people in Northern Ireland is, what we want to continue on the island of Ireland is exactly what we had for the last 20 years, which is peace and freedom of movement and free trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland and indeed between Ireland and Britain."

He added: "What is disrupting that is Brexit and I would hope that some of the people who supported Brexit and campaigned for that would realise, or at least acknowledge, that they are the ones who created this problem and I am one of those people who is trying to resolve it, trying to retain what we have had for 20 years ... That's what I am working towards."

Mr Varadkar said he is happy with the "maintain full alignment" agreement that was made last week.

"In this backstop scenario the UK and Northern Ireland in particular would maintain full alignment with the rules and regulations of the internal market and customs union.

"That gives us a very strong assurance that there won't be a hard border on the island of Ireland," he added.

Mr Varadkar said that while there are those who want to "spin" what was agreed for their own "political reasons", the language of the agreement is "pretty clear".

Speaking about the meaning of full alignment, he said: "Our view is [the Joint Report] is very strong language. Maintain means 'keep as it is' of course. Full means 'full' not 'partial' and alignment means 'keep in line'."

Earlier Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said that a Brexit transition period needs to be closer to five years than two.

Speaking in the Dail on Thursday Mr Coveney insisted that businesses need time to adapt to any new realities in the context of Brexit.

He also said that, in his view, the commitments that the UK Government has made to Ireland and the rest of the EU are "cast-iron".

Mr Coveney was referring to comments by UK Brexit Secretary David Davis earlier this week that the breakthrough Brexit deal was not legally binding, but rather "more a statement of intent."

The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Theresa May had a short discussion at the end of the evening. They are planning to meet in the new year to discuss Brexit and the Northern Ireland Executive, which collapsed in January.

Following Mr Varadkar's comments the DUP accused him of "politicking".

The party's deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, said: "Mr Varadkar continues to make incomplete commentary around the agreement reached last week. He should stop politicking ahead of his general election and start respecting the unionists of Northern Ireland."

Mr Dodds insisted that as a result of the text of the agreement reached last week between the EU and the UK "Northern Ireland will not just leave the European Union along with the rest of the United Kingdom but it will leave the single market and the customs union along with the rest of the United Kingdom".

He added: "There will be no so-called 'special status' forcing Northern Ireland to stay inside the EU.

"The agreement last week makes it clear that the UK remains committed to preserving the integrity of its internal market and Northern Ireland's place within it, as it leaves the EU's internal market and customs union."
Jayda Fransen, right, arrives at Belfast Laganside Courts along with Paul Golding, left on December 14, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Britain First deputy leader is charged with using 'threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour' relating to a speech she made at a Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in Belfast earlier this year. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The deputy leader of far-right group Britain First today told a court she is to contest hate speech charges in Belfast - as the head of her organisation was arrested over the same rally.

Jayda Fransen, 31, appeared before magistrates in the city to face two counts in connection with comments made a demonstration this summer.

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She is accused of behaviour intending or likely to stir up hatred or fear by using words which were "threatening, abusive or insulting".

The allegations relate to a speech made at a 'Northern Ireland Against Terrorism' rally at City Hall on August 6.

Demonstrators had gathered on the same day as a republican march organised to mark the use of internment without trial by the British Army at the height of the Troubles in 1971.

Fransen, of Beeches Close in Anerly, London, arrived at the Laganside Court complex in Belfast with a group of supporters, including Britain First leader Paul Golding.

As they approached ground floor elevators Mr Golding was detained by police.

Th Police Service of Northern Ireland later confirmed a 35-year-old man had been arrested in the city by detectives investigating speeches made at the rally.

He was taken to Musgrave Station for interview.

Entering the dock dressed in a dark coat and skirt, Fransen spoke to confirm she understood the charges, replying: "Yes."

A detective constable said she could connect her to the alleged offences.

Defence counsel Richard McConkey confirmed Fransen will be fighting the allegations.

"I can indicate there will be not guilty pleas to both charges," he said.

The barrister added that the evidence against his client relates to video footage.

Fransen, who was at the centre of a political storm last month when US President Donald Trump retweeted anti-Muslim videos she posted, remains on bail as the case proceeds.

She is due back in court on January 9.

But before she left for a return to London police and prosecutors sought to have her banned from participating in public rallies.

The detective claimed that a 'Free Speech for Jayda' rally was planned to take place in Belfast last weekend - only being postponed due to snow.

"We have concerns there would be further offences, and also concerns about public order," she said.

Adjourning until later in the court list, District Judge Fiona Bagnall said she wanted more information before imposing any conditions.
Fransen described the charges against her as "nonsense"

Two leaders of the far-right Britain First group have been charged over offences in Northern Ireland.

Paul Golding, 35, was accused of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour during a speech he made in Belfast last summer.

His deputy, Jayda Fransen, 31, appeared in court on Thursday on hate charges related to remarks she made at the same Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in the city in August.

She was re-arrested shortly after the legal proceedings over fresh comments made earlier this week beside a wall dividing Catholics from Protestants in the city to prevent violence during the Troubles. She was later charged with threatening behaviour.

The comments were posted on social media on Wednesday.

The message said it was shot in the staunchly unionist Shankill area of west Belfast. During the video post she criticised Islam.

She is due to appear in court in Belfast again on Friday morning.

Golding was bailed to appear in the same court next month.

Britain First has enjoyed added prominence after US President Donald Trump re-tweeted three unrelated anti-Muslim videos posted by Fransen.

Two featured violent scenes, including someone being pushed off a roof and another person being assaulted.

The group has since boasted it received hundreds of new membership applications and said its Facebook posts were reaching hundreds of thousands more users.

Its leaders face separate legal action in England.

Fransen was detained minutes after appearing before a district judge accused of behaviour intended or likely to stir up hatred arising from her speech in the summer.

The accused, from Anerley in south east London, was before Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with using words which were threatening, abusive or insulting during her address in August .

Police in court sought curbs on her ability to participate in future rallies in Northern Ireland as well as her social media use.

She took to Twitter within minutes of her release on bail and said it was a "nonsense charge".

"I criticise Islam and now they want to send me to prison for two years," she said.

The court ordered her not to go within 500 metres of any demonstration or parade in Northern Ireland as a condition of her release on bail.

The PSNI officer said she was seeking conditions on the accused's bail because of a planned rally - Free Speech For Jayda - on December 10 in Belfast, which was postponed due to snow.

She added: "We were concerned that there would be further offences."

Fransen's barrister Richard McConkey branded the curbs on her freedom of speech disproportionate and said his client was pleading not guilty.

He accused police of trying to use the court to censor a politician.

"This lady is as entitled to free expression within the law as anyone else.

"If there is an offence she will be arrested like everyone else."

District judge Fiona Bagnall said she was not stopping the accused from speaking, rather preventing her from reoffending.

The court was told most of the evidence involved video footage.

Fransen is on bail facing trial over four unrelated 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.

Her first Belfast case is expected to be mentioned again in the city on January 9.
A number of homes have been evacuated overnight in Derry due to a security alert.

A security alert in Londonderry is continuing after a number of homes were evacuated overnight.

Police are at the scene of the alert in Ederowen Park.

Cordons in the area have been reduced and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

A PSNI spokesman said: "Police continue to thank residents for their patience whilst the operation is ongoing."
DUP MP Jim Shannon has tabled a motion calling for the conservation of the "real meaning of Christmas".

In an Early Day Motion put before the House of Commons, Mr Shannon called for the house to recognise "the real meaning of Christmas being the celebration of the birth of Christ".

In the motion, he urges the public to "to keep Christ in their Christmas and to use the time to show love to family, friends, neighbours and community alike".

The motion also takes the opportunity to "wish everyone in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland a very Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year".

It was signed by fellow DUP members Paul Girvan, Emma Little Pengelly, Gavin Robinson and David Simpson.

The nature of Early Day Motions means that this particular proposal is unlikely to go any further.

They are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to particular events, and the majority only attract one or two signatures.
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 14 (PTI) The Tata Group and the US corporate giant GE have signed an agreement to manufacture components for CFM Internationals LEAP engines in the country, which will also serve the American companys global supply chain.

The two companies also announced their intention to jointly pursue military engine and aircraft system opportunities in the country.

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The joint venture will be executed by the Tata Group aerospace arm, Tata Advanced Systems and GE Aviation.

Under the strategic partnership, GE Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems, will join forces to manufacture, assemble, integrate and test aircraft components.

A new centre of excellence will be established to help develop a robust ecosystem for aircraft engine manufacturing and build related capabilities, the company said.

GE military engines have a strong history in the country and it currently provides the jet engines and marine gas turbines for many military applications including the Air Forces light combat aircraft, Tejas MK1, the Navys P-8i aircraft, and P-17 Shivalik class frigates.

Several military programmes under development that include the Tejas MK2, P-17A & P-71 ships, and the AH-64 attack helicopters will be powered by GE engines.

Tata Advanced Systems provides solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security. It has also become a significant player in the global aerospace market, becoming the premier manufacturing partner for global original equipment manufacturers like Boeing.

The LEAP engine, a product of CFM International, is a 50:50 joint company of GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. It has over 26 customers who operate more than 140 aircraft.

The LEAP engine is the worlds leading jet engine known for its technological superiority, efficient fuel consumption, performance for powering single-aisle commercial jets, the Tata Group said in a statement.

The company said the agreement was signed on November 29 in the US.

"The Tata group is a leader in the Indian defence and aerospace sector, and we look forward to working together to meet the growing demand for LEAP engines.

"Our collaboration in building innovative technologies will support the make in India programme of the Indian government," said John L Flannery, chairman and chief executive of GE.

Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran said the group looks forward to working with GE to build more expertise and strengthen the countrys defense manufacturing capabilities.

"Our partnership with GE will help drive synergies in defense manufacturing and focus on innovation to support our armed forces," Chandrasekaran said. PTI BEN DS BEN BEN RYS

--- ENDS ---

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Members of a UVF killer gang flipped a coin to see who would act as the "primary gunman" prior to murdering a Belfast man babysitting his grandchildren, a court has heard.

The shocking details surrounding the murders of five men and the attempts to murder scores more emerged at Gary Haggarty's sentence hearing at Belfast Crown Court yesterday.

The loyalist terror chief turned supergrass admitted involvement in more than 200 offences committed over a 16-year period from 1991 to 2007.

The 45-year old, whose address was given as c/o PSNI Knocknagoney Road, confessed to playing a role in several murders committed in north Belfast and south east Antrim, and conspiring with others to murder scores of other people - including fellow UVF member Mark Haddock, who Haggarty wanted to expose as a police informer.

Senior prosecuting barrister Ciaran Murphy QC told Mr Justice Colton that Haggarty was arrested in August 2009 for the murder of John Harbinson, who was beaten to death in Mount Vernon by the UVF in May 1997.

Following his arrest, Haggarty signed an 'assistant document' the following January in which he implicated himself in multiple serious offences.

Mr Murphy said Haggarty admitted to 200 offences, with a further 301 "taken into consideration".

After being told that one such offence Haggarty admitted to was aiding and abetting the February 1991 murder of Peter McTasney, Mr Justice Colton told Haggarty he was imposing a life sentence. The judge also told Haggarty he will set the tariff at the end of the current proceedings.

Following his arrest and later decision to turn supergrass, Haggarty admitted his role in several murders - including Catholic pensioner Sean McParland.

The retired coal merchant was gunned down as he babysat his four grandchildren in 1994.

The killer gang struck at a house in Skegoneill Avenue, and Haggarty - who was one of the two shooters - later told police a coin was flipped to determine who would be the "primary gunman".

Although the pensioner was not the target, Haggarty later told police he planned to "empty all his rounds into the victim ... my plan was to kill him".

He also confessed to murdering Mr McParland in a bid to disprove suspicions he was a police informer, that he was a "willing participant" and that he "was sorry it was the wrong person killed" and "sorry for the kids who were there".

Haggarty - who, during his time in the UVF, rose to the ranks of battalion commander and provost marshall - also admitted his involvement in the May 1994 sectarian murders of Gary Convie and Eamon Fox.

The workmen died after they were shot by a gunman firing a weapon from a children's playground in north Belfast.

Haggarty was in the area prior to the double murder, shook the gunman's hand as he left the scene just before the killing, and later told police: "I didn't believe the victims were republicans, they were just soft, easy targets."

Prosecuting barrister Ciaran Murphy said Haggarty also confessed to "punishment shootings he admitted he either conducted himself or was involved in". This included the shooting in both hands of a man who stole a car belonging to a senior loyalist.

Amongst the scores of firearms offences, Haggarty admitted arming himself with a Sten Gun and an AK47 in the summer of 2002 "in anticipation of murdering Johnny Adair and others".

Telling the court this offence occurred around the start of the loyalist feud, Mr Murphy said Haggarty got the guns after being told Adair and John White had been seen outside his Mount Vernon home.

Haggarty told police he armed himself with the guns and was prepared to "empty the full clip into the car" if the then UDA chief returned to the area.

Other offences Haggarty admitted were providing weapons for use to kill LVF members, authorising the purchase of weapons from Scotland, and planting a bomb under the vehicle of a Catholic taxi driver from Bawnmore.

He also admitted involvement in a conspiracy to murder Mark Haddock, between January and May 2006. At a time when Haggarty was battalion commander, and Haddock was part of his section but in prison, Haggarty was involved in a murder plot.

Once the Crown's submissions finish, defence barrister Martin O'Rourke QC will address the hearing on Haggarty's behalf, ahead of Mr Justice Colton handing down his sentence.
The controversial Raymond McCreesh park which was named after the IRA man

A process which could result in the closure of a playground named after an IRA hunger striker will be completed within months, the High Court heard on Thursday.

A judge was told that a final decision on the future of Raymond McCreesh Park in Newy is expected by next April. The development in proceedings issued by a grandmother was confirmed after councillors voted in favour of reviewing playgrounds in the area rather than renaming the contentious facilities.

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Bea Worton's challenge has now been taken out of the court list, with a final order in the case expected to be made on Friday. The 89-year-old pensioner was seeking to judicially review Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for alleged bias or irrationally in naming the park after the IRA man.

Her son Kenneth was one of 10 people massacred by the paramilitary grouping at Kingsmill, south Amagh in 1976. McCreesh, from Camlough in Armagh, was reportedly in possession of a rifle used in the killings when he was captured later that year.

He was one of seven IRA prisoners who died in the 1981 Maze Prison hunger strikes. The three other republican prisoners who died during the hunger strikes were members of the INLA.

His convictions included attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life and IRA membership.

Controversy has continued to surround the park since councillors voted to retain the name in February 2015.

Last year the Equality Commission told the local authority it should debate and take a fresh decision on the park.

At a meeting on Wednesday night councillors voted on three options: keep the park's name, rename it or leave it in place pending the outcome of a play strategy which includes a proposal to close either that playground or another in the area.

A majority of 23 representatives from Sinn Fein and the SDLP backed the third option, recommending a review of the land.

The other nine members present voted to change to a "neutral" name, the court heard.

Barrister Paul McLaughlin, for the Council, pointed out: "None voted to keep the name. That is a significant policy direction from the Council."

Mr McLaughlin said consultation on the play strategy is expected to begin next month, with proposals and a resolution anticipated at a meeting in the spring.

"Hopefully by April 9 a final outcome will have been achieved," he added.

"In those circumstances I think the factual background supporting this challenge is wholly different.

"Ultimately the relief sought by the applicant will have been achieved through an alternative course."

Counsel for Mrs Worton, Richard Smith, gave a "cautious" welcome to the developments.

He told Mr Justice McCloskey: "None of them would have happened had Mrs Worton not brought her application before the court.

"Given the direction it's going, we are content in light of the timeframe to allow time and space for that to be followed up."

Following submissions that judge confirmed a full hearing in the case planned for Friday will not go ahead.

Setting out his intention to make some form of final order, he added: "There's no point in having a rolling review, waiting for a whole new decision-making process and the case languishing with no finality, that's going to achieve virtually nothing."
Some of the children accompany Santa's Elves

A Child before the Flight of Dreams organised by Thomas Cook Childrens Charity

Children before and during their Flight of Dreams organised by Thomas Cook Childrens Charity

A child is greeted by Santa's elves ahead of his flight

Children get ready for takeoff before their Flight of Dreams organised by Thomas Cook Childrens Charity

A group of children have been taken on a special festive flight searching for Father Christmas in the skies over Northern Ireland.

For many of the kids, it was their first time on an aircraft.

The flight from Belfast International Airport, involving 220 children and their families, was organised by the Thomas Cook Children's Charity.

It has raised over 1million this year to support charities throughout the UK.

Other 'Flight of Dreams' took place in Manchester and the East Midlands.

At Belfast International Airport, children and their families were greeted by check-in staff dressed in Christmas jumpers, sang carols, had their faces painted and enjoyed festive fun with Santa's elves, Princess Elsa and Batman.

During the one-hour flight, they met Santa onboard the aircraft and received a special Christmas gift.

Aoife McDonogh from the Thomas Cook Children's Charity said: "It was a magical day for all involved.

"For many, this was their very first time on an aircraft and it is fantastic to be able to create memories that I'm sure will stay with them for a long time.

"We are committed to improving children's lives through our Thomas Cook Children's Charity.

"The generosity of staff and holidaymakers means that we are able to bring a lots of smiles to really deserving children and their families."

Graham Keddie, managing director of Belfast International Airport, said he hoped it was a magical experience for the families onboard.

"We are delighted to partner with Thomas Cook for this amazing flight for local children and their families," he said.

"The Flight of Dreams is always a fantastic experience for all involved and we hope everyone involved has had a truly memorable experience."
A jury has taken less than two minutes to decide a sexual attack on a staff nurse was committed in a Finding of Fact procedure

A jury has taken less than two minutes to decide a sexual attack on a staff nurse was committed in a Finding of Fact procedure.

Jonathan Fegan (32), whose address was formerly given as the facility in which the incident occurred, has since been transferred to another unit.

He was not at court for the hearing at Dungannon Crown Court yesterday.

The identities of both facilities and the health trusts cannot be disclosed to protect the victim. Fegan was a patient in the first facility for some time when the attack occurred on May 18, 2016.

The victim, a staff nurse at the facility for over 10 years, was on night duty with a male colleague at the time.

She recalled seeing Fegan "loitering" around her office when she began her shift at 8pm. Soon afterwards she observed him come out of the toilets, naked.

She asked her male colleague to check on Fegan as female staff were under instructions not to be alone with him.

The victim recalled Fegan had been given his medication and understood he was settled down for the night in his room.

However, at around 11.45pm the victim was sitting in a ward office, writing up paperwork.

Sobbing, she explained how Fegan entered the office and attacked her.

Fegan made off and fled to his room, where he got into bed and pulled a sheet over his head.

Both the staff members challenged Fegan on his behaviour, who "aggressively told us to get out of his room. He would not communicate".

Given the nature of the attack, police were called, and Fegan was arrested.

The interview transcript was read to the court by the police officer who questioned Fegan.

Asked why he went to the nurse's office that night, he replied: "To fool around."

When the officer asked Fegan why he was naked, he responded: "I wanted to have sex with (the victim)."

The jury deliberated for just short of two minutes, before returning a unanimous finding that the offence was committed. His Honour Judge Stephen Fowler QC said reports will be prepared, which will address what support is required and measures that can be imposed to reduce risk to the public.

The finding is not a conviction and as such there will be no sentence. However, Fegan will be subject to sex offender notification requirements.

Fegan remains in a secure unit.
Filming for the new Star Wars took place in Malin Head, Co Donegal, Ireland

Mark Hamill had a special message for Ireland as Disney hosted special screenings for locals who helped transform some of the island's best known beauty spots into a galaxy far, far away.

Hamill's Luke Skywalker and co-star Daisy Ridley character Rey appeared in scenes in the Last Jedi that were shot on Ireland's rugged Atlantic coastline.

Those who welcomed and helped the cast and crew on locations that spanned the rocky island of Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry to Ireland's most northerly point, at Malin Head in Co Donegal, were invited to exclusive screenings of The Last Jedi in the early hours of Thursday.

And before the movie started, Hamill said his own thank you in a specially pre-recorded message.

"I can't wait to come back to a country that made me feel like a member of the family," he said.

"So may the force be with you all and pour a pint of Guinness for me, will you."

At Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, two Stormtroopers from a costuming club were waiting to greet more than 200 locals who were involved in the shoot at Malin Head.

The guests were treated to champagne and canapes, courtesy of Donegal County Council, before settling down for their own private showing.

Joe and Geraldine Divers are Ireland's most northerly residents. Their farmland at Malin Head was used as the film crew's base camp.

"I enjoyed the film," said Mr Divers after the show.

"I was totally unaware and had no history of Star Wars so when they all arrived it was surreal and to be here tonight and to see the magnitude of the galaxy and how small Malin Head is, it's absolutely amazing."

Mrs Divers said she spotted the landscape she knows so well at different points in the film.

"It's amazing to see it now and it's lovely to have been part of it," she said.

The long-awaited release of the latest episode in the Star Wars saga meant that tradesmen, caterers and other local business owners were finally freed from secrecy agreements that prevented them talking about their experiences.

Scaffolding expert Eddie Gallen and his team built the Millennium Falcon on one of Malin Point's rocky cliff edges.

"Until we saw it finished we only knew then what it was, because everything was done piece by piece," he said.

"When the decorators finally came in and did the decorations and added on the different little gadgets, simple wee things, it turned into a space ship overnight."

Bren Whelan runs a climbing company in Malin Head. His rope skills were used to safely transport Hamill and Ridley on and off rugged outcrops to shoot their scenes.

"This was certainly one of the coolest crews out there," he said.

"Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley were brilliant - really, really nice people, so easy to work for and work with.

"It was really a dream job for someone who works at Malin Head all the time - very unusual and very exciting too."

Dominic McDermott served coffee and tea on set from his mobile refreshment bar.

Luke Skywalker was one of his regular visitors.

"Mark Hamill always stopped with us, he'd come behind the bar and pretend to make coffees," he said.

"He loved being in Malin Head, he loved being in Ireland and he loved the people - he would chat and chat to people - it was just a joy to see him."

Hugh Farren runs a pub that sat within the tight security cordon erected round the film set.

"When people see it on the screen it's going to make another big reason for people to come this far north," he said.

"Mark Hamill came to the bar on the Sunday night, after the third day of filming, he came to the bar and I got a photo with him and he signed a boot so I got a little bit of memorabilia to show people - the photo's up on the bar now as well."

Aideen Doherty, from the Donegal Film Office, played a key role in persuading Disney to shoot at Malin Head.

"We are a dot on a map which is a dot on a map on the edge of Europe," she said.

"But we are one of the most spectacular places in the world and Star Wars has demonstrated that to a global audience."
Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen and leader Paul Golding in Belfast, Thursday, December 14

Jayda Fransen, right, arrives at Belfast Laganside Courts along with Paul Golding, left, on December 14, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Britain First deputy leader is charged with using "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour" relating to a speech she made at a Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in Belfast earlier this year. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The two most senior figures in far-right group Britain First were both arrested at a court in Belfast on Thursday.

Deputy leader Jayda Fransen was detained for questioning over alleged anti-Islamic comments posted on the organisation's Facebook page.

Read More

Officers made the arrest immediately after she had signed bail on charges of making a hate speech at a rally in the city this summer.

Earlier, the group's leader, Paul Golding, was held in connection with the same incident after he arrived with her at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Police detained him as they approached ground floor elevators and took him for questioning.

During Fransen's appearance in the dock it was confirmed that she is to contest the charges against her.

The 31-year-old faces two counts of behaviour intending or likely to stir up hatred or fear by using words which were "threatening, abusive or insulting".

The allegations relate to a speech made at a 'Northern Ireland Against Terrorism' rally at City Hall on August 6.

Demonstrators had gathered on the same day as a republican march organised to mark the use of internment without trial by the British Army at the height of the Troubles in 1971.

Dressed in a dark coat and skirt, Fransen spoke in court to confirm she understood the charges, replying: "Yes."

Up to 10 men and women gathered in the public gallery to support the Britain First deputy leader.

A detective constable said she could connect her to the alleged offences.

Defence counsel Richard McConkey confirmed she will be fighting the allegations.

"I can indicate there will be not guilty pleas to both charges," he said.

The barrister added that the evidence against his client relates to video footage.

Fransen, who was at the centre of a political storm last month when US President Donald Trump retweeted anti-Muslim videos she posted, was bailed to return to court next month.

As part of those conditions she is banned from being within 500 metres of a public demonstration or rally.

Police and prosecutors sought the restriction amid public order concerns.

The detective claimed that a 'Free Speech for Jayda' rally was planned to take place in Belfast last weekend - only being postponed due to snow.

Fransen had been due to get a mid-afternoon flight back to London following her court appearance.

But the court was told police wanted to speak to her about comments posted on social media earlier this week during her time in Northern Ireland.

She was allegedly involved in a video recorded outside Belfast's Islamic Centre which referred to it as a "den of iniquity".

Detectives then made the arrest after Fransen completed her formalities.

A small group of protestors voiced their objections in the court foyer and outside, with one man telling police: "It's a disgrace what you're doing.
Tariq Bhat and Sumaya Bashir allege that they were fired on their wedding day. The chairman of their school said they were let go because they were in a "romantic relationship" before getting married.

A Pulwama couple were fired from their teaching jobs on their wedding day. Their headmaster said their

By PTI, Press Trust of India: A teacher couple working in a private school in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir were sacked on their wedding day with the school management claiming their "romance could adversely affect the students".

Tariq Bhat and Sumaya Bashir, residents of Tral town in Pulwama, were working in Boys and Girls wings, respectively, of Pampore Muslim Educational Institute for the past several years.

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They alleged their services were abruptly terminated by the school management on November 30, the day they entered the wedlock.

While the principal of the school did not respond to calls for a comment on the sacking, chairman of the school Bashir Masoodi said the duo were relieved from service as they were in a "romantic relationship" before getting married.

"They were having romance and it is not good for the 2,000 students of the school and 200 staff members working there. This can adversely affect the students," Masoodi told PTI.

On other queries, he asked the reporter to "visit the school and talk to the principal for it".

'OUR MARRIAGE WAS ARRANGED'

The couple claimed that they had an arranged marriage.

"Ours was an arranged marriage. We got engaged a few months ago and the entire school management knew about it as Sumaya hosted a party for the staff members soon after the engagement ceremony," Bhat said.

He questioned the school management's claim of "romantic relationship", asking why they were not given an opportunity to explain if it were the case.

"We both applied for leave to get married almost a month before the wedding day and the school management sanctioned the leave. If we were in a romantic relationship, did they come to know of it only after we announced our wedding plans?" Bhat asked.

The couple alleged the school management was "tarnishing" their image.

"We have got married which is the right thing to do from which ever perspective one looks at it. We have not sinned or committed a crime," they said.

ALSO WATCH: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma tie the knot in intimate ceremony in Italy

--- ENDS ---
The commission calls for a UK-wide strategy for loneliness across all ages (John Giles/PA)

The UK needs a government-led national strategy to combat loneliness, according to a commission set up by MP Jo Cox before she was murdered.

The final report of the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission notes that nine million adults in the UK are often or always lonely and that loneliness is as harmful to health as obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The report, published on Friday, says: There is currently a gap in national leadership on loneliness.

While central Government cannot solve loneliness alone, it can play a role in galvanising the key players, catalysing action, assessing and comparing progress, and holding those who need to act accountable.

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In the report, the commission calls for a UK-wide strategy for loneliness across all ages, led by government but built on the insight, expertise and capacity of many others including the NHS, voluntary and community sector and business.

As part of this, the report says, a lead minister should be appointed to drive action on loneliness across government and be accountable to parliament.

The commission also calls for a further development of the current Family Test, through which government policies are assessed to make sure they support strong and stable families, to become a Family and Relationships Test.

The report says: Tackling loneliness is a generational challenge that can only be met by concerted action by everyone  governments, employers, businesses, civil society organisations, families, communities and individuals all have a role to play. Working together we can make a difference.

The cross-party commission was established by Mrs Cox when she was Labour MP for Batley and Spen.

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Its work, which is supported by 13 charities and businesses, was carried forward after she was murdered outside her constituency office in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June 2016.

The final report will be presented in the constituency on Friday by the joint commission chairs, the Labour MP for Leeds West, Rachel Reeves, and Seema Kennedy, the Conservative MP for South Ribble.

The MPs will be joined by Jos sister Kim Leadbeater.

Earlier this week, Ms Reeves described loneliness as having escalated from personal misfortune into a social epidemic.

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She said the architect of the Welfare State, Sir William Beveridge, would have added it to his list of giant evils  want, disease, squalor, ignorance and idleness  if he was starting today.

The joint chairs said: This report shares the ideas the commission has worked on over the past year, and it challenges national government to step forward and lead a renewed push to tackle loneliness.

But we know that loneliness will not end until we all recognise the role we can play in making that happen.

Jo always looked forwards, not back: she would have said that what matters most now are the actions, big and small, that people take in response to the commissions work. Thats a responsibility for all of us.

The reports notes that three-quarters of GPs say they see up to five patients every day who are lonely and that loneliness is estimated to cost employers 2.5 billion every year.

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A Government spokeswoman said: We welcome the work of the Jo Cox Commission and its ambition to combat loneliness. Tackling social isolation and loneliness is of huge importance to the Government.

A number of government initiatives already help to reduce loneliness, such as improved mental health support and funding to create new green spaces for communities, but we are committed to doing more and look forward to setting out plans in the New Year.

The Royal Voluntary Service, which benefited from the Jo Cox Fund, is launching three projects to reduce loneliness and isolation in her former constituency on Friday.

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Chief executive Catherine Johnstone said: We will be running new services including lunch clubs, activities and workshops from the existing Batley Old Peoples Centre as well as a Community Companions scheme which will match up volunteers with lonely people in the area.

We will also be offering support to individuals to help them organise community clubs in the local area through a new Community Connections programme.
Theresa May has insisted that she remains on course to deliver on Brexit despite her humiliating defeat in the House of Commons (Rick Findler/PA)

Theresa May has made clear she will not be deflected from delivering Brexit by her humiliating defeat at the hands of Tory rebels in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister told leaders of the remaining 27 EU states at a summit in Brussels that the UK remains committed to a smooth and orderly withdrawal and that she is personally keen to start discussions on building a close and friendly future relationship as soon as possible.

Her comments came as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the setback would not for one second stop the Brexit process being completed in a very successful and very timely way.

I cant believe for the life of me that Parliament will actually vote to stop or reverse the Brexit process or frustrate the will of the British people, said Mr Johnson at a press conference in London. Thats just not going to happen.

Wednesday nights Commons defeat, on an amendment requiring MPs to be given a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal, was a serious reverse for the PM just days after she finally secured a breakthrough agreement on a divorce deal covering citizens rights, the Irish border and the UKs 39 billion financial settlement.

But other EU leaders played down suggestions it had undermined Mrs Mays authority in Brussels, with Dutch PM Mark Rutte saying she still possessed formidable stature here.

But Luxembourgs PM Xavier Bettel said it would make life more complicated for her by imposing further constraints on the time she has available to secure a deal.

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With the EU27 expected to give the green light on Friday for a move to the second phase of Brexit talks, dealing with the transition to a post-Brexit relationship, Mrs May called for early agreement on an implementation period lasting around two years after the official date of withdrawal in March 2019.

In the face of predictions of lengthy and tough negotiations ahead, she said the successful conclusion of the first phase showed what was possible if both sides approached talks with commitment and perseverance.

Addressing her fellow leaders over dinner in Brussels, Mrs May said she makes no secret of wanting to move on to the next phase and to approaching it with ambition and creativity.

She added: I believe this is in the best interest of the UK and the EU. A particular priority should be agreement on the implementation period so that we can bring greater certainty to businesses in the UK and across the 27.

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The PM was expected to return to the UK late on Thursday, leaving the EU27 to give their seal of approval in her absence to the agreement reached last Friday with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

Leaders including Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel left no doubt that the decision was no more than a formality.

But uncertainty remains over when negotiations on the future trade relationship will begin, with leaked documents suggesting that guidelines for talks on the new relationship will not even be drawn up until March and that no more than a political agreement on trade can be expected by the time of Brexit.

The UK acknowledges that a trade deal cannot be formally concluded until withdrawal has taken place, but senior British officials made clear that they continue to push for the completion of a free trade agreement which will be ready to sign the day after Brexit occurs on March 29 2019.

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There were signs of anxiety from EU leaders that Britain may seek to secure a more generous deal by playing its closest trade partners among the 27 off against the rest.

European Council president Donald Tusk said the next phase of talks would be a real test of the EUs unity, while European Parliament president Antonio Tajani said that unity will be our shield in a difficult set of negotiations.

Despite pressure from fellow leaders to spell out what she wants from a trade deal, Mrs May gave no further detail in her address about the UK Governments preferred end state for its relationship with the EU, which is due to be discussed for the first time by Cabinet next week.
Changes in the Scottish Budget will see income tax bills rise for three out of 10 taxpayers  although more than half will pay less than if they lived south of the border.

The Holyrood Finance Secretary Derek Mackay is proposing a series of changes to the income tax system, which will see the two highest rates increased by 1p.

While the basic rate of income tax will be frozen at 20p, Mr Mackay plans to establish a new intermediate rate of 21p, which would apply to earnings between 24,000 and 44,273.

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But he is also bringing in a starter rate of 19p, which will be paid on the first 2,000 of taxable earnings.

Those earning less than 26,000 a year will pay less in income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the UK, the Scottish Government said.

Its figures showed 55% of Scottish taxpayers will pay less compared to south of the border  with 45% of people paying more.

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In addition almost a third (30%) of taxpayers in Scotland will pay more in income tax next year than in 2017-18  with the changes coming for those on salaries of 33,000 a year and above.

Meanwhile someone in Scotland earning 150,000 will pay 1,774 more than if they lived elsewhere in the UK.

But almost two thirds (64%) of current basic rate taxpayers in Scotland will end up paying less next year than in England.

The Finance Secretary told MSPs at Holyrood: The specific tax reforms I have announced today will raise an additional 164 million for investment in our public service and our economy.

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Mr Mackay went on to state that decisions in the Budget had enabled me to reverse the real terms cut that the UK Government has imposed on our resource budget next year, whilst ensuring that Scotland is not just the fairest taxed part of the UK but, for the majority of taxpayers, the lowest taxed part of the UK.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter: Progressive changes in tax are necessary to protect public services and invest in economy. However, seven in 10 taxpayers will pay less than they do now  and more than half of taxpayers in Scotland will pay slightly less than they do in rest of UK.

The income tax changes were announced as the Scottish Fiscal Commission, set up to provide official tax and economic forecasts for Scotland, warned of a subdued outlook for economic growth.
Theresa Mays Government has suffered a humiliating loss in Parliament as around a dozen Tory MPs voted with the Opposition to ensure a meaningful vote on any Brexit deal.

Tory rebels rallied around ringleader Dominic Grieve, whose amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill squeezed through the Commons on a majority of four.

Delighted Remainers have now co-opted one of Vote Leaves best-known catchphrases from the Referendum campaign to claim theyve taken back control of Parliament.

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Brexiteers said leaving the EU would give the UK a chance to take back control of its borders and its laws, with no more meddling from Brussels.

It wasnt just Labour MPs tweeting the phrase either  former education secretary Nicky Morgan did the same following the vote.

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MPs approved the amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill by 309 votes to 305.

Conservative former attorney general Grieve led the rebellion via his amendment seven, which would require any Brexit deal to be approved by a separate act of Parliament before it could be implemented.

Minutes before the vote, Justice minister Dominic Raab sought to appease would-be rebels by saying the Government would rewrite the Bill to guarantee concessions it had offered but was faced with shouts of too late by some MPs on his side.

In the end, 11 Tories voted against, including Conservative party vice chairman Stephen Hammond, who has since been sacked from his role.

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Remainers are adamant that this is what Leave voters wanted.

Prominent Tory rebel Anna Soubry told Sky News: Nobody takes any pleasure and certainly I dont when the Government loses a vote, these are important things.

But this was a really important moment because it was about actually delivering what the Government said it wanted to do, which was to have a meaningful vote in this place.

The truth is Parliament has been excluded from the whole of the Brexit process and now were back in the frame, and that means we can represent all our voters.

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Some Tory MPs used Twitter to call out their colleagues, with Michael Fabricant saying the votes result showed no respect to the referendum.

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Nadine Dorries, who said shed been a rebel myself, but never when a Marxist government was knocking at the door, called for MPs to be deselected.

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A Downing Street spokesman said: Today the European Parliament voted to move on to the next phase of talks in our departure from the European Union and tomorrow the Prime Minister will be attending European Council in Brussels, working towards the deep and special partnership we all want to see.

We respect the will of the House and will continue to focus on preparing the country to leave the EU in March 2019.
Members of a gay organisation protest the killing of transvestite prostitutes and demand equal rights for gays during the annual LGBQT parade in Asuncion, Paraguay. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Mariana Sepulveda has been stabbed on the street, detained by police and expelled from her high school - all for being transgender in Paraguay, one of the most sexually conservative countries in Latin America.

"I've felt hate for not being heterosexual," said Miss Sepulveda, 32, who now works for an advocacy group. "Raising a family, having a partner, adopting children seems out of reach because there are no legal conditions for us in Paraguay."

A lack of legal protections and prevalent macho attitudes have long stoked discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in the poor, mostly Roman Catholic country.

Advocacy groups fear the stigma and attacks on the LGBQT community could get worse now that the education minister has banned classes about sexual diversity in schools and even volunteered to help burn all books related to the subject.

The ban was implemented in October after the United Nations Children's Fund issued a guidebook for teachers on avoiding discrimination between girls and boys and achieving gender equality.

"We're not going to promote gender ideology," education minister Enrique Riera told local media earlier this year.

"We're going to base ourselves on what is expressed in the constitution, which says that marriage is between a man and a woman."

Gay rights groups say the ban goes against Paraguay's constitution because it is discriminatory and ignores the recommendations by UNICEF and other international organizations.

"We're living a sad time of religious fundamentalism, intolerance and hate that places this country as the most homophobic one of the region," Somos Gay, a Paraguayan gay rights group, said in a statement.

It added that "this situation has an impact on human lives. Hate crimes, bullying and violence are the disastrous consequences of this encouragement of homophobia."

Attitudes about LGBQT rights in Paraguay stand in sharp contrast to other countries in the region.

Neighbouring Argentina lets people change their legal and physical gender identity without having to undergo judicial, psychiatric and medical procedures and has appointed its first transgender police chief.

U ruguay's first transgender senator assumed her seat in October.

Chile's centre -left government is pushing an array of proposed laws to bolster gender rights, such as allowing transgender people to change their legal identities without a judge's approval and reserving 1% of state jobs for transgender applicants.

But conservative institutions such as the Catholic Church retain a strong influence in Paraguay.

"There's the indifference of the state toward sexual minorities to avoid confronting the church," said Ramon Corvalan, a Paraguayan anthropologist. "The lay state thing is just a statement in the constitution. The church is still strong here."

He said that "homophobia in Paraguay has a cultural origin based in male chauvinism" that dates back to wars that shaped the country.

Nearly two of every three Paraguayans died in a disastrous war against Argentina and Brazil in 1865-70. The victorious 1932-35 Chaco War with Bolivia was also devastating. Both left a heavy imbalance between the male and female populations.

"There was an availability of many women for the men who had survived the wars in an effort to repopulate the country," Mr Corvalan said.

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A much-awaited trial involving the lone surviving suspect in the November 2015 Paris massacre looks set to be postponed

A much-awaited trial involving the lone surviving suspect in the November 2015 Paris massacre looks set to be postponed.

The move is due to the appointment of a defence lawyer who still needs time to prepare his client's case.

A Belgian official close to the Paris attacks investigation said that Salah Abdeslam, currently held in France, "will not show up. There will be no transfer" to Brussels on Monday for the opening day of the court case.

The trial relates to a shooting in 2016 in Brussels, some four months after the Paris attacks, which left 130 people dead.

Belgian prosecutors allege Abdeslam was involved in the 2016 shooting as police were looking for him, when he was on the run.

The official added that the case will open on Monday, explaining that the lawyer is expected to show up and ask for a postponement.
Zimbabwe's new leader has called for the "unconditional lifting" of sanctions that he says has crippled the once-prosperous country's development.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke to the ruling party's Central Committee on Thursday, a day before the party is expected to endorse him as its candidate for next year's election.

He said the government will do all in its power to make sure the election is "credible, free and fair".

Mr Mnangagwa was sworn in last month after Robert Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military and ruling party following 37 years in power.

Now Mr Mnangagwa's challenge is to attract foreign investment and revive a shattered economy.

His new comments promise a "robust engagement process" and measures to make Zimbabwe "a place where capital feels safe".
A number of cities across the United Kingdom were preparing bids to become the European Capital of Culture, and here in Northern Ireland a joint bid was being prepared by Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane. However, any bid from the United Kingdom has now been ruled out, because of the decision to leave the European Union.

Some people will look on this with disappointment, but there is no reason why we should not turn this into an even better cultural opportunity.

I want to suggest that we do so by celebrating the best of British culture with another Festival of Britain, which could include contributions from cities and towns across every part of the United Kingdom.

I say another, because there was a previous Festival of Britain, back in 1951. The idea had emerged during the Second World War, and the festival took place just six years after the end of the conflict.

The choice of year may also have been influenced by the fact that it was the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The main festival site was on the South Bank in London, but this was a nationwide celebration and there were events and exhibitions in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, as well as across England, Scotland and Wales.

There was a focus on the arts, architecture, science, technology, industrial design and all sorts of traditional arts and crafts, but there was a wide range of events, appealing to a wide range of audiences, a wide range of interests and to all ages.

The festival opened on May 4, 195,1 and newspapers reported: Throughout Ulster last night, church bells were rung for two hours to mark the opening of the Festival of Britain.

Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and other youth organisations in Ulster joined in lighting bonfires ... In Great Britain, there were similar celebrations by youth organisations.

The main exhibition site for Northern Ireland was at Castlereagh, and it had a focus on industry and farming, as well as a programme of activities for adults and children.

Urban and rural councils across Ulster organised their own programmes, but it was not left to councils alone. What is now known as civic society threw itself wholeheartedly into the festival and churches held Festival of Britain services of thanksgiving and dedication.

Schools, colleges and universities played their part, as did most organisations and societies, and every day our local newspapers reported on the events of the previous day, as well as providing news of forthcoming events.

The magnificent John Luke mural in the City Hall was commissioned for the festival, but this was not the only local arts commission. The Ulster Savings Committee commissioned a statue symbolising thrift, by the sculptor John Knox. The figure of a girl gleaning wheat now stands in the grounds of Stormont, close to the Massey Avenue entrance.

There was a Festival of Britain ship, the Campania, which served as a floating exhibition hall.

It visited ports around the UK, including Belfast, and perhaps for a future Festival of Britain, Londonderry could be added to the list of ports, as well as Belfast.

This could be an opportunity for the people of the United Kingdom to celebrate the best of British endeavour, the best of British culture and heritage, across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It could be a looking back at past achievements, a look around us at Britain today and a confident look forward to the future.

Too often we hear the strident and belligerent voices of those who want to denigrate our past and eradicate any sense of national pride.

The people of the UK should not allow those dissident voices to dominate the public space, and this would be an opportunity to celebrate the best of Britishness.

Of course, it would take some years to organise another Festival of Britain, so as regards an appropriate year, I would suggest 2021, the centenary of Northern Ireland.

What better year could there be than that?
A school in Jammu and Kashmir sacked two teachers on their wedding day. According to the school management, their romance could adversely affect the students.

By PTI, India Today Web Desk: Two teachers working in a private school in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir were sacked on their wedding day with the school management claiming their "romance could adversely affect the students".

Tariq Bhat and Sumaya Bashir, residents of Tral town in Pulwama, were working in Boys and Girls wings, respectively, of Pampore Muslim Educational Institute for the past several years.

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They alleged their services were abruptly terminated by the school management on November 30, the day they entered the wedlock.

While the principal of the school did not respond to calls for a comment on the sacking, chairman of the school Bashir Masoodi said the duo was relieved from service as they were in a "romantic relationship" before getting married.

"They were having romance and it is not good for the 2,000 students of the school and 200 staff members working there. This can adversely affect the students," Masoodi told PTI.

On other queries, he asked the reporter to "visit the school and talk to the principal about it".

The couple claimed that they had an arranged marriage.

"Ours was an arranged marriage. We got engaged a few months ago and the entire school management knew about it as Sumaya hosted a party for the staff members soon after the engagement ceremony," Bhat said.

He questioned the school management's claim of "romantic relationship", asking why they were not given an opportunity to explain if it were the case.

"We both applied for leave to get married almost a month before the wedding day and the school management sanctioned the leave. If we were in a romantic relationship, did they come to know of it only after we announced our wedding plans?" Bhat asked.

The couple alleged the school management was "tarnishing" their image.

"We have got married which is the right thing to do from which ever perspective one looks at it. We have not sinned or committed a crime," they said.

(With inputs from PTI)

--- ENDS ---
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Is AMR Modern-day FRANKENSTEINS MONSTER?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to pose a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and economic loss. The rising AMR is a matter of huge concern that needs to be tactfully handled and health authorities of several countries, including India, have formulated action plans for its containment. Significant efforts by the government, an active involvement of startups and diagnostic players is a good start. The question remains, whether this will be enough.

For Feedback, please email us at: communications@mmactiv.com
FDA warns companies for promoting Coco Loko, a snortable chocolate powder, and Legal Lean, a drink, as alternatives to street drugs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a warning letter to the marketers and distributors of Legal Lean Syrup, a drink, and Coco Loko, a "snortable" chocolate powder, for selling unapproved new drugs and misbranded drugs.

The warning letter explains how the claims made in the promotional materials for Legal Lean Syrup and Coco Loko demonstrate that the products are intended to be used as alternatives to illicit street drugs and that the products, as labeled and marketed, may pose safety concerns.

Drug abuse is a serious public health issue, and the FDA is concerned that products like Legal Lean Syrup and Coco Loko encourage drug abuse in individuals, including minors.

Street drug alternatives are products that claim to mimic the effects of recreational drugs and are intended to be used for recreational purposes to affect psychological circumstances.

"As a physician and a parent, I'm deeply troubled by the unlawful marketing of these potentially dangerous products, especially since they are so easily accessible by minors.Encouraging the use of snortable chocolate as an alternative to illegal street drugs is not acceptable There are very real consequences to snorting any powder, not to mention the societal dangers of promoting drug abuse," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.

He added further"At a time where drug addiction is threatening the fabric of American society, we must take action when we see efforts that may further fuel illicit drug abuse. We'll continue to vigorously target bad actors that sell unapproved products, including products that contain undeclared drug ingredients."

Coco Loko is described as a "snuff" and promoted to be "snorted" (inhaled intranasally).

Intranasal administration of a powder substance can trigger spasms of the vocal cords making it difficult to speak or breathe (laryngospasm) or tightening of the muscles that line the airways in the lungs (bronchospasm) and may also induce or exacerbate asthma.

The ingredients listed on the product label for Coco Loko also include taurine and guarana, neither of which has been evaluated for intranasal administration.

An FDA laboratory analysis found that Legal Lean Syrup contained the active pharmaceutical ingredient doxylamine, which was not included in the product labeling.

FDA-approved products that contain doxylamine warn against its use with alcoholic beverages and instruct people with certain medical conditions to consult a physician before use.

Furthermore, the inclusion of undeclared doxylamine in Legal Lean Syrup poses a potentially serious risk to those who have already had adverse reactions to this ingredient and whose physicians have advised them to avoid it.

In general, products that contain undeclared drug ingredients pose a serious health risk, because consumers with underlying medical issues may take the products without knowing of any potential side effects or interactions.

The companies have 15 days to respond to the FDA and correct the issues noted, or they may face regulatory action.
The group was formed by Chandra Pulla Reddy who was contemporary to communist revolutionary Charu Majumdar of Naxalbari movement.

By Ashish Pandey: In a massive success to Telangana greyhound, the elite anti-Maoist unit gunned down eight members of Maoist splinter group CPI(ML) (Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction).

The encounter which took place early this morning in the deep forest of Bhadradri Kothagudem District bordering Chhattisgarh.

A police statement confirmed the death of 8 members of the Maoist group.

After a brief gun battle the police team recovered 2 SLR, 2 8MM rifle and other weapons including .12 bore rifle from the encounter spot along with the dead bodies of the rebels.

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The group was formed by Chandra Pulla Reddy who was contemporary to communist revolutionary Charu Majumdar of Naxalbari movement.

In today's encounter a major group was wiped out by Telangana police which was active in the state.

--- ENDS ---
The report is a key point of discussion at the global Universal Health Coverage Forum 2017, currently taking place in Tokyo, Japan

The findings, released recently in Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2017 Global Monitoring Report says that at least half of the worlds population cannot obtain essential health services, according to a new report from the World Bank and WHO. And each year, large numbers of households are being pushed into poverty because they must pay for health care out of their own pockets.

Currently, 800 million people spend at least 10 percent of their household budgets on health expenses for themselves, a sick child or other family member. For almost 100 million people these expenses are high enough to push them into extreme poverty, forcing them to survive on just $1.90 or less a day.

The report is a key point of discussion at the global Universal Health Coverage Forum 2017, currently taking place in Tokyo, Japan.

Convened by the Government of Japan, the Forum is co-sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), UHC2030 which is the leading global movement advocating for UHC, UNICEF, the World Bank, and WHO.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank President Kim, WHO Director-General Tedros and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake will all be in attendance, in addition to heads of state and ministers from over 30 countries.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO said, "It is completely unacceptable that half the world still lacks coverage for the most essential health services. And it is unnecessary. A solution exists: universal health coverage (UHC) allows everyone to obtain the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship."

Dr. Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group President said, The report makes clear that if we are serious  not just about better health outcomes, but also about ending poverty  we must urgently scale up our efforts on universal health coverage. Investments in health, and more generally investments in people, are critical to build human capital and enable sustainable and inclusive economic growth. But the system is broken: we need a fundamental shift in the way we mobilize resources for health and human capital, especially at the country level. We are working on many fronts to help countries spend more and more effectively on people, and increase their progress towards universal health coverage."

On a positive side, The report shows that the 21st century has seen an increase in the number of people able to obtain some key health services, such as immunization and family planning, as well as antiretroviral treatment for HIV and insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria. In addition, fewer people are now being tipped into extreme poverty than at the turn of the century.

There are wide gaps in the availability of services in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. In other regions, basic health care services such as family planning and infant immunization are becoming more available, but lack of financial protection means increasing financial distress for families as they pay for these services out of their own pockets, according to report.

This is even a challenge in more affluent regions such as Eastern Asia, Latin America and Europe, where a growing number of people are spending at least 10 percent of their household budgets on out-of-pocket health expenses. Inequalities in health services are seen not just between, but also within countries: national averages can mask low levels of health service coverage in disadvantaged population groups. For example, only 17 percent of mothers and children in the poorest fifth of households in low- and lower-middle income countries received at least six of seven basic maternal and child health interventions, compared to 74 percent for the wealthiest fifth of households.

Katsunobu Kato, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan said, Past experiences taught us that designing a robust health financing mechanism that protects each individual vulnerable person from financial hardship, as well as developing health care facilities and a workforce including doctors to provide necessary health services wherever people live, are critically important in achieving 'Health for All. I firmly believe that these early-stage investments for UHC by the whole government were an important enabling factor in Japans rapid economic development later on."

The Forum is the culmination of events in over 100 countries, which began on Dec. 12Universal Health Coverage Dayto highlight the growing global momentum on UHC. It seeks to showcase the strong high-level political commitment to UHC at global and country levels, highlight the experiences of countries that have been pathfinders on UHC progress, and add to the knowledge base on how to strengthen health systems and effectively promote UHC.

Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director said, "Without health care, how can children reach their full potential? And without a healthy, productive population, how can societies realize their aspirations? Universal health coverage can help level the playing field for children today, in turn helping them break intergenerational cycles of poverty and poor health tomorrow."
Mundipharma has become a global leader in developing medical solutions.

Singapore Business Review lauded the most exceptional business leaders in Singapore at the recent Management Excellence Awards with Mundipharma CEO, Raman Singh, winning Executive of the Year in the Pharmaceuticals category for his transformative leadership of the organisation.

Now on its third year, the Management Excellence Awards recognises exemplary top-level management executives whose initiatives have brought tangible business gains for their companys operations. The awards gala dinner was held recently at Conrad Centennial Singapore.

With Mr Singh at the helm, Mundipharma has become a global leader in developing medical solutions and achieved extraordinary growth with its healthcare operations now touching the lives of people in over 120 countries.

Im very proud of this accolade  its very much a testament to the quality of our people and their exceptional hard work, said Mr Singh.

This award follows Mr Singh being named: Best CEO, Pharmaceutical Industry Asia 2017 by Business Worldwide magazine; a Finalist for Leader of the Year at the 2017 Scrip Awards in the UK, a Finalist for CEO of the Year at the 2017 CNBC Asia Business Leaders Awards; and the only Asia-based executive in UK-based Medicine Makers Top Ten Most Influential People in the World 2017  for the third consecutive year.
World Breastfeeding Week 2019: What Are The Benefits Of Breastfeeding For The Mother And The Baby? Postnatal oi-Swaranim Sourav

Breast milk comes with amazing benefits and its value extends beyond daily nutrition. Not only does breast milk contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins, but it also helps in fighting diseases and infections and protects the baby from several illnesses. It is highly recommended to feed the baby with breast milk for at least six months. However, the mother is free to feed the baby even beyond that, as it really improves the baby's immunity.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the globe from August 1 to August 7 to promote and support breastfeeding and to improve the babies health around the world. This event also focuses on maternal health, good nutrition, poverty reduction and food security.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding For The Baby

1. Protects from infections and diseases

According to studies, babies that are breastfed are at a lower risk of contracting any serious diseases. Ear infections, respiratory tract problems, meningitis, stomach flu, etc., are less likely to be found in infants who are breastfed. Even if they are found, they are mild. When babies are solely on breast milk without the consumption of solid food, water or formula milk, they have better chances of remaining healthy.

A study done showed that infants aged between 28 days and 1 year have higher mortal risk when they are not breastfed post birth. Longer breastfeeding results in the longevity of babies. Colostrum, which is the first milk produced by the mother's body, is rich in immunoglobulin A (IgA). This is a substance secreted to provide immunity. However, as the milk attains maturity, this secretion becomes slightly less.

IgA forms a defensive barrier on the mucous membrane of the baby's throat, neck, nose, intestines, etc., and protects the organs from germs.

Besides, a mother's milk is specifically produced for her baby's requirements. Whatever harmful pathogens the mother is exposed to, her milk has the required IgA to protect against those viruses and bacteria. Hence the baby stays protected from the environment the mother is exposed to.

2. Prevents cancer and diabetes

The breastmilk contains certain antibodies that inhibit the development of cancer in babies and boost their immunities [1] . Also, it prevents the occurrence of major diseases like high cholesterol, diabetes of type 1 and 2, inflammatory bowel symptoms, etc., in the later stages of life. Babies that have not been properly breastfed have been found to be at a higher risk of contracting ulcer colitis, high blood pressure and Crohn's disease.

3. Protects from allergies

Babies that are fed formula milk or other market-available milk are more prone to develop allergic reactions. Immunoglobulin A plays a major role in the protection of babies against germs, because of its protective barrier on intestinal tracts. In the absence of mother's milk, IgA can never come into play. The intestines may also develop leaky syndrome. Proteins, when not properly broken down, can cross over in the gut lining causing serious health issues for the baby. Inflammation and allergies can become highly frequent.

4. Improves intelligence

Scientists have found connections between breastmilk and cognitive abilities. Children that have been fed mother's milk for a longer time have been found to possess higher IQs. Infants who had low birth weight, who were fed on breastmilk right from the start, had better mental development post 18 months than the infants who were not treated the same [4] .

The fatty acids in breast milk are essential for babies' mental growth; nevertheless, the emotional bonding between the mother and baby during the breastfeeding can also be a factor.

5. Lowers the risk of obesity

It has been observed that breast milk offers the child a lower risk of obesity or high cholesterol while development. That effect also lasts until teenage or further. The longer the baby has been breastfed, the higher its chances of surviving obesity. Breastfeeding can impact weight issues due to following reasons.

Babies on breast milk usually feed till they feel full and satisfied. This helps them to develop better eating habits while growing up [3] .

. The amount of insulin in breast milk is less than formula milk and insulin increases the production of fats in the body.

Breast milk contains more leptin in it which is essential to regulate appetite and fat content in the body.

Babies that are fed on formula milk instead of breastmilk tend to gain weight faster in the first few weeks, which later becomes responsible for obesity.

6. Lowers the risk of SIDS in babies

Breastfeeding effectively prevents SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in children [2] . Feeding breastmilk exclusively for 6 months can be really helpful to fight against this syndrome.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding For The Mother

1. Helps to lose weight

Women tend to gain weight post pregnancy. However, breastfeeding helps the mother to maintain her weight effortlessly. Her body starts burning more energy to put that nutrition into her milk and the hormones start balancing themselves accordingly. Due to this reason, lactation in women increases their appetite and capacity to store fat within their bodies for the production of milk.

For a couple of months, the mother might feel that she is not losing any weight compared to women who don't breastfeed. However, post 3-4 months, they will observe that they are burning more fat than before. Breastfeeding women post 6 months of delivery have been known to shed more pounds [9] . Yet, a certain amount of healthy diet and exercise would still be helpful to remove that extra layer.

2. Helps in the contraction in uterus

Pregnancy is responsible for the growth of uterus. From the size of a pear, it widens to the size of the entire abdomen. Post-delivery, the uterus undergoes a process of retraction to normal size through involution. The main hormone responsible to cause this action is oxytocin, which stays pretty active during pregnancy.

Oxytocin is released in high volumes by the body during labour, for the easy delivery of baby and reduced bleeding [8] . It is also secreted during breastfeeding to help in the contraction of uterus. Breastfeeding helps mothers with reduced loss of blood after labour, and faster contraction of the uterus.

3. Decreases the chance of depression

Almost 15 per cent of women suffer from depression post labour. This can be due to several reasons. But women that wean later in life or breastfeed their babies regularly are less likely to suffer from depression compared to women who don't. Women who have trouble in breastfeeding their infants postpartum or who do it for a short duration are higher on the radar of depression as well [7] .

Although the reasons are unclear, it is conclusive that women who breastfeed have more maternal feelings and emotional bonding with their children due to the hormones. This helps them stay happy from within.

Oxytocin is produced highly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This chemical helps in the reduction of anxiety. It affects certain areas inside the brain that develop nurturing and relaxed attitude in the mother. These mothers are less likely to neglect their child compared to women who avoid breastfeeding.

However, these are pure statistical records and by no means have they concluded any surety.

4. Reduces risk of diseases

Breastfeeding defends the mother against several diseases like cancer, intestinal ulcer, etc [6] . The amount of time a woman spends on this activity is directly proportional to her protection from breast, uterus or ovarian cancer. Each year of breastfeeding lowers down her risk of cancer by 4.3 per cent.

Metabolic syndrome, which is accountable to increase chances of heart diseases and major health problems, is significantly reduced in mothers that feed their babies for 1-2 years. They suffer from the lower risk of arthritis, blood pressure issues, diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, etc.

5. Prevents mothers from menstruating

Consistency in breastfeeding can cause the ovulation cycle and periods to halt. It is the nature's way of giving the woman relaxation time to conceive again. Also, it is an efficient method to control birth after a few months of the baby's delivery [5] . Nonetheless, it cannot always be the sureshot method to avoid pregnancy.

6. Saves money and time

Formula milk is costly. Breastfeeding can really cut down this unnecessary cost.

Also, formula milk needs to be fed from sterilized bottles. Cleaning them regularly can be a hassle for the mother when she has other things to take care of. When the baby wakes up in the middle of the night for food, she won't have to warm and mix milk in bottles at all. It will no longer be an exhausting task for her to plan how to carry warm bottles while travelling.

How Long Should You Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is extremely important for the first 6 months, as the child gets to derive maximum nutrition out of mother's milk. If it is stopped before this, the child is more likely to suffer from chronic diseases and allergies.

Indeed, WHO and UNICEF advice breastfeeding for more than a year. Small amounts of solid food can be added to its routine along with breastmilk, for up to 3 years. The longer the baby feeds on mother's milk, the healthier it turns out to be in adult life.

View Article References [1] Sadeharju, K., Knip, M., Virtanen, S. M., Savilahti, E., Tauriainen, S., Koskela, P., ... & Finnish TRIGR Study Group. (2007). Maternal antibodies in breast milk protect the child from enterovirus infections. Pediatrics, 119(5), 941-946. [2] Chung, M., Raman, G., Chew, P., Magula, N., Trikalinos, T., & Lau, J. (2007). Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries. Evid Technol Asses (Full Rep), 153(153), 1-186. [3] Dewey, K. G., & Lonnerdal, B. (1986). Infant selfregulation of breast milk intake. Acta Paediatrica, 75(6), 893-898. [4] Vohr, B. R., Poindexter, B. B., Dusick, A. M., McKinley, L. T., Wright, L. L., Langer, J. C., & Poole, W. K. (2006). Beneficial effects of breast milk in the neonatal intensive care unit on the developmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months of age. Pediatrics, 118(1), e115-e123. [5] Van der Wijden, C., Brown, J., & Kleijnen, J. (2003). Lactational amenorrhea for family planning. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (4). [6] Ip, S., Chung, M., Raman, G., Trikalinos, T. A., & Lau, J. (2009). A summary of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's evidence report on breastfeeding in developed countries. Breastfeeding medicine, 4(S1), S-17. [7] Dennis, C. L., & McQueen, K. (2007). Does maternal postpartum depressive symptomatology influence infant feeding outcomes?. Acta paediatrica, 96(4), 590-594. [8] Prevost, M., Zelkowitz, P., Tulandi, T., Hayton, B., Feeley, N., Carter, C. S., ... & Gold, I. (2014). Oxytocin in pregnancy and the postpartum: relations to labor and its management. Frontiers in public health, 2, 1. [9] Jarlenski, M. P., Bennett, W. L., Bleich, S. N., Barry, C. L., & Stuart, E. A. (2014). Effects of breastfeeding on postpartum weight loss among US women. Preventive medicine, 69, 146-150.
By PTI: Muzaffarnagar (UP), Dec 14 (PTI) Tension mounted in a village in neighbouring Shamli district today after an 18- year-old girl returning home from college was killed, prompting police to deploy additional police force in the area.

The girl, a Class 12 student, was allegedly killed using a sharp-edged weapon by a man who had made unsuccessful advances to her at Ghar Shayam village in Kandhla police station area of Uttar Pradeshs Shamli district yesterday.

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Police have registered a case against Amarpal Gujjar (26) and three other unidentified men, a police officer said.

All the accused were on the run, the officer added.

A search has been launched to nabbed the accused.

Security has been tightened in the village and additional police force has been deployed in the area to ease tension, the police officer said.

The brother of the girl demanded immediate arrest of the accused. PTI CORR SMN

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India is one of the best places to indulge in volunteer travelling and the trend is seeing a rise in interest.

By Adila Matra: Volunteering might not be as tedious as it sounds if you can pair it with travel.

Volunteer tourism or voluntourism as it is called is a growing trend among Indian travellers. Volunteering for a worthy cause alongside participating in touristy activities is perhaps the best way to spend a holiday. The trend of voluntourism has come about partly through initiatives by large-scale, well-established organisations.

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Viren Batra, founder of Nirvana Travel, says that the destinations that are trending for volunteer tourism right now are Africa, Thailand, Nepal and Brazil. "India has also come up as a destination for aid workers and volunteer tourists in recent years. It is one of the fastest growing trends in travel today, with more than 1.6 million volunteer tourists travelling each year, most of them are students looking to fill their gap years or professionals interested in making a difference."

Learn about infrastructure building in Ladakh.

Jay Kantawala, co-founder of WIYO Travel, says, "A few destinations which interest travellers for volunteer tourism are Ladakh (teaching and infrastructure building are the activities which are important in this region), Auroville, Pondicherry (organic farming, social work and construction) and Jaipur (teaching therapy to children with multiple disabilities).

Teaching therapy to children with multiple disabilities is the main volunteer activity in Jaipur. Teaching therapy to children with multiple disabilities is the main volunteer activity in Jaipur.

Rohan Prakash, Business Head, Trip 360 degrees powered by Cox & Kings, says, "Both the demand and supply in this sphere is growing. We are working in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to develop initiatives that let our guests experience the local culture and moreover be a part of the community. This leads to exchange of ideas and is a win-win situation for both the locales and guests. Our Maharashtra rural circuits take people to explore remote rural settlements while we put together a tour stitched with cultural performances, homestays, village food, agricultural activities and so on. Whereas in Madhya Pradesh, we aim to create a platform that allows our guests to learn about environmental conservation and showcase our efforts to reduce deforestation."

Travelling for volunteering is emerging as a trend in India

Trip 360 degrees has 'A Day in Rural India' package that starts from Mumbai and costs Rs 1,800 per head. "Aloof from the rest of the world, living in peace and harmony within their community are the tribes of Jawhar. Trip 360 degrees's rural tours let you experience life with nature, people and simplicity. The very trip that benefits the community by you signing up lets you learn Warli art, basket making and offers you a chance to try cow dung flooring. A great day put up by the tribes themselves, it offers a sneak peek at their tribal dance form and the unexplored waterfall in the backyard," adds Prakash.

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Also Read:What is divorce tourism? Why is the trend catching on?

Globally, Africa is one the most popular destinations for volunteer tourism.

While this may sound amazing, it can swing either ways, depending on what they do, and what kind of an effect it has on the local communities. "For instance, voluntourists who travel to a country for a week or two for temporary medical clinics or visiting orphanages or those who teach English during vacations or those who treat this as a way to discover "the real culture' of the destination, all tend to do more harm than good. On the other hand, sometimes volunteers have a specific knowledge base that can benefit communities, such as IT skills or speaking English as a native language," says Batra of Nirvana. About five years ago, voluntourism was not very popular back home, but it is now that we see a growing interest by both NGOs and tourism organisations partnering. Interested tourists can opt for adventure with volunteering, solo leisure trips with volunteering, trips with the disabled, volunteering at rural tours and more.

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Update 4.20pm: Muslim nations have "rejected and condemned" President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and have called on the world to recognise east Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.

The Istanbul Declaration on Freedom for al-Quds, the Arabic name of Jerusalem, follows today's extraordinary summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he talks during the closing news conference following the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul today. Pic: Onur Coban/Pool Photo via AP

The final communique is a softened version of an earlier draft.

With it the organisation declares the US announcement as "null and void", while inviting Mr Trump to reconsider and rescind the "unlawful decision that might trigger chaos in the region".

The declaration calls on countries who have not yet recognised Palestine to do so and invites "the whole world to recognise East Al Quds as the capital".

Mr Trump's declaration last week upended decades of US foreign policy and went against an international consensus that Jerusalem's final status, one of the thorniest issues in the Middle East conflict, should be decided by Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

AP

Update 1.15pm: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has told Arab and Islamic leaders that the United States is no longer fit to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal and should be replaced as mediator by the United Nations.

His remarks outlined a significant policy shift in response to President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Mr Abbas said his people will no longer accept the United States as a peace broker but added that they remain committed to international resolutions which have formed the basis of the process.

He was speaking at the gathering of heads of state and top officials from Islamic nations at a summit in Turkey that is expected to forge a unified Muslim worlds stance against Mr Trumps move.

Mr Abbas said Mr Trumps decision was a "crime" which came at a time when the Palestinians were engaged with Washington in a new push to reach what he said was anticipated to be the "deal of our times".

"Instead we got the slap of our times," Mr Abbas said.

"The United States has chosen to lose its qualification as a mediator ... We will no longer accept that it has a role in the political process from now."

The speech marked a significant shift in Mr Abbas approach toward the United States, after years of focusing on courting US goodwill because of Washingtons role as sole mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Immediately after Mr Trumps announcement last week, Mr Abbas had said the US effectively disqualified itself as a broker, but todays speech was more sharply worded and delivered to a global audience.

It was also part of a speech that called on the gathering for specific steps to counter the US decision on Jerusalem.

"We call that the (peace) process in its entirety be transferred to the United Nations," Mr Abbas said.

He also called on countries that believe in the two-state solutions to recognise Palestine as a state, and urged Arab and Muslim nations to financially support east Jerusalem.

Mr Abbas also urged Muslim nations and countries with relations with Israel to take necessary political and economic measures against Israel "to force it to abide by international consensus" to end its occupation of Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem.

Last week, Mr Abbas aides said the Palestinian leader would not meet with Mike Pence during the US vice presidents planned visit to Israel and the West Bank next week.

Mr Abbas had initially planned to meet with Mr Pence in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem, but two senior aides have said the meeting would not take place because of Mr Trumps move on Jerusalem.

The Istanbul gathering of heads of state and top officials from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was also an opportunity for the Muslim world to offer its strongest response yet to Washingtons move.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the current president of the OIC, called on countries to urgently recognise the Palestinian state and Jerusalem as its capital.

Mr Erdogan has been among the most vocal critics of Trumps announcement. In remarks to the summit, he said Israel is an "occupying state" and a "terror state".

Jerusalems status is at the core of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Mr Trumps December 6 announcement was widely perceived as siding with Israel.

It also raised fears of more bloodshed as past crises over Jerusalem had triggered violent outbreaks.

King Abdullah II of Jordan told the gathering that the Trump decision was "grave", threatening the resumption of any peace talks.

AP
After nearly 57 years as Australia's shopping centre czar, Sir Frank Lowy has opened up about the reasons he is walking away.

On Monday, it was announced that Europe's largest listed commercial property company, Unibail-Rodamco, agreed to buy his Westfield Corp in a $32.8 billion deal.

In an interview with The Australian Financial Review, Sir Frank said it was time to step away from the "useless formalities of public life".

"It took away a lot of the pleasure," Sir Frank told the AFR.
BHP, is tipped to unveil a boost for shareholders in early 2018, in the form of an on-market buyback of its London-listed stock, which investment bank UBS expects to be announced at the miners interim results in February.

UBS also predicts good cheer next year for investors in other mining companies, with overall returns from miners expected to be bigger in 2018 than in 2017. And it says that the diversified, mid-tier miner South32 may announce a special dividend.

A truck works at BHP's Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

In a new report titled Australian Resources. 2018 Outlook: Cash focus to remain, UBS forecasts firm commodity prices in 2018, along with healthy profits.

We believe another wave of cash returns to shareholders is likely in the February 2018 reporting period. The continuation of this theme is likely to continue to attract the marginal global investor, who we believe is underweight mining, back to the sector, UBS said.
Rebel Wilson is not the biggest headache facing German publishing billionaire, Yvonne Bauer, as her local publishing group Bauer Media prepares a legal challenge to the multi-million dollar defamation payout awarded to the Aussie actor.

The woes of Australia's magazine publishers don't bear thinking about, and Wilson's $4.5 million win is just a drop in a bucket of trouble for Bauer as its local financial accounts reveal.

Rebel Wilson arriving to the Supreme Court, Melbourne, for her libel case against Woman's Day. Credit:Penny Stephens

Bauer Media's local arm - once the pride of Kerry Packer's media empire with titles like Woman's Day and Australian Women's Weekly (AWW) - reported losses totalling $116 million for the 2014 and 2015 financial years.

These accounts, lodged just months ago, are the most recent financial accounts available for the media group, which Bauer acquired for more than $525 million in 2012.
Less than two years ago, higher education wasn't a possibility for Iranian refugee Masih Ghasemi.

But on Wednesday, Masih - who fled to Australia with his family in March 2016 - stood beaming alongside more than 100 high-achievers, having topped the state in his HSC course.

Masih went to Epping Boys High School, but placed first in HSC Persian - a subject he studied every weekend at the language school at Arthur Phillip High.

The 18-year-old woke up on Thursday morning to learn he had excelled in his HSC subjects, achieving a Band 6 result in every course except for English as a Second Language.
The Jabalpur High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail application of promoters of two private medical colleges of Madhya Pradesh who have been charge-sheeted in the multi-layered Vyapam scam by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI).

By Hemender Sharma: The Jabalpur High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail application of promoters of two private medical colleges of Madhya Pradesh who have been charge-sheeted in the multi-layered Vyapam scam by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI).

Promoters of two other medical colleges, who have also been charge sheeted by the CBI and whose anticipatory bail plea has been rejected by the special CBI trial court, have still not applied for bail in the high court.

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Among those whose bail applications were rejected by the high court on Thursday include chairman of the Chirayu Medical College of Bhopal, Ajay Goenka, LN Medical College, Bhopal chairman Jai Narayan Chaukse, admission in-charge of LN Medical College Dr DK Sathpathy, the then DME SC Tiwary, the then joint DME NM Shrivastava, Peoples Medical College admissions committee members Dr Vijay Kumar Pandya and Dr Vijay Kumar Ramnani.

The CBI on November 23 had filed a charge-sheet against 592 accused in the 2012 PMT entrance exam case which is one of the many entrance and job scams which were conducted by the Madhya Pradesh professional Education Board.

The CBI in its charge-sheet alleged that solvers were encouraged to opt for the four private medical colleges in the counselling for PMT 2012.

These solvers later opted out of the colleges when the state MBBS quota was declared for these four colleges. The seats were actually blocked and filled with undeserving candidates after taking huge amount of money at the last moment, the CBI alleged in its charge sheet.

The special CBI trial court on November 23 had granted bail to 15 accused who had appeared before the court while rejecting anticipatory bails of 30 accused that included the promoters of the four private medical colleges and other top officials associated with them.

The court had issued arrest warrants against 577 accused who did not appear before the court the same day.

The CBI, meanwhile, has arrested two officials of the four private medical colleges, but has not been able to get to the promoters so far.

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And you can forget whatever nonsense you might be about to spout about leaching child support out of the poor, embattled father. The child support debt in this country is above a billion dollars, which means roughly half of all child support payments are made either late or not at all.

Very few people are willing to recognise how many heterosexual relationships break down after children, not because of pre existing violence or violence that manifests during the pregnancy (one of the highest risks times for family violence to begin, FYI), but because the men themselves utterly fail to support the women they've had children with.

I don't mean financially, although sometimes that's the case or part of it. I mean that they take no responsibility for learning how to properly care for a baby and for the partner who'll be primarily nurturing that baby for at least the first six months.

They don't get up to feed the baby at night or rock them back to sleep. They don't take the baby to 'give' the mother a break. They whinge and whine about not 'getting' sex, making this another job their partner has to be responsible for. They plan weekends away with their friends or stay out all night and come home wasted the next morning. They talk about babysitting or kvetch at their wives for not keeping the house clean because "what do you do all day?"

They have no idea how hard it is to actually parent, day in and day out, because they have never done it. Worse, this lack of support and willful helplessness often also transpires in expecting their female partners to mother them as well as the newborn baby.
Home is where the heat is. Various artists. Canberra Glassworks. Until January 14.

This varied and interesting exhibition is by 25 artists who have a connection with the Canberra Glassworks. It is the 10th anniversary of the Canberra Glassworks that was established in 2007 in the old Kingston Powerhouse, one of the oldest permanent public buildings in Canberra. The Canberra Glassworks is an organisation that has become a considerable presence in the national capital providing both facilities for artists, lively exhibitions and public educational programs.

Meagan Jones and Louis Grant's soft focused, etched glass photographic prints - such as Transitory Spaces 4, 2017 - appear in Home is where the heat is at Canberra Glassworks. Credit:Meagan Jones

The works in the exhibition, Home is where the heat is, are not all in the Glassworks Gallery but are positioned in various parts of the building not normally open to the public and you will need a guided tour to see them all. The day I visited, in addition to works from the exhibition in the Glassworks' Hotshop, visitors could also see a number of glass artists at work.

Among them was Jenni Kemarre Martiniello who creates contemporary glass that is a reflection of her Indigenous heritage. Her early glass works were based on the woven structure and form of Aboriginal baskets. Confluence Landscape #1 and #2 in this exhibition are two tall, beautifully patterned and coloured vessels. The artist skilfully uses the murine glass technique to form coloured patterns that suggest the water, the vegetation and bird life of the Molonglo River and Jerrabomberra Creek near where the powerhouse now stands. Mark Elliot's remarkable glass sculptured tree (A Mind of its Own) with its small birds, bears testimony to the tree as a marker of nature that grows in the built environment.
Criminal proceedings against a rugby league Immortal facing historical child sex abuse charges have been suspended amid mental health concerns.

Graeme Langlands, 76, has been charged with six counts of indecently dealing with a girl under 16, dating back to 1982 on the Gold Coast.

Graeme Langlands after leading Australia to their 22-18 win in the third Rugby League Test at the SCG in 1974. Credit:John O'Gready/Fairfax Media

The former St George fullback did not appear at any of the three Brisbane Magistrates Court hearings held since the charges were laid in October, where his lawyer argued he was too sick.

Earlier this month, the Magistrates Court heard he was wheelchair-bound in a New South Wales nursing home, suffering from severe dementia and on medication for mood stabilisation and behaviour control.
The death of a man at a Bundaberg caravan park last week has been determined non-suspicious, according to police.

A report will now be prepared for the coroner.

EARLIER

An investigation is underway after a man was found dead at a Bundaberg caravan park on Thursday.

Police were called to Bundaberg Park Lodge off Childers Road after a resident of the park found the 44-year-old man dead at 7am.
The final sitting of the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse was packed to overflowing Thursday and ended with a standing ovation when Justice Peter McClellan concluded his message.

Scores of survivors of sexual abuse, and the people who supported them, alongside the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and leader of the opposition Bill Shorten, applauded loudly as the commissioners took their seats for the final time in the Sydney hearing room.

The tissue boxes provided on the seats were passed around as Justice McClellan began his final address into the royal commission which began on November 12, 2012 when then prime minister Julia Gillard announced its creation.

Over the past five years, more than 15,000 Australians contacted the royal commission. Over 8000 of them spoke with a commissioner in a private session; for many it was the first time they had told their story.
VTAC adjusts the study scores for each study to take account of how strong the students were in the study and how difficult it was to achieve the middle ranking. The strength of competition in each study is measured by how well the students performed in all their other studies.

In each study, the study scores are adjusted so that the overall level of scores in that study matches the scores obtained by the same group of students in all of their studies.

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis

For example, in Australian Politics in 2016, the average study score was 30, but the students who took Australian Politics averaged 31 for all their studies (including Australian Politics). This shows that the students who did Australian Politics in 2016 were of above average strength in their other studies. Therefore, the scaling process adjusted the study scores upwards so that the average VTAC scaled study score for Australian Politics was set at 31.

The 2016 Business Management students averaged 26 in all their studies (including Business Management). So, the scaling process adjusted the study scores downwards so that the average VTAC scaled study score for Business Management was 26.
Linking of Aadhaar with insurance policies has been made mandatory. Though the government has extended the timeline to link your Aadhaar details with financial services from 31st December 2017 to 31st of March 2018, still it needs to be done. Problems might arise with claim settlements if the insurance policies are not linked by the given deadline. There are a few ways in which you can link your Aadhaar with your insurance policies.

Documents needed

There are no specific documents required to link your Aadhaar but the policy holder must have their policy number, Aadhaar number and PAN readily available while linking.

In case the Aadhaar Number not available then the policyholder is required to provide proof of application of enrolment for Aadhaar

Further, for the KYC requirement, the policyholder is also required to provide their PAN details. In case the PAN not available then certified copy of an officially valid document needs to be submitted.

The insurance policies can be linked with Aadhaar both online and offline. There are certain companies that have started offering online Aadhaar linking but there are still companies which offer it only by visiting there branch. To link your Aadhaar online, you can login to the company's website where you will be required to provide policy details along with your personal details for verification. Once the verification is done; you will be able to update your Aadhaar number. The linkage can also be done by filling up a form by visiting the company's branch. You need to carry your Aadhaar and PAN card details to complete the process.

Steps to link you LIC policies online with Aadhaar

Go to the 'link Aadhaar and Pan to policy' in the home page of LIC's website or click the link to visit directly - licindia.in/Home/Link_Aadhaar_and_PAN_to_Policy



A form will pop-up asking for your email and mobile number along with your Aadhaar and PAN numbers



After filling up the form an OTP will be send to your mobile number registered with UIDAI. (If your mobile number is not linked with Aadhaar, you need to link that first)



After submitting the form, a message will be shown on the success of the registration for linkage.



After verification with UIDAI, SMS or mail confirmation will be sent to you. The verification may take a few days.



For general insurance companies the linkage with Aadhaar with the policies can also be done online. It is available for all type of insurance policies from health, motor to travel and home. The linking process of ICICI Lombard of your policy with Aadhaar is mentioned below.

Steps to link your Aadhaar with HDFC life

Visit the website of HDFC life



Login to your 'My Account'. The login link - myaccount.hdfclife.com



Under the menu 'My Policy' select the option - 'Update Aadhaar'



In the 'My Aadhaar Derails' page enter your policy number & your Aadhar number



Click submit button to finish your linkage of Aadhaar with the policy

Steps to link your Aadhaar online for ICICI Lombard

Visit the website of ICICI Lombard, www.icicilombard.com



Click on the 'link Aadhaar card' option



You can choose between health, travel Motor and home



For linking motor insurance policy you need to provide your policy, engine and Chassis number



For travel, health and home you need to provide policy number and date of birth

Click submit button to finish your linkage of Aadhaar with the policy

The linkage can also be done by calling up on customer care call center of the insurer and provide the Aadhaar number. This process will also generate an OTP to the Aadhaar registered mobile number of the policyholder. Once the OTP is received, the policyholder needs to enter the same through the IVR to successfully link the Aadhaar number to the insurance policy.

Policyholders who are unable to authenticate through any one of the above mode the linkage can also be done through biometric. "Through Biometric offering, the insurer can authenticate and link policy-holders Aadhaar number using one of the biometric modalities, either iris or fingerprints scan" says, Mehmood Mansoori, Group Head - HDFC ERGO General Insurance.

Implications

The insurance policy is a contract, as defined under the Indian Contract Act, the policy will continue to be in effect even after the deadline. "The PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) rules have a statutory force. It is hence important that customers do not delay the process and reach out to their respective companies to provide their details" says, Shalabh Saxena, Chief Operating Officer - Canara HSBC OBC Life Insurance. But the company will require Aadhaar linkage, like during renewals, endorsements or during claims registrations. The insurer can also keep in abeyance the claim payments until the linkage and authentication has been completed. So it is advised policyholders to complete the process at the earliest to avoid any future hassles.
China on Thursday expressed its displeasure at complaints about the World Trade Organization by member nations unhappy with how the organization functions.

The comment came after U.S. President Donald Trump's trade chief said on Monday that the WTO is losing its focus on trade negotiations in favor of litigation, and was going too easy on wealthier developing countries such as China.

"China doesn't support some World Trade Organization members who deny the usefulness of the organization if their appeals are not satisfied," Gao Feng, a spokesman for the commerce ministry told a regular news briefing on Thursday.

The WTO failed to reach any new agreements on Wednesday, ending a three-day ministerial conference in discord in the face of stinging U.S. criticism of the group and vetoes from other countries.

China strongly opposes some developed countries jointly placing pressure on developing nations over trade issues, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
By Ashish Pandey: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen or AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched yet another scathing attack on Prime Minister and the star campaigner of Gujarat Election, Narendra Modi.

Asaduddin Owaisi was addressing a public meeting organized by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) against US President Donald Trump's Jerusalem decision.

Although the subject of the rally was condemning US and President Trump, Owaisi didn't forget to target PM Modi.

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Mocking the Prime Minister and his recent seaplane venture in Gujarat , Owaisi said that PM Modi and BJP link others with Pakistan calling them anti-nationals, while the PM himself rode in a plane that came from the neighbouring hostile country.

"The seaplane in which Modi travelled, flew in from Pakistan's Karachi city and landed in Dharoi, Gujarat. I don't have any friend or person I know over there but I don't know about Modi. He should make it clear who sent that plane for him," Owaisi said as the crowd laughed.

Asaduddin Owaisi also raised the issue of a Muslim youth's murder in Rajasthan , saying PM Modi doesn't have time to speak on the brutal killing of Afrazul but he has the time to doubt former Vice President, former Prime Minister and the former Army Chief.

"Modi has the time to speak about Pakistan and he also has time to tell the country that all those people collided with Pakistan. Former Vice President Hamid Ansari and former PM Manmohan Singh were present at the meeting. Now ask Mr. Modi, are you the only nationalist and loyalist, and the rest of us are all anti-nationals? And Mr. Modi, please let the people know where that seaplane came from, '' said Owaisi.

Asaduddin Owaisi who is a Member of Parliament and also represents Hyderabad, said that the person who killed Afrazul in Rajasthan has the same hate ideology as of those who killed the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi. These are the same people who killed Sikhs in Delhi, innocents in Gujarat and Mumbai and there is no difference between them and ISIS, he added.

The Hyderabad MP also mocked PM Modi and Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi over their temple run during the Gujarat election campaign.

ALSO WATCH | PM Modi becomes the first passenger to travel on a seaplane in India

--- ENDS ---
Prime Minister Theresa May's government was defeated on Wednesday, when lawmakers forced through changes to its Brexit blueprint that ministers said could endanger Britain's departure from the European Union.

In a blow to May, already weakened after losing her Conservative Party's majority in a June election, the 650-seat parliament voted 309 to 305 in favour of an amendment to hand lawmakers more say over a final exit deal with the EU.

Up until the last minute of an often bitter debate in parliament, May's team tried to convince lawmakers in her party to give up their demands and side with a government fearful that the move will weaken its hand in tough Brexit negotiations.

Members of Parliament (MPs) are debating the EU withdrawal bill, which will repeal the 1972 legislation binding Britain to the EU and copy existing EU law into domestic law to ensure legal continuity after 'Exit Day' on March 29, 2019.

In focus on Wednesday was an amendment put forward by Conservative lawmaker and former attorney general Dominic Grieve who wants parliament to have a meaningful vote on any deal before it is finalised and for it to be written into law.

"There is a time for everybody to stand up and be counted," Grieve told parliament earlier, criticising some fellow members of the Conservative Party for calling him a traitor over his decision to vote against the government.

He dismissed a last-minute pledge by justice minister Dominic Raab for government to write the promise of a meaningful vote into law later on its journey through both houses of parliament as coming "too late".

The government was "disappointed" by the vote, a spokeswoman said in a statement, adding that "this amendment does not prevent us from preparing our statute book for exit day".

But with May due at an EU summit on Thursday to encourage the other 27 leaders to approve a move to the second phase of Brexit talks and begin a discussion about future trade, the defeat comes at a difficult time for the prime minister.

In the European Parliament, which must also ratify any withdrawal treaty with Britain, its Brexit coordinator cheekily tweeted that his British counterparts had "taken back control" - a reference to the catchphrase of pro-Brexit campaigners.

"A good day for democracy," added Guy Verhofstadt.

DEEP DIVISIONS

The EU withdrawal bill has been the focus of seven days of often bitter debate, underscoring the deep divisions over Brexit not only among the Conservatives but also in the main opposition Labour Party and across the country.

It has also highlighted May's weakness.

In June, she gambled on a snap election to strengthen her party's majority in the 650-seat parliament but instead bungled her campaign and ended up with a minority government propped up by the 10 votes of a small, pro-Brexit Northern Irish party.

Since then she has struggled to assert her authority over a Conservative Party which is deeply divided over the best route out of the EU.

"This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the government on the eve of the European Council meeting," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control."

Earlier, May had tried to persuade lawmakers to vote with the government for her Brexit blueprint, saying Grieve's amendment would put added time pressure on a government which wants to make Britain ready to leave the EU in March 2019.

"That could be at a very late stage in the proceedings which could mean that we are not able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we wish to have," she told parliament before an hours-long debate on the exit plan.

Her spokesman said the government had "in good faith come forward with a strong package of concessions to deal with the spirit of the amendment".

Pro-Brexit lawmakers fear the amendment could force Britain to weaken its negotiating stance by offering parliament the opportunity of forcing ministers back to the negotiating table if it feels any final deal is not good enough.

Raab said that could convince the EU that Britain would not walk away from a bad deal.

"Actually if that looked likely we'd end up with worse terms, and we'd be positively incentivising the EU to give us worse terms," he told parliament. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
The World Trade Organization's biennial meeting ended in stalemate on Wednesday after U.S. criticism and member country vetoes, raising questions about the body's ability to govern increasingly disputed global trade.

Ministers gathered in Buenos Aires were never expected to agree on major trade reforms, but even relatively minor proposals on e-commerce and fishing subsidy curbs ran aground.

"We have not achieved any multilateral outcomes," European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told a news conference. "The sad reality is that we did not even agree to stop subsidizing illegal fishing."

She said the meeting laid bare the deficiencies of the WTO negotiating system, which requires unanimity among all 164 member countries. She said the United States was partly to blame, but other countries also held up progress.

"Procedural excuses and vetoes from one member or another, cynical hostage taking, have led to the sobering result of today," Malmstrom added.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo added that WTO members needed to do some "real soul searching" about the way forward and realize they cannot get everything they want.

Absent any agreements, trade ministers focused on the WTO's post-conference work programs, such as efforts to improve market efficiency and curb excess industrial capacity, WTO spokesman Ken Rockwell told reporters.

Some 70 member countries, including the United States, European Union, Japan and Brazil pledged to forge ahead with an effort to negotiate rules on electronic commerce after a broader deal among the full membership failed. Absent from the group were China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer set an acrimonious tone at the start of the conference with sharp criticisms of the WTO. The 23-year-old trade body requires unanimity among all 164 WTO member countries to reach any agreement.

Lighthizer told WTO ministers on Monday that it was impossible to negotiate new rules while many of the current rules were not being followed, and that the WTO was losing its focus and becoming too litigation-focused.

Even the perfunctory joint ministerial statement looked in doubt at the conference, known as MC11.

Driven by President Donald Trump's "America First" strategy and a preference for bilateral deals, the United States had already blocked ambassadors from drafting a ministerial text in Geneva that included references to the centrality of the global trading system and to trade as a driver of development.

USTR spokeswoman Emily Davis denied that the United States was the problem in the lack of negotiated outcomes, saying the Obama administration had raised similar WTO grievances.

"The United States has remained engaged throughout MC11 to achieve progress where possible," Davis said in an emailed statement, adding that Lighthizer made "honest remarks on issues the United States has been raising for years."

Lighthizer left Buenos Aires for Washington on Tuesday night, missing the final day of the conference.

The failure to reach any major deals meant that negotiations on the same topics will continue into 2018, with no deadline and no heavyweight ministerial momentum to get agreement.

But on Tuesday, the European Union and Japan joined the United States in vowing to combat market-distorting policies, such as those pervasive in China that have fueled excess industrial capacity, including subsidies for state-owned enterprises and technology transfer requirements.

An EU source familiar with negotiations over the statement said it was instigated by Japan, partly as a means to coax Washington into working multilaterally to solve such problems rather than resorting to unilateral trade restrictions. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Foxconn parent Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. has listed a number of its major units, such as Foxconn Interconnect Technology Ltd., outside of Taiwan. The listing of Foxconn Interconnect, which took place in Hong Kong, raised $342 million. Photo: Visual China

Taiwans contract manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., one of Apple Inc.s main manufacturing partners, said it is planning to separately list one of its mainland-based units in Shanghai, aiming to tap capital markets on the other side of the Taiwan Strait.

The plan would see Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd. apply for a listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Hon Hai said in a statement on Wednesday, which announced its boards approval of the plan. It did not provide any additional information on the size of the offering, the timing, or how many shares it plans to issue.

Mainland-based units of offshore companies periodically raise money through such offerings to help fund their local operations, which typically do much of their business in Chinas currency, the yuan.

Foxconn Industrial Internet helps companies design internet systems that allow for greater automation, collection and analysis of big data, according to its website. The company is based in the southern boomtown of Shenzhen, across the border from Hong Kong.

Hon Hai has separately listed a number of its other major units, including its Hong Kong-listed FIH Mobile unit that makes smartphones for Chinese vendors including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Earlier this year, the company separately listed its Foxconn Interconnect Technology Ltd. unit, an electronic connector and cable maker also known as FIT Hon Teng Ltd., in Hong Kong, in a deal that raised $342 million.

Shares of Hon Hai rose 1.3% in Thursday trade in Taiwan. The company is best known as a manufacturer of products for other big brands like Apple. But more recently it has been trying to carve out its own consumer name through its purchase last year of Japanese electronics giant Sharp Corp.

Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)
Hunan province says it expects a 26% shortage of natural gas this winter due to "a drastic increase in demand for natural gas nationwide and stagnant supply." Above, a petrochemical gas storage facility is seen in Puyang, Henan province, in April 2014. Photo: Visual China

A natural gas shortage  created by a drive to curb coal use that has left northern China shivering  is spreading to other parts of the country, triggering a supply-crunch alert in a central province.

Hunans economic planning body issued a yellow natural gas alert, the third rung on a four-tier color-coded warning system, indicating that the region is likely to face a 10% to 20% shortage this winter.

The provincial government also called an emergency meeting last week to address the looming shortage, according to an emergency notice from the Hunan Economic and Information Technology Commission that was viewed by Caixin.

The commission attributed the problem to a spillover effect from a drastic increase in demand for natural gas nationwide and stagnant supply.

The advisory came just days after the northern province of Hebei admitted it had underestimated  by 700,000  the number of households that needed to switch from coal-heating to natural gas or electricity as part of a clampdown on dirty coal, which aims to clear the air in northern China this year.

As a result of the enforced conversion, demand for natural gas during the icy northern winter is expected to more than double from the previous winter to 8.2 billion cubic meters (289.6 billion cubic feet), according to the provincial government. The province is likely to face a 26% shortage from mid-November to mid-March.

Several other provinces, including Shandong in the east, Henan and Hubei in central China and Shaanxi in the northwest, are also struggling to meet demand for natural gas to different degrees, according to Caixin investigations in recent weeks.

The short supply of natural gas has claimed its first high-profile victim after a subsidiary of German chemical giant BASF SE in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing announced Tuesday it is suspending the production of MDI, a chemical widely used in insulation and ceramic manufacturing, as its supplier cannot now meet its needs for natural-gas-based material.

Chongqing Chemical & Pharmaceutical Holding Co., which sources natural gas from the state-owned China National Petroleum Corp., mixes natural gas with other chemicals before providing it to the BASF subsidiary.

The suspension is indefinite, and some workers at the BASF plant are ready to go home for some rest, according to a BASF executive.

All chemical and fertilizer companies in Chongqing and the southern provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan have received notifications from the CNPC and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.  Chinas largest oil and gas firms  informing them that deliveries of natural gas will be suspended from Dec. 8 as the companies need to prioritize supplies to northern China, according to media reports.

Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com)
LG Electronics Inc. is reorganizing its business in China in part by reducing the number of offices from 30-plus to five, which will report directly to the company's South Korean headquarters. Photo: Visual China

South Koreas LG Electronics Inc. will change its company name in China to New LGE China, sources from the firm told Caixin.

The company will also seek to take more direct control of its China business, with its local branches directly reporting to the headquarters in South Korea instead of the Beijing office, Caixin has learned.

The name change was first revealed by LG Electronics CEO Jo Seong-jin in a closed-door executive meeting last week, according to people familiar with the event.

On Wednesday, a representative from the companys public relations department confirmed the plan to Caixin via e-mail.

The current name LG, which comprises two Latin letters and is hard (for Mandarin-speakers) to pronounce, is actually meaningless to our consumers in China, the representative said, adding that the new Chinese name, Xinaierji, will make it a friendlier-sounding brand.

The name change was originally proposed by Mu Gang, the then-chief manager of company overview of LG Electronics (China) Co. Ltd., a source said. Mu insisted that the companys lack of a Chinese name has been a hindrance for its expansion in the country  a situation unlike that of rival Samsung, whose Chinese name, Sanxing, is easily recognized by Chinese consumers.

Under the proposed restructuring, the company will reorganize its businesses in China by reducing its 30-plus offices to five, which unlike before will all have equal status and will report directly to the South Korean headquarters, according to employees from the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The moves come as the company is experiencing setbacks in China, where its sales both in home appliances and cellphones increasingly are being encroached upon by local and other foreign competitors.

Last year, LG Electronics cellphones accounted for less than 0.1% of the market share in China, according to Strategy Analytics, a market statistics provider.

Contact reporter Mo Yelin (yelinmo@caixin.com)
China Mobile said the addressable audience for its new MVNO service, called CMLink, could include 433,000 British-Chinese living in the UK and 82,000 Chinese citizens who are there studying on student visas. Photo: Visual China

Leading wireless carrier China Mobile announced it is launching mobile services in the United Kingdom using a local partners network, joining a growing list of Chinese service providers trying to go global by targeting travelers from their home market.

China Mobile International (CMI) will launch the service as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in partnership with U.K. giant BT Group Plc., the company said in an announcement on Wednesday in the UK. It said the service will target Chinese people living, working and studying in the country, and more broadly be aimed at Chinese people based in Europe.

While China Mobile serves 880 million domestic mobile subscribers, CMI  its operating subsidiary responsible for international business  is breaking new ground in overseas markets, said CMI Chairman Li Feng. We expect the UK launch to be a new chapter in CMI delivering compelling digital services that break down barriers of communication for global consumers while fostering open exchange between Belt and Road companies, he said, a reference to Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative that encourages Chinese companies to develop infrastructure around the world.

China Mobile said the addressable audience for its new MVNO service, called CMLink, could include 433,000 British-Chinese living in the UK and 82,000 Chinese citizens who are there studying on student visas. Frequent Chinese travelers to Britain could also find the service attractive.

MVNOs are relatively common around the world, used by well-known brands to try and extend their reach to other markets without incurring the expense of owning and operating a network. China is also experimenting with MVNOs at home, with China Mobile and its two main rivals both leasing their network capacity to third-party operators for such virtual networks.

China Mobiles move also extends a business model that sees globally-minded Chinese service providers taking some of their earliest steps abroad by catering to the millions of travelers from their home market. Others who have taken such an approach include electronic payment service providers Alipay, as well as the payment service linked to Tencent Holdings Ltd.s popular WeChat service.

China has been encouraging its newly minted corporate champions to go abroad over the last decade in search of new business. More recently it has also pushed infrastructure-related firms like China Mobile to go out and play a role in Beijings One Belt, One Road initiative.

Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)
From 1945 to 2016, the United States used its economic, military and ideological power to build institutions, alliances and regimes that contributed to global economic growth and the avoidance of great-power war.

In doing so, it fostered the rise of a new constellation of powers, China notable among them, with which it must now deal. If the U.S. wants to see its interests met, Washington must win Beijings cooperation rather than try to compel it.

On entering office, President Donald Trump put several contentious issues with China on the back burner in the hope of achieving his primary goal: North Koreas denuclearization. When that failed, the front burner of U.S.China relations became crowded with previously repressed issues.

Several of these  U.S. freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, talk of steel and aluminium tariffs, weapons sales to Taiwan, threats to tighten technology and investment flows as well as secondary sanctions on Chinese entities  threaten to become serious problems if not managed in a more careful manner than the Trump administration is currently demonstrating.

So what might the U.S. usefully do? There are three issues on which Washington should focus: fostering an economic balance of power in Asia that promotes regional stability, achieving more reciprocity in U.S.China relations and addressing the North Korean nuclear and missile problem.

A central part of China President Xi Jinpings geo-economic vision is the expansion of regional links and the promotion of urbanization and growth on Chinas periphery to make China the central node in this growing region. For Beijing, this means northsouth connectivity  namely supply chains that originate in China and extend to the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal and beyond.

Unless Washington wants Asia to become a unipolar sphere of Chinese influence, it should become more involved in the construction of regional infrastructure to foster linkages that are not just northsouth but also eastwest from India to Vietnam through Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia and on to Japan and the wider Pacific.

Turning to reciprocity, when China joined the WTO in 2001 its overseas trade and financial involvements grew enormously. So, too, did its global trade surplus and bilateral trade surplus with the United States. Beijing soon had the technology, capital and capacity to seize the opportunities of openness abroad without providing reciprocal domestic access to the U.S. and others.

From 2008 onwards, the pace of domestic economic, financial and foreign trade liberalization slowed. Chinas world trade partners came to realise that as China leapt outward to seize opportunities, it did not reciprocally open itself in areas where foreigners enjoyed comparative advantages. Consequently, the issues of reciprocity and fairness have moved to front and center in U.S.China relations. U.S. companies are now asking themselves why Chinese entrepreneurs should be able to freely acquire U.S. service and technology firms when these areas in China are closed to foreigners.

While U.S. feelings of resentment mount, finding ways to enhance reciprocity with Beijing that do not injure U.S. workers or other bystanders is hard. Limiting Chinese investment into U.S. employment-generating firms diminishes U.S. job opportunities. On the other hand, ignoring the problem invites extremist proposals at home as well as contempt in Beijing.

Finally, the issue of North Korea. Trump thought his predecessors had been right in pressing Beijing to put more pressure on North Korea and in their assessment that Beijing had sufficient means to do so. Where they had gone wrong, Trump believed, was in not making it worth Beijings while to apply the necessary pressure.

So President Trump suggested that Washington would give Beijing concessions in other areastrade and Taiwan among themin exchange for pressure on North Korea. Of all the reasons that this approach has not worked out (including the viability of some of Trumps promised concessions) the most dominant is that Pyongyang resists following any external advice that it fears would be lethal to the regime.

Consequently, the Trump administration is left with the same stark choices as its predecessors, except that Trump has staked even more on the issue and North Korea is further down its deliverable nuclear weapons path.

It is time for Washington (in close consultation with its South Korean and Japanese allies) to acknowledge that North Korea has a modest nuclear deterrent, and that as a result the United States should shift its aim from denuclearization to deterring the use and further proliferation of these capabilities.

The U.S.China relationship is fraught with problems and will be for the foreseeable future. The U.S. is no longer positioned to compel cooperation from China. Any policy changes from Beijing must be negotiated, and within this negotiation Washington must seek a balance of power and interests.

David M. Lampton is professor and director of China Studies in the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.
December 13, 2017

Ottawa, Ontario

Expanding preclearance will enable faster travel between Canada and the United States, provide access to more American airports, bolster trade, better protect our rights and increase security.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, highlighted the importance of Bill C-23: An Act respecting the preclearance of persons and goods in Canada and the United States receiving Royal Assent. This important milestone brings Canada and the United States closer to implementing the Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America.

Once enabling regulations are in place, Canada and the United States can ratify the Agreement and start expanding preclearance operations to other modes of transportation  land, rail and marine  in addition to new locations in the air mode. The Agreement also opens the door to explore possibilities for cargo preclearance. The regulations for the air mode are expected to be in place by the end of 2018.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Air India disinvestment plan is moving expeditiously and the government will "significantly overtake" the disinvestment target for the current financial year.

By PTI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the government will "significantly overtake" the disinvestment target for the current financial year.

Speaking at the AGM of industry chamber FICCI, the finance minister also said that Air India disinvestment plan is moving expeditiously and is on track.

The government has set an ambitious target of raising Rs 72,500 crore through disinvestment in the current fiscal. Of this, Rs 46,500 crore is to be raised through minority stake sale in PSUs and Rs 15,000 crore from strategic sales. Another Rs 11,000 crore is to come from listing of insurance companies.

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Total disinvestment proceeds during the current financial year (as on December 4, 2017) stands at Rs 52,389.86 crore.

"This is going to be the first year in history where we are going to significantly overtake disinvestment target itself. In India, privatisation and disinvestment is art of the possible thing and that happened all over the world," the minister said.

He said the government has been able to sell its stake in state-owned insurance companies and some PSUs engaged in commodities business even in difficult market conditions.

While the government recently sold its stake in GIC-Re and New India Assurance, it has reduced its stake in several PSUs this year, including HUDCO, EIL, NTPC, NALCO and OIL.

Referring to the strategic disinvestment of Air India, Jaitley said "we are moving expeditiously and its on the track at the moment".

He said advisors and others have been appointed for the disinvestment of the state-carrier.

"They are trying to study the market and study the universe of buyers and we will soon be coming out with the next step," said Jaitley, who heads the group of ministers working on the modalities of the disinvestment of Air India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle nod for the strategic disinvestment of Air India in June this year.

The government is working on the modalities for the stake sale.

The carrier, which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore, managed to eke out operational profit for the first time in a decade in 2015-16.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: Adds details)

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) A woman and her paramour allegedly slit the throat of her minor daughter after she found out about their affair and threatened to inform her father in east Delhis Ghazipur area, police said today.

The police were informed around 10 pm yesterday about a six-and-a-half-year-old girl, a class 1 student in a government school, going missing from her house, they said.

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After a few hours, the girls body was found with her throat slit on the terrace of the building where she stayed, the police said.

During investigation, it emerged that the girls mother, in her 30s, was having an extra-marital affair, they said.

Yesterday, the girls father, a cart-seller, had gone out for drinks while her mother was alone at home. The womans paramour came to meet her, the police said.

Before he came, the woman had already sent her daughter downstairs on the pretext of buying something. The girl returned only to find the couple in a "compromising position", they said.

She threatened to call her father and inform him. Enraged, her mother and her paramour, in his 20s, first allegedly rendered her unconscious, the police said.

The autopsy report will clear whether they held her by the neck or gave her some sedative, they added.

They took her to a terrace where they allegedly slit her throat. After they returned, the woman went downstairs and pretended to look for her daughter. She took her younger son to a nearby temple and adjacent lanes to search for the girl, the police said.

Meanwhile, her partner disposed off the blood-stained clothes and hid the knife in the womans house, they said.

The girls father informed the police. Later, some residents of the building saw the girls body on the terrace and alerted the police, they said.

The police questioned the residents of the building and also scanned the call details of the victims family, the police said.

They developed a suspicion about the girls mother after they found that she used to speak to a man at odd hours, they said.

The accused, a labourer, was called for questioning and subsequently revealed about his involvement, the police said, adding that the duo have been detained. PTI SLB KJ

--- ENDS ---
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 14, 2017

Contact: Rennie Sloan, 404-420-5129, rennie.sloan@cartercenter.org

ATLANTAThe Carter Center commends the hard work done by the Commission on Childrens Mental Health and the recommendations included in their final report. The commission, formed by Gov. Deal, released its report on Dec. 12 and outlines significant measures that will improve the mental health services available to children and adolescents in Georgia, including expanding school-based mental health services for children, creating initiatives for youth and young adults with severe mental illnesses, and increasing funding for suicide prevention.

Nearly 1 in 10 children experience a behavioral health need severe enough to impact their ability to function in school, home, and their community. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth age 9 to 17.

The Carter Center applauds the work of the Commission on Childrens Mental Health and believes these recommendations will accelerate the improvement of mental health and well-being for children, said Amb. (ret.) Mary Ann Peters, the Carter Centers CEO.

The recommendations by the commission are expected to provide the legislature with a path forward for funding and legislation, as well as direction for the larger community with concrete ways to improve the child and adolescent mental health system in Georgia.

We look forward to joining other stakeholders in advancing and implementing these strategic recommendations, said Dr. Eve Byrd, the Carter Centers Mental Health Program Director.

For the past six years, The Carter Center has used its Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum to address statewide behavioral health policy issues, especially child and adolescent issues. Since 2015, in collaboration with Casey Family Programs, the Centers Mental Health Program developed a pilot program to improve the functioning and evaluate the effectiveness of four Children in Need of Services (CHINS) courts in their efforts to divert children and adolescents away from the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

Read the full report from the Commission on Childrens Mental Health >

The Carter Centers Mental Health Program was established under the leadership of former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a long-standing champion for the rights of people with mental illnesses. The Mental Health Program works to promote awareness about mental health issues, inform public policy, achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses.

"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
Photo: The Canadian Press Israeli cops make arrest at Sunday protest.

Israel's defence minister called Sunday for a boycott of Arab businesses in an area where residents took part in violent protests against President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, as a Palestinian stabbed an Israeli security guard in the volatile city in the first attack since the dramatic announcement.

Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, said the Arabs of Wadi Ara in northern Israel were "not part of us" and that Jewish Israelis should no longer visit their villages and buy their products. Hundreds of Israeli Arabs protested Saturday along a major highway in northern Israel, where dozens of masked rioters hurled stones at buses and police vehicles. Three Israelis were wounded and several vehicles were damaged.

"These people do not belong to the state of Israel. They have no connection to this country," Lieberman told Israel's Army Radio. "Moreover, I would call on all citizens of Israel  stop going to their stores, stop buying, stop getting services, simply a boycott on Wadi Ara. They need to feel that they are not welcome here."

Lieberman has long called for Wadi Ara to be included in his proposed swap of lands and populations as part of a future peace agreement with the Palestinians. The residents, like many of Israel's Arab minority, sympathize with the Palestinians of the West Bank and often openly identify with them. But they are also Israeli citizens who largely reject the notion of becoming part of a future Palestinian state.

The comments sparked criticism of racism and collective punishment toward a community of which only a small minority were violent. It also raised questions about how Israel could so aggressively oppose international boycott campaigns against it while one of its most senior ministers called for one against its own citizens.

Ayman Odeh, the head of the Arab Joint list in parliament, said Lieberman's call for a boycott of Arabs was reminiscent of the worst regimes in history. Gilad Erdan, the minister of public security from the ruling Likud Party, said that Lieberman's diplomatic plan was not applicable and he rejected the notion of giving up the country's sovereignty just because it had Arab citizens.

The violent protests inside Israel were part of the larger Palestinian "day of rage" following Trump's announcement that he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and planned to move the U.S. Embassy there.

Protests and demonstrations took place in dozens of locations across the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, lands captured by Israel during the 1967 war that the Palestinians want to be part of their future state.

They resumed briefly Sunday, with Palestinian youths in the West Bank city of Bethlehem hurling stones toward Israeli soldiers, who fired back with rubber bullets and tear gas.

In Jerusalem, police said a 24-year-old Palestinian stabbed an Israeli security guard at the entrance to the city's central bus station. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the guard sustained a serious wound to his upper body and the attacker was apprehended.

Israel's Channel 10 TV news aired security camera footage from the scene showing the attacker removing his jacket near the security gate and then thrusting what looked like a knife into the guard's chest before fleeing.

In more than two years of intermittent attacks, Palestinians have killed more than 50 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks. Israeli forces have killed more than 260 Palestinians in that time, mostly attackers.

Trump's announcement raised fears that a new wave of violence would erupt in its wake. But three days of mass protests were relatively contained. Four Palestinians were killed in Gaza in Israeli airstrikes following rocket fire from there and in clashes along the border. In the West Bank there were dozens of injuries, but no deaths.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
Punjab government proposes ban on new cement plants in Potohar

14 December 2017

The Punjab government has proposed to ban the establishment of new cement factories in the Potohar region of Pakistan, according to the Nation. This proposal has been attributed to the noticeable decline in groundwater levels alongside an increase in pollution.

The Department of Industries, Commerce and Investment has supplied a summary to the Chief Ministers Office, requesting the cement industry to be placed under Schedule C of the location policy. This would protect certain areas from the construction of cement plants under law.

The drying out of the Shiri Katas Raj temple pond has been a notable issue. The pond was allegedly drying out due to the water consumption of four local cement factories including Bestway Cement, reports Dawn. In response to this, the Supreme Court has ordered the pond to be refilled by the factories within a week.





Published under
Carthage Cement wins 350,000t clinker contract

ICR Newsroom By 14 December 2017

Tunisias Carthage Cement has been awarded the contract for the export of 350,000t of clinker to sub-Saharan Africa with delivery in 2018.



The order will allow the cement company to enter the sub-Saharan market and further develop its exports.

Published under
Adam Frisch still trails Lauren Boebert but makes gains

The election is hovering within the threshold for an automatic recount. Here's the latest in the Colorado race between Adam Frisch and Lauren Boebert.
By PTI: (Eds: Adds info that the accused have been arrested)

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) A woman and her paramour allegedly slit the throat of her minor daughter after she found out about their affair and threatened to inform her father in east Delhis Ghazipur area, police said today.

The police were informed around 10 pm yesterday about a six-and-a-half-year-old girl, a class 1 student in a government school, going missing from her house, they said.

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After a few hours, the girls body was found with her throat slit on the terrace of the building where she lived, the police said.

During investigation, it emerged that the girls mother, in her 30s, had an extra-marital affair, they said.

Yesterday, the girls father, a cart-seller, had gone out for drinks while her mother was alone at home. The womans paramour came to meet her, the police said.

Before he came, the woman had already sent her daughter downstairs on the pretext of buying something. The girl returned only to find the couple in a "compromising position", they said.

She threatened to call her father and inform him. Enraged, her mother and her paramour, in his 20s, first allegedly rendered her unconscious, the police said.

The autopsy report will clear whether they held her by the neck or gave her some sedative, they added.

They took her to a terrace where they allegedly slit her throat. After they returned, the woman went downstairs and pretended to look for her daughter. She took her younger son to a nearby temple and adjacent lanes to search for the girl, the police said.

Meanwhile, her partner disposed off the blood-stained clothes and hid the knife in the womans house, they said.

The girls father informed the police. Later, some residents of the building saw the girls body on the terrace and alerted the police, they said.

The police questioned the residents of the building and also scanned the call details of the victims family, the police said.

They developed a suspicion about the girls mother after they found that she used to speak to a man at odd hours, they said.

The accused, a labourer, was called for questioning and subsequently revealed about his involvement, the police said, adding that the duo have been arrested. PTI SLB KJ TIR

--- ENDS ---
A former Muslim came to know Christ in the Muslim-dominant nation of Somalia, and he is now sharing the Gospel with his countrymen, leading others to Jesus.

According to The Christian Post, Somalia is 99 percent Muslim and is very hostile toward Christianity, but despite these odds, many Somalians are coming to Christ and boldly sharing their faith.

Greg Kelley of World Mission, the organization through which the former Muslim came to faith, is encouraged by those who are turning to Christ in Somalia:

"People are coming to know Jesus," Kelley said. So that was so encouraging to us in and of itself but it's really at great risk and at great cost. The Lord is using our solar-powered audio Bible, called the Treasure, in the Somali language."

Kelley went on to say that the Muslim man who converted and is now sharing the Gospel, knows the risks he is taking by being vocal about his faith.



And so this guy goes around, ministering to Muslims, understanding what's at stake and the recent report that we received as he's using the Treasure to do this is that three new house churches have formed, and 15 new families have come to know Christ."

Somalia is number two on Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.



Join us in praying for these Somali believers to be encouraged and bold in their faith.

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: December 14, 2017


A government official on Tuesday beat and threatened to kill a Christian pastor in the tiny Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, located between India and China, the Christian Post reports. Pema Wangda, a sub-divisional officer, hit pastor Pema Sherpa on his forehead and chest, and also took out a local sword and threatened to kill him. Sherpa was among four pastors the official had summoned to ask them not to conduct worship services in their homes. Wangda attacked Sherpa after the three others had left. "[Wangda] said he would send the pastor to jail, and called police," a friend of Sherpa's said. "The pastor said he was willing to go to jail, but police eventually didn't detain him." Of the just-under 700,000 people in Bhutan, around 75 percent are Buddhist and a little over 20 percent are Hindu. Christians, who are yet to be recognized legally in the country, are estimated to number around 12,000. The government does not allow Christians to construct church buildings, though Christians are generally allowed to meet within their homes.
An Oregon initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana has qualified for the November ballot, placing the state alongside Colorado and Washington in voting on the issue this year, Baptist Press reports. Although 17 states have legalized medicinal marijuana, no states currently allow its recreational use. The initiatives in Oregon, Colorado and Washington state would legalize and regulate marijuana in a similar manner to alcohol. In 2010, California voters rejected a similar proposal, 54 to 46 percent. Opponents said legalizing marijuana would lead to an increase in drugged drivers and road deaths, an uptick in marijuana's use among teens and young adults, and an increase in crime statewide. They also said the black market for marijuana would not disappear, as some supporters contended. The Oregon initiative, which will be known as Initiative 9, is likely to face opposition from law enforcement, according to The Oregonian newspaper.
Two former workers from Planned Parenthood of Delaware say the Wilmington abortion centers unsanitary and unsafe conditions put women at risk, WORLD reports. In an interview, Jayne Mitchell-Werbrich and Joyce Vasikonis described soiled operating tables not cleaned between patients and abortionists who refused to wear gloves. The women, who are registered nurses, quit their jobs to protect their medical licenses. Both women said the Planned Parenthood facility should be closed. According to the local ABC news affiliate, the abortion providers in Delaware do not undergo routine inspections because the Delaware Department of Health does not have enough manpower. However, the agency does respond to complaints, and did tour the Planned Parenthood facility in October after a patient called. Mary Peterson, who works for Delawares health department, said inspectors did not find any evidence during the inspection to support the nurses claims. In spite of this, five patients have been rushed from the facility to a nearby hospital since the beginning of the year, something Peterson said state officials would be looking at more closely.
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have authorized the issuance of license plates that say "Choose Life" to raise money for a Christian crisis pregnancy center that opposes abortion, Fox News reports. Abortion rights supporters had urged Chafee to veto the bill, which passed the Democrat-controlled General Assembly shortly before lawmakers adjourned for the year. Twenty-nine states have similar plates, which sometimes feature children's images. Chafee wrote to lawmakers in his veto message that the function of a license plate is "to register and identify a motor vehicle. ... It is my belief that state participation in the transmission of funds to this organization would violate the separation of church and state, one of the fundamental principles upon which our state was founded." Half of each plate's $40 issuance cost would have gone toward CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode Island, a Providence-based organization that offers free pregnancy testing, post-abortion counseling and information about abortion alternatives. CareNet describes itself on its website as a Christian organization with a mission "to support women facing unplanned pregnancies by offering them real choices." Barth Bracy, executive director of Right to Life of Rhode Island, said: "The 'Choose Life' plate is already available in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Governor Chafee's veto reveals an extremism on abortion ... that is grossly out of step with other New England Democrats." Lawmakers in Rhode Island could attempt to override the veto any time before the start of the next session in January, but such a move is considered unlikely.
Vermont is now the fourth state to legalize physician-assisted suicide after Gov. Peter Shumlin signed it into law Monday, CBN News reports. Vermont joins Oregon, Washington and Montana in adopting such a measure, which allows doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients. Opponents are concerned the law could eventually target the disabled and elderly. "Physician-assisted suicide does not affirm the life or dignity of individuals facing serious illness or death," said Dr. Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life. "Instead, it opens the door to abuses and dangers for extremely vulnerable individuals."
Hanukkah Day Three  Be a Maccabee A small group of Jewish fighters called the Maccabees over the mighty Greek army. The term "Maccabee" is from the Hebrew word for hammer.

The story of Hanukkah recalls the victory of a small group of Jewish fighters called the Maccabees over the mighty Greek army. The term "Maccabee" is from the Hebrew word for hammer. The Maccabees were Jewish warriors who hammered the enemy. However, don't go thinking that these men were like the strong, well-trained warriors you see in the movies.

The truth is that these men were a bunch of weaklings, more accustomed to sitting and studying God's Word all day. Their strength came not from their own accord. "Maccabee" has another meaning, as well. It is also a Hebrew acronym for the phrase: "Who among the gods is like you, LORD?" (Exodus 15:11). The strength of the Maccabees was from the Lord.

It's interesting how God does this over and over. He sets us up in impossible situations  so that we can see that our strength comes from Him. Had the Maccabees been a well-trained army like Israel has today, we may not have noticed God's hand as much. The Jewish heroes of that day were frail, outnumbered, and outgunned. And yet, they were triumphant. They defeated the greatest army in the world at that time.

According to tradition, the Maccabees would recite Psalm 91 on their way to battle and in battle. Can't you imagine them looking heavenward and saying, "A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." I can! These words remind us that while we may be surrounded by terrible danger, sure to be defeated by all natural accounts, God can still protect us. God can surround us like a shield that no one  not even the great Greek army  can penetrate.

I can imagine how the Maccabees felt the first time they saw the Greeks approach the battlefield on massive, towering elephants  the ancient world's equivalent to modern-day tanks. These Jews had never seen such a thing before. But they turned to those elephant-tanks and proclaimed: "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (v. 2).

During the night, the Maccabees recalled: "You will not fear the terror of night..." During the day, they remembered that they would not fear "... the arrow that flies by day..." This was how the war was won. The Maccabees placed their trust in God, and He brought about a miraculous salvation.

Throughout this season of light for Christians and Jews, let us remember that the victory doesn't always go to the mighty and powerful. God can make us triumphant no matter what our circumstances as we place our trust fully in God. If He could bring a small, weak group of Jews to defeat the mighty Greeks, surely He can bring victory to us, too.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein is the founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which now raises more than $140 million per year, mostly from Christians, to assist Israel and the Jewish people. Since its founding, The Fellowship has raised more than $1.4 billion for this work. The organization has offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto and Seoul.
Some Good News Out of Charlottesville Jesus Christ is ultimately the solution to the racial divide in America.

Bad news gets press. "If it bleeds, it leads." Good news tends not to spread as well and as far. We all know about the horrible events of August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, where protests and counter-protests over the city's plan to tear down a statue of Robert E. Lee ended in violence and a woman's death. It was a low spot in the year. It was a low spot in recent American history.

But what most of us don't know about was a recent event in Charlottesville, on the first weekend of December 2017. I didn't even know about it until I was talking with Dr. Mark Beliles, who pastors a church in Charlottesville. I wrote a book with him once on the faith of Jefferson, Doubting Thomas (2014).

After the tragic riot there, Mark Beliles, as a white minister in Charlottesville, teamed up with a black minister, Dr. Alvin Edwards (a former Charlottesville mayor), to organize the December 1 and 2 event they called "Healing 4 Charlottesville." By admission, their politics and backgrounds are quite different. Nonetheless, there is too much at stake for them to not join forces together.

A. Larry Ross Communications writes, "National leaders joined the city's Christian community Saturday for Healing4Charlottesville, a day of prayer to encourage peace, healing and reconciliation after the tragic racial violence of last summer."

Beliles, who is also the founder and president of America Transformation Company, said, "We believe that [healing] starts not by continuing to blame others but by humbling ourselves and finding out what we can do different and what we can do better."

Edwards, pastor of Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, declared, "I believe healing the city begins with prayer. But after prayer, not only becoming hearers of the word, but doers of the word...It's not just about today. It's about what's going to happen afterward. Scripture teaches us if we come together in unity, we can make a difference wherever we go."

Beliles and Edwards wrote a joint op-ed for a local paper in Charlottesville (Daily Progress, 12/3/17), saying: "And so, we want to state emphatically, that we both love our city, and even more, we love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and are loyal to His Kingdom even more than to any earthly political party. We are also friends who respect each other and believe that we can find common ground and work together for good of our Lord."

They continued, "[W]e acknowledge that our City is very divided, as well as churches....We respect and celebrate differences and diversity, but we believe that these are serious times in our city and nation, and that we need to find some common ground for the good of our city."

Beliles told my radio audience recently about his relationship with Dr. Edwards, both of whom settled in Charlottesville in 1981: "We've been friends and we've done things together---even though we're very different....But he and I both believe that Jesus Christ can transcend the politics and the divisions in our country. So we worked together to organize something in response" to the August tragedy.

I asked Beliles about the comparative make-up of the August Charlottesville riot with that of the December Charlottesville prayer rally. He estimated that there were about 1300 at the August melee---about 1200 of which came from out of town. In contrast, the unity prayer rally in December was only about 200 people. However, the vast majority of these were Charlottesville residents. Hence, more people from Charlottesville attended the peaceful prayer rally than attended the August riot.

The prominent African-American bishop, Harry Jackson, who is the Chairman of the High Impact Leadership coalition and the pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland, spoke at the prayer rally.

I asked Bishop Jackson why he chose to participate. He told me he was glad to see the churches of "different denominational stripes" working together to bring about real interracial healing and to meet the needs of the community. "It was a great investment of time and energy."

Jackson was pleased that the church leaders have come up with a seven-point strategy for positive changes, using the churches as a key for transformation of the community.

Jackson told the rally: "Many of us have been looking to politics to fix our problems. The reality is the government cannot fix these problems....The church has been, in some ways, complicit with the problem, because we never said, 'On this day, on our watch, the madness stops.'"

Jesus Christ is ultimately the solution to the racial divide in America. As Isaiah the prophet foretold: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'"

Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written/co-written 28 books, e.g., The Unstoppable Jesus Christ, Doubting Thomas (w/ Mark Beliles, on Jefferson), and What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (w/ D. James Kennedy) & the bestseller, George Washington's Sacred Fire (w/ Peter Lillback) djkm.org @newcombejerry www.jerrynewcombe.com
Why Bother Praying, God Knows Everything, Right? God knows everything already anyway. He's almighty, sovereign and in control of all things. What could we possibly add to His wisdom with our feeble attempts at prayer?

From the time they were very small, we taught our children to pray.

We prayed at meals, at bedtime, and when a fire truck or an ambulance would go by. As far as our kids were concerned, prayer was as normal as eating, sleeping and taking a bath. It was part of our lives  an essential activity in our daily routines.

So, it shouldn't surprise me that our children took prayer seriously.

One of my favorite memories took place after school one day as I was driving Emily to her dance lessons. She was just five-years oldone of the cutest kindergartners I've ever known. For a moment it was quiet in our car as if Emily were pondering some deep or heavy subject. All of a sudden, she gasped loudly. It scared me a little bit because it was so sudden.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Mom, we have got to stop right now and pray for my future husband. I'm going to get married one day, and we need to pray for him," she exclaimed.

So, we did... that day and many, many times since. When I meet the man that Emily will marry one day, I'm going to tell him the story.

So, why do we pray?

God knows everything already anyway. He's almighty, sovereign and in control of all things. What could we possibly add to His wisdom with our feeble attempts at prayer?

It's a great question. To answer it, I'd like to propose six great reasons for us to pray:

First, we pray because we are God's children and He LOVES to hear from us!

The Lord takes great delight in us! Zephaniah 3:17 reminds us of this promise:

"For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

When I answer the phone and it's one of my children calling, my heart beats a little faster. Since they are both in college and incredibly busy, I love to get a call from them or have time with them face to face.

Our God is the same way. When we make time for Him and call on Him, He loves it! Truly, our voices and our prayers are a sweet sound in His ears.

Second, we pray because it deepens our trust in God.

Prayer changes us! It increases our faith! To take our requests, our needs, our concerns, and our hurts to the Lord in prayer brings about change in us.

When we dump our cares on the Lord, we rise up with peace and with a resolve that we didn't have before we prayed. Consider the words of Philippians 4:6-7:

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Truly, to pray is to cast our cares on the Lord and trust Him completely.

Third, we pray because it causes us to depend on God.

We pray because prayer reminds us that God is the Creator and we are His creation. There is something humbling about prayer. To acknowledge that God is God and we are notthis is such a positive and a healthy thing for us to do.

Prayer limits our pride and our self-reliance. It adjusts our attitudes. Prayer helps us to turn our attention back to heaven.

In Isaiah 40, we are reminded of the greatness of our God. Verse 26 tells us:

"Look up into the heavens.

Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing."

Truly, we pray because it takes our dependence off of ourselves and places it on the Lord.

Fourth, we pray because it gives us the chance to express ourselves completely to the Lord.

There is healing in the expression  in the pouring out! In Psalms 62:8, we read: "O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."

Pastor Adrian Rogers used to regularly remind us, "What we uncover, God will cover. But, what we keep covered, God will uncover."

In our honesty with our heavenly Father, we find healing, help, and wholeness. Prayer is a healing and restorative process.

Truly, our honest prayers can bring better health to our lives.

ifth, we pray because our prayers move the heart of God.

There is something about our prayers that changes, impacts, and affects the way that God acts. Scripture teaches us about this principle and encourages us to fervently pray.

In James 4:2, we are told: " Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it."

No. We do not get every single thing that we pray for or ask for. And, often, this is a good thing.

We will not be able to determine how our God will answer our prayers, but we are instructed over and over in the Bible to pray. When we pray, God responds. Our prayers impact the heart of the Lord.

And, our only job is to pray. God is the one who must answer the prayers. That is His job and His responsibility. Our requests touch the heart of God. Although He may not be ready to answer our requests, He loves to hear us ask.

Truly, our prayers influence the heart of God.

Sixth, we pray because it's an amazing way that we get to be involved with what God is already doing in our world.

Through our prayers, God works to heal, save, help and assist other people. We pray because it allows us to participate in God's work around the globe. To pray is to do ministry. To pray is to serve the Lord and others.

Throughout Paul's ministry, he was constantly asking for prayer and being supported by the believers in prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Paul simply writes: "Brethren, pray for us."

Recently, our pastor returned from a mission trip to Myanmar, also known as Burma. A family from our church serves in this region, and we support them through gifts and visits to serve alongside them.

Myanmar is a very poor nation that is bordered by China, India, Laos, and Thailand. The people have very little but they are an incredibly generous group. Additionally, those who've come to believe in Jesus are devout and serious about their faith.

During my pastor's visit, one of the leaders told him that they had been earnestly praying for America, for our presidential election, and for our country.

Throughout the fall, they regularly met, got on their faces, and prayed for the United States. Their greatest request... that God would continue to bless our nation and keep it focused on Him because so many other nations were depending on us.

What a wonderful example of a group of people partnering with God in prayer!

"True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." -Charles Spurgeon

Melanie is a Christian blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Marketing and Social Media Consultant. She's married to Randy and mom to two awesome college students. God's grace never ceases to amaze her. You can find out more about Melanie and her ministry at www.melanieredd.com.
Anglican Communion head slaps down rebel bishops

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has hit back at a suggestion by the chair of the conservative GAFCON group that to be part of the Anglican Communion is 'not determined simply by relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury'.

The Primate of Nigeria, Nicholas Okoh, used his Advent letter to GAFCON supporters to back the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), which ordained nine men outside the Church of England, claiming the CofE was compromised by liberal theology.

However, Idowu-Fearon flatly contradicted him in an article posted by the Anglican Communion News Service: 'The See of Canterbury is one of the unique features which binds us together. At the Primates' Meeting in October it was clear just how much Canterbury meant to those who came. For Anglicans, communion with the See of Canterbury  and with its Archbishop  is the visible expression of our communion with one another.'

He continued, 'the relationship with the See of Canterbury is essential for Anglicans. You cannot be in the Anglican Communion without it.'

Idowu-Fearon referred to the 1930 Lambeth Conference which explicitly defined the Communion as made up of bodies 'in communion with the See of Canterbury' and the constitution of the Anglican Consultative Council.

He said: 'Of course individual member churches and Provinces of the Anglican Communion are free to enter into relationships of communion with non-Anglican churches. However this does not make those churches members of the Anglican Communion.'

He concluded by praying for 'peace and unity among all Christians, especially those who were once part of the Communion'.

Idowu-Fearon's article will be seen as a direct challenge both to GAFCON and to AMiE with its bishop Andy Lines, who have been positioning themselves to challenge the traditional organisational structure of the Anglican Communion. At stake is how an Anglican is defined, with competing visions fought out very publicly.
By PTI: Kohima, Dec 13 (PTI) In a late night political development, Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today sacked four of his Cabinet ministers following a reported move to topple his government.

According to a release issued by State Cabinet Secretary Pankaj Kumar after 9 pm, Governor P B Acharya on the recommendation of the chief minister has relieved four Cabinet ministers of their portfolios.

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The four are Home Minister Y Patton, School Education and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tokheho Yepthomi, PWD (Roads and Bridges) Minister Neikiesalie Nicky Kire and Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Neiba Kronu.

Highly placed sources said the removal was necessitated following their campaign against Zeliang even after the signing of memorandum of reconciliation between him and NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu on December 9.

They also said that Zeliang would be inducting four new Cabinet ministers before the two-day Winter Session of the state Assembly which commences tomorrow morning.

The internal crisis in the ruling NPF began in July after 36 MLAs joined Zeliangs camp to oust then chief minister Liezietsu, and the two camps signed a document to reconcile and re-unite on December 9. PTI NBS AAR

--- ENDS ---
'Avengers 4' cast rumors: Hugh Jackman not returning, wants new Wolverine actor in the MCU

Hugh Jackman may have previously suggested that Wolverine joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could coax him out of retirement. Now that Disney is all but ready to buy Fox, fans are excited to see the claw-wielding mutant appearing alongside the Avengers on the same screen. Unfortunately, it may already be too late for the actor to star in that crossover.

When asked about the possibility of Wolverine's potential MCU appearance, Jackman told Collider that he has fully moved on from his superhero gig.

"It's interesting because for the whole 17 years I kept thinking that would be so great, like I would love to see, particularly, Iron Man and the Hulk and Wolverine together," he shared. "And every time I saw an 'Avengers' movie I could just see Wolverine in the middle of all of them like punching them all on the head."

Throughout those years, Jackman said he thought it is a far-fetched idea. Once talks of Disney/Fox buyout heat up, he admitted: "I was like, 'Hang on!' But I think, unfortunately, the ship has sailed for me, but for someone else I would like to see Wolverine in there."

Jackman previously expressed interest in suiting up with the Avengers just like in Marvel comic books. But with the release of director James Mangold's "Logan" earlier this year, the actor announced he was done with the role he first portrayed in 2000's "X-Men."

In hindsight, it is just a case of bad timing. Everything started to come together just when the actor hung up his claws when it could have happened a couple of years ago.

Then again, even if the Mouse House acquires Fox, there is no telling when the latter's superheroes would make their way into the MCU. Both studios have already announced their respective slates for the next couple of years.

For Fox, it has "The New Mutants," "Deadpool 2," and "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" in the pipeline, while Marvel has a handful of them set for release within the next two years. So, unless Fox's plans are scrapped, it might be a while before any "X-Men" character debuts in a Marvel film. If anything, it may take beyond "Avengers 4" for it to happen.

The fourth installment of the superhero franchise arrives on May 3, 2019.
Delayed SpaceX Launch news update: Why the company's mission has been pushed back

For the third time, SpaceX once again pushed back the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule's launch on Friday, Dec. 15, at 10:35 a.m. EST. It has been said that the reason behind it is to do more additional inspections and cleaning following the company engineers' detection of particles located in the booster's second-stage fuel system.

"Taking additional time for the team to conduct full inspections and cleanings due to detection of particles in 2nd stage fuel system," SpaceX explained in a tweet. Now, the aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company is looking forward to CRS-13 launch from SLC-40 on the mentioned date. "Next launch opportunity would be no earlier than late December," it said.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule are on a mission to deliver supplies, cargo, and other science experiments for NASA. It was supposed to be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Taking additional time for the team to conduct full inspections and cleanings due to detection of particles in 2nd stage fuel system. Now targeting CRS-13 launch from SLC-40 on Dec. 15. Next launch opportunity would be no earlier than late December.  SpaceX (@SpaceX) Disyembre 13, 2017

However, this has been the second launch delay in just two days. Originally, the booster was set to take off on Friday, Dec. 8. It was later pushed backed to Tuesday, Dec. 12, and has been delayed again.

Overall, this has been the third delay for the SpaceX mission called CSR-13, which means "commercial resupply service." This should be the 13th delivery flight mission to the International Space Station for NASA under the SpaceX's resupply contract with the federal agency.

The Dragon capsule is said to deliver almost 4,800 lbs. or 2,177 kilograms of food, supplies, and science gear. Also, there might be some Christmas presents for the astronauts. This, too, is supposed to be the first mission to launch from Launch Complex 40 since the explosion that had damaged the pad's structure last September 2016.

SpaceX needed to reconstruct and make the complex more modernized. With that, the pad is now hardened and has an underground infrastructure. It also has an improved cooling system and the likeness of other pads the company has. This move is also said to lessen complexity.
George Clooney news: He once gave out 14 best friends $1M each

A friend of A-list celebrity George Clooney shared that the actor once gave 14 of his best friends over $1 million each.

In an interview with MSNBC's Headliners, entrepreneur Rande Gerber, husband of Cindy Crawford, revealed that back in 2013, Clooney not only gave them $1.3 million each but also paid all their taxes for the year, so that they could use the money on more important things.

The exact date was Sept. 27, 2013, when the "Ocean's 11" actor invited the group, which they call "The Boys," to his house for dinner. Gerber said that when they arrived, there were black suitcases on each of their spots around the table.

Gerber remembers Clooney starting his speech with, "Listen, I want you guys to know how much you've meant to me and how much you mean to me in my life. I came to L.A., I slept on your couch." He continued by saying he is "fortunate" to have them in his life. "I couldn't be where I am today without all of you," he added.

The 56-year-old actor and director then said that he wants to give them back for everything, before asking them to open their suitcases.

Gerber said it contained $1.3 million in $20 bills, to the disbelief of everyone present.

Even Clooney, a multi-Golden Globe and Academy Award winner, has been through hard times. And he said some of the people who helped him are still going through it. He hoped the million dollars could help them and their families.

"One was working at a bar in Texas at the airport, trying just to support his family, rides a bicycle to work every day. I mean these are guys that took care of George and now he's giving it all back," shared Gerber.

Gerber, part-owner of Clooney's Casamigos Tequila company, added that he did not want to take the money, and he told the actor so. But Clooney rebuked that if he does not take it, then none of the boys can have the money as well. Gerber ended up donating the money to charity.

He added that exactly a year later, Sept. 25, 2014, Clooney receives his good karma by marrying Amal, who he now shares twins Alexander and Ella with.
Justin Welby joins royals for London Bridge memorial, commends 'courage' of Londoners

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has commended the 'courage' of Londoners 'pressing on' with their lives following the summer's London Bridge attack. He spoke as he joined the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall last night to meet locals at Borough Market, where the terrorist violence took place.

The June attack saw eight killed and 48 injured after knife-wielding assailants ran wild stabbing bystanders at the crowded market after driving into pedestrians on London Bridge, before being shot dead by police.

The Archbishop joined Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on a visit to the market meeting vendors, shoppers and local community members talking about the popular cultural hub recovering and preparing for Christmas, according to Associated Press.

'I think what makes it so good is that it looks as though nothing has happened, everyone is just getting on with life which is how you should deal with these sorts of circumstances,' Welby said.

He added: 'I think the courage of people  I was just talking to one of the security guards and someone at the pub  the courage of people of just picking themselves up, pressing on and keeping going just says so much about this country and this city.'

The Archbishop and royal party met witnesses of the attack, including security guard Ganga Garbuja, who protected bystanders from the onslaught by helping barricade them in a pub. Monika Linton, the founder of tapas chain restaurant Brindisa, described the trauma her staff had faced.

'The shootings happened straight outside so it was difficult to know, for our team, whether bullets were going to come through the window...It was terrifying for the staff, they didn't know what was going on, if they were going to set bombs off, we didn't know they were fake till afterwards.'

Welby, Charles and Camilla concluded their visit by joining locals and community leaders for a 'service of light' at Southwark Cathedral, remembering by name the victims of the atrocity.
'Once Upon a Time' season 7 winter finale spoilers: Gothel to earn Anastasia's trust, could lead to something lethal

"Once Upon a Time" season 7 episode 10, titled "The Eighth Witch," will be the series winter finale. With that, it looks like there will be a lot of twists and turns happening as Anastasia (Yael Yurman) is now awake.

In the upcoming episode, Weaver (Robert Carlyle) will be working with Anastasia and Victoria (Gabrielle Anwar) to investigate about the dagger. However, someone is going to interrupt them as Gothel (Emma Booth) will enter the room and try to gain Anastasia's trust.

In "Once Upon a Time" season 7 episode 10's official photos, Weaver is seen bringing Anastasia in a room, along with Victoria. Here, he is showing her a number of knives, but Anastasia specifically picks up the dagger.

Later in "The Eighth Witch," all of the knives will be seen thrown at the cupboard, thus Weaver will be pulling out the dagger. Anastasia will be next seen writing down notes, while Weaver and Victoria seem to be dictating to her something.

However, they will be interrupted by someone who arrives in the room. As it is believed that Gothel will be entering the room where they are in "Once Upon a Time" season 7 episode 10, she will try to get Anastasia's trust, although it remains to be a big mystery where it could lead to.

Additionally, in "The Eighth Witch's" official synopsis, Drizella (Adelaide Kane) will be threatening the realm with a dark curse. With that, Henry (Andrew J. West) and Ella (Dania Ramirez) will do everything to protect Lucy (Alison Fernandez) and the others.

Also, Regina (Lana Parrilla) will be forced to make an unthinkable choice in "Once Upon a Time" season 7 episode 10. In Hyperion Heights, meanwhile, Roni (Parrilla) will be asking Henry to travel to San Francisco to look for her sister.

But as soon as Henry finds out that Lucy is unconscious, he will be rushing to be by her side instead. In other "The Eighth Witch" events, Gothel will finally earn Anastasia's trust. However, it looks like the consequences of their brewing relationship could lead to dangerous events.

"Once Upon a Time" season 7 episode 10, titled "The Eighth Witch," will air on Friday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Archbishop of Canterbury: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's church wedding is based on genuine faith

The Archbishop of Canterbury has insisted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to marry in church is based on their genuine faith and commitment.

Justin Welby is thought to be favourite to take the service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle next May but the details have yet to be announced.

The Archbishop refused to be pressed on whether he would officiate at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor next May but said their decision to marry in church was based on a commitment to faith.

'I am very, very sure after conversations that this is no tick-box exercise,' he told the BBC's Today programme which was broadcast from Lambeth Palace on Thursday.

'There is a profound sense of commitment, seriousness both about faith and about their lives together which is quite inspirational.'

He added: 'It is important because people look at it and they will see a model of how two people commit their lives to one another before God and in the presence of millions of people.'

Asked whether he would take the wedding Welby said 'that is up to them' but said it would a 'wonderful' occasion.

Welby was teased by the BBC's Nick Robinson after he dropped the rings while officiating at the wedding of his head of communications Ailsa Anderson but said he didn't think that had ruled him out from taking the service.

The Church of England's guidance for remarrying divorcees suggests the priest ask the couple a series of probing questions to check they have thought it through. If Welby did take the service he would be expected to ask Meghan Markle a number of questions including 'what have you learned from your previous marriage?' and 'has there been healing of past hurts?'

Markle, 36, is a Protestant Christian and went to a Catholic high school. She will be baptised before the service and also intends to become a British citizen.

In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Today programme the archbishop also called for a 'ceasefire' on insults and personal attacks over Brexit.
Roy Moore and the day my evangelicalism died

'You will not turn me into a liberal!' This was my exclamation to my tutor when I was training to become a minister.

Indeed, liberal theology didn't kill my evangelicalism  evangelicalism did that all on its own.

I realise now that what I was grappling with was the slow death of clear-cut, easy-answer, nicely packaged Christianity that I had learnt as a teenager. We had just come out of a teaching session on sacramentalism with a bigwig in my denomination, who was trying to persuade us that there is a difference in a person's very being after ordination  something I still disagree with. That session, however, felt like the culmination of a slow hammering of my faith, as I understood it, which I was not going to allow to come tumbling down.

I stormed into my tutor's office to exclaim to him that it wouldn't work. 'Sit down Andy, let's have a chat..'We are not here to turn you into a liberal, just a nuanced evangelical.' Nuance being the unofficial motto of my college.

This week, on Tuesday December 12, there was a vote for the US Senate. Not something to write home about, you would think. This vote however was incredibly symbolic. There was a choice between two white men, aged over 60. One was a judge who has been accused of sexually abusing young teenage girls. The other is a lawyer who helped to imprison members of the KKK who burnt down black churches. The answer is fairly clear cut, isn't it?

Of course, you vote for the one accused of sexual abuse because he is anti-abortion.

NO. No, you don't. But 80 per cent of white evangelical Christians did. People who profess to worship a bearded, homeless, Palestinian refugee, born to an unwed teenage mother...I don't get it either.

This group, who read the same Bible as me, sing the same songs as me, go to churches that look like mine, decided that they would rather vote for someone accused of one of the most heinous crimes because he had 'good Christian morals'. Apparently being inclusive of LGBT+ people, imprisoning white men who burn down black churches, standing up for minorities and the marginalised simply isn't displaying Christian values.

Here lies my problem. I cannot claim to have the same Christianity as that. I cannot claim to be an evangelical when that is what it looks like. I don't really think I am a very good liberal either. This I do know, however: I don't get to decide who is in and who is out  God does. And I don't get to decide who is theologically right and who isn't, God does (although I don't think God cares about doctrine half as much as we do).

My evangelicalism died when I realised it was us who were setting the boundaries of salvation. When evangelicals got so caught up in issues-based faith that Jesus got lost. The Jesus we read about in scripture is the homeless man who hung around with prostitutes, fraudsters, terrorists and the marginalised. He was the Jesus who only ever, as we have it recorded, got angry at the religious people for setting the boundaries of salvation, 'You white washed tombs, you sons of hell.'

Do I agree with my liberal friends on everything? No, of course not. But do I see them being more like Jesus than those claiming to be evangelicals? Absolutely I do.

Evangelicalism has lost its soul and it has sold it for black and white, easily repeatable religion.

'Who are you to say you're right?' I hear you say. Well, not me, that's for sure. I'm just a bloke muddling his way through this thing called faith who has experienced the best, and the worst, of church.

The best currently that I see are my friends reaching out to the those on the edge of church who are told their identity or their theology or their *insert word as you see fit* means that they are not welcome.

The worst I currently see are those who claim to love but in reality only love as far as their understanding of theology allows them too, which in most cases stops at white, middle class, straight, married couples with nice children.

Did liberal theology kill my evangelicalism? No. Evangelicalism did that all by itself.

Rev Andy Fitchet is a Baptist minister.
Welby urges 'ceasefire' from political war of insults over Brexit

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for a 'ceasefire' on insults and personal attacks over Brexit.

Justin Welby referenced the legendary Christmas truce in 1914 during the First World War as he called for 'reconciliation and unity' between warring political factions over a hard or soft Brexit.

'It would be very good to have a ceasefire from insult and the use of pejorative terms about people at this time,' he told the BBC's Today programme which broadcast a special programme from Lambeth Palace on Thursday.

It comes after newspapers branded Tory rebel MPs as 'traitors' and 'mutineers'.

Welby was speaking the morning after 11 Conservative MPs voted with Labour to defeat the government and insist on a final parliamentary vote on the Brexit deal with the EU.

'We have made a decision about Brexit,' he said. 'That is clear. How we do that is a question for robust political argument.

'But there is a difference between disagreeing and personalised attacks. Those have to be avoided.'

He added: 'We need a political leadership that is united in their attitude to the future even if divided on policy.

In a wide-ranging interview the Archbishop was also asked about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor next May and about the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The Archbishop will give a blessing at a multi-faith service marking the six-month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire at St Paul's Cathedral later today.

Welby said it was 'clear there was less attention given to the people in Grenfell Tower' than to more affluent tower blocks nearby and that betrayed a 'failure' in valuing every human being in the UK.

He praised the 'extraordinary community response' around Grenfell Tower but added it is 'not right' this should happen in a tower block in 21st century London.
Why does a Muslim hold the key to the church where Jesus was buried?

As Christian Today has reported, the custodian in charge of the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has refused to welcome officially the US Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Jerusalem's Old City later this month.

Though it makes sense for a church hotly competed over by rival Christian denominations, it is perhaps relatively unknown that this keyholder to the most important church in Christendom is a Muslim, 53-year-old Adeeb Joudeh.

His family, a prominent Jerusalem clan, was entrusted with the keys centuries ago in an arrangement that, according to Joudeh, dates back to the time of Saladin, the Muslim conqueror who seized the Holy City from the Crusaders in 1187.

'Honestly, it's a great honour for a Muslim to hold the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,' Joudeh told Reuters last month.

Meanwhile, another of the city's oldest Muslim families, the Nusseibehs, was entrusted with the duty of opening and closing the church doors, a task they perform to this day, with the large key, which is is 30 cm (12 inches) long and weighs 250 grams (0.5 pounds).

Researchers differ on the roots of these arrangements. Some historians say Saladin most likely bestowed the guardianship upon the two families in order to assert Muslim dominance over Christianity in the city, and this would certainly fit with the dominant image of the Old City: the Dome of the Rock and the sound of the Muslim call to prayer which frequently drowns out any church bells you might be able to here from various spots in the Old City.

Joudeh told Reuters that his key is about 800 years old. Another copy he holds broke after centuries of use. 'I started learning this when I was eight years old. It's handed down from father to son,' said Joudeh. 'I have been doing this for 30 years and I feel that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is my second home.'

The Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Catholic denominations share custody of the church, where tensions often run high over control of its various chapels and compartments.

The Christianity scholar Yisca Harani said having Muslim families in charge of the key and the doors helps somewhat in keeping the peace between the denominations. 'The church is definitely a model of co-existence,' Harani told Reuters.

The church, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year, was identified as the site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial by representatives of the Roman emperor Constantine, in AD 326.
Why it's time to put 'We Three Kings' (and some other carols) in the bin

What a load of nonsense is written in some Christmas carols.

Of course, many are excellent. But along with the gold there is a lot of dross. Take the line in 'Away in a manger' which asserts boldly: 'Little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes'. Really? On what basis is that stated? It's certainly not in the Bible.

And then there's 'I saw three ships' in which the hymn-writer advances the dubious claim that he (or she) saw some boats containing Jesus and Mary arriving in Bethlehem on Christmas morning  a surprising feat indeed, given that the nearest body of water is the Dead Sea, some 20 miles away from that city.

But perhaps the most annoying carol of all is the well-known 'We Three Kings'. This was written in 1857 by one Henry Hopkins Junior, who as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, really should have known better.

The problem is simply stated, and you know what it is: the Bible only states that the visitors from the east who came to visit Jesus were 'magi'  or wise men  rather than kings, and furthermore it doesn't say how many there were.

Furthermore, when it comes to the many reasons to dislike this carol most heartily, we might add its grating tune and contrived rhymes such as, 'Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh.' What? And as for attempting to rhyme 'perfume' with 'gloom'  so that you have to over-stress the second syllable of 'perfume'  well, as an Englishman brought up on BBC Radio 4, all I can do is respond with an eye-rolling 'per-lease'.

But there is actually a more serious reason for objecting to this carol and for pausing to reflect before we sing it without thinking. And that is the fact that at Christmas there is only one King. And He's not a resplendent man on a camel. He's a helpless baby in a manger.

As we continue our fortnightly pilgrimage through Mark's gospel we come to Mark 15, where six times in 32 verses we are told that Jesus is 'the king of the Jews'. Many first century Jews were certainly hoping for a king  perhaps a revolutionary or a Trump-like 'disrupter' who would restore their nation's past glory. But Jesus wasn't  and isn't  that kind of king. Instead, in Mark 15 we see that Jesus is:

(1) A silent king. Jesus acknowledges his kingship when questioned (v2) but under further questioning makes no additional reply (v5). As Handley Moule, a former Bishop of Durham, wrote: 'Jesus refused either to plead guilty or to defend himself'. Not for Jesus a constant stream of defensive (or offensive) tweets when under attack. Rather, a silence that actually spoke volumes in and of itself, resonating as it did with the ancient Jewish concept of a 'lamb' who would be 'led to the slaughter' and yet be quiet in the face of death (Isaiah 53v7).

(2) A suffering king. Emmanuel Macron, the French leader, has often been described as a 'Jupiter president'  referring to the Roman god of gods who sat aloof above the fray of regular affairs. But Jesus' style of kingship is rather different: a monarch in the mess of human existence and suffering. A king who was prepared to be mocked, tortured and demeaned.

(3) A servant king. Earlier in Mark's gospel Jesus makes it clear that he did not come to be served  unlike human rulers  but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. And much of this section of Mark's gospel echoes Isaiah 53 with its depiction of a suffering servant.

So let's consign 'We three kings' to the rubbish heap. Instead, let's focus on Jesus the one true king  the unexpected king, the suffering, servant king. Let's also put in the bin our misplaced faith in human 'kings'  be they named Trump, Putin, Macron, Erdogan or Corbyn. (With the best will in the world I don't think anyone would describe Theresa May as monarchical!). Of course, this may be nothing new to you  but that doesn't mean we don't need to remember afresh.

This Roman Catholic prayer for advent says it all so beautifully: 'Almighty, everlasting God, who in your beloved Son, King of the whole world, has willed to restore all things anew; grant in your mercy that all the families of nations, rent asunder by the wound of sin, may be subjected to His most gentle rule. Who with you lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.'

David Baker is a former daily newspaper journalist now working as an Anglican minister in Sussex, England. Find him on Twitter @Baker_David_A The Rough Guide to Discipleship is a fortnightly series.
Akayed Ullah, the 27-year-old ISIS-inspired immigrant from Bangladesh, was the only person seriously hurt this past Monday, when he detonated his bomb in the crowded underground passageway between the Port Authority bus terminal and the Times Square subway hub. Three bystanders suffered minor injuries.

The botched terror attack prompted a self-congratulatory press conference, at which Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio applauded the police and other first responders for capturing the perpetrator of the latest terror attack in New York City and taking away a cell phone that might have triggered another bomb. The governor and mayor vowed that such attacks would not disrupt life in New York. All Ullah managed to do was upend the citys morning rush hour. His crowning achievement was inconvenience.

Still, at the news conference, John J. Miller, the NYPDs commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, reminded listeners that there have been 26 terrorist plots aimed at the city since 9/11, most foiled through a combination of what he called intelligence, investigation, and interdiction. New York was fortunate in another respect, said Michael Sheehan, a former NYPD counterterrorism commissioner. Ullahs botched attack reflected yet again a lack of connectivity between a lone wolf and the Islamic State, al-Qaida, or other terrorism sponsors. In that sense, he noted, such attacks are signs of strategic weakness, not diabolical genius.

But New Yorkers know all too well that the citys previous narrow escapes have sometimes resulted from what the Wall Street Journal called dumb luck. Had part of Ullahs homemade pipe bombfashioned from Christmas tree lights, among other things, and strapped to his chest with Velcrofully detonated, his attack could have been devastating. Ullahs was the first attempted suicide bombing here, but the third attack in New York by an Islamist terrorist in the past 14 months. Sayfullo Saipov, another militant Muslim loser, managed to kill eight people in a truck-ramming attack on a Hudson River bike path on October 31. Since 2014, there have been at least 16 vehicular attacks, from Barcelona to New York. Half occurred in 2017.

President Trump blamed Americas lax immigration policies for the attack and issued a statement promoting his proposed restrictions. He called on Congress to end the extended chain migration that gives priority to individuals related to legal immigrants already in the country. He also said that an executive order restricting the entry of nationals from six majority-Muslim countries and North Korea, along with Venezuelan government officials, which the Supreme Court recently permitted to take effect, would help reverse the immigration flows that he claims allow far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to access our country.

Though chain migration and immigration lotteries violate common sense in light of the terrorist threat, some of Trumps other assertions are problematic. The executive order he has proposed does not restrict immigrants from Bangladesh, Ullahs country of origin. Though Ullah immigrated in 2011 on a family-immigration visa, according to the federal complaint filed Tuesday, he did not begin his radicalization until 2014, three years after his arrival here. Even the most diligent pre-immigration vetting would probably not have identified him as a Muslim extremist. Moreover, a 2007 NYPD report by Mitch Silber and Arvin Bhatt, Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat, argued that the most violent, extreme interpretations of Islam were likely to be embraced not by Muslim immigrants (like Ullah), but by their sons and daughtersin particular, converts to Islam. Also, experts caution that painting all Muslim immigrants with a broad brush can alienate community members who might otherwise be willing to volunteer information about peculiar behavior or potential terror plots. Having family, friends, and acquaintances report suspicious activity is crucial to preventing terror, said Richard Clarke, a former counter-terrorism and cyber-terrorism adviser to Republican and Democratic presidents.

Terrorism experts warn against complacency. Because the Islamic States territorial caliphate has shrunk and its members are on the run, jihadists have shifted their holy war to Western countries and cities. Such attacks are likely to continue, and perhaps accelerate, as frustrated Muslim fighters return to Europe and North America in search of softer targets.

There is much that national security officials can do in the interim to enhance national security, even here in New York, where the NYPD is regarded as counterterrorisms gold standard. First, the NYPD should repost Silber and Bhatts groundbreaking report, which was removed from the department website after civil liberties groups complained that it stigmatized Muslims. It did not, but it did provide case studies on radicalization that law enforcement and family, friends, and neighbors would find useful.

Second, the NYPD might also consider reconstituting its Demographic Unit, another small but vital effort to document where ethnic groups live in the city, and where a terrorist might seek a job off the books or a cheap place to stay, in the words of the Wall Street Journal. The NYPD disbanded this covert surveillance program in 2013 after similar complaints from civil rights groups.

Third, the city council should postpone action next week on the Right to Know Act, which, as the New York Post has argued, would dangerously discourage cops ability to perform proactive policing. The two-part bill would require cops to identify themselves to people they stop and provide a business card if they dont make an arrest or issue a summons. The second measure would require the NYPD to obtain consent before searching a suspect if it lacks a warrant or probable cause to conduct the search.

Washington must respond strategically as well. Congress should principally focus on figuring out who is already in the United States. Counterterror expert Richard Clarke has long advocated for a national identity carda controversial measure, but one perhaps worth considering again. While Social Security cards can be forged or stolen, biometrics and other modern technologies enable the federal government to issue cards that reliably identify individuals for a host of purposes, Clarke says.

Finally, public awareness is no substitute for intelligence about individuals who are radicalizing and may be plotting terrorist attacks. The NYPD must continue investing in intelligence-gathering capabilities and increasing the number and sophistication of its undercover officers and operatives. As Sheehan argues, the key to stopping future attacks is not just good technology, but investigations, investigations, investigations.

Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into a medical charity which raised funds for sick children, after receiving complaints over late and as-yet unpaid medical bills.

The Darren Wright Foundation, a Bristol-based charity, raises money to fund treatment for people with life-limiting conditions, particularly children. The Commission is investigating complaints that families of beneficiaries could not communicate with the charity or access funds raised on their behalf.

The charity was founded by Scott Wright, whose brother Darren has cerebral palsy, to raise money for other families facing large medical bills. Local newspapers report that Wright has now stepped down and the charity has apologised for failing families.

A statement reported to be from the charity said: "The Darren Wright Foundation would like to apologise to the families involved by our delay in dealing with the matter in hand. We are aware of our shortcomings as a charity and are working hard on resolving this both with changes in administrative processes and staffing.

According to reports in local news sources, the Commission stepped in after receiving a complaint from the family of Ezzy Hodge, a three-year-old with cerebral palsy. An operation in the United States to allow her to walk was reportedly almost cancelled after the foundation failed to make promised payments.

In a statement released today the Charity Commission said: The Commission engaged with the charity in August 2017 following the receipt of complaints from members of the public. These complainants, who included the families of beneficiaries of the charity, raised concerns about difficulties they had faced in communicating with the charity and accessing funds that had been raised on behalf of their family members.

The Commission has also experienced difficulties in communicating with the charity and has therefore been unable to adequately address a number of regulatory concerns identified through the public complaints and by way of the Commissions own scrutiny.

The inquiry will look into whether weaknesses at the charity are down to misconduct or mismanagement by trustees, and whether the charity is meeting its public benefit requirements.
How do you measure impact?

Many publishers are looking to outside sources for funding through foundations, investors, and subscriptions. In addition to analyzing interest in their work through pageviews, completion rates, stickiness, and other metrics, companies and newsrooms need to show how much of a difference is being made by their work across channels.

The Journal Media News Group, a news organization located in the northern suburbs of New York City, created a way to measure many of their successes through Impact Tracker, a custom online tool developed by its staff that could soon expand from three Gannett newsrooms to 16 more in the USA Today network next year.

ICYMI: NY journalist handcuffed to railing over his head

In the online interface, reporters choose from 12 kinds of impact for their worksuch as policy change, major citation, and government investigation, add specific details, and track how their stories change over time. Editors can quickly see how their reporters are doing, as well as pull out information for columns, award applications, and performance reviews.

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Digital Director Anjanette Delgado started the project in late 2015 with the belief that investigative journalism needed to be measured by more than just page views. Executive Editor Traci Bauer agreed. If we become a slave to those metrics at the expense of not knowing about impact, were going to wake up one day and be very regretful as an industry, Bauer tells CJR. When I said, [impact is] impossible to measure, Anjanette had this look on her face like, maybe thats not so impossible.

In December, the first version of the Impact Tracker started as a Google Form, a free online survey and information collection tool.We started out that way because it had a low barrier to entry and you can experiment, says Delgado, who also did extensive research on impact tracking and what was already being done at nonprofits and organizations like ProPublica and The Center for Investigative Reporting.

The newsrooms seven-person investigative team was the test group for this first version of Impact Tracker. We wanted reporters to do this because they can connect the dots and say I know this happened, Delgado said.

ICYMI: She identified herself as a reporter. He then walked behind her and punched her in the side of the head

For Investigative Editor Frank Scandale, the Impact Tracker gave him and his Watchdog reporters a much easier way to organize the results of their work far beyond pageviews and other kinds of traffic. Scandale was part of the team at the Denver Post who won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for the papers coverage of the Columbine High massacre. He says contests like the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service have always focused on impact but other deeply reported stories that werent nominated for awards mattered, too.

We may not win an award but the [Impact Tracker] tool shows you the value of investigative journalism, he tells CJR from his cubicle filled with stacks of old newspapers and walls covered in pages of his teams cover stories. It validates what we do. Its showing what were doing in black and white and it doesnt get pushed to the bottom of some email.

ICYMI: The surprise 2017 Pulitzer winner

After a year and a half with the Google Form, Delgado had enough experience, information, and feedback from the Watchdog team to receive management support from Bauer to bring the project to its next stage of development. There wasnt a question when it came to asking for additional resources, Delgado says. News app developer Avram Billig was brought on to help build the second version of the toola custom, easily searchable, scalable online application with more specific ways of tracking impact beyond investigative work. Ease of use was really important to us so that reporters wouldnt feel like it was burdensome, Delgado says. The new version was introduced to the newsroom in the spring of this year.

When we rolled it out to the rest of the staff, Anjanette and I said, Dont junk it up because you feel like you have to be on the Impact Tracker, Bauer tells CJR. Were pretty strict about what goes in there. Was legislation introduced? Did someone lose their job? Was an investigation started?

Some of Bauers favorite examples of impact include a Purple Heart medal found on the side of the road being reconnected with family members and a popular German restaurant reopening after its initial closure. It doesnt always have to be someone getting fired or going to jail, although those are pretty cool, too, she says, laughing. It can be softer than that.

Another, more recent, example came from a report on a local Christmas tree farm. Reporter Heather Clark told Delago that on the farms first day of business, sales had doubled and customers were coming in from a wider area. The owner told [Clark], The only thing different from last year is you wrote about us.

It didnt take long for other Gannett papers to become interested after Bauer and Scandale did a presentation on impact at a editors meeting in the summer of 2016. But Bauer and Delgado wanted to wait for the updated version before introducing it to other newsrooms in the company this year. Now its so much more sortable and searchable and scalable, Bauer says.

Version 2.0 of the tracker automatically enters information from reporters into an easily searchable database. The application also allows easy export of raw text into the newsrooms content management system for other articles or columns, as well as for speeches, audience analysis, and even talent recruitment.

The current expansion focus for the Impact Tracker is with smaller newsrooms like the Poughkeepsie Journal, where Bauer and Delgado also serve as executive editor and digital director, and TCPalm.com. They can help us test it, but they can also help us with the rollout and the [training of other Gannett newsrooms], Bauer says.

ICYMI: Gannett and the last great local hope

While adoption of the tracker is voluntary for Gannett newsrooms, Delgado says its critical to get management on board from the start. If you have a newsroom where the editors dont believe in it, dont buy in, dont make it a priority, then reporters forget to put their story in, she says. Then you end up with three or four months where nothing has happened even though you know something has.

Meetings, training and observation of the initial impact tracking are all done by Delgados team remotely. And while there are currently 16 sites waiting to get access, Delgado says this is still a fraction of USA Todays total network. If we bring everyone in, were talking 100 plus, she says. We built it to scale and to be able to handle 109 sites. But we just want to bring people in waves instead of all at once.

When it comes to writing stories, Bauer notes impact tracking is one of a range of measurement tools for her staff, including unique visitors or time spent on site. Were not going to chase the metric of the week in this newsroom, Bauer says. And its not all about impact because if we ignore the metrics and just go to impact, we have the danger of losing our audience. We have to measure all of them as a formula and put all of them together to make strategic decisions.

Beyond its editorial function, the Impact Tracker is also changing how The Journal News markets subscriptions. Local consumer sales and marketing manager Kasia Abrams says her work will highlight results from notable stories shes found in the reporting tool.

I think theres no better way to emphasize the importance of being a subscriber to a local newspaper than showing their impact, she says. Often in sales its just results oriented and youre selling the product because of the discount. Were selling a product that really makes a difference. Were part of something bigger. This is why you should subscribe.

We would rather sell the impact on the community instead of saying, Buy the paper youll get an extra five dollars in coupons, Delgado says with a laugh.

Correction: This story has been updated to clarify how the Impact Tracker started.

ICYMI: When metrics drive newsroom culture

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Karen K. Ho is a freelance business, culture and media reporter, based in New York. She is also a former Delacorte Fellow at CJR. Follow her on Twitter @karenkho.
This week on The Kicker, Meg speaks with New Yorker Fiction Editor Deborah Treisman about how a short story, Cat Person by Kristen Roupenian, went viral, as well as the broader role of fiction in a journalistic setting. Then CJR Senior Staff Writer Alex Neason joins Meg and Pete to discuss the media news of the week, including the narratives surrounding Alabamas special election and the campaign to bring Gawker back from the dead.

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SHOW NOTES:

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Meg Dalton and Pete Vernon are CJR Delacorte Fellows. Find Meg on Twitter @megdalts and Pete @ByPeteVernon.
A state board dominated by construction industry representatives has been blocking efforts by some local governments in Indiana to require carbon monoxide detectors in residential properties.

The Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission voted unanimously last week to reject Michigan Citys carbon monoxide detector ordinance. It also postponed action on more stringent rules proposed by St. Joseph County and didnt consider an appeal filed by Chesterton officials after the commission rejected its ordinance in October, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported .

State law requires cities and counties trying to pass ordinances that differ from state building code and fire safety laws to seek permission from the 11-member commission, which is appointed by the governor.

During last weeks board meeting, the commissions director, Douglas Boyle, deemed the Michigan City ordinance defective because of its immediate effective date and other general language issues. But he repeatedly declined to tell Michigan City Fire Marshal Kyle Kazmierczak what exactly would pass muster with the commission.

Kazmierczak said hes frustrated by the panel, which he described as inept since it primarily is made up of building and construction industry representatives.

Until theres parity there these ordinances will never be enacted, Kazmierczak said. What theyre doing, in my opinion, is trying to draw it out as long as possible so we just go away.

The pending proposals would require carbon monoxide detectors in new home construction, with St. Joseph County adding existing rentals, nursing homes and motels.

The city of LaPorte is the only community in the state to have local requirements approved thus far, yet had to make three attempts, according to Dot Kesling, founder of the Lindsey OBrien Kesling Wishing Tree Foundation that advocates for awareness about dangers from the odorless gas produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances.

Commission members appeared more opposed to the St. Joseph County ordinance that would require new and existing homes, as well as some 32,000 rental units, have carbon monoxide detectors, similar to the state law that mandates smoke detectors in all residential dwellings.

Theres no way that you could police this by any means, said board member Gregory Furnish, a homebuilder from Memphis, Indiana.

The Indiana Apartment Association, which represents apartment building owners, argued in a letter to the commission that it is best to have statewide codes, especially when thinking that every local community could instead review and adopt their own codes which would create inconsistency throughout the state.

Association President Lynne Petersen said the group would have to consider variables, such as the required locations, number and decibels of the detectors, before deciding whether to support a statewide requirement for carbon monoxide detectors.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
If the House Republican tax bill became law, victims of hurricanes in Texas and Florida whove yet to account for all their losses could deduct them on their 2018 taxes. Not so for victims of the California wildfires.

If the Senate version prevailed, victims of all federally declared disasters  a category that cover victims of both hurricanes and the wildfires  could deduct their losses. But people who lost homes in smaller-scale disasters couldnt.

Such disparities, seemingly arbitrary, show how political decisions have helped shape the tax legislation being crafted by Republicans, who insist theyre trying to simplify the tax code, reduce rates and treat everyone fairly.

I dont know that treating disasters differently makes sense as economic policy, but its understandable as part of the political process, said Michael Simkovic, a tax professor at the University of Southern California law school. Thats how things work.

No one is sure which provisions of the House and Senate bills will end up in the final reconciled version that Republicans are working on and hope to finalize as early as this week. But whatever changes survive the reconciliation process could have far-reaching consequences for a vast range of households, including victims of natural disasters.

The House bill was written by Rep. Kevin Brady, the chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means committee. His district adjoins Houston, which was thrashed by Hurricane Harvey in September. Bradys provision would end the personal loss deduction that has been used by taxpayers who suffer severe losses from fires, floods or crimes.

Yet the House bill would create an exception allowing victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria to use that deduction in the future if they havent yet totaled their losses from the storms by the time they file their 2017 taxes.

If they call out one kind of devastation over another, that stinks, said Larry Keyser, whose home was one of 3,500 structures destroyed in fires in Northern California in October as the tax bill began to move through the House of Representatives.

The Senate side, that stinks too, added Keyser, a retired engineer who is struggling to total all the losses his family suffered. He doubts he will have determined his total financial loss by tax time.

Despite Bradys provision, Republicans have said they are trying to extend the deduction to California wildfire victims just as they did to hurricane victims. All of Californias 53 congressional representatives  including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy  have introduced a bill that would extend into next year the personal loss deduction for victims of the states fires.

Lauren Aronson, a spokeswoman for the Ways and Means committee, did not explain why the House bill provided tax advantages for hurricane victims but not for fire victims. In a statement, she said of the House and Senate measures:

Chairman Brady looks forward to working together in conference to reconcile these similar proposals. At the same time, the chairman continues to work with members who have introduced legislation that will provide tax relief to families affected by the recent wildfires in California.

Democrats have assailed Republicans for omitting Californias fire victims from the House bills tax advantages for hurricane victims. Their anger is compounded by the fact that both versions of the Republicans tax legislation would eliminate the deductibility of state and local income taxes.

That change would especially disadvantage residents of California and other high-tax states that vote predominantly Democratic. Eleven of Californias 14 Republican members of the House voted for the tax bill, helping supply the margin it needed to pass that chamber.

Rep. Darrell Issa, whose San Diego district was hit by last weeks fires, is one of the three California Republican representatives who voted against the bill. On Tuesday, he urged congressional leaders to include an extension for California wildfire victims in the final bill.

As devastating wildfires continue to ravage our state, it would be unthinkable to do away with important and much-needed relief for constituents whove lost their homes, property and livelihoods, Issa wrote.

Even if the House provision is adjusted to match the Senates, allowing victims of federally declared disasters  but not others  to deduct losses, it would still be morally objectionable, Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, said in an interview.

Why would we treat two people who both lost homes of equal value differently, because one lost their home on a day when 15 other people lost homes and another when 200 lost their home? he asked.

Sherman also warned that using the tax code to favor victims of federally declared disasters over other victims could open the door for Congress or the White House to punish particular states that favor the opposing political party.

That just shows how political this all is, he said.

(AP staffers Jeff Chiu in San Francisco and Ellen Knickmeyer in Sonoma, California, contributed to this report.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The owner of the sunken cargo ship El Faro had a weak corporate safety culture that contributed to the vessels demise and the deaths of 33 mariners, federal accident investigators said on Tuesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board said that as a company, TOTE Maritime, Inc. suffered from a lack of critical aspects of safety management and training, one of the many problems the board hopes to mitigate through the adoption of 53 draft safety measures its recommending as a result of its probe.

The board noted that the captain was relying on outdated weather information, using a system he hadnt been formally trained on; that a hatch left open in the storm allowed flooding in a cargo hold, destabilizing the vessel; and that the crew had not been adequately trained to deal with flooding and other effects of harsh weather.

The El Faro lost engine power in a Category 3 hurricane while sailing from Jacksonville to San Juan, Puerto Rico and eventually sank in 15,000 feet (4,570 meters) of water near the Bahamas.

NTSB investigators said Capt. Michael Davidson was using outdated weather data as he dismissed multiple requests by his mates to take a slower, safer route. Davidson relied on an emailed weather product called the Bon Voyage System, which by design runs six hours behind online National Hurricane Center updates. Investigators believe, based on the captains decisions and comments recorded on the ships voyage data recorder, or black box, he wasnt aware of the delay.

Although up-to-date weather information was available on the ship, the El Faro captain did not use the most current weather information for decision-making, NTSB investigator Mike Kucharski said at the boards final meeting on the 2015 disaster, held in Washington, D.C. The captain did not take sufficient action to avoid Hurricane Joaquin, thereby putting El Faro and its crew in peril.

The board also said that the 40-year-old freighters open-top lifeboats would not have protected the crew, even if they had been able to launch them. The El Faro was legally allowed to carry lifeboats that expose people to the elements  just like the lifeboats on the Titanic and the Lusitania  due to safety-rule exemptions for older ships.

Whether the crew could have survived Joaquins punishing winds and high seas if the El Faro had been equipped with the closed-top lifeboats used by newer ships is unknown, but NTSB safety investigator Jon Furukawa said it could have helped crewmembers fighting for their lives.

We believe that wouldve been the best method of departing the vessel under these conditions. It is still challenging, and we dont know if they wouldve survived, Furukawa said. But enclosed lifeboats are the current standard and the El Faro did not have the current standard.

The board is not only recommending closed-top boats for all merchant ships, but also that the entire industry require crewmembers to carry personal locator beacons to better locate them during marine emergencies.

The El Faro had an older emergency position-indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, which did not transmit global position system coordinates, and that made locating the ship more difficult for search-and-rescue crews. Given the heavy weather, rescuers probably couldnt have reached the ship any sooner, but the board believes the new requirement would help in future sea accidents.

One marine tragedy can point to many improvements. After the RMS Titanic sank, the world responded with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, which has saved countless lives, Sumwalt said.

The boards final report follows one issued by the U.S. Coast Guard on the second anniversary of the ships sinking. That report placed primary blame on Capt. Davidson, who they said underestimated the hurricanes strength and overestimated the ability of the 40-year-old ship to withstand it.

The recorder caught the final hours of the ships increasingly desperate crew as they tried to save the El Faro and themselves. According to transcripts of recovered audio, the second mate asked the captain in their final moments if she could grab her life jacket, suggesting this fundamental safety measure wasnt readily available on the ships bridge. The NTSB also determined that the captains call to abandon ship came too late.

The NTSB and Coast Guard also said TOTE violated safety regulations requiring the crew to be well rested. The company had not replaced a safety officer management position, and had stopped employing port helpers to safely load cargo. The Coast Guard found that El Faros crew had difficulty keeping up with the brisk loading pace required to keep the ship on schedule ahead of the storm.

The Coast Guard is seeking civil, not criminal, penalties against TOTE.

The NTSBs recommendations are not law, but are used to guide industry changes or updates to existing safety procedures overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard and so-called classification societies like the American Bureau of Shipping, which conducts a large percentage of marine inspections on the Guards behalf. The recommendations also can be used by Congress to create new laws meant to improve safety.

Larry Brennan, a professor of maritime law at Fordham Law School and a retired U.S. Navy captain, said the NTSBs recommendations are taken seriously, and could create a safer working environment for mariners in the future. He applauded the boards call for a new lifeboat requirement.

No one should use open boats in rough weather, or any weather, Brennan said. If the NTSB takes an aggressive course, they may be able to effectively change regulations and policies that will enhance safety at sea.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A tourist guide holds an umbrella featuring a panda pattern in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China.

China summoned Australia's ambassador to lodge a complaint last week over Canberra's allegation that Beijing had sought to interfere in Australian politics, a source familiar with the diplomatic action told Reuters on Thursday.

Relations between Australia and China became strained in recent weeks after Canberra said it would ban foreign political donations as part of a crackdown aimed at preventing external influence in domestic politics, sharpening the focus on China's soft power.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull singled out China as he said foreign powers were making "unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process" in Australia.

In response, China summoned Ambassador Jan Adams to a meeting at the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs on December 8 to lodge a complaint, the source said.

Speaking last week Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Turnbull's allegations were full of prejudice against China, were baseless and poisoned the atmosphere of China-Australia relations.

Turnbull's allegations have been criticised by Australia's opposition Labor Party as showing an "anti-China" bias that could jeopardise bilateral trade.

China, which is easily Australia's biggest trading partner, bought A$93 billion ($70 billion) worth of Australian goods and services last year. Australia's unshakeable security relationship with the United States, however, has limited how cosy it gets with China.

Turnbull denied indulging in anti-Chinese rhetoric, insisting Labour was using the issue to win favour with a large voter block ahead of a make-or-break by-election on Saturday that analysts said will determine his political future.

"I am disappointed they have tried to turn Australians against each other," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.
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"Everyone tends to focus on the gross amount of debt ... Although China's gross debt numbers are high, the U.S. numbers are higher still, so it's not really a fair comparison," said Andy Seaman, chief investment officer at Stratton Street. Seaman said for a better assessment of China's wealth, one should consider the country's assets as well. China's foreign exchange reserves alone have been rising for ten straight months to $3.119 trillion in October, placing the country in a "very strong" net foreign asset position along with others such as Germany, Seaman said. Net foreign asset refers to the total value of assets a country owns abroad, minus the value of its local assets held by foreigners. The indicator is often used as a reflection of a country's indebtedness. Even then, China recognized that its reliance on debt to grow its economy is not sustainable and has embarked on a journey to transition the country into a more consumer-led growth model. The government has taken steps to contain the rise of risky credit and this is how it is fairing:

Rein in corporate debt

The corporate sector, in particularly the state-owned enterprises, accounts for a large majority of debt that China holds. Credit-to-GDP from non-financial companies rose from around 120 percent by the end of 2011 to the recent peak of 166.8 percent. That figure has come down to 163.4 percent in the second quarter of 2017, BIS data showed. The slowdown in corporate credit was a result of government reforms to cut excesses in troubled industries such as steel and coal, and impose tighter restrictions on companies' overseas investments. Data by Dealogic showed a 12 percent year-on-year decline on the number of deals announced in the first nine months of 2017. Meanwhile, Mergermarket data showed the total value of all deals over the same period was over $5 million fell more than 50 percent year-on-year. In addition, a debt-for-equity swap program was announced in 2016 to curb the rise in corporate debt. As of Sept. 22, 77 companies in China had conducted debt-for-equity swaps worth more than 1.3 trillion yuan ($196.48 billion), Reuters reported.

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The government's efforts were also helped by a brighter economic climate in 2017, experts told CNBC. "The global economic environment is very supportive towards the Chinese economy right now and you do need a stable and improving economy in China to achieve that objective in deleveraging," said Andrew Swan, BlackRock's head of Asian and global emerging markets equities. "We do expect global growth to accelerate in the coming 12 months so China has got a really, really good opportunity here to improve the quality of debt in the economy," he added.

Tighter grip on local governments

Local governments were identified as a major risk to China's financial stability, partly due to their lending from the "shadow banking" sector and debt accumulated over the past years to upgrade infrastructure across the country. Fitch Ratings has warned that the country may see its first local government default, without specifying a timeline. Such concerns have led to Beijing tightening controls on local government finances. Besides cutting down on bond issuance, Chinese authorities are also urging local government to cut down on infrastructure spending, according to a Caixin report. The report said two Chinese cities were asked by the government to scrape railway projects worth billions of dollars.

Households being watched

Total household debt is still small but is inching up in recent quarters. BIS data showed that household credit-to-GDP rose to 46.8 percent in the second quarter of 2017, up from 27.7 percent at the end of 2011. The Chinese government has made taming the housing market a priority and and imposed restrictions on property sales in a number of major cities to prevent speculative activities. Beijing also suspended regulatory approval for new internet micro-lenders to clamp down on consumer loans.

Healthier finance sector

The International Monetary Fund, in a recent financial stability study on China, said the lack of inter-agency coordination in financial supervision could breed risks in the increasingly large and complex banking system. The Asian economic giant set up the Financial Stability and Development Committee in November for better financial oversight. The banking, securities and insurance sectors were previously overseen by separate entities, which led to similar financial products being regulated differently depending on who the issuer was. "This has encouraged a game of whack-a-mole between issuers and regulators, which would tighten controls on one industry only to see activity pick up in another," a Nikkei Asian Review report said.

ICBC Bank's ATMs at a subway station in Shanghai, China. Yen Nee Lee | CNBC
Companies that enforce employee-centric and customer-centric cultures are likely to see better financial gains than their competitors, Just Capital's Dan Hesse told CNBC on Wednesday.

"What we've seen from a financial performance point of view is that you have ... [a] higher return on equity of these companies that do good things," Hesse, the former CEO of Sprint , told "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer.

Just Capital, a private, non-profit research firm, recently conducted a survey of 72,000 individuals across the United States to hear about what they wanted to see from the nation's top companies.

On Tuesday, Just Capital and Forbes released a ranking of the top 100 most "just" U.S. companies based on the results.

Hesse, a board member of Just Capital, acknowledged that many leading technology companies landed high in the ranks, with Intel, Texas Instruments and Nvidia taking the top three spots.

"Part of it, I think, is keeping up with one another," he said of the tech players. "They're competing for the same talent. They're competing for the same customers."

But one of the most sweeping commonalities was how consumers felt about tax reform, Hesse said.

While investors might get excited about the potential for share buybacks and dividend increases if corporate tax reform is passed, consumers couldn't be less thrilled about it, Hesse said.

"If there's one overall theme in the data, it's that they believe companies are focused too much on just shareholders versus all the other stakeholders," he told Cramer.

"They'll say shareholders, yes, important, but your employees are No. 1 and your customers are No. 2," Hesse continued. "So are the communities, the environment, a lot of other stakeholders. So they will want to see companies take this money and invest in their employees and in some of these other areas."

And given the deep political divides in the country, sewn in part by the 2016 election, Hesse said the 72,000 survey participants agreed on more than they probably thought:

"With all of the differences politically, the results between Democrats and Republicans were amazingly similar in this survey."
China just took over a port in India's backyard, and now it looks like India is countering the move. Some 25 miles (40 kilometers) away from a Chinese-operated port in southern Sri Lanka lies an airport that's been dubbed the world's emptiest. India, unruffled by the vacant terminals, is looking to snatch up the under-used complex to monitor Beijing's growing presence in the country.

The international airport at Hambantota, Sri Lanka. LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images

Sri Lanka has long had deep ties with New Delhi, but it's fallen into China's orbit in recent years, with the country a key member of Beijing's wide-ranging "Belt and Road" infrastructure project. India, which isn't a member, is wary the scheme could translate into increased Chinese political and military power in New Delhi's backyard. Now that a state-owned Chinese company is running Sri Lanka's Hambantota port, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration is worried about Chinese influence on its ally. New Delhi is in advanced talks with Colombo to take over Hambantota's airport, Sri Lanka's civil aviation minister Nimal Siripala told Reuters in October. But China also wants to manage the money-losing facility, which was built on funds borrowed from Beijing, and it's not clear which country Colombo will choose. Rivalry with Beijing is likely driving India's interest in the airport, explained Duncan Innes-Ker, regional director of Asia and Australasia at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

It is difficult to conceive of the Chinese navy developing a significant facility at Hambantota without also controlling the airport. David Brewster Australian National University

As of Friday, China Merchants Port Holdings officially took over commercial activities at Hambantota port, under a joint venture deal that was signed in July. The maritime facility was originally built by China and is close to crucial Asia-Europe shipping routes, but it has been a money loser. China Merchants has a majority stake and will be leasing the port for 99 years as part of a plan to convert Colombo's $6 billion debt to Beijing into equity. That's a worrying development for Modi's administration. "India's main concern has been the long term impact of Chinese state-owned companies acquiring equity in the Sri Lankan economy and the extent to which Chinese influence on Sri Lanka's economy would affect Colombo's ability to practice an independent foreign policy," Smruti Pattanaik, research fellow at the New Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses wrote in a report earlier this year.

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Chinese-Indian relations have been strained in 2017: July and August saw the countries in a fierce border standoff in the Himalayas, while Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean have also bothered New Delhi. Security analysts have long warned of a Chinese network of military and commercial facilities in the Indian Ocean aimed at bolstering Beijing's regional power. New Delhi is primarily concerned that the Hambantota port could become an Indian Ocean hub for China's navy, David Brewster, a researcher at Australian National University, said in a recent note published on The Lowy Institute. "Control over Hambantota airport will give India considerable control over how the port is used. It is difficult to conceive of the Chinese navy developing a significant facility at Hambantota without also controlling the airport."

Economic potential for an under-utilized airport
Nearly one quarter of teens are using marijuana, according to a new survey.

Of eighth, 10th and 12th graders surveyed, 24 percent said they've used the drug in the past year, according to research from the University of Michigan. The 1.3 percent increase is the first significant rise in seven years.

The increase in teens using marijuana comes as more states legalize pot for medical and recreational use.

This year, 14.1 percent of high school seniors said they see "great risk" in smoking marijuana occasionally, down from 17.1 percent last year. Also, 64.7 percent said they disapprove of using the drug regularly, down from 68.5 percent last year.

Those statistics indicate marijuana use among teens could continue to grow, the study's principal investigator Richard Miech said.

"It should raise eyebrows," Miech said. "And people should be alert to the possibility that marijuana is about to launch."

Marijuana's popularity has flipped with cigarettes', the survey found. The percent of seniors smoking cigarettes daily has plummeted to 4.2 percent from 24.7 percent at its peak in 1997. Meanwhile, marijuana use has increased to 5.9 percent from its lowest point in 1992.

Vaping has become a popular mechanism for using marijuana and nicotine. Within the past year, 1 in 10 high school seniors reported vaping marijuana, and 19 percent of them said they vaped nicotine, according to the survey.
Microsoft is in a race with the tech giants to make its software smarter.

At a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, the company showed some of its new intelligent features that are being embedded in its productivity apps, virtual assistant and search engine.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a regular theme for Microsoft when it comes to product enhancements, as it is for Amazon , Apple, Facebook and Google . AI was clearly on display at Microsoft's Build developer conference in May and has even been added to the company's strategic vision.

Here are some of the new things Microsoft announced on Wednesday:

Outlook: The email app will soon start underlining action items that are mentioned in the body of emails. You can then click on one of those items and respond with a prewritten message. Gmail, Facebook Messenger and LinkedIn are also using smart reply messages.

Word: In Word Online, while you're viewing a document, the app will be able to spell out acronyms that appear.

Excel: Following the launch of a similar feature in Google Sheets, Microsoft will soon allow Excel to automatically generate charts based on data in your spreadsheet.

Bing: Microsoft announced a partnership with Reddit that will add some parts of the social discussion board's content to the Bing search engine. Content from Reddit can provide answers to certain queries at the top of search results, and Bing will also flag upcoming ask-me-anything sessions, when relevant. After you type certain shorter queries into Bing, it will ask a question that you can answer to refine your search.

Cortana: Microsoft will bring the Cortana virtual assistant to its Android launcher app and to Cheetah Mobile's Android launcher. Cortana  which competes with the Google Assistant, Amazon's Alexa, and Apple's Siri  is also integrating with Gmail. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing Cortana so that it can handle multiple types of tasks in a single interaction.

Accessibility tools: Microsoft is bringing more features to its Seeing AI app for explaining what's in front of a smartphone's camera. The app, a helpful tool for people with impaired vision, can now recognize lights, colors and currencies.
Airbus ' Chief Executive Tom Enders is planning on stepping down at the end of his term in 2019, according to a report from Bloomberg on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the European airplane maker, which is Chicago-based Boeing 's main rival, told CNBC "no decision has been made."

The change in leadership would occur as the company is grappling with corruption investigations in Europe and has warned of potential fines as the result of its use of middlemen in airplane sales. In October, it also disclosed that it had uncovered inaccuracies in reports of U.S. arms technology sales.

Enders is part of a high-level shake-up of Airbus executives. Reuters reported Thursday that Airbus' plane-making chief and Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Bregier will step down in February.

Airbus looked outside the company to replace a high-profile executive earlier this year, poaching Rolls-Royce's civil engines division chief, Eric Schulz, to replace John Leahy, the company's sales chief, after his retirement.
The Republican plan for a major tax overhaul may not be fully priced into the market, closely followed trader Art Cashin told CNBC on Thursday.

Stocks opened higher Thursday, a day after news broke that House and Senate negotiators have reached a deal on a tax plan. The two chambers hope to send legislation to President Donald Trump's desk before Christmas. It will likely feature a 21 percent corporate rate.

"No, I don't think it's fully priced in," Cashin, UBS' director of floor operations at the New York Stock Exchange, said on "Squawk on the Street" about the tax plan. "And there are other potentially disruptive things. This pass-through for independent operators may heavily impact the brokerage business."

Cashin said he was also confused about the market's reaction to the tax bill Thursday considering Republican Sen. John McCain has been hospitalized. McCain's office said Wednesday that the Arizona senator was receiving treatment for "normal side effects of his ongoing cancer therapy."

The statement added, McCain "looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible."

"If he's not there for the vote, that's going to make things even tighter," Cashin said.
Even though I've made over $1 million buying Bitcoin, there is one huge reason why it's still just a gamble and not an investment. It could be made illegal at any time, by any country. Here's why and how it could happen.

1. It's still in the experimental stage

Bitcoin and other digital currencies are still an experiment for everyone. You are watching the craze unfold at the same time as government leaders and agencies are. It's not some under-the-radar secret. While countries can't stop bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, the United States, or any major power, could come out and make it illegal to buy, sell, or possess bitcoin or its competitors. It's already banned in five countries, according to Bitcoin News, and it's regulated at radically different levels in several others. More nations could pass regulations to make it very difficult to use or possess.

Just because cryptocurrencies are legal now doesn't mean they will always be. For example, in the United States in September 2016, a federal judge said bitcoin qualified as money in a hacking case, but that precedent could be challenged by another judge or agency. While the United States government has been pretty quiet about it, I can guarantee you the bigger cryptocurrencies get, the more regulations the feds will put in place. That's just what governments do.

2. It could become a threat

While you might think that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are safe because they don't have a central bank behind them, the bigger and more valuable these currencies collectively get, the more afraid countries are going to become. All of the regulations have occurred when bitcoin was less than $2,000 a coin and the total market cap of the currency was relatively small. But now that bitcoin has sometimes passed $17,000 a coin, its market cap stands at around $278 billion, which is larger than massive company's like Visa and even many countries. And that's just bitcoin. There are thousands of other cryptocurrencies and more being launched every day. The value of all of them could easily reach into the trillions of dollars. The last thing the United States, or any other country wants is a currency circulating that they can't control.

3. It's fertile ground for scammers and criminals

It's no secret that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are being use to both scam money from unknowing investors and illegally embezzle both within countries and across country lines. While bitcoin was conceived as a way to pay for items easily online, because it's so expensive, most people aren't buying anything with it. Instead they are using it to store and transport money. Just this week the United States Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Jay Clayton released a statement on cryptocurrencies where he said that, with cryptocurrencies and ICOs (initial coin offerings), "there is substantially less investor protection than in our traditional securities markets, with correspondingly greater opportunities for fraud and manipulation."

The last thing the United States, or any other country, wants is a currency circulating that they can't control.
The U.K.'s departure from the European Union is among the top concerns for the euro area going into 2018, the incoming Eurogroup chief told CNBC.

"Brexit is a challenge and it's a challenge that is a negative shock certainly for all these economies," Mario Centeno, the incoming Eurogroup president told CNBC exclusively Wednesday. The Eurogroup is the meeting of finance ministers from the 19 countries that share the euro.

When asked about potential risks for the euro zone in the new year, Centeno said that "certainly we need to follow up on the Brexit process that I expect to be understood as a structural reform." He added that politicians in the region need to give time for economies to adapt to these structural changes.

Though the U.K. voted to leave the European Union in the June of 2016, the process is far from over with the terms of its departure yet to be finalized. As a result, the economic shocks that can eventually come from that are still not fully known.
Following is the transcript of a CNBC interview with Silvia Amaro and Mario Centeno, Finance Minister of Portugal

SA: Good morning Mr. Centeno and thank you for joining us. I would like to start by understanding your plans for the Eurogroup. Your predecessor Mr. Dijsselbloem was very much perceived as a center right politician in favor of austerity. Can we expect a different approach from you given that you're part of a socialist government?

MC: Thank you, thank you for visiting me, and for having me on your programme. It's gonna be two quite intense years, two and a half. I am very much looking forward for it, and to work with my colleagues. That's the basic thing of being a president of the Eurogroup is to be able to bridge opinions, be very constructive in the debate. I have a very firm opinion on the whole process that Europe has gone through, the importance of the reforms. But also, on the importance for all the institutions to back these reforms, and to provide time and demand as I tend to, and I'd like to portray it, in the future.

This means that that we have to (Centeno cuts sentence here). It's not really a change on being pro or against austerity. It's understanding that the supply response that we got from the reforms now need to be matched, with some demand response and Europe is in a very good position to do it. This is the only way also to make possible that our citizens, the European citizens, understand the big effort that not only each nation by itself made during the last decade on reforms, but also the euro area and the European Union as a whole. We reformed the Eurozone, we have a much more resilient monetary union these days. This is very important. So now it's time to reach health for our citizens and to allow them also to reap the benefits of what we did.

SA: You said recently that certain European policies are not taking into account the specific economic conditions of certain Member States. What needs to change in this regard?

MC: We need to end the fragmentation of the financial sector in Europe these days. It was one of the fastest achievements in the early stages of the Euro. But then, with the crisis - with the financial crisis, things were completely, not completely, but very much put into question, and we now have a clear financial fragmentation. That is very much detrimental for the impact also of monetary policy. If we don't have the mechanisms, the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy that works through the financial sector, we kind of, cannot take all benefits from the monetary policies of the ECB.

So we need to complete the banking union. It was a huge step. It was one of the major changes that occurred recently in Europe, was the implementation of the banking union. But we have to complete it. So this is something that we all agree around the table - at Eurogroup, I must say. Of course, that completing the banking union means slightly different things for each member of the Eurogroup. We have to try to focus on the common ground that we certainly have, and we do have it - it exists. So there is margin to improve the banking union and this will further reduce this financial fragmentation that we have in Europe these days. Also we do understand that convergence is a buzzword that will also keep repeating, and we need to work together to promote convergence in the EMU as well. It's a long process. So that's why I think time and patience is of essence, in terms of the policy direction of Europe. We need to make affirmative steps and take them, and there's a road map that we have to agree in the next couple of months and then we have to keep our action also in a very determined way to achieve these goals of smoothing out the tension. And, it's not really divergences but a little bit more, the difference is that that we have vis-a-vis, the progress we have to make.

SA: So do you agree with President Macron's push for a multi-speed Europe?

MC: Europe has been constructed in essence in this way, so that's not really a novelty, if we have to face it in the next steps. We do need to make progress, and if this progress has to be tailor made according to the willingness of countries to go forward faster in specific areas, I think that will not be a problem. And that is not also something new in the way Europe has been constructed. We have very big achievements in the last decades in Europe. The very long process of prosperity and peace that we established in Europe with the construction of the European Union can always be questioned, but it has to be evaluated, and the evaluation is very positive. So we need to keep building the consensus, and if that's the choice of member states, we need to be flexible. As President Macron certainly put it in his speech in Sorbonne.

SA: Mr. Dijsselbloem was in the European Parliament last week, and he said that you're not going to be able to change the Eurogroup significantly. And when we look at the top European positions right now, they are in the hands of centre-right politicians. So do you fear that the current political landscape will constrain your job as Eurogroup President?

MC: There's a very positive sign in the current political situation in Europe, which is that several countries and several important countries I can say, in Europe, are starting new political cycles. And this is the key issue for political reform and for the reforms we have to implement. It's very important that we have this coordination of political cycles.

And if you look, you have this very strong push that you mentioned, by President Macron. You have a new political cycle starting in Germany, and also the upcoming elections in Italy will also contribute to this fresh political cycle. This is key, because it's even a very rare event in Europe that all major countries start political cycles at the same time. And, we have to benefit from that and we have to profit from that and take this opportunity as one of the big contributions to build this new cycle. Also you have the commission, and President Junker has been quite affirmative on this as well. And so, this is the political situation that I think it's very much favorable to reforms. We can also take the economic situation of the Euro area at this stage as a positive sign for that. It's much easier to discuss these issues as President Junker put it; when there is sunshine outside, and we are growing - all countries in the euro area are growing above 1.5%, unemployment is falling very much, we have a quite balanced fiscal position, as well as external position. The euro area as a whole has a quite balanced external position. These are indicators that are not shared by other economies. For example, the US faces big challenges in terms of the fiscal situation or the external trade position. The same thing is true for the UK. The euro area, in this respect, can present itself in a much better position than these other economies. And we also have another positive thing - which is since we have plenty of things to complete, we are still far away from the potential of growth that we can achieve quite easily if we all agree in implementing the reforms that President Junker communication (communicated) in the European Parliament also mention.

In respect of your comments on President Dijsselbloem, reference to what we can expect from the next two years and a half. I think we need to build these expectations in these very firm grounds on political and economic situation. And the new President of the Eurogroup can only be an actor of triggering and developing the new basis for consensus. And I promise that I'll do my best on that.

SA: Picking up on the proposals from the European Commission - These proposals include a new European Monetary Fund, Economy and Finance Minister for Europe. Do these measures fit your vision to reform the Eurozone with patience?

MC: Yes, these are two directions that are worth exploring and we need to find decisions and common positions in this respect. It's the completion of the banking union which also needs a more stronger and also faster decision making process framework which can be achieved through the European Monetary Fund, and the position of the Minister of Finance for the euro area is very important as a beginning of the process of establishing a more, also in this respect complete, institutional framework for the euro area. An economy needs integration of fiscal policies, monetary policies, and we need to do that for the euro area as a whole without these representing further transfer of power to Brussels. It's the problem of coordination.

I mentioned previously the coordination of the political cycles which is quite quite important. We also need to coordinate on policies. This multilateral situation that we have, which is quite positive in the euro area, it's quite challenging, but it also can bring benefits to, to everyone if it really is coordinated.

SA: These measures are to be adopted by mid-2019. We will have European elections in the first half of 2019 as well. Could the timing of the European elections impact the plans to reform the EMU?

MC: Well, I don't expect that to happen. It's the construction of Europe goes from the countries to the top. We now have the fresh cycles coming from countries. We need to build on them. And I will see the European elections as the final stage of this road. And we can certainly expect the stream of reforms to be supported, and in some sense confirmed by the election in 2019 of a new European parliament. The position of the President of the commission is to have a very strong end of his term, and we expect that to be accomplished. We, in the Eurogroup and myself certainly as the president-elect of the Eurogroup will be very in determined in seconding his desires and positions vis-a-vis these reforms.

SA: At the moment we are at a political impasse in Germany and soon we'll have elections in Italy. Could these political events create shocks for the eurozone next year?

MC: We've been discussing the next election and the next political debate in each of our countries to be the possible reason for problems or difficulties in advancing. But, if you look back and you see the results of the Dutch election, then of the French election, also somehow of the German elections, we have been able, in Europe, to find solutions that are pretty much at the core of the development of Europe. I think the European citizens, although there is a spectrum of opinions in each country - more to the right or to the left - that's natural and that's also very European (laughs) in many senses -which is very good, to see Europe alive in its political and cultural diversity. But, as a matter of fact, the solutions that have been implemented, following each of these elections, were certainly very constructive and positive for the European construction. So, yes we can wonder whether you may have more problems in one country or the other to find a solution. But looking back to the last year elections, the good thing is that we were able - each country was able - to find its way, in terms of finding a political solution, that is completely aligned with this European vision that we all share. So I won't be quite so worried about it.

SA: Political risks aside, what other risks could there be for the Eurozone next year?

MC: Well certainly we have to follow up on the Brexit process that I expect to be understood as structural reform. And we politicians need to give time for economic agents to adapt to these structural changes.

It was the choice of the UK citizens to vote for the Brexit. And we have to accommodate that in our policies. And to take the best out of this process, given that is a slight shock and change vis-a-vis the past. This is something that we have to follow up very closely, and to be very positive in the solutions that we find to accommodate this, in our policies. We are about to reach a very, very, long already, recovery process in the euro area, which is now shared as I mentioned before, by all countries. And we need to understand that the economy has cycles and we need to be prepared. So this road map is very important to be accomplished in the next year, so that major changes are adopted by mid-2019, because the economy has cycles and we need to prepare ourselves to what can be in the near future reversion of this positive mood. And we need to face it not in panic mode, as we did before, but reassuring ourselves and our citizens that our economies are much more resilient today than they were before. And this is good for them. And we are prepared to these changes. So being prepared for what comes as challenges for policy making in the next year or so is very important for us in 2018.

SA: Is Brexit a positive risk or a negative risk for the Eurozone?

MC: Well, given that it is a structural change and I mentioned before and it was a choice from one part of Europe which is the UK, I won't say that it is a positive risk. It certainly brings about the difficulties and the changes - that if you ask me, if I rather prefer not to have it, that will be my option. Which is not to say that the counterfactual will be leaving everything as it was before, because, I think we need to continue deepening our relationship within the European Union and the euro area as well.

We are the largest single market in the world - the euro area and also the European Union. And we have to take advantage of that for our economy for the mobility of our workers for all our investors which are both households and firms to reap the benefits of their investment.

And we are learning to do that, because even if we think that 30 years is a long period of time for economic adjustments, it sometimes isn't. For convergence purposes - for example, if you take the US example, it's a more than 200 year old monetary union with a very large single market in the sense of free movement of people and goods and services in the U.S. - although sometimes not that free (laughs), because there are restrictions yet. But it's a much older monetary union and we still are observing convergence among US regions and US states. So, this is a very long process. We don't need to, we politicians should not over sell this idea that we are going to converge and the good times are at reach of a couple of years' time. That won't happen. It really needs to be a long process.

But the Brexit is a challenge, and it's a challenge in the sense that it's a negative shock certainly for all these economies. That's my evaluation. But, from a negative shock, we can and we should build positive solutions and explore in the best way we can, the alternative ways that we may face in the future.

SA: One of the upcoming topics for you as Eurogroup President is Greek debt restructuring talks. How do you intend to bring together the IMF, the Eurogroup, and Greece over the upcoming discussions?

MC: Very well. There are still some intermediate steps (laughs) up until that these talks begin. We need to complete the program. We are in a good mood to finish it by mid-2018; August 2018. We hope that the Greek authorities continue the outstanding work they've been doing in the last years to accomplish all the measures and all the targets that we have in the program that are very much demanding. And then, going back to this idea of reforming, having patience - and so, what the situations need really to back the Greek authorities in the process after the reforms. Because we experienced that in Portugal - the reform process is quite demanding, and we need the backup of institutions in the post-program period. But, the post-program period usually brings about also more ownership of the process for the countries. And these need not to be a disturbing period. On the contrary, if we have this smooth position also from the authorities, from the institutions, outside the institutions on the national authorities. The roadmap is also very clear, we agreed back in 2015 on how the process can be accomplished. So we need to fulfill the next steps. And then, after the exit and the final steps of the program we really need to start discussing the measures that we have to discuss, on the debt. Again, the medium term and the more long term measures have already been discussed. And if we are all comfortable, and I hope we can be at that stage, on the final revision of the problem, we can and should start these discussions. It's very important for the process to be successful that Greek authorities keep delivering as they have been and the institutions to be also on board for this.

SA: You mentioned the IMF. It's true that the IMF has been involved and they've been an important player into this, sometimes if not for anything else, (but) to generate counterfactual analysis; because sometimes the institutions differ in their analysis of the economic situation. We have also to smooth that out a little bit. I think we were not completely successful in doing that. But, if we go along also the proposals for Europe, on the creation of the European Monetary Fund and the other reforms that you just mentioned previously in this conversation, I think this will help a lot on the way also, the Greek debt can be framed into this process. We cannot deliver for the market the idea, or the singular perception that we question the value of national debt in Europe. We need our countries to have access to these types of financing conditions. Portugal was able to make a great comeback to the markets. We need Greece also to make the same thing.

MC: I know that the Greek authorities are following, very much, the Portuguese example, and this is the way I will consider that Greece has to be also framed in the upcoming discussion on that.

SA: So do you expect a deal on the debt issue before or after August?

MC: The roadmap is to complete the program and along with that, and so the discussion will continue certainly after the conclusion of the program for us to be able to have already common ground to discuss that in that precise moment.

SA: Some of your European partners sent a letter to the United States noting that their plans to change the tax system was at odds with international trade rules. How could Europe prevent the US from changing its tax system?

MC: Well, we have been working together quite closely for a long period of time already in OECD Forum with the BEPS process for example, being a key example on how the cooperation among different tax jurisdictions may have an impact on reducing tax evasion and preventing countries from competing among themselves in a detrimental way towards generating positive impact at home, that at the end of the day end up being quite negative for the world economy - if I may put it like that.

And we think it's our obligation to work with the U.S. authorities in order to prevent this to happen. And I will say to happen again because we already saw the negative impact that, on occasion, we may suffer from this type of tax competition.

Firms today are multinational firms. They are not U.S. firms or European firms. They are firms where most of those firms work in many, many countries. And we need to have a comprehensive tax policy that in a coordinated way again, may prevent some disruptions to trade and to location decisions of these firms to happen. We understand the concerns of national authorities - in this case, US authorities, vis-a-vis tax revenue and the way this tax revenue is generated. But, we think that the way the globalization process helped our economies to advance and to go further cannot be now put into question by policies that, even if they are understandable in a national perspective, they have to be coordinated among trade partners. Very real trade partners and very important ones as Europe and the US are. So this was discussed in the last Ecofin, this issue on tax and tax policies. And I perfectly understand the worry of my colleagues that wrote that letter, and we are in a very constructive position to help all of us to reach a consensus in terms of how to deal with these tax revenue issues in each of our countries.

SA: Fitch Ratings is set to update its grade on Portugal this Friday. Is this the catalyst that Portugal needs to attract more investment?

MC: Well, I won't say to you the catalyst, but it certainly will be an important decision for the country. Which is important because there were previous decisions that, during 2017, enabled us to advance a lot. It was a very impressive improvement of our financing conditions throughout 2017. First of all with the abrogation of the excessive deficit procedure in April, made by the European Commission which follows in improving the outlook, for example by Fitch, during the summer. And then, in September one of the key decisions which was the rating improvement by Standard and Poor's in mid-September. That put us for the first time in many years, as investment grade by one of the three biggest agencies. Certainly an upgrade by Fitch will continue this process. We assure everyone on the very positive situation that the Portuguese economy is at this stage. We just have a vision of the financial sector, the increase, the acceleration of economic growth, the very very fast reduction in unemployment that we've been observing in the last year -which is the fastest since 1998-, which is very important given the maturity already of the recovery process in Portugal. So yes, we are looking very much for what Fitch may do on the 15th of December. And, if a positive outcome appears, it will be another step in this process.

SA: Thank you very much, Minister.

MC: Thank you.

ENDS

For more information contact Jonathan Millman, EMEA Communications Executive:

Jonathan.Millman@CNBC.com

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Despite a host of challenges facing consumer staples, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Dr Pepper Snapple Group all buying opportunities, according to Deutsche Bank.

With analysts across Wall Street cautious on the space due to new competition and pricing pressure, analyst Steve Powers argues that traditional beverages companies are up to the task.

"The door has opened to new (smaller, but agile) competition, which is increasingly leveraging digital technology and sophisticated third-party manufacturing to deliver compelling product options," wrote Powers on Wednesday. "Still, such concerns have now become the dominant market narrativealready making investors revisit past assumptions about normalized growth  Beverage companies today are far more accepting of their new realities versus 6 to 12 months ago, and are acting accordingly."

Starting with Coca-Cola , Powers highlighted the company's recent beverage initiatives and efforts to break into new categories. Recent projects at the beverage giant include a cola recipe sweetened only with stevia as well as a continued relationship with energy drink company Monster. Some analyst have even speculated that the company could venture into alcoholic mixers or booze in coming years.

"In our view, Coca-Cola is emerging from recent change determined to win across all beverages, while importantly shifting focus to price/revenue realization," the analyst explained. "This shift comes alongside promising efforts both to streamline internal operations (more speed, higher productivity), and optimize System alignment through Coca-Cola own refranchising."

The analyst's $52 price target represents 13 percent upside from Wednesday's close; shares are up 11 percent this year.

Meanwhile, Powers sees reignited acceleration at PepsiCo , arguing that the company's stock should climb 12 percent in the next year despite losing share to Coca-Cola.

"The domestic Frito business remains dominant, and is showing signs of renewed acceleration. Moreover, the building of Frito scale abroad remains a potential source of upside surprise," explained Powers. "While PepsiCo's North America beverage business is currently ceding share in the midst of Coca-Cola's refranchising, management seems to understand past shortfalls and has committed to increased investments."

Shares of PepsiCo are up 13 percent since January.

Powers also initiated coverage of Dr Pepper Snapple at buy despite recent concerns over its acquisition of antioxidant drink maker Bai earlier this year. The company faced a barrage of skepticism during its October earnings call as analysts voiced concern that the company lacks the experience to integrate new brands and ramp volume.

"We initiate on Dr Pepper Snapple with a Buy rating and $104 price target, viewing tail risks from Bai disappointment as already priced in," said Powers. "With roughly 13 percent upside to our price target, Dr Pepper Snapple offers an attractive return, nothing that the company could see significant benefits from proposed tax reform."

Dr Pepper Snapple shares are up 3 percent this year.
Hedge fund Elliott Management is reportedly poised to wage a campaign to unseat Hess CEO John Hess or force a sale of all or part of the company.

Shares of Hess were up 6 percent in after-market trading.

Elliott Management, which holds a 6.7 percent stake in Hess, also wants the company to cut its dividend and instead buy back stock from shareholders, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Other big investors are also pressuring the company to make improvements, the paper reports.

Investors are reportedly unhappy with Hess's projection that it won't generate free cash flow through 2020 due to spending tied to its offshore oil project in Guyana and its U.S. shale fields.

Hess is primarily focused on oil and gas exploration and development, and is also involved in transporting and storing crude through Hess Midstream Partners.

"As long-term shareholders in Hess, we are frustrated by the company's continuing underperformance," Elliott portfolio manager John Pike told the Journal.

Shares of Hess are down 31.5 percent this year.

"Shareholders are getting impatient because the changes needed to remedy Hess's severe undervaluation are substantial and need to be announced without delay," Pike said.

Hess Chairman James Quigley defended Hess in a statement to the Journal.

"John has the clear, unanimous and unambiguous support of our board as our CEO," he said.

Hess and Elliott previously clashed in 2013 in a battle that ended with Hess giving up his role as chairman and Elliott nominees joining the board of directors, the Journal notes.

Read the full story here.
"It is high time that humanity went beyond Earth. Should have a moon base by now and sent astronauts to Mars. The future needs to inspire," Musk wrote, linking to a tweet from New Scientist about Space Policy Directive 1.

Since he left President Donald Trump's advisory councils in June after Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, entrepreneurial icon Elon Musk hasn't spoken much about the President and his administration one way or the other.

When another Twitter user bristled at Musk's space ambitions, saying "or we could just solve earth problems first," Musk responded: "Our existence cannot just be about solving one miserable problem after another. There need to be reasons to live."

"Our existence cannot just be about solving one miserable problem after another. There need to be reasons to live."

Indeed, Musk, who also is the CEO of electric car-maker Tesla, says it's about making the future better.

"The thing that drives me is that I want to be able to think about the future and feel good about that," says Musk, speaking to the National Governors Association in July. "We are doing what we can to have the future be as good as possible, to be inspired by what is likely to happen and to look forward to the next day."

For Musk, that means reaching beyond Earth, including getting to Mars and building a city there.

"Fundamentally, the future is vastly more exciting and interesting if we are a space-faring civilization and multi planetary species than if we are not. You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great and that is what being a space-faring civilization is all about," says Musk, speaking at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) conference in Adelaide, Australia, in September.



"It's about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars."
Facebook edged out other industry leaders like Google and Bain & Company to claim the title of best place to work in 2018, according to a ranking by job search platform Glassdoor. And it's not just because of the many perks the company offers  which include things like free meals, fun work spaces and access to people like CEO Mark Zuckerberg. While employees say those benefits are important, the CEO of Glassdoor and Facebook executives say it's something simpler: how the company views its employees. In an interview with CNBC Make It, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder Robert Hohman says the tech giant has tapped into a key workplace trend. "Ten years ago people were talking about, 'I appreciate my employer helping me get better at my job," Hohman says. "Now they're talking about, 'I appreciate employers investing in my growth.'" In other words, the tech giant invests in helping employees navigate their own career paths.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Facebook's Vice President of People, Lori Goler, says that in reviewing a recent company-wide employee survey, the word "fulfilled" appeared repeatedly. The company did more digging to find out why their employees felt this way. "Fulfillment is really about individual impact. It's about learning," Goler tells CNBC Make It. "And it's about playing to your strengths." The notion of "playing to one's strengths," the executive adds, means allowing employees to work on new projects and even move around within the company. "We really care about making sure that every single person is in a role that plays to their strengths and what they enjoy," she says.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg with Facebook employees. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

For example, managers at Facebook are trained to help employees find projects they enjoy and have difficult and honest conversations around how their reports are feeling at work. In addition, employees are allowed to spend days or even weeks working with other teams. While the program is mainly to both help coworkers better understand how different parts of the company works, it can also help employees looking to move within the company. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg says the company's focus on fulfillment is key.

Sheryl Sandberg Michael Newberg | CNBC

"One of the common themes in Glassdoor reviews of Facebook is that people will say they move around within the company," Sandberg says in an interview with Hohman. "It's because we believe skills are more important than experience," she adds. "If you've got the skills, we'll give you the shot." Besides allowing workers to follow their own career goals, Facebook has invested in supporting colleagues outside of work, too. Many employees say they value the paid maternity leave and paternity leave, as well as the bereavement leave the company offers. According to salary data site Paysa, Facebook has one of the highest retention rates of major tech companies, though it stands at just over two years. This, in part, is due to aggressive recruitment in the industry, where top companies vie for great talent. Still, for the employees at the company, it's a pretty good deal. One employee writes on Glassdoor that you won't find another company "that cares more about [its] people." Another says that when it comes to employees, Facebook "cares deeply, and invests." Check out: Sheryl Sandberg has an answer for men who say they're 'afraid' to be alone with women
Street vendors sell bread from a stall in the main shopping area following the electoral success by Syriza in the Greek general election on January 26, 2015 in Athens, Greece.

Greece needs to fully complete its current bailout program before the country receives any relief on its huge debt pile, the new Eurogroup president told CNBC.

Speaking to CNBC in an exclusive interview, Mario Centeno, the incoming chief of the 19 finance ministers from the euro zone, said there are still "some intermediate steps" before the debt restructuring talks with Greece begin.

Greece is set to conclude its third bailout program in August of next year. The country has been promised measures to make its debt more sustainable over the long term, but the issue has sparked division among its creditors. While the International Monetary Fund argues that this is a matter that needs to be looked at as soon as possible, European creditors believe that this is not a priority.

Speaking to CNBC in early December, members of the Greek government expressed hope for an agreement before they end the bailout program.

"I think we will achieve a very, very good result very soon," Dimitris Tzanakopoulos, the Greek minister of state who is also the Greek government spokesperson, told CNBC in Athens.

"We will have an agreement before the end of the program. This is very important for us in order to be able to refinance our debt without official sector support, I think this is a precondition in order for us to do that," Tzanakopoulos said.

But Centeno made it clear that the bailout program needs to be completed.

"We are in a good mood to finish it by mid-2018; August of 2018. We hope that the Greek authorities continue the outstanding work they've been doing in the last years to accomplish all the measures and all the targets that we have in the program," Centeno said.

At the same time, Centeno, who is also head of the Portuguese finance ministry where a bailout program also took place between 2014 and 2015, asked European institutions to support Greece after the program and to be patient with the country.

"We hope that the Greek authorities continue the outstanding work they've been doing in the last years to accomplish all the measures and all the targets that we have in the program  And then, going back to this idea of reforming, having patience, what the institutions need really is to back the Greek authorities in the process after the reforms," Centeno said.
Late Wednesday, Harvey Weinstein countered major points of Salma Hayek's New York Times column alleging sexual harassment during the production of their movie Frida.

Hayek is the latest Hollywood star to come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against fallen movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

In a guest column for the Times Wednesday, the actress claims she said no to a list of unwanted advances from the producer when they worked together on the 2002 film Frida.

More from USA Today:

Meryl Streep slams Harvey Weinstein's alleged behavior

In the wake of Harvey Weinstein, film Academy issues new code of conduct

Weinstein effect: Men are outed and some are getting fired as women speak up.

"No to me taking a shower with him. No to letting him watch me take a shower. No to letting him give me a massage. No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage. No to letting him give me oral sex. No to my getting naked with another woman," she writes.

She also claims the producer once threatened to kill her following one of her refusals, and verbally insulted her on set.

Weinstein released a statement to USA TODAY via spokeswoman Holly Baird saying "all of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."

In the article, Hayek describes her excitement when she first signed a deal with Weinstein for the project, a biopic of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo  but also recounts her efforts to get herself and her film out of his company.

"I had to resort to using lawyers, not by pursuing a sexual harassment case, but by claiming 'bad faith,' as I had worked so hard on a movie that he was not intending to make or sell back to me," she writes.

She claims Weinstein gave her a list of "impossible tasks with a tight deadline" in order to "clear himself legally," but was able to meet his demands.

Once filming began, she claims the sexual harassment stopped but the rage escalated and demands continued.

"He would let me finish the film if I agreed to do a sex scene with another woman," she writes. "And he demanded full-frontal nudity."

Hayek says she gave in to his request, but struggled to film the scene.

"My body began to shake uncontrollably, my breath was short and I began to cry and cry," she writes. "It was not because I would be naked with another woman. It was because I would be naked with her for Harvey Weinstein ... I had to take a tranquilizer, which eventually stopped the crying but made the vomiting worse."

In his statement, Weinstein said he "did not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms. Hayek with Geoffrey Rush."

Hayek also says she wonders if her friendship with Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney had "saved (her) from being raped."

In the article, Hayek also explains why it took her this long to come forward.

"I hid from the responsibility to speak out with the excuse that enough people were already involved in shining a light on my monster," she wrote. "In reality, I was trying to save myself the challenge of explaining several things to my loved ones."

Here is Weinstein's response in full:

Mr. Weinstein regards Salma Hayek as a first-class actress and cast her in several of his movies, among them Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Dogma, and Studio 54. He was very proud of her Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Frida and continues to support her work.

While Jennifer Lopez was interested in playing Frida and at the time was a bigger star, Mr. Weinstein overruled other investors to back Salma as the lead. Miramax put up half of the money and all of the P&A; the budget was over 12 million. As in most collaborative projects, there was creative friction on Frida, but it served to drive the project to perfection. The movie opened in multiple theaters and was supported by a huge advertising campaign and an enormous Academy Awards budget.

Mr. Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms. Hayek with Geoffrey Rush. The original uni-brow used was an issue because it diverted attention from the performances. All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired.

Ed Norton, who was Ms. Hayek's boyfriend at the time, (worked with Mr. Weinstein on the rewrite of the script in Mexico) did a brilliant job of rewriting the script and Mr. Weinstein battled the WGA to get him a credit on the film. His effort was unsuccessful to everyone's disappointment.

By Mr. Weinstein's own admission, his boorish behavior following a screening of Frida was prompted by his disappointment in the cut of the movieand a reason he took a firm hand in the final edit, alongside the very skilled director Julie Taymor.
When a 17-year-old Bollywood actress took to social media this week alleging she was sexually assaulted on an airplane, she appeared to catch the airline industry off-guard.

Her allegations  denied by the man accused of the assault on a domestic Vistara flight in India  triggered online outrage and prompted a rare police investigation.

The incident, coming shortly after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's sister Randi, a Silicon Valley executive, said via social media that she had been a victim of sexual harassment on an Alaska Airlines flight, highlights a risk to airlines: they need to do more than just respond once an incident goes public and their brand comes under fire.

"It's a global issue and every country has to deal with the fallout," said Saj Ahmad, a London-based analyst at Strategic Aero Research. "Being prepared to address passenger concerns rather than being reactive to social media complaints will arguably help address these problems in real time."

Most people Reuters contacted about in-flight sexual misconduct, against passengers and crew  including airlines, flight attendant unions and airline training consultants  said incidents are vastly under-reported.

Last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines globally reported just 211 instances of "inappropriate sexual behavior". That's among 3.8 billion passengers on more than 40 million flights.

In a statement, IATA said fewer than half those cases were reported to the authorities, which is why there are so few police investigations.

"Victims are required to press charges, the airline can't do that for them," said Taylor Garland, spokeswoman for the U.S. Association of Flight Attendants. "We believe under-reporting occurs."

Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said the IATA data needs to be viewed with caution "as event descriptions are not always standardized" and there are "significant variations in the level of voluntary reporting by airlines."

"With regard to incidents involving sexual harassment, ranging from verbal intimidation to actual physical assault, these are relatively rare, but always taken seriously," he said.
In this Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, file photo, Kentucky State Rep. Republican Dan Johnson addresses the public from his church regarding sexual assault allegations in Louisville, Ky. Johnson died Wednesday night, Dec. 13, 2017.

Kentucky state Representative Dan Johnson, who was facing sexual assault accusations, died in a probable suicide on Wednesday, Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings said.

Johnson, 57, also the leader of the Louisville-area Heart of Fire Church, held a news conference on Tuesday at which he denied accusations contained in a report by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. The report, published earlier in the week, included accusations from a woman that Johnson molested her in 2013 when she was a teenager.

Johnson, whose press conference was widely reported by local media, also defied calls by some legislators to step down.

On Wednesday evening, Johnson was found dead in a probable suicide from a single gunshot wound near Louisville, the coroner said, adding that an autopsy would be performed on Thursday.

Billings said law enforcement officials had been searching for Johnson after someone read a post on his Facebook page, became concerned and contacted police.

The post has since been taken down, but the Courier-Journal reported that it appeared to be a farewell and read in part, "the accusations from NPR are false, GOD and only GOD knows the truth. Nothing is the way they make it out to be."

The death comes amid a national reckoning over sexual harassment and abuse that has included allegations of misconduct in a number of state legislatures, including in Kentucky.

Kentucky Republican Jeff Hoover recently resigned his post as Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.

"Saddened to hear of tonight's death of KY Representative Dan Johnson," Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin wrote on Twitter. "My heart breaks for his family tonight...these are heavy days in Frankfort and in America...may God indeed shed His grace on us all...we sure need it."

Michael Skoler, President of Louisville Public Media, which operates the investigative reporting center, said in a statement on social media that the organization reached out to Johnson numerous times during its seven-month investigation but that he declined to discuss the group's findings.

Johnson was elected in 2016 despite becoming known for a 2016 Facebook post comparing President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to monkeys, WDRB-TV has reported.
watch now

Many people shopping for Obamacare plans are unaware that Friday is the deadline for signing up in 41 states, even as demand for health plans is strong, a leading online insurance broker said Thursday. EHealth CEO Scott Flanders told CNBC that a whopping 56 percent of consumers shopping for individual health plans sold on the company's website don't know of the looming deadline, which falls six weeks earlier than the last open-enrollment season. Flanders said that lack of awareness, as well as widespread confusion among consumers about whether the Affordable Care Act remains the law  which it does  is likely to lead to a drop of 25 percent nationally in Obamacare enrollment for 2018 plans compared with the prior enrollment season.

watch now

"We believe that the minimum shortfall ... is 2 million" people, Flanders said. Nationally, 12.2 million people signed up for an Obamacare plan sold on a government-run marketplace for 2017 coverage. Despite Flanders' fears, traffic Thursday was strong on eHealth's site and on HealthCare.gov, the federally run Obamacare marketplace that serves 39 states, in advance of the deadline. HealthCare.gov enrollment has since the beginning of the year outpaced the daily level of sign-ups last year  but not by enough to beat last year's season-end tally, given the earlier deadline this year. "I expect it to be very strong tomorrow," Flanders said. "But I'm still alarmed at all the consumers who are going to try to enroll Saturday or next week." He said that because of that risk, he believes the Trump administration should extend the sign-up deadline into January. So do two Democratic senators, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Patty Murray of Washington, who wrote senior Trump health officials and asked for an extension of the deadline to Jan. 31. The left-leaning Center for American Progress joined that request Thursday saying, "With demand outpacing last year, the Trump administration's arbitrary decision to prematurely cut off enrollment this Friday will leave millions of Americans without coverage.' "If enrollment falls far short of last year's total, which is likely, it will be a direct result of the Trump administration's decision to cut the open enrollment period in half," CAP said.

When asked for comment on the requests, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services confirmed it had received the senators' letter and would respond. A CMS spokeswoman said, "Consistent with our aim to have a seamless open enrollment experience for consumers this year, the [HealthCare.gov] website is performing well and consumers can easily access enrollment tools to compare plans and prices." "The deadline for people to shop and pick a plan for the upcoming year is December 15," she said. "We continue to encourage people to make plan selections by that deadline so that their coverage can begin on January 1." CMS noted that the Dec. 15 deadline was originally proposed by the Obama administration to take effect next year. States that have later deadlines than HealthCare.gov states, along with Idaho and Vermont, are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia. EHealth's Flanders said his company is seeing a marked drop-off in sales to younger adults for Obamacare plans. "Our mix is shifting to older enrollees," he said. Insurance plans prefer younger customers because they tend to use fewer health services while paying premiums that support benefits for older, sicker enrollees. In another worrisome trend, eHealth has seen an unprecedented number of consumers going through the enrollment process only to drop out at the last page when they see how much they would have to pay in premiums. "They can't believe the prices," Flanders said. Many eHealth consumers earn too much to qualify for federal subsidies, or tax credits, that lower a customer's monthly premium. Most customers of government-run marketplaces qualify for such discounts. EHealth's survey of its customers who receive a subsidy showed 36 percent are paying $100 or less per month for their Obamacare plans and 75 percent are paying $300 or less per month. But among nonsubsidized customers, 36 percent are paying $1,000 or more per month for their coverage and 81 percent are paying $500 or more. Flanders said higher premiums seen this year are spurring the exodus of younger customers. However, Obamacare advocates have noted that this year more customers than ever are able to find a health plan that will cost them $0 per month personally after their subsidies are factored in. The zero-dollar plans are more common, ironically, because of big price hikes for many individual health plans this year. When prices of Obamacare plans rise, so do the value of the subsidies for qualified customers. In many cases, those subsidies will be worth more than the monthly premium price.

WATCH: Tax bill writer Brady expects final bill to repeal Obamacare mandate
"It's not really a change on being pro or against austerity, it's understanding that the supply response that we got from the reforms now need to be matched, with some demand response and Europe is in a very good position to do it," he added.

Speaking exclusively to CNBC in Lisbon, Centeno promised to bring a fresh approach to policymaking after years of austerity. "It's going to be two quite intense years, two and a half," he said about his mandate as Eurogroup chief. The Eurogroup is a regular meeting of the finance ministers of the 19 countries that share the euro.

The current finance minister of Portugal is taking over one of the most important positions in the euro zone on January 13. Among the many decisions that will face him over the next two-and-a-half years are the completion of the euro zone's banking union and restructuring the Greece's debt.

Mario Centeno, the incoming president of the Eurogroup, underlined his vision for the region and said that "time and patience is of essence" to reform the euro zone.

New Eurogroup President Portuguese Finance Minister Mario Centeno gestures during a press conference on his election as new Eurogroup chief at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium on December 4, 2017.

After years of economic crisis, Centeno wants to make it clear to European citizens that the efforts they made were worth it and now it's time "to reap the benefits."

Given that the region has returned to growth and there are new political cycles starting in several European countries, Centeno says there is now a window of opportunity to deepen integration within the euro area.

"We need to complete the banking union," he said, "Completing the banking union means slightly different things for each member of the Eurogroup. We have to try to focus on the common ground that we certainly have, and we do have it, it exists."

In the wake of the sovereign debt crisis, Europe began implementing measures to make its financial system stronger. One of the initiatives was the banking union which increased the supervision on European banks. However, each country has its own idea of how fast and how deep the changes to the financial system should go.

President Emmanuel Macron of France proposed in a speech last September some deep reforms in this regard, including a common budget for the euro zone. In the same speech, Macron proposed the idea of a multi-speed Europe, where certain European countries agreeing on a specific reform should go ahead without waiting for other member states.

In the eyes of Centeno, a multi-speed Europe is not new, but he is open to the idea.

"We do need to make progress, and if this progress has to be tailor made, according to the willingness of countries to go forward faster in specific areas, I think that will not be a problem," Centeno said.
The leading U.S. platform for buying and selling major cryptocurrencies will likely go public in the future, its new president said.

"The most obvious path for Coinbase is for us to go public at some point," Asiff Hirji, the company's president and COO, said Thursday on CNBC's "Fast Money" in his first televised interview since taking the role on Dec. 1.

Hirji added that a public offering is "certainly in the interest of our investors," which include his former employer Andreessen Horowitz. Hirji was also previously the president and COO of online broker TD Ameritrade.

Coinbase says on its website it has raised $217 million from investors Union Square Ventures, the New York Stock Exchange and USAA. The startup is valued at at least $1.6 billion.

"I think we would be quite expensive for any exchange to look at" in terms of an acquisition, Hirji said Thursday.

Hirji said he could not comment on whether Coinbase would add support for other cryptocurrencies in the near future. "I think you should expect over time there will be more and more assets listed," he said.

Coinbase is the leading U.S. platform for buying and selling bitcoin, ethereum and litecoin, and also operates an exchange for institutional investors called GDAX. However, currencies such as Ripple are not yet supported.

Digital currency bitcoin has surged 2,000 percent over the last 12 months to around $16,700, according to Coinbase data. The jump in interest has benefited San Francisco-based Coinbase, which was founded in 2012 and has grown rapidly in the last 18 months. The company had more than 13 million users at the end of November, up from less than 5 million a year ago, according to publicly available data. At least 75 job openings were listed on Coinbase's website Thursday.

The company also announced Tuesday that David Marcus, vice president of Facebook messaging products and former president of PayPal, will be joining the digital currency company's board.

But Coinbase has struggled to keep up with customer demand. The platform suspended ethereum buys and sells twice on Tuesday, and its GDAX exchange also reported "partially degraded service."
Netflix , Amazon and the Democratic Party are among those who vocally decried the FCC's repeal of net neutrality regulations on Thursday.

Netflix tweeted from the company's official account  usually reserved for lighthearted banter with users and praise of its original content  to say the company "stands with innovators, large and small, to oppose the misguided FCC order."

Netflix tweet

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg posted on her account that "internet providers shouldn't be able to decide what people can see online or charge more for certain websites."

She said the company is ready to work with Congress to ensure equal access to the internet.
President Donald Trump is taking a "big step" toward nuclear war by seeking a naval blockade, North Korea's state news agency KCNA said Thursday, according to Reuters.

It said the possibility of a naval blockade, a sanction proposed by the U.S. as a response to North Korea's launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear tests, was a "violation of its sovereignty and dignity" and that it would take "merciless self-defense measures" against the blockade, which it sees as an act of war.

Tensions are running high between North Korea and the West, especially the U.S., after the Communist regime of North Korea launched what was believed to be another intercontinental ballistic missile in late November.

North Korea said at the time that it was capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. It has also claimed that it has been able to attach a nuclear warhead to its missiles, although this has not been independently verified.

The U.S. and Western nations condemned the launch and implemented further sanctions on North Korea. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also announced then that a naval blockade could be imposed.
"In the case of North Korea, we presently lack any real sense of the purpose behind the sanctions imposed by the Trump Administration and their desired end state."

While the exact details and the physical pressure created by sanctions are also important, both are less so than the principles behind the decision to sanction and what it would take for them to end.

In the case of North Korea, we presently lack any real sense of the purpose behind the sanctions imposed by the Trump Administration and their desired end state.

We know that the Trump Administration  like others before it  considers North Korean nuclear weapons unacceptable and has said that it must eliminate them and stop testing missiles. If not, Trump has said "additional major sanctions" will be imposed.

But, does that mean North Korea would have to abandon all nuclear activities or just bombs? Would North Korea have to abandon all missiles or just some? Answers to these questions are important, not least because without them, we don't know if we are chasing an objective that may prove impossible or if our sanctions are remotely in line with our demands.

From the North Korean side, we have clear statements of intent. Because their rhetoric is intended to signal continued North Korean resolve in the face of sanctions--in addition to undermining the international coalition imposing sanctions on the country--it is hard to tell how far to take its statements. But, North Korea is making it clear that it has no intention of backing down.

On November 17, North Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva underscored in an interview with Reuters that North Korea's nuclear weapons are not on the table for negotiations, citing the need for "the nuclear deterrent to cope with the nuclear threat from America."

Worse, though Han also dismissed the idea of a "freeze for freeze" or trading the nuclear and missile program for sanctions relief, Han stated that, "It is obvious that the aim of the sanctions is to overthrow the system of my country by isolating and stifling it and to intentionally bring about humanitarian disaster instead of preventing weapons development as claimed by the U.S. and its followers."

This comment underscores that North Korea's government perceives a different intent behind U.S. and UN sanctions against the country than that of dealing its weapons programs and human rights violations.

This is a big problem, but not insurmountable. Communication and clarity of purpose are key.

As one of the lead architects of the U.S. and international sanctions regime against Iran, as well as a negotiator for the resulting nuclear deal, I think the history of sanctions with Iran is instructive for U.S. policy toward North Korea.

Despite a decade of increasingly tough sanctions, the United States was unable to secure Iran's agreement to take the kinds of steps necessary to permanently resolve concerns with its nuclear program.

The agreement reached in July 2015 instead intended to resolve those concerns for an extended period of time, permitting both greater confidence to be built by Iran as to its intentions and a foundation to be built for perhaps a longer term solution to the problem in the future.

The jury is still out as to whether the agreement will survive long enough for these propositions to be tested. But, it was built on a framework of clear communication from the United States.

Its objectives were to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program, and to receive communication and assurance from Iran as to its willingness to resolve those concerns, along with its limits in doing so. From this, we obtained restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and transparency into it, but with sunsets attached to many of these provisions that will lapse in 10-20 years.

If sanctions continue to be the policy tool of choice, then Trump and his team must commit to open dialogue with North Koreans to explore what may be possible. Sanctions do not work without being attached to a political and diplomatic strategy.

Secretary of State Tillerson has implied that there are ongoing, back channel talks with and about North Korea. Hopefully, in those talks, there is greater clarity being offered about why sanctions are being pursued and what the United States would expect and demand to begin their removal. Absent that, sanctions lose much of their diplomatic value.

They may still deprive North Korea of resources and freedom of action, which has its own utility. But, part of the art of sanctions is their contribution to long term political solutions, for which clarity and communication are key.

Commentary by Richard Nephew, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and the author of the new book, The Art of Sanctions: A View From the Field, by Columbia University Press. He was the former principal deputy coordinator for sanctions policy at the Department of State and former lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team negotiating with Iran. Follow him on Twitter @RichardMNephew.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told an annual end-of-year press conference on Thursday that he will run for president in early 2018 as an independent candidate.

At the question and answer session with Russian and foreign media in Moscow, the president was asked by a journalist from the Kommersant newspaper whom he was running with for president in March 2018.

"I will run on my own behalf," Putin said. "Definitely, I hope that I will be supported by some popular movements, parties or any other groups that share my views and that endorse my views so I really rely on broad support from our people."

Putin's comments signaled a break with the United Russia party, which has been associated with him since its formation in 2001.

Although Putin has always run as a candidate for the ruling United Russia in previous elections, he did not expand on the reasons for running as an independent.

A possible explanation could be that United Russia's popularity ratings lag those of Putin and that the president wants to distance himself from an unpopular ruling party.

Data from the independent Russian polling center Levada showed that Putin's approval rating in November stood at 81 percent  by contrast, the approval rating of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was just 44 percent  and approval of the Russian government, dominated by United Russia, was only 42 percent.

During the press conference, a reporter from Russia's Life news agency asked the president why, over the 20 or so years of Putin being in power, there had not been an influential political opposition in Russia.

"Should I train contenders for myself?" Putin replied, adding that he wanted to see a more competitive political environment in Russia nonetheless.

"Our political system, just like our economic system, should be a competitive one, and that is my goal. I'd like to have a balanced political system, and competition is vital. We don't have high-profile opposition figures, and they can't compete with those in power," he said.

Kicking off the press conference, a journalist from radio station Govorit Moskva (Moscow is Speaking) asked Putin what his priorities were for Russia if he were re-elected as president. Putin was first elected president in 2000, and has been the dominant figure in Russia since then, including when he was prime minister.

Putin responded that he would focus on developing the country's infrastructure, health care, education and economy.

"Our ultimate goal should be to increase the income of our people," he said.
Ripple is vying with bitcoin cash to be the third-largest cryptocurrency by market value.

Ripple, or XRP, surged 89 percent Thursday to a record high of 89.2 cents and was last trading near 81 cents, giving it a market value of $31.6 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Those gains temporarily pushed ripple's market value past that of bitcoin's offshoot bitcoin cash, and into third place just behind the largest digital currencies, bitcoin and ethereum , according to CoinMarketCap. The website showed bitcoin cash had regained third place by late Thursday afternoon, with a market value of $32.1 billion.

Ripple surpassed the market value of litecoin on Wednesday after starting the week in fifth place by cryptocurrency market capitalization, according to CoinMarketCap.

Ripple seven-day performance

Source: CoinMarketCap

Ripple is officially the name of a startup using blockchain technology to develop a payments network for banks, digital asset exchanges and other financial institutions. XRP is the digital coin network participants use for transactions.

Interest from South Korean investors helped drive ripple's latest gains, just as they have helped send ethereum higher. In the last 24 hours, trading in South Korean won occasionally accounted for more than 40 percent of ripple trading volume, according to CryptoCompare.

Nikkei reported Wednesday Japan time that banks in Japan and South Korea began testing Ripple's blockchain technology on Friday. The cross-border trials are set to run through Jan. 31, and if all goes well, the banks plan to send money using Ripple's XRP digital currency, according to the report.

"In a landscape of a lot of hype, Ripple is the one that is delivering a reality," Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, said in a phone interview with CNBC.

Ripple has gained traction in the last several months. In October, Ripple announced that more than 100 financial institutions use its blockchain network. The following month, the company said American Express FX International Payments and Santander would use Ripple's network for cross-border payments between the U.S. and the UK.

At the end of November, TechCrunch founder Mike Arrington announced he is launching a $100 million "cryptofund" that will be denominated in XRP.
Sears Holdings is expanding on its partnership with Amazon and will now sell items from its DieHard brand on the internet giant's website.

The retailer, which owns Sears and Kmart along with appliance brand Kenmore, has increasingly been searching for ways to diversify the company's revenue stream, as fewer customers shop its department stores.

Sears shares were climbing a little more than 1 percent Thursday morning on the news.

In July, the company announced it landed its first deal to sell appliances on Amazon.com and debuted a new "Kenmore Smart" skill for Amazon's Alexa, which would allow customers to control their appliances by voice commands.

"Launching on Amazon.com will significantly expand the distribution and availability of the DieHard brand in the U.S., building on the success of our recent Kenmore appliances launch on Amazon.com," Tom Park, the president of Sears' Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands, said in a statement Thursday.

In an interview in July, Park explained to CNBC: "The Amazon platform is so broad and also focuses on the millennial generation," which Sears wants to reach.

Starting Thursday, Sears' customers will find battery-related accessories such as jump starters, maintainers and chargers on Amazon.com, the company said.

Early next year, Sears will sell DieHard-branded tires and actual automotive batteries on the website. The company has said its DieHard tires are "one of the leading tire brands" at the department store chain, which also operates Sears Auto Centers.

Meantime, Sears is beginning to open DieHard Auto Centers, which have already sprouted up in Texas and Michigan. In a bid to return to profitability, the company is selling off many of its larger assets (which it says are underperforming), and rolling out concept stores that sell only mattresses and appliances.

Buying itself more time as sales slump, Sears announced earlier this week the company has extended the terms of a $400 million loan to 2019 and also is planning to secure additional borrowing to cover upcoming pension payments.

Sears is expecting itself to reach positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization next year. The retailer's stock has fallen about 55 percent in 2017.
China's relationship with South Korea has been testy since Seoul allowed the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system on domestic soil, but that may soon change as the world's second-largest economy needs a few favors from its neighbor too.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Beijing on Wednesday and will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. This comes after China and South Korea in October agreed to work to get their relations back on track after a year-long standoff over the deployment the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

The deadlock hurt trade and South Korea's business interests in China but the two countries are now exploring opportunities to work together against the backdrop of an unpredictable North Korea.

"There is no question that China is extremely worried about the downward spiral of the North Korean crisis," said Christopher Hill, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and the current dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

"There seems to be no hope coming, and I think there's going to be an effort with the South Koreans to see if there's anything that can be done," Hill told CNBC on Thursday.
U.S. stock futures were higher this morning after Wednesday's sell-off that took the Dow and Nasdaq off their best levels of the session and pushed the S&P 500 to a lower close. The Dow did manage to post another record closing high with its fifth straight gain. (CNBC)

Walt Disney (DIS) has agreed to acquire many parts of 21st Century Fox in a deal worth more than $52 billion in stock. The transaction gives Disney a wide range of assets including Nat Geo, Asian pay-TV operator Star TV, Fox's movie studios, stakes in Sky and Hulu, and regional sports networks. (CNBC)

It's a busy day for economic numbers, with three different reports to at 8:30 a.m. ET, including weekly initial jobless claims, November retail sales, and November import and export prices. (CNBC)

The Fed hiked interest rates for the third time in 2017 following its December meeting. Central bankers forecast three more rate increases in 2018. The Fed has raised rates two other times since 2006, once in December 2016 and the other time in December 2016. (CNBC)



At her post-meeting news conference, Fed Chair Janet Yellen gave guarded commentary about crytocurrenices, which some say is one of the biggest financial bubbles of all time. Yellen said at bitcoin is "not a stable source of value" and is "a highly speculative asset." (CNBC)



* Yellen says high stock market value does not mean it's overvalued (CNBC)

There are signs that the rise in U.S. crude oil supply will likely continue into 2018, the IEA says, and upset rivals who are cutting back. Preliminary weekly data suggests that U.S. production increased further into early December. (CNBC)
If you're looking to start a new job or increase your earnings in the new year, some cities provide a better place to do so than others. To determine the best city in every state for a successful 2018, GOBankingRates examined which cities had the lowest unemployment rates in each state, how much the employment rate is increasing in those cities and how much the average weekly income is rising in each of those locations. Those with the largest increases in employment rate and weekly income were considered the best in each state for potential job seekers. More from GOBankingRates:

15 industries where robots will take your job

Here's the most popular company in the 50 biggest U.S. cities

31 cities where you can afford to live off less than $50,000

Alabama: Huntsville

Change in employment year over year: 1.9 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 2.4 percent Compared with the cities examined in this study, Huntsville has the second-lowest unemployment rate in Alabama. Huntsville topped the state's major cities that were surveyed for highest increase in employment as well as the highest weekly income, with the average earnings at $1,030 per week.

Alaska: Anchorage

Cook Inlet, Anchorage, Alaska Brad Quick | CNBC

Change in employment year over year: 2.4 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 5.1 percent Alaska is one of the states where you're most likely to live paycheck to paycheck, according to a previous GOBankingRates study. But in Anchorage, employment has increased at a rate almost two times higher than that of Alaska's other metro area, Fairbanks. So, Anchorage is the better city for those seeking job opportunities. Weekly income is also on the rise, with average weekly earnings currently at $992.

Arizona: Phoenix

Change in employment year over year: 2.5 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 8.1 percent The Phoenix metro area has the lowest unemployment rate and the second-highest rate of employment growth compared to the other metro areas in Arizona that were surveyed in this study. The city has also seen a significant increase in weekly earnings, with the average weekly income now at $954.

Arkansas: Fayetteville

Change in employment year over year: 5.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 1.9 percent Fayetteville is the best city in Arkansas for job seekers. The city has the lowest unemployment rate compared to other metro areas in the state as well as the highest increase in employment. A separate GOBankingRates study found that Fayetteville ranks second in the country for metro areas where incomes are growing the fastest.

California: San Jose

View of downtown San Jose, California. Bernd Geh | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: -0.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.8 percent Although employment is decreasing in San Jose, the city still is tied with Napa for the lowest unemployment rate in California  3.8 percent  compared to other metro areas surveyed. Additionally, San Jose has the highest average weekly income at $1,555. Because that number is on the rise, there is major earning potential for those looking to make more money in 2018.

Colorado: Fort Collins

Change in employment year over year: 6.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 0.3 percent Colorado is one of the best and worst states if you're unemployed, found a previous study. Of the metro areas across the U.S. featured in this study, Fort Collins has the highest year-over-year employment increase. Additionally, it also has the second-lowest unemployment rate of the cities featured at just 2.1 percent. Among the cities surveyed in Colorado, Fort Collins has the lowest unemployment rate and the highest employment increase.

Connecticut: Stamford

Change in employment year over year: 1.9 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 0.2 percent In Connecticut, the change in employment hovered around 2 percent throughout the state, so what distinguished the Stamford metro area in our ranking was its relatively low unemployment rate and the fact that weekly income has been increasing. The two cities with lower unemployment rates  Danbury and Norwich  actually experienced a declining weekly income year over year, so they might not be the best places for people looking to increase their earnings.

Florida: Crestview

Change in employment year over year: 2.3 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 16.4 percent The weekly income is increasing more rapidly in Crestview than in any other metro area in Florida that was included in this study. The city also boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed, making it a good place for people to find employment with increased earning potential.

Georgia: Atlanta

Change in employment year over year: 3.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 3.2 percent Of all the metro areas in Georgia that were surveyed in this study, Atlanta had the third-biggest growth in employment. A separate recent GOBankingRates study found that Atlanta had the third-most job openings in the country, with more than 20,000 positions available. The city has seen an increase in weekly income, while others in the state have experienced a decrease.

Hawaii: Honolulu

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii M Swiet Productions | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: 1.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 5.9 percent Honolulu ranks as the best city in Hawaii to have a successful 2018, thanks to its increasing weekly income. Compared to the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina metro area, Honolulu also has a lower unemployment rate and an average weekly income that's $200 higher.

Idaho: Boise

Change in employment year over year: 1.9 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 0.5 percent Boise is one of only two cities in the state that were surveyed in this study where employment is increasing. And while Lewiston has seen the larger growth, Boise tops the list for the best city for success in Idaho, thanks to its higher average weekly income.

Illinois: Bloomington

Change in employment year over year: 0 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 2.1 percent Bloomington is one of the only cities in Illinois surveyed in this study where both the employment rate and weekly income are not declining. Although employment has been fairly stagnant in the city, its unemployment rate is still the third-lowest in the state of all the metro areas surveyed at 4.5 percent.

Indiana: Columbus

Change in employment year over year: 3.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 8.2 percent Columbus has the second-lowest unemployment rate, the second-highest increase in employment in the state, and the highest average weekly income  $1,163  compared to the other metro areas in Indiana surveyed in this study. That makes it the best city in the state for those seeking career and financial success.

Iowa: Ames

Change in employment year over year: 0.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 13.6 percent Of the metro areas surveyed in this study, Ames has the lowest unemployment rate in Iowa, and it also is the city where weekly income has increased the most. Although employment is growing at a slow rate, it's one of only three cities in the state included in this survey where employment is growing rather than declining. A separate GOBankingRates study found that Iowa is the best state for middle-class families, so it's a good place to move for an affordable lifestyle.

Kansas: Manhattan

Change in employment year over year: 1.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 4.9 percent Manhattan ranks as the best city in Kansas for success in the new year because it has the lowest unemployment rate, biggest increase in employment and the highest increase in weekly income of any of the surveyed metro areas in the state.

Kentucky: Bowling Green

Change in employment year over year: 5.5 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 3.8 percent Employment is rising in Bowling Green more than in any other city in Kentucky that was surveyed in this study, making it the best place in the state for job seekers. It also has the second-highest increase in weekly income, and the highest average weekly income in the state  $865  compared to the other surveyed cities.

Louisiana: Lake Charles

Change in employment year over year: 2.8 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: -7.1 percent Although weekly income in Lake Charles is declining, it is the only one of the surveyed metro areas in Louisiana where employment is increasing rather than decreasing. Lake Charles also has the lowest unemployment rate in the state of the included metro areas at 4.3 percent.

Maine: Portland

Portland, Maine Denis Jr. Tangney | E+ | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: 3.3 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.2 percent Employment is increasing more in Portland than in any of the other surveyed metro areas in Maine. It also has the lowest unemployment rate of the surveyed cities at 2.8 percent and the highest average weekly income at $885.

Maryland: California

Change in employment year over year: 2 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 20 percent The weekly income in the city of California is increasing at more than five times the rate that it's rising in any other city in the state that was included in the survey. It also has Maryland's highest average weekly income compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at $1,262  one of the highest average weekly incomes of any of the cities featured in this study.

Massachusetts: Boston

Change in employment year over year: 2.9 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 3.6 percent The Boston metro area is the best in Massachusetts for a successful 2018, thanks to a number of factors: It has the second-lowest unemployment rate, the second-largest increase in employment and the highest average weekly income compared to the other metro areas in the state surveyed in this study at $1,211.

Michigan: Ann Arbor

Change in employment year over year: 1.7 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 8.3 percent Employment has increased the most in Ann Arbor compared to the other surveyed metro areas in Michigan, and it's one of only two cities in this study where employment is growing by more than 1 percent. Of the cities with the lowest unemployment rates in the state, it has the largest increase in weekly income. It also has the second-highest average weekly income in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed at $954.

Minnesota: Rochester

Change in employment year over year: 1.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.2 percent Rochester has the lowest unemployment rate in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at 2.9 percent, and it also has the highest average weekly income: $1,233.

Mississippi: Gulfport

Change in employment year over year: 0.3 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.7 percent Weekly earnings are stagnant or decreasing in Mississippi's other major metro areas that were included in this study, which is why Gulfport is the best place in the state for increasing earning potential. Gulfport also has the highest average weekly income in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed at $856.

Missouri: Columbia

Missouri Division of Tourism

Change in employment year over year: -0.2 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.5 percent Missouri is a tough place for job seekers, with employment year over year decreasing in every major city in the state that this study examined. However, it's decreasing at a minimal rate in Columbia, which also has the lowest unemployment rate in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at 2.8 percent. Additionally, Columbia has the third-highest increase in weekly income in Missouri of the surveyed cities.

Montana: Billings

Change in employment year over year: 0.3 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 8.4 percent Although employment is increasing at a low rate in Billings, it is the only city in Montana that was surveyed in this study where employment has been rising. Billings also has the largest year-over-year increase in weekly income compared to the other surveyed metro areas in the state.

Nebraska: Omaha

Change in employment year over year: 1.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.5 percent Employment is increasing at a rate of about 1 percent throughout the state of Nebraska, so Omaha is on par with the rest of the state. The reason it ranks highest is its high average weekly income of $904, which is over $100 more than in either of the other major metro areas that were surveyed.

New Hampshire: Dover

Change in employment year over year: 1.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 1.2 percent Dover is the only metro area in New Hampshire that was surveyed in this study where the weekly income is increasing, and  even at just 1.1 percent  it has the largest increase in employment in the state of the metro areas GOBankingRates compared. Dover also has a low unemployment rate at just 2.4 percent, which is one of the lowest in the country.

Nevada: Las Vegas

The Las Vegas strip. Gavin Hellier | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: 1.4 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 5.5 percent Las Vegas is the only city in Nevada that was surveyed in this study where both employment has increased and weekly income has gone up more than 1 percent.

New Jersey: Trenton

Change in employment year over year: 0 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: -5.5 percent Trenton has the lowest unemployment rate of the metro areas in New Jersey we surveyed, and it has the highest average weekly income at $1,062. In addition to employment and earning opportunities, Trenton has the most affordable housing compared to other cities featured in this study. The median home list price is only $55,000.

New Mexico: Albuquerque

Change in employment year over year: 0.3 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 3.7 percent Among the cities surveyed in New Mexico where employment is increasing, Albuquerque has the largest increase in average weekly income. It also has the highest average weekly income in the state at $769.

New York: Glens Falls

Change in employment year over year: -0.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 10.5 percent Glens Falls has the lowest unemployment rate in New York compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study, and it has the second-highest rate of increase in weekly income compared to the state's other major metro areas that were surveyed.

North Carolina: Raleigh

Change in employment year over year: 2.8 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 5.7 percent Employment is increasing more in Raleigh than in any other metro area surveyed in North Carolina, and the city also has the third-highest increase in weekly income. Raleigh has the second-lowest unemployment rate in North Carolina compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at 3.9 percent.

North Dakota: Fargo

Fargo, North Dakota Daniel Barry | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: 1.8 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 1.2 percent With a 2 percent unemployment, Fargo is tied with Bismarck for the lowest unemployment rate in the state of North Dakota compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study. Those two cities have the lowest unemployment rate of any city in the United States that was included in the study. However, only Fargo has both an increasing employment rate and an increasing average weekly income.

Ohio: Cincinnati

Change in employment year over year: 3.2 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 0.6 percent Cincinnati has the largest growth in employment of any of the metro areas surveyed in this study in Ohio, and it also has the highest average weekly income at $893. It has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at 4.7 percent.

Oklahoma: Lawton

Change in employment year over year: -0.4 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 23.9 percent The weekly income in Lawton is increasing year over year at a rate higher than almost all other metro areas in the U.S., and at a rate that's more than four times higher than any other metro area in Oklahoma that was included in the study.

Oregon: Portland

Downtown Portland, Oregon. David Gn Photography | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: 3.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 1.5 percent Portland has the second-lowest unemployment rate in Oregon compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at 4.1 percent, and the third-highest rate of employment increase compared to the other metro areas that were surveyed. Of the cities that were compared, it also has the highest average weekly income in the state at $979.

Pennsylvania: Gettysburg

Change in employment year over year: 1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 4 percent Gettysburg has the lowest unemployment rate in the state compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study at 4.1 percent, and it is one of the few cities in Pennsylvania where employment is increasing.

South Carolina: Charleston

Change in employment year over year: 1.3 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 6.3 percent The average weekly income is increasing more in Charleston than in any other city in South Carolina that was surveyed in this study, and the city also has the highest average weekly income among the included metro areas at $882. Of the South Carolina cities included in this study, Charleston has the lowest unemployment rate at 3.7 percent.

South Dakota: Sioux Falls

Change in employment year over year: 1.9 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 1.5 percent Of the two major cities in South Dakota  Sioux Falls and Rapid City  only Sioux Falls has a weekly income that is increasing. It also has the lower unemployment rate at 2.4 percent, and the higher average weekly income at $769. It's also a good place for entrepreneurs: a separate GOBankingRates study found that South Dakota is the best state to start a business.

Tennessee: Cleveland

Change in employment year over year: 2.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 15.2 percent Employment is increasing the most in Cleveland compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study in Tennessee. It also has the highest increase in average weekly income.

Texas: Amarillo

Change in employment year over year: 0.1 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 15.3 percent Amarillo has both the lowest unemployment rate and the second-largest increase in weekly income in the state of Texas compared to the other metro areas surveyed in this study, which makes it a good city if you want find career success and make more money.

Utah: Provo

Change in employment year over year: 4.7 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 8.2 percent The Provo metro area has the second-lowest unemployment rate and the second-highest increase in employment compared to other metro areas that were surveyed in Utah. It also has the second-highest average weekly income at $887.

Virginia: Charlottesville

Change in employment year over year: 3.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 9 percent Charlottesville ranks highly for cities for a successful 2018, thanks to its low unemployment rate  3.6 percent  and the fact that both employment and average earnings are on the rise there.

Washington: Seattle

Skyline of Seattle, Washington. Jose Luis Stephens | Radius Images | Getty Images

Change in employment year over year: 1.4 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 3.1 percent The Seattle metro area has the second-lowest unemployment rate and the highest average weekly income in Washington compared to other cities included in the study, with the average weekly earnings at $1,281. And those earnings are on the rise, which is promising for those looking to improve their financial standing. A separate GOBankingRates study found that Seattle has the sixth-most job openings in the country, with more than 17,000 open positions.

West Virginia: Morgantown

Change in employment year over year: 1.6 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 0.5 percent Morgantown has the lowest unemployment rate in the state of West Virginia compared to the other metro areas in this study, and employment is increasing at a higher rate there than in the state's other metro areas. It also has the second-highest average weekly income in the state at $809.

Wisconsin: Madison

Change in employment year over year: 1.5 percent

Change in weekly income year over year: 9.2 percent Of the metro areas in Wisconsin surveyed in this study, Madison has both the lowest unemployment rate and the highest average weekly income at $977. Weekly income is rising in Madison at the second-highest rate of all the surveyed metro areas in Wisconsin.

Wyoming: Cheyenne
Eighteen months ago, Tom Harvey retired. Then this year he changed his mind and unretired. He is far from alone. In the UK, according to research in Aging & Society, 25 per cent of retirees return to work, about half of these within five years of retirement. It defined unretirement as "reporting being retired and subsequently recommencing paid employment, or beginning full-time work following partial retirement (working fewer than 30 hours per week)". A 2010 study found that rates were similar in the US. Such research suggests that retirement may no longer be a permanent state. Instead, it is a process. More from the Financial Times:

Companies need to develop flexibility to keep older workers

To say older workers lack energy is ageist and wrong

UK urged to prepare for workforce of 80-year-olds For Harvey, his retirement a few years before the UK state pension age of 65 was highly desirable after four decades in corporate life  first in advertising, then financial services communication. It gave him a chance to walk his dogs and ride horses. But his brain craved stimulation. "You do miss the intellectual engagement of work and the debate around difficult issues," he says. The financial aspect is also important. "It would be nice to have more dosh." Today, the 63-year-old is offering consultancy to small businesses, particularly helping to mentor directors and senior managers on communications. His reaction reflects that of others, says Loretta Platts of the Stress Research Institute at Stockholm University and a co-author of the report. "Some people have a retirement shock. This isn't what they thought [it would be]." The study defined retirement as people saying their main activity was "retired". Platts says that others may disagree, and may fix on an age, perhaps after 65. But in her view "analysing the data in this way means that many, [or even] most retirement transitions are actually missed".

In the UK, the proportion of 50 to 64-year-olds in work has climbed to about 71 per cent from 60 per cent since 2000, according to the Office for National Statistics, while the number of people working beyond 65 has doubled to about 10 percent. In the US the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that for the period up to 2024, both the 65-74 age group and those aged 75-plus will have faster rates of labour force growth annually than any other age groups. In response to the additional costs of living longer, many governments are increasing the age at which people can receive state pensions. For Robert Roy, who is based in Washington, retirement at 69 had been attractive because he was "finished with what I was doing. It was intense." His career in social work with children and families had been rewarding. But after his last job as chief executive of a non-profit organisation working in family services in Portland, he also felt in need of a break. After stepping down, Roy devoted time to fishing and writing. But he felt "something was missing. I thought, 'what is my purpose in life?'" Work had been diverting. "You went to work, your day was defined. You remove that, all of a sudden, what did you replace with it? What's next? What do I do?" So Roy unretired. He had always felt uncomfortable with the term "retired" because it was like he "was done. I didn't feel that way. I didn't want to feel like I was finished." Today, he works two days a week at the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in mental health services and is a consultant to non-profit organisations that provide treatment for troubled children and their families. This suits the 79-year-old, as it means he can spend time with his family.

He made the shift thanks to an Encore Fellowship, a scheme run by a US not-for-profit organisation that helps experienced professionals, typically in their 50s or 60s, who want to move to a career in public service. Encore helps to plug a training gap. A paper published in the Public Policy and Ageing Report (2015) argued that retaining older workers will mean increasing training and development opportunities for those in their 50s. The current lack of development for older workers is in part due to the attitudes of line managers and employers. Individuals may also feel "after a certain age or stage in their career, that further training is unnecessary. Or . . . that the type of training and learning they are likely to receive is inappropriate given their level of skill and experience." A report published this week by Business in the Community urged employers to do more to train older workers and prepare them for the digital economy. David Sinclair, director of the International Longevity Centre UK, has said the stereotype about older workers is that they are reliable: "It feeds an image that they are safe and steady, when in fact people innovate across their entire lives." For Harvey and Roy, retirement was attractive because they wanted a break from the demands of the job. "It is a shame that organisations aren't more sophisticated about identifying stress," observes Harvey. He suggests they could help employees who may "need to walk away from the coalface and take a few months out". Developments such as home working and flexitime are also promising, he adds. Lynda Gratton, a professor of management practice at London Business School and co-author of The 100-Year Life, has said that employers should let people work as long as they can. But they should be more creative about career paths. Employees will want to "hop out at times. They'll want to rejuvenate. They'll want to learn a new skill." She also believes workers need to plan their long working lives better.
Superyachts and other smaller luxury vessels sit moored in the Port de Fontvieille in Monaco, on Monday, May 18, 2015.

The gap between rich and poor has increased in almost every region of the world over the last four decades, according to a report published Thursday.

A global perception that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poor has triggered calls for a crackdown on offshore tax havens and moved the issue of inequality up the political agenda.

Authors of the World Inequality Report said that unless governments took coordinated action to increase taxes and prevent tax avoidance then the problem would continue to deteriorate.

Overseen by French economist Thomas Piketty, the report drew on the work of more than 100 researchers in over 70 different countries. It found that since 1980, the top 0.1 percent of wealth owners, about 7 million people, captured as much of the world's growth as the bottom half of the adult population, around 3.8 billion people.

"Conversely, income growth has been sluggish or even nil for the population between the global bottom 50 percent and top 1 percent," the report said.
Shares of Tiffany & Co. jumped 4 percent Thursday after Citigroup upgraded the luxury retailer to buy, saying the jeweler is "starting to show some shine."

"The third quarter brought several positive inflection points, new management is showing us that they understand the challenges and opportunities, and they are not sitting still," Citi analyst Paul Lejuez explained. "Considering the increasing tailwind from FX and the likely earnings per share lift from tax reform (which we don't believe is priced in), we believe Tiffany looks attractive."

It has been a busy year at Tiffany with "significant" changes to both the board and management. Though the company typically debuted major collections every few years, it added both CEO Alessandro Bogliolo and head designer Reed Krakoff this year in an effort to jump-start sales with new blood and more frequent product launches.

"Tiffany launched its HardWare collection of jewelry and (more recently) its home/accessories line, as well as opening the Blue Box Cafe in its NYC flagship," explained Lejuez. "We are optimistic that the changes we have seen thus far have Tiffany on a better path for success."

The new HardWare collection features pieces like a $12,000 link bracelet in 18-karat rose gold.

Shares of Tiffany are up 28 percent this year versus the S&P 500's 19 percent climb, with 9 percentage points of the stock's surge coming in the last three months. Tiffany stock closed up 3.4 percent higher Thursday after the call.

The analyst raised his price target on Tiffany to $115 from $92. The new target is 20 percent higher than Wednesday's closing price.

Meanwhile, Citi has more reason to favor the luxury retailer. Citi's European luxury goods analyst Thomas Chauvet said he believes the company could be an attractive acquisition target. Chauvet and his team find "increasing probability" that a European luxury conglomerate could make a move to buy Tiffany or one of its segments, potentially boosting the shares further.

Tiffany & Co. did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
On Tuesday, Alabama chose the man who avenged girls who had been murdered, over the man who (allegedly) molested girls. Let this be a reminder to the fatalists and defeatists that good can prevail when people are willing to work and fight for it.And don't forget last month's elections in Virginia -- or Allison Ikley-Freeman , the avowed socialist and lesbian Democrat who won her race in an Oklahoma district that Trump carried by a two-to-one margin last year.Meanwhile, the enemy is more divided than ever in the wake of the Alabama upset. Establishment Republicans are really piling on Bannon now, while Breitbart's knuckle-dragging legions are doubling down on denouncing the establishment as traitors and promising to sweep away all the "RINOs" next November. With any luck they'll drown each other in their own bile.The potential for a wave of victories next November is enormous, the potential consequences even more so. With Jones's win having trimmed the Republicans' Senate majority to a bare 51-49, our chances of regaining control look better than ever. The entire House will be up for election, with Republican members either weighed down by an unpopular President or facing a civil war among their voters in the aftermath of a Trump impeachment.Control of the Senate would give us the power to block appointments, a power which must be used ruthlessly in the case of Supreme Court nominations. By their stonewalling of Merrick Garland, Senate Republicans forfeited any right to be treated fairly or honorably. If they could hold a seat vacant for ten months, we can hold one vacant for two years if need be, until a Democrat regains the White House.State elections, too, will be important. The state governments elected in 2018 will control Congressional redistricting after the 2020 census. The more of these governments we win control of, the more we can finally get out from under the millstone of gerrymandering with which Republicans have so effectively weighted the system in their favor.There are three lessons here.First, let's be clear about what won Alabama for us. The decisive factor was a massive turnout of black voters. Set against the low turnout among divided and demoralized Republicans, this surge of black support (combined with the educated white urban vote, what Alabama has of that), carried Jones to victory. And Jones got those votes by, very deliberately, working for them . He made a systematic appeal to the black people of Alabama and gave them reasons to go out and vote for him. It was just the opposite of what the Democratic party is sometimes accused of doing -- taking black voters for granted. The party must continue to do this -- remember that one out of every eight Americans is black, and the proportion in most Southern states is even higher (Alabama is 27% black). And the party must do more. It must actually deliver on those voters' specific concerns, such as police violence and vote suppression. A race-neutral message of economic justice such as Bernie Sanders offers does have its place, but the party must also work for the specific needs of its largest, most loyal, and most vital constituency.Second, it's worth contesting races even in places which we're accustomed to considering hopeless. It's not so long ago that some Democratic leaders wanted to write off Jones as a lost cause, because Alabama is so red. The rise of Trump and the insurrection of Bannonite radicalism within the Republican party create tremendous opportunities for us because our opponents are so divided. With a determined effort to boost our base turnout, and with Republicans so factionalized and, likely, demoralized in some cases by tainted or crackpot Bannon-supported candidates, we may find opportunities opening up across the South, Texas, Arizona, and other places normally considered long-shots or hopeless.Third, just as divisions weaken the Republicans, unity strengthens us. The reason the Republicans have failed to get initiatives like ACA repeal through Congress, despite their majorities, is that they are so factionalized in the House and keep suffering defections in the Senate. But that wouldn't stop them if we couldn't count onpeople sticking together. Every Democrat in the Senate has been an unshakable "no" vote on ACA repeal, tax "reform", and whatever other nastiness the enemy comes up with. Even conservative Democrats have been reliable.As voters we need to show the same unity. Remember, if you and others like you refuse to vote for a Democrat you don't think is good enough, and thus let a Republican win, the fact that you can stand around oozing virtue and ideological purity doesn't mean shit to the vulnerable person who loses his health insurance, food stamps, or whatever as a result of Republicans holding power. If some people are irredeemably resistant to the unity message,and focus on people whobe reached. It's more important to get an extra 200 black voters to the polls than to win over 100 bloggers who insist on rehashing grudges from the 2016 primaries or demanding a laundry list of impossibilities (and who probably can't be won over, anyway). Politics is about getting things done.Finally, sexual harassment and the mass uprising of women against coddling of harassers is emerging as an issue whose time has come. Democrats can win on that issue, simply by doing the right thing Last year's stolen election did not primarily rob Hillary; it robbed theof what Hillary's Presidency could have been, and gave the party of kleptocrats, bigots, and lunatics full control. Let us make the best of a bad situation, and give them a thrashing in November that they'll never forget.
Attorneys for Martin Shkreli's business lawyer reportedly have raised "potentially career-ending allegations" about a government official involved in the prosecution of Shkreli and that lawyer.

The claims, which reportedly may involve a prosecutor in the case, led to a temporary halt of the ongoing criminal trial of Shkreli's ex-lawyer Evan Greebel.

The allegations, first reported by the online legal publication Law 360, were raised Wednesday in Brooklyn, New York, federal court, where Greebel is on trial for allegedly helping Shkreli with an alleged scam involving the publicly traded drug company Retrophin .

Shkreli, 34, was who were then repaid with money and stock from Retrophin, which Shkreli founded.

Shkreli, who is due to be sentenced for three criminal charges next month, is currently being held in a federal jail without bail.

Shkreli had been free on a $2 million release bond after his conviction. But that bond was revoked in September after the trial judge ruled he was a danger

Law 360 reported that Greebel's trial "came to a screeching halt" Wednesday during testimony by Steven Rosenfeld, an investor in both Retrophin and one of Shkreli's hedge funds.

Rosenfeld, a non-practicing doctor called to the witness stand by Greebel's lawyer, was reportedly being asked about what happened in 2015 when FBI agents visited his home to ask about a consulting agreement he had with Retrophin.

Shkreli and Greebel were accused of using bogus consulting agreements by Retrophin with investors in Shkreli's hedge fund to repay them for their losses  but Rosenfeld claims he did actual work under the agreement.

According to Law 360, Rosenfeld testified he asked the FBI if he could call his attorney. A prosecutor then objected to that line of questioning.

That objection led to a lengthy discussion with prosecutors, defense lawyers and Judge Kiyo Matsumoto out of the earshot of jurors and observers in the courtroom.

Another long sidebar conference followed after Greebel's lawyer Randy Mastro asked Rosenfeld who had attended a subsequent meeting he had with government officials, Law 360 reported.

Matsumoto reportedly sent jurors home for the day early. She then ordered prosecutors and defense lawyers to file sealed legal briefs "on what she described as 'potentially career-ending allegations' made by the defense," according to Law 360.

Matsumoto said the briefs should address the question of whether statements made by federal prosecutors outside a courtroom are admissible as evidence in a case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pitluck, who is one of the prosecutors in Greebel's case, said in court that the allegations raised by the defense are "very serious," according to Law 360.

Greebel's lawyers, in a letter to the judge filed Wednesday, wrote that statements made to Rosenfeld by government officials should be allowed into evidence "to show why Dr. Rosenfeld would have felt motivated to cooperate with the government and to provide context for what he knew in subsequent meetings."

Defense lawyers later Wednesday filed another letter to the judge, which is sealed.

On Thursday morning, prosecutors filed their own sealed letter to Matsumoto.

Shkreli's criminal defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman on Thursday told CNBC in an email that he did not have any information on the controversy, noting that the relevant documents had been sealed.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel claimed Thursday that Britain's negotiating position with the rest of Europe has been weakened after Theresa May's defeat in the U.K. parliament.

May's Conservative government on Wednesday lost a tight vote on whether the House of Commons must get a vote on the final terms of the Brexit divorce deal with the European Union (EU).

The amendment means that May cannot guarantee fellow EU leaders that she will be able to implement the exit terms they agree on.

Bettel told CNBC on Thursday that the vote has reduced the likelihood that May would get a good deal for her country.

"Now, if after every decision she will need to go to Westminster to get a green light to continue discussion, (this) will make her time even shorter to negotiate in Brussels," he said.

"I fully believe that the agenda being decided, this just makes the British position more difficult because it will be difficult for the U.K. government."

Bettel said he fully supported May and she was "fully respected" among fellow leaders in Brussels.

May arrived at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday afternoon and insisted that, despite the Commons defeat, her government was still "on course to deliver on Brexit."
Portuguese Finance Minister Mario Centeno gestures as he speaks during a press conference to present the state budget in Lisbon on February 5, 2016.

U.S. plans to reform its tax system should not hurt its trade partners, the incoming euro zone finance chief told CNBC on Wednesday.

Mario Centeno, the current finance minister of Portugal who will take over as Eurogroup president on January 13, said that tax policy should be coordinated in a way that prevents disruptions to trade. The Eurogroup is a regular meeting of the finance ministers of the 19 countries that share the euro.

His comments follow a letter sent Monday to Steven Mnuchin, the U.S. treasury secretary, by the finance ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Spain. It noted that tax reform in its current state would "be at odds" with free-trade international rules and could create a "major distortive impact," the Financial Times reported.

However, Centeno told CNBC in an exclusive interview: "We understand the concerns of national authorities  in this case, U.S. authorities  vis-a-vis tax revenue and the way this tax revenue is generated."

"But, we think that the way the globalization process helped our economies to advance and to go further cannot be now put into question by policies that, even if they are understandable in a national perspective, they have to be coordinated among trade partners."

There are concerns that U.S. tax reform could hurt American companies when importing goods from their own foreign factories. This would mean that a company located outside the U.S could still be taxed by U.S. authorities.

"We have been working together quite closely for a long period of time in OECD Forum with the BEPS (base erosion and profit shifting) process, for example," Centeno said. "A key example (being) on how the cooperation among different tax jurisdictions may have an impact on reducing tax evasion and preventing countries from competing among themselves in a detrimental way."

"And we think it's our obligation to work with the U.S. authorities in order to prevent this to happen," he added.
Vice President Mike Pence will push back a planned Middle East trip as the Senate tries to pass a bill that would overhaul the U.S. tax system, his office said Thursday.

If two of the 52 Senate Republicans oppose the tax plan in a vote expected by Tuesday, Pence would need to break a tie for the legislation to pass. He is now expected to leave the United States on Tuesday, rather than a planned Saturday departure date.

"Yesterday the White House informed Senate leadership that due to the historic nature of the vote in the Senate on tax cuts for millions of Americans, the vice president would stay to preside over the vote," Pence's press secretary, Alyssa Farah, said in a statement. "The vice president will then travel to Egypt and Israel where he'll reaffirm the United States' commitment to its allies in the Middle East and to working cooperatively to defeat radicalism."

Republicans do not expect to need Pence's vote, but he wants to see the legislation through its passage, a White House official told NBC News.

Alexander tweet

Last week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would not meet with Pence over the Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The White House insists the delay has nothing to do with Abbas' decision, according to NBC.

Pence plans to travel to Egypt and Israel.

Republicans believe they have the votes to pass their tax proposal next week. However, possible opposition from some GOP senators, as well as health problems faced by two others, has thrown some uncertainty into the process.

It is unclear currently how Republican Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine and potentially some others will vote on the GOP legislation. Corker was the only Republican to oppose a Senate version of the bill.

Meanwhile, GOP Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Thad Cochran of Mississippi have missed votes this week due to health problems. McCain is undergoing treatments related to brain cancer.

Cochran reportedly had a nonmelanoma lesion removed from his nose but is available for votes next week.
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cheers,

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The Code Project | Co-founder

Microsoft C++ MVP



Apologies for the shouting but this is important.



When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully

Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar

If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or mark it down. Insults are not welcome

If the question is inappropriate then click the 'vote to remove message' button



Insults, slap-downs and sarcasm aren't welcome. Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.



cheers,

Chris Maunder



The Code Project Co-founder

Microsoft C++ MVP



Which is the best library for frontend developer







Seriously, how do you expect anyone to answer such a vague question? Only you and your team know what your project entails, so you need to do your own research.



There is no universal "best" anything.





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer





Hello again...



[Thought I could do this on my own in Adobe Dreamweaver, but I guess not]. I need a basic (responsive) html template whereby everything on the page is centered vertically in divs...both image & text content. (I believe I need what is known as a 'wrapper'...that can be set to a certain width...& then all other content would be centered in that wrapper)



If someone can just get me started, w/ just a few centered divs in a wrapper for placement of images & text, I can learn from that basic code & just add content as I go (& will be very appreciative of any effort, from anyone here).



thanx,



mwForman



modified 8-Nov-22 22:32pm.



Centering in CSS: A Complete Guide | CSS-Tricks - CSS-Tricks[^]



For example:

HTML < !DOCTYPE html > < html > < head > < style > html , body { display : grid ; height : 100% ; } body > div { margin : auto ; } </ style > < /head > < body > < div > Everything in this element is centered, both horizontally and vertically. < /div > < /body > < /html > Demo[^]





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer









Thanx. I don't need horizontal centering, tho...only vertical (i.e., all content would be centered on the page vertically, but would be positioned at the top of each div). What would that page code look like?



Thanx again,



MF



Member 14987492 wrote: I don't need horizontal centering

...

all content ... would be positioned at the top of each div

Those two statements don't match. If you want content positioned at the top, then it's the vertical centering that you don't want. If you don't want the horizontal centering, then you want the content positioned on the left-hand side.



So which is it?





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer









thanx







The content isn't vertically centered within the <div> ; it's just that the <div> is only as tall as the content. If you make it taller, the content will still be at the top of the <div> .

CSS body > div { margin : auto ; min-height : 5em ; outline : 4px dotted green ; } Demo[^]





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer





I am making some modifications in a web and opening it with

Firefox on a Linux Debian 11.2 machine and

I need to change the security preferences, unchecking the box

"Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed."



However, it won't let me uncheck this box, as it shows up with a

softer color and ignores the mouse click on the check box.



The person who worked on this project before is gone and I don't

may I ask if you established any security mechanism that does not

Let me modify this option.



I have seen that in /home/myuser/.mozilla/firefox folder

the files exist



-rw-r--r-- 1 myname mygroup 58 Jan 26 2022 installs.ini

-rw-r--r-- 1 myname mygroup 247 Jan 26 2022 profiles.ini



I have tried to change the permissions to 777, but despite that it does not allow me to change

that option in Firefox.



Any suggestion or comment is welcome.



Hi all, first attempt to set up a file upload on web page.



Pretty basic stuff, but my first try so can't see why it isn't working.



Firstly I'm running on apache2 on a VPS debian 10 install.

/etc/php/7.4/apache2/php.ini contains the following:

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ; File Uploads ; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ; Whether to allow HTTP file uploads. ; <a href= " http://php.net/file-uploads" >http: file_uploads = On ; Temporary directory for HTTP uploaded files (will use system default if not ; specified). ; <a href= " http://php.net/upload-tmp-dir" >http: ;upload_tmp_dir = ; Maximum allowed size for uploaded files. ; <a href= " http://php.net/upload-max-filesize" >http: upload_max_filesize = 2M ; Maximum number of files that can be uploaded via a single request max_file_uploads = 20

index.html looks like this:

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <form action= " upload.php" method= " post" enctype= " multipart/form-data" > Select image to upload: <input type= " file" name= " fileToUpload" id= " fileToUpload" > <input type= " submit" value = " Upload Image" name= " submit" > </ form > </ body > </ html >

upload.php as follows:

<?php $target_dir = " uploads/" ; $target_file = $target_dir . basename($_FILES[ " fileToUpload" ][ " name" ]); $uploadOk = 1 ; $imageFileType = strtolower(pathinfo($target_file,PATHINFO_EXTENSION)); if (isset($_POST[ " submit" ])) { $check = getimagesize($_FILES[ " fileToUpload" ][ " tmp_name" ]); if ($check !== false ) { echo " File is an image - " . $check[ " mime" ] . " ." ; $uploadOk = 1 ; } else { echo " File is not an image." ; $uploadOk = 0 ; } } if (file_exists($target_file)) { echo " Sorry, file already exists." ; $uploadOk = 0 ; } if ($_FILES[ " fileToUpload" ][ " size" ] > 500000 ) { echo " Sorry, your file is too large." ; $uploadOk = 0 ; } if ($imageFileType != " jpg" && $imageFileType != " png" && $imageFileType != " jpeg" && $imageFileType != " gif" ) { echo " Sorry, only JPG, JPEG, PNG & GIF files are allowed." ; $uploadOk = 0 ; } if ($uploadOk == 0 ) { echo " Sorry, your file was not uploaded." ; } else { if (move_uploaded_file($_FILES[ " fileToUpload" ][ " tmp_name" ], $target_file)) { echo " The file " . htmlspecialchars( basename( $_FILES[ " fileToUpload" ][ " name" ])). " has been uploaded." ; } else { echo " Sorry, there was an error uploading your file." ; } } ?>

Finally, there is a folder named uploads in the path where the index.html and upload.php files reside.



When I test with a jpeg file (286k in size), I get "sorry there was an error uploading your file".



Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.







directory wasn't set to be writeable.

Terminal sudo chmod 777 ./uploads

did the trick.







https://linuxize.com/post/what-does-chmod-777-mean/[^]





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer





I'm trying to store a variable from data loaded through a fetch API, so that it's available for use outside the "promise" - i.e. so that I can generate a variable and them compare it on page reload. So far, I have something like this, but it doesn't work:

let extractedVal = await main(x); let xml = " " ; let apiUrl = " link/to/myfile.xml" ; async function getXml() { let response = await fetch( " link/to/myfile.xml" ); let text = await response.text(); xml = new DOMParser().parseFromString(text, " text/xml" ); return xml; } async function main() { xml = await getXml(apiUrl) console.log(xml); var x = 1 ; return x; }

i get the error at line 1:

Uncaught SyntaxError: await is only valid in async functions and the top level or: x is not defined if I don't use await



Surely, I'm not seeking to do the impossible here? All the methods I can find for "hoisting" a local variable into global scope seem to fail.



modified 4-Oct-22 19:44pm.



Top-level await[^] is currently only supported in modules[^]. For regular Javascript code, you would need to wrap it in a function.



For example:

JavaScript let xml = null ; ( async () => { const apiUrl = " link/to/myfile.xml" ; const response = await fetch(apiUrl); const text = await response.text(); xml = new DOMParser().parseFromString(text, " text/xml" ); console .log(xml); })(); NB: If you access the xml variable before the fetch has completed, it will still be null . Another approach would be to store a promise[^] in the variable, and await that when you want to access it:

JavaScript const xml = ( async () => { const apiUrl = " link/to/myfile.xml" ; const response = await fetch(apiUrl); const text = await response.text(); const result = new DOMParser().parseFromString(text, " text/xml" ); console .debug( " xml:" , result); return result; })();





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer





DSB Audio (David Sweeney-Bear) wrote: All the methods I can find for "hoisting" a local variable into global scope seem to fail.

You can't hoist across scopes. Hoisting merely moves definitions of variables to the top of the scope that they are defined in (but the initial value assigned to it is still done in the place where the they appear in the script text). You must define the 'x' in the scope that owns it (pref. not the global scope) and then it is visible in all inner scopes unless hidden by declaring another 'x' in a scope between the defining one and the using one. You can create a variable in the global scope from any other scope by using it without declaring it first (e.g. not in a var statement) - this is bad practice, so please do not do that.



I'm using JS to fetch data from an xml file on a server, like so:

var xhttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); xhttp.onreadystatechange = function() { if ( this .readyState == 4 && this .status == 200 ) { myFunction( this ); } };

I've noticed that when I use this code within my wordpress site, my function is able to get readable data in chrome console, i.e. a drop-down which shows all the xml code,

However if I use the same JS on a static HTML page, it seems to fetch the data but only displays "XML: [object XMLDocument] with no actual data.



Obviously, I'm new to all this, but it would really help my understanding to know why this happens.







So, instead of console.log(xml) I had written console.log("xml: " + xml) which is what caused the data to be "unreadable" in console.



Using just the variable in console.log means that both fetch and XMLHttpRequest work equally well. In fact they were working anyway and the real root of the issue I'm tying to debug lies elsewhere... probably a subject for another post!







JavaScript console .log( " xml:" , xml); There are a lot of other useful console features, most of which work in all modern browsers:

console - Web APIs | MDN[^]





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer





helo code project, I am a student my final year project is about to finish but I have a problem, which that, how I can build a web page to only have course content. when I click on it goes to the next page.



like



heading course content for the college

then



consist of course content with icon



Please help me to create



Hello everybody

i'm looking for a group of person , beginner please, for create a team for dev.

This is for create a projet together.

I am just a beginner ! i start just by the html css et just little js.



Contact me please.

ps: i'm french, so sorry for my english ^^


The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Chris Grayling is MP for Epsom and Ewell, and Secretary of State for Transport.

Last week was the week in which many people I spoke to said that Brexit became real. The Prime Minister took a major step on the way towards securing the right future for Britain outside the EU. Its a sensible deal that should work for all sides, and which paves the way for a trade agreement that will do the same.

There is much to do, but the progress vindicated the approach that she and David Davis have been taking.

That progress was reflected in the tone of the debate in the Commons on Monday afternoon. Conservatives from both sides of the Brexit argument rowed in behind her, and welcomed the deal enthusiastically. There are principled views on the issue in the Party, but above all, there is more that unites us than divides us, and the Commons saw that clearly.

A lot of progress has been made and there is still much work to do before we get to a final agreement on Europe, but it is now time to turn the spotlight on Labour. They have got away with too much this year, and we cannot let them carry on doing so.

Their position on Brexit has been downright dishonest. We know that Jeremy Corbyn is and has always been a Brexiteer. But he now leads a Party that wont even rule out a second referendum.

A few months ago, we saw Labour frontbenchers forced from office for supporting Britain remaining in the Single Market, and in June John McDonnell said on the Andrew Marr show that: I think people will interpret membership of the single market as not respecting that referendum.

Yet now it appears to be Labour policy to stay. Certainly Emily Thornberry wants to stay. She told Marr in October that we will be out the single market and the customs union, it makes no sense. And last week John McDonnell said that we want to keep all the options on the table.

Theres nothing new in this policy slipperiness. We saw it during and after the election with Corbyns broken promises on student loans. Weve seen it in the past week with the Labour leader attacking the City of London, only for McDonnell to try to woo it a few days later.

This Labour Party is completely untrustworthy and you have to treat what they say with extreme caution. Their top team is unqualified, divided, and frequently go back on their promises. But why does this matter? Dont oppositions always do this?

It matters because of who this Opposition are. Behind the veneer, the Labour leadership is now a front for all of the Socialist Worker/Trotskyite organisations that have sat on the fringes of British politics for decades. What was once the Militant Tendency is now mainstream.

In London there are widespread reports of long-standing, moderate Labour councillors being deselected in favour of Momentum activists. The same is true in Manchester and elsewhere.

At the same time its clear that the Momentum takeover of local Labour parties is also gathering pace. Before long the issue of re-selection will move from council candidate selections to the candidates for the next General Election. Momentum is already demanding that parliamentary candidates sign up to a pledge of loyalty to the leadership. The spectre of a genuinely hard left opposition is already taking shape.

We have to work hard to make sure that the public understand that reality. Yes, we have to push a positive message about Brexit and about our domestic agenda. We have to offer a compelling vision of a high-tech, dynamic, entrepreneurial and compassionate Britain. We have to make Britain fit for the future.

But we also have to expose Labour for what they really now are. In Corbyns model nation, Venezuela, the President has just banned opposition parties from taking part in the next election. In this country the hard left are already vilifying Labour moderates, mounting false smear campaigns against Conservatives, and are pursuing a vicious campaign of anti-Semitism.

In power that would just be the start.

We have a whole range of things we have to do as we prepare for the next election. But exposing them for what they really are must be at the top of the list.
Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party. He runs Brexit Analytics.

In Gothenburg, on Saturday, the mob gathered outside a synagogue and pelted it with molotov cocktails. Children were ushered into the basement for their own protection. Police were on the back foot: their intelligence should have detected the plans. As swift as the police were slow, the far right chose to blame it on Swedens social model. The conflict between its social model and Muslim immigration has become a theme of theirs. Nigel Farage recently misinterpreted statistics to describe Sweden as the rape capital of the world (it in fact has a broader definition of rape, and makes it easier for women to report the crime). Should he be in any doubt, he could always pop down to the Ecuadorian embassy and ask his mate there, who denies allegations that he added to the statistics.

The claim here is that Swedens immigration policy somehow makes it a soft touch for Islamist movements. So best to close the borders. Discount for a moment that closing the borders is the far rights solution to every problem.

What is going on in Sweden is another phase of the long-running conflict between political Islam, western liberalism and its domestic enemies. It happened here as early as 1988, when Salman Rushdies Satanic Verses was publicly burned. In the Netherlands, where Theo Van Gogh was murdered. In Denmark, over the cartoons of Mohammed. And in countless places because of terrorist attacks, demands for censorship and other legal exceptions made by groups claiming to represent Muslim communities in the West.

Its a conflict with four sides, only three of which show any desire to fight. Islamists themselves oppose the West because of what they consider to be its godless liberalism. They often deny theres such a thing as Islamism. All Islam, they say,  unwittingly channelling Skunk Anansie  is political. At their most sophisticated (the disgraced Oxford academic Tariq Ramadan) they argue that Muslims living in Western countries should be able to run their lives according to Islamic traditions and law. It sounds reasonable  but for traditional Muslim views of womens rights, blasphemy, and homosexuality, and modern Islamisms attitude to the Jews.

Liberal westerners feel trapped. They see religion at most as a matter of conscience, and want to treat Muslims equally to everyone else  but dont want to face the quandary of how to deal with a religious minority, significant numbers of which oppose social equality in principle, but at the same time are victims of racism and prejudice.

It is racism and prejudice that a new breed of pseudo-liberal Westerners is happy to exploit. They elide the distinction between Islam and Islamism, present themselves as outsiders fighting the liberal establishment (if they took musical inspiration, it might well be from The Cure) and win the support of ex-liberals dismayed by liberal pusillanimity.

That leaves the Far Left, who think that identifying with the oppressed group is more important than preserving values they otherwise pretend to profess. Their attitude is one of cultural marxism (before that phrase was appropriated by the alt-right), best expressed in the slogan The Prophet and the Proletariat, the title of a Marxist tract (and still occasionally daubed on the walls at SOAS). Their enemy is the United States, and they find Ayatollah Khomeinis conclusion that if the US was the Great Satan, Israel must be the Little Satan, congenial. Its a small step from this to claims that Jews should do more to speak out against Israeli policies that the Left disagrees with, and a smaller step to arguing they share responsibility for Israels actions. Though no mayor of a major Swedish city has gone as far as to say that the Zionist movement had the support of Hitler before he went mad, the Jewish community in Sweden is becoming increasingly concerned about anti-semitism growing on the Swedish left as well.

This combination  Islamist radicals pretending that all Muslims share their political agenda and it should be granted to them as a matter of religious tolerance; anti-immigrant populists taking this as a reason to fan anti-Muslim hatred; and the Far-Lefts insistence that my enemys enemy is my friend  has enabled the return of anti-semitism to Sweden, as it has returned elsewhere.

Politicised Islam presents a serious challenge to the liberal institutions that have evolved in Western Europe over the last centuries. Anti-muslim bigotry compounds it. Those trapped Western liberals need to defend the values of liberal democracy, not because they are British, Swedish or somehow ours, but because they are universal and guarantee the equal liberty of the people who live here, and to ensure that anti-semitism in Europeans politics stays buried, as we had thought it had finally been after the Second World War.
CORNWALL, Ontario  Team Cornwall held their annual Year in Review retrospective at Galaxy Cinemas on Thursday, Dec. 14.

The Year in Review lets us recognize the many achievements in our community, said Mayor Leslie OShaughnessy in his address to the crowd. It is truly an exciting period in Cornwalls history. It seems like every part of the City is seeing investment.

Bob Peters, the City of Cornwalls Division Manager for the Economic Development Department gave an outline of some of the growth the City has experienced in 2017 including $33 million in building permits. The City also invested $22 million in infrastructure in 2017, which lead to the completion of some significant road projects such as the Marleau/ McConnell intersection and Brookdale Ave.

The event also highlighted successful events, businesses and other features that took place in the community over the past year.

These included the new World of Whiskey show that premiered at the Nav Centre, the visit by the Canada C3 science vessel that was touring the nation as a part of the Canada 150 celebrations and hometown hero Tony Luis fighting and winning three times in Cornwall.

Important benchmarks of success celebrated by local businesses and institutions included important anniversaries for Pommier Jewellers (80 years), St. Lawrence College (50 years), Farm Boy (35 years) and many others.

The Ontario Power Generation centre in Cornwall opened a new control room this year, which manages power generation at sites throughout Eastern Ontario. The Cornwall Community Hospital hired 20 new doctors and 2 midwives.

The Nav Centre also welcomed 35, 000 guests this year, has 500 employees and also gained national attention when it hosted Haitian asylum seekers over the summer.

Peters remarked that the Nav Centre impressed federal agencies involved with this summers crisis.

I know that members of the military said that Cornwall did in days what they sometimes did in months, he said.

At the end of the event, several Cornwall businesses and organizations formed a bazaar in the Galaxy lobby including Heart of the City, Rurban Brewing and the United Way of SD&G.
CORNWALL, Ontario  Following its fifth Venture Demo Day on Dec. 13, 2017, the Cornwall Innovation Centre is pleased to announce that two new ventures have been invited to join the Lead To Win business accelerator program.

The CIC continues to build its roster of innovative companies, said Kelly Bergeron, Executive Director. We are excited to welcome Ioffe Biotechnologies and Rent Frock Repeat to our fray and look forward to helping them grow their companies.

Three ventures pitched their ideas to the review panel made up of local business professionals including Lesley Lang, Executive Director, Cornwall and Counties Community Future Development Corporation; Todd Lihou, Centretown Coordinator, Heart of the City; Dale McSween, Chairman, Board of Directors, Cornwall Hospital Community Foundation, and Michael MacGillivray, Interim Executive Director of the Community Futures Development Corporation.

The successful or green rated ventures are:

 Ioffe Biotechnologies Inc., the creators of Indezone Energy, a patent-pending cognitive enhancer in capsule form. The approved product comes with the Health Canada-approved health claim, Helps to Enhance Cognitive Performance. The venture currently operates out of Kingston.

 Rent Frock Repeat, a membership-based company that allows members the opportunity to rent high-end designer dresses and accessories for special occasions. The company is based in Cornwall; it currently has online operations, as well as showrooms in Toronto and Ottawa.

With the addition of Ioffe Biotechnologies Inc. and Rent Frock Repeat, the CICs Lead To Win program, modeled after Carleton Universitys award-winning program, now has a total of 11 ventures operating under its wing.
P&O Australia has announced its 2019 cruise program, featuring some 43 cruises departing from either Sydney or Brisbane, with Pacific Explorer continuing to sail year-round from her homeport of Sydney between May and October 2019 with a mix of eight to 16-night South Pacific cruises, according to a company statement.

Included are unique destinations such as the Conflict Islands, P&O said, in a prepared release.

President of P&O Cruises and Carnival Australia, Sture Myrmell, said the 2019 winter program continued the cruise lines commitment to being the best way to cruise the South Pacific.

P&O Cruises have been pioneering cruising to the South Pacific for 85 years since we first began cruising to the area in 1932, and today, we continue to help our guests uncover some of the most extraordinary places on Earth, which are virtually impossible to access by land, Myrmell said.

The 2019 winter program has been assembled with this in mind, delivering itineraries and destinations that give our guests access to the very best of the South Pacific in effortless fashion, combined with the convenience of more home ports than any other cruise line.

There are also cruises matched up to dates on the calendar, such as a stop at Tasmanias Dark Mofo festival, celebrating winter and the longest night of the year with food, music, art, film, lights and more.

A six-night Dark Mofo cruise onboard Pacific Explorer will depart Sydney in June, with two nights in Hobart to enjoy everything on offer.

The Melbourne Cup cruise has three sailings in 2019, taking 6,000 visitors to the race that stops the nation with two Sydney departures and one from Brisbane.

The Pacific Aria will be sailing alongside Pacific Dawn year-round from Brisbane, with both ships offering the seven-night Pacific Island Hopper or Barrier Reef Discovery cruises departing on either a Friday or Saturday.

There are also more short "Sea Break" weekend cruises, with 51 on the schedule, ranging from two to four-night sailings, including 17 four-night Moreton Island cruises from Sydney and 27 three-night round-trip Sea Break cruises from Sydney or Brisbane.

Pacific Eden will join Pacific Explorer sailing from Sydney between April and October 2019.
Carnival Australia today announced the charter of three of the cruise companys ships to support Papua New Guineas hosting of the 2018 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Port Moresby in November of next year, according to a statement.

P&O Cruises Pacific Explorer and Pacific Jewel as well as Princess Cruises Sea Princess will be supporting the accommodation of up to 10,000 delegates and officials, the company said.

The three ships will be moored alongside within the APEC security zones to provide hotel accommodation for those attending the Summit.

Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry said the company was pleased to be playing a part in the successful delivery of Papua New Guineas first hosting of an APEC Summit, which will attract member nations Presidents and Prime Ministers along with thousands of delegates and observers.

Carnival Australia has established a strong relationship with the Government of Papua New Guinea and is proud to have included nine destinations in Papua New Guinea on its itineraries from Australian-based ships since 2013, Sherry said.

Supporting Papua New Guinea in the hosting of the APEC Summit in November next year is an extension of our relationship. We look forward to continuing to work the Papua New Guinea Government and the APEC organising committee over the next 12 months to play our role in making the 2018 APEC a success.

This is the second occasion on which a Carnival Australia vessel has been chartered to support hosting arrangements for a major international conference. P&O Cruises Pacific Jewel was chartered for the Small Island Developing States Summit held in Apia Samoa in 2014.
The European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is scheduled to come into effect in May of 2018. While this is a regional regulation, the nature of todays interconnected economies means that it has global implications. GDPR clearly establishes the rights of EU citizens to control their personal data, while imposing new responsibilities on organizations to protect that data.

New protections for personally identifiable information (PII) include an individuals right to explicitly approve the usage of their personal data, as well as the right to be forgotten, which enables individuals to demand that an organization purge any personal data about them. In addition, it imposes a requirement that organizations publicly report any data breaches impacting EU persons within 72 hours of their discovery.

The EU intends to enforce GDPR through a series of stiff fines, sanctions, and injured-party compensations. These fines range from up to 10 million, or 2% of an organizations revenue for minor infractions, to 20 million, or 4% of an organizations revenue, whichever is higher. These regulations arent just for EU-based organizations. In fact, they apply to any organization doing business in the EU or with EU citizens, regardless of size or industry.

These new regulations are in line with the EUs traditional practice of using high-profile cases and fines to get the attention of the marketplace. Traditionally, Europe and the U.S. have approached regulatory compliance differently; the EU regulates, while the U.S. litigates. Of course, GDPR is about much more than the penalties. This is also about protecting individuals, while ensuring that companies remain viable in todays new digital economy.

We are in the midst of one of the most far-reaching evolutions in the history of the global economy, and it is primarily being driven by digital transformation. But cybersecurity needs to be much more than simply a defensive mechanism. It needs to be an enabler of digital transformation. To achieve this, organizations need to focus on building a comprehensive cybersecurity architecture that protects themselves and their customers regardless of where they conduct business, allowing organizations to securely expand wherever and whenever they need. This requires a security framework that can see and share threat intelligence, adapt to network changes, and automatically respond regardless of where a breach occurs.

Unfortunately, because most organizations do not have such a system in place, a significant number are not going to be ready to meet these new requirements. For example, a recent survey found that 61% of U.S. businesses have not even begun to prepare for GDPR, and that 50% will not be able to comply with GDPR when it goes live.

Part of the problem is that most cybersecurity solutions were never designed for the sophisticated threat landscape they now need to protect. As a result, weeks or months regularly lapse between an initial exploit and the detection of that breach. And because so much time passes, it can take further weeks to accurately assess the breadth and scope of a successful compromise that has managed to infiltrate deep into a complex and highly distributed network environment. Part of the challenge with compliance, therefore, is that because most cybersecurity solutions were never designed to gather, share, or correlate data, most forensic analysis is still done by hand. Changing this is going to require rethinking and retooling your cybersecurity infrastructure.

The other reality is that due to the sophistication and velocity of todays attacks, breaches are going to happen regardless of whatever countermeasures organizations take. GDPR has set a 72-hour window to report data breaches without penalty. This means that organizations need to find solutions that move beyond the perimeter and deep into the core of the network, allowing them to uncover breaches as close to the time of infiltration as possible to minimize both the impact of an attack as well as any potential penalties for failing to see and report it. This also means organizations need to have technologies and policies in place that allow them to get out in front of breaches when they occur, such as backup and recovery strategies and dynamic network segmentation for rapid detection and remediation.

Rather than seeing these new regulations as challenges or barriers, organizations would be better off by viewing them as an opportunity to achieve competitive differentiation, as a way to drive digital trust of their brands. Consumer confidence is already being influenced by their perceived risk of conducting transactions with online businesses, or whether their personal data is at risk of being compromised or stolen. Meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements will go a long way towards assuaging those concerns.

The question is - where to begin? A security and data privacy assessment is a good starting point. This starts by understanding your business and brandwhat you do, what your short and long-term goals are, and why customers, partners, and employees trust you. Next, you should identify and examine all of the elements of your business that are at risk. Finally, you should implement a risk management strategy designed to protect, detect, report, and respond regardless of where in your distributed network a security event takes place.

To that end, here are six things every organization needs to consider as they prepare to meet the new requirements of GDPR:

Analysis needs to be both top-down and bottom-up. Top-down refers to understanding what the business is trying to accomplish, while bottom-up is about understanding what needs to be done in each functional business unit to secure operations, and how they can all be tied together into a single, coherent strategy based on unified visibility and control. Organizations continue to need basic blocking and tackling, including secure network perimeter and segmentation infrastructures. But, we can no longer afford for these solutions to operate in isolation. Tools must be integrated to share relevant intelligence in real time, collaborative in order to automatically respond to detected security events, and adaptive so that your security solution can scale as resources change or new networking ecosystems are adopted. Stop thinking about security as prevention. Ask yourself what you would do differently if you knew your network was going to be compromised. Then, prepare for the inevitable with the right detection, remediation, backup, and disaster recovery strategies in place Identify and understand what you need to protect  personally identifiable information and proprietary data, what you need to report, and what data you may need to quickly identify and purged (and, how you are going to do that.) This means that you must be able to see and track data in use, at rest, and in flight, identify breaches anywhere, and then identify, remediate, and report on them quickly and efficiently - even in a multi-cloud environment or on remote or mobile endpoint and IoT devices. Such an approach necessitates the development of a broad, integrated Security Fabric that is elastic enough to span your entire network, and integrated enough to enable near real-time detection and remediation. As far as regulatory compliance goes, stopping a threat isnt enough. You must also be able to demonstrate compliance via governance measures such as documentation, logging, and continuous risk assessment. A centralized management, orchestration, and reporting system that can see and talk to every security device on your network, combined with security tools that use a common communications framework in order to share and correlate data, policies, and threat intelligence, are essential component to any compliance strategy. Finally, you need to integrate Advanced Threat Protection into your security paradigm. This goes well beyond traditional Next-Generation Firewalls. ATP solutions enable you to dynamically protect against unknown threats using strategies such as sandboxing, micro-segmentation, behavioral analytics, machine learning, and automation.

With GDPR scheduled to come into full effect this May, private and public-sector organizations across the world have no time to waste in taking actions to ensure they are ready to comply with these new requirements. The best way forward is through a comprehensive and integrated strategy that is able to see and track personal data, as well as prevent, detect, and remediate data breaches anywhere they may occur. This is a strategic approach that not only enables regulatory compliance, but will allow you to differentiate security as a value-added dimension of your brand.
The tax code shouldnt pick winners and losers, and businesses performing the same service should face the same rules, ABA Chairman Ken Burgess wrote in a letter to the Wall Street Journal. The letter was in response to a Dec. 5 article highlighting the fact that credit unions were left out of the tax reform bill.

At a time when Congress is asking everyone from teachers to homeowners to give up tax breaks in the name of lowering rates, why is the trillion-dollar credit-union industry still getting a free ride? wrote Burgess, chairman of FirstCapital Bank of Texas in Midland, Texas.

Burgess added that todays credit unions look nothing like those of the 1930s, when Congress first exempted credit unions from federal income tax and noted that there are now 282 credit unions with more than $1 billion in assets.
The House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday approved, by a vote of 33-25, NAFCU-backed legislation to repeal the NCUAs risk-based capital (RBC) rule, which is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2019. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., now awaits action by the full House.

NAFCU thanks Rep. Posey, and committee Chairman [Jeb] Hensarling, NCUA Chairman [J. Mark] McWatters, and members of the House Financial Services Committee who have acknowledged the negative impact the current RBC rule would have on credit unions, said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. If the RBC rule is allowed to take effect as written, more than 400 credit unions would see a decline in their capital cushions. We look forward to working with the NCUA to craft an RBC system that is better suited to the credit union industry.

Ahead of the committee mark-up, which began Tuesday, Berger sent a letter urging members to support the bill, the Common Sense Credit Union Capital Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 4464).
As 2017 comes to a close and we prepare to spend time with family and friends over the holiday season, its fitting to talk about giving back  to get out and make a difference in our communities.

In fact, one of the more satisfying elements of my role is seeing my colleagues do just that, year-round. The credit union movement stands apart from the many others in the financial services industry through our genuine commitment to helping the communities we serve.

But this year, let us not forget the other community that needs our support  the one Im so proud to be a part of: our credit union community.

There are still credit union people struggling to recover from the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas. And, lets not forget about those in California who continue to suffer through a series of catastrophic wildfires.

One way to directly help is to donate to CUAid, the National Credit Union Foundations disaster relief fund. Every penny raised goes to support credit union employees and volunteers in areas affected by natural disasters. And the CUNA Mutual Foundation has pledged to match all new donations, up to $100,000, now until December 31, 2017.

Credit unions can also help raise awareness of CUAid and encourage donations with these social media banner images.

In times of crisis, we have always come together, rallying as a cooperative movement to support a common cause. We may belong to Credit Union X or Credit Union Y, but we all know its not the name above the door that makes a difference; its the people walking through it  from member to teller, branch manager to CEO.

So let us make a difference now for our friends and colleagues who need us. Let us demonstrate that our founding principle of People Helping People is as true today as it ever has been, and that while the news cameras may have moved on, we have not.
Nepal's Left alliance - between KP Oli-led Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) - is all set to form the next government in Kathmandu. It has won two-thirds seats (or more than 200 out of 275) in the General Elections in Nepal. The alliance is also set to form the first ever governments in six out of seven provinces.

This is a turning point in the history of not just Nepal, but of Asia too. Nowhere across the continent, the communists have come to power through parliamentary elections. In a country like India, they have had formed governments in states, but winning power at the Centre has remained a dream.

Hence, it is a healthy sign of democracy taking roots in the continent. This may also set an example for the other communist parties of the region wanting to come to power by other means. The "architect" of this "takeover" is none other than Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, popularly known as KP Oli.

As the 38th prime minister of Nepal from October 2015 to July 2016, Oli firmly established himself as an uncompromising nationalist leader. In his short stint of nine months, Oli hurt Indian interests like no other leader could in the past 70 years. By signing agreements and MoUs with China, he ended Indias monopoly, on paper at least, in fuel and goods import in the country. For people of Nepal, this was a big psychological victory over an "ever-dominating" India.

In July last year, India was able to win the trust of Prachanda even as he decided to withdraw support from the Oli government. This led to Oli's ouster. A year later, Oli is again staring at India with his trademark snobbish smile. He is set to become the prime minister yet again, this time with even greater numbers and absolute majority.

Oli is the new reality of Nepal. India would do well to accept the political reality of a democratic Nepal. Also, Oli is a sort of a guarantee that Nepal will remain a democratic country in future. Unlike other communist leaders of the region, Oli is a staunch supporter of the democratic system.

Who is Oli?

A few days before Oli was to visit India in February 2016 as the prime minister of Nepal, a delegation of Left leaders led by a senior communist leader Mohan Baidya "Kiran" went to meet him with a request to scrap the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty with India, which they believed made India the dominant partner in the relationship.

Oli had become the prime minister just five months ago in the backdrop of Indias economic blockade on the country. Medicine and fuel had become rare, and black marketeering became a new career option for the people of the Indo-Nepal border, who otherwise migrated in herds to Delhi and Mumbai.

In those five months, Indias "yes man" Oli had metamorphosed into the tallest nationalist leader, leading Nepals battle for sovereignty and self-respect. Going by the public sentiment, his government started signing treaties with China in a tit-for-tat move. Even in the United Nations, Nepal was unusually vocal about Indian intervention in its internal matter.

To the Indians, who had never seen such boldness from a Nepalese leader, Oli gave another shock by announcing his unwillingness to visit India unless it ended the restrictions along the border.

The visiting Left leaders were hoping that Oli would take his nationalist stance further by nullifying the Peace and Friendship Treaty. The answer that he gave to these leaders is now a political folklore and also indicative of who this leader really is. Oli instead sang a folksong, he said was from his constituency:

 

   

  "

(They are jumpy even before I have taken a bite of the raw orange. What would they do if I decide to actually eat it?)

Oli is a blend of razor-sharp wit, lacerative one-liners, rhetoric and, most importantly, pragmatism. Inside and outside his party circle, he is seen as a leader with an acute analytical mind. He is one of the few communist leaders of Nepal who understood the nuances of the parliamentary system from the beginning: what slogans work and what people expect.

Sample this: We ourselves will buy a ship and bring goods into the country within three days. Ships flying the Nepali flag will sail in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Once sidelined in the party for being too hard on the Maoists, Oli is now the most sought-after leader by the Maoists themselves. While the hardcore Maoists love him for his anti-India theatrics, softer ones seek votes in his name.

Commitment to democracy

Unlike most communist leaders of Nepal, Oli has always remained committed to democracy. Even as a new entrant to the Communist Party of Nepal, he was very vocal against the partys line of Naxal-like armed rebellion in 1971. But once the party crossed the line, he remained committed to it and worked with full rigour to make it successful.

As Milan Pandey, his Nom de guerre, he organised underground meetings and party programmes. For his subversive activities against the then Panchayati system, he was caught and jailed in 1973. He remained in jail for the next 14 years. All this while never did he once believe that the communist dictatorship was workable in landlocked Nepal.

With the rise of Madan Bhandari in the party, Oli too rose in rank and file. He became a die-hard supporter of Bhandaris Jantako Bahudaliye Janwaad or "peoples multi-party democracy." In 1994, when the first communist government was formed in Nepal, Oli, for his proven commitment to democracy, was tasked with the home ministry.

Once he remarked, referring to the Maoists ambition of the Communist takeover, that to think of such dictatorship is like wanting to go to America in a bullock cart. Even when his party split in 1998, Oli remained firmly with the multi-party democracy line and discarded CP Mainalis ultra-Left line.

Olis nationalism

When Oli became the 38th prime minister of Nepal in 2015, the people in the plains of Nepal were agitating. They were angry, and justly so, for not being represented well in the new Constitution. Almost every day one heard news of police firing. To add to this, Indias economic blockade along the border led to an extreme shortage of necessary goods, including life-saving medicines and fuel.

India was of the view that economic hardship would turn the people against the government, forcing an early agreement between the government and the agitating Madhesi people. Instead, Oli made his stand harder and turned the issue on its head, giving it a nationalist flavour. Many believe that his jingoism irrevocably damaged the social fabric and widened the plains-hill divide. But as one who follows the Indian prime minister on Twitter, Oli knew that in democracy divide brings dividends.

Oli didnt stop there. He went a step further and signed multiple agreements and MoUs with China, including an agreement on using Chinas seaport facility, which as Oli himself described, would end the dependence on a single country for trade and transit.

To counter the growing Chinese influence in South Asia, India for long had been doing everything it could to improve and strengthen its relationship with the neighboring countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it a personal issue and was trying hard to accelerate the process.

But within months, Oli undid all those efforts and made Modi the most hated Indian leader in the recent history of Nepal. This compelled India to form the Eminent Persons Group to review the past treaties between the two countries. By February that year, India lifted the blockade and stopped being seen as supportive of Madhesi agitation. When he finally visited India, Oli was accorded a welcome of a victor. But his relationship was damaged with India, maybe, forever.

Soon after the visit, political maneuverings to ouster Oli from the post began in India. Prachands most trusted aide KB Mahara flew to India and held several unofficial meetings with Indian think-tanks. Later Oli blamed then Nepali ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay for breaching his brief by facilitating the meetings and sacked him from the post. The cabinet under him even cancelled the official visit of president Bidhya Devi Bhandari to India.

In July, CPN Maoist Centre leader Prachanda tabled a no-confidence motion in Parliament against the Oli government. Prachanda accused Oli of being a feudal nationalist, one who has no respect for the minorities of the country. Before tendering his resignation, Oli refuted these allegations in his trademark eloquence. He had said:

It is my firm belief that the countries may be small or large based on their territory and population, and they may be developed or under-developed. However, sovereignty is always equal. Is it "feudal nationalism" to say that sovereignty is not small or large? If it is a feudal nationalism to say that Nepal has rights to determine its independent foreign relations and to maintain balanced relations with all the friendly nations in the capacity of a sovereign nation, then there is no room for reason. But my question is, in which direction are you pushing the country for the sake of protesting against feudal nationalism?... Is it elitist and feudal nationalism to talk of Nepals national honour, independence, interests, sovereignty and freedom? Then what is the definition of nationalism? What is the nationalism of workers and peasants?"
When Dhirubhai Ambani was 17 years old, he sailed to Aden in search of a job. It was 1949. Yemen was a British colony. Aden, Yemens bustling port, beckoned the adventurous. Dhirubhai worked as a petrol pump attendant in Aden for seven years before returning to India to begin his extraordinary corporate journey.

Crisis

Six decades later, Yemen faces what the United Nations describes as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis in more than a quarter-century. Nearly 17 million of Yemens 28 million citizens are on the verge of starvation. A Saudi Arabia-led military coalition of Islamic states has bombed civilian targets for months. It has not spared hospitals, schools or even mosques.

To compound what could well be considered a war crime, the Saudi coalition (whose armed forces are led by former Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif) has imposed a blockade on food and medical aid reaching Yemen from the UN and human rights bodies. With no electricity or medicines, Yemen is witnessing an outbreak of cholera on an unprecedented scale. Mortified by the inhumane Saudi blockade, the US last week officially asked Saudi Arabia to let essential supplies through.

While Saudi Arabia is the principal culprit in the war on Yemen, the United States and Britain are culpable as well. They backed the Saudi coalition to attack Yemens Houthi rebels in March 2015. Washington and London, veterans of illegal wars in Iraq and Syria, have provided the Saudis (a wealthy client state) with state-of-the-art weapons.

The Houthis, a Shia sub-sect, are supported by Shia Iran, a mortal enemy of Sunni Saudi Arabia. But beyond the Shia-Sunni conflict that today roils the Middle East, the war in Yemen transcends sectarian conflict. The Houthis have long felt marginalised by the Yemen government. They resent the increasing influence of Saudi religious extremism in the country.

Washingtons backing of the Saudi-led assault on Yemen fits into the cynical politics the US has practised in the Middle East for decades. President Donald Trumps pathological opposition to Iran has consummated a US-Saudi-Israel menage-a-trois, bound together by a visceral hatred for Iran. This has led to unintended and curious consequences. Despite not having diplomatic relations, Saudi Arabia and Israel are now in effect close allies. Qatar and Turkey, earlier in the Saudi orbit, have been driven into Irans embrace.

Trumps controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital could, however, rip the veil off the covert Saudi-Israel alliance. The Arab and larger Muslim world has erupted in anger over Trumps decision. Saudi Arabia is widely seen as complicit in that decision. If Riyadh had objected strongly to Washington recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital, it might well have been deferred. The US-Saudi-Israel alliance of convenience could be the first casualty of Trumps Jerusalem move.

[Photo: AP]

Horror

Saudi Arabia was the earliest supporter of the Islamic State (ISIS). It used the terrorist group to fight the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad, an Alawaite (a Shia-affiliated sect). The intervention of Russia, backed by Iranian militias, turned the tide of the war. ISIS was defeated in both Syria and Iraq (a Shia majority country). To Riyadhs horror, this has led to the formation of a crescent of Iranian power from Tehran in the east to Beirut in the west. A rattled Saudi Arabia has reacted in rage-fuelled panic.

United States, the worlds most liberal democracy, and Saudi Arabia, the world most repressive dictatorship, have enjoyed a cosy relationship since the 1930s. America provides protection, Saudi Arabia provides oil. Saudi Arabias callous blockade of Yemen has, however, made it difficult for the US to support the coalition war with the same enthusiasm as before. Riyadh too is in a fix. Humiliated by its inability to defeat the Houthis after nearly three years of war, it cant openly back Trumps Jerusalem decision which has delighted Israel and caused anger across the Middle East.

The Saudis choreographed entente cordiale with Israel could now unravel. Significantly, Americas dependence on Middle East oil will soon end. It produces nearly as much oil (10 million barrels a day) as Saudi Arabia. At over $65 (Rs 4,190) a barrel, US shale oil is again a profitable business and could make America a net oil exporter over the next few years.

Geopolitics

For India, the changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East presents several challenges and opportunities. One, Indias excellent relations with Arab countries, Palestinians, Iran and Israel have deepened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cementing New Delhis role as a neutral player in the Middle East.

Two, India has stakes across the region: over seven million Indians work in the Middle East. Three, the Iranian port of Chabahar, recently operationalised, gives India for the first time direct access to landlocked Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. Four, Israel is a key defence partner. This explains Indias silence as violent protests over Jerusalem explode across the Arab world.

Quietly though, India is deploying two other geopolitical aces it has up its sleeve. The first is the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) which will connect India with central Asia right up to St Petersburg in Russia. The second ace is the Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) linking India to resource-rich Africa.

Even as China suspends three China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects on grounds of corruption and security, Indias new economic corridors will transform the geopolitics of a volatile region across three continents: Asia, Europe and Africa.
Autohome Inc. operates as an online destination for automobile consumers in the People's Republic of China. The company delivers interactive content and tools to automobile consumers through its three websites, autohome.com.cn, che168.com, and ttpai.cn on PCs, mobile devices, mobile applications, and mini apps. It provides media services, including automaker advertising services and regional marketing campaigns; and leads generation services comprising dealer subscription services, advertising services for individual dealers, and used automobile listing and other platform-based services. The company also offers Autohome Mall, an online transaction platform for users to review automotive-related information, purchase coupons offered by automakers for discounts, and make purchases to complete the transaction; data products; and online bidding platform for used automobiles, as well as collects commissions for facilitating transactions of auto-financing and insurance products on its platform. The company was formerly known as Sequel Limited and changed its name to Autohome Inc. in October 2011. Autohome Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.
Swiss Re appoints new CFO and proposes new members to the BoD

Swiss Re announced that John DACEY, currently Group Chief Strategy Officer, is appointed Group Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 April 2018. He succeeds to David COLE, who will step down to pursue a non-executive career, while remaining a board member of several Swiss Re subsidiaries.



In addition, Swiss Re's Board of Directors proposes to elect Karen GAVAN, Eileen ROMINGER and Larry ZIMPLEMAN as new, non-executive and independent members at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on 20 April 2018.



John DACEY joined Swiss Re's Group Executive Committee five years ago as Group Chief Strategy Officer, successfully leading multiple strategic initiatives across the Group. His career in the re/insurance industry spans more than 20 years, during which time he has held various senior executive positions.



From 2007 to 2012, John DACEY served as AXA's Group Regional CEO and Group Vice Chairman for Asia-Pacific and was a member of their Group Executive Committee. Prior to that, he was a member of the Group Executive Board at Winterthur Insurance, first as its Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2004 and subsequently as the company's Chief Strategy Officer from 2005 to 2007 and member of its risk and investment committees.



After seven years with Swiss Re, David COLE will step down as Group Chief Financial Officer on 31 March 2018 to pursue a non-executive career while remaining a board member of Swiss Re subsidiary companies.



With these changes, the Board of Directors has also decided that the two positions Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Chief Strategy Officer will be merged. As of 1 April 2018, Swiss Re's Group Executive Committee will consist of 12 members.



Three new members proposed for election to the Board of Directors



The Board of Directors furthermore proposes to the next Annual General Meeting to elect Karen Gavan, Eileen Rominger and Larry Zimpleman to join its Board of Directors.



Rajna Gibson Brandon has decided to step down after 17 years of service. In addition, current members Mary Francis and C. Robert Henrikson are due to retire.



Karen Gavan has more than 35 years of experience in senior finance and leadership functions across life, as well as property and casualty insurance companies. She started her career in finance roles at Prudential Insurance, Imperial Life and Canada Life. Afterwards, at Transamerica Life Canada/AEGON Canada, Karen Gavan worked as Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Operating Officer. Until her retirement in November 2016, she served for five years as Chief Executive Officer at Economical Insurance, Canada's leading property and casualty insurance company, preparing the company for its initial public offering. During her leadership, the company launched SONNET, Canada's first fully digital insurer. Since 2015, she is a member of the Board of Swiss Re America Holding Corporation and a Board Member at Mackenzie Financial Corporation since 2007.



Eileen Rominger is an accomplished investment professional with a deep understanding of the investment management landscape. She began her career at Oppenheimer Capital, where she worked for 18 years as an equity portfolio manager, serving as a Managing Director as well as a Member of the Executive Committee. Eileen Rominger then joined Goldman Sachs Asset Management in 1999 where she held increasingly senior leadership positions, becoming the company's Global Chief Investment Officer. She subsequently served from 2011 to 2012 as the Director of the Division of Investment Management at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, where she was instrumental in formulating and implementing regulatory policy for mutual funds and federally registered investment advisors. Since 2014, Eileen Rominger has held roles including being a senior advisor at CamberView Partners, a leading provider of advice to public companies on shareholder engagement, corporate governance, and activism.



Larry Zimpleman started his career in 1971 as actuarial intern at The Principal Financial Group, an investment management company that offers insurance solutions, asset management and retirement services to individual and institutional clients. From 1976 to 2006 he held various senior management and leadership positions at The Principal. He became President and Chief Executive Officer in 2008 and Chairman in 2009. Larry Zimpleman served as President, Chairman and CEO until August 2015, when he stepped down as President and CEO and retired as full-time employee in 2016 after a successful 44-year long career.





Author: Vlad BOLDIJAR on 14.12.2017





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Biglari Holdings Inc., through its subsidiaries, primarily operates and franchises restaurants in the United States. It owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin names. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 199 Steak n Shake company-operated restaurants, 159 franchise partner units, and 178 traditional franchise units, as well as 3 Western Sizzlin company-operated restaurants and 38 franchised units. The company also engages in underwriting commercial trucking insurance; selling physical damage and non-trucking liability insurance to truckers; and providing property and casualty insurance. In addition, it operates oil and natural gas properties in the Gulf of Mexico; and publishes and sells magazines and related publishing products under the MAXIM brand name. Further, it licenses media products and services; and engages in the investment activities. The company was formerly known as The Steak n Shake Company and changed its name to Biglari Holdings Inc. in April 2010. Biglari Holdings Inc. was founded in 1934 and is based in San Antonio, Texas.
Dollar General Corporation, a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, Midwestern, and eastern United States. It offers consumable products, including paper and cleaning products, such as paper towels, bath tissues, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, disinfectants, and laundry products; packaged food comprising cereals, pasta, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, sugar, and flour; and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine. The company's consumable products also comprise snacks, such as candies, cookies, crackers, salty snacks, and carbonated beverages; health and beauty products, including over-the-counter medicines and personal care products, such as soaps, body washes, shampoos, cosmetics, and dental hygiene and foot care products; pet supplies and pet food; and tobacco products. In addition, it offers seasonal products comprising holiday items, toys, batteries, small electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid phones and accessories, gardening supplies, hardware, and automotive and home office supplies; and home products that include kitchen supplies, cookware, small appliances, light bulbs, storage containers, frames, candles, craft supplies and kitchen, and bed and bath soft goods. Further, the company provides apparel, which comprise casual everyday apparel for infants, toddlers, girls, boys, women, and men, as well as socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes, and accessories. As of February 25, 2022, it operated 18,190 stores in 47 states in the United States. The company was formerly known as J.L. Turner & Son, Inc. and changed its name to Dollar General Corporation in 1968. Dollar General Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture launches seal of approval

Brazil

Brazils President, Michel Temer and Blairo Maggi, Brazils Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Map), officially launched the Agro Mais Integridade (More Integrity in Agro) seal on December 12. The seal is a recognition awarded to companies and entities in the industry that adopt good corporate governance and management practices that avoid misconduct.

A Pact for Integrity was also signed with companies and agribusiness organisations represented by the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA). "Today, we take another step to improve the agro-institutional environment and make it even more efficient, said the President in his speech. According to Baggi, the seal is a new management tool that will increasingly open the Brazilian market, so that it can be internationally recognised for the quality of its agriculture and livestock, as well as for the development of research in these sectors.

Under the Pact for Integrity, companies such as beef producers will be able to use the Agro Mais Integridade seal on its products, commercial sites, advertisements and publications.

The programme has been launched after a series of corruption scandals were made public since the beginning of 2017, including an investigation that unveiled how some inspectors overlooked outdated and tainted meat, some of which were exported.

Sources: Noticias Agricolas
The following companies are subsidiares of PerkinElmer: 2Cure LLC, Analytica of Branford, Applied Biosystems, Arnel Inc., ArtusLabs, Beijing Huaan Magnech Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing Meizheng Testing Lab Co. Ltd., Beijing OUMENG Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Bio Evolution SAS, BioLegend, BioLegend CNS Inc., BioLegend China Beijing Ltd., BioLegend Europe B.V., BioLegend France SAS, BioLegend GmbH, BioLegend Inc., BioLegend Japan KK, BioLegend Shenzhen Ltd., BioLegend Taiwan Ltd., BioLegend UK Ltd., BioLegend Ventures LLC, Bioo Scientific Corporation, Biosense Technologies Pvt Ltd., Boulder Diagnostics Europe GmbH, Caliper Life Sciences, Caliper Life Sciences Inc., Cambridge Research & Instrumentation Inc., CambridgeSoft, Ceiba Solutions, Chengdu PerkinElmer Medical Laboratory Co. Ltd., Cisbio Asia Pacific Ltd, Cisbio Bioassays SAS, Cisbio China Ltd., Cisbio.com, DIA.Metra S.R.L., DNA Laboratories Sdn. Bhd., Dani Analitica S.r.l., Dexela, Dharmacon Inc., EUROIMMUN AG, EUROIMMUN Brasil Medicina Diagnostica Ltda., EUROIMMUN Diagnostics Espana S.L., EUROIMMUN France SAS, EUROIMMUN Hangzhou Medical Laboratory Diagnostics Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN Italia Diagnostica Medica S.r.l., EUROIMMUN Japan Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostics Canada Inc., EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostics China Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN Medical Laboratory Diagnostics South Africa Pty Ltd., EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, EUROIMMUN Polska Sp. z o.o., EUROIMMUN Portugal Unipessoal Lda., EUROIMMUN Schweiz AG, EUROIMMUN South East Asia Pte Ltd., EUROIMMUN Tianjin Medical Diagnostic Technology Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN Turkey Tibbi Laboratuar Teshisleri A.S., EUROIMMUN UK Ltd., EUROIMMUN US Inc., EUROIMMUN US Real Estate LLC, Geospiza, Guangzhou EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostic Products Co. Ltd., Hangzhou EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostic Products Co. Ltd., Horizon Diagnostics Limited, Horizon Discovery, Horizon Discovery Biosciences Limited, Horizon Discovery Group Ltd., Horizon Discovery Inc., Horizon Discovery KK, Horizon Discovery Limited, Horizon Genomics GmbH, IDS Brasil Diagnosticos Ltda., Immunetics Inc., Immunodiagnostic Systems, Immunodiagnostic Systems Deutschland GmbH, Immunodiagnostic Systems France SAS, Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings Limited, Immunodiagnostic Systems Inc., Immunodiagnostic Systems Limited, Immunodiagnostic Systems SA, Inochem S.A. de C. V., Integromics S.L., Jiangsu Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., LabMetrix Technologies, Labtronics, Nexcelom Bioscience, Nexcelom Bioscience Holdings LLC, Nexcelom Bioscience Instruments Shanghai Co. Ltd., Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Nexcelom Bioscience Ltd., NovaScreen Biosciences Corporation, OZ Systems International SARL, OZ Systems USA LLC, Omni International Inc., Optimization Zorn Corporation, Opto Technology, Orchid Biomedical Systems Pvt Ltd., Oxford Diagnostic Laboratories UK Limited, Oxford Immunotec, Oxford Immunotec Asia Ltd, Oxford Immunotec Global Limited, Oxford Immunotec Ireland Limited, Oxford Immunotec KK, Oxford Immunotec Limited, Oxford Immunotec Shanghai Medical Device Co. Ltd., Oxford Immunotec USA Inc., Pediatrix Medical Group - Newborn Metabolic Screening Business, Perkin Elmer Chile Ltda., Perkin Elmer Instruments Philippines Corporation, Perkin Elmer Italia SpA, Perkin Elmer Sdn. Bhd., Perkin Elmer Yuhan Hoesa, Perkin-Elmer Argentina S.R.L., Perkin-Elmer de Mexico S.A., PerkinElmer Argentina Holdings LLC, PerkinElmer Automotive Research Inc., PerkinElmer BV, PerkinElmer CV Holdings LLC, PerkinElmer Cellular Technologies Germany GmbH, PerkinElmer Danmark A/S, PerkinElmer Diagnostics Global Holdings S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Diagnostics Holdings Inc., PerkinElmer Espana S.L., PerkinElmer Finance Luxembourg S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Finland Oy, PerkinElmer Genetics Inc., PerkinElmer Genomics Sweden AB, PerkinElmer Germany Diagnostics GmbH, PerkinElmer Global Diagnostics S.C.A., PerkinElmer Global Financing S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Global Holdings S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Health Sciences B.V., PerkinElmer Health Sciences Canada Inc., PerkinElmer Health Sciences FZ-LLC, PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc., PerkinElmer Health Sciences Puerto Rico LLC, PerkinElmer Health Sciences Pvt Ltd., PerkinElmer Healthcare Diagnostics Shanghai Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Holding Luxembourg S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Holdings Inc., PerkinElmer Holdings Singapore Pte Ltd., PerkinElmer Hong Kong Ltd., PerkinElmer IVD Pte Ltd., PerkinElmer Inc., PerkinElmer India Pvt Ltd., PerkinElmer Informatics Inc., PerkinElmer Instruments Suzhou Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer International C.V., PerkinElmer Investments Ky, PerkinElmer Ireland Ltd., PerkinElmer Israel Ltd., PerkinElmer Japan Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer LAS Germany GmbH, PerkinElmer LAS UK Ltd., PerkinElmer Life Sciences International Holdings, PerkinElmer Life Sciences Singapore Pte. Ltd., PerkinElmer Limited, PerkinElmer Ltd., PerkinElmer Management Chengdu Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Management Shanghai Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Nederland B.V. , PerkinElmer Norge AS, PerkinElmer Oy, PerkinElmer Polska Sp. z o.o., PerkinElmer Pty. Ltd., PerkinElmer SAS, PerkinElmer Saglk ve Cevre Bilimleri Ltd., PerkinElmer Schweiz AG, PerkinElmer Shanghai Equity Investment Fund L.P., PerkinElmer Shanghai Equity Investment Fund Management Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Shared Services Sp. z o.o., PerkinElmer Singapore Pte Ltd., PerkinElmer South Africa Pty Ltd., PerkinElmer Sverige AB, PerkinElmer Taiwan Corporation, PerkinElmer UK Holdings Ltd., PerkinElmer VertriebsgmbH, PerkinElmer chemagen Technologie GmbH, PerkinElmer do Brasil Ltda., Perten Instruments, Perten Instruments AB, Perten Instruments GmbH, Perten Instruments of Australia Pty Ltd., Qognit Inc., RHS Ltd, RayAl Ltd., SIRION Biotech, SIRION Biotech GmbH, SIRION Biotech International Inc., Sage Labs LLC, Shandong Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Haoyuan Biotech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Co. Ltd., Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Co. Ltd., Signature Genomic Laboratories, Singapore Biosciences Pte Ltd., Solus Scientific Solutions Ltd., SonoVol Inc., Suomen Bioanalytiikka Oy, Surendra Genetic Labs, Suzhou PerkinElmer Medical Laboratory Co. Ltd., Suzhou Sym-Bio LifeScience, Suzhou Sym-Bio Lifescience Co. Ltd., Synthetx Limited, Tulip Diagnostics, Tulip Diagnostics Pvt Ltd., Vanadis Diagnostics, Vanadis Diagnostics AB, ViaCell, ViaCord LLC, VisEn Medical, VisEn Medical Inc., Wallac Oy, Wellesley B.V., Xenogen Corporation, ZeLab SAS, and chemagen Biopolymer-Technologie AG.

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Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. provides financial products and services in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, Credit, and Others. It offers retail banking services, including demand, savings, and fixed deposit-taking; checking accounts; mortgage and home equity, and retail lending; electronic banking and automatic teller machines (ATM); and bill paying, payroll and check-cashing, currency exchange, and wire fund transfer services. The company also provides corporate banking services, such as investment banking, real estate financing, overseas real estate and development project financing, infrastructure and structured financing, equity/venture investments, mergers and acquisitions consulting; securitization and derivatives services comprising securities and derivative products, and foreign exchange trading; and working capital loans and facilities loans. In addition, it is involved in treasury and investment activities in international capital markets consisting of foreign currency-denominated securities trading, foreign exchange trading and services, trade-related financial services, international factoring services, and foreign banking operations. Further, the company offers trust account management, securities brokerage, and asset management services, as well as leasing and equipment financing, savings banking, loan collection and credit reporting, collective investment administration, private equity investment, and financial system development services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 784 service centers; 5,234 ATMs; 7 cash dispensers; and 85 digital kiosks. Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company offers general purpose servers for multi-workload computing and workload-optimized servers; HPE ProLiant rack and tower servers; HPE BladeSystem and HPE Synergy; and solutions for secondary workloads and traditional tape, storage networking, and disk products, such as HPE Modular Storage Arrays and HPE XP. It also offers HPE Apollo and Cray products; and HPE Superdome Flex, HPE Nonstop, HPE Integrity, and HPE Edgeline products. In addition, the company provides HPE Aruba product portfolio that includes wired and wireless local area network hardware products, such as Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, and sensors; HPE Aruba software and services comprising cloud-based management, network management, network access control, analytics and assurance, and location; and professional and support services, as well as as-a-service and consumption models for the intelligent edge portfolio of products. Further, it offers various leasing, financing, IT consumption, and utility programs and asset management services for customers to facilitate technology deployment models and the acquisition of complete IT solutions, including hardware, software, and services from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others. Additionally, the company invests in communications and media solutions. It has a partnership with Striim, Inc. to offer high performance and mission-critical solutions with real-time analytics. It serves commercial and large enterprise groups, such as business and public sector enterprises; and through various partners comprising resellers, distribution partners, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, systems integrators, and advisory firms. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as an integrated healthcare services and products company in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It provides customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. The company operates in two segments, Pharmaceutical and Medical. The Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical, and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products. The segment also provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers for specialty pharmaceutical products; operates nuclear pharmacies and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities; repackages generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare products; and offers medication therapy management and patient outcomes services to hospitals, other healthcare providers, and payers, as well as provides pharmacy management services to hospitals. The Medical segment manufactures, sources, and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical, and laboratory products and devices that include exam and surgical gloves; needles, syringe, and sharps disposals; compressions; incontinences; nutritional delivery products; wound care products; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparels; fluid suction and collection systems; urology products; operating room supply products; and electrode product lines. The segment also distributes a range of national brand products, including medical, surgical, and laboratory products; provides supply chain services and solutions to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, and other healthcare providers; and assembles and sells sterile, and non-sterile procedure kits. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.
Critics denounced the fires as the destruction of Yellowstone. Much of this beloved natural wonderland died this summer, began a Chicago Tribune report, headlined Requiem for a National Treasure. The editors attacked the folly of the Park Services excessive ecological idealism. Wyomings senators demanded the resignation of the director of national parks, William Penn Mott Jr. (He refused.)

More was at stake, however, than an agencys reputation. In question was the place of wildfire, and wildness, in natural landscapes.



The deadly fires in northern California in fall 2017 pushed wildfire back into the national consciousness. Driven by drought conditions and the strong Diablo winds, the fires ripped through Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties, burning 245,00 acres, including vineyards, businesses and whole neighborhoods. The fires destroyed more than 8,000 structures and killed 43 people, making them the deadliest in California history.

Though they took fewer lives and made fewer headlines than the California blazes, last summers fires in Montana burned 1.2 million acres. Nationally in 2017, wildfires burned more than 8.8 million acres.

In the debate ignited by these fires, some climate activists have added wildfires to the list of evidence for human-caused climate change. Some conservatives have blamed the fires on environmental protections that, they argue, have hindered the logging operations needed to keep forests clear of fire fuels.

Few have shown much interest in understanding wildfire, its ecological role or how recent human activity has thrown us into conflict with this ancient force.

Burned vehicles sit on Highway 138 in Phelan after the Blue Cut fire ravaged San Bernardino County, Calif., on Aug. 18, 2016 (Photo by Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The idea that wildfire is simply bad and should be suppressed is relatively new to North America. Long before European colonization, Native Americans recognized the rejuvenating power of wildfire and started fires of their own to shape the landscape and encourage the flourishing of favored plants and game.

The dawn of widespread fire suppression can be traced to the summer of 1910, when a series of large fires blackened swaths of the Northwest. The Big Burn rattled the country at a time when the U.S. Forest Service, only a few years old, was struggling to justify its existence to a skeptical Congress. The agency argued that, with enough resources, it could virtually eliminate wildfire.

For the next 60 years, the Forest Service sold itself as a fire suppression agency that could protect the nations valuable timber. In 1935 it adopted the 10 a.m. policywherever and whenever a wildfire broke out, it was the Forest Services goal to control it by 10 a.m. the next morning. In the 1940s, the agency introduced one of the most effective propaganda campaigns in U.S. history: Smokey Bear. With his simple and ubiquitous sloganOnly You Can Prevent Forest Fires!Smokey convinced people that wildfire was an ugly thing, like littering, that could and should be stopped.

Thankfully, Gary Ferguson, author of Land on Fire: The New Reality of Wildfire in the West, reveals Smokey Bear for what he really is: a traitor to his own kind. Being a creature of the woods, Ferguson writes, Smokey might well have known what it would take humans longer to understandthat fire can in a lot of cases be a blessing.

Forest burned by wildfire in Yellowstone National Park (Photo: De Agostini/Getty Images)

The ponderosa pine, an icon of the West, is recognizable for its thick, reddish, spongy bark and tall, barren trunk topped by a mane of branches and needles. These characteristics are not arbitrary. The bark insulates the trunk from fire, and the shedding of lower branches prevents ground fires from climbing to the canopy and killing the tree.

Other species have adapted to thrive in fires aftermath. In Yellowstones lodgepole pine forests, for example, between 38 and 58 percent of the trees produce resin-sealed seed cones that open only through exposure to the heat of fire. Vast lodgepole forests like those in Yellowstone have adapted not only to low-intensity burns that clear the forest of dead wood and undergrowth, but also periodic stand replacement firesbig burns that kill swaths of old trees and seed the next generation.

A year after the Yellowstone fires, a research project found lodgepole pine seeds sprouting at the rate of 300,000 per acre. Not only were transitional plantsfireweed, currant, raspberryabundant within just a couple of years of the burn, writes Gary Ferguson, but also the vast majority of greater Yellowstone was on its way to rebuilding the same mix of vegetative communities that were present before the burn.

Nor did the fires do much harm to wildlife. According to Ferguson, only two species suffered significant population declines due to habitat loss: capshell snails and moose. Nutrient-rich grasses, favored by elk and bison, sprouted profusely from the blackened ground, and increased sunlight along streams fed more algae, which fed more insects, which fed more trout and birds.

Ferguson says that while the media response to Yellowstones 1988 fires may have soured many people on the idea of natural fire, scientists who documented the recovery grew more convinced than ever that fire plays a vital ecological role in the landscape.



In the arid West, the process of decay is hobbled by lack of water, which is essential to the digestion of bacterial and fungal decomposers. There, wildfire largely takes the place of decay in the cycle of life: It frees and recycles the carbon and other life-fueling nutrients locked up in trees and other plants. As from a decaying nurse log in a temperate rainforest, new life often blooms from the scorched ground in the wake of a wildfire. In his essay The Fire of Life, fire historian Stephen J. Pyne puts it this way: Combustion takes apart what photosynthesis puts together. It is among the most elemental of biochemical reactions; when it occurs in cells, we call it respiration, and when it occurs on landscapes, we call it fire.

Whatever we may prefer to think, people are not independent from the mutual relationship between fire and life. James C. Scott argues in his recent book, Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States, that biologically modern humans would not exist without wildfire. Our ancestors, Scott writes, could not have failed to notice how natural wildfires transformed the landscape: how they cleared old vegetation and encouraged a host of quick-colonizing grasses and shrubs, many bearing desired seeds, berries, fruits and nuts. Learning from wildfire, and initially using flames captured from wildfires, early humans shaped lands to attract more of the plants and the animals they liked to eat.

At some point, our ancestors also began exposing raw food to fire. By externalizing the digestive process, cooking allowed humans to eat a wider range of foods, to get more nutrients from a smaller quantity of them, and to expend fewer calories doing it. As a result, Scott writes, we have a gut less than half as large as our primate cousinsand a much larger brain.

Fire is arguably the tool that allowed humans to conquer the world. Tool, however, is not quite the right word. Fire is, at best, a semi-domesticate, Scott writes, appearing unbidden and, if not guarded carefully, escaping its shackles to become dangerously feral. That, it seems, is the deal.

When humans break this deal by trying to bring fire more firmly under control, the consequences tend to be far-reaching. Ironically, Ferguson writes, the most significant result of suppressing all wildfires has been to create extraordinarily flammable forests.
The following companies are subsidiares of Archer-Daniels-Midland: 3 Grain Elevators, ACT Exportacao Ltda., ADGENE LABORATOIRE, ADM (Dalian) Animal Health & Nutrition Co. Ltd., ADM (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., ADM (Thailand) Ltd., ADM AGRO S.R.L., ADM Ag Holding Limited, ADM Agri Services Greece MEPE, ADM Agri-Industries Company, ADM Agricultural Commodities Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., ADM Agriculture Limited, ADM Agro Iberica S.L.U., ADM Agro Industries India Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries Kota & Akola Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries Latur & Vizag Private Limited, ADM Agroinvestimentos Ltda., ADM Alliance Nutrition of Puerto Rico LLC, ADM Americas S. de R.L., ADM Andina Peru S.R.L., ADM Animal Health & Nutrition (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Cambodia) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Xiangtan) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Zhangzhou) Co. Ltd., ADM Antwerp NV, ADM Arkady Ireland Limited, ADM Armazens Gerais Ltda., ADM Asia-Pacific Trading Pte. Ltd., ADM Australia Holdings I PTY Limited, ADM Australia Pty. Limited, ADM Bazancourt SASU, ADM Besin ve Tarim Anonim Sirketi, ADM Bio-Productos S.A. de C.V., ADM Bio-Science & Technology (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., ADM Bulgaria Trading EOOD, ADM CARIBBEAN INC., ADM Chile Comercial Limitada, ADM Clinton BioProcessing Inc., ADM Czernin S.A., ADM DO BRASIL LTDA., ADM Direct Polska Sp. z o.o., ADM Dominican Holdings Inc., ADM Dominicana S.A., ADM EMEA Corporate Services GmbH, ADM Edible Bean Specialties Inc., ADM Egypt LLC, ADM El Salvador Ltda. de C.V., ADM Europe Holdco S.L., ADM European Management Holding B.V. & Co. KG, ADM Expatriate Services Inc., ADM Export Co., ADM Food Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ADM Food Technology (Pinghu) Co. Ltd., ADM France, ADM Fuels Company, ADM German Holdings B.V., ADM Germany GmbH, ADM Grain Costa Rica S.R.L., ADM Grain River System Inc., ADM Grain de Venezuela C.A., ADM Guatemala Limitada, ADM Hamburg Aktiengesellschaft, ADM Holding (Thailand) Ltd., ADM Holdings LLC, ADM Honduras S.de R.L., ADM INGREDIENTS S.R.L., ADM Inca S.A.C., ADM Industries Centers Ltd, ADM International Holdings Inc., ADM International Sarl, ADM Investments Limited, ADM Investor Services Inc., ADM Investor Services International Limited, ADM Ireland Receivables Company Limited, ADM Israel, ADM Italia S.r.l., ADM Japan Ltd., ADM Latin America Inc., ADM Logistics Inc., ADM MANAGEMENT LTD., ADM MOROCCO S.A., ADM Mainz GMBH, ADM Malbork S.A., ADM Medsofts Sarl, ADM Mexico Inc., ADM Mexico S.A. de C.V., ADM Milling Co., ADM Milling Limited, ADM Myanmar Company Limited, ADM New Zealand Limited, ADM Nicaragua SA, ADM Nutrition Holding d.o.o. Beograd, ADM Olomouc S.R.O., ADM PORTUGAL SA, ADM Panama S. De R.L., ADM Paraguay S.R.L., ADM Participacoes Ltda., ADM Poland Sp. z o.o., ADM Protexin Inc., ADM Protexin Limited, ADM Pura Limited, ADM Razgrad EAD, ADM Receivables LLC, ADM Rice Inc., ADM Ringaskiddy Unlimited Company, ADM SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., ADM STF DMCC, ADM STF Pte. Ltd., ADM STF Switzerland Sarl, ADM Services B.V., ADM Slovakia s.r.o., ADM Specialty Ingredients (Europe) B.V., ADM Spyck GMBH, ADM Sweden AB, ADM Szamotuly Sp. z o.o., ADM Trading (UK) Limited, ADM Trading Australia Pty. Ltd., ADM Trading Company, ADM Trading Cote D'Ivoire, ADM Transportation Company, ADM Trucking Inc., ADM Unterstutzungskasse GmbH, ADM Uruguay SCA, ADM Ventures Investment Corp., ADM WILD Europe GmbH & Co. KG, ADM WILD Nauen GmbH, ADM WILD Netherlands B.V., ADM WILD SEE Kft, ADM WILD Valencia SAU, ADM Wild Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, ADM Wild UK Limited, ADM Worldwide Holdings L.P., ADMEcuador CIA. Ltda., ADMIS Holding Company Inc., ADMIS Hong Kong Limited, ADMIS SINGAPORE PTE. LIMITED, AGRANIX, AIC Seguros SRL, AMT West LLC, AOR, AT Holdings II Company, Agri Port Services Brasil Ltda., Agri Port Services Investments Ltd., Agri Port Services LLC, Agricolas Madagascar SARLU, Agrinational Insurance Company, Agriserve, Agrograin Ltd., Agrograin Ltd. Sucursal Uruguay, Alfrebro LLC, Alfred C. Toepfer International Exportacao e Importacao Ltda., Alfred C. Toepfer International Netherlands B.V., Alimenta USA, Alimentos Texo SA de CV, American River Transportation Co. LLC, Ameriseed, Anco Animal Nutrition Competence GmbH, Archer Daniels Midland (UK) Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Asia-Pacific Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Company South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Erith Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Europe B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Europoort B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Korea LLC, Archer Daniels Midland Nederland B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Singapore Pte. Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Vietnam Company Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Wild Nigeria Ltd., Archer Financial Services Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Philippines Inc., Arinos Unlimited, Aston Foods & Food Ingredients, BIOPOLIS S.L., BQ Railroad Company, BTECH Tecnologias Agropecuarias e Comercio Ltda., Balanceados Nova S.A. Balnova, Balto Holdco LLC, Barbados Mills Limited, Bela Vista Bio Etanol Participacoes Ltda., Belize Mills Limited, Belwood Company S.A., Benson-Quinn Commodities Inc., Bern Aqua, Bifodan Inc., Biopolis, CONTROLADORA ADM S.A. DE C.V., Campa Sued GmbH & Co KG, Caribbean Agro-Industries Limited, Casablancas sweetener plant, Cattleman's Choice Loomix LLC, Chamtor, Ci ADM Colombia Ltda., Columbia & Willamette Maritime Services Inc., Comhan, Compania ADM S.A. de C.V., Crosswind Petfoods Inc., DE Holdings LLC, DP Holdings LLC, Daavision B.V., Deerland Europe ApS, Deerland Holdings Inc., Deerland Ireland R&D Limited, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes A/S, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes Inc., Eaststarch, Eatem Corporation, Eatem Foods, Elstar Oils, Empresa de Transporte La Estrella S.R.L., English River Pellets Inc., Epicore BioNetworks Inc., Epicore Ecuador S.A., Epicore Networks (U.S.A.) Inc., Erich Ziegler GmbH, Evialis (Shandong) Co. Ltd., Evialis France, Evialis Galicia S.A., Evialis India Limited, FINANCIERE FRANCO MAGYAR POUR LA NUTRITION ANIMALE - FFMNA, FISA Andina S.A.S., FISA Aromas S.A.S., Fasco Mills Co., Federation Sahanala Vanille, Filozoo SRL, Flavor Infusion, Flavor Infusion International S.A., Florida Chemical, Florida Chemical Company LLC, Flotek Flavor & Fragrance LLC, GLOBAL COCOA HOLDINGS LTD., GP Blanching Inc., GPC Trucking Inc., GROUPE PILARDIERE, GUYOKRMA spol. s.r.o., Golden Farm Production & Commerce Company Limited, Golden Peanut Company, Golden Peanut Company LLC, Golden Peanut and Tree Nut Seed SA (Pty) Ltd., Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts S.A., Green Bison Soy Processing LLC, Group Lysac, Guyomarc'h - VCN Company Limited, Guyomarc'h Vietnam Co. Ltd., Guyovital PT, HFR Shipping Company Ltd., HI-NUTRIENTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, HRA Shipping Company Ltd., HTI Shipping Company Ltd., Harvest Innovations, Hilltop Grain and Feed, Holding P & A Asia Company Limited, Hubei Meiweiyuan Biotechnology, Ilitchevskiy Maslo Extractionniy Zavod (IMEZ), Industries Centers EOD Trade 2005 Ltd., Invivo NSA Algerie, Invivo NSA Sanpo (Tianjin) Pet Products Co. Ltd, JDS Sarl, Jamaica Flour Mills Limited, Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited, LANCENTER S.C.A., Liquid Feed Commodities, Logus Bar Ashdod Port Ltd., Malta Industries S.A. de C.V., Malta Texo De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Maniobras Y Servicios Del Interior S.A. de C.V., Master Mix of Trinidad Unlimited, Medsofts Company LLC, Medsofts for Import Co., Medsofts for Investment LLC, Medsofts for Trade LLC (Medsofts Trading), Mepla Comercio e Navegacao Ltda., Mezclas Biomix S.A.S., Monti Foods (Pty) Ltd., Mundo Logistics S.R.L., NEC Facilities LLC, National Enzyme Company LLC, Naviera Chaco S.R.L., Neovia, Neovia Algerie SPA, Neovia Nutricao e Saude Animal Ltda., Neovia Philippines Inc., North Star Shipping S.R.L., NutraDine, NutraDine LLC, NutriMix Feed Company Inc., Nutrilac, Olenex C.V., Olsen's Mill Inc. Four Grain Storage Elevators, P & A Marketing SA, PANCOSMA FRANCE S.A.S, PJSC ADM Illichivsk, PT ADM Indonesia Trading and Logistics, Pancosma & Associates Marketing (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Pancosma (Jiangsu) Feed Additive Co. Ltd., Pancosma (Shanghai) Feed Additives Co. Ltd., Pancosma Canada Inc., Pancosma Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pancosma North America Inc., Pancosma SA, Pedigree Ovens, Pedigree Ovens LLC, PetDine, PetDine LLC, Prairie Pride - Biodiesel Production Plant, Premiere Agri Technologies Asia Inc., Premiere Agri Technologies of Mexico Inc., Proservicios Potencial Humano S.A. de C.V., Provit Sp. z o.o., Pura Foods Limited, Rodelle Inc., SANICOOPA, SDJ Sarl, SORA Laboratories LLC, Sartco Ltda., Schokinag-Schokolade-Industrie Herrmann, Sermix, Servad S.R.L, Setna Nutricion S.A., Silo P. Kruse Betriebs-GmbH & Co. KG, Silo-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, Societe Industrielle des Oleagineux-SIO, SojaProtein d.o.o. Becej, Sojaprotein, Southern Cellulose Products Inc., Soy Investors LLC, Specialty Commodities, Specialty Commodities LLC, Sul Mineira Alimentos Ltda., Syngenta - Dry Bean Business, Szabadegyhazai Szolgaltato es Vagyonkezeklo KFT, Terminal Stevedores Inc., Terminales De Cargas Especializadas S.A. De C.V., The Pound Bakery, The Pound Bakery LLC, Toepfer International, Toepfer International Trading (Shanghai) Co. LTD., UPSCIENCE ITALIA S.R.L., Upscience, VIA CHEM GROUP a.s. Oilseed Processing Plant, Vantage Corn Processors LLC, WILD Flavors, Wild Amazon Flavors Concentrados e Corantes para Bebidas Ltda., Wild Flavors (Canada) Inc., Wild Flavors Austria GmbH, Wild Flavors Inc., Wild Flavors International GmbH, Wild Flavors Kenya Limited, Wild Flavors Middle East FZE, Wild Flavors Polska Sp. z o.o., Wild Flavors S.A. de C.V., Wild Intermare GmbH, Wild Polska Sp. z o.o., Wild Russia LLC, Wild Tunesia Sarl, Wisium SA (Pty) Ltd., World's Finest Chocolate - New Cocoa Powder Line, and Yerbalatina Ltda..

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The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United states and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. The Business Insurance segment offers workers' compensation, commercial automobile and property, general liability, commercial multi-peril, employers' liability, public and product liability, professional indemnity, marine, aviation, onshore and offshore energy, construction, terrorism, personal accident, and kidnap and ransom insurance products. This segment operates through select accounts, which serve small businesses; commercial accounts that serve mid-sized businesses; national accounts, which serve large companies; and national property and other that serve large and mid-sized customers, commercial trucking industry, and agricultural businesses, as well as markets and distributes its products through brokers, wholesale agents, and program managers. The Bond & Specialty Insurance segment provides surety, fidelity, management and professional liability, and other property and casualty coverages and related risk management services through independent agencies and brokers. The Personal Insurance segment offers property and casualty insurance covering personal risks, primarily automobile and homeowners insurance to individuals through independent agencies and brokers. The Travelers Companies, Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in New York, New York.
The following companies are subsidiares of Centene: AT Learning Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, AT Medics Holdings LLP an English and Welsh LLP, AT Medics Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, AT Technology (Private) Ltd. a Pakistan private company, AT Technology Services Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, AWC of Syracuse Inc. a New York corporation, Absolute Total Care Inc. a South Carolina corporation, AcariaHealth Inc. a Delaware corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #11 Inc. a Texas corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #12 Inc. a New York corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #13 Inc. a California corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #14 Inc. a California corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy #26 Inc. a Delaware corporation, AcariaHealth Pharmacy Inc. a California corporation, AcariaHealth Solutions Inc. a Delaware corporation, Access Medical Acquisition LLC a Delaware LLC, Access Medical Group of Florida City LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Hialeah LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Lakeland LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Miami LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of North Miami Beach LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Opa-Locka LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Perrine LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa II LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa III LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa LLC a Florida LLC, Access Medical Group of Westchester LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition Direct Contracting LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Chesapeake LLC a Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers II LLC a Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers LLC a Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers II LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers III LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers IV LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers LLC a Hawaii LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers V LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers VII LLC an Arizona LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Florida Partners LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Georgia LLC a Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland LLC a Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland Primary Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of New Jersey Inc. a New Jersey corporation, Accountable Care Coalition of North Texas LLC a Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Georgia LLC a Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Partners LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northwest Florida LLC a Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Prime Health LLC an Oregon LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health II LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health III LLC a Delaware LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health LLC an Oregon LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Partners LLC a Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Physician Partners LLC a South Carolina LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin LLC a Wisconsin LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Tennessee LLC a Tennessee LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Agate Resources Inc. an Oregon corporation, AirLogix, Ambetter of Magnolia Inc. a Mississippi corporation, Ambetter of North Carolina Inc. a North Carolina corporation, Ambetter of Peach State Inc. a Georgia corporation, America's 1st Choice California Holdings LLC a Florida corporation, American Progressive Life and Health Insurance Company of New York a New York corporation, Apixio, Apixio Inc a Delaware corporation, Arch Personalized Medicine Initiative LLC a Missouri LLC, Arkansas Health & Wellness Health Plan Inc. an Arkansas corporation, Arkansas Total Care Holding Company LLC a Delaware LLC, Arkansas Total Care Inc. an Arkansas corporation, B2B Gestion Integra S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., B2B Salud S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., BMI Healthcare Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Hospital Decontamination Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Imaging Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Southend Private Hospital Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, BMI Syon Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Bankers Reserve Life Insurance Company of Wisconsin a Wisconsin corporation, Bishopswood SPV Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Bridgeway Health Solutions LLC a Delaware LLC, Bridgeway Health Solutions of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Buckeye Community Health Plan Inc. an Ohio corporation, Buckeye Health Plan Community Solutions Inc. an Ohio corporation, CCTX Holdings LLC a Texas LLC, CEF Holding Company Limited a limited liability Malta company, CMC Real Estate Company LLC a Delaware LLC, CT Poprad s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., CT Presov s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., California Health and Wellness Plan a California corporation, Cantina Laredo Clayton LP a Delaware limited partnership, Cardium Health Services, Care 1st Health Plan of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Care1st Health Plan Administrative Services Inc. an Arizona corporation, Carolina Complete Health Holding Company Partnership a Delaware partnership, Carolina Complete Health Inc. a North Carolina corporation, CeltiCare Health Plan Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts Inc. a Massachusetts corporation, Celtic Group Inc., Celtic Group Inc. a Delaware corporation, Celtic Insurance Company an Illinois corporation, Cenpatico Behavioral Health LLC a California LLC, Centene Center I LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Center II LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Center LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Company of Texas LP a Texas limited partnership, Centene Europe Finance Company Limited a limited liability Malta company, Centene Health Plan Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Centene Institute for Advanced Health Education LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene International Financing Company Limited a limited liability Malta company, Centene International Ventures LLC a Delaware LLC, Centene Management Company LLC a Wisconsin LLC, Centene Technology Europe S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Centene Technology UK Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Centene Venture Company Alabama Health Plan Inc. an Alabama corporation, Centene Venture Company Florida Inc. a Florida corporation, Centene Venture Company Illinois Inc. an Illinois corporation, Centene Venture Company Indiana Inc. an Indiana corporation, Centene Venture Company Kansas Inc. a Kansas corporation, Centene Venture Company Michigan Inc. a Michigan corporation, Centene Venture Company Tennessee Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Centene Venture Insurance Company Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Centro Inmunologocia De La Comunidad Valenciana S.L. a Spanish S.L., Centurion Correctional Healthcare of New Mexico LLC a New Mexico LLC, Centurion Detention Health Services LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion of Arizona LLC an Arizona LLC, Centurion of Delaware LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion of Florida LLC a Florida LLC, Centurion of Indiana LLC an Indiana LLC, Centurion of Kansas LLC a Kansas LLC, Centurion of Minnesota LLC a Minnesota LLC, Centurion of Mississippi LLC a Mississippi LLC, Centurion of New Hampshire LLC a Delaware LLC, Centurion of Pennsylvania LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Centurion of Tennessee LLC a Tennessee LLC, Centurion of Vermont LLC a Vermont LLC, Centurion of West Virginia LLC a West Virginia LLC, Centurion of Wyoming LLC a Wyoming LLC, Chrysalis Medical Services LLC a New Jersey LLC, Circle Birmingham Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Clinical Services Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Harmony Health Ltd. a Hong Kong private company, Circle Health 1 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health 2 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health 3 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health 4 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health Holdings Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Health Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Holdings Ltd. a Jersey private company, Circle Hospital (Reading) Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle International an English and Welsh PLC, Circle Nottingham Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Circle Rehabilitation Services Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Clinica Santo Domingo De Lugo S.L. a Spanish S.L., Collaborative Health Systems IPA LLC a Florida LLC, Collaborative Health Systems LLC a New York LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Maryland LLC a Maryland LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Virginia LLC a Virginia LLC, Community Medical Group, Community Medical Holdings Corporation a Delaware corporation, Comprehensive Health Management Inc. a Florida corporation, Coordinated Care Corporation an Indiana corporation, Coordinated Care of Washington Inc. a Washington corporation, DELMARVA Collaborative Care LLC a Delaware LLC, Discare CZ a.s. a Czech Republic A.S., District Community Care Inc. a Washington D.C. corporation, Dr Magnet s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Elche-Crevillente Salud a Spanish S.A., Envolve Benefits Options Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Dental IPA of New York Inc. a New York corporation, Envolve Dental Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Dental of Florida Inc. a Florida corporation, Envolve Dental of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Envolve Health, Envolve Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Optical Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve PeopleCare Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Pharmacy IPA LLC a New York LLC, Envolve Pharmacy Solutions Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Total Vision Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Vision Benefits Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Vision IPA of New York Inc. a New York corporation, Envolve Vision Inc. a Delaware corporation, Envolve Vision of Florida Inc. a Florida corporation, Envolve Vision of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Essential Care Partners LLC a Texas LLC, Fidelis Care, Forensic Health Services LLC a Delaware LLC, Foundation Care LLC a Missouri LLC, GHG (DB) Pension Trustees Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Healthcare Holdings Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Intermediate Holdings Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Leasing Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, GHG Mount Alvernia Hospital Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, General Healthcare Group Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, General Healthcare Holdings 2 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, General Healthcare Holdings 3 Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Generale de Sante International Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Golden Triangle Physician Alliance a Texas not-for-profit corporation, Granite State Health Plan Inc. a New Hampshire corporation, HHS Texas Management Inc. a Texas corporation, HHS Texas Management LP a Texas limited partnership, HLM Strategic Investment Fund L.P. a Delaware limited partnership, Hallmark Life Insurance Company an Arizona corporation, Harmony Health Management Inc. a New Jersey corporation, Harmony Health Plan Inc. an Illinois corporation, Harmony Health Systems Inc. a New Jersey corporation, Health Care Enterprises LLC a Delaware LLC, Health Net Access Inc. an Arizona corporation, Health Net Community Solutions Inc. a California corporation, Health Net Community Solutions of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Health Net Federal Services LLC a Delaware LLC, Health Net Health Plan of Oregon Inc. an Oregon corporation, Health Net LLC, Health Net LLC a Delaware LLC, Health Net Life Insurance Company a California corporation, Health Net Life Reinsurance Company a Cayman Islands corporation, Health Net of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, Health Net of California Inc. a California corporation, Health Plan Real Estate Holdings Inc. a Missouri corporation, HealthSmart Benefit Solutions Inc. an Illinois corporation, HealthSmart Benefits Management LLC a Texas LLC, HealthSmart Care Management Solutions LP a Texas partnership, HealthSmart Information Systems Inc. a Texas corporation, HealthSmart Preferred Care II LP a Texas partnership, HealthSmart Preferred Network II Inc. a Delaware corporation, HealthSmart Primary Care Clinics LP a Texas partnership, HealthSmart Rx Solutions Inc. an Ohio corporation, Healthy Louisiana Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC , Healthy Missouri Holdings Inc. a Missouri corporation, Healthy Washington Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Heritage Health Systems Inc. a Texas corporation, Heritage Health Systems of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Heritage Physician Networks a Texas not-for-profit corporation, Home State Health Plan Inc. a Missouri corporation, HomeScripts.com LLC a Michigan LLC, Hospinet S.L. a Spanish S.L., Hospital Polusa S.A. a Spanish S.A., Hospital Povisa S.A. a Spanish S.A., Illinois Health Practice Alliance LLC a Delaware corporation, Infraestructuras y Servicios de Alzira S. L. a Spanish S.L., Integrated Mental Health Services a Texas corporation, Interpreta Holdings Inc. a Delaware corporation, Interpreta Inc. a Delaware corporation, Iowa Total Care Inc. an Iowa corporation, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan Inc. a Kentucky corporation , LifeShare Management Group LLC, LifeShare Management Group LLC a New Hampshire LLC, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Inc. a Louisiana corporation , MH Services International Holdings (UK) Limited an English and Welsh private company, MHM, MHM Correctional Services LLC a Delaware LLC, MHM Health Professionals LLC a Delaware LLC, MHM Services Inc. a Delaware corporation, MHM Services of California LLC a California LLC, MHM Solutions LLC a Delaware LLC, MHN Government Services LLC a Delaware LLC, MHN Services LLC a California LLC, MHS Consulting International Inc. a Delaware corporation, MHS Travel & Charter Inc. a Wisconsin corporation, MR Centrum Melnick s.r.o. a Czech Republic S.R.O., MR Poprad s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., MR Zilina s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Magellan Health Inc, Magnolia Health Plan Inc. a Mississippi corporation, Managed Health Network LLC a Delaware LLC, Managed Health Network a California corporation, Managed Health Services Insurance Corporation a Wisconsin corporation, Marina Salud S.A. a Spanish S.A., Maryland Collaborative Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Maryland Collaborative Care Transformation Organization Inc. a Delaware corporation, Mauli Ola Health and Wellness Inc. a Hawaii corporation, Medicina NZ spol s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Meriden Hospital Advanced Imaging Centre Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Inc. an Illinois corporation, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc. a Michigan corporation, Meridian Management Company LLC (a/k/a Meridian Administration Company LLC) a Michigan LLC, Meridian Network Services LLC a Michigan LLC, MeridianRx IPA LLC a New York LLC, MeridianRx LLC a Michigan LLC, MeridianRx of Indiana LLC a Michigan LLC, Michigan Complete Health a Michigan corporation, Mid-Atlantic Collaborative Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Mount Alvernia PET CT Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Nations Healthcare Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Nebraska Total Care Inc. a Nebraska corporation, Network Providers LLC a Delaware LLC, New York Quality Healthcare Corporation a New York corporation, Next Door Neighbors Inc. a Delaware corporation, Next Door Neighbors LLC. a Delaware LLC, North West Cancer Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Northern Maryland Collaborative Care LLC a Maryland LLC, Novasys Health Inc. a Delaware corporation, OB Care a Czech Republic S.R.O., OB Klinika a.s. a Czech Republic A.S., Ohana Health Plan Inc. a Hawaii corporation, Oklahoma Complete Health Holding Company LLC a Delaware LLC, Oklahoma Complete Health Inc. an Oklahoma corporation, One Care by Care 1st Health Plans of Arizona Inc an Arizona corporation, Operose Health (Group) Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Operose Health (Group) UK Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Operose Health Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, OptiCare Health Systems - Managed Vision Business, PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy, PRIMEROSALUD S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Panther Pass Co LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Panther Specialty Holding Co LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Pantherx Access Services LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Pantherx Specialty LLC a Pennsylvania LLC, Parker LP LLC a Nevada LLC, Peach State Health Plan Inc. a Georgia corporation, Penn Marketing America LLC a Delaware LLC, Pennsylvania Health and Wellness Inc. a Pennsylvania corporation, Preamed s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., Premier Marketing Group LLC a Delaware LLC, Primary Care Partners Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Pro Diagnostic Group A.S. a Slovakia A.S., Pro Magnet CZ s.r.o. a Czech Republic S.R.O., Pro Magnet s.r.o a Slovakia S.R.O., Pro Nuclear a.s. a Slovakia A.S., Pro RTG s.r.o a Slovakia S.R.O., Progress Medical A.S. a Czech Republic A.S., Prowl Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, QCA Healthplan Inc. an Arkansas corporation, Qualchoice Life and Health Insurance Company and Arkansas company, Quincy Coverage Corporation a New York corporation, Rhythm Health Tennessee Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Ribera Diagnostics S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Healthcare S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Lab S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Management S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Salud II a Spanish UTE, Ribera Salud Proyectos S.L. a Spanish S.L., Ribera Salud S.A. a Spanish S.A., Ribera Salud Tecnologias S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera Slaud Infraestructuras S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Ribera-Quilpro UTE a Spanish UTE, Runnymeade SPV Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Salus Administrative Services Inc. a New York corporation, Salus IPA LLC a New York LLC, Secure Capital Solutions 2000 S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., SelectCare Health Plans Inc. a Texas corporation, SelectCare of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, Servicios De Mantenimiento Prevencor S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Shanghai Circle Harmony Hospital Management Limited a Chinese private company, SilverSummit Healthplan Inc. a Nevada corporation, Social Health Bridge LLC a Delaware LLC, Social Health Bridge Trust a Delaware trust, Specialty Therapeutic Care GP LLC a Texas LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care LP a Texas limited partnership, Sunflower State Health Plan Inc. a Kansas corporation, Sunshine Health Community Solutions Inc. a Florida corporation, Sunshine Health Holding LLC a Florida LLC, Sunshine State Health Plan Inc. a Florida corporation, Superior Health Management Advisors LLC, Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions Inc. a Texas corporation, Superior HealthPlan Inc. a Texas corporation, TKH Holding Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, Terapias Medicas Domiciliarias S.L. a Spanish S.L., The Pavilion Clinic Ltd. an English and Welsh private company, The Practice Properties Limited an English and Welsh private company, The WellCare Management Group Inc. a New York corporation, Three Shires Hospital LP an English and Welsh limited partnership, Torrejon Salud S.A. a Spanish S.A., Torrevieja Salud S.L.U. a Spanish S.L.U., Torrevieja Salud UTE a Spanish UTE, Transplant Health Solutions IPA Inc. a New York corporation, Trillium Community Health Plan Inc. an Oregon corporation, UAM Agent Services Corp. an Iowa corporation, US Script, Universal American Corp. a Delaware corporation, Universal American Financial Services Inc. a Delaware corporation, Universal American Holdings LLC a Delaware LLC, Vivamed s.r.o. a Slovakia S.R.O., WCG Health Management Inc. a Delaware corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of America an Arkansas corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Kentucky Inc. a Kentucky corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Louisiana Inc. a Louisiana corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Nevada Inc. a Nevada corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Hampshire Inc. a New Hampshire corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey Inc. a New Jersey corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Oklahoma Inc. an Oklahoma corporation, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington Inc. a Washington corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Connecticut Inc. a Connecticut corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Hawaii Inc. a Hawaii corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of New York Inc. a New York corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of North Carolina Inc. a North Carolina corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Southwest Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare Health Insurance of Tennessee Inc. a Tennessee corporation, WellCare Health Plans, WellCare Health Plans Inc. a Delaware corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Arizona Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky Inc. a Kentucky corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Massachusetts Inc. a Massachusetts corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Missouri Inc. a Missouri corporation, WellCare Health Plans of New Jersey Inc. a New Jersey corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Rhode Island Inc. a Rhode Island corporation, WellCare Health Plans of Vermont Inc. a Vermont corporation, WellCare National Health Insurance Company a Texas corporation, WellCare Prescription Insurance Inc. an Arizona corporation, WellCare of Alabama Inc. an Alabama corporation, WellCare of Arkansas Inc. an Arkansas corporation, WellCare of California Inc. a California corporation, WellCare of Connecticut Inc. a Connecticut corporation, WellCare of Georgia Inc. a Georgia corporation, WellCare of Illinois Inc. an Illinois corporation, WellCare of Indiana Inc. an Indiana corporation, WellCare of Maine Inc. a Maine corporation, WellCare of Michigan Holding Company a Michigan corporation, WellCare of Mississippi Inc. a Mississippi corporation, WellCare of Missouri Health Insurance Company Inc. a Missouri corporation, WellCare of New Hampshire Inc. a New Hampshire corporation, WellCare of New York Inc. a New York corporation, WellCare of North Carolina Inc. a North Carolina corporation, WellCare of Ohio Inc. an Ohio corporation, WellCare of Oklahoma Inc. an Oklahoma corporation, WellCare of Pennsylvania Inc. a Pennsylvania corporation, WellCare of South Carolina Inc. a South Carolina corporation, WellCare of Texas Inc. a Texas corporation, WellCare of Virginia Inc. a Virginia corporation, WellCare of Washington Inc. a Washington corporation, Western Sky Community Care Inc. a New Mexico corporation, Windsor Health Group Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Winning Security S.L. a Spanish S.L., and Worlco Management Services Inc. a New York corporation.

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AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
MarineMax, Inc. operates as a recreational boat and yacht retailer and superyacht services company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail Operations and Product Manufacturing. The company sells new and used recreational boats, including pleasure and fishing boats, mega-yachts, yachts, sport cruisers, motor yachts, pontoon boats, ski boats, jet boats, and other recreational boats. It also offers marine parts and accessories comprising marine electronics; dock and anchoring products that include boat fenders, lines, and anchors; boat covers; trailer parts; water sport accessories, which comprise tubes, lines, wakeboards, and skis; engine parts; oils; lubricants; steering and control systems; corrosion control products and service products; high-performance accessories, including propellers and instruments; and a line of boating accessories, such as life jackets, inflatables, and water sports equipment. In addition, the company provides novelty items, such as shirts, caps, and license plates; marine engines and equipment; maintenance, repair, and slip and storage accommodation services; and boat or yacht brokerage services, as well as charters yachts and power catamarans. Further, it offers new or used boat finance services; arranges insurance coverage, including boat property, disability, undercoating, gel sealant, fabric protection, and casualty insurance coverage; and manufactures and sells sport yachts and yachts. Additionally, the company operates vacations in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. It also markets and sells its products through offsite locations and print catalog. The company has 79 retail locations in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. MarineMax, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Clearwater, Florida.
BlackRock, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. It also provides global risk management and advisory services. The firm manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios. It also launches and manages open-end and closed-end mutual funds, offshore funds, unit trusts, and alternative investment vehicles including structured funds. The firm launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and real estate mutual funds. It also launches equity, fixed income, balanced, currency, commodity, and multi-asset exchange traded funds. The firm also launches and manages hedge funds. It invests in the public equity, fixed income, real estate, currency, commodity, and alternative markets across the globe. The firm primarily invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, SMID-cap, large-cap, and multi-cap companies. It also invests in dividend-paying equity securities. The firm invests in investment grade municipal securities, government securities including securities issued or guaranteed by a government or a government agency or instrumentality, corporate bonds, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. It employs fundamental and quantitative analysis with a focus on bottom-up and top-down approach to make its investments. The firm employs liquidity, asset allocation, balanced, real estate, and alternative strategies to make its investments. In real estate sector, it seeks to invest in Poland and Germany. The firm benchmarks the performance of its portfolios against various S&P, Russell, Barclays, MSCI, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch indices. BlackRock, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in New York City with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; London, United Kingdom; Gurgaon, India; Hong Kong; Greenwich, Connecticut; Princeton, New Jersey; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Sydney, Australia; Taipei, Taiwan; Singapore; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, District of Columbia; Toronto, Canada; Wilmington, Delaware; and San Francisco, California.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts. It also offers air conditioning chemicals and accessories; air fresheners; antifreeze and washer fluids; electrical wires and fuses; electronics; floor mats, seat covers, and interior accessories; hand and specialty tools; lighting products; performance parts; sealants, adhesives and compounds; tire repair accessories; vent shades, mirrors and exterior accessories; washes, waxes and cleaning supplies; and wiper blades. In addition, the company offers air filters; fuel and oil additives; fuel filters; grease and lubricants; motor oils; oil filters, part cleaners and treatments; and transmission fluids for engine maintenance. Further, it offers battery and wiper installation; engine light scanning and checking; electrical system testing; video clinic; oil and battery recycling; and loaner tool program services. Additionally, the company sells its products through its website. It serves professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. The company operates stores under the Advance Auto Parts, Autopart International, and Carquest brands, as well as branches under the Worldpac name. As of April 23, 2022, it operated 4,687 stores and 311 branches in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada; and served 1,318 independently owned Carquest branded stores in Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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.
Trinity Industries, Inc. provides rail transportation products and services under the TrinityRail name in North America. It operates in two segments, Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group, and Rail Products Group. The Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group segment leases freight and tank railcars; originates and manages railcar leases for third-party investors; and provides fleet maintenance and management services. As of December 31, 2021, it had a fleet of 106,970 owned or leased railcars. This segment serves industrial shipper and railroad companies operating in agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. The Rail Products Group segment manufactures freight and tank railcars for transporting various liquids, gases, and dry cargo; and offers railcar maintenance and modification services. This segment serves railroads, leasing companies, and industrial shippers of products in the agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. It sells or leases products and services through its own sales personnel and independent sales representatives. Trinity Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 1933 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. This segment operates 54 branch locations and 307 ATMs throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, and a customer service center, as well as through online and mobile banking. The Commercial Banking segment provides corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. It offers commercial lending and deposit products to middle-market and large companies, and government entities; commercial real estate mortgages to investors, developers, and builders; and international banking and merchant services. The Treasury and Other segment offers corporate asset and liability management services, including interest rate risk management and foreign exchange services. Bank of Hawaii Corporation was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries.

Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet.

The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range.

The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines.

The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers.

Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles.
The following companies are subsidiares of HP: 3Com, 3PAR, ABB CADE, AOME Holdings Ltd., Albacore Holdings Jersey Ltd, Alpha Holding One B.V., Alpha Holding Two B.V., Anatolus Holding B.V., Apogee, Apogee Corp, Apogee Corporation Ireland Limited, Apogee Corporation Jersey Limited, Apogee Corporation Limited, Apogee Europe Limited, Apogee France Holdings SAS, Apogee France SAS, Apogee Germany Holding UG, Apogee Group Limited, Apogee Rentals Limited, Apollo Computer, AppIQ, Applied Optoelectronic Tech, ArcSight, Arnon Holding B.V., Arteis, Artivision Technologies, Aruba Networks, Atos Origin, Atos Origin Middle East group, Autonomy Corporation, Avantek, BAS - Burosysteme GmbH, BT & D Technologies, Balreed Digitec Group Limited, Balreed Digitec North Limited, Balreed Digitec SE Limited, Balreed Digitec UK Limited, Bamberga Holding B.V., Bitfone Corporation, Bluestone Software, Boonton Radio, Bristol Technology Inc., Bromium, Bromium UK Limited, CEC Europe Service Management, CGNZ, CaLan, China HP Co. Ltd Hangzhou Branch, China HP Co. Ltd., China HP Co. Ltd. Chengdu Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Jiangan Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Nanjing Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Shanghai Branch, Choose Packaging, City Docs Limited, City Docs Solutions Limited, Colorado Memory Systems, Colubris Networks, Colubris Networks, Compaq Cayman Holdings Company, Compaq Cayman Holdings General Partnership II, Compaq Information Technologies, Compaq Information Technologies LLC, Computing and Printing Global Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Consera Software, ConteXtream Inc, Convex Computer, David Vision Systems GmbH, Dazzle, Digipro Limited, Division, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), EEsof, EYP Mission Critical Facilities, ElseWare, Eon Systems, Eucalyptus Systems, Eunomia Holding B.V., ExcellerateHRO, Exstream Software, Extreme Logic, F&M Scientific Corporation, F. Smith & Co Office Equipment Limited, F.L. Moseley Company, Flame Holding B.V., Fortify Software, Four Pi Systems, GNA Biosolutions GmbH, HP Austria GmbH, HP Belgium BV, HP Bilgisayar ve Baski Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 01 Tambore, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 2 Sorocaba, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 3 Porto Alegre, HP Canada Co. HP Canada Cie, HP Canada Licensing L.P., HP China Holding B.V., HP Chongqing Co. Ltd, HP Chongqing Manufacturing Export Procurement and Settlement Co. Ltd, HP Colombia SAS, HP Computing and Printing Middle East FZ-LLC, HP Computing and Printing Nigeria Ltd, HP Computing and Printing Systems India Private Limited, HP Computing and Printing d.o.o., HP Deutschland GmbH, HP Deutschland Holding GmbH, HP Europe B.V., HP Europe B.V. - Abu Dhabi Branch, HP Europe B.V. Regional Dubai Branch, HP Europe BV Amsterdam Meyrin Branch, HP Finland Oy, HP France Holding SAS, HP France SAS, HP Global Trading B.V., HP Global Trading B.V. Kazakhstan Branch, HP Health Solutions Inc., HP Health Solutions Spain Sociedad Limitada, HP Hewlett Packard Group LLC, HP Inc AP Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Argentina S.R.L., HP Inc Bulgaria EOOD, HP Inc Chile Comercial Limitada, HP Inc Costa Rica Limitada, HP Inc Czech Republic s.r.o., HP Inc Danmark ApS, HP Inc Gulf, HP Inc Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Magyarorszag Kft., HP Inc Peru S.R.L., HP Inc Polska sp. z o.o., HP Inc Romania SRL, HP Inc Slovakia s.r.o., HP Inc Thailand Ltd., HP Inc Tunisie SARL, HP Inc UK Limited, HP India Sales Private Limited, HP Indigo B.V., HP Indigo Ltd, HP Information Technology R&D Shanghai Co. Ltd, HP International Pte. Ltd., HP International Pte. Ltd. Taiwan Branch, HP International Sarl, HP International Trading B.V., HP International Trading B.V. Puerto Rico Branch LLC, HP Israel Ltd, HP Italy S.r.l., HP Jade Holding LLC, HP Japan Inc., HP KSA Ltd., HP Korea Inc., HP Licensing Holding LLC, HP Luxembourg S.C.A., HP Malaysia Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., HP Nederland B.V., HP New Zealand, HP Norge AS, HP Onyx Holding L.P., HP PPS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Australia Pty Ltd, HP PPS Costa Rica Limitada, HP PPS India Operations Private Limited, HP PPS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Maroc, HP PPS Philippines Inc., HP PPS Sales Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Services India Private Limited, HP PPS Singapore Sales Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Sverige AB, HP Pakistan Private Limited, HP Panama Sales and Distribution S. de R.L., HP Print Services Ireland Limited, HP Printing Korea Co. Ltd., HP Printing Shandong Co. Ltd., HP Printing and Computing Solutions S.L.U., HP Printing and Personal Systems Hellas EPE, HP Production Company Limited, HP Puerto Rico LLC, HP R&D Holding LLC, HP R&D Singapore Pte. Ltd., HP Schweiz GmbH, HP Scitex Ltd, HP Singapore Private Limited, HP Solutions Creation and Development Services S.L.U., HP South Africa Proprietary Limited, HP South Africa Trust, HP Taiwan Information Technology Ltd., HP Technology Holdings LLC, HP Technology Ireland Limited, HP Technology Israel Ltd, HP Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd, HP Technology Vietnam Company Ltd, HP Trading Kunshan Co. Ltd., HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd., HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd. Dalian Branch, HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd. Zhangjiang Branch, HP UK Development Limited, HP US Digital LLC, HP USA Manufacturing LLC, HPCP  Computing and Printing Portugal Unipessoal Lda., HPI Bermuda Holdings LLC, HPI Brazil Holdings LLC, HPI Federal LLC, HPI J1 Holdings LLC, HPI Luxembourg LLC, HPQ Holdings LLC, Heartstream, Hewlett-Packard A.O., Hewlett-Packard Angola Lda., Hewlett-Packard Company Archives LLC, Hewlett-Packard Copenhagen B.V., Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Hewlett-Packard Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard G.K., Hewlett-Packard Global Holdings B.V., Hewlett-Packard Global Investments B.V., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Solutions Europe BV, Hewlett-Packard Ireland 1 Limited, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Japan Holding B.V., Hewlett-Packard Japan NK Holdings C.V., Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd. Qatar Branch, Hewlett-Packard Lisbon B.V., Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC Libya Branch, Hewlett-Packard Mercator B.V., Hewlett-Packard Sunnyvale B.V., Hewlett-Packard West Indies Limited, Hewlett-Packard World Trade LLC, Hiflex Software, HyperX, IBRIX, IndiGo, Indigo America Inc., Iseo Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V. Puerto Rico Branch LLC, Knightsbridge Solutions, Kopiervertrieb Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, Lefthand Networks, Limited Liability Company HP Inc, Logoworks, Lyra Holding B.V., MacDermid ColorSpan, ManageOne, Manzana Bidco Limited, Manzana Holdings Limited, Melodeo, Mercury Interactive, Metrix Network Systems, NUR Macroprinters, Neoware, Nihon HP Nin-I Kumiai, Novadigm, NuView ManageX, OOO Hewlett-Packard RUS, Office Perfection Limited, OneFlow Systems Limited, Opelin, Opelin, Open Skies, Opsware, Opsware, Optimization Systems, Optotech, OuterBay Technologies, OuterBay Technologies, PERSIST Technologies, PIXACO, PROLIN, PT Hewlett-Packard Indonesia, Palm, Palm, Peregrine Systems, Perigee Holdco UK Limited, Perigee Midco UK Limited, Perseus Holding B.V., PipeBeach, Poly, PolyServe, PrinterOn America Corporation, Printware Limited, Qosnetics, RLX Technologies, Regor Holding B.V., SPI Dynamics, Samsung Printing Solutions, Scitex, Scitex Vision, Scope Communications, Security Force Software, Shunra Software, Shunra Software, Silverwire Holding, Simpress Comercio Locacao e Servicos Ltda, Snapfish, StorageApps, Stratavia, Synstar, Tabblo, Talking Blocks, Tall Tree Insurance Company, Technology Partners, Telegra, Teradici Corporation, Teradici Inc., Teradici UK Limited, The Danwood Group Limited, The Technology Partners, Tower Software, Tower Software Engineering Pty Ltd, Transoft Networks, Trellis Software & Controls, Triaton, Trinagy, TruLogica, Trustgenix, VeriFone, Verifone, Versatest, Vertica Systems, Vital Technology Pte Ltd, Voltage Security, VoodooPC, Xact Document Solutions Limited, and Xera-Logic Group Limited.

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Bancolombia S.A. provides banking products and services in Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. It offers checking and savings accounts, fixed term deposits, and investment products; trade financing, loans funded by domestic development banks, working capital loans, credit cards, personal and vehicle loans, payroll loans, and overdrafts; financial support to real estate developers and mortgages for individuals and companies; factoring; and financial and operating leasing services. The company also provides hedging instruments, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps; and brokerage, investment advisory, and private banking services, including selling and distributing equities, futures, foreign currencies, fixed income securities, mutual funds, and structured products. In addition, it offers cash management services; foreign currency transaction services; life, auto, commercial, and homeowner's insurance products; and online and computer banking services. Further, the company provides project and acquisition finance, debt and equity capital markets, principal investments, M&A, hedging strategies, restructurings, and structured financing; money market accounts, mutual and pension funds, private equity funds, payment and corporate trust, and custody; internet-based trading platform; inter-bank lending and repurchase agreements; managing escrow accounts, and investment and real estate funds; and transportation, securities brokerage, maintenance and remodeling, and outsourcing services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 1,015 branches; 28,676 banking correspondents; 529 PAMs; 210 kiosks in El Salvador and 187 in Colombia; and 6,094 ATMs. Bancolombia S.A. was incorporated in 1945 and is headquartered in Medellin, Colombia.
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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First Republic Bank was founded by Jim Herbert with the intention of providing exceptional levels of customer service. It was his belief that customer service would set the bank apart and create a profitable investment for its shareholders. After 35 years, his vision has proven true with a 25% CAGR that continues to this day. The initial enterprise value has grown from only $8.8 million in that time, to over $19 billion making it the 14th largest bank in the US. First Republic Bank was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

First Republic Bank with its subsidiaries operates in two segments and provides personal banking, business banking, and wealth management services to individuals, families, organizations, and small businesses in the United States. The companys services are available in-person at one of the more than 80 offices or via ATM, online, mobile, and debit cards.

The company offers deposit products including checking and saving accounts, money market, and CDs as well as a range of lending products. The full range of lending products includes but is not limited to residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, commercial real estate and construction loans, and personal and business loans.

The companys wealth management services include advisory services, online investment management, trusts, estate planning, and alternative investments as well as insurance and foreign exchange. The online brokerage service is available to all clients and can be accessed at any time via a web browser or mobile device.

First Republic Bank operates a network of more than 80 deposit-taking branches and 12 wealth management offices. The network is located primarily in California with additional branches in major metropolitan areas and two destination locations that include Portland, Boston, Palm Beach, Greenwich, New York, and Jackson, Wyoming.

First Republic Bank has proven its worth over the year by maintaining a consistently strong capital level, asset quality, and liquidity position. Its prudent management has allowed it to weather market ups and downs while commanding investment grade ratings for its bonds and preferred stock.
Flowserve Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, distributes, and services industrial flow management equipment in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) and Flow Control Division (FCD). The FPD segment offers custom and pre-configured pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts, upgrades, and related aftermarket services, including installation and commissioning services, seal systems spare parts, repairs, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and upgrade solutions, retrofit programs, and machining and asset management solutions, as well as manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal for use in high-speed compressors for gas pipelines. The FCD segment provides engineered and industrial valve and automation solutions, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls, and related equipment, as well as equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs, and field machining capabilities. This segment's products are used to control, direct, and manage the flow of liquids, gases, and fluids. The company primarily serves oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceuticals, power generation, and water management markets, as well as general industries, including mining and ore processing, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and other smaller applications. The company distributes its products through direct sales, distributors, and sales representatives. Flowserve Corporation was incorporated in 1912 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Public Storage is a REIT focused on acquiring, developing, owning, and operating self-storage facilities in the US and Europe. The company is a member of the S&P 500 and the FT Global 500 and is the worlds 4th largest REIT by market cap. Along with its holdings of self-storage facilities, the company owns a 42% stake in business park company PS Business Parks and is also in business selling packing and storage supplies. The company is headquartered in Glendale California.

The company was founded in 1972 by B. Wayne Hughes and Kenneth Polk who used the leverage of investments from RELPs to grow the business. The original plan was to use the storage warehouses as a means of generating income until the properties were more valuable. The surprise is that demand for storage space was high and led to unexpected profitability.

The company has more than 1,000 locations by 1989 and then, in 1995, it transformed itself into a publicly traded REIT. The transformation was spurred by tax changes that made RELPs obsolete. The transformation was done via a merger with Storage Equities which gave up its name in favor of Public Storage. The company grew again with the acquisition of Shurgard in 2006 but it has since been spun off as its own publicly traded company. Public Storage retains 36% ownership in Shurgard.

As of September 2022, the company owned and operated 2,807 self-storage facilities in 39 states. The total area of rental space exceeded 2 million square feet serving nearly 2 million customers and generating close to $3.5 billion in annual revenues. Shurgard lays claim to another 239 facilities in the EU which amounts to another 13 minion square feet of storage space. PS Business Parks, Inc, which trades under the ticker (NYSE: PSB) owns and operates 28 million square feet of commercial space.

Advantages of Public Storage include scale, leverage, and the balance sheet. The companys size and scale mean that more than half the US population lives within driving distance of a Public Storage facility. The company gives leverage through its three-pronged acquisition, development, and redevelopment strategy which are all supported by the balance sheet. The companys balance sheet is set up for growth and is able to self-fund most new projects.
Summit Midstream Partners, LP focuses on owning, developing, and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets primarily shale formations in the continental United States. The company provides natural gas gathering, compression, treating, and processing services, as well as crude oil and produced water gathering services. Its unconventional resource basins include the Utica and Point Pleasant shale formations in southeastern Ohio; the Williston Basin that consists of the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in northwestern North Dakota; the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which include the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado; the Permian Basin that comprise the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp shale formations in New Mexico; the Piceance Basin, which include the Mesaverde formation, and the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in western Colorado; the Barnett Shale formation in north-central Texas; and the Marcellus Shale formation in northern West Virginia. The company also owns an ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which owns and operates natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization facility in the Utica Shale in southeastern Ohio. It serves natural gas and crude oil producers. Summit Midstream GP, LLC operates as a general partner of the company. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut.
Consolidated Edison, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,555 customers in parts of Manhattan. The company also supplies electricity to approximately 0.3 million customers in southeastern New York and northern New Jersey; and gas to approximately 0.1 million customers in southeastern New York. In addition, it operates 533 circuit miles of transmission lines; 15 transmission substations; 64 distribution substations; 87,564 in-service line transformers; 3,924 pole miles of overhead distribution lines; and 2,291 miles of underground distribution lines, as well as 4,350 miles of mains and 377,971 service lines for natural gas distribution. Further, the company owns, operates, and develops renewable and energy infrastructure projects; and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers, as well as invests in electric and gas transmission projects. It primarily sells electricity to industrial, commercial, residential, and government customers. The company was founded in 1823 and is based in New York, New York.
The following companies are subsidiares of Hyatt Hotels: CHANCELLOR STREET CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC., GLENDALE HOTEL PROPERTIES L.L.C., HT-SEATTLE HOLDINGS LLC, 1379919 ALBERTA INC., 319168 ONTARIO LIMITED, 3385434 CANADA INC., ADMINISTRACION DE PERSONAL ANDARES S. DE R.L. DE C.V., AIC HOLDING CO., AIRPORT PLAZA ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AIRPORT PLAZA HOTEL LLC, AIRPORT PLAZA OFFICE BUILDING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AMERISUITES FRANCHISING L.L.C., ARANCIA LIMITED, ARUBA BEACHFRONT RESORTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, ARUBA BEACHFRONT RESORTS N.V., ASIA HOSPITALITY INC., ASIA HOSPITALITY INVESTORS B.V., ASIAN HOTEL N.V., ATRIUM HOTEL L.L.C., AUSTIN RESORT BEVERAGE LLC, AmeriSuites Hotel, BAKU HOTEL COMPANY - AZERI, BAKU HOTEL COMPANY - CAYMAN, BASTROP MARKETING L.L.C., BAY II INVESTOR INC., BELLEVUE ASSOCIATES, BH PLAZA LLC, BRE/AMERISUITES PROPERTIES L.L.C., BRE/AMERISUITES TXNC GP L.L.C., BRE/AMERISUITES TXNC PROPERTIES L.P., BURVAN HOTEL ASSOCIATES, CAL-HARBOR SO. PIER URBAN RENEWAL ASSOCIATES L.P., CELAYA RESORTS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITIES LLC, CHESAPEAKE RESORT LLC, CIUDAD DEL CARMEN DIAMANTE RESORT S. DE R.L. DE C.V, COAST BEACH L.L.C., COMPAGNIE HOTELIERE DE LAGON BLEU, CPM SEATTLE HOTELS L.L.C., CRW INVESTMENT LLC, CTR INTEREST HOLDCO INC., DALLAS REGENCY LLC, DENVER DOWNTOWN HOTEL PARTNERS LLC, DESARROLLADORA HOTELERA ACUEDUCTO S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DH BEVERAGE LLC, DIAMANTE RESORT LA PAZ S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DISTRICT HOTEL PARTNERS LLC, EXHALE ENTERPRISES GIFT SERVICES COMPANY, EXHALE ENTERPRISES II L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES III INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES IV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES V L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES VIII INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES X INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XIV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XIX L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XV TCI LTD., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVIII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XX L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXI INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXIV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVIII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXIII INC., FAN PIER L.L.C., FAR EAST HOTELS INC., G.E.H. PROPERTIES LIMITED, GAINEY DRIVE ASSOCIATES, GALAXY AEROSPACE COMPANY LLC, GHE HOLDINGS LIMITED, GRAND HYATT BERLIN GMBH, GRAND HYATT DFW BEVERAGE LLC, GRAND HYATT SAN ANTONIO L.L.C., GRAND HYATT SF L.L.C., GRAND RIVERWALK BEVERAGE LLC, GRAND TORONTO CORP., GRAND TORONTO VENTURE L.P., GREENWICH HOTEL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, H.E. ATLANTA CENTENNIAL PARK HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. AUSTIN L.L.C., H.E. BERMUDA L.L.C., H.E. CAP CANA L.L.C., H.E. DRISKILL LLC, H.E. GRAND CYPRESS L.L.C., H.E. IRVINE L.L.C., H.E. KANSAS CITY L.L.C., H.E. LENOX L.L.C., H.E. NASHVILLE L.L.C., H.E. NEWPORT L.L.C., H.E. ORLANDO L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC HOTEL L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC PARKING L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC RETAIL L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA SANSOM L.L.C., H.E. PORTLAND HC L.L.C., H.E. PORTLAND L.L.C., H.E. PROPERTIES HOLDING L.L.C., H.E. PROPERTIES L.L.C., H.E. SAN ANTONIO I L.L.C., H.E. SAN ANTONIO L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON JV L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON OWNER L.L.C., HAPP INVESTOR LTD., HARBORSIDE HOTEL LLC, HARBORSIDE LAND LLC, HC PORTLAND JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HC ROYAL PALMS L.L.C., HCV CINCINNATI HOTEL L.L.C., HE ORLANDO HOTEL LLC, HGP (TRAVEL) LIMITED, HH NASHVILLE HOLDINGS L.L.C., HH NASHVILLE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HH PORTLAND L.L.C., HHMA BURLINGTON BEVERAGE L.L.C., HI HOLDINGS (SWITZERLAND) GMBH, HI HOLDINGS BAJA B.V., HI HOLDINGS BRAZIL S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS CELAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS CIUDAD DEL CARMEN B.V., HI HOLDINGS CYPRUS LIMITED, HI HOLDINGS CYPRUS-INDIA LIMITED, HI HOLDINGS GUADALAJARA B.V., HI HOLDINGS HP CABO B.V., HI HOLDINGS HP TIJUANA HOTEL B.V., HI HOLDINGS KYOTO CO., HI HOLDINGS LA PAZ B.V., HI HOLDINGS LATIN AMERICA B.V., HI HOLDINGS NETHERLANDS B.V., HI HOLDINGS PLAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS RIO S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS RIVIERA MAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS VIENNA S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS ZURICH S.A.R.L., HI HOTEL ADVISORY SERVICES GMBH, HI HOTEL INVESTORS CYPRUS LIMITED, HIHCL AMSTERDAM B.V., HIHCL HP AMSTERDAM AIRPORT B.V., HIHCL HR AMSTERDAM B.V., HILP HOTEL SERVICE PROVIDER LLC, HOTEL AM BELVEDERE HOLDING GMBH, HOTEL AM BELVEDERE HOLDING GMBH & CO KG, HOTEL INVESTMENTS HOLDING CO LLC, HOTEL INVESTMENTS L.L.C., HOTEL INVESTORS I INC., HOTEL INVESTORS II INC., HOTEL PROJECT SYSTEMS PTE LTD, HOTEL SERVICES CIUDAD DEL CARMEN S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HOTELS CS CELAYA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HP ATLANTA CENTENNIAL PARK JV LLC, HP AUSTIN L.L.C., HP BEVERAGE DALLAS DFW AIRPORT LLC, HP BEVERAGE SUGAR LAND LLC, HP BOSTON HOLDINGS L.L.C., HP GLENDALE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HP GLENDALE L.L.C., HP INDIA HOLDINGS LIMITED, HP LAS VEGAS BEVERAGE L.L.C., HP M STREET L.L.C., HP ROUTE 46 TEXAS LLC, HP SAN FRANCISCO L.L.C., HP SAN JUAN L.L.C., HP TEN TEXAS LLC, HPHH ATLANTA L.L.C., HPHH DENVER L.L.C., HPHH SAN JOSE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HPHH SAN JOSE L.L.C., HQ CHESAPEAKE LLC, HR LOST PINES RESORT LLC, HR MC HOTEL COMPANY S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HR MC SERVICES II S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HR MC SERVICES S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HRHC LLC, HT- WAILEA LLC, HT-AVENDRA GROUP HOLDINGS L.L.C., HT-AVENDRA L.L.C., HT-CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITIES INC., HT-CHESAPEAKE RESORT INC., HT-HOTEL EQUITIES INC., HT-HUNTINGTON BEACH INC., HT-JERSEY PIER INC., HT-JERSEY PIER L.P., HT-JERSEY PIER LLC, HT-LONG BEACH L.L.C., HT-MIAMI BEACH L.L.C., HT-PARK 57 INC., HT-SEATTLE LLC, HT-SIERRA L.L.C., HT-VANCOUVER INC., HTLB L.L.C., HTS - NS L.L.C., HTS - NY L.L.C., HTS-ASPEN L.L.C., HTS-BC INC., HTS-INVESTMENT L L.C., HTSF L.L.C., HTW BEVERAGE LLC, HY LONG BEACH HOTEL LLC, HYATT (BARBADOS) CORPORATION, HYATT (JAPAN) CO. LTD., HYATT (THAILAND) LIMITED, HYATT ARUBA N.V., HYATT ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS LIMITED, HYATT AUSTRALIA HOTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED, HYATT AUSTRIA GMBH, HYATT BEACH FRONT N.V., HYATT BORNEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, HYATT BRITANNIA CORPORATION LTD., HYATT CC OFFICE CORP., HYATT CHAIN SERVICES LIMITED, HYATT CRYSTAL CITY LLC., HYATT CURACAO N.V., HYATT DISASTER RELIEF FUND, HYATT DO BRASIL PARTICIPACOES LTDA, HYATT EQUITIES L.L.C., HYATT FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC., HYATT FRANCHISING CANADA CORP., HYATT FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT FRANCHISING LATIN AMERICA L.L.C., HYATT FULFILLMENT OF MARYLAND INC., HYATT GLOBAL SERVICES INC., HYATT GTLD L.L.C., HYATT HOC INC., HYATT HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED, HYATT HOSPITALITY SERVICES L.L.C., HYATT HOTEL MANAGEMENT LIMITED, HYATT HOTELS CONSULTANCY SERVICES ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION OF KANSAS, HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION OF MARYLAND, HYATT HOTELS FOUNDATION, HYATT HOTELS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, HYATT HOTELS OF CANADA INC., HYATT HOTELS OF FLORIDA INC., HYATT HOTELS OF PUERTO RICO INC., HYATT HOUSE CANADA INC., HYATT HOUSE FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT HOUSE HOTEL HOLDING COMPANY L.L.C., HYATT INDIA CONSULTANCY PRIVATE LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE AFRICA MIDDLE EAST) LLC, HYATT INTERNATIONAL - JAPAN LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL - SOUTHWEST ASIA LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL -ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL -SEA (PTE) LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, HYATT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., HYATT INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT (BEIJING) CO. LTD., HYATT INTERNATIONAL MILAN L.L.C., HYATT INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (BEIJING) CO. LTD., HYATT INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL SERVICES INC., HYATT JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HYATT LACSA SERVICES INC., HYATT LOUISIANA L.L.C., HYATT MAINZ GMBH, HYATT MARKETING SERVICES INC., HYATT MARKETING SERVICES NIGERIA COMPANY LIMITED, HYATT MINNEAPOLIS LLC, HYATT MINORITY INVESTMENTS INC., HYATT MSS L.L.C., HYATT NORTH AMERICA MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC., HYATT OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, HYATT OF BAJA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HYATT OF CHINA LIMITED, HYATT OF FRANCE S.A.R.L., HYATT OF GUAM LIMITED, HYATT OF ITALY S.R.L., HYATT OF LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN L.L.C., HYATT OF LATIN AMERICA S.A. DE C.V., HYATT OF MACAU LIMITED, HYATT OF MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., HYATT OF PHILIPPINES LIMITED, HYATT PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS L.L.C., HYATT PLACE ANNE ARUNDEL BEVERAGE INC., HYATT PLACE CANADA CORPORATION, HYATT PLACE FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT PLACE OF MARYLAND INC., HYATT REGENCY COLOGNE GMBH, HYATT REGENCY CORPORATION PTY. LIMITED, HYATT SERVICES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED, HYATT SERVICES CANADA INC., HYATT SERVICES CARIBBEAN L.L.C., HYATT SERVICES GMBH, HYATT SERVICES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, HYATT SHARED SERVICE CENTER L.L.C., HYATT TRINIDAD LIMITED, HYCANADA INC., HYCARD INC., HYSTAR L.L.C., Hyatt Corporation, INFORMATION SERVICES LIMITED, INTERNATIONAL RESERVATIONS LIMITED, JOINT VENTURE ITALKYR CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY, JUNIPER HOTELS PRIVATE LIMITED, KSA MANAGEMENT INC., KYOTO HOLDING CO., LHR-PARTNERS LTD., LORING PARK ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, LOST PINES BEVERAGE LLC, MACAE PARTNERS S.A.R.L., MAHIMA HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED, MARION RESERVATION CENTER L.L.C., MEXICO CITY HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V., MILAN HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V., MIRAVAL ARIZONA GUARANTOR LLC, MIRAVAL GROUP LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA HOLDINGS LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA OPERATING CO. INC., MIRAVAL RESORT TUCSON LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS I LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS II LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS III LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS TRUST, MRG ATX BEVERAGE HOLDINGS LLC, MRG ATX HOLDINGS II LLC, MRG ATX HOLDINGS LLC, MRG ATX INVESTMENT LLC, MRG ATX MANAGEMENT I LLC, MRG ATX MANAGEMENT II LLC, MRG ATX OPERATIONS LLC, MRG CRW HOLDINGS LLC, MRG CRW MANAGEMENT I LLC, MRG CRW MANAGEMENT II LLC, MRG CRW OPERATIONS LLC, MUNICH OPCO GMBH, Miraval Resort, OASIS LUXURY RENTALS INCORPORATED, PARIS HOTEL COMPANY B.V., PARK HYATT HAMBURG GMBH, PARK HYATT HOTEL GMBH, PARK HYATT WATER TOWER ASSOCIATES L.L.C., PH NEW YORK L.L.C., PHMC RESIDENCIAS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., POLK SMITH REGENCY LLC, PT HYATT INDONESIA, PVD INVESTMENT COMPANY S.A.R.L., Peabody Hotels & Resort, RCG PROPERTIES LLC, REGENCY BEVERAGE COMPANY LLC, REGENCY RIVERWALK BEVERAGE LLC, RESERVATIONS CENTER L.L.C., RIO JV PARTNERS PARTICIPACOES LTDA., RIO PRETO PARTNERS HOTEIS LTDA., RIO PRETO PARTNERS S.A.R.L., ROSEMONT PROJECT MANAGEMENT L.L.C., ROUTE 46 MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES CORP., RUNWAY HOLDING L.L.C., RUNWAY L.L.C., SAO PAULO INVESTMENT COMPANY INC., SAO PAULO INVESTORS LIMITED, SASIH, SDI EQUITIES INVESTOR L.L.C., SDI INC., SDI SECURITIES 11 LLC, SDI SECURITIES 6 LLC, SELECT HOTELS GROUP L.L.C., SELECT JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., SEOUL MIRAMAR CORPORATION, SERVICIOS DE HOTELERIA SAN JOSE S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SERVICIOS HOTELEROS LA PAZ S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SETTLEMENT INVESTORS INC., SHG PUERTO RICO INC., SIERRA HEALTHSTYLES LLC, SJC DESARROLLOS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SKS CORP. N.V., SMC HOTELS B.V., SOROCABA PARTNERS HOTEIS LTDA, SOROCABA PARTNERS S.A.R.L., STANHOPE L.L.C., STARHILL LORING PARK L.L.C., SUGAR LAND/HP LLC, THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, TIJUANA PARTNERS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., TR MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT LLC, TUCSON VILLAS HOLDINGS LLC, TUCSON VILLAS LLC, TWO SEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED, Two Roads Hospitality, WAILEA HOTEL & BEACH RESORT L.L.C., WAILEA HOTEL HOLDINGS L.L.C., WAILEA MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION L.L.C., WAILEA RESORT VILLAS HOLDINGS L.L.C., WAILEA RESORT VILLAS L.L.C., WEST END RESIDENCES L.L.C., XENIA ASSURANCE COMPANY INC., XENIA ASSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, ZURICH ESCHERWIESE HOTEL GMBH, and ZURICH HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V..

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Markel Corporation, a diverse financial holding company, markets and underwrites specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Its Insurance segment offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind. This segment also offers credit and surety products, and collateral protection insurance products. The company's Reinsurance segment offers transaction, healthcare, and environmental impairment liability; and specialty treaty reinsurance products comprising structured and whole turnover credit, political risk, mortgage and contract, and commercial surety reinsurance programs. Its Markel Ventures segment provides equipment used in baking systems and food processing; portable dredges; over-the-road car haulers and transportation equipment; and laminated oak and composite wood flooring, tube and tank trailers, as well as ornamental plants and residential homes, handbags, and architectural products. This segment also provides consulting, and other types of services to businesses and consumers, including distribution of exterior building products, crane rental, fire protection, and life safety services, management and technology consulting, and retail intelligence services. The company's Other segment provides healthcare, leasing and investment services, as well as operates as an insurance and investment fund manager offering a range of investment products, including insurance-linked securities, catastrophe bonds, insurance swaps, and weather derivatives; and program services. it also manages funds with third parties. Markel Corporation was founded in 1930 and is based in Glen Allen, Virginia.
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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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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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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SFL Corporation Ltd., a maritime and offshore asset owning and chartering company, engages in the ownership, operation, and chartering out of vessels and offshore related assets on medium and long-term charters. The company is also involved in the charter, purchase, and sale of assets. In addition, it operates in various sectors of the maritime, and shipping and offshore industries, including oil, chemical, oil product, container, and car transportation, as well as dry bulk shipments and drilling rigs. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned six crude oil tankers, 15 dry bulk carriers, 35 container vessels, two car carriers, one jack-up drilling rig, one ultra-deepwater drilling unit, two chemical tankers, and four oil product tankers. It primarily operates in Bermuda, Cyprus, Liberia, Norway, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Marshall Islands. The company was formerly known as Ship Finance International Limited and changed its name to SFL Corporation Ltd. in September 2019. SFL Corporation Ltd. was incorporated in 2003 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Travis Perkins plc distributes building materials to the building, construction, and home improvement markets in the United Kingdom. It operates through, Merchanting, and Toolstation segments. The Merchanting segment distributes interior building products, which include drywalls, ceilings, external envelopes, fire protection products, flooring and partitioning products, and tools and accessories to professionals within the construction industry; civil, drainage, and heavy building materials to specialist contractors and trade professionals; and pipeline and heating solutions. This segment also distributes building materials, plumbing and heating products, landscaping materials, timber and sheet materials, painting and decorating products, dry lining and insulation products, doors and joinery, and hand and power tools to trade professionals and self-builders. The Toolstation segment supplies products to the trade, home improvers, and self-builders industry through approximately 500 branches, as well as online, call centers, and a mobile website. It also offers kitchens and joinery products to specialist joiners, kitchen fitters, house builders, local authorities, and national house builders. The company was formerly known as Sandell Perkins Public Limited Company and changed its name to Travis Perkins plc in October 1988. Travis Perkins plc was founded in 1797 and is headquartered in Northampton, the United Kingdom.
M&T Bank Corporation operates as a bank holding company that provides commercial and retail banking services. The company's Business Banking segment offers deposit, lending, cash management, and other financial services to small businesses and professionals. Its Commercial Banking segment provides deposit products, commercial lending and leasing, letters of credit, and cash management services for middle-market and large commercial customers. The company's Commercial Real Estate segment originates, sells, and services commercial real estate loans; and offers deposit services. Its Discretionary Portfolio segment provides deposits; securities, residential real estate loans, and other assets; and short and long term borrowed funds, as well as foreign exchange services. The company's Residential Mortgage Banking segment offers residential real estate loans for consumers and sells those loans in the secondary market; and purchases servicing rights to loans originated by other entities. Its Retail Banking segment offers demand, savings, and time accounts; consumer installment loans, automobile and recreational finance loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and credit cards; mutual funds and annuities; and other services. The company also provides trust and wealth management; fiduciary and custodial; insurance agency; institutional brokerage and securities; and investment management services. It offers its services through banking offices, business banking centers, telephone and internet banking, and automated teller machines. As of December 31, 2021, the company operates 688 domestic banking offices in New York State, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia; and a full-service commercial banking office in Ontario, Canada. M&T Bank Corporation was founded in 1856 and is headquartered in Buffalo, New York.
American International Group, Inc. offers insurance products for commercial, institutional, and individual customers in North America and internationally. The company's General Insurance segment provides general liability, environmental, commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, casualty, and crisis management insurance products; commercial, industrial, and energy-related property insurance; and aerospace, political risk, trade credit, portfolio solutions, crop, and marine insurance. It also provides professional liability insurance products for a range of businesses and risks, including directors and officers, mergers and acquisitions, fidelity, employment practices, fiduciary liability, cyber risk, kidnap and ransom, and errors and omissions insurance. In addition, this segment offers personal auto and property insurance, such as auto, homeowners, umbrella, yacht, fine art, and collections; voluntary and sponsor-paid personal accident; supplemental health products; extended warranty insurance products; and travel insurance products. Its Life and Retirement segment offers variable annuities, index and fixed annuities, and retail mutual funds; and financial planning and advisory services; record-keeping, plan administrative, and compliance services; and term life and universal life insurance. It also provides stable value wrap products, and structured settlement and pension risk transfer annuities; and corporate- and bank-owned life insurance and guaranteed investment contracts. This segment sells its products through independent marketing organizations, independent insurance agents, financial advisors, direct marketing, banks, and broker-dealers. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
When P.B. Waite completed his two-volume history of Dalhousie University more than two decades ago, he chose to call it The Lives of Dalhousie for a reason.



A university is a place where human beings meet and work, wrote Dr. Waite in the books preface, where professors teach students, and students even teach professors, and their lives and thoughts are worth trying to recover.





A similar spirit shapes the Dalhousie Originals, the universitys signature storytelling project for its 200th anniversary in 2018. Throughout the next year, the series will highlight 52 individuals who helped shape the university and our broader world by inspiring, strengthening and challenging us. Individually, they are pioneers, innovators, creators, thinkers and builders. Collectively, they represent a window into Dals 200 years of achievement.



The first Dalhousie Original will be revealed on January 4, 2018, with each new Original unveiled on Thursdays through the year. Youll be able to find their text and video stories on dal.ca/dalhousie-originals, in the Dal News Weekly newsletter, in the Today@Dal newsletter and on Dals social media accounts.





More than 60 people have been active participants in the Dalhousie Originals project, from the student actors who perform in the videos to the working group that selected the 52 Originals  and that number balloons to nearly 300 if you include those members of the Dal community who suggested candidates for the series. Ahead of the first Originals reveal in January, we connected with just some of them to explore how it all came together.



Identifying the Originals



The idea for the Dalhousie Originals emerged from among the more than 400 suggestions (from 750+ participants) during the early planning and brainstorming sessions for Dals 200th. The concept: share the stories of 52 individuals, one for each week of the anniversary year, people whose contributions and actions have made Dalhousie what it is today.



To find candidates for the Originals, the university asked for input from its community. More than 200 nominations were received, with suggestions including well-known alumni, beloved faculty, key university leaders  even one canine.



The task of whittling that list down to just 52 stories, as well as identifying any notable gaps in the nominations, fell to a working group consisting of individuals with varied perspectives on the university and its history  including Senate Chair Kevin Hewitt, University Archivist Michael Moosberger, Law Professor Kim Brooks, to name a few. The group met several times in early 2016, first to deliberate the criteria it would use to determine who belonged on the list and the factors the list as a whole would need to reflect, then finally to determine the Originals themselves.



Gail Tomblin Murphy, professor and director of the School of Nursing, says it was one of the more inspiring selection processes she's been a part of in her time in academia.



"It made me proud," says Dr. Murphy (who is also assistant dean of research in the Faculty of Health). "As we went through and made the decisions, it was clear the entire committee had taken this work so seriously. People were prepared, they were open and able to debate and listen to different perspectives. We learned from each other."



Another thing that became clear early on was that this would not be simply a ranked list of the 52 most important Dalhousians, and that reflecting the breadth and depth of the people whove shaped the university would require some tough choices. Not every president could be included, for example, or every award-winning professor or major donor; doing so would risk an imbalanced list that failed to reflect the diversity of people and roles that have been part of the fabric of the universitys past.



For retired Dalhousie history professor Shirley Tillotson, that meant working to include some of the less-heralded individuals (as opposed to just the readily documented big achievements), as well as individuals from Dals less-active early decades who might suggest how education has evolved over the past 200 years. But, from her historians perspective, it was a challenge to try and reflect Dalhousies story through such a limited number of people.



We don't have the kinds of research sources that would allow us to see every kind of person who has helped to build the university over the centuries, she says. There is a lot of the past that leaves no archival trace.



The resulting list is, thus, far from a complete history of the university. But the Originals offer insight into the varied experiences that have shaped the Dalhousie we know today  including experiences that challenged the univeristy, for the better  and set it on its path towards its third century.



Connecting with Dals living history



Once the Originals were chosen, it was time to flesh out their stories. For each Original, the Dalhousie Archives completed a survey of the available primary and secondary materials, led by project manager Erica Gagnon.



For those Originals who are still alive, there was another level to this process: an oral history interview, recorded for posterity to be held by the Dalhousie Archives. These interviews, conducted by nearly a dozen volunteers from across the university community, not only helped inform the Dalhousie Originals project itself, but will be part of a broader oral history project hosted by the Archives.



For the volunteers, it was an opportunity to connect (quite literally) with the living, breathing history of the university.



I spoke to two individuals who achieved very real change  change that is still evident today at the university, says Fallon Bourgeouis, a communications officer with the Office of Advancement. It was interesting to hear about their paths, both personally and professionally, and how they ended up in their respective fields and subsequently at Dal.



Fellow interviewer Randy Barkhouse  president of the Association of Dalhousie Retirees and Pensioners and who also was part of the working group  says his Dalhousie Originals experience helped illuminate the universitys 200 years of impact.



Knowing the history of Dalhousie enriches one's appreciation of what it is today, he says. I hope people will start to recognize the influence being at Dalhousie, for whatever period of time, had on these individuals, and how that assisted them to make the contributions they subsequently did.



Students help bring the Originals stories to life



There are two ways that each Dalhousie Originals story will be told. The first is a written story (400-600 words) covering some of their contributions and achievements, penned by 16 different authors. The second is a short video about the Original that puts student performers from Dalhousies Fountain School of Performing Arts front and centre.



Behind the scenes of the Dalhousie Originals videos. (Erica Gagnon photos)



The videos, produced by Dalhousies marketing unit with the support of Firefly Digital Media, each feature a student sharing a small taste of what makes their Dalhousie Original significant. The students were selected through an audition process with the support of Fountain School faculty members Susan Stackhouse, Margot Dionne and Rob McClure.



For fourth-year Acting student Ursula Calder, it was an opportunity to stretch her skills into a whole different arena.



I have only really had one film gig so far in my life other than Dal Originals, so it was really exciting to be on a film set and be able to try out that style of acting, says Calder, originally from the U.K. but having lived in Halifax for the past nine years. It has really made me consider film as a more prominent potential route to consider for the rest of my career.



Calder is one of 19 different student performers featured in the videos, all of which were produced over seven months in 2017. She says she hopes the Dal community finds the Originals stories as inspiring as she has.



I learnt that people can make a big difference in the world, and that the education we receive gives us knowledge, understanding and power  that we must use!



Ready to launch



While the list of Originals is being kept under wraps until each is revealed, you can get some quick hints as to who they might be by visiting dal200.ca. (For example, the first Original to be revealed on Thursday, January 4 is: Law. Dean. Public Service.)



All of the profiles will be hosted at dal.ca/dalhousie-originals so they can be discovered and experienced long after Dals 200th anniversary is over and done with. While there are no concrete plans to continue the Dal Originals series beyond 2018, the university is leaving open the possibility of doing so in some limited fashion to continue to celebrate the people whove shaped Dals history.



"I hope people take away a sense of pride and recognition of how Dalhousie's history is shaped by all of us: those who work and study here, our communtiy members, everyone," says Dr. Tomblin Murphy. " And I hope we don't wait until another anniversary to recognize the strength we have in our history and in our midst  those people who are making history today."



For a full list of credits of everyone involved in the Dalhousie Originals project  from the working group to the student performers  visit the about page on the Dalhousie Originals website.


A woman claims that a doctor prescribed orgasms to help treat her bipolar disorder, the Metro reported.

The woman, given the name Penny Sullivan, was told to have "as much sex as she could handle" as a way of stabilising her depression and low moods, the report revealed.

When she started having a lot more sex than usual with her husband, her mood started to improve.

"We dont always have to have intercourse either, simply touching, cuddling or just fooling around and being connected can be just as great to get those feel goods," she told whimn.com.au.

Semen reportedly contains anti-depressant properties and orgasm release hormone that can help improve one's mood.

The Metro quotes Sexologist Isiah McKimmie: Sex elevates our mood through the release of hormones and endorphins it causes in our brain.

Adding, "It increases oxytocin (a love and bonding hormone,) serotonin (a happiness hormone) and dopamine levels. These help us experience feelings of love, connection and happiness.

"Additionally, semen contains mild anti-depressant compounds. Women who have unprotected sex with their partners have been shown to have elevated moods compared to women who always or mostly use condoms," he further went on to explain.

Doctors in Australia had diagnosed Sullivan with bipolar disorder and advised her to put an end to her drinking and start exercising.
Chennai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), which has intensified its activities to trace fishermen missing during Ockhi, rescued 23 men on Wednesday. The ships and aircraft of the Indian Navy besides the ICG continue to be at sea for the coordinated and extensive SAR operations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep Islands.

The Indian Coast Guard ship provided medical technical assistance to 2 fishing vessels carrying 23 fishermen who were rescued 56 Nautical miles off Ponnani in Kerala on Wednesday. These fishing boats have been at sea since Nov. 28. They were brought to Kochi this evening.

Giving an update on Op Sahayam, the ICG said the search and rescue mission being carried out by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Air Force to save fishermen and others stranded due to cyclone Ockhi is apace and 700 fishermen including 5 Sri Lankans have been rescued so far. The SAR response team recovered 2 bodies at sea off Kerala.

About seven ships and five aircraft of the Indian Navy besides 11 ships and four aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard have been deployed for the search and rescue operation. Boat owners can be from Tamil Nadu or from other State. They usually go in partnership and not workers in the same fishing boat. They invariably dont inform the government about their fishing activities, state fisheries minister D. Jayakumar has said. Explaining about the prevailing scenario, he says the fishermen go and fish anywhere in the Indian waters.

Taking into account the prevailing conditions, the CM has reviewed the situation and directed the authorities to gather particulars on the exact number of fishermen who ventured into the sea he added.
BENGALURU: With the BJP playing politics over the death of Honnavar youth Paresh Mesta (21) and accusing the state government of covering up the issue, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said that the case will be handed over to the CBI.

Lashing out at the BJP for propagating false information about the death and giving it a communal colour, Mr Reddy said that BJP leaders were behaving like doctors and commenting on the things which would be known only after the postmortem report.

"The BJP wants unrest and is trying hard to keep the issue alive till the Assembly elections. Though the deceased was not attached to any political party as claimed by his father, the BJP is projecting him as its member to get political mileage. The mystery surrounding Paresh's death will only be known once the autopsy report comes," he told reporters at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.

Mr Reddy criticised the BJP for using the same tactics during IAS officer D.K. Ravi's death. He even accused then Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Rathnakar of changing the postmortem report to shield the culprits in connection with the death of 14-year-old Nandita. "The BJP is used to such tactics and its leaders don't value their words," he said.

Paresh's putrefied body was found in a lake in Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district on December 8. Soon after, rumours started doing the rounds that he was killed by people of another community as the tension between the communities had already gripped Honnavar. Rumours had it that Paresh was tortured to death, his body was mutilated and hot oil was poured on his face before he was thrown into the river.

Later, these allegations were found to be untrue, when Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Hemanth Nimbalkar released a detailed questionnaire answered by the doctor in charge of conducting the postmortem.

Action against website

Taking cognisance of a "false report" published by a Kannada news portal PostcardKannada.com on Honnavar unrest, Mr. Reddy said that he has asked the cyber crime police to look into both Honnavar issue and the derogatory comments made against two celebrated women fighters in the history of Karnataka, Kittur Rani Chennamma and Onake Obavva, on its Facebook pages.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday casts his vote from booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. (Photo: Twitter | @BJP4India)

Ahmedabad: As the second phase of polling in Gujarat Assembly elections ended on Thursday, 68.70 per cent votes was recorded at the end of the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cast his vote from booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality.

BJP's sitting MLA Arvind Patel is up against Congress' Jitubhai Patel from Sabarmati seat.

Narendra Modi stood in the queue and waited for his turn to exercise his franchise.

PM Shri @narendramodi stands in queue to cast his vote in Ahmedabad Gujarat. #__ pic.twitter.com/okEOULB6Lh  BJP (@BJP4India) December 14, 2017

BJP President Amit Shah was one of the early voters who exercised his franchise and cast his vote in Naranpura.

BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/dFQyY5JIDQ  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also cast his vote at polling booth number 961 in Ahmedabads Vejalpur. Jaitley stood in the queue and waited for his turn at the polling booth.

FM Arun Jaitley in queue to vote at polling booth no.961 in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/PKtYjjkwbt  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

After casting his vote, the finance minister appealed voters to come in large numbers to exercise their franchise and keep the development in the state on.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader also cast his vote in Viramgam.

PAAS leader Hardik Patel casts his vote in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/lKsSnlDSuf  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel cast his vote in Mehsana's Kadi. He is contesting against Congress's Jivabhai Patel.

Deputy CM Nitin Patel casts his vote in Mehsana's Kadi. He is contesting against Congress's Jivabhai Patel #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/rGXByV1vx1  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modis mother Heeraben, who is in her 90s, cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar.

PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91  ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Today is the last and the final leg of the two phase poll of 182 Gujarat Assembly. Voting is underway for 93 seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat.

47.40 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 2 pm, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain said.

There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) at some places in Aravalli and Panchmahal districts.

A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for the second phase, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to vote.

If the election is a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its a litmus test for Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi.

The campaign was not merely vituperative but eyebrows were raised even in the saffron camp, when the Prime Minister accused his predecessor Manmohan Singh of conspiring with Pakistan to defeat BJP.

While the Opposition described the remarks as a desperate attempt to communalise the vote bank, BJP fielded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to defend the PM.

Read: Guj polls: PM violated model code of conduct by holding roadshow, alleges Cong

This election is going to be the toughest fight for the BJP in the last two decades.

Besides facing the wrath of traders over demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST), a dent in its traditional Patidar vote bank has also rattled the BJP.

What came as a surprise for the saffron party was Rahul Gandhi in his new avatar.

A changed man, Gandhi upped the ante and his rallies seemed to have evoked a major response from the electorate. He also strategised the rainbow coalition of Patidar and OBC leaders, which could possibly dent the BJP.

The first phase recorded heavy polling, particularly in Patidar dominated Saurashtra region. While a section claimed this does not bode well for the ruling BJP, others maintained that people might be angry with Modi but they are not traitors.

Besides Gandhi, the other thorn in the BJPs foot was 24-year-old Patidar community leader Hardik Patel.

The BJP tried every possible trick to contain and woo this young man but eventually failed. A sex CD allegedly on Hardik also went viral and was aired by a TV channel. Patel had then remarked: If I do not have any problem with the sex CDs, why should those watching it have any? Have fun.

In the run-up to the polls a tug of war on the issue of Hindutva raged between the Congress and the BJP.

Gandhis janeu and his temple run forced BJP to come out openly and claim that it was the original Hindu party, while others are fake. Despite the apparent advantages, the rejuvenated Congress faces the mighty Modi.

Despite the chill, several people could be seen queuing up outside polling booths even before voting began at 8 am.

Voting will be on till 5pm. Counting of votes and results will be announced on December 18.
Karnataka & Goa on Wednesday piloted fact-finding searches at the nine exchanges of Bitcoin in the country, including two in Bengaluru. (Photo: DC)

Bengaluru: In a first-ever move to understand and unearth the extent of transactions/ investments in Bitcoin  the crypto currency  in India, the Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation), Karnataka & Goa on Wednesday piloted fact-finding searches at the nine exchanges of Bitcoin in the country, including two in Bengaluru.

Similar visits were conducted in Bitcoin exchanges in Ghaziabad, Pune, Gurugram, Hyderabad and Kochi with the help of the Income Tax Departments in the respective states under Sec 133A of the Income Tax Act for gathering evidence for establishing the identity of investors and traders, transactions undertaken, identity of counterparties, related bank accounts used, among others.

Though Bitcoin is a grey area in India (the RBI has not termed it as an illegal tender yet), the transactions in the currency have gone through the roof, from Rs 1,200 crore in the last financial year to `10,000 crore in the current financial year.

The crypto currency is of interest to law-enforcement agencies, tax authorities and financial regulators, who are trying to understand how Bitcoin fits into existing frameworks and to identify people, who are involved in virtual trade. The data is stored in cloud and some of the servers are located outside India but the tax authorities can mine information from the block chain and the Bitcoin wallets," said an official source.

Bitcoin is a virtual world wide payment system, which involves direct peer-to-peer transaction without any intermediary. It is encrypted but safe, where every transaction is verified by network nodes and recorded in a virtual ledger called the block chain, which helps ensure the authenticity of transactions of crypto currency between the two peers and prevents fraud. It is the first decentralised digital currency without any government or bank control. Unlike government-controlled money, which can be inflated, the supply of Bitcoins is limited to 21 millions, and this cannot be changed.

Last month, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the government does not recognise Bitcoin as legal currency as of now. On December 12, the head of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (USEC) had warned Bitcoin and other crypto currency investors to "beware of scams and criminal activity in the sector".
On Wednesday, Ameerul said, 'I didn't do anything. I don't know who did it.' (Photo: DC/File)

Kochi: Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court pronounces death sentence for convict Ameerul Islam in Jisha rape and murder case.

The Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court on Thursday sentenced migrant labourer from Assam Ameerul Islam to death for killing, raping and murdering Jisha, a 30-year-old Dalit law student in Kerala, in 2016.

On Tuesday the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court found Ameerul Islam guilty.

Assamese native Ameerul Islam is the lone accused in the case in which the prosecution relied on circumstantial and material evidence in the absence of direct ones.

On Wednesday, Ameerul said, "I didn't do anything. I don't know who did it."

Muhammed Ameerul Islam was found guilty under various sections of the IPC including 302 (murder), 376 (Rape) 376 (A) (causing death or causing the woman to be in persistent vegetative state while committing rape).

Read: Jisha rape, murder case: Ameerul Islam convicted, sentencing tomorrow

The accused, however, was not found guilty under 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) and various sections under SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) amendment Act 2015.

In April 2016, Dalit woman Jisha was found naked in a pool of blood by her mother at their house at Vattolipadi, Iringolkkara, in Perumbavoor. The body was found battered with bruises from sharp objects with her intestines pulled out.

None of the neighbours had any clue about the murder or had not even heard her screaming.

Ameerul Islam, who according to police, entered the woman's house with the intention of raping her but killed her with a sharp object when she resisted; was arrested after 50 days from when the body was recovered.

The accused was a daily wage labourer and used to go to the worksite by the road alongside the victims house.

Ameerul, has been charged with rape, murder, under the Dalit Atrocities Prevention Act.

According to police, several witnesses had seen him near the victims house on that day. Besides the doorframe in the backyard of the house, police also recovered the DNA of the accused from the nail clip and churidar of the victim. They also found matching DNA from the slippers used by the accused.

The court trial lasted 85 days since the hearing began on April 4 this year. The prosecution examined 100 witnesses, including 15 migrant labourers and presented 290 documents and 36 material pieces of evidence.

Finger prints of over 5,000 people were also examined by the SIT personnel who went through over 20 lakh telephonic conversations before reaching Islam.

Police have said a blood stained footwear found from a canal near the victim's house was one of the key evidence in identifying the culprit.

The Left Democratic Front (Kerala) government, after assuming power on May 25, 2016, changed the investigation team in its first cabinet meeting itself.

With inputs from PTI.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The death toll in Ockhi cyclone in the state increased to 66 after 12 more bodies were recovered on Wednesday. While nine bodies were recovered from Beypore in Kozhikode, a body each was retrieved from Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram.

After a Cabinet meeting here, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said search operations for the missing fishermen will be intensified further. He said defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had called up on Tuesday to assure all help in intensifying search operations by navy, coast guard and air force. There is still lack of exact information about the number of missing fishermen. According to state control room the number of missing fishermen stood at 95. However, Latin archdiocese reiterated that 250 fishermen were still missing including 100 who went in small boats.

Kochi: A total 128 more fishermen hit by the Ockhi Cyclone have returned to Kochi. With this the number of fishermen who returned safe has gone up to 2,527. An official release said, 12 boats also returned on Wednesday taking the total number boats returned to 232. Sixteen boats from Kochi are yet to return. Two more dead bodies were found on Wednesday. Out of this one has been kept in the mortuary of Tripunithura government hospital after post-mortem. The other body found from Munambam comes under the jurisdiction of Azheekkaal coastal police in Thrissur district. So far nine dead bodies have been recovered in the district and out of this seven are yet to be identified. Two of these are in Ernakulam general hospital, four in Tripunithura government hospital and one at Aluva government hospital.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the search teams were trying to retrieve bodies from deep sea. They are also following up information given by fishermen about bodies floating in sea. He said apart from the dead, there were many fishermen who had suffered grievous injuries and total loss of fishing gear. While some went in big fishing boats, many also went in small boats. Normally the fishermen going by large boats remain in sea for longer period even weeks. But majority of them who are yet to return, are those who went by small boats, he said.

The Chief Minister said majority of the persons who died in the cyclone have been identified. But still there were bodies in mortuaries in Thiruvananthpuram and Kozhikode which remain unidentified. DNA test and other modern scientific methods were being adopted to identify the victims. The defence personnel engaged in search operations are receiving inputs from fishermen about bodies floating off coast at some places. The teams are moving in such directions to retrieve bodies.
Solar is one of the cleanest energy sources and now that the prices have dropped drastically, it has become affordable.

BENGALURU: Bescom had notified over 30 government buildings to install solar grid-connected power plants on their rooftops. But till now, only 4-5 government buildings  Vidhana Soudha, High Court, Vikas Soudha and Bescom  have opted for the green power option. The buildings that were identified included Anganwadis, government schools, colleges and hospitals.

The government has released around Rs 68 crore for the installation of solar panels on rooftops of government buildings. Work orders are being issued and we will complete it by March. We have identified more than 400 buildings up to Davangere, said Mr P. Rajendra Cholan, managing director, Bescom, and in charge of the solar project. The Solar policy 2014-21 aims to generate 2,400mw of electricity through rooftop solar panels by 2022. Till now, only 90 mw capacity is achieved.

Solar is one of the cleanest energy sources and now that the prices have dropped drastically, it has become affordable. Earlier, the solar policy had a lot of loopholes and I think it will take time to narrow it down and get it right, said Mr Hemanth, the founder GAIA Energy Solutions.

The deputy general manager of solar cell, Basavaraju, said, We have called the tender and it will begin soon.

Cholan said that the central government too is extending funds for generating 2,000 mw for each state and 50 mw exclusively for government buildings at subsidised rates. Private players are implementing the scheme. We provide the platform space and if the government building generates excess power that is more than 8 kw, it will be sold to Bescom," he said.

Yellapa Reddy, an Environmentalist, said, There are so many advantages from the use of solar energy, unlike nuclear and thermal energy. We have three times brighter sunlight than Germany, which uses 65% solar energy. Why are we not learning from them? If you look at the electricity bill, its huge.
Visakhapatnam: Nearly 50 girl students of Kendriya Vidyalaya and Ramanath Secondary School on Wednesday witness operations at the Visakhapatnam airport. Almost half the students expressed a desire to take the aviation sector as a career. Global aerospace company Lockheed Martin teamed up with Women in Aviation India Chapter (WAIC) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to showcase oppo-rtunities in the aviation and aerospace sectors.

Lockheed Martin chief executive Phil Shaw said there were no boundaries to innovation and girls could explore careers in aviation and aerospace. The students met representatives from the aviation industry and discussed career prospects in engineering and aviation. Lockheed Martin has partnered with organisations like Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Tata Trusts to mentor start-ups by providing seed fund through the India Innovation Growth Programme.

WAIC secretary Noopur R. Chablani said, We regularly organise such events to encourage the young girls in metros and Tier-II cities to take aviation as a viable career option. We also provide free scholarships for them with an aim to empower more girls with the requisite skill sets. The WAIC comprises a group of women professionals from various sectors of aviation to expand the professional curve of girls into the unexplored occupations in aviation and aerospace sectors. It seeks to highlight the fact that there is more to the aviation sector than the glamorous ones like air hostesses, cabin crew and pilots.
Hyderabad: Telanganas information technology minister K.T. Rama Rao gave the major credit for Hyderabads progress in IT to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

I cannot take the credit for Microsoft being here. Hyderabad was not well known earlier, as it is today for IT. Mr Chandrababu Naidu went all the way to Mr Bill Gates and convinced him to set up the office in Hyderabad, Mr Rama Rao said at the Mission Innovation  2018 event held at the Tech Mahindra campus in Hyderabad.

Speaking about planned cities in India, Mr Rama Rao said, Amaravati (Andhra Pradeshs new capital) is coming up. My good wishes to them. I think it will come up very well with all the kind of planning that is going on.

The minister said that Hyderabad was built in 450 years and in next five to seven years it will be different altogether, with hugely improved infrastructure in roads, power supply, water and civic amenities.

Cutting in on this rosy picture, the moderator of the session, C.P. Gurnani, MD and CEO of Tech Mahindra, reminded the minister that the roads had to be repaired for the visit of Ivanka Trump. People said Ivanka Trump should visit you more often, Mr Gurnani quipped.

Mr Rama Rao responded good-humouredly, Yes, she should. She loved the biryani here. She can come back here any time.

WIll improve city roads, KTR promises

He added more seriously that the one thing I want to work on is roads. While Hyderabad's roads are decent compared to other metro cities, I think we could improve them. We cannot end up in an infrastructure inadequacy.

Bringing truly world class infrastructure to Hyderabad is the need of the hour, but these things take time in planning and execution, the minister said.

Responding to a question on creating more Hyderabads, the minister said that Telangana state cannot afford to have more such cities.

Instead, the government is planning to build self-contained townships around the Outer Ring Road of 160 km in such a way that people can live, play and work there and need not travel to work. "We need mini townships and not mini Hyderabads in Telangana," Mr Rama Rao said.
Chennai: The poll campaign reached high voltage in RK Nagar. Though traffic congestion is reduced this time due to the restricted entry of cars, prominent functionaries of the AIADMK and DMK have started thronging RK Nagar, seeking votes for their candidates.

The situation is such that supporters of TTV Dhinakaran are borrowing cookers from local residents and using it for their campaign. We are not even allowed to bring cookers from other areas for campaigning, so we are borrowing cookers from local residents of RK Nagar. Some are voluntarily campaigning for TTV Dhinakaran, said a former corporation councillor campaigning for the star rebel candidate.

A battery of ministers is campaigning for AIADMK candidate Madhusudhanan and all MLAs and former ministers of the DMK are now frequenting the area.

This has started creating tension and we were told to increase surveillance, said a police officer based in north Chennai.

As the polling date nears, more women are joining the campaign. Women supporters are spotted more often in the rallies organized by the ruling AIADMK. Supporters of TTV Dhinakaran have roped in young cadres from other districts of the southern states.

From the ruling AIADMK, revenue minister R.B Udayakumar and dairy development minister Rajendhira Balaji spent more than two hours combing interior roads of RK Nagar seeking votes for the party symbol two leaves. For the opposition DMK camp, MLAs Thayagam Kavi, M. Subramanian, Thangam Thennarasu and E V Velu fanned out with their groups seeking votes for the rising sun adding congestion to the narrow roads of Korrukupet, Washermenpet and Cemetery road. Despite RK Nagar having more than 50 independents, most of them were missing in the poll campaign.
The court awarded USD 5,000 to each victim of sexual violence and USD 15,000 to the families of those killed for criticising the militia's actions. (Photo: File/Representational)

Kinshasa (Congo): In a groundbreaking trial in a country where sexual violence is rampant and perpetrators often go unpunished, a military court in eastern Congo has sentenced 12 militia members to life in prison for the gang- rapes of dozens of children as young as 11 months old, and for murder.

The court Wednesday convicted provincial deputy Frederic Batumike for organising the violence that began in 2013 and continued for years in the village of Kavumu, about 25 kilometres north of Bukavu city.

Young girls were raped in the militia members' superstitious belief that it would make them "impervious to bullets," a United Nations report said earlier in 2017.

The court awarded USD 5,000 to each victim of sexual violence and USD 15,000 to the families of those killed for criticising the militia's actions.

The organisation Physicians for Human Rights called it the first time a sitting government official in Congo had been found guilty of "superior responsibility for crimes he and his militia, whom he controlled and financed, committed."

Immunity was waived for Batumike, a member of parliament, to stand trial.

"This trial demonstrated that justice can be served in the Congo, when an investigation is effectively carried out and evidence is methodically collected, even when the accused wield significant power and are highly organised," said Karen

Naimer, director of the organisation's program on sexual violence in conflict zones.

She said it is now the responsibility of Congolese authorities to use similar measures to "rigorously pursue other cases of sexual violence" across the vast Central African country.

The US Embassy said on Twitter that the court's decision marks an important step for justice and the respect of rights in Congo.

Families and victims expressed relief at the verdict.

"Following years of silence, motivated by fear and denial, their suffering has been brought to light and recognised publicly," said Charles Cubaka, spokesman for the lawyers representing the victims. "The long road ahead for the recovery of these young girls can now proceed."
PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia (H3I) has chosen the Nokia Cloud Packet Core solution to help meet rapid data growth in the Indonesian market.

Nokia's solution enables H3I to provide a highly scalable platform to profitably deliver enhanced mobile broadband and move towards future innovative services. H3I has chosen Nokia to evolve its mobile packet core to a cloud-based architecture, as part of the operators digital transformation for superior customer experience and preparations to deliver future services.

Part of Nokia's AirGile portfolio, the cloud-native design allows H3I to lower costs and substantially accelerate time-to-market for innovative new services. Providing reliability, scalability, flexibility and performance, the Nokia Cloud Packet Core anchors multi-technology access across wireless licensed, shared, unlicensed spectrum and fixed network technologies, enabling H3I to support a greater variety of devices and deliver a broader range of services over multiple access technologies.

Randeep Singh Sekhon, President Director, Hutchison 3 Indonesia, said: "We are satisfied cooperating with Nokia on our roadmap to transform our network core to the state-of-the-art cloud-native architecture. It provides us the foundation to uplift customer experience and accelerate new innovative services."

Robert Cattanach, head of Indonesia for Nokia, said: "The first cloud-native packet core implementation will play a key role in the transformation of H3I to an agile digital service provider, enabling it to capture the crucial youth market with compelling new services and offers, while lowering operational costs and increasing reliability, performance and security."
Reliance has reportedly moved the manufacturing of its JioPhone from China to Chennai in India. Jios overseas manufacturing plant has hit production issues.

Reliance has reportedly shifted the manufacturing of its JioPhone from China to India. As per a LiveMint report, the Chinese manufacturing facility where the feature phone was being made has run into supply issues and the company has already started its manufacturing in India and has brought a vendor from Chennai onboard.

The report says that the first 6 million units of the handset were made in China, but due to production issues, Jio could miss on delivering its sales target of delivering 200 million handsets by December 2018. Also, the manufacturing team in China team hasnt been able to deliver the devices on time.

As per a previous report, Jio has resumed sales of the JioPhone for the 10 million customers who pre-booked the feature phone in August. The feature phone is priced at Rs 1,500 but is essentially free. Customers need to pay a sum of Rs 500 while pre-ordering the device and the remaining Rs 1000 when they receive the phone. Users will be refunded the entire amount if they submit the device back to the company after 3 years.

The JioPhone features voice commands which will soon be replaced by the Google Assistant. Google has designed a special version of the Google Assistant meant for the JioPhone which recognises both English and Hindi voice input. The smart assistant can respond to voice commands in Hindi and users will be able to play songs, send text messages and ask for recipes. You can read more about it here.
Both devices will also features an 18:9 aspect ratio display and Bixby feature, but without a dedicated Bixby button

The recently leaked Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ were spotted again earlier today on Samsungs own website. As of writing this story, the manual of both the devices is now live on Samsungs website and does gives some insight about the two devices. First of all, both smartphones will have have a univisium (18:9 aspect ratio) display similar to the one we saw on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ this year. However, it is more than likely that the two upcoming smartphone may not carry the sauve all-curved design of Samsungs current flagship smartphones.

The leaked manual also suggests that the two phones will incorporate Samsungs AI assistant Bixby, which will enabled by swiping right on the home screen. However, there wont be a dedicated Bixby button, which would come as a relief to many. The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ will also be the first Samsung devices to feature two front facing cameras. According to the leaks thus far, both phones will sport a 16MP + 8MP camera setup at the front with f/1.9 aperture on both lenses. Moreover, the rear camera is likely to be a 16MP sensor with f/1.7 aperture. Both devices are rumored to be powered by Exynos 7885 SoC and may come in 6GB (maybe 4GB as well) variants. While the Samsung Galaxy A8+ is tipped to feature a 6-inch display with 2280 x 1080p resolution, we are not yet sure about the display size of the Galaxy A8. However, as the name suggests, we expect the screen size to slightly smaller.

The Galaxy A8+ may also feature a fairly large 3500mAh battery and 64GB of on-board storage as well and will come with microSD card support. The fingerprint scanner on the device is located under the camera this time, which we believe will be appreciated.

As of now, we are not sure about whether the phone will ship with Android Oreo out of the box, but going by the manual, the UI looks quite similar to what we have seen thus far on recent Samsung smartphones.

Samsung is yet to announce an official launch date and prices of the two upcoming smartphones and we can expect the phones to come to India early next year.
Samsungs 2017 was the best of times, and the worst of times.



The Korean tech giant surpassed expectations with the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8, but the organisation itself was marred by corruption scandals leading to the arrest and eventual sentencing of Samsungs chief scion.

On one hand, Samsung reversed its fortunes after a disastrous 2016 courtesy the explosive Galaxy Note 7 with the Galaxy S8 and the Note 8. But on the other hand, the top echelons of the company was mired by uncertainties. But that didnt dampen the earnings of the company at all, as Samsung tripled its revenues to $55 billion in the third quarter of 2017.

Heres a detailed look at what Samsung was up to this year.

CES 2017

Samsung kicked off the year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with 34 CES Innovation awards and more than 80 Best of CES awards. The companys QLED TV lineup, its FlexWash smart washing machines and the Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro were hailed for their superior design and innovation.

Samsung also announced a new lineup of AV products including the H7 wireless speaker, a new soundbar and a new UHD Blu-ray player, all of them featuring Samsungs proprietary UHQ 32bit audio.

The laurels Samsung received at CES set the stage up for what was coming a month later.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

After being rumoured for months, Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 (review) and the Galaxy S8 Plus (review) at the sidelines of MWC 2017 in Barcelona, setting off the edge-to-edge bezel-less display trend with the new 18:9 aspect ratio, which even Apple caught on to later in the year. The Galaxy S8 became the beacon light for every other OEMs attempts to make a bezel-less phone. The Galaxy S8 was also the first smartphone of the year to be powered by the 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 which also became the go-to flagship processor for phone-makers. Samsungs Bixby also found its first home in the Galaxy S8 but controversially, Samsung held back on unleashing the full potential of its digital assistant, with users having to wait for months to actually hold a conversation with Bixby.

More than that, the Galaxy S8 sparked a new controversy of bloated hardware. The Galaxy S8 came with a dedicated Bixby button and media outlets rallied against the company to allow the button to be customised to launch other apps. Samsung relented eventually and gave users the option to disable the button completely.

But controversies aside, the Galaxy S8 managed to douse the flames of the Note 7s failure last year and went on to sell more than 20 million units worldwide and for a brief moment, was the best selling Android phone in 2017.

Coinciding with the launch of its marquee phone, news came about Samsung heir Lee Jae-yongs arrest over corruption charges.

Samsung scion arrested

Korean prosecutors investigating a scandal that rocked South Koreas political and business corridors arrested Samsungs acting head Lee Jae-yong after accusing him of bribing a close friend of Koreas President to secure government support for a business deal that would have resulted in propelling him as the head of Samsung group.

The court also found Jay Y lee guilty of perjury and bribing and sentenced him to five years in prison. Additionally, the court also found him guilty of embezzlement, hiding assets overseas and concealing profit from criminal acts.

The scandal was one of the biggest South Korea had ever seen and even included the impeachment of the countrys President Park Geun-hye.

Sturdy mid-range phones

Samsung extended its mid-range and budget phone portfolio with the update of the A-series, J-series and the C-series phones. Like every iteration, the mid-range phones saw last years innovations in its flagships trickle down to the mid-range and budget segments. The Galaxy C9 Pro (review) and the Galaxy A7 (review) were a testament to that. Super AMOLED displays, octa-core processors and compelling imaging performance made Samsungs 2017 lineup of mid-range phones quite competitive.

Surging components business

Samsungs components business was the primary breadwinner for the company this year with sales of memory chips surpassing expectations. Amidst a supercycle of tight supply and strong demand, Samsungs memory chips continued to surge. Samsung even predicted the majority of growth in 2018 will happen in its components business. Flexible OLED panels also raked in a lot of profits for the company as more and more phone makers switched to OLED displays on their smartphones. Samsungs battery business also picked up steam after the company decided on the eight-step testing process of its battery after the Note 7 fiasco.

In fact, Samsungs chip business was the top earner for the company raking a record $9.2 billion in operating profits in Q3 2017. The supply constraints in DRAM and NAND memory chips increased the prices, making more profits for Samsung.

Gear Sport and Gear Fit 2 Pro

At IFA Conference in Berlin this year, Samsung unveiled two new wearables aimed at fitness enthusiasts. The Gear Sport, a hybrid of the Gear S3 and the Gear Fit 2, comes with the same rotating bezel and some unique fitness-centric integrations with third parties while the Gear Fit2 Pro brings smartwatch-capabilities to the fitness tracker.

Samsung HMD Odyssey

Samsung jumped on to the Mixed Reality bandwagon and launched the HMD Odyssey to leverage Windows mixed reality experience. Sportaking dual AMOLED displays with a 110-degree field of view, AKG headphones and built-in six-degrees-of-freedom inside-out position tracking, the HMD Odyssey is a premium VR headset that can connect to VR-ready PCs and offer an immersive experience.

Galaxy Note 8

Right after IFA, Samsung took the stage in New York to unveil its second flagship phone of the year - The Galaxy Note 8 (review). The Note 8 is the successor to the disastrous Note 7 and it was expected to leave the past behind. And it sort of did. The Note 8 ended up as the first Samsung phone to sport dual cameras which improved its imaging prowess even further with features like Portrait Mode and optical zoom.

Samsung sold more than 4 million Note 8 units across the world since its launch in mid-September taking on Apples radically redesigned iPhone X.

Speaking of the iPhone X, Samsung had a big hand in making the iPhone X what it is, which compels us to include an unlikely category in this article.

iPhone X

The iPhone X may be Apples most innovative smartphone in ages, but it runs on Samsungs components. The most eye-catching feature of the iPhone X, the display is made by Samsung. The OLED screen, the storage and the battery are made by Samsung. And as per reports, Samsung will earn $110 from each iPhone X sold and the revenues from iPhone X sales could be so high that Samsungs components division might end up earning $4 billion more than what it did producing parts for the Galaxy S8. That alone makes the iPhone X a critical part of Samsungs revenues.

After a distressing 2016, Samsung more than made up for the criticism and the fall in revenues with a solid 2017. The company not only raked in billions of dollars in profits, it also pushed consumer technology further with its 10nm smartphone chipsets, edge-to-edge bezel-less displays, and more.
The Rs 179 Super plan offers unlimited local and STD calls to any network with free calls on roaming and access to unlimited 2G data. The recharge is valid for 28 days.

Vodafone has announced its latest prepaid Super Plan priced at Rs 179. Under the recharge, users can make unlimited free local and STD calls, access unlimited 2G data along with free national roaming for 28 days. The recharge is currently only limited to Vodafones Bihar and Jharkhand subscribers. The Vodafone Super Plan packs are available across retail outlets and can also be availed via My Vodafone App.

It should be noted that the recharge comes with some terms and conditions. The unlimited data is only available on 2G and not on 3G or 4G. Also, the unlimited calls are capped at 250 minutes per day and 1,000 minutes in a week and users will be charged at 30p per minute after exhausting the FUP. Customers are also allowed to call only a maximum of 300 unique numbers during the validity period. If the set limit is crossed, users will then be charged at 30p per minute.



Rajshekhar Metgud, Business Head - Bihar and Jharkhand, Vodafone India said, At Vodafone, it is our constant endeavour to provide the best network, service experience and value proposition to our customers. We are delighted to introduce Vodafone Super Plan with the key objective of offering a pocket-friendly plan that will appeal to our prepaid customers in Bihar & Jharkhand. The new offer will enable them to remain confidently connected and enjoy a worry-free Vodafone Internet experience on our best network ever. On behalf of entire Vodafone team, I also wish citizens of the region a very happy festive season.

Vodafone previously released its Super prepaid plan for their subscribers in Assam and North East region. It was also priced at Rs 179, however, it offers different benefits than the current one. Under the plan, a user can place unlimited local and STD calls to any network with free roaming and access to 1GB 4G/3G/2G data. Users will be charged 25p per SMS and is valid for a period of 28 days.
The conclusion of the EU Council summit will be the main focus for markets on Friday, with no FTSE 350 companies expected to report results.

Investor will still be able to peruse updates from recruiter SThree and Daily Mirror publisher Trinity Mirror.

But the Mirror's attention and most others in the UK will be on the expected confirmation from European Union leaders that Brexit talks can pass onto the next stages.

Theresa May has travelled to Brussels to put the final lobbying touches to gain agreement from the 27 remaining member states, who are reported to be poised to agree on Friday morning that "sufficient progress" had been made in the first phase of the negotiations to move the talks on.

The EU is expected to offer a vague declaration on the future trading relationship with the UK, planning to forge a political agreement that can be fleshed out with detailed negotiations during the two-year transition phase post Brexit, though British ministers want a substantial agreement on trade before the 2019 deadline.

Away from Brussels the calendar is fairly quiet with eurozone trade data, along with the US empire manufacturing and November industrial production prints and the Bank of Japans quarterly Tankan business report.

COMPANY NEWS

SThree will report a trading statement for the final quarter of its trading year, ending in November, as it aims for a full year profit before tax of 41m.

UBS expects a further improvement in group constant currency growth to 6%, after 5% in Q3, and a growing focus on improving profitability.

Although international comparatives get tougher in they quarter, the Swiss bank expect underlying momentum to continue to improve, seeing 9% growth for Q4 in Continental Europe from 6% in the prior quarter, 12% Americas down from 20%, and Asia Pacific flat, while the UK trend is seen continuing to improve, forecasting a fall of 7% for Q4 after -10% in Q3.

After the capital markets day mid-November, and recently announced UK restructuring, UBS also expects a "growing focus on profitability".

Trinity Mirror, which in September confirmed talks with Northern & Shell to acquire its Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers, last gave a financial update to the market in early October, when underlying revenue fell 8% in the third quarter, a small improvement on the first-half decline of 9%.

The third quarter saw publishing revenue decline 9% with print down 10% and digital rose 4%, with management confident in

achieving profit forecasts for the year.

Broker Numis said: "Based on previous years we expect a reasonably brief update that provides some colour on underlying trading in Q4, the expected net debt at year end and a comment on expected profit performance to market expectations."

Any comment on the Northern & Shell talks is only expected to be a confirmation that discussion is ongoing.

Friday December 15

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (EU) (06:00)

Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)

Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

Wholesale Price Index (GER) (06:00)

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

SThree, Trinity Mirror

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Card Factory, River and Mercantile Group , Softcat

AGMS

On-Line, Plant Impact, TLA Worldwide , Up Global Sourcing Holdings

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

AB Dynamics, Aeci 5 1/2% Prf, Edinburgh Dragon Trust, London Finance & Investment Group, Origin Enterprises, River and Mercantile Group , Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) 'B' Limited, Softcat, Tiso Blackstar Group SE, Tristel, World Careers Network

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust, Braemar Shipping Services, C&C Group, Card Factory, CML Microsystems, Downing Three VCT F Shs, Downing Three VCT H Shs, Downing Two VCT F Shs , Downing Two VCT G Shs, Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust, Octagonal, Octopus Apollo VCT, Sophos Group , Telecom Plus, Whitbread, Wynnstay Properties

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Alpha Real Trust Ltd., Canadian General Investments Ltd., Carnival
The public will be able to comment on Heathrows third runway as part of a consultation carried out by the airport from January, though the plans are being criticised for not including information on new flight paths.

The public planning consultation will start on January 16 and run until March 28. The public will be able to comment on the design of the terminals, plans to mitigate the environmental impact of the third runway, the area where flights should be concentrated and also what to do with the M25.

When Prime Minister Theresa May backed the 16bn expansion in October 2016 the plan came with controversies with critics warning of the possible impact of air quality and noise levels in the London community.

The airports executive director for expansion Emma Gilthorpe said, over the past year, weve been working hard to evolve our expansion plans and have come up with several new options to deliver it more responsibly and affordably.

She added, well be sharing these options in a 10-week public planning consultation and we want to hear what you think. By working together throughout the consultation, the public can help shape our plans and, jointly, we can ensure that expansion delivers for our passengers, businesses across Britain and importantly for our local communities.

Heathrows expansion should have been published in the summer but it was delayed after airline companies raised concerns over the expensive 17bn proposals.

Paul McGuinnes, the chair of No Third Runway Coalition, said the announcement was disingenuous.

"To claim that the public are being consulted, when the only subjects up for discussion exclude the matters on which the public is most concerned, is little more than a charade," he said.

He added "locals want to be consulted on the flight paths for the extra 250,000 extra flights each year, and to learn which communities will start to be adversely impacted by aircraft noise for the very first time".

The airport said it would compensate property owners of the houses being demolished for the expansion by paying them full market value and an extra 25%. It also said that there would be a 6.5 hour ban on night flights.

The responses of the public consultation will help create the expansion masterplan. MPs are set to vote on the Heathrow expansion plan in parliament in the first half of 2018.
Australia's competition regulator has warned that it is likely to block BP 's proposed acquisition of Woolworths retail fuel business.

BP said it was disappointed with the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission's decision as it believes it could sell off some of the outlets in order to avoid any competition issues.

"In light of this, we are currently consulting with our lawyers to determine our next steps, said BP Australia president Andy Holmes.

BP said it believed the retail offer would be the first of its kind in Australias convenience sector, with BP selling fuel and offering Woolworths Rewards, together with a food retail offer.

"BP has had great success rolling out similar offers with its partners in the UK, Germany, South Africa and other parts of the world."




UK master franchise holder Domino's Pizza Group announced the proposed acquisition of a further 44.3% shareholding in Domino's Iceland for EUR 30.2m (26.7m) on Thursday, taking its ownership to 95.3%.

The FTSE 250 company said it reached agreement to acquire a further 44.3% interest in Pizza Pizza ehf, the 51%-owned subsidiary which owns the Domino's master franchise in Iceland and operates 23 stores there, taking its ownership to the 95.3% figure.

It said the consideration was approximately EUR 30.2m, payable in cash on completion.

Dominos Pizza Group also announced the completion of refinancing, with a new revolving credit facility of 350m through a syndicate of seven banks.

It also increased its target leverage to a range of between 1.75x and 2.5x net debt-to-EBITDA, which the board said reflected the strong cash generation of its business model.

A further share buyback of 20m would also commence shortly, the board announced.

We're really pleased to be increasing our ownership of Domino's Iceland earlier than was planned, said Dominos Pizza Group CEO David Wild.

It's a great business and after 18 months of partnership, we have good visibility of its strengths and further opportunities for growth.

There is a strong financial and commercial rationale for buying out minorities now rather than waiting for the put or call option to be exercised.

Wild also explained how the board had reviewed its capital structure.

It makes sense for a highly cash generative franchise business like DPG to have a balanced approach to equity and debt funding, and this is reflected in our revised target leverage range.

The additional 20m share buyback takes the total share purchases announced in the current year to 55m, and underlines our commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders.
Theresa May suffered her first Brexit defeat in the Commons last night as Tory mutineers ensured that MPs must approve the terms of Britains departure from the EU. The move prompted recriminations from Leave supporters who accused pro-Remain MPs of trying to delay or reverse the EU referendum result by creating the opportunity to reject the terms of withdrawal at a later date. - The Times

The British government is making a last-minute diplomatic push to persuade the EU to publicly and explicitly state its willingness to hold talks on post-Brexit trade before March next year. A draft statement due to be signed off by EU leaders on Friday, along with comments from senior officials and diplomats in Brussels, suggest substantive talks can only start in spring, once the EU has published its own plan for the future. - Guardian

The water regulator has promised the toughest clampdown on household bills since the industry was privatised 30 years ago. However, while shares in the listed water companies drifted toward two-year lows, having lost 20 per cent since the summer, prices may not fall by quite as much. Ofwat claimed the regime for setting water bills from the spring of 2020 will be the hardest yet for any privatised regulated utility in the country. - The Times

Deutsche Borse, the German stock exchange operator, is to consider the launch of a bitcoin future on its Eurex derivative exchange. A spokesman for the Frankfurt-based exchange, said it will take some time before a final decision is made. - The Times

The richest 0.1% of the worlds population have increased their combined wealth by as much as the poorest 50%  or 3.8 billion people  since 1980, according to a report detailing the widening gap between the very rich and poor. The World Inequality Report, published on Thursday by French economist Thomas Piketty, warned that inequality had ballooned to extreme levels in some countries and said the problem would only get worse unless governments took coordinated action to increase taxes and prevent tax avoidance. - Guardian

Britain has emerged as the unlikely first recipient of gas from a sanctioned Russian project after fears of a winter supply crisis drove prices close to five year highs. Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the 20bn Yamal project on Russia's northern coastline last week. Shortly after, British wholesale gas prices soared to four-year highs when a crucial North Sea pipeline was put out of action by a crack and a distribution hub in Austria was hit by an explosion. - Telegraph

The projected returns on research and development for the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies have fallen to their lowest level in eight years. The returns for the 12 leading companies, including Glaxosmithkline and Astrazeneca, are estimated to have dropped to 3.2 per cent this year, down from 10.1 per cent in 2010, according to an annual analysis by Deloitte. - The Times

The public will be able to give feedback for the first time in more than three years on Heathrows expansion as part of a consultation being launched by the airport next year. The 10-week public planning consultation, which starts on Jan 17 and will run until March 28, will allow the public to put forward their views on various factors of the expansion scheme. - Telegraph

Controversial legislation that would have made it harder for journalists to expose wrongdoing by criminals and corrupt politicians was rebuffed last night, after senior peers spoke up in defence of press freedom. The repressive amendment to the Data Protection Bill would have had a chilling effect on the media by allowing the subjects of investigations to obstruct publication, the House of Lords heard. - The Times

MPs have accused Boeing of risking the special relationship between Britain and the US with spiteful behaviour towards Bombardier that puts thousands of jobs at risk in Northern Ireland. Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Europe, responded to the claims of MPs on the Northern Ireland affairs select committee yesterday by saying that Boeing had become a scapegoat. - The Times
CHARLESTON -- Third-grade students from Suzie Bosler's class at Carl Sandburg Elementary School conducted a POW MIA Remembrance Ceremony on Nov. 10 at Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, in honor of Veterans Day.

The students set a table that is a symbol that members of the U.S. Armed Forces are fallen, missing and/or are prisoners of war. During the ceremony, students took turns placing items on the table and reading aloud about the specific significance of each item. To prepare for the ceremony, the students read the book Americas White Table, by Margot Theis Raven.

Following the ceremony, the students visited the Ballenger Teachers Center at the library, where reference librarian Michele McDaniel read them Coming Home, by Greg Ruth. The students then walked to Old Main for the universitys Veterans Day ceremony.

For more information on Booth Library, visit the website, www.library.eiu.edu; call 581-6072; or find the library on Facebook or Twitter.
With the end of 2017 closing in, Google has revealed what were the most searched terms of the year globally and nationally.

Bitcoin is the second most searched news topic of the year globally and it has dominated the UK searches this year too. In the What is? section, bitcoin takes the fourth spot of the top five searches.

It also takes two spots in the How to? section. How to buy bitcoin? was the second most searched question and How to mine bitcoins? was the sixth most searched question.

Both iPhone 8 and iPhone X have been a matter of interest to the world this year taking the 2nd and 3rd spot in the top 5 world searches. Iphone 8 has also been the 2nd most searched thing this year in the UK, just below Meghan Markle.

There has also been many searches regarding politics, especially the elections. Globally, in the section marked elections, the UK election takes 3rd place just below the French election and the German federal election.

This years British most popular searches also include a lot of politics. In the What is? section the top spot goes to What is a hung parliament? and second place goes to What is an exit poll?

We can also find questions like What is a general election? and What is the DUP? in the seventh and ninth spot of most searched questions.

In top news events searched for in the UK Hurricane Irma, the Manchester bombing and Grenfell Tower take the three highest spots.
TSB offers 20 cashback for new credit card customers

TSB is offering 20 cashback to new customers taking out a TSB credit card when they spend 20.

New customers opening either a Platinum 28 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card, Platinum 20 Month Purchase Credit Card or Classic Credit Card until 10 January 2018 can benefit from the offer. Customers can open their account in branch or online.

Customers who spend 20 on their card before 9 February 2018 will receive the 20 cashback. This will be paid into the customers account before 31 March 2018.

Credit cards transfers are free with TSBs Platinum 28 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card

TSBs Platinum 28 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card is already the Banks most popular credit card  offering 0% interest on balance transfers for up to 28 months and 0% interest on purchases for the first three months.

In addition to the 20 cashback offer, TSB is also offering new customers its 0% balance transfer fee refund offer. Helping people make more of their money, TSB will refundthe 0.5% balance transfer fee when a transfer is made in the first 30 days after account opening. Customers need to open their account before 31 January 2018 to qualify for the offer.

Offering more choice - Platinum 20 Month Purchase Credit Card

Alternatively, customers wanting the best of both worlds, TSB also offers Platinum 20 Month Purchase Credit Card which offers 0% interest for up to 20 months on purchases and 0% interest for up to 20 months on balances transferred within the first 90 days.

Classic Plus current account customers can earn 1% cashback too

TSB Classic Plus customers can also earn up to 5 cashback a month simply by using a TSB credit card. Customers will earn 1% cashback on up to 500 eligible spend each month until 30 June 2018.

Andy Piggott, Head of Credit Cards at TSB, says: As Britains challenger bank, its our mission to make banking better for all UK customers and this offer is another example of that.

Weve got a range of credit cards to help customers manage their money. This new cashback offer is a great addition and customers can make the most of it alongside our existing offers and whether they open their account in branch or online.
A brand new report from the EBUs Media Intelligence Service  Advertising Trends  looks at developments in the advertising market and in particular, how they impact PSM funding.

In 2015, online overtook TV to become the leading media overall in terms of advertising expenditure in Europe. Even though this trend primarily affects commercial broadcasters and media companies, advertising revenues are also an essential additional source of funds for PSM in many markets.

Over 80% of PSM organisations in Europe allow advertising in some form, although this is subject to strict limits in the majority of markets. The average share of advertising revenue to the funding mix is around 10% of the total, however this proportion has been shrinking over the long-term and is down from over 16% ten years ago.

The report gives an outline of the status of advertising expenditure, and analyses the trends and potential threats of the growing online sector, which is mostly fuelled by video and mobile advertising.

It also takes a closer look at PSM advertising, which is in some cases criticized for taking valuable revenue away from other broadcasters. However the evidence suggests that removing advertising from PSM does not benefit the national TV ad market. Advertising bans on PSM in countries such as Spain and France have resulted in advertising revenue moving largely to digital outlets and not to other commercial broadcasters.

Head of the Media Intelligence Service (MIS), Roberto Suarez Candel, says: Advertising revenue provides a small but essential contribution to PSM funding in Europe.

With this report, we help our Members keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the market to ensure that this revenue stream is not lost, so that they can continue to innovate and deliver relevant and valuable programming to citizens.
MAPUTO  In a bid to revitalise its cotton industry, the Mozambique government has partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative to set an ambitious goal to become the first country in the world to produce 100 per cent Better Cotton.

Although a relatively small grower of cotton in terms of global production, cotton is still a major contributor to Mozambiques agricultural exports and is a main source of income for many rural communities in the African country.
While we fight to defeat President Trumps attacks on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, these are some of the real, on-the-ground threats we must keep at bay.

Following the lead of Native American tribes, The Wilderness Society and other groups have filed lawsuits against President Trump for violating the Antiquities Act when he essentially eliminated Bears Ears and greatly reduced Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments.

An intense and precedent-setting legal battle is ahead, and it could drag on for a while. With the support of our members and other public lands-loving Americans, we expect to win.

But while we battle it out in court, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be opened to the scourges of development and visitor misbehavior, among other things. Moving beyond the rhetoric and political gestures, here are a few of the actual, on-the-ground threats to these public lands, beginning with the most imminent.

1. More roads and reckless motorized use

The land cut out of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments will remain public, but it will not enjoy as high a level of protection as before Trumps decision. One of the most immediate concerns in these areas is re-opened roads and reckless all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use. Motorized vehicles will now be allowed on any road that existed prior to the establishment of the monuments.

That may end up being hundreds of roads, thanks to an oft-exploited law passed in 1866. Utah county governments have used the statute to claim that derelict or disused old settler trails count as current roads. This has included more than 1,400 miles of routes claimed within Bears Ears and 2,000 miles of routes within Grand Staircase-Escalante. So we could see huge swaths of wildlands suddenly overrun by vehicles now that the monument boundaries have been drastically contracted, isolating the still-protected sites as small, disconnected islands amid oceans of disruptive traffic.

2. Increased destructive treatments that tear up the land

The Trump administrations new declarations specify they may allow for active, science-based vegetation treatment in both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. This will likely lead to a range of destructive activities meant to replace native plants with perennial grass cover. One of the most viscerally upsetting is so-called chaining, in which bulldozers drag enormous chains across the desert to uproot trees.

Research suggests this practicewhich is likely to be among the first undertaken in the newly un-protected landscapecan suppress tree growth in the area for decades after the fact, especially impacting the pinon pine. Chaining also reduces biocrust, a thin layer of organisms on the soil surface that help maintain the desert ecosystem, and leads to increased wind and water erosion.

3. Damage to Native American cultural sites

With Trumps decision, priceless archaeological and cultural sites in Bears Ears will be vulnerable to looting and vandalism, as they were for years prior to monument designation. Rock art, cliff dwellings and other cultural sites now fall outside the monument boundaries, meaning less oversight for a piece of public land already extremely short on staff. A similar situation faces Grand Staircase-Escalante.



Bob Wick (BLM) / Flickr

The proclamation for Bears Ears also called for changes in the commission overseeing the monument that tribes say excludes key voices while elevating those hand-picked by anti-public lands interests. An attorney with the Native American Rights Fund characterizes a bill that more or less codifies Trumps decision as an attempt to dilute and silence the tribal voice. It is unclear what exactly this will mean for the monument, but its safe to say it wont involve more buffers and protection for critical tribal sites.

4. Fossils exposed to vandalism (and important research halted)

There are estimated to be more than 3,000 scientifically important fossil sites in the full Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Trumps cuts would leave out more than 400 of them, including many potential dinosaur finds and a large section of Triassic petrified forest mentioned in President Bill Clintons original proclamation establishing the monument. Bears Ears has not been studied as extensively by paleontologists, but is considered ripe with potential; Trumps virtual elimination of that monument will strip protected status from a major Triassic bone bed, among other sites.



A dinosaur skeleton unearthed at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, now exhibited at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Charles (Chuck) Peterson / Flickr

This is why, in addition to Native American groups and The Wilderness Society, the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology is among those groups suing Trump over his monument cuts. Paleontologists worry that with former monument-protected land reverting to a less protective level of multiple use management, mining and other activities will come to take precedence over fossils. In the meantime, fossils will be exposed to vandalism, which is already a huge problem at some national monuments and would be even more so for tracts of land that lack that level of staff and resources.

Cuts will also interfere with research and perhaps even halt some projects entirely (a great deal of funding that led to major fossil finds in Grand Staircase-Escalante came through the monument, including the resources to airlift a rare, nearly complete tyrannosaur skeleton out of a now de-designated monument area earlier this year).

5. Uranium and coal mining in formerly protected lands

As has been extensively reported, Trumps monument attacks are likely motivated by a push to drill and mine in and around Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. In the case of Bears Ears, a uranium company lobbied the Trump administration to exclude potentially ore-rich areas from the new monument boundaries, as becomes glaringly obvious with a glance at the map:

The price of uranium is currently too low to expedite mining on the land, but that is not a permanent state. Similarly, while the area formerly protected as Bears Ears is not considered a high-potential spot for oil and gas drilling at the moment, that could easily change with market fluctuations and the development of new technologies.

Meanwhile, Trumps contracted borders for Grand Staircase-Escalante carefully tiptoe around coal deposits (see below), opening the door for coal mining operations on former monument lands. That could mean thousands of acres dug up and stripped, waterways polluted with soil and contaminants and wildlife driven away by dust and noise pollution.
MATTOON -- This year marks a first for the long-running Read Across Mattoon program, which is geared to improve literacy among student and community members in the city.

The Mattoon Reads Student Reading Committee, a student-led selection group at Mattoon Middle School, chose a non-fiction work titled I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives written by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda with Liz Welch for the program.

(Previously) they went so far as to immediately vote off the non-fiction books before they even looked at them, said Ingrid Minger, Read Across Mattoon coordinator. This year we gave every single book a chance...whether it was fiction or whether it was non-fiction.

And Minger was a surprised to see their choice move outside of fiction.

The book was chosen from among 20 books from the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award list of volumes as well as a few others recommended by students. Starting in spring this year, the committee of students read through each book, then debated on what book should be chosen.

The kids just loved this book, Minger said. They loved the triumph that Martin kept showing again and again.

The book details the story of the two of the authors, Alifirenka and Ganda, and their story starting as fourth-grade pen pals and continuing over the span of six years, a time period that ended up changing both of their lives forever, according to the back cover description. Minger said Alifirenka and her family end up saving Gandas life through financial assistance.

The book is dual memoir written by the Alifirenka, a girl from Pennsylvania, and Ganda, who was a poor boy from Zimbabwe, Minger said. The two, especially Ganda, went through a lot.

Throughout all this, they promised to always write back, Minger said.

Minger said the debate over the choice shifted between this book and House Arrest by K.A. Holt.

"It was a gripping book," Lance Chaney of the selection committee said. "I couldn't put it down when I was reading it. I read 125 pages on the first day... It was a relationship they can really relate too."

Chaney did not read the chosen book until after it was selected. However, upon reading it, Chaney noted it would have been his pick as well.

Another committee member, Sage Owen, said she was drawn to it because it was an uncommon pen pal success story.

"Most of the time when you write a pen pal, it always falls through," Owen said. "This is a good story where something actually works out."

As part of the program, the committee is now charging students and community members to pick up and read the title. Unlike in previous years, the titles copies will be exclusively be located in the front office of the Mattoon Middle School.

We decided to change it just a little to see if we could get more community members to stop by the school, Minger said.

A copy of the book is free, but there is a limited supply. Approximately 1,000 copies were purchased as part of the Mattoon Reads program.

Also as part of the program, Ganda is coming into town to speak with interested students and community members about the book at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Lone Elm Room in the Mattoon train depot.
The Center for Food Safety heralded reports that Michael Dourson, President Trumps controversial nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Wednesday withdrew his nomination after senators raised concerns over his past work and conflicts of interest.

Dourson is a long-time pesticide industry shill, with a history of manipulating scientific research to benefit corporate special interests. He was a dangerous, irresponsible choice to oversee chemical safety at the EPA, said Andrew Kimbrell, executive director a Center for Food Safety.

The Senate correctly raised important conflict of interest concerns based on the publics outcry. Make no mistake: This is your victory, food movement. The Trump Administration should now move forward to nominate someone who will put public and environmental health over the profits of chemical companies.

If confirmed, Dourson would have been in the position to set safety levels for many of the same chemicals his company was hired to defend. Multinational chemical companies like Dow, Monsanto and DuPont have routinely hired Dourson to downplay the effects of highly toxic substances linked to birth defects, developmental problems and cancer. For years, Dourson has accepted payments for criticizing studies that raised concerns about the safety of his clients products, according to a review of financial records and his published work by The Associated Press. In fact, Dourson has spent much of his career helping companies fight restrictions on their toxic products. Dourson even went so far as to assert that children are less susceptible to toxic chemicals, despite the widespread, verified scientific consensus that children are more susceptible.

At his committee hearing, Doursons questionable track record and refusal to commit to recusing himself from working on chemicals hes been paid by industry to study in the past led Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) to tell Dourson, Youre not just an outlier on this science, youre outrageous in how far from the mainstream of science you actually are. Its pretty clear you have never met a chemical you didnt like.

Doursons withdrawal is another victory for the American people, sound science and the rule of law, said Kimbrell. The food movement needs to continue to speak loudly against this Administrations efforts to promote corporate profits over the protection of farmers, food safety, public health and the environment.

Dourson is the second controversial nominee to withdraw in as many months. Sam Clovis, a former Trump campaign aide, climate change skeptic and conservative radio talk show host, withdrew from consideration for Chief Scientist at USDA, after months of opposition and public outcry about his lack of qualification and biases. Clovis was also linked to the ongoing investigation into Russias interference with the 2016 presidential election.
By Dave Anderson

A new letter asking Congress to end the wind production tax credit has ties to the Institute for Energy Research, a group that has received funding from the fossil fuel and utility industry and is a close ally of the Trump administration.

The Energy and Policy Institute downloaded a pdf of the letter from WindAction.org, an anti-wind website run by the New Hampshire-based Lisa Linowes. A look at the Document Properties seemed to identify Chris Warren as the Author of the file:

An individual named Chris Warren worked as the director of communications for the Institute for Energy Research (IER) from June of 2012 to May of 2017, according to Warrens LinkedIn profile. While at IER, Warren worked to oppose the wind PTC.

The Energy and Policy Institute attempted to contact Warren via his LinkedIn account about this new anti-wind letter to Congress, but has not received a response yet.

Robert Bradley, the CEO and founder of IER, promoted the new letter, which he dubbed the Linowes Letter, in a post on his groups blog MasterResource.org. IER has received funding from fossil fuel and utility interests, including the Koch network, coal producer Peabody Energy, and the Edison Electric Institute. The group also has strong ties to the Trump administration.

Im not sure I know who Chris Warren is? Linowes said in response to an email from the Energy and Policy Institute.

In any event, a Chris Warren had nothing to do with the letter, she said.

Linowes claimed that she wrote the letter, and that no one helped to draft it.

Shortly after the Energy and Policy Institute emailed Linowes for comment, the pdf of the letter found on WindAction.org was replaced with a new version with Chris Warren removed from the Author section of the Document Properties:

Robert Bradley of IER also linked to a related petition posted by Janna Swanson, an Iowa-based anti-wind activist, thats so far been signed by more than 1,100 people.

The letter that will be sent with this petition to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday Dec.12, 2017 can be seen through this link, according to Swansons petition, which then provided a link back to the Linowes letter on WindAction.org.

Like an earlier letter from Tom Pyle, the president of IER and its affiliated organization the American Energy Alliance (AEA), the Linowes Letter goes beyond attacking the wind PTC, and also opposes a carve-out that would save the wind and solar power industry from the harmful Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax, or BEAT, provision found in the Senate version of the tax bill.

AEA/IER have a long history of teaming up with anti-wind activists against the wind PTC.

Chris Warren now works as a speechwriter for Texans for Greg Abbott, according to his LinkedIn profile. Warrens new job began around the time that Governor Abbott signed a bill that made wind farms located near military facilities ineligible for property tax exemptions.

IER has promoted overblown claims about the impacts of wind turbines on military radar operations made by Linowes on MasterResource.org.

Linowes is one of the Principals who writes regularly for IERs blog MasterResource.org, and her relationship with IER calls into question claims of independence found in the FAQ section of WindAction.org:

WindAction is not funded in any way by others in the energy industry including coal, natural gas, nuclear power, or other renewable energy resources; nor are we affiliated with large political activists groups. Support for our efforts is entirely grass roots, coming from diversified environmentalists, energy experts, and ordinary citizens who share our concerns about industrial wind energy development.

IER disclosed a total of $151,625 in expenses for CONSULTINGRESEARCH AND WRITING on its IRS 990 for 2016, and another $227,417 for 2015, but did not disclose to whom that money was being paid.

Asked if she has received funding from IER or AEA, Linowes responded, No.

Members of Congress who receive the Linowes letter should know about Linowes ties to the Institute for Energy Research, and the fossil fuel and utility interests that this group represents.

Dave Anderson is the policy and communications manager for the Energy and Policy Institute.
Last summer, Laurie Villani picked up her monthly issue of the National Education Associations magazine, NEA Todaywhich she likes to skim for teaching tipsand was disturbed by what she saw.

On the cover: an article referring to the heartache that President Donald Trumps moves on immigration has created for the children of undocumented immigrants.

Villani, a Republican who voted for the president, was not amused. The magazine, she said, was supposed to be about helping my career, helping me teach better. She did not think the union should be trying to sway me one way or the other. Villani, who teaches kindergarten in Virginias Prince William County, sent the NEA a rebuttal to its piece.

Villani isnt the only teacher who doesnt always see eye-to-eye with her union. About 60 percent of the educators who responded to a survey by the Education Week Research Center belong to a teachers union. But more than 30 percent say the union doesnt represent their political views, or only represents them a little. The survey found that 40 percent said they have some political views in common with their union. And 28 percent think agree with the union on a lot of issues.

Some teachers see the union as a big-money special interest group.

I feel like the NEA spends a lot of money on left-wing candidates and not a lot on third-party candidates, said Tim Erickson, a special education teacher at Detroit Lakes High School in northwestern Minnesota, and a political independent. They toe the Democratic Party line. They are an example of a corporate lobbying group. .. Im throwing my money to the far left when I want it to go to the common sense middle.

About This Survey The Education Week Research Center surveyed a nationally representative sample of teachers, school-based leaders, and district leaders about their politics and views on a wide range of K-12 issues. The 38-question survey was administered in September and October to 1,122 educators including 555 teachers, 266 school leaders, 202 district leaders, and 99 other school or district employees. The margin of error for the survey overall was plus or minus 5 percent. Followup interviews involved survey respondents who agreed to be contacted after the survey and were willing to be quoted on a range of subjects. More Survey Findings: Survey Paints Political Portrait of Americas K-12 Educators

Many Educators Skeptical of School Choice, Including Conservatives, Survey Shows

Educators Conflicted on LGBT Issues, Survey Shows

Survey Shows Educators Struggle With Impact of Immigration Read the full report.

To be sure, plenty of teachers view the union and their politics in a positive light.

Laura Hansen, a Democrat who voted for Clinton and reading specialist in New Hampshires Hampstead School District, says shes seen the union stand up for teachers who get into difficult situations. And she thinks they come down on the right side, more often than not, in making endorsements.

I feel like my teachers union is a very protective blanket, she said. She agrees with about 90 percent of their recommendations on political candidates and issues.

Jason Tackett teaches at Herald Whitaker Middle School in Kentuckys Magoffin County. He is a Republican who voted for Trump. He also supports the Kentucky Education Association. I think they are great, he said of the union. Though he hasnt had to call on the union for professional help at this point, from what hes seen they usually back you up.

And when it comes to politics, he thinks his state affiliate is pretty neutral. . They want whats best for teachers.
School choice may be U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos favorite policy topic. But an Education Week nationally representative survey indicates that classroom teachers, principals, and district superintendents are highly skeptical of vouchers, charter schools, and tax-credit scholarships. And that includes many who voted for President Donald Trump, and even some who teach at private schools.

I understand how [vouchers] would gut public schools and they wouldnt actually help independent schools, said Anna Bertucci, the associate head of school at Oakwood Friends School, a Quaker boarding school in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. I feel like that funding should go into public schools.

About This Survey The Education Week Research Center surveyed a nationally representative sample of teachers, school-based leaders, and district leaders about their politics and views on a wide range of K-12 issues. The 38-question survey was administered in September and October to 1,122 educators including 555 teachers, 266 school leaders, 202 district leaders, and 99 other school or district employees. The margin of error for the survey overall was plus or minus 5 percent. Followup interviews involved survey respondents who agreed to be contacted after the survey and were willing to be quoted on a range of subjects. More Survey Findings: Survey Paints Political Portrait of Americas K-12 Educators

Do Teachers Political Views Align With Their Unions?

Educators Conflicted on LGBT Issues, Survey Shows

Survey Shows Educators Struggle With Impact of Immigration Read the full report.

Charter schools, meanwhile, are a really mixed bag, added Bertucci, a Democrat. She worries that some charters are undercutting unions by discouraging teachers from joining. But she said, I wouldnt say I dont like all charter schools.

Overall, however, charters were viewed almost as negatively as private school vouchers by the educators who participated in the October survey of 1,122 educators conducted by the Education Week Research Center.

A plurality of those surveyed45 percentfully oppose charter schools, while another 26 percent somewhat oppose them. And 58 percent dont support using government funds to help students cover the cost of private school, while 19 percent said they somewhat oppose vouchers. Meanwhile, about half oppose or somewhat oppose tax-credit scholarships, which give individuals and corporations a tax break for donating to scholarship-granting organizations.

Rural educators say vouchers and charter schools just wont work in their context.

In Montana, [school choice] is beyond ridiculous, said Kris Magruder, the director of a Northern Montana cooperative that provides special education services to multiple districts and is a Republican who voted for Trump. Theres only so much money and theres only so many schools. ... Trying to get more choice for a school that has four students is ridiculous.

Other educators see the benefits of some forms of choice, even if they arent supportive of others.

For instance, David Reich, a Republican and high school science teacher from rural Wisconsin, supports public school choice, but doesnt think that tax dollars should go to private schools.

Im very much against using public money for private schools that espouse religion, said Reich, who considers himself moderate on K-12 issues. Im all for competing against other public schools on a level playing field.

To be sure, vouchers have some fans, even among some public educators.

The public schools have a monopoly, they have absolutely have a monopoly on the education system, said Laurie Villani, a kindergarten teacher at Tyler Elementary School in Prince William County, Va., who supported President Donald Trump. One size does not fit all. There are children who would benefit from a structure different from the structure of public schools.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotech are redefining what it means to be humanand employable.

Jobs are disappearing as automation replaces the need for people. New occupations are emerging that demand competencies that can transfer across the multiple assignments workers will experience in their lives. The disappearance of global boundaries presents opportunitiesand risksfor all workers.

These changes demand a significant, ambitious evolution in how we prepare students for their future in a world thats increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. We need a relevant and modernized education.

Commentary Collection In this special collection of Commentary essays, professors, advocates, and futurists challenge us all to deeply consider how schooling must changeand change soonto meet the needs of a future we cannot yet envision. This special section is supported by a grant from the Noyce Foundation. Education Week retained sole editorial control over the content of this package; the opinions expressed are the authors own, however. Read more from the collection.

Mass schooling may have served us well so far throughout much of modern history, but the 21st century bears little resemblance to the past. Children today must still learn traditional disciplines such as math and language, but these are not enough if they are to succeed in a very different world. So why not also teach entrepreneurship? Social sciences? Technology and engineering? Wellness?

What should we teach young people in an age where search engines have answers for factual and procedural knowledge? When artificial intelligence analyses, synthesizes, and creates? We must begin by pushing a lot harder to reach transfer"the ability to use ones competencies outside an original classroom setting, in the real world, perhaps many years hence. This was always the goal of an education but rarely a deliberate, comprehensive, systematic, and demonstrable focus. In essence, we should be flipping the curriculum, inverting our focus from information and knowledge into expertise and transfer (refer to chart below).

Further, we need urgent action on the nonacademic qualities young people need for success. And so, we need to shift from a purely knowledge-based education toward a focus on skills (creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration), character (mindfulness, curiosity, courage, resilience, ethics, leadership), and meta-learning (learning how to learn, growth mindset, metacognition). Schools will need to prepare students to find the intersection between these four dimensions of knowledge, skills, character, and meta-learning.

Such a re-imagining of education will require a profound redesign of curricula where modernizing what students learn is an imperative. Where science, technology, engineering, and math matter more than ever, but humanities and arts remain essential, each discipline borrowing from the other for a deeply versatile education. Where skills, character, and meta-learning are developed deliberately and fully, not haphazardly. Where working with others, at school, in the community, and in the workplace is as vital as ensuring growth at every academic level, allowing top students to thrive while assisting all students in the areas where they are struggling.

Time is running out, but luckily, we know how to redesign curricula. We need only the vision and courage to do so.
An archaeologist from The Australian National University (ANU) has uncovered the world's oldest known fish-hooks placed in a burial ritual, found on Indonesia's Alor Island, northwest of East Timor.

The five fish hooks were among items carefully placed under the chin, and around the jaws of a female from the Pleistocene era, dating back 12,000 years.

Distinguished Professor Sue O'Connor from the School of Culture, History and Language in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific said the discovery turns on its head the theory that most fishing activities on these islands were carried out by men.

"These are the oldest known fish-hooks associated with mortuary practices from anywhere in the world and perhaps indicate that fishing equipment was viewed as essential for transition to the afterlife in this area," Professor O'Connor said.

"The discovery shows that in both life and death, the Pleistocene inhabitants of the Alor Island region were intrinsically connected to the sea, and the association of the fish-hooks with a burial denotes the cosmological status of fishing in this island environment."

Prior to the find, the earliest fish-hooks associated with a burial site date back only about 9,000 years and were found in a river environment of the Mesolithic era in Siberia, known as the Ershi cemetery.

Professor O'Connor said in a maritime context, the earliest burials with fish-hooks are from Oman, where rotating fish-hooks made of pearl shell have been dated to about 6,000 years ago.

Older fish hooks from Japan, Europe and East Timor date back as far as 22,000 years, but they were not related to burial rites.

In the Alor Island find, two different types of fish-hooks were buried - a J-Shaped hook and four circular rotating hooks fashioned from the shell of a species of sea-snail.

Professor O'Connor said the appearance of the Alor rotating fish-hooks so early on a disconnected island suggests that several fishing communities developed the same technology separately, rather than learning from each other through contact.

"The Alor hooks bear an uncanny resemblance to rotating hooks used in Japan, Australia, Arabia, California, Chile, Mexico and Oceania," she said.

"We argue that the same sort of artefact was developed independently because it was the most fitting form to suit the ecology, rather than through cultural diffusion."

###

Professor O'Connor's findings were published in the Cambridge University Press journal Antiquity.

The research was funded through the Australian Research Council's Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship.

FOR INTERVIEW:

Distinguished Professor Sue O'Connor

School of Culture History and Culture

ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

T: 61-2-6125-6373

M: 61-439422543

sue.oconnor@anu.edu.au
Two Johns Hopkins prostate cancer researchers found significant disparities when they submitted identical patient samples to two different commercial liquid biopsy providers. Liquid biopsy is a new and noninvasive alternative to tumor tissue sequencing, and it is intended to specifically detect and sequence tumor DNA circulating in patients' blood. The results are used to help guide doctors to tailor the best treatment for patients at each point of their disease.

Gonzalo Torga, M.D., a postdoctoral research fellow at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins and Kenneth Pienta, M.D., director of research for the Brady Institute and a prostate cancer researcher at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, reported their findings in the Dec. 14 issue of JAMA Oncology. The results, they say, raise the possibility that cancer patients could be prescribed different treatments depending on which commercial provider is used for liquid biopsy.

The two liquid biopsy panels compared were the Guardant360, from Guardant Health, Inc., which sequenced at least part of the coding sequences of 73 genes, and the PlasmaSELECT panel from Personal Genome Diagnostics, which sequenced coding segments of 64 genes.

Both laboratories were licensed by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, known as CLIA, and accredited by the College of American Pathologists, and report having high sensitivity (in this case, the ability to correctly identify mutations when they occur) and high specificity (the ability to correctly report as negative when those mutations are not present).

The two companies differ in which genes, and regions within each gene, are covered. Just 25 of the 40 patients in the study had at least one genetic mutation reported within the overlapping genetic sequences covered by both companies.

Even when the companies were analyzing DNA from the same blood drawn, their results rarely matched each other. When comparing results within the overlapping genetic sequences, the results from both companies completely matched for all the mutations reported in only 7.5 percent (3 of 40 patients) of cases. In 15 percent of the patients (6 of 40), both companies' results matched for at least one of the reported mutations. In 40 percent (16 of 40) of the patients, no mutations reported that were potentially covered by both panels were detected by both companies.

Torga and Pienta's research was aimed at finding the best commercial lab to test patient samples from their metastatic prostate cancer clinic. "We wanted to make the best choice for our patients, so we started submitting the samples to both places at the same time to compare results," Torga says.

Patients may respond differently to cancer drugs depending on what kinds of gene mutations they have in their tumors. Oncologists use the results of a liquid biopsy to see if a patient is responding to treatment and to monitor tumors to see if they are progressing and may require a new or extra therapy. They may also use the results to select patients for clinical trials, if a specific mutation is found in their tumor's DNA.

A small study published earlier this year in JAMA Oncology compared mutations identified in tumor tissue samples and in liquid biopsy results from the same patients and found a similar lack of congruence.

Each commercial test costs about $4,000, Torga notes, and patients usually only have their samples sent to one lab for testing. "Liquid biopsy is a promising technology, with an exceptional potential to impact our ability to treat patients, but it is a new technology that may need more time and experience to improve," says Torga. "We can't tell from these studies which laboratory's panel is better, but we can say that certification for these laboratories must improve."

Torga and Pienta say they want to make sure oncologists are aware of the inconsistencies so that they do not blindly trust liquid biopsy results.

###
Nearly one in three 12th graders report past year use of some kind of vaping device, raising concerns about the impact on their health. What they say is in the device, however, ranges from nicotine, to marijuana, to "just flavoring." The survey also suggests that use of hookahs and regular cigarettes is declining. These findings come from the 2017 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of eighth, 10th and 12th graders in schools nationwide, reported today by the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, along with scientists from the University of Michigan, who conduct the annual research. The survey asks teens about "any vaping" to measure their use of electronic vaporizers. It is important to note that some research suggests that many teens don't actually know what is in the device they are using, and even if they read the label, not all labeling is consistent or accurate.

The survey shows that 27.8 percent of high school seniors reported "vaping" in the year prior to the survey, which was taken in the beginning of 2017. When asked what they thought was in the mist they inhaled the last time they used the vaping device, 51.8 percent of 12th graders said, "just flavoring," 32.8 percent said "nicotine," and 11.1 percent said "marijuana" or "hash oil." The survey also asks about vaping with specific substances during the past month, with more than one in ten 12th graders saying they use nicotine, and about one in twenty reporting using marijuana in the device.

Past Month Use 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th graders Any vaping 6.6% 13.1% 16.6% Vaping Nicotine 3.5% 8.2% 11.0% Vaping Marijuana 1.6% 4.3% 4.9% Vaping "Just Flavoring" 5.3% 9.2% 9.7%

"We are especially concerned because the survey shows that some of the teens using these devices are first-time nicotine users," said Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of NIDA. "Recent research suggests that some of them could move on to regular cigarette smoking, so it is critical that we intervene with evidence-based efforts to prevent youth from using these products."

The survey also indicates that while opioid overdose rates remain high among adults, teens are misusing opioid pain medications less frequently than a decade ago, and are at historic lows with some of the commonly used pain medications. For example, past year misuse of the opioid pain reliever Vicodin among high school seniors dropped to its lowest point since the survey began measuring it in 2002, and it is now at just 2 percent. This compares to last year's 2.9 percent, and reflects a long-term decline from a peak of 10.5 percent in 2003.

In overall pain medication misuse, described as "narcotics other than heroin" in the survey, past year misuse has dropped significantly among 12th graders since its survey peak in 2004--to 4.2 percent from 9.5 percent. Interestingly, teens also think these drugs are not as easy to get as they used to be. Only 35.8 percent of 12th graders said they were easily available in the 2017 survey, compared to more than 54 percent in 2010.

"The decline in both the misuse and perceived availability of opioid medications may reflect recent public health initiatives to discourage opioid misuse to address this crisis," added Volkow. "However, with each new class of teens entering the challenging years of middle and high school, we must remain vigilant in our prevention efforts targeting young people, the adults who nurture and influence them, and the health care providers who treat them."

The 2017 survey also confirms the recent trend that daily marijuana use has become as, or more, popular than daily cigarette smoking among teens, representing a dramatic flip in use between these two drugs since the survey began in 1975. In the past decade, daily marijuana use among 12th graders has remained relatively consistent, but daily cigarette smoking has dropped.

12th graders daily drug activity 2017 Change Cigarette Smoking 4.2% 24.6% (1997-highest year) Marijuana Use 5.9% 1.9% (1992-lowest year)

When combining responses in all three grades, data suggest past year marijuana use is up slightly to 23.9 percent, from 22.6 percent last year, but similar to 2015 rates (23.7 percent). However, because overall marijuana rates remain stable, researchers continue to carefully monitor any potential trends as they emerge. The survey indicates that significantly fewer teens now disapprove of regular marijuana use, with 64.7 percent of 12th graders voicing disapproval, compared to 68.5 percent last year. The survey reports that high school seniors in states with medical marijuana laws are more likely to have vaped marijuana and consumed marijuana edibles than their counterparts without such laws. For example, survey data suggests that 16.7 percent of 12th graders in states with medical marijuana laws report consuming edibles, compared to 8.3 percent in states without such laws.

Inhalant use--the one category of drug use that is typically higher among younger students--is back up to 2015 levels among eighth graders, measured at 4.7 percent, compared to 3.8 percent in 2016. However, rates are still low, showing a significant decline from peak rates in 1995, when 12.8 percent of eighth graders reported using an inhalant to get high in the past year.

Overall, illicit drug use other than marijuana and inhalants, remains the lowest in the history of the survey in all three grades, with 13.3 percent of 12th graders reporting past year use, compared to 9.4 percent of 10th graders and 5.8 percent of eighth graders. These successes underscore the importance of continuing evidence-based prevention programs targeting children approaching their teenage years.

After years of steady decline, binge drinking appears to have leveled off this year, and public health researchers will be closely watching these behaviors in the coming years. However, rates are still down significantly from the survey's peak years. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in a row sometime in the last two weeks.

Binge Drinking 2017 Peak Year of Survey 12th graders 16.6% 31.5% (1998) 10th graders 9.8% 24.1% (2000) 8th graders 3.7% 13.3% (1996)

"While binge drinking among eighth, 10th, and 12th grade students remains well below the levels seen a decade ago, the downward trend in binge drinking appears to have slowed somewhat in recent years," said George F. Koob, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "This may signal a need for more emphasis on alcohol prevention strategies in this age group."

Monitoring the Future has been conducted by researchers at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor since 1975, expanding the study periodically to include additional grades and topic areas. It is the only large-scale federal government survey that releases findings the same year the data is collected.

Other highlights from the 2017 survey:

Illegal and Illicit Drugs:

Reported heroin and methamphetamine use remain very low among the nation's teens at less than 0.5 percent in past year measures.

Cocaine use remains low in teen students. For example, 12th graders report past year use at 2.7 percent, after a peak of 6.2 percent in 1999.

Past year use of anabolic steroids, which peaked at 2.5 percent among the nation's 12th graders in 2004, is now at 1.1 percent.

Past year use of LSD among 12th graders is at 3.3 percent, reflecting a modest but significant increase in the past five years. Use still remains lower compared to its peak in 1996 of 8.8 percent.

Past year use of K2/Spice, referred to as "synthetic marijuana" in the survey, was reported at 3.7 percent among 12th graders, down from 11.3 percent five years ago. There was a significant drop in past year use among eighth graders, from 2.7 percent in 2016 to 2 percent this year.

Other Prescription Drugs:

Reflecting an historic low, high school seniors reported past year misuse of the prescription opioid Oxycontin at 2.7 percent, compared to 5.5 percent at its peak in 2005.

Misuse of prescription stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD symptoms, is mostly stable compared to last year, with 5.5 percent of 12th graders reporting past year misuse of Adderall. In fact, this represents a significant drop for this age group from five years ago when misuse peaked at 7.6 percent.

Past year misuse of the therapeutic stimulant Ritalin among 12th graders is at 1.3 percent, nearly a record low since 2001 when it was first measured at 5.1 percent. There was a significant decline this year among eighth graders' past year misuse, reported at 0.4 percent in 2017, down from 0.8 percent last year, and significantly down from 2.9 in 2001. Other Tobacco Products:

Hookah smoking has dropped for the second year in a row with 10.1 percent of seniors reporting past year use compared to 13 percent last year, down from 22.9 percent in 2014. The survey began measuring hookah smoking in 2010.

As for little cigars, 13.3 percent of high school seniors say they smoked little cigars in the past year, from a peak of 23.1 percent in 2010, when it was first included in the survey.

Attitudes and Availability:

The survey also measures attitudes about drug use, including perceived availability and harmfulness, as well as disapproval of specific drugs. Generally, attitudes grow more favorable towards drug use as teens get older.

In 2017, 79.8 percent of eighth graders said they disapprove of regularly vaping nicotine, but that number drops to 71.8 percent among 12th graders.

Only 14.1 percent of 12th graders see "great risk" in smoking marijuana occasionally, down from 17.1 percent last year and a staggering drop from 40.6 percent in 1991, but similar to rates when the survey was started in 1975 (18.1 percent).

There was a significant change in how eighth graders view K2/Spice (which the survey calls "synthetic marijuana"). In 2017, 23 percent said trying it once or twice would put users at great risk, compared to 27.5 percent in 2016.

The survey indicated that 23.3 percent of 10th graders say it is easy to get tranquilizers, up from 20.5 percent last year.

Overall, 43,703 students from 360 public and private schools participated in this year's MTF survey. Since 1975, the survey has measured how teens report their drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes in 12th graders nationwide. Eighth and 10th graders were added to the survey in 1991. Survey participants generally report their drug use behaviors across three time periods: lifetime, past year, and past month. Questions are also asked about daily cigarette and marijuana use. NIDA has provided funding for the survey since its inception to a team of investigators at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, currently led by Dr. Richard Miech. MTF is funded under grant number DA001411.

###

Additional information on the MTF Survey can be found at http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/MTF.html. The University of Michigan press release can be found at http://monitoringthefuture.org.

MTF is one of three major surveys supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provide data on substance use among youth. The others are the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is the primary source of statistical information on substance use in the U.S. population 12 years of age and older. More information is available at: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/population-data-nsduh.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, part of HHS's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, is a school-based survey that collects data from students in grades nine-12. The survey includes questions on a wide variety of health-related risk behaviors, including substance abuse. More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm. Additionally, the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a school-based survey of U.S. students in grades six-12 conducted by the CDC in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration, collects data on the use of multiple tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/NYTS/.

Follow Monitoring the Future 2017 news on Twitter at @NIDANews, or join the conversation by using: #MTF2017. Additional survey results can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/news. Information on all the surveyed drugs can be found on NIDA's Web site: http://www.drugabuse.gov.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy and improve practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and information on NIDA research and other activities can be found at http://www.drugabuse.gov, which is now compatible with your smartphone, iPad or tablet. To order publications in English or Spanish, call NIDA's DrugPubs research dissemination center at 1-877-NIDA-NIH or 240-645-0228 (TDD) or email requests to drugpubs@nida.nih.gov. Online ordering is available at http://drugpubs.drugabuse.gov. NIDA's media guide can be found at http://drugabuse.gov/mediaguide/, and its easy-to-read website can be found at http://www.easyread.drugabuse.gov

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health
Each year, ozone-depleting compounds in the upper atmosphere destroy the protective ozone layer, and in particular above Antarctica. The ozone layer acts as Earth's sunscreen by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from incoming sunlight that can cause skin cancer and damage plants, among other harmful effects to life on Earth. While these different compounds each release either reactive chlorine or bromine, the two active ozone-destroying ingredients, during a series of chemical reactions, the molecules have a range of different lifetimes in the atmosphere that can affect their ultimate impact on the ozone layer and its future recovery.

n a Perspective piece appearing in the Dec. 8 issue of Science, NASA researchers discuss the nuances that distinguish three categories of compounds and their impacts on upper atmospheric ozone: long-lasting and human-made compounds, short-lived and human-made compounds, and compounds that are short-lived and naturally emitted from the ocean. All of the long-lasting and some of the anthropogenic short-lived compounds are controlled by the Montreal Protocol in order to reduce their impact on ozone. The researchers find that long-lasting compounds still dominate the outlook for ozone recovery.

This discussion is part of an on-going scientific debate about the impact of short-lived ozone-depleting compounds that stay in the atmosphere for less than six months, whose human-produced emissions have risen. It is relevant to the work being done by the United Nations Environment Programme that administers the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, the seminal global agreement to ban and phase out ozone-destroying compounds. Currently only ozone-depleting substances with atmospheric lifetimes ranging from a year to over 100 years, are controlled because they linger in the atmosphere long enough to reach the upper atmosphere, called the stratosphere. Shorter-lived compounds are unregulated as their impacts are less significant.

"The Montreal Protocol has been a huge success," said atmospheric scientist Qing Liang at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and first author of the perspective. As a result of regulation by the Montreal Protocol, the levels of ozone-depleting chlorine and bromine stopped growing in the atmosphere in the mid-1990s, and have been decreasing at nearly the expected rate. The ozone layer is showing hints of healing.

Nevertheless, the long-lived controlled substances, the majority released before 1987, are projected to still comprise 56 percent of the total stratospheric chlorine and bromine in 2050, according to Liang and her colleagues' analysis. In contrast, at most only four percent of chlorine and bromine is expected to come from unregulated human produced ozone-depleting compounds. The remainder of the chlorine and bromine in 2050 will come from compounds naturally emitted by the ocean. But as ocean temperatures increase due to climate warming, their emission rates could potentially rise by 20 percent between 2010 and 2100. An additional source of natural ozone-depleting compounds are forest fires, both natural and human-set.

Scientists at NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as other international agencies constantly monitor the stratospheric ozone layer and the levels of ozone-depleting chemicals at Earth's surface.

Whether a substance reaches the stratosphere or not is the prime factor that dictates which category of compounds to worry about, said co-author Susan Strahan of NASA Goddard. The longer the lifetime of an ozone-depleting substance, the longer it will be around to make it to the stratosphere and destroy ozone. Short-lived substances, on the other hand, will have a minimal effect on delaying ozone recovery because they are more likely to degrade before reaching the stratosphere, she said.

One of these substances called dichloromethane has come under recent scrutiny because of its increasing emission rates over the last few years. It is a versatile substitute for many banned chemicals in industry. Dichloromethane breaks down in the atmosphere in about four months and its harmful degradation products are completely removed from the atmosphere within a few years of their emissions.

"Because of its very short-lived nature, and the unlikely scenario of the emissions sustaining a high growth rate, it's highly unlikely dichloromethane would have a major impact on the ozone layer," said Liang. Liang believes its emission rate will plateau once industries reach their carrying capacity based on economic demand.

In addition, industrial short-lived ozone-depleting substances emitted on land, often in the mid-latitudes, have four- to six-month journey to the stratosphere. This is slightly longer than their lifetimes and allows more time for them to be destroyed or washed out by rain before they arrive at the ozone layer, Liang said.

Short-lived bromine compounds naturally released from the ocean surface, however, have a more pronounced impact on ozone than their short-lived industrial cousins. Because they are released in large quantities from tropical oceans, they are rapidly lofted by tropical thunderstorms into the stratosphere within a month or two where they can destroy ozone for a larger portion of their lifetimes.

"The other major factor is climate change. As the tropical oceans warm, natural emissions of methyl bromine and other short-lived brominated species are going to increase," Strahan said. "And you can't turn that off. As the ocean gets warmer, the emissions increase continues."

Also of concern are the banned chemicals that continue to enter and accumulate in the atmosphere. One example is carbon tetrachloride, which is regulated by the Montreal Protocol and has a lifetime of 33 years in the atmosphere. While its production, use and destruction are accurately monitored and reported, it also forms as a by-product in the production lines of chloroform and dichloromethane. Because it is highly volatile, it has unintended emissions that leak into the atmosphere, Liang said. It likely isn't the only regulated ozone-depleting substance that sneaks out unaccounted for from the production line of other chemicals.

Liang and Strahan based their analysis on a combination of computer model simulations of the atmosphere and measurements of the concentrations of the ozone-depleting chemicals. NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System Version 5 (GEOS-5) model simulates the atmosphere in 3-D, which allows the research team to follow atmospheric gases from their sources on the ground through their journey to the upper atmosphere. The model is supported by observations from satellites, ground-based networks that measure ozone-depleting chemicals in the real world, and by observations from two decades of NASA aircraft field campaigns, including the most recent Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment (ATTREX) in 2013 and the Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) global atmospheric survey, which has made three deployments since 2016.

###

To read the paper, visit: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/358/6368/1257

Qing Liang and Susan Strahan are affiliated with the Universities Space Research Association.
A 'cure' for haemophilia is one step closer, following results published in the New England Journal of Medcine of a groundbreaking gene therapy trial led by the NHS in London.

Clinical researchers at Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London have found that over one year on from a single treatment with a gene therapy drug, participants with haemophilia A (the most common type) are showing normal levels of the previously missing protein, and effectively curing them.

A single infusion of the gene therapy drug showed improved levels of the essential blood clotting protein Factor VIII, with 85 per cent of patients achieving normal or near-normal Factor VIII levels even many months after treatment.

The 'transformational' results have particular significance as the first successful gene therapy trial for the haemophilia A.

There are around 2000 people with severe haemophilia A in the UK. A hereditary genetic condition dominantly affecting men, people with severe haemophilia A have virtually none of the protein factor VIII which is essential for blood to clot. It puts those affected at risk of excessive bleeding even from the slightest injury as well as causing spontaneous internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Recurring bleeding into joints can also lead to progressive joint damage and arthritis. The only current treatment involves multiple weekly injections to control and prevent bleeding, but there is no cure.

The trial saw patients across England injected with a copy of the missing gene, which allows their cells to produce the missing clotting factor. Following patients for up to nineteen months, tests show that eleven out of thirteen patients in the trial now have normal or near normal levels of the previously missing factor and all thirteen patients have been able to stop their previously regular treatment.

Professor John Pasi, Haemophilia Centre Director at Barts Health NHS Trust and Professor of Haemostasis and Thrombosis at Queen Mary University of London explained: "We have seen mind-blowing results which have far exceeded our expectations. When we started out we thought it would be a huge achievement to show a five per cent improvement, so to actually be seeing normal or near normal factor levels with dramatic reduction in bleeding is quite simply amazing. We really now have the potential to transform care for people with haemophilia using a single treatment for people who at the moment must inject themselves as often as every other day. It is so exciting."

The team will now hold further tests widening participants globally to include people in the USA, Europe, Africa and South America.

Professor Pasi continued: "Incredibly exciting is the potential for a significant change in how haemophilia is treated globally. A single dose of medication that can so dramatically improve the lives of patients across the world is an amazing prospect."

Professor Jo Martin, President, The Royal College of Pathologists said: "Pathology research is often responsible for ground-breaking developments in diagnoses and treatments that transform the lives of patients.

"What is truly remarkable about this revolutionary new gene therapy are the profound life-changing effects it offers patients with haemophilia. We would like to congratulate College fellow, Professor Pasi, and his team at Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London for their work in creating a simple but transformational treatment for patients."

CASE STUDY

Jake Omer, 29 lives in Billericay and is married with two children, aged 3 years and a baby of 5 weeks. Diagnosed at two years old, he has had frequent injections of factor VIII to prevent bleeds ever since. Before he was treated with the gene therapy, Jake would wake up early before work to inject three times a week as well as injecting whenever he had an injury to stop the bleeding. As a result of of repeated bleeding Jake has arthritis in his ankles. His father is a Turk-Cypriot and as a child he and his family could never travel to visit relatives in case he needed medical care as the facilities wouldn't have been available.

Jake said: "The gene therapy has changed my life. I now have hope for my future. It is incredible to now hope that I can play with my kids, kick a ball around and climb trees well into my kids' teenage years and beyond. The arthritis in my ankles meant I used to worry how far I would be able to walk once I turned 40. At 23 I struggled to run 100m to catch a bus; now at 29 I'm walking two miles every day which I just couldn't have done before having the gene therapy treatment.

"It's really strange to not have to worry about bleeding or swellings. The first time I noticed a difference was about four months after the treatment when I dropped a weight in the gym, bashing my elbow really badly. I started to panic thinking this is going to be really bad, but after icing it that night I woke up and it looked normal. That was the moment I saw proof and knew that the gene therapy had worked."

The five UK trial sites included: The Royal London, Guys and St Thomas', Birmingham, Cambridge and Hampshire hospitals.

###

Notes to Editors

Research paper: AAV5-Factor VIII Gene Transfer in Severe Hemophilia A

Savita Rangarajan, M.B., B.S., Liron Walsh, M.D., Will Lester, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., David Perry, M.D., Ph.D., Bella Madan, M.D., Michael Laffan, D.M., Hua Yu, Ph.D., Christian Vettermann, Ph.D., Glenn F. Pierce, M.D., Ph.D., Wing Y. Wong, M.D., and K. John Pasi, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D.

New England Journal of Medicine

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1708483
Valley fever cases in November saw a 50-percent spike over the previous month, leading experts at the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence to predict a significant increase in cases in 2018.

Fortunately, the recent -- and timely -- approval of a new rapid assay test for Valley fever, developed with assistance from the University of Arizona, should reduce delays in diagnosing the respiratory fungal infections--a frequent problem in treating the disease, which is caused by spores endemic to soils in the U.S. Southwest.

The number of new Valley fever infections reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services has been relatively stable since 2013, but that may be starting to change, said John Galgiani, MD, director of the UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence and head of the Banner - University Medicine Valley Fever Program. For example, in November, more than 900 cases were reported, a 50-percent increase compared to October and the highest monthly total in the past two years. Although Arizona's total number of cases for 2017 are only slightly more than in 2016, the accelerating monthly case numbers suggest the state may see a sharp increase in cases next year, he said.

"What seems clear is considerably more Valley fever infections are being reported right now," Dr. Galgiani said. "Arizona clinicians need to be even more alert than usual if their patients develop pneumonia. On average, Valley fever causes one of every three cases of pneumonia in Phoenix, Tucson and surrounding areas. With infections increasing as they are now, pneumonia is even more likely to be due to our local fungal infection."

Patients who develop persistent symptoms of pneumonia, such as fever, cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath, especially if associated with unusual skin rashes, joint pain or extreme fatigue, should ask their doctor whether they should be tested for Valley fever.

In 2011, more than 16,000 Valley fever infections of Arizonan residents were reported -- a record for the state. In fall 2010, signs of that increase already were present, Dr. Galgiani said.

"We don't know if 2018 will be like what we saw in 2011," he added. "What we are seeing this fall, however, is very similar to how that epidemic started seven years ago."

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave regulatory clearance for a molecular assay test for rapid detection of coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever, or cocci) using DxNA LLC's GeneSTAT.MDx Coccidioides test and GeneSTAT System. That test (which reduces the time for results from as long as 21 days to the same day and without need for a Biosafety Level 3 lab to do culture testing) was developed using data licensed from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Northern Arizona University. Among sites that assessed the test were Banner Health and Laboratory Sciences at Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix and the UA BIO5 Institute, under Anne Wertheimer, PhD, associate director, Infectious Disease Research Core, and director, Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences, UA Applied Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Program.

"My lab in the UA BIO5 Institute was one of the three external validation and reproducibility testing sites and my team collected prospective, as well as a handful of retrospective, specimens," Dr. Wertheimer said. "The assay was very robust for use by both entry-level as well as highly skilled technicians and eliminates exposure of lab personnel to a highly infectious culture."

Dr. Galgiani facilitated the collaboration between DxNA and the UA BIO5 Institute and said a possible future improvement for the test is a move from using bronchoscopy specimens to sputa as the test sample. Dr. Wertheimer said her lab would be involved in that validation as well.

Lisa Shubitz, DVM, a research scientist with the UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence and associate professor with the UA School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, said data is unavailable for the number of animals affected by Valley fever but dogs seem to be the most impacted.

"Valley fever in dogs is characterized most commonly by coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss (often rapid) and fever," she said. "They may exhibit lameness or back or neck pain without any respiratory signs if the disease goes to the bones, or they might have fever with the bone disease."

###

Dr. Shubitz is among several UA researchers working on testing a vaccine for dogs developed at the UA that recently was licensed by Anivive Lifesciences, of Long Beach, Calif., in another project funded by a $4.8 million National Institutes of Health grant.

About the UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence

In 1996, the Arizona Board of Regents established the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence to address problems created by the fungus, coccidioides, the cause of Valley fever. Some cases are mild; some so severe that it spreads past the lungs. The disease also affects animals, including pets and livestock. The center works to spread public awareness and education about Valley fever, promote high-quality care for the disease and pursue research to improve treatment therapies and develop a vaccine. To learn more, please visit vfce.arizona.edu

About the Banner - University Medicine Valley Fever Program

The Banner - University Medicine Valley Fever Program is a collaboration between the UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence and Banner Health. The program focuses on reducing delays in accurate diagnosis of patients who develop Valley fever, optimizing their medical care and providing a platform to conduct research and clinical trials to improve understanding of this disease. Studies under way at the center, including one funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate delays in diagnosing the infection, address the value of early antifungal treatment and immunogenetic differences in patients responsible for disease severity.

About the University of Arizona Health Sciences

The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. The UA Health Sciences includes the UA Colleges of Medicine (Phoenix and Tucson), Nursing, Pharmacy and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the growing Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, the UA Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona and the greater Southwest to provide cutting-edge health education, research, patient care and community outreach services. A major economic engine, the UA Health Sciences employs almost 5,000 people, has nearly 1,000 faculty members and garners more than $126 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: http://uahs.arizona.edu.
Survivors of the first known Ebola outbreak, which occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976, may be key to development of vaccines and therapeutic drugs to treat future outbreaks, according to a new study led by researchers at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

UCLA researchers located the 14 Ebola survivors of the 1976 outbreak who, in January 2016, were still living in the same small, remote villages in the forests of the Equateur Province of northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The researchers obtained blood samples and health history reports from them. The data revealed evidence that these survivors' immune systems are likely to provide some protection against future infection.

The study, which will be published online December 14 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, marks the first time that the effects of the virus have been studied four decades after infection and the first findings that indicate Ebola survivors may be able to stave off future infections.

The Ebola virus is often associated with high mortality rates in humans, ranging from 25 percent to 90 percent, and outbreaks have occurred with increased frequency since the first reported event in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976 in which 318 cases were recorded, with a fatality rate of 88 percent. The Ebola virus disease is highly contagious and spreads through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids. It initially causes fever, headache and muscle aches and can progress to vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes internal and external bleeding. The 2014-2016 outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa was unprecedented in size and scope -- there were an estimated 28,000 cases and more than 10,000 survivors.

"Unimaginable death tolls and devastation to families and communities have occurred as a result of Ebola," said lead author Anne Rimoin, associate professor of epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. "With the number and frequency of Ebola outbreaks increasing over time, the need to find effective measures to combat and prevent outbreaks is critical."

Rimoin said researchers know there are more than 10,000 survivors of the West Africa epidemic, but they don't know what long-term health effects those survivors may endure in the future. Their goal, she said, was to locate survivors of the initial 1976 outbreak to learn what happens 40 years after infection.

Since no online records of the 1976 outbreak investigation existed, the UCLA team collaborated with and gained access to handwritten notes from three scientists who investigated that outbreak -- Dr. Peter Piot and Dr. David Heymann of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Professor Jean Jacques Muyembe of the Institut National de Recherche Biomedical in Kinshasa.

The UCLA researchers traveled to small, remote villages in the forests of the Equateur Province to locate and meet the survivors, and gain access to data. They used a mobile laboratory that was set up in a mud hut to do their work.

###

The research was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Faucett Catalyst Fund, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a DFG fellowship, the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health and the University of California Global Health Institute.

Study co-authors are Matthew Bramble, Reena Doshi, Nicole Hoff, Vivian Alfonso, Christina Ramirez and Cyrus Sinai of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health; Kai Lu, Imke Steffen, Lauren Yamamoto, and Graham Simmons of UCSF; Patrick Mukadi and Jean Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum of Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Bradly Nicholson of Institute for Medical Research in North Carolina; Gerrard Olinger, James Pettitt, James Logue, Richard Bennett, Peter Jahrling and Lisa Hensley of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIH Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick; Emile Okitolonda Wemakoy of Kinshasa School of Public Health; Benoit Kebela Illunga of Direction de la Lutte Contre les Maladies in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Heymann and Piot of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Heymann is also with the Chatham House Center on Global Health Security.

Media Contact:

Enrique Rivero

310-267-7120

erivero@mednet.ucla.edu
In November 2017, the former mayor of Pforzheim and her then treasurer were sentenced to imprisonment for embezzlement. In the years leading up to the financial crisis, they had tried to minimise the town's interest burden and to balance the town's budget through a series of risky financial transactions. They were not the only ones: During that time, hundreds of communities throughout Germany tried their hand at "casino capitalism" to rehabilitate their finances. In Pforzheim, this resulted in more than 50 million euros of new debt.

Why were chief executives allowed to take such risky decisions? It is cases of fiscal failure such as these that Junior Professor Julia Rischbieter examines as part of the new scientific network "Schulden machen. Praxeologie der Staatsverschuldung im langen 20. Jahrhundert" (Doing debt. Praxeology of sovereign debt in the long twentieth century). Together with the historian Dr Stefanie Middendorf from the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Julia Rischbieter secured funding for the project from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The new network includes twelve working groups from Germany, France, the UK and Switzerland.

Which forms did sovereign debt take in the past, and what were the effects of public debt management at various points in time? The research carried out by the network brings this question to bear on the actions of individual agents. Their research is not based on economic models or statistical time series, but on decisions made by real individuals in real situations. For one of the network's projects, the above-mentioned treasurers will be asked about the circumstances that led to their decision to engage in risky gambling. "The social consequences of sovereign debt are above all determined by the action conditions of incurring debt", says Julia Rischbieter.

The network's research into the social and political causes of sovereign debt development in modernity will take into account a variety of viewpoints and approaches. Julia Rischbieter contributes her research on the international regulation of sovereign debt crises. Stefanie Middendorf's speciality is budget and debt policy in twentieth-century Germany. Other network projects investigate the international context of Swiss fiscal policy, the relationship of banks and regulators as a result of the regulation of the financial markets in the twentieth century, or the cultural history of tax ethics.

The interdisciplinary network, which will receive 50,000 euros from the DFG for a total of six conferences over a period of three years, works at the interface between history, economics and the social sciences. It seeks to analyse the phenomenon of debt in all its complexity and contrariness by closely investigating the social conditions of sovereign debt in the twentieth century. The overall objective is to explain the processual character of and changing responses to public debt and to document, for instance, how the basic principles of the international debt economy - especially in the form of financial obligations - have changed over the course of time.

###

A German-language reader for students including contributions from all network partners will be published towards the end of the project. The reader will also make the network's research available to a broader audience within the historical sciences and provide useful material to university teachers and students.

Facts:

Project "Schulden machen. Praxeologie der Staatsverschuldung im langen 20. Jahrhundert" (Doing debt. Praxeology of sovereign debt in the long twentieth century)

The scientific network is funded with 50,000 euros by the German Research Foundation (DFG)

Applicants: Dr Stefanie Middendorf, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, and Junior Professor Julia Rischbieter, University of Konstanz

Twelve research groups from Germany, France, the UK and Switzerland working at the interface between history, economics and the social sciences

Funding period: Spring 2018 until spring 2021

Contact

University of Konstanz

Communications and Marketing

49-7531-88-3603

kum@uni-konstanz.de
AMHERST, Mass. - Two groups of plant molecular biologists, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Peking University, China, have long studied how pollen tubes and pistils, the male and female parts of flowers, communicate to achieve fertilization in plants. Today they report in a Science early release paper that they have identified a pair of receptors essential to these communications as well as molecules that modulate the receptors' activity.

The work, in the model plant Arabidopsis, advances basic understanding of plant reproduction, say Alice Cheung and Hen-Ming Wu at UMass Amherst, with Li-Jia Qu and Hongya Gu in China. The researchers named the two new receptors Buddha Paper Seal 1 and 2 (BUPS1/2). Their paper also identifies several small peptides known as Rapid Alkalinization Factors (RALF) 4, 19 and 34 as their ligands - molecules that modulate the receptors' functions.

Further, the authors describe how BUPS1/2 and a second pair of related receptors called ANXUR 1 and 2 (ANX1/2), and RALF 4 and 19, all expressed in the pollen tube and required for male fertility, interact together to get their jobs done.

Cheung says, "Our paper describes an important elaboration of the male and female interaction network in plant reproduction. Molecules involved in the process have to work intimately together to orchestrate and support the male-female interactive events. In this process the pollen tube grows inside the pistil, often over distances hundreds or thousands of times greater than the tube's diameter, to deliver sperm to the target egg cell. The pollen tube must remain intact throughout this journey, but then must burst open at exactly the right time and place when it arrives at the target to release sperm for fertilization. Bursting too soon or failing to burst when it should are both devastating to reproduction."

The two research teams found that the receptors and RALF4 and 19 are required to maintain pollen tube integrity during the growth process. They also show that RALF34, expressed from the female, facilitates the bursting process, along with some known and other not yet identified factors. They demonstrate how these molecules interact with each other, illustrating an "intriguing communication mechanism" between male and female to produce seeds, Cheung says.

She adds, "In showing how receptors and their ligands work together to ensure reproductive success, our work illuminates one of the most mysterious processes in biology."

The plant reproduction research community has a tradition of naming important genes from ancient mythology, the biologist says. For example, a gene her group also works on, FERONIA, is named after the Roman goddess of fertility. The researchers named the new factors Buddha paper seal 1 and 2 after a Chinese tale about a naughty monkey held under a rock for 400 years by a charmed paper seal. When a kindly monk passing by broke the seal, the monkey burst out, which is what the scientists were reminded of when they saw how the pollen tube explodes to release sperm and enable fertilization.

This work continues the Cheung-Wu group's many years of plant reproduction research, especially on FERONIA, a receptor related to BUPSs and ANXURs that plays a major role in controlling plant female fertility in development and in coping with environmental stresses.

"It's actually very interesting," says Cheung. "The pollen tube transports sperm to female target cells. FERONIA is waiting there for the pollen tube to arrive. BUPSs, ANXURs, RALF 4 and 10 in the pollen tube make sure the tube does not burst too early, but wait until it gets to the target female cell. There the tube bursts abruptly, an action controlled by FERONIA and in part mediated by a different set of RALFs, releasing sperm at the right time and place."

The team used a combination of reverse genetics, biochemical and biophysical approaches for this work, in collaboration not only with the Chinese group, but also involved investigators from Brazil, Germany, the United States and Mexico. Cheung says the U.S. National Science Foundation's Research Coordination Network in Integrative Pollen Biology, of which she is the principle investigator, provided the catalyst and forum that stimulated these international interactions.

She adds, "I want to emphasize this work as a collaboration. We and the Peking University group, close colleagues with common interests, worked in parallel on some of the topics in this paper without knowing about each other's efforts. In a discussion one day we found out that we had common results, but each group had also generated unique observations and developed distinct insights, so we decided to merge our efforts and publish jointly."

She adds, "In my mind, this sort of collaboration is probably the best kind of scientific interaction. As scientists, we value our own independence and creativity. Even with common results, our thinking could diverge, leading each team to further investigate in different directions, getting to end points that complement each other. This collaboration is not a matter of different expertise, but a matter of common interest and curiosity that took us in different directions that eventually came back together in a complete story."

###

Major support for this work was from the U.S. National Science Foundation to the Cheung-Wu group, National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences to the Qu-Gu group, and by graduate student fellowships from Brazil and Mexico for studies at UMass Amherst.
Digital screen use is a staple of contemporary life for adults and children, whether they are browsing on laptops and smartphones, or watching TV. Paediatricians and scientists have long expressed concerns about the impact of overusing technology on people's wellbeing. However, new Oxford University research suggests that existing guidance managing children's digital media time may not be as beneficial as first thought.

Earlier this year the team published a paper disputing digital device guidelines for teenagers and proposing that a moderate amount of screen-time, known as the 'Goldilocks' period, might actually boosts teenage wellbeing.

In a new study, published in the journal Child Development, researchers from the Oxford Internet Institute and Cardiff University conducted a similar study, assessing the impact of screen-time on children aged two to five. The team tested screen use guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), which proposes a limit of one to two hours per day, as good for the psychological-wellbeing of young children.

Using data from approximately 20,000 telephone interviews with parents, the authors assessed the relationship between their children's technology use and wellbeing. Over the course of a month this relationship was measured in terms of caregiver attachment, impact on emotional resilience, curiosity and positive effect. The results revealed a number of interesting findings that suggest that limiting children's digital device use is not necessarily beneficial for wellbeing.

The team found no consistent correlations between either the 2010 or revised 2016 advised digital usage limits and young children's wellbeing. While children aged two to five whose technology usage was limited in-line with AAP guidance showed slightly higher levels of resilience, this was balanced by lower levels of positive affect.

Further research indicates similar results to those reported in the recent study of adolescents; that moderate screen-use above the recommended limits might actually be linked to slightly higher levels of children's wellbeing.

Lead author Dr Andrew Pryzbylski, of the Oxford Internet Institute, said: 'Taken together, our findings suggest that there is little or no support for the theory that digital screen use, on its own, is bad for young children's psychological wellbeing.

'If anything, our findings suggest the broader family context, how parents set rules about digital screen time, and if they're actively engaged in exploring the digital world together, are more important than the raw screen time. Future research should focus on how using digital devices with parents or care-givers and turning it into a social time can effect children's psychological wellbeing, curiosity, and the bonds with the caregiver involved.'

The paper's other findings of note include observations that our digital screen use increases with age, is higher in boys, non-whites, children with less educated caregivers and children from less affluent households.

The authors found the AAP guidelines themselves to be based on out-of-date research, conducted before digital devices had become so ingrained into everyday life. As a result of this time lapse, they are becoming increasingly difficult to justify and implement.

Co-author Dr Netta Weinstein, a senior lecturer in psychology at Cardiff University, said: 'Given that we cannot put the digital genie back in the bottle, it is incumbent on researchers to conduct rigorous, up-to-date research that identifies mechanisms by and the extent to which screen-time exposure might affect children.

Pryzbylski adds in conclusion: 'To be robust, current recommendations may need to be re-evaluated and given additional consideration before we can confidently recommend that these digital screen-time limits are good for young children's mental health and wellbeing'.

###

Notes to editors:

The full paper citation is 'Digital Screen Time Limits and Young Children's Psychological Well-Being: Evidence From a Population-Based Study' by Andrew K. Przybylski and Netta Weinstein

Web link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.13007/abstract

For further information contact Lanisha Butterfield, Media Relations Manager, lanisha.butterfield@admin.ox.ac.uk or call 01865 280531
Research at the University of Oregon finds that women who acknowledge gratitude move closer to true altruism that favors charitable giving over themselves

EUGENE, Ore. - Dec. 14, 2017 - Gratitude does more than help maintain good health. New research at the University of Oregon finds that regularly noting feelings of gratitude in a journal leads to increased altruism.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, sought to determine whether personal altruistic traits could be increased with a writing intervention.

Initially, participants were assessed through questionnaires and brain scanning by magnetic resonance imaging. During their first run through the MRI, the participants viewed transactions in which a sum of money was donated to a local food bank or routed to themselves.

"We found that across the whole group at the first session, people who reported more altruistic and grateful traits showed a reward-related brain response when the charity received money that was larger than when they received the money themselves," said Christina M. Karns, director of the UO's Emotions and Neuroplasticity Project in the Department of Psychology.

Results of functional MRI, which measures the metabolism of oxygen in active brain cells, showed that altruism-related activity increased in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, an area deep in the brain associated with altruism in previous studies, including one led by study co-author Ulrich Mayr that found increases in pure altruism as people grow older.

Next, to test the journaling intervention, the 33 women, ages 18-27, who participated in the study were randomly assigned to two groups. In one, 16 wrote daily in an online journal, responding to prompts with questions related to gratitude. The other 17 received neutral daily prompts not focused on gratitude.

Three weeks later, the participants returned for functional MRI scanning as they repeated the questionnaires and viewed transactions of money going to the food bank or themselves.

"We found that activity recorded in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex shifted in the people in the gratitude-journaling group," Karns said. "This group, as a whole, increased that value signal toward the charity getting the money over watching themselves get the money as if they were more generous toward others than themselves."

Research on positive thinking and practicing gratitude previously has shown benefits to improved health and general well-being, but the new research, Karns said, was designed to explore gratitude with a philosophical perspective. This perspective emphasizes more than gratitude's benefit to oneself, focusing on the downstream benefits of gratitude to others in society.

To do that, she used a variety of questionnaires to discreetly explore the participants' feelings about altruism, combining then with the transaction-viewing exercise developed by the co-authors for use in earlier studies.

The new study's results indicate, Karns said, that the part of the brain that supports feeling a reward is flexible, allowing for changes in values of a "neural currency" linked to feelings of altruism.

"Our findings suggest that there's more good out there when there is gratitude," Karns said.

Whether the changes brought about by gratitude journaling endure and are realized more generally are open questions, Karns said. For example, the study focused on only women to reduce variables related to gender.

"I would like to do a longer-term study with more people to see how this holds up in the real world," she said. "I would love to have a large enough sample to see if there are gender differences and how they manifest. Does this feeling last? How often do you have to journal to be most effective?"

###

The research was supported by grants to Karns from the Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude Project through the Greater Good Science Center, in partnership with the University of California. Karns also received support from the Lewis Center for Neuroimaging at the University of Oregon and The Templeton Religious Trust via the Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing at the University of Oklahoma.

Former UO doctoral student William E. Moore III, now a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University, was a co-author on the study.

Source: Christina Karns, research associate, Department of Psychology, 541-346-4261, ckarns@uoregon.edu

Note: The UO is equipped with an on-campus television studio with a point-of-origin Vyvx connection, which provides broadcast-quality video to networks worldwide via fiber optic network. There also is video access to satellite uplink and audio access to an ISDN codec for broadcast-quality radio interviews.

Links:

The study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00599/full

About Karns: https://bdl.uoregon.edu/research/people/staff/christina-karns/

Emotions and Neuroplasticity Project: https://projectpos.uoregon.edu

Department of Psychology: https://psychology.uoregon.edu/

Previous research by Ulrich Mayr on pure altruism across the lifespan: http://around.uoregon.edu/content/uo-team-finds-signs-pure-altruism-brain
100 years ago, Dec. 14, 1917

MATTOON -- Street Commissioner McDuffie sent out the snow plows this morning, the fifth time since the advent of cold weather. Winter will not be here officially until Dec. 22, but the street department has had five times as much work to do as during the entire winter of 1916-17. Last winter, the snow plows were out one time only. Snow began falling after midnight. This morning the fresh snow on the ground was deeper than either of the previous snowfalls... RANTOUL -- Thomas J. "Tommy" Dolan, who virtually all his life lived in Mattoon, was killed near the Illinois Central Railroad station yesterday morning when struck by one of the company's passenger trains. Dolan was walking along the tracks near the station at the time of the accident. It is presumed he did not realize his nearness to the tracks until it was too late. At the time of the accident, Mr. Dolan was employed in constructing the pikes on the Rantoul aviation grounds.

50 years ago, 1967

MATTOON -- Mattoon is one of 47 downstate Illinois cities assigned units under a reorganization of the Illinois National Guard announced today by Gov. Otto kerner. Under reorganization, the new Mattoon unit will be Company A, 2nd battalion, 130th Infantry. The authorized strength will be six officers, no warrant officers and 168 enlisted men. Mattoon National Guard units now consist of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry, and the 3rd Rifle Platoon, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 130th Infantry, with a combined strength of seven officers, no warrant officers and 130 enlisted men. Mattoon's changes will start on Feb. 1 and is to end by May 31... CHARLESTON -- Mr. and Mrs. Jean Hutchison of Charleston received a telegram Tuesday that their son, Pfc. Stanley Hutchison, 23, had multiple fragment wounds resulting from a booby-trap explosion. Hutchison was assigned to Company D, 1st Infantry Division, currently about 40 miles north of Saigon. Hutchison entered the service Nov. 11, 1966, and has been in Vietnam since July. His wife is the former Connie Cuppy... CHARLESTON -- The U.S. Interior Department is expected to make a decision on the proposed Lincoln Homestead National Recreation Area in early 1968, congressional sponsors of the project said today. Sen. Everett Dirksen, Sen. Charles Percy and Rep. William L. Springer issued a joint statement on the status of their bill to put development of the proposed recreational development of Lincoln Lake Reservoir, south of Charleston, in the hands of the National Park Service. The three lawmakers said the Interior Department is waiting on prospective reservoir levels, expected in early January, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

25 years ago, 1992

CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois University President David L. Jorns told nearly 650 graduates in Sundays commencement ceremony to leave the world a better place than you found it. In his first commencement address since being named president in September, Jorns delivered an optimistic address that was fitting of a theater professor, interjecting humor while offering a vision for the university. As you go forward, its your obligation, I think, to see that the institutions, like this one, that helped you fulfill yourselves, are preserved and remain for the next generation, he said MATTOON -- For most of its 22 years, the local model railroad club has focused its efforts on sharing a hobby with others at its regular meetings. Now the club has developed a larger display for bigger shows and public events. The major models displayed this weekend at the Cross County Mall were put together to promote model railroads and keep live memories of the time when trains played a bigger role in society. Members of the Coles County Central Model Railroad Club own 4-foot sections of the large model. The club owns the ends of the display. Club members said the big display gives youngsters an opportunity to learn about railroads.

100 years ago, Dec. 15, 1917

MATTOON -- Numerous cities and villages on the Big Four Railroad, Charleston and Mattoon included, are facing a water famine, according to reports. Mattoon is one of the few inland cities having sufficient water to meet the demand of the times. Coal cars have been equipped for hauling water. Charleston's shortage is due to inadequate pumping facilities rather than to a lack of reserve supply. The Charleston water plant is said to be in such condition that it cannot be operated steadily... MATTOON -- The house of worship of the Church of Christ, 1712 DeWitt Ave., which was wrecked by the tornado last May, has been reconstructed and equipped at a cost of $1,150. The new building fund was raised by subscription...MATTOON -- Emery Hill, aged 21 years, son of Richard Hill, a farmer living southeast of Mattoon, died this morning at the base hospital at Camp Pike, Ark. Death was due to scarlet fever. Young Hill was a member of the second contingent sent from Coles County to Camp Taylor, near Louisville, Ky. With 98 others, he was transferred recently to Camp Pike, where he was assigned to the 245th Infantry.

50 years ago, 1967

MATTOON -- Alan Holderfield of Mattoon has been elected president of the lake Land College Student Congress. Holderfield was elected following organization of the congress, the representative student body of the college. Elected vice president was William Rogers of Charleston. Shirley Brown of Mattoon is secretary and Carl Taylor of Elwin is treasurer. Frank Adams, social science instructor, has assisted in organization of the congress and is faculty sponsor... CHICAGO -- The American Farm Bureau Federation, at its 49th annual meeting, re-elected Charles B. Shuman, 60, of Sullivan, Ill., a livestock and grain farmer, to his seventh two-year term as president of the organization. He was elected to a one-year term in 1954 and to his first two-year term the following year.

25 years ago, 1992

MATTOON -- The Lake Land College Board of Trustees says a 4.25 percent pay increase for college secretaries is its best offer. Board members met in executive session for about an hour to discuss contract negotiations. The 4.25 percent increase is in line with other raises given this year to campus groups. The administration, support and supervisory staff received 4.25 percent increases, as did the faculty. Custodians received a 4 percent pay raise MATTOON -- TCI of Illinois recently contributed $5,548.15 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The cable television company raised the majority of the funds by designating $10 from each cable installation during September and October to MDA. Making the presentation were Dan VanZandbergen, general manager of TCI of Illinois, and Carolyn Cloyd, office manager. The check was presented to Barbara Payne, district director of the MDA.
PHILADELPHIA | MARLTON - Cancer care in South Jersey is about to enter a new era. Penn Medicine, in partnership with Virtua, announced plans to build a new proton facility on the campus of Virtua's acute care hospital, Virtua Voorhees. The new $35 million center, which will allow cancer patients to undergo cutting edge proton therapy in single-room treatments, is expected to be completed by 2020. It will be the first and only proton therapy center in South Jersey.

"Penn has established itself as a global leader in proton therapy both for the treatment of patients and the training of other medical professionals, and now we're excited to spread that expertise to residents of South Jersey," said Ralph Muller, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. "In partnership with Virtua, this center will usher in a new era of cancer treatment in South Jersey and give patients access to cutting edge care without having to come to Pennsylvania."

Proton therapy has a few key differences from traditional radiation. Traditional therapy uses x-rays, which are a form of photon radiation. The rays go into the body from one side and come out the other, touching more than just the cancer cells and potentially damaging healthy tissue along the way. The proton beam is positively charged and enters the body at a low dose of radiation. When it hits the cancer it's targeting, the dosage increases. The beam then stops, preventing the radiation from moving through healthy tissue and exiting the other side of the body. This allows healthy tissue to be spared, while maximizing the chances of attacking cancer cells.

Penn Medicine is a global leader in proton therapy. Penn radiation oncologists have treated almost 4,500 patients since the Roberts Proton Therapy Center first opened in 2010, and have trained more than 500 medical professionals from across the world, many of whom attend an annual three-day course hosted at Penn. That course helps train doctors and health care leaders to learn about best practices in the use of this emerging technology as they establish new proton centers around the world. Clinical trials in the Roberts Proton Therapy Center have mapped new treatments for pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and many other diseases which are otherwise difficult to treat with radiation. Now that global expertise will bring state-of-the-science proton therapy to the South Jersey community.

"Currently, patients who may benefit from proton therapy - especially for hard-to-treat cancers - can only receive this therapy at a handful of specialized centers across the country," said James M. Metz, MD, chair of Radiation Oncology at Penn. "This project represents the next phase of proton therapy, in which these treatment facilities will spread into the community to make it easier for patients to get access, and Penn is proud to once again lead the way."

Virtua is proud to provide the first location in South Jersey to offer this life-changing therapy to cancer patients, alongside the full range of conventional radiation treatments that are part of its cancer programs.

"This highly sophisticated cancer treatment will be available to South Jersey residents as a result of the strong partnership between Virtua and Penn Medicine," said Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, Virtua President and CEO. "The outstanding value for our patients is that they will receive advanced cancer care close to home and family, with radiation treatment plans developed by Penn's radiation oncologists."

From evaluation to treatment, patients will be able to get everything they need at the new facility, including access to clinical trials involving proton therapy. The aspect of care that will remain centered at Penn Medicine is the treatment planning phase, which will be done virtually, providing patients with access to Penn's expertise without having to come into Philadelphia for their appointments.

"We have almost a decade of experience in this field that we will continue to lean on, and keeping the treatment planning centralized will ensure that all of that expertise moves seamlessly into the community," Metz said. "For patients, it will be the same experience they would get on Penn's campus."

The Penn Medicine/Virtua strategic alliance creates easier access to advanced specialty care by growing programs in South Jersey supported by both organizations. With an understanding that patients want to be close to home and family when dealing with serious illnesses, this partnership provides the best plan of care that incorporates facilities in both health systems. Virtua continues to explore collaboration opportunities with Penn Medicine to strengthen and support Virtua's delivery of specialty care. The alliance reduces duplication of resources, increases efficiencies, and enhances convenience for patients and families. It fosters relationships among the medical professionals of both organizations, ensuring delivery of care in the appropriate setting, eliminating gaps in care and improving access to specialty services.

Penn and Virtua leaders have referred to the new proton facility as Project Olympus, a reference to the fact that as they face the mountainous challenges of bringing proton therapy into the community for the first time, they make the climb together.

###

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $6.7 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $392 million awarded in the 2016 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2016, Penn Medicine provided $393 million to benefit our community.

As one of New Jersey's largest, non-profit health systems, Virtua provides comprehensive health care services to achieve its mission to help people be well, get well and stay well. Virtua provides services through Virtua Medical Group with 500 physicians and other clinicians, and at its urgent care centers, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, health and wellness centers, fitness centers, home health services, long-term care and rehabilitation centers, and paramedic program. A leader in maternal and child health services, Virtua delivers nearly 8,000 babies a year. It provides health services to 1,500 businesses, and participates in Virtua Physician Partners, a clinically integrated network of 1,000 physicians and other clinicians. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. It employs over 9,000 and has been honored as the #1 Best Place to Work in the Delaware Valley many times since 2007. It is the recipient of a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for quality of care, and its hospitals earned straight A's in patient safety by The Leapfrog Group and the 2016 Patient Safety Award from Healthgrades. U.S. News and World Report ranked Virtua's Mount Holly and Voorhees hospitals as High Performing Hospitals and Voorhees as a Best Regional Hospital. Virtua is also the recipient of the Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.virtua.org or http://www.virtuabroadcastnetwork.org.
Goannas have overtaken foxes as the number one predator of the endangered loggerhead turtle at its second largest Queensland nesting beach.

A University of Queensland study has found that since feral red foxes were controlled in the 1980s, there has been an increase in the number goanna raids on loggerhead turtle nests at Wreck Rock beach, south of Agnes Waters.

UQ School of Biological Sciences researchers PhD student Juan Lei and Dr David Booth observed - with the assistance of Turtle Care Queensland Inc volunteers and camera traps - that the predators disturb up to 400 nests at the beach in one year.

"We discovered that only large male yellow-spotted goannas dug open sea turtle nests, but once the nest was opened other lizards, such as lace monitors and smaller yellow-spotted goannas, raided them," Dr Booth said.

"We had expected most nests would be discovered within one or two days of being constructed because of the visual and scent cues left behind by the female turtle.

"But what we found was the likelihood of a turtle nest being opened by a goanna wasn't related to the nest age or even the presence of ghost crabs, which disturb nests by burrowing and potentially releasing those smells that attract a goanna's attention.

"So we still don't know the mechanism by which goannas discover and attack sea turtle nests that are several weeks into the incubation period."

Dr Booth said studying the relationships between predators and prey, and the interactions between different predators that hunt the same prey, were important in ecological research.

"One predator species may provide the cue signalling the location of prey to the other predator species, particularly when food sources become sparse," he said.

The study, supported by a Nest to Oceans Turtle Protection Program grant, is published in Austral Ecology (doi:10.1111/aec.12568).

###
A study led by the University of Southampton has found that people who continue to get problems from their asthma, despite receiving standard treatment, experience an improved quality of life when they are taught breathing exercises. The majority of asthma patients have some degree of impaired quality of life.

Researchers, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), also found that the benefits of the breathing exercises were similar, whether they were taught in person by a physiotherapist in three face-to-face sessions, or delivered digitally for use in their own home (in this study via DVD). Their findings are published in a paper in the journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

The controlled trial recruited 655 UK adults who reported impaired asthma-related quality of life. Participants were randomised to receive a breathing exercise intervention delivered via DVD (261 people), or face to face with a physiotherapist (132 people). A third 'control' group received 'usual care' (262 people), continuing to take normal asthma medication, with no further intervention.

Both the DVD and face to face physiotherapy programmes improved patients' asthma-related quality of life scores (over 12 months) compared with those receiving usual care, with improvements that are comparable to those achieved by increasing medication. Neither of the breathing retraining interventions (exercises) improved lung function or airway inflammation, suggesting they were not affecting the underlying biology of the disease. The programmes did not 'cure' asthma, despite improving people's experience of having it. The number of asthma attacks was lower in the breathing retraining groups, but the reductions were not at a level of statistical significance.

The NHS healthcare costs were lower for both breathing retraining groups than for the usual care control group, and were lowest when access was provided digitally.1 Savings made by delivering the programme in this way outweigh any technology provision costs. The team has made the contents of the DVD and the supporting booklet freely available through the website http://www.breathestudy.co.uk/.

Asthma affects more than five million people in the UK and costs the NHS and social care (including disability payments) more than 1 billion each year. It led to at least 6.3 million primary care consultations, and 1,160 asthma deaths in 2012. While asthma medications can provide full symptom control for some, a recent European survey suggests this isn't the case for most.

First author on the paper, Professor Anne Bruton, of the University of Southampton, comments: "Our study provides valuable evidence to show that not only can these breathing exercises be of help to people with asthma, they can also be cost-effective - with teaching by DVD much cheaper than in person. Many patients have concerns about taking medicines long-term, so non-drug approaches to control asthma, like these exercises, can be of particular interest."

The NIHR was receptive to calls from patients, carers and clinicians to fund studies looking into ways that could help asthmatics manage their condition. Professor Hywel Williams, Director of the NIHR's Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme, says: "We are delighted to have funded this study in an area of research that is important to the public and medical professionals.

"The need for more research into the possible benefits of breathing exercises as a physical therapy for asthma was identified by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) after patients, carers and clinicians highlighted it among their top 10 questions for research into asthma.

"It is important that we continue to fund research in technologies that help people manage their conditions."

Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research & Policy at the charity Asthma UK, says: "Excitingly, this study shows that video can be just as effective as face-to-face support in communicating with people with asthma and encouraging them to better manage their symptoms.

"It demonstrates how important technology can be in transforming healthcare and potentially the lives of the 5.4 million people in the UK with asthma. We're urging researchers and innovators to work together to develop ways to help people with asthma through digital means, whether that is through video, SMART inhalers that can monitor the effectiveness of treatment, or apps to help patients manage their symptoms."

###

Notes to Editors

1) Costs for the physiotherapy face to face intervention was 83.45 per patient compared with 2.85 for the DVD (printing the discs and documentation).

2) For a copy of The Lancet Respiratory Medicine paper Physiotherapy breathing retraining for asthma - a randomised control trial, access under embargo at: http://www.thelancet-press.com/embargo/breathing.pdf or contact Peter Franklin, Media Relations, University of Southampton. Tel: 023 8059 5457 Email: p.franklin@southampton.ac.uk,

3) Anne Bruton is funded by a National Institute for Health Research Senior Research Fellowship.

4) More information on the study has been published in the NIHR Journals Library. For a summary of the study see the NIHR Signal. More information on the James Lind Alliance is available on their website.

5) The University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world's challenges. We are among the top one per cent of institutions globally. Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 24,000-strong community of exceptional students, from over 135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of over 200,000 alumni. http://www.southampton.ac.uk

6) Asthma UK's mission is to stop asthma attacks and cure asthma. We do this by funding world leading research, campaigning for improved care and supporting people to reduce their risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack. The Asthma UK Helpline is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 0300 222 5800.For more information about asthma please visit http://www.asthma.org.uk

7) The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): improving the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Established by the Department of Health, the NIHR:

- funds high quality research to improve health - trains and supports health researchers - provides world-class research facilities - works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all - involves patients and the public at every step

For further information, visit the NIHR website: http://www.nihr.ac.uk

For further information contact:

Peter Franklin, Media Relations, University of Southampton, Tel: 023 8059 5457 Email: p.franklin@southampton.ac.uk

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/contact-press-team.page

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New computational strategies reported this week in Science might help realize the promise of peptide-based drugs. Peptides are similar to protein molecules, but differ in their smaller size, structure and functions.

Macrocyclic peptides have sparked pharmaceutical industry interest, because they have certain physical and chemical properties that could become the basis of a new generation of medications.

Small peptides have the benefits of small molecule drugs, like aspirin, and large antibody therapies, like rituximab, with fewer drawbacks. They are stable like small molecules and potent and selective like antibodies.

An example of a macrocyclic peptide drug success story is cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant for organ transplants and some autoimmune disorders.

Before the work described in the Science paper, there was no way to systematically design ordered peptide macrocycles like cyclosporine.

Naturally occurring peptides that might serve as reliable starting points, or scaffolds, are few. Equally as frustrating is that they often fail to perform as expected when repurposed. Instead, researchers had resorted to screening large, randomly generated libraries of compounds in the hopes of finding what they needed.

The methods covered in the report, "Comprehensive computational design of ordered peptide macrocycles" now solve these problems.

The lead authors are Parisa Hossienzadeh, Gaurav Bhardwaj and Vikram Mulligan, of the University of Washington School of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and the UW Institute of Protein Design. The senior author is David Baker, professor of biochemistry and head of the institute. Baker is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

"In our paper," the researchers noted, "we describe computational strategies for designing peptides that adopt diverse shapes with very high accuracy and for providing comprehensive coverage of the structures that can be formed by short peptides."

They pointed out the advantages of this new computational approach:

First, they were able to design and compile a library of many new stable peptide scaffolds that can provide the basic platforms for drug candidate architecture. Their methods also can be used to design additional custom peptides with arbitrary shapes on demand.

"We sampled the diverse landscape of shapes that peptides can form, as a guide for designing the next generation of drugs," the researchers said.

Key to control of the geometry and chemistry of molecules was the design of peptides with natural amino acids, called L-amino acids, and their mirror opposites containing D-amino acids. (The L and D stand for Latin words for rotating to the left or the right, as some molecular structures can have left-or-right handedness or chirality).

The D-amino acids improved pharmacological properties by increasing resistance to natural enzymes that breakdown peptides. Inclusion of D-amino acids in designs also allows for a more diverse range of shapes.

Designing peptides takes intensive computer power, resulting in expensive calculations. The researchers credited a cadre of citizen scientists and volunteers who donated their spare cellular smartphone minutes and computer time. The Hyak Supercomputer at the University of Washington also ran some of the programs.

The researchers pointed to future directions for their peptide computational design approaches. They hope to design peptides that can permeate cell membranes and go inside living cells.

In other aspects, they plan to add new functionalities to peptide structures by stabilizing the binding motifs at protein-protein interfaces for basic science studies. For clinical applications, they anticipate using their methods and scaffolds for developing peptide-based drugs.

###

The work published this week in Science was supported by awards from the National Institutes of Health, the Washington Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, a Pew Latin-American fellowship, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Facilities sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy also were used.

Other researchers on the project were: Matthew D. Shortridge, Timothy W. Craven, Fatima Pardo-Avila, Stephen A. Rettie, David E. Kim, Daniel-Adriano Silva, Yehia M. Ibrahim, Ian K. Webb, John R. Cort, Joshua N. Adkins and Gabriele Varani.
Protein assemblies, designed and built from scratch to carry molecular cargo, are advancing both synthetic life research and engineering efforts for targeted drug delivery.

Scientists have succeeded in developing the first reported synthetic protein assemblies that encapsulate their own genetic materials and evolve new traits in complex environments.

The project is reported this week in the scientific journal, Nature. The lead authors of the paper are Gabriel L. Butterfield and Marc J. Lajoie at the University of Washington Institute for Protein Design.

The advance stems from molecular engineering projects at UW Medicine and other areas of the University of Washington to create targeted drug delivery systems. The synthetic protein assemblies were computationally designed. They did not exist previously until they were formed in a lab.

The scientists created these assemblies in their search for new ways to transport therapeutic cargos into specific types of cells without using viruses as vehicles.

"Targeted drug delivery is a major unsolved need in medicine," Lajoie noted, "Currently, researchers are using viruses, which are effective, but difficult to engineer, or they are using polymeric nanoparticles, which are engineerable, but less effective at targeted delivery."

In addition to their potential for biomedical applications, the newly designed protein assemblies could be groundbreaking in synthetic life research. They are believed to be the first fully synthetic assemblies to package their own genetic materials and evolve new traits. These are functions normally associated with living things.

The work was conducted in the laboratories of UW Medicine researchers David Baker, professor of biochemistry, and Neil King, assistant professor of biochemistry, both at the UW School of Medicine; and Suzie Pun, the Robert F. Rushmer Professor of Bioengineering at the UW.

The new protein assemblies are synthetic versions of nucleocapsids - genome containers. Most viruses surround their genetic material with a protein shell. The synthetic nucleocapsids were built to resemble a virus shell, which, like the hold of an aircraft or ship, can protect and deliver cargo.

Lajoie explained that, unlike living viruses, these synthetic genetic cargo-carriers can't copy themselves to reproduce. Butterfield added, "Still, they rival viruses in genome packaging efficiency, and are much simpler and easier to engineer."

Combining computational design with evolution provides a fresh opportunity to develop new biological functions. In this way, the researchers observed, complex properties required for biomedical applications were introduced into these protein assemblies. These included improvements in their ability to package RNA, enhanced resistance to blood (which has substances that would usually degrade such assemblies), and a longer circulation time in living mice.

Improvements in each property came from changes to specific regions of the capsid. Initial packaging came from redesigning the interior to electrostatically capture RNA. Following this, evolutionary steps were: evolving the interior to better foster RNA packaging, evolving protection against RNA damaging enzymes and other destroyers in the blood, and evolving the exterior to increase circulation time in living mice.

Packaging genetic material is critical for living things. It preserves the code of life which occurs in chemical form as DNA or RNA molecules.

"We designed synthetic nucleocapsids from scratch based on two completely unrelated proteins," Lajoie said. "This is exciting because we were able to design functions that are essential for life without having to use existing cells as a template."

Future work will carry on the combined design-and-evolve strategy to try to optimize the function of the protein assemblies in complex settings, such as those in live tissues.

"We were surprised at how efficiently evolution solved our problems so far. We hope that this will continue as we pursue our next goals: delivering therapeutic cargos to specific cells in animals," Butterfield said.

###

The work was funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Defense Advances Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Washington Research Foundation and the Cancer Research Institute.

Other researchers on the study were Heather H. Gustafson, Drew L. Sellers, Una Nattermann, Daniel Ellis, Jacob B. Bale, Sharon Ke, Garreck H. Lenz, Angelica Yehdego, and Rashmi Ravichandran.
STONE TOWN, Zanzibar, Tanzania (Dec.14, 2017) - A team of WCS scientists recently completed the first-ever range-wide population census of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus kirkii) an endangered primate found only on the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of East Africa.

The good news: there are more than three times as many Zanzibar red colobus monkeys (more than 5,800 individual animals) than previously thought, and many more monkeys living within protected areas than outside of them. And the bad news: survivorship of young animals is very low, species now extinct in 4 areas, forest habitat on which the primates and others species depend are rapidly being cleared for agriculture and tourism development projects and hunting is common.

The paper titled "Zanzibar's endemic red colobus Piliocolobus kirkii: first systematic and total assessment of population, demography and distribution" has been published in the online version of the journal Oryx. The authors are: Tim R.B. Davenport; Said A. Fakih; Sylvanos P. Kimiti; Lydia U. Kleine; Lara S. Foley; and Daniela W. De Luca.

"Scientists have known about the Zanzibar red colobus monkey for 150 years, yet this is the first systematic study of this poorly understood species across its entire range," said Dr. Tim Davenport, Director of WCS's Tanzania Country Program and the lead author of the study. "The systematic assessment redefines almost everything we know about this amazing animal, and is now guiding effective management strategies for this species."

Seeking to gain a better understanding of the status and ecological needs of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, the WCS team of researchers spent two years (4,725 hours spent in the field) searching for and observing the arboreal primates. The surveys occurred both within and outside of protected areas on the main Zanzibar island of Unguja, and the scientists employed a new sweep census technique to collect data on group sizes and structures, demographics, and locations with the help of GPS devices.

The results of the study provided researchers with proof that Zanzibar's protected areas are, to some extent, working. Some 69 percent of the population of Zanzibar red colobus monkeys live inside Unguja's protected area network, and monkey groups found within protected areas boasted both higher average group sizes and more females per group.

Conversely, the assessment also highlighted challenges for conservation. Especially for the more than 30 percent of the monkey's population that live outside of protected areas. The scientists discovered that four of the forests previously known to contain Zanzibar red colobus monkeys no longer do. Four other locations were found to contain only one family group, which are unlikely to survive in isolation.

One of the largest threats to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey is deforestation. Forests on Zanzibar's main island of Unguja are being lost at a rate of more than 19 square kilometers per year due to agricultural activities, residential development, and human population growth. The hunting of monkeys for food and retaliation for crop raiding is also a concern.

The authors recommend creating a new protected area to further safeguard the Zanzibar red colobus monkey as well as increasing primate and forest tourism operations. The team has also suggested making the primate the official national animal of Zanzibar.

"The Zanzibar red colobus monkey is unique to Zanzibar and could be a wonderful example of how conservation efforts can succeed in protecting both wildlife and habitat, which in turn benefits communities" added Davenport, who recently presented the study's results to the Zanzibar government. "The species could serve as a fitting symbol for both Zanzibar and the government's foresight in wildlife management."

WCS will work with the Government of Zanzibar to initiate a flagship species program that will protect both primates and the archipelago's remaining forests.

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WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world's oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242.
Isis Aparicio added the El to emphasize that her restaurant was a little different  but still related  to her sisters restaurant with a very similar name.

El Cielito Lindo (roughly translated as Lovely Sweet One) opened its doors in October 2016 in a small strip mall close to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln downtown campus. Home to several previous eating establishments, El Cielito Lindo is a bit small, but exudes a welcoming warmth and coziness.

Aparicios sister, Janelli Sanchez, steers Cielito Lindo (note the absence of El), which opened a few years ago in the First and West O streets area.

Both restaurants feature authentic Mexican food, although according to Aparicio, El Cielito Lindo offers more platter options as well as serving beer and margaritas.

El Cielito Lindo is part of three Mexican eateries in Lincoln associated with Aparicios family including El Chaparro at 13th and F Streets.

Aparicio got her start waitressing and eventually managing her fathers (Fortunato Sanchez) second El Chaparro on North 48th Street. After that restaurant closed in 2016, Fortunato urged her to open a Mexican restaurant to continue serving their loyal customers. The Q Street location was available, and Aparicio fell in love with the location and ambiance. All three eateries offer authentic Mexican cuisine from the Guerrero region of Mexico. Spicy and saucy, Aparicio says.

And keeping things in the family, Aparicios mother, Isis Vargas, oversees the El Cielito Lindo kitchen.

One might wonder if there is any competition between family members and their respective restaurants. Aparicio smiles and responds that each of the establishments has its own regular customers with the menus pretty much mirroring one another.

Some may say that something is better at one or the other, she said, but I feel it is all the same and just depends upon what people like.

The El Cielito Lindo lunch customer base basically comprises workers from the Federal Building and staff from nearby businesses. The evening and weekend crowd is primarily college students, while families with children are also establishing a presence on weekends.

After more than a year of operation, Aparicio said that the business has met expectations.

Things are at a pretty good pace  we see a lot of regulars coming in, she said. Aparicio did report one surprise  a bit of a slowdown during the summer months when most of the UNL students are away.

El Cielito Lindo presents a most exhaustive menu with copious choices. While any of the menu items can be orders for lunch or dinner, Aparicio points out that the first dozen options are more lunch portions with the remainder of the 30-plus entrees larger quantities.

Various combinations of burritos, tamales, enchiladas and tacos, as well as huevos rancheros, huevos with Mexican sausage or ham, Mexican style huevos, and steak and huevos number among the lunch portion items, ranging from $6.50 to $6.99. Several items allow the customer to choose the items type of meat  steak, shredded beef, tongue, spicy sausage, shredded pork, seasoned pork, chicken or ground beef.

The remainder of the expansive menu features choices including beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or fish in such entrees as meat or shrimp quesadillas ($4.99 to $10.49); tortas, five tacos or burrito ($6.99); chicken enchiladas in mole ($9.99) and seasoned chicken, chicken in cream sauce, chicken in chipotle sauce or grilled tilapia ($11.99); beef, chicken or a combination of beef, chicken and shrimp fajitas ($11.99 to $13.99); and shrimp  deviled, garlic, onion or cream sauce ($12.99).

Customer favorites rival between the Dos Enchiladas (choose your meat and red or green sauce, $6.99) or one of the fajita offerings  beef or chicken ($11.99), or a mix of beef, chicken and shrimp ($13.99).

Aparicio believes in her restaurant  that it delivers really good authentic Mexican food for its customers. She concludes, You can go to other local Mexican restaurants and have a good experience there, but nothing like at El Cielito Lindo.
Thursday, December 14, 2017

Are you single, over 50, and not sure where to travel this year? Dont worry. Were here to help!

Summer is in the air, and there is no better time to travel than right now! However, if youre single and over 50, traveling by yourself may seem daunting. If Cancun was the go-to destination when you were 20, it may not be your scene anymore. Here at Stitch, we have scoured the globe for the 5 best travel destinations for singles over 50 that will give you the best opportunity to have fun and meet people your age at the same time.

The Bahamas

A cruise ship is an excellent way to meet other singles just like you, and there are many affordable cruises traveling to the Bahamas year around. The Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In addition to being beautiful, there are actually a lot of activities to do while on the ship, or on the island, with others. One can go on a fishing excursion, take a boat trip to snorkel at the reefs, and even swim with dolphins. Cruise activities may include card games, dance lessons, magnificent pools, casinos, exercise classes, and of course, mixes for singles!

Gold Coast, Australia

The Gold Coast, Australia is for the outdoors type that enjoys adventure. The most popular vacation spot in Australia offers beautiful beaches to relax on and wilderness to explore. Enjoy a paddle boarding class with others, rainforest group tours, and bungee jumping with a partner. There are also many places to hike and bike, and the Gold Coast boasts numerous delicious restaurants that will satisfy any taste. The locals and travelers are known for being incredibly friendly and welcoming, so it will be very easy to meet people along your trip.

Hawaii

Hawaii can be one of the best places to meet other singles. All inclusive resorts can offer guided scuba diving/snorkeling and whale- watching excursions for people over 50 in their resort welcome packages, or for an additional fee. Like the Australian Gold Coast, you can participate in activities, like boating, or take a hike through the beautiful greenery. But what Australia cannot offer you is the chance to experience a true Hawaiian Luau. Dine with other mature singles as you experience delicious food and native Hawaiian customs.

Costa Rica

For the person who likes peace and quiet and is looking for a break from the maddening crowds, Costa Rica is for you. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to lounge around the beach and explore peaceful rain forests. You will also have the chance to tour the wildlife reserves and discover unbelievable volcanoes. But the best part? Costa Ricas lodging and dining are relatively inexpensive and can stay within a modest budget.

Amsterdam

If the tropical climate is not your cup of tea, Amsterdam should be your next travel destination. This city is actually one of the more beautiful cities in the world, and full of culture. You can spend a quiet day walking or biking, along the canals through the city, where you can check out the organic markets, and purchase local delicatessens, along the way. Or you can experience some of the most famous pieces of artwork with a group tour at the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. Amsterdam is a busy place full of interesting people to meet on your guided tours of different attractions around town.

At Stitch, we want everyones travels to be fun, yet safe. When traveling to a different country, take a minute to research any cultural differences/laws that may be different from your own country. Also, consult with your doctor about any vaccines needed to visit that country. Finally, be mindful of your surroundings when in the foreign countries.

Do you have a trip planned for 2015? Do you want to try one of the places we mentioned? Have you already traveled some place this year? We want to know! Feel free to comment below and share. Safe travels!

Share on our community forum! Click here for 25% off an annual membership for Stitch.

Stitch is a community which helps anyone over 50 find the companionship they need.



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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Tuesday, February 6, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Death educator Gail Rubin presents the film clip-illustrated talk, Hollywoods Visions Trips and Crowded Rooms at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNM. The class will take place at UNM Continuing Education, South Building, 1634 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131.

Dr. David Kesslers book Visions, Trips and Crowded Rooms opens a door to discussing death. It shares the personal stories of medical and hospice professionals who witness death. Some of the dying see remarkable visions. Some speak of going on a trip. Others see people crowding the room, some they know, others they dont. Hollywood films provide a concrete way of looking at this phenomenon when someone dies. This talk opens the door to discussing mortality issues.

Register for class 83294 for $20 at Oshers website.

Speaker Gail Rubin

Speaker Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death, is author of the award-winning books A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die, Kicking the Bucket List: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die (Rio Grande Books), and Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips. She is the coordinator of the Before I Die ABQ Festival.

Rubin is a Certified Thanatologist (CT), a designation awarded by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). The designation Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement is a fancy name for a death educator. She has made behind-the-scenes visits to mortuaries and the Office of the Medical Investigator, and takes continuing education courses on funerals, death, mourning, grief, and related topics.

She is also a Certified Celebrant, a Life Tribute professional personally trained by Doug Manning and Glenda Stansbury of the In-Sight Institute, the leading U.S. organization that trains Celebrants. Gail is also a public relations professional and event planner. She has more than 30 years of experience creating many memorable life cycle events. She is an award-winning speaker with memberships in Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association New Mexico Chapter.

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Thursday, December 14, 2017

ICF, a Fairfax-based provider of consulting and digital services, will acquire London-based The Future Customer Limited, a boutique loyalty strategy and marketing company. The Future Customer will operate as part of ICF Olsons 1-to-1 loyalty practice, which was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Customer Loyalty Solutions, Q3 2017, the highest distinction in that category.

According to a release, The acquisition of The Future Customer is an excellent fit with our successful loyalty and customer relationship marketing practice, which currently works for global brands including Wyndham, Hyatt, Luxottica and Citi in the United States and represents a growing and visible revenue source for ICF, said Sudhakar Kesavan, ICFs Chief Executive Officer. The Future Customer team includes some of the loyalty industrys top strategic thinkers and architects who have developed progressive loyalty strategies in Europe for clients in retail, media, mobile, energy and health. We look forward to leveraging their capabilities to extend our work for existing clients into Europe and beyond and to build new relationships.

We focus on engineering and strengthening the bonds between brands and the customers who define their commercial future, said Grant Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of The Future Customer, which has about 25 employees. This is an excellent opportunity to combine our design thinking with ICF Olsons formidable strengths in technology and creative communications to offer a best-in-class service to clients.

The acquisition is expected to close around the end of the year-end. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Don Gimbel, portfolio manager for Geneva Advisors, LLC, is elected to NCJFCJ's Board of Directors

It is imperative that our Board of Directors reflect diverse backgrounds of community leaders who have involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice.  Judge Anthony (Tony) Capizzi

RENO, NV, UNITED STATES, December 13, 2017 / EINPresswire.com / -- (Reno, Nev.)  The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges NCJFCJ ) has elected Don Gimbel, portfolio manager for Geneva Advisors, LLC to their Board of Directors.

Gimbel has more than 45 years of experience working in financial strategy, global assets, and investment management. Gimbel began his career at Loeb Rhoades & Co. and was the first U.S. stockbroker to specialize in developing clientele in Australia and New Zealand. Throughout his extensive career history, Gimbel has managed high net worth and global pension accounts, and marketing global products including equities, fixed incomes, and balanced portfolios.

In 2000, Gimbel combined his global assessment management company to add global investing to the money managing company, Carret Asset Management, and served as their senior managing director until 2013. Since then, Gimbel has been the portfolio manager for global strategy at Geneva Advisors, LLC, and has built research and marketing teams for their global fund products.

I am honored to serve on the board of a thriving national nonprofit, said Gimbel. I have been involved and interested in child welfare for many years, and am dedicated to the time and commitment to improve the lives of families and children who seek justice. The NCJFCJ continues to make tremendous progress because of the diversity of our membership.

It is imperative that our Board of Directors reflect diverse backgrounds of community leaders who have involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice, said Judge Anthony (Tony) Capizzi, NCJFCJ president. Don embodies the spirit of community, and we are excited about the expertise he provides.

Gimbels experience extends to community outreach and philanthropic efforts. He served as director and vice chairman for the National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association for seven years. Gimbel is currently a board member for the Shane Lalani Center of the Arts, treasurer of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, and a member of various economic development organizations in Livingston, Mont. He also attended the Foreign Service School at Georgetown University.

The NCJFCJ is thrilled to have a national and global financial leader like Don Gimbel on the Board of Directors, said Joey Orduna Hastings, CEO of NCJFCJ. We are privileged to work collaboratively with Don, and be a more effective organization together.

Founded in 1937, the Reno, Nev.-based National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, is the nations oldest judicial membership organization and focused on improving the effectiveness of our nations juvenile and family courts. A leader in continuing education opportunities, research, and policy development in the field of juvenile and family justice, the 2,000-member organization is unique in providing practice-based resources to jurisdictions and communities nationwide.
SALEM, Ohio  Ohio livestock producers will face two new rules related to care and housing when the new year begins.

Effective Jan. 1, veal calves must be housed in group pens by 10 weeks of age, and at all ages must be able to turn around and not be tethered.

Secondly, dairy cattle can no longer have their tails docked, unless performed by a licensed veterinarian and medically necessary.

The rules were first approved in 2011 by the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, and later approved by the Ohio Legislatures Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.

Tail docking

Tony Forshey, state veterinarian, said tail docking was originally done as a way of improving sanitation, because the cows tail can become contaminated with manure and bacteria.

However, he said newer milking parlors and milking equipment, with their automated systems, have improved efficiency to the point where theres less interference from swinging tails.

And in cases of medical concern, such as if a tail gets caught in a gate or stepped on, the tail can still be removed.

Forshey said dairy farmers can continue to trim the hair of their cows tails if they feel its necessary, and he added that there are machines available to make tail trimming more efficient.

Scott Higgins, executive director of Ohio Dairy Producers Association, said the marketplace had already decided the issue for the most part.

He said the major milk cooperatives stopped taking milk from dairies that used tail docking back in January, 2017.

Many of our farmers who are marketing their milk through milk cooperatives are already discontinuing the process, Higgins said.

Tom Thorbahn, executive director of the Ohio Holstein Association, said most purebred breeders do not practice tail docking. He said it could be an issue for some commercial dairies, but from the farmers hes talked to there doesnt seem to be much concern.

The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes tail docking, stating that current scientific literature indicates that routine tail docking provides no benefit to the animal, and that tail docking can lead to distress during fly seasons.

Veal rule

The rule on veal housing was the most contentious issue when it was being written, in 2010 and 2011, and will probably be the most contentious rule after Jan. 1. However, veal farmers say the rules impact has already been felt, and many still in business have made the required changes to their pens.

Jim Johnston, past president of the now defunct Ohio Veal Association, said farmers who are still raising veal have made the updates, but there are fewer veal farmers, especially at the independent grower level.

I think the ones that are going to be operating are pretty well all changed over to loose housing, he said. But theres been a lot of people who arent raising veal, compared to 10 years ago.

Cost of production

Bob Cochrell, who was a member of the veal subcommittee that helped make recommendations to the care board, argued that the group pen system would be more harmful to the animals and more costly for independent farmers.

He stopped raising veal in 2013, in a move he said was indirectly related to the new housing rule.

Cochrell said the veal industry has seen a lot of consolidation over the past few years among feed companies and meatpackers. Demand for veal has declined, he said, and theres been an increase in imports, making it harder for U.S. producers to compete.

Dean Mullet, president of Buckeye Veal Services, said his company barns were updated to group pens by 2009, about eight years ahead of the proposed date by the American Veal Association (2017).

Our farmers have experienced a learning curve in transitioning to group house, he said. Raising calves in a group requires more attention and care.

But Mullet said the economics are the same, and many cases better, than using the old tie-stall method.

However, the transition phase was costly and Mullet said that unlike Europe, the U.S. veal industry was not offered financial assistance. As a result, he estimates that about 50 percent of the U.S. veal producers have exited the industry.

Handling violations

Forshey said the goal with violators is to educate and bring them into compliance, but under the rules of the care board, a civil penalty of $500 to $1,000 can be levied for repeat violations.

He said a farmer in violation would first receive a letter of warning, addressing the issue and how it is to be corrected.

Approved by Ohio voters in 2009, the 13-member care board weighed public comment and research before forming rules that govern the housing and care of Ohio livestock.

Rules that have a major impact on the industry, and that require long-term planning, were given lengthier effective dates, to allow the industry to prepare. By the end of 2025, sows must be in group housing following the confirmation of pregnancy, essentially banning the long-term use of gestation stalls.
Paul and Jeneen Kubala, of Edinburg Township, Ohio, took Farm and Dairy on a 14-day vacation touring four islands in Hawaii. They visited the Pearl Harbor-USS. Arizona Memorial, and Waikiki Beach.

On the Big Island, the family experienced Volcanoes National Park and a back-in-time coffee plantation. The trip ended in Maui, the Valley Island, home of Mount Haleakala, a 10,023-foot summit and the retirement home of one of Pauls classmates. (Submitted photo)
The agricultural industry has been urged to create climate-smart policies as current EU policy is "woefully inadequate", according to a new study.

At all levels of agricultural regulation  national, European, and international  changes are being sought to ensure the industry address the challenges of climate change.

Climate-smart agriculture is seen as crucial, on the one hand, to mitigate climate damage to the agricultural sector and, on the other hand, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase the food production for the growing world population.

However, according to a two year study from the Tilburg University, the legal instruments to stimulate climate-smart agriculture are absent or are inadequately developed.

According to current estimates, the global demand for food will increase by 40-60% between now and 2050.

However, the required increase in food production will be hard to achieve because of the impact of climate change and will, moreover, lead to more greenhouse gas emissions.

Even now, 25% of these emissions worldwide can be attributed to agriculture. Addressing the three challenges of growing food production, climate change, and CO2 reduction requires a transition of the world's farming sector to become "climate-smart", the study says.

Smart Australia

Jonathan Verschuuren, Professor of International and European Environmental Law at Tilburg University, studied the measures to stimulate this transition.

He found Australia to be one of the few countries in the world to stimulate climate-smart agriculture.

He found that policies to stimulate climate-smart agriculture must be stable and consistent for at least 10 to 20 years, to allow farmers to make the necessary investments.

New agricultural policies will be effective only if they are not solely aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also at adapting to climate change and increasing food production.

The study states that the measures that have been taken or have been planned by the European Union are "woefully inadequate" to make the agricultural sector resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Adverse effects

It concludes that the agricultural sector will increasingly feel the adverse effects of climate change, especially in southern Europe but also in the north, for instance, droughts, extreme weather events, flooding, and plant diseases.

In addition, the increasing global demand for food must be balanced against a reduction of CO2 emissions.

The study concludes that government's must create possibilities in the emissions trading system to fund climate-smart agricultural projects by the industrial and energy sectors, similar to the ones in Australia, California, and Canada, and allow for solutions sufficiently tailored to individual farms.
Farmers have been urged to assess their stocks of fodder and plan ahead for the remainder of winter and spring.

Local MPs and the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) joined NFU Scotland in meeting farmers in Ayrshire to discuss the damage done by heavy and prolonged rain throughout the summer and autumn.

The visit was hosted at Low Holehouse, near Galston by Willie Campbell, who farms in partnership with his wife Margaret and son Robert. The Campbells milk 160 dairy cows, finish 220 beef cattle a year and stock 250 cross ewes.

Winter rations for the stock were to have been based on grass and whole crop silage. However, the poor weather saw 80 acres of second cut silage go to waste in the field and only 130 bales of whole crop silage made.

The whole crop silage, eventually baled in December rather than the autumn, is of poor quality. A silage pit at Low Holehouse has been left empty and hay is now being purchased but at prices well in excess of 100 per tonne delivered.

'Well short'

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick and Chief Executive Scott Walker, a member of Scotlands newly established Weather Advisory Panel, joined farmers at Low Holehouse.

Speaking after the visit, Mr McCornick said: The very wet summer and autumn has left many livestock farms across Ayrshire, the South West and up the West Coast seriously short of forage going into the winter.

Many farmers have already looked at how much fodder they were able to produce and balanced that against how much they will need in the months ahead.

Many are well short, and we would encourage any farmer yet to do the sums on forage to do it now. It would allow them to make plans to augment their forage stocks or reduce the number of cattle they plan to carry through the winter to stretch out the forage that they have.

And while we all hope for an early spring, we need to plan for the worst-case scenario of a late turnout of stock in 2018.

As a Union, we are looking at how farmers can be assisted in assessing their forage needs and considering their options. We need to know the extent of the forage shortage so that mitigation plans can be put in place and we will be working on that in the weeks ahead."

'Very stark'

The MP for Central Ayrshire, Dr Philippa Whitford, also met with the group. She said the sight of the empty feed pen was "very stark" and demonstrated the challenge farmers are facing.

"It is important that livestock farmers assess what gap they are likely to face in providing enough winter and spring fodder for their herd, so they can make plans now and consider working with local colleagues to source silage from further afield," Dr Whitford explained.

"The Scottish Government has established an Agricultural Weather Panel to bring together expertise to deal with some of the key issues raised by the wet summer. In particular, farmers can contact SEPA to discuss pragmatic solutions for those who, due to the wet conditions, are running out of storage space for slurry.

RSABI Welfare Manager Mags Granger, who also visited Low Holehouse, said: RSABI is committed to helping those involved in Scottish Agriculture whether emotionally, practically or financially. We look forward to working with everyone involved to make a real difference to farmers and their
The NFU has explained the impact of Brexit on farming businesses to banks, emphasising the need for their continued support and certainty.

The farming union met with banks, ranging from HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, RBS-NatWest, Clydesdale, in a bid to create a high level of understanding.

NFU economist Anand Dossa and research manager David Clifford gave their insight into the current state of the UK agriculture based on member surveys and market intelligence at the Banking Forum.

Commenting on the meeting, NFU President Meurig Raymond said the British farming industry is currently dealing with issues such as rising costs and against a backdrop of both political and economic uncertainty.

He said: With all the major banks around the table, today was an excellent opportunity to help create and maintain that high level of understanding of the farming industry. This understanding, and the financial support, will be needed by farmers as they face the challenges ahead.

Bank support

Mr Raymond posed the question to the representatives: 'Why do you think it's important for your bank to support UK agriculture, and how will you do this in the future?'

In response, Oliver McEntyre, national agricultural strategy director at Barclays, said: "UK agriculture is a growth sector at Barclays, it forms the backbone of Barclays UK and we have supported the sector since 1744.

"Farming is the cornerstone of the rural economy and infrastructure, providing food security, jobs, a rural economic foundation and a farmed environment which benefits bio-diversity and tourism.

"British farmers are as resilient as they are versatile, which means the industry is in a good position to utilise agri-tech innovations to improve efficiency in core production, while providing a great base for diversification into commercial or tourism property, adding value to core products, rural attractions and energy. This gives UK agriculture a strong outlook and one Barclays will continue to support."

'Lifeblood'

Ian Burrow, head of agriculture and renewable energy at NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland said farming is the "lifeblood" of rural communities and vital to the UK, and global, economy.

"For generations, NatWest has been proud to support agricultural businesses and we are committed to continuing that support," Mr Burrow explained.

"Last year we lent over 3bn to the sector and support more farming businesses than any other bank. But our support goes beyond lending and traditional banking services. With a network of over 150 dedicated agriculture specialists across the UK, our commitment is to understand todays challenges and foresee tomorrows and help business become safe and secure for the future.

'Long and proud history'

A spokesperson from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks said the bank has a "long and proud" history of supporting UK farmers, and agriculture is a key sector for thr business.

"We are seeing more of our customers wanting to diversify, seeking to create new income streams and seizing unique opportunities for growth, such as research and development, renewables and technology," the spokesperson explained.

"This often requires significant investment and we will play our part in supporting the ambitions of the rural economy.

"We are committed to working with SMEs and our approach to our Agribusinesses is very much delivered by a thorough understanding of each business, giving a tailored service that meets their individual needs.
Retail giant Tesco is facing legal threats for using the name of a genuine farm to use on the packaging of its 'fake farm brands'.

The Feedback charity, an organisation that campaigns to end food waste, is backing the owner of a genuine farm called Woodside Farm, a free-range pig farm in Nottinghamshire.

The owner of Woodside Farm claims to sell better quality produce than the supermarket giant, which has used the same name since 2016.

The backing stems from the charity's new campaign, "Total Bull", which calls out the "biggest bull" on supermarket shelves. Feedback said it is awarding the first "Total Bull award" to Tesco for their "unflinching commitment" to fake farm branding.

Supermarkets have been selling meat under fake farm names, which farmers have criticised for deliberately encouraging consumers to believe that the meat is sourced from small-scale producers.

The industry has frequently reacted angrily to fake branding, accusing retailers of misleading consumers and riding on the coattails of the trust UK farmers have built.

'Bucolic image'

Tesco are not the only supermarkets to use made up farm names in their branding.

Other fake farm ranges include Asdas Farm Stores, which features an old-fashioned barn and tractor on the label, Lidls Birchwood Farm meat range (which is marketed as Strathvale Farm in Scotland), Aldis Ashfield Farm and Marks and Spencers Oakham chicken.

The charity states: "For all shoppers know, behind the bucolic mirage could lie a high-intensity, unsustainable mega farm."

Despite Tescos choice of very British-sounding names, the companys website acknowledges that not all of the meat sold in their Woodside Farms pork range will have come from UK farms.

Feedback added: "Even for meats which are sourced from UK farms, such as Willow Farms chicken, some meat may have been produced under conditions very far from those implied by their labels."

Last year, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) wrote to formally complaint to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute over the use of fake farm branding by retailers on some food products.
Wales will introduce a whole-country approach to tackling nitrate pollution from agriculture and improve water quality, the government has confirmed.

Following an extensive consultation on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones last year, work is now underway to develop a balance of "regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment".

This will also include exploring further options to provide farmers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach.

Most respondents in the consultation recognised the significant impact nitrate pollution is having on water, businesses and human and environmental well-being throughout Wales and agreed further action was needed.

The majority of nitrate in groundwater in the UK is derived from diffuse pollution from agriculture, with the rest from sewage sludge disposal to land, atmospheric deposition and point sources.

According to the British Geological Survey, the loading has significantly increased due to post-1945 agricultural intensification due both to ploughing of grassland and to increased fertiliser applications.

'Major source'

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said agricultural use of nitrates is a "major source of water pollution".

Poor nutrient management is still a major problem across Wales. Pollution of this kind is entirely preventable and is simply not acceptable in the 21st century.

We should not, at the end of 2017, see significant stretches of some of our most well known and popular rivers largely devoid of fish, proving just how much work remains to be done.

Wales waters need much greater protection from agricultural pollution and that is why I am minded to introduce a whole Wales approach to tackling nitrate pollution from agriculture.

Ms Griffiths said Wales has some of the finest countryside and stretches of water in Europe, which people have a "duty to protect and enhance".

'Details and implications'

However, the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) has given a cautious welcome to the announcement.

FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: This seems to be a far more proportionate way forward than some of the options that had been proposed, but we need time to assess the details and their implications.

As a member of the three groups which will be looking at these approaches, the FUW looks forward to working on approaches which are proportionate proactive voluntary approaches which deliver positive outcomes.

NVZ and other regulatory approaches are blunt instruments which often do not tackle the main sources of problems, and what can be complex problems. More targeted and flexible approaches can therefore better address the real causes of problems, as well as increasing engagement with industry.

'Evidence is clear'

NFU Cymru has welcomed the plans. President Stephen James said the "evidence is clear" that there are a range of issues and sectors affecting water quality in Wales, however, the farming union said it recognises the role that farmers have to play in contributing to improved water quality in the years ahead.

Farmers take their environmental responsibilities extremely seriously and NFU Cymru has always championed an approach that sees the Union working in collaboration with Welsh Government and other partners, Mr James added.

We are pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has made reference to the off-set scheme that has been operating successfully by a group of First Milk farmers in the Cleddau Catchment. This scheme, championed by NFU Cymru members Will Prichard and Mike Smith, was highlighted in NFU Cymrus consultation response, and subsequently, as an example of a workable alternative delivering measurable reductions in nitrates.

We are encouraged that the Cabinet Secretary intends to work in partnership with stakeholders to explore a Wales-wide approach to tackling issues influencing water quality through a flexible, outcome-focussed approach that will allow farmers to deliver improvements in water quality.

The Cabinet Secretary has rightly recognised the role of investment support as this highlights the significant costs associated with slurry and manure storage infrastructure on farm, and the Union welcomes this.
Ananya Panday is the daughter of Chunky Panday and Bhavana Panday. The 18-year-old is already a sensation on social media and is adored by many for her style sense. Ananya was seen making her debut at the prestigious Le Bal in Paris this year alongside her cousin Ahaan Panday and Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur. The budding star has been in the news after rumours of her impending Bollywood debut in Karan Johars Student of the Year 2.



The pretty girl was spotted getting out of her car, near her house. She was seen acing comfort fashion as he paired up a loose white T-shirt with black jeggings. What caught our attention the most was her phone cover that said Favourite Child. Ananya recently made heads turn with her mesmerizing appearance at the Le Bal in Paris.

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Akashy Kumar's Phir Hera Pheri director Neeraj Vora passes away at 54 |FilmiBeat

Here's some heart-breaking news! Bollywood actor-writer- director Neeraj Vora passes away this morning at 4 am after battling coma for a year.

Paresh Rawal took to his Twitter to post the news about Vora's demise. He wrote, "Neeraj Vora - The writer n director of Phir Hera Pheri n many hit films is no more ...Aum Shanti."

Filmmaker Ashok Pandit told a leading daily, "Neeraj Vora died today at 3 am in Criti Care hospital in Juhu. He had been in coma and living at Firoz Nadiadwala's place. When his condition deteriorated in the night, he was taken to the hospital, where he breathed his last."

Neeraj is known for films Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Rangeela, Daud: Fun on the Run, Satya, Mann, Baadshah, Bol Bachchan with his last acting credit being Welcome Back in 2015. He has also penned films like Hera Pheri and Rangeela.

The multi-talented personality made his directorial debut in 2000 with Khiladi 420 which was followed by Phir Hera Phiri.

Neeraj was supposed to direct Hera Pheri 3. But alas, he suffered a heart attack followed by a strock in 2016 and then unfortunately went into coma. He was shifted to close friend Sajid Nadiadwala's Juhu bungalow Barkat Villa which was converted into an ICU.

A while back Neeraj was showing some signs of progress. In fact, Nadiadwala had even said in an interview, "He's been responding to audio therapy, particularly when we play his father's (Pandit Vinayak Rai Nanalal Vora) music. He has yet to recover his speech but there are no infections or bed sores and the doctors have assured us that his life is out of danger."

Suniel Shetty too had told a leading tabloid, "We must make it (part 3) for fans... I believe he (Neeraj) is doing better now. Once he is fit, we will roll out the film."

We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Vora family.
A joint statement from The Motley Fool, LLC, Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC and Motley Fool Wealth Management, LLC

"The difference between death and taxes is death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets." Will Rogers

Dear Foolish Investor,

At The Motley Fool (and our affiliated companies) we're investors, just like you, investing our capital to earn long-term, tax-friendly, market-beating investing results for our families, our retirement, our future.

Our mission is simple, yet powerful: "to help the world invest, better."

So when we learned that the Senate version of the proposed tax rule changes could get in the way of you investing better and us fulfilling our mission, we just had to speak up.

And we're asking you to help us.

What you need to know

Both the Senate and the House have passed their own versions of the biggest tax changes of the last 30 years, and lawmakers are making progress on a joint bill through their committee work (reports from yesterday indicate they have a tentative deal). There is one particular part of the Senate bill that could disadvantage you as an individual investor if it makes it through to a vote -- the Mandatory FIFO Proposal.

Here is a brief primer on what this means and why it's important.

FIFO stands for "First-In-First-Out." It is a method for identifying specific tax lots when you have made your total investment over time -- using common strategies like dollar-cost averaging, dividend reinvestment plans, buying in thirds, or simply making annual lump sum contributions.

(By the way, senators, many of your constituents invest this way.)

The Senate's version proposes that all dispositions -- including sales, donations, and gifts of investments -- be on a first-in-first-out basis (FIFO). This means, if you want to sell, you must sell the oldest lot, which in all likelihood (especially after a very healthy 9-year bull market) has the lowest cost basis and the highest embedded capital gains. The proposal eliminates investor choice.

What does no choice look like?

Here's an example that might be common to Motley Fool investors.

Say you own 200 shares of Amazon that you purchased twice during the last five years: 100 shares at $300 per share in 2013, and another 100 shares at $700 per share in 2016. If you sell 100 shares at $1,100, then under the Senate proposal you would have to designate the older shares to sell and pay capital gains taxes on $800 instead of on $400.

Simply put, you wouldn't have the option to choose, for yourself and your family, which of your own shares of stock to sell!

Under current tax rules, individual investors have the choice of which tax lots to dispose of. This allows for such tax planning strategies as tax-loss harvesting and donating appreciated stock to charities.

It also provides individual investors the flexibility to create sensible financial plans that correspond to their circumstances by having the flexibility to take on a higher tax burden when the situation affords it and being more tax sensitive when times are tougher.

These tax-management strategies would be severely limited in the new tax world, and that could leave you and charities worse off.

Who could this hurt?

In a word: You.

More specifically, anyone owning stocks in a taxable account will be impacted.

Retirees will be especially hard hit, since many will have to sell investments in order to pay for medical expenses. Retirees typically have very long holding periods, with the oldest investments generally having the most gains built up over decades of buy-and-hold investing. Forcing retirees to recognize unusually high capital gains could increase the taxability of their Social Security Benefits, and lead to higher income-based Medicare premiums.

Investors that sell stock for a large purchase such as a home or a car are going to be especially hard hit, and the negative tax consequences could have a meaningful effect on consumption habits that would otherwise grow the economy (ahem, again, senators??)

Investors engaging in normal asset class rebalancing activities may place outsized weight on tax implications, resulting in poor investment decisions and an inefficient allocation of capital in our market system. That's the proverbial "tail wagging the dog" that we try to stay away from.

Investors may be tempted to get out ahead of changing tax rules and sell some later-dated tax lots while they still can. On the flip side, the looming tax bill on old tax lots may dissuade selling down a holding when it may be the sensible thing to do.

So what can you do about it? It's easy and very quick.

Contact your congressional representatives

Let your representatives know how the Mandatory FIFO provision in the tax plan will affect your family. Click here for an easy lookup of your representatives, along with their contact information. It will take only a few brief minutes to voice your opinion.

Not sure what to say? Here is the message that Megan Brinsfield, the Director of Financial Planning for Motley Fool Wealth Management, LLC, left for her Senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine:

Hello, my name is Megan Brinsfield and I am a constituent located at [address]. I am calling to convey my concern over the mandatory FIFO provision in the tax plan. This provision will increase my tax bill by thousands of dollars every year by eliminating my freedom of choice around investment management. Additionally, my time spent in recordkeeping will increase since my brokerage only has information on stocks acquired since 2011. I implore you to strike this provision from the tax plan on behalf of me and my fellow investing taxpayers.

For more than twenty years The Motley Fool and our affiliates have stood up for the individual investor, helping millions around the globe make better financial and investment decisions. The proposed Senate FIFO provision handcuffs everyday investors from making the best individual decision for their own, unique circumstance.

We ask that you join us in carrying our message to the halls of Congress by contacting your Senator's office to express your concern with the FIFO provision.

That's a great way to help the world invest, better.

Thank you for joining us in supporting the individual investor!

Fool on,

Megan Brinsfield, CPA, CFP, Director of Foolish Planning, Motley Fool Wealth Management, LLC

Bryan Hinmon, CFA, CIO Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC

Andy Cross, CIO The Motley Fool, LLC
Google pulls down 85 apps from Play Store for stealing social network passwords News oi -Chandrika While the apps have already been pulled down from the Google Play Store, users are recommended to change their credentials.

Be it Facebook or Instagram, most of us are too busy sharing moments from our life on various social media platforms. All these social media platforms claim to keep your passwords safe and secure. However, it seems like the reality is a bit different.

There may be many apps that secretly steals your password. Google removed a total of 85 Android apps from the Play Store after it was discovered that they are infected with malware capable of stealing social network passwords from users' devices. What's ironical is that the compromised apps were discovered by Kaspersky, the Russian cybersecurity company, whose software was recently banned in the US.

The ban came after the company was accused of having ties with Kremlin, and the malware was affecting users of the Russian social network VK. Anyway, the compromised apps were available for download in the Google Play Store.

It is worth noting that one of those apps recorded more than 1 million downloads. Named as "Mr President Rump," this particular app was a game that was released in the Play Store in March this year. Within months, its download count skyrocketed. Rest of the apps have been in the Play Store for around two years, with the download count ranging between 1,000 and 100,000.

The infected apps came with an option to authenticate on VK (the Russia-based social network) for various purposes, and asked users to provide their usernames as well as passwords. However, it is quite common for games to include Facebook or any other social media functionality for additional features like sharing high scores or gaining access to premium content.

According to Kaspersky security researcher Roman Unuchekl, malware writers probably wanted to use the stolen VK credentials to increase the number of members of groups or posts.

"These cybercriminals were publishing their malicious apps on Google Play store for more than two years so they had to modify their code to bypass detection. We think that cybercriminals use stolen credentials mostly for promoting groups in VK.com. They silently add users to promote various groups and increase their popularity by doing so," he said in a statement.

The malware was said to be targeting devices with languages where VK is a popular social network, including Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Armenian, Romanian, Azerbaijani to name a few.

While the apps have already been pulled down from the Google Play Store, users are recommended to change their credentials.

Via

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Samsung Notebook 9 Pen

The Samsung Notebook 9 Pen offers flexibility and portability with the convertible hinge and S Pen. The 2-in-1 PC has a metal chassis with a premium magnesium aluminum alloy design called Metal12 to keep it durable and light weight as well. The 360-degree hinge offers flexibility for users letting them convert it into a tablet from a laptop just by rotating the keyboard.

The refined S Pen lets users write, sketch, paint, doodle and more. The S Pen is inbuilt and designed for immediate use. It is touted that this S Pen can recognize 4096 levels of pressure with the 0.7mm fine tip and convenient tilt detection to render a natural writing and drawing experience. Whenever the S Pen is detached from the notebook, the Air Command will automatically be launched with the S Pen shortcuts as we have seen in the previous Samsung devices.

On the specs front, the Samsung Notebook 9 boasts of a 13.3-inch Samsung RealViewTouch FHD display. The device makes use of the 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor paired with up to 16GB RAM and up to 512GB storage space. There is a USB Type-C port, a USB 3.0 port, an HDMI port, and a fingerprint sensor as well. The notebook has an IR camera with 720p resolution, a backlit keyboard, and a precision touchpad. It is available in the Light Titan color option.

Samsung Notebook 9 (2018)

The Samsung Notebook 9 (2018) has been launched in two variants - one with a 13.3-inch display and the other with a 15-inch display. These notebooks are claimed to be the thinnest and lightest ones in their class as they weigh around 2.84 pounds and measure 15.4mm in thickness. The screen has thin bezels measuring 6.2mm to give an immersive experience to the users. Like the Notebook 9 (Pen), this one also has the durable metal body with Metal12 that makes it light.

Apart from the 13.3-inch and 15-inch FHD RealViewDisplay, these notebooks come with the similar specs such as 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1GB storage space and 75W Hexacell battery. There is a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI port on these laptops. Again, these notebooks have a fingerprint sensor, precision touchpad, and backlit keyboard too.

Price and Availability

The company has not revealed the pricing of these Samsung laptops but it is believed that these will be released initially in the US in Q1 2018. But these devices will go on sale in select countries such as Korea this month itself. Both the Notebook 9 Pen and Notebook 9 (2018) will be showcased at the CES 2018 tech show in Las Vegas in early January.
Gionee S10 Lite to be launched soon in India News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu

The Gionee S10 was unveiled in May this year with four cameras. Even after several months, this device is yet to be launched in India. But it looks like the company is in plans to unveil the watered-down variant of the device called Gionee S10 Lite in India.

According to a report by 91mobiles, Gionee S10 Lite, a mid-range model will be released sometime in the fourth week of December in India. However, there is no information regarding the pricing and availability of the smartphone. Given that the device has mid-range specifications, we can expect it to be priced in the affordable market segment.

Specswise, the Gionee S10 Lite boasts of a 5.2-inch HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The smartphone has the eye protection mode and split screen mode as well. At its heart, a Snapdragon 427 chipset sits powering the device along with 4GB RAM and 32GB of default memory space. This storage can be expanded up to 256GB with the help of a microSD card.

The Gionee S10 Lite runs Android 7.1 Nougat topped with Amigo 4.0 UI. The device has features such as App Lock, WhatsApp clone that lets run multiple WhatsApp accounts on the phone, and Private Space. For imaging, the smartphone from Gionee makes use of a 16MP selfie camera that is accompanied with LED flash. The company claims that this selfie camera supports advanced bokeh algorithms and facial recognition as well. At the rear, there is a 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, dual-tone LED flash, and PDAF.

The smartphone has a home button at the front that is embedded with a fingerprint sensor too. There is a 3100mAh battery that can render a decent backup but it does not support fast charging.

As the launch is speculated to happen by the end this month, we can expect the company to come up with an official confirmation regarding the same.

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Huawei Enjoy 7S with Android Oreo, dual cameras to launch on December 18 News oi -Chandrika Huawei is expected to release the Enjoy 7s in markets outside China in early 2018.

Honor is all set to launch the Honor 9 Lite on December 21. Honor's parent firm, Huawei is also planning to launch a new smartphone by the end of this year. The confirmation comes from the company's official Weibo account.

The launch event poster reveals that Huawei will be take the wraps off the Enjoy 7S smartphone on December 18 in China. Apart from the poster, Slashleaks has also released an image of the smartphone showing of its design from all angles. Other than that, TENAA listing of the Huawei Enjoy 7S has revealed its specifications and features as well.

The China-based regulatory authority has certified four variants of the phone with model numbers FIG-AL00, FIG-AL10, FIG-TL00 and FIG-TL10. The first model offers support for all the carriers in China, the second will be exclusive to China Mobile, and the remaining two are the customized versions, reports the publication ITHome.

Going by the TENAA listing, the Enjoy 7s will be fitted with a 5.65-inch display that will deliver a screen resolution of 2,1601,080 pixels. Keeping in the recent trend, the smartphone's display will also carry the aspect ratio of 18:9.

There will be two memory variants of the Huawei Enjoy 7S. The basic one will feature 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, whereas the higher variant will arrive with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage space. Both the models will be powered by Huawei's own Kirin 659 chipset.

The back panel of the phone is equipped with a fingerprint scanner and dual cameras. The rear dual camera setup is comprised of a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP secondary sensor. As for the selfie camera, it will make use of an 8MP sensor at the front.

The Huawei Enjoy 7S will pack a 2,900mAh battery and it will come pre-installed with Android 8.0 Oreo based EMUI 8.0. What's more, the handset will sport a metallic chassis.

Huawei phones with Enjoy moniker are exclusive for the Chinese market. However, they are launched with different names in other markets. Huawei is expected to release the Enjoy 7s in markets outside China in early 2018.

Via

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Apple iPhones

The company is giving cashback on the most desirable smartphone from Apple the iPhone X. So those interested in purchasing this device can avail a cashback of Rs 4,000 on the purchase iPhone X 64GB variant. The device will be available at Rs. 85,000. The company is also giving away movie tickets and even a chance to wing the phone. Terms and conditions apply.

Paytm is also giving cashback of Rs. 7,500 on iPhone 8 64GB version. The handset will be available at Rs. 58,582. Apple iPhone 7 is also getting a cashback offer as well. The device is getting a cashback offer of Rs. 6,250 and consumers will be able to buy the iPhone 7 at an effective price of Rs 38,349. Finally, the iPhone SE is getting a cashback of Rs. 3,000.

Samsung

There are various offers on Samsung smartphones as well. As such, Samsung Galaxy S7 (32GB) is available at a discounted price of Rs. 32,750 from its original price of Rs. 48,900. There are also discount and cashback offers up to Rs. 3,000 on Samsung Galaxy J series smartphones.

Other Smartphones

The company is also giving discount and cash back on budget smartphones as well. Some of the smartphones include from Lenovo, Motorola, Oppo, and others.

Lenovo K8 is currently available at Rs 10,356 and consumers can avail cashback of Rs. 1,243 on the smartphone. Similarly, Moto G5S is priced at Rs 13,430 and there is a cashback offer of Rs. 1,612. Oppo A71 and LG Q6 are also available at a discounted price of Rs 11,800 and Rs 18,999 for the 64GB version respectively.

Discounts are also available on entry-level smartphones from brands like Swipe, Micromax, Intex, and others.
Samsung Galaxy S8 duo may receive stable Android 8.0 Oreo update in January News oi -Chandrika If the software development team encounters new issues in the coming weeks, the update rollout can be pushed back to February.

It has been almost four months since Google launched the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system. Last week, the company released the final version of Android 8.1 Oreo update as well. Unfortunately, only a handful of smartphone manufacturers have updated their devices with Android Oreo.

For instance, South Korean manufacturer Samsung is yet to officially announce when exactly its Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus smartphones will be receiving the stable version of Android 8.0 Oreo. However, as reported by SamMobile, one of the company's British officials has revealed an important piece of information during a discussion hosted by Samsung's Galaxy Beta Community Service.

According to the source, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus will be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo around late January. That being said, if the software development team encounters new issues in the coming weeks, the update rollout can be pushed back to February. Basically, Samsung wants to make sure that the software is running smoothly before it gets a wider release.

If you recall, one of the past beta builds of Android 8.0 Oreo for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus created an issues where the handsets were unable to receive a reliable cellular signal. However, the issue didn't affect all the devices and Samsung was quick to fix the issue.

Samsung has been testing the new major iteration of Google's mobile operating system for many weeks now. Other than the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy Note 8 has also received the beta build for Android 8.0 Oreo. The same aforementioned official says that the fourth preview of the upcoming firmware will be released soon.

Apparently, the third build of the update has proved to be relatively stable in all of Samsung's testing markets with no major bugs found. It seems like, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will be updated to Android Nougat at the same time when the Galaxy S8 duo receive the Android Oreo update.

Apparently, after the Galaxy S8 duo, Samsung will be releasing the Oreo update for its flagship phablet Galaxy Note 8.

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Microsoft announces new AI updates and partnership with Bing and Reddit News oi -Samden Sherpa Microsoft's new AI capabilities in Office 365 for Outlook, Word, and Excel will deliver personalized experiences that harness the power of intelligence to help people work smarter.

Highlighting its progress in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft has announced a slew of updates to its AI assistant Cortana, search engine Bing and Office 365. The company has also announced a new partnership between Reddit and Bing.

Additionally, the company announced new features added to the "Seeing AI" app on iOS and demonstrated AI's integration with products, like HoloLens and customers, including Cheetah Mobile, UPS, and Equadex.

Talking about the new partnership Microsoft said Bing's newest features, Intelligent Answers, Advanced Image Search and Conversational Search now leverage AI to provide the most relevant results and search capabilities.

The Perspective Engine is introduced to help search users make sense of the jumble of numbers they increasingly encounter in the digital world.

New hands-free, eyes-free capabilities were added to Cortana to help with email and calendar management as well as the new Skills Suggestion and Chaining capabilities, giving Cortana the ability to understand users' overall intent and offer the next most relevant skill.

New AI capabilities in Office 365 for Outlook, Word, and Excel now deliver personalized experiences that harness the power of intelligence to help people work smarter and focus on what matters most.

"A new partnership with Reddit, to bring information from the Reddit community to Bing. This is the first search partnership of its kind and includes three experiences; Reddit Responses, Reddit Community Results, and Reddit AMA Discovery, with more to come," the company said.

"Seeing AI" app received new features, including currency and color recognition, audible light detector and expansion to more than 35 countries.

The app is free on iOS and designed for people who are blind or have a visual impairment, helping users see more of the world.

Updates were made to Cognitive Services, including the general availability of The Language Understanding Intelligent Service (LUIS) and Azure Bot Service among other updates, continuing the commitment of making AI available to everyone.

Auto Expo 2018: How Artificial Intelligence can change the face of Mobility

Intelligent features in the all-new Photos app for Windows 10 make it easier to manage, search and create videos to bring your memories to life.

Microsoft also highlighted a new commitment of $50 million over the next five years to grow AI for Earth programme.

Source: IANS

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Lancaster County's elected officials, whose salaries this year range from almost $45,000 for county commissioners to almost $158,000 for the county attorney and public defender, will probably get annual raises averaging about 2 percent for the next four years.

County commissioners set salaries for themselves and other elected officials once every four years, before the next election cycle gets in full swing.

The County Board approves the future salary structure 10 months before the fall election when voters choose county leaders, in part so people considering running for office will know the pay, said Doug McDaniel, the county's human resources director.

Under state law, the board must take action on a plan by Jan. 15. This year's plan will affect salaries from 2019 through 2022.

The County Board accepted recommendations from the Elected Officials Salary Review Committee, a citizens advisory group, with little comment at a staff meeting Tuesday and is expected to vote on the plan at the Dec. 18 board meeting.

The goal of the appointed salary committee was to keep salaries fair and comparable with those of similar officials in other larger-population counties, said Todd Wiltgen, chairman of the County Board.

The committee made specific recommendations for the 2019 salary for each office, and recommended a formula based on the consumer price index that would be used to increase those salaries for the following three years.

The committee recommended raising the 2019 salary of two officials  the engineer and sheriff  slightly more than the raises for other officials, said committee member Judy Halstead.

Those two officials would be given another small extra salary boost in 2021.

Those were the only two elected official salaries the committee felt were substantially off the mark in comparison to their counterparts in other counties, Halstead said.

Sheriff Terry Wagner said the plan would help bring the offices salary in line with other sheriffs.

If we dont maintain comparability, it creates problems down the road, he said.

Salaries for county commissioners are also below the midpoint by comparison, but the committee didn't recommend similar increases for them.

Traditionally, commissioners have rejected higher raises for themselves, so the committee may have been looking at the political reality, said Kerry Eagan, chief administrator for the County Board.

The public defender salary is above similar positions in the other counties, but the Lancaster County Board tries to keep the county attorney and public defender salaries equal.

State law requires the chief deputy in each office to be paid the same salary as the other, and the board practice has been to pay chief deputies 95 percent of the agency head salary, Eagan said.

The committee is also recommending the same formula currently in use to determine raises in the future, in each year of the four-year cycle.

The committee members felt the formula has worked well the past four years for maintaining comparability, Halstead told commissioners this week.

"We don't have a crystal ball on what other counties are going to do," she said.

The committee looked at salaries for similar jobs in six Midwestern counties similar in population to Lancaster County.

They are Douglas County; Linn, Iowa (Cedar Rapids); Polk, Iowa (Des Moines); Sedgwick, Kansas (Wichita); Shawnee, Kansas (Topeka) and Scott, Iowa (Davenport).

Comparability is an important factor, but not the only factor, said Eagan. Another issue is whether the salaries are fair to begin with, he said.

The advisory committee looks at the duties of each office and not at the performance of the current elected officials, said McDaniel, the HR director.

The salary recommendations are not based on merit, but the role of the official and whether the duties involved have expanded. It is predominantly market-related, McDaniel said.

Members of the salary committee are Kathy Campbell, former Lancaster County Commissioner and former Nebraska state senator; Steve Eicher, former Pfizer human resources director; Jim Gordon, attorney; Halstead, former Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department director; Pat Kahm, Professional Resources Management Inc.; Pat Kant, former Lincoln-Lancaster County Human Resources personnel coordinator; and Sam Seever, former MDS Pharma Services vice president of legal services.

The County Board has used an advisory committee format to make salary recommendations since 1998.
Ribbon-cutting celebrates opening of Pacific Regional Training Center

By Airman 1st Class Gerald R. Willis, 36th Wing Public Affairs / Published December 13, 2017

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- The largest troop-built construction project in the Pacific since the Vietnam conflict came to a close recently, with the completion of the Pacific Regional Training Center at Andersen Air Force Base.



On Dec. 7, 2017 the 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadron held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the conclusion of more than 70 construction projects, valued at $251 million, making up the new PRTC on Northwest Field. Airmen throughout Pacific Air Forces will use the facilities to prepare for real-world contingency and deployment missions.

"This site will ultimately be the platform to provide essential civil engineer training for thousands of Airmen every year," said Master Sgt. Raymond Worley, 554th RHS lead planner for the center. "Instructors from both Commando Warrior and the REDHORSE's Silver Flag flight can now provide training to nearly 3,000 security forces, civil engineer, force support and partner-nation personnel year-round."

After the original construction of Northwest Field during World War II, the PRTC revitalized use of the grounds instead of developing new areas and will enable service members to stay "Prepared to Prevail" throughout future conflicts or contingencies in the region.

The new facilities were built by REDHORSE Airmen. Wearing distinctive red ball caps, these Airmen are trained and equipped to complete heavy construction and airfield repair missions in expeditionary environments.

"Over the past nine years, the troop-built project, led by the 554th RHS, brought together numerous sister units throughout the Air Force, Navy and partner nations to assist and gain valuable training experience while completing construction projects," Worley said. "Troop-built projects save the Air Force time and money and allows service members to meet similar goals as they would in a contingency environment."

The historic airfield also serves as a training ground for Silver Flag, a recurring exercise enabling Airmen from across PACAF to practice vital airfield damage assessment, airfield marking, crater repair and expeditionary airfield lighting systems installation techniques.

In addition to expeditionary engineers, the 736th Security Forces Squadron's Commando Warrior flight calls the PRTC home and trains PACAF security forces Airmen on U.S. Central Command and regional tactical requirements in support of contingency missions and home station security.

The PRTC now offers units space for operations, offices, training classrooms and warehouse storage for vital equipment in support of contingency and humanitarian operations around the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. U.S. and partner nation service members will regularly use the training area to increase readiness and interoperability of Pacific partner forces for effective crisis response in the region.

"As a rapidly deployable unit, staying up to date on all training is a major key to our mission," said Airman 1st Class Antony Williams Jr., 554th RHS structural engineer. "I'm excited to work hands on in the new facilities. New sites such as the Heavy Repair Training facility, will help us prepare to complete any mission in a deployed environment."

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Robots, railguns, lasers to team with Soldiers on battlefield

By David Vergun, Army News Service December 13, 2017

LIVONIA, Mich. -- It's December and many are doing their holiday shopping or making a wish list of gifts they'd like to receive.

During the Future Ground Combat Vehicle Summit here earlier this month, Army acquisition professionals and program managers had their own wish lists that included an assortment of robots and ground combat vehicles meant to protect Soldiers and give pause to potential adversaries.

ROBOTS

Brian McVeigh, project manager for Force Protection, was big on robots.

Over 7,000 were fielded in just the last decade, he noted. The challenge now is to move the most effective ones into programs of record.

Among these, he said, is the M-160 Robotic Mine Flail, which efficiently clears land mines using rotating chains that flail the ground. It is also rugged enough to be protected against mine explosion fragments.

The M-160 made it into a program of record this year before the holidays, and a number are already involved in route-clearance missions in Afghanistan.

By 2025, dismounted Soldiers will conduct foot patrols alongside robots called Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport, or SMET, vehicles that carry rucksacks and other equipment that will lighten the Soldier load, McVeigh said.

In order to get these to the warfighter sooner rather than later, the Army is procuring them through an Other Transactional Agreement, or OTA, he said.

The OTA got the program rolling fast, with requirements out in April and a down-select six months later in November, he said. Four contracts were awarded for 20 vehicles each, which will be tested by Soldiers in two brigades until the end of next year. Low-rate initial production is expected to follow with a production contract in place.

The requirements were limited to give manufacturers more flexibility in the trade-space, he said. The only firm requirements were that SMET be able to haul 1,000 pounds off-road, cover 60 miles in 72 hours and cost $100,000 or less each.

The OTA was used because Army leaders prioritized getting the weight off the backs of dismounted Soldiers, he noted.

Common Robotic System (Heavy) is designed to disarm or disable unexploded ordnance using a highly dexterous arm remotely controlled by a Soldier. The Army just published requests for information from industry for the wireless-range manipulator arm, McVeigh said.

Feedback from industry on CRS-H has been good, he said. It is expected that by next summer, draft performance specifications will be issued, and it is hoped that fielding can begin as early as 2020. This system is also going the OTA route.

The Enhanced Robotics Payload is another explosives ordnance disposal robot. A request for proposal has been released, McVeigh. And in October, a contract was awarded to Endeavor Robotics for another EOD robot, the Man-Transportable Robotics System Increment II.

GROUND COMBAT VEHICLES

David Dopp, program manager for Mobile Protected Firepower Vehicle, Ground Combat Systems, said a request for proposal was released in late November for MPF.

The MPF he envisions can be described as a light tank. It will be light in the sense that it will weigh less than half as much as an Abrams tank, which will allow two to fit inside a C-17 aircraft. That means its armor will be less than an Abrams.

The MPF will also sport a gun in the 105mm to 120mm range, similar to the ones on early versions of the Abrams, Dopp said.

It is expected that the MPF will provide infantry brigade combat teams with a long-range, direct-fire capability for forcible entry and breaching operations, he noted, so it is not by any stretch a tank replacement.

There will not be a lot of requirements other than MPF being light and powerful, he said. Army leaders are eager to quickly get it into the hands of Soldiers for testing.

A contract could be awarded by early FY19 with low-rate initial production to follow, he said.

Maj. Gen. John Charlton, commander, Army Test and Evaluation Command, said that although the Next Generation Combat Vehicle fielding isn't expected until 2035, a lot of the components that may find their way onto the NGCV in one shape or another are being currently tested around the Army.

Two such systems that will likely inform development of NGCV, he said, are the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Javelin and the Stryker Remote Weapons Station.

CROWS-J allows the warfighter to remotely engage targets with precision fire from the Javelin while on the move, he said. Stryker RWS is a 30mm cannon on an unmanned turret. Both systems keep the gunner inside the vehicle, in a less exposed area than the turret.

Electro-magnetic interference testing is now underway on the sensors and software, he said.

There are some challenges to overcome in putting this technology on the NGCV, he said, describing a few.

Although the gunner is tucked inside the vehicle, rounds must still be loaded and reloaded in the gun, which means being exposed to enemy fire and working in cramped conditions, he said.

Getting everything working correctly will require a lot of software development, he said. This is probably the most difficult challenge.

And finally, situational awareness could be lost with the crew fully buttoned up inside the vehicle, he said. This could be particularly bad in urban terrain where Soldiers cannot get good visuals of what's around and above them.

The situational awareness issue could be addressed through adding sensors and cameras so the crew doesn't feel so completely closed in, he noted.

OTHER FUTURE WEAPONS

Charlton said several promising weapons are in the science and technology and testing stages.

Engineers are now designing extended-range cannons that can be mounted on the Paladin and will fire much greater distances than current artillery, he said, noting that the distances are impressive but classified.

The cannons could find their way on the NGCV, he said.

The challenges are now designing a breech in the gun system that can handle the enormous pressures and getting the APS software and sensors developed. Also, the crew might be adversely affected by the enormous pressures, so some sort of dampening mechanism would be needed.

Another weapon that will eventually make its way to the battlefield is the high-energy laser, Charlton said.

The Army and Air Force are now out at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico using them to knock out air-to-ground and surface-to-air missiles, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, he said.

A 300-kilowatt laser will be built and tested in the near future, he added.

"We want to ensure the lanes are clear when firing the laser," he said. "We don't want to take out one of our own satellites, so it will need to be equipped with an avoidance detection system."

Lastly, Charlton said that an electromagnetic rail gun will be developed soon, but he's not sure if it will find its way onto the NGCV. "But it will be on the battlefield in some shape or form," he said.

The rail gun will shoot small, dense projectiles to distances of 30 kilometers at several times the speed of sound using electromagnetic pulses, he said. That will require some serious power, so initially it might have to be loaded on a large cargo truck.

JOINT DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Dale Ormond, principal deputy, Research Directorate, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, said his office is working to ensure all of the laboratories across the Department of Defense are talking to each other, helping each other and avoiding duplication of effort.

The areas he's particularly excited about are artificial intelligence paired with autonomy. Machines programmed for artificial learning will be able to collaborate much better with Soldiers and give commanders more options on the battlefield, he said.

Other promising areas are hypersonic weapons, he said, like the rail guns and lasers that the Army is working on.

He said he also expects to see a lot of developments in the space and cyberspace domains, as well as being able to operate in GPS-denied environments.

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'Don't come here unless you are prepared': U.S. Army Sniper School sets high bar for candidates

By Mr. Donald R Wagner (Army News Service) December 13, 2017

(Editor's Note: This is the final installment of a four-part series on the U.S. Army Sniper School at Fort Benning, Georgia. For previous articles in the series, please see the links below.)

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- At first glance, the U.S. Army Sniper School may seem like a reality TV elimination show akin to "Survivor." Of the 46 candidates who entered the course in August, only four remained by the end of week five.

For the remaining students, though, there were no comforts in the form of television producers or catering tents during the course. And the sniper candidates still had to face their most daunting challenge -- a culminating exercise that would test all of the skills they had learned over the past six weeks.

WEEK SIX: ALTERNATE FIRING POSITIONS

In week six, students were taught to engage targets from less-stable platforms or positions, since the majority of engagements they will encounter as snipers will not occur while in prone position.

"Snipers rarely can engage targets from a prone supported position in combat situations," said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Doolittle, sniper school operations noncommissioned officer. He added that snipers must use alternate positions and must utilize whatever is around them to create the most stable position possible.

Among other weapons, students shot the M2010 Winchester Magnum rifle on ranges up to 1,300 meters. They also shot the M9 pistol and the M107 .50-caliber sniper rifle.

WEEK SEVEN: EMPLOYMENT PHASE, FIELD TRAINING, SNIPER PRACTICE

In the final week of school, also known as the "employment phase," students planned and executed their mission after receiving an operations order. The first day covered urban infiltration and hide setup. Candidates observed battlefield information and countered sniper operations.

Students then moved into the woods to build a "subsurface hide," digging holes in the ground and meticulously camouflaging them.

To complete the culmination exercise, students marched to specified areas and were tested on skills that included stalking, target detection, range estimation and shooting.

On the last day of the course, students were given a time-limited road march to the range to conduct a "final shot," since snipers must be able to move quickly, carry a rucksack of equipment, and be physically able to perform their missions after extended marching.

To conduct the final shot, students were given two rounds and one target. Once they located the target, they calculated and determined the range to it and engaged the target. A first-round hit was worth 100 points, a second-round hit 50 points, and a miss, zero. These scores went to determine the honor graduate and "top gun" points for graduation.

GRADUATION DAY

On Sept. 22, out of the 46 sniper candidates who began the course at Fort Benning, only four remained to graduate.

Sgt. Stephen Ray, Sgt. Dale Taylor, Spc. Charles Gifford, and Sgt. Nathan Vencil sat together. The four Soldiers were now qualified as both Army snipers and spotters.

Ray graduated No. 1, or "Top Gun" in the class. An Oklahoma native, Ray is from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. During the training, Ray said that it was always in the back of his mind that he would make it to the next phase of training.

He said that after he was given notice that he would be attending school, his platoon's leadership went out of their way to ensure he had several chances to develop his shooting skills. This helped set him up for success in being able to pass the first challenge at sniper school, he said.

His mentioned his biggest challenge during the course was stalking. He overcame the difficulties by learning from his mistakes and by applying what he had been taught.

"The training in sniper school is hands down the best I've received in the Army," Ray said. "All of the instructors are driven to train you to be the best sniper you can be. They want you to succeed and will do everything they can to help you do so while simultaneously maintaining the highest of standards. Instructors will spend as much time as needed to help ensure we grasp the concepts being taught."

Ray said the best advice he can give Soldiers interested in being a sniper is to excel at their current job.

"Someone aspiring to be a sniper needs to stand out among his peers," Ray said. "A Soldier needs to excel at his job and put himself in a position that will allow him to pursue the chance to go to sniper school."

When Ray returns to his unit, he plans to teach his Soldiers what he has learned.

"I will do everything I can to prepare my Soldiers who wish to attend sniper school," Ray said. "If a Soldier has been appropriately trained on the tasks he will face at school, it will significantly increase his chances to pass sniper school successfully."

Gifford, 28, from Sequin, Texas, believes being an Army sniper is the epitome of being a Soldier. He said he wanted to be a sniper since "playing army" as a kid, and said he knew within the first week of sniper school that he would graduate.

During the training, he said the only time that he was in doubt of passing was during the rapid fire exercise during Hurricane Irma.

"You have to adapt to the weather behind the gun," Gifford said.

He credits his previous unit for training him until he was ready. His goal now is to take the knowledge he has back to his unit.

"Don't come here unless you are prepared," Gifford said.

South Chicago native Taylor said that he felt accomplished and relieved to graduate. He said the stalking exercises were the hardest because of the heat and humidity. He advised that that the secret to passing is not getting frustrated.

Soldiers who are interested in attending sniper school need to be resilient, Taylor continued. He said he prepared at his unit by taking every free day to train. He waited six years for his sniper school application to be approved.

"This class was unusual," said Staff Sgt. Brian Moran, one of the 11 instructors at the school. "Normally, 48 to 52 percent of the students graduate."

Last fiscal year, 310 students attended sniper school and 140 graduated.

"About 90 percent of the time, it's mental fortitude that determines whether a student will fail or succeed," Moran added.

Even though only four of 46 graduated this class, Moran said he's still happy that a new group of excellent snipers can go back to their units and hopefully change the prevailing thoughts about snipers by being proactive, seeking opportunities to train, and continuing to better themselves in their craft.

He added that Soldiers interested in being a sniper should know that the job is 95 percent observing and reporting, with 5 percent shooting.

"It's not the movies, you don't shoot people daily, and there are no pats on the back for doing a good job," said another instructor.

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Iran ready to work with Muslim states to defend Holy Quds without precondition

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Istanbul, Dec 13, IRNA -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran is ready to cooperate with each one of the Muslim countries to defend the holy Quds 'without any reservation or pre-condition.'

He made the remarks while addressing the extraordinary summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which is being held in Istanbul, northwest of Turkey, on Wednesday to discuss the US decision to declare the Holy Quds as the capital of the Zionist regime of Israel.

'The Muslim states fortunately were quick in reacting to the approach of the US administration towards the Quds City and the formation of this Summit indicates the correct interpretation by Muslims of the incorrect act of the US president,' President Rouhani said.

The full text of the Iranian President's speech is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

The Almighty God is exalted as he took His Servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings are blessed, to show him of our signs. Indeed, the Almighty God hears and sees. (Verse one of al-Asra Chapter, Holy Quran)

Your Excellency Mr Erdogan, the Honorable President of Turkey

Honorable Heads of Muslim States

Distinguished Heads of Participating Delegates

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

I would like to begin with appreciating the efforts of my dear brother His Excellency Rajab Teyyeb Erdogan for organizing this very significant meeting.

We have gathered here to exchange views on the appalling tragedy and the old wound of the Muslim Ummah in the last one hundred years which began with the Balfour conspiracy and is now experiencing a new chapter with the incorrect and unlawful promise of the US President to move the American Embassy to the holy city of Quds.

Today we speak about Quds which is the first Qiblah of Muslims and the third holiest Islamic shrine, and is used to recognize the identity and credibility of Palestine. The uprising of the tireless people of Palestine during the past several days against the United States and the Zionist occupiers once again demonstrated that Palestinians would not pin their hope on empty plans and instead are insisting on their righteous demands.

The Muslim states fortunately were quick in reacting to the approach of the US administration towards the Quds City. And the formation of this summit indicates the correct interpretation by Muslims of the incorrect act of the US President.

Distinguished brothers and sisters

Through every possible means, we should join hands to prevent the enforcement of such an unintelligent US act.

However, we should also investigate what elements and reasons emboldened the US President to take such a rude and sacrilegious decision.

I believe that other than any other reason, the efforts of some countries to establish relations and even consultation and coordination with the Zionist regime have incited such a decision.

Instead of countering the threats of the Zionists, some countries in our region are aligned with the US and Zionists to prescribe the fate of PalestineIf such prescriptions are taken, the Zionists would permanently dominate the Palestinians.

Today it is no secret that the biggest enemy of the Jews are [is] not the Muslims and Arabs but the dangerous project of Zionism.

We Muslims, Christians and the Jews are the historical owners of this region. The Zionists however are stranger here and have imposed themselves on this region.

The Zionists have in fact planted the seeds of terrorism and violence in this region since the beginning years of the past century.

During the past several decades, the Zionist regime has been responsible for the killing and displacement of Palestinians while disrespecting Islamic sanctity in Palestine. In committing all such crimes and murders, the United States has been supporting the Zionists with its veto power in the Security Council of the United Nations and has spared no effort in supplying all kinds of destructive weapons to the Zionist regime.

Unfortunately, the United States was chosen as an arbitrator for years in negotiations. Or they sought the support of the US and relied on it for mediation.

The United States has never been an honest mediator. And it will never be.

The recent act by the US administration made it clear for the people who wished a positive role by the US in resolving the issue of Palestine that the US is only seeking to secure the maximum interests of the Zionists and consider no respect for the legitimate demands of Palestinians.

Mr Chair

In order to counter such oppressive and low-minded measures, it is necessary to take lessons from the past. Therefore, I take the opportunity to propose the following actions:

1- It is necessary for this summit to strongly condemn the recent decision by the US administration to recognize al-Quds as the capital of the Zionist regime and move its embassy to the holy Quds.

2- Under the present circumstances, it is necessary for the Muslim world to get united against the Zionist regime. If we suffer from differences amongst ourselves over some issues, we should not be divided on defending the holy Quds and the Palestinian cause. All the problems of the Muslim world can be resolved through dialogue. It is only through Islamic unity that we can better support the rights of the Islamic Ummah and the holy Quds.

3- The US administration should be aware of the reality that the world of Islam does not remain indifferent towards the fate of Palestine and the holy Quds. And that ridiculing international approvals and ideas of nearly all the international community on the issue of Palestine would have political repercussions and costs.

4- It is imperative on the Muslim states to harmonize their protest to the recent US decision in their talks with America's partners especially European countries and emphasize on the necessity to stand against such a decision.

5- The issue of Palestine should once again be placed top on the agenda of the Muslim world. With the defeat of Daesh in Iraq and Syria and the necessity of continuing the fight against other terrorist groups, we should not forget the dangers of the Zionist regime including its nuclear warheads which is a threat to the whole world.

6- The United Nations and particularly the Security Council and its General Assembly can and should play a key role under such circumstances to express their opposition to the recent US decision. It is necessary that diplomatic missions of Muslim states in the United Nations actively participate in the discussions.

7- The movements of the Zionist regime should be constantly monitored and the OIC should hold sessions wherever appropriate to take necessary decisions at the ministerial or heads of state level.

In conclusion, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to cooperate with each one of the Muslim countries to defend the holy Quds without any reservation or pre-condition.

Thank you

1483**1771

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Palestine president rules out US role in peace process

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Istanbul, Dec 13, IRNA/Anadolu -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday said his country would not accept a future role for the US in the Middle East peace process.

The declaration came in response to US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli regime's capital last week.

"We will never allow the US role in the future peace process," Abbas told a special meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.

He added that Palestinians did "not want American mediation anymore."

Turkey is hosting the 57 member OIC conference following the US decision, which has been widely condemned by world leaders. The summit is expected to develop a unified Muslim position on Trump's anti-Palestinian policy.

Abbas said that Jerusalem (Holy Quds) "is and always will be the capital of Palestine" as he called on the world to acknowledge the city as such.

"Peace will not come unless Jerusalem is recognized as Palestine's capital," he added.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem  currently occupied by Israel  will eventually become the capital of a Palestinian state.

9417**1377

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USS John S McCain Returns to Fleet Activities Yokosuka

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS171213-08

Release Date: 12/13/2017 9:07:00 AM

From Commander, U.S. 7the Fleet Public Affairs Office

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Dec. 13.

John S. McCain arrived in Tokyo Bay aboard heavy lift transport vessel MV Treasure Dec. 5. For several days, crews prepared the ship for safe offload prior to being towed pierside. John S. McCain will be repaired by U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility-Japan Regional Maintenance Center in Yokosuka before returning to service in U.S. 7th Fleet.

"SRF is making preparations to begin remediation and repair efforts immediately once the ship is dockside," said Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Wyman assigned to SRF-JRMC. "The project will be one of the largest SRF has undertaken."

McCain was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore Aug. 21. After the incident the ship pulled into Changi Naval Base, Singapore where McCain crew members, technicians and divers prepared the destroyer for her journey back to Japan by patching damaged sections of the hull and placing key systems in layup maintenance.

Accompanied by a 10-crew complement to perform security and routine checks, the ship left Singapore for Yokosuka Oct. 5, but was diverted to Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 22, due to poor weather conditions and to repair cracks in the ship's hull discovered after the ship departed Changi Naval Base.

While at anchor in Subic Bay, technicians inspected the cracks and determined the ship needed additional blocks under it to support and distribute its weight on the heavy lift vessel. McCain left Subic Bay for the final stretch of its journey Nov. 28.

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Burundi's president launches campaign to extend rule until 2034

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 05:40PM

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has launched a campaign to promote a referendum to change the constitution that could extend his rule over the landlocked East African country until 2034.

Addressing a crowd of thousands of farmers in the central district of Gitega on Tuesday, Nkurunziza threatened those who sought to undermine the referendum slated for early 2018.

"We take this opportunity to warn those who want to sabotage this project, whether by speech or actions," Nkurunziza said. "It will be a red line."

"It's the day you've been waiting for," Nkurunziza said.

Nkurunziza's administration adopted a plan in October to revise the constitution that, if passed by the referendum, would allow him to serve another two seven-year terms from 2020.

Opposition activists have already denounced the project they say will be the "funeral" of the country's 2000 peace agreement. The deal ended a 13-year civil war in which more than 300,000 people were killed.

The start of the campaign comes a day after the government launched a fundraising drive for elections in 2020, presented as "voluntary." The move, however, has been condemned by rights groups as "organized robbery."

Burundi has faced deadly political turmoil since April 2015, when President Nkurunziza announced plans to seek a disputed third term that he ultimately won.

The violence claimed between 500 and 2,000 lives, according to differing tolls from the UN and civil society groups, while more than 400,000 Burundians have fled the country.

In September, a UN commission of inquiry report said crimes against humanity, including killings and sexual violence, were still being committed in Burundi and it asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation as soon as possible.

According to the report, alleged perpetrators include top officials in Burundi's National Intelligence Services and police force, military officials and members of the youth league of the ruling party, known as Imbonerakure.

The ICC in November decided to launch an investigation into atrocities committed in Burundi, despite the country's pullout from the international body last month.

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Female Afghan officers receive military training in India

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 03:22PM

Nearly two dozen female Afghan officers are receiving weapons training at a military academy in southern India.

Media reports said Wednesday that the women had learned tactics and logistical and navigational skills at the academy in the southern Indian city of Chennai.

This week they were taught how to use an AK-47 and given classroom training in ambush situations. They will also learn how to deal with computer-simulated sieges during the three-week crash course, which ends on December 24.

The course is reported to be a pilot for a full training scheme being planned for next year as part of efforts by the Afghan National Army to recruit more women.

They are the first Afghan women to attend the academy, which has been training men from the war-ravaged country's military for several years.

The Kabul government has said that it wants women to make up 10 percent of the armed forces.

Afghan women face the danger of fighting in their homeland. Those who sign up say they face criticism for their choice.

Afghan girls were banned from education and women were not allowed outside under the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime in Afghanistan.

Gender equality remains a distant dream across Afghanistan, in spite of official promises.

The United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, and overthrew the Taliban regime. But insecurity remains in the country despite the presence of foreign forces.

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OIC recognizes East Jerusalem al-Quds as Palestine's capital

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 03:14PM

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has invited all nations to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Palestine, blasting the United States for disregarding Middle East peace by moving its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

The 57-member organization issued a communique at the end of an emergency summit on Wednesday, declaring that it would recognize "East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine and invite all countries to recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital."

The declaration was a direct response to US President Donald Trump days after he referred to the city as the "eternal capital" of Israel.

The OIC rejected and condemned "in the strongest terms the unilateral decision by the president of the United States of America in recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the so-called capital of Israel, the occupying power."

Renouncing Trump's move as "null and void legally," the OIC members said the decision was tantamount to "an attack on the historical, legal, natural and national rights of the Palestinian people, a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus to extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security."

The OIC reaffirmed its continued commitment to the so-called two-state solution for ending the years-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some speakers, however, said the US was no longer deemed reliable to mediate any peace deal.

OIC members also said they would hold the US responsible for the consequences of the decision.

The communique also denounced Israel's actions and policies against the people of Palestine as "colonial" and "racist."

Trump has tasked the US State Department with making preparations for the relocation of Washington's embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied Palestinian city.

The dramatic shift in Washington's Jerusalem al-Quds policy has drawn fierce criticism from the international community, including Washington's own allies, while triggering demonstrations against the US and Israel worldwide.

As the second-largest inter-governmental body after the United Nations, the OIC was established during a summit in Rabat, Morocco, in 1969, following an arson attack on the al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city.

Iran commends 'high level of participation'

Shortly after the OIC declaration, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif hailed Islamic leaders for attending the summit in high capacities, taking an indirect jab at countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which only sent low-level officials.

Saudi Arabia only sent its minister for OIC affairs, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry represented Cairo.

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Iran FM calls for collective intl. efforts to end Yemen nightmare

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 02:14PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called for a collective international effort to end the "nightmare" of war in impoverished Yemen, rejecting a military solution to the conflict in the Arab country.

On his official Twitter account on Wednesday, the top Iranian diplomat expressed Tehran's readiness to contribute to any efforts towards an immediate ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid and an intra-Yemeni dialogue aimed at ending the conflict in the country.

Saudi Arabia and a coalition of its allies have been pounding Yemen since March 2015 in a bid to bring back to power the former Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, and undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement.

In addition to airstrikes, the Saudi-led military coalition has also imposed a blockade on Yemen, with the United Nations warning that 8.4 million Yemenis are a step away from famine.

"We will have a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe of a much larger magnitude than we currently face if commercial vessels carrying food and fuel can't get in. It will be beyond the control of the humanitarian community," Stephen Anderson, Yemen country director for the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), said on Tuesday.

"We are trying to help prevent a famine from occurring," he added.

Yemen is also suffering from an outbreak of cholera, with children making up nearly a third of infections of the waterborne disease.

Some 960,000 suspected cases of cholera and 2,219 deaths have been reported since the epidemic began in April, the latest figures released by the World Health Organization show.

More than 12,000 people have been killed since the onset of the campaign. Much of the Arabian Peninsula country's infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and factories, has been reduced to rubble due to the war.

UN-brokered talks between Yemen's warring sides have failed to end the conflict so far.

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Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza amid al-Quds tensions

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 09:02AM

The Israeli air force continues raids against the Gaza Strip amid simmering tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories following the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital."

The Israeli army said on Wednesday that it targeted a Hamas military compound in the southern Gaza Strip in response to what it claimed to be an undefined "projectile" fired from Gaza towards the southern parts of the occupied territories.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said earlier that the army does not know where the projectiles hit.

According to Gaza security officials, the Israeli aircraft targeted a Hamas naval base west of the city of Khan Yunis and a nearby open land.

There were no reports of casualties on either side.

On Tuesday, an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle carried out an attack in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing at least two people along a road in Um al-Nasser village. The two slain Palestinians were reportedly members of the engineering unit of al-Quds Brigades, which is the military wing of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli forces targeted several positions belonging to the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip with land and air attacks. The Israeli army claimed that the attacks were in response to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into an unpopulated area in the occupied territories without causing any injuries.

The Gaza Strip, home to 1.8 million, has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in the standards of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.

The Tel Aviv regime has also waged several wars on Gaza since 2008, killing and maiming thousands of Gazans.

The new series of Israeli attacks on Gaza come amid the ongoing tensions across the Palestinian territories after US President Donald Trump announced on December 6 that the US was recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital" and tasked the State Department with making preparations for the relocation of Washington's embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied Palestinian city.

The dramatic shift in Washington's Jerusalem al-Quds policy drew fierce criticism from the international community, including the United States' Western allies, and triggered demonstrations against the US and Israel worldwide.

Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.

Mass arrests

Israeli forces raided several Palestinian homes in the West Bank towns and cities of Jerusalem al-Quds, Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin and al-Khalil early Wednesday, arresting 32 people, including 20 Hamas officials.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Tuesday that at least four protesters have lost their lives and more than 1,778 injured in angry anti-US demonstrations around the occupied Palestinian lands.

The statement added that 1,366 Palestinians were injured in the West Bank. A total of 33 people were struck with live bullets, while 323 others were hit with rubber-coated steel bullets.

A total of 998 Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation as well.

Elsewhere in the besieged Gaza Strip, the number of casualties stood at 382. A total of 85 Palestinian protesters were struck with live bullets, and 14 others with rubber bullets.

Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has convened an urgent summit in Istanbul on Washington's contentious declaration on Jerusalem al-Quds. Representatives from 57 OIC members, including 30 heads of state, are attending the summit, which is meant to coordinate a response to the US decision on al-Quds.

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51killed as Saudi warplanes target three Yemeni provinces

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 07:02AM

More than 50 people have been killed and over 80 others wounded as Saudi fighter jets step up airstrikes against the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, and other cities.

Early on Wednesday, Saudi jets targeted the headquarters of Yemen's military police in the Shu'aub district of Sana'a, killing 39 people and injuring 80 others, according to reports by Reuters and the Yemeni al-Masirah TV.

The al-Masirah report said the aircraft had carried out seven rounds of bombings against the facility. It identified some of the casualties as prisoners held as part of criminal investigations.

Separately, Saudi planes pounded Sahar District in the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa'ada, injuring four civilians. One of the casualties later died of the injuries.

A Saudi strike also hit a vehicle in Maqbanah District of the southwestern Yemeni province of Ta'izz, leaving 11 people dead.

The kingdom and a group of its allies have been bombing Yemen since 2015 to put its former Riyadh-friendly government back in the saddle. More than 12,000 have died since the war began.

Now, more than eight million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation, making the country the scene of, what the UN calls, the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres called last Sunday for an end to the "stupid war," which has also the firm backing of the United States and Britain.

Saudi still choking up Yemen ports

Meanwhile, the head of the US government's aid agency said on Tuesday that there were no signs that a Saudi blockade of the ports had eased to let in aid consignments.

"Unfortunately, I can't tell you there has been an easing of the blockade," said USAID administrator Mark Green.

He said he was "deeply concerned on so many fronts" about the crisis in Yemen, but in particular the failure to get fuel into the country so people have access to clean water.

"That means a number of communities are either without clean water or will be very shortly, and in both cases that is a terrible concern from the cholera perspective and the survival perspective," he added.

A rampant cholera outbreak, exacerbated by the devastation of the country's health infrastructure, has killed more than 2,000 in Yemen.

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Moscow seeks UNSC's nod to supply arms to Central African Republic

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 06:34AM

Russia has reportedly asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for authorization to supply light arms and ammunition to the embattled armed forces of the Central African Republic (CAR).

A UNSC diplomat anonymously told AFP that Moscow was asking the Council for an exemption to the arms embargo imposed on the impoverished African nation in 2013, when it descended into widespread ethnic violence that mainly targeted the country's Muslim population.

According to the report, Russia has proposed to provide two battalions of 1,300 men with weapons and ammunition. The troops were recently trained by the European Union.

"Having assessed the situation in CAR, the Russian side agreed with the opinion of this country's leadership on the necessity to increase the overall strength of the armed forces of the Central African Republic," reads the request from Russia's UN mission.

Among the armaments listed on the Russian proposal are 900 pistols, 5,200 assault rifles, 140 sniper rifles, 840 Kalashnikov machine guns, 270 RPGs, and 20 anti-aircraft guns. Russia, the document shows, would also supply millions of pieces of ammunition to the CAR forces, including armor-piercing cartridges, hand grenades, and mortars.

The development came after the CAR's President Faustin-Archange Touadera asked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for military aid during discussions at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi back in October.

Russian Defense Ministry authorities paid a visit to the CAR in late November to review the newly-trained troops and discuss the military assistance.

France has reportedly been concerned by Moscow's plan, particularly over the manner of the storage of the armaments.

This is while the Russian request states, "Storage and stockpile management of weapons of the first delivery will be organized at the already existing storage facilities under armed protection."

UNSC members have until Wednesday 3:00 p.m. (2000 GMT) to consider the Russian request. If there are no objections by the members, Russia will get a green light for the shipments, due to start next week.

The three-stage delivery is expected to satisfy French concerns by having the weapons stored under tight security to avoid their slipping into the hands of rebel groups.

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Muslim leaders discuss al-Quds at OIC emergency summit in Turkey

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 06:24AM

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convenes an urgent summit in Istanbul on Washington's contentious declaration on Jerusalem al-Quds, with the Turkish foreign minister urging Muslim nations to respond by pressing the world for the recognition of the city as the capital of a Palestinian state.

Representatives from 57 OIC members are attending the summit, which is meant to coordinate a response to a US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital."

"Firstly the Palestinian state must be recognized by all other countries. We must all strive together for this," the top Turkish diplomat, Mevlut Cavusoglu , said. "We must encourage other countries to recognize the Palestinian state on the basis of its 1967 borders with East Jerusalem [al-Quds] as its capital."

Erdogan: al-Quds 'red line for Muslims'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the OIC, was the first head of state to address the event.

He told OIC leaders that Israel's expansionism is "skyrocketing," describing the entity as "a state of occupation." "Besides this, Israel is a state of terror."

The Turkish leader further urged the international community to recognize East Jerusalem as the "capital of Palestine."

Erdogan described Washington's decision as a reward for Israeli "terror acts" and said the city was a red line for Muslims.

'Al-Quds will forever be Palestine's capital'

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decried the Trump administration's decision as the "greatest crime" and a flagrant violation of international law. He said Washington was giving away Jerusalem al-Quds a "gift" to the "Zionist movement" as if it were an American city, adding, "It crosses all the red lines."

"Jerusalem [al-Quds] is and will forever be the capital of the Palestinian state... There will be no peace, no stability without that," he said.

Abbas rejected any future role for the United States in the so-called Middle East peace process, noting that Washington is biased in favor of Israel.

He called on the UN to assume the mediating role in the Mideast peace process and revive it with a new mechanism as the US is no longer "fit" for the task.

The Palestinian president pointed to the unanimous international opposition to Trump's decision, calling it a "provocation" to Muslim and Christian sentiments.

Rouhani: Muslims must unite against Israel

In his address to OIC leaders, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the Zionists as "strangers" who have planted seeds of regional violence in the Middle East.

Rouhani expressed Iran's preparedness to cooperate with Muslim countries to defend the Palestinian rights and called on Muslims across the world to unite against Israel's policies.

The Iranian chief executive slammed certain regional states for seeking to establish relations with the Zionist regime, warning, "Today it is no secret that the biggest enemy of the Jews [is] not the Muslims and Arabs but the dangerous project of Zionism."

"Instead of countering the threats of the Zionists, some countries in our region are aligned with the US and Zionists to prescribe the fate of PalestineIf such prescriptions are taken, the Zionists would permanently dominate the Palestinians," Rouhani said.

The Iranian president further called on the Muslim world to unite against the Zionist regime.

"If we suffer from differences amongst ourselves over some issues, we should not be divided on defending the holy Quds and the Palestinian cause. All the problems of the Muslim world can be resolved through dialogue. It is only through Islamic unity that we can better support the rights of the Islamic Ummah and the holy Quds," he added.

Prior to his speech to OIC leaders, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took to twitter to condemn the US for disrespecting Palestinian rights.

"The recent decision by the US admin made it clear that the US is only seeking to secure the maximum interests of the Zionists and has no respect for the legitimate rights of Palestinians. The US has never been an honest mediator and will never be," Rouhani tweeted.

'Al-Quds status quo must not change'

Jordanian King Abdullah II rejected any attempt to change the status quo of East Jerusalem al-Quds and its holy sites.

He stressed that the Middle East cannot witness peace until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved. "All violence... is a result of a failure to find a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue."

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced that the US was recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital" and tasked the State Department with making preparations for the relocation of Washington's embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied Palestinian city.

The dramatic shift in Washington's Jerusalem al-Quds policy drew fierce criticism from the international community, including the United States' Western allies, and triggered demonstrations against the US and Israel worldwide.

On Tuesday, the EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, reaffirmed the position of the European Union, saying East Jerusalem, which hosts the al-Aqa Mosque compound, shall become the capital of a Palestinian state and the western part of the city shall go to Israel as part of a so-called two state solution.

"We have made it clear that we will continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem [al-Quds], as Europeans, including the relocation of our embassies until the final status of Jerusalem [al-Quds] is resolved through direct negotiations between the parties," she added.

On Saturday, Arab League foreign ministers held an emergency meeting in Cairo. The meeting urged Washington to rescind its decision and called on the international community to recognize the Palestinian state.

Jerusalem al-Quds is under Israel's control. The international community views the regime's grip on the eastern part of the city, which came after the Six-Day War of 1967, as illegal, and urges talks to decide the fate of the entire city in any future peace deal.

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Trump signs massive defense policy bill worth nearly $700bn

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 12:13AM

US President Donald Trump has signed into law a massive defense policy bill to bolster the country's military and modernize its services.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was approved with bipartisan support on Tuesday.

It is worth nearly 700 billion dollars allocated for the fiscal year 2018.

Trump called on Congress to fully fund the measure and lift the budget caps that have forced limits on US defense spending for several years.

"With the signing of this defense bill, we accelerate the process of fully restoring America's military might," Trump said at a White House signing ceremony. "This legislation will enhance our readiness ... and modernize our forces, and help provide our servicemembers with the tools that they need to fight and to win."

The massive spending package amounts to more than that of the world's next seven militaries combined.

The bill authorizes the purchase and construction of 90 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and 14 Navy ships, while allocating 12.3 billion dollars for missile defense operations and 1.8 billion for the training of US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria.

The spending bill is also aimed at enhancing US military attempts in Europe and security assistance to Ukraine, as well as granting authorization for developing a new ground-launched cruise missile.

The US already has the highest military spending in the world. The new budget increase serves to further expand the US military as Trump has promised.

He has pledged a "massive" increase in the pentagon's budget spending to implement "the greatest military build-up in American history."

The US-led military alliance of NATO has deployed nearly 4,000 troops near the border with Russia, consisting of four battle groups, to Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland in recent years -- with Moscow viewing it as a threat to its national security.

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Abbas Calls For UN To Replace U.S. As Middle East Mediator

RFE/RL December 13, 2017

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas has called for the United Nations to replace the United States as a mediator in the effort to forge an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

His comments came on December 13 at an emergency summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)in Istanbul.

Abbas told the meeting that Palestinians had been "shocked" by the U.S. move announced on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversing decades of American policy and angering U.S. allies and others in Europe and the Middle East.

"While we engaged with them in the peace process for the sake of a deal for the ages, [U.S. President Donald Trump] delivered a slap for the ages," he said. "We will no longer accept that [the United States] has a role in the political process [as a mediator]."

Abbas said he remains committed to a two-state solution but added he would push for the United Nations to take the lead role in peace efforts.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan opened the summit with a call for the international community to recognize "occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine."

He said Jerusalem is a "red line" for Muslims and that they will not accept any aggression against Islamic holy sites.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani, meanwhile, called on Muslim nations to work together to defend the rights of Palestinians.

Palestinians regard Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and declared all of the city as its capital, a move never recognized by the international community.

The United States has said its decision only reflects the reality on the ground and that the move does not indicate it is relinquishing its role as mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly mention Abbas' comments in a speech, but he said Palestinians should "work for peace and not for extremism."

"All of these declarations do not impress us," he said.

He added that while reaffirming Israel's claim to all of Jerusalem, the country remained committed to protecting the rights of all religious groups in the city considered holy by Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/jerusalem-palestine-israel- iran-turkey-rohani-erdogan/28916825.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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UN Court Hears Appeal In Serbian Nationalist Politician's Acquittal

RFE/RL's Balkan Service December 13, 2017

A UN court has heard an appeal against the acquittal of Serbian nationalist politician Vojislav Seselj on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Seselj is accused of committing the crimes against non-Serbs in Croatia, Serbia's Vojvodina region, and Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Balkan wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and cost an estimated 130,000 lives.

During the December 13 appeal hearing, the prosecution explained to judges at the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) in The Hague why they believe that the 2016 verdict should be overturned.

UN prosecutors are asking the court to find Seselj guilty on three counts of crimes against humanity and six counts of violations of the laws or customs of war and sentence him to 28 years in prison -- or order a new trial.

The alleged crimes include persecution on political, racial, or religious grounds, deportation, murder, and torture.

Seselj, a member of parliament with his Serbian Radical Party, did not attend the hearing and has repeatedly insisted he would not go back to The Hague voluntarily.

The tribunal has appointed a lawyer to represent his legal interests in court.

In a controversial majority decision in March last year, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) acquitted Seselj of all charges.

One of the three judges dissented, saying the acquittals ignored international law and the tribunal's jurisprudence, while the court's chief prosecutor said judges ignored a large body of evidence when they freed Seselj.

The MICT building, which houses the tribunal's predecessor, the ICTY, is part of a crime scene for Dutch investigators following the suicide of former Bosnian Croat military commander Slobodan Praljak.

He swallowed cyanide in the courtroom on November 29 after judges upheld his 20-year jail term for war crimes -- their last sentence before the ICTY closed.

With reporting by AFP and BalkanInsight

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/seselj-un-court-hague-appeal -acquittal-serbia/28914173.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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Netanyahu Rebuffs OIC Remarks on Jerusalem, Urges Palestine to 'Accept Reality'

Sputnik News

23:57 13.12.2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was "not impressed" with the statements made by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the issue of the United States' recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

TEL AVIV (Sputnik)  Netanyahu expressed confidence Wednesday that many states would follow the example of the United States and recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, adding that he was "not impressed" with the latest statements made by the OIC on the issue.

"We are not impressed with all these statements. Finally, the truth wins, and many countries will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate their embassies there," the Prime Minister said, urging the Palestinians "to recognize reality and work to achieve peace instead of promoting radicalization."

Earlier in the day, representatives of 57 Muslim countries gathered in Istanbul for an extraordinary OIC summit on the issue of Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. In a declaration, the OIC said that Washington had lost its role as a mediator in the Middle Eastern settlement after this move. The participants also declared East Jerusalem the capital of the State of Palestine and invited other countries to follow suit.

The summit came shortly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Israel as a "child-killing terrorist state," and vowed to use "all means" to counter the US diplomatic move.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said at the summit that Palestine was planning to apply to become a full member of the United Nations and threatened to withdraw from treaties previously signed with Israel.

Israel considers Jerusalem, a holy city for three major religions, its capital, including the city's eastern parts and the historic center, seized from Jordan in 1967 during the Six-Day War. The international community does not recognize the annexation of East Jerusalem and insists that the status of the city be determined in an agreement with Palestine, which claims the eastern part of Jerusalem. For this reason, all foreign embassies in Israel are located in Tel Aviv.

A week ago, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel despite objections from across the Arab world. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Israel, which resulted in tense clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces. While the international community condemned the move, Hamas, the Palestinian Isamic fundamentalist organization, announced the beginning of the third "intifada" Tuesday.

 Sputnik

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Philippine President Not Ruling Out Declaration of Nationwide Martial Law

Sputnik News

13:42 13.12.2017(updated 19:48 13.12.2017)

After the Philippines' military warned officials that the terrorist threat in the region was ongoing despite the defeat of a vicious pro-Daesh group in a siege, several decisive measures took place.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Wednesday after the Philippine Congress overwhelmingly approved the President's Duterte request to prolong martial law on the southern island of Mindanao, Philippine President raised the possibility of declaring martial law across the whole country amid remaining threat of terrorism and the intensified rebellion of the New People's Army (NPA), local media reported.

According to the Philippine Star newspaper, the Duterte's request to prolong martial law on Mindanao until December 31, 2018 was backed by 240 legislators from the Philippine's Congress; 27 voted against it.

"The rebellion has not stopped, it has just moved to another place," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told senators and House members in a special joint session.

On December 12, Duterte said the prolongation of martial law for one year was recommended by the country's Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to ensure the total eradication of terrorists.

Martial law was initially declared in Mindanao in May after the start of the conflict between the Philippine security forces and extremists affiliated with the internationally-condemned organization Daesh (ISIS), including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups. On May 23, the Maute group's fighters, allegedly alongside some foreign terrorists, launched a series of attacks in Marawi City in order to establish a Daesh caliphate Southeast Asia. Duterte was forced to place the entire island under martial law for 60 days to prevent the possible spread of terrorism to other parts of the country.

However, this controversial law has promoted severe criticism. Duterte's perceived authoritative behavior and the killing of thousands of suspects under a brutal crackdown against illegal drugs that he launched after he took office last year have alarmed Western governments and human rights groups.

 Sputnik

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Israel Retaliates With Airstrikes as Hamas Announces Third Intifada

Sputnik News

11:31 13.12.2017(updated 20:25 13.12.2017)

Hamas has announced the beginning of the third "intifada" a week after Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It didn't take long for Israel to respond.

Hamas positions in the Gaza strip were targeted by Israeli Air Force strikes on Tuesday night, hours after a Palestinian rocket attack on Israeli territory. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties on the Palestinian side.

The official Israel Defense Forces Twitter account has specified that the attack targeted the movement's military compound:

President Trump's move has exacerbated tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist organization, leading to an intensified trade of fire. The Israeli army has enforced its presence in Jerusalem and has been conducting operations against Hamas, mainly destroying their military tunnels in the Gaza strip. Palestinians have been protesting against Trump's decision all over the country, which resulted in Hamas announcing the beginning of the third intifada.

Many ethnic Arabs hope to see a two-state solution and a return of Palestinian land located behind the '1967 Lines', re-establishing borders from before the Six Day War, when Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, as well as the Golan Heights from Syria. Since that date, Israeli groups have continued to establish new communities in the West Bank, something Palestinians consider an act of aggression.

"All Red Lines Crossed"

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Trump's decision to recongize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was the "greatest crime" and a violation of international law. Delivering a speech at an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday, he said that the US could not play the role of mediator in the Middle East peace process, as it was "biased in favor of Israel."

"Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine," he said, adding that the US "has crossed all the red lines."

Besides, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday that Palestine intends to renounce all deals with Israel if the situation regarding Jerusalem remains unchanged.

"Agreements in Oslo have been signed by Israel and us, but we will reject those agreements if the situation does not change," Abbas said speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Turkey.

Israel and Palestine are bogged down in a prolonged dispute over borders and sovereignty. Israel seized Jerusalem from Jordan during the Six Day War in 1967 and declared the city its capital. Palestine seeks to establish East Jerusalem as its own independent state's capital. In 1993, the secret talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) were launched in Oslo, resulting in a set of agreements. It included the Israel-PLO Letters of Mutual Recognition, and the Oslo I Accord. This agreement called for withdrawing Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and for establishing a limited Palestinian National Authority.

War of Stone Intifada

The first Palestinian mass revolt happened in 1987, which saw the "genesis" of the State of Palestine in 1988. To the outside world, the first intifada is associated with so-called war of stones, when rocks were Palestinians' main "weapon." The first uprising, lasted until the 1991 peace talks at the Madrid Conference, although some date its conclusion to 1993 and the Oslo Accords, which offered mutual recognition to the warring parties. During the six years of the first intifada, the Palestinian death toll rose to 1,162-1,204; additional intra-Palestinian violence claimed nearly 1,000 lives. Conversely, 100 Israeli civilians and 60 members of the Israeli Defense Forces were reportedly killed.

Al-Aqsa Intifada

The second mass uprising started in the year of 2000, when Hamas involved itself in the struggle. It started when Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy place for all Muslims, is situated. The move was considered a provocation among Palestinians. The indignation bred violence; approximately 1,000 Israelis were killed in terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in public places. Israel responded with airstrikes; an estimated 3,000 Palestinian civilians were killed. The 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh Summit is considered to have ended the Al-Aqsa intifada, when both sides agreed to a cease fire.

 Sputnik

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That special place in hell everyone keeps talking about is getting mighty crowded.

The ball got rolling in 2016 when former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright quipped that there was a "special place in hell for women who don't help each other." At the time, she was introducing Hillary Clinton at a New Hampshire campaign event.

More recently, Ivanka Trump said the special place was reserved for "people who prey on children." She was referring to allegations against then-Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore that he had pursued and/or made sexual advances toward teenage girls when he was in his early 30s.

Next came Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser-turned-freelance-provocateur who seemed to be mocking the first daughter when he said during a pro-Moore rally that hell's special spot was reserved for Republicans "who should know better" but weren't supporting the former judge in the special election.

Whew. Is it just me, or is it getting humid down here?

Bannon referred specifically to native Alabamian Condoleezza Rice, another former secretary of state, who had written of the election: "These critical times require us to come together to reject bigotry, sexism and intolerance." Without naming anyone, she urged voters to seek leaders who "are dignified, decent and respectful of the values we hold dear."

This would seem to have disqualified a raft of current and aspiring officeholders but was clearly aimed at Moore, who has said that the country was better off before the last 17 constitutional amendments, which, among other things, gave women and African-Americans the right to vote.

While Bannon railed, and Alabamians voted, the president tweeted. This time, Trump even outdid himself by insulting a female U.S. senator with sexual innuendo. Apparently miffed that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., had called for his resignation because of the multiple charges of sexual misconduct leveled against him, Trump tweeted that Gillibrand "would do anything" when she previously had come to him "begging" for campaign contributions.

One doesn't need a translator or a dirty mind to understand that he was suggesting that Gillibrand would have exchanged sexual services for cash. It was, as we say, a cultural moment.

The tweet heard 'round a world already agog about events in Alabama launched yet another cultural moment at least along the Washington-New York corridor. On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," a female guest said the tweet made her "blood boil," while co-anchor Mika Brzezinski wagged her finger at the screen and launched a soliloquy of scold at Ivanka Trump and other White House women.

It was her own version of a special place in hell for women, even a daughter, who persist in supporting Donald Trump.

It wasn't always thus, Mr. Irony interrupts. For months during the campaign, Brzezinski and her now-fiance, Joe Scarborough, gave Trump free rein on their show. "Morning Trump," some dubbed it. In recent months, perhaps in penance for helping Trump get elected with free airtime, the couple has become his morning nightmare.

Perhaps, too, Trump's personal insults of Brzezinski have turned her into a feminist avenger. On Tuesday, she peered piercingly into the camera, singeing the cameraman with her gaze, and schooled press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

"Today is your day" (to stop supporting the president), she told Sanders, who wasn't present or anywhere listening, as far as anyone knew. "This has got to stop. Do the right thing." Whereupon, Trump chortled with the glee of a schoolyard bully who delights in making the girls cry.

Brzezinski's moment wasn't quite Walter Cronkite's "mired in stalemate" declaration of U.S. failure in Vietnam, but she clearly decided to part with journalistic tradition and make Trump's takedown her personal mission. As her message intensified, her male guests remained stoic while Scarborough had the look of a boy trying not to do anything that would attract Momma's attention.

If Trump in his strange way had hoped for such a reaction, Alabamians likely enjoyed the distraction after months under the microscope. Media attention has been so intense not only because of the tawdriness of the campaign but because the stakes were so high: Would Alabama go backward or forward? They chose the latter.

This shouldn't have been a tough choice, but Team Bannon, Trump and Moore have effectively convinced voters that what is true is false and what is false is true. There is surely a special place in hell for such as these.
Unified action needed in Central Africa to defuse regional tensions, Security Council told

13 December 2017  Despite some positive developments, the overall situation in Central Africa still requires concerted action at all levels to address sociopolitical tensions, economic difficulties and abuses by armed groups, a United Nations envoy for the region said Wednesday.

"In many countries of the region, tensions remained high," Francois Lounceny Fall, Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the Secretary General's Special Representative to the region, told the Security Council, stressing that the UN is facilitating the search for a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.

Mr. Fall welcomed advancements in regional integration, particularly the free movement of people in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community zone. UNOCA also supports capacity building in mediation, early warning collaboration with civil society and gender mainstreaming for the secretariat of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon face serious economic difficulties as well as political and social tensions, he said.

Cameroon is affected by Boko Haram, the crisis in the Central African Republic or the Anglophone separatist movement, he continued. He said he has encouraged genuine and inclusive dialogue, but warned that prevention efforts must be increased to ensure that current tensions will not deteriorate in the context of the 2018 elections.

In the Central African Republic, attacks and grave abuses committed by armed groups, including the recent murder of blue helmets of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission there (MINUSCA) and humanitarian workers, remain a great concern, he said.

It is urgent that the peace process be advanced through the implementation of the road map adopted by the African Union, he said.

As for Boko Haram, the insurgent group is still capable of perpetrating attacks and horrible abuse in Central Africa, he said, stressing that redoubled efforts by all partners are needed to address the threat.

International support is also crucial to implement the conclusions of the recent regional conference organized by the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

Similarly, international support is needed for the African Union's Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army, as that group continues abuses against local populations, following the withdrawal of Ugandan and United States forces from its zone of operation.

It is important for the AU and troop contributors to quickly agree on the reconfiguration of the regional task force and on an increase of support for the training of the Central African Armed Forces in order to meet the threat.

He said that UNOCA continues to focus on efforts to enhance the coherence and coordination of overall UN activities in Central Africa, including collaboration with resident coordinators and country teams to engage national authorities on sensitive political issues as well as on longer term efforts to formulate national and cross border peacebuilding plans, with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund.

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Africa, EU Leaders Add Funding, Urgency to Fight Sahel Jihadists

By Lisa Bryant December 13, 2017

African and European leaders called for intensifying the fight against terrorism in the Sahel during a meeting Wednesday outside Paris, as the recently created G5 Sahel force received fresh funding pledges.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Saudi Arabia was contributing $100 million, and the United Arab Emirates another $30 million to the G5 Sahel force. The United States and European Union have already announced contributions of roughly $60 million each.

Macron said France's 4,000-strong Barkhane operation in the Sahel will work with the G5 soldiers next year to combat jihadist groups in the region, such as al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. He predicted victories against the groups early in the year.

Wednesday's meeting west of Paris aimed to inject fresh support for the G5, launched last July to tackle rising terrorism across the vast expanse of Africa's Sahel region.

Five African nations are contributing to the force, which is expected to grow to 5,000 troops by next March. But experts say it needs more soldiers, training and funding among other things to tackle the spreading jihadi threat.

Leaders also talked about other challenges.

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita warned Wednesday that with their routing in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, Islamic State group fighters could end up in the Sahel.

Beyond French troops, other Western forces and U.N. peacekeepers are also present in the Sahel. A number have been killed in recent weeks. That includes four U.S. soldiers who were ambushed in October in a remote part of Niger, along with four Nigerien soldiers.

U.N. and other African troops have also been targeted. This year also saw terrorist attacks in Mali and Burkina Faso.

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Turkey Summit Blasts Trump Decision on Jerusalem

By Dorian Jones December 13, 2017

Leaders of majority Muslim nations gathered in Istanbul Wednesday and condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as unlawful. The meeting came as unrest in the Middle East continues, along with growing criticism over the Jerusalem move.

The gathering was under the auspices of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, OIC. Turkey currently leads the OIC and the emergency summit was called by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"I am inviting the countries who value international law and fairness to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," Erdogan told leaders at the start of the meeting Wednesday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Bangladeshi President Abdoul Hamid and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are among the 22 heads of state and government attended. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, along with 23 other countries, sent lower-level delegations.

Some of the sharpest criticism came from Abbas, who told leaders on Wednesday that Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State was - in his words - "a crime." He said the Palestinians would not accept a U.S. role in the peace process from now on and accused the United States of being biased in favor of Israel. The Palestinian leader said "We are here today to say together and in clear language: Jerusalem was, still is and will always be the capital of the State of Palestine." Abbas called for the United Nations to take over the peace process.

While there has been widespread criticism of Trump's Jerusalem decision, questions remain of whether anger over the move can overcome political divisions within the Islamic world, in particular, among Arab leaders.

"The Arab world cannot take a unified stance without the consent of Saudi Arabia or Egypt," wrote Hurriyet daily news columnist Barcin Yinanc Tuesday. "The House of Saud, as well as Egypt's current military ruler Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, both need U.S. support to maintain power and also to stand against Iran, which they see as gaining predominance with its advances in Iraq and Syria," Yinanc said.

The situation is further complicated by existing tension between summit host Erdogan and key players. "Saudi Arabia is more and more distancing itself from Turkey," noted Huseyin Bagci, international relations professor at Ankara's Middle Eastern Technical University. A possible sign of that distance is the absence of the Saudi King and Crown Prince at the Istanbul summit.

Officially, Saudi Arabia has sharply criticized Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. A Saudi statement called the move "unjustified and irresponsible" and "a big step back in efforts to advance the peace process."

But Turkish pro-government media have accused Riyadh of tacitly approving Trump's move, and in Ankara there are growing suspicions that Riyadh's allegiances could be shifting. "There is belief that this already exists, since Trump's famous sword dance with the Saudi leaders," said political columnist Semih Idiz of the Al Monitor website, referring to Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Idiz points to pronouncements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Iran, "and when you read in between lines, his [Netanyahu's] support of the growing Saudi-U.S. relationship has left people in Turkey thinking that there is this axis already there of Saudi-Israel and U.S," Idiz said.

Saudi Arabia sent its minister for religious affairs, a gesture some analysts interpreted as a less than enthusiastic response by the kingdom to President Trump's decision.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu, speaking on Turkish television Tuesday, chided some Arab countries for failing take a more robust stance against Washington, saying Donald Trump "scares them." "It seems that some Arab countries refrain from challenging Trump," said the Turkish top diplomat.

Despite the serious diplomatic obstacles, Erdogan hopes the summit will set up an action plan to counter Trump, under the title of the Istanbul Declaration.

Erdogan has spearheaded opposition among both Muslim and European leaders to oppose the U.S. leader's decision on Jerusalem. During his visit to Ankara Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin backed Erdogan's stance.

Wednesday's summit gives the Turkish president a world stage at a time when he has been facing growing isolation from some of his traditional allies. The differences among the countries attending the summit are expected to pose a challenge for Erdogan. But with violent confrontations still breaking out over Jerusalem, observers expect him to capitalize on the expressions of anger and stress the need for a strong and united stance.

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Key US Justice Official Expresses Confidence in Russia Probe

By Masood Farivar December 13, 2017

Robert Mueller, the special counsel leading the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, received a strong vote of confidence Wednesday from the Justice Department official who appointed him and oversees his work.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller in May after President Donald Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey, dismissed Republican criticism that the special counsel's team has become compromised by anti-Trump partisans.

"We'll ensure that no bias is reflected in any of the actions taken by the special counsel or in any matter within the jurisdictions of the Department of Justice," Rosenstein told members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Rosenstein appointed Mueller after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the probe because he'd served as an adviser to Trump's presidential campaign.

Rosenstein heaped praise on Mueller, a highly respected former federal prosecutor and FBI director, saying he was "the ideal choice" to lead the investigation that has consumed much of Trump's year in office.

"It would be difficult for anyone to find someone more qualified for this job," Rosenstein said.

Text messages

Rosenstein's comments came a day after the Justice Department released hundreds of text messages that were exchanged between two former members of Mueller's team.

President Trump and Republicans have seized on the text exchanges between FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page not only to question the impartiality of the special counsel's investigation, but to attack the Justice Department and the FBI's credibility.

Strzok was removed from the team in July after Mueller learned of the text messages, and Page left two months later.

Among the 375 messages released Tuesday was an exchange that occurred on March 4, 2016. Page described Trump as a "loathsome human" and Strzok responded, "Yet he may win [the presidential election]." After Strzok asked if she believed Trump would be a worse president than fellow Republican Ted Cruz, Page responded, "Yes, I think so."

Page and Strzok also sent derogatory comments about Democratic officials, including presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and former Attorney General Eric Holder.

While Strzok texted in August 2016, "I am worried about what Trump is encouraging in our behavior," he also wrote, "I'm worried about what happens if HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton] is elected."

Campaign donations

Andrew Weissmann, another senior lawyer serving on Mueller's team, also is accused of airing anti-Trump views. Weissmann and eight other members of the Mueller investigation team reportedly have made campaign donations to Democratic candidates, while none has donated to a Republican campaign.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte said he was troubled by the revelations, saying the text messages between Strzok and Page showed "extreme bias" against Trump.

"These text messages prove what we all suspected: High-ranking FBI officials involved in the Clinton investigation were personally invested in the outcome of the election, and clearly let their strong political opinions cloud their professional judgment," said Goodlatte.

Asked about the campaign donations by Mueller's team members, Rosenstein countered that they were entitled to personal political opinions.

"We recognize employees have political opinions," Rosenstein said. "It's our responsibility to make sure those opinions do not influence their actions."

Investigations

Republican members of the House judiciary panel have called on the Justice Department to appoint a second special counsel to look into allegations involving the handling of the Clinton email investigation. Rosenstein was noncommittal, saying the question currently is the subject of an investigation by the Justice Department's inspector general that will conclude over the next couple of months.

The special counsel's mandate allows Mueller to investigate allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, along with any matters that arise from the investigation.

Rosenstein declined to say whether he has authorized an expansion of the mandate, saying Mueller has "received my permission where there is ambiguity" in the order.

"I know what he's investigating," he said.

Rosenstein said the probe mandate also allows the special counsel to investigate obstruction of justice related to the investigation.

The investigation has led to criminal charges against four Trump campaign associates, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Trump's criticism of the special counsel has fueled fear that the president will fire Mueller. Trump has denied he wants to fire Mueller, but Democrats in Congress have pushed for legislation protecting Mueller from being fired.

Democrats sought reassurance from Rosenstein that he'd not dismiss Mueller under pressure from the White House.

"Have you seen good cause to fire Mr. Mueller?" asked Representative Jerry Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

"No," Rosenstein responded.

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Air Force planes fly patrols across strategic waterways

People's Daily Online

(China Daily) 08:10, December 13, 2017

Chinese Air Force bombers and fighters conducted a regular patrol exercise over two strategic channels near Taiwan on Monday in an effort to further strengthen maneuverability and combat capability during far sea missions.

The formation consisted of H-6K bombers, Su-30 and J-11 fighter jets and reconnaissance, early warning and tanker aircraft, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke, spokesman for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, said at a meeting of senior Air Force officers. The meeting's key points were released on Tuesday.

The planes flew through the Bashi Channel between southern tip of Taiwan and the norther islands of the Philippines and the Miyako Strait between northern Taiwan and Japan, Shen said.

"Multiple bombers and reconnaissance planes have flown routes that circled the island of Taiwan, further improving their ability to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

The exercise on Monday marked the ninth routine drill of Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan since August, according to Air Force records. The PLA Air Force first circled the island last December.

All exercises by the Air Force are in line with international laws and practices, and they have been conducted reasonably according to the regional situation, Shen said. The flight range of the PLA Air Force will expand farther over the sea, and a wider variety of planes will train together systematically in formation, he said.

The Air Force also will improve its aerial assault, defense, surveillance and logistic capabilities. "The Air Force is an important force in maintaining situations, managing crises and preventing and winning wars," Shen said.

"The Chinese Air Force is modernizing to become a strategic combat force capable of fighting in all of China's domain," he said. "We must expand our strategic outlook in systematic far-sea exercises, keep a sober mind, improve emergency awareness and safeguard strategic interests."

Lieutenant General Huang Guoxian, Air Force commander of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said the Air Force must improve its combat capability through routine far sea exercises and uphold China's air defense identification zone in the East China Sea, according to Tuesday's news release.

"So when there is an emergency, we can react quickly and adamantly protect our national sovereignty, security and development interest," he said.

Lieutenant General Xu Anxiang, Air Force commander of the PLA Southern Theater Command, said the Chinese Air Force has been training more routinely and systematically in distant oceans and in the South China Sea during the past three years.

"Far sea training is a common practice among other air forces, and a necessary prerequisite for building a strong Chinese military," he said. "Senior Air Force officers must shoulder the load of preparing and fighting wars."

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Beijing Bombers, Fighter Jets Encircle Taiwan in Drill

Sputnik News

22:33 13.12.2017(updated 22:34 13.12.2017)

A group of People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) H-6K bombers and Su-30 and J-11 fighter jets conducted a mission Monday "that circled the island of Taiwan, further improving their ability to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity," a PLAAF spokesman said this week, according to a fact sheet obtained by China Daily.

Taiwan, an island nation that generally considers itself independent from Beijing, might take issue with the notion that China's warplanes support its sovereignty. Beijing, however, considers Taiwan to be a wayward province that should eventually be incorporated back into China and has not ruled out using force to do so.

"Multiple bombers and reconnaissance planes have flown routes that circled the island of Taiwan," Sr. Col. Shen Jinke reportedly said. According to China Daily, the mission marked the ninth routine drill around Taiwan in the past four months, and noted that the first such circling mission occurred last December.

"The Air Force is an important force in maintaining situations, managing crises and preventing and winning wars," Shen said, noting that the PLAAF "is modernizing to become a strategic combat force capable of fighting in all of China's domain we must expand our strategic outlook in systematic far-sea exercises, keep a sober mind, improve emergency awareness and safeguard strategic interests."

The PLAAF maintained that all flights were conducted within the limits of international laws and practices.

Beijing has routinely stated that Taiwan is the most contentious and sensitive topic between China and the US. According to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act [TRA] passed by the US Congress, Washington expects the "future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means," that "any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including boycotts and embargoes, [is] a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area."

The act also states that the US expects to "maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan."

The TRA is frequently pointed to as the law which lays out Washington's legal obligation to defend Taiwan, even though Washington and Taipei have no formal relationship, as per the conditions of America's relationship with Beijing.

A joint Brookings Institution and Lawfare essay by Julian Ku, though, states that the US is only obliged to sell Taiwan weapons for its own self-defense and in the event of armed conflict between China and Taiwan, "the [US] president is only legally obliged to 'determine, in accordance with constitutional processes, appropriate action,'" Ku wrote.

The 2018 US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requires mutual visits by US and Taiwanese naval vessels. Speaking last Friday, Li Kexin, a senior Chinese diplomat in Washington, stated, "the day that a US Navy vessel arrives in Kaohsiung [Taiwan's main port] is the day that our People's Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force."

 Sputnik

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On "Meeting the Foreign Policy Challenges of 2017 and Beyond"

Remarks

Rex W. Tillerson

Secretary of State

The 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum

Washington, DC

December 12, 2017

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, thank you so much, Stephen, for that warm welcome. And we've known each other for a long time as well, and in my old life would often share perspectives on what I was seeing around the world and try to get some advice on whether I was leaning the correct way to the left or the right. And the advice was always sound and very appreciated. Thank you.

I also want to thank Ambassador Cho for his introduction and welcome, as well. And I do appreciate the opportunity to speak at the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum, and I'm really going to use this as an opportunity to reflect on the past 11 months. And so I'm going to take a bit of a walk through the year. I'm going to touch on a number of issues, some geographies, and I hope in doing so and laying out what the President's priorities have been in the foreign policy arena that some of the  a lot of the intersections of these policies will become evident to you. I think, as was just stated by Steve Hadley, the world has become so interconnected that no part of the world can actually isolate itself or compartmentalize its foreign policy issues, because they all tend to touch one another at some point.

So it may come as a surprise to some, although it should not, that underlying all of our policies, our strategies, that it  and our tactics is a clear recognition that one of the advantages the U.S. takes into all of our various foreign policy arenas are that we have many, many allies. Many allies born of shared sacrifice, born of shared values, and none any more so than the Republic of Korea. Through our shared sacrifice on the peninsula and the shared values that have led to a vibrant, prosperous South Korea that we see today. And as President Trump highlighted in his remarks to the general assembly in Seoul in his recent trip to the Asia arena, what a stark difference when one goes to the DMZ and looks just across the DMZ a few miles to see what a difference the values that have been adopted by the Republic of Korea and what that has created in terms of the quality of life for Korean citizens, and also the contributions to the global quality of life as well compared to the choices that have been made by North Korea.

These large numbers of allies, which are a great strength of U.S. policy around the world, are not matched by any of our adversaries. None of our adversaries have such an advantage. So what I'm going to do is, I'm not going to walk because it'll be  if I walk, it'll take too long, but I'm going to jog a bit around the world. And I am going to touch on, obviously, the situation with the DPRK and our relations with China, but I'm going to touch on the efforts to defeat ISIS and, in particular, our efforts in Iraq and Syria; the broader counterterrorism policies that we are executing through the Middle East, many of which emerge from the President's historic Riyadh summit. But how counterterrorism is playing out in other parts of the world  in the Sahel in Africa and Libya, but also we see it even in Asia in the region in Philippines and Mindanao.

I'm going to touch on South Asia and the President's policy on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India; the EU-NATO relationship; Russia and our efforts to re-establish relations with Russia; and then I'm going to just pick very quickly at a few of the issues we're dealing with in the Western Hemisphere. But I think it is not lost  and I think the point was made, and I'm not  will not be the last to appreciate the irony of the Atlantic Council hosting an event on U.S. partnership with South Korea, and I think that point's been made. But in my view, it does make perfect sense because as you have seen, it takes unity and strong partnerships, those that span the Atlantic and Pacific, to counter the prospect of a nuclear-armed North Korea.

From his first day in office, this was the first policy President Trump asked the State Department to develop and put in place, and clear recognition that he was going to take this threat seriously, and he was not going to leave it unaddressed and was not going to accept the status quo. It does represent, and did represent then, the most immediate threat to our country, and that we would end the era of strategic patience and begin an era of strategic accountability. The threat is simply too large to ignore any longer.

Our policy with respect to the DPRK is really quite clear, and that is the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It is a policy that is shared by others in the region; in fact, that is China's policy as well. And Russia has stated it is also its policy. So it is  while it is commonly held, our tactics for implementing the policy may differ a bit among parties in the region. Our approach, as you've seen, is to impose ever greater penalties and ever greater pressure on the regime in North Korea to persuade them to halt their current nuclear weapons development program and their systems by which they can deliver these weapons, and to change that course and choose a different course.

We have put in place now over the past many months the most comprehensive set of economic sanctions that I think have ever been assembled through two very comprehensive UN Security Council resolutions with the support, notably, of both China and Russia, clearly indications of how they view the seriousness of the threat as well.

These sanctions now have banned all coal exports from the North  from North Korea. They have ended their textile exports. They have put limits and will bring to an end the export of forced labor. They have also limited the imports of fuel and reduced all imports, each  with each action increasing the pressure on North Korea.

We do know that these are having effects on the North. This is evidence in terms of what we see happening with fuel prices for North Korean citizens, which initially jumped 90 percent. They're now back to where they're up only 50 percent. We also know there are shortages beginning to appear, and there's also, though appearing on the shelves of North Koreans, products which previously had been exported. So now they have to be consumed internally.

These are combined with diplomatic sanctions where we have called on nations the world over to not just fully implement the UN Security Council economic sanctions, but where they have a sense and a desire to do so, to also isolate the North Korean regime further by recalling their diplomats, closing their offices, and letting North Korea know that with each one of these provocative tests, they only become more and more isolated.

More than 22 countries have sent North Korea's diplomats back home. And for some, it may not seem significant, but for small countries that may not have a lot of economic influence, it is yet another important signal. So from nations like Peru to Spain to Italy to Portugal have cut off the diplomacy ties as well. And we know the regime notices when that ambassador comes home because they're not representing that office elsewhere, further isolating them from their contact with the rest of the world.

These are all very important steps, again, to reinforce to the regime that with each step you take, you only isolate yourself further and you do not improve your security, but you degrade your own security. Important to the success of all of this is the very strong trilateral relationship that exists between the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. This is a basis for the security structure of the region and it is one that we continue in place and we continue to exercise together so that we are ready for any possible military response that might be required.

The enforcement of these sanctions have also gone beyond the direct entities, but we've also sanctioned individuals and other entities, including banks  some banks within China and elsewhere  who are facilitating violations of these sanctions by North Korea. So anywhere we see North Korea attempting to exploit loopholes or attempting to exploit other avenues to skirt these sanctions, we attempt to close those off as well.

Time is marching on and with each additional test, North Korea does demonstrate the advancement of its program. The most recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, I think, demonstrates they certainly have capability to continue to advance their program, and we would expect they're doing the same on other elements of an integrated nuclear weapons system. So we need the DPRK to come to the  come to the table for talks. We're ready to talk anytime they'd like to talk, but they have to come to the table and they have to come to the table with a view that they do want to make a different choice.

In the meantime, our military preparedness is strong. Because of the situation, the President has ordered our military planners to have a full range of contingencies available, and they are ready. As I've told people many times, I will continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops. I'm going to be confident that we're going to be successful, but I'm also confident Secretary Mattis will be successful if it ends up being his turn.

With respect to China, North Korea really represented our first engagement of this new administration with China. It was  the first trip I made overseas was to Japan, South Korea, and China to begin the first articulations of this policy on North Korea's nuclear program, the end of the strategic patience. In many ways, this, I think, was fortuitous because it allowed this administration in its first engagements with China to find something that we could work together on. And when we understood that our policies were identical and our objectives were the same, then that gave us a platform from which to engage on a positive way from the outset.

The history, as all of you know, of U.S.-China relations has been defined since the historic opening of the relationship with Nixon's visit. And that served the U.S. and the Chinese well and it served the rest of the world well. But times have changed. China has risen its economic power. And in many ways, the successful Beijing Olympics was perhaps the coming-out of China to the rest of the world with a new sense of confidence and a new sense of a way forward.

I think both of us, the U.S. and China, are now searching for what will define the U.S.-China relationship for the next 50 years, because that relationship that was defined by the "one China" policy and the three joint communiques has served everyone well. China has risen as an economic force in the world. And while they like to continue to describe themselves as a developing nation because they have hundreds of millions who still need to move out of poverty, they are not a developing nation in the traditional sense. They have an economy that is very large, and it certainly has its influence on global markets. But as China has risen, a number of disparities have now occurred between the U.S. and China trade relations and China and other nations in trade relations as well which have to be addressed.

So in engaging with China in the first summit with President Xi coming to Mar-a-Lago, we worked with the Chinese to find a way to begin an exchange of understanding in views at a much higher level than had previously been conducted. As many of you know, there were many, many dialogue mechanisms with China over the past several years. I think when we  when I got to State Department, we had 26 different dialogues at various levels. Our view was we needed to elevate these dialogues to a much higher level within our respective governments, closer to the ultimate decision makers.

So we created four significant high-level dialogues with representation from our side and from the Chinese side that is very close to President Trump and very close to President Xi. The four dialogues are led by cabinet-level secretaries on our side and equivalents on the Chinese side. This diplomatic and strategic Dialogue is chaired by Secretary Mattis and myself, and this dialogue is really to explore areas that we can work together and explore areas where we have differences, and in this exploratory process create results that will over time hopefully allow us to define what this new relationship will be. The other dialogues are economic and trade, law enforcement and cyber, and social people-to-people dialogues. All four of the dialogues met throughout the last year, and they are designed to be results-driven, and the results of those were reported out at President Trump's summit in Beijing, his state visit plus.

So I think with respect to our relationship with China, we now have a very active mechanism in which we can put complex issues on the table. And we have differences, such as the South China Sea and China's building of structures, militarization of these structures, and how that affects our allies in the region as well in terms of free and open trade. As we've said to the Chinese, we hope we can find a way to freeze this particular activity. Whether we can reverse it remains to seen. But it is not an acceptable  it's not acceptable to us that these islands continue to be developed, and certainly not for military purposes.

In Southeast Asia, we had a  we put forth a policy here not too long ago of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and this was built on the back of some of our views about China's One Belt, One Road policy. China's One Belt, One Road, we understand, is a policy they have to continue their economic development, and our policies do not seek to contain China's economic development. But China's economic development, in our view, should take place in the system of international rules and norms, and One Belt, One Road seems to want to define its own rules and norms. I like to quote Secretary Mattis' comment on One Belt, One Road. For China, he said: Well, the U.S. and the rest of the world has many belts and many roads, and no one country gets to decide what they are. So a free and open Indo-Pacific means all countries have access to continue their economic development and free access for trade through the region.

As part of the free and open Indo-Pacific, we have elevated our engagement with India. We've long had a trilateral relationship in the Indo-Pacific between Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and we're now working towards whether this will become a quad relationship to include India because of the importance of India's rising economy as well and I think shared national security concerns that we have with India.

In moving to the defeat ISIS campaign quickly, in Iraq and Syria, as the President entered office, he took a significant policy shift in the war to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and ordered aggressive new strategies and empowered our military commanders on the ground to carry out battlefield decisions in a way that would win the war on the battlefield. After fully activating the DOD approach of buy, with, and through others, with his authorities the military has, in fact, begun to make significant gains. And as we know today, Prime Minister Abadi recently declared ISIS defeated in Iraq. We are still defeating ISIS in Syria, but significant progress has been made.

As a result of the military success, we in the State Department have really had to run fast to catch up with the military success with the diplomatic plans as to what comes after the defeat of ISIS, and we've executed much of this through the Coalition to Defeat ISIS, a coalition of 74 members, 68 countries and including organizations such as NATO, INTERPOL, EU, and others.

Seven and a half million people have now been freed of ISIS' clutches in Iraq and Syria; 95 percent of territory previously controlled by their caliphate has now been liberated. Our efforts now are to stabilize these areas after liberation to avoid a re-emergence of ISIS but also to avoid a re-emergence of local conflicts between various groups.

So our work with the DOD is to deconflict the battlefield and to stabilize areas, and we've had success working with Jordan and with Russia in Syria to create de-escalation zones that prevent the re-emergence of a civil war  all directed towards moving the talks in Syria to Geneva to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a new Syrian constitution and elections be overseen by the United Nations in which all Syrian diaspora will vote. So this includes the voting of Syrians who have been displaced because of the fighting, whether it be due to the civil war or subsequently due to ISIS' emergence.

A very important joint statement was issued by President Trump and President Putin on the margins of APEC in Danang, Vietnam, in which both leaders affirmed their commitment to this process as the way forward to ensure a unified, whole, democratic, and free Syria. Talks have begun in Geneva again with a reformed opposition representation. And we have asked Russia to ensure the regime participates in these talks, and the regime has been present at the talks. And now, we need to keep everyone at the table. We will continue to work with Russia in areas where we can and Syria to continue to promote a de-escalation of the violence, stabilization of the areas, and a resolution for Syria that will be a product of the Geneva process.

In Iraq, the liberation of all areas is now complete, and in both the campaigns we've now recaptured the caliphate's capitals of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. I think the early engagement in Iraq with Arab neighbors has been important to the future of Iraq also being sustained with its democratic government and sustaining Iraq as a unified country. Having Arab neighbors engage early as the war to defeat ISIS progressed, importantly with the historic visit because it's been more than three decades since the Arab world had relationships with Baghdad, the Saudis were the first to engage and have created now economic talks and consultative committees. They've reopened two border crossings, they're resuming flights between Baghdad and between Riyadh, sending an important message to all Iraqis that  and reminding them that Iraqis are Arab, and you should re-engage and reunite with the Arab world.

There have been consultative councils set up with the Saudis and Iraqis, and there will be a second reconstruction conference hosted by the Kuwaitis in January  all intended to ensure that the government in Baghdad and Iraqis understand you have friends to the south who want to support your reconstruction and your re-establishment of your country.

Importantly, we also  the policy has always been a unified Iraq. And as you know, the independence referendum which was undertaken by the Kurdish Regional Authorities a few months back was disruptive to that unity. We're working through that process now between Baghdad and Erbil to ensure the two parties remain unified, and we are supporting both deconfliction and we're supporting a re-engagement around the Iraqi constitution which was never fully implemented. And we will stand and we have said we'll stand with the Kurds to support them in the full implementation of the Iraqi constitution when  which, when it is fully implemented, will address a number of grievances that the Kurdish people have had for some time and we hope will lead to that unified Iraq.

In counterterrorism more broadly, again, I would take you back to the President's historic summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he convened 68 leaders of Muslim countries around the world, making the case to them that the voices of violent extremism are a problem only you can solve. The United States cannot solve this. We can help you solve this, but this has to be something that Muslim leaders the world over address.

So out of that summit were two very important commitments: to create a center to counter violent extremism in Saudi Arabia and to create a center to disrupt counterterrorism financing networks. Both of those centers have now been established, and they are getting underway with work to not just defeat counterterrorism on the battlefield, as we say, or defeat terrorism on the battlefield, but to counter it in cyber space. The center for violent extremism has a large bank of individuals who monitor social media for messaging to disrupt the messaging, but also to develop counter-messaging to counter these messages of violent extremism.

This is also important  and we've had these conversations with the Saudis  that they must get these messages into the mosque, they must get these messages into the madrasas, and they must get these messages into the educational materials that are put into the schools. The Saudis are publishing new materials now. They are recalling materials. But we have a lot of work to do to overcome these messages of violent extremism.

The center to counter terrorism financing is also a big establishment to help with the Treasury Department, and it is linking up with other sources of information around the world to be able to track how funds are moved about to support terrorist activities the world over. Again, we can win on the battlefield, but if we don't win in the cyber space and we don't disrupt the networks' abilities to re-establish themselves, we know they will appear elsewhere, as we have seen them appear in Libya, we've seen them appear in Mindanao, we see them appear in the Sahel.

The global effort to defeat ISIS and the global effort to defeat terrorism is one of the President's top priorities, and that takes us to the South Asia policy and Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. And the approach to this policy really was a regional approach. The President made a decision and announced the policy that we would remain in Afghanistan, we would remain engaged in the fight to defeat the Taliban, and that the time and effort would be conditions-based. He didn't  he said it's not a blank check. It's not forever, so the Government of Afghanistan needs to understand they must continue their reform journey and they must continue to create conditions that will be inclusive to all ethnic groups within Afghanistan, including a place for the Taliban to participate in a legitimate government when the Taliban is ready to renounce terrorism, renounce the fight, and come to the table.

So the conditions-based approach is to ensure the Taliban know, you will never win a battlefield victory, and the way forward is going to be by engaging in a reconciliation process and ultimately joining a government in Afghanistan.

An important part of the regional approach is our relationship with Pakistan. The U.S. and Pakistan have had a long history of good relations, but that relationship has really deteriorated over the past decade and so now we're engaged with Pakistan in a conversation to ensure our expectations of them are clear, that our concern is really about Pakistan's stability. Pakistan has allowed so many terrorist organizations to find safe haven within its territories, and these organizations are growing in size and influence, that at some point I have said to the leadership of Pakistan, you may be the target, and they turn their attention from Kabul and decide they like Islamabad as a target better.

We want to work with Pakistan to stamp out terrorism within their boundaries as well, but Pakistan has to begin the process of changing its relationship with the Haqqani Network and with others. I understand that this is a relationship that has emerged probably for, in their view, good reasons a decade ago, but now that relationship has to be altered because they  if they're not careful, Pakistan is going to lose control of their own country. We want to work with them in a positive way. We're willing to share information with them and we want them to be successful. But we cannot continue with the status quo, where terrorist organizations are allowed to find safe haven inside of Pakistan.

I want to touch a bit on the NATO and Europe relationship quickly, and this was an early trip of the President's as well. And I think the important thing is that the Atlantic alliance is as strong as ever, notwithstanding what people may describe or want to write. And I just came back from a full week in Europe, two days in Brussels and NATO, and meetings with the EU member countries. I was in Vienna for the OSCE meetings, and then a full day in Paris. Everywhere that I went this past week and in every engagement, there are still very strong ties between the U.S. and all of our partners and allies within Europe. And there is great unity around issues of importance to both of us, which are security issues, economic and trade issues.

We have a lot that we have to work through, and the President's message to our European allies has been, we're there for you. We will be there for you. But at NATO in particular  and we will meet that Article 5 commitment  but to our NATO partners and member countries, you cannot ask the American people to care more about the security of your citizens than you care yourself.

And so the President has been very demanding on burden-sharing, that the American people simply cannot carry a disproportionate share of this burden for years to come, and everyone has to be willing to take their share of this. There are agreements in NATO for all countries to achieve a 2 percent of GDP defense spending, and the President is putting a lot of pressure on countries to meet that.

A number of countries have stepped up. NATO's receipts and spending are up about 8 percent this year, and others have put in commitments and plans to increase their defense spending. This will give NATO a stronger defense posture to deal with threats from the south, which is an area we've asked NATO to focus on, counterterrorism, because European countries are  feel the greatest effects of the transmigration that has occurred as a result of ISIS, and also threats from the east, from Russia, which brings me to Russia.

I think the President has been quite clear that he views it as extremely important that the United States and Russia have a working relationship. Today we do not. And I've touched on areas where we are cooperating, in Syria. But Russia's invasion of Ukraine is something that we cannot accept. As I've indicated to others in Europe last week, it's one thing for countries to choose sides in conflicts. Russia wanted to choose the side of Bashar al-Assad; we chose not to. But when you invade another country and take their territory, we cannot  that cannot be left to stand. And that is the basis for the very stringent sanctions regime that the U.S. and Europe imposed on Russia as a result of that invasion, and that regime will not change until Russia's invasion of Ukraine is resolved and Ukraine's territorial integrity is returned.

We are engaged in attempting to break the logjam for east Ukraine to implement the Minsk accords. These talks were frozen when the President took office. In our first meetings  in my first meeting with President Putin, he asked if we would appoint someone to work directly to  with him, with the Kremlin to see if we could restart these talks or restart some movement. I appointed former NATO Ambassador Kurt Volker to take that task on. The task we're working on immediately is  and we're focused on east Ukraine because the violence in east Ukraine continues. But we have higher incidents of civilian casualties and deaths in 2017 than we had in 2016, incidents of ceasefire violations are up 60 percent, and we must get the violence down in east Ukraine. And so our priority is to end the violence, stop the killing that's going on in east Ukraine, and we are working with Russia to see if we can come to some agreement on the mandate for a UN peacekeeping force that will bring this violence to an end. Then we can turn to the other elements that have to be implemented.

The government in Kyiv has much to do to continue their own reforms and to meet their obligations under Minsk. Russia has to use its influence on the rebel forces it is supporting in east Ukraine to end this violence and move us back towards progress under the Minsk accords. We will return to the issue of Crimea. I know that President Putin's made it clear that that's not on the table for discussion. It will be at some point. But today, we want to stop the violence in east Ukraine and let's see if we can solve that one.

In other areas with Russia, we are looking for possible cooperations where we have joint counterterrorism interest. We know we're going to have to continue to deal with Russia's hybrid warfare. We felt it in our elections and we now have reports from many European countries that they're seeing the same effects. It is something I do not understand about why Russia thinks it's in its interest to disrupt the free and fair elections of other countries. What do you hope to achieve? I don't understand it and no one's been able to answer that question for me. But we make it clear that we see it, it needs to end, it needs to stop, and it too stands in the way of renormalizing our relationships.

We maintain a very active dialogue with our Russian counterparts, very strong mil-to-mil dialogue, very strong diplomatic dialogue. And so we're going to keep that dialogue underway, but as we've said to our Russian counterparts, we need some good news. We need something good to happen in this relationship, and today we can't point to anything. We're waiting. We're waiting.

So lastly, in the Western Hemisphere, the things that we've been concerned with are obviously migration from Central America, from Mexico, transcriminal organizations, the narcotics trade in particular, which also supports human trafficking trade. But we do see many other opportunities with Central and South America. We have developed strong transcriminal organization dialogues with Mexico. We're hosting another round this week at the ministerial level. We co-hosted an event in Miami this year to  on Central American security and prosperity. And we are working together on the situation in Venezuela, both through the OAS and through the Lima Group.

I could touch on Cuba and some other areas, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time there. I'm happy to take those in a question. And in Africa, our concentration has really been on two primary arenas: addressing the emergence of potential terrorism organizations in Africa, but also addressing the humanitarian crisis that we're facing in the Sudan and other regions of Africa.

So it's been a really busy year. It's interesting to me that some people seem to want to observe that there's nothing happening at the State Department because I'm walking through this hollowed-out building and listening to the echoes of the heels of my shoes as I walk down the halls. (Laughter.) I had a great town hall this morning with the State Department, all of our State Department colleagues. We talked about the year in review. We talked about the redesign of the State Department. And yes, I have a lot of open positions. I have nominees for them. I'd love to get them in place. It makes a big difference.

But I want to tell you the quality of the individuals and the career people at the State Department, the career Foreign Service officers, the people that have served in ambassadorial roles  they're dedicated to the mission and they're stepping up into these roles. They may be in an acting role. They own it. They dive right into these issues. They have been nothing but supportive of the President's policies, the pivots that had to be made. And I know this is not easy for many of them because they've been executing a policy under the prior administration. We now are going to go a different direction. But I want to tell you, their ability and their nimbleness to quickly get behind and understand what the President's objectives and priorities are  and then we will work hard to deliver on that mission  that's something everyone at the State Department understands, and we talked a lot about it this morning. I couldn't be more proud of their accomplishments. All these issues I just touched with  I went through and touched on with you  there has been some bureau over there working on this throughout this year to reposition the President's policies and to execute against those. I feel very, very confident with the team we have in place now, and it's only going to get stronger as we add some more people to it.

But I'm going to stop there and sit down with Stephen Hadley, my old friend, and we'll have a conversation about what he wants to talk about, which may be more what you wanted to talk about. But I think the important thing I would say  and as I made that quick walk-around  I can take almost any two or three of those and we could put them on a whiteboard, and every one of them touches the other. And so a lot of people  it's interesting when I have conversations with people about, well, what are you getting done in a particular arena, is to compartmentalize. And this is not a world that lends itself to compartmentalization any longer. There's too many interconnections, there's too many intersections, and recognizing those is important if you're really going to solve some of these and solve them once and for all.

So it takes a little longer. It's hard work. But that is the nature of diplomacy today in this very complicated world we find ourselves in, which has far too much conflict going on. Our mission in life is to calm down and put an end to some of these conflicts. As I tell people at the State Department, I've told others, the first question I ask myself every morning when I get up: How can I save a life today? Because we've got too many lives being lost in too many conflicts. Thank you. (Applause.)

MR HADLEY: Well, that was terrific.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: It was a jog. (Laughter.)

MR HADLEY: It was terrific, and it's good to see you on a stage explaining the policies of this administration. I travel a lot around the country and around the world, and it's the questions on everybody's lips: What is the Trump administration on  policy on X, Y, and Z? And you've set it out in a very convincing way, and I must say, without the burden of a prepared text, which really shows your mastery of the issues. So congratulations, and it's good to see you out communicating more. The country and the world wants to hear it and nobody can do it better than you.

I also want to point out that I think you've put a stake in the heart of this notion this is  administration does not believe in alliances. That's been plaguing the administration for a while, and I think you made it very clear that you recognize that alliances are a unique resource for this country and something that you intend to use very actively in your diplomacy.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Indeed.

MR HADLEY: The record on ISIS is obviously an impressive one. We have about 15 minutes before the Secretary has to leave, which is not a lot of time, and there are a number of questions that's come in. So I'm going to try to group some of these questions together --

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Sure.

MR HADLEY: -- maybe get three or four of them, and let you go on your way.

Since this is a conference focused on South Korea and Asia, we should probably start with North Korea. I have probably 10 questions on that subject. They center on two things which I'd like to cover with you: One, how optimistic are you about being able to achieve denuclearization through diplomacy? And if you're optimistic, then when do we start the diplomacy? There's a view out among some that in fact the administration is and should be letting the pressure build on North Korea  ramping up the sanctions, putting pressure on China to put more pressure on North Korea, getting Russia into the tent so they don't substitute for what China might be cutting off. And that may be the right approach, but in your view, when do we get to the negotiations? And is there any precondition? And the one, of course, people are concerned about: North Korea says they will not come to the table to talk about denuclearization; our position is that's the only thing worth talking about.

How do you get over that? So can you talk about how the diplomatic process might unfold?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, first I would say the diplomacy is underway. It has been underway. In fact, the entire sanctions regime, the pressure campaign, that is a piece of diplomacy, is  it is how to create an understanding on the part of the North Koreans that the world does not accept this, so that they understand that if they continue, the isolation just continues. So that in and of itself is diplomacy, and it was  and was a very deliberate decision taken at the outset of the policy itself, is that simply picking up the phone and calling Kim Jong-un back in February when  and March when we first were developing this and saying, "Hey, we really don't like those nuclear tests you're doing. Can we sit down and talk," probably was not going to get anyone to the table.

So I think we took the view and we looked at the past efforts and talks, and the President has touched on this many times, that others  we've looked at what others tried and failed, and the North Koreans have been masters at always gaming those talks. And they have never proven to be a reliable counterparty. So we decided we were going to undertake this very intensive campaign of sanctions this time, but it was only going to be successful if first we built up very broad international participation. So this wasn't just about the United States and a few other countries, but it was very broad-based in its participation, and it had to have the active engagement of China and Russia in a very serious way. And this really was the beginning of discussions with China, and much of the decision to go forward hinged on China's telling us they would participate. And I will tell you, in our judgment, they have participated; they are fully implementing the sanctions. That's why it is having an effect.

The President would like to see China cut the oil off. The last time the North Koreans came to the table, it was because China cut the oil off. Three days later, the North Koreans were at the table talking. And the President feels we're really at that stage. So he's putting a lot of pressure on the Chinese to do more with respect to oil.

When do the talks begin? We've said from the diplomatic side we're ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk, and we're ready to have the first meeting without precondition. Let's just meet and let's  we can talk about the weather if you want. We can talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table if that's what you're excited about. But can we at least sit down and see each other face to face? And then we can begin to lay out a map, a roadmap of what we might be willing to work towards. I don't think  it's not realistic to say we're only going to talk if you come to the table ready to give up your program. They have too much invested in it. And the President is very realistic about that as well.

And so it's really about how do you even begin the process of engagement, because we're dealing with a new leader in North Korea that no one's ever engaged with. And he clearly is not like his father nor is he like his grandfather, and we don't know a whole lot about what it will be like to engage with him. And that's why I think my expectations of how to start are really framed around, first, I have to know who my counterpart is. I have to know something about them. I have to understand how do they process, how do they think. Because getting to an agreement, as all of us know, in negotiations means a willingness to talk about a lot of things. Let's just put a lot of things on the table. And what do you want to put on the table? And we'll tell you what we want to put on the table. And the important thing is that we get started.

The only  if there was any condition at all to this, it's that, look, it's going to be tough to talk if in the middle of our talks, you decide to test another device. It's going to be difficult to talk if in the middle of our talks, you decide to fire another one off. So I think they clearly understand that if we're going to talk, we have to have a period of quiet. We've got to have a period of quiet or it's going to be very difficult to have productive discussions.

And so we continue to indicate to them we need a period of quiet. You need to tell us you want to talk. The door is open. But we'll show up when you tell us you're ready to talk.

MR HADLEY: Right. Let me ask you a second question. There is a lot of talk about use of force. Some people have said the likelihood of a use of force in a conflict on the peninsula is at 40 percent. I sometimes puckishly say to people, well, that's an indication  that people are talking in that way is an indication of the success of the President's policies, because he's really convinced people that solving this problem is really important and it is part of the way of getting attention of both North Korea and China. On the other hand, there are a lot of people who have written risks and concerns, and a concern, for example, with someone like Kim Jong-un, who we do not know and who's been pretty isolated, that he might at some point think the United States is coming for him militarily and then preempt.

So how do you look at this issue of the likelihood of military force when we hear from administration folk  spokesmen that there are military options? What are they talking about?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, I think any successful diplomatic effort of this nature has to be backed up with some type of a military alternative, and it can't just be a threat. It has to be a credible alternative. And the President also requested that from the outset, that the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea  now, I know many people have asked the question of, well, why can't you live with a containment strategy? You lived with it with Russia; you lived with it with China; you lived with it with others. And the difference is that the past behavior of North Korea, it's clear to us that they would not just use the possession of nuclear weapons as a deterrent. This would become a commercial activity for them. Because we already see elements of it in the commercial marketplace. And in a world we live in today where our greatest threats are non-state actors, we simply cannot accept that. We can't accept a nation that has no established record of abiding by any kind of international norms. That certainly was not the case with the Soviet Union. It's certainly not the case with China. It's certainly not the case with other nuclear countries that possess nuclear weapons. These are countries that have a history of abiding by certain international norms. North Korea has no such record. In fact, their record is quite contrary to that. And that's the reason the President and I agree with his assessment that we simply cannot accept a nuclear-armed North Korea, and I think that's why it is the policy of the neighborhood as well.

So it is important that the diplomatic effort be backed up by a very credible military alternative. And yes, there are  there are multiple military options that have been developed to deal with a failure on my part. That's why I say we're going to work hard to not fail. And the President wants that, and he has encouraged our diplomatic efforts. But I think he also takes his responsibilities to protect the U.S. and our allies from this kind of a threat seriously, and he intends to ensure that they do not have a deliverable nuclear weapon to the shores of the United States.

MR HADLEY: We're running out of time and a lot of subjects we could cover. I'm going to stay on this one to try to cover it intensively and give you two things to respond to, and then we'll wrap it up. One is respect to China. A number of people say that China is concerned that if it puts too much pressure on North Korea, the regime will collapse. That means refugees going across the border, and maybe the United States and South Korean forces moving into North Korean territory. And there have been a lot of people who have talked about the need for a strategic conversation at high levels with China to get an understanding about what would happen and not happen on the part of China and the United States in the event of those contingencies.

You've been public about some noes that I think have been reassuring. What are the prospects? Is the U.S.-China relationship  and I'm not asking you to go into any details  but is the U.S.-China relationship at a point where that kind of discussion is possible? And secondly, we haven't talked about Russia because the more pressure China puts on North Korea and cuts off resources, it's a potential that Russia would come in and fill those. Is Russia on side in this effort? And can you talk a little bit about the diplomacy with Russia regarding North Korea?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, let me address the Chinese question first. And one of the real values of these new high-level dialogues and the diplomatic and strategic dialogue that Secretary Mattis and I chair with our counterparts, and we actually have included Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Dunford, General Dunford, and his counterparts from China as well. These are the subjects of these dialogues, and to try  for us to gain an understanding of, first, how credible do we think the Chinese concern is about a mass flow of refugees across the border in the event of a regime collapse. China is taking steps to prepare for such an eventuality. I think it is something that they can manage. I don't think the threat is as significant as perhaps others view it. I don't want to be dismissive of it, but it's not an unmanageable situation. And they already are taking preparatory actions for such an event.

We also have to  have had conversations about in the event that something happened  it could happen internal to North Korea; it might be nothing that we from the outside initiate  that if that unleashed some kind of instability, the most important thing to us would be securing those nuclear weapons they've already developed and ensuring that they  that nothing falls into the hands of people we would not want to have it. We've had conversations with the Chinese about how might that be done.

The four noes that I articulated in that first trip to Asia were intentional: that we do not seek regime change; we do not seek regime collapse; we do not seek an accelerated unification of the Korean Peninsula; we do not seek a reason to send our own military forces north of the demilitarized zone. We have had conversations that if something happened and we had to go across a line, we have given the Chinese assurances we would go back and retreat back to the south of the 38th parallel when whatever the conditions that caused that to happen. That is our commitment we made to them.

Our only objective is to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and that is all. And out of that and out of these discussions, perhaps we can create a different future for the North Korean people because the one they have right now is pretty dismal.

As to Russia's participation, Russia has been very supportive of the UN Security Council resolutions. They could have vetoed them. They could have blocked them, but they didn't. I think on the sanctions implementation, it's not as clear to us how fully those are being implemented. We know there are some violations. They're not hard to see. We see what they are, and we, in particular, have had  I've had many conversations with Foreign Minister Lavrov about specific issues that we see that we would ask that they close those off. Forced labor is one in particular. There are a large number  something around 35,000  North Koreans working in Russia to date. Russia has a labor shortage. They have economic development in the east in particular that they're undertaking. So I understand why they have an economic stake in this. But it is also undermining the effectiveness of the sanctions. So we do talk very specifically with our Russian counterparts about what we ask that they do.

By and large at the Security Council, again, they've been very supportive of the sanctions. They voiced their view of how effective they think those may be. But we do need Russia's support. And when we get to the point that we're actually going to start solving this problem, we're going to need everyone in the neighborhood, I call it. And it's going to be important, obviously, first and foremost, to our allies in the Republic of Korea, but it's going to be important to Japan, Russia, China, everyone is there to help ensure success around a diplomatic talk  around diplomatic talks.

MR HADLEY: We've come to the end of our program. I want to thank our Korean participants and partner, the Korea Foundation, and the Atlantic Council, of course. And a special  especially Dr. Miyeon Oh for her brilliant work in setting all this up today. I want to thank you all for coming, and please join me in thanking Secretary Tillerson for being with us. (Applause.)

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Russia: US 'muscle flexing' on North Korea not helpful

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 07:17PM

The US military's "muscle flexing" for North Korea is bound to have grave consequences, Russia has warned, calling on Washington to take on a more "constructive" role to resolve its differences with Pyongyang.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the consequences would go on to have an effect on the whole region if Washington refused to opt for a diplomatic solution.

Tensions have been building on the Korean Peninsula following a series of nuclear and missile tests by Pyongyang as well as threats of war and personal insults traded between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Besides deploying warships, missile systems and troops to the region, the US has also been holding major military drills with South Korea and Japan, among other regional allies.

Russia deems the moves as "provocations" that could prompt harsh reactions from the North.

On Wednesday, days after Pyongyang test-fired a long-range missile that experts said could reach American soil, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attempted to de-escalate by expressing Washington's readiness for "unconditional talks."

'Be more constructive'

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hailed on Wednesday Tillerson's latest remarks, welcoming the more "constructive" live.

"We can state that such constructive statements impress us far more than the confrontational rhetoric that we have heard up to now. Undoubtedly this can be welcomed," he told journalists.

The official said the change of tone was in line with Russia's many calls for a diplomatic approach.

"This goes in the same direction as the calls from Russia," he said, warning that "confrontational rhetoric and any steps that could provoke further tensions on the Korean Peninsula are absolutely counterproductive."

Peskov rejected the idea that the call for talks meant the US was grabbing the initiative from Russia, which as a long-time ally of the South has always called on both sides to open channels for dialogue.

"No one can grab anything from anyone else. The main thing here is succeeding in the task," he asserted.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said a day earlier that Moscow did not need to pressure North Korea to participate in talks because the neighboring country has already indicated its readiness.

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Russian military delegation in North Korea

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 11:16AM

A Russian Defense Ministry delegation has arrived in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

The development was reported Wednesday by Russia's Interfax news agency, citing sources in North Korea's Embassy in Moscow without elaborating on details about the visit.

The visit followed the Tuesday announcement by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of America's willingness to enter direct talks with Pyongyang without pre-conditions.

In offering direct talks, Tillerson backed away from a major Washington demand that North Korea give up its nuclear arsenal before any negotiations.

"Let's just meet," Tillerson said during an address before an audience at Washington's Atlantic Council think tank.

The new diplomatic overture by the top US diplomat came almost two weeks after North Korea announced its successful test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that put the entire US mainland within range.

Earlier, the United Nations Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman wrapped up a five-day tour of North Korea on Saturday. He held talks with senior officials in a bid to soothe persisting tensions over Pyongyang's weapons program.

During Feltman's visit, North Korea blamed US "nuclear blackmail" for the surging tensions over its military program but agreed to remain in regular contact with the world body.

"At these meetings, our side said the US policy of hostility toward the DPRK (North Korea) and its nuclear blackmail are to blame for the current tense situation on the Korean Peninsula," read a report by the North's stated news agency, KCNA.

Later, Feltman said North Korean officials had told him it was important to prevent war.

Russia: Joint drills involving US stir tensions

Meanwhile, Russia's military chief warned on Monday that the continuing war games in the region by Japan, the US, and South Korea  aimed at countering North Korea  only raised hysteria and generated more instability in the region.

Russian Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces General Valery Gerasimov issued the warning in Tokyo as the US, Japan, and South Korea began a two-day military exercise to practice tracking missiles.

"Carrying out military training in regions surrounding North Korea will only heighten hysteria and make the situation unstable," Gerasimov said at the beginning of a meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera.

China has also urged the US, Japan, and South Korea to suspend joint military drills in the region in return for North Korea to halt its nuclear activities  an idea rejected by Washington.

Beijing has pressed for talks to peacefully resolve the crisis.

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N Korea's Kim vows to turn country into world's strongest nuclear power

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 02:31AM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that he will turn his country into the "world's strongest nuclear power."

According to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, Kim made the remarks while addressing workers behind the north's latest missile test on Tuesday, adding that Pyongyang "will victoriously advance and leap as the strongest nuclear power and military power in the world."

Tensions have been building on the peninsula following a series of nuclear and missile tests by Pyongyang as well as threats of war and personal insults traded between US President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader.

Let's just meet: Tillerson to North Korea

Kim's announcement was made as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered to engage in unconditional talks with the North.

"We can talk about the weather if you want. We can talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table," he said.

"Then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work toward," he added.

He added that he was confident that his government was doing all it can to convince North Korea into nuclear disarmament.

"As I've told people many times, I will continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops," he said, adding that the US military stands ready to act if necessary.

North Korea has been under a raft of crippling United Nations sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear tests as well as multiple rocket and missile launches.

Pyongyang has firmly defended its military program as a deterrent against the hostile policies of the US and its regional allies, including South Korea and Japan.

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Joyce Simmons isnt a household name in Nebraska, but a courageous act on her part landed her name in national news earlier this week.

The Valentine resident had been Nebraskas Republican national committeewoman for five years until she resigned her position Monday to protest the partys decision to financially support embattled Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, who was defeated in Tuesdays special election.

Simmonss decision made headlines across the country, as she became just the latest GOP official to disavow Moores candidacy. But her resignation was perhaps the strongest signal sent by any to criticize the national partys win-at-all-costs mentality  and that even a seat in a narrowly divided Congress wasnt worth the ethical cost of placing someone of Moores ilk in office.

On both sides of the political aisle, America needs more people like Simmons, willing to take a stand for whats right at the expense of party labels. Her bold, principled gesture deserves praise.

Even in protest, Simmons remained courteous. Rather than disparaging the GOP, she rued how she would miss so many of you that I knew well and  my service to the national Republican Party that I used to know well.

She refrained from bashing Moore, too, deferring to comments made by Alabamas senior senator, Richard Shelby. The Republican told CNN that his state deserved better than Moore and that he wrote in another name when voting.

To be clear, even before he became embroiled in scandal, Moore was not at all representative or indicative of Republicans. The cowboy-hat wearing former judge was a caricature of the party, embodying negative stereotypes about racial tone-deafness, religiosity run amok and many others.

By now, nearly every American knows about the Washington Posts expose on Moore, detailing allegations of sexual misconduct with teen girls that date back nearly 40 years. But, as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, he was removed from office  twice  for refusal to comply with orders from higher courts. Using religion as his shield, Moore essentially declared himself above the law.

That combination highlighted a person who was patently unfit for service in the U.S. Senate and unable to uphold the requisite oath of senators to support and defend the Constitution.

Simmons and the scores of other Republican officials who opposed Moores unworthy candidacy deserve credit for placing country above a victory at the polls. No elected office is worth the sale of ethics and decency, nor is any political agenda important enough to sacrifice the values Americans hold dear.

Though she will no longer hold a leadership position with the Republican Party, Simmons can hold her head high. She stood for what she believed in  and what was clearly right  by placing honor before political gain.
Russia Welcomes Tillerson's Offer Of Talks With North Korea

RFE/RL December 13, 2017

Moscow has welcomed a new U.S. offer of talks with North Korea, with senior Russian officials calling it constructive and the "only correct approach" to tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

The Russian remarks on December 13 came after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered talks with North Korea "without pre-conditions" -- a shift from previous U.S. demands that Pyongyang accept giving up its nuclear weapons as the goal of any talks.

"Naturally, we support this approach. We believe that it is the only possible correct approach," the Russian news agency Interfax quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying.

Russia would like to see "practical actions follow" such statements," Ryabkov said.

Russia has supported several rounds of UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea, but has frequently accused the United States and South Korea of being too demanding and provoking Pyongyang by holding military exercises.

'Constructive' Statement

Ryabkov repeated calls by Russia for dialogue, saying that talks are "very much needed" and "should be accompanied...by maximum restraint in terms of conducting military events that may be seen by Pyongyang as threatening."

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Tillerson's statement was "constructive" and an improvement over what he called "the confrontational rhetoric we have heard so far."

Russia has less influence on North Korea than China does, but its ties with Pyongyang -- long a recipient of Moscow's support in the Soviet era -- are far warmer than the tense U.S.-North Korean relationship.

Interfax cited a spokeswoman for the Russian Embassy in North Korea as saying that a Russian Defense Ministry delegation arrived in Pyongyang on December 12 and would stay until December 16.

Spokeswoman Yulia Shevelyova said she did not have details about the purpose of the visit, Interfax reported, and Peskov declined to comment.

In his remarks on December 12, Tillerson said that it would be "unrealistic" to expect Pyongyang to come to the negotiating table ready to give up weapons that it invested so much in developing.

He reiterated that Washington cannot tolerate a nuclear-armed North Korea, but said that after a "period of quiet" without nuclear and missile tests, the United States would be "ready to talk any time they're ready to talk."

"Let's just meet," he said in a speech to the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington.

UN Emissary

Tillerson spoke two weeks after North Korea conducted a test with a missile that could potentially carry a nuclear warhead to the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent North Korea from threatening the United States with nuclear weapons, using military force if necessary.

The diplomatic overture also came after the first visit to North Korea by a high-level UN emissary in six years.

UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman said on December 12 that he believes his visit last week may have created an opening for negotiations.

But Feltman said that North Korean officials made no commitments -- and as he spoke, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to make his country a nuclear power and build more intercontinental ballistic missiles like the one the country tested two weeks ago.

Tillerson said Trump had endorsed his change of position, but the White House later issued a statement saying Trump's views on North Korea have not changed.

With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, TASS, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-welcomes-tillerson- north-korea-talks/28913854.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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North Korea's Supreme Leader Vows to Produce More Nukes, Honors Scientists

Sputnik News

14:37 13.12.2017(updated 14:43 13.12.2017)

North Korea is refusing to stop flexing its nuclear muscles, despite the tense situation on the peninsula and pressure from the international community.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promised to have more nuclear weapons manufactured, while personally honoring scientists who contributed significantly to the test-launch of Pyongyang's most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed Hwasong-15.

Scientists and workers will continue to develop and produce more of the "latest weapons and equipment" to "bolster up the nuclear force in quality and quantity," said Kim Jong-un, as cited by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"Those in the field of defense science who most faithfully and perfectly carried out the Party's plan for building strategic nuclear force, successfully test-fired the ICBM Hwasong-15 and thus demonstrated the dignity and might of our powerful state all over the world once again," he said.

They were awarded medals, including the highest orders in North Korea, the Order of Kim Il-sung and Order of Kim Jong-il.

Pyongyang conducted a test-launch of the Hwasong-15, which had reportedly failed, in November, although the new ICBM is believed to have the potential to strike the US. Following the test, US Envoy to the UN Nikki Haley called on all nations to cut off all ties with the rogue state; the international community has already applied sanctions.

The US has repeatedly conducted joint military drills alongside South Korea and Japan in a bid to "send a message" to North Korea. President Trump has threatened to unleash "fire and fury" and "totally destroy" the hermetic nation.

 Sputnik

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UN Under-Secretary Expects Pyongyang to 'Signal' Readiness to Prepare Talks

Sputnik News

06:37 13.12.2017(updated 07:47 13.12.2017)

The United Nations expects North Korea to "signal" willingness to prepare the negotiations on the settlement of the nuclear crisis, according to Jeffrey Feltman, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik)  Jeffrey Feltman, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said on Wednesday following his visit to North Korea that the United Nations expects Pyongyang to "signal" willingness to prepare the negotiations on the settlement of the nuclear crisis, even though North Korean leadership did not offer any commitments on the issue.

"We emphasized to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) officials that we really believe that they need to signal that they are willing now to go in different direction, to start some kind of engagement, to start talking about talks. They listened seriously to our arguments, they explored them with us. But they did not offer any type of commitment to us at that point. They have to reflect on what we said with their leadership," Feltman told reporters.

According to Feltman, North Korea has agreed with the United Nations that it is important to prevent war from happening on the Korean peninsula amid the escalation of nuclear crisis.

"North Korean interlocutors agreed that it was important to prevent war. How we do that  was the topic of 15+ hours of discussions," Feltman told reporters.

The UN official paid a four-day visit to North Korea on December 5-9, during which he held talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and other officials.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated drastically this year as North Korea continued to make significant progress in its nuclear arms program. Pyongyang tested its most advanced international ballistic missile in November, which it said is capable of hitting any part of the mainland of the United States.

 Sputnik

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China Welcomes US Offer to Hold Talks Without Pre-Conditions

By Bill Ide December 13, 2017

China has welcomed an offer by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to hold talks with North Korea without pre-conditions. The offer comes amid heightened tensions on the peninsula and as South Korean President Moon Jae-in begins a four-day state visit to China.

Speaking at a regular press briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing welcomes all efforts to ease tensions and promote dialogue.

"China has already proposed "double suspension" proposal and we hope that the United States and North Korea can meet each other halfway and take meaningful steps on dialogue and contact," Lu said.

China's "double suspension" or "freeze for freeze" proposal is that North Korea halt all ballistic missile and nuclear tests and that the United States and South Korea halt all military exercises.

During a speech at the Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum on Tuesday, Tillerson called on China to continue to ramp up pressure on Pyongyang. He also said that there has to be a "period of quiet" for talks to begin, "or it's going to be very difficult to have productive discussions."

"We're ready to talk anytime North Korea would like to talk. And we're ready to have the first meeting without precondition," Tillerson said.

Former U.S. officials told VOA on Tuesday that the offer from Tillerson was unusually candid amid increasing threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile proliferation. However, it is not clear whether the White House is fully behind the proposal. President Donald Trump has previously told Tillerson that he was wasting his time pursuing dialogue with North Korea.

In China, analysts said the statement from Tillerson ahead of President Moon's visit will be welcomed by both Beijing and Seoul.

"There's a lot of room for both China and South Korea to collaborate on addressing the nuclear crisis in North Korea. In this regard, Chairman Xi (Jinping) will definitely work with President Moon to build on their consensus and strengthen efforts" for peace talks with the North Korea," said Lu Chao, a Korea scholar at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences.

President Moon's visit to China will focus heavily on North Korea and finding ways to re-start dialogue. On Thursday, Moon will meet with Xi, the third meeting between the two leaders since he was elected earlier this year.

He will also meet with South Korean residents in China and attend a business forum. A large entourage of top executives from South Korean companies will be traveling with Moon on his visit.

Moon came to office at a time when relations between South Korea and China had hit a historic low. China angrily opposed Seoul's deployment of a U.S. based missile defense system, launching tough economic sanctions against South Korea that impacted tourism and trade between the two countries.

In late October, however, the two sides agreed to put their relationship back on track, but some believe the relationship has yet to fully thaw.China is likely to bring up the issue during the visit as well.

When the two countries agreed to put their relationship back on track, South Korea offered up three "no's" to ease Beijing's security concerns. Those three commitments were to not make any additional deployments of THAAD, not participate in a regional missile defense network, and to not join an alliance with Japan and the United States.

Moon's visit to China comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang recently tested what is believed to be its largest and most powerful ballistic missile, an ICBM experts estimate is capable of reaching as far as the east coast of the United States.

In China, there have been increased signs that authorities are making preparations for the possibility of conflict on the peninsula.

Last week, a state-run newspaper in China's northeastern city of Jilin, not far from the border with North Korea, published a page of common sense advice about how to survive a nuclear attack.

There have also been reports that refugee camps are being built along China's border with North Korea. Something Tillerson appeared to confirm in his remarks Tuesday.

"China is taking steps to prepare for such an eventuality. I think it is something that they can manage. I don't think the threat is as significant as perhaps others view it. I don't want to be dismissive of it, but it's not an unmanageable situation," he said. "And they already are taking preparatory actions for such an event."

Nike Ching in Washington and Joyce Huang contributed to this report.

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North Korean Abductees Remain Victims of Nuclear Standoff

By Brian Padden December 13, 2017

Families of North Korean abductees feel forgotten by the world, despite the increased international focus on widespread North Korean human rights abuses that a United Nations report described as "on a scale unparalleled in the modern world."

Hwang In-cheol's father was among the 47 passengers and crew aboard a Korea Air (KAL) airliner that in 1969 was hijacked into North Korea. Most were released under intense international pressure, but 11 of them, including Hwang's father, who was a journalist and outspoken critic of the then Kim Il Sung regime, have not been allowed to return nor permitted to communicate with his family.

"To this day, 48 years later, my father and the rest of the 11 unreturned abductees remain forcefully detained in North Korea and they have been forgotten," said Hwang, who heads an advocacy group called the KAL Abductees' Repatriation Committee that is trying to bring international media attention to this issue.

After the 1950-53 Korean War, North Korea returned most prisoners-of-war, but reportedly forced thousands of South Korean citizens to remain, to help rebuild national industries, schools and other basic state functions. In the decades after, thousands more were reportedly abducted by North Korea. Most of them were fishermen, who were purportedly taken to gain intelligence or serve some propaganda purpose in the ongoing inter-Korean cold war.

Hwang's father is one of over 500 Korean victims who are still being held in the North, and of that number 300 are more than 70 years old, according to the Citizen's Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR), an advocacy group that has worked closely on this issue with victims' families and the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID.)

These abduction cases remain unresolved, as escalating inter-Korean tensions over the North's nuclear program have blocked any cooperation on humanitarian issues.

Hwang said the South Korea Human Rights Commission has provided "no help" to secure the release of abductees, or to allow families to communicate with them.

Charles Jenkins

North Korea also stands accused of abducting a number of Japanese and other foreign nationals in the 1970s and 1980s, reportedly to train North Korean spies.

Hitomi Soga, a Japanese abductee, who was forcibly taken from a beach in Northern Japan along with her mother in 1978, married Charles Jenkins while in captivity. Jenkins was a U.S Army deserter to North Korea who died Tuesday at the age of 77.

Jenkins later said he was a "fool" for defecting to North Korea in 1965, after drinking 10 beers, to avoid being sent to fight in the Vietnam War. He was abused and tortured during his initial years in captivity.

In 1980 he met and soon after married Soga, who was compelled to teach Japanese language and culture to North Korean agents.

In 2002, then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il admitted that his government had abducted 13 Japanese citizens and, in an attempt to improve relations with Japan,. Soga and four other Japanese abductees were allowed to travel to Japan for a short visit, but they refused to return to North Korea.

In 2004 Jenkins and the two daughters he had with Soga were also allowed to leave.

An agreement between Japan and North Korea to ease some sanctions in exchange for an investigation into the status of abduction victims has since fallen apart over Pyongyang's lack of cooperation and its continued testing of nuclear weapons.

"There was a brief opening, there was a brief ray of sunshine that came in with Charles Jenkins and others being able to get out, and being able to say what they knew, and then the door slam shut, the curtains were drawn, and there has been nothing further," said Phil Robertson, deputy director in Asia for Human Rights Watch.

Jenkins had also confirmed that Anocha Panjoy, a Thai woman who disappeared in 1978 while in Macau, had also been abducted by North Korea. Panjoy's family has voiced frustration that the Thai government has done little to secure her release over the years.

North denials

Robertson said North Korea is now in "complete denial on the case of abductions of foreign nationals." And he has called on the international community to speak out strongly and increase pressure on the Kim Jong Un government to release abductees, hold those responsible for the abductions accountable, and improve human rights conditions in the country.

"These are crimes against humanity that have to be answered for by North Korea. Speaking quietly is not an option at this point," said Robertson.

The United Nations Security Council also met this week to discuss a General Assembly recommendation to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, based on a 2014 Commission of Inquiry report documenting a network of political prison camps, and systematic human rights abuses, including murder, enslavement, torture, rape, and other sexual violence.

China, North Korea's key ally on the Security Council, has blocked any further action on the measure.

North Korea's Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Tuesday released a statement condemning the Security Council meeting as a "desperate act of the hostile forces" (led by the U.S.) and called the allegations of human rights violations "fictitious."

Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report

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'Now Is Not the Right Time' for US Talks With North Korea - State Dept.

Sputnik News

00:23 14.12.2017(updated 01:18 14.12.2017)

The United States is willing to hold talks with North Korea but not right now, US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press briefing.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a press briefing that while the US wants to hold talks with North Korea, now is not the right time.

The remarks follow the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's statement on Tuesday that the United States is ready to begin negotiations and work on a roadmap with North Korea without preconditions.

"All of what the Secretary [of State Rex Tillerson] has said, and the administration has said in the past is that we are willing to sit down and have conversations with them, but now is not the right time," Nauert said. "The Secretary was not creating any new policy. Our policy remains exactly the same as it was."

At the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum meeting in Washington Tillerson said the US was "ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk".

"But they have to come to the table with the view that they do want to make a different choice. Let's just meet and let's talk about the weather if you want. We can talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table," the Secretary of State said. "Then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work towards."

Tillerson noted, however, that "without preconditions" shouldn't be taken as carte blanche.

"It's going to be tough to talk if in the middle of our talks you decide to test another device. I think they clearly understand that if we are going to talk, we have to have a period of quiet," he said.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism regarding negotiating with North Korea. The White House on Tuesday sought to downplay Tillerson's remarks, saying that Trump has not changed his position on North Korea which is acting in an unsafe manner towards the region and the world.

Washington and Pyongyang haven't sat down for formal negotiations since 2009.

 Sputnik

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India's First Locally Built Attack Submarine to Join Naval Fleet on Thursday

Sputnik News

15:51 13.12.2017(updated 15:55 13.12.2017)

INS Kalvari would be the 14th boat to join Indian Navy's conventional submarine fleet in the Indian Ocean Region. However, the Indian Navy requires at least 24 submarines to maintain its superiority over Bangladesh and Pakistan who are poised to soon deploy additional submarines sourced from China.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be handing over India's first locally built Submarine  INS Kalvari  to the Indian Navy on Thursday. The much-awaited diesel-electric Scorpene class submarine is the first of the six such submarines being built at an Indian shipyard with the technical support of French naval shipbuilding firm Naval Group, earlier known as DCNS. INS Kalvari is the first conventional submarine that would be joining the Indian Navy's fleet after a gap of 17 years.

"The INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. It is the first of six such submarines that will be inducted into the Indian Navy, and represents a significant success for the "Make in India" initiative," Indian defense ministry said in a statement.

The boat was scheduled to serve the Indian Navy from 2012; seven years after signing a $3 billion deal with DCNS. However, the Indian firm MDL's ineptness in absorbing the technology transferred by Naval Group delayed the project by five years, according to sources.

Out of the 14 Indian submarines already present in the Indian Ocean, 13 are conventional boats that are 17-31 years old and need an immediate upgrade. Moreover, the entire fleet is not battle-ready so deploying all of them at a time of war would not be possible for India.

Meanwhile, in the next few months, the Indian Navy is set to float a tender for six stealth submarines having both land-attack missile capabilities and air-independent propulsion system for greater underwater endurance.

 Sputnik

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Iran, G5+1 reiterate commitment to nuclear deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 13, IRNA -- The participants in the meeting of the Joint Commission of Iran and the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany held in Vienna today have reiterated their commitment to the agreement on Tehran's nuclear program, top Russian diplomat said.

According to TASS Russian News Agency, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that 'the parties discussed in detail the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). All members of the Joint Commission reaffirmed their commitment to the consistent implementation of this plan of action. Special emphasis was placed on the need to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability in the long-term perspective.'

'The Joint Commission welcomed Iran's strict compliance with its obligations under the agreements, which is regularly confirmed by the IAEA.'

Particular attention during the meeting 'was paid to problems related to the uncertainty regarding the future of the JCPOA in light of US President Donald Trump's decision not to confirm strict compliance with the Plan of Action by Tehran,' Zakharova noted.

'The Joint Commission members have confirmed unanimously that the JCPOA is based on the fundamental principle of reciprocity, which, in particular, is aimed at promoting the normalization of international trade and economic cooperation with Tehran. Russia's representatives stressed that neglect of this principle by one of the parties to the agreement puts the Plan's future into jeopardy,' she noted.

On July 14, 2015, Iran and the Group 5+1 reached an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program. The plan envisages lifting the sanctions imposed on Iran by the UN and the European Union over its nuclear activities in return for Tehran's pledge to accept additional limitations on its peaceful nuclear program. On January 16, 2016, it was announced that the implementation of the deal had begun.

9191**2050

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Araqchi, Amano discuss Iran-IAEA cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, Dec 13, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araqchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano on Wednesday discussed cooperation between Iran and the nuclear watchdog as well as implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Druing the meeting, Araqchi stressed the need for continuation of professional work and impartiality by the IAEA during verification of Iran's commitments under the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The UN nuclear watchdog has so far confirmed Iran's full implementation of its obligations for nine times. On November 13, the agency released its 9th quarterly report on Iran, confirming its adherence to all conditions stipulated in the nuclear deal including the rate of heavy water reserves, level of enrichment and stocks of enriched uranium.

Araqchi's visit with Amano took place on the sidelines of a joint commission on the JCPOA implementation in Vienna.

According to Araqchi, the Iran-IAEA cooperation was also raised during the commission's meeting and all participating countries appreciated Tehran for its full collaboration with the agency. They also expressed pleasure over IAEA's verification of Iran's nuclear program for the ninth time.

Araqchi further recalled that the issue of modernizing Arak reactor was seriously discussed during the meeting.

'Today's meeting also dealt with Arak reactor designs, equipment and safety of the reactor, supplying fuel for the reactor and specifications of the fuel to be produced in Iran,' he said.

Other topics mentioned in the meeting included scheme of the stable isotopes conducted in cooperation with Russians and the peaceful cooperation projects undertaken with most of the member states of the joint commission and the European Union, Araqchi added.

The meeting of the Joint Commission on JCPOA which was co-chaired by Araqchi and secretary-general of the European Union's foreign policy service Helga Schmidt was held with the representatives of the 5+1 Group in Vienna on Wednesday at the level of political directors.

8072**1394

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Iran's marine defense industry is indigenous: Commander

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Kish Island, Dec 13, IRNA -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said in southern Province of Hormozgan on Wednesday that Iran's marine defense industry has become indigenous and is self-sufficient in producing marine equipment and hardware.

Khanzadi made the remarks in the 19th International Maritime Industries Exhibition underway in the Persian Gulf Kish Island, Hormozgan Province.

Thanks to the Iranian talented university students and academics, he said, Iran could be considered an inspiring nation for other countries because despite sanctions, it has managed to make outstanding and lofty achievements in many areas.

Touching upon the active presence of Iranian Navy in high seas, he added that the maritime routes where Iranian forces are navigating enjoy the highest security from the pirate attacks.

Iran's Navy is present round-the-clock in international waters to protect sea routes and provide security for regional countries.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been also conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Iran's Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.

The 19th International Maritime Industries Exhibition hosts over 100 domestic and 60 foreign firms in an area covering 7,500 square meters.

Companies from Iran, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Italy, Turkey, China, Spain, Finland, France, the UAE, India, Malaysia, Greece, Denmark and South Korea are participating in the exhibition.

9060**1377

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Burlington Senior Center

The Burlington Senior Center is at 201 N. Main St., Burlington. For more information, call 262-767-9880, go to www.burlingtonseniorcenter.com or go to Facebook.

Weekly schedule

DAILY: Nutrition Program, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 262-833-8766 by 9 a.m. the preceding day for reservations. Suggested donation is $3.50.

LIBRARY: Borrow or donate books.

50 PLUS SPORTS: Volleyball, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Evergreen School gym, Waterford.

MONDAYS

Every Monday: Party Bridge Club and Sheepshead, 9-11 a.m.

TUESDAYS

Every Tuesday: Chocolate City Card Club, 12:30 p.m. Euchre, Pinochle, Hand and Foot, and Sheepshead are played.

WEDNESDAYS

Every Wednesday: Sheepshead, 9-11 a.m.

Sheepshead, 9-11 a.m. First through fourth Wednesdays: Our Harmony Club, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (registration required).

Our Harmony Club, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (registration required). Second and fourth Wednesday: Dominoes, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Dominoes, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Third Wednesday: Jam Session Music Sing-along, 1 p.m.

THURSDAYS

Second Thursday: Bingo, 10 a.m.

FRIDAYS

Every Friday: Party Bridge Club, 9-11 a.m.; Sheepshead, 9-11 a.m.; Bowling, 1 p.m.

Party Bridge Club, 9-11 a.m.; Sheepshead, 9-11 a.m.; Bowling, 1 p.m. Second Friday: Bunco Party, 1-3 p.m., with prizes and refreshments.

Caledonia Senior Club

The Caledonia Senior Club invites residents ages 55 and older to join their club from noon to 4 p.m. every Wednesday at Caledonia-Mount Pleasant Memorial Park hall, 9614 Northwestern Ave., Caledonia. Schafskopf and cribbage are played. A $6 annual membership fee is required to join. Call 262-995-8866 for more information.

Friendship Center

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 2417 Drexel Ave., 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursdays, open to all. Card games in the morning and afternoon, and lunch at noon. No membership fee, donations accepted for lunch. Call 262-634-7998 for more information.

Lucynoirs

The Lucyniors, St. Lucys senior citizens club, meets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday in the St. Lucy Church conference room, 3035 Drexel Ave. Cards are played. Lunch is available for a fee. For more information, call Rich or Barb Tworek at 262-554-5205.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department

The following is a list of Senior Adult Clubs offered by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. People 50 years of age and older are welcome to visit any senior adult club up to three times before deciding to join and are welcome to join more than one club. For more information, contact the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department at 262-636-9455.

Dr. John Bryant Senior Adult Center, 601 21st St.

The Dr. John Bryant Senior Adult Center, 601 21st St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Senior citizens 50 and over are invited. For more information on center activities, call 262-636-9235.

Activities

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Open puzzle table, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fitness Walkers, 8-10 a.m.; Cards, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Open puzzle table, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fitness Walkers, 8-10 a.m.; Cards, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS: Ceramics, 9 a.m.-noon.

Ceramics, 9 a.m.-noon. TUESDAYS: Knitting, Crocheting and Quilting, 1-3 p.m.;

Knitting, Crocheting and Quilting, 1-3 p.m.; TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS: Zumba Gold, 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Scrapbooking, 9 a.m.-noon; Pitty Pat Card Club, 9 a.m.-noon.

Zumba Gold, 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Scrapbooking, 9 a.m.-noon; Pitty Pat Card Club, 9 a.m.-noon. WEDNESDAYS: Ballroom Dancing Club, 9:30-11:30 a.m., $2.50; Bingo, 1-3 p.m. (third Wednesday).

Ballroom Dancing Club, 9:30-11:30 a.m., $2.50; Bingo, 1-3 p.m. (third Wednesday). THURSDAYS: Card making, 9 a.m.-noon.

Card making, 9 a.m.-noon. FRIDAYS: Ceramics, noon-3 p.m.; Sheepshead, 1-4 p.m.

Humble Park Center, 2200 Blaine Ave.

MONDAYS: Forward Together, noon-3 p.m., various card games.

Forward Together, noon-3 p.m., various card games. TUESDAYS: Washington 68, noon-3 p.m., bridge.

Washington 68, noon-3 p.m., bridge. WEDNESDAYS: Zumba, 10-11 a.m.

Zumba, 10-11 a.m. THURSDAY: Rainbow Mixers, noon-3 p.m., various card games.

Rainbow Mixers, noon-3 p.m., various card games. FRIDAYS: Humble Niners, noon-3 p.m., various card games.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 1134 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Pinochle, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pinochle, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY: Pickleball, 9-11 a.m.

Pickleball, 9-11 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Zumba, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $1 donation.

Zumba, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $1 donation. THURSDAYS: Hand and Foot Card Club, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hand and Foot Card Club, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. SATURDAYS: Zumba, 10-11 a.m., $1 donation.

Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave. (handicap accessible; off street parking).

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Fitness Walkers, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Open Billiards, 9 a.m.-noon.; weight room open, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Fitness Walkers, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Open Billiards, 9 a.m.-noon.; weight room open, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAYS: Dartball, 1-3 p.m.

Dartball, 1-3 p.m. MONDAY, TUESDAY & THURSDAY: Pickleball, 9-11:30 a.m.

Pickleball, 9-11:30 a.m. TUESDAYS: Pleasant Hours Club, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., various card games.

Pleasant Hours Club, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., various card games. WEDNESDAYS: Art Group, 8:30-11 a.m.; Jolly Times Club, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Woodcarvers, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Art Group, 8:30-11 a.m.; Jolly Times Club, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Woodcarvers, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS: Softball at Island Park, 9-11 a.m. (volleyball will be played indoors if too cold or wet); 55 & Over Volleyball, 9-11:30 a.m.

Softball at Island Park, 9-11 a.m. (volleyball will be played indoors if too cold or wet); 55 & Over Volleyball, 9-11:30 a.m. THURSDAYS: Scrabble, 12:30-3 p.m.; Dominoes, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Scrabble, 12:30-3 p.m.; Dominoes, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAYS: Merry Makers Club, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., various card games.

Tyler-Domer Community Center, 2301 12th St.

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Pickup Pickleball, 9-11 a.m.

Pickup Pickleball, 9-11 a.m. MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS: Cardio Kickboxing, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Cardio Kickboxing, 5:30-6:30 p.m. TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS: Ping Pong, 9-11 a.m.

Ping Pong, 9-11 a.m. THURSDAYS: Quilting, 9-11 a.m.

Racine Senior Center

Racine Senior Center, located at United Lutheran Church, 3825 Erie St. (entrance at back of church), is open to seniors of all faiths every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 262-639-2038 for more information.

Weekly schedule:

Cards and fellowship, 10 a.m.-noon

Homemade lunch and dessert, noon, $5.

Various programs at 1:15 p.m. (bingo, movies, speakers, travel, slides).

A parish nurse is available from 11 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday of each month for blood pressure screening and advice.

Exercise, 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Senior Citizens Drop-In Center, 1901 Washington Ave., is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for ages 60 and older. You do not have to be a member of the Salvation Army. Lunch is served at noon. Cost is $3.50. Call in reservations one day in advance, 262-833-8766. Low-income seniors with ID can sign up for commodity boxes. For more information, call the senior director at 262-632-3147.

Weekly schedule

MONDAY-FRIDAY: Cards, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cards, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. TUESDAY: League of Mercy (nursing home visitations), 1 p.m. Open to seniors interested in singing, fellowship and visiting nurse home residents.

League of Mercy (nursing home visitations), 1 p.m. Open to seniors interested in singing, fellowship and visiting nurse home residents. WEDNESDAY: Billiard Tournament, 9:30 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Field trips are scheduled through the month. Call for the schedule.

Senior Friendship Center

Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on first and third Wednesdays of each month. Open to all seniors ages 55 and older. Bingo, Dominoes and other games are played and lunch is served (suggested $3 donation). Call 262-637-5671 for more information.
Iran says parties to JCPOA protested US breach of nuclear deal during Vienna meeting

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 05:49PM

A senior Iranian diplomat says the parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have protested the US breach of its commitments under the agreement during a meeting of a commission tasked with monitoring commitments to the accord.

"All members of the P5+1 [group] explicitly protested to the US and stressed that it should fully and precisely implement its commitments," Abbas Araqchi, a deputy foreign minister, told reporters in the Austrian city of Vienna on Wednesday after a new meeting of the Iran-P5+1 Joint Commission, which monitors the implementation of the nuclear deal.

Araqchi, who heads the Iranian task force overseeing the implementation of the agreement officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said it was not routine for one party to carry out its commitments while the other parties decided to implement just certain parts of the deal.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs said that Helga Schmid, the European Union's deputy political director, praised Iran's commitment to the JCPOA and called on all other parties to fully implement the agreement with goodwill and in an atmosphere of constructive cooperation.

Araqchi stressed that there remained no possibility to renegotiate the JCPOA or link other issues to the deal.

He also said that the US was completely isolated with respect to the Iran nuclear deal.

"What is important now is that the US is totally isolated with regards to its stance vis-a-vis the JCPOA, ... [while] the Europeans' position is clearly against that of the US," he said, adding that European companies and banks had expressed willingness for cooperation with Iran.

The regular JCPOA Joint Commission meeting is held every three months to discuss latest developments regarding the JCPOA implantation.

Russia also said at the end of the meeting that the parties discussed in detail the implementation of the agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to its "consistent implementation."

"The Joint Commission welcomed Iran's strict compliance with its obligations under the agreement, which is regularly confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

The Russian official noted that during the meeting, particular attention was paid to problems related to US President Donald Trump's decision not to certify Iran's compliance with the JCPOA.

"The Joint Commission members have confirmed unanimously that the JCPOA is based on the fundamental principle of reciprocity, which, in particular, is aimed at promoting the normalization of international trade and economic cooperation with Tehran. Russia's representatives stressed that neglect of this principle by one of the parties to the agreement puts the agreement's future into jeopardy," she noted.

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.

Trump delivered an anti-Iran speech on October 13, in which he said he would not be certifying Iran's compliance with the terms of the JCPOA under a domestic American law, kicking a decision to Congress on whether to restore sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The US Congress was given until December 12 to decide whether to slap economic sanctions on Tehran anew, but it missed the deadline as congressional leaders announced no plans to introduce a resolution to reimpose sanctions on Iran, passing the ball back to Trump, who must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive sanctions on Iran.

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US Congress takes no action on Iran sanctions as deadline passes

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:15AM

The US Congress misses a deadline to decide on re-imposing anti-Iran sanctions, which were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, with reports saying the lawmakers sought to kick the decision on the issue back to President Donald Trump.

On October 13, Trump refused to certify that the Islamic Republic was complying with the agreement, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under a domestic US law and directed his administration "to work closely with Congress and our allies to address the deal's many serious flaws."

The US Congress was given until December 12 to decide whether to slap economic sanctions on Tehran anew.

On Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a press briefing that the Trump administration "continues to make encouraging progress with Congress to fix the USIran deal and address long-term proliferation issues."

"There was actually no deadline to act by this week as the administration did not ask that Congress to introduce legislation to re-impose JCPOA-related sanctions," she added.

Micah Johnson, a spokesman for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, told ABC News on Monday that "productive discussions" were underway "about the appropriate path forward."

However, the Congress has so far announced no plans to introduce a resolution to re-impose sanctions. Congressional aides said on Tuesday that the American lawmakers would let the deadline pass without action, Reuters reported.

By doing that, Congress passed the ball back to Trump, who must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive sanctions on Iran.

Trump's failure to do so would blow apart the deal, a course opposed by European allies, Russia and China, the other parties to the accord.

Eight reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, have so far confirmed Iran's full commitment to its side of the bargain.

Trump, however, has defied the IAEA reports and warned that he might ultimately "terminate" the Iran deal.

A new poll conducted by the Washington-based Brookings Institution, showed that 70 percent of Americans agree that the JCPOA is beneficial for US interests, while 26 percent disagree.

The JCPOA was reached between Iran and the P5+1 countries  namely the US, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany  in July 2015 and took effect in January 2016.

Under the accord, Iran undertook to apply certain limits to its nuclear program in exchange for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran.

Other parties to the deal, along with the entire international community, have voiced firm support for the JCPOA, warning Washington against attempts at undermining the landmark deal.

Since Trump's refusal to certify Iran's compliance, senior European officials have been intensely lobbying Congress to decide against the re-imposition of anti-Iran bans.

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French Minister Says Iran Seeking To Expand Military Influence In Middle East

RFE/RL December 13, 2017

France's foreign minister has accused Iran of trying to create an "axis" of military and political influence stretching from Tehran through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea.

Speaking in an interview with France 2 television broadcast on December 12, Jean-Yves Le Drian said that rather than pursue ambitions to expand its military presence in the region, Iran as well as Russia should work with the United Nations to try to establish peace in war-torn Syria.

"The Iranian presence and the desire to make an axis from the Mediterranean to Tehran, [I say] no!" Le Drian said in the interview. "There is a Syria that needs to exist" free from foreign powers and influence, he said.

Many Arab leaders argue that Iran, by providing military advisers and militia fighters to both Iraq and Syria, has been projecting its power with the goal of creating an arc of influence stretching from the Afghan border to the Mediterranean.

The United States and Israel have also voiced concern that Iran is strengthening its foothold in the Mediterranean region and have accused Tehran of arming its allies and Israel's enemies -- Lebanon's Hizballah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Le Drian has previously accused Iran of having "hegemonic" intentions in the region, provoking a countercharge from Tehran that France is taking a "biased and partisan approach to the crises in the region."

In the French television interview, Le Drian credited Iran and Russia with helping to turn the tide in favor of the Syrian government in its six-year civil war with Sunni rebels. Iran for years has provided militia troops and military advisers to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government while Russia since 2015 has provided crucial air support.

Citing successes on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin this week announced a partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria.

But Iran has made no such announcement and Iranian leaders have insisted they will retain their influence and presence in Syria and elsewhere.

"The aim of the U.S. administration is to get Iran out of Syria" as part of any Syrian peace settlement, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on November 30.

"The U.S. and Russia cannot decide for Iran. We are there at the request of the Syrian government," Zarif said. "It's our region. It's the Persian Gulf, not the Gulf of Mexico. We are going nowhere."

Le Drian took issue with Iran's stance in the interview, saying that "Syria must become a sovereign state again and that means [being] independent of the pressure and presence of other countries."

At the same time, he said: "The main actors in this affair are Russia and Iran. They need to use their weight to lead a political solution with the other members of the [UN] Security Council."

His call for Iran to stop interfering in Syria comes a week after France hosted a summit of Western powers that called on both Iran and Saudi Arabia to stop meddling in the affairs of Lebanon.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/french-minister-le-drian -says-iran-seeking-expand-military-influence -middle-east/28913123.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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Red Cross says life has 'stopped' in Myanmar's Rakhine

Iran Press TV

Wed Dec 13, 2017 03:04PM

The International Committee of the Red Cross says life has "stopped" in Rakhine state due to the fear of violence, nearly four months after a new wave of crackdown by the government erupted against the persecuted Rohingya Muslims.

The ICRC director of operations, Dominik Stillhart, said Wednesday that tensions between the Muslims and the dominant Buddhist community were preventing Muslim traders from reopening shops and markets.

"The situation in the northern Rakhine has definitely stabilized, there are very sporadic incidents, but tensions are huge between the communities," Stillhart said after a three-day mission to the remote area. "You get a sense, especially of the two main communities being deeply scared of each other."

He visited the towns of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung in northern Rakhine, where the ICRC, the only aid agency operating in the violence-hit region, is providing food, water and other aid to 150,000 people.

Stillhart said the Red Cross hoped to reach all of the 180,000 Rohingya it estimated remained in the "politically-sensitive" region after more than 600,000 people fled to Bangladesh.

"You travel through the countryside and you really see on both sides of the road villages that are completely destroyed. It just gives you a bit of a sense of the scale of destruction. There is also this pervasive sense of absence."

"It is as if life has stopped in its tracks, people do not move, markets are closed in Muangdaw town," Stillhart said.

He said the main problem facing the Muslims was "the very limited possibilities for them to access their own livelihoods like fields, and especially markets and services."

Late last month, Bangladesh and Myanmar reached a deal to repatriate the Rohingya refugees within several months.

The Red Cross said the returns must be voluntary and safe. "But for now we really don't see a significant return movement and I'm also not expecting that we will see massive return anytime soon," Stillhart said. Citing UN figures, he added that nearly 300 Muslims still fled daily.

About 650,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since late last year, when Myanmar's soldiers and Buddhist mobs began vicious attacks on the minority Muslims in Rakhine. The crackdown on the Rohingya has intensified since August 25.

All along, government troops and the Buddhist mobs have been killing, raping, and arbitrarily arresting members of the Muslim community. They have also been setting the houses of the Muslims on fire in hundreds of predominantly-Rohingya villages in the northern parts of Rakhine, where nearly all the Rohingya reside.

Myanmar's government denies full citizenship to the Rohingya, branding them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Dhaka, in turn, regards the desperate refugees as Myanmarese. The Rohingya, however, track their ancestors many generations back in Myanmar.

The UN has already described the Rohingya as the most persecuted community in the world, calling the situation in Rakhine similar to "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

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Tillerson: Terror Group Ties Could Cost Pakistan Territorial Control

By Ayaz Gul December 13, 2017

The United States has warned Pakistan it could lose control of its territory unless Islamabad abandons ties with terrorist groups operating in the country that are growing in "size and influence."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued the warning as Washington and Islamabad renew efforts to improve bilateral relations and find "common ground" to promote peace in neighboring Afghanistan.

"We want to work with Pakistan to stamp out terrorism within their boundaries as well, but Pakistan has to begin the process of changing its relationship with the Haqqani Network and with others," Tillerson said at a public talk in Washington on Tuesday.

A U.S.-led military coalition is helping the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to contain a resurgent Taliban insurgency.

Insurgents and leaders of a group allied with the Haqqani Network are allegedly orchestrating attacks from sanctuaries in Pakistan, with the help of the neighboring country's spy agency.

"Pakistan has allowed so many terrorist organizations to find safe haven within its territories, and these organizations are growing in size and influence," Tillerson said.

The secretary said he had warned Pakistani leaders that the terrorist groups might turn their attention from Kabul and decide they like Islamabad better as a target. He cautioned, "If they're not careful, Pakistan is going to lose control of their own country."

While there has been no formal response to Tillerson's remarks, a senior Pakistani government official has rejected the U.S. assertions as unfounded.

"In the last three years, our counterterrorism operations have effectively dismantled all terrorist groups on Pakistani soil while more than 200,000 of our troops are still deployed to areas bordering Afghanistan to consolidate the gains," the official told VOA, requesting anonymity.

The Pakistani government has also vowed to take action against any terrorists on its soil linked to the Afghan violence if U.S. officials share "actionable" intelligence with Islamabad.

Tillerson on Tuesday indicated Washington might start sharing such information because it is really concerned about Pakistan's stability.

"We want to work with them in a positive way. We're willing to share information with them and we want them to be successful. But we cannot continue with the status quo, where terrorist organizations are allowed to find safe haven inside of Pakistan," he said.

Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis visited Islamabad, where he also called on Pakistani leaders to redouble efforts against terrorist groups operating out of their country. He also called for Pakistan to play its vital role in promoting a process in Afghanistan to end the conflict there.

At a public talk in Islamabad following the Mattis visit, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif reiterated that his country had made unmatched sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and was making all possible efforts to promote peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

"Peace in Afghanistan is of extreme importance to us. We are almost on all the platforms or forums from where peace in Afghanistan is being pursued. Our participation is with total sincerity with total commitment," Asif said.

He added that continued Afghan hostilities were hampering Pakistan's efforts to improve its economy and expand its trade to central Asian states.

"I think after Afghanistan the biggest stakeholder in peace in this region or in Afghanistan, is Pakistan," the foreign minister asserted.

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South Korean Arms Sales Jump as Perceived Threats Grow

Sputnik News

03:25 13.12.2017

Seoul's acceleration of its domestic defense industrial base will help prepare the country for a potential fight against North Korea, but in the meantime, South Korea stands to benefit economically from a massive surge in arms sales.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, South Korean companies' defense revenues increased 20.6 percent in 2016, good for about $8.4 billion in total sales.

"South Korean arms producers continue to dominate the emerging producer category," versus established producer category, "with seven companies ranked in the top 100 for 2016," according to the SIPRI fact sheet on the 2016 arms market published December 12.

South Korea's market share sits around 2.2 percent of the top 100 companies, "alongside other 'established producers' such as Israel and Japan."

To nobody's surprise, SIPRI attributed the sales growth to "rising threat perceptions in South Korea," which has "accelerated the acquisition of military equipment."

South Korea is "increasingly turning to its own arms industry to supply its demand for weapons," SIPRI researcher Siemon Wezeman told the Diplomat, while "at the same time, South Korea is aiming to realize its goal of becoming a major arms exporter."

Some of South Korea's most notable defense articles include the Hyundai Rotem K2 "Black Panther" main battle tank, self-propelled 155 mm howitzer artillery units and diesel-electric attack submarines, which Germany licensed South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries to produce for the South Korean Navy.

In sum, total arms sales grew 1.9 percent to $347.8 billion in 2016, the first year of growth in five years, according to SIPRI.

Military service and manufacturing companies based in China were excluded from the study.

 Sputnik

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U.S. Officials Skeptical Of Putin's Announced Troop Withdrawal From Syria

RFE/RL December 13, 2017

U.S. officials are voicing skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria, in particular saying that his declaration of victory against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group seems premature.

Putin ordered the troop pullback during a surprise visit to Russia's Hmeimim air base in Syria on December 11, declaring that Russian and Syrian forces had "crushed the most combat-capable international terrorist group."

U.S. officials on December 12 challenged that assertion.

"We think the Russian declarations of [IS's] defeat are premature," a White House National Security Council spokeswoman said.

"We have repeatedly seen in recent history that a premature declaration of victory was followed by a failure to consolidate military gains, stabilize the situation, and create the conditions that prevent terrorists from reemerging."

The U.S.-led military coalition in Syria, which has been battling IS separately from Russia and Syria, has long been skeptical of Russia's announced drawdowns.

Marine Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman, said on December 12 that the United States had not observed any significant withdrawal since Putin's announcement.

He added that "there have been no meaningful reductions in combat troops following Russia's previous announcements of planned departures from Syria."

"Russian comments about removal of their forces do not often correspond with actual troop reductions," Rankine-Galloway said, adding that Russia's plans "do not affect U.S. priorities in Syria."

A U.S. official told AFP that Washington expected Putin to carry out a "token withdrawal" of some aircraft from Syria, then follow up by demanding that the United States pull its forces out of Syria.

The Pentagon recently revealed that it still has around 2,000 troops in Syria. It said last week that the troops will stay in Syria as long as necessary to ensure IS militants don't return.

The "coalition will continue to operate in Syria in support of local forces on the ground to complete the military defeat of [IS] and stabilize liberated territory, in turn allowing for displaced Syrians and refugees to return," Rankine-Galloway said.

Russia, by contrast, has asserted that foreign forces soon may no longer be needed in Syria. After turning the tide of the conflict in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's favor, Putin said he now wanted to help broker a peace deal.

A senior Trump administration official told Reuters that the Pentagon believed Assad is trying to impose a "victor's peace" on the country, but it expects his attempts will fail.

The odds of Syria breaking into a civil war again would be high without political reconciliation between the many warring parties, the official said.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-officials- skeptical-putin-announced-partial- troop-withdrawal-syria-defeat- islamic-state/28913199.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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Defense Ministry cancels warship contract with Ching Fu

ROC Central News Agency

2017/12/13 16:54:10

Taipei, Dec. 13 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has, as expected, terminated a multi-billion dollar contract with financially troubled Ching Fu Shipbuilding Co. to build minesweeper ships because the company has breached the contract.

The MND said in a statement Wednesday that it has sent a letter to Ching Fu informing it that the NT$35.85 billion (US$1.185 billion) contract it won in 2014 to build six minesweepers has been terminated.

Ching Fu, which is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy, was guilty of breach of contract in two major areas, according to the MND statement.

Major events occurred that made it impossible for the company to meet its contractual obligations in the future, and the company was unable to correct previous breaches after given a 10-day extension, the MND statement said.

Ching Fu was found to be unable to fulfill its future obligations because it has suspended operations since January 2017 and has failed to pay more than US$36 million it owes to subcontractors.

It also did not complete the construction of a domestic minesweeper factory in May as was stipulated in the contract.

Another problem was the shipbuilder's inability to get its creditors to provide an advance payment guarantee by the required deadline, according to the MND.

Ching Fu was contractually obligated to put up the amounts of NT$1.5 billion, NT$3.3 billion and NT$2.4 billion in three separate phases to back the advance payment guarantee as well as funds to cover a NT$1.7 billion performance bond.

But while Ching Fu put up the NT$2.4 billion for the third phase of the process, the consortium of banks financing the deal decided not to issue the guarantee by the Nov. 28 deadline, preferring instead to cut their losses.

Because of that, the MND notified the company in writing on Nov. 28 to make the necessary improvements by Dec. 8 to avoid termination of the contract.

The company was unable to rectify the situation, however, prompting the ministry to start the procedure to cancel the contract, the MND said.

Because of the company's inability to meet the terms of the contract, the MND has confiscated the NT$2.4 billion put up by Ching Fu and is seeking to also seize the remaining NT$4.8 billion put up by the company for the advance payment guarantee and the NT$1.7 billion from the performance bond.

The ministry also cited Ching Fu's financial difficulties as a reason to end the contract.

It said several banks have filed petitions for provisional attachments of Ching Fu's assets, said to be worth about NT$6.4 billion, after the company used bogus documents to obtain a NT$20.5 billion syndicated loan from nine domestic lenders led by First Commercial Bank.

The Kaohsiung District Court also impounded the headquarters of Ching Fu Group, the shipbuilder's parent company, the MND said.

In the statement, the ministry reiterated its stance on handling the case in accordance with the law and said it would pursue compensation for the losses from Ching Fu by legal means and will blacklist the contractor.

(By Lu Hsin-hui and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/ls

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Trump unlikely to authorize U.S.-Taiwan navy port calls: scholars

ROC Central News Agency

2017/12/13 17:18:10

Washington, Dec. 12 (CNA) Although United States President Donald Trump has signed into law a defense policy bill, which includes clauses that would facilitate port calls between the U.S. navy and the Taiwan navy, several U.S. experts on Taiwan affairs have said it is unlikely the president will allow such visits in practice.

Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) at the White House on Tuesday before later releasing a statement on the bill that authorizes appropriations for the administration's national security programs in fiscal year 2018.

On the Taiwan issue, several provisions in the bill call for the strengthening of the defense partnership with Taiwan, including suggestions that Taiwanese military forces be invited to participate in military exercises, such as the "Red Flag" exercises.

It also asks the U.S. government to consider the advisability and feasibility of re-establishing port of call exchanges between the two sides.

In his statement, Trump mentioned that some provisions, including section 1259, "could potentially dictate the position of the United States in external military and foreign affairs and, in certain instances, direct the conduct of international diplomacy."

"My administration will treat these provisions consistent with the president's exclusive constitutional authorities as commander in chief and as the sole representative of the nation in foreign affairs to determine the terms on which recognition is given to foreign sovereigns and conduct the nation's diplomacy. "

Asked if this implies the Trump administration won't put into practice the provision on port calls, former American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Richard Bush told CNA that concerning the most sensitive items in the bill (for example port calls), the law does not impose a binding order on President Trump to do these things.

"Everything is offered as the sense of Congress," said Bush, now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, suggesting Trump is not obliged to execute the provisions.

Douglas Paal, who was on the National Security Councils staff of former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush from 1986-1993 as director of Asian affairs, said he expects the Trump administration to treat the NDAA's "legislative exhortations" carefully, "basing decisions on the executive branch's jealous regard for its constitutionally exclusive right to manage foreign relations."

"In that regard, the administration will consider the NDAA's advocacy in the overall context of American foreign policy, including with China, where the U.S. long ago agreed to end official relations with Taiwan while maintaining substantive links," said Paal.

Asked the same question, Walter Lohman, head of the Asian Studies Center under the Heritage Foundation, who is currently on a visit to Taiwan, appeared more optimistic. He told CNA via e-mail that what Trump says in his statement "doesn't necessarily mean he won't do the things Congress is recommending."

"It means it is up to him, as president of the United States, to decide. Any president would say the same. Still, though, it is important for Congress to be heard. It expresses a political consensus on U.S.-Taiwan relations that the president must bear in mind," Lohman said.

The defense bill has upset Beijing because of provisions that could expand formal exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring under its control.

The United States has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act and "Six Assurances" to help it defend itself and is the island's main source of arms.

(By Rita Cheng and Elizabeth Hsu)

Enditem/AW

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China Cautions Taiwan Against Relying on Foreign Powers for Security

Sputnik News

18:31 13.12.2017

Tensions between Beijing and Taipei continue to escalate following a controversial US-Taiwan deal that seeks to enhance cooperation in the security sphere.

Speaking at a press-conference, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office An Fengshan expressed official opposition to any military deals between Taiwan and the US, highlighting that Taiwan is an internal matter.

"What I want to stress and point out is that any relying on foreigners to build oneself up or plots to harm national sovereignty and territorial integrity will be opposed by the entire Chinese nation, and cannot succeed," An said.

China's warning comes following the escalation of tensions between Beijing and Taipei that were sparked by the US Congress's decision to adopt the National Defense Authorization Act in September.

The Act authorizes de facto

military cooperation between that will enable mutual visits between US and Taiwanese Navies.

The move was highly criticized in mainland China, which considers Taiwan to be a rogue province and has consistently called it as "the most sensitive issue" in its relationships with the United States.

The passing of the Act even prompted Li Kexin, a senior Chinese diplomat in Washington to issue a stern warning, stating that if US Navy ships enter Taiwan then China will activate its Anti-Secession Law, which authorizes the use of force to bring the wayward republic under control.

"The day that a US Navy vessel arrives in Kaohsiung [Taiwan's main port] is the day that our People's Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force," Li said at an embassy event last Friday.

Formally, the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, remain a single country, as each considers the other as "renegade provinces."

The Trump Administration had earlier agreed to honor the so-called "One China" policy.

However, there is a growing movement within Taiwan that seeks to assert its formal independence.

Beijing suspects that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who leads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, may call for a full-fledged referendum next year.

The potential deployment of the US Navy ships in Taiwan may, therefore, be seen as Tsai's attempts to provide physical security for the referendum that will sever Taipei from China.

 Sputnik

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WASHINGTON  Will he stay or will he go? Questions surrounding the tenure of House Speaker Paul Ryan have begun to surface.

A Thursday profile piece about Ryan in POLITICO, a national politics journal, speculated Ryan is considering stepping down as speaker after the 2018 mid-term elections, possibly even retiring from Congress.

AshLee Strong, national press secretary for Ryan, said the article is pure speculation. As the speaker himself said today, hes not going anywhere any time soon.

Ryan still plans to run for re-election for his 1st Congressional District House seat in 2018 and, according to the Federal Elections Commission, has raised millions of dollars for the upcoming campaign. The 1st District includes all of Racine County.

At her daily briefing on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Donald Trump called Ryan and the president made it clear he would not be happy if Ryan quit Congress.

The speaker assured the president that those were not accurate reports and that they look forward to working together for a long time to come, Sanders said.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he is proud of the work Ryan has done and that Ryan is building consensus within the House on major reforms like health care and tax cuts while also maintaining his strong Wisconsin roots.

As a leader of the conservative movement, his work is far from over and Im confident his real plans are to remain in Congress as speaker for many years to come, Vos said.

That news was not met with open arms from Martha Laning, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.

Responding to reports on his potential resignation, Speaker Ryan has indicated he plans to stick around in Washington  but at the end of this disastrous session that decision is actually in the hands of his constituents back here in Wisconsin, Laning said. Paul Ryan has drifted far from his Wisconsin roots in his tenure as Speaker of the House, attempting to rip health care away from millions of Americans and pushing through a deficit-exploding tax plan that will harm the majority Wisconsin residents unless they are among our states wealthiest or huge corporations.

Numerous Wisconsin victories

Ryan, of Janesville, has easily won re-election nine times since first winning the 1st District seat in 1998, averaging a 28-percentage-point margin of victory every two years. The closest he ever came to being defeated was in 2012, when he beat Democratic challenger Rob Zerban, a former Kenosha County Board supervisor, by 12 percentage points.

His partys 2012 vice presidential candidate, Ryan was initially reluctant to take the speakers post. It calls for long hours meeting with colleagues to line up votes or address other problems, and frequent fundraising trips for the party. Now 47, Ryan has three young children and initially said he was uninterested in being speaker, calling it a job for empty-nesters.

Ryan pushed a repeal of President Barack Obamas health care law through the House in May after encountering resistance from both ends of the GOPs political spectrum, only to see the effort run aground in the GOP-led Senate. Though Congress seems on the verge of passing the tax bill  the GOPs first major legislative accomplishment this year  he faces negotiations with Democrats over spending and immigration likely to produce compromises that conservatives will angrily oppose.

Targeting major issues in 18

At the news conference Thursday, Ryan gave reporters an extensive preview of next years GOP agenda, promising action on restraining the growth of government benefit programs.

Tax reform has been a big push for Ryan. On Wednesday, House and Senate Republican leaders forged an agreement in principle on the most sweeping overhaul of the nations tax laws in more than 30 years.

But Thursday, the Republicans razor-thin margin for driving the package through the Senate was thrown into jeopardy when GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida declared he will vote against it unless negotiators expand the tax credit that low-income Americans can claim for their children.

Rubios potential defection complicates Republican leaders goal of muscling the $1.5 trillion bill through Congress next week, handing Trump his first major legislative victory by Christmas.

In September, Ryan met with The Journal Times editorial board and said at the time he was hopeful tax reform could get done before the end of the year.

We have the House, the Senate and the White House, and we can do this without a filibuster, Ryan said in September. We have not had the political consensus in years to do (tax reform) like we do now. Thats why we have to get this done.

Another major issue that Ryan has been looking at is a solution for those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a policy for individuals who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The policy was rescinded by the Trump Administration.

Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson told The Journal Times editorial board in October that Ryan is focused on finding a solution in 2018.

Paul is absolutely dedicated, I completely support him on this, in the next budget give ourselves the capability to do meaningful welfare reform and immigration reform, Johnson said in October. Hopefully we can do the immigration reform in a bipartisan fashion.

Two Democrats have entered the race to challenge Ryan in 2018: ironworker and union activist Randy Bryce of Caledonia and Janesville School Board member Cathy Myers. He also faces a primary challenge for the second election in a row from businessman and conservative activist Paul Nehlen, who Ryan defeated by 68 points in the 2016 Republican primary.

Bryce took advantage of the report by sending out an email to potential supporters seeking donations.
US Official Accuses Turkey of Pushing Extreme Islamist Ideology

By Jeff Seldin December 13, 2017

An already tense relationship between the United States and Turkey appears to be under more strain after a top Trump administration official accused Turkey of spreading what he called extreme Islamist ideology around the world.

President Donald Trump's national security adviser, General H.R. McMaster, said Tuesday that Turkey had joined Qatar as a prime source of funding that contributes to the spread of extremist ideology.

"We're seeing great involvement by Turkey from everywhere from western Africa to Southeast Asia," McMaster said during an appearance in Washington. "The Balkans is an area of grave concern now."

Not funding terrorists themselves

McMaster stopped short of accusing Ankara of funding actual terrorist groups. Instead, he voiced concern that Turkey was following in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia in the 1970s, and more recently Qatar, by funding groups that help create the conditions that allow terrorism to flourish.

"We didn't pay enough attention to how extremist ideologies were being advanced through madrassas and mosques, and so-called charities more broadly," he said.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry criticized McMaster's remarks Wednesday, calling them "astonishing, baseless and unacceptable."

"We expect the United States, which we continue to recognize as our friend and ally, to display the same stance to our country, to cease all forms of cooperation with terrorist groups such as YPG and provide more concrete and effective support in our ongoing determined fight against terrorism and radicalism," the ministry said in a statement.

Support for YPG

U.S. and Turkish relations have eroded in part because of Washington's support for the YPG, a Kurdish militia that has helped fight the Islamic State terror group in Syria. Ankara says the YPG is linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which is waging a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. Ankara, along with the European Union and United States, has designated the PKK as a terrorist organization.

Relations between Washington and Ankara also soured following a failed July 2016 coup in Turkey. Ankara accuses Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of involvement in the coup attempt. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile Pennsylvania, denies the accusation. The U.S. has refused calls for his extradition.

More recently, Trump's decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital has upset Turkey, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying, "This could go so far as cutting our diplomatic relations with Israel. You cannot take such a step."

Russia, Iran

In the meantime, recent Turkish overtures toward Russia and Iran have not gone over well with officials in Washington, who also worry Turkey will serve as a model for Islamist groups hoping to seize power.

McMaster said Tuesday, "A lot of Islamist groups have learned from" Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

It is a "model of really operating through civil society," McMaster said, "then the education sector, then the police and judiciary, and then the military to consolidate power in the hands of a particular party, which is something we'd prefer not to see and is sadly contributing to the drift of Turkey away from the West."

VOA's Turkish service contributed to this report.

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Armed hostilities on rise again in Ukraine, where conflict 'never really stopped,' says UN rights wing

12 December 2017  An uptick in armed hostilities in Ukraine has resulted in more deaths and new damages to critical water infrastructure storing dangerous chemicals  posing a grave threat to human life and the environment, according to a new United Nations report.

The report of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, published on Tuesday, warned that that daily ceasefire violations coupled with falling temperatures further aggravated a dire human rights and humanitarian situation on both sides of the contact line.

"The hostilities have never really stopped, affecting, in one way or another, the daily lives of millions in the conflict zone and in the country as whole, with the heaviest burden falling on those living in the immediate vicinity to the contact line," stated Fiona Frazer, Head of the Monitoring Mission.

"As one civilian told my colleagues, 'it is now worse than in 2014 because we can no longer bear it,'" she added.

From 16 August to 15 November, the mission recorded 15 conflict-related civilian deaths and 72 injuries  with 20 individual cases of killings, deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearances, torture and conflict-related sexual violence committed on both sides of the contact line, illustrating the prevailing atmosphere of impunity for grave violations in the conflict zone.

As the report cautioned about the situation of people who are detained incommunicado, the UN mission continued to be denied access to detainees  raising serious concerns on conditions and possible further human rights abuses, such as torture and ill-treatment.

The report detailed that in conflict-related cases, victims' complaints of torture are often disregarded, and investigations into allegations are either rarely opened or ineffective. Behind closed doors, those detainees are 'convicted' without recourse to effective remedy.

This posed a grave concern, given that in November the 'supreme court' of the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk people's republic' pronounced a second 'death penalty.'

Also highlighted in the report was the broad interpretation and application of the criminal codes on terrorism, high treason and territorial integrity of the country.

Additionally, it flagged that protracted investigations and trials in many conflict-related cases resulted in prolonged detentions of the accused in pre-trial detention facilities, where the issue of access to medical care remained acute.

During each month of the reporting period, more than one million crossings over the contact line were recorded, with people claiming corruption and overly complicated checking procedures.

While the UN Human Rights Office does not have access to Crimea, it continued to analyze the situation there from its offices in mainland Ukraine.

The report concluded with advice in addressing acute systemic challenges, such as having Government policies evolve in an inclusive manner, and, together with judicial reforms, foster accountability and social cohesion.

In parallel, the implementation in full of the Minsk agreements by all parties to the conflict is critical for peace and reconciliation.

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MOUNT PLEASANT  After a clerical error paused payment to companies on Foxconn-related work, the Village of Mount Pleasant got back on schedule Wednesday afternoon.

The Village Board was originally scheduled to vote on the payments Monday, but after some discussion about how the villages Finance/Legal/License Committee meeting was noticed  with the correct date and time, but the wrong day of the week  the village opted for a do-over.

With the Foxconn Technology Group planning to build a massive manufacturing campus in Mount Pleasant, the village has approved several contracts with companies to make the process go smoothly.

The Foxconn initiatives package, passed by the state Legislature, allows for $15 million in grants from the Wisconsin Department of Administration to be applied for to reimburse the local entities. So far, the village has received $2.5 million for those costs.

The Village Board unanimously approved reimbursing Racine County $500,000, the Racine County Economic Development Corporation almost $155,000 and the village itself just over $110,000.

The board also unanimously approved agreements with: Foth Infrastructure and Environment LLC, for work done on the sewer projects related to the tax incremental district related to the project; James Machnick, who has been working on land acquisitions; and Pitts Brothers and Associates, LLC, and G.A. Bock and Associates Inc., for real estate appraisal services.

Claude Lois, village project director, said these agreements were made with the county and RCEDC and will be moved over to the village.

Village Administrator Maureen Murphy said the Village Board will be notified of these bills similarly to how they are notified with other bills.

We will be setting up a separate fund within our accounting system, just like with the four other (tax incremental districts) that we have, Murphy said. It will be treated like any other bill that comes through the village.

Some bills already due

The Village Board also approved paying nearly $1 million on invoices, some past due and others yet to come, on work related to Foxconn.

Village Trustee Gary Feest took some issue with how the payments were revealed.

On Oct. 23, (it was) mentioned here at the board meeting that a lot of these companies were not on the clock, yet Im seeing invoices prior to Oct. 23, Feest said. I guess I (would) just like to have a conversation in the near future on how some of that exactly worked.

Lois said he would talk with Feest about that process.

Theyre not all due yet, Im just getting approval that when they are due, I can pay them, Lois said. This kind of cleans it up moving forward, and everything will go through Finance, follow your policy, moving forward from that. I just wanted to make sure everyone saw these. I thought it was important.
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Aside from its higher-end devices, Meizu has been releasing mid-rangers under the Blue Charm sub-brand in China. These devices have so far been rebranded into the "M" series for other markets, with the latest being the M6 and M6 Note. However, the Chinese company has long been rumored to split Blue Charm into its own independent company and stop using the Meizu name for these models altogether.

That could happen starting with the upcoming M6S, which was initially planned to launch this month, but has been pushed to early next year because of some camera-related issues. Today in China a retail box has been leaked through the hands-on image you can see below, and this purports to be for the Blue Charm S handset.

We assume this is the M6S by another name, and it will be interesting to see if Meizu will make the Blue Charm brand go global in 2018 and forgo any "M" style monikers going forward.

As you can see, Blue Charm now even has its own logo, so you probably shouldn't expect to see Meizu appear anywhere on the packaging or the smartphone itself. Previously leaked images suggested that the M6S or Blue Charm S will be the first product in the series to sport an 18:9 tall touchscreen with rounded corners.

As a consequence of that, the fingerprint scanner has been moved to the right side, residing just under the power button. Now that Meizu and Qualcomm are friends again (following a long legal battle), it wouldn't be at all surprising if the M6S will come with a Snapdragon chipset inside.

The source of today's leaked image claims the M6S will finally get official in January and will retail for CNY 2,000, which right now means approximately $302 or 256.

Via




Haiti - France : Jovenel Moses visited OIEau





Yesterday Tuesday the President of the Republic ion tour in Europe, in France had the pleasure, accompanied by the First Lady, Martine Moise, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Pierre Dumeny, and a large Government delegation, to visit the International Office for Water (OIEau) in Paris. "By sharing experiences and knowledge, interstate institutions can help each other find solutions to many of the challenges they face," said the President.



This visit was an opportunity for the Head of State to underline the political will of his administration to join an active partnership and set up a network of exchanges of international cooperation, to develop the organization and the capacity of water management in Haiti and to implement measures for the protection of this natural resource, also President Moise wished to promote a technical partnership and a reciprocal collaboration in order to make full use of all available expertise.



Mr. Eric Tardieu, Director General of OIEau, made the history of the 10 years of support of the association in Haiti which is translated in particular by the management of watersheds in the city of Saint Marc, the establishment of the school of water and sanitation trade, the audit of the water and sanitation observatory...



Also the Director of the International Office for Water of Paris awarded the OIEau medal o President Jovenel Moise, and at the same time invited the Minister of Trade and Industry to sign the Paris Pact.



"I thank Mr. Eric Tardieu, Director of OIEau Paris for the quality of his presentation on the various projects led by France in Haiti in the field of water management. I will proudly wear the medal of OIEau that he has awarded me."



The International Office for Water (OIEau) is an association of French law non-profit declared of public utility by Decree of 13 September 1991. OIEau intervenes mainly in the development of skills for better water management in France, in Europe and in the world.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





The First Lady at the Louvre

On Tuesday, the First Lady of the Republic, Madame Martine Moise, took a guided tour of the famous Louvre Museum in Paris (France) in the company of Mrs. Brigitte Macron, First Lady of the French Republic.



A former minister auditioned

The former Minister of Justice and Public Security, Me Camille Edouard Junior has been auditioned on Tuesday at the prosecutor's office of Port-au-Prince, for acts of misappropriation of public property, threats of deaths with order and conditions and money laundering. Me Clame Ocnam Dameus informs that the warrant issued against the latter no longer stands but the departure ban is still in place. A new audition is scheduled on January 10th.



5th Edition of the International Book Fair of Haiti

The deconcentrated organization of the Ministry of Culture and Communication, the National Directorate of the Book - DNL, organizes the 5th Edition of the International Book Fair of Haiti (Filha) from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 December 2017. This year, the writer and professor of literature, Lyonel Trouillot is the guest of honor of the Filha which takes place around the theme : "Objektif zot : a literature of solidarity".



The fight against corruption is not a propaganda

"On the occasion of the International Day Against Corruption, I invite my compatriots to join my fight against this destructive plague - The fight against corruption is not propaganda, it's not a posture. Nor is it an instrument of political persecution. Corruption is a crime against development. Corruption is an absolute evil. Let's join together to fight this plague !" Jovenel Moise.



Tourism : Meeting around the PAST

The Minister of Culture and Communication Limond Toussaint held a working meeting on Tuesday, December 12, with, among others, the Special Representative of UNESCO in Haiti, Paul Gomis; the Director General of the Institute of Safeguarding National Heritage (ISPAN), Patrick Durandis and the Senator of the North, Dieudonne Luma Etienne around the revival of the Heritage Preservation Project and Support to the Tourism Sector (PAST).



HL/ HaitiLibre


















A 30-year tradition was held at the City of Burlington Fire Station on Sunday, Dec. 3  the annual Breakfast with Santa celebration for active and retired members' children and grandchildren of the City of Burlington Volunteer Fire Department.

The retired membership of the City of Burlington Volunteer Fire Department took care of this year's event beginning at approximately 7 a.m. and concluding around 11:30 a.m. with breakfast being served for approximately 190 people. The entrees included scrambled eggs, sausage patties, bacon, fried sliced potatoes, French toast, kringle, white and chocolate milk, orange juice and coffee.

The sausage patties were donated by the Burlington McDonald's restaurant and the Fire Department gratefully thanks them for the donation.

The retired membership shared in this event, with an extended thank you to the following retired committee members: Ed Koch, Dave Milatz, Mike Solofra, Rick Zwiebel, Larry Berndt, Mike Block and many other retired membership who helped to make this event a success. The complete retired membership helped in some way or another to make this day a success.

And thank you to Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for arriving for the event on the Fire Department's 100-foot platform aerial truck.

Also, a thank you to the many high school students who are children of retired members of the Fire Department for helping out.

Bill Milatz, Burlington F.D. Retired Membership Committee

Burlington
Santa to deliver 100 turkeys for Bounty of Bethlehem

Related Stories

Santa and his elves on Tuesday morning will deliver 100 turkeys to Immaculata Catholic School for the 35th annual Bounty of Bethlehem Community Christmas Dinner. The delivery will be followed by a Christmas party in the gym with Santa for the school kids after dismissal for holiday break. A Sysco trailer will be on site to store the turkeys until it is time to prepare them for the Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.

Volunteers are still needed. Call 828 702-1467 to find out what still needs to be done and when. Openings most days from Dec. 21 through Dec. 26 are available.

The Community Christmas Dinner has been hosted at Immaculata Catholic School with 100% of funds coming from our community through our fundraising and outreach efforts. Supporters are individuals and business alike. Donations can be made online at www.TheBountyofBethlehem.org or by mail to PO Box 883 Hendersonville, NC 28793 .

Since the early 1980s, Henderson County volunteers and supporters have gathered to create a tradition of providing a free Community Christmas Dinner by Bounty of Bethlehem for anyone and everyone to enjoy, no matter who they are, how they worship, or from where they come. All are welcome to join us as an individual or a family, make new friends or meet some old friends in the middle. Meal hours are 12:30p  5p. Over 2000 Henderson County folks are served annually. No one should be alone on Christmas Day.
Peter Kay's first live tour in eight years has been cancelled because of "unforeseen family circumstances".

The hotly-anticipated UK and Ireland tour was due to begin in Birmingham in April.

He was due to play Belfast in January 2019 and Dublin's 3Arena the following month.

In a statement posted on his official Twitter account, Kay said: "Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.

"This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.

"My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first.

"I've always endeavoured to protect my family from the media. I hope the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I'm very sorry."

The statement added that ticketholders for both Peter Kay's Live Arena Tour and Dance For Life shows will be refunded.

The news comes just weeks after Kay added extra performance dates to all listed cities following huge public demand.

Soon after tickets for the initial 26 gigs went on sale in November, he tripled the number of shows to more than 80, including 16 in his home town of Manchester.

Promise

In recent years, Kay has delighted fans with his Bafta-winning TV series, Car Share.

After writing and starring in two series, he announced earlier this year that he would not create a third.

However, he recently consoled fans by promising two further episodes.

Announcing his return to the stage, Kay said: " I know how lucky I am to be making TV series and have really loved these past few years working on Car Share, but I miss stand-up.

"As terrifying as it is, when it works, there's nothing more fun. Plus, a lot has happened in the last eight years, with Trump and Twitter."

Ticketmaster customers in Ireland who bought online or by phone with debit or credit card will be refunded within the next few days.

For customers who bought in person from a Ticketmaster outlet or venue, full refunds are available from point of purchase from 10am today.
A Dublin youth, who phoned gardai begging them to call off a pursuit after hitting speeds of 200kph in a stolen Audi A4, has received a six-month sentence.

Ryan Cahill, who was 17 when he stole the high-powered car during a burglary in Boyle, Co Roscommon, drove on the wrong side of the M4.

Gardai had to deploy two stinger devices to stop him after a 150km chase, which ended on the outskirts of Dublin.

Cahill (18), of Harelawn Grove, Clondalkin, had 67 criminal convictions, mostly for motoring offences, and is already serving a custodial sentence due to end in January.

Judge John O'Connor imposed a consecutive six-month custodial sentence to begin when his current term ends. He also gave him a six-year road ban.

The judge praised the "sterling work" of gardai in stopping Cahill, who had asked the court, via his lawyer, not to give him another custodial sentence.

He was arrested following the chase on March 14, which came to a halt in Lucan, Dublin.

Cahill admitted burglary, motor theft and dangerous driving at Kinnegad, Co Westmeath; Clonard and Enfield, Co Meath; and at Moyvalley in Co Kildare.

He also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a garda car in Lucan, in connection with the same incident.

In evidence, Garda Eoin Brehony told the Dublin Children's Court that a 2010-reg Audi A4 was stolen during a house burglary in Boyle. The car was driven toward Dublin on the N4 and M4.

Gardai in Mullingar intercepted the vehicle and Gda Brehony tried to stop it with a stinger device at Kinnegad.

Direction

However, Cahill did a U-turn and then drove in the wrong direction back along the M4 before dangerously exiting the motorway at The Downs, near Mullingar.

There was another attempt to stop him with a stinger at Kilcock. The court heard that he also smashed through a toll barrier.

"An unusual thing happened at that stage. The defendant rang gardai himself and asked us to stop chasing him," Gda Brehony said.

At that point Cahill was pulled over and arrested.

Judge O'Connor said Cahill was a "bully" and had not shown remorse.
A Mulhuddart man who admitted stabbing a father-of-one three times has been sentenced to eight years with one suspended for manslaughter.

In a letter of apology read to the Central Criminal Court by his barrister, Andrew Gibney (25) said he would always remember the night "with deep regret and shame".

"I cannot say enough how sorry I am for this man's death. I would give anything for that night not to have happened," he added.

Gibney, of Dromheath Avenue, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Gerard Burnett (28) by a jury last month.

He had denied murdering Mr Burnett at Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, on August 21, 2012.

Mr Justice Paul Butler said he accepted the jury's verdict and the finding that Gibney did not intend to kill or cause serious injury.

Gibney told gardai that he stabbed Mr Burnett in the side three times with a knife.

He went to a garda station of his own free will a week after the killing and told officers: "I was involved in the incident. The chap is dead now and I need to give him peace."

Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said Mr Burnett suffered 30 knife injuries, mostly stab wounds.

Unprovoked

She testified that the fatal injuries were six stab wounds on the right side of his chest.

The prosecution's case was that Gibney was part of a joint enterprise to murder Mr Burnett and that he was one of five men who went to his house and attacked him with knives.

The defence argued that if the evidence pointed to a reasonable possibility that Gibney intended to cause harm short of serious harm, the appropriate verdict was manslaughter.

Mr Justice Butler said Mr Burnett was subjected to an entirely unprovoked attack by a group of people who were probably armed with three knives.

One of that group was Gibney who admitted stabbing Mr Burnett three times, he said.

The judge said the technical evidence established that the three stab wounds inflicted by Gibney were not fatal, were "shallower" than the other stab wounds and they were to Mr Burnett's side.

He said that while Gibney's remorse did not help to bring Mr Burnett back, it was a very important factor.

However, he said the offence was at the higher end of manslaughter because of the viciousness of the case and the joint enterprise.

Mr Justice Butler sentenced Gibney to eight years in prison with one year suspended and backdated it to when he went into custody on August 28, 2012.

He asked that Gibney enter a bond of 100 before the prison governor to be of good behaviour.

This was the second time that Gibney had gone on trial for Mr Burnett's murder.

He was originally convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2014.

That conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal and a retrial was ordered.
A man who grabbed his neighbour by the throat in an "eyeball to eyeball" confrontation over noise has been fined 500.

App developer Mark Somers (52) assaulted the man, who lived in the fourth-floor flat above him, then told a court the victim was a "neighbour from hell".

David Glynn denied he had believed Somers was an "arrogant, imperious" man who was "telling him how to live".

He said they had never had heated words before the row on August 28, 2015.

Grabbed

Somers had pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Glynn at the Metropolitan Apartments in Kilmainham. He claimed he thought Mr Glynn was going to hit him and grabbed his lapel only to restrain him.

A defence barrister told Dublin District Court that Somers hoped to move abroad and a conviction could hamper that.

The judge set recognisances in the event of an appeal.

During the trial, the court heard that Somers had complained about footsteps, or things falling on Mr Glynn's wooden floors.

On the morning of the assault, Mr Glynn was getting something from his car when Somers asked if there was any news about him getting carpets.

Mr Glynn told him he did not think it was appropriate for Somers to bang on the ceiling with a brush.

Somers became very annoyed and abusive and Mr Glynn told him to back off.

"I shouted that he had shown his true colours," Mr Glynn said.

"I said he was an ignorant expletive. He thought I said he was an English expletive and he became more enraged."

The accused got out of his car and "came at" Mr Glynn.

"He grabbed me by the throat. It was a tight grip on my throat, it wasn't pleasant," Mr Glynn said.

Somers claimed in evidence that Mr Glynn began continuously playing a saxophone after the incident.

"They were basically the neighbours from hell," he said.

On the day, he alleged Mr Glynn said: "I'm sick of you, you are a bit of a f**king ignorant English p***k, I have had enough."

Somers added: "We were eyeball to eyeball, he looked like he was going to hit me. I restrained him, I grabbed his lapel."

He alleged that Mr Glynn had "froth coming out of his mouth".
2 held with 38 kg marijuana from Dhading

Two persons have been arrested in possession of 38 kg marijuana from Gajuri Bazaar, Dhading, on Thursday.
Thanksgiving is going to be expensive. Here's how to save.

With inflation on the rise, supplies for Thanksgiving dinner will be more expensive and harder to find than ever, here's what to know and how to save
DIG Silwal performance report: SC orders action against guilty

Days after former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Nepal Police Nawaraj Silwal elected as a member of the federal parliament from Lalitpur-1, Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday has ordered the government to take action against those involved in forging his performance evaluation report.
Future of work

Nepals future as a federal state will depend on how we deal with a host of challenges and opportunities
Gachhadar wins in Sunsari-3

In one of the hard-fought battles, Nepali Congress leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar on Wednesday emerged victorious in Sunsari-3, defeating the CPN-UMLs Bhagawati Chaudhary.
Pressure cooker bomb goes off in Lahan

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off at main thoroughfare in Lahan, Siraha on Thursday.
Radisson Blu, the iconic hotel brand driven by innovation and design, is proud to announce the opening of its second hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. The 127-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun opened its doors in Verdun, one of the capital"s most prestigious and fashionable shopping and residential districts. Radisson Blu is part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, with 74 Hotels and 18,000+ rooms in operation and under development across the Middle East.

The hotel is located on Verdun Main Street, one of the city"s most fashionable boulevards and top shopping destinations. As one of the most prestigious residential areas in Beirut, the district hosts many of the world"s luxury fashion brands, stylish bars, cafes, upscale restaurants and various lo cal and international diplomatic missions. Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun itself is located in Dunes Center, just 3.5km away from

BeirutRafic Hariri International Airport. The hotel is also situated opposite the newly opened ABC Verdun Mall, the country"s largest mall development, housing many leading retail brands, flagship stores, boutiques, restaurants and cinemas. The city"s famous corniche Ramlet El Bayda is a short walk from the hotel, while Beirut"s historical Downtown district and Hamra Street are just a 10-minute drive away.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun offers a range of guest rooms and suites with a modern and stylish design and many rooms with views of the vibrant Verdun Main street. All rooms include free high speed wireless internet. Guest will have complimentary access to a new fitness gym located in the Dunes Center, which is set to open later this month.

Dining options at the hotel include the Cook House restaurant whi ch provides a modern, international experience and overlooks Verdun Main Street. Guests can enjoy a selection of "a la carte" dishes served daily or start the day with the Radisson Blu Super Breakfast. This is in addition to Shogun, a pan-Asian restaurant within the hotel complex.

The hotel"s modern meetings and events space can host up to 600 guests and includes a 377 m2 ballroom with built-in stage, the perfect venue for weddings and social occasions. The five meeting rooms are spacious and all with natural light and climate control. The meetings and events space also provides a business centre, free high-speed wireless internet, and a separate break-out area.

Hotel website
London & New York, December 13, 2017  OTA Insight, the cloud-based data intelligence platform for the hospitality industry, today announced $20 million in growth funding. Eight Roads Ventures led the round with participation from F-Prime Capital Partners and previous investors.

OTA Insight helps hospitality providers such as hotels, resorts and vacation rentals optimize their revenue and improve profitability. The cloud-based platform provides revenue managers with intuitive real-time access to competitor rates, online channel insights, ratings and reviews as well as market-specific events and demand forecasts, all of which are used to impact short and long-term pricing strategies. The company will leverage the funding to further build out its platform, with a particular focus on advancing its machine learning and AI capabilities.

"Our customer-first approach has allowed OTA Insight to create a simple-to-use platform that addresses the needs of revenue managers across a broad range of accommodation types," says Adriaan Coppens, CEO and co-founder of OTA Insight. "With the help of Eight Roads Ventures and F-Prime, the company is poised to continue to grow its global client base and accelerate the delivery of the latest data and business intelligence products to the hospitality industry."

In the coming months, OTA Insight will further expand its engineering, business development and marketing teams globally to align with growing demand for OTA Insight's hospitality solutions. Additionally, Michael Treskow, a partner at Eight Roads Ventures, will join OTA Insight's board of directors.

According to Treskow, "OTA Insight's history of success across a broad spectrum of hospitality providers speaks volumes about their ability to understand and address revenue managers' needs. We are excited to support the team as they continue building out their platform."

"When speaking with OTA Insight's customers, we were inspired by the impact the product has on their day-to-day work," says Gaurav Tuli, principal at F-Prime Capital Partners. "The hospitality market is fiercely competitive and ever-changing, and OTA Insight's data-driven insights enable revenue managers to stay one step ahead of the competition. We are proud to partner with the team and look forward to supporting the company's continued growth."

Currently, OTA Insight is the rate intelligence platform of choice for more than 16,000 properties in 134 countries. Some of the global and regional-leading hotels that use OTA Insight's platform includes: Carlson Rezidor, Hilton, Accorhotels, Louvre, Choice, Best Western, Kimpton, SBE and NH Hotels. For more information on OTA Insight, visit www.otainsight.com.

About OTA Insight

OTA Insight delivers innovative, easy-to-use, cloud-based revenue management solutions to hotels, resorts, apartments, hostels and accommodation businesses globally. With live updates, 24/7 support from our customer success team, and a highly-intuitive and customizable dashboard, OTA Insight integrates with other industry tools including hotel property management systems, leading RMS solutions and data benchmarking providers.

OTA Insight's team of international experts are based all over the world, including the UK, US, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Peru, Mexico, Singapore, Australia and India, that supports over 16,000 properties in over 134 countries. For more information, visit www.otainsight.com and follow us on Twitter @otainsight.

About Eight Roads Ventures

Eight Roads Ventures is a global venture capital firm that helps entrepreneurs scale. Together with associated funds we manage $3.6BN of capital across offices in the UK, India, China, Japan and the US. A near 50-year history of investing includes partnerships with companies such as Alibaba, Appsflyer, Compte Nickel, Curam, Future Advisor, InnoGames, iPipeline, Kensho, Letgo, Made.com, Neo4j, Nuance, Ping Identity, Prosper, Treatwell, Recurly, Wallapop and Xoom. www.eightroads.com

About F-Prime Capital Partners

F-Prime Capital Partners is a global venture capital firm investing in life sciences, healthcare and technology. Since 1969, F-Prime has worked closely with entrepreneurs and academics to create innovative solutions to some of the world's most significant challenges in healthcare and technology. For more information, please visit www.fprimecapital.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

212-334-9753

Sabine Lavache

Account Coordinator
Birmingham, Alabama -- HP Hotels, a full-service third-party hotel management company, announced today that it has been awarded the management contract for the 155-room Best Western Plus Dania Beach, FL. The property is owned by IRAS Group. Charles Oswald, President and Chief Operating Officer, made the announcement.

The 155-room Best Western Plus hotel is adjacent to Interstate 95 and is close to the beautiful Florida Beaches, Port Everglades Cruise Terminals and the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. The hotel's spacious rooms offer microwaves, refrigerators, plus 32 inch flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. During the high season, the hotel offers an onsite cocktail lounge Monday-Thursday.

"We see Florida as a market that is ripe for growth," said Oswald. "The Best Western Plus in Dania Beach enhances our presence there and enables us to bolster our assets and resources to position us for portfolio expansion in the Sunshine State."

About HP Hotels

HP Hotels is a third-party management group with a portfolio of more than 25 hotels in 8 states comprised of major brands like Hilton, Marriott, InterContinental and Choice, as well as independent properties, among full service, boutique, lifestyle and upscale, select service properties. With significant expertise in operations, asset management and profitability, HP has earned preferred hotel management company status with name brand hotel chains while ranking among the Top 50 largest Hotel Management Companies in the United States.
Orlando, Fla. -- Intelity is unveiling yet another tool designed to enhance guest experiences. Intelity Voice Request is a product that leverages Amazon's Alexa to give guests immediate access to room controls, hotel services, restaurant information and more. The hands-free device, powered by the cloud-based digital assistant, enables guests to speak to their room with voice-activated commands.

"Voice Request acts as a personal butler for each guest," said David Adelson, Intelity President and CEO. "It's effortless and convenient, enabling guests to adjust room temperature, turn on the lights or TV, open and close drapery, and perform a range of other tasks with just a few simple voice commands. If a guest would like to know what to do while exploring a destination, he or she can ask 'What time does the bar open?' to keep the guest services phone open for more pressing matters.

"We believe that Voice Request will change the way today's hotel guests interact with their rooms during their stay," Adelson said. "As the leaders in hospitality technology, we can customize Voice Request to use any phrase or command that the hotel desires, giving each guest a branded take on guest service. Intelity Voice Request is at the forefront of technology, enabling an easier and more accessible way to connect with guests to best serve them."

Features of Intelity Voice Request include:

Hotel information

Guest services

Valet request

Frequently Asked Questions

Alarm clock

Music

Weather

Local attractions

Flight information

Voice Request uses Intelity's Edison to control lighting, thermostat, drapes and other elements of a guest's comfortable room experience. Intelity Voice Request connects with ICE: Request Management makes housekeeping, valet and concierge services more efficient, freeing staff for interactions that require the human touch. Hoteliers can view powerful metrics showing guest interaction with Alexa in the ICE: Control Panel. In addition, Intelity Voice Request's invisible interface takes away the need for guests to navigate through long phone calls or an unfamiliar interface.

Voice Request for Meeting Spaces Too

Intelity Voice Request enables hotels to bring the power of voice command to the conference space. It enables meeting planners to conduct business with a constant connection to their staff through the tool. The tool includes requests for thermostat control, replenish beverages, bring beverages and add supplies.

Voice Request examples in the meetings environment include:

"Tell the hotel to set the temperature to 75 degrees."

"Tell the hotel that we would like more coffee."

"Tell the hotel that we would like more water."

"Tell the hotel that we need more chairs."

When voice prompts are made, Intelity Voice Request connects to the ICE: Control Panel and creates a request directly with the appropriate hotel staff. The tool can also answer simple questions, such as, "What's the WiFi password?" to keep the guest services phone open for more pressing matters.

For more information about Intelity Voice Request or other solutions for the hospitality industry, click here.

About Intelity

Intelity, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is the creator of the world's first and most widely used integrated guest services platform, ICE (Interactive Customer Experience). With certified integrations to all major hotel back-end management systems (POS, PMS, Ticketing, Spa and Room Controls), Intelity's complete guest service platform is a centralized property-automation system that delivers concierge-level services, guest request tracking and fulfillment, business-intelligence analytics, marketing/messaging capabilities, and a full content management system. Since beginning operations in 2007, the Inc. 5000 company has gained a reputation as a leader in hospitality technology with installations across six continents, including most major brands and many celebrated independent properties. Intelity was recently designated as the "Official Mobile & In Room Technology Provider" for Forbes Travel Guide, as well as the "Best Mobile App in Hospitality" from Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards and the "World's Leading Hotel Brand App" from the World Travel Awards. For more information, please visit www.intelitycorp.com.

Barb Worcester
India welcomes parliamentary and provincial elections in Nepal

India has welcomed the conduction of Federal Parliament and Provincial Assembly elections held for the first time after the adoption of new constitution in Nepal.
Destinations around the world welcomed 1.1 billion international tourists between January and October 2017, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This represents a 7% increase on the same period of last year, or 70 million more international arrivals. Strong demand for international tourism across world regions reflects the global economic upswing.

The strong tourism demand of the earlier months of 2017, including the Northern Hemisphere summer peak season, was maintained through October. Destinations worldwide received a total of 1,127 million (+7%) international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) in the first ten months of the year, 70 million more than in the same period of 2016. Results were driven by sustained growth in many destinations and a firm recovery in those that experienced declines last year.

In particular, destinations in Southern and Mediterranean Europe, North Africa and the Middle East showed extraordinary strength. Growth in international arrivals exceeded 7% in all destinations of Southern and Mediterranean Europe, with a rapid recovery seen in Turkey and double-digit increases for most of the region's other destinations. In North Africa and the Middle East, Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine rebounded strongly from previous years' declines, while Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and the United Arab Emirate of Dubai all continued to report sustained growth.

"These robust results, the best we have seen in many years, reflect the sustained demand for travel around the world, in line with the improved global economy and the rebound of destinations that suffered declines in previous years," said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai at the 2nd UNWTO/UNESCO Conference on Tourism and Culture, held on 11-12 December in Oman.

"As we gather in Oman for this important event, we must acknowledge the strong resilience of tourism reflected in the continuous growth in many destinations of the Middle East, and the rapid recovery in others. Tourism brings benefits to local communities and visitors through the promotion of peace and mutual understanding and, as this event highlights, respect for cultural heritage and values." Mr. Rifai added.

Regional Results

Europe (+8%) led growth in international arrivals in the first ten months of 2017, driven by remarkable results in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+13%). Western Europe (+7%) rebounded from weaker results last year, while Northern Europe (+6%) enjoyed ongoing solid growth. Arrivals in Central and Eastern Europe grew 4% between January and October 2017.

Africa (+8%) was the second fastest-growing region over this period, thanks to a strong recovery in North Africa (+13%) and the sound results of Sub-Saharan Africa

(+5%).

In Asia and the Pacific (+5%) results were led by South Asia (+10%), with South-East Asia (+8%) and Oceania (+7%) also enjoying a robust increase in arrivals. North East Asia (+3%) recorded more mixed results, with some destinations reporting double-digit increases, and others, declines.

South America (+7%) continues to lead growth in the Americas, where arrivals overall increased by 3%. Central America and the Caribbean both grew 4%, with the latter showing clear signs of recovery in October in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. In North America (+2%), robust results in Mexico and Canada contrast with a decrease in the United States, the region's largest destination.

Results in the Middle East (+5%) through October were mixed, with some destinations rebounding strongly and others continuing to report sustained growth, but the regional average was weighed down partly by a few that showed declines.

As for outbound markets, 2017 is marked by a strong pickup of expenditure on international tourism in Brazil (+33%) and the Russian Federation (+27%) after some years of declines.

Most of the other source markets continued to grow at a sustained pace. Among the top 10 source markets, China (+19%), the Republic of Korea (+11%), the United States and Canada (both +9%), and Italy (+7%) reported the fastest growth in international tourism expenditure. Expenditure from Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong (China) and France grew between 2% and 5%.

About The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

Follow UNWTO on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.

Rut Gomez Sobrino

Principal Media Officer

(+34) 91 567 81 60

UNWTO
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee  The U.S. hotel industry reported positive year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 3-9 December 2017, according to data from STR.

In comparison with the week of 4-10 December 2016, the industry recorded the following:

Occupancy: +2.7% to 60.7%

Average daily rate (ADR): +4.0% to US$125.07

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +6.8% to US$75.97

Among the Top 25 Markets, Miami/Hialeah, Florida, reported the largest increase in RevPAR (+83.0% to US$234.96), due primarily to the largest lift in ADR (+57.4% to US$272.55). While hosting Art Basel, the market experienced the second-highest rise in occupancy (+16.3% to 86.2%).

Houston, Texas, saw the largest increase in occupancy (+17.5% to 73.5%), which produced double-digit growth in RevPAR (+22.6% to US$81.63).

Atlanta, Georgia, posted the second-highest lift in ADR (+22.2% to US$128.70), which contributed to the second-largest rise in RevPAR (+33.2% to US$94.08).

Overall, nine of the Top 25 Markets reported double-digit increases in RevPAR.

San Diego, California, reported the only double-digit declines in ADR (-13.8% to US$130.67) and RevPAR (-17.9% to US$91.88).

Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia, experienced the largest drop in occupancy (-5.5% to 66.9%) and the second-largest decrease in RevPAR (-6.7% to US$99.42).

About STR

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for the global hospitality industry. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 15 countries with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. STR was acquired in October 2019 by CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. For more information, please visit str.com and costargroup.com.

Nick Minerd

Public Relations Coordinator

+1 (615) 824 8664 ext. 3305

STR
Preliminary November data from STR shows hotels in Berlin saw occupancy decrease 3.6% to 77.9% during the month, while ADR rose 1.3% to 94.60 ($111.28) and RevPAR dropped 2.3% to 73.73 ($86.73).

STRs preliminary November 2017 data for Berlin, Germany, indicates solid performance levels even with year-over-year declines.

Based on daily data from November, Berlin reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:

Supply: +1.8%

Demand: -1.9%

Occupancy: -3.6% to 77.9%

Average daily rate (ADR): +1.3% to EUR94.60

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -2.3% to EUR73.73

The absolute occupancy level would be the second-highest for any November on record in Berlin, while ADR was the highest for a November. STR analysts note that the decline in demand was attributable to Air Berlin ceasing operations in late October.

STR will release full November 2017 results later this month.

STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 10 countries around the world with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and an international headquarters in London, England. For more information, please visit str.com.
Destinations around the world welcomed 1.1 billion international tourists between January and October 2017, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This represents a 7% increase on the same period of last year, or 70 million more international arrivals. Strong demand for international tourism across world regions reflects the global economic upswing. The strong tourism demand of the earlier months of 2017, including the Northern Hemisphere summer peak season, was maintained through October. Destinations worldwide received a total of 1,127 million (+7%) international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) in the first ten months of the year, 70 million more than in the same period of 2016. Results were driven by sustained growth in many destinations and a firm recovery in those that experienced declines last year.

In particular, destinations in Southern and Mediterranean Europe, North Africa and the Middle East showed extraordinary strength. Growth in international arrivals exceeded 7% in all destinations of Southern and Mediterranean Europe, with a rapid recovery seen in Turkey and double-digit increases for most of the region's other destinations. In North Africa and the Middle East, Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine rebounded strongly from previous years declines, while Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and the United Arab Emirate of Dubai all continued to report sustained growth. Strong demand for international tourism across world regions reflects the global economic upswing.

These robust results, the best we have seen in many years, reflect the sustained demand for travel around the world, in line with the improved global economy and the rebound of destinations that suffered declines in previous years, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai at the 2nd UNWTO/UNESCO Conference on Tourism and Culture, held on 11-12 December in Oman. As we gather in Oman for this important event, we must acknowledge the strong resilience of tourism reflected in the continuous growth in many destinations of the Middle East, and the rapid recovery in others. Tourism brings benefits to local communities and visitors through the promotion of peace and mutual understanding and, as this event highlights, respect for cultural heritage and values. Mr. Rifai added. Regional Results Europe (+8%) led growth in international arrivals in the first ten months of 2017, driven by remarkable results in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+13%). Western Europe (+7%) rebounded from weaker results last year, while Northern Europe (+6%) enjoyed ongoing solid growth. Arrivals in Central and Eastern Europe grew 4% between January and October 2017.

Europe and Africa (+8% each) are the fastest-growing regions in international tourism. Africa (+8%) was the second fastest-growing region over this period, thanks to a strong recovery in North Africa (+13%) and the sound results of Sub-Saharan Africa (+5%).

In Asia and the Pacific (+5%) results were led by South Asia (+10%), with South-East Asia (+8%) and Oceania (+7%) also enjoying a robust increase in arrivals. North East Asia (+3%) recorded more mixed results, with some destinations reporting double-digit increases, and others, declines.

South America (+7%) continues to lead growth in the Americas, where arrivals overall increased by 3%. Central America and the Caribbean both grew 4%, with the latter showing clear signs of recovery in October in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. In North America (+2%), robust results in Mexico and Canada contrast with a decrease in the United States, the regions largest destination.

Results in the Middle East (+5%) through October were mixed, with some destinations rebounding strongly and others continuing to report sustained growth, but the regional average was weighed down partly by a few that showed declines.

Strong recovery of outbound tourism demand from Brazil and Russia

As for outbound markets, 2017 is marked by a strong pickup of expenditure on international tourism in Brazil (+33%) and the Russian Federation (+27%) after some years of declines.

Most of the other source markets continued to grow at a sustained pace. Among the top 10 source markets, China (+19%), the Republic of Korea (+11%), the United States and Canada (both +9%), and Italy (+7%) reported the fastest growth in international tourism expenditure. Expenditure from Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong (China) and France grew between 2% and 5%.

Relevant links:

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer

UNWTO Tourism Highlights

Infographics as of July 2017
Waikiki is a Hawaiian playground where sky-high resorts sit on the edge of a palm-fringed golden beach with glassy surf breaks. Located in southern Honolulu, Waikiki keeps you guessing with its cosmopolitan dining and shopping, fascinating cultural attractions and a rich heritage of surfing, hula dancing and live music.

Things to do in Waikiki

While walking to the beachfront, make sure you use the new Waikiki Beach Walk, where you can find local shops and restaurants, free ukulele lessons and cultural events. The statue of surfing legend and Olympic gold medallist, Duke Kahanamoku, stands proudly before the sand. Embrace his love for surfing by riding Waikikis waves with a surf school or watch talented Hawaiians carve breaks while you sunbathe along the shore.

Craving a beach that has it all? Head to Kuhio Beach Park for protected swimming, outrigger canoeing, a world-famous surf break and free music at sunset. If youre looking for more culture, visit the Hawaii Army Museum at Fort DeRussy to see military exhibits including shark-tooth clubs, war photos and old defence weapons.

Wander deeper into the concrete forest of high-rises to discover wonderful shopping opportunities at Waikiki Shopping Plaza and Ala Moana Center. Dine on tasty Hawaiian dishes, such as kalua pig, poke (raw fish) and poi (taro root paste), while eating at local restaurants. Whatever you do, make sure to leave plenty of time to enjoy cocktails in the areas beachfront bars at sunset.

Waikikis location makes it easy to reach iconic Hawaii attractions, most of which are less than 30 minutes away. The attractions nearby include the sombre Pearl Harbour war memorial, beautiful Nuuanu Pali Lookout and the secluded Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.

Getting around Waikiki

You can rent bicycles in Waikiki and ride from one beach to the next along the well-maintained promenades. You can also catch the Waikiki Trolley to major shops and attractions, or the public bus from multiple stops along Kuhio Avenue. Hire a car or motorbike for trips around Oahu.
Just yesterday Salma Hayek, known her roles in Wild Wild West and Desperdao, shared an op-ed with The New York Times where she detailed inappropriate behaviour and the repeated sexual demands by Harvey Weinstein when she was filming here 2002 film, Frida.

I dont think he hated anything more than the word no, she wrote. And with every refusal came Harveys Machiavellian rage. The range of his persuasion tactics went from sweet-talking me to that one time when, in an attack of fury, he said the terrifying words, I will kill you, dont think I cant.' Her letter also reads that Harvey pressured her into doing a sex scene with a woman with frontal nudity.

Since her claims were published  making Salma just another one of the over 30 women to come forward  Harveys team has released a statement on his behalf saying the former movie mogul does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming.

Read the full statement below.

Mr. Weinstein regards Salma Hayek as a first-class actress and cast her in several of his movies, among them Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Dogma, and Studio 54. He was very proud of her Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Frida and continues to support her work.

While Jennifer Lopez was interested in playing Frida and at the time was a bigger star, Mr. Weinstein overruled other investors to back Salma as the lead. Miramax put up half of the money and all of the P&A; the budget was over 12 million. As in most collaborative projects, there was creative friction on Frida, but it served to drive the project to perfection. The movie opened in multiple theaters and was supported by a huge advertising campaign and an enormous Academy Awards budget.

Mr. Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming. However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms. Hayek with Geoffrey Rush. The original uni-brow used was an issue because it diverted attention from the performances. All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired.

Ed Norton, who was Ms. Hayeks boyfriend at the time, [worked with Mr. Weinstein on the rewrite of the script in Mexico] did a brilliant job of rewriting the script and Mr. Weinstein battled the WGA to get him a credit on the film. His effort was unsuccessful to everyones disappointment.

By Mr. Weinsteins own admission, his boorish behavior following a screening of Frida was prompted by his disappointment in the cut of the movieand a reason he took a firm hand in the final edit, alongside the very skilled director Julie Taymor.






On the opening night of New York Fashion Week back in September, LeBron James walked the runway as part of the KITH Sport fashion show, which included over 100 looks, including the Nike LeBron 15 which, at the time, had not yet officially been revealed.

Today, Kith founder Ronnie Fieg unveiled his new sneaker collab with LeBron James, which has been in the works since before the KITH Sport fashion show.

Kiths Long Live The King Nike LeBron 15 project includes three separate colorways, two of which have an extended, sock-like ankle collar and criss-crossing straps across the upper. One of those strapped LeBron 15s, sporting a grey and black color scheme, is inspired by Cleveland, Ohio. The other laceless LeBron 15, draws on inspiration from Lincoln Cathedral and other regal landmarks.

The third pair features a light carnation Battleknit upper, accompanied by a rose gold Nike swoosh and a rose gold zipper.

LeBron has stepped out in the strapped LeBron 15s a few times since the Kith Fashion Show in September, but it looks like fans will soon be able to purchase their own pair of the Kith x Nike LeBron 15 Long Live The King soon enough.

You can check out Ronnie Fiegs photo journal, which details the project from start to finish, right here.

Kith x LeBron
While Nelly hasnt really made too many waves in the rap game in recent times, he still managed to make a few headlines. The rapper was accused back in October of raping a girl on his tour bus after a show in Washington. Hes denied it and many of his rap friends, including T.I. and Akon have chimed in to reiterate his innocence. Since then, his accuser has stated that hes intimidated her and has also refused to testify. At the time, the D.A. still wanted to pursue charges but that seems to have gone out the window.

Nellys rape trial has officially been dismissed by the prosecutor, TMZ reports. They say the King County Prosecuting Attorneys office isnt going after Nelly or pursuing charges anymore due to the fact that the alleged victim wasnt cooperating with them. They say because she wasnt willing to testify, it made the case impossible to move forward with criminally charging Nelly of any crimes he was accused of.

After stating she wouldnt testify, she made a statement saying she wanted to put a full stop to the investigation of Nelly. Her lawyer spoke out for her saying that she felt the justice system has already failed her due to Nellys public persona. On top of that, she felt the detective behind the investigation also failed her after he disclosed the fact they had a meeting, something she was told wouldnt be notified to the public.
Young Thug dropped off one of his most interesting projects to date this year with Beautiful Thugger Girls. It stripped Young Thug away from his experimental and psychedelic trap sound that weve grown to love and took him down a lane where country, pop and trap meet. It was a courageous effort that only Thug could successfully pull off. One track in particular that stood out was Me Or Us. Today, Complex posted a new version of it that surfaced with additional vocals from Mr. La Flame himself, Travis Scott.

Charlie Handsome, the Me Or Us producer, revealed a few months back that Thug was trying to get Travis Scott on the track. While this version isnt officially released yet, Thug seems to have successfully grabbed Scott to add his own flare to the track. Scotts additional contributions to the song come in a free form sort of way. His auto-tuned vocals come through towards the end of the track and it seems that Scott caught more of a vibe while recording it than fully constructing exactly what he was going to execute before hand.

Various r are claiming the remix of Me Or Us is expected to drop on the vinyl version of Beautiful Thugger Girls which is being produced by VinylMePlease. Theyve previously done vinyls for Jeffrey and Barter 6. While Scotts version of the vinyl has yet to be confirmed, he does add his own unique twist to an already dope song.

Check the remix below via Complex:

ME Or Us
Japan extends support to Siraha hospital

The Japanese Embassy has provided a mobile clinic van to Phul Kumari Mahato Memorial Hospital located in Karjanha-2, Siraha.
We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector
Left alliance set to start govt formation talks

With the left alliance sweeping the elections, winning 116 of 165 first-past-the-post seats for the House of Representatives (HoR) and leading in proportional representation (PR) count for 110 seats, the key constituentsCPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre)are set to start talks for a new government formation and power-sharing among other issue from Thursday.
This School Dropout Now Owns Four Houses; Know Her Secret Here
Left alliance isnt authoritarian, says Dahal

CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the left alliance would carry out activities as per the sentiments and aspirations of the federal democratic republic constitution.
The sculpture was placed in the grounds of the president's official residence as part of Easter Rising commemorations

A new art installation in honour of the 1916 rebels has been unveiled at Aras an Uachtarain as a permanent testament to the journey towards an inclusive Republic.

The sculpture, Dearcan na nDaoine - The People's Acorn, by artist Rachel Joynt, was placed in the grounds of the president's official residence as part of Easter Rising commemorations.

President Michael D Higgins said: "What we sought was an appropriate and permanent tribute to the women and men whose effort and sacrifice contributed so much to Irish freedom and a symbol that would also serve as an inspiration towards realising the promise of a true republic, which remains a challenge for us all.

"I hope that what we have achieved with this commemorative work is a fitting tribute to the memory and vision of the signatories of the Proclamation, and all those who stood with them. It is, I think, both an accolade to our shared past and a beacon for a brighter future."

Among those at the ceremony were some of the relatives of the signatories of the Proclamation and descendants of others who fought and died in the Rising.

Others at the unveiling included 170 children from seven schools, who contributed their thoughts and wishes for Ireland's future, as well as older people from Lourdes Day Care Centre and the Bealtaine writers' group in Malahide, all of whom wrote thoughts and memories which were placed in a stainless steel time capsule in the sculpture.

The artwork is a giant bronze acorn which contains letters and poems while the shell is impressed with text and used pencils.

Mr Higgins said: "All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture and politics.

"The historical evidence for this view was all around, in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate."

Next year Mr Higgins will install an artwork at Aras an Uachtarain commemorating the 1913 Lockout.
The Four Oarsmen in training ahead of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

An endurance race dubbed the world's toughest row has finally got under way, two days after gale-force winds caused it to be postponed.

Some 25 teams - featuring several British and Irish competitors - pulled out of La Gomera marina in the Canary Islands on Thursday, bound for English Harbour in Antigua as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

The 3,000-mile race across the ocean is expected to take at least 30 days for the fastest teams, with up to four people on each boat.

The race was due to begin on Tuesday but was delayed by 48 hours after winds of up to 40 knots prompted safety concerns.

Race director Carsten Horen Olsen said: "This is the biggest and most global race to date and we're thrilled that teams from all over the world have travelled to La Gomera to take part in the world's toughest row.

"Year on year, we are bowled over by the records smashed, the dedication of the fleet and the incredible journey we're privileged to take part in as we follow and support all of our participants.

"With weather looking favourable this winter, we're looking forward to our biggest record-breaking race yet."

Former Ireland rugby player Damian Browne and four-time Invictus Games gold medal winner Jordan Beecher are among those who lined up their fibreglass vessels in La Gomera for the start of the charity race.

Another team, London-based The Four Oarsmen, has raised more than 350,000 for Mind and Spinal Research.

The Carbon Zerow team is aiming to be the first certified carbon-neutral expedition to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

:: To follow the race, visit TaliskerWhiskyAtlanticChallenge.com
TANAISTE Simon Coveney has said the transition period for the UK exiting the EU could last between four and five years.

Mr Coveney branded as simply not realistic claims that a new trade deal could be agreed between the UK and the EU within two years.

Speaking during Leaders Questions in the Dail, the Tanaiste said it was important to give businesses a long lead in time to adjust to new trade arrangements after Brexit.

He said the Governments position was that the longer the lead in period the better. Mr Coveney said if Britain seeks a Canadian style trade deal with the EU it could take a number of years.

He was responding to questions from Fianna Fails finance spokesman Michael McGrath.

The Tanaiste also said he believed the text for phase one of the Brexit talks will include wording to ensure there would be no slide back from the UK on commitments made in the document agreed last week.
A nursing home deal that will save families thousands of euro in fees is set to be introduced next year after the Government formally secured legal clearance.

The Irish Independent can reveal that Older People Minister Jim Daly (pictured) was last night given the green light to overhaul the scheme in a move that will ease the burden on elderly farmers, business people and their loved ones.

The new measures will see the introduction of a three-year cap on contributions based on the value of the farm and business for the first time.

To date, the cap has only applied to the family home - but runs indefinitely for farm or business assets, which has been a major deterrent for these families. Now, the same cap will apply across the board.

However, the Irish Independent understands the cap will be "conditional" and only apply to farmland and business premises that are used by the family, and not leased out to a third party.

Failure to do so would mean that the land is deemed an "investment asset" rather than a "productive asset".

However, sources involved in the negotiations last night said they do not believe the new condition will exclude many people who intend to avail of the revised scheme.

"Leasing is not something that has been raised as a major concern," said one source.

Mr Daly is understood to have received legal clearance following a meeting with Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) officials Maura Canning and Damian McDonald. Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, Ms Canning said she has been contacted by farmers "in tears" due to the financial burden of Fair Deal.

"We truly hope this will now be passed through the Dail. The scheme in its current form has caused untold stress to people," she said.

"Farmers have been waiting for these sort of changes for a long time, we will keep the pressure on the Government to ensure they are brought across the line."

The Government and the IFA are due to meet again in February, with sources indicating the legislation could be enacted as early as next September. Under the current scheme, families pay a 7.5pc annual contribution on their principal residence for a maximum of three years. However, the cap does not apply to farmland or business premises - meaning the financial burden facing farmers and business owners is much greater.

As a result of the deal secured by Mr Daly, the same three-year cap will apply across the board.
Nepal Army awarded with UN Medal for outstanding service

Nepal Army unit deputed for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been awarded with United Nations Medal.
Ferry company Stena Line is continuing to look at options to replace the main ship carrying live exports as it docks for repairs in the springtime.

Concerns have been raised over the potential impact on exports of calves to the continent as the Stena Horizon dry docks from mid-February to mid-March. Sean OSullivan of Cork Marts said it was a concern and measures to resolve it would be welcomed.

The options currently available are limited and may well result in a slight reduction in capacity, said a spokesman for ferry firm Stena Line. He pointed out the favoured option was to hire a vessel which can also carry limited livestock transport.

The Department of Agriculture said discussions with the ferry companies were ongoing.

Live exports have been performing strongly in 2017, following a number of quiet years recently in the livestock shipping sector, according to Joe Burke of Bord Bia.

Up to end of November, he says cattle exports have totalled over 178,000 head, which represents an increase of 35pc, or 47,000 head, on the last years levels.

This year, all age categories have recorded higher exports than in 2016. Increased shipments of calves (aged < 3 months) had a significant impact on the trade.

In total, over 101,000 calves have been sent out: an increase of almost 40pc. The number of weanlings and stores collectively exported to-date is 35pc higher than the same period last year, at over 51,000 head.

Meanwhile, exports of adult or finished cattle (aged > 21 months) have grown by 23pc to 26,000 head.

Calf exports

Burke says Irish calf exports are highly seasonal, in line with the supply of male dairy calves in spring.

To demonstrate this point, he says 36pc, 29pc and 13pc of calf shipments this year took place during the months of March, April and May, respectively.

The principal markets for Irish calves include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and France.

For the Dutch market, demand is mostly focused on light Holstein-Friesian bull calves which go for veal production. Irish calf exports to the Netherlands increased by 55pc this year to over 41,500 head, while exports to Belgium recovered to almost 5,500 head.

Exports to Spain increased by 36pc this year, to over 49,000 head. Spanish feedlots specialise in finishing these as young bulls at 12-13 months of age.

Weanling exports

According to Burke, the strong uplift in exports of weanlings (aged 3 to 12 months) and store cattle (aged 12 to 21 months) from Ireland this year reflects improved demand across several markets.

There has been a 6pc recovery in Irish exports to the Italian market, to some 18,700 head.

Irish animals were slightly more price-competitive than during recent seasons, relative to French cattle which account for over 75pc of total imports.

The Turkish market opened to Irish cattle in autumn 2016, taking almost 20,000 young bulls by year-end. To-date this year, almost 25,000 animals have been sent there, including some heifers for breeding. There have also been 1,830 head of cattle shipped to Libya, and 800 head to Greece.

Adult cattle

The improvement in exports of adult cattle (>21 months) is partly attributable to additional sales of forward store and finished cattle to Northern Ireland during recent months. Live exports to Britain, including breeding stock, are 13pc lower than last year. Other markets for breeding heifers have included Russia (450 head) and Romania (750 head).
Payments have commenced under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme.

These payments, worth 37 million, have commenced issuing to 21,000 farmers who have verified their compliance with the 2017 requirements.

Payments under BDGP II will also commence in the coming days.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D. said that BDGP payments will continue to issue on an ongoing basis as more famers verify their compliance with the 2017 scheme requirements.

The Minister urged participating farmers to return all surveys and genotyping samples and/or complete the carbon navigator update as soon as possible to facilitate payment.

I am particularly pleased that payments have commenced for the third year of this innovative Programme which will bring about reductions in Irelands greenhouse gas emissions while also introducing genetic technology into the national herd thus improving farm profitability. 

The Minister added  In recent months my Department has been issuing payments to farmers across a range of schemes including BPS, ANC, Knowledge Transfer, GLAS, and the new Sheep Welfare Scheme. I am very aware of the importance of these schemes for the farming community, and they provide a significant financial boost for both individual farmers and the wider rural economy.
The number of people working in IT has risen by more than 55pc since 2011, Census 2016 reveals.

The latest, and final, Census report shows that just over two million people were at work in April 2016, up 11pc over the five year period.

And the numbers looking after the home or family continues to decline, falling by just over 10pc to 305,556.

A sharp rise in the number of retired people, up by more than 88,000 to 545,407  an increase of 19.2pc  means that the labour force participation rate, or percentage of the population of all adults at work or unemployed, fell to 61.4pc.

Deirdre Cullen, senior statistician with the Central Statistics Office, said: This report analyses the world of work in Ireland in 2016, with a particular focus on changes in the numbers at work by occupations and industrial sectors.

It also looks at the profile of the non-Irish national population in the workforce.

Census 2016 provides details of the numbers at work classified by 328 separate categories.

Read More

The category of sales and retail assistants, cashiers and checkout operators was the top occupational group with 90,746 persons. It is followed by farmers, who account for almost 70,000 workers or 3.5pc of the workforce, followed by other administrative occupations with 59,392 workers and nurses and midwives with 53,910.

The category of other administrative occupations saw the largest increase between 2011 and 2016, rising from 47,465 to 59,392 workers.

The group with the second largest increase was programmers and software development professionals, which grew by 6,873 to 20,113 workers.

It also shows:

 The 2,304,037 people in the labour force in April 2016 represented an increase of 71,834 (3.2pc) on April 2011.

 There were 2,006,641 people at work in Ireland in April 2016, compared with 1,807,360 five years previously, an increase of 199,281 (11.0pc) over the period.

 The unemployment rate as measured by the Census was 12.9pc, down from 19.0pc in April 2011.

 Female unemployment stood at 12.0pc, while the rate among males was 13.7pc.

 The youth unemployment rate, or number aged between 15 and 24, fell by almost 41.5pc. In April 2016, percentage of unemployed in this category was 25.6pc, down from 38.7pc five years previously.

Read More

The results also show that the largest drop in employment was in the financial service activities, down from from 54,027 to 46,674 in 2016.

Census 2016 also shows there were 347,233 non-Irish nationals in the labour force in April 2016.

Of recent immigrants, 47,651 of the 82,346 persons who arrived to live in Ireland in the year prior to Census 2016 were non-Irish nationals.

Among the Irish group the labour force participation rate was 76.8pc, while among the non-Irish nationals it was 67.4pc. This lower participation rate can in part be attributed to higher numbers of students among this group, with almost 22pc being students compared with just over 10pc of Irish immigrants, it says.

In terms of where these recent immigrants worked, almost 5,000 were working in the accommodation and food service sector, 4,070 of whom were non-Irish nationals.

The next largest sector was Information and communication activities with 4,300 people at work; over 77pc of these were non-Irish nationals.
Gift company Smartbox has announced the closing of a 167m senior debt financing in which AIB acted as mandated lead arranger and agent together with Credit Agricole, Credit Suisse and Caixabank.

"We are delighted to be supporting a growing company headquartered in Ireland, which is recognised as a leader in its field. This is an important step in the development of this company which will also benefit the economy," Colin Hunt, AIBs managing director of wholesale, institutional and corporate banking, said.

Since its creation in 2003, Smartbox has grown both organically and through acquisitions to now generate sales of over 500m across 11 countries in Europe.

The company works with over 38,000 providers, and distributes experience vouchers and gift cards through 12,000 points of sale as well as online via e-retailers and the companys own branded websites.

Headquartered in Dublin, the company in June announced the creation of 100 jobs at its Dublin office, where it already employs 400 people.
Over the last number of weeks, the issue of a border on the island of Ireland - or more importantly the lack of a border - has come to the fore in the Brexit negotiations.

One of the fringe benefits of this new-found curiosity about the Border is that it has aroused an interest in the state of the Northern Ireland economy more generally

It goes without saying that Northern Ireland will be disproportionately impacted by the Brexit process one way or another, but it would be a mistake to think that Brexit is the only cause of worry for the economy north of the Border.

On any number of measures, Northern Ireland's economy is clearly in difficulty. Productivity is the most obvious area of economic weakness and here the trend is increasingly negative.

Gross Value Added per head in Northern Ireland has never reached the UK average and is falling further behind it. In 2005 total output per person was 80.6pc of the UK average; by 2015 that had fallen to 73.8pc.

Wages underperformed the UK average in every year for which data is available and Northern Ireland is consistently ranked amongst the three lowest-paid regions of the UK. The median weekly wage in Northern Ireland was 92pc of the UK average in 2016, little changed from 91pc in 2006.

Another area where Northern Ireland falls behind is in skills and this may be where the greatest failure of policy lies. The issue has not suffered from a lack of attention; there have been many conferences, many commissioned reports and many government schemes. Unfortunately, the headline statistics in Northern Ireland remain bleak, to say the least.

In 2016, 16pc of those aged 16-64 did not have a Level One national vocational qualification (NVQ). That means less than five GCSEs at A-C grade and was double the figure of 8pc for the UK as a whole.

Productivity is directly linked to skills. A better qualified and a better trained worker will be able to produce more with the same resources than an unskilled worker.

So it is logical enough to draw a line from Northern Ireland's low skills base to its poor productivity. Similarly, a lack of workforce skills goes much of the way to explaining the chronic underperformance of pay.

However, it would be a mistake to focus solely on the level of skills attainment by workers. This is only half of the problem. Clearly, there is a problem with the supply of skills but much less attention has been given to the demand.

In most cases people will seek to acquire new skills in the hope that they will be rewarded with higher wages. The supply of skills in the labour market is directly linked to what people perceive the demand for skills to be.

Firms will demand skilled workers if they are planning on investing in new technology or research and development. But firms that want to move up the value chain can only do so if the skills that they require for this are available in the labour market and are engaged in low value-added production because they do not feel there is a sufficient skills base to grow from.

In an ideal labour market, the signals of supply and demand are clear and will ensure that the appropriate amount of skills is provided. However, in Northern Ireland it would appear that this has broken down.

Northern Ireland is in essence trapped in a low productivity, low wage and low skilled dynamic. In the Nevin Economic Research Institute Quarterly Economic Observer, launched on Tuesday, we look at the idea of a Low Skills Equilibrium in Northern Ireland - a situation where a lack of supply and a lack of demand for skills mutually reinforce each other.

Workers do not invest in skills because they do not feel that they will be rewarded with higher wages or better paid jobs. This in turn means that firms do not have access to a skilled workforce and do not invest in innovation. Companies can then only offer low-skilled, low-paid jobs. Workers therefore have no incentive to change their original decisions. It is a vicious circle.

It is difficult to capture a low-skills equilibrium in any one single measure but the available data does provide some interesting insights. Despite the comparatively low skills base, there appears to be no mismatch between the skills of the workforce and those required by employers. On the contrary; the North has the lowest rate of skills mismatch of any OECD economy. Only 9pc of workers do not have the level of skills required for their job.

Very few workers in Northern Ireland reported taking part in training in the last year, and of those that did undertake training of some kind, very few did so for job-related reasons. Workers in Northern Ireland are also found to be significantly less likely to identify training opportunities irrespective of whether they actually take part in them or not.

For firms, the data is equally stark. They are significantly less likely than those in the UK as a whole to have skills shortages or vacancies that cannot be filled due to lack of skills.

Firms are more likely to have trouble retaining staff because of a lack of opportunities for career progression within the firm than because of competition from other employers. They lack systems in place to identify talent and are found to be focused more on purely price competition.

It would appear from these data that workers have little incentive to improve their skills and firms have little appetite for investment, Because these two positions are well-matched, nothing is likely to change.

In order to break out of this skills trap, policy must be focused equally on boosting supply and demand. It is no use launching another programme of upskilling, assisting people to gain skills that will ultimately get them no further in their careers.

Likewise, there is no point lecturing firms about the need to scale up and invest, if the labour market cannot provide the skilled workforce such an effort requires.

The solution to a low skills equilibrium is co-ordination. There needs to be a mechanism whereby firms are incentivised toward investment in innovation and workers are incentivised toward investment in skills. Both of these actions need to happen in tandem.

The UK does not do co-ordination well. Decades of deregulation mean that it does not have the institutional levers to effect this kind of change in the labour market. It also probably goes much of the way towards explaining how Northern Ireland ended up in this situation.

Breaking out of this vicious cycle of low productivity and low skills will therefore require a departure from current economic policy. It can start small, focusing on one industry and a few firms, but a framework needs to be found whereby firms and workers embark on investment together.

Brexit is going to be a mammoth challenge for the Northern Ireland economy, and it is not starting from a position of strength.
Dublin-based Harcourt Developments - whose projects include Belfast's Titanic Quarter - has apparently lost all prospects of pursuing a 100m (114m) claim it has been chasing for years in Jersey against the government there.

More than a decade ago, Harcourt, headed by Pat Doherty, was selected to construct a new financial quarter in Jersey.

But the project was withdrawn by the local government from Harcourt in 2008 after the island's treasury said it had concerns about whether Harcourt would be able to finance the project.

The project was subsequently taken over by The States of Jersey Development Company.

In 2012, Harcourt sued The States of Jersey Development Company and the island's Minister for Treasury and Resources.

Harcourt claimed it lost out on up to 119m in profits it expected to generate from what was to be a landmark regeneration project worth more than 400m.

Harcourt has alleged a breach of duty against the Jersey Development Company and also claimed in court that the minister induced the state company to breach its contract with Harcourt.

But the claim against the minister was struck out in 2014.

Harcourt had the opportunity of subsequently amending its claim and continuing litigation against The States of Jersey Development Company.

However, while it submitted a draft so-called Re-Amended Order of Justice (RAOJ) in November last year, The States of Jersey Development Company opposed it.

In January this year, the court's Greffier, or chief administrative officer, refused Harcourt's application for leave to file the RAOJ and ordered that the claim against The States of Jersey Development Company be struck out. Harcourt then missed a January deadline to appeal that order.

In August this year, Harcourt filed a summons seeking a time extension to appeal the order. The application for leave to appeal was filed two days past a deadline, however.

The court said that there was no acceptable reason presented by Harcourt for the delay and has ordered that an extension not be granted and noted that the claim against The States of Jersey Development Company remained struck out.

The court said Harcourt had displayed "repeated failures" to meet deadlines.
DAA Chairman Padraig O Riordain will step down from the board in mid-January 2018 on the expiry of his current term of office.

Mr O Riordain was appointed daa Chairman in January 2012 by the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar.

He was reappointed in February 2015 by Minister Paschal Donohoe and in July 2016 by Minister Shane Ross.

"It has been a privilege to be daas Chairman over the past six years, and to work alongside the Board, the management, staff and the Department to make daa an even more focussed contributor to all of its stakeholders and in particular to the Irish economy," Mr O Riordain said.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will now begin a formal process to recruit a new Chairman for the company.
The units at the East Road site are subject to planning permission. (Stock photo)

House builder Glenveagh Properties has signed a contract to purchase a two hectare site in Dublins North Docklands with the potential to deliver at least 450 residential units.

The units at the East Road site are subject to planning permission.

While the exact purchase price has not been disclosed it is in excess of 40m.

The terminus stop of the Luas Red Line service is within walking distance of the site, delivering access to Connolly rail station and city centre within six minutes, as is the Docklands Rail Station.

The purchase, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, is Glenveaghs first docklands acquisition.

"This acquisition will give us first mover advantage to deliver a significant number of residential units in Dublins North Docks where there is exciting regeneration potential. This acquisition demonstrates our ability to deploy the equity proceeds from our IPO in a timely fashion," Justin Bickle, Glenveagh co-founder and CEO, said.

Commenting on the announcement Mark Reynolds, director of development & consultancy at Savills Ireland said that securing a site with such scale and in such a central location was a "real rarity" in the Dublin land market.

"The buyer will be able to capitalise on an area undergoing significant change in the north docklands and also to tap into the pent up local demand for residential accommodation both to rent and purchase," Mr Reynolds said.

Set up in August this year Glenveagh already has a contracted employee headcount of 116 and is now active on five construction sites.

Last month Glenveagh announced the acquisition of eleven sites across Ireland which have the potential to support up to 1,319 units.

"We are on course to become a residential delivery platform of scale and look forward to announcing additional site acquisitions in 2018," Mr Bickle said.
AIB ceo Bernard Byrne said the Government should sell more of its remaining 71pc stake in the bailed-out lenders, while market conditions are good.

He was speaking during an appearance in front of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, where hed been called to explain why AIB had been named in the so-called Paradise Papers leak of masses of information about offshore tax structures.

The current value of the remaining stake in the bank, added to the money already recouped from shares sales, plus interest and fees charged to the banks since its bailout would now add up to enough to recoup its 20.8bn bailout cost, he said.

I would encourage, the Government to look at selling off its remaining stake in AIB, Bernard Byrne said.

But, he warned that the current stock price could change for the worse.

I cant tell you what will happen next in terms of valuations, so I would encourage people to look at sell down at this point in time.

Mr Byrne denied that AIB had ever providing tax advice to customers of its offshore operations in the Isle of Man and Jersey.

Clients of the offshore businesses were required to take independent tax and legal advice. The offshore businesses worked with those advisors in full compliance with local and international regulation, to provide a range of products, for example trust structures, that were used for a variety of reasons from estate planning to managing individual and corporate investments, to more basic banking services, he said.

The bank had pulled out of both markets, he said. AIB ceased its trust business in the Isle of Man 14 years ago and sold the Jersey trust business in 2011, TDs and Senators were told.
No. of directly elected female candidates slumps further

For all promises to promote the principle of inclusion in every sector, the country failed to see enough female leaders making into the House of Representatives through the elections under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category.
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Gerald Crotty, chairman of Mayo Renewable Power, at the announcement of the project

An unfinished biomass power plant in Co Mayo into which almost 100m had been ploughed before the company behind it went into liquidation last year, could fetch around 10m after being put up for sale, it is understood.

The plant, which would have generated as much as 42MW of electricity, was to cost up to 200m to build.

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny turned the sod on the facility, which was being built in Killala by US-backed company Mayo Renewable Power.

It's now being sold by Dublin-based asset valuer McKay on instructions of the liquidator of Mayo Renewable Power, Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton. Bids are due by the end of January, but prior offers will also be considered.

The plant, which is about half-finished, could be sold with a view to completion on site, or for shipment to another location.

It was being built on a site formerly used by the Japanese chemicals group Asahi.

The biomass plant was expected to support 300 jobs during construction and up to 130 on completion.

It was due to come on-stream this year.

French firm Veolia had been awarded a 450m, 15-year contract to operate the plant but construction ground to a halt last summer.

At that stage, Mayo Renewable's main backer, US-based private equity group Weichert Enterprises, headed by Gerald Crotty, had spent about 92m on the development of the plant.

Almost 120m in debt facilities had been secured for the project, from lenders including Barclays, Ulster Bank and AIB.

But when an order for a principal component of the facility was cancelled, consent was not secured by the company from Barclays to place an alternative order.

New commercial lending terms were also not secured with AIB and Ulster Bank.

Mayo Renewable Power initially went into examinership, but entered liquidation in November last year.

It had 95m of secured debt, while trade creditors were owed 30m.

Mayo Renewable Power was to be initially supplied by biomass imported from the United States.

It was hoped that local farmers would eventually grow and supply the willow and spruce needed to fuel the plant.
LeEco founder Jia Yueting has been placed on a debt blacklist

Google has said it is opening an artificial intelligence (AI) research centre in China to target the country's local talent, even as the US search firm's products remain blocked in the country.

Google said in a statement the research centre is the first of its kind in Asia and will comprise a small team operating out of its existing office in Beijing.

Chinese policymakers have voiced strong support for AI research and development in the country, but have imposed increasingly strict rules on foreign firms in the past year, including new censorship restrictions.

Google's search engine is banned in the Chinese market along with its app store, email and cloud storage services.

China's cyber regulators say restrictions on foreign media and internet platforms are designed to block influences that contravene stability and socialist ideas.

Meanwhile, the high-profile founder of struggling Chinese tech conglomerate LeEco has been placed on an official blacklist of debt defaulters.

Jia Yueting had his name and ID number splashed on China's defaulter website after failing to satisfy a court order to pay Ping An Securities Group (Holdings) more than 470 million yuan (60.4m), according to a notice dated December 11. Google is one of a group of big technology, industry and power companies which have called on the European Union to set a target for renewables of at least 35pc when EU energy ministers meet next week.

The energy-hungry firms, which also include Amazon, Facebook, Google, IKEA, Microsoft, Philips and Unilever, say an ambitious target would encourage their investment in multi-year wind and solar power supply contracts, known as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

In a letter, the 50 big firms called on EU energy ministers to lift all regulatory barriers to PPAs, to which firms are increasingly turning to source electricity needed for energy-intensive data centres or to run heavy machinery.
South Korea has said it may tax capital gains from cryptocurrency trading as global regulators worried about a bubble, with Australia's central bank chief warning of a 'speculative mania" that has seen the digital asset making rip-roaring gains.

As Bitcoin futures made their world debut on a US stock exchange this week, policy makers have been forced to contend with cryptocurrencies becoming more of a mainstream play and the need to regulate them.

The world's biggest and best known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin BTC=BTSP, surged past $17,000 to new all-time highs this week, marking an almost dizzying 20-fold rise this year and feeding fears of a bubble.

Australia's central bank governor Philip Lowe warned yesterday the fascination with the assets felt like a "speculative mania".

The comments come days after his New Zealand counterpart said Bitcoin appeared to be a "classic case" of a bubble, and cast doubt on its future.

The chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday warned trading and public offerings in the emerging asset class may be in violation of federal securities law.

Digital currencies are very popular across Asia, with many retail investors giving up their daily jobs to trade them full time in countries such as Japan and South Korea, which together make up for more than half the global trading volumes by some estimates.

But the possibility of major losses if the bubble bursts and wild gyrations of 10-30pc in a single day have instilled a sense of urgency among policymakers to come up with a regulatory response.

In Seoul, after an emergency meeting yesterday, South Korea's government said it will consider taxing capital gains from trading of virtual coins and will also ban minors from opening accounts on exchanges, according to a statement obtained by Reuters ahead of its official release.

To be eligible, exchanges in South Korea will need to uphold investor protection rules and disclose all bid and offer quotes.

The measures need parliamentary approval. Seoul will maintain a ban on all financial institutions dealing virtual currencies.

"The regulations in Korea will not have a negative effect," said Thomas Glucksmann, head of marketing at Hong Kong-based exchange Gatecoin, adding that on the contrary, "licensing brings certainty, which encourages already regulated entities ... to get involved in addition to skeptical retail investors". (Reuters)
Uber cars will soon be seen on the streets of Sheffield again. Photo: PA

The northern English city of Sheffield has lifted a suspension on Uber's operating licence after it provided satisfactory answers to questions about the taxi app's management, in a boost to the firm's British operations.

Earlier this month, officials said Uber's licence had been suspended after it failed to respond to queries.

Uber said it had not received the correspondence the council referred to as it had been sent to the wrong address.

Sheffield officials said they had now had "productive discussions" with Uber and are looking into a new licence application submitted by the Silicon Valley firm.

"The new application, made by Uber in October, to operate private hire cars in Sheffield is being considered and a decision will be made in early 2018," the council said in a statement.

An Uber spokesman welcomed the move: "We look forward to continuing to serve tens of thousands of riders and drivers in Sheffield," he said.

On Tuesday, the city of York refused to renew Uber's licence, citing concerns about a data breach and the number of complaints received.

It is the latest setback for the firm which is battling to keep operating in London.

Uber also faces a licence renewal decision in Cambridge next week.

The taxi app's licences are due to expire in Britain's second-biggest city Birmingham and the Scottish capital Edinburgh in early 2018.

Meanwhile, Uber is embracing the taxi industry in Asia, turning some of its former enemies into allies as it tries to win over customers from Bangkok to Tokyo.

The San Francisco-based company said yesterday it will bring Howa's fleet of 4,000 taxis onto its app so customers in the Thai capital can get a quicker and more convenient ride. It's the latest partnership for the world's most valuable startup, which last week struck a deal to sell 51pc of its Singapore car rental unit to taxi operator ComfortDelGro for S$295m in cash.

Uber resumed ride-hailing services in Taiwan in April after facing mounting opposition from local taxi operators and politicians.

Six months later, Uber partnered with three taxi companies to offer uberTAXI in Taipei.

In Japan, where it has achieved little since starting operations about four years ago, the company is overhauling leadership and taking a less combative approach with regulators and taxi operators.

Uber is now "actively seeking" partnerships with Japanese taxi companies, Brooks Entwistle, chief business officer for the Asia Pacific region, said in Tokyo last month.
Gadgets make great gifts. But not always. Here are eight tech devices you should definitely avoid getting loved ones this Christmas.

1 Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless (449)

A long time ago in a galaxy far away, a person known to this reporter gave his girlfriend a Dyson vacuum device for Christmas.

Being young and living in separate apartments, he thought it would be something that would help the young lady and that he was donating something she wouldn't purchase herself. Bad move. A month later, he was on his own. He learned that, as a rule, labour-saving devices are a no-no for any gift-giving occasion.

2 Fitbit Flex 2 tracker (99)

It's easy to see why a Fitbit makes a natural Christmas gift. It's small, innovative and well-priced for a potentially transformative gadget.

But therein lies the rub: it's a bit too transformative, What are you saying if you give one of these to someone who hasn't specifically asked for one?

As good as your intentions may be, it's far too open to the interpretation that you think they 'need' one. That really isn't something you want hanging over the Christmas dinner table.

3 Russell Hobbs Impact drop-proof iron (59)

This way divorce lies. It's conceivable that some may be tempted by this device's ability to withstand a 1.2m (4ft) drop without any adverse consequences, due to its rubberised coating.

But if you really think that this, combined with its three-way auto shut-off feature - which means you're not constantly worrying whether someone left the iron on that morning - makes it gift-worthy, you need relationship help.

4 Philips Hue Starter Kit (65)

Unless someone is a true smarthome nerd, it's hard to see how you'll be thanked for getting someone this.

Yes, it connects to wifi, lets you control the light from your phone and works with other smart gadgets in your home. And true, it only uses nine watts of power despite putting out 60 watts equivalent of light (800 lumens). It even works with Apple's HomeKit and Amazon's Alexa systems. But once again - a light bulb kit? Don't do it.

5 Any kind of television

With apologies for being generic, getting someone a new TV for Christmas is not only a little odd, it's a huge waste of money.

There are only two categories of tech goods that are heavily discounted in the January sales - Windows laptops and televisions.

So that 4K set you thought you were future-proofing your loved one with is guaranteed to be 100 (or more) cheaper in a week's time. Oh, and the now-discounted telly you could have afforded had you waited has HDR, an arguably better TV technology than 4K.

6 Snapchat Spectacles (149)

They were supposed to be the hit product of 2017. Instead, Snapchat's Spectacles ended up being something of a turkey, rejected for being a bit creepy.

The glasses are essentially an adjunct to your Snapchat account, taking photos or recording short videos on a small camera built into the rims. The results can then be posted directly to your feed. Why did they fail to take off? Was it that they weren't available anywhere other than a handful of arty vending machines around the globe?

It's more likely that people are still freaked out by the issue which sank Google Glass - the reactions of friends and acquaintances when they know that you're wearing a pair of glasses that's set to record them at any point. The funky design hasn't been enough to get over this basic hurdle.

7 Google Pixel buds (179)

If you're looking to buy someone premium earphones this Christmas, give these a miss.

The quality is okay, but not at all what you'd expect for this price and certainly not to the level of rivals such as Apple's AirPods. The physical fit in your ears leaves a bit to be desired, too. Besides, the pitch for the Pixel buds isn't as much around audio prowess or ergonomic design as artificial intelligence, particularly Google's Assistant. One might see how this could be a strong feature in the future. For now, most people would prefer optimum earphones for their money.

8 Microsoft Lumia smartphone

A 5.5-inch smartphone for under 250? That may seem like a bargain or even 'perfect for the teenager'.

But think again. Microsoft Lumia phones - which were Nokia Lumia phones for a few years - are effectively dead. As is the Microsoft mobile operating system. Major app developers such as Google, Snapchat and Sky ignored it completely from day one for the apps we use every day. That means if you give one to a teen, they won't be able to communicate with their friends. You'd be wasting your money entirely.
A Cork granny has gone viral after she mistook six glittery purple thongs for Christmas baubles.

The 74-year-old woman's granddaughter was helping to decorate her Christmas tree when she realised her granny's mistake.

Actress Alex Bermingham (@Alex_Bermingham) took to Twitter to share the hilarious tale and it has been retweeted almost 21,000 times and liked 73,000 times.

"My 74 year old grandmother bought Christmas baubles in Dunnes Stores, which I have just realised upon decorating her tree that unbeknownst to her upon purchase, they are in fact, lavender glitter G-strings. Wishing everyone a kinky Christmas this holiday season." she wrote.

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Her gran's response when she revealed the truth is equally hilarious, as revealed by Alex in another tweet:

"She replied with "Jesus Al yer man in the shop must have thought I was very kinky sure I bought six of them. Crying."

The story prompted other Twitter users to share their granny-related anecdotes. One revealed their son was in his granny's one day when he said his lips were chapped and painful and his granny produced some cherry lube to ease them.

Several others joked that Alex's granny knew exactly what she had bought!

Alex is thrilled with the huge reaction to her tweet.

She told Independent.ie, "It's been absolutely crazy! My main goal is to someday work in media whether it's in radio, television or editorial so to have people contact me from different media outlets that I'm obsessed with is phenomenal for me.

"My main tipping point was when Doireann Garrihy posted it on her page as she is my absolute idol and I'm slightly obsessed!"
Paddy farmers hit as floor price announcement delayed

The governments failure to announce the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy this year has forced a large number of farmers to sell their crops at lower rates fixed by traders.
Salma Hayek has accused Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing and threatening to kill her, writing for the first time of the horrors she was subjected to while she was starring in and producing 'Frida'.

Hayek (51) published a harrowing op-ed in 'The New York Times' yesterday, entitled 'Harvey Weinstein is my monster too', detailing the abuse she was subjected to while trying to produce the 2002 biopic of Frida Kahlo.

"Harvey Weinstein was a passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster," Hayek writes. "For years, he was my monster."

After Weinstein, at the peak of his producing power, said yes to the passion project of Hayek - then relatively unknown - she said: "It would become my turn to say no.

"No to opening the door to him at all hours of the night, hotel after hotel, location after location, where he would show up unexpectedly, including one location where I was doing a movie he wasn't even involved with.

"No to me taking a shower with him. No to letting him watch me take a shower. No to letting him give me a massage. No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage.

"No to letting him give me oral sex. No to my getting naked with another woman.

"No, no, no, no, no "

After repeatedly turning him down she said he flew into a terrifying fury, telling her on one occasion: "I will kill you, don't think I can't."

In a statement obtained by Deadline, a spokesperson on behalf of Weinstein said: "Mr Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female co-star and he was not there for the filming.

"However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms. Hayek with Geoffrey Rush. The original uni-brow used was an issue because it diverted attention from the performances. All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."

Hayek also described how Weinstein made a series of increasingly impossible demands for her to fulfil or else he would withdraw his support for the film. She claimed the only reason she avoided being raped by Weinstein was because he knew they had mutual friends in Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney.

Video of the Day

She said she hesitated to tell her story, believing she had made peace with it. She says she now sees that as her own cowardice.

"I had brainwashed myself into thinking that it was over and that I had survived; I hid from the responsibility to speak out with the excuse that enough people were already involved in shining a light on my monster. I didn't consider my voice important, nor did I think it would make a difference," she writes.

"In reality, I was trying to save myself the challenge of explaining several things to my loved ones: why, when I had casually mentioned that I had been bullied like many others by Harvey, I had excluded a couple of details. And why, for so many years, we have been cordial to a man who hurt me so deeply. I had been proud of my capacity for forgiveness, but the mere fact that I was ashamed to describe the details of what I had forgiven made me wonder if that chapter of my life had really been resolved.

"When so many women came forward to describe what Harvey had done to them, I had to confront my cowardice and humbly accept that my story, as important as it was to me, was nothing but a drop in an ocean of sorrow and confusion."

Several women have gone to the police, and authorities in London, New York and Los Angeles are investigating.

On December 6, six women filed a class action suit in New York against Weinstein for sexual harassment.
13 Dec 2017; Boon Redmond, 9, from Stepaside, poses for camera as he arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

One of Dublin's younger Jedi masters, Boon Redmond, was eager to take his seat as he rushed through the doors of the Savoy Cinema.

The nine-year-old from Stepaside was one of hundreds of committed fans eager to see the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise, 'The Last Jedi', last night.

Armed with lightsabers, or dressed as porgs, cinema goers at the Savoy in Dublin discussed whether Domhnall Gleeson, who plays General Hux, might be there.

Sadly he was a no-show but, his father Brendan made a dash through the doors, avoiding the red carpet.

RTE presenter Blathnaid Treacy, 'Moone Boy' actor David Rawle and model Thalia Heffernan were also in attendance.

Transport Minister Shane Ross arrived with his 10-year-old grandson Ed Webb, as did Business Minister Heather Humphreys, while Junior Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran posed beside Stormtroopers.

Expand Close Business Minister Heather Humphreys at the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Dublin. Photo: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Many Irish sci-fi fans were looking forward to seeing the film as Skellig Michael or 'Ahch-To Island' and the Wild Atlantic coastline feature prominently in the movie.

One of the filming locations, Ballyferriter, is holding a Star Wars festival to celebrate the film's release. Feile Star Wars, running December 14-17 includes guided walks on key filming locations Ceann Sibeal and Fearann, with local lore and stories of Ceann Sibeals original warrior poet, Piaras Feirtear.

Expand Close 13 Dec 2017; Minister Shane Ross T.D, arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Whatsapp 13 Dec 2017; Minister Shane Ross T.D, arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Tourism Minister Brendan Griffin said he hoped the Star Wars factor would "ensure that the force will very much be with Irish tourism".
13 Dec 2017; Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

13 Dec 2017; Minister Shane Ross T.D, arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

13 Dec 2017; Boon Redmond, 9, from Stepaside, poses for camera as he arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

One of Dublins younger Jedi masters, Boon Redmond, was eager to take his seat as he rushed through the doors of the Savoy Cinema.

The nine year old from Stepaside was one of hundreds of committed fans eager to see the latest installment in the Star Wars franchise The Last Jedi tonight.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. and Brendan Griffin T.D. arrive for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn Minister Shane Ross T.D, arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn 13 Dec 2017; Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Whatsapp Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Armed with light sabres, or dressed as Porgs, cinema goers in the Savoy Cinema in Dublin discussed whether Domhnall Gleeson, who plays General Huxwould be there.

Sadly he was a no-show but, his father Brendan dashed through the doors avoiding the red carpet.

Expand Close Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Whatsapp Kevin 'Boxer' Moran T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

RTE presenter Blathnaid Treacy, Moone Boy actor David Rawle and model Thalia Heffernan were also in attendance.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross, arrived with his ten year old grandson Ed Webb, as did Heather Humphreys while Kevin 'Boxer' Moran posed beside Stormtroopers.

Expand Close 13 Dec 2017; Minister Shane Ross T.D, arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Whatsapp 13 Dec 2017; Minister Shane Ross T.D, arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Many Irish sci-fi fans were looking forward to seeing the film as Skellig Michael or Ahch-To Island and the Wild Atlantic coastline feature prominently in the movie.

One of the filming locations, Ballyferriter, is holding a Star Wars festival to celebrate the movie's release. Feile Star Wars, includes guided walks at Ceann Sibeal and Fearann, where fans can exchange Jedi theory with a local poet, Piaras Feirtear.

Expand Close 13 Dec 2017; Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn / Facebook

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Whatsapp 13 Dec 2017; Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. arrives for the Irish premiere of Star Wars: The Las Jedi. Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

There is also a porg making pottery class, costume display and a Jedi training class.

Minister of State for Tourism, Brendan Griffin says he hopes the Star Wars factor will ensure that the force will very much be with Irish tourism.

The next film in the franchise, tentatively titled Star Wars: Episode IX, is scheduled for release in December 2019.

Following the events of the previous film The Force Awakens, the latest installment sees Rey (Daisy Ridley) begin her Jedi training with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as the resistance prepares to continue on the fight against the villainous First Order.

Video of the Day

Director Rian Johnson said it was important to have a diverse cast working on the film.

It felt right... for Star Wars to reflect the world a little more closely as it looks around us - all movies are trying to do that more and more, and that is nothing but a good thing.

Asked if a woman or person of colour should direct the next instalment Johnson said hell yes its time.
Musician, singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys Al Jardine performs on stage with Brian Wilson at ACL Live on May 13, 2017 in Austin, Texas. / AFP PHOTO / SUZANNE CORDEIRO (Photo credit should read SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images)

At least 60 music fans were left disappointed and out of pocket last week when they were refused entry to concerts with invalid tickets.

Concert promoters Aiken are warning fans to be aware of ticket scams.

People are now more likely to be duped into purchasing fake tickets from secondary websites.

A number of fans were turned away from the ZZ Top and Brian Wilson concerts last weekend.

Expand Close Musician, singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys Al Jardine performs on stage with Brian Wilson at ACL Live on May 13, 2017 in Austin, Texas. / AFP PHOTO / SUZANNE CORDEIRO (Photo credit should read SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Musician, singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys Al Jardine performs on stage with Brian Wilson at ACL Live on May 13, 2017 in Austin, Texas. / AFP PHOTO / SUZANNE CORDEIRO (Photo credit should read SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images)

One music fan had paid almost 1,000 for two tickets to see Beach Boys legend Wilson perform at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. The tickets did not exist.

Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions said the fan "went mental" when he could not gain entry to the venue.

The promoters were unable to accommodate him as tickets to the concert had sold out weeks beforehand.

Mr Aiken is now warning fans to be wary when purchasing tickets from secondary websites after he witnessed first-hand people being turned away from his concerts.

He said: At ZZ Top on Friday, at least 60 people turned up at the venue who had bought tickets through secondary websites. These tickets were not valid which caused distress and disappointment to these fans.

"Unfortunately it is not likely these people will get the money they paid refunded.

He added: "As a promoter, it is extremely frustrating to see people being exploited like this and I would like to emphasise once again that fans should not purchase tickets from any secondary sellers."

In July, a young U2 fan and her dad were left devastated outside Croke Park on Saturday night when their tickets for U2's gig proved to be fake.

Video of the Day

Aimee Keaveney (22) and her dad Sean, from Manchester, flew in to Dublin on Friday night ahead of the Dublin band's homecoming Joshua Tree Tour 2017 show.

They failed to bag tickets via Ticketmaster but managed to secure two tickets, at the hefty price of 400 (446) each, from Viagogo, an online ticket marketplace.

"My dad paid a great deal of money for these tickets and worked hard to pay for them as he loved the Joshua Tree album and we were looking forward to it for ages," she said. "We really wanted to go."

However, when Aimee and her dad arrived at Croke Park and had their tickets scanned they were told the tickets had already been used 30 minutes previously.

Aimee claimed there were "hundreds" of other people who had also been sold fake tickets from various sources stranded outside the venue.

"We were all just sent to the same spot to stand and be told there was nothing that could be done as the show was a complete sell out," she says.

"My dad and I met a group of three in the same position as us - two women and a man. They had flown all the way from India to be at the gig and their tickets were fake too."
BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Grant-Lee Phillips performs during a concert at Frannz Club on March 26, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Adam Berry/Redferns via Getty Images)

Aiken Promotions are urging fans to be vigilant when buying gig tickets online.

The Irish promoters, who handle some of the biggest shows in the country from Alanis Morissette to the Live at the Marquee concerts, have issued a statement cautioning fans to be aware of fake tickets and gigs on secondary websites.

"We have been made aware of numerous customers duped into buying fraudulent tickets and non-existent shows from secondary sites," reads the statement.

"Aiken Promotions advise ticket purchasers to be vigilant when booking online during this busy festive season."

Among the measures they recommend for purchasing tickets online is to ensure fans buy tickets from the official ticket seller, which is Ticketmaster.

Also, they add, "Customers when searching online for show tickets should be aware that the first option from search engines is unlikely to be an official ticketing website."

Tickets bought from secondary sites are also being sold at "highly inflated prices".

In some instances, secondary sites are "advising people that shows are sold out when tickets are readily available through Ticketmaster".

Aiken have also flagged a fake gig on online ticket marktplace Viagogo:

"Tickets are being listed for sale on Viagogo for Grant Lee Phillips on 31 March 2018 at Whelans (as per the screenshot below). This show does not exist, there is no such date in place for Grant Lee Phillips at Whelans. Be Vigilant."

Aiken reveal they have had a "growing number of disappointed fans arriving at shows who have purchased via secondary ticketing sites being refused entry as their purchases were fraudulent, tickets were not valid for entry, or non-delivery of tickets".

Video of the Day

They add that "in most cases there were tickets available for sale at all times via Ticketmaster".

In August this year, according to Peter Aiken, 'at least 60' fans were turned away from the ZZ Top and Brian Wilson concerts after buying tickets that did not exist.

In July a young U2 fan and her dad were left devastated outside Croke Park when their tickets for the tour, purchased via a secondary site, proved to be fake.
TDs and Senators on the cross-party committee voted 14 to 6 to recommend that the amendment - which gives equal status to the life of the mother and her unborn baby - be removed from the constitution.

The committee on the Eighth Amendment has signed off on its final report proposing a radically more liberal abortion regime, with chairperson Catherine Noone saying its the "Irish people who will ultimately be the decision makers on this".

While three pro-life members are boycotting the report, all of the remaining 18 members are behind the document recommending a repeal of the Eighth Amendment and unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy.

Due to be published next Wednesday, its recommendations are set to influence the terms of a referendum that is to be put to the people next year.

But Taoiseach Leo Varadkar refused to be drawn on whether or not he will campaign in support of the recommendations in a referendum campaign.

"Thats really to be decided," he said, adding: "Ill be doing my best to make sure the debate that we have is respectful and civilised and I think thats very important."

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said his party will facilitate a referendum on the Eighth Amendment, but he is still considering his own views on the issues involved.

He said he believes "there needs be movement on the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities" and victims of rape or incest should not be "forced to proceed with a pregnancy against their will". He said he will "give a more considered view on the committees recommendations in the new year".

Three committee members  Independent Mattie McGrath, Fine Gaels Peter Fitzpatrick and Senator Ronan Mullen  are boycotting the report. They claim the process was "unacceptably flawed" leading to "cruel and unjust recommendations" that strip unborn children of legal protection.

They will publish their own minority report.

Sinn Feins three committee members did sign off on the report, despite abstaining in the vote on the 12-week limit as it goes further than the partys position on the matter.

A party spokesman said they are satisfied the report reflects its policy "insofar as possible" and areas they dont agree will be noted in the document.

Ms Noone said the committees work had been a "very challenging experience" but had shown how effective the format could be on "this most divisive issue".

A draft report recommends that the controversial 1983 Eighth Amendment be repealed. It recommends that terminations should be lawful where the life of the woman or her health is at risk.

It says that in such cases gestational limits should be guided by medical evidence, with assessments made by at least two specialist doctors.

Due to the difficulty of legislating for cases of rape and incest, the committee recommends that unrestricted access to abortions be allowed up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy.

It also recommends terminations be allowed in cases of fatal foetal abnormality likely to result in death before or shortly after birth and recommends there be no criminal sanctions for women who have abortions.

Sources said there are subtle differences in language in the final report, but no major changes.

In the Dail, Tanaiste Simon Coveney reiterated the Governments intention to have a referendum as early as May.

Solidarity TD Paul Murphy called the committees outcome a victory for those who fought over decades for a womans right to choose. But Mr Coveney said it would be helpful if people were not declaring victories, adding that the debate will "divide households".
THE case against a Dublin man charged with unlawfully killing a retired garda at a house in the west of the city has been adjourned for a pathologist's report to be prepared.

Ronan Byrne (27), who is accused of killing James (Seamus) Marren (54), is awaiting a book of evidence but a court heard the book was not ready yet and the prosecution sought more time for a pathologist's report.

Judge David McHugh remanded the accused on continuing bail, to appear in Blanchardstown District Court again next March.

Mr Byrne, with an address at Lohunda Downs, Clonsilla, is charged with unlawfully killing Mr Marren on a date unknown between October 26 and October 31, 2013.

The offence, contrary to Common Law, is alleged to have happened at the accused's home address.

Mr Byrne has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge.

The case was before the court today for a book of evidence to be served on the accused. State Solicitor Orla Farrell said it was not ready.

She said the pathologist who originally prepared a report was no longer available and the prosecution needed to engage a new pathologist.

She asked Judge McHugh for more time for the book of evidence.

Defence barrister Jennifer Jackson said the case had been before the court for quite some time and the accused was required to sign on three times per week under bail conditions.

She was seeking a reduction in signing on requirement.

Judge McHugh said while it was a most serious charge, it dated back to 2013 and let the case stand in the day's court list to allow Ms Farrell consult the prosecuting garda.

When it was called again, Ms Farrell said she was unable to make contact with the garda and the judge adjourned the case to a date in March.

The case came before the court for the first time in August this year and the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment.

This means it will be sent to a higher court when the book of evidence is ready.

Former Garda Marren previously served at Cabra, Clontarf, Bridewell and Monaghan town garda stations, before his retirement in 2011.

Mr Marren had spent a short time assigned to Aras an Uachtarain in the Phoenix Park.
Prosecutors are seeking increased prison sentences for two men involved in a fatal burglary at the home of a 62-year-old.

Cousins Michael Casey (34), with an address at Clonlong Halting Site, Southill, in Limerick and David Casey (22), with an address at Carragh Park, Belcamp, Dublin 17, had pleaded guilty to a series of burglaries, including one at the home of John O'Donoghue at Toomaline, Doon, on August 27, 2015.

Mr O'Donoghue collapsed and died as he was about to confront the two intruders, who ran away without offering assistance.

Judge Tom O'Donnell sentenced both men at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to four-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final year suspended on December 15, 2016.

The Director of Public Prosecutions are seeking a review of the men's sentences on grounds that they were unduly lenient. The three-judge Court of Appeal reserved its judgment.

Counsel for the DPP, Thomas O'Malley BL, submitted today that the sentence was too low for the burglary of the O'Donoghue household when one considered the harm that was caused in that particular case.

Mr O'Malley said there was a second victim to consider - Mr O'Donoghue's surviving sister - who had to watch her brother drop dead in front of the family home as he was about to confront the two intruders.

Of course they didn't for a moment intend to harm anybody, Mr O'Malley said, but they had to take their victim as they found him.

He said offenders who engage in residential burglary must take account of the fact they might disturb somebody and that this kind of thing can happen. Somebody could become ill or die as a result of the fright

There was an inherent risk in burglary and there had to be a punishment that reflected that harm, he submitted.

He said David Casey was on bail at the time the burglaries were committed and the sentencing judge did not allude to that in his sentencing remarks.

Mr O'Malley said the sentencing judge failed to specify the headline sentence before making appropriate adjustments for any personal circumstances of the accused.

He said headline sentences function to send out a message, to censure the criminal conduct involved, and were important for general deterrence. This kind of repeated residential burglary was conduct that is the cause of tremendous public concern at the present time.

He said the offences were not committed impulsively or opportunistically but the Caseys had selected and targeted four different dwellings as part of a burglary spree on the same day.

Mr O'Malley said one of the houses was ransacked and inadequate attention was given to that aggravating feature by the sentencing judge.

He said the thrashing of a home added to the trauma and distress suffered by the homeowners. There can be few greater traumas than going home and finding your home thrashed.

Mr O'Malley said it was important to clarify that these were dwellings because of the constitutional protection that is afforded to the dwelling. He said the offences were a constitutional violation perpetrated by private parties and the state's role was to vindicate that right.

He said the Caseys satisfied themselves up to a point that the houses were unoccupied but they didn't deserve any credit for choosing to enter houses that were unoccupied at the time.

Consecutive sentences would not have been unreasonable and if not, then the sentence for the most serious offence - involving the death of Mr O'Donoghue - should have been higher, Mr O'Malley submitted.

Counsel for David Casey, Michael Bowman SC, said what happened after the incident couldn't aggravate the offence and there was no evidence the cousins deliberately walked past Mr O'Donoghue as he was having a fit or a heart attack.

Mr Bowman said David Casey was 20 at the time of the offence He had his own personal difficulties and appeared to have progressed significantly while in custody.

Counsel for Michael Casey, Vincent Heneghan SC, said the final year of the sentences were suspended on condition both cousins be of good behaviour for six years from the date of sentence. That indicated that the Circuit Court judge had measured the gravity of the offences that were before him, he submitted.

Mr Heneghan said the Circuit Court judge did not hand sentence down there and then but adjourned the case to consider all aspects.

He said the judge did not miss a thing save for the headline sentence and he clearly started much higher than where he ended up having regard to mitigation for the guilty plea, remorse and admissions.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court hoped to have a decision, if not a judgment in the case, on Monday.

Before the appeal hearing commenced, Mr Justice Birmingham said he would be asking the registrar of the court to write to the Irish Prison Service expressing the court's disappointment with prisoners being made available to court on time.

Mr Justice Birmingham said the court appreciated the prison service had their own difficulties but when an appeal listed for 10.30am commences at 12.10pm it requires explanation.

This really is a major difficulty, the judge said.

On an earlier occasion, prosecuting counsel, John G O'Sullivan BL, referred to the case as a fatal burglary.
A man has gone on trial charged with sexually assaulting a worker at a bar on the dance floor of a late-night venue.

Donal Geoghegan (37), of Oakdale Park, Ballycullen, Dublin, pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on November 21, 2015.

Opening the case yesterday, Lisa Dempsey BL told the jury that it was alleged Mr Geoghegan touched the woman in the groin area "outside of her clothing" as she walked past him on the dance floor.

The court heard the woman (22) was "repulsed" and reported the incident to security staff.

The jury heard that the head of security at the venue and the general manager then spoke to Mr Geoghegan, who declined to provide them with personal details and made no admissions in relation to the incident.

The defendant was then asked to leave the premises by the management.

Giving evidence, the complainant, who was 20 at the time of the incident, said she was in the process of cleaning up and was carrying glasses as she walked across the dance floor.

"I felt a hand coming on to the pocket area at the top of my thigh," she said.

She went on to tell the court she then turned around and yelled and cursed at the man.

Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, said that it was Mr Geoghegan's contention that the woman was not touched by him, and that in the event that she was it was unintentional.

The trial continues before Judge Cormac Quinn.
Pancheshwar to spend Rs19.4b to cut impacts

The cost of minimising the environmental and social impacts caused by the construction of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is estimated to amount to Rs19.4 billion,
Last week, this column looked at the difference between Level 8 and Level 7 qualifications. Applicants can use the CAO form to apply for qualifications at both these levels. The CAO form contains two preference lists: one list for Level 8 courses and one for Level 7/6 courses. Applicants may list up to 10 courses on each list.

Level 8 courses are honours degree, Level 7 courses are ordinary degree, while a Level 6 is a higher certificate. Having examined Level 8 and Level 7 in some detail in last week's column, this week we will look at level 6.

Level 6

These programmes are usually two years in duration. Level 6 courses on the CAO are generally available in institutes of technology and private colleges.

Another way to gain a Level 6 qualification is in a further education college, where they are commonly referred to as Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. Students may use this qualification as a basis for entry to higher education.

Among the advantages of Level 6 is that it is a valuable qualification in its own right that can lead directly to employment, or it can be a platform for progressing to Level 7/8 courses on lower entry requirements and lower points.

It can benefit both students who are unsure of committing to a four-year course, as well as students who are interested in an area of study for which they will struggle to meet the entry requirements or points.

For a CAO Level 6 course, Leaving Cert students must meet minimum entry requirements, including any essential subjects, and then compete with other applicants on the basis of points. The minimum entry requirements for Level 6 are five ordinary level 'passes' - ie. minimum five H7/O6. CAO cut-off points in 2017 for Level 6 courses ranged from AQA (all qualified applicants) to approximately 360 points. Entry to a further education college does not depend on points.

Many Level 6 courses allow students to take 'add on' years in order to achieve a Level 8 (honours degree) qualification. This means students can commit to two years of study to gain a Level 6 qualification with the knowledge that, if they are interested in pursuing a degree, they can remain in the same college for one or two more years in order to achieve a Level 7 or Level 8. Entry to these 'add on' years is based on the grade a student achieves. College admissions offices and course departments can advise potential applicants on the specific grade that will be required to move beyond Level 6.

In order to check if a particular Level 6 course has 'add on' years to achieve a higher qualification, applicants should consult the CAO handbook.

If the course offers an 'add on' year, the third column of the handbook will contain the letters 'HC+DG+HD' or 'HC +DG'. HC indicates that the course is a higher certificate, +DG indicates that a one year 'add on' to achieve a degree is available while +HD indicates that a path to an honours degree is available.

Aoife Walsh is a guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin
Only 169 of the country's 2,706 hospital consultants devote their entire work to exclusively treating public patients - all the others have rights to private practice, it emerged yesterday.

The small number of consultants who are exclusive to public hospitals comes amid escalating waiting lists and delays for surgery or an outpatient appointment.

However, the HSE admitted it does not have data on consultants who can treat fee-paying patients.

Neither the HSE nor the Department of Health explained why it is only now - almost a decade after the consultants' contract started - that some united effort is being made to ensure public patients are not being short-changed.

Officials were before the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer allegations that some consultants are devoting too much time to private practice at the expense of public patients.

HSE director of acute hospitals Liam Woods said most consultants have a contract that allows them to do private practice in the public hospital where they work.

Another 748 are free to top-up their income in an outside private hospital also.

Nationally, public patients make up more than 80pc of those treated in public hospitals in keeping with the agreed ratio, he added.

He insisted it was up to the hospital groups to monitor consultants' private practice because of the various complexities involved.

A recent RTE 'Prime Time Investigates' programme found a minority of consultants were breaching their contracts in some hospitals.

Consultants who treat too many private patients should be fined and pay money towards a research fund.

But no figures could be provided to the committee yesterday to show the extent to which this sanction has been imposed.

Colette Cowan, chief executive of the University of Limerick Hospital Group, said she has had to speak to a number of consultants about their ratio of public to private patients. "I am aware of the movement of all my consultants," she said. There are monthly reports and there can be "skin and hair" flying when they are read.

One doctor was asked to pay money into the research fund in the past, but since she took over four years ago she had not had to call on that sanction.

"I find when you address the individual about their ratio, they look at it and address it. That's a difficult conversation because I have to ensure all patients, public and private, get care in our hospitals."

Addressing the committee, Dr Peadar Gilligan, of the Irish Medical Organisation, said the position of the union is clear that "contracts must be upheld".

The 'Prime Time' programme presented "several extreme examples of alleged non-compliance" and suggested this just referred to a "significant minority".

The majority of consultants are working well beyond their contracted hours, he added.

Hospitals don't just have to tell consultants not to treat too many private patients, but at the same time generate private income and meet a target they have been set.

Dr Tom Ryan, of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, said more than 80pc of patients admitted to public hospitals come through A&Es, and given that 45pc of the population is insured the flow of many private patients is outside the hospital's control.

Chairman of the committee Dr Michael Harty, a GP in Clare, said he was concerned at queue-jumping where patients were paying privately for a specialist consultation in order to fast-track their place on a public queue for surgery.
The family of a young teacher who is currently on life-support in a Dubai hospital has raised over 90,000 following an online campaign to "bring Aisling home".

Aisling Brady (26) from Trim, Co Meath suffered three seizures, three cardiac arrests and a stroke as a result of a pulmonary embolism.

She has been in hospital in the UAE since November 27.

The physics and maths teacher fainted at her school, hit her head on the floor and was knocked out for around three minutes.

Expand Close Aisling Brady with her parents Terry and Antoinette Picture: GoFundMe / Facebook

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After being put in an ambulance and quickly transported to hospital, she then suffered three seizures, three cardiac arrests and a stroke.

As of today, the family has raised 87,229 after setting a goal of 80,000 goal.

More than 1,000 people had made donations via Go Fund Me. The fundraising campaign was set up by Aisling's boyfriend Kristian Mansfield, who she met in England while on a trip away in Swindon visiting a friend.

Aisling's mother, Antoinette Brady, explained that Aisling suffered a pulmonary embolism which had formed in her leg over a long period of time, eventually causing clots to travel to her heart, lungs and brain.

Speaking to Independent.ie, Mrs Brady said every day since then has been a positive as they were initially given "no hope".

"She is the fittest person in the world. She is seriously into her sport, her gym, she plays rugby out here in Dubai and she is a very healthy eater, and we think that is what is helping her to keep on fighting," she said.

"We received a call at half-five in the morning while back in Ireland and we had to try keep our heads, book the flights and at the same time comprehend what happened to our beautiful daughter."

Mrs Brady said if the ambulance had arrived a minute later, she doesn't think Aisling would have made it.

She is extremely thankful for the "wonderful" support they've received from her daughter's school and the hospital where she's being treated.

Aisling moved to the UAE in 2016 and has travelled on a number of long-haul flights this year, which doctors believe may have worsened the pulmonary embolism.

"She arrived home in April and surprised us, she just arrived at the door out of nowhere and that was absolutely fabulous. Then we had a family wedding in Connecticut and she also went to Bali with her friends in August - she loves to travel."

Mrs Brady said Aisling had been complaining of a pain in her leg and had visited doctors, but unfortunately the problem wasn't picked up.

The Brady family is now trying to raise the necessary funds to bring Aisling home to Ireland.

She will need to travel by air ambulance which is not covered by her medical insurance. The jet will need to fly at a much lower altitude and will essentially be a "hospital in the sky".

A cardiac specialist, neuro specialist, a doctor and nurses will need to travel on board.

"Because of the different complications, there were so many fireballs thrown at her. Trying to get her home in a safe way is going to be complicated, but we're hopeful we can do it.

"I want to raise awareness and warn people going away to work abroad that you should check your medical insurance, nobody tends to check these things as you never think you will need it.

"Aisling has everything on her side, and we are so grateful she is still with us. We are hoping she will become fully conscious in the next few days."

Aisling's boyfriend Kristian praised her "fighting" spirit.

"Everybody that knows Aisling understands she is resilient, driven, stubborn and tenacious and she will not settle for anything less than getting her life back up to speed," he wrote.

"With the right help and support, there is every hope we can together get her back to her loving and caring self. She has left huge footprints in the world, on our lives, let's make sure she can keep doing that."

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.
Gardai have arrested two people in Dublin following an aggravated burglary in Terenure.

Two balaclava-wearing raiders gained entry to a house by smashing a downstairs window and threatening a "vulnerable" man in his 60s at around 10.30pm on Tuesday.

Gardai report that during the course of the night the injured party was taken to an ATM and forced to withdraw a sum of money.

On Wednesday morning he was taken from his home to a bank and forced to withdraw a substantial sum of money.

It is believed more than 15,000 was stolen from the man.

Today, residents living in the vicinity expressed shock and dismay at the serious crime committed in their midst.

A number of residents said they had been unaware that the incident and happened and they were alarmed at the nature of the crime.

The neighbours live in a gated community that can only be accessed with a PIN number panel on the entrance gate.

A 64-year-old woman said "I'm really surprised something like this has happened here.

"People usually feel very safe living here because of the locked gates.

"I really hope that the victim will recover as quickly as possible.

"It's a terrible thing to happen to anybody," she said.

The area is a very quiet residential area which has many mature trees and green spaces.

There are a number of security measures in place in the area, including a private CCTV camera. The properties are a mix of owner-occupied and tenanted dwellings.

A 27-year-old male and 24-year-old female were arrested in connection with the investigation in Dublin city centre yesterday evening following the search of a house.

They are being questioned under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

A substantial sum of cash has also been recovered.

Gardai say investigations are ongoing.
The Policing Authority has slapped down An Garda Siochana over its year-long failure to produce a new policy on the use of personal Gmail accounts by senior officers, the Irish Independent can reveal.

One of the force's most senior civilians is in the spotlight after a statement at an Oireachtas committee earlier this month was contradicted by the authority.

In a statement to this newspaper, the authority said it is "disappointed" Garda management has yet to overhaul its strategy on the back of the controversy that engulfed former commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan.

Ms O'Sullivan, who stepped down from the force earlier this year, was criticised after it emerged she used a personal Gmail account to send official Garda correspondence.

But the controversy deepened last night after the authority, led by Josephine Feehily, appeared to contradict evidence provided to the Oireachtas Justice Committee earlier this month by the force's chief administrative office Joe Nugent.

Mr Nugent told the committee that management failed to provide a written report on the use of the Gmail account by Ms O'Sullivan. The report itself was requested by the Policing Authority at a meeting with management in December 2016.

The authority requested the report "in relation to the email issue mentioned, including some sense of the volumes of traffic on official devices, the scale of usage, content risk and how assurance on mitigation of this risk is provided".

But Mr Nugent - who examined the use of the Gmail account by Ms O'Sullivan - told TDs and senators at the committee earlier this month that no report was provided. He instead told the committee that a verbal report was given.

Read More

But in a statement to the Irish Independent, the Policing Authority contradicted this claim, saying it received a short report. "Consequent to the detailed discussions at the authority's meeting in public in November 2016, regarding email/ICT usage and security, a short report was received from the Garda Siochana on 25 January 2017, just in advance of the authority's meeting," the statement said.

It's understood members of the committee, as well as Labour TD Alan Kelly, will now seek for Mr Nugent to clarify his evidence. The Garda press office did not respond to a request for comment last night.

But the authority went further, criticising the force.

"The Garda commissioner was requested to provide detailed timelines for the publication of a new email policy and for the implementation of certain technical solutions identified in the report," it said in a statement.

"The authority is disappointed that the new email policy has not yet been published by the Garda Siochana, and it continues to press for this to be done," the statement added.
Three months of often unhinged hearings culminated in several historic votes at the Oireachtas Committee on Abortion.

Since September, for several hours every Wednesday, the abortion committee responsible for examining the results of the Citizens' Assembly heard from over 20 witnesses.

Each was invited to speak on the basis of their professional and/or academic relationship to women's health or abortion legislation.

Given the emotive nature of the subject, hearings were regularly interrupted by members on either side objecting to commentary or statements made by witnesses or TDs and senators themselves.

Those deeply opposed to repealing the Eighth Amendment, including pro-life Senator Ronan Mullen, claimed the arrangement was "deeply biased" due to the fact most of the expert witnesses supported a change to the law.

However, committee chair Catherine Noone has defended the system saying witnesses were only invited if they were deemed "experts" and their credibility highly dependable.

Of those who gave evidence Professor Fergal Malone, Master of Rotunda Hospital, rejected being classed as either pro-life or pro-choice, and Professor Rhona Mahony, Master of Holles Street, and Professor Peter Boylan, former master of The Coombe, are not pro-choice activists.

They are clinicians at the frontline on the matter of women's healthcare in Ireland. Notwithstanding some of the disruptions along the way, the voting process at yesterday's six-hour meeting was undertaken mostly in full view of the public with an open ballot.

Read More

The committee not only voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment, but a large majority of members voted to allow access to abortion without restriction for up to 12 weeks' gestation.

The reason for this was twofold according to those in Fianna Fail who proposed it.

Firstly, this situation ensures women who have been raped or are victims of incest have access to an abortion without having to somehow "prove" themselves.

Medical experts explained to the committee there is no physiological exam to prove rape and any cross-examination of a woman in this case would be cruel and traumatic.

In the event of a court case ensuing an abortion could be used in evidence against an alleged perpetrator; inhibiting the right to a fair trial.

There was also an acknowledgement that the use of abortion pills is already widespread, but unregulated in Ireland and allowing this continue unlicensed would be irresponsible.

For TDs sitting in conservative parties like Fine Gael and Fianna Fail - the latter of which reaffirmed its objection to changing the Eighth Amendment at its last Ard Fheis - voting this way was brave. Abortion is a hugely divisive matter.

Nonetheless the Government has decided it requires attention and a referendum on the matter is the only way to settle the issue, at least for a generation.

The committee will publish its full report on all of its votes on December 20.

It will recommend key areas to address for when the Oireachtas decides what question will be put to the people in a referendum.
Brexit tops the agenda as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar attends a two-day EU leaders summit in Brussels.

But what is an EU summit?

John Downing tells you the 10 things you need to know:

1. EU leaders began regular summit meetings in the mid-1970s. Originally they were fire-side chats to chart a vision of Europes future. Soon the meetings were trying to resolve crises.

2. The EU state holding the rotating six-month presidency usually hosted the summit. That changed as more countries joined. Since 2004 summits outside the EU capital, Brussels, are very rare.

3. Dublin hosted EU summits eight times: twice in 1975 chaired by the late Liam Cosgrave; in 1979 chaired by the late Jack Lynch, in 1984 chaired by Garret FitzGerald; twice in 1990 chaired by Charlie Haughey, and two in 1996 chaired by John Bruton.

4. Early on there were only two summits per year. But as the EU developed more policies more summits were needed to break deadlock on certain issues. Nowadays, the EU leaders have four summits per year.

5. Some big ticket EU items were debated at summits in Dublin Castle. In 1979, new UK Premier Maggie Thatcher, held tough on demands that her government pay less into Brussels coffers.

6. There was good news for Charlie Haughey as he presided over an EU summit in 1990 which ended partition. The bad news that it was the partition of Germany. But Mr Haugheys handling of affairs earned the gratitude of EU colossus Helmut Kohl of Germany.

7. Even after EU summits were moved to Brussels, the chairmanship, grandly called president stayed with the country holding the six-month presidency. But since the 2009 EU Lisbon Treaty was passed the summits now have a permanent chairman.

8. Former Polish Premier, Donald Tusk, is the current chairman. He likes to quote pop songs to popularise his message. His term of office is up for grabs in late 2019.

9. Like the rest of the EU, French was the dominant language around summits until the mid-1990s though transaltion is always provided. A series of enlargements from after 1995, gave English, the global business language, a huge boost. Even after the departure of the UK in 2019, that position will probably continue. Once UK leaves, only Malta and Ireland will cite English as an official language.

10. Summits usually last two days and are often broken up into several parts. This summit is a three-parter: Firstly, all 28 EU leaders  including UK Premier Theresa May  will attend. Then Mrs May will leave and the remaining 27 will take some decisions on Brexit. Finally the 19 leaders which form part of the EU single currency, the euro, will hold a special meeting.
The party is over

If the scale and depth of the current defeat doesnt wake up the NC, what will
A group representing wine importers and distributors has warned that proposed new labels for bottles will drive up prices and reduce choice for Irish wine drinkers.

The warning, from the Irish Wine Association (IWA), comes the day before the Alcohol Bill is due before the Seanad.

The long-delayed Public Health Alcohol is set to see cans of beer doubling in price and that a standard bottle of wine would cost a minimum of at least 7.50 due to minimum pricing legislation.

A less discussed aspect of the bill is a proposal for mandatory cancer warnings on all alcohol bottles sold in Ireland.

Jim Bradley, chair of the IWA, said he had "never witnessed a Government attempting to introduce such a damaging piece of legislation".

The IWA claim that the new labels will require 'Ireland only' labels to be produced, driving up business costs and possibly reducing the number of producers exporting to Ireland.

The legislation has been widely supported by medical professionals.

Health Minister Simon Harris has described the bill as "a very important piece of public health legislation".

It was first proposed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in 2015 when he was Health Minister.

The proposed law also deals with issue including sponsorship and advertising and how alcohol products are displayed.
The organiser of a campaign in aid of St Vincent de Paul is asking people to give up a fiver to help homeless families have a Christmas this year.

Sarah Dunne is asking people to help homeless families this Christmas by donating a fiver in a viral charity campaign.

To get involved you just need to nominate five friends to give up the price of a coffee, a pint or their afternoon treat and donate that money (a fiver) to St Vincent de Paul.

Each nominated friend then selects five more friends via social media for the #5GiveAFiver campaign.

The charity hopes to reach the 10k target before January 1, 2018.

The homeless crisis is getting worse, and it's hard to see how or when it can end. Giving up a fiver won't end homelessness but it will make a difference, we proved this last year," organiser Sarah Dunne said in a statement.

"Last year members of the public were exceptionally supportive, raising almost 3,000 in under 24 hours. We need to talk about homelessness and take action. Homelessness is not normal."

We wanted to do something transparent and simple and most importantly we wanted to ensure 100 percent of donations were going straight to the charity. The money that is donated to SVP isnt just for Christmas, they help year round in more ways than you can imagine.

For more information visit www.svp.ie/5giveafiver.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reaffirmed his commitment to double the funding of arts and culture during a speech at the Creative Ireland Forum at Dublin Castle.

Mr Varadkar, along with a host of Government ministers, spoke about a cross-departmental approach to creativity in the country as part of a programme that will span between 2017 and 2022.

Expand Close Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan speaking at the Creative Ireland Forum in Dublin Castle / Facebook

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Whatsapp Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan speaking at the Creative Ireland Forum in Dublin Castle

EU Commissioner for Culture Tibor Navracsics was also in attendance to launch the European Year of Culture Heritage for Ireland in 2018.

He said the funding increase into arts, culture and sport would be introduced across a seven-year period.

"The Creative Ireland Programme creates a space for us to think deeply and imaginatively about the future, about how we can realise our full potential as individuals and as a society," Mr Varadkar said.

"It's all very well to have aspirations and dreams, we also need resources and investment. I have already given a commitment that, over a seven-year period, our expenditure on culture, arts and sport will double. That is a commitment I want to repeat here today."

Director of the Collapsing Horse Theatre Company Dan Colley insisted that despite Ireland having a wealth of artists and poets, more money needed to come into the creative arts for it to thrive.

He said he envisaged the prospect of Ireland becoming the "Qatar of Creativity".

"We are not, by international standards, very good at investing in creativity. Think then of the potential that could be released if we were," Mr Colley said.

"We made worryingly little progress in Budget 18 and the Taoiseach's ambition to double our investment in arts and culture.

"Think what we could do if we became a world leader in investing in creativity.

"I'd like us to be the Qatar of creativity. I'd like our schools to be overflowing in the stuff, buzzing with the busyness of putting on plays of telling stories of questioning the status quo," he added.
Winter had been enduring something of a bad rep until the Scandinavians came along and saved it. Thanks to hygge (pronounced 'heurgha'), the phenomenon that took the world by storm last year, the colder months became less about scraping windshields and broken boilers, and more about cashmere blankets, comfort food by the fire and a general sense of toasty, cosy calm.

Hygge has become so popular that Scotland has now declared its own homespun brand of lifestyle. VisitScotland has declared cosagach - an old Celtic word for feeling snug and sheltered - as the new hygge. Want to get away from it all and settle into a Highland pub with a hot toddy? Welcome to cosagach.

It does raise the question: what might Irish hygge look like? In terms of battling against the cold with warmth, cosiness and humour, we could probably give the Scandis and the Scots a run for their money. And taking a leaf out of Scotland's book, we could upcycle hygge into 'teolai', the Irish word for cosy.

If you fancy giving teolai a go this winter, here are a few pointers to get you started.

1. Michael D Higgins

Try as we might, we have been unable to locate Trump/May/Merkel tea cosies (or any kitchen accoutrements for that matter). But there's something perfectly fitting about our own president Michael D Higgins being turned into a tea cosy: he's warming, toasty and looks cute in knitted wool. In time, it will become a lasting artefact of legacy on par with the Mary Robinson tapestry rug. And Darach O Seaghdha, who runs the Twitter account @theirishfor, appears to have already recognised the warming qualities of our president. "Maybe the Irish for hygge should be O hUiginn?" he tweeted last year.

2. Tea

Whether it comes from under a woolly president or not, our enduring love affair - nay, dependence - on tea is pure teolai. You'd be hard pushed to find something as toasty for the soul as a proper, stand-your-spoon-in-it cup of Barry's or Lyons). Add in a chocolate Kimberley and, really, what more could you want?

Expand Close There's something perfectly fitting about our own president Michael D Higgins being turned into a tea cosy: he's warming, toasty and looks cute in knitted wool / Facebook

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Whatsapp There's something perfectly fitting about our own president Michael D Higgins being turned into a tea cosy: he's warming, toasty and looks cute in knitted wool

3. The Guinness Christmas advert

There's snow every which way you look in this Christmas Eve advert, yet even the deer in the Phoenix Park and the couple throwing ice at each other on St Patrick's Hill seem thoroughly toasty. Now airing on Irish screens for over 15 years, this ad, showing the Irish winter in the very best light, is as cosy as it comes. (See also, the iconic ESB ad where every light and electric blanket is put up to 90 before the homecoming of a beloved son).

4. Irish family

Blood is thicker than even Guinness in Ireland and while we bicker and fight like mad, we place a huge emphasis on family. From grannies to babbies, we love the calm - and the occasional chaos - that being around your family creates. Can there be anything more teolai in the world than a cup of tea with your mammy (especially if she has the aforementioned tea cosy)?

5. The snug

The clue is of course in the name. Where snugs were originally a place for ladies, gardai and the parish priest to enjoy a drink away from prying eyes in a public bar, now a pub snug is the hottest seat in the house. A place of pure perfection, far from the madding crowd, to sink a few pints (or, if you're going the whole teolai hog, an Irish coffee). You'll find no shortage of great cosy snugs in Ireland - The Sadler's Well in Athboy, O'Shea's in Borris and The Lord Edward or Kehoe's in Dublin.

6. Aran jumpers

The Scandis have their own famous Nordic knits, so it stands to reason that for real cosiness, Aran jumpers would feature quite prominently in teolai. Originally created for fishermen to wear at sea, Aran jumpers are well able to withstand the vagaries of any Irish winter. By all accounts, real Aran jumpers were knitted using unscoured wool that would make them water resistant and wearable, even when wet. Which sounds very Irish to us.

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7. The all-day breakfast

Whatever about its actual health benefits, the 'full Irish' can always be counted on to invoke a particular feeling of wellness and calm. For even more teolai points, add Ballymaloe Relish, soda bread or a deliciously doughy Waterford blaa.

8. The 40 Foot (and other sea swimming spots)

This may not strike you as being immediately teolai, what with the freezing cold water bit, but come Christmas Day, you'd be hard pressed to find people as happy as those who have managed to take a dip in the Irish Sea before tucking into Christmas dinner. The body produces even more endorphins than usual once you plunge it into cold water, and according to sea swimming disciples, there's no better feeling than leaving your problems on the shore. Given the interaction with nature, it definitely beats a treadmill as a way to stay healthy. The 40 Foot, with its close-knit community, is synonymous with wellness, but there's also Malin Beg in Donegal, Hook Head in Wexford and Derrynane in Kerry for anyone keen to check out the myriad benefits of sea swimming.

9. The Irish temperament

When it comes to cosiness and warmth, our very way of being would put the Scandis in the shade. Irish people are sunny side out, preferring to err on the side of optimism each and every time.

When it comes to strangers, we Irish treat them merely as friends we haven't yet met. If you want to be enveloped in the warmth of easy companionship and bonhomie well, we're pretty good at that. And never underestimate the teolai qualities of a good sense of humour. Wellness and contentment guaranteed.

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Whatsapp Aran jumpers would feature quite prominently in teolai.

10. Panto

There's nothing more reassuringly cosy than tradition and come winter, panto barrels to town as sure as night follows day.

Song, dance, slapstick, in-jokes and sexual innuendo - it's all there as part of a much-loved institution that parents and kids alike bond over and enjoy.
A 'Star Wars' superfan who was 'mobbed' as he posed in front of a Tourism Ireland stand has now been hired by tourism chiefs.

Craig Spivey dressed up as Luke Skywalker and posed in front of the Skellig Michael tourism stand at a fan convention in London in 2016 and was inundated by requests for photos.

The selfie-fest led tourism chiefs to hire the 46-year-old to wield a lightsaber as part of their bid to promote the locations featured in the massive sci-fi franchise.

Kerry, Cork, Clare and Donegal will all be in the new film, 'The Last Jedi', which is released on Thursday. They double as the planet Ahch-To where Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, trains aspiring Jedi Rey (Daisy Ridley).

Mr Spivey, from Leamington Spa in England, has been a 'Star Wars' fan since he saw the first film in the cinema aged seven.

He said he was "over the moon" to be asked by Tourism Ireland to don his Jedi robes at travel industry events in London after it discovered him at the convention.

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He has now appeared as Skywalker for Tourism Ireland at the World Travel Market event in London two years in a row.

Paid around 540 a day, he quipped, "I can call myself a professional Luke Skywalker" and said he had reinvested the earnings in his costume.

Mr Spivey, who works in advertising, said of the campaign: "These things are all about what's shareable. If you have a picture of Skellig Michael, people will walk past it. If you've got somebody there dressed as Luke Skywalker you can pose with, they will take that photo and they'll share it online."

He met Hamill at 'The Force Awakens' premiere in 2015. The actor spotted him - and a familiar looking beard - and came over for a photo. Mr Spivey hopes to visit Skellig next year, costume in tow.

Expand Close Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson and Kelly Marie Tran pose with the Praetorian Guard at the world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Los Angeles, California, last night. Photo: Getty Images / Facebook

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Magaluf is now a family resort. That's the proclamation from the Majorcan destination as it passes half way on a five-year effort to shed itself of a sleazy, lads-on-tour image that earned it the moniker of Shagaluf.

Fewer young travellers - read 18-30 - are visiting, the beachfront now boasts its first five-star hotel, and instances of public disorder, drunkenness and balcony jumping (or balconing) are down, says a triumvirate of the resorts hotel association, the town hall and Melia Hotels International, which has invested some 200 million in Magaluf to aid its regeneration.

The attempts to rid the Spanish party spot of its debauched past has been well-documented thanks to a number of seedy controversies - including a film showing an 18-year-old woman performing sex acts on 24 men during a pub crawl - and the deployment of British police to the resort.

But Magaluf is by no means the only lads holiday destination seeking a new lease of life.

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Ibizas shift towards creating a more refined, culinary appeal is well known, too, while the famous party haven of Ayia Napa has been welcoming the arrival of renovations, expansions and upgrades. Its mayor Yiannis Karousos says the resort wants to move away from a "lads holiday" style of tourism.

The changes that are happening in Magaluf are reflective of a change which is a couple of years ahead of where it needs to be, says Tom Smedley, managing director of Compare-Travel.eu, which counts ladsholiday.com among its portfolio.

Societys changing, drinking culture is changing. Early on the drinking was the main part of the holiday, now it is a part of it. Its reflective of the UK: increasing sophistication of society is driving it.

People want to go to nice hotels, like they want to go to cocktail bars on a Saturday night in the UK.

Smedley says that the most searched-for resorts for lads holidays in 2017 were Zante, Malia and Ibiza, in that order, with Magaluf in seventh.

While the Magaluf authorities are clamping down on the culture, over time its working its way out anyway. I really think in five or so years, the lads holiday as we know it will be over.

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Magaluf is not the only destination to announce crackdowns on loutish behaviour. In July, the Croatian island of Hvar introduced fines for numerous alcohol-related misdemeanours, while the local government of Kavos, in Corfu, brought in strict late-night music restrictions.

Even in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, a destination that thrives on its reputation for cheap thrills, authorities have launched a crusade against drunken tourists.

In August the deputy prime minister, Valeri Simeonov, joined a police raid on nightclubs accused of flaunting noise restrictions, before posting on Facebook: In our country there is lawlessness and bacchanalia - we will change it.

We will attract more solvent tourists, and we will have a better quality of tourism.

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Club 18-30 has always been at the forefront of such holidays, and is currently on its website selling the merits of traditional party destinations from Malia to Kavos.

But Thomas Cook, the brands parent company, says that booking patterns in young people are changing.

The operator says that Kos and Zante are becoming increasingly popular with party holidays and that, though each offers a healthy nightlife, budget and the prospect of a more authentic Greek experience are bookings factors.

As far as Ibiza goes, Thomas Cook said: Bookings for 18-29 year olds are declining while, bookings for 30-39 year olds are on the rise, as the Ibiza faithful get older - and richer.

Thomas Cook has also seen family holidays rise by 6 per cent as Ibiza regulars move into the next phase of life.

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Smedley says that advanced event or activity and nightclub bookings and fewer all-in package holidays means resorts are under pressure to commercialise and diversify.

The culture moved on from go and get absolutely drunk every night to planned daytime activities, and seeing some big name acts, more of a festival culture, he said.

There followed improvements in standards of accommodation.

He cites the 2008 introduction of the Ibiza Rocks branded hotel to the Spanish island. There were very large pools and a live DJ playing. It was the first of the stay in the hotel hotels to open," he says.

This was the turning point for the standards of the accommodation - traditionally it was extremely basic (think Inbetweeners film), [but] now it moved to a slightly better standard.

It is a consortium of hotel groups, investing over 1 million between them, leading the charge in Magaluf.

Sebastian Darder, president of the Palmanova-Magaluf Hotel Association, said:

"The destination aims to continue consolidating new quality product and the new customer segmentation, which has allowed us to increase occupancy, profitability, and the social and economic sustainability of Magaluf, as well as continuing to improve the reputation of the destination among adult travellers and families.

The towns deputy mayor Andreu Serra put it more bluntly: We have implemented a zero tolerance policy towards antisocial behaviour and crime, and the result is very clear.

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Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Do you know those bumbling dads who inadvertently put red socks into the white wash, and unwittingly dress their children in Halloween costumes?

Or the dads who put their baby's nappy on back-to-front while long-suffering mummy watches from the doorway, arms folded over her chest and a rueful grin spread across her face? No? Well that makes two of us... Nonetheless, these tedious 'Silly Daddy!' tropes have persisted in children's cartoons and mainstream advertisements for decades.

Well, until now. "We've got to a position where we have realised the role of dads is really important and probably something that we needed to do a deeper dive into," said Disney's UK chief marketing officer, Anna Hill. But let's not get too excited. Sure, Disney might ditch the outdated stereotype, but they'll probably just replace it with a slightly more modern one. Here are a few ideas...

The Dadolescent

Otherwise known as The Man Child and The Overgrown Child, The Dadolescent is the dad who considers fatherhood an opportunity to revisit his love of Lego, Star Wars and fart jokes. Dadolescent bought a PlayStation 4 for his five-year-old son, arguing it would enhance his spatial awareness. Unfortunately, little Jack rarely gets a go because Daddy is on level 47 of Skylanders SuperChargers and he has to concentrate very hard, okay? When he's not in front of the PlayStation, Dadolescent enjoys building forts with duvets and chairs, throwing the children into the air and catching them and searching the kitchen for the sweets his wife has hidden from him. His children think he's the best daddy in the whole wide world. His wife wonders if she can claim child benefit on his behalf.

The Superdad

Superdad has read that women are better at multitasking, but he knows better. He once did a Skype conference call with Japan while bottle-feeding a toddler with one hand and giving his pregnant wife a perineum massage with the other.

He can prepare bottle feed in the dark, change a nappy in 11 seconds (yes, he timed it) and push a buggy with one arm while balancing another child on his shoulders. But he doesn't like to brag...

Superdad dresses the part: the North Face jacket is regulation uniform and he often wears hiking boots to take on the terrain of the local Tesco. He thinks of himself as a sort of hybrid of Bear Grylls and Will Smith in The Pursuit Of Happyness. His wife thinks of him as a bit of a gobshite.

The Cool Dad

Cool Dad wanted to call his first son Kreuzberg, given that he was more than likely conceived in Berlin's capital of cool. His wife, however, believes it actually happened in Leixlip, so that put paid to that one. Cool Dad looks at the other fathers at his child's nativity play and wonders, for a brief moment, if he looks like the rest of these ancient artefacts. He then remembers that he owns an enviable collection of limited edition sneakers and once got into Berghain. Panic averted.

Daddy Cool brings his toddler to Electric Picnic and prays his ex-girlfriend will be there to see what an absolute legend he is. He has also rehearsed the 'drug talk' because he's been around the block and he knows how these things work. His wife reminds him that their son is only three years old, for chrissakes, so he slumps off into his micro-brewery to sulk.

The Mini Me Dad

"When we fall in love. We're just falling. In love with ourselves," go the lyrics of the Keane song. It's much the same with the love affair many fathers have with their first-born son. Nature/nurture isn't even up for debate with this ilk. Their sons are a miniature version of themselves and that's that. It you need further proof, just feast your eyes on their matching 'Like Father, Like Son' T-shirts. See? His wife pretends not to know him when he wears it in public.

The Theatre Dad

Theatre Dad knows that the role of the father has been redefined in recent years - that's why he's compelled to put on the performance of his life when he has an audience. He likes nothing better than chatting with colleagues about the sleepless nights he has had with his newborn, but he wouldn't dare tell them he occasionally wears earplugs to ensure he gets his eight hours. He's also the dad whose voice rises by a few octaves when he's admonishing his children in the local coffee shop. Did everyone hear him being a firm-but-fair disciplinarian? Everyone?

Back at home, he cracks open a beer and spread eagles across the sofa, exhausted after a long day of playing the perfect dad. His wife hates him.

Backed into a tights corner

And the award for the most out-of-touch advertisement of 2017 has to go to Wish.com, an online retailer that thought it would be a good idea to showcase plus-sized tights on size 8 models.

One model is so slim that she can fit both of her slender pins into one leg of the xl tights. Another model has managed to pull the tights right up to her chin, demonstrating that this hosiery is ideal for a spontaneous game of hide-and-seek with your children.

Needless to say, the insensitive advert has gone viral for all the wrong reasons - and Wish.com are probably wishing that they gave their idea a little more thought.
What does Christmas mean in Ireland today? It means a lot of different things to a lot of different people in an increasingly multicultural and less Godly society.

To many, it is an exciting time of shopping trips to New York or London. For others, it's spending hours browsing through shopping centres picking up presents for friends and family. For many, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, through school plays and attending church and singing in choirs. But what about the growing number of people and families behind closed doors who dread Christmas because they are going to slip further into debt, as they feel that they cannot say "no" to children who demand iPhones and designer gear as presents?

Instead of being a joyous time of year, it is showing the reality of the widening gap between the haves and the have nots.

What does Christmas in Ireland mean today? It actually means charities are overwhelmed with requests for help. One such charity is there day in, day out, to help people, who through no fault of their own, find themselves in dire circumstances, where the provision of food or keeping the house warm is a juggling exercise, never mind the buying of presents or trips to the shops. The charity I'm referring too is SVP (Saint Vincent de Paul), which does not differentiate between religion or ethnicity, only on need.

For a large part of the population who are working on the minimum wage or less, they are only one pay cheque from needing help to pay their bills, which do not stop coming through the letter box, whatever the situation.

Do not let pride get in the way of seeking help, or if you feel you can play your part and you have some spare cash, time, unwanted gifts or household items that are surplus to requirement, donate to SVP. You will be carrying out a good deed that will turn frowns of sorrow into smiles of joy, happiness and warmth.

James Woods

Gort an Choirce, Dun na nGall

Amnesty cash should be returned

As someone who ran in two election campaigns in Galway I am familiar with Sipo (Standards in Public Office Commission) and the role it plays regarding spending in election campaigns. Last year, because of an oversight, I failed to return my Electoral Expenses Statement/Statutory Declaration on time. Sipo contacted me reminding me of my obligations and if I failed to comply I was informed that a file on the matter would be referred to An Garda Siochana. I immediately provided the required information and that was the end of the matter.

Sipo has requested that Colm O'Gorman/Amnesty Ireland return 137,000 donated by US billionaire George Soros's Open Society Foundation to fund its abortion rights campaign.

The money is in breach of Ireland's campaign finance laws, according to Sipo, which prohibit foreign donors from making donations to groups involved in elections or referendums here. Mr O'Gorman has said he will not return the money.

I await with interest the outcome of this foolish move by Mr O'Gorman.

Tom Roddy

Salthill, Co Galway

'Respectable' TDs are a disgrace

The low point for me during the life of the Oireachtas during 2017 was not the ridiculous comment from Gerry Adams after the death of former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave that he was a "divisive" figure in Irish politics. This comment could only have meant Mr Cosgrave (Cosgrove as Adams called him) was valiant and steadfast in his opposition to IRA terrorism.

Rather, it was the behaviour of TDs from the 'respectable' parties during the debate who mocked and heckled independent TD Richard Boyd-Barrett when he stood to pay respect to the deceased and relate how his family in times past debated the politics of the times and their association and indeed interaction with politicians of that era.

They have disgraced themselves and the citizens once again by their ignorance and misrepresentation of their purpose for being there.

Robert Sullivan

Bantry, Co Cork

Politicians must solve hospital saga

On reading the many fine contributions to the debate on the downgrading of Portlaoise Hospital, it becomes obvious that logic, the welfare of the people of Co Laois, and the wider catchment area, are totally ignored by the Health Service Executive. The solution to the Portlaoise Hospital saga must be reached by politicians.

Politics involves the art of government and the Government is the executive body for the ruling of the Republic of Ireland. It therefore follows that the Government must take action when a statutory body established by Dail Eireann is planning to diminish the basic entitlements of a sizeable number of citizens. Politicians attending public meetings, stating their support for the cause, and having those statements published in the local newspapers is a waste of time and energy. I believe that the deputies should be able to influence events within the Dail.

Laois is the centre of the country, with a population of about 85,000. A large percentage of its working population is employed outside of Laois. By downgrading the hospital this trend will continue and increase due to making Laois less attractive as a location for new business and industry. Decision makers' minds should focus on the likely consequences of transporting medical emergencies such as heart attack patients from (say) Rathdowney to St James's Hospital. They should also focus on the major costs and dangers when transporting sick, high security prisoners from Portlaoise to other hospitals.

Have our Politicians realised the cost and other problems that will arise for families if A&E is downgraded and large numbers of patients are transferred on a routine basis to Dublin hospitals? Perhaps the HSE and the politicians need to acquaint themselves with current problems in the A&E departments of both Tallaght and St James's.

Mistakes made in the past must not be carried into perpetuity. Portlaoise and not Tullamore is the logical location for a major hospital. Selecting the Portlaoise location at this time will mean that the catchment area for both Mullingar and Portlaoise hospitals will each be large enough to support full services. Parish pump politics must play no part in this most important decision.

Undisputed reports state that about 40,000 patients a year attend A&E in Portlaoise Hospital. The politicians must make judgments based on medical safety, overall public good and economic factors. They must therefore acquaint themselves with the wider implications of any downgrading, or upgrading, of Portlaoise Hospital.

The time has come for Government ministers to act as ministers for all the country, and that includes the county of Laois.

Jim McMahon

Stradbally, Co Laois
Halle Berry attends the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at a Private Residence on June 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Halle Berry attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Halle Berry attends the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at a Private Residence on June 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Actor Halle Berry attends the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at a Private Residence on June 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Halle Berry at the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Chrysalis Butterfly Ball)

Halle Berry has denied she's expecting another child after she was pictured holding her swollen-looking stomach.

The 50-year-old Oscar-winner was one of the guests of honour at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on Sunday night, dazzling in a silver sequin fitted dress. And Hollywood being Hollywood, it was assumed that Berry was pregnant.

Like all women proud of their most recent meal, she seemed to cradle her belly, but as she wrote on Instagram later, she was simply cradling the steak and fries she consumed before the event.

"Can a girl have some steak and fries," she wrote after, poking fun at the rumours.

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Similarly, earlier this year Eva Longoria was subjected to the same pregnancy rumours when she was pictured on holidays with a not completely flat stomach (the horror!) putting it down to some cheese.

"I saw some pictures of myself really fat on a boat. I have to tell you all I did was eat cheese," she said in April.

"Everybody is saying I'm pregnant and I'm not I was just lactose intolerant apparently. I just had to share because my whole family is calling me asking me if I'm pregnant. Yes I look pregnant, but it was just a ball of cheese, a ball of cheese in my stomach."

Bravo, ladies.
UML, NC at odds over fixing provincial capitals, governors

The CPN-UML, which has emerged as the largest party in the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections, has warned the Nepali Congress-led government against taking hasty decisions on temporary capitals of the seven provinces and governors.
At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed between August and September in a crackdown by Burma's security forces, according to Doctors Without Borders .

The international aid group, known by its French acronym MSF, said the survey it conducted in refugee camps in Bangladesh estimated at least 9,000 Rohingya died in Burma's Rakhine state between August 25 and September 24, with 6,700 as a result of the violence.

About 630,000 Rohingya have fled Burma into Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called "ethnic cleansing".

The estimate of the number of deaths compares to the Burmese government figure of 400 in September, as a result of attacks on police posts by Rohingya militants.

MSF said the dead included at least 730 children younger than five.

Burma's Information Ministry had said most of the 400 dead were "extremist terrorists" who died during the military's "clearance operations".

International aid and rights groups have accused the military of arson, killings and rapes of Rohingya villagers. Burmese authorities blamed Rohingya militants for the violence.

Though more than a million ethnic Rohingya Muslims have lived in the country for generations, they were stripped of their citizenship, denied almost all rights and labelled stateless.

"The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest 'clearance operations' by Myanmar (Burma) security forces in the last week of August," said MSF medical director Sidney Wong.

She said the findings were staggering, in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member dead as a result of violence and horrific ways in which they said they were killed or injured.

MSF said more than 59% of children below the age of five who were killed were reportedly shot, 15% burnt to death in their homes, 7% were beaten to death and 2% died in land mine blasts.

Since the Burmaese military conducted operations against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine state, the civilian government has barred most journalists, international observers and humanitarian aid workers from travelling independently to the region.

MSF said the numbers of deaths are likely to be an underestimation "as we have not surveyed all refugee resettlements in Bangladesh because the surveys don't account for the families who never made it out of Burma".

AP
Burma's government has said it has arrested two journalists working for the Reuters news agency for possessing "important secret papers" obtained from two policemen who had worked in Rakhine state.

Rakhine is where violence widely blamed on security forces has forced more than 625,000 minority Rohingya Muslims to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Information said the journalists and policemen will be charged under the country's colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

Reuters said the journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, had been missing since late on Tuesday night.

"We are urgently seeking more information about the circumstances of their arrest and their current situation," Reuters quoted its global communications chief, Abbe Serphos, as saying.

The ministry posted a photo of the two journalists in handcuffs, standing behind a table bearing documents, mobile phones and currency.

It said they had collected "information and important secret papers related to the security forces" from the policemen, who had earlier worked in Rakhine but were now in Rangoon, the country's largest city.

Rakhine state is the epicentre of the Burma military's brutal security operation against Rohingya.

The campaign, launched in August in response to attacks on police outposts, has been condemned by the United Nations as "ethnic cleansing" and those fleeing have described widespread rights abuses by security forces.

The military, which is charge of security in northern Rakhine, and the civilian government have barred most journalists and international observers from independently travelling to the region.

The US Embassy said it was "deeply concerned by the highly irregular arrests of two Reuters reporters".

"For a democracy to succeed, journalists need to be able to do their jobs freely," it said in a statement.

"We urge the government to explain these arrests and allow immediate access to the journalists."

Journalists in Burma are facing renewed harassment, with several arrested in recent months.

Two foreign journalists along with two of their Burma associates are currently awaiting trial on new charges after already being sentenced to jail for illegally flying a drone over parliament.

"Media freedom in the country is getting worse and arresting journalists is more and more common these days, and this shows that the authorities are clearly ignoring media laws," said Robert Sann Aung, a human rights lawyer.
Firefighters at the scene above Montecito, California (Santa Barbara County Fire Department/AP)

The colossal wildfire burning north west of Los Angeles has become the fourth largest in California history.

And authorities say it is likely to keep growing and threatening communities as hot, gusty winds fan the flames.

State officials said that the so-called Thomas Fire straddling coastal Ventura and Santa Barbara counties covered 379 square miles.

That surpassed a blaze that burned inland Santa Barbara County a decade ago.

Some evacuations were lifted and the risk to the agricultural city of Fillmore was diminishing.

But coastal enclaves to the west remained under threat as crews protected hillside homes in Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria.

Schools were closed and many roads remained shut down. The USA Water Polo Women's National Team match against the Netherlands scheduled for Saturday in Santa Barbara was moved to Orange County.

The National Weather Service said extreme fire danger conditions could last through the weekend due to lack of moisture along with a likely increase in wind speeds.

Firefighters made some progress on Wednesday on corralling the fire, which continued to spread mostly into national forest land.

Since the blaze broke out on December 4, it has burned and destroyed 970 buildings - including at least 700 homes.

Flames threatened some 18,000 buildings and prompted evacuations of about 100,000 people.

To the south in San Diego County, firefighters came very close to containing another major wildfire a week after it broke out.

That fire burned down 157 structures, most in its destructive first hours. It also killed 46 race horses at a training centre, and left one of their trainers with serious burns.

AP
Leader of Britain First, Paul Golding (left) with Deputy leader Jayda Fransen (right) arriving at Belfast Laganside courts where she faces charges on an alleged hate speech that took place in Belfast in August. Photo: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Britain First leader Paul Golding has been arrested in Belfast.

He was there with the deputy leader of the far-right group, Jayda Fransen, as she appeared in court in the city accused of behaviour intended or likely to stir up hatred.

Golding, (35), was detained by detectives investigating their speeches at the same Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in August.

Fransen, from Anerley in south-east London, has been charged with using words which were threatening, abusive or insulting during her speech in Belfast in the summer.

Outside court afterwards the 31-year-old said it was a "nonsense charge".

"I criticise Islam and now they want to send me to prison for two years."
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry leave St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, in London, Britain, December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

People leaving after the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Mourners pay their respects outside St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, in London, Britain, December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave St Paul's Cathedral after a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, in London, Britain, December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Britain's Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service in honour of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, in London, Britain, December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool

The British royal family has shown solidarity with families whose relatives died in the Grenfell Tower fire by attending a national memorial service.

Survivors, bereaved families, the local community and first responders were joined by Princes Harry and William, Kate Middleton, Prince Charles and Camilla at the event at St Paul's Cathedral in central London.

Theresa May, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were among the politicians accompanying more than 1,500 guests for the 11am service.

The memorial will focus on remembering the 71 victims of the June 14 tower block blaze, and providing those affected with messages of support, strength and hope for the future.

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A Green For Grenfell banner adorned with a heart was carried in as a hymn was sung, before the Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, welcomed the congregation.

He said: "Among us are survivors of the fire in Grenfell Tower exactly six months ago; those who have lost members of their families, or their friends; those who live or work in North Kensington as neighbours and members of the local community; those who served others as frontline responders or volunteers, or who assisted with the immediate tasks of coping with the losses of lives, homes and livelihoods; and there are representatives of our national life, because this is a nation that grieves at the unspeakable tragedy, loss and hurt of that June day.

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"The welcome also includes all of you watching on national television, among whom are those painfully affected who could not face such a public event, those who would have liked to be here in solidarity, those whose hearts go out to the many whose lives have been lost or changed for ever.

"In this service we come together as people of different faiths and none, as we remember before God those whose lives were lost, and pray for them to be at peace; as we are alongside brothers and sisters who have lost their homes and their community and those they love; as we commit ourselves to care for each other and to be united in the face of suffering and sorrow; as we seek each other's help and resolve to build on our hopes for a future in which the tragedy that struck the peoples of Grenfell Tower will never happen again."

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As the hour-long service began, the council linked to the tragedy, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), observed a minute's silence at the town hall in High Street Kensington.

Council leader Elizabeth Campbell was not present at the service after some families said they would not want the council to attend in an official capacity.

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She said it was only right to "respect the wishes of those involved in the service", adding: "I want them to know that we will be thinking of them."

An audio montage of voices from the Grenfell area was played to the congregation.

A male voice said of the fire: "We were lost for words, we did not know what to do, how to react. I have never known anything like it in my life."

Another said: "The comfort is just being together, the comfort is just having each other."

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The Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools Girls' Choir then sang out the poignant words "Never lose hope".

The Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Graham Tomlin, said he hoped the service would reassure those present that they were not forgotten by the nation, and that it would signify the start of a change.

He said: "As we come to the end of this difficult year, as we celebrate Christmas, as we move into a new year, nothing can remove the memory of that night - nor do we want to forget those dearly loved people who were lost.

"And yet my hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future, a vision of a city where we lose our self-obsession and listen and learn from places and people that we wouldn't normally think of reaching out to."

He added that he hoped the word "Grenfell" would transform over time from a symbol of "sorrow, grief or injustice" to "a symbol of the time we learnt a new and better way - to listen and to love".

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Commemorating the dead, the Dean said: "Let us remember, united in grief and hope and love", before the congregation held a minute's silence.

he Ebony Steel Band, frequent performers at the Notting Hill Carnival, played a verse of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

Maria Jafari, who lost her elderly father, Ali Yawar Jafari, in the fire, read a poem by 13th century Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi.

Mr Jafari, who had a heart condition, was pulled from the building by firefighters but died at the scene.

As the St Paul's Cathedral choir sang, local schoolchildren scattered small hand-made green hearts, carried in brown wicker baskets, across the front of the Dome dais.

As the service ended, the Grenfell banner was held aloft and carried out of the cathedral, followed by survivors and bereaved holding white roses and photographs of their loved ones.

Afterwards, mourners poured out on to the steps of St Paul's behind the Grenfell banner, which fluttered in the icy breeze.

Clutching their flowers and photos, they paused for a moment, staring out at the bank of photographers and journalists stationed opposite.

The crowd then slowly moved forwards, many comforting each other as they went.

Maria Jafari, 38, and her family met Prince Harry at the end of the service.

Harry told her mother, Fatima Jafari, 78, that she must have been very proud of her daughter for speaking at the front, before congratulating her for taking part.

As Mrs Jafari began sobbing for her husband, who was 82 when he died, the prince asked an interpreter: "Just tell her I am so incredibly sorry for her loss."
A surgeon has admitted burning his initials into the livers of two transplant patients with a laser beam.

Consultant Simon Bramhall (53) branded "SB" on the organs of a man and a woman undergoing transplant operations.

Yesterday, he admitted two counts of assault by beating at Birmingham Crown Court but pleaded not guilty to alternative charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Liver surgeons use an argon beam to stop livers bleeding, but can also use the beam to burn the surface of the liver to sketch out the area of an operation.

It is usually not harmful and the marks would normally disappear.

But the female patient's liver did not heal itself in the normal way and the initials were found in a follow-up operation, it is alleged.

After Bramhall's pleas were entered, prosecutor Tony Badenoch QC said the Crown accepted the medic's not guilty pleas in a case which was "without legal precedent in criminal law".

Bramhall, who appeared in the dock wearing a pink shirt and dark suit, was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced on January 12.

Judge Paul Farrer allowed Bramhall to stand in front of the dock, in the well of the court, as the surgeon pleaded guilty to assaulting a patient, whose name is protected by a court order, during an operation in August 2013.

He also entered a guilty plea relating to an operation that was performed on an unknown patient in February of the same year.
Theresa May has insisted that she remains "on course to deliver on Brexit" despite her humiliating defeat in the House of Commons.

Arriving at a European Council summit in Brussels, the UK Prime Minister said her flagship EU (Withdrawal) Bill was making "good progress" despite Wednesday's setback, which she said was the Government's only defeat in 36 votes on the legislation.

Leaders of the other 27 EU states are expected to give the green light to the start of the second phase of Brexit talks in Mrs May's absence on Friday, the second day of the two-day summit.

But doubt remains over when negotiations on the future trade relationship will begin, with leaked documents suggesting that guidelines for talks on the new relationship will not even be drawn up until March.

Arriving shortly before Mrs May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was "a good chance that the second phase can now begin".

And Dutch PM Mark Rutte played down suggestions that Mrs May's Commons defeat had diminished her authority in Brussels, saying: "I think she still has formidable stature here."

Asked about Wednesday night's vote to give MPs a "meaningful" vote on the final EU withdrawal deal, Mrs May said: "I am disappointed with the amendment but actually the EU (Withdrawal) Bill is making good progress through the House of Commons and we are on course to deliver on Brexit."
British Prime Minister Theresa May: House of Commons defeat last night makes it a good time to offer an olive branch

British Prime Minister Theresa May will urge European Union leaders to approve an agreement to move Brexit talks on to a second phase on Thursday, just hours after an embarrassing parliamentary defeat at home that weakens her hand.

At the beginning of a dinner in Brussels, May will repeat her case for unlocking talks to unravel more than 40 years of union to allow for the discussion of future trade relations, which she sees as crucial to offering certainty for businesses.

The 27 other EU leaders are all but certain to approve the deal to move to 'phase two' on Friday, after May has left Brussels, launching a new stage of talks that could be hampered by divisions at home and differences with the EU.

"The prime minister will say that reaching the agreement on phase one has required give and take on both sides but a fair outcome has been achieved," a senior government official told reporters.

After days of often fraught diplomacy, May rescued the initial deal last Friday, easing the concerns of her Northern Irish allies over the wording to protect a free border with EU member Ireland without separating the province from the UK.

Then, EU negotiators said the talks had made "sufficient progress", a recommendation that will, barring accidents, be blessed by the leaders of the other member states.

Her success has won her some respite at home from political infighting between enthusiasts and sceptics of Brexit in her ruling party, and has reduced the prospect of a disorderly departure from the bloc.

But there are hurdles still to negotiate. May and her cabinet are due next Tuesday to hold a discussion of senior ministers' competing views on Britain's future outside the EU - to remain close to the bloc or forge a new path.

The EU is willing to start talks next month on a roughly two-year transition period to ease Britain out after March 2019 but wants more detail from London on what it wants before it will open trade negotiations from March.

Pro-Brexit lawmakers are concerned by a fall-back promise in the initial deal to have "full regulatory alignment" with the EU if there is no overall agreement on future ties, and fear that their desire for an independent Britain is being undermined.

In a blow to May, already weakened after losing her Conservative Party's majority in an election in June, parliament voted on Wednesday in favour of an amendment that requires a meaningful future parliamentary vote on any final Brexit deal.

Up until the last minute of an often bitter debate, May's team tried to convince lawmakers in her party to block the measure, which the government fears will weaken its hand in Brexit negotiations. But enough conservatives rebelled to carry it narrowly by 309 votes to 305 in the 650-seat lower house.

"This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the government on the eve of the European Council meeting," opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement.

"Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept parliament taking back control," he said, co-opting a Brexit slogan.

Divisions have split not only the governing Conservatives but Labour and the wider country -- which voted narrowly for Brexit 18 months ago.

Before dinner on Thursday, May and her EU peers will discuss the bloc's plan for closer defence cooperation with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Long blocked by London, the plan now has backing from Britain, which as one of Europe's main military powers, wants to keep ties with the EU on defence.

Over dinner, leaders will discuss their response to the migration crisis from Africa and the Middle East, and lingering deep divisions over how to share the load.

They will confirm a rollover of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis and are likely to reaffirm their opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Theresa May's Government has been defeated over key Brexit legislation despite a last-ditch attempt to quash a Tory rebellion.

MPs approved an amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill which guarantees Parliament a "meaningful" vote on any Brexit deal by 309 votes to 305, majority four.

There were cheers in the chamber when the result of the vote became clear.

Conservative former attorney general Dominic Grieve led the rebellion via his amendment seven, which would require any Brexit deal to be approved by a separate act of Parliament before it could be implemented.

He warned ministers they had "run out of road" and drew upon Winston Churchill's spirit as he said he intended to put "country before his party".

Minutes before the vote, Justice minister Dominic Raab sought to appease would-be rebels by saying the Government would rewrite the Bill to guarantee concessions it had offered but was faced with shouts of "too late" by some MPs on his side.

Mr Raab promised fresh limits on powers contained in the Bill, explaining that no statutory instrument approved under the controversial clause nine would take effect until Parliament had voted on Britain's final deal with the bloc.

Clause nine provides the Government with the power to use secondary legislation to implement any Brexit deal - which would require less scrutiny from MPs.

Mr Raab later told the Commons: "Having taken advice, and in particular having listened very carefully to the contributions by (Mr Grieve and Tory former minister Sir Oliver Letwin), the Government is willing - reflecting the mood of the House - to return at report stage with an amendment on the face of the Bill, making clear the undertaking and assurance that I gave in my speech that statutory instruments under clause nine will not enter into force until we've had a meaningful vote in Parliament."

But Tory MP Antoinette Sandbach (Eddisbury) labelled the Bill's powers as "sweeping", adding: "I'm afraid I'm not willing to give away parliamentary sovereignty that I exercise on behalf of my constituents for some residual control to the executive.

"If the minister needs that power in relation to the withdrawal bill he needs to come back to this House and ask for it.

"I found his explanation utterly unconvincing at the despatch box."

A Labour amendment, seeking to remove the capacity of ministers to modify and amend the Act via delegated powers, was defeated by 316 votes to 297 - majority 19.

Division list analysis of the vote on Mr Grieve's amendment showed 11 Conservatives supported it.

They were: Heidi Allen (South Cambridgeshire), Ken Clarke (Rushcliffe), Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon), Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield), Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon), Sir Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire), Nicky Morgan (Loughborough), Bob Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst), Antoinette Sandbach (Eddisbury), Anna Soubry (Broxstowe),and Sarah Wollaston (Totnes).

John Stevenson, Tory MP for Carlisle, voted in both the ayes and noes lobby - which is considered a formal abstention.

Labour former minister Chris Leslie later told the Commons: "What a privilege it is to have the opportunity to speak on such a momentous evening when Parliament has had the guts and the foresight to stand up to the executive and to take back control - give some hope back to those who thought all hope was lost.

"And to see members from all parties coming together, working together in the national interest."

Intervening, Tory Charles Walker (Broxbourne) said: "It is wonderful to see so many former ministers on my side of the House discover their love of parliamentary sovereignty when they are no longer on the ministerial merry-go-round

"I have far greater respect in this place for those parliamentarians who have never held ministerial office and actually do respect this place even when things are not going their way."

Mr Leslie continued: "And even more respect for those who have never held ministerial office but who actually vote with their conscience rather than look at the ministerial ladder ahead of them and decide to suppress their views for other reasons."

He spoke as he moved new clause 20, which would require ministers to publish a full list and assessment of the implications of the legislation on the international treaties which the UK is party to.

Further analysis of the division list for Mr Grieve's amendment showed Brexit-backing Labour MPs Frank Field (Birkenhead) and Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) joined the Government in voting against it.

Tory MPs George Freeman (Mid Norfolk), Paul Masterton (East Renfrewshire) and Ed Vaizey (Wantage) did not vote despite having been seen in the Commons during the debate.

Charlie Elphicke (Dover), who now sits as an independent having had the Conservative whip removed, also did not vote despite contributing to the debate.

Brexit-supporting Labour MPs Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley), John Mann (Bassetlaw) and Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) voted in favour of the amendment.

Mr Leslie withdrew his amendment 20, after telling the Commons: "This is an incredibly important series of discussions - 759 international treaties that may just fall on exit day - we need to know more information - but I'm glad that the minister indicated that more information would be forthcoming."

Labour MP Heidi Alexander's new clause 22, which states "no minister may... notify the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EEA Agreement", was defeated by 314 votes to 292 - majority 22.

Labour's amendment 26, which sought to prevent the Government using delegated powers under Clause 8 to reduce rights or protections, was defeated by 315 votes to 291 - majority 24.
Rescue workers are seen on the site of collision between train and school bus in Millas, France December 14, 2017 (France Bleu Roussillon via REUTERS)

A regional train has hit a school bus on a crossing in southern France, killing four children and critically injuring seven other people on the bus.

Photos from the scene showed the train derailed and the bus severely damaged.

It was not immediately clear why the accident happened on the crossing in Millas, nine miles west of Perpignan, close to the border with Spain.

France's SNCF national rail authority said witnesses described the crossing gates as functioning properly.

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Regional President Carole Delga told broadcaster France-Info that "it appears that there was no mechanical problem at this crossing".

The school bus was taking children home from the Christian Bourquin school in the small village of Millas. It was carrying around 20 children aged between 11 and 15, the local authority said.

Psychological help is being offered in a local sports hall from Friday morning.

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Nine other people on the bus and three on the train had less severe injuries.

An SNCF official said that the train was carrying 25 people including passengers and crew and all are accounted for and being offered psychological care. The official added that the train normally travels at 80km per hour at that location.

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The official said "several witnesses said the barrier was down" at the time of the crash. She said the people on the train were "totally shocked".

Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne and Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer were at the scene on Thursday evening along with 70 firefighters, 10 emergency ambulances and four helicopters.

Mr Blanquer tweeted: "France is in mourning."

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe also arrived at the scene on Thursday evening.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "All my thoughts go to the victims of this terrible accident and their families. The government is fully mobilised to give them emergency help.".
Jean-Claude Juncker must urgently explain his role in an illegal wiretapping scandal in Luxembourg, a former intelligence officer has claimed.

Mr Juncker (63) resigned as Luxembourg's prime minister in 2013 in the wake of the scandal that saw intelligence chiefs accused of tapping phones, bugging politicians and keeping 13,000 secret files. The president of the European Commission has denied any wrongdoing but has been dragged back into the affair after fresh evidence emerged.

The new revelations led to the postponement of the trial of three former members of Luxembourg's SREL intelligence service and showed a telephone transcript had apparently been doctored, allegedly by Mr Juncker's staff.

A conversation secretly recorded in 2007 between Mr Juncker and Marco Mille, then his intelligence chief, allegedly shows them discussing a telephone tap that Mr Juncker denies ever authorising. Mr Mille and two colleagues, Andre Kemmer and Frank Schneider, are awaiting trial for violating privacy laws. According to reports, Mr Juncker told an investigating magistrate under oath in May 2015 that "there was definitely no permission for a full phone-tapping operation".

He denied the unedited transcript, which appears to show him discussing phone-tapping with Mr Mille, proved this was the case, arguing that the transcript simply created "confusion".

Mr Schneider, a former SREL operations director, who says he was present when Mr Mille recorded the conversation, said: "Mr Juncker needs to explain why he told an investigating judge he did not authorise this wiretap."
Greek workers have walked off their jobs for a 24-hour general strike that is shutting services across the country and suspending ferry routes to and from the islands.

Unions called the strike to protest against austerity measures that will continue beyond the end of Greece's third international bailout package next year.

State-run hospitals were accepting only emergency cases as medical staff joined the strike, while state schools remained shut.

Public transport was operating only for certain hours during the day, while airlines rescheduled and cancelled flights as some airport staff joined the labour action with a four-hour stoppage.

Greece has been dependent on bailouts since 2010. In return for billions of euros in emergency loans, successive governments have had to impose stringent spending cuts, tax hikes and structural reforms.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for a meeting of EPP leaders ahead of an EU summit in Brussels. (AP)

The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have announced that they plan to spend around 35 million euros (31 million) to beef up European Union borders as they come under pressure for refusing to accept refugee quotas.

The countries - known as the Visegrad Four - have been criticised for failing to show solidarity with Greece and Italy, where tens of thousands of migrants have landed after crossing the Mediterranean or Aegean Seas.

The issue of migrants and refugees was high on the agenda of a two-day EU summit in Brussels that started on Thursday - and some saw the border funding move by the four nations as a cynical ploy to avoid accepting refugee quotas.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said their contribution will help save European funds and that "if we will see good projects in the future, first of all projects that are effective, we are ready to spend even more money because we really want to show solidarity".

Hungary saw tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and other migrants travelled north on foot out of Greece through its territory in 2015, looking for shelter in richer northern European nations.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered the construction of a border fence to keep the migrants out.

Mr Orban said that the border funds will help defend the EU's borders with the outside world and will also contribute to EU work in Libya, where many migrants leave for Europe.

After more than one million refugees entered Europe in 2015, the EU introduced a refugee sharing plan to help out overwhelmed Greece and Italy.

The four Visegrad nations voted against quotas, but were legally bound to accept refugees as the decision was made by a majority vote.

Still, Hungary and Poland have taken in no refugees under the plan, while the Czech Republic has accepted only 12.

Despite the tensions, the EU Commission wants to introduce a permanent mechanism that would oblige countries to take quotas of refugees if one or more EU nations are hit by a migrant wave.

The Visegrad nations remain firmly against migrant quotas.

"Quotas do not work, they are ineffective," Mr Fico said. "The decision on quotas really divided the European Union."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte disagreed.

"We cannot have a system in which countries shop for those things they like from the European Union and are not willing to deliver the necessary solidarity," he said.

"It cannot be that Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany face all problems and that other nations say: That is so nice that they deal with it there."

Disagreement over the way to manage Europe's migrant challenge has created distrust between EU neighbours and fuelled anti-migrant parties across Europe, slowly undermining the entire European project.

Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni said the pledge of more border funds from the Visegrad nations "confirms the validity of the policies we are developing".

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose department drew up the quota plan and have defended it in court, welcomed the funding move.

"This is proof that the Visegrad four countries are fully aligned when it comes to solidarity with Italy and with others, so for once I am a happy man," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said it is important not to get bogged down in old disputes and that solidarity can take different forms.

"We need to be able to express solidarity without getting trapped in any excessive road blocks" about the past, he said. "I think everyone needs to make an effort."

AP
A prominent black supporter of President Donald Trump is planning on leaving her post in the White House next month after a year of service, the administration says.

Omarosa Manigault Newman, who is a senior aide at the Office of the Public Liason, has tendered her resignation, and plans on leaving the West Wing January 20  one year after Mr Trumps inauguration.

Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities, Ms Sanders said in a statement. Her departure will not be effective until January 20, 2018. We wish her the best in future endeavors and are grateful for her service.

The resignation comes after reports of tumult in the White House Tuesday evening, and after what has been reported as a contentious tenure for Ms Manigault Newman working for Mr Trump. It was not immediately clear what that tumult was, or if it played a decisive role in her departure.

Ms Manigault Newman, who previously competed on Mr Trumps reality show The Apprentice, originally took over the top communication post in the office she works for, but reportedly began to feel as though her role was ill-defined once Chief of Staff John Kelly took over as Mr Trumps second in command, sources told CNN.

While the Trump White House has seemed particularly shaky in its first year, and has experienced several high-profile resignations or firings, it is not unusual for a series of departures to occur after the first year of a presidency. Still, the brutal nature of the first year for personnel has some in the administration preparing for more people to leave than normal.

In addition to Ms Manigault Newman, the White House announced last week that Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell will also step down from her position next year. That announcement came last week.

Ms Manigault Newman was perhaps best known for her appearances on Mr Trump's reality television show "The Apprentice", where she debuted on the first season. Her tenure on that show made her something of a household name for fans of reality television, and was often simply known by her first name.

While in the White House, Ms Manigault Newman served as the chief adviser on African American issues, and had attacked the Congressional Black Caucus in June for "showboating" after that group refused to meet with the President.
Comments by Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State, suggest there is renewed hope for a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Korean peninsula.

"We're ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk, and we're ready to have the first meeting without precondition," Mr Tillerson said at a forum hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Atlantic Council think-tank.

"It's not realistic to say we're only going to talk if you come to the table ready to give up your programme," he said, alluding to North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The comments signal a dramatic change of direction by Washington, although they appeared to be countermanded by terse remarks from the White House a short while later that suggest US President Donald Trump remains wedded to a policy of pressuring Pyongyang to bend to his will.

"The president's views on North Korea have not changed," the White House said in a statement.

However, analysts point out that behind the president's rhetoric the US still views conflict as a last resort.

"I think that every policy-maker in the US, everyone in military intelligence and the diplomatic community wants to do everything in their power to avoid a conflict breaking out in Korea," said Robert Dujarric, director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at the Tokyo campus of Temple University.

"They have made peace with the idea that North Korea is a nuclear power and while it is clearly not ideal that they have a weapon that can hit the continental US, they are not going to start a war over that," he said.

That concession is something that Pyongyang desperately wants, while recognition that it has power comparable to the US would come with a meeting between senior officials of both sides.

In return, North Korea could offer to halt further nuclear and missile tests, which would be followed by the US suspending plans for a new round of military exercises with South Korean forces scheduled for next spring.

Subsequently, the North could commit to halting exports of weapons and military technology to Iran.

One key would be verification to ensure that both sides are keeping their words - something that both Pyongyang and Washington have failed to do in the past.

This stepped-up approach to de-escalating tensions has already been proposed by China and apparently has the support of Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president.

Stephen Nagy, a senior associate professor of international relations at Tokyo's International Christian University, believes that Washington could agree to confidence-building measures that could lead to a degree of detente.

He is less sure whether Mr Trump could swallow his pride sufficiently for progress on the issue.

"Undoubtedly, the National Security Council sees that there are no good options for dealing with the North, with war out of the question because of the destruction that it would cause but also because a unilateral attack by the US would cause enormous problems with Washington's allies in the region in possible future confrontations with China," he said.

"The aim will be not to denuclearise North Korea, but to contain it."

Some analysts think that should the US and North Korea sit down for talks, then North Korea leader Kim Jong-un will be seen as the one who has stood firm in the face of the mounting international pressure.

 Daily Telegraph London

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
The Russian Soyuz MS-05 space capsule lands about 90 miles south east of the Kazakh town of Zhezkazgan. (AP)

Three astronauts have landed back on Earth after nearly six months on board the International Space Station.

A Russian Soyuz capsule containing Nasa's Randy Bresnik, Russia's Sergey Ryazanskiy and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency descended under a red-and-white parachute and landed on schedule at 2:37pm local time on the vast steppes outside of a remote town in Kazakhstan.

The three were extracted from the capsule within 20 minutes and appeared to be in good condition.

Mr Bresnik, Mr Ryazansky and Mr Nespoli spent 139 days aboard the orbiting space laboratory.

The trio, who arrived at the station in July, contributed to hundreds of scientific experiments aboard the ISS and performed several spacewalks.

They left Alexander Misurkin, commander of the crew, and two Americans - Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei - in charge.

During their stay at the station, the crew had a phone call with Pope Francis who talked with the cosmonauts about Dante's verses and St Exupery's The Little Prince.

Mr Bresnik, a US Marine who flew combat missions during the Iraq war, told the pope what strikes him is that in space there are "no borders, there is no conflict, it's just peaceful".

Kentucky-born Mr Bresnik also celebrated Thanksgiving in space, feasting on pouches of turkey with his colleagues.

The orbiting lab's crew of three will go back to a six-member team when Nasa's Scott Tingle, Russia's Anton Shkaplerov and Japan's Norishige Kanai take off from Kazakhstan on Sunday.

AP
Allegations of collusion between Donald Trump and Russia have been "invented" by his political foes to undermine his legitimacy, Russian President Vladmir Putin has said.

Speaking at his annual marathon news conference, President Putin reaffirmed his firm denial of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

"All of it was invented by people who oppose President Trump to undermine his legitimacy," he said.

"I'm puzzled by that. People who do it are inflicting damage to the domestic political situation, incapacitating the president and showing a lack of respect for voters who cast their ballots for him."

He argued that Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, whose contacts with Mr Trump's entourage are part of the FBI and Congressional probes into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, was simply performing his routine duties like any other ambassador.

President Putin also insisted Russia's state-funded RT TV and Sputnik news agency had a very minor presence in the US media market, adding that the US demand for them to register as foreign agents represented an attack on media freedom.

Russia has responded in return, requesting the US government-funded Voice of America and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to register as foreign agents.

President Putin noted Mr Trump's achievements, saying that global markets have demonstrated investors' confidence in the US persident's economic course.

He also voiced hope for a recovery in US-Russian ties, emphasising that the two countries need to cooperate on tackling global challenges.

He said Russia, in particular, is ready for "constructive" cooperation on tackling the North Korean stand-off.

President Putin has warned the US not to use force against North Korea, adding that the consequences will be "catastrophic".

He emphasised that Russia opposes Pyongyang's nuclear bid, but added the US had "provoked" Pyongyang into developing its nuclear and missile programmes by spiking a 2005 deal under which North Korea agreed to halt them.

President Putin said Moscow was encouraged to hear US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's statement about readiness for talks with Pyongyang, hailing it as a "realistic" approach.

The Russian leader also voiced concern about the US considering a pullout from key nuclear arms control pacts, adding that Moscow intends to stick to them.

He noted that Russia is particularly worried about what he described as US violations of the INF Treaty, a Cold-War era pact banning intermediate range missiles.

The US has accused Russia of pact violations - charges that Russia has denied. Mr Putin said the US accusations are part of a "propaganda" campaign to pave the way for the US withdrawal.

He emphasised that Russia will "ensure its security without entering an arms race."

AP
Mumbai, Dec 14 (IBNS): Tata Motors on Thursday delivered the first set of Tigor Electric Vehicles (EVs) to state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) as part of their initiative to procure 10,000 electric vehicles.

Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors handed over the keys of the Tigor EVs to Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL, accompanied by the senior management teams from both the companies.

Commenting on the occasion, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said, This initiative of the Government of India to procure 10,000 electric vehicles is a bold step in terms of promoting green & sustainable transport solutions. We, at Tata Motors are extremely proud to be part of this project and are supportive of the Governments transformational vision of auto electrification in India. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. This tender has effectively paved way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the vision of the Government.

The Tigor EV is a full electric, zero emission StyleBack that comes with a break-free design, set to build on the existing Passenger Vehicles portfolio of Tata Motors.

Specific to the EESL order, the Tigor EV will be delivered in three trim variants  Base, Premium and High and will be available in Pearlescent White colour with blue decals.

Over the basic requirements of the tender, the Tigor EV, across the variants, would have FATC (Fully Automatic AC) to provide maximum comfort to its occupants.

"Equipped with a single speed, automatic transmission, the Tigor EV will also allow the customers to enjoy the driving experience, maximized efficiency and seamless acceleration. The electric drive systems for the Tigor EV is developed and supplied by Electra EV  a company established to develop and supply electric drive systems for the automotive sector," a company statement claimed.

Tata Motors had qualified as L1 bidder in the midst of stiff competition and won the tender floated by EESL in September 2017. For phase 1, Tata Motors is required to deliver 250 Tigor EVs, for which it has received a LoA.

Tata Motors is committed to the Governments vision for electric vehicles by 2030 and will work in a collaborative manner to facilitate faster adoption of electric vehicles and to build a sustainable future for India.
Bengaluru, Dec 14 (IBNS): On the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day, the Infosys Bangalore Development Center (DC) organized 'Teach Your Kid to Conserve' initiative with an aim to engage employees to help their kids appreciate the importance of energy and its conservation.

This year, National Energy Conservation Day is being observed across the country on Thursday to raise awareness around global warming, and importance of energy conservation.

The day also promotes and encourages citizens to make conscious effort towards saving and conserving energy in day-to-day life.



The Infosys Bangalore DC celebrated the day with numerous activities such as Infy Journalist, Treasure Hunt, Quiz, Message from Leaders, showcase of conservation products and more, to help employees to learn more about the conservation, while making it fun too.

Further, a painting competition was also organized on the theme Energy Conservation Day over the week, and the drawings were displayed at the campus today.



In addition, the members of UJALA programme, an initiative by Government of Ministry of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), and Government of Power Ministry, distributed LED bulbs to Infosys employees, with an aim to enhance awareness, promote efficient use of energy and aggregate demand for energy efficient appliances at the residential level.



According to Infosys Sustainability Report 2016-17, in a span of less than a decade Infosys has reduced the per capita electricity consumption by over 50% through its various initiatives. Infosys has also reduced its carbon footprint by 70% through efforts in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
Mumbai, Dec 14 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, dedicated the naval submarine INS Kalvari to the nation, at a function in Mumbai, and said INS Kalvari was a prime example of "Make in India."

The INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

It is the first of six such submarines that will be inducted into the Indian Navy

He commended all those involved in its manufacture. He described the submarine as an excellent illustration of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France.

He said the INS Kalvari will add even more strength to the Indian Navy.

The Prime Minister said that the 21st century is described as Asia's century.

He added that it is also certain that the road to development in the 21st century goes through the Indian Ocean.

That is why the Indian Ocean has a special place in the policies of the Government, he added.

The Prime Minister said this vision can be understood through the acronym SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region.

The Prime Minister said India is fully alert with regard to its global, strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean.

He said that is why the modern and multi-dimensional Indian Navy plays a leading role in promoting peace and stability in the region.

He said the ocean's innate potential adds economic muscle to India's national development.

That is why, he added, India is well aware of the challenges such as sea-borne terrorism, piracy, and drug trafficking, that not just India, but other nations in the region also have to face.

He said India is playing a key role in tackling these challenges.

He said India believes that the world is one family, and is fulfilling its global responsibilities.

India has played the role of "first responder" for its partner countries, in times of crisis, he added.

He said the human face of Indian diplomacy and Indian security establishment is our speciality.

He said a strong and capable India has a vital role to play for humanity. He said countries of the world wish to walk with India on the path of peace and stability.

The Prime Minister said that the entire ecosystem related to defence and security has started to change in the last three years. He said the skill-set accumulated during the manufacture of INS Kalvari is an asset for India.

The Prime Minister said that the Central government's commitment has ensured that the long pending issue of "One Rank One Pension" has been resolved.

The Prime Minister said that the Central government's policies and the bravery of the Armed Forces have ensured that the use of terrorism as a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir has not been successful.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to all those who have dedicated their lives to the nation's security.

Images: PIB/Twitter
Amedabad, Dec 14 (IBNS) : About 39 percent of Gujarat voters exercised their franchise till 12 noon on Friday in the second and final phase of state Assembly elections Gujarat Assembly elections which are underway.

Till 10 am, 12.39 percent of voter turnout was recorded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah and other political leaders have cast their votes.

As the frenetic political tussle between the ruling BJP and Congress made way to a charged up political acrimony, the latter accused the Election Commission of acting under the pressure of the Prime Minister's office.

Congress Ashok Gehlot said PM Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. He alleged that Election Commission seems to be working under pressure from PM and PMO.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also said that the Chief Electoral Officer is acting like a PS to the Prime Minister and that is a matter of shame to the Election Commission.

"Will expose the double standards of an Election Commission subservient to whims of BJP and the entire scam on NPAs," AICC spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.

" PM holds a road show & pliable agencies subvert the Constitution. Is the EC acting as PS to PM abdicating its Constitutional duties?" he said.

Modi cast his vote in his home state Gujarat for the assembly elections. He reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge appaluase from a flood of people standing in line waiting for Modi to arrive.

After Modi cast his vote and came out of the booth, , he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike and his supporters roared in appreciation..



After casting his vote Modi hit the streets in car drawing huge cheering crowds.



The second phase of the poll is taking place in north and central Gujarat.

Around 2.2 crore people will cast their vote in the last phase.

Prime Minister Modi urged all voters to turn up in large numbers. He tweeted: "Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy."

There are 182 seats in Gujarat in total. The first phase of the poll was held in 89 seats on Dec 9.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fighting hard to retain their strong hold in the state, the Congress is trying to return to power after 22 years.

The Congress is fighting the election in an alliance with Hardik Patel-led Patidar Ananmat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

The counting of votes will be held on Dec. 18.

The saffron-brigade is ruling the state since 1995.
Mumbai, Dec 14 (IBNS): The central government accords highest importance to the Indian Ocean region, guided by the principle of Sagar (Security And Growth for All in the Region), said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while commissioning INS Kalvari (S-21), the first of the six Scorpene class submarines built under Project 75 (Kalvari Class) into the Indian Navy at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on Thursday.

The 21st century is Asias century. Our Government accords highest importance to the Indian Ocean region, guided by the principle of Sagar - Security And Growth for All in the Region. https://t.co/6wjN1InTqU  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

The event marked the formal induction into the Navy of the first of the six submarines being constructed at Mazagon Docks Ltd., in collaboration with the French builder, Naval Group.

Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra; Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister; Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister; Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Minister of State, Defence; Ajit Kumar Doval, National Security Advisior; Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Girish Luthra; Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, Commodore Rakesh Anand (Retd.), CMD, MDL; Commodore Subra-Manian (Retd.); Commanding Officer of erstwhile Kalvari (a Soviet Foxtrot class submarine) and a host of other dignitaries were also present.

Upon arrival at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, the Prime Minster was received by the Chief of the Naval Staff.

The Prime Minster was presented a 100-man Guard of Honour and was introduced to the ships officers and other dignitaries present.

Congratulating the MDL for restarting the production line of submarines once again, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, thanked the Yard workers, who she said mattered high on this day.

The process of submarine construction has again been started in the country and it should not stop, the Defence Minister said.

She emphasized the need to avoid episodic starts and stops in the industry and maintain a pool of skills needed to build high technology platforms within the country, sustenance of which will lead to a virtuous cycle of betterment for Indian industry, retention of skills and better peace dividends to the nation.

Welcoming the gathering, Admiral Sunil Lanba said that this commissioning marked a milestone in the journey of the Indian Navy towards indigenous submarine building.

The Indian Navy is deeply committed to the principle of indigenisation and the Governments thrust on Make in India; he said.

"Commissioning of Kalvari is a testimony of our resolve and these achievements are a result of the Indian Navys proactive and integrated approach to achieve self-reliance," the Admiral said.

The Commissioning Warrant of the submarine was thereafter read out by the Commanding Officer, Captain SD Mehendale.

Subsequently, hoisting of the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant with the National Anthem being played, marked the completion of the Commissioning Ceremony.

INS Kalvari is manned by a team comprising eight officers and 35 sailors with Captain SD Mehendale at the helm as her first Commanding Officer.

The commissioning will augment the offensive capability of the Indian Navy, and the Western Naval Command in particular.

Images: IndianNavy/Twitter
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IBNS): Countering the Congress' protest against PM Modi's alleged roadshow on the Gujarat polling day, a delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met the Election Commission, media reports said.

The delegation team of the BJP, that reached the EC, was comprised of leaders like Ravi Shankar prasad, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Nirmala Sitharaman.

None of the leader broke silence on the controversy.

The Congress slammed the Election Commission for allowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a spectacle of his voting by showing off his inked finger to the public from his car and a huge partisan and applauding crowd making the event look like a roadshow.

"Will expose the double standards of an Election Commission subservient to whims of BJP and the entire scam on NPAs," AICC spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.

" PM holds a road show & pliable agencies subvert the Constitution. Is the EC acting as PS to PM abdicating its Constitutional duties?" he said.

The members of the Congress party who had staged a protest against the EC office, have been kept in a preventive detention.

Modi cast his vote in his home state Gujarat for the assembly elections. He reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge appaluase from a flood of people standing in line waiting for Modi to arrive.

After Modi cast his vote and came out of the booth, , he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike and his supporters roared in appreciation..

After casting his vote Modi hit the streets in car drawing huge cheering crowds.

The Congress outburst comes apparently in retaliation to the EC allowing an FIR to be filed against its President Rahul Gandhi for claiming in the midst of election that the party will win hands down.

Objecting to it, the BJP moved the EC, complaining that Gandhi's utterances were in contravention of the model code of conduct.

Reacting strongly, the Congress questioned whether the EC was maintaining a double standard as it remained silent to similar remarks made earlier by BJP stalwarts, including PM Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Voting for the second phase of state Assembly elelction is now underway in 93 constituencies in the North, West and Central parts of Gujarat.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IBNS) : The Election Commission on Thursday sought a report from district collector on the alleged roadshow Prime Minister Narendra Modi held after casting his vote, leading to a heightened acrimony between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.

According to reports, the EC said it will examine the matter after receiving the report.

The controversy arose after the PM cast his vote in Ahmedabad's Rapin, came out of the booth and flashed his inked finger at the waiting crowd that cheered him.

Modi also hit the streets in a car drawing huge applauding partisan people around- an event that Congress calls a "mini roadshow" held in contravention of the election code of conduct.

In protest, Congress supporters gathered in front of the EC office in the national capital demanding action against the PM, while a high-level BJP delegation reached the poll panel's headquarters.

The delegation comprised leaders like Ravi Shankar prasad, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Nirmala Sitharaman.

After the EC on Wednesday issued a notice to Congress' President-elect Rahul Gandhi for giving an interview to a television channel during the election, the Congress turned more incensed as the PM "got away" allegedly flouting the same rules.

While former Union Minister P Chidambaram alleged that the EC is "sleeping" on its job, other party leaders were more scathing.

"Will expose the double standards of an Election Commission subservient to whims of BJP and the entire scam on NPAs," AICC spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.

" PM holds a road show & pliable agencies subvert the Constitution. Is the EC acting as PS to PM abdicating its Constitutional duties?" he said.

The members of the Congress party who had staged a protest against the EC office, have been kept in a preventive detention.
Gandhinagar/Shimla, Dec 14 (IBNS): The Narendra Modi wave seems to continue in the country as multiple exit poll suggests the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to win Gujarat Assembly election and make an inroad in Himachal Pradesh, giving a big blow to the Congress.

The exit polls predict BJP to win around 110 out of 182 seats as opposed to Congress' 70 seats in Gujarat.

Times Now-VMR predicted that BJP might get 109 out if 182 seats while the Congress will have to settle for 70 seats. Three seats might go to Others.

Times Now-VMR predicted BJP to win 31, Congress 22 and others 1 seat in north Gujarat; BJP 27 and Congress 7, Others 1 in south Gujarat; BJP 23, Congress 16 and others 1 in central Gujarat; BJP 28, Congress 26 in Kutch-Saurashtra.

ABP-CSDS predicted BJP might win 117, Congress 64 seats leaving 1 for Others.

ABP-CSDS exit poll suggested BJP to get 35, Congress 18 seats in north Gujarat; BJP 24, Congress 11 seats in south Gujarat; BJP 34, Congress 19 and Others 1 in Kutch-Saurashtra.

IndiaToday-Axis My India exit poll predicted 99-103 seats for BJP, 68-82 for Congress and 1-4 for Others.

According to the India-Today exit poll, BJP will get 14 and Congress 18 seats in north Gujarat; BJP 25, Congress 10 in south Gujarat, BJP 29, Congress 11 in central Gujarat; BJP 23, Congress 30, Others 1 in Kutch-Saurashtra.

Republic TV-C Voter predicted BJP to get 108, Congress 74 out of total 182 seats.

News X-CNX exit poll stated BJP might get 110-120 seats leaving 65 to 75 seats for the Congress and Others could get 2 to 4 seats.

The exit polls also suggested that the BJP might replace the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh when the voting results will come out on Monday.

Times Now-VMR predicted BJP to win 51 seats while the Congress could only manage to bag 16 seats.

India Today-Axis My India poll gave 47-55 to BJP, 13-20 to Congress and Others might get 0-2 seats.

The saffron-brigade is ruling Gujarat since 1995.

The Congress, which is trying to come back to power in Gujarat, fought the Assembly poll aligning with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

The BJP is eyeing on to return to power in Himachal Pradesh after five years of Congress rule.

The poll results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will come out on Dec 18.
Guwahati, Dec 14 (IBNS): A delegation from the Japanese Self Defence Force visited the renowned Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare (CIJW) School in Mizoram's Vairengte from December 12-14.

This visit holds special significance, seen in the light of growing defence ties between India and Japan.

Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, in recent years, there has been an increasing role of various militaries in Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency aspects, especially towards combating terrorism in the Arabian Peninsula.

Japan, in its endeavors to enhance its contribution towards fighting global terror, is also catering for its future.

The members of the delegation during their visit were introduced to the infrastructure of the CIJW School and its functioning.

The visit concluded with an open house discussion with the faculty and interaction with Maj Gen MS Ghura, VSM the Commandant CIJW School, where mementos were exchanged between the CIJW School and delegation.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Dec 14 (IBNS): Assam Chief Ministers Vigilance Cell on Thursday arrested a retired government official and a bank officer in connection with two separate scams.

According to the reports, the CMs Vigilance Cell arrested retired Additional Chief Engineer of PWD (Roads) Biswanath Bhattacharya at Guwahati.

Notably, during the tenure of Bhattacharya fake bills amounting to Rs 60 lakhs were passed by Tengakhat Rural Roads Subdivision of Dibrugarh PWD (Roads) Division.

After finding incriminating evidence of the retired officers involvement in the case, CMs Vigilance Cell arrested Bhattacharya.

Seven persons have already been arrested in the case including executive engineer, engineer, junior engineer, contractor.

Following the direction of the Assam chief minister to register a case in the matter, CMs Vigilance Cell registered a case and started investigation which resulted in the arrest of seven persons apart from Biswanath Bhattacharyas arrest on Thursday.

On the other hand, CMs Vigilance Cell has also arrested Bank of Barodas Hailakandi Branch Manager Gautam Das at Guwahati for embezzling Rs 1.39 crore through Kishan Credit Card scam.

Das served as the Manager of the Hailakandi Branch of Bank of Baroda, while the Kishan Credit Card scam took place between the years 2011 and 2015.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IBNS): Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu launched the New Delhi Edition of Marathi daily Lokmat at a function here on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President said the media has great power to influence the people and the Fourth Estate should use this freedom of expression to spread harmony and contribute to the nations development.

Naidu said the media should exercise the freedom of expression with responsibility.

When the freedom is misused and expression becomes distorted and dangerous and you overstep, the law will have to step in, he added.

Cautioning the media not to let itself become a tool in the hands of rumour mongers, Naidu said, Information with confirmation is great ammunition; without confirmation, it remains gossip and can lead to dangerous rumour mongering."

Asking the media to exercise self-restraint, the Vice-President said if the control is from without, it would prove more dangerous.

"It can be profitable only when exercised from within," he added.

You should hold the mirror to the society but the mirror should be a straight one, not convex, concave or contorted, said Shri Venkaiah Naidu.  News should be news, views should be separate, he added.

News is a public good. Please use it for enhancing the good quotient in society. You have the power to influence, use the power wisely, said the Vice President. Use it to get to the truth (Satyam) and share it for the larger societal benefit (Shivam) in a beautiful format(Sundaram), said Naidu.

Recalling the words of Kashmiri poet Mammata Bhat, who lived in the 11th century, the Vice President said when the poet was asked why he wrote, he replied: to earn fame, to make money and above all to reduce the negative influences on society.

Naidu said the Father of the Nation, Gandhiji looked upon journalism as a means to serve the people.

"He advocated self-restraint and felt that external censorship will not be desirable. Bapu wrote in his autobiography: 'The sole aim of journalism should be service'," said he.

Naidu recalled the history of the Lokmat newspaper, which is entering into its centennial year this day, and its contribution to Indias freedom struggle.
New York, Dec 14(Just Earth News): At least half of the world's population cannot obtain essential health services, and nearly 100 million people are being pushed into extreme poverty each year due to the out-of-pocket health expenses they must pay, according to a United Nations-backed study.

It is completely unacceptable that half the world still lacks coverage for the most essential health services, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), in a press release.

A solution exists: universal health coverage allows everyone to obtain the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardship, Tedros added.

The study, Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2017 Global Monitoring Report, co-authored by the World Bank and WHO, notes that 800 million people spend at least 10 per cent of their household budgets on health expenses for themselves, a sick child or other family member.

A solution exists: universal health coverage allows everyone to obtain the health services they need, when and where they need them, without facing financial hardshipWHO Director-General

For almost 100 million people, these expenses are high enough to push them into extreme poverty, forcing them to survive on just $1.90 or less a day.

The report makes clear that if we are serious  not just about better health outcomes, but also about ending poverty  we must urgently scale up our efforts on universal health coverage, said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.

Wide gaps exist in the availability of services in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. In other regions, basic health care services such as family planning and infant immunization are becoming more available, but lack of financial protection makes it difficult for families to pay for these services.

Even in more affluent regions such as East Asia, Latin America and Europe, a growing number of people are spending at least 10 per cent of their household budgets on out-of-pocket health expenses.

Inequalities in health services are seen not just between, but also within countries: national averages can mask low levels of health service coverage in disadvantaged population groups.

In low- and lower-middle income countries, only 17 per cent of mothers and children in the poorest fifth of households received at least six of seven basic maternal and child health interventions, while 74 per cent for the wealthiest fifth of households did so.

The report is a key point of discussion at the global Universal Health Coverage Forum 2017, currently taking place in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to Kim and Tedros, attendees include heads of State and ministers from over 30 countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will address the Forum on Thursday.

Photo: WHO

Source: www.justearthnews.com




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There are several crowdfunding platforms in India that are doing a great job at raising funds for those who need them the most. Milaap, BitGiving, and Ketto are some of the most popular crowdfunding websites in India. GoFundMe and Indiegogo are the international counterparts. Anyone, anywhere can start a fundraiser either for themselves or for loved ones, charities, and even strangers. Crowdfunding has gained fast momentum in India and around the world with more people joining in to help others and save lives.

Here are 11 instances where people came together to raise money to help others.

humans of bombay

25-year-old Rushi Kumar Dave was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and required a bone marrow transplant to survive. Hailing from a humble background, his family had to arrange Rs. 30 lakhs for his treatment. This is when Humans of Bombay kick started a fundraiser on Ketto; many Good Samaritans donate generously, and raised Rs. 24 lakh in a day!

humans of bombay

Humans of Bombay once again started a Ketto crowdfunding campaign and raised over Rs. 13 lakhs to help Shabbo, an acid attack survivor, start a new life. The Ketto description stated that Shabbo would require Rs. 30 lakh for her medical treatment and her daily living. But any amount raised is good enough as it takes Shabbo closer to her goal.

FARMERGO FUND ME

An Irish woman, Jill Smith from Cork, set up a GoFundMe in order raise necessary funds to transport her 70-strong herd of cows to a sanctuary in the UK to save them from slaughter. The charity began crowdfunding to raise the 6,500 euros, but they managed to cross the 9,000-euro mark in less than one month.

GOFUNDME.COM

After Nagaraju Surepalli, 31, and his son Ananth Sai, drowned in a tragic accident in the US, Surepallis friends raised money through crowdfunding to send their bodies to India, and to arrange for their funeral. In two days, the fundraiser on GoFundMe managed to collect $151,630 which crossed their goal of $150,000.

5. People raise $55,000 for homeless man who saved lives in Manchester attack

itn

A series of crowdfunding campaigns were started to help a homeless man, who helped the victims of the Manchester terror attack. People raised more than 42,400 ($54,800) to support the man who rushed to help the people wounded in the suicide attack at an Ariana Grande concert. The attack had killed at least 22 people and left 59 injured.

daily mail

Nishtha Bhatnagar, a 35-year-old mother of two and an alumnus of Holy Child Auxilium School in South Delhi's Vasant Vihar, crowdfunded Rs. 10 lakh rupees for her favourite teacher. 63-year-old Asha Verghese taught Bhatnagar English in class VIII and the two kept in touch even after Bhatnagar graduated. Its because of her bond with her teacher, Bhatnagar decided to raise funds for her treatment as Verghese suffers from bipolar disorder. Bhatnagar has raised more than Rs. 6 lakh on Ketto.

FACEBOOK/ANANYA SALUJA

Ananya Saluja volunteers in the remotest villages of Leh, Ladakh, where she teaches underprivileged children. Over the last two years, through crowdfunding, she has raised more than Rs 10 lakh to build playgrounds and start libraries for these children. The money raised is enough for 19 libraries and several playgrounds in the area.

ap

32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed in the US in an incident described as a hate crime. To support his family, Kansas residents and people from across the country donated toward a crowdfunding campaign to help Kuchibhotla's family by raising $150,000. However, they managed to raise $300,000 within 24 hours.

JOEL CERVANTES MACIAS/FACEBOOK

After Joel Cervantes Macias saw an 89-year-old man struggling to push his ice-cream cart, Macias bought 20 ice-creams and handed Fedencio Sanchez, the elderly man $50. Sanchez had recently lost his daughter and it was after her death that he and wife started selling ice-creams. Moved by his story, Macias started a GoFundMe campaign and raised $100,000 for Sanchez and his wife.

10. Dance school crowdfunds Rs. 4 lakh to help a differently-abled freelancer

ketto

Banjara School of Dance started a Ketto campaign for Saurabh, a polio patient with 90 percent disability in his body except for his brain and right hand. A freelance social media expert, Saurabh is confined to his home as his legs are shrinking and he cant use a caliper or crutches. Thanks to the dance school, Rs. 4 lakh has been crowdfunded for Saurabhs electric wheelchair.

11. Man crowdfunds Rs. 8 lakhs for Tara Balgopal

ketto

Once upon a time, Tara Balgopal was one of Indias most celebrated dancers. However, when her dilapidated living conditions went viral on social media, Nikhil Sarup decided to start a Ketto fundraiser to rehabilitate Balgopal. Thanks to the Rs. 8 lakh he helped raise, Balgopal is now living in a refurbished home and has been well taken care of.
A homeless man in Paris got a whole lot richer after he found an unlocked door at the offices of a cash handling company. After stumbling upon a stash of unguarded cash, the man walked away with 300,000 euros (Rs. 2 crores).

afp/getty

The unidentified man was rummaging through garbage bins at the Charles de Gaulle airport when he found an unlocked door at the Loomis cash management company.

Also read: Amid Record Level Of Homelessness, UK To Set Up Vending Machine With Free Food, Clothing To Help Poor

The door opened to a world of riches - the man was led straight to a compartment containing two bags full of money.

afp/getty

An investigator called it the "perfect crime" and said that the police still "don't know why the door was open at the time."

Also read: US Woman Raises $100,000 To Help A Homeless Man Who Once Lent Her $20 To Fill Gas In Her Car

"At first we thought it had to be a setup, but it looks like it was just luck. It's incredible," a police source told AFP. The police are searching for the suspect - believed to be in his fifties - and has been identified by airport authorities.
Every one of us, 14 of us, got a million dollars. Every single one of us. We're in shock. Like 'What is this?'

If you have friends, you have everything, they say, and George Clooney just proved that right. The man, who accidentally started a tequila company worth a billion dollars, once gifted his fourteen best friends a million dollar each. Not only that, he also paid the taxes on the gift so that they get to keep the entire amount.

popsugar-assets.com

The incident took place in 2013 but only came to light recently. The Boys as he and his friends fondly refer to their dude gang, met at his home for a dinner, when he presented them all with designer luggage bags that contained one million dollars in 20 bills.

Wondering why he decided to gif them? For always being there when he needed them.

peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com

Clooneys business partner Rande Gerber spilled the beans on this during his appearance on MSNBCs Headliners.

There's a group of guys that we call The Boys. George had called me and The Boys and said 'Hey, mark 27 September, 2013, on your calendar. 'Everyone's going to come to my house for dinner.

George begins to say, 'Listen, I want you guys to know how much you've meant to me and how much you mean to me in my life. I came to LA, I slept on your couch. I'm so fortunate in my life to have all of you and I couldn't be where I am today without all of you. So, it was really important to me that while were still all here together, that I give back. So I want you all to open your suitcases.'

cnbc.com

For some of his friends who were struggling to support their families, Clooney was a blessing in disguise.

One was working at a bar in Texas at the airport, trying just to support his family, rides a bicycle to work every day I mean these are guys that took care of George and now he's giving it all back.

zimbio.com

Clooney knew that they all have been through some hard times, some of you are still going through itYou don't have to worry about your kids, you don't have to worry about, you know, school, you don't have to worry about paying your mortgage, Gerber quoted him as saying.

However, some of his friends like Gerber who are wealthy enough already refused to take this gift but he wouldnt agree to take his back. Gerber said that he then donated the entire amount to charity.

Make friends as loyal and as good as George Clooney!
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Tiger Zinda Hai, which is one of the most anticipated films of the year, might not release in Pakistan. The censor board of the country has apparently refused to give an NOC to the film.

twitter

The film is a sequel to 2012 hit, Ek Tha Tiger, which was also denied censor certificate in the country and it remains one of the many Hindi films that have been banned in Pakistan.

Geo Films, which has the distribution rights for the film in Pakistan, had started publishing the release of the film with the note subject to censor clearance but its release on December 22 is unlikely now. The first part, Ek Tha Tiger, was also not cleared for the release in Pakistan.

Sources said the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage has refused to grant a No-Objection Certificate for the film upon CBFCs recommendation. Pakistan-related scenes are reportedly the basis for the films non-clearance.

In the spy thriller, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Salman plays the role of a Raw agent who falls in love with Pakistani spy Zoya (Katrina) and together they team up to fight against terrorists.

twitter

The upcoming film is the sequel to the 2012 actioner Ek Tha Tiger, which was directed by Kabir Khan. It featured superstar Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as Indian and Pakistani agents.

Hollywood action coordinator Tom Struthers ,of Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises fame, has choreographed the action sequences in Tiger Zinda Hai.
India's efforts to get a fair trial for a national languished in a Pakistani jail has suffered yet another setback, as Islamabad once again refused consular access to death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav at the International Court of Justice ICJ.

Citing the Vienna Convention consular access to Jadav, whose case is under the consideration of the ICJ. Pakistan has once again rejected India's plea claiming that New Delhi wants to get the information gathered by its "spy".

In its counter-memorial submitted to the ICJ, Pakistan said the provision of the Vienna Convention was not applicable for spies.

Also Read: Pakistan Finally Allows Illegally Detained Kulbhushan Jadhav To Meet Wife & Mother On 25 December

Pakistan said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.

bccl

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it.

Also Read: Kulbhushan Jadhav's Wife Can't Meet Him Because Pakistan Is Not Ensuring Her Safety

"Lack of explanation on how a serving naval commander was operating under secondment to Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was travelling under an assumed name leads to only one conclusion that India wanted consular access to the information he had gathered," said the counter-memorial submitted by Pakistan.

Also Read: Kulbhushan Jadhav May Get A Fair Trial As India's Dalveer Bhandari Re-Elected As ICJ Judge

The reply encompasses the chargesheet against Jadhav and narrates Pakistan's stance in a comprehensive manner.

screen grab

Also Read: Pakistan Claims That It Got An Offer To Swap Kulbhushan Jadhav With A Terrorist In Afghan Jail

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.

India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

Also Read: Sushma Hits Out At Aziz After Pak Denied Kulbhushan Jadhav's Mother Visa Despite Her Recommendation

"Only a state which adheres to legitimate actions can request the court to intervene in a matter between two states," Pakistan has stated in the ICJ.

bccl

It is also reported in Pakistani media that the country will argue that sending Jadhav for espionage, funding terrorist activities are some of the reasons that dis-entitle India from invoking the jurisdiction of the ICJ.

The international court will now decide whether to take the case forward for hearing or ask both India and Pakistan to submit more documents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned Indias first indigenous Scorpene-class submarine, Kalvari, into the Indian Navy. Dubbed as India's deadliest submarine, the INS Kalvari was indigenously built at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai in September this year.

PIB

The submarine, which has a length of 67.5 metres and height of 12.3 metres is the first of six the Scorpene submarines being built at Mazagon Dock, under licence from French firm Naval Group.

The 1,565-tonne submarine derives its name from the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

BCCL

The stealth submarine is capable of Man o War, undertaking offensive operations spanning across the entire spectrum of Maritime Warfare, and has advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons thus increasing the stealth capacity of the Indian Navy.

PIB

Commissioning the submarine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded it as the best example of the "Make in India" initiative.

PIB

The second submarine in the series, INS Khanderi is expected to be commissioned by mid-2018, with the third INS Karanj following by early-2019. All the six are to be inducted by 2020-2021 at a total project cost of Rs 23,652 crore.
Tensions are rising worldwide amid constant threats of war from North Korea. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres today warned the world against "sleepwalking into war" over North Korea, as he called for diplomatic efforts to banish nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Speaking on a visit to Japan, Secretary-General Guterres said: "The worst possible thing that could happen would be for us all to sleepwalk into a war that might have very dramatic circumstances."

The UN Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions over the past year against North Korea over its increasingly powerful missile and nuclear tests.

reuters

Guterres said those sanctions need to be implemented, "By North Korea first of all, but also fully implemented by all the other countries whose role is crucial."

He urged "diplomatic engagement that allows for ... denuclearisation (of the Korean peninsula) to take place in a peaceful way."

Speaking alongside Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe echoed the call to "fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions" and hold "meaningful dialogue toward denuclearisation."

The secretary-general's trip comes after Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, visited North Korea earlier this month.

reuters

Feltman said he had been told in Pyongyang that North Korea wants to avoid war and said he "fervently" hoped that the "door to a negotiated solution will now be opened wide."

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington was ready to talk to Pyongyang "without preconditions", interpreted by many as a shift in the US position.

Washington's top diplomat told the Atlantic Council policy forum that North Korea is welcome to talk about anything at a first meeting -- even the weather.

reuters

However, the White House and Tillerson's own department later stressed that the US position on North Korea "had not changed."

"The secretary was not creating a new policy, our policy remains exactly the same as it was," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Wednesday.
The extent of atrocities against Rohingya Muslims, it seems, can never be estimated. Every day there are now stories of horrors and number of dead bodies emerge from the besieged areas of the Myanmar where Rohingyas have been cornered by the army.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown on rebels in Rakhine state that began in late August.

This is the highest estimated death toll till now of violence that erupted on August 25 and triggered a massive refugee crisis, with more than 620,000 Rohingya fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh in three months.

Reuters

The UN and US have described the military operation as ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority, but have not released specific estimations of a death toll.

reuters

"At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children under the age of five," MSF said Thursday.

The group's findings come from six surveys of more than 2,434 households in Rohingya refugee camps and cover a period of one month.
It seems that if Emiratis put together their pet collection, it could rival a jungle, or at least a reasonably well stocked zoo. Cheetahs, leopards, and other dangerous and exotic cats that Saudis own as pets will have to be returned to the government starting 28 January.

The newly passed Law on Regulation of Ownership of Dangerous Animals bans "all types of wild and domesticated but dangerous animals" as a pets, Gulf News reported.

Only licensed zoos, wildlife parks, circuses, breeding and research centres are now allowed to keep wild or exotic animals.

The new law also demands a leash on dogs at all times when in public - violaters will be fined anywhere between Dh10,000 - Dh100,000. Surprisingly, even pit bulls, Dobermans, and Mastiffs, have been banned.

Imported animals of all kinds must be registered, and owners must carry official certificates issued by authorities. There's also the provision of stiff fines for anyone who uses their animals who attack people. If anyone is even seen in public with a leopard, cheetah or any other exotic animal, they can be jailed for 6 months and fined between Dh10,000 and Dh 500,000.
Protest Electoral Fraud in Honduras

Date:

Friday, December 15, 2017

Time:

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Event Type:

Protest

Organizer/Author:

Allan Fisher

Location Details:

24th and Mission Street, San Francisco

EVERYONE UNITE AGAINST THE ELECTORAL FRAUD IN HONDURAS!



Next Friday December 15/ 2017, a rally(vigil) will be held in San Francisco CA, organized by Los Hondurenos Unidos Contra la Dictadura del Area de la Bahia (Bay Area Hondurans United Against the Dictatorship).



There will be an rally to raise awareness about and solidarity with the fight to defend the victory of Salvador Nasralla, candidate of the Alianza Against the Dictatorship of Honduras.



We call on the whole community to join us in solidarity!



Date: Friday December 15/ 2017 4 - 6 pm

Address: 24th and Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110

Time: 4:00-6:00 PM.

For more information call: (415) 794-6025. (415) 994-3711


It adds new members to growing health line-up
Claim advocacy the differentiator with new JLT scheme
Italian insurer Generali , in a move to simplify its management structure, has created a combined high-profile role aimed at streamlining operations.EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) head Jaime Anchustegui Melgarejo (pictured) has been appointed as group chief operations & insurance officer  a single function to be responsible for transformation and technical performance improvements in the insurance business, operations, IT infrastructure, and digitalisation. Starting January 01, 2018, he will also be in charge of managing and monitoring initiatives to control operating costs and improve productivity.As part of the organisational changes, the task of overseeing EMEA countries will be added to the duties of Frederic de Courtois, chief executive of global business lines & international. Austria, however, has been integrated into the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) area, which is under the supervision of Luciano Cirina.The creation of this new role is another important step towards simplifying our management structure and streamlining Generalis operations, commented Philippe Donnet, group CEO at Generali. In particular, we will be faster and more effective in facing the challenges posed by new digital technologies, which are a key way to meet customer needs through increasingly personalised solutions.The appointment of Jaime Anchustegui, who has extensive international experience thanks to his previous positions in Europe and Latin America, once again shows how the Group is capable of fostering the development of our staff, drawing on the best talent in our industry.Anchustegui previously served as CEO of Generali Espana and also held important positions in Peru, Mexico, and other Latin American countries.
As part of developing its Target Operating Model (LM TOM), the London Market Group (LMG) has released an updated version of the Market Business Glossary  providing brokers, carriers, coverholders, and third-party administrators (TPAs) with additional content.This is the second release of the Glossary, which went live in October and focussed on reporting of premium and claims data for coverholders. Now market participants can also access reference data such as class of business, risk codes, and catastrophe codes.Over the first half of next year, further data sets will published. The goal is to help the market in creating and sharing better data and make it an easier place to do business.We are making good progress in developing data standards, and the value of agreeing and sharing definitions and rules for data is clearly demonstrated by the fact that over 100 market firms are using the Market Business Glossary, and around 350 individual users are registered, noted Helen Crooks, chief data officer at Lloyds and market champion for the data integration solutions.Crooks said the key aim is to get data flowing through the market in a uniform and consistent manner so that everyone can benefit not only from faster delivery but especially from better quality information. The Glossary serves as a centralised repository of business definitions and rules.We have always said that the Glossary will evolve with the inclusion of new features and data responding to the markets priorities and needs, she explained. The next step will be to look at interfacing the Glossary with users in-house systems, and the introduction of an innovative collaboration functionality to allow data users to comment on, and influence, the rules and definitions contained within it.According to Crooks, having common data will reduce the risk of errors and inconsistencies, as well as the need for re-work and remediation.
With Christmas just around the corner, RAC Insurance is urging Western Australians to implement necessary security measures to keep their homes burglar-free this holiday season.The insurer issued the warning as its claims data showed that it received a total of 506 burglary claims from Dec. 16, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017, or an average 12 home burglaries per day.We definitely see a spike in home burglaries at this time of the year, with last years Christmas holiday claims averaging more than $2 million worth of stolen items, said Glen Walker, RAC Insurance home claims manager.To keep burglars at bay, Walker said homeowners should ensure their property look occupied and maintained when they are away on holidays.Ask family and friends to house-sit and water your plants, and ask neighbours to put out the rubbish bins and collect the mail, he said. Its also important to always lock up your house, even when youre home, as we see a spike in home burglaries during the warmer months of the year in general.Walker said that in December and January, RAC Insurance saw a 13% spike in home burglary claims compared to the rest of the year.Be aware that opportunistic thieves are on the look-out for easy targets, so ensure your exterior sensor lights are switched on and any high-value goods are not visible through windows, he said. If possible, install a home-alarm system and use the window stickers that come with it to warn potential thieves there is an alarm in place.Walker said that home-security CCTV systems are becoming more popular  a good sign that people are making an effort to protect their homes against would-be burglars.The more you do to secure your home, the less likely it is to be targeted for both spontaneous and planned burglaries, he said.
In a crowded market, carriers need to be building the strongest of relationships with their broker partners if they want to win out.John Hennessy, senior vice president of sales and distribution at CNA , said the insurance landscape had changed considerably in the past few years due to largescale M&A consolidations expanding the power of the biggest brokers  but smaller independent agencies remained a crucial part of the equation.The distribution landscape is consolidating, which is driving the need for deeper partnerships with agencies and brokerage firms  both large and small  that result from mergers and acquisitions.We continue to maintain our strong presence and commitment to independent agents, who continue to be resilient in the marketplace. This distribution channel has always been a strong area of both mutual growth and profit, he said.Throughout CNAs history, we have developed very strong independent agent and broker relationships around the world  thats been our backbone since our founding in 1897. Were committed to the independent agency channel, and [to] our large broker partnerships. Were continuously broadening and deepening these relationships, as they have the ability to help us serve new markets and grow significantly.Hennessy, who has been with CNA for 35 years, since 1982, knows well what makes broker-carrier relationships work, having been at one time or another responsible for leading CNAs field operations in Canada, Europe, and throughout the US.So, what forms successful, mutually-beneficial relationships?CNAs strength and momentum in the marketplace, specifically within our areas of specialization, are well known to brokers. They [our broker partners] are strong partners who trust our reputation, formed from years of doing business together, Hennessy said.We are developing and deepening relationships with brokers who have a similar approach to growing their businesses, [who] understand the value of specialization, drive new business in significant ways and help ensure our customers success.Carriers, though, cant simply maintain the status quo of former years, Hennessy said  they need to be offering the best policies, the best coverage, and the best service.Its an open market for brokers and agents, and carriers need to stand out, he said.Brokers and agents have many choices, he said. In Canada and the US, these marketplaces are saturated with international carriers, national carriers and regional marketplaces. Agents and brokers have to make decisions about where they send their business, therefore we must provide competitive insurance solutions in every distribution segment.Its an interesting time to work in the insurance industry, in part because of recent consolidations. Succeeding in todays market is driven by skills, and those with the best talent rise to the top. Agents and brokers are more selective in their carrier partners and are bringing a higher level of sophistication to each transaction. These factors require carriers to elevate their game or risk getting left behind.
Technology and cyber risk go hand-in-hand in todays digital world. Cyber criminals are doing everything possible to exploit vulnerabilities in our technology and software. Whereas cyber adversaries only have to nail an attack once, our cyber defenses have to be on point 100% of the time.Coalition, a recently-launched cyber risk solution, is there to help with that. Co-founded by technology entrepreneurs Joshua Motta and John Hering, Coalition provides a full suite of cybersecurity products for small to midsize businesses (SMBs) and comprehensive cyber and technology error & omissions insurance of up to $10 million of coverage.Through Coalitions online platform, insurance brokers can generate a cyber insurance quote in minutes and also provide their SMB clients with access to Coalitions proprietary cybersecurity apps that are designed to detect, manage and mitigate threats.Cybersecurity is broken, said Motta, CEO of Coalition. Weve experienced first-hand the difficulty of protecting an organization from constantly evolving cyber and technological threats. From systems failure to hacking, human error to denial of service attacks, no amount of investment in defenses has solved the problem. Our insurance-enabled, technology-driven platform addresses these risk management gaps for SMBs to help them prevent losses and remain resilient should the worst come to pass.Coalition has the insurance backing of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Argo to offer its suite of cyber security products, tools and services. Through Coalitions risk management apps, businesses can easily access and configure threat and intelligence alerts, ransomware and denial of service protection, and patch and vulnerability notifications without any complex setup or configuration.Were not only looking to help the end customer (the policyholder); we also want to make brokers lives easier, Motta told Insurance Business. A broker can log-in to our system and in under four minutes, they can not only quote a policy, get a rate for it, create a binder for it  but the cyber insurance policy will actually be issued.We personalize the insurance coverage to the individual company, so we never make them purchase coverage for a risk exposure they dont have. All the brokers need to do is fill-in some very straightforward information about the company, click which coverages, limits and retentions the client wants, and then bind the quote with the click of a button. We have greatly simplified the whole process to help brokers do their jobs more efficiently.Coalitions team includes technology entrepreneurs and executives that helped build Cloudflare, Lookout and OpenDNS, former members of the US Intelligence Community and cyber insurance innovators. They use their significant cyber expertise to scrutinize companies like a real-life hacker would.Our cyber risk assessment process is to replicate what a human adversary would do, explained Motta. Hackers dont make determinations to go after companies because of their particular industry ; they typically target companies based on what technologies theyre using and what vulnerabilities exist in those technologies that they can exploit.At Coalition, our underwriting process is exactly the same. We scan for vulnerabilities and then make determinations as to which companies are more likely to be targets based on the returns the hackers might get  and we monitor those vulnerabilities continuously because cyber risk is always changing.The companys apps and cyber security tools are only available to Coalition policyholders, but Motta hopes the tools will become available to everyone in the future. We want to democratize access to cybersecurity technology for those who need it the most, he commented.
Female kitchen workers at the McCormick & Schmicks seafood restaurant in downtown Boston were subjected to constant groping and lewd comments from male supervisors and co-workers, and their complaints to the company were routinely ignored, five women said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The lawsuit highlights the abuse and harassment women in low-wage hospitality positions routinely face, even as allegations of sexual misconduct roil white-collar industries like film, media and politics, said Sophia Hall, an attorney for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice, which represents the women.

These are positions that society often overlooks, she said. These women are particularly vulnerable, with limited English and no access to an effective reporting procedure. They suffered daily and in humiliating ways.

Fabiana Santos, who worked as a prep cook at the restaurant, detailed the lewd comments and unwanted touching she endured from a male dishwasher at a news conference Tuesday.

The disgusting things that happened to me made me feel dirty, she said in Portuguese, speaking through a translator. And when I got home, I didnt even want my kids to touch me.

Marta Romero said a sous chef frequently groped and harassed her when she worked there as a dishwasher. She said she felt powerless to do anything about it because the chef was her supervisor.

I want other women to know that whatever type of work they do or who they are, theyre not powerless, she said in Spanish through an interpreter. They are powerful and have legal rights.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they speak publicly, which all five women have done.

A spokeswoman for Landrys Inc., the Houston-based restaurant, casino and hotel operator that owns McCormick & Schmicks Seafood Restaurants, Inc., said in a statement that McCormick strives to maintain a harassment free environment.

The plaintiffs lawyers have latched on to the current frenzy concerning sexual harassment and filed a lawsuit citing inflammatory allegations that conflicted with statements of their own clients and that at least one independent eyewitness identified during our investigation said was untrue, said Julia Liebelt, vice president of human resources.

The women, most of whom have since left the restaurant chain, say they reported the lewd behavior to supervisors but were routinely ignored.

They eventually brought their complaints to the companys human resources department, which took some disciplinary actions against male employees but denied the conduct amounted to sexual harassment, according to the lawsuit.

The women then took their case to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which in 2015 ruled there was reasonable cause to believe the company discriminated against the women on the basis of their gender, according to the lawsuit.

Rachel Smit, another attorney for the women, said federal agency finding allows the women to proceed with their suit, which was filed in Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston and seeks unspecified damages.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Massachusetts
London police are considering a variety of criminal charges related to the June fire at Grenfell Tower that killed 71 people.

Police told an inquiry Monday [Dec. 11] that the possible charges include misconduct in public office, manslaughter, corporate manslaughter and breaches of fire safety regulation.

No one has yet been charged.

Jeremy Johnson, the lawyer representing the police at the inquiry, said the scope of the police investigation was unprecedented in a case that did not involve an extremist attack.

He said police are studying 31 million documents and 2,500 exhibits.

Johnson spoke at a hearing spelling out how a detailed inquiry into the disaster will be carried out.

Officials say the goal is to make sure there is never a repeat of the catastrophe.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Fraud Law Enforcement London
Chubb announced two leadership appointments in the companys Asia Pacific business.

John French, currently country president for Australia and New Zealand, has been appointed to the position of senior vice president, head of Broker Distribution for Asia Pacific. At the same time, Jarrod Hill, who is currently executive vice president, head of Property for Chubb Overseas General, has been appointed to succeed French as country president of Australia and New Zealand.

Both appointments will be effective from Feb. 1, 2018 and are subject to regulatory approval.

In his new role, French will focus on maximizing Chubbs product offering including portfolio-based solutions, facilities, joint product design and execution initiatives with key brokers in the region. French will continue to be based in Sydney and will report to Jason Keen, Chubbs regional head of Property & Casualty for Asia Pacific.

French succeeds Ben Carey, who has been appointed to lead the corporate segment of the companys international accident and health insurance business. Based in New York, Carey will report to John Thomson, division president, International Accident & Health, Chubb Overseas General.

To take up his new role as country president of Australia and New Zealand, Hill is returning to the region where he was previously regional head of Property & Casualty for Chubb in Asia Pacific until assuming his current position in 2013. Based in Sydney, Hill will report to Paul McNamee, Chubbs regional president for Asia Pacific.

Source: Chubb

Topics Leadership Australia Chubb France
Global Aerospace, the London-based provider of aerospace insurance, announced that Munich Re has agreed to purchase an additional 11 percent of the shares in Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd., the company that manages the Global Aerospace Pool.

Following the acquisition, Munich Re will own 51 percent and a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. will continue to own 49 percent.

Munich Res share of the Global Aerospace Pool will increase by 5 percent from Jan. 1, 2019, Global Aerospace said in a statement.

According to Global Aerospaces website, Munich Re currently has 44.96 percent of the Global Aerospace Pool; National Indemnity Co. has 23.39 percent of the pool; Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance Co. has 12.37 percent share; Mapfre Global Risks has 10 percent, and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has 9.28 percent.

We are fortunate in having the backing of two such strong and committed shareholders, commented Nick Brown, group chief executive officer of Global Aerospace Underwriting Manager.

Munich Re has long had a strategic interest in increasing its investment in Global, and this deal achieves that, while ensuring that Berkshire Hathaway continues to have a very significant interest, he added. For our customers, pool-members and employees it is business as usual.

Source: Global Aerospace

Topics Aerospace
Medical payments per workers compensation claim in Michigan were among the lowest of 18 state workers compensation systems analyzed in a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

The study, CompScope Medical Benchmarks for Michigan, 18th Edition, examined medical payments, prices, and utilization in Michigan and compared them with 17 other states over a period from 2010 through 2015.

Michigan had among the lowest medical payments per claim among the study states, said Ramona Tanabe, WCRIs executive vice president and counsel in the groups announcement. Lower-than-typical medical payments per claim in Michigan were a result of lower prices paid for professional services as well as lower payments per service for hospital outpatient services.

The following are among the studys other findings:

The relatively low medical payments per claim were likely due to the Michigan fee schedules for professional (nonhospital) and hospital services.

Overall nonhospital utilization (measured as volume of provided services) was similar to other study states, although comparative utilization varied by type of service.

Hospital inpatient and outpatient payments per claim were less than in the median study state, even though Michigan had a higher percentage of services billed by hospital providers.

Over time, medical payments per claim in Michigan were relatively stable from 2010 through 2015.

WCRI studied medical payments, prices, and utilization in 18 states, including Michigan, looking at claim experience through 2016 for injuries that occurred mainly from 2010 to 2015. WCRIs CompScope Medical Benchmarks studies compare payments from state to state and across time.

The Cambridge-based WCRI is based in Cambridge, Mass

Source: WCRI

Topics Workers' Compensation Michigan
A Manhattan federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by New Yorks banking regulator against the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) over its proposal to offer charters that would let online lenders and other so-called fintech companies do business national wide, saying it was filed too early.

Since the OCC has not reached a final decision on the fintech charters, the claims were not ripe, and any purported harm speculative, U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald wrote in her decision tossing the case without prejudice.

In the lawsuit, filed in May, Maria Vullo, superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), called the OCCs plan to grant the national charters lawless, ill-conceived and destabilizing of financial markets that are best regulated by the state.

Vullo sought to prevent the U.S. banking regulator from offering the charters, claiming it exceeded the agencys authority under the National Banking Act.

The state argued that the charters would allow internet lenders to gouge New York borrowers by locating in states that allow higher rates, that money transmitters could skirt local consumer protection laws and capital standards, and that the state agency could be deprived of resources.

The judge said the OCCs actions over the last seven months support the finding that the federal regulator had not determined whether it would issue the charters.

The proposal, the judge noted, was first discussed by an appointee of former President Barack Obama, and its position has become increasingly uncertain under President Trumps two Comptrollers of the Currency.

She added that it would be sensible for the OCC to provide DFS with notice as soon as it reaches a final decision, given DFSs intent to pursue the issues.

In response to the decision, Vullo noted that the court did not reach a decision on whether the OCC has the authority to issue the fintech charters.

Given the OCCs statements since DFS filed the lawsuit, she added, we hope that the OCC will abandon its pursuit of the chartering of nondepository institutions.

A spokesman for the OCC declined to comment.

In April, a nationwide organization of state bank supervisors brought a similar lawsuit to prevent the agency from moving forward with the charters. That complaint, filed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors in federal court in Washington, is pending.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Lisa Shumak)

Topics USA Legislation InsurTech New York
A Florida college professor fired after publicly saying the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut was a hoax has lost a lawsuit claiming he was wrongfully terminated.

Local news outlets report that a federal jury on Monday sided with Florida Atlantic University. The school contended communications professor James Tracy was fired last year not because of his blog posts about the Sandy Hook school shooting but because he violated rules regarding reporting of outside work.

Tracy claimed his firing violated his free speech rights. He wrote on his blog that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax by the government to impose tougher gun control. Tracy sought reinstatement to his position, back pay and damages.

Twenty children and six adults were killed at Sandy Hook on this day in 2012.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Florida
What Is Net Neutrality?

Network neutrality ensures that all data on the internet is treated equally by internet service providers (ISPs) and governments, regardless of content, user, platform, application, or device.

For users, net neutrality enables access and transparency of internet content and allows access to all internet services and applications.

Key Takeaways Network neutrality ensures that all data on the internet is treated equally by ISPs and governments, regardless of content, user, platform, application, or device.

Net neutrality policy discussions target issues such as blocking or filtering online content, and preferential internet speeds based on business agreements.

U.S. net neutrality laws were enacted by the Obama administration in 2015 and repealed by the Trump administration in 2018.

The Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act was introduced in July 2022 and would give the FCC tools to protect the free and open internet and create a just broadband future for everyone in the United States.



Understanding Net Neutrality

Net neutrality argues that the internet should be accessible to everyone and requires all ISPs to provide the same level of data access and speed to all traffic and traffic to one service or website cannot be blocked or degraded.

Coined by Columbia University law professor Tim Wu, net neutrality is used as a broad label in internet public policy and regulatory discussions concerning online freedom of expression, competition of service, innovation, pricing, and internet traffic management.

Policy discussions both for and against net neutrality regulation target issues such as blocking or filtering online content, preferential internet speeds based on business agreements, throttling to limit user upload and download rates, and market competition and innovation to offer consumers the best choice of ISP.



Net Neutrality Policies

The Obama Administration advanced net neutrality legislation in 2015 and enacted rules that barred ISPs such as AT&T and Comcast from deliberately speeding up or slowing down traffic to or from specific websites based on demand or business preferences.

However, in 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under President Trump, eliminated all net neutrality protections and renounced its authority over broadband, but allowed states to implement their own open internet rules.

In July 2022, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Representative Doris Matsui (CA-06) introduced the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act, legislation that would classify broadband internet access as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act, giving the FCC the appropriate authority to reinstate net neutrality protections.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an accessible and just broadband future and the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act gives the FCC the authority to prohibit discriminatory practices like blocking, throttling, paid prioritization online, and the ability to enact effective broadband policies that enhance public safety, increase accessibility and protect consumers.



Net Neutrality Discussion

There are opposing opinions concerning net neutrality and acceptable internet management activities and those which are overreaching and result in discrimination against both users and content providers.

Arguments for Net Neutrality

 Network neutrality does not allow ISPs to determine the speed at which consumers can access specific websites or services and smaller companies will be more likely to enter the market and create new services.

 Net neutrality ensures an open internet if mandated by law in the U.S. and prevents broadband providers from practicing data discrimination as a competitive tactic.

 Human rights organizations, consumer rights advocates, and software companies argue that cable companies should be classified as "common carriers," like public utility companies or public transportation providers, who are forbidden by law from discriminating among their users.

Criticism of Net Neutrality

 Forcing ISPs to treat all traffic equally the government will ultimately discourage the investment in new infrastructure, and will also create a disincentive for ISPs to innovate.

 Conservative think tanks, hardware companies, and major telecommunication providers are popular critics of net neutrality.

 ISPs argue that tiered prices allow them to remain competitive and generate funds needed for further innovation and expansion of broadband networks, as well as to recoup the costs already invested in broadband.

Example of Net Neutrality

Following the 2017 repeal of net neutrality rules, several violations were studied including:

 YouTube and Netflix were slowed by wireless carriers, using a fraction of the available speed.

 Verizons throttling of services affected the Santa Clara County Fire Departments ability to provide emergency services during the California wildfires.

 Comcast introduced new speed limits where videos will be throttled to 480p on all its mobile plans unless customers pay extra.

What Is Net Neutrality and Why Is It Important? Net neutrality is the concept that states that organizations, such as Internet service providers, should treat all data on the internet equally. Proponents argue it promotes a free and open internet, where users can access content without restriction, provided the content does not violate any laws.

Does the UK Have Net Neutrality? The European Union (EU) formed regulations to promote and protect an open internet, preventing internet service providers from restricting and blocking users' access to lawful content. Certain exceptions, such as the ability to slow traffic at the request of a court order, apply.

Is There Net Neutrality in India? In 2017, India developed some of the strictest net neutrality laws in the world. Policymakers and Indian activists, with a desire to promote an open internet and widespread internet access to the nation's citizens, advocated together for net neutrality laws. Service providers who violate these regulations face losing their license to operate.

The Bottom Line

Net neutrality seeks to promote an open and free internet, unencumbered by service providers and other organizations. Regulations and policies regarding net neutrality have been debated for several years with policies and changes enacted since 2015.
When you hear the term shareholder meeting, what's the first thing you think about? If you're like most people, the most immediate thought that may come to mind may be the carnival- or festival-like atmosphere that surrounds Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A, BRK.B) well-known annual gathering. Or perhaps it's the protests and controversy that often accompany the annual meetings at large public companies like Wal-Mart as shareholders argue against a wide range of corporate policies in a very public way.

While both scenarios are, in fact, a reality, they generally represent only a slice of the full range of shareholder meeting experiences. In fact, most annual meetings are not nearly as glamorous, exciting, or even controversial. But they are a necessary part of the life of many companiesboth public and private. So what exactly happens at these meetings? Before we explore the meetings themselves, it may help to give some insight into the purpose of the meeting.

Key Takeaways Shareholder meetings are a regulatory requirement which means most public and private companies must hold them.

Notification of the meeting's date and time is often accompanied by the meeting's agenda.

Meetings are generally administrative sessions that follow a specific format set forth well in advance.

While the meetings of Berkshire Hathaway and Wal-Mart have become lavish events, the majority are fairly run-of-the-mill.

What's the Point?

From the company's perspective, shareholder meetings are a regulatory requirement, so both private and public companies must hold these meetings. The rules governing these meetings depend on the state in which the company is incorporated. And public companies are held to a higher standard than private ones.

Technically, notification of the meeting date is not even required to be sent to shareholders because the meeting date is stated in the bylaws of each company and the annual meeting takes place on the same date each year. Despite that, formal notification of the meeting date and time is generally sent to investors, as it is unlikely that many shareholders have read the bylaws, and the media would have an opportunity to sensationalize the fact that a firm was acting in an unethical mannerone that could be construed as an attempt to hide the date and time of its meeting.

Your Invitation to Look Inside

Notification of the meeting's date and time will include a copy of the meeting's agenda, which is often centered around the election of members to the board of directors, approval of an accounting firm to review the company's financial records, and an opportunity to vote on any proposals that are put before the board, either by shareholders or by company management. The text of the invitation is often dry and formulaic. A typical notice is likely to read something like this:

ABC Corporation will conduct its Annual Meeting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19 at the XYZ Hotel located at 123 Main Street, New York, N.Y. Shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders above, including the election of the two directors named in the Proxy Statement, ratification of the selection of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (the "Independent Auditors") of ABC Corporation and the consideration of any other matters that may come before the board.

The notification is a legal notice, with little fanfare attached. The meeting is held during working hours, making it inconvenient for shareholders who have full-time jobs to attend. Shareholders who cannot attend the meeting in person are encouraged to vote by proxy, which can be done online or by filling out and mailing a form.

Clearly, the event advertised by the official notice is not a party, but rather an administrative function based on regulatory requirements. Of course, shareholders have a legal right to attend annual meetings. It is, after all, the one time each year they have an opportunity to sit in the same room with representatives from the company.

At the Meeting

Shareholder meetings are generally administrative sessions that follow a specific format set forth well in advance of the meeting. The format dictates parliamentary procedure, the amount of time allocated for each speaker, and procedures for shareholders who wish to make statements. A corporate secretary, attorney, or another official often presides over the process. Even for a big, popular firm like Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, the business portion of the agenda takes only about 20 minutes. The election of directors and votes on shareholder proposals are handled in a largely scripted manner. At the conclusion of the meeting, the minutes are formally recorded.

In many cases, the publicity surrounding shareholder proposals is far more exciting than the actual meetings. The level of hoopla surrounding shareholder meetings generally has a direct correlation to how broadly the company's shares are held.

Large public companies such as Walt Disney (DIS) and General Electric (GE) attract the lion's share of attention. Shareholders often put forth protest votes against company policies. GE, for example, has faced protest votes seeking to get the firm to stop engaging in the manufacture of components that can be used to construct landmines. Other firms have faced votes designed to change their environmental policies, to eliminate benefits for same-sex partners, and for a host of other proposals.

Executive compensation has also become a hot topic in recent years. With workers' wages stagnating and CEO compensation soaring, companies are now required to seek non-binding shareholder votes approving executive compensation packages. While the compensation packages often involve astronomical numbers and lavish perks ranging from corporate jets to company-funded living quarters, the vote is nonbinding. This means executive compensation packages are nearly always approved, regardless of the results of the vote.

Special Considerations

It is important to keep in mind that mutual funds, hedge funds, and other investment vehicles controlled by financial services companies usually control the majority of a corporation's publicly traded stock. While individual investors may have opinions of various topics and are able to express those opinions by putting forth proposals, the biggest voting blocks are often the financial institutions, pension funds, and similar entitiesall known as institutional investorsthat hold large stakes in the firms.

Getting a handful of Wall Street firms to agree with the firm's positions, either for or against a given proposal, is usually more than enough support to squash any dissent.

The majority of shareholders in a public company are usually institutional investors who control mutual funds, hedge funds, and other investment vehicles.

The Other End of the Spectrum

Of course, there is an exception to every rule, and Berkshire Hathawaythe company run by legendary investor Warren Buffettsets the benchmark standard for shareholder meetings against which all others are judged. The daylong, carnival-like atmosphere features comedy skits, disco balls, music, celebrities like Bill Gates, and even dancing characters from the various companies in the portfolio including the GEICO gecko.

Live online coverage of the proceedings provides real-time updates for those individuals who are interested in the event but unable to attend. Note that attendees who wish to join the party and hear the Oracle of Omaha speak are required to hold Class A shares, which have recently traded above $290,000 each.

While not at the level of a Berkshire bash, Wal-Mart (WMT) is no slouch in the shareholder meeting department. Under fire for a variety of labor practices, the retail giant has taken a page from Berkshire's playbook. To get a sense of the events, just ask yourself "What do mega-celebrities Will Smith, Taylor Swift, Ben Stiller, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, and Tom Cruise all have in common?"

The answer is that they have all participated in Wal-Mart shareholder meetings, as the chain has turned its meetings into celebrity endorsements where star power works hard to endorse the firm's practice in a major league effort to overshadow the dissent.

The Bottom Line

For investors, it is reasonable to say that shareholder meetings provide little in the way of revelations. The Security and Exchange Commission's (SEC) enactment of Regulation FD on Aug. 15, 2000, effectively banned companies from selectively releasing material nonpublic information.

To remain in compliance with this mandate, companies release their quarterly earnings information in well-telegraphed events. This information is where investors look to gain insight into a company's health. That said, if you get a chance to attend the festivities at Berkshire or Wal-Mart, you will probably have a good time, even if you don't get any special insights.
What Is a Z-Score?

A Z-score is a numerical measurement that describes a value's relationship to the mean of a group of values. Z-score is measured in terms of standard deviations from the mean. If a Z-score is 0, it indicates that the data point's score is identical to the mean score. A Z-score of 1.0 would indicate a value that is one standard deviation from the mean. Z-scores may be positive or negative, with a positive value indicating the score is above the mean and a negative score indicating it is below the mean.

In finance, Z-scores are measures of an observation's variability and can be used by traders to help determine market volatility. The Z-score is also sometimes known as the Altman Z-score.

A Z-Score is a statistical measurement of a score's relationship to the mean in a group of scores.

A Z-score can reveal to a trader if a value is typical for a specified data set or if it is atypical.

In general, a Z-score below 1.8 suggests a company might be headed for bankruptcy, while a score closer to 3 suggests a company is in solid financial positioning.

1:55 Z-Score

How Z-Scores Work

Z-scores reveal to statisticians and traders whether a score is typical for a specified data set or if it is atypical. Z-scores also make it possible for analysts to adapt scores from various data sets to make scores that can be compared to one another more accurately.

Edward Altman, a professor at New York University, developed and introduced the Z-score formula in the late 1960s as a solution to the time-consuming and somewhat confusing process investors had to undergo to determine how close to bankruptcy a company was. In reality, the Z-score formula that Altman developed actually ended up providing investors with an idea of the overall financial health of a company.

Over the years, Altman continued to reevaluate his Z-score. From 1969 until 1975, Altman looked at 86 companies in distress. From 1976 to 1995, he observed 110 companies. Finally, from 1997 to 1999, he evaluated an additional 120 companies. From his findings, it was revealed that the Z-score had an accuracy of between 82% and 94%.

In 2012, Altman released an updated version of the Z-score, which is called the Altman Z-score Plus. It can be used to evaluate public and private companies, manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies, and U.S. and non-U.S. companies.

A Z-score is the output of a credit-strength test that helps gauge the likelihood of bankruptcy for a publicly traded company. The Z-score is based on five key financial ratios that can be found and calculated from a company's annual 10-K report. The calculation used to determine the Altman Z-score is as follows:

Z-Scores vs. Standard Deviation

Standard deviation is essentially a reflection of the amount of variability within a given data set. Standard deviation is calculated by first determining the difference between each data point and the mean. The differences are then squared, summed, and averaged. This produces the variance. The standard deviation is the square root of the variance.

The Z-score, by contrast, is the number of standard deviations a given data point lies from the mean. For data points that are below the mean, the Z-score is negative. In most large data sets, 99% of values have a Z-score between -3 and 3, meaning they lie within three standard deviations above and below the mean.

Criticisms of Z-Scores

The Z-score should be calculated and interpreted with care. For example, the Z-score is not immune to false accounting practices. Since companies in trouble may sometimes misrepresent or cover up their financials, the Z-score is only as accurate as the data that goes into it.

Additionally, the Z-score isn't very effective for new companies with little to zero earnings. Regardless of their actual financial health, these companies will score low. Moreover, the Z-score doesn't address the cash flows of a company. Rather, it only hints at it through the use of the net working capital-to-asset ratio.

Finally, Z-scores can swing from quarter to quarter if a company records one-time write-offs. These events can change the final score and may falsely suggest a company is on the brink of bankruptcy.
US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is set to add capacity for about 500 new jobs in Cork.

The company has signed contracts for a new 20m office building in Little Island, which will be its second in the city's Eastgate Business Park.

If the capacity of a new office block is fully realised in the future, the move would more than double the company's work force at its Little Island base to around 1,000. It already employs 400 people.

Construction is due begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed in 2019.

The Irish Examiner's Tommy Barker reports that developers OFlynn Group are set to build the 20m, 70,000 sq ft office block, capable of housing up to 500 workers, for pharma giant Lillys Global Business Solutions Centre in Eastgate.

The Lilly deal, a long time in the offing for the 120-acre business park just east of the Jack Lynch Tunnel, will see the OFlynn Group construct this second, fourth-generation office building to be called Island Hall.

It is to go right next to Lillys existing Cork offices footprint, Island House, which they secured from OFlynn Group at Eastgate in 2013 at a 10m-plus cost.

Now, Lilly are further expanding that presence, bringing their space there up to 135,000 sq ft of offices, and clearly signalling the arrival of several hundred more diverse back-office service jobs locating to Cork in the next few years.

Pharma giant Eli Lilly has been in Ireland since 1976, and has been manufacturing in Dunderrow, Kinsale since 1981, where it employs 500, plus hundreds of contractors, and is actively expanding into the biopharma sector, with a new 200m plant under way.
Burma Army Shelling Seen Signaling Start of New Offensive in Kachin, Shan States

KIA troops maintain security on the border near a Myanmar Army base in Tanai township. / Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar Army on Wednesday shelled at least four positions held by the Kachin Independence Army in northern parts of the country in a move rebel leaders are interpreting as a signal that fighting will soon escalate in areas under their control.

Col. Naw Bu, a KIA spokesperson, told The Irrawaddy today that the four places were in Laiza, Mansi and Tanai townships. Looking at their shelling, we understand that they are preparing to do something to us, he said, suggesting a military escalation was imminent.

Col. Naw Bu said the Myanmar Army fired three artillery shells at a forward security post for a KIA base in Mung Lai Hkyet at 2 pm local time, adding there had been no fighting in the area on previous days.

Clashes have also broken out around Tanai township where the Myanmar Army has blocked public roads out of the town. The army has also shelled nearby mining villages and dropped leaflets from helicopters ordering people to move out of these areas before May.

They block all the roads. No one dares travel back to their villages. They have even shelled amber mining areas, said Yui Che Le, a member of the Kachin Baptist Convention in Tanai township, which provides help to Kachin IDPs.

In its account of the hostilities, the Ministry of Defence said there had been landmine incidents on an almost daily basis around Kachin state with a dozen people being wounded by devices it said were planted by the KIA. The ministry said there had been landmine explosions in at least five places: Bhamo, Karmine, Hpakant, Mohnyin and Tanai townships.

The Myanmar Army had had taken people wounded by the landmine blasts to hospital for treatment and has posted photos of the victims on the Ministry of Defences Facebook account to support its version of events.

As for three small blasts in Hpakant yesterday, Col. Naw Bu denied army charges that the shells came from the KIA. The Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) said the bombs were from us. But, we stand by our accusation that the bombs were from them. There are Tatmadaw, KIA, and even Red Shan militia based in the areas, he said.

Military Offensive

The Burmese Army typically launches its military offensives against rebels groups in October with the onset of the dry season in Kachin and northern Shan states, but their offensive started late this year. Some observers believe the Army is seeking to keep a lower profile after coming under intense pressure from the international community after it launched a sweep in Rakhine state in August that forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. As a result, they have delayed their annual military offensive in Kachin and northern Shan states.

The Myanmar Army launched a heavy offensive last year at about this time in Kachin state and northern Shan. Claiming they had no place to hide in the jungle, the rebels launched a counter offensive, attacking army bases in a number of places in northern Shan state including Muse, Kutkai, and Mongko townships and forcing hundreds of IDPs to flee to China.

Kachin State is rich in of natural resources and the Myanmar Army has a keen interest in grabbing control of these areas, according to the rebels. Earlier this year, an army lawmaker in the Lower House proposed the army be given approval to launch military operations to take over mining areas. But, Parliament rejected the proposal. Also, a military MP in Kachin asked the state Parliament to authorize curfews in some parts of the state, but the state parliament voted that plan down too.

Many Hpakant jade mining areas are already under the control of the army, while mining areas in Tanai are controlled by the KIA.

Refugee Situation in Kachin

The Myanmar Army has not allowed humanitarian agencies from the UN to deliver aid to Kachin IDPs. UN officers reported that they have asked the Myanmar Army several times for permission but they have not been denied on each occasion.

Local Kachin rights activists and international rights groups have called the blocking of humanitarian aid deliveries to the IDPs a war crime, but the army has ignored the criticism. It apparently believes the KIA will able to resist a long offensive if it lets international humanitarian aid cross into KIA-controlled areas. The Myanmar Army has deployed a four cuts counter-insurgency strategy that aims to cut off food, funds, intelligence and popular support for the KIAs armed resistance.

A 17-year-long ceasefire between the KIA and Myanmar Army broke down in 2011. The resulting fighting has caused 120,000 people to flee from their homes and they are now living in 167 IDP camps in Kachin State. They have not been able to go back home since the fighting erupted.
Burma Govt Eases Some Restrictions on Bagan Locals

Villages have existed in the area for generations with locals living in the area becoming known as Bagan natives. / Tin Htet Paing / The Irrawaddy

YANGONThe government has eased some restrictions on locals living within the heritage monument zone around the Bagan archaeological site, while maintaining its plan to seek a Unesco World Heritage listing for the site.

In late November, locals from five villages petitioned the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture demanding their villages be demarcated within a buffer zone instead of the current monument zone, which is also known as the property zone. Locals have expressed concern that the many restrictions expected to be imposed on their villages in order to comply with Unescos standards for World Heritage Site listing would hurt their livelihoods and businesses.

The villages have existed in this area for generations and locals living there are known as Bagan natives.

The temples of Bagan, dating from between the 9th and 13th centurieswhen the Kingdom of Bagan ruled over much of lowland Burmaare considered Myanmars biggest tourist draw and on par with Cambodias Angkor Wat. Despite its historical, archaeological and cultural value, the ancient capital has yet to be granted World Heritage Site status, reportedly due to officials inability to present plans to deal with inauthentic restorations and controversial hotel developments in the archaeological site completed under previous governments.

The ministry submitted a draft nomination dossier to Unescos World Heritage Site Committee in September and the final version is required to be delivered by Feb. 1, 2018. It has to provide thorough plans to fix previous mismanagement issues, including a master plan for the archaeological site in the dossier.

Regarding the locals petition, the [ministry] will negotiate and make amendments giving serious consideration to locals concerns, the ministry said in a statement Tuesday. It emphasized that the ancient villages would remain within the property zone since ancient temples surrounding the villages have high heritage value and need to be conserved.

The ministry stated that traditional businesses, expansion and construction of locals houses, and tourism businesses such as restaurants and homestays in the villages would be allowed. It also said that buildings in the villages would be permitted according to the same regulations as in the new Bagan and Nyaung-U cities.

Construction and installation of telecommunications towers and satellite dishes would be allowed in accordance with the Heritage Impact Assessment if such infrastructure does not hinder the view of the heritage monuments, it added.

U Aung Aung Kyaw, director of the ministrys Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library in Bagan, told The Irrawaddy that collaboration between locals and authorities is an essential element in the process of listing Bagan as a Unesco World Heritage site, adding that the ministry would not sacrifice the interests of local residents in order to achieve heritage status.

I dont believe this will harm locals livelihoods. We have taken employment opportunities for them into consideration, U Aung Aung Kyaw said.

He also expressed concern that business people and hotel developers were encouraging local opposition in order to further their own plans for development projects within the archaeological site.

U Aung Soe Linn, administrator of Myin Ka Bar, one of the five villages that petitioned the ministry, rejected this claim.

There are no cronies behind us, he told The Irrawaddy, insisting that local residents were just trying to protect their own interests.

He explained that villagers lifestyles and livelihoods would be affected over time. They are particularly concerned about restrictions inside the property zone and an increase in the number of people living in the area.

In the 1990s, one of the then-ruling military juntas most powerful leaders, Gen Khin Nyunt, oversaw the forced relocation of about 6,000 local residents of the old Bagan area away from the archaeological zone to make way for hotel projects. Local people are concerned that something similar will happen again, according to several Bagan residents The Irrawaddy talked to this week.

Unescos national project officer for Myanmar Ma Ohnmar Myo was not available to comment for this article. However, she told The Irrawaddy in late November that sustainable conservation of the Bagan archaeological site is not only about ancient temples and monuments, but also about the livelihoods of the local community.

Authorities have to make sure that heritage properties are preserved while at the same time protecting the interests of local communities, she said.
Burma Media Corps Calls for Unconditional Release of 2 Reuters Reporters

Reuters journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone were charged under the Official Secrets Act.

YANGON  A dozen Myanmar news organizations demanded the government immediately release two Reuters journalists who have been detained by police in Htauk Kyant since Tuesday after being found in possession of classified reports related to the conflict in northern Rakhine State.

The two journalists, Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone, were charged under the Official Secrets Act Article 3  which was enacted during the British colonial era to oppress Myanmar citizens for political purposes  for possessing police reports containing detailed information about the fighting between government troops and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in late August 2017. If found guilty, the reporters could be imprisoned for up to 14 years.

Both journalists had been covering the flight of about 620,000 Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh triggered by a military clearance operations, which the UN has characterized as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Two policemen were also arrested for allegedly providing the documents to the reporters.

The 12 organizations, including the Myanmar Journalist Network (MJN), Myanmar Journalist Association (MJA), Myanmar Journalists Union (MJU), Burma News International (BNI), Myanmar Media Lawyers Network (MML), and the Myanmar Women Journalists Society (MWJS), which are based in Yangon, and other regional organizations such as the Arakan Journalist Association and Taunggyi Journalist Association, issued a joint statement regarding the detention of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and urged the government to process the case transparently.

We journalists absolutely believe that journalists have the right to travel to conflict zones as well as gather information from relevant sources in order to produce accurate reports, the joint statement from the journalist groups states.

Further, it says that while the media corps can accept it was possible the two reporters were in possession of important information that may not have been suitable for general publication because of its potential to damage the states dignity or for security reasons, accusing the journalists of violating the state secrets act for possessing police reports should be regarded as threatening the freedom of the press.

The groups letter said that applying an outdated law to prosecute journalists could harm the reputation of the countrys fragile elected government, while the arrest of the journalists could fuel growing international criticism of Myanmar, especially with regard to those who are covering the Rohingya crisis.

We are deeply concerned about the citizens rights of the detained journalists as their family members have not been allowed to meet them since they were seized, the statement said.

Earlier today, Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief, Stephen J. Adler, issued a statement via the Reuters Press Blog, calling on the authorities to release the two reporters without delay.

Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, and we learned today that they have been arrested in connection with their work. We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately, Adler said.

The US Embassy also expressed its concern about the detained journalists in a statement released shortly after news of the arrests broke on social media.

We are deeply concerned by the highly irregular arrests of two Reuters reporters after they were invited to meet with police officials in Yangon last (Tuesday) night, the embassy said in a statement.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and U.S. embassy urged the government to explain the arrests and demanded the unconditional release of the detainees.
Burma Red Cross Says Life Has Stopped in Myanmars Rakhine

A view of the Mayner Ghona refugee camp near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Dec. 13, 2017. / Reuters

GENEVA  Life has stopped in its tracks in Myanmars northern Rakhine State where an estimated 180,000 Rohingya remain, fearful after violence drove 650,000 to flee to Bangladesh, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

Dominik Stillhart, ICRC director of operations, speaking after a three-day mission to the remote area, said continuing tensions in the Muslim and dominant Buddhist communities were preventing Muslim traders from reopening shops and markets.

The ICRC is one of the only aid agencies to operate in northern Rakhine after Myanmars military waged a campaign the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing in response to Aug. 25 attacks by Rohingya militants on security posts.

The situation in the northern Rakhine has definitely stabilized, there are very sporadic incidents, but tensions are huge between the communities, Stillhart told reporters.

You get a sense, especially of the two main communities being deeply scared of each other. What surprised me is the fact that not only the Muslim communities are scared, but that the others are actually scared as well, he said.

Stillhart went to Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung in northern Rakhine, where the ICRC is providing food, water and other aid 150,000 people. By year-end, it hopes to reach all of the 180,000 Rohingya it estimates remain in the politically-sensitive region, among 300,000 throughout Rakhine, he said.

You travel through the countryside and you really see on both sides of the road, villages that are completely destroyed. It just gives you a bit of a sense of the scale of destruction. There is also this pervasive sense of absence.

It is as if life has stopped in its tracks, people do not move, markets are closed in Maungdaw town, Stillhart said.

Myanmars army released a report last month denying all allegations of rapes and killings by security forces.

No Significant Returns

The main problem for the Muslim communities today is not that they are being attacked, or that there are incidents, Stillhart said.

Rather it is fear and uncertainty, and the very limited possibilities for them to access their own livelihoods like fields, and especially markets and services, he said.

Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement last month for the voluntary repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya within several months.

The returns must be voluntary and safe, Stillhart said.

But for now we really dont see a significant return movement and Im also not expecting that we will see massive return anytime soon, he said. About 300 Muslims still flee daily, he added, citing UN figures.

The ICRC visits detainees held in Rakhine, including Rohingya arrested since Aug 25, he said.

What I can tell you is there are very few people who have been rounded up, surprisingly few people have been rounded up.

So its not as if we met like hundreds or thousands of people rounded up in these detention centers.
Burma Settling Scores in Northern Rakhine

Rohingya women and children displaced from Dar Gyee Zar village watch as authorities carry out relief operations near Abujara village in northern Maungdaw Township in November 2016. / Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  In order to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, the Presidents Office announced the creation of a ten-member implementation committee on Monday including international and local experts alike.

The countrys de facto leader, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, had already formed the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD). Dozens of businesspeople have separately formed yet another group to accelerate infrastructure development in the states north.

However, there appears to be little collaboration between the Union government and local civil society groups or the Rakhine State Parliament. And as the central government works out a strategy to deal with the crisis, those groups and lawmakers have already begun trying to permanently reshape local demographics by drawing in ethnic Arakanese from elsewhere.

Not long after armed clashes broke out on Aug. 25 in the states Maungdaw Township, Arakanese historian Aye Chan, a professor at Japans Kanda University of International Studies, joined nationalists and a few lawmakers to establish the Ancillary Committee for Reconstruction of Rakhine National Territory in the Western Frontier (ACRRNT), known locally as the CRR.

Searching for Settlers

In its counter-offensive against the militant Muslim group the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which sparked the Aug. 25 clashes, government security forces have driven more than 620,000 Rohingya to neighboring Bangladesh with clearance operations UN officials have called a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Nearly 30,000 non-Muslims were also displaced, though most of them have now returned to Maungdaw.

Independent Rakhine State lawmaker Than Maung Oo revealed that over the weekend the CRR brought in 13 families from Thandwe Townships Sin Khaung village and about 40 people from Ramree and Manaung islands, each located hundreds of kilometers from Maungdaw in southern Rakhine.

CRR members say they have been looking for potential settlers for months among poor families both within Rakhine and farther away among Arakanese communities in the Irrawaddy delta.

On social media, some CRR members have been offering to shower settlers with cash and set them up with new homes, fishing nets and land, celebrating them as Rakhines western gate keepers.

Aye Chan said the CRR would loan them the cash, nets, boats and other supplies but expects to be repaid in regular installments once the new arrivals have settled in.

He said his group has not received any financial support from abroad, drawing instead on both Arakanese and non-Arakanese private businesses in Myanmar.

Some of the recent arrivals have already raised modest houses within Arakanese villages in southern Maungdaw. It is unclear whether the state government has officially granted them land.

The Irrawaddys Sittwe correspondent interviewed some settlers who were stopped briefly at a jetty on the way to Maungdaw on Sunday. They said they would have to learn how the locals make a living in order to get by.

Sin Khaung villager Shwe Thein Maung said, The group [CRR] organized us and we will work on land that belonged to the Rakhine, but I dont know exactly what kind of business we will do yet.

Yearning for the Past

The group says its aim is to return the numbers of Buddhist and Muslim villages in Maungdaw to pre-World War II proportions.

In May 1942 Japan invaded Myanmar, then under British control. In response the British organized Muslims communities into an armed V Force to sabotage and attack the Japanese. But the force attacked Arakanese communities, killing many and burning villages to the ground. Only 60 Arakanese villages have been rebuilt in the region since, according to former Information Minister Ye Htut, who spoke on the history of the Rohingya crisis in Singapore in October.

In 1947, after the Japanese were defeated, Aye Chan writes in his book on Rakhine history, the Muslim Liberation Organization, led by the Chittagonian Zaffa Kawal, asked Myanmar to recognize what is today Mayu district in Rakhine as a territory of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The request was denied.

The CRR believes that rebalancing the Muslim and Buddhist populations could prevent further attacks.

There are many abandoned Arakanese villages that were ruined by the mujahedeen before the independence of Myanmar, Aye Chan said, referring to the V Force. We want to relocate our people in all of those areas.

He said his group has already informed the state government of its activities and has not been told to stop. According to Myanmars land laws, farming, building housing on or otherwise using virgin, fellow and vacant land requires a permit from authorities.

If there is any contradiction with existing laws, then we have to negotiate with authorities, Aye Chan said.

Repeating History

The CRRs plans are reminiscent of the Development of Border Areas and National Races  or Natala  village project set up in the early 1990s under the regime of former General Than Shwe.

The project provided housing, land and cattle to those who moved from Yangon and other regions to Maungdaw under the protection of the Nasaka, Myanmars border security force, but was terminate under President Thein Sein.

Although the project established dozens of villages, locals complained that many of them vanished almost immediately as the settlers sold their new farm plots to Muslims and returned to where they came from, said lawmaker U Than Maung Oo.

Aye Chan insists the CRRs plans are different. The professor said the Natala project merely provided land and housing to squatters and vagrants from Yangon who knew little about farming. He explained that the CRR was promoting both farming and fishing as southern Maungdaws coastline has many fishing areas.

U Than Maung Oo said some fishing families from Thandwe tried to settle in the region about a decade ago but left because they were threatened by Rohingya villagers.

More Segregation?

The Irrawaddy asked Aye Chan whether the CRR was promoting segregation, but he declined to comment.

The Rakhine Parliament has urged the Union government to set up a Bengali Free Zone in Maungdaw. Most people in Myanmar refer to the Rohingya as Bengali, implying that they are illegal immigrants.

During a meeting between state legislators and the UEHRD last week, lawmakers suggested splitting the township, reserving the north for Muslims and the south for everyone else.

The previous government enacted a similar plan. When communal riots between Muslims and Arakanese erupted in 2012, authorities evacuated thousands of Rohingya from their quarters in Sittwe Township to Muslim villages on the outskirts of town. The rest of those displaced by the violence have spent the past five years in camps and are yet to be allowed back.

Than Maung Oo has repeatedly urged the government to ignore pressure from international aid groups in dealing with the latest crisis.

We dont care at all if they boycott us. We expect nothing because we have learned enough about their activities over the years, he said.

U Mg Tun, a primary school teacher, lives in southern Maungdaws Kin Chaung village. He said there were about 50 Muslim villages in the region before the Aug. 25 attacks and that only 10 remain intact. He said both Arakan and Muslim villagers are not harvesting their rice paddy for fear of more clashes.

He said local civil society groups support the CPPs plan and a call among many Arakanese for the government not to resettle Muslims in southern Maungdaw.

If the government allows Muslims in the southern part, all of us Arakanese will leave this region forever, U Mg Tun said.

A Home for the Rohingya

But there is no guarantee the Rohingya who fled their homes will return any time soon. Abdul Wahid (not his real name), from Zay De Pyin village in Rathedaung Township, said his family was currently sheltering in southern Buthidaung Township because his village was destroyed during the security forces clearance operations. He has asked authorities to let him visit his village to assess the damage to his property.

We told the authorities that we did not betray the nation, and we did not join those fleeing to Bangladesh, but our requested was ignored, he said.

According Abdul Wahid, about 40 families from Zay De Pyin have sought refuge in Buthidaungs Du Oo Thayma village and have yet to receive any humanitarian assistance from either the government or international aid groups. He said they were running short of food and have been forced to beg from neighbors.

He said their century-old mosque in Rathedaung, built in 1910 during British control, was destroyed with a local business owners bulldozer and that their entire village was reduced to ashes in front of government security forces. He said their plantations were ruined.

No one stopped it, Abdul Wahid said. Its deliberate torture, a tactic to prevent us from returning.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify his claims.
Editorial The Crackdown on the Media Must Stop

In response to the use of Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law against journalists, the Freedom of the Press campaign was launched in June to demand the government abolish the Article. / Thet Htun Naing / The Irrawaddy

The detention of two reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo from Reuters, is a reminder that much praised reform and the democratic transition in Myanmar are still a distant dream. What is worrying now is that the media is being targeted.

The two reporters were arrested under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing internal security reports related to fighting between border guard forces and Muslim militants the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in August and if found guilty, the reporters could be imprisoned for up to 14 years. The Ministry of Information said in a statement the reporters illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media.

The militarys brutal response to ARSA militants and Muslim villagers in the area received international condemnation and the United Nations held several UN Security Council meetings and called on the government to allow an independent investigation. Moreover, the media should be allowed to visit these areas and operate freely, urged the authorities.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson criticized the Myanmar governments actions against the Rohingya Muslim population in the country, labeling its actions ethnic cleansing after he visited the country in November. The United States is considering imposing targeted sanctions on the Myanmar military and has asked countries not to sell arms to Myanmar.

The US embassy in Yangon issued a statement that read: We are deeply concerned by the highly irregular arrests of two Reuters reporters after they were invited to meet with police officials in Yangon last night. For a democracy to succeed, journalists need to be able to do their jobs freely. We urge the government to explain these arrests and allow immediate access to the journalists.

In the wake of the arrest, Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler said: We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately, in a statement.

It is an outrage to see the Ministry of Information release a police record photo of reporters handcuffed  as police normally do to criminals  on its website soon after the detention. It is chilling to see that MOI has suddenly brought us back to the olden days of a repressive regime. The reporters are not criminals nor should they be charged under any laws or acts. Newsgathering and investigation are meant to seek the truth but these arrests indicate that government is now clearly curtailing those practices. The arrest demonstrates an attack on press freedom and the work of journalists. There is no way to justify the arrest and detention.

We ask the government to free Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo immediately.
Thursday, Dec 14th, 2017 (8:47 am) - Score 1,131

As expected Cityfibre has today signed a new 1.7 million contract that will extend their existing fibre optic based Public Service Network (PSN) in the city of Aberdeen (Scotland) by approximately 17km, which should reach an additional 57 public sector locations.

At present the operators existing Aberdeen Core network, which serves local businesses and public sector sites, has already been expanded once to reach 100+ public sector sites (here). However the Scottish Government announced last month that Aberdeen would receive 2m of public funding to extend Gigabit (1Gbps) ultrafast broadband connectivity to 57 key public buildings (e.g. schools, health and community centres).

Todays announcement should thus take the total route kilometres of Cityfibres network in the city to over 100kms and will bring the total public sector sites served in Aberdeen to 166. The operator states that overall theyve sold a service to 419 sites in the city, which we assume must include local businesses. Cumulative ICV booked on the Aberdeen network now totals 6.1m, of which public sector business totals 3.8m.

Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: We are very pleased to announce todays agreement with our long-term partner, Capita, to extend the existing CityFibre network in Aberdeen to bring the benefits of full-fibre to further core public sector sites. Capita and Aberdeen City Council continue to be great partners, and together we are very rapidly transforming this dynamic city into one of the best-connected communities in Scotland. Consistent with our previous experience in York, Peterborough and Coventry, this agreement further illustrates the exciting incremental business opportunities within the UK public sector, and CityFibres unique positioning in the market leaves us very well-placed to capture this growing demand.

The press release also hints that todays deal is laying the ground for a potential extensive FTTH build in future, which could be a vague hint towards the possibility of Aberdeen becoming one of the first cities chosen by Vodafone and Cityfibre for their joint 1Gbps FTTH Broadband network for UK residential properties (here). Mind you theyve been highlighting the possibility of expansion toward homes for years, so take this with a pinch of salt.. for now.
Thursday, Dec 14th, 2017 (11:20 am) - Score 823

The British economist and former Chairman of Channel 4, Lord Burns (Terence Burns), has today officially been named as the new chairman of telecoms and media regulator Ofcom. Lord Burns will take up the position on 1st January 2018 after Dame Patricia Hodgson steps down.

The Chairman of Ofcom must be appointed by the Governments Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which is currently MP Karen Bradley. The appointment was also approved by a DCMS Committee hearing. We should point out that Lord Burns is a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords and has in the past also served as the Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury (1991 to 1998).

Sharon White, Ofcom CEO, said: Lord Burns brings with him a wealth of experience and I am looking forward to working together as we deliver on Ofcoms priorities. I am incredibly grateful to Dame Patricia Hodgson, who has provided expert stewardship to Ofcom as Chairman and Deputy Chairman over the past six years. Colleagues across Ofcom thank her for the contribution shes made.

Lord Burns added: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to take on this role at an important time for Ofcom. The UK communications sector provides essential services to everyone in the UK and is critical to the future success of the economy.

Lord Burns has also been the Chairman for a number of private and public-sector organisations over the years, including Marks & Spencer, Santander UK, Welsh Water, the National Lottery Commission and The Royal Academy of Music. Apparently his remuneration for the role is 120,000 for up to three days a week. The term of the appointment is four years.
Thursday, Dec 14th, 2017 (5:25 pm) - Score 2,847

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that it plans to spend 600 million on gap funding for their R100 programme, which aims to make a superfast broadband (30Mbps+) capable network available to 100% of Scotland by the end of 2021 (March 2022 when viewing as a financial year).

At present around 92-93% of premises (homes and businesses) can already access a 30Mbps+ capable connection and this should rise to 95% by the end of March 2018. The effort so far has been largely supported by the existing 428m Digital Scotland (DSSB) project with BT (Openreach), which is busy rolling out a mix of their up to 80Mbps FTTC and 330Mbps FTTP to various parts of the country (not to mention separate commercial deployments from the same operator and others like Virgin Media etc.).

However we should point out that the current target drops to just 86% for the rural Highland and Islands region by the end of 2017 (here). Overall some 800,000 additional premises have already been covered by the existing project, which has included the installation of a 400km long sub-sea and 30,000km land based fibre optic network.

Sadly this still leaves around 280,000+ premises left to serve, many of which exist in some of the toughest, most sparse and thus most expensive areas to reach, and thats where the R100 programme comes into play. This also explains why it will cost significantly more to reach the final few percent of premises than it did to deliver the first c.800,000.

Fergus Ewing, Rural Economy and Connectivity Secretary, said: This is the biggest public investment ever made in a UK broadband project. It is a truly transformative moment for our broadband infrastructure and a statement of our intent to make Scotland a world-class digital nation. Fast and reliable internet connection is vital for the economic and social wellbeing of all communities. This ambitious investment  which is more than three times what the UK Government is putting towards their own fibre broadband rollout  will revitalise the prospects of rural areas right across Scotland. Building on the success of the Digital Scotland programme, we will deliver a future-proofed, national fibre network that will place rural Scotland among the best connected places anywhere in Europe. I am confident that the scale of our investment, and of our ambition, will attract interest from a wide range of telecoms suppliers across the UK and Europe.

The new investment forms part of the Scottish Governments 2018-19 draft budget, which doesnt actually give us any clear indication of where all the money will be coming from, although we note that 20.99m is still outstanding from BDUK Phase 2 and is thus likely to form part of the R100 pot.

The document also notes that the current Digital Scotland roll-out is expected to continue during 2018-19 and will reach more premises than originally planned, which is to be funded through gainshare (clawback) that requires BT to return part of the public investment as take-up rises above 20% (more is returned as this increases over the 7 year lifespan of the contract). This should complement R100s work.

An initial procurement for the R100 programme is expected to formally begin by the end of December 2017 and this will then last for approximately one year, which is understandable given the complicated and challenging terrain that operators will need to consider as part of their surveys.

The gap-funding approach once again envisages an outcome where the Scottish Governments investment will be matched by money from other public sources (e.g. councils) and the private sector. Interestingly the official line is that they will aim to find suppliers who will connect as many premises as possible for the available subsidy, which means that the 100% target is not yet set in stone until the potential supplier(s) have confirmed they can actually deliver it.

A lot of supplier engagement was undertaken during 2017 and this is said to have concluded that a single procurement for R100, containing three regional lots, will give the best chance of maximising competition and attracting the widest possible range of bids.

Mark Collins, Cityfibres Director of Strategy and Public Affairs, said: It is great to see Holyrood investing in superfast infrastructure to ensure nobody is left behind as the digital age takes hold. However, as todays announcement about Aberdeen City Council shows, towns and cities across the country are already working with alternatives infrastructure builders like CityFibre to deliver even faster and more reliable full-fibre connectivity. We look forward to learning more about this funding from the Scottish Government and understanding what it will deliver in terms of helping Scotland maximise its clear potential as a digital leader.

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland Director, said: We have been open about our wish to participate in the R100 process and look forward to seeing the detail of the tenders.

We think it is possible to reach 100% by 2021 with the available investment but there are a lot of uncertain factors to consider, not least with respect to technology choice (e.g. how much of a role will deeply inferior Satellite play?) and regulation flexibility. Nevertheless the Scottish Government should be commended for actually setting a solid target for universal coverage of 30Mbps+ broadband.

Nearly every other EU country except the UK has pledged to do something similar, although Wales is already working to try and find some suppliers who can beat Scotlands ambition (here). We can only hope that little old England will find its way to deliver something better than just the 10Mbps+ USO.

NOTE: The statement claiming this is the biggest public investment ever made in a UK broadband project isnt entirely correct because the national Broadband Delivery UK programme originally committed 530m to its first phase and 250m to its second phase (total of 830m), although quite a bit of that went on admin, lawyers, pilots, advertising and various other things before the deployment itself. On top of that local bodies (e.g. councils) have contributed around 903m in total contracted match funding.
Driving of the future was on show this week at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, as VicRoads tested a highly automated driving (HAD) vehicle fitted with claimed world-first satellite positioning technology.

The Federal Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Craig Laundy, said the test was part of the trial of a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) for the Australasian region, funded by $12 million from the Australian Government and $2 million from the New Zealand Government.

Im pleased to see automated car technology being trialled with the increased accuracy provided by SBAS, showing the broad application space technology has right across Australia, Laundy said.

VicRoads project is an exemplar of the innovation made possible by improvements to satellite positioning accuracy in Australia from 5 to 10 metres, to less than 10 centimetres.

Over the course of this project, VicRoads will be comparing the accuracy of SBAS technology to commercial positioning services used to facilitate automated driving.

Laundy said VicRoads will receive up to $89,500 in funding for the project and is making an in-kind contribution of over $31,000.

Developed in consultation with Geoscience Australia and the Australia and New Zealand Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI), VicRoads project is one of more than 30 selected from almost 90 applications to participate in the SBAS trial.

The projects are spread across 10 different industry sectors, including road, rail, maritime, construction, agriculture and resources.

Australian businesses and organisations are at the heart of this trial. Understanding how they can apply SBAS technology to lower costs and increase productivity is the key to realising its full potential.

Access to this type of technology through the SBAS trial will help industry and Government make informed decisions about future investments in space technology.

The Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Matt Canavan, said as part of the SBAS trial, VicRoads would have access to two technologies being tested for the first time ever.

In September, we switched on a second-generation SBAS (SBAS-2) signal at Lockheed Martins uplink station in Uralla, New South Wales. It is the first time anywhere in the world SBAS-2 signals have been transmitted. Australia is also the first country in the world to trial Precise Point Positioning corrections integrated into an SBAS service, Minister Canavan said.

Many countries around the world already use first generation SBAS, which provides accuracies of about half a metre. We are trialling not only this but also new technology that provides accuracies down to 10 centimetres.

The SBAS trial is the first step to ensuring that Australia is not only keeping up with the rest of the world but is setting the pace.

According to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said there are many ways Australias road sector could potentially benefit from the widespread availability of improved satellite positioning technology.

The VicRoads project is focussed on how SBAS technology can be used to enable vehicle automation, which we know has great potential in the road safety space.

Other projects are looking at how it can be used to improve the 3D digital maps used by transport sectors, and how to apply the improved integrity and availability provided by SBAS.

For Australia to keep up with the rest of the world when it comes to transport, we cannot have any black spots in our satellite positioning capability.
BP says it has "more than doubled the total computing power of its Centre for High-Performance Computing (CHPC) in Houston, making it the most powerful supercomputer in the world for commercial research."

'The company says that "increased computing power, speed and storage reduce the time needed to analyse large amounts of seismic data to support exploration, appraisal and development plans as well as other research and technology developments throughout BP."

Ahmed Hashmi, BPs head of upstream technology said: Our investment in supercomputing is another example of BP leading the way in digital technologies that deliver improved safety, reliability and efficiency across our operations and give us a clear competitive advantage."

The Centre for High-Performance Computing "provides critical support to BP's upstream business segment, where it serves as the worldwide hub for research computing," with "BPs computer scientists and mathematicians at the CHPC" enabling "industry breakthroughs in advanced seismic imaging and rock physics research to help with reservoir modelling."

BP says its downstream business "is also using the supercomputer for fluid dynamic research to study hydrocarbon flows at refineries and pipelines to improve operational safety."

The company is working with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Intel using HPEs Apollo System and Intels Knights Landing processors, with the result that "the recent upgrade has boosted the processing speed of BPs supercomputer from four petaflops to nine petaflops."

And what is a petaflop you ask? It is processing speed of "one thousand trillion floating point operations, or flops, per second."

BP's supercomputer has "a total memory of 1,140 terabytes (1.14 petabytes) and 30 petabytes of storage, the equivalent of over 500,000 iPhones."

Alain Andreoli, Senior VP and GM of HPE's Data Centre Infrastructure Group said: With the expansion and new systems in place, BP will be able to further bolster its capabilities to accurately process and manage vast amounts of seismic data to identify new business opportunities and improve operational efficiency."

Since the CHPC opened in 2013, BP notes having "quadrupled its computing power and doubled its storage capacity and plans to continue expanding its computing capability in 2018."

The company also provided the following background info:
Three men have pleaded guilty to operating the Mirai botnet which targeted Internet of Things devices last year and one of them has also entered a guilty plea to a charge of launching an attack on Rutgers University.

The pleas were announced by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday.

A statement from the DoJ said on 8 December, Paras Jha, 21, of Fanwood, New Jersey; Josiah White, 20, of Washington, Pennsylvania; and Dalton Norman, 21, of Metairie, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai botnet.

In the summer and fall of 2016, White, Jha, and Norman created the powerful botnet and attempted to discover vulnerabilities to recruit IoT devices.

At its peak, Mirai consisted of hundreds of thousands of compromised devices. The defendants used the botnet to stage distributed denial-of-service.

Their involvement with Mirai ended in the US autumn of 2016, when Jha posted the source code for Mirai on a criminal forum. The code has since been modified and used by other attackers.

Jha and Norman also pleaded guilty to successfully infecting more than 100,000 primarily US-based computing devices, such as home routers, with malicious software. The devices were used mainly in advertising fraud, including clickfraud.

Jha also pleaded guilty to executing a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University. The attacks shut down the universitys central authentication server. At times, he was able to take the portal offline for days on end.

The Mirai and clickfraud botnet schemes are powerful reminders that as we continue on a path of a more interconnected world, we must guard against the threats posed by cyber criminals that can quickly weaponise technological developments to cause vast and varied types of harm, said acting US assistant attorney-general John Cronan.
CeBIT Australia has announced Symantec CEO, Greg Clark, as the first international keynote speaker for CeBIT 2018 at Sydneys International Convention Centre (ICC), 15-17 May 2018.

Billing Symantec as a global leader in cyber security software, CeBIT notes that the company "plays a critical role in helping protect the world against rising levels of cybercrime and insider threats."

Indeed, in the last 12 months alone, CeBIT says Symantec "has been at the forefront of defending people against attacks like WannaCry, Petya and others."

Greg Clark, CEO, Symantec, commented ahead of his upcoming presentation, and said: "The threat environment is more complex than ever. This year alone, weve seen nation states conduct political manipulation and sabotage, while cyber criminals have caused unprecedented levels of disruption for consumers.

Protecting our homes, identities and families is now of concern to all citizens. As we help people embark on this unfamiliar terrain, I look forward to addressing the approach were taking to give Australians the tools they need to help protect their entire digital lives at CeBIT Australia 2018, said Clark.

Joining Symantec as a Diamond Sponsor in 2018 is top provider of IT solutions to the global travel industry, Amadeus, who will "showcase solutions never before seen at CeBIT Australia."

Having invested heavily in research and development to deliver tailored travel solutions that drive business growth over the last three decades, we're told that "Amadeus provides a unique B2B perspective on technical innovation in the travel sector."

Harvey Stockbridge, MD of Hannover Fairs Australia, who are the organisers of CeBIT Australia, said "the conference is proud to continue to be at the cutting-edge of business technology bringing global business leaders to Australia and showcasing the latest in innovative technology."

Stockbridge added: CeBIT Australia is where business leaders from across the Asia Pacific come to hear from the best business and technology minds from around the world. It is an honour to welcome Greg Clark as an international keynote speaker for 2018. Mr Clark is a world-leading voice on the ever-evolving cyber security landscape and brings a calibre of knowledge along with industry insights that are synonymous with CeBIT Australia.

As the leading independent technology event in our region, CeBIT Australia provides an unparalleled delegate experience. Our conference is proud to deliver future-focused content and learning, along with the chance to meet over 300 exhibitors who will provide unmatched opportunities for product discovery. CeBIT Australias renowned networking and collaborative environment will expand in 2018, with a business matching program designed to bring potential buyers and vendors together, concluded Stockbridge.

As per usual, CeBIT Australia notes being "proudly supported by the NSW Government, and continues other valuable partnerships in 2018, including Vodafone as Strategic Partner and City of Sydney and NBN as Supporting Partners."

CeBIT Australia, 15-17 May 2018 will return to the International Convention Centre Sydney, Darling Harbour.
Labors Shadow Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, is keeping up the political pressure on the Government over the NBN ahead of this weekends Bennalong by-election, and in the wake of an announcement by NBN Co, operators of the National Broadband Network, that it is planning to slash wholesale prices of its services to retailers.

In her second attack on the Government over the NBN in two days, Rowland is now claiming the broadband networks multi-technology mix is further deteriorating with NBN Co's announcement of plans to reduce wholesale prices.

Her attack came after NBN Co CEO Bill Morrow sad that the company is negotiating with ISPs to reduce the wholesale price of some of its plans, in a move deigned to encourage more users to adopt high speed plans. Currently more than 80% of NBN users subscribe to services of 25 megabits per second or less.

NBN Co has described its proposed wholesale discount prices as "dramatic", coming on top of its top-tier internet access plans in a move designed to deliver significant savings for its wholesale customers and allow them to improve broadband speeds and service for end users.

The changes  which apply to NBN's fixed line access network are slated to come into effect in the second quarter of 2018 - with NBN Co saying that for the first time it will bundle together access and bandwidth charges for its higher speed plans under a simple pricing structure.

NBN Co says the new plans  including nearly double the current average capacity being purchased by retailers across all NBN fixed line services today  will help entice retailers and end users to move up the speed chain, reposition the NBN 50 service as the companys flagship plan and "unleash the potential" of the NBN access network.

Only yesterday Rowland launched an attack on the Government, claiming it is unthinkable that Malcolm Turnbull is spending $50 billion on a second-rate NBN that could be leaving residents on the HFC network with 50 times more network downtime when compared to those on fibre.

And, also yesterday the pre-Bennelong political pressure over the NBN was ramped up when the Greens called for action by the Government, NBN Co and retail providers to address what they say is a serious lack of honesty, transparency and accountability at all levels on the rollout of the National Broadband Network.

According to the Greens its concerns must be addressed to restore public trust and meet Australias current and future digital needs.

In a troubling sign that confidence in Turnbulls multi-technology mix is further deteriorating, NBNCo has reduced its wholesale prices, Rowland says in her Thursday broadside at the Federal Government.

Let's face it: if you have a second-rate product in which consumers have little confidence, you may as well discount it, Rowland says.

Whilst the price discounts appear to be a modest step towards addressing poor experience during peak hours, this is just one of the many frustrations being experienced by consumers on Turnbulls second-rate NBN.

And after years of the Australian public being lectured to by NBNCo about why they don't need faster internet speeds, it is somewhat ironic that these pricing discounts are designed to encourage just that.

This development also suggests the Government has given up on its 2020 NBN revenue targets, Rowland says.

And, keeping it personal, Rowland says that while he is at it, Turnbull should complete his capitulation by abandoning copper and at a minimum taking fibre to the curb, where it remains feasible.

It is incredible that NBNCo continues to pretend that copper is cheaper than fibre. The sooner this charade ends, the better off the Australian public will be.



Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison now need to come clean, and explain what impact these pricing changes will have on the value of the NBN, the cost to the taxpayer, and the increased fiscal exposure to the federal budget.

Australian taxpayers own the NBN and will not tolerate the project being run like some secret society.

In a political aside to the NBN, Rowland said on Thursday that, "Well over a year after the Minister for Communications, Mitch Fifield, asked his Department to begin work on a communications policy roadmap, theres still no sign of it".

"In response to Questions on Notice just released, the Department of Communications and the Arts confirmed the roadmap is still under development; that discussions with the Minister continue; and the roadmap hasnt even been referred to the ACMA for consideration," Rowland claimed.

"It is now more than six years since the Australian Communications and Media Authority first released the Broken Concepts report, outlining the legislative concepts that are broken or under strain as a result of convergence, and theres still no indication that the Turnbull Government is prepared to grapple with them.

"When asked what he is doing to address the many broken concepts that persist in Australian communications law and regulation, during Senate Estimates in October, the Minister said hed be happy to take that on notice, even offering to provide a point-by-point response to the Broken Concepts document.

"His response, over a month later, was to ask the Department.

"On the eve of 2018, a good half of the bills in the Communications Portfolio, now before the Parliament, have been proposed by minority parties, rather than the Government. It is clear that the Turnbull Government has no vision for communications in Australia and no roadmap to guide the sector, the Department or the ACMA.

"Just as 12 years of the Howard Government saw Australia become a broadband backwater, so too will the inaction of the Turnbull Government see the world pass Australia by  to the detriment of consumers and the economy," Rowland concluded.
You may not realize it but natural language processing (NLP) is more than an emerging technology for business  its a popular technology widely used every day. Online search, spell-check  almost any feature that involves language incorporates natural language processing algorithms.

NLP algorithms teach computers to use language like people. If you were manually searching for information from a set of documents, youd skim for keywords too, just like search engines. Thats why machine translation, the first form of NLP, was modeled on World War II code breaking techniques. Developers hoped machine translation would translate Russian into English. Results were horrible, but the coders kept at it and a new type of machine learning was born. And because a company cant grow internationally without translation, NLP was a technology with a business case from the get-go. Today, natural language processing is as integral to the workplace as communication itself.

Following are four NLP business applications emerging today that we wont think twice about using tomorrow. If your company is looking to make use of NLP, here are some places to start.

1. Neural machine translation

Machine translation (MT) used to be laughable, but its pretty good now. Since natural language processing software learns language in the way a person does, think of early MT as a toddler. Over time, more words get added to an engine, and soon theres a teenager who wont shut up. Machine translation quality is inherently dependent on the number of words you give it, which takes time and originally made MT hard to scale.

Fortunately, for businesses that dont want to wait for an engine to grow up, theres neural machine translation. In 2016, Microsofts Bing Translator became first to launch the tech. Google Translate and Amazon Translate now offer competing systems. Before neural, machine translation engines operated in only one direction  say, Spanish into English. If you wanted to translate from English into Spanish, you had to start over with a different data set. And if you wanted to add a third language, well, that was crazy. But with neural machine translation, engineers can cross-apply data. This radically speeds up development, taking a machine translation engine from zero to amazing in months vs. years. As a result, businesses can safely use MT to translate low-impact content: product reviews, regulatory docs that no one reads, email.

One warning, though: Free machine translation tools  neural or not  are a data security risk. An alleged Translate.com leak resulted in employee passwords, contracts, and other personally identifiable information (PII) surfacing in Google search results. Machine translation itself is perfectly safe  if you use the professional kind custom-built by Asia Online, Systran, and others. Just be careful what you enter in free tools online.

2. Chatbots

If machine translation is one of the oldest natural language processing examples, chatbots are the newest. Bots streamline functionality by integrating in programs like Slack, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. When they first came on the scene, chatbots were consumer-facing. For example, if you typed pizza into Facebook Messenger, a Dominos bot would ask to take your order. While touch points like these can help drive B2C sales, in a B2B world no one wants purchasing reminders interrupting them in Slack.

So over the past year, startups have applied the tech to other areas: Most enterprise bots optimize HR. First, theres Talla, a natural language processing tool that answers common employee questions like How much vacation do I have left? and When does my insurance kick in? Chatbot Polly polls employees on everything from workplace satisfaction to what snacks they want in the breakroom. Then theres Growbot, a Slack and Teams bot that monitors chat to see how often employees compliment one another. When words like kudos, cheers, and props are used, staff get rewarded. Cofounder and CEO Jeremy Vandehey says this helps managers improve retention and morale.

On the topic of HR, natural language processing software has long helped hiring managers sort through resumes. Using the same techniques as Google search, automated candidate sourcing tools scan applicant CVs to pinpoint people with the required background for a job. But  like early machine translation  the sorting algorithms these platforms used made a lot of mistakes. Say an applicant called herself a business growth brainstormer instead of an outside sales rep: Her resume wouldnt show in results and your company would overlook a creative, client-driven candidate.

Todays systems move beyond exact keyword match. Scout, for example, addresses the synonym issue by searching for HRs originally provided keywords, then using results to identify new words to look for. Extrapolating new terms (like business growth) keeps qualified candidates from slipping between the cracks. And since women and minorities use language differently, the process makes sure they dont either.

Of course, diverse candidates cant be considered if they dont apply. To address that problem, theres Textio. Cofounder and CEO Kieran Snyder says the augmented writing tool uses semantic categorization, a natural language processing technique, to help recruiters craft gender-neutral job descriptions. Scoring posts on a scale of zero to 100 as you write, Textio provides vocabulary, syntax, and formatting tips like add more bullet points. Implement these changes and client case studies suggest youll see a radical improvement in applicant numbers: Snyder says Johnson & Johnson experienced a 9 percent increase in female applicants, Avery Dennison saw a 60 percent increase, and Expedia found that jobs that were gender-neutral filled nearly three weeks faster.

4. Conversational search

Like Talla, Second Mind wants to answer all your employees questions. But this tool isnt a bot: Its a voice-activated platform that listens in on company meetings for trigger phrases like what are and I wonder. When it hears them, Second Minds search function whirs into action, seeking an answer for the rest of your sentence.

Say, for example, youre in a board meeting and someone says, What was the ROI on that last year? Silently, Second Mind would scan company financials  or whatever else they asked about  then display results on a screen in the room. Founder Kul Singh says the average employee spends 30 percent of the day searching for information, costing companies up to $14,209 per person per year. By streamlining search in real-time conversation, Second Mind promises to improve productivity.

Talla cofounder and CEO Rob May says, Wolfram, Semantic Machines, Nuance, and Microsoft all supposedly have related projects underway.
Celebration was in the air at Timrod Library's Big Book Sale on Nov. 5 that featured raffles, bake sales, Summerville Bugs-in-a-Rug demonstrations, servings of casserole, okra soup and decorative goods provided by Hanahan Sweetgrass Basket Weavers. Proceeds from the special deals on hundreds Read moreBrimming with books!: Timrod Library's Fall Book Festival reels in bibliophiles and history buffs
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By Pierce Gootee | (TeleSur) |  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has, in recent months, tightened their blockade on the war-ravaged country of Yemen. The justification for this tightening was the launch of a long-range ballistic missile by Houthi rebels towards the capital city of Riyadh in November. Despite these heavy-handed tactics in Yemen which have been criticized by the UN, EU, and multiple humanitarian organizations, the Kingdom has made a desperate attempt to improve their international image in the past year. US President Donald Trump, although supportive of the intervention, recently made a statement urging Saudi Arabia to end their blockade and allow humanitarian aid into Yemen. As the power within the monarchy shifts, international conflict escalates, internal tensions rise, and the desperate need for economic diversification looms overhead, how will the House of Saud handle the inevitable rough waters ahead?

The Missile

The Houthi missile travelled almost 1000 km and nearly struck the heart of the Kingdom in the capital city of Riyadh before it was intercepted over the international airport, according to Saudi officials. However, a recent New York Times analysis suggests that the Patriot Missile Defense System failed five times to intercept the missile, which may have merely broke apart due to sheer speed and force. According to the analysis, the warhead of the missile did indeed strike and detonated about 19 km from the rest of the debris as the deadly warhead flew right over the missile defence system. The explosion was about 2 km away from a domestic terminal crowded with civilians.

If this analysis is true, the failure of the Patriot Defense System will surely cast doubt upon the defence capabilities of other countries that rely on it, such as Israel, South Korea, Japan, and Germany. At the same time, this will embolden their enemies, such as North Korea and the Houthis, to further develop their own missile program in order to exploit this weakness. So far, the conflict has mostly impacted the Saudi border regions, in particular, the areas around Najran. However, as the Houthis continue to demonstrate the long-range capabilities of their missiles, nobody in the country will feel safe and the situation will likely continue to escalate.

The Public Relations Push

The House of Saud and their rising star Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are not oblivious to global opinions. An extremely strict Wahabbi Sharia Law system, a bloody military intervention in Yemen, and the Machiavellian rise of the Crown Prince to power are only a few things souring the Saudi standing in the eyes of the world. The ongoing crisis in Yemen makes the future look quite bleak, however, the ambitious Crown Prince is attempting to shift focus toward grand visions he wants to accomplish by the year 2030.

One of the most controversial ideas envisioned by the Crown Prince is a shift towards moderate Islam. Saudi Arabia has already taken a step in that direction by recently allowing women the right to drive and gradually stripping most power from the infamous Mutaween religious police force. He also plans to build a futuristic transnational mega-city near the Gulf of Aqaba called NEOM, begin issuing tourist visas to foreigners, and even construct a string of beach resorts where women are allowed to wear bikinis. To help fund this, the Crown Prince plans to sell 5% of the state-owned trillion dollar Aramco oil company to international investors.

All of these ideas seem as if they are a step in the right direction. However, the Kingdom could be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. These plans alienate the hard-line Wahabbi clerics who wield significant power and influence in the country. On top of this, Saudi Arabia has already been alienating their oppressed Shiite minority. The sectarian tensions have escalated with the recent siege of the predominantly Shiite city of Awamiyah, where 20,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes. While external missiles and border clashes near Yemen are proving to be a massive headache for the monarchy, the potential internal conflicts may pose the greatest threat to the House of Saud.

The Humanitarian Crisis

As with Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the Yemen conflict has devolved into a prolonged bloody conflict. The Saudi-led intervention has created a humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in their October update, there have been a total of 922,704 cases of cholera including 2317 related deaths in the period of only a year. Famine also looms on the horizon for the war-torn country. Yemen relies on imports for 90% of their food, meaning that a continued blockade would result in mass starvation.

This humanitarian crisis is due to Saudi Arabia destroying Yemeni infrastructure with the constant bombing and is exacerbated by the aforementioned blockade. Aid organizations are in desperate need not only food but also fuel to distribute their aid. Last week, eight UN leaders called on Saudi Arabia to fully lift the blockade as the only way to avoid a total collapse and a massive humanitarian tragedy that will potentially cost millions of lives.

The situation has become so dire that President Trump has recently called on his Saudi allies to end the blockade. However, if the Saudis do not react swiftly and effectively enough to these pleadings, a mass famine is inevitable. Even if such a crisis is prevented, the mass cholera epidemic and botched intervention have already left an inevitable black spot upon the reputation of the House of Saud, regardless of how successful their plans for 2030 are.

Royalty at Risk

The House of Saud finds itself in a difficult position at the moment. Inaction and maintaining their comfortable status quo will lead to economic collapse in the event of an oil crash, as well as being overshadowed by rival powers such as Iran. Taking action, on the other hand, may diversify their economy and thrust them into a position of global leadership, but will also strain social tensions within the country and lead to devastating military conflicts abroad. Although the royal family has ambitious dreams for the year 2030, their kingdom may wind up facing a nightmare instead.

Via TeleSur



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Saudi Arabias House of Cards  BBC News
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The Organization of the Islamic Conference, a regular meeting of the foreign ministers of 57 Muslim-majority countries, held an extraordinary session in Istanbul on Wednesday, in which they rejected US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In a communique they called Trumps decision unilateral, illegal, and irresponsible and said it was null and void.

The Muslim powers said that they now officially recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state, and they urged other countries to so recognize it.

They said that Trump had deliberately sabotaged all the efforts expended over the years to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace and that he had benefited extremism and terrorism, and had threatened international peace and security. They observed that Trumps decision had the practical effect of withdrawing the US from any role as a mediator in achieving peace.

The Muslim leaders condemned Trump for encouraging the Netanyahu government in Israel to continue its policies of colonial settlement and of Apartheid, as well as of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

The communique said that if the Security Council does not mobilize to intervene on Jerusalem, that they would take the issue to the UN General Assembly.

For his part, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas opined that there will be neither peace nor stability until East Jerusalem is definitively recognized as the capital of a Palestinian state.

Abbas also said that from now on he and his organization can never again consider the United States as honest broker in the peace process.

Dude, the US was never an honest broker. The US government has from the time of Harry Truman been dedicated to screwing over the Palestinians.

The Trump administration line on Mahmoud Abbas is now that he walked away from the peace process. This is like saying that Salma Hayek walked away from reconciliation with Harvey Weinstein.



Related video:

CGTN: OIC hold emergency meeting in wake of Trumps Jerusalem decision
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Middle East Monitor |  

Yemen, ravaged by war, hunger and disease, is seeing a spike in diphtheria cases that will inevitably erupt into a larger, deadly outbreak because so few people have been immunized, aid officials said on Wednesday.

At highest risk are children, who account for many of the more than 280 suspected diphtheria cases and 33 associated deaths reported as of Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Most of the cases and deaths involved children who had not been immunized against the disease, a contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection that spreads easily, WHO said.

Left unchecked, diphtheria can cause devastating epidemics, mainly affecting children, Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesman, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by email.

The diphtheria spread is inevitable in Yemen due to low vaccination rates, lack of access to medical care and so many people moving around and coming in contact with those infected, said WHO and officials with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

Civil war in the Middle Eastern country, which lies at the tip of the Arabian peninsula south of Saudi Arabia, has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than two million others.

Diphtheria spreads as easily as the common cold through sneezing, coughing or even talking, according to health officials.

Yemen also is battling a cholera epidemic that has infected about one million people. The epidemic, which worsened this past April, has caused more than 2,000 deaths, WHO said in October.

Read More: Yemen: Saudi-led coalition kills 39 in Sanaa strike

Diphtheria could be more fatal than cholera, especially among unvaccinated children under 5 years old, according to MSF.

As many as two in five diphtheria cases end in death, MSF said.

There is the potential for a larger-scale outbreak of diphtheria, given that not everyone has been vaccinated, said Marc Poncin, emergency coordinator in Yemen for the medical charity, also by email.

Calling it very worrisome, Caroline Boustany, an aid worker with the International Rescue Committee, told the Foundation: We have a spike in cases of a very easily preventable disease.

Yemen also faces soaring food prices and fuel shortages, and some 8.4 million Yemenis are considered to be a step away from famine, the United Nations said on Monday.

A Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemens civil war blockaded ports last month.

The blockade has eased, but its impact limited supplies of desperately needed fuel, food and medicine, aid officials say.

Even for patients who want to seek treatment, the blockade on fuel and consequent surge in prices means that they cannot afford to travel to the very few health centers still operational, said Poncin of MSF.

License This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Al Jazeera English: Diphtheria in Yemen: More than 100 infected, 14 deaths
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By Frank Rijsberman | (Inter Press Service) |  

SEOUL, Dec 13 2017 (IPS)  Renewable energy became the cheapest form of electricity in 58 emerging economies last year. This year, the 11th Lazards Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis (LCOE 11.0) showed that solar and wind energy generation costs (at $46 to $53 per megawatt-hour of generation) easily beat coal and gas (at $60-68).

Solar power was the fastest-growing source of new energy worldwide in 2016, outpacing the growth in all other forms of power generation for the first time. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), on the back of a strong solar PV market, renewable energy accounted for two-thirds of new power added to the worlds grid last year. In addition to this, solar energy is set to surpass nuclear power by the end of 2017.

In November this year, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) organized its first energy forum in Seoul at which GGGI Member countries shared their energy transformation experience.

In Germany, on one sunny breezy Sunday last summer, solar and wind broke a record 85% of all energy used in the country.

The rapidly growing renewable energy sector is quickly replacing nuclear energy in Germany  while coal is still playing a key role in the energy mix. In the UK, on the other hand, the use of coal in the energy mix has rapidly fallen from 50 to 9% in just ten years, replaced by cheap solar and offshore wind energy  while nuclear energy is maintaining a key role.

The Australian capital city, Canberra, has rapidly achieved the solar and wind investments to shift to 100% renewable energy by 2020, and is now moving to zero emissions by 2030, while the national targets are much more modest.

In the Republic of Korea, renewable energy currently accounts for just 2% of the countrys electricity production, with coal-fired and nuclear plants generating 40% and 30%, respectively. However, Koreas new Moon Jae-in government has recently increased the target for the share of renewables in power generation to 20% by 2030.

The Korean government plans to set up a renewable energy coordination center in every region; secure a solar system in each village; adopt projects led by local authorities, including offshore wind turbines; and secure economic feasibility of renewable energy through utility-scale renewable energy projects. Is the 20% target too ambitious to achieve in Korea  or is it too modest to deal with the environmental and climate challenges?

The new governments twin objectives for Korea to become a nuclear free society while also solving the fine dust air pollution problems is now actively debated in Korea. Doing both requires reducing nuclear energy, as well as the use of coal and diesel fuel for electricity and transportation. Truly an ambitious, even daunting, set of challenges  but not impossible during a time when both the energy and transportation sectors are experiencing very, very rapid transition.

The speed and depth of the ongoing energy transformation, to renewable energy and to electric mobility, is certainly surprising many around the world. It is a top priority for many governments  making and breaking coalitions  and it is causing disruption in traditional sectors of the economy and employment.

As one country after the next sees record breaking low prices for solar and wind in auctions for utility scale renewable energy, the conventional fossil-fuel powered energy companies pay the price.

In Bonn, at COP23, a new Power-Past-Coal Alliance of twenty countries announced that they will completely phase out coal from their energy mix before 2030. The Alliance hopes to have fifty members before the 2018 UN COP24 climate change conference. That requires a real change in mindset. Is it imaginable that Korea Powers Past Coal by 2030?



E.ON, Germanys largest utility, for example, had to write off $9Bn in losses last month, half of its remaining market capitalization. No wonder the renewable energy transformation scares the conventional power players and has governments consider whether to protect them.

Countries with large investments in conventional power plants  particularly coal and nuclear  do indeed have a big bill to pay for their stranded assets. Coal-fired power plants that were the cheapest form of energy when constructed only a few years ago risk become albatrosses around energy companies necks.

In Bonn, at COP23, a new Power-Past-Coal Alliance of twenty countries announced that they will completely phase out coal from their energy mix before 2030. The Alliance hopes to have fifty members before the 2018 UN COP24 climate change conference. That requires a real change in mindset. Is it imaginable that Korea Powers Past Coal by 2030?

It may seem unrealistic today, but remember that a similar change in the UK just happened, over a shorter period, during a time when renewables were more expensive than today. So why not in Korea?

There are some challenges of course. For example, will this energy transition lead to job losses? Jobs are indeed being lost rapidly in the fossil fuel industry, particularly coal. In Germany, for example, most coal related jobs have already been lost  but at the same time, many more jobs were created in the renewable energy industry.

According to Hans-Josef Fell, a former German parliamentarian for the Green party and current President of Energy Watch Group, the global energy transition to a 100% renewable electricity system can create 37 million jobs by 2050, up by more than 90% from 2015.

As in any rapid technology transition, jobs will indeed be lost, but more new, green jobs are being created, requiring education and re-training of the workforce, but ultimately leading to many new opportunities for businesses and individuals.

Another question is whether renewable energy is too expensive and whether citizens will support a rapid transition to renewables. In Australia, Canberra has powered forward to 100% renewable energy by 2020, leading national action on climate change while creating new jobs in sunrise industries.

The ACT government is leading this green technology revolution in Australia with the full support of its citizens. When the ACT government first announced its plans to legislate a target of sourcing 100 percent renewable energy by the end of this decade, it was careful to engage the community.

The first programs focused on subsidies for rooftop solar for schools, churches, community centers and residences. As a result, all schools and one home in 10 are now equipped with solar on the roof.

Subsequently, and with full community awareness created, ACT government turned to utility scale wind and solar investments, and batteries to stabilize the grid. The costs of large scale solar in Australia has halved in just a few years. While the introduction of renewables did indeed initially raise energy prices for Canberra, surveys of residents show that as awareness increased, so did the willingness of the citizens to pay more for sustainable energy.

Going forward, the price of energy in Canberra will be among the lowest in the nation. Following the success of the 100% renewables strategy, in 2016 Canberra went a step further and committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

For countries that could not provide electricity to all their citizens with fossil fuel and a centralized power grid  such as most African countries and most small island states in the Pacific with coverage rates as low as 10-20%  the renewable energy transition is a wonderful opportunity.

When the alternative is expensive diesel-generated electricity, either powering the grid or as back-ups during power outages, solar energy combined with battery storage is already the cheapest form of energy, as documented in Lazards 11th levelized cost of energy report that came out last month.

That means that for countries in Africa and the Pacific, off-grid, or mini-grid electricity based on solar+batteries is a revolution that can bring affordable energy to all citizens, just like the mobile phone revolution did less than ten years ago.

The energy transition is undoubtedly challenging for countries like the Republic of Korea that have fully developed conventional energy sectors  particularly for the owners and operators of the nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, equipment and machinery.

At the same time, Korea has some very significant advantages, such as an excellent national power grid, advanced smart grid technology, and some of the worlds most advanced producers of solar cells and batteries.

During times of disruption our perspectives change very rapidly. Targets such as the Korean 20% renewables by 2030, that appear so challenging today, will probably be seen as only a first step in the right direction in just five years from now.

Licensed from Inter Press Service

Frank Rijsberman is Director-General, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coeur Mining, Inc. (Coeur or the Company) (NYSE: CDE) provided an update on encouraging results from its expanded Palmarejo and Kensington exploration programs. The primary objectives of these recently accelerated programs are to (i) discover and delineate additional adjacent, high-grade resources near current operations and (ii) upgrade higher-grade resources to reserves to extend mine life. Drilling at these two properties comprised approximately two-thirds of the Companys total year-to-date (through September 30, 2017) exploration expense of $22.4 million ($15.0 million expensed, $7.4 million capitalized). Since the second half of 2016, exploration levels at Palmarejo have increased 88% while Kensingtons exploration expenditures have nearly tripled.

Given the high relative success rates of near-mine drilling at deposits with significant untapped potential like Palmarejo and Kensington, we believe allocating higher levels of capital to exploration at these two operations makes strong strategic sense. Both of these properties have been historically under-drilled and we are generating new discoveries and positive results after only eighteen months of funding these higher levels of investment, said Mitchell J. Krebs, Coeurs President and Chief Executive Officer. At Palmarejo, we have made seven new, high-grade discoveries located near existing underground infrastructure. At Kensington, we are working to expand higher-grade areas such as Jualin and Raven that have the potential to yield higher margin production and cash flow. At both operations, we see excellent potential to meaningfully expand and upgrade our resource base over the next several years and, as a result, expect to maintain these elevated exploration investment levels.

Select highlights are included below and in the Companys presentation materials available on its website at www.coeur.com. Please see Cautionary Statements for additional information regarding drill results. For a complete table of all drill results at Palmarejo and Kensington, please refer to the following link: Click Here

Palmarejo Highlights

Drilling at Nacion-Dana continues to successfully define and expand the deposit  The Nacion-Dana vein extends for over 4,000 feet (approximately 1,200 meters) of strike length and is located between the Guadalupe and Independencia underground mines, approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) from existing underground development. Intersections include 14.4 feet (4.4 meters) at 0.58 ounces per ton (oz/t) (19.9 grams per tonne (g/t)) gold and 54.7 oz/t (1,875.4 g/t) silver and 17.8 feet (5.4 meters) at 0.42 oz/t (14.4 g/t) gold and 30.0 oz/t (1,058.6 g/t) silver.

The Nacion-Dana vein extends for over 4,000 feet (approximately 1,200 meters) of strike length and is located between the Guadalupe and Independencia underground mines, approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) from existing underground development. Intersections include 14.4 feet (4.4 meters) at 0.58 ounces per ton (oz/t) (19.9 grams per tonne (g/t)) gold and 54.7 oz/t (1,875.4 g/t) silver and 17.8 feet (5.4 meters) at 0.42 oz/t (14.4 g/t) gold and 30.0 oz/t (1,058.6 g/t) silver. An initial resource estimate for the La Bavisa deposit is expected to be included in Palmarejos 2017 year-end resource statement  The La Bavisa vein is located 500 meters northeast of the Independencia underground mine. Over 41,000 feet (approximately 12,600 meters) of drilling in 25 holes was completed earlier this year. Significant intercepts include 33.3 feet (10.2 meters) of 0.11 oz/t (3.8 g/t) gold and 16.7 oz/t (572.6 g/t) silver. This initial set of drill holes covered approximately 1,500 feet (500 meters) of total strike length. Based on surface mapping, La Bavisa is believed to exceed two miles (three kilometers) in total strike length.

The La Bavisa vein is located 500 meters northeast of the Independencia underground mine. Over 41,000 feet (approximately 12,600 meters) of drilling in 25 holes was completed earlier this year. Significant intercepts include 33.3 feet (10.2 meters) of 0.11 oz/t (3.8 g/t) gold and 16.7 oz/t (572.6 g/t) silver. This initial set of drill holes covered approximately 1,500 feet (500 meters) of total strike length. Based on surface mapping, La Bavisa is believed to exceed two miles (three kilometers) in total strike length. Successful definition drilling of the newly-discovered Zapata vein located less than 500 feet (approximately 150 meters) from Guadalupe is expected to result in an initial resource estimate at year-end  Drilling of 35 holes was conducted from underground in the adjacent Guadalupe underground mine. Drill results included 0.39 oz/t (13.4 g/t) gold and 15.6 oz/t (534.9 g/t) silver over 18.4 feet (5.6 meters). Some of these holes also intersected the newly-discovered and parallel Madero and La Antena veins, which are expected to be drilled further in 2018.

Kensington Highlights

Exploration of deeper portions of Kensington Main continues to indicate an expansion of the zones resource  Drill results included 7.8 feet (2.4 meters) at 0.62 oz/t (21.1 g/t) gold and 2.3 feet (0.7 meters) at 1.66 oz/t (56.9 g/t) gold from Block M. Coeur has subsequently added new drill stations and resumed drilling in the adjacent Block L.

 Drill results included 7.8 feet (2.4 meters) at 0.62 oz/t (21.1 g/t) gold and 2.3 feet (0.7 meters) at 1.66 oz/t (56.9 g/t) gold from Block M. Coeur has subsequently added new drill stations and resumed drilling in the adjacent Block L. At Jualin, two rigs have been active from underground focused on upgrading existing resources and two have been drilling from surface  While the majority of holes are still pending assay results from the 2017 exploration program, results from 2016 include 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) of 4.48 oz/t (153.6 g/t) gold and 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) with 6.68 oz/t (229.0 g/t) gold. Portions of Jualin Vein #4 are believed to continue at depth and to the northeast based on current drill results.

While the majority of holes are still pending assay results from the 2017 exploration program, results from 2016 include 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) of 4.48 oz/t (153.6 g/t) gold and 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) with 6.68 oz/t (229.0 g/t) gold. Portions of Jualin Vein #4 are believed to continue at depth and to the northeast based on current drill results. Drilling has resumed on the nearby Raven vein, where high-grade narrow-vein mining continues to augment Kensingtons overall production  Results include 5.0 feet (1.5 meters) of 3.23 oz/t (110.7 g/t) gold.

Palmarejo

Exploration at Palmarejo remains focused on low-risk, high-return vein targets near the Independencia and Guadalupe underground operations, with the primary objective of expanding resources and extending mine life. Drilling confirmed mineralization at the Nacion-Dana vein, which the Company expects to become a significant future source of high-grade material, subject to further drilling and upgrading to reserves. The Companys accelerated exploration investment over the past eighteen months has led to the discovery of seven new veins, which Coeur will continue to explore, define, and seek to expand in future years. Coeurs 2017 year-end reserves and resources are expected to reflect the positive results from the Nacion-Dana, La Bavisa, and Zapata veins, while significant intercepts reported from the newly discovered Madero, La Antena, Portales, Jacobo, Hidalgo, and Reforma veins will be the basis of further exploration efforts in 2018 and beyond.

The northern portion of the Nacion-Dana vein achieved sufficient drill hole density to support preliminary mine planning. Given Nacion-Danas proximity to Independencia underground access approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) away, it represents Palmarejos next likely vein to be developed, subject to further drilling and upgrading to reserve status. Importantly, Nacion-Dana does not require additional permitting and access can be gained from existing infrastructure. Preliminary designs are evaluating optimization of ore haulage and the inclusion of ore passes to reduce capital and operating costs. Concurrently, the Company is planning a resource expansion program targeting the southern portion of the vein. Recent drilling has demonstrated the presence of at least two thicker zones of mineralization (clavos) and a third clavo is beginning to emerge on the southern portion of the structure.

Coeur drilled 25 holes at the La Bavisa vein in 2017, which is located 1,500 feet (500 meters) northeast of Independencia. In combination with the twelve holes drilled by Paramount Gold prior to its acquisition by Coeur in 2015, drill intercepts indicate silver grades and thicknesses that are comparable to Independencia. Drilling at La Bavisa in 2018 will focus on further definition, including extending the total strike length, which is believed to be approximately two miles (three kilometers) based on surface alteration and geochemistry. Coeur expects an initial resource estimate from La Bavisa to be included in the Companys year-end resource statement.

Considerable portions of the Nacion-Dana and La Bavisa veins are located within the claims acquired from Paramount in 2015, which are not subject to Palmarejos gold stream agreement.

The newly-discovered Zapata vein and nearby Madero and La Antena veins were discovered by drilling both from the surface and underground at Guadalupe. They are located immediately west of the existing Guadalupe underground mine. Through December 10, 2017, a total of 41 holes were drilled, the results of which are expected to support an initial resource estimate for Zapata at year-end. These three veins all trend at an angle and intersect the Guadalupe structure. Based on new geologic and structural models, these intersections are where grades and thicknesses appear highest, comparable to the mineralization at the Palmarejo, Guadalupe, and Independencia mines. As a result, future drilling will prioritize targeting these intersections.

Drilling from underground exploration stations at Guadalupe also yielded the discovery of new veins at Portales and Jacobo, both located east of the Guadalupe mine declines. Additional drilling in 2018 is expected to determine whether economic thicknesses occur in these newly-discovered veins.

North of the Independencia mine, the Hidalgo and Reforma veins were discovered by surface drilling in 2017. Both veins are located 1,000 feet (300 meters) north of the current mining at Independencia and appear to intersect the main Independencia structure, converging into a thicker, horizontal clavo-type zone. Additional drilling in 2018 will be completed prior to developing a resource model.

Kensington

At Kensington, up to five core rigs were active throughout 2017, with four focused on definition and expansion of the Jualin veins and the fifth on Kensington Main and Raven veins. Prior to ramping up the drill program at Jualin, several resource infill holes were drilled in Kensington Main Zones 12 and 41 and Blocks M and L.

Since June, two rigs have actively drilled Jualin from the underground and two from the surface. The two underground rigs focused on infill drilling and conversion of inferred resource of Jualin Vein #4. These programs have since been completed and a reserve estimate at Jualin is expected to be included in the updated Kensington technical report anticipated during the first quarter of 2018.

The two rigs drilling from surface remain focused on expansion of the Jualin resource. Initial planned holes were designed to test for extensions of Vein #4, with a secondary priority of testing extensions of Veins #2 and #3 above Vein #4. Drill results from Veins #2 and #3 have demonstrated additional resource potential. Several holes were deepened to test the deepest known structure, Vein #5. Preliminary results have suggested grades and thicknesses of mineralization similar to those of Vein #4.

In 2018, the Company anticipates reducing the number of drill rigs at Kensington as production at Jualin ramps up. The focus of Kensingtons exploration program is expected to shift to zones in both upper and lower Kensington Main, with additional drilling at the Raven vein. Specifically, infill drilling and resource conversion will target Zone 30 in upper Kensington, while resource expansion drilling will continue to focus on Block L of lower Kensington.

Conference Call

There will be a conference call on Coeur's Palmarejo and Kensington exploration programs on December 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Dial-in Numbers: (855) 560-2581 (US)

(855) 669-9657 (Canada)

(412) 542-4166 (International)

Conference ID: Coeur Mining

Hosting the call will be Mitchell J. Krebs, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur, who will be joined by Peter C. Mitchell, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Frank L. Hanagarne, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Hans Rasmussen, Senior Vice President of Exploration, and other members of management. A replay of the call will be available through December 28, 2017.



Replay Numbers: (877) 344-7529 (US)

(855) 669-9658 (Canada)

(412) 317-0088 (International)

Conference ID:

101 14 985

About Coeur

Coeur Mining, Inc. is a well-diversified, growing precious metals producer with six mines in the Americas employing approximately 2,300 people. Coeurs wholly-owned operations include the Palmarejo silver-gold complex in Mexico, the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine in British Columbia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota, and the San Bartolome silver mine in Bolivia. In addition, the Company owns the La Preciosa project in Mexico, a silver-gold exploration stage project. Coeur conducts exploration activities in North America.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 14, 2017) - Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX:AGI) (NYSE:AGI) ("Alamos" or the "Company") today reported results from the positive feasibility study conducted on its Lynn Lake Gold Project ("Lynn Lake"), located in Manitoba, Canada. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Feasibility Study Highlights

Declared an initial Proven and Probable mineral reserve of 26.8 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 1.89 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au"), containing 1.6 million ounces of gold

Average annual gold production of 170,000 ounces over the first six years and 143,000 ounces over the first 10 years with life of mine production of 1.5 million ounces

Life of mine total cash costs of $645 per ounce of gold and attractive mine-site all-in sustaining costs of $745 per ounce

Initial capital estimate of $338 million and total life of mine capital, including sustaining capital and reclamation costs, of $486 million

After-tax net present value ("NPV") of $123 million at a 5% discount rate and an after-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 12.5%, representing a 4.6 year payback using base case gold and silver price assumptions of $1,250 and $16.00 per ounce, respectively and a USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of $0.75:1

The Company has also identified a number of opportunities to enhance the overall economics of the project through an evaluation of a smaller, higher grade mine plan, employing contract mining, and incorporating exploration success over the past year which has not be factored into the feasibility study

"We acquired the Lynn Lake project in 2016 for $20 million and with the completion of the feasibility study, have outlined solid base case economics for the project with an after-tax net present value over $120 million. As we advance the project through permitting over the next two years, we see excellent potential to further enhance its overall economics through a number of avenues, including incorporating recent exploration success. We expect stronger economics prior to making a construction decision. With its location in one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world, Lynn Lake is an important piece of our longer term growth strategy," said John A. McCluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Feasibility Study Highlights - December 2017 Production Mine life (years) 10.4 Total gold production (000 ounces) 1,495 Total silver production (000 ounces) 1,263 Average annual gold production1 Years 1 to 6 (000 ounces) 170 Years 1 to 10 (000 ounces) 143 Total ore mined (000 tonnes) 26,803 Total waste mined (000 tonnes) 195,188 Total material mined (000 tonnes) 221,991 Waste-to-ore ratio2 7.28 Average grade (grams per tonne) Gold 1.89 Silver 2.99 Recovery (%) Gold (Average MacLellan and Gordon) 92% Silver (MacLellan only) 49% Average mill throughput (tonnes per day ("tpd")) 7,000 Operating Costs Total cost per tonne of ore3 $36.06 Total cash cost (per ounce sold)4 $645 Mine-site all-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold)4 $745 Capital Costs (millions) Pre-production capital expenditure $338.0 Sustaining capital expenditure $126.6 Reclamation costs $21.1 Total capital expenditure $485.6 Base Case Economic Analysis IRR (after-tax) 12.5% NPV @ 0% discount rate (millions, after-tax) $279.0 NPV @ 5% discount rate (millions, after-tax) $123.4 Gold price assumption (average, per ounce sold) $1,250 Silver price assumption (average, per ounce sold) $16.00 Exchange Rate (US Dollar/Canadian Dollar) 0.75

Average annual production excludes pre-commercial production Reported waste-to-ore ratio is over the life of mine and includes overburden as waste. The waste-to-ore ratio during commercial production is 7.06:1 Total unit cost per tonne ("t") of ore includes royalties and silver as a by-product credit Total cash costs and mine-site all-in sustaining costs include royalties and silver as a by-product credit

Mineral Reserves and Resources

An initial Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve totaling 26.8 Mt, grading 1.89 g/t Au and 2.99 g/t Ag, containing 1.6 million ounces of gold and 2.6 million ounces of silver has been declared at Lynn Lake reflecting the successful conversion of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources at the Gordon and MacLellan deposits. Only Mineral Reserves have been incorporated into the mine plan and economic analysis.

Mineral Reserves - Effective as of December 1, 2017 Classification Tonnage (Mt) Au Grade (g/t) Ag Grade (g/t) Au Oz Contained

(x1000) Ag Oz Contained

(x1000) Gordon Proven 2.31 2.82 210 Probable 6.41 2.27 468 Proven & Probable 8.72 2.42 678 MacLellan Proven 9.55 1.91 5.01 586 1,539 Probable 8.53 1.32 3.79 361 1,039 Proven & Probable 18.08 1.63 4.43 947 2,578 Total Lynn

Lake Proven 11.86 2.09 4.03 796 1,539 Probable 14.94 1.73 2.16 829 1,039 Total Proven and Probable 26.80 1.89 2.99 1,625 2,578

Mineral Reserves reported are in agreement with the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves

The Mineral Reserve is estimated using metal prices of US$1,250/Au oz and US$15.00/Ag oz.

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

The estimates were carried out using cut-off grades of 0.69 Au g/t for Gordon and 0.47 Equivalent Au g/t for MacLellan and a metallurgical Au recovery of 89-94% for Gordon and 91-92% for MacLellan.

The estimate of Mineral Reserves was carried out under the supervision of Efthymios Koniaris, PhD., P.Eng. of Q'Pit Inc.

Mineral resources from the Gordon and MacLellan deposits detailed below have not currently been included in the mine plan but represent potential upside through their incorporation into the mine plan with higher metal prices and additional infill drilling.

Open Pit Mineral Resources - Effective as of December 1, 2017 MacLellan Category Tonnage (Mt) Au Grade (g/t) Ag Grade (g/t) Au oz Contained (x1000) Ag oz Contained (x1000) Measured 2.11 1.86 5.34 126 362 Indicated 2.24 1.24 4.24 89 305 Measured & Indicated 4.35 1.57 4.77 215 667 Inferred 0.75 1.62 2.80 39 67 Gordon Category Tonnage (Mt) Au Grade (g/t) Ag Grade (g/t) Au oz Contained (x1000) Ag oz Contained (x1000) Measured 0.01 1.72 n/a 0.47 n/a Indicated 0.45 1.96 n/a 28 n/a Measured & Indicated 0.46 1.96 n/a 29 n/a Inferred 0.62 1.30 n/a 26 n/a Total Category Tonnage (Mt) Au Grade (g/t) Ag Grade (g/t) Au oz Contained (x1000) Ag oz Contained (x1000) Measured 2.12 1.86 5.31 127 362 Indicated 2.69 1.36 3.53 118 305 Measured & Indicated 4.81 1.58 4.32 244 667 Inferred 1.37 1.48 1.53 68 67

The Mineral Resources are reported at an assumed gold price of US$1,400/ounce, and an assumed silver price of US$22.00/ounce

The Mineral Resource estimate was completed by Mr. Jeffrey Volk, CPG, FAusIMM, Director of Reserves and Resources for Alamos Gold Inc.

Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources estimated will be converted into Mineral Reserves.

Mineral Resources are stated as contained within potentially economically open pit above a 0.42 g/t AuEq cut-off for MacLellan and a 0.62 g/t Au cut-off for Gordon. Mineral Resources include external dilution from outside the 0.50 g/t Au grade solid.

Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves.

Economic Analysis

Lynn Lake's estimated base case after-tax IRR is 12.5% and after-tax NPV is $123 million, using a 5% discount rate based on an economic analysis conducted as part of the Feasibility Study. This represents a 4.6 year payback assuming a gold price of $1,250 per ounce, a USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of $0.75:1, and incorporates only Proven and Probable mineral reserves. The project economics are sensitive to metal price assumptions and input costs as detailed in the tables below.

Lynn Lake After-Tax NPV (5%) Sensitivity ($ Millions) -10% -5% Base Case 5% 10% Gold Price $36.5 $83.2 $123.4 $166.8 $206.1 Canadian Dollar $186.0 $156.9 $123.4 $93.5 $57.2 Capital Costs $154.4 $139.2 $123.4 $107.5 $97.5 Operating Costs $169.0 $146.7 $123.4 $99.7 $81.4

Lynn Lake After-Tax NPV (5%) and IRR Sensitivity to Gold Price Gold Price After-Tax NPV5%($M) After-Tax IRR (%) $1,100 $17.5 6.1% $1,200 $92.7 10.6% $1,250 $123.4 12.5% $1,300 $158.3 14.5% $1,400 $222.7 18.0% $1,500 $289.8 21.5%

Project Overview

The Lynn Lake project is comprised of the Gordon and MacLellan deposits which are located approximately 30 kilometres ("km") apart (straight line). The two deposits will be mined using conventional open pit mining methods with a centralized processing plant and tailings management facility to be located at MacLellan.

Permitting

The Project Description for Lynn Lake was submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) in July 2017, initiating the federal Environmental Assessment (EA) process. Final Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) were received in November 2017. An EIS document is currently being prepared that will be submitted to satisfy federal and provincial EA requirements. The EIS is being prepared utilizing environmental baseline information that has been compiled through extensive field investigations over a two-year period. The Company has also engaged area First Nation communities and Metis organizations in its project planning activities. The permitting process is expected to take approximately two years followed by two years of construction.

Mining

Both the Gordon and MacLellan deposits will be developed using conventional shovel/truck open pit mining methods with owner mining assumed within the Feasibility Study. The Gordon and MacLellan deposits are expected to operate concurrently for the first six years of operation, with Gordon to be depleted first given its higher grades and lower stripping ratio. As the Gordon pit nears depletion, mining equipment will be transferred to MacLellan and utilized over the remainder of its mine life.

Following a one year pre-production period at Gordon and two-year pre-production period at MacLellan, combined mining rates are expected to range between 20.5 and 27.0 Mt of material per year over the first seven years. This includes peak mining rates of 13 Mt at Gordon and 24.7 Mt at MacLellan.

Loading of ore and waste rock is planned to be carried out with two 300 t class hydraulic shovels and two front end loaders, paired primarily with 144 t capacity mine trucks. Ore from MacLellan will be hauled to the primary crusher (located to the south of the pit). All ore from Gordon will be transported approximately 55 km to the process facility at MacLellan via a fleet of 23 highway trucks, each with a capacity of approximately 30 t.

Processing, Metallurgy and Infrastructure

Lynn Lake's process plant has been designed as a conventional milling operation with a nominal capacity of 7,000 tpd. The proposed plant design is based on leach/carbon in pulp ("CIP"), and will consist of crushing, grinding, thickening, pre-aeration and leaching, CIP, cyanide detoxification, carbon elution and regeneration, and gold smelting.

The flow sheet incorporates the following major process operations:

Two-stage crushing and stockpile,

Semi-autogenous grinding (SAG),

Ball mill grinding and classification,

Leaching and CIP adsorption,

Desorption and gold room,

Tailings detoxification and disposal,

Fresh and reclaim water supply, and

Reagent preparation and distribution

Based on test work, gold recoveries from Gordon are expected to average 92.9% and gold and silver recoveries from MacLellan are expected to average 91.4% and 49%, respectively. Over the life of mine, combined gold recoveries are expected to average 92.0%.

Power to the MacLellan site, which will host all the process facilities and major infrastructure, will be supplied from Manitoba Hydro through the commercial electricity grid. The existing power line to the Town of Lynn Lake will be modified from 69kV to 138 kV, and a 7 km 138kV overhead line will be built to the MacLellan site.

The Gordon site's electrical demands will be met by two 300 kW diesel generators in duty/standby configuration.

The tailings management facility ("TMF") will be constructed approximately 3 km northeast of the planned open pit and plant site at MacLellan. Additional dam raises are planned for years two, six and nine to accommodate the life of the mining operation. The majority of operational water required for the process plant will be reclaimed from the TMF.

Operating Costs

Total cash costs are expected to average $645 per ounce and mine-site all-in sustaining costs $745 per ounce, net of silver as a by-product credit over the life of mine. Total operating costs are expected to average $36.06 per tonne of ore processed. This includes average mining costs of $2.21 per tonne of material mined across the Gordon and MacLellan deposits and haulage costs of $7.45 per tonne of ore from the Gordon deposit.

The breakdown of unit costs is summarized as follows.

Operating Cost1 $/t Processed LOM $M Mining2 $17.77 $470.5 Haulage3 $2.43 $64.5 Processing $10.84 $287.1 G&A $5.33 $141.1 Refining, Transport, Royalties and Ag Credit ($0.31) ($8.2) TOTAL Operating Costs $36.06 $954.9

Operating costs exclude working capital Average mining cost during the production period is $2.21/t mined with a strip ratio of 7.06:1 (7.28:1 including pre-commercial production) Haulage costs are reported per total tonne milled. Haulage costs per tonne of Gordon ore hauled average $7.45

Royalty

There is a third-party royalty on a portion of the production in the first two years coming from the Gordon deposit which totals approximately $8.1 million.

Capital Costs

The initial capital cost for the Lynn Lake project is $338 million. The main components of this include pre-production mining activities, site preparation, construction of the process plant and tailings management facility and other onsite and offsite infrastructure. The Feasibility Study assumes capital leasing of mobile equipment. The onsite pre-production period spans 24 months.

Camp infrastructure to accommodate the workforce will be located within the Town of Lynn Lake and will be utilized throughout the construction and operations phases.

A breakdown of the capital requirements is detailed as follows.

Capital Cost ($ Millions) Mining $61.3 Process Plant $72.3 Utilities and Services $17.1 Onsite Infrastructure $41.9 Offsite Infrastructure $24.5 Tailings Management $17.1 Indirects $40.9 EPCM $21.7 Owner's Cost $12.2 Contingency $28.8 Total Initial Capital $338.0 Sustaining Capital $126.6 Reclamation and Closure Costs $21.1 Total Capital $485.6

Taxes

The Lynn Lake project will be subject to provincial, federal and mining taxes. Over the 11 year mine life, Lynn Lake is expected to pay total taxes of approximately $131 million for an effective tax rate of approximately 32%, with no taxes payable until year four.

Additional Opportunities

Incorporating exploration success to date and ongoing potential

Alamos has a large exploration package with more than 40,000 hectares of mineral tenure in northern Manitoba covering the majority of the Lynn Lake Greenstone Belt. This belt consists of the Northern Agassiz Shear (55 km long) and Southern Johnson Shear (40 km long) complexes (see Figure 1 at the end of this press release).

Since consolidating ownership of Lynn Lake in early 2016, the primary exploration focus has been on infill drilling the main deposits (MacLellan and Gordon), re-assessment of the data, structural and vein studies, reprocessing and re-interpretation of geophysics, mappings and sampling and target generation. More recently, additional scout drilling programs along strike from known deposits has also been undertaken.

The Feasibility Study has not incorporated exploration success over the past year including newly outlined mineralization adjacent to both the Gordon and MacLellan pits. Both have the potential to increase the mineable ounces within the mine plan. Drilling from the Burnt Timber deposit has also yielded encouraging results.

MacLellan

Drilling to the northeast has identified a new zone of mineralization along strike and adjacent to the MacLellan pit. This zone and the following intercepts are located outside of existing mineral reserves and resources in the pit wall in an area defined as waste. Additional drilling will be completed to further assess this new zone during the winter freeze when access is possible.

Previously released highlight intercepts include:

17MCX003: 10.5 metres ("m") at 1.49 g/t Au (71.0 - 81.5 m) and 39.0 m at 1.78 g/t Au (89.0 - 128.0 m)

17MCX012: 18.5 m at 3.67 g/t Au (8.0 - 26.5 m)

17MCX013: 13.5 m at 2.58 g/t Au (34.0 - 47.5 m)

17MCX014: 38.0 m at 2.03 g/t Au (67.5 - 105.5 m)

17MCX019: 7.0 m at 3.57 g/t Au (148.5 - 155.5 m) and 16.0 m at 6.68 g/t Au (169.0 - 185.0 m)

Gordon

Similar to MacLellan, drilling immediately south of the Gordon mine area has identified mineralization outside of current mineral reserves and resources, in an area in the pit wall defined as waste. The higher grade nature of some of these intercepts including, 20.69 g/t Au over 6.1 m (17FLX007, previously released), outline the potential for additional high-grade mineralization. Follow up drilling and study is scheduled for the winter drilling season.

17FLX007: 2.6 m at 8.36 g/t Au (1.6 - 4.2 m), 6.1 m at 20.69 g/t Au (14.4 - 20.5 m) and 4.0 m at 5.97 g/t Au (126.5 - 130.5 m)

Burnt Timber and Linkwood

The Burnt Timber and Linkwood deposits have not been contemplated as part of the Lynn Lake Feasibility Study but represent potential upside given the significant existing mineral resource and additional exploration potential. The Burnt Timber and Linkwood deposits are located south of MacLellan along the Johnson shear and host a combined Inferred mineral resource of 1.6 million ounces of gold (44.4 Mt grading 1.09 g/t Au). The Burnt Timber and Linkwood mineral resource areas are located approximately 26 km by road from MacLellan.

At Burnt Timber, a small high-grade pit was historically mined and a re-assessment of past drill results indicate that this zone has not been closed off to the northeast. Additionally, a 2 km gap has been identified in the historic drilling between Burnt Timber and Linkwood. Both of these areas will be a focus during the 2018 winter drilling season.

Owner versus contract mining

Contract mining has been identified as a viable alternative to owner mining which has been assumed in the Feasibility Study. There is potential to enhance the overall economics of the project through the reduction of upfront capital requirements.

Smaller, higher grade mine plan

Through raising the cut-off grade, a smaller, higher grade mine plan is being evaluated as an opportunity to improve the project economics with a smaller milling operation requiring lower initial and ongoing capital.

Project Background

The Lynn Lake project is located in northern Manitoba, approximately 820 km northwest of Winnipeg. The project is comprised of two historical gold mines, MacLellan and Gordon respectively located approximately 7 km northeast and 37 km east of the Town of Lynn Lake. The distance between the Gordon and MacLellan sites is approximately 30 km. Private all-weather gravel access roads connect both the MacLellan and Gordon sites to Provincial Road (PR) 391.

The MacLellan mine was formerly operated as an underground gold and silver mine between 1986 and 1989. The Gordon site, historically referred to as the Farley Lake Open Pit Mine, previously operated as two open pit gold mines from 1996 to 1999.

The feasibility study for the Lynn Lake project was consolidated by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. ("Ausenco"), an international engineering firm with extensive experience in both the construction and operation of mining projects, in collaboration with third party consulting firms and Alamos Gold's technical team.

Technical Disclosure

Chris Bostwick, FAusIMM, Alamos Gold's Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Bostwick is a Qualified Person within the meaning of Canadian Securities Administrator's National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

The Feasibility Study has been prepared by the following independent Qualified Persons (QPs) along with Alamos' internal technical staff.

Eddie McLean, B.Sc. (Met), FAusIMM, Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.

Efthymios Koniaris, PhD., P.Eng., Q'Pit Inc.

Jeffrey Volk, CPG, FAusIMM, Alamos Gold Inc.

Karen Mathers, P.Geo, FGC, Stantec Consulting Ltd.

Paolo Toscano, MASc., P.Eng., Alamos Gold Inc.

Paul Staples, P.Eng., Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.

Rui Couto, MASc., P.Eng., Golder Associates Ltd.

With the exception of Mr. Bostwick, Mr. Volk, and Mr. Toscano each of the foregoing individuals are independent of Alamos Gold. They are all Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The Company will file a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of the date of this release.

About Alamos

Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from four operating mines in North America. This includes the Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario, Canada and the Mulatos and El Chanate mines in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a significant portfolio of development stage projects in Canada, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. Alamos employs more than 1,700 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. The Company's shares are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "AGI".
TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Cobalt Corp. (TSX-V:FCC) (ASX:FCC) (OTCQB:FTSSF) (the Company) is pleased to announce positive results from a borehole geophysics program in the Canadian Cobalt Camp. An electromagnetic program successfully identified a geophysical signature associated with vein-style mineralization intersected in recent drilling as well as an off-hole anomaly, providing a new exploration tool for the Cobalt Camp.

Highlights

In-hole and off-hole electromagnetic (EM) anomalous responses corresponding to veining have been encountered at the Woods Vein Extension and near the Keeley mine

Off-hole anomalous results will be targeted for follow-up in the winter drill program

Final data interpretation is nearly complete and results are being incorporated into the planning for January 2018 drilling

Trent Mell, President & Chief Executive Officer, commented:

Borehole electromagnetics may prove to be an effective tool for quickly detecting potential mineralization in the Camp. This signature connects veining logged in drill core with anomalous EM responses measured in-holes and potentially off-holes. We will continue to use EM type surveys in other areas to expedite future exploration planning.

First Cobalt completed tests using a borehole electromagnetic (EM) system on ten drillholes in Cobalt South that are known to have intersected vein-style mineralization. The objective of this program was to assess EM methods against known mineralized targets to validate this geophysical tool for future application in the Cobalt Camp.

EM surveys measure electrical conductivity contrast between conductive minerals containing metals such as cobalt and silver and the host rock. The system detects conductivity in rocks intersected in the drillhole, an in-hole response, and away from the hole, an off-hole response, to a distance of approximately 100 metres.

Three areas were targeted for surveying: the area known as the Woods Vein Extension, the Frontier #1 vein and an area near the Keeley mine (Figure 1). The Woods Vein Extension area was previously believed to be barren but, based on new mapping and drilling, may be the extension of the Woods-Watson vein system that accounted for over 80% of the historic production in the Cobalt South region of the Cobalt Camp.

Electromagnetic Survey Results

Results of the program were positive, with both in-hole and off-hole electromagnetic anomalous responses encountered.

Five holes were surveyed near the Keeley mine and three at the Woods Vein Extension, to the north of the Frontier mine. Three holes with known cobalt veining provided an in-hole EM response consistent with drill core logging and assay results, confirming the ability of EM to detect a geophysical signature for cobalt veins.

More significantly, surveying in one hole near the Keeley mine detected an off-hole response, indicating a potential extension of the veining recorded in the hole. Two holes drilled along the Frontier #1 vein were also surveyed to detect off-hole anomalies, but did not encounter any EM responses.

Next Steps

EM surveying has not been used extensively in the Cobalt Camp despite cobalt and silver minerals being excellent conductors. The pulse EM method which is being used is well suited for this setting. The success of this program has three implications for First Cobalt.

First, ground-based EM system testing will commence shortly to determine if the cobalt veins encountered by drilling can be detected from surface. An expanded ground EM survey over the Woods Extension area is also being considered. If the results from the borehole program can be replicated from surface, EM surveys could have a camp-wide application as a prospecting and drill hole targeting tool.

Second, the off-hole anomaly detected near Keeley will be targeted during the winter drilling program starting in January.

A third implication is the opportunity to employ EM more systematically with drill campaigns, in order to quickly identify the extension of mineralized intercepts.

Crone Geophysics, based in Mississauga, Ontario, have been contracted to conduct the surveys. Crone Geophysics develops high quality instruments and has provided leading edge surveying and consulting since 1962.

Qualified and Competent Person Statement

Dr. Frank Santaguida, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Dr. Santaguida is also a Competent Person (as defined in the JORC Code, 2012 edition) who is a practicing member of the Association of Professional Geologists of Ontario (being a Recognised Professional Organisation for the purposes of the ASX Listing Rules). Dr. Santaguida is employed on a full-time basis as Vice President, Exploration for First Cobalt. He has sufficient experience that is relevant to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code.
Stuff reports:

New Zealander of the Year Dr Lance OSullivan has said he would only take a leadership role with the Maori Party if it is a sole leadership role.

His statement comes after the resignation of party president Tukoroirangi Morgan, who has also called for co-leaders Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox to resign to allow fresh talent to step up.

OSullivan is the front runner to become the Maori Partys next male leader, but has said co-leadership is not the way to go.

If I had an opportunity to have a leadership role, it would need to be in that sole leadership role, he told Te Kaea.

Im not a fan of co-leadership. I think you need a single leader and a single message coming through thats strong and inspiring.

Dame Tariana Turia, the party founder and its first female co-leader, does not agree with OSullivan.

In the end I hope we maintain the kaupapa of two co-leaders. I think its very helpful to have male and female working constructively with each other, she said.
By Donald Kirk





WASHINGTON  A lot of people here, from right to left politically, think war on the Korean peninsula is imminent. Kim Jong-un, they say, is eager to order a seventh nuclear test as well as test shots of intercontinental ballistic missiles. And would not President Trump love to stage a "preemptive strike" to frustrate Kim's grand design  or at least attack in retaliation after Kim had already gotten away with a few more tests?



Maybe, but believe it or not the U.S. is in no position to risk Korean War II, to stage a "preemptive strike," even if President Trump ordered one. His "generals," of whom he's been known to speak so highly, would have to advise him of certain realities. Those great U.S.-South Korean war games we keep hearing about, those flights of the dreaded B-1 bomber just below the North-South line, the spectacle of the world's biggest, best aircraft carriers off the South Korean east and west coasts may all be impressive, maybe frightening, but they're for show, for intimidation, for training.



The U.S. Department of Defense, it may surprise friends and foes alike, is running out of money. Pentagon planners are going crazy having to deal with "continuing resolutions" passed by the U.S Congress providing funds enough to pay and feed troops, keep bases open and cover the costs of all that equipment for about 15 days. While the Congress debates a budget for slashing costs and expenditures, the U.S. armed forces exist on one resolution after another. In the meantime, the generals and admirals complain, dozens of planes are grounded and at least 15 warships cannot leave their home ports.



Moreover, even after a regular budget is adopted and Pentagon planners know how much they have to throw around, retired Lieutenant General Wallace Gregson, who often visited Korea as commander of all the marines in Okinawa and elsewhere in the region, reminded a small group of Korea-watchers, the U.S. would have to ship far more equipment, and troops too before Trump could go to war in Korea.



Gregson gives the impression he knows what he's talking about as he enumerates the exact number of ships, planes and other costly items simply can't be used for lack of funding. In the meantime, he goes along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's declaration that "lines of communication" are open and we're ready to talk to the North Koreans any time. "Talking doesn't mean we're recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state," he observed. "It just means we're rejecting for the time being the option of a preemptive strike.'"



In other words, while negotiators are at the table debating their positions, the U.S. is not going to attack the North. And if current policies and realities are any guide, the U.S. isn't going to go on the warpath against North Korea, even if Kim sends more shockwaves around the world by testing another nuclear warhead or intercontinental ballistic missile. The logical conclusion is the U.S. is waiting for Kim actually to hit some American targets, maybe the new U.S. base complex at Pyongtaek southwest of Seoul, definitely within easy range of the kind of short-range missiles that North Korea exported in the good old days to Libya, Iraq, Syria and maybe a few others.



In a waiting game, one of the participants has to "do something" before another participant does "something" first. "We're always searching for leverage," said Gregson.



The waiting game will probably go on for quite a while. In the meantime, Gregson is calling for more emphasis on the issue of human rights, on diplomatic pressure, on building up the strength of South Korean forces. We've heard all that before, of course, but Gregson is confident there's much more to do.



"If we're going to start talking," he said, "we need to talk from a position of undoubted strength." Given that requirement, Gregson opposes suggestions for cancelling or cutting back on military exercises in return for North Korea agreeing not to test more nukes and missiles. "We've done these," he noted. "They always cheat."



It's seen as highly unlikely, however, that Kim would be so stupid as to order a missile shot anywhere near any American base. He's got to be fully aware that Trump would like nothing better than for North Korea to attack since he would then have the pretext for firing back  delivering the "fire and fury" promised in his UN speech a couple of months ago regardless of advice about what it takes to wage a sustained war.





Donald Kirk, www.donaldkirk.com, has been covering war and peace in Asia for decades.


By Lee Min-hyung



The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) called for the need to establish social consensus to stop discrimination on local internet companies with regard to their overseas counterparts.



"We are going to establish and run a public organization by inviting experts from civic groups and research bodies, in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute," KCC Chairman Lee Hyo-seong said in a meeting with leaders of portal and internet companies here, Wednesday. They include Google Korea CEO John Lee, Naver CEO Han Seong-sook and Kakao CEO Lim Ji-hoon



The remarks are aimed at the years-long dispute between Korean portal firms - such as Naver - and their overseas counterparts including Google and Facebook. The former has for years stepped up its criticism of the overseas portal giants operating businesses here, claiming that they are taking advantage of legal loopholes in particular tax issues.



But every time the issue surfaces, the U.S.-based tech giants have countered the argument by saying they are fully abiding by the Korean legal system and the issue should be directed to the legal authorities here.



In a bid to stop the controversy, the KCC chief held the event to hear opinions from the top portal companies here. He pointed out that the controversy is preventing the local internet industry from enhancing its global competitiveness.



"We are aware that internet companies are making all-out efforts to push for mutual growth with their small- and medium-sized partners," Lee said.



He did not elaborate on any legal or hard-line regulatory stance during the meeting, and instead, called for the internet giants to actively team up with the new organization to reach a social consensus which he said will help put an end to the ongoing discrimination-related controversies.



"To build a healthy internet ecosystem here, internet companies need to do their utmost to protect their users' information and fairly compete with their rivals," he said.



This is the first time that the KCC chief has held a meeting with the chiefs of the leading internet companies since taking office this August. But he fell short of commenting on details over when the new organization will be established.




A magnifying glass is posed over a monitor displaying a Facebook page in Munich in this OCt. 10, 2011 file photo. / AP-Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



Facebook has decided to start paying tax to Korea on advertising revenue earned here, bowing to mounting complaints over multinational online giants' tax avoidance.



The U.S. social media company's decision will place other global information players such as Apple, Google and Cisco under more pressure to follow suit. They have been under fire for slashing their tax bills by rerouting their profits to low-tax countries.



Facebook Chief Financial Officer David Wehner said this week his company has decided to move to a local selling structure in countries where it has an office to support sales to local advertisers.



"This means that advertising revenue supported by our local teams will no longer be recorded by our international headquarters in Dublin, but will instead be recorded by our local company in that country," he said in a blog post.



So far, the California-based company has booked ad profits made from more than 30 local offices via its international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with its low corporate tax rate of 12.5 percent.



However, many foreign governments, led by the European Union (EU), have stepped up efforts to get multinational firms to simplify their tax structures and potentially pay more income tax overseas.



"We believe that moving to a local selling structure will provide more transparency to governments and policymakers around the world who have called for greater visibility over the revenue associated with locally supported sales in their countries," Wehner said.



"We plan to implement this change throughout 2018, with the goal of completing all offices by the first half of 2019."



According to Facebook Korea, it will complete rolling out new systems by early 2019.



Globally, corporate taxation has become a major issue as the big digital companies have paid relatively less tax despite huge earnings, leading financial authorities to explore ways to tax them.



In 2014, Facebook paid only 4,327 pounds ($6,128) in taxes in Britain, raising public outrage.



In the wake of the Facebook decision, other online giants may be in the hot seat over whether to follow suit.



"Google, Apple and Cisco are also urged to make public their sales and profits earned here in a transparent way and pay their fair share of taxes," an official of the local IT industry said.



"The Fair Trade Commission and other government authorities should closely monitor whether Facebook will scale down its profits."



Global tech giants such as Google, Apple and Cisco have been accused of attempting to avoid taxes here.



Thanks to their status as a limited liability company (LLC), they are not obliged to open their books on revenue and taxation.



Google distributes mobile apps made by Korean developers through Google Asia Pacific in Singapore not Google Korea. Cisco, the dominant provider of network equipment in Korea, has been sidestepping tax here by making its smaller local distribution partners make deals directly with suppliers in other countries with lower tax rates.



According to Google Korea, there is still no change to its tax arrangement.



Amid a growing outcry, the government has sought ways to levy taxes on the companies and its latest plan was introduced Tuesday.



According to the National Tax Service, multinational enterprises whose revenues exceed a certain level are required to submit their aggregate business reports to tax authorities by Jan. 2. This is aimed at assessing high-level transfer pricing and other profit-shifting risks.



Multinational firms with revenue of 1 trillion won or more also will have to submit their so-called country-by-country report to tax authorities.



In September, the National Assembly passed revisions of the External Audit Law, one of which requires LLCs to have external audits and release those reports, including their balance sheets, income statements, surplus appropriation statements and dividend information.



This revision is scheduled to take effect in October next year.






Korea Importers Association Chairman Shin Myoung-jin, front row seventh from left, poses with ambassadors in Korea during its 47th anniversary event held at Westin Chosun Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Korea Importers Association
Here are 20 fun Christmas facts we bet you never knew about the festive season!

1. Christmas lights

Christmas lights aren't a modern creation, they were invented in 1882 by Edward Johnson.

2. The Wise Men

There is actually no mention in the bible that three Kings visited Jesus following his birth. The Bible actually refers to wise men (Magi) who travelled to see him - there is also no reference to there being three wise men, the Bible only refers to their visit, not their number.

3. December 25th isn't really Jesus' birthday

Although the exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown it is estimated to have been between 7 BC and 2 BC. The date of December 25th was chosen in the 4th century.

4. Hanging stockings

The tradition of hanging stockings comes from a Dutch custom. They would leave shoes full of food for St. Nicolas' donkeys and St. Nicholas would then leave small gifts in return.

5. The best selling Christmas song is...

The best-selling Christmas song ever is White Christmas by Bing Crosby. It has sold more than 50 million copies around the world.

6. Where does the word Christmas come from?

The word Christmas originates from the words Christ's Mass. In old English (first recorded in 1038) it was referred to as Cristesmsse, which literally means 'Christian Mass'.

7. Rudoloph the Red nosed reindeer

Rudolph, the most famous of Santa's reindeer came to life as part of a commercial promotion. His first appearance was in a story written in 1939 by ad copywriter Robert L. May that was published in a Montgomery Ward department store promotional booklet given out to children visiting Santa. It is worth noting that Rollo and Reginald were both names first considered for the red-nosed reindeer.... they don't really have quite the same ring to them!

8. The connection between toilet brushes and Christmas trees

One of the first commercially sold artificial Christmas trees was made from toilet brushes - I kid you not. The oldest fake trees date back to 1886 in London and were made out of green twine. Other varieties were made in the latter part of the 19th century in Germany and used tabletop feathers from geese that were dyed pine-green. Then the Addis Brush Company used their toilet brush weaving machinery to create pine-like branches for their fake Christmas trees. They were less flammable and held heavier decorations.

9. 60 million

That is the number of Christmas trees grown each year in Europe.

10. 13 Santas

Iceland has 13 Santas or "Yuletide Lads" who either leave presents or pull pranks for children during the 26 day holiday season as a reward or punishment for their behavior.

11. Santa didn't always wear red

Santa Claus has worn blue, white and green in the past. His traditional red suit came from a 1930s Coca Cola advertisement and it has since spread worldwide.

12. Most recorded Christmas song

Silent Night is the most recorded Christmas song in history, with over 733 different versions copyrighted since 1978.

13. Turning the tide on terrorism

In 2010 during the Christmas season, the Colombian government decorated jungle trees with lights. The trees lit up when the guerrillas (terrorists) walked by and banners appeared asking them to surrender their arms. The campaign convinced 331 guerillas to re-enter society and also won an award for strategic marketing excellence.

14. Dublin

In Dublin in 1742 the Christmas oratorio, The Messiah, by George Frederick Handle was first performed.

15. Christmas wreath

The Christmas wreath was originally hung as a symbol of Jesus. The holly represents his crown of thorns and the red berries the blood he shed.

16. Christmas Bonus Law

In Greece, Italy, Spain and Germany workers are guaranteed a Christmas bonus of one month's salary under the law.

17. Xmas

Despite some claims the use of the shortened word Xmas isn't disrespectful, the letter X is actually a Greek abbreviation for Christ.

18. The environmental benefits of fake trees

You would have to use your artificial tree for more than 20 years for it to be greener than buying a fresh-cut tree annually.

19. Jingle Bells is a Thanksgiving song

Jingle Bells  the popular Christmas song was composed by James Pierpont in Massachusetts, America. It was, however, written for thanksgiving and not Christmas. Interestingly enough it was the first song Christmas song sung in space with astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra warbling it during a broadcast on December 16, 1965.

20. KFC

Japanese spend their Christmas Eve eating in KFCs. This is a popular tradition in Japan so much that customers have to book their seats 2 months in advance. Every Christmas season an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families treat themselves to fried chicken from the American fast-food chain, in what has become a nationwide tradition. In Japan, around 1% of the population is Christian so Christmas isnt an official holiday.
Come along to Carrick-on-Shannon rowing club this Saturday, December 16 and help celebrate The Festival of Nations.

This free event will run from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. It has been organised by the Leitrim International Community Group with activities and finger foods from every different corner of the world.



There will be a mini fashion show, dancing and music from different cultures, as well as face-painting and games for the younger guests.



Take a break away from your Christmas preparations and call in for a quick trip around the world, right on the shores of the Shannon... expand your mind and perhaps even make some new friends!



Leitrim, the forgotten corner of Ireland that had for generations been a place to escape from is now welcoming people from all over the world and it will certainly benefit hugely from the influx of new energy and ideas.



The Leitrim International Community Group, with members from Ireland, the UK, France, Panama, Nigeria, Lithuania, Kurdistan, Syria, Sierra Leone, Mexico, India and many more, is the first port of call for newcomers into the county to make contact with locals and gather information.



The Group organizes a wealth of cultural and fun events throughout the year: film screenings, national celebration days, courses etc. with a grand International fashion show and a karaoke night planned for 2018, bringing Irish and people from all nationalities together for a better understanding and awareness of one another.



For further information on the group, log on to the LICG website www.licg.ie , or contact LICG on Facebook LICG and Facebook peace.ethnic.minorities; phone Leitrim Development Company 0719631715 or email osa@ldco.ie

This project has been supported by the EU's PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
The finale of the acclaimed RTE series, 'Choir of Ages' will be aired tonight (Thursday) on RTE 1 at 10.15pm.

Irelands world-renowned concert orchestra conductor and choirmaster, David Brophy is back with a new vision. After his transformational experience with the High Hopes Choir where he proved that music could bring hope and positivity to the lives of men and women affected by homelessness, he is now on a mission to empower our youngest and oldest citizens, tackle loneliness and digital isolation, and to bridge the gap that exists between them through music.



Never one to shy away from a challenge, David Brophy is taking on the daunting task of assembling an inter-generational choir with school children from 7  12 years old and senior citizens from 65  90 year olds, from both North Leitrim and the Crumlin/ Walkinstown area of Dublin.

David Brophys Choir of Ages for RTE ONE is a heart-warming and joyful series, where the OAPS prove that they are still young at heart by belting out pop songs alongside their younger counterparts! Our kids too, learn a thing or two from the older generation, as they embrace the songs from the past. Friendships blossom between young and old as they face the nerve-wracking prospect of several live performances and learn more about the other generation than they ever thought possible. This inspirational series brings two generations together in a unique way never before seen on Irish television, proving once again, that music is a universal unifier no matter what your age.

Friendships are deepening and voices are soaring as the grand finale approaches  David Brophys Choir of Ages concludes tonight on #RTEOne at 10.15 #ChoirofAges #DavidBrophy @tyronetv_irl pic.twitter.com/OEbh1a8F8X  RTE One (@RTEOne) December 14, 2017

Throughout the series the choir will sing at the iconic Rainbow Ballroom of Romance in Leitrim (where everyone from Dickie Rock to Big Tom has played). They also record their own music video, which goes viral with over 50,000 hits on Youtube and Facebook combined www.facebook.com/ChoirofAges

The choir are a little nervous ahead of the finale but all of their anxiety melts away as they hit the stage with musical icons, @coughlanmary @paulbradysongs @UnaHealy and @JohnSheahan. Tonight, @RTEOne at 10.15pm repeated on Sunday 17th at 4.40pm. #DavidBrophy #ChoirofAges. pic.twitter.com/bdkwmJsIDb  Tyrone Productions (@tyronetv_irl) December 14, 2017

They are visited in rehearsals by a few famous faces including Katherine Lynch and Charlie McGettigan and the grand finale takes place at the RDS Concert Hall featuring very special guests Una Healy, John Sheahan (the Dubliners), Mary Coughlan & Paul Brady. In addition to this, on the night, the choir also receive a surprise Good Luck video message from an array of celebrities including Jeremy Irons, Nathan Carter, Shane Filan to name but a few.
This holiday season, will you view the glass as half full or half empty? Well, that might depend on the size of the glass. A new study from England finds that over the past three centuries, wineglasses in England have ballooned in size, from holding the equivalent of a double shot of liquor to holding nearly two cups of liquid.

In the study, researchers at the University of Cambridge looked at the size of glassware over 300 years to see if there were any links between glass size and alcohol consumption. The findings were  one might say  glass-shattering: From 1700 to 2017, the size of wineglasses increased almost sevenfold. More recently, wine consumption also went up, with intake quadrupling between 1960 and 1980 and then doubling between 1980 and 2004.

The study was published yesterday (Dec. 13) in the Christmas issue of the journal The BMJ, which is a tongue-in-cheek edition of the medical journal, which normally publishes serious research. [Here's How Much Alcohol Is OK to Drink in 19 Different Countries]

But how do you measure the average size of a wineglass in 1700? To do so, the researchers looked everywhere, including the archaeology department at the University of Oxford, the designs of the Royal Household, and various department stores and catalogs. They even checked eBay. In some cases, the sizes of the glasses were listed, but for the rarer and older models, they had to manually fill the antiques with water to measure how much they held.

After measuring more than 400 wineglasses spanning three centuries in England, the researchers found that in 1700, the typical wineglass held, on average, 2.2 fluid ounces (66 milliliters) of liquid. That's roughly the equivalent of a double shot of liquor. By 2017, however, wineglasses ballooned to hold, on average, 15.2 fluid ounces (449 milliliters) of liquid  nearly 2 cups  if you were to fill the glass to the very top.

At first, the reasons for the increase in size were technical. Certain advances  including the invention of lead crystal glassware (which is less fragile), automated manufacturing and the abolishment of the glass tax in the U.K.  made it cheaper to produce larger wineglasses.

But ultimately, the biggest factors in the growing size of the wineglasses may be cultural, according to senior study author Dame Theresa Marteau, a psychologist and the director of the Behaviour and Health Research Unit at the University of Cambridge. Most likely, because of changes in the "affordability, availability and marketing" of wine, people and industries began to want and use larger glases.

Americans may also be to blame (or thank) for the increase in size in England's wineglasses: British manufacturers cite demands for supersize glasses by the U.S. market in the 1990s.

But does a larger glass really cause you to drink more? Though the researchers noted that the study does not prove cause and effect, a larger container size for other food products has been associated with increased consumption, and previous research has linked alcohol consumption and cup size.

The reason for this isn't simply that people pour more wine with a larger glass, Marteau told Live Science. Instead, perception may play a role  you believe you're drinking less with a larger glass  as well as enjoyment, as larger glasses can potentially release more of the wine's aroma.

Marteau added that the study caused her to notice the increase in size of her own glassware over the past several decades and, as such, shift back to the smaller sizes.

Originally published on Live Science.
A British surgeon has pleaded guilty to charges that he marked his initials into patients' organs using a medical instrument called an "argon beam coagulator," according to news reports. But what exactly is this instrument, and are its effects permanent?

The surgeon, Simon Bramhall, admitted to the charge of assault for his 2013 actions, in which he used the argon beam to sign "SB" into the livers of two patients during transplant surgery, The Guardian reported yesterday (Dec. 13). A colleague later discovered Bramhall's initials on a patient's liver during a follow-up surgery, and Bramhall was suspended and then resigned from his position at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in 2014.

An argon beam coagulator is an instrument that creates a stream of argon gas, which is then used to transmit an electrical current. [10 'Barbaric' Medical Treatments That Are Still Used Today]

With the electrical current following through it, the gas stream "creates a very thin char" on the surface of an organ to which it is applied, said Dr. Dmitri Alden, a surgical oncologist specializing in liver, pancreas and bile-duct surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, who was not involved with the case. The argon beam tool is used mainly to control bleeding of the liver and spleen during surgery, Alden said. "We're able to 'paint' the raw surface [of the organ] where the bleeding is coming from," he said.

The process can look dramatic, like "something out of 'Star Wars,'" Alden said, referring to the glowing electrical current that bursts from the tip of the instrument.

However, "as dramatic as it looks, it creates minimal damage," Alden told Live Science. "It controls the bleeding, but it does not penetrate deep into the organ," so there's no risk of damaging the internal structure, he said.

The scar left by the procedure will go away over time, Alden said. Following the procedure, the tissue underneath the scar heals, and later, the scar will either fall off or get absorbed. If the patient later has another operation on the same organ, doctors won't find any traces of the argon beam burn, Alden said.

But in the case of Bramhall's patient, the liver had existing damage and did not heal normally, which made the marks visible to another doctor, according to the BBC.

Although the procedure is not harmful, using it to write initials on an organ "is a big deal from an ethical standpoint," Alden said. "I'm appalled" by this, he added.

Bramhall was released on bail and will be sentenced Jan. 12, according to The Guardian.

Original article on Live Science.
Typically, ocean waters flow gently westward, in part driven by the massive, slow waves generated by the Earth's spin. Even when whirlpools or eddies pop up, they tend to flow along with the rest of the water. But sometimes two eddies can combine into something called a modon, a massive vortex that can break off from the ocean's regular flow.

Nine of these modons, which were spotted around Australia between 1993 and 2016, were analyzed using satellite imagery and ocean temperature data. The modons  which can resemble massive smoke rings in the water  were found to travel several times faster than the ocean's typical currents, a new study finds.

In the study, which was published Dec. 4. in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the scientists said they didn't see any clear evidence on how the modons formed. However, the strange swirls could result from one of two processes: two opposite-spinning eddies fusing together or one larger eddy splitting off into two pieces that spin in opposite directions, the study said. [In Photos: Travel Australia's Great Ocean Road]

Regardless of how the modon is formed, its overall structure is the same: The modon consists of two vortices spinning in opposite directions of each other, with their tails joining together beneath the surface of the water. In the paper, the scientists described the phenomenon as the bottom half of a smoke ring bisected by the surface of the water. YouTuber "Physics Girl" illustrates the half-ring well in a video where she uses food dye to show how two separate vortices interact and join together.

These massive vortices aren't short-lived. The study found that they can last for up to six months before splitting apart, and then, those individual vortices can spin for several months beyond that. One crossed the entire Tasman Sea, the body of water between Australia and New Zealand, according to the study.

In some cases, the modons broke apart when they collided with a continental shelf; in other cases, the scientists couldn't deduce the reason from the available satellite data.

Still, what stood out about these powerful vortices is that they could travel either east or west at up to 7.9 inches (20 centimeters) per second  a speed that's several times the speed of Rossby waves, which averages 4-8 inches (1-2 cm) per second in the analyzed region. (Rossby waves are waves that naturally result from the Earth's rotation, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.) Sometimes the modons would pivot toward the north or south, strengthening whichever eddy was spinning in that direction and weakening the other before balancing out again, the study found.

Because these oceanic smoke rings travel independently and faster than ocean currents, the researchers suggested in the paper that the modons can rapidly transfer water, heat and minerals from one place to another, and even speculated that they could carry small organisms for great distances in their tow.

Original article on Live Science .
A hot blob of rock seems to be rising toward the surface beneath the North American tectonic plate, under a part of New England.

The continental rock underlying the east coast of North America is pretty boring, tectonically speaking. The last dramatic geological goings-on there happened around 200 million years ago, and most change since then has been from glacial, wind and water erosion.

But a project that helped image the layers of rock below the continent with unprecedented clarity has helped reveal a small, unusual feature that seems to be a relatively new "blob" of hot, rising rock below part of the U.S. Northeast.

Exactly what caused this blob and whether other similar blob structures might lurk under other continents isnt clear, said study co-author Vadim Levin, a Rutgers University geophysicist, but it raises plenty of interesting questions. The work on the blob was published online Nov. 29 in the journal Geology and presented Monday (Dec. 11) at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in New Orleans. [In Photos: Ocean Hidden Beneath Earth's Surface]

The unusual feature had been spotted before, when scientists used the seismic waves that routinely ricochet through the Earth's interior to reveal some of the structures hidden below our feet. Such waves travel at different speeds and angles through different types of rock, including rocks of different temperatures and rock moving in different directions. The small feature below the Northeast showed up as an area of unusually high temperature, but the pictures were pretty fuzzy.

Researchers have found there is likely a blob of rising hot rock some 121 miles (195 kilometers) beneath Earth's surface, beneath the North American tectonic plate. (Warm colors indicate lower speed of flow, indicating rocks that are warmer and rising.) (Image credit: Vadim Levin/Rutgers University-New Brunswick)

Enter the EarthScope project, a National Science Foundation-funded endeavor that placed thousands of seismic detectors and other instruments across the United States to get a clearer snapshot of the various features  such as earthquake faults and different layers of ancient rock  that are lurking below the surface. Levin likened the EarthScope data to going from using a tiny flashlight in a dusty room to having an overhead light.

Or, to compare it with another world-illuminating project, "it is comparable to sending Hubble up," he said, referring to the legendary space telescope.

With the help of undergraduate students working on thesis projects, Levin and his colleagues found that the telltale stretch marks left when the rock in Earth's interior moves were missing from the same area where the rock below the surface appeared to be hotter.

Altogether, the evidence suggests that a blob of hot rock some 100 miles (160 kilometers) down is welling upward in the upper part of Earth's mantle (the layer of Earth just beneath the crust), the study authors said.

The exact source of this blob isnt clear; it doesnt have the deep roots down into the mantle seen at hotspots such as those that lie below Yellowstone or the Hawaiian Islands and fuel the formers hot springs and Hawaiis volcanoes found at each place, Levin said.

Barbara Romanowicz, a geophysicist at UC Berkeley who was not involved in the research, said in an email that this blob could be linked to a finger of material deeper in the mantle that she and one of her graduate students are describing in work currently being reviewed for publishing in a scientific journal. That finger extends horizontally along a hotspot track (or the trace left as tectonic plates moved over a volcanic hotspot) from the mid-Atlantic ridge  the seam that runs down the middle of the ocean floor  inland and northward, she said.

"There may be other features like the one they document along this track, tapping into the deeper conduit. The data are just not there to see them," Romanowicz said.

The blob's small size and hot temperature also suggest it is a relatively young feature  on the scale of tens of millions of years old  because it likely would've cooled off if it were younger, he said. There are also no surface features that could be connected to it, as it sits well below the bottom edge of the tectonic plate, Levin added.

Mechanisms that cause bubbles of mantle material to form closer to the surface than normal could be the culprit for the blob, he said, but that would take more work to investigate.

Another big question is whether this is a feature that happens more commonly under Earth's continents, or if its more of a curiosity. To answer that, scientists would need to deploy versions of EarthScope across other continents to get the same kind of precise images obtained for North America, Levin said.

"This is the kind of resolution we need everywhere, and I would say, not only under continents, but also under oceans. Perhaps even more so under oceans," Romanowicz said. Cost and technical challenges have stymied such efforts to date, but there is a renewed interested in implementing such networks. "This will help figure out the plumbing in the Earth's mantle, and much of the action is under the oceans," she said.

Original article on Live Science.
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An 18th-century wooden statue of Jesus harbored a surprise time capsule letters hidden in the buttocks, researchers reported.

The work of art, called "Cristo del Miserere," is a wooden statue that adorned the Church of Santa Agueda in Sotillo de la Ribera, Spain. It was damaged a few years ago and conservators at the Madrid-based Da Vinci Restauro were fixing the Jesus statue, which had been cracked open in the buttocks area, said Gemma Ramirez, one of the restorers who made the discovery. Such wooden statues were typically made hollow, both because they were lighter that way, and because they contracted less, leading to less cracking, Ramirez said. [Religious Mysteries: 8 Alleged Relics of Jesus]

As Ramirez and another art restorer were moving the cracked-open statue, the colleague noticed a surprise hiding inside.

She shouted, "There's something inside!" Ramirez recalled.

Her colleague was stunned speechless, and so Ramirez initially thought her colleague was referring to insects that often feed on decaying wood, she told Live Science. But the duo carefully put blocks under the statue  which is about as big as a man  to support its weight, and peered inside.

They saw two tiny, handwritten scrolls. They carefully took pictures before extracting them, she said.

It turned out the scrolls, which were written on sheepskin with a purple-brown ink, were penned by a man named Joaquin Minguez, who was the prior of the church in 1777. The statue itself was made by a man named Manuel Bal, according to the letters.

The letters describe life at the time, from the earthquakes experienced to the resources that supported people, including wheat fields, vineyards, and deer and wolves people hunted, Ramirez said. The prior also describes people falling ill with fevers that typically last three or four days. The monks spent their time playing cards and ball games, the letter continued.

The portrait of daily life in the 1700s was clearly meant to be a kind of time capsule that was eventually found, because the handwriting is exquisite, Ramirez said.

"He wanted to leave a memory of their experience in their epoch," Ramirez told Live Science in an email.

After examining the letter, the team created a pH-neutral re-creation of the letter, which means it was neither acidic or basic and so wouldn't damage the sculpture. They then reinserted it, along with their own letter describing modern times, Ramirez said.

"Maybe future generations will find it," Ramirez said.

Originally published on Live Science.
Authorities Report Copiague Man Arrested for Robbing Five Suffolk Businesses, Four at Knifepoint

Local News, Crime

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 14 2017

Joseph Putre was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, police report.

SCPD have arrested Joseph Putre of Copiague for robbing five businesses during the past nine months.

Suffolk County, NY - December 14, 2017 - Suffolk County Police have arrested a Suffolk County Police have arrested a Copiague man for robbing five businesses, four at knifepoint, during the past nine months.

Following an investigation by First and Seventh Squad detectives, Joseph Putre was charged with Robbery 1st Degree for robbing the following businesses at knifepoint:

Dunkin Donuts, located at 925 Montauk Highway in Copiague, on December 1 at 10:18 p.m.

Mastic Liquors, located at 619 Montauk Highway in Mastic , on May 15 at 12:40 p.m.

Quik Stop, located at 20 Floyd Road in Shirley , on May 14 at 1:19 p.m.

7-Eleven, located at 228 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, on April 25 at 1:45 a.m.

Putre was also charged with Robbery 2nd Degree for robbing Dunkin Donuts, located at 545 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, on May 10 at 2:07 a.m.

Putre was scheduled to be arraigned today in First District Court in Central Islip
Local News, Health & Wellness, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 14 2017

Ensures coverage for FDA approved devices used to assist in addiction withdrawal.

Long Island, NY - December 14, 2017 - New York State Senator John E. Brooks has introduced legislation to assist those recovering from opioid addiction. Brooks legislation mandates insurance coverage for medical devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat debilitating withdrawal symptoms caused by addiction to heroin and other opioids.

In November 2017, the FDA gave final approval of a device, known as NSS-2 Bridge, which helps reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. This battery-powered device is placed behind a patients ear and emits electric pulses into the patients cranial nerves to provide relief for withdrawal symptoms. The device is only available through a prescription and can be used for five days during the withdrawal phase. During testing of the device, all patients in the trial saw a reduction in symptoms within 30 minutes of using the device. Of those patients, 88 percent transitioned to medication-assisted therapy after five days using the device.

In our multi-pronged effort to eradicate the opioid epidemic, it is crucial to provide practical help to those who are working to put their addictions behind them, said Senator Brooks. Tools that clear the path to recovery should be readily available and covered by insurance in order to provide the greatest chance for those in the grip of addiction to move on to a life of good health and productivity.
Local News, Business & Finance, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 14 2017

All 10 Regional Economic Development Councils Receive Funding to Drive Local Economies Forward and Implement Strategic Plans for Growth.

Albany, NY - December 14, 2017 - A centerpiece of the Governor's strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils were established in 2011 to replace the state's old top-down approach to economic development, with one that is community-based and performance-driven. The initiative empowers community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region's unique strengths and resources in order to create jobs, improve quality of life and grow the economy. More information on the 2017 Regional Economic Development Council Awards is available A centerpiece of the Governor's strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils were established in 2011 to replace the state's old top-down approach to economic development, with one that is community-based and performance-driven. The initiative empowers community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region's unique strengths and resources in order to create jobs, improve quality of life and grow the economy. More information on the 2017 Regional Economic Development Council Awards is available here

"Over the past seven years, the Regional Economic Development Councils have successfully brought together the most innovative minds in economic development, fostering collaboration between state and local leaders to invest in New York's regional resources from the ground up," Governor Cuomo said. "These awards are critical to building the foundations for New York's future and ensuring that our economic momentum continues. I congratulate each of the Councils on their awards and look forward to continuing to partner to keep our communities vibrant and thriving for years to come."

"By empowering the people who know their communities best, the Governor has transformed this state's economic development strategy into one that is not only successful, but is built to last," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils. "Together, we're restoring downtowns, supporting local businesses and welcoming new residents and new visitors. That's the story of the REDC's that everyone needs to know. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo and the exceptional plans presented by the REDC's across the state, we are ensuring that progress continues."

The REDC process has transformed New York State government's approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Since the initiative's inception in 2011, over $5.4 billion has been awarded to more than 6,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 220,000 jobs statewide.

Today, more than $755 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through Round VII of the REDC initiative:

Western New York: Regional Council Awardee | $68.8 million supporting 112 projects

Finger Lakes: Regional Council Awardee | $63.9 million supporting 110 projects

Southern Tier: Regional Council Awardee | $67.3 million supporting 83 projects

Central New York: Top Performer Awardee | $86.4 million supporting 112 projects

Mohawk Valley: Top Performer Awardee | $85.5 million supporting 101 projects

North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $64.9 million supporting 81 projects

Capital Region: Top Performer Awardee | $85.0 million supporting 110 projects

Mid-Hudson: Top Performer Awardee | $84.8 million supporting 113 projects

New York City: Regional Council Awardee | $64.8 million supporting 121 projects

Long Island: Top Performer Awardee | $84.3 million supporting 98 projects

In the spring, Governor Cuomo kicked off REDC Round VII and the second year of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a comprehensive, community-driven effort to improve the urban vitality of city centers across New York State by investing $10 million in 10 municipalities statewide. Earlier this year, after thoroughly evaluating each downtown's potential for transformation, each of the REDCs selected the top community plan in their region. To guide the use of the $10 million DRI awards, each municipality follows a Strategic Investment Plan, which identifies specific projects that align with a unique vision for revitalization of their downtown area.

A full list of communities in which $10 million will be invested through the DRI, along with their applications, is available here

During Round VII, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), which is composed of state agency commissioners and policy experts, traveled to each of the 10 regions to see firsthand the progress being made by REDC investments. The SIAT received presentations on this year's proposals from the Regional Councils directly and assessed the implementation of the regions' strategic plans.

In 2017, all 10 REDCs competed for designation as a "Top Performer." The five Top Performers will receive up to $20 million in additional Empire State Development grant funding to support priority projects, with the remaining five regions receiving up to $10 million. Additionally, each region is eligible for up to an additional $75 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to help attract and grow businesses in the region.

Highlights of the more than 1,000 projects across the state receiving $755 million in awards through the seventh round of the REDC competition are outlined below:

Western New York: Regional Council Awardee|$68.8 million supporting 112 projects

The University at Buffalo has been awarded $1 million from Empire State Development to support a $7.4 million expansion of High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. The expansion will provide Western New York companies from myriad industry sectors with access to advanced computing equipment that will foster innovation, reduce time to market and improve processes, with an emphasis on emerging technologies for data analytics.

Alfred University has been awarded $1 million from Empire State Development to support the renovation of the Southern Tier Business Center, remediating a blighted structure and returning it to productive use. The $7 million Center will encourage entrepreneurship, help businesses develop innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions, and assist them with implementation of solutions, particularly those involving commercialization of products that rely on advanced materials' processing and characterization.

The City of Niagara Falls has been awarded $1.5 million from Empire State Development for the Southend Gateway District Revitalization, which will lead revitalization efforts that leverage private investment in the South End Downtown neighborhood, a gateway to the city's tourism district, through restoration and renovation of existing structures and new construction of commercial and mixed-use properties.

Finger Lakes: Regional Council Awardee | $63.9 million supporting 110 projects

OptiPro has been awarded $600,000 from Empire State Development to support a $9.25 million expansion and purchase of machinery and equipment to grow its domestic and export sales of precision optics products.

The Center for Teen Empowerment has been awarded $400,000 from Empire State Development for a $2.9 million expansion project in the City of Rochester's Southwest Quadrant and the opening of additional locations in the Northwest and Northeast Quadrants. The expansion will allow the organization to increase their capacity to service youth and young adults for their job training and placement programs in the areas of the City most impacted by severe poverty.

The Rochester Museum Science Center has been awarded $1 million from Market New York to undertake Phase 2 of a renovation project, replacing the current disintegrating driveway between the Museum and Strasenburgh Planetarium with an amazing 4,000 square foot Gateway Building. This progressively designed, environmentally sensitive building featuring energy-efficient floor to ceiling glass walls, an open lobby and new welcome desk will offer visitors enhanced amenities and improve operational efficiency.

Southern Tier: Regional Council Awardee | $67.3 million supporting 83 projects

Beecher Emission Solution Technologies (BEST) has been awarded $800,000 from Empire State Development to acquire the former Schweizer Aircraft Corporation manufacturing facility in the Town of Big Flats, Chemung County, to allow for business expansion and centralizing all manufacturing operations and employees.

Golden Age Cheese Company has been awarded $2.1 million from Empire State Development to construct a new $10.7 million state-of-the-art cheese production and development facility in the Village of Painted Post. By increasing their need for local milk and adding jobs in cheese production, the project will help to fill a void in the market being created by the recent transfer of the Kraft facility in Campbell to Upstate Niagara.

Schuyler County has been awarded $1.3 million from the Department of State's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to implement projects to enhance the Seneca Lake waterfront in the Village of Watkins Glen. Projects will include design and construction of a four-season pavilion including restrooms and a commercial grade kitchen in Clute Park and preparation of a Reuse Feasibility Study to explore options for redevelopment of the soon to be decommissioned lakefront Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Central New York: Top Performer Awardee | $86.4 million supporting 112 projects

Marquardt Switches Inc., a manufacturer of electro-mechanical switches and control systems with North American Headquarters in Cazenovia, Madison County, has been awarded $600,000 from Empire State Development to complete the $3.1 million Phase II of its Global Technology Center (GTC), including expanding the workspace for engineering and professional services, investing in high-tech manufacturing and testing equipment as required to satisfy consumer demand for the most advanced products available on the market, and upgrading employee technical skills. The project will build the company's technical capabilities as an innovation center, allowing it to remain competitive in the internal and global market places.

Fulton Group NA, Inc. and Affiliates has been awarded $2.5 million from Empire State Development to support an $11.25 million project, including the purchase of a facility in East Syracuse; renovations to facilities in Pulaski, East Syracuse, and Syracuse; purchase and installation of machinery and equipment; and research and development activities to develop new products offerings.

Martens Companies, LLC has been awarded $1.18 million from Empire State Development to create a $4.7 million commercial food processing, packaging and distribution center in Cayuga County, focusing primarily on health-conscious foods. The project includes land acquisition and constructing and equipping a new 150,000 square-foot facility.

Mohawk Valley: Top Performer Awardee | $85.5 million supporting 101 projects

The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees has been awarded $248,000 through Empire State Development to establish the One World Utica Welcome & Opportunity Center, which will help to foster and enhance the welcoming community climate in the Mohawk Valley and City of Utica. The Center will support community engagement, create opportunities for workforce development, and ultimately cultivate a sense of community and inclusiveness for all newcomers and residents.

The Neighborhood Center has been awarded $1.75 million from Empire State Development to create the Soularium Addiction Treatment Center - a rehabilitation and healing facility for the treatment of addictions. The Center's mission will be to assist individuals in beginning their journey to wellness and recovery by utilizing evidence-based holistic, clinical and behavioral health recovery/discovery treatments.

Brewery Ommegang has been awarded a $525,000 Market NY grant for the Ommegang Hospitality Center, upgrading the experience at Brewery Ommegang in order to draw more visitors, from a broader area, and to enable them to better serve those visitors throughout the year.

North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $64.9 million supporting 81 projects

General Composites, a company producing high tech molding equipment for the aerospace and defense industries, has been awarded $93,000 from Empire State Development to support the purchase and installation of $465,000 in injection molding equipment.

Bionique has been awarded $300,000 from Empire State Development to support its Testing Laboratories' lab equipment upgrade and purchase project. The $1.5 million project will provide the most updated technology for the lab's mycoplasma testing procedures.

Current Applications has been awarded $23,000 from Empire State Development for a balancing equipment purchase to be used in their custom motor manufacturing facility. The $118,530 project will bring back operations currently outsourced to China.

Capital Region: Top Performer Awardee | $85.0 million supporting 110 projects

The Starbuck Island Development Project has been awarded $1.79 million from Empire State Development to support an $8.9 million project that will enable the revitalization of blighted area, restoration and development of a sustainable waterfront, and creation of a walkable community connecting Green Island residents with economic and recreational opportunities. The project will also improve safety by remediating and redeveloping a vacant and contaminated area, while creating a main street feel with housing, restaurants, a marina, and a promenade and amphitheater in a location easily accessible to a larger commercial location. The proposed commercial uses will create jobs for those in the region, create new location desirable for housing, and allow patrons and residents to walk to their destinations.

Hudson Valley Community College has been awarded $2.9 million from Empire State Development to create an Advanced Manufacturing Training Program, with a total project cost of $14.5 million. The project will include the construction a 30,000 square-foot building with laboratory space as well as classroom space and an academic advisement center. Additionally, manufacturers will have lab and office space available for their use, which will link students to career opportunities upon graduation. This project is anticipated to double the number of students enrolled in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program from 144 to 288.

Z-Hub has been awarded $300,000 from Empire State Development to create a $1.5 million Grain Hub in the Town of Moreau, Saratoga County. The Grain Hub will create a reliable source for high quality craft beer brewing ingredients by growing, harvesting, processing, packaging and shipping grains to craft brewers and distillers in eastern New York State.

Mid-Hudson: Top Performer Awardee | $84.8 million supporting 113 projects

JM Development Group LLC, in partnership with Kingston-based Herzog Supply Co., has been awarded $2 million from Empire State Development for the The Kingstonian Uptown Revitalization Project, a mixed-use development project in the up-and-coming urban center of Uptown Kingston. The approximately $48 million mixed-use development project will serve as a cornerstone to the city's historic Stockade District, complementing other area businesses and providing valuable parking spaces desperately needed in this fast-growing section of the city.

USAI, which creates custom LED products balancing color and optics to maximize circadian rhythms for performance, health, and well-being, has been awarded $1.02 million from Empire State Development to support a $3.8 million project that will attract clients from around the world to train and develop products specific to their needs. Clients will also experience the benefits of working in a curated lighting environment through the creation of a working laboratory, new engineering lab and expanding office space.

The Walkway Over the Hudson's East Entrance Visitor Center Project, which will be called the Dutchess Welcome Center, has been awarded $405,000 from the Office of Parks and Historic Preservation to build a much-needed, $3.1 million multi-purpose facility at the busy entryway to this world-renowned New York State park. Located in the City of Poughkeepsie, the Welcome Center will feature permanent rest rooms with running water and sewage connections, a covered gathering area able to accommodate up to 40 visitors, water fountains, vendor pads with electric access, benches, lighting, landscaping and other amenities suitable to accommodate the over 500,000 visitors Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park hosts annually.

New York City: Regional Council Awardee | $64.8 million supporting 121 projects

B. New York City (B.NYC) has been awarded $1.9 million from Empire State Development. B.NYC will be the flagship U.S. location of B. Amsterdam, which is the largest startup tech incubator in Europe. B.NYC will provide flexible workspace and business development assistance to the growing number of foreign tech companies that are moving to or opening operations in the U.S. The grant will support the $28 million renovation of an empty space that will accommodate the incubator, which is expected to be completed in 2018.

Celmatix, a biotech company working on products to improve fertility and women's health, has been awarded $4.5 million from Empire State Development to expand its collaborative workspaces, offices and conference rooms, and add over 3,000 square-feet of laboratory space. The $12.5 million project is expected to begin in early 2018.

Drive Change has been awarded $700,000 from Empire State Development to establish the Commissary for Social Justice, a program that includes skills training, permanent job placement and support services. Drive Change will build a facility where food truck owners can prep food, store goods, clean and park their trucks, and purchase items wholesale. In exchange for these services, participating food truck owners will agree to hire and teach clients of Drive Change. The $3.5 million facility will also include an urban farm.

Long Island: Top Performer Awardee | $84.3 million supporting 98 projects

The Center for Science Teaching and Learning has been awarded $540,000 from Empire State Development to create Community STEM Centers in nine distressed communities such as Hempstead, Wyandanch and Central Islip. These centers will have equipment like 3D printers, robotics equipment and trained staff to teach, mentor and show how STEM can be the pathway for many young people to higher education and successful professional careers.

Stony Brook University has been awarded $2 million from Empire State Development to the support their Center for Wide Bandgap Crystal Growth. This $5.5 million project provides a new area in discovering new applications in the silicon wafer and power electronics industry. Stony Brook University will collaborate with SICC Materials Limited, a leading Chinese silicon carbide manufacturer, to establish this center.

Nassau Community College has been awarded $100,000 from the Department of Labor's Unemployed Working Training fund for its URGENT Workforce Development Program. URGENT (Utility Readiness for Gaining Employment) will use the funding to offer its training program to unemployed women, veterans and young people between the ages of 18 to 24. The first Veterans group training is slated for Fall 2018.

A full list of the 2017 REDC awards is available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov

After seven rounds of the Regional Economic Development Council competition:

Western New York REDC has delivered $487.2 million for 663 projects;

Finger Lakes REDC has delivered $570.1 million for 715 projects;

Southern Tier REDC has delivered $547.9 million for 554 projects;

Central New York REDC has delivered $615.5 million for 617 projects;

Mohawk Valley REDC has delivered $529.6 million for 563 projects;

North Country REDC has delivered $549.5 million for 537 projects;

Capital Region REDC has delivered $521.9 million for 718 projects;

Mid-Hudson REDC has delivered $560.7 million for 687 projects;

New York City REDC has delivered $465.1 million for 573 projects; and

Long Island REDC has delivered $570.8 million for 688 projects.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative is a key component of Governor Cuomo's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources.
Local News, Business & Finance, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 14 2017

Guard Members Dispatched to Help Firefighters Track and Battle Wildfires.

Albany, NY - December 14, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that nine members of the New York Air National Guard have been dispatched to California to assist in the state's response to wildfires. Members of the 174th Attack Wing will use MQ9 aircraft to track and help battle wildfires that have already burned 234,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings.

"New Yorkers always help their neighbors in their time of need and I thank the members of 174th Attack Wing for representing the very best of the Empire State spirit as they assist our friends in California," Governor Cuomo said. "As California works day and night to stop these fires, New York is proud to provide reinforcements and the use of advanced technology to help identify where to dispatch firefighting efforts to end this tragic event."

The New York Airmen will assist California Air Guardsmen who have been stretched thin throughout the response operation. On December 13, the 174th Attack Wing deployed:

Three MQ-9 pilots;

Three sensor operators, which are the Airmen responsible for operating the state-of-the-art cameras and other sensor systems; and

Three MQ-9 imagery analysts, who will interpret information gathered by the aircraft to identify where firefighters should be dispatched.

Members of the New York Air National Guard are trained to fly and operate the MQ-9 aircraft, which is used by the military for remotely piloted surveillance and combat air patrol missions. The MQ-9s have been providing overhead video to fire managers in California by flying at high altitudes for over 14 hours and using sensors that can see through smoke. The MQ-9s are not impacted by high winds, which often keep other aircrafts like helicopters from operating over fire areas. The MQ-9 is also able to continuously orbit over a geographic area, which provides the incident commander a much clearer picture of the situation and enables guard members to make better response decisions.

The Airmen are due to return to New York on December 22.
Nature & Weather, Local News, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 14 2017

Governor & AG Schneiderman Will Take Immediate Action to Sue the Federal Government if the EPA Deems Hudson River PCB Dredging Complete.

Albany, NY - December 14, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the second proposal of the 2018 State of the State and the first part of a comprehensive environmental program: New York will immediately take action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency if they accept the Upper Hudson River dredging of polychlorinated biphenyls as complete. Under this plan, Governor Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will sue the federal government to ensure the dredging is completed once and for all. New York is also prepared to withdraw from the 2002 Record of Decision which guided the cleanup and removal of millions of tons of PCB-contaminated sediment from the Upper Hudson River. The EPA's decision is expected to be announced later this month, and indications are they will deem the cleanup complete.

"The Hudson River is a critical economic engine and environmental treasure and New York will not allow PCB contamination to continue wreaking havoc on this vital resource," Governor Cuomo said. "The data is clear: the job is not done and the EPA cannot declare that this remediation is complete. If they do, New York will take any action necessary to hold them accountable for ensuring our waterways are protected and properly restored."

With this proposal and in cooperation with the state Attorney General, New York will file a lawsuit if the EPA, despite data to the contrary, finds that the Hudson River cleanup of PCBs is complete. General Electric filed a request for a Certificate of Completion on December 23, 2016, and EPA has 365 days to respond to the request pursuant to the Consent decree between GE and the EPA.

"The Hudson is one of New York's crown jewels, vital to our environment, our economy, and our communities," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "The law is clear: EPA cannot possibly support a finding that GE's actions have been sufficient to protect New Yorkers' public health and the environment. If the EPA declares mission accomplished, we will sue to ensure New York sees the full, timely cleanup and restoration of the Hudson River that was promised."

In addition, if the Certificate of Completion is issued by the EPA, Governor Cuomo is directing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to withdraw its concurrence with EPA's 2002 ROD, which was signed under a previous administration. The ROD guided the cleanup effort and removal of millions of tons of PCB-contaminated sediment from a portion of the Upper Hudson River; specifically, it expected PCB levels in fish would rapidly decline. Unfortunately, EPA's 2002 decision relied on flawed modeling rather than actual sampling data, and their current draft five-year review of the dredging effectiveness, together with fish contamination data and recent DEC sediment sampling, indicates these objectives will not be met. DEC recently sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt outlining these concerns and reiterating that a Certificate of Completion should not be issued for this project.

From the 1940s through the 1970s, General Electric manufacturing facilities in Hudson Falls and Fort Edward dumped well in excess of one million pounds of hazardous PCBs directly into the River. This contamination has impacted the health and livelihood communities along the Hudson River ever since, including the decimation of a once-thriving $40 million commercial fishery. Governor Cuomo has urged the EPA to conduct a complete and thorough review. In 2016, the Department of Environmental Conservation demanded that the EPA take additional samples of river sediments in order to determine the effectiveness of the dredging. When the EPA refused, DEC led the effort by taking over 1,200 samples in Summer 2017.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 14 2017

Three New Single-Family Homes to be Built in Central Islip to Combat Veterans' Homelessness.

Suffolk County, NY - December 14, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the groundbreaking of three new single-family homes in Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the groundbreaking of three new single-family homes in Central Islip that will be dedicated for affordable housing for veterans and their families. The project is the first of its kind to be built under the Suffolk County Housing for Homeless Heroes Act that was signed into law by County Executive Bellone in 2014.

This groundbreaking shows the commitment made by Suffolk County to ending the plight of homelessness among veterans in our region," said County Executive Bellone. These three new state-of-the-art homes will provide a stable and affordable place for our heroes to live, and I thank all of our partners for their assistance in making today possible."

Suffolk County Legislator Monica Martinez said: Housing our heroes is more than a slogan - it is a call to action to help our veterans in need. Central Islip is proud to serve as the launching pad to build these new homes that will serve as a model across the county.

The affordable housing project will be constructed on a plot of vacant land that was donated to Concern for Independent Living by Suffolk County in October 2015. Concern for Independent Living has assembled a development team of qualified partners that have extensive experience in the development of capital projects. Concern for Independent Living is the non-profit Sponsor/Developer and serves as the manager and on-site service provider of the project. Fusion Architecture, a New York State certified MWBE, will be responsible for architectural services and construction supervision. Belfor Long Island will serve as the general contractor.

All the homes constructed under the Suffolk County Housing our Heroes Act will be handicap accessible with three bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living areas, laundry rooms, indoor and outdoor storage and ample outdoor space. All plumbing, electric, and HVAC will be high quality, efficient systems. The buildings will also conform with the standards of EPA Energy STAR New Homesversion 3.0.

Several private companies and government agencies have committed financial resources to help cover the cost of the project.

Under the Suffolk County Housing Our Homeless Heroes Act, the County Veterans Services Agency works in conjunction with the County Department of Social Services and Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management to assess the County's current capacity to provide permanent housing for homeless veterans. These agencies work to identify qualified housing developers and service providers capable of developing suitable housing to meet the needs of such veterans. The County will then work to match these veterans, developers and providers with suitable properties within Suffolk County real property inventory for development and occupancy for housing them and their families.

Ralph Fasano, Executive Director, Concern for Independent Living, said: We want to thank County Executive Steve Bellone and Legislator Stern for making this land available and of course Governor Cuomo for providing the funding that will dramatically change the lives of homeless Veterans and their families.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts said: "Supportive housing is vital in helping to stabilize the lives of homeless individuals and their families, especially those who bravely served our country. Governor Cuomo continues to lead the way in the development of supportive housing projects like Housing Our Heroes, which will address an important need among veterans on Long Island."
Its a little early for Christmas but, lets face it, any time is a good time for the Ghost of iPhones Future to visit Apple.

Writing for The Motley Fool, Ashraf Eassa defies the linear nature of time in order to doom the 2019 iPhone.

Apple Inc.s 2019 iPhone Problem. (Tip o the antlers to Joel.)

You, a dullard: The 2018 iPhone is doomed!

Ashraf Eassa, a learned man of letters: I say the 2019 iPhone is doomed!

How does he do it?

Thanks to the introduction of the iPhone X, Eassa says, Apple is poised to have a great fiscal 2018 (Apples fiscal year starts in October). Its the following year that the company will sink into a bog that will suddenly form in Cupertino. The bog may possibly be filled with acid, piranhas or sexy vampires. We simply dont know at this point. The doom is for sure, however.

The 2019 iPhones, however, face the issue of potentially not seeing any significant form factor change.

Is the Macalope the only (part) person who doesnt make his buying decisions based solely on looks? Hes extremely happy with his iPhone SE, a device that features a form factor first introduced shortly after the Chitauri invasion of New York City.

To be clear, Apple will almost certainly introduce amazing feature and technology upgrades with its 2019 iPhones, but

who cares about that crap?! Put some fins on it, baby!

but such feature upgrades in the iPhone 6s- and 7-series smartphones didnt stop both of those phones from failing to drive higher iPhone sales than what the company achieved with the iPhone 6-series phones.

This is true, but its not necessarily explained by the form factor. Apple ticktocked the form factor every two years since the iPhone 3-series and somehow managed to increase sales every year up until the iPhone 6s, even in the years it was just using the previous years form factor. It did this by introducing technologies people wanted like 3G, Siri and Touch ID. 3D Touch was probably less compelling but the plateauing of iPhone sales at the same time also has a lot to do with market saturation.

The solution, then, is clear: Apple must introduce some sort of noticeable form factor change with the 2019 iPhones if it wants to keep sales at least flat.

Add this to the bonfire of the vanities that is the long-running Apple must genre.

Some people surely do like an updated form factor. But the iPhones history indicates people like compelling new technologies, too.
by Jess Nelson , December 13, 2017

Act-On Software revamped its marketing automaton platform this week with three new features aimed at helping marketers increase customer engagement.

To help brands communicate better through email, Act-On has bridged promotional and transactional content with the introduction of Transactional Sending to its automation platform. With the new Transactional Sending feature, Act-On customers can ensure these types of emails have just as high of a deliverability rate as promotional content.

Transactional email differs from promotional content because it is sent to customers as a direct result of their actions. For example, order confirmations, shopping receipts, and shipping notifications would all be considered transactional emails. Transactional emails are never sent en masse, and their individualized relevancy is the reason why they have such higher open rates than promotional emails.

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Act-Ons new Adaptive Forms feature extends the companys Adaptive Journeys email personalization solution to surveys and forms, allowing marketers to collect data to optimize future marketing content. Adaptive Forms are also responsive, so they are viewable on any device, and adaptive, so questions progress based on customers previous responses.

The companys third new feature is intended to help marketers prepare for the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on May 25, 2018.

GDPR will soon regulate how customer data is used and stored, and the rules dont just apply to companies headquartered in the European Union. Any business or organization that utilizes the data of individuals residing in Europe -- even just an email address -- can be fined for noncompliance.

To help customers mitigate compliance fines, Act-Ons new Local Sending module allows organizations to store data strictly on Act-Ons AWS servers in Ireland so that data is only transferred within countries in the European Union as a way to safeguard data protection standards.

Act-On Software says it will continue to prioritize GDPR in future product development.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 13, 2017

While brand terms on Amazon account for the majority of clicks in a variety of market segments, non-branded terms have become a strategy to acquire new consumers across the marketplace. In fact, non-branded terms account for 55.81% of the searches on desktops from October to November 2017 in consumer electronics, according to data released Wednesday.

The research from Adthena, an intelligence data company, confirms a trend that marketers discussed during last week's MediaPost Search Insider Summit in Deer Valley, Utah.

Non-branded keywords work as leads to help consumers discover new products for strong brands, especially when it comes to organic beauty products. Ethelbert Williams, former CMO at InstaNatural, which only sells its products online, said on Amazon that consumers will search for ingredients rather than brand names.

The ingredients and what the product does have become more important than the brand, Williams said, adding that marketers with a hundred-year old brand need to learn how to translate that equity into content.

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Several marketers during the summit spoke about non-branded keywords in a similar way. They say these keywords help consumers find their brand on Amazon for much less than branded keywords.

In a separate conversation, Todd Bowman, senior director of SEM and feeds at search agency Merkle, tends to see non-brand keywords that are more product-focused than what he usually sees on Google's or Bing's search engine.

"Since the customer intent is more purchase-focused and may have done research on other channels, the keyword assortment makes sense," he said. "Another reason we tend to see more product-related keywords in our search term reports is because of how the Sponsored Product campaigns are setup."

Through the Automatic Campaign structure, Bowman explains, Amazon chooses the search phrases to serve based on product information tied to the ASIN being targeted. Because of that, Amazon will find the search terms that relate closely to the product information that are more product focused.

"As more people begin their search on Amazon, sellers are seeing a significant amount of traffic on category and subcategory terms," Bowman said. "The amount seen will depend a lot on the catalog of products being sold."

For example, a seller on Amazon that sells gifts like popcorn buckets will see the vast majority of their searches are product-related and contain popcorn, while a mattress manufacturer may see keywords specific to their product and also search phrases that are more categorical like cool gel bed.

Bryant Garvin, director of marketing at Purple, a mattress company, said most of the searches on Amazon link back to branded keywords because the company invests heavily at the top of the funnel, but he does use non-branded terms.

This strategy helps to create an emotionally connection between with the consumer and brand. The company does run on non-branded keywords to influence certain content.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 14, 2017

Microsoft unveiled a handful of intelligent search features at an event held in San Francisco on Wednesday. The news centered on powering services such as conversational and intelligent search with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and intent signals.

For example, Bing now validates its answers by sourcing several websites, not just one. It then validates more than one perspective in response to questions such as whether cholesterol is bad, so that both answers would serve up in the query results. When there is more than one way to answer a question, the answers will serve up in a carousel.

At the Microsoft event in San Francisco on Wednesday, executives showcased a number of advances in the company's Bing search engine, Cortana intelligent assistant, and Microsoft Office 365 tools. All use artificial intelligence (A.I.) to help people get information and assist with complex requests.

Steve Sirich, general manager on the global search ads business at Microsoft, describes one of these complex requests as the ability for the search engine to put numbers into perspective. For example, rather than return a query telling the person searching that Syria is 71,498 square miles, the results will compare it to the size of the U.S. state of Florida.

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For people who are watching their caloric intake, when someone queries "how many calories are in a serving of ice cream," they will learn that a scoop contains 137 calories, which is equal to about 11 minutes of running.

Bing's expertise in web-scale mining of billions of documents and with conversational A.I. with chatbots like Xiaoice and Zo has created a new way to search that is interactive and can build on previous searches to get people the best answer.

Now, when someone searches for specific topics related to health, Bing will ask clarifying questions to better refine search when needed.

Sirich said Bing and Bing Ads are the largest A.I. applications at Microsoft. "A.I. is really fueled by data," he said. "When we set out in 2009 to launch Bing, we were continuing to drive into the A.I. frontier because of our ability to index and create a digital canvas."

When Bing engineers think about A.I. and Bing Ads, three areas come to mind, such as audience. Search is moving from the use of targeted keywords to audience buying. A.I. powers Bing's audience graph. The data comes from the 600 million devices running Windows 10, Office 365, and LinkedIn.

Microsoft recently made Dynamic Search Ads on Bing generally available to all advertisers, Sirich said. For example, about 15% of queries on Bing are new monthly. "That represents more than one billion queries a month that we and advertisers have never seen before," he said, explaining that advertisers opting into DSA now enables the message to match more precisely with the query.

Other new features in Bing that use A.I. include multi-site support, where Bing highlights the query when an answer has been seen across the web. It combines recent breakthroughs in machine reading with the Bing knowledge graph to identify how many reputable sources an answer has, giving users more confidence that the answer is correct. This also saves time that would have been used in clicking through to validate the answer themselves.

Bing also now clearly compares two entities based on relevant characteristics such as when people want to know the key differences between two similar items like a crow and a raven.

Microsoft also shared details on Bings advanced image search features. Bing Image Search leverages computer vision and object recognition to provide more ways to find what people are looking for. Users can search any image or within images to shop for fashion or home furniture. Bing detects and highlights different products within images, and the user can click the magnifying glass icon on the top right of any image to search within an image and find related images or products.
by Ray Schultz , December 13, 2017

Scientists have built a tool to protect websites from hackers, based on monitoring of email activity linked to them.

The tool, called Tripwire, resulted from an 18-month study by a team at University of California San Diego. It was presented last month at the ACM Internet Measurement Conference in London.

The researchers found that a number of the websites studied had been hacked, including one with 45 million active customers. But the affected companies did not reveal the breaches to their customers, and the team will not so because the firms had not volunteered for the study.

To conduct the research, the scientists developed a bot that created and registered accounts on 2,300 high-traffic websites. They then set up unique email accounts, using the same password for those and for the website accounts.

If an outside party used the password to access the email account, this showed that account information had been leaked.

The team also set up a control group consisting of over 100,000 email accounts. These addresses were not used for registering on websites.

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The purpose was to make sure the breach was related to hacking, and not the fault of the email provider or their infrastructure.

The researchers determined that 19 websites had been hacked, including that of a well-known American startup. In total, almost 1% had suffered a data breach, regardless of size and reachan unacceptable risk.

"No one is above this  companies or nation states  it's going to happen; it's just a question of when," states Alex C. Snoeren, the paper's senior author and a professor of computer science at the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California San Diego.

The team advises consumers to not reuse passwords, to use a password manager and to be stingy with data.

"Websites ask for a lot of information," Snoeren says. "Why do they need to know your mother's real maiden name and the name of your dog?"
by Sara Guaglione , December 14, 2017

The behemoth publisher Time Inc. is well-known; MNI Targeted Media, less so. Matt Fanelli, senior vice president of digital at the Time Inc. subsidiary specializing in targeted ads, is trying to change that.

This fall, the publisher-owned, performance-marketing agency launched an integrated online and offline campaign to bring awareness to its business, which has been around for nearly half a century selling media planning and buying services, as well as digital solutions in the last decade.

MNI Targeted Media also released display ads as part of the campaign, designed to appeal to everyone from junior media planners to CEOs. Follow-ups were sent to drive e-newsletter subscriptions for those who wanted to learn more about the agency's business.

Time Inc.s MNI Targeted Media has 1,200 clients/campaigns a year, but Vicki Brakl, vice president, marketing at MNI Targeted Media, said this was the time to launch an in-house campaign highlighting the company's business.

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Competition is a lot stiffer than it used to be five, six, seven years ago and brand and personality really matter," she said. We are on the precipice of talking about ourselves and big marketing." MNI Targeted Medias 70-plus sales force creates its campaigns in-house. As a result, the agency could use its own media to promote its business, resulting in a campaign that cost less than a regular client.

The average American household has 13 screens, Fanelli told Publishers Daily. MNI Targeted Medias goal, he said, is to reach audiences across those devices, which are tethered together by Wi-Fi  so its about how to immerse a specific household via those connected devices, Fanelli said.

The latest campaign included six-page cover wraps on People delivered over a four-week period in September, as well as profiles created on Twitter to represent each cover wrap theme  such as @DataDontMatter, @SocialSkeptic25 and @WhyGoLocal  which shared relevant articles on data and location-based ads.

The campaign also demonstrated MNI Targeted Medias strategy to blend traditional and digital media buys to generate more revenue.

Its not like someone going out and buying a full page ad on People and paying regular pricing. We sell digital display media and thats what were running it through, Brakl said.

A big inspiration behind the format of the campaign's creative was the Mean Tweets segment on the Jimmy Kimmel Live late-night talk show, where celebrities read the rude tweets people post about them.

The cover wraps have a tongue-in-cheek, comedic tone, with cute cartoon graphics of birds. One tweet reads: Ive had gas pains more relevant than whats on my Twitter feed, with the come-back tweet: Last year, 3.8 million Americans live-tweeted the Super Bowl. If your poots can do that, were blown away. #toottoot

Time Inc.s MNI has a variety of different offerings. Harpoon Digital, which launched last year, is a digital strategy and service agency within MNI Targeted Media. It focuses on regional brands or small agencies and provides creation, targeting and execution services for digital media campaigns, including real-time delivery and reporting on performance.

Rather than building out their own team, these brands or agencies can use Harpoon Digital to pay for syndicated research.

Digital agencies owned by publishers can tap into the creative and editorial talent of its parent company, as well as share audience data between brands and publishers. For example, Harpoon can access Time Inc.s data and audience research for clients and tap into The Foundry, Time Inc.s content studio.

MNI sells several different proprietary digital products, such as MNIx, its programmatic DSP, as well as DataMatch, MNI Local, MNI Search and MNI Social. Though a majority of what MNI Targeted Media sells is Time Inc. inventory, it isn't limited to its parent company.

According to Brakl, the agency sells across a myriad of publishers in print, including Hearst, Bloomberg and Meredith. We sell 99% of the U.S. audience in print. We are media agnostic, she added. You have to target the entire person. They may go to some sites some of the week and other sites other times in the week.

Fanelli said Time Inc.s agency is unique because it spends "an enormous amount of money on research tools" to figure out the right audience for an ad  down to what they do during their day and who is most likely to purchase.

Everyone talks about finding the person, but the other 50% of the battle is now that Ive found them, how do I get them to take action about something? he said. Its like selling a product at a store: 50% of the battle is getting someone through the front door, and the other 50% is getting them to buy something, Fanelli said.

That logic was part of the development of the agency. It wanted to find the right person, regardless of whether the site was owned by Time Inc. or Hearst.

Fanelli noted the recent announcement of Meredith Corp.'s acquisition of Time Inc. does not affect the work of MNI Targeted Media and its services. MNI Targeted Media, Inc. has enjoyed a strong working relationship with the company for over a dozen years, he said.
by Sara Guaglione , December 13, 2017



To fight the duopoly of Google and Facebook gathering up the majority of digital ad dollars, BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti says the media company has to reorganize its ad sales department, focus on its lifestyle and service-journalism brands and evolve them into multiple revenue stream opportunities.

The media is in crisis, Peretti wrote in a memo published last night, arguing that Google and Facebook are taking the vast majority of ad revenue and paying content creators far too little for the value they deliver to users.

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He said this puts high-quality creators at a financial disadvantage and favors publishers of cheap media, which spread fake news and spam users with repetitive, click-bait content and pirated videos.

Last month, BuzzFeed said it was laying off about 100 employees in the U.S. and restructuring its advertising sales organization amid a tough digital media market. The Wall Street Journal reported the company will miss its revenue targets by 15% to 20% this year.

Peretti says in order to fix the fragmentation of the media ecosystem, BuzzFeed must fix the relationship between media and tech, evolve to a multi-revenue model and build a strong portfolio of brands.

Peretti argues that tech platforms should pay more for high-quality content. BuzzFeed will encourage this by focusing on strong journalism; lifestyle brands with distinct, meaningful positions; new formats and more of the classic BuzzFeed articles, lists and quizzes that connect with our audience.

At the end of the day, the best media companies generate revenue from many sources, tapping a combination of advertising, subscriptions, studio development, brand licensing and merchandising, he wrote. A diverse business model for BuzzFeed means focusing less on direct-sold ads.

By 2019, about half of BuzzFeeds revenue will come from outside its direct sold advertising business, up from about 25% this year.

"Once a strong proponent of native advertising over display ads, BuzzFeed made the decision to run banner ads on its homepage, story pages and mobile apps this fall, to further monetize its large audience."

Peretti used BuzzFeeds Tasty brand as an example. The popular cooking vertical has a partnership with Walmart, cookbook deal with Penguin Random House, viral videos on Facebook, content series on YouTube and a cooking device.

We are pursuing the Tasty model of success across our business, and will accelerate our work building strong digital brands that connect with peoples actual lives with the creation of BuzzFeed Media Brands, Peretti wrote.

Notably, while Tasty was mentioned often in his memo, there was little talk of BuzzFeed News.

BuzzFeed will now organize its advertising business into nine boxes: BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed Media Brands, which includes Tasty and Nifty, and BuzzFeedNews. Each gets its own advertising, commerce and studio development arms.

Today, brands need to be loyal to consumers, Peretti wrote. The world needs shareable content that exists outside of political discourse, that brings people together around common interests.

BuzzFeed will expand the Tasty model to its other verticals, such as Nifty for home and Goodful for health and wellness, as well as launch others. Peretti teased that a new beauty and style brand is coming soon.

While this years efforts in growing BuzzFeeds business didnt translate into as much revenue growth as we wouldve liked, he said this is not a sign of the digital media apocalypse. In truth its something a lot simpler (that doesnt make for as good a headline): Were growing up. Weve outgrown the ability to build our business on essentially a single, very distinct revenue stream.

Perettis new take on BuzzFeeds business is particularly interesting; in many ways, the company owes its success to its distributed model. Cick-catching content attracted eyeballs from millions of Facebook shares from millennial readers.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 13, 2017

Facebook is pressing a judge to throw out a lawsuit accusing the company of violating an Illinois privacy law regarding "faceprints" on the grounds that the law doesn't apply to conduct that occurs in other states.

"There is no evidence in the record that Facebook performed a facial recognition analysis on plaintiffs photographs ... in Illinois," Facebook argues in papers filed late last week with U.S. District Court Judge James Donato in the Northern District of California.

Facebook makes the argument as part of a new bid to convince Donato to dismiss a 2015 class-action complaint by Illinois residents who allege that the company's automatic photo-tagging feature violates the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act. Facebook's photo-tagging function recognizes users' faces and suggests their names when they appear in photos uploaded by their friends. To accomplish this, the social networking service draws on its vast trove of users' photos.

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The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act requires companies to obtain written releases from people before collecting certain biometric data, including scans of face geometry. That measure, passed in 2008, also requires companies that gather biometric data to notify people about the practice, and to publish a schedule for destroying the information.

Facebook says its photo-tagging feature isn't covered by the Illinois law, arguing that the law only applies to activity that occurs in Illinois. The company adds that any attempt to regulate activity in California, where it's located, would be unconstitutional because only Congress can regulate interstate commerce.

"The facial-recognition process occurs on Facebooks servers, none of which is in Illinois," Facebook writes in its court papers. "Neither Illinois law nor the federal Constitution permits the application of (the Biometric Information Privacy Act) to that conduct."

Facebook also notes that California lawmakers in 2001 rejected a law that would have regulated facial recognition technology. The company argues that lawmakers in Illinois are constitutionally prohibited from "overriding the decisions of California and other states to stay out of this area."
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 13, 2017

Eighteen state attorneys general on Wednesday asked the Federal Communications Commission to postpone a planned vote on net neutrality until investigators have weeded out fake comments submitted to the agency about its proposed rollback.

"If the well of public comment has been poisoned by falsified submissions, the Commission may be unable to rely on public comments that would help it reach a legitimate conclusion to the rulemaking process," the law enforcement officials write. "Or, it must give less weight to the public comments submitted which also undermines the process."

The FCC is scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposal to repeal net neutrality rules that prohibit broadband providers from blocking or throttling traffic and from creating paid fast lanes. The agency is expected to repeal the rules on a 3-2 party line vote.

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The officials' letter comes several days after the FCC rejected a request to assist New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's investigation into at least one million fake comments -- including comments apparently generated by bots -- regarding net neutrality.

"A careful review of the publicly available information revealed a pattern of fake submissions using the names of real people," Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum writes in a letter signed by 17 other state attorneys general. "In fact, there may be over one million fake submissions from across the country. This is akin to identity theft on a massive scale."

Rosenblum and the others add that the planned net neutrality repeal has "far-reaching implications for the everyday life of Americans," and requires "the utmost integrity of the administrative process."

Some lawmakers -- nearly all Democrats -- have also urged the FCC to delay the vote.

But dozens of Republican lawmakers say the agency should proceed with plans to do away with the net neutrality rules. On Wednesday, more than 100 House Republicans signed a letter urging Pai to move forward with the repeal.
by Tanya Gazdik , December 14, 2017

Brand USA aims to assist and inspire international visitors via creative executions at the Atlanta airport.

The destination-marketing organization for the United States partnered with the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Georgia Tourism for the Market the Welcome program to guide travelers through the international arrival process at the worlds busiest airport. The program also aims to inspire guests to visit and experience the greater Atlanta region and the State of Georgia, according to the organization.

The airport is the fifth in the U.S. to implement the program. Each airport that has the Market the Welcome campaign in place in its international arrivals area features high-impact, inspirational imagery and welcoming language customized to the local and regional tourism market.

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At the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, there are 29 large panels across 14 gates in Terminal F with welcoming messages in multiple languages, including Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, German and simplified Chinese, in addition to English.

The other airports that have implemented the program are Miami International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

We have an ideal opportunity to extend our hospitality, and thank our guests for choosing the USA for their travel experiences, said Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA president and CEO, in a release. The Atlanta airport presents great possibilities for conveying our welcome to international visitors and inviting them to discover the nearly limitless number of authentic travel experiences that the USA offers.

The facility has been the worlds busiest airport for 19 consecutive years. More than 104 million passengers navigated through the airport in 2016, which represented a 2.6% increase over the previous years numbers. Travelers who fly into Atlanta are within a two-hour flight of 80% of the U.S. population.

In 2016, the United States welcomed 75.6 million international visitors, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This level of international arrivals is the second-highest ever. According to NTTO, from January through August 2017, international visitors who came to the United States have spent nearly $168 billion, an increase of 3.2% over figures from the same period in 2016.

Overall, in 2016 international visitors spent nearly $245 billion in the United States, which topped the world list in global tourism receipts and made up approximately 16.9% of all world traveler spending. Travel and tourism represented 33% of all U.S. services exports and 11% of all U.S. exports in 2016. The U.S. trade surplus in travel and tourism was $89.3 billion in 2016.

Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act as the nation's first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organizations mission is to increase international visitation to the USA in order to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide.
by Larissa Faw , December 14, 2017

In its latest foray into the U.S. market South Korea-based ad agency Innocean has acquired David & Goliath, the companies confirmed Thursday. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Innocean is best known for ads it does for South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co., which also includes Kia brand autos.

Innocean and D&G have collaborated in the past including on last year's Hero's Journey Super Bowl spot featuring Melissa McCarthy.

The agreement calls for D&G to remain a separate entity under the new ownership and retain its current branding with founder David Angelo continuing to run the agency. Both the U.S. arm of Innocean and D&G are based in Southern California.

The D&G acquisition is the most recent deal Innocean has struck with a U.S. agency. In 2015 it formed joint venture agency Canvas with Horizon Media and last year hired industry veteran Paul Woolmington to run it.

This story has been updated with confirmation by the companies of the acquisition.


by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, December 14, 2017

Publishers that implemented Google's Accelerated Mobile Pages project seem to have benefited from their efforts. While Facebook sent 25% less traffic to publishers this year, Google increased its traffic by 17%, according to data comparisons from the period from February 2017 to October 2017.

Analysis from Parse.ly, a digital analytics company, suggests that in 2017, Google overtook Facebook and became the top source of traffic to publisher sites. The analytics company attributes Google's increase, in part, to AMP. AMP specifically has increased by 87% among Parse.ly's customers.

The initial shift began at the beginning of April, and then continued during the beginning of June 2017. In a downhill slide, Facebook experienced a massive decline in referral traffic to publishers in December.

The decrease has not affected all publishers working with Parse.ly equally, per the analysis. Some have seen huge declines in Facebook referral traffic, while others have seen an increase in the same period.

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Two-thirds of the publishers saw a decrease in referral traffic during the period analyzed, while the remaining one third saw an increase. For about half of the publishers, traffic fell 20% or more, and for one in five publishers, Facebook referral volume was cut by at least 50%.

Facebook rolls out changes to its News Feed algorithm incrementally, which makes it difficult to attribute a decrease in traffic to a particular change, according to Parse.ly. Since there's no immediate spike or dip on the day a change takes place, Parse.ly analysts can only speculate about what caused the drop. There are several reasons for news articles appearing less frequently in Facebook users news feeds.

Aside from Facebook's continuous changes to the News Feed and seasonality, publishers make changes such as curating their Facebook pages, creating more video content, or integrating with Facebook Instant Articles, Facebooks mobile news standard.
by Ray Schultz , December 14, 2017

The Bitcoin explosion, fueled in part by reports of Bitcoin billionaires, has led to a rise in cryptocurrency swindles, and scams in which Bitcoin is demanded as payment  in some instances to avoid violence.

The Securities and Exchange Commission warned investors this week that there are risks associated with largely unregulated digital currencies, ABC News reports.

According to ABC, the SEC has created a division to monitor for scams, and it has brought its first case, against a Canadian company called PlexCorps that allegedly floated a fraudulent initial coin offering, or ICO.

Meanwhile, the UKs BT warns of phishing emails that ask recipients to confirm some details, claim some Bitcoin, or buy some at a great price.

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Some schemes target actual holders of Bitcoin accounts: They are directed to fraudulent websites that look like their traders sites. In some cases, scam artists also cold call by phone.

In another twist, the FBI has alerted Iowa and Nebraska residents to a scam in which phishing artists threaten victims with harm if they do not receive Bitcoin payment.

According to The North Platte Telegraph, recipients are told by email that they need to pay Bitcoin in order to avoid them or their family members from being hurt, in the words of FBI spokesperson Huston Pullen.

For example, a woman in Radnor, Pennsylvania received an email from a purported hitman, saying that she had to make a Bitcoin payment to avoid being killed, according to NBC.

Similar emails have been generated from overseas domains and were sent out by the thousands in the hopes that someone would fall for it, according to investigators, NBC reports.

Given all this, authorities urge consumers to:

Hang up on callers claiming to offer Bitcoin deals, or who want to update account information.

Avoid giving any information at all via email or phone.

Contact trading partners directly if a solicitation is received.

Beware of anyone who asks for payment via MoneyGram or GreenDot prepaid carts.

Notify authorities immediately if threatened by so-called email hitmen.

Bitcoin has also been demanded as ransom in cyber breach shutdowns.

According to reports, the Winkelvoss twins Cameron and Tyler hold Bitcoin that is now worth at least $1 billion, based on an $11 million investment.

We think its the starting gun to a whole new phase of liquidity and price discovery and sophisticated entrance to the market, Tyler Winklevoss said in a Bloomberg Television interview, Fortune reports.
We already know that stuttering is linked with unbalanced brain activity, but the nitty-gritty of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. But now, researchers offer new explanations about the brains role in stuttering.

Share on Pinterest Scientists are getting closer to revealing the full brain mechanism standing in the way of fluent speech.

Stuttering is a speech impairment wherein the fluency of speech is affected, with the speaker often repeating the syllables or sounds of one word compulsively. Stuttering tends to set in during early childhood, and over 5 percent of children experience it.

Stuttering usually goes away by adulthood, but it does persist in around 1 percent of the adult population and might lead to a decreased quality of life , depending on its severity.

By comparing the brains of adults who stutter and those who dont using MRI scans, scientists have observed that people whose speech is affected exhibit asymmetries in the brain regions responsible for verbal communication.

But so far, the exact brain mechanisms at play in have been mysterious. Now, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig and the University Medical Center Gottingen  both in Germany  have uncovered fresh details about what happens in the brains of adults who stutter.

Parts of the right inferior frontal gyrus are particularly active when we stop actions, such as hand or speech movements, explains first study author Nicole Neef, of the Max Planck Institute.

If this region is overactive, she adds, it hinders other brain areas that are involved in the initiation and termination of movements. In people who stutter, the brain regions that are responsible for speech movements are particularly affected.

The current study used MRI to identify the specifics of the mechanism related to hyperactivity in the right hemisphere of the brains of stuttering adults. Its findings were recently published in Brain: A Journal of Neurology.
Researchers have discovered that a molecule in the tapeworm drug niclosamide might be able to protect against Parkinsons disease-related neuronal damage. The findings bring us closer to slowing or even stopping neurodegeneration in this disease.

Share on Pinterest An existing drug may soon be used to successfully treat Parkinsons disease.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that around 500,000 individuals in the United States have Parkinsons disease, and that each year, about 50,000 people are diagnosed with the condition.

The illness does not have a cure yet, but researchers are hard at work trying to better understand it and design drugs that slow down the degeneration of the neurons.

Recently, scientists have been focusing on a key protein called PINK1, which is believed to have a protective role against neurodegeneration.

Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Dundee in Australia examined the role of PINK1, in the hope that it would lead to the development of new drugs which could be designed to switch on PINK1 to the benefit of patients with Parkinsons.

Now, researchers from the same university  in collaboration with scientists at the University of Cardiff in the United Kingdom  may have found such a drug.

The team was led by Dr. Youcef Mehellou, from the University of Cardiffs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Dr. Miratul Muqit, who is a consultant neurologist at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee.

They show that a drug normally used to treat tapeworm infections may bring us closer to halting Parkinsons-related neurodegeneration.
With that in mind, here are some ways to cope with your fear of flying before and during a flight that I have found helpful. Still, you must keep in mind that were all different, so you must experiment a little and find the strategy cocktail that works best for you.

But anxiety should never stand in the way of making the most of our lives. I, for one, cant afford to give into this particular fear. For years I studied abroad, 3,000 miles away from my family, and now my work is abroad, too. To top it off, my partners family lives in yet another country, and I love to travel whenever I have the opportunity.

This fear can range from having the jitters when boarding the flight to a full-blown panic attack that puts you off from booking any flights, ever, even if that means youre missing out on plenty of opportunities to progress in your career or have the time of your life on a sunny beach.

Although somewhere around 10,000 planes are airborne and safely carrying their passengers to destinations across the world right now, many of us  including myself  feel sick just thinking about stepping onto a plane.

For the majority of us, air travel has become a necessity; we jet between countries to study, work, go on holiday, and meet new people.

Today, flying is both the fastest and easiest mode of transport between countries. But many of us are terrorized by the mere thought of boarding a plane. Why is that, and how do we deal with this anxiety?

For instance, if possible, I like to take the aisle seat, which makes me feel less restrained and gives me more freedom of movement. Im also uncomfortable with heights, so I avoid looking out the window.

Its important to treat these baseline anxieties, but just knowing that theyre there also equips you to deal with them better on a plane.

Often, the fear of flying has underlying causes , such as fear of enclosed spaces ( claustrophobia ), fear of crowds ( agoraphobia ), fear of heights (acrophobia), or the anxiety of not being in control.

Additionally, consider what other sources of anxiety your aviophobia might be linked to.

Instead of indulging in scary, unrealistic fantasies, learn whats really happening when the seatbelt sign is switched on.

If you can afford to, consider booking a place on a course that addresses fear of flying. If not, there are plenty of free resources both off- and online that you can use to educate yourself about flying. Videos can be a good place to start. One example features a commercial airline captain who explains what happens during take-off and landing, and how turbulence is uncomfortable but safe.

A good knowledge about airplanes, how they work, what causes the sounds you hear during the flight, why we experience physiological sensations such as blocked ears , and how the crew are trained for their job really helps to ground the awareness that youre in good hands, on a safe mode of transport.

Its important to learn what triggers your particular flight-related anxiety  for me, its typically turbulence  so that you can take steps to anticipate it.

When actually stepping onto a plane, fearful fliers will likely be afraid of one or more of a range of things, from the noises and sensations associated with take-off or landing, to the queasy feeling that often comes with a sudden or prolonged turbulence.

Fear of flight, or aviophobia, is characterized by an often extreme avoidance of planes, or anything associated with flying, including airports. Someone with severe aviophobia might organize [their] life around avoiding flying, as psychologist Patricia Furness-Smith says in Flying with Confidence .

Try to control things that are within your grasp by eliminating any related sources of stress as much as possible, since you dont need to be worried about missing your flight as well as being anxious about being on that same flight.

Share on Pinterest Treat your anxiety as a naughty toddler or a mischievous imp  it may be a nuisance, but it doesnt signal danger.

Prepare in advance as thoroughly as possible. Make sure you have plenty of time to get to the airport, and pack your luggage appropriately, so you dont have to deal with repacking two large suitcases at the last moment.

Wear comfortable clothes to minimize your sense of bodily discomfort, bring along any medication you may need, and make sure to stay hydrated while on the plane.

Other than tending to your basic needs when it comes to physical comfort, you should also pre-empt your anxiety so as to avoid adding to your general sense of unease. I like to think of my fear of flight as an unruly toddler that needs to be constantly placated in unfamiliar and uncomfortable conditions.

Furness-Smith has a similar take on things. She likens aviophobia to an imp, a little naughty creature that likes to cause distress and needs to be kept in check.

Imagine your phobia as a mischievous little imp. The sole purpose of these small creatures from German folklore was to bug and harass humans by misleading them. [] An imp is not really a dangerous enemy, more like an irritating child that needs to be disciplined and controlled. Patricia Furness-Smith

Research has demonstrated that high-altitude hypoxia , which is a slight decrease in oxygen supply, might naturally increase a sense of anxiety, so while youre in no danger whatsoever, you may feel unease as if you were under threat.

One study suggests that some fearful fliers might mistake this physiological effect for aviophobia, as their brains try to make sense of the feeling of anxiety by ascribing to it the most immediately available cause: flying.

One way or another, then, anxiety is misleading, so you must not allow it to take over and drive you into a panic attack. This, however, does not mean rejecting your anxiety and trying to pretend that it doesnt exist.

Embrace your fear

I know this might sound like just the opposite of what you should do, but trust me on this: when fear starts to mount, rather than pushing it away, begin by accepting it. Ive realized that the more I try to pretend it isnt there, the worse the terror gets.

What ultimately happens is that I become afraid of being afraid, augmenting the anxiety in a vicious cycle. The initial fear is often much less severe and easier to calm than the pit of terror into which denial can throw me.

Jonathan Bricker, Ph.D.  a psychologist from the University of Washington in Seattle  explains that anxiety tends to get worse the more you try to push it away.

The more you dont want to feel worried, he said, the more that feeling will come back. He suggests a visualization exercise wherein you mentally pack [anxiety] into an imagined carry-on bag, which you can store above and below you  the idea being that the anxiety is with me, but I bring it with me and still travel wherever I want.'

A recent study also reports that individuals who accept their negative emotions are less likely to develop mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Just breathe

When you do feel anxiety start to take hold and youve acknowledged it, you should immediately take steps to prevent it from escalating. First, you can act directly on the physiological symptoms, such as the racing pulse and shallow breathing, which may also make you feel sick and faint.

Share on Pinterest When fear kicks in, learn some breathing exercises; relaxing your body can help to put your mind at ease.

Acting on the physical signs can also trick your mind into feeling more at ease. One way to do this is by learning some mindful breathing exercises, such as the ones outlined on the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley website.

They advise bringing your conscious attention to your body and to how it feels, then focus on breathing normally. As your mind attempts to wander away to fearful scenarios, bring your attention back to your breathing until you become calmer.

Another technique that may help you is box breathing, wherein you take and hold deep breaths to allow your pulse to slow down and relieve your sense of agitation. This technique requires you to inhale slowly through the nose to a count of four, hold that breath for another 4 seconds, then slowly exhale to a count of four.

Remember why youre doing this

Something else that can help you with your fear of flying is simply regaining a sense of excitement and purpose. In a previous Medical News Today article, I cited a study from the Harvard Business School in Boston, MA, that suggested that we overcome anxiety through reappraisal .

That study explains that there are fewer degrees of separation between anxiety and excitement than between anxiety and calmness, so its much easier to trick your mind into thinking that your racing heart is caused by your enthusiasm at the thought of getting to your destination.

Additionally, reminding yourself why youre on a plane in the first place may help to boost that sense of excitement and the motivation to go through with it.

If youre heading home for the holidays, think about the joy and peace that being with your loved ones will bring. If youre taking a break from work or school, picture all the fun youll have at your destination.

Focusing on the higher purpose of your trip puts the fear into perspective, said Bricker. If you can latch onto the happy outcome and understand that only a few hours of discomfort separate you from it, that can help to minimize the fearful proportions that flying has taken on in your mind.
Scientists have discovered a rare genetic mutation in one family that causes low sensitivity to pain, a discovery that could lead to new treatment strategies for chronic pain, which is one of the most debilitating conditions in the United States.

Share on Pinterest Researchers suggest that mimicking a specific gene mutation that causes pain insensitivity could be one way to treat chronic pain.

In a study newly published in the journal Brain, researchers reveal how an Italian family with a mutation in a gene called Zinc finger homeobox 2 (ZFHX2) have a distinct tolerance to certain forms of pain.

The members of this family, says lead study author Dr. James Cox, of the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research at University College London in the United Kingdom, can burn themselves or experience pain-free bone fractures without feeling any pain.

But they have a normal intraepidermal nerve fiber density, he adds, which means their nerves are all there, theyre just not working how they should be.

Were working to gain a better understanding of exactly why they dont feel much pain, to see if that could help us find new pain relief treatments, Dr. Cox continues.

It is estimated that around 25.3 million adults in the United States are living with chronic pain, which is defined as pain that persists for at least 3 months. Such pain can limit a persons mobility and interfere with day-to-day functioning.

Medications are available that may help individuals to manage chronic pain, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and  in more severe cases  opioids. However, these treatments are not always successful, and they can carry significant risks.

As such, there is a need to find new pain relief strategies. Researchers have been investigating congenital analgesia with the hope of uncovering some clues.
Google releases its 'Most Searched' lists every year and honestly, they always bring out our excitement. Getting to know what ruled the trends and knowing if we were actually with the trend that year is weirdly satisfying.

Now, there are country-specific lists and global ones. And when it comes to the global lists, it is rare that we see any Indian actor/actress or movie making it to the list. But this year, the scenario is different.

SS Rajamouli's magnum opus 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion' starring Prabhas and Rana Daggubati has taken the seventh position in the 'most searched movies across the globe' on Google in 2017.

Source: Arka Media Works

Released in April, 'Baahubali 2' has been making the headlines for all the good reasons and this is just another achievement for the movie which has set several other international records.

Now coming to the rest of the list, one of the best horror films of the year, 'IT' has unsurprisingly made it to the top. The film tells the story of seven children in Derry, Maine, who are terrorized by Pennywise the scary AF clown, only to face their own personal demons in the process.

Source: New Line Cinema

'Beauty and the Beast' comes in at the third position. Based on Disney's animated classic, this Emma Watson-starrer musical revolves around a young prince, imprisoned in the form of a beast and can be freed only by true love. The opportunity arrives when he meets Belle, the only human girl to ever visit the castle since it was enchanted.

Source: Walt Disney Pictures

Hugh Jackman-starrer 'Logan' was a major success across the world so it totally makes sense that it has made it to this list. Taking the 4th position, the movie is set in the near future, where Logan cares for an ailing Professor X. However, Logan's attempts to hide from the world turn around when a young mutant arrives.

Source: 20th Century Fox

Taking the 5th and 6th position we have the superhero film 'Justice League' and 'The Fate of The Furious' respectively.

Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash take on the responsibility of saving the planet from a new threat.

Source: Atlas Entertainment

In 'The Fate of the Furious', the crew faces trials when a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of terrorism, signifying his shocking betrayal to all close to him.

Source: Universal Pictures

The action-drama 'Dunkirk' is at the 8th position. The plot of the movie is based on allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France who are surrounded by the German Army, and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.

Source: Warner Bros

The last two positions are taken by 'La La Land' and 'Thor: Ragnarok'.

Oscar-winning 'La La Land' revolves around an aspiring actress and a pianist who fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.

Source: Summit Entertainment

'Thor: Ragnarok' is at the 10th position. The movie is about Thor's fight for survival and race against time to prevent the destruction of his home Asgard by his evil sister Hela.

Source: Marvel Entertainment

If you haven't watched any of these movies, then what are you waiting for? Go ahead and begin watching these most searched flicks to see what makes them so search-worthy in the first place.
Officials say the device was known as an "unexploded ordnance," or an explosive weapon that did not explode and still posed a...
The Marine Corps is investigating after yet another incident involving U.S. military aircraft in Japan, this one featuring a 17-pound window that fell to earth from a heavy-lift helicopter and caused a young boy's arm to be injured.

Kyodo News first reported Wednesday that the window fell from a CH-53E Super Stallion and landed near Daini Futenma Elementary School, kicking up gravel that hit one boy in the arm and frightening dozens of children nearby.

In a statement, officials with III Marine Expeditionary Force in the Pacific confirmed that the incident had taken place around 10 a.m. local time. The Super Stallion had then immediately returned to the adjacent Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and reported what happened, officials said.

"This is a regrettable incident and we apologize for any anxiety it has caused the community," officials said in the statement.

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An investigation is underway, and the Marines are working with local authorities to determine what happened. The command warned members of the community to stay away from the site where the window landed to avoid disturbing the investigation.

The incident comes just a week after a "small cylindrical object" reportedly fell from a military helicopter onto the roof of a kindergarten in Okinawa, a stone's throw from the air station.

The Japanese newspaper Kyodo News reported that all Super Stallions at MCAS Futenma have been grounded so that safety checks can be conducted.

Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga, who has long been critical of the large Marine Corps presence in Okinawa, and particularly of risks Marine aviation poses to the local community, told reporters that having an aircraft piece fall in a playground was "unforgivable."

"The safety of children should come first," Onaga said, according to the Kyodo News report.

Kyodo also reported that the Corps initially denied the window had fallen off during flight.

It has been only three months since the Oct. 11 emergency landing of another CH-53E Super Stallion, which put down in a private field near Okinawa's Northern Training Area after catching fire during a training flight.

That incident, which required a multi-day recovery and removal effort for the damaged aircraft, prompted a five-day operational pause for all Super Stallions in Okinawa.

The cause of that incident has not yet been made public.

Super Stallions, used by the Marine Corps across the globe for troop transport and moving gear, have been called the hardest-worn of any service aircraft in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They are due to be replaced by the brand-new CH-53K King Stallion, with introduction of the new helicopter set to begin as soon as next year.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Two Army brigade commanders said Wednesday the continuing problem of red tape and restrictions to cross-border movements in Europe pose a major challenge to forming a credible deterrent.

"Europe can be a tough operating environment, particularly with regards to freedom of movement," said Col. Clair Gill, commander of the 1,800 troops of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) of the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York.

"Coordinating movements across multiple borders involves weeks of planning and clearances, and any one error can jeopardize an entire large operation," Gill said.

"Our brigade can move across Europe when needed," said Col. Michael Simmering, commander of the 3,500 troops of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado.

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However, "It is no secret among the senior leadership and it's definitely not a secret to us -- freedom of movement is and remains the number one challenge in the U.S. Army Europe area of operations," he said.

Simmering and Gill spoke at an Army Pentagon briefing on the lessons learned following the completion of nine-month rotations of their commands in Europe.

Both echoed Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who was retiring Wednesday following three years as commander of U.S. Army Europe, on making USAREUR a more agile force and improving interoperability with NATO allies.

Hodges is succeeded in the role by his former deputy, Maj. Gen. Tim McGuire, who will serve as acting commander while the Army searches for a permanent replacement.

In addition to problems crossing borders, Gill said he found that he needed a quick fix to navigational difficulties his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters experienced in coordinating with the GPS systems used in Europe.

In the U.S., the Black Hawks can rely on ground-based systems for navigation when flying on instruments in clouds and fog, he said, but Europe mostly uses satellite GPS.

"We knew it was a potential issue" before the 10th CAB deployed," Gill said. "We don't have that [advanced GPS] system in our Blackhawks right now," Gill said, and so the Black Hawks were initially limited to flying where there were ground-based systems.

The Army came up with a solution that Gill described only as a "box" installed on the helicopters to allow them to navigate by satellite. "It would allow the unit that's currently in theater to fly in that satellite-based environment" while the Army works on a permanent fix, he said.

On the cross-border problem, Simmering noted that Hodges had backed a proposal for the creation of a military "Schengen zone" in Europe. The so-called "Schengen zone" was created by 26 European states to abolish passport checks and other types of border controls at their mutual borders.

The current border checks pose "a system-wide challenge for everybody at this point in time," he said. Trying to move units quickly across borders "is something we experienced frustrations with routinely," he added.

"The bottom line is freedom of movement is a challenge in Europe," Simmering said. 'I'm confident that we have people working on it. Do I see at my level right now as a brigade commander a readily apparent solution? I can't point to one."

Gill gave the example of having one of his trucks break down at a border crossing. There was a rule against towing it into the next country. He brought in a wrecker, put the truck on the wrecker, drove the wrecker across the border, and then resumed towing the truck in the next country.

Gill said he also had a problem in moving his brigade to ports to begin the trip back to Fort Drum.

One country, which he declined to name, refused to allow the convoy to pass. So what did he do? "Circumnavigate," he said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
A Navy SEAL who lost an eye in Afghanistan announced he is running for Congress in his home state of Texas.

Daniel Crenshaw, a retired lieutenant commander, had a 10-year career in the SEALs. He's now seeking to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives seat being vacated by retiring Republican Ted Poe.

On "Fox & Friends," Crenshaw revealed that he was hit by an IED blast in Afghanistan while he was on his third deployment.

He lost his right eye in the blast, and his left eye was badly damaged. He explained that after several miracle surgeries, he was able to regain sight in his left eye.

Crenshaw recovered and deployed twice more, to Bahrain and South Korea, before eventually retiring last year.

"I'm leaving one of the more credible institutions, and I'm trying to take that credibility to one of the least credible institutions," he said. "I'm a SEAL, and I'm always looking for the next way to protect and defend the American people."

He said the American people need to be protected not just from foreign enemies, but from over-taxation, over-regulation, threats to their freedoms and much more.

"The president needs our help. He needs people in Congress who have credibility on the issues," Crenshaw said. "We need something better than just talking points."
The Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense Department have improved disability claims processing time for troops leaving the military -- but there is still more to be done, officials told lawmakers Wednesday.

Officials with the VA, DoD and the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) testified Wednesday at a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing on the agencies' pre-discharge claims programs.

"The most important element that we've seen in making improvements is, in fact, better coordination between the DoD and VA," said Elizabeth Etsy, a Democrat from Connecticut and ranking member on the disability assistance and memorial affairs subcommittee. "That's not easy to do, but it's essential if we're going to continue to make progress."

The VA and DoD's Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), which rolled out in 2009, is designed to streamline the medical discharge or retirement and ratings process for service members.

Instead of duplicating many appointments and paperwork, IDES is meant to push troops through with one set of appointments while processing their claim simultaneously.

In 2007, the disability process took an average 540 days from start to finish for the VA to deliver benefits. But in 2017, that timeline dropped to an average of 250 days, Terry Adirim, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for health policy, told lawmakers.

And once claims enter the system, the VA is processing them in an average of 81 days -- 102 days faster than in May 2014, when the subcommittee last examined the topic, said Willie Clark, the VA's deputy under secretary for field operations.

The VA early this fall shut down a claims process known as "quick start" that allowed troops with 59 days or fewer left in service, considered a late start, to begin the VA disability claims process.

A new program known as Decision Ready Claims was put in place to allow current troops to work with veteran service organizations, such as the American Legion or VFW, to build a claim that can be submitted as soon as they are off active duty and, in theory, processed within 30 days.

While an official with the American Legion said his organization has not heard consistently negative feedback, an official with the VFW told the committee that eliminating the quick start program is forcing many veterans to wait to start a claim until after they get out.

In the past, he said, up to half of the claims the VFW helped process were in the quick start category.

And while the new Decision Ready process appears to be valuable, he said, the VA needs to provide a pre-discharge solution for those who do not meet that 60 day cutoff.

"It troubles us that VA is telling service members it will no longer work on up to 50 percent of pre-discharge claims until they officially leave the military," said Ryan Gallucci, the VFW's director for its national veterans service.

Lawmakers said they plan to hold additional hearings on the disability process.

"I'm hoping we can find out ways that DoD and VA can make all of the pre-discharge processes more efficient for our nation's service members," said Rep. Mike Bost, an Illinois Republican who chairs the subcommittee.

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
Two U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth fighters intercepted two Russian Su-25 fighter jets Wednesday, conducting multiple maneuvers, firing warning flares and, in one instance, aggressively flying to avoid colliding with one another, U.S. officials tell Military.com.

The Su-25s -- single-seat, twin-engine aircraft -- "flew into coordinated coalition airspace on the east side of the Euphrates River near Abu Kamal, Syria, and were promptly intercepted," Air Forces Central Command spokesman Lt. Col. Damien Pickart told Military.com in an email.

The F-22s, the U.S.' most advanced fighter aside from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, were in the area providing air cover for partner ground forces conducting operations against the Islamic State, he said.

"The F-22s conducted multiple maneuvers to persuade the Su-25s to depart our deconflicted airspace, including the release of chaff and flares in close proximity to the Russian aircraft and placing multiple calls on the emergency channel to convey to the Russian pilots that they needed to depart the area," Pickart said.

During one maneuver, an Su-25 flew so close to an F-22 "that it had to aggressively maneuver to avoid a midair collision," he said.

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A Russian Su-35 multi-role fighter was also involved.

An F-22 ended up trailing the Su-35 after it flew across the river into territory deemed unsafe to coalition aircraft.

"The incident lasted approximately 40 minutes before the Russian aircraft flew to the west side of the river. During and following the encounter, coalition leaders at the [Combined Air Operations Center in Al Udeid, Qatar] contacted the Russians on the deconfliction line to de-escalate the situation and avert a strategic miscalculation," Pickart said.

AFCENT officials said the Russians had "verbally agreed" in November through the deconfliction line that they would remain west of the Euphrates River, and the coalition would operate to the East, he said.

"Since agreeing to this deconfliction arrangement, the Russians have flown into our airspace on the east side of the river 6-8 times per day, or approximately 10 percent of the Russian and Syrian flights," Pickart noted.

"If either of us needs to cross the river for any reason, we're supposed to first deconflict via the line," he said. "It's become increasingly tough for our pilots to discern whether Russian pilots' actions are deliberate or if these are just honest mistakes."

Officials have said recently that coalition aircraft -- more than a dozen air forces cooperating to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria -- are concerned about the shrinking airspace.

"The coalition's greatest concern is that we could shoot down a Russian aircraft because its actions are seen as a threat to our air or ground forces," Pickart said. "We train our aircrew to take specific actions and to make every attempt possible to de-escalate the situation wherever possible."

He continued, "We are not here to fight the Russians and Syrians -- our focus remains on defeating ISIS. That said, if anyone threatens coalition or friendly partner forces in the air or on the ground, we will defend them."

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
A former Air Mobility wing commander under investigation for sexual misconduct may not be switching jobs on base just yet.

Col. John O. Howard, commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, was relieved of command Monday by Lt. Gen. Giovanni K. Tuck, commander of the 18th Air Force, according to a release.

Howard is currently under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct.

"Colonel Howard's next assignment has yet to be determined," Air Mobility Command spokesman Col. Chris Karns told Military.com in a statement Wednesday.

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Karn's statement follows media reports that the Air Force is considering moving Howard to another position in U.S. Transportation Command, known as TransCom, also located at Scott.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is conducting the investigation.

"While the investigation is ongoing, additional details surrounding the alleged misconduct cannot be released to ensure the integrity of the process. Airmen are innocent until proven guilty," the release said.

The Air Force did not specify when the investigation would conclude.

"When OSI embarks on an investigation, it is inherently a criminal investigation," a military lawyer told Military.com last year.

"It's driven by the nature of the allegation from the get-go," the lawyer said, speaking generally to military investigations. "We [the Air Force] can't take an allegation of sexual assault and turn it from a criminal investigation into an administrative one."

Whether the allegations could lead to a court-martial is uncertain at this time.

"It is important to allow the investigation to run its course to determine and understand all the facts associated with the case," Karns said. "The allegations are being taken very seriously and investigated as appropriate."

Howard oversaw more than 3,100 personnel, assets totaling more than $4 billion, and an annual budget exceeding $130 million, according to his official Air Force biography.

"We are ensuring we have a strong support structure around all airmen, to include Colonel Howard, who are affected by this case," Tuck said in the release. "Our focus continues to be on supporting the men and women of the 375th AMW as they execute the Air Mobility Command mission."

Prior to becoming the 375th commander in July, Howard was the vice commander of the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, for roughly two years.

Col. W. Chris Buschur, 375th vice commander, has been appointed the 375th AMW commander in the interim.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley went to a military base in Washington Thursday and used the charred remnants of an Iranian ballistic missile as a backdrop to call for international action against Tehran's "malign influence" in the Mideast.

In a news conference at a Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling hangar, Haley stopped short of recommending that the U.S. pull out of the nuclear deal with Iran worked out by the Obama administration, but said that the missile and other weapons displayed showed that the Iranian regime posed a "threat to the peace and security of the entire world."

Haley thanked Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for providing the dramatic setting for the briefing at which she called Iran the chief "arsonist" responsible for "fanning the flames of conflict" in the region.

In addition to the missile, stamped with the logo of Iran's Shahid Bagheri Industries, Haley said that DoD had warehoused, at Anacostia-Bolling, Iranian anti-tank missiles and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle that she called a "kamikaze drone."

She also referred to a "Shark 33" naval drone rigged with an outboard motor that she said could blow a "six-foot wide hole" in a ship.

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At the Pentagon, spokesperson Laura Seal said that a Shark 33 was used in an attack on the Saudi Arabian frigate HMS al Madinah last January that killed two and wounded three.

Haley's news conference was in line with President Donald Trump's new strategy announced in October "to address the totality of Iranian threats and malign activities" from ballistic missile development to "support to terrorism and unconventional warfare," Seal said.

"Part of the president's strategy is to clearly show how Iran continues to defy the international community by violating United Nations resolutions," Seal said.

Haley and Seal said that the weapons systems on display were mostly provided to DoD by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as evidence of attacks against them.

Haley said "We do not often declassify this type of military equipment recovered from these attacks, but today we are taking the extraordinary step of presenting it here in an open setting."

"We did this for a single urgent purpose -- because the Iranian regime cannot be allowed to engage in its lawless behavior any longer. International peace and security depends on us working together against the Iranian regime's hostile actions," she said.

Haley echoed Mattis' long-held position that the nuclear deal with Iran, in which sanctions were lifted in return for Iran's halt to its nuclear programs, should not be allowed to divert attention from Iran's other threats to U.S. national security interests.

"These are the things they're doing while we're looking the other way," Haley said. She singled out Iran's support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen and the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"The nuclear deal has done nothing to moderate the regime's conduct in other areas," Haley said. "It's hard to find a terrorist group in the Middle East that does not have Iran's fingerprints all over it."

Haley, the former Republican governor of South Carolina and an increasingly leading voice on foreign policy in the Trump administration, said that the Qiam missile behind her was fired by Houthis on Nov 4 at King Khaled International Airport outside Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh.

"Just imagine if this missile had been launched at Dulles [International Airport outside Washington, D.C.] or JFK [Kennedy International Airport in New York]," Haley said. "When you look at this missile, this is terrifying, this is absolutely terrifying."

In October, Trump "decertified" the nuclear deal with Iran, meaning that he had concluded that Iran was not living up to all terms of the agreement. However, he did not withdraw the U.S. from the deal.

Based on the evidence displayed, Haley said that "You will see us build a coalition to really push back against Iran and what they're doing."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps on Wednesday hosted the final demonstration of a new type of autonomous aircraft technology that could radically transform how the U.S. military resupplies combat units.

A team of officials from Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing Co., demonstrated the company's Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System, or AACUS -- a special package of hardware and software combined into an autonomous kit capable of being mounted on multiple airframes.

AACUS is designed to deliver vital combat supplies such as ammunition, fuel, food, water and even blood to Marines and other combat troops operating in remote locations that are inaccessible by vehicles and greatly increase the risks to pilots flying resupply missions, Aurora officials said.

"It has a software package that enables it to make mission decisions on its own; it has a suite of sensors that allows it get information from the environment to inform its decision, and it is pushing the envelope on autonomous capabilities," Walter Jones, executive director of the Office of Naval Research, told an audience at the demonstration.

"It can navigate to the location, even in a GPS-compromised area; it can determine the best location for a safe landing ... in low-visibility conditions," he said.

AACUS began as a response to a Marine Corps urgent need statement. It is currently installed onto a Vietnam War-era UH-1 helicopter.

Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh called AACUS a "fantastic program," that is "in some ways ahead of our requirements."

Walsh is the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

"This is one capability that we are moving out on very quickly," he said. "This gives us that capability to distribute and move logistics forward in an autonomous way."

During the demonstration, the AACUS flew supplies into two separate forward operating base settings and then demonstrated how Marines on the ground could stop or postpone the AACUS from landing to avoid an unseen hazard, by simply pressing a button on a special tablet.

Despite its sophistication, the AACUS carried a backup pilot, in case of problems with the system and to perform certain operations, Aurora officials said.

Jason Jewel, a retired Marine major who spent 14 years on active duty flying helicopters and the V-22 Osprey, said one of his primary tasks Wednesday was to engage the autopilot system while on the ground.

"Once it is engaged, I get on the radio and clear the ground operator to launch ... and then he launches me from the computer, and then after that I don't need to touch the flight controls," said Jewel, who is Aurora's chief test pilot for the AACUS program.

"I did not have to take over today; takeoff to landing was fully automated," he said.

The next step is to put AACUS "in the hands" of Marines in Sea Dragon 2015, Phase II scheduled for fiscal 2018, Wash said.

Aurora officials said several other services are interested in AACUS, although "it is targeted right now for Marine Corps needs," Jones said.

The training program for AACUS takes less than a day and is geared toward personnel without aviation experience.

"They will do a request and that [aircraft] will come to them ... it's completely autonomous, and it will fly into the landing zone just like a pilot would," said Dennis Baker, AACUS program manager for the Office of Naval Research.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
A-10 Thunderbolts could return to close-air support missions in Afghanistan as the wars in Iraq and Syria wind down and the Trump administration's new strategy for Afghanistan takes hold.

In response to reports that Afghan leaders had asked the U.S. to bring back the "Warthogs," Air Force Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch said he could not speculate but also did not rule out that the aircraft with the devastating 30mm nose gun might be back in action over Afghanistan in the spring.

"The discussions of what forces we move to Afghanistan or draw down from Iraq and Syria are all ongoing," Bunch, director of future operations for the NATO Resolute Support mission, said in a briefing to the Pentagon from Kabul on Tuesday.

"We have not made any decisions at this time to move A-10s, that I know of," he said.

Military Times reported that a senior Afghan official had asked for the return of the A-10s to support planned offensives by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces [ANDSF].

A-10s were used extensively in Afghanistan in earlier stages of the war and have in recent years been flying out of Turkey on anti-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria.

On Monday, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told the Senate Armed Services Committee that she backs proposals to upgrade the wings of the A-10s to extend their service life.

"I happen to be a fan of the A-10," she said.

In his briefing to the Pentagon, Bunch described missions that appeared well-suited for the A-10s under the new strategy for Afghanistan approved by President Donald Trump in August.

The strategy includes a stepped-up air campaign and combat support for U.S. troops now cleared to work with partnered ANDSF forces at the battalion level.

"Previously, the mission here in Afghanistan was on a shrinking path," Bunch said but, under the new strategy, ground and air commanders have more latitude to pick targets as "we transitioned from a time-based mission to one that is now conditions-based."

For the first time in the Afghanistan war, now in its 17th year, the U.S. air campaign has gone after the Taliban's main source of funding in the poppy trade, Bunch said.

"Since the beginning of this campaign, we have eliminated 25 narcotics processing labs from the Taliban inventory," he said.

"These are new efforts that have never been tried before in Afghanistan," Bunch said. "These are new; the war has changed."

"We are able to go after their [Taliban] weapons cache sites, their revenue generation, their C2 [command and control] nodes -- all the areas where they thought they were safe and they are no longer so," he said. "It has definitely been a game-changer, and the Taliban is definitely feeling it."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
The leadership of the Civilian Marksmanship Program recently updated its website with the requirements, guidelines and background checks needed to purchase an Army surplus 1911 .45 pistol in fiscal 2018.

The U.S. Army is expected to transfer thousands of surplus M1911/1911A1 .45s, according to this year's National Defense Authorization Act, a massive defense policy bill recently approved by Congress and awaiting President Donald Trump's signature.

The legislation includes an entire section -- Sec. 1091, to be exact -- detailing how the iconic firearms can be transferred to the entity that oversees the Civilian Marksmanship Program, a government program that allows eligible civilians to purchase surplus military weapons.

Specifically, the bill would allow recently confirmed Army Secretary Mark Esper, previously the top lobbyist at defense contracting giant Raytheon Co., to transfer 8,000 or more .45-caliber M1911/M1911A1 pistols, spare parts and related accessories to the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety as part of a two-year pilot program.

The program would cap the number of transfers at 10,000 a year and also require the Army secretary to send an annual report to Congress on the number of pistols transferred, number of pistols sold, and information on any crimes committed with the pistols.

The CMP updated its website Dec. 12 with the following information on future surplus 1911 sales:

"The CMP Board of Directors has discussed at length how the sales of 1911s would be handled, if the CMP were to ever receive them from the United States Army," it states.

The CMP will have an all-new 1911 order form, 1911 purchasing instructions, a 1911 page on its website, a dedicated 1911 Federal Firearms License fax number and email address for the FFL holder to send their license with customer's name attached, according to the website.

"The customer will have to send in a complete new order packet with all new qualifying criteria included," the website states. "Everyone will be a new customer, everyone starts with no advantage or disadvantage."

Decisions concerning the grade and pricing of the 1911s will not be made until a substantial number have been inspected, estimated to take 150 days post receipt, according to the website.

Potential purchasers must provide CMP with a new set of documents exhibiting:

1) Proof of U.S. citizenship.

2) Proof of membership in a CMP-affiliated club.

3) Proof of participation in a marksmanship activity.

4) A new form 2A with notary.

5) A signed copy of the 01, 02, 07 Federal Firearms License to which the 1911 will be transferred. These are "store front" FFLs.

A NICS background check will be performed by the CMP to assure the customer is eligible to purchase prior to shipment to the "storefront" FFL licensed dealer, according to the website. The customer must receive a "proceed" from NICS prior to shipment of the pistol to the dealer.

The CMP customer will be required to complete a form 4473 in person at the FFL dealer's place of business, successfully passing a NICS check -- in which the information is provided by the FFL holder to NICS, before the pistol can be transferred, according to the website. This is a second NICS check performed on the customer.

Qualified CMP customers will be allowed to purchase only one 1911 per calendar year, the website states.

No 1911s will be available in the CMP stores, or online. Only mail order sales are authorized. All 1911 orders will be shipped via the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx etc, according to the website.

The CMP will set a date on which it will accept orders for the 1911s, according to the website. Once it receives 10,000 orders, customer names will be loaded into a random number generator.

The random number generator will provide a list of names in sequence order through a random picking process. Customers will be contacted in the sequence provided.

When the customer is contacted, a list of available grades and pricing options will be offered, the site states. As the CMP proceeds down the sequenced list, fewer grades and pricing options will be available.

The CMP has been selling M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, 1903s, .22s, etc. for 21 [plus] years, "and we have never taken advantage of anyone," the website states. "CMP is not going to start price gouging people now with the 1911s. The 1911s will be priced at fair market value just like our M1 Garands."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
Clint Eastwood does pretty much whatever he wants at this point. What he wanted to do in 2017 was making a movie about U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and their friend Anthony Sadler. The three men were vacationing in Europe when they stopped a French train terror attack on August 21, 2015.

For Eastwood's movie about Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler, he cast the three men to play themselves. The film opens February 9, 2018. Check out the trailer below.

Eastwood expands the events of August 21st and tells the backstory of the three men's friendship, leading up to their moment of heroism.

The movie cast professional actors in supporting roles, so the first-timers will have backup from Jenna Fischer, Judy Greer, Ray Corasani, PJ Byrne, Tony Hale, and Thomas Lennon.
Some Traditional Performances That Took Place On The Mountain

14.12.2017 LISTEN

The chiefs and people of Yilo State in the Eastern Region as part of the 25th anniversary of its Kloyosikplemi festival embarked on a tour to their ancestral home on the Krobo Mountains.

This was to pay homage to their ancestors and solicit blessings for the coming year.

Early last Saturday, the chiefs, elders and people of the six divisions forming the Yilo State  Bornya, Plau, Bunase, Nyewer, Ogome and Okper  all dressed in their traditional regalia headed for the Krobo Mountains (Shai Mountains), which is located between Afienya (Tema) and Kpong road.

Our ancestors migrated from Israel several years ago and settled on top of this mountain from where they went about their daily activities and these relics lying all over the mountain top is the evidence to tell our story, His Royal Majesty (HRM) of Yilo State, Oklepeme Nuer Annobaah Sasraku II, said.

The ascent along the rugged terrain leading to the summit of the mountain was characterised by drumming, dancing, chanting and singing of war (asafo) songs by various youth groups.

This trek takes a determined tourist, a first time visitor remarked.

An unusual, heaviness can be felt by a first time visitor who is able to make it to the top as one can see a lot like caves, curved out stone cooking utensils and other imagery depicting the way of life of the people at the time.

According to Oklepeme Sasraku, the visit to the mountain annually is a solemn event to invite their ancestors to join them in climaxing activities marking the annual Kloyosikplemi festival.

Interferences and attacks by the colonial British government in the Gold Coast at the time pushed the survivors to relocate downhill to occupy their present location which is why we celebrate Kloyosikplemi, which literally means descent, he revealed.

Addressing an enthusiastic gathering shortly after the mountain experience at a colourful durbar to climax the celebrations at the Akutunya lorry station, Somanya, Oklepeme Sasraku appealed to the government to expedite ongoing projects in the community.

Upper Manya abounds in a number of fruits, especially mango production, and it is for this that I am appealing to government to introduce credible investors to help our people in adding value to the mangoes and other fruits being produced, he added.

By Solomon Ofori
As part of activities lined-up to celebrate this year's Christmas, Media Excel, an event organising firm, will host a three-day musical event dubbed 'Kwahu Republic Music Festival' at Kwahu Abetifi in the Eastern Region.

The three-day music festival, slated from Sunday, December 24 to Tuesday December 26, will witness performances from 30 Ghanaian highlife, gospel and hiplife artistes.

The music festival, according to the organisers, is being held to celebrate Ghanaian music and promote culture and tourism.

The event is also intended to create and promote sustainable businesses and open up job opportunities for the people of the Eastern Region through the arts.

The event will kick off with old timers' night on December 24 and it will witness performances from highlife icons such as Amakye Dede, legendary Nana Ampadu, Aberekyereba Kofi Sammy, Nana Tufuor, among others.

There will be a gospel night concert on December 25 and it will feature gospel giants such as S.P Kofi Sarpong, Nacee, Kwadwo Ampong, Piesie Esther, Nicholas Omane Acheampong and others.

On December 26, the organisers will climax the festival with an event dubbed

'Hiplife Night' at Abetifi.

It will also witness performances from hiplife artistes like Patapaa, Shata Wale, Ebony, Stone Bwoy, Wutah and many others

By George Clifford Owusu
Twenty-two gospel artistes have been invited to perform at the 2017 edition of a gospel musical event dubbed 'Worship Above Reason' (WAR) slated for December 15 at the new fully-air conditioned Dome of the Action Chapel, Spintex in Accra.

The event is being organised to bring together on one platform children of God to worship and praise God and also to thank Him for his blessings.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ireva Consult, Frank Owusu, organisers of the event, said, We are meeting to worship God. It is uninterrupted worship where artistes take turns to minister. There will be no hosts so there will be a smooth flow of the worship experience.

The programme will have artistes such as Ohemaa Mercy, Uncle Ato, Steven Oil, Nana Perby, Diana Asamoah, Nacee and Joe Mettle.

Others are SP Kofi Sarpong, Joe Mettle, Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo, Akese Brempong, Patience Nyarko, Joyce Blessing, Ceccy Twum and Gifty Osei.

The rest are Bernard Amankwah, Israel Ofori, OJ, Cwesi Oteng, Daughters of Glorious Jesus and Abena Ruthy.

The programme is put together by Ireva Consult with support from Event Republic, Event Factory, Footprint TV and Rhythmz Africa.
One of Ghana's most popular musician, Evangelist Diana Asamoah has advised Christians to change their attitude instead of jumping from Church to Church.

Evangelist Diana Asamoah performed at the 2017 edition of 'EXPLOSION OF PRAISE', an annual music festival organized every year by the Assemblies of God Church, Praise and Worship Centre, Bogoso in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region to sing praises and to offer Thanksgiving to the Lord for his mercies throughout the year.

The program was hosted by the Head Pastor, Rev. Dr. Richard Quaw.

During her ministration on Tuesday 12th December 2017, she advised that instead of Christians hopping from Pastor to another and Church to be sometimes bathed 'naked', should change their attitude of arrogance and the Lord will bless them beyond measure.

She urged the audience to read Ephesians 2:8 as their guidance, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God".

The Evangelist reiterated that it takes the Lord's grace and favour to excel in life.

Among the notable Artistes who have performed since the inception of the program in 2012 were; Lady Sarah, Jack Alolomey, Uncle Ato, Evangelist Diana Asamoah, Oware Junior, Powerful Mosese among others.

Uncle Ato also performed on Wednesday and will do same on Thursday as Ernest Opoku Jnr will bring the program to a climax on Friday and Saturday.

Source: Daniel Kaku
Livingstone Etse Satekla who goes by the stage name Stonebwoy, the BHIM Nation General and Zylofon Media signee is a Ghanaian afropop, dancehall and reggae artiste and many recognize him as one of the leading Reggae and Dancehall artists in Africa.

He divulged Grade 1 Album in the year 2012 followed by Necessary Evil Album in the year 2014.

Stonebwoy surprises us with Featured Acts on EOM Album. He enlists International Raggae Acts like Agent Sasco (Jamaica), Sean Paul (Jamaica), Kabaka Pyramid (Jamaica) and more. Not forgetting his root, he also joins forces with couples of Ghana top Acts like Sarkodie, Mugeez, Edem, Joey B and more.

According to the BET award nominee, the album is dedicated to his late mother and all mothers who are sacrificing for their family.

Stonebwoy who has been nominated for the 2018 Reggae group of the year at the Grammys with Morgan Heritage. It has been made clear that, Stonebwoy is the first African Musician to have 24 songs on one album.

Livingstone Etse Satekla aka Stonebwoy in a press listening of his new #EOM album at the Zylofon Media head quarters at East Legon has complained bitterly about some Ghanaian music websites unlawfully putting some musicians hard-works for free download and make double profit from the deed, which does not bring any income to the artist than lost.

Stonebwoy lamented and concluding by saying, some of them might not take those involved on through court or via the law but will beat those involve in other to teach them lessons.

Stonebwoy however threatening "I will sue any blogger who happens to put my music unlawfully on their websites for free downloads".

However, barely a day after dropping the album on iTunes, A music blog site parrynation, had the album uploaded on their sites for free download.

The management of BHIM NATION asked the bloggers of Parrynation to take his album down from the site.This statement fell on a deef ears to the blogger's of parrynation. So Knowgh is on a close look to see if the team is ready to take legal actions on the management of parrynation.
Photo by Pamela - Refuse disposed at Odorkor-Official Town on pavement

14.12.2017 LISTEN

Once upon a time Ghanaians had to carry refuse daily from their homes to a central disposal point in their neighbourhoods usually at dawn.

This activity was mostly undertaken by women and children as they are tasked with household chores such as sweeping and keeping the environment clean.

With the introduction of waste management companies such as Zoom Lion and Asadu, carrying refuse has become a thing of the past as many households are registered with these companies who collects refuse once a week and are paid monthly.

This practice somewhat ensured that the city is very clean while making life easier for the populace.

However, there are some unscrupulous people who have refused to register with these companies and have resorted to dumping rubbish in the middle of major streets and pavement across the capital.

This has become a trend and not a day passes by without noticing a heap of refuse on roads and pavements.

Now this is getting out of hand as most perpetrators go unpunished and there hasn't been any concrete attempt to bring them to books.

I would like to draw the the attention of the sanitation minister and authorities in charge to curb this practice right at its initial stage before it escalates into something else.

Here are few suggestions I would like to make.

First, there should be a task force which will ensure that perpetrators caught in the act are made to pay a huge spot fine thereby deterring others from engaging in same practice.

Secondly, those with grave offences should be sent to the police station, processed for court, given a jail term and be made to pay a fine. These fines could be used to employ people to clean the streets and also to provide dustbins across the capital.

Additionally, boldly designed signboards warning the public to desist from indiscriminately throwing rubbish about should be scattered around with fines visibly displayed on them.

I was very much impressed when Citifmonline.com, reported on two cases where residents of Lapaz and Kwame Nkrumah Interchange were arrested and fined for dumping refuse on the N1 Highway and Kwame Nkrumah Interchange respectively.

It is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done if we are to achieve any meaningful result as a country.
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) is calling for a strict enforcement of laws protecting the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable groups in the country.

In a statement, the Centre also wants a holistic assessment of the implementation of the human rights laws, including the Childrens Act, Domestic Violence Act, (Act 732) the Mental Health Act and to find out whether or not the implementation of the laws have inured to the benefit of the targeted groups.

As part of activities marking the 2017 International Human Rights Day (IHRD), which fell on Sunday, December 10, CDD-Ghana says it is time for government to ensure citizens are well educated and empowered to fight for their civil, political, cultural, economic, and social rights.

The theme for this years celebration  People to know and push for their rights no matter where they are in the World,

Below is the full statement

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY  CDD-GHANA CALLS FOR HOLISTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHT LAWS

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) notices with regret that despite the creditable legal frameworks Ghana has to protect the rights of citizens, there remains a gapping dearth in the implementation and enforcement of legislations that promote the well-being and welfare of vulnerable and marginalized, including children, women, persons with disability and mental patients.

Ghana has signed on to a myriad of international treaties on human rights, including the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). However, holistic enforcement of laws, such as the Childrens Act (Act 560), Domestic Violence Act (Act 732), Persons with Disability Act (Act 715), Human Trafficking Act (Act 694) and the Mental Health Act (Act 846) have not yielded much results.

As the world marks the 2017 International Human Rights Day (IHRD), which fell on Sunday, December 10, CDD-Ghana charges government, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Judiciary, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media to undertake a holistic assessment of the implementation of human right laws in the country, especially those that affect the vulnerable and marginalized.

The theme for this years celebration  People to know and push for their rights no matter where they are in the World, is a clarion call to government to ensure citizens are well educated and empowered to fight for their civil, political, cultural, economic, and social rights. It also presents a distinctive opportunity for all relevant parties to ensure the strict enforcement and adherence to human right laws.

There are glaring indications that Ghana is not making significant strides when it comes to the protection of rights of vulnerable and marginalized. A 2015 BBC documentary rated Ghana as the worst place to live as a disabled person. The rights of mental health patients in the country are despondently abused. Instead of placing them in proper psychiatric health facilities, they are sent to prayer camps, where they are sometimes kept in chains and maltreated. Equally worrying is the spate of defilement/rape cases and the absence of proper structures to counsel and provide rehabilitation of victims.

CDD-Ghana urges government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, CHRAJ, to take bold steps to address these issues. We call on government to make available the list of shelter for battered women and children; evaluate the implementation of the Disability Act, particularly on accessibility; and provide the logistical needs of all mental hospitals in the country. Ghana has a fine opportunity to work assiduously to chart a new path to strengthen the protection of the rights of all citizens.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
Police in Navrongo in the Upper East Region have launched a manhunt for three persons believed to be part of a gang that rob and terrorize travellers and traders along the Chiana-Navrongo Road in the night.

Over the weekend, the gang attacked one of the vehicles of the Water Resource and Sanitation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda at Chiana in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.

The occupants were returning to Navrongo when the incident happened.

The security officer on board the vehicle had knowledge of the presence of gangs and their activities and so prepared for them.

The gang blocked a portion of the road and when the vehicle got to the obstacle, the armed gang members came out of the bush with the sole intention of robbing and molesting the occupants of the vehicle.

The security officer opened fire on them, even before they got close, thereby forcing them to run back into the bush, killing one in the process.

Though the Police in Navrongo are tight-lipped about the matter due to ongoing investigations, a DAILY GUIDE source close to the police said the deceased and the rest of his colleagues are not Fulanis as being speculated.

That is a wrong information, these are people from the area; they are known people. They have been robbing and terrorizing people on that Chiana-Navrongo stretch for some time now and people are aware of them. People are so quick to accuse others for the wrongdoings; if people living along this road are patriotic, they would have exposed these criminals and everybody would have been free; they know them and live with them. I know that efforts were made to get the criminals, even before this killing happened.

Since the Buipe and Yepei bridges were closed for maintenance, travellers from the southern part of the country, traveling to the Northern and those from the Northern part and traveling to the South, have had to use alternative routes to get to their destinations.

Those who use the Wa-Tumu Road in the Upper West Region end up joining the Chiana-Navrongo Road, and that is what seems to have created a fertile ground for armed robbers and other bad boys to operate at night and sometimes during the day.

According to the source, the gang has succeeded in robbing and molesting their victims ever since the traffic on that stretch increased due to the closure of the two bridges.

The Water Resources and Sanitation Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Joseph Kofi Adda, had traveled to Navrongo to perform the funeral rites of his late mother over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the lifeless body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue of the War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo.
CHILDAccra has been adjudged the Best Medical and Preventive Healthcare Clinic of the Year at the recent Quality Service Awards.

Receiving the award, Dr Eleades Fromenta, a medical doctor at the facility thanked organizers, Gehab Events, for recognizing the immense work and service being rendered to the general public by ChildAccra.

According to Dr Fromenta, this award means a lot to ChildAccra as it proves yet again that we are gaining recognition for all the hard work we have put in making the clinic the best in medical and preventive healthcare.

For us, it shows how innovative we are and we will keep raising the bar by creating new services to suit the needs of our patients.

Such innovation is seen in, for instance, one of our services called Beyond the Nets".

He said the campaign went beyond net usage and create awareness; conduct a lot of research and training on mosquito-borne diseases; and provide preventive products such as bands, soaps, wipes and creams to help prevent malaria.

"We go beyond the norm by thinking outside the box to find solutions adds Dr Fromenta.

Dalene Lindsay, an executive of the centre who also shared her views on the clinics latest milestone believes the successes and recognition being received by the clinic comes down to its ability provide tailor-made solutions to its clients and customers.

Our clinic has transitioned from Emergency care to preventive care. We have customized malaria prevention programs, we have a womens health programme as well as an intensive care programme, he said.

All these wonderful services are provided by a dedicated and well-trained team, she says.

Our team goes above and beyond with patient care; we maintain a special relationship with our patients because relationship is what increases patient retention. Indeed, we dwell more on patient experience and satisfaction she emphasises.

ChildAccra has set itself a mission is to educate, support and provide health care that nurtures patient trust and loyalty.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com | JoyBusiness
14.12.2017 LISTEN

A mobile preacher in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, has been arrested for attacking the noise control unit team after his equipment were seized.

According to the noise control team, the equipment of Evangelist Abraham Arthur were seized for violating a KMA bylaw that prohibits preaching activities after 10am.

Abraham Arthur struggled with the taskforce to prevent the seizure and ended up smashing the windscreen of their vehicle with one of his sound speakers.

The Head of Noise Control Unit, Mr. Kombal Edmund told Joy News Erastus Asare Donkor that he sent the team to canvas the streets to ensure there was less noise on the streets and preachers especially, were adhering to the bylaw.

I would rather prefer to die than have my gadgets seized, Evangelist Arthur told the task force according to Mr. Kombal.

Mr. Kombal also told the reporter that, Evangelist Arthur had no permit from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

He also told Erastus that, all preachers are supposed to quit their morning activities by 10:00 am and violators will have to either face court action initiated by the task force or pay a penalty to have their seized equipment released to them.

Meanwhile, Evangelist Arthur is in police custody and being prepared for court.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com| Oswald K. Azumah
A group, calling itself Concerned Voters Movement, is calling on President Akufo-Addo to immediately review a 15-year contract awarded to a Board Member of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Kojo Graham.

Mr. Kojo Graham, who doubles as an external lawyer and Chairman of the entity Tender Committee of the NLA, is reported to have awarded contracts of the NLA to his own company, LOTS Services to the tune of GH89 million Ghana cedis between 2013 and 2017.

President of the group, Razak Kojo Poku, told Citi News that he cannot fathom how an individual will make more money from the NLA than the revenue the entity pays into the consolidated fund.

He alleged that Mr. Graham was peddling falsehood against the current Managing Director of the NLA, Osei-Ameyaw, after he tried to freeze the 'dubious' payments.

Graham had a 15-year contract with the NLA, and he had the contract under a very strange circumstance when he was a board member of the NLA, Chairman of the Tender Committee of NLA, and external lawyer for NLA, and he awarded a 15-year contract to his own company, it doesn't make sense, he said.

Why should an individual receive more money on monthly basis than the money the NLA pays into the consolidated fund? If you are a Director General and you believe in the vision of the president of avoiding some of these reckless and wastage of financial resources, and you decide to block this money from going to the individual, clearly speaking, they will stage a conspiracy theory against you and that is exactly what Kojo Graham is doing to Osei Ameyaw, Razak Kojo Poku said.

He further called on President Akufo-Addo to urgently investigate the matter since he is committed to fighting corruption in the country.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Group wants dubious NLA contract for Kojo Graham investigated appeared first on Ghana News .
Member of Parliament for Asawase is angry at what he says is the snail's pace strategy adopted by the Health Ministry and the Ghana Health Service in vaccinating students of Senior High Schools contaminated either by meningitis or swine flu.

Muntaka Mubarak cannot understand what is preventing the two institutions from providing the necessary vaccinations to the schools especially the affected ones.

It is exactly a week since the health ministry diagnosed swine flu as the cause of death of some four students of Kumasi Academy. A dozen others were treated with the same symptoms and discharged.

Since then there have been reported cases of deaths in Koforidua Secondary Technical, Bawku Senior Technical and Damongo Secondary all of which are confirmed cases of meningitis.

The Head of Disease and Surveillance Unit at the Ghana Health Service Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe told Joy News they are working with the WHO to import the necessary vaccines to stop the spread of the diseases.

He said the initiative to import the vaccines is being championed by the ministry and WHO. According to him, once the virus has been detected a process has to be followed to ensure the virus is compatible with the vaccines. But that process has been concluded and it will take some days to import at least 10,000 doses of the vaccines into Ghana, he stated.

But the Asawase MP believes the process is too slow adding Ghanas emergency health system appears to be broken down.

Kumasi Academy students

Muntaka Mubarak is afraid the situation will worsen if the contaminated students go on vacation.

"We all know how the spread of virus is and how devastating it can be. You tell me which part of the world that you cannot get to Ghana in 72 hours?" he asked.

"The Health Minister should sit up. They should concentrate on prevention, he said adding, we are losing the next generation of this country.

They were able to know the cause of death on Wednesday. Its now one full week, he said, adding it shouldnt take more than 72 hours to get vaccination imported into the country.

NAGRAT

The Vice President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) Angel Karbonu told Joy News they are worried about the situation.

When he was asked if the deaths and the outbreak of meningitis have something to do with the introduction of the Free SHS, Mr Angel Karbonu said the issue of congestion has always been part of the Senior High School System and cannot say whether or not the situation has been aggravated by the free SHS policy.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
The decision by the government to reduce the 2018 budgetary allocation to the Information Ministry from 141million to 107million, has triggered sharp criticisms from Members of Parliament (MPs).

The lawmakers say the reduction threatens the survival of agencies under the Ministry such as state broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation that is reeling under a 44million debt.

Member of Parliaments Communications Committee, Ras Mubarak has asked the Information Ministry to operate within its means.

He hinted it will not be out of place for the Information Ministry to take money from other ministries for the organisation of the meet the press series and other promotional activities.

It will be useful for the ministries that they seek to promote to bring money, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP said.

The Information Ministry has the core mandate of disseminating information on public policies, programmes, projects and activities to Ghanaians.

Related Article: GBC must disclose proceeds from 2016 election  Kyei Mensah

It has oversight responsibility for six agencies namely GBC, Information Services Department (ISD), Graphic Communications Group, Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ghana Publishing Company Limited and New Times Corporation.

The Ministrys budget has been cut down by 24 percent, a development the MPs say will affect its operation at a time some of its agencies are grappling with challenges.

Already, the state broadcaster is struggling to operate due to the huge debt it owes several service providers including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu

Power supply to some GBC offices across the country has been disconnected because of the mounting debt.

But Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has asked the management of the Corporation to disclose proceeds from the 2016 political advertisement on its platforms.

GBC, in particular, was inundated with several advertisements from various political parties. It will be interesting to know how much they earned and how much indeed was paid to them. It will help greatly in reducing its indebtedness, he said on the floor of Parliament Wednesday.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | AKABP
Professor Kwame Karikari, Chairman, Board of Directors of the Graphic Communications Group, on Tuesday said media reportage, needs to be objective, analytical and critical.

He said it was also important that the media served all sections of the society, without tendencies towards unfairness and bias.

Prof. Karikari said this at an inaugural lecture, organized by the Public Agenda and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, at the Du Bois Centre, in Accra.

It was on the theme: 'The Media, Human Rights and Politics in Ghana.'

He said whilst freedom of the media which was being enjoyed in the country, had greatly promoted democracy with a lot of citizen participation in public governance on one hand, there was also a growing tendency towards monopoly of the media.

'Thus what appears to be media pluralism could only be a mirage because media would only be interest based,' Prof. Karikari said.

He noted that in the past, especially during authoritarian regimes, state ownership of the media had been resisted by the citizenry for the sake of the overall progress of the country.

Prof. Karikari said this was because monopoly over the media was not good for our democracy, whether it was by the state or any other group.

He said once the media was controlled by a group or groups of people, they only promoted their cause, and left out issues that might be very important for the common good.

Whilst commending both the state and private media for exposing human rights abuses such as Trokosi and witch camps, and even freeing some victims of these systems, he said the media had generally concentrated on socio-economic issues, and not those concerned with human rights.

Prof. Karikari observed that most stories on human rights were mere news reports and lacked in-depth analyses, adding that adequate follow-ups to such stories were hardly done.

He said whilst the constitution 'explicitly' protected the independence of the state-owned media and the media's mandate to be free, independent, critical and to demand accountability from governance, 'the state owned media still remains timid after 25 years'.

Prof. Karikari said for the country's democracy to thrive and develop, there was the need for a media that could raise critical developmental issues which were crucial to the development of the country.

He said this was much better than promoting insults and propaganda, which only sought to serve specific interests and not the national and general good.

Prof. Karikari said it was important that the rights and privileges of the masses, who contributed immensely, not only to the socio economic progress of the country but also, the lot of the politician, were appropriately addressed by the media.

The programme was chaired by Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, Dean of the School of Communications Studies, University of Ghana-Legon.

GNA

By Anane/Sanah, GNA
The Agbozume District Police in the Volta Region has arrested Dick Dogbey Amedoda, Assemblyman for Logove Electoral Area in the Ketu-South Municipality for allegedly tapping power illegally from the national grid to run his business.

A press release made available to the Ghana News Agency said Mrs. Christine Hadzi, Denu District Manager, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) said the arrest followed a report made by some staff of the Company who detected the illegality while on routine monitoring operations.

She said the Assemblyman who operated a corn mill owed the ECG about GHE31,000.00 and following threats by the Company to disconnect his power supply; he paid GHE1, 000.00.

Mrs Hadzi said the Assemblyman's refusal to pay the remaining debt led to the disconnection of power supply to his facility.

She said the Assemblyman then tapped power supply to the corn mill from his residence, which was also disconnected by ECG when it was detected.

Mrs Hadzi said the Company later discovered that the Assemblyman personally replaced the meter which had been disconnected, and reconnected power supply with no record of the new meter in the ECG system.

She said further checks revealed that the Assemblyman did illegal connection and this led to his arrest.

GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Tinkorang, has given the assurance that the Influenza Type A (swine flu) outbreak at the Kumasi Academy Senior High School (KUMACA) was now under control.

He therefore called for calm, saying there was no cause for any public anxiety.

Four students died of the flu and 81 others fell sick and had to receive treatment at the hospital.

Eleven (11) of them are still on admission - five at the Kumasi South, three at KNUST hospital, two at Manhyia and one at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Dr. Tinkorang said he expected normal school activities would resume as soon as counsellors brought in to provide the school community with psychological counselling were done with their job.

Speaking at a sensitization programme on the flu held for journalists in Kumasi, he said he was confident no student in the school was going to catch the infection.

The programme was meant to help the media to correctly report on the flu, avoid sensationalism and misinformation that could create fear and panic among the people.

Seven students of the SHS had in April, been killed by cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and Dr. Tinkorang said although they were yet to establish why the same school should be hit by these infections within a space of about seven months, the two were unrelated.

He identified symptoms of the flu as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, runny nose, nausea, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, joint pains and chills.

GNA

By Gifty Amofa, GNA
Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) continues to receive more recognition for excellence in the oil and the gas sector.

At the 4th edition of the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards (GOGA), GOIL was honoured with the award of Oil Marketing Company of the Year, while Group Chief Executive and Managing Director of GOIL, Patrick Akorli, was conferred with the Exemplary Leadership Award for Policy Initiative in the Petroleum Sector.

The awards were received on behalf of Mr. Akorli by a delegation of GOIL team led by the Head of Finance, Mr. Ofori Sarkwa.

For the fourth consecutive year, GOGA has rewarded the best of industry players from the upstream, midstream and downstream to allied and supply chain service providers.

At a glitzy event at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, more than 50 individuals and organisations were rewarded for their contribution to the success of an industry that contributes millions of dollars in foreign exchange and creates thousands of jobs.

The awards ceremony recognises achievements from local and international companies involved in the Ghana oil and gas sector and rewarded those that have played a defining role in moving the industry forward. The 2017 edition came off on the theme: Ten years of Oil Discovery; Four years of celebrating excellence.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister for Energy, in charge of Petroleum, urged all Ghanaians to collectively support the government in its strive to develop the oil and gas industry to ensure Ghanaians derive maximum benefit.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
As part of its social responsibility, the Paradise Way Chapel International is to commission a GHc 10,000 bore hole for the people of the Yilonayili community in the Tamale Metropolis on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

The church would also donate computers to schools in the host community and hold an end of year party for school children with a whole cow. Traditional leaders and the District Chief Executive for the area would grace the occasion.

Founder of the church, Pastor Sunshine Adam told The Chronicle that the donation is an annual exercise on the calendar of the church to alleviate the plight of host communities.

This donation is part of our social responsibility to help address the needs of the people in the communities we as a church operate in, he said, adding that the Paradise Way Chapel exists to bring light to the people.

Pastor said the church must seek the physical well being of the people after giving them the gospel. He noted that Christians have a greater responsibility to impact the world in words and in deeds.

Pastor Adam said the Paradise Way Chapel which was started fifteen years ago, has the vision of empowering Kingdom builders for maximum impact in their society.

The church has five branches in Accra and its environs and would start operations in Tamale before the close of December this year.

After evangelizing for close to two decades in the southern sector of the country, its now time to move to the northern part with the gospel and Tamale is the starting point, Pastor Adam said
14.12.2017 LISTEN

An Accra Circuit court has remanded a scrap dealer Emmanuel Aryeetey, who appeared before it with the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

Emmanuel was said to have conspired with two other persons now at large and robbed one Nana Takyi of his waist bag containing an amount of GHC360.00.

He pleaded not guilty before the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, is to reappear on December 21.

Prosecuting, Superintendent of Police, Patience Mario told the court that, the complainant Nana Takyi trades in men's shoes at Kaneshie, under the overhead bridge at night, while the accused person, a Scrap dealer, lives at Abbosey Okai together with his accomplices now at large.

She said on December 5, at about midnight, the complainant was eating in front of a store when Emmanuel and his accomplices attacked him at knife point and robbed him of his waist bag containing an amount of GHE360.00.

According to the prosecution luck eluded the accused and he was arrested together with the complainant's bag, but the money could not be traced.

Mrs Mario said Emmanuel was handed over to the Kaneshie police together with the exhibit for investigation. In his caution statement he admitted the offence and mentioned Adama and Sazway as his accomplices but failed to lead the police to their hideout. GNA

By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr. Francis Asong, Executive Director, Voice Ghana, says the group's advocacy on a disability manifesto, aims at serving as a working document for political parties and policy makers in their future planning for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

According to the National Disability Rights, Advocacy and Capacity Building Organisation, the manifesto would also serve as a reference document to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in their strategic plans and policy frameworks.

Mr Asong made these remarks in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, on the sideline of a national stakeholder's forum on the development of a disability manifesto; a project funded by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

The forum registered over 40 participants representing disability experts, social workers, academia and government functionaries.

Participants held group discussions and shared experience among themselves.

In Ghana, majority of PWDs are largely excluded from the development processes and so have extremely limited opportunities to engage in public consultations and decision- making.

Isolation and confinement based on traditions; superstitions including prejudices and negative beliefs continue to affect PWDs, especially those at the grassroots.

As a result, people with disabilities continue to face severe social stigma, creating a culture of entrenched discrimination emerging from physical and social barriers; majority of them are also ostracized from the larger society.

These problems bring widespread exclusion and marginalization of persons with disabilities from the development processes, public consultations, civic engagement and democratic governance processes.

Discrimination against PWDs is one of the major problems undermining the progress of democratic practice, unfortunately duty bearers including policy makers and traditional authorities are rather giving low attention to issues concerning PWDs.

Mr Asong told the GNA that some work has been done on a different angle by the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation and National Council of Persons With Disabilities; he noted that they would consult these organisations to harness these documents together, to make it more authentic.

He said there would also be a number of consultations at regional and district levels with organisations, PWDs and other stakeholders, adding that 'so at the end everyone will be willing to identify with the final product'.

The Executive Director said the next line of action would be the validation period which will gather all civil society organisations and the disability fraternity especially, to validate the document; afterwards, it would be published and officially launched.

Mr Asong said after the launch there would be an awareness creation effort to sensitise the public that there is a document that puts all development indicators together for easy reference for whoever wants to engage in development initiatives of PWDs.

He said the current Disability Act was being reviewed to conform with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWDs, whereas there are already existing policies and legislative frameworks.

He said the manifesto would compliment all these policies and frameworks.

Mr Asong, who commended OSIWA for its effort, said this was not the only project they are implementing, as it formed part of a major project they implementing for the past one and half years, which would end by June next year.

He said the intention was to see how best they could increase active participation and inclusion of PWDs in local governance and decision making processes; and this project was currently taking place in 10 districts in the Eastern Region.

The Executive Director said it was also taking place in 10 districts in the Northern Region as they implemented a similar one in the Volta Region; adding that ' today's event is part of the entire two year project that we are implementing with OSIWA and hope to continue several other engagements with them'

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr David Asante-Apeatu, Inspector-General of Police, has called on police Officers at the various districts to come out with comprehensive contingency plans to deal with societal concerns in the coming yuletide and New Year.

Mr Asante-Apeatu, made the call in a speech read on his behalf at the graduating ceremony of Senior Command Course Six at the Ghana Police Command and Staff Collage, Winneba.

He said the Police Administration will give them the requisite backing, logistics and motivation to deliver quality service to execute operations, while upholding the principles of democratic policing with special emphasis on the respect of human rights.

On indiscipline and unprofessional conduct, the IGP said the indiscretions of a few miscreants would not be allowed to blight all the good efforts they are making to raise the image of the service.

'In this regard the Police Administration has strengthened the Police intelligence, Professional Standards and the Inspections unit to investigate all reports and allegations of corruption, misuse of power and other aberrations that negate all our good work'.

The IGP urged all Officers of the Service to uphold and defend the principles of the service at all times.

He announced that the administration has released guidelines for increased numbers of police officers who wish to pursue higher education, saying these are in line with government's desire to have a service of well trained and motivated policemen and women.

COP Mr Charles Tokor, Commandant of the College, said 26 Police Superintendents drawn from various divisions were the participants at course and they were taken through various topics including police operational strategies, investigation, emerging security issues and national security architecture.

He expressed the hope that the officers having successfully completed the course will use the knowledge and skills acquired in a more professional and efficient way to the service of the nation.

He thanked the IGP and the Police Administration for providing the requisite resources to make the course a reality.

GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr. Dennis Armah-Frempong, Agona East District Chief Executive (DCE), has cut the sod for the construction work to begin on various structures of the Agona Asafo AME Zion Junior High School (JHS).

They include a six classroom block, office, and a toilet facility.

The project, which would be completed in five months, is funded by the German government.

Mr. Armah-Frempong expressed concern that many schools in Agona Asafo are dilapidated and this has made teaching and learning very difficult.

The DCE said the Akufo-Addo's government has prioritized education as one of its top policies, hence the implementation of the free Senior High School Programme.

He said education is the only panacea to reduce poverty among families and that many developed countries including America have sank more resources into the educational sector.

The DCE disclosed that the Agona East Assembly has identified many basic schools in the district which are in deplorable state and some needed to be demolished to pave way for the construction of new blocks.

He called on the teachers, parents and other stakeholders in education to come out with a comprehensive strategic plan that would facilitate the promotion of quality education.

Mr Armah-Frempong expressed concern about the numerous reports of defecation in classrooms saying the situation was affecting effective teaching and learning.

Nana Apata Kofi, Co-Managing Director of Mbil and Sons Construction Company, the project contractor, assured the DCE, chiefs and school authorities of Agona Asafo AME Zion that the work would be completed on schedule.

He called on the chiefs and school authorities to help in the supervision of materials being used for the project to ensure value for money.

Nana Yamfo Nsuako, Agona Asafohene, appealed to the AME Zion Church to support educational projects, adding that government alone cannot provide all educational structures for the schools.

He urged parents in the Agona Asafo to invest in their children's education, adding that education is the key to the development of the society.

Mr. Ohene Ntim, Representative of the Ministry of Education (MOE), said the Ministry of Education is undertaking more of such projects in many parts of the country to facilitate quality education.

Mr. Ntim expressed hope that the contractors would complete project in the stipulated period.
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission has join forces with Johnson and Johnson to engage some youth in HIV/AIDS related activities in Koforidua.

The celebration held to commemorate the World AIDS month is aimed at tackling the pandemic from various dimensions ranging from awareness creation and education, voluntary counselling and testing, preventative measures demonstration, educational sessions on treatment and an exhibition on available HIV/AIDS services.

The event was also to reignite conversations around the HIV/AIDS epidemic and mobilise the youth and the community to 'take the power back into their own hands'.

The celebration was held under the theme: 'Young people-know your status; seek early treatment; make HIV history'.

Ms Lynda Arthur, Johnson and Johnson's Regional Execution Lead (Global Public Health) for West Africa, said her organisation is committed to fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the society.

She said the organisation has a number of programmes aimed at creating awareness in order to prevent the spread of HIV.

From a treatment perspective, she said, the organisation works to bring innovative HIV medicines- Antiretroviral (ARV's) make them accessible to patients.

Ms Arthur said despite having made advancement in HIV treatment, Johnson and Johnson, one of the world's largest healthcare company, believes that the hope for a world without AIDS lies in the prevention of the disease.

She said a clinical study, which will test a preventative vaccine in 2,600 women in five sub-Saharan African countries, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, would be undertaken.

The mosaic-based concept, she said, is designed as a 'global vaccine ', potentially capable of preventing a wide range of viral strains responsible for HIV.

'This is just one of many ways in which we are using technology and innovation to drive our vision to make HIV history', she said.

Dr Fred Nana Poku, the Ag. Policy and Technical Manager at the Ghana AIDS Commission, called on all stakeholders to ensure that more sensitization is done among the youth to address the high rate of infection.

He urged the youth to desist from immoral sexual activities or use preventive measures such as condom.

Ishmael Selassie, the Youth Program Coordinator of PPAG, called for more support and commitment of all stakeholders in addressing the HIV challenge.

'Continuous support, through information, training and sustained awareness creation at all levels is required in addressing the pandemic', he said.
14.12.2017 LISTEN

A six-year old girl by name, Joy, diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, is appealing to well-meaning Ghanaians and philanthropists to help her raise 50,000 dollars for her treatment in South Africa within the shortest possible time.

Her recovery looked bleak unless 'we are able to raise 50,000 dollars for her treatment as soon as possible,' a statement issued by her mother, Ms Anna Koranteng, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, said.

'The thought of losing my Joy is an unbearable one, but that is what I face now unless I am able to raise this amount immediately.

'And so I make this humble appeal to you for financial assistance in order to give my brilliant girl the chance to live and become the doctor that she wants to become in future.

'Without your kind donation, and that of those who you can also reach out to on our behalf, Joy may not make it. Please lend a hand to save my baby's life,' the statement said.

Donations could be sent through MTN mobile money number: 0245958002 and to Barclays Bank, Cape Coast Branch, Account Number; 0371007695, with the Account Name: Anna Aboagyewa Koranteng. GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Some adolescent female students in the Assin South District have mentioned sexual harassment from some unscrupulous male teachers who demanded sexual relationships with them as a troubling factor that needs national attention.

They indicated that when such requests were declined, teachers resorted to unnecessary severe punishments, hatred and vilification thereby creating an unfriendly atmosphere that affected their studies and ultimately led to their failure in examinations.

At a national durbar held at Andoe in the Assin South District to commemorate 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the girls narrated their ordeal and appealed to the Gender Minister, Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba to help bring such teachers to book.

The durbar which climaxed a 16-day long campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence was sponsored by Plan International, World Vision, Department for International Development and UN Gender Team and attracted chiefs, queenmothers, students, girls groups and the public.

They called for stiffer punishment for such teachers who unduly took advantage of such vulnerable young girls as sex objects to satisfy their sexual libido.

However, some boys who spoke with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of the programme denied any such sexual advances from female teachers but corroborated sexual harassment from some male teachers on female students.

They also called on parents to endeavour to provide the needs of their children to prevent some of the girls from falling prey to such social miscreants who pretended to support them as fathers in schools.

The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) used the platform to issue a stern warning to religious organizations and pastors who were parading innocent children as witches or wizards on their television stations to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

The sector Minister, Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba who gave the warning said pronouncing and stigmatizing children as witches or wizards on television were clear infringements on their rights particularly the under aged.

"This kind of maltreatment affected the child's emotional and psychological ability to interact and move freely in society without being called names" she noted, adding that the provisions of the law on child protection were unambiguously stated and must be respected by everybody.

According to her, every society, no matter its cultural, economic or social background, could and must stop violence and abuse against children, adding that the Constitution, Children's Acts, and other Conventions, made all forms of physical violence, abuse or psychological torture against children illegal and a criminal offence.

Reverend Solomon Quaye, Founder and Leader of Transforming Lives Ministry, who expressed his displeasure with the practice, urged the Ministry to crack the whip on such pastors and television stations that were bent on subjecting such children to public ridicule.

He also called on traditional authorities and religious leaders to prioritise the needs of children and support in ensuring that their rights were protected to enable them grow to become responsible adults.

Earlier, scores of school children from the area took to the streets to raise awareness for an all inclusive efforts to help eliminate gender-based violence and abuses meted out to women.

Some placards they held read "stop violence against women and children, invest in women and girls, both boys and girls must go to school, both women and girls are partners in development" among others to create a free and safe environment for women and girls in the country.

GNA

By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

During the consideration by Parliament of the 2018 Budget Estimates for Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Alhaji Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South, could not help reminding the nation to keep its flora and fauna intact.

Among the estimates the House considered and approved were those for the Ministry of Local Government (GHC359.31 million); the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (GHC347.34 million), and the Ministry of Health (GHC4.42 billion).

But Alhaji Dauda, a professional teacher and former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, in a contribution to the Report of the Finance Committee to approve the budget estimate for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources went down memory lane and brought the House to nostalgic moments of the days of yore, when travellers rode through soothing shady trees, which he called 'forests' 'from Bekwai to Kumasi.'

First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, who chaired proceedings for the day asked the Legislator to tell House when that happened to which he replied when 'we were in Middle School'.

Middle School is an old schooling system in Ghana, covering four years of post primary education, before one entered High School. That was before the era of the full implementation of the Junior High School system in 1987.

Despite being on the Minority Side, the Legislator, who is also a former Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, lauded the Majority Government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for announcing a programme to plant a total of 30,000 hectares of trees in 2018.

He said the project was ambitious, but however called for its support from both sides of the House to save Ghana's forest cover, which he said was depleting at a very alarming rate.

He cautioned that if the present trend of deforestation continued, Ghana would lose its natural forest cover by the year 2040.

All efforts, Aljaji Dauda said, should be gathered to commit enough resources to the forestation programme despite its seemingly high cost because the benefits to be derived far outweighed the cost.

He urged the Minority Side to hold the Government accountable to commit enough resources for the success of the project.

Mr Yaw Addo Frimpong, NPP- MP for Manso Adubia, commended the Government on introducing reforms that had brought improvement in land title documentation.

Dr Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, MP (NDC) for Wa Central, also in a contribution noted the vast destruction of the forest through illegal mining, nicknamed 'galamsey.'

He called further for early and regular releases by the Ministry of Finance of royalties to traditional authorities who owned lands.

Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, a former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and MP for Juaboso Constituency, wondered why an allocation of GHC8 million for the Ghana Bauxite Authority in the 2018 Budget, when the Authority was yet to be established.

During the consideration of the Finance Committee report to approve the estimate of the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, other contributors expressed in very strong terms for the nation to have its own soil texting mechanisms, rather than being sent to foreign lands for examination.

With the estimates for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, contributors expressed worry on the chunk of the inflows into that sector from foreign sources against the declaration of President Nana Akufo Addo of a 'Ghana beyond aid.'
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The University of Ghana in collaboration with the German Ministry of Education and Research have signed an agreement to establish the Merian International Centre for Advanced Studies in Africa, located at the University of Ghana, Legon.

The goal of the Centre is to develop an intellectual programme and research agenda that could make the significance of African knowledge production more visible in its effect.

The Centre will be headquartered at the University of Ghana in Accra, with a second office location at the Centre de Recherches sur les Politiques sociales in Dakar, Senegal.

The Centre, expected to start in mid-2018, is to bridge the knowledge divide between Africa and the rest of the world.

Professor Francis Dodoo, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana signed for Ghana while Professor Andreas Mehler, Director of the Arnold-Bergstraesser Institute, Freiburg University signed on behalf of Germany.

Prof Dodoo said the German consortium that won the bid to establish the centre was of the strong conviction that the University Of Ghana College Of Humanities in West Africa, offered the best location to establish the Centre.

He said that the Centre would bring together both leading and emerging scholars from Africa and the world to produce and disseminate path-breaking, rigorous and relevant scholarship in the social sciences and humanities in Africa.

According to Prof Dodoo that conviction enabled University of Ghana to establish a compelling partnership characterized by a clear vision, commitment and mutual respect.

'We pledge to do our utmost to ensure that the Centre thrives and catalyses African centred knowledge production for addressing some of the burning global issues of the 21st Century,' he added.

Prof Mehler said the institution which would serve the entire continent, would put top research in the Humanities and Social Sciences on a new, international recognised level, and giving it at the same time a new direction.

He mentioned that 'Sustainable Governance' would be the key topic around which the research at the institute would be organised to offer great potential for policy advice and outreach to Africa's academic communities.

'We want to activate high potentials within people, and foster a climate of true collaboration among the fellows of the institute, between senior and junior researchers, African and non-African researchers and across disciplinary boundaries,' he added.

GNA

By Kodjo Adams, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

A 30 year old Policeman has appeared before an Accra District Court for allegedly raping a 19 year old girl at Cantonments in Accra.

Akossey Jake, a General Constable has initially been charged with Rape.

The court presided over by Mr. Worlanyo Kotoku did not take his plea and remanded him into Police custody to reappear on December 27.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Simeon Terkpor told the court that the victim who is also the complainant is a student residing at Cantonments with her mother.

Sergeant Terkpor said the victim's mother operate a chop bar behind the National Police Headquarters in Accra.

According to the prosecutor, the victim's mother used part of the chop bar as their fixed place of abode.

Prosecution said Jake resides at Kaneshie in Accra and has been patronising the chop bar where the victim usually assists her mother to sell food and drinks.

On November 17, this year, at about 11:30pm, the accused person came to the chop bar to purchase drink and after being served with the drink, the accused began caressing the victim.

''The victim protested and asked the suspect to leave the bar but the suspect refused and forcibly had sexual intercourse with the complainant without her consent'.

The Prosecution said the complainant then called her mother who had travelled and narrated her ordeal to her and her uncle as well.

Sergeant Terkpor said the victim's uncle accompanied her to the Cantonments Police station where a report was made and the victim was issued with a medical report form to seek medical attention.

Prosecution said the matter was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the accused was arrested.

GNA

By Joyce Danso, GNA
Gideon Laryea, a property agent has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defiling his 10 year old niece at Osu.

Laryea is said to have admitted inserting his finger into the victim's vagina but denied have sexual intercourse with her.

Charged with two counts of defilement, Laryea has pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mrs. Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku has remanded Laryea into Police custody to reappear on December 21.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Adolphine Dzansi said the complainant is a 30 year old trader residing at Osu with her 10 year daughter, who is the victim in the case.

DSP Dzansi said the victim however spends the weekends with her paternal grandmother in their family house.

According to the prosecutor, Laryea who is an uncle to the victim and resides in the family house sharing a chamber and hall with his father.

Prosecution said Laryea normally does his laundry on Sundays and investigations revealed that Laryea often invites the victim to come and sit by him whiles washing.

He then gave his phone loaded with nude pictures to the victim to watch and subsequently, 'sent the victim to his father's room, suck her breast, inserted his fingers into her vagina and have sexual intercourse with her,' prosecution told the court.

DSP Dzansi said the victim since August this year has endured the ordeal to date.

According to the prosecutor, further investigations revealed that on December 2, this year, at about 10:00am, the complainant sent the victim to her grandmother, there Laryea called her, fondled her and had sexual intercourse with her on a bed at where he usually does his washing.

The same day, prosecution said the complainant noticed blood stains in the victim's pants and thought she had menstruated.

On December 11, this year, at about 6:00am, the complainant noticed blood stains again in the victim's pants and quizzed her.

'It was there that the victim broke down and told her that accused has been fingering her and having sexual intercourse with her anytime she goes to her grandmother's place,'' prosecution said.

The prosecutor said the complainant informed her husband and accused person was arrested and brought to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), Accra where a medical report form was issued to the victim.

Prosecution said Laryea in his cautioned statement admitted inserting his finger into the victim's vagina but denied having sex with her.

GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

London, Dec. 13, GNA - The Swiss government has agreed to return to Nigeria $320 million allegedly looted from state coffers by the late Nigerian military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The deal had been agreed in March, but there were legal complications over the return of the money, said to be the final tranche of billions of dollars of looted funds that Gen. Abacha had kept in Swiss banks.

In 2014, a court in Switzerland froze the money but Gen Abacha's son challenged the ruling.

However, earlier this week a deal was reached at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) in Washington and the funds will finally be returned to the Nigerian government.

Over the last 10 years, as successive Nigerian governments chased the looted funds, the Swiss government handed over $700 million, with the outstanding $320 million to be returned over the next three years.

When President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015, he made assets recovery and fighting corruption a major policy of his administration.

But in this robust campaign, innocent victims have been accused of being party to corruption and some have taken legal action to clear their names.

Earlier this month, the High Court in Abuja dismissed claims of multiple money laundering charges and bribery of electoral officials against businessman Benedict Peters and one of his companies, Northern Belt Gas Company.

The court ruled that the $60 million in campaign funds donated by Mr Peters and his company to the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 presidential election did not constitute an infringement of the country's electoral laws.

The court also heard that Mr Peters bribed electoral officers $115 million to influence the outcome of the election.

Mr Peters, owner of Aiteo Group, which consists of one of Nigeria's largest locally owned oil companies, denied the allegation, arguing that he did not violate any aspect of Nigeria's Electoral Act.

Mr Justice Olukayode Adeniyi agreed with Mr Peters and dismissed the case against him.

In order to deal with what he believes to be 'unjustified media attacks based on unfounded rumours and prosecuted by some uninformed people', Mr Peters has instructed lawyers locally and internationally to handle allegations made against him and his companies.

Andrew Onyearu, Aiteo Group Executive Director and General Counsel, said in a statement: 'the Group has been adversely affected by a litany of unsustainable unlawful developments affecting both reputational and commercial integrity in a manner that has negatively impacted its operations.

'The Group can no longer allow this situation to continue and as such, has resolved to take steps to protect all its legal interests.

'Recent positive - and ground breaking - outcomes from judicial interventions that we have achieved serve as clear pointers about the direction that we are now pursuing.

'Increasing the successful utilisation of the judicial process in areas where we have been wronged will be the main objective of the team we have now put together,' Mr Onyearu added.

GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Professor De-Velera Botway, a Senior Lecture at the Department of History at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has called on the youth to embark on a positive revolution to save the continent from its persistent socio-economic and political crisis.

They must seek greater accountability, transparency and real dedication and commitments from leadership to reverse the rising economic hardships, despondency and hopelessness among the masses.

He explained that it was only through a positive revolutionary spirit of action that could transform the continent and save its 1.216 billion people from poverty enslavement, pervasive corruption, unemployment and other challenges militating it development.

Prof. Botway made the call on Tuesday, after a procession held by the Ghana Coalition of African Americans Against Enslavement and Inhumane Treatment of African Migrants in Libya in Cape Coast to register its protest against enslavement and inhumane treatment of African migrants in Libya.

The solidarity procession organized nationwide was to solidarise with migrants in the world and particularly those in Libya for the horrific treatment that was being meted out to them.

He described the acts as "sickening" and contrary to all fundamental values of human dignity and therefore joined the masses of the people across the globe who were talking and marching for swift action to be taken to end the barbaric sale of human beings in Libya.

Prof Botway called on the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to intervene, adding that "slavery and the trading of human parts were very serious and unequivocally crimes against humanity."

"The African Union (AU) must invoke its protocols and charters that protected the fundamental human rights and dignity."

He said the AU has enacted many charters, protocols, principles and treaties such as Article 5 of the AU Charter on Human and people's rights.

In that vein, he said it was time for Africa to begin its long journey to industrialise its economies to create employment for the unemployed youth to drastically reduce the penchant of the youth who often embarked on these dangerous and fruitless journeys in search non-existing greener pastures.

In addition to that, they should end lamentations of problems by making conscious efforts to add value to exportable raw materials to expand the various economies to create wealth and transform lives.

He charged African leaders to exhibit the traits of leadership including selflessness, innovation, trust worthiness, consistency, honesty, integrity and willingness to make sacrifices for the good of the governed.

Mr Rabbi Kohaian Nathanyah Halevi, Executive Secretary of the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) called on leadership to work hard to better the lot of the citizenry to prevent the inhumane treatments meted out to fellow Africans by Africans.

"The sale of young Africans into enslavement on the continent of their birth in 2017 was sickening reminder of the deprivation which attacked the fabric of the African society"

He said it was sad that young people would prefer to flee to the unknown only to become victims of slavery of which their own people were complicit.

GNA

By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has expressed concern on the recent outbreak of H1N1 Influenza at the Kumasi Academy Senior High School (KUMACA) that has claimed the lives of some students.

The leadership of the PSGH also expressed concern about the reports of bacterial meningitis at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School.

The Society has also noted the swift response by the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to contain the spread of the infections through appropriate preventive and treatment initiatives.

A statement signed by Mr Benjamin Botwe, the President of the PSGH, and copied to the Ghana News Agency has, therefore, urged pharmacists in Community Practice to be on the look-out for flu-like signs and symptoms that would help in early detection by prompt referral of any suspected H1N1 infection.

The statement said the H1N1 Influenza, which is also known as swine flu, is a highly contagious respiratory disease in pigs caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.

It said the H1N1 virus could be transmitted to humans via contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with the virus.

Similar to common seasonal flu strains, the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus spread from person-to-person by airborne droplets expelled from the respiratory tract during talking, coughing or sneezing.

It said: 'Fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting are the symptoms of the acute respiratory illness.

In children, signs include apnoea, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, cyanosis, dehydration, altered mental status, and extreme irritability.

The leadership of the PSGH has also urged members to look out for Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) as the harmattan season approached, and promptly refer suspected cases for treatment.

The CSM has fever, headache and neck stiffness as symptoms and transmitted from person-to-person through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions from carriers.

It is spread through close contact such as kissing, living in close quarters such as a dormitory, sneezing or coughing, and sharing of eating or drinking utensils with affected individuals.

The statement encouraged pharmacists to support the national effort by observing and documenting the evidence of suspected cases to the disease control offices in their catchment areas in order to prevent the diseases by vaccination. GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The various stakeholders have expressed mixed feelings on the creation of the 'Western-North' region from the existing Western Region.

Though majority of the public opinion expressed during a public hearing in Takoradi by the Commission of Inquiry on the substantial demand and need for the creation of a new region were in favour of the subject, a few thought that what was needed to be done was to strengthen the existing institutions and ensure proper decentralization practices.

Mr John H. S. Kwofie, who described himself as a Timber Economist, opposed the creation of a new region adding that there is the need to make the district assemblies work better in terms of service delivery.

'I am not convinced that the new region will do anything better, what has to be done is to build the capacity of personnel within the Regional Coordinating Council and resource the various assemblies to function well in meeting the development needs and aspirations of the people', he said.

Mr Kwofie said: 'I have not seen any project in the districts or regions which has an inscription on project notice board that is assembly or Region sponsored, all have the inscription central government and this means that the Government of Ghana was solely responsible for the provision of amenities and other social interventionsdevelopment must go to every corner of the country yes but that does not hinge on the creation of new regions, it is about priorities and how we spend state monies'.

The Timber Economist said: 'I don't believe that if we a lagging somehow and somewhere, we create new institutions to cater for developments omissions, there are lots of ways to channel development to the grassroots'.

Mr Kojo Brace, a Radio Presenter, attributed the lack of development in the Western North to institutional failure.

He said proper resourcing and retooling of the various departments of state as well as opening of new offices such as the Land Commission, National Service Secretariat and Commercial Courts among others would help relieve inhabitant of the area.

Mr Yusif Gyamson a retired NCCE official, was enthused about the creation of the new region due to the distance people had to travel before reaching Sekondi/Takoradi to transact businesses.

He was not happy that successive governments have not helped in advancing the development of the Western Region which serves as the major resource base of the country.

However, he noted, creation of the new region may not translate into measure of development needed.

Mr Baron Kwofie, a service personnel at the Registrar General's Department could not understand why businessmen and women would have to travel from long distances to the twin-city to either sign a document or register a business and prayed that the creation of the region would address such issues.

Mr Thomas Mintah, an Assembly Member from Sefwi-Wiawso, said hospitals, tertiary institutions were seriously lacking in the northern part of the region adding that the creation of the new regions would improve their lot.

'How can we be in the Western Region and transact business in Kumasi', he queried.

Mr F. K. Tuffour, from Adabokrom in the Bia East District, wondered why a person travelling from that part of the Western Region may have to pass through about four Regions before entering the Regional capital.

He recounted how Societe General Bank lost millions of cedis to fire in that district just because fire fighters had to travel from Central Region to the place.

Ms Mercy Quarshie, an assembly member, said the creation could help speed up the process of development in that part of the region.

Mr Francis Hagan, former Regional Chairman of the NPP, was not happy about the continual neglect of the Region in terms of development saying he was in support for the creation the new region.

Mr Bediako Agyeman, a representative of the Petitioners requesting the creation for a new region, said the cost of travels, risks and loss of productive man-hours to just come to the city centre for business was unbearable and time consuming.

He said the area was also confronted with bad road networks, unstable telecommunication networks and standard hospitals which often scared technocrats and other expertise from coming to contribute towards the development of the area.

The Representative of the Petition said the quest for a separate region dated back as far as in the 1970s and it was prudent that a new administrative capital was created in earnest.

The Commission of Enquiry, chaired by Justice Stephen Brobbey, have been mandated to solicit public opinion on the creation of new regions across the country after the C.I 105 and in accordance with the Chapter five of the 1992 constitution.

GNA

By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Government is commitment to reforming and supporting the public sector in providing support services to business, private sector and the citizenry so that opportunities will be created to deal head-on with poverty on a sustainable basis.

Mr Yaw Osafo- Marfo, Senior Minister, reiterated this on Wednesday at the Stakeholders' Validation Workshop on the Draft National Public Sector Reform Strategy (NPSRS), 2018-2023; on the theme "Delivering for Citizens and Private Sector".

He said the need for an effective National Public Sector Reform Strategy, had for a long time, been advocated by several state and non-state actors, as well as development partners.

"It has therefore become imperative to develop a comprehensive National Public Sector Reform Strategy, which is responsive to the needs of business, private sector and the citizenry,' Mr Osafo-Marfo said.

The reform programme is also one of the structural reform benchmarks of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Credit Facility (EEF) Programme, 2015-2018, aimed at putting the economy on the path to a sustainable growth trajectory.

The aim of such a reform strategy is to reorient the Ghanaian public sector agencies to deliver cutting-edge services to citizens and the business and private sector to lead the job creation agenda on a sustainable basis and also provide the necessary support to the Executive Arm of Government.

Mr Osafo-Marfo recalled that a NPSRS, 2017-2027, had already been developed under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government.

He explained that after the change of Government early in 2017, the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government, accepted the NPSRS, 2017-2027 prepared under the NDC administration in principle.

He noted that, the Government, however, decided to review the document, within the framework of and in line with their private sector-led development agenda, especially the "Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies, 2017-2024" and re-submit it for the adoption of the new Cabinet.

He said based on the recommendation of the Head of Civil Service, the President decided to place the Public Sector Reform under the Office of the Senior Minister.

Mr Osafo-Marfo said the reform vision of the Government was to create a responsive, efficient and effective public sector, which places the catalytic role of Government to support the private sector in job and wealth creation at the centre of all its policies.

The Senior Minister said previous attempts at Public Sector Reforms had yielded only modest results; this he attributed to mainly, due to weak institutional and human capacity, inadequate resources, lack of accountability, poor coordination, poor work ethics, limited modernisation and use of technology, and overlapping functions among public sector institutions.

He said the Government employs a large number of public servants, and compensation for public employees accounts for a large share of government expenditure (about 107 per cent); stating that, "That notwithstanding, citizens complain about woefully inefficient and slow pace administrative service delivery ".

He said: "Complaints are also rife about absenteeism, apathy, ineptitude and perceived corruption."

Mr Osafo-Marfo said poor records management had been a bane of the public sector, leading to loss of millions of Cedis by government to unwarranted judgment debts.

He said service delivery standards at the sectoral level were also aligned to emerging global best practices; adding that "This has led to a loss of trust and confidence in the public sector and necessitated a new public sector that is responsive, efficient and effective in delivering services to citizens, business and the private sector".

The Senior Minister said there was therefore, the need for a comprehensive attitudinal change and for public servants to move away from being self-serving to pursuing national and public interest.

"Such unproductive tendencies of the public sector ought to stop and I can assure you all and sundry that under my watch as the Senior Minister responsible for public sector reform, it cannot be business as usual," he stated.

Mr Kusi Boafo, the Chief Executive Officer, Public Sector Reform, said moving the nation forward requires a very serious reforms.

Professor Eric Oduro Osae, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research of the Institute of Local Government Studies, said partnership between the public and the private sector would be meaningless if the public sector was not vibrant or repositioned to be able to live out its mandate.

There were also messages from the World Bank and the African Development Bank at the event.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr. Yaw Osafo-Marfo, the Senior Minister, has said that over 50 per cent of loans and grants given to Ghana have not been spent for various reasons.

'While some institutions are looking for money to carry out certain programmes and projects, there are money which have come from various development partners, some grants (grant meaning that we are not to pay back) and for one reason or the other we are not able to use this money efficiently and effectively,' he said.

Mr Osafo-Marfo made this known on Wednesday in Accra at the Stakeholders' Validation Workshop on the Draft National Public Sector Reform Strategy (NPSRS), 2018-2023; held under the theme: "Delivering for Citizens and Private Sector".

He said: 'a committee has just being put together at Cabinet to see how quickly we can push this; because the President did not understand. So on the 19th of December, our last Cabinet meeting we are going to look at what is holding these monies.

'Sometimes it is the counterpart money from the Ministry of Finance, because when they give you money to spend, there is a component that the Government should contribute for the expenditure.

'And in a budget administration, I always say that that should be your first call. You must put that money before you look everything. Because we say in Twi 'Ye de nam, na eyi nam'. Put down 10 and you get 50. You should quickly put down the 10. Am I right? So that you have access to bigger money spend.'

He said: 'So if these are the problems then we really need to provide the relevant counterpart funding to have access to bigger moneys to spend. Because we need to really move this economy and move it quickly to generate employment for ourselves.

He said efficiency of the public sector was crucial; stating that 'And I think, we should all look at it. Everybody has a part to play.'

Mr Osafo-Marfo also noted that while waiting for the Validation Workshop Meeting to start, a very senior international member of the cocoa industry, informed him (the Senior Minister) that he was in Ghana because his organisation had given the country two million dollars for afforestation project under the carbon emission project but the pace at which it was going was so slowly; adding that they had come to Ghana to push it.

The Senior Minister said: 'We want to create employment for our people. Everybody is talking about it. Somebody has given us two million dollars for our forestation.'

He said the international team member added that they had been to Tafo, the Cocoa Research Institute to look at their seedlings facility, and that it was the best in Africa.

Mr Osafo-Marfo said the know how to produce seedlings was in Ghana, which could be replicated across the country.

The reform programme is also one of the structural reform benchmarks of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Credit Facility (EEF) Programme, 2015-2018, aimed at putting the economy on the path to a sustainable growth trajectory.

The aim of such a reform strategy is to reorient the Ghanaian public sector agencies to deliver cutting-edge services to citizens and the business and private sector to lead the job creation agenda on a sustainable basis and also provide the necessary support to the Executive Arm of Government.

Mr Kusi Boafo, the Chief Executive Officer, Public Sector Reform, said moving the nation forward requires very serious reforms.

Professor Eric Oduro Osae, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research of the Institute of Local Government Studies, said partnership between the public and the private sector would be meaningless if the public sector was not vibrant or repositioned to be able to live out its mandate.

At the event, there were some solidarity messages from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

GNA

By Iddi Yire, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr. Egbert Faibille Jnr, the Chief Executive officer of the Petroleum Commission (PC), has said the award of the International Tribunal for the law of the Sea (ITLOS) in favour of Ghana would further strength her position as a preferred destination for oil and gas exploration and production in the sub region.

He said in view of this the Petroleum Commission would ensure that operators and licensees execute the minimum work programme expectations in their petroleum agreements.

This, he noted, would not only ensure investment in the local economy but would also create jobs and skills transfer for the youth.

Mr Faibille Jnr said this during the third annual consultative meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs and other stakeholders in Takoradi.

The meeting was to among others interact with key stakeholders in the region to enable the Commission, provide updates on the upstream petroleum sector.

It also created a platform for the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to share their Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) projects and initiatives in the region.

Mr Faibille Jnr said the Commission believes that an enduring partnership with the Regional House of Chiefs and other key stakeholders in the region was the surest way of ensuring that the desired level of development for the region was achieved.

He said plans for the development of the Greater Jubilee full field was recently approved paving the way for expansion works on the current Jubilee field which would open new opportunities for the local service providers, create jobs and investment in the local economy.

Mr Faibille Jnr said the Commission since its establishment has been working on a number of laws that are critical for prudent regulation of the sector, adding that the Health Safety and Environment Regulation and the Data Management Regulations draft legislations have been laid before parliament for consideration.

He said government was determined that the country would not only be a recipient of direct resources from petroleum operations but create value through local content and local participation, "to this end the country took decisive steps to create an enabling environment for indigenous Ghanaian companies to thrive".

He said the Commission has ensured that people in the project affected communities benefitted from the project, adding that this was clearly evidenced with the Onshore Receiving Facility at Sanzule where certain jobs and services were for indigenes of Sanzule community and the surrounding areas alone.

Mr Faibille announced that FPSO was currently producing about 45,000 barrels of oil and that FPSO partners were also conducting further studies in adjoining fields called 'block 4' and when proven to be economically viable it would result in increased reserves.

He said though the oil and gas sector had chalked some successes it was challenged with competition for space among various users of the sea.

"We have been informed of numerous incursions into the safety zones around our offshore installations", he said and appealed to the chiefs and fishing communities to note that the zones were earmarked to also protect them and their activities.

Mr Faibille Jnr said the government would ensure that oil production contributed directly towards improving the standards of living of the people and accelerating socio-economic development.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, called on the Commission and IOCs to help create alternative livelihoods for fishermen in the Western Region as various activities offshore were greatly affecting their fishing activities.

He said there is the need for government to invest some of the oil revenue into other sectors of the economy to prevent the country from facing the 'Dutch disease' and urged IOCs to begin adding value to their produce.

On CSR, Ogyeahoho Gyebi asked that IOCs should involve them during the need assessment time instead of imposing projects on beneficiary communities and asked that they should invest more on education to enable the region get more category A schools.

Mr Mahami Salifu, Board Chairman of the Commission, said with the reconstituted board it was going to make a paradigm shift from talk shows to action oriented programmes.

He said the commission would continue to engage the appropriate stakeholders, especially chiefs, every six months instead of the annual meetings. GNA

By Justina Paaga, GNA
Madam Emma-Joan Halm, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Officer of the United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF), has challenged the Upper West Region to work towards becoming the first Open Defecation Free (ODF) Region in Ghana.

'I know you can because you have demonstrated that before,' she said, adding that between 2011 and 2014, Upper West was the only region that reduced its open defecation rate by almost 22 percent, having moved from 71.10 per cent to 49.20 percent, the highest in the country.

Madam Halm threw the challenge during the Launch of the Social Norms Campaign dubbed: 'Open Defecation Free Campaign' in Wa on Tuesday.

She requested the Region to put in place the necessary strategies and commit resources to achieve the target it had set itself for eliminating open defecation.

'It is indeed possible to attain the Region wide ODF with the requisite political will and resources', she said.

She noted that with the launch of the campaign, complementing the ongoing behaviour change activities in the Region, the Region was on its way to making a turnaround in the sanitation statistics again as all the districts have pledged to achieve their open defecation free targets.

The UNICEF WASH Officer congratulated government, especially the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, for taking steps to improve the sanitation situation in Ghana through the National Sanitation campaign.

'We as UNICEF support the endeavours of the government to ensure that no one is left behind in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) not just in Ghana, but around the world,' she said.

The objective of the ODF Ghana Campaign is to create awareness that open defecation is dangerous and affects personal and collective wellbeing of Ghanaians.

It is also to help change individual behaviour on negative sanitation practices at the household level.

The campaign further seeks to create a social change, specifically a social norm of using latrines instead of using the bush, which will lead to ODF communities and districts.

GNA

By Prosper K. Kuorsoh, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, a Veteran Journalist and the General Manager of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, says journalists who tell lies about others and disregard the ethics of the profession are charlatans.

He, therefore, entreated media practitioners to exercise a great sense of responsibility in discharging their duties, saying; 'When journalists tell lies about other people, they are killing them, therefore they must give meaning to the freedom they craved for and respect the freedom of others'.

Mr Ayeboafoh expressed these sentiments at a forum organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, on Wednesday, to discuss matters concerning freedom of expression, working conditions and safety of journalists.

The forum, which was funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), brought together veteran, senior and young media practitioners.

Mr Ayeboafoh said freedom without responsibility was irrelevant, adding; 'When you're not free, then you don't own up to your liabilities and it meant someone is asking you to act'.

He said journalists were supposed to be responsible because they spoke on behalf of others and should be open-minded and fair in all their endeavours.

He noted that freedom of expression was a vital ingredient in any functioning democracy and, therefore, journalists must combine freedom with responsibility.

Mr Ayeboafoh cited an advocate of freedom of expression; Mikhail Gorbachev, a Soviet Politician, who introduced liberalism for a stronger and boisterous society, which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He also cited Joseph Saidu Momoh, the Former Sierra Leonean President, who once said: 'We believe that the media must be given every amount of freedom if you muscle the people for too long it will get to a point when they will not be able to absorb it.

'However, the media must realise that they must be responsible and they cannot be reckless, my argument has been that a journalist's pen is lethal as a rifle in the hands of a military marksman'.

Mr Affail Monney, the President of the GJA, on his part, said freedom of expression was the oxygen of the journalism profession but it must go with responsibility.

He said journalism in Ghana had gone a long way from the darkest period of yester years when journalists were subjected to inhuman treatment to lay the foundation for the media system to operate today.

'I believe that as we exercise freedom, we should actualise responsibility and the two must go in tandem, otherwise journalists may spur chaos,' he said.

The GJA President said although the salaries and wages of media practitioners was nothing to write home about, it should not be the basis to blackmail and spread falsehood about others.

'In worst case scenario, some journalists are not even paid at allbut man, they say, must eat and survive so the survival instinct pushes people to do criminal acts by blackmailing, attacking and unjustifiably do all kinds of things to survivethere is no justification for these,' he said, and urged journalists to be law abiding.

Mr Monney commended UNESCO for supporting the GJA to organise the forum, which would expand the public space for discourse.

The forum was chaired by Dr Bonnah Koomson, the Chairman of the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the GJA.

GNA

By Godwill Arthur-Mensa/ Emmanuel Donkor, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Mr Kwesi Pratt Junior, the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, has urged Ghanaian media organisations to enhance their security systems at their operational areas to ensure the safety of media practitioners.

He noted that, with the high incidents of violence against media practitioners, especially in Africa, there was the need to beef up security at media houses to forestall any eventuality.

He said an enhanced security could be in the form of personnel or advanced electronic technology.

Mr Pratt gave the advice at a forum organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on Wednesday, to discuss matters concerning freedom of expression, working conditions and safety of journalists.

The forum, which was funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), brought together veteran, senior and young media practitioners.

Mr Pratt, who spoke on the topic: 'Safety of Journalists' said most media organisations in Ghana could not provide proper security for their staff and operational areas due to lack of funds.

'We the managers of the media houses are not getting companies to purchase advertisement columns anymore, so where will the funds for the security systems come from?

The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper said journalists did not only suffer from physical violence or abuse, but also psychological abuse.

He urged journalists not to be 'Too hard on themselves' and instead project their good works and the important roles they were playing in the society.

'Journalists should let go off pressures of the profession and showcase to the world the great roles that they're playing in the society', he added.

Mr Pratt also urged the GJA to form a committee to facilitate the employment of journalists, saying; 'There are about 1,000 students graduating each year from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, now after their graduation, where do they go? The media houses do not have the fund and capacity to employ them, so what happens to them?'

He asked journalists to be professional in the discharge of their duties, instead of affiliating themselves with political parties to promote their agenda.

Other speakers at the programme were Mr Roland Affail Monney, the GJA President, Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, the General Manager of Graphic Communications Group Limited and Mrs Mary Karimu, the Deputy Director of Labour Research and Policy Institute of the Trade Unions Congress.

GNA

By Emmanuel Kwame Donkor, GNA
The visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on Wednesday assisted Mr Ignatius Bafuor Awuah, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, to commission the Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration in Accra.

The Centre, situated in the building of the GNAT Heights at Ridge, would serve as a point of contact for people looking for prospects in Ghana and also offer individual counselling for returnees who need support with their social and occupational reintegration.

Ghanaians in search of vocational training and employment opportunities can also visit the Centre for assistance as it would present unique opportunities and access to networks of German cooperation and other organisations.

The brief commissioning ceremony before the departure of President Steinmeier on Wednesday afternoon was addressed by Mr Bafuor Awuah and the Secretary of State of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr Friedrich Kitschelt.

Also at the ceremony was Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, who was described as a 'German Returnee' for his well integration into the Ghanaian system and leading the setting up of the Cardiothoracic Centre, Ghana's foremost Heart Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Mr Bafuor Awuah said: 'The Centre will be a centre of excellence that will deepen the collaboration between Ghana and Germany. We are actually taking our level of cooperation to a different level altogether, a very high level.

'It will be a centre where Ghanaians who have travelled out and for one reason or the other will want to come back home, will come and seek advice as to how best they can take advantage of the opportunities locally'.

He said because of Ghana's lower income levels, people would always like to move to places of higher income earning so some Ghanaians were seen going to Europe and other countries for economic reasons.

Mr Bafuor Awuah said the venture also exposed the people to so many risks, since some often did their travelling through unapproved routes through the desert and the Mediterranean, with some losing their lives.

He cited the example of the recent Libya issue, where some migrants were being subjected to inhumane treatment, saying; 'President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has totally condemned that act.

'What the President seeks to do, is to build the local economy so that Ghanaians will have confidence and stay here, Ghanaians will have jobs to do, not just jobs but decent jobs that will actually accord them the rights of a worker and also earn them incomes, which are living incomes. That is what the President is committed to.'

He said while that process was still on the way, there was the need to regulate the system, and the Migration Centre would be the best link to offer advice to Ghanaians who want to do proper migration to Germany and other countries.

The Minister said Ghana would also continue to tap the knowledge and expertise of countries like Germany in technical, vocational, educational training, medicine, and renewable energy 'until we are able to build our local capacities'.

'I want to assure you that we will be committed to our part of the agreement to ensure that we make Ghanaians interested in Ghana, and stay in Ghana and work in Ghana,' Mr Bafuor Awuah said.

Dr Kitschelt, on his part, said the Centre would be operated under the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in Ghana.

He said over the many years of cooperation with Ghana, Germany had invested about two billion Euros in building a sustainable economic future for Ghana.

In the last two years, another 156 million Euros had been added to offer broad-based opportunities for Ghanaian residents and returnees alike, he said.

Dr Kitschelt said the Centre would offer information and more assistance to people living in Ghana to better integrate in the labour market through trainings, assistance, job opportunities and start-ups.

Returnees who voluntarily returned to Ghana would be assisted, he said, adding; 'Nobody returning to Ghana will return as a loser.'

Information would also be provided to Ghanaians on the proper way of legal migration, Dr Kitschelt said.

The Job and Migration Centre is a cooperative venture between the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the GIZ.

GNA

By Lydia Asamoah/Daniel Lanquaye, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

A businessman has told an Accra Circuit Court he reported GH 105,000 cedi land transaction to the Police because Akosua Agyapong, the musician and Frank Agyemang a contractor refused to pick his calls when he demanded the land documents from them.

Mr. Jonas Asamoah, the complainant said Agyemang told him that he was now working with National Security as such he could not answer his calls.

In the case of Akosua, the complainant said when Akosua failed to pick her calls, he used his wife number to call Akosua and she answered.

'However, when my wife introduced herself on the phone, Akosua hanged up, I then realized that the matter was beyond me so reported the issue.' he said.

Complainant told the court continuing evidence in chief before the court presided over by Mrs. Priscilla Dapaah.

He was testifying in a case in which Akosua is accused of conspiring with her brother, Agyemang to defraud him of GH105,000.00 in a land transaction.

Mr. Asamoah said he was informed by the two accused that Madam Dora Okyere who originally owned the land was yet to transfer the land documents to Agyemang.

The witness further stated that Aksoua and Agyemang told him that Madam Dora had travelled to Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region.

'So after several excuses, I decided to go and work on the land but one Mr. Asante confronted me saying it belonged to him,'' the witness said.

In respect of the car the witness gave to Agyemang, he (witness) said the Police retrieved his RAV four (4) for him but Agyemang had caused damaged to the windscreen.

Mr. Asamoah said Akosua gave him several assurances that she would ensure that land documents were signed and delivered to her.

During cross examination by Mr. B.T Agbalie, one of the defence counsels, Mr. Asamoah admitted that he recorded all the text messages of the accused persons.

Akosua and her accomplice Agyemang, a businessman, a.k.a. Killer Boss, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and fraudulent transaction of land.

They have pleaded not guilty and are on bail.

The matter has been adjourned to January 11.

GNA

By Joyce Danso, GNA
14.12.2017 LISTEN

An Accra District Court has committed a man believed be in his late 30's to stand trial over a charge of manslaughter at the High Court.

Earlier, the accused, Meyers was held for allegedly murdering his wife following a misunderstanding but the bill of Indictment from the Attorney General's Office on November 2, this year, reduced the murder charge to manslaughter.

Meyers is said to have assaulted his wife Elizabeth Quartey, the victim during a misunderstanding in January this year at Korle-Gonno but three days after the incident, Meyers at dawn rushed to his wife's family home to inform them that his wife was unconscious.

Meyers allegedly rushed his wife to the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital where she passed away whiles on admission.

Mrs. Joyce Debrah, a Senior Attorney from the Attorney General's Department at the District Court said a post mortem report showed that Meyer's wife died of severe head injuries.

Mrs. Debrah said the state intends calling four witnesses to make their case.

Meyers during the committal proceedings described his wife's death as an ''accident.''

''I was with my wife when I realized at dawn that she was unconscious so I visited her family house and informed them. I rushed my wife to the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital and my wife was examined,'' Meyers told the court.

'Initially, my wife was responding to treatment but when the machine that the nurse was using on her stopped, the nurse informed me that she had passed on.

I drove my wife to the cold room and later the nurse gave me a form to send to the Police Station at Korle-Bu,'' Meyers said.

According to Meyers, a few minutes after he reached the Police Station a relative of his wife came there with my daughter.

He said the said relation asked my daughter to say to me that I have killed my wife.

Meyers defense counsel said they also intend calling two witnesses during the trial. GNA

By Joyce Danso, GNA
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is within touching distance of South Africa's top job, previously had his presidential hopes dashed and opted for life in business that brought him spectacular wealth.

After failing to clinch the ANC nomination to succeed president Nelson Mandela in 1999, the veteran trade unionist swapped politics for a lucrative foray into business that made him one of the wealthiest people in Africa.

His failure came as a surprise to many as he was seen as Mandela's preferred candidate -- with Mandela describing Ramaphosa as one of the most gifted leaders of the "new generation".

Along with President Jacob Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Ramaphosa, 65, is now a top candidate to become the ANC's new leader when the party's conference concludes next week. The winner will be well-placed to be the next president.

During his business career, Ramaphosa held stakes in McDonald's and Coca-Cola and made millions in deals that required investors to partner with non-white shareholders.

He became one of the richest men on the continent -- reaching number 42 on Forbes list of Africa's wealthiest people in 2015 with a net worth of $450 million (383 million euros).

Out of politics for a decade, Ramaphosa returned to frontline politics in 2012 when he was elected to the ANC's number-two post.

He became deputy president of the nation in 2014 and has since trodden a careful line between serving Zuma and delivering occasional, cautious criticism of his political master.

'A silent deputy'

Nelson Mandela with Cyril Ramaphosa, who the South African president described as one of the most gifted leaders of the "new generation", in 1993

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, has accused Ramaphosa of being "at best a silent deputy president, and at worst a complicit one".

Born on November 17, 1952 in Soweto township west of Johannesburg -- a centre of the anti-apartheid struggle -- Ramaphosa became involved with student activism while studying law in the 1970s.

He was arrested in 1974 and spent 11 months in solitary confinement.

After studying, he turned to trade unionism -- one of the few legal ways of protesting the white-minority regime.

He founded the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982 which grew to 300,000 members and led massive mine strikes in 1987 that shook the foundations of white rule.

When Mandela was released in 1990 after 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid, Ramaphosa was a key part of the taskforce that led the transition to democracy.

Ramaphosa won global prominence as the ANC's lead negotiator in 1993, with his contribution seen as one factor in the success of the talks and the resulting peaceful democratic handover.

He then led the group that drew up the country's world-renowned new constitution.

Ramaphosa -- who is relaxed and low-key at public appearances -- has managed to steer clear of major corruption scandals but his return to politics has not been free from controversy.

His popularity was badly shaken in 2012 when 34 striking mine workers were killed by police at the Marikana platinum mine, operated by London-listed Lonmin, where he was then a non-executive director.

'Powerful insider'

After failing to clinch the ANC nomination to succeed Mandela, Ramaphosa swapped politics for a lucrative foray into business

Shortly before the massacre -- the worst police killing since the end of apartheid -- Ramaphosa had called for a crackdown on the strikers who he accused of "dastardly criminal" behaviour.

Ramaphosa has four children with his second wife Tshepo Motsepe, a doctor.

Earlier this year he was accused of having affairs with several young women, which he denied.

Ramaphosa did admit to an extramarital affair but told local media that he had since disclosed the relationship to his wife.

Some saw the sudden revelations as a smear campaign by associates of President Zuma determined to ensure that Dlamini-Zuma takes the ANC top job.

The impact of the scandal was short-lived, and Ramaphosa has based his campaign on his pledge to rebuild the country's economy, boost growth and create much-needed jobs.

"Our ability to overcome these challenges has been undermined over the last decade by a failure of leadership and misguided priorities," he said in a rally speech.

"For the first time since the advent of democracy, there is a real chance that the transformation of our country may suffer significant reverses."

If he wins the leadership of the ANC and then becomes president, his opportunity to try to transform the country will finally have arrived.

"Ramaphosa has no association with any of the corruption scandals that have plagued South Africa," wrote his biographer Ray Hartley in "The Man Who Would Be King".

"But the years he spent at Zuma's side, playing the 'inside game' suggest he is more comfortable as a powerful insider than as a radical reformer."
Lawyer Kojo Graham

14.12.2017 LISTEN

A group calling itself, Concerned Voters Movement (CVM) a vibrant pressure group in Ghana, is not happy about the conduct of Joy FM's Super Show host, Kojo Yankson of how he runs a certain segment on the show, "Corruption Watch".

"Corruption Watch" segment on the Super Morning Show of Joy FM is a very laudable initiative which seek to uncover acts of corruption in Ghana, ensuring that Accountability and Proper Management of Public Resources become the order of the day.

To this initiative, CVM has commended the Originators and vision bearers of the Corruption Watch Program.

But in a press statement issued on Wednesday December 13, and signed by its Founder and President, Mr. Razak Kojo Opoku indicating that National Lottery Authority (NLA) seems to be hijacked or sponsored by Mr. Kojo Graham to run down the Director-General of NLA, Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw.

According to him, "However, we would like to draw the attention of the organizers of Corruption Watch that ,13th December 2017 edition of the program on NLA seems to be hijacked or sponsored by Kojo Graham to run down Kofi Osei-Ameyaw. Open-minded listeners of the program today might think that the Host,Kojo Yankson was having an evil agenda against Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Director-General of the NLA since he was not given the opportunity to clarify and response to the Recorded Audio Voices of Kojo Graham which were played on the show".

According to Mr. Razak Kojo, Mr. Graham has said on the show that He Graham has agreed to offer a loan to Mr. Osei-Ameyaw and according to Mr. Graham the loan has been paid in full to Mr. Osei-Ameyaw. To this CVM's President has rubbished it as lies and malicious.

According to him, "The biggest corruption issues amounting to Conflict of interest at the NLA should rather focus on Kojo Graham's Company which is earning money greater than the money NLA paid into the Consolidated Fund. And under which circumstances did Kojo Graham Lots Services Company Limited and his associated Company Merlin Gaming Ghana Limited(formerly known as Amaya) had Contracts with the NLA"?

He added that, "Kojo Yankson over reliance on Kojo Graham side of the story at the NLA will destroy and discredit the whole discussions on the NLA. Whatever Kojo Graham will you (Kojo Yankson) is simply to protect his business interest at the NLA".

Mr. Kojo Opoku has placed it on record that, Mr. Osei-Ameyaw does not owe Mr. Kojo Graham any amount of money.

Below is the full statement

*Has Kojo Graham Hijacked Kojo Yankson Joy FM Corruption Watch Program on NLA?*

However, we would like to draw the attention of the organizers of Corruption Watch that ,13th December 2017 edition of the program on NLA seems to be hijacked or sponsored by Kojo Graham to run down Kofi Osei-Ameyaw. Open-minded listeners of the program today might think that the Host,Kojo Yankson was having an evil agenda against Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Director-General of the NLA since he was not given the opportunity to clarify and response to the Recorded Audio Voices of Kojo Graham which were played on the show.

Let even assume without admitting that Kojo Graham agreed to offer a loan to Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, a loan which according to Kojo Graham has been paid in full. I think it was unfortunate to equate this to Corruption. Who in his right senses will believe a loan story by Kojo Graham which has been paid in full as an issue of Corruption?

The biggest corruption issues amounting to Conflict of interest at the NLA should rather focus on Kojo Graham's Company which is earning money greater than the money NLA paid into the Consolidated Fund. And under which circumstances did Kojo Graham Lots Services Company Limited and his associated Company Merlin Gaming Ghana Limited(formerly known as Amaya) had Contracts with the NLA?

For avoidance of doubt, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw does not owe Kojo Graham any amount of money.

For the sake of clarification, Kojo Graham Lots Services Ghana Limited Contract with the NLA is 15 years and not 10years as stated by Kojo Yankson on Corruption Watch today.

Again, on the files of Lots Services Ghana Limited at the NLA, Kojo Graham did not write any Disclosure letter of Interest to the Board of NLA. The only Disclosure Letter of Interest that Kojo Graham wrote to the NLA is restricted to Amaya now known as Merlin Gaming Ghana Limited.

In order to have unbiased, fair and transparent discussion on the Corruption Watch Program on Joy FM Super Morning Show, CVM would like to advise Kojo Yankson to consult the Legal Department of the NLA as well as contact the current Board Members of the NLA for proper understanding of the issues at the NLA.

Kojo Yankson over reliance on Kojo Graham side of the story at the NLA will destroy and discredit the whole discussions on the NLA. Whatever Kojo Graham will give you is simply to protect his business interest at the NLA.

How do you expect Kofi Osei-Ameyaw to grant you audience on Corruption Watch Program when you have already taking sides with Kojo Graham?

It will be very funny to only rely on Kojo Graham Documents as the authoritative Evidence against the NLA and Kofi Osei-Ameyaw.

....Signed....

Razak Kojo Opoku

(CVM Founder & President)

Source: Daniel Kaku
The Author

14.12.2017 LISTEN

Introduction

The jury system remains the most problematic aspect of the Ghanaian Criminal Justice System. The jury system in Ghana owes its origins to the English common law. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana entrenches jury trial. All capital offences are tried by a judge and jury of seven persons. Over the years, the capacity of the jury to effectively administer criminal justice has been the subject of intense debate in Ghana. While some scholars suggest that the system should be substantially reformed, others call for its outright abolition.

Challenges of the jury system

The jury system is one of the archaisms of the common law. It is simply a colonial bequest. The general attitude of Ghanaians towards the jury system reflects a high level of ambivalence about its contemporary relevance as a system of criminal trial. But the price of our ambivalence is that we have slavishly left the trial of capital offences in the hands of legally untrained persons whose verdicts are often actuated by fanciful sentimentalities, prejudices and extra-legal considerations. The Ghanaian society seems to have lost interest, trust and confidence in the jury. The attitude of the Bar, Bench and the public towards the jury plainly shows that the system has outlived its usefulness.

The problems with the jury system are legion. Under the law, no special expertise or knowledge is needed for jury service. Jurors are not required to possess any professional, intellectual and social backgrounds. The law only requires jurors to understand the English language and have no criminal records [sections 205 & 208 of Act 30]. It is judicially recognised that jurors are not people of intellectual powers: [see, Bissah v. The State [1967] GLR 310 , at p.317; Nartey v. The Republic [1982-83] GLR 788 ]. It is difficult to understand how laymen can be judges in the technical nuances of modern criminal trials. The law reports are replete with questionable jury verdicts. Jurors sometimes convict innocent persons, and acquit persons whose guilt is patent to the high heaven. In some cases, trial judges express shock at jury verdicts, but the law is that a trial judges disagreement with the jury is of no consequence: [see, Twum v. The Republic [1967] GLR 724 ].

Another problem with the jury system is the automatic exclusion or disqualification of highly educated persons from jury service. The law exempts highly educated professionals from jury service. This exemption from jury service is not based on any enlightened foundation. It casts doubt on the quality of jury verdicts as persons with low intellectual prowess serve as jurors. In practice, jurors receive no judicial training at all. They often have to decide technical issues beyond their aptitude.

Under the law, a trial cannot proceed in the absence of any of the jurors [section 257 of Act 30]. Jurors absent themselves from court for many reasons including ill-health or death. Some usually abandon proceedings to attend to their businesses. Much of the delay that bedevils jury trials results from the absence or death of jurors. The result is that jury trials suffer inordinate protraction, and are consequently more expensive. Jury sequestration is a key feature of many developed jury systems. Given our weak economy, protracted trials and the fact that jurors are not paid for their service, jury sequestration is practically impossible. Without sequestration, the possibility of jury contamination is high as jurors are routinely exposed to external influences throughout the trial. Jurors get contaminated by prejudicial media publicity of crime and trial processes. Most Ghanaian jurors use the internet and other social media during trials and deliberations. The proliferation of social media has placed enormous pressure on the jury in Ghana, thereby threatening the integrity, secrecy and fairness of modern jury trials.

As jurors are not legally required to render reasoned verdicts, it is difficult to know if their verdicts are based on legal grounds or some extra-legal considerations. The lack of reasoned verdicts makes it difficult for appellate review of jury verdicts. Perhaps the most pervasive challenge of the current jury system in Ghana is jury venality. Jurors in Ghana are highly susceptible to corruption and other forms of influences. Jurors are not paid for their service; they only receive meagre stipends. Economic pressures compel jurors to regard jury trial as an opportunity to enrich themselves. Jurors often publicly demand money and other favours from accused persons, defence counsel and witnesses. This compromises the fairness of the trial process.

The inability of Ghanaian jurors to understand technical legal language and expert evidence presents a real challenge. The general inadequacies of the jury are particularly highlighted in complex cases where the volume and sophistication of the evidence is so great as to be beyond the understanding of ordinary people. Convoluted, imbalanced and imprecise jury directions often fail to assist the jury in arriving at just verdicts. By law, where the jury are unable to return a unanimous verdict in a capital offence, or the verdict of the jury is unacceptable by law, the judge must discharge the jury and order a retrial by a fresh jury. Retrials present real ordeal for participants in the trial process. The parties would have wasted resources in an abortive trial, and would be expected to further waste resources in a subsequent trial by a fresh jury. Except on grounds of misdirection or non-direction, jury verdicts cannot be impeached on appeal. The non-appellability of jury verdicts poses serious threat to the quality of criminal justice in Ghana. Jury verdicts are virtually sacrosanct as they cannot be appealed against.

The way forward

The jury system, as it exists in Ghana, is a standing peril to effective criminal justice. The relevance of the jury in the administration of criminal justice is only a myth or perception. The jury systems continued existence in Ghana thrives largely on our traditional reluctance to change an old institution. The traditional philosophy of the jury has long ceased to exist. To ensure effective delivery of criminal justice, it is suggested that the jury be abolished and all indictable offences should be tried by judges sitting alone.

By

Lawyer Daniel Korang

Adom Legal Consult

4th Floor, Cocoa House

Sunyani
14.12.2017 LISTEN

Municipal Fire Commander for Sunyani, D.O II Jonathan Ashun, has cautioned residents against fire outbreaks as the harmattan season emerges.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nana KAS of Suncity 97.1 FM on the Suncity Morning Drive in Sunyani, D.O II Jonathan Ashun called on residents to collaborate with the Fire Service to combat fire cases.

We are trying to intensify our fire prevention campaign. Especially in the forest areasso around this time we want to beef up the encouragement of volunteer squad within our communities. These are people who are trained. The encouragement and motivation for them to work is not there so some of them fall out along the line. But in various communities we have some of them working. We go round to encourage them because their services are free to the communities and therefore they look up for something, he revealed.

The only things they get from the fire service and the assembly are cutlasses and wellington boots. So we give them these items to motivate themto enable them to help them in the communities in the event of fire. They also educate the people in the communities. People should get advice from the volunteers in the community and if it is beyond them they [Volunteers] will get in touch with the Fire Service, D.O II Jonathan Ashun added.

The Municipal Fire Commander advised against the use of naked fire at farms and places where the leaves are dried. He entreated farmers to create fire belts around their farms during the dry season.

D.O II Jonathan stated that the law will deal with anyone who breaks rules on fire safety.

In the event of fire, investigation proves that people die as a result of inhaling smoke. You will first get suffocated and collapsewhen you collapse, you will fall down and the fire will come and meet you. If you realize the fire is bigger than what you can do, Please ran for the safety of your life and call people to assist, he advised.
14.12.2017 LISTEN

The apparent hypocrisy and the unpatriotic sentiments being exhibited by some members of the opposition NDC Party in relation to the ongoing impeachment process of the three Electoral Commissioners must be censured in no uncertain terms.

I have always maintained that some of us were old and fortunate enough to have witnessed the lawlessness which took place during the P/NDC administrations over a period of three decades (1970-1990s), and hence cannot accept any ridiculous pronouncements from members of such tradition.

No true patriot, as a matter of fact and honesty, would ever support lawlessness. In that regard, some of us will rightly upbraid the loose talkers who are disgustingly proclaiming doom on the nation, should the Chair Person of the EC be removed from her post following the impeachment process. How bizarre?

Dearest reader, it would be recalled that somewhere in 2015, Ex-President Mahama duly forwarded Mr Richard Nyamah and his partners previous petition issued against the then chairperson of the CHRAJ, Mrs Lauretta Vivian Lamptey to the Chief Justice to ascertain an unobjectionable constitutional violation.

The Chief Justice subsequently established a prima facie constitutional violation, and, Mrs Lamptey was impeached accordingly.

The all-important question then is: why didnt the same NDC worrywarts object to Mrs Lampteys impeachment process back then?

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana, to be precise, Article 146 provides interesting steps or measures that need to be taken in order to impeach a Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of the Regional Tribunal.

The Article (146) states: (1), A Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of the Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.

(2) A Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature or a Chairman of the Regional Tribunal may only be removed in accordance with the procedure specified in this article.

(3) If the President receives a petition for the removal of Justice of a Superior Court other than the Chief Justice or for the removal of the Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, he shall refer the petition to the Chief Justice, who shall determine whether there is a prima facie case.

(4) Where the Chief Justice decides that there is a prima facie case, he shall set up a committee consisting of three Justices of the Superior Courts or Chairmen of the Regional Tribunals or both, appointed by the Judicial council and two other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers, and who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice on the advice of the Council of State.

(5) The committee appointed under clause (4) of this article shall investigate the complaint and shall make its recommendations to the Chief Justice who shall forward it to the President (The 1992 Constitution of Ghana).

Patently, President Akufo-Addo was required by law to refer the petition brought against Charlotte Osei to the Chief Justice to determine whether there was a prima facie case.

Therefore President Akufo-Addo could not have erred by referring the petition brought against Mrs Charlotte Osei to the Chief Justice for determination of a prima facie case.

The crucial question again is: if for argument sake, President Akufo-Addo had knowingly withheld the petition issued against Charlotte Osei, wouldnt he then had violated the Constitution of Ghana?

Clearly, there is an evidence of due process, and hence some of us cannot fathom how and why any group of people can carelessly threaten the peace of the country because of their parochial interests.

It is worth stating that although the right to freedom of opinion and expression stretches to queer and unpopular ideas and statements which shock, offend or disturb, a number of human rights treaties, conventions and declarations, including the ICCPR and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights obligate states to prohibit all forms of hate speech.

Apparently, the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the appropriate permitted abridgements are detailed in international law -Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

It must, however, be noted that free speech does not give the right to individuals to say or write whatever they want, whenever they like, without permitted abridgement.

As a matter of fact and record, freedoms are restricted in the public interest on grounds of national security, to preserve public order, to protect public health, to maintain moral standards, to secure due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others or to meet the just requirements of the general welfare of a democratic society.

Indeed, freedom of opinion and expression is not absolute and must of necessity be subject to limitations on the above lines. And more so the right of free speech and expression does not extend to sedition, slander, defamation and obscenity.

We must not and cannot lose sight of the fact that most wars, crimes and genocides which were perpetrated against humanity were arguably expedited through the use of hate speech aimed at securing popular support for illegal and violent action.

This can be witnessed continued in the past and in the modern era. For we can attest to the Nazi hate speech which preceded the Holocaust, the Radio and Television hate speech which preceded the Rwandan Genocide and al-Qaeda hate speech which preceded the attacks on World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001.

In hindsight, we can infer that hate speech could spell doom for a nation. So it is necessary and proper for experienced politicians to stay away from any opprobrious pronouncements that can incite violence.

Strictly speaking, freedom of opinion and expression is not an absolute right in national and international jurisprudence. In fact, this right, like others, may be restricted to protect and balance other rights and interests. However, it is the complexion and the degree of these restrictions that is often contended in extant human rights and security jurisprudence.

Take, for example, Article 20(2) of the ICCPR requires states to prohibit hate speech: Any advocacy of national, tribe, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.

Even though some experts contend that restrictions on hate speech can be justified, Article 20(2) has proven highly controversial and is variously criticised as being overly restrictive of free speech or as not going far enough in the categories of hatred it covers.

In so far as Article 20(2) does not obligate states to prohibit all negative statements towards national groups, tribes, races or religions, if a statement constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, it must be condemned in no uncertain terms.

Actually, the two known restrictions on the right to freedom of expression are: The prohibition of advocacy of any national, racial or religious hatred and the prohibition of propaganda.

Nevertheless, the prohibition of propaganda is not innately contradictory to the right to freedom of expression.

The right holder, however, has to be cognisant of the duty and obligations which are encapsulated in the international human rights instruments.

Interestingly, however, while propaganda for genocide is codified as an international crime, the propaganda for the incitement to aggressive war is not.

Nevertheless, incitement to commit an illegal act is in itself illegal under international law.

Furthermore, incitement, instigation, abetment and solicitation are all common to various criminal codes world-wide.

These are generally considered "inchoate offense[s]" or "a step toward[s] the commission of another crime, the step itself being serious enough to merit punishment.

In the English common law for instance, there are three general inchoate offenses: 1) attempt; 2) conspiracy; and 3) incitement.

 Incitement conveys a "general label to cover any use of words or other device by which a person is requested, urged, advised, and counselled, tempted, commanded, or otherwise enticed to commit a crime."

To the unpatriotic loose talkers: even though you have inalienable rights as human beings to seek, receive and convey information and ideas of all kinds , such rights are subject to permitted abridgement, so stop misusing such inherent rights.

Ghana cannot and wont burn! Long live Ghana!

K. Badu, UK.
Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim of the opposition National Democratic Congress [ NDC] has appealed to NDC members especially the aggrieved ones to bury their differences and forge ahead as a united body ahead of election 2020.

Murtala Mohammed said the NDC need to be united in order to recapture power from the incompetent NPP administration who are bent on destroying the destiny of Ghana with their incompetent policies.

The former Deputy Information Minister made the appeal in Accra during the occasion of a lecture organized by the Coalition For Restoration [CFR [ , a movement within the NDC.

He said from the way things are moving , the countrys image needs to be salvaged and the NDC can only do that when the party members forgive each other and bury their differences .

Comrade Murtala whose lecture anchored on education, governance and industrialization said the ruling NPP has failed Ghanaians woefully on its campaign promises. The NPP has failed to achieve even one positive thing since it assumed leadership of this country.

He mentioned that the much talked free Senior High School [SHS] policy of government was shamefully implemented without the adequate resources despite the warnings by Civil Society groups and political parties.

The foundation of every nation is anchored by quality education delivery which is not the case in Ghana at this moment and if care is not taken the destiny of Ghanaian students is been destroyed by the Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo led government.

The NPP has no direction and vision as to how to find better solutions to resolve the challenges facing the free SHS policy. The future of young Ghanaian students is been toyed with by the government.

On governance, he pointed out that again the NPP has failed as its vigilante groups are breaking the laws of Ghana with impunity simply because some top figures within the NPP are backing them.

The former Nanton MP was of the view that these vigilante groups are been nurtured, funded and protected from the Flagstaff house. He cited instances when notable NPP Parliamentarian dared the legal and security authorities and threatened that should the Delta Forces culprits be jailed, something will happen.

Murtala Mohammed who also served as Deputy Trades and Industry Minister under the John Mahama regime, further pointed out that the NPP even in opposition did not hide their hatred for the Electoral Commission Boss, Madam Charlotte Osei upon her appointment to lead the Commission.

Leading NPP members from day one of the womans appointment started accusing her wrongly and calling her undeserved names. Their agenda is to either remove her from office which they cannot at the moment or discredit her.

He warned that should anything happen to Madam Charlotte Osei that leads to chaos in this country; President Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia must be held responsible.

The NPP is bent on plugging this beloved country into chaos and anarchy based on the trend they are towing

He indicated that the 2018 budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister was shambolically and deceitfully presented backed with strong public relations strategy to hide the truth. Every budget presented by successful governments was based on the spirit of honesty and transparency but the 2018 own is exceptional.

Ghana and Ghanaians deserve better than what was presented by the Finance Minister, Comrade Murtaa Mohammed said.

The NPP promised industrial transformation but nothing can be written home of that promise as they have failed to do nothing that can transform Ghanaian businesses. He challenged Dr. Bawumia to tell Ghanaians one positive thing the NPP has done since taken office eleven months ago.

Comrade Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim , commended the Coalition for doing what NDC as a party has failed to do for a very long time and suggested for such lectures to be extended to other parts of the country.

On his part, the CFO Communications Director, Mr. John Jerry Gyasi Mensah, said the objective of the Coalition is to restore the National Democratic Congress back to office during election 2020 to salvage the image of Ghana which is been dented by the present administration.

The Coalition which started as a social media group has now transformed into a full fledge movement made up of students, teachers, businessmen, traders, politicians amongst others .

The maiden CFO lectures which was held under the theme: Analysis and Expectation of 2017/2018 Budget to Drive the Change from Taxation to Production  was chaired by Hon. George Loh, a former MP for the North Dayi Constituency , in the Volta Region.

The massively attended lectures, also brought together NDC stalwarts such as Hon. Isaac Adongo, MP for Bolga Central Constituency, Mr. Sylvester Mensah, former CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority [NHIA] , Civil Society groups like the Center for Democratic Development [ CDD Ghana] amongst others.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has expressed its displeasure with the fact that President Nana Akufo-Addo and many others were put at risk of swine flu from the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) in the Ashanti Region.

Indications are that, students in the school may have contracted the virus at the time of the President's visit to the school on Saturday, December 2.

The GMA, in a statement said: We condemn the manner in which the life of the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and other citizens, were endangered by their visit to the school without the necessary measures being instituted.

It stressed that due diligence should be done at all times including consultations with all needed professionals in subsequent events of this nature to forestall any future occurrence.

Possible negligence from KUMACA

At least two students had died before December 2, before it emerged that the deaths may have been caused by the H1N1 pandemic strain of Influenza, also known as swine flu.

The virus was however confirmed in other students who were hospitalized after the testing of samples at the Noguchi Memorial Centre.

There has been some suggestion of negligence on the part of the Kumasi Academy leadership, with a bereaved family threatening a lawsuit after accusing the school of brushing the illnesses under the carpet because of its 60th-anniversary celebrations.

The bereaved family said the authorities failed to take proper care of students who fell sick, but rather concentrated on activities to mark the anniversary.

Health officials in the Ashanti Region have since said they have contained the spread of the swine flu.

Emergency preparedness

The Association expressed further concern with the country's emergency preparedness, and noted that the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment and other medical logistics needs to be improved.

Of concern to the GMA is also the public engagement on the various outbreaks, which it said must adhere to protocols so as to avoid fueling panic.

Politicians and the media should be circumspect in the handling of technical issues, and allow professionals to, as much as possible, handle such matters. The communication of conflicting positions during such emergencies fuels panic and unnecessary anxiety in the public and this hampers scientific work.

Infectious disease centres needed in northern, southern zones  GMA

As the death count of students in senior high schools nationwide rises to at least eight, with many being hospitalized, the Ghana Medical Association has called for the setting up of two infectious disease centres .

In its first comments on the escalating health concerns in the senior high schools, the Association also called for better links between schools and health facilities.

We reiterate our previous call to the government for the setting up of at least 2 national infectious disease centres  one in the southern sector, and the other in the northern sector to facilitate prompt diagnosis, service delivery, research and teaching.

The linkage of the school health system to specified facilities must be strengthened, the statement added.

SHS deaths

Aside from the suspected outbreak of swine flu at Kumasi Academy in the Ashanti Region where four students died, a death from meningitis was recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

Another meningitis death was noted at the Damango Senior Hich School in the Northern Region from meningitis.

The latest death has been recorded at the Bawku Secondary Technical School, also from meningitis.

A final year student of the Kpone Community Senior High School in the Kpone-Katamanso District of the Greater Accra Region, has also been reported dead but the cause is unconfirmed.